Married With Children

Weary?

2012-02-07T11:19:00.000-08:00

Giving Up Bad Habits

2012-02-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

The beginning of 2012, my family of five, decided we wanted to do something similar to RESOLUTIONS! So instead of personal resolutions for the year....we agreed as a family to give up something each month. Our hopes are to give up bad habits, get healthier, and have more money and time! Most of the things we will be giving up are health related...but the further we get into the year, the more you will see us giving up other things; like TV, electronic devices (at least at particular times of the day), fast food, etc....

If we DO accomplish these monthly challenges, we will take a ski trip at the end of 2012!!!!

So what did we give up in January? CANDY and CHIPS! Right after the holidays, we were eating both candy and chips as if they were a part of the major food groups! HA! So those were the first to go. And YES, we DID IT!!!!

Now on the last day of the challenge we will allow ourselves, as a family to have whatever we eliminated for the month. After the month is over, the eliminate item will only be allowed back at very limited occasions. For example, my family will not be keeping candy or chips in the house and we will limit the amount we will eat the rest of the year....like hopefully only a couple of times a month.

For the month of February my family is giving up soda. This will not be hard for me because I hardly drink sodas.....but the rest of my family does. My kids are usually Sprite lovers, so this will be a challenge for them!

It's been fun to do this as a family!!! And I look forward to how much we will change by the end of 2012!!!

GO US!!!

BLogGeR CoMe BaCk!!!! Ready or Not!!!!

2012-01-27T16:20:00.000-08:00

Gonna try to give this "blogging" another try!!! Not for anyone else's entertainment but more for journal/diary keeping purposes for myself and my family! You won't find anything life changing here! And, I might even bore you!

What you will find---many typos and grammatical errors, lots of funny photos and stories, probably some videos, and hopefully some discoveries of our growing faith!

So here we go......

Daily Scriptures

2011-01-30T18:56:00.000-08:00

"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns from God, but encourage one another, daily, as long at it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. " Hebrews 3: 12,13

I can't tell you how often I have prayed to ask God to help me draw closer to him by pulling me into His Word. As a Christian, I am really good at doing Bible Studies, preparing children's lessons, and doing devotionals. But what I struggle the most with is just DIGGING IN and letting God reveal what He wants to reveal without the "structure" of some kind of homework!

But did you notice how I started my blog off with a scripture? This is my weekly MEMORY VERSE from my First Place 4 Health Bible Study! Yes, I am still using the "structure" of Bible Study homework. But for some reason, this study is just grabbing me! It's got me excited for each new day....anticipating what I will learn next? It's not that I am learning anything NEW.....but it's the way the Word has made me stop to think.....and I find myself really meditating on the words of the scriptures!

I am not sure what God is preparing my heart for.....but I can tell He is up to something??? I treasure my daily time with Him....and look forward to telling you exactly what He is up to....soon!!!!!

Flu Attacks Us....and saved me for LAST!!!

2011-01-23T14:11:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago my middle child Zander spent three days sleeping. He had a low grade fever but for the most part, he just slept. What really made me realize he was sick, was we had a Texas SNOW DAY! And he didn't even attempt to go outside. I took him to the doctor. They did strep, mono, and flu test. None came back positive! The next day, Gabe (my youngest) got the same thing....then Addie and then Todd, and then ME!!!
I was at a training conference with several of my church peers. But I felt so tired, started getting antsy legs, and then the chills. I came straight home that evening and went to bed at 7:00pm. That was Thursday evening! I am just now waking up on Sunday afternoon!!! And I am not evening kidding!!!
Now, I will admit, my husband called the doctor for me to get some medicine. And I really think the medicine might have been half of my battle. I felt so DRUGGED, dizzy, lightheaded, thirsty, dry lips (no matter how much I drank), a little nauseated, etc..... So today I got up....still drugged like and decided NOT to take the medicine. I have had one little nap but I woke up feeling somewhat refreshed! HA! I also managed to get out of the house and go for a short walk down the street....for fresh air!
It's been brutal to say the least, but I really feel like I am on the mends! Now I must play CATCH UP on all I have missed the last few days! HA!

A Year of Running

2011-01-08T16:40:00.000-08:00

This last year, in 2010, I have made it a priority to lose weight, get in shape, and to run my bootie off.....LITERALLY! I did achieve those things, but I still have 8-10lbs to lose and have had this 10-8lbs to lose for almost 6months!!!! So what the heck gives?

Last Thursday, I was in the midst of a VERY BUSY DAY! Thursdays usually aren't that crazy. I usually have some "ME" time: like cleaning, running errands, and get a real good run in. I also have boot camp and basketball practice.

But this past Thursday I spent the day working, working, and working! My day was slipping away from me quickly and I had come to the realization that I had little time to workout. I remember feeling very STRESSED about making a choice between boot camp, running, cooking dinner and helping the kids get homework done! The reason my afternoon was so short on time is because I had decided to add a new Bible Study to my schedule (on Thursday evenings)...and this was going to be my first night!

I decided to forgo boot camp (BUMMER) but I did fit in my run....short 4mile run but I was so happy I got it in!

But something "struck me" as I began to run...... Running had definitely become a priority for my day, along with a priority for almost everyday of my life in the last year! But here's what GOT ME: "What if I treated my GOD TIME like I treated my RUN TIME?" Since April I have ran almost 1000miles. I usually workout at least an hour a day with maybe 1 or 2 days off (and sometimes I don't have any days off but do some other type of exercise). I'll be honest, I don't do this with my Bible time.....and not sure my prayer time matches even half that time!!!! But WHAT IF IT DID??? If I took all that time and effort and put it toward's God's Word or prayer time, I wonder how my life would be???

Well about an hour after I ran, I went to my orientation for this Bible Study. It is called First Place 4 Health! I didn't know much about this program other than what I have heard or read from my friend on her weight loss blog. But after the orientation, I realized that it was NO ACCIDENT for me to be in this Bible Study. This Bible Study is made to do just what I had mentioned above. I will be training myself how to put GOD FIRST in EVERYTHING I DO!

So here I am.... I may still have 10lbs to lose, but I think it might be the most rewarding 1olbs in my life! I think I might be thanking God for this last 10 lbs:-) Who would have thought!

Belated New Year's Goals---2011

2011-01-04T17:52:00.000-08:00

How does it happen? I have at least 2 or 3 blogs I want to post a week and it seems to always get put on the backburner---along with other things----and then time goes by, and so do the blogpost!!!

So with that being said here's to my New Year's Goals for 2011-

1) Post more regularly-goal is to post at least 4x a month!
2) Read the Bible daily and not just for preparation of a lesson (that doesn't count ALONE)
3) Teach my children to read the Bible on a daily basis. Goes back to #2 GOAL! But my plan is to model this and also have them read with me each morning---just a couple of verses a day!
4) Less spending money and more giving away money!
5) Save money for Addie's trip to Israel for 2012
6) Continue to loss weight---get the last 10lbs OFF--- FOR GOOD
7) Run my first FULL marathon and 3 more half marathons
8) To clean out every cabinet or closet we own
9) Spend more time with family---especially grandparent whom I never take the time for these days! Got to see each one of them this year....at least one grandparent a month!!!
10) Read more books (I think I only read 4 books this year.....and that was for work purposes)

Those are my goals for 2011! I am keeping it brief and keeping simple.... My hope is that with keeping it simple, I will actually achieve these goals:-)

So here to 2011:-)

My Super Bowl Champs

2010-11-08T10:52:00.000-08:00

My Super Bowl Family!!!!

I am so happy to brag on my boys today! Last Saturday, both of my boys teams had advanced to the Super Bowl Championship Game for each of their grade levels. Gabe played on a first grade team with only 3 players that had ever played football before....Gabe was a first timer!!! Talk about a huge transformation! This team started out looking like :-(, well, it was almost hopeless!!! LOL! But each week the team got better and better and by the end of the year, this little first grade team look like they KNEW what they were doing! Our coach was amazing with them and I have never been so proud to see such improvement!!!!Gabe's Team (he is #00)

And the same thing for Gabe. He started the year off saying he didn't want to hit his friend cos he was afraid he would hurt them!!! By the end of the year he was hitting HARD, RUNNING HARD, and became a little leader for the team!!! LOVE IT!

Gabe and his buddy, KK!

Zander's team was a totally different story! His team was unbelievably good! So good that the games were boring! Even the Super Bowl game! But this was Zander's first year to play football and he had a BLAST! He loves football and studies football alot---with his Paw! So to play this year was a dream come true! And would you know that my Zman is a kicker! Very, very rare to have a kicker make extra points at this age but Zander did it like a pro! And yes, I am proud!

Zander Post Game CoolMan Shot!

Zander's Third Grade Team (UnBeatAble)

Thankful Thursday- Week ONE

2010-11-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

Okay! Seeing alot of thankful post on blogs and facebook lately, so I am going to try this! Every Thursday, during the month of November, I'll post my "THANKFULS". But the truth is, I have too many to count! WOW! Talk about being blessed!

But I am going to do the first things that pop into my mind and not necessarily the obvious ones.....

Here goes.....
1) I am thankful for the quietness of my house just moments before the kids come in after school....cos that's when the real fun begins! (minus the homework, that is)
2) I am thankful for reconnected friendships!
3) I am thankful for a husband who really does like me and who likes being around me:-) LOL!
4) I am thankful that my three children never fight and rarely argue!
5) I am thankful for the little street I live on, in which is just perfect for us!

Until next week, I will remain thankful:-)

HalloWEENIES!

2010-11-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year! I know it sounds strange but it so fun to dress up, hand out candy, EAT candy, and just be a KID! When Todd and I moved on this street, we had no idea that Halloween would take place RIGHT HERE! LOL! I think I bought 2 bags of candy and we were out of candy in a matter of 30 minutes.

So ten years later, we are now embracing Halloween! We buy about $200 worth of candy each year and rarely have any left over! We see everyone we know from our community in 2.5hours! AMAZING!

And what's so funny is our kids love Halloween too.... They love getting the yard and porch decorated with spooky stuff and haunted music.... and they love handing out the candy to their friends.

In the last few years, our house has become the hang out house....come trick or treat and then hang out and visit! But this year we took it a step further. We did Happy HalloWEENIES in my front yard as an OUTREACH to our community! We set-up a hot stand and handed out free hot dogs and water to everyone that came by! It was soo much fun! We had lots of church family here, lots of friends, lots of neighbors, and lots of new faces. What a way to get to know people....and so easy and laid back!

Take a look at our night......320 hot dogs down! (Note to Self: Next year- we need 450 hot dogs or more cos we ran out).

Big Sisters and Little Brothers

2010-10-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

This week I became a "BIG SISTER" again and was able to witness my daughter be a "BIG SISTER" too! I know...I am confusing you, cos no one was added to the family through married or through a new birth.

For me, I grew up with one younger sibling, Grady! Oh how I adored my little brother (and still do). He was cute, small, and SMART! We were totally different and still are so different. See, he is the quiet one, but very funny. While I liked being center of attention and thought I was funny, but really wasn't. He was bit more shy (kind-of), I was NOT! He is musically talented and can figure things out that only the highly intellectuals can figure out. I am the athletic one and lets just say, I have to study---ALOT--- to understand things. LOL! This list can go on and on.

As adults, I have my own family of five and live in our small hometown by our parents. I am actively involved in our little hometown, and I have become that SOCCER MOM.... Grady has a beautiful 4yr old son, Hayden,-- is single, lives in the city, and has had some conflicts in his life in the last couple of years. He is doing well right now....but the other night, for the first time in our adult life, he called me to TALK. He is not one to call and TALK! I am usually the one calling him to pry information from him!!! -- But this time, he just need to talk to someone that was close to him! I spent over an hour listening to my adult baby brother talk. I felt like a BIG SISTER all over again. But this time, I offer very little advice but more importantly I offered him my support, prayer, and ears!!! I loved that he came to me, like he did when we both lived at home!

Now about my sweet Addison---She had to write a paper over her favorite RELATIVE for an English assignment. I thought she would have picked one of her grandmothers, her aunt from California, or her cousin from California. But to my surprise, she wrote about her little brother, Zander. I think she was the only 5th grader that wrote about a sibling! I know it seems like something so simply, but yet....as a mom and a big sister myself, I know that this really meant more to Addison! I love seeing my three children growing, learning, and laughing together! And to be honest, I get a little teary-eyed when I think that I only have about 8more years to watch them do this together before they start living separate lives.

My prayer is that they grow closer though the years....and that they will always have each other for support, encouragement, and as prayer warriors for the rest of their lives:-)

My "Cheap" Hobby Becomes an Expensive Obsession

2010-10-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

The title says it all! Since having my youngest child, Gabe (now almost 7yrs old). I have picked up the hobby and exercise of running. I have always been a runner but never much more then 2-4miles about 3-4times a week. But last December, after I got my thyroid medicines for the first time....my energy levels began to peak again..... My running was becoming easier so more mileage was added. And the weight was falling off. In the past, I have always said...running is so easy and convenient.
---"All you need is a good pair of running shoes and the ability to push through the pain when it gets tough!"

Well, if you have been reading my blog.... my hobby is not so cheap anymore! Now that I am getting serious about running in competitions (competing against myself in the races), I have needed much more than a good pair of shoes! I got a big laugh at myself the other day, as I glanced in the mirror to see ALL THE STUFF I have accumulated for my runs these days. Take a look at me!
OK! Let me just tell what I have these days:-)
This is my latest purchase (thanks to a gift certificate that my church gave me as an appreciation gift). They are UnderArmor sports sunglasses. I LOVE THEM!!! So light weight:-) I have never owned a pair of sunglasses that were over $10....so these are very "SPECIAL" to me!!!!

And here is my handy dandy protection gear. Pepper spray! Yap, I run out in the country/backroads. At times, stray dogs are around and fenced dogs get out! This makes me feel like I can take on any monster that gets after me..... Not to mention any creepy humans that may be around! Watch out!!!!

And my shoes:-) Got to love my asics!!!! This is my third pair! Love them! Love them! Love them!

And my very FAVORITE PURCHASE OF ALL.....the one thing that I have wanted for a while. I finally purchased a Garmin 405 Forerunner Watch! I so love this gadget! It's an amazing tool and companion on a run! It is unbelievable all the things you can do on this watch and with this watch!!! It has already improved my run tremedously in the short time I have had it!

I still have many other things that I take on my runs.... Take a look back at my mirror picture......
,
1) Got to love my visor! The visor is great for keeping sweat, hair, and sun out of my eyes...and sometimes rain!
2) My Iphone----This is a HUGE necessity! Not only do I use it for emergency phone calls for me or for my family to contact me, but the music on the iphone is an absolute MUST!
3) My handy dandy BELT! I only wear this belt when I know I am running 10+ miles. It has two water bottles and one pocket for energy snacks or pills or any other things you might want to take along. I use this about every 10 days, as I usually run a REAL-LONG run about every 10 days:-)
4) Lastly, something you can't see in the picture but it is on....is my heart rate monitor. It is actually under my shirt just under my chest. It actually wraps around my whole chest and back and works in conjunction with the Garmin watch. I had doubts about this gadget, as I thought it would be uncomfortable, but I can't even feel it on me! In matter of fact, I forgot I had it on one day and wore it for about 2 additional hours. I am currently learning how to train using heart rate data. :-) That will be a later post:-)

I feel prepared for a good run! So I am about to go get one in right now!!! LOL! But you know what I just started thinking about?? With winter months fast approaching, it won't be long until I need to purchase winter running clothes! LOL!

I told ya this hobby wasn't so cheap anymore!!!

The Boys of Fall

2010-10-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

This past week was a big week for my small town! It was Homecoming week!!!! Nothing says what Homecoming and Football means to a small town like mine, like this song does; THE BOYS OF FALL! So a made a clip with some picture from my boys football practices and games and then some homecoming pictures, as well!!!

Student Holiday

2010-10-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

Today the kids were off of school while the teachers had a staff development day! I really wasn't aware that the kids were off until I got a phone message last Friday from the school messaging system, but wow, what a treat!

Today has been an absolutely beautiful, relaxing Monday. First of all, it was a rainy stormy morning!!! So not having the alarm set was SWEETNESS!! Then the cool front brought great temperatures for outside play and work:-)

And my sweet hubby loves being with the family that he took today off too (last minute). What a treat!! He watched the kids this morning so I could go to workout with my friend. Then he and his dad spent much of the day working on extending the shed for more storage area. And now Todd is cooking us all a great chicken, potato, and corn on the cob meal from the grill:-) YUMMMY! Love my man!!! (and Jim too)

And my kids: Gabe has been in and out all day. Todd gave him a LEGO surprise; a fire station city. It's huge. And would you believe he has spent at least half of his day working on the lego project?? He is amazing at building these things and working from the instruction books!
Zander has been doing what he does best....playing front yard football with the neighborhood boys, playing in the muddy creek and riding scooters! And my Addie girl has been playing outside with Alexis (our neighbor) painting nails, making art projects, and running in to play on Yoville from time to time! Oh, and we let them run to Sonic to have lunch---so she feels so special:-)

For me, well I typically spend my Mondays getting the house back together, playing catchup on emails, doing laundry, getting groceries and making my weekly to do list. But today, I was able to sit with my girlfriends for a few hours....talk and discuss life with them. And BTW, I have the best girlfriends ever!!! LOL.... And then the rest of my day has been sitting back and just watching and enjoying the blessings I have in my life! AWWWE!! I don't deserve this life I live! But I am grateful for it! Thanks Jesus for making me slow down today and see how much you love me:-)

T.H.I.N.K. before you Speak

2010-10-04T05:25:00.001-07:00

What is your sin that you struggle with??? YIKES! I know, I know, not a very pleasant question to start off a post. But today at church, Roy spoke on qualifications of a deacon. Amazing how we as Christians should all aspire to qualify as a deacon (servant).

But one section specifically spoke to me..... GOSSIP! Yes, I try everyday to not do this, but it seems to always happen! SAD, SAD! I always have good intentions not to talk too much or even listen too much....but it always seems to cross that line that leaves me asking myself at night "Should I have said that?"

So this post is for ME!----Roy gave us an acronym that would help a person decide if they should or should not speak about another person in a setting. Feel free to take notes.......

WHEN TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER PERSON IS QUESTIONED AS GOSSIP:
T- True---The things you are speaking---are they truth?
H-Helpful--Are the things you are speaking and sharing helpful to the persons involved?
I- Inspiring- The things you speak about this person...are they inspiring in any way?
N- Necessary- Is it necessary to share this information about the other individual?
K- Kind- Are the things you are saying or sharing kind?

OUCH!!!! Stings a bit, doesn't it??? I don't know about you, but usually when I talk about another person, I am good about speaking TRUTH and hoping to be HELPFUL but I usually don't inspire my peers to help out and I know it's not necessary to share ALL the information I dish out. And yes, oh yes, I start off with speaking only kindly....but by the end, there is usually nothing KIND that came from the conversation!

I am going to post this acronym all over my house, car, office, etc. And I am taking this one straight to God! Got to stop and THINK from here on out!!!!

Recovering.....

2010-09-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

It's Day 3 after my big run! I am still so excited and just thrilled about my race. I am thrilled that I met my goal (to actually run a full 13.1+miles without stopping) but I am also thrilled about my pace/time. I finished with a 2:06 time but then found out a day later that the course was not a 13.1mile course, but a 13.45mile course. This means I was close to running a half marathon in less than 2 hours which is just absolutely unbelievable to me!!! WOW- I was shooting for 2:15! As you can tell, I am learning as I go....and still have so much more to learn.

Well that leads me to today! On Sunday, during the last mile of the race, Texas FALL blew in! Our temps have dropped and now our blistering days are hopefully GONE and the weather is just PERFECT! I took 48hrs off, but yesterday I got my first post race run in. Felt pretty good...ran a little, walked a little, ran a little, etc. Today rolls around and I thought I would run a quick 2.5-3miles (just too pretty outside to NOT run). But boy, my legs are TIRED! I now believe running after a race is the hardest part of running half marathons!!! UGHH!!!

I plan on getting boot camp in tomorrow and hope to have a few more run/walk workouts the remainder of this week! I think I will save my bigger, longer runs until next week....maybe even the week after!!!! COS MOMMA BE TIRED NOW!! ----like my picture:-)

But, I won't lie---I have been looking for a full marathon race for late Spring 2011 or Early Fall 2011. Not sure I can really do it, but hey----can't hurt to look and see if it is possible??? Unthinkable and unreachable is always possible!!!

My Run

2010-09-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

I did it!!! I did it!!! I did it!!! Yesterday I completed my first half marathon (13.45miles) race. I have been running for several years but in the last nine months, God begin to work on me from the inside out! So nine months ago, I began to up my mileage. At that same time, I began to lose weight, gain my strength, but also regain my self worth. (and yes, I also got alot of help from my thyroid medicines too:-) haha).

I really don't have a real reason on WHY I chose to have a half marathon as my GOAL? Maybe it was because to me, that was the unthinkable and the unreachable. And if you have known me for any length of time....I do always go for those types of goals! So nine months ago, I needed a goal! So I set my mind to it and went for it!

It's been 36hrs since I ran the race. I have has so many congrats from friends but yet so many questions: did it hurt? did you want to quit? did you cry? are you sore? were you nervous? etc.

Interesting enough....my answers were:
No, it really didn't hurt all that bad (because I was mentally and physically ready for the race)
No, I didn't want to quit (why run if I thought quitting was an option)
No, I didn't cry....but I did get chills at the first sight of my family at 3.8 miles in and 11miles in when I knew God would carry me through
No, I wasn't nervous (except for the check in procedures that I wasn't familiar with)

See, the real change in myself wasn't on race day! It was the last nine months of my life! It was what God showed me as I trained day after day! He conditioned my heart, soul, strength, and mind these past few months.... And with God, I can run any race if I am truly conditioned!!!!

I have so much more to share about this race day and hopefully will share more later....but here's a quote that was on one of the many signs as I ran along the path Sunday that spoke deeply to me.

"Obstacles are only things in the way when you are not focused on the goal." Finishing my marathon was exactly that..... I was FOCUSED on the GOAL!!!!

Thank you God for your sweet reminders and for being the best training partner ever!!!

TGIF....for real:-)

2010-09-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

Todd and I have been extremely blessed with wonderful jobs...both in ministry (which how that came to be is a whole post....later). I work part-time as the Children's Director for Grace Bible Fellowship in Gunter. And he works a Vice President of Web Ministries for Insight for Living. But get this, he has every other Friday off.

And now that school is back in session, I LOVE THOSE FRIDAYs that he is OFF!

Let me just tell you what we did today....

1. He let me sleep in and he took kids to school.
2. Then we went riding on 4 wheelers (just the two of us) in the rain and mud just outside of town (thanks James for letting us play on your land). I love love love getting outside and getting dirty! SOOO FUNN!! --i know, I am weird that way!
3. Came home and cleaned up.
4. Lunch date at Romano's in Van Alstyne.
5. Came home and took a quick little nap before kids got home!---little snuggling too;-) haha

Who needs date night when we have every other Friday to just hang out!!!! We are really getting spoiled to having these hours together:-) Sure hope they last......

Change

2010-09-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

This morning I poured my heart out in a lovely little email to my husband! HAHA! You know the type of email I am talking about...the one where you should have reread it or let it sit in your inbox a day or two before you decided to send it! HAHA!

I had just got through watching some of the BIGGEST LOSER while folding laundry and then I found myself madder than a hornet! I was mad at myself, made at Todd, and mad at our nation for selling fast foods!

So in short, I typed an email to send to my husband to vent my anger. I really wasn't angry.....I just wanted to prevent being angry later! (so that's how I am justifying sending the email:-) Anyhow-I have lost weight for the SECOND TIME in our marriage. I am 45lbs down..with only a few lbs left until my goal weight. I am a running maniac. And I am running in my first half marathon this weekend. But in the meantime, while I am eating right and exercising. I am feeding my family JUNK. My kids do exercise alot, but still....how will they ever learn to eat right if I don't teach them. And then, I was also upset because Todd, my handsome husband, had yet to jump on the bandwagon with me on this new healthy lifestyle. This leads me to see that I am setting SOMEONE up for failure in my family..... Either I will fail AGAIN and gain weight because of my surroundings OR worst off, my kids will not learn the value of a healthy lifestyle....OR even worst, my husband may die at an early age leaving me alone with 3 kids asking WHY?

So....that in a nutshell was what I typed out to my sweet husband today (but mucccchhhhh lonnnngggggeeeerrrr).

Here is a quote I found today...and it fits so well.
"Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts."

Full of alot of Birthday!

2010-09-19T15:17:00.000-07:00

Didn't know how to title this one........ LOL!

Why is it that when we have birthdays as adults we celebrate by going out to eat? And not only did I celebrate my 35th by going out to eat...but I celebrated it 3x this past week! HAHA!

My mom and I spent the day together on my actual birthday....and we ate at Babe's.

My girlfriends took me out the following day for a pedicure and for La Hacienda lunch:-)

And then my family took me to Lucy's after a very hot day of football games yesterday.

I feel MISERABLE! HAHA! I did have fun being with all the people in my life that have made my 34th year absolutely amazing though! Which made me begin to reflect.....what did I gain (or lose) this past year in my life.

So here is my top ten list from what I have learned this past year:
1.) I am chosen for God! This year while in Israel I finally have realized that God CHOSE ME!
2.) No one has more IMPACT on my kids than ME!!!!! WOW~~ little eyes are watching and listening....
3.) Baseball has become one of my favorite things to watch with my family and friends!
4.) I have learned to BE STILL for quick moments (stop and listen)....and I usually find myself smiling at God in those moments:-)
5.) Old friends aren't really old friends....they are some of your very best friends! I am so blessed to have reconnected with some special friends from my childhood years this past year! Amazing to have come to full circle with them and will probably go another full circle while parenting our children together!
6.) I LOVE to travel to new places with my husband. I know it sounds kind of mushy...but seems I fall in love with him over again each time we get away from our crazy, busy life. Not to mention, we are learning alot together when we travel so we aren't just talking about kids and schedules.....
7.) I can do anything if I just STICK to it..... gonna run my first half marathon in ONE WEEK!
8.) Simple is good.....so simplifying is what I am learning to do
9.) Family time at the big table is important...not to just me, but my kids too
10) I don't like 3rd grade homework!

I am now 3 days into my 35th year and I feel extremely blessed to have such amazing people that surround me in my life!!! So here's to 35 and counting...............

Empty Hangers

2010-09-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

About 3 weeks ago, I decided to clean out my closet....which led to a full's day work of going through EVERYTHING I owned in there. It was absolutely unreal how much STUFF I had packed away in that little space.

I had held on to several size 6 pants from 4 years ago, thinking that when I got my weight back off, I would wear them! HAHA! Whose kidding?? I don't want these "old fashioned" clothes! LOL! I did hold on to a few cute designer capris but most everything went into a give away pile.

GOOD-NEWS-BAD-NEWS: I had tons of fairly new clothes that I could not wear anymore! YIPPEE!! It was soooo fun trying on all these clothes that fit months ago and they wouldn't even stay on!! But so depressing to get rid of almost brand new clothes! I am not joking, but when I was done, I had 2 trash bags to throw away, 3 Goodwill bags, and 3 big buckets of give away clothes (that I gave to friends). I was then left with a very empty closet! HAHA! And a whole lot of hangers...

And these are just the "good" hangers. I threw out about the same amount of wire hangers, as well!

Now three weeks later (which just happened to be yesterday), I needed to run to the doctor to get medicine for the sinus problems I had been having. While I was there, I noticed the doctors cute flip-flops. She then tells me about a salon in town that has these cute designer clothes....and for cheap. So on this nice raining morning, (well, flooding morning) I had to waste some time while waiting on my prescriptions to be ready! So guess what I did?? Oh ya, I went to check out the Salon/Shop. I found so many cute clothes. And everything was on SALE!! Got a pair of flip-flops, a pair of size 28 MISS ME jeans (oh ya baby!), and 5 tops! I am so excited cause I now have a new place, close to home, that is reasonably priced that I can shop at!!!!

Let's begin to fill up the hangers!!!! :-)

What Happened to the TIMEOUT RULE??

2010-09-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Being a mom is HARD work! The list of responsibilities never ends! Actually, it seems like the list grows! You know the list I am talking about... wake kids up, feed them breakfast, be sure they are clean, sign the homework folder, get them to school. And even when they are away you are still living off the list of responsibilites of motherhood.....praying for them, cooking for them, cleaning sheet for them, being sure they have matching socks and clean clothes, etc.... This list can go on and on and on.

But what about that D word: DISCIPLINE. It sounds easy but really it's quite hard. This past week I spent the majority of my time repeating a few of the same phrases to my kids.. "Did you get your homework done?" "Is your room clean?" and the one that did me in this week... "Did you ask before you left the front yard?"

School has been in session for two full weeks now. And in the time, it seems that Preston Glen (the road I live on) has triple in number of how many kids live on this street. So after school, you can see nothing but kids playing ball or hide go seek or riding bikes. I must say I LOVE that about my street and I know how valuable that is. But have three children (ages range from 6-10yrs) it seems that our YARD RULES have been tested to the max. Gabe is my youngest. He is still not allowed, without special permission to go across the street to the neighbor"s yard. The other two older kids, are allowed to go play at the neighbors house...but under strict rules...
1) They must ask me before they leave
2) They must play in the yard ONLY...no going inside (unless I get a phone call or text asking them to come over)
3) Returning back home at the time agreed on
4) Not leaving that yard to attend another yard, without me knowing
5) Play nicely

So this past week, the two kids kept leaving the front yard and not telling me where they were going...and then sometimes they got permission but didn't remain where they said they would be...and sometimes they just ignored the RETURN time. So Saturday, MEAN MOMMA MANDY came out to their surprise! Both Addison and Zander broke the rules, YET AGAIN! The kids were banned to be inside on LABOR Day....their day OFF...but they didn't get the day off! Instead, Addison and Zander spent 3hours doing household chores!!! It was hard for me to do this! Why? Well, I hated telling their friends to go home but they couldn't play because they didn't follow the OUTSIDE RULES! I felt like I was embarrassingnt them, but at the same time, I wanted their friends aware that my kids had rules they HAD to follow to be allowed these privileges. Then, it was a beautiful day outside!!!! And NO HOMEWORK OR FOOTBALL PRACTICE!!! This is a RARE thing for our household in the school year! I felt so bad making them come in and do housework for half of the day when I knew they needed the play time.

But I knew I had to IMPRESS on my kids that what I said, I meant, and it can't be tested anymore! The reality of this is the rules are rules because mommy is being mean. But the rules are the rules cause mommy has an important job! God gave me the responsibility to raise them in a SAFE, LOVING, and GODLY HOME!

See, it's hard being a mom! It's hard to follow through on what you said would happen if rules weren't obeyed! I know that this is not the last time I will feel bad for doing what I know is right! I got years and years of this ahead of me....

Sure was easier when they had timeout!!! HAHA!

First Football Games

2010-08-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

So I have given in and let both of my boys play football this year! I went to school to be a coach and a teacher...and after several kinesiology classes, I told myself that if I ever had boys, they would be at least 5th grade before they played tackle football.
Why??
1) I didn't want to be one of THOSE parents that pushed their boys to feel that athletics was the most important thing in their life.
2) Many kids play recklessly, and many coach recklessly, too....
3) Winning is not everything
4) The safety of my child if none of the above were done

Well, here I am with one child playing a year earlier than I thought and my youngest playing as a first grader! HAHA! Well, in my defense, alot of this was daddy's decision. But I will tell you, after watching my oldest son, Zander in other sports, I felt that if "he wanted to", he seemed ready for football. He is a smart kid, hustles like no other kid, and does his very best to do exactly what the coach ask. He also is a strategic player. He studies the game and is really good at strategies. And he is very much a team player and loves spending time playing ANY sport with his buddies!

Why Gabe? I am gonna be honest! I would like to see him toughen up some and have the ability to stand his own if he needs to. See, he is around boys 2-3years older (Zander and his buddies) and these kids run circles around Gabe. But it is not because Gabe isn't capable of hanging with these kids. It's because Gabe has no idea he has the strength or ability to stand up to these kids and compete with them or even take them down himself. And then when Gabe is with kids his own age, he babies them! So...I put him in football in hopes to give him a little fight and some self confidence!

I am not 100% sure I made the right decision, but I know I did my best to make sure I did! But the most important thing is both boys are LOVING it and learning so much! I am proud of them no matter what!

Addison is a MIDDLE SCHOOLER!!!

2010-08-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

How did it happen so fast? I know I have heard my mom say it for years, "Enjoy it, cos time will fly by!" And boy is she ever so right!

Here is a picture of my baby girl about 10 years ago!

This is a picture of her on the first day of kindergarten (5years ago).

And this is her today....a middle school young lady!

She is growing so fast and I know that some of the most difficult and yet best years lie ahead! I pray that God gives me the knowledge, the wisdom and the patience to to raise her in a way that would give him glory:-)

Summer and the "SHOULD DO LIST"

2010-07-14T06:15:00.001-07:00

As I was running this morning I started to think about how fast summer is going by and then realized that even the second part of my summer is full already. With just 5 weeks before schools starts up again, my second part of summer is already taken up....
with one more baseball tournament, a church camp, and an IFL-Reformation Tour to Germany, Turkey, and Austria!

Where has the time gone? And how come my TO DO LIST never got pulled out this summer.

Things I should try to do before school starts again, but probably won't....
1) Rest
2) Visit Grandparents (some far and some near)
3) Clean Out All Cabinets in the house
4) Paint my living room
5) Paint the shed and make it look nice
6) Clean out the Office (this one I have been thinking about doing this week)
7) Go on a date with my husband
8) Go to Six Flags
9) Redo the flowerbeds (hey, I have weeded them a few times this summer)
10) Read a good book

So, I hope I do get at least 3 of these done before school starts! That would make me feel somewhat better, but we will see:-) But I do know something I have done this summer that I am so glad we have done....are these baseball tournaments and our spontaneous trip to Florida. These two things have been great for my family! Been spending lots of time with my husband and babies and these are far more important that all the organizational things on my SHOULD DO LIST;-)

The Signs of Our God and Answered Prayers

2010-07-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

If any of you keep up with my facebook, you would have noticed that the last 4-5months of my life has been consumed of little league baseball! With two boys, Zander-8yrs old and Gabe-6yrs old, we have been to alot of practices, games, and tournaments! And I must say it has been ALOT OF FUN!

This past week, my oldest son Zander played in the Dixie 8U Coach Pitch State Tournament! His team is amazing and Zander has played his heart out all year long! He has a very successful year. He has hit 6 HRs! He is an amazing First Basemen! And he and his teammates NEVER QUIT!

The double elimination tournament started last Saturday. We played 6 games before advancing into the Championship game. We won our bracket and Prosper (a rivalry team just 15minutes away from Gunter---that several friends play on) won their bracket. The championship game was played on Saturday. It was a best two out of three game series.

So Wednesday morning, we played game one! We lost 5-3. We had cold bats and our defense was still in bed, it seemed. Bad news though! Not only did we lose, but rain was headed our way. The Dixie League Commissioner had said if our next games were rained out, that Prosper would automatically be the State Champs (for the THIRD TIME). Our first game was at 9:30 but our next games was scheduled for 5pm and 7:30pm. At 2:00 we all were in the hotel lobbies feeding the kids SPARKS energy drinks and oranges and watching the storms approaching the area. There was an 80% chance of thunderstorms!

At this moment I begin to tell the boys and Zander...to pray! Pray that the good Lord will give you the opportunity to play the next two games....give you a chance at winning the STATE TITLE!

My own personal prayer was...."Dear Lord, these boys worked very hard for this! Please be BIG and show them how you can work for them in this silly little game of baseball. Keep the rain away! And if it be your will....may they win this!"

We began our games at 4:30 since it was obvious the rain was just minutes away! And let me just tell you....it was so amazing just looking at those clouds. There were rain clouds on every side of us...but blue skies above us! Not only for game 2 but game 3 too!! It was as the Lord opened the skies so we could play ball right there on that field for 4hours! And would you know...we WON!!!! Our boys won game TWO 15-14 and game THREE 8-5. It was so exciting and so fun!

After the game...we were in the car driving and talking and discussing the game! At one moment I looked at Zander and asked "Did you pray?" and he replied YES... and I told him "that none of this could be possible without the Lord. He gets the Glory for win! He gave you the gifts and talents and the heart and drive to play good ball. And Zander did you realize, there was a 80% chance of rain today?" He said "Yes, Mom...it was supposed to rain but not a single drop fell.." At that moment...we saw two rainbows out of our car window. WOW! I said "Look Zander! Just another sign that God is in control!". We then start talking about rainbows, the FLOOD, etc. Then right then and there we see a diesel truck that is completely covered with signs that say JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Now let me tell you....I have never seen a diesel truck with anything such thing written on it....and the timeliness of seeing this one rare truck was not accident! I know my God is in control! And I know He answers prayers in a big way! But on that big game day, I sure did appreciate how God totally showed my Zander how He was in control and He does answer prayers! There is no doubt in my mind or heart that Zander understands that now!

Now on to the WORLD SERIES:-)

"Blessed"

2010-06-23T19:52:00.001-07:00

The last couple of days I have been preparing for our next SUMMER SUNDAY LESSON for the Children's Ministry! As I was studying and preparing....I was reminded of how God's Word, even through a more simplified study, applies and speaks to me! This was God speaking and today I heard him loud and clear!

The good news...it wasn't one of those times where God got my attention, where I immediately knew I was sinning, or doing something wrong....

Instead, this time I was told to STOP-REFLECT-MEDITATE! How "JoYoUs" it was that I listened to God and actually took the time to see what He wanted me to see!

This week's SUNDAY lesson we will learn about THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT---or the BEATITUDES(Luke 6:21-26). We will study MANY things in this lesson, but what really stuck out to me this time was the word "BLESSED".

In one of the activities we will ask our kids to reread the scriptures to substitute "HAPPY" for the word "BLESSED". For some reason, when I went back to do this....I found myself at peace...and smiling! It felt good! These scriptures are promised blessings or happiness that Jesus made for the people who have unfair situations!

When I started rereading the scriptures and thinking of all the unfairness in my life or in the lives of others whom I love around me.....it really started to sink in! WOW! I am BLESSED! I am HAPPY!

Ten "Blessed" or "Happies" that I thanked God for today!
1. Happy am I that I am God's.
2. Happy am I that I am not rich in money or earthly possessions...but I am rich in God's love!
3. Happy am I that I have a mom who is healing after a cancer scare.
4. Happy am I that my babies are healthy and always near (and who like being near me)
5. Happy am I that I see that God has chosen me! It has been made clear to me after my last trip to Israel, that He has always chosen me!!! WOW! Just took me 34.5years to see it!
6. Happy am I that I am learning more and more each day that I can be comfortable and not be ashamed of being God's workmanship!
7. Happy am I that I choose to live my life to glorify my good God!
8. Happy am I that I have a best friend who is my husband!
9. Happy am I that I was chosen to study these scriptures this week:-)
10. Happy am I that this list will never really end.............

I am "blessed" and that makes me happy! Thank you Jesus for your promises!!!

Sticks and Ball + Sweating Parents = Dirty Boys Playing Baseball

2010-06-07T07:09:00.001-07:00

If you think about it, it's kind of a funny thing to be so excited about a stick and a ball and 9 boys standing in a field hitting the ball with the stick! HAHA! But it sure is alot of fun, too. Todd and I have enjoyed every minute of little league baseball this spring/summer. Both boys are playing coach pitch. Gabe plays on a 6U team and Zander is playing his last year on an 8U team! Both boys have had a great season...and a winning season. But I must say, Zander's little team is AMAZING! They are beating teams that are from the big cities, that play year round! They are winning big tournaments and just doing amazing things! We are expected to make it to STATE and even have a good shot of making it to the World Series! How cool would that be to have little 2A team make it big.

Right now they are ranked #1 in the Nation and State for USSSA.

We have alot more baseball coming up, as both boys are on ALL STAR teams and both are playing select too! But here is a video from our Celina-Gunter Tournament. Twenty teams and we finished second against the Texas Quick (who is a Kid Pitch team) and usually plays up a division, and has kids from the HEB area! WOW! Score 12-8.

Florida- The simple things I don't want to forget...

2010-06-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

The beach vacation was awesome! Three full days of water, sun, and sand....and my family! No cell signals, no chores, no practices, no work.... Just me and time with my family! Totally priceless! And I am so thankful that God had this nice trip planned for us!

I thought I would take the time to jot down a few things I don't want to forget... Mind you, these things may mean absolutely nothing to you, but they are very important to me! They are all SIMPLE but made me smile each time I witnessed them!

1. Gabe- He is always cautious and wants to stay safe...and wants other safe too.
***EX: We rode seados for two hours one morning. Gabe sat in front of Todd and Zander rode on the back. Todd said that Gabe asked every minute or so..."Dad, is Zander still hanging on? Dad, did Zander fall off? Dad, could you check to see if Zander is okay behind you?" LOL
***EX: There was a "outgoing" little 4yr old boy...who was quite the challenge for his mother playing near us on the beach. The little boy snuck off and Gabe came up to me and said "Mom, that boy's momma needs to go get him! He is going to drown. Could you please tell his mom about our boobie rule?"---We had a rule for our kids, don't go past your boobie marks (nipples) while playing in the water or you will have to sit out for 20minutes." LOL

2. Zander- He is sooo funny! Such a wise crack...especially with his daddy! They are so funny together. But one thing that Todd pointed out was the way he would laugh at himself the end of his sentences as he told us funny little stories or statements. I love his laugh!! The boy gets his wittiness from his daddy for sure! I really enjoyed just sitting back and watching Todd and Zander. I can see there is a special bond between the two of them. Love watching them joke around with each other and love watching them play Paddle Ball...which they did alot of!!!

3. Addison- This could be the last year that my little girl looks like a little girl, as I have noticed she is growing so fast. She is changing quickly. And before too long she will be more of a lady than a girl! YIKES! But she still loves being around me...loves time with me....and thinks I am the best! We spent lots of time floating out further than the boys would like to go! But it was nice...just being with my daughter! Playing, singing, and laughing! I know this may never come to an end, but I also know that with the teen years fast approaching, there will be much less of that happening! So sad:-( She is such a sweet and caring little girl! And did I tell you...she loves to shop too:-) LOL

4. My husband- He is just GOOD! Love that man so much! And I know he loves me too! I can tell...:-) This trip, I was reminded of what first attracted me to him physically---those BLUE EYES! Being near the blue water and sky, boy-those eyes sparkle! But my man seems to always impress me with how he enjoys the simple things! I loved every minute of sitting on the beach with our feet in the sand together, as we looked at the beautiful beach and our kids who played on it. And those evenings when we went down to the beach before sundown....just to put our feet in the water, needed no chairs or towels....and then watched the sun go down as we talked and walked along the beach with our babies! Simple things...but such good things!!!

What a great three days I had to be able to slow down and really absorb my family in! Thanks to my God for having this trip planned out for us! Thanks to my God for showing me your love...

Vacation and Two Piece Bathing Suits

2010-05-26T05:49:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow about 10am, we will pull our kids out of school early and head to............DESTIN, FLORIDA! YAE!!!! I am so excited! And guess what, I went to Dillards yesterday (twice, as I drove all the way there to realize I left my wallet at home :-/, and had to drive all the way back home to get it). I went straight to the bathing suit area and felt soo stressed just looking at all the cute suits.

See, they are all cute on the hangers, models, and posters all over the place. But somehow the mirror never reflects the same images:-) LOL! Anyhow... I seriously tried on at least 50 suits. But guess what???? I actually found SEVERAL I liked...so $250 later and 1.5 hours later, I had bought...not one suit, not two suits, but THREE SUITS!! LOL But they all mix and match really well. I bought two two pieces suits, one with a skirt and another with short/brief bottoms, and then one tikini:-) I even bought a cute LUCKY brand bikini top.....but didn't get the bottoms to match. Those days are LONG GONE! LOL!

I came home to LOCK my daughter and myself in my bedroom in front of the full length mirror and had her PINKY PROMISE to tell me the honest to God truth. And she will! She gets her honesty from me! LOL! But she loved them all.... She even told me I was gonna be the best fit mom at the beach! I assured her that was probably wrong, but I am a heck of alot closer this year than I was last year!

Can't wait to post pics of our vacation:-) Bring on the sun!!

Sweet Chicken! Took measurements today:-)

2010-05-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

So....I have had hit a plateau on the weight loss in the last 3weeks... Frustrating but still not about to give up. I know my body needs some time to adjust to the new SCHEDULE of becoming a long distance runner and eating right!

But, I have downloaded a GREAT APPLICATION for my Iphone called MyNetDiary which I think is AWESOME! You can get it online, as well! With this tool I am not only journaling what I eat and how I exercise, but it also will analysis my eating pattern and tell me what I need more of and eat less of. I am not "nutritional savy" when doctors talk about saturated fats and such, but I do think this tool will slowly teach me more about these foods and what they are made up and what all this really MEANS?!?! I don't want to be so focused on the weight loss that I don't truly learn how to eat....which means learn how to maintain once I hit my goal!

But I as I was checking this application out, I noticed it asked for measurements...which dawned on me that I had not done measurements in quite some time....

I was THRILLED with the results! Made me realize how far I have actually come:-) And these measurements weren't even at my heaviest... Matter of fact... I had lost about 15lbs at this point doing the elimination diet! But within two months I was back up to 182lbs! YIKES..So keep in mind, I was close to 165 with these measurements

Weight Oct. 165lbs (when I did the orginal measurements)
Dec. 182lbs (weight before thyroid)
May 144lbs
So...keep in mind these measurements are my October measurements....at 165lbs!
Neck 13in---12.75in
Chest 36.5---35.25
Bust 38.5---37.25
Upper Arm 12.25---11.25
Waist 12.25---11.25
Hips 40----39
Thighs 22---21.25
Calve 14.75---14
bicep 12----10
tric 14---14
back fat (had a fancy word I cant spell) 23---15 AMAZING!
iliac 24-23

BMI...25.1---23.1

HALLELUJAH!!!! I am so excited. I still have some work....but looking back and celebrating from where I come from sure gives me a big boost!

Tomorrow----I face the dressing room and must remember this!
It is time for me to buy the dreaded bathing suit! WISH ME LUCK!!! This always makes me sad:-) LOL But if I play my cards right, hopefully before summer ends, I will need to downsize my bathing suit one more time!

Spontaneous Vacation

2010-05-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

Well....we have had a "somewhat" of a vacation planned for the last two months. Grant it, it was based around my oldest son's baseball team! But it was time away...time in a hotel, time in the sun, time not CLEANING! OR COOKING! and just being away from responsibility! But today, we got news that our Oklahoma City Weekend Tournament did not make! Hotels were canceled and some 8yr old boys hearts' were broke! And yes, so was mom and dad's heart!

So today....we are searching! My husband and I have already taken a few days off for this planned vacation, so we don't want to lose it. But we also don't want to waste it by staying home doing HONEY DOs. Even though, there are plenty of things TO DO here:-)

A few things we are discussing and looking into:
1) Meet my sister in law halfway like somewhere in New Mexico!?!?! They live in California and we are here in Texas? But where and what would we do?
2) Go to Destin, FL, the place we went last year. The little cabana is available and it still priced right?? Sounds good to me!
3) Sea World and San Antonio??? HOT! HOT! HOT!

WHAT WILL IT BE? HUMM!!! STAY TUNED!

Getting Rid of the Checklist

2010-05-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

FOCUS MANDY! FOCUS!

It seems life has been completely and utterly NUTS since Spring Break. Not sure how it happened but all of a sudden I find myself living by checking off my checklist! YIKES! Who wants to live like that! Now grant it, the checklist does help me get things done, but it doesn't allow me to live the life GOD had planned. Just a life I seem to plan with checkmarks. From work, to household responsibilities, to health/fitness, and yes even to time with God. Now....my list consist of far more than just those things I mentioned....just like your checklist must look too. But today I woke up and said to myself. ONLY making a TOP 5 List for each day! And the first three things are a must...
1) Spend time with God (in His Word or prayer or even an Iphone application while working out)
2) Make it a priority to spend "QUALITY TIME" with at least one person from my family each day. May not be all day affair but even a uninterrupted 2 minute talk or walk with a child...or even my husband could make a huge difference!
3) Keep my workout/eating habits in check---
And then #4 and #5....are my TO DOs....which will most likely be work and house chores.

Now...guess what.... this is still a list!!! URGH! But I have to taper myself away from it first! RIGHT???

The LAST TIME..... So sad:-(

2010-05-15T06:31:00.000-07:00

Today, it dawned on me that I will never again have a kindergartner. My baby boy, Gabe, who is now 6 years old, has two more weeks of kindergarten. Really, I know its not that big of a step (cos in Texas, kindergarten is fulltime)....but it really is for MOMMY! Kindergarten still sounds so young but the thought of never again having a child in kindergarten just seems so unbelievable to me (and makes me feel old too:-) ).

Today was Gabe's last regular season game of peewee U6 Coach Pitch, too. And yes, I kept looking in the dugout and thinking....wow, look how little and dang cute these little boys are. Luckily for me, I have seen these little bitty boys play ball together the last two years. They don't come any cuter or any smaller. And to see these little guys get up to the home plate, with a helmet that out weighs their body weight, and a bat that takes all the muscle they have to just swing it....and then to see everyone of them hit these little hits and run as fast as their little bodies will carry them.... it's just the cutest little thing you have ever seen! These boys are having fun. In matter of fact, they don't even care who won or lost cos they are having so much fun!

But...those days are slowly coming to an end. My Gabriel will never again be this small or play peewee5/6 coach pitch again.

But he will always be my BABY---no matter what he thinks or says.

Oh---another sad thing and another post....my oldest baby will be in middle school next year. But I am still in denial about that! I will post on the first day of school when I CRY after I drop her off with all those mean preteens:-) LOL

More pics...some kind-of CRAZY!!!

2010-05-10T08:27:00.001-07:00

Mother Day Photos....more to come

2010-05-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

The "I THINK I CAN"

2010-05-06T07:17:00.001-07:00

I have recently added a few little gadgets to my blog. Two tickers...1)Half Marathon Goal 2) Weight loss goal. I have also added a mileage gadget on the side of my blog. This little thing tells me how far I ran and when I ran last...and then one tells me my total for the WHOLE time I have been logging my mileage!

So a little history is a must at this point since I have been on a blogging sabbatical recently.

Brief Info that will catch you up:
1) Almost four years ago I lost a ton of weight. I was a STAY AT HOME MOM and slowly became addicted to running. Ran 10miles two times but mainly ran 4-6miles 4 times a week. I got down to 128lbs and a size 6.
2) Started working full time. Slowly gained weight and decreased mileage (but never stopped running). I ran more like 2-3miles about 3 times week!
3) In January 2009, I decided to put my health/fitness/weight as a priority, since I was working part-time in Gunter...and I was starting to feel bad...like emotionally, spiritually, physically...just not myself.
4) October 09, I was frustrated! DONE! HAD IT!! I was still gaining weight after a year of boot camps and running 2-3 miles 4x a week....and eating right....or even eating organically! I went in for a consultation and my annual exam with a new local doctor. I weighed in at 176:-(
5) December 09- After blood work, we found out I had an underactive thyroid, low progesterone, and needed to start on hormone pills. YIKES! I was nervous...cos I was now 182lbs. What if this was a long process I was about to start feeling worse and getting FATTER???
6) One week after the thyroid and progesterone medicine, I was back to my old self.... Meaning, I was sleeping great again, more energy during the day, not so emotional, my hair wasn't falling out in clumps, and exercising was easier!
7) February and March 2010- I feel AWESOME, the weight is coming off, and running is becoming one of my favorite things to do again! I increased my mileage to 2-5miles about 4X a week and still doing boot camp!
8) May 2010- Just got back from my monthly doctor's follow up. Got my bloodwork done and everything is NORMAL. I will remain on my hormone pills for 6 more months before we re-test and see how everything is holding out! I have gone from a size 14 to a size 8. I have gone from 182lbs to 144lbs. My personal goal is to be 138lbs.

Now, I have another new goal. About 4 weeks ago, I found the dailymile website from a friend's facebook post. I love this tool. It allows me to map out my runs. I can record how fast I ran, and it will calculate my calories, and it's a great training and encouraging tool because you become friends with other runners and learn so much from them. I began to map out all sorts of routes....which led me to try one of them. I had only ran 5miles at one time, but decided to go run an 8mile course I mapped out. I had intended to walk some, if need be, but I ended up running the whole 8miles and it really didn't hurt too bad. At that time, I realize "I THINK I CAN DO A HALF MARATHON". So now...I am looking into some local races and trying to learn more about marathons. My max run has been 10miles. And I am even considering participating in an HALF-IRON MAN in October???

I KNOW! I KNOW! CRAZY! But "I really think I can" do this!!! LOL!

The Weekend of Champions!

2010-05-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

What a fun, fun weekend the Turner family had! Todd and I have spent the whole last few weeks being super busy running kids everywhere. One parent runs one child to one game, another takes or picks a kid up from practice, while another parent helps coach a practice, and then we will meet up at the late game, etc..... LOL! We have a rule that the kids can only participate in one sport at a time. But this spring has been a whirlwind of filling gas tanks, icing down water and Gatorade, and lunging around lawn chairs. Two boys playing baseball and a lady in volleyball!

This past weekend, Addison had her end of the year tournament in volleyball. This was her first year to play (and my first year to coach). I won't lie, the first game we played was a NIGHTMARE! But after a month of practicing (Mrs. Sara Price was sweet enough to run practices so she could teach me volleyball too), a few games lost and a few games tied, I must say, we drastically improved. So in our tournament....we won our first two games which put us in the championship game....which had us receive 2nd place! The girls were so proud...and I was so proud of them too:-)

Then on a weekend of anticipated thunderstorms....we also had two more baseball tournaments..... 1) Gabe's first little 5/6 Coach Pitch Celina Tournament and 2) Zander's Young Gun Tournament (select team) in McKinney-Triple Creek. Expecting to have a few rainouts or rain delays, we were pleasantly surprised! The weather couldn't have been more perfect for a great weekend of baseball. No rain, just a few clouds...and then alot of sun!

But Todd and I had to at least spend several dollars worth of gas running back and forth between Celina and McKinney on Saturday and Sunday. And to be honest with you...we didn't expect to be playing much or long on Sunday with the boys. We really thought they would be beat out of their tournaments sometime early on Sunday. Why?? .....1)Gabe's team is so young and inexperienced 2) Zander's team was in a 15 team tournament with some really good teams!
But guess what??? Gabe's team ended up winning all their games but the championship game. So they were awarded 2nd place:-) And Zander's team played UNBELIEVABLE. The won 6 straight games....and even beat the Irving Canes (amazingly awesome team) to be placed in the championship game against a team we meet up several times in tournaments...the Frisco Rough Riders. We only beat them 13-12! It was so much fun and so stressful:-) HAHA!

So needless to say....Todd and I are very proud of my kids. Not because they all came in with trophies, but because of their hardwork, good attitudes, and how they apply themselves. Trophy or no trophy....they are my big winners! Oh, how I thanked God for a wonderful weekend of enjoying them and the weather and the dear friends that come along in these environments!

---But it was way cool to come home with 3 trophies still:-) HAHA

Balance

2010-04-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

The other day, my husband and I were taking the kids to Muenster, Texas to participate in the German Fest festivities! On our way, we saw a church....called THE CHURCH OF BALANCE. It grabbed my attention, because it seems that is what I seem to struggle with most in my life....BALANCE!

The dictionary defines BALANCE in several ways........
–noun
1.a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.
2.something used to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
3.mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.

OKAY---these I get. I can BALANCE my life. I can be mentally steady, right? Calm behavior, yes? Judgment, Who am I do judge????

But look at these other definitions for BALANCE....

-the remainder or rest
-the power or ability to decide an outcome by throwing one's strength, influence, support, or the like, to one side or the other.
-equality between the totals of the two sides of an account.
-the difference between the debit total and the credit total of an account.
-the act of balancing; comparison as to weight, amount, importance, etc.; estimate.
-preponderating weight:

OH! I am so tired just reading over those! It seems I struggle with balance in my life. I can always recognize what is OUT of balance and can adjust it....but it seems that when I do adjust it, something else is thrown out of balance!
For example: Recently.... I discovered after almost 2 years of hard workouts, running, eating right, counting calories, and all, that I have an under active thyroid. So we begin to get medications for that. Since then I have lost quite a bit of weight and my energy level is BACK! So running has become one of my favorite things to do again. Running is great, cause this is where I spend lots of time mediating on God's Word and having great prayer time (uninterrupted). However, more running time may be good for me, but running an hour or so a day takes away from daily chores or even time spent checking kids homework (this was an issue with Addison two weeks ago). URG!
So I had the talk with the family....we decided we must get on a better schedule. We have dry erase calendars in the playroom, along with DAILY TO DO LIST!. We also hung hooks on the wall for kids backpacks and jackets....and made some adjustment to our house and family to start using these tools to help us better maintain the house AND schoolwork! Yes... it worked but not without throwing something else out of balance!!!!

So this week, workout is good, work is good, homework and housework is good....but guess what I haven't taken the time to do today because housework got in the way??? YAP, haven't opened my Bible today...at least not yet! And what I am about to say is worse. I don't think I opened my Bible yesterday either (this doesn't count me helping PreK and Kindergarten students find Jeremiah in their Bibles). It was Sunday for crying out loud.... HOW DID I NOT OPEN MY BIBLE ALL DAY!!!!! UGH!

This blog post can go on and on about how it seems that I spend my life ADJUSTING my schedule just to try to make it BALANCE out! But I admit, I don't know if I will ever figure this BALANCE thing out! LOL!

(Maybe I should use this blog to help me organize a better daily plan for me to follow HAHA)

Ideas for this Blog

2010-04-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

So....it's been quite some time since I have last posted on here! Life has been busy! Life has been crazy! But my life has definitely been good! I have so many new things going on in my life right now! I have so many things I would like to share, but just not sure how, nor if anyone really cares! I am not even sure how I want to use this blog anymore.

When I initially started blogging, I did it so my family and friends could check in on me and my family and see what we were doing....but it seems facebook has taken the place of that purpose. So now.....All I have to share is more personal stuff. But who wants to hear personal stuff? YUCK! LOL! But I am trying to decide if I want to use the blog to see my own personal growth??? Perhaps, but then again, I am not sure I want everyone knowing the TRUTH about my struggles! LOL! My struggles are real, just like everyone else. From weight lose, to parenting, to sticking to God's word, to dealing with insecurities..... I have them! All of them! So I am praying about it... and I may venture into it! We will see!

I have the best job ever!!!!!

2009-12-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

Keep CHRIST in Christmas!!!!

2009-12-07T15:13:00.000-08:00

Today I sent this email out to all the leaders and coaches of GBF's Children's Ministry Team! I think all could benefit from this aritcle...........

Just recently my husband and I saw a billboard that said KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS....which sparked us in a conversation on this very subject. I like the idea behind the billboards, however my husband thinks the money on the billboard could be spent somewhere else..... So therefor, I have been thinking alot about WHY I support this advertisement! Here is a article I came across today that I found very interesting and worth reading.

Getting Christ Back into Christmas Your Ministry

There is a danger in ministry that is easy to miss. During the Christmas season, we often hear the phrase, "keeping Christ in Christmas," or reminders that He is the "reason for the season." But these sentiments have as much to do with our ministry all year long as they do with the celebration of Christmas. While it is certainly disappointing how little of Jesus we see in our culture's celebration of Christmas, and frustrating to see our Savior being systematically squeezed out more and more every year, there is something far more gradual and eternally dangerous than seeing Christ steadily removed from Christmas. And it is happening every month of the year. It is the slow and unintentional removal of Christ from ministry – or at least the removal of a vibrant relationship with Jesus in the midst of Christ-centered ministry.

I have no doubt that children's ministry leaders and volunteers will keep "Christ in Christmas" during this season. I am more concerned about whether we will keep a relationship with Jesus at the center of our life and ministry. Christmas serves as a perfect object lesson on this topic because Christ slips away from our ministries the same way He slips out of Christmas. When it comes to the purpose and focus of Christmas, it is true that there are those who are intentionally and strategically trying to remove Christ from Christmas – but they are easy to identify. However, there is a more subtle attack at play. Too often Christ gets lost, not because of overt attacks, but because He just gets drowned out in the midst of many other good things. Shopping for gifts to express love is a good thing. Decorating to make the world a brighter place is a good thing. Cooking up special recipes to make life taste better is a good thing. Playing with children, volunteering to help the poor, giving to the needy, playing music focused on joy, and promoting peace and expressing love are all good things. They aren't "bad," and they even please Christ – but at the same time, they can distract us from the very One who inspired them.

The same is true with our lives and ministries. We do have an Enemy who seeks to remove Christ from the center of our lives, and often his distractions or downright seductions work – and we sin. But more often, it is all the GOOD in our lives and ministry that can cause Jesus to be lost in the shuffle. We are about so many good things! Creatively teaching the Bible is good. Getting kids to come to church is good. Making the environment fun and inviting is good. Preparing fun games, engaging crafts and yummy snacks is good. Providing resources is good and staffing our classes and programs is good. Developing safe policies and creating attractive bulletin boards, brochures and websites is all good – and most of it is inspired by our desire to lead children into a saving relationship with Jesus. But just as Christ slips out of Christmas while we are busy sipping the eggnog, so Jesus can slip out of our ministry while we are restocking the resource room with apple juice.

Here a few warning signs that Jesus may have gotten buried in the busyness of ministry:

* You haven't read the Bible for yourself in awhile. (Lesson prep doesn't count!)
* If you pray, it's at meals, or when you need something for the ministry.
* Your spouse or kids are starting to resent the ministry. (Or perhaps you are.)
* What used to bring you great joy now seems like a burden. (If you are honest.)
* You aren't really as happy as you appear on Sunday. (You thought no one could tell.)
* You can't remember the last time you got to lead someone to Christ (one on one).
* You are feeling stressed and overwhelmed with the ministry. (His burden is light.)
* You are exhausted most of the time.
* You feel unappreciated, undervalued and overworked.
* You don't like who you are becoming privately.
* You have sin in your life that if anyone knew...

How does it happen? How can you be doing so much GOOD and seeing LIVES CHANGED and have so many people impressed and pleased with you… but Jesus seems like a stranger to you?

Friend, Jesus is not only the "Reason for the Season," he is the Reason for your Ministry, too. "Keeping Christ in Christmas" is not the main challenge – keeping your relationship with Him central in your life and ministry is!

Thanks for letting me share this!!!!! Love yall!!!

Christmas Treats for the Inexperienced

2009-12-04T10:51:00.000-08:00

Year after year I tell myself I want to learn to make some fun Christmas treats to share with friends, relatives and co-workers. But time and time again, it gets busy I usually end up settling with handing out gift cards instead.

But this year I am a bit more free....which I am thrilled about. So this weekend I want to start playing in my kitchen and making some fun treats.

So for all your bloggers, please share some of your favorites with me! But please NOTE, I am not a homemaker and don't spend alot of time in the kitchen. So easy/simple is best!!! HAHAHA! Plus, I am hoping the kids will help me in there this weekend too!!!

New Room, New Attitude

2009-10-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

I know it is not new news about our recent add-on to our home. And, it's not technically an add-on but we closed in our garage!

But I can't explain how this has changed the Turner Household for the better!! It is almost as if we aren't the same family! HAHA!

First of all, my family of 5 sat at a small area in the kitchen. The original kitchen table only had 4 chairs and we usually have to pull up a step stool or an office chair if we all want to sit together. And to be honest, usually I would feed everyone and wait on them or we would have kids in the kitchen and Todd in the living room! It is also a tight area to have the family in. NOW: We have a huge table in the new big room that can sit up to 8, maybe even 10 and we have 6 chairs! We eat together, we do homework or work together and even clean together! NO JOKE!

Secondly, that small kitchen area and table was in constant use, which was tiring and very frustrating... not to mention it caused me to yell more than I wanted to! Mainly out of frustration at the time. Our table schedule was much like this.....
Morning: breakfast and folder signing
Midday: Cleared
After School: full of backpack, lunch boxes, papers and homework
Dinner Time: move school stuff and do dinner or do dinner around the school stuff
Nite: clean food and pull out backpack again and do homework!

NOW: This big new table is big enough to eat at and have homework at. We have plenty of room to have several things out and we have a nice refrigerator that has the cereal stuff and other easy access snacks ready to go! Now the kitchen stays clean and we use it for more of a adult conversation/dinner time! No more kids!! No more homework (unless they need quiet), no constant cleaning it several times a day! LOL!

I have more reasons... so if your with me, I am going to keep on telling ya!!!

Next, I love the space. We have a big U-shaped couch (with a pull out sleeper), this big table, a TV, a frig and a freezer. This takes up a little more than half of the room so the rest of the room is open and is great for playing games, doing puzzle, or for doing cart-wheels (my Addie does that none stop).

And last but not least, I love how we are always together as a family all the time. Tonight, Todd and Zander were watching a baseball game, Addie and Gabe were coloring and helping me match socks, and I was doing laundry, all at the same time and all TOGETHER! On the weekends we let the kids pull out the sleeper and have little slumber parties...and yes, last week the whole family had a slumber party in our new room! HAHA!

It seems that our YELLING has become a minimal now! And we seem to have our family all together majority of the time.

So you ask me what I am doing right now....well I am sitting at the BIG table typing this. Zander and Todd are having an coaching session while watching the baseball game, Addie is cartwheeling and Gabe is reading his book!

The money we have spent on this room as been so worth it. We should have done this years ago!!! But I am so happy we did it period!

Awkward Family Photos

2009-09-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

Ok.... I am feeling silly today!!! I have been looking at OLD PHOTOS and I have to say we have found A LOT funny ones! Now, if you're anything like my family, we get a kick out of that website called AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOS! It is hilarious! They are consistently finding new photos and such that get posted frequently! And yes, we get a kick them each time!! LOL

Well, lucky for you, I am about to post some pictures of my OWN AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOS! LOL! Yes, I am feeling brave! But I hope you get a good laugh at them like I do each time I see these!

So here goes............

Literally....

2009-09-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share a couple things that Gabe has said or done in the last week. He is so LITERAL!!! These are just a couple of things, but keep in mind he is always doing and saying things that just make you laugh!

1) As most of you know, recently Todd and I were on a vacation without the kids. My mom and dad watched the kids for us while we were away. But today, while visiting with my mom, she shared this story.....

Gabe apparently wanted a "snack" but it was dinner time. The whole family was at the table and he was trying to negotiate how much more he had to eat from his dinner plate to get his special snack!!! Mom finally got sick of trying to compromise with him so she told him he must "clean his plate". So about 2 minutes go by and mom is not certain what he is doing yet...but he puts away his plate, drinks all his drink and puts it away, and then cleans his area with a wet rag. Everyone is still eating and talking when he finally announces that he is ready. Mom still didn't get it, but he says to hear "but I cleaned my plate, like you said...." LOL

2) Another story..... Todd and I returned from our vacation late Sunday evening. The kids were very excited to have us home and tried really hard to have us let the play hookie on Monday. But I could not stay home with them, as I had a staff meeting to attend to Monday morning and Addie had a few test to take. And Todd would be home but he would be working from home!!!

Anyhow, Gabe understood that I had prior commitments. So Monday morning rolls around and he walks into class. His teacher, Mrs. Price is aware of us being out of town and realizes that we should be back by now. So she says to Gabe, "Gabe, is your mommy and daddy home now?" Gabe replies "My daddy is, but my mommy is not!!!"

LOL! I bet Mrs. Price thought she would hear about this story on 20/20 there for a few minutes!!! SO FUNNY!

I will share more later..... HAHAHA!

Pictures from our Cruise

2009-09-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

Been Away.....on VACATION!!!!

2009-09-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

I know. I know. I have been very quiet on here the last couple of weeks. You know why??? Cos I was out of the country!! YAP!! My dear husband took me away for my first CRUISE and first MEXICO trip ever! It was so awesome! The trip alone was awesome, but being with my man for 10 straight days was even better!

On Sept. 5 we left DFW, flew to Los Angelas....spent almost 24hours with Todd's sister, then boarded our cruise out of Long Beach that would last 8 days! We were at sea for a day and half then had our first stop in Cabo San Lucas!

We had the most amazing time there at Lover's Beach snorkeling. There is something so romantic about being in deep blue waters, hand in hand with your spouse, seeing hundreds and hundreds of tropical fish surrounding us! We spent 3 hours swimming and snorkeling together!!! Then ended our day there with a light lunch and people watching!!! LOL!

Our next day was at Mazatlan. Here we rented a van a took a private tour of parts of this area. We learned lots about the history of Mexico and saw lots of new and old!!! The tour was very informative....not to mention we were told exactly where to go to do our shopping!!! We also took a fairy to STONE island where we ate a great shrimp lunch!!!

Our last stop was in Puerto Vallerta! I have never seen a place more beautiful and unique as here. Being in a real rainforest was so cool. The streets were made of cobble stones and the air was so fresh!!!! HUMID, but fresh!!! Here we took a taxi about 30 miles outside of town...which was an awesome scenic drive. Lots of mountains, beautiful cottages, old villages, winding narrow roads, etc. It was almost movie like! We finally got to our destination....CHICO's. This was an old Mexican restaurant way out in nowhere land. It was in the middle of the mountains with a river and waterfalls that over look from the restaurant balconies. Not only did we enjoy the scenery there but we also ZIPLINED from mountain to mountain and over the rivers there! It was sooo cool!!!!

The last two days were sea days of traveling back. We took lots of naps, worked out, layed out by the pool, and just rested alot! The ship itself had plenty to do.....and plenty of great shows too (Ron, my brother in law performed 2 times while on the boat)!!!!

It was a blast!!! I have made a brief video of some of the pictures! Take a look at the blog posting that will soon to come above!!!

Wow! What a Week!

2009-08-31T05:37:00.000-07:00

Wow! We survived last week!!! YAE! It was a crazy, busy one but a great one! The once-garage is just about to be a completed gameroom...just waiting on AC and some finishings on the new wall. The kids made it through their first week of school and seemed to be happy with their new teachers and classmates. Work for me is finally caught up and volunteers seem to be falling into place where we need them! Things are good.

But boy, has it been tiring!!! LOL! I know my trash man is not going to like us tomorrow when we pull out the trash cans. I think we have 4 trash cans and they are all full not to mention the spill overs!!! Todd and I have cleaned in places that have never been cleaned in the 9 years we have been in this house! Talk about some serious dust mites! LOL! Not to mention Todd is a PACKRAT! I think my husband is now convinced that we shouldn't save everything!

Oh...got to share this too. Not only did Gabe start still this week....but he lost his first tooth!!! My O My! He is getting too big too quick! He actually bit into a nacho from Taco Bell and the tooth snapped (it was already a bit loose). He was a little freaked out thinking he broke his tooth, but then we explained that he was now a big boy and the tooth fairy would soon be arriving. That is all we had to say and by our next stop....ACADEMY, he had that tooth completely out!

So what is on the agenda this week...
1) Meetings, Meetings, and more Meetings from now until Wednesday evening
2) Lesson Plans and prep for while I am out
3) Lots of packing for my trip with my hubby this weekend.
4) Packing and preparing my mom and dad a little list of things to know since they will be watching my three rugrats!
5) Hopefully getting the gameroom complete!!!
6) School-Classroom Meetings
7) Shopping and Lunch with my mom
8) Subbing for a Jr. High Math class
9) Soccer practices
10)A few home cooked meals with the family around the table!

So got one week down but another busy week ahead! But I am looking forward to it all!!!

The Cleanest Garage EVER!!

2009-08-27T05:46:00.000-07:00

We have now lived in our house for almost 9 years! We built this house in December of 1999! I can remember moving in thinking WOW, this house is huge!! We had lived in a little 3 bedroom 2 bath house with only 1150 square feet in Frisco, TX. So moving into a 1800 square foot house, we thought we were big time!!! HA!

When we moved in, we only had one baby...but within a few month baby number 2 was on the way (there went our extra room) and then baby 3! Needless to say 9 years later, 3 kids later, 3 dogs later, and 2 cats later, the house was starting to feel a bit cramped!

This week we have begun some house improvements! But the big news is that we have closed in our garage to make it a gameroom!! The floors are finished, the furniture had been bought, and today we build the wall. Tomorrow we will have air conditioning and then this weekend we will be chillin in the new game room!

WHOOP! WHOOP!

Here are a few pics. One of the house, one of our new extended back patio and one of the stain on our new gameroom floor! I really wished I took a before and after picture of our garage. If you know us well at all, you would have known that the garage was a mess before we began this project last weekend! HAHA! So enjoy the cleaniness of it...cos it will never ever be this spotless again! Furniture is already moved in awaiting for the new wall and air:-)

All Three Kids Went To School Today

2009-08-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of school for Gunter ISD. This year, I have 3 kids attending Gunter Elementary. And this will be the last year I will have all 3 in elementary school, as well. Addison started 4th grade, Zander started 2nd, and Gabe started Kindergarten.
Now if you have been reading my blog, you would know that this was not the first year that all of my kids have been in school. However,in prior years, I have had the younger ones (ones not school aged) going to preschool at the private school I used to teach for. But that was the catch. I was working for the private school...even last year I worked for Gabe's school part time, helping by running the reading lab!
But this morning, was bitter sweet. We all woke up a the same time and drove just a half a mile away, all to be dropped off at the SAME school. Yes, today I was like most moms.... I actually skipped carline drop off and chose to walk my kids into their classrooms for the first day. We dropped Addie off first, then Zander, and then it was time to walk Gabe to his classroom. He was so excited but I wanted to cry! I was finally sending ALL MY BABIES to school! This was a milestone but yet almost unbelievable! Was it really time yet?? But I didn't cry!!! He was so darn cute....
So what makes this so bitter sweet! Well, after I dropped them off, I came back home and found my life again! LOL!!! Just kidding! But boy it was nice and quiet at home. No rush to get somewhere or be somewhere. I came home to a quiet, peaceful house. I turned on my music and went to work getting a few house chores done. Had some quiet time to read a bit of the Bible, and then headed out to work around 9:30. I worked until about 2:00 and then got home to relax, had a bite to eat (IN PEACE and NOT HAVING TO SHARE) and even had time to make my kids a nice snack to come home to.
This is some good stuff!!! I think I am going to get used to this kind of life!!!! WHEW WHOOO!

Well off to take some kids to soccer practice. Let the fun begin!

Time for Changes

2009-08-19T23:31:00.000-07:00

Well, it's very late and my mind won't rest! I think it is because it is that time of year. School is about to start, which means it time for lots of changes. Time for football, time for cooler weather, time for earlier bedtimes, time for planning and organizing fall events, etc.

Now, if you were to walk in my house, you would see that I haven't been organizing like I usually do before school starts. WHY? Well, for one, I am no longer a teacher anymore and do not need to get these things done before going back to work. And secondly, all my kids will be in school this year....yes, even my baby boy, Gabe. So I am hoping and planning on doing some organizing around the house during week when I am not working!

If you were to come into my office, you would see paperwork, calendars, curriculum books, and revised schedules scattered about (I know it's driving Todd crazy too). Well, that is because it's that time of year where the children's ministry starts a new year with curriculum and schedules, as well. Kids are moving into new classes and new teachers are being added to our ministry team! WHEW!!!

And to add on top of all this....we are going to be doing a lot of "remodeling and fixing things" in and around our house in the next few months. In matter of fact, in one week I will have a house that is 400 sq. feet bigger! YAEEEEEE!!! We are turning our garage into a playroom. We will also be adding onto our porch, and fixing lots of broken things. I guess this is what happens when your new house is officially old... HA!!!

I am so excited about all the changes but boy I must say, I am also ready for them to be over too!! LOL!

Well, I am off here to see if I might be able to sleep!!!

My Man

2009-08-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

You know what makes me really happy??? My man does!!! Yap! I have the best husband in the world, there is no doubt about that! He really is my best friend...and I have to say, I think it is pretty HOT too;-) LOL

Anyhow, I just have to take some time to tell you about how proud I am of him!

Five years ago, Todd sat me down to tell me that he felt that God wanted him to quiet his job. He was a web manager for a small but successful company out of Garland. But the drive was long, the stress was high, the environment was not particularly pleasant, and he just really didn't enjoy his job. He made good money but he was willing to put that all aside to venture out on his own.

Now I must tell you, I was a huge skeptic. God didn't tell me about this plan and aren't we in this thing together? ha! But Todd said..."Let's give it 6months and if working for myself doesn't pay the bills, I will find another job". I think fair enough??? Might as well let the man pursue his dream and we can always find another job later if need be.

Well 2.5 stressful years later! BROKE and unsure of the future..... we had some decisions to make. But let me tell you, those 2.5 years were absolutely crucial years in our marriage! We had learn to trust God and God had proven to be faithful time and time again. We began to rely more on each other and instead of making a bad situation worse, we did our best to support one another and put God first.

Now I have ALOT of gap to fill for this story but will have to do it in brief blogs....otherwise you could fall asleep!! LOL!

Both my husband and I got new jobs back then.... Ironically, both in the forms of ministry. Todd began working for a webteam for Insight for Living, a world-wide ministry. And I began teaching for a Christian private school. God began maturing us both within our jobs. We were both heavily involved with our churches (and still are) and even helped bring up a new church within our small community!

Today, Todd was just promoted to a Vice President for his company!!!!! He has also had several side jobs he had juggled in the last 5 years...in which we have gained some successes. Amazing to see how God has provided for us and even rewarded us with many grand opportunities in the last year!

But all this aside, I must say.... I love seeing how God has worked in my husband in the last 5 years! He is a hard worker, very smart, good looking, and loves God. Can I also say he is good at loving me too! He is an awesome man and my man! I am so blessed!

"It's the Time! It's the Time!!!"

2009-08-09T16:34:00.001-07:00

Ok! I have to tell you about the trouble Wendy Enloe and I got into the last day of Camp KIDJAM!

So the last night of camp, we let our 11 girls stay up a bit later (well much later) as long as they were staying in their rooms and causing no trouble and not being too loud. We went and got lots of snacks and goodies for them to share and enjoy! All was going well......so far........

Well the way the dorm rooms were arranged for us were two long wings and two dorm rooms in the middle near the elevators! Our girls were on the one full wing and Wendy and Kayla were in one middle room, while I was in the other room by the elevator. I was closer to the other wing, where there were 5 girls, one NOT HAPPY leader, and 2 teen helpers.

I should have known that the lady was NOT HAPPY to be at camp since the night before Kayla and Wendy were ding-dong-ditching me and I busted them in their tracks, sprayed them with silly string and made Wendy run smack into the wall and bump her head. The lady came around the corner and we were all in the hall floor laughing and crying! It was hilarious but she didn't seem to think so. It was only 10:30pm when this happened!

So, back to the last night. It was getting late! Kayla was asleep but Wendy was over in my room and we were talking about our camp experiences and how God was working in all of the kids and ourselves....

Slowly my room began to grow from us two, to 2 girls, to 4 girls, to 6 girls, etc. Soon my room had all the girls hanging out and we were dancing "quietly", having eating contest, talking, etc. Nothing but pure and clean fun! Well, it was a little after 1am. But suddenly Wendy and I got this idea to put all the girls in the room and tell them we were about to have a talent show. We explained that Wendy and I had a talent we wanted to share but we needed to leave the room to put some final touches to it.

Well, we had no intentions of having a talent show..... We were wanting to attack them with silly string out of a can. So we got two cans per person and on the count of 3 we attacked my room and girls with silly string!!! It was HILARIOUS! And we were laughing and all!!! And yes, we were loud!! LOL!

After 5 or so minutes of sting wars, we had the girls get on the hands and knees with us to start cleaning up our horrible mess (btw: that stuff is messy, don't try that on carpet).

Suddenly we hear a loud knock at the door. My own daughter opens the door and this NO HAPPY lady was there. Wendy and another girl were behind the door while the rest of us were on the floor. She immediately starts yelling "Are you serious? Do you know the Time? Do you know what time it is???" She then is so upset she says "Where is your leader?"

I slowly stood up in the middle of the room and say "I am right here!!!" SILENCE!!!! She was shocked and clearly NOT HAPPY with me! I immediately say I am so sorry to upset her and that this was indeed my room where Wendy and I were having some fun with our girls! No harm intended. But this NOT HAPPY lady was not buying it! She was so upset and then went on to tell me how she thought this was no way to have fun with the girls because of the TIME! The time was a huge issue with her! WHOOPS! I could tell she wanted me to make the girls leave my room but 1) I saw nothing wrong with what we were doing and already apologized for the 5 minutes of laughing too loud and 2) I needed the girls help to clean up the mess. HAHA

She indeed was NOT HAPPY and the next morning there was alot of awkwardness on the elevator as we were packing up to leave. But I think our COOL FACTOR went way up with the girls though....right???

Mini Movie from Camp KIDJAM

2009-08-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

What a pleasure it was to make this mini movie! It was so much fun to go back to look and reflect on the time the kids and leaders had together! I know that not a single person came back without learning something new or knowing God a little more personally! I even speak this to be true with the adult leaders and MYSELF!

I have so many memorable moments, some spiritual and some funny, that I hope to share within the next few days! I know I said that a few days ago....but I got addicting to making this movie instead!

A Quick Look at KIDJAM photos

2009-08-04T20:36:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was an absolute success all the way around! I have so much I can't wait to share on the blog about what we have experienced at Camp this year. God was so good! Tomorrow I plan to share a few highlights of the weekend! Until then, have fun with the slideshow. I will have a short movie clip posted by the end of the week too!!!

Pray for our Campers

2009-07-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

The bags are almost packed and mommy is telling the kids how to make their bunks, where to put dirty clothes, how to use a community bathroom, and all the behaviors they are to be expected to put forth! !!!!! Because tomorrow we leave for Camp KIDJAM! WOOO HOO!

Last year my daughter and I went and we had a total of 9 kids and 3 leaders. But this year Zander gets to come along.... along with A LOT OF OTHER GREAT KIDS! We have 25 students going and 5 leaders (30 total)! WOW! Talk about getting excited! As a mom, children's minister, and teacher I can't explain how excited I am!

We leave tomorrow at noon and will return midday Monday! I know I have already begun the praying for this group (for the students, leaders, camp staff, and myself)......but I do ask my blogging friends to pray for us too! Pray that our travels are safe, pray that the message is heard, pray that friends are made, and pray that camp is a blessing to ALL who participate in some way this weekend!

I can't wait to blog about our trip! STAY TUNED!!!

Zander is EIGHT!

2009-07-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Today is Zander's 8th birthday! He is spending his day with his Grammy and Gramps right now and the next two nights he gets to spend the night out at Nana and Paw's too! We aren't celebrating his birthday until next week.

Zander is my middle child and my oldest son. Over 8 years ago when I found out I was pregnant with him, I was immediately disappointed! In matter of fact, I remember throwing my pregnancy stick at my husband and it bouncing from wall to wall! At the time, I could NOT imagine having another baby yet................

But he has been such a blessing to my life! He was the easiest pregnancy, easiest childbirth, and the easiest child period. He is a huge help, very sincere, very kind-hearted, and just an amazing kid! He seems to make friends easily and keeps them too! He is the peacemaker and rule follower out of the 3 children I have! He LOVES God, sports, and food! HAHA!

I am so excited about what Zander's future holds! I know he is going to be an amazing adult some day!!! I am so blessed to be his mom!

Happy birthday Z!!!!

A Big Week!!! A Big Year!!!

2009-07-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

This week was a very big week for me personally! Yes, this was a the week that our Children's Ministry put on our annual SMAK (Summer Music and Activities for Kids) Program, and yes I have been busy busy busy the last few weeks, but that is not what I am really referring to right now.

I am actually referring to the fact that it has been a FULL YEAR since I took on the role as a Children's Minister for our local church at Grace Bible Fellowship. This week I have sat down several times looking and listening to these kids and admit that I have felt teary eyed some. Even though in the last year I have spent several days of preparing and teaching (along with some other very dedicated friends and co-teachers)these same kids, I believe I have actually grown more spiritually this year than the kids!

It's a lot like a teacher's first year of teaching, I believe! But way better!!!!

I am so proud of these kids...not just because of the SMAK week but because of our whole year together! I can't help but to love them ALL! No doubt, they are all different, with different personalities, different family backgrounds, different experiences, etc.... But we all share a very special bond thanks to the good Lord!

It has been a busy week! But it has been a great week to reflect, as well...............

Swimming in the Dark

2009-07-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

Last month we finally purchased one of those pop up pools from Academy. We had one a few years ago and loved it! But we didn't want to purchase another one until Gabe was swimming.

Well if you have been following my blog, you would know that Gabe spent two weeks last month in swim lessons. In matter of fact, he hated swimming so much that we bribed him with telling him we would get this pool if he learned how to swim. Long story short, two weeks later we had ourselves another swimmer!

So now we have a pool! We have spent many hours in the pool so far, but last night we took the kids out to enjoy a NIGHT TIME SWIM! They had not swam in the dark yet! It was so much fun! The night time sky was dark and full of stars. So we swam and looked at stars, located satellites, a few airplanes, and picked out constellations.

I was amazed at how Zander was so fascinated with all the stuff we were telling him about the stars and the sky!

I believe we might spend many more nights out there locating more constellations, satellites, and hopefully some falling stars!

What a great way to finish off a night!!!

A Wednesday Pet!

2009-07-16T15:55:00.001-07:00

Wednesday during the summer it seems I spend most of the day at the church along with my kids! We usually get there around 8am and don't leave until 2pm. The first hour is spent doing boot camp (workout) on the church campus, the next couple of hours is set-up and clean-up to prepare for GATHER (our children's summer program),then we have GATHER and last we clean up and chit chat:-)

On Wednesdays we also have a youth student join us to help out with the day's activities! His name is Matthew. Gabe has become Matthew's shadow each Wednesday. Matthew is so good to play with Gabe, but also very good to let Gabe feel as though he is helping Matthew when Matthew has jobs to do!

Well this Wednesday was a bit different. I had seen these two boys doing a search around the church...thinking they were playing some hide and seek game. But about an hour later, Gabe came to me to show me a special new pet he and Matthew had found. Gabe was so proud of his cute habitat he and Matthew had made for his new special friend. They made his pet a home made of a clear plastic cup, grass, paper towels, tape, clear plastic wrap, and water. He has been carrying it around since then!

We now have a new pet name "CROAK"...... He is our newest addition to the Turner household! And he is a CRICKET!!! HAHAHAHA!

Gabe is so proud of him but he also knows that he won't live forever! He keeps telling me, "Mom, Croak is still moving! He is not dead yet..." LOL!

Think the cricket will make it much longer?????

Family Fifth of July

2009-07-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

In small towns, the Fourth of July celebration usually starts a day or two early and last beyond the fourth.... Well maybe that is just the way my family has always been! And this year we were still celebrating on the fifth of July!

Growing up in a small town, some of my greatest memories were BLOWING UP things with fireworks! HAHAHA! What is it about those little poppers that you throw and those black cats that you fireoff? Suddenly you feel the need to blow up anything around you! Well, not everything but you do want to get creative.

This year was the first year we have actually let our kids light black cats! It was so much fun watching them have a blast with it too! We blew up soda cans, clumps of rocks, pc pipes, dog poo (I know, gross but good boy fun), and even flat old tires!

Got to love being country! Here are some pictures of our great evening on the fifth (My granddaddy and his wife Paula were in town visiting too).

Recapping!!!

2009-07-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

I have alot to catch up on!!! So much to say but so very little time! I will try hard to pace myself...but first I will start this blog off with some 4th of July pictures from the big G-Town!! We spent our 4th here at the Gunter City Park. I am pretty sure out of the 33 years of my life, I have probably only skipped about 5 of these local celebrations!! HA! But this year's was great! The weather was shockingly pleasant for a Texas July day! The city did a fabulous job with having a band, vendors, food, cow-poo bingo (only in Texas), and waterfun slides for the kids! I also was blessed to have my sister in law and my niece and nephew in town this year! So if you see some kids that somewhat resemble us but yet the count is great than 3 kids, know that they are Reagan and Tex (from California). And to top of the night, we had some great friends join us in the park and it wasn't even planned!

Enjoy the pictures!!

Kids are BUSTED

2009-07-01T19:31:00.001-07:00

Addison has this "thing" with playing with our camcorders and we often find random videos each time we download...but this one it priceless. Check out this one we found recently! You have to watch it TWICE....
Let me give you a little background. I was at Gabe's private school to pick him up. I think the weather was a bit chilly or something so I let the older two stay in the car while I ran in to check Gabe out. To be safe, I locked the car (which means it will sound if someone opens the door). In the meantime, Addie is playing with the recorder and they are planning to play somekind of joke on me. However, things don't go as planned and see what happens. The emotion on Zander's face is so funny...and listen to "Mother Addison" preach in the background....

ENJOY

Video of Sports!

2009-06-28T04:45:00.001-07:00

Feeling Accomplished

2009-06-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

I haven't had time to blog much lately. It has been a busy couple of weeks, but thought I would give a quick update on a few statuses........

First, Gabe (he's the five year old who hated swim lessons) is now a little fish. The boy can swim better than his siblings. Amazing what 2 weeks of lessons can do.

Secondly, Zander made ALL STARS for the 7/8 year old team this past year. It was an amazing and fun year. I can't begin to tell you how much he has grown and matured in the game of baseball this year. His ALL STAR team was made up of primarily first graders, so they were a very young team. We were not expected to win any games in the tournament. Anyhow, last weekend his team lost the first game against a super team (one that will probably win the whole thing). They were sent to the losers bracket where we thought we would just lose and be out. But much to our surprise and after a Saturday full of alot of fun and baseball games....our boys won 3 back to back games on Saturday....which led us back to meeting up with that first team that beat us. We did not win the tournament, but I was very proud to see the hussle, good attitude, and listening skills that Zander showed during his play. All the boys were great and it was a fantastic and great learning year.

Thirdly, I manage to survive my self training of how to make and edit a video into a movie using windows movie maker. Let me just say....I almost gave up because I really had no idea what I was doing. But I managed to train myself in 3 full days (with a few tears, dirty words, and sleepless nights) I finally compiled a video for Father's Day to share last Sunday! And get this, I even look forward to making many more videos! Hopefully it will only take me a few hours instead of a few days the next time around!

Lastly, getting the house back in order. I have begun the summer "To Do" list and have managed to clean the masterbath, the closet, the utility room, and weed the flowerbed. I still have so much to do and only have 2 days until my sister in law and her kids are in town! I still don't understand why it must take having family come in to kick start the cleaning spree.

Well now that I have bored you with a quick catchup.... I will let you check out the video at the GBF Children's BLOGspot. Just click here!

Take a Peek at Our First Family Field Trip Day!!!

2009-06-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

Today was so much fun! This was our first FAMILY FIELD TRIP DAY for GBF! It was a small group but a great group to start with! I am copying/pasting what I blogged on the GBF CHILDREN'S BLOG.... then click on the pictures to see us having fun!!!! God is good!

Today we took 12 kids to Frank Buck Zoo. It was an absolute great day all the way around!! Despite the heat, God was good to provide shade and a good breeze which made it very comfortable for all of us! We spent about an hour and a half at the zoo looking at all the animals (big tortoises, feeding giraffes, and listening to a bird say hello) and enjoying each other's company!

The second half of the day we enjoyed at the park.... The kids played hide-n-seek, made up some funny dance routines, and even had a nice train ride!!!! We also had a pleasant picnic under some nice shaded trees!

We ended our day with a swim at the Scales' house......Thanks so much for having us!

We have some great kids and they all acted and treated each other very well!!! What a great and awesome day this was!

I am looking forward to more fun on Family Field Trip Days. Our next outing will be June 29th at Denton Water Works!!!!

Take a look at some of the pictures posted on the GBF CHILDREN'S BLOG!

Tyler State Park: Summer O-Nine

2009-06-13T09:01:00.001-07:00

Here is a clip from our trip last weekend to Tyler State Park. The friends in the pictures of the Bostiks, which was Todd's roommate in college and in his bachelor adult life! We had a great time!!!

Things Left Behind

2009-06-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

My mom came this past Wednesday to steal the kids away for one evening. That night was the same night that the tornadoes and such came through our area.

Well as you know, when kids sleep over somewhere, they usually leave some of their belongs behind.......or evidence that they have been there.............

Take a look at what my mom just sent me ;-)

Nothing like a manipulative with some jalapenos!!!

To Swim or Not Swim is the Question

2009-06-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

This week we started Gabe on swimming lessons. Let me say.....DRAMA!!!!! For a dare devil, tough, little guy, I do believe I found his weakness. Now that I think about it, he was afraid to get too deep in the ocean while on vacation in Florida and he also had a fear of SINKING on the waverunners! HA!

Today was day 3 and yes, the crying was much less. But the first and second days were HORRIBLE! I guess it has been a bit hard on me because I know my baby is not a crier and to see him so terrified is just so sad! I feel helpless, but he needs to learn to swim and not rely so heavily on the life jackets.

I really think that in another week, he will be swimming though. You know why??? Well today at swim lessons, his buddy Landon showed up and he is swimming much better than Gabe. Landon and his swim instructor showed Gabe some new tricks, so Gabe was determined that if his friend can swim under water, than so could he! So guess what, my scared little boy got real brave and did indeed swim under the water!!! YAE! He is not a pro yet, but at least I saw the fear subside for a brief moment and he was confident again!!!

He didn't want to leave today either!!!

Wonder if we can have Landon at his lessons again tomorrow??? HUMM!!!!

Pool Wanted!

2009-06-07T19:31:00.000-07:00

This is what we have to do to cool off on a hot summer day at the Turner house. Maybe a $200 inflatable pool might be a wise investment!

Occupation Guestimations! Fun Stuff!

2009-06-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

Ok, thought this would be a fun blog to start!!! I would love to hear about what you thought you would grow up to be throughout your childhood and adolescent life! Then lets guess what we believe our children will be in their adult lives....

For me, the earliest memory of really wanting to be something when I grew up was in the second grade with Mrs. Ferguson. First of all, that was one my most favorite and memorable years;-) I remember studying the SOLAR SYSTEM that year and how interesting that was! I can recall the "passion" of wanting to know more and really becoming an astronaut. I think I even wrote a paper on it! For years, I thought I would truly be an astronaut!

Later, I thought I would become a family psychologist! This was my plan throughout most of high school and even in the first years of college, until I realized the job demand and pay was not as highly valued as the "education" time! I had no plans of wanting to stay in school any longer than the four to five years I was already committed to! So with the path I had already chosen, the best way out of college was to use those courses to become a special education teacher.

My first adult profession was a special education teacher and coaching. Was I good at it!!! NO, it was one of the most stressful times in my life.....trying to finish school, teach, coach, newly married, and my dad was deathly sick. I was trained to teach MR students and to test and diagnose these students. My job and my training were not a match, so that didn't help!

I decided to quite and become a stay at home mom for the next 5 years.

I went back to teaching at a private school sometime later.... This is where I felt God was finally showing me "where I fit" in the professional world of jobs. I finally felt I was doing an excellent job in the area that God had equipped me and trained me for.

Now I am a children's pastor. I still know I am on the RIGHT PATH, but still have no idea where he will take me from right here! Only time will tell!

MY CHILDREN'S OCCUPATION GUESTIMATION!! HA.........
1. I think Addison will be veterinarian or zoologist or something to do with animal care. She has a heart and love for animals.
2. I think Zander will be a coach or youth pastor. He is a social yet sensitive kid. He tries hard to be do the right thing most of the time and cares about others. But he is 100% boy and loves all sports and tries to be the best he can be as an athlete!!!
3. Gabe is a bit on the WILD side.....he is a rough and tough dude but seems to be a leader in most situations! He loves to be the center of attention and loves to talk or sing. He also likes to feel needed or wanted. I think he might be fireman or policeman...someone with athority but always needed! Plus he likes wearing uniformed attire! HA!

I can't wait to hear about your Occupation Guestimations!!! Have fun with it!!

Summer is Here

2009-06-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

We returned late Friday night from our Florida vacation! Back at home, it is summer. It is quiet warm outside, the sun is staying up later into the evenings, kids are running in and out of the house, and wet swim suits are found on both the front and back porches!

Today is the first Monday of our summer break. Now it is time for me to figure out a new work schedule for the next couple of months. It will probably take a week or two to get in a routine though.

So what do we plan to do this summer????
-Sleep in and stay up late
-Swim at the Roberts ALOT
-Go to the lake
-See friends and family that we don't get to see during the school year
-Have some playdates (waterpark, zoo, and museums)
-Get reorganized for the upcoming school year
-Loss 15more lbs
-Try to sneak in another vacation by fall.....
-Go to a few good movies
-Have a few date nights with the hubby
-Play lots of games
-Work in the flowerbeds
-Teach Gabe to read
-Teach Addie to blog
-Keep Zander busy
-Kids spend the night with grandparents (and maybe Todd and I too)

I love summers even if it is darn hot here!!! Still a great time for everyone!!! What are your plans this summer!

Family Vacation is DONE

2009-05-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

So sad that our family vacation is already coming to an end! It has been one of the best weeks we have ever had. My husband of ten years turned 40yrs old this past week. The kids were GREAT all week, and we had great weather despite the forecast! This vacation could not have been any better! I can't wait to get home and give you my top 10 list!!!! LOL!

Highlights of this trip....
1) being with my family with no interruptions
2) wave runners with my family and seeing dolphins
3) the peacefulness of the waves crashing on the white sand shores (awe, I still hear it)
4) snorkeling with my husband:-)
5) listening to the kids giggle as they boogie boarded....
6) cooking out and playing games with the family while listening to Gabe's favorite song ,"How Great is Our God"

I have so many other things to share but will wait and share them once I get home and settled, I hope!?!?!

Here is a pic of my tired kids!!!!

Florida Family Fun

2009-05-27T14:07:00.001-07:00

Had lots of pictures to share during our naptime today!!!! ENJOY! We only have one more beach day left!!!!

Lazy Beach Bumms!

2009-05-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

That was one good nap I just had! Todd and the two older kids are still napping!! Talk about some good stuff!!! HA!

This morning we went to another part of the island to see some cool stuff while snorkeling! We got there early enough to beat the touring crowds, which was nice. Saw some fish and such underwater, which was cool!

We have taken a break fromm the sun today. So we ate a cheap mexican lunch, went to FUDPUCKERS to see a Gator Farm......which was way cool! And then back home for some rest! Once everyone wakes up we will head back down to the beach area....hoping to escape some dangerous sun rays for the day!

Our last day is tomorrow:-( We are having so much fun, but we are running out of money and need to get back home to responsibilities!! SO SAD!

What a DAY!!!

2009-05-26T17:27:00.000-07:00

Today was AWESOME! Weather couldn't have been better! We started the day off pretty early and were on the wave runners by 9:30am. We had a BLAST on those things! The kids love it and so did Todd and I! We even saw dolphins up close and personnel! Addie was so excited! We saw several actually! Amazing how they seem to not be afraid of us at all!!

There was also a neat place called "CRAB ISLAND" between the Gulf opening and Bay. At CRAB ISLAND you can park in the middle of the area anywhere and get off and hang out in the water and about waist deep water.....clear blue water. We tested out our snorkeling abilities here too! It was awesome!

We had lunch at Dewey Destin's which is a cool shack like place on a pier overlooking the water! The food was great and so was the scenery!

We finished off the rest of the day at the beach.....water and weather was better than it has ever been! Gabe was so cute to watch today!! He ended up playing with some 20 yr olds on the beach. He doesn't know a stranger!!! By the end of the day, he said he was his BIG friend!!!

This is How You Crab Hunt....we think!?!?!

2009-05-25T18:24:00.001-07:00

We got another beautiful day to play in the sun, sand, and waves!!!! Hoping and praying tomorrow will be the same because we rented waver runners! The blogger was having a hard time loading pics so here is a video of Todd crab fishing!

Day 2 in Florida

2009-05-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

We made it to Florida safe and sound! We did arrive to very wet weather and there is a good chance of rain everyday here! But so far we are lucking out! We are staying in a little beach house about 150yards from the beach. It is nothing fancy but is comfortable and houses us all. It is a 2 bedroom with a kitchen, screened in porch, and outside shower area. It is a little out dated style wise!! HA! The kids love our little beach house!!! It is perfect for us! Way better than an overpriced hotel stay!

Yesterday morning it started out with rain...so we decided to start our day off with crab fishing. We went into the bay since they said it is easier to crab hunt there. And yes, it was easier! Both Todd and Zander caught several crab!

After about an hour and half of crab fishing the sun was really starting to come out, so we decided to head back for some beach time. The beach was great! Fortunately the beaches we are at have lots of sand bars which does help with keeping the waves down! We aren't adviced to get in very deep because of all the storms lately....rip tides! But the sandbars help that too!

Today we will continue to pray for no rain!!!! We plan to go crabbing at another area in the bay...then hoping to go to this park so we can try out out our snorkeling abilities!

Tomorrow will be a lot fun as we are planning to rent waver runners for a couple of hours. If the rain cooperates, that should be a blast!!!!

TeamKID Banquet/ Video

2009-05-20T20:40:00.001-07:00

This is what I have been doing this week......doesn't get much better, does it? I love these kids!!!!!

The Countdown is On!

2009-05-17T12:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am getting excited! Only 6 more days until we are BEACHING! Todd and I will be leaving on Saturday, May 23rd, on his 40th bday:-) We are taking our 3 kids to Destin, Florida for some fun and relaxation! I am so looking forward to it!!! I have never been to Florida and I hear that it is just beautiful where we are going! I am hoping to blog all about too!!!!

Tricky thing, is I have to get through this BUSY, BUSY week! There are only 2 weeks left of school for Gunter and CCA has 4 days left. We are pulling Addie and Zander out of Gunter with prior approval. However, this week is full of field trips, field days, PreK graduation, class parties, and end of the year TeamKID Banquet. So with all this and all the extra work to do to plan for the next two Sundays, and then the packing..... I am pretty sure come sundown on Saturday night I will be saying it was all worth it!

This Video is Getting Me Hyped!

2009-05-12T16:12:00.001-07:00

I was making this video to present at church this Sunday to raise scholarships for some children! This was my first official week as a Children's Minister! I can't wait to celebrate summer with the kids again this year. We have over 25 kids going this year! WOW!!!!

In the Motherhood

2009-05-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

I am a little late but still wanted to blog about MOTHERHOOD! Having a wonderful mother and being a mom are two blessings that I don't take for granted!

When I think of my mom (Theresa Kay Hudgins Lewis) I think of.........
1) all the many "good" talks my girlfriends and I had everyday after school with her while we raided her kitchen.
2) her yummy good cooking abilities.
3) her need and her availability to always want to help others.
4) when I turned 9 years old she did a funny dance in the middle of the road that I will never forget!!! HA! HA!
5) her youth..... She doesn't seem to age to me, but neither does my Grandmother!
6) her determination to finish anything she starts
7) cleanliness at all cost:-)
8) her labor on her flowerbeds, yardwork, and her garden
9) her singing old country songs while cleaning the house with the windows open
10)endless hours of conversations on the phone with Aunt Patricia or her sisters
11) summer days with her and her sisters and my cousins at my Grandmother's pool.
12) her fear of traffic or crowded streets
13) her ability to whistle so very loud that you could hear her on the GUNTER DRAG;-)
14) her joy of taking care of my own children if I am out of town!
15) when she takes care of me when I am sick!!!

When I think of being a mom.....
1) I think of my kids giggling at each other in a crowded car or shopping buggy
2) I think of the sweetness of their hugs they give out of nowhere
3) I think of how they get excited if I visit their school
4) I think of the messes they make in the bathroom
5) I think of our FAMILY NIGHTS we have when we play games
6) I think of FAMILY SLEEPOVERS we have ever so often in mine and Todd's bedroom!
7) I think of our family camping trips
8) I think of the prayers we say on the way to school each morning
9) I think of our yard that is full of neighborhood kids
10) I think of our many road trips to California
11) I think of time spent riding bikes and swimming together
12) I think of our silly songs we try to make up
13) I think of the quiet times we spent in a room just hanging out
14) I think of all the ball practices I spend watching my boys practice or play ball
15) I think of Jesus....and how much he must love me to let me raise his 3 children for him!

Motherhood is a blessing ;-)

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-11T18:26:00.001-07:00

Here are pictures from yesterday! Unfortunately we did not get pictures with Lounan (my mother in law) because she has seizure like spells when there are flashes, so you are getting pics of me and my mom and me with my kids!!!!

Seeing Results

2009-05-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Ok....made it a full week on the Elimination Diet! The first two days were HORRIBLE! Apparently I was detoxing!!! Yes, detoxing sugar, gluten, caffiene, etc. Good grief I used to eat badly!!!

I knew the real test would be to make it through the weekend! And I did!!! The only two things I did do that MIGHT have been NoNo's were....
1) At Chili's there is not much to eat unless you get guiltless grill items. I actually ate salmon, shrimp, black beans, and steamed veggies. I don't usually eat fish (unless really fried) or steamed veggies but I enjoyed it and even took some home to have the next day!! I am afraid the fish and shrimp might have had butter on it:-(
2) Todd grill some "grass fed" steaks for us. He marinated his and not mine. Then as we were eat....mind you I had eaten over half my steak, he asks "Do you like your steak?". I replied, "Love it!". Then he proceeds to tell me that his was bland. He accidentally served me his steak! WHOOPS;-(

Oh Well! I am trying! RIGHT!?!?!

So far the results are 5.8lbs in 7 days! YAE ME!!! 25 left!

My Family!!!

2009-05-02T19:18:00.001-07:00

This picture was take at Gabe's Spring Program at Celina Christain Academy!
Addie is going through a phase of doing her own hair (Look, isn't it lovely :-)
She is also going through a phase of not liking taking pictures! URGH!

Blame it on the Rain!!!.....No Blame it on the Swine Flu!

2009-05-02T17:18:00.000-07:00

This has been an unusual spring week for us here in the Turner household. We have not had one practice, game, or many extra curricular activities. We started the week with rain....and we are ending it with rain too! I won't complain too much as it is welcomed and usually always needed here in Texas. So due to rain...we had 2 games and 3 practices called off.

But we also had field trips canceled this week, along with 4 other games, 3 other practices, etc. But this wasn't because of rain (even though it is raining). It was because of SWINE FLU!

I am not sure what to think about this illness?? At first I was mad due to all the cancellations and hype of this stuff. I mean, we are closing schools (not Gunter YET), cancelling all after school programs (GUNTER HAS DONE), and such due to the this flu. My immediate reaction is SO WHAT??? We have several thousands die each year due to the "normal" flu, and they say our medicines are reacting...so what's the big deal?

Well now 3 days later, I am a bit more concerned....wait, no confused! Seems as though this SWINE FLU could be some serious stuff.... I think it is because they just aren't sure of what it is. My issue with this situation is how and why do they suddenly react this way. There has to be "something" that they are not telling us about this illness!

I get that yes, it can spread quickly and they are not sure the medicines will work after all....

I am glad we are taking precautions...I just wish we had more answers!

Next week could be even more interesting! I hear Celina may have a case??? If so, I may have Gabe home all week?!?! Will it get worse, or is it just being cautions. I am not sure. But I will be praying about it!

Kind of scary when you don't really know what you are dealing with.....

The Elimination Diet

2009-04-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

Counting Calories, Drinking Tons of Water, Body Cleansing, you name it!!!

I have been dieting pretty seriously since January. I have been running about 3 times a week and doing boot camp 2 times a week. But my weight is NOT CHANGING! I am not too disappointed, as I know I am losing inches but with 30lbs to lose, I should be losing some weight too! GOOD GRIEF!

So my cousin, who is also my trainer, gave me this hard core elimination diet! I am on day one!! It is 30 days long too! YIKES. Get this...........

I have to eliminate all caffeine, all soda, no processed foods, no breads, and no red meat!

This is very hard. I am not even half way through day one!!! I have had two eggs, grapes, and a banana...and lots of water. I have NO IDEA what I will have for lunch, as I need to go the the grocery store! Maybe some lettuce! HA!!!

Wish me luck! I am gonna need it!

Continue to Follow....

2009-04-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

Grace Bible Fellowship is our church home! This church is still what I would consider a new church. My family and I have been with GBF since the planning stages, which took place almost 4 years ago. Five families met and planned and prayed over this church. Things began to take off fast! Attendance was strong and things seem to be going great! However, our pastor left and that did not go well at all. Our church was suffering over this lost! Not only did the pastor leave, but our band quite too. We were just one year in, and things were looking not so good for the future of our church.

I know first hand how much prayer, how much counsel, and how much God seeking wisdom was done during these trying times, as my husband was on the leadership team then. But God had his hand on us and he sent a wonderful family to GBF.... THE STINSONs.

With them they brought a breath of fresh air, an I can attitude, and just loved on us like no other could ever do. Our church began to start healing! They invested in our people and lives began to change!!

For myself and my family......words can not tell you how they have made such a huge impact on our lives. They may not know this, but for me, they believed in me more than I did. You see, I am a GUNTERITE!! And with that, everyone knows my baggage and then some! HA! I think that is why I felt "safe and comfortable" at Celina Christian Academy. There I could be who God intended me to be, without the negativity or talk about what I used to be or should be.

But I am now following God's plan and doing what HE wants me to do....right here where he has called me back to (back in Gunter...my home)!!! Thanks Bruce and Gina for helping me make this huge step in my life!!! I will forever be thankful for it! Not only that, but the passion for the people and children of Gunter has been ignited once again.

Now, that is more personal, but I know they have had this same impact on many others in our church and in our community!!! It is hard to let go and say goodbye to the people that believe in you and pray for you daily, and for a family you have become good friends with and love dearly! But I know God has big plans for them! They must obey!

GBF is a stronger and healthier church because of how they shown the love of Jesus during their short time here! I am excited about the church future, but it still saddens my heart that our friends will be moving:-(

We will continue on though......... God's hands are still all over us!!!

Summer Count Down

2009-04-22T13:06:00.001-07:00

It is warm in Texas today! I hear it is in the lower 90s. And yesterday I even welcomed a nice sunburn after being at a baseball game all day! So, today I was talking to a couple of good friends. We all had a confession to make....we all agreed that we were looking forward to the end of the year!

Now the funny thing was....the end of the year is being referred as the end of the "school year". HA! And none of are teachers either!!!

So why do we as adults get excited about the summer? Why as grown adults do summers still excite us so much??? I am sure everyone has their own reasons, but here are a few of mine........

1) Sleeping in and staying up late
2) Being outside with family and friends from 7pm-10pm. It is too hot to be out for too long any other time of the day!
3) Vacation (or this year a staycation) HA
4) Swimming at the Roberts house for a good cool down
5) Spending the day at the lake on the beach and swimming
6) Big Brother reality show
7) Special events at church (SMAK/VBS and group outings)
8) Time with my sister in law and her family
9) Time with friends from friends out of town
10) The good tan and usually a few extra pounds off:-)

Oh, no homework!!! YAE
Only 6 weeks left....who else is counting:-)

A New Approach to Cleaning

2009-04-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

This morning we all slept in due to some rained out games! We did have "one" soccer game to attend late morning, but before we left I asked for the kids to clean their rooms and brush their teeth. An hour later, the kids had "attempted" to clean their room but did a horrible job and still did not have their teeth brushed.

This has become very typical lately. I work part-time and have several side jobs to help pay for my youngest private school tuition. So time is not something I have right now! And cleaning just frustrates me. Not because of the actual cleaning but because the rest of my household is not aiding or even helping keep things clean.

So today, I made a list. The list has EVERYTHING on it! And I will NOT clean! Everyone else in my house will be doing that for me this Saturday! HA!!! Call me mean, that's fine, but I am not a maid! Sometimes you got to whip 'em in shape to earn a little respect....right?

So as I blog, I have my husband replace lights bulbs, Addie is sorting dirty laundry, and Zander is cleaning the masterbath room. The list is a long list, but it is getting done!!

HA!!!!! I love these kind of Saturdays!!!!

The Good Always Out Weighs the Bad

2009-04-17T17:13:00.002-07:00

This week.........couldn't end soon enough! HA! But even though it was a tough week, I can still recall many great things that happened that kept me going.....

1. My favorite verse was put back on my radar this week. Amazing how a verse can do some many things for you in different situations in your life. JEREMIAH 29:11 The power of prayer and this scripture have created peace in my life!!
2. Zander hit his first homerun this past week!!! He hit a line drive right down the center of the field past all the other kids. Two men were on base, so he racked up 3 runs. What a fun experience to witness and see the look of amazement and excitement on his face!! Todd and I were pretty excited too!!!
3. I was able to sub twice this past week....both assignments were in first grade classrooms. On Wednesday I subbed for Zander's teacher. I have always wondered how he and his little friends acted in class. He is in a class of all the little competitive, athletic boys. And boy are they fun. Very bright, and quick witted!! Too cute!
4. Today I subbed for my cousin's class! This class was ADORABLE!! They were so sweet and more the sensitive type class! I got lots of sweet homemade gifts (several construction paper hearts, a beaded anklet, and nice letters). Those are some of the things I miss most about teaching full time. So it was a nice treat today!!!
5. Ewww, the rain! I love the rain we have had and am hoping for more to come! We have had very little rain here in Texas so the little storms we are getting is always big news and welcomed.
6. Canceled Games....because of the rain we have been blessed with rain out games this weekend! YAE!! I say YAE because we had "many" conflicts in our schedule. Zander was going to have to pick or chose between soccer and baseball and we also had pictures scheduled! Not to mention....sleeping in possibly tomorrow morning!
7. I had a much needed good nap a few hours ago. I have not slept in about 4 days and have been so busy! And at night, I just can't seem to wind down! But this afternoon, after subbing. I forced all the kids inside in front of a TV and we chilled. Gabe and I ended up sleeping from 4:30-7pm!
8. I got a special gift from a sweet little girl on Wednesday evening at TeamKID. It was the sweetest and most thoughtful gesture!! I got two, almost dead, dandelions from a child! Her mom was almost in tears (of laughter) when she saw her daughter give me these....but it was a very generous gift!!
9. Got to love boot camp! I got back on board for boot camp (fitness/workout). I had missed two workouts due to ballgames. I love being with all my friends and working out together. It really is fun! I always look forward to this time with my "girls"!!! And this week we added an additional workout session for in the morning!
10. Friends!!! I am thankful for the friendships God has given me. I have several ladies that have really meant alot to me in the past few months. I am blessed!

This week has been a challenge. But the good always outweighs the bad!!! God is good!!!

Got to Love Kids.....

2009-04-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

This is just a glimpse of the comedy we get from day to day in my house........

It is Here.....

2009-04-06T19:06:00.001-07:00

I really had planned on going back to bed after getting the kids to school today. After such a big week and a busy day yesterday, I was looking forward to it....but guess what. It didn't happen! But I am quite alright with it!

Instead, I got a phone call at 7:30am that said my new washer and dryer were arriving around 9am. I have never been so excited about any machinery before (except for my first car). It is beautiful and it purrs so gently at every wash! I think I am in love!! HA!

I gladly welcomed my new LOWE's friend in. They got me completely hooked up in no time and took those nasty, no good old things away!

I got a Maytag 3000 series....both washer and dryer. I have done 6 loads of laundry today which would be 12 loads in my old washing/dryer days. I got it all done in a matter of a half a day too. The older model would have taken me all day, all night, and into the next day! AMAZING!

I hope to share pics soon! It is so awesome! I am so thankful to my dear husband who did this for me:) I love you Todd!!!

Easter Eggstravaganza 09

2009-04-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged this week at all! Why!?!?! Because this past week I spent the week preparing for our FIRST ANNUAL EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA for our little town, and hosted by our church!

Being our first outreach that I have planned for the families of our community, I was really wanting to make it as inviting as possible for any unchurched or for our fellow neighbors and friends. So the city park was my choice, but I did have the old gymnasium for backup (just in case the weather did not corporate). I did not want to have the eggstravaganza on the church grounds because I felt visiting families would feel intimidated or even think they were NOT invited! Therefor, the park was my final decision.

After about 3 weeks of preparing, planning, and shopping, the event was in full motion! We had two bounce houses rented, we had carnival type games for the small children, we had family soccer and kickball games planned, some hot dogs to eat, and eggs to hunt.

Our "youth" group became head leaders in certain areas (carnival games and sporting games) and the adults did great filling in any gaps!

The only down fall was the WIND! With 40mph gusts and 35mph winds, the bounce house crew left as quickly as they arrived. I admit, I was highly discouraged and I was second guessing my decision on whether staying at the park was the right idea.

But, you know our God!!! Anything is possible with him...even in Texas wind!

The day was AWESOME! We had children from all over our small town come out to play and take part in the day. We had several new families and faces, too! It was so awesome to take a look at the park that I once played in as a child and to see my children playing with other children!

And what really made me smile was our teenage kids. These kids were assigned to be leaders of our carnival type games and to lead our sporting events. These teens did an outstanding job....and our little guys LOVED it! The teens even came to me and told me they had a blast serving, which showed and was a big reason why the day was a success! The younger ones loved playing with the BIG KIDS! They loved the attention! And loved being a part of their world for a couple of hours. What a way to bring these two generations together!

So many people lended a hand, some many did countless jobs! Without these people the day would have perhaps been long or even stressful....but it wasn't not one bit!

All in all, the day was great! I have learned alot from it, as well. Somethings that I will duplicate next year, and some things that will change. But the thing that I am glad that won't change is WHY we had the Eggstravaganza.....to celebrate our Lord, Jesus Christ!!!

Wanted Advice on a New Washer/Dryer

2009-03-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

Todd and I are finally at the point that we must get a new washing machine and a dryer! We have had these cheap SAMS set for the last 10 plus years and now with a family of 5, we are doing laundry NONSTOP! Our dryer takes at least two rounds (sometimes more) to dry clothes and my washing machine makes funny sounds, leaves clothes very wet, and doesn't hold much laundry at once. And now, it is leaking water...... HUMMM!!!

I am not sure what size this washer is, but I admit, I do fill it too full of laundry! So I know I am not helping the matters either.

But I have two boys that play two sports at once that need their socks, shin guards, jerseys, under armor, baseball pants, etc., done before the next day!

So, we are now researching to find out what is the best. We would like to stay around $1500 for a set. But there are soo many choices. And what is so special about front end loaders!?!?!

I just want machines that wash well, fast, and lots of laundry at once!!!!

Any advice!?!?!

A Cold Friday Night

2009-03-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

It is 10:22pm on Friday night right now! All the kids are in the living room with Todd and I and they are slowly fading into sleep watching the Mavericks game with us.

It has been a strange day to say the least! I managed to talk my husband into staying at home...and even kept Gabe home today from school. No really good reason WHY! Just cos I thought we could use the additional sleep time and family time!

The older two HAD to go to school....Gabe is in PreK at a private school, so technically he can miss!

Todd and I ran a few errands after being lazy until 10am. Gabe was a trooper hanging out with us. We got jeans for Zander, socks for all the kids, a few church errands were ran, and grocery shopping was done.

We made it home in time for the last cold front! WOW! It was seventy degrees yesterday and now it is in the upper 30's. We have our last fire going in the fire place. I even made taco soup to welcome it and celebrate the last of winter! HA!

We have done a little bit of NOTHING and it feels great!

Soccer games have been cancelled tomorrow........so we are all looking forward to sleeping in until ten or so!

The only bad news is.....my washing machine is leaking water into the garage. I think we are about to splurge and get me a new washer/dryer set! YAE! That will be another blog...until then, looks like I might need to use LOTS of quarters at the washateria....fun fun!!

A Nite Out with My Husband....Hog Hunting!!!

2009-03-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

If you have been keeping up with my blog you would know that it is Spring Break this week. The week before Spring Break we had 4 straight days of rain....much needed rain. But spring break week has had the most beautiful, perfect weather days ever! High in the mid 70's and lows in the 50's. Just awesome!!!

My parents live about 7miles outside of town in the country. We call the place Buck Creek because they live right off a creek that feeds into our local lake a few miles away. The kids have spent a few nights at my parents during the break. But one morning, as they were sitting on the back porch, they thought they heard hogs. The rain must have brought them in...and they are loving the mud and wild onions.

So later, we took the MULE (ATV vehicle) back into the woods and we for sure found evidence of hog. They had torn up a whole section of the land.

My husband, the avid hunter, was so excited because he had permission to hunt these creatures on my parents land but not any other animal!!

That day he called all his friends and could not find anyone to go with him. He asked me a few times but I was a bit scared to say yes because of some horror stories from old friends that hunt hogs. Being the good wife that I am, I finally agreed to go!

So we head out to woods of Buck Creek. I have my camo on and carrying two camo fold up chairs. My brave husband is carried a rifle and hand gun along with a backpack full of necessities! We head to a pop up deer blind my husband has had out on the land for a few months. Once we get there, he unzips the blind to find mice EVERYWHERE! OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I am not afraid of mice but I can't take the thought of one crawling on me or touching me......heeby, geebies is what I call that feeling!!! Yikes!

He runs the mice out, but I am still a bit "cautious" to their presence among our tent! We set up and all, and Todd starts calling in the hog. Not a minute or two after, I get a huge SNEEZING ATTACK! I sneezed for 5-10minutes straight. I couldn't help it but something in that tent or area had gotten to me bad. My hubby was not the most understanding at that point. I tried very hard to make quiet sneezes but when you are sneezing back to back, it gets hard. I even plugged my nose and all. Not the most pleasant or lady like picture at all!!! HA!

Once I got over that, we did indeed start hearing hog! We heard hog and lots of coyotes. Yes, I was spooked. But I held out! Then something falls from the top of the tent.....a wasp. Nothing big, until I looked up to see there was a whole bunch in the top of the tent. So any move of the tent would make these wasp mad! After four or five fell from tent, we saw one was on the window of the tent. Because they were moving so slowly, we killed most that we saw in our way. But one got Todd pretty good when he tried to kill it! What fun!!!

After about 45minutes........Todd realized that between the mice, the sneezing, my fear, and the wasps, that we should call it quits. So we hiked ourselves back to my parents house, hearing hog behind us!

We never saw a hog.....just heard! You may ask if I will try it again? I say ABSOLUTELY but Todd is going to have to be sure everything is ready to go the day of before heading out into mice and wasp next time! HA!

Shopping With Addison and the Hogan Ladies....

2009-03-18T07:10:00.001-07:00

Addison's birthday was over a month ago.....February 3 actually! In the past couple of years we have coupled up with her best friend and neighbor, Brooke, to have a double duo party. This year, Jessica (Brooke' mom) and I originally thought we would just take the girls to Great Wolf Lodge for an over night stay. But after a few weekends went by and our schedules kept filling up, we realized that we had missed that opportunity!

So yesterday, we finally got the opportunity to make it up to them. We took the girls out for a "full" day of shopping and fun! We left at 10am and returned at 10pm! WOW! It was a blast!

We started the day eating out at Chili's then headed over to the mall for some ice skating. Of course, Jessica and I watched and visited while they skated. Then they took a break so we hit one half of the mall for some little girl shopping! Justice was the place of choice shopping for Addison. But JCPenny also did well for her too!!!

After shopping a bit we could tell the girls were fading, so we went back to ice skating. Unfortunatley for a grown man, who was showboating, was in a horrible accident and he had a nasty fall and his skate went to his head. Horrible blood scene and all..... he probably had ALOT of stitches and is quite sore this morning. But the girls are still talking about the drama of it all! We also ran in to my friend and her son there. So it was nice to sit and chat with her too.

We ended our MALL shopping soon after some Victorias Secrets try ons. HA! Yes, us moms had to do a little shopping for ourselves...... We then headed to LaHacienda where we took in way too many calories!!! HA! But we promised the girls that we would go to a park. So at dark we took our girls to the park to play! We shared the park with one couple who had 3 cute little dogs!

It was about 9 when we loaded back into the car for MORE SHOPPING! Our last purchase was at Marshalls........but we did indeed stop ONE MORE TIME at McDonalds on the way out for McFlurries desserts for the girls.

It was a great day of fun and play for us all!!!

Red Cheeks Already!

2009-03-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

Spring Break has now started. For my children, it started at 9am Monday morning when they woke up to a door knock from neighborhood friends. From 9am-9pm, my kids played outside ALL DAY LONG. They never once came in except for restroom breaks and quick feeding times!

At one point I went for a run and on my way home I counted 15 kids in our neighborhood section.

I LOVE THIS about our neighborhood!!

Here are a few things the kids did yesterday........
1. Lots of basketball games
2. Crawdad fishing in our drain out ditches
3. Built a fort or two out of packing boxes
4. Skating and skateboarding in the driveway (a 12yr old boy from MISSION tutoring class was teaching Gabe to do stunts! CUTE!)
5. Soccer games
6. Rode their bikes up and down the street
7. Using a skateboard ramp they had a basketball dunking contest
8. Lots of yard hopping (going from house to house)
9. Played catch (throwing the ball across the street back a forth to one another)
10. Played after dark basketball!!

Needless to say this list probably could be longer but I am sure I don't know EVERYTHING they did yesterday! However, I did notice they have a bit of a sunburn on their faces! Burnt cheeks already and it is only Monday.

And Zander (my early riser) is just now waking up for the day...... It is 9:41! WOW!

Off to another beautiful spring day.............