The Gordon Gang

Color Splash

2010-04-28T12:22:00.003-05:00

After living in our new home for 2 years I decided we needed a little color in our life. Of course Greg was the one that suggested it and when he did I was like "really"? The next day I headed out to Sherwin Williams and chose a color all on my own and came home and got to work. Greg finished the really high parts for me and I'm really beginning to love it. Not sure if I love it just because but because I've been looking at it now for a month or so. Now I need to finish the half bath I started. I was having a hard time choosing between two colors that I have painted on one wall. Stay tuned for more color splash at the Gordons.

I put this longhorn bucket here to compare the colors.

Meg's Milestone

2009-01-08T23:37:00.007-05:00

As most of you know I didn't keep up with my blog in 2008. Just eight short days after the ringing in the new year, we were blessed with our fourth daughter. What a joy she brought to our family that day. Having had an interesting pregnancy, there were speculations amongst doctors and us that our baby may have complications. I remember how special the births of all our girls were, but this one will be etched into my mind and heart in a different way. As it came time to see our baby for the first time, I remember whispering one last prayer that everything would be perfect with our sweet baby. I also prayed that if she had problems, difficulties, or abnormalities we would be able to handle those and love her just as we love all of her sisters. I closed my eyes as she was being born, not only because it is hard to push with your eyes open, but because I was nervous to look at her. I squeezed Greg's hand, probably harder with this one, not because I needed to for pain, but I needed his reassurrance and that seemed to give me some. He, the doctor, and my mom, all saw the baby before I did, and with the gentle squeeze I felt Greg give my hand I knew she was perfect. I quickly said, "Is she okay"? My doctor counted out loud her fingers and toes, predicted her weight, and said she's great!

I held her for the first time, and fell in love. I cried tears of gratitude that she was here and she was healthy. I cried tears of happiness for having another beautiful daughter. I dreamed of having girls when I was younger. I cried tears of sadness knowing I probably wouldn't experience pregnancy, labor, and holding a newborn again. I looked into her eyes as moms do and whispered to her how much Iloved her and how much fun we were going to have together.

Me and Meg leaving the hospital Jan. 2008.

Meg 2 months old.

We have experienced many milestones during 2008. All of which were not blogged about. I jotted things in her baby book, taken hundreds of pictures, but didn't seem to get to blogging about our precious Meg. This makes me sad, but realize I can't dwell on the past. So with that being said...

Meg wanted nothing to do with her mini cake. She gagged on it when the girls put icing on her tongue.

Megan Ashley Gordon celebrates being 1 years old today. Meg has been the perfect baby. Greg and I hae both said how much we have enjoyed having her in our family. It may be that she is the fourth child and has to adjust to going with the flow, but hopefully this is her personality and she will always keep it. She smiles, laughs, babbles, crawls, pulls up, eats, drinks, claps, waves bye-bye, smiles a big smile when she sees a camera, plays peek a boo, loves her sisters, sqeals and kicks her legs when Daddy comes home. I could go on and on and on.

I don't care too much for the fact that time seems to be speeding up. I feel like 2008 and my baby came and went. I know, she is still a baby, but there is something about her turning one that makes me weep. I did just that several times today. I caught myself holding Meg and then tears would just stream down my face. After I gave her a bath, we were just having our normal Mommy and Meg time in her room when I began to sob. Greg couldn't believe I was so upset. I think when he walked in he must have thought something bad had happened. Our baby is growing way too fast. He chuckled and his quick response was she isn't 12! (which we will be experiencing with Mackenzi in 2009!) What is it with men, don't they feel a little tug on the heart strings when babies grow up? I know she is still our baby, but there is something with having her grow up that pulls at my heart strings. I understand she is the baby and will always be, (unless someone sees otherwise) so I shouldn't be upset when she reaches milestones. All babies grow up and I guess mine have to, too. I'm just not sure I'm ready, just yet!!

Meg & Mommy are the best of friends!

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Meg. We adore you. Your sky blue eyes, smile, giggle, and uh-oh's melt our heart. Remember we love you (BIG like the world) and you will ALWAYS be our baby girl.

Mission POSSIBLE

2008-11-17T16:49:00.004-05:00

Warning Long Post Ahead

Never in my life would I have imagined training for and running in a long distance race. I've never considered myself a runner and until about 3 years ago, I hadn't ran, except for the few years I played basketball in jr high and high school. Even then my running wasn't much of running. I would run a few times up and down the court GASPING for air, hoping that my coach would feel the need to substitute someone in for me. I dreaded the off season days of going out to the track and running a mile or maybe two. I was always one of the few that would stop to walk, no matter what. It seems strange that over eighteen years and four kids later, my body is able to accomplish things I thought were impossible.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The past ten to twelve weeks I have been on a training schedule that I found for marathon and half marathon rookies. I did really well the first seven or so weeks, even running on my rest days (which is probably a no-no). I then was faced with sick kids, which resulted in a sick mom unable to run much. I fell short on some long training runs, even skipping a few to do family things on Saturdays. The farthest I trained in one day (split into two different runs) was a little over eight miles. What on earth was I thinking? I have four children, a husband, church callings, birthdays, holidays,...these all come before my running. I finally decided I would just run the days I was able and when it came race day, surely my body would sustain me.

I suffered through hip pain, foot pain, a HUGE plantars wart, and numerous other aches while training. I was more determined than ever to accomplish my goal. Having been someone who has set many goals only accomplishing a few 100%, I told myself I would do anything do make it across the finish line. I would take picture of the display on the treadmill and text them to someone (mostly Greg), knowing I wasn't seeking his approval, but my own. Then, the unthinkable happens. I begin to feel sluggish. I press on. Rising each morning, getting the girls off to school and the making my way to gym. I set my time on the treadmill, dreading each step from the first to the last. I run through my pain, having to slow my pace at times, but never giving up. I felt my body rejecting my attempts at running thirteen miles. I didn't feel right. Something was happening to my body, but I didn't know what. I felt jittery, but a jittery without energy. I requested a consult from my personal physician (aka Greg). He seemed confused when he would take my blood pressure and then my resting heart rate. My blood pressure always was normal even though my normal might be a tad low for others. My heart rate was concerning to him and might explain my sluggishness. Elite athletes have slow resting heart rates. For example, Lance Armstrong's is 45. Each time we took mine it was right around 40. WHAT??? I'm no elite athlete. Yes, I run either 5 or 6 days a week, but mostly only a few miles each time, gasping for air, and trudging through each stride I make. That isn't elite in my mind, mor Greg's. After several days of feeling this way he made a call to a cardiologist that he knows. He thought since I was running every day it was "normal". I wasn't buying it. Again, I'm not elite, and am still carrying around a few post-pregnancy pounds from Meg.

A week before my half marathon debut, I began to experience the worst shoulder and arm pain I have ever felt. I really thought I would die. It hurt worse than the contractions I felt with my first labor ( I was blessed to get epidurals the other three times before I was in too much pain). I curled into a fetal position and cried, begging someone to take the pain away. It took some powerful pain drugs (which I never take) to ease the pain a smidget. Two days later I felt like would survive, but Greg wanted me to have an MRI to make sure I didn't have a disk in my neck pressing on a nerve. MRI was normal, other than the radiologist saying I had arthritis in my neck. Arthritis? I'm only 36. I kept up my last week of training, which was light, even though it didn't feel that way. I mumbled the words, push through it, over and over and over. I will run this race.

Thursday, my pain returned. Almost more painful than before. Now it felt more like chest pain. I couldn't take deep breaths, bend over, pick anything up...Every move hurt. I made my first visit, as an adult, to the ER. EKG: normal. Chest x-ray: normal. Blood work: normal. Resting heart rate: 40's. Elite athlete??? I've never had to rate my pain on the happy face/screaming face chart, other than when I had my girls. I rated my pain at an 8 when I arrived there, and after some inflammatory meds I rated it a three. I was sent on my way, with a diagnosis of costachondritis or pleurisy ( inflammation in the chest wall). The only thing I came up with that might have caused it was running in cooler temperatures. Breathing in the cool air "bruised" my lungs. My ER discharge orders were to take ibuprofen and to not run for a week or so and especially not my race. NO WAY!! Another of my attempts in life unaccomplished! I felt discouraged, sad, mad, upset, angry. I had worked so hard and was so determined. Now I wouldn't just run slower than my goal time, I wouldn't run at all.

After round the clock ibuprofen and tylenol, I finally begged for some other relief medication. I was able to get something that seemed to help, but didn't completely take away the discomfort. I was determined to give the unthinkable a shot. I may not make my goal time...heck I may not even cross the finish line, but I was going to give it all I had.

My alarm clock sounded at 4:30 a.m. and I sprang out of bed. Having not slept much due to nervousness and excitement, I wondered how I would do. I bundled myself in layers and made the trek downtown with running partners, Greg and his sister Ashley. With temperatures dipping to below freezing on our truck's thermometer, I found myself reluctant yet again. The cold air would surely aggrivate my chest pain, not to mention I consider the perfect running weather to be in the 70's.

Being a part of the Rock N' Roll marathon and half marathon, which had more than 30,000 entries, was amazing. There was a wave start due to the large number of participants, so even though the gun start time was around 7:45, I stepped across the start line sbout 8:20. I documented each mile marker I came to wanting to have proof that I was there, each and every step. I had set my goal time on my entry form a little longer than I thought it would take me. Being my first one, I didn't just want to finish , but finishing under your goal time would be great too.

As I ran each mile I was in awe at how easy it seemed. Well, maybe easy isn't the word I should use, maybe enjoyable is better. I set a pace that was comfortable, one I could maintain, and off I went. Taking in all the energy each runner and spectator possessed helped me incredibly. Also, having Greg close by was a huge comfort and boost. He would run ahead a little but never get so far ahead that I couldn't catchup. The bands were great. The cheering squads, water volunteers, spectators, they all gave me that extra push when I thought about my body being in pain.

As we appoached mile 13 we called my sister Allison and daughter Mackenzi so they could possibly get a picture of us. They were not able to be exactly at the finish line. Just before we go to the finish line they captured this shot of us.

Nearing the finish line where Mackenzi and Allison waited.

Truly an amazing day and experience. I have heard many people say that this can be addicting. I never thought I would think about doing this again; You know like checking something off of your life to do list and never thinking about it again. Well, after arriving home, showering, and slowing walking about my house, I found myself sitting at the computer wanting to register for the 2009 Rock N' Roll here in San Antonio and others. I have a few in mind, but am trying to see which ones will work out with travel, school, and weather.

I am so proud of myself. I hope that doesn't sound bad, but having suffered through years of poor self esteem, this is huge for me. I never quit. I only stopped to take a photo and to shed my pants when I got hot. I was determined to finish what I came there to do and to savor every moment. Things I have always thought impossible may not only be possible now, but enjoyable.

36 Years Young

2008-05-17T12:55:00.013-05:00

In honor of my friends birthday here are 36 things I love and know about Angie.....

1. Her ability to handle 4 girls. She does it like a pro!

Meg's Blessing

2. Going off of sugar for 2 weeks. (I still don't know how she did this)

3. She takes great care of her skin and applies cream every night. (I need this habit)

She had Meg 1 day after we got home!

4. Her willingness to watch my children while Doug and I left for the weekend. Did I mention she was 9 months pregnant???!

5. She has a great since of style and her girls always match and look cute.

our first MAC makeover

6. She motivates me to exercise, even though she doesn't live close anymore.

7. We have gone through 2 pregnancies each together.

I wish I looked this good!

8. She drove over to my house at 9pm so I would have furniture to sell my home.

Our new room thanks to Angie decor

9. She has a nitch for decorating (even though she says she doesn't.

10. I can count on her at anytime.

We WILL do another girls trip like this one!
Angie, Jenny, and Steph
Park City, UT

11. She has saved me more times than I can ever thank her for.

12. She treats my kids as if they were her own family. (see #4)

13. She loves to shop and finds great buys.

Angie, Jenny, and Heidi

14. If I am craving something sweet you can bet I will find it in her pantry.

15. We have been through hell and back together (aka ortho residency.)

Angie, Jenny, Bridget, and Tracey

16. I talk to her several times during the day about various things.

17. She has a great stash of shoes even though most of the time she wears flip flops.

18. She is an awesome primary teacher and has been for over 4 years.

19. She makes me laugh A LOT!

20. She enjoys making homemade milkshakes each night with Greg.

This photo still cracks me up.
Doug looks like he has two wives.

21. She is shy, but I am glad she is outgoing to me.

22. She is very compassionate.

23. She managed to name all of her kids with the initials MAG.

24. We survived 2 weeks together with 7 kids and no husbands!

25. She loves the temple.

Jenny, Alberto, and Angie

26. She goes with me to Chuy's at least once a week. We are addicts together!

27. We started a girls night together. Why didn't we do this sooner?

Favorite Things Party
Dec. 2007

28. She has a great sense of direction. Half the time I need to go somewhere or get lost I call her.

29. She has a heart of gold.

30. I love that our families get along so great.

31. We drive the same car. Luckily she now has a pink flip flop sticker on hers.

32. Her home is very warm and inviting. I love hanging out over there!

The last photo before they moved out.
So sad!

33. When I met Angie 6 years ago we immediately connected.

34. Still to this day despite she has 4 girls and I have 3 boys. People mix us up or confuse our children.

35. We have gotten good at taking SP's together. So funny.

36. I secretly wish I could take her and her family to Arizona with us. I will miss her immensely!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Angie!

Love you dear friend and hope you have a great day!

Our Final Feat (Feet)

2008-01-13T11:41:00.000-05:00

Our Final Feat(Feet)

After almost nine months of anticipation, worry, excitement, stress, mood swings, hormone changes, high and low energy levels, nausea, smiles, & tears our final pair of feet made their entrance into the world on Elvis' birthday, at 37 weeks.

Megan Ashley Gordon
aka "Meg"
January 8, 2008
1:33 p.m.
5 lbs. 12 oz.
18 1/4 in.

Daddy, Mommy & Meg
minutes old

Ready to go home

My first pink bow. Daddy calls it a growth.

I'll try and update more on the delivery and Meg's first week as soon as I can. Our computer has been broken and we haven't loaded all of our stuff back on so the things I can do right now are minimal. Also, my parents left yesterday, Greg didn't take much time off(he was doing surgery less than 24 hours after Meg was born and back to work full time the next day, so now it is me and the four girls, and we are trying to pack our house to move next week .

Holiday Toes

2007-12-08T22:13:00.000-05:00

I have been anticipating a much needed pedicure for a few weeks now. I try and go on a day Maryn is at school but with tons of errands, cleaning, packing, etc. I haven't felt it should be on my list of priorities lately. Today, since Greg wasn't working and after the Primary practice we had, I had Greg and the girls drop me off for a much needed hour of me time. Our weather has been anything but December-like (mid 80's) the last few days and the way my toes looked flip flops were not an option. My feet are becoming harder and harder to reach so changing out my polish wasn't an option.
I asked my girls and Greg to choose what to get on my toes today. It was either a french pedicure with a little bling or do Christmas red with a little bling. They all immediately chose red and all three girls wanted to join in and get theirs done. It had crossed my mind to take them along, but being a Saturday, it was too crowded for all four of us to get our toes done at the same time. I promised them another day.

Following Jenny's example I decided to post my festive toes. They aren't exactly what I had in mind, or what I explained to the guy doing my toes. The language bearier is always a factor at the nail salons so you get what you get. I think they turned out pretty cute anyway.

Do you enjoy a pedicure? If so, do you get bling-bling on your toes?

I'm Officially...

2007-12-01T17:58:00.000-05:00

Excited, Confused, Stressed, Overwhelmed, Nervous, A Run-Down Mom, Scared, Exhausted, Sad, Happy, A Seller, A Buyer, A Builder, Feeling Very Pregnant & Back to Blogging.

Before you all say it, I'll beat you to the punch-It has been way too long since I've updated my blog. I realize I have missed out on a few months of documenting happenings with our family, vacations, new job experiences, birthdays, our anniversary, our home building process, and my ever growing tummy. My number one reason for not posting and commenting on blogs has been time and priorities. I always struggle with cute, creative titles and admit my typing speed isn't what it used to be. I found myself sitting down in the morning to start a post, and having to stop several times throughout the day to finish it and sometimes not publishing my post until night. This wasn't a big deal when Greg wasn't around, but when he began private practice back in August he has spent most evenings home. Before that, he was gone several nights a weeks late and a few nights each week were spent sleeping at the hospital. This gave me more "me time" and this is when I would catch up blogging. After our long journey through school, residency, and a fellowship I've realized when he is around I would rather be chatting with him or watching one of our favorite shows, than spending our evenings home together, but seperated.

I hope all of you will bare with me as I try and catch my blog up on the happenings of us and not get bored with me and my life.

The sign out front of our house.

*We have Officially put our house on the market, and have had quite a few showings given the time of year. This has made it somewhat difficult for me. I have never been a clean or clutter freak. My home usually appears clean, but after living in our 1500 square foot house for six years, our girls continuing to grow at faster than wanted pace, we have accumulated our fair share of STUFF. I have spent the last few months decluttering, packing up clothes and toys that we probably should donate, but have chosen to keep for Maryn and our soon to be other "M". We never realized how much stuff we had until we started unloading our attic, closets, and filling a storage unit and our garage almost to their capacity.

Our front door.

Since putting our for sale sign outside, I have become somewhat neuortic about the house staying clean. I've found myself up earlier in the morning and later at night doing laundry so that we never have dirty or clean clothes out for others to see or smell. I think I've forgotten how to cook. I've cooked very few meals at home, fearing I would be in the middle of preparing something and the phone ring and have to leave in a matter of minutes so a stranger can come look at our home. I get up each morning exercise, straighten the house, turn on all of the lights, gather anything I may need for the day and hop into the car and head out. This sometimes means I leave around 8:00 am and not return until after school, and a few times not until after dance, swim , and or dinner. I have felt somewhat like a prisoner, but a bit backwards. I've always been the type to get cabin fever and need to leave home every day or I get stir crazy. This past week I found myself driving around in tears because I wanted to just go home, and plop my pregnant self on the couch and not move. We have heard back from two interested buyers so hopefully living out of my car will come to and end soon.

*We signed the contract to build our new home the 1st of February. When we did this we were told we should expect to move in, in August. With many delays, some from weather, some from foundation issues, and others from who knows what, it is now December and we still don't have an offical closing date. I knew building a home took time and patience, but I'm beginning to wonder if I should just wait until after I have the baby in January to move in. But, I may be kidding myself thinking that is even my choice. It may take them until mid-January to finish the house.

Several people, including Jenny, have been asking for photos of our home. I've been a bit shy about revealing our home, for fear of judgement and fear of strangers(not you blogger strangers, but the freaks out there) knowing where I'm building and where I will someday live. The home we chose to build has nearly three times the square footage we do now, but it didn't look GINORMOUS from the street, At least to us anyway. After choosing the floorplan and lot we then were told they had to redraw the blueprints to make the house work for the lot. Needless to say, it doesn't camoflouge how many square feet we have, and it actually looks bigger than it really is. This was the thing I didn't want to happen. I'm posting a picture of the model home we chose so when I finally get the nerve to post OUR home you can compare it.

The model home we chose. We chose different brick and stone than this one,

but the floor plan is the is essientially the same. The front elevation is a bit different on ours.

The model home kitchen.

*I'm officially 32 weeks and a few days pregnant. I wish it were true, what Jenny said about me being 8 1/2 months along. I have 7 1/2 weeks to go, unless I get induced early, or our fourth little girl follows after her sisters and arrives anywhere from 10 days to 26 days early. I wouldn't mind either of these options. Unlike what everyone tells me, I'm feeling very big. I've never shown early, but when I do start showing my tummy grows considerably every day. I'm feeling good other than being uncomfortable especially after eating and while sleeping. I still have worries about our sweet baby being healthy. I've cried many tears and said many prayers asking for peace to know that everything is fine. We are getting excited to meet her and feeling the pressure to finalize our name choice. We've decided to not break tradition and name her something that starts with the letter M, like her sisters. We think we have narrowed it down to either Megan( and call her Meg) or Mallory. I wanted to name Maryn, Meg but opted to let Greg choose her name. Now that he has told me it is my decision, I'm thinking I need to see her first. What do you think?

My 32 week tummy

Here is to a new month hopefully full of better and more frequent updates from me.

SPT~Fall

2007-10-02T15:48:00.000-05:00

It hasn't reached Fall weather status here in Texas, just yet. Actually it usually stays quite warm through October and sometimes November, and then you just wake up one morning and it is cold out. Okay, maybe not cold to some of you that live out West or up North, but for a native Texan, the 40's are down right frigid.

I had no plans on doing this SPT, because I wasn't sure how to go about getting a fall-like picture when it is 90 degrees out. I also knew that I couldn't take a picture of my home decorated for Fall, because it isn't decorated. Last year after Halloween and Christmas I packed all of our holiday stuff away and moved it to a rented storage unit, thinking I wouldn't need it until after we moved. Well, since they told us our house would be done in August and it is now October, and they haven't even started the inside work yet I just may be celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas without OUR decorations. Today when I took Maryn to school I saw they had put out all of their pumpkins for their pumpkin patch. I thought of taking the picture then, but thought I would spare you my workout attire and my natural beauty, and decided to snap a picture this afternoon when I picked her up. I got a few stares and tried to be as descreet as possible, taking my own picture in the pumpkins, while everyone else was sanpping cute photos of their littles.

notice my fall shoes aka flip flops

Even though Spring and Summer are my favorite seasons, I do get giddy when it's time to pull out the holiday decorations. I just may need to go and buy a few necessities so I feel like fall and the holidays are fast approaching.

Five For Friday

2007-09-21T13:53:00.000-05:00

I'm taking Jenny's and a few others' lead and compiling some of our week's happenings together for a Friday post. Jenny tagged me awhile back to do a "5 post" but I had a few pictures documenting other things so I decided to just have a random post of five things.

1. My sweet little 3 year old starting taking ballet and tap. I didn't put Maci in dance until she was 5 and have wished I would have started her earlier. Another reason I let Maryn test out the dance world is because if she hears music, a switch flips on inside her and she starts getting groovy. Watching her the last few weeks in her 45 minute class I think she has natural preschool dancer talent, even with her booda belly.

Maryn & Miss Katie

2. This is my friend Ellice that just so happens to be our Ward's Primary President. I have to brag about her a little. She is an awesome friend and has a way with the kids in primary that is truly a gift. I guess that is why her career choice before kids was an elementary teacher. She starts talking and all of the kids are drawn to her. Two weeks ago at the Mother/ Daughter she was more than gung ho about the trip. I love camping, but will often find things to complain about even if I enjoy doing them. She was more than well prepared and brought out the perfect things that made everyone's daughters ooh and aah. She brought craft beads to make necklaces, we had a water balloon toss contest, and the best hit of all was her blow up raft that she got for 7 bucks at Target. Not only did she pump the thing up by hand she loaded all of the girls into it over and over and over again and took them down the river. It was like she gave me a mini vacation while I should have been playing and swimming with my girls. Thanks Ellice for your great example. We should all be a little more like you.

Ella, Maryn, Abby, Maci, Alcott, & Ellice

3. Jenny posted about Weston being stung by a wasp twice at my house the other day. She investigated the backyard and told me their was a big nest in the top of the swingset. I waited until Greg was home, not to mention we were out of wasp spray and told him to go and tackle the beasts. Not only did he find the one at the top of the swingset(the smaller one in the pictuer) but this massivc one had found a home underneath the slide. What???? I can't believe someone else hasn't been hurt by all of the wasps that were living in this. Thank goodness for husbands that get to the real problem.

Massive wasp nests that were on our swingset

4. As most of you know from my condition post we will be bringing home our 4th baby girl in January. After having three already you would think we had enough clothes and girly things to be sufficient. NOPE! Two of the three were born in June and the other in October (still warm in Texas) so I don't have alot of winter baby things. And not just this, like any expectant mom, I have been lurking at all of the new baby things that have come out over the past three years. I am on the lookout for the latest and best double jogger stroller out there, but in the mean time I have come across quite the sales on summer items. I have picked up a few sun dresses that should fit the baby unless she is either smaller than normal or bigger than normal. I also found this cutest velour sweatsuit for her to wear, hopefully in February. I'm revealing all of this secretly. so please don't inform Greg I have been out buying MORE girl things. He thinks we have WAY too many girls' clothes already!!!

Cute baby gear I've picked up lately.

5. On the subject of our new baby, I had another doctor's appointment this past Monday. First, I'm not a fan of getting on the scale on a Monday. We tend to eat out all weekend and the worst things. Plus, Sundays are a terrible day for me. I start the day out good and I don't eat very much. We go to church from 11 to 2 and by that time I am ready and willing to eat eating thing that gets in my way. I have a hard time controlling my snacking and grazing on Sundays. There just isn't a lot more to do after I have napped, than just eat. I perched myself on the scale knowing I had gained more weight. I know I should be gaining but, with all of the others I didn't start gaining until about 24 weeks, which is still 2 weeks away. I have gained five pounds already and that makes me nervous. I put myself on a 20 pound limit and I am already a quarter of the way there and usually do most of my gaining and growing now. Some of you are probably gasping at my five pounds and think I'm crazy, but seeing how I've gained 18, 13, & 23 pounds respectively with my other pregnancies and I am afraid I may be on my way to the 30 pound range. I can't do that!! I also will confess that I have been excersizing like a mad woman, twice a day six days a week and I'm still gaining. I'm not doing full on running workouts, but just walking around 6 miles each day and then lifting a few weights. I just love junk food and veer away from veggies. Okay off of my weight saga... I was able to have another ultrasound done to get a better look at a few things they couldn't see last time. They had spotted a few things that were of some concern and they wanted to reevaluate the baby and see how she was doing. Yes, she still is a she, and to Greg's worry the "apple didn't grow a stem" over the past three weeks. Her heart looks great, kidneys look great, spine was perfect, and she was measuring just one day off from my due date and was a whopping 14 ounces. I'm excited to see our new baby grow and continue to feel her every tweak, punch, kick, and hiccup she blesses me with. She seems to be quite the acrobat, and is very limber. In this picture she has her foot up beside her head. Five cute little toesies!!

Foot next to head at 21 weeks and a few days.

My Tuesday/Thursday Shoes

2007-09-20T20:56:00.001-05:00

Loving wear cuter shoes. I tend to wear my flip flops EVERDAY since it that makes it easier carrying someone around your hip.

When school started a few weeks ago I didn't realize that tow days of the week I would feel as if I were walking around in someone else's shoes. I haven't experienced the mom days that I am experiencing since I started having children. I've always had at least one of the girls with me all of the time, that is unless I have a sitter or great friend to ease my errand pain and keep them for me.

I am taking advantage of the next four months that I have Tuesday and Thursdays kid free. We all love our children, right? But, there is just something about the errands you can accomplish in half the time when you aren't lugging a toddler in and out of every store. It is rejuvinating to look back at my day and see things I've accomplished or maybe just fun I was able to have while I was free from Mommy duties.

Me leaving Maryn on her first day of school.

I meant to document about this after the first week of having my much needed break, but of course, lack of motivation and exhaustion because of pregnancy, kept me away from the computer for any length of time. So here I am almost four weeks later posting about the"new shoes" I'm sporting.

Here are some of the things that I have been doing on my Tuesdays and Thursdays...

* a pedicure

* numerous stops to HEB, Target, Sam's Club, & Costco

* chats with friends uninterupted

* lunch dates with my hubby to where else? Chuy's

* getting my hair highlighted & cut

* workouts without the guilt of leaving a crying child in the kid's room

* a couple of outings to the mall

* furniture shopping

* reading a good book

* stopping to get my car washed more than once

* finding myeslf dressing not only shoes, but clothes & jewelry I don't normally run errands in

Me all alone in my CLEAN minivan.

Even though I love my free run around time, I think I should take just one of my two days each week to stay home and get more organized. I need to still dejunk things before we can put our house up for sale. I need to go through our never ending pink girls' clothes stash and decide what to keep for the next one and what to just bid farewell to. I should allow one of my days to cleaning and laundry that might get neglected on other days. All of these sound like good things to do on my days off but, it is hard for me to think about doing them when I have been having so much fun out and about doing girl things.

My Personality

2007-09-17T15:22:00.000-05:00

I'm not so sure this totally describes me, but some of it is true. I feel a strong need to belong, but ironically I never go out of my way to make myself more likeable. I too feel I'm a good listener, but lack good advice on most occassions. so if you need someone to vent to or just a shoulder to lean on I'm your girl. I would have loved to become an interior designer. Funny thing though, I'm having a hard time deciding the style I love while shopping for new furniture, art, etc. for our new home.

I'm not so sure about being structured and completing tasks well and on time. I have a closet full of unfinished stuff! I hope no one that knows me or doesn't get me sees me as boring, dominant, and stuck in a rut.

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer

You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal.

A good listener, you excel at helping others in practical ways.

In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music.

You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for.

In love, you express your emotions through actions.

Taking care of someone is how you love them. And you do it well!

At work, you do well in a structured environment. You complete tasks well and on time.

You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

How you see yourself: Competent, dependable, and detail oriented

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, dominant, and stuck in a rut

What's Your Personality Type?

My Conditon

2007-09-09T17:48:00.000-05:00

As most of you have probably noticed on more than one occassion, I have been a not-so dedicated blogger over the past little while. I was looking back at my archives and since the beginning of this summer I have only posted 14 times. Having my blog as my way to journal my daily activities, my girls' achievements and sometimes struggles, my thoughts on issues, and my family's happenings and doings, these few random posts have made me sad. Not sad because of the things that I have shared about these days, but the things that we have done as a family, my thoughts and struggles I have experienced over the past couple of months, our family's vacation, and even the few date nights and girls' lunches that have gone undocumented.

I have struggled with blogging since day one. I rack my brain for hours upon hours trying to come up with interesting titles and topics and when I finally come up with them, the creative writing I lack, haunts me as I sit at the computer for hours typing and then backspacing over and over again. I always wanted my blog to be our family's history and never thought about impressing other bloggers but I have found it difficult to blog about my daily thoughts and happenings when so many others have such interesting, creative posts I wish I could conjour up in my mind.

Not only has my lack of creativeness steered me away from blogging but I must confess that I have a condition that has also gotten in the way of me blogging the past four months. I have been keeping my condition a secret to most everyone, including my parents and family. I have always been the type to not tell much about myself to those around me including family. No matter how big or small "things" may be, I tend to want to just hold them close to me. It is also hard to find time to blog when Greg is home. The past month, since starting his practice he has been home every night. I feel guilty to plop myself in front of the computer for any length of time. Having him around now is such a blessing. Having him gone so much over the past six years and now him being here, I can honestly say there is nothing better.

Since my birthday, back in May I have held my condition close to me, only telling Greg. We were a bit taken back by this news and even brought many tears along with it, from me more so than Greg. It was hard to comprehend at first and then once the shock and fear subsided we were more than excited. My condition has caused me great tiredness, many days of feeling under the weather, less and less energy, shorter running distances, more frequent bathroom visits, etc. This condition left me frightened on a few occassions when I had to quickly find places for my girls to go so I could drive myself to the ER. Then and only then did I reveal this condition to Jenny, so she could care for my kids.

I know most of you are on the edge of your seat and maybe even reading ahead, to find out just what may be wrong with me. I am happy to announce my condition is a happy condition. It is that not only is baby #4 on it's way, BUT baby GIRL #4 is on her way, AND I'm half way to my due date. YEP, that's right I am twenty weeks along and she will be joining our family in January. I know this may catch some of you by surprise. It may sound strange that I kept this a secret not only from all of you but also our family. I always like to spread news like this in a creative way, and thought I would wait until we were on our Disney Cruise with my entire family and then I would spill the beans. Well, I hadn't gotten up the nerve,yes the nerve, to tell my girls before we left on vacation. My oldest daughter had a hard time dealing with the news she would be getting a third baby three years ago. I was even more scared that this time she would not only cry but maybe want to divorce me as her mother. I'm not sure why she or I had feelings like this but they were there. So when my girls didn't know about another baby joining our family, and the fear of them reacting in an UNexciting way, I thought if I could hide it while we were on the cruise then I would just wait awhile longer. I was 14 weeks along, not really having morning sickness any longer, but I was beginning to show signs of carrying something extra around. I have always been on the smaller side when I am first pregnant, thanks to a uterus that is tilted back and a deeper pelvis. My boobs on the other hand are not so easy to disguise. They are the first sign, even before a postive pregnancy test that I am expecting. By the end of the first trimester they have grown at least one cup size, so shirts that hide my news are few and far between. I could find shirts that fit better up top, but then I would look suspicious because I usually don't wear shirts that are baggy. I'm sure that would have been an obvious give away. My sister in law even almost spoiled my surprise while we were on the cruise. She asked if my swimsuit had extra padding in it, and of course I lied and said yes and opted not to wear that suit the rest of the trip. Every time I ate I had to go on and on about how I was eating too much and exercising to little because I was getting a pooch. At that point of my pregnancy my stomach would look pretty normal and then the moment I ate(even the smallest of meal) I would get a pooch. I have had many backaches for the past three months trying to suck my tummy in so no one would suspect anything. I would find myself so tense and trying so hard to hide my condition that I would come home and fall on the bed in compete relaxation.

Our baby at 12 weeks

We succeeded in keeping our secret while we were on the cruise. I was then fifteen weeks along. My family was five hours away, I thought surely I could hold out another month and find out what I was having, and then have a bigger and better surprise to reveal. My sister and my parents decided to come visit us the weekend when I was seventeen weeks along. I was stressed again that my secret would be found out, in a noncreative way. I prepared myself for 48 hours of eating small amounts and standing with great posture, sucking in my tummy, and wearing black shirts to camaflouge my growing chest. My family came and went and didn't notice a thing. I had pulled it off once again, but started getting nervous that everyone wouldn't be as excited as I thought, about our surprise. I almost dreaded telling everyone.

I was scheduled for my ultrasound when I was eighteen weeks and a few days along, but a few days before, I began having Braxton Hicks contractions. I would have a normal stomach and then in a matter of seconds I would look like I was six months along. I couldn't eat a normal meal without pain, I had to unbutton my pants, and lay the passenger seat back while riding in the car to lessen my pain. I didn't sleep for a few nights and Greg convinced me to go into the hospital to get checked. I spent the entire day on a Saturday in the OB triage having ultrasounds, ct scans, IVs, a cathetar, and telling my problems to med students, residents, nurses, and attending physicians. Finally, after eight hours I was sent home with a diagnosis of renal cholic. Not exactly sure what that entails, but I understood it as being dehydrated to the point that my kidneys were developing kidney stones and this was causing my contractions. I was ordered to stop working out so much, and if I did, to do things that didn't cause me to sweat to the point where I get dehydrated. I have almost drank myself sick of water, and found myself craving diet cokes often. I have had will power to limit my diet coke intake to about one a day and replaced it with lots and lots of water.
Rewind to half way through my hospital stay, I sent Greg home to be with the girls. We decided it would be a great time to tell them they would be sisters again and maybe I would get a little bit of sympathy. He told them the news and surprisingly they were excited. He then took them to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate the beginning of school and the new baby. After they ate and played to their hearts content, they stopped and boguht me flowers and then picked me up at the hospital. They were all smiles in the car and were obviously excited to see me and talk about the new baby.

We decided to make the girls more excited about me being pregnant, by taking them to the ultrasound. Greg met us there and of course we waited for a while. Finally, we were told we were not expecting the boy Greg always dreamed of but adding more pink to our family. I have always loved girls and was nervous at the possibility of having to learn about boys. It would have been fun to experience a boy, to finally use our family name we picked out ten years ago when I was pregnant the first time, and for the Gordon name to go on(Greg was the only son of an only Gordon son).

We told our girls they couldn't tell anyone until we were ready to start spreading the news. The two older ones understood this but found it difficult to not tell their friends. I was a bit concerned about our youngest understanding the "do not tell" that everytime she talked to my mom or anyone in our family I coached her on what to say. I had to tell little fibs, like Grammy's working, several times so she wouldn't call a family member. We finally came up with our creative reveal and sent a baby girl flower arrangement to my mom and Greg's mom. I came up with the idea, since our baby will be the eighth grandchild on both sides, for them to place eight roses in the arrangement along with other flowers. I also had the florist write this cheesy poem on the card:

We hope our news will
make you shout GREAT!
In a few short months you will
be Grammy/Nana to #8!!

Love, MAG(our girls' initials)

Well everything was good until the initials were turned into NAG. My mom was starting an IV when someone called her to the nurses station to see her flowers. She couldn't figure out why she would be getting flowers and immediately started reading into everything in and around the flowers. She called me and I was out of the car getting my girls' from school. She then called my sister and she obviously had no idea what my mom was talking about, so my mom knew they my sister wasn't the one expecting. Then she called my sister in law who was not available to answer the phone. She was stressed out to say the least. She then decided to call Greg, who also couldn't answer his phone. Finally Greg called her back and she was excited and nervous at the same time. Meanwhile Greg's mom received her flowers and did the call around, just like my Mom did. No one knew what was going on and finally when Greg talked to her and told her it was true, our fourth girl was well on her way to our family, she was beyond excited.

Today -20 weeks &2 days

So here I am twenty weeks along in my pregnancy announcing this to all of blogger land. I'm sure my phone will start ringing from friends that haven't heard our exciting news. We feel so blessed to add another sweet spirit to our family. Our girls all have a unique look, one not looking alot like another. I can't wait to see who she resembles and shower her with hugs, kisses, and much love. We look forward to meeting her in just twenty more weeks.

Back To The Basics

2007-08-30T07:01:00.000-05:00

Well another summer has come and gone, with many great memories of time spent with friends, swim team competitions, a visit to see family and a cousin's baptism, trips to Fiesta Texas, and a family vacation on a Disney Cruise. It seems like our summer lasted lots longer this year, but in reality it was only a week longer. Playing in the sun is one of my favorite past times and now there isn't a lot of free time for playing in the water and sun.

Our two older girls began school on Monday. Since we are in the processing of building a new home, that was suppose to be completed in August, we registered our kids in a new school. Of course, the house isn't complete and I would say it is pushing it to say we will be in by Christmas. The builders say November but I will believe it when I see it. So this leaves me with the fun task of getting out of bed thirty minutes earlier to shuttle my kids the twenty minutes to school. I know twenty minutes doesn't seem far, but after the last six years of living five minutes from their school, twenty minutes there and twenty minutes back is FAR! twice a day. Not to mention this trip runs into my morning walk time. I've had to walk alone several times this week because I hate to have Jenny waiting around for me when she could be done walking, showering, and beginning her day before I get back home. I'm not complaining too much though. This new school is fantastic. You can feel it when you walk in the front doors. The staff and teachers are super friendly and you can tell they LOVE what they do. The parents ALL are anxious to volunteer and be involved with their childrens' education. Our school before was good, we always had good teachers (except one), the girls liked it, but there is something about going to a school where most of the people are established and this will be the school their children will start and finish. It is so good to feel like we have really found our home and a place where our girls can continue on their successful ways.

We took pictures of the girls with their teachers on welcome night since I knew the first day of class would be crazy. They both got great teachers (by no surprise). They have both made new friends and come home everyday asking if they can go to so and so's house.

**I can't get the pictures to upload of the girls and their teachers!! I give up!!**

Our youngest also started preschool this week and goes two days a week. She lucked out and got another one of our daughter's 3 year old teacher. I was a bit nervous sending my baby off to school, but her teacher is fabulous. She knew just the things to say and do to convince my little one she is a pro at going to school. She also met her teacher earlier this week and we decided to get a snapshot then instead of waiting until the first day when the teachers are swamped and tears are flowing from some of the kids.

This week has been nice, even though the driving back and forth to school in the morning and afternoon, running errands, and Parent Night TWO separate nights at the school, has left my car with only a 1/4 of a tank of gas left and 269 miles on the odometer, and me feeling that the basics are not so BASIC.

Next week will be a little different. Not only will have the to and from school routine, we will add dance for all three girls, on two different days, and swim for one of them, three or four nights a week. I realize things may get a little hectic but I'm trying to not get to worked up about it, just yet.

Now that I have updated keep checking back I may just post again soon!!

The Real World

2007-08-06T11:11:00.000-05:00

I'm back from vacation and will have to update on all of our doings, outings, and going-ons later, but thought I needed to do this post today instead.

real world
Noun
1.
real world - the practical world as opposed to the academic world; "a good consultant must have a lot of experience in the real world"

Dr. Tolin, Dr. DeLee, Russell, Greg, Dr. Jacobs, & Dr. Casillas

A couple of weeks ago we were able to go to the Fellows dinner at the Argyle(a little too fancy for my liking) where they honored Greg and Russell, the other fellow. We had a good time as stories were shared of the two of them. They described them at the beginning of the year, told stories about their successes and mistakes and what the staff thought of them after spending the year with them, which by the way was all good.

Me & Greg

This extra year of training was a bit grueling in itself. Long hours during the day, call weekends, and moonlighting(so we could survive our bills) took up most of Greg's time. Lots of extra high school physicals and sporting events, with a few of our local colleges and universities thrown in the mix, filled evenings and weekends with only a couple of hours(if that) left each day to see him. The last few days of the fellowship were spent at Dallas Cowboy Camp. He loves this part of his job and it is so him. He took every opportunity to find extra sports events to help volunteer for. He covered several of the San Antonio Spurs games, Rampage hockey games, and the Stock Show and Rodeo. I think he was a bit disappointed about taking the last two days of the fellowship for vacation since this caused him to miss out on more interaction with the Cowboys.

Well, Greg has officially joined the Real World. After fourteen years of post high school education and training he headed off to private practice this morning. We often joke how it was like he started Kindergarten over and went all the way through High School graduation, before finishing his upper level education and training. After graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry he then completed four years of Medical School. He completed his five year residency in Orthopedic Surgery and then did a one year fellowship that specialized him in sports injuries.

Dr. Greg off to work.

On to the Real World...

Greg joined a sports practice with two other doctors and had his first clinic with his very own patients this morning. Being the new guy, and the others not retiring or leaving, his patient level will most likely be low until he gets his foot, neck, and head in the door and people find out about him.

Office door

The office had already put advertisements in our local paper, sent them to general practicitoners offices, placed his name on the office building directory, and he will have an ad in the new phone directories come November. All of this is exciting, but a little unnerving too. He has been training the past six years for this but has always had someone looking over his shoulder, or just a phone call away if he had questions or wasn't sure someting was going the way it should. I asked him this morning if he was was nervous (which he rarely is) and he said no not really. He then said, my first surgery alone, now that's another story. Over the weekend we took his office chair to the office along with a slough of his books. We still need to have all of his diplomas and certificates framed alike to hang there, as well as a few other minor things. It was so surreal to actually walk into an office where his name is hanging on the wall and door. It is so exciting but is hard to imagine we are finally here.

Greg's office

I am so proud of Greg and the extremely long journey he undertook and successfully finished. He is great at what he does and I feel he has done everything possible and gone above and beyond to prepare for his career. He has been well liked by his peers and most of the staff. The patients he has cared for thus far have been very gracious for the understanding and care he has shown them. He has great bed side manner and will sit and talk to patients much longer than expected if he feels they need a little more of his time. He has often joked about having to have "Bishops' talks" while taking care of teenagers that aren't doing the things they should. He not only has concerns for his family, but for total strangers. I am amazed at this quality in him.

Congratulations honey for a job well done. I hope your first day was everything you expected and hoped it would be. I love you HUGE and I'm so proud of you!!!

Birthday Girl

2007-07-27T00:31:00.000-05:00

Happy 32nd Birthday Jen

Today I wanted to wish Jenny a very happy day. I couldn't ask for a better friend and could list way more than 32 things I love or know about her, but I'll keep with blogger tradition and post just 32 of them.

1. Our morning walks are a must.

2. She loves being a mom and is great at it.

3. She doesn't mind being a bit silly with me.

4. Her love for Chuy's is almost as great as mine.

5. She gives way more than is ever expected or asked of her.

6. She is my "where are we going today" friend.

7. She is super outgoing and has forced me to push a little of my shyness aside and has made me more outgoing.

8. I finally got her to switch to Diet Coke and she loves it ALMOST as much as me.

9. She never runs errands without calling to see if I have had my Diet Coke fix and brings me one if I haven't.

10. She was my Room Mom partner and did way more than I did.

11. Is NOT a procrastinator.

12. She loves to clean and organize things. She might just have a job when we are packing and unpacking after we move.

14. She loves to go to the Temple.

15. She rarely misses her Visiting Teaching.

16. Our girlfriend getaway weekend will be a yearly tradition.

17. We like most of the same things. You can look at our wardrobes, shoes, cars, etc. and see that.

18. She always is willing to share a meal with me.

19. We are often mistaken for each other and referred to as sisters, twins, and even mother and daughter once. Even people at church get us confused, as well as Greg and Doug.

20. She loves and supports Doug completely.

21. She loves to get pedicures with me.

22. Jenny and I have the same middle name, just different spelling. Ann & Anne

23. She always knows when I need a little pick me up, phone call, break from the kids and is willing to help me out always.

24. She watches or has my kids over to play at her house more than she should.

25. She NEVER forgets to write and send thank you cards. Me on the other hand not so good at keeping up.

26. She loves to shop.

27. We both got makeovers for the first time from MAC. Why we waited so long, I have no idea.

28. She convinced me to dress up for Halloween, something I haven't done in years!

29. She is a convert to our church and has a strong testimony.

30. She eats Chips Ahoy cookies and milk every night and stays skinny!

31. We connected as soon as we met and I'm sure I will be lost without her next year.

32. She is a special friend that will remain that way always.

I hope you have a fabulous day full of love, laughter, smiles, and great memories. Love Ya Tons!

I'll see you in a week. I'll miss you.

Wish Jenny a happy birthday here.

07/07/07

2007-07-07T23:42:00.000-05:00

Some may call this day a lucky one. Since seven is supposedly a lucky number, and seeing how the month, day, and year were all sevens, I heard much talk about today being a lucky day. There were a more than normal number of weddings planned for this day. Not to mention the very publicized(maybe this was only in San Antonio) Eva and Tony's wedding that took place in Paris. I'm not real sure why so many people were relying on a lucky number to determine their wedding day, the amount of love they shared or didn't share, to make getting married on any other day just as good or special of a day as another. Hopefully these couples are enough in love and have their priorities in order that their love, marriages, and lives together will last forever.

Even though as a younger individual, I claimed the number seven as my very own lucky number, I don't really consider myself to think about having luck, or not having it. I do find myself a person who is extremely blessed. Others may categorize some of my blessings as luck, but I like to label them blessings. So today, on this "blessed" day I thought I would list seven things I call my greatest blessings.

1~The knowledge that I am a daughter of God. My belief in Him and my Savior Jesus Christ. My simple, but strong testimony of the Gospel. The knowledge of The Atonement of Jesus Christ and the opportunity I have to right my wrong choices and be more like Him. The blessing and knowledge of giving service to others. The opportunities I am given to share the things I have been blessed with, with others. The Gospel is a most cherished blessing.

2~Parents and family that helped me learn right from wrong and helped me become the person I am today. They taught me the Gospel and the importance of a Temple marriage. They taught me to be caring and to give service to others. They taught me how to build relationships and how to play and have fun. They taught me about love and how to love. My parents and family are surely a blessing in my life.

3~Faith and Joy. I have sometimes struggled with having faith and finding joy in things that I, or someone I love, is faced with. I am realizing more and more that to truly find joy in all things I must gain stonger faith. I have to know that things happen or don't happen for reasons beyond my control. At sometimes things are the way they are so that we can become a stronger and better person. I feel blessed to have faith in all things. I feel blessed to know I can find joy and happiness in all things as well.

4~I feel blessed to have shelter, food, clothing, and other needs. I feel blessed, that all of those needs are met without too much difficulty. I feel blessed that not only are my needs met, but a lot of my wants and desires are made possible, too. I feel blessed that my husband has a job that brings home a paycheck so we can sustain our family's needs and wants.

5~Health. I, as well as my family, are blessed with good health. Other than the common colds, coughs, and aches we all face, we are a pretty much a healthy bunch. We are able to run, jump, and play. We all have the stenghth and ability to sustain us each day during our various activities. I consider mine and my family's health to be a great blessing.

6~Three beautiful girls that are all unique in their own way. One being super sensitive, shy, but finding she has an outgoing side. She is a helper, and loves when I give her things to do. Another being, funny, adventurous, and a talker. She laughs, wants learn, and loves chores. And another trying to still be our baby while growing oh too fast. She still enjoys snuggles, sippy cups, and does her fair share of whining, all the while competing for talk time, riding her bike and having us all in giggles every day. How different they each are but how beautiful and special they are in my eyes. I am truly blessed to call myself a mother. No greater job or calling is there than that of a Mom.

7~A wonderful man that has blessed my life more than I ever thought possible. He is dedicated to his family and is our provider. He loves the Gospel and honors his Priesthood. He loves the scriptures and quotes them on a daily basis. He loves his career and can't wait to start caring for his own patients and seeing the blessings in their lives. He is caring, honest, loving, and giving. He is understanding, positive, thoughtful, and intelligent. He's hardworking, selfless, funny, optimistic, and a friend to everyone. He is determined, has great integrity, and renders service to others constantly. He is truly an example of the person I hope to be. I am truly blessed to have him as my partner, friend, and husband, forever. Greg, my special blessing.

I'm not sure how lucky I am, but after doing this post I again realized what a blessed person I am.

Our 4th of July

2007-07-04T21:29:00.000-05:00

Since it has been raining daily here in SA for the month, I wasn't surprised that as I lay in bed on the eve of the 4th, that it was thunderstorming. Our ward pancake breakfast and fun run was scheduled for 730 am and I admit I wasn't thrilled about rising early to go. I knew I wanted to get my exercise in early but after my sweet, precious, little three year old woke me several times between 1230 (the time I headed to bed) and 630 when my alarm went off I found myself hoping to here the sounds of thunder, sprinkles, downpours, or something that would allow me to stay in bed. I drug myself out of bed, and peered through our bedroom blinds to find it already had rained and didn't look like it would rain in the next hour or so. We headed out to do the 5K run/walk. Greg ran with some of the guys in the ward, while I pushed Maryn in the jogger trying to jog at least half of the course. Mackenzi and Maci even joined in on the fun and ran half of the race with me. We had breakfast, well I didn't, pancakes aren't my favorite so I mostly socialized.

Me & Maryn finishing our 3 miles

After the breakfast Greg went to study and the girls and I came home. Not long after we were home it started to rain. My girls are so bored as it is, seeing how the Clouse kids are miles away enjoying sunshine, swimming, and scorching temperatures, and we have been enjoying alot of indoor activites. They asked what we were doing the rest of the day and I had no plans or even options for them. So I loaded them up and we went to the gym. I could workout again and they could play with other kids and be occupied for awhile. It was a win/win situation.

The girls & I waiting for the fireworks and what later would be rain.

The gang doing sparklers.

Since we hadn't made big plans for a bbq at home we did the next best thing(or in my eyes a better thing) and went to Rudy's for dinner. We met up with two other families from our ward there. After dinner we drove to Boerne, a small town about 15 miles away, and watched fireworks and let the kids do some sparklers and a few other minor "fireworks". It then decided to rain on our fun once again. We got out the umbrellas, and continued to enjoy the fireworks (through a big tree) until they were done. We had a fun time even though Maci and Maryn opted to sit inside the truck because it was too loud for them. Iy turned out to be an okay holiday even without much planning and with the weather issues we encountered.

John & Greg trying to stay dry

Me & Ellice watching mostly rain and not many fireworks

Brad, Tilane, and some of the kids taking shelter in their van from the rain.

Check this Out!!

2007-07-02T23:01:00.000-05:00

http://www.doodlebugspaper.blogspot.com/

Make sure you go to this site and leave a comment so you (and I) can be entered into a contest to win cool stuff from Doodle Bugs. You won't be disappointed.

Mackenzi Hits Double Digits!!

2007-06-29T10:57:00.000-05:00

Happy 1oth Birthday Kenzi Bug!!

Mackenzi 1 year old

I seriously am in shock that I'm old enough, and that it has been 10 years since our first daughter came into the world. Where oh where as the time gone? Oh yea, I know exactly where it has gone...Mackenzi is known to us, and some of our family members as our schooling and medical training yard stick. She was just six weeks old when moved from our first apartment to Houston to begin medical school. Now she is turning 10 just a few weeks before Greg finishes all of his Orthopedic and Sports Injury training. Looking back on the road we have traveled it doesn't seem all that long until I look at how our sweet little baby has grown. Then, it seems like a lifetime.

Here are some fo the things we love about our Mackenzi aka Kenzi. (she has recently shortened her name and wants to go by Kenzi). I don't know if that will stick since we named our other thwo daughters with names beginning with "M".

She is...

*our first born
*blue eyed beauty

Mackenzi's looses her first teeth with the help of the dentist at age 6 1/2

*Kenzi bug
*our princess with a beautiful smile

Mackenzi 8 years old

*med school and residency SURVIVOR(just six weeks old when we began this journey)
*daddy's girl
*mileage Mackenzi(she traveled more in a car her first
few years of life than I had in my whole childhood)
*giggler
*peacemaker
*good friend to everyone

Mackenzi and Taylor inseperable friends age 5

*mini mommy
*our screamer that turned into a very quiet and reserved little girl
*"helper" "builder" "cooker"
*softhearted and compassionate

Mackenzi 3 years old

*my shopping partner
*our booger bear

*great student (She had great grades all year. She was elected class representative for student council. She was a Safety Patrol) Talk about involved and she is only 10!

Taylor and Mackenzi 4th grade safety patrols

*star swimmer

*spiritual and always striving to choose the right

Mackenzi with a primary talk age 6

(she takes after her mommy when it comes to speaking in public she is extremely shy)

*kind and understanding
*our performer
*drama queen
*book lover
*pleaser
*our earliest walker & talker
*soon to be babysitter
*inquizative child
*the one that would rather hang out with the adults(she was the only kid for so long amongst our friends and family) she knew no different
*snuggler

Mackenzi 4 years old right after we moved to San Antonio

*our sweetheart
*our priceless treasure

We hope you have a great day. We love you and are so proud to be your parents. You are our special little girl and will always be even if you are growing up faster than we would like. You are beautiful inside and out. Always remember that. Love you tons Kenzi.

SPT-Hello, Twins?

2007-06-26T16:47:00.000-05:00

I had planned on skipping again this week because I didn't have really anything to take a picture of myself doing. I also had planned on posting about this about two months ago but due to being blogger lazy I never did.

As most of you know Jenny and I are frequently mistaken for the same person. We, almost on a daily basis, are asked if we are sisters. To my surprise, we were once asked if we were mother and daughter. I wanted to ask the little old man which one he was referring to as the mother but was afraid the three years I am older than Jenny would all of a sudden turn into thirty. While we were getting a pedicure a couple of months ago we were given a new "label". Without knowing what the other was wearing, Jenny picked me up and we had similar brown shorts on and pink shirts. I mentioned changing but thought it wasn't worth the hassle. We arrived at the pedicure place and immediately all of the employees started their usual "whispering" in their native Vietnamese language. I always find this somewhat interesting, but mostly rude. First, how on earth can they hear one another across the building when I have a hard time hearing(not understanding) them when they are sitting right at my feet. Second, they can speak English so why do they choose to talk about people right in front of them. Finally after the girl doing my toes looked us both up and down she asked, "Twins"? Our reply, almost simultaneously, NOPE! Then she replies, sisters? Our answer again, NOPE, with an added, friends. She chuckled and said, "you dressed alike." Feeling somewhat embarrassed, but also flattered, a smile appeared on my face. Jenny's girl didn't hear any of this and as she sat down to get started on her, said a few words we couldn't understand and then looked at us and said, (yep you guessed it) Twins? No just friends, we giggled. The two pedicurist talked amongst themselves while they finished doing our feet. Then, as they normally do before they paint our toenails, they both reached down almost at the same time and found us wearing not similar, but EXACTLY the same brown Cobian flip flops. The only difference mine being two sizes larger. "Same shoes, too." Followed quickly with, "Who's the copier." I said, well I had them first, but when I love something so much I don't mind sharing where I found something. I was again amazed how people find us so similar when in all reality we are really different.

Well, back to my SPT today. Jenny and I started our day just like any other, going for our 3 mile walk. After passing a few of our usuals, we passed an older guy. I was in front(this part of our walk is all up hill and along a busy street) on the sidewalk. The guy just took a quick glance and added a "good morning". After we made it up the hill and were again walking side by side, Jenny was laughing. She asked if I heard what the guy said. I said no but I'm sure it was something on the lines of, Are you sisters? She informed me it was the twin comment. We both said, we don't look anything alike! After swim practice for the kids, we stopped at Sonic on our way to the water park. First invision two blonde girls, with the same color minivan, full of kids parked side by side. We place our orders seperately and then sat and waited. The girl brings my large Diet Coke and order of tater tots out first and didn't say anything. She then returns with Jenny's large Diet Coke, french fries and a drink for her kids and asked her if we are together. It wasn't the sister/twin question, but I'm sure it was tooling in her little mind. We then arrived at the water park. We trekked up what seems like miles, to our favorite hangout. We park our double strollers, and get our kids situated and away they scurry. A guy we have seen several times, was sitting near us and said, "You are sisters, right?" No, just friends came out of Jenny's mouth. I think he thought we were lying the way he looked at us. You look the same. Same hair. The next same was a bit unnerving. Same BODY! My oh my people. We look so different. The only thing Jenny could say, after the BOD comment was, she has girls, I have boys.

So today was definitely out of the ordinary. Getting three comments all before noon was a bit much. So with that said, I wanted you to say hello to my twin(even though you all know her). I know she posted a picture of the two of us at Chuy's, but after our comments today I saw it very fitting to post another one of our many, many pictures we have together.

Our Fish

2007-06-23T13:19:00.000-05:00

Today was our girls last regular summer swim meet. Mackenzi joined year round swim and our school district's big pool, but truly enjoys our summer league we have them on. More fun, and socializing. Less strict coaches and less swimming.
She ahs truly become our little fish. I'm glad she has found her nitch and loves it.
Mackenzi and Maci are both in lane 2(from left).

Here is Mackenzi swimming her best stroke butterfly.
Go Mackenzi Go!!

Mackenzi's first place 100 meter IM

Maci swimming freestyle.

Go Maci Go!

Maci loves swimming. It sometimes it is difficult for her to make it across the pool, but today it seemed she had a little more stamina.

Way to go girls. You both did awesome.

SPT-through the eyes of love

2007-06-19T15:08:00.000-05:00

this week's challenge is interactive. a little less "self-portrait," a little more "self-love."now, go ahead and hand your camera to the person on your left. no-one there? okay, how about this: hand your camera to your little, your husband, your aunt, your best friend. have them snap your photo. ask them to share with you one thing they love about you in the picture. make sure you share their comments when you post your spt.next step: take a good long look at your new photo. think about the response you got from the photographer. did they love your eyes? did they love your goofy expression? did they love your red shirt?do you see the same things? do you love the same things they love? had you forgotten that you love your smile? or your freckles?go ahead... fall in love with yourself again! i can't wait to *see* you through new eyes on tuesday!

Another challenge for me. I was a little skeptical about what my girls would write about me. I know they know I love them and they love me. Then, there are the days that I'm not the perfect mom, that flash into my mind that I'm afraid of. Will they say I'm a fun mom? Do they like my smile and do they even see it often enough? Do they think I'm pretty? What do they really think about me?

I asked my two oldest daughters to take my picture and then give their thoughts on it. I got them to write it into a word document (without my help). I then cut and pasted it for them. I also used the same picture and asked Greg to write down his feelings about me and did the same with it(cut &paste). So this is what they think of me...

Maci posed me like this.

She loves me and plays with me to. She makes me laf.

Maci

Mackenzi's snapshot of me.

My mom looks so good in this picture. She has all of her make up on and her hair is clean and she straightened. My mom has a great tan from lying out in the sun! She is so nice. She even took us to the Movie Theater to see Nancy Drew yesterday. My mom has a great smile on every day. Thanks mom for being great and giving me awesome hugs and kisses!
Mackenzi

Greg says,
I love Angie's eyes. Over the past years that we have been married, Angie's appearance has changed a bit. She has gone from curly to straight hair. She has become much more fit physically. She has a tan from the summer that lasts all year. She enjoys an occasional pedicure and worries about what her toe nails look like. She has changed from denim shorts to khaki capris and likes to stay up with some of the latest fashions. One thing that has never changed is her eyes, the so-called "windows to the soul". The windows have stayed the same, and so has the beautiful girl inside. I expect one day we'll be old people (beats the alternative), and I will still see the beautiful girl behind the beautiful eyes. Love ya Ang.

Greg also says this about this picture he took last week:

I like this picture because it shows a bit of the little girl that I hope never leaves. Unfortunately as parents, sometimes we forget about the kid inside. It's fun to see us when we let that kid out. It's especially fun to let that kid out to play with our kids. Thanks Ang for being a fun Mom and getting your hair wet. These are the times the girls will remember when they are our age (late 20's). Anyway, hair is not all it's cracked up to be.

I too love my eyes. I often find myself criticizing most things about me, but find I especially love the color of my eyes. They are hazel in color and are either really blue or really green depending on the color shirt I'm wearing. You see I went for the blue-eyed look in these pictures. I find in pictures my eyes stand out because of the smile on my face. I think in person I have just ordinary eyes, but if I'm caught laughing and smiling they will jump out at you. I also love when I am tan, but wonder if I should start taking better care of my skin. I have great skin(the color and ability to hold onto that color long into winter), not necessarily the great flawless type skin. I will agree with Mackenzi & Greg on the hair comments as well. I like having my hair straight even when most people think I should go "natural" occasionally. Most days when we are at the water park, I forego riding the water slides for fear my natural curls will come out of their hiding and cause me to appear looking like a drowned rat. The times I do let the little girl that is trapped inside my aging body out, I can have a fun time. It is even more fun to see the girls' faces when I'm playing with them. These moments are priceless. For me, and hope fully for them, too.

Thanks for helping out with my challenge and for allowing me to see inside myself. Great reminders of what I, as well as you, love about me.

Father's Day

2007-06-17T15:09:00.000-05:00

"A father can do no greater thing for his children than to let them feel that he loves their mother." David O. McKay

I have been blessed with great men in my life. My dad will always be my daddy, and hope that he knows what a wonderful example he has been to me. Growing up I saw things in him that I knew I wanted my husband and the father of my children to have. I didn't marry someone exactly like my dad, but somewhat similar in the way they are with their wives and children.

I am so proud of the man I call my best friend. He is like no other around. He is definitely one of a kind. I have said many times offer I never deserved someone so great, but am glad, he saw things in me, that others couldn't see. I'm glad you took the chance on the "country" girl and asked me out. I'm glad he has brought me along on his journey through school, and residency. I also, am happy he made my biggest dreams of being a mom come true. He has blessed me with the three most beautiful, precious daughters a mom could hope for. He loves me and makes it a point that they see him hugging, kissing, and caring for me. He dates me and them. He loves to take them on daddy daughter dates and sometimes seems to connect with them better than I do.

Greg & Mackenzi
Greg & Maci
Greg& Maryn

Greg is a wonderful husband and daddy. He has a way that amazes me. He means everything to me and has many, many qualities that make him who he is. Here are a few of them.

*righteous*hardworking*caring*spiritual* tender*wise*compassionate* humble* knowledgeable* understanding* loving*selfless*giving*optimistic*amazing* complimentary*leader*worthy*encouraging*productive*disciplined
happy*respectful*much integrity* studious*funny*charismatic*kind*

I found this quote and it describes Greg to a "T". Hurtful words have ever come from his mouth towards me. He always compliments us girls and says how beautiful we all are. Thanks for all you do and all you say.

"A husband should always try to treat his wife with the greatest courtesy and respect, holding her in the highest esteem. He should speak to her in a kind and a soft manner, showing his love by word and deed. As she feels this love and tenderness she will mirror it and return it tenfold."
James E. Faust

Greg thanks for all you do and all you are. I love you BIG like the world.

Happy Father's Day

SPT-Americana

2007-06-12T08:50:00.000-05:00

this week's challenge is to look around your home and help us showcase the history and folklore of America! dust off your americana relics! let no wagon wheel go unturned! let no bobble head doll go un-noticed!!

I debated on skipping this challenge because as I looked around my house I only saw things that represented Texas, not America. Then I thought, Texas is part of America, but felt that would be cheating. I then realized I haven't participated in the last two challenges so I needed to join back in on the fun and I definitely am proud to be an American.

This is as Americana as is gets around the Gordon home. Sad, I know. We always fly our American flag on national holidays and you can find us all sporting our red, white, & blue attire on the 4th of July.

We also have been out shopping for things to decorate our new home (that will hopefully be started soon). I have found I am drawn to more of the ranch style things, like stars, old looking furniture,etc. I also know that I don't want my entire house to look like a "country" home so I have tried to figure out what my style is. Sadly, I have yet to figure it out. With saying that I do think I need to not buy too many more Texas style things like this star even though I love them.

I also thought that since the NBA is in the Finals Championship and since The San Antonio Spurs are one of the two teams vowing for the National Championship I could use them on my post. They are competing to be America's Basketball Team, right? So, here I can show you the huge Spurs fan I am. I love to watch them, in person and in front of my own TV. I wear my Spurs T-shirt(the jersey is Mackenzi's) on most game days when they are in the playoffs. I get nervous when the games are close and when I'm at the game in person I get sweaty palms and my heart races when the game gets exciting. My fingers are crossed that the Spurs will keep up their winning streak and become America's basketball champions once again. Go Spurs Go!

Our Mare Bear is 3!!

2007-06-07T09:42:00.000-05:00

Today our sweet Maryn Allison turns three years old. It seems as if it was just yesterday that I was looking at the positive pregnancy test with the biggest smile on my face while tears streamed down my face. I can remember being a young girl and getting asked the question, "What are you going to be when you grow up?" and answering very quickly, "A MOMMY!!" I feel extremely blessed to be her Mom.

Just minutes after she was born.

I recall three years ago, being a bit frustrated that I was still walking around pregnant, even though I wasn't due for another ten days. I was only frustrated because I had my mind set on delivering early, very early. You might ask why I thought I would be delivering so early. Well, Mackenzi, our oldest came almost 2 weeks early, and Maci almost 4 weeks early. So I just knew Maryn would have been early. When I finally decided I may be having real contractions I called Greg(he was on trauma call) and asked him to come pick me up. We headed to the hospital, and was told I was a three, but my doctor was still out of town. I opted to stay hoping I would labor through the night and Dr. Wen would arrive just in time to catch her. Well with an extremely good epidural and high doses of pitocin it took only three hours and then she was here. We were so excited to become parents all over again to another beautiful baby girl.

six weeks old

We had a hard time deciding on her name. We finally decided she needed a name that started with and "M" thinking if we didn't she would feel left out. I wanted to name her Meg but Greg preferred Maryn. I was even desperate at one point telling him it would be like she was named after him if we named her Meg (it rhymed with Greg). I know sounds like a desperate reason, but hey I didn't know what else to do. I lost the battle, mainly because I told him he could decide. So of course he chose Maryn and I gave her the middle name Allison, after my sister.

1 year old

Maryn, brings a smile to my face each time I look at her. I do admit at times it can be a challenge not to dislike her when she screams, shouts NO!, hits, and whines nonstop. Then with each scream, no and whine there is always a cute smile, giggle, and hug that follows. I have been a bit sad at each milestone she has mastered even when I have smiled at them first. From sitting up, to walking. From her first smile to her sweet laugh. From babbles to being our motor mouth. From her first and last wet diapers to big girl panties. From her crying when I left her with a sitter to her loving when the sitter walks in. She for sure holds a very special place in my heart.
Here are a few things that we love about Maryn.

*her beautiful sky blue eyes

*her sweet laugh

*her still loving to drink milk from a sippy cup

*her need and desire to snuggle

*her buda belly

*her little nose

*the love she shows her two older sisters

*she loves to sing in the car

*it's ALWAYS HER turn to say family prayer(I hope that never changes)

*our my daddy, my mommy game we play together

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY MARE A MOO!!!

We hope you have a great day Mare Bear. We love you bunches, Mommy & Daddy.

Friends-SPT

2007-05-22T20:57:00.000-05:00

I have old, present, and new friends. I have good, better,and best friends. But my computer HASN'T been my friend yesterday or today. So, please check back tomorrow to find out who makes my friends list. Did you??

Feeling Loved At 35!

2007-05-19T16:44:00.000-05:00

I feel I have only been able to tread water since I turned 35 on Thursday, so please bear with me when it comes to posting all about my great day. I got a new camera for my Mother's Day/ Birthday gift, but I haven't mastered much about it just yet. Blogger isn't letting me post all of my pictures so I will have to do several posts about all of my good mail, sent via the postal service and hand delivered.

This is what I found when I returned from taking Maci to swim lessons. Greg, Mackenzi, & Maryn worked like mad to blow up balloons and paint a sign for me. It made my day.

After a fun day spent with Jenny(I am posting about this seperately) Greg & the girls took me to get a good ole' greasy burger and fries at Texas Hamburger Company. When we got home, the Clouses joined us for a Coldstone Snickers Ice Cream cake. We had a fun time eating, dancing, and laughing. Thanks guys for always celebrating our birthdays with us.

Birthday Good Mail These are a few cards I have gotten this week in the mail. One was from Kelly N. from Oregon. Another was from Amanda S., another from my ward primary, and then the other was from my Nanaw(grandma). Thanks everyone for thinking of me.
A box full of goodies from Bridget. She sent me Doodlebugs notecards, Body butter & spray, and yummy lip gloss from Bath & Body Works, pens, & a cute purse shaped card. Thanks a ton B. I love it all.
Jill didn't let me down. My mail guy hand delivered her package to my front door on my birthday and commented how I have been getting lots of personal things lately. I love my "A" notecards. I also owe Jill a huge thank you for orgainzing the birthday and address list, otherwise no one would have ever known it was my special day. Thanks Jill. You rock!

Ellice & John hand delivered yummy chocolate chip cookies, M&M's(plain & peanut butter), a Sonic card, and a cute cupcake card. Thanks guys. I love it all.

More birthday stuff to come, hopefully tomorrow.

Angie's 35th, Greg's 1st

2007-05-17T21:56:00.000-05:00

After spending the day in some complicated orthopaedic surgery cases, surely this posting thing should not be too tough, or so I think. You will not likely see any pictures in this post, if I can get a few paragraphs to publish I will be lucky. I have never "posted" or "blogged" but have read quite a few. I just thought I would take the opportunity to cybersay Happy Birthday to my wonderful wife today. As young as I am, it's hard to belive that I'm married to a 35 year old, but I'll get over it. I guess the thing to do is the "list", so here goes:

35 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY WIFE

1. She loves me in spite of me
2. She tells me, with a straight face, that I look better without hair than when I had hair. She doesn't complain about hair in the wrong places.
3. She is a truly wonderful mom to our three girls. I have always said that a guy may have a pretty good idea of what kind of wife the girl he marries will be, but he takes a bit of a gamble on what kind of mom she will be. My gamble has paid off.
4. She supports me in my dreams and makes me think I can accomplish them.
5. She rarely complains about being a "single mom" so often while I am working crazy hours.
6. She surprises me with a shirt or some other gift for no reason.
7. She is a great friend. She often thinks of others who would have no idea that they would be on her mind.
8. We both love Mexican food way too much.
9. She will go out of her way to bring me dinner at the hospital.
10. She manages to have our girls two different places at the same time several times a week. Always doing something, going somewhere. 36000 miles on the minivan in 20 months.
11. She never questioned me when I said that I was going to buy a truck. I had said that I would do this when I signed a job contract, but I jumped the gun by several months.
12. She has a great testimony and lives it more than she says it.
13. She is a good daughter and sister to her family and mine.
14. She loves crafts, etc and looks forward to one day having a room with nothing but her crafts and scrapbooking stuff, etc. I look forward to that too.
15. She understands that somedays, I may just be having a bad day and needs no detailed explanation.
16. She has become very fit and makes her daily walks a priority. In a society that seems to become more sedentary every day without realizing that physical health plays a large role in mental health and spiritual health, this is a great example to our girls.
17. Despite our efforts to be healthy, she will sit down with me a night and share a chocolate shake.
18. She takes the time to look nice (without over-doing it) before she goes out.
19. She looks good even first thing in the morning before she gets out of bed. She is more attractive now than she was when we were married.
20. She makes great chili- hint hint
21. She is a wonderful yard boy and frets when the weeds begin to show.
22. She takes care of the things we have, and has 500 rubbermaids full of girls clothes that look hardly worn. OK maybe not quite 500.
23. She keeps our home neat. but allows it to be lived in.
24. She never forgets to pay our tithing.
25. She goes to the temple more than me.
26. As much as she likes to be clean and look nice, she enjoys being outside, camping and sitting around a campfire, eating Zummo sausages, smelling like a fire pit, telling stories and laughing about growing up. This is one characteristic that attracted me to Angie long before we ever considered dating.
27. I loved her and cared for her as a friend years before we ever even held hands.
28. She has a beautiful smile, even though her face naturally makes this pouty little frown.
29. She brushes her teeth 3 or 4 times a day.
30. She has nice toes. Hopefully our girls will get hers and not mine.
31. She has a southern drawl much more than me. It gets even thicker after she goes back home for a few days.
32. She is teaching our girls to be ladies, but to always be girls too.
33. She remembers names, birthdays, addresses, phone numbers, what she wore 30 years ago in her kindergarten class pictures- all kinds of really important stuff. I can't remember.........what was I just saying?
34. She said yes to me almost exactly 12 years ago when I asked her to marry me while we were at the riverwalk vacationing with our families. Remember no pictures in this post, but if there were there would be a picture of her and I walking along the riverwalk right after I proposed. I would be weraing a hidious shirt and have the cheezy smile with braces.
35. She is mine.

There you go. My first and probably only post.
I love you Ang- Happy Birthday.

****EDITED BY ANGIE****

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PROPOSAL PICTURE, HIDIOUS SHIRT, CHEEZY SMILE, AND BRACES!!!!

Party Like It's Your Birthday!

2007-05-17T09:25:00.000-05:00

OH IT IS MY BIRTHDAY. I better get started with the party!

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed that I am turning 35 today. I can't believe I'm that old. I told myself I didn't want to do my own birthday post, but since Jenny linked my blog to her birthday tribute, I figured I needed to have a place for you to comment. Check back later to see what I did for my big day.

It's Great To Be Eight!!

2007-05-15T14:40:00.000-05:00

Happy 8th Birthday Caleb

It is my nephew's 8th birthday and wanted to wish a great day, full of fun things and happy memories. Caleb you are super special and will soon have the privilege of being baptized. Nothing is more special than that. We love you and hope your day as great as you are.

Here are 8 things we love about Caleb.

*He is full of energy, ALWAYS!!
*He is an awesome brother.
*He loves babies and kids younger than himself.
*He is super smart.
*He survives being the only boy of seven grandchildren.
*He loves to play baseball and tries his best.
*He is funny and has a great heart.
*He has a cute Texan accent.

SPT~ Mom

2007-05-15T11:51:00.000-05:00

Thank the Lord for mothers who—like our Heavenly Father—love us not only for what we are but for what we may become.~Russel M. Nelson

Angie, Mom, & Art in SLC 1973

I would like to introduce you to my Mom. She is the oldest of six children and of these only three are still living. After high school she opted to not attend college (I'm sure money was an issue) and married my dad instead when she was 18. She had three kids, one boy and two girls and now has seven grandchildren. Her and my dad will be celebratin gtheir 40th wedding anniversary this summer.

Mom & Angie 1973

My mom is strong. She may not realize this but she has shown me definite strength in everything she does. She had three children with each pregnancy being worse than the previous. She was sick everyday including the day she delivered my younger sister. After being a stay at home mom, once my sister started school, she decided to go to college and earn her degree in nursing. Going to school full time and having a family was extremely hard for her. I remember her staying up many late nights studying for tests, writing papers, and reading and memorizing endless things to fulfill her dream of caring for others. She has always brought home things from patients, their families, and received countless thank you cards for being so selfless at work. She still wors fullitme as an orthopedic nurse, but hopes to retire in the next few years.

My mom is caring. She always puts others first. She rarely ever gets plate of food, when we are all together as a family, before all of the grandkids are situated. Sometimes this means she doesn't get to enjoy her food, but she would rather eat standing and on the go than to not help out the kids. She always offers for Greg & I to go out when they are here visiting. Sure, she wants to see us too, but knows how little time Greg & I spend together so she is willing to sacrifice herseld for us. I remember growing up and her taking us shopping and NEVER buying things for herself. She still does this when I'm visiting her or she is here. We go out shopping and she always insists on paying for the things I get.

My mom was in the delivery room when I had both Mackenzi and Maci. She wasn't able to come in when I had Maryn, and that still upsets me. Not only was it a special time for her to see her granddaughters come into the world, she supported me and comforted me through the miracle of childbirth.

Mom(aka Grammy), Angie & Mackenzi

Mackenzi, Maci, & Mom(Grammy)

Mom(Grammy) & Maryn

My mom taught us the importance of traditions, spending time together, going on vacations, and cheering each other on at different events we were in.
My mom has taught me everything I know. She molded me into the woman I am today. Not only do I here her in myself, but I got alot of my characteristics from her as well. I'm shy, even though she has outgrown a lot of her shyness. I have only heard her speak twice in church, because she had to. Those two times were my brother's mission farewell and his homecoming. I dread having to get up in front of people so I know I got that from her. I used to give her a hard time about always worryin gabout us growing up, and she told me just wait you will be just like me. Well, I'm not exactly like her in that regard, I would say I'm worse. My girls are my pride and joy and I feel I would do anything to protect them and help them. When I was a little girl when people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would say a Mommy. I believe I owe that to my mom. No other job would I ever want than to be a mom.

Angie, Mom, & Allison

A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM...
who is never more than a phone call away.
because no one understands girls like a mom.
to tell her that beauty never fades if you look in the right places.
to teach her to love her friends, no matter what they do.
to teach her how to cook.
to teach her how to be a lady.
because there are some things a dad just can't handle.
to read to her.to show her how to give back to others.
to help her on her wedding day.
to catch her if she falls.
to soothe the pain of a broken heart.
to remind her, on the bad days, that she is not alone.
to protect her from strangers.
to encourage her to be whatever she wants to be.
to show her how to put a little love in everything she does.
to prepare her for becoming a wife.
to show her how to raise a family.
to show her how to love someone with all her heart.
to encourage her to be grateful.
to teach her not to wait until tomorrow to say, "I'm sorry."
to teach her that the path taken means as much as the destination.
to teach her that her body is a temple.
to instill patience in her.
to tell her that the road to happiness is not always straight.
to teach her how to care for children.
to encourage her to laugh as often as possible.
to encourage her to be grateful.
to teach her to make thankfulness a habit.
because without her she will have less than she deserves.

Allison, Angie, Mom, & Jessica

Thanks Mom for all your guidance, support, patience, understanding, teaching, and unconditional love. I would not be the daughter, granddaughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend I am without such a wonderful example of all of these. I love you.

Mother's Day

2007-05-13T15:33:00.000-05:00

Jenny gave me this card that resemebles the way I look most days (except all three of these happy, beautiful kids should be girls). And on the inside it says...

They seemed like a good idea at the time, didn't they? Just Kidding!

When things get crazy and unbearable I remind myself how blessed I am to have three beautiful, healthy girls. No other job or calling did I ever dream of having, except that of a Mommy. I wouldn't trade my days spent with them for an office job or any other job. I'm rewarded more by the things they do and the things they say and my paycheck is priceless. I truly feel blessed to be called a Mother.

Here is something I found quite interesting and funny about being moms.

You Know You're a Mother When ...

You count the sprinkles on each kid's cupcake to make sure they're equal.
You have time to shave only one leg at a time.
You hide in the bathroom to be alone.
Your kid throws-up and you catch it.
Someone else's kid throws up at a party. You keep eating.
As you cling to the high moral ground on toy weapons; your child chews his toast into the shape of a gun.
You hope ketchup is a vegetable, since it's the only one your child eats.
You find yourself cutting your husband's sandwiches into cute shapes.
You hear your mother's voice coming out of your mouth when you say, "NOT in your good clothes!"
You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.
You donate to charities in the hope that your child won't get that disease.
You hire a sitter because you haven't been out with your husband in ages, then spend half the night checking on the kids.
You use your own saliva to clean your child's face.
You say at least once a day, "I'm not cut out for this job", but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything".

I hope you all had a fantastic Mother's Day. Stay tuned for more on Tuesdays, SPT.

Good Day

2007-05-11T14:02:00.000-05:00

I almost posted about this yesterday but with a different attitude, mindset, and title. My title last night was going to be "THE ONLY THING GOOD" and I would have posted all of my good mail I have received lately. My good mail, I felt, was the only thing I could honestly say was "good" about my day. I had a rough day, one I would love to go and have a redo on. I am so glad I waited until today to post about my goods!!

With it being May, and with Mother's Day and my birthday always in the same week, it makes me feel double special. I have been the recipient of several items of good mail lately. So here is what has been dropped off for me .

Cute package from Lisa P. She sent me her favorite treat, milk duds and popcorn. The cutest cow and chicken magnets, a pig notepad, a sweet note written on a chicken card, and fun farm animal ribbon. Thanks for my fun stuff, Lisa.
Kelly A. sent me a package from Houston. I have mentioned before on my blog how Maryn has excema. Kelly has dealt with this in her home and sent me some of her favorites, Burt's Bee's, for making it better. She also told me about a great sunscreen foe sensitive skin called California Baby. I will for sure be getting this for the summer. Thanks for including the Houston postcard. I love it all.
Natasha sent me a package for my birthday month. Everyone knoes how addicted to Diet Coke I am, right? Natasha found a cool Diet Coke charm and on the back it says, "She'll see to it you get your caffiene without the calories". And at the bottom it says, "Pepsi, I think NOT!". Thanks Natasha for thinking of me drung my birthday month. The handmade card is too cute.
I got a box in the mal for Mother's Day from my in-laws. I wanted to wait until Sunday to open it, but I found my girls were too curious to wait and opened it for me. Inside was a sweet card and a Willow Tree statue of a Mother & Daughter. Thanks for my day.

Jenny brought me Peanut Butter M&M's, a cute decorated "A" for my future craft room. She also found a classic Mother's Day card, with a mom and her three screaming kids on it. Thanks for thinking of me and making me smile when not much will.

After I slept, all of my frustrations somewhat seemed smaller than before. I was able to think of many things in my life that fall into the good category, and for these I'm truly grateful.

Good...

Husband ~who works, sacrifices, gives, understands, praises, encourages, cares, cheers, lifts, and loves more than anyone I know. I often feel unworthy of his thoughtfulness and love. Thanks for everything you are and everything you do. I love you, Greg.

Kids ~who make me proud in all they do and say. They are each beautiful in her own special way. They love others and each other. They laugh and smile which melts my heart. They try their best and succeed in things they attempt.

Friends~who know just the right time to call and then know what to say or to just listen and say nothing. They treat our girls like their own when with them. They make us laugh and smile, sometimes even to the point I snort or wet my pants. They are our double date partners. They are our family when ours is far away.

Parents~who love and support us like noone else. They treat us like adults, but know when we like to be treated like their kids(taken out to dinner, $$ stashed in my purse after leaving their house...). They shaped us into the people we are today and think they did a pretty darn good job.

Times~spent with our girls. Laughing, smiling, crying, playing, hanging out. Times spent with Greg. As of late, time together has been in short supply. Last night Jenny & Doug took are girls so we could grab a quick bite to eat. Nothing fancy or planned, but definitely nice to sit and chat just the two of us. Watching our favorite TV shows together as been lacking too, so we sat down last night and ate ice cream while we watched a little on the tube. Good times!

Life~is going well around our house. When I look at all we are undertaking, I realize how fortunate and blessed our life is. We can see the end of our long journey. It is so close it is almost scary. We have three beautiful and good daughters. We have each other and the love we share together has never been stronger. We have many great friends who are like family to us. Our parents and siblings are always just a phone call away and lend their support and love always. We have many great memories of times spent with everyone we care about and love. Life is for sure GOOD!

SPT~Cinco de Mayo

2007-05-08T09:17:00.000-05:00

My Cinco de Mayo started out with a Midnight bike ride. I was home visiting and my sister, Allison and sister in law, Jessica asked me to ride along with them. We had done this once before several years ago. We had a fun time, chatting, laughing, and getting our Saturday exercise in while most people were sleeping.

Cajun Style

Usually on May 5th we plan to go out to dinner and eat one of our favorites, Mexican food. During med school we always hit the local Papasitos for half price fajitas. We would eat until we were ill, soemthing we do often. This year things were a little different. Greg was here in San Antonio on call, and the girls and I went home for my dad's birthday. My sister has called a few weeks ago and wanted to surprise him with one of his favorite summertime cuisines,(if you can call mud bugs cuisine) a crawfish boil. I'm not a huge fan of crawfish but if seasoned just right I can do just a few of them. If any of you have ever been to a crawfish boil, you know that the spicier the better. I really like the potatoes and corn on the cob that are thrown in the mix. We had a fun time, my dad really enjoyed his surprise, the kids played until they were filthy and worn out. Not your average CInco De Mayo celebration, but it worked.

I didn't get any self portraits of myself but thought this was a good shot of "Mini Me". Everyone comments on how much Maci looks like me when I was little so this is as good as my self portrait will be for this challenge.

Maci with her mud bug. She loves crawfish.

Happy Birthday Poppy

2007-05-07T10:20:00.000-05:00

HAPPY 64th BIRTHDAY

Today is my dad's 64th birthday. We celebrated his birthday on Saturday when we surprised him with a crawfish boil. The girls and I went home Friday evening for it and came back early Sunday morning. Greg wasn't able to go with us because he was on call the weekend. We had a fun time and the girls were in their element being spoiled by Poppy & Grammy and playing with their cosuins.

Poppy, we love you and hope you have a great day. We are so glad we were able to be with you this weekend. Thanks for being you.

Here are some things that make him who he is and why we love him.

1 He has been married to Grammy for nearly 40 years

2 He was in the Army

3 He is an only child

4 He only weighed 125 pounds when he married Grammy

5 He still looks younger than his age(doesn't age very much)

6 He knows how to water ski

7 He loves to hunt

8 He loves to fish

9 He is a teaser

10 He is funny

11 He honors his Priesthood

12 He loves all of his grandchildren

13 Others always come first

14 He is rarely late

15 He loves riding his fourwheeler

16 He loves to go camping

17 He loves to be on the go

18 He enjoys traveling

19 He lost his two front teeth while playing a church softball game

20 He injured his knee while playing football and has a huge scar to prove it

21 He can fix most things

22 He works on cars

23 He is a handyman around the house

24 He is semi-retired

25 He retired from working in a gas plant about 15 years ago

26 He now works by doing carpentry and trim work on new homes

27 He does lawncare on the side, too

28 He helped build the house I grew up in

29 He is essentially rebuilding the same house after Hurricane Rita hit it hard

30 Even though he could use help doing it he has done most of the work himself

31 He has a two cows and he calls one of them crazy Judy(she has a crazy mean streak in her)

32 He feeds my mom's cousin's horses and cows twice a day (the cousin was paralized and can no longer do it, after falling off his house removing a tree from the hurricane)

33 He is a 100% hometeacher always!

34 He got this trait from his Dad

35 He is huggable

36 He is kissable

37 He always gave us piggy back rides to bed every night

38 He was my rollercoaster partner when I was little

39 He knows how to garden

40 He was always Daddy never Dad

41 Now we just call him Poppy

42 Held each of his grandchildren just minutes after being born

Poppy and Mackenzi 1997
Poppy and Maci 2000
Poppy and Maryn 2004

43 He eats a Chris Madrid hamburger almost everytime he comes to San Antonio

44 He is somewhat quiet and reserved

45 But he loves to joke and pull pranks on people

46 He used to only drink Dr. Pepper now he switched to diet sodas

47 He drives, what my girls call a monster truck (F250)

48 He always wants to drive a new car or truck

49 He has a thick Texas accent

50 When my girls visit him they come home with a little southern drawl

51 He loves to watch bull riding both in person or on TV

52 His favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption(the edited TV version)

53 He likes to watch Law & Order

54 Most nights you can find him in his recliner watching reruns

55 Some of those nights he will have a foldover peanut butter sandwich

56 Other nights he will dip cornbread in milk like most people do cookies

57 He loves to eat

58 He definitely passed this trait on to me

59 He is short for a man, 5' 8"

60 I can wear his flip flops

61 He has bird legs

62 He smirks when he smiles

63 He likes to go to the beach

64 He is loved a ton and loves us in return

We love you!!

May Day~A Few Days Late

2007-05-03T12:52:00.000-05:00

I realize I'm a few days late on posting about this, but Bridget reminded me that there are some people that still celebrate the first day of May.

Our Maypole 1978

I had gone through some of my childhood picture a few weeks ago and came across the pictures of celebrating May Day when I was in Kindergarten. I thought I should post them on May 1st, but of course forgot about it, until Bridget mentioned it on her blog. In May of 1978(yes that means I'm getting old), I participated in a Maypole dance. One girl and one boy were selected from each Kinder class to do this. All of the girls wore white dresses and the boys wore white shirts and pants.

Each "couple" was given a specific color ribbon that represented their class. I was in Mrs. Mudd's class and we were assigned the pink ribbon. I felt so lucky to get the pink one, but my partner, Bobby Slaughter(I had a secret crush on him), probably wasn't equally as thrilled. I ore a pink bow in my hair and a pink sash around my waist. He wore a pink bow tie and cumberbun(homemade versions of these). We then held onto long pink ribbons that were attached to the pole. I can't remember the actual dance itself, but I do remember weave in and out, over and under and when the dance was over the pole was a weave of all different colored ribbons. To see more about the Maypole dance and other May Day celebrations click here.

My partner Bobby & I in the pink ribbon.

**Did you celebrate May Day as a kid? Do you celebrate it now?**

Birthday Wishes

2007-05-02T07:57:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TARA

Today is my great friend Tara's, 34th birthday. Tara holds a special place in my heart. She may not know this but my life has changed for the better since becoming friends with her. Both Tara and I always wonder why we weren't friends long before we became friends. We really connected, shared our feelings, and became great buds, but all of this happened just a few short months before she moved. She now lives in Austin (which is less than 2 hours away) but getting to see each other has proven to be a great challenge. Tara is a wonderful person in more ways than one. Here are some of the things that I love about her and make her who she is.

She's beautiful.
She has a great sense of humor.
Her smile radiates around her.
She always thinks of others before herself.
She is a very devoted wife.
She is a great mom to her four cuties.
She loves the gospel.
She has a great testimony.
She plays the piano well.
She understands others.
She is a giver.
Her hair always looks great even on her nonwash days.
She loves to run.
She has an eye for decorating.
She takes fabulous pictures.
She enjoys Hula Hut & Chuy's about as much as I do.
She loves to chat on the phone.
She has an infectious laugh.
She loves her family and serves them always.
She loves to drink water.
She is a great cook.
She's stylish.
She always has a candy stash.
She is a wonderful daughter and sister.
She loves to go shopping.
She reads lots of magazines.
She watches every Oprah episode.
She drives the same Honda Odyssey has I do.
We have daughters with the same name just different spelling. (Maci & Macie)
She likes to watch HGTV.
She never seems overwhelmed even when she is.
She is a great listener.
She is always up for a girl's night out.
She is a great friend.

I hope you have a fabulous day. Love and miss you!!

SPT-Show & Tell

2007-05-01T08:37:00.000-05:00

this week's challenge is to show & tell one of your most treasured items. the catch is (YES, there is a catch)... it must be smaller than a deck of cards!

I'm sure a lot of us will choose to show and tell our wedding rings. It truly is my most treasured possession. It represents our love for each other and our eternal marriage.

I remember when Greg and I were talking about spending the rest of our lives together, and the excitement I felt. We went and looked at rings and I recall my heart skipping a beat and having a bounce in my step as I tried on ring after ring. I didn't want to pick my own ring out, and Greg didn't want me too either. He was mainly trying to get an idea about the style and size ring I liked. When he proposed to me, on the Riverwalk in San Antonio(ironic this is where we now call home) he didn't have my ring. I had no idea, but he decided to design a ring for me instead of just buying one at the local jewelry store, and it was taking a bit longer to finish than he expected. He hated proposing without a ring to give me, but he couldn't wait to ask me to be his wife.

On the night he gave me my ring we had gone to dinner at Outback. I knew he was up to "no good" when he wasn't himself. You can always tell when Greg is nervous, stressed or upset. He doesn't talk and if you know Greg, this is definitely a sign something's up. He pretended to leave his wallet in the car and exused himself to retrieve it. When he returned, he sat down but couldn't keep his I off the cute girl at the hostess stand. Finally, after what seemed like forever the hostess brought over a gold gift bag with a an elegant ribbon attached. I knew then what was inside. Me being the very shy girl I am, immediately thought about all of the people that must have been staring at me. I opened the bag, and then the small box inside. I then opened the clear, jewel shaped ring box to find the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. My heart began to pound harder and was sure you could see it through my shirt. I quickly closed the ring box not sure what to do. I remember having the biggest smile on my face, and being embarrassed. Not emarrassed because of my ring but because all the attention that seemed to be directed towards me. Greg was worried I didn't like it and asked if he could put it on me. I shyly agreed and he placed it on my hand where it has remained (I have taken it off very few times) since that day. He reminded me of all of the rings, their shapes, and sizes that I had tried on. He said as you can see your ring looks nothing like any of those. He let me in on his secret. He had a ring that was left to him by a great uncle. It was a man's ring that had seven diamonds in it. He thought he would never wear this ring so took it to a jewelry store to see about trading(the dealer in him) it in towards my engagement ring. The girl that examined the ring was nice enough to tell him for him to get the quality and clarity of diamonds that were present in the man's ring would be very difficult. She suggested taking it to another jeweler and have him make my ring using the diamonds. He took her advice and did just that. Not only did have a very unique ring, that you couldn't find in stores, but it was a special heirloom so to speak.

I love my ring and cherish it, as well as the man that gave it to me. Greg always says he wants to get me a bigger ring someday. I tell him over and over that I don't need a bigger diamond. It wouldn't be the same if he gave me another ring. I love it and will cherish it forever. I think about the road I would have traveled and where I would be today if I never received my ring nearly 12 years ago. I am so blessed. I have a wonderful husband who sacrifices so much and works extremely hard for our family. My three girls are the love of my life and bring more joy to me than I could have ever imagined. I love everything that has happened to me since receiving my treasure. This priceless treasure will forever hold a special place in my heart.

One Year Ago Today...

2007-04-26T14:56:00.000-05:00

I started this post last week and am finally getting around to finishing it.(It is now Monday)

One year ago, Jenny convinced me to start a blog. I was a little hesitant at first, worried that my thoughts, words, photos, and everyday life stories would be a bit boring for anyone else living outside of my home. I then convinced myself this was a great way to journal things that happen in our family on a day to day basis. I have always been terrible at writing in my journal so I thought this would be a fun and easy way to document our happenings. I decided to just jump in with both feet, hoping I wouldn't regret it.

With that said, I can honestly say I am so glad I did this. I feel like I have gained so much from blogging. I have found out things about myself that I never knew existed. I have gained new friends, gotten compliments, great advice, reconnected with a couple of old friends, shared my addictions for one particular food item, cried, laughed, frowned and smiled more times than I can count. I have received and sent good mail, started participating in self portrait challenges, and come to love getting comments on my blog.

So, after 260 posts, a couple of template color changes, and much help from Jenny, I am looking forward to this next year of blogging and documenting my life, and gaining more from you. Happy 1 year to me.

Thanks Jenny for convincing me to do this.

SPT Earth Day

2007-04-24T07:21:00.000-05:00

this week's challenge is reduce, reuse, recycle. where are you on the green spectrum? are you an active recycler? do you reuse ziploc bags? do you carpool? use a travel mug? how do you feel about "gently used" items? do you utilize libraries? thrift stores? (kristi??) are your children setting a better example than you?

I'm not really sure about this SPT challenge. I kept debating "to" or "not to". I have never really been one to really watch the things I do and the things I use and how they effect the earth or how they don't effect it. I'm glad I went ahead with doing this. It really made me stop and think about the things I do and don't do that have a direct impact on our earth.

The only things I could come up with that "save" me, or the environment from was that I ALWAYS wear my jeans twice before washing them. That is unless I have an accident, or need I say spill something on them, I rarely have accidents anymore unless jumping on the trampoline. I also do this with my workout clothes. I wear the same outfit for either two walks, or a walk and a run. Never do I wear them again after a run. They are absolutely disgusting by that point and in need of some serious soaking and washing. This surely saves water and detergent and that helps the environment, right?

My other thing I thought of, is really quite embarassing, if I do say so myself. I almost feel like I am in a support group where I have to confess some of my weird quirks. This will probably come across very strange to some, but may be somewhat normal to others.

Not everytime, but sometimes, when Jenny and I go to Chuy's for lunch, I bring along one of my to-go containers they have given me in the past full of creamy jalapeno. I have devoured its' contents, washed it, and brought it along to refill with the creamy jalapeno we don't eat to bring home. Surely, this is not dishonest, right? They can't reuse what has been on our table that we have been eating. If I don't pour it into my container and "save" it, it will find a new home down a garbage disposal or in a trash can. The only other confession I have to make about this, is after I do this, we sometimes ask for another one and I do the same thing all over again. Then if we get "Alberto" (our new favorite waiter) he brings us to-go containers full of creamy jalapeno. He also makes sure he hooks us up with a big bag of chips, and two, to-go diet cokes.

As I sit here typing this, I almost feel like some sort of addict or something. Hoepfully none of you will see me as psycho, just someone that loves a certain mexican restraunt so much that I will do just about anything to have leftovers from it.
Other things I've found I reuse are my tupperware containers(store bought ones and ones we brings home takeout in). I also save plastic bags from my shopping trips. You can never have enough of these. They come in handy when I run out of my bathroom trash bags, or just to reuse to take something somewhere.
Having three girls I started out savin gall of their clothes. I think I have had, at one time, 12 runbbermaid containers full of clothes. As the girls have gotten older, as well as the clothes, tastes change, and stains somehow reappear, so I've been going through them and keepin only a few of them. The others have made their way dwon the street to Taylor, and some have returned from her too. Then they make the all important trip to the local goodwill store. I've never been one to find great deals at our Goodwill but some people really score at these thrift stores. So I guess my donations are a plus for them.
I love to do yard work and to be outside. I use to consider myself a person witha green thumb, but not so much anymore. I love when Spring returns and I can get flowers and plant them all aroun our house. I had plans to do just that this weekend but never made it to the nursery to get them. Maybe tomorrow, after the rain passes us by, I will get out and put a little beauty back into my yard.

Thanks Lelly for another challenge. I just hope the little things I do are some what helpful in making our environment a lttle better.

Weekend Happenings

2007-04-23T13:37:00.000-05:00

A quick glance at our weekend happenings.

Greg has the day off on Friday, so after the bike rodeo, and getting my hair done we headed out to the mall and dinner as a family. The girls had gotten gift cards from Claire's for Easter, from their Nana & Papa, and had been dying to use them. I took them shopping while Greg occupied Maryn, and did a little shopping on his own. Mackenzi & Maci had a hard time deciding what to get, even so much that Mackenzi bought something and then exchanged it for a watch within just a few minutes. Maci got a pair of Hollywood sunglasses and a pink hair thingy. They were surely in their element, and are already asking to go back to spend the leftover money.

Reagan and Mackenzi

Mackenzi had a swim meet, early Saturday morning. We left our house before 7 a.m. and headed downtown to the Nadatorium that the meet was at. She was entered in 3 events. The 50 yard freestyle, the 50 yard backstroke, and the 50 butterfly. She got 1st in all of her heats, but when the results came out in age groups, she got 1st in the freestyle, and 2nd in both backstroke and butterfly. We are so proud of her and her desire to do her best. Great job Kenz!

Mackenzi & Mom

Greg was on trauma call on Saturday, but was lucky enough to get away to watch part of Mackenzi's swim meet. He then went back in to work but was again not too busy that hw could escape so we could attend the Alamo Orthopedic Society dinner. They have this every two years and is becoming more and more of a reunion for the people who trained here in San Antonio. We took the girls with us and they had a room set up at the Resort for allof the kids. They fed them and played games. The girls had a blast but all fell asleep on the way home.

The girls at our table: Joanna, Tracy, Katrin, Melanie, & Me

It was fun to see past residents and their wives and to get advice on practices and what not. It is to great to get together with the residents that are still here now and their wives. It is always nice to see and talk with some of the staff we hear so much about. Being the spouse, you always here stories about them but rarely see them in person, so it is always fun to put a face with the story. We had a great time chatting, catching up, and listening to the stories that we have heard over and over again. I hadn't laughed so hard in a long while. It is so funny to hear so many people tell the same stories that have been circulating year after year. I am already excited for the next meeting and reunion that will be in 2009. Hopefully more people will come each time. (Hint, Hint- Bridget & Jim!!)

Most of the residents & past residents and Dr. Corley.

Amanda sent me this very cute fairy poem. Thanks Amanda for thinking of me. Anna, also thought of me when she was sending out good mail. She sent me the cutest hnadmade card, and A note pad, the letters A and G for me to use any way I choose, sunflower seeds, a mini scrapbook, ribbon, and the new pomegrante fragrance from Bath and Bodyworks. Thanks bunches Anna.

Rodeo, Ribbons, & Roots

2007-04-20T15:01:00.000-05:00

Rodeo

Today the girls had their bike rodeo at school. If any of you are unfamiliar with this, it isn't what it sounds like it would be. The first time I heard about this I thought it was contest to decorate your bike and then have some sort of parade. It turns out a bike rodeo is about safety. The kids bring their bikes to school and a police officer inspects it to see if it passes street regulations. Then they have several safety courses to ride on. First, they have to perform a balance test while riding. Then they have to ride between two, 8 inch parallel lines without crossing over them. They then have to ride in a cirlce without crossing over the lines. Last, they have to weave in and out of a cone obastacle course without touching any of the cones. It sounds like it would be easy, but in reality it is pretty difficult.

All of the kids did a great job. Greg and I were both proud of Mackenzi and Maci and how they performed.

Ribbons

As I was sitting here uploading pictures from this morning, the girls came bounding in the house. Both of them sporting 1st place ribbons(medals). Maci got 1st in Kinder girls, and Mackenzi was the 1st place girl for 4th graders. It was so fun to see them and how proud they were of their accomplishments. They now are entered into the city wide bike rodeo that will be held in May. Way to go girls!!

Roots

After my $100 virtual shopping spree post, I was so excited to get rid of my terrible roots. I last got my hair done the first week of December, and even then, I only go the crown of my head highlighted. I was in desperate need of a root cover-up and now can smile a lot easier knowing my hair looks like I take care of it. I for sure feel like a new woman, and only wish our babysitter wasn't busy tonight, so Greg and I could go out. It always feels so great for someone to take the time and blow dry every wave out of my hair so perfectly. It makes me want to go somewhere special.

Today I'm grateful for Sara(the girl who does my hair), who is 7 months pregnant. I know it must be a challenge to stand on her feet for 3 hours straight doing my hair. I'm also grateful for Greg, for working so hard and doing extra shifts so that I can have these extras in my life. Thanks honey, for your sacrifice, patience, and support. You are wonderful.

Angie in 3's

2007-04-18T09:54:00.000-05:00

My 3 beautiful girls and I

I was inspired by several of you to do my life in three's. Some of these you may or may not know about me. See if I surprise you with any of the 3's in my life.

3 things I LOVE
~Greg coming home after being gone (work, trip, etc.)
~hearing my girls' laughter
~The Temple

3 things I MISS
~my family
~having a baby around our house
~feeling like I'm young (I'm approaching middle age and I don't like it)

3 things I LIKE
~to exercise (notice this didn't make my LOVE list)
~the combination of newly shaved legs and clean sheets
~sunshine

3 things I HATE
~being sad
~getting upset or frustrated at little things
~feeling rushed

3 people who make me LAUGH
~Greg
~my brother Art
~my sister in-law Tori

3 things that SCARE me
~losing someone I love
~noises at night when I'm home alone
~getting into a terrible car accident

3 things on my desk
~printer
~bills
~cluttered papers

3 things I want to do in my life
~make a positive influence in someone's life
~overcome my shyness
~go on a church mission with Greg

3 things I CAN do
~ have girls!! ha ha
~ slalom water ski
~ cook

3 things I CAN'T do
~ have boys!! ha ha
~ keep an immaculate house ALWAYS
~ watch a sad movie without crying

3 things I would like to Learn
~ professional photography
~ interior decorating
~ to clean and organize better

3 things I Regret
~ not earning a college degree
~ not continuing to play the piano(I forgot how)
~ not keeping in contact with old friends

3 of my Favorite Foods
~ Chuy's chicken burrito
~ homemade chili
~ M&M's

3 T.V. shows I liked as a kid
~ Growing Pains
~ Captain Kangaroo
~ Dukes of Hazzard

Was there anything that surprised you? Will you let us know the 3's in your life?

SPT-Shopping Spree

2007-04-17T07:05:00.000-05:00

I thought this would be the easiest challenge yet for me. I am a shopper, and an addicted one at that. I love any chance I get to HAVE to go to Target for some necessities, so I can browse the store like I have an endless amount of money. I love looking online for things to buy. I put things in shopping carts online but rarely ever find myself clicking the purchase button. I love to buy for others so, thinking of what I would use the $100 to buy for myself was not necessarily a challenge, but thinking of things that were within my limit, was the challenge.

I have many wants these days and most far exceed my "allowance" given for this challenge. I thought of several things I could use towards my purchases but none that I could fully pay for. Some of you may think my list is somewhat a list far too big , but since I probably will not be getting any of these in the near future I thought it was fun to jsut think of things I would like to have someday.

*a new camera
*a new cell phone
*a cleaning lady
*a carpet steam cleaner
*a pair of jeans that fit great
*laser hair removal
*an overnight babysitter or a night away in a hotel
*new furniture for our house when we move

I went to the mall with intentions of finding myself something really cute to add to my wardrobe (everyday I go into my stuffed full closet, and hear myself uttering the words, "I don't have anything to cute to wear.) Instead I ended up spending my "100 dollars" on my girls at The Children's Place Spring Sale. Everything that was on sale in the store was only $4.99, everything! From dresses and skirts to shorts, capris, & shirts. I walked out with ANOTHER bag full of bargains. I then went to Dillard's to look for myself a dress or skirt outfit for church. My Sunday attire is very limited. I tend to wear the same outfits over and over and over again. I did find a skirt, but not sure if I love it or not. I then went to the girls' department to look for Mackenzi some new things for church. She has had a growth spurt, and all of the things I thought she could still wear from last summer are all to small. I ended up buying three things for her to try on. Hopefully at least one of them will work out so she will have more than two skirts to wear to church.
Since this was a challenge about using the money for myself I came up with the perfect thing to buy.

I HAVE DECIDED THE BEST WAY TO SPEND THE $100 WAS TO FIX THIS...

I am in a desperate state of being with my hair looking like this. I can't remember the last time I have gone over 4 months without getting my hair cut and highlighted. I hate to spend so much money on one thing that I always know will need to be "replaced" in 8 to 12 weeks. Right now I feel my hair always look dirty, and never cute. It feels like hay. So, with this being said I called the girl that does my hair and I will be giving her my $100 later this week. This will definitely be the best 100 dollars spent in a while. A haircut, highlight, with and a smile added back to my face is worth every penny of it. The feeling I feel after just being "redone" is priceless. I hope that doesn't sound selfish, but feeling good about the way I look to me is PRICELESS!

Big S Little s

2007-04-12T15:03:00.001-05:00

Sonic Sodas, Sunshine & Super breezy. Sweet or Sick. Spring, Seven 1/2 & Sleeping. Shadows & Several Sweet items of Good Mail. Single & Starving. Survivor & a Super Sweet and Spiritual Mackenzi. These are things that begin with S.

Sonic Sodas Yes this is a Sad case. Jenny and I got our huge Route 44 Diet Cokes on the way to park play day. We decided to leave them in the car so the other girls wouldn't see how addicted we are. Of course, when we got back in the car all of the ice was melted, and our Sanity Savers were flat and yucky. We stopped back at Sonic, on the way home and asked for refills so we each had 88 oz. of Soda to bring home. The Sad thing is I didn't even drink a 1/3 of one of them. They just weren't that great today.

Sunshine There was an abundance of Sunshine today. I took advantage of the beautiful weather and Sat out to catch a few rays after my afternoon walk.

Super breezy It has been super breezy today, which made my walk a bit difficult and made my face and hair feel like I rode cross country on a Harley.

Spring is out in full force this week. After our thirty degree Easter weekend is a very welcomed Sight.

Seven & 1/2 miles(3 mile mornign walk 4 1/2 mile afternoon walk/run)of exercise today. Please don't call me crazy! I feel the need to work off all of the Sweets and Snacks I eat on a daily basis.

Sleeping I couldn't pass up being outdoors this afternoon so I decided to drag Maryn on a Second walk/run. She lasted about twenty minutes and then gave up and was Sawing logs by the time I made it back home.

Shadows were everywhere we turned today which always makes me smile.
Several items of Good Mail have been Sent my way lately. I just now have gotten around to documenting it all. Anne sent me a cute notepad. Janae sent me Sweet note and a cute sticky note pad, Allison sent me awesome Stuff from her recent trip to Sunny Hawaii. Bridget Spoiled me yet again with a notebook, ribbon, & lotion. Kristi sent me one of her fat free chocolate bunny cards. I got a thank you card from my friend Tara and a cute Easter card from Natasha. Thanks for thinking of me and making me Smile.

Sweet or Sick Some of you may view this as a Sweet picture but others may see it as Sick. But whatever category this picture falls into for you, it makes the Sad category around here. We found out last week that Maryn is allergic to dogs and our Cocker Spaniel Nikki may be contributing to Maryn's eczema. We sent her to live with Greg's parents for a while to see if we can get her skin problems under control. Everyday Maryn wants to know if we are going to pick up Nikki and I have to break her little heart and say no, not today. Hopefully Maryn will get better and she soon will out grow her allergies and Nikki can come back home.
Single, Sad, Starving & Survivor I'm a Single Mom today Shuttling kids to and fro while Greg is on call. This always makes my day a little longer and me a little Sad. Luckily the girls are all now Sleeping. I'm Starving so I'm about to indulge myself in a late night Snack, while I watch Survivor.

Sweet & Spiritual Mackenzi My heart is bursting right now. I went into to tuck Mackenzi in and I found her kneeling down saying her prayers. This isn't the first time I have "caught" her doing this but this time it brought tears to my eyes. Lately, I have wondered if my girls "get" anything we try and teach them. I sometimes feel the things I say over and over again often go unheard. I got a little extra proof tonight that my girls are choosing the right and have heard the things I reinforce each day. I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Baileigh-Boo

2007-04-10T17:47:00.000-05:00

Happy, Happy Birthday Baileigh-Boo!!

Today is our niece, Baileigh's 5th birthday. We wanted to wish her a fun day full of fun, smiles, laughs, and wonderful memories of her special day.

Here are 5 things we love about Baileigh...

1. She has the cutest, deepest dimples.

2. Her southern twang will melt you heart.

3. She is a great friend and loves to share her stuff.

4. She loves to wear "frip-frops".

5. She is beautiful.

We love you Baileigh and hope you had a fun-filled day!

SPT Easter Frills

2007-04-10T07:35:00.000-05:00

This week's challenge: in your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it. what are your fondest memories of Easter as a child? are you chocolate, or jelly beans? did you ever actually have an Easter bonnet?!?

Art & I 1976 Easter. You got to love my Little House on the Prairie dress.

As I thought about what I would do with my Easter post I immediately thought back to my childhood and of dying eggs, egg hunts, getting a new dress(most of which were these long pioneer type dresses). Easter dinner at my grandparents house always included ham, chicken n' dumplings, mashed potatoes,a veggie and rolls. Church on Easter Sunday always was a special one. Sacrament meeting always included our ward choir and primary singing songs about Easter. The talks were about Christ, his sacrifice, and the resurrection. I always left with my simple testimony a little stronger after reflecting on the Christ's Atonement.

The Easter Bunny always came to our house leaving, goodies in our baskets, and have hidden our dyed eggs, out in our yard. Us kids, always made a mad dash out the back door to see who could find the most, and would tease and torment the one that got the least. It is so nice to really know and celebrate the true meaning of Easter.

I had a dress with a matching bonnet for Easter one year, but I think my mom has it still hanging in her house. I found this picture with me in spring outfit with a matching hat and decided I would use it for my post.

Easter 2007

Having three girls I always try and match some of their outfits, especially Easter. I can't decide if I'm taking away from what Easter really means to us, but I think they look cute when they match and love a coordinated picture. Not having our girls really close in age, it is a bit difficult matching them exactly, and as they have gotten older, I have just tried and coordinate colors.

We usually dye eggs on Saturday, and leave out carrots for the Easter Bunny. We attend church and are reminded once again of The Atonement. I am easily touched by the Spirit during Sacrament Meeting especially when their are people sharing their musical talents.

Matching girls

This year we were in San Antonio alone, so we had Easter dinner with just the five of us. We thought about doing a ham, or a brisket, but I mentioned picking up Rudy's. So on Saturday night we picked up brisket and smoked turkey and I got stuff to make cream corn and baked beans. We had a fun dinner with the girls talking about Easter and what they learned in primary. After dinner, we hid the eggs outside for the girls. It seems they could hunt, hunt, and re hunt them all day. My girls love the candy they get for Easter, and admit I love the chocolate and the Easter Bunny can keep the jelly beans for himself.

I love Easter and am so grateful for my Savior and his atoning sacrifice. I am overwhelmed at the love He has for each of us and what He was willing to go through so that we could make mistakes, repent, and be forgiven. I am so grateful that through His resurrection, we can be with our families forever. I am grateful for my parents and grandparents for teaching me the true meaning of Easter and for their examples. I love how my girls are able to learn the same things I learned as a young girl. I love their inquisitive minds, how they want to learn more than I feel I can teach them. I am grateful for a husband that believes the same as I do. I appreciated his sacrifices for our family and how he provides for us.

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter, celebrating Jesus Christ.

Disturbed

2007-04-04T14:08:00.000-05:00

This is a word that best describes me as of late. Not for just one reason or another, just because, I guess. Life is too short to be selfish, but I warn you beforehand this may be a selfish post, something I would not consider myself to be, normally.

I feel my life has been blessed far more than I feel I deserve. I'm healthy. I was raised by wonderful parents and had great siblings. I married the man of my dreams and have been blessed with three healthy girls. I've seen many places and experienced things, some of which have been great and others I would have rather never happened. So if I feel so blessed with the things I have why, oh why am I about to go here. I've tried to talk myself out of psoting this, but it keeps coming back to me, so I'm just going to get it off my chest and hopefully, if nothing else I will feel better, just because.

How much is enough? I ask myself this question several times throughout my days. I feel I am trying my best at doing things I should be doing. I try each day to be a better daughter, sister, wife, mom, and friend, but admit I fall short more times than I would like. I keep telling myself I'm trying and that's the best I can do. A few days ago, I caught myself asking the question, "Why am I being punished?" I gasped, as I stopped in mid-thought. Am I really thinking this way? A few things came to mind about why I was thinking this. For a few reasons I have thought someone is out to get me. I think life is unfair to me and overly fair to others. Why do I compare? There have been a few things happen in our life that have seemed to be the straw that broke the camels back so to speak. They are things we have survived through thus far, but still ask why do these things happen to us. Bad things happen to good people and worse things happen to people much better than us. I thought about the few trials I've been handed, knowing there are people that are going through worse things than I. I felt ashamed for thinking someone is punishing me. I just need to remember to look at the big picture of life and see I have been given so much. I need to gain a little faith and realize the trials that are given to us will make us stronger, better people in the end.

How much is enough? I asked myself this question again today as I was leaving HEB. I had been out doing a little last minute shopping before Easter and remembered I needed a few things for Kristi's chicken salad recipe. I was near the big marketplace HEB that I normally don't go to, because it is in a different area of town I don't travel frequently. It was nap time for Maryn, so keeping her sane was a difficult task. I ran through the store, not being familiar with where things are located and couldn't find a few things I needed and didn't want to pay the price they were asking on others. I was quickly getting disturbed. In the mean time Greg called me on my cell phone discussing his night on call and his frustrating clinic. I was trying to be supportive while trying to make him feel better, when Maryn decides to purposely kick her flip flops off. I knew she kicked them off but I wasn't quick to grab them before she was screaming and several people were telling me "Mam your daughter's shoe", all while probably looking engrossed in my phone conversation. I quickly hung up the phone to avoid anymore evil looks. As I rounded another isle, off came the flip flops again. URGH!! I said, probably louder than I should have, this caused more looks. As I was deciding what cereal to choose, a lady says to me, "Your daughter has a big cut on her foot." "Yes, I know" was my response. I stopped myself before I explained to this strager how she has really bad exema. Her shoes irritate her feet, hence the flip flops that I keep losing throughout the store. She's being tested for allergies, since she has had this since she was born... Why did I need to tell this lady how or why her foot looked this way. I almost thought I needed to let her know the bruises on her arms were from the blood tests she had for the allergy testing not from some sort of abuse. My being disturbed was getting worse and worse, so I quicly ended my shopping. At this store I had parked on the side you enter, and forgot I would be pushing a cart full of groceries and Maryn over several speed bumps when I came out, on the other side of the store. As I manuevered the cart over a speed bump my two twelve packs fo Diet Dr. Pepper crashed to the ground. URGH!! Flew out of my mouth once again as I was holding up traffic. Finally I made it to my car loaded my groceries, put the cart away and was getting Maryn into her seat, when out of the corner of my eye I saw someone approaching me. I looked up to see a familiar face. No, not a friend, not even an aquaintance, but someone I have seen on several occasions. This lady and two school-aged kids(it is 1:30 p.m!) walked up to me and she asked if I could spare some money for her to buy groceries. I wanted to help her, kind of, but didn't have any cash on me. Nothing more than a little bit of change, and I figured that wouldn't help that much. I also thought, briefly, how dare she ask me for money, AGAIN! I have given to this lady several times at two different Wal-Marts and another HEB. I wanted to tell her that and ask her if she was for real. I know there are people out there that are suffering and needing, much more than I, but after the crap I just went through in the store, I had nada sympathy bone in my body. Selfish again, I know. I got in the car and reminded myself I have never been selfish before and tried to figure out why I was feeling this way, so often lately. As I was driving away I felt guilty and dug in the bottom of my purse to find one dollar folded up and decided I could give that to the lady. I circled the parking lot, but couldn't find her. I got a little sad thinking of my selfishness and wished I would have been Christlike and helped her out when she asked. I drove home thinking about being grateful for what I have been given and trying to not dwell on the challenges I face. I promised myself I would serve others without being asked, but especially when I am given the opportunity.

I answered my own question as I pondered it while driving. How much is enough? There's never enough giving, serving, loving, and doing. It's just what I am supposed to do. I shouldn't measure my contributions to my life and to others. I should just smile and be grateful for the opportunities I am given.

SPT~ Plays Well With Others

2007-04-03T07:47:00.000-05:00

My friends have made the story of my life.
Helen Keller

I would love to see how we play with our friends, our neighbors, our siblings. are you having a game night? a date night? a girls morning out for coffee and target? will you go to a party? or a picnic? are you on vacation? do you find yourself intimidated by these gatherings, or do you jump right in and organize them yourself?do you play well with others?

Like I have said many times before, I am extremely shy, especially when it comes to talking to others and sharing my feelings. I am this way with everyone~ strangers, friends, & family. I have a hard time opening up and letting my true self shine, for fear of being judged, not only by others, but mostly by myself. Am I as thin or pretty as the next girl. Have I been as successful, traveled the world, raised valiant children?

I have always been the follower of the crowd, but always knew when to stop following when things were going on that I didn't like to participate in. I think this hurt me as young teen. Instead of standing up for myself and speaking what I felt, I tended to just stop being friends with those people, fearing I would be judged by what I would or wouldn't do. I wish I would have been told this quote back then...

Be who you are and say what you feel, because, those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. Dr. Suess

I grew up in a small town, and graduated with most of the same people I started kindergarten with. I had friends, usually just a few that I did stuff with regularly. I had many(what I thought were friends, but now realize they were more just acquaintances, all through school. Just a few weeks ago I was packing up some things from my childhood(I shouldn't have taken them to storage) and came across some of my yearbooks. I flipped through all of the "autographs" and was brought back to my years in junior high and high school, realizing I had people I chatted with and hung out with at school, but few true friends. I don't remember how many, but there were quite a few of the girls that signed B/F/F, before their name. I smiled at some of these as I recalled fun times we had, but smirked at others when I flashed back to some of the times when they were mean to me, and I was to them.

As I got older, I shifted from having girl friends to having guy friends. Not because I was this hot babe(I was so far from that) all the guys liked, but because I felt less intimadated by guys and knew there would be no competing with them. I always felt with girls that you had to be a certain way, wear a certain type of clothes, wear makeup and have your hair done ALWAYS, or you didn't fit in. Having my guy friends illuminated this, to a degree. I sometimes was looked down upon by the girls because I hung with the guys. I didn't necessarily want to marry any of these guys, but I just felt more comfortable being with them, and the girls saw it a different way. I played sports, as did they, so I felt I had more in common with them, than my friends that were cheerleaders. I never considered myself a tomboy, just an average girl that didn't want all of the competing that went along with hanging with the popular girls. I did continue to have a few girl friends that I would do things with on the weekends. I send Christmas cards to them, and have even ran into some of them years later and started giggling and chatting like no time had passed. Thinking about all of my friends I had growing up there are only a few, if they were asked, that would probably say we were great friends, back in the day. This somewhat makes me a little sad, wandering if people would consider me a friend, many years later.

I had report cards that were almost a repeat every six weeks. The grades wouldn't change much and the teacher's comments were always the same. "Angie is very quiet in class. She pays attention and she gets along with others." I was definitely not the type to cause contention with friends. My siblings, well that is a totally different story.

Playing has not always been a challenge for me, but it seems it is now. I remember having a great imagination as a kid, and would rather take a hatchet or saw out into the woods, to build a fort than sit inside and play dolls or a board game. Now that I have gotten older, my ideas of playing have changed. I think I have a hard time with letting go of being an adult and getting down on my girls' level, and playing as if I were still young. I have a fear of my daughters growing up and only remembering the shopping, running errands, cleaning, and not remembering me playing with them. I tend to worry about the cleaning, laundry, a tv show I am watching, and catch myself telling them, on numerous occasions, "not right now", or "in a minute." We plan fun things to do, but that's just it they are always planned, hardly ever are they just a spur of the moment card game.

Having friends is very important to me and keeps me smiling. I have been blessed with great friends throughout my life, along the roads I have traveled. Making these friends did not come easy for me. I realize it is my true nature to stay distant, follow what others are doing, not opening up, and hoping they will like me, just because. These friends have helped me through happy and sad times, rough ones and easy ones. They have kept me sane and laughing when laughing was farthest from my mind. Hopefully these friends will always be able to think of me as their friend and not think of me as "she was my friend."

This weekend I made it a point to let loose of the grownup in me and be a kid again. Jenny and I jumped on the trampoline, palyed on the swings and slide and were laughing so much we almost peed our pants. Even though we were doing this mainly because we needed pictures to post for today, it was fun to play like we were small, and for our kids to see us playing. Jenny has been a lifesaver living down the street. She has seen me at my worst and at my best. She knows when I need a pick me up, a kick in the butt, or just an ear to complain to. I believe we are put in places for reasons, and know we both ended up in San Antonio for a reason , not just by coincindence. It always brings smile to my face when people will say they thought we knew each other long before we ended up living down the street from one another. It is funny how we get the sisters comment, and the occasional twins comment. We don't look alike(to us) but others seem to think we do. I guess it is true you start to look and act like the friends you have. I feel the friends I have had over the years have surely made me a better person. I am so glad I have had friends that have lifted me higher like Oprah says in this quote...

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." - -- Oprah Winfrey

Out of all of my friends, Greg is my favorite. He knows me inside and out. The good, the bad, and the ugly and he still loves me. We have fun together. We were friends long before we ever started dating, and have become better friends every year we have been together. We have a great time together, laughing, smiling, and playing, just as we did this weekend, on our date.

I hope to take time to be a better playmate to my girls, my husband, and my friends. I want my "life report card" to state boldly- She plays well with others!

Birthday Shout!

2007-03-28T21:40:00.000-05:00

Happy 38th Birthday Art!

Art 2 years old (36 years ago)

Today is my brother, Art's birthday. Art is a great brother,son, husband, dad, and friend. He works very hard for his family, sometimes carrying several jobs at once. He is a giver, not a taker. He is funny & witty and tells grat stories and jokes. He is caring, kind, and will do anything for anyone especially before doing for himself. He has lost over 70 pounds in the past 8 months and looks great. I wish I had pictures to show the comparison.

Art & his wife Jessica

Art & Angie (4 years old & 11 months old)

I wanted him to know we are thinking about him today. Hope your day is great and full of many great memories, laughter, & love. We hope you had a Casa Ole' day for us. We love you.

Spring Has Sprung

2007-03-27T05:51:00.000-05:00

SPT~Spring Fever

the challenge for next week is to get outside!! when you see those first daffodils, hear those birds heading back north, don those capris for the first time, how do you feel? do you have that familiar allergy tickle in the back of your throat? do you dig in the dirt? do you throw open the windows and let in the light? do you grab your feather dusters and sweep away the last of the winter dust? how about those cobwebs that have been lingering in your head?!?

how is spring teasing you this weekend?

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Spring Has Sprung in Texas!

Living in the South, usually means we get to see Spring sooner than others. Being a person that freezes if it gets below 65 degrees, I definitely welcome warmer, sunnier weather. Since spring officially began last week, here in San Antonio we have been experiencing spring showers. Rain isn't my favorite type of weather(unless at night), but having everything green and blooming makes me smile.

Things that I give me Spring Fever!

~Our state flower-bluebonnets & other Texas wildflowers
~sunshine
~warmer weather
~capris & flip flops
~green trees, shrubs, grass...
~running barefoot with the girls
~spring cleaning
~pictures taken in bluebonnets
~planting new flowers
~Easter
~mowing my lawn
~warmer morning walks
~the girls playing outside in perfect temps(not too cold, not too hot)
~opening my windows
~putting away the winter wardrobe
~getting rid of my pasty white skin
~evening strolls
~daylight savings time
~soaking up the outdoors

Every year since Mackeni was born we have taken pictures in the bluebonnets. Some years we have traveled several hours to find the perfect field of these Texas pretties. Last year was one of the driest years we have had so there were no bluebonnets to be found around San Antonio, so we took off on a road trip towards Houston to find some. I just can't stand the thougth of not having a picture every year.
Spring makes me smile and I couldn't agree more with this quote I found...

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

Just A Mom

2007-03-25T14:56:00.000-05:00

Today I was flying solo at church. Greg was on call all weekend. It wasn't bad until last night when he got called in around 9:30. After getting home around 11:30 we headed off to dreamland...for only about 20 minutes when Mackenzi woke us up not feeling well. I stumbled out of bed to assist her for a few minutes then was back to my slumber. Greg's phone rang around 2 something but I didn't really come to, so I thought all was well. He woke me a little while later and said is was going to "such and such" hospital(I didn't remember which one). I groggily told him to be careful and I loved him and off he went. It was around 3:15 by this point and I thought he would be home in an hour or so. Wrong! I woke up at 4:30 and he wasn't back in bed. I dozed off again and sat up suddenly wide awake at about three minutes before 5 and he still wasn't home. I jumped out of bed to see if he was sleeping on the couch, but he wasn't. I checked to see if he had just taken his stuff to sleep at the hospital but everything was left home so I assumed he would be coming home. I thought of calling but worried I would wake him if I called. I went through the whole "falling asleep at the wheel scenerio" and had my self worried awake for the rest of the "night". I was even "WAITING" on the doorbell to ring and someone standing there waiting to tell me Greg had been in an accident. I was panicking. I tried to rest hoping all was well but couldn't. Finally, at almost 8 AM! he calls to let me know where he is. His one patient turned into three difficult patients, then he decided to round at another hospital while waiting for a surgery to begin at another. Why on earth didn't you call me and tell me you were okay? His response is always the same no matter how many times I tell him to just call. "I didn't want to wake you up." Please, Wake me? I'm scared spitless that something has happened and am so far from sleeping it's crazy. Just call me. It's much easier to fall back to sleep when you are aware of what's happening than to lay there trying to even remember which hospital he said he was going to, let alone worrying if he has fallen asleep while driving.

Back to my be alone at church. I decided to fast today. Not really having prepared myself(for some reason I need to motivate my self to accomplish this feat) but decided I needed to do this today. I headed out to church just as Greg was coming home. He insisted he would meet us there but I told him to stay home and get some sleep. I made it to church ALMOST on time, they were saying the opening prayer. We found our seats and as soon as we did, Maci asked me if she could bear her testimony. I told her no, but in the middle of saying it I said if you want to, sure go ahead. Can you come with me? No I can't bear mine today because daddy isn't here. The last time I did it he wasn't there either and I haven't heard the end of that yet. I rarely get up and when I finally decided to Greg was home sleeping after working all night. Maci insisted I come with her but I reassured her she could do it alone. We were sitting fairly close anyway, but I could tell she was nervous. Thankfully Doug happened to be walking Jared up, and Maci says, "I'll just go sit with them." So off she went, so confident. She shared her simple testimony and returned back to her seat all smiles. I was so proud of her and I knew she was proud of herself, too.

Most of the testimonies were about everyday things. One girl described "getting lost" while hiking with her kids after they chose a different path to take than the main one. She described how easy it is to get distracted and led away from where we are going, but if we pray and have faith we can just as easily get back on the right path. Several primary children other than Maci and Jared got up and shared the things they believe and were so sweet. Even though they are such simple words they remind us of the basics. Then our primary president got up and said how blessed she felt being able to work with the children(as do I.) She then proceeded to say, "this is such a weird thing to bare testimony of, but I wanted to say Satan is real. Just as real as Heavenly Father." She talked about how he may not tempt us with "big" things but he sometimes get us to do small things wrong that leads us on to doing bigger things. I sat there agreeing in my mind how each day he may not convince us to do something terrible, but just having negative thoughts or being in a bad mood leads me off of my path. Another girl got up and added to the hiking story and then agreed with how real Satan is. She talked about how lately she has questioned what her purpose is. My ears perked up and I listened harder as she shared how she had worked since she was 15. She moved to Texas 2 1/2 years ago and married a guy from our ward. She has an eight year old daughter from a previous marriage. A little over a ear ago, on THanksgiving she was almost nine months pregnant when she noticed the baby wasn't moving. She later had to deliver her daughter that no longer had a heart beat. She just recently gave birth to a healthy little boy. She finds herself struggling when people ask what she does. She automatically says, "OH I'M JUST A MOM BUT I USED TO BE THIS..." She continued to say how so many times moms and stay at home moms are taken for granted. Why can't the world, including us stay at home moms, realize how important our roles as being moms are? I almost needed to pinch myslef to make sure I wasn't the one up there speaking. This is one thing I srtuggle with everyday. I beat myself up each day dwelling on the college degree I never got, the job I never succeeded at, and feeling embarrassed when we meet someone from Greg's work and they for some weird reason, assume I do something medical,too. Why can't my husband love me and marry me just because I'm a good person. I have no idea why they think professionals are only attracted to professionals. Instead I need to realize how important of a job I have in being a mom and say with pride what i do each day. I may not be the best mom but I try my best at being a best mom.

Simple testimonies, but definitely ones I needed to hear, especially today. So for all of us moms, remember when someone asks you what you do, leave the JUST out of it, and proudly announce that we are MOMS, trying our best to succeed at the most difficult and most rewarding job there is. Heavenly Father has faith that we will raise up our children to be righteous, loving, caring, and serving people. No other job to I wish I had, than the one of being a mother. How blessed I am to have three beautiful girls that never call me "Just Mom". They only call me "Mom"~"Their Mom."

SPT Challenge~Luck O' The Irish

2007-03-20T11:23:00.000-05:00

This week's challenge is to show us a lucky charm. perhaps it is a piece of jewelry? or a talisman you carry in your pocket? do you have something on your desk or in your home that brings you good fortune? is it a baseball hat or a smelly old t-shirt? did someone give it to you? why is it meaningful to you? will you tell us about a time when it brought you good luck?

Another difficult challenge for me. I have been racking my brain trying to think of something I have that has brought me good luck and I have to admit I am stumped. I know there are things that I have held on to over the years but nothing inparticular sticks out in my mind. I have several things that I have kept, not becuase they are lucky things, but because that are sentimental things, so I didn't want to use any of those. I have even contimplated making something up but HAPPILY admit I am a TERRIBLE liar!

So for my LUCK O' THE IRISH challenge I am using these for my SPT...

Do I get extra credit for wearing green in my picture?

My Lucky Brand Jeans ! I know it is kind of silly, but hey, I didn't want to miss out on the challenge so this is as good as it gets. I haven't ever been extra lucky while wearing these jeans. I've never bought a winning lottery ticket while wearing these(nor have I ever bought a lottery ticket wearing any of my jeans). I've never escaped an accident while having these on. I've never stumbled across a 100 dollar bill on the ground while sporting these either.

There was a time, these were my absolute favorite pair of jeans and I would wash them over and over so I could always have them clean when I wanted to wear them(almost everday). I loved them because I got them at Costco for well under half the price I would have spent on them at a department store. I also loved them because I definitely thought these were skinny jeans. No matter how I felt I looked, if I would put these on, miraculously it seemed 10 pounds would disappear. For some reason, after I began to workout more, they didn't fit as good. I'm hoping it is because I have gained muscles and the muscles are causing them to fit differently.

Even though I haven't had great luck while wearing my Lucky jeans I feel I have great memories of things I've done and places I been while wearing these. I have worn these many times doing great things and many times doing just everday things with friends, family, my girls, with Greg. These jeans have been to NYC, to Cali, and all around Texas. They have been to many, many girl lunch dates, to movies, to malls, to visit people, on dates and double dates, carpooling, to NBA basketball games, NHL Hockey games, to rodeos, enrichment meetings, to parks and amusement parks, and all of my outings being a Mom.

As you can see my Lucky's are probably just like any other pair of jeans that any of us have. They are blue, worn, and have many miles on them. And after thinking of all I've done, the people and places I've seen in these, I will have to say maybe, just maybe, they have brought me much luck, fortune or should I say, many great blessings!

It's All GOOD

2007-03-18T19:14:00.000-05:00

If you all haven't noticed I've been slacking in keeping up with my blog everyday, which doesn't fall into my GOOD category. I have a hard time finding time to sit down and write down my thoughts, happenings, goals, etc. So this post is just a recap of the GOOD things that have been going on this past week.

~GOOD school events

The girls look forward to their school's annual barn dance every year. We went and and two stepped, line danced, and had a fun time together. Mackenzi is starting to act like a teenager. We saw her while we were eating our BBQ dinner but after that it was Idios Mom & Dad. She hung with her friends the rest of the night. Maci danced with her friends and teacher some but still liked to be with us, especially for the chicken dance!

~GOOD visit with family

We drove home the first weekend of Spring Break and visited with our family. My dad had a fish fry and my brother, sil, sister, bil, and all of our nieces and one nephew came to my parents house. We had a fun time hanging out and talking about or upcoming disney cruise.

We went to Greg's parents house on Sunday and had am early birthday dinner for his Dad. One of his sister's and brother in law was there, along with some of his cousins. We all had a fun time and the girls loved playing with their cousins.

~GOOD flea market finds

We went to Larry's antique mall in the small town of Winnie, Texas while we were home. We really aren't antique collecters but we enjoy looking at all of the "junk" people carry from place to place trying to sell. I picked up these two things and some old cabinet doors(I have them in storage already, hence no pix) that I'm going to try to do something creative with.

~GOOD parents/grandparents

Greg & I came home on Monday night and ALL three girls stayed with my parents. They love having them over and it makes me feel so guilty to live so far away from them. They palyed, shopped, went to the movies and ate whatever junk they wanted for thwo and a half days. Greg's parent got them on Wednesday night and brought them back to us on Thursday. The girls loved visiting with their Grammy & Poppy and Nana & Papa and all of their cousins.

~GOOD mommy & daddy time
Greg & I did some spring cleaning, dejunking, and made a few trips to our local Goodwill to donate several truck loads of stuff. Greg worked a couple of days and we hung out in the evenings, went to dinner, and furniture shopping while the girls were away. It was a nice break from the kids and fun to be with each other one on one.

~GOOD spring cleaning & donations

~GOOD friends & food

Bridget & Jim came into San Antonio for a few hours on Thursday. We met up with them and they treated us to Chuy's for lunch. It was so fun to see them and their sweet kids Ryan & Alex, all while eating our favorite mexican food.

~GOOD family times

We went to Fredricksburg Texas on Friday to another little antique/flea market. We had fun but didn't find any great things.

We then headed our to Enchanted Rock to take the girls hiking. Enchanted Rock is a State Natural Area with a 500-foot-high dome of pink granite, the second largest such formation in North America. You can read more about it here.

~ GOOD time girl shopping

On St. Patty's day we ran some errands and then took the girls shopping to use some gift cards they had gotten for Christmas and for doing well on their report cards. We had fun. Well, I know us girls had fun I'm not sure Greg would call it fun!

~GOOD deed

We made the Clouse family a welcome home sign in the Phx Suns colors and hung it on their garage door. I also picked up staple groceries for them so they wouldn't have to get home and then get to the store to buy the necessities for Monday morning.

~GOOD mail

My sister in law Jessica sent me a thank you card and package with fun Easter socks, M&M's, and stickers. Bridget sent an Easter card, and a recipe exchange. I got two items of good mail from Kristi. Both were so creative of course. The first was a thinking of you card that she put in clear plastic and it was sewn closed to make the envelope. The other was a post card made from her twelve pack Diet Coke carton. She wanted me to drink some Sonic diet coke for her. So cute and fun. I also got a baby thank you card from a girl in my ward.

Lights, Camera...

2007-03-13T21:42:00.000-05:00

As Good As It's Going To Get!!

I had all intentions of getting the assignment done last week, but never got downtown to take the picture. Each day I thought I would get it done something came up, or I decided it was too much work to drag Maryn along, find a parking spot farther away then I would like, and then walk several blocks to get the picture. I know sad excuses but it's the truth.

After last week didn't pan out, we went out of town for a few days. I had this great plan of getting up this morning, after I ran, to head down. Guess what? This lovely thing called a thunderstorm ruined my plans. It hasn't rained here since sometime in January and the one day I needed to just about an hour, I couldn't get it. It stormed. Thunder, lightening, buckets of rain, all day long. Yes, we needed it, but I'm all about it raining at night.

So my choice for this self-portrait Tuesday would have been...

REMEMBER THE...

Alamo

If any of you have ever been to Texas, you know the saying of everything's bigger and better here. Well for some reason that doesn't hold true when talking about the Alamo. Even though it's history is very big, that isn't the case with it's physical appearance. If any of you have seen it, it seems very small (not as small as my knick-knack) to what you would imagine. To learn more about the battle that took place you can go here.

Another landmark I thought would be fun to add to my post is one that makes the Blogging World News at least weekly. I couldn't resist taking my picture in front of, none other than the infamous...

CHUY'S

Not a special place in the movies or history books, but since Jenny & I talk about our favorite place to eat so often, it's pretty special to us. Not only to us, but to others whom have lived here travel back here to experience the taste of creamy jalapeno again.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

2007-03-06T06:02:00.000-05:00

It's time again for Lelly's self-portrait challenge. Our assignment this week was to take a picture of ourself in a mirror and tell us what others see by looking at us.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...

Who's the shyiest one of all?

That would be me!!

This self-portrait challenge was exactly that for me, a challenge! I literally took fifty pictures. Some blurry, some with my head cutoff, some had a glare, some made me look a little chubby through the middle, some were just overall terrible. Only a few I thought were okay enough to post. What could I see from a picture of myself? Nothing extraordinary stands out about me. So this post will just have to describe a little bit of my personality.

This is me. A 34 year old native Texan. A daughter, granddaughter, sister, wife, and mom. As I looked at my picture, it was hard to pick things out that others might notice about me. One thing I think is very obvious about me is my eye color. They are hazel. They change from day to day, and depending on the color I wear, that determines how blue or how green they are. Hopefully my smile stands out. I love to smile, but have noticed, that I am beginning to show my age with the wrinkles I am begininng to own. Smiling not only magnifies my wrinkles, but makes my eyes stand out. So I guess that is okay. I love wearing t-shirts, jeans and flip-flops, but of course, like to had accessories so I don't look too casual. Even though I'm knocking on middle-age's door I find I still dress like someone in their twenties. I don't want to fress like my mom, but i don't want to look like I'm trying to remain too young. I haven't found a happy medium, so I'll just keep doing what I'm doing for now.

My shyness has always been a weakness of mine. I never like to draw attention to myself, and will do anything to camaflouge or hide myself. I don't like to make an "entrance" anywhere. When I meet someone for the first time, I don't talk alot. I tend to let the other person talk, and I just stand back and take everything in. One reason I'm not a talker is because of my southern accent. I try my hardest to hide it. Not because I don't like it, but it draws attention to me, so I try and steer clear of that whenever possible. Even when I concentrate extremely hard on my talking, my "drawl" still seeps through, most likely because of using y'all in every sentence I speak. I do have a habit of putting my hands on face or running them through my hair. This is an obvious sign I'm feeling extremely shy and embarrassed. I never like to speak in front of others, and realized that beoming a teacher wasn't an option for me. Even when I would substitute teach I would have terrible anxiety because I feared I sounded dumb or I was afraid I would stumble over my words.

I love being friends with others, BUT hate the process of making new friends. I want everyone to like me, but fear some people will not. I love to listen to others problems, but rarely feel comfortable enough to share my personal problems and feelings with friends. I tend to keep everything inside and usually end up "bursting" at inappropriate times and feeling more awkward than I would have if I would have just confided in the friend, and let them in on my deep dark secrets.

I love to laugh, smile, exercise, giggle, snort, make silly faces, give to others, dance, run, & play. I love pink. I straighten my natural curly hair everyday. I never wear my glasses, only my contacs. I consider myself a blonde, but would be a light brunette, if I didn't do highlights. I'm a pack rat, and am in a way the queen of clutter. I love being a mom and never thought of myself doing anything else. I love my family and myself.

So, meet me, the extremely shy, silly Ang.

Weekend To Do's

2007-03-05T15:18:00.000-05:00

I want bore you all with great detail of our weekend, but just wanted to jot down the things I accomplished since I last posted.

Friday
~Woke up to find the zit fairy had visited me overnight
~Morning walk
~Chic Fil A breakfast
~Laundry
~Afternoon run
~Girls went to kids night out at our gym
~Greg & I went to dinner at Outback
~HEB milk run

you gotta love the way my self portrait make my nose look like a banana!

Saturday
~Slept in
~Workout at the gym (ran 4 1/4 miles in 35 minutes-woohoo!!)
~Dejunked hall closet & kitchen. Took boxes of toys and stuff to storage building we want be using for the next few months.
~Greg boxed up, what looked like a library full of ortho books, he's not using
~Took Maci to a birthday party
~Went here for family time
~Stopped at Target for a few things

Sunday
~Woke up and started our fast
~Last minute primary lesson preperation
~Made it to church on time
~Greg helped out someone from church by going to he ER and rushing(they had already sat in the waiting room 6 hours) them through.
~Grilled chicken for dinner
~Had FHE
~Watched Exteme Makeover Home Edition(a family tradition for us)
~Made milkshakes and cuddled on the couch
~Greg & I watched a few things we had recorded on t.v.

Monday
~Took the kids to school early
~Morning walk
~Cleaned, cleaned, & cleaned some more
~Laundry, laundry & more laundry
~Took Maryn on another early afternoon walk and run
~Maryn napped I showered
~Prepared to be the chaffeur this afternoon. Maci to dance, Mackenzi to swim

Awesome good mail from Natasha. She was too nic ean dsent me Doddlebugs note cards. Thanks Natasha. Ilove them.
On another note I caught Maryn doing this with M&M's this morning. I hope this isn't a sign of early onset OCD. If you can't tell by the picture she is organizing them by colors and numbers before she eats them. I'm glad I just swept and mopped the floor otherwise I couldn't hav elet her eat off of our dirty floor.

Do your kids ever surprise you with the things you catch them doing?

Refueled

2007-03-01T09:57:00.003-05:00

It is amazing what a few days, and the first day of a new month can do for me. I looked down at my gas gauge last night, by Maci's urgent request, (she somehow sees the gas light come on from the backseat of our van). Thoughts rushed through my head of how I needed my camera to take a picture of my "tank being empty". I could blog about this, I thought. Then I realized that a post about my tank being empty, wouldn't be an accurate post, not today anyway~Last week, YES!! As I drove on, I thought I'll take a picture of the gauge after I fill up and that will sum up how I'm feeling today.

If any of you read my post from Sunday, about being happy(or not-so happy), you probably thought I had serious issues. You would have thought things were terrible, they were never going to get better, and maybe even thought I should be "committed", for being so unhappy. Well, I made a pact with myself, that I was changing. I wasn't going to let the little things that go wrong, the things that didn't turn out just perfect(in my eyes), the weather, grumpy kids...effect the way I felt. The first day was rough. I cried a lot, felt sorry for myself, thought my life was terrible, when in fact I am so richly blessed. I just had to get past the felling sorry for myself, and the world is against me thoughts, and then I was okay.

On Sunday at our Stake Conference several speakers mentioned President Hinckley's challenge, back in August of 2005, of reading the Book Of Mormon, before the end of the year. I did finish the challenge(a few days late) that I started in September. For some reason or another, I hadn't heard about the challenge right away, so I got a little late start. Since then (I am publicly confessing) I haven' t read my scriptures on a regular basis, for personal benefit, since. I know, SAD, but true. I can't believe I finished it in just a few short months, when given the challenge and promise of great blessings, but on a normal routine day I can't find a few minutes to sit, read and ponder, something I believe so dearly in. I even said to someone recently, that I needed President Hinckley to issue a challenge every few months so I take reading my scriptures more seriously. There is something about being given a challenge and accomplishing it. I guess I see a competitive streak in myself.

So since Sunday evening, I am happy to report I have read almost 100 pages in the Book Of Mormon. For you non-LDS gals, this is huge (for me anyway). It has been if I have picked up a best seller book at the bookstore, started reading it and can't seem to put it down. I've never been this way about scripture reading before. I usually tend to fall asleep after reading just a few verses, or think okay just one chapter tonight so I can mark it off of my to-do list. I also have read several articles in the Ensign and even read some of the Friend with my girls. I l also haven't freaked out about the house being a little more of a mess, because I sat down and did something just for me, rather than be on my feet non-stop all day, so things don't get neglected, when in reality I have been neglecting the most important thing, myself!

So today, on the first day of March, I can happily report that not only does my car have a full tank of gas, I too have been "refueled", thanks to reading my scriptures, saying my personal prayers, and changing my attitude.

Great Minds Think Alike

2007-02-28T21:46:00.000-05:00

Today was just like any other Wednesday, except it was the last day of the month and my visiting teaching still hadn't been done. I had called on Monday to set up appointments, but was only able to speak with one girl (I had to leave messages for the other two girls). I made the one appointment for this morning hoping the others would be avaiable after that. Well, the other two girls had things going on this morning so I wouldn't be able to physically see them.
After my walk, I rushed to get ready for the day and headed over to my first appointment. It was a good visit, not to long not too short. I stopped off at Sam's Club for a few things. I needed some Great Harvest bread, I picked up cookies for Mackenzi to take to activity days tomorrow, and I grabbed a bouquet of flowers to divide up for the sisters I wouldn't be visiting. I ran home made a Happiness Makers magnet for each of them, and seperated the flowers. I stopped at Jenny's to check out her baby quilt she was making(it is way cute check it out here.) and we watched American Idol from last night. I seriously think the only way to watch t.v now is by recording it. We listened to the first of each guy sing and then fast forwarded to hear what the judges thought. Jenny even fed me lunch, and am so glad because otherwise I would have not eaten and would have had a terrible headache by 3 pm. I went and delivered my goodies and felt so good that I had made an real effort to reachout to my visiting teachees, even if it was last minute.

I was prepared for an afternoon run, with Jenny, when Greg called and said he was on his way home for a few minutes. I wasn't expecting to see him today. Wednesdays are crazy for him and he has a moonlighting shift every Wed. night, and to top it off he had another meeting before he went moonlighting. Obviously I was surprised to know he was on his way home. When he got home, we both burst into laughter at what he was carrying when he walked in. A Sam's Club Diet Coke, cookies, Great Harvest bread, and a bouquet of flowers. WHAT??? My immediate response was, "Why didn't you call before you went to Sam's?" Greg says, Because I wanted to surprise you." I couldn't believe we had been at the same store just a few hours apart and picked up the exact same items(not one more or less). The flowers were a different bunch so that was nice that I ended up with a few leftover from earlier and a full bunch for a big vase from him. Greg had been feeling bad(and he hasn't even read my Happy is as happy does post) because he hasn't been home any nights this week and they called him to work another shift tomorrow night so he want be coming home tomorrow either. I know he realizes how difficult it is to be home alone alot, but I too realize how hard it is for him to work such long days and nights and to be away from us. He even made the comment tonight how he can't wait to have just ONE job!! Me either Honey! Thanks for your sacrifices and surprises!

Our identical purchases!

As I was looking through my pictures on my camera I realized I hadn't posted about a few items of good mail I have gotten the last couple of weeks. Yea, I know you can call me a slacker but hey, better late than never!

Bridget sent me fun gel pens, paper, a notepad, a heart cookie cutter, stickers and yummy M&M's. Thanks B.

I got thank you cards from Allison, Jill, and the Mom of one of my little girls I teach from primary. Annie's mom thanked me for being a great teacher(I'm not so sure I would go so far as to say that) and to let me know Annie comes home each week, and with great detail tells about the lesson I taught. So nice to get some positive feedback, from what usually is mad chaos, on Sunday. Kristi sent me her cute handmade valentine, and Amanda sent the cutest magnets and notepad. My mother in law also sent me a fun card for finishing my first ever race. She of course added a 5 dollar bill, with specific instructions to treat myself to a few Diet Cokes at Sonic. Thanks everyone. Sorry it took so long for me to aknowledge your thoughtfulness. You all made me feel so special.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

2007-02-27T01:18:00.000-05:00

My Feet!

It's Lelly's self-portrait Tuesday challenge, so I'm jumping in with both FEET. She titled it Put your best foot forward. So here are my thoughts on mine.

I remember, as a little girl running, jumping, skipping, dancing, climbing, walking, tiptoeing, splashing, wading, tapping, stomping, two-stepping, bouncing, kicking, chasing, & playing with these two feet of mine. My feet carried me through my childhood, my youth, into marriage, and my first home(apartment) away from home. They carried me through my first pregnancy, moving farther away from home, at the beginning of medical school, through my second pregnancy, and onto our very first home, a bit farther away from home. Through a third pregancy and they are preparing to carry me on to another new place.

I have always loved my feet, not so much their size(8 1/2), but the way they look. I know they aren't perfect, but are their perfect feet out there? Being someone that picks apart everything about my body, my feet are one thing I truly wouldn't change. I love them. I like how slender they are. I like that my second toe ISN'T longer than my big toe. I love getting a pedicure and a fresh coat of polish applied. I love wearing a toe ring(the same one for over 6 years) even though I may be too OLD for it. I love getting them rubbed, especially by Greg. I love the fact that my feet carry me throughout my day. From the beginning of my morning, along my 3 mile walk, an occassional run, playing with my girls, each errand I run, to the last step I take before climbing into bed each night. I love my feet, the two that sustain and carry me each day.

For my self portrait of my feet, I decided to model one flip flop and one tennis shoe. Why you might ask? Well, I love my flip flops and have been looking forward to the day it was again warm enough to wear them. That happened this weekend. So I have been sporting my flip flops for the past few days and probalby will continue wearing them for the next 8 months or so. I had to have my tennis shoe on because I feel they have become like a very close friend, over the past few years. I put them on each morning to get myself kick started with a morning walk. I sometimes hit the gym not long after going for my walk. I also started running the past few months or so, several afternoons a week. They have carried me through over 200 miles of exercise already in 2007! Wow! When I added that up I was shocked and had to readd it to make sure. Both my flip flops and tennis shoes help me to be a healthier, happier me.

I hope that even as I age, my feet will carry me as if I was still a little girl. Running, jumping, skipping, dancing, climbing, walking, tiptoeing, splashing, wading, tapping, stomping, two-stepping, bouncing, kicking, chasing, & playing ~Things I love to do with the feet I love!

Happy Is As Happy Does

2007-02-25T14:55:00.000-05:00

Happiness has little to do with what we have; everything with what we think.
No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change.
Barbara De Angelis

Throughout my life, it seems, I have had to try extra hard to find happiness within myself and my life. I'm not really sure why. Growing up I was blessed with good health, with loving parents and siblings, with our needs, and a lot of our wants, being met, the gospel in our home, great friends, and many, many other happiness makers. So I have always been a bit confused at why I have a hard time with "natural happiness", so to speak. Has a stranger ever walked up to you and asked, "Is it that bad?" Well I have, and it feels awful to know not only do you feel unhappy, but you look it, too. It is embarrassing to think everyone around me must think I'm so unhappy because of the way I speak, the way I look, and the way I act. There have been many days spent since, faking happiness. Putting on a clown smile and heading out the door to fool the world into thinking all is well and grand, when inside my heart is aching or crying, not fooling the person who matters most-myself!

Lately, I have experienced more than my fair share of stress and self disappointments. I feel like I'm doing most things right, but could probably do a little more, and wonder if this is why I'm not feeling 100% happy all of the time. This past week was another blah week for me. I wasn't feeling well. I had all intentions of getting my spring cleaning started and my home dejunked and organized while Maryn was at my parents house, but I was feeling too yucky to tackle very much. As my week began, I could feel it was going to be one of those weeks that needed to be given the title of "Kicked while you are down". It was obvious to me that I was going to have to really work at finding happiness, in very much, if anything this week.

Now that the week is over and I can look back and see there are many things that brought happiness to me without me having to try at all. I wonder if I try to hard to find things to make me happy instead of just living life and letting everyday things make me happy.

Here are a few of the things that put a smile on a my face and a skip in my step this week and it didn;t take much trying at all.

*Greg came home from San Diego. Nothing puts a smile on my face like seeing Greg's smile, especially after a week without it.

*Seeing the girls had made Greg a welcome home sign when we came home from the airport.

*Parents that are very supportive and envolved in our lives no matter how little or big the event. For being free babysitters when they are in town and then taking our kids home with them and giving us alone time.

*My friend Tara called Monday morning, and said she was driving down to SA to return something and wanted to see me.

*I got part of my house cleaned and all of the sheets changed.

*Greg and I looked for new furniture for our next house. I love looking for new things that I may have ONE day.
*Went to the Temple with Jenny. I have been wanting to go for a while and since Maryn was not home this week I knew I couldn't pass up the chance. Of course, I felt the worst I felt all week on Wednesday while I was at the temple, but felt I was blessed for being there.

*A spontaneous trip to Chuy's.
*Being reunitied with Maryn.

*Booked our family's Disney Cruise. My parents are taking my, my brother's, and my sister's families on a cruise for THEIR 40th wedding anniversary this summer.

*Went to a baby shower and came home to find my husband mowing my oh-so weedy and needy yard.
*Gave Greg's cousin our Saturn. He lost his job and was in need of a car.

*Did a little spring shopping for the girls.

*Went to a college basketball game Greg had to work at, as a family.

*Went to Stake Conference that was broadcast to 68 stakes in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico and was inspired to live my life better and be a better example. They are broadcasting some now because the church has grown so much that it is hard for them to send general authorities to all of the stake conferences that are held.

*Read my scriptures for an hour and a half. I haven't done that in a long time.

*Took a little cat nap.

*Being reminded of how blessed I am to a have a husband that works hard and long for us. He has had a rough on call weekend.

*Made dinner and ate together as a family at home.

*Played games and laughed with the girls.

*Endless goodnight kisses from my three girls.

*Blogged

I found a few quotes on happiness and thought I would share a few of them with you.

Choose Happiness
President Gordon B. Hinckley has said: “It is very important to be happy in this work. We have a lot of gloomy people in the Church because they do not understand, I guess, that this is the gospel of happiness. It is something to be happy about, to get excited about.” 1

I once saw this quote on a friend's kitchen wall that reads, “Happiness is a city in the state of mind.” I keep it there to remind myself that we are in charge of our own attitudes. Emotional maturity is evidenced by a person’s willingness to take responsibility for actions and feelings. If I am having a bad day, I can’t blame others, even when I feel underappreciated. It is not someone else’s job to change so I can feel better.

The second article of faith teaches that we are responsible for our own sins [A of F 1:2]. In the same way, we are responsible for our own attitudes and our own happiness. Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has written, “At the center of our agency is our freedom to form a healthy attitude toward whatever circumstances we are placed in!” 2

If we let our happiness rest on the actions and moods of others, we will always be disappointed. If our happiness is dependent on perfect situations, it will always be a future dream forever out of reach. President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said, “Our search for happiness largely depends on the degree of righteousness we attain, the degree of selflessness we acquire, the amount and quality of service we render, and the inner peace that we enjoy.” 3 Notice that he did not say happiness depends on thank-you cards or public praise. Each of the requirements outlined by President Faust is completely within our control.

Happiness has a price, as President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) said: “ ‘What is the price of happiness?’ One might be surprised at the simplicity of the answer. The treasure house of happiness is unlocked to those who live the gospel of Jesus Christ in its purity and simplicity. Like a mariner without stars, like a traveler without a compass, is the person who moves along through life without a plan. The assurance of supreme happiness, the certainty of a successful life here and of exaltation and eternal life hereafter, come to those who plan to live their lives in complete harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ—and then consistently follow the course they have set” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 259).

So with this said, I have promised myself I will be a happier Me. I am going to focus on giving to others and loosing myself in service. I will not allow myself to continue to long for the happiness and glow others have radiating from them. I want to feel, the way many of you look. I want others to want to feel the way I look. I'm striving for the day someone will walk up to me and ask, "Is it that GREAT?" And I can look at them with joy bursting from within and say

Yes, it is!

My Maryn

2007-02-21T14:00:00.000-05:00

I have been listening to Maryn a lot lately. Her vocabulary and abilty to speak in sentences has drastically increased over the past couple of months. Although this is exciting to actually know what she wants or needs, it also is a bit saddening to me. It seems like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant. I just assumed she would be a boy because even though I was sick, it wasn't as bad as it was with the others. Even though I wanted a boy for Greg's sake, I quietly hope for another girl. After a couple of ultrasounds and being told it may be a boy I convinced myself, it wouldn't be that bad. The day I had my official ultrasound, was the same morning of Greg's great-grandmother's funeral. I was alone that morning, when the doctor said to me, "It looks like your daughters are going to have another sister." I was shocked but in a happy way. A house full of girls is what I always wanted, but then I was a bit sad knowing Greg wouldn't be having a son.

I can remember every moment of being in the hospital waiting for her to be born. Beauiful memories I hold close to my heart. Then she learned to hold her head up, was sitting up, crawling, and then walking before I knew it. Not long after those things happened she started oohing and aaghing more. Then came the babble stage, followed close behind with the "NO", "STOP IT", & "I DO IT" stage. We have been, and in some ways are still in the "L's" are prounounced "W's" "K's" & "C's" sound like "T's" but she has definitely become quite a chatty Kathy. Her newest thing she has started is putting the "uh" sound on the end of everything she says. "Mommy-uh", Daddy-uh, stop it-uh, milk-uh. I don't know if everyone elses kids have ever done this but all of mine have and sometimes it gets annoying. I just want to scream stop it with the UGH sounds. But then I stop myself, knowing once she stops saying it, she probably won't go back to it.

We dove head first into potty training a couple of weeks ago, since she hadn't wet her pullup in over a month. Why wait so long, you might be asking? Well, I've been a little lazy, when you start this process, that means every public palce you go in there's a 95% chance you'll be seeing the nasty bathrooms they have. Also, she is my baby, which means when I potty train her, she would be that much more of a big girl, and I have been wanting to avoid that. At first, she wasn't too keen on the panty thing. "No! pull up Mommy!" was her request for the first few days. Finally she liked the panty idea when I took her to pick out her very own at Target. Surprisingly, she chose Curious George ones. After she got her panties, things turned around and she no longer wanted to wear pullups, not even at night!! So now I've been waking her up before I go to bed and letting her go potty, and then she usually wakes up around 330 or 400 to go. This can be a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is I haven't had to change her sheets on days I'm not scheduled to. The bad thing is she won't go back to her bed after the 330 am potty break. She ends up in our bed the rest of the night. Not my idea of fun, but it's just where we are right now in the transition.

My parents came to visit this past weekend, and have been saying they wanted to take her home with them for a week or so, sometime. I wasn't prepared for this. Even though I expected them to ask to take her, I silently hoped they wouldn't. After, saying last week, how I needed to get a sitter for her during the day sometimes, I wish she was here with me now. I cried all afternoon on Sunday wanting her back with me. I walked around wanting to find a toy she had left out, so I could pick it up, I went in her room and sat in the floor looking at her stuff while tears streamed down my face. I sat there thinking, how it must feel a million times worse, for parents who lose children and go and sit in their rooms never wanting to move anything or change anything. I missed her more in a few hours than I thought was possible. I just wanted to snuggle her, kiss her, here her say mommy-uh, anything! I just wanted her.

Now that it has been a few days, I still miss her, but am gald she is able to spend time with Grammy & Poppy and her aunts and uncles, and cousins. Having been sick this week it has been nice to have time to just relax, and not have to worry about her spending too much time in front of the t.v. so I can rest.

We play this game all day long, and I'm not sure when it started. I remember playing it with my other girls, but not real sure how it came about. Whenever Greg comes home, comes over and hugs me, if the girls are watching or are at his feet, he'll say "My Mommy", and they repeat, "My Mommy" and it goes on FOREVER or until I change it to "My Daddy". Then it goes on, and, on, and on, with "My Daddy" going back and forth. The of course we make our rounds around to all of the girls. "My Mackenzi", "My Mackenzi"-"My Maci, "My Maci"- "My Maryn", "My Maryn"!! The funny thing is Maryn, Luke and Weston, play this silly "game"(if you want to call it a game with them) every morning on our walk. It gets down right ugly with them saying, "My Mommy, NO! My Mommy" for 45 minutes, until Jenny & I are ready to SCREAM!!

Without my walking buddy, I've had to get a substitute so I feel like I'm getting a workout and not just out for a SUnday stroll. Three of Greg's orthopedic books weigh about as much as Maryn so I've been pushing them on my 3 mile walk every morning. Of course I cover them up so I don't look too terrible crazy. But, looking at myself every morning, I'm sure the people that see me "smothering my baby" are really thinking I'm crazy! I am ready for my walking weight to return, she's definitely cuter and more entertaining than the fracture books.

I am happy to watch Maryn learn new things and change but also so sad that my baby, isn't that much of a baby anymore. I have told serveral people I would freeze her at this age if I could. Yes, even in the terrible two stage. I love her needing me, wanting my help, her snuggles, kisses, our one on one time during the day. I want to keep her just the way she is right now, forever. Knowing this isn't possible, I'll just continue to cherish every moment with her. Whether it be a tantrum, a kiss, a "No Mommy, I do it", an "I wuv you", a scream, a laugh...EVERYTHING, I want to hold close to my heart. A lesson I have learned is to enjoy the "nows" and don't wish them away too soon. Once their gone, they're gone.

My Maryn, I love you and miss you and can't wait to see your beautiful blue eyes, hear your sweet giggle, feel your sqeezes, and hear you say, "My Mommy My Daddy, My Tenzi, My Maci, My Maryn!"

FEELIN' THE LOVE!

2007-02-14T11:07:00.000-05:00

14 Things I LOVE about my Valentine!

1. He has beautiful blue eyes and a contagious smile.

2. He is the KING of good deals, cheap deals, and sometimes free deals.

3. He wanted to be doctor at age 7. He had a goal, dove in head first, and never looked back.

4. He never meets a stranger.

5. He sacrifices much for our family and works super hard for everything we have.

6. He loves his girls and loves taking them to do daddy/daughter things.

7. He is funny and can make me smile even if I 'm sad.

8. He is a giver and is very compassionate.

9. He always worries about others before himself.

10. He is calm, cool, and collective. More patience than anyone I know.

11. Great story teller and never leaves out a single detail! hehehe

12. He loves to exercise, play games, be outdoors, camp, hike, run, spend time with family, do handy work, watch sports, bike, eat... You name it it enjoys it.

13. He has a wonderful testimony and shares it often.

14. He is my best friend, a wonderful daddy, and awesome hubby.

I hope you know how much I love you, Babe. I can't wait to see your contagious smile and sparkly eyes. Thanks for everything you do, everything you are, and the wonderful example you are to me and others. Thanks for being my Valentine today and always!!

My 3 little valentines eating breakfast this morning. I planned on pink heart shaped pancakes, I made one, and then realized I laid in bed too long this morning. Sorry girlies. Daddy is much better at breakfast than me.

Greg left each of the girls a card, and a little something. I had gotten each of them a stuffed animal that we have way too many of, but I knew they would like it. I Mackenzi & Maci each a note and book in their lunch so hopefully that was a nice surprise at lunchtime.

All of our loot from Daddy. You spoiled us. Thanks a bunch!

This was the best thing I could have seen last night while taking Mackenzi ti swim. Jenny & I rarely eat breakfast but this is one breakfast that is way yummy and free makes it that much yummier. So, this morning after our brutally cold & windy walk we rushed to get ready to take advantage of a free valentine bisquit. Sorry Greg & Doug you missed out!

Since Greg was going to be out of town, for the Dad's breakfast at school, he took the girls to get breakfast Monday morning before school. They love it when it's just them and him. I feel like chopped liver sometimes, but have to stop and remind myself, they see me so much compared to him, so fun times with him are even that much more special. Thanks honey for being a great daddy to our girls.

We took this picture Monday, right before we dropped Greg off, for Jenny to take him to the airport. I of course was a little teary and nervous about sending him off for the week. I am so grateful that he has chances like these to go to things for work but do not like to be away from him. I'm pretty needy when it comes to needing him around. Not for the everyday things, of running the girls from place to place, or for helping out at dinnertime, bathtime, and bedtime. I just need him around for companionship. No matter if we are going on a planned date to dinner & a movie, or just running to the grocery store, I love his companionship. Just having him there makes me smile.

See you soon Honey!

Weekend Recap

2007-02-12T22:39:00.000-05:00

BEWARE LENGHTHY POST AHEAD!!

Friday

On Friday morning after Jenny and I ran, I quickly showered and headed up to Maci's Kinder Rodeo. This is an annual event that takes place while the Stock Show and Rodeo is in town. Due to drizzly weather they had it inside and just rotates stations in the different classrooms.
Story telling, country dancin', bean bag tossing, and riding stick horses were some of the events they participated in. It was fun to see the kids have so much fun, and it reminded me that kids love to do anything no matter what it is , or how much it costs.

I needed to get to work on my valentine package I was planning on doing for Greg for this week while he is away. I didn't realize he would be coming home early in yhe afternoon and would be home with me until he left tonight. There wasn't much free time left so after I ran a few errands I got busy making cards, and putting together his goody package.

Doug came home early on Friday, too, but before Greg came home so Jenny brought her stuff down and we had a crazy, creative hour! There wasn't much time to think about great ideas so we just put together six cards(# of days they'll be gone)rather quickly. They ended up being pretty cute even though they were somewhat thrown together. The kids came home from school about the time Greg showed up, so we just played it up to be cards for their teachers. It wasn't completely dishonest. Jenny helped the older kids make cards for their teachers while I got ready for the rodeo.

Greg got a babysitter for us to go to the rodeo on Friday night. He called me before he left for work and told ne he was taking me out for an early Valentine's Day date. We rushed around bathed the girls and Greg got a pizza when he went to pick up our sitter. We were plannin gon just goin gstraight to the rodeo, browsing the exhibits, and grabbing a bite of greasy, carnival type dinner. We called Doug & Jen and told them to drop their kids off at our house and we would meet them for dinner before we went to the rodeo.

We had two extra tickets to the rodeo. Greg had sneaked and bought two when we were there for Aly & Aj, and then the doctor he volunteers with called him and told him he found two better tickets for us. Knowing Doug isn't completely into the rodeo, country scene we were a bit hesitant to offer them the extra tickets we had, but we decided to. We called our sitter to make sure she could handle the seven kids. Mackenzi & Taylor are almost babysitters themselves, so they could help out. Ashley, the sitter, assured us she could handle it. Jenny & Doug took us up on the tickets and decided to join us, for some good ol' toe tapping country time.

We didn't plan our matching outfit, tonight! It is almost comical at how we show up places almost dressed identical. For sure we knew Greg & Doug wouldn't be dressed alike. Greg was sporting his cowboy boots and hat, and Doug probably wouldn't be caught dead in that. It was funny when we were leaving the Guys stopped to check out a Gmc truck they had sitting out, but we were too cold to stop. We kept walking and when they caught up to us they said, "no wonder people think your sisters, same hair and matching outfits tonight."

Our tickets were in the lower level, but the other tickets were in the nosebleeds. But hsve no fear, Greg weasled all four of us into the better seats with just two tickets. Thankfully no one ever came and said, "Your in my seat", so we all enjoyed the rodeo and Sugarland concert together.

The concert was fun, and even though I thought I only knew two of their songs I recognized more when they started playing them. The girl half, of Sugarland, had the biggest southern accent I think I have ever heard, I laughed everytime she said something, and that means her accent must be pretty twangy coming from a Texas girl.

Saturday

Greg got these Daddy's Favorite shirts for the girls for Christmas.

Saturday Greg went into sports clinic, so I went running with Jenny. About an hour after I ran our 3 mile route, Greg came home and wanted to go to the gym. So off we went. I ran 2 1/2 more miles and lifted a few weights, but thought I would die, and continued to feel that way all day. We ran a few errands, and then went home to hang out before we went to our ward game night. I was a little worried that it would be lame, but it turned out really fun and I have to confess I almost peed my pants from laughing so hard.

Sunday

I picked up this pancake mold for the girls for our Sunday morning breakfast. Greg let me sleep in and he made the pancakes for the girls. I thought I would do this for them on Valentine's day but I'm not sure. Greg is usually the big breakfast maker. I tend to stick with the quick easy stuff.

They loved their heartcakes and gobbled them up.

Our cute red heart plates, that the hearts are hidden by the pancake.

After church, we grilled a pork loin, baked potatoes, made a salad for our early heart day dinner. Greg will be gone all week so we had to do everything early this year. I had wanted to get Greg cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory for his dessert, but he asked if I would make his favorite dessert for him, aka Husband's Delight. Of course I couldn't say no so I, along with six other little hands and eyes, prepared it for him.

Husband's Delight

We ended our weekend by having FHE, watching Flicka together with the girls, while enjoying Daddy's favorite dessert. The movie was cute and of course I cried. I get so teary in these daddy daughter movies especially because I love the song Tim McGraw sings called "MY Little Girl". Click on it to listen.

Tagged!! 6 Unusual Things About Me

2007-02-10T17:40:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged by Jenny. 6 unusual things about me? Somedays I feel everything about me is unusual. or not normal. This is definitely a hard thing to come up with. I thought about this all night, last night, and all day today. So her goes nothing...

6 Unusual things about me!!

1. I ALWAYS put toilet paper back on the "dispenser" the same way. It has to unroll from the top, never the bottom.

2. I doodle on paper while on the phone. Most of the time if I don't draw flowers or hearts, I write my kids full names over and over. I even write down "future" (that we'll probably never have) babies' names that we like. I think we could have had a dozen babies (mostly girls) with all of the names we've jotted down on paper, posted notes, napkins, etc.

3. I open a diet Dr. Pepper EVERY night and take a few sips before heading off to bed. The first thing I do, after brushing my teeth every morning, is get my drink out of the fridge and have it for breakfast.

4. I don't embrace my natural curly hair. I blow dry it straight and use a chi flat iron on it EVERYDAY!!

5. I secretly had a crush on my husband while he was serving a mission for our church. I went on a crazy diet about eight months before he was to come home. I lost about 30 pounds, but that didn't convince him to date me. We went out alot on group dates, only as FRIENDS, for the next year and a half. I sent him good luck cards, birthday cards, left notes( have a great day ones) on his car while he was at school. Finally he decided to give me a chance. He kidnapped me for my 23rd birthday and made me breakfast, took me to a high school buddy's wedding, and asked me to be his wife all within 5 weeks time. I guess my persistence and flirting paid off!!

6. I hate to be alone. My attitude and personality are often controlled by being with people and/or talking to them. On days that Greg isn't going to be home I start out in a sad mood. If I don't spend time with an adult, especially on these days, I could almost label myself as being depressed. I don't sleep well when he isn't home and when he is home and sleeping next to me I run my foot across the bed until I touch his so I can know he is still there. I never wash my sheets on the days Greg won't be coming home to sleep in our bed. I have this fear that his smell will be lost from our bed if something were to happen to him. I know weird, freaky, psycho, not unusual.

I tag Anna, Mindy, & Michelle. Okay girls let's hear your unusuals!

The Video Is At The Bottom!!!

2007-02-08T17:14:00.001-05:00

Hold on to you hats and watch this amazing ride.

Rodeo Fun

2007-02-08T13:57:00.000-05:00

Greg has been volunteering at the rodeo, and have to admit I have been a little sad to think we might not make it there as a family this year. This is something we have done every year here, and we even went the four years we lived in Houston. Greg had asked the doctor in charge at the rodeo if he had any extra tickets for the Aly & Aj show for last night. He thougth his son would be using the tickets he had but he sid he could see what he could do. Well, last minute the guy called and said four tickets would be at will call i fwe wanted them. Of course, we would pay for them but they were ours if we wanted. We knew Mackenzi & Maci would love seeing them sing after the rodeo, but thougth we would just get a sitter for Maryn. Well, guilt set in with both of us and we decided to take Maryn along.

We had a fun time. The rodeo was better than I had ever seen before. They had some of the best rodeo animals there this year, and last night was no exception to that. I have never seen such fiesty, bucking, horses in all the rodeos we have been to. It was amazing, but scary alla t the same time. There was a cowboy that was riding bareback that had one crazy ride. WHile the horse was bucking, he fell over but the cowboy held on and the horse jumped back up and he finished his 8 second ride. After the horn blew signaling he completed his ride, the cowboy prepared to "dismount" and at the same time the horse gave one last buck and threw the cowboy into a back flip. He came right down on his head. I gasped and looked at Greg and said he just broke his neck! I felt sick, but the cowboy stood up immediately and the as fast as he got up he dropped back to his knees. The medical team rushed out and talked with the guy for a minute or so and then helped him WALK out of the arena. I couldn't believe this guy was able to walk after what looked like a life altering crash.

The other events were realy good, too. Great times were set for steer wrestling, team roping, and barrel racing. The calf scramble was a hoot as always. I love it when more teenage girls catch more than the guys.

Bull riding is always a crowd favorite and last night that was evident. I get tense, sweaty, and feel like I could scream(sometimes I do) when things get a little hairy with these monsterous beasts. All of the bulls were extremely mean, but their were a few cowboys that held on for their full 8 seconds. There was one Australian cowboy that had a little toomuch contact with his beast and was knocked out cold. Check the video out.

After the bullriding they set up the stage in the middle of the arena for the concert. Usually the stage rotates in a circle but it wasn't working so Aly & Aj just had to switch back and forth so entire crowd could see them. Mackenzi and Maci had a fun time. Maryn slept through most of the concert and Maci got sleepy and grumpy half way through it. We finally made it home about 1130 last night which could cause our morning to be a rough one. Jenny called and offered to drive the kids to school since Maryn was still sleeping so that was a bonus.

SSSS!!

2007-02-04T22:36:00.000-05:00

Stock Show Stampede Survivors!!

We woke early this morning for our first official race. THe race was to begin at 8 a.m, but knowing we had to drive downtown we thought it be best to get up early so we wouldn't chance being late.

Nerves accompanied me on our drive downtown. I had no idea I would be nervous about running in a race that I volunteerily signed up to do all in fun. I think I was worried about beign able to finish because of the weather. I hadn't been running in cold weather and didn't prepare myself for a morning of freezing temperatures. I had gone out on Friday, and found some yoga pants at Old Navy, in hope these would keep a bit warmer than my shorts, but not be too confining. We bundled up, in our gloves, hats, jackets, and our long pants and warmed ourselves up in the truck on the way down to the race.

We decided to walk around to warm our legs up. Most people were already jogging around. I didn't dare run around. I knew I could finish the 4 miles but to run or jog around for 15 minutes before we add more distance to my already difficult run. The horn blew promptly at 8 o'clock, and we began the run. I thought when we started the weather wouldn't be too bad. After mile one, the next mile was mostly off-road. This part of the race, well sucked. It definitley slowed us down and probably slowed most of the runners. We ran around a lake in grass, rocks, and with tree roots covering the path. I stumbled a couple of times but held it together and finished the second mile. My body was warming up by this point so I shed my hat. Just a little bit farther downthe route, my gloves needed to come off. I was feeling a little fatigued, but kept pushing through it. I had been telling Greg he didn;t need to stay with me. I could tell he could run a faster pace than I was setting but he insisted on running with me. He said he wasn't running to get a great time, he jsut wanted us to run it together. The last mile seemed to take forever. It seemed to just wind back and forth through the rodeo fairgrounds and not knowing where the finish line was made it seem longer. Finally we rounded a corner and could see the finish line. What a great feeling? One to be done, and then the sense of accomplishment. Never in a million years did I think I could do something like this. I was so happy I had done something out of the ordinary. I too, was grateful that Greg and I were able to start together and finish together.

Our time was 34 minutes & 23 seconds. Not our best but definitely not our worst. I was the 12th girl to finish(more guys were racing) and I actually got 3rd place in my age group. I was totally shocked. Here I was worrying about finishing and I finished at the top of the pack.

They had water gatorade, and even BEER(it is the rodeo, but at 830 in the morning!) at the finishline. They also had a cowboy breakfast waiting for us. We got a little bit to eat and decided to hang out and wait for the awards, so I could get my bronze horseshoe shaped medal!!

The first place guy finished in 21 minutes. His pace was a little more than 5 min. a mile!!! That's insane. The top girl finished in a little over 24 minutes(average 6 minute mile!) I had laughed to myself when the first runners took off sprinting. My thought was, what are they thinking? I guess they run these all of the time and they just sprint the entire way. I can't imagine.

Today I'm grateful for finishing something I've never attempted before. Finsihing higher up in the pack than I expected. I'm also grateful for doing this with Greg. I'm happy to say we are already planning our next race.

Cowboys, Groundhogs, & Tweens(NOT HARDLY)!

2007-02-02T14:42:00.000-05:00

Every year we have been here in San Antonio, Greg has had the chance to volunteer as a doctor at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Having grown up having horses, and sisters that were in rodeos, he loves any chance he gets to be "back in the saddle" so to speak. Last night was the first night, of a two week stint, that the rodeo is here. He jumped at the chance to "work" last night seeing how it was X-Treme bull riding, without all of the other events. Bull riding is his favorite(to watch not to participate in). Me on the other hand. tend to SCREAM at the top of my lungs if anything goes wrong with the cowboy on the bull. He was able to stitch up a chin or two, check out a stomach that was gored(spelling?). When he came home he excitedly said,"I think I'm going to be on ESPN on the 11th when they broadcast it."

I love Greg for many reasons, but one of those reasons is because he enjoys doing so many different things. He is a one of a kind. He loves exercising, he's a romantic, he is funny(sometimes in his own way)he has great bed side manner as a doctor, and often get s thank you cards sent to him form patients. Another thing I have always loved about him is he is a "closet cowboy". He doesn't really walk the walk of a cowboy, but he does kind of talk the talk of one. Most people who only know him at church, or people who know him in his scrubs would never realize Greg sports a cowboy hat and boots(I think quite well) when he cares for the country boys and girls at rodeos. He is definitely a cowboy at heart minus the wranglers!! Thanks for making me proud in everything you like and everything you do. You are the greatest!!

It's Groundhog Day, and according to news reports Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow. WOO HOO!! Spring is near and we won't be enduring six more weeks of winter. After feeling the blahs for awhile(I think it has been the weather) this makes me smile. I'm so ready for capris, tshirts, shorts, and most of all my favorite flip flops. I get so down in the dumps when the weather is crappy and nothing ever seems to get me out of feeling this way, except sunshine and warmer weather. So today, I'm thankful for groundhogs without shadows.

On the other hand, it is a bit chilly here today, and thankfully the sun just came out to warm things up. Of course,it will warm up just in time for a cold front to blow through tonight surely to reek havoc on me running in the Stock Show Stampede tomorrow. I have gotten okay with running. Okay meaning I can survive it. BUT, I haven't really been training in the 30 degreee weather that we will be experiencing in the morning. What on earth will I do? I had planned on running in shorts, a tank top, and a hoodie that I could shed after I warmed up, but now I may need to wear workout pants, which I really don't own.

I attempted to buy some fitted pants like Mackenzi(yes my 9 year old daughter, Mackenzi)has, but my mommy hips were not to appealing in tween yoga -type pants. I know sad that I, along with Jenny, went shopping at Justice for Girls this morning. I didn't find anything for myself but came home with Mackenzi a shirt, the wrong size pants, and a pair of jeans for Maci, that fell to the floor because even the slim fit ones don't fit unless they have an adjustable waist. I will be returning this stuff later this afternoon. Jenny on the other hand, bought HERSELF a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

I'm a bit jealous she could fit into their pants and I looked anything but cute in them. hehehe I couldn't pass up the opportunity to snap a photo of her holding her Justice bag, for everyine in the blogging world to see.

Do enjoy rodeos? Do you think the groundhog really determines the weather for the next six weeks? What do you think about Spring being near? Are you ready for the weather to be warmer? What should I do about my race attire tomorrow? Should I just suck it up and be cold and run in my shorts, like I'm used to?

4th grader??

2007-01-31T16:08:00.000-05:00

Lately, it seems Mackenzi, has a more than her fair share of homework. I understand she is getting older and more and more is required as you become older. I am amazed at the stuff she comes home with. I realize it has been a really long time since I was doing 4th grade work, but should I feel so dumb when it comes to her work? I am very proud of her and the ability she has in catching on quickly, paying attention in class, and keeping straight A's, while juggling extra after school activities. Things have changed in the way kids are taught now, in comparison to the way I learned to do stuff, especially math. I get so frustrated when trying to help Mackenzi and explain to her how to do something(the way I know how to do it). She also gets frustrated with me, when I don't understand what she is explaining to me. I have decided instead of the student handbook, with the rules and policies, dress code, etc, of the school district, they send home on the first day of school, they need to send home a "parent manual" for teaching. I feel I need to be taught the strategies, examples, techniques that my kids will be using throughout the year.

I'm beginning to think I have a freshman instead of a 4th grader. I realize with each passing day, week, month, and year the children are being taught more and more. I too, notice that they are being taught about responsiblity. Each day Mackenzi comes home with math work, language arts work, sometimes science, and writing. Whew!! That's alot to have to tackle in one afternoon's time.

Today is a busy day for us. The girls get home from school a few minutes after 3 and we have to leave for dance by 4:00. That means she runs in, does her homework, has a snack, changes clothes, and is prepared for swim (in case we try and get that in on Wednesdays), in about 45 minutes. Well, tonight there was no possble way we would be done with homework before we left for dance. For some reason tonight she had language arts and math homework, plus she had to write a story about the ocean,(what she has been learning in science) using ten or more of her spelling words. Writing doesn't come easy to her, (or me) and it is even more difficult when trying to use words that have nothing to do with the ocean.

Maryn joined Mackenzi at the table, and doodled for over an hour on her magna doodle, while Mackenzi wrote her story. You gotta love the rootbeer can she had while she worked. I'm sure in a few years it will be a diet coke, if she takes after me. hehehe

After dance we opted out of swim practice since the writing assignment was still awaiting our return home. Thankfully Greg was home for about an hour to help guide her in a good direction. I tend to steer her in the direction I would take and not get her ideas and then lead her in that way. She ate dinner while doing her rough draft, and then showered to give herself a break. Finally around 830 she was all done and ready for bed. She has a reading test tomorrow, which is another reason I was surprised they were given so many assignments the night before. Mackenzi tends to have test anxiety, just like ME!! so hopefully she will rest well tonight and have a good day, and do well tomorrow.

I'm nervous to think beginning next year Maci will too, have more homework and wonder if I will be able to keep up with it. What on earth will I do when they all need my help with home work and I have no idea how to help them?

What is your take on homework? Are you ever stumped by your kids work? How much is too much?

I wanted to wish my oldest friend ,Stephanie a very Happy Birthday today. I don't think she reads my blog but I wanted to wish her a great day anyway.

Angie & Stephanie at our recital when we were 7.

Stephanie and I became friends when we were 4 years old. We were in the same tap and ballet class. Stephanie helped out at my wedding reception and I was lucky enought to be a one of her bridesmaids. Although we don't talk very often, I still consider her a very good friend. Steph, I hope you have a very wonderful day full of love, laughs, and many fun memories that you will cherish forever.

Good Mail delivery from Kacey. Cute doodlebugs' notepad, Valentine napkins and a sweet note. Thanks Kacey for making me snile when I checled the mail today.

Confined to Home

2007-01-30T19:46:00.000-05:00

Today I have been bound to my house. Maryn was still sick during the night and didn't sleep much. I can attest to that, since I was battling for space with her, in a twin bed. Jenny thankfully offered to drive the kids to school today so I wouldn't have to wake Maryn. After her being awake from 230 until about 430 she was snoozing when I would have had to leave to drop the other kids off. I had all intentions of crawling back in my bed, but I started cleaning up breakfast, doing laundry. sweeping the floors, and before I knew it my VT would be arriving in less than 15 minutes. I jumped in the shower, to freshen up a bit. I hated for them to see me in my jammies and looking so rough. I put on sweats and a little makeup so I looked a little better for them. Maryn woke up just a few minutes before they got here and seemed a bit happier than she was when I last chatted with her around 430 a.m.!!

It was a quick visit, the ones I love the most. Maryn watched a movie while I mopped floors, cleaned bathrooms, and dusted. She fell asleep way too early, so I being the mean Mom I am, decided to vacuum to see if I could stir her into conciousness. It worked. She kept sayin gshe was hungry and I couldn't find anything here they she wanted. Jenny called and saifd she was out and asked if I needed anything. I quickly said, "my daily drug", some children's motrin, a sprite, and something for Maryn to eat. She brought back my stuff and some chicken noodle soup for Maryn, from ChickfilA. Of couse by that time, Maryn wasn't into eating. She was only ASKING for a nap. I laid her down, finished cleaning up some things, and then I stretched out acroos my bed. Before I knew it I was out. I woke up a few times, making sure I wasn't sleeping through the bus.

Jenny called and asked if she could go running with me after the kids got home. I said, of course. Nothing better than a friend to chat with, moan to, and to help me get through the torture of a 3 mile run. I was a bit down after not getting to exercise this morning. I have come somewhat reliant on my daily "kick start". So when I miss, for what ever reason, I get into a slump. So this afternoon was a much needed kick start, only 8 hours late.

Against Greg's wishes, I am going to tell you what I did about thirty minutes after I got done running with Jen. First, remember I am planning on running a 4 mile race on Saturday. When I got home, Greg was here. I told him to change is clothes and to go running. It acted like he didn't want to go since he had just gotten home. I told him I would go with him and we could chat without the girls. He said your crazy. You can't go run 3 more miles. I convinced him I could do it, but he may have to run slower than he normally does. We took off and immediately I was questioning my decision. We ran. moaned, huffed, jogged, our way around our route. I couldn't believe it. I jsut ran more than I have ever ran and at somewhat of a normal pace. It took Jen & I about 25 minutes to run and Greg and I did it in about 26 minutes. Greg definitely ran my pace. He could have finished in less than 24 minutes, but he stuck with me. As you are probably thinking, I'm CRAZY!! I realize that now. My legs hurt, my back hurts, my feet hurt. YES, I'm dying!!

Today was a bit of a lonely, day knowing I was confined to home. I am glad I got some things cleaned up that otherwise wouldn't have gotten done if I would have been running errands. Maryn seems to be feeling a bit better. I fianlly got her to eat some chicken nuggets and hopefully they will stay put.

Here's to a better day tomorrow!