Wonderful Company!

My parents came up to visit us this weekend. They came in late Thursday night and left this afternoon. We were all looking forward to their visit. The girls didn't have school on Friday so we were able to spend the whole day together. My mom and the girls took the dogs walking in the morning (my parents brought their dog, Molly). My mom came along with us while I ran a few errands, it was nice to have her along. For our evening meal Joslyn and my mom made a pancake soup-its a German dish (we're getting ready for Germany) as an appetizer and my dad and I grilled some chicken on the BBQ pit. We had a delicious dinner. This afternoon before my parents left I decided to join my mom and the girls on a walk, it was hot but nice. We stopped at the park and let the dogs run around and the girls too. My parents' visit helped to make our weekend so much more enjoyable. The next time they come up here it will be to help us move back to San Antonio (just 1 more month). (The last picture is of Philip picking up Allison...just a random picture of what he was doing while I was typing this blog)

One on One time

Joslyn went to a slumber party yesterday. Allison was pretty upset that she couldn't go with her sister. I explained to Allison that we would have fun together, by ourselves. I told Allison we could go out to eat, just her and her momma! I told Allison to pick a restaurant she wanted to go to. She said, "Momma there are 3 places I want to go, Mc Donald's, Wendy's, and Chucky Cheese". I told her she had to pick the one she really, really wanted to go to and after about 3 minutes of thinking she finally picked Chucky Cheese. We went to Chucky Cheese and had a great time. Allison and I were able to talk, play games and have a great time. Just me and Allison. I really enjoyed that time alone with Allison and she enjoyed that time with me too. We came home and I told Allison to pick a movie and we would lay on my bed and watch the movie together. She picked Mary Poppins! Well, Allison fell asleep about half way through the movie and I fell asleep shortly after. I had a wonderful time. Just me and my baby girl.

Accomplished!

Today was a pretty good day. A couple great things happened. First, over Christmas I bought a pair of bermuda shorts. At the time I didn't fit into the shorts, but I liked the shorts so much I bought them anyway and told myself, I'll lose the weight and one day I'll be able to wear them! Well today was that day!
Second, Allison's class went on a field trip. I helped chaperon (and forgot to return my visitors' button to the school office. I'll have to remember to do that tomorrow morning)The 1st grade classes went to the bowling alley. Every lane had 5 or 6 kids. They all had a blast! Thank goodness we didn't have to wear the bowling shoes and were able to wear our own tennis shoes, can you imagine?! The bowling alley was filled with laughter, screaming, hyper and excited 1st graders (I had to sneak off to the food bar and get an extra large soda to keep up with these kids...it was 9:30am)The children were great sports and super cheerleaders for their opponents! It was wonderful. Allison had a great time. I think she likes bowling with her classmates better than bowling with her sister, Philip and I. Her smile was from ear to ear the entire time!



After the bowling alley I followed the buses and other parents to the Cavalry Horse Stables. I had 2 other parents following behind me. I was separated from the buses and other parents in the caravan due to a LONG red light. I had no idea where the buses went. I remembered once when Jason met me at the visitors center to pick our girls up for Spring Break, I saw a sign behind the visitors center for the CAV Horse Stables. I made a couple turnarounds (I was so nervous because the other 2 parents were following me, every wrong turn I made, and who knew what they were thinking about me) Anyway we made it to the stables and the teachers were still unloading all the children from the buses. So, great timing! The weather was dreary. A light drizzle and little chilly. The children were all troopers though! I surprised myself. I was thinking on the drive over to the stables, oh I really don't want to do this, my hair is going to frizz, I'm wearing flip flops, I'm probably going to step in horse manure, why did I agree to do this, why did I "pinkie" promise Allison I would chaperon, Philip should be out here with me. If I have to suffer he should too, besides a horse is a horse you've seen one you've seen'em all.
Our guide impressed me and the history of the Cavalry horses intrigued me. I'm so glad I went and in fact I would love to go back with Allison and take Joslyn too. It was pretty neat! I had a great time even despite the weather, and I never stepped in manure!




Well I returned home at about 12:30. I did ALL the laundry, folded it and put it away. I'm just so happy, I love it! I can actually see the top of my dryer!! Today was an all around great day!

Another Day

Today was just like any other day. The girls went to school and I did some cleaning around the house. I put in my work-out DVD and walked two miles in the comfort of my living room. Boy did I work up a sweat! This is my 2nd time using this work-out DVD. Saturday was my 1st day and I had my girls as my cheerleaders and partners (it was fun and easier working out with my girls, this morning I was kind of lonely). I picked the girls up at the end of their school day and we went to the gas station to get a snack, I pulled out some money from the ATM for a birthday gift for one of Joslyn's friends (this friend of Joslyn's is practically a part of our family). We came home and did homework while eating our snacks. The girls played outside while I cooked beef fajatas. After dinner the girls decided to go outside and do some flips and gymnastics in our front yard. I joined them outside, and did a couple cartwheels myself. Baths have been taken, teeth have been brushed, books have been read and prayers have been said. Now it time for dishes to be done, more laundry to be washed, school clothes to be starched and ironed and a favorite TV show to be watched.

Sweet Memories

My Relationship with my Girls

(I learned this from Max Lucadeo)

When I ask myself this question or when someone else asks me this question I need to know this and remember this:
What do you want your relationship with your girls to be like?

Someone once gave me a very precious, fragile, delicate, rare diamond stone to borrow for one evening. I wore this necklace to a very elegant ball. There are so many important people in society at this ball. I took such good care of this precious, rare, fragile gem. I have to - after all this necklace, with its precious gem hanging from my neck, is not mine. I am only borrowing it. It was a loan. I dare not dishonor the owner's treasure.

When I gave birth to my girls, God loaned me His work of art. Both my girls are a carefully crafted, and precisely formed MASTERPIECE! He entrusts me with a one-of-a-kind creation. I will value my girls! Children spell love with 4 letters: T-I-M-E. Not just quality time but hang-up time (no phone), downtime, anytime. My girls are my calling. They are a treasure that God is letting me "borrow" here on earth. God wants me to raise these 2 blessings with love in their hearts for HIM and a desire to share His love with others. One day God will take His 2 treasures back up to heaven with Him. I will try with all I have to remember to cherish my girls that God has so graciously blessed me with.

My gift from God

Philip is my love, protector, strength, encourager, provider, pride and most of all my husband!

I am so thankful that I have such an amazing husband. I have made my fair share of mistakes. I have made some bad decisions since I've married Philip. However he still loves me and wants to share his life with me. Our marriage is not perfect. We have struggles just like every other marriage. Philip is determined and faithful and will never give up on me. I know I drive him crazy with my attitude, my hard-headed-ness, and my stubbornness. Yet he still grabs me and tells me he loves me!

Philip provides not only financially for my girls and I, he also provides spiritually and loving for us. He treats my girls as if they are his. He loves my girls with a deep passion and only wants the very best for them. I fall in love all over again everyday with this man!

I love Philip for so many reasons. He is faithful and showers me with attention. Philip treats me and my girls better than any other man I've been in a relationship with. I am so blessed to have such an amazing, strong, courageous, fearless, loving, caring man.

I know I don't express to Philip how much I appreciate him and all he does for our family...

...so Philip I love you. I'm proud of you and all you have accomplished and will accomplish in life, your career, and our family! We hit bumps along our path of marriage. Sometimes I fall in a pit, but I know you are always there for me and hold your hand out to pull me out of my pit. I love you now, forever and always!