Dinosaur Quest

So while we were in San Antonio we stopped into Dinosaur Quest. Hayden is totally obsessed with dino's so of course he was in totally aw!!

Riverwalk 2011

Back in April {I know I'm way behind on blogging} our little family took a weekend trip to San Antonio. We had LOTS of fun and it was so nice to get out of town for the weekend!

This is the view from out room at the Hotel Contessa

That heart shaped island is known to be the luckiest place to get married.

Sure enough the next day...

Matt and I on the lucky love island...

We had no idea that the weekend we happened to pick was the Fiesta Festival Weekend...bonus parade, crowd, traffic...etc

A pretty building in Fiesta lighting...

A floating Mariachi Band playing at our dinner...

1/2 of my dinner date...isn't he the most HANDSOME guy you've ever seen? I'm in LOVE!!

and the duck Hayden wouldn't stop feeding chips too...

We had such a great time and I have more to share that will have to be shared on another post, eventually.... :)

Couch to 5K

Alright Ladies, so about two weeks ago I started the couch to 5k program. For those of you who don't know its a 9 week walking/jogging app. The purpose is to over 9 weeks gradually get you to were you can run a 5k or 30 minutes straight. My first day I had SERIOUS doubts. I injured my foot back in October and by the end of the session I could barley bare weight on my foot. I was in near tears thinking I physically can't do this. I'm too heavy and my foot can't take the pressure, but I stuck with it. So I reached the end of the 1st week and post it on facebook and I mentioned that I thought I would repeat week 1 because I didn't feel like I was ready to advance. My friend told me to go ahead with week 2. She said I would be surprised at what I can do. SHE WAS RIGHT! Tonight I did the 2nd day of week 2 and I had never felt better. I had energy and I was PROUD of myself. My foot doesn't even hurt!! Even though its early in the program, I feel I have made a huge accomplishment! Between the 2 weeks of the program and trying really hard at portion control I am down 7 pounds...7 freakin pounds people! I can't believe it. I just am beyond happy. But there is always a catch...see no matter how happy I am with myself on a diet or exercise, when the going gets tough, I quit. I love to quit. Nothing makes me happier then giving up on something hard. Sounds so stupid, but it's the honest truth. So this is were I need YOUR help. To anyone that reads my blog or that is friends with me on Facebook. I need you to keep me accountable. I don't want to quit this, I want a happier healthier lifestyle. I need this for Hayden and any other children that come my way. If you haven't seen a c25K post from me on facebook, I need you to ask me what's up. I need encouragement to keep going!!! My goal is to finish the program and MAYBE one day actually run a 5K!!!

Blake Shelton, baby!

Last weekend (2.19.2011) my friends and I went to see my honey, Blake in concert. Steel Magnolia and Easton Corbin opened the concert and they played really well....but nothing compared to my love....We had a BLAST!!!!! It was a great girl's night out!

Sorry the pics are blurry, I only had my cell phone with me!!

I love this one, because it kinda looks like he is looking right at me!!!

My Honey hard at work....

Ice Day 2.9.2011

What do you do on boring ice days? Color...a lot!

This is his 'mom stop taking my picture' face...

His Masterpiece!!

Snow Day 2.4.2011

We were able to go outside and play for a little bit before we left for West, Texas. Isn't my little honey so handsome!?!?!!? He looks just like his daddy!

God will never let you down....

Well, contrary to the post below...we did make it to say goodbye to my Grandmother. Once the sun started to melt Friday afternoon my husband looked at me and said "I think this is our chance" Man oh man we booked. He hurried Hayden over to my in-laws and I called Holly and told her we were going. She got her kids squared away and we threw everything in the truck a boogied.

The overall ride was pretty smooth. There was about two hours that were pretty scary. The ice was just everywhere, but my husband was so careful and slow. We made it just fine!

We didn't tell our parents we were coming because we knew we would get the "its too dangerous" spill and we didn't want to worry them. So when we came in town my sister called the hotel where we usually stay and boom its full, we called 4 other hotel everyone is booked. The front desk lady at my parents hotel was nice enough to call a competitor and snag us the last room available!! While we are searching for shelter my Mom call me and we told her we were in town. She was so happy. She said that she felt like everything was complete...and it truly was. God didn't let us down, He didn't prevent us from anything. He just had a different arrival time then we did!!

We had the service today and it was beautiful. I am so glad I was able to say my final goodbye to my Sweet Grannie in person...all is right in my world.

Sweet Grannie

Most of you know by now that my Grandmother has passed away. (Her obit for those that might want to see )She died just before 2 am on 2.1.2011 and she didn't make it easy for any of us! My parents and Uncle left for Odessa as soon as they got the call from the Hospice nurse that she wouldn't make it through the night. They only got to Abilene Monday night and have been stuck there until today. Matt and I tried to drive out yesterday, we made it all the way to Winters, Texas but it was just too dangerous. The streets became solid ice with no tracks. Cars were sliding off the road, so we turned around and came home. My sister's plan was to fly out this afternoon, so I got a plane ticket for the same flight, but of course this morning the flights were canceled.

We have tried everything. It just isn't going to be in the cards. My best friend told me that there must be a reason, it's God's plan. My reply was that I felt the same way, but I can't help but feel resentful...why would he not want us to say our final goodbye? She told me that is was ok to feel resentful. God is big enough to take whatever I'm feeling. She's right. It's ok for me to feel mad, sad, resentful, hurt...He will open arms for me no matter how i feel.

The picture below is all I have of my Grandmother at her 82nd birthday party we had for her in June 2010. I am so glad we made that trip. That is the last time I saw her. I will cherish that weekend forever.

My husbands co-worker as him what he thought my Grandmother's first words were when she got to Heaven. Matt replied, she said "Hi Darlin'!" I know she did. She saw Jesus and Grampie at the Pearly Gates and that is exactly what she said...

I love you so much Grannie. I am so sorry I can't say goodbye to you in person, but I know you understand. You will be greatly missed.

January 2011

Sooo, 2011 has kinda been a rocky start for us. Week one was typical. just the standard New Year hoopla and a boring week to follow. Day 8 of January, BOOM, worlds fall apart. We get a call from family in West Texas that my uncle has an abdominal aortic tear. When my family heard this our worlds stopped. We knew how serious this is, it mostly leads to death. Patients usually don't make it to the ER alive. The fact that my Uncle is with us today...God's Miracle. To make a long story short...he was care flighted by plane (not helicopter, crazy to think, huh?) from Odessa to Houston, and in surgery for about 5 or so hours...with his heart stopped for about 2 or so hours of the surgery. Are you kidding me?!!? Thank you God for not being ready for Uncle Toby!! He is currently recovering at my Mom's house and will be headed back home to Odessa in 6 weeks or so! MIRACLE!

So the very same weekend Hayden is defeated by the flu. Sickest little kid on earth. (Sorry the pictures aren't great they are all from my phone) I of course immediately separate myself from Hayden, not knowing if I would be making an emergency drive to Houston, or God forbid services in Odessa...something I just cant be sick for. Luckily there was no traveling needed. So I stayed home with Hayden for one of the days he was sick so daddy could catch up on work.

So of course towards the end of week 2 and half of week 3 I get the flu. Just the one day with Hayden was all my body needed to be invaded. Matt of course never even got a sniffle. Lucky duck. Anyhow, I was just sick as dog and Matt waited on me hand and foot. So sweet to me!

So while I was bedridden, Matthew thought it was a good idea to shave Hayden's head in the middle of winter. We shave his head every summer, but really it was at Hayden's request that he have his head shaved now. Matt shaves his head every week and of course Hayden has to be just like him! It really is the only calm way to cut Hayden's hair. Whenever someone cuts his hair with scissors he thinks they are going to cut his head off and screams and screams and screams...totally embarrassing.



This past week was the first week I worked a 40 hr week since before CHRISTMAS, talk about hard. I thought those little 5 in a row 8 hour days were going to kill me.

Everything is back to normal. Hayden is growing so big and wants to help me with EVERYTHING. He all the sudden wants to help cook, don't know where that came from. He also likes to help with the dishes! Yay! I do believe I will take advantage and train him now for a future chore! :)

Christmas Day

Christmas Morning was so much fun! Hayden wasn't sure at first what to think and then he was really excited when he knew all the toys were for HIM!

Look what Santa brought!

Not so sure what to think at first...

Excitement! Those are mine!?!

Checking out what is in his stocking...

Opening presents! He loved every minute!

That afternoon we went over to my parents house and exchanged gifts with the Hurst and Bennett family. It is always so much fun to have the Bennett kiddos and Hayden together. Those three are a M.E.S.S. After we left my mom's we went to Matthew's Grandmother's house for Christmas with his side of the family and then on Sunday we headed back to Lorena to have Christmas at Matthew's Mom's house for Christmas with the Strahan/Yarber family.

Formulating a game plan...

On a different note...you see the skinny lady handing a gift to my Nephew Michael? That is my Mom! I know a lot of you remember her as a school nurse. She has lost over 100lbs! Doesn't she look A.MAZ.ING!?!?!?