Change can be good

I made it through my first day at my new job. I was pretty nervous, hadn't had a "first day" in almost 8 years. I was talking to the kids about it last night and told them I was nervous. I asked Elizabeth, "What do I do if they don't like me?" Her response, "Ummm, if dey don't yike you...(long pause)...just come home." Perfect response, but luckily, it was a great day and I felt pretty at peace with the change. I even have my own cube to call home. I put up my serenity prayer and desk calendar with pictures of the kiddos. So, here's to day two and many more to come...

Happy New Year

A few days late, but best wishes to us all as we dive into 2011. Here are the highlights of our holiday break:

--I resigned from my employer from the last 8 years and accepted a new job starting January (tomorrow, eek)

--I took off a couple weeks to enjoy Christmas with the family...I think we had seven or eight Christmases total and the kids had a ball at each one (I'll try to figure out collages and upload some pictures later)

--Christmas came and went and then we spent New Years Eve at the deer lease...OH and I had a really bad ear infection, yes a 31 year old woman with an ear infection. It was quite a pain and the doctor told me to not make our trip to Las Vegas (which I'd surprised JP with for Christmas)...well, we are gamblers and we made the trip there and back and my ear drum is still in tact

--JP and I weren't winners in Vegas, but we still loved it. We counted and that made it the 7th time we've been...we might need a little break from Sin City

--Got home Wednesday and flew back out on Thursday with Trace and Tyler Bree to visit Aunt Lindsey in Houston...three days of Chucky Cheese, Children's Museum, Zoo, Lego store...the kids slept well and are asking when we are going back.

So - that was the run down. I am trying to prepare myself for my new adventure tomorrow. I am not a huge fan of change, but here's to hoping that I made a great choice and my new job will be a great way to start the new year.

Christmas in Kyle, Texas

I don't consider myself a country girl, but how many people can say that Santa drove through their neighborhood strapped to the top of the local fire truck? Well, my kids can. The Kyle Fire Department took Santa all through the neighborhoods...Trace and Elizabeth enjoyed going out and seeing him.

Plus...only in Texas can my daughter wear a miniskirt less than a week from Christmas...go figure.

Enough said

I haven't had much to say lately, which is a nice way to say I have let life get the best of me and haven't posted anything in weeks. So here I am back and excited for the holidays. The kids are excited too and we still have all the presents to wrap, but I am ready for some holiday cheer.

Here's to hoping for some joy and peace for everyone...Trace & Elizabeth got to take a ride on the train at the mall. We went to see Santa but momma and daddy decided that Santa's line was a little too long. So, one train ride and the kids forget all about missing the Big Guy. We might not make it this year...hope he still makes it by our house (wink, wink).

 

A few firsts at my FIRST Half-Marathon

This morning I completed 13.1 miles at the San Antonio Rock 'N Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon. I did it in right at 2 hours and 45 minutes...not a record by any means but was a totally rewarding experience for me. Here are the firsts that came with it:

1-First time to get up at 4:30AM ON PURPOSE to go and run.
2-First time to line up with 30 THOUSAND other crazies to go and run.
3-First time to run 5 miles straight (personal best that I am proud of).
4-First time to continue on a run/walk to mile 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and finally to 13.1!
5-First time to think I might just cry if I took one more step (I am still in pain, never felt my knees hurt like this before).
And last, but not least...
6-First time to plan one year out to do the half marathon RELAY with the other girls that ran today which is only like 3 miles a person...a much smarter decision I think!

I'll post some pictures and a few of the funny shirts/signs I saw out there.

Now, it's 7:45PM, I've take two Tylenol PM so I am going to bed and pray that I can walk tomorrow...

What would your kid say about you?

Deer season is back so JP left on Friday for the weekend. I picked up the kids on Friday night and was heading home. Trace asked where we were going the next day (a very common question that both kids ask almost every day). Anyways, I said, "Nowhere really, you are just hanging out with me." A few seconds of silence, then Trace said,"So we're going shopping?" I laughed so hard. I guess that is what he thinks of when he thinks of me and how I spend my time.

Out of morbid curiousity I just had to ask, "Trace, what would you be doing if you were hanging out with Daddy all day?" And with not much pause he answered, "I guess working." I LOVE IT. I expected as much and couldn't wait to share with JP who also laughed really hard.

It's pretty funny to think about what our kids think about us since we don't stop and ask them alot. I can't wait to see what their kids will say about them one day.

Elizabeth and Trace with new batting helmets at Academy

(I guess maybe I do take them shopping alot...)

Memphis on my mind...

I was super lucky to get to head east and visit my friend Jennifer in Memphis a few weekends back. I actually flew into Little Rock, Arkansas and drove into Tennessee and didn't get lost (yeah!). A few things I realized while in Memphis:

1. I miss Jennifer and wish we lived closer to each other.

2. I don't drink much and drinking half a hurricane makes me feel a little tipsy {goofy grin}.

3. I miss Jennifer and wish we lived closer to each other.

4. I love Justin Timberlake in anything he does. We saw Social Network, and even though JT is a jerk in the movie, I still love him.

5. Carrie Underwood is probably the most talented singer I've ever heard. Jennifer surprised me with concert tickets and Carrie was AMAZING!

6. The best kind of friend is the one that you just pick up right where you left off even if you can't keep up all the time...that is Jennifer to me.

7. Chocolate ice cream really is one of God's greatest gifts.

8. I miss Jennifer and wish we lived closer to each other.


So, here's to Jennifer (and her baby boy on the way) and the wonderful time I had visiting her in Memphis.