Finally a Post!

Yes I'm alive! I'm sure I've lost many readers! I'm so sorry! I actually blame my lack of blogging on Facebook! I tend to post most of my updates and thoughts on there, and really haven't taken the time to even log onto my blog.
Well...lots to update:

Last post was July 31st.
-Dallas is growing like a weed. He's in Pre-K 4 this year. We decided to wait a year to start kindergarten. I think it's been a really good choice. He's doing so great...even spelling some new words.
-We had a our 7 year anniversary on Aug 31st. We celebrated by going to Las Vegas for 3 days. Had a really great time, but boy! It was H-O-T!!!! Spent the first day at Hoover Dam, and then went to various casinos and hotels to see the sights. You could actually spend days and days in Vegas and never gamble, because there is SO much to do! We went to Cesears Place and the shops there, rode on a gondola at the Venitian, ate an amazing breakfast at the Bellagio and watched the fountains that night (quite spectacular), and ate like a queen everywhere we went.
-I've become a distributor for Advocare. I'm wanting to use any extra money I make to help pay off debt (meaning school loans!). Both Adam and I love the products and really feel like it was from the Lord to start this business for that purpose. I think it's a tool He's put into our hands. I'm so thankful! Check out my website: www.advocare.com/09093590 ask me how to get started, I'd love to share the products with you!!!!!
-I'm going to start helping out at church playing the piano with the praise and worship team. Not really a permanent fixture, per say, just to help fill in when help is needed. I'm excited about it, excited to start playing again.
-We recently went out to Adam's parents house in LA, just for the night, and had a great visit. We spent Halloween night there, and visited. No trick-or-treaters at his Mema's house so we got all the candy, Dallas loved it!
-Saturday will be 1 year since I learned my mother passed away. This has been quite a year. I can think about my mother now and smile, remembering all the good times we had. I have been a bit teary-eyed though the past week, just thinking about her. She will be remembered, our family has been so supportive of one another through this. I wouldn't have made it without all of them!

Well...in a nutshell that has been our past 3 months.
Gearing up and getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas...can't wait!

Happy 5th Birthday Dallas!

Today, Dallas is 5 years old! At 2:09pm 7.31.2004, God blessed us with our son. What can his Daddy and I say about him except how much we love him and how proud of him we are. He's truely a joy, and we are both so thankful that God gave him to us.
We both continue to pray God's greatest blessing on his life and that God will continually draw Dallas' heart to Himself.



Every year, I've taken a picture of him on his b-day. I took this one of him this morning.

This just melts my heart!

These 2 little pictures have just melted my heart! Dallas drew the one on the top just a couple of weeks a go and just recently drew the one on the bottom. If you can't tell, in the orange picture, Adam is on the left with the very long legs (hehe) and then it's Dallas and me holding hands). As a mom, I just cherish every little thing about him and our relationship. We've always been very close, and I just can't help but smile everytime I see these 2 little pictures. The orange one is currently on our fridge, and the other is papercliped on my calender.

Dallas 5 Year Birthday Party

We celebrated Dallas' 5th birthday on Sat. Dallas had a great time, and we enjoyed everybody being here with us! Here are a few snapshots from the exciting day!


Wasn't Dallas' cake amazing! I found a lady locally here in Tyler that made it for him! And it tasted DELICIOUS!


Dallas and Eden


Dallas just blew out the candle



Dallas, Eden, and myself enjoying some cake


Dallas opening up his gifts


Dallas with his friends, Braden and Eden


Dallas swinging at the pinada


Braden swinging at the pinada


Probably the funniest moment of the party, when I realized I forgot to put candy in the pinada! Ha!! I thought it came with candy! So sorry, Dallas!


Jessica, Auntie Brin, and Dallas.


Daddy, Mommy, and Dallas

Another fun moment was biting into spidey's head!

Last Monday Dallas had his 5-year-old birthday pictures taken. His actual birthday is not until 7.31, but wanted to get them done a bit early so we could have pictures to give out to family and friends. We were referred to a local photographer here in Tyler, Teresa Rieder, and she was amazing! She had the idea to go to the Children's Park and we were so pleased how great all of Dallas' pictures turned out. Can't wait to get the prints back. It was SO hot that morning! By the end of the shoot Dallas was pretty worn out, but what I love about D is that he is so full of love and life. Thanks for capturing this in the photos, Teresa! Here are a few of my favorites...

Big Boy Bed

Dallas finally got his Big Boy Bed (as he calls it!) We're so excited for him! Haverty's delivered it yesterday and we couldn't be happier with the purchase! Dallas asked me to wait to put on the spider man bedding until he got home, because he wanted to do it himself. I think the bed was a bit overwhelming to him when he actually got into it to sleep last night, but seems to be adjusting well to it. I'm working on transitioning his room from baby/toddler cowboy theme to spiderman so I'll post more pics once the room is finished, but wanted to share his excitement with everyone!

Pink Stuff

Wanted to share this dessert with everyone. My aunts have been making this for years for our family gatherings. It's one of my favorites.

1 tub of Cool-Whip
1 small box of strawberry jello mix
1 can of pineapple tidbits (with juice)

2 handfuls of each of the following:
grapes
strawberries
apples
pears
cherries

Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces.

You can add any fresh fruit you'd like, but these are my favorites.

Add all ingredients together, mix well, and chill. Enjoy!

Missing My Mom

Grief is mysterious thing, at least it has been for me. Sometimes I think I have a hold of it, but other times it just hits me during the most inopportune moments! I know my mom is with with the Lord and it brings me so much joy when I think about her being with God, but I miss her, plain and simple. A good friend of mine died during college, and I remember at her funeral the pastor said, "Death is so hard, because it was never a part of God's perfect plan." That just kind of struck me, and I've always remember that. We're not supposed to have to say good-bye.
It's been almost 7 months since my mom went to be with the Lord. I can't believe it's been that long!! Sometimes something will happen and my thoughts will turn to her, wishing I could tell her about it. Me and my sister talk about her a lot, and thankfully we've been very supportive of one another during this time, really my whole family has. That has helped me so much. It's just the times when someone talks about their mom that really hit me in the gut and reminds me that she's not here anymore and I can't call her up just to talk. This post was brought about because I found a picture of me, my mom, and my sister taken in March 2007 at a family reunion in Houston. This is not a "woe is me" kind of post and I do okay most days, but just felt like writing about her...just me on this journey called grief.



But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always

Lyrics by Jeremy Camp: There Will Be A Day

First T-Ball Game 5.30.2009

Dallas had his first T-Ball game on Sat. At that age everyone is a winner, so no score was kept. He got to bat 2x and hit the ball the first time on each hit. He did great, and looked too cute in his uniform. (Jennie and Mark, what do you think of his team name?!)

Look at me in my t-ball uniform

in the dugout waiting to bat

home run!





Dallas and Daddy

Having a snack on the way home

Had to brag on my family

Last weekend, my cousin Joe from Deweyville TX, came to Tyler to run because he qualified in the 800 meter (2 laps around the track) and 1600 meter (1 mile) for regionals. He placed 1st in the 800 with a time of 1 min 59 sec and placed 2nd in the 1600 with a time of 4 min 39 sec. He qualified for state and is headed there in 2weeks. Way to go, Joe Joe!
Dallas was in complete awe of him as he raced around the track and hasn't been able to stop talking about him! He even colored a picture for him last night....oops...which reminds me I have to get that in mail to him!
Here are few pics of him from last Sat.


Running the 800


Leading the Pack


Gold and Silver Medals


Joe with his mom, Rhonda (my first cousin)


Joe's girlfriend, Skylar and their daughter, Adysin