It's snowing!

We couldn't believe our eyes when we woke up a few days before Christmas...there was snow on the ground! The kids thought it was the most magical day of their entire Christmas vacation. Unfortunately Nicholas wanted to wear sandwich bags on his hands because he didn't want his gloves to get dirty. Alissa wanted to eat the "ice" and Lexi had the time of her life. Just to see their eyes light up and enjoy what we take for granted (when it does snow) was gift enough for me. The snow lasted on the ground for a couple of days but the cold, freezing temperatures lasted throughout the New Year. Everyday they still look out and ask, "did it snow last night?" Well it was fun while it lasted. We are so ready for warm weather. We can only play hide and seek in our house so many times before all it becomes is a game of tag.

Ben's other love ;)

We started our own business in 2008. It's has had it's rough patches, dry spells, or whatever you want to call it, but we have placed it all in God's hands and has it has done quite well. During Christmas Ben was stuck in Altus, OK because of the bad weather. Luckily he made it home by Christmas Eve afternoon. Sometimes the business wears on us a little but it is moving along. Ben's popo always said the only time you start on top is when your digging a hole.

New Year...New Beginnings

WOW!

Well to start off, I lost my password, along with the fact that life caught up with me and I just plain fell off the planet with my blog! Let's just backtrack a little...

The kids have started yet another year of school. Sadly I only have Alissa left at home but she will venture off with other kiddos next year :( Alexis is now in 4th grade and do AmAzInG! Her last report were all A's and B's and her reading is improving by the minute. She is a very different person than 2 years ago. Yes, it has been 2 years (in May). She is really stoked about softball season again so I think she has found her niche. Nicholas is in Pre-K and is doing great. He has learned to right his name and has started reading simple words. Thank you Dr. Seuss! He has expressed an interest in karate so we are still debating T-ball this year. Justin is in the 3 year old class and has made us so proud. We are still working on his stuttering but it seems to come and go. Why I have no idea but he is dealing with it quite better than I thought he would. Out of all of the kids we WOULD have to be different. He is our only Longhorn fan in a household full of Red Raiders! Last but not least, we have Alissa. She is the most independent 2 year old I know. She makes me sad because I am so not ready for her to grow up, much less start school. I think I just might start substituting at the school just so I can be with them more ;)

Cowgirls Don't cry ;)

Riding a bike is easy, right? Try riding a bike pulling a 3 and 2 year old. It seems light at the beginning but coming back up hill is outright torture to my legs! Of course the kids kept yelling, "faster mommy, faster!" Walking/running Alexis to summer school wasn't to bad. I got used to it by the end of the week, even though a storm almost got once. Over the weekend, my most supportive hubby bought me an in-step two seater for my bike. F.Y.I. it's that funny looking bubble that you pull behind the bike as you ride. He thought I might want to change up my routine a bit. (Isn't he amazing?!) Needless to say, it wasn't to bad going to school, it was the trek back that made me want to quit. I made it though with Brooks and Dunn in my ear...."it's gonna hurt every now and then. If you fall, get back on again. Cowgirls don't cry....."

Whew!

This morning was beautiful! It was a little cloudy, the air was fresh and crisp. I decided that it wouldn't be a bad idea if we walked Alexis to summer school. I have a Kool stride double stroller so I decided to put it to good use. We walked at a pretty good pace and the clouds started to roll in right before we got to the school. Alexis and I ran a block and it wasn't as bad as I thought. My knees felt a little weak but it was OK. We watched Alexis make it into the school and the kids and I headed back. By this time it started to sprinkle here and there. When I mean sprinkle, I mean it just felt like someone spits on you ;) We made it a block and it "spit" a little more. A girl from our church passed by and asked if we needed a ride but I knew we could make it. I felt pretty confident that I could run a little more and I did, another block! This time the sprinkle stopped but the thunder was getting louder. We walked a little faster and after a few more people asking if we were going to make it :) we were home! As soon as the kids got into the house the sprinkle turned into a mist and when I stepped in now it's a light rain. Thank you Lord for getting us home safely.

Turning over a new leaf....

6/6/2009~205.4

For many years I struggled with my weight. I was on a roller coaster ride for almost 5 years while we battled with infertility. I took medications that made me so sick, I wouldn't eat for days and lost 20 pounds. Then I would take some meds that made me want to eat EVERYTHING in site and I gained all 20 pounds plus more. It was both emotionally and physically draining. I decided it was time to make a permanent change!

This year in September it will be two years that we started our family. Through the state of Texas, our home became a legal risk home for foster children. After a little talk with our Lord, fostering to adopt was what our hearts were opened for. Because of our difficulty conceiving, we had some trouble with ONLY being foster parents. Long story short, because many of you already know many of the details, within 9 months we had 4 children. It's a little ironic to think within 9 months because that's the term of a normal pregnancy. God has a great sense of humor :)

So now my reason behind all this....This past April, we supported a cause that we hold near and dear to our hearts. Alexis and I participated in the CASA 5k walk/run for kids. I walked while pushing Alissa and much to my surprise, Alexis ran ALL 3 miles! Then I decided that I wanted to live and love life just as much as she does. She didn't just cross the finish line and win the race, she turned over a new leaf. The cycle was broken. Crossing that line with open arms she was ready to embrace all the new opportunities that she had in front of her. Her new life....

This makes me more determined to turn over my new leaf. My goal next year is to run right beside my daughter at the CASA 5K walk/run for kids and we will cross that finish line together. So now I don't start my "diet" but I start eating healthier. I start exercising 30 minutes every day with my family. I will work myself up to a run and I will finish the race. I will become a healthier person not just for myself but for my family as well. Wish me luck or join me if you would like...the more the merrier!

Weekend getaway!

White Sands, New Mexico

Alissa loves to play in the dirt so the sand was NO problem...

Justin did get wet but found the tractor of his dreams....John Deere Tractor with trailer!

Making a splash in the kiddy pool...

Alissa is fearless!

I think she was going the wrong way :)

As you can see, this past weekend my spur of the moment hubby decided to head out to Las Cruces and White Sands, New Mexico. We spent some much needed time with our favorite Hart's, Tom, Stacy, Zoey and Camryn. We went to an airshow but unfortunately I forgot to charge the camera. After spending a hot afternoon on hot pavement at the air show, the kids let loose on the slip and slide and a wading pool for the little ones. By the end of the day the older kids jumped into that one, too. We also had a BIG and little lobster (Ben and Justin), Nicholas baked just right and the rest of us....well let's just say we got a little beyond sun kissed! The sun smacked a BIG one on me, Alexis and Alissa. We had fun though. Our next fun in the sun weekend will be in Abilene, Texas for the Hart family reunion!