8 years of wedded bliss

Today is our 8 year anniversary.  I can hardly believe it has been 8 years since we said "I DO"!!  It doesn't hardly seem possible.  Truth be told....we have been together for 18 years.  That is INSANE to me.  We have now been together over half of our lives!!  I guess that is what happens when you fall in love at such a young age.  I wouldn't trade any of it for the world.  Even his goofy personality(as referenced in the picture below).

We have been through it all....the good, the bad and even the UGLY!!  And yet, through it all our marriage has prevailed and we are stronger and closer because of it all.  Chris, I love you more than words can say.  When I married you I thought that my love for you was at the highest level possible, but I was so wrong!!  I love you more and more each passing day and I cannot wait to see what the rest of our lives hold for the two of us.  You are my rock and my life!!

I am who I AM!!

I was reading Kelly's Korner blog today and she wrote a post about things she wishes were different about herself.  I decided to do this so I could "reference" it and see if any of these changed over the years.

* I am a total sap....as in cry way too easily at movies, sad stories, other people crying, etc.  I personally think this comes along with motherhood!

* I am a total control freak.  I have learned to let go of some things BUT this is still a MAJOR work in progress.

* I wish my house was far more organized than it is.  I am trying to get this under control(reference control freak above) but between work, keeping up with two kids, spending time with our families and taking care of our marriage....organization comes a dead last!!  I did however get my closet cleaned out and organized yesterday...got rid of 7 trash bags full of clothes, shoes and purses I never use/wear.  On the plus side...I found $120 in a purse I haven't used in forever!!

* I need to learn to let go of more of these "control" issues so I can focus on my kids.

* I too wish I could wear work out clothes and look "cute" instead of frumpy.

* I wish I would get more organized so I would have more time for crafty things like photography, scrapbooking, etc.

*I am not a fashionable person by any means....and I wish I was!

* I start way too many craft projects and take forever to finish them!

* I am a procrastinator at heart...most of the time...maybe because of my lack of organization!!  Ha!  I see a pattern developing here.

* Deep down...I worry about what people think of me... and I wish I didn't.

* I want to spend more daily quiet time with Him.  This too is a work in progress!

I am who I am ... and that's exactly who He meant for me to be.  I do hope that some of these "issues" will be improved upon.  But until then...I am going to continue to thank God for giving me a smart head to rest upon these strong, broad shoulders.  I am not perfect and I never claimed to be.

Lucky Me!!

Ok...I want to start this off by saying that I am new to blogging and there is probably no one but my husband or I that ever even looks at this blog.  But, just in case someone does stumble across this I want this information to be here.

I had always wanted a Coach purse, but I NEVER wanted to spend the money on one.  However, a couple of years ago I bought two different purses at the outlet store in San Marcos, TX.  I got both of these purses for far less than the original price so I obviously felt like I had won the jackpot.  My favorite purse was the bigger one that I purchased.  It was a grey fabric with the black "C" all over it with a light turquoise liner inside similar to the one seen here.

After carrying this purse for so long the fabric started to rub off on the back where it always brushed against my body as I walked.  Back in January I was in Dillards department store looking at the Coach purses that were on sale and I was talking to the lady about how my purse had done. She explained to me that this was not normal and I should send it in to Coach and they would repair my purse or replace it with a comparable purse.

At the beginning of February I sent my purse in to Coach along with a $20 money order to have them repair/replace my beloved purse.  Much to my surprise I just received this in the mail. This is a merchanidise credit for any Coach store valued at over $400.

Now I have a confession....like I said I bought this purse at the outlet.  It was on sale already and I had a 20% off coupon.  I ONLY paid like $115 plus tax for my purse, and now Coach has sent me a merchandise credit for the full estimated cost of my purse for over $400 for me to purchase a new purse of my choice!!!  WOW!!!!  LUCKY ME!!!

Valentine's Day

Kinsley's 2nd grade Valentine party with her class was today.  She was so excited about her party with her classmates.  Her teacher, Mrs. Hollingsworth was not able to attend the party today.  Her son Caed has dealt with the health implications of "short gut syndrome" for the past 4 years.  Because of his health problems the school agreed to let his mom be his teacher this year.  Caed and his parents have flown to Nebraska this week to have what we all pray is his LAST surgery for a very long time.  Caed is having his feeding tube removed tomorrow.  To say that this has been a long time coming is an understatement.  Through it all his family has held tight to their faith and have praised God through it all.  Caed is the sweetest and bravest little boy I know.  He is my HERO!!

Caed 

Caed's mom sent me this picture via Facebook a couple of days ago.  Kinsley gave Caed and Mrs. Hollingsworth their Valentine's this past Friday since they would not be there today.  Kinsley wanted to give Caed a stuffed puppy dog.  The blonde puppy in this picture is the puppy she gave him.  Apparently the puppy hasn't left his side and has even traveled to Nebraska with him.  

Kinsley's class was very excited about their party.  The had coke floats, chocolate covered strawberries and Valentine's cookies.

Goofy Girl

My pretty Valentine!

 

Her Valentine goodies

Several of her classmates

Sadly I didn't take too many pictures at their party.  I was too busy helping serve coke floats and food...or maybe I was too busy talking to the other moms and enjoying some adult interaction.  I can't remember which one! :)

These gorgeous flowers were given to me today by my best Valentine ever!!  My wonderful husband surprised me with these beauties when we went to eat at Rockfish.  We decided to go eat an early dinner so we could beat the crowd.  My dad was out of town so we made my mom come with us and we also invited my niece Elizabeth, who is a Sophomore at Texas Tech.  We were sitting there waiting for Chris to get there when suddenly I saw a glimpse of his face walking behind these.  He is the best husband and Valentine any woman could ever ask for.   And sadly enough.... I didn't even get any pictures of us together.  I love you Chris!!  You will always be my Valentine!!

A Charlie Brown's Valentine Party

Today was Kallaway's Valentine party at daycare.  It is always so fun to go to his parties at daycare and watch him interact with his friends and teachers.  At all of their parties they usually sing songs that they have learned, play games and do some kind of craft.  All of the kids always love having their parents there to show off for.

My sweet little man!!

Megan and Addisyn

circle time for singing songs

 Cousins ~ Cristoval and Kallaway

Singing and doing all of the hand motions!

Blowing a kiss during one of the songs!

"fishing" for Valentines

Miss Marquita and Kallaway

I can only IMAGINE the trouble these 3 get in ~ Cristoval, Kallaway and Truitt 

All of his Valentine's Day goodies

Mommy and her little Valentine!!

This party was bittersweet for me.  Several months ago, Kallaway's best friend Cole was diagnosed with leukemia.  Because of his cancer treatments and his very sensitive immune system, Cole has not been able to attend daycare in months.  Kallaway talks about Cole all of the time.  He tells us about how Cole is sick and has to go to the hospital and doctor all of the time.  This sickness is definitely more than any 3 year old should ever have to deal with.  In fact, cancer is more than anyone of any age should have to deal with.  It breaks my heart that Cole and his sweet family are going through this.  Please pray for his sweet family!!

Sweet Cole ~ such a fighter

As you can see, the party was a lot of fun and I don't think any of the kids went home without a sugar high!!  We sure missed seeing you Mr. Cole!

A Reason To Celebrate

Yesterday we had an engagement party for my SIL and best friend Benita.  Right before Christmas BJ asked Benita to marry him and she said yes.  I am thrilled for them both.  Benita has never been happier and as her best friend I have never been happier for her.  She deserves all of the happiness in the world and I know she will have that with BJ.

The engagement party was a chance for us to get all of their families and friends together to meet each other and celebrate this joyous occasion for them both.  Kallaway hit it off with BJ's niece Jenna.  They danced all night long and at the end of the night he gave her a kiss on the cheek.  Oh. My. Goodness.  We are in so much trouble with this little ladies man!!

They were the cutest things!!  They danced all night just like no one was watching them!

Look at those "eyes"....haha

Yep, trouble I tell ya!!

Chris and I

There was a great turnout for the engagement party and it was great to meet BJ's family.  Congrats again BJ and Benita!!  We can't wait until June 30, 2012 to watch the two of you begin your lives together!!

Dancing The Night Away

Tonight was the All Star Cheerleaders performance at Texas Tech University....home of the RED RAIDERS!!  The performance at TTU always amazes when these little girls get out on that court and dance their little hearts out.  The arena is huge, especially in the minds of these young girls.  And every year the girls go out there and put on an amazing performance in front of lots of people.  Tonights TTU game was a women's basketball game against Texas A&M.  This is the last time we will meet A&M as a conference game because they are moving to the SEC next year.

This picture is of Raider Red surfing across the court.  This was the craziest thing!  Raider Red was standing on a surf board and underneath the board were several young TTU students(all male students I might add).  They were underneath the surf board and rolling on the court.  As they were rolling the surf board was moving further down the line of young men and then the ones that were done would get up and run to the other side and get back underneath the surf board.  Very interesting thing....definitely looked like it would kill your back!!

This was them practicing the "surfing" beforehand!

This isn't a very good picture, but look at all of those little girls!

My sweet All Star Cheeleader!

Grandma, Popo, Kinsley and Kallaway 

Our family of four!!

It was a school night so we left right after they performed so we could get the kids fed and in bed; therefore, we missed the end of the basketball game.  Our Lady Raiders ended up falling to A&M this game.  It sure would have been nice to beat those Aggies and end a great rivalry on a positive note for our beloved Red Raiders!!