Easter 2014

We had such a nice relaxing and uneventful Easter this year.  Craig didn't have to work, I was able to sit with him in church after I sang on the Worship Team, and we enjoyed the rest of the day at home.

Preston had done an Easter Egg Hunt the day before (Kaitlyn says she is too old now) and got plenty of candy.  But they were BOTH ready for the Easter Bunny to visit them....and he did!

They each got a new bike that they have been wanting.  Kaitlyn and Preston have outgrown their old ones and they love to go outside in the evenings.  They also got new Bibles that are more age appropriate and not too young for them.

Preston's basket was baseball themed with baseball cards, baseball movie (who doesn't love The Sandlot?), and candy.  Baseball necklaces were ordered but unfortunately, didn't arrive in time.  Grrr!  Kaitlyn's basket was just girly-themed with earrings, a jewelry stand, nail pens, and candy also.

The Easter Bunny didn't forget the parents.  Craig got a new movie and his favorite snacks.  I got my favorite snacks and money to buy a handheld water bottle holder.  What a thoughtful bunny!!!

We had our usual lunch of ham, potatoes, deviled eggs, etc.  Of course, hot apple pie was waiting for dessert.  Then, the kids went outside for awhile with their new bikes.

Hope everyone's Easter was just as great!

Spring Break Part 2: Spring Training

Surprise, AZ-home of the Texas Rangers Spring Training!  We were so ecstatic about this day.  We bought our tickets way in advance and were able to get seats 4th row from the Rangers dugout.  We bought new Rangers gear, brought gloves, Texas Rangers baseballs, a sharpie, and we were ready!

The game was at 1:00 pm and we were told to get there early.  It was a 2 hour drive from Flagstaff, so we left by 9 am.  Even though we arrived early, there were lots of people already there.  The fans were already by the fence, hoping to score an autograph once the players came out.  I got our seats and Craig and the kids were quick to join the rest of the fans at the fence.

The players started making their way on the field to do some warm ups.

We did score some autographs.  Yu Darvish was one of them!  Kaitlyn was also able to get her Rangers baseball cap signed.  She was so excited!

Great photo of the players as they came out for the National Anthem.

The game itself was exciting. The Rangers lost to the Angels 12-1, but it was still so fun to see!

There was one point in the game when Bengie Molina, the first base coach and former Texas Rangers player, had a game ball.  You could tell he was looking to toss the ball to someone.  Preston had his glove ready and was standing up and waving.  Molina saw him and tossed him the ball.

We loved the game, loved the seats, and loved the awesome autographs we received.  It's something every baseball fan needs to do at least once.

Spring Break Part 1: The Grand Canyon

Spring Break has come and gone and we are still relishing the great memories.  We had an absolute blast on our trip to Flagstaff, Arizona.  The kids continue to talk about it and we will never get the images of the magnificent things we had seen out of our heads.

We decided to make the 14 hour drive to our destination.  If we were able to drive to California last year, we knew we could make this trip.  We enjoyed checking out a Vintage Car Show at a gas station in New Mexico.

Once we entered Arizona, the scenery was so nice and different than what we are used to seeing.

We loved the welcome sight of snow on the mountains once we reached Flagstaff.  We had a little terrace off of our hotel room, so we were able to enjoy the view everyday.

After a long day of driving, we went to bed early to get plenty of rest for the Grand Canyon!  The Grand Canyon is just over an hour drive north of Flagstaff.  It was very scenic and were so excited to get there.  We decided to do a 2 hour guided motor coach tour of the Grand Canyon so we can learn as much as we could about the Grand Canyon.  Plus, the guides can always give you more info than what you'll find in a book or reading online.

We didn't realize that Grand Canyon, AZ is also a community for the employees of this national park.  There is seasonal housing as well as permanent housing.  There is also a school, library, post office, and other basic amenities.

As for the canyon, it was gorgeous!!!  When you first see it, it literally leaves you speechless.  So many beautiful formations and colors.  To know this was not made by a man, but by our great Creator, is so heart-warming.

We visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  In the picture below, the plateau in the distance is the North Rim.  It's only 12 miles away from the South Rim.  However, it is a 4 hour drive to reach it.

This is the Colorado River that runs through the Canyon.  It's usually a pretty blue-green color.  However, because the snow is starting to melt from the mountains and bringing dirt and mud with it, it causes the river to turn brown until the snow is gone.

Of course, we had to get some pics of us with the magnificent view in the background.

One of our stops on the tour had a gift shop.  Kaitlyn and I immediately got hot chocolate and coffee because it was actually a cool morning.  Posted outside the gift shop was this lovely surprise.

We had a great time and the kids were listening so intently to our tour guide.  We actually spent several hours around the canyon because there was so much to explore.  Definitely a must-see for any traveler.

Peace and Love

Ahhh....Valentine's Day.  Cue the candlelight, dinner for two, and the serenade of violins. 

Romantic, right?  Realistic, right?  Well...

A perfect night like that is usually described in movies, but on the rare occasion, it may actually happen for you too.

Craig and I have never made a huge deal about Valentine's Day.  We always celebrated it, buying each other small gifts, chocolates, and flowers.  We always bought something small for the kids too and usually have a V-day countdown of some sort.

But this year, something was different.

I was eagerly anticipating the romantic holiday.  I had a skip in my step and a (love) song in my heart since Feb. 1.  I decorated for Valentine's like I've never done before:  a mantle with a "Love" banner, a homemade Valentine's tree and wreath, even a Scentsy warmer full of hearts!

What was so different for this year's love holiday than any previous year?  After all, I am still married to the same person.

This year, I have peace.  This year, my husband has peace.  This year, God has made things so different for us, things are so much better, and the peace we have can only come from Him.

When God gives you such a profound peace, you see everything differently.  You treat everyone differently.  You love differently.

I love love.  The love between Craig and I has grown so much and is deeper than ever before.  Our relationship has strengthened and changed for the better.  The love we have for our kids and they for us has also grown.  It's amazing how the dynamics change between people when you let that peace just envelope you.

And after spending our 17th Valentine's Day together, I still feel special, I still feel like his #1 girl, and he still makes my heart swoon.

Lesson Learned #2

The first month of 2014 has just ended.  And I've already had so many wonderful life lessons.

I've learned Texas weather is seriously bi-polar.  Even more than before.  And because of it, sinus headaches let me know when the weather is about to have a drastic change.

I've learned my dog has completely lived up to her name, Princess, while she recovered from her ACL surgery.  She is still trying to soak in as much attention as she can.

I've learned I really can't stand clutter.  We have been de-cluttering every inch of my house and have so much to sell, donate, or just put in the trash.  Once one room or closet is completed, I feel so much better that everything has its proper place.

I've learned that my kids absolutely and utterly adore their father.  They simply can't get enough time with him.  They ask him every single day if it's his day off or what time he'll be home.  After having spent so long dealing with his long hours, they are finally relishing in the fact that he is home so much more.  Of course, he reciprocates the feelings.

I've learned no matter how many auditions I've been to, I still don't like them.  I LOATHE them!!!  I feel like I am never prepared enough, I'm never good enough, and I feel like I will never pass.  Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.  I do know that no matter what happens with an audition, it happens for a reason.

I've learned I am an old soul.  I love all things vintage, I prefer older music, and sometimes I even prefer the company of those older and wiser than me.  I recently took a quiz that asked What Decade Should You Live In?  Not surprisingly, my results revealed I should live in the 50's decade-my favorite!

I've learned that no matter how fair I want things to be, they simply aren't.  I see the world as black and white.  It is or isn't.  It's always hard to see that many people don't feel that way.

I've learned showing appreciation, whether for big or small things, goes a long way.

I've learned my husband is the absolutely one person I completely trust, completely rely on, and ALWAYS has my best interests at heart.  I can't imagine my life without him, without his support, and without his loving words.  I always tell him he's my favorite person ever.

I've learned there is nothing like the feeling of peace when it comes upon your life.  Being obedient to God, seeing His hand at work, and watching events unfold, is just amazing.

Money will never buy happiness, the grass is not always greener on the other side, and God is still in control.

Princess

Just before Christmas, Princess was having one of her usual spastic attacks at the door.  When someone comes or goes, she goes crazy at the door, barking, jumping, etc.  It was no different that day when Craig was leaving for work.  Except this time, she started limping afterwards.  She is almost 11 yrs old and starting to get arthritis, so I thought perhaps it had flared up.  Or I thought perhaps she landed wrong and it was a little sore.

We watched it for a couple days and it never got better.  She never whined or acted like she was in pain.  There was just a constant limp.  

After going to the vet, getting xrays and scans done, it was revealed that Princess tore her ACL.  Ouch!!!  And she needed surgery.  Ouch for our pocketbook!!!

We planned her surgery on the Monday of my last week off from work.  Craig dropped her off by 7:30 that morning and we picked her up almost 6 pm that night.  The vet said her ALC was completely torn in half and the two pieces were just laying there.  Thankfully, he was able to fix it.

And she was miserable!

She had to become a conehead.  :(  We were told she needed to wear the cone all the time for 2 weeks!  Well, that first night, she barely moved.  You could tell Princess was in pain, uncomfortable, and upset with us.  She didn't want to eat or drink.  We couldn't even get her to lay all the way in her bed.  Eventually, she made her way to the cool tile floor and laid there for 4 hours.

The next day was just a little better.  She didn't eat or drink and we could not get her pills in her mouth.  I'm sure besides being embarrassed by that awful cone, she was embarrassed from her one shaved leg and 11 stitches.

We had a dog pharmacy to go along with our recovering dog.

Little by little, she started to eat and drink, but not quite like she used to.  Craig had a hard time shoving the pills down her throat.  After cheese, bread, and wet dog food not working, we realized she would take the pills in french fries!!!  Crazy dog.  She had to take antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, pain pills, and a supplement.  The pain pills would knock her out for most of the day.  

We took her cone off to eat, otherwise, she couldn't reach the food.  We were also kind enough to take it off when she was sleeping and we were in the same room as her.  But, it went back on each night.  And she would moan every time and turn her head.

The second week, Craig was on vacation and was able to stay with her the whole time.  She finally started to eat normal too.  Princess started acting better, putting weight on that leg, and wasn't limping nearly as much.

We took her to Abilene when we went to my sister's wedding.  That trip exhausted her.  She started falling asleep with her head upright.

Finally, after 2 weeks of never leaving Princess by herself, constantly watching her, and giving her lots of extra TLC, we were able to head to the vet to get the stitches out.

Let's just say, she does not like to go there anymore.  She shakes, wants to be held, and is in a hurry to leave.

The vet was actually impressed with how well she has healed already.  She is putting just enough weight on that leg and will be 90-95% back to her normal self.  Since she is a geriatric dog, she has to stay on supplements the rest of her life which will help with her arthritis.  She also has some kidney issues that we have to keep an eye on.  It's very common for Shelties.

Princess is happy once again, enjoys feeling the breeze on her face without that bothersome cone, and is still trying to get in some extra TLC.