Five years of play

These past five years have been full of learning activities

Non stop play

More play

Lazy hammock days

More activities

More play

Days full of cozy reading

I can't hardly believe she will be starting Kindergarten in August. My heart is so full of different emotions.  I feel like these past years just flew.   Where did they go?..

 I still remember bringing her home and not believing she was ours.   I was in love and felt so blessed and thankful she was home. 

That winter I kept her home most of the time swaddled in her blanket safe from the public germs . They told us at the hospital about whooping cough and it scared me so much I hardly went anywhere.  We quickly bonded and months passed. I wanted her to learn through play so, I did my research on child development and found activities on Pinterest  at night I would set her table with a different activities so in the morning we were ready and set to go.

Together we played and she learned so much. I will always treasure these years always.

Turning 49

 January 19th 1970

TODAY

IS 

MY

BIRTHDAY

THIS IS ME

I just realized something. I don't have many pictures of myself  I, am always the one behind the camera, and have always been uncomfortable about my appearance and weight that I have consciously let years go by without taking pictures. I think about it now that I have a daughter and think how ridiculous it is. I don't ever want to teach her to be self conscious yet, here I am with my hand over the camera lens saying " no not me I look bad right now"  This is me. The way God made me and intended for me to be. today I turn 49 and I don't want to miss any more photo opportunities because of my silliness.  

 At 49 I, also realize how much joy and peace family brings me . I am perfectly content spending quiet evenings with them, then having to be seen socially.  I enjoy my little world around me and it warms my heart to feel the love of true friends.

 I have learned that a simple life of unnecessary obligations and hectic schedules brings comfort and peace to my soul. 

 I have had my share of hard knocks I also like to call them learning experiences ha ha.  Life has a funny way of teaching us important lessons that I feel are opportunities for us to grow from and learn from. I've learned you can't please everyone and accepting and learning from our mistakes is a crucial part of growing and getting older.

 So, on this special day of mine, I thank God for all his blessings he has bestowed upon me and my family. I thank him for my health and another year of joyous life.   I ask him to bring calming peace to me on days I am down. I ask him to guide and protect me and bring me wisdom and strength when life's challenges are overwhelming.  

I AM 49

THANK YOU JESUS!!!

    

A dose of encouragement

New year goals

Hoping everyone had a blessed Christmas. We sure did and although I feel like it just flew crazy fast It was great being around family. We didn't get any of the snow I was hoping for but we had wonderful shorts and flip flop weather that, I am definitely grateful for.  Now that Christmas is behind us and we await the new year I have been thinking a lot of goals and things Id like to accomplish and actually do. 

HERE ARE MY GOALS

SAVING MONEY

 This is something that is super duper important to me. I have been thinking a lot about saving so much so that I have already started a secret stash but, I got even more motivated when over Christmas my niece Bailey who is nineteen years and has a part-time job at Michaels nonchalantly mentioned that she had saved over three thousand dollars putting away sixty percent of her earnings for a rainy day keeping only forty percent for herself.  I was blown away.   There has been many times we've spent money carefree on stuff that really had no purpose.  Little things here and there that could've really added up if saved.  I want this goal to be a priority and a long term lifestyle change for us. We all get  financial surprises that life throws are way so, why not be prepared with an emergency fund for that rainy day?  There are a lot of  money challenge charts on Pinterest to me this one I downloaded is the easiest. I think I can actually follow. 

SKIN CARE REGIMEN

I desperately need one. I am starting to see the effects of sun damaged skin and aging all at once. I started the Cindy Crawford line last year but, I hate auto ship and so I just stopped. I need an easy one a good one.  One I could stick to and not spend hours in front of the bathroom mirror .  which brings me to 

ME TIME

I always feel a little guilty when having a little me time.  Whether its reading, blogging,or spending a few extra minutes on my make-up.   This coming year I, pledge to stop that nonsense and focus on self care, happiness and things that will restore my energy which brings me to ....

WALKING

One way or another its going to happen.

Happy New year!

Wishing for snow

Remembering the miracle of Dec 8th 2017

A rare snow event that just does not happen in South Texas

A Christmas miracle

Second time in history 

The valley had ever seen snow

Wishing for a cold day 

A little snow 

AND

 A cozy fire

Morning thoughts

Sitting here sipping my morning coffee staring out the window, I see my chores waiting 

PATIENTLY 

 as falling leaves between my flower beds are starting to become an eye sore I wonder

if, I should just wait till they all fall or dive right into a raking project?

I am thinking about baking?

BUT

Irmas Sweet shop is around the corner 

BESIDES

Who wants to bake when it in the 80s?

I still need to order about twenty dozen chicken & cheese in green sauce tamales from 

Delia's

well, because Christmas just isn't Christmas without tamales..

We also need to make some time to go visit Hidalgo festival of lights. 

PREFERABLY 

before Christmas

My sister calls me and says

SURE

I 

SAY

Now I am googling song lyrics and printing pamphlets

OH WHAT FUN!

Tumbling

This is Tealyns second year in tumbling. When I signed her up, I was thinking this could be something fun and great for socialization with other girls her age.

Well, as it turns out there really isn't that many girls her age, ( she is the youngest) socialization isn't  until break time and learning skills is really hard and takes lots and lots of practice.

She worked really hard her first year to learn 

Forward roll

Backward roll

Cart wheel

Round off

Back walk over

Hand stand

All of this within a year.

Which earned her a spot, as a flyer on a competitive team with the Queen bees.  And

 although, I hate the make-up, the financial commitment, and all the mumbo jumbo that goes with it. She has made some good friends, looks forward to her practices, gets super excited about her competitions and is really determined to learn more skills. For now, she is loving every bit of it, and I couldn't be more prouder.

Go Tealyn!!

Christmas photo shoot

Every year, my husband and I, take out our handy dandy cannon and scout out places for Christmas photo taking.  Sometimes we stop at remote places near the side of the road where we''ll find an abandoned shed and orchards. We take photos in a jiffy and take off  like in the movie Fun with Dick and Jane fleeting the scene and leaving dust in the wind. We never know what we''ll get until we get home and download.  This year I think we scored

I am the bossy assistant with a brush in one hand, and camera equipment on the other making last minute adjustments here and there and driving my husband crazy.

Panting, pancaking and giggling all while rushing my husband 

 keeping an eye on cars passing by

Until we get to a birding park where there are so many photographers 

Who all have the same common goal - a perfect spot for that perfect picture.

Advent prayer

“Be vigilant at all times and pray.”  Luke 21:36a

I pray that this advent will be a time of true spiritual awakening and renewal as we prepare to celebrate to birth of our savior. Lord, help us slow down and listen to your voice and focus and whats really important. Flood my heart with love and free me from all that would keep me from doing your will. Let this candle be my reminder today of my hope in your coming amen.

Turkey salad

 If you're like me, and have way too much turkey left over, cannot eat another meal without gagging  and feel guilty about throwing it out than, this salad is for you. It has all the elements of fall you'd expect from a thanksgiving meal and the taste is out of this world.

• Left over ground turkey
• Onion
• Celery
• Green pepper
• One large apple
• Pecans
• Dried Cranberry's
• Green grapes
• Salt and pepper
• Mayo
• Sour Cream

Combine everything together and enjoy!

Cranberry jello salad

I have been making this salad for at least ten years now and it has become a favorite in my family so much so, that they will not forgive me if it doesn't make it to our Thanksgiving table. its super delicious and super easy to make and there are many different ways to make it . You can eat this as a side dish or a dessert.

• Two bags of cranberry's
• Two cups of sugar
• Pecans chopped
• A bag of coconut flakes
• Apples granny smith about six 
• Can or two of crushed pineapple
• Strawberry jello

I usually start by crushing my cranberry's in a blender once they are all crushed, I transfer to a big bowl and pour two cups of sugar . I chop my apples into small pieces and put in the same mixture.  I drain my crushed pineapple and pour into same mixture bowl . I then add the bag of chopped pecans and the coconut flakes as much as you like then, I make my jello as directed and pour that into the same mixture and stir. I refrigerate over night. and Viola!!!   Its amazing enjoy!!!

Dose of encouragement

Come to me all of you

who

are weary and carry heavy burdens

and

 I will give you rest

Matthew 11:28

Just Breathe

How can it be that this sweet baby just turned five on November 1st?

I meant to post this on the 1st  but, life got in the way.  Its hard to believe that I once held her in my arms and welcomed her into our home just a day old . What I didn't know then was how much joy and fun times this child would bring .  Tealyn has filled our lives and hearts with so much love and contentment and brings non stop humor and laughter with her entertaining  personality every single day.

This Birthday is bittersweet for me because its her last year being home alone with me. Next year she will enter Kindergarten and have a whole new world, new friends, new adventures, new routines to get used to and although, I love that for her, I am a bit scared for her too. I have thought a lot of this and my thoughts go back and fourth wondering if public school is the right choice for her?... 

The only thing that brings me some comfort is knowing that I have prepared her mentally and academically and I am very proud of that. She will enter Kindergarten knowing how to read at a second grade level and doing 1st grade math. We have worked diligently every morning on different learning activities since she was about 14 months but, still she needs more socialization than mommy and daddy and older tumbling friends( twice a week) can provide.

 

My husband keeps telling me take it in. Take it all in for this is the last year home alone with you.

JUST BREATHE!!!!

HAPPY 5th  BIRTHDAY SWEET TEA. 

You are the biggest and most special gift daddy and I have ever received. You sweet tea are proof that God hears our prayers answers them and loves us unconditionally.❤️Our lives are now more meaningful and exciting with you. You are smart, tender -hearted, kind and so loving. I pray you grow up strong and courageous!! We love you so much!!!

HER FAVORITES:
Tumbling - queen 🐝 bee friends- reading chapter books- Snapchating - family fun pack - baking - Saturday Dadurdays - barbies -making silly videos- talking with older girls from tumbling lady teal ..❤️❤️❤️