Traditionally Untraditional

Each year for about the past 5 or 6 years the men in our family have a tradition of running 7-13 miles on Thanksgiving morning.  I don't know why they do this...they just do?  This year good ole SS hosted it's very first Turkey Trot in town!  It was a great idea since most people drive to the DFW area otherwise and it raised money for a great cause!  So...my family being the runners that they are thought it would be a great idea for all of us to run, and we did!  Here is me and my fam at the end of the race, going strong!

Woo-hoo!  Crowd's cheering us in!

We are SO close to the finish!

We are pumped!

But...here's what actually happened.  Literally everyone in my family runs but me. So...my SIX year old nephew and mom beat me....

Way to go guys

My Dad and sis beat me....they will be running the Houston half marathon coming soon!

And that pic of Colby running with me earlier...he had already finished.  He was just circling back around to help me push the stroller!!!  He and my brother in law will be running the Whiterock FULL marathon next weekend! So yes, I am not a runner...at all...it's just not my thing.  I am a great cheerleader though and Baylor is a great tag along! :)

After our little "trot" this morning we headed over to our next untraditional tradition of stuffing our faces at Texas de Brazil.  It is sooooo soooo sooo good!

My sis, bro, and nephew...who all beat me in the Turkey Trot!

My very old parents, KIDDING, who also beat me!

And my fam who we all finshed out the trot together...some of us more than once...

You can tell we don't eat "fancy" often...

Baylor thought the white linen cloth was for playing peek-a-boo!

Sooo much food she says!

She ate herself into a coma

Our final Thanksgiving tradition of the day. Going to Bass Pro to take a family picture with Santa!

Baylor didn't even cry!  Yay!  She didn't smile either, BUT she didn't cry!

I am thankful for all of my blessings both big and small and for a God who loves me despite myself!

Happy Fall!

Our Fall season has been very full and busy!  So far Baylor has gone to 2 pumpkin patches, went trick or treating two times, had one Thanksgiving meal, one to go and one Turkey Trot to run(mostly walk)!  I love getting to make all of these fun memories with her!  She loves EVERYONE and gets excited about EVERYTHING!  God has really blessed us this season with friends, family, and fun! Here are a few pics of our "adventures"! :) 

Pumpkin Patch with Reese

 CHEESE!

While we were at the Patch Reese got to ride some rides and she did NOT like being left out....

So she chased him around the fence while he rode!

She LOVES her cousin Reese! :)

This was Baylor's first year to get to Trick or Treat and be somewhat interactive.  I was so sad at first because we were not in Sulphur Springs so she was going to miss out getting to Trick or Treat with her cousins and go to her grandparents' houses where they would "Oooo and Ahhh" and tell her how cute she was, BUT as always God provided sweet friends with whom we had a great time and there were plenty of people along the way who "Oooed and Ahhhed" and told her how cute she was! ;)

Trick or Treat!

The "crew"

Is there anything sweeter than seeing a Daddy walk his Pink Piggy to Trick or Treat!?  So thankful for them both!

Trick or Treat drive-thru

Anymore suckers in here???

Baylor also experienced her first boo boo.  Thankfully is was right AFTER family pictures and not before!

 Concrete-1 Baylor-0

 Baylor playing "Mommy"...shoes and all!

 Baylor is also apparently very familiar with the time out routine...which was news to us until about 2 nights ago when I threatened it and she knew exactly what to do!  After talking to her sitter though it's more she sees some of the older kids go to time out so she knows what to do versus actual experience, but I am fairly certain she still gets her fair share of "think time". :)  This is a video of her getting in time out.  No I don't video it every time, or put her in there b/c I think it's cute.  However...it is hilarious so had to be documented at least once! :)

Psalm 107:1

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (NLT)

Petting Zoo

This weekend we decided to go to the Forney Gentle Zoo.  Baylor loves animals so we were pretty sure she would love this...and she did!  She showed no fear and wanted to hug, kiss, and pet EVERY animal in sight!  She also showed her fearless spirit on the Bounce House as well!  We love getting to make all these special memories with her!



Hello Pig!

 Daddy and Bay in the bounce house...she loved it!

Hello Goat!  Come here!

I'll give you kisses...

And pet you....

And love you forever!!!

Baylor has also started wearing bracelets lately.  Her KK bought her 2 bracelets today from Wal-Mart and she walked around with her arms up and wore them the WHOLE time!  Thank you Aunt Lou Lou for inspiring her with your oh so sparkly bracelets.  She wants to be just like you! :)

The bounce house!  I admit...it's a little sketchy...but she LOVED IT!

A "slow-mo" of her face going down...priceless!

Tomorrow Baylor's Daddy will run in his first half marathon in preparation for the full White Rock marathon in December!  Go Daddy!  We are so proud of you!

Are You Smarter Than A 3rd Grader?

This is the game I feel like I am playing everyday these days.  And for the record, yes, I am smarter than a 3rd grader...one day at a time!  Being a mommy and teaching a new grade, in a new district is harder than I could have ever imagined.  I want to be the best mom and the best teacher and finding the balance has been difficult at best.  I have accepted the fact that I can not leave when the bell rings.  I am teaching a new grade that I came into late, and if I am going to be an effective teacher, there is just no possible way for me to leave "early."  I take work home with me every night to try and study for the next day and on Sunday afternoons while my daughter is napping I am doing grades, looking up reading strategies, and basically trying to keep my head above water.  The school I am working at is great and my team of teachers are awesome.  I am very blessed because without them, their help, and their patience, I might have thrown in the towel by now! My family, my mom in particular, have bent over backwards to help me in whatever way possible and my father's weekly/daily  "pep talks" full of God's truth and "in yo face" honesty have also been lifesavers in this new journey! I have received so many emails, cards, phone calls, and texts letting me know so many people have been praying for me and for these I am forever grateful!  I have moments of complete anxiety and then moments of complete, "I can do this" type of peace. So thank you! :)  I am thankful for this job and thankful for God's timing, the hardest part is adjusting to my "new" normal, but it will be fine.   God has a plan! 

     Meanwhile, Baylor has adjusted amazingly well to the new schedule.  She loves her sitter and loves getting to play with the other girls everyday.  Knowing she is so well taken care of and not really missing me at all, has been quite comforting and made the adjustment slightly easier. 

     Speaking of Baylor, she is full of personality these days.  She has mastered the word "no"  and is not afraid to use it in any situation.  She is much more interactive during play time.  If she hears anyone laugh or clap, she will start to laughing and clapping, and if she has a hold of something she's not supposed to she will run and try to hide from you!  Below are just a few pics and videos of her doing what she does best.  Being Baylor! :)  She is sick today :(, which is how I actually have time to write this blog.  So please pray she will be back to her silly self in no time.

So happy with her Mohawk made from her peach juice at supper time!

 Just a normal day shopping at the outlet mall... 

 My loves

 Lil Pirate

 Hang'n out with Dad on the field...she really thought she was about to run through this thing...yikes!

Just chill'n in her car with her rain boots on

Doesn't every kid have one of these pics?  It's official, she's into EVERYTHING!

    

This is just plain funny.  She would not stop!  I fear many medical visits are in our future. :)

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11