Snow Day!!!

The weatherman actually got it right for once! It snowed-alot Friday and Saturday. Friday by 7 a.m. we just had a light dusting and then it continued to snow the ENTIRE day.

Here's a picture from my office window mid-day Friday.

My husband got off at noon and went home and prepared for the storm. He even went to the store for me! I came home to a nice crackling fire. Poor guy! He shoveled out entire front walkway and the back deck and by Saturday morning you couldn't even tell!

These are taken Friday after I got home from work.

Marty kept telling me to let Tyke loose because he LOVED the snow, but I was afraid he'd get loose and take off. It was too deep for that, though.

It snowed several inches through the night and the hedges in front of our house were COMPLETELY covered Saturday morning!

The hedges are on the left side of the house...I didn't get a picture of them, but you get the idea.

I had been so excited to go sledding so my cousin Tristan, his wife, Aubrey and their little boy Brendan came and picked us up Saturday.

We started with snow angels in our front yard...

It took us a little while to locate a sled (because it never actually snows enough to be able to use a sled) and then we headed to the football field to do some sledding. We had SO MUCH FUN!

The best part was going down the hill...Climbing back up-not so much.

Notice my ski attire? I've never been so thankful for ski clothes and my waterproof hunting boots. I stayed COMPLETELY dry. Other than after Aubrey and I sledded downhill and the boys decided to bombard us with snowballs on the climb back up. Not cool, boys. Not cool.

Tristan trying to snowboard on the sled.

Marty's redneck sled.

This one worked a little better.

Snow shot.

Those of you who can't stand people who post pictures of their beloved pets...scroll no further.

Contemplating his newfound freedom.

I mentioned Tyke LOVED the snow. Well, Saturday I let him run free and he had a blast!

Making his way to Marty.

I called his name so he'd look at me and...

here he came!

In the neighbor's yard.

I was beat after all that playing so I went home and took a nap and then he headed over the Tristan and Aubrey's for enchilada soup and a movie. The soup was delicious! The company wasn't too bad either. It was an absolutely perfect way to spend a snow day!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

So the blizzard has hit. I got up around 4:45 this morning and it was just barely raining. Around 7 a.m. it started lightly snowing and by the time I headed into the office it was snowing the biggest snowflakes I've ever seen and the wind was blowing like crazy.

It stopped snowing shortly after I got to work, but picked back up around 11:30 a.m. I guess we may get all that snow they've been forecasting! I can't wait to get off work and go play. We are DEFINITELY going sledding!

Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful moisture! I will post pictures Monday.

Simple Pleasures...

While reading Redbook yesterday evening, I came across two things that excited me. The first is a site called thelittlepinkcard.com For $8.95 you can create a wallet sized card for your hubby or significant other that "arrives printed with all your vital information: ring size, dress size, favorite designer, etc.

Marty is a good gift giver, but he always asks, "What do you want for (insert occasion here)?" Anyways, the small article talks about how the little pink card may remind him of how high maintenance you are...whatever, I think this is an ingenious idea! I just finished ordering my own!

The other find was a cute t-shirt that can be found at pastybychoice.com. The t-shirt sports the same phrase, "Pasty By Choice". It is to discourage young women from using tanning beds and a portion of the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

Here are the two t-shirt options. I am so ordering one!

I am very fair skinned by nature, but I tan easily. I have used the tanning bed somewhat throughout high school and college, but I know the dangers it can cause and have had friends and family members battle with cancer so this girl is shying away from the tanning bed these days. Thus, my oober pale complextion that makes some of you doubt that I was ever tan.

Happy Anniversary, Friend!

Ten years ago today I met one of my sweetest and dearest friends. I don't typically remember the day most of my friends and I met, however, Kristin and I met at a track meet. She was and still is the ONLY girl friend I ever made at a trackmeet. Typically, the girls are not very nice. Granted they are nervous and sometimes intimidated to converse with other girls, but not Kristin. She came up to me and introduced herself, told me she heard I was fast and wished me luck. That Saturday in Claude, TX, changed my life for the better forever.

We would meet many times over the years in cross country meets and trackmeets. We always hated having to compete against one another. I miss those times...when we lived only 45 minutes apart.

It's funny. The day we met I beat her in prelims and she beat me in finals. It was a sport that I thoroughly enjoyed. Kristin has carried the torch on and ran several half marathons since I high school days. I'm still hoping to attempt my first in the near future.

No matter where life takes us or what happens, I know Kristin will always be there for me. She is a beautiful person inside and out and I am SO very blessed that she came up to me before the 400m dash a decade ago.

Here's my fellow track diva and me on my wedding day.

And celebrating my 23rd birthday last year-what a treat!

TAOS, NM

Well, we left Tuesday after work and rolled into Taos around 12:30 p.m. It was a longer drive than we thought, but we made a couple of small detours so I think it should really only take around 6 hours. We were so tired when we finally arrived, but we were still game to get up bright and early the next morning for skiing.

Here's Marty and I at lunch on the first day.

Adam was my personal ski instructor the first day. I appreciate his patience. Everyone other than Marty and myself is seasoned skiiers so I was pretty nervous at first. I knew Marty would be fine because he doesn't mind being slightly out of control and going fast. Me, on the other hand...my type A personality comes in quite strong in relation to skiing.

Those of you who know me well, know that I typically always play it safe. I don't like to be out of control at any point in time. So this part of skiing was a bit hard for me. I'd get to going to fast and completely forget about form and revert to snow plowing.

I think Clay said, "Snow plowing is like a drug. It feels so good at the beginning, but ends up hurting you in the long run." I was very sore after the first day so I guess he was right.

I just knew I'd prove myself on the second day, but I actually think my form got worse. Oh well, at least Maurine and I looked cute, right?!

We never got a group shot...sad day! I always LOVE the ones of the group with the picturesque mountains in the background. We'll have to plan for that next year.

Friday we opted not to ski and went downtown, saw Lindsey and ate at Outback Pizza-so yummy! Friday night we ate at Guadalahara Grill. I LOVE their guacamole! I can't believe it's been almost three years since Marty and I had been to Taos. It's gone by so fast!

Marty and Lindsey at Horse Feathers.

Marty and I both got to take advantage of holding two very sweet boys during the trip. I think Caden and Nolan were both fascinated with Marty's beard.

The views are always breathtaking in the mountains, but the sky was especially gorgeous Friday night. I took these from right outside the Spencer's house.

Adam was on the hunt for a bollo tie, but finally gave in and bought a sweet deer antler and turquoise belt buckle. Here he is lookin' sporty in Taos Cowboy.

Saturday we returned to the square and did some last minute shopping before it was time for everyone to load up and say their goodbyes. I did talk Marty into eating somewhere good before we got on the road. Lindsey's suggested we eat at 5 Star Burger. Marty had the Taos burger and I had a turkey burger with peach chutney and we split sweet potato fries. It was oh so good!

I must admit, I feel extremely blessed to have been able to take off and go spend a few days with our wonderful friends. It was a much needed adult spring break!

A Skiing We Will Go...Maybe...

Well, we are leaving tomorrow after work for Taos. I am SSSOOO excited. I'm not sure I've looked forward to getting away this much-ever. Work has been a tad bit stressfult the last couple of weeks and I cannot wait to get there are see our friends who we haven't seen in a while.

The only problem is that it is supposed to be in the 60s all week. So, I hope the snow isn't completely melted, but if the skiing isn't good I know there will be plenty for us to do.

Yeah, for adult spring break!

He's Just Not That Into You...

We went to see the above movie with my cousins, Tristan and Aubrey, last night. I had read the book in college and was so excited to see the movie.

It was SO good! Plus, it had a great cast. And if you plan on seeing the movie, don't read any further!

The moral of the story was really good. Of course, it goes through each girl's stupid behavior and lack of knowledge when it comes to the "game". But, at the end most of them become the exception to the rule. Jennifer Aniston's character breaks up with her boyfriend of 7 years, Ben Affleck, because he says he just "doesn't believe in marriage". Only for him to show up later on when she really needs him and they reconcile, move back in together and he proposes because "he wants to make her happy".

It made me think back to my single days...I never was very good at the "game", but I got my heart broke early on and it made it easier to be careless with people's feelings. I don't believe you can ever really "play the game" when it comes to someone you truly care about or have deep feelings for. I made a lot of stupid mistakes in the relationship department, but when it came to Marty and I it was just right.

I think that's kind of the moral to the movie. You can follow all the rules and even know how to play the game. But when it come to the real thing or "the one" none of that matters...

Getting back in it...

Shape, that is. I have gained 7 lbs since I started at ATC. Mostly due to the fact that I eat two meals a day at the office where I used to skip breakfast and have a SUPER light lunch. I know you're not supposed to skip breakfast, but I was usually running late and if I eat breakfast I am typically STARVING by 11 a.m.

All through college I was blessed enough to have a WONDERFUL work out partner in my dear friend, Abby. Although, she only lives 45 minutes away now...it's not very conducive for us to work out together.

However, yesterday...I discovered a new work out buddy! Whoo hoo. I start tomorrow morning at 5 a.m. (gasp!) and this friend of mine, Ashley, and her sister run or walk 5 days a week. I am so excited...and a little hesitant about being up at 5 a.m., but if it gets this flabby but of mine in shape again-I am game!

Not to mention that we are going skiing in less than two weeks and I will DIE if I don't get started doing some type of exercise.

Happy Thursday! I hope you all have a beautiful, blessed day!

Help, Please?!

Alright girls...

I need some ideas for mine and Marty's 2nd & 3rd grade Sunday school class. I LOVE the kiddos, but don't feel like what we've been doing is entertaining enough or adequate for their age level. They figure out all the puzzles and activity sheets too quickly.

We took a vote last week and they want to do an Army of God thing so I thought I'd do a few lessons about putting on the full armor of God and what that means, being a soldier for Christ...but that's about all I've got.

Anyone out there have any advice?

A Winning Weekend

Well, this past weekend my mom and I went to watch my high school coach's (who I am still very close to) kiddos play in a little league basketball tournament. Brady, who is in 2nd grade, had 6 of his team's 7 points. He got a very cool medal with a rubber basketball on it. However, when his sister, Michaela, who is in 5th grade won 1st in the tournament, they got small trophies and he was no longer happy about his 1st place medal.

Here's Michaela and another girl, Paige, I used to babysit growing up.

Michaela's team after the game. So much attitude...

Brady was too shy to take a picture for me.

I love those two kids. They are absolutely precious! Marty and I have always said if ours turn out like that we'll be in good shape!

Speaking of...there was LOTS of baby talk this weekend. My coach asked us when we were going to start thinking about having our first...I mean, I get excited thinking about starting a family, but I know I'm just not quite ready yet. I told him we're on the four year plan...and unless God decides to interrupt our plan, we're going to stick to it. My parents are SUPER ready for their first grandchild, but they don't say much. They want it to be right for us. Marty's mom is VERY ready as well. I talked to her last night and she kept saying, "Well at least it's nice to hear you say 'our family' or 'when we have kids...'"Poor things. I think everyone is fonching at the bit except for us.

In other winning news...my cousin Cade got to start Saturday. And OU beat Texas Tech! Go Sooners! Have I mentioned I'm oober proud of that kid?