~~ New Day ~~

Driving to work early isn't my favorite, but getting to see some pretty amazing sunrises makes it so much better.  Thank you Jesus for this beautiful new day!

PS - pardon my side mirror...these pictures are quick (safe) shots from my car that really don't do the sunrise justice.
 

~~ RUSH ~~

This weekend Michael had his first tournament with his new team - THE RUSH - He was on the fence about playing fall ball, but when he heard this team was looking for another catcher he thought it would be a good opportunity to put in some work and get some time on the field before high school baseball in the Spring.  Extra practice never hurt anyone, am I right?  He has been so lucky to always have amazing coaches and teammates and this team is no different.  He is the new kid on the team and he is working to earn his spot playing with the big boys - 16U - this season.  I ~ LOVE ~ to watch this kid play!  It makes my heart so happy.  It's going to be a fun, challenging season and I can't wait!  Love my #31 💛

~~ Yahtzee ~~

Oh my goodness - I LOVE this game!  It has always been a favorite game of mine and my family.  When the boys were younger we had a Toy Story version.  Who am I kidding?  We STILL have it! SO. MUCH.FUN!!  Of course when I go to get it out to take a picture of it both boys have to play a couple games with me!  They are so funny.  They stopped what they were doing and both of them were like LET'S PLAY!  They are competitive so we had to play several times so everyone had a chance to win a least one game.

Jesse's girlfriend comes to visit and we usually play at least one game of Yahtzee while she is here.  It is such a fun game.  Next time she is over we'll have to introduce her to the Toy Story version.

~~ Number 31 ~~

I started to write about Michael playing with the Red Sox, and I will, but it's gonna be a long one and I just can't do that tonight. So, instead I have a couple of pictures of the game from 1 year ago tonight.  He caught and pitched that game.  It was a good night for baseball for #31.

~~ Reminder ~~

 

~~ At the Lake ~~

  

 

Sunrises, sunsets, fishing, boating, games, horses, peace, relaxation, little boys that fill the chairs, books,  silence.  A little bit of Heaven on Earth.  Blessed to be able to get away with the family and recharge and make memories.

  

~~ New Toy ~~

This girl got a new toy and she LOVES it!  Oh my goodness.  It squeaks and makes so much noise, but she has the best time with it!  She has had several of these little pigs - they are her favorite.  Any other squeaky toy she will destroy trying to get the squeaker out.  The others were pink, but I really am liking the blue.  Look at those eyes.....

~~ Blessed ~~

Just because flowers to brighten my kitchen table.  A reminder to slow down and enjoy all my many blessings.

 "Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord" Jeremiah 17:7

~~ On Monday ~~

You know how when you plan to start something and you think, "I'll start on Monday"?  Ever wonder why you do that?  I have to admit I do it a lot.  Just about every Monday I start my healthy eating and/or exercise.  It's not necessarily new, but if I get off track and need to "restart" then I "restart" on a Monday.  There is just something about Monday.  I guess in my mind it is the beginning of the week and a good day to begin again.  So, tomorrow is Monday and I will "restart" my never ending journey of getting fit and healthy.  That's really all I have tonight. Preparing to tackle the week and try to begin making some new habits.  Wish me luck!

~~ Hook 'Em ~~

This year has been weird and so many things have been cancelled or postponed.  Who knows when things will be back to "normal".  But today was the first day of Longhorn football!  The past few years I have had season tickets.  Not this season.  I did not get tickets, partly because of 2020 and partly because of my change in employment.  I love the atmosphere in the stadium, all the pregame stuff, the halftime show, and of course singing "The Eyes of Texas" at the end of the game - win or lose.  Tonight was a big WIN and the tower is lit up orange.  Since I didn't blog last year and I won't be making any games this year, here are a few pictures just because.  🏈🤘🧡

 

   

~~ I Remember ~~

It's been 19 years.

I remember where I was that morning.

I remember the incredible shock.

I remember the unbelievable loss.

I remember the overwhelming sadness.

I remember the non-stop praying.

I remember the round-the-clock news reports.

I remember the inconceivable tragedy.

I remember the promise.

I will always remember that day.

~~ Warm & Cozy ~~

Got some super warm and cozy PJ's and a super soft blanket for Mother's Day from my girls and tonight we got a little taste of fall so I got to wear them finally!  

Yesterday we got about 2 inches of rain and last night our first cold front of the year.  It's a teaser and I know we'll probably be back close to 100 degrees in a few days, but I am going to enjoy every minute of it while it lasts! My fingers are crossed that it will stay cool at least til Saturday so I can get some outside work done without sweating to death.  

~~ It's in the Mail ~~

I ~LOVE~ to get mail.  Who doesn't, right?  A friend of mine told me a couple of years ago that her New Year's Resolution was to mail more letters to family and friends.  Well, I just stole that idea and ran with it.  Last year I did pretty good and well, this year with quarantine - it's my best year EVER!

Seriously, I always loved to write letters and receive letters and I wanted to be that aunt that sent cards for every holiday.  I remember my aunt and grandma used to do that for me when I was younger.  There is a feeling of excitement and love when you get special mail.  I want to be the person that sends a card for every birthday and a thank you notes and random notes of encouragement or just because letters.  I usually fall short.  I start strong and then, life gets busy and the letters stop.  (kinda like this blog - hmmm)

Well, today I wrote a thank you note - it was from a month ago, but ya know it's never too late!  I sent a random card to someone special and another letter to a special friend that sent me a letter last week. I hope the 3 people that get my letters feel the same way I did when I checked the mail this past Saturday and opened the letter my sweet friend sent.

Now, maybe I can make this a habit too!  Something to think about and work on.

~~ Bye, Bye Sweet Little Bird ~~

Last Friday as I was leaving work I saw the most beautiful bird.  It was a yellow finch, but he was vibrant, bright yellow.  I'm pretty sure I've never seen a finch like him before.  I tried so hard to get a picture of him and he just fluttered around so quickly.  I gave up, figuring he'd never sit still long enough for me to get a picture.  And, it was Friday!  

Sad news though.  Today I was out for my morning break walking laps around one of the buildings when I saw it there on the sidewalk.  When I saw the bright yellow I knew it was that sweet little bird.  I was so sad.  He must have hit the window and because he was so small just didn't make it.  RIP sweet little bird. 

Side note: On Friday when I was walking to my car there was a homeless man that was being rather loud, not aggressive, but creepy.  I was a good block or more behind him and it occurred to me that maybe God put that little yellow finch right outside my office for a reason that afternoon.

~~ Yardwork ~~

Well, we wrapped up this 3 day weekend with an evening of yardwork.  Got the front yard and backyard mowed and edged (mostly).  It's been too hot to do much during the day, so I started late, and well, the sun went down on me before I was able to finish up.  We are supposed to get another round of rain Wednesday so the mowing had to be done.  I love working in the yard and the boys and Phillip are a huge help with trying to bring my flowerbed visions to life.  I need to take a current picture and compare it to ones from the past.  The change is amazing.

*This is day 7!  How many days of doing the same thing, over and over, does it take for it to become a habit?  There are a few other things I am trying to do consistently on a daily basis to be a better me.  Some I'll share here.  For now, I'll share today's verse from my devotional - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.   Matthew 11:28  

~~ Soccer ~~

Today was spent at the soccer fields.  The boys haven't played soccer in years, so it has been awhile.  This weekend my niece was in town for a tournament.  I wasn't able to make yesterday's game, but today I got to see both her games.  That's her in red surrounded by white defenders.

 

The first one was early and the weather was amazing, but the best part was seeing her score a goal.  Her team won 3-0.  The second game was a tie 1-1 and it was in the heat of the day.  Sun was beating down-no clouds, no breeze.  I don't know how they run around and play in it.  Turns out her team won the tournament and got championship medals.  It was a good day for her and her teammates.

Between games we were able to run home and get the dog out for a walk and after the games it was a quick lunch and a nap.  So glad we were able to see this little firecracker play today.  

~~ My Girl ~~

This is my girl Zola.  She joined our family in July 2012 so she has never been mentioned on the blog.  She is a rescue dog we got from the shelter when she was just 6 months old.  They advertised her as a lab/border collie mix.   Um, yea I don't think so.  She may have a little bit of those in her, but she most definitely has some pit in her too.  Not that it matters though, she is the sweetest dog and the biggest scaredy cat.  Of course she barks and chases squirrels (when she is in the mood), but she is not aggressive at all.  She loves people and kids and other dogs.  Like the rest of the family she likes to eat so recently she's been enjoying lots of evening walks.

A side note about the blog - the conversation last night my oldest:

Jess - What are you doing?

Me - Just writing a blog post.  

Jess - Oh, you blog?  

Me - Yes, I'm starting up again.

Jess - Really,  Hmm

FIST BUMP!  

Surprised me, but he thinks it's cool I'm blogging (again).  Maybe one day he'll actually check it out!

~~ Day 4 ~~

It's day 4 of blogging!  Getting into the groove and starting to get in the habit of doing it daily.  That's my goal for September anyway, a post a day!  Today started out with me heading into work during a nice little rush hour thunderstorm.  Last time that happened I was leaving work and was totally unprepared - no umbrella, no raincoat, nada.  This was me when I got to the parking garage.  SOAKED!

Today I was ready!  Had my umbrella and my tennis shoes and I was movin' from the garage to the office.  I love my building and my job and could not be happier.  Here's a pic of the Tower from a sunny day from earlier this week.

 

The last thing I want to post is a page from a beautiful calendar my sweet niece Emily gave me for Christmas on year.  I miss my family and my friends and this year has been weird and I don't what normal will be, but I pray for a vaccine so that I can get together with the ones that are close to my heart.  

~~ Burn ~~

 We like to do those frozen Italian dinners from Sam's - yum! - about once a week or so.  Last week I was heating up Chicken Fettuccine for dinner.  Super simple - remove lid, place on cookie sheet and bake!  The timer went off and I go in with my hot pad on one hand, thinking "I got this, who needs two hands?"  Well, I grab the cookie sheet with my right hand, protected by the hot pad and just as I bring it up to place it on the counter..... the dish slid and I, without thinking, grabbed the side of the cookie sheet.

The cookie sheet THAT JUST CAME OUT OF THE HOT OVEN!

The hand THAT DID NOT HAVE A HOT PAD ON IT!

It was an instant - I burned my thumb and two fingers, but I did not drop that Fettuccine!

What is funny about this is it brought back these two very distinct memories.  Ya know how they say a smell or a song can bring up old memories, well it was like that.

The first thing that came to mind was the time Jesse was maybe about a year and a half old and we were heating up tortillas on the comal, which happened to be on the front burn of the stove.  He just walked right by the stove and for some reason reached up and touched it.  That was over 15 years ago and I still feel terrible when I think of that.  My baby, oh he screamed and cried!  The blisters were so big on the tips of his little fingers and the worst part was having to doctor them until they were better.  As a momma, it is just the worst when your babies are in pain.  You feeling in your gut.   

The other incident was when I was younger, maybe 12 or 13.  My cousin and I were with my dad and grandfather out in the country at the family farm.  While they worked my cousin and I rode up and down the dirt road on his go cart.  I'm younger, so anytime the go cart died or needed to be restarted I had to go around to the back and pull the starter.  It was like a lawnmower engine, it was square and you pull the rope to start it.  Not hard and not a big deal,  I did it many times.  But for some reason this one time I was having trouble pulling the rope, so I put my left hand on the engine for leverage.....it was HOT!  Ended up with a HUGE blister down the side of my hand and that was the end of go carting for that day.

So the lesson I learned - just because you think you can take something out of the HOT oven with only one hand doesn't mean you should!

~~ Royalty ~~

Ha!  Not really, but I felt like it this morning.  Had to drop off my, almost 17 year old, minivan this morning.  Needed a ride back to the casa so I took my very first ever UBER!  It was like having a personal chauffeur.  I'm sitting in the back seat googling "how much should I tip the Uber driver?" all while having someone drive me around.  It was like I was, for about 20 minutes, living like the rich and famous!  Silly I know and how have I never been in an Uber until now?  I just don't get out that much I guess and when I do, I drive myself!  Actually, I like to drive.  Not crazy about traffic, waiting, and some people (ya know some people are just ridiculous). My driver said he drives 10 hours a day.  No way José.  

~~ September ~~

Happy September 1st!  

It's been busy, busy around here since school started (8/20) for the boys. This year COVID didn't delay the start of school, but it did change how they go to school.  Everyone in our district started school online, from home, and probably, like mine, in pajamas.  (That's a lot of commas. Did I get them all or did I put too many?)  Anyway, I have a 11th grader and a 10th grader this year!  WHAT?!  I think I say that every year when school starts.  Crazy how time flies!  

Here they are in their classrooms - 

      

Although it is different, they are off to a GREAT start!   

~~ Back to Work ~~

Many, many years ago I worked at UT and I loved it.  I left 16 years ago because I had a baby and I was fortunate enough to be able to stay home and raise that little boy.  Lots of thing have happened to me and my family over the past 16 years and maybe I'll get to some of that now that I'm going to try bloggin' again, but for now.....I'm back at UT!

Going back was something I thought I might do one day and honestly, it happened about 3 years sooner than I thought it would.  I tossed the idea around the last couple of years, but wanted to try to wait until the boys were out of school, but life things (personal and professional) at the beginning of the school year had me praying for a change and He answered with this wonderful opportunity.  My first day was actually March 16th -  the same day COVID turned our world upside down.  Yesterday was the first day I went into the office and worked a full 8 hours in the office.  It was great!!

My commute for the last eight years has been a mile.  One thing I was not looking forward to was the traffic on the way to and from downtown, but this is Mopac at 7:15am!  Traffic was a little heavier going home, but I'll take it while it lasts.

Me at my desk with my Hook 'Em face mask!

UT Tower

Kudos from my boss.

I am thrilled to be back at UT doing something I love and I can't wait to see what the future holds.  I am also excite to be a blogger again.  Hopefully I can stick with it and share all the excitement!

~~ My Marathon Kids ~~