Preview...

Justin has been training for a triathlon for months...and the big day is this Sunday!!! He's excited, I'm excited, and our parents (AKA the cheering squad) are excited!! Tonight he went for a ride on the actual (15 mile!!!) route. For the actual day, he adds a 300 meter swim and a three mile run--yikes!!! Since his friend who is doing the triathlon with him couldn't come and ride it tonight, I trailed along as a fill-in. But don't be fooled--I don't ride bikes that far--I was driving behind him (about 20 mph with my flashers on at times) in my Santa Fe!! Here are just a few pictures of him in action--it is such a pretty ride--way out in the country!

It's pretty hilly, and "the big hill" is fairly early on. Here he is just about at the top...

Some smooth sailing...

Betsy, along for the ride (pictures don't turn out too well when they are one handed, over-your-shoulder, without looking!!)

Here is where there could be a problem on Sunday...We have had A LOT of rain this week, and more is expected just in time for the triathlon Sunday morning. (Please pray that the forecasts are wrong, or at least delayed a few hours!!) This street, partially washed out, was after the rain had been over for at least 12 hours--we'll see what it looks like on Sunday!!

It is kind of hard to tell in the picture above, but at the top right of the picture, the over-flow from the creek is rushing pretty quickly!

The chase car made it through the water too!

What a cutie!!

See? We've had a lot of rain, but isn't it absolutely beautiful??!! Before this, I never even knew this area existed only 10 minutes from my house!!

Almost back to town...

Done!!!

What a fun, relaxing, peaceful, beautiful ride "with" my honey!!

Can't wait to see you in action on the big day, Babe!

I was tagged...

Eleven days ago, and I'm finally getting around to doing it! Jodi Sue--thanks for tagging me--sorry it took so long!

8 things I look forward to...

~Being pregnant again


~Making it through (at least) 8 months of a pregnancy

~Being a mom

~Spending the rest of my life with Justin

~Traveling all over the world

~Summer!!

~Being debt free

~Heaven--with Jesus and my babies!




8 things I did yesterday...

~Administered a Math TAKS test (if you're not from Texas--that is the state test)

~Drove with Justin through his 15 mile bike route for his traithlon this Sunday

~Went to see "The Soloist" (it was good!)

~Sat out on my porch swing in my backyard, just enjoying the beautiful clouds floating by

~Got some good bloodwork results back--no problems with my thyroid

~Caught up on about 30 blogs--and stayed up much too late!

~Saw the Mavs beat the Spurs to win the series

~Spent time with my mom on the way to and from work--and at work too!



8 things I wish I could do...

~Spend a week on the central coast of California--I grew in CA and love it there!!!

~Paint beautiful scenery pictures--my husband is so artistic--I wish I had just a tiny bit of his talent!

~Travel all over the world

~Cook dinner for my husband every night--maybe someday!!

~Knit--I crochet, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to knit!

~Figure out how to pay for fertility treatments

~Celebrate mother's day as a mother



8 shows I watch...

~24--a weekly must-see!

~Lost--a weekly must-see!

~The Office--a weekly must-see!

~Extreme Home Makeover

~Jon & Kate Plus 8

~Everybody Loves Raymond

~Most of the shows on HGTV

~Most of the shows on the Food Network

8 people I tag...

~My sister-in-law Kristen

~My sister-in-law Joy

~Kristen

~Cristina

~Tara

~ Jolene

~Jess

~Dara


~and Michelle too!!!


Have fun!!!

Willkommen to Muenster!!

On Saturday, my parents, Justin and I headed to Muenster, Texas for their annual Germanfest. None of us had ever been there before, but a friend of my mom and I at work told us about it, so we had to go and check it out! What a fun little day trip!

Here we are...

and my parents--holding just some of the goodies we enjoyed that day!

When we first got there around 11, we did the most important thing first...eat!!! Justin LOVES German sausage, so he was so excited to get to enjoy some yummy food! We even all shared a big piece of cherry strudel--wow--and had to buy some to bring home!

After that we walked around, browsed through all the art booths, bought a few knick-knacks, and saw some interesting characters. There were lots of people wearing lederhosen--I don't know why I didn't take a picture of them!! I was fascinated by all the signs they had posted--don't know what some of them said, but they were so much fun to read aloud!!

(I figured this one out... =)

Here's another one I could figure out--even though I'm not a drinker--seemed like they had a lot of choices at this "garten"!! I was more than happy with my Sprite!

Here is my favorite...just try it...say it out loud........how fun sounding is that?!!!

This was a contest where people were trying to hit a nail into a tree stump with the narrow chisel-side of a hammer. They only could have one hit at a time, and the one who got the nail all the way in first, without being able to get a fingernail under the head, was the winner. We watched three people competing, and I wanted to try it next. But they took F-O-R-E-V-E-R--kind of like watching a snail crawling, and then it turned out to be tie. So there was going to be a rematch--ahh! So I decided to pass--maybe next year--or I guess Justin and I could just reenact it here on our own! We'll see!!

So we went on and just found a hammer more his size!!!

Look at him go---he won me a necklace!!

Then came the polka music/band--note the interesting character on the right with the hat. Not quite sure if his look was really "polka" but they were good!

Lots of people were getting up and dancing, but my husband wasn't about to take me out to polka. I wouldn't have know what to do anyways! We did get my parents to stage this picture--it looks like they were out in full dance-mode, but this dance really only lasted 2.4 seconds! Way too many people listening (and watching!) to dance in front of!!

Here is another interesting character we ran across--who knew Captain Jack Sparrow would be in Texas this weekend?!! We just had to have a picture of him!

After all this fun, we went into town and saw how cute they have painted some of the buildings. We also bought some more yummy food to take home!

What a fun day!!! Our goal is to find more places like this around Texas to visit this summer!

~~~~

Monday I'm going into a specialist to find out more about a procedure that could help with my future pregnancies. I'm praying that he'll agree with me and approve of the surgery!! I'll post more details about all of this later, but just know that I'm so excited about this possibility. I feel like God is leading us this way--now if we can get the okay from my doctor!!! =)

Oops...

Somehow the last post posted without me wanting it too. My weekend was full of fun--not empty like the post made it seem! I guess there's nothing like an empty post to make you wonder where my mind has gone to! =)



My old neighbors from when I grew up in California were on an anniversary trip, and came through Texas. It was so much fun to get to see them, and they spent about 3 days with my parents. They were like second parents to me growing up, since they only lived 2 doors down! How fun to get to see old friends, especially way out here in Texas!!



My in-laws were also in town and stayed with us. Kathy, my mother-in-law's birthday was on Sunday, and we had a party for her at my parents' house. We had over some great friends that they knew when they had lived in Texas, who have now become our friends too!!

(Somehow I didn't get too many pictures taken--but here is the birthday girl!)

Oh, and on Friday night, Justin and I had a fun dinner at a really good Mexican restaurant on the square in downtown McKinney. Such fun to just have a night out with my hubby!

See...my weekend was not empty after all!!

Weekend wrap-up...

Hmmm...

I normally am not a weirdo by taking pictures of people in cars next to me, but, I couldn't resist. Tonight, we were driving home with my in laws, and as we're stopped at a light, my father-in-law pointed this out to us. Can you figure out what is wrong with this picture??





Did she really think that little tree will cover up the smell of smoke?

I just don't get it.

New hobby...

On a lighter note than my last blog, I just thought I'd share a new hobby with you. This is not my new hobby, but Betsy's! Now just remember, Betsy is not a typical dog--she is an absolute wuss. She is scared of many things. including bubbles, any kind of loud noise (especially thunder), other dogs being in her house, and oh so many more. So we thought for sure she'd never be the kind of dog riding with their head hanging out the car window........but look who just realized how much fun it is on the ride to Gigi and Grandpa's house!!!

"This is SO MUCH FUN!!!" (says Betsy)

She just can't seem to get enough!

We love our girl--even in the midst of frustrating times for us, she brings a smile to our faces every day. Dogs are the best.

Not to be...

Just wanted to say thank you for all your prayers, but like the last couple cycles, this once was not meant to be either. I just don't get it. I stayed home from work today, just to grieve what I had hoped and prayed for, but that is isn't to be. I'm doing my best to stand strong on the word, what I truly believe, but I'm so so sad as well. I'm not quite sure where to go from here. Sometimes I just don't feel like I have the strength to keep going down this path, but at the same time, I can't imagine not continuing down this path. Just pray for me, and for Justin, and we work on making some decisions for the future of our family.

Blogging every day has been a blessing for me, and I'm going to do my best to try to keep it up. But I think I just might take a few days off. Love you all.

miracle needed...

2 Cor. 12: 8b

"...My power works best in your weakness."

Right now I'm feeling weak--some things are happening that are making me think that this cycle is not working. God is a God of miracles, and I'm begging Him for one right now.

Hebrews 10:23

"Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise."


I love this verse, because it is a reminder to me of a couple things.

First, the basic--that God is trustworthy! Anything He says He will do, He does. Any promise He makes, He will fulfill. We can trust Him completely!! Who else can we say that about? Even the best, most honorable person on earth will, at some point, let us down, even if they have the best of intentions!

Secondly, the thing that is such a powerful reminder to me--it says, "let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have..." For me, a girl who has been a Christian and loved Jesus for really as long as I can remember, it is easy to live in the "Christian mode". I'm talking about saying things like, 'Just trust in God', 'God will provide', 'I will be praying for you', 'Have faith', etc. Those are all things that I say as a Christian, but do I really always mean them and believe them? I want to say yes, of course I genuinely mean them, but I'm not sure that is so true, even though I want it to be. This verse sticks out to me so clearly, especially this week, when I'm saying that I'm trusting God. Am I really trusting, holding on to the hope that God is going to fufill His promise to me? Whether or not it is going to be fulfilled this week? Am I truly 'holding tightly, without wavering', without doubts and worry sneaking in?

That is my prayer and my deepest desire. I don't want to just live the Christian life. I don't want to just say the right Christian things. I don't want to just make it seem like I have it all together. I don't want to doubt God's plan for my life when I'm not seeing what I want to see in the moment. I want to trust from the bottom of my soul without any doubts. I want to have hope in the fact that God has a wonderful plan for my life. I want to love Him with every fiber of my being, and I want to be sure deep inside me that it is genuine, without wavering or just saying the words.I am fully committed to believing that what my God says is true and He is keeping His promise to me!

Easter recap...

We had a wonderful Easter!! We went to church, and then over to my parent's house for a delicious meal! My mom cooked a yummy ham, cheesy potatoes (Justin's favorite), asparagus, and I contributed a cherry jello dish. YUM!! And I ate way too much!! Justin's dad, Gene, was able to come and eat with us as well, so we couldn't pass up taking some pictures!! What a fun day!

Here is Justin and his dad...

Us...

With my parents and the puppies...

Us...again...

and again...

With my mom...

With the girls...

With my dad...

My cuties...

It was a tough, exhausting day for Betsy...

And my drivers on the way home...

(FYI--Betsy usually never rides on Justin's lap when he is driving. It was only for about 5 blocks. She pushed her way up, and my hands were full with leftovers so I couldn't hold her myself! It made me nervous--thinking about an airbag hitting both of them, but it was too cute to not take a picture of! I just thought I'd share this in case you were thinking how awful and unsafe we were!)

~~~

Okay--so being honest, I'm a little anxious about these next 4/5 days. The last two cycles, I haven't even made it to the pregnancy test day, and I'm praying that this is the one where it all works, that I will make it to Friday, take the test, and find out that I am pregnant. I'm nervous, but I'm trying to do my best to change my thoughts--when I start thinking negatively, to replace them with the truths from the Word! I am trusting God--but it doesn't mean the anxiousness/nervousness isn't there. I just have to give it to Him!!

So this week I will be standing on this verse. It is a verse that our pastor gave to us when we were on bedrest in the hospital. It has almost become like my second life verse this past year, and will be at the forefront of my mind this week...

Philippians 4:6-7

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everthing. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

I want to have peace, peace no matter the outcome of this week. I want to trust God, and to pray instead of worry. And I want to experience peace that is, from what the verse says, better than anything I could ever even imagine! I am thankful that He is guarding my heart and mind, and is in control of everything!!!

He has risen, indeed!

What a precious gift we have all received at the cross! I'm so thankful, today and every day, that Jesus gave his life for mine, so my sins could be forgiven, and I can live in eternity with Him! That gift is one that I don't deserve, but I am so thankful for!


I Peter 1:3 says...

"All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose from the dead."

Thank you, Lord!



I hope you have a wonderful Easter today!!

12 hours of fun!

Warning...a long post with lots of pictures to come!!

Couldn't resist starting out with this picture...how wonderful to come home on Friday afternoon to my sweet puppy watching for me out the front window! I love my Betsy!



~~~

Yesterday after work, my sweet friend Tena who I used to work with, came over with her son Eli. She is an amazingly creative and talented lady, and is known for making beautiful quilts. She had started to make Jonathan a quilt last year when I was pregnant, but when he died, she decided to do something so incredibly special with his quilt. She made it into 3 preemie quilts that she is donating to the NICU at the Ft. Worth hospital where Jonathan was born! How thoughtful is she??!! She is also making the fourth piece from his blanket into a special quilt for Justin and I. What a wonderful friend--thank you SO very much, Tena!!! I can't even put into words how special it is that you are doing this for us!

Here is one of the preemie-sized quilts--I love the red, white, and blue. When I used to teach full time, my room was always decorated patriotic, and this color combo on the quilt fits me to a T!

I don't know how I didn't get a picture of Tena, but here are a couple of her precious little boy! He was playing hide-and-seek with us behind (and under) the table!

Peek-a-boo!

~~~

Continuing on with my fun 12 hours, Justin and I went and had dinner with my parents. We also watched "The Passion of the Christ". Well, I guess I should be honest--Justin and I kind of snoozed through most of it. Justin had a good excuse--he's been really sick and is taking medicine that makes him sleepy. But me--no excuse, except that I'm usually tired on Friday nights, plus...I had something REALLY fun planned for Saturday morning, that I had to be at at 6:30!! So needless to say, I am going to re-watch it this afternoon. It is such a good reminder of how much God love us, and what Jesus did for us at the cross.

~~~

So what did I have so early this morning you ask??? Well, my friend Amy, that I work with, received a Hot Air Balloon ride as a birthday present from her husband, and I got invited to go along!!!!! We just got done a little while ago, and it was AMAZING!!!! I took a bunch of pictures, but am still waiting to get some of the pictures that our chasers took of us up in the air. I'll post more once I get them. Here are the highlights of our trip...

There were two balloons, one that could only carry 2 people, and our balloon that could carry up to 10! We had 8, plus the pilot. Who knew there could be that many in one balloon?!

Here I am 'helping' get the balloon aired up! Can you see me in the yellow?

Working really hard!

Amy and I just before the heaters were turned and the balloon started floating.

Right after this picture, we climbed in, and we were off!!

Here we are in flight--right after we passed over my neighborhood! I called Justin, and he and Betsy came out and saw us flying over! How fun!

Here I am 'helping' again! Bet you didn't know I was a hot air balloon pilot, did you?!

It was so cool--the pilot took us up high, and down low. He even talked about doing something called a "splash and dash".... but we never actually splashed! We did get within about 10-15 feet from a couple little lakes, though, and pretty close to some wheat fields! Yikes!

Can you see the guy on the edge with a bike? We waved at him, and he looked a little confused as to why there was a huge balloon seeming to want to land in the pond!!

Absolutely GORGEOUS!!

And the landing..... much better than they had prepared us for...except for the fact that this was our final position!! We almost made it standing up, but at the last moment, the pilot said the wind was going to make us need to lay down, so we just hung out like this until we could crawl out! =)

Last picture with the basket!!

And Amy's daughter, Imma, just couldn't resist trying out the basket too! What a cutie!

What an absolutely wonderful morning--thank you so much, Amy and Brian, for including me today! It was GREAT!

~~~

Today's verse... I love this promise!

Romans 8:38-39

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord."

I love that no matter what, I cannot be separated from God's love!! Thank you Jesus loving me so much that you would die on the cross for me!!