White Rock Half Marathon!

So, last year's broken hip turned out to simply be a To Be Continued...Vanessa and I began adding mileage to our runs in September and on December 9, 2012, I completed my first (Vanessa's second) Half Marathon in Dallas. www.DallasMarathon.com IT WAS AWESOME! Truly one of the neatest things I have ever done! We loved it soooo much we signed up for the Cowtown  www.CowtownMarathon.org in Ft. Worth on February 24!

UT v Baylor...TCU

Although is was a LONG and PAINFUL "Horns" season I  still felt fortunate to see two home games. It's always wonderful to spend time with the Wilson's and simply BE in Austin. Will and I went down for the Baylor game, and then Ben and I drove down Thanksgiving day to see the TCU game. (His first game ever!) Not much to write about there in terms of football, but it's never too early to start getting him "hooked" on UT and it's great campus. Thanks Wilsons for letting us crash your holiday!

Broker's License!

After 13 years of holding a saleperson's license, first in Georgia and now in Texas, I finished up my educational requirements, sat for, and passed the Texas Broker's Exam.  I think I am most excited about not having to take any more tests! Whoo-hoo!

Mineola Yankees Fall 2012

The Fall baseball season was definitely what we will call a "season of learning." Our overall record wasn't great, but the boys continued to learn, grow, and improve weekly. Our successes were measured in competitive innings played and by the end of the season we were certainly hanging with the AAA and Major teams we faced throughout the season. I'm predicting lots of success this Spring!

 

A little post-play pool time!

Eight is Great!

I simply can't believe my baby is eight years old! Look out 3rd grade!

Paint Your Own Pottery!

True to tradition, Ava and Karsen celebrated their 8th birthdays with a few friends at a precious art studio in Winnsboro.  www.sayadreamstudio.com  We had so much fun as each girl got to personalize her own cereal bowl. (I will post the finished product soon.) The room was filled with lots of laughter, smiles, giggles and cupcakes. How could you go wrong there! Thank you Ms. Brenda for your patience, instruction and great sense of humor! 

Field Day 2012!!!

See Our Garden Grow...

In our garden, you will find...tomatoes, cucumber, okra, squash, zucchini, jalapenos, bell peppers, onions, cilantro, basil, oregano, crowder peas, purple hull peas, and pole beans! Yum!

 Plantings began the end of March through mid-April. Everything seems pretty happy!!

The Hot Shotz!

This was Ava's first year in machine pitch softball. This group of young ladies experienced a lot on and off the field this year. They played with heart and each one improved over the season. We were one of the younger teams in the league, but these girls gave it there all and even pulled off a few wins!

Yankee Baseball 2012

This Spring was an exciting season for baseball. Ben played with the East Texas Baseball Academy's 9U team from Mineola...the Mineola Yankees. We had lots of fun and made many new friends. Ben, throughout the season, played 1st, 2nd, 3rd, shortstop, catcher, pitcher and even spent a little time in center field. He loved it, but it sure stressed out his mama! They even managed to have a little fun swimming after a day of tournament play. Go Yankees!

The Show Must Go On...

We missed Ava's performance in the 2nd grade musical as we were in Plano having heart surgery...Although Ava was quite concerned for her Daddy she was a trooper! Big Brother, Nina (my mom) and PawPaw (my Dad) were there to see her perform.

Baylor Heart Hospital

It seems a little strange to "POST" a photo from Will's heart surgery, but since this is my "in lieu of scrapbooking" effort, I think it merits mention. We spent 5 days at Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano where Will underwent a procedure called a Thorascopic Maze. At the time of surgery, Will was in A-fib 100% of the time. This procedure was done to hopefully correct this condition. Statistically, they told Will that given his type of A-fib (longstanding persistent), age, build and general health, we could expect about a 65-70% chance that this procedure would work. It has been a little over 3 months since the surgery as as of today, Will is in normal rhythm 100% of the time and will most likely be taken off all medications in the very near future! He is almost completely back to his "old" self and feeling better than he has in a couple of years. Thank you doctors, nurses and LORD Almighty!

Developmental league comes to an end...

This was our last year of "co-ed" basketball. (I can't say I am sorry to see it come to an end.) I helped coach this year...first and last for me. The Longhorns (I promise I had nothing to do with that!) went 6-0! Ava was quite intimidating once she realized that she TOWERED most of her opponents. All she had to do was stand in front of her player and raise her hands straight up! Way to go Ava!

Happy 2012!

We rang in the New Year with our friends the Simpkins! Lots of yummy food, some stiff Just Dance 3 competition and a nice bonfire. The sparkling grape juice and plastic champagne cups were quite a hit, too. (I think that lasted until about 7:30pm!) We are looking forward to a happy, healthy 2012.

Season's First Snow!

It sure is beginning to FEEL like Christmas...even if the snow is on the light side!

First 5K!

It's funny...in MY mind, I was the one that was supposed to be running a race this Fall, but instead it was Ben. 2nd place in the 18 and under division of the Fireman's 5K put on by several area businesses. Maybe I will have a running buddy in the future!

My Two Acolytes

Proud MOM moment...loved seeing Ben and Ava walk down the aisle at church as Acolytes during Sunday morning service. I remember doing this as a child...very special memories.

Costume Winners!

We managed to scrounge up costumes despite my "disability" this year. (Sorta hard to shop PERIOD with a broken hip, two crutches and no extra arms to carry stuff. Plus, after my traumatic experience on the motorized scooter at Wal-Mart, I pretty much resigned myself to groceries via Will...but that's another post.) The kids got to go to our annual Trunk or Treat at our church AND the Fall Festival at the school. The Mad Scientist received 1st place honors in his age group, and the Flapper got 3rd. Ava's friend Karsen, got 2nd. Fun Fun!

Visitors from Cobbtown!

Will's mom, Grammy, and brother, Uncle Jamie, came to Texas for a visit this past week. Ben and Ava LOVED having family from another STATE come to Quitman. A large portion of the weekend was spent negotiating WHO got to sleep with Grammy and discussing why Texas chickens lay better eggs that their counterparts in Georgia. (Well, duh...they are from TEXAS!!! Now if I could just teach them how to say Hook'em!)

FIRST DAY of 2nd and 4th grades!