Teacher's Break!

Well, the holidays started with my graduation!!!  YEA!!!  I wasn't going to walk the stage for graduation, but 

at the last minute I decided I needed to.  I didn't want to regret not doi

ng it, and I knew this was not something I could get back.  SO...I did it and am very glad I did.  It is something to be proud of!  Especially completing my degree with a 4.0, having gone through a divorce during classes, having a 2 year old toddler, working full time, and finishing in a year and a half!  Not to toot my own horn, but lets give credit where credit is due :)

Riley is now at the age where she really enjoyed Christmas this year.  She knew Santa was coming to see her and she kept singing, "Santa Clause is Coming into Town."  However, her favorite is "Jingle Bells."  It was so fun and she MUST have been very good this year.  Her Christmas started with her dad (Darryl) at his dad's house.  I know she had fun and she came home with a

digital camera from her Auntie Danielle.  She loved it and it gave her justification to boss people around.  "Stand in front of the tree." "Say cheese." "Say Chee

se."  "Say Cheese." Then Riley can over to my dad's house and spent a couple of hours th

ere opening more presents.  I think her favorite there was the art easel.  Then we came home to pick up Catherine and headed to my mom's house.  Again...more presents!  There she got a Dora Big Wheel, puzzles, and coloring books.  At 

about 8:00, we headed back to our house and I told her Santa had come to mamma's house too.  Did she want to open more presents or wait till tomorrow?  Dumb question I know, so needless to say we opened the last of her 

presents.  Santa brought her play doh, "lip-skit", and a Cabbage Patch kid.  After four Christmases (yes, like the movie, but much happier), we got home on Christmas night and she said, "Mommy, my arms are tired."  Pretty funny!

My sister is in town from Cincinnati and staying with me and Riley.  She will be here till Friday and Riley is loving having her here.  (So am I) 

Darryl's dad started Chemo and radiation today.  He will be doing both for the next 15 weeks or so.  I haven't talked to him today, but Darryl said things went well.

Although the past few days have seemed very action packed, I can't seem to think of anything else to say right now.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and for those of you who are still off work, enjoy the rest of your break!

Update...

This weekend Riley is with Darryl and he took her up to Austin to visit her Paw-Paw.  It was good for both of them.  Riley is good medicine for anyone who needs a laugh!  She is HILARIOUS and at the perfect age right now.  Courtney, Darryl's dad, is doing very well and has been cleared to do anything, including driving.  So things are looking up.  I received a email from Danielle and she said that unless you knew he had been through major brain surgery a week ago, you wouldn't know anything was wrong.  

Friday morning, Danielle took Paw-Paw to a follow up doctors visit with the neurologist where the diagnosis was confirmed.  Glioblastoma Multiforme, or GBM, Grade IV brain tumor.  He will have an MRI next week to give the oncologists a baseline for therapy.  Courtney has decided to use the same oncologist that Darryl's mom used and he feels very comfortable with this.  He has also told Darryl that he is planning on doing whatever he needs to in order to prolong his life.  He is in good spirits and ready to take this on full force! 

Thank you all for your prayers, and they will continue to be needed!  

It's AMAZING what can happen in two short weeks...

Good News First:

Thanksgiving was great.  I hope you all had a wonderful time as well.  Riley and I went over to my mom's house for dinner. Ben's sister and brother came over to celebrate with us as well.  We had never met them before so that was nice.  The only one missing was Auntie Catherine, but she was there in spirit.  We are looking forward to her being here at Christmas.

The Longhorns won the game against the Aggies so we gained bragging rights for another 

year...yea!  

As of 

December 3rd, I am officially done with my grad school classes and have a Master's in Educational Leadership.  I will begin looking for an administrative job in 

January and hopefully acquire one for the fall.

Saturday, December 6, Riley and I had Mom and Ben over for dinner and we decorated cookies.  Riley had a blast and some of the icing even ended up on the cookie.  Definitely a perk of living in Texas...we were able to take on this craft outside!  She loved every minute of it, and I must say, dinner wasn't bad either...

Prayer Request:

Last Sunday (November 30), Darryl's dad was hanging light on his house so that Santa would know where his house was for Riley.  As he was hanging lights, he fell off his ladder and hit his face pretty hard.  After calling an ambulance, he was taken to the hospital where they ran routine tests to make 

sure he had not sustained any injuries from the fall.  Although there were no injuries cause by the fall, the doctors did find a mass in his brain and decided to transfer him to downtown Austin where he would undergo surgery the next Tuesday (December 2nd).  What they found was a stage four malignant brain tumor.  Doctors removed what they could, but assure the family the the tumor will return and prognosis is not good.  I have been in close contact with Darryl, and his dad is now home and feeling better.  He is eating more and getting around a little more.  However, the next few months are going to be very trying on the family, especially Danielle and Darryl.  Please keep Courtney, Danielle, Darryl, and Riley in your prayers.  I will keep you updated as I hear more.  

Be Thankful!

So lately, I have been in a little bit of a funk.  I have been down because people who were once closest to me have shown me that everyone is human and even those you care for the most will hurt you sometimes.

HOWEVER...the pity party is over.

I realize that being in a funk is all about attitude and I have allowed myself to feel this way.  I took Riley out of school for the week because I figured it would be a great time to have a little quality time together, she would keep me busy (what I need right now), and I would save a little money.  I was right.  She has brightened my week more than I can ever say.  The things that seem so important, really aren't.  Riley is so happy all the time and she is constant reminder and inspiration of how I want to live my life.  I need to be a role model for her and live the way I hope she chooses to live.  Being thankful for the things that you do have, and not dwelling on the things you don't.  With that said, I have compiled a list of some of the things I am most thankful for.

I am thankful for my precious, healthy, hilarious, little girl.  

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful that I am almost done with school.

I am thankful for my family who lives in town and helps me all the time.

I am thankful for my sister who is not in town, but a constant inspiration.

I am thankful for a stable job that I have found pride and joy in.

I am thankful for my friends who support me.

I am thankful for challenges that make me a stronger person.

I am thankful for my faith.

I am thankful for much more, but some things you can't express in words.

So next time you are feeling sorry for yourself (and lets face it, most of us do at some point) remember all the things that are positive in your life.  It is a good exercise to make you realize things aren't as bad as you may think...

Getting ready for the holidays

Riley and I went last Saturday to take our Christmas pictures.  The first time in a year that I have taken her to Portrait Innovations.  She did so well!!!  However, I was trying to be frugal and have a "costume change" so we could do her three year pictures at the same time.  That didn't go over too well.  She was done.  At least we got a few good ones.  We also got all the Christmas decorations out of the attic yesterday and started to decorate the house because she is going to be gone next weekend and I didn't want to get to the end of the week and still have to do it all...therefore we put the Christmas tree up yesterday.  It was so fun!!!  Every time I opened a new box, she got so excited.  It was also nice to have the help...yes, she did help, however, all the ornaments are on two branches, right in the front.  I figure, it's just her and I so I am going to leave it.  I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Go Horns!!!  

Happy Moments

Because I am usually the one taking the pictures, there are VERY few pictures of Riley and I together.  I thought this one was pretty cute so I wanted to share...

I think things are finally going to start slowing down.  I officially only have three more nights of class!!!  Although that doesn't mean I am completely done, it is close.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I still have to pass the principalship exam and get the result on my compositions that were turned in last weekend.  If you think about it, say a little prayer :)

Riley is doing fabulously!  She is getting smarter and smarter everyday,.  She has really gotten into tracing.  We sit outside and she tells me to draw things and then she traces them.  She has also gotten pretty good at putting puzzles together.  I decided to start a little Christmas shopping early and I got her a puzzle.  I really want to give it to her now, but I will resist :)  

Anyway, I also got her a new Christmas dress because she will be taking her school Christmas pictures on Tuesday.  I am looking forward to getting those.

I will definitely post those when I get them...

Hope you are doing well!  

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Who is the most beautiful princess of all?   RILEY

Playground fun

We also went to the playground on Thursday with the neighbors.  J.P. and Riley had a great time and Annie, Elise, and I enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Is it October already?

Well, I think we have had the only Fall weather San Antonio is going to have, this weekend.  It has been absolutely beautiful since Thursday.  

Last Sunday, Riley and I went to church and at our church every year, they have a pumpkin patch. I got a few pictures of Riley in the pumpkins, but she just isn't as interested in the camera as she used to be.  Now when I bring it out, she wants to "see," but what she doesn't understand is that for there to be something for her to see, she has to let me take a picture first.  Therefore, most of the time there isn't a smile in the picture...

Here comes another week...

Well, this weekend, Riley, her Wan-daddy and Nana all went up to Midland to visit her Uncle Scott, Aunt Jen, and cousin Hailey.  She was very excited to go, but mom was a little sad.  I asked her Friday morning while we were packing if she wanted to stay with mama or go see cousin Hailey.  She said, "Cousin Hailey."  I guess my little girl is becoming more and more independent every day.  She is doing great, I'm the one having withdrawl!!!  Anyway, she is expected back here this evening and this week should slow down a little so I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my doodlebug.  She might get bored with me, but who cares :)  

Words of advice for those of you who may not have a 2 1/2 year old little girl, DON'T PACK WITH THEM!!!  As we were packing, I would put clothes in her bag, turn around to get more clothes and she would have either taken the clothes out because she didn't like them, or would have added 3 toys to the bag because she couldn't live without them for 2 days!  Lesson here is...pack the night before and put Dora on so she is preoccupied :)  Needless to say, I really don't know if she had enough clothes to get her through the weekend, but I know she had enough toys.  Priorities right?

Well, I have included one picture of Riley.  She was at mom and Ben's and they like to give her ice cream after her bath (this is why kids love their grandparents).  Here is a picture of her eating her strawberry ice cream.  Isn't she precious!!!

Once a month

So lets be honest...I think a more realistic goal for blog posting will be once a month.  More will be a perk!  

Since my last post, not much has happened out of the ordinary.  I started back to school at UTSA and I think it may be a little more demanding this semester simply because there are more things due and I have the graduate program final on top of that.  BUT...it is the last semester and I can do ANYTHING for 4 months.  Start praying now that next fall I will find myself in an administrative position.  That is the goal anyway!

Riley is doing great.  She moved to the 2 1/2 year olds room and has started potty training.  UGHHHHH  She is doing really well, but she hasn't quite figured out the timing of things.  It helps if she lets me know prior to "tee teeing" that she has gone :)  Therefore, we spend most of the day "trying" so that there aren't any accidents.  Isn't it crazy what your life begins to revolve around when you have a 2 1/2 year old HAHAHA.

She has also gotten much more vocal, if that is possible... She is so smart and is so fun to have a conversation with.  Every time we talk, she surprises me with a new phrase or comment.  She cracks me up on a regular basis and is so much fun!  

My kids this year seem like a pretty good group.  There are always those challenges, but without them my job could be boring.  So I love 'em.

Other than that, life is normal.  I guess that is relative huh?  I have recent pictures, but haven't uploaded them to my computer so I will try to have some up on my next post.  Have a great month :)

Here we go again...

Tomorrow officially starts the new school year for the kids.  On Friday, we had Open House and all but three of my kids showed up.  Looks like I am going to have a pretty good class (lets hope anyway).  I started back last week and it really felt like I never left.  I guess it's good though...get back into the routine of things.

I start my grad school classes on Wednesday and then everything will be back in full force.  My last semester!  YEA!!!  I really hope that finding a job won't be as difficult for me as some of my friends have had.  I'm being optimistic!  

Nothing really exciting has happened since my last entry.  Riley is in Austin this weekend so my life has been pretty boring.  What did I ever do before kids to keep myself entertained??? However, Riley is moving into the next class on Monday.  This is the class where she is officially supposed to get potty trained.  I really think she is ready because she knows what to do, just off on the timing.  Keep your fingers crossed!  Again, I'm being optimistic, and hoping that the SAMS diapers I bought last week may be the last box I have to buy...

Well, even though I haven't been the best at keeping my blog updated, there is a good chance that it is going to get even worse.  I'll try, so don't give up on me, but it probably won't happen too often.  

Here is one picture... I just thought Riley's eyes looked so beautiful, and yes...we are at the pool again!!!

Quite the little fish...

Riley really did well this summer with her swimming lessons.  She loves the water and ultimately has no fear.  Here is a little clip of her swimming...

Just Cause

Darryl's sister posted this on her blog so I thought I would copy it just in case there was something you didn't know about me...

A - Attached or Single: We all know I am divorced

B - Best Friend: Stacy in Austin...like a sister to me.

C - Cake or Pie: I honestly prefer salty treats like fries...yum!

D - Day of Choice: Summer vacation and Fridays!

E - Essential Item: my phone, sad I know.

F - Favorite Color: purple

G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Don't ask me why eating bears seems more normal, but it does.

H - Hometown: San Antonio

I - Indulgence: Staying Busy... too busy...

J - January or July: Hard choice, January is cooler weather, July is summer vacation

K - Kids: one precious little girl, Riley...

L - Life is incomplete without: love and laughter

M - Marriage Date:  July 12, 2003, divorced March 12, 2008

N - Number of siblings: one younger, Diva, sister and numerous step siblings

O - Oranges or Apples: Apples, I don't like the orange peel under my nails

P - Phobias or Fears: I hate lizards and the thought of drowning

Q - Quote: The Best is Yet to Come!!!

R - Ring Size: ???

S - Season: Winter and Spring (I don't like to sweat)

T - Tuna or Tilapia: Recently aquired a taste for tilapia

U - Unknown fact about me: I'm pretty open... I sing as loud as I can in the shower... Riley loves it :)

V - Very Favorite Stores: New York and Co. 

W - Worst Habbit: Wine

X - X-ray or Ultrasound: Ultrasound, had plenty of those with Riley and every one was a treat.

Y - Your favorite food: French Fries

Z - Zodiac: Aries (March 24)

Pictures to prove it

As most of you know, after Darryl and I separated, I found a new home for the two dogs.  A Great Dane and a Lab/German Shepherd mix are two HUGE dogs and finding a home isn't an easy task.  Not to mention trying to grow ANY type of grass or plant in a small backyard.  Because Riley is such an outside person, I knew that I really wanted to have a safe place for her to learn her independence and enjoy her favorite things, swinging and swimming.  After six months of working and planning, I think I am finally done creating that safe haven for her.  I am very happy with the outcome, but I had a lot of help.  My neighbor, Tom, helped me with all the brick laying, my dad helped bring in all the dirt and granite that was put in, my mom's husband, Ben, helped me find a new home for the dogs, and Riley cheered me on every step of the way :). Here are some pictures of before and after.  

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

So I have finally started the two weeks of summer vacation that I have.  And now, the first week has gone by in a flash!!!  My neighbor Tom and I worked on my back yard the first part of the week and finally finished the walkway from the deck to the gate.  I will have pictures for you shortly, but because I didn't think about posting until now, it is too dark to take pictures.  I will post before and after pictures though and although it isn't that much, the transformation is amazing!!!  I also got new furniture from my mom in the living room and repainted my bedroom.  Needless to say, it has been a busy week and I sort of feel like I have a brand new house!  It's fun and every time Riley comes home from school she is commenting on "Mom's new carpet," "Mom's new bed," etc...

I have one more week before teachers go back to work.  It is just enough time for me to be ready!  I would NEVER be a good stay at home mom.  I am too much of a busy body to not work.  Once summer school teaching was over, the home renovations began! By the way, summer school was a challenge, but very rewarding and I would definitely do it again!  I really enjoyed working with those kids and I am proud to say that EVERY kid legitimately passed 6th grade math!!!  

Tomorrow is the beginning of my last week of freedom.  I am not sure what I am going to do, but I am sure I will keep busy!  I seem to be good at it.  Stay posted and I will have pictures for you soon.

Riley is still doing great!!!  She is constantly cracking me up.  For example... we were in the backyard last week and I had just bought her a new blow up pool.  She was swinging and commenting about her "New, blue, pool."  I told her mama bought her the new pool and she turns to me and seriously says, "Mama, I'm so proud of you."  I laughed out loud!!!  Then the other morning, when she woke up I asked her if she slept well.  Usually she says yes and that is the end of the conversation, however, on this particular morning, she looks up at me and says, "almost."  Where does she come up with these things?  Too funny!  

More to come...

Way Behind...

and I know it.  Everyone says that teachers are so lucky to have a such a great schedule.  We get off at 3:00 during the school year, get all the holidays off, and have 3 months in the summer off too.  Although all that is true on the contract, I have yet to meet a teacher that really works those hours.  All this to say, teaching summer school has been a very challenging experience!  The first week ended with me taking my kids to the computer lab.  Whoever thought that putting rolling chairs in a middle school computer lab, was not a teacher of middle school students.  After losing nearly all my toes, we headed back to the room and it was absolutely everything I could do to not break down in front of them.  I was so tired and felt so unappreciated that I wanted to just cry.  

Last week was better.  They are getting to know me and I them.  Needless to say, we did NOT go to the computer lab this week.  I'm not sure if we will venture there again.  There are just some things better left unturned!  Although it may sound like I am miserable, I'm really not.  All the kids have their moments and really show me that they are still kids who want to learn and be successful.  At this point, I would still consider teaching summer school again.  However, only if it was a half day position like this one.  A whole day of this would have a totally different reaction from me.  

Riley is doing great.  She finished her last week of swimming lessons and is officially a bathing beauty.  She is growing very fast and new things come out of her mouth daily.  This morning I went in her room to get her up and she said that she needed her baby.  She turned to me and said, "Baby, happy!"  "That's great, did she sleep well?" "Yes" "Is Riley happy?"  Riley turned to me and says, "Nope, Riley tired."  I just thought that was hilarious.  She is really turning in to a little lady and able to have more of a conversation.  She was in Austin this past weekend with her Paw Paw and gets better and better at talking on the phone.  Anyway, ever time I hear, You're Gonna Miss This (a country song) it makes me think of her.  She is amazing and my ultimate inspiration.

I hope you all have a good week, and I will try to post a little more often.

July in a flash...

Well here we are... July 4th has come and gone and the month still goes on.  July 4th was a little different for me than the last few years.  Riley was in Austin with her Paw Paw and Auntie Danielle and so I didn't have the opportunity to dress her up and sit her on the front porch to take pictures of her with an American flag.  I know in the future she will appreciate this fact. However, I was  a little sad.  

Therefore, the 4th of July consisted of grilling in the backyard with the neighbors and watching the lunatic neighbors set off fireworks.  I had a good time, but couldn't help but miss Riley.   So another holiday has come and gone.

July 7th started a whole new experience for me...Summer School!  For the last three days I have felt a little like the teacher from "Freedom Writers".  I went in ready to touch the lives of every kid in the class and knew I would be the one to make a difference.  I don't think that the dream is over, but it is definitely harder than the movie makes it look.  I have 15 kids who have all failed 6th grade math and they are reluctantly in my 6th grade math class for the next four weeks.  If you have never seen the movie "Freedom Writers" I highly recommend it.  A great movie and currently my life!  Anyway, for the past three days I have given them candy bars, items from the dollar spot at Target, pretty much everything they wanted and it hasn't worked.  Maybe that is the problem...I need to be a little harder.  After all, these are the kids that didn't succeed during the year and this is why they are here!  Tomorrow is the last day of our week (thank GOD) and I am going to make them see the light. ( I have said that every day this week, but I know this day will be different!!!) :)

Anyway,  I will make it through and contrary to what you are thinking right now, I really love the challenge.  These are my types of kids.  The ones who need the extra attention and love.  Doesn't make it easier, just more rewarding!!!  I will get through to at least one of them!!!

Riley is doing great.  She ended up with a little ear infection so she had to drop out of swimming lessons for a week, but she will pick back up next week.  Everyday she asks if she is going to get to swim with Ms. Desi (the swim teacher) and I have to tell her next week.  I know she is looking forward to it.

So...that is all the news in my life.  I hope that if you are actually taking the time to read my blog that you will post a little response so I know I am not doing this all for nothing :).  Hope you are doing well. 

Still Swimming

Riley just finished two weeks of swimming lessons at her school and she is now officially a fish!  She loves it.  Her teacher said that the first two days they couldn't get her in the water.  That surprised me a little because she did pretty good with me when we went to the pool.  However her hesitation was not at ALL apparent at her class.  She will be continuing classes for two more weeks so by then, she will be a better swimmer than me.  

After she passed her beginners class we went swimming at "Wan-daddy's" house and she showed everyone how much she had learned.  She even let Wandaddy throw her in the air and she loved it.  I am really glad that she loves swimming so much, but there is definitely no fear of water in that little girl and that could be good and bad :).

Other than that, I am over half way done with my grad school classes for the summer and I will be teaching 6th grade math for the second summer session.  I am excited about it because it is something I have done before, but new for now since I have been teaching 4th grade the past 5 years.  I have also been working on getting my backyard in order so I will work more on that when I have time.  Riley loves being out there so I have really enjoyed fixing it up.

Hope all is well with all of you!  

Falling Behind!

I am falling a little behind on my "weekly" posts, but I told you that would happen :)  Happy Belated Father's Day to all of you fathers who may be reading my blog.  I was lucky enough to have my dad and step-mom over for dinner on father's day.  My dad is one of those people who is VERY hard to buy anything for so I decided to cook him dinner instead.  I made all of his favorite dishes which included "Yum Yum Chicken" and "Chocolate Pie."  We also had a nice salad and watermelon (which was pretty much devoured by Riley).  I was very glad that my sister got to join us and Riley was the entertainment (you're shocked I am sure).  

All of this was after returning from Cuero where I attended one of my best friend's sister's wedding (did you get that).  We went down on Friday, helped set up and decorate the reception hall, went to the rehearsal dinner, and then attended the wedding on Saturday.  I had a lot of fun and really got to experience the "small town life."  Apparently it was pretty obvious that I wasn't from around there because everywhere I went people asked me what I was in town for.  It was a blast though and a beautiful wedding as well.  

Now we are almost halfway into another week of grad school for the summer.  Things are going pretty well and as soon as this week is over, not only will I be half way done, but most of the assignments that are required will be completed too.  That will be nice.  I am hoping to teach 6th grade math during summer school for the second half of the summer, but I haven't heard if enrollment was high enough yet so we will see.  If  I don't teach second summer session, I'm not really sure what I will do, but I am sure I will find plenty to occupy my time :).  

Anyway, that is all that has really happened since my last post.  I have included some pictures of Riley and her friend Brock swimming.  I am sure you are starting to think that is all she does (pretty close).  Have a good rest of the week and stay posted!

All Alone

This is the first official weekend of summer for teachers and Riley has been in Austin with her Paw Paw and Auntie Danielle since Thursday.  Thursday afternoon I cleaned the garage top to bottom and got rid of the dog crate that was in there.  The dogs had left about two months ago, but the crate was just something I hadn't gotten a chance to get to.  So I was able to take out my aggressions and destroy it pretty quickly.  However, what was left behind was probably the most unsanitary thing I have ever seen.  I will spare you the details, but I was pretty furious that Riley had been exposed to that situation!  Anyway, it is clean now and way more organized than it has ever been.  I hadn't cleaned it since I have lived here (almost 5 years).  It has been cleaned, but not by me so there were many little treasures (if you want to call them that) that I didn't even know were in there... That was Thursday.

Friday, I spent the day cleaning the house from top to bottom.  I like to do that when Riley is away for a few reasons... I can do it a LOT faster, it will stay clean a LOT longer, and I can take a nap when I am done if I get too tired :).  

Saturday I didn't really do much.  However, I worked up some courage and headed out for an evening alone!  I have NEVER gone out by myself, but it was actually pretty fun.  The first 45 minutes or so I was a little anxious and nervous, but then I realized I really didn't have anything to be anxious about.  Riley was in good hands and I had no responsibilities but for myself!  SO, I went to Wild Fish.  It is a new restaurant/bar close to my house.  It has phenomenal food and a great atmosphere.  I was there until about 10:30 that evening so I guess I had figured out how to relax.  I think I will go out alone again.  I am becoming secure enough to do that...

Sunday, I went the grocery store, cooked some food for the week for Riley and I, mowed the yard, and took a nap.  Now I am just waiting on the arrival of my little doodlebug to get home!  I have missed her and can't wait to see her.  She starts swimming lessons tomorrow at he school so she will be excited to start the week.  I start back to Grad. School tomorrow, but it is only for 4 weeks so it won't be as bad as last summer.  

Unfortunately since I didn't have Riley this weekend, I don't have any pictures to share.  Really she is the only reason you are looking at this blog in the first place :).  Stay tuned and I will get some more pictures up soon.

Have a great week!

Riley's First Beach Trip

Well, we went to the beach a couple of weeks before I started blogging, but I just got the pictures from it and I wanted to share.  We went to Port Aransas for the weekend and stayed at the Seagull Condos.  The first night we were there, Riley, Mimi and I went down to the beach.  Riley wasn't really sure about the sand and the ocean at first, but she kind of warmed up to the water.  She still didn't like the sand...it was "dirty" but as long as she had her pinky shoes on she was ok.  I thought surely she would like to build a sand castle, but it turned out the only one having fun with that was me.  She didn't want to get her hands dirty...my little diva!  

Overall we had a wonderful and relaxing trip.  Riley loved driving downtown and seeing all the statues of sharks and other fish.  Ever since then, when we talk about going to any kind of water, she wants to go to the "ocean."  I can't wait to go back and I know Riley will have even more fun the next time.  Enjoy the pictures...

My first time!

Well, I have decided to start blogging.  Apparently it is the era of a new age...I can't promise I will keep up with it as well as I should, but I figured for those of you I don't get a chance to talk to on a regular basis, this might be one way to see how things are going.  Plus I figured I didn't have enough things to do HAHAHA!  

Riley and I spent most of 

Memorial day 

in her new pool.  The top 

two pictures 

are in our 

back yard and the last one is at her Paw Paw's house in Austin.  She loves the water...my little bathing beauty!  

Well, I think that blogging will be fun and I hope to hear comments from some of you on how you are doing.  Have a great Memorial Day and stay posted!