Pumpkin Patch 2013

Sunday afternoon we made our yearly trip to the pumpkin patch. (Warning: picture overload to follow.)

Running

My sister is a runner. She has been a runner pretty much as long as I can remember. She does not jog. She runs. And she runs long distances. (We're talking miles and miles.)

On the other hand, I hate running. I'm not really a big fan of walking either, but I know it's a good exercise. But I do not run. Ever. Like, ever.

For the past several months, my sister has been training and planning on doing an ultra run (just the sound of which is intimidating). This past Saturday night was the big (50 mile) run. I thought about her all day Saturday, and especially that evening / night, wondering how it was going for her. The truth is, I only wish I had the dedication she has when it comes to fitness, exercise, health, etc. So, no matter what the outcome of her race that night, I did and always will, see her as a successful person. Although she didn't end up with the results she had hoped for, in my mind it doesn't really matter because she did more than most any of us would have even attempted.

My sister is a motivation and an example to me in a lot of areas. And just like when I was little, I still look up to her and want to be like her (when I grow up!).

Baby Lew 2 - First Pictures

Today was picture day for Baby Lew 2 (finally!) We were thrilled to see (one!) healthy, growing baby this morning. Sweet baby was wiggling his/her arms and legs almost the entire time. We got to see and hear the heart beat. (Amazing!) Here are the stats:

Momma:

BP - 130/80

Weight - same as two weeks ago

Age - still "advanced" (ha! ha!)

Baby:

Heart - 163 bpm

Length - little over 3 cm

Age - 10 wks 3 days

Due - April 27

Baby Lew 2

It's official...Baby Lew 2 is coming Spring 2014! We are excited (and obviously a little nervous) at the same time. I go to the doctor on the 16th for the first "official" picture, so I am looking forward to that. For now, we just hope and pray for a healthy little peanut.

Texas Rangers

Last Thursday (July 4th) we went to a Texas Rangers ball game (Hadley's first!). An added bonus was that my brother Tim and his family (Dina, Bailey, Emma, & Seaver) were at the game as well. Hadley and Seaver had fun together. Then, on Friday, they all came to our house for the night. We had fun at the pool, showed them around the big city (ha!), stayed up way too late playing games, and took the boys to see Despicable Me 2 (super cute movie!). Fun couple days.

7 Years

This was happening 7 years ago today...

Old School Blog Questions

My sister tagged me in this little survey, so just for fun here goes...

A. Attached or Single?

Married...about to celebrate 7 years.

B. Best Friend?

Eric

C. Cake or pie?

Probably cake, but really not a sweets eater.

D. Day of choice?

Monday (Just kidding!!)

Friday - especially in the summer when I get off work at noon.

E. Essential Item?

Lately, the same a Kim - giant insulated mug (full of water!)

F. Favorite color?

Pink or turquoise

G. Gummy bears or worms?

Gummy bears...not as big a fan of these as I used to be

H. Hometown?

Abilene

I. Favorite Indulgence?

Chips & queso

J. January or July?

Definitely July

K. Kids?

Hadley

L. Life isn’t complete without?

My boys - Eric & Hadley

M. Marriage date?

July 8, 2006

N. Number of brothers/sisters?

2 brothers – Tim & Sam

1 sister – Kim

O. Oranges or Apples

Both

P. Phobias?

Failing

Q. Quotes?

Don't walk before me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

R. Reasons to smile?

My family, long time friends, a day off work, birthday parties, pedicures, accomplishing a goal...

(Throwing in some old pictures that make me smile.)

S. Season of choice?

Fall (love the colors)

T. Tag 5 People.

Never really know who to tag on these things...

U. Unknown fact about me?

I can't ride a bike. (Stop laughing!)

V. Vegetable?

Bell peppers

W. Worst habit?

Not really a habit but, I have a terrible temper and get irritated at stupid little things.

X. Xray or Ultrasound?

Xray - chest (several), foot

Ultrasound - pregnancy (the best!), thyroid, boob

MRI - foot

Echo - chest/heart

Y. Your favorite food?

Chips and dip

Z. Zodiac sign?

Capricorn (but I don't really care)

Cousins

Yesterday we met my brother, Tim, and his wife, Dina, and their kids Bailey, Emma, & Seaver in Grapevine. Hadley and Seaver, who are only 7 months apart, had a big time. Cousins = friends for life.

(It's hard getting two 4-year old boys to be still and look at the camera!)

Comparison

Today Hadley started his second summer at TCS. It's hard to believe how much he has learned and grown in the past year.

June 2012

June 2013

June Daily Challenge

So I've decided to do a little challenge during the month of June. I got this idea from my sister who did a day of the month exercise/activity challenge back in February.

The idea is to do the exercise / activity the number of times (or minutes) to correspond to the day of the month. So by the end of June I would be doing 30 of whatever exercise I chose. Now I am just trying to decide what move to do. My thought so far include push-ups, burpees, minute(s) of situps or planks. Any suggestions?

Three Long Years

Two years ago Eric started the Radiology Tech program at Grayson College, and, as of yesterday, he is officially done with that program. Before I elaborate, let me go back...

April 2010 - I still remember the day I came home from work to hear the words that would change our lives for the upcoming future. Eric had learned that day that his position as an Ag teacher was being eliminated due to budget cuts. So, basically, we had two more months of the status quo before our household income would be cut in half (literally). Awesome. We spent the remainder of that spring and the following summer sending out resumes, traveling to interviews, and waiting for phone calls. The result: no one wanted to hire someone with Eric's education or experience. Again, awesome.

Fall 2010 - At this point, we made the decision that Eric would go back to school and pursue a completely different career in medicine. He was planning on attempting to be accepted in the Radiology Technology program at Grayson College. In order for that to happen, he needed to complete 2 prerequisites (that, of course, could not be taken simultaneously).

December 2010 - We moved from Gainesville to Sherman. I was already working in Sherman, driving back and forth 30 miles each way every day. And the college was in Denison, just outside of Sherman, so it just made good sense to make this move.

January 2011 - Hadley started going to a new babysitter (necessary because of the move), and that turned out to be a huge answer to prayer since we quickly grew to love Mrs. GiGi. Eric started his adventure back at college by taking Anatomy & Physiology I (and realizing he was going to have to study a lot for this stuff!).

Summer 2011 - Anatomy & Physiology II began for Eric, as well as the application process for the Rad Tech program. Eric received his acceptance, attended orientation, purchased scrubs, and prepared to begin the two year program.

Fall 2011 - Radiology Technology program begins for Eric.

Spring/Summer 2012 - A big change for Hadley when we learn that Regina (Mrs. GiGi) will be going to work at TCS and, therefore, not keeping kids in her home any longer. We decided to follow her to TCS, and enrolled Hadley in TCS. The transition went fairly smooth, and has been a good decision.

May 11, 2013 - Pinning ceremony for the Radiology Technology class of 2013. I could not be more proud of Eric for completing this program.

May 15, 2013 - Eric's last final exam. Officially done!

May 18, 2013 - Grayson College graduation (which we are actually skipping, but this will be his graduation date.)

The last three years have been long, hard, stressful, crazy, exhausting, proud, fun, etc. Now we see where this "new future" will take us.