November 29, 2013

Friday Five: 5 things I am Thankful for this year.

Black Friday just isn't for me.  Its far to crazy out there, so here I am.  Its almost 9am and everyone is still fast asleep.  Except for Chico the Chihuahua who is old and always up at the crack of dawn to go outside.  Anyways I wanted to take a few minutes and share some things I am thankful for this year!

I'm so thankful to have fallen in love with an amazing man.  He lets me listen to my music in the car.  He double checks to make sure they put cheese on my burgers when we go out to eat.  And he does his own laundry! He is one of the hardest workers I know and will always do what he needs to do to provide for his family. And he loves me unconditionally!  There is so much more but I know y'all don't want to hear it!

I'm thankful for the good health of my family.  My boys are growing like weeds.  They are strong and happy.  My mom quit smoking!  My sister in law just had major surgery for her Crohns and she is home recovering. Even though chemo is tiring, my Aunts tumors are shrinking!  And I am feeling pretty good!  God is good.  

I'm thankful for all that we have.  It may not be a huge house, but its our house.  It may not have much in it, but it is filled with love and memories.  And sometimes it feels like its not big enough for all of us, but we are together and that is what matters most.  We have two cars, even though I don't drive. I'm also thankful for the friends and family who drive me everywhere I need to go.  The boys have books and toys.  I'm thankful for the dogs as they are a big part of our family too.  

I am thankful that no one in our family is alone.  We are all with family this week.  My oldest brother came down to be with us and my little sister got to be home for dinner.  Mom is with my brother and his family.  Little brother has his sweet family with him.  And that my oldest nephew was home with my sister and their family.  And since my in laws only live two blocks away they were able to be here with us too. Such a blessing.  One of these holidays we are going to have to all get together!  Its on my bucket list!

And last but not least I am thankful for this blog.  I don't put much into it, but have gotten so much in return.  The friendships that have come from this are solid gold.  And the best part is that I have gotten to meet so many other bloggers, in real life and virtually that I cant imagine my life without.  For someone who is mostly home bound, that is such a blessing.  

OK that is way more than just 5 things but you get the point.  What are you thankful for this holiday season?  Are you able to be with family and friends?  

November 26, 2013

Starting off the season with the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa

We have officially kicked off the holiday season!  David and I bundled the boys up and took a drive out to the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa to help kick off the JW Illumination Light Show. It was amazing and will be running nightly from 6:30pm to 10pm. The lights are synchronized with the music and there are cozy fireplaces to warm up by after you have walked around and taken in all the beautiful lights!  Add a hot chocolate and you too will feel the holiday spirit come alive.

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And there is more to the celebration than just the lights.  There are activities for all ages! 

The Polar Plunge sounds like fun!  The water is cold just right and the lifeguard elves are there if you need some help! Are you up for the challenge?  Saturdays at 12pm and 4pm.  Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12pm.

Its not quite the holidays without a Gingerbread house!  So stop by the Gingerbread Craft Workshop and decorate a cookie or a house.  Mondays - Thursdays from 3pm to 5pm.  Fridays 2:30 to 4pm.  And Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.  

There are much more activities like Story Time, Breakfast with two very special guests, Ornament Decorating and even Pony Rides!  You can check out other activities and times HERE!

Most importantly don't forget to stop by the Texas Library and get your photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Be sure to tell them whats on your list too! 

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We had so much fun visiting and it was such a great way to kick off the holiday season.  The boys have not stopped asking when we are going to go back for more hot chocolate!  I'm almost tempted to take a leap in to the pool too!  Here are a few more photos from Sunday.  

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Don't let their cool faces fool you.  These boys are quite smitten with Tinsel the Elf.  She was so sweet to them and Alex says she must be real because she is super pretty!  Tinsel will be stopping by and visiting children all over San Antonio including the boys and girls at Methodist Children's Hospital!

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Hows that for a pumpkin!  That sucker is huge and the boys said there is no way it is real.  All I think is mmmm pumpkin pie!

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The lights as you walk around are wonderful.  How do they get them to light up with the music?  Magic right?  Because it sure was magical.

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And one last shot of the fireplace.  Oh man was this nice and warm.  I sat for as long as I could but it was time to go.  The boys aren't the only ones looking forward to going back.  See that chair there?  It has my name on it!

What is your favorite part of the holidays?  Mine is the Thanksgiving dinner but Christmas lights are a close second.  We drive all over the place checking them out!  Luckily San Antonio understands my need for more lights, because they are EVERYWHERE!  And the river walk all light up is just the best!

November 20, 2013

Happiness is ______ {Week 26} #happinessis

Here we go again with another dose of happiness over at Crazy Adventures in Parenting.  Here are a few things that made me happy this week!

Happiness is spending a Sunday Morning in bed with a good book and a big ole puppy who insists on holding your hand.

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Happiness is team work.  It was happy for me anyways.  The boys were not to excited when I told them that they were going to have to work together if they wanted to play.

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Happiness is running through the sprinklers in the middle of November!  Gotta love Texas!

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Happiness is when he holds my hand.   He looked down and said "Aww my shadow loves your shadow"

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Happiness is getting together with other local blogger and paying it forward.   And afterwards, lunch with an amazing friend while our boys played together.  It was much needed!

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Happiness is falling in love with a couch that is so far our of my comfort zone and having the Mr love it as much as I do.  Now all we have to do is get the guys to actually buy it!

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Happiness is getting little presents in the mail.  Im pretty excited to try this one out.  Mostly because I know I wouldn't spend this type of money on creams and such.  Not yet anyways, but I am more that glad to try it out for free thanks to Influenster!

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Happiness is sharing.  Alex insisted on me having the last M&M.  Even if it meant I had one more than him and it was his favorite color, he said wanted me to have it.

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What are some things that made you happy this week?  Are you looking forward to the holidays or are you more stressed?  I'm so excited!  Don't forget to check out what others are happy about this week over at Crazy Adventures in Parenting

November 19, 2013

Sweet Potato and Peanut Butter Dog Bones

I have been having so much fun trying out new recipes for the dogs.  The best part is they cost me next to nothing because I already had everything in my pantry.  The recipe that inspired this one actually called for canned pumpkin, but I'm keeping that to make a pie.  So I used the sweet potato that didn't make it to the dinner table last week!

Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Dog Treats

November 8, 2013

Friday Five: November Bucket List

There is no way I could top this.  I had already surprised my mom with my Nephew coming in for Thanksgiving.  Then, I took a break in the middle of cooking Thanksgiving dinner to grab a quick picture of everyone.  I'm so sneaky!  Because as soon as everyone was sitting, David came in with my oldest brother!  I'm not planning anything to big this year, just a few things to look forward to and plan with the boys.  Like I said, there will be no topping this...

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Backyard camp out with s'mores!
We were planning on going camping this month, but I don't think we will get around to it.  So while uncle Lester is in town, I think we can squeeze in a backyard camp out complete with s'mores and hot chocolate in the crisp fall night. 

Go fishing.
My dad bought Anthony a very cool bamboo fishing pole that we have yet to try out.  Anthony had planned on fishing with his Grandpa, but I am hoping that fishing with me might be enough.  Now all I need to do is find a good place to go fishing here in San Antonio.

Explore a new park.
There are so many parks here and we haven't even been to half of them.  And with the weather finally cooling down, we will be able to enjoy a few hours with out overheating!  I have quite a few parks on my list but I have no clue where to start first.  I'm taking suggestions.  What is your favorite San Antonio Park?

Take family photos
This one I have been trying to do for years, but somehow it just never happens.  I have tons of photos of the boys.  A few of David and the boys.  And only a few phone selfies with the boys and myself.  I do have a few of the boys and I with the bluebonnets but I need to get some of all of us.  Who knows, maybe even the dogs!  

Volunteer
I have been talking about this long enough.  Some have said that being a dog foster is volunteering, but I would love to do more.  So I am going to sign up for orientation at the local animal shelter and I will be going in with a friend when I can.  Very excited about this.  

November 3, 2013

A jam packed Saturday

The past few months have been rough around here.  School started.  Soccer started.  And suddenly there was no time, no energy, no sleep! And now it's November.  I'm not complaining...much  I know in the end it is worth it, but sometimes I kick myself in the butt for trying to do more than I can handle and then hating myself when I don't get it all done. But sometimes I just have to push through it!

Yesterday was a big day for me.  First let me start by saying, I don't get out much.  I walk to the bus stop twice a day.  I go to Dr's appointments and grocery shopping.  Saturdays filled with soccer and errands and Sundays are cleaning and football.  I can't just go anywhere.  My days are pretty low key.  Yesterday was anything but that.

I got up at 6:ooam.  My morning was spent at the Donate life walk. A very dear friend of mine, Stacy of Kids Stuff World, came out with her kids to walk with me.  My sister, her boyfriend and a friends came out as well!  Its nice to be a part of it all and help support a cause that is ultimately going to save my life.  I hit 10,000 steps at 9:50 am.  I usually don't hit that mark until night time!

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I got to the soccer game just in time to catch the last 10 minutes of the game.  Anthony has gotten so much better and I am always so proud to see him playing out there.  I love watching him play! After the game we played around with another player and some friends.  His dad came over and asked me how long its been since I played.  Its been 14 years.  He said he its still there!  How sweet is he.  I know better.  I play with the boys because I cant run any faster! Even Alex gets in on the fun. It won't be long till he is playing too!



Afterwards we headed to a birthday party.  All I have heard all week is when are we going to Peter Pipers Pizza? Finally.  The boys had a blast.  I had fun.  And I think even though he will not admit it, David was hooked on this game!  They were crammed in there like sardines and having so much fun!

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Last stop of the day was the Dragons soccer banquet.  There was tons of food.  The boys ran off the last of their sugar high.  We explored a real high school.  By real I mean stateside.  Man the high schools here look like shopping malls.  Then again, our Elementary School is pretty huge too!  We left around 8pm with purple hair, tattoos and some sweet prizes and auction stuff.

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I got home.  Sent the boys to bed.  Grabbed a pillow and blanket and watched Hawaii 5-O with David though one sleepy eye.  Woke up at 3 still on the couch.  Got to bed and woke up again around 9am. Besides moving to the room, I was knocked out cold!

I'm tired all over again just writing it all out.  But thankful that I made it through the day.  I will probably spend the whole week recovering, but whats done is done and it was worth every pain in my body right now!

These are the days when I have to dig deep.  The days where I have to push myself.  The days I am reminded that I can do whatever I put my heart into.  The days I am blessed to have!