Why Weekending Is Coming Back to This Space

On Friday night, Mr. G and I were taking a little walk down memory lane and had varying recollections about a now-defunct restaurant in Fort Worth, and it hit me, "Maybe I blogged about that?" I searched the blog right then, and we spent the next 30 minutes laughing about what our life was like as DINKs back in 2007 through 2010 on a trip through this website.

All of that to say, I realized how much I have come to love this space as a diary of what's been going on with us. GROUNDBREAKING, I know.

So here's what I've been up to for the past many months that may or may not have landed here:

Raising two precious preschoolers and all of the fun playing, singing, and boo boo kissing that comes with it.

Serving on a strategic advisory team at my church.

Teaching a lot of Pure Barre, as well as growing my skills through additional training.

Taking a lot of Pure Barre, because I still enjoy it as a primary exercise.

Potty training a child.

Mentoring an awesome young lady at TCU regarding our mutual faith in Christ.

Reflecting on life with a child in kindergarten next year.

Laundering everything we own on Mondays and Fridays.

Leading a Ladies' gathering on Wednesday nights at church.

Writing for Fort Worth Moms Blog.

Currently finalizing the craft list and supplies for VBS 2016.

Reading a lot!

Taking time off from leading a Sunday school department, we've been part of a young adult Sunday school class since August.

Over the next several weeks, maybe I will find it in myself to break these down into separate blog posts, because a bullet does no credit to the amount of time I've actually dedicated to them. Especially those first and second items. When people ask how I've been, I usually say, "Busy." It feels good to list it out and see that I'm not making that up.

{Because you can't have a blog post without a picture.}

Am I the only one with photos like this on my roll?
I bought this shirt a while back and love it,
but not with a sports bra and tights. Found here.
I had a friend comment to me about how easy it is to be a stay at home mom. Yes, it's very easy to be a stay at home mother if you have no commitments to anything except your kids and the occasional playdate. I find it harder to balance when I'm volunteering at a high capacity with a child on my hip and the other pulling at my leg. I don't have a nanny, and the children always come first. However, it's absolutely my choice to take on those commitments, and my husband and I both find it good stewardship of my time to give back so much to the Lord through service to our church. One of the nice things about staying home is choosing how to spend the available time.

My heart--and my schedule--is full!

A Little More About Vegas

Since I was going somewhere super fun for the software conference and would have evenings free, I thought, "How boring to go by myself." Brad had been gone for over 2 weeks, and had work and other obligations back in Fort Worth as well. On a whim, I e-mailed my favorite pharmacist Alisia to see if she was free that weekend, and she was!

She flew in on Saturday and spent the day mapping our evening itinerary while I went conference functions. Saturday evening we shopped until our feet hurt. GAP was having a 40% off sale of everything in the store, so I cleaned up on long-sleeved maternity t's and tanks to get me through the winter.

Sunday night we dressed up and headed down to Treasure Island (currently trying to rebrand themselves with the more hip name t.i.--so weird) for the Cirque du Soleil show, Mystere. While we had a bit of a hard time following the storyline, the show was incredible! I had never been to one before, and I was just amazed at the flexibility and strength of the cast. After the show, we headed to Spago for dinner.

Alisia flew back to Texas the next day to work, and I had conference functions the rest of the time I was there.

I'm so glad to be home and have no where to go for a while. I've barely begun my Christmas shopping, and I've got to get moving on a room for this tiny boy to live in!

The one picture I have of us, at the show!

What I Did at Work Today

I watched baseball...and met Mark McLemore.

And the Rangers won in the 12th inning, 2-1.

Where I've Been, What I've Been Up To

I am finally home from my recent work trips for good. Last week was Atlanta, and when I left on Monday morning, my suitcase from San Francisco was still sitting in the middle of the bedroom floor. As a general rule, I don't like unpacking because it means that some really fun trip is over with, but in this case I was extremely glad to be home and both of my suitcases are now put away. Of course, in place of those is a big giant pile of dress clothes that either need to be dry cleaned or laundered, and I just can't bring myself to take care of it. No fun.

I was in Atlanta for approximately 4 days and saw about 45 minutes of a mall where I ate Chick-fil-a and picked up some makeup that I had run out of (at Bloomingdale's though, so that was a little fun, and I got a 'little brown bag'.) Otherwise, I saw zero of the city outside of the airport and a classroom where I sat for 8 hours a day. I'll have to go back someday.

One thing in my travels over the last 2 weeks that I have come to appreciate immensely is free WiFi. Other cities have free hot spots everywhere. I was even able to video iChat with Drew from the PHX airport. What's the deal, DFW? Other than Panera and the Toyota dealership, we have no free WiFi love around here.

While I was gone, my husband went on a mission trip with some men from our church to help victims of Hurricane Ike down in the Beaumont area. From what I understand, it was quite a trip. The devastation down there is wild, and it seems to me the news media has barely reported on it. I don't get it. The trip definitely opened our eyes, and we are praying so much for those affected.

Since he left on Wednesday for that trip, and I got home on Thursday, that left me with some time on my hands. I stayed with Alisia on Thursday night, took a vacation day Friday just because I could, hosted a Girls' Night In at my house on Friday night (husband away = chick flick movie madness) with some friends, and my brother came to spend the rest of the weekend with me. (I should insert a note here for myself that in the future, when I make chicken salad, I should half my recipe. I forgot, so when I made it for Friday evening, and it made enough to feed the neighborhood. For several days. )

I was so glad when Brad got home Saturday night! We have just about readjusted to sharing a bathroom again, the dog recognizes both of us, and the laundry is piled up in the usual locations.

In the words of Dorothy, "there's no place like home!"

Texas on My Mind

I'm sitting here in my hotel room getting ready to fly home to Texas tomorrow night. I have to be honest--I'm missing a tall, dark, and handsome fella. No place is quite as much fun without him. But of course, I still had a little fun!

Tonight's adventure took us to Ghirardelli Square, as in the chocolate maker. YUM. After walking around this area a bit, seeing where the trolley cars begin their route (that will be saved for another trip west with my man), and checking out the beautiful view around the bay, we ate at McCormick & Kuleto's, part of the McCormick & Schmick's group. Wow. The main dining room had floor to ceiling windows overlooking the bay where I observed the most beautiful sunset and watched the city lights spring to life. It was a fine evening.

I found the most odd/interesting fact about San Francisco printed along the bottom of my menu this evening. Apparently, the city has passed its own universal health care plan for uninsured residents (I looked it up--it started in '06), and they fund it by adding an additional 3.5% tax onto your bill. I have my own opinions about universal health care, but I like to keep it light and fluffy on the blog, so my comment is this--it speaks volumes about the political climate and mindset of this city, doesn't it?

Onto the good stuff. Here is the bonus for being the Gentry in Texas--an 'I Missed You' souvenir! I channelled my missing Bradley into shopping for him. I hope chocolate does the trick.

Sittin' by the Dock of the Bay

I am loving San Francisco. The weather--perfect. My hair--behaving in a way that I enjoy. The only negative is that I think they import their Diet Coke from Mexico because it tastes like Coca Cola Light. That es no bueno.

Last night we went to dinner and then came back to the hotel, but tonight, we ventured into the city. Part of our exploration led us to the sea lions. I was talking to Brad on the phone while we were walking past there, and he asked what the deal was with the dogs barking. It was the sea lions being incredibly loud.


We also made a quick run through Chinatown. Proof that I'm not grabbing these pics off of Flickr.



Here's a shot of Alcatraz. It is one of the sites I will visit someday when I come back with my man, so for now, that is as close as I'm getting. We dined at a place called The Fog something or other not far from where I snapped this shot. It was pretty good and had a beautiful view of the bay.

Golden Gate City

If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
--Scott McKenzie

This evening we went out for dinner over the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito at The Spinnaker, over the water in San Francisco Bay. These pics were taken with my iphone as we went over the bridge.

Two Things

Today at work, a couple of things happened (well, more than a couple, but these are the highlights):

1. It was holy guacamole day, and they made fresh guacamole to order in our cafeteria. It was delicious.

2. This guy came to visit. It's Captain, the Texas Rangers' mascot!

Another Day at the Office

Oh, how I love Friday, the gatekeeper to the weekend!

We had brunch today at work, and I made a quick and easy casserole that was completely eaten by the end of round 1. (Round 2 is when one by one we graze over the food for the rest of the day, with a crowd gathering at lunch, of course.) Brunch foods here range from cheesecake to breakfast casseroles, to a Teammate's specialty queso, so I am done with eating today. We played pictionary that another Teammate and I made up specially themed for our office. Good times!

Around 11 someone came by and mentioned that a few of the Texas Rangers were signing autographs upstairs in our cafeteria. So of course I ran upstairs to meet them! I got autos from pitchers Wes Littleton and CJ Wilson, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (who, by the way, has the longest last name in the league), and Eric Nadel, the voice of the Texas Rangers. How random is that?

Viva Las Vegas

So since last Saturday, I've been in Las Vegas and just got in yesterday. I attended a software conference there. I had a great time but am so glad to be home. Some people go to Vegas to gamble, but the shopping is where it's at. I spent plenty of time after conference sessions at the Grand Canal Shops in the Venetian and the Forum Shops at Caesar's. And Fashion Show Mall? Love it.

For the first few days of my trip, my mom and my aunt came out to stay with me and tear up the town. They left Monday morning, and the rest of the trip was all business. But while they were there, I did get to see some of the sights.

Mom & Aunt Sheri on the Journey to Vegas

In the lobby of The Venetian

I stayed in the Venetian, and it is quite luxurious. For two of the nights I had an entire king bed to myself. And there were 3 flat panel tvs in my room. One in the sitting area, another in front of the bed, and a third in the bathroom.

My Mom and I in the Bellagio Conservatory

On the Strip in front of M&M World. Yum!

Sisters on the Strip in front of New York New York

While I was gone, my dear husband attended the 50th wedding anniversary party of his grandparents in Texarkana while attempting to write his Masters report. I am so proud of him. I am happy to say that the end is in sight, and he plans on being finished with the rough draft this Monday!

Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

Only 364 Days Until the Next Pretzel Day

Today was Pretzel Day at my Office. I am serious. I had cinnamon and sugar as evidenced by the sticky goodness all over the wrapper. If you are a fan of The Office, you are probably laughing right now.

I LUV my job!