Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Happy Birthday, Mama...


Happy birthday, Mama...I can't imagine life without your sweet heart, your kind words, your graciousness, your unconditional love.
You have taught me to be independent and strong...
You have taught me how to be a mother...I can only hope to be as good as you...
You have taught me how to laugh and enjoy the simple things in life...
You have taught me the importance of family...

And you have taught me that in life we will all make mistakes, but it's what we learn from those mistakes that matters...
I love you, Mama!

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother. ~Abraham Lincoln

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Pro Bowl Bound!

Remember that Will Smith song "Miami"? Well...I do...and it's been in my head all...day....long...please get out of my head Mr. Smith!  In less than 72 hours, Ryan and I are headed to Miami to enjoy the beautiful sun, eat great food, do a little shopping, check out the night life and watch some good old fashion football!  Yes, my friends, we are headed to the Pro Bowl! We scored seats in a suite and a limo ride to and from the game thanks to a very generous friend!  Austin and Preston have asked to tag along in our suitcases, but no sir! This is an adults ONLY trip!  We were going to stay with family of said close friend, but my sweet husband surprised me with this:

A swank little hotel on the beach:


A posh room with a view:


I think I'll just move in...

Awesome!

Have I mentioned how much I love to travel?!  I get so excited about knocking around places I have never been...Miami being one them....experiencing the food, the sites, the people!
Woo hoo!!!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Weekend, Oh Weekend!

Weekend, oh glorious weekend.
Where did you go?
How quickly you're gone.
How you do it, I'll never know.

We celebrated 2 birthdays
for Trysten and Mimi,
had cake and presents
and enjoyed our sweet family.

Grandaddy shared his surprise
about the cruise we will take
He showed the little ones the big ship
on which memories we will make!

 Ryan and the boys,
well, they saw Alvatar in 3D,
while I sat next door
and The Lovely Bones I did see.

The boys made a hideout
in the bounce house out back,
with blankets, pillows and toys
that is definitely a fun fact!

There was laughing and playing
all weekend long.
Another great time,
where for the most part...nothing went wrong!!


Happy Monday!!!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Stay in Love. Keep Dating!

In honor of LOVE month coming up in a few short days, I thought I would share a post I discovered on a blog I have been following for some time now. The name of the blog is How Does She?, and it focuses on celebrating the good things in life...family, holidays, marriage, cooking, and running a household!  In her most recent post, Shelley, states that investing in your marriage brings long term rewards. That there people, is a million dollar statement. Taking a little time to show your spouse how important he/she is to you is vital to a happy, healthy marriage...not to mention it teaches your children how to do the same when they grow up!  Check out the list of some of the fun ideas to stay in love!


Cheap Ideas...

1.Go out for pizza

2.Try live entertainment, such as a band at a local bar or restaurant, instead of a movie. (One of my favorite things to do!)
3.Pick a TV show, get a season’s worth on DVD and make a running date to watch it together every night.
4.Head out to the dollar theater and splurge on snacks.
5.Pick up a bucket of fried...or grilled=)...chicken and head for the drive-in. (If you're lucky enough to have one close by!)

6.Dress up your backyard picnic table with a white tablecloth. Add candles, fancy cheese, chocolate and voila: five-star fun!

7. Too cold or wet for an outdoor picnic? Spread a blanket on the floor and have a carpet picnic.

8. Bring home your favorite fast food, but serve it on your best china.

9. Museums usually have one free night a week or month, so hit one then.

10. Find a happy hour half off appetizers and order a few for your dinner!
11. Grab a basketball and hit the free courts at the park.

12. Sample international food at a street fair.

13. Hit the local video arcade. (As dorky as this sounds, Ryan and I do this a lot! We have a little competition going at Dave & Busters playing old school Galaga!)

14. Go to the library and page through the coffee-table art books, or any books!

15. Suit up and spend a late afternoon at the indoor pool of the Y.

16. Head to the highest point in town. Spend an early evening watching the twinkling lights turn on.  (Love doing this. There are some great places in every city to do this!)

17. Drive out to a country field, lie down and snuggle under the stars.

18. Make yourselves the biggest, craziest ice cream sundae ever.

19. Take a tour of the house you’d (someday) love to own.

Lets get creative...
20. Sign up for a one-night class at your local college. (I think it would be a lot of fun to take a cooking class together!)

21. Hit a farmers’ market and scavenge for your dinner.

22. Get an easy-to-operate remote-control plane, go to a park and take turns trying to avoid the trees.
23. Hit a flea market and shop interesting finds. (Or just people watch!)

24. Take a tour of garage sales in the ritziest neighborhoods.
25. Poke around an antique shop.

26. Ride the Ferris wheel at a local carnival.

27. Find a fountain and throw in 10 pennies, taking turns making wishes.
28. Stop at a nice bakery and pick out a treat for each other.

29. Feed the ducks.

30. Hold a kiss for one elevator ride.

31. One word: Frisbee.

32. Ride a tandem bike. (This one made me crack up when I thought of Ryan and I doing this together! Don't see it happening!)

33. Get up early or stay up all night, to watch the sunrise.


A little more out and about...
34. Head to a batting cage and swing at some balls.

35. Hit the bowling alley.

36. Get in the saddle for a horseback-riding lesson.

37. Hit a sports bar and cheer on the team.

38. Map out a long bike ride through a local park.

39. Fire up the grill for burgers and sticky s’mores.

40. Play paintball.

41. Check out the action at the nearest racetrack.

42. Hit the golf-ball driving range.

Mini Getaways ($$$!)

43. Book a double massage at a spa.

44. Take a balloon or helicopter ride over your town.

45. Rent your hubby's dream car. Tool around as if you actually own it.

46. Find a nearby bed-and-breakfast. Spend the night someplace where someone else makes the bed and cooks breakfast.
47. Spend a weekend at a hotel in a nearby city and live it up!


Little Personal Touches...

48. Write a quick love note on the bathroom mirror

49. Use sticky notes around the house to say a quick I love you!
50. Write an encouraging, sweet, short (or steamy) email during the day.

51. Make a homemade card, “just because”.

52. Make breakfast for him (or with him) on Saturday or Sunday morning

53. Surprise him with a new shirt or something you’ll know he’ll enjoy.

54. Plan a date and take him out!

55. Use chivalry. Say your please and thank you’s!

56. Hold hands whenever you can. We sometimes forget this simple notion of affection.

57. IF your spouse is a reader, find a book and read too! (If your spouse isn't a reader, choose a book together and read it TO him.)

58. Cook together

One last interesting statement from the post that made me think...
"No matter what anybody else says, a date night is between you and your spouse. Going out with friends or another couple, is just going out; not a date night where you and your spouse can create intimate conversations and spend one on one together.
Make it a priority today to begin putting dating back into your marriage! "

Happy LOVE month!!

Family Time!

Last night we had a mini birthday celebration for Trysten with just our little family:

Good times as usual!
What a big kid!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Happy Birthday, Trysten!

From the day I met you, I knew you were a special little boy, and when I met your father and saw you through his eyes, I discovered just how incredible you really are!

A sweet little face...This picture is from your first trip to New York taken with your mom and dad!
So full of life!
Do you remember...
Your 4th birthday party Dad planned all by himself at the new house he had just bought for the 2 of you!
Lots of memories made with Pop and Grandma over the past 8 years...

A new chapter in your life...
This was taken at the State fair of Texas. It was the first time Dad and I took you somewhere together. What a big day! I was so excited to get to know you! And now....I have grown to love you!
Later on down the road, you met Austin, Preston and Carter, and you guys became fast friends!

And eventually we became a family...
Since that time, you have grown and changed so much, little man...
You two are quite a pair!
You are creative and imaginative!
And your smile....it can melt a million hearts!
Do you know how much you're loved? Just look in your Daddy's eyes...
One of your daddy's favorite pictures...This was from 4th of July at the lake house with Dad, Pop and Grandma! Look how little you were and how young Dad was!
 
You are such a handsome boy and look so much like Dad!
 
We all love you so much, Trysten Edwin Soladay...
Happy 8th birthday!!

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Happy Birthday, Mama...


Happy birthday, Mama...I can't imagine life without your sweet heart, your kind words, your graciousness, your unconditional love.
You have taught me to be independent and strong...
You have taught me how to be a mother...I can only hope to be as good as you...
You have taught me how to laugh and enjoy the simple things in life...
You have taught me the importance of family...

And you have taught me that in life we will all make mistakes, but it's what we learn from those mistakes that matters...
I love you, Mama!

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother. ~Abraham Lincoln

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Pro Bowl Bound!

Remember that Will Smith song "Miami"? Well...I do...and it's been in my head all...day....long...please get out of my head Mr. Smith!  In less than 72 hours, Ryan and I are headed to Miami to enjoy the beautiful sun, eat great food, do a little shopping, check out the night life and watch some good old fashion football!  Yes, my friends, we are headed to the Pro Bowl! We scored seats in a suite and a limo ride to and from the game thanks to a very generous friend!  Austin and Preston have asked to tag along in our suitcases, but no sir! This is an adults ONLY trip!  We were going to stay with family of said close friend, but my sweet husband surprised me with this:

A swank little hotel on the beach:


A posh room with a view:


I think I'll just move in...

Awesome!

Have I mentioned how much I love to travel?!  I get so excited about knocking around places I have never been...Miami being one them....experiencing the food, the sites, the people!
Woo hoo!!!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Weekend, Oh Weekend!

Weekend, oh glorious weekend.
Where did you go?
How quickly you're gone.
How you do it, I'll never know.

We celebrated 2 birthdays
for Trysten and Mimi,
had cake and presents
and enjoyed our sweet family.

Grandaddy shared his surprise
about the cruise we will take
He showed the little ones the big ship
on which memories we will make!

 Ryan and the boys,
well, they saw Alvatar in 3D,
while I sat next door
and The Lovely Bones I did see.

The boys made a hideout
in the bounce house out back,
with blankets, pillows and toys
that is definitely a fun fact!

There was laughing and playing
all weekend long.
Another great time,
where for the most part...nothing went wrong!!


Happy Monday!!!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Stay in Love. Keep Dating!

In honor of LOVE month coming up in a few short days, I thought I would share a post I discovered on a blog I have been following for some time now. The name of the blog is How Does She?, and it focuses on celebrating the good things in life...family, holidays, marriage, cooking, and running a household!  In her most recent post, Shelley, states that investing in your marriage brings long term rewards. That there people, is a million dollar statement. Taking a little time to show your spouse how important he/she is to you is vital to a happy, healthy marriage...not to mention it teaches your children how to do the same when they grow up!  Check out the list of some of the fun ideas to stay in love!


Cheap Ideas...

1.Go out for pizza

2.Try live entertainment, such as a band at a local bar or restaurant, instead of a movie. (One of my favorite things to do!)
3.Pick a TV show, get a season’s worth on DVD and make a running date to watch it together every night.
4.Head out to the dollar theater and splurge on snacks.
5.Pick up a bucket of fried...or grilled=)...chicken and head for the drive-in. (If you're lucky enough to have one close by!)

6.Dress up your backyard picnic table with a white tablecloth. Add candles, fancy cheese, chocolate and voila: five-star fun!

7. Too cold or wet for an outdoor picnic? Spread a blanket on the floor and have a carpet picnic.

8. Bring home your favorite fast food, but serve it on your best china.

9. Museums usually have one free night a week or month, so hit one then.

10. Find a happy hour half off appetizers and order a few for your dinner!
11. Grab a basketball and hit the free courts at the park.

12. Sample international food at a street fair.

13. Hit the local video arcade. (As dorky as this sounds, Ryan and I do this a lot! We have a little competition going at Dave & Busters playing old school Galaga!)

14. Go to the library and page through the coffee-table art books, or any books!

15. Suit up and spend a late afternoon at the indoor pool of the Y.

16. Head to the highest point in town. Spend an early evening watching the twinkling lights turn on.  (Love doing this. There are some great places in every city to do this!)

17. Drive out to a country field, lie down and snuggle under the stars.

18. Make yourselves the biggest, craziest ice cream sundae ever.

19. Take a tour of the house you’d (someday) love to own.

Lets get creative...
20. Sign up for a one-night class at your local college. (I think it would be a lot of fun to take a cooking class together!)

21. Hit a farmers’ market and scavenge for your dinner.

22. Get an easy-to-operate remote-control plane, go to a park and take turns trying to avoid the trees.
23. Hit a flea market and shop interesting finds. (Or just people watch!)

24. Take a tour of garage sales in the ritziest neighborhoods.
25. Poke around an antique shop.

26. Ride the Ferris wheel at a local carnival.

27. Find a fountain and throw in 10 pennies, taking turns making wishes.
28. Stop at a nice bakery and pick out a treat for each other.

29. Feed the ducks.

30. Hold a kiss for one elevator ride.

31. One word: Frisbee.

32. Ride a tandem bike. (This one made me crack up when I thought of Ryan and I doing this together! Don't see it happening!)

33. Get up early or stay up all night, to watch the sunrise.


A little more out and about...
34. Head to a batting cage and swing at some balls.

35. Hit the bowling alley.

36. Get in the saddle for a horseback-riding lesson.

37. Hit a sports bar and cheer on the team.

38. Map out a long bike ride through a local park.

39. Fire up the grill for burgers and sticky s’mores.

40. Play paintball.

41. Check out the action at the nearest racetrack.

42. Hit the golf-ball driving range.

Mini Getaways ($$$!)

43. Book a double massage at a spa.

44. Take a balloon or helicopter ride over your town.

45. Rent your hubby's dream car. Tool around as if you actually own it.

46. Find a nearby bed-and-breakfast. Spend the night someplace where someone else makes the bed and cooks breakfast.
47. Spend a weekend at a hotel in a nearby city and live it up!


Little Personal Touches...

48. Write a quick love note on the bathroom mirror

49. Use sticky notes around the house to say a quick I love you!
50. Write an encouraging, sweet, short (or steamy) email during the day.

51. Make a homemade card, “just because”.

52. Make breakfast for him (or with him) on Saturday or Sunday morning

53. Surprise him with a new shirt or something you’ll know he’ll enjoy.

54. Plan a date and take him out!

55. Use chivalry. Say your please and thank you’s!

56. Hold hands whenever you can. We sometimes forget this simple notion of affection.

57. IF your spouse is a reader, find a book and read too! (If your spouse isn't a reader, choose a book together and read it TO him.)

58. Cook together

One last interesting statement from the post that made me think...
"No matter what anybody else says, a date night is between you and your spouse. Going out with friends or another couple, is just going out; not a date night where you and your spouse can create intimate conversations and spend one on one together.
Make it a priority today to begin putting dating back into your marriage! "

Happy LOVE month!!

Family Time!

Last night we had a mini birthday celebration for Trysten with just our little family:

Good times as usual!
What a big kid!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Happy Birthday, Trysten!

From the day I met you, I knew you were a special little boy, and when I met your father and saw you through his eyes, I discovered just how incredible you really are!

A sweet little face...This picture is from your first trip to New York taken with your mom and dad!
So full of life!
Do you remember...
Your 4th birthday party Dad planned all by himself at the new house he had just bought for the 2 of you!
Lots of memories made with Pop and Grandma over the past 8 years...

A new chapter in your life...
This was taken at the State fair of Texas. It was the first time Dad and I took you somewhere together. What a big day! I was so excited to get to know you! And now....I have grown to love you!
Later on down the road, you met Austin, Preston and Carter, and you guys became fast friends!

And eventually we became a family...
Since that time, you have grown and changed so much, little man...
You two are quite a pair!
You are creative and imaginative!
And your smile....it can melt a million hearts!
Do you know how much you're loved? Just look in your Daddy's eyes...
One of your daddy's favorite pictures...This was from 4th of July at the lake house with Dad, Pop and Grandma! Look how little you were and how young Dad was!
 
You are such a handsome boy and look so much like Dad!
 
We all love you so much, Trysten Edwin Soladay...
Happy 8th birthday!!