inspired by home...

I was so excited about going home for Christmas. My wonderful husband drove 35 mph in an ice storm to get us there to see Emilie wake up on Christmas morning. Hobbs, New Mexico (The Land of Enchantment). My Mom still cooks stacked enchiladas for me.....by the way, New Mexico style (with an egg on top). This time she made cassaroles --- all the same --- GOOD STUFF!

Six reasons I went home:
6) my Mom has a project list for us

5) it's time to plan a wedding (my younger sister)

4) going to see a childhood friend and my best friend from high school

3) my Grandmother needs a coffee guest

2) for the homemade food and salsa

and the #1 reason ---- EMILIE..... Yes, you all know she has my heart....

To most, Hobbs, NM is just a small, oil town. To me it's where I was able to ride my bike in town with my friends ---- all over town (my Mom doesn't know about that). The soccer complex was just a weekend family reunion. Most every one in my family played soccer. From my five year old cousins to my aunts, uncles, and Mom. Saturdays and Sundays were spent watching or playing soccer. Summers were spent in the country. We moved to the country when no one else was out there. We spent summers shooting birds, chasing horned toads, riding our bikes, riding horses, running through the sprinklers, picking weeds for my Mom, mowing the yard, and eating watermelon on the front porch. During my teen years, you could always find me at the high school tennis courts.. Tennis was my passion.


Hobbs, NM has the best sunsets in the world. I was fortunate to grow up there.....to me, it's where I relax; it's HOME.

inspired by love...

I once said that I would not believe in love if these two people didn't end up together. Saturday night, Rebekah Waits accepted Jason Byrne's proposal of marriage. Rumor is...he was on two knees instead of one ;-)

Alot of my leisure time has been spent with Rebekah and Jason. They read each other; they know each other; they treat each other with respect; they feed off of each other's wit; they love each other......it's a beautiful thing.

I hope that you will join me in congratulating them.

inspired by a five year old.....Matthew

EIGHT LESSONS THAT I LEARNED FROM A FIVE YEAR OLD

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine who is the associate head coach of the TCU Baseball team asks me to babysit his five year old son during the TCU vs. Wichita State baseball game. The first thing that comes to mind is that if anyone asks ME to babysit, everyone else on their list has turned them down. I’m going to the baseball game anyway, so it all works...

Since I’m running a tad bit late (yes, I know, surprise, surprise) I meet both Todd and Matthew in front of the ballpark. Matt jumps in my Jeep and we drive to find a parking space. As we are walking to the ball park, the Star-Spangled Banner starts to play over the sound system. FIRST LESSON – NO MATTER IF YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT DODGING CARS, IF YOU HEAR THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER, YOU STOP, TAKE YOUR CAP OFF AND PLACE IT OVER YOUR HEART UNTIL THE END. He was so adorable standing there with his cap over his heart (in full baseball dress) that everyone just waited. So we head into the game, it’s Sunday (Kid’s Day at the Ballpark) and the bounce houses are calling his name. We go to the kid’s area and take his shoes and socks off and he’s ready to go! There is a bounce house that simulates an obstacle course (climbing a wall, slide, ropes, blocks to dodge, and a bridge that you have to either crawl under or over). He goes through a couple of times and I am timing him to see how he does. Too many kids are running through the course at one time and the ushers are afraid that someone is going to get hurt so they allow only two kids at a time (similiar size/age). It's Matt's turn so I run around to the exit so that I can time him again to see if he is getting faster. He runs out, throws his fist in the air and yells “I BEAT THAT BABY!” and the funniest part is that his competitor was this sweet little girl that had no idea this was a competition. SECOND LESSON – COMPETITION HAS NO AGE LIMIT. THIRD LESSON – COME HELL OR HIGH WATER, WINNING IS EVERYTHING! I wonder who taught him that???

I could go on and on. Matt was hilarious --- as witnessed by Rebekah and Jason. Without me saying, they definitely knew who he belonged to..... (see all lessons below).

FIRST LESSON – NO MATTER IF YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT DODGING CARS, IF YOU HEAR THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER, YOU STOP, TAKE YOUR CAP OFF, AND PLACE IT OVER YOUR HEART UNTIL THE END
SECOND LESSON – COMPETITION HAS NO AGE LIMIT
THIRD LESSON – COME HELL OR HIGH WATER, WINNING IS EVERYTHING!
FOURTH LESSON – THERE IS A CERTAIN WAY TO PUT ON BASEBALL SOCKS
FIFTH LESSON – ANY KID CAN BE BOUGHT WITH SOUR KIDS CANDY
SIXTH LESSON – BOOGERS ARE FUNNY
SEVENTH LESSON – LIP BALM IS FOR GIRLS, CHAP STICK IS FOR BOYS (DR. PEPPER FLAVOR IS THE BEST)
EIGHTH LESSON – WHILE IN A STORE, KIDS DON’T LOSE YOU---YOU LOSE THEM

We ended up stopping at Blockbuster, Walgreens, and a birthday party for Mr. Ruiz who owns Fernandez Café. It was a great experience! Would I do it again? -----the question is, would Matt do it again?

inspired by friendships

Super Bowl - Thanks to Prentice and Jeff Lewis for having a great party at the Lewis home this year. The food was great and was provided by all in attendance. The Chili Cook-off was rigged and the only reason I say that is because I was disqualified. There were three entries which were Prentice Lewis, John Festervand, and Mexican Heat (me). The judge (Jeff Lewis) could not vote for his wife so Pren was disqualified, and Jeff noted that I did not hold amateur status any longer because of the win at Cockrell Chili Cook-off, which left John Festervand (the winner). Actually, John's chili was fantastic and appreciate everyone for all their efforts on the food. It was fantastic!!! With all the great fun, I am not even sure who won the Super Bowl.....just kidding....notice my red shirt--pooh!

inspired by sisters

While home for the holidays, I was able to spend some time with my sisters. My older sister practically raised me and would tell me crazy stories that I actually believed and my younger sister is like a daughter to me. We are all so similiar and so very different at the same time. I didn't realize until I was older that there is a beautiful connection between Sisters. I am so happy to have them both in my life!

inspired by friendships

Thank you to Prentice and Jeff Lewis for the invite today to hockey. You guys rock! Twelve people (Jeff (Lew Dew), Wendy (MVP), Mark (Plakorus), Me, Prentice, Jason (Bernie), Kim, Sarah (GetSome), Mindy, Chris (The U), Louie, and Mark the Mill, showed today and give it their all. Wendy Farrens walked away today with the game MVP Trophy. It was her first game and she walked away with.....I think it was 10 goals. By the way, isn't my hat cool?

inspired by Emilie

All of my friends know about Emilie. They get all the pictures and stories by email. All that know about Emilie, know about her mom, Erica. I was fortunate to spend nine days in New Mexico with my family. Those that know me, know that I don't spend nine days anywhere...so it was sort of a BIG DEAL. Emilie is at the age now where she is so much fun. I tried reading to her but she ended up reading to me. She's memorized her books but can't really read yet. Her favorite word s are "I can do it" --- so independent.

inspired by a friend

FIRST BLOG POSTING:

First I'd like to say thank you to Drew Myers for motivating me to start my own blog. If anything, it will help me on phone time. I spend hours talking to my family but never really tell them what "I" am doing. This will be a great way for them to catch up on my life.

2009 Homeless Count: I was invited to participate in the 2009 Homeless Count ---- so far I have one team. The Tarrant County Homeless Coalition will be training us for the night of the count. I'm a little nervous but at the same time am so excited that Mitch Walter and Greg Blackwell have stepped up to take the challenge! You guys rock! I will share my fries with you any day!!

If anyone would like additional information about the Coalition, please logon to: http://www.tchcoalition.org/homelesscount/index.asp)

Also, I'd like to thank E-Partners in Giving for hosting a reception prior to the Count – they want to make sure everyone gets a good meal and a hot cup of coffee/cocoa before hitting the streets. They always find ways to give back.