Whose idea was it?

1. Whose idea was it to have school pictures made posing this way?
2. Whose idea was it for this flower garden onesie to be in style?
3. Whose idea was it to start a trend with big bangs, curling irons, and Rave hairspray?

Wow! I was lucky to make it out of this awkward phase, that's for sure, but this would be one of those photos I would love to re-create. If only I could find a flower garden onesie.. !

Happy Flashback Friday!

Luke's Locker

Let me start by telling you that I hate all things running. I think I would rather do pretty much anything in the world besides run, but I know it is so good for your body and mind and I really want to enjoy it but things just hurt and I am extremely winded and it is just not enjoyable. I am hoping to change that with Couch 2 5k, and hopefully run a 5k at some point this year.
The second thing I need to tell you is that I have plantar fascitis (self diagnosed of course)  in my heels, and I can sit down for 5 minutes after walking and then when I stand back up to walk again it's extremely painful. Waking up in the morning is comical because I have a full bladder, and so I hobble to the bathroom with my bum feet killing me every step of the way. It feels like my tendons are just really short in my heel/ankle area and so it almost seems like things are pulling or stretching in my foot. Ouch.
I realize I put lots of pressure on my heels when I stand, and I know the extra weight doesn't help things, so finding a good running shoe to get started was pretty important, even if I knew it were to cost me more than just picking up a pair of Nike's at the mall because they looked cute.
The folks that work at Luke's Locker are specialized in feet apparently, because they ask questions, find out exactly what your needs/wants are, and they even watch you walk either on a treadmill or a track to see where you put the most pressure when you walk, and if your feet do anything different that might require a certain type of shoes.
Matt and I ventured out to the location in mid-town (Houston) last weekend and although it was a yucky rainy day, the place was CROWDED! Come to find out, it was the day before the Houston Marathon. There were people everywhere and people were running through the store on the track they had. There was a waiting list of people waiting for a "specialist" to help with shoes. This was not how I envisioned getting this knocked off my list, as I really wanted someone to spend time with me and help me find the right shoe. Honestly, I was very intimidated, and just wanted to leave but Matt encouraged me to stay and made sure I was going to be taken care of by someone. Whenever it was finally my turn, the guy helping me really did listen when I told him about my faulty heel and how I am planning on doing Couch 2 5k, and that I hate to run. He had me walk around and watched my feet closely and then brought out a "tester" pair of shoes for me to try. Love, love, loved them! They felt wonderful and he had me try on about 6 or 7 more pairs (he even put them on my feet and took them off my feet, LOL!) and I decided that the first pair was the winner.
I ended up also getting a headband, and two pairs of socks that will help with my lack of arch in my foot, and I am very pleased. I have done the 1st day of Couch 2 5k and they didn't hurt me one bit!
Here they are- they are the Ghost 5 Women's running shoe with my pretty new headband and they make my feet feel as if I am running on clouds (:

And just like that, two items are knocked off my 35 before 35 list!

3.Buy lunch for a stranger

7.Get fitted for shoes and purchase them at Luke's locker

So much fun!

Flashback Friday Episode 3

Boy, do I have a treat for you!  This weeks flashback photo is sure not going to let you down, or at least I hope not.

In case you don't know my history, I was the first born to a couple of high school sweethearts named Barbara and Tim. My dad was a  year older than my mom, and they got married right out of high school. They had me about a year and a half after they were married, and then they divorced, and then remarried again and had my brother, Matt.  I was 6 years old when  Matt was born, and although he has always been the apple of my eye, it took some adjusting trying to get used to having another kiddo around. You see, I was the only grandchild on my mom's side all of this time, and I am pretty sure I made the rules and everything was usually centered around me. Sounds perfect, right?

Right before my brother was born in August of 1985, my  cousin (mom's side) Mallory was born so we quickly went from one grandchild to three. Side note: Mallory's mom, Bridget, is my mom's twin sister and we have always been close and see them pretty often, and more so when we were younger.

It was always fun for everyone to dress Matt and Mallory alike, or take photos of them together since they were the same age. Ohhh, they were so cute with their sailor outfits and their matching Christmas clothes, and even though I have always loved those two, their cuteness quickly stole my spotlight, and so you could only agree that pictures like this were inevitable.

So that would be my brother Matt (nice Carebear onesie, bro) , my cousin Mallory, and then of course me, just asking for any bit of attention that someone could send my way.

Naturally, all ended well, and Mallory had a sister, Jacqueline come along a few years later, and we have about 11 grandkids on that side of the family now total, and I still love them just as much as I did then.

Here is a "now" picture from Mallory's wedding this past summer so you can see how we have changed.. Mallory is the beautiful bride, I am the one in the back next to my giant husband, and my brother Matt is to the left of him.

I will be updating tomorrow with another item knocked off my 35 before 35 list! See you then (;

Another Flashback Friday

Well, hello! I am sticking to my guns and updating my blog weekly, so here is my week at a glance, and then I will share with you a hideous picture of me that will serve as my 2nd ever "Flashback Friday" photo..

Sunday- I hung out with my brother, Kim, Sophie and Karsen, and some of their friends. My bro cooked a delicious meal and we hung out and watched football.. great, lazy day! We went to a later dinner at Twin Peaks (Matt's choice) and then watched the Biggest Loser! I was crying my eyes out 5 minutes into it.

Monday- I won an NFL Jersey of my choice!! I played head to head in Fantasy football in the Championship game against one of my best girls and I ended up winning.. She won a gift card for winning 2nd runner up, and I got to pick out a jersey. I of course picked JJ Watt, and picked up the jersey on Monday.. How do you like this selfie?

That's my " I love to get free jerseys" face.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were pretty uneventful! I did Facetime with Sophie last night so that was fun. She is soo cute! I was talking to her and she started saying "Matt, Matt, MATT!" so I turned the camera around to him on the other couch so he could talk to her, and she then she started saying my name. I think she prefers when we sit together so she can just holler at the dogs. LOL! Love that sweet girl.

Today I helped out with a baby shower at work that had a great turn out and was lots of fun! So excited for Teddy and Austin, and can't wait to meet Baby Parker!

So back to Flashback Friday- Remember when it was cool to be a "baby" every year for Halloween? Well, for some reason I was a baby every year for Halloween for all of my middle school years. I have no idea why but it was the thing to go.

Now, while I am certain this was just an excuse to walk around in my jammies with a bunny rabbit and a lollipop, I have no idea why I had to go the extra mile to put red lipstick circles on my face. Scary!

Have a great weekend and GO TEXANS! Yours truly will be sporting that cute new jersey this weekend! (:

Flashback Friday!

Happy Friday! 

In honor of the Cotton Bowl tonight (A&M vs. OU) I thought it would be great to post this little blast from the past.

Super cool things about this image:

1. It's apparently true that I have been a Longhorn fan my entire life.

2. I am even cute when I make demon eyes.

3. The fellow (not sure who it is) closet to the camera might or might not be wearing pants.. you be the judge.

Good luck to both teams playing tonight! The Aggies have had a great year, and I am pretty glad we didn't play each other in our traditional Thanksgiving game. That would have been embarrassing!
With Matt's family being the die hard Sooner fans.. I have no choice but to say "Boomer Sooner" just for today!

Have a great day!

One down!

Hey there! I knocked one off my list yesterday! Right after I posted my 35 before 35 list, Matt and I went to eat lunch at Italiano's, one of our favorite resturants in this area. Matt spotted a man and his son, who looked to be about 8 or 9, eating alone and before they ate their food they held hands and prayed, which I think is wonderful. It was so sweet, and this was one of the items on my list that I was super anxious to achieve, so we asked the waitress to put their food items on our reciept and we would take care of the bill, and asked her not to say anything but to tell them "Happy New Year". I did not want to take a photo of them while they were eating (since I recently was busted taking a photo of a man in Wal Mart who did not look in the mirror before he left the house) so I took a picture of the reciept. I plan on doing this one again- it felt so great!!

So, one thing is done!!

1.Get a massage

2.Go to a Texans game
3.Buy lunch for a stranger
4.Go to Lakewood Church
5.Go see the Nutcracker Ballet
6.Reach my goal weight (the exact number will be updated later)
7.Get fitted for shoes and purchase them at Luke's locker
8.Run a 5k
9.Buy a Canon Rebel camera
10.Get my wedding rings sized and sautered
11.Have a slumber party for my neices and nephews
12.Send a message in a bottle
13.Go to a musical/ play
14.Visit New Orleans!
15.Go to brunch at the House of Blues
16.Kiss Matt under the stars at the beach
17.Get a manicure/ pedicure
18.Have an allergy test done ( I have HORRIBLE allergies!)
19.Bake a cake from scratch
20.Paint our home office
21.Take a Zumba class
22.Watch The Princess Bride with Matt (he has been trying to get me to watch it forever)
23.Go to a dermatologist
24.Do the Advocare 24 day challenge
25.Have a dinner party
26.Send out Christmas Cards
27.Make a Pinterest inspired craft
28.Blog at least once a week
29.Complete the 'Couch to 5k program'
30.Take the dogs to the beach
31.Get a passport
32.Read a new series of books
33.Grow my own vegetables (don't get excited- it will probably just be tomatoes or cucumbers, haha)
34.Go see the Spazmatics
35.Subscribe to a new magazine

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year! We are on our way to the gym for a head start (:

35 before 35

Happy early New Years! I have been enjoying a wonderful, relaxing vacation, and am really getting alot accomplished in my personal life. I have had some time to think and re-evaluate my goals and ready to take this new year on, fully charged.
Most of you are probably wondering, and I know the biggest question is, "Are you still trying to get pregnant?" The answer is yes of course, that  a child is something we have always wanted, but after this many years of trying (8, but who's counting?), and after so many disappointments, it's best that I don't let it consume my life any longer. Obviously, if it happens we would be thrilled. This journey has been heartbreak after heartbreak and after each disappointment I find myself back to square one. I thought having a baby would complete who we are, and make us a family, but the truth is, my heart is already full with Matt. We have a wonderful life together, and I cannot imagine one day without him. I know, without a doubt, that he is what God had in mind for me, so if this means that it's just us two together, forever, and some crazy dogs, than I am good with that and I am thankful for every minute of every day to have him. I am also forever grateful for everyone who has prayed for us along the way, and hope that you continue to do so!
Back to my story- I realize it's been forever since I have blogged, but am really wanting to start 2013 off right. I had an idea to start a whole new blog since my goals are changing a bit, but thougth I would just keep this one.  I may change a few things to the design of the blog, but for now please join me (and help support me if at all possible) as I start on my 35 before 35 list.. I will turn 35 in February of 2014 so this is a great time to start this!  Right after I turn 35, Matt and I will be married for 10 years, so I love how this will all flow together.
I got this idea from several other bloggers who I stalk  follow so I figured it would be a great time to start this with all my new goals for my personal life.
And now I introduce you to my list of 35 things I want to do before I turn 35..

1. Get a massage
2. Go to a Texans game
3. Buy lunch for a stranger
4. Go to Lakewood Church
5. Go see the Nutcracker Ballet
6. Reach my goal weight (the exact number will be updated later)
7. Get fitted for shoes and purchase them at Luke's locker
8. Run a 5k
9. Buy a Canon Rebel camera
10. Get my wedding rings sized and sautered
11. Have a slumber party for my neices and nephews
12. Send a message in a bottle
13. Go to a musical/ play
14. Visit New Orleans!
15. Go to brunch at the House of Blues
16. Kiss Matt under the stars at the beach
17. Get a manicure/ pedicure
18. Have an allergy test done ( I have HORRIBLE allergies!)
19. Bake a cake from scratch
20. Paint our home office
21. Take a Zumba class
22. Watch The Princess Bride with Matt (he has been trying to get me to watch it forever)
23. Go to a dermatologist
24. Do the Advocare 24 day challenge
25. Have a dinner party
26. Send out Christmas Cards
27. Make a Pinterest inspired craft
28. Blog at least once a week
29. Complete the 'Couch to 5k program'
30. Take the dogs to the beach
31. Get a passport
32. Read a new series of books
33. Grow my own vegetables (don't get excited- it will probably just be tomatoes or cucumbers, haha)
34. Go see the Spazmatics
35. Subscribe to a new magazine

So there you have it!
I hope that you join me as I work to knock everything off this list. I look foward to blogging more, and keeping everyone updated with how the new changes are coming along (: