M.E.G

Viva Las Vegas

2012-01-22T16:29:00.001-08:00

To celebrate surviving the first 5 months of parenting Chris and I left the baby with Grandma and went to Vegas for 2 nights. Chris has a conference every year, and I tag along. Last year I was 8 weeks pregnant and super sick, so I spent the whole time in the hotel room. Well I might have taken a cab to in-n-out....but doesn't everybody?

This year was much better. The people watching usually starts on the flight, and didn't disappoint. We stayed at Aria, shopped, gambled, and had some cocktails at The Cosmopolitan. We also had an amazing dinner at Mix on the 64th floor with a view of the entire strip. I highly recommend.

Grandma did a great job, and spoiled him like crazy of course. 3 days was just enough for our first solo adventure. I was missing that sweet baby smell.

5 months!

2012-01-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

Yes, the child is 5 months old today. I have no idea where the time went, and at the same time feel like it's been forever since we were able to just walk out the door and do something...without a last min blow out, or spit up, or outfit change etc. What was that like again to just get in the car whenever and go wherever? I digress. 5 months old. Almost 30 inches long and 17.5lbs he isn't a small kid.
He's happy most of the time, and laughs a lot. He loves my iphone, and will literally almost break his neck to look at the TV. He rolls all over the place, and is working on sitting up. Soon we will be starting solid food. Lord help us, I already know this kid will be a mess. He sat in his high chair for the first time and joined us at the table last night. He's an observer, he has a low key personality, and has been sleeping thru the night since Christmas. I don't think I could have made it another month with the middle of the night stuff. I know occasionally it will sill happen when he's sick, or teething etc...but every night at 3 or 4am when the alarm goes off at 6 for work is crazy making. Especially when you walk in and he stops crying and smiles at you.
He is officially the most good looking baby, with cheeks you could kiss all day. At least we think so.

New Toy

2012-01-02T21:05:00.001-08:00

Like every new parent I realized quickly that I was going to need a better camera. After some heavy hints to the in-laws at Thanksgiving, Santa brought us one ;) Santa is crazy generous like that.

It will take me some time to figure out how to use all the functions but I'm determined to master the Canon SLR in 2012.

This was my first attempt Sunday at the park. Until he's mobile he's my prop. Poor kid.

Closing out 2011

2011-12-31T20:44:00.000-08:00

What a year.

Pregnant for most of it. The hottest summer on record. One 9lb+ baby boy debuted. A few months off work. Vegas, Austin, and Santa Barbara for romance. Charleston and San Diego with girlfriends for fun. 3rd wedding anniversary celebrated. Starbucks IV drip for sleep deprivation needed. Mavericks were the champions, the Rangers broke our hearts and the Cowboys still suck. The Dallas ice storm Super Bowl. Friday Night Lights ended, but clear eyes, full hears can't lose. News of becoming an Aunt & Uncle again. The nephew turned 2. A Yukon was purchased, and then stolen. New plumbing, new garage doors, and new AC home improvements completed. (Did I mention it was the hottest summer on record?) Weekly housekeeper became required. In-n-out burger arrived. BSF was joined. My brother became a firefighter.

It was a prayerful, patient, joyful, and overwhelmingly blessed year. As Chris and I sit here watching the ball drop on TV bringing 2011 to a close we are thankful. Tomorrow will be the beginning of a new year with new challenges and surprises. Here we go...again.

A whole new Christmas

2011-12-14T20:03:00.000-08:00

1 year ago we had just finished a round of in-vitro, and were anxiously waiting the results. After a long time of trying, drugs and injections, dr's appointments, and surgical procedures we were worried to even hope for good news. But it came, the week before Christmas the blood test looked good. Then the week of Christmas the numbers had doubled, a positive pregnancy test. Cautiously optimistic we moved thru the holidays. We had kept this journey a secret from almost everyone. Its hard to talk about what your heart hopes for but medical science can't explain. When you feel like your body won't do what it was designed to do, when you have to have conversations about the reality that kids might not be in your future, or the realization that God's plan and your own might not be the same? Last Christmas was special because Chris and I had hope for a baby, this Christmas is special because he's here.

At Christmas we celebrate receiving an undeserving gift in Jesus. This year Christmas morning will be just the 3 of us, in our little house, with our little dog and one additional, life changing gift. Every time I find myself exhausted, frustrated, or totally aware that that life as we once knew it is never returning I look at his sweet face and think someone created this little boy and gave him to me. He's all mine. So the feeling of frustration is fleeting because I am reminded that 1 year ago he was the gift we were hoping for.

Big Nate

2011-11-21T21:15:00.001-08:00

My husband just said he looks like he has a pituitary problem in this picture. Giant baby born to normal couple. Really the little girl next to him, Kinley, is a very petite baby. She's also 8 days older, but you certainly wouldn't guess that.

Back to work

2011-11-06T19:45:00.000-08:00

I've been off for 12 weeks and it's time to go back to work.

I love my child. I just think that I personally will be able to love him the best that I can if I also can work. Again this comes with judgement. I 've had such an amazing time being home with him, but I also learned that I am not designed to be a stay at home mom. People have some strong opinions on this. Especially the church contingent, but I like what I do and I'm not going to apologize for feeling a little free when I drop him off in someone else's loving care for the day. So there you have it.

My inbox had 645 unread messages, and 19 voice mail messages and I was a little thrilled to get to them. Now check back with me in 4 weeks after the "newness: has worn off and I would rather take a nap with a cuddly, smell delicious baby boy...but this week I am ready for it.

He's here

2011-10-01T10:57:00.001-07:00

3 days old (no we're not naked)

Born via c-section Nathaniel Thomas weighed in at 9.3lbs, and over 21 inches long. In non mom terms...a BIG baby. We didn't know the gender and when Chris said "It's a boy" we were both shocked at how much we had expected a girl. And a petite girl at that. Needless to say when my Dr peeked over the curtain and said "aren't you glad we went with the c-section" I was in total agreement. It was fast (10 min), and the recovery wasn't bad at all. The first 48 hours were a little brutal but I kept myself on a lot of drugs so I wouldn't feel it. We had a ton of visitors to the hospital, and I can't thank everyone enough for all the meals. It's been amazing. We are well loved and so grateful to each of you. I'm not quite sure how to pay it forward but I plan on trying.

He's 6 weeks old and it feels like both the longest and shortest 6 weeks of my life. It's true, no one can prepare you for this. The joy, the sleep loss, the helpless feeling when they're crying, the comedic moments, the short tempers (because of the sleep loss) WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BOOBS! Seriously...if you're on the fence about kids take a good look at your tata's and enjoy them. Babies change them forever, and not in a hot/sexy way. However I take one look at this piglet and know he's worth it. That and I live in the land of boob augmentation so hey, I have options.

5 weeks old

I feel like I'm not qualified to be 100% responsible for a little human, but am working hard at it. I've learned that people will judge that I'm going back to work, and compare kids and milestones, and that in order to be on time to anything we have to start an hour earlier than we used to. I live in yoga pants and tank tops, and have the smell of baby spit up on me regularly. I will never eat a warm meal, and sometimes forget to eat completely, and even though baby weight might be gone...clothing will never fit the same. I have also learned that I never knew I could love something so much, stare at something for so long, and kiss something as often as I do this little man.

It's time

2011-08-18T06:22:00.000-07:00

Today is b-day. To say it feels surreal would be an understatement. We're excited, anxious, and as ready as we're going to be. Pregnancy has been an adventure, and for the most part it's been calm and easy. It got a little more exciting in the last month, but hey...I gave up control a long time ago, and just accepted the fact that I'm going to roll with whatever. Chris and I have grown closer and laugh daily thru it all, and I can't believe how lucky I feel to get to add someone to the mix. It's going to rock our reality, and I can't think of anything we've wanted more. It's an answer to lots of prayer, and I can't wait to meet baby G.

It's hot!

2011-06-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

June is here, summer is upon us and we've already had several days in the 100 degree category. Bleh. Why God decided I should be pregnant for the entire summer I will never know. I am not a fan.

We have been spending as much time as possible with this guy, who will be 2 next month.

Someone also felt like the baby needed a bigger car to haul it's crap around. Have you ever seen anyone happier?

I'm trying to stay comfortable and have about 8 weeks until this kiddo hopefully decides to join us. This is a pic of the crib/bassinet and a little something we put on the wall. It's much more finished now, but I don't have any pics that really capture the room.

Charleston, SC

2011-06-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

May was also a Memorial Weekend Girls trip to Charleston, SC. I wasn't in charge of the camera, and I'm not even sure I want to allow pics at that point forward in the pregnancy. No one really needs to see that.

Jen, Elizabeth, Barbie and I went South for some food that was to die for, the men still wear bow ties at lunch, and seersucker is everywhere. It literally looked like a JCrew/Brooks Brothers catalog. Of course we went on the busiest weekend of the year, and had no idea. When the bartender told us the first night we would be lucky to get reservations I was on opentable.com faster than you know. That little app saved us and we ate very well.

We LOVED it. The houses, plantations, food, shopping, horse drawn carriage rides, and even rocking on the porch of a beach house we crashed one night (we were invited). It was the last girls trip for me as a non mom, so I tried to max it out. Swelling and discomfort be dammed. Of course we already have the trip for next year on the books, but this one I will always remember.

Jen/Elizabeth. Posting pics from this adventure is all on you :)

Showered Baby

2011-06-22T09:08:00.001-07:00

May was also my baby shower. I still can’t quite put into words how beautiful and special it was. 6 hostesses can be a lot, but Allison was in charge, and made it look so easy. It also helps when in general my friends are pretty much the best.

It happened to be the only nice weather Saturday we’ve had in a while, so we totally lucked out. It was in the backyard at Helen’s house, and was bird themed with nests, and birds and the colors were Grey, Yellow and White. The details were so amazing and it looked like Martha Stuart had planned it herself.

I’m so awkward at these things, I like parties but not when I'm the one being stared at, so I was a little anxious. All of Chris’ family came, and my Aunt Marty flew in from CA, my mom was here, and so many special local friends. The gifts were overly generous, and luckily because so many of them are moms, also practical. When it was over I wished I had stood up and said something to everyone but I just was overwhelmed and didn’t at the time. So if you were there, and are reading this…this is for you.

THANK YOU. All of you are a special part of this journey, and it hasn’t been easy. I feel so blessed to call you all friends (and family) and know that this baby will be loved beyond measure. Chris’s mom said that excited is too small a word to describe how she feels about this baby, and I just feel so lucky. Thank you Allison for killing yourself over this party, it was more beautiful than I could have imagined. Thank you to Jen, Christine, Heather, Erin’s G and N, and Helen for hosting. Thank you Elizabeth for the cooking lessons for Jenn and the recipes.

Santa Barbara

2011-06-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

In early May we took a birthday trip to Santa Barbara, CA. It was amazing. Perfect weather, lots of relaxing, and extra fun because Rob and Allison came along. I won't even tell you about the hotel hook up because it was ridiculous.

We were able to go to the Santa Barbara Mission, The Reagan Library, and did lots of eating and shopping. Some people might have done more drinking. Alas I was the driver. We saw a lot of celebs, drove by Oprah’s house, enjoyed coffee bean and tea leaf blended drinks, and listened to the ocean from our patio. When it’s 78 with 0% humidity it’s hard to ever want to leave. It was a blissful.

The man himself

The view, from the hanger with Air Force One. Yes, an entire plan fits in this glass house, and you can tour it.

Santa Barbara Harbor

So many things, so little time

2011-06-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since April! I am terrible at this blog thing, and have been for a while. Actaully lots of us are. It just isn't as easy or fun as it used to be. It's blocked at work, and finding the time to do it at home, load pics etc...it's just not a priority.

I'm going to do a few small posts to get caught up, and then we'll see.

Love,
Meg

Patio

2011-04-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

We added some new goodies to the patio in the way of furniture, and a fire pit etc. We did this just in time for the insane storm that came thru this week, but I'm looking forward to sitting outside in the evening on the sofa and making s'mores.

Girl Time

2011-04-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a very relaxing trip to San Diego. It was about time for some sunshine and a visit with Val, mixed in with a work conference, ended with some spa time with my momma.

Something has to be said for the kind of friendship that can just be still. Some of the best time Val and I spend is sitting outside in the sun reading magazines and listening to Adele, or walking on the boardwalk. I miss her, and it was so nice to have days to just do the things we like to do. Eat. Shop. People watch and catch some beach sunsets. We've been thru a lot, that girl and I.

My mom came down at the end of my trip. She hadn't seen me in person pregnant yet and it was killing her. It was good timing because the belly popped literally the day I left for the trip. She will tell you that I'm a mean child because I banished her to the other room in the hotel. The snoring was RIDICULOUS. She treated me to a day at La Costa Spa and Resort along with a prenatal massage. It was so good I almost cried.

I left pampered, tanned, and with the need for an additional suitcase because of the shopping damage that occurred.

Feeling Old

2011-04-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

This past weekend my baby brother turned 30....30! I just can't even picture him as 30. I feel like I'm barely 30 but I can't live in denial about that if he's now caught up to me. He spent the day with his family, cooked on his new grill for dinner, and enjoyed the weekend.
I remember when he was born. I was 4, and of course had to be another mother. I've watched him, sometimes hovered, sometimes bossed, sometimes shared a broken heart and some the best moments in life are with him. I called him BEFORE my mom when I found out I was pregnant (after Chris of course). Living an hour away still seems far at times, but it's close enough that I try not to miss any of the big things. I know that we will always be close, that our kids will be pals, and that I can't imagine growing up, growing old, or laughing at my parents without him. Happy birthday brother.

What's in a name?

2011-03-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is the 19 week pic. Halfway thru this thing (in a few days) and the Dr said the baby looks perfect. We aren't finding out the gender, or telling anyone our name choices. This has led to an almost weekly call from any one of the 6 grandparents, or my brother with "helpful" suggestions. Rob is hoping it's a boy and that we'll name him Argyle. As in the pattern. My dad suggested Gertrude, or Gertie Gaines for a girl. Chris' dad called tonight to give us Elvira and Thor as options. I'll just say this. It will be a common, normal, traditional name spelled the way that the first person who guessed would be right. I don't feel the need to be unique or creative. As a recruiter I think that parents have ruined their child's chances at jobs based on name alone. My friend Christy told a story about her mother in law who's a teacher. She had a first grader with the name La-a. She called out the last name cautiously, and was told by the little girl "it's La DASH A...that dash ain't silent". Not kidding.

Hope

2011-03-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

Such a big thing in such a small word. I tried to think of clever titles for this post. Some were funny, some were slightly vulgar...none seemed to fit. The reason is because we needed hope, it was a season of doubt...of sadness, of really having some hard conversations, some major medical procedures, months and months of drugs, and praying. Lot's and lots of praying. Thru it all we always had hope, hope that God had a plan, and that we would put one foot in front of the other and keep going.

We're having a baby. Due in Aug. It is still so amazing to me that this prayer was answered that it hasn't quite hit me yet. It took 4 sonograms for me to actually believe the Dr. We kept the entire last year plus of our life quiet as we struggled with this, so it seems odd to share it now, and to be expected to share it so freely. It still feels like a secret, and people seem surprised that I kept one! Ha. There is a lot to this story but this seems like enough for now. Please excuse the sono pick...it was the first one from week 7. I'm at 16 weeks now and I'll try to post another one soon. However I'm not one of these "all I can talk about is my pregnancy, what fruit it is, what week it is, tell you how I'm feeling" pregnant people. If you ask me, I will tell you I feel fine. That's about it, and that's how I roll.

The incident

2010-12-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago Chris woke up at 1:30am one night with VERY sharp stomach pains. He thought it was food poisoning, or a gall stone or something. He didn’t want to wake me so he went to the restroom, just in case. TMI I know. However nothing happened, and when he was bearing down in pain, he also held his breath. When he went to stand up, he passed out. Keep in mind I was asleep, and I woke up to this terrible crash sound, I called out to him and didn’t get a response. So I ran to the bathroom and he was passed out on the floor, with a big bump on his forehead. He clearly had hit his head on the way down. I had no idea about the stomach so I was freaking out. He came to and tried to stand up again (even though I INSISTED he not) and his eyes rolled back and he seized and fell again. This time I was 100% sure, for about 30 seconds, that I was going to be a widow. I was thinking “this is it”. Worst. Feeling. Ever. Then he started to make some noise and I sighed, ran for the cell phone and dialed 911. He, still not listening to me, crawled to the bed and climbed in. He also began to bark orders that didn’t really stop, let’s just say he’s the worse patient ever. The EMT’s came, checked his vitals, and told him they thought it was a kidney stone because of the stomach and back pain he was having. They told him that because he had passed out 2x, and hit his head he would have to go to the ER, and he could either go with me, or them. He picked me. It’s cheaper you know. At least that’s what he was telling me. They helped him into the car and off we went, 2:15am to the ER. Several hours and 2 CAT scans later, the stomach pain is a mystery, no stones…no signs of anything. However it appears that when he fell that first time, he fell so hard that he BROKE A VERTEBRE. Yep, that’s right. His L2. At 5:30 we hobbled out of the ER, off to the pharmacy for some very strong pain narcotics, then home. He continued to be a terrible patient for 2 days until I let him go back to work without yet seeing an Ortho, which were the original orders. He has been healing nicely, but it will be about 6-8 weeks before the fracture is healed completely.

Empire State of Mind

2010-10-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

I came, I saw, I conquered. 8 days in the Big Apple: 4 just my mom and I, and the other 4 with Chris and his family. Literally we did everything accept walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Here are some of the highlights.

2 years

2010-10-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

2 years came and went a month or so ago. I still remember that 21st night of September like it was yesterday. It's been quite a year, and I have to say that thru it all I've been amazed at how we have grown closer, and learned to lean on each other in a way we hadn't before. I've learned in year 2 that we have no control, and we aren't guaranteed the things we want, but I have faith in knowing I picked the person who will walk thru the minefield with me, and go sailing in the storm. He is a promise keeper, and I am so thankful.

Guess Where I Am?

2010-09-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

Alright I’ll tell you because you'll never guess. I’m at the Congressional Black Caucus as a representative for my company. Not kidding. I mean I’m happy to be here and learn about the political platform, but I do feel slightly out of place.

Long time gone

2010-06-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

Lot's has happened, but nothing crazy exciting. I'll just provide the short version of the last month plus.

We started May in Miami and Key West for Chris' birthday. LOVED the Conrad in Miami. I think we will pass on the keys in the future. It was humid and felt like we were in a golden girls meets jersey shore on vacation. Great people watching.

And have spent plenty of time with the nephew, who will be 1 in a few weeks! I can't get enough.

Chris was baptised. It was hot, crowded and amazing.

Relaxed for a weekend with friends at the Manning Ranch. I learned that firefly sweet tea vodka can be a sneaky but delicious libation, John Manning can never take enough pictures, Chris Shahan loves cupcakes, and miller high life is the champagne of beers. Being that this was the 3rd annual we decided the weekend needed a name. Shaheinagaines.

Now you're all up to speed.

No way!!!

2010-05-05T11:46:00.001-07:00

I came across a little item in my post vacay blog catch up. According to the advocate Lakwood blog, Dallas has 6 area sites under contract with more in Ft Worth and other pockets of the metroplex. If this is true...this CA girl will be the happiest girl in Texas.

UPDATE

2010-04-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

We got one little bugger in a trap but of course we have 2 or 3 more on the lamb. I came home the other day, looked on the roof, and there it was in the cage. Because it was after 5pm, the trapper office was closed and our fluffy friend was going to have to sit caged on the roof overnight until the trapper got the message and came in the morning. Chris was worried and checked on it several times, even suggested throwing a blanket over it so other animals couldn't pick on it. WHAT? Sometimes I feel that we think alike. In this case we clearly do not.

1 down...a few more to go.

Squirrel!

2010-04-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks we have had some unwelcome houseguests. They're loud, and keep us up at night because they decided to make the area right above our bedroom their favorite spot. It sounds like people walking around up there and I feel like they're eating thru the sheetrock. My fear is that one day it will fall thru and land on me. Let’s just say trauma would be an understatement.

The last straw for me was this past weekend. We were working in the yard, getting ready to plant for spring, and the alarm in the house kept kicking off. We walked in and the “trouble” light was blinking. The security company called and after trouble shooting determined that one of our sirens was sending an error message. The reason…the wire to that siren seemed to be in the way of our family of squirrels. So they just ate thru it!

After that we contacted a few companies known to take care of such things. They arrived yesterday with traps. Traps? Seriously I told the guy can’t you just gas the little suckers and get the carcasses out. He was mortified. Hello, I’m a country girl…where I come from we don’t swerve for squirrel. There are plenty of them. However the city folk here just don’t feel the same. They trap them, and then go over to White Rock Lake and release them. Then the same company will come seal up any areas they feel that the squirrels or other animals might be able to get into. So now we have traps baited with food and nuts to attract, but not harm these fluffy rats. They are smart little freaks though because it hasn’t seemed to work….yet. Stay tuned. If not I might take matters into my own hands. PETA be dammed when it comes to squirrel, rats, possum, armadillo, and gophers.

Coming Soon

2010-03-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

When I bought my condo 4 years ago the promise of Whole Foods loomed on the horizon. Here we are 4 years later, and it's finally opening next week. I can't wait. I keep hoping that between Park Lane with this Whole Foods, and Top Golf that my little hood will start to turn around.

This is a little blurb from the article about the opening of the store.
The 64,000-square-foot store features a wine bar that serves cheese and lets shoppers walk the aisles with a glass. It's the chain's first to score seafood with color-coding sustainability fishing labels. A customized cupcake station with a variety of flavors, toppings and fillings is new and next to a self-serve frozen yogurt bar.

Um did someone say customized cupcake station? Genius. A few weeks ago I went to the flagship WF in Austin and picked up some sushi, and I have to say...it was as good, if not better than the restaurants and SO much cheaper!

So wrong

2010-03-10T08:16:00.001-08:00

I have no idea what made them choose this song, but man are they terrible singers. And I'm not sure what "this kiss" has to do with the Superbowl in Dallas next year. Regardless I saw this on the news this morning and had to share. Tony Romo and Nolan Ryan are my personal favs.

What dreams are made of…

2010-02-24T14:42:00.001-08:00

First of all who doesn’t love Jay Z? This pic is the backdrop from his concert. Let's hear it for NY.

I have so many memories of hearing his songs in clubs or bars over the past 11 years. God it’s been that long?!?! Everything from 99 problems, to Hard Knock Life, Big Pimpin, Can I Get A What What, and my personal favorite…Dirt Off Your Shoulder.
Last night Callie and I scored some prime platinum seating at the AAC with a price tag of $20. Who could say no to that? Jay Z performed them all, and was awesome. I think the people watching was also second to none. At first we stuck out a little, but started to fit right in with our lyrical knowledge and throwing our diamonds up and by the end of the show we were legit. Picked up all that grammatical poetry from the folks around us.

It was a fun time, and also a gentle reminder that I’m getting older. Vodka and red bull till midnight on a school night doesn’t make the next morning as easy as it once was.

SNOW

2010-02-16T08:51:00.000-08:00

It was everywhere, and although a pain...it was beautiful. Most of us enjoyed some time off work, and the neighborhood snowball fights. I didn't enjoy a few days sans power. No power = no heat, and no hot water. I saw a lot of snowmen and can say I was here for the biggest snow storm in Dallas TX history.

My b-day was shared with many events this year. The Twins turned 2 and had a party, and Erin & Josh had a housewarming party. I got morning cuddle time with my nephew, and lunch with Rob & Allison. I saw a movie with some girlfriends, went to lunch with a few others, another gave me season 2 of Friday Night Lights on DVD and we decided to watch 8 episodes in a row (my idea of a perfect day). My husband also made me breakfast in bed, and sent 2 doz roses to the office.

The only bummer...my mom didn't call. She seems to think that because she is very sick, and combined cold meds with a margarita, therefore knocking her unconscious for 24 hours...somehow makes it ok. I know I'm a grown up and it shouldn't matter, but it does. She apologized, and I know it wasn't intentional and accepted her apology, but it mattered.

Gratuitous Baby pics

2010-02-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

I mean I know you're all dying to see him right? Ha. I can't stand it, he's 6 months old and the most adorable baby on the planet. I know I'm biased but he is. Look at those rolls! So squishable.

Go Cowboys

2010-01-10T18:50:00.000-08:00

I like my job, but occasionally something extra fun comes my way. Last week a guy that's been trying to get a meeting figured out the way to my heart is sports. It isn't by dropping off cookies, taking me to lunch, or sending an edible bouquet. Those are nice, and other vendors try those often, but he called with an offer that means I can't screen him on caller id any more. Tickets for Chris and I to the Cowboys playoff game! Not just that, but dinner, parking and free beer...I mean seriously? So Saturday afternoon we bundled up, being that it was about 20 degrees outside, and headed to Arlington. We had a nice dinner with our host and his girlfriend, and then headed to the stadium.
I haven't had that much fun at a football game in years. So much energy, and noise and great seats. We got to know all the people around us and were fist bumping, yelling and dancing. We even harassed the few eagles fans in our section. The most adorable 9yr old was sitting in front of me wearing a Miles Austin jersey, and every time Miles would do something he would grab his jersey and pull at it to show everyone one that Miles was his guy, then he would turn to me for a high 5. It was adorable. It was a big win, and a big night out for us and we loved it.

2010

2009-12-31T10:09:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve. How did this happen? A decade has passed. 10 years ago I was in Santa Clara CA, .com capitol of the world waiting for Y2K to give us a freaking day off. You see I worked at eBay and the pace we were growing at was KILLING me. My life changed a lot after that NYE, and I’ve never looked back.

In the last decade I moved from the bay area to San Diego after a not so nice divorce, to be near my BFF, my brother, and the water. I ate carne asada, went to a lot of Chargers and Padres games, walked on the bay, and had lunch every Sunday with Val. Those 4 years were great. I went on some good dates, and some terrible dates. I won’t even mention the guy that wore the "save the whales" t-shirt and asked me to play star trek monopoly. Awesome.

I moved to Texas, 5 years ago. I came here for a job that lasted 4 weeks but have managed to find several others. Met some amazing friends, that I’m happy to say are still my friends. I fell in love, got a dog, bought a condo, joined a church, got engaged, we bought a house, got married. I’ve also managed to get half my family to move to this crazy state, and have a job I love. Not a bad 10 years.

This past year was interesting. I think that's the word I would use to sum it up. We worried about our jobs at least half of the year. Survived layoffs, then got to put in massive amounts of overtime. We joined the Wed night group, had our house broken into, and were able to celebrate 1 year of marital bliss with a vacation.

We also became Aunt Sassy and Uncle Cap to this little guy. Everett.

And added a new in-law to the family. Crystal & Joel.

I’m looking forward to 2010. We have some big goals, and some small ones. Plans have a funny way of changing, so I try not to be set in having “plans”. The main goals would be to love my husband, family and friends the best that can, try to keep doing a good job at work (even with my authority issues), and not take things so seriously.

Wed Night Crew

2009-12-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

For the last nine months Chris and I have been hanging out with our Foundation Group every other Wednesday night. It’s 6 couples from church, all married the same year as us, and none with kids (yet), and one leader couple. We hang out, we drink, we discuss finance, sex, and communication. All the easy stuff right? It’s been a fun experience and we've made some great friends. Even though the group ends in May, I know some will be friends for a very long time. At least that’s my prediction. I wanted to introduce you to them. (photos above couple)

Steven & Yoshi. Steven is a serious snowboarder, and Yoshi is serious at everything she does, but she is passionate about golf. She is happiest when she can play 36 holes in a weekend. They have a French bulldog named Elvis that we love, and he has a wheels you attach so he can run because his back legs are paralyzed. He’s precious.

Kyle & Wendy (baby 2010). She is sweet and sensitive and works with pregnant teens and teens that are parents in the school system. Kyle loves to hunt and has one of the best trained hunting dogs in the state. They have a pool and I plan on harassing them all summer to use it.

Jim & Crystal. We see these 2 regularly for dinner dates, and the guys like to golf. The're the world travelers of the group and spent Thanksgiving week in China. We're talking about a joint trip to Buenos Aires in May, if I can talk Chris into it.

Matt & Emily. They work…a lot. They both have 2 full time jobs, and Emily’s photography business they do on evenings and weekends. He went to A&M but I try not to hold that against him. I’m happy to say he doesn’t sport the ring. Whew. Emily would spend her life savings at Anthropologie or “anthro” as she calls it. The financial planner didn’t see that being an option.

Josh & Erin (baby 2010). The comedy of the group. I dare anyone to spend 5 min with Josh and not crack up. He’s that funny. He is WAY into movies. Like seen every movie, probably more than once. Erin has a day job, and is a fabulous makeup artist for brides in her free time. They just bought their first house and move in next week.

Ryan & Helen. Our fearless leaders. They have 2 adorable boys that we all love to spend time with. Those kids are so well behaved I’m going to hire them to raise any of my kids. Ryan loves the water, skiing, being on a boat. You name it. Helen likes to run…this I will never understand about anyone. She is also a domestic goddess, and gave us all hand painted ornaments for Christmas. Hand painted!

Thank you Charlotte!

2009-12-14T13:27:00.000-08:00

I'm back from a quick and cold trip to Charlotte. Land of NASCAR and Colleen. The temps topped out at 35ish degrees but I was able see her new place in a fun part of the city called Chantilly, I got to meet her new dog Jake, and I was able to shop in the store that Texas needs most: TRADER JOE's. Seriously when are we getting one?
We had great sushi, did some shopping and drank beer in the same garage as the last time. I had some quality time with Jon, and we all watched the Panthers game with a few of her friends. Let's not even discuss the amounts of wine and food consumed. No crazy stories from this trip. We were well behaved and low key.
Most importantly I will kick her sorry behind if she forgets that really knowing her is more important to me than expecting her to be perfect. 20 years of knowing her has led to more memories than some people have in a lifetime. Who else would remember that those sheets on your bed were purchased in 1997 in Santa Barbara at the Eddie Bauer Home Store? Me. Because I was with you, and I always will be :)

Next Stop: Charlotte

2009-12-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

I'm heading to Charlotte to see Colleen this weekend. No clue what we will be doing, but it's a much needed catch up. We usually have a few stories so I might have one to share when I return. Last time she had me at some garage party huddled around a burn barrel at 11pm drinking with a bunch of cops. Awesome. She also has strong opinions on what pics I can post of her on this blog, even though she NEVER actually leaves any comments.

Black Friday & Austin

2009-11-30T09:14:00.000-08:00

I went shopping on Black Friday. We were in Austin for the rest of Thanksgiving weekend visiting my Aunt/Uncle/Cousins. The guys were golfing, and the girls headed shopping. It could have been a disaster. The formula was present. Biggest shopping day of the year: check. Impending hunger for lunch: check. Shopping at a MALL with a 10 and 13 year old: check. I'm pleased to say we all survived, purchased a few things and had lunch before any meltdown could occur, by me of course. I do think the more time I spend with 13 year old girls...the less likely I am to have children. I'm just saying.

We also watched "up" and went Christmas Tree shopping. A few trees that we saw were $1495! That's correct. They were 17-20 feet but still...who freaking pays $1495 for a tree? Not us. We found a much more affordable and smaller tree down the street at Papa Noel's. Chris was also able to golf 2x that weekend with my uncle. The ACC has it's privileges. He really enjoyed the men's lounge. A ton of flat screen TVs, no women, and no guys under the age of 21 allowed.

I shouldn't forget to mention that my parents went to Hawaii and ditched us all for the holiday. They called me from the beach. Not cool. Minus that, it was a great Holiday with lots of family and much to be Thankful for.

Texas Thanksgiving

2009-11-30T09:03:00.000-08:00

This year we passed on the Cowboys game (tragic I know) and headed south to spend some time with Chris's family. To me it felt like the first real "Texan" Thanksgiving. Meaning we fried things, chicken fried things, and ate something in the same room where the head of that same animal was hanging. The major development. I shot a gun. For the first time in my life. Only 1 gun, they wanted me to try an "easy rifle" first. I think eventually I might try the pistol/ handgun/shotgun options. For now that was enough. Owning one is another issue entirely, but I would for the record like to state that I felt like Betty Bad Ass. My mother will not be pleased.

How to freak a baby

2009-11-30T08:58:00.000-08:00

Really, it's not that difficult...but it was funny. Allison turned the big 30 on Thanksgiving and we had a surprise party for her in a suite at the AAC. She thought that just she, Rob and the baby were going for the game. She realized something was up when she was led to a suite door and 16 of us on the other side yelled surprise as she walked in. Problem was, baby was in a carrier on the front and was not a fan of this situation. This is his face at the moment they walked in. I wish we had an after where he started to scream, but we were frantically trying to remove the not so easy baby bjorn.

Take 5 Tuesday

2009-11-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a few min to post 5 random thoughts/questions etc

1.Glee. Love it, love it so much that I had to download the "smashups" from iTunes to my library. Trust me if you need to put a pep in your step add the Halo/Walking on Sunshine to your mix.

2.Speaking of music, have you ever wondered if something happened to you what the music on your iPod would say? Morbid, but I think about that kind of thing. I mean should I be embarrassed that both Brandon Heath (Christian music) and Britney's "3" follow one another on my latest play list? I am slightly concerned about this.

3.Holidays. 45 days until Christmas people. 45. I am NOT ready.

4.Reebok Easy Tone. The ads for this shoe have me intrigued. Toning while just walking around in them? I don't care how lame they look I might have to get some.

5.37 years...that's how long my parents will be married in 2 weeks. 37 years. How awesome is that? As much as I make fun, they are adorable.

Finding Nemo

2009-11-06T14:02:00.001-08:00

Do you see him? The best part of being an aunt. I love this kid. Thank goodness Chris feels the same way or when I suggest "let's go see the baby" because that means 2 hours in the car and I know that might be annoying. Especially when we're only going over for bath time.

TX-OU and a little 5K

2009-10-16T08:45:00.001-07:00

If you don't like crowds you would hate Dallas during TX-OU weekend, but I happen to love this weekend. We get about 1 million visitors and the town is painted Red and Burnt Orange... it's high energy, with fantastic people watching and it's at the State Fair! Is anything better than a corny dog, beer and one of the best rivalry football games in the nation? I think not.
I spent my first TX-OU weekend starting at the Loon, let's just say that's about all I remember. However, now, 5 years later and happily married I will enjoy the festivities from a friends house at a watch party. A watch party for 80...remember everything is bigger in Texas.

Being a TX transplant I am still shocked by the passion that goes into one's love of their college team here. It's a little freaky. Argue with me all you want but you people are the ones who bring home babies from the hospital in college attire.

Also this weekend is the Dallas Race for the Cure. So before the above mentioned drinking can begin, we will be up at dawn for the 5k. I love this event, and I cry every year. I can't help myself. It makes me feel like my lame issues are nothing to complain about. This year I had to change our team name because someone stole our old one! So we are the Pink Mafia...which is cool and all, but I should have known that it's a common title for teams of Gay men. Nice.

Little E

2009-10-07T07:31:00.001-07:00

I had to post this picture because I swear he has all of Rob's facial gestures. This one kills me, and he's kind of adorable. It says "I'm not sure about all this".

Bowling for Boobies

2009-10-06T09:13:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I organized a fundraiser, with a little help from my friends, to raise money for the Dallas Komen Race for the Cure. I’m not sure what brilliant staffer decided that the Dallas walk would be on the same morning as the UT/OU game, but they did. With that little snafu many people that would normally participate, will not be participating this year.

So we had a bowling event called “Strike out Breast Cancer” and it was a HUGE success. We had 52 bowlers broken up in teams based on donation amount, and a ton of awesome raffle prizes. It helps to know people that work for the Mavericks, Cowboys, the American Airlines Center, Hilton etc and that we all have generous friends, and companies. The helpers were the usual suspects with one addition. We had Worley, Elizabeth, Julie and Crystal (the newbie). Here are a few pics from the event. I expect more in the coming days.

We raised $2,300, and I think everyone had a great time. I have a feeling this will be an annual event, and hope that it's even more successful next year. Thanks everyone for all your help!

Fall recruiting season

2009-09-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

It’s fun to go see various schools and all the future college grads so excited to move into the next phase of life. They approach you, and the other tables unsure of themselves, and how to get a job and the real world. Students usually have done some research and have a few questions but without fail my favorite question asked at least once is “have you ever met Paris?” Um yeah, she has an office next to mine and we are like bff’s. It can be a very long day of pretending that sometimes the real world of having a job doesn't suck...but I don't want to be the one to break their spirits. Not yet anyway.

This past week I was at the University of Virginia and honestly…I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful campus. Pepperdine is pretty awesome, but this felt like the college in the movies…or the one we pictured as kids. It’s all brick and white columns, with tree colors changing for fall and sweatshirts at the football games. The town beautiful as well with boutiques, restaurants, bookstores and coffee shops all built into hills and tree covered streets. I told Chris that I've added it to my domestic travel list because I want to go back when I'm not working.

My Heaven

2009-09-28T14:21:00.001-07:00

Lake Tahoe. Always has been, always will be. The final leg of the CA tour was in Tahoe because we love it, and because we were married here. We stayed in South Shore this time because it has a little more to do, and my corporate rate was alive and well on this trip. Every time we’ve gone Chris has wanted to hike the Rubicon Trail, and this time we did it! I may have almost died on the way back up but that is irrelevant. The below pics are from the top and the bottom of the hike.

We also rode yet another gondola to the top of Heavenly. Chris wasn’t a fan of the wind gusts that had us rocking, and being that someone died on the chair lift (that was optional) 2 weeks before I couldn't blame him. but the view was the reward. We were above 9,000 feet at the top.

We gambled a little, walked a lot, and of course found places to watch both the Dallas and UT games. The nights were in the low 40’s, and perfect for outdoor fire pits and s’mores. It was 3 days of total relaxation before we headed back to Dallas.

Napa

2009-09-28T13:36:00.001-07:00

After 2 days in SF we headed to the next stop. Napa. I booked 2 wine tours in advance, one a cave tour at Robert Sinskey, and a twilight tour at Mondavi. The Sinskey cave tour was lacking, I wouldn’t recommend it. The wine was delicious, but the tour was short, and the guide seemed to rush everyone thru. After that we had lunch reservations at a French restaurant. Lunch with champagne in honor of our anniversary. The food was to die for. In between lunch and the wine tours we went to Sterling Vineyard.It requires a gondola ride to the top and it views are worth it. The wine is ok; go for the view if you’re going to go.

We also had a snack at Taylors Automatic Refresher along the way. It was on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives...and it was on my list of things to do.

The twilight tour at Mondavi was probably the highlight of our trip. The winery had closed, the tour was only for 14 people and we had the entire place to ourselves. Sipping wine in a vineyard as the sun sets is pretty perfect, especially when it’s 72 degrees. The tour guide pulled out bottles of reserve along with cheese, meats, olives and almonds. It was a blissful 3 hours. We were only in Napa one night but we plan on going back for more.

Californication

2009-09-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

When deciding where to go to celebrate year 1 we picked a few places in California, starting in San Francisco. We kept it low key, minimal agenda and the weather was perfect. In no particular order we rode a cable car (of course), ate amazing food, walked the Palace of Fine arts and grabbed lunch the Ferry Building marketplace. We also took the ferry to Sausalito.

While on a morning walk I saw a beautiful park across from the waterfront. We wandered over; because of course among this amazing park was a starbucks. As we were seated on a bench watching the people walk by we realized...this is not a park...this is a company campus. But what company would have this amazing location...and their own starbucks...not to mention the buildings, day care and tennis courts? None of the buildings were marked and I tried to look at badges but it was clearly top secret. After consulting the University of Google on my iphone, and seeing this fountain as we walked...I realized it was Lucas Entertainment. As in George Lucas, as in Star Wars...the campus of his company.

We also had dinner with my favorite bay area couple Noah and Krystin, who got us into a private speakeasy...password required and all. The cover of the menu says “don’t even think about ordering a Cosmo”. Loved it.

1 year

2009-09-28T12:39:00.001-07:00

It’s hard to believe it was 1 year ago. It flew by really. 1 year of wedded bliss. Well bliss might be a little over kill but very close. To the man who checks on my friends and their babies when I’m out of town, picks up my 10 pairs of shoes that I leave around the house, sings the wrong song lyrics in the car, works 12 hour days every week and never complains...I adore you more every day of the last 365 than the day before. Gag away people, after a year married to me he more than deserves this post.

Are you ready?

2009-09-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Cowboys...and the Monday night game. I’m hoping that they look better than they have the last 2 weeks. Pick Princess Romo needs to get it under control.

I have one love on the Cowboys, and I happened to get a great picture of him when we were at a pre-season game a few weeks ago. DeMarcus Ware.

I have to say, the staduim is something you just have to see. The jumbotron can’t really be described. Many have tried, but simply put you have to see it to believe it. It’s ridiculous.

Quick Update

2009-09-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

We landed back in the big D late Monday night, and I'm leaving tomorrow for a work recruiting trip to the exciting campus of the University of Virginia until Saturday. So I can't give a full update, but I'll probably do that from the hotel over the next few evenings. I know, I'm so exciting...I mean I look at these undergrad faces and think "Oh My, I've gotten old" They just seem so young. In my head I think, I can hang...I've still got it. Um yeah, Megan this is 1999 calling, and you so don't have it.

My brother, Rob, has decided to become a firefighter. He has actually wanted this forever, but decided to take life by the shorts and go for it. He has finished all of his classes and is all certified. Now comes the hard part of applying to various cities, and it can take months to get on somewhere. We are all praying that it happens soon. Rob had a mini graduation from his program last week, and his son came dressed for the occasion.

Emily had her baby!!! This is very exciting. I love Em. We both agreed that if you would have told us at my wedding that she would be pregnant and having a baby within the year she would have made me take a drug test. Yet, here he is. Baby Tripp. Short for the fact that he is a something the third. I have feelings about the something, so we will just say that Tripp is freaking adorable and I am so proud of Em.

The updates on San Fancisco, Napa, and Tahoe will come in the next few days but to sum it up I LOVED IT.

8 Years

2009-09-11T08:30:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it's been 8 years...9-11 was 8 years ago? It will be an event that people born afterwards, or too young to remember will ask us "Where were you"?

I was getting ready for work in my new apartment. I had moved to San Diego the month before and just started a new job. My mom called hysterical, and told me to turn on the news. I did and they were just reporting on the first plane. I listened and watched as I got ready, and headed into work. I was glued to any kind of news I could find.

I happened to work in the tallest building in downtown San Diego, and it was VERY close to the Airport, as well as in the flight pattern. Half the people were not in the office, and the rest of us were very quiet. We were on the 24th floor, and were used to seeing planes every 2-3 min and that morning we saw nothing. At about 10am we were all evacuated, the sound of the fire alarm caused many people to cry...and as we walked the 24 flights down the stairs I was terrified. The building was listed as a "potential target" by the military and we were sent home for the day.

I just wanted to hear the voices of the people I loved, so I made calls and, sat watching news on TV unable to really do anything else. I also had the courage to finally make a call, using a number I'd had for weeks but never used, to someone that had left me, suddenly without much warning months before. It was devastating and yet I needed to hear his voice...so I called completely unsure of what to say, and when I heard the familiar voice say "hello" on the other end...I couldn't speak. The voice said "Megan"...and I hung up. I realized at that very moment that I had nothing to say. Life was too short to try to make someone love me that didn't want too. That moment the healing started for me. On the worst day in history, I started to heal.

Like everyone else, I will never forget that day but for more than just one reason.

Who's funny?

2009-09-04T08:47:00.001-07:00

"Mr. Gaines is one of the funniest men in the world."

I love Chris more every day, but this statement made me laugh. Coming from this adorable face, it's just so dang sweet. This kind of thing makes me want to have kids...not soon, but eventually...probably.

I remember when my family first met Chris and they thought he was great, but they weren't sure he was funny enough to fit in with us. I was thinking last night as I listened to him and my brother speak in movie lines that we've come a long way baby.

Street Foodie

2009-08-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

We're going back to CA in a few weeks for our 1 year ANNIVERSARY! Or as Chris is calling it "our honeymoon". So sweet. I've been planning a few things because our time is limited in Napa and SF before we head to Tahoe. Food is very important in vacation planning. I'm not sure Chris knew that until he met me. I don't like any kind of trip itinerary...unless it involves food or concerts/shows.

In my research I found this guide to Street Food in San Francisco. Come to momma. Street food?! Yes please. I mean how can one go wrong at a crème brulee cart or crepes a go go. There's even one called Toasty Melts, and look at the menu of the day I pulled up: Original Toasty Melt (3 cheese), ABC Melt(apple/bacon/cheddar/sourdough),+ StrawberrySweetMESS (cream cheese/nutella/strawberries)

Needless to say we are 3 weeks away, but I'm counting down.

Avery and the new do.

2009-08-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Troegle family has a new arrival this morning. Avery Addison was born around 7:55am, a few weeks earlier than she was due...but planned because of some complications. She weighed in at 4lbs, 15oz and 19 inches long. All are recovering as we speak. Due to totally over scheduling myself as usual...Chris and I can’t go to the hospital until Friday. No photos until then. Pray that both Christy and Avery are complication free and can go home soon.

We called last night to see what they were up to less than 24 hours before life changed forever. Christy was already in bed and Brandon was having some wine to calm him so he could sleep.

In other news...I'm now a RED head. I keep telling myself it’s not that big of a change but the reaction I get seems to indicate that it might be bigger than that. When the starbucks barista and the doggy day care lady notice I guess it’s not so subtle. I like it, Chris on the other hand says “it’s not my favorite color” so who knows if this will be permanent or just a phase. The stylist said that choosing red was very "non-Dallas" of me. Since when have I ever been "Dallas"? Hopefully the answer is never.

New Look

2009-08-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

Not for me, although I do have a much needed hair appointment next weekend. New blog look sort of. I changed the template a few weeks ago and updated the blog roll as well. With the changes I figured I would introduce who’s on my roll.

The Allen’s are Jen and Patrick and baby Charlie. Patrick and Chris went to SMU/MBA together. The Allen’s live nearby and we almost bought the same house, they won the bidding war. Jen is an identical twin, and her twin sister just had triplets, 2 of which are identical twin girls, and the other a fraternal twin boy. Bananas.

The Troegle’s are Brandon and Christy, another SMU/MBA couple that we love. They're expecting baby girl, Avery, any week now to join the family. They moved outside the friend zone (Plano) last year but we still see them often...even though Christy is an Aggie.

Kerri T is a friend that I have known forever, like forever ever. We were in brownies together, lived down the street from each other, and were home schooled together. All until I moved to Nevada City. She’s a writer, a mommy blogger, and a breeder of beautiful show boxers.

Lincee, or the infamous I hate green beans writer. When I first moved to Dallas 5 years ago I got on this email list with bachelor recaps, from Miss Lincee herself. Well then she got all famous and went to a blog, then a website and now she is practically bff’s with Chris Harrison. We are blog friends and she is HILARIOUS.

Jen is a Dallas friend that I met my first week literally. She was the HR manager at that first job and I was a little scared of her. Accept I knew a secret, she was living with (as friends) Robin (see below) another employee and that was not public knowledge. So I think she befriended me just to shut me up and ended up liking me after all.

Kerri B and I go way back, roommates in college, planning her wedding 9 years ago. She has lived everywhere and done a million things, and goes on all kinds of exciting adventures. She’s in her perfect job working with Denver brides and loving it, as well as Benjamin’s mom and a grad student. You think she’s a little busy?

Robin (see Jen above) also met the first week and I knew we would be friends when the day we were all "let go" she called worried about me because I was new and didn’t know anyone. Awww. Since then I've seen her date Mike, marry him, and she just added mommy to the list with baby Miller this year. She’s also a pop culture genius. I’m not kidding.

Lydia & Tim I met thru Elizabeth (below). Lydia and Elizabeth were roommates for a while, and still have this ornament exchange party every year that is off the chain. I know you wish you could come. Lydia married and moved to Arlington, so I don’t see her unless it’s a big occasion...like Elizabeth’s upcoming 30th birthday. She’s having her first baby in December, a boy!

Sonia is a friend from high school. We were cheerleaders together, go ahead and laugh. I lasted only 2 years in the “sport” but we’ve been friends ever since. She married a guy that I adore, and have 2 beautiful kids. They live in my hometown in CA and own gym. Her husband is a former NCAA gymnast from OU so he has the cred.

Elizabeth, lizard, rat...she tends to go by all 3, but I stick with the traditional given name. Dallas friend went to Boston but came back to us. She plays a mean game of kickball, likes dark nail polish and you can usually find her at Capitol Pub on Sunday afternoons. She has a ton of fun, and we all live a little vicariously thru her.

So that’s the blog family. I will tell you I’m dying to add Allison (sister in law) who has a blog and has KEPT IT A SECRET. What? Yeah, that’s what I said...and what Rob said. But I won’t because it’s something she does with a few of her best friends, and I think some things are better private. I would add Heather but she hasn’t updated hers in a year, and I think Celeste and Colleen need to start one. Agreed?

We keep growing

2009-07-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we added a new "in law" to the mix. Crystal (Chris' sister) was married last Saturday to Joel. So welcome to the family!! She looked beautiful, as always, and the wedding was a lot of fun. John took a million pictures, and had 2 video cameras going so I'll have some better images to add later. All I have for now are a few from my phone.

Joel works for the band Fly Leaf, and all members were in attendance...it was very cool to have a rocker edge at the wedding. Complete with converse, tattoos, and some crazy hair. I was also able to meet most of the Manning crew so that was an added bonus.

Everett

2009-07-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

I haven't gotten my Auntie fix this week...but I will this weekend! Until then Allison sent me these from last weekend to tide me over.

Dreaming

2009-07-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

With this Texas heat I find myself dreaming if a front porch I can actually sit on for more than 5 min without developing pit stains. Specifically, I have wanted a porch swing like this forever...I think it only works for summers on the coast but a girl can dream.

PS rather than a book I think I would have a fresh watermelon mojito in my hand...they are my current obsession and they are so YUMMY!

My Special Friend

2009-07-16T12:26:00.001-07:00

I can't even find the words or know what to say accept that I love you and am a quick flight, or a phone call away. Anytime, anyplace I can be there. I have a very special group of people praying for you and am hugging you from a few hundred miles away.

"The beauty of his grace is that he can put the pieces back in place"- Matthew West

Home at last

2009-07-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

Parents are here...matching outfits off the plane and all. They thought it would be a funny way to embarrass me. Nice.

My dad packed his #1 Grandpa shirt, and can’t wait to wear it. Rob, Allison and Everett came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon as well. So I had airport pick up, dinner pick up, and of course had to see the baby again. He just smells so good and makes the cutest sounds, and squeaks like a toy when he cries. My parents brought him a shirt from Ireland that reads “I’ll have a pint, of the white stuff”. Hilarious.

Everett was swimming in the newborn outfit that Chris and I picked out. A collared shirt and plaid shorts...the kid will be the ultimate prepster. If they had boat shoes you know I would have grabbed those as well.

It's times like these I look at the house for sale 2 down from Rob & Allison and think “let’s move!” Chris usually shakes his head because we do love Dallas, but I think I will probably ask a few more times :)

Introducing Everett Karl

2009-07-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

He's here!! We got the call to head to the hospital yesterday evening. We had to go pick up the other "babies" from pestmart and take them home, but arrived at the hospital by 10pm. At 12:32 am Everett Karl Heinrich was born. He weighed in at 7lbs,7oz and 21 inches long. Labor didn't go according to plan, these things usually don't. Momma was a TROOPER. She adjusted to all the changes and pushed right thru. Rob looked like he was in between terror and excitement most of the time.

He came out to the waiting room to make the announcement while holding a video camera to get our reactions. It was a boy and he is perfect! We waited thru the first feeding, and got home around 3:30am. So I am delirious but couldn't be happier. They're going to be in the hospital overnight tonight as well, and the Heinrich Grandparents will arrive tomorrow afternoon, so it will be a busy few days.

The Final Countdown

2009-07-13T09:09:00.001-07:00

4 days till the due date and not much progress. The heat here is killing all of us, but I can’t imagine how it feels to someone 9months pregnant. Poor thing. I’m trying not to call them every day to see how things are going because I would be annoyed if everyone did that to me. Instead we are keeping the cell phones fully charged by the bed at night just in case.
I keep thinking that I want to write something to this baby, for this baby etc. I’m just having trouble putting it into words. I think I’ll be able to come up with something better once we meet, and it has a name and a perfect little face. We’re having some interesting family stuff this week but I won’t allow that to overshadow this baby, because this is the first baby and therefore the most special. There is only 1 first baby. The title comes with a lot of people just sitting around staring at you, lots of gifts and special attention...and crowded sidelines for all of life’s events.
As we anxiously watch the phone this week I am overcome with the fact that we haven’t had a baby in the family for 28 years...and like the song says “a baby changes everything”...and this aunt can’t wait.

A blotter from home

2009-07-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist this one...in my hometown newspaper the title above this police blotter entry was "rude boyfried"

Thursday, 6:25 p.m. — A caller from the 700 block of Lindley Avenue reported her boyfriend was hurting her feelings.

Spa Weekend

2009-07-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

About 2 weeks ago Christine and I spent a few days in Austin....doing nothing at all really and loving every second of it. We took 2 days off work and made spa reservations, stayed at the Hilton (of course) and when we weren’t relaxing we were eating. Perfect weekend or what?

We started the weekend at the Hula Hut with a strong Mexican martini for Christine and fresh mango margaritas for me. Yes, plural...that’s how I roll. We squeezed in some sushi, shopping and spent 5 hours at the spa getting facials, massages, manicures and pedicures. We also had dinner with my newly transplanted family in Austin, found the cupcake stand in an air stream trailer, and had vino at Hotel San Jose.

I think the highlight above all that came early one morning while dining at Einstein’s, a high class establishment of bagels and schmear...I saw someone in line and had to hold myself back from squealing out loud. You know one of those teen “I almost touched a Jonas Brother” kind of scream. It was...Aaron Piersol!! Who you ask? Well if you follow swimming and the Olympics you also would have known immediately. If you are normal, like christine, and only remember the big guns like Michael Phelps...this name may perhaps escape you. I have added the pics because you will probably remember the face.

He's hot! I gave Christine permission to take him home immediately, not that she needs it...but she fully agreed that he was great breakfast eye candy. He was cool, casual and eating a ton of carbs as he had come from the Longhorn Swim Club and seemed totally unaware that he might be someone that people recognize.

He Won

2009-06-22T07:34:00.001-07:00

Of course he did. He came, he rode, he conquered. That's Lance. Levi came in third, also a great showing. The sleepy town of 3K, had about 15-20 thousand spectators. My parents had a great time and I'm so excited that he might have raced his last ever race in the US in my hometown. Who knows, though...how many times did Jordan retire? He might just be back again.

If you can handle the terrible sound quality, this video was taken on the motorcycle alongside the riders in the race, and also shows how what a beautiful town NC is.

Here comes Lance!

2009-06-17T07:19:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure everyone knows this, but I’ve been watching the tour de France for...well a long time. It probably started when I spent a summer in France when I was 12, and saw the tour as it passed thru. I even got Jen hooked and now she watches every year. Cycling has all the good drama of a soap opera. Drugs, people changing teams, countries that hate a certain American rider, insane fans that run in the streets and bloody crashes etc. No one in cycling ever generates as much interest as Lance, love him or hate him I think everyone would agree that he is cycling.
In my small hometown the oldest bike race in the history of California occurs every Fathers Day. It's called the Nevada City Classic. In the past Greg Lemond in the 80’s, Lance in 1990, and Levi even in 1998 among others have participated but generally it's a low key event with only die hard cycling fans making any special trips. Not this year friends because Lance himself, along with Levi (who I adore) and Chris Horner...all amazing American riders announced yesterday that they will be riding in it! Lance tweeted it actually, and of course I follow him because I'm psycho. This is probably the most exciting thing to happen to Nevada City since a Hallmark Christmas movie was filmed a few years ago. My parents are already staking out their seats and I’m forcing my mom to make a sign for me. I can’t believe I’m going to miss this one...for budget reasons I cannot hop a flight to CA this weekend. To quote Levi “This is one party to come watch".

Almost Time!!

2009-06-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

I had to post the link to Rob and Allison's maternity photo shoot because it is so freaking adorable. I'm sure they will kill me for this but you all know and love them so I figured you would want to see it as well. A)It's totally not fair how tiny she still is at 36 weeks in these pics, and B) look at those dogs! I love the baby room of course. 4.5 weeks to go until baby H. Chris and I are so excited we already have shirts to wear to the hospital when we get the call. Mine reads Aunt Sassy, his reads Uncle Cap.

Heinrich is German but really I’m Irish

2009-06-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

I’m a pretty even split of the two, but if you ask the men in our lives we have Irish tempers for sure, and half of us have red hair and freckles. My brother and I have always wanted to go to Ireland so what did my parents do? They planned a trip to go with their friends for 3 weeks, and are sending daily updates to rub it in. Nice.
They don’t really drink, never have, but they are with their best friends of 29 years the Gubitz’s who are shall we say...a little more into the adult beverage. So far my parents have been to the Jameson’s’ tasting room 2x and the Guinness factory, not to mention a different pub every night. I’m beginning to worry if along with the red hair and sassy personality my mom will be bringing back a new found fondness for the booze.
The last few nights they have been at Leslie Castle, the castle where Paul McCartney married that god awful woman. Apparently there is a huge wedding happening this weekend and my mom sent us an email “are there any big celebs that are engaged, I think they’re getting married here this weekend” to which my aunt responded, “oh yes didn’t you hear its George Clooney and Angelina”. See my smart ass tendencies come via genetics.

Amanda

2009-06-10T11:18:00.000-07:00

I know I’m not old, but occasionally things happen and I think “wow I remember when...” This past weekend was one of those moments. I have a small family, and cousins were few and far between. When I turned 18 my cousin Amanda was born and she quickly became the special one. You see, I was beyond babying as I was an adult, and my grandparents were over the moon for her. I was able to live close by and picked her up from pre-school some days, and my mom will still drive 3+ hours for one of her basketball games. To me she will never grow up, but this past weekend I had to face that isn’t the case in reality. She graduated from 8th grade! What?!? I can’t believe it, and am sad I missed it. My parents who are off traipsing around Ireland for weeks forgot to tell me. Hopefully with a nice gift all will be forgiven. I’m so proud and she is so beautiful and smart. Luckily for me she will be moving to Texas in a few weeks and I can harass her in person more often. I’m sure she is counting the min for that.

Katie, my other baby...I mean cousin is just as beautiful and special so I added a pic of her last day of 5th grade.

Oklahoma City

2009-05-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

Chris and I decided that we would have a “staycation” this past Memorial Day weekend and headed to Oklahoma City. I’ve always wanted to see the Memorial and to do that on the holiday weekend just felt patriotic. So we hopped in the car and drove north. Three hours later we pulled into The Skirvin Hotel (terrible name, awesome hotel) in downtown OKC. After checking in, we walked a few blocks to the Memorial for the Oklahoma City Bombing.

It wasn’t very crowded, being a Sunday afternoon on a holiday weekend. We spent 4 hours walking thru the inside and outside. I was a senior in high school when it happened in 1995, and being that age I remember feeling removed from it. After having gone I think it’s something every American should do. It’s so tastefully done, thoughtful and moving. The tour moves from room to room as you experience that entire day from 9am thru the following weeks, and ending with interviews of survivors and families years later. The fact that with a daycare inside 19 babies were killed will forever, to me, make it worse than 911. Killing children takes things to a whole new level.
We wandered the reflection pool. On one end the metal structure shows 9:01, and on the other 9:03. The reflection pool in the middle with all the chairs showing that life changed in the 1 min in between.

We looked at the chairs, 168, lining 9 rows representing the floors they died on. Little chairs for kids, big chairs for adults. All had flags flying for Memorial Day as well. It was so quiet and peaceful.

We decided to go to Bricktown for dinner, an area they created in downtown with a canal similar to San Antonio. It’s lined with restaurants, bars, starbucks, a movie theater and right in the middle is a ball park. The Big 12 Championship Tournament was that weekend, and I’m happy to say that UT won, but the area was filled with Big 12 fans. We had drinks after dinner at the Melting Pot and called it a day.

The next morning we checked out, and took our time going home. We stopped in a casino for some slot play, and then had lunch at a diner we saw. The hot dog I ordered was well over 1 foot in length! It was nuts. We also had to get a DQ blizzard of course. It was a great weekend with beautiful weather and I can check the Memorial off my bucket list

Baby Buckaroo

2009-05-27T08:55:00.001-07:00

Rob & Allison spent a sunny afternoon at a shower for baby Heinrich. Her sister, also pregnant, made the trip from Reno. Grandparents, Aunts, cousins and friends were here as well, but I don’t know anyone more excited to be an aunt & uncle than Chris and I.

I planned Rob & Allison’s baby shower, and in my head it was going to be beautiful weather and the entire party was going to be outside in the yard we had been working on forever. Saturday I woke up to rain, and it rained all day. By about 3pm Chris told me that I was going to need to plan on having it inside. I was totally bummed, but agreed, and spent the rest of the day moving furniture to other rooms of the house to set up the entire shower inside.

I woke up Sunday morning to the birds chirping, and I knew without even looking that the day was the beautiful day I had dreamed of. I looked at Chris and he knew that we would be spending all the hours leading up to the shower moving it all back outside. Good times.

Not knowing the gender of the baby created a few challenges. We went with a western theme, baby buckaroo, the same as the nursery. So bandannas, mason jars and cowboy hats completed the look along with some sweet tea, and homemade ice cream sandwiches. We added a western scene as a photo booth for a little added fun.

Now the countdown begins! 6 weeks until I'm officially Aunt Sassy.

The Break In

2009-05-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

Many of you know about this, but for those that don’t...having a lack of a computer can hinder blogging in a big way. A few weeks ago Chris got a call from our home alarm company asking us if we had set off the alarm. Um...no, we were both at work. Knowing that clearly something had gone wrong at home he called me, and we both raced home from our offices to the house. We beat the police by 18 min, don’t even get me started, and found the back gate broken, and the back door pried off the frame and all or our electronics and most of my jewelry gone. Don’t worry; I was wearing the best stuff. These thieves were crafty, breaking in during a shift change for the cops, parking in the back alley, cutting the power and wearing gloves.

(empty mount with fingerprint powder)

It’s been a few weeks now, and it is still strange to walk in and see the mount on the walls, but no TV’s in sight. The first few nights Chris and I wondered what people did with no TV? I have to say we’ve been so busy we haven’t missed it much, with the exception of the season finale of Grey’s anatomy. It is a violating feeling, but I think we have the attitude that the “stuff” was never really ours to begin with. It's inconvenient but we still have a house, jobs, food and each other. A TV and a tiffany’s necklace are just “nice to haves”.

People have been so amazing from bringing us dinner, to offering to loan us a TV or even bringing a bottle or wine. So now we wait for insurance to finish processing our claim and eventually we will be able to do a little shopping to replace some of the things we’ve lost. I think our priorities are the iMac, a TV, an iPod and the DVD player. Who doesn’t like shopping?

What a day

2009-04-28T13:54:00.000-07:00

Things happen. I know this. My normal day, and my job are generally so average, I just don't write about them. However, yesterday, the first 2 hours alone were enough to make me want to crawl back in bad and start over.
7:00am: My post shower makeup application. I drop my loose powder as I'm moving it from one hand into the other and lose 50% on the floor, and the other 50% in the sink.
7:15am: head to the kitchen to pack lunch, drop small container of marinara sauce onto the floor and it goes everywhere. I have to try to clean it up, and hold off the dog at the same time.
7:30am: I'm preparing all ingredients for the Crockpot roast that will simmer all day (thus preventing my husband from having cereal for a 5th night in a row) and trip over above mentioned dog licking invisible marinara spots off the floor and spill ketchup on my work blouse. AHHH. Have to go change, the first time.
7:50am Finally out the door, on the road in crazy rain/lightening/thunder. Stop at starbucks to grab some caffeine to calm my nerves. They don't push the lid down all the way, spill on blouse #2. Decide I'm too far from home and think people at work will take one look at me and my coffee stain and walk away. It would be advantageous for them to do so.
8:20am: Turning into the parking garage at work and realize that I have left my laptop at home. Normally a bad thing, but when you have 3 different conference calls with VP levels and up before noon....a very bad thing. So I drive back out of the garage, call and tell my admin I'll be late, and head back home.
8:45am: Run into the house, change again for the second time, grab the laptop and get back in the car.
9:10am: Finally arrive at work, but have lost my will to touch anything for fear I might totally screw it up for the entire day.

Ever have one of those?

The added fun last night was that someone rang our doorbell at 1:10am. I was totally freaked, the dog was going nuts and Chris didn't hear a thing! I couldn't fall back asleep for 2 hours and laid in bed creating escape routes in my head if that should become necessary.

Two...Eight...who do we appreciate?

2009-04-20T14:24:00.000-07:00

It was also Rob’s 28th birthday, and the other reason my parents came for a visit. He had a bowling party at the new Splitsville in Arlington, TX. About 18 of us bowled, ate and celebrated. The night was so much fun with lots of family and friends.
This was Rob's last birthday being the “baby” of the family...without having the baby of the family. You can see that little development in the bump that Allison is carrying around in the picture above. My mom was the photographer of the evening and many of you will thank me for not posting the pics, because everyone looks terrible in 90% of them. The few that made the cut are below.

Hello Friends

2009-04-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while, I know.

My parents came for a visit and it turned into the largest home improvement project that we have done thus far. Yes folks...we (well my dad with our assistance) installed our own sprinkler system. Not just in the front yard, but the back yard as well. If that wasn’t enough I thought we should landscape, and add some trees and plants. Who knew that trees were over $100 each? One of these plants could have been a new pair of shoes, so I’ll be pissed if I kill any of them.

It's a work in progress but here are some before, and after. We still have a ton of work to do, but I think it's looking good so far.

(during, and notice my dad's fashionable headbands)

(after)

Lucky Me!

2009-03-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

Wikipedia states that my task tomorrow is defined as:IRIF - An Involuntary Reduction in Force - The employee(s) didn't voluntarily choose to leave the company. This usually implies that the method of reduction involved either layoffs, firings, or both, but wouldn't usually imply resignations or retirements. If the employee is fired rather than laid off, the term "with cause" may be appended to indicate that the separation was due to this employee's performance and/or behavior, rather than being financially motivated.

Let's just hope I'm not on my own list. That might be awkward. I also hope no one key's my car...the joys of HR. I wouldn't call me tomorrow after 6pm...I'm planning on sedating myself with alcohol after ruining peoples lives in this economic crisis.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

2009-03-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

Facebook Phenomenon

2009-03-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

Last year, Val and Colleen convinced me to join Facebook. At first it was fascinating, finding people that I had lost touch with, seeing how their lives had changed, pictures etc. Then the inbox filled with high school and Jr. high classmates...and that passing thought of “do I want to accept them?” I mean let’s face it, some of us didn’t really like, or know each other in HS, and I could care less about my friend count. Really, that’s a lame way to feel important in my opinion.

Next was the really awkward wave of parents and friends’ parents. Seriously, does my high school young life leader need to see a photo of me at a bar? Probably not. Then there’s the issues of people tagging you in photos you wouldn’t want anyone to see, the dramas of ended relationship statuses played out via the comment section, and the announcements of major life events via Facebook.

Don’t get me wrong, I check the thing every day. Lately though, I began to wonder when we all decided to stop picking up the phone and calling someone, feeling that a comment on a wall was the same as a conversation? For the record, with me it is not. I like hearing someone’s voice. If we are friends, that’s not how I want to find out you are pregnant, getting a divorce, have a boyfriend, are moving, or have made any other significant life change. Unless you feel our friendship is on the same level as your high school algebra teacher, co-worker from 4 years ago, and that ex you’re stalking from college. I won't even get into the fact that as an HR person that hires people for a living...your page tells me more than your resume, and believe me...I use it.

Call me old fashioned, but I think that it makes relationships less personal and the personal part is what I love about my friends.

Fruity pebbles, fiber, and takeover karaoke

2009-03-04T08:28:00.000-08:00

My girls’ weekend in San Diego was, as expected, a great time. Sunny and 78 degrees we lounged, ate, shopped, drank, danced and caught up. Honestly with those two I would be happy just sitting on the deck, reading magazines with a glass of wine talking about our lives. All weekend I did hear “this can’t go on the blog” or “that should totally go on the blog”. Blog censorship I tell you.

Friday we were walking around PB and Val wanted to try this new frozen yogurt place. It’s one of those where you pay by the weight but serve yourself and they have a million toppings you can add. The sizes we got would be embarrassing for normal people but not to us. I decided on nonfat pistachio and was unsure what topping would complement the flavor. Val looked at me and in all seriousness said “yogurt chips of course”...well a traditional person would think that. I tend to color outside the lines so I went with fruity pebbles. They mocked me, until they tasted it and were jealous. It’s a little bit of heaven friends. Colleen had added coco puffs and we told her they looked like rabbit turds. Friend love.

Fiber...well I think the more you know your friends the more you know. Sometimes bordering on TMI. So I will spare you the details of the conversations revolving around bathroom topics and just tell you that when Val stood up and announced “fiber shots you guys?” I literally laughed out loud. She said it as if she was a bartender. Fiber shots?? Her philosophy is that regularity is a good thing. The girl went and mixed something with water and put it in these tiny shot like glasses and we drank them like it was patron. Only with them.

Takeover Karaoke was Saturday night. We all got ready and sat around the table at home drinking and snacking. All of a sudden we looked up and it was 10:30, we were already well on our way to buzzed and needed to go. The destination was one of my favorites, a dive karaoke bar that is so crowded on the weekend you won’t get to sing a song unless you pay the dj a lot of $. Even then it’s a long shot. We knew with our late start we would never have a chance on the mic. Well...our group is less than shy. So when Journey’s “Don’t stop, believing” came on and 2 guys went up on the stage...we did what any normal group would do. We took over. The girls literally got on stage, took the mics and started singing... it wasn’t a hostile takeover because the boys were allowed to sing along. It was classic. Let’s just say we were “those girls”. The night ended at Santana’s for late night burritos and might have forgotten Colleen...and she might have had to walk home...I’m just saying.
Real friendship is that the next morning she wasn’t pissed. I think the sweet justice for her was that I couldn’t eat a thing all day, and was a lovely greenish color all the way home to Dallas.

D Bag Jason

2009-03-03T06:47:00.001-08:00

I can't even talk about the Bachelor last night it makes me so enraged. I heard this was the ending about 4 weeks ago and just kept hoping that it was wrong, that it was a trick to keep us on our toes. It wasn't, and I am totally disgusted with ABC, Jason, Chris Harrison and Molly. All of them are total D Bags and I will never watch again.
Even though I love Jillian and know she will be an entertaining bachlorette last night changed how I feel about it forever, and I'm done. Peace out. I would rather be trapped in a daycare for 5 hours with sick runny nosed screaming children and no Lysol than hear 2 seconds more of what anyone associated with last nights train wreck has to say.

Don’t Sweat Us

2009-02-26T09:40:00.001-08:00

Time for the annual girls weekend with Colleen and Val.
This year we will be in the land of perfection known as San Diego. I hear it will include a hike at Torrey Pines State Reserve (my favorite), Mexican food, a night out dancing, and a slumber party afterwards with some of the other SD girls I miss.

Be back next week!

Points for Mr.G

2009-02-25T08:19:00.000-08:00

I know most of the time that I am very blessed. My husband, while not perfect, is pretty close. I have a few friends that are single moms with babies under 1. They have very busy lives and don’t get to go out as much as the rest of us. I invited 2 of them to join me in seeing “Confessions of a shopaholic” and one couldn’t find a sitter.
So what did my husband do? He babysat a 5 month old baby so we could go to lunch and a movie. Yep, he changed a diaper, made and fed the baby a bottle and even got him to take a nap. When we walked out of the move and found no urgent text messages from him we were all a little impressed. I think he’s a keeper.

My Mornings

2009-02-23T14:07:00.000-08:00

I have a morning routine. The alarm goes off, and the TV goes on at 6:28 am to the sound of Fox 4 “Good Day”. I listen to the first 10 min of the 6:30 news then start getting ready with the Good Day Gang on in the background. I feel like I know them. This morning I was so sad to hear that my favorite, Megan Henderson, is leaving town and that Friday will be her last broadcast. I called Chris on my way to work and this was the conversation:

M: Megan is leaving
C: Megan who??
M: From Good day.
C: I'm sorry, I know how you feel about that show. She was way to smoking hot to be an anchor in Texas anyway, I can see her in LA.
M: This was not the direction I was going this morning, but thank you for the sympathy.

I know this is a random post, but I love her, and my mornings just won’t feel the same.

A trip to the ER

2009-02-23T12:09:00.000-08:00

I woke up at 5am on Sunday in Lake Charles, and knew that something wasn't right. I felt terrible and was having difficulty breathing. Being in someone else’s house and a town I don’t know I was a little panicked. The Hay family likes their sleep, and I didn’t want to wake them. I also knew that they would be so concerned they wouldn’t want me to go anywhere alone. I like to be alone when I’m sick. It’s my thing...so I Googled “urgent care” on my handy iphone, found out none of them opened until 10am! I tried searching a few other options and the magic phone found me a starbucks and the ER at the touch of Google. Hey, I have priorities. Iced grande skinny vanilla latte, then the ER.
I snuck into Celeste’s room to grab her keys and headed out. As predicted Celeste didn’t wake until 11:30 and by then I was almost finished at the ER. I found out I had a terrible upper respiratory infection that was exacerbated by the 5k run that Celeste and I had done the day before. I was given a steroid shot and prescriptions for when I got back to Dallas. Never a dull moment I guess.

Mardi Gras Lake Charles Style

2009-02-23T11:52:00.000-08:00

My weekend in Louisiana with the Hay family was more than I even imagined. It was my first time in the state of Mardi Gras so for me it was very entertaining. Here are just a few of the highlights.

I flew into Houston, Celeste picked me up and we headed to Lake Charles. Celeste has the nicest family, so open and welcoming. They have a beautiful house, on the water with a very cool boat dock. I looked for alligators only to be told they don’t see them in the winter. The fact that they see them at all is enough for me to know I’m never swimming off that dock. Ever.
We arrived in time for dinner which was an exciting fish fry at the Pentecostal church down the street from her parents’ house. Again, I have never been to a fish fry for a Pentecostal church so this was a good time. The description Dorsey gave me was that the girls don’t cut their hair or wear any makeup and dress like little house on the prairie. Her description was spot on.

Saturday night we had the Crew du lac Mardi Gras Ball and we needed to find Celeste a costume. The theme was “out of Africa” and everyone was going tribal. We made our way to the ethnic beauty store and were in search of some good hair. I got a wig and Celeste got a hair piece to attach to her ponytail. She was asking the man behind the counter how to attach the hair, and he took it upon himself to give her some additional recommendations. He asked her if she wanted a “booty pad”. A what? We were totally confused by his question, and then he pointed to a fake ass that one would wear to give more of a “booty” and we both about died laughing. Um, no...I think we have more than enough junk in our trunks already but thanks.

That night with the costumes and added hair we headed to the ball. On our way I insisted we stop at a one of the drive thru daiquiri places I saw earlier that day. That’s right you drive thru and they hand you a cup of blended alcohol goodness. I had never seen one, and felt an obligation to try them. Delicious.
Each group in the crew dresses in a different theme for this ball, and some of the costumes were awesome. I personally loved the crew that came in Chef attire and called themselved the "master baters". Classic. After the court was introduced (duke, duchess, king, queen) the dancing began. Celeste’s uncle was a Duke this year, a great honor, so we all had special tables. Let’s just say the girl has a lot of family. Most people had begun drinking hours before the ball even started so people were having a good time. We all danced until well into the morning and I hope to be invited back again next year.

What the French toast?

2009-02-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

So I’m gone a few days and missed a major change. I got into my car this morning and turned it to my favorite throw back station 107.5 "Movin" and instead of a little salt n peppa I hear Julio Iglesias. I was convinced that it was a joke of some kind, so I changed to another station for a while then went back to “movin” and again...Spanish music. I know that stations can change format suddenly but this was bizarre. Once I got into the office this morning I checked it out online and found this this. All I have to say is what the French toast? I loved that station. If I wanted livin la vida loca I would already listen to that crap.

Anxiety

2009-02-13T08:45:00.001-08:00

I have a love/hate relationship with my birthday, and the month of February. I love that I usually had a day off on or around my birthday for Presidents Day and because of that I had birthday parties on the ski slopes most years. A bunch of girls running around the lodge at Alpine Meadows was not a bad way to spend the day. I loved that my mom made my day and Valentine’s Day 2 SEPARATE occasions. I love that the first call I get every year is from my parents telling me all about the day I was born. It’s the same story but I never get tired of hearing it. I get to hear about how my mom was so dehydrated from literally puking all 9 months that she had to go to the hospital and be hooked to an IV for fluids. While doing that she casually mentioned that her stomach hurt. Um yeah, that was LABOR. I also love that when the Dr came in to ask about drugs, my dad turned to him and said “no, and don’t come in here and ask again”...he never came back and my mom rocked labor with no meds of any kind. I love that one year, my parents threw me a surprise birthday party before school. That’s right. They set all the clocks back, so that I would get up thinking it was the regular time, and while I was getting ready my mom was driving around picking up all my friends. The doorbell rang; I opened it to see all their faces and was totally confused. In fact I started to cry and slammed the door, with them still standing out front. I composed myself and let them in, but the bizarre school day breakfast birthday party totally sums up my childhood.

The hate part is that I now have a total aversion to anything in the shape of a heart, conversation candy, the colors pink and purple etc, but the big anxiety is this. All my grandparents died, or had an event that led to death during February. My dad’s mom died suddenly the week I was turning 4, she was on her way to pick up my birthday present. My family still insisted on having a party, but seeing the pictures I realize how blissfully unaware I was of the events around me. My dad’s dad, being in poor health to begin with, followed her a year later. The pics from birthday year #5 are even better than the 4th. So in gearing up for my 6th birthday I had a special birthday wish, I told my mom’s mom that for my gift she had to promise she wasn’t going to die. All I knew was my birthday didn’t seem to be a good time for family, and I was tired of it ruining my parties. She made the promise, and I started to relax again, and then the big 21st birthday. I was in college but the entire family met for dinner, and the next morning my grandpa had a stroke. He never recovered and 2 months later he was gone. This time I was old enough to know just how much death sucked, and it was terrible. The year I turned 29 my grandma called to tell me she was going to have a surgery and it was set for Feb 28th. I begged her to move it; just a few days...they all know how I feel about Feb. She told me I was silly, that she would be fine. I didn’t agree, and flew out the weekend of my birthday to spend what I was hoping wouldn’t be the last with her. 2 weeks later and 24 hours after her surgery something had gone terribly wrong. 36 hours later I was on a flight to San Francisco to take her home to die surrounded by family. She made it 1 week and into March, and I still have a hard time talking about that week but it was amazing. Near the end she looked at me and said “I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep that promise anymore”. Knife. Thru. The. Heart.

So the birthday for me is a mixed bag of stuff. Blessed with a wonderful husband, family and friends that make time for me and include me in their lives, and places to go, people to see, dinners to have etc. But I also have the nagging sad part that sneaks up on me in the quiet of it all.

Rise

2009-02-12T14:35:00.001-08:00

Jen was in Telluride skiing and missed the birthday “martini and movie” night, so we decided to have dinner and catch up once she returned. Christine joined us as well, and we met at Rise for dinner. Robin wrote about rise in her blog a while back and I’ve been dying to try it ever since. It’s a menu based on soufflés, and a few French basics like onion soup and brie sandwiches etc.
The place is adorable, and my food was very good. I’m not sure it’s a “must do” but its fun and cozy. I had the crab soufflé for dinner and we split the chocolate and bread pudding soufflés for dessert. We visited over a glass of wine and talked about all that is, and has been going on. It was fun to sit down and have some time with them. Once the wine was gone we headed home to beat the tornado warnings.

Ladies Night

2009-02-09T13:02:00.000-08:00

To continue with the b-day theme Sunday night I had a little martini/movie party for myself here in Dallas. We intended on meeting early to grab a cocktail in the lounge, but we walked in 45 min before show time and the line was already forming. So we decided to forgo the drinks until after the movie. The Inwood Theater was the venue, and the movie was “He’s just not that into you”. The theater is amazing, filled with over sized love seats and couches, you can bring in your own alcohol and they hand out blankets etc. It’s like being in a huge living room.
We all spread out and curled up in our own seats for the show. I brought along red velvet cupcakes and valentines for the girls. (Hey...it’s my party and I'll bring cupcakes if I want too) The movie was funny and true in many ways. I could relate to it, and the cast was great. After the movie we headed to the lounge for some rather strong cocktails.

All I needed for a great birthday was a martini, a red velvet treat and time with some special people, new and old. Unfortunately it was a Sunday night, and we all had to get home at a decent hour.

Let the celebrating begin!

2009-02-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

Growing up I was the only February birthday, but as an adult I'm one of many. My friend Heather has a Valentine’s Day birthday, and mine is the day before. We decided to celebrate early beacause I'll be gone Valentines weekend, and Heather shares her day with her twins, which are turning 1. So Saturday night The Shahans and the Heinrichs joined us for dinner at Capital Grille. The host thought perhaps Garth Brooks was stopping in under the pseudonym "Chris Gaines" and I think was a little disappointed to find it was only Chris, and that it is his real name. The food was delicious. Can one really go wrong with calamari, lobster mac and cheese, seared ahi tuna and crème brule? I think not.

They took great care of us by giving us roses, writing out our names in chocolate on the plate, and adding a candle. I thank them for not singing.

Once dinner was over we said goodbye to Rob & Allison, and the 4 of us headed to the Mavs game. Some friends generously gave us their tickets, and we had the most amazing seats. Chris and I were seated 3rd row, and Chris and Heather were 9th row. The Mavs actually won in overtime, and the game was very exciting.

It was a delicious evening with wonderful company. Thank you all for making the trek rom Forth Worth to celebrate!

SMU Crew

2009-02-06T12:16:00.000-08:00

Chris went to grad school at SMU, and during that time we made some great friends. It’s rare that we all get to spend time together so we organized a dinner last weekend. It was fun to sit around the table and catch up. They are all such smart and kind people. We are very blessed to know them. None of us could believe that they graduated almost 3 years ago; the time is going by so quickly. We have seen people get married, start new jobs, and move to different cities etc. I promise we won’t wait as long for the next gathering. I didn’t take pictures of course, so here are all of them at graduation (sans spouses).

It’s Miller Time (almost)

2009-02-06T12:08:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I went to a baby shower for my girlfriend Robin. Robin is having a baby boy, and his name will be Miller. The shower was a great time with the mommy to be, and friends as we enjoyed the beautiful weather and Courtney’s new house. The food was delicious, the decor adorable, and Robin was glowing. I had to get him some UT onsies so that he would fit in on game day with his parents this fall. Miller will be here before we know it, and everyone is anxious to meet him. Great job to the hostesses Mari, Courtney and Jen.

Truth

2009-01-16T08:36:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had lunch, or even a phone conversation with a girlfriend and when it was over you wondered "how is she really?" I mean we get the niceties out of the way, job, house, dog/cat, husband, travel and the like. How often do we really get into it...you know the tough stuff: debt, heartache, family drama, infertility, feeling stuck, behind the scenes of a marriage, religion or on this day even politics? What is really going on with me, and do I share it?
I have to say I share with very few the really big things because it's so personal it's scary. But how do real friendships grow if no one is really saying anything? I wondered if I was alone in this, but I read the BEST blog posting ever today about truth and relationships. I thought it was so awesome that I had to post the link. It doesn't hurt that this blogger shares the same name either :)

FNL

2009-01-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

It's finally here, finally!

I say that, but my mom has Direct TV and has already seen all the episodes that I will finally get to watch starting Friday night. Luckily she hasn't told me anything. Anything accept that I will love Tim Riggins this season more than I already do. I do, I love Tim Riggins. He is the secretly sweet bad boy that I would've had a total crush on in High School. Actually, I did have a crush on a guy like that in HS and now he has 4 kids, works construction, and is balding.

I already have the Tivo set to record, and encourage all of you who haven't seen it to give it a try.

Celine

2009-01-07T13:24:00.000-08:00

Don’t be jealous. Kidding I’m sure you’re not…in fact you’re probably going to judge me for this. I went to the Celine Dion concert on Monday night. That’s right. I might have pulled out the old cd case that I haven’t used since the invention of iTunes to find those songs of the past. Who doesn’t remember Titanic, or Up Close & Personal, or Beauty & the Beast? So go ahead and judge…but I bet you remember too.

Christine and I had always wanted to see her. We had talked about going to Vegas a lot in the past 4 years to see her while she was at Caesars, but never made it. So when we found out last fall that she would be here in Dallas we went on a campaign to get some tickets. Come Monday we were on our way to the AAC, tickets in hand. Bless all the husbands and boyfriends that were forced to attend, including sweet Emmitt Smith.

Celine sounded better live than any performer I’ve ever heard. She was funny and enduring and of course made the crazy facial expressions and dramatic arm gestures I was expecting. She is SO tiny, and her dresses were even smaller. Our friend Lacy was in the 4th row and said it was rather easy to see up the dress. She danced and ran all over the stage in 4 inch heels. I can’t even make it to the front door in shoes like that. Overall it was entertaining, her voice was perfect, and we were thrilled we finally had the chance to see her.

NYE

2009-01-05T11:59:00.001-08:00

I was given the gift of a nasty cold for Christmas. Come NYE I still wasn’t 100% so I passed on the parties and headed to Ft Worth. My parents were still in town from CA, and had avoided me and the illness, so I wanted to see them before they left on Jan 1st. We all had dinner, and my dad and Rob had made crème brule that was “orgasmic” according to Heather Shahan. It’s my dad’s specialty that he taught Rob how to make this trip.

It was a big family affair with Allison’s parents also coming over for the game time fun. We brought the wii, and played Taboo: boys vs. girls. Of course the girls team dominated. My dad described at length “covenant” and the word was actually “convent" but he didn’t see that. We all died laughing.

It isn’t a trip to Ft Worth without the Shahan family as well so they rounded out the group along with Heather’s sister Elizabeth and her husband Brian. Here is a photo of the whole clan (minus Tim, Allison’s dad, who is taking the picture) ringing in the 2009. Please don’t be frightened by the bearded superhero in the pink mask…that’s just my brother after lots of tequila.

2008

2009-01-02T12:25:00.000-08:00

2008 was such a good year it's hard to narrow the list but I will try. Looking back at 2008:

Who Rocked: Kerri, Heather, Erin and Sonia for all giving birth to healthy baby boys, Jen for running the NYC Marathon, and Colleen for taking a risk on a new job.

Big Moves: Celeste moved to Houston, The Butlers to Denver, Rob & Allison to Ft Worth, and we got Elizabeth back in Dallas!

Favorite things in 2008: iphone, spanx, wii, DVR, and Chick-fil-a chocolate peppermint milkshakes (hence the need for spanx).

Favorite Movie/Book/Song of 2008: Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns, Movie: Slumdog Millionaire (yes, I know it just came out, but it is) Song: Natalie Grant, I will not be moved.

Vacation Moments: Taking Chris to the US Open, and a kiss on a park bench in Paris.

Blessed With: A job I enjoy, a house I call home, and selfless love from my family & Chris.

New Pals: Celeste and Callie (bonus points for not dying), Yoshi & Steven.

Daily Loves: Kona, starbucks, and a good morning kiss.

Personal Changes: Becoming a wife, changing my name, and joint checking.

Unforgettable: The time in Tahoe with everyone we love.

Thankful For: Forgiveness. Always given, I just forget to ask.

“Not well traveled, not well read, not well to do or well bred.
Just want to hear instead, “Well done”, good and faithful one”
-Nichole Nordeman: Legacy

4 Christmases

2008-12-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

I’m not kidding. This year we have 4…just like the movie. I’m prepared to be both entertained and entertaining, and I’m fairly sure we will argue at least once. I was telling him we needed a video camera to capture the events but he didn’t see the humor.

Starting the show is Christmas Eve with his mom & John, Matt & Crystal.

Christmas night with his Nana, and Christmas day with his dad’s family, and Grandma Dorothy.

However, it is a sad year because it’s the first for Chris without his Grandpa. He died a year ago, the same weekend we were engaged. Everyone was in shock last year during the holidays, but this year we’re really feeling the loss. Chris was asked to give the blessing at the meal, and it will be the first time in his life that his Grandpa hasn’t been the one to do it.

The 4th and final Christmas is on the other end of the spectrum...Chris and I will be an Aunt and Uncle in 2009!!! I can finally tell everyone that Rob & Allison are having a baby!

So the last stop is in Ft Worth. The future parents and my parents who are flying in from CA will be rounding it out Heinrich style. I’ve been dying for everyone to know, and am so excited I can’t stand it. By now I have gotten over the fact that even though they live 45 min away, they told Chris & I via ichat (Mac video message) on Election night. I was unaware they were calling to tell us about different results. So now my reaction, complete with a curse word, is preserved forever. Classic. Baby Heinrich will arrive in July, and I can’t wait! Chris is equally as excited. He keeps trying to come up with a cool uncle name.

So from all our families to yours, have a safe and Merry Christmas.