Will give an update and then post a few pics tomorrow!

I am trying to get better about blogging but we have been so busy so let me catch everyone up to date!!!! We had our fall festival at Britt's school this month and had a lot of fun! The girls loved it and we had a great turn out. Our neighbor was dressed up for the spook house which they did a great job on but she was freaking Kiley out because she didn't know who it was - lol. They rode a horse for the first time and they both loved it! The girls were worn out afterwards!!! The next day we had a birthday party for one of our friends in the neighborhood who also happens to be in Britt's class. We had a great time and I got to meet a few other Mom's who have kids in B's class.

Kiley started a new Preschool (well new for her but old for us) - she is at Plano West - Yep I am always asked if I am crazy but how can I make the drive for 2 years with Brittany to give her the best start and not do it for Kiley!! She loves her teacher as we knew she would. She only goes two days a week and I get to have breakfast with a close friend next week so very excited about that!!!

I had a long adoption event last Sat where we didn't adopt one dog but we all have a blast at adoptions so all is good. We went over to some friend's the next day for the game and thank goodness our boys won! I say this esp because Eric is quite the Bucc's fan so that was a sweet win!! We always have a great time with this group and the girls love them!!!

Tonight we took the girls to a local festival at one of the churches and they had a lot of fun! We ran into some friends and the girls got to meet some fireman who dressed up for them and turned on the lights. Kiley was going to do it until she saw how BIG the firetruck was and how high it was for the front seat - lol.

Mike's new job is going great - thank goodness. He is ready to finally settle in somewhere for awhile.

This Friday is Brittany's first field trip! She is so excited to ride the bus for the first time ever - we will be heading to the pumpkin patch! Kiley and I are going but we aren't chaperoning and a few other Mom's are going so it should be lots of fun. Then of course we will trick or treat around here on Friday!!! I am co-hosting a bridal shower on Sat and the girls have a birthday party then we have dinner with some friends that night. Brittany's party is on the 8th and she is so excited! It should be an awesome party - most of her old Preschool friends should be here as well as a few from Kinder. I am brave - we are having it here! I will probably need some sanity afterthat so I may head to a MNO on Sunday - ha! We are busy but having a great time with the girls.

Where to start

It has been awhile since my last update. We have been so busy that time is escaping me. I will try to sum up what everyone has been doing and I will do better at updating!!

Kiley has been doing OK at Preschool but is having major separation anxiety from me so it makes it so hard for me to take her to school. She cries and wants to come home. We are checking into a couple of Church Preschools and are on their waiting list. I will pull her out if it gets too unbearable. Preschool isn't required and she will be in Kinder before I know it. My sweet baby is 4 today and I can't believe how fast it went. She brings such love and laughter to my life and I am so thankful for her everyday!! Happy Birthday Kiley Bear!!!!! We had a small get together for her today and she had so much fun.

Brittany just loves, loves Kindergarten and already has a boyfriend *sigh*. She hangs out with the boys more than girls but she does get it honestly because I was the same way. She is very girly though and I was a tomboy so we do differ there. Otherwise, Brittany is such a mini me in every sense of the word but I adore her and her love of life. She loves art and learning. She is doing so well in school and we are SO proud of her...she makes me proud everyday. We are done with Cheerleading for the season. There are playoff games but she cheered her last game yesterday! the Coyotes won their first game too! The little boys are so cute. She wants to try soccer again in the Spring so we will see how that goes. Her birthday and party are next month and she is very excited!

Michael starts a new job on Monday - sales was not for him but he has a great opportunity with another company so wish him luck.

Now me - well, I am so freakin busy that I don't know which way is up sometimes...lol. My class is going well. I still volunteer with the Humane Society and that keeps me pretty busy and I have taken on a new duty with them. We are still taking a break from fostering because I just don't have the time. I also have started volunteering with Heroes for Children one day a week in the office. I am also on the HFC Friends group. A woman's auxillary group that does different things throughout the year for HFC. I am a Captain in one of the groups so I will coordinate my team - shopping, wrapping, delivering - that sort of thing. I am having fun planning a wedding shower and bachelorette party for the wedding I am Matron of Honor in in January! I try to squeeze everything else in when I can. I try to have lunch with friends once a month as well. I am loving life and my family so all is good. I think that catches everyone up until now but I promise I will get better at updating!!!

Playing Catch Up!

We have had a good but busy week! I finally had to let Spanish go because I just don't have the time for 2 courses right now. I am still taking Psychology..

We had a good Memorial Day Weekend despite some bad news on Sat. We went to a friend's for a party on Sunday and took the girls swimming on Monday.

Brittany continues to love Kindergarten and is doing pretty well. She got to check out a library book and she picked a book on Santa - lol. She is very careful with it - thank goodness. She continues to have Cheerleading practice every Tues and Thurs night which definitely wears her out but I think she is secretly having fun. This past Thurs we found out after practice that the girls were cheering at the HS game with the Varsity Cheerleaders. OH MY were they ever cute. The 1st-2nd grade football players got to run through the paper with the Varsity football! The bad part was they wouldn't get onto the field until 3rd quarter and the girls were so tired when they finally got out there at 9:30. They did great though and got their pics taken with the Varsity girls. I think they also liked watching the "Big Cheerleaders." We also have a game tomorrow at 1:30 (SO glad it isn't early). We are also signing up for Daisies on Tuesday so Brittany is excited about that. Whew -that is it for my busy girl I believe.


Kiley started Preschool on Wednesday and loves it. She gets a huge grin on her face when she sees me pull into her school. So, far so good - now if I can just get her to quit with the attitude - yeah right. I am holding out on Tumbling for her until Jan when things slow down a bit for us.

What a Conflicting Day!

First of all a big Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband whom I am so thankful for everyday. He has brought so much love and joy to my life and he is everything to me. He is my other half and soul.

Brittany had her first game this morning (for cheer) and we had so much fun at the game and what a great turnout we had. The boys did great and the girls did great cheering in the heat. Luckily, the coaches thought ahead and brought towels that they soaked in cold water to help cool down the girls. They even gave me one for Kiley!!! How awesome is that. Anyway, after having to get up super early (we met at the school at 7), I had Brittany come home and rest - oh yes, she is battling a double ear infection. I took a little nap as well..ha!

I was studying (OK, so what is new) and my Mom called....with the news I had been dreading. My Great Aunt had given up and passed away. OK, let's back up 2 weeks when my wonderful Great Uncle passed away (her husband) which was truly devastating. He had been watering his flowers that he took great pride in. We are unsure of what happened next (not sure if he fell, had a stroke, etc..) but my G-Aunt who was not doing well mentally (alzheimers) went to look for him and found him in a creek bed. He was still alive but it really tears me apart to know he laid there awake but unable to move. The doctors told their daughters that he had a brain bleed and they could do surgery but he is 87 and probably would not have lived through it. So, they made the painful decision to let him go but the way he would have wanted to go. He died with days...Fast forward to today....My G-Aunt went to a home after he died (he was still caring for her) for people with Alzheimers and Dementia) and refused to eat or drink for 9 days and they found her this morning. I knew deep down that she could not and would not live without him. My Mom told me that she was so far gone and the funeral was almost too much for her grief wise. I believe they were married well over 50 years. These 2 were the most loving, caring and wonderful people I have ever had the priveledge of loving. I adored them and they will greatly be missed but she is no longer so confused and hurting and they are together again as they were meant to be. So, please - thoughts and prayers for my family as we grieve the loss of these 2 people we loved so dearly.

Just for Comparison!

My sweet Brittany sure has grown up! I still can't believe she is in Kindergarten!

Here is Brittany at 3 almost 4 starting Preschool for the first time...



Here she is at 4 almost 5 starting her 2nd year of Preschool...



and again - her starting Kinder...

First and Second Day of Kindergarten

I only got to take one pic of Brittany with her teacher. We were running really late and it was a madhouse in the school. The two of her with her backpack is her
2nd day of Kinder. She really loves Kindergarten and really likes her teacher. It helps too that her neighbor friend is in her class but I think she is making some new friends...now if she would only remember their names - lol.


Brittany and her teacher


Getting ready to leave the house on the 2nd day. Isn't she the cutest Kindergartner ever?



Her backpack looks so huge on her!

So far she is adjusting to the longer days very well! She also has Cheer practice on Tues and Thurs nights so she is extra tired on those days and then she wears her uniform to school on Friday's. I have Kiley's meet the teacher and orientation tomorrow night while Mike has Kinder orientation tomorrow night...I SO wish they were on separate nights but oh well....Kiley starts school next Wed and she is ready...

Pep Rally

We had our first pep rally last Fri night! All of the girls were SO cute and some a bit nervous. Britt is in the K-2nd squad! We have our first game this Sat and she is pretty excited about it. Let's see how she does. She got a little weepy at the pep rally because she couldn't see me. Waiting for her coach.... Waiting for the pep rally to start - it was SO hot! The K-2nd squad

A little dance that all the cheerleaders K-6th did together. I think Brittany was a little nervous since she kept looking around and of course she had to make sure Mom was still watching but isn't she the cutest?




This is Hallie and Brittany before the pep rally. Hallie's Mom, Brianne, is a friend of mine and they are on the same squad.

Cuteness.....

OK, so I know we all think our kids are the cutest but doesn't she look adorable in her cheerleading uniform? She kinda has the deer in headlights look because she was so freakin tired after a week of Cheerleading camp from 6-8pm. Her first pep rally is tomorrow night so I will update again either then or Sunday - yep - I know....but I have such a busy weekend. My baby is growing up :-(

Major Slacker!!!!!

A friend let me know that I have been slacking in updating the blog so I thought while I had a rare few minutes, I would update it! We have been preparing for school lately. Since my last post, the girls finished up camp (which they absolutely loved) and we have been busy ever since - lol. I will post some random pics when I am done. We have been trying to see friends before school starts because it will be sheer madness I tell ya after that. So, what have we all been doing and what is going on???

Me - I am still volunteering for the Collin County Humane Society and our last foster was adopted - YAY! I pick up our next foster tomorrow and then we are taking a fostering break until after the holidays. I just have too much going on! I will however still do the adoption events and the other events inbetween. I start back to school on Aug 25th and am taking 2 online classes and good grief are books expensive!! I have taken a semester off since I threw 3 babies showers in the Spring. This fall, I have the girls birthday parties, football games for B, events with the CCHS, studying, PTA, holiday's, a bridal shower I am helping to throw, a bachlorette party, and 2 5K's in Sept (maybe more if I can squeeze them in and get back to the gym). I will also be v0lunteering at Brittany's school!! OH - I will also be helping some at Meet the Teacher next week. Busy times for sure but I am excited to get everything started.

Mike is doing well at his new job however, he misses more of the tech side since he is not doing so much of it now.

Brittany has started cheerleading practice but we aren't allowed to stay and watch. I am OK with it because I think she will do better without me there (she kept turning around to find me at the first one) but how do I know what she needs help with??? UGH.......she is loving so far and looks WAY too cute cheering. She has cheerleading camp next week as well as Meet the Teacher, her first pep rally next Fri and their first game next Sat in big ole Pottsboro! Another friend of mine's duaghter is on Brittany's squad so it should be fun. There is a total of 30 girls on the squad (k-2nd). We find out tomorrow who Brittany has for Kinder and I think I am as excited as she is! Brittany has also really been wanting to take Ice Skating lessons!!

Kiley is just a ball of fire and energy! She doesn't start Preschool until Sept 3rd and she will be starting a new school. I really wanted her to go where B went but with lovely price gouging at the pump, she will have to stay close to home. We are excited about her new school and I will really enjoy not having to drive so much this fall. She will go on M, W and Fridays so she is excited for sure. Other than that, not too much going on with her. We are looking into an activity for her. I think she would love dance but not sure how the recital time would go as she doesn't even like walking into a crowded room. I am afraid if we do soccer that she will just take the ball from people - lol. She is a tough little girl!

The girls recently got the Bitty Twins from American Girl so we will see how they like them!

Mike and I are SO glad it is football season again!!!


So, there ya have it - just a quick update on all of us :-).

New Job, Date Night, etc....

Mike starts his new job today and he is really excited. Some of you know his reasons for quitting last Wed and then he received 2 great offers on Friday so he made his decision and I think he will love it! We loved having him home on Wed, Thurs and Fri!

Mike and I had a date night on Sat and we had a great time. We went and ate italian food at Nicola. OMG - the best and most authentic italian food! It was pure heaven and it is made with all fresh ingredients - no freezers. The pasta is made from scratch, the chef and all equipment are all from Italy. They have fresh produce, meat, seafood - twice a day. I would suggest reservations if you go (we made them) but now we won't go back to chain italian food - lol. We then went to an Irish Pub and had a few drinks - we had so much fun and definitely needed it!!!

We have been taking the girls swimming everyday which is great exercise for us and the girls love to swim. They are still loving camp and they have 2 more weeks.

Just a Quick Update!

I realized I hadn't updated since the holidays so I thought I would update everyone really quick. The girls started a T, Wed, Th day camp where they go 9-2. It gives us all a much needed break as they were getting tired of just hanging out with Mom everyday. They will do that until the end of July. What do I do while they are gone? I usually hit the gym for a couple of hours, come home, eat and shower - nothing too earth shattering. We had a semi busy weekend last weekend. We upgraded my wedding ring so we went and picked that up last Fri and it is SO SO beautiful! We also met a friend of ours for dinner so we got home a little late. Sat we went swimming when we first got up. The girls have new life vests and loved swimming in them. After that I had a meeting with the Humane Society and then ran a few errands and after I got home, we headed out to a friend's house for dinner and had a blast despite breakdowns and tantrums. We lost track of time so we didn't get home until midnight. We have learned that our kids are very much into their schedule and just don't do well off of it - sigh. Sunday we hung around the house and ran a few errands to attempt to get organized...

Brittany is still very excited about starting Kindergarten although I have to admit - I did get very teary eyed looking at the school supplies. I know...I know.....but I just can't imagine not seeing her most of the day. I am really, really going to miss her....we ordered her backpack and she adores it and yep - you guessed it - it is PINK. WOW - my baby will be 6 this year!!!

Kiley really doesn't care one way or the other but she does love school and learning so I think she will love going back. She will be 4 and that is really hard to swallow. She is very stubborn and willfull and we swear she will make a good attorney some day.

I adore my girls for all their similarities and differences and love watching them grow...can you tell I am a little sad today? LOL..This weekend proves to be more lax. We have a swim party on Fri and then I have Bunko night with friends. Other than that, we are going to try and finish up some things around the house that we need to get done.

Life Never Slows Down

I haven't updated in a week or so, so I decided today would be as good of a time as any...

Since I last posted Mike and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary! I can't believe it has been 7 years already!!! We pretty much laid low...

We actually had a pretty relaxing week as we stayed home some and Mike worked from home one day. Thursday Mike left work at 12:30 and we met him for lunch after I finished up my workout. We came home for a much needed nap for all because we were in for a long night. We all got ready after rest time and drove to Addison because Mike's CEO had invited all employees and family there for a cookout and watch fireworks. We had a great time and the fireworks were great however, it took us forever to get out of Addison so we didn't make it home until midnight. I was not feeling well by the time we got home. I was so upset because I was supposed to do another 5K with a couple of friends as well. Mike and the girls were going to watch a friends daughter while she and her husband ran as well so I really felt horrible that I wasn't up to running.



I finally started to feel better around noon so we went ahead and ventured out to our little town's 4th of July celebration where the girls had a great time until the thunder and lightening hit. They made a flag, and necklace, pet some ponies, and played a few games. They also got their faces painted but in the end, the rain won out and we had to leave. We thought about going back after the rain for the fireworks but we were all still worn out from the night before and the girls really needed some sleep so we just watched it from our back door. I think we could see 5 or 6 different shows going on. Our little town's fireworks looked impressive from what I could tell.



Today (Sat) we got up and met Jennifer at David's Bridal so we could get Brittany's Flower Girl Dress. She loved trying on all the dresses of course and we finally settled on one and ordered it and she can't wait to wear her princess dress with the crown (although she won't touch it until the wedding in Jan - lol). Brittany and I then went to Sweet and Sassy because she has been begging to get her ears pierced so I thought we would check into it while in the area. They were able to get her right in and she was so excited. She did so well while they pierced them and she absolutely loves having earrings!!!! We met Daddy and Kiley at lunch where they told us that they had been at the Home Depot (first Sat is kids workshop) where Kiley built a birdhouse. We came back home and relaxed and we are looking forward to doing absolutely nothing tomorrow!!!

Busy Saturday!

I volunteer for the Collin County Humane Society http://www.collincountyhumanesociety.org/ and did my first adoption event with them today. Everyone was great and I made some great new friends. It was an exhausting and busy day as I volunteered from 10:45 - 4:00. We did adopt about 7 dogs though and maybe one more.

Mike was so great today while I was gone and took the girls to play A LOT and then home to rest. They came and visited me a couple of times today because Kiley is dog OBSESSED! Then, they came and picked me up at 4 and we went to eat because I hadn't eaten all day! He truly is the best husband!!!! The girls had a great day with Daddy and really wanted the time with just him.

Tomorrow we are having a down day to clean the house and get ready for the holiday week!

Another Year Older *sigh*

Well, another year has flown by. My girls made me cards this morning and woke me up with them. What a great way to start my birthday. Brittany, however, couldn't understand why my friends weren't coming over for a party..little does she know we tend to celebrate less the older we get. We explained to her that it was OK that Mommies friends weren't coming over to celebrate and we reserve special things like that for them. I did get a few phone calls from my closest friends so I was blessed!

We spent the day hanging out and coloring and went to the gym as we always do.

It is official!

Brittany is a cheerleader for AYSA. She decided to do this instead of soccer because anyone that knows us knows she is very girlie so the appeal for a twirly skirt was just too much!!! She did look very cute when she tried on a skirt and shirt for sizing. She will be in the same squad as a friend of mine's daughter so it should be lots of fun. She gets to wear her cheerleading uniform every Fri for Pep Rally day and we will have games to go to every Sat!!!

As much as I wanted Kiley to attend Preschool where Britt went, the gas is getting out of hand so we have decided to enroll her in a local preschool. It makes sense anyway in case B needs me for something and will give me more time to volunteer for PTA and I am also going to start volunteering for Heroes for Children in the fall. We will definitely stay busy that's for sure.

I will also be enrolling the girls in dance this summer as Britt has decided she is done with gymnastics at least for now.

Father's Day Weekend and the week

We had a great weekend. We had to get a new TV on Fri and the poor kids did great being drug around until 9:30. They finally gave up the ghost on the way home and crashed out. We no longer have 3d Television - lol. Sat was a busy day, we had a birthday party for great friends of ours and had to rush home afterward because we had my Mom and Stepdad out for dinner for Father's Day. The girls l0ve it when they come over. We had a great and lazy day spending time with Mike on Father's Day.

The girls are in VBS this week so I am taking advantage and going to the gym in the morning vs the afternoon. I think we will meet some friends for swimming after VBS one day.

The girls and I are really having a great summer. I decided that I wanted to keep them home more and especially since Brittany is starting Kindergarten. WOW - enjoy the younger years because they go so fast. My babies will be 6 and 4 this year....

Busy Week!

Well, as some of you know I go to the gym now 5 days a week (go me)! So, we try to fit things in around that schedule but I will take a day off for special playdates. Today we met some close friends at the pool and had a great time. My girls were freezing well because they are so tiny! they love the water but Kiley does not like water sprays and will turn them off before she walks by. Those that know her know that she doesn't like to be dirty or have anything on her fingers either. Yes, I have quite the diva's.

Tomorrow we are meeting some friends for food and fun and will relax some on Fri.

Sat we have a birthday party for some friends and then we are having my parents out for Father's Day!

Sun is Mike's Day - whew and it only gets busier from here!

5K and loving it

I did my first 5K on Sat - Race for the Cure - and what a great experience it was. I was on a team with some Mom's in my Mom's Group and we all did great. Mike and the girls came out to support us and cheer us on!!! We have all decided to do at least 2 more this year so I am really excited and now I just need to beat my time from the first one.

Our next 5K will be for Heroes for Children. This is a great organization for families of kids with cancer. http://www.heroesforchildren.org/ - definitely worth reading about..if you would like to donate to the walk, here is my link http://www.active.com/donate/heroesforchildren/MSnyder161.

Wish me luck!

Girls are taking a break from the water!

Fun Weekend!

We had a kinda lazy but fun weekend since the rest of the weekends in June are going to be busy! Sat we ran our normal errands and since it was so hot, we bought a small outdoor pool for the girls to splash around in to cool. They love it and since I can't take them swimming at the same time then this is working out well. They played for awhile out back while Mike cooked steaks on the grill.

We are also trying our hand at growing some vegetables so I took a picture of our little tomato plant.

Sunday, I went to see a movie with a friend and then we met up with Mike and the girls for lunch and then home for rest and fun out back.

We go to the gym everyday so the girls really look forward to that time to just run around crazy and I look forward to some time alone. The rest of the week will be busy with some good friends coming over tomorrow and we say goodbye to a friend that is moving on Thursday!

I am doing Race for the Cure this Sat and I am kinda nervous and hoping to run a lot of it. Brittany and I have a birthday party for a friend of hers from Preschool later that day so I will be exhausted. Here are a few pics of the girls in their new little pool

Welcome to our Blog!

So, I decided to join the masses and create a blog for everyone to follow! I will try to post as often as I can!