Lovin Stroller Strides!

So, I knew when I bought Stroller Strides that it was going to be the kind of buisness that I would like doing. However, I didn't realize how much I was going to love going to "work" every day. The moms that have joined the group are amazing. They are all supportive of each other as well as me. I go to teach classes looking forward to getting to know my moms more, not to mention play with their children. I have to admit; I don't have as memeber as I hoped for right now, but I am sure it won't take too long!

The Blahs!

I used to have a passion for writing, and that is part of why I started the blog. It wasn't just so that friends and family could keep up with us, but the selfish part of me looked forward to being creative and writing about our lives. However, sometimes when I sit down to write I don't know what to write about. The blahs just come out! My goal is make the blahs go away and start writing again! WARNING?! There may be some entries that are anything but interesting, and others that are just rambling thoughts, but they will be entries none the less. I have to remember that this blog is just as much for me as it is for those who read. Actually, who am I kidding...it's more for me.
There will be some changes soon! A new look, more posts, and for me, a place to ramble!

Say A Lil Prayer..

The interesting thing about a blog is I find that I most often want to write about good exciting things. However, if things are bothering me, or not so good...I just don't typically like to write. Although don't think that if I haven't updated in awhile that things aren't good! Sometime I just don't have much to say! Today is a little different.
Saturday night I received a phone call telling me that Soren Jacobsen (just turned 3, son of Tim and Tricia) has Leukemia. Good news is, they live in Fresno so they are close to Valley Children's Hospital! He has been diagnosed with A.L.L. which the doctors say is curable; however he is going to spend a little over three years in treatment.
This is a very difficult time for the family! Mom is also 10 weeks pregnant! Please, say a prayer for the Jacobsen family! Soren will be in the hospital for the next week or so while they start treatment. So far he is doing well, but the hard part is just begun. Thank you in advance for your prayers. Only God will be able to give them some peace!!!

The American Dream

Some say the "American Dream" is to own your home. Others say it is to own your own business. Lucky for me I have both! Not to mention the dream of having a loving husband. I love my life! Today was my last day at Dan Gamel's Health and Raquet club. I was a personal trainer there for about 8 months, but the club sold and all the employees were told we were going to have to re interview if we wanted a job. Since I was already in the process of starting Stroller Strides I decided it was time to focus on my business! So, Movin' Mamas it is!!! Thank you for all of you who put in your input. It was posted in a few places and I received some e-mails, and phone calls.

Movin' What?!

Ok, for all of you who read this blog and NEVER respond...it is now time to respond! It's real easy, just hit comment at the bottom of the post. YOu don't need a user name, just put your name and comment in and click (other). So...for those of you who don't know I am now a buisness owner! Clay and I made the decision to buy a Stroller Strides franchise! I am super excited and can't wait until we launch the first class!! However, I am also going to do personal training and some other stuff from home. We need a buisness name! We have decided on Movin' (Mamma, Mama, or Momma) This is where you need to vote!!! How do you spell "Mama!"

The Pergola Wedding

Last weekend we were in Dallas Texas for a family wedding. Clay and I had a great time! It was fun meeting new cousins, talking with ones I had not seen in over 10 years, and hearing about our family history. Jeff and Melissa had a beautiful wedding! It's always nice to see two people who have love and respect for each other. Listening to a couple exchanging vows always reminds me that Love is truly a gift from God. So, I thank God for giving me such a wonderful gift!

See Ya Later!

Usually I'm good with Goodbyes. Especially when it comes to friends moving, me moving, or whatever because I know with e-mails, blogs, and the good ole telephone, it's real easy to keep in touch and keep friendships going. For example, Jeanice and I talk almost everyday! We don't see each other much, but that doesn't stop us from sharing what is happening in our lives. When we do get to spend some face time together it's just extra special! So, with that said, last night I had to say my "see ya laters" to my good friend Chrissy Black. This wasn't so easy! She's from Kentucky and wanted to go back "Home." Her husband found a GREAT job in Virgina, so off they go! I'm very happy for them, but very sad that my "hang out buddy" won't be around anymore. I know we'll still talk and all that jazz, but I won't be able to cuddle with her newborn in church, or just go to her house to hang out, and she won't be here to help me pick out fabrics, and do all that girly stuff we've enjoyed doing together! However, with all that feeling sorry for myself, I ask that she remain in your prayers. Traveling across the country with a new baby won't be easy. When they arrive in Virgina they will stay in temporary housing until they find a house. So, pray that God provides them the perfect house quickly, not to mention a safe trip!

We're no longer "Homeless Hobo's"

We should have the keys to our new home tomorrow at around noon! Let the painting begin!

It only took a month!

It only took a month but here are some picutres of my newest neice Lilly! It only took a month for me to get the just born pics up, but here are a few.

Morning at the Hastings

Clay made breakfast for everyone this morning. (Remember we are living with friends) One of our favorite weekend traditions is to make fresh juice. Blake, the youngest Hastings boy, decided to help "Uncle Clay" make some fresh OJ! At first he was hesitant putting the oranges in the tunnel, but soon decided it was lots of fun. It was very cute! Well at least I thought so...push play to see the slide show!

Martinez Baby

Lillianna Nicole (I think that is how they are going to spell it) came into this world. She was born at around 7:00 pm and she weighed about 7lbs. It's exiting to be around for the birth of my neice. I love them all, but I had to win the others over...so this one is my neice from the start! Pictures are soon to come.

Merry Christmas

My wish for this Christmas is that everyone take some time to reflect on the holiday. Gifts are fun, but is it really what the season is about? Our Church put together a service everyone can do in their home. I thought it was quite neat! So please take a moment to reflect on how God had touched your life this year! So as you're reminding your children to say "Thank you" for the horrible gift they may have received from "Aunt Birtha," or you're sitting around the table with family...just take a moment to reflect. Merry Christmas! (none of that "Happy Holidays" cr*p!)
The Well Community Family Christmas Service

Bitter Sweet

Leaving my lil house on Katy Lane was an interesting experience. Sunday was spent moving everything. I'm so exited that we get to do it all over again in 2 months! (Not really) However, Monday I went back to all of the cleaning, and touch up the paint where we took screws out of the walls. Touching up the paint made me sad to leave. I felt as though I was leaving a peice of me behind. My style, my work, my efforts, and well it was my home. Cleaning everything gave me some sick twisted pleasure. It wasn't until I was mopping my way out of the kitchen that I felt really weird. You would think that I had never moved before!
Driving away I realized how lucky I was. I was driving to house full of people who were willing to rearange their lives and welcome us into their home. How blessed are we? Really, even being able to buy the home we are waiting for is amazing. Clay and I have so much to be thankful for, and we are both exited to get into our new house. I just had a slight touch of separation anxiouty. I'm sure it will pass as I begin to decorate the new house, and make a new home for Clay and I.

Things I forgot about packing!

How is that when you are supposed to pack everything, that everything ends up all over the house!

You don't realize just how much STUFF you have until you've been packing it for days on end...not to mention you never have just the right size box.

Once you pack something you haven't used in 6 months you finally find a use for it.

So basically...my house is a mess, I can't find the things that I seem to need at this exact moment..my body aches all over, and I am exhausted!!!

Isn't moving fun?!

Moving On

I met the soon to be new owners of our house today! I'm not so sad to leave it behind anymore. They were great. A couple about our age having their first baby! They were really excited about moving in and getting settled. So, it made me feel not so bad to leave my lil house that I put so much work into!!! We've already moved our first load over to the Hastings, where we are storing all of our stuff. SO...now I'm excited that we are moving on. On that note, our tentative move in date for the house is Feb. 7th. It's looking good.

It's Sold

It's official we have a signed offer on the house! This means the house is sold and we will be moving in about 3 weeks. The people buying the house wanted a quick escrow, so they requested that we be out of the house by December 15th! I am assuming they want a home for Christmas...this means we'll be homeless for Christmas. Well, not really, we will be moving in with our friends, Austin and Shelly, and staying there until our house is done. It's so nice knowing that we don't have to worry about two house payments anymore! What a great way to start off the holidays!

We Made It

Well we made it to Santa Fe! The train wasn't so bad. Sleeping wasn't so fun, but I did sleep. We traveled with friends so that made it nice. In the morning we were able to eat breakfast in the dinning car, and play cards. We were in Santa Fe by 1:00! Granted it's not as easy as flying, but sure beats driving! Well Peggy and I are off to do some shopping today, and Clay is going to go golfing with his dad. After a good nights sleep ( I was in bed by 7) and some Pumpkin Spice coffee....We're ready to go!

Santa Fe Thanksgiving

Tonight we leave for Santa Fe! We'll be driving to the train station in Barstow and then traveling by train for about 14 hours. I hear it's a great way to travel, and it was when we went to Santa Rosa, but I have to admit I'm lightly nervous. We all know I need my sleep! Anyways, we'll be in Santa Fe for a week and celebrating Thanksgiving with my in-laws. It should be a lot of fun. Will keep you posted on the trip! (I know I haven't posted too much, but I figured I didn't need to post new house info everyday..it seems to be consuming my NEWS) Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Framed and Ready

So, I know it's been awhile since I've really updated "our lives." So, first I'll update on the biggest part of our lives....our house! First, the house we live in now is still on the market. We've had a few looks, but not too sure how serious anyone is just yet. We've dropped our price and feel it's now priced to sell! Please pray that is sells soon! We were told that our house has the potential to be finished at the end of January! However, we all know how the building process goes, so we'll still sit tight and watch the building process.
Yesturday we went to the house to show a few friends. Everyone added their own touch to the house! Sharpie markers were out and friends left comments all over the house. Clay and I are going to pick out some scripture to write on the frame of the house. So, if anyone has anything they would like to add...let me know, and I'll write it for you in spirit!

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Halloween at Disney

So we had a blast at Disneyland. It was the first year they decorated for Halloween, so we are part of Disney history. We were able to go on everything we wanted and we even waited for Fantasmic. Waiting wasn't so much fun! Kids were crying, the floor was hard, and the parents who had the crying children were annoyed as well as annoying. The private party at California Adventure was great! The pier was open and we were able to play games, ride rides, and watch the dancers dance. Clay even won me a little animal! It was "an amazing" basketball shot. As he went to make a basket, the ball hit the rim and ended up in the basket next to him. I missed the shot so Clay was quite sad that his amazing shot wasn't seen. The street was lined with food, deserts, beer and wine carts, and other soft drink stations. It had to be one of my most memorable Disney experiences.