I still want what I want....

  Okay, I am just going to get this first part out of the way. I have a very unpopular opinion about this weather. I hate it. I know...I know. Sue me. I just love to experience the seasons. All 4 of them, not all two of them. Or 1 and a half of them. All 4. I know what you are thinking, I should probably not be living in Texas if that is what I want. But I am living here in Texas and I still want what I want. Summer is actually my  least favorite season. Only because of the summers we tend to have here. When it's too hot to go outside because the ozone isn't healthy or when taking a dip in a nice cold pool is actually like soaking in a warm bathtub - it becomes very unappealing to me. Mosquitoes disrupt any chance of hanging outside with your friends in the evenings, that and the fact that the under side of your legs began to collect pools of sweat if you sit outside for too long. You can forget about patio Margaritas people. It's just too miserable. I love FALL. I love the way the leaves change colors to hues of red and orange. I love when wearing jeans is acceptable and not just when you want to cover your pasty legs. I love when you have to wear boots to keep your feet warmer and when you can sit outside for hours watching your kids play and not have to worry about them getting over heated or getting a sun burn. I love winter because it heeds the opportunity to stay in. Staying in means cuddling under blankets and watching movies while you have a fire burning in your fireplace. I love the winter because you sometimes have to wear a scarf around your neck to keep warm and it's almost necessary  to sip on hot drinks to keep your insides toasty. I don't even really mind spring so much. I think it always smells like rain. There always seems to be a cool breeze. The thunderstorm clouds always cast a gray shadow over the day which makes it seem more bearable and it always smells like fresh cut grass.  Don't get me wrong. I love sunshine. I love feeling the warmth from it on my cheeks and my shoulders. I love the sun when it makes me feel like I am wrapped up in a warm blanket, not smothering myself in a king size down comforter to the point I can't breathe. I remember experiencing some of fall this year, one day of winter and spring is starting to emerge. This can only mean one thing - the inevitable Heat Wave is coming - and it will be here before we know it. Hell on Earth.

  Okay so now that I got that out of the way.....I have had a lot going on this week. Last week. I'm not sure when I blogged last. Finding time to sit down and record my thoughts is like doing a load of my kids laundry and every sock has it's match. It rarely happens.

Working It - I have been working out every day, 5 days a week for the last 2 weeks...or is it 3 weeks? I don't know, definitely 2. I veered off the running path and started up on some classes. I knew I had to work my way up to these classes. They are more challenging to me than running 3.5 miles. They are also more fun. They work my entire body, depending on the class, and they give me a variety. I need that to stay interested.  I am still running though. I still love running and listening to my music, I am just mixing it up a little. I have lost a little weight but more than that can already see a difference in my clothes. Albeit a small difference, anything is rewarding.

Grub - I have also been eating really well. I only have one "bad for me" meal a week. I reserve that for the weekends...always. It gives me something to look forward to. However, the healthy meals I have been making during the week have been really good. I plan on sharing my meals/recipes shortly on a separate blog post.

Spring Break - Well we had a trip planned for the family. Almost 5 days in Galveston. We planned on spending most of our time at the beaches (hopefully I can find a decent one) making sand castles and enjoying picnics. We were going to visit the aquariums, the restaurants on the shore and Schlitterbahn. There has been a slight wrench thrown in to our plans but a good one. It just means I am taking the kids on my own, without the Hubs, to Galveston. I'm a little nervous about that mostly because I am directionally challenged but surely I can pull this off. I have to pull this off!!

Jacob's Job - My husband, Jacob, got a new job. A career I should say. He got a new career. This is the big one people. The one he has been waiting for. He worked at getting on with this company for 7 months. He started last week and loves it!! Like really, truly feels like this is such a huge blessing not just for him but our entire family. He goes in earlier and gets off at a decent time. He can spend more time with the kids after school. He won't miss any more basketball or baseball games. He feels like a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders and he is looking forward to getting done with the training (this is why he can't go to Galveston), digging in and showing these people what he is made of. I know he will be amazing. He is always AMAZING.

My Big Boy - Oh Jackson, every time I think about how much my first born has grown I get teary eyed. He is such a  grown up, smart, sweet and kind hearted boy. He is my first love. Besides finishing up his basketball season this year with an amazing game Jackson made a huge decision yesterday. Jackson has been asking me for the last couple of days about being apart of God's family. I stumbled over my answer to him and asked Jacob to intervene. I feel like I am still learning, right along with my son. Jacob explained it to him a lot better. I wanted to make sure that Jackson understood the decision he was making before he made it. I wanted to be sure Jackson was making the decision on his own and without outside influences. I had him sit down and talk to our church's Childrens Minister, which also happens to be his Grammy. It works out pretty well. But Jackson was way ahead of the game. He is obviously paying attention in his Church class. He was finishing Grammy's sentences, knew the answers to her questions and I had no doubt he understood. And then we prayed....And then I cried. I am proud of him. Not just for the decision he made but that he made it on his own.

Jackson Pierce Hill 2-29-2012

All in all it's been a fabulous week. Love to all!!!