Happy Father's Day !

Happy Father's Day to Don.....what a great dad you are! I'm so thankful to you and all that you do in raising our girls. Love you!!!!

Port Aransas, TX in September 1999. Sarah was about to turn 4 and Katie was 11 months.


Burger's Lake - June 2009. Sarah 13 and Katie 10. My how they've changed!

Don was off last week and we enjoyed a "staycation" or in others words, fun on a budget! We (at least the girls and I) enjoyed going shopping at the new Sam Moon's in Ft. Worth on Monday. We went to the movies on Wednesday. Don and I saw "Star Trek" and the girls saw "Night at the Museum 2". Tuesday we spent the day at Burger's Lake in Forth Worth. Thursday we headed to Galveston. Don had travel points for a free night at a hotel. So we stopped in Houston to go to the aquarium and then headed onto Galveston and a few hours on the beach. We got back up early and headed out in the sun again on Friday. The girls and I managed to get various sunburn spots. The only damage to Don was when he tripped on the ice cooler and went rolling in the sand. We all had a good laugh! We've always enjoyed beach vacations as a family and have been all around the Gulf and into Florida - starting back when Sarah was about 10 months old. Lots of fun memories have been made, and I'm sure many more will be in the future.

Ferry ride in Galveston

Katie at the beach in Galveston.

It's Summertime !!

Well, school's out and I wish I could say the busyness is over. But June and July are always the months that we have many activities scheduled. We started off the summer Friday night with Sarah at a sleepover and Katie at a birthday party. Don and I enjoyed a few minutes together, but not near enough. Saturday morning Katie had a makeup softball game and then that afternoon we went with a church group to the Rangers game and pre-game concert. It was fun even though the kids complained of the heat. We've already been to NRH2O twice and Katie has been asking to go again today. I need to go buy groceries because "there's NOTHING to eat in this house". Anyone want to contribute to the summer grocery fund???

Don called this morning to let us know that Katie was selected to play in the All-Star game on Saturday. Way to go Katie! So much for thinking that we had nothing to do this weekend. But it is an honor for Katie.

Next week Sarah and I will be working at Vacation Bible School at church. This will be Katie's last time to participate in the children's group. On July 26, she will promote to the 5th/6th grade student group called "Merge". How can she be headed to 5th grade? How can Sarah be an 8th grader? Wasn't I just crying about her starting middle school? June will also bring Kids Kamp...I plan to go back as a counselor with Katie. Don and Sarah will be going on the Mission Trip in July.

Whew......I get tired thinking of it all. But I know there will be lazy days in between all of the activities (like now I'm still in my pajamas). Hope you have a fun summer with your family! See you at the waterpark!



4th grade end of year party

Katie, Mrs. Latham, and her best friend Hannah at end of year party.

View of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium from the top of the Rangers stadium.

Don and the girls at the top of Rangers stadium.

Casting Crown concert before the Rangers game.

Hanging out with the Montgomery family at the concert and game.

Sitting at the top of the stadium. Go Rangers!

A week of grief

What a week the Riley family has had. Last Wednesday morning I got a call from Don saying our friend Tony Johann had died. He had been undergoing cancer treatment, but no one was expecting him to die. He was 48 years old and shared the same birthday as Don - that was surreal to read in the obituary February 11, 1961. Then on Thursday night my Mom called to tell me that my cousin's 40 year old husband died. Maybe a heart attack, but don't know yet. I'm still in shock that two young fathers are gone. I've never had to try and schedule our time for two funerals in a matter of 24 hours. Right now I can't even express in words the grief our family feels. Please pray for both families. My cousin is Lori and her children are Hayden (1o) and Lauren (6). My other cousin Melany just posted on her blog and her words so capture my thoughts (click on her blog under "blogs I read"). Give your husband a hug today. Hold on to your children. Make sure you know your eternal destination. Life is way too short.



Here are the latest pictures of Sarah and Katie. Aren't they growing up so fast? For my friends who have small kids - cherish the days with them because they do grow up in the blink of an eye. I realize I only have a few short years left for them to be under my roof. I pray I will make the most of that time to guide them to become godly women.

Something's wrong with this picture!

So here's a peek at what our Wii family looks like....do you see the resemblance? Well, I'm here to tell you that I'm in need of encouragement. I've been faithfully tracking my weight on the Wii Fit since January. I've been doing Weight Watchers for the same amount of time as well. I've been working out (on the Wii Fit and the gym) and have lost 15 pounds and almost 2 sizes. Yet this Wii "game" still calls me overweight, and I'm the chubby one of the Mii family!!!! How's a girl supposed to stay motivated? I'm very excited over my progress and the pounds and inches that have been lost. I'm still struggling to lose those last 5 pounds to reach my personal goal and doctors' advice (not to mention the Wii will finally tell me "normal weight"). Please cheer me on! Pray for me to finally stick to a healthier lifestyle. I don't think I have the option of returning to my old ways since I'm firmly stuck in the over 40 category, and according to my doctors, this is just part of the aging process - which is how I put on 20 pounds in the blink of an eye. Why do I see so many skinny 40 somethings at church? Do they have better genetics than I do? I'm looking forward to my new resurrection body, but until then, I'm praying to stay healthier and happier with this old body!

Dixie and Ranger (again)

Dixie trying to get the last piece of dog food out of the bag.


This is Ranger every time we leave the house. So pitiful as we back out of the driveway!

I had to post these pics for my friend Stephanie who likes to post her dogs' pics. They do make you laugh. Researchers say that dog owners live longer, but have they been to my house?

Easter Sunday

We spent Easter Sunday with my Mom and attended her church at Prestonwood Baptist. We then ate a wonderful buffet that was there at the church. We won't talk about how many desserts Katie ate.....just thankful that she has Don's metabolism. After we got home, I took the girls to see the Hannah Montana movie while Don stayed behind to watch the Master's golf tournament.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter and may you know the joy and freedom found in Jesus' sacrifice and His resurrection!

No eggs hunts this year :( Katie is now in 4th grade and she said they think you're now too old. She said they had to give up playground time while the 3rd graders had their egg hunt at school....bummer! Sarah tried to comfort her with her 13 year old wisdom by telling her that once you hit 4th grade you start getting too old for many things. So true and so sad. We're going to enjoy our day off today. The girls are still asleep, I'm enjoying my coffee and need to go to workout before I do my Friday weigh-in for Weight Watchers. Don's coming home at noon and the girls are having friends over for a sleepover tonight, so I better enjoy the quiet now.

We're going to our church service tonight at 7:00 and then will go to church with my Mom on Sunday. Again, Happy Easter and many blessings to my friends and family.