Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Hi, Hello!

Whoa, it's already the middle of September! I'd like to say that "time flies when you're having fun", which is true, though it's not entirely my case at the moment. We have been really busy! School for both Em & myself started on August 24th. I take two face-to-face and two online. This is my first time being back at school for a "full-time" schedule. Em started Kindergarten so this is her first time at a school that has more than three classrooms and 6 teachers total. We've had a pretty decent run so far, nothing too major, though some days have been hard in terms of getting ourselves ready on time.We always make it though. She's also taking gymnastic classes every Thursday so by Friday she's pretty tuckered out. Whoa, I totally just said tuckered. Anyway, so far she likes her teachers and she's making new friends! It's been really interesting to hear the stories she comes home with, and to see how excited she gets when they're able to do certain things. I'm really glad that we chose this school (we transferred her to a school closer to my work rather than our home) because she's still able to see some of the kids she went to preschool with, and I think that made her transition a lot smoother.

I, on the other hand, have just been really stressed out about my classes. Not only was it a rough start transferring over to this University (my application was not found, financial aid was not showing up, books were a week late, etc. etc.), but these classes are a lot bigger. The student to teacher ratio is a bit insane, though I've heard it's worse at other major Universities. I was lucky to get evening classes, and so far they've been great. I had my first major exam on Tuesday, and I'm still really nervous about the outcome. We won't find out how we did until next week. It's been an adjustment, and I'm really trying my hardest to stay on top of all the assignments. It's helped that we have a professor who had pretty much opened all quizzes, assignments, and exams with due dates being on the last day of class. Not having regular due dates lets me chip at that class a little at a time during the week. So yeah, fingers crossed I do well this semester.

Recently, the only thing I've been dreaming of is a vacation. I know in my "real" life this is daily topic. I'm also pretty sure I've mentioned it here on this blog too.  A plane ticket, a beach somewhere, some peace and quiet. Ahhhh. What I would give for one of those. Now, even though this isn't technically a family vacation, we will be traveling out of state and it will be to see some family. A cousin of mine, my best friend growing up, is getting MARRIED! So on the 23rd we will be flying out to Georgia for a week. I'm excited to be able to go, and consider myself pretty lucky to be able to take the time off from work. Though on the flip side to that coin, sadly, my husband will not be joining us on this trip due to his work obligations. We will be traveling with my parents, as well as some other family members all on the same flight! You're welcome, Southwest Airlines! Emery's excited to get to fly again and even though it's not to the beach she's still thrilled to be getting on a plane again. This will be our first time flying Southwest, and I'm a little nervous about it. I've been told we won't be able to pick our seats, and I have no idea how they go about doing check-ins. Add that to us flying out of an airport I've never flown out of before, and my anxiety peaks a bit just at the thought. Thankfully, we've all arranged to travel up together, and to get there earlier than the recommended hour before flight. And for the price of the flights, nonstop, I'd say we can handle whatever gets tossed in our direction. 

So that's about all that's new for now. You know, I always talk about posting more and trying to be consistent. Lately, I've been paying less time to the technological world and more to the time I have at home with my family. I'm sure everyone else out there is doing the same! So, this time around I won't make promises or even plan for the next post. I'll write to y'all when I write to y'all! Hope everyone is having a wonderful start to fall though! Until the next post. :)

Cousins

I come from a large family. On my mother’s side alone I have 9 aunts and uncles and on my dad’s side I think there are at least 7 as well. Anyway, they're all married and have their own children so growing up I had a lot of cousins around my age. The majority of us are in our twenties. This led to some wonderful times, plenty of laughs, a few fights, but most importantly: a lot of love.

Every year we’d alternate between visiting family in Mexico, South Texas, and Georgia. There were some summers (or other holidays) that our families would come visit us here in Texas, but regardless of where the vacation was taking place it was all pretty awesome! There was always someone around my age for me to play with, and we all grew up spending time together. Outside exploring, or inside talking. As we've all grown up we've all stayed fairly close even with the distances between us. Every time we get together, it's like we pick up right where we left off.

Now, I wish the circumstances had been a lot different but this past weekend some of my cousins came down. As sad as the reason for their arrival was I still couldn't help but feel happy to get to visit and spend time with them. One of my cousins I hadn't seen in over four years! Since we were all pretty busy during the weekend I was only able to see 1 or 2 at a time for short periods. But on Monday after the funeral we all made plans to meet back up at my parents house for dinner.

And that is exactly what we did. We spent all afternoon talking, laughing, catching up, and eating some wonderful food as the rain came down. As the evening came to an end, and we gathered our things to head our separate ways, I made sure to hug every single one of them and let them know how much I truly loved them. Because I don't know when the next time I'll get to see them will be. And I left that night with my heart feeling so happy. I got to see my cousins. Emery got to spend time with them. I was able to tell them I loved them. To me, that was such a gift! And I am truly grateful for the time we got to spend together.

Wordless Wednesday

Spending Time With Family

Last weekend, was a blast! On Friday after work, my sister-in-law came over for a sleep over. Since she was out of town working for her 21st birthday, I decided we were going to get her drunk when she got home. Because, you know, you only turn 21 once. Plus she doesn’t usually drink, so getting her tossed would be pretty easy. And quick.

We waited till Em was in bed, and then my husband followed so we made a run to the liquor store for some beer. We had decided on having a True Blood night, and came up with our own little drinking game. Needless to say by midnight, we were pretty tipsy. Quoting Eric and Bill repeatedly, and by 1 am we decided to call it a night. Waking up the next morning, we were fine. Although I did feel disgusted. Not hung-over disgusted but the “WTF did I put into my body?”- disgusted. Oh, but it was all worth it to see my dear sister in law all giggly and drunk.

Saturday we went shopping with my madre. She bought me some much needed make-up and I walked out with some pretty shoes. Ahh, it was a good day. Then that night we were off to my cousin Idrys’ graduation party! I can not believe my cousin is about to be 19 years old and attending college. Seriously, it seems like only yesterday that they brought her home from the hospital.

*insert sad face here*

I’m pretty sure it goes without saying, but I’m going to anyway, that we are all so very proud of her! She’s a very determined, talented, and artistic woman. Can not believe I have to use that term with her now. Crazy! This girl is truly smart, and achieves what she sets out to accomplish. I really admire her. Truly. And I am so thrilled to know that Emery will have someone like my cousin in her life that is setting such a wonderful example for her. She was given a "full ride" scholarship to a college up in the Metroplex, so she'll be commuting back and forth. She actually started her first class today, so I wish her all the luck in the world!

On top of that, I was able to visit with two of my older cousins, who haven’t seen in YEARS! The first years of my childhood I spent with Kenda and Dwayne. They lived with my aunt and uncle in the house we currently are living in. I can’t really recall when they moved off, but for a time they went and lived with there mother and I hardly ever got to see them. We lost contact, and well we all grew apart. But this past weekend, I was able to catch up with them and see their families. Oh, it was so amazing. It really made my heart happy to see everyone.

This picture is horrible. My mother took it, and had no idea how to work the camera.

So, that was our past weekend. Sorry for it taking so long, and using WAY TOO MANY pictures. But, hey, that's not even half of what I took. So, I actually spared you. :) This week has been crazy busy! Lots of things that need to get done, and I haven't quite yet achieved. But I will! I've almost got my entire schedule lined up for the next couple of months. Down to nap times if you can believe it? I know that sounds completely ridiculous, but my schedule this semester is pretty much demanding it. More on that later. Anywho, I hope everyone has had a wonderful week so far!