Baby Trevino #2 on the way!!

I know its been a long time since ice blogged but let's be honest, I haven't had a functioning computer in months. Now I'm fortunate enough to be blogging from my new phone.

On September 16th, my 29th birthday we got the news we'd been praying for over two years for..... Hayden is going to be a big brother. We're expecting our second child in May 2012. We should find out in week if we're expecting a Haleigh or a Keiran.  Hayden knew he was getting a sibling before we did. He'd point to my tummy and proudly shout ''baby!!''

Stay tuned for the gender announcement!!!!

On God's timecard

Hello fellow readers! I apologize I haven't written in a while. A lot has been going on. Jon received a promotion at work that is forcing us to relocate an hour northwest. I couldn't be happier or more proud of him!!! This is what he's great at and is passionate about, managing a team and store!

As you know, we've battled infertility for over two years now and have tried various tests, meds and tracking cycles. Our last resort is a fertility specialist. Now we haven't even considered a specialist yet, we're exhausting one last option.... Digital ovulation tests. We will start with the month of September and go from there. I'm giving my body two-three months while using these digital tests. If we don't get a positive pregnancy test... I've come to terms with accepting that I'm not meant to have a second child. I'm slowly starting to be "okay" with it. God has blessed me with a healthy and very active son who rocks my world! I couldn't be more thankful. I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe... "It's in the cards" for us to have a second child and Hayden would have a baby brother or sister to grow up protecting. If it is meant to be, it's meant to be. Should my prayers go unanswered, I will be content in knowing God's plan is the right plan for my family.

I won't be as accessible these next two weeks. Monday morning Jon reports to HIS store and begins his new role. August 27th we will start moving smaller stuff with our truck. Then Sept 3rd is our "offical" move-in date and our first night in our new home. I couldn't be happier to be moving to a small Texas town, into a beautiful home on a massive corner lot that is covered with huge oak trees and backs up to a large park. We couldn't be more blessed than we are at this moment in our lives.

Thanking Him, for each and every blessing He has bestowed upon us...

God's healing touch

Howdy!!

If you can't already tell, I'm elated from my latest news from my orthopedic surgeon. I saw him first thing this morning. He poked and proded, had me do some bending and stretching and was able to see a big difference since my last appt three weeks prior.

Good news is he does NOT want to operate. English translation.... NO SURGERY!!!!!!

I am over the moon excited because I was so deathly afraid of the long recovery process with a TWO YEAR OLD! I'm so thankful and so happy. His best advice that I took oh so seriously, he wants me to strengthen the muscles in my back that will help keep my L5 vertibrae still and shifting anymore. He recommended for me to join a gym and start off slow and work myself up. He wants me to stay active. (as if chasing a two year old daily isn't enough?) So I'm so thankful because I've been wanting to join a gym anyway, but now the doctor is ordering me to do so! YES!!!! Guess hubs can't say anything about that monthly expense. Haha! Even better, I'll be able to drop some weight and be even stronger because of it. With that said, I need a workout buddy. My Round Rock friends, who has a membership to Gold's Gym at Hester's Crossing and would like to be my workout buddy. It would have to be after 5:30pm as my husband works full time and I'd have to go after he gets home. (Not only to watch Hayden but so I have a vehicle)

Jon also saw my same surgeon as his knees have been acting up. (yes, plural) His left knee he had reconstructive surgery in 1987 (yes he's that old) and has been aching more than usual wear and tear. After a few x-rays, the doctor told Jon that he's got "very little cartilidge" left in his right knee. (his good knee) So he's looking at more surgery in the future, probably in the next few years. Ick!!

All in all.. we have our health to be thankful for and the blessing that we recieved in finding out I don't need surgery!!! YEA!!!!

A royal pain in the...

As most of you know, I've been experiencing serious back pain for the past several months. I finally had enough. I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon at Seton Northwest. He got me in right away (they normally are booked for months). Upon my arrival for my appt, paperwork filled out, the nurse takes me to a private room to change into some goofy looking plastic-ish shorts and takes me on what I call the "walk of shame" to the X-ray rooms. Of course I'm passing all the attractive younger doctors and staff... looking my absolute worst.

A few quick x-rays of my lower back and I'm back through the halls for my second "walk of shame." Thankfully the surgeon comes in with my x-rays rather quickly because those shorts were uncomfortable to say the least. *chuckle*

He asked me if I had had any prior accidents or back injuries. I told him no. He asked if back degeneration ran in my family. I said "Not that I know of." (little did I know, yesterday my Granny told me she had the EXACT same thing wrong with her back and she had the surgery. Apparently it runs in our family....crap!) Then he showed me my x-ray....



He explained that my L5 vertibrae had shifted forward by approximately half an inch. As he saw the stunned look on my face and the color quickly turning pale, he reassured me that he wants me to start aggressive physical therapy three times a week for three weeks. *insert a big fat YA RIGHT with a two year old* And alternating muscle relaxers, pain meds and an anti-inflamitory to help relieve some of the pressure on my spine. He also suggested, politely that I lose a "few lbs." He was such a sweet guy. He also assured me that he was a very conservative surgeon. I explained to him that my husband had his L4 and L5 fused roughly 20 years ago and I didn't want to go that route. He said that yes fusing my L5 would be a "cure all" but would not eliminate my pain. *sigh* So I'm trying to find a physical therapist that won't drain my bank account and my insurance will pick up majority if not all of the cost. So if you know anyone that is a physical therapist, you know how to get ahold of me.

The meds are helping some. Some days are better than others. Yesterday was a really bad day. I guess because Saturday we spent alot of time in the sun and I was doing alot more physical activity than normal. Then again we spent some time in a pool too so that was refreshing and helped my back in more ways than one.

Here's hoping I can find a PT and it helps in the long run....

Moving and such!

It’s no secret we’ve spent the past week moving. With the stress of moving on a very small budget, we were fortunate enough that one of Jon’s friend’s from work was gracious enough to help us with the large things. Thankfully his three boys were eager to help as well. We wouldn’t have survived this move if it hadn’t been for those four boys. Of course, Texas is true to its hot nature, as it ranged between 102 and 105 degrees during the entire move. An overweight and out of shape Kristen made for a very grumpy and less than amused momma for four days. We started moving smaller things on Thursday between Jon and me with Hayden stumbling under our feet the entire time. Friday morning is a complete blur, as it was the hottest out of the four days we were hauling crap back and forth. Friday was also the day our gas service was supposed to be turned on at the new residence. Unfortunately this would be our luck that we would miss the “gas man” from Atmos in between trips back and forth. Saturday morning came just as quick. First item of business was to call and reschedule with the gas company to have someone come back out and turn on our gas. As our luck continues to go south, the representative told me that it wouldn’t be until Tuesday morning to dispatch a technician out to turn on our gas. Are you kidding me?!?!! *insert me cussing under my breath for the weekend and Monday’s holiday* so she was kind enough to give us the first appointment of the day for Tuesday morning. Back to moving all our crap. Sunday we finished moving everything and started the daunting process of unpacking everything in the new house. Monday we spent almost the entire day recovering and relaxing. Now I’ve been pretty sore after a good workout before but nothing to this extreme. Wowzers!!! I’m thankful Jon and I were both off from work all this time as we had no gas which meant no hot water which meant ice cold baths for us. Some continue to ask me, “Why didn’t you boil water?” Obvious answer, “Well considering we had no gas and we have a gas range, this would prove to be difficult!” Of course on the final two nights of no gas and no hot water, we got smart and “nuked” some water in the microwave. Just enough to take semi-luke-warm sponge/washcloth baths. Let’s just say Hayden still avoids bath time, even now that we have gas and nice hot water. LOL Poor guy is probably going to be traumatized from the frigid cold water of the bathtub. Now that we’re all settled in, boxes are unpacked – with the exception of a few in Hayden’s room storing useless toys he never plays with, it’s time I add my touch and make it a home.

On a super awesome note, this move helped me shed 10lbs. After seeing that number drop, it made me stop and think and research what I’m putting into my body as far as foods. I was flipping through a magazine (March 2010 issue of Parenting: Early Years) that I had stashed away for some strange reason. After reading it cover to cover twice, I’m glad I saved it because it has several articles and helpful tidbits of information that will be helpful and very beneficial to me. The article on page 94 “Absolutely happy!” really caught my attention. Especially the part on page 97 about the 4 SNEAKY WAIST INFLATORS. Wow! Looking back to my last series of labs my endocrinologist did, she told me my Cortisol was elevated. Not only does stress increase Cortisol, but so does lack of whole wheat. This would explain it!!! I’ve been under heavy stress with this move and financial woes. But also because I rarely eat whole grains. I had a big “ahh ha!!” moment. Also I’m vitamin D deficient so that also has a factor in my excessive weight gain along with the elevated Cortisol and stress. Bingo! I think my endocrinologist was under the influence of heavy narcotics or something when she diagnosed me with PCOS because I honestly don’t think that has anything to do with what’s wrong with me. It’s all stress and diet related. Why the crap didn’t I catch onto this sooner? With this said, I’m making some modifications and changes in my daily diet that not only will I benefit from greatly, but so will my family.

So see folks, it’s not always a bad thing to hang onto old magazines and be a packrat like I am. Just don’t become a hoarder!! LOL


Jon starts training the person that will take his position at the Hub, tomorrow. Then he’ll start MIT when he’s finished training that individual. After three months of MIT, hopefully a store will open up at a location he wants closer to home and he’ll take that store and become the store manager. It’s exciting because Jon so deserves this huge promotion. He’s never late to work, he’s never called in, never missed a single day out of the 57 days Hayden was hospitalized as a baby, he’s very dedicated to his job and often calls to check on how things are going on his days off and/or vacation. AutoZone is very fortunate to have him as an employee.


I know some of you have asked for our new address. I’m not going to post it here because this is a public blog. But I will send out a mass email and message on fb to make it easier for everyone. I still can’t believe its June 1st already. Halfway through 2011, just means we’re that much closer to Christmas. Eeek!!


Well that’s all I’ve got as far as an “update” for now. We’re without internet service, cable, and direct tv until we can get service setup and/or transferred so for now I’m biting my nails anxious until I have internet service again. If you need to get a hold of me, you can call or txt me on Jon’s cell which is with me while he’s at work in case there is any kind of emergency. (361-655-1714)
XOXO Love y’all!

The Big Announcement!!

Good Morning, all!

Recently Jon applied for a position in the mill in his hometown of Cuero and interviewed. They offered him the job working ALOT of hours. I was excited about relocating and being closer to Jon's family and the thought of living in a small town all over again warmed my heart.

Jon's current employer, AZ he is still working full time at putting in 50 hours a week and getting that 10 hours of overtime weekly. He spoke with his store manager and higher ups in the regional office and they have offered him a store manager position with AZ making a figure I can't disclose but we'd be stupid to pass up. The stress will come in large quantities. The hours will be long. But the pay will allow us to survive VERY comfortably without having to relocate.

We will still have to move due to uncontrolable circumstances with the house we're renting now but that's okay. That all will work itself out in time.

We sat down with three good friends of ours that are all store managers with AZ and were able to weigh out the pros and cons of relocating with a new company vs. staying here with AZ.

We've made our decision. Jon notified his company this moring. He's staying with AZ and is going to take the store manager position. We will NOT be relocating. We will be staying in the Austin area.

Something told me NOT to announce the relocation just yet but the excitement won me over and went against my better judgement to say anything about it.

Regardless, I know this is THE best decision for our little family to stay put and continue building our life here. I look forward to the many things yet to come our way. Myself going to work full time. Finally being able to afford another vehicle. Building our first house together. All of it is exciting to see in black and white. I'm eager to see each of them come to life. :)

So that is my "big announcement!" A few of you I've told personally but for the majority of you that have been patient enough, here it is.... WE'RE NOT MOVING!!! (out of Austin)

Spring flowers = sickness showers

As we all welcome Spring 2011 with arms wide open, we pray for some Spring showers to keep the pollen and molds at bay.



In our house we've been praying for a little more than just rain. Since January 1st Hayden has that three yes count them, THREE ear infections, a nasty upper resperatory infection, a cold, and now the icing on the cake... a severe viral pharyngitis and borderline pneumonia. One may ask, how in Sam H...E...double hockey sticks does he get sick when we RARELY leave the house!?! Your guess is as good as mine because I have no friggin clue.

Hayden had been running a fever well over 104 degrees since Sunday morning. We alternated the Tylenol and Motrin to help bring it down a few degrees. After the 4th and 5th hour, it came back twice as strong. After two days of battling the fever at home alone, I called his doctor to make an appointment. They got him in that afternoon(Tuesday). The doctor tested him for strep, flu and ruled out ear infections. YEA!! Little did I know that mini celebration would be short lived. Before we could leave the doctor's office, they had to get his temp down and fast because it was 105.9 after a dose of Motrin an hour and a half before. They gave him a dose of children's Advil, sponge bathed him down, and coaxed him with a popcicle. Little did I know he'd scarf it down. Keep in mind he hasn't eatten anything since Saturday night. And up until yesterday, he wasn't drinking hardly any fluids. After we got his fever below 100, he sent us home. The dr. instructed us to continue doing what we're doing with the meds and keep pressing clear fluids and to call their office if it continued and/or he got worse. *sigh* Then last night (Wednesday night) he took a turn for the worst. I was up all night with him, not a wink of sleep. He was unconsolable. So since Jon switched his day off so he could take Hayden into the doctor again so I could goto work to make some extra money since we're on a super tight budget, he took him in. Hayden was seen right away and lost another 2lbs since he was seen on Tuesday. So much for trying to put weight on this kid!!! It didn't take them long to send Jon packin with Hayden in tow to Georgetown Hospital where they did bloodwork and did a chest Xray. I must say it was scary to get a call from the nurse with the chest xray results then an hour later the results of his labs. Knowing that Hayden was THAT sick and there wasn't anything I could do to make him feel better broke my heart. I broke down at work and thankfully my boss and coworkers were out of the office and didn't witness my histerics because I was a mess!!!!

However, with all this sickness... I am offically...on the record... happy to report that after much sleep, a shot, and lots of love, yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, and cold green beans... Hayden is fever free and back to himself and screaming NO at me! Thank you God for speeding up his recovery because I hate seeing my little munchkin sick. Plus we have our first family outdoor shoot with Jennifer Pollard Photography on Easter Sunday. (Check her out on facebook!!!)

This overly exhausted mama is hitting the hay...

Good night, sleep tight... X♥)O's!!

Heart to Heart

A heart to heart....

A dear, close friend of mine finally talked some sense into me. After months of trying to get pregnant with no success, I started taking Metformin (typically used for those with type II diabetes and in some cases is used for horomone replacement therapy, which is true in my case) and recently stopped because of the nasty side effects it was having on my body. My endocrinologist started me on Glumetza (basically is Metformin, just in an extended release tablet) She went thru almost the same thing. She was overweight and was experiencing difficulty getting pregnant. What she expressed to me was that once I stop trying and start listening to what my body is trying to tell me, it will eventually happen. And she's right. For the longest I haven't wanted to accept the fact that the reason why I haven't concieved again was because of my weight. I thought surely it was something medically that could be treated or "fixed" with medications. I've been putting my body through more stress than it needs to be enduring. In the back of my mind I've always known this but do you think I was about to listen? Hell no! Why does it always take someone who cares more about me than I do about myself? Because she's been down this road, she's endured it all. She knows what she's talking about. Thank you!!! (you know who you are!!)

With that "tad bit" of information, I've forced myself to digest it and absorb it all. Not because I want to, because I NEED to. I need to focus on what's important. My family. My husband. My son. Myself. I need to get back to working out and eatting right on a regular basis and stop straying away from it. If I have any hopes of having a second child, I must take the neccessary steps in doing so.

It's time I stop with the self pitty and self doubt and jump back in, head first and get down to business.

A huge thank you to those that have been brutally honest with me and have told me like it is regardless if it's what I wanted to hear or not. It needed to be said and I am thankful for friends that aren't afraid to hurt my feelings. I value the honesty... it means more to me than what "I want to hear!"

February & March updates

I haven't had the time or energy to update so I've got alot to catch everyone up to speed on.

First let me start off with my results from my latest lab results. We finally got the diagnosis we hoped for. The cushings test came back negative. So my doctor officially diagnosed me with PCOS. (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome...google it, I don't have the energy to explain it) With that said, she started me on Progesterone to get my cycles regulated and within four days of starting that med, I started. Wahoo!!! She also prescribed me Metformin. it's typically prescribed to patients with type II diabetes. Well we know for sure I do NOT have diabetes but it is also used in horomone replacement therapy, so in my case thats why it was prescribed to me. I am in the beginning of week three of taking the Metformin and I'm already noticing a difference in my body. The acne is minimal. The random body sweats are gone. The bloating is gone. The weight gain is no longer an issue. Alot of other more personal effects I've noticed and am grateful. The side effects are far less that what I was dealing with before without the medication. I have extreme tireness with this medicine, some diahrrea, mild mood swings, and a metallic taste in my mouth in the mornings. But other than that, I'm extremely satisfied. Since my doctor HAS indeed given us the green light to start trying for #2, we're not actively trying but we're also not trying to prevent it either. So with that said, we'll see what happens. I would really like to drop some more weight before we concieve but if it happens, I'll be thankful and pray that all goes smoothly. So be looking for that announcement blog in the future... hopefully!!!!

This past weekend we celebrated Hayden's 2nd birthday. It was a great great day celebrated with close friends and my dad drove down from Houston. That was the icing on the cake, no pun intended. Then our dear friends from Allen Texas came down to celebrate with us. It was a great blessing that they were here. Love you Aimee, Bob, Colin, Jennifer, and Erin!!! Hayden was surrounded by a few of his adoreable friends and few family but more importantly with lots of love. A big thank you to those that could make it.
Here are a few pictures from Hayden's day:







As you can tell from the pictures above, Hayden enjoyed his special day.

With out lease coming ending in the later part of June, we're trying to decide if we should stay in Hutto another year or move to the Cedar Park / Leander area. We will eventually buy or build a house in the Cedar Park / Leander area but we have to do some major credit repair before we can even attempt to go that route. So right now we're undecisive if we want to stay in tiny, boring Hutto or move closer to civilization and friends! :) I think thats a no brainer but it all depends if Jon transfers or not. Time will tell.

I know I'm missing more things I wanted to update everyone on, but I'm drawing a blank. I will try to remember to update this post tomorrow.

all alone

Am I the only one that feels all alone?

My husband works his ass off so I can stay home with Hayden and on his days off I work in the office. I'm very lucky and count my blessings, always. BUT I feel like I have no one to turn to. No one to talk to. I feel so sheltered and all alone. Alot of it has to do with us having one vehicle and living so far away from civilization. I wish I could just get up and meet a friend at the park with our kids but let's be honest, thats not possible. I literally have to plan to do anything. And even when I plan something, one of us ends up getting sick and plans fall through. Happens everytime!!! It's so frustrating. Do any of my stay at home moms feel this way?

I feel like such a loser. All my close friends are busy with their lives and I feel like the only one that doesnt have a "life!" Maybe it has to do with the fact that I live on freaking facebook. I know, I'm lame. Maybe I need choose what's important. Maybe I need to stop being so selfish and realize all the things I am thankful for.

Either way I need to get out of his funk I'm in...

You wanted to know....

So here it is...

Back in October I went for my annual exam with my ob/gyn and he did a blood work up on me. He was alarmed that several of my levels were abnormally low or extremely high. So he referred me to a reproductive endocrinologist in Round Rock. I set an appoint and went. She ordered a long list of labs and required me to do a 24 hour urine collection. (yes its as fun as it sounds!) After she got the labs in, she called me back into her office in mid November to go over the results. She was concerned about a possible pituitary tumor so she ordered an immediate MRI to rule that out. I went for my MRI and got the results days later that it was negative for any leisons or tumors or growth. Good news #1! So after that, I never went back to my endocrinologist. I was frustrated that we couldn't get an answer as to what was wrong with me. It wasn't until January 2011 that my loving husband pushed me to make an appointment with my ob/gyn and find out where we needed to go from here. So I saw him this past Monday. He basically got after me for not going back to my endocrinologist because it's only prolonging the diagnosis and possible treatment. So after being scolded, I left and headed straight over to my endocrinologist's office to make that appointment. Yesterday was "that" appointment and Dr. Shaw and I had a long heart to heart talk. She said after reviewing my MRI and last bloodwork, she wants me to do another 24 hour urine collection, take a single pill of Dexamethesone the night before my fasting bloodwork, get the results back and find out if I have Cushing's Disease. Here is the best description I could find on what Cushing's is.


CUSHING'S SYNDROME OR DISEASE (from Wikipedia)
Cushing's syndrome is a hormone disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. This can be caused by taking glucocorticoid drugs, or by tumors that produce cortisol or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or CRH. (in my case it would be a possible tumor because my cotisol levels are SKY HIGH!)

Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms include rapid weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face with sparing of the limbs (central obesity). A common sign is the growth of fat pads along the collar bone and on the back of the neck (buffalo hump) and a round face often referred to as a "moon face". Other symptoms include hyperhidrosis (excess sweating), telangiectasia (dilation of capillaries), thinning of the skin (which causes easy bruising and dryness, particularly the hands) and other mucous membranes, purple or red striae (the weight gain in Cushing's syndrome stretches the skin, which is thin and weakened, causing it to hemorrhage) on the trunk, buttocks, arms, legs or breasts, proximal muscle weakness (hips, shoulders), and hirsutism (facial male-pattern hair growth), baldness and/or cause hair to become extremely dry and brittle. In rare cases, Cushing's can cause hypercalcemia, which can lead to skin necrosis. The excess cortisol may also affect other endocrine systems and cause, for example, insomnia, inhibited aromatase, reduced libido, impotence, amenorrhoea/oligomenorrhea and infertility due to elevations in androgens. Patients frequently suffer various psychological disturbances, ranging from euphoria to psychosis. Depression and anxiety are also common.[5]

Other striking and distressing skin changes that may appear in Cushing's syndrome include facial acne, susceptibility to superficial dermatophyte and malassezia infections, and the characteristic purplish, atrophic striae on the abdomen.[6]:500

Other signs include polyuria (and accompanying polydipsia), persistent hypertension (due to cortisol's enhancement of epinephrine's vasoconstrictive effect) and insulin resistance (especially common in ectopic ACTH production), leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and insulin resistance which can lead to diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is accompanied by skin changes such as acanthosis nigricans in the axilla and around the neck, as well as skin tags in the axilla. Untreated Cushing's syndrome can lead to heart disease and increased mortality. Cushing's syndrome due to excess ACTH may also result in hyperpigmentation,This is due to Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone production as a byproduct of ACTH synthesis from Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). Cortisol can also exhibit mineralcorticoid activity in high concentrations, worsening the hypertension and leading to hypokalemia (common in ectopic ACTH secretion). Furthermore, gastrointestinal disturbances, opportunistic infections and impaired wound healing (cortisol is a stress hormone, so it depresses the immune and inflammatory responses). Osteoporosis is also an issue in Cushing's syndrome since, as mentioned before, cortisol evokes a stress-like response. Consequently, the body's maintenance of bone (and other tissues) becomes secondary to maintenance of the false stress response. Additionally, Cushing's may cause sore and aching joints, particularly in the hip, shoulders, and lower back.
(more info can be found here if you want to read more into it... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushing%27s_syndrome)

So that's what Cushing's is. With this last series of labs that my endocrinologist is requiring. She will either rule out or diagnose me with Cushing's. If I do NOT have Cushing's, she will then officially diagnose me with PCOS and start a plan of treatment. Jon and I's longterm goal is to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby #2. Right now, these medical setbacks are preventing us from having #2 successfully. I am hopeful and very optomistic that the end is in sight and we can get this under control whatever it is. My endocrinologist is very hopeful we very well may have an answer.

If you are reading this, I ask you, please keep me and Jon in your prayers and pray that we find the answer we've been so desperately searching for. Please and thank you!

X's & O's!

TIME

Time....

It's all we've got. Money doesn't buy happieness. Love... when shared with others it brings happieness. Time... there's plenty of it if you make the most of it.

What I've noticed lately is how much times have really changed. Five years ago, people would get together, have bbq's, go out with friends on a regular basis. Is it just me or do people do that less and less? Everything is about social networking, period. Sad but soooo true!

People come out of the woodworks when...
1.) You have money
2.) You have a baby and are dying to see
them right after you squeeze them out
3.) You lose a loved one
4.) They need something
5.) They need advice

I'm slowly learning who genuinely cares about my family and our well being and who never cared to begin with. I'm slowly learning to move on without these people.

I have however learned of two extremely valuable(not monetary, but spiritual) friendships I had lost due to my own selfishness and childish ways. I'm anxious and hopeful to see what the future holds for these two very special ladies and I. Time will tell.

I'm slowly learning that I can not change a person, but I can change myself for the better, in hopes of inspiring others. I can't change the world but I can make baby steps in helping other's see how their actions directly affect those around them.

May God continue to bless each and every one of you that are in my life... You're here for a reason. Remember that!

X's ♥ & ♥ O's!

Someone has to do the dirty work!

Today was the day we did the writ. For those of you that don't understand legal terms in the property management world, a writ is where the actual eviction is filed within the local precinct and the tenant is served with the eviction notice the day before. The tenant was aware that the writ would take place at 2pm today. The constable along with ALOT of backup was there promptly at 1:50pm. The tenant could no longer enter the building after 2pm. At 2:01pm we (the crew) emptied the entire unit. EVERYTHING had to be removed, gently and respectfully. Nothing could be damaged or broken. After the constable cleared the house of any and all persons and any form of illegal items, it was our green light to enter. Of course my boss sends me in first with the video camera to video the property AS IS once it was turned over to us. When I opened the front door I was flooded with the disgusting and unforgetable smell of cat urine and feces. There wasn't one cat. There wasn't two... not even three or four or five... there was NINETEEN CATS IN THIS DUPLEX!!!!!!!! (19!!!!!) How on earth do you acquire so many animals? More importantly how do you live in the disgusting enviroment WITH TWO KIDS!?!?!!!!!!!! I had to cover my nose and mouth with my hand cupped over my face like a gas mask. I was gagging the entire time. After I went around the entire property recording all our findings... it was time for the guys to empty the dwelling as soon as possible. The constable's office gives you two hours to empty the building. Any hour after is $100 per hour. It's not like the constables are doing anything. They're standing there with their hands on their belts looking all "offical!" So we get the place cleaned out in roughly 45 minutes. Thankfully!

I'm glad its over and done with and grateful for the "easy" money we were able to make. I just sent over the pictures that I was required to take of all the former tenant's belongings on the curb. I was just speaking with him on MSN messenger and he has been laughing at all the footage I recorded because of my foul mouth and crap talking to the neighbor. I don't remember saying it, but he said I said something to the effect of "You better be glad these cops are here, I'd be on your ass like stink on shit!" LOL Oh gosh, when I'm in the moment there is no telling what will come out of my mouth.

After all was done and said, we headed back to the office to regroup and then we went to pickup Hayden from Danielle's house. Apparently Danielle's older son was beating Hayden.... I'm kidding, I'm soooo kidding! Her oldest loves to rough house and Hayden probably instigated it and Hayden tripped and busted his lip. Now he has a nice fat lip. He's fine, totally fine. What's worse, he didn't once cry this morning when I left. It broke my heart that he's overcoming the seperation anxiety. I'm so use to comforting him and explaining to him that I have to goto work and that I'd be back later to pick him up. Now he is fine with me leaving and appears that he doesn't need me. :( Sad sad day for this mama! We decided to treat ourselves to Morelia Grill in Round Rock and yum yum were the fajitas superb as always. Of course Hayden didn't want to sit still muchless behave. He wanted to go home and snuggle, which is what he's doing now. Love that little monster!

Okay that's all I got right now... I'm headed for bed!


X's & O's!!

Jillian is my bff!

Today marks two weeks... fourteen days since I've started Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I will admit, I've missed a few workouts but I am continuing to eat healthy and make the right choices. I feel great. I had started noticing early on that my pants were getting looser by the day. Thats because after two weeks of getting my ass kicked by Jillian, I'm happy to report I'm down 11.5lbs. Its slowly coming off but its coming off, thats all that matters to me. I will continue to make progress along this tough journey. I may fall flat on my face. I may jump over huge hurdles. But I refuse to give up this time. Each and everytime I gave up on myself, I'd gain more weight. I'd send myself down a depressing hole that lead to no where. With the encouragement of my loving husband, supportive friends and an occassional laugh from my son, I'm doing it! Without a personal trainer. Without a gym membership. Both of which I thought I'd need which made me losing weight seem unobtainable. WRONG! I hope Jillian Michals is making a crap load of money because she deserves it. She's changing many many lives and I'm living proof. Thank you Jillian!!!

Day 2 of my 30 day shred

Wowzers!!!!!!

Day 2 has definately been a struggle. All day at work was a challenge getting up and down out of my comfy leather office chair. Alot of filing required me to squat and stand multiple times... lets just say my thighs are going to be skinny. :)

Hayden and I get home and I put on cartoons for him so he can unwind since he screamed the whole way home just like he did yesterday. Now its mama's turn at the tv! Popped Jillian into my dvd player and was eager to get #2 under my belt. After the first 4.5 minutes, I was begging for her to slow down. I purposefully put the dvd remote out of sight so I wouldn't be tempted to pause it. I will admit, I had to stop and take a ten second breather during the second round of jumping jacks. I nearly thought I was going to fall over out of breath. You would never thing such simple moves would wear you down. Those "so simple" moves proved that I'm far more out of shape than I thought. Now that day 2 is over and I've done my second day of the 30 day shred, I'm surprised in myself that I've stuck with it. Usually I'll try something, even for 10-15 minutes and give up. I refuse to give up on this. I refuse to give up on myself.

I'm tired of people telling me I'll never amount to anything.
I'm tired of people telling me I can't do something.
I'm tired of being limited to what I can do because of my weight.
I'm tired of being tired.
I will win!
I will succeed!

♥

Day 1 of my 30 day shred

Two dear friends of mine started this brutal journey with Jillian Michaels. So this morning when I dropped Hayden off with Danielle while I went to work, she briefly told me about it. Then when I actually got off work, I had a wild hair up my butt and went and bought it. Wal-Mart has it for $9 bucks plus $3 for a 3lb weight. I bought two naturally since I have two arms.

Hayden and I get home, I get out of my monkey clothes (my pet name for work/business attire) and get Hayden changed and sippy cuped up and pop in that bad boy.. well in this case, bad girl. And Jillian slowly but surely begins to kick my ass.

I have the shakes/muscle quivers already and I've only done the first day. Holy moly! I'm going to be sore tomorrow!! Thankfully Danielle just started hers yesterday so I'm only a day behind. Anyone else doing the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred or have already done it? I'm excited to see the results.

Yea me!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!

2011 is going to be a great one...


This year is going to be alot of many firsts for us as a family for many reasons.

Our business venture will more than likely be expanding solely into professional painting. (long story.. but to sum it up, its Jon's area of expertise) We are hoping to (Lord willing) to purchase or build our first house this year. We're hoping to concieve our second child. Alot has to happen in order for us to actually start trying for #2. I want to lose 70+lbs so I can have a healthy pregnancy and not be high risk. I have ALOT of work to do. I'm also hoping to potty train Hayden at some point in our busy schedule. We will also be moving to the Cedar Park / Leander area at the end of June. It will more than likely be a rental property since there is no way we can repair both of our credit in that short of time.

So you see, there is alot that will be going on this year. I'm excited. I think we both are.

Hayden has learned so much in the past year. His hand/eye coordination is getting stronger and stronger. He is such a little dare devil. Earlier this afternoon, daddy flipped over the couches to vaccum underneath them and Hayden climbed right up the backside of it and slid down it like it was a slide. *note to self to buy some fun climbing things for the backyard* Hayden has been going to our dear friend (who I've known forever but lost contact over the years, and thank facebook for bringing us back together, well myspace too) Danielle's house the days that I work and that has been an absolute blessing. Hayden LOVES Danielle and her two gorgous boys. Hayden is partial to Beckham more than Cael but he still loves them both. I think Hayden is going to be that kid that pigs out at his friend's house that every mom gets annoyed at. LOL He seriously grubs at Danielle's house. When he's at home, he eats like a damn bird. Its hillarious! WE ♥ YOU DANIELLE!!!!! Hayden is FINALLY talking more and more. Words he says often include but are not limited to: mama, daddy, Sugar(Sugar, duh!), Duh, what, buu(blue), geeen(green), what's this, please, thank you, caca, poop, corn, cheese(sounds like please), weeeema(Lima), and keeekin(chicken). He's so funny. I'm constantly repeating things trying to expand his vocabulary and he seems to be content with what he knows already. So we'll see as time progresses.

Hayden already has his first illness of the year. We suspect its a cold or even cedar fever. He's got a temp and has been on and off all day long. It was the funniest thing. I was talking to my bestfriend earlier and Hayden walks into his room, grabs his pillow, places it perfectly on the couch, goes back to his room, grabs his blanket, crawls up on the couch, gets comfy WITHOUT his juice (this is huge because normally he needs his sippy cup to fall asleep), curls up, and falls asleep ON HIS OWN next to me. It was the sweetest thing. So proud of him. Everyday he's gaining more and more independence. Everyone always says to cherish all the small things because they grow up so fast. True. But no one told me that as they learn their independence it rips your heart out because they no longer need you for some things. :( None the less, I'm so proud of the precious boy he's become.

Thank you God for continuing to bless my little family. We continually hit all the potholes that are strategically placed in the road, but I don't doubt for one split second that we won't grow stronger because of it.

Here's to a great year filled with love, laughter, wonderful memories, great friends, beloved family, and good health! Amen!

♥ X's & O's! ♥