Sleeping Like a Big Girl in a Big Girl Bed

Cheyenne at Mrs. Erin's House

Goodbye Slow Cooker

Sunday morning, I woke at 4 am and powered on the slow cooker. Well, the appliance never powered on!

You can see my old friend on the left   :(

A former boss, gave Trey and I this slow cooker as a wedding gift. We've been married since 2004, so I'd say we got some good years out of it. 

The death of my crockpot happened on Sunday. I planned on slow cooking beans, so we could have beans and cornbread/wheat germ muffins for lunch. Yeah, it's always nice to have lunch waiting for us when we get home from church. Instead of eating that, we went out for lunch. That was also a treat and did not require clean-up on my part. 

Late that afternoon, I didn't even shop around, I just bought the first slow cooker I saw at Sam's Club. This is an upgrade from my previous appliance. This one has a few programmable features. I used it yesterday and it worked fine. Here's to many years with this new crockpot! If you have a favorite slow cooker recipe, I'd love to try something new. I plan on trying a new chili recipe this fall.

Dallas Cowboys For Life!

We are looking forward to another football season. The first official Cowboys game is September 12th @Washington. We've got our gear and we're ready for it! We'll probably have some kind of get together for that, so consider this your invitation. I'm not sure if I've mentioned, but I'll be participating in my first fantasy football league. I have no idea what I'm in for and Trey said he won't help me, since we are competing against each other. I'm sure I can sweet talk him into giving me some help. I can try to bribe him with Blue Bell Butter Crunch Ice Cream.

16 Mile Run

Distance: 16 miles
Duration: 02:35:33
Average Pace Per Mile: 09:43
Temperature: 67 degrees
Notes: That afternoon I passed out! I took a two hour nap. It was wonderful and my body needed to rest. Today, I'm also taking it easy. 

Friday, I was extremely nervous about running 16 miles. I kept thinking, I'm going to be running for over 2 hours and 30 minutes! But once Saturday got here and I ran the first 8 miles I felt fine. 

In a few weeks, I'll be running 18 miles and after running 16, 18 doesn't sound as scary as it did....say a month ago.

Since I ran outside so early, Trey let me borrow his headlight. Very attractive!

Worship & Fellowship

Every year the women's ministry at my church, hold an event where we worship, learn, fellowship, eat, and sit at beautifully decorated tables. This has been my third year to participate. This year, I helped make a promotional video and a 30 minute video that played during the event. Maybe next year, I will decorate a table.

Krista (walking buddy) and Amanda

Erin was the front woman for this event. She did a fantastic job pulling it all together. 

I believe this is the table Erin and Serena decorated. Looks Fun!

Apples of Gold Theme

Autumn Theme

Music Theme

Christmas Theme

Hi-Tech Thermostat

Leave it up to Trey to bring home one of these thermostats. It's a little intimidating, but as long as I know the basics, I'll get by. He programmed it, based on our coming and goings.

It's all James Bond. This thermostat kind-of reminds me of a Modern Family episode.

My Baby With Her Baby

Every now and then Cheyenne will grab her doll, rock, and shhh her. She adores babies. When I show her pictures of herself, when she was younger, she'll yell, "BAY-BEE!" And I say, "Yes, Baby!"

Gaining New Ground & A Note to P90X

Distance: 14 miles
Duration: 02:51:00
Average Pace Per Mile: 09:51
Temperature: Around 84-86 degrees with a cool breeze <--- That's why running in the morning pays off. Cool weather!
Notes: Ran unplugged. No music. It was nice to pray, think, and just run. Now that I'm running more miles, I'm discovering parts of the trail I've never see before.

Saturday morning, I had a hard time getting up, especially after eating so much Friday evening...blah. I'm glad I dragged my butt out of bed, even if I didn't start running as early as I normally do. Let's see what week 10 of marathon training brings. Oh, more miles. 

P90X, you have officially become secondary to marathon training because running 37 miles in one week plus P90 does not sound fun. I'll see you every now and then....Maybe, Wedensday? Call me! 

Weekend Date

What a weekend! I'm exhausted, but I had so much fun. Trey and I went out Friday and tried out two new places. New to us. Jake's Hamburgers and Sweet Sammies.

Sweet Sammies is a cookie and ice cream shop that all my friends have been raving about. You won't believe how affordable this place is....here is the menu, check it out. After that, we walked south 7th street. Man, that place is hopping at night. Really great atmosphere.

Saturday, we spent most of the day at the Dallas Galleria. I expected it to be insanely crowded, but that mall is so massive I didn't even notice how packed it was. That was my first Galleria visit. I was beyond impressed with all the stores and eatery. After that, we had dinner at the House of Blues. And later that night we met up with Jeremy and Jerrica at their house and watched the Cowboys third pre-season game. Yeah, they won!

And lastly, to end our child free weekend, Trey and I went on a date to the Movie Tavern and watched The Other Guys. I'd say it was a great weekend. Now, I need to rest.

Lunch on the Go!

We got Cheyenne two lunch boxes. A girl needs options, right? Two of her favorite things: Dora the Explorer and the Dallas Cowboys.

Since we signed her up for the True Blue Kids Fan Club, she got this Cowboys lunch box.

Cheyenne Made a New Friend

Averie and Cheyenne

I wonder who drove?

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More Pictures from her parent-free weekend in Abilene.
I don't know the story behind this picture, but I bet she was watching cartoons. Sponge Bob?

Taking it easy. Not a care in the world.

Friday Evening Waiting for Nanaw

We met Nanaw half -way Friday evening. Cheyenne and I arrived before Nanaw got there, so we found a bench and waited...

And waited...We really didn't wait too long :)

Chey wasn't feeling good...Can you tell? 

"Forget the food, show me the clothes!"

Yeah, Cheyenne loved this basket, when it was time to go she threw a fit! I guess she wanted to take it home.

Well, this weekend, Chey will be visiting family in Abilene. I snapped this photo before heading out to meet Trey's mom.

Somewhat of a Break

Last week, I started feeling a nagging pain in my right calf and this entire week, I've decided to take a break from P90X. GASP! 

Oh, let me tell you it has been wonderful! My abs are not getting any tighter, but I feel a little better. Next week, I'll see about doing more P90X workouts. 

Marathon Training.....

So, I'm approaching week 10 of marathon training and I pretty much hungry all the time and I think about food all the time and I really look forward to eating every three hours. I've also discovered I'm a bit of a carb loader.....I have mixed feelings about that one. 

Lounging

We've been enjoying downtime around the house. Every now and then you just have to kick back and take it easy.

My Favorite Hangout

So, I've just discovered My DFW Mommy. Okay, it's been like two weeks, but it's still new to me.

It's a great site. I've been finding deals left and right...OH and I love the freebies. This past weekend, Trey and I went out to eat and enjoyed a free appetizer. Okay, browse away DFW mommies. I hope you can find something that tickles your fancy. ENJOY!

P.S. Is anyone participating in Texas Tax Free Weekend? I'm pretty sure I'll be out there with the crazies finding deals.

Mishaps of Marathon Training: Sliding on Concrete

Early this morning, before sunrise, I went for a five mile run. The route I chose, had a stretch of darkness. So, somewhere around mile three I was running on the side of the road in the dark, no street lights.

I thought I had a handle on it. I wasn't running in the street, I was running on the grass, facing oncoming traffic. I saw a car approaching my direction and as it approached me it began to disrupt my vision....so much that I couldn't see anything. Stupid car blinded me with its headlights. BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS!

Before I knew it, the grass met the pavement and I tripped and scrapped both knees. Oh, it burned! I was so mad! I started yelling. Luckily, I slid on the concrete, like a slipping slide (luckily?) I guess what I'm trying to say is, it could have been worse. My knees didn't plummet the concrete.

I should recover from this injury in no time.

Out on the Town

Thanks to Nanaw, Cheyenne has a new back-pack. Chey is actually using it as her diaper bag. It's much smaller than her old diaper bag. Plus, she likes to carry this one!

I heard that Dora the Explorer would be at Wal-Mart celebrating her 10th birthday. But after going to two Wal-mart's we never saw her. We called one of the two stores and they said she WAS THERE, but once we arrived we were told she was not. It was very disappointing (sad face)....however, Trey did walk away with two free Dora cupcakes. So, I guess it wasn't a complete waste and we also got a free Dora photo card.

10 Mile Long Run

Distance: 10 miles
Duration: 01:39:00
Average Pace Per Mile: 09:56
Temperature: About 76 degrees
Pre-Run Breakfast: We ran out of EGGS! So, I went ahead and gave the oatmeal, milk, and banana breakfast another try. I should know better. My stomach started reacting to it around mile 8. 
Notes: I miss winter running. 

This past week, I started to feel soreness in my right calf. So, this week, I may take my training down a notch. 

Candid Moments

This week, I made a DVD for Cheyenne...starring Cheyenne. It's about an hour long disc, not edited, just candid family footage.

Occasionally, I'll show her a YouTube video of herself and she LOVES IT!  So, I'm pretty sure she is going to enjoy this.

Dallas White Rock Marathon

My first marathon race will be the Dallas White Rock Marathon. As of today, it's OH-fficial. 100 dollars official. Gulp.

Who would have thought, I would pay good money to run miles and miles, when I could do it for free. I could try to explain, but there is really no point....Haha. Okay, the race is scheduled for early December. As you know, I've already been training for several weeks. 

This is so exciting! I'm so excited! 

....And then I remember my training. My longest run, will be 22 miles (deflated).

Inked

"It's hardcore here at Mrs. Erin's and I got the tats to prove it!"

We Love Da Boys!

Sunday, we watched the first Dallas Cowboys Pre-Season game. Now we need some cooler weather and it'll feel like football season. By the way, Cowboys looked good this Sunday, so did my family in their Cowboys get-up.

Trey and I got the little ones some Cowboys gear. Bella and DJ, representing da boys.

DJ and Brandon

Dora-Dora the Explorer!

Dora shirt, Dora shoes, Dora books and Dora TV! I think Cheyenne likes DEE-AH! Trey did some work today, at a bookstore and while he was there he bought her a lot of Dora books. That was very thoughtful of him. Cheyenne's face lit-up when he gave them to her.

Dora Crocs!

This weekend, we got her this shirt and the entire time we were in the store she kept holding the shirt up and saying DEE-AH! DEE-AH!

P90X: Day One Compared to Day 30

Day One

Day Thirty

Day One

Day Thirty

Day One

Day Thirty

Now that you've seen the pictures...Anyone up for a round of P90X?!