New Car Smell: I Got A Ford Focus

Something I always use to say, "I'm going to drive the ELEMENT until the wheels fall off." I meant it too, however Trey and I have been talking about getting a new vehicle for about a year. Everything seemed to be directing my mind to purchase a new vehicle, despite my overwhelming commitment to my ride for life, ELEMENT. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that Trey is the king of persuasion.

So, I went from this SUV, which gets 23 miles to the gallon, (highway)....

To the Ford Focus, which gets 40 miles to the gallon (highway)...
4 days a week, I commute to work and my estimated gas savings will be approximately $100 a month.

Originally, I had my eyes set on the Ford Fiesta and I actually test drove one about a month ago. It's a great car! Ultimately, we decided to go with the Focus because it's slightly bigger and the price difference wasn't a huge step-up. The Focus model we got is called an SEL.

A nice perk is the Ford Sync Touch Screen. YES, my nerdy-side is overjoyed! I can't wait until I have time to play with it. Yesterday, I worked a full day and went straight to the dealership and didn't leave until 9:45 pm, so I have't had any time to play with my new toy.

The drive this morning was interesting. It's going to take some time to get use to driving a car again. For over six years, I've been perched up high driving an SUV, now I feel like a low-rider in this compact car. Another thing I need to get use to is a car payment. It's been almost 4 years since Trey and I have had to make one. We're hoping to pay this baby off early, just like we did with the ELEMENT.

My Week in Instagram Pictures

Mornin', friends!

I'm on my way to take photos for two nursing events. I'll be on my feet all morning and then for several hours this afternoon. I GOT THIS.

Here is what my camera bag looks like (see pic below). I have 2 cameras and 4 lenses (one is missing from this pic). I think I'm going to leave behind my portrait lens. I had 2 other photography events, this week and I only used it for maybe 4 shots, that's it. I just don't utilize it as much for event photography.

I really like my camera bag and to think I was considering selling it. I'm crazy.

Speaking of photography, I finally printed portraits of Cheyenne. I hung a copy of this 8x10 photo in our living room. I need to get in a better habit of rotating pictures out of the frames.

My latest coffee craving is La Madeleine. There is a LM cafe on my way to work. That's dangerous!!! However, their coffee is more affordable than Starbucks, about half the price. I'll take that. Any get up kids fans? I use to listen to them all the time in high school.


This evening, I was getting Cheyenne and Erin had all this dinner for me. She said she knew this week had been busy for me and she wanted to help out. THIS WAS SO NICE!!!!! Don't judge me, but I totally started eating the veggies on the car ride home, with my bare hands. I couldn't help myself.

I had to resist eating all this food in one sitting. I ate half of it and I'm saving the rest of it for my lunch, later today.

Trey is off the hook for mother's day. He doesn't have to get me flowers, since the faculty already got me some.

I didn't want to leave them in my office because I knew they would die fast, since it's a sauna. I'm not even joking. This is what my commute looked like. I had Chey's booster seat, so she used that.

Mmmm, frozen pizza with fresh herbs.

Herbs, pulled from the earth.

I don't know about you, but I think avocados make a meal.

I'll leave you with this sweet photo of Cheyenne. Everyone, have a fantastic weekend. I think I just want to stay home and recover from a busy work week. I'm going to have a bazillion photos to edit.

36 Weeks Prenatal Appointment

Here are my DailyMile Stats from last week:
Cycled: 16 Miles
Walking: 6 Miles
 Elliptical: 1 hour

Trey is suggesting that I take it easy from here on out. I think I might do that. I hope I don't lose my mind, in the process.

Today, I had a doctors appointment. The nurse had to poke me with the needle twice because she had a hard time finding my vein. The first time she poked me, it stung like wasp. I wasn't mad, I was surprised because normally, she gets it the first time around. Now, it's 9 pm at night and both of my arms feel bruised.

My appointment went well. I'm 36 weeks, only four more weeks to go. The doctor said, Dakota has started to "drop." I have not started to dilate, yet -- which is fantastic, since I have FOUR freelance gigs this week. They are all photography jobs -- Graduation and Honors Society related. I'm going to need a full body massage by the end of the week. Ohhhhhh, Trey.....
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After my appointment, I got the oil in the car changed. Cheyenne and I patiently waited in the lobby. She watched Rio on her DVD player. Oh, modern technology, you are wonderful. I seriously wish I had one of those, when I was a kid.

Hey, look who got to drive?

Trey moved the car from the driveway to the garage and he let Chey drive it in. She loved it!
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Saturday, my little sister, Natasha went to her Senior Prom. I wish I could've been there to see her in person. Absolutely gorgeous!
 
Prom = Memories.
 Here is a blast from the past, Trey's senior prom.
 

Alternatives to Cable & Satellite Service

Let's see, it's been about a month, since we had satellite service. So, far I don't miss it. For entertainment, we've been watching Netflix and Hulu-Plus.

Netflix and Hulu-Plus both cost the same per month, $8.65. That sure does beat a $98 satellite bill! Hulu is free if you want to watch from a laptop, but I like the option of watching it on my TV or phone, so to me it's worth the pennies. There are some other bonuses to having a Hulu-Plus account, but to me that's the main one. There is one thing that surprised me, some of the shows you can only watch on a laptop and not on a TV or phone. They call them web based shows. BOOO! The Chew is one of those shows. But for the most part, the main Network Evening shows are not Web based only.

It seems like Hulu has replaced my DVR.

Cheyenne gets the most use out of Netflix-Kids. They have a nice selection of cartoons. Right now, she's on a my little pony kick.

When we want to watch new Movie Releases, Trey and I will go to a REDBOX station, which is only $1.62. There are several kiosk machines, less than a mile from home, so it's really convenient. We probably REDBOX it about 4 times a month.
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This week, I haven't been walking at work. I decided to listen to my body and take it easy.  Trey would be so proud of me. Tomorrow, I may be feeling less achy, so I may walk then.

Do you want to hear something bizarre? 
Sometimes I forget I'm pregnant. It happens when I wake up in the middle of the night to pee. I'm already out of it because it's like 2 am, but by the time I walk to the restroom, I'll have a moment of -- OMG! I'm 8 months pregnant! Late night feedings and a messed up sleeping schedule is going to suck the life out of me. 


And then I'm like whatever, Pee and Sleep <------MY IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES.

I have a Prima Donna on my hands
Lately, Cheyenne likes to put her hands on her hips when she talks and the other morning she demanded to wear a dress. Oh, I love wardrobe fights at 6 am. Ummm, no thanks. We comprised on this outfit (see picture). Now, I make sure she picks out her clothes the night before, so I can remind her (when she's screaming and she doesn't want to wear it at and it's 6:05 am)...."Remember you picked this outfit out yourself?" My strategy worked this morning.

I don't mind if she wears skirts or dresses, but not on school days. Her school prefers that the girls not wear them without shorts, which makes sense, since they are so active playing. If it's a school day and she insists on wearing a dress, I might have to start making her wear shorts underneath. Everyone wins!

Last night, we had a precious moment together. She was getting ready for bedtime and she said OK, cuddle time! She crawled into my lap, like she was a baby and we sat there holding each other for several minutes.

My Week in Instagram Pictures

Here is the round-up of my weekly photos.

We'll start with the juicy stuff. BURGERS. Ever since last week, I've been craving a burger. I fulfilled that craving while we were out of town. If you are ever in Port Lavaca, you've gotta stop and eat at the Shellfish Sport Bar & Grille. Mouth-WATERING.

On the drive home, from Port Lavaca, Cheyenne watched a billion DVD's. She would've stayed up the entire time, if we didn't make her turn off the player. She was without the DVD player for a second and then she passed out, like this....

This was at the wedding. I thought it was cute how Tasha was sitting with all the kids. Cheyenne had just got a new coloring book and she was sharing her markers with the other kids. Everyone was coloring and being so kind. Why can't kids play like this all the time?

Another wedding pic. This is my mom and uncle dancing during the reception. He walked my mom down the aisle  Did you know, when I got married in 2004, he also walked me down the aisle? I think that's interesting since he doesn't have any daughters, he has five sons. He's a great uncle. Trey and I stayed with him and my aunt Pam, while we were visiting. Last time, we stayed in a hotel and when they found out, they we like, don't do that again, next time stay with us! =----- So we did!

A friend from the woman's ministry, at my church, asked me to make a video photo album. I was working with a tight deadline. I stayed up late one Saturday night working on the project, trying to complete it. Another lady from the ministry, heard about it and she wanted to thank me for the quick turn around and staying up late to complete it. She got me buffet napkins and measuring spoons from world market as a sign of appreciation. Well, THANK YOU!

Do you use cloth napkins????? Cheyenne and I DO and I wouldn't have it any other way. It really cuts down on my paper towel cost. At the moment, most of my cloth napkins are dingy looking, I guess that's what happens when you use them over and over again. These napkins will be used, every single day. What a nice and practical gift.

When I have guest over, I offer them paper towels because I know a lot of people aren't into the whole cloth napkin thing. Also, like I said my napkins are looking pretty dingy these days, I'd be too embarrassed, but not with these new ones. :)

Confession: I Cried
Wednesday, I met up with my EnduraLAB running buddies. They ran the Trinity trail, while I sulked and walked behind them. As I was walking (I think) I decided I'm going to take a break from the Wednesday night run group. Why? Because it depresses me to be around runners and not be able to participate. It's one thing to cheer your friends on during a race, I can do that, but to go to a social fun run event every week and not be able to participate <---- Well, it just really makes me want to cry. Confession, I did. Leave me alone, I'm pregnant and hormonal.

Going, also feels like a waste of time because weeknights are so busy as it is. So, it looks like I may be sitting it out for the next few months....I can always still do my own thing at home or at my gym, which is near home.

Lunch Walker
Oh, I wanted to let you guys know, I'm 3 for 3 this week. I walked 3 times out of 3, during my lunch break. I'm feeling pretty good about that. That means 3 extra miles, that I normally wouldn't have walked.

Okay, that's all I've got. Everyone have a great weekend!

Easter Sunday in Port Lavaca

First, I want to say, I'm so tired. We've been traveling all day long. We left Port Lavaca around 9:30 am and arrived at home around 5 pm.
My stomach kept cramping. I couldn't tell if it was gas or braxton hicks. It felt more like false contractions, but what do I know.... also, every time we stopped and I would get out of the car to stretch and my body was so achy! I wanted to waddle, but I refuse to waddle in public because I think I look ridicoulous. I feel like 31 weeks is too early to be waddling, but then again, I really feel like I'm 36 weeks. Any-who -- It feels good to be home, now I can relax. Here is what we did yesterday:

EASTER SUNDAY 
We started our Sunday morning going to a church, I use to attend as a child. The church is Our Lady of the Gulf, it's located in Port Lavaca. Later that afternoon,  we had a family get together at my Uncle and Aunt's house.

Trey hiding eggs



Carla was thinking about it...
Brian wanted to make the hunt more difficult for the older kids, so he found some creative hiding places - UP high: that was his main technique
The kids were let loose
 
Trey and I enjoyed watching the kids look for the eggs



Grandma Mary helped Chey


Susan walking around with confetti eggs
My sweet Bella. I love how she was rockin' a onesie and sandals.
You can reach it!

So, that was our Easter Sunday. I'm so glad we had a chance to spend it with our family.

I Know How You Feel

I can related, I feel the same way...
Our day started early at 8 am. We arranged to have a notary meet us at our home for the closing. So, it's official, we refinanced our home and it feels so good. Let's toast to that! We are so thankful, everything came together so fast and the timing is great with us expecting another child in June. Thank you, Jesus.
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We had family and friends in town for Dakota's baby shower. If you made it out, thank you. It was wonderful seeing you. I'll post pictures soon.

Now, it's passed 11 pm and we're barely getting home. We've been partying, well if you call going out to eat at Chuy's for a second night in a row and drinking a non-alcoholic beverage on the Movie Tavern deck partying -- then we're guilty. The truth is we are exhausted. Good times, though.

Goodnight, friends.

Park, Surprise Parade, Happy Hour, & Movie

Here are some of the highlights from this weekend.
My little sister, Tasha was in town. We went shopping and got matching sandals and sunglasses (different colors tho), cause we're cool like that.

We took the kids to the park.

This is Bella, my niece.
 
I played too.

Cheyenne got carried away swinging.

Things got real crazy at the park. This girl knows how to have fun. Take notes, people.

We went to the Stockyards and by total accident, made it to the St. Patricks Day Parade. Afterwards, we stopped by the petting zoo.

Oh, Friday night we took Tasha and Bella to one of our favorite restaurants, Chuy's. Did you know that Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday from 4 - 7 pm? They have a nacho bar during their happy hour and get this, it's FREE. Say, WHAT????? If you knew about this, we are not friends anymore because you did not share this information with me. For reals, though! We made it right in time before happy hour ended. SCORE.

Trey drove the scooter to Chuy's and met us there since our car can only seat four people. I know, more ammunition for Trey and his case to convince me we need a new vehicle. LALALA, I'm not listening, ELEMENT for life!

Last night, Trey stayed at home with the kids, while Tasha and I went to the Movie Tavern to watch Project X. It was nice getting out with just her, thanks TREY! So, that was our weekend with my sister and niece.