We had a Wonderful Time...

At the Frio River. My family as well as another family spent several days at the end of July at the Frio River. And although there wasn't much water around, every still seemed to have a great time. The girls (Natalie, my niece Kelby, and niece Kevyn) had a blast splashing in the water - and since there was basically no current they could walk around with ease.

I also got to snap a few family photos for my sister and her crew.

Finally.....

It's been a while - but I finally got a chance to go out and do some shooting again. My wonderful hubby and i took a quick trip to visit his grandparents out in Lone Grove (near Llano). They live on the family "homestead" and have all sorts of wonderful treasures out there. The old farm house that Darren's Great-Grandfather lived in (built in the early '30s); PawPaw's bee hives; and great scenery. It was a wonderful way to rejuvenate my spirits.

A few family photos....

I got to spend the evening with my two nieces - so we got all three kiddos together to get some updated shots. Here is what developed (P.S. it is not easy to get three kids to sit in the same spot for more than like 3 seconds....)

Dearest Blog....

I've so much to say an no time to say it.  I love you - I've missed you - I'll write again soon.  I've been knee deep in projects - but I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I hop to be able to share that all with you soon.

Busy as a bee...

Well it's been several days since I last posted - but I have been busy as a bee with several major projects going on (I'll be sharing those later). And Giddings had their fair this weekend - so no work got done.  I got to be a judge at the BBQ cook-off this year in my favorite category - Ribs.  Nothing is better than getting to sample 12 different kinds of ribs accompanied by a nice cool beverage (a.k.a. Miller Light).  It's kind of like a buffet that comes to  you....you sit and they bring you a box - you eat - then they bring you another box - you eat - then they bring you another box...well you get the idea.  I am definitely looking forward to doing that again next year.  I've gotta run for now - heading off the the Ronald McDonald House with some co-workers for a volunteer project.  More to come tomorrow....

Mmmmm....Reese's

So Reese's peanut butter cups are my absolute favorite candy - but apparently when you have too many along with a Dr. Pepper or two it can turn you into that little squirrel Twitchy from Hoodwinked (Dee-na-mee-tay!!) Ha! Anyways, too bad these powers can't be used for good (like productive work) instead of bad (like blogging and blog-stalking).  Spent a good chunk of this afternoon posting on my S-I-Ls site (sorry Amy).  I'm guessing that I am doomed to hit the crash and burn shortly - unless the consumption of more sugars occurs (and that's unlikely).

Heading to Riverside

The company I work for has a quarterly leadership retreat that we call "Riverside" (it use to actually be at a conference center that was located on the riverside).  Anyways, it is a great chance to network with other folks from different divisions and the presentations are always great.  But it is also hard to leave home for a night without my family.  It is a bit of "homesick" with a bit of "missing you" and a part "feeling left out" from whatever may happen in the 24 hours that I am away.  Surprisingly, it is also a lot of work making sure that my hubby has everything that he needs to keep Nat happy while I'm out - clothes laid out for school, groceries in the fridge, etc.  And then I have two days worth of emails and phone calls to catch up on when I get back into the office.  So, quite honestly I'm not all that excited about going aside from the fact that I get a queen size bed all to myself and the chance to sleep in a little bit.

I'd like to go to sleep please...

I haven't had a good nights sleep in almost a week (I feel like I did the first week we brought Nat home from the hospital).  I keep waking up around 3 am with thoughts of stuff that I need to do flooding my head - emails that I need to send out, phone calls I need to make, groceries I need to pick up.  I have absolutely no problem falling asleep-just staying asleep. Work has been crazy busy lately - so I know that is part of the problem - but there aren't any signs of it slowing down until maybe the middle of May.  The worst part is, that I know it is affecting me emotionally now.  At first I was just physically tired - now I am emotionally drained too - and I feel sorry for just about anyone who has to deal with me during the day because I know that I am grumpy (and that it putting it politely).  All I really want to do is go hide in a cave somewhere for about 12 hours and try to "catch up" on the whole sleep thing.

May I be a blessing...

Lord, thank you for all of the blessings you have given me in my life; a wonderful family, great friends, a job a love, and the ability to express my creativity through my art.  Please let me be a blessing to someone today.

I am working on an art project for my church...here are a few sneek peaks.