If you ask me what I like about Texas....

I'd say I don't like anything but I LOVE everything! Being home and getting to stay for an extended visit is such a blessing! We have been going all over the place to visit friends and family, and I have been loving being home! We got here on the 3rd and have been having a non stop fun filled adventure ever since. Madison has been doing great with all the time spent in the car and motor home, and she even went to the lake for the first time! I cannot even express how amazing this visit has been. I wish Justin could be here with us, but am so thankful that his hard work is allowing for us to be here. My parents rolled out the red carpet for their girls, and supplied Madison with everything a 2 month old could ever need or want. She loves their dogs and they are obsessed with her. The horses are so curious about this tiny human that has arrived, and she seems just as interested in the giant puppy dogs that live in the barn. We started our visit with my sweet sorority sister's wedding in Austin, and that was such a blast! It was so much fun to see all of my college girlfriends and for them to get to meet Madison. Then we had Karen out for a sleepover complete with playing tourist in downtown Fredericksburg (yes...my parents live in Fredericksburg Texas and we live in Fredericksburg VA) We went up to Weatherford for one of my best friend's baby showers on Saturday, and then we left for Canyon lake on Sunday and got back from the lake yesterday. The first day I worked horses I pulled a muscle in my back, and it is still messed up....really a bummer since I wanted to spend the bulk of my days in Texas horse back...hopefully it will get better in the next couple days and I can ride a lot next week. Madison will go to her first cutting this weekend, and I can't wait for our extended horse show family to meet her. I know all of her 'grandmas and great grandmas' will love fussing over her. Bethany is about 12 days into her visit with her Maternal grandma and mom, and seems to be doing okay. My Mom and I took her to lunch yesterday and she wanted to come out to the ranch to swim and ride horses. She is a little homesick for her Dad and I so we have been calling everyday to make sure she knows we miss her too. I know I am leaving a ton out from the visit and I will post photos soon.

Have a great day!!

Family of 4??

I am sitting here procrastinating packing. Things are very different now than they were just a few short years ago. I used to go away almost every weekend and wouldn't think twice about packing until a few hours before I was leaving. Throw my stuff in the bag and out the door I would go. Now I have an entire day where my whole plan is to pack! I just dropped Bethany off for her next to last day of kindergarten and I have so much organizing and packing to do. It would be one thing if we were just going for a few days but Bethany will be gone for over a month, and Madison and I will be in Texas for about 2.5 weeks! And since we are flying I have to get everything into 2.5 suitcases. The entire living room is clothes and stuff right now. I have to pack clothes, diapers, wipes, toiletries, shoes, swimsuits, gear for the baby, clothes for me, toys, dvd player for the plane, things to entertain Bethany on the plane, clothes and shoes and supplies for Bethany for a month, Justin's stuff (why I am packing for him is a long story), things for overnight in another bag that will stay in the car so we don't mess up our suitcases before the trip even begins. You get the idea, it's a mess. But I am so excited for our first trip as a family of 4! I can't believe it is finally here, and I am so excited to get to Texas to see the family and all of my amazing friends! Thankfully my parents are amazing and are lightening my load by getting baby stuff to keep in Texas, so I dont have to haul the pack n play, and all of the other zillion baby items that Madison loves to play in. I hate that Bethany is going to be away from us for a whole month, but that is just the way it is. And I know she will have a blast with her other grandparents, and I hope everything goes well and drama free.

This weekend I get to watch one of my amazing sorority sisters marry the man of her dreams and next weekend I get to celebrate another new life coming into our extended horse show family at Mica's baby shower! I am so happy that I get to be there for my friends for these sweet moments in their lives! T-minus 36 hours until the trip begins!