"Let it rip"

My Grandpa Graves died last week. He would have been 98 in June. He lived a long, full life. I was not able to visit with him as much as I would of liked to but I do have very fond memories of him. One of his favorite sayings was, "Let it rip". This would be a response to almost anything. The thing that makes me most sad is that we had a trip planned in June to go see him. My whole family would have been there.   I am grateful for the knowledge that I have that I will be able to see him and my grandmother again one day. If you would like to know how I know that, you can visit here.  

My great grandparents

Despite the circumstances and the reason we went to Alabama we had a really good time. We had some really yummy southern food, walked down memory lane with my parents, and made some new memories ourselves. I LOVE my family. I am lucky!

This made Tara and I laugh so hard. We were taking selfies and Becka's rear end photo bombed our picture.

The court house in Marion, Alabama

In front of Grandpa Graves house

In you look really close you can see a house through all the trees. My great grandmother use to live there. We called her Big Mama. There are so many tree's, shrubs, and vines that have grown up around this house. I have so many memories of coming here. The house is just about to fall over.

This is where my Grandpa and Grandma Martin lived. We so wanted to go up to the house but the caretaker would not allow us too. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2004.  There are also stories of it being haunted.  When I was a little girl I thought this was so cool. It was published in a book called, 13 Ghost of Alabama.  To find out more info on it you can visit here.  

My parent's High School

We ate dinner at this little 50's diner. It use to be a theater. My parents had their first date here.

Did I mention how much I LOVE these people?

blogging slump

I have been in a blogging slump but I am back and very behind in my blogging. I will be playing catch up over the next couple of days.  First up Easter weekend.

My sister, Becka and her family came for a visit Easter weekend. We went to a Rangers baseball game.  I LOVE my TX Rangers and they did not let us down. They creamed the Chicago White Sox. It was a very good night.

Saturday day morning we got up bright and early and I ran my half marathon and Becka ran a 5k. Pictures will come later. This deserves a post all on it's own. :)

We also threw way to many Easter eggs in the back yard and called it an Easter Egg hunt.  The eggs were pretty much in plain sight but the kids didn't care.  Who would when you get something like 81 eggs each.

Sunday we woke up and had a yummy breakfast and said our goodbyes. I so wish I had some family that lived close by.  It stinks that they are all in Missouri. I keep trying to convince that TX is the place to be.

After goodbyes I let the kids have their Easter baskets and we headed off to church.

This pupper is just too cute to not post. We love him!

16

Braeden turned 16 last week. Man, does time fly. I have been reflecting this week about the last 16 years and I have found myself tearing up on more than one occasion. It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was carrying him around on my back with his little arms wrapped around my neck. Now he can carry me on his back. He has grown up way to quickly and before I know it he will be off on his own. But until then, we will continue to create memories and I will hold on to him for as long as I can.

Birthday celebrations started on his actual birthday with dinner out and birthday presents from the family.

To continue the celebrations I took him and some of his friends to an FC Dallas soccer game.

The birthday celebration ended with friends coming over. Braeden's request for his party: nachos, mozzarella cheese sticks, soda, and candy. That was easy. :)

holy hail storm

Last night it got a little crazy around here.  We had some bad storms roll through. It got pretty scary when the hail began. It was so loud! I thought for sure our windows were going to be busted out. Thankfully we made it through unscathed and with everything still in tact.

Braeden took this picture of Joshua just after the storms rolled through.  Steam was coming up off the ground. It looked awesome.

miles logged

This month I logged 116.18 miles. The countdown has begun to my half marathon....19 days. I am scared.

Play-off game #1

Lobos won their first play-off game defeating North Lamar 9-1. Next game Friday night. So Proud! Go Lobos!!