Happy New Year

Greetings All,

And Happy New Year! I cannot convey effectively just how happy I am to see 2009!!! 2008 kicked my butt all over the stratosphere, but I am eternally greatful to God that I can say I made it to 2009 in one piece. A little tattered but here none-the-less!!! Quick update: The Family is doing very well! My Mom received a clean bill of health on her doctors visit on Friday!!! Of course they will be keeping a close eye on her, but for know all is well and we spent the weekend celebrating. My Brother is doing good, he has a one-year follow up due sometime here soon. My mom's older sister and brother have relocated to Texas - so all the remaining siblings are present and accounted for!! My cousin Toney is back home from Germany - he is still hilarious, and his wife and daughter will be here in the near future. Rahiib got braces over Christmas break - he's still a cutie pie!!! My nephew JaCorey is coming up on his 5th birthday in a couple months and true to form he is ready for it. We went to a birthday party for a friends son on yesterday and had a blast. Between the two of us we managed to go to the party, have fun and get home without any tears (from either one of us). And I know your wondering - the answer is .... No, still not rushing out to have kids.

Now as for me - I have big plans for 2009! The first big plan being to run (yeah, you read that right) RUN my very first 5k on Saturday, February 28!!! I got out and started running last week and discovered just how out of shape I am but I had fun and am not discouraged. My knees, back and legs are sore as all get out but its a good hurt. Hurt like "These shoes are going to leave me crippled tomorrow, but how fly I are today!" hurt. I also have plans to run 3 more 5k races after the February run. My goal: a 8 minute mile! My motivation: your love, support and friendship!!

Thank you for being there for me last year when I needed you the most! I hope to be there for you whenever, if ever you need me.

Wonderful Weekend

This weekend was really nice; it got off to a rocky start but rebounded wonderfully. I went to the Cowboys of Color Invicational Rodeo - National Finals @ Resistol Arena in Mesquite, TX on Saturday night. It was so much fun - and believe me when I say Cowboys are so incredibly sexy. Oh my goodness!!! There were beautiful Cowboys all over the place = )

From the pagentry of the Grand Entry Parade to the 2nd half of the Bull Riding it was awesome. I will advise though bull riding is not for the faint of heart. The Tennessee Walking Horses were out of control cool and the Circle L5 Drill Team was super very impressive. And the Rodeo Announcer Kevin Woodson was hilarious - he's not overly found of bulls!! The coolest part of the night came during the Ladies Barrel Racing, there was a little girl (she looked to be maybe 5 or 6 years old) who competed, and it does not matter what the time clock said, she was hands down the people's choice for winner.

Hats off to Mr. Cleo Hearn, the Rodeo's producer!! It was so much funn and I can't wait for the 2009 rodeo season. Who knows even I may learn how to ride a horse. = 0

Girlfriends!!

It's pretty well established that everybody loves a good party and nothing is better than a good party with great friends. Last weekend was no exception, we partied like RockStars into the wee hours of the morning celebrating Victoria's birthday. I've known Victoria for 10 or 11 years now and I promise every year she just gets cooler and cooler!!! A little crazier too, but hey - it comes with the territory.

Leo Trio B-Day Celebration

Saturday night was incredible - even with the surprise down pour 30 minutes before party time!!! Old friends and new friends alike came out to toast the Leo Trio + 1. There was dancing, good music, good drinks (thanks in part to yours truly - THE INTOXICOLOGIST) and great food. Everyone looked wonderful and from the smiles all over the place they felt pretty good too!

The best part in my opinion is the fact that after the year my family has had we're still able to come together and really truly have fun and smile in the midst of it all. It was weird having a party without my Aunt Margie and Uncle Edgar but I have a strong feeling they were there dancing into the wee hours of the morning with us!

Party Time

Oh my goodness, time is flying. When I first decided to start blogging I was so sure I'd be on every other week updating and so on - um' not really. July slipped by without a post and August is half over. August is off to a rip roaring start I might add - there are 11 birthdays to celebrate, 6 parties to attend and several happy hours in between. I'm not complaining though, its either this or yard work. (Nah, still haven't planted those Blue Bonnet seeds!)

This summer has definitely been full of events and surprises! And I have to be honest I am kind of looking forward to the fall and things settling down a bit. But I'm sure if my arm was twisted properly I could get used to all the hustle and bustle.

My Uncle, My Friend

It's been a week since my Uncle Edgar passed and it still doesn't seem real. He was so nice and so full of life and now he's gone. Way too soon if you ask me, but I trust God and I know he doesn't make mistakes. I know I will see my Uncle again and the thought of that makes me smile, but I still miss him. Here's my advice: do yourself a favor - play nice with others, kiss the people you love and make it a point to smile at a stranger. I know sounds so corny, but at the end of the day those are the things that will light the path to destiny.

Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.

The Best Birthday Ever

Greetings!!!

Since my last post, I'm out of the fracture boots, I've moved in and gotten settled in my new place (for the most part - decorating is a never ending process) and had the best birthday ever!!! Victoria Stephanie Kristi Gutierrez is A PARTY PHENOM!!! I had the absolute most fun ever! The presents were outstanding - the cake was AWESOME!!! And don't get me started on the DRINKS!!! And guess who got serenaded by a very HOT guy!! Oh yeah - its me!!!!