2017...

Well, here we are 3 1/2 months later to my dear, neglected blog...  Where does the time go?  And now it's 2017!  It's going to take a month or so saying and writing 2017...  It just doesn't seem possible. 

Now the resolutions start; like limiting the number of Diet Dr. Peppers I consume on a weekly basis - (It's bad when the carhop at Sonic knows your name), drinking more water, less reality TV that does nothing but kill brain cells like Vanderpump Rules, but the Bachelor is here to stay even with good, old Nick:( - avid, loyal watcher from the beginning, eating less carbs and bean burritos with extra cheese and sour cream from Taco Villa, working out on a CONSISTENT basis (I can find EVERY excuse these days for not working out:), MANY MORE.  You get the idea...

But this year, I want to focus more on meaningful goals and resolutions.  To worry less and give up control (Oh boy - this one is going to be a DOOZY.  This chic loves some control - Poor Brad), to do more random acts of kindness, to become more actively involved in our church, to live in the moment with my two favorite guys, and ultimately putting God in control of my life and "my" timeline (or lack their of)... 

2016 was a great year with many highs and some lows...  Our first full year being back in Lubbock where it so close to family - (An hour and a half from Bob and Bebo! - SCORE!), and so close to DeDe, aunts, uncles and cousins...  Besides the nasty wind and monstrous tumbleweeds, we are so happy to be back!  Trash and teaching have been amazing this year.  Brad and I are so happy and blessed with both of our jobs...  Ledger is healthy, still the worst sleeping toddler in America, but thriving and we are so happy with his school and his amazing teacher Kelli.  She has been a total Godsend, and nothing makes a mother's heart happier as when you drop off your child in the morning and he literally sprints into his classroom, waves and says, "Bye Mommy! I love you!"  The best feeling...  And my friends; I have been blessed with the best girlfriends a girl could ask for...  Whether in Canyon, Lubbock around the corner, in Dallas or back in Louisiana, these girls are my rock... 

I have a hopeful expectation of the future; 2017 to be exact.  The last part of this year I feel as though I focused more on what I could fix or control or selfishly asking the question "WHY ME?" rather than praying to God for his wisdom and guidance. 

After spending MANY months trying to get pregnant, then finally becoming pregnant this fall, being elated was an understatement.  We were thrilled...  But exactly 43 days later we found out that dream was shattered into a million pieces and a couple's worst nightmare was now our reality.  This was definitely a valley that Brad and I trudged through this fall.  A heart-wrenching and confusing time for sure, but here we are.  I have learned that I have zero control over this (or anything for that matter) and through this sad season,  I am now starting to slowly understand that there is only one person I should be running to....  (Not my Mom - She is at the top of my list:), but God. 

2017 is going to be an amazing year...  I just know it!  I have so much to be thankful for and I choose to focus on the positive;  the laughter, my family, my amazing husband, my healthy independent, stubborn, lovely 2-year-old that seems to be going on 9, my other spunky 42 children in Room 215, my amazing co-workers that I call friends, my health, God's grace and a fresh year with new beginnings and opportunities.

SO I leave you with my favorite pics this fall and winter....

 Trunk or Treat Fun

These girls...

  Ledger finally getting to meet Dexter; aka Brad's dog that lives with Dede in San Antonio.  After months of watching Dexter videos and chatting via phone, they finally met.  Kind of like online dating.  It was love at first site:)

We love our Dede...  

 I love this special relationship so much...

We loved escaping to this place over Thanksgiving...

 Meltdown #256 

 Sweet, sweet relationship and bond these two share.

 This lady I get to call Mom...

 Trying out for the Family Feud in Dallas with these crazies...  Sad to announce that we have not heard anything, so it looks like our 30 minutes of fame are long gone or our postcard got lost in the mail.  Boooooo!!

 Meltdown #765

 Gets me every time....  Hahaha.  Every time we drive past the corner where Santa's house was, Ledger says, "No Santa - Bye Santa!"  Maybe next year.

 Uncle Cody reading the advent with the four oldest bebes...

LOVE!

 Christmas cookies with these sweet girls. Aka "Tessie and Tameron" in Ledger's vocabulary.

 My two guys...  My heart!

 These two.  5 weeks a part. Already partners in crime.  Lordie!

Ellis and Ledger - Perfection.

2016 Christmas 

Hodges - Wainscott

Couldn't ask for better people to go through life with!

Happy New Year All.  Bring on 2017!

~H

 

Back in the Swing of Things...

Ok, ok....  Here we are the first of September.  Summer is officially over, we are starting Week 3 of school and the blog has suffered.  Terribly...

Week 1 and 2 kicked my BUTT...  Brad was gone from Monday to Thursday night and let me tell you; I have a new found respect for single parents.  It's TOUGH.  And I only have one child.  So, needless to say, there have been a couple cereal dinners, drive thru Rosa's, lots of vino for this Mommy, and early bedtimes for the kid and me; seeing as he has decided NOT to sleep through the night anymore.  OMG....  I mean he has to be the worst night sleeper of any kid I know.  I need someone to invent an Ambien for a toddler.  Like yesterday.  I'll pay BIG.

 But on a happier note, I had one last getaway with this stud.  Santa Fe was great.  Ate and drank our way through the city.  And sleep...glorious sleep was had by all.

Loved all the flowers and bright colors.  

Love this guy!

 The following weekend was Girl's Weekend at PK!  Holy Moly, I have never seen so much stuff, food, beverages and more stuff packed into one Tahoe and one Suburban!  We barely had room for us....

Super fun time with these girlfriends.  My sides hurt from laughing so much...

Our welcoming committee...

We could have fed all of PK.  We had enough food for a month...

I don't think PK will ever be the same after this bunch left... 

 A fabulous weekend we all wish we could do twice a month, every month. I don't think the husbands would be on board for that at all though...

Then a couple weeks later, this little, TINY hottie got married.  I mean not many girls could pull off this dress.  AND...  she doesn't work out.  Sickening.  But I still love her.  Genes, good genes.  Sigh...

Stunning Mrs. Fisher!

A super fun night celebrating Barry and Amy...

 Cass came into town and we just had to meet up!

Steaks for Bob and Bebo...

Not much love here:)....

18 month check up..  We have a tall boy.  I was glad to see that his head circumference had gone down.  Dude had one LARGE Hodges head as a baby...

We love EVERYTHING BOOKS.  Books in the bed, books in the car, books in the cart at Market Street.  Books everywhere.....

Last but not least, I don't know what small, evil being has taken over my sweet, little Ledger's body and soul, but I am about OVER IT!  19 months and he can through a fit like I have never seen.  Brad's nickname for him is "Little Heather."  Yep, I am paying for my raising. Sorry Mom and Dad....  That was probably a long 18 years.  My bad...

Happy Monday...

Hooray for a 4 day work week and a Red Raider WIN! 

Love,

~H

 

 

 

 

 

Well, Hello There...

The blog hiatus is over... 

I would love to say that I have been too busy to blog, but that would be a lie.  No, I am not pregnant and nauseous and hugging the toilet as a couple people have asked why the blogs have stopped. Time has just gotten away from me...  Lots of Ledger time, pool time, play dates and just being plain LAZY.  But I guess that is what summers are for.  

But that is about to come to an abrupt halt very soon.  I am in complete denial.  It.is.nearly.over - UGH!

So here is a huge photo dump of all that has been happening here on the home front!

 Headed to Dallas to celebrate this spunky, little girl's birthday!  The cutest donut party you have ever seen...  Christy should have been a party planner.  Ridiculously cute!

 Happy 3rd Bday MJ!  This shirt and donut leggings kill me.  This kid loves a donut!

Got to sneak away that afternoon to meet sweet Gwynnie!  

And then on Sunday, sweet Maren was dedicated at church.  

Even though she is camera shy:) 

 Summer lunches at Mommy's favorite fast-food establishment...

 4th of July Parade Fun...

 Or not...  Was not the least bit enthused.

 I am sure their conversation is centered around about what a beat down Mom was making us sit out in 90 degree weather, at 8:30 in the morning, waiting on a dang parade...

 Before and After the Parade Festivities...Not impressed.

 Fun 4th of July Party at the Christy's!  This made up for the parade:)

 Lots and I mean lots of bubbles this summer...

 Best $47 I have ever spent at Walmart...

 If I have to read this book one more time, I may end it all.  I can read this book backwards, upside down and in my sleep.  I can only make farm animal sounds and say "Beep, Beep, Beep" so many times.  This one may get lost...  Accidentally of course:)

 Hanging with his girl Bob...

And his girl Jentri...

 And Facetiming with his girl, Greta, back in Louisiana. 

Miss this sweet face and her Momma.

 His favorite accessory these days...

Fun at the Science Spectrum...

 Triple the fun at the SS when these three crazies come into town!  

L loves his Knoxie and Briggsy...

 And Dede and Grandma were here this past weekend!  SO much fun for the two of them to come stay with us.

Dede read, read and read some more with this book obsessed boy!  

Hey, there could be worse things?!?!  And watched puppy videos on her phone:)  Ledger ADORED being with his Dede. 

He loves his great-grandmother too, aka Grandma!  SO glad Grandma could make the trip too!

My pasty white, white baby...  Lots of just chilling time this summer!

Well, that about wraps it up in a nutshell.  Hard to believe it is almost over.  

But two more trips are on the schedule for the Wainscott's and one girl's trip!

Up next, Daddy and Mommy's ALONE trip to Santa Fe.  

Tomorrow cannot get here soon enough...

And my husband didn't understand why you have to meet for two + hours one night with wine to discuss a Girl's Trip food and drink menu.  It's called "planning." Sigh...

This is going to be a fun one - No husbands, kids or pets.  Woohoo!

I hope everyone's summer is going great.  School will be here before we all know it.  Dear Lord, where did summer go?  I know all the non-teachers have ZERO sympathy for us teachers.   Like they are all rolling their eyes right now at this very moment...:)

Love,

~H