I am Thankful...

I am thankful for my family and friends because they somehow teach me, support me and love me unconditionally.
I am thankful for my fiance, Neil, because he truly amazes me more and more everyday I get to love him.
I am thankful for my mom and future mother-in-law, Barbara and Sallie, because they are my role models and I couldn't ask for better.
I am thankful for my dogs, Little and Maisie, because they magically make sadness and anxiety disappear.
I am thankful for my house because it is becoming our home.
I am thankful for my colleagues because they inspire me and challenge me to become a better professional.
I am thankful to live in a country where anything is possible and no dream is too small or too big to come true.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Psalm 118:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

Pro-Care Spine Center in San Antonio is OPEN!

Hat's off to everyone at the clinic (and their supportive families) for all the hard that went into the training, building and opening of the Pro-Care Spine Center San Antonio location. It was a learning process from start to finish and we are so proud to say the clinic is open for business.

B and N are truly an amazing team in my book- I continue to be impressed and inspired as I see how many lives are helped by them and the incredible Pro-Care Spine Center team.

To live in pain is no way to live at all- and I am glad we have so many ways to help people improve their heath without the use of drugs and medications.

Just a few of the ways my life has been improved by the Pro-Care Spine Center...

1. My back doesn't hurt anymore...

2. I can snowboard with no fear!

3. I eat a healthy breakfast every morning thanks to Standard Process vitamin shakes!

4. I am leaner and meaner thanks to Standard Process vitamins and supplements
5. I am preventing possible future health complications for me and my family thanks to my specific nutrition program

6. I have a solution for friends and family who are suffering with health problems...

7. Most Important Reason! ---NEIL!!!

Above are a few shots of the new San Antonio location the day before we opened for business...

It was all hands on deck to get equipment in place, cabinets hung, and floors swept. A and I were the super-shopping duo, while the guys handled the handi-work and wiring at the clinic. A kept everyone smiling with his incredibly cheerful disposition and contagious laugh. He is the poster child for a perfect baby!

Congratulations to everyone!

Washington D.C. and the Cowboys vs. Redskins Game

What a cool trip! N and I surprised K for his birthday... not our great idea- his wonderful wife, E, set the whole thing up. We toured around the D.C. area, spending some at the Arlington Cemetery, Washington Monument, Lincoln Monument, and the White House, of course. The weather was perfectly FALL- cool to cold with a shower here and there... very unlike our Texas Fall weather... (it's 80 degrees F today :).

I remember hearing my mom wish to return to Virginia to see her tall trees and experience her 4 seasons... I can understand now why she loved living there... it is truly beautiful, and full of life and energy.

The Cowboys game was AWESOME! We won! Although it was bitterly cold, we were prepared with hand-warmers and adult beverages to keep us warm and happy!

I loved learning more about the dynamics of our government and world through first hand experience. I visited as a child, but this time was more meaningful. As adults, we understand how much we are invested in the world around us. I think all high school seniors should visit D.C. at the end of their senior year... for a multitude of reasons... but I'll save that for another post :)

Thank you to K, E and Lexie for hosting us! You are welcome at our house anytime!

Baby Glow

I've heard about the "glow" a girl gets when she's pregnant... but here she is in person- Holly is glowing! She's now six months pregnant with her and Mike's first baby girl. Holly, Mike and the new baby have been in our prayers since the Hurricane Ike paid a visit to their neighborhood and home town, Galveston, TX. Ike wiped out their wedding, their house and their yard, but not their spirit. The house is back in order and the nursery is coming along nicely. Good job Holly and Mike!

Texas Tech is #2!

What a GREAT game- AGAIN! Texas Tech is the real deal this year! We celebrated with Matt, wings, drinks, and one VERY happy N!

From ESPN:

No scoreboard watching necessary for Texas Tech.
Less than 24 hours after the Red Raiders gave the national championship race a makeover by defeating then-No. 1 Texas, they received more good news when the BCS standings were released Sunday.
Texas Tech was in second place, behind Alabama and just ahead of third-place Penn State.
If the undefeated Red Raiders of the Big 12 and undefeated Crimson Tide of the Southeastern Conference win out, they will likely meet in the BCS national championship game in Miami on Jan. 8.

Now if only the Cowboys can pull one out this weekend!

The weather has made my dogs go crazy...

As always in Texas, Fall is a mixture of warm and cool days, with the sporadic cold front that blows in and reminds us it's actually not ALWAYS hot in Texas. Every time a cold front blows in- my hilarious dogs- Little and Maisie- go CRAZY. Yesterday, I came home to find them literally sprinting laps around the yard... hurdling each other with an impressive agility I have only begun to observe in our newest addition, Maisie. I stood speechless, watching the dogs from the door until they finally spotted me and waited to come inside. That evening- they were thoroughly tuckered out... until this morning... when they could not contain themselves one again...

Something about that cool air- that gets them running like there's no tomorrow... now if I could only get myself running that fast...

Baby Day!

Saturday after Halloween night... we woke up bright and early for a day of babies. First was Neil's precious nephew's 1st birthday party. Ana did a fabulous job with the party, keeping everyone happy with a homemade breakfast taco buffet and mimosas. The little kids were having a blast on the new play scape and Alexander was babbling and giggling away with his best beautiful baby friend, Paola.

Miss Laura from Gymboree came to sing songs and play with the kids... this was very funny to watch. The funniest moment of the party was Alexander's first piece of birthday cake. He sat neatly in his high chair... gently poking his chocolate cake with one finger, then opting to use his mouth only! No messy hands for Alexander!

After a much needed cat-nap- we were off to Michele's baby shower! It was so much fun to catch up with some fellow TxState ADPi's. Michele is very loved by her friends and everyone is so excited for the arrival of Baby Bryce Lee. In addition to the yummy drinks, cake and burgers, these baby showers are seriously educational- I learned all about giving birth in a hospital parking lot... and mastitis. Haha! What a great baby day :)

We're going to the Chapel...

N and I have set a date for the wedding- April 11, 2009! We'll confirm all the details this weekend when we visit the venue...after I finish my ESL Certification Test and before the Cowboys game... it's a constant balance between work and life! It's been an eventful few months- between weddings, babies and getting the San Antonio clinic open- we are doing well to make sure our own wedding planning is under way! Speaking of wedding planning... not the easiest task in the world- but thanks to some great advice from friends and family- everything is coming along just fine. Keep it coming ladies!