{A Grateful Heart with Ember Grey}

Happy Thursday friends!

I am finally getting a spare moment to write my Grateful Heart post for this week! Linking up with Ember Grey.




This past Saturday we celebrated Nathan's Great Aunt, Margaret's 90th  birthday. Ninety wonderful years! The birthday party was a surprise and a success. If I had to guess I would say there were 50+ people there to celebrate her. I was so blessed to be at her 80th and now her 90th. I love to sit and listen to all the stories that are told and the love that everyone shares for Aunt Margaret. It's remarkable! 

I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing family! 

What are you Grateful for this week? 

{Goals // Getting healthy}

I wrote on my 2015 Goals post that I wanted to get healthy. Well, last Friday started that journey for me. Friday evening we were driving around looking for something to do {and honestly, to get away from the constant circus that is our dogs for a bit} and on a whim I asked Nate if he wanted to go check out the YMCA. He quickly obliged. It's something we have always wanted to do, ya know, in the 8 years we have lived here, but just never have.

We went in, talked to the front desk and she offered us a tour. She was only 2 weeks into the job and every room was "We pretty much have everything you need in here" ha! But, we liked what we saw. And the child area was pretty great too, with an outdoor play area for warmer days. Then she told us about the January special of only $15 joiner fee {normally $95} and we couldn't sign up fast enough!  

Coincidentally I also started my diet that day, not knowing we'd end up getting a YMCA membership.

We had plans all weekend and wasn't able to visit the gym. But, I did keep up with my diet all weekend, even at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo which was filled with lots of fried goodness! Come Monday we couldn't get there fast enough! 
  

>>> G O A L S <<<

+ lose 40ish pounds
+ build muscle
+ build endurance
+ build strength

and maybe, just maybe a bikini body? Ha! Reaching there...

>>> D I E T <<<

+ no carbs
+ no diet sodas
+ lots and lots of water

>>> W O R K O U T <<<

This was my week. 

+ Monday - 2.5 miles on the elliptical
+ Tuesday - 2.5 miles on the elliptical, started a squat challenge 
+ Wednesday - 1.5 miles on the elliptical, squat challenge, kettlebell exercises
+Thursday - 1 mile on the elliptical, 2.54 miles on the bike, squat challenge. kettlebell exercises

The plan is to build up to at least an hour of cardio a day. I will start incorporating ab exercises and weights.   
 

What's your workout like? Any songs you recommend for a playlist?


 

{Glorious weather in Texas calls for park dates}

We have had some glorious weather here in Texas this week!! We are soakin' it up and enjoying it while we can. It's supposed to be back to cold and rainy this weekend. Bummer! Yesterday I went to the gym early, so after I picked up Mason from school and we went straight to the park. He was ecstatic!!!







Although everyone had the same exact idea as us, we had a blast!! We played on the tire swing, played maze runner through the maze, climbed on the huge tree, and then went across to the other side of the park for swings and slides! Then the ice cream truck came and Mason picked out a Batman! He was so excited. We don't get ice cream trucks in our neighborhood, so it's a rare treat!

I just cherish these little dates with my sweet little guy!!
 

{A Grateful Heart // Getting Fit}

Linking up with Ember Grey for A Grateful Heart

This week has been all about starting my journey to get fit. So this week I am thankful for:

+ the YMCA
+ supportive husband
+ supportive child
+ supportive family & friends
+ the children's area at the gym
+ advil to help with the headaches from no caffeine/sugar
+ motivation and motivators
+ the blessing of working at home and being able to fit in exercises throughout the day
+ spotify and Christian workout playlists
+ water
+ comfy shoes

What are you Grateful for this week? Have you ever linked up with Emily? If not, I encourage you to do so. :))

{Texas Tuesday // Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo}

Happy Texas Tuesday y'all!!! 

What is Texas Tuesday? A chance for you to show off the awesomeness that is TEXAS!! You can blog about anything; restaurants, vacation spots, venues, concerts, your hometown, shops, fashion, sports, etc. The linkup is not limited to Texans, we just ask that the post is about Texas.  

{Friday randomness//about me}

Happy finally Friday friends! I am so, so glad it's Friday. Not that it's been a bad week, but I just love our weekends!! No school, no work, no early bedtimes! Can I get an amen?! Tomorrow is our annual trip to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and I am pretty excited! I love the FWSSR!! And the group we go with {we have 21 going this year!}. Have you ever been to the FWSSR?

I saw this over on Courtney's blog and thought it would be a fun Friday post! A fun way to get to know the actual blogger! I am almost certain I talk more about my boys on this blog than myself. They are just cooler and cuter. :))



Four names that people call me other than my real name:

1- Mommy
2- Babe
3- Crys
4- friend

Four jobs I’ve had:

1- Telemarketing for the Dallas Morning News {blah!!!}
2- Data Entry
3- Senior Account Manager {1999 - current}
4- 
 
Four movies you’ve watched more than once:
  
1- 8 Seconds
2- Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
3- Urban Cowboy
4- Ninja Turtles {the new one}

Four books I’d recommend:

1- The Bible :))
2- Can You Keep a Secret
3- Harry Potter Series
4- The Best Yes

Four places I’ve lived:

1- Grand Prairie, TX
2- Irving, TX
3- Duncanville, TX
4- Waxahachie, TX 

Four Places you have visited:

1- Disney World
2- Colorado
3- Smokey Mountains, TN
4- St. Louis, MO

{I think I need a tropical vacation!!!} 

Four places I’d rather be right now:

1- The Smokey's
2- The beach
3- Vegas
4- Anywhere with my boys!

Four things I don’t eat:

1- Seafood
2- Onions 
3- Anything on a bone
4- Quail/Dove

Four of my favorite foods:

1- Pizza
2- Salads
3- Italian
4- Mexican

Four things I’m looking forward to this year: 

1- Vacation!
2- Our 9 year wedding anniversary, 19th total year
3- Weekend trips
4- Babies!

Four things I’m always saying:

1- I love you so much!
2- Oh you're so cute!
3- NO!!!!!! {usually to Gunner}
4- Really?!?

Any plans for the weekend?

{Kindergarten...Choosing to be Grateful}

My new all-time favorite picture of Mason!

Linking up with Ember Grey for a Grateful Heart

So...I know in my Goals//What I'm looking forward to post I put Pre-K Graduation and Kindergarten...but honestly, that's a big fat lie. I should have wrote that those are two things Mason is looking forward to. But his Mama? Not so much! I'm not ready for it. It's clouding my brain and making me so very weepy.

One day I was picking Mason up from school and without any warning his teacher said, "Pre-K graduation is Friday, May 22"...do you know how bad I had to fight back the tears?? It was hard. So hard. But once I got in the car it was a free for all and the waterworks started. And then I had to tell Nate in our daily afternoon call after school. More tears.

How can my sweet little baby be graduating Pre-K and gearing up for Kindergarten already? Wasn't it just yesterday we were at the hospital having him? Right?

I know that he's in school now, but Kindergarten just seems so much bigger, so much different. It's stepping out of my comfort zone and into a big new world. New school, new teachers, new kids, new routine, new, new, new. Mason is at the best school on the planet right now and I just don't know how anything else can compare.

Which leads me to the thing that is probably bothering me the most. The school district we are zoned to. But, that's a whole other post. 

Ever day this week Mason has brought home something in his folder that reminds me just how close we are to Pre-K Graduation; teacher/parent conference for the first semester assessment and to talk about graduation and Kindergarten, graduation field trip {to the Ranger game! Yeah} permission slip, if he will need transportation to/from school from FHK, etc! And each time I have to sign one of those forms I cry just a little harder.

Please tell me I'm not the only weepy Mama?

But, Mason is excited about graduation. He thinks it's so cool that he gets to wear a cap and gown and that he gets to keep it. He's ecstatic about going to big school and to Kindergarten. 

So, starting today I am going to choose to be grateful. Grateful that he's excited. Grateful for the time we've had at FHK and for his amazing teacher that has helped gear him up for Kindergarten. Grateful for how far he has come and for all that he has learned {and yet to learn}. Grateful that I will get to spend everyday of the entire Summer with him between the time he graduates Pre-K and starts Kinder. Grateful that I get to be this amazing little boy's Mama. 

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What are you grateful for this week?

{Weekend Wrap-up // Birthday weekend // Announcement}

Happy Tuesday friends!! 

I was going to post this yesterday...but decided I wanted to touch a computer as less as possible yesterday. It was a holiday for Nate & Mason so they were home. It was a normal work day for me, but it was pretty slow because it was a holiday for many of our clients. We got TONS done to the house and even started a couple of projects!! We were on our feet almost all day...and it hurt so good! :) I'm on a 'purge' phase where I want to clean out and de-clutter. I started with my bathroom yesterday. Its crazy how fast a girl can accumulate beauty products!! Then we worked on the bedroom. I used birthday gift cards to get a new bedding set, curtains and nightstand covers for our room. We are loving it! Hubbs is making us a new headboard using fence planks. I can't wait to see it come together. It was a busy, but very productive Monday!

New bedding & Diesel approves

Start of our headboard

But lets back track....it was such a good weekend. Friday night we went to dinner with my family to an awesome burger joint! Everyone loved what they ordered and I loved the atmosphere & decor. I wish I would have taken some pictures. 

Saturday morning we got up and ready and trucked on over to Fort Worth to meet up with The Haneys. We had a fabulous lunch on the patio at Uncle Julios. It was so nice to sit and catch up with them. Plus, I got to love on Baby T and that made my heart so happy. I barely sat down before she was climbing into my lap...LOVE! She played with my hair and my earrings and told me all about the FWSSR parade! Goodness I love that sweet girl! After lunch we went to Cabelas for some shopping! Always a good time at Cabelas. I am so so thankful I met Amanda over 4 years ago through blogging! She's one of my best friends and I love her dearly! Our hubbys love each other too, which is a bonus. We got home around 9pm {i think} and walked in to hear Mason say, "Mama where did these cupcakes come from?" My parent snuck into our house and left me cupcakes, flowers and birthday money! SO sweet!!!




Oh and the Haneys brought us a tail fin from an old windmill. We hung it in our living room and we're in love with it.




Sunday was my birthday. Nate worked until 9:30 am. It started as a normal day for me because I neglected housework the other days. So I had to clean, do laundry and grocery shop. The weather was nice so we go to play outside. Mason played with his neighbor friends and had a great time. That evening we went to dinner with Nate's family to Olive Garden. It was delicious and we found a new Moscato that we love! Winna winna!!!! After supper we went back to Nate's parent's house and they showered me with entirely too many gifts! It was a great time visiting with everyone and they made me feel so special! 

Also...

>>>ANNOUNCEMENT<<<

Amanda and I are bringing back Texas Tuesday! Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Not familiar with Texas Tuesday?

What is Texas Tuesday? A chance for you to show off the awesomeness that is TEXAS!! You can blog about anything; restaurants, vacation spots, venues, concerts, your hometown, shops, fashion, sports, etc. The linkup is not limited to Texans, we just ask that the post is about Texas.

We will start it back up next Tuesday the 27th and we'd love to have you join us!!! Grab the button below!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.masonsmama.com/" title="Hall Around Texas"><img src="http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/chall1018/Texas%20Tuesday%202015/TT2_zps22d014a7.png" alt="Hall Around Texas" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

That was our weekend! How was yours? Do anything exciting?  

{Things Mason says}

We were blessed with such a great & witty kid. The things Mason says never ceases to amaze us. I try to write them all down because I never want to forget this stuff!


---------- 

"Daddy guess what? I blew a kiss up to God and Jesus." 11/28


---------- 

"Hey Mom when we wake up in the mornings I am always going to be down in the bottom of my sleeping bag. I just wanted to let you know so that you wouldn't be scared that I got eaten or lost. 12/17


---------- 

Talking to Diesel...

"There's gonna be a man coming into our house in 3 days. He will have a big red bag, but don't worry he's not trying to steal anything. He's Santa Claus and he has toys in that bag. 12/24


---------- 



"Mama, you know why I pray all day? Because I want Jesus to know I love him so much. And to give him thanks for my food." 1/6/15

----------

"Mama, you always lead me to your heart and to Jesus. And all of our hearts love each other." 1/6/15

---------- 

I was asking Mason about boys night with his dad {I met up with some girlfriends to plan a wedding} and he said...

"We got pizza at Little Sleazers" 1/10/15

---------- 

Mason and I got in the car to go to the grocery store and he says...

"Finally, I get to hear my Jesus music." 1/10/15

----------  

Nathan and I were getting Mason out of the bath and he started doing the helicopter with his boys bits...Nate laughs and I just shake my head and said maybe we do need a baby girl in this house {because there is SO much boy in this house and I am outnumbered} and the conversation went a little like this...

"Yay, that's what I wanted was a baby girl sister"

I said oh really?

"Yes, if we get to get one I want a sister!" 

So I say And just where are we going to get one? {fully expecting him to say the hospital, duh} 

"From GOD!"

I just looked at Nate with tears in my eyes and Nate looks at Mason and says we kind of had a talk about it the other night, right bud?

"Yep, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit" 1/13/15

We cracked up! 


---------- 

I had a hard time getting Mason to leave school and when we got home I was looking through his folder and told him that he had homework. He says...

"Yay, I love homework."

whaaaa? Definitely documenting this, because, well that's obvious!


----------  
  
"Thank you God for not letting me be sick today because I'm excited about bubble day at school. 1/14/15  


What are some of the funny things your kid has said lately?

 

{2015 // Goals // Looking forward to}

>>> GOALS <<<

+ get healthy
+ take more pictures & videos {not with my iPhone}
+ get into a good church-going/Sunday routine
+ start bible studies with Mason
+ shop for Christmas throughout the year instead of the month of
+ go on more dates with the husband
+ pay off more debt
+ save more money
+ find a new doctor closer to home
+ get organized
+ clean out clutter
+ be more present
+ blog more 
+ get books or pictures printed
+ go on nightly walks with the dogs {when weather is nice}
+ read the Word every day
+ some minor home diys/updates 

{I'm sure this list will grow}

>>> TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2015 <<<

+ my birthday
+ the fort worth ss and rodeo {Nate's 33rd, my 19th, Mason's 5th time to go}
+ our 9 year wedding anniversary & 19th dating anniversary
+ Mason's Pre-K graduation
+ Mason starting Kindergarten
+ my best friend's wedding
+ t-ball
+ Mason turns FIVE {this one is bittersweet}

++ Maybe a baby?

Also...I am still praying about my "ONE LITTLE WORD" for 2015. Do you have one? Share, I'd love to read about it.

{A Grateful Heart Monday}

Good morning and Happy Monday!! Hope your weekend was good. I can't believe it's already Monday. It was so, so hard to get out of bed this morning. I wanted to so bad to be a grump, but my little Mason Lane woke up in a great mood and it snapped me back pretty quick. So thankful for that little one and the daily reminders he gives me.

So, instead of being a grump I'm going to start off my Monday by joining in with Emily for A Grateful Heart. If you haven't checked out this link-up yet, I encourage you to do so.




This week I am grateful for...

+ family
+ good doctor reports
+ friendships; old and new
+ girl time {me & my girlfriends}
+ boy time {nate & mason}
+ prayers; both answered and unanswered
+ a hardworking husband


What are you grateful for?

{Currently / Vol 3}

Reading // Living So That by Wendy Blight {making faith-filled choices in the midst of a messy life} & the bible & She Reads Truth John study
 
Feeling // If I'm being honest...overwhelmed, stressed, worried. Lots going on.

Eating // A pizza lunchable. I'm 5.
 
Thinking about // A better question is what am I not thinking about?
 
Looking forward to // Diving into my journaling bible, the Ft. Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, 2015!

Praying//  For guidance, for healing, for many other things. Can I pray for you?

Listening //  It's been all Jamie Grace for me lately. Her music always puts me in a great mood! She's so fun and adorable. And Mason loves her too. 

Watching // Just finished watching the pilot for Empire. Eh. Not sure if it's one I will continue or not. But...FIXER UPPER!! If you haven't watched this one yet I encourage you to do so. It's great! And it all happens about an hour and 15 minutes from my home. So cool! Joanna and Chip are definitely our style!! We love every house they fix up! LOVE! 

Loving // Life lately. I'm so blessed and just thank God every day for all that I have been given. I have a sweet little boy who fills my heart with so much joy, a husband that loves me something fierce, an amazing family, I work from home, Mason's school is awesome, our church is awesome. So much to love!   >>> I wrote this in my last currently post and it's all still very much true!
 
What are you up to lately? If you've written a 'currently' post lately leave the link below! I'd love to read it. 

{Christmas Eve // Christmas Day}

I will get caught up...I will get caught up....

I am sure everyone is way past Christmas and already decorating for Valentines Day by now, but I couldn't go without posting about our Christmas.

It was good.

Real good.

I didn't take many pictures and was more present this year. But I do have a few to share. Our Christmases worked out well this year and we didn't have to be at 6 different places at one time. It was so nice! 

Christmas Eve we hung out at our house for a while and then went to Nate's parents house as we do every year. Nathan's mom orders a chicken nugget tray and fruit tray from Chick-fil-A and we eat that and other snack foods. We just hang out until 7 pm when the Christmas Story marathon starts. Mason got more into it this year than ever before. Nate's mom let him open one gift, which was a Ninja Turtle pillow. He was so excited!!










After the Halls we went back to get our cookies & reindeer food ready. Mason actually went to sleep pretty quick. But, not before singing Happy Birthday Jesus. I got it on camera. {It's just a black screen because we were in bed} It made me cry like a baby. I want to remember this sweet little voice for always.


  Happy Birthday Jesus from Crystal Hall on Vimeo.

Santa came and we caught him on camera this year. ;)




 

Christmas Day we woke up a little before 8:30 to get ready for Mason to see what Santa brought. I went to the living room to get the camera ready and such while Nate woke up Mason. He had a hard time waking him up at first! Nate had to remind him a few times that Santa came. I got the cutest video of him!









After Mason opened presents at our house and played with them a bit we loaded up and went to Nate's parent's house to open more gifts. We got way too much stuff and had a way good time withe everyone! We took our annual bow on the head and had 3 more people in our pictures this year {Michelle/Ty's girlfriend, Kelli/Jordan's wife, and Diesel}.

I can't believe it's all over! I'm already looking forward to next year!

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

{Oh Hey Friday!}

Oh man am I behind...I chalk it up to the holidays, Nate being on Christmas shutdown, Mason is on furlough from school, and I have been working {at home Thank God!!} for two this week. I can't tell you how thankful I was for yesterday! A one day break in the middle of the week sure is nice. I slept in, had breakfast ready {from my wonderful inlaws} when I woke up, got to lounge in my pjs until almost 3:30pm and then went to visit my family. Good, I tell ya! All good.

So much to catch up on...but for now, it's oh hey Friday a link up. 


{O N E}

One day I will post about our Christmas! One day. At this point it feels so overwhelming and like soo much to get together. Pictures on my phone, pictures on my camera, lots of editing to do, lots to say etc. But, I will get there. I will say that it was amazing and one of the best yet!! I am so sad to see December go. It's one of my favorite months.

{T W O}

I'm not ready for my husband to go back to work! Christmas shutdown spoils us like crazy! He has been off since the 23rd of December and goes back on Monday. Boo Hoo! Which also means back to school for Mason. So sad! I'm going to soak up and enjoy every single second of this weekend, for sure!!! 



{T H R E E} 

Thanks to Stephanie at Wife Mommy Me I found this amazing 2015 challenge by Kenzie at Chasing my Extraordinary. I can't wait to join in! Sounds like a fun challenge to me. Let me know if you decide to join in as well.

{F O U R}

I got the one and only thing on my Christmas list this year...a journaling bible! I am so excited to dive into this. Do you journal bible? Any tips or pictures or posts to share?





{F I V E}

via