Well, It's Been Awhile!

How did I SKIP the entire month of July???? Well, I think I know why. :)

First of all, I feel like I "need" to put up pictures every time I blog. Simple, right? NO, wrong. All my pics from my camera are on my OLD laptop. And I'm usually using my NEW laptop and am too lazy to walk upstairs and get the old one!!! LOL. So, tonight I have a few minutes and just thought I'd write a non-photo blog!!! Imagine that! But, I think that a non-photo blog is better than no blog at all!

So, July was busy, busy, busy! Next time I write I will post pics of our many adventures. We began the month with a short trip to Mission to visit Gonzalo's family and take care of some much-needed business. Did I mention that we have some land down there? Well, we do. And the county decided to raise the property taxes by 419% this year! Yes, FOUR HUNDRED NINETEEN percent! Which means (for all the non-math peeps out there), that they quadrupled! So, needless to say we had to fight a battle, which we ended up winning. Yipee! We had a great visit with Gonzalo's family while we were there, and we ended our July 4th by watching Sea World's fireworks from our bedroom window. Yes, in the air conditioned house. So that was our introduction to July.

The second week of July brought my MOPS Steering Retreat on that weekend. You've heard me talk about MOPS before, and I was asked to serve for the coming year as the Special Events person. Yes, me, the new girl in town. :) But, of course, I said yes, because I LOVE special events! The Steering Retreat gave me some much needed perspective, spiritual renewal, bonding with fellow members, planning, and just good fun! It was like a big girl slumber party! And I would have stayed about a week.....if I didn't miss my Rayv & Ry.

So, that brings us to the third week of July......did I tell you that the British came? Yes, of course they did! Our wonderful friends & neighbors in Kingsport - the Catchpoles - came to visit us for about 8 days, beginning on July 16. I will tell more details of their visit in my next blog, and I will post photos of our MANY adventures!!! Also that week, we had Rylee's first birthday bash, which I will also post photos of. SO much to do, so little time! We really had such a blast with our friends and also for Rylee's party.

And, well, the last few days of July we recovered from the British invasion and the birthday bash - which only means that Gonzalo cleaned (like he ALWAYS does, lol) and then we all relaxed. All in all, it was a fantastic and busy month! Can't believe that Rylee is one, but I think I said that last time, lol. Time sure flies when you're having fun. And I can say that I've had more than my fair share. :)

Today's sermon at church was about gratitude. WOW, I sure hope I have an attitude of gratitude. The Bible passage was about the ten lepers...you know, the ones that Jesus healed. And of course if you've heard the story, you know that only ONE came back to thank Jesus for this miracle in his life. I want to live each day thanking Jesus for all the miracles in my life.....a new day to spend with my family, my two beautiful daughters, the fact that Rylee didn't have a nervous breakdown in HEB, my husband made it home safe from work - again, my family is healthy, my friends know I love them....you know, the little things in my life. Actually, they are really BIG things.

It's getting late (and this is getting long!) so I'd better wrap this up. More photos and more stories tomorrow. Much love to all of you!!!