Attempt number....too many to count!

I had a friend tell me that I needed to start a blog about "mom stuff" and create a following. I got to thinking hmmm...I already have a blog!! Well, I have one out there but I don't really update it...like EVER! I have been a victim to the all too convenient world of social media and just thought my updates there were enough. But here I am trying to attempt this blog again. Since I last wrote, we added another addition to our family. No, not another dog..but another baby girl. Her name is Savannah Rose Bond and she was 5 weeks early just like Grace. I"m beginning to see a pattern. I won't go into the details of her delivery but she was kept out of the NICU which is amazing at 4 pounds 13 oz and was home with us in 2 days! What a blessing from God! She is gaining weight now and doing well. We pray she is as happy and heatlhy as Grace!

Will this blog ever become a habit?

I guess in the midst of moving, running around with a little one, and everything else that consumes our plate of time, the blog has simply taken a backseat. and I really want to get better at it!!! So the last big event we had was Grace's bday and then the move going on about 3 weeks now. Teh house is still a wreck and I've just come to expect it to be that way for quite some time. It will take a while for it to be the way we want it to be. So bear with me as we juggle all the new things going on!

Here's to blogging....AGAIN!

Back from Riviera Maya!

We had such a blast in Mexico...again!!! this has been our 2nd trip in 4 months and we are just loving the life traveling is providing us. this was also Grace's first trip out of the country and first vacation anywhere! she was the MOST AMAZING little traveler! not one peep on the plane and had a wonderful time playing at the resort! we are almost of the thinking now it's easier to be on vacation b/c of all the wonderful things they have to do there for kids! it was unbelievable! The memories we created are priceless and the open door it provided for us to know we can travel with her is so special. We look forward to her growing up with a life of blessed vacations, memories and true freedom to know that life can be abundant and full of freedom!

First Trip to Mexico

Grace is ready and willing. We leave for the Rivera Maya in 2 weeks and we could not be more excited and nervous all at the same time! I'm so excited to be taking Grace on this trip with us to create some amazing memories for her, but also wondering how will she do? what's the plane ride gonna be like? Will I have the screaming toddler? will she sleep in the resort room? all I can say is we'll never find out if we don't try and with our upcoming lifestyle of traveling a lot more in the future and showing ourselves and our children the world, we have to start somewhere!

So we are making it fun for her. We went out and got a new suitcase just for her and we are gonna pack fun stuff for her to do while on the plane. She is already loving the suitcase and rolls it around all over the house! something tells me things are going to be just fine....and maybe even great!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone~

While Grace and I are a bit under the weather this Thanksgiving season, we are ironically enough thankful for our health. And Richard has been a huge blessing in taking care of us, although he has grown a bit tired from all the care taking. We enjoyed a nice family dinner at the Bonds this afternoon and are very thankful to have family close to us. Thanksgiving is a time to count our blessings and be grateful for what we have. we live in a country so full of wealth and "stuff", it's hard to imagine anything different. it's hard to imagine children and families around the world than may not eat tonight. So I am so thankful that we even have the opportunity to have seconds! I'm also proud to say that Richard and I did our first act of giving this season by participating in Tony Robbins basket brigade. We donated 10 baskets to feed those in need. We look forward to the day that we can give more. So here's to one more piece of pie as long as no one is counting! :)

The Cleanse!

Well, in all effort to preform an amazing cleanse last week, I consider myself to have not done up to my best. I'm a pretty disciplined person but in every challenge is a learning lesson and my learning lesson is that I like to eat!!! And I'm a pretty good eater- i just like to do it with healthy food. The process has been 2 shakes a day with 1 400-600 calorie meal in between. and 2 days of just liquid. that is the day I sadly gave in to my hunger! I drove to Houston that day and stopped at a gas station and picked up a bag of gardettos!!! Awe man, and I felt so guilty. Traveling while cleansing is a challenge!! So anyways, fall off track and just get back up and start again!

Richard and I are doing well, but definitely not perfect! I guess the point is to always try...success is just one failure after another until you achieve the desired result. Here's to failing!!! ;0

Pure Happiness and New boots!

Being Groomed

Well, I have to say it's a win this year for Cat's team. The Longhorns beat the Sooners this year. Poor Bradford - out early in the game. As a competitor myself and someone who loves to win, I can only imagine what it was like for him to have to sit out that game. I guess given Grace really could care less until she gets a little older, the winning parent gets to dress her in the winning team attire!! So enjoy this year's win and Hook Em Horns!

New posts are coming!!

It's been a little busy lately so be patient with me as I update the blog soon!

The Lemur!

Going to see the Wizard!

Richard and I were invited to an exclusive event at one of the top leaders homes in Kansas this past weekend! So we thought what better opportunity than to attend this event and allow Grace to experience a little traveling. So we took a road trip to Kansas- a 5 1/2 hour trip north! And boy, was I impressed with Grace's traveling skills. After a long and hard thought process of where does she sleep, we bought a porta crib mattress that fit perfectly in the pack n play and packed that up to take along with us. We stayed in a suite like hotel that had a bedroom and kitchen and it was great. She did so well on the road and we loved traveling with our little munchkin. she loved riding the elevators! And dont' think for a moment that Grace slept in while on vacation. not a chance. up at 7 am every morning! But the best part of the trip was going to the Safari park they had about 20 miles from where we were staying. followed by a special event with our company leaders. Here are a few pics from visiting the animals on Sat morning. We were allowed to feed the animals and even walk around in their area. it was really cool!

Save those receipts!

Richard and I are so excited about the tax return we are getting this year simply by having a home based business!! We never knew all the normal expenses that we are using anyways could be a tax deductible expense just b/c we operate a business out of our home! wow!!! Cell phone, utilities, housekeeping, travel, tons of stuff! We are so excited, I just had to share! 

Say "Treat"

Before we had children, the dogs were our children!! So here's a quick pic as to not forget our first kids, the twins, Cassie and Kylie Bond! This is the head tilt when we say "treat" or anything else that woudl get a dogs attention such as "car", "walk", or "eat".

Quality time

It is more often than not that I hear so many parents say "they were born just yesterday! I can't believe how fast they grow up!!!"  Is it possible that the years seem to slip between our fingers because we are all so busy with other things that seem important but in the big picture, they are not important at all? I heard a mentor say this weekend that there is no such thing as multi tasking. I've come to believe this is true. I've made it a point to make choices that will affect my daughter and future children forever. Over the past 4 years, I have learned so much about how we speak to our kids, the words we use, the healthcare system, the education system, and wealth building. Those may seem a bit unrelated, but what we teach our children will development into their belief systems and can affect their entire life!!!! Spending quality time with our children is so important - this means being present, not just sitting in the same room with the tv on or typing on our phones. True presence is what our children crave. simply time with us. Perhaps spending quality time with our kids on a daily and weekly basis will make the years not go by so quickly!

I feel I've truly enjoyed every day, week, month, and year with Grace. she is growing up quickly but not to the point that I wish it would slow down or that I've missed out. Richard and I have made choices that might not be the status quo or what "everyone else is doing," but quite frankly, we dont' want an ordinary life, we want a little bit "extra"- an extraordinary life. I read in a book that good is the enemy of great. So here's to a great life and spending more quality time with our family. Here's Grace having some frozen yogurt today and simply enjoying the time together. 

The Cow goes Moooooo!

Getting Vocal!

Grace is becoming quite the vocal queen! what seems like chinese most of the time to us makes complete sense to her! we know in that little brain of hers she is trying to get something out! whether it's a request for juice, help with getting a blanket out of her basket, or a pat on the couch saying "come sit next to me", we know full sentences are just around the corner! the funny part is I pretty much know what she's saying when she speaks "chinese"!! She is absorbing so much more and understanding commands so much as well. Like, please give me your cup or finish eating your dinner please or let's get in your chair to read a book, or even it's time for night night. She goes right to her crib, gets her blanket and lays her head down. She is definitely the love of our life right now and we are enjoying spending time with her watching her grow and learn. 

Trip to Austin

Last weekend, I went to the TX / Tech game and caught up with some old girlfriends! Some from sorority and others that I just haven't seen in awhile! it was good times and best of all, we won! 

Hook Em Horns! 

What a difference 6 months makes!

Just a little under 6 mos ago, we were introduced to Rovia/Worldventures, the fastest growing travel company in the U.S. and now the #1 travel company in the industry. We are doing business with companies such as American Airlines, FunJet Vacations, RCI-Wyndam, Disney, and just recently Southwest Airlines. Southwest has never been on any search engine website, but they have changed that philosophy b/c of the growth we are experiencing. What would I call that? A CLUE! This past weekend, Richard and I were recognized on stage with 8 other people for another milestone in the business. There were 1,100 people at this event and there were only 8 of us on stage for this particular level! WOW!!! We are so blessed to be hooked up with some of the best in the industry, mulit millionaire mentors who work with people like Tony Robbins, Bob Proctor, and Robert Kiyosaki! So here we are: 1 step away from residual income!!! Residual income is such a blessing...it's money coming in every month whether you are working or not! This is a huge milestone in our business and we are so excited about what the future holds!!! 

Elmo is in the House!

Grace and I went to My Gym last Saturday for an open house that had a very special guest- ELMO!!!!! she was so in awe of him and loved every minute. We had a really great time playing on and with everything there. I really thought she would cry or fuss when I put her in Elmo's lap, but she didn't!! She just sat there cool as a cucumber and held his hand! it was great. Needless to say we took a really great nap that day!!

Fun day at the mall

For all those moms out there, I never thought I would see the day that I went to the mall with the intention NOT to shop. The malls have some of the best entertainment for the little ones and we have such a great time at the play centers. Here's a pic of Grace at the carousel the other afternoon waving every time she went by. She had a blast!!!