Super Hero

Well today was "Super Hero" day at work! Every summer during the last week of practices we like to have a little fun... So we kicked it off with the girls dressing up as super heroes! It was great! Its so much fun to change things up a little bit and let the girls do some things that really show their personality!! It was a great day at practice!!! Some big big skills are being accomplished and I could not be more proud!!!

Pretty cute super heroes huh?? Even our lil super man joined in on the fun!! :-) 

And.. Baby makes 3..

Well.. I have not blogged in forever... I can not even explain to you what these last several months have been like... A whirl wind of emotions is an under statement.. Let's go back a few months.. My gymnasts ended meet season on some highs & lows... A few of them had a great ending to their season and for some of them it wasn't so great... But for me.. It's not always about my kids winning.. Sure it's definitely great to see them on top of the podium but in the end I think my girls learn so much more from this sport.. The courage it takes to get up after you've fallen down can be overwhelming but these young ladies never give up.. Makes me incredibly proud.. After meet season wrapped up I had a few girls move on to new chapters in their life & a couple take a different gymnastics route... Either way I wish them all the best & Im grateful for the time I spent with them... Now... This season... I could not be more excited... I really do have the best girls!! They are funny, smart, beautiful inside & out, and incredibly talented!! I am very much looking forward to this competition season! What else.... Oh yeah.. I had a baby!!! :) The 9 months that I was pregnant were exhausting, interesting, emotional, overwhelming, and just plain hard at times... I had to deal with some situations & circumstances that often made being pregnant hard to enjoy... But.. Through all of that I ended up with the most beautiful baby girl! Dylynn Mae!! She came into this world May 4th and in that instant I knew my life was forever changed... The emotion you feel when you first see your child is indescribable.. I cried, I smiled, I just couldn't believe that I had been carrying this perfect little person inside me for the last 9 months.. Ive caught a lot of flack over Dylynn's name... Guess what... I don't care.. I've always liked names that are different & unique.. You don't find to many girls named Dylynn... Mae.. Her middle name.. She got from her GiGi (my mom) it was only fitting... My mom is such a huge part of my life and she has so many incredible qualities that to me it just fit.. Dylynn is such a good baby... She loves to snuggle, she smiles & gives you the best toothless grins, shes trying to start laughing and it's the cutest thing.. She's holding her head up.. She's sleeping better.. She's everything I could've ever imagined.. I look at her and sometimes I think my heart will actually burst.. I am so excited, grateful, and blessed to be her mama.. I went back to work 4 weeks to the day after Dylynn was born.. I'm very fortunate to have 2 wonderful people watching Dylynn while I'm at work & I never have to worry.. She's in great hands! A friend of mine.. One of my gymnasts moms keeps dylynn 1 day a week.. Sunshine is wonderful & always gets the best pictures of Dylynn. My mom keeps her 3 days a week and Dylynn is always so happy with her GiGi.. She grins when mom talks to her and coo's and is always in the best mood... I really have the best of both worlds.. Working & being a mommy.. I get to go to work & spend time with my big girls & come home to my little girl.. What else... Oh.. Dylynn's Grumpy (my dad)... My whole life I've heard stories about how my dad and I were best buddies when I was little.. My mom always says my dad couldn't get enough of me... I remember dad reading stories, wrestling & tickling, building forts, bringing home my first puppy, coming to my gymnastics, teaching me to ride a bike, catch & throw a ball, taking me fishing... My dad has always been a big part of my life... Dad was never big on getting us expensive things but I don't remember wanting them... He taught us that love & character were more important than possessions. Mom & dad always found a way to provide us with the stuff we needed & no matter what we always had a good time together. We took trips to the lake, went on bike rides, played catch, went to the park, and no matter what we did my parents made tgings special. I have a feeling that Dylynn will have a very special relationship with her Grumpy.. I watch my dad hold her, sing to her, rock her and it melts my heart... He always checks on her, wants to know how she is and waits for me to show him pictures.. My parents have gone above & beyond to help us out.. I am so very thankful for them.. I can not wait to watch Dylynn grow up and watch her with her GiGi & Grumpy.. My parents taught me so many valuable lessons, and I know they will be huge influences in my kiddos life and I'm forever grateful. Being a mom is a scary thing.. You want nothing but what's best for your child and people don't always agree with how you raise your child.. I knew from the moment I saw Dylynn that I would do anything in my power to protect her, keep her healthy, teach her right & wrong and just give her all the love I have in me... I've always been told that it doesn't matter what people say or how they try to tell you what your doing is wrong... Your mama bear will come out and you will always do what you think is best.. I truly understand that now... I think having a baby makes you appreciate your own parents so much more.. I now know just what all my parents sacrificed & gave up to provide my brother & I with an incredible childhood and life. The morals & values your parents have are the guidelines as to in my opinion the type of person a child will become. I'm not perfect by any means but I think I have a good head on my shoulders & a good set of morals & values to pass on to Dylynn. It's been an incredible few months.. Gabe & I's life is forever changed... I look forward to our sweet girl lighting up our life from now and on.. Hopefully one day Dylynn will get a brother or sister and our little family will continue to grow.. Kids are an incredible thing... So.. There's a quick update on me & my life... I could not be more proud of this sweet angel I was given.. I am incredibly lucky to have my job & hang out with some awesome girls! I have the most amazing parents... Life is good! :)

Hi... Again...

Hello! This girl has not blogged in forever!! Forever!! I have been so busy with gym, meets, and getting stuff ready for Ms. Dylynn's arrival!! Exciting times.. But oh so busy!!

Meet season is just about done.. I have 3 girls traveling to Kansas City later this month for regionals.. Pretty exciting stuff! State meet ended on a great note!! I had 3 all-around champions, 3 individual event champions.. Pretty good day for Flame gymnastics!!

Meet season was such a roller coaster this year! We had a few injuries and set backs.. We dealt with sickness more often than we wanted to.. I had one that had surgery, and one that had to sit out for a few weeks due to injury.. But all in all I could not be anymore proud of my 9 gymnasts! They worked so hard all year and never gave up no matter what was thrown at them.. I had some that had great seasons, some that had ok seasons, and some that just had some days not go there way.. Breaks my heart watching my girls work so hard and things just not play out in there favor.. But it is part of this sport and life isnt always fair... But let me tell you.. These girls have some incredible fight in them.. They keep their chins up and always come back for more.. I love my gymnasts!!

But now that meet season is over for most of my girls..Its off season and we are having a blast!! This is the best time of the year!! For a few months.. No stress and no pressure.. Just FUN!!! The girls are already amazing me and what they have accomplished in just one week!!! Its going to be an awesome summer!! I cant wait!!! :-)

What else...
Oh.. Were having a baby in ohhhh.. Just a month!!!!! Im excited, scared, nervous, anxious, impatient, and whatever else you can throw in there! Pregnancy has really been pretty good to me.. I never really dealt with morning sickness.. Ive felt pretty good through out the entire pregnancy.. Only thing ive really dealt with is being tired, not sleeping much, and some pretty crazy heartburn.. But those are pretty minor things in the grand scheme of things.. This 9 months has gone by so fast.. Cant believe we will meet our sweet girl in just a few weeks!!
Yesterday was my baby shower.. It was beyond perfect! My soon to be sister in law and one of my gymnasts moms thats become a dear friend put together the whole thing.. They went above and beyond and it was the perfect way to celebrate this little girl thats on her way!! The decorations were perfect.. All the tiny details made it a day I wont forget! It was a great turn out and I got some wonderful things! We are very blessed to have so many people care about us!!

 Lots of good things going on.. Lots of exciting times to come.. Everything seems to be on track with the baby. Gotten good reports from my dr. Her room is almost done.. Just time to start getting the last details taken care of.. Were still trying to figure out how we will get through me taking some time off work and then cutting my hours back ALOT in the summer months.. But hopefully a couple things will come through and workout and we will not be quite so strapped... I want nothing more than to have this time off with my daughter... My job doesnt have maternity leave and its going to be tough going a few weeks without a paycheck.. Hoepfully everything will work out.. Thank goodness we have some people that have really offered to step in and help out.. Very very blessed to have some of the people I do in my life..

On that note.. Ive got to get off here and get to work.. Hope everyone has a wonderful week!! :-) Happy Easter!!

Simple Sunny Sunday

Yesterday was such a good day! The weather was beautiful and for once Gabe and I were both off work and got the whole day to ourselves.. This doesn't happen to often.. I was pretty excited since I worked the last 2 weekends and he worked all day Saturday... I worry sometimes that we don't really get to spend much quality time together.. Our schedules are so opposite and when he's coming home I'm going to work.. He leaves in the morning when I'm asleep and when I get home at night he's asleep.. His phone rings alot with work stuff and I tend to be on my phone a lot with gym stuff too.. So I really look forward to the weekends when we're both off work and can be off our phones.. I think spending time with your spouse is important.. Really being able to enjoy yourselves, talk, laugh, and just have a good time. With Gabe almost always working 6 days a week and right now being my busy season at work it seems like we are always missing each other. We dont get that many days that it's just us and we have no plans or stuff to do and can just do whatever it is we want.. So yesterday we took full advantage of the pretty weather and loaded up the dogs and headed out... We went and got the arctic cat, sandwiches, and some minnows and headed to the water.. A friend of Gabes owns some land with a pretty big man made lake on it.. It's really pretty out there and the dogs absolutely love it.. We rode the arctic cat around, well Gabe did.. I sat in my chair and tried to fish... I didnt do so great.. Just caught one... The dogs ran and played and swam.. They were exhausted when we finally left.. From there we headed to get some movies and then to the store for some groceries.. I found a recipe on pinterest for ranch pork chops and we decided to try it and it turned out great!!! So we enjoyed a great day, great dinner, and then a great evening of movies!!

I cant wait until Ms. Dylynn gets here and our little family can enjoy days like this all together! Dont get me wrong.. I love spending time with my family and I most definitely want Dylynn close to her grandparents but every family needs time to just themselves.. I look forward to so many Simple Sundays with Gabe and Dylynn.. :)

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend as much as we did!!

One less thing to worry about.. Hopefully..

So..

Ive been stressing somewhat about where the baby will go this summer when I start back to work.. Depending on when she comes I may only get about 3-4 weeks at home with her.. :( I am not going back to work full time this summer but still I have a feeling the 4ish or so hours away from her are going to be alot harder than I anticipate... BUT... My  mama has really taken a load off my nerves and so wonderfully volunteered to keep the baby 3 days a week while I am at work... (thank gosh for retirement) My original plan was to take the baby to work with me the other 2 days a week but thats not going to be an option...  Ive talked with a friend that has TONS of baby experience and she LOVES babies and I think it will work that she can keep miss priss the days that my mom cant.. This makes me feel SOOOOO much better!

Now.. What to do after our short 7 week summer session... In August at work we switch back to our school schedule and my hours will increase.. My mom will still keep the baby a few days a week.. But Im not sure what I will do on the days she cant keep her and in the evenings since I work in the evenings and Gabe doesnt get off at a certain time every day... In a perfect world Ill be able to start my girls earlier in the afternoon and get done earlier in the evening.. Keep your fingers crossed this is what Im hoping for.. :-) Doesnt hurt to hope!

Im not the most organized person in the world.. But I have a feeling that is all about to change.. In order to get myself to work and get the baby where she needs to be then get her picked up and make sure she has all the things she needs.. Im going to have to get my act together.. Prepare ahead of time.. Just might make things a little easier...

Went to the dr yesterday for my knee.. Wasnt the greatest news... Got alot of issues going on and looks like after the baby comes Ill be having surgery at some point.. Lovely huh??!! This summer.. A newborn baby & knee surgery! Could be interesting!! :-/

Yesterday was one of those days that I really LOVE my job... Girls are working so hard right now.. They are listening and paying alot of attention to the tiny details that just really arent that much fun to mess with but... Its part of it and we just have to make changes sometimes and really jump on the details of their routines.. Ive seen some big changes in some of my kids this year and it just makes me smile and look forward to what is to come! Just 2 more meets then we head to state and then hopefully Ill be taking some kiddos to regionals this year!! :-) Also this week my mama stopped by the gym and the girls got a big kick out of this... Mom just jumped right in there telling the girls this and that! They were cracking up!! Mom explained to them that they have to "priss pot" up their floor routines! The girls were rolling! Mom really got into helping one of my level 8's on bars and was acting out the correction that needed to be made.. We were dying!! She might just have to come out of coaching retirement once in a while.. To help.. or to make the girls laugh!! :-) It was alot of fun!!

A little bit of this & that....

I havent blogged in a while... I have been so busy and when Im not so busy Im just worn out so.. The Blog has been neglected.. Ill try and do better!!

About me...
Well I am almost 29 weeks along... Some days I just cant believe it & other days I feel like Ive been pregnant forever... Ive felt really pretty good the majority of the time but lately I have just felt blah.. Ive been so tired and worn out all the time.. Im not sleeping much at all due to the fact that I have to pee every hour at night.. A little over a week ago I was at a gymnastics meet with my girls and just sort of stepped funny when I stepped off of a mat and my knee made a weird noise.. I didnt think anything of it but 8 hours later and by the time I got to go home I was hurting pretty bad and my knee was the size of a small country... So to the dr I went.. Looks like a torn miniscus & ACL.. I could not believe it... Of all times to do this I pick when Im 7 months pregnant! Are you kidding me?? Im guessing its probably an old gymnastics injury but who knows... Needless to say that it makes it even harder to get around and Im just not real happy about it. I go back to the Dr today so Ill know more this afternoon... This has just really rained on my parade.. I was doing really good with walking on my treadmill and doing the elliptical several times a week and was doing pretty good with keeping weight gain to a minimum... Now I cant really exercise much and its really getting me down... I still have a ways to go and would rather not turn into the good year blimp... :/

On another note... I know I have said it before but good lord I love my mama... This past weekend Gabe and I went to OKC for a gymnastics meet.. My mom is wonderful and keeps our fur babies pretty much anytime we need her to.. Its great because I dont trust to many people to take care of them even half as good as Gabe and I do. So anyways we get the boys dropped off with my mama and get on the road.. About an hour in to our trip I get a phone call from a some what hysterical mama.. The dogs have taken off after a deer or something and have gone off in the woods and at this point she had been calling them for at least 20 minutes.. No puppies... Well mom proceeds to take off in the woods and walks around by herself for over an hour crying and calling the dogs... I have to be in OKC to work so we cant turn around... I was more than prepared to send Gabe home and ride home with some friends but we had to at least get to OKC first before he could turn around... Phone calls & texts go back & forth for almost 2 hours and FINALLY mom calls and says she has the boys... They were just laying in the woods... Exhausted from whatever they had been chasing... She could barely get them up and get them to walk back to the house... If you walk in the woods behind my parents house there is a steep hill.. It goes straight down then straight up... Mom walked basically for 45 minutes in a straight line away from the house... She walked a LONG ways.. I am so thankful she didnt give up and found my boys.. They get these wild hair hairs sometimes and decide they need to go on adventures.. Mean while give everyone else a small heart attack!! Thank goodness for my mom! Just another one of the many reasons!

What else??

All is good in the world of baby Dylynn.. Things checked out great at our last appointment! Shes growing and moving around all the time.. Pretty neat feeling! We go back next week for another ultrasound and our 4D!! Pretty excited to see our sweet girl!! The nursery looks great! Not all the way done just yet but we have made a great start! Mom did an awesome job painting!! Mom & Gabe got all the furniture in and a few decorations put up.. Gabe did an amazing job hanging her curtains up! Between my sweet gym girls & their moms and my mom making the occasional shopping trip her little closet is filling up with the cutest outfits, hairbows, and the tiniest little shoes.. I cant wait until she gets here!! Its really coming together and I LOVE IT!! So thankful for my mom & Gabe and how much they have helped out!

Work...

Well meet season is just about over! Cant believe Im saying that! Seems like we really just got started... 2 more meets then its time for state and hopefully regionals! My little team has had some ups and downs this year.. Injuries and illness but hopefully we are all passed that and finally on our way to some awesome workouts and some awesome last few meets! We competed this past weekend and the girls did great!!! We had several season high scores on events, event champs, all around champs and their team score came up alot!! Very proud of these kiddos! I didnt even have my entire team there.. I was missing 2 kids so thats less scores were able to possibly count but... The girls did awesome and hit their routines and scores were pretty fantabulous!!! From just a few of the stories I heard about what went on in the stands... I think the parents had a pretty great time together too! Gabe was up in the stands this past weekend hanging out with the man crowd and he had a great time and lots of laughs!! It was a good day for Flame!!

Guess thats about all the news I have for now.. I have tried to type fast and update yall.. But I have to get to the dr.. So.. Hope everyone has a great day!!! :-)

Advice & thoughts welcome...

Ok.. So ive been thinking for a while about what I am going to do as far as my work hours go once this sweet baby bundle of joy decides to make her grand debut...

She is due in May so I plan to take off the month of May and first week of June.. Im hoping she comes on time so I will have 4 weeks at home with her... I dont get maternity leave so this is just about all the time I can afford to go right now without working at all.. Then we will start our summer schedule and I plan to cut my hours back quite a bit through the summer schedule.. This will give me about another 7 weeks with a lot more time at home with our sweet baby...

The big question is what to do in August when my schedule gets a lot more hectic and I typically work alot more hours...

I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT want to quit my job... Some may think that is crazy but life just isnt fun when living paycheck to paycheck and struggling 24/7... I also ABSOLUTELY LOVE my job.. I genuinely look forward to seeing my girls every single day... I spend close to 20 hours a week with my kiddos and I some of them more than there own parents do because they are busy working and running siblings to other activities... When one of them is sick or hurt and unable to come to practice our whole team feels it.. We are a little family of our own... So.. Again.. I do NOT want to quit my job by any means at all... I just want to find a happy medium...

If I had a job where I could be home at a decent hour I wouldnt worry at all... But thats not the case when you coach gymnastics... The earliest I get home through the week is 7pm.. But two nights of the week im not home until 9pm and then one night I get home at 8pm... From what I hear those are sort of later hours for a baby... It absolutely breaks my heart to think I may not get to feed my sweet girl dinner, give her a bath, and rock her to sleep at night... On another note.. Gabe's schedule is completely  unpredictable and he never knows where he will be at what time.. He does not get off work at the same time each day so it will be hard to depend on him to be able to get the baby every day when I have to be at work in the evenings.. I dont know most of the time when Gabe will be home or even where he is working that day.. Its just the nature of his job and we have to learn to some how work around it.. But knowing that.. I dont want to have to rely on my sweet mama more than I already am and ask her to keep the baby every time I head to work and Gabe isnt able to get off work... My mom has already volunteered to help out so much I hate to ask her to do even more.. Shes a retired lady these days.. And let me tell ya that does NOT mean you slow down... It means she goes non stop twice as much and enjoys each day to the absolute fullest! :-) Shes a pretty amazing lady!! :-)

My ultimate hope & wish is that I will be able to get my girls in a little earlier so that I can get them out a little earlier putting me home earlier to spend my evenings with my little family... They are just little once and I dont want to give up all this time with her right off the bat.. But I also have to bring home a paycheck.. In a perfect world starting & finishing gym earlier will be what happens but who knows if thats even an option... I am getting a later start on this baby making than pretty much all of my friends and just about all of them have stopped working or just work part time now... Again.. I DO NOT want to stop working.. But even part time if Im not able to adjust workout times means working until late in the evening.. What to do.. What to do...

How did some of you deal with your work schedules and having a baby? When I am supposed to start back full time my little girl will just be about 11 weeks old.. Im brand new at all this but that just sounds like she is still just a little bitty baby to me.. How did you adjust? Any tricks and ideas? What did you do in the evenings if you worked later and your other half wasnt home yet to take over?

Any suggestions and thoughts are welcome.. As long as there helpful ;-) I know what works for one doesnt necessarily work for another but.. Its still nice to ask...

This is why quitting my job just isnt an option....

If you dont enjoy your job as much as I do.. You should really consider a career change!! :-) My lil girl has so many "big sisters" already!! Shes a lucky girl!!

On another note... Some sweet girls are throwing me a baby shower! Im getting pretty excited about this!! I think I am more excited about this than I was my wedding shower! Its just a different feeling altogether really.. But either way I cant wait!!!

Guess thats about all I have today.... What ya think???

Happy Tuesday!!

Catch up...

Well it's been a little while since my last blog... So here's a little bit of what's been going on..

We found us some nursery furniture for Ms. Dylynn's room! I love it! I love the fact more that we paid cash for it.. Got a great deal and I don't have to make any payments on it.. :) My birthday was last week.. It was great.. Spoiled doesn't even cut it... My gymnasts got me so much cool stuff... They are so good to me! My mother in law met me at the nail salon and we got our nails done... My sweet husband got me a mattress for Dylynn's crib.. Sent me some gorgeous flowers at work.. Got me a new phone cover and the sweetest necklace from Zales... He ended it all with some awesome sushi & noodles from Shoguns he picked up for me!! Love him! My parents took me out for dinner and surprised me with my bedding I wanted for the nursery!!!!! I absolutely love it!! My mom jumped right on the ball and got paint for the nursery too.. So now just got to get Gabe to tape off the room and we can get started! I'm so excited to get it all put together!

This past weekend my optional gymnasts and I traveled to Tulsa for the Tulsa World Invitational... This is a huge meet.. Big competition! Well... Let me tell ya... My girls did flipping awesome!!!! My level 7's made some big improvements! We raised our team score quite a bit! Very proud of these girls!!! My level 8's looked the best they have all season!!!! My 9 year old my huge improvements on 3 out 4 events! She was 4th all around and was the youngest in her age group!! My 13 year olds cleaned up in their age age group! Mary won 2 events and was 2nd all around!! Zoey won vault and the all around!! This was big for zoey... She has been struggling with a pretty severe hip injury for over a year now... She has spent the majority of the past year watching her teammates practice and compete and only been able to cheer them on from the side lines with me... Well I'm hoping those days are over and she is back now! This girl loves gymnastics and loves her teammates and I'm so happy seeing her out there again and doing well! My oldest level 8 will be 14 this week.. She didn't have her best meet but made improvements in several places and finished in the top half of her age group!! But no matter how Madie does she always remains upbeat & positive and keeps encouraging her team mates!!! I have some pretty awesome girls!!! My level 7s & 8s are what this sport is all about and I just love that I am the one that gets to work with them every single day! We head to Oklahoma City in a few weeks! Wish us luck!

What else...
Oh.... My very best friend has finally announced that she is pregnant too! I could not be happier for this girl! Crystal and I have been through so much in the past 11 years and I think of her as my sister and I would've never dreamed we would both be pregnant at the same time!!!! She is one of the best people I know... She is an amazing mama to her 3 boys!! I have to say I would love for this new baby to be a girl... But she is such an incredible boy mama and my gosh her and Chris make handsome boys so I dont really care... Boy or girl... Just bless her with a healthy baby!!! Pregnancy is definitely in the water now... I have a cousin that's expecting as well.. Several girls I went to school with are expecting.. And then several other friends are expecting too... It's a very exciting time... It's nice sharing this with other people and having people to go to with questions since this is my first rodeo!!
It's hard to believe how fast this time is flying by.... I found out at 5 weeks and now Im 25 weeks... I'm enjoying every minute except the back aches.. Other than that life is good right now!!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!

Baby it's cold!!!!

Well it finally started to feel like winter this week and this girl is loving it! I love winter time! Don't get me wrong I love summer to but you just can't beat warm fires, snuggled up with the pups, and something warm to drink! So I've enjoyed the cold weather this week but I have a feeling it won't last long... :(

My girls have really been working hard these last few weeks... Their dedication and commitment really surprises me sometimes... When I know they have so much going on outside of the gym and they still show up for practice ready to work hard each day.. Makes me proud... We have a meet this weekend in Pine Bluff... Looking forward to watching their hardwork pay off!!!

Well..... I have finally started doing a little baby shopping here and there... Let me tell ya... I could find myself in the poor house too quickly if I don't watch it! They are soooooooo many adorable baby girl outfits and accessories! I absolutely love the big hair bows.. I love the little shoes and sandals.. The little dresses are just too much.. I want it all! :) We ordered the baby's bedding this week! I'm in love with it! My mom helped me find a few good websites and I found a design I just fell in love with! I tried to shop around but it didn't work... Kept coming back to this one particular pattern and I ordered it this week.. My oh so wonderful mama AKA GiGi and my Oma helped me out with the cost so I got off pretty lucky with some pretty fantabulous bedding and I can't wait to get it here!!!! I've started looking at nursery furniture and oh my geez... So many choices! I've yet to make a decision on that.. I'm heading to Tulsa next weekend so I'm hoping the shopping is better there than here in good ole fort smith! :)

All is well with me and baby... Heart burn has set in though and I'm not a fan but so far this has been the worst part so I'm not going to complain to much! Other than wanting to sleep more than usual this pregnancy has been pretty darn kind to me... Don't want to speak to soon but it really has.. Definitely been blessed.. Hopefully things continue as they have been.. If you haven't heard the baby does finally have a name.... Miss Dylynn Mae Gryner!!!! :) and I can't wait to meet her!

What else? We finally finished our goat pin.. Well Gabe finished it.. I did a whole lot of nothing but watch.. It's great! Lulu has moved out of the backyard to a big nice pin and then gained 2 new goaty friends.. Belle & Rocky... So now we have 3.. They seem to be getting along but I think lulu misses being with the dogs so much but we go visit them every day.. It's nice having my farm animal out of the back yard.. She wasnt so careful about where she pottied and you can only take so many goat pebble explosions on the back porch!! :)

Guess that's about it.. I'd add pictures but haven't figured out how to from my iPad just yet... Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

What a day.......

Well yesterday morning I woke up pretty early due to the fact my dogs were going nuts.... This isn't out of the ordinary.. So for a little while I shut them out of my room turned on all the fans and put my head under the covers... This didnt last long... The dogs would not be quiet... Sooooo... I get up and try to see what's going on... Well... I look out my front windows and my yard is full of fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, and tow trucks.... (apparently I'm a heavy sleeper) a helicopter landed in our front yard as well... About this time I see a vehicle in our ditch.... About this time I get a phone call from a close friend that had already heard there was a bad wreck by my house... So I'm starting to put all the pieces together and it's just devastating...
A mom and her 2 kiddos were traveling down kibler road.. The son was driving.. As all kids can't wait to do when they get their permits.. I don't know details as to how the wreck happened but some how control was lost and the vehicle crashed into the small concrete bridge that goes from kibler road to mays branch... I can only imagine that it all happened in the blink of an eye... I have had several pretty bad car wrecks and from the moment you know something is wrong until the time the vehicle stops moving time seems to stand still... It's a really weird calm and just doesn't seem real.. It was unreal seeing this play out.. Seeing the ambulances leave and the vehicle slowly pulled out was indescribable..
I do not know the family personally... But my husband does and some of our very close friends are very close to this family.. From what we were told the mom didn't make it... Everything I have heard about this woman makes me feel like I know her... Ive read things that her friends and family have posted and this lady just sounds incredible.. She loved her family more than anything.. Her husband and kids were her life... I read a post and someone said she was an amazing soul that lit up rooms just by walking in them... Heaven was given a gift yesterday morning and they received a new angel... Both kids were taken to st Edwards I believe and later taken to children's in little rock... I believe both kids sustained some extremely serious injuries but were both stable last night.. I have heard other details about the injuries but I dont know if my info is correct so I'm just hoping and continually saying prayers that these kids pull out of this the very best they possibly can...
I pray for the husband and father to be able to find strength for himself and his kids... I pray he is able to find some sort of peace with the tragedy of suddenly losing his wife.. I pray these kids recover quickly and are able to just hug their dad and they start rebuilding their lives together.. I dont know why these things happen to good people when you least expect it.. No one deserves this kind of pain and sorrow... I will continue to pray for this family and just hope they can pick up the pieces and start again...
This whole ordeal has just really made me think.. I truly can not imagine going through something like this... I will be a first time parent this spring.. This baby is not even here yet but it's incredible how you find out your expecting and in that instant you know you would do anything and everything to protect your family... I am not the best at showing it or expressing it... But I could not imagine my life without Gabe and I pray I never have to.. I hope I can learn to not take things and people for granted... Tell people I love them and hug them every chance I get.. We are never promised tomorrow so I hope I can make the most of today..
Prayers & love for the Hogan family..

New Years Resolutions!!

Well... What are your resolutions???

Mine.....

To be the very best new mama I can be....

To be a better wife, friend, coach, sister, and daughter..

Make it much more of a priority to spend time with my dearest friends..

Get in the best shape after this little girl gets here!! Like the shape I was in when I was a level 10 gymnast!

Get some bills paid off.. Make a budget and stick to it..

Get my entire house inside and out organized and clean and then keep it that way!

I think I'd like to find a church and start going on a much more regular basis..

Keep building a relationship with my mom and dad... Things at times have been rocky between my parents and myself due to my not so great ability to always make the best decisions but they have gotten so much better in the last year or so.. Besides Gabe and miss priss on the way my parents are the absolute most important people to me..

Just to make this year all about the positive! Ignore peoples negative opinions.. Better myself, my growing family, and be the type of person our daughter will be proud of!!

So... Again.. What are your resolutions??

Happy New Year

Opinions & 2012....

Well.. Its been awhile since Ive blogged... Ive been pretty busy with meet season really getting under way & of course the holidays!! :-)

Gabe & I had a great Christmas.. To say the least.. Lil miss Gryner is already spoiled and shes not even here yet.. Her GiGi (my mama) and Great Oma (my grandma) got her some pretty neat stuff and some of the cutest clothes.. I am going to have so much fun with this little girl and can not wait to get her here!! The bigger the bows and the more sparkly stuff I can find the better!! Christmas was a lot of fun... My grandparents were able to join us this year.. Its been way to long since we've been able to spend a holiday with them and it was wonderful.. What a blessing!

2012 is quickly approaching.. This year is going to be a huge year for Gabe and I... Our little family of 2 will become a party of 3.. I will become a mom... Shortly after that become a working mom.. That idea alone stresses me out.. Thank goodness GiGi finally retired and will be able to babysit while Im at work most of the time.. Huge weight off my shoulders.. I will finally get a sister.. I could not be more happy about this.. She will be not only the only aunt but she will be the best!! She has become a great friend of mine over the last year and she will be such a wonderful addition to our  family!! I get a new cousin this year too.. Our family will finally have cousins really close in age and in the same grade!!! Watch out schools!! :-) Its going to be an amazing year and I cant wait to see just what all 2012 has in store!

2012 Resolutions:

Opinions!

I want to work on the fact that I dont really give a rats rear about most peoples opinions! Thats some what blunt but its the truth.. I often allow what people say and do to effect me and my life in a negative way.. Ive always heard pregnant women say be careful what info you put out there and give people about stuff you want to do and things you would like for your baby.. Guess what??!! Not everyone will agree with you... Surprised huh?? Even when people are not asked they find the need to put their 2 cents out there about MY baby... Last time I checked its not  YOUR baby and I dont really need your opinion!! So why do I care and why do I let it bother me and why do I let myself get upset about something that in the end doesnt matter to a hill of beans!!! My answer.. I dont know.. There are people I go to for advice & guidance and I really do value what they have to tell me.. But why is it the people you dont ask always make their opinion known even if its not their place to do so? I try to be some what open minded but you can only take so much... I have worked with many kids over the years and encountered many families.. All of which do things differently.. Some of the things people do leave me speechless.. Some things some kids are allowed to do leaves me speechless and baffled.. The way some kids are allowed to act and treat others.. The way some adults carry themselves and treat others.. Some are just plain strange and peculiar.. Now if you know me you know I am VERY opinionated.. BUT.. Its not my place to judge these people and its definitely not my place to give or share my opinion... Everyone does things differently.. Everyone thinks differently.. Anyone with kids did not start out a pro.. You learn as you go and you figure it out as you go.. And you just do the best you can...

Well thats my outlook on 2012.. I will do the best I can to become a better wife, a good mother, a better daughter & sister, a better gymnastics coach & role model, a better friend, and just a better person...

There are so many things I am thankful for and I head into 2012 looking to appreciate these people and parts of my life so much more..

My mom... There arent words to express how thankful I am for you and how much I love you.. The example you set for me and the morals and values you have taught me are one of a kind and I love you more than I could ever explain! You have always been there waiting with a hug no matter what.. Theres nothing better than that..

My Daddy.. My hero... This is one amazing man... His ability to work hard and provide for me is incredible.. His ability to love me for exactly who I am, respect my indepence, let me make my own choices to figure out just who I am, and always be there to pick me up when I fall is beyond what any human should really be capable of..

I love this man.. I love him because he loves me for me.. I cant wait to become parents together and start a whole new life as a party of 3!! :)

 My brother & his fabulous crazy italian fiance!! My brother is just a good person... Bottom line.. He works hard. Takes care of the important things and is there when you need him! Kathleen... Is most definitely an incredible bonus for our family! Shes beautful inside and out!

My very best friend in the world.. My oh my.. I love this girl! I love every single thing about her!! Its been an incredible 11 years and the stories we will have to tell when were 90 will make us rich and famous old ladies! ;-)

I absolutely love these girls and their mama's!! These girls make me a better person every day that I get to spend with them! I love their mama's for supporting and encouraging me.. Being there when I need something that has absolutely not one thing to do with gymnastics!! But most of all for making the 10 most amazing girls! :) 

So... After all these wonderful things I have in my life.. I will focus on the all this good and ignore the things people say and do that effect me and my life in a negative way.. When I look at it like this.. How can I not be excited about the future??!! I am!!

Happy New Years everyone!! Stay safe!!

Talk to you all next year! :-)

It's a GIRL!!

Well as you may have already read Gabe and I will welcome a sweet baby girl into this world this spring!! I for one could not be anymore excited! We havent had a baby girl on my side of the family in about 20 years!! So this is a big deal.. Gabe's parents have a grandson already so it will be alot of fun having a baby girl now too!

(we made a sweet baby girl & we cant wait to meet her) :)

I cant wait to make some decisions on a name, nursery furniture, nursery decor... Start buying clothes, and fun baby girl stuff!! Problem is... There is SOOOOOO much absolutely adorable stuff out there its so hard to decide what you want!! Thank goodness I have my mama to help me out and keep me in check a little bit or I probably would go completely crazy getting stuff! :-)

I am so excited to see how this little girl changes our lives.. I cant wait to see Gabe hold his daughter for the first time.. That will be a sight.. Gabe and a baby girl! I cant wait!! Daddys and daughters have such a neat relationship.. My dad did the girly stuff with me and my dad played in the mud with me! I have so many great memories with my daddy!

(Me & my daddy)

Girls and their mamas... Well if your a girl you know.. You cant beat that! I have never realized just how much my mama means to me until the ultrasound tech said.. "Its a GIRL'... All the things my mom ever tried to teach me, tell me, and show me finally all made sense...

With all that being said... I feel pretty good.. The only thing slowing me down is I could use a nap every afternoon just about the time I go in to work.. When this girl gets tired... Im tired and its time to go to bed.. I used to be such a night owl and now it seems like 10:00 is pretty late... I never got sick.. Not to much nausea.. And.. I love that I watch what I eat so carefully now... I cut out all the junk.. I do have a coke once in a while... But Ive actually lost weight.. This makes me happy!

Sooooo.. This has been one good week! We got great news on Monday.. Monday evening I got to surprise my gym girls with my news and they are beyond excited and seeing their faces was one of the sweetest things Ive ever seen! My little girl will have so many good role models in her life.. (not to mention I will have some awesome babysitters) Man I love my girls!

They have had an awesome week of workouts and we are all excited and looking forward to heading to Fayetteville this weekend for a great meet!!

I am blessed!!!

Well....

Well...

Nothing to to to exciting going on this week.. Gabe & I have both been feeling like poo all week.. Sinus issues... Coughing.. Sore throats.. Headaches.. You know all sorts of fun stuff.. Hopefully this weekend I will catch up on some rest and feel better.. But I do have a few things planned for this weekend so we will see about that rest part.. ;-)

Last week I had been talking to my mom about decorating our front door for Christmas.. My mom is the creative one in our bunch.. She always has cute neat ideas when it comes to decorating and trying to be crafty.. Me.. Not so much.. So anyways.. My oh so fabulous mama calls me up on Tuesday and tells me to meet her.. So I do.. She went and got me and my soon to be sister in law all the stuff we would need to decorate our front doors.. Pretty cool huh??!! So we plan on doing that sometime this weekend.. Also looking forward to getting the rest of our Christmas lights put on the house.. I love love love christmas lights and cant wait to have ours done! I also hope to do some Christmas shopping this weekend as well.. I love getting gifts for people.. But my patience often gets the best of me because as soon as they are wrapped I want people to open them right then!! :-)

I need to brag on the Mr.. for a minute.. My husband is not a man that typically does to many household chores.. He does the outside stuff except for mowing.. Thats my job.. By choice.. I love to mow for some weird reason.. But anyways.. This week.. Gabe has as I said not felt the best.. But that boy has done dishes, cleaned the kitchen, picked up around the house, done laundry.... And.. put laundry away! Talk about a huge help!! Just one of the many reasons I love him... :-)

Well... Monday is the big day if everything goes according to plan... We have "the appointment".. Cant wait to find out if were having a gymnast or a football player!! But I have a feeling this baby might be just a little bit like his/her parents and be stubborn and maybe not let us see if she's a girl or he's a boy.. But hopefully our little angel baby cooperates!! :-) I think what excites me the most is telling my mom & dad.. They will just be the best GiGi & Grumpy there ever was.. And I absolutely can NOT wait to tell my girls!!! They make being pregnant alot of fun!!! :-)

What else...
My girls have another competition next weekend!! Im excited! Its in Fayetteville and hosted by my former coaches! I love getting to see them and I usually see a few of my old team mates and lots of friendly familiar faces!! My girls have been working hard and cant wait to see how they do!

Today is a very special day!! Its my best friends birthday!! Crystal Miller Morse!! I cant even begin to tell you what this girl means to me! Weve been friends for about 11 years now and I just dont even know what I would do with out her!!! Hope she has the best day!!!

Guess thats all the news I have for now!! Have a great weekend!!!

Here are a couple pictures of Crystal & I from my wedding!!! Love her!!!

Happy almost Thanksgiving!!

Since Thanksgiving is just about here I thought Id try to touch on some of the things I am so so thankful this year..

Its been an incredible year for this girl.. I got married almost a year ago.. I cant believe how fast this year has flown by.. Its been a lot of fun.. A few ups and downs.. But were still kicking and I am so excited to see what the future has in store for these 2 Gryner's!! :-)

I finally feel settled at work. When I first started I helped coach a big group of girls and my style of coaching didnt exactly work for some.. I was the new girl and it was an adjustment for us all.. Well this past January I got the oppurtunity to coach alot of these girls again and I have loved it ever since! We finished the season doing well last year and had a great summer and now this season has started off with some huge improvements! I am loving it!

My mama was able to retire from her job this year.. I am thankful for this because I like to be able to call her even if its not important and the conversation only lasts 12 seconds... I am so happy she gets to spend her days doing all the things that make her happy.. She loves loves loves projects.. She has worked so hard on my parents house this year and made some HUGE changes and its just amazing what this woman can do! I am glad that my daddy has my mama at home every day when he gets home.. Dad loves his home cooked meals and he gets them every single day now.. I just love seeing my hard working parents being able to finally enjoy this life like they should... House projects, lots of fun with long time friends, weekend get aways, and last but not least turning into those crazy Harley riding kids!! I love it!!

My baby brother got engaged this year... This makes me so incredibly happy.. The girl my brother asked to marry him is just absolutely wonderful! She is perfect for him in 101 ways at least!! My brother has been down some hard roads with some.. How can I say this politely... Horrible Horrible Horrible excuses of females... Kathleen is someone that I am excited to call my sister.. She is too funny for her own good.. She is gorgeous inside and out.. She is sincere and honest.. She makes my brother happy and for that I love her even more! I can not wait to see these 2 get married!! Its coming up quick!! ( I got a quick peak at "the dress"... lets just say that my brothers knees will be weak...) :-)

Last but certainly not least.. As you know we are pregnant!! I for one could not be more excited!! I have always been one that said I wanted to get married and have a housefull of kiddos running around.. It just took a little longer to find Gabe than I wouldve ever thought but it was definitely worth the wait. We cant wait til our little prince or princess gets here!! This takes me back to being thankful for my mama not working.. She will be a HUGE part of this babys life and I am so glad that I will have her to help me out! I am so thankful for my brothers fiance'... She will be the only aunt our baby has (for now) and I couldnt have asked for a better one!! Its going to be fun, interesting, crazy Im sure but we just cant wait!!!

We ( I ) am so so so so blessed beyond words! I have so much to be thankful for and its just the beginning!! So much to look forward too!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! Enjoy all the delicious food & family time!!!

1st Meet of 2011-2012 Season

Well...

Yesterday my gymnasts and I all made our way to Bartlesville, OK... We usually go here every year for our first of the season.. Its some what of a "wake up" call.. Its a BIG meet with some BIG competition... I believe there were just 2 teams from Arkansas.. Flame and Williams.. They are from Fayetteville... The gymnasts you see at this meet are ready to rock and roll.. To say the least!

My level 7's are all first year level 7's except for one... This was their first optional meet besides the practice meet we had in October.. There were a lot of nerves out on the floor and they seemed a little shaken.. BUT.. Let me tell you.. These girls went out there and did there best and every single one of them improved.. Several improved their all around scores by over a point.. Thats alot.. I think they really have a feel for what they have to do and what  will really help out there scores! I am very very proud of them!!

My level 8's were next... I was missing one of my gymnasts for this meet due to a minor issue... So I had 3 level 8's competing.. 1 second year and 2 first year level 8's... One of my first year kiddos is just 9 years old.. She was a level 6 last year.. So thats says a lot for this kiddo!! The girls started on beam... It was a little shakey but they did well.. I think they got some what robbed on scores but thats just my opinion.. Its a learning experience and will prepare them for what lies ahead this season.. As the meet went on the girls did their best.. A few bumps in the road here and there.. But all in all a great first meet! Did I mention that one of my 8's won her age group and we placed 3rd as a team!!! With just 3 of them competing thats a big accomplishment!! Very proud of them!

I am very excited to see how this season plays out!! There is so much talent and potential in each and every one of my girls!! So.. Get ready!!!!