Cleaning Day

Today was appointed cleaning day by Tracy. She took a unique approach though. Instead of just saying it's time to clean house she listed out everything that needed to be done and printed them out. She then cut them apart and put them in lunch sacks. One for the girls and one for her and me. We then proceeded to pull out tasks one by one. It has worked quite well. The girls are hard at work cleaning the 2nd floor and Tracy and me cleaned the 1st floor.

No one likes to clean, that's for sure; but this at least made the work seem more fair. I've only got the media room to finish myself and our bag will be done. So I best get to it.

Easter Sunday - 2009

Today, Tracy and I hosted Easter Sunday brunch. Carlos Sr., Desiree, Carlos Jr and Landen came over along with another young family that Carlos knows from the military. Gay and Paul also joined us. Tracy out did herself making several quiches that were devoured completely. Typically we have leftovers after big holiday meals, but not today. Apparently real men do eat quiche and a lot of it.

After brunch Tracy handed out the Easter Baskets to all the kids, grandkids and her loving husband (little, old me). Unfortunately, I almost forgot about the Easter tradition of giving baskets; but as much as it pains me to say so, Wal-Mart came to my rescue. I quickly built a basket for Tracy this morning before our guests arrived. The wrapping was a bit scary, but did the job. The Easter baskets aren’t filled with expensive items, typically just candy and a few fun items. It’s truly more about the giving, that what we are giving. It puts a smile on the faces of the children and grandchildren; and make the adults smile too.

I will say It was a quick holiday. The guests all arrived before 10:00, and all were gone by 3:00. Tracy did an absolute wonderful job as hostess; a role she very much enjoys. It’s one reason we bought the house we live in today.

Easter has a great deal of religious significance for all Christians, but it’s also about family. Easter 2009 was even more so for us because Carlos, Desiree, Carlos Jr and Landen were here to share the holiday with us. They’ve not been able to share Easter with us for sometime, any holiday for that matter. They leave for Carolina in a few weeks, so we get a little more time with them; but not enough. We’ll enjoy every moment we can though; but sharing Easter with them was extra special.

While Tracy cooked up a storm, I did my usual duty as family shutter bug. I’ve posted some of the photos I took today here for family and friends to see.

Easter 2009 Gallery

Herrera's Come to Town

On Thursday Carlos and the family surprised Tracy and me by coming home two days early. We were expecting them late Friday or Saturday and apparently they got home Wednesday night. Carlos is home on leave after having back surgery a few weeks ago. He’s doing well, for a man that just recently had back surgery. This was also the first time that I got to see and hold my newest grandson, Landen Herrera. What a beautiful boy. It was a special night indeed as my newest child and my newest grandson were together for the very first time. I didn’t take a lot of photos Thursday night, but they are here for three weeks and I will add photos to the album over that time.

Photo Album - Herreras Visit April 2009 4/12/09 - Updated with More Photos

Dick & Peggy Visit

Tracy’s dad and his wife Peggy drove down to Dallas from Michigan last week to spend a long weekend with Tracy in celebration of her birthday. We all had a wonderful time, especially Tracy. She has been long separated from her dad only reconnecting a few years ago, shortly before our wedding. Dick and Peggy’s visit was extremely important to Tracy and a great opportunity for our daughters to get to know yet another set of grandparents. Below you will find a link to my gallery with photos from their visit. The next step is for us to make the long drive up to Michigan and spend some time with them in their hometown near Lake Erie.

Dick, I promised I would get the photos posted quickly this time. True to my word... Here’s the link!

A New Daughter

After a very long process, A VERY LONG PROCESS, Tracy and I have the pleasure to announce that we have a new daughter. At a little before 9:00 am this morning, the State of Texas declared that Kristie Marie was legally our daughter; if not already in spirit. While Kristie is not my first daughter, she is the first child in my life to share my family name.

Tracy and I started talking about adoption even before we married, and officially started the process back in November of 2007 when we attended an informational meeting on adoption in Plano. The following January we started attending classes that were required to become certified as potential adoptive parents. In the meantime we were also working towards meeting Kristie. That wouldn’t happen until Tracy’s birthday last year, March 21st. Our first visit with Kristie was basically the State of Texas’ birthday present to Tracy.

In August of last year, we received permission to allow Kristie to become our foster daughter; a requirement before any adoption can be consummated. Six months as a family, before the State of Texas actually makes you a family. That six month date passed in February, and here we are just a few weeks later and Kristie is now our daughter.

If it sounds as though it took a while to happen, it did; but for us the wait was long. For many others it takes years to consummate an adoption. Worse yet, there are thousands of children in North Texas alone that are still “in the system.” Many of those children will never know adoption, only foster care.

By all accounts Kristie seems extremely happy and ready to become a Spore. Not sure if anyone really wants to celebrate becoming a “Spore,” but the name comes with the family. Oh, and to make this all a little extra sweet, Kristie will share the exact same monogram as me - KMS. Just makes a dad smile.

Laughing Stock - Wylie High Play

Tonight Tracy, Kristie and I attended the Wylie Highschool theater production of Laughing Stock. First, let me say we all laughed very hard. It’s a very funny play, and the kids did a wonderful job with the presentation. Per usual I took many photos, over 400 of them. Now I did take a bunch of photos of Courtney, who had a part in this production; but don’t feel bad if you don’t see many of her here. In every picture you will see a little of Courtney because she, along with many others, were responsible for building the set. From what I saw of the set, that was no small undertaking. Bravo kids, Bravo!

Photo Gallery of Laughing Stock

2 New Cars

Over the weekend Tracy and I decided to turn in our BMW’s, they were near the end of the lease, and get two new cars that we would own this time around. We leased our BMW’s which meant we were slaves to milage and other various restrictions. Nothing like owning a car, but not really owning a car. We decided we REALLY wanted to own our cars now. The question was, what to get?

Tracy had one major demand, whatever cars we got had to be able to fit a plastic lawn chair. She bought one last year and had no easy way to get it home in her 325i. We looked around and decided to check out what Saturn had to offer.When all was said and done, we ended up both getting the same model car. Both of us purchased 2008 Saturn Vue’s. If you aren’t familiar with the Vue it is the Saturn version of the Enclave and is a crossover vehicle. That means it has an SUV body built on a car frame. The idea is that while smaller, you get the benefits of the SUV and the benefits of a car. I’ll let you know how that goes in a few months, but already I have been able to bring home a desk for Tracy and Tracy was able to bring home a headboard and frame for Kristie’s bedroom.

We haven’t taken any photos yet of the cars, but these photos I found on the web give a pretty good idea of what ours look like. The photo of the backseat is what the interior of my car looks like and the front seat photo is what Tracy’s interior looks like. For exterior, mine is Techno Grey and Tracy’s is Black Onyx (pictured below). They are great look cars and we are both very happy with our decision. They drive incredibly well too, very much like a car. The best part of all of this... I don’t have to buy another car for at least 5 years, maybe even longer.

New Year's Resolutions

Yes, it’s the time of year when minds around the world turn their thoughts to how they can improve their life and the lives of those around them. While losing weight and stopping smoking are typically favorite New Year’s resolutions, I don’t smoke (well I do smoke about 1 cigar every 3 months) and I don’t need to lose any more weight. That being said, I do have resolutions:

• Keep better track of bills and finances
• Eat healthier
• Spend more time with the family
• Spend less time in my media room
• Start back up Family Game Night
• Become more efficient and effective at work
• Stay more in touch with my friends & family
• Update my website with greater frequency
• Stay on-top of my every growing photo collection
• Read more non-fiction books (actually listen, I use Audible)
• Work with Kristie on her homework and school
• Reduce my overall stress levels
• Take better care of my car

It’s a simple list, but it’s what’s important to me in 2009. I’ve posted it for the world to see; so now I have to make it all come true. How well will I do, I’m a little scared to find out!