Cooking and Working Out??

You read right...and Hell hasn't froze over. With the new year came New Years Resolutions. I am finally committing to getting my weight under control, I am tired of fighting it. I am doing Weight Watchers Simply Filling technique. I love it. I am not hungry, feel good, and am eating delicious, healthy foods. So where do these delicious foods come from....my kitchen of course. You heard right...I am COOKING! I never liked to cook before but I have found a new passion. I am constantly on the Weight Watchers boards looking for new recipes. Andres even likes the food...you would never know it is "diet food". I feel so good being able to prepare healthy foods for he and I...I cook and he cleans the kitchen...its a win win!!! Ha! So in the same vein of losing weight came the dreaded exercise. I HATE exercising. I had some Christmas money and decided to give myself the best gift I could...I hired a personal trainer to help me get started with a fitness program and on the right track to LOVING exercising. He is awesome; Aaron. I really am starting to love exercise. We meet once a week and he gives me a routine. I follow it for the week and then we meet again the the end of the week and I get a new routine...I am loving lifting weights and feel so good that I am doing something for me and taking care of myself. Andres is working out too. Tonight, we even tried spinning class...ouch! The seats are entirely too small for my hiney but I think they would be for anyone over the age of 8. We only made it about 1/2 way through the class but I will definetly go back and try again. I did feel good with my sweat soaked hair and shirt! We will keep you posted on our weight loss journey.

Have you missed us?

It has been a great start to the new year, definetly busy. Andres got his work permit right around New Years Day...it was a glorious day. It felt so good to have 1 thing behind us...it was complete and we are on the track to getting his Greencard. He is actively looking for a job now. He got started back in school and is having a great time. He gets to play tennis everyday - he has a good time. I am back at work; it's busy but good. I love my job and my students so that is a blessing. Hope you all had a wonderful New Year and are enjoying 2009 as much as we are.

School Boy

Andres is going back to school! YAY! Since we are in process of obtaining his green card, he can now qualify for in state tuition...whew! As an international student, tuition was around 1500 for 12 hours, now as a local, in state student, his tutition is only 764 for 12 hours. He got all registered and is gearing up for being back in school. I am really excited for him.

We Did Give Thanks

For Thanksgiving this year, Andres and I went to visit my mom and Terry in North Idaho. We had a great time. We rode horses, tended a sick calf, cooked and ate until I thought we would burst. It was a nice break and a wonderful visit. I have 5 younger brothers and sisters and we had a really fun time hanging out with them. While we were there we also celebrated Christmas. We are back in Texas and back to work, sigh! Only 2 more weeks until Christmas break! YAY!!! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Who's that Lady?!?

I finally had enough! I wacked my hair off this weekend and I love it. I think Andres likes it too...I hope he does. Check out the before and afters.

My Voice Was Heard

Today, I voted for the very first time. Can you believe that? I was old enough to vote in the last presidential election, but didn't know what I was doing and didn't vote. But I voted today, I exercised my right and am feeling really proud. My voice was heard today and that is a really cool feeling. I voted for President and FOR the Tyler ISD bond issue...hopefully they will break ground on my new school campus in February if it passes.


I hope you voted today too and are sharing this same proud feeling.

USCIS Update!!

Yesterday we received an appointment notice from USCIS about Andres' Biometrics appointment. He will go next week to Dallas to have his fingerprints and pictures done. Things are moving along nicely. I am excited that things have been so smooth so far. Hope it stays that way. HA!