First Day of Kindergarten

Well today marked a new beginning for the Templeton family, Mikayla started kindergarten! We were so excited getting everything ready for her big day and she did so well!!! For starters she picked out her own outfit, which was not one that I would have picked, but non the less Mikayla did a wonderful job! In her new blue star t-shirt, blue shorts and Sketcher hi-top shoes, braids in her hair she was ready to beat the day! She did great and surprisingly so did Mommy! I have said over and over that I think daycare really prepared all of us for this day. I am so proud of her and so excited about the rest of her educational career!!! Oh and I can't discount that we were so excited about her new teacher Mrs. Henry (well not new to teaching--she has taught 4 of my cousins and went to school with my aunt Debbie--but new to us).

And not to take away from Mikayla's day...but here is a quick snapshot at how my day went...So after dropping off both Mikayla and Dawson Mike and I get home and the A/C in our new Lexus goes out. So I decide to go ahead and drive out to Grapevine to drop it off to get fixed. Well when I get there I waited for all of about 10-15 mintutes and get my rental (mind you this is a nicer and newer Lexus than mine). So I go to work and after work I go out to pick up Mikayla from school. I'm in the parking lot to leave and what do you know...I'm one of "those people" that gets into an accident!!! Yes, I backed into someone in the parking lot (I am the worlds worse at this!!!). So I go to confess to the dealership on what I have done and they tell me it's no big deal it'll probably cost you around $300-$400 to get fixed. So tonight I'm sitting here and started thinking that I have tons to do with work. So I go out to the car to get my work laptop and guess what??? I left it in the rental!!! I seriously hope no one steals this thing!!! So now I'm waiting for Mike to wake up from him evening nap to see if he'll go and pick it up in the morning on his way home from work...please let it be there!!! So just one question...does you start to lose your mind when you lose your children to school? Hopefully tomorrow will bring only good news and another great day for Mikayla and me!!!

Disney

Well about 4 months ago we loaded up and headed to Disney for a wonderful trip with my father, sister, brother-in-law, brother, sister-in-law, two nephews and a niece! We had such a wonderful trip and made so many family memories. From visting Magic Kingdom to watching the kids participate in many shows (Star Wars and GI Joe) it was truly a trip to remember. I am so happy we were able to enjoy this time with the family and can't wait for the next trip!!!

The Best Kids!

Well I have to brag and admit, really for no reason at all, that I have the two best kiddos in the world! I've decided to capture here a few moments in our life at home getting ready for bed. Usually with Mike's crazy schedule and both of us working full time and trying to jugle all the crazy demands in life our night-time routine isn't always as routine as we would like but we try real hard.

So here's a shot:

5:30 pm arrive at Children's Courtyard to pick the kiddos up

6:00 pm getting home and frantickly searching for something in the house to eat...on a last minutes notice it's usually Mikayla's favorite (burritos) or Dawson's favorite (soup or cereal)

6:30 pm either go out for a quick walk or ride around the neighborhood on the scooters and bikes or go out for a nice jump on the trampoline

7:00 pm time for baths!!!

7:30 pm oh it's still bathtime and playing

7:45 pm we're making our way out of the baths and into the bedroom for a little more fun

8:00 - 9:00 pm and sometimes later it's lights out and off to bed

Now of course I try to have this down to a well oiled machine but it doesn't always work out the best. The kids are always having so much fun and laughing and screaming and going crazy. I am so greatful to have them in my life! Things would be way to quiet and boring without them. Thanks kiddos for bringing me so much joy in life. I love you!!!

Daddy Daughter Dance

Well I know I am so dang far behind with writing so I'm going to try to get caught up on a few things. From training for the Cowtown half at the end of February to whatever else was going on in my life I am just now writing about the Daddy Daughter Dance that Mikayla had with Daddy (aka Mike).

Mikayla was so cute all dressed up to go to the Valentine's event at Keller Pointe with her favorite date, Dad and her favorite cousin, Landrie and her dad. The girls were so cute and of course the Daddy's spoiled them with everything from glitter bags to dance after dance with Hanna Montana music playing in the background. Andrea, Branden, Dawson and I even snuck in for a peek from atop the dance floor. Hush hush Branden and Dawson.

All in all the event was great and the girls had a blast! Mikayla says she can't wait for next year Daddy!

Running

Need I say more??? Most people would probably say no. I have to say I have a deep love for running (don't know why). Well I've started my second training venture for the Cowtown Marathon, but this time I'm going for the half. It's amazing, this past week Mike, Drew (my brother--if you didn't know) and I went out for an 8 mile run by Grapevine Lake. It was so nice outside and being out in the "wilderness" on those trails was such a great getaway from what I normally run (my neighborhood). I have to say that I am so proud of my husband! He is seriously taking me up on my challenge to do this run and I couldn't be more proud of him! I know he will see what I see in the joys of being out on a long run. There are so many people that have gotten me here today (as if running is a huge thing). I really think we all do things in life because someone has inspired us to do so, so I feel compelled to give a huge thanks to 5 people. First and foremost to my parents. They have been there to support me and provide encouragement at all these events and are consistently help out with the kids. I cannot thank the you enough!!! Next being my brother. I don't think he realizes how much of an inspiration he is to me! From trugging along those last 6 miles of my last marathon to just calling me up early on Sunday morning and telling me "I don't want to hear excuses, let's go!" I love you Drew. Thank you! To my wonderful husband and children! Mike thank you for your support and always giving me a hard time. You push me and motivate me more than anyone in this world and more than you will ever know! And to my two beautiful children. Thank you for making me feel like I need to get out and run to keep my sanity, just kidding! I appreciate all the support and cheers you give mommy on those long runs when I come around that corner at home and you are standing outside in the driveway with Daddy to cheer me on and run to my feet. I LOVE YOU!!! And lastly, I do not think I would be doing any of this without the encouragement that I received growing up from my grandmother, Granny. Granny (she'll probably never read this), thank you for taking me to all those runs as a kid and showing me that running is enjoyable even when you were 55 years old and out there winning trophies. I think you enstilled a love for this sport in all your children and grandchildren. You are a great motivator!!! So whether you run for you, run for someone else, run for a special cause or a special loved one that you have lost that can no longer run for themselves...keep pushing that joy through for many generations so that all the world might see just how fun it can truly be! I only hope that I can do that for somone. RUN ON!!!

Kids

OK. So for my first official blog I thought that I had to write something great, or should I say funny about my two wonderful children. This picture was taken one day while the kids were outside playing, during the summer, in the garden at Grandma and Grandad's house. Dawson is such a sweet loving child and I guess he decided that he was going to play with the pink flamingo sprinkler with Mikayla. Mikayla always has to have everything perfect so, of course, she wouldn't be outside playing naked, but Dawson, on the other hand, loves to let the world see the sunshine from his point of view. Dawson will always be safe with Mikayla by his side since she has to take care of everything. She has such a sweet, yet very determined heart. This picture always makes me laugh as Grandad thinks it's so funny that Dawson likes to wear pink jackets (thanks mom!), play with pink fishing poles and play with Mikayla's pink flamingo. Guess he thought he needed to show that he was really a boy in some fashion!

I love you two wonderful kiddos! Thanks for always bringing a sile to my face and joy to my heart! I couldn't ask for a life that is any better! I love you guys!!!

Our Family

Well after a year or so of watching my family create these blogspots I've finally decided to create one of my own! I love all the pictures and daily updates they write about their families and adventures through life so I thought that I should create a page to share my family adventures and memories as well.

Welcome to our blogspot...and I'll try to write at least once a week, if not more!