I Love These Peeps!

Mother's Day was REALLY difficult for me this year. I spent much of the weekend on the verge of tears. I hvae no idea why this year of all years was so difficult. It just was.

BUT... Spending Mother's Day with my peeps made it MUCH better! AND they took me to Red Onion Seafood y Mas -- one of the best places around!

Easter Weekend.....

Just got my camera back from the Creek, so these are a "bit" late....

We have this GREAT tradition of spending Easter weekend at the Creek. Usually it's way too cold for the kids to ski or anything, but with Easter being late this year it was a PERFECT time to bring friends for a weekend on the water!

Of course, we had our annual Easter Egg hunt. This year we did it DI-style and let the kids hide their own eggs. They had a blast!



And of course, we spent LOTS of time on the water. This is the only picture I have of Grant. Isn't that sad??

Grant and Kait kind of got paired up on the Waverunner -- a great combination. She was anxious to learn to Wake-Board, and Grant is the MASTER. He was able to give her lots of help!

And 'tis the season for Softball.... We've been playing LOTS of ball! Abs' pitching is getting much better. Still doesn't throw a huge number of strikes, but she doesn't throw many rainbows either!

25/21: I Haven't Given Up On You......

... Just been more than a bit busy. I'm so ready for school to be out -- I just can't stand it. In the meantime, though, we're running here and there with softball and school and church and everything in between.

Even though my blog postings took a bit of a bit of a break, I know your weight-loss didn't. AND since we only have 41 days till school's out, we better be rockin'. So.... let's see where we all stand!

Name -- Lost this Week -- Total for the Challenge
Aimee D. --
Amber B. -- Lost 1.4; Total Lost 7.8
Amy B. --
Amy S. --
Ann C. --
Annette T. --
Cindi C. --
Cissa N. --
Crystal V. --
Cyndi S. --
Cyndy G --
D'Lupe -- Lost 1; Total Lost 6
Jennifer M. -- Lost 2
Jimmie Sue L. --
Jolanda W. --
Julie N. --
Kara V. -- Lost 1.5; Total 9.5
Katie R. --
Kay R. --
Kayren B. --
Kelley B. --
Kristine F. -- Lost 1.5; Total 16.3
Laura Kay R. --
Laurie Y. --
Leanne J. --
Liz E. --
Lori A. --
Lori P --
Melanie H. --
Melissa H. --
Molly C. -- Holding Steady.....
Nadine L. -- Total Lost 7
Rachel R. --
Rebecca B. --
Sally P. --
Sarah A. -- Lost 1; Total Lost 10
Sharon V. --
Sherrie W. -- Lost 1.5
Suzi B. --
Tammy H. -- Lost 1.5; Total Lost 9
Taunda J. -- Holding Steady; Total Lost 5
Vicki T. --

Help for West Texas

... And I have no idea why my posts have started formatting like this. But... Remember how everyone in Fairfield jumped in to help the Longs when their house burned down? I know you've all seen the footage on TV, and the terrible losses that families in West and North Texas are facing. Three years ago we lost 2 miles of fence on our home place to one of these fires. In comparison, we know of a family near Post that ranches on a section of land. That's one square mile. Earlier this week, they lost everything except their house. Barns, tack, feed... Fences. Everything. If you'd like to help the families devastated by the fires, the Biggs family is collecting gift cards to send up there. I'll be sending the first batch on Thursday. I'll let you know where they go and who you're helping. The love and support from complete strangers has brought great hope to our family and friends who are battling the fires. As fire trucks from as far away as Flower Mound, Wylie, Austin and Rockwall have rolled through town, they have been welcomed with open arms. If this is something you can help with, gift cards to Lowe's, Home Depot, Gebo's and Wal-Mart are great. (Think Building Supply and Small Towns.) If helping with gift cards isn't something you can do, please be praying for rain and light winds. The winds were supposed to give them a bit of a break this weekend, but they're bracing for high winds again on Monday. Thank you for your help and support!!! - D'Lyn Biggs p.s. These pictures were taken a few weeks after our fire. The pastures had started to green up again. While they don't fully convey what the damage looked like, they will give you a glimpse. And remember, this was just a drop in the bucket in comparison to what so many people are facing right now!

This shows just how close the fire got to our house.

The Princess Guide: I've had about all I can stand...

... of hibernating.... Hi Ya'll, I've been head over heels in finishing the Yearbook for my girls' school, so I haven't been able to start focusing in on this year's 3-Day for the Cure fundraising. BUT Yearbook is due Monday, so ya'll hang onto your hats! I'm about to come out of hibernation in a BIG way! In the meantime, I wanted to share with you the very real stories of four women fighting breast cancer. Four YOUNG women. Four women in different stages of this battle. First, an update on Cheri. This is what Dione sent today: "She is home now- I talked to her today and I can tell she is struggling. Here is what Jeff posted on his page today. We saw the oncologist yesterday. Cheri will c the cardiologist today to have an echo done to c if her heart is strong enough for chemo. If it is then she will start back on chemo on tues w/a diff chemo drug that attacks cells instead of masses. It is n the same family of chemo drugs that she was on, so the side effects should b the same as before. Keep praying!" Second, an update from my friend Andrea. Andrea lives in Virginia, and her husband Matt is an old friend. Andrea is the reason I'm walking in DC this year -- in addition to DFW. I'll let you read Andrea's story on Caring Bridge. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. The reality of their situation really hits home with me. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrealohr Third, we have an update, also on Caring Bridge, for Cyndi Ritchie. Cyndi was Kaitlyn's preschool teacher at The Met's Lamb School when we first moved to Houston. She lives in Montana now. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/montana2010 Finally, the Caring Bridge link for Teri Colwell. Teri lives in Coles Crossing and goes to church at West Houston. Her boys are 6 and almost 9. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tericolwell/en I wanted to share all these stories with you for a couple of reasons. For one, much of my personal focus is on helping women understand that breast cancer isn't a Grandmother's diease. It knows no age, ethnic, gender, economic or religious boundaries. All four of these women are young. Teri and Andrea both have very young children. I also wanted you to know that part of the funds we raise for Team Tiara Foundation, above and beyond the dollars we raise for the Breast Cancer 3-Day, go to support women who are fighting this battle right now. Women like Cheri, Andrea, Cyndi and Teri. We have already sent Andrea an Isaiah 40:31 bracelet. We have given away all the bracelets that walked the walk in November, and I ordered 20 more today. Teri, Cheri and Cyndi will all be receiving a bracelet. We are looking into other means of support as well. In the next week or so, as I finish Yearbook and get ready to focus on Team Tiara's fundraising for 2011, you're going to start hearing more and more from me. We have plans beginning for a few major fundraisers, and I'll also let you know about individual fundraising. Corporate Sponsorships will be a major focus this year. I'll be in Dallas April 30-May 1 to help with event planning there, and we'll have a meeting in Houston in the very near future. As we kick all of this off, and you see a bigger passion than ever before, you'll understand what's driving me. This isn't your Grandmother's disease. This could be Your disease. And it could be MY disease. Let's stop it before that happens. Love to you all! - D'Lupe

We Built Hope on the Hill

Check it out This is a wonderful example of what can happen when an entire community comes together to do something amazing. We need to find a spot for Hope Field 2. Need a softball field for your league??

Bear With Me....

... We've been a bit busy.

We Are the Champions!

Yesterday was 4th Grade Field Day, so I've put together a little photo story for your viewing pleasure!

Yep, Abbie's Team won the Tire Pull!!! I am SO proud of my girl! You know, she won't be the tallest girl in her grade for forever. Sooner or later her genes are going to catch up with her. But the confidence that she has gained from being the "Big Kid" -- whether on the soccer field or in the Tire Pull won't go away.

Her class has won the overall Field Day every year we've been here. Way to go, Spears Squid Squad!!!

25/21: Come On, Sun!

Wow. Far too many of us are being plagued by the weather. While we never got a lick of snow last week, our temperatures have been cold and colder all week. This is seriously getting in the way of my plan!!!!!

And I can tell I'm not the only one! By the time everyone's numbers came in last week, we had lost a total of 24.3 lbs. Not too shabby. BUT then the Superbowl hit -- this week may be a bit frightful! We'll see when all the numbers finally roll in!


Name -- Lost this Week -- Total for the Challenge
Aimee D. -- Lost 2; Total Lost 5.6
Amber B. -- Holding Steady; Total Lost 1.4
Amy B. -- I think she was kidnapped by Aliens. Or Kindergarteners??
Amy S. -- Lost .5; Total Lost 4
Ann C. -- Total Lost 1 -- Must have been kidnapped by farmers.
Annette T. -- Total Lost 5
Cindi C. -- Total Lost 6
Cissa N. -- Buried in a Snow Drift??
Crystal V. -- Lost 2; Total Lost 5
Cyndi S. -- Total Lost 1.2
Cyndy G --
D'Lupe -- Total Lost 2.3
Jimmie Sue L. -- Total Lost 3
Jolanda W. -- Lost 2; Total Lost 7
Julie N. -- Total Lost .1 -- Have you been kidnapped by a snowman?
Kara V. -- Holding Steady; Total 3
Katie R. -- Total Lost 2 -- Are you out there?
Kay R. -- Holding Steady; Total Lost 2
Kayren B. -- Total Lost 4.5
Kelley B. -- What's up?
Kristine F. -- Lost 3.1; Total Lost 7.7 -- GREAT Success Story!
Laura Kay R. -- Total Lost 2
Laurie Y. -- Holding Steady; Total 1.5
Leanne J. -- Lost 5.4; Total Lost 7.6 -- That Virus was a $%^&!
Liz E. -- Total Lost 1 -- Have you been kidnapped by nerds?
Lori A. -- Total Lost 2.5 -- Are you busy building Snowmen?
Lori P -- Lost 1.5; Total Lost 4.5
Melanie H. -- Lost 1; Total Lost 2
Melissa H. -- Total Lost 2
Molly C. -- Total Lost 3
Nadine L. -- Total Lost 1.5
Rachel R. -- Total Lost 4.8
Rebecca B. -- Lost 1; Total Lost 4
Sally P. -- Holding Steady; Total Lost 1.5
Sarah A. -- Holding Steady; Total Lost 7
Sharon V. -- Total Lost 3
Sherrie W. -- Lost 1; Total Lost 8.5 -- WOWZERS!
Suzi B. -- Today is a new day!!!
Tammy H. -- Lost .9; Total 5.4
Taunda J. -- Lost 1; Total Lost 4
Vicki T. -- Total Lost 4.2

25/21: Bring on the Snow!

For those of you north of the Red River, I'm sure those of us down here in Houston are making for some great comic relief these days.

Sure, our temps have dropped into the 20's, and we're giddy with anticipation for the 1-2" of promised snow/ slush / ice / sleet/ rain combination that's supposed to arrive in the next 24 hours.

You're watching the coverage of the Superbowl festivities with a gleam of amusement as you take breaks from shoveling the 24" of snow in your driveway. You're thinking we should all "Man Up."

That is, if one of my four faithful readers lives north of the Red River -- I really have no idea.

BUT what I do know is that I can't WAIT. I can't wait to go sliding around the driveway. I can't wait to see if one of the boxes I've been saving will make a good sled for the ditch behind our house. I can't wait to put the girls in their ski gear, send them outside for an hour, and make sure they stay warm enough for our trip to Park City next month.

I'm ready. I've got Cream of Wheat and hot cocoa in the pantry, 15-bean soup in the Crock Pot and Secretariat on the schedule. My cute boots are on my feet, and I'm thinking Outside Fun will make for a GREAT exercise plan.

And I lost 1.3 pounds this week. That's right -- 1.3! Not at all what I expected!

Really.

This weigh-in week started off with such promise. Once I finally started listening to Leanne, and started writing down everything I was eating, things were going great. By Friday I'd lost 1.1 lbs. I rode 18 miles on my bike both Thursday and Friday. Worked with hand weights while watching Days of our Lives. (BTW.... How many times is Stephano going to get away with that whole people-switch thing???) Life was good.

And then we hit the weekend. Friday night, we went to Redfish Grill -- by far my favorite restaurant out here in the Boonies. I didn't go off the reservation. Skipped the appetizer and had a bit of Biggy's gumbo. Grilled Mahi-Mahi. Veggies. Not too bad, right???

Saturday night it was beef shish-kabobs, sweet potato, venison sausage and bread. (Argh! Bread!) Sunday evening small group brought incredible soups, more bread, cheesecake and cookies... UGH. Monday morning I was up 1.6 pounds.

Crazy things are going on around here. Biggs is in the middle of "remodeling" our kitchen, and I have no access to the stove. My microwave is in the middle of the bar (plugged in), my old oven is in the dining room, and my new double oven is in the middle of the kitchen floor. Praise God for my Crock Pot. It's the only thing keeping me away from Chick Fil A. That and the fact that it's 24 degrees outside.

So you can imagine, stepping on the Wii and finding out I'm down 1.8 since Monday morning is HUGE for me. I've not exercised, I'm drinking hot cocoa, and I have no idea how it happened. I can only assume it was the proverbial "water weight" plaguing me Monday morning.

So... That's where things stand with me. Only about half of our happy little troupe has reported in, so I'm not sure where things stand with all ya'll. Hellloooooo..... Is anyone out there???


Name -- Lost this Week -- Total for the Challenge
Aimee D. -- Holding Steady; Total Lost 3.6
Amber B. -- Holding Steady; Total Lost 1.4
Amy B. -- Have you been kidnapped by Aliens? Or Kindergarteners??
Amy S. -- Lost 1; Total Lost 3.5
Ann C. -- Total Lost 1 -- Have you been kidnapped by farmers??
Annette T. -- Lost 2; Total Lost 5
Cindi C. -- Total Lost 6
Cissa N. -- Buried in a Snow Drift??
Crystal V. -- Lost 1; Total Lost 3
Cyndi S. -- Total Lost 3.1
Cyndy G --
D'Lupe -- Lost 1.3; Total Lost 2.3
Jimmie Sue L. -- Lost .5; Total Lost 3
Julie N. -- Total Lost .1 -- Have you been kidnapped by a snowman?
Kara V. -- Lost 2; Total 3
Katie R. -- Total Lost 2 -- Are you out there?
Kay R. -- Total Lost 2 -- But that Gumbo was worth it!
Kayren B. -- Lost 2.5; Total Lost 4.5
Kelley B. -- What's up?
Kristine F. -- Lost 1.5; Total Lost 4.6
Laura Kay R. -- Total Lost 2
Laurie Y. -- Holding Steady; Total 1.5
Leanne J. -- Lost .2; Total Lost 2.2
Liz E. -- Total Lost 1 -- Have you been kidnapped by nerds?
Lori A. -- Total Lost 2.5 -- Are you busy building Snowmen?
Lori P --
Melanie H. -- Total Lost 1
Melissa H. -- Lost 3; Total Lost 4
Molly C. -- Total Lost 3
Nadine L. -- Total Lost 1.5
Rachel R. -- Total Lost 4.8
Rebecca B. -- Lost 1; Total Lost 3
Sally P. -- Lost 1; Total Lost 1.5
Sarah A. -- Total Lost 7
Sharon V. -- Total Lost 3
Sherrie W. -- Lost 1.5; Total Lost 7.5
Suzi B. -- Today is a new day!!!
Tammy H. -- Total 4.5
Taunda J. -- Total Lost 3
Vicki T. -- Lost 1.8; Total Lost 4.2