Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!

Remember to share what you are thankful for to those around you.

Hangin Tough.

This short phrase sums up my entire weekend. Friday night, Carol, my Mother in Law, Cullen and I went to dinner. As usual, it was fabulous. However, many hours later - I regretted everything about dinner. I was DEATHLY ill. Sparing all major details, I was sick all night Friday night. I was sick ALLLLLLLLLLLLL day Saturday and woke up at 11:00 Sunday. It was HORRIBLE. But, I was hanging tough.

Tonight, I am watching the American Music Awards (which I PRAY is better than the Country Music Awards). The second act to sing was none other than New Kids On The Block. I wasn't expecting too much - until they busted into .... OH OH OH OOOH, The Right Stuff with a little Please Don't Go Girl!! Life is good.

Hip...Hip-hop....Hip-hop-itonamus.

I wish Hippos were not so mean. I see pictures of them (see exhibit A) and just want to adopt one. Honestly, can you really look at the picture below and not just say "aweeeee".

These are a few of my favorite things.

Last Thanksgiving was so fantastic. With this years' events right around the corner, I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures from last year...

The Hamner Clan waiting for someone to serve turkey dinner to them.

...See, turkey really does make you tired.

Cullen and Brittany bonding at Pacific Star. We always eat at a restaurant Wednesday night (before Thanksgiving). We try to do something as far off of turkey and stuffing as possible.

"We want turkey. We want turkey!!"

Meet Hayden

This is my beautiful (and favorite) nephew! Look at him... do you get any cuter????

What a busy weekend.

This weekend was unexpectedly busy. It started with Friday's UT vs. Stetson Hatters Men's basketball game with my sweet husband, dear friend Russell Nelson and his fantastic M-I-L, Jill - whom by the way has FABULOUS tickets. We sat on Row 3, seats 1-4. CAN YOU GET ANY BETTER??!!

Saturday, I joined family for the San Antonio Reagan Rattler's (high school) play-off football game, followed by more family dinner. A movie at home followed. We watched "Baby Mama" with Tina Fey. I am relieved we didn't pay to see that one in the theater. While it was funny, it was only worth the $2.50 it cost for renting.

Today, Sunday, Cullen and I woke early, made blueberry muffins and took our baby pups to the dog park to play. Bless Cullen's sweet heart, he joined me in a shopping spree this afternoon - followed by a spur of the moment birthday party for my great aunt, Hazel. Again, Bless his heart!!

A tribute to our "Celebrity of the Week"

There are defining moments in life. Moments that take place, and you know life will never be the same again. One of these moments happened for me January 22, 2001 - the birth of my favorite niece, Brittany Elizabeth Hamner. Let's travel back in time just a little. Take a journey with me.

I remember it like it was yesterday - Mom and Dad are picking me up from summer camp in June, 2000. After I tell my parents every...single....minute....little detail of camp, she says to me, "Well, it's been a busy week while you were gone. I got in a head-on collision in the corvette, Aunt Stinky."..... It took me several seconds before I realized just what she had just told me. BURSTING INTO TEARS, I didn't know what to ask first. Is she okay? Is the car okay? WHAT MY SISTER IS PREGNANT!!??!! I am going to be an Aunt!!!!


Six months later, I am waiting for the call. The call from my sister and brother-in-law, Curt, to tell me my precious niece is here. I am sitting in the cafeteria during lunch and the call came. Welcome to this world, Brittany Hamner. God blessed this world with you, our little Butterbean.

The last seven years have been extraordinary moments in time. Moments with Brittany vividly stand still - and will forever. I thank my lucky stars every day for you, my little Brittany Elizabeth.

Morning Workouts.

Today is a good morning...a great morning, in fact. My alarm went off at 4:50, and by 5:05 I was out of the house and on my way to work out!! I met my great friend, Jessica (my secret accountability partner for all things working out) and we Body Pumped! Oh boy, it was delightful. Now, I have been at work since 7:30ish and I have been a busy little bee. I feel refreshed "pumped" for the rest of the day.

Thanks, Jess for the motivation - and inspiration.

My little Brodie

SO, I get an email from my dad. Attached is a sweet little perfect picture of my Brodie as a puppy. After my dad took this picture, we gave it to Cullen framed and wrapped for Christmas. Shortly after, I gave him our little Brodie Man. How can you not just FALL IN LOVE??

We Raced For The Cure.

Yesterday, my family joined 21,000 other Texans in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. A lesson from years past, we were up and out of the house before 6:30 a.m., breakfast tacos and bottled waters in tow. Downtown is littered with Susan Komen 2008 race participant shirts. Sprinkled in between the sea of white shirts, is a thin stream of pink shirts representing survivors of Breast Cancer. What a sight; an indescribable sight, frankly.

Many of participants are members of teams walking together. One of my favorite parts of this walk, is reading the clever shirt designs. Among my favorites this year were: "Keep Austin Cured; Support Local Survivors.", "Save Second Base.", and my personal favorite, the one my mother wore. Her shirt read "Of course their fake, the real ones tried to kill me."

Beyond what is written on shirts, signs are created and pinned to shirts. This signs read "Walking in honor of…" "Walking in Memory of…" "Walking in celebration of…". As I have said before, these are the signs that never get easier to read. It is the goose bump moments of the race. Mom’s and daughters walk together, with signs walking in celebration of each other. Men, walk for their mother, sister, daughter, and wives. It is chilling to think how close to home Breast Cancer really hits. In fact, the sign that wrapped my brain around this cancer epidemic best, was a sign worn by an older man. He had a picture of his wife, and a sign that read: "Walking in memory of my soul mate."

Each year, this walk makes me remember how lucky we are as a family. Breast Cancer tried to battle the Great Debi Stafford and lost. In fact, was bludgeoned, smashed to smithereens (hopefully) to never return – ever. I pray to God, thank God for His mercy daily for not plaguing out mother’s life. Yesterday, my mom and I were shopping after the race and she says to me, "This race isn’t about me. I was the fortunate one." Hopefully, with efforts like this past weekend. With donations worldwide, we can find a cure for this horrible cancer.

I love you mom. Thanks for taking one for the team.