Has it really been since Christmas?

Has it really been since Christmas since I last posted?  Wow.  Shame on me!

You would think being unemployed would make it so I have lots of spare time to keep up on these things, but I am regularly busy.  (Probably the busiest unemployed person I know!)

Courtney turned 19 at the beginning of this month.  She has really grown into a fine young adult and I am extremely proud of the young woman she is becoming.  My little goldilocks still has the drive and ambition to be the best at everything she can be.  She puts forth 100% into everything she does.

The cheer season has officially ended, so it has been a whirlwind of competitions and both girls having exciting opportunities to travel around the South with their cheer teams.  They just returned from New Orleans this past week.  Chad and I were not able to accompany them to NOLA since I am not working.  We have always wanted to go there, just to experience the atmosphere and say we have been there.  Chad really wants to try some authentic Cajun food from NOLA.  I could care less about the food.  I heard a lot of bad things about Bourbon Street, and have no desire to go see it.  Who wants to be surrounded by the smell of piss, trash, and beer?  Throw in some homeless people and some really messed up drunk people...no thanks!  Luckily we have the rest of our lives to go visit - it's only a 6 hour drive and once finances get back on track, I hear the plane tickets are pretty cheap.

Corbin has been re-enrolled into public school after trying online homeschooling for four months.  He just couldn't seem to self-start the program, and there would be days of us arguing about him doing his school assignments.  He is not happy to be back in public school, but this time he has an official IEP in place to make accommodations for his autism, so hopefully this experience will be a little less burdensome for him.

Chad just ended his winter hockey season and is looking forward to starting again already.  He took a slap shot to his ankle yesterday and has a nice black and blue swollen bruise as a souvenir from his game.

I have been doing photography sessions for the cheerleaders, and it has been a godsend. It keeps me busy working on the computer editing the photos and provides a small amount of income to help pay for the groceries.

It's been rainy here in Houston for the last week and I have felt trapped inside.  I need to get out and walk or else I get restless.  Chad came home from hockey last night and the rain had broken, so he asked me if I wanted to go out for a walk.  Courtney thought we were insane because it was 10 p.m. at night and we were going out walking.  It was refreshing to be out and I just have to say, I have the best husband in the world.  He's so good to me!

My folks are coming to visit in a couple of weeks - I am so excited to see my mom and step dad!!!  They will be here over Easter and I am looking forward to having them here with us.

Texas has been a wonderful experience.  It has been a cultural adjustment for all of us, but I honestly can say that I don't miss the Minnesota weather.  I miss my friends and family like crazy, and I miss having a job.  But this chapter of our life is still just beginning, and I wouldn't trade it for the world!