South Padre

Gloria and I went to South Padre for four days. We had a great time while it rained, and rained, and rained at home. We spent a lot of time walking on the beach, and we got to go fishing too.

Roses, Wedding Cake, Videos Games and Hydration Packs

If you could guess what this post is about based on the title you deserve an award!

I am so in love with this man! He is my best friend and a wonderful husband!

Sunday was our first anniversary! It seems kind of weird to say that we have been married a year because it went by so fast. Being married to my best friend is the greatest. Daniel and I have so much fun together and have truly enjoyed being married. One year down and eternity to go!

It sure was a lot of fun celebrating our anniversary. We went to church that morning and then headed to lunch with the in-laws at Celebration. This is the same restaurant where we held our rehearsal dinner. What a fitting place to have lunch! After lunch we headed home to exchange gifts. Daniel had given me a dozen roses on Saturday and on Sunday he gave me a CamelBack Hydration Pack. Doesn't that sound romantic? It is actually something that I wanted and will use as I train for the 3Day. Daniel was the lucky recipient of a new video game, a coffee grinder, some Starbucks coffee and a Starbucks giftcard.

Later that evening we watched our wedding video and relived our wedding day. It was so sweet and made both of us a little emotional. Our wedding day was truly the best day of my life so far! It was my very own fairy tale wedding.

We then ate some of our wedding cake that had been in Daniel's parent's freezer. I told them we would pay them rent for housing the top of our wedding cake for a year. I am sure they were happy to get rid of that thing! By the way, who came up with that tradition?

Even after spending a year in the freezer our wedding cake still tasted pretty good!

One of the neatest gifts we received for our wedding was a blessing cup and a book of blessings. The book contains prayer-rituals for families and groups and has a prayer or blessing for various holidays and special events. Daniel and I have begun the tradition of using our blessing cup to honor and to celebrate significant events. For our anniversary we shared the blessing cup with one another.
I am looking forward to many more anniversary celebrations with the love of my life! Daniel, you are such a blessing and I love you so very much!

60 Miles....Am I Crazy or What?

In October I will be participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day. I will walk 60 miles over the course of 3 days. I will spend two nights sleeping in a pop-up tent, have the wonderful opportunity of using port-a-potties and a shower truck. Doesn't that sound like a ton of super-dee-duper fun? I know it will be! For a couple of years now I have wanted to be a part of this exciting event, but always found a reason not to participate. This year, I made no excuses and registered.

Why am I walking?

I am walking because my family has walked down the "breast cancer" road. Ten years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Until that time breast cancer was something that happened to other people. But in the blink of an eye it became a reality for my mom and for me. My mom underwent a single mastectomy and tram-flap reconstruction. Thankfully the surgery was successful and we just celebrated her 10 year anniversary of being cancer free on April 1st. For that reason I will walk. I am also walking for the number of women who I do not know who daily face the challenges of this disease called cancer. I am walking for my niece, my future children and grandchildren, so that they may never have to worry about breast cancer. I am walking for a cure.

Training has been hard and there are days when the last think I want to do when I come home is walk. But I walk anyway.

You can read more about the 3 Day at www.the3day.org and if you would like to support me in this adventure you may make a donation at http://www.the3day.org/dallas07/gloriacooley

Gotta keep walking!

Horses, Screaming Frogs and More

Last weekend Daniel and I headed to Pilot Point to visit with his Aunt Bonnie and Bill. They have a great house on 22 acres. We had such a fun time. Daniel picked me up from work on Friday afternoon and we headed out. When we arrived in Pilot Point, Bonnie and Bill were in the kitchen cooking a fabulous dinner. We had Copper River Salmon, a yummy salad, squash, and some great bread. After dinner we headed outside to sit on the back porch with some herb tea to watch the sun set and to enjoy the beautiful scenery. It was so peaceful. The cows from across the way were lowing, the frogs were singing, the wind was blowing. Sheer beauty! As we went to bed that night there was a huge thunderstorm and we fell asleep with the deep thunder and flashes of lightening.

The next day we walked around the property. One of the funniest things that happened was sneaking up on the frogs at the pond and hearing them scream right before they jumped in the water. It was greatness! I had never heard a frog scream and didn't really believe that they did it until I heard it with my own ears. We played with the horses and just had a great time visiting with Bonnie and Bill. We drove into the town square to have lunch at a wonderful whole in the wall Mexican restaurant. After lunch we headed back to the property where we drove the tractor and played with the horses a little more. It was such a good weekend and Daniel and I had a fun time getting away from the city and spending time with family.

Cody enjoying a mid-morning snack
Selano and "Lil' Bit."
The baby has actually not yet been named. He was six weeks old when we went out there and so cute. He was at the stage where he was exploring everything with his mouth.

Cody decided he needed to take a walk with me.

Cody is an extrovert if you can't tell. He always has to be a part of the action.

Home of the Screaming Frogs
Lil' Bit's Momma, Bandit

God's beautiful creation

Wild grapes

Bo-Bo and Bubbles, the fattest donkeys I have ever seen!

Does this remind you of your childhood?

Just a note.....Daniel did not post this....I was too lazy to sign in and he emphatically stated that he was NOT the one to post this clip!