A Room Fulll of Balloons!!

 

A room filled with balloons...some say FUN...I say a little scary :)



To all you haters!

Just sayin!... Texas is the place to be..what what!!

Texas: Though its unemployment rate may not be as low as the other states we've listed thus far (it's still 8 percent), more jobs are being created in Texas than in any other state. From April 2010 through April 2011, 254,400 jobs were added. Plus, more people are employed in Texas -- about 10.56 million -- than in North Dakota, New Hampshire, Nebraska, South Dakota, Vermont, Indiana and Illinois combined. Both the high job creation rate and the high number of jobs is in part due to the fact that there are more Fortune 500 companies located in Texas than in any other state.

What to do....??

I am not sure what to do with this blog since FB pretty much keeps track of where we are...so with that I am trying to figure out how to update life at the Wilson household.  Someday I get bright ideas and think I could use this as a max and jack dialogue box, thoughts for myself and just interesting items.  However I usually forget them by the time I get on here...which could be days or weeks after things occur.  Anyway I am totally blabbing about nothing now....and will get on with it.

So far we have been in the grand state of Texas for 9 months...if you can believe it.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the weather and will never trade it...I have been watching all the snow that I could have been living in and think "thank god, I am no longer in it"  We have had a beautiful spring and I couldn't be happier.

We are now looking for a house to live in...not having much luck since the last 3 "perfect" homes we found have been snagged before we could even blink.  and to be honest I wasnt going to start a bidding war between others for a house in this market.  We have decided to lease for the next 2 years, mostly because our house in UT took our entire down payment from us and that if we can get in my perfect area here in 2 years which we will then I want to be able to do that.  So the hunt is on for a house we can make a home for the nest 1-2 years before we settle more permanently.  LOL which is a loose term for anyone who knows a "Springate" aka nomads.

Jared is doing well in his business...he has gotten a promotion at the restaurant and will be the store manager, making more money and working longer hours...he has also officially started his business and has been hired on as the North Dallas Acquisitions Manager for a Real Estate Investment Firm.  Once this position kicks off he will be able to leave the restaurant business behind and concentrate on this job solely.  I have to say...we are a family who are not afraid to work and I hope that he will not have to have 2 full time jobs for long...
With that said once everything gets in gear and he has finished training etc...in 4-6 months I can say good by to my job to and possibly start looking into opening my own business which I have had a plan for, for the last 5 years.

This move has been everything we needed to kick start our future.  Neither of us were happy just being and wanted more for ourselves and family.  This time next year things will be so different.  We will be in the position we wanted to be in for a long time....success has started and we could be more pleased.

Jack Turns 2!!!



My little Boy turned 2!!  I was packing away our albums and came across Max's 2nd birthday...where does time go??  He is growing up to be such an out going little boy, who loves to tease and rough house and who adores his big brother.  Copying everything move and word.

I think about all the wonderful people in their lives and am so grateful to have them all.

Catching up...

Jack and Max got Mo-hawks

No more snow to worry about (March 1)

Sprin has sprung in Dallas March 2011

Who says it never Snows in Texas??

Who says it doesn't snow here?  I am pretty sure that is what that is...Over super bowl week we had more snow than Dallas has ever had on record....Go figure!  But at least I knew it was a fluke and once that very bizarre week passed..it was back to normal

Thank goodness too....thats about all the snow I could handle for one season.

Is January already over? A January Overview...

Starting 2011 we decided that one day every month we would dedicated to a family day.  Since  Jared's and my schedule are so opposite we need to plan out some time for all of us to explore and just be together.

This month we went to the Dallas World Aquarium.  Which I have to say is fabulous!!!  It's all indoors and this place is just massive.

 
Gotta love Jacks face in this picture.  They had all sorts of sharks and sea life from all over the world here...

 Not to mention this guy..... Well they had a few of them swimming around the whole place.

 Friendly otters....

 Birds to feed and sloths to pet.  Monkeys swinging over your head.  The list of cool and unusual things going on around you were endless.

 Not to mention if you needed a stiff drink they had them for you!!!  :) 

 Max is in front of an indoor waterfall (about 4 stories tall)

I think the Dallas Aquarium is going to be a favorite stomping grounds for us now.  Great place!!

January in Review.  What a great start to the new year.  So far everything is falling into place.  New jobs, new outlook, new attitudes.  We couldn't be happier.  We have some work to do over the next year to settle ourselves back into a routine but we are loving it here in Dallas and cant wait to find a home to move into and settle down for a while. 

New Years Resolutions 2011

It's that time of year again to start over and rethink a few things.....
This year I am convinced is going to be our year...I know it is!!!!
We have so many things to look forward to and do
This year I vow to start working on myself...take some time out and work on getting healthy and fit.  I need to learn to calm down and enjoy the here and now.  Its tough but I think I can do it.
Jared and I will have one date night a month as well as a dedicated family day per month.  We need to spend more quality time together.
We will also start taking a family vacation per year.  Its time we get out there and explore :)

The New Year is about starting over, cleaning out the bad and making good on old promises.  Change only happens is you really want it to.  Letting things go and moving forward.

I am very excited to see where we end up by Dec.2011  (New house, Max in proper school, Jareds career in a new direction and a healthier happier family)!  I am so grateful for the wonderful time I have already had and cant wait for an even better future!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

Daddy Turns 33

Where on earth does the time go.  Jared turned 33!!  10 years have flown by in a flash.  It feels like yesterday that he was 23 and I was 21 living in NJ hanging with friends, going out to night clubs, parties in the city, finishing school and just living up life....flash forward 10 years and we have 2 children, moved about in three states (4 for Jared), got him his first passport and traveled outside the US on his own, visited Spain, UK, South America and have careers, new lives and are total grown ups.  Scary!!!
Excited to see where the next 10 years brings us. 
Happy Birthday to a wonderful man who is my rock, a perfect father, an understanding and kind hearted soul, a funny and sometimes annoying doink but most of all the love of my life..a partner I can trust whole heartily, look to for inspiration and when I need it some calmness.
LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER!!!!

Christmas 2010

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a create was sturing not even a....wait....no thats my boys!! making a racket :)

Christmas eve was full of Santa letters, movies at the mall with mama and papa and Santa cookies.

Max was treated to a 3D movie with Mama and Papa. They went to see Yogi Bear. He loved it. while Jared, Jack and I roamed a very crowed shopping mall. I love that Max gets these little one on one opportunities with his grandparents. Its important that he has his own special memories.

Christmas came early this year. A great start at 5am :) Max came running in our room and had to tell daddy "Santa came and brought me a light saber" it was about 6am when we started in on the stockings.

Jackie got from granddad and nonna a 4 wheeler to match Max's. If its not grown up he's not interested

These were from last night...the boys Santa letters and handmade cookies. I love these memories. Max had so much fun decorating his cookies.

Later we tracked Santa on the Santa.com tracker site. Max was very stressed he wouldn't fall asleep in time so he putt himself to bed extra early.

The boys made out like little bandets....I think they have enough toys for a year :)

Merry Christmas

My little Turns 5

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAXIMUS!!!

My little guy turned 5 years old on November 30th. I can't believe it.

He is such a special little man. He makes our hearts sing and his witty personality is just likes his dads.

Max got so many wonderful birthday wishes...he has the best family a kid could ever ask for. Thanks to Auntie Sammy and brian for his legos, Uncle Eric and Aunt Christi for his legos, Grandad and Nona for the batcave, papa and mama for his leapster, Uncle Pats and Auntie Shannon for his books, uncle matt for his motorbike and uncle simon and auntie irina for his cards. As Max was opening his new presents Jacks face was priceless......

It was the look of "where is my presents...this isnt fun watching him open these....I am so going to steal these later"

A walk in the park with Granddad

Granddads visits are always the best. We love having him over. The boys just love him to pieces.

Happy Christmas -A year in review

Happy Christmas everyone! This year has been full of so many wonderful changes for our family and the up coming new year will bring even more. I am so grateful for a wonderful husband who not only shares the same wants and needs as me but is willing to be apart of my crazy need to experience life and everything it has to offer (let that be moving all the time to someplace new or just traveling).

As my dad always said when we were growing up "we all live on this tiny spec of a rock in this massive universe why on earth would you want to confine yourself to one place...get out there and see as much of it as you can...you don't get to do it again". So as our family grows that is exactly what we plan on doing...maybe I can convince Jared to move to Paris or Singapore:)

What else...Lets see...Jack turned 1 this year and has moved on to walking and talking, Max is 5!! which I still cant believe. My sister ran in the London Marathon in honor of Max and I participated in two walks this year: Susan B Kolmen for cancer and the Buddy walk for downs. I plan on doing more next year. With that I am trying to start up a small business that can provide donations to various children's charities. One step at a time.

Sam also moved to Singapore and hopefully we can make it to see her there before she leaves on another adventure.

Jared and I of course left UT and moved to Dallas. Which we are loving...this fall/winter has been awesome! I love not freezing my buns off :)

Jared left golf for the time being and is working as a restaurant manager while learning about real estate and working towards becoming a real estate investor. He is willing to do anything and try anything...no fear! I love that about him. Give it whirl and see what comes of it.

I left a great company and took a risk moving to TX but have started a new wonderful job and am exciting to see how it all unfolds.

Who knows what next year will bring...hopefully a new house and continued health. We will always be happy because we have each other.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy 2011!!

Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!! This year we spent 2010 in Texas...and I have to wonder like I do every year what next Thanksgiving will look like. I wonder where we will be and what we will be doing and who we will be with the celebrate this holiday.

This year it was with my dad, Matthew and Molly.

Matt and Molly

Jack adores Molly!

These are the pictures I love the most...my boys with their granddad :)

Thankful

2010 Has been a year full of change. All exciting and NEW. This year we are so thankful to have two wonderful healthy well adjusted little boys who are full of happiness and creativity. This Thanksgiving we are celebrating in our new home, Texas and are looking forward to what 2011 will bring.

The Wilson family Top 10 Things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

1. Health

2. Welcome Change

3. Family

4. Friends

5. Our children

6. Each other

7. New beginnings

8. Letting go

9. New jobs and career changes

10. Warm weather :)

There are so many things to be thankful for and I am happy to have a stable home with a family who is ultra supportive and 100% perfect.

Halloween Fun

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Just playing it cool...Mr Risky Business

It's a little late..but better late than never :0 This was the first year we spent out side of UT for a holiday. We usually took the boys out before dark for trick or treating...and we froze :) NOT HERE!! We started out in the 70 degree weather before the sun set and quickly realized that NO ONE trick or treats here before the sun goes down. So we felt kind of silly going to door to door...so we cut the first round short and waited like everyone else....which is how I remember Halloween. Max and Daddy then went back out with our neighbors boys in the dark for some real fun!