Simple.

Not much happening here at the Castros...I had to go into Houston today for an inventory observation, and then I came home, it was a LONG day, so I am just resting. Adolfo tried out a new trail by our house, near one of his favorite fishing spots, and ran 6 miles! Ouch, that is definitely going to hurt manana! It motivated me to continue on my mission to a better lifestyle and healthier me, so I went and enjoyed a 3 mile walk/run, yes it killed me, but it felt so good. Weird I know, but I always feel so much better after I get out of the house and just do it!

It was so beautiful this morning, below 70 degrees, LOVE IT! I am and will forever be a Fall child. I love the colors, hints our wedding, lol, I love blankets and sweaters, and I love coats/scarfs, ha, you get the picture I LOVE FALL! So when I stepped out this evening, there was a sweet breeze, and I just took off running, ha....I saw a couple of deer, and the sunset was AMAZING! Let's see how I feel tomorrow....Thanks babe for motivating me!

Adolfo made Tay and I spagetti for dinner, YUM! and we all just caught up on our day. Adolfo watched a little, well alot of football, and Tay and I watched the CMA Country Fest on TV, I love country music, it never gets old to me! The Judds performed and it took me way back....back to the summer days when me, claudia, caroline, and kendra used to jam out to our cassett, we knew every song, and we performed, oh the days, haha...

Now it is just a little blogging and some quiet time for me. Adolfo, Pat, and Bebes hooked up their XBox 360s, that thing amazes me....we are so far apart and it is like all the boys are in our living room, ahh I miss them! So thanks for entertaining my husband for me, at 11pM, lol... We also have a wii, well Tay does, so if anyone would like to take on the Castro household one night, Bring it On, we are a competative bunch, I am not going to lie, ha, but it would be a good time!

Today I am thankful for my workout time, it was so peaceful and inspiring, no music, just enjoying God's beautiful work around me, for that I am thankful!

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12

Sweet dreams and much love, C.

PS. Let the countdown begin, 5 days until our 1 year Anniversary, I am SOOOO EXCITED!

Blessed Weekend!

This past weekend Tay and I headed back home to meet up with my Mom and spend Saturday taking care of our sister! Nothing helps you recover faster than a day doing NOTHING with your Mom and sisters.

Tay making our dinner arrangements on the way to JC, Hungry girls...

I wanted to finish my apron so badly, and I knew my Grandma M would be the perfect teacher to help me wrap it up...So Friday after dinner we went to Grandma's and visited with her and Darnell....

Grandma helping me with the bow....tricky!

Lesson #1: Don't use pins instead do a quick stitch by hand to hold the fabric together, run it through the machine with the stitch as your guide, then remove when you are done!

Hers...and mine, new generations....

Finished! Thank you Grandma....she truly has a gift in what she does! I am so grateful I get the time to just visit and be with her in her element, and learn all her little tricks of the trade. I am so grateful for our time we got to spend just chatting and sewing at the kitchen table, I love you Grandma! (The Front)


The back, I LOVE bows...

Wrapped and ready to go home to Austin!


Saturday, we spent the day spoiling and taking care of our sister! She is taking it easy and her recovery is going well, but we just know seeing us is going to make it go by so much quicker, lol. I am so grateful for her and her amazing doctors and nurses. They took such great care of her, and for that I am grateful....

If you know my family, you know we love the Kennedy Family, so we woke up early Saturday morning and spent the day taking care of Claudia and celebrating the life of Ted Kennedy. We watched it from start to finish on CNN. What a beautiful tribute to a man who truly was a servant for the people, and used his authority and every ounce of his gifts to be the voice for those who couldn't be heard. What a great message his life leaves us, NEVER GIVE UP and with great reward comes great responsibility, Thank you Teddy!

My Mom spoiled us with an oldie but goodie breakfast, YUM! We spent the day, snacking, coloring, crying, and just enjoying Claudia and CNN....You're NEVER too old to color....so Tay and I colored for Claudia, lol, thought I'd share....

One picture I colored....She loves Kittens...

Tay's color by numbers, lol, great job little sister...

My other picture for Claudia, I asked her to pick her 2 favorite colors and I would surprise her, lol, Red and Purple...and here was her surprise....

Sorry if you don't like the picture Chona, but I love you and I think you look great! All her nurses, told her she was such a natural beauty, and I agree.....she is my model, sharing my apron with her, lol.....

I am so grateful she is safe, and I hate I couldn't spend more time with her in SA!

Sunday, my parent's led a Parish appreciation breakfast for our Church in JC...it was so good catching up with everyone I grew up with, and am so proud and thankful for my parents. They are such great examples to me and my sisters, they truly live out our lesson today. Being a Christian is not just about showing up to church on Sunday, or volunteering and being seen at all the events. It is about the way you choose to live, and treat others, the silent leaders that truly show the pureness and sincerity of their hearts. I am so proud of my parents, and I hope we are able to be half the parent's they have been to us!

After church we were so tired. Curt and our Uncle Charlie prepared for dove season, Adolfo is super excited to get out there next weekend! So they started preparing this weekend....We had a date with Chica, we just caught up and watched a movie in her room and ate ice cream....I fell asleep go figure.....

Here is Chica pretending she is on her first date (to DQ with Adam Sandler, ha!).....

I am so thankful for the quality time I got to spend with my family, wish I could have seen GMA J and Grandpa this weekend too! But they got to spend a nice evening catching up with Claudia & Jaime, so I guess we can share, lol...You can't put a price on the gift of time, you never get it back or a second chance to re-live it, so don't take it for granted!

Adolfo spent the weekend in Austin, getting ahead in his classes, relaxing, and getting ready for dove season. Now, I am just sitting here enjoying my night with my husband, I missed him! We hope you enjoy your week, we will!

Joyful, The Castros.

Grateful tomorrow is FRIDAY!

What a week it has been. Claudia's surgery went well, and she is home recovering, LOTS of texting going on between the sisters these days! Tay has the best phone, and we definitely need an upgrade, but Tay used Claudia's rebate, we won't bring that up, lol...

Tay is officially living with us. I made cute little welcome back to school notes for her and Adolfo, just a little encouragement and motivation to start the semester off right. Adolfo is taking a conditioning and Pre-Cal class this semester, and I am taking Financial Statement Analysis. It is definitely going to be challenging, but very interesting at the same time. I have already met so many nice people in my class, so that helps. Adolfo is excited to finally be taking Pre-Cal, what can I say he LOVES math, and I love that he loves math, one of the million reasons I am so attracted to him!

This week has seemed so long, and I don't even know why! Last night I convinced Tay to go workout at the gym with me, and when we walked into the gym, the trainer came up to us and asked if we wanted to join his class for the evening for free, and "I" said yes, lol, you should have seen Tay's reaction, lol! So we thought a lite aerobic exercise wouldn't kill us, lol. There was nothing lite about it. We are dying today! My body aches so bad, but it felt great! So I have had 2 major workouts so far this week, so I need one more hard workout this week! I slept the best I have slept in a long time, I think I just missed the activity. I need to keep it up, baby steps!

Today I got home in enough time to see the last quarter of ACU on FSN, Yeah for the Wildcats, it felt so weird here Abilene Christian in the background, but I loved seeing the purple! Great game Wildcats 14 to 16, we almost lost!!! Well that is it for me, we are pretty worn out adjusting to our new week at the Castros.

It will take a little adjusting to all of our new schedules, but it will get better! This weekend we are going to spend the day in SA with Claudia, and I am going to have a sewing lesson night with my GMA, she is going to help me finish my apron, YEAH! Then bunches of reading!!!!!!

Well this was completely random, but I had a lot in my head that I have now shared with you, thanks for reading......today I am grateful for the weekend, because we all need a little rest!

Completely Random, Ces.

The Power of Prayer is amazing...

This one will be sweet and simple. My sister Claudia is having thyroid surgery at 9AM tomorrow morning. She is my little sister, but she teaches me so much. Her strength and maturity are 2 of her million little things I admire and love about her. I just ask all my sweet friends to please keep her and her wonderful Doctors and Nurses in your prayers, as well as for a safe recovery.

We love you Chona! A & C.

Thanks Vince!

" The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender." - Vince Lombardi

God gave me a great gift today. This week I am working at a non-profit organization who's purpose is to manufacture products such as belts, chin straps, lotions, soaps, hand sanitizers (you get the picture) for the military. The coolest part is that a majority % of their work staff must be considered legally blind in order to maintain their government contracts! This morning I got to take a tour of their whole facility and learn about what they do, and it blows me away every time. Each employee is trained to perform a specific skill, based on their abilities.

I walked through the plant, and I choke up because the employees look so happy to be at work; so content in what they do. Each person has overcome so many obstacles, but were persistent. , I pray each night for that type of drive and determination. They are completely independent in the facility. They run the front office, they are the horsepower behind the assembly lines, they prepare all the packages for shipping, it is amazing! No excuses, I saw nothing but joy as they all worked so efficiently throughout the facility. It touches my heart, and makes me so grateful there are places in this world that create equal opportunities for all individuals.

So where am I going with this blog?

On my drive home I felt so guilty. I mean, here I am, having been pretty healthy my whole life, knock on wood, yet I make excuses for so much, I know I don't take care of myself like I should. Here are these wonderful people who could have been so discouraged and quit, yet they chose to be persistent and work hard. Where was my desire? Here I am taking one of God's most precious gift, MY LIFE, for granted, shame on me!

Why is it so hard for me to workout, stay motivated and stick with it? So this brings me to Vince, when I read this I thought Aha! How hard am I really working? If I am truly being honest with myself then I would see I am not giving it my all, I am not working as hard as I could be. My life is a gift, and I should be working hard to take care of my special gift. Why am I praying so hard for God to help me through this battle, yet I have not put 100% of myself into it? God is great! He knew this is exactly what I needed right now! No excuses. So tonight it begins, baby steps, because this is definitely not going to happen over night. I will mess up, it will be hard, but I will also be persistent, and as long as I don't quit we will get there. If I am truly working hard, quitting won't be an option.

I was so encouraged today in the way God used my job to show me His answer! I am appreciative and thankful for my health and encouraged to work hard. So tonight, I got home and went for a brisk 45 minute walk, it kicked my bottom, but it felt so good! I stepped on the scale, one time only, just to see where I am at....but it isn't about the number to me at all. I want to be healthy, I am going to do it the healthy way through hard work, and we will see! The next time I get on the scale will be one month from today, so hold me accountable friends, and I keep you posted.

Inspired, C.

When flowers meet polka dots....pure joy!

Adolfo and I were in the kitchen cutting up a cantaloupe, well he was, and I was on the stool eating grapes and strawberries reading my pattern, and I had a second wind (lol, I just wanted to set the tone of this blog)!

I was getting so excited reading the next couple of steps of my pattern, I just had to bust out the machine for a half an hour. Why was I excited you ask? BECAUSE these were the steps that combined my floral apron with the polka dot trim, I LOVE IT!

So here is a summary in pictures of my 30 minute project....

Before and After: Cleaning up and sewing my edges....

Yeah, the trim! Pressing...

Pinning the edge of the apron to the trim...

Pressing my hem...

Tada! I am so excited about how it is all coming together....

Big picture it looks great, but up close, WHEW I have alot of work!!! It is all about the details, good thing I am so picky. I am so surprised how far I got in half an hour.

Sweet dreams, C.

Appreciating the Beauty...

Today we spent the day at the lake with Adolfo's brothers and sisters, and the kids, it was a great way to end our ever so eventful weekend. We had a blast, it was so hot outside so it felt great just relaxing in the water.

This is were we spent the day, sitting and relaxing...loved our view, it was beautiful!

Of course, there was a little fishing...notice Adolfo's toys I used the little one to see if I could catch some bate, no luck but I love the little pole...

Adolfo did a great job BBQing all the meat we had too much! I love leftovers! He loves grilling, any chance he gets he'll throw some meat on, Charcoal only, we aren't fans of gas grills...

We had a wonderful time hanging out with the Castro family, and relaxing on the lake. We called it an early night, so we could get home and relax and just have some down time before our Back to School week starts again. Now we are just enjoying our evening snuggled on the couch watching Lifetime, gotta love the Nora Roberts' series, lol, (I think Adolfo gets annoyed when I put the AC low just so we can use a blanket, lol).

We are so thankful we were able to spend our whole day outside with family enjoying God's beautiful creations. The water was cold, the trees were so green, despite the lack of rain, and the weather was perfect! God is amazing, Sometimes we go through life so quickly, we don't stop and take the time to appreciate God's simple gifts He gives us everyday.

With appreciative hearts, A & C.

Sharing our "End of the Week", Castro's are ready for the Weekend!

After much resting Friday afternoon, we got ready to attend Adolfo's nephew's summer commencement program. I love having having the time to get ready at my own speed, and take my time!

The Castros....on our way! I LOVE him in orange!

Pics with the family after the program, Christopher and Adolfo's aunt who is visiting, we love when family comes to visit!Aunt Jaunita is so much fun, and I love being around her! It gives me the chance to practice my Spanish, I don't know why but I get so nervous, and I have to have my little bird on my shoulder (Adolfo) to help me out! I want to learn so bad, because I would love to just sit and talk, and share stories with her, but we manage to get alot of great conversations in otherwise.

We had to call the evening early since Adolfo had to go into work for the evening, so I stayed home and worked on my little project! Step 2 - 4 were making the pocket, attaching the pocket (AHHH!) and then preparing and attaching the towel loop. Easy right? Nope, sewing is definitely challenging, but I am NOT A QUITTER, I will get it, but it isn't happening over night!

My little pocket! Concept is cute, oh and I used my new press pad, I LOVE IT! The seams and stitches are horrible, but you get the idea, it will come with time and way more confidence (as well as great sewing tutorial and day at my Grandma Marie's table)...
My pocket attached. This looks so easy, but don't be deceived, this was my most challenging part! I was overwhelmed with the amount of material I had to maneuver through the machine, as well as figuring out how NOT to tangle my thread....but I did it, again stitching isn't great, but it is an area of improvement....so I am happy!

What a great project to end on, the towel loop! I handled that part, and it lifted the spirits....don't worry the ugly part will be covered....

Steps completed....it looks so simple huh? But I was so proud of my hard work, it is coming together! Next I have my trim, borders and pleats!!! Wish me luck....

This evening we are going to a BBQ at my boss' house! So, we are just relaxing, might step out for a walk, and then I need to prepare my dish. Our kitchen has been getting so much attention, I hope it doesn't breakdown on us!

Determined, C.

Thankful it's Friday!

Today is my last day off for a while, and Adolfo had off today during the day and will be working a shift later this evening, so I had plenty to keep us busy, so that we could really enjoy our weekend together, no house work or errands, all that non-sense really just eats up your weekend!

Like I stated a few posts back, we are a Honda family and we love our Honda maintenance dates, so this morning we had another. We woke up bright and early to be first in line for mile maintenance, oil changes, and some minor repairs. We walked on over to our coffee shop and enjoyed breakfast, and finished our last round of thank you cards to get them out the door, Finally! When it was all said and done we personally wrote and addressed and stamped 180 Thank you letters....wow, I love mail and personal notes, but my hand hurts!

So after our notes, stories, and our breakfast it was time to pick up our cars....after the free wash they were so happy and working fabulous.....thought we would share.......So shinny!

After a morning like this we just felt like getting things done, so we completed my Saturday Morning to-do list as well. We bought our groceries for the party tomorrow for my Mac-n-cheese, YUM!, and we got Tay's house key made, so it is official, she has a key, lol.

Now we are home and just going to relax, and wait until all our festivities begin this evening! I am even going to break out my sewing machine, and get to sewing....

So much done and the day is only halfway over......So I'll end the blog later after we have lived the 2nd part of our day! Oh yeah, and we had lunch at Chick-fil-A, and it felt like we were out of place, we needed to borrow someone's kid PRONTO!......See yall this evening!

A & C.

Muffins and Move-Ins at the Castros!

One of my favorite snacks, and breakfast, are blueberry muffins. I have been looking for homemade recipes for awhile and I finally found one so I thought I would give it a try...you know since we are trying to be more domestic in the kitchen.

I found it on this website, what I love about it was I could see peoples ratings, what they loved and any suggestions for ways to improve it, it also had the option to post their nutritional information....

Supplies......and then it all begins, enjoy!

I LOVE my country red mixing bowls, and my kitchen aid measuring spoons are AWESOME!

So I loved the way the recipe made me add the oil, milk and egg....I had to fill a 1 cup measuring cup with oil, add the egg, and then add milk until it was full, then mix it in, never seen this before, but it was fun....

Mixing....Adolfo watching....oh and adding the BLUEBERRIES, Yum! PS That is my cool Port A shirt I designed and made!

Now you see the bottom, just trying to fill the muffin pan...

Alright! This is the part that sold me on the recipe....they are blueberry muffins with a Cinnamon crumb topping....I never have had that combination but it is amazing!

This is where I messed up, lol. There are oh maybe 3 wisps of the 4 difference between crumbs and a doughy substance, lol...and I went to far.....so if you make it stop when the mix starts to form crumbs, or else you'll have a mess....but I managed to make it work....Going in!

And Out, Oh my house smelled so good! Adolfo just laughed and enjoyed them, and I asked babe, what are you thinking, and he said, "I never thought you'd ever make me muffins from scratch!" lol, well now I have....and they were awesome!

Today, Tay started her move in process. We put together her dresser and desk and she brought somethings, but it is still a work in progress, I'll let her post the finish product, I just had some funny pictures to share...

Tay working, lol....

I think the trickiest part was figuring out which way the bottom shelf would face for the printer, right Tay, Left or Right?

But we moved on.....

The furniture was built and we put the bedding on, don't you LOVE the color, I do.... Tay relaxing after a very productive day!

This evening we took Adolfo's sister out to eat for a belated birthday from us, and then visited his Aunt that is in town, I got to practice a little of my Spanish, I am HORRIBLE! Now we were home fixing to watch a love story together, so I better get off of here before he changes his mind, lol.

Today I am grateful for all the blessings and opportunities God has provided to us, as well as the time He has given us to stop and enjoy them together!

Love, The Castros.

Completely spoiled by this man!

Last night on my way home from work, Adolfo called me and told me he got something I would be really excited about. Know brace yourself, because to some it might be a little CHEESY, but I was excited. I have always been entertained by Hannah Montana, lol, weird I know! Partly because I think she resembles my little cousin Kelsey, who happens to LOVE to entertain as well, so I guess subcontiously it reminds me of the hours Kelsey would spend putting on concerts for us, but anyways, her Movie came out yesterday, and well I wanted to see it, not bad enough to go to the theatre but enough to want to rent it! Well Adolfo called and told me to get excited because our night was going to be full of Hannah Montana the movie and Steaks! Lovin' it!

About a week ago, Adolfo got a really great deal on a package of steaks, 18 for $40. Great deal I know, but that means there will be many steak filled dinners at the Castro's for awhile. Monday he marinated them overnight in lea and perins (2) and orange teriaki (2), separate NOT a combination, and Tuesday he fired up the grill, and well, here you have it! We realized that we are not COMPLETELY incompetent in the kitchen we just have to work at it, and great things could one day come out of it, lol.

Sharing our dinner, Adolfo was in charge of the steaks, my job was the corn, salad and sweet tea! YUM! Not bad for non-cooks, lol....

Tonight, I just got home from a meeting and Adolfo headed out to the lease to lay feed and just see what is coming around, he is still pretty excited for hunting season, and I am pretty excited to sport my new camo shirt, lol! I have the next 2 days off, so we will see what is in store at the Castros, no plans yet, but I might be compiling a list a few minutes from now!

Am I right about Hannah Montana! What a cutie...but don't tell her that, she gets it enough, lol, jk, love you chica!

Cooking with The Castros, well trying, lol.

Full of Hope...

Monday Adolfo and I were off to recuperate from our trip to the coast. Plans were to go hang out with his family at the ranch, but those fell through, we come 2nd to shopping we figured out, lol. We got up really early and started our morning right with pancakes at IHOP, lol, with all the senior citizens, what a life, such great deals, lol, can't wait!

I had a little to-do list, so we thought we would try and get everything done before we caught a movie. So here is how my Monday went...went to ACC to sell my book back. Oh, I need an student ID to do that they say (keep in mind I have NEVER needed on to do that before!), go in the line to get one and they tell me they can't because my ID does not match my student account, DUH I got married! Well they needed a social security card or a marriage license to prove it. I mean come on, I had to have provided all that info for an new License doesn't that count! I was frustrated, Adolfo could tell, so he said let me try and sell it with my ID, so we went back and they weren't taking the book back. All I can say is someone has a monopoly on text books, it is a ridiculous market, and us as student's can't do anything about it, I mean they change a couple of words, rearrange some pictures and it is a new edition, and that gives them the right to charge us $150 dollars. Can you tell how I feel about that? So, Adolfo calms me down and says babe, we can just donate it, what a guy. Oh, I forgot to tell yall that at IHOP I had already smashed my finger in the newspaper machine, ouch, that put me in a "not so good" mood first, then when we were getting into the car, I just rushed in and hit my head on the side of the door, and the books just added to it!

Adolfo wanted to see GI Joe so we decided to catch the early bird showing, which I highly recommend. When we go during the evening we pay ummm....$19.00 just for the tickets, well the first showing only cost us $11.00, look at the difference, so we will definitely be starting our weekends with movies, rather than ending them.

To kill time between ACC and the movie Adolfo decided we could pass time in Hobby Lobby to "settle down", lol. I must have been really grumpy! So I looked at sewing things, because I had been talking about a cutting mat, and fabric cutter. So he treated me, and I bought myself this cute sewing basket, now my tools won't be all over, well that's the theory anyway!

Hobby Lobby....while I was thinking about sewing, lol.....

Adolfo was thinking about Hunting and Fishing, go figure....

Other than that we just bought groceries, had dinner, and enjoyed just being at home. I do have a couple of projects I am working on tonight, but I will catch yall up to speed next blog. I am constantly praying for patience, I am horrible at it, and I believe that God provides these little times in life to allow me to choose and practice patience. I am grateful I had the time off to do the things I enjoy, even if my attitude was crummy deep down, I know how truly blessed I am, and I am grateful. I am thankful Tuesday was WAY better than Monday, no accidents YET!

Full of hope, C.

Family Summer Trip 2009

Our last big trip of the summer was with our whole family down to Port A. We spent our weekend cooking, shopping for the girls, fishing for the guys, and playing on the beach. We had a great time just relaxing and getting away, so just sit back and enjoy...the pictures explain it all!

I was the map...

At the Texas State Aquarium...I love the name Lola....

J & C....

The Castros in the Amazon...

Loving the Turtle....

Welcome to the Island!

1st night on the beach, The girls...


The boys...

A nice cup of coffee, and my hand in dominoes, What was my move?


Curt helping with breakfast the next morning! Eggs, sausage, potatoes and tortillas, his favorite!

No more pics of the guys, they spent their day on a Deep Sea fishing trip, here is where they docked....Curt was the only catch!

We spent the day shopping and playing on the beach, lol, but first we stopped and played with the birds....

Then, onto the beach...

Sisters, and our castle, those little kids had nothing on us, lol..

The last day, Adolfo and I wanted to get up early so we could take and AM walk on the beach before we had to head back home, our sunrise....

Playing in the sand...

I was collecting sea shells, and Adolfo made me a surprise...

The Castros, Port Aransas 2009

A treat to ourselves to pass the time in the ferry line on our way back home, YUM!

We had a nice time just getting away with the family, and spending some down time at the beach! Now we are just resting and trying to re-energize for the week ahead! I took off 3 days this week, and A is off with me on Monday and Friday morning, so the Castros are definitely still in vacation mode. It was nice spending time with our family before things start to pick up again!

"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:11

Happy Resting, The Castros.