breaking for spring

Spring break came at a much needed time! Judson and I have been working hard and were definitely worn down. I also just want to give a big AMEN to the fact that we get a spring break for the rest of our lives as teachers!  We started by going to buffalo wild wings and had a great time just getting to relax.

 Then we woke up the next morning and started our road trip by driving to Graham!

Judson went hunting and shot a lot of hogs and then our road trip continued the next day, Sunday, to Throckmorton to celebrate Pop's birthday! Monday we headed to Dallas with my parents and brother and sister-in-law and nephews to celebrate my dad's birthday. This is day THREE in a car driving somewhere, and Judson and I started to get antsy. Hence him twirling me like a baton at a gas station stop.

We finally made it to iFly, which is a sky diving place in Dallas, and it was SO MUCH FUN.

 

Christie and I both slobbered a lot. 

We all stayed at a hotel and it was wonderful for a couple of reasons: the biggest reason was because Knox thought it was awesome and that was so fun to watch and be around. It's always happy when someone thinks ordinary things are magical things. Which is why I LOVE KIDS. Especially this one. He couldn't believe that his mom, dad and brother AND his Lovie and Popi AND his aunt "biff" (me) and uncle Judson were all next door to each other. There was an indoor pool. Riding the "alligator" (elevator) was a thrill. Judson showed him how to jump on a bed (Sorry, Koby and Christie). And another reason is because CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST means FREE FOOD. 

 

Exhausted. Disheveled. In love. 

The next day the boys all went to Bass Pro Shops and all the girls and baby Hayes went to Ikea. I think Christie and I said "I need that." or "I want this." at least 4,000 times.

Judson and I then made our last car trip back to Home Sweet Abilene. We spent the remaining days doing yard work, planting flowers, playing catch in the yard, cooking out, watching the RAIN (thank you, God!), and resting. We also both got fresh spring time hair cuts to welcome this new season! I always love it when the seasons change but spring feels especially refreshing this year.

leaky pipes, busy schedules, and full hearts

February is already over with. What?! I can't believe it. It was a very busy month for the Foster's!

First of all, this crazy weather had caused to have THREE snow days from work. In those three days we were unbelievably lethargic and glutonous. Which, by the way, had already become a problem since we got back from our honeymoon. I firmly believe that just like the freshman 15 is a real thing, so is the newlywed pudge. I know for me personally, after months of being so concerned about what went into my mouth and working out all the time for our big day it was so nice to finally RELAX about it all. We just got a little too relaxed about it. We had both been watching our clothes get tighter and tighter but continued to make excuses for each other like, "you bought the wrong size" or "you probably dried it in the dryer for too long" (by the way, thank you honey, for being so sweet about my growing waste size) BUT on our third snow day, we both looked at each other and decided enough was enough. We decided to challenge ourselves to work out (I use this term loosely. Some days it's just a walk) every day and eat healthier for 21 days in hopes it would create a habit and change our lifestyle.

And I must say, so far so good! We have some slip up days but onward we trek! Because we figured out that it is a downward spiral to give up on being healthy. You eat bad, so you don't have energy, so you don't work out, so you don't like the way your clothes fit, so you eat bad in your yoga pants and say you'll start tomorrow. No more of that!

Now our first married Valentines day was especially fun and sweet. We had decided no gifts because we were trying to resist sweets and didn't want to spend money. But Judson still surprised me with flowers when I woke up and the best coupon book with very handy and adorable coupons like "Elizabeth is right, regardless" "Screw doing the dishes" "Cooking dinner pass" "Free car wash" etc. 

I got him another 5 gallon water jug for our water filter. Before you mutter, "You really suck, Elizabeth". He REALLY wanted that and asked for one multiple times. I also got him a helium ballon because this guy really loves how sucking helium makes our voices sound. 

And the sweetness of Valentines weekend comes to a screeching halt there. The next day we woke up to 2 inches of water in our bathroom because a pipe burst in the night. How? Why? We don't know. But this is how it went over: Judson comes and shakes me at 7:00 a.m. (ON A WEEKEND) and says that our bathroom is flooded but he turned the water off. I spring out of bed and panically try to salvage curling irons, toilet paper, accessories, etc from under the flooded sink that have fallen a victim. All of it, ruined. Then throwing all beach towels we own on the floor trying to soak up the water. What is Judson doing? Oh, he went and got back in bed. I start yelling, "GET UP! WE CAN'T JUST IGNORE THIS!!" Then roles are reversed. I am exhausted by all this chaos and suddenly Judson wants to go to Home Depot RIGHT NOW to get parts to fix it. Long story short, eventually a small man who doesn't speak good English came to fix it. 

You really don't realize how much you need and use water until yours gets shut off for a day. So, we went to Perinis to soften the blow of adulthood problems and kept saying over and over again "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" That's adult, right?

judson is already noticeably more fit!! ugh boy metabolism. 

And finally, we have been adjusting to new and busy schedules. I am getting used to a real life teaching job and Judson is getting used to what it will be like to be a coach. Right now, he is helping coach track and tennis at Jim Ned. We are DECKED out in Jim Ned apparel over here. A couple of weeks ago I went to watch him coach his first tennis tournament! 

I am so proud of him and the man he continues to become! This is NOT the boy who first started pursuing me almost two years ago. He is way more awesome. It was so fun to watch him coach, guide, lead, and encourage these teenage kids. It's so obvious how much they look up to him and respect him when he talks to them. Eeeek! It makes my heart do jumping jacks. I have been fantasizing about this upcoming Fall getting to watch him coach football on Friday nights and see his passion really come to life! I have also been fantasizing about being the best coaches wife ever and bringing snacks to all sorts of sporting events. I can just hear it now, "That Coach Foster's wife is such a nice lady." Ha! 

Until then, I will just say, being a Coach's wife has its hard times with all the late practices, but it sure is fun! I wouldn't trade this life for anything.

Oh, and whenever we get any kind of baby fever, we pretend our dog is a baby. Feel free to be concerned for Rylee.