Team TREVINO

To NEW Beginnings ...

2012-01-06T23:31:00.000-08:00

I cannot remember a time when I was so excited for a new year to begin. I am not trying to wish my life away nor am I trying to make my kids grow up any faster than they already have, but 2012 is somewhat of a new beginning start to the life that Troy and I have built together.

Last year we focused a tremendous amount of time of getting our lives back to where we were 10 years ago. Having both of us go through career changes on a very new marriage has taken a little time to recover from. Luckily 2011 ended that recovery period and we are now at a point in our financial lives where we can make significant progress to our goals. That is very exciting.

Second to that the plant acquisition that we went through last year is finally somewhat stabilized. Yes, there is still a lot of transition activities - and yes there continues to be posturing among the management staff - but for the most part us "middle of the food chain" salary staff are finally feeling a little bit of a reprieve from the stress of what now.

On the home-front the kids continue to grow and become more and more independent. It is so nice to have them independent and contributing. Not to mention, we have raised some pretty damn good kids. Ya, they get on your nerves every once and awhile - but hanging out with them has really been a lot of fun. Keep it up kids - we like having friends.

With that we enter into a new year with a strategic plan to do some upgrading in some areas, some financial self investment, as well as some memorable scheduling of events that allows us to have some fun.

To all of this, I have to thank my husband. With a clear mind and an open heart he has been able to lead this family in a direction of successful re-establishment, ongoing activity and continued fun. "We've come a long way baby - and I have loved you every step of the way!"

To a Happy New Year friends - *cheers

Susan

... just another day

2011-07-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

I remember being a little girl and thinking how bad I wanted to grow up. As I grew older I realized that the older you became, the more the world opened up to you. As a young adult I was positive there was just no way that I would ever live long enough to enjoy everything that could potentially be me and my future. Now, forty-four years into it ... I just pray that it slows down a little.

For the last year and a half I have been living a family dynamic that I never once could have ever imagined. As you watch your children grow up right before your eyes and finally have time to catch your breath, you watch everything else that has ever surrounded you feeling so concrete and permanent changing.

As we go through the remaining months of what I barely remember as being a 'new year' - I am hoping to find the strength to accomplish everything that I am facing. It is so amazing how some things feel so positive and others seem as if they are the final straw that will break the camels back. I will find a way, I have always been able to. When I look back at how far I have come in life - I know I can do it. I remember my sister once told me - you make your own happiness. I think it's time I take that advice.

Here is to beautiful disasters ... *cheers

Out of all my accomplishments, being a MOM is the greatest.

2011-05-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

There is something to be said about getting to be a "MOM". Some days you get up and there is nothing that keeps you from being you. Other days, you get up and it can be so challenging just dealing with any kids - let alone your own. But, I think this year I have finally come to the conclusion that being a MOM really isn't about me. Sure, I have always wanted my kids to know right from wrong, make good decisions, have greater opportunities and generally 'make me proud'. But it truly isn't about just how they make me feel - but more about how they make others feel and the imprints they are leaving on everyone else's lives.

The day I was blessed with my kids they all left individual fingerprints on my heart. Each of them very unique in design have together brought happiness to our family - beyond anything I could have ever imagined in life. I look back at the pictures from the last ten years and I cannot believe how much they have grown - right before my own eyes. But then, I look past that and see who they have become and how important that is. That is the part of being a Mom I have never understood, until now.

On this Mothers Day I am sitting here feeling extremely lucky and proud. While one is on vacation - texting me what she is seeing in California, another is working with his Grandfather and spending time growing up to be a very responsible young man. The oldest is spending this day picking out a new puppy learning what it is like to become responsible for the direction that her life heads, while another spends time figuring out who she is and what having some new-found teenage freedom really means, to herself and to those she has found new relationships with. Although in many different directions - I feel very lucky for the way they share their 'presence' rather than any presents.

So, today being a Mom has been extremely exciting and rewarding for me. Thinking about how those little hands have grown from fingerprints on my heart to hands that are capable of touching so many lives - is the greatest gift of all. Thank you Brittany, Taylor, Trey and Brielle - you make me very proud and every day that we get to share I consider the greatest gift of all.

Happy Mothers Day

Welcome 2011

2011-01-09T01:01:00.000-08:00

There is something about celebrating New Year's that brings a sense of refreshment to the lifestyle. For this years celebration Troy and I were fortunate enough to be able to spend precious time together, as he was working and the kids were off celebrating with their other family members. There is so much to be said about having time together - without some of life's interruptions ... and if this is any sign of what 2011 has in store than I am more than ready.
I think for the first time ever I have come to appreciate things a little differently when thinking about a new year. It is so easy to get caught up in things that really do not matter today, nor will they matter 5 years from now. I have learned that taking time to enjoy the things that really make me happy are how I am going to begin my new year. Time goes way too fast not to be stopping along the way and smelling the roses. And let me tell you, I plan on sniffing an entire bouquet this year. It makes me kind of laugh because the kids may be in for quite the surprise.
To start, I attended my first zumba class and loved it. Brittany has been quite a regular lately and she invited me to go. As I get through a few milestones this month I know that is something that I really want to keep doing. As I am not a weight lifter - dancing myself through a workout was just what I needed to rid my daily stress from my mind.
To check a few other things off of my plate I have just finished a baby shower photo shoot for my niece today ... taken all indoors which is surely to be my biggest lighting challenge this year. I am very excited to put them together for her and hope that my little ad hoc hobby provides her with memories forever.
Then - the highlight of the month ... my sister is coming to town with her family. There is nothing better than spending time with them. It has always been amazing to me how four grown adults can all get into a room together and at no time even pretend to act their age. Looking forward to the playoff games and tailgating with them in the comfort of our home. 'Go Seahawks'!
As you can see, wine "tasting" has been a rediscovered item on my list. Throughout the years both Troy and I have collected several bottles from some of the places that we have traveled, but never have I really developed a taste for it like this year. I do not know if it something that comes with age but I know that my wine cellar may have to find an expansion location.
Looking forward to seeing where this year takes our family. The kids will continue to be the kids. Troy and I will continue to do what we have to do - but this year feels different, and that feeling is good.

*Cheers to health, happiness and a New Year filled with joy!

Happy Holidays ....

2010-12-23T11:33:00.000-08:00

So, for those of you that know me ... I am terrible at sending Christmas cards. That does not mean that you are all not within my thoughts during this special time of year.
This year as I sit here I think of all the things that made 'chaos' the theme for 2010. Then, as I look through the photos (still on my computer for sharing) I remember the laughter and the fun that those chaotic adventures brought along the way.

The kids? Lets face it ... they are all growing up. Taylor drives, Trey is getting ready to enter high school next year and Brielle ... she is right in the middle of it all. For 2011 Taylor will move from being and underclassman to SENIOR STATUS, Trey will pursue his high school football career as a R.A. Long Lumberjack (finally -a kid wearing my color shout) and Brielle will be eligible to play school sports. Facing facts - we live in a world full of teenagers except for ...

They say that with age brings wisdom ~ and for Brittany that has meant a new attitude and a new boyfriend. Brit will be starting a dental assisting job in an office in Cathlamet (same office she interned at) and turning 21 all within a couple months of each other. She and Kyle seem to be quite the pair and both share the love of SNOW RUNS in the newly built Toyota "Amanda".

For Troy and I in 2011 - we have a motorhome in the driveway, a motorcycle in the garage and four weeks of vacation to plan. Team Trevino adventures are funded my the blood, sweat and tears of our jobs - which for 2011 will be changing also. Although it is still not 'official' our company is being bought out and with that comes the wonder and excitement of what that can and will mean for everyone. If rumors are true, I feel fairly confident that this will be something that is going to be a good thing for everyone as well as for the community that we live in.

I am looking at 201(1) as a lot of first's for us. My neice will be having a baby and I will become a Great Aunt for the first time. My first-born will be turning 21 two days after my little sister turns 40 - both monumental times in their lives and mine. Troy's first-born will be a senior and for the first time we will be considering having a child moving away for college. Trey will be our first boy in high school - and that alone brings a new kind of drama that I can't even imagine ... and for the first time in my life I will be watching my baby turn into a teenager right before my eyes ...

So about those four weeks vacation -? I think we will start with a Mardi Gras style birthday to celebrate 21 and 40 in Shreveport Louisiana. Neither Brittany nor Kyle have ever been there - so this is a perfect way to start off the year. With both of us now playing golf (I finally got myself on board) I have stashed away a few destinations that I would love for Troy and I to be able to enjoy together ... and then we have tossed around a Yellowstone trip several times and I think this is the year that we should make that dream come true. (I am the only one in the family that has been there - so with a little luck and some strategic planning we may be having one great family adventure this year.) I am sure as time goes on and we enter into the new year plans will become more crystal clear than ever ... I am just very thankful that my dreams get to be shared with such a wonderful family. No one better than Team Trevino to put the 'fun' in dysfunction.

So with that, we wish all of our family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a new year filled with love and laughter.

Happy Holidays.
Troy, Susan, Brittany, Taylor, Trey, Brielle and Riggins

To The Man I Love ...

2010-11-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

Today, Troy and I celebrate our 8th Wedding Anniversary. Although it is very easy to look upon our lives as somewhat chaotic - today I begin November and another year of marriage reminding myself of how thankful I truly am for the things that we have and share each day. As I got up this morning the rain was pouring down and all I could think about was getting to spend the day with him. Few people truly know that he began his day at 4AM this morning when his alarm went off, so that he could go to work and spend the entire day outside in the rain - because we are right in the middle of our annual shutdown. I knew - but didn't care. Spending the day with him meant that by working in the same place, I got to hear his voice on the radio - listening to him help and assist in any way that he knew how. Spending the day with him meant that I could see him at lunch time - because that is truly the only time he was going to have today for something non-work related. Spending the day with him meant that I could watch the clock and anxiously await going home when he does so that we can sit and watch the football game - while celebrating over some take-out order ... because both of us are too tired to cook dinner. Spending the day with him - means just that ..."sharing the same space, sharing the same time .... sharing the same day" with the man that I love.
I am not a fancy person, I do not need exotic vacations or expensive gifts .... I just need my husband. He is the one that I am truly thankful for - on this first day of November, 2010.

A Brand New Journey

2010-08-26T21:15:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow will be exactly 5 months since everything in my life became something I never once imagined. I will never say I regret any of it (other than having to watch my dad go through his illness) but I will say that it has made things in my life seem very different. As I settle into this evening and look at my husband all I can think is "We've come along way Baby" and tomorrow we get to restart our life and begin to enjoy those things that make us "us" again.
My dad is recovering nicely. Troy and I have successfully moved them from their home in Eastern WA to a condo in Longview. We are close if they need us, but together they can begin to enjoy their independence too. I am so proud of both if them - my dad has physically overcame everything that the doctors told me he probably wouldn't and my mom has taken a more sturdy stand in her own confidence. They need my help and guidance and patience ... I need them feeling happy, healthy and safe. So together the four of us develop a new understanding of the word "family".
Team Trevino now will be taking on a new form of recreation. We shall be hitting the road in our RV tomorrow - enjoying a new sense of closeness with our own family and friends. It has been a long haul in more ways than one - but as we are all growing together it is one that I look forward to ...
Here's to the journey !

What A Ride

2010-05-27T23:09:00.001-07:00

Obviously no one can predict the future but never would I have ever pictured myself in this situation - this year. After finding time to catch my breath and realize "that's life" I know now that what Troy had been trying to get me to see with my own eyes and heart was a reality that I had been not wanting to face.
On March 27, exactly two months ago today, I received a phone call from my mom telling me that my dad had been admitted into the hospital with what they believed at the time to be a stroke.
It has been a long two months - with more emotional ups and downs that I care to mention. But today-he is on the road to recovery, working daily with the physical therapy group in Longview. It has been a long road but appears to be one that will have a positive destination.
My family is different now. In all of this we have learned how much we all truly rely on each other to be there when the going gets tough. We have learned how to love each other the most when it is truly the hardest. We have learned that no matter what - family is first ...
I am thankful that my dad is regaining his strength and his health much quicker than the doctors ever expected. I am thankful that my husband has truly understood and accepted the responsibility that came with the emotional support that my parents have needed throughout this - that in itself has been the only thing that has kept me together. Yet - through this all I am thankful that my kids have been able to see how important it is for "family" to be there for each other - in good times and bad. And no matter how hard, how exhausting, how emotional we would not have changed a thing ....

And then there were ..... SEVEN

2010-02-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just never know what the new year is going to bring. To our house - it has brought the pitter-patter of little feet ... four little feet to be exact.

Meet 'RIGGINS' ..

"Riggins" is a toy-fox terrier weighing in at a whole 2lbs 11.5 ounces. Yes, that is as small as it sounds! He comes from some fairly impressive championship bloodlines - and seems to be a very smart little guy. He is 9 weeks old - and will grow to be about 5 lbs - so he is about half way there. Riggins came to us from a breeder in Stephensville TX. Because neither of us had the heart to let him fly alone at 8 weeks - we flew to Dallas TX and met her there. From the moment she dropped him off at our hotel we knew that we hadn't made a mistake. He was just as excited to see us as we were to see him.

Because he is new the kids are still really excited to have him around. It is just like having a baby in the house though - as now I am realizing how much of my 'freedom' I took for granted. Making sure we don't step on the poor little guy still seems to be our biggest challenge.

With this being Valentine's Day weekend also - I have to say that I LOVE YOU Honey. You have filled our house in so many ways with love that I cannot even explain to you how much I appreciate everything that you have been, said and done!

It's about time I acknowledge 2010

2010-01-21T19:32:00.000-08:00

So - I am a little late getting into the spirit of the New Year this year (obviously). Not because of a lack of interest in the good that is going to come, not because I have a lot of better things to do, but because I have just been BUSY - and it isn't easy being busy, organized, and electronically updated all at once!

So - let's get everyone up to date. Christmas - that was a blur. I was so blessed to have my sister, brother-in-law and niece here for a whole week. We spent some really relaxing time together and that felt really good. The next 3 or 4 weeks after Christmas was total chaos and sitting here now re-thinking how fast lives can change in a few quick moments I am at a loss for words. Most of you know, we had a huge tradegy at work Christmas Day. Looking back now I know that our working lives changed greatly for both Troy and I and selfishly I am so thankful that my family is not going through what another family is having to face. I was one of the lucky ones (I know that now) as I got to know the members of our work mates family ... and I learned many things from them. I know many more than they would ever have learned from me on that fateful day.

As slowly our work life is moving in a forward direction again, our family life has not slowed down a bit. Brittany has completed her internship and is now feverishly looking for a job in a horrible economy. As each day passes she is beginning to face the fact that working outside of Longview may be more of a reality than not - but surprisingly she is also opening herself up to other opportunities that may be in front of her. Today she is applying for a job with the 911 center in Cowlitz County. She has mentioned several times how following in Aunti Stephs footsteps might not be so bad - and after all, she knows quite a few of the local police officers! (Did I mention I like living on the island of denial?)

Taylor continues to host her 'BLOCK PARTIES' on the volleyball court. Her 16 ASICS traveling team is taking us to many destinations. Last weekend we were at the University of Oregon (help me if I ever have to deal with that much green/yellow again) and next weekend we will be returning to Yakima. LOOK OUT FAMILY - HERE WE COME AGAIN! After that there are a couple in town - then we are off to Denver Colorado ... to come back and have a grand finale finish at Oregon State University.

Trey is right in the middle of tournament basketball and has just started 7th grade basketball for Mt. Solo Middle School. He looked so handsome leaving the house the other day all dressed up (even with a tie) prior to his first basketball game. He is getting so old so fast - teenager within a month and that will tip us to 75% teenage-ability in this household. I am losing control!

Brielle is also playing club volleyball. Is it fairly clear why we are never home? She has a wonderful team this year and a coach that brings a huge contribution to a developing group of girls. I just have a hard time admitting to the fact the kids are growing up - and the days are really going way too fast.

As for Troy and I - we have committed to each other that we will make sure and focus on 2010 US TIME. We started late in the year last year and have some pretty exciting things planned for this year ..... all in good time, with updates soon to come.

Well, that gets it a little better up to date. I promise to think about adding photos soon - keeping better in touch with friends and family and enjoying every minute of this thing I call TEAM TREVINO LIFE!

Thank - Full

2009-11-30T21:49:00.000-08:00

Here it is, Monday night - and the Thanksgiving holiday is over. I have promised myself that keeping this updated would be a priority in my life (Thanks to Ali - for helping me remember why this is important to me) ... so for now I will be thankful that I was able to get a November post in. As I would love to talk about the kids and everything that they are doing to make me feel very proud - this one is going to be dedicated to my husband.

November 1 was our anniversary - we have been married for 6 years now and I still get those butterflies in my stomach when I see him, hear his name, or think about the little things that make him so special to me. There are so many times when I have to give him full credit for making me the person that I am. Without him - I don't know if I would have even have seen 'the possibilities' of what my life could be - and for that I am truly grateful. (Admittedly, this has also made me very dependent on him - and I think if there is one thing he could 'change' about me - this would be right up there on the top of the list. I am trying honey, I truly am!)

So - to close out this month ... there is no better time than to tell him now; "Troy, you are the absolute love of my life and there will be nothing that can ever fill the place in my heart that you have. I am forever thankful that when I look into your big brown eyes, you can make the whole world go away ... and make me feel completely safe all with a minutes glance. It will always amaze me that at any given point in time we can read each others thoughts, know when there is something wrong, and have the sense to agree to disagree - because we know some things are just not worth it. I know that I am the luckiest girl in the world and I am thankful for every day that I get with you. I promise you - this year my focus is going to be on the US time. Over the last couple of weeks I have been reminded of how important that time is- and whatever we need to do to put that at the top of our list I am willing to make any necessary sacrifice. You are absolutely worth everything to me - and I will follow you to the end of the world to prove it! Happy Anniversary Honey - "

Now, let the holidays begin.

Taylor

2009-10-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

Taylor has started her 2009-2010 volleyball career with a bang this year. It started with the last few weeks of summer. Not only was she a "Diamond Girl" representative for the 2009 Babe Ruth World Series in Longview, she was also participating in the Mark Morris volleyball conditioning clinics, open gym volleyball and then the final count down to tryouts. Through all of that she maintained a very positive attitude and was really fairly calm about the whole event. Consequently Taylor made the varsity team and is one of only two sophomores on the team. We continue to collect newspaper clippings of her game time recognitions - and look forward to the potential of following the girls to the state tournament again. Personally, Taylor is still working to build her confidence as a volleyball player and has made some big improvements just in her playing style from this year to last. Although a little leary at first, she has became quite an effective middle blocker, and you should have seen the smile on her dads face when she commented that "man, my timing is really off and I need to work harder at that". Troy has been telling her that for 3 years! (I warned him that girls do things when they are ready ... but until then forget it!) We continue to enjoy all of the girls on the team and look forward to our many more adventures together. Taylors schedule is available online via the Mark Morris web site, but I would be happy to email it to any interested fans!

A Sad Day ...

2009-09-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

It has truly been a sad weekend at Team Trevino this weekend. What started out with much excitement ended with a family loss and football tragedy.

Recently my Aunt was diagnosed with West Nile virus. She was the first person that I knew that had ever contracted the disease, so I spent several hours trying to gather and understand more about what it was, how you prevent it, and mostly what is necessary to assure recovery. Basically what I learned is that there is still a lot of 'learning' going on - and nothing in life is guaranteed. Last night, I received a phone call that I was praying would not come. After her three week fight my Aunt Ruth passed away. I knew when talking with my dad on the phone that we all had put this in the back of our minds and refused to believe this is how it would end. I could feel many emotions in my dads voice when talking with him and I think during that conversation we both silently agreed that if she could not recover from this, we would not want to see her suffer either. For our family, this will be a huge loss. My heart goes out to my Uncle and cousin, who will now be forced to continue on without her daily. To my dad, because I know how important your one and only sibling is in your life. But to all of those who know her - I am sure she is in a much happier place and I am sure you can join me in being thankful that we were all able to know and love her.

Then of course, there was also the defeat of the Seahawks in San Fransisco. Not only were the Hawks off to yet another slow start - the falling of Matt Hasselbeck was too much of a mental challenge. After talking with Troy, I am getting the feeling that the fan base at some NFL stadiums are not the same friendly representation that we are able to enjoy in Seattle. After listening to how the "12th Man Posse" was pushed and shoved and had full beers thrown at them - I am truly thankful for the hospitality that our home field has to offer. (I apologize Dallas TX - you too are a worthy host of out-of-town football fans and we thank you for your kindness.) I guess this makes me realize my somewhat clouded view of Washington State may need a gentle adjustment on the favorable side.

I am hoping for a better up-coming week. My husband shall return home tomorrow night. We will be traveling to our hometown of Sunnyside to attend my Aunts memorial service and to spend time with family. Perhaps for today I will just spend a little time thinking about all of the things I have to be thankful for - :)

12th Man Posse

2009-09-18T21:52:00.001-07:00

So, everyone knows what a HUGE football fan my husband is. Well - it was just 'his luck' that our nephew happened to be planning a guy-trip to San Fran to see the SEAHAWKS vs. 40 Whiners game this weekend, and it 'just so happened' that one of the original posse members could not go - so who got invited? You guessed it! SEA-SLASH himself.

The story begins Tuesday night, when I get a phone call (at the same moment I was calling him) because at the same time - from different locations we both read an email inviting Troy on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So - by Thursday night he was packing his bags, golf clubs, and tailgating garb to attend such a worthy event. As I dropped him off at the nephews door - all I could say was 'YOU BETTER SEND ME SOME DARN GOOD PICTURES'.

Today at work - while I tried endlessly to clean off my desk ... my phone kept dinging with 12th Man Posse updates. Yes, it had taken the full 12+ hours to drive straight thru. Yes, it was the typical drive through WA, OR, CA - with the standard 55mph if you just so happen to be pulling a utility trailer (someone found that out the hard way) and YES - if you give men the opportunity they will do just about anything in the name of NFL football.

After several text messages back in forth - the photos started showing up. They had made it safely to the condo and had decorated appropriately. They had unpacked and made sure that everything was prepared for a full day of GOLF tomorrow morning. Then, from what I can tell - they set off ... touring the local wine fields in search of a casino that someone probably promised them was nearby.

I hope you are having fun honey - and when you get home we are going to discuss that next trip you are taking me on! :)

September

2009-09-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

So ... I am doing a little better. At least this is within a couple of weeks - rather than months from my original posts.

To catch up ... the kids have finally started school *yes*. I say that now - but a couple of months of running them around will probably bring on a different response. Regardless, Taylor is a sophomore and is playing volleyball. She made the varsity team this year - so is really excited with that opportunity. Watching her play is a lot of fun and you cannot help but get wrapped up in the whole thing.

Trey is a 7th grader and playing his first year of school sports. It is a lot different having him playing organized sports with a coach and everything. Although he hasn't had a first game yet - he has been practicing as QB so will see how that turns out. He did spend some time over the summer working out his skillz with Uncle Al in Louisiana - so will see how his arm ends up looking this year.

Brielle is in the 5th grade and has finally made it to the top of the elementary food chain. This year she is surrounded by friends - so her social networking is growing and growing.

Brit is doing her internship for Dr. Seal in Cathlamet. From everything she has said it is going well and she is learning a lot of stuff that they don't teach you in college. She is enjoying being single (which we love) and seems to have a lot of friends that she stays close to.

Troy and I just keep working ... and working ... and working. With football starting you can plan on finding us at home most Sunday's in front of the television. Kind of antsy about the possibility of getting tickets to a few Seahawks games - but then again, we just found the motorhome of our dreams at the RV show in Portland. Have had a lot of conversations lately about getting a motorhome so that we can take some good old fashioned road trips - !

With any luck at all - I will spend some time this weekend getting photos posted to this and to facebook. Staying up-to-date in an online world is not easy. I would like to thank Troy's cousin ALI - without her blogging inspiration I do not know if I could even attempt this!

A year later ...

2009-08-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

So, maybe it hasn't quite been a year but it has been quite a while since I have added content to our blog. (Sorry if you have tried to be a follower - I am not worthy).

This year has been quite an interesting time. The kids have completely dominated all of our time and energy - but they are only 'little' young once right?

Brittany just completed a nine month program to become a dental assistant. She has just started a two month intern program and will be commuting back and forth to Cathlamet. She is really excited about choosing this as her career of choice - after having her take some x-rays for her state registration ... I agree, she has found her calling. In her free time - Brit is quite the character. As she has finally grown older both Troy and I are really enjoying having her around and actually are focussing more on 'keeping her around' than kicking her to the curb like we always threatened we would be ready to do!

Taylor is a sophomore at Mark Morris playing varsity volleyball. With practice and game schedules it is going to be a challenge keeping up on her driving skillz - but just a warning people ... STAY OFF THE SIDEWALK. Actually, there is really very little to complain about with Tay. She is a 'good' girl and still gets teary-eyed the minute she thinks that her dad may be a little angry with her. Although not 'high maintenance' Taylor is not going to be a tom-boy anytime soon. Since she is now taller than me - I may just leave well enough alone for awhile!

Trey is still our daily sports enthusiast. There is a lot to be said about being able to come downstairs in the morning for coffee and have a complete ESPN 24-hour recap without having to pick up the paper or turn on the television. Although baseball will always be his first love - he is anxiously awaiting 7th grade football at Mt. Solo this year. Much like his father, he is one of those kids that can play any sport and be good - and extremely competitive. He has also more than impressed us with his grades in middle school. From being the kid that was always bringing home some sort of 'teacher concern' he continues to teeter on the straight A's side of the report card and is a constant thorn in his sisters side. Thank heavens we have never been the pay for grades parents because between those two and their competitive natures we would be broke.

Then there is Brielle - last but definately not least. Brielle will be a 5th grader this year and let me tell you she is the 'dude with a tude'. Not only is she very detail oriented, she needs to be in the know on everything. She thrives on knowing the exact day, time, hour and minute that things are going to occur and will hold you accountable for EVERYTHING that you say you are going to do. Brielle loves keeping busy and has no room in her life to watch tv or lay around wasting away a day. This summer this girl has truly kept me caught up on household chores and is my saving grace in the event I need laundry or dishes done. If she is not watching and learning from those around her she is tuning her volleyball skills (she plays league in the winter) or chasing after Trey and his friends on bikes, wiggle boards, etc. On several occassions this summer we have found her out pitching a ball to Trey and his friends in a 12 year old front yard baseball game. Troy and I still wonder how many more years until Trey will not allow her to be around his friends?

When all of this kid stuff isn't going on around our house Troy and I actually find time to do some things together (once or twice when the moon and stars align and we have days off together). This last year we traveled to Denver Colorado for a week for the Colorado Crossroads Volleyball Tournament (Yes - Taylor's team was there ... but we went in seperate planes!) Then this summer we took our annual pilgrimage to Shreveport Louisiana to visit my sister and brother in law (guilt as charged - we took the kids there too). We have also made a trip to the Yakima Valley - for a Trevino reunion as Tr0ys uncle and aunt from Ohio were out for a visit. I really enjoyed meeting them as after 9 years - this was my first opportunity. As we near the end of the year, and my husbands 40th birthday ... I am hoping for a little alone time where we can actually take some time to be us without being mom and dad - . I will keep you posted on that progress.

Well, Monday school starts again. Back to the routine .... homework, making lunches, "I need money" .... etc.

Thank heavens I love every minute!

Until next time ....

Susan

Welcome

2008-12-27T20:52:00.000-08:00

So, with the New Year rapidlly approaching I thought it would be nice to find a place where I can just write down all of the things that are happening - and they will be available for people to read at their leisure. Whether or not this really gets off the ground or not I do not know - but there is never any harm in trying.
Our life is KIDS - plain and simple. When talking with others - well those in my 'arena' - their lives are about KIDS too ... so I guess I we are the typical American Family.
Brittany is in college - thank heavens we all lived long enough to see that day. Taylor is in HS - ... one word WOW. Trey is in JHS and Brielle is in the 4th grade. Tay & Brielle play club volleyball and Trey is in tournament basketball - praying that baseball starts soon.
Troy and I both work at Equa-Chlor and are very thankful for our jobs. With the economy like it is it is so nice to go to work and hear positive outlooks. Neither one of us are so naive as to think it couldn't come crashing down - hey, we've been there before ... but we also know a good thing when we see it.
Other than that we continue to life - laugh - love everyday. Being happy makes everything seem so trivial when you put it in the perspective that it deserves.
For my New Years resolution this year I think I am going to get a little selfish. There are some things that I have always put on the backburner - but perhaps this year I will move them to the front - even if it is just for a little while. Lets face it - I need an exercise plan people! I have never felt like a bigger sloth! Then - I really want to develop my photography skills a little. Getting myself outside and moving should enable me to capture the world as I see it. After that it gets a little personal - the control freak in me needs to learn to let go a little. I have known it for a long time - but now it is really getting on my nerves. That one is going to take some real effort - I hope I am ready for the challenge. I know my family is.
So - here is my start. I don't know how the blog will flow - or what it all means (I don't even know anyone that does this) - so here is to 2009 and the unexpected!!

Team TREVINO

To NEW Beginnings ...

... just another day

Out of all my accomplishments, being a MOM is the greatest.

Welcome 2011

Happy Holidays ....

To The Man I Love ...

A Brand New Journey

What A Ride

And then there were ..... SEVEN

It's about time I acknowledge 2010

Thank - Full

** Taylor **

A Sad Day ...

12th Man Posse

September

A year later ...

Welcome

Taylor