Birthday Trip!

Somewhere. That was all I could get out of Tom for nearly two weeks. We were going somewhere for my birthday. Because packing can be especially challenging to a girl, I was able to get the destination before we left home. We were going to South Padre Island for my birthday!It has been close to 9 years since I've been! That is showing the age of this now-30-year-old! (Spring Break my junior year at A&M with two of my very bestest friends!)
Tom had planned this to be a very nice and relaxing weekend! We had reservations at the best hotel on the island. I had an appointment pre-booked for a massage, manicure and pedicure for Saturday at the Blue Hairing. Everything else, was up to the birthday girl!
Since my nephew made an abrupt arrival on Thursday, it was not really out of the way to swing by Victoria before heading down South. After visiting, we set out to South Padre. With just about 3 hours left in our trip, the hotel called. They had "unforseeable problems" and needed to move us to a different hotel. I don't think so! They assured us the other hotel was "comparable". Tom thinks that's a bit funny since the Sheraton is the ONLY 4-Star hotel on the island. Tom went back and forth with the receptionist, then the manager who said he'd call us back in 10 minutes. Tom was quite the unhappy guest...and he did a great job of not taking "no" for an answer! :) About an hour and a half later, we arrived at the hotel...never hearing back from the manager and not knowing WHAT to expect when we got there! Checking in at the front desk, the receptionist said he needed to go check the "status" of our room. Nearly 10 minutes later he returned and without us giving any sort of story, he said our room was ready and we had been "upgraded" because it was my "birthday"! Well...funny how those things just seem to work out! Go from no room...to upgrade in an hour and a half.

The Infamous Hotel

The bellhop takes us to the room and upon opening it, gives a disturbed look and asks, did they give you BOTH 824 & 825? Nope. (That's a pretty dumb question - I'm thinking.) He tells us that this room is not ready and needs to go downstairs and check things out. He shows us the room and I cautiously peek inside. This is what we see:

I don't know about you...but if that is UPGRADED, I'd hate to see what the regular rooms look like! Call me picky...but I prefer sleeping on BEDs!

Turns out the upgrade consisted of both rooms. The "living" room, which we had the key to first, and the king suite next door. Once we had both keys, we were in business!

Hotel drama aside, we had a fabulous time! We walked the beach before heading to dinner that evening.

Saturday morning we went to the Blue Hairing (I just like the name!) and I had my first-ever massage! It was great. Afterwards, she told me I really needed to try and get one every two weeks...apparently I'm pretty messed up! I had my nails done up all pretty and pink afterwards but decided to skip my hair appointment. Tom was so good to me, waiting patiently (until I made HIM go get a massage too!) that I wanted to get out and about with my dear husband!

We did a bit of shopping and then decided to do some boogie boarding! Bud Light Lime + beach + waves + your significant other = GREAT TIME! After we showered the sea water & sand off, we jumped in the hotel pool and enjoyed (really enjoyed) the swim up bar. I MUST have a hut, pool and swim up bar...and don't forget the bar tender in my "when I win the lottery" house!

That evening we headed out for appetizers and drinks then went back to relax in the hotel room! It truly was a perfect day!Sunday morning we slept in again! (Don't get a mom too used to this!!!) Headed out of S. Padre around 10:30 and were back home by 3:30. It was the best birthday ever! Hmmm, Tom did so good...what do I need to start planning for HIS 30-th birthday?? Feel free to leave me your ideas!!

Words I may regret...

One day I might regret this, but for now, I just soaked up every minute of it!

I had been away from my precious kids all weekend so I wanted to snuggle with my Brock that evening.

I asked him to get up off the recliner so he could sit in my lap and rock/snuggle for a little while. He said: "But Mom, I'm a little too heavy."

I laughed and said he'd NEVER be too heavy to sit in my lap! I realize I might regret that (images of my brother flashing through my head), but for now, I'll just enjoy every minute I can snuggle with my "LITTLE" boy!

30 Years

I can't help it. I've had the Tim McGraw song running through my head for days! "In my next 30 years..."

I have lots of plans for my next 30 years, but I also must think back on the first 30 years and realize just how great they truly were!

In my first 30 years...

* I was the first child born to Paula & John Dornak

* I was joined by 2 sisters and a brother

* I made short time friends, and Long-Time friends (you know who you are!!!)

* I've spent 30 Christmases and other holidays with my extended families

* I danced for nearly 18 years

* I graduated in the top 10% at Katy High School

* I graduated (in FOUR years) from Texas A&M University

* I bought my first car (2001 Dodge Durango)

* I got my first (and current) job at USAA in San Antonio

* I married my college sweetheart...I love you Tom!

* We (along with Tom) bought our first house.

* I bought my second car (2002 GMC Yukon)

* We had our first child, Brock Austin Benich

* We had our second child, Aubree Paige Benich

* We put our house up for sale and started looking for a new one!

There is SO much more! There are also the milestones and events you would rather not think back on. However, each event...both good and bad...have shaped me into the person I am today.

As my most surprising birthday present ever...Tom put together a photo book for me. Yes, I was stunned! He who teases and puts up with my photo-book maddness embarked on a photo adventure of his own! I hope you can view it from this link:

http://www2.snapfish.com/projectshareewelcome/p=503181240104915404/l=536732022/g=164642174/otsc=SYE/otsi=SPRJ

My birthday brought me more joy and love than I've felt in a long time! I was dreading turning 30, but feel so blessed to see all the people who thought of me, wished me well, and are here to see me through 30 and beyond!

Loni & Kerri...You totally made my day with the beautiful boquet I received at work!!!

All my facebook friends...THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE GREAT BIRTHDAY WISHES!!!

And my Loving Husband, Tom...I am posting this from our hotel room while you are getting ice for our Bailey's. :) And there's no place else I'd rather be! You gave me the best 30th birthday trip ever! I love you so much!

(Check back soon for a new post on Trip Details!)

Thank you everyone! Because of you, I might be able to handle this 30-thing!

Conner Matthew Kitchens

Just one day before his Aunt Lori's birthday, Conner made his way into the world!

HAPPY BIRTH-DAY CONNER!

April 16, 2009

1:18 pm

(or close to that! Aunt Lori has a bad memory!)

9 lbs, 5 ozs

(and he was 2 weeks early!!!)

19.75 inches

Bright Easter Fun!

I promised pictures last night, and before I am wiped out from a very LONG day at work, let me get a few to those of you who actually read this thing! :)

The Benich Family...in bright Easter colors!

The Benich Family in their VIBRANT Easter colors!!!!

Brock & Aubree and Aunt Mere - the Easter Bunny's Helper! We had to tell Brock it was really Aunt Mere in the costume because he was so afraid. He didn't believe us until he heard her voice. Rumor has it, the REAL Easter Bunny had to go home so his good friend Meredith helped him out!

One of the few pics of Brock actually hurrying to the next egg...but I guess when you're the only hunter, you can take your dear sweet time!

This is definitely MY CHILD!!! ORGANIZING his Easter eggs by type & color!!!!! Now, if only I could get him to do it in an Excel spreadsheet!! Maybe by age 5!

Happy Easter Everyone!!!

Love, The Benich Family

Thankful, Thankful, Thankful!

Easter Sunday brings so much to be thankful for! I've been trying to talk to Brock about Jesus and why Church is more than sitting still and quiet for an hour so we can go play on the playground! Today in Church, he's looking towards the back, across many people and pointing. I asked him what he was looking at and he kept saying: "You see Him, mom?" Being in Cuero, It took me a minute to figure out he was talking about Jesus on the crucifix. I'm thankful things are sinking in!
I'm thankful to have spent Easter weekend with my family! Almost all of them!
Friday we started out visiting with my dad at my sister's house in Cuero. Dede is on bedrest until baby Conner arrives and we kept her company on this very Good Friday!
Saturday we had a lot of fun with my mom's side of the family. Grandma was there, along with 4 of the 5 siblings. We were only missing 5 of the 14 grandkids. Not too shabby, but quite entertaining, as always!
Sunday we got dressed up in our Easter outfits and headed to Curch where my recap began. It was a great weekend and I'm so thankful to have such a close-knit, loving family! On Easter, and always, I pray for only the best for each of them!
(pics later...too tired to continue!)

Yoga...Soccer...SCORE!

Well, I can't possibly entertain some of you as much as I apparently did in the last post! ;) It may have only been funnier if you had witnessed me in person!
Today, though I was tired, worked overtime, and running late, I made it to Bikram Yoga Class #2! I'm SO HAPPY I did!!! I actually managed to get through SEVEN of the poses before taking a brief break! I tried all but about 3 poses, and boy am I terrible!!!!! Well, with this much improvement over day 1...I can only hope that it's only a matter of try, try and try again until I get the hang of this!
In the meantime, we MUST share with you the events of last Friday & Saturday!

Brock went to his very first soccer practice on Friday evening! I don't think I've ever smiled so much in an hour! Brock LOVED every bit of it!!! He is the youngest on the team, and most have a year of experience over him...however, he did great! The coaches had to tell him "no hands" multiple times, and at home the next day, we even tied his hands behind his back that evening and the next morning to practice this small violation of the rules!

All Ready For His First Practice!

Brock was great on game day! The difference in his tendency to use his hands was night & day! Guess he gets that from his mother and her night & day experience with day 1/2 of yoga! ;)
The kids all had equal playing time and I just cracked up nearly the entire game! Some of our returning players are GOOD!!! We blew the other team away. Brock had a few good kicks, but no goals as of his first game. I think one of the very funniest things to watch at this age is that the kids just follow the ball everywhere. Even as the ball goes out of bounds...there go the players! It's too funny!

Let's Play Soccer!!!!

We have games every weekend until 5/30 with the exception of Easter weekend...so if you get the chance to come watch, we'd love to have you!

Two of Brock's First Fan's on a very cold and windy morning!!! Nana & Aubree...THANKS for supporting our little super star!!

Practice and Game again this weekend...wish our little Shooting Star luck!!