In Memory of...

Sunday night as I was just starting to relax from previous days, I got a phone call that I didn't expect...my best friend (and cousin) lost her dad. I couldn't believe any of what I was hearing, it was surreal.

I packed up again, out of a suitcase that hadn't been unloaded, and on Monday morning I was back on the road to Victoria. A road trip alone gives you so much time to think and reflect on life. Even though the circumstances were grim, the time alone gave me an opportunity to be thankful for all the blessings God has bestowed on my life this year.

As I sat with my cousin, we reminisced on some of the times with her dad, and fought back the tears as we looked at his brand new slippers still next to the Christmas tree. It is a painful time, but she is clearly able to laugh and remember the good times they shared.

Why blog about this? Take this opportunity to find some understanding about what confuses you. Call that friend that you have been too busy to get in touch with. FOLLOW that dream that still seems elusive. Let us all stop waiting until life gives us a blow and we have to "react" instead of having a plan all along. I admit, I am guilty of all of the above, but we have to start somewhere.

If you have 30 seconds today, whisper a little prayer for my friend, then pray that God gives you guidance for your own dreams. Have a blessed day.

We will miss you David.

Merry Christmas

Christmas was absolutely wonderful. Even though we have previously sworn off the worldwind traveling through 2-3 cities, 5-6 houses, and days in the car, we did it again this year. We had Christmas with our family of four on Christmas Eve. The girls have been sleeping in since the start of winter break, but this morning they were up and ready to go by 8:00 a.m.

As much as I have been trying to keep the one year old away from the tree and the gifts to no avail, I couldn't get her to open presents this morning when I placed them in front of her. Then I remembered the box she wanted in to the most was the build-a-bear (puppy) that her sister made for her, and that was just the spark she needed to get going. It was a great start to the holidays.

Then we headed to Houston to see the girls paternal great grandmas(2), Grandma, cousins, aunts and uncle...and god-brother and sister. We spent one night there and after more toys, clothes and money, we hit the road to Victoria.

After that we came back home on Saturday evening in time to get rest and go to church on Sunday morning, which brought it all home. It was such a great time.

I hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas.

A day with the kids!

Sometimes I just feel like sharing how much the Lord has blessed me. Right now I should be laying out clothes for tomorrow but I am listening to children who are giddy about the approaching holiday and running around the house. Even the one year old knows that something big is approaching. She keeps pushing the button on the stocking that plays Jingle Bells and rocks side to side.

Not much to say tonight except Thank you Lord...

You can always go home...

So a week or two ago I went to my hometown(Victoria) for the weekend. It was truly what I needed. I got to see so many people that I hadn't seen in a while and it was cool.

For starters, on Saturday morning I went to do a little networking with an old friend from high school and I found that I was very proud of her and the accomplishments that has brought to the town. It was a great start to the rest of the day.

After that I went home to pick up my daughters, so we could go to my God-daughter's birthday party at the skating rink. Little did I know, I was about to be in for a big surprise. My one year old who has never skated in her life, had the biggest fit I have ever seen. Why? Simply because she wanted to skate. Forseeing this in advance, I did have my six year old's adjustable skates with me, but she wanted to go out to the middle of the skating rink with no help.

Just let her go, Right? Well her well-prepared mommy grabbed the skates without the wheel locks so she kept falling down. This didn't stop her, she kept on crying "Skate, mama, skate!" To make matters worse, they cleared the floor for skate races so she couldn't go out at all. She was so upset that she wouldn't even come back to the table for pizza. She loves pizza! After she tried to convince all of our friends to take her to the floor, her dad was finally able to calm her down by taking her over to the video games.

Next we went home to grab coats, blankets, grandparents, and chairs to head downtown to the night parade. It was awesome and the kids had a blast. I ate from the moment I got there, almost until the time we left. Nachos, soda, fries, hot chocolate, cheese cake squares...it was all so yummy and after all it was my first time going. All of my family has been at least one other time, so I felt like I needed to catch up.

Sunday we went to my childhood church for service and a book signing. It was awesome! The pastor blessed the book and encouraged the church family to embrace the book which they did. I was so amazed with the outpouring of love and support. It was inspiring.

Later that day we stopped by my brother's house to invade his grapefruit and pecan trees. My husband was literally up in the tree, trying to grab large fruit from the top. He squeezes them to make fresh juice.

After a series of goodbyes and squeezes on my little nephew we hit the road, arriving shortly after nightfall. It was a great weekend.

Oh What a Night !

Is there a rule somewhere that limits the number of times you can officially say, "This was the best night of my life!" Although there have been many many many wonderful moments in my life, this one was good too.

So when we last left off I was on a class field trip in very cold weather with the six year old. The next day I did make it to an appointment to get my hair done for the event. What event? The pre-release party for my children's book, of course. I know, you all saw that coming but I just had to say it again.

So many family members and friends came out to share their well wishes and show their love for me and my accomplishment. I am just so thankful to know so many great people. My cup runneth over (again and again)!

My pastor blessed the book, followed by an 8 year old praise dancer, kind words were expressed by a few friends, and my dad, plus a reading of the book, as well as lots of door prizes. It was wonderful. I will be back with pictures...

For my daughter

So you would think that today would start off with a manicure, pedicure, and a massage while listening to zen music in the background. Maybe even, looking in to "my inner me" while soft music played and the sound of water trickled over a rock garden. NOT!

Yes tomorrow is the day of the pre release party, a major sign that this journey is coming full circle, but getting pampered was not as I expected it to be. For starters, the six year old asked me to go on her class field trip to Pioneer Farms. No big deal except it was 49 degrees outside(at noon). The farm, as most are, was in the middle of this gigantic field, which meant lots of walking in open spaces. The wind chill made the gusts feel like ice against your skin. Arrgh!

However it was fun. Another mother and myself made the best of it, by laughing and talking as we scurried the little ones along. My child was happy and I was content with seeing her smile.

Now when I did make it to the nail salon, the hot water in the foot spa on my frozen toes was almost unbearable. But before you think I am complaining, think again. I haven't had a pedicure or manicure in many many months. It hurt so bad, but it felt so good all at the same time. Zany, I know.

Stay posted and I will have pictures of the event in a few days. Pray God's best for our night!

Google my name...

What a difference a year makes. Last year if you typed in my name at google.com, you would have found the somewhat decent 5k results from the Galveston Island Mardis Gras Run. In my defense, my oldest daughter was only five months old. However, if you type it in now you will see that I hold places 1,2, and 4. Woohoo!

Now first and second place are thanks to all you faithful readers of the blog, so give yourselves a pat on the back. But fourth place, yes I said fourth place is thanks to this little writer from Victoria, Texas who had a dream of one day seeing her work in print. Hallelujah. I am so happy, because if you have ever googled anything, you know sometimes it requires some searching.

Although I was proud of myself back in 2002, for running around a cold and windy island to benefit a cause that I can't remember, I am extremely proud of what is happening now. So next time you stop by google, remember Ursula Wade Boudreaux, so that way when the book is officially released, I won't be hard to find. Thanks

I've learned...

I've learned to savor the moment...Last night as I sat on a pillow, (some parents were on blankets), on the hard school cafeteria floor, I was nearly overcome with emotion. Thank goodness the one year old was crawling all over me and pulling things out of her backpack, so I was distracted from the burning feeling in the back of my throat.

Anyway the six year old was in the first grade performance that sang the praises of our great nation. As her class did a spectacular rendition of God Bless the USA, I became so emotional watching her wave her little red, white and blue streamers and singing her heart out. I was proud of her, and proud of our country, it was just so overwhelming. I would not trade that moment for anything.


I've also learned that while trying to teach my children (and others, through this book) to have faith, I have learned to have more and to also be trusting of that faith(in God). You see we won't always be able to understand everything in life or even understand peoples actions, but if we let our lights shine and try to be the best person we can be, that's all that matters. Yes we will continue to make mistakes, but strive to do your best in every arena.


Everybody is so busy with the distractions of life, which causes us to take people and things for granted. So just for today, challenge yourself to appreciate something or someone...the feeling you get out of it is priceless.



http://flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/sets/72157608716313371/show/with/3009094952/

More about last week...

I also forgot to mention that my friends at UPS stopped by the house about three times last week, well actually three days in a row. First, the shoes that I order from Zappos.com came a day and a half later. A day and a half, plus they have free shipping. You can't beat it! I am impressed.


Then the boxes carrying my new posters, business cards, and post cards for the book came. That is when I felt official. I felt like I had arrived. Where? Wherever it is that real writer's go. I plan to frame and hang one of the posters here in the house, as a reminder that dreams(and goals) are attainable. It's funny when my husband asked, "Where ya gonna hang your poster?" I was secretly glad that he was thinking the same thing, so that way I knew I wasn't just being full of myself. HEE! HEE!

So the posters and the website combined had me on cloud nine all week long. To make it even better, my six year old is very proud of her mommy. That alone is worth all that has happened with this journey. Before I forget to mention it; her last soccer game was Saturday. Before we left home we gave her the normal pep talk. "Have fun! Play hard." Well she took the play hard to the extreme.

My little star scored three goals and hustled pretty much the whole time she played. We had a family friend with us, and she was truly impressed. In fact, the whole team played well. They only lost one game the whole season.

It was a great week.

Week in review!

Okay, it is 12:04 a.m. and I am wide awake. How bad it is gonna hurt in the morning when the alarm clock goes off, or when the one year old starts to call my name in that sing-songy voice around 2:45 a.m. like clockwork. If her dad goes in there(he does 2-3 nights a week) she sometimes will lay back down, if I go in there she already has her arms out so she can come to our bed. Sometimes a snuggle and cuddle is cool, that is until a foot sticks you in the rib. For the life of me I can't understand why she has to sleep sideways.

Anyway this past week has been about as blessed as they come. Each day it was something new and wonderful. Barack Obama has become president. No more excuses! Lift him up in prayer every chance you get. My marketing representative surprised me by nonchalantly mentioning(in email form) that she posted my book online at the Publisher's website. Uh hello this is big. Now although I am sure she will say she is just doing her job, I will disagree and say she made my dream manifest right before my eyes. Thanks A.S.

Then the well wishes just started pouring in. I know I was following my dream all along by writing this book, but I didn't realize the fact that everybody doesn't automatically do the same. Now I know I mentioned this several posts ago, but never ever give up on your dream no matter what it is. Encourage yourself when no one else will. Throw out every excuse! Cast out negative influences. Just don't give up.

Take out a tablet in your spare time and start with the sentence "I started dreaming again today..." and see where that takes you.