La Feminil Women Only Bike Tour 2009

It is FINALLY HERE! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about this amazing race..... and it's just for women! How exciting!!
I get to use my NEW (almost new) Specialized Dolce Elite tomorrow. The Mr. and our son will beat a half-way point to meet me and I can't wait to finish this event tomorrow. I have been looking forward to it for several months.
Seriously, the excitement is overwhelming and I'm just ready to get there and Gooooooooooo! Wooo Hooooooooooooooo!
More details tomorrow after the event :)

Springtime (almost) and Lent

Just when I think that the weather will be my cycling friend, here comes another coolfront. I have my spring wear out in my closet already and have started packign away my winter clothes. Come on already! Arrrgghh!!!!

Sprint means that it's the time of year again when Lent is here. I have chosen to give up Sodas, french fries and burgers. Mr. Reel Happy has yet to give up something (maybe cigarettes) and Roberto, our son, has stuck to his NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION so well, that he will continue to give up Sodas and his very favorite, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, LOLOL.
We'll see how it goes :)

It's FRIDAY and that means another wonderful weekend ahead. This weekend we'll spend time with my in-laws, go cycling, go to my nephews bday party and then finally, the day I have been waiting for for soooo long--------my bike race. I will compete on Sunday in my first bike race. I have been preparing for this for a couple of months now. my ankle and knee are much better so Mr. Reel Happy and Roberto will drive over to watch and take pictures. I love them!! They have been so encouraging and understanding when I'd rather go biking than to a movie or dinner.
Thanks Guys! I hope to God that it is not that windy.

another great giveaway...shhhh

Whitney Caroline Designs is having a great giveaway. Look at these cute message boards above!!! Go check out her site. It's sooo cute!

New Baby Nephew

I'm an Auntie Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, I witnessed the love, magic and together of family again. A new bouncing baby boy was born to my sister and brother in law. He is beautiful and healthy as can be. I was so happy and excited to hold him today that for a second I wanted another child myself..... Ummmm, but just for a split second. (LOL)
I look forward to seeing and hearing about the baby's first this and first that. These are the most important moments that parents will endure. We're so proud and happy for the new "mum and dad."
And he smelled just like I imagined, newborn baby!

Our 1st Valentines Day as Mr. & Mrs.

Valentine's Day is here and I can't help but remember last year; this day. Richard proposed in the most romantic way right after a delicious dinner at home. Lobster tails, steak, wine, chocolate covered strawberries... we thought of it all. I've always loved it but not like LOVED it. I always thought it was sort of an over-rated holiday LOLOL!!

Not anymore. It will always hold a special meaning to me. I remember the feeling of OMG, this is it, its really happening, OMG I should say something like "YES!"

Yes yes yes a thousand times yes.

This year we didn't make dinner at home.

We spent the morning and early afternoon bike riding through the trails in Mission, Texas. It is one of our favorites biking areas to ride. We rode 13.1 miles ! The second helf was harder since we had strong winds coming against us.

We had a very romantic ride. And YES, I got my new Specialized Dolce Elite bike!!! it is AWESOME!!

After our ride, we came home made ourselves a light lunch and rested up for our Romantic Dinner. We had reservations at Santa Fe Steakhouse in McAllen, Texas. http://www.steaksatsantafe.com/

We LOOOve this restaurant. We've had lots of good times together and with friends here. We opted out of Steaks this time, but they are great here. This night The Mr had the Salmon with Twice Baked Potato and fresh Asparagus. I had the absolutely delicious Duck with Red Plum glaze with a twice baked potato. Our salads were a mixture of mango, tangerines, calamari and mixed greens. Our desserts were a emon mandarine cake and a NY Cheesecake accompanied with flutes of Korbel Champagne.

The restaurant also included a rose for every MRS and a picture for us to keep.

We were reminded why this is one of our favorite restaurants to eat at whether its with each other or with a group of friends. (And God knows we do this alot!)

Our evening ended at home, We danced to "Our" Song and the MR sand it softly in my ear so lovingly.

OH!! And the next day he was off to go "fishing again!" LOLOLOL I love him for who he is and for loving me for who I am. I'm grateful each and everyday that the Lord brought us to each other.

"Christ Alone"

The romance does not end here: We have a special surprise coming up this weekend!!!

My Dolce Elite.... maybe?

VALENTINE'S ANYONE?

OK, I have finally outgrown the old clunker of a bike that I have (bought at a Dallas Wal-Mart 9 years ago and about 50 lbs). I have used it to the limit and I am ready for a "new ride!"

The Mr. laughs everytime I take it out of the garage to ride with him and I now know why. Last night we went shopping for bikes. Real bikes. I never knew that there was such a huge difference in the bike you chose to ride.

I'm learning more and more everyday since I've started bike riding again. This is a passion and I'll be racing in an event soon. (I remember bike riding at White Rock lake in Dallas; aahh the relaxing weekends I used to have there) :o(

I am working much too hard to get my old bike to move; it shouldn't be so difficult. The guy at the bikeshop said that I'll be leaving the Hubby behind in the dust soon LOL. After researching all over the internet and shops from San Antonio to the Rio Grande Valley, I think I have settled on this:

It's the 2008 Specialized Dolce Elite Women's Bike. This is the Creme de la Creme. The Rolls Royce's of all cars. Aaaahh. This bike weighs about only 18 lbs and I'll be riding at about 17 mph real quick on this.

I hope that the hubby will give in and choose this bike. He is dead set on reviewing more websites and stores and I JUST WANT THIS ONE!!! Whaaaah!

(by the way if I get this bike, I can say "so long see ya" to our entertainment center on my wishlist..... the agony of really choosing what i want .....)

27th Annual Edinburg 10K

Given the circumstances of my sprained ankle and hurt knee; I still made myself complete the event. I'd told myself several times that I was not going to flake out :) and I didn't.

I thought that I would feel so proud and excited right after the race but it was actually before the race that I felt most proud and loved. My hubby called from the golf course telling me that I was "1st place in his book already."

My heart was so full that I cried and of course my friend laughed. We laughed together the whole event reminiscing over times at South Padre Island. Ahhhh, the memories!

Are you Superstitious?? Hawaiian Black Sand

Mr. Lo & I had the wonderful pleasure of honeymooning in Hawaii (Kauai and the Big Island). We had a wonderful time and got to do lots of exciting things.

We got dirty in Kauai (heheh), we saw gorgeous rainbows, we took a flight over the islands, saw the humpback whales, visited some beautiful old lighthouses. I spared the later of the photos for space sake.

Anyways, to get the story started, The REEL HAPPY NEWLYWED's decided to take something that we shouldn't have. The Infamous Black Sand......

Mr & I both wanted to bring back a momento of this beautiful beach and island. The sand was majestic and amazing. The sea turtles that played loving in the ocean came up onto the sand and basked on the black sand. It was amazing. We met some wonderful guys visiting from Japan, others from London and some from Greece. We had a wonderful playing around on the beach.

We left Punalu'u Black Sand Beach with a Ziploc full of this fascinating sand, along with some lava rocks and coral. This beach is a gem of a find on the Big Island of Hawaii. Located half-way between Volcano and Na'alehu on the southern portion of the Big Island of Hawaii.

The rest of the trip we often thought to ourselves what we were going to do with the sand. We wanted to put it in a vase we got for our wedding and showcase in our entertainment center (when we got one). We had some friends come over for food and drinks and showed them how beautiful it was. My brother right away told me. "Are you kidding me? I'm not touching that!" "Sonia, don't you know it's bad luck to bring back anything from the islands?"

Of course I didn't Do-Do head. If I'd known I wouldn't have brought it!

Uggghhh, the pit of my stomach felt like waves of guilt running wildly in my body. I couldn't sleep. And Mr. Lo kept telling me we have to send it back. Oh yeah, now you want too. You went and bought the Ziploc bags! I refused stating we weren't really "SUPERSTITIOUS" and I was going to prove this so called curse wrong.

I researched this so-called bad luck mystery and this is what I found:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/05/17/MN135697.DTL&hw=black+sand+hawaii&sn=002&sc=840

We at first did not believe in this nonsense. But little by little we caught ourselves laughing OH, it's the Black Sand Ooooooohhhh LOLOL.

This week, we'd had enough and so had my family.

Some things have happened to us lately. Coincidental, I think NOT! Here's a small rundown:

-We actually began to argue a little about some things that had never bothered us before.

-I forgot about a 5k I was supposed to participate in, that I'd recruited others for.

-My husbands 2 pregnant sisters and 2 brother in laws were in a serious roll over car accident (all were well)
-I sprained my ankle right before a 10K (after a doctors visit all is well)

-I missed 2 days of working out when I'd vowed to be loyal 5 days straight (my own personal goal)

-When I fell and sprained my ankle- that evening I had severe chest pains that I seriously thought I was having a heart attack (doctors visit showed no broken ribs)

-The doctor visit did however show that I had abnormal heart Rhythm and put me on a 24 hour heart monitor. One week to get results.

-4 co-workers were laid off

My mother literally came over this morning (with orders from my Daddy) to go and return the "stuff" immediately! Overnight!!!

The Mr & I are happy to get if out of our hands and back to Hawaii where it rightfully belongs.

Goddess Pele, we are truly sorry for disturbing your land. We would've never had done this if we'd only known. Please forgive us.

Wheeeew!! I can't wait for the Fex-Ex confirmation.

(Hence, we have beautiful photos to remember our fantabulous honeymoon) We'll treasure ours forever!

IF you have "stuff" send it back IMMEDIATELY!

Playful. Mischievous. Romantic

I found another giveaway. i feel like I'm hooked. posting here and there for a chance to win something... LOL!

I came across a blog that is having a great giveaway for a perfume. Not just any perfume either!

Apparently, this perfume has powers of mystical sorts that will drive men (more specifically YOUR man wild)!! I'm sure you don't need it but just the idea AAaaahhhhhh!! hehehe

Go to http://saravido.blogspot.com/ and visit "When in Rome's" blog and giveaway contest.

Lost in thought.....

Lately, we've been looking around for the perfect entertainment center for our home. We've looked at over 5 furniture places. This seems to be the entertainment center for our lovely home. The only problem is how much it costs!!! Yikes!! I won't even say how many "mula bucks" it will cost.

Like many others we are torn between the thought of saving our money, buying that fabulous ent center from Lacks or taking a fabulous summer vacation....... Mr. L says let's go for the center as long as we can get the AWESOME new flat screen...... I'm stuck between putting it away and going to Italy this summer...... :(