Payton's world...we just live in it.

Hi ya'll! Just kidding, I'm definitely not saying "ya'll" yet. Payton though.. she could very well start saying that shortly. :) We've been in Schertz, TX since December (4 months now) and it's already almost time to pack up and leave again! I'm not thrilled to pack all of this back up and take it down 3 flights of stairs. But good news! I found a house, one story, for us to rent while we're in Del Rio. It's 2000 sq ft, MUCH more space than we've ever been used to, has a large kitchen with plenty of countertop space (will be upgraded to granite countertops here shortly) and plenty of cabinet space plus a pantry, a sunroom, 3 bed 2 bath, garage, security system and a fenced in backyard with fruit trees! So I am very very excited for Del Rio for just the house!

Payton has been enrolled at Schertz Christian Academy 2 days a week for the Mommy's Day Out program with other 1 1/2-2 yr olds.

She has been loving that! And mommy has too. It allows me to get errands done without her, or appointments such as regular doctor, chiropractor (which I have 3 times a week), dentist and eye exams done. And speaking of, I just got my first pair of contact lenses yesterday! No more glasses or prescription sunglasses for me! Hello $8 pair of sunglasses, oh how I have missed those! It has also filled a void for Payton. She was definitely ready for more interaction than just with mommy. She can play with others, they go outside to the play ground, have childrens church on Wednesdays, snack time, lunch time and nap time, arts and crafts, story time, etc. It's really good for her! However, she was pretty much sick for the first month or so, but has been fever free for the last 3 sundays in a row! I will be trying to enroll her in the same kind of thing in Del Rio too. Which I've heard there are a couple of great options down there but that there are wait lists. So we'll see if she gets in to one.

I have found a church down here, Rolling Oaks Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It's a good little church. About the size of the Fellowship Hall at Salem FCC. It also only has about 10 people in the church choir, and only 4 communion trays for the Traditional Service at 11:15 am. But it's nice, and quaint. The people are very welcoming, and it makes me feel "sort of" at home. Too bad I'll have to find yet ANOTHER church in Del Rio. But I do believe there is a First Christian Church in Del Rio. I'll check it out.

We were lucky to get to spend some time with some great friends who were in Ft Worth visiting family, The Costas', over Valentine's Day weekend. It's always such a wonderful feeling to spend time with really great people. Truly great company. I always miss it before it's even over. Thanks for a wonderful time, and making time for us while you were home. We miss you guys.

Mike, Shaun, me, and Courtney Costas

Payton has been exploring more, testing the limits more, showing her curiousity a bit, as to be expected. But it wasn't quite expected like this.. Shaun was taking a bath and Payton wanted to get in but it was her bed time and she was already in her jammies. She ran to her bathroom, me thinking she was bringing daddy some bath toys to play with in his bath, she returned with nothing. Then runs back out saying "poddy poddy poddy" as I'm just sitting on the closed toilet talking to Shaun. She doesn't come back for a few minutes and I don't really hear her so I go to check on her... too bad I didn't go grab my camera like I usually do.. I found her not just playing in the toilet, but IN the toilet bowl. She'd opened the lid, and climbed herself INTO the toilet bowl without falling in face first, and her knees were wedged under the toilet seat and she couldn't get out. From her bottom down was just completely soaked. Apparently she was going to take a bath whether we let her or not, or she was trying to go "poddy" on her own.. the jury's still out.

She has also been demonstrating those characteristics by learning how to take off her pj pants AND her diaper while in bed. I've found her numerous times covered up but underneath the blanket was no diaper, no pants just a cute bare bottom. She's even figured out how to put her pants back on, inside out usually, once she's removed the diaper.

I've learned some things down here. Like, it's not the rain that makes things green down here, it's the temperature. So contrary to popular belief, it IS actually green down here. Which is nice to see. But I think I'm ok with it not being green, if it means I can have sunshine, blue sky and warmth. Which pretty soon will be EXCESSIVE HEAT not just warmth. But those months don't last very long. AND we DID get snow, that turned into an actual "snow day" and Payton didn't have school that day. Wait til you see the pictures of the snow that day...See pictures below of the green-ness and snow down here....

This literally shut down the entire city. And it melted by 2:30 pm.

Another thing I've learned, or maybe just noticed, there are interesting speed limits around corners. Really odd to me. Check them out...

But whats funny is you actually find yourself going that same speed limit because it's a comfortable speed around the corner.

Another observation is there are just about as many dead people in Texas as there are living people. Cemetery's EVERYWHERE. And they ALL have flowers on every grave. It's quite pretty actually. Down here they say "acurns" not "acorns", and "pe-cans" not "pecons" (I know its spelled pecan). There is also a park just about every 5 blocks or so. Payton loves that. We've been finding new ones for her to explore and play on. I've been able to run outside ever since we moved here in December, with the exception of a few freezes, it's been very convenient. And Payton enjoys our runs on base by the runway. She can see all of the airplanes.

When we run around our apartment/neighborhood, we sometimes stop at the park on our way back. However, it sure is WINDY down here. And changes directions all throughout the day, which makes running a lot more difficult for me. But it's a great workout!

We've been trying to do something new on the weekends, when daddy takes the day off from studying. We've been to the Alamo....

The Riverwalk...

Dredging the Riverwalk... not very pretty at all. No boat ride that day. :(

And the San Antonio Zoo...

We've gone to Mimi and Pawpaw's a few times, which she really enjoys. She loves running around outside, playing with the dogs (Sassy, Angel, Shooter and Rascal) and seeing all the "neighs" run around, and even ride one!

Watching Mimi leave for work..

Wait for me pawpaw!

Getting ready to ride Topper..

She WAS smiling while she was riding him around..

One of my best friends (Tara) sisters lives here in Texas, Michelle, and she has 2 twin girls that are just a few months behind Payton so we've had a few chances to hang out and let the girls play together and make friends. We found an old-fashioned kiddie amusement park that has about 6 rides, and kids can start riding at 12 months! So we took the girls, they had fun.. mostly....

Payton, Ashley and Sofia

Payton wasn't very thrilled.

Ashley. She was so content with all the rides.

Sharing. :)

She liked the carousel!

Sofia in the airplanes!

Mama, Michelle, and Sofia!

As you can see in those pictures, Payton's hair is finally long enough for pig tails! She likes them a lot too. She'll live them in, USUALLY. And asks for them to be put in when she wakes up. She just recently got her very first hair cut. It was more like a trim. But it's all lined up now! And she even got to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, sit in a hot pink Jeep and got a balloon and sucker when she was done! She did so well!

Next on the list, Payton has discovered stickers and Mickey and Minnie mouse, and now has a new-found love for them!

She has also learned how to blow bubbles so we play with those often on the back porch. She still feels the need to put the wand in her mouth every time after dipping it in the bubbles, but it doesn't seem to bother her!

We miss everyone, and hope you can Skype or even come visit sometime! It's always nice down here! You'll love it! We'll send out our new address once we've moved to Del Rio. Please keep in touch! Here's a few more pics from our time in San Antonio...
Love the Maloneys!

Going to Billy Bob's