Taking the kids to the San Antonio Public Library during holiday break

Looking for something to do with the kids during that long holiday break? I know for a lot of us the holiday break means spending time with friends and family. If your kids are like mine I know they can get very restless. When that happens they usually get into trouble. You have already braved the malls for the latest ipod , or that new blue ray dvd player . What to do next? How about taking a break from it all and visiting the San Antonio Public Library .

I am writing this post from the John Igo branch which is located off on 13330 Kyle Seal Parkway and 1604 in Northwest San Antonio. It is one of the San Antonio's newest libraries opened on Dec 8, 2007 . John Igo is a longtime English Professor at San Antonio college.I must admit that the architects with the City of San Antonio were very innovative when it came to designing this library. The structure itself appears to be designed to have all of the latest green innovations around. It is also outfitted with free Wi-Fi . There are two buildings connect by a glass foyer. On the other side of the building are the restrooms and the meeting rooms. Outside, there are a row of tables specifically designed for Wi-Fi or just simply wanting to read outside. There is also a nice trail outside with huge oak trees. (I'm trying to finish this post so the kids can go check out the trail!)

The kids area at this library has plenty of kids books to choose from. There are also computers in this area for kids to log on to. I was going to sit over there with them in that area but the tables are very small. I felt like Andre the Giant (rest in peace) sitting at one of those tables. Kids have full access to the library system as the adults. They can search for their favorite books on the computers and place them on hold. They can also check out the books themselves with the "self check out" computers.

My wife and kids love this library. I must admit that they started coming here before I did. I love watching my kids as they walk in the door . The little ones head straight to the kids section and the computers over there. My older kids head to their sections right away. Bonnie Conner playground is also located next to the library. That was named after a San Antonio City Council woman. My kids love that park too. So if you are looking for a nice little inexpensive getaway I would definitely recommend one of San Antonio's many libraries.

Keeping up with my blog during the holidays.

It's been a little tougher than I thought to keep up with my blog. The holidays have not been too kind to my blog. I have been working a lot of hours, which is a good thing. I worked six days in a row last week and also worked on my day off this week. By the time I get home it is 6:30 pm and I don't want to do much. I also need to complete my Christmas shopping too. As of this writing I am still looking for that elusive Barbie beauty salon for my 2nd grader. (I wish I can go back in time and invest in all Barbie stock or Mattel products ). I am also thinking about a trampoline for all of my kids.

In addition to working long hours and the need to finish my Christmas shopping I also need to put on a happy face for Christmas parties and school functions for my kids. Keeping things crazy at work and home is a good thing. I am working and the kids are having fun during the holidays. I feel fortunate that we all have our health and jobs at home. Keeping a crazy lifestyle seems to be the norm.

Looking forward to sharing new thoughts and new ideas in 2010. Merry Christmas to everyone!!!

Traveling the Texas Hill Country during the Holidays

I did not realize how much I miss the Texas Hill Country in and around San Antonio. As a kid my parents used to have some property around Wimberly Texas. We had a cabin on this property (It was more of a shack) where we would sleep over. Visiting our property in Wimberly as kids gave us an idea how some of the first Texas settlers used to live off of the land.

When traveling on IH 10 towards Boerne, Comfort and Round Mountain you immediately notice the rolling Texas Hills and the great fall and winter colors. I forgot how fun it is to spend the holidays in the Hill Country . I went with my family to the Comfort Texas holiday parade. I felt like I was on a movie set. Everything seemed so perfect. The way the small town had the streets and the buildings decorated I thought I had stepped on the movie set of "Hope Floats" or something. It also seemed very surreal because everything was so perfect. Everyone seemed to know each other there. Some of the floats were very " Texas." Like the float carrying the high school football team or the float carrying a deer blind with a BBQ pit and the beauty queen. There was also a Christimas tree with beer cans on it. Only in Texas .

I feel a connection to the Texas Hill Country I'm not sure what it is. Maybe it was the fact that we had some property growing up or maybe being born and raised in South Central Texas. There are many holiday activities coming up in the small cities surrounding San Antonio . Try and hit the road this holiday season. There are many family memories just waiting for you and future generations.

Saving baby pictures from our old computer

We have a ten year old Dell computer that has been out of commission for awhile. It has been in a closet for a long time. It started giving us trouble so we decided to buy a new desktop a couple of years ago. We took tons of baby pictures of all of my daughters and stored them all on this computer. I think the mistake that me and my wife made is not storing these baby pictures in other places like in a photo album or some picture storing website.

I have all of their births and other major life events stores on this old computer. So I had to retrieve these pictures at all costs. I even left the desktop out on the floor as a reminder of what I needed to do. The computer itself is able to "boot" up so I think that is a good thing. I was told that our old Dell desktop was so old that not even any flash drives were compatible.

I have a friend at work who is a computer tech. He was able to help me retrieve all of the baby pictures that were on my computer. All of the baby pictures of my daughters are so precious I am glad we were able to retrieve them. Hopefully I will have some baby pictures to show all of you guys real soon!

Special thanks to my buddy at work who was able to help me!

Reflections 2009

We are quickly coming to the end of 2009. I'm sure all bloggers are going to reflect on this past year. I am no different. I think overall 2009 was a good year for my family(as well as my extended family.) I made a promise to myself that I was going to keep this blog current and I think I have done that. I need this blog for personal reasons. One reason I need this blog is to help me wind down from a long day at work. Another reason I need this blog is to occasionally vent about work (I think that is part of the winding down process!)

I cannot forget that I promised myself that I would blog about the "in and outs" of fatherhood. I don't claim to be a expert on this subject but I try really hard to be good at it. I am "knocking on wood" when I say that all of my daughters have been in good health this past year. All of my brothers and sisters are doing well so I am grateful for that. My parent's health situation has been somewhat steady. My dad has had some problems with cataracts but he is aggressively trying to get that corrected with surgery. My mom has had some health concerns with her irregular heart beat. My brothers and sisters (and her doctors) are trying to find the best treatment for her. We are very optimistic when it comes to my parent's health. I pray that 2010 gets their health back on track.

I spent a lot of time reflecting about my job and everything that happened. I survived several rounds of layoffs. I am grateful that I was able to keep my job. A lot of my friends were not as fortunate. I miss a lot of my ex co-workers. I know all of them have rebounded and have new jobs. I hope that we do not have to experience layoffs again.

I think that 2010 will be better for everybody. The economy is heading in the right direction. You and I experienced the worst of times. I am hopeful that we never have to go through that again.

How was your 2009?

Lists to live by

I bought this book today, called "Lists to live by," The Christian Collection, for "everything that really matters. " Here is a section:

Be an Encourager

• Encouragement is a gift
• Encouragement creates energy
• Encouragement lasts a lifetime and can be life-changing
• Encouragement motivates positive behavior
• Encouragement is often the most effective form of motivation
• Encouragement more often comes from listening than talking
• Encouragement is more effective than criticism
• Encouragement can be as simple as a smile
• Encourage everyone you know and everyone you meet

I think we all can use a little encouragement. What do you think?

Looking forward to Turkey day?

Thanksgiving is around the corner. Time to stuff our faces with turkey, dressing, mash potatoes, veggies , and all the trimmings. The holiday season is upon us. I love Thanksgiving because it is all about giving "thanks" and spending time with all of the family. Usually after Halloween our family starts debating about which house Thanksgiving will be at. It is a fierce debate. My parents have hosted Thanksgiving every year since we were kids. It is time for my parents to sit back and just show up. We will take care of the rest.

Sometimes the Thanksgiving debate between my brothers and sisters is about who is going to bring what dish. I have brought different items throughout the years. (Actually my wife has made different items I just attach my name to it!) Since I have a lot of brothers and sisters there is always a lot of food. Tons of leftovers too. Thanksgiving also means plenty of football including the Dallas Cowboys.

I have a lot to be thankful for this Holiday season. My job is going well. I have been with the same company close to 8 years. My wife and kids have their health. My parents have their health. Al l of my brothers and sisters are doing well. We lost my mother in law recently but she is always with us in spirit 100 % of the time.

I have to make the rounds on Thanksgiving. It is a all day event. Here is my day:

• Wake up at 9:00 am
• Watch a bit of the Macy's Thanksgiving parade while getting dressed
• Help get the kids ready
• Don't forget the salad or mashed potatoes
• Go to my family's house
• Eat
• Watch the Dallas Cowboys (fall asleep)
• Leave my family's house
• Arrive at my wife's family's house
• Eat again (I'm really stuffed)
• Drink beer
• Let my wife drive me home
• Draw names for Christmas gift exchange
• Debate on which house will host Christmas lunch/gift exchange
• Eat leftovers for the next few days.

As you can see I have a busy schedule on this day. I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving.