I got the 'rona

This picture accurately shows what happened. It was taken during our trip in Hot Springs, Arkansas... the very moment SARS-CoV-2 popped out and infected me! Okay, that's not exactly how it happened but it was definitely during our time there.

So everyone got home on Friday evening and by the start of the following week, a few of us started to get minor symptoms. A sore throat, runny nose, sneezing... nothing to worry about. Sounds like bad allergies or a cold.

On Tuesday, I was a bit congested and had a low grade fever. It felt like a minor head cold. But on Wednesday night, I couldn't taste my dinner. Uh oh.  So on Thursday I got tested for COVID which confirmed what I'd feared... I got the 'rona. 😑

Family vacation II (Hot Springs, AR)

Last week we took a trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas in what is now becoming an annual vacation with the whole family. There were a few people who couldn't make it so we "only" had 29 people. To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about this trip. Hot Springs in the middle of summer? Sounds hot and miserable. And what is there to do in Arkansas? So glad I was wrong.

Jacob's haircut

As you can see from this picture, Jacob was in desperate need of a haircut. But I never push him to get one. It's only when he asks for one will I finally cut his hair... which only happens 2 or 3 times a year. 

Being that it's so hot now and his hair getting in the way, he finally wanted me to cut his hair cut.

And so I did... but not before I played around a little bit.

With Jacob having such a full set of hair, I wanted to experiment with different hair styles. I can't believe he didn't like my first two styles. 😂

Fourth of July

I ate too much sugar on this holiday weekend. We had two dozen donuts, 24 donuts, which happened when Lynn and I each ran errands and came home with a dozen donuts. Great minds think alike. Naturally I had to eat as much as I could since they wouldn't be good the next day... and the fact that they're my favorite sweets. On top that, we always make desserts for July 4th. Lynn made a strawberry cheesecake and banana pudding. I made a lemon loaf. We also already had cookies from days prior and a ton of ice cream in the freezer. It was sugar overload.

For lunch, we had burgers. For dinner, we went over to my parents' house to have ribeye steaks. I cooked half of the steaks (4) and my dad grilled the other half. Let's just say I didn't eat any of my dad's steaks. I like my meat with some pink in the middle... not my dad though.

More dinners

We met up with Lisa's family (visiting from San Diego) and my other cousins for dinner at Yard House. Afterwards we just chilled outside at the green space as the kids played. 

On Sunday, we went out to eat for my mom's birthday at Mai Thai Pho & Grill. It was weird when the owner asked us to write down our order. Then later talked about his troubles of finding a proper cook. We probably won't be back.

Father's Day weekend

My growing kids.

Schlitterbahn

Last weekend we went to Schlitterbahn with friends and family. I'm a little bummed that we didn't get a big group picture together because we were rolling deep. 

7 families = 32 people = 13 parents + 19 kids

We took over four cabanas and the entire park... jk. I only took a few pictures because I didn't feel like carrying around my phone, especially at a water park. We were there for the entire time, from opening at 11 am to closing at 7 pm. Good times.

Aramco Houston Half Marathon

Memorial Day weekend

The kids are officially done with school.

Jacob finished 9th grade with all A's except for one B (87) in AP Physics (a class usually taken in 11th grade). As long as he passed the AP test and get college credit, I don't really care about the grade.

Andrew finished 7th grade with all A's. His soccer team won their district division and he was announced the team's MVP.

Tyson finished 4th grade with all A's. He was awarded the Citizenship Award for his class.

On Friday night, there was a graduation party for two of Lynn's cousins (Brian from college and San from high school). 

As for the rest of the weekend, it was pretty chill.

Dr. Seuss Experience

Dinners week

We're here together... in-person and remotely (Friday night).

There were a lot of dinners this past week....

Mother's Day/Soccer weekend (Temple, TX)

What a busy weekend. Where do I begin? So the big boys were scheduled to play in the South Texas Cup state finals last week but it got postponed (due to weather) to Mother's Day weekend. We were hesitant at first since we already had plans. But we didn't want to be the reason the team forfeits either. After much debate, we were in. 

Work–life balance

I'm super grateful for my work-life balance. The scales really tip towards the life than the work. I can't imagine ever going back to an 8-hour (or even 12-hour) shift again. I get to make my own schedule. Most of my work is done remotely, usually at home but essentially anywhere since I'm provided a global modem (internet access on the go). All of this equals freedom. Freedom to spend time on what matters most to me (family). Oh, the things I get to do while most people are stuck at work. I'm not trying to brag but just expressing how lucky and appreciative I am of my situation.

Andrew's first school game

Andrew goes for the header. Look at that hair though.

First stripe