from the heart

Our church has our own building! After six and half years of meeting in a middle school, we have leased and remodeled a beautiful new space on 1049 Eldridge in Sugar Land. It is absolutely incredible and I'd like to invite everyone to our Grand Opening... April 5 th ! I've been going to Crossbridge for almost 6 years now. It's the first church I attended after moving to Houston in March 2003. Within a week of moving here, a guy my dad worked with, Scott, invited me to go out and meet some of his friends from his church. We went out on March 28, 2003 to a M exican restaurant, called Tortuga. It was there that Scott's friends', Peter (my husband) and Rob, were celebrating their birthdays along with a large group from church . I started attending Crossbridge soon after the birthday party and was again welcomed and invited to be a part of an single women's Bible study. It was here and on Sunday mornings that I found a place and group of people that challenged me ...

My aunt and her family were featured in a Taste of Home magazine on their recent kitchen/great room remodel.  I must admit, I get pretty excited when people I know become famous.   Congratulations Aunt Kerry, Uncle Rob and kids!  I know you all put a lot of work into making your home such an inviting place for others. Check this article out and the pictures featuring their beautiful remodel .  

Friday we had a great last minute surprise of going to the Rodeo with my sister/Elena's Aunt Ju Ju. The first stop of the evening was to get some grub. Sausage on a stick, funnel cake, corn dogs, fries and cokes was on the dinner menu. (Yeah, I know not quite the heart diet... my tummy let me know of that later.) Elena loved the animal exhibits... especially Elise the Borden Milk Cow. And of course the bunnies... I couldn't resist getting Elena a cowgirl hat. So, here's... Cowgirl and Cowdaddy :)

Back to the doctor. This time it was a trip to my cardiologist... to the doctor who made my initial diagnosis - finding the narrowing of my aorta and high cholesterol. Two weeks ago, I did some extensive blood work, called the Berkeley Blood test again and I was going to hear the results of the test. Since the first test in August, I have started the Berkeley Heart Diet and have started taking fish oil every day. I was curious what the results would be, as I didn't feel I had been as diligent with the diet as I could have been. But, was happy to find that all levels had improved! There are still two levels that need to improve further, but he thinks I'm too young to start medication and would rather see me continue with the diet, start exercising and increase my fish oil intake. I'm excited to know that all the changes and effort that I've made in my diet has made a difference. I was also pleased to announce to Peter, who also has had to eat most the things on my diet,...

Somehow it's taken me a whole month+ to sit down and write again. Yesterday I had a Doppler test done and it revealed that I have had an increase in blood flow/pressure to my legs as a result of the surgery. It is not at a perfectly normal level, but my surgeon says that it may take a year or two before that happens. He has seen patients recover to normal levels in their legs. I was pleased to have that good news, especially because I really haven't been feeling that great pain-wise. The first week in January I felt 99% better--- had more energy than I have in years and was so excited for a fresh start, but since that week, I've been experience more soreness and pain. At my appointment yesterday, the Dr. informed me that it could be 1-2 years of intermittent pain, soreness and nerve sensitivity. AH! I'm fighting the idea of a longer recovery... I don't want to whine... but, I just want to be well again. I'm finding that it is hard to share with people what I...

I mentioned in my last blog that the stomach bug got our family bad and sabatoged all efforts for an on time Christmas card. I regret having to give up on this fun project. I was really looking forward to sending out cards to all our family and friends. I love this time of year for the good old fashion snailmail correspondence. I thought I'd send it anyway via the world wide web. On the bright side, I saved some stress and cents on stamps (?) Oh well, next year I'll try again... ~Merry Christmas from the Longorias~

It's 12:45am and I can't sleep. The last couple weeks have brought about nights of insomnia and days of tiredness . No fun! I thought I'd make the best of it tonight and finally do some blogging. Exactly a week ago Elena finished up her antibiotics for her sinus infection. We were so thankful to finally see her back to her normal self. Peter was gone all week on a business trip, so Elena and I camped out at my parents. It was great to have Uncle Mark back in town from college for the holidays. My mom and I had made all sorts of plans --- shopping, baking and Mark even started designing our Christmas card. We ventured to Pottery Barn Kids on Tuesday to pick up a present from Elena's great grandparents... which Elena is going to love (I'm not spoiling the surprise!) All plans came to halt on Tuesday evening ---- Elena had got the bug! The stomach virus that has been going around our area had attacked with full force. She vomited over 15 times in a 12 hour period. Po...