Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thankful...

Last night (or early this morning) I lay in bed trying to sleep and as I did, I was thinking of all that I am thankful for.  And to be quite honest, I am thankful for quite a bit!

I am thankful for...
My HUSBAND...He is my BEST friend.  I am thankful for him in so many ways and I know I don't tell or show him enough. I am thankful that his back is healing and that he is a strong man that wants nothing but the best for his family.  I am thankful for our time together where we talk about our dreams, what we want and what we have created together. I am thankful that after 13 years he still puts that smile on my face.

My CHILDREN...I am thankful for being their Mom and the person they have made me become.  Brianna and TJ each have very different personalities but are the same in so many ways.  I am thankful that even though they may fight, they are each other's biggest fan. 

My FAMILY...Every last one...Brother's, Sister's, Aunt's, Uncle's and Cousin's, Nieces, Nephews...You name it! I am thankful that I am surrounded by such a strong, supporting family! I am especially thankful for the grandparents of my children.  I say it this way because it's true, I am more thankful that they are here for my children.  Brianna and TJ are lucky enough to have grandparents and great grandparents in their lives.  The way each of them loves my babies is unbelievable!

My FRIENDS...They are not just my "friends" they are my family! I am lucky enough to have a fantastic group of friends.  Some of us can go weeks or sometimes even months without seeing each other and when we do it's like no time has passed.  They are each so different and amazing in their own way! 

My JOB...Although it may not be perfect or even my dream job, it is a job. And a fun and fulfilling one at that.  It allows me to provide for my family and for that, I am thankful.

I could go on and on about what I am thankful for this year, but I will stop now.:)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Sharing...

Just thought I'd share a few of my favorite photos from our recent shoot...I am in love!

Really... After 13+ years, I love this guy more than ever...
I mean after all, he did give me these...




And, here are just a few more...



We had some much fun doing these pictures and I am excited to work with this photographer again!


Saturday, November 13, 2010

TJ turns 3!

(I know, I am only about a month late!! I am such a bad blogger!!)
*please be prepared for a string of blogs to catch things up!



For TJ's birthday this year, we spent the afternoon at one of our favorite parks with lots of family and friends. 
I am sure most of you know that recently my son has become the most handsome cowboy to exist! So, when he said he wanted a "Cowboy Woody" party I was not surprised and of course, provided just that!
This AMAZING cake was created by our VERY talented Aunt Sandi!
The past 3 years with this little boy has been an adventure to say the least!
Just some of the things about TJ that make me smile...
  • He is the best little brother and LOVES his big sister
  • He thinks he is a "real cowboy"
  • He loves to mow the lawn with his Papa Lee
  • He could spend hours on end out on Papa Cook's tractor
  • For no reason at all he will tell me that I look beautiful (I think it is just to make me smile)
  • He is a complete snuggle bug
  • He tells his sister the BEST bedtime stories
  • He wrote his name for the fist time (all by himself) yesterday (11-12-10)
  • His smile makes me smile everyday

It's that time of year...

Time to start thinking about Christmas cards!!  This year we had the opportunity to have our family photos taken by a wonderful local photographer.  The shoot was so much fun and of course I have fallen in love with a few shots that I have had a sneak peek of!
So, now that we have these wonderful pictures, it's time for me to pick out the perfect Christmas card to share and send off to our family and friends! I was over at HERE checking out some super cute holiday cards and I can't make up my mind just yet...
These guys have some of the cutest cards I have seen online and I really have my work cutout for me to find the perfect one!



Disclaimer: Shutterfly is currently offering Bloggers, 50 free holiday cards in exchange for a blog post. If you are interested in participating, go HERE!!

P.S....I have some blogging to catch up on so I will be back!! I promise! :)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

So, I am wondering....

I am wondering...Just where did the Summer go and why did it have to go by SO fast?  I feel like I blinked and Summer was over! I was thinking about this the other night and thought, "Wow, we really didn't do much this summer at all."  But, that's not true, we did a lot... A LOT!!  We had a great 4th of July with Grandma Rae's visit and Bee's birthday.  Went camping with friends.  Had a fun family day at the state fair (just the 4 of us),  BBQ's with family. My dear friend (Sister), Jen's bridal shower, bachelorette party and wedding, My Grandparents 50th wedding and a small family reunion for Tim's side of the family.  See, we have been busy! 

And on top of all this, Brianna started Kindergarten and my sister started High School!!  I did really good as I took them both to school on their first day...I saved all of my tears until I got home!  Brianna is LOVING school.  I was a little nervous about how she would do because she is in an all day program (8:20am-2:10pm).  It never fails that she falls asleep on our way home, but bedtime has become less of a fight and normally she is out before we finish a book!  TJ on the other hand is still a little confused as to why sister is gone all day.  He really does miss he and loves to go and pick he up when her day is done.  Yesterday he grabbed his little backpack and said the I needed to take him to his school...I guess it won't hurt if I look into preschool a couple of days a week for him! :)  My sister, Genna is digging HS!!  I am super excited about this because we had huge issues at her last school with mean girls and bullying!  Instead of putting her in at either of the high school's here in town we transferred her to a somewhat smaller school near Brianna's school.  I think I was more nervous about her first day than she was! She went into this school not knowing anyone and as a shy kid...she comes home everyday so excited and has already made some really good "new" friends. And in fact, on our way to school today she asks me, "Um, Sis, how do I tell a boy I am only interested in him as a friend, without hurting his feelings?"  She tells me that a boy let her know that he "liked her and she looked cute yesterday." I can not believe this...she is like my own child and I am not ready for the whole "boys" stuff yet!  But really, this makes me so happy. She is coming out of her shell, letting that wall slowly crumble and growing up!!

OK, I think I can stop rambling for now and share some pictures...Enjoy!

Jen and I on our "night out"

My AMAZING Grandparents, celebrating 50 years!!
What 50 years has given them...

4 children...


10 Grandchildren and 2 Greats...


and a whole lotta LOVE!!!

The kids and Auntie Jen.  They each received the cutest shirts for being the Flower Girl and Ring Bearer.

I just love this picture!

And this...this makes my heart melt! This is a picture that the photographer took.

"Sisters"

First day of High School!

First day of Kindergarten!!

And the kids being silly on my dad's Harley!

Oh, before I forget...I started a new job yesterday!!  I am now no longer commuting!! I am working at a great little preschool here in town. I have the perfect schedule...I am only working from 2-6pm.  this gives me some alone time with TJ and gives me the opportunity to help out in Brianna's classroom as well!  i am really excited for this new "adventure!"

Thursday, July 22, 2010

I want it back!!

Vacation, that is!!  I was on vacation last week and I want it back!! 
We had lots of fun at the beach with friends. This year my grandparents let us take their trailer...now we want one too! lol The weather was not the best but we made the best out of it! Our little group ended up being 9 adults and 7 kids...lots of fun! Although I did stress out a bit, having the parents trailer was a huge responsibility and I could not get that off my mind.  But, like I said, we did have lots of fun as we always do at Dillon Beach!  All of the daddies went crabbing while all of the mommies stayed back with the kiddos.  We played in the sand, got knocked over by waves, made Tim a 30th bday cake and had to call 911!!  No, not because of my cooking but because one of the little girls (not mine) found some pepper spray and sprayed another one (again, not mine) in the face! Super scary!

Since I haven't been on here to post anything in a while I am kind of combining posts...
While we were away we did celebrate a huge milestone!!  My hubby turned 30!!!  I have the hardest time even typing that especially since that means I am next!!  He think I am quite silly for making a big deal of my turning 30, I know its just a number but really, I am having the hardest time with it...Is it all down hill from here? lol!

Anyway, I am rambling now. here are a few pictures from our adventure!


My TJ!

And Brianna. 
I try and make it a point to write their names in the sand and get a picture every year!


Us and our crabs!


Happy Birthday to my love!
I just love that all of us are looking at the camera and TJ is stealing an M & M!!


My kiddos with my best friend's kiddos.

WE LOVE THE BEACH!!! 

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

What a weekend!

What a wonderful weekend we have had! Brianna turned 5 on Friday.  I can not believe my sweet girl is 5 already.  I feel so blessed to be her Mommy!
This is my sweetness on her 1st birthday...

And here she is on her 5th (the day after, but close enough)!

Brianna Nicole, I hope one day you will know just how much joy you have brought to my life!  I love you, always and FOREVER!!  XXOO

Along with Bee's b-day, we had a visit from my Grandma who lives in So. Cal. We kept her visit a secret from the kids...they were so surprised to see their Grama Rae and to be able to spend the weekend with her!


 
We had a fun 4th of July with friends and family!
Here are a few pictures from the day!
Brianna showing off her new dress!


TJ in his red, white and blue!

B and one of her BF's

TJ and his big cousin Luke...they are buddies!!

Me and one of my BF's, Nicole

Tim and our niece, Victoria. This picture just cracks me up!

Now, we are enjoying a week off as a family and getting ready for another fun weekend. We leave for a weekend at Dillon Beach on Friday. We are really looking forward to it. I will post pictures when we get back!