7 Random Facts About Me

I read this on Shawna's blog and although she didn't tag me I thought it would be fun!

Here are the rules:

• Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
• Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
• Let them know they are tagged by leaving comments on their blogs.

1. I grew up in another country. CANADA that is! I lived in Ontario, Canada until I was 14 years old when my parents decided to move to Florida. Seems like every child's dream to move to FL but I was actually quite upset about it when they first told me. I was just finishing 8th grade, getting ready to start high school with all of my closest friends, and I didn't want a whole new life thousands of miles away! Obviously I got used to it and know that God had a plan for my life even way back then! Now I have officially lived in the states more years than I lived in Canada.

2. I have texture issues. (My friends are laughing right now as they read this!) I can't eat certain foods simply because of their texture. A few examples are: cottage cheese, clams, oysters and most other shellfish, and tapioca. Blech! Just thinking of the textures of these foods gives me the shivers.

3. I went to 4 different high schools in 3 years. And never had a senior year. Due to circumstances beyond their control my parents moved around quite a bit when I was in high school which is why I went to 4 different schools. As far as my senior year ... while I was a junior I was attending a tiny little Christian school and was only 3 electives short of graduating. The school was so small that it didn't even have electives! So I would have had to attend a local community college to get my electives the following year. Instead I took the GED test and went to Bible College when I was 17 years old! I have never regretted it! (Bob likes to tease me that I'm a high school dropout!)

4. I have had two babies, but never felt a contraction in my life. My firstborn was an emergency c-section and I hadn't even started labor so I felt no contractions with her. My second born we chose to have another c-section which they planned for the week before my due date - so no contractions there either! I never even had those braxton-hicks or false contractions or whatever they are called.

5. I used to think New Kids On The Block were the coolest band ever. And I'm so excited they are back on tour!!! I think it's so funny that I adored them when I was 13 ... and now they are back together and going back on tour again. I want to go to the show just for old times sake - I think it will be a blast!

6. I love to sing, at the top of my lungs, as long as NO one is around. I have always hated my singing voice, I think I might even be tone deaf, but I do love to sing. So I just sing when I'm alone like in the car. Actually, I do sing a lot in front of the kids, but they don't know the difference! I've always wanted to take voice lessons, not to be a really great singer, but just to be a decent singer.

7. I could never live in a city. I love the simple, country life. I like to visit big cities, but after a day I'm ready to head for the hills again. I prefer wide open spaces, lots of trees, country roads, friendly neighbors ...
I would love to someday have a big huge farmhouse on lots and lots of acres. Room to roam, room to play, room to run! I would hate to live in a busy city where you are constantly surrounded by tons of people, too many cars, too much litter, etc. Green acres is the place for me!!

OK, this is the part where I need to tag a few friends ... I will have to choose people that I know will read this blog!
I tag:
Amy D.
Lynn W.
Mary N.
HopiQ
Carol T.
Angie H.
Cass M.

Thankful Thursday

Recently I've heard about the deaths of at least 3 little ones. Little innocent babies or children who were taken from this earth too soon. It's really made me stop and think this week about how truly blessed we are as parents.

So this week I'm thankful for my two beautiful daughters. They are healthy, they are full of life, they are vibrant and silly and sometimes even drive me up the wall. But they have been given to us as a gift from God, they are actually His, but are 'on loan' to us for awhile. We love them, we cherish them, we thank God for them.

Sometimes I want to scream in frustration when they disobey or don't listen, but other times when I hear of a child dying I want to just hold them close forever and protect them from any harm in this world.

I have this little 'tagline' or cliche that comes at the end of emails that I send out. It says "Creating family memories and traditions since 1996." -- I know it sounds a bit commercial-ish but it's truly been my goal in my life, in my marriage and in my parenting - to make memories for my family, and to carry them on as traditions year after year. It's important to me that they have memories and traditions and a legacy to look back on someday.

There's so much more I could say on the topic of my girls ... perhaps I will highlight them individually at another time. Here is a picture of my blessings on Mother's Day:

T-Minus Two Weeks and Counting

My birthday is exactly two weeks from today. My birthday was our goal day to be finished with our home school year. I think we will make it! We only have a few more things to finish up and then we are done with first grade! WOOHOO! H has been a wonderful student and it's been a joy to have this experience with her.

Our plans for next year are STILL all up in the air ... which has been frustrating to say the least! Being the planner that I am I want to have everything decided already. But I'm trusting that God is in control, and that we will know how the girls will be taught (hopefully) within the next few weeks.

I plan to have the girls continue with their reading and creative writing/drawing over the summer. And I know they will have plenty of projects and activities to do with Grandma and Grandpa. So the learning will not end ... but at least we'll be able to say that we've completed our first grade curriculum. YAY!

Reading together

I love moments like these. Big sister reading to little sister ... all snuggled up together on the bed. Priceless!

Oh how I love long weekends

Lazy Saturday mornings ... waking up late ... slowly enjoying my coffee and fresh baked (low fat) cranberry muffins ... kids watching cartoons ... BBQ's and campfires with friends ... enjoying the sun... windows open with warm breezes flowing in ... laughter and conversation with great friends ... kids playing, laughing and running around ... going to church on a sunny, Sunday morning ... taking a boat ride out to the beach ... cooking on the grill ... quiet, lazy mornings when you don't have to rush out the door ... family time ... sand between my toes ... knowing that summer is on it's way ...

Crazy Mama!

The girls were pretty impressed that their almost-32-year-old Mama could still do this! Oh yeah, brought me back to my childhood days of hanging upside down on the monkey bars. The only problem I have now is, this bar swings, and it was making me sick so I had to tell the girls to make me stop swinging while I was upside down!

Changes - part 3

The girls were excited for the pool, but they were even more excited for this!





The moment the builders finished hanging the swings up the girls rushed outside and immediately began swinging and playing. (Even though it was raining!) They have been counting the days for this for about a month.

OH, for anyone who might be wondering ... NO, we did not hit the lottery! We have some equity built up in our home and decided to use it to our benefit so we could enjoy our home more while we're living here. =)

Changes - part 2

Here is the second change we've made in the last two weeks ... this one we have talked about and wanted for years. We are thrilled to finally have our very own pool! Now if only this crazy weather would warm up so we could test it out!

You are ALL invited to come use it and enjoy it with us!
BEFORE:
DURING DIGGING:
START OF INSTALLATION:
ALMOST DONE:
FINISHING TOUCHES:
WATER GOES IN:
ALL DONE! We still have some work to do with landscaping and such, but the pool is done!

Changes - part 1

Lately we've been making lots of changes around our home. We've decided that we're going to stay living in our house for a while now, and just do some work to it to make it how we'd like it to be.
Here is the first part of our changes -- BEFORE:
AFTER: BEFORE:
AFTER:

It's Pool Day, It's Pool Day,

It's Pool Day!!!! Can you tell I'm excited??????

Details and pictures coming soon ....

Memorial Day Parade.

Not sure why the towns around us don't have parades on the actual dates ... but anyhow, the Memorial day parade was this past Sunday. H was excited to be in her very first parade, marching with the Girl Scouts troop.

J is an unofficial Girl Scout (or Tagalong as they call it) so she got to go along too. I must admit, I think it was MY first ever time in a parade too!

I don't have pics of them walking, but these are some cute pre-parade photos.

Thoughts of Thanksgiving ...

DINNER that is!


This big fella (and a few of his friends) has been visiting our yard every morning lately. The girls and I have had fun watching for them and trying to get as close as we can without scaring them. =) Hmmm ... I could go for some turkey and cranberry sauce right about now!

PLEASE PRAY for this family!

One of our nursery school Moms died on Friday. I just found out today. She was young, probably around 30 yrs old.

She leaves behind a loving Navy husband, Eric, two beautiful little ones - Tyler who is in Jilly's preschool class, and Morgan a little baby girl that is less than a year old.

Tyler and Morgan are two of the sweetest little ones I have ever met and my heart just breaks for them. The baby will never remember her Mom and Tyler will miss her deeply.

Susan has been very sick off and on for a while now but I never thought it would be so serious to take her life. I don't know many details yet.

PLEASE be in prayer for this family. And for the nursery school kids - my MIL is the preschool director and has to find a way to explain it to them in a way that they won't all be afraid. Jilly loves Tyler, he is a sweet friend and I know it will be hard to tell her that his Mommy died.

Pray for me too. This is hitting me hard. I wasn't really close with Susan but knowing that she is gone and thinking of her darling kids is just really hard. Thanks.

I CAN!

It's hard, super hard, extremely hard ... for me to be disciplined. I love to eat, I hate to exercise. It's really hard. I've been trying, I've been doing it, but it has not been easy. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that it's not easy - after all, it is called 'WORKing out' - that would suggest that it takes WORK!

Yesterday I felt like I made a huge breakthrough. I was at work and there were these big, soft chocolate chip cookies ... I was SO tempted! Then I read the back of the package, they had 270 calories in each one! I had to force myself to walk away, I just could not justify eating it! I know it seems like a minor thing, but I was proud that I had the willpower to walk away. In the past I would have eating TWO, just because, and would not have even cared about how many calories it cost me!

I can do this!

" I CAN do everything through HIM who gives me strength "
-phillipians 4:13

This has become my theme verse.
I hope it can encourage you too! 

Look-A-Likes

I was reading a couple of blogs the other day of some college friends. They also have two little girls each and were blogging about how they always like to match their girls clothing.

I had to laugh, and agree, because I too love to match the girls. It's fun, it's cute, they're girls so why not?? The funny thing is that now the girls actually CHOOSE to dress alike! They don't have too many matching outfits anymore but I often find them trying to wear something that is either the same, or very similar. They also think it's funny to play a game with Mommy and pretend to be the other child - as if I wouldn't know who was who!! It's very funny and cute so I play along. =) Here are a bunch of matchy, matchy pictures for you to enjoy!

WOOHOO!

H is now riding her two-wheeler with total independence! She is doing great and just loves the speed. It's been so fun to see her really 'take off' after so many times of trying and her getting very discouraged. We are so proud of you H-Bomb!!!

Encouragement

I've been trying for a couple of months now to lose some weight. 
And just to be healthier in every aspect of my life. Unfortunately,
I haven't seen any success yet when it comes to weight loss.
So I'm in the process of trying to figure out what steps I need to
take to start seeing results. 

Anyway, there is someone who is very special to me who is
always full of great words of encouragement ... especially on
the topic of healthful living.

I copied and pasted a portion of her email today because I
found it to be very encouraging and uplifting. 

Here it is:
" I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me "
Phillipians 4:13

Day 1 .....   Begin writing food eaten in
journal.

" If you bite it...write it "  ww motto

Day 1 ......  Begin cardio program, 10 minutes of any cardio (
eliptical, walking, dance dvd )    
          Write it in the journal !!!!

" The toughest thing about a new exercise program is the first
step "  -joyce meyer
     
Day 1.... " Draw on the limitless power of the Holy Spirit, rather than
your own very limited power.  HE will always lead you to victory . "
- Joyce Meyer



So my 3 things for day one that I need to remember are:
1. Write down everything I eat.
2. Start some kind of cardio, even if it's only 10 min to start
3. Pray for success and discipline, God will lead me to victory!

I think I can handle that. 

A wonderful Mother's Day

A few weeks ago I remember telling Bob that it didn't matter what he did for me for Mother's day, as long as he took some time to put some thought into it. I don't need expensive gifts, lavish dinners or huge bouquets, I simply want to feel remembered and honored. Maybe that sounds selfish, but that is how I feel.

Well my man delivered. In a big way. Apparently HE remembered a long ago conversation we'd had about video cameras. We talked about how we have all these beautiful photos of our girls, but no video of their childhood moments. (Well, we do have a very tiny amount of video that we took on my camera, but it's not much and there is no sound.)

So he remembered and he bought me an amazing video camcorder. (It's actually for both my birthday and Mother's day but that is fine with me!)

We had a wonderful day which started with plenty of sunshine. We went to church, then to a local state park for a picnic lunch with my in-laws, then we walked while the girls biked. H has just recently learned to ride a two wheeler and she did awesome. We got to try out the camcorder by taping the girls on their bikes. It was a bit cool and windy but all in all a beautiful day.

My Mom had been out of town but stopped by on her way home so we could wish her Happy Mother's day as well.

It was a simple, quiet, relaxing day. I will cherish it forever.

My most priceless gifts.
Robin and the girls with their bike helmets on.
Bob's Mom, me and the girls.

Busy but fun.

Last week I worked a lot of hours. Sometimes it's hard because I have to balance work with my family life. Thankfully most of the days/times that I worked the girls were able to be home with Bob, or with my MIL, or with my friend and her kids. It makes me feel better about working when I know the girls are in good hands, and are having a great time too.

I have a fun job. Busy, but fun. We were super busy last week preparing for Mother's day and did hundreds of flower arrangements. I love that it's a rewarding job because you know that some special Mom will be thrilled when the flowers arrive at her door.

Here are just a few of the arrangements I did. The first one is a fun Margarita one.