25 Random things about Me

This was something fun from facebook, so I thought I'd put it on my blog

1. My favorite smell is orange blossoms in a warm breeze.
2. I am pretty good on a scooter.
3. I NEED my coffee in the morning.
4. My kids are the most hilarious and creative people in the world.
4. I feel loved.
5. I enjoy listening to my neighbor Carlos play his Mexican folk music.
6. I have been shit on 3 times at the beach by seagulls
7. I love being a nurse. It is rewarding to feel like you make someone's life better.
8. I think life is too short to be a workaholic.
9. Sponge Bob cracks me up.
10. I love drinking wine and playing cribbage with Lauren.
11. Sports on TV is BORING.
12. I always cry when babies are baptized.
13. My favorite song is"What a Wonderful World" even though the world is not always wonderful (hopeless optimist)
14. Mean people suck. (Sometimes I suck)
15. I love reading, and can't put a good book down.
16. Being at the ocean makes me feel FREE!
17. I talk to my sister 2-3 times a week, even though we have lived in different states for almost half of our lives.
18. I love buttercream frosting.
19. It makes me laugh when people fall.
20. My husband is shorter than me. (short and sexy)
21. I believe it is never too late to start something new.
22. I want to travel the world.
23. I want to eat whatever I want and never get fat.
24. My best pet ever was a rottweiler named Clyde.
25. I love reading poetry.

10 Year Anniversary

Me at "The Grand Tradition", where we got married 10 years ago on this day, Jan 2.
Lauren and the kids outside at the Grand Tradition- we were married in the gazebo.

At our favorite restaurant Las Olas, on our anniversary with Nicholas and Brynn.

We celebrated our 10 year anniversary January 2. We took the kids up to Fallbrook to see where we got married, and had fun looking around and reminiscing. Time has flown by so fast, but when I think of all that has happened in those ten years, I guess I can believe it has been that long. I feel like the luckiest woman being married to my hubby. He is my best friend, and so good to me. I love my life with him. He is the most loyal and good-hearted person.

Wild Kids and Dogs, and Me.

Santa and his reindeer ate our goodies
Russ, Chris, Nick and Brynn

Russell and Auntie Amy

Crazy days

Two little dress-up fairies are screaming and being chased by two little grubby boys. Three dogs are barking and climbing all over my furniture. It is loud and chaotic, with crazy laughter and shouting. A remote control dragonfly is buzzing around my head. I am in between loving it and being extremely annoyed. Soon it will be time to banish them to the backyard I think. It is Christmas vacation, and we are babysitting my in-laws dogs and each kid has a friend over. Now I remember why I was glad summer vacation came to an end. I love spending time with my kiddos, but when things turn sour and the remote control dragonfly is getting tangled in a screaming 5 year old girl's hair, it makes me glad school will be starting again next week. We had an awesome time with my sister and family last week, I wish it didn't go by so quick . Hope you all had a great Christmas.

My Christmas Angels

Lauren and Brynn

I am eagerly awaiting tomorrow, when Nicole, Kevin and the boys arrive for a week in California for Christmas! I love this time of year, and love spending time with my family.

These pictures were taken before the kids performed in their Christmas programs.

Hope you all have a blessed Christmas!

10-year Anniversary trip to Maui

Royal Lahaina Luau

Breakfast in our Condo
Waterfall pool that we swam in - off the Road to Hana

Beautiful Maui Beaches

Our trip to Maui was incredible! What an awesome time we had together- no responsibilities, time to enjoy eachother, and a beautiful place to explore. We did a lot of snorkeling, and saw 6 huge turtles that swam within a few feet of us, as well as an octopus, eel, and many beautiful tropical fish. We dined out in the evening a lot, and made picnic lunches most days. The luau we went to was a lot of fun. Our trip through the rainforest to Hana was filled with beautiful flowers, waterfalls, beaches, and adventures. On our way back, we took the southern route around and the roads were very primitive. We explored the Upcountry, with it's incredible views, sugarcane fields and winery. Lahaina was a fun town to explore, and we just really enjoyed the beaches in front of our condo. We took a morning to check out the volcano on Mt. Haleakala, and it was really cold up there, with great views of the island. We saw an incredible music and dance production called 'Ulalena' one night that explored the history of the Hawaiian Islands and its people. I could go on and on. The best part was getting to spend time with my best friend and love for ten days, and have it be all about us. I adore my hubby.

Halloween

Our cool pumpkin carvings


Ready for trick-or-treating with the Browns and Verhoevens

Rapunzel (Brynn), Punk Witch (Madyson) and Indiana Jones (Nicholas)

My Sister

My Sister

She knows the things I dream of,
the places that I've been,
she accepts the person I've become,
she's a very special friend.
She's always been there for me
no matter where I roam,
and whenever we're together,
it's just like being home.

I had a marvelous time visiting Nicole and her family last weekend. I love being with my sister. She is mine!! It's hard to explain the deep connection I have with her. She is always in my heart. I like the last line of this poem because that is how I feel about her. I love you Nicole.