10 years ago today...

A 16 year old boy picked up a 15 year old girl in his blue Chevy Nova. There was nervous conversation...Those breath stopping first touches. They weren't only new to each other, they were new to dating itself. They drove aimlessly for a bit then ended up at an almost empty downtown restaurant. That night they talked, they laughed, they kissed. He said he knew then he loved her. How could he know at 16 he was sitting with his wife? He did. She still remembers that kiss. The decade was filled with ups and downs, school, a wedding, 3 graduations, 6 addresses, 2 cats, 2 dogs, 3 babies, arguments that seemed impassable, laughter that made their cheeks sore and love that grows every moment they are together.

Ten years ago today, my husband and I had our first date, our first kiss and some how new deep down that this was it. I don't know how...Looking back, I wonder what we were thinking. 15 and making decisions about such a life long commitment. The thought of a 15 year old having these intimate feelings toward anyone seems wrong. We truly were kids, although you couldn't tell us that. We were in love. We are in love.

These past 10 years...I need to keep saying it...it doesn't seem real. Everything that's happened in the past 10 years have brought me right here. To the happiest, most fulfilled time of my life. I am content. I can't imagine things getting better. I imagine I probably felt exactly this way on this very day, November 30, 1995.

Finally some birthday pictures!!

Well here they are! She had so much fun, we went to Bear Stuffers, one of those places you make your own bear and dress it. She chose a purple and pink unicorn and named her "Unicorny" (creative-huh?). She's slept with it ever since!









Then we went to Grandma's for her purple butterfly cake, ice cream and presants. We had so much fun making her cake...okay okay, I had so much fun, Eliya did have fun putting the sprinkles on!










I asked Cindy to mail Eliya her birthday card since she LOVES getting mail, when it came, Eliya said, "Why did she mail it, she lives close?" Ah, trying to please a 5 year old... Here she is opening her Woody and Jesse dolls (Toy Story) Man, she loaded up! Now we have to gear up for Christmas!!

Eliya's Birthday

Man we've been busy! I can't belive it's almost Thanksgiving! I REALLY can't belive my baby girl's 5!!! Where does time go? I am trying to get ready for The feast at co-op tomarrow (Eliya's homeschool co-op) so I don't have time to type too much. Just wanted to post a little something.

Pics of the birthday girl coming soon!

Bean's sick

Well I called the schools and the princapals told me to go to the Student Council...hmmm, sounds like a run around. Oh well, God wouldn't have provided so fantasticly yesterday to get stopped by a bunch of teenagers!


Isaiah's sick today. Last night he felt a little warm and he went to bed a little too easy. Today he woke up from nap with a 101.5 temp. Besides being a little droopy, he's okay so far, I hope it's not the stomach flu that's going around. I have a meeting tomarrow about a work from home job. I'd like to get started as soon as possible so hopefully he'll feel better tomarrow and no one else will be sick. I guess we won't be going to our small group tonight.

Speaking of Wild Man, here's a pic! He's so stinkin' rotten!

My handsome man

Isn't he the cutest thing you've ever seen???

Toys For Tots

God is so GOOD! I am the area Toys for Tots/Usborne person in Lex. That means I can collect money and order books and games and such to be delivered to the marines here and Usborne will match 50% ot the donation. So last night I thought it would be a great thing to do penny wars at some high schools and middle schools. (Penny wars are where there are canasters set up in the cafetirea and the grade that has the most pennies wins--all other coins count AGAINST the total so you can sabatoge the competitors with quarters and such) But to work, I needed a prize for the class that collects the most. I decided to call Chic Fillet and before I did I prayed that God would direct me to the right person and they would be willing to do it. The guy at the store I called gave me the marketing director's cell number and she was TOTALLY on board!! She's going to make up a certificate with a free sandwich to give to EVERY STUDENT who wins...I asked if there would be a limit to how many coupons she'd give me and she said no!!!

I'll say it again! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!

BTW if anyone wants to contribute to TFT let me know!!

I am a stinking genius

I've been having problems with Eliya waatching too much TV. Today I came up with a solution that has HUGE benefits. They are TV chips. These chips look suspiciously like poker chips, but don't let that fool you. She has to earn these chips by cleaning, being good, doing well on school work etc. White chips = 1/2 hour TV. Blue chips = a short movie (Blues clues, Veggie Tales and such). Red chips = long movie (feature length). I can take chips for bad behavior and now have a tangable upperhand on both her behavior and TV time. Best of all she's excited! While I typed this, she cleaned up Bean's room and the living room and earned 3 white chips...so far, so good!

Welcome!!

Well, I've been wanting to start a blog for a long time now. I'm creating it to keep in touch with all of you better! There will be thoughts, happenings in my life, stories about the kids, pictures and whatever else I feel like sharing. I'm so glad you will be able to respond to my posts. My goal is to feel closer to all of the people I love who I don't get to see much. I hope you enjoy!