Celebrating 10 Years!!!

10 years ago I married my best friend. We dated for 6 years before we wed and I never had a doubt that we would spend a lifetime together!

It was one of the happiest days of my life.

I couldn't ask for a better partner. Through good and bad you've been my rock, my supportor, my advice giver, my secret keeper, the one who makes me laughs, holds me when I cry and loves me unconditionally. You are the father of my children and you are teaching them to become great men. I could not have choosen a better man to call my husband, to be the father of my children, and to grow old with...'til death do us part.

Happy 10 year anniversary and to MANY, MANY more!!

Quick Update ~ In a nutshell!

I haven't blogged much lately, though I am still reading and enjoying the blogs I follow. For some reason spring/early summer is a really busy time for our family.

Some quick updates include:

Ray - looking forward to the end of the school year and trying to get the seniors graduated. He is helping to coach Nick's baseball team this year and trying to keep up with all of the spring s=chores around the house. We are thrilled to be accompanying him on a week long conference in Philly the last week of June. I never realized all there is to do in philly until I started planning our trip. Too bad the kids and I will ahve to tell him about our adventures when he returns each day from the conferance.

Nick - Finishing up first grade and enjoying his first season of baseball. We are finding out t-ball was much less competitive. He is exploring his boundries, making new friends, and enjoying life! He has discovered a new best friend via our new neighbor's. The lord works in mysterious ways! They moved in with 2 little boys exactly the same age as mine and the oldest is in Nicks class and the youngest attend preschool with Adam. Such a blessing!!!

Adam - He is attending preschool one day per week. Next year he will go to the pre-k program (so hard to believe). He is loving being home with me on the other days and we have a great daily routine. He is still not old enough to play sports in our area yet, but he has enjoyed making new friends as we cheer his brother on at games. He is so animated and full of life. He definately fills my day with laughter!

Me - I am officially a Stay at Home Mom. An unexpected opportunity arose (very long story!) and I embraced it! Though it's temporary, it could not have come at a better time ~ spring cleaning, flower planting, end of school eyar activities, etc :). I have a great routine and must admit I will not be happy when I re-enter the work force.
I am very much looking forward to summer vacations such as Raystown Lake, Philadelphia, and our annual week at our beach condo in July.

I promise to be a better blogger! I enjoy reading everyone's blog and I hope my bloggy friends will continue to support mine.

A New Found Love

My New Years resolution this year was to get in shape, eat healthy and loose 15 lbs. I somewhat do this every year but for some reason, this year I am extra determined! I think as a dietitian and working with a bunch of athletic healthnuts since gaining this new job may have something to do with it. If nothing else, I have lots and lots of support partners which is the biggest help in the world! I have lost 7 lb since October and I have 8 more lbs to go.

So, my new found love, aside from eating really healthy, has become running. Until January I have never ran even 10 feet in my entire life (ok, maybe that's a little far fetched, but...) I am now a committed runner. We got the Wii fit and it gives me a trainer and a program and we run. I am up to 1.8 miles each day and days that I have extra time, I run twice. I have completed 25 days, only missing one since the year started and I FEEL GREAT!!! I now truely know what a runners high is and how super great it feels. I can't wait for our foot of snow to melt and warmer weather to arrive so I can get outside and run some more!! I have a new passion and I love it!

So are there any bloggy runners out there with any good tips or advice? I'd love to hear from you.

Monday Mugs ~ Self Portrait

Visit Heather for more Monday Mugs at http://oswaldcuties.blogspot.com.

Have a super Christmasy Week!

A busy, busy month!!

I have had a terrbile time trying to keep up with my blog this month. I tried, but I had to eventually admit defeat and take a "blog break". Things aren't much calmer right now but I want to devote some time to by blog, my blog friends, and my terrific faithful followers.

Though I've been busy, I have had a lot of experiences, fun, 'happenings', and memorable times that I will list in a nut shell. From here on out, I hope to be back to my normal blogging, so stay tuned! I missed all of the weekly memes, fun, and postings!

Here are the highlights of my month that I normally would have shared....

My husband and I had the pleasure of attending a friends wedding, just the two of us. It was a beautiful wedding and I enjoyed seeing all of our friends. It was so nice to have a weekend with my hubby, and close friends and I am so blessed to have great parents to babysit.

We finally broke down and had a family portrait sessions. The pictures turned out so good, it made we wonder why I kept putting it off! I am fairly good about getting the boys portraits done, but we never had a formal family session. I'll post those pics soon. I am so thrilled with how cute they turned out!

My hubby had the opportunity to have a "guys" weekend last weekend. They camped, fished, shot targets, and did many other 'manly' things I'm sure I don't need to know about. This gave me an opportunity to have a "Mommy & Boys" weekend at home. As they get older this is much easier and we always have a super time. I try to incorporate special activites to make our weekend memorable. We went to Toys R Us, visited friends, stayed up "late" (9:30 is late for them) and had a movie night * Monsters Inc. was so cute, and ate out a lot!

My parents are moving this week and we helped them this past weekend packing. This is a sensitive subject for me. I'm happy for them. It's a bigger, new house and I know they will love it. They had a small older, but updated home. I am happy for them because they are so excited & it's really nice, but I must say, seeing my childhood home become empty and knowing I can't go back is a little (a lot), bitter sweet. This may be a blog post in itself later.

Last night was "Meet the Teacher Night" for Nick. How is he in first grade already?!?!?!? I just can't believe it! He has grown up right before my eyes. I am enjoying every minute of it, but as I see him out grow "fads" he once enjoyed, I wonder where the years have gone. I really like his new teacher. She is very kind, dynamic, and the ideas/ goals for the upcoming school year are fantastic. I think first grade will be a great experience for Nick and us!

Well, that's a lot! See we've been busy and the months not over. Next Monday is the first day of school, next week I leave on a girls only vacation, and I can't wait to be a better blogger and share all of the fun!

Week 3 of 52

This challenge pulls Mom out from behind the camera and gets her in the shots!

I've had a very, very busy month but I'm trying to get back on track with blogging. Here's a quick start. The boys and I were sitting ont he deck enjoying a warm evening and playing with the camera!

Visit the Photo Challenge at:

http://www.wyomingbarnetts.blogspot.com/

Friday Flashbacks

Flashing back to my wedding in 2001.

Visit more flashbacks @ http://minyards7.blogspot.com/

Getting to Know You

This is a fun Q & A game to play on Sundays! Wanna play? Answer the questions and link up with the host ~ Come on, it's fun!!

1. Thongs or Granny panties? No Grannies for me!! ;)

2. If you see a guy with his fly down, do you tell him? Only if it's my hubby or sons. If I know his significant other, I will tell her so she can tell him.

3. Spanx or no Spanx? No Spanx!

4. Do you sleep in your sheets? I have no idea what this Q means, but, I sleep with sheets and 2 blankets, no matter what the weather is.

5. What is your favorite Disney character? Cinderella, hands down!

6. Dream vacation spot? Hawaii, just me & Ray and unlimited $ to spend and lots of romance and fun!! With the kids, Disney World.

7. Dream Job? I already have the job I wanted when I began my career, though it took me 10 years to gain enough eperience to achieve my goal. Ultimately (if we weren't dependant on my income) I would LOVE to be a stay at home Mom.

8. Who is your hero and why? My parents. They have had a rock solid marraige for 36 years. They taught me right from wrong. There were many times that I thought they were being too strict, but now I appreciate that and understand why. They are ALWAYS there when I need them and, when I need advice or a babysitter, they are always there without question. I feel the way I was raised is the reason for my success and great life I have today!!

Shoot Me, 1 of 52

http://www.wyomingbarnetts.blogspot.com/

I've seen this challenge on many blogs that I read and I always wanted to participate, but never commited myself to the project. Here is goes - keep me motivated folks to be in some pictures!!

This challenge is an effort to get Mom out from behind the camera for a change and actually be in a picture. I thought it was a wonderful idea because, looking at pictures of events and vacations, I wonder if I was really there - there's no proof! Just proof that a picture was taken by me, but I was never in any. Anyway, here's my first entry.

We are big Dr. Suess fans at my house, so when I found these shirts, I had to have them.

I also discovered, that dressing my kids alike makes it easy to spot them and keep an eye on them in crowded situation, like at Ocean City last week.

Summer is the BEST!

I LOVE SUMMER...IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER???

This is my list for why I think summer is the BEST ... what are your reasons?

Link up and let me know!!!

I love warm weather

It's easy to get the kids ready, no coats, hats, gloves, etc.

Vacations!! Especially visiting the beaches!

There is so much to do!!

My flowers are gorgeous and I can sit on my deck and enjoy them.

An adult beverage (or more) on hot summer evenings!

Swimming -my family LOVES water!

Not as strict of a schedule since hubby is off and the kids don't have school.

No daycare payments - WHO WHOOO!!!

Getting a sun tan!

Fireworks

1 week until our one week stay at our beach house!!

...and I could go on, and on, and on!!

I LOVE SUMMER!!! WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT??

10 Things in June

Once a month a blogger, Emmy, lists 10 things that made her smile for that month and allows us to join in. What a fun idea! This is my first week participating, so here we go.....

1. Beautiful summer weather.

2. A suprise trip planned by my hubby.

3. My flowers are so pretty around the yard.

4. Lots of days off of work to enjoy time with the family.

5. A great, and hot, trip to Dutch Wonderland/Lancaster with my family and my parents.

6. Getting my new deck stained and beautified!

7. SWIMMING!!

8. Watching my children play and enjoy the outdoors.

9. Less laundry since hubby is a teacher and not wearing dress clothes right now.

10. Warm evenings to catch fireflies!

5 Question Friday

1. Do you know how to play a musical instrument? Yes, I played clarinet in high school band, I didn't like it, and I haven't touched it since!

2. What is your pet peeve while driving? SLOW people in the left lane that won't move over!!!

3. Would you rather have a housekeeper or unlimited spa service? ohhh - tough one! I don't have time for spa treatments and I am picky about how I like things done at my house, so... if I had a housekeeper I would have more time to go to the spa ;)

4. Is ther a song that you here that will take you back to that moment, like junior high or high school dances? I graduated in 1995 and our popular school dance songs were "Stairway to Heaven", "Everything I do, I do it for you", "Kiss from a Rose", "Waterfalls" - ok I feel really old now!

5. What song best represents your life right now? Darius Rucker, "History in the Making" It reminds me that we are constantly making memories and to cherish every "first" and all of those special moments.

5 Question Friday

1. What is your favorite thing about summertime? Warm weather, vacations, fun, flip flops, swimming, being outdoors, and I could go on and on and on...

2. What is your ideal retirement location (if money didn't matter)? Somewhere that is warm all year, on a beach but with a nearby mountains, steams, and woods so my fishing and hunting loving hubby would come with me - I don't know if such a place exists, but it sounds wonderful :)

3. Do you live in the same town you grew up in? Close, I live about 9 miles from my parents house.

4. What nervous habit did you have as a child that you kicked to the curb before becoming an adult? I used to suck my thumb to go to sleep and when I was nervous.

5. What is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you while on the job? When I started the job I have now ( I am a school administrator), I was asked to come in and get my office keys and sign my contract about a week before I started working and I was told to just stop by and that it would only take 5 minutes. Well, it was summer time and I was in the area, so I stop by, expecting for a very quick, informal visit. I had no idea that they were going to take me to meet the Superintendant for the first time while I was there. I was wearing jean shorts, flip flops, and a t-shirt!!! How's that for a first impression! I've been here almost 3 years and he likes me, so I suppose he didn't hold it against me.

Read more about 5 question friday at http://www.fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com

Friday Flashbacks

This picture didn't scan well, but it's Ray and I in Houston Texas during spring break, junior year of college.

The 2 of us flew out together to visit some of my family.

It was a great trip ~ 1998.

Visit more flashbacks at http://minyards7.blogspot.com

Getting to know you

I love this site...let's play!!

1. Do you have a fetish? Um, no, but I am very particular about certain things and I certainly have my favorite items and ways of doing things, does that count? My hubby probably really wishes I could answer this question a little differently, sorry dear - hehe! ;)

2. Do you sing in the shower? Nope

3. Who was your first crush? hmmm, that's a tough one! I may have to pass, think about it, & come back.

4. What do you think is the best manly trait a guy could have? humor, kindness, thoughtfulness, being an awesome Dad, tons of love to give, and Ilove that ray thinks family and me are everything!

5. Do you sleep naked? No. Maybe way back when, once upon a time, but we have 2 kids and you never know when they wonder over, and I get cold.

6. What do you do when (you think) no one is looking? how embarrasing - probably pick my rear to "readjust" my undies

7. What's the first thing you do when you go online? Check facebook

8. Summer is... a blast! I love the heat, picnics, loads of activities, flowers, late nights, vacations and outings. It is sooooo much fun!!

Vacation Pictures

Having a great time!!

Just to prove I got into the water - Brrrrrrrr. That is as far as I went.

Baiting the hook and getting ready to surf fish.

Ouside cabanas beside the pool, bar, and a nice relaxation area.

Atrium in the hotel. Inside the white fence was an ice skating rink.

Bayside

This is where we stayed. Great place.

We had so much fun and did a lot, but the camera got in the way so I didn't capture very much. These are some pictures of where we stayed, the beach, Ray and I surf fishing and watching the sunset (awesome), and some of the wonderful hotel we stayed in. I am longing to go back, just the 2 of us - but we are the 4 of use most of the time and we will have a blast when we take the kids to our condo in July!!

Radom Dozen

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch? Burgers on the grill - yummy!

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.) cell phone and lipstick/makeup

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting? the beach!

4. Share one factoid of your family's history. My Dad is 6 feet tall, my Mom is 5 ft tall, I am 5 ft tall and did not receive one inch of my dad's height.

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I .... met a wonderful man, fell and love, had 2 fantastic children, created a perfect life, and lived happily ever after!

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be? groceries!!!

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is I absolutely would never, ever leave the house without making the beds.

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy? a diet coke

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...." the silly things my kids do or say

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal? exercise more

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else? pray for them

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon? summer and our many planned activities and vacations

10 of my favorite things!

I found this on a blogger friend's site. Our blogs tell the story of our family, friends, and every day lives, but how much do we write about ourselves? This is 10 things just about me and my favorite things!

I love any shade of green...it is a beautiful color.

This is my all time favorite show. I've seen each episode 100's of times and still laugh like it's the first time I've seen it.

I adore old Navy flip flops. I have nearly every color and I can't wait until it's warm enough to wear them again :)

Roses are my favorite flower. Ray is great about buying bouquets of them for me for no reason and I have several rose bushes in my yard that I am very proud of.



The beach is my favorite vacation place. I feel so happy and peaceful there.




My new favorite cereal. I LOVE it and go through lots of boxes.

After a long busy week, I enjoy a nice cold beer on the weekend to unwind and relax :)

My favorite store. A one stop shop and my kids and I are addicted.

Storag bins are fabulous. Everything in my house is in a storage container, bin or tote. I am obsessed with organization and being tidy.

There is nothing better than a Starbucks coffee - Yummy!!


o.k. I've showed you 10 random pictures to descibe what I love...it's your turn!

What are your favorite things????

Leave a comment so I travel to your site and get to know you better.