Almost 3 Years....

Can you believe it? December 14th I will have been married for three years, wow time flys! With that said I have been doing some reflecting recently about the ups and downs, the good and bad, happy and sad.

Here is a recap on some of my thoughts about the last three years:

• Marriage is what I expected it to be, wonderful, challenging, joyous, difficult, pure bliss.

• FUN!!! Like having a sleep over with your best friend every night, --especially when we watch movies together and I ask too many questions. :) Or when I dump water on him while he is in the shower, or make funny faces at him from across the way... You have to keep things light. 

• A gift-- to show our children what a Godly (not perfect on the outside) marriage looks like.

• A sacrificial act---DAILY, always making sure my Husband is taken care of first, kids second. And on occasion ME first, ya I admitted that.

• R-E-S-P-E-C-T for one another because when we throw that out the window we dishonor ourselves and our commitment.

• Listening to your elders...Grandparents, Parents, In Laws, etc... They have wisdom in their years. Not that they were perfect but if you want to know how to climb the mountain ask someone who already has.

• Most of all LOVE, my lifetime challenge will be to live by this:

   Love never gives up. 

   Love cares more for others than for self. 

   Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. 

   Love doesn't strut, 

   Doesn't have a swelled head, 

   Doesn't force itself on others, 

   Isn't always "me first," 

   Doesn't fly off the handle, 

   Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, 

   Doesn't revel when others grovel, 

   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 

   Puts up with anything, 

   Trusts God always, 

   Always looks for the best, 

   Never looks back, 

   But keeps going to the end.

• Dec 14th 2007- Knew I married the man of my dreams. December 1st 2010- Still know I will love him forever.

My Babies

**Special thanks to my personal photographer, um I mean Dad... :)

Thank You For Being YOU!!!

I've been thinking about the characteristics in people I love that I am thankful for...Here's what I came up with:


THANK YOU TO.....

My Savior Jesus Christ---For your love, without you I would be lost and lonely.

My Husband---For loving me and sticking in it through the good times and bad. I look forward to the rest of my years with you.

My Children---For teaching me how to love life, how to laugh, and especially how to have faith. I learn so much from the both of you daily.

My Father---For your encouraging spirit and kind words, your insights when it comes to finances, and teaching me the importance of living a fulfilling life.

My Mother---Your grace and mercy, your tender heart has taught me how to be kind and loving.

My Brother---Your playful spirit has always brought me joy, and for your attitude of perseverance.

My Grandparents---You all are so special to me, thank you for doing the best you could in raising my parents. I think you did a wonderful job.

Pop Pop- I admire that you taught my dad to be a hard worker. Oh yes, thanks for teaching me how to play cards and letting me eat ice cream before dinner.
Grand Mom- You were always teaching me by your actions. I watched you cook, clean, do the dishes all at an age well past retirement :) I look up to you, you were a hard working woman.
Mimi- I aspire to be like you when I'm older. I have always said you have more of a social life than me. Keep it up!!!

My Aunt Laurie---You have always encouraged an atmosphere of imagination and creativity when we were younger, I hope I do the same for my children.

My In Laws---

Susie- You are a caring person and will always put family first, not to mention a wonderful homemaker. Thank you for raising Adam with love, respect for his elders and country, and most of all his family.
Art---I love your funny yet super serious personality. I know you have a tender heart, even though you would try to convince the world otherwise. You are kind, gentle, and respectful.

The Villaneda's--- Joseph- You are a very interactive dad and like to figure things out on your own, that's neat. Amber- You are relaxed and laid back, with your family. You also showed me how to relax when it comes to raising my kids.

The Dunbar's--- Scott- You are a funny guy and always positive, maybe you got that from your mom :) She is wonderful as well!! Irene- You respect you parents and are a wonderful mom who is organized and disciplined.

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TWO!!!

My dearest Gregory, I hardly believe you are two years old. Words cannot describe the depth of love I feel towards you. My prayer would be that I can continue to love you, respect you, lead you, guide you, and show you how to live a Godly life. I will fail you, I am not perfect...But know this, I will never abandon you, because I am your mom forever.

1 year old

So for his birthday friends and family gathered at Pilgrim Place Festival in Claremont. It was rather low key, sack lunches for the kids, waters and desserts for the adults-nothing fancy. 

Here is what the day looked like (Gregory decided not to let me do his hair, so he got a mohawk)

He was so blessed with wonderful gifts

After the kids and adults ate we took a ride on the kiddie train

Then off to "the glue in" where random pieces of wood and plastic are available to glue on a piece of cardboard.....genius.

Cousins getting creative

Then it was time to move to face painting.........

My baby girl

I love that you will always be willing to stay young at heart

Then we had dessert and called it a day, there was so much to do that we didn't get to, maybe next year.

On our way to the car...exhausted 

-----A special thanks to my Dad for capturing many special moments--------


Thank you to all who came, you truly mean so much to our family! 

My Two Favorite Veteran's

Thank you for your dedication to our country. You protected us and kept us safe, I will never know the extent of your sacrifice. I am forever grateful and respect you more than words can describe.

I love you both.

My Dad

My Father In Law

Happy Veterans Day to all who served and who are currently serving our country!!!!

Mud bath for two...

You know how the saying goes...God made dirt and dirt don't hurt!!

I mean don't people pay big bucks for this stuff at spas? :)

"We are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago" (Ephesians 2:10).