my best friend

We wanted our family pictures taken once again this year. I always admired these outside professional shots, but I knew there was no way we could ever afford it. After talking to a couple of people, we got our friend Michelle to take some pictures for us. I thought this would be a bust. Our first "appointment" we had to cancel because it was so cold and the winds were very very blustery. We re-scheduled two weeks later. Again, I thought it would be a bust because we were supposed to go to Clemmons Forest. Michelle beat us there by 3 minutes and called me on my cell to tell me the park was closed until March!! Seriously? So, we went to Clayton Community Park.......but oh my word, I couldn't have asked for better photos. These are only a few of what we got. I was so impressed! She got some of the three kids together, the family, Jack and I together, the kids individual and other shots. So what better way to start than to post about the love of my life. How did I ever get so blessed?

awww.......

I am using Jack's computer and I found this picture that Jenna took of him. I had to figure out how to get it to my blog! I think he looks cute in his little hat!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!! We have a free sitter tonight so we are going to take out from the Outback and watch a movie......alone!! It's been awhile since we had a date so I'm so looking forward to our time together. I love you, Jack!!

Happy Anniversary!!!!

13 years ago today I married my best friend!! Life just keeps getting better and better with Jack. I love him more today than I did 13 years ago, and I didn't think that was possible because I loved him so much back then. As a young girl all I ever dreamed of was falling in love and getting married. After going through college and dating just a couple of times and then never finding anyone I thought I would never get married. (always a bridesmaid never a bride) I really thought there was something wrong with me or that I was unlovable. Our time table is not God's time table and just because all my friends were getting married at 21-22 didn't mean I was supposed too. Thankfully God knew what he was doing and several years later I met him......my best friend. I knew right away he was the one (I just had to convince him!!!). Happy anniversary, honey. You are the love of my life and you have brought me so much joy and happiness!! To celebrate our 13 years together, we were in Chicago over the weekend. Friday night we went to the Chicago Chop House restaurant. This is a place we could NEVER go to on our own, but since he was on business, we got a really nice fancy dinner, split it, and the company paid. We had bread, crab cakes, a fancy steak, some speciality potatoes, and a turtle cheesecake to die for!! Thank you for letting me go and for the great memories!! I love you!! May we have many more years together!!!

Jack's B-day

The kids had so much fun for Jack's b-day. We got him a cake. They couldn't do it in black because of the whipped icing so they did gray. We put 40 candles on it instead of a 4-0. I wanted to see him blow that many out, and he did it in one breath (he's full of hot air). We got some black balloons and some signs at the party store. My original plan was to have a big 4-0 surprise party tonight for him, but with us trying to save more money for an uncertain future and the fact that his patio is almost finished, I decided not to do that. We had a lot of fun as a family though. Who knows, maybe for his 50th I'll throw that surprise party for him!!

Fabulous at Forty........

Our last birthday in the house. Jack turns the big 4-0 today!!!! Happy Birthday, sweetheart. I love you so very much! I hope you have a very special day even though you have to work. The kids and I got him a birthday donut and made him his favorite cookies. Stay tuned for all the big 40th b-day celebrations!!!

My best friend

I love Jack. He's been so good to me. He's been calling me lately from work checking on me to make sure I'm ok. When I was sick earlier this week with strep, he took the kids so that I could rest, cleaned up, unloaded the dishwasher for me etc. He bought dinner Monday night so that I wouldn't have to try and cook. He's been very supportive and encouraging through my "recovery" time. He has been very supportive about next year. He told me it was ok for me to quit preschool and be a "full time sub" if that's what I wanted. (I know we can do it, but we may never go on vacation or dates again!!). It's been so comforting the last couple of weeks to be able to lean on someone else. I love you sweetheart!! Thank you for all your help and support!

Happy Birthday, Jack!!!

Someone in our house has a birthday today! It's the bid 3-9!!! Happy Birthday, sweetheart.....I love you!!! I remember leaving college and not having anyone. I went several years thinking I would never get married. I went to the singles group and a couple months later met you. I remember praying to God for just one date with you....just one date! A few weeks later you asked me out, a week later we went out, and we've been together since.!

Happy Birthday, sweetheart!!!!

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary, sweetheart. It's been an amazing 11 years together (12 if you count our dating year). It was worth every email, all the money for those big long distance phone calls (which nearly gave my dad a heart attack, even though I paid for them), every weekend journey to see you! I Love you and wish us many many more! Happy 11 years!!

I Need Some Marriage Advice......

I need some marriage advice. Next Saturday is a very special occasion and I would like to get something special for my someone special. I am tired of buying him clothes for work, not to mention he is getting picky in his old age (ha ha). I just want it to be special. Any advice? I keep thinking of some things, but they are too expensive, or then I realize they are things that I want, but I want this to be for the special somebody! Help me make it a special day!!

signed,

clueless!

Happy Birthday, Jack!!

Someone in our house is turning 38 today!!! Happy Birthday, sweetheart! I love you very much and hope you have a wonderful birthday! Thank you for all you do for me and for our family and thank you for loving me! You are so wonderful and I just hope that you have a great day! We look forward to celebrating your day with you tonight!! I love you! Happy Birthday!!

I'm So Blessed

As much as I hate being alone, I think in a way it is very good for me. It makes me appreciate the gift God gave me when he gave me Jack. I take for granted all that he is and all that he does for this family. I haven’t fallen asleep as easily this week because I am the “protector” of the family this week. There is such peace just knowing that he is here to protect me. It’s something that I don’t even think of when he is here. I feel a little lost not having my best friend around to talk too. I so look forward to the phone calls at night just to hear his voice and to tell him about my day.
All of this reminds me of when we were dating. He lived an hour away so until about 4 months before we were married, we only saw each other on the weekends. Our phone bill was huge! I remember my dad was about ready to pass out when he saw the first phone bill, even after I assured him I would pay for it all!! I remember that our “reunions” were so sweet. I couldn’t wait to hug him, to see his face and just talk to him. I remember crying my eyes out when we said goodbye on Sunday nights!! It was horrible!
I am such a blessed woman to have a man who loves me the way that he does (even though I will never understand why). I appreciate him and all that he does even more. I realize that the decisions about school don’t have to fall on me….he is here to carry the load too. Jack, I love you with all my heart. You are everything to me! I can’t wait to see you tomorrow night!!! I may even wait up to midnight to see you!!!

Only 7 1/2 More Days....

Only 7 1/2 days until Jack comes home. Jack left this morning for Phoenix. At least he is going to a warmer climate! The kids and I will be fine. My only concern is that this possible winter storm coming in tomorrow! I hate feeling locked in the house, but I am not driving in this mess. I never got a chance to drive in it in Illinois, so I have never experienced it. I am going to be one of those crazy people....going to the store today to get milk, OJ etc. just in case. Without Jack here, I am not going to get out if it gets bad. Happy Friday!