I'm back!

Oh my goodness- has it really been since December 16th since I posted my last entry!??!? Merry Christmas, everyone! I suppose with all the hussle and bustle of preparing for the holiday celebrations, along with preparing for our 1700 mile drive down to Florida, I didn't make much time to blog. But, hopefully now I will have some time to regroup and make time to put my thoughts down on - well, the keyboard.

As I type, I am actually sitting in the passenger seat of our van (no, I am not driving!!)... oh the wonders of wireless cards! We have not quite yet reached our destinati0n- but we are SO close! About 15 miles away. Prior to reaching our destination, we have to stop and pick up our wireless internet router... of course, top priority! Between my husband and I we can't go more than a few hours without a connection to the internet!

We've been bribing the kids with, "we're almost there" for - well- about 3 days now. I am sure the baby thinks we are crazy- or liars.

But- the truth is- we really, truly ARE almost there yet. And once we arrive- pictures to follow! So, heads up- if you don't want to see pictures of sand castles and swimsuits... check back in February...

Cheers!

determination...

... and a little Q & A

1. Did I move that chair over there for her?

Most certainly not! Once she discovered how she can combine the ability to slide the counter stools around on the wooden floors- along with her God-given, unbelievable climbing skills- there isn't any height this girl cannot reach!

2. Why is she wearing a swimsuit? Was this picture taken in the summer?

Nope, again. This picture was taken just yesterday when we enjoyed balmy temperatures of -11 below zero. And no, that does not include the windchill. That was just the straight temperature. However, when our friendly UPS man dropped off the packages yesterday morning and I opened one box up to 2 matching swimsuits (size 7 for the big girl, size 18 months for the little tyke)- I could not pry it out of her hands. In fact she insisted on wearing it... for the entire day.

3. Why are you ordering swimsuits in the dead of winter?

1 word... FLORIDA!

winter around here...

I have really fallen off the wagon. Not in the "I need to be committed" sort of way- just in the "it's been really cold here and not much to do so I've had nothing to blog about" sort of way. Of course, I could always find something to write about- but, seriously, how many of you really want to hear about "we did school again today... for the 92nd day this year" or "we went to Target, and then we got pizza for dinner" - because that's about as exciting as it gets around here, folks. But, if for nothing other than updating my sister in Texas, I thought it had been enough days where it was time to at least get SOME pictures up here.

So- anyway- lately it's been nothing more than snow, snow, and more snow. Honestly, I have to tell you- for all of this talk of global warming, I can't help but chuckle and wonder what happened to it. Did Obama fix it already!?!? He's fast! Growing up, I remember winters just like this.... snow early, often and LOTS. And so it is, again, for the youth of my children. For a good 10+ years we've really had mild winters. For our wedding day, December 4th 1999, it was so warm we had many pictures outdoors... in my sleeveless wedding dress!! It was 50 and beautiful. And for many years, we rarely had snow on the ground for Christmas. But, for better or for worse, we've seemed to revert back to the weather that I remember growing up. And the kids are loving it! I tell them, enjoy it now! In 3 more weeks, we're outta here!

when two became one...

1... the number of dates it took me to be "crazy" about him!

3... the number of days before I realized He was "The One"

7... the number of days before we exchanged "I love you's"

6... the number of weeks from our first date, to the day we became engaged

137... the number of "up in arms" and "whoa is me" phone calls and emails I received from my sister and mother

0... the number of reservations I, personally, had about marrying him

6... the number of months from our engagement to our wedding day

9... the number of years I've been happily married to the man of my dreams, my very best friend, the father of my children... the absolute LOVE OF MY LIFE!

________________________________

And it begins...



I will never forget this moment. So many tears. So much emotion!



Two become one...



The Happy Couple!