Another of my Favorite People Celebrating their Birthday

February is a busy birthday month for me. My mom’s birthday on the 19th, yesterday was my husband’s birthday, and today is my brother’s birthday, three of the most important people in my life celebrating their births within a week of each other.

My brother is turning 31 today, one day younger then my husband. Its funny how alike they are, but yet are still so different. Maybe it’s their astrological sign, but I’d like to believe that I sought out someone like my brother. You know the saying that you marry your “mother” or “father”, that you tend to seek out those that have similar characteristics of your parents, well, I believe because my father was so far away while I was growing up, JD was the “man” in my life, and therefore I sought out someone similar to him. What a great choice for me, I can’t imagine finding anyone better suited for me then Ronnie, and he’s the one I was looking for, thanks to my brother.

Growing up, JD used to drive me crazy with his teasing and joking, just like Ronnie does now. But I also remember so many loving wonderful times with my brother, and even though we were siblings and we fought A LOT, we sure loved and protected each other more then most. Today, on his birthday, I want to tell him Happy Birthday, but I also want to thank him for being such an important part of my life, for being a wonderful brother, an awesome uncle to my kids, and an amazing friend and confidante.

Happy Birthday Uncle D….we love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

31 years ago today the love of my life was born, so he could be my wonderful husband and a loving father to our two beautiful children. His Mom Sheila deserves a huge Thank You from me. Ronnie...HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love you!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my beautiful Mom's birthday. I hope she knows how lucky we know we are to have her in our lives, and how much we care and love her.

I hope she's having a good birthday!My Mom and her husband Jess

My Mom, brother J.D., Me, Ethan, & Sophia on my birthday

5 Things Tagged

5 Things I was doing 5 years ago

1. Getting used to being back to work after my 3 month maternity leave
2. Helping Ethan learn how to be a good big brother
3. Learning how to split my time between Ronnie and the kids
4. Trying to talk Ronnie out of being restless with his job (didn't work, but that change was probably the best thing he did for us)
5. Finally started painting the walls in our house, I still haven't finished, I'm so indecisive

5 Things on my to do list Today

1. Finish laundry...or at least sorting laundry
2. Get things ready for tomorrow
3. Grocery Shopping
4. Spend time with Ronnie and the kids
5. Organize, Organize, Organize

5 Things I would do with a Million Dollars

1. Pay off our house...wouldn't that be nice
2. Spend more time traveling with my loved ones
3. Put money away for the kids' college
4. Help pay medical bills for a couple of much loved family members (fundraising info will be posted shortly)
5. Save, Save, Save for the future

5 Places I've lived
I don't have 5, I'm boring

5 Jobs I've had

1. Cashier at a Chinese restaurant-fun, except for hot mustard night, spent one night a week crying while I filled little cups with hot mustard
2. Cashier at Supercuts-best job for single girls, great way to meet guys (I was still in highschool and didn't know Ronnie yet)
3. Data Entry for USPS-great job, but working nights is not for me
4. Loan Officer at a credit union-I loved this job, the girls and the members that came into the credit union, but having a gun pointed at me was too much for me.
5. Executive Administrative Assistant-so far so good. I love my job and the people I work for and with.

5 Things I want to be doing in 5 years

1. Spending more time traveling and boating with my family
2. Taking some classes to expand my knowledge
3. Decorating our basement which will be finally finished
4. Being the best Mom I can be
5. Finally being comfortable in a bikini!!!

5 People I tag:
Trisha, Terra, Sioux, Melinda, & Jackie

1st Sewing Class

My Aunt Denise is great at almost everything. One thing that she is great at that most of us our jealous of is her sewing skills. She is an awesome seamstress. Whenever anyone needs something sewn, hemed, or mended (is that a word) we call her. She helped me fix clothes, helped me make the kids Halloween costumes, and she even made dresses for the girls in my wedding. She finally decided it was time for her to teach us to fend for ourselves. She put together a class, once a month, we can bring a project we need help with or she will do a monthly "theme" if you will. Last month was pillowcases. I made these cute Valentine pillowcases for Ronnie, they have red lips all over them.

Here are some pictures from our first class:

Look at me sewing away

Me, my cousin Stephanie, and my Aunt Eva

They trusted me with the surger!

My wonderful Aunt Denise, explaining how to cut fabric.

My Mom and Aunt Eva being dorks.... (Allie is in the background laughing at us all)

I can't wait to get to the point when I feel comfortable pulling out a sewing machine and whipping something up by myself.

Next month baby blanket, wish me luck!

Thanks to Internet Sites

I just wanted to give the weirdest thank you possible. To all the friend websites that help you connect with people you've lost touch with. In the last few weeks I've had two get togethers with friends and coworkers from my past, and its been so much fun!

Darci, Robyn, & Me (Junior High Friends)

Me and Mel

Joyce, Sienna, and MeMe, Amanda, her darling son, and Joyce

Ryan, Mel, & Amy

I'm hoping for many more fun get togethers and reconnecting with those people I've lost with along the way.

Happy Valentines Day

I don’t want anyone to misunderstand what I’m about to say, so first I’ll let you know, I’ve always liked Valentines Day. Everyone in a loving mood, there are hearts and flowers and cupids, red and pink everywhere, how can you not like Valentines Day. I’m not a Valentines Day hater by any means.

My problem with Valentines Day is the fact that we actually have a day on the calendar, to remind us to treat the ones we love, the way we should treat them everyday of the year. Who decided that instead of showering their special someone with love and appreciation everyday, they would choose one day to overdo it, just to make up for the rest of the year when they didn’t show their love enough. My Grandparents were married on Valentines Day, I believe in 1948, and they are still going strong and from what a granddaughter can tell, are still very much in love. It's a reminder to me that it is about so much more then the cards and flowers, it's about everlasting love, and sharing yourself with that one person you love and not for just one day of the year.
Someone asked me today if I thought I was going to get flowers from Ronnie, I said no. They seemed surprised and I reminded them that he sent me flowers early last week. Their reply was “that was last week and today is Valentines Day (at least at work)”. That is exactly my point, Ronnie shows me he adores me so frequently that I don’t need one day a year to expect it. I prefer it that way; at least I know it comes from his heart, instead of some reminder on a calendar.