We are the Transplants...

Yes, that is me and my family...  We have been plucked out of St. Louis, our home and the place we LOVE, and transplanted in Steamboat Springs, CO.  Steamboat, ah yes, such a beautiful place.  Has anyone ever told you - it is cold here.  Has anyone ever told you - they had like over 450 inches of snow last year.  Has anyone ever told you about their "champagne powder" snow.   It apparently is the most AMAZING, the most WONDERFUL, place to ski.  Well, we don't ski. LOL.  So, that is kinda crazy to move to a place where they do nothing but snowboard and snowski and you do NONE of it.  LOL! 

Transplants R US...  That is what we need to be called.  Because, apparently, when you are not native of Colorado - all of the natives can tell.  I have been told I stick out like a sore thumb.  Hmmm?  Is it because I am not a "tiny" person and most of all people here are like super athletic with running, biking, hiking, swimming, exercising, etc....  Or is it because I am nice?  Hmmm?  Maybe it is because I can actually park in a parking space at City Market or Walmart and I make it in between the lines??  That must be it!!!  No, I know...  It is because, I do NOT drive a Subaru.  I think every household here in Steamboat owns a Subaru - AWD!!!!  It is nuts!  I get the AWD - with the amount of snow around these here parts.  But I do NOT get why it has to be a Subaru.  Ugh, shoot me dead if I own a Subaru.  They are UGLY!!!!!  Oh, and don't forget those things on the tops of the Subaru's that hold skis and snow crap.  Ok, you got me...  THAT is why I stick out like a sore thumb...  I don't drive a Subaru with a thing on top for my snow crap!!!  LOL!

Transplants R US...  Gotta love us Midwesterners in the Mountains.

Interesting Info = Ecclesiastes...

Sooooo..... I was looking in my bible today and happened to come across some "good stuff" in Ecclesiastes. I know I have read this before, but you know how there are times when you just read something and don't get it??? And then, there are other times that you read something and you DO get it? Well, this was one of those moments for me....

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (msg)

"After looking at the way things are on Earth here is what I have decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what is given and delightting in the work. It's God's GIFT!!! God deals out joy in the present, the NOW... It's usless to brood over how long we might live."

I look at that verse and think to myself that I need to step it up.... "Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life".... So many days, lately, I question why we are here in Steamboat. I cannot get a job to save our lives, making friends has been daunting, Dave is working a lot, the kids are off to school daily and all the while I am stressed over NOT having a job. I am not enjoying Steamboat. I am not enjoying my family. I am not enjoying this time I have to finally - Take Care of MYSELF.. To have a GOOD time... and to make the most out of whatever job I have.... Intersting. So many times I forget my J.O.B. is being a mom and a wife... To love on my family during this time that we still have together. Soon, my kids will be grown and out of the house. That is really soon for Brandon. He is already 16 years old and a junior in High School. He will be gone in a little over a year and a half. That is NOT a long time.

What about the bounty and capacity part? "Make the most of whatever God gives - both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it!" Bounty means - and ABUNDANT SUPPLY!!! Capacity means - the maximum amount to receive or contain. That means if you read it again - that verse reads, "Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the ABUNDANT SUPPLY and the maximum amount to receive or contain that abundant supply - to ENJOY IT... TO ENJOY WHAT GOD GIVES US... People, that is good stuff!!!

What do you think, friends? Do you agree with this? Does this apply to you and your life? Think about it... We are who we are and who we are supposed to be. NOW...

Are we taking advantage of Gods goodness to it's fullest capacity??? Every part of God's goodness? Even the small stuff?

Bringing Honor Back

Honor = to treat something or someone as precious or valuable.

Dishonor = to treat something or someone as common or ordinary.

Mark 6:1-5 - Jesus left there and went to his hometown, along with his disciples. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were amazed! ‘Where did this man get these things?’ they asked. ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given Him, that He even does miracles?’ ‘Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us??’ And they took offense at Him. Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among His relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor?” He could not do any miracles there….

1. Honor elevates but dishonor deteriorates. - socially, economically, spiritually
2. Respect is earned but honor is given.

“Honor everyone!” 1 Peter 2:17

The son of God died for ME – and YOU! THAT is honor!! He gave honor before earning anything…

Honor our jobs, our teachers, our families, our spouses… and all of the people who serve us.

Marriages are better with honor… relationships are better…children are better…schools…communities…churches…businesses… - all of these are better with honor!

Everyone is trashing each other = back talking and just talking trash in general. Why not become CARRIERS & COMMUNICATORS of honor??

We need an Honor Revolution… When we give VALUE to something then it becomes VALUABLE. Just like when we give VALUE to PEOPLE…then they become valuable.

S T O P …. Criticizing – stop agreeing with the devil.

Do not wait for achievement in order to honor our kids or our spouses.

• GET RID OF PRIDE!
• Walk in humility!
• Walk like Jesus.
  

We are called to do the above 3 bullet points as a church! We are called to put these principals into action!

Honor destryos the works of criticism, arrogance and cynicism. BE HUMBLE! :-)

FREEDOM

F - Fight the Good Fight
R - Run your Race (keep your blinders on)
E - Embrace the Power of Praise
E - Eliminate the enemies weapons (our mind)
D - DO allow the Lord to Love you
O - Open the gifted side in you
M - Move onto the battlefield - move on from the past and into the future

Battles are ALWAYS going on in our hearts and in our minds. But He is always there with us. HE is God ... WE are NOT!

Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that neither death, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separeate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Fill your bucket with Jesus's love - nothing else!
See a need - meet the need...of someone else. The invisible God becomes visible when you meet the need of someone else. Be a HERO of the faith.

If we do not learn to walk in his confidence, then we will continue to fail. God is NOT looking for perfection - However, he is looking for a heart for HIM!

We cannot stay in a place of waiting. Our legacy of faith means so much more than what we wanted for us. Have faith! Prayers can change anything!!! ANY SITUATION!

Nehemiah - we need to be more like him. Every one of us holds a stone (bitterness, hatred, guilt, regret) But don't give up... Too many people give up. Keep the faith.

Fight...
Fight for your marriage.
Fight for your family.
Fight for your faith.

Jesus asks us - was HIS life enough for us to stand and keep our faith for him... and for us to stand on the ROCK?

Being WEIRD....in a "normal" world....

The pastor at the local church we have been attending is preaching on a series about being weird in a "normal" or not so "normal" world. What do you think about that? I know that we are not supposed to follow the norm as Christians. But do we always do that? I know that I do not always do that... and that bothers me.

The "normal" takes the road most often taken or the road most often traveled. This road is the wide road of open and endless possibilities. Which could also mean - things that the "normal" peeps are saying or doing. They are following what others are believing to be GREATEST or THE BEST THING EVER... They are wanting the NEWEST gadgets... They are wanting the TRENDIEST clothes/shoes/accessories... They are wanting the most AWESOME car/SUV... They are wanting the NICEST house...to throw LAVISH and Crazy fun parties... AND - the normal person will do it ... even at the expense of putting their family in D E B T. That word DEBT is a HORRIBLE word... But why do us "normal" people do that to ourselves? It just doesn't make sense.?!>?#?@??

To contrast the WEIRD versus the "normal" peeps, I will give you and example of what a WEIRD person might do when wanting the latest and greatest or the trendiest or the nicest... They wait. They DON'T impulsively buy just to be buying... THEY WAIT. They don't run out when the newest I-phone comes out and it is marked up 300%.. THEY WAIT.

Here is my challenge my friends.... Try this week to do something WEIRD instead of "NORMAL"... Can you do it?

Time to reflect

So much time goes by with no reflection of who you are and how you got to be who you are today. The constant hussle and bustle of just everyday life passes by without a thought of reflection. Look back 1 year - How much has changed? Look back 3 years - how much has changed? Look back 5 years - how much has changed? Look back 10, 15 and so on. How did you get to who you are today? Was it by chance or were there special people in your life to help you to be who you are?

My mom, God love her, is crazy! So, all of you guys who think I am crazy - then you should meet my mom... LOL! She is just one ball of craziness all of the time. She loves to act crazy, have crazy fun with her grandkids and she loves to dance crazy. She is just one of those people that likes to have fun when she can. She is a person that has been with me my whole entire life (obviously)and I wouldn't be who I am today without her. I wouldn't have the same crazy, fun personality and the same crazy dancing ways if it weren't for her.

Thanks, mom, for all of the crazy, fun times. I truly love you and I reflected on how much you have impacted my life today.

Happy 58th Birthday, Mom! I love you lots!

New Beginnings....

New beginnings are a true blessing! I cannot imagine always being stuck in the same place, doing the same things over and over, again. It has been a time of new beginnings for the Tucker/Miller Family. New beginnings with Dave's new job. New beginnings with our schedules. New beginnings with the sports that are starting up. New beginnings with my work.

Change is good.

I just witnessed a very happy union for two great people yesterday. It made me think back to my wedding day almost 11 years ago. Wow, what a day THAT was for us. Months and months and months of planning - all of the money spent - all of the time spent - all of the preparation - all of the heartache over stupid stuff - or the heartache over my dad passing..... It was crazy, crazy, crazy ... And it went by so fast!! And here we are 11 years later. Time sure does fly by! David has been my rock for 13 years. He has been the patient one, the nice one, did I mention patient??? Seriously, I couldn't live without him!

Happy Anniversary on the 22nd honey! May we have another blissful 11+ years!

Love you always and forever!

The Silver Refiner.... we are not alone...

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God ..

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: ' He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, ' Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , rememberthat God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.

'Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.'

Thank you God, for teaching me to laugh again......

but please Lord, don't ever let me forget that I cried.

Going out of town.... oh yeah!

So, I will be going out of town this weekend, with my BFF, to a conference in Louisville, KY. I cannot wait to sit with friends having adult conversation, sipping coffee quietly in the morning, reading a book, shopping, swimming/hot tubbing, No - "mom this or mom that", No laundry, No cleaning, No fighting, No homework, No school crap!!! Just hearing great Christian music from Charles Billingsly, Michael W Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, as well as, being open to what God is doing in my life right now and for my future.

The interesting thing is that Sarah Palin will be our speaker on Friday night. She will give her testimony and talk about her faith. Many people may not like her or maybe some do... but the thing is - she is in the political arena to stay. Even if you don't like it - I truly believe she will be a force to be acknowledged in the future in politics. With that being said, I want to know her testimony - aside from the political arena. I want to know how she truly feels about her faith and what she believes in. I really hope she doesn't get up there and just "blah blah blah" about all of the political crap or all of the stuff she has accomplished - because that is NOT why I want to hear her. I don't want to hear politics - I want to hear inspiration!

So, for all of you crazy's that get to stay in the Lou... HA HA sucka... We are almost outta here! :-))

MONEY.....will be the death of me

Is there ever enough money? I am sitting here balancing both checking accounts and realizing that the more we make the more we spend. The worst part is - we are spending this hard earned money on STUPID stuff. Stuff that doesn't really matter. Stuff that we could do without but yet we are not able to put it down and say no. Everything adds up. Everything including the morning stops at QT to get a coffee, the extra pieces of candy or drinks when we stop to get gas and the kids are begging for a snack, the extra fundraisers that pass by my desk at work (how can I say no to the parent of a fundraiser b/c I have been there and done that many times over), the eating out a couple of times a week instead of eating at home for the sake of "saving time" and last but not least the extra fun "activities" we do to show our kids we love them by taking them to the movies ($36.00 for the tickets, $20 more at the concession so in essence $50 later) or going to the skating rink for a family night and it ends up costing me $130 because I can't say no to my precious daughter because she is begging me for in-line skates....geesh... WHEN DOES IT END?

Obviously, after reading what I just wrote - I am the problem. I, obviously, cannot say no to anything. My parents said no all of the time...so why can't I? My parents said no because they just didn't have the money to buy anything. I cannot say no to my kids - is it because I can say yes because I think I have the money? I don't know...Money drives me nuts. Always striving to make more and more and more...but where does it get you in the end? Still with a balance in your checking accounts still wishing you had more....

Lots going on....

What a year this is going to be. This is the year of marriages and births. Both of my brother's are going to have babies this year in April. I have friends getting married in May and October. Both Dave and I have cousins getting married in May and July. Whew... when it rains it pours!

So with all of these babies and weddings comes the showers. Oh yeah and I forgot to mention that one of the weddings will probably cost me around $500 to $600 becuase I am a Bridesmaid, Gabby is a Junior Bridesmaid and Dawson will be the Ring Bearer.

With all of this going on in our lives, I want to go on vacation this year, too. We (the family) haven't been on a vacation since 2007 when we went to Gulf Shores. We did go to Branson in 2008 but my grandma June had died the week before and it realy wasn't that much fun. Actually, I really hate Branson now b/c it really sucked and we spent a lot of money for nothing.

I really want to go to Florida this year, but I am not sure if that will be possible this year. Any suggestions on places to go with the family that won't break the bank? I was looking into Destin, FL. It is so pretty. I thought about driving and taking a little over a week. Maybe staying in a condo near the beach with a full kitchen. That would cut down on some of the expense if we can buy groceries and cook.

I don't know...does anyone else know of some great places?? Beach preferred.
Thanks!

Tis the season....

Wow - has 2009 flown by - or what?!?!?! I cannot believe 2009 is coming to an end! I posted a new family picture of the Tucker's. Anytime we do a family picture - we all make at least some pictures with the crazy faces.

For all of my Facebook friends - please view my blog to see the picture at http://tucker-millerfamily.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Love,
Nic

Finally....

I am finally into the "holiday" spirit! I finally heard my favorite Christmas Song playing in a store - and I thought "NOW - now I am in the spirit!"... I know I am crazy! :-)

My favorite Christmas song is that "Christmas Wrapping" song by the Waitresses. I just love that song! It is upbeat - and fun! "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas - Couldn't miss this one this year..."

"Bah, humbug!" No, that's too strong
'Cause it is my favorite holiday
But all this year's been a busy blur
Don't think I have the energy

To add to my already mad rush
Just 'cause it's 'tis the season.
The perfect gift for me would be
Completions and connections left from

Last year, ski shop,
Encounter, most interesting.
Had his number but never the time
Most of '81 passed along those lines.

So deck those halls, trim those trees
Raise up cups of Christmas cheer,
I just need to catch my breath,
Christmas by myself this year.

Calendar picture, frozen landscape,
Chilled this room for twenty-four days,
Evergreens, sparkling snow
Get this winter over with!

Flashback to springtime, saw him again,
Would've been good to go for lunch,
Couldn't agree when we were both free,
We tried, we said we'd keep in touch.

Didn't, of course, 'til summertime,
Out to the beach to his boat could I join him?
No, this time it was me,
Sunburn in the third degree.

Now the calendar's just one page
And, of course, I am excited
Tonight's the night, but I've set my mind
Not to do too much about it.

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.

Hardly dashing through the snow
Cause I bundled up too tight
Last minute have-to-do's
A few cards a few calls
'Cause it's r-s-v-p
No thanks, no party lights
It's Christmas Eve, gonna relax
Turned down all of my invites.

Last fall I had a night to myself,
Same guy called, halloween party,
Waited all night for him to show,
This time his car wouldn't go,

Forget it, it's cold, it's getting late,
Trudge on home to celebrate
In a quiet way, unwind
Doing Christmas right this time.

A&P has provided me
With the world's smallest turkey
Already in the oven, nice and hot
Oh damn! Guess what I forgot?

So on with the boots, back out in the snow
To the only all-night grocery,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
In the line is that guy I've been chasing all year!

"I'm spending this one alone," he said.
"Need a break; this year's been crazy."
I said, "Me too, but why are you?
You mean you forgot cranberries too?"

Then suddenly we laughed and laughed
Caught on to what was happening
That Christmas magic's brought this tale
To a very happy ending! "

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn't miss this one this year!
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn't miss this one this year!

NOT ME MONDAY

Welcome to Not Me! Monday!

Ok, so this past week was eventful to say the least...

I didn't go shopping on Thursday and make all of my kids go with me b/c thier father was at work, so I could get an outfit/dress for the work Christmas party. My 14 year old didn't call me a jerk 3 times while going into the mall b/c he didn't want to go with us and wanted to go home to do homework and study for 2 tests. I, then, didn't make him watch the 4 year old while I was in the dressing room off and on for over an hour. I didn't hear him huffing and puffing and whining to me that he needed to get home for that hour either. I didn't want to smack him right in the middle of the store and not care that anyone seen or heard me. I didn't take my sweet time just to make him miserable - even more - and then not feel guilty later for doing it. :-) I then didn't hear my 4 year old say to me, "hey momma, is that a fat dress?" b/c he hears me say that I am wearing fat clothes. I then didn't put all of the dresses back and go with black pants and a nice top instead...

I didn't find out the next day that he didn't even have his books to "study" for his tests...that he so desperatly needed to get home the night before to do... uh huh! He didn't come out to the truck when I was taking him down to the bus with NO BOOKBAG!!!! HELLO!!!

I also didn't, seriously,overbook my Saturday with the morning consisting of family pictures, and the afternoon of baking cookies with the Tucker girls and then going to my work Christmas party that evening. I didn't nearly want to choke both of my boys, the 4 year old and the 14 year old while trying to do family pictures. They didn't jut stand there while we are taking pictures and not smile or not look at the camera. I didn't try and bribe my kids with anything and everything just to try and get a nice picture for our Christmas card. I didn't even go to the extreme of almost grounding the 14 year old and taking the 4 year old out in the garage so the other family members wouldn't hear me scold him. Although, they smiled finally when we got back inside - I didn't feel really guilty for doing that to them. I am not such a mean mom... I, then, didn't go to my work Christmas party, after baking cookies all day, and dance ALLLLLLL NIGHT LONG...with most of the people watching and making fun of the "dancers / partiers". I also didn't stay up until 3 a.m. thinking that I am 20 again, to then only get 4-5 hours of sleep on Saturday night and then again, on Sunday.

I didn't invite friends over for lunch for my husband to leave to go to work on Sunday. Then I didn't allow my friend to organize my refrigerator by taking out all of the contents, throwing stuff out and wiping it down. I didn't allow her and her family to see my unbelievably messy home especially with her being so tidy and organzied all of the time... I then didn't think about cleaning, to then no touch my messy house b/c I was too tired from the night before of dancing...

So that is it for my crazy week last week...let me know how yours went.
Nic

Christmas = Bah Hum Bug

Bah Hum Bug....

I don't know why I am in this mood...but I am not ready for it to be Christmas this year. Sure, I have most of my Christmas shopping done. I already have the Christmas tree up and the mantle and the steps all decorated. We have the lights up outside and it looks really pretty on our new house. We have even played Christmas music (which I somewhat detest) to try and get me into the "mood" but it didn't work. Dawson continues to sing his Christmas songs for his program. He sounds so cute... We have watched ELF about 3 times, but we watch that all year long, so that hasn't worked. I have made the lists for the kids and handed them out. We have looked at NUMEROUS toy ads, magazines, catalogues, toys at the store and online ... but, again, it hasnt' worked.

So, I need your help! Someone - anyone, tell me a story or anything to try and get me into the mood. Tell me what movie to watch or what book to read or something...

Nic

Thankful

Where did time go? It feels like just yesterday that I was basking outside in 80 degree weather, the trees were full of green, lush leaves and it was beautiful! Now you look around and the trees are stark and my mums are even dying. Where did the time go in between? Brandon was playing Football and now he is on to Basketball! Gabs was playing softball and having lots of practices but that is over until after the 1st of the year. Dawson has since gone from 3 to 4 years old and he acts crazier and crazier each and every day!

Don't look now because just around the corner is Thanksgiving and then all of the hussle and bussle of Christmas shopping and the RUSH of all of the holiday teas, parties, baking cookies and the family get-togethers!

So many people are putting what they are thankful for on Facebook each day. Every day I see new postings about healthy kids, candle-lit baths, husby's or wive's, shopping, jobs, roofs over their heads, their church, being saved, etc. I am definately THANKFUL for all of the blessings that have been put into my life including all of them mentioned above (minus the candle-lit baths - not really into them that much). When I asked the husby what he is thankful for he said, "This nice home" when I asked Brandon what he is thankful for he said, "Our house" and when I asked Gabs what she is thankful for she said "My family, food, a house, friends and a bunch of more stuff" and when I asked Dawson what he is thankful for he said, "My own DS" (which he doesn't have one so I guess that may be a hint for Christmas ... lol) and then he said , "Jaden, Heaver, Uncle Kevin, and Phaniel" and then I asked him if he was sure and that he didn't want to put anyone else on that list (like me or Daddy, or anyone else) and he said "NO" and he walked away! WHAT is up with that?!?!? LOL!!! You just never know what is going to come out of his mouth! :-) Nutty little kid!

So now I want to challenge all of my blog friends or my Facebook friends to tell me what they are thankful for!!!! Don't be shy! Just think about how many times we go through life and don't speak about what truly touches us.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I hope each of us will truly reflect on the many blessings that God has given us.

Just keep dancing!

Dawson ~ My now 4 year old ~ lives life to the fullest!

Dawson has the best outlook on life. He plays with his toys and changes his mind however many times he feels like it - and he loves to make a mess. He plays with girl toys or boy toys and it doesn't matter to him because he doesn't know the difference. He wears his cowboy boots everywhere - even in his underwear when he gets out of the shower. (he he) Or with shorts in the summer. He does it because he loves them and he doesn't care what other people think. He also loves to snuggle with his mom because he needs nurtered and loved. He does it because he likes to. He loves to dance and rock out and he does it just have a good time even if it is every night we are home. He loves to wear costumes (batman, spiderman - good or bad) and he will even wear it to bed because it helps him feel safe at night in his sometimes scary room.

This is a Happy Birthday (my little Halloween baby) to the COOLEST 4 year old I know. Without him in our lives - it would be so boring! He breathes life and laughter into everyone he meets.

~ N U T S ~ :-)

• Work is nuts - always cash to post, g/l reconciliations and adjustments but I am thankful I have a job.
• Home is nuts - always cleaning to do, laundry and organizing but I am thankful for a nice home and a roof over my head.
• Kids are nuts - always running around taking either Brandon or Gabby to and from practices, arguing over eating their food, doing chores, homework, etc. but I am thankful for them because they are my life and without them I would be lost.
• Hubby is nuts - always picking up my slack, helping around the house, cutting grass, working and helping me organize and I am so thankful for him. He is the best hubby a person could possibly have. I love him a ton!!!
• I am nuts - always doing homework, going to school, going to work, playing with the kids, spending time with the hubby but I wouldn't have it any other way. This is my life - as crazy as it is - it is mine!

***Don't cry over the choices you have made in the past or what will happen in the future. Live for today because you might not get a tomorrow!!***

Nic~

Oh my....so much has happened!!!

My BF April (so, I totally do not know how to link her blog here like she does with me...) has been posting about us and our new house. I haven't been updating this blog, due to time constaints. So I am updating for you April!!! Love ya!!

Wow - we have been busy!

Since I last posted:

1. We put a contract on a house, which was accepted.


2. The kids finished school and started summer break.


3. We had a Memorial Day Party at our old house - our last one there (tear...). That was our 4th and final one. I guess we can assume the tradition here. Not sure how that will work though.


4. I have had 3 more classes at school with 2 of them at the same time.


5. We packed (ok, so not really me - it was more like my poor hubby and kids) our whole entire house. With 3 kids - that is kind of rediculous!


6. Gabby has played a ton of softball games....ugh...it has been HOT!


7. We moved into the new house - 2 days of moving!


8. We had Brandon's family b/day party at the new house - one week after we moved.


9. We celebrated the 4th of July.
   

So, I am thinking about all that has happened and it occurs to me that my "baby" turned 14. That means only 2 months until he goes to High School, 1 year before he is able to start learning how to drive, 2 years before he can get a driver's license, 4 years and he graduates and goes off to college. That seems so bizarre by any stretch, because I feel like it isn't even possible. He is taller than me now, he is turning into a young man with manners and he is really handsome, if I say so myself!

When I think back over the years, back to when it was just the 2 of us (before Dave came into our lives). I remember some fun times and some scary times for me. Dom and I lived together to help each other out. Her and Scott were going through a divorce, Brett (the sperm donor) and I were on bad terms, I didn't have a stable job or a stable environment for him. But we all stuck together and made it. My dad was here back then and my beloved Grandma June. I miss them so.

Happy 14th Birthday Brandon!