1999-2008

It was in 1999 that Michael and I started dating...now it is almost 10 years later, we are married and in the joys and tears of child rearing.
The joys of hugs, kisses and smiles. The , "I love you Mama"s are the best.
The tears of crying, discipline, loss of sleep and the wonderings of, "Am I doing this right?"
Michael and I have grown so much as people and as a couple. We look forward to 2009 and our 10th year together. What a journey we have had.
These next 10 years will put Simone at 15 (ouch) and River at 11. Oh what joy we'll have watching them grow, teaching them, enjoying them and wishing we had a few more minutes with them as little kids.
May you enjoy the time you are living in right now and all that God has given you!

God has been faithful

This past year has been full of ups and downs. Money has been particularly tight this past year. Sometimes I was afraid, yes afraid to tithe for fear that we wouldn't have enough to pay our bills...shame on me...I did tithe and did God bless. God gave me an extra tutoring student this year and has blessed me with lots of subbing jobs. Just when a new bill comes and I wonder how we are going to pay for it, I get a call to come sub. God has been so faithful.

Michael and I always (for the past 9 years) go away for New Years. This year we have been uncertain we could afford it....I told Michael it would come down to subbing days that God gives me. The last 2 weeks I haven't been called, but this morning I got called and went and subbed. 1 more subbing day and Michael, Simone and I are going to Indianapolis for an overnighter for New Years. Well go to the children's museum, and stay at a hotel with a pool (a must anymore with a 5 year old--and usually the highlight of the trip) and hopefully have a visit with Aunt Jen. So we are praying for 1 more subbing day and the trip is set.

Here is a shot of the carousel at the children's museum. Simone has been here twice in the past 2 years and absolutely loves it!

I believe

I believe that I have the most wonderful husband in the world!

I believe that children should play/imagine/explore and discover all the world has to offer.

I believe in good friends

I believe that chocolate heals most wounds

I believe in putting smiley faces on bandaids

I believe in sleeping in

I believe in travelling by car....too much is missed when you fly

I believe in cutting coupons

I believe in doing your part

I believe in holding hands

I believe that you should go looking at lights on christmas eve.

I believe that my daughter will be a great artist

I believe that my son will win others with his warm spirit and easy smile

I believe animals deserve love

I believe in reading before bed

I believe in good children's literature

I believe that we need to pray for the needy and homeless who have hungry bellies and may lay awake and shivering at night while we are warm in our beds.

I believe in letting my children trick or treat

I believe all people are important no matter if they are ugly/pretty...fat/thin....color of skin.....mentally challenged ...mean/nasty.

I believe kids should have a pet

I believe the sunrises/sunsets were made especially nice for those who are having a bad day

I believe in naps (whether I get one or not is another thing)

I believe that people have a right to their own opinion

I believe that couples should have regular date nights

I believe in happy socks (that is for esther filpus)

I believe in the magic of disneyworld

I believe that every child is precious

I believe in drama and theater

I believe that God has left us so much to enjoy

Trick or Treat

Simone had a wonderful Trick or Treat season. The week before Halloween, our local zoo had their annual ZooBoo and we went. There were so many people. We spent about 1 1/2 hours going around to the different booths trick or treating.

Then on Halloween we went trick or treating with good friends. In our local town, they have trick or treating in the afternoon on main street. It's a nice way to get people to come into different stores. There were about 40-50 stores involved and did Simone get a lot of candy. It was beautiful weather out. I was wearing a sweater and I got warm. It was a wonderful afternoon.

Simone is in the fireman's outfit and the other girls are her 3 friends. How fun!!!

Randomness

It's been awhile since I posted. October has flown by. I feel like I make breakfast and then it's time for bed and I head to the kitchen to make lunch for Michael for the next day and prepare Simone's school snack. We had our first parent teacher conference with this years teacher and I'm thrilled to report that Simone is doing Very Well. A parent always wants to hear that. River seems to be trying a new food each day. It's hard not to let him try what we are eating. He now loves, cottage cheese, popcorn, broccoli (that's a good one) and there's so many more.
I've been spending a lot of time on facebook; more than I should. I like seeing what people are up to, what people are feeling. It's helpful to know that you aren't the only one out there who is exhausted, has a dirty kitchen, has laundry piling up and just wishes for some quiet.
Wanted to give a shout out to my mom. My mom doesn't get on computers, she's not a big fan, so this shout out will go out to the void for anyone who wants to know. My mom has been a big help this past year with the kids. My mom takes them both for most of the day on Wednesdays for me....this gives her grandma time and gives me time to run errands and have a clean house for 1 day. Sometimes I get called into sub and her watching the kids allows me to keep my hand in teaching, which I love. My mom also watches them on Friday nights so Michael and I can have a date....what a treat. . Right now Michael is working two jobs and we don't see as much of him. We jam pack our weekends with family time and if Michael can, he leaves early from his day job on Thursdays and we have some family time before he goes to his 2nd job. Hopefully this will only be temporary.
Simone is going to be in the kids christmas choir at church and we've been listening to the cd everyday trying to memorize the words. I've got the songs down, hope she will soon.
I'm trying to squirrel away money so that Michael Simone and I can do an overnight in chicago for New years. Michael and I always go away for new years and last year we took simone and she had a blast. With money being tighter for everyone this year, we don't know if we'll make it, but we are going to try!!!! :D
The kids are healthy...PTL and we have so much to be thankful for.
Hope you have a great day all of you who take time to read.

Capturing the time while I can.

Here's my little guy at about 16 months. I'm looking down at him now, but I realize that in a few years I'll be looking up to him. I'm guessing he'll be about the same height as Michael 6'3". River enjoys jumping right now and does quite well at it. He also likes to dance. I'm so thankful for my little River.

Fort Wayne Zoo

Michael and I had planned for a couple of weeks to take Simone to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. We saw on the weather forecast that it was supposed to rain on the day we had planned to go. We looked for alternatives should the zoo be rained out. We found a children's science museum in Fort Wayne so we were set, we'd visit one and our day wouldn't be ruined. When we got to Fort Wayne it was a little misty/drizzly so we went to the Science Museum....it was nice for older kids, but not enough stuff for kids Simone's age. We decided to leave after 1 hour even though we had paid to get in. Off to the zoo we went, sprinkling and all. We had free admission to the zoo since we have a zoo membership at our local zoo. The Zoo was wonderful and we had it all to ourselves. It sprinkled on and off, but we had a wonderful time. Since it was near the end of the zoo season, and because it was raining, some of the exhibits and rides were closed. Simone did get to ride the carousel (the only passenger). We especially liked the rainforest walk, the red pandas, the orangutans and the seals. We will definitely go back in the spring hopefully when the weather is nice and all the rides are open.