Happy Anniversary

Its our anniversary today.  We will be spending today as any other normal day of the week.  I am visiting my MIL this afternoon.  Then off to pick up fundraiser stuff for Alanna's T-Ball, and then Free skate at our local roller rink.  Tonight will be homemade pizza for dinner and later I will probably fall asleep on the couch.

But come Saturday..Saturday the kids are each staying with a family member OVER NIGHT.  Can you tell I am excited for this.  Ben has NEVER stayed the night away from me before and Alanna hasn't since she was a baby.  We have some shopping planned dinner and a movie and then who knows what.

What I do know is that this night is very much needed.  Chris and I focus on the kids so much during our everyday, that we need some ALONE time to focus on each other.

I love my husband more now than the day we married.  I have a new found respect towards him since he lost his job last winter and worked so very hard to find ways to support his family.  We are back on track and still loving every minute of it.  Our life is no where near perfect, but its a good life and we are so blessed.

Happy Anniversary honey, I love you!

Its better than a toaster

With my name being "different" I have a hard time finding it on personalized items. That is what started my love for all things personalized. I love having that special thing with my name on it and now that I have kids, their names too. When each child was born I would try to find something with their name on it for them to have as they grow up. Hannah is easy, and so is Ben, Alanna not so much due to the spelling we gave her. When Chris asked what I wanted for my birthday I didn't give it much thought. I actually told him I wanted a new toaster for the house. He said "no" try again. So this time I gave it some thought and I wanted something to represent my children, who most times of the day I love dearly, LOL. I started searching the etsy shops and found her, Jane Dawson. She had exactly what I was looking for. I choose the tiny tag 2 initial necklace with an extra charm. Ordering from Etsy is easy and so was telling Jane Dawson exactly what I wanted. She got it right on the first try. I received my necklace a couple days later and its great. I wear it everyday and no matter where I am I get compliments on how pretty and one of a kind it is.

The picture below is of my necklace, its a little blurry. My temporary camera would not capture it to my liking, but this will have to do. I tried for a picture of the back with the birthdays but it wouldn't work, but check out Jane Dawson and see for yourself. She is awesome.

*This is not a review post, I paid for this with my own money and it was a gift from my husband for my birthday, I just wanted to share how awesome I think my necklace is and how I think everyone should have one :)*

Happy Birthday Tammy, we LOVE you!

Me

I am a wife, a mom, a daughter, and a friend.
I am an aunt, and a sister.
I am a procrastinator, a good cook, and I like things to have places.
I am a yeller, and a cuddler, and a laugher.
I love rainy days, I like to read, and I hate the snow.
I like camping, and family vacations.
I have deep brown eyes, and currently have black hair.
I love my husband and feel I am overly blessed to have my 3 children.
Today I am 28.

Happy Anniversary

I never had no one

I could count on

I've been let down so many times

I was tired of hurtin'So tired of searchin''

Til you walked into my lifeIt was a feelin'

I'd never knownAnd for the first time

I didn't feel alone

You're more than a lover

There could never be another

To make me feel the way you do

Oh we just get closerI fall in love all over

Everytime I look at you

I don't know where I'd be

Without you here with me

Life with you makes perfect sense

You're my best friend

You're my best friend, oh yeah

You stand by me

And you believe in me

Like nobody ever has

When my world goes crazy

You're right there to save me

You make me see how much I have

And I still tremble

When we touch

And oh the look in your eyes

When we make love

You're more than a lover

There could never be another

To make me feel the way you do

Oh we just get closer

I fall in love all over

Everytime I look at you

And I don't know where I'd be

Without you here with me

Life with you makes perfect sense

You're my best friend

You're my best friend

You're more than a lover

There could never be another

To make me feel the way you do

Oh we just get closer

I fall in love all over

Everytime I look at you

And I don't know where I'd be

Without you here with me

Life with you makes perfect sense

You're my best friend

You're my best friend (my best friend)

You're my best friend (my best friend)

By: Tim McGraw

Album: A Place in the Sun

I Love You!

out of control obsession

Dear Edward Cullen/Rob Pattinson,

I 1st have to say I am sorry you will have to wait for me just a little bit longer.
I am unable to make it to the 12:01 premiere of Twilight tonight, because I must sleep. I can barely stay awake past 10 these days and I am up at 6:30 for school with my 8 year old. I am not a happy person without sleep unlike you, who is perfect without sleep.

Please try to understand that I really do care and right now you are my #1 celebrity boyfriend. My husband lets me have just one, and you are tops right now. And please don't stray away, for I have one more piece of bad news. I cannot make it to the movies until Saturday because said husband has to work and I must enjoy you with no kids around, no distractions. I know stupid work, but us small town folks need the paycheck and therefore must work a standard job.

Edward, please understand I will be there this weekend, I promise. I must be part of the money earned for the opening weekend so the next 3 books will also be made into brilliant movies and we can share more time together. Just me and you and millions of other screaming fans. You see, the day that I come doesn't matter, what matters is that I will come. So for now please "Look after my heart, for I have left it with you."

With love
Tasha

27 years

Today is my birthday. I really enjoy my birthdays because it is my day to feel special about me. This year I am 27. Some may say that is still young, others may say old, but to me its an odd age. Its odd in the sense that in 3 short years I will be 30, and that sort of scares me..Its odd because when I was younger (16) I remember thinking 27 was so old and mature. But I don't feel old and mature. I know thats funny to say since I am about to have my 3rd child this Friday, but sometimes I still feel so young and that I have nothing to offer the adult world or even my children. Sometimes I feel people look at me like I am still a child and I have so much to prove to them.

Then I wisen up and realize I have nothing to prove. I am a college graduate, I have 2 (soon to be 3) children who are bright, amazing and well behaved (most of the time) in public. I have an amazing husband and a beautiful home. I have a great job and my family needs for nothing. I am proud of who I am and who I have become. I can only think more positive things are to come in my future as I grow as a person a mother and as a woman...Maybe looking forward to 30 isn't so bad.

What ever age you may be, we should never take it for granted because its the 1st and last time we will see this age in ourselves and we should embrace it. Heres to making year 27 the best year it can be...Filled with an awesome family and great friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO....ME!

Happy Anniversary

On this date 1 year ago, I was shaking and reminding myself to breathe. I was looking into his eyes and thinking to myself how did I got so lucky? Here he is and he loves me and my daughter and we now share another beautiful little girl together. I was holding his hands feeling him tremble and it dawned on me that no matter what the future held for us, we would be in it together and I no longer had to worry or fear what the future may bring. He was there, in this moment sharing the fears, and excitement along with me. Then we said I do and finalized our love in front of all our friends and family and made it offical, I became his wife and he became my husband and we joined our family in the eyes of God.

This is the song Chris and I danced to on our wedding night. We both feel that this describes us perfectly. Neither of us claims to be perfect, but we work off each other and when one is having a bad day the other is there.

You Save me, Kenny Chesney

Every now and then I get a little lost

The strings all get tangled

The wires all get crossed

Every now and then I’m right upon the edge

Danglin’ my toes out over the ledge

I just thank God you’re here

(Chorus)-['Cause] when I’m a bullet shot out of a gun

['Cause] when I’m a firecracker comin’ undone
When I’m a fugitive ready to run

All wild-eyed and crazy

No matter where my reckless soul takes me

Baby you save me

It’s hard lovin’ a man

That’s got a gypsy soul

I don’t know how you do it
I’m not sure how you know

The perfect thing to say

To save me from myself

You’re the angel that believes in me

Like nobody else

And I thank God you do

(Chorus)

Well I know I don’t tell you nearly enough

I couldn’t live one day without your love
When I’m a ship tossed around on the waves
Up on a high wire that’s ready to break

When I’ve had just about all I can take

Baby, you,Baby you save me

Chris, I love you, Happy Anniversary

(click for more of the pre/wedding pictures)

hair today, could be gone tomorrow

I've been letting my hair grow for the last couple of years and the last time it was cut was before my wedding almost exactly 1 year ago today. It is in some desperate need of TLC. I'm not sure if I want to continue with the long hair, get it trimmed or cut shorter. So I turn to you...What do you think should be done with my hair? here is a recent picture of my hair...its really long.

memories for a lifetime

Well we made it home. We got home last night about 5:30pm and was exhausted. The girls were so good in the car, that Chris and I have decided to make this Florida trip a once a year deal. The girls, Chris and I had a blast. There really are no words to describe the memories we made along the way and the gleam in both girls eyes in the adventures we took them on. We took more than 200 pictures and about 2 hours worth of video. The pictures are up here, and please forgive me for not putting them up here, but it took over 3 hours to get them upload to Flickr, and I am so tired. I am so happy we decided to drive, thanks to everyone who encouraged us to do so. You were all right, Once in a lifetime memories that we made as a family
We headed out on Wednesday at 5:45am and made it to North Carolina to visit with my Uncle, Aunt and Grandma. We stayed the night and started our trip again at 5:15 Thursday morning. We made it to my moms house around 6:00. Friday we headed for the beach in New Smyrna and never stopped from there. My mom and stepdad took us to a restaurant full of seafood, more for Chris than me, but I did try a crab stuffed mushroom for the first time. (When it comes to seafood, I am a little chicken to try it all, but slowly I am coming around). The restaurant was right on the water and when I say right on the water, it was running under our table as we ate on the deck of the restaurant. The view was amazing..Don;t ya know this was the only time I left my camera in the car...Shame on me. Saturday, we headed to the pool and swam a bit and then to Downtown disney we went. Seeing all the sites and Lego city, that was pretty cool too. If you don;t know Downtown Disney is more for adults, but they do have some fun kids stuff, like Goofys Candy store...HOLY COW, Keep me away from this store, please. The cookies were double the size of my hands, the chocolate covered strawberry was gourmet and the chocolate covered pretzels with m&m, peanuts and sprinkles would just melt in your mouth. Oh and lets not forget about the GIANT Carmel, chocolate butter finger dipped apple I had to have. That didn't last to long despite the size, good thing I'm pregnant or I would have been in big trouble.
Sunday we headed bright and early to Disney World. This was awesome. Hannah and Alanna both enjoyed it so much. We didn't get to do everything, but the important stuff like meeting Mickey and Minnie were first off our lists. Chris and Hannah rode some rides and even Alanna got in on some of the action. We seen attractions and ate, ate, ate. Popcorn and ice cream taste so much better at Disney :). We seen the parade, and skits, and many more characters along the way. We tired to see everything, and I thing we did an okay job of it. We didn't go in every building or on every ride, but what we did do was all the best in our books.
Monday we sort of relaxed, we went to the pool while Chris slept...He was prepping for our long ride home. We left at 9pm after many tears and hugs from my mom and stepdad. Well the tears came from me, Hannah and my mom. We had such a great time, and didn't want to return to reality. I missed my mom so much, before we made the trip down to Florida and the time they showed us was amazing and wonderful. We just didn't want to leave. Hannah and I sniffled about 10 more miles down the road and then reality did set in and we prepared for the car ride. We drove all night and and all day and finally made it home. I did shed a little tear when we came home but thats only because it was SO DAMN COLD, and the weather we left was dream like...80s all week long. The Michigan weather will put you in your place every time.

Like I said out trip was amazing and there really is no other words to describe it. Thanks to my mom and stepdad for showing us a GREAT time and cannot wait to do it again next year with the baby. Hopefully we can hang on to some of this fun until then. I am so greatful Chris and I were able to do this for our family and even though Alanna is only 2, I know these memories will stay with her and Hannah for the rest of their lives. Oh and I think baby boy had a great time to. Every once in a while he would kick and tell me he liked what we were doing...
PS be sure to chek out the pictures..they tell the trip so well.

Must have done something right

My stepdad called me this morning around 6:15 asking if I was awake..Oh how soon they forget that just because the weather is warm in Florida does not mean its warm up north. It snowed last night, alot. To much for me to drive the 40 miles I drive to work everyday. I tried to get back to sleep, but I was not the only one who heard the phone. Next thing I know both girls are up and really to play...How at 6:30 in the morning I have no idea.
The reason for the call so early, I can imagine is that he was excited. He gets like that sometimes..Like Alanna going down the toy isle at the store or Hannah when she is allowed to so anything she isn't normally allowed to do..My stepdad moved to Florida with my mom in August...well he was down there a little bit sooner, He goes to a college called Full Sail. Its a techie type of school and way to hard for me to explain....maybe along the line of ITT, but I'm not completely sure about that. He likes to use us, his kids for some of his projects...A couple of months ago he took pictures of my step sisters and "cleaned" them up on the computer and they looked really good. In his old school he had to make a small film or something like that and Hannah was in it..So when he was given his last project, I guess he thought it was due time to use me...so I wouldn't feel left out of course. Where am I? Oh right, he was very excited this morning and had me go to his blog, yes he has a blog too. Then he had me view this video...Don't you just LOVE IT. I do. It was well worth the wait. So tell me what do you think?

Day 22, finally

I FINALLY put the circus pictures on flickr. Check them out, there pretty neat. There are also some pictures of the decorations from Alanna's birthday party. I used balloons to make ice cream cones for the them of her party. I think they turned out pretty cute, if I might so say myself. Here are a few that couldn't wait to be seen.....

I always tease, and say that no matter where we go we are a traveling circus, this just proves me right. I love my circus family!

If you want to compare, check out the circus set on flickr. Its from last year and this year.

I have one more picture to scan in..its of the family on a tiger, a fake one of course. But the scanner is unhooked. It will come soon. (I hope)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, hope you share all your goods times with friends and family!

dentist, day 3

Today Hannah and I went to the dentist. Usually when you say the word Dentist, some people will cringe. Not me. I love going to the dentist. Mainly because my mom used to work there for almost 20 years and everyone there is awesome. I for some reason was blessed with great teeth, never having a cavity or needed any work except for braces when I was like 10..When I get my teeth cleaned, the doctor/dentist will come in and praise me and tell me what beautiful teeth I have. He even has went as far as telling me I have model teeth and its a pleasure when I come in, hehe.
Today was no different for me, Its about 10-15 minutes of the hygenist, hygienist, hygen-whatever to look at my teeth and tell me everything was great, then the dentist comes in and says pretty much the same. Then it was time for Hannah. She has also been blessed for the time being with good teeth, except she needs braces, and in my opinion almost the sooner the better. Well today they finally decided to make an appt for Hannah to have an orthodontic consultation. Thats great in my opinion, however now it makes me a little nervous because braces are not covered under my dental insurance, and that A LOT of $$$ out of pocket. I don't think I would let her have braces just quite yet, even though I know she needs them, but she is only 7..maybe in a couple of years..I guess I should use that time to save some money, anyone want to start donations????

TIRED

Well the baby shower was a success. I was so TIRED by the end of the day, I could hardly move. Tammy and Kyle got so many GREAT things, it took her like an hour or more to open all the presents. If you want to see all the boring details click here. (If not really thats okay, I put them on flickr for my mom to see.)

I do want to show you the blanket I made for Kylee. (first pic)I also made T shirts. Well Chris and I did. He helped design them. We made some for Matthew too, but I couldn't show the pics until I had given them to Tammy at her baby shower. We also made some for Alanna. Its my new favorite thing to do, besides the blankets. We have the Gators shirt. We found the logo and ironed it on, my mom found the booties in Florida and sent them to me to surprise my brother (He is a HUGE Gators fan), Gobble Gobble for Thanksgiving ( both babies and Alanna), I'm 2 (Alanna) and then Boo for Matthew and Alanna. On the right we have the bottom of the Gators on the butt, and then shirts for Kylee. Matthew got some personalized ones too. His last name is Beach, so we had Son of a BEACH and also BEACH BUM, (they were cute, but I forgot the pics). Oh what would be complete with out showing the cake and the letters her momma made her. We founbd these at Joann Fabrics for .99 cents plus the paint. Tammy painted and put the polka dots on them...SO CUTE!

I took Alanna to the doctors today. She had an early stage ear infection and was givn an antibiotic and some cough medicine. The doctor wants her to see an ENT doctor for an ear/hearing check up because it seems Alanna has had a pretty busy history of earaches and she wants the fluid checked..Shes thinking maybe tubes. She said this could be causing her slight speech delay, if she has fluid its harder for her to hear and then harder for her to pronounce the words. I'm supposed to make an appt in about a week, once her cold starts to go away. I'll keep you updated.

I've got the blues

The last couple of days have been pretty hard for me. I know that I've mentioned that Chris and I are trying for another child. Well, we are and its taking a little longer than we thought. Its only been maybe 2 or 3 months of trying, but when you've never had to try before it can be frusterating. Let me explain...I was 18 when I got prego with Hannah and not exactly in the lets have a baby frame of mind. I did and its been great but rough. Then with Alanna, Chris I were together, yes, but not ready to be married and not planning on adding to our already crazy lives. Well I got pregnant and here comes Alanna. Now we are married and stable, we have our home and ready to add to it. I don't really know how long it has taken me to get pregnant or if I ever had any problems because we have never exactly planned before...See?
My body is on a very regular schedule and has never been off. This past week I was late..about 7 days late, we got excited. Then when I least expected, I started my period. It was pretty hard to realize that again this month I am still not pregnant. I know it is still early but holding my new nephew on Friday made it all more real, and I'm still waiting for my little neice to get here in Novemeber. I know when the right time comes, Chris and I will have another baby, but for now my heart still hurts. hearing about everyone on the internet and in real life announcing their news pains just a little more. I am excited for everyone don't get me wrong, I just can't wait for my day to come...

With being a little blue over the weekend, I think I might have ate a little too much...I guess we will see on Wednesday...wish me luck and weight loss!

Brianne

Here are the rules:

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.



2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.



3. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.





B is for bossy. Because yes, I try to be the boss of everything



R is for repeater. I am constantly having to repeat myself in this house. It seems anything I say the 1st time is never heard.



I is for inspiration. I hope that I can one day be an inspiration for my children and the people around me.



A is for angel, because that is how I feel about both my girls. They are angels straight from god himself.



N is for neat freak. I'm kinda funny on my obsessions. I like everything to look neat and clean, but it doesn't really have to be



N is for nervous. Anytime Chris or the girls are not with me, I am constantly hopeing that they are okay and nothing bad happens to them.



E is for entertaining. I try my hardest to keep the girls evtertained, even if it means I lose some of my self respect...I guess thats what being a mom is all about!

baby shower

Saturday was my brother in law and wifes baby shower. It was for my nephew Matthew who should be here by the end of Septemeber. It was an outside co-ed babyshower and we had such a good time. The theme of the shower was a Beach theme and the set up was the cutest I've seen yet. They got so many nice things, and it makes me long for a baby boy of my own so bad. Of course I had to make a blanket and it turned out great. Baby Matthew room is in aqua and teal with an underqwater theme...His mommy helped pick this out. Of course now outing would be complete without a picture of Chris and I.

And then there are pictures of Chris and the girls playing..I was taking the pictures.

We all had a really good time. I love outings when we get to be with the family and not have to worry about anything else. Thanks Mike and Lisa for the wonderful time...Can't wait to meet my new baby nephew...

date/party night

Okay, on to the date night Chris and I had last Saturday. It took so long, because I am lazy and had not uploaded the pictures yet, and what fun is a story of drinking without pictures. It was called an appreciation party, and boy was it fun! The house were the party was, was about an hour and a half away. We drove in a small motor home that was one of Chris' friends that he works with. It was Chris and I, Corey and his wife Jessica. We were pretty laid back on the way there. We pull up into this HUGE house and yard. We get out and they already have strawberry daiquiris waiting for us. There was every kind of drink you could ask for, and food galore. We took tons of pictures, but half didn't turn out, since obviously a bunch of drunk people cannot control a camera.

Me, Chris and Corey (very mature adults here)

Jessica and me

There may have been 1 or 12 or 48

of these in the cooler we brought

and there definitely was a little bit of this

Don't worry we were all responsible adults and everyone had a DD or stayed the night. The house where the party was, previously belonged to a doctor who was a massive paranoid person, and the house actually had 2 panic rooms hidden. It was awesome. The rooms are hidden behind mirrors in the 2 of the bedroom closets and could only be opened with a magnet key. There was a DJ, and lots of dancing. We kinda had our own party going on in the camper, and as everyone made their rounds they eventually found their way back to us. It was a fun night.

Good times

We had a really busy weekend. Our county fair was in town and we took the girls down to check it out. This year they are really family orientated and the girls had a blast. Check out the pictures below.

On Sunday, Lindsey and I met for lunch. We had a great time catching up and Lindsey is just wonderful. I can't believe we waited this long to get together again. We will not wait this long again...I left Alanna home with her daddy so I added a few extra pics of her so she wouldn't feel left out, hehe.

fun day

I played hookie from work yesterday and took the girls for a fun day out. My neighbor has a daughter Hannah's age and then an older daughter who is 15. My neighbor and I get a long really great and decided to take all the kids to McDonalds to play..We enjoyed lunch, and I surprised myself while we were there...I am a big fan of the Big Mac, but I stuck to my points and only got a hamburger happy meal with a diet coke. I still came in under my points for the entire day..I have never been this motivated before and I feel really good about it. next we took all the girls to the library. Now here is where I admit I am a horrible mother and have never taken my girls to the library before...Hannah had a great time, she picked out 2 books. Amelia Bedilia, and Junie B Jones (thanks Lindz for the help). Remember Amelia Bedilia? I read her as a kid and its so sweet to see Hannah interested in her now. The Junie B Jones bools was recommend last year my Lindsey and I had to call her to remember the book titles...if you have young school aged kids theses books are great, they are written the same way Hannah talks like a 6 or 7 year old is writing the story, Hannah read the 1st 20 pages while we were in the library. I am so proud. I picked the 1st harry potter book, because I am finally ready to see what all the fuss is about. Please don't hurt me for never reading a HP book or watching the movie. We finished the day off with a soak in the pool. After all the kids were in bed, my neighbor and I went back in the pool and exercised for about an hour and a half.wow, it felt so good. All in all I had a great day spending time with my girls just having fun. Not having to worry about cleaning the house or running errands. I just wish we could enjoy more days like that.

I didn't know it was this hard

I was a single mom with Hannah for 3 1/2 years before Chris and I got together. I had to learn to take both the mom and dad roles. I had to learn how to take control of mine and hers life and make all the decisions. The roles never changed much when Chris and I got together because I was never sure if things were gonna work out with us just dating.
Then I got pregnant with Alanna and and all of a sudden some of my parenting responsibilities were being shared with another person. It was a new concept and it was hard to adjust and still is at times.
When Chris asked me to marry him, I started on trying to let some control go because this man was going to be my husband now. Its a strange feeling releasing the control that you have had for 5 years and allowing someone else to share it with you. I don't know why I thought marriage wold be such an easy transition. Here's what I mean.
Chris and I meet in 2002 from friends, he was with another girl and so I never gave another thought of us being together. About a year later Chris and I met again and this time he was single and so was I. Over time Chris and I started to talk more between just us and didn't need our friends to be there. We started dating and a couple months later Chris moved in with Hannah and me. It was kinda fast, but we really cared for each other, and it felt right. I still had the control over the house because it was "my" house. Chris always said it never felt like his house because he just moved in. Chris and I have lived together since January 2004. We bought a new house together last August, and I thought marriage would be an easy thing to adjust to, but I'm soon finding out that it is not.
Its different. He is no longer mt boyfriend, he is my husband and I am his wife. With that title comes a whole new load of responsibility. I'm having a hard time adjusting to being married. Allowing him to make some decisions that will impact us as a family, and sometimes I am scared if I let him make a choice, it may be the wrong one and I will blame him, versus me making a bad choice and only having myself to blame. Did anyone else have this problem? Is there something wrong with our marriage? I love Chris, but I find it hard sometimes to agree with his decisions and wondering if I made a mistake in letting go of my control of the situation. Its only been 2 months since the wedding, are we going to make to 20 years? Longer?