Valentine's Day Extravaganza (Best Date)

Today over at http://www.fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/ is Day #2 of Valentines Day Exravanganza. The topic is Best date. Enjoy!

Oh my goodness.....so many to choose from! Most of these pictures/dates are pre-kiddos but that's just when we could move around easier. We still have some pretty fun dates now too!

I mentioned yesterday that one of my most memorable dates was a September 11th tribute. It was very moving and interesting. We got to see the Marine Corps silent drill and the Marine Corp band. It was so very neat!

Another date that stands out to me was when we went to see "Riverdance." We had such a great time and it was the first time any guy had actually taken the time to pick something more "feminine" for a date, plan it, and surprise me with it!

As a surprise, Ben's uncle took us for a one year anniversary ride in the helicopter over Milwaukee. It was so much fun to share that with Ben. (He is a Huey pilot for the Marine Corps.)

We did a "photo shoot" for my friend Dana's photography class. We were tired of smiling and GASP kissing at the end but we got some really awesome shots that became our engagment pictures! Ben was such a good sport about the whole thing and even got into doing some of the poses.

Ahhh.....when we lived out in San Diego, Ben humored me and took me to lots of "touristy" places. Sea World, Disneyland, the Zoo, the Wild Animal park, etc.

Here we are at Disneyland

The Wild animal park
Here we are in Puerto Rico.....we had MANY fun dates while we were here but I think that this was before the crazy "Starbucks" experience. (For those of you that know our funny story about that!)

Last year, we left the kids with my parents and went to Charleston, South Carolina. It was so nice to be just "us" again. We had some fun dates here but my favorite was going kayaking. I knew that Ben had been wanting to do it and we had such a great view of Charleston!

Now next will be some indoor rock climbing when we can get away again!

Reactions:

Day 98 of 365

Loving is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Reactions:

Valentine's Day Extravaganza (How we met)

Today, is "Tell me how you met your love..and/or your bestfriend" day!

Let's see how I first met Ben......I was at the tail-end of a bad relationship & struggling to figure out what I should do. (I knew that I needed to end it but you know how stubborn women can be!) My friend Heather invited me to go out with (and I quote) "a bunch of friends." I thought sure that sounds like fun! We were in Pensacola, Florida at the time and they frequently had free concerts in the park. I arrived with Heather to meet Ben and ONE of his friends. I was pretty mad at Heather because it seemed like a double date not the "group" hanging out as I had been lead to believe.

Anyway, Ben actually was there because he liked Heather! I saw Ben off and on over the next few weeks when we were out at different places. One night out on the beach, there was an interesting character that would not leave me alone. I saw Ben, took off running, jumped up to give him a big hug, & whispered,

"Will you pretend to be my boyfriend so this guy will leave me alone?"

Ben said, "Why don't you just tell him you have a boyfriend?"

I said, "Because I don't have a boyfriend anymore!"

We talked for awhile until that guy left. Ben eventually went back to hang out with his friends but came back before the night was over to invite me out boating the next day. I was not looking for a relationship at the time especially with a (GASP!?!?) Marine but it sounded like fun. That was the start of something wonderful! (even though it took me awhile to acknowledge it!)

My handsome fella at his first triathlon....no wonder he had me hooked from the start huh?!

Our first Marine Corp Ball in November 2003.

We had A LOT of fun and special dates but this one always stands out in my head. It was a September 11th tribute at the Pensacola Civic center.

After we eloped on December 31, 2003, we returned to the park where we first met for a photo op!
Check out Mama M. at http://www.fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/ for the rest of the information on Valentine's Day extravangza week!

Reactions:

Day 97 of 365

“Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror”
Byrd Baggett

Reactions:

Happy Birthday Hailey!

This is Kendall's BFF from church/MOPS/and sometimes babysitting at my house. Hailey had a princess party at McDonald's yesterday.

Sorry the pictures are such poor quality.....I had to use the camera phone!
Isaac even played a bit in the play area!

Reactions:

Day 96 of 365

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Anne Frank

Reactions:

5 Question Friday ummmmm....Saturday

1. What are you most afraid of? Well I am really not fond of spiders....But as far as true fear I really worry that either something will happen to my children or that something will happen to me. I know that I should not fear because it is all in God's hands but I do worry about that.....

2. Do you use a flat iron or curling iron? Neither.....naturally curly!

3. Hands-free or phone to the ear? Hands free please! I am too busy to be putting it to my ear!

4. Do you have a matching bedroom set? Yes in the fact that we have all black furniture except for my cedar chest (which is patiently waiting its overhaul) and my jewelry armorie. (When we eventually settle into our retirement/dream home after the military, I am hoping to have a closet big enough that those pieces of furniture can be in there anyway!)

5. Do you believe in the paranormal? No. I believe that you are either going to heaven to be with our Savior or you are going in the opposite direction. I pray for your sakes that you will be there in heaven!

For more 5 question Friday check out Mama M. at www.fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/

Reactions:

day 95 of 365

“Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.”
Eyemadreamer Keri Russell

Reactions:

Friday Fill-ins

And...here we go!

1. I know that life is just perfect!
2. December is the longest month. (even though it brings me great joy!)
3. You can't help but grin back at my son when he is being mischievous.
4. Another detachment for my hubby?!?; bring it on! (I'd rather him just go and get it over with.....grrr.....)
5. Where have you looked for a sewing station? (seriously I am trying to find one so that I can have things a bit more organized!)
6. Beth Moore's book "So long insecurity" is now available.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Kendall's open house at school and then small group (I am super bummed to be missing seeing Melissa and baby Sarah though!), tomorrow my plans include getting Ben's rim fixed on the car & going to Hailey's birthday party and Sunday, I want to relax with the kids after church and SS while daddy goes to his Super Bowl party!

Reactions:

Friday Flashback

Senior Prom 1995. I am the one in purple just in case you couldn't tell!
For more Flashback Friday check out Alicia at

Reactions:

Day 94 of 365

By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class. - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Reactions:

Week 14 of 52

Before a birthday party this past weekend

Check out Carin at http://wyomingbarnetts.blogspot.com/ for more on 52 weeks of fun!

Reactions:

Fun to look-up! Jamie

Go to www.urbandictionary.com/ and look up your first name! This is what mine came up with....

A sweet girl with a cheery disposition on life, love and friendship. A cute girl.
A girl who is intelligent, yet silly. A girl who is cold on the outside, yet warm and cuddly on the inside. A girl who tell her friends everything, yet she has many secrets hidden. A girl who is a great friend, yet a worthy advesary if you are not a friend of hers. A girl who is extremely sweet and innocent, yet she kicks someone's ass when necessary.
Jamie is awesome.
Someone who is hard to understand. She can be crazy, but her friends love her for that. Can have a bad temper but gets over it fast. Loves being random, is well liked.
Also, she is a shy person, and cares for many.

Reactions:

Best Friends....Kendall and Sutton

This is Kendall's best friend from pre-school. I hear about Sutton every M-W-F when I pick Kendall up from school. It is so much fun to see her forming relationships!

Sutton turned 4 and had a party this past weekend. Best of all this week her daddy came home from Afghanistan! What a great birthday present! Happy Birthday Sutton!

Kendall and Sutton Dancing




Kendall bowling at Sutton's birthday party this past Saturday

Reactions:

Day 93 of 365

“Only a life lived for others is a life worth while.”
Albert Einstein

Reactions:

Benny turns 33! (This actually happened on Monday!)

My hubby turned 33 on Monday. I would have posted something sweet to him but we have been so busy that I neglected him! We had a few friends over to celebrate with a piece of cake but kept it pretty low key.
Kendall helped blow out the candles.

Reactions:

Day 92 of 365

“Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so that we can see Life with a clearer view again.”
Alex Tan

Reactions:

Day 91 of 365

“Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.”
Kevin Arnold

Reactions:

Day 90 of 365

“The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.”
Tom Bodett

Reactions:

Day 89 of 365

“If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything.”
Win Borden

Reactions:

5 Question Friday ummmmm....Saturday

1. Would you ever vacation alone?
I scream YES!!! on certain days but will I ever really get to do it?!? (I am not sure.) I kind of feel like I would be letting my family down by experiencing new things without them so.....boy I am not doing a good job at answering this huh?!

2. Do you go the speed limit?
Most of the time since I had the kids yes. Long road trips I still go between 5 and 7 miles over. Bad girl!

3. Why did you start blogging/following blogs?
I started blogging in 2007 mostly because I was super frustrated with an old website that I had for family updates. I found that it was so easy and user friendly then I was hooked!

4. Where do you shop for yourself?
Snort! Hmmm.....now a days mostly Ross and Marshalls with a little Sears and JCPenney thrown in there. I used to love Anne Taylor loft and Express but now my body has changed a bit as well as what I have to spend!

5. What was the song that you danced your first dance with your spouse to at your wedding...or...what song would you like your first dance to be to?
We danced to "I will be here" by Steven Curtis Chapman. We both really love that song. Our other "special request" was "She thinks my tractor's sexy" by Kenny Chesney. (I know 2 totally opposite ends of the spectrum but......

For more on 5 question Friday check out Mama M at http://www.fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/

Reactions:

Day 88 of 365

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Sparrowrose Howard Thurman

Reactions:

Camera experts (I need your advice!!)

Hey photography, camera, picture lovers!
I need your advice......I am trying to save to buy a quality digital camera and would like your opinion on what you like best, quality, price, shooting capability, etc.....
I have looked at several different cameras but if you have any others that you like besides what I have listed let me know!
Thanks y'all!
P.S. I am looking for something that is easy to pick up and shoot quick shots of the kids, quality photos, but also with the ability to change out some settings so I am not just on the "auto" portion all the time!

The list so far.....
canon powershot sx20
nikon coolpix p90
olympus stylus sp-590
Pentax K-x Navy 12.4MP Digital SLR
Olympus Evolt E-620 Black 12.3MP DSLR

Reactions:

Friday Flashback

I am taking it WAY back to 1980 when my little sister Jen was born! How much times have changed! Here we are in 2007 ........

Head on over to Alicia at

for more on Flashback Friday!

Reactions:

Day 87 of 365

“Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.”

Reactions: