another year older

This past Saturday i turned 29 (for the 4th time)! My birthday has always been a big deal seeing as half of my family was born in march! When i was younger we would pick a day and have one big crazy family party. As i got older we got to pick what we wanted to do. But we would also end up spending the whole month celebrating. Now that i am older and married The birthday month has just become the birthday weekend.

The one things i have always looked forward to is the birthday call from my dad, but even that has changed and i would get upset when it did not happen, kinda like how he used to spend me flowers for valentine's day but now i am just over it. No need to make a big fuss about it for it is what it is. I have always realized that the day not matter so when the call comes, its just another reason to celebrate and it extends the celebration. While talking with my Grandma the other, she told me how amazed that she was that i could always find the silver lining in any situation good or bad. I told her that its because she taught me right, for life happens and there is no need to cry over spilled milk.

The best thing to do when one is having a bad day is to smile and try to find the good in it for finding the good makes any bad day just a bit better and finding a reason to smile always makes one feel a bit more happy!

Cows, MooMoos, and whatever E says!

This has been such a fun weekend! Friday was awesome getting to spend time with old friends and having yummy eats along with an awesome party!

this weekend brought into focus how amazing my friends and family are! Its such a blessing having this amazing support group and makes days like today not as sad as they once were. For while its my Mum's life day, its also Arkey's death day. In years past it would be a happy and sad day but i have learned over the years that while sad and its ok to be sad, he would want us to be happy and celebrate life. For that is what he brought, with a smile and a laugh. So this year is the year not to make a big deal about this, to acknowledge what day it is and to remember the good times.

He is looking down on us and smiling at the people we have become, he is there with us for the big and small moments in life.

12 years ago

please say a prayer for the familes of the Columbia 7!

"My fellow Americans, this day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our country. At 9 o'clock this morning, Mission Control in Houston lost contact with our space shuttle Columbia. A short time later, debris was seen falling from the skies above Texas. The Columbia's lost. There are no survivors.

Onboard was a crew of seven -- Colonel Rick Husband, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson, Commander Laurel Clark, Captain David Brown, Commander William McCool, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon a colonel in the Israeli air force.

These men and women assumed great risk in this service to all humanity. In an age when space flight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook the dangers of travel by rocket and the difficulties of navigating the fierce outer atmosphere of the earth.

These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them willingly, knowing they had a high and noble purpose in life. Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more.

All Americans today are thinking, as well, of the families of these men and women who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You're not alone. Our entire nation grieves with you. And those you loved will always have the respect and gratitude of this country.

The cause in which they died will continue. Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on.

In the skies today, we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see, there is comfort and hope.

In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

The same creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth, yet we can pray that all are safely home.

May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America."

Statement To The Nation By President George W. Bush
1 February 2003

2014, its the perfect blend of new and old.

This has been such a crazy year as it saw lots of changes the biggest being the move to Cali. Still can't believe that its almost been a year, sometimes it seems like it was only yesterday that we arrived. The most amazing thing about the move has been the growth of friends and faith. This year alone i have seen Esa 3 times, which i believe may be a record and I have talked to my dad more. I have found a church that i really feel like i can call home. I have an amazing circle of friends out here and i am still able to keep in close contact with my east coast friends and family. 

here are some highlights of the past year :

Good-bye FL!

Hello Cali!

East Coast on the West Coast!

New and old friends!

Gals Night!

Lots of late night Game nights!

a visitor all the way from the East Coast!

Its been a great year, looking forward to the new Adventures in
2015!

That Christmas feeling

So excited for over the weekend and with the help of Cali mum and dad we got the lights on the tree and a tree skirt! Next weekend we should be getting the ornaments and tree topper! Also excited for Chloe Ianto decided on her own to prose by the tree long enough for a pic to be taken. She hates having her pic taken, she must be feeling the christmas spirit too!

In other Christmas news Esa should be here soon! As each day goes by its starting to feel more and more like the Holidays! 

Its starting to look like Christmas!

Christmas time is my fav time of year, love all the good cheer and family time! This year is going to be different but still fun! This will be my first Christmas in Cali and while i am looking forward to starting new traditions with Froggy i am going to be missing my FL family! Its going to be funny not have Christmas Eve movie marathon with K and P. Its going to be funny not going and see the Christmas lights with Linds and having our Christmas at Estreet, or seeing Mouse and Monkey open there gifts! But thankful there will be pics and videos!

I am looking forward to seeing how Christmas is done Cali style and it will be fun for E will be in the same state seeing her Family, so if it all works out she and I shall get to see each other! Nelly and his gal will be coming up from LA over Christmas weekend and its always fun when they are in town for the Cali Family is complete. It will also be fun to see what the Cali Crew does. This should be a Christmas to remember!

My life with Bells (happy 21st birthday sis)

Tomorrow or today (12/2) depending on when you are reading this is my sisters birthday! So i thought that it would be fun to highlight some moments in our lives!

In Chicago on our to a Notre Dame Game

Helping me into my dress!