Disneyland Here We Come!!

Well, we're headed to California tomorrow. While we're there we'll hit the beach, Disneyland, California Adventure and so much more. It's going to be a great trip... 4 adults and 6 kids (ages 2-6). I'm sure we'll have lots of laughing, plenty of crying and little sleep. Pray that we'll have a safe and happy trip.

I can't wait to share pictures and tell you all about it. See you in a few days!!

Love letters

Remember a few weeks ago I posted about my husband who loves me very much. Well, he's done it again. Here's a letter he wrote me last week...

Stacey,
I know I don't have tell you, but I want to. I seldom write you notes anymore, so here goes. You are so incredible. I don't know how you do everything: raise our boys, keep the house up, do daycare, stay in touch with everyone, work at church. Holy Cow - no wonder you get tired sometimes. Plus, I am always amazed at how you bargain shop. I've bragged about that to more than one person. And I know if I have a problem, you always have a different perspective that opens my eyes and I say "Why couldn't I see that?" If it wasn't for you, my life would be dull and uneventful. You make me laugh, you make me smile, you brighten my day. I don't deserve you = and yet there you are waiting for me everyday when I come home from work. I love working with you. I love living with you. I love being with you. I just love you!
Jeff


Doesn't that just melt your heart? Isn't he so sweet??

My sweet little niece

Don't you just love a big wet kiss?

Can we say princess?

It's so fun to have a girl in the family!!

Hey, I'm the princess around my house, right??

I have to start by saying Happy 2nd Birthday Sarah!!
(I know it's a couple days early but I couldn't resist)

I'll start by saying that on my husband's side we thought we were destined to have all boys!!
For years we kept having boys.
In fact, Sarah is the youngest of six grandkids and the only little girl!!
It's all exciting and new as we watch her grow.
She is a one of a kind girl!
Very much into fashion, shoes, purses and hair!
She's a little girl who knows what she wants and usually gets it!
And with 3 big brothers and 2 older cousins, she's going to have lots of protection!!

Last night she did something that shocked us all...
Just hop over to my sister-n-law's blog to check it out!!

How big of a nerd are you??

Okay, so I'm not that big of a nerd.
I'm sure my husband and his brother will score way higher than me : )
Take the test and then leave your score in my comment section!!

Weighing in - Part 2

Okay so I posted 25 days ago about loosing weight and my goal being 10 pounds by the time we left for vacation. I'm here to update you and tell you how I've been doing. A good friend contacted me after that post and asked if we could be accountability partners. I thought it was a great idea and we started emailing each other every night with what we had eaten and what we had excercised. It worked out really well and kept both of us on track. Actually she did a little better than me but who's counting, right?

So with 14 days left until we leave for vacation... I have lost 5 pounds!! I'm very proud of myself at this point. I know I still need to loose 5 more to meet my short term goal and 15 more to meet my long term goal but I'm pretty excited that I've come this far!!

Keep praying for me that I will be able to stay motivated and keep working towards my goals!!

Tour of Homes

I was supposed to post about this on Friday and almost forgot...
Tour of blogs happening on July 28th.
For more info hop on over to Boomama's blog and read up on the details.
Sounds like it's going to be a fun time.

Can't wait to see all of your homes!!

Some Gave All

In memory of Marine Lance Cpl. Eric J. Orlowski.

26, of Buffalo, New York. Killed by an accidental discharge of a .50 cal machine gun in Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC. Died on March 22, 2003.

Lance Cpl. Eric Orlowski was a proud Marine, but above all he was a proud father of his 3 year old daughter, CamerynLee. "He was always there for his daughter, and he lover her more than anything," said Nicole Kross, the child's mother, herself and Air Force Reservist.

Orlowski was separated from his wife, but their daughter kept them close. He sent Kross letters from overseas, the last saying he was headed for Iraq. “I don’t think he was scared,” Kross said. “The thing he feared most was leaving his daughter.”

His daughter Cameryn, 3, last talked to her father just 18 hours before he was killed. During that last conversation, Orlowski told her that when he came home, he would take her to Disney World.

I want to take this time to say thank you to this fallen soldier and to his family. I also pray for this family as they remember their loved one. Your sacrifices will never be forgotten!!

What a great husband

I've got a great husband! On Tuesday night he watched the boys while I went to the hospital and visited my sister and mom. He never even made me feel guilty for leaving.

Then on Wednesday night he let me go hang out with a friend. We got pedicures, chinese take-out and went back to her place to watch a movie. What a relaxing night off.

He watches the kids for me whenever I ask and hardly ever asks for anything in return. What a great guy, huh?

Honey, if you're reading this... I love you!!

Nosey Neighbors

Were you wondering where I've been? It's been very busy around here!!

Anyway, onto a story about people who put their noses where they don't belong. Last week I got a note on my door from a city codes officer. The note said someone complained about my day care operation. I talk with someone the next day to find out if I was in violation of codes and they said as far as they knew, I was in complete compliance with all the codes. I was so relieved!!

The next day I went next door to apologize to the neighbors and let them know I was sorry for anything I had done that offended them. I just really felt God was saying I should take that step to clear the air. I spoke with the neighbor who I assumed wouldn't call the city and she confirmed. She said she would take one guess as to who it was, confirming my suspicions.

I stopped by the other neighbor's home and they didn't answer the door. Later that night I tried again but they must not have been home. The next day I stopped by and was talking with the wife and daughter. The wife said she had no idea why someone would do that and she couldn't believe someone would have a problem with us because we were such good neighbors. As I'm talking the little girl interrupts and says "I think Daddy called. I'm pretty sure Daddy knows about this." The Mom looked absolutely shocked at what the daughter was saying.

At this point I can hear the Dad upstairs yelling and asking who's at the door with some not so great language. Now I'm a member of the family-friendly blogroll so I won't tell you word for word what he said because it wasn't appropriate for children. He came down and said "Why the heck are you asking us about it? Did they tell you it was me? Why are you singling us out like this? This is crazy. I've had enough, I'm going back upstairs!"

I'm not sure about you but the daughter saying what she did and the Dad acting like a jerk pretty much confirms it for me!! I just hope it didn't cause too much of an issue between the Mom and Dad. Plus, I hope the little girl doesn't get in trouble for speaking up.

Anyway, I feel good now at least knowing that I made my peace with all of them. Hopefully nothing else will come of it.