40th Celebration

Phil just turned 40!!!!  For anyone who knows him knows that throwing a party for him was a no-no but I didn't want to just let it pass without celebrating a milestone birthday!  So, in early October I started looking at Broncos tickets to see if I could get any close by.  I got an awesome deal at scorebig.com for the Broncos vs. Bengals in Cincinnati.  I purchased them, booked a hotel and then we gave them to him waaaaayyy early because the game was November 4 even though Phil's birthday wasn't until December. He was surprised and we began the countdown until we could go!  We left early afternoon on Saturday and drove to about an hour from Cincinnati to our hotel. We went out to eat, worked out and enjoyed the quiet of just the two of us!  Sunday morning we got up and ate an awesome breakfast at the hotel and then got ready to head out to the game.  Here we are in the lobby getting ready to leave. 

Here is Phil all dressed in his Broncos gear at the parking garage in Cincinnati.  For someone who does NOT like attention, this was not the outfit to wear!  He has had these pants for 20 years now and people behind us were reading them outloud and talking about how big of a fan he must be.

We hiked to the stadium and got there plenty early.  Lots of Colts jerseys there because of so many fans there to see Peyton Manning.  We were not far from the top of the stadium but it really didn't seem that far away and we could see the whole field really well! Here we are settled in and watching them warm up on the field.

As people filled in around us, we were surprised at all of the Broncos fans there.  We were surrounded by Bengals fans, including some VERY intoxicated college students beside us that were a bit chatty and some guys behind us who were very nice to us.  We also had some not-so-nice fans nearby...but it was all good since we won! HA! Here is the meeting of the captains for the coin toss.

Peyton warming up his arm just before kickoff, along with Stokely (14).

Halftime show was the University of Kentucky band.,.they were fairly good, but got boo'd...I guess because the University of Cincinnati is right there.

It was awesome to cheer for them live at the game.  Tricia was probably more vocal than Phil and the ladies in front of them didn't like it so much...but that's okay! Being at the game is such a different feeling from sitting at home in front of the tv.  Loved it!

Our Broncos gave us a bit of worry as the Bengals were making a come-back but they held on and clinched the win! 

As you can see, we stayed awhile after the game was over (the stands are nearly empty), but we figured why fight the huge crowd and we waited until all of the Broncos went to the locker room before leaving.  We were impressed to see Peyton Manning being the last one to the locker room and stopping at the tunnel to throw off his wristbands and towel to the crowds that were waiting for him to come through (both Colts and Broncos jerseys).

We were surprised at the time we made coming home and we actually made it home by about 9:30 PM. We had both taken the following day off assuming we would be home super late!  We had a blast celebrating a little early for Phil's 40th!  What a perfect way to spend it...next time we want to take the boys...they will LOVE it!  Happy 40th Phil!

Texting Thankfulness

Last night I was in a funk.  I was having a rough night and was simply grumpy.  I was taking it out on my family, which made me feel grumpier and the cycle continued.  I texted one of my dearest friends and told her I was having "a night"...basically whining to her.  After telling me she would pray she text again and said, "Let's text back and forth things we are thankful for."  Let me tell you that my physical pain and frustrations did not change as the night went on, but my attitude sure did.  Honestly, I write down 3 things every day that show God's blessings in my life...but this "text-a-thon" was an amazing experience. 
I just wanted to share some of the things that we found we are thankful for.  Hopefully my sweet friend doesn't mind me sharing her thankfulness.

1. The sun today (Thursday) 2. A home to live and work in 3. Healthy children
4. A busy body 4 yr old who is "helping" me clean kitchen and load dishwasher (hmmm...that one was mine if you couldn't guess!) 5. Sweatpants and t-shirts  6. Plumbing! 7. Slippers  8. Coffee
9. The mute button on TV;s to block campaign ads!  10. Fingernail polish  11. Football 12. Texting!
13. Friends  14. Fresh pineapple  15. Hugs and I love you's  16. Blankets and pillows  17. Laughter
18. Dogs  19. Music (not mine believe it or not!)  20. Offers to help even when I won't accept it!
21. Dangly earrings  22. 4th grade basketball practice!  23. Being able to keep our baby girls and not being told to give them up  24. Someone coming home from the hospital  25. Long cold drink after walking  26. Clean towels  27.  (adding on to 26...) fresh from the dryer  28.  (adding on to 27...) Folded and put away  29. (adding on to 28...) by someone else! HA!  30. Electricity  31. Vehicles
32. Real mail   33. Chocolate  34. Lamplight 35. A good book  36. Fridays and jeans!  37. Caller ID
And in between it all, we were chatting about other things in our lives.  I smiled. I giggled. I teared up a few times. I agreed out-loud at times.  I forgot about being whiny!  It was one of the neatest experiences I have had.  I don't know about her, but I continued on with my night, doing laundry, working out, washing dishes, etc, and would keep checking my phone and texting her my thankful thoughts.  I would get excited when my phone went off knowing there was a new one to share.  I started being nicer/more patient with my family.  My outlook changed. My physical issues did not, but my heart did. My heart was smiling.

So, my dear friend...thank you for not letting me wallow in the pain, but instead encouraging me to be grateful for all that God has done for me in this life!  You are such an inspiration to me and I am so blessed to have you for a friend.

So what are YOU thankful for...make a list...text a friend...make your heart smile.

Our Olympian

It is slightly embarrassing how late in coming this post is.  But I'm putting the pride aside because it was extremely important in the lives of the kids (and me as well) that I really want to share it here.  Most of you know that A. The 2012 Summer Olympics were held in London a few months ago and B. There was a runner from our hometown that competed in the 1500M race in track and field.  This was so exciting for us as an entire community and the love and support for Morgan Uceny was simply amazing to see.  There were t-shirts, bracelets, billboards, signs, shop windows decorated and whereever you went, people were talking about Morgan, our hometown Olympian.  I get goosebumps just remembering the excitement leading up to the Olympics.  Finally the day came for the first of 2 qualifying races.  The kids, my mom and I were travelling back from Pennsylvania that day and we had facebook up on the phone and were texting back and forth with my aunt so that we could get results right away.  We were so nervous, that we kept laughing at ourselves.  It was like we were the ones running! HA!  She qualified and two days later we were again glued to the computer for live coverage and were so nervous.  She again qualified for the next round, the FINALS!!!  Running for Gold!

Now, during this whole time Kiara was racing outside on our patio and making us clap and cheer  "Go Mo Go" as she ran around and she would finish with her arms up and smile on her face. She would do this over and over and over.  She would talk to Morgan (make believe) and about Morgan ALL of the time.  She became part of our family! It was adorable. The boys were fans as well, but weren't make believe talking to her (smile).

Anyway...finally the day came for the finals. Because of the time difference in London, the even would not be shown "live" on network tv, but would be streamed live online.  The High School in town opened up it's auditorium to show the race on the big screen.  Below is a picture of everyone packed into the auditorium to watch the race. Notice the line of people standing along the sides.

 

The mayor of the city had renamed a road right by the high school Morgan Uceny Run which the kids thought was pretty cool and we had to drive by a couple of times and take a picture.

So...we are sitting in the auditorium and I know that I can't put into words how incredible of an environment it was.  It was one of the most exciting, energized, and awesome events that I have ever been a part of.  We chanted "Go Mo Go", "Run Mo Run" and cheered and hollered for the hour leading up to the race.  When Morgan walked onto the track in her warm-up, the volume was overwhelming as we cheered and gave me goosebumps. It felt like we were right there with her.  Then the introductions came of each runner...the auditorium again erupted as she was introduced and as she looked into the camera and smiled, it got even louder! Here are a couple of shots of that, one showing the size of the screen we were watching and one close up of that smile I mentioned.

As the race began, we chanted and yelled and clapped and it was unlike anything I have experienced. I don't know how to put it into words, but it was simply amazing to be a part of.  Morgan is known for her "last lap"...she saves a lot and really kicks into gear for that.  As the bell sounded for the last lap, we were all on our feet, jumping, yelling, chanting, clapping.  It was deafening...and then it happened.  She was tripped and went down on the track.  As deafening as the sound was going into that last lap, it was equally deafening silence that enveloped the auditorium for about 30 seconds or so.  Then we began clapping and chanting again to support our Olympian.  You see...we were crushed right along with her. To see her anguish on the track and not know if she was ok was heart-wrenching.  We were stunned, shocked, devastated for her and many tears were shed that day.  BUT, she had already won gold in our eyes.  Not only had she made it there and into the finals, but her attitude and poise are amazing and she is an incredible down to earth role model.  Simply, she is our hero.  She is OUR OLYMPIAN.  No matter what. 

Labor Day weekend, Morgan made an appearance in our hometown. Not quite a month after the race, she came out to be interviewed, thank the town for their support, meet us and sign autographs. She continued to have such a positive attitude and strength, even in her tears.  She is a role model that I am glad for my kids to have.

After she was interviewed for all of us, she stayed a loooong time meeting everyone and signing autographs.  Kiara was OVER THE MOON excited about meeting her.  The entire day she had been telling me all of the things she wanted to tell Morgan.  While we waited in line, she got away from me and when we found her, she was standing right beside "her friend Morgan" and didn't know why that wasn't ok.  Finally it was our turn and we had some newspaper articles autographed..Kiara was quiet as a mouse, speechless I think (which NEVER happens).  This photo is one that we will always cherish. 

We got their picture with her and walked back down when I realized, I didn't get my picture with her.  My cousin, is actually cousin's with Morgan on the other side of the family, so she came back up with me and took our picture together.  It was raining and my shirt was soaked so I couldn't have her sign it.  But sharing some family has some benefits.  A few weeks later, they had a family reunion where my aunt took my shirt to have her sign it.  We also printed the picture of her and the kids and she signed one for each of them. 

We hope that she is able to run again in Rio...but honestly, it doesn't matter.  She is completely golden in our hearts and she is our hero.  So proud of this hometown girl!

W

Teenager in the house!

It is hard to believe that 13 years have gone by since that day that we will never forget for so many reasons.  Brock came into our lives creating quite a whirlwind...6 weeks early and with Daddy 12 hours away for the weekend.  (before we all had cell phones).  I've written before about the whole experience, and love to tell the story, but will refrain for now.  One thing I will say is that I remember giving birth and having him taken away and not brought back to me.  He had to be under heat, and had monitors/oxygen on, so they took him to the nursery right away.  About an hour or two later, they let me go in to see him but I was not allowed to hold him.  Now, many of you know me and know that I did not like being told I couldn't hold my first born child until morning.  So...off to bed I went and at 4:30 AM I was up asking to hold my little guy.  It was morning after all!  He came into our lives early and hasn't stopped moving since!  Here's my sweet boy, shortly after birth looking pretty beat up.  Look at all of that DARK, dark hair.  Born at 5 pounds 15 ounces.

Over the years, he has grown, changed and added lots of joy to our lives.  And notice...this picture of him at 2 and his hair is now blonde!

Gotta love his blue eyes...he gets them from his Great Uncle on Dad's side and his Great Grandma on Mom's side.  Nobody else in the family has blue eyes.

He has changed so much, yet it is very easy to tell it is him in each picture. 

Now our "little" boy is 13.  How am I old enough for a teenager?  How did 13 years go by so quickly?

The "toys" change over the years. This year he wanted walkie-talkies...

an iPod...(that he partially paid for)...

And a remote control helicopter.  He really was excited, this was a bad picture!  He is also getting a little "old" for picture taking.  No patience for a scrapbooking Mom!

Old enough to light his own candles. Yikes!

Old enough for a lot of things...but STILL my little boy!  Love you Brock.  So proud of the young man you are becoming.  I pray that God continues to work in you and show you His desires for you...Lean on Him and you will be okay bud.  We love you so much!

1st Haircut Ever

Sweet, ornery Kiara is 4 and had NEVER had her hair cut.  I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  Finally in late July, I realized it just looked bad and really needed a good TRIMMING to fix it up.  Kiara goes with Grandma often to get her haircut and has come with me before too...She was over the moon excited about this hair cut and have Herminia cut HER hair instead of one of ours. Here she is before the cut...yes I know it looks bad. Sorry!

Normally, Kiara talks non-stop.  I think she was so excited she couldn't even talk.  She was so quiet and smiled the whole time.  Here she is getting it combed out and then wet down for the cut!

She had to keep her chin down so the back could be cut and that was a challenge for her...the little girl that NEVER sits still.  Herminia tried to get her to hold a comb under her chin, but she's a smart cookie and just kept reaching up and holding it with her hand so she could look up in the mirror!

Her favorite position...towards the mirror!

Hold still Kiara!

We ended up taking off two (2...yes 2) inches of her hair.  I didn't even cry.  She was so excited and I was busy watching her and forgot to be sad about it! Herminia was very proud of me! Doesn't it look so nice now that it is even across the back instead of ratty and frayed?

Then, just like Grandma and Mommy, Kiara had her hair "done" at the end.  Somehow the braids that I put in her hair so often don't hold a candle to the braids that Herminia put in.  I heard for days in the morning to put her hair like Herminia does it!  Goodness!

She always gets a sucker when we go for the boys haircuts and she waits patiently...so of course she ASKED for candy...after scrambling, she found some for her. Whew!

My little girl is growing up.  I will blink and she will be going on her own to get it cut and highlighted and brows done...she is growing up too fast!  But, she is still my little girl!

Getaway

Back in June, Phil and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.  We decided to just do a little mini-getaway because of work schedules, kids schedules, etc...So a week after our anniversary, we dropped the kids at my parents and headed to Michigan.  Honestly, we had no specific plans...we had a hotel secured for 2 nights, but didn't really have a plan other than to be together.  We actually spent most of our time in St. Joseph and South Haven Michigan, but our hotel was in Stevensville.  Speaking of the hotel...oh my!  NOT what it had looked like on the internet!  First our key wouldn't work in the door and then we were put in a wrong room (I had reserved one with a hot-tub).  Then we got into the "right" room and discovered it was pretty dingy.  Gotta love this potted, very fake palm tree in the room.  It also was advertised as having a refrigerator and microwave..it did but they were so nasty looking that I refused to put anything in them!

Then there were the curtains that were falling off the window and had holes in them, the tv that wasn't hung properly on the wall and wouldn't turn on, the furniture that looked like it was bought at a garage sale, the air conditioning that never fully cooled the room, the staff at the hotel that was not friendly or helpful at all...but it did have the hot tub and the room seemed very clean, just old and dingy.  We laughed a lot about it and weren't there terribly much anyway, so it worked.

We headed to Silver Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan the first day and spent the late morning/early afternoon there and got a tad bit burnt. I was red but not terribly since I have been in the sun so much this summer, but Phil rarely has his shirt off, so he was a bit lobsterish and crispy! I forgot to mention that Phil HATES sand...he was such a good sport in going to the beach for me...but he never left the blanket!  We walked around the downtown shops before supper and just enjoyed the leisurely pace and time together.  After supper, we headed back and walked to the lighthouse at Silver Beach and watched the sunset.

This was our view on the beach...so beautiful and terrific weather the whole time!

The next day we played tennis at the high school courts there for a long time, got Starbucks and donuts and headed back for showers.  After that, we headed to South Haven to walk around and see the sights, the lighthouses and shops around town.  There was an old-fashioned car show going on and tons of boats coming in and out of the harbor which was fun to watch.

After touring South Haven, we decided that what we honestly wanted was a nap!  And since we had no kids, we slept for a couple of hours and felt so refreshed before going out to eat for supper again.

The sunset over the pier. Ahhhh! So pretty!

Phil doesn't like having his picture taken, so these pictures are rare finds with him in them.  We thought the setting was so beautiful, that we couldn't resist to take a few pics.

Our final day, we headed back to the beach for awhile and were entertained for quite awhile by a boat that was having mechanical problems and came into the swimming area and couldn't get out.  A bunch of guys ran out and pushed the boat just out of the swimming area until the patrols could come and help them out.

This was the view from our blanket on the beach of all the seagulls that just wanted some attention.  We got a kick out of a little girl who was pretending to be a lion and was crawling/crouching as she chased them roaring!  Reminded us of our little bug!

There must have been some kind of air show happening too, because these planes kept flying over us at the beach as well.

We headed back home in the afternoon and stopped for supper at Hacienda on the way home before picking up the kids.  We had a WONDERFUL time together as a couple.  I can't believe that it has been 15 years.  I love him so much!  Our personalities are very different...he is quiet, shy and reserved and well...I am none of those! HA!  But he completes me and we know that it was God that brought us together nearly 19 years ago to date.  I knew on our first disastrous date that I would marry him...that's a whole different blog! HA! 15 years has gone by so quickly and God has blessed us with much!  So thankful that he puts up with me every day and loves me for who I am!  I love you Phil...you are my best friend and I love you more and more and more as time passes!  So thankful God brought you to me!  Here's to MANY more years together!