Move complete...well almost!

We moved over the weekend into our cozy little 2 bedroom 1 bathroom duplex.  Its not as little as we thought it was going to be.  The boys, especially Daniel, need some time getting used to the whole set up, but they will get it.  I am excited because it is a start to a new chapter in our lives and we can really start strengthening our family.  The next big move is when Connor starts daycare.  We do not have a date on that yet, but it will be whenever the daycare has an opening.  We still have work to do, but it is getting there. 

Also, the countdown to Daytona has begun.  4 days left!  I am very excited to have a vacation that Allen and I will get to spend with my brother and some of our greatest friends.  We leave Friday and we will come home Monday just in time to see the fireworks with the boys.  I have not been to Daytona in a couple of years, but I am terribly excited to return to tradition.  This is really a special time for me because I get to spend a lot of time with my brother.  He does not live very far away, only Jacksonville, but with our crazy schedules and lack of funds, it makes it hard to get together. 

So, expect a couple of posts next week with pictures from Daytona and pictures of our new little humble abode. 

Happy Father's Day (a couple of days late)

This post is a tribute to the two men in my life who are the best dads in all the world..... my daddy and my husband.  I will start with my husband, Allen.

When Allen asked me for our first date, I told him that I had my son for the weekend, which he responded with "bring him, too."  Of course I did not, because it was just a first date, but after a while I decided it was time to introduce him to Daniel.  The first time they met, Allen was a mess.  "Should I get him a toy?  Should I bring him something?"  I was thrilled to know that he cared so much to be that nervous about meeting my son.  We went to the rodeo that night and when Daniel got scared, he jumped to Allen.  While we were walking, he held Allen's hand.  That was the start to a beautiful relationship between the two of them. 

Then along came little Connor.  Allen was a little scared at first... I do not think that he had ever seen something so small in his life.  But after a couple of weeks, he was an old pro at this dad thing.  He changed diapers, got up in the middle of the night, held him when he was so sick and throwing up everywhere, paid attention to all of the small details, everything that makes a man a dad.  My boys and I are so very lucky and thankful to have a man like Allen in our lives.  I am so glad that my boys get to grow up with a dad that loves to wrestle, laugh, play Star Wars, beat video games, and watch cartoons.  I hope that they cherish the memories that they make with Allen for the rest of their lives.

Now for my wonderful father.  I have so many memories of my father from growing up.  We laughed and sang A LOT.  He coached Danny's baseball teams, my basketball team, he showed up to EVERY dance recital, every swim meet, he was always there and always made us smile.  He is a big kid.  My favorite memories are out on the water.  He is a tremendous fisherman.  He was always so happy and at peace when he was out on the water.  I get to spend a few hours with him once a month, sometimes more often.  This tragedy has hardened him.  He still finds a way to smile, laugh, dance, pretend to rap, be my dad.  He also manages to be the strong, positive one.  I know somedays he is not doing okay, but he still lies to me so I do not worry about him.  I cannot wait until the day that he gets to come home...... hopefully it will be soon.  I am so very greatful that he is my dad.  He is a kind, generous man.  He does not deserve what he has gotten, but one day justice will prevail and he will be free.  We pray every night "Free Papa."

Happy Father's Day daddy and Allen.  Thank you so very much for being the wonderful men that you are.  I love you with all of my heart.

Birthday weekend

This weekend marked my entrance into the late 20s, my 28th birthday!  The celebration started on Thursday.  I got home from work and my first gift was sitting on my doorstep:

My degree!  Yay for me!  I know it might not seem like a huge deal to some, but to me its a huge deal.  During the time that I was earning this thing, I dealt with being a single mom, having a second child, my father's tragedy, etc etc etc.... and I did it anyways!  Not to mention that little gold sticker on the bottom means that I graduated with honors!  So, Kiss it!  Sorry, I will get off my soap box now. 

Friday was my birthday and when I woke up, my husband had my gifts and cards on the table waiting for me.  Notice I said cardS... not only did he remember to get me a card, but he got cards from the boys too!  Points for Allen!  After work, we got home and got ready to go to dinner at El Jalisco, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to eat!

All dressed and ready to go!  Notice Connor chewing on the leg of his beloved dinosaur.... he is getting his 2nd 2 year molar already!  The boys and I were joined at dinner by my mom, Naomi, Rhonda, John, Dawn, and my wonderful friend Dana and her son JD.

It was a wonderful dinner and the margarita was fabulous too!  After dinner, Dawn, the boys and I went for ice cream at TCBY.  It was delicous!

Saturday was what we were waiting for!  We woke up early, dropped Connor off with Rhonda for the day/night, picked up mom, and headed to Wild Adventures for the day!  Danny met us there.  We rode roller coasters, water slides and more roller coaster before we saw Lady Antebellum!
 

It was such and amazing weekend!  I felt like a little kid again because I was so excited about everything that we did to celebrate.  I am so thankful that I get the opprotunity to celebrate and spend time with my family and friends.  My husband and children treated me like a queen.  I am one lucky girl!

A short little update....

I apologize for the lack of excitement so far on this new venture.  I am still working out the kinks to my new computer.  My old computer and my computer at work are a little outdated, so I am still trying to figure out the things that work best, fastest and easiest on my new computer.  I also have not had a whole lot of time lately to play, so that delays things a bit for me.  This post will have no pictures, but I wanted to give everyone a little update on our little family.

Connor is growing.  Physically, mentally, emotionally, growing.  He will be 20 months old on the 20th.  He is saying a bunch of new words and even making little 2 word sentences like "want more", "my juice", and "hi birdie".  When you ask him to say please, he throws a little fit, but if he really wants something he will say it without you asking.  He is playing this new little game where he sits as still as he can and pretends to not see or hear you.  Its really freaking adorable.  He is going to be starting daycare soon as well.  It is an exciting time in little Connor's life!

Daniel just graduated the 2nd grade and is now a big 3rd grader.  He is doing so well right now and I am so thankful that his life has become more stable than ever and that Allen has taken on such a huge role in his life.  He is doing awesome in karate and I think that we have found the one sport in which he can participate in and love and succeed at.  Its summertime, so he is in camp.  This week he is going to the camp at the FSU Reservation.  He has sailed, kayaked, canoed, climbled a "rock" wall, and swam swam swam.  He is really enjoying it and is already asking to go back next summer.  Yesterday, he sang to me all of the camp songs that he has learned.  Very exciting!

Allen is working hard as usual.  He handles his abnormal and totally unpredictable schedule way better than I do.  He has been pretty lucky in getting at least 1 weekend day off every week almost for the last couple of months.  This weekend he is taking the whole weekend off to celebrate my birthday with me and the boys.

I am busy busy.  I go to a Zumba class 2 nights a week and I am in love.  I haven't danced since high school and I think this is going to be the closest that I will get as an adult.  It feel into my lap at the perfect time... right after I was finished with school.  Still working and being a mama, too. 

Big news is that we are moving.  We want to buy a house next summer.  So, in an effort to make sure that happens, we have decided to make some major sacrifices in our lives now to make our future exactly what we want it to be.  We are moving into a small 2 bedroom duplex not too far down the road from where we are now.  I am nervous..... esspecially having to share a bathroom with boys.  Gross.  We are doing this to cut down on expenses, so we can pay off our debts and save money at the same time.  We are hoping to be almost completely debt free by next summer so we can go into buying a home debt free.  Its going to be a cramped next year, but we figure it will be best for our future.  Say a little prayer for us!

This friday is my birthday and its one of those that women do not like.  I will offiically be entering my late 20s.  I am comfortable with my life and my age, so I am almost completely okay with this birthday.  To celebrate, we are going out for mexican and margaritas tomorrow night.  Then on Saturday, Allen, Daniel, mom and I are going to meet Danny in Valdosta and spend the day at Wild Adventures.  Saturday night, one of my favorite country bands, Lady Antebellum, will be performing.  I feel like a little kid I am so filled with excitement!  So, my next post will be pictures from our amazingly fun-filled weekend!

Until then...... BYE!