An Old Friend and a New One

Yesterday I took the girls up to Wheeling to see our dear friend Lucas and to meet his fiance, Kaitlyn. He was a player for the semi-pro baseball team that played in Atlantic City, NJ called the Surf. We met him at a game when my stepdaughter, Lindsey realized he was from West Virginia, just like my husband. We hit it off needless to say and Faith who was 4 at the time ADORED him!! She called him her AC boyfriend! LOL He always took extra time with her and listened to her ramblings..The AC Surf ended in 2008 and at the end of that year he was traded to another team in Mass. We would travel to North Jersey to see him play. He ended his career in 2009 because of a shoulder injury.
Fast forward to now..He is an asst. coach for the Wheeling Jesuit University where he is finishing up his degree.This is his last year and will be graduating in Aug.! He is also getting MARRIED!! I am so excited for him and his soon to be wife, Kaitlyn. I told him a few years back that God had his perfect match for him and I was so right!! She is absolutely wonderful and I am so happy for them!!

This is a picture of the happy couple with Faith and Emilee..He couldn't belive how big they got!

The happy couple!

And me with Lucas and the girls..The first time I have ever been IN a photo with him!

It was a great day to catch up and see some baseball! His team won both games 6-2 and 5-2!

Easter Weekend

Our Easter weekend started on Saturday when the Wiles Hill Community had an Easter Egg hunt at the playground.. Loaded with a BIG basket they were off!!

Found one on the swing!

carrying the basket..what a great team!

That was hard work! LOL

Swinging with Daddy!

Easter Sunday started with Easter baskets from the Easter bunny!

A chocolate bunny, peeps, and a Hello Kitty Pez dispensers.

The girls and their baskets!

The start of their 3rd Easter Egg hunt..this one was in Granma's house becasue of the weather.

Looking..looking..

Found one!!

Faith found another one..

My chickie #2

Chickie #1

The girls playing with their Easter gifts from Grandma!

April 8th was Wayne's 60th Birthday so we went to the cemetery and put flowers on his grave.

We miss and love you!

My newest niece..Riley..Chickie #4

Emilee modeling the bunny ears

Faith modeling bunny ears..

Bryan holding the wall up..LOL

Dinner!!! Faith already finished! LOL

Family :)

We had a wonderful dinner..steak, shrimp, roast of lamb, potatoes au gratin, green beans, and salad..YUMMO! And lots of wine..I think we had more kinds of wine then we had food..LOL

Palm Sunday Weekend

3/30/2012 ~ Easter came early for us this year. We made a trip to New Jersey to see the family during Palm Sunday weekend.

Almost in New Jersey..making the climb on the Delaware Memorial Bridge!

I see the Welcome to New Jersey sign!!!

our Exit!!

3/ 31/2012~ The weather was a bit rainy on Saturday and after visiting the mall we went for a ride to Atlantic City. This is a picture of the new casino the Revel..the girls liked the " golf" ball on the top of the building! LOL

Faith asked me to point out all the casinos I worked at when we lived in NJ..Here are just a few..

The Claridge is where everything started..it was my favorite job by far, It's where I met Bryan, it's where I met life long friends!

My other favorite place to work was at Tropicana..I loved my bosses and alot of the people that worked there were transplants from Claridge when Bally's started laying off  Claridge staff. the other properties I worked at were Bally's, Ceasars, Harrah's, and Showboat.

I did not work here but it was the first casino that I was ever in..I use to see concerts there when I was back in high school when it first opened.

As we were driving toward Ocean City I showed the girls Lucy the Elephant..Emilee loved her!!

4/1/2012~ Palm Sunday we had a family dinner at Mom's house and an Easter Egg hunt for the kids..

Emilee with her egg stash!

Gryphin ...No pictures please!!

Faith putting an egg in her bag.

Looking for eggs!!

Kayden

Miss Maggie

The kids - Gryphin..he did not want to get into the picture! LOL

Happy 10th Birthday Chickie!!

My Brother Ed, my Mom and me!

My Uncle Steve, My Aunt AnnMarie, My Aunt Peggy and Mom

4/2/2012 ~ This is how Emilee fell asleep for her nap. I let her sleep there for a bit so she would stay awake for the movie, Mirror, Mirror!

After coming back form the movies Emilee passed out in Mom mom's chair..When she was a baby she use to put her arms back behind her when she would sleep or watch tv in her boppy seat.

4/3/2012 ~After 4 potty breaks, a dinner break, a stop at kroger's and 7 hours in the car we finally made it home from an all too fast trip home!

Happy Spring!

I can't belive it's been over 3 months since I've posted..I'm a bad girl! LOL

You have not really missed much..The only major change is that I am no longer working at the scrapbook store. It is for the best, gas keeps going up and my paycheck was not, plus all the miles I'm saving on my car :)  It was a bit of a shock that I was let go..fist time in 20 years I was let go from a job!! but  I was not really happy there and I guess it showed in my additude.. I'm now focusing on what's next ! I would love to start my own Itsy shop and sell online but I have alot of research to do before I leap into that!

I've been taking a painting class online and am loving it! Donna Downey rocks!! I can't wait to start playing for this month's canvas! Love getting paint everywhere..this month I got to remember to pull my hair back and wear an apron..seriously..I got paint in my hair and all over my shirt and hands from flicking it!!But it was fun!! LOL
Spring has officially hit WV and it came by way of 80 degree temps for over a week! My allergies went haywire and I spent 3 days on my back in bed. I have since changed my allergy medicine and I'm feeling better. Hoping it lasts when I go to NJ at the end of the week..the trees are not out as they are here and I don't want to end up like I was last week! Not fun but unfortunately it happens every year.
We are set for Easter break here next week and I am looking forward to spending a few days with my family..I thought after 2 years I would be use to it but I'm not..seems every day goes by I'm more homesick :(
I hope you all have a wonderful, blessed Easter! I'll check back with photos after I get back!

Happy New Year!

Hello Friends,

My girls and I ringing in 2012!

Well, another year has gone by and what a year it was...We saw many things come to pass in 2011..Gas prices have stayed over $3.00, After 10 years of looking, Osama Bin Laden was killed by Navy Seals, we honored and mourned like it was yesterday, the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Our economic health is still faltering and has caused many to loose everything. Our family struggles day to day providing for our girls..thank God for our landlord who has been so generous when we get behind.

As we pass into 2012 I see a hope and a bright future. I can only pray that it will come to be..I know that God will provide in his time, he already has..I made the decision to end my almost 20 year career in EMS due to my health. He found a new job for me that I love, working in a scrapbooking store and while the pay isn't the greatest and it's almost an hour away, I LOVE helping people preserving their memories..When God closes one door, He always opens a new one. I have found my new path and anxiously await what new surprises He has in store for me!

As I ponder what 40 is going to be for me I have realized a few things..
I need to take better care of me!! I have always provided better for everyone else..I need to get myself healthier, not because I want to look better..but because I want to LIVE longer! I want to be around for my kids, I want to be there for them like my Mom has been there for me! My greatest fear in life is dying before my children are grown and on their own! While I can't predict when God is going to call me home, I can improve my odds of a longer life by taking care of myself!!

I need to get our finances in order..I need to take control once and for all!!

I need a better relationship with my husband. I know he loves me but sometimes I would like to be shown that I am appreciated and loved..it seems to me after 10 years of marriage he has forgotten how. Why is it that way??

I need to learn to be a friend...I have never been really great at it. When I find someone that I can let my guard down with and open up to it always ends with dissappointment and hurt. I know God sends us someone for a reason, to learn from but the hurt has made me go farther into a shell like a hermit..I don't want to be this way but it's comfortable!

I need to continue to nuture my relationship with God!! This above anything else is my top priority this year!! I know God can fix everything else if I just give it to Him and have faith!

So there it is...my list..and if you noticed.. I said Need, not want! I need to do these things for Me and for my happiness, not for anyone else! If someone else is blessed by my needs then that is a double blessing!!

So what are your needs for 2012??