10 Years Ago

Ten years ago today,

I was at my sister's house with my dear friend Jenny.

She did my hair, and we left for the temple.

I was nervous & excited all at the same time.

We laughed at the fact that I forgot your wedding ring.

Uncle Jim was happy to loan his.

(I guess we got the 'something borrowed' in)

You stepped on my train right before we went to meet our family to be sealed.

The old ladies scrambled to bustle it back up.

It is amazing what a bunch of safety pins can do.

We finally were able to join our family and friends.

We knelt across the alter.

I tried to stifle laughter when I noticed my mother had fallen asleep.

We committed ourselves to each other.

I entered those doors a single woman...

and left a married one.

It was one of the happiest days of my life!!

Thanks for choosing to love me each and every day!

I can't wait to see what the next 10 years hold for us!

I love you!

Stay tuned for more of Our Love Story...coming soon

Shoes

Happy Father's Day!

I hope you know how much you are loved by all those around you. Our life really would not be the same without you in it.

Thanks Ashley for the super cute idea, and rendering your services. You are awesome!

A Disney Birthday

My love,

On June 12th you turned 31! You decided you wanted to go to Disneyland for your birthday. We made a short trip out there, and stayed with Derek and Shannon. It was great to see them again after reconnecting with them at the Spain Mission reunion.
I still can't believe that we now are what we thought of as 'OLD' when we were young. Oh how naive we were. It is great to realize that our life, in some ways, is just beginning. We are still young, and have so much ahead of us.

As I sit here, I am so grateful that you were born. How different my life would be if you weren't in it. You have enriched my life in so many ways. Thanks you for being you...here are a few reasons why you are so great.

• making me laugh each and everyday
• giving me 3 of the most beautiful children.
• living worthy to hold the priesthood
• being so smart when it comes to finances. I know I complain alot about your 'frugality', but I also find so much comfort in knowing we will never stretch ourselves beyond our means.
• your passion for politics. It may seem at times that I tune out the shows that you watch, but I try to pay attention.
• your dedication to your job, and providing for me and our family. You really have given me more than I could have ever asked for. I am so thankful that you go to work every day, and work so hard. I have no clue and can't begin to understand exactly what you do, but I know that you are valued. I am thankful that you are in a job that appreciates your efforts.
• I love dancing with you. We don't do it much anymore...but I can still picture in my mind the first time we met. You are one crazy dancer
• Your voice is one of the most heavenly sounds ever.
• blue eyes
• dimples
• computer skills
• exercising...I have been so proud of your dedication to running everyday!
• your ability to drive and put your shoes on at the same time. It freaks me out, yet makes me laugh at the same time.
• watching you do you "big splash". The kids and I look forward to it every day.
• seeing you nap on the couch after a long day at work.
• letting me have some one come and deep clean our house. It truly is the best gift ever.
• going to the movies with me...yes we do it alot, but I still love it.
• hearing you laugh. It is as infectious as listening to our kids giggle.
• The silly faces you make...especially this one.

Happy Birthday My Love
I hope you had as much fun as I did!

I survived!

This was something that I loved seeing tonight! My honey made it home from his long flight from London this evening. It was so great to see him, and I am so thankful he is finally home. It is such a relief to know that I didn't go into labor while he was gone. The kids were so happy to see their Daddy. We ate some dinner and before we knew it, Shawn was crashed out on the couch! Hopefully he will be able to get over the jet lag fast.

We really missed him, but kept ourselves busy. Here is a breakdown of my week.

Monday: In the morning Caden had preschool. After preschool we go to the gym. I get my exercise, and also a break from the kids! Come home, and Sydney goes down for a nap. When she woke up, we went to Costco to grab a few things. We ended up eating dinner there (I wasn't about to go home and cook!)

Tuesday: Preschool, gym, Sydney's nap (this is pretty much our morning routine). Tuesday nights are my Orchestra rehearsals. My Aunt was nice enough to watch my kids so that I could go. Thank you soooo much! The kids had alot of fun.

Wednesday: Preschool, gym, weekly McDonald's playdate with Mel, Sydney's nap...dropped the kids off at Nancy's because I had my Orchestra Concert. After the concert I went out to eat with my buddies. It was great! Thanks for helping me in a pinch, Nance! I know I can always count on you!

Thursday: Helped out with Caden's Preschool Valentines Party. In the past, Caden has always had a hard time when I come into his class. I was happy to say that he did wonderful! He was not clingy at all, and sat with his class! He was so excited to give everyone his Valentines. We had a great time. Melanie was nice enough to watch Sydney so I could go alone to the party. Thank you so much, Mel! Afterwards, I dropped off the kids at Karyn's house for our kid swap. She took care of my kids while I picked up some stuff at Home Depot, got a pedicure, toured the hospital that I will be delivering at, and also went in for my weekly check up. It was so nice. I am glad that we worked it out for her to watch my kids this week. On the way home we picked up some pizza. The kids devoured it, took a bath, and Sydney was in bed by 6:30 pm! HEAVEN!

Friday: I signed up for "Mommy's Lunch" at the gym. I got to drop my kids off at around 11:30 and was free until 2:30. I went and got my haircut (Caden took this pic), and picked up some things at the store. Then I picked up the kids, and we headed home. Before we knew it, Shawn was pulling into our garage. I had called ahead and ordered take-out from Tia Rosa's (yum), and Shawn picked it up on his way home! Yay, another night where I didn't have to cook!

Overall, it really turned out to be a good week. I seemed to be able to get some sort of a break from the kids each day. I hardly cooked, and used paper products for almost everything so I had minimal dishes. I now have pretty toes, and a new haircut all in time to welcome a new baby! Now that Shawn is home...hopefully it will be sooner than later! :)

The 52 Blessings Project

While doing some blog hopping I came across Gardenview Cottage. She had come across this idea that I think is totally awesome. I am really excited to participate on this through out the year, and maybe you will want to join in too! Here is the details of the project. I think that it has been decided to do the post on each Sunday, but I will let you know if it changes. They are working on getting a Mr. Linky so people can link up and visit each others blogs to see each others blessings! (Okay...so I added my own Mr. Linky here at the bottom of this post...if you decide to participate...just add a link to your individual blessing post so I can come visit you!) How wonderful is that!?

The 52 Blessings Project

Once a week post a photo of something you are most grateful for. This gives us a chance to reflect on the good things we have learned from or that have made us better in our everyday lives or things we just enjoy! I think everyone needs to be more grateful for what they have now instead of always thinking about what we want! This is one of the things we can do to be more gracious people. It will be like a photo gratitude journal.

Week One

I have actually been wanting to write this post for a couple of months now, but time just got away from me. Now that I have this new "project," I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. One thing that I haven't really talked about on my blog is some of the things that are going on in my extended family. Back in July, my brother in law decided that he wanted a different life instead of the one with my sister Nancy. It has broken my heart to watch the pain that she has had to go through. The other thing is that my 2 brothers (Jonny & Jimmy) that are 2 and 4 years older than me have recently announced that their girlfriends are pregnant. Not exactly the way my parents would have liked to add grandchildren, but they are happy just the same. It's not really a bad thing, but I know that they are already struggling financially and adding another baby to the mix is going to make it harder. What does all this have to do with something that I am grateful for you may ask? Watching my family going through these different trials in their relationships has really made me reflect on my own relationship with Shawn...and that is what I am truly grateful for.

I am blessed in so many ways when it comes to Shawn...

• I am blessed to have a man that is good with money. In the beginning of our relationship I really struggled with how "frugal" Shawn was. Over the years, he has let up a bit...but one thing I know... We will never be in debt, and will always be provided for.
• I am blessed to be able to stay home with my children. There are so many mothers out there that have to work in order to sustain their family. I am so thankful that Shawn got the education he needed, and has always had a job that pays enough to support us without me having to work.
• I am blessed to have a man that holds the priesthood. It is one of the most comforting things to know that if something is wrong, if someone is sick, or for any reason at all...that my husband is able to administer a blessing from our Heavenly Father. I am thankful that he lives his life worthily.
• I am blessed to have a man who adores me. This has been something that I sometimes take for granted, but after watching my sister...I have come to realize how lucky I am. He loves me with all of his heart, and I am thankful to share that love with him.

I really could go on and on, but I am sure that you get the idea. I just want him to know that I am grateful to have him in my life. I may not always be the best at showing it, but that is something that I am working on. Shawn, you are my love, my best friend, and everything I could have ever hoped for. I am so thankful to have been able to have you in my life for the past 8 years. I look forward to sharing many, many more memories with you as we grow old together. Thanks for making me laugh, comforting me when I cry, and loving me for who I am.

Our Dating Story

My friend Katie over at The Layton Family did this meme the other day so I thought that I would play along.

1. Where did you meet your husband? I met Shawn at a Country Dance for Y.S.A. (Young Single Adults – what the church calls the unmarried ages 18-30) I had sworn that I would never go to one ever again, but ended up there on a fluke. I had invited a friend, Jason, from my World Religions class to go out with me and my friends. He had just moved here from out of state, and didn’t really know many people. That night everything that we had planned fell through the floor! My friends had family emergencies, and then the Swing Dance (40’s swing..Yay!) had been cancelled. The country dance was the LAST RESORT….that is what I call divine intervention! Hee hee.
2. What was the first thing you said to your husband? The usual “Hello.” He passed me on the dance floor while I was making my way to the drinking fountain. I must have made an impression because he turned around, and asked me to dance.
3. Where was your first date? Our first date was to Sandolo’s Restaurant. It is a really fancy Italian restaurant in Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch. It has singing waiters, and at the end of your meal they give you vouchers to go on a gondola ride. Shawn borrowed his Aunt’s fancy shamcy car (his car was terrible! It was so loud that it would set off alarms as he drove past, and the AC reeked of exhaust). He had a Martina McBride CD on the seat of the car when I got in. (Our song was/is “I Love You – from Runaway Bride). We ate and then went on the gondola ride. The “driver” even let Shawn sing me a serenade. It was so romantic. I melt whenever I hear my honey sing. He has the most beautiful voice.
4. Where was your first kiss? It happened to be on our first date (yeah, I am that easy- just kidding) After our romantic evening he brought me by Keaton Allen’s house. Keaton was going to BYU at the time, but was supposed to be coming into town that night. Shawn wanted me to meet him. We ended up waiting on his front lawn for him to come home. That is when Shawn kissed me. Turns out Keaton was there all along, but had fallen asleep before we got there. I think that Shawn planned it that way.
5. How long did you date? It was relatively short. In fact I don’t know when we were “officially” dating, but from the time we met to the time we were engaged was about 3 months.
6. Did you have a long or a short engagement? Our engagement was short too. We were married 3 months later. So by then we had really only known each other for 6 months!
7. Where did you get engaged? At the Pueblo Stake Center! Sounds kinda silly right, but it wasn’t. At the time I was the Stake YSA rep, and helped to plan activities for us singles. We had a TRI-Stake Talent Show that was held at the Pueblo Stake Center. Shawn had somehow gotten ahold of the MC of the show, and arranged to be the last number. He called me up there and sang a song that he wrote about how we met, and then proposed. From there he took me to Keaton’s house (using his Aunt’s car again – this time I got Faith Hill’s Breathe CD) where there was a quilt on the lawn with a dozen roses, and a letter he had written me.
8. When and Where were you married? We got married on February 26, 2000 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.
9. How did the reception go? The reception was wonderful. It was also at the Pueblo Stake Center. I wasn’t part of that stake, but it turned out to be totally appropriate. That was where we met (the country dance was held there that night), where we got engaged, and then ended it with the reception. It was perfect in my mind. We had plenty of friends and family to celebrate the occasion, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
10. How was the honeymoon? The honeymoon was wonderful. We went to Spain where Shawn had served his mission. I had never left the country and it was so nice to have a personal tour guide. Shawn had only been off his mission for about 9 months so everyone that he had taught, and knew was still where he left them. It was so fun to meet them all. We were mainly in the Madrid metro area, but one of Shawn’s investigators got us a ticket on a bullet train to go south to Seville and then arranged to drive us to other southern parts of Spain. I loved every minute of it. Spain is definitely overlooked when it comes to visiting Europe. I can’t wait to go back again!

I would love to read about more dating stories...so I "tag" everyone that reads this!

My Dear Sweet Husband

For those of you who know Shawn in real life. You know that he does not like to shop. I think it is a combination of spending money, and going around a store that he doesn't really like. So because of this loathing...he rarely goes out to buy anything. Well, the other day I was starting to make dinner when I realized that I needed some carrots for the meal I was making.

I called Shawn on his cell phone and asked if he could stop by the store and get some for me. Then I figured since he was there he could get me a few other things that I would need. I asked him to get carrots, milk, croutons, 5 or 6 tomatoes and 1 yellow/sweet/vidalia onion (I was going to make homemade salsa & was missing those ingredients). My sweet man made his way through the store while talking to me on the phone. I listened as he asked where certain things were. I heard the woman tell him that "No that is not a yellow/sweet onion, those are green onions...the yellow/sweet onions are over there by the potatoes."

When he got home I went to open the garage only to have it practically come off its track. (We later found out Caden had manually locked the garage and when I went to open it...it made the motor go crazy, and caused the problem.) Anyway...this didn't put Shawn in the best mood. He went downstairs and starting trying to contact the "garage guy" to come help fix it.

In the meantime I thought that I would go out to the car and get the groceries that my honey had stopped to get me. As I was emptying the contents I came across this

At first I was a little perplexed. What is this? I thought to myself...I didn't ask him to get me a potato. Then I remembered the conversation that I heard when he was on the phone in the grocery store. That is when it hit me and I couldn't stop laughing. My sweet husband got me a potato instead of an onion!!! It helped to lighten the mood of our impending situation with the garage, and give me a much needed laugh. I need to get this boy out more!

He will probably kill me once he sees this on the blog...so I don't know how long it will last on here. I am in no way trying to make him look stupid, I just thought it was so funny I had to share. Also to his defense...he was in a hurry and I was talking to him on the phone. He wasn't paying the best attention to what he was doing. He really is the best husband in the world! I love you honey!

Worth the Drive

On Friday, we made a last minute phone call to our friends the Ashton's. Shawn and Mark share the same birthday so we are bound to think of them atleast once a year! hee hee. We really enjoy their company, but since they live on the other side of town we rarely get to see them. We thought it would be nice to go out for a late "birthday" dinner for the two of them. Unfortunately we couldn't get a babysitter on such short notice, and decided that we would put it off for another time. Shawn and I were talking after I had gotten off the phone with Cindi. Because of different conflicts the next time we would be able to get together would be a month from now. We decided that we would make the 45 minute drive out to their house, and Cindi's sister could watch both our kids while we went out.

It was a long drive, but I am so glad that we decided to make it. We went and ate at Famous Dave's....and ohhhh my....that was good food! I have never eaten there before, but I am so glad that Mark recommended it. We got Famous Dave's Feast, and shared it between the 4 of us. They even gave Mark and Shawn these huge Sundae's for their birthday. I left there stuffed, but man was it worth it! I highly recommend this restaurant!

Afterwards, we were debating whether or not to catch a movie. We decided to opt out, and go back to their house to hang out. We went back to find that our kids had had a blast playing together. It didn't click until the way back to their house that it was as if Cindi's sister was having to watch two sets of twins because our children are the same age! It was probably a little chaotic, but she did a great job. They did some face painting, and I left my camera so she could take some photos. Sydney looked so cute as a little cat (try to ignore the fact that she is trying to pick her nose!). As usual...Caden did not want to participate...so there are no fun pictures of him.

While we were there Caden got a hold of the camera. He loves to take pictures, and whenever he finds the camera he starts snapping away. I have to say that I was so impressed with one of the shots that he got of Lanah. I may have a budding photographer on my hands!

Over all it was such a fun evening. I am so glad that we took the time to go out there, and I actually thought it was nice that our kids got to play together. They really had a lot of fun, and so did we. I am so thankful for our friendship with this family. They are great people, and so much fun to be around. Mark and Cindi always have a way of making me laugh until I cry. That is a great thing. I thought about what we would have missed out on if we would have not gone. I think there are many times that we decide not to do something because it is "so far", and don't want to "waste" so much time in the car. Some things are just worth the drive...I need to remind myself this more often!

Here is some pictures of Caden, Sydney, Lanah, and Payton. They surely are a cute bunch of kids!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Yesterday was Shawn's birthday! He is now officially 29 years old! WooHoo!! Shawn had to work on his birthday (like many adults do...I think it should be a mandatory day off! :) so we weren't really able to celebrate until he got home. We decided to eat dinner over at Joe's BBQ in Gilbert. It is a cute little restaurant located in old Town Gilbert. Their food is really good, plus they give you a free meal on your birthday! Nancy and her kids met us there, and then afterwards we went swimming at Nancy's. It was a nice relaxed evening spending time with our favorite Man! I hope that Shawn had a great day. We really do love him...our lives would not be the same without him in it!

Expectations

Since I had myself a little pity party the other day, I now need to clarify some things. My husband came home yesterday, and read this post. He wasn't too happy that I posted this for the world to see, and I think it hurt him. He felt like I was out there to bash him, and that was totally not the purpose. I was just disappointed, and needed to vent.

My husband is a wonderful person. He works very hard to provide for me and our family. He loves us very much. He does the best that he can to show love for me. I know that he loves me and appreciates me. I love him, and care for him deeply. What it all comes down to is expectations. My friend over at Miss Niss, said it perfectly "when we expect things of other people, we, the "expecters" are the ones who usually get hurt by it...." That is exactly what happened on Sunday. I had in my mind how I would have done things, and when it didn't happen that way I was hurt. To my husbands defense...he said that he did wish me 'Happy Mother's Day.' Maybe I was so caught up in what didn't happen that I didn't hear him say it. He did take Caden to church with him a whole hour early, and did the best that he could to show his appreciation that day. I know that he can't read my mind, and he does and shows his love differently than I do. That is something that I have to remind myself.

Honey, I am sorry...I didn't mean to "bash" you. I love you, and am grateful to have you in my life.

Fathers and Sons

The boys went out with the ward for the Fathers and Sons campout this past weekend. I think they had alot of fun. Shawn brought along our nephew Jackson, too. They had potato launchers, Marshmallow guns, and even got to go canoeing/kayaking. I think this is such a fun thing for them. From what Shawn said, Caden did a whole lot better than last year. Here are some pictures of the fun that they had together.


That last picture cracks me up. Caden is all slumped back, and grouchy. He can be so silly at times!

He made out like a bandit!

With the purchase of our new van, we needed to sell our other car. As I had said previously, it had started giving us problems and that is why decided to purchase a new one. We went on the Kelly Blue Book website to see what the car was worth. It is a 97 Ford Escort and had about 123, 000 miles on it. There are some mechanical problems that need to be fixed, the windshield is cracked, and there are quite a number of dings on the outside. We figured it would be on the "fair" side of the spectrum. KBB said if we were selling it private party in Fair condition we could expect to get $1700 for it.

We didn't really think it was worth that much, and were willing to sell it to my younger brother for $500. On some aspects I didn't really want to sell it to family because I would hate for them to pay us and then shortly after the car really dies. So we took a bunch of pictures and Shawn threw it up on Craigslist for $1100 before he went the Priesthood Session of General Conference (each year the LDS church has a conference that is broadcast for everyone - this session is just for the men)on Saturday. When he came back 2 hours later he had received about 15 emails from people who were interested in buying the vehicle! About three people said they would come by on Sunday to look at it.

The first one showed up around 8 am. He looked at the car, test drove it, and then offered Shawn $1000. We thought that was pretty good, and honestly just wanted to get rid of it. So we agreed to the price. My sister is a notary so I drove over to her house to get the title notarized, while the man and his family went somewhere for breakfast. (They live on the other side of town so they didn't want to have to drive all the way back.) We called "J.R." and he came back and paid the remainder of the $1000. We took the money and went inside.

Shawn was doing some work on the computer, and from the office you have a clear view of our front yard. Right before J.R. left, the other two people that were interested in the car showed up. There was probably a congregation of about 10 people out there. They were all there for a short time looking at the car. The next thing we know the man we sold the car to drives off...WITHOUT THE CAR!!! We go back outside because we are curious as to what happened.

J.R. turned around and sold it to one of them for $1300! He made $300 in a matter of minutes! Can you believe it!? I thought Shawn would be upset that someone else got more money for it, but surprisingly he wasn't. He actually said that he wouldn't feel right about selling it for that much. There are just so many problems with the car that once you fix them all it would cost more that what KBB says it should in Excellent condition. The nice thing is that now it is out of our hands. If it happens to break down soon they can't come back to us...because we didn't sell it to them. This J.R. guy literally made out like a bandit!!!

The Good and the Bad...

So I guess I will start out with bad because it is always funner to save the best for last and leave on a high note! Yesterday, when I was out and about looking at some cars...Shawn called me. He had just finished a meeting with his boss, and the V.P. over his department. To make a long story short...they told him that he couldn't take the time off for our vacation!!!!!!!!!! The maximum time they would give him is 5 days!

Cancelling the trip kinda put us in a pickle because we almost lost all of our money. We were able to work something out with our agent so we will probably only lose about $200. I guess it is better than losing the full amount. It would have been fun to go on the cruise with my sister and her family, but we will just have to plan another one some time in the future. Even though I don't see it at the moment, it is probably for the best. Now we will be taking more little short trips instead of the long cruise.

On to happier news...

As I said earlier, I looked at a few cars yesterday that I had found through Craigslist and Auto Trader. I did have my heart set on a Sienna, but if we were buying from a private owner...you take what you can get. We mainly needed a car that would seat more than 5. I wanted something fairly new because we plan on having it for a long time, and the newer the better, right.


The first car I looked at was a 2007 Chevy Tahoe. This car was a beauty. It only had 3000. The owner only had it for 6 months. It was it great condition. It was kinda weird driving it around. I have never had a car that big, but it did drive really smooth. This is what Shawn would call the "manly" car. The thing that I couldn't look past was the gas mileage, and with prices these days...enough said.


We then drove over and looked at a 2006 Honda Pilot. Again, another nice car. This one was all decked out. It had a DVD entertainment system, leather, towing package. Like I said...nice. I would really like to have leather interior because it cleans up so much easier than cloth. This car was a little bit smaller than the Tahoe, but still large enough to fit a fair amount of people.


Last we looked at a 2006 Honda Odyssey. This one also was immaculate. It only has 7500 miles, and looks like it was just driven off the lot yesterday. It also had a DVD system, and an 8th seat. I fell in love. I just like the fact that it has automatic doors. It is so much easier for the kids to get in and out of. And it just seems to have so much more room.

I went home and showed Shawn all the pictures I had taken and we talked it out. Really we could have gone home with any of these cars. They were all so well taken care of, and it was hard to really choose. The more we talked about it...the more I just felt like the Odyssey was a better fit for me. So we called them up and negotiated a deal.

This afternoon we drove over and picked up our car!!! I still can't believe that we have a van...let alone an Odyssey. I had fallen for the Toyota Sienna because it was more affordable, but had always liked the Honda's. (My sister actually has an 2001) I am very happy! I can't wait to drive it some more! It all happened so quick, that I can almost not believe that it happened. Who would have thought we would find a car that we liked so soon! My hubby is so fantastic to go along with this for me. I know how hard it can be for him sometimes to spend, but I think this is a great deal, and a great car! I love you honey, Thank You!

Car shopping

Early last week Shawn's mode of transportation took a nose dive. It is actually my car. I bought it back in 98. It was the first car I ever owned....a 97 Ford Escort. It is not the best car, but it worked for me. He has been a doll, and let me drive the nicer car. Unfortunately the AC went out, and in Arizona...that just won't cut it. When he went to have it checked on they said the whole thing would need to be replaced, and that the transmission was bad, etc. etc. etc. Then to make matters worse on the way home yesterday the brakes went out!!! Talk about bad luck!

Needless to say, it is not worth paying to get it fixed so we are now in the market for a new vehicle. We will eventually need a larger vehicle because we plan on having more children...so we are looking to get a van. I have been on the computer alot of the day researching and trying to figure out how we can get the best deal on a car.

The vehicle I have my heart set on is the Toyota Sienna. Isn't it beautiful! I love Toyota's (I currently drive a Camry). The Sienna just seems like a great car. It is somewhat affordable, and I know it is reliable. Who would have thought that my dream car would be a mini-van! We have been searching Craigslist, and the Auto Trader trying to see if there is anything out there. I just want to get the best deal possible because we are not made of money!

We are also debating on whether or not to buy new or used. There are just so many different options! I kinda like the idea of getting a new car just because I can get exactly what I want. The only problem is that it will cost more, of course. I have gone to different websites to see what I can do so that if we do decide to buy from a dealer...we won't get ripped off. One of the most insightful sites I found was Consumer Guide Automotive. Their site is great! They have reviews on all the vehicles. Plus they have a comparison chart of what the Retail MSRP versus the invoice price is for each car. They also list any rebates or incentives that are currently being offered for either the customer or the dealer. It was very interesting to see.

My sister also pointed me to Car Info.com which gave some more pointers on things that can help you when you are buying a new car. Within that website they had a link to a website called Fighting Chance. This service actually costs money, and I am not ready to pay it yet, but it looks like it can provide alot of good information. If we do decide to purchase new, I may seriously consider investing in their services.

Do you have any hints, helps, suggestions on what you or someone you know has done when they are shopping for cars? Help me out! I don't know how much longer the Escort will last!

Beautiful Hawaii

We are finally back from our week long get-a-way! It was so much fun, and a great refresher from the kids. I loved being able to spend time with the one man that I love most. Shawn is wonderful, and I could not have asked for better. It was a great anniversary. Now I am just trying to get back into the swing of things. I have so much to catch up with. I just thought I would post this little slide show to give you an insight of the things that we were able to do!

I also had to add this because we heard this song everywhere we went in Hawaii, and we just loved it! So enjoy!

I hope to catch up with all the party goers, and can't wait to meet new people! Thanks for stopping by!

Memories

Shawn had to go Atlanta, GA today for some SAP (computer stuff) training and he will be gone until Friday :(. We were so bummed because they had tried to get him into the same conference a couple a weeks ago that was being held in Philadelphia. When he called me and told me I got so excited! I jumped on the Internet and found a website that listed tons of kid-friendly things that we could do there. Then he was told that there were no more openings, and they booked him for the training that starts tomorrow in GA. *yuck* Sorry if you are reading this and live in Atlanta. I don't really have anything personal against it. The problem is that the closest airport that my airline flys into is about 3 hours away...plus I don't want to be out of town for a whole week before Shawn and I leave for the cruise. I have too much to do! The sad thing is that Shawn will only get to see our babies for one day before we leave for our cruise! It will be practically 2 weeks away from the kids for him. He was pretty bummed, but he really needs to go to the training. The timing just was bad. (But I now have a new found determination to plan a trip to Philly!)

With that being said...we wanted to do something fun with the kids before he left. So on Friday we hopped in the car and went out to dinner at my old stomping grounds - Organ Stop Pizza. It brought back a ton of memories.

I remember when they first started building the restaurant by our house. I was a Junior in High School. They were originally in a different location that was a 10-15 miles west of the new location. I had never been to the original, but my mom told me about it. I play the violin, piano, and I sing. (My mom is a music education major, and instilled the love of music in me.) The restaurant is unique in itself. It seats over 700 people. Has various different instruments hung from the ceiling & walls. All of it is controlled by the organist that is front and center in the dining area. It is an experience you will never forget. As we saw the progression of the construction...I thought...when it is built, I am going to get a job there. I thought it would be so cool to have a job where I am surrounded by music all day. It finally was completed. I applied, got the job and worked there for many, many years.

It was a great place to be. I bussed tables making a little over minimum wage, but I absolutely loved it. I loved listening to the music, singing to the music, and interacting with the customers that came and went. I made many good friendships with co-workers, that I still have to this day! The management was great. Everything about it was wonderful.

When we walked in all the same feelings came back. It was great. We hadn't been there since Caden was a little baby. He was absolutely mesmerized! It was so fun to watch him and Sydney dance to the songs. At one point, Lew - the organist, play Chattanooga Choo Choo. The awesome thing about this is that when he starts out the song - it sounds exactly like a train. I watched as Caden's eyes grew wide. He looked at me in amazement and said, "Mommy! Its a train!" I loved seeing it through his eyes.

We are going to have to go there more often. If you are ever in Arizona this is a place that you must see! I don't think you will be dissapointed!

Shawn is now gone, and the house is quiet with sleeping children. I will miss my honey, but look forward to the time we will be able to share together soon.

The Countdown

In a little over a week, Shawn and I will have been married for 7 years! I can not believe how fast time has flown by. A couple of months ago we were trying to figure out what we wanted to do. In the past we haven't done much...usually we would go out to dinner, or I would make something special, but it was never anything really big. Ever since we got married I have been dying to go on a cruise for a few reasons:

• I have always heard how much fun they can be


• I say that my husband has "post partum money depression" (once he makes purchases he totally worries about it, and gets "depressed" because things cost so much)
  
• My husband's 'condition' makes it hard for him to enjoy a vacation because he is constantly adding up the costs of things - going on the cruise alleviates this because the majority of the vacation cost is paid for!


• They seem romantic

I "work" for an airline (I say "work" because I bid a full line every month, but then give all my trips away so I can stay home with the kiddo's). The beauty of working in the airline industry is you get a lot of discounts with all travel related things. I get weekly emails from a web based travel agency that negotiates discounts for hotels, cruises, and other things for airline employees. I started keeping my eye out for the "deal", and then one day it arrived!

A seven night cruise in HAWAII for $299!!!!!!

So yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, I jumped on that bandwagon and started lobbying for hubby's agreement that we just HAD to book this cruise! I had to make many phone calls to line up family to take care of our babies while we were away...and then we booked it!!! Yippee!! I was so excited! We get to go on a cruise for our anniversary -- without the kids! I have been floating on cloud nine for months just waiting for when we get to go!

Now it is around the corner, and some reality has set in. Since Caden has been born (he is now 3 1/2) we have never been on a vacation with out them. We have always taken them everywhere we go. Part of me knows that it is long overdue...I need a break. The other part is going to miss my babies so much.

I was reading Dandelion Mama the other day. I was able to relate to her post about Sleeping in Seattle. I sometimes daydream of days without fulfilling the constant needs that my children have. Being able to have adult conversation without having to chase my kids in the process. Yet at the same time I grip to the very thing for dear life. It is a constant tug of war.

I know that it will be a good thing to get away from the kids. To rejuvenate as a couple, and make memories alone like we did before we had kids. All the books say how vital it is to define yourself as a person...not just a mom. I want to to that, but being a mom is who I am. I have been with my babies since the day they were born. I am there when they need food, diaper changes, when they hurt themselves, I tuck them in bed, and tend to their every need. I do everything for them. Yes, they have been taken care of by others to go on dates, appointments and such, but never for days at a time. The thought of someone else being able to provide that for them when I am gone makes me a little sad. I think that is what is hard. Admitting that there are others out there that can fulfill their needs, and they can survive without me.

I think I sometimes have a hard time identifying myself without my children. To think of going somewhere without having to make sure the diaper bag is stocked is such a foreign thing it almost scares me! I also feel somewhat guilty admitting that I actually will have a good time because in someways it makes me feel like I am betraying the love I have for my children. I will ask myself, "If you really loved your children why would you WANT to get away from them!?"

Since the day Caden was born, I knew my life would never be the same. I would be forever changed by this little baby that I held in my arms. My life has gotten so much fuller. My heart is brimming with love and gratitude for my children. I would do anything for them to be happy. There are days when life is perfect. Then there are days when craziness sets in. Lets face it..we all need a break from time to time.

That is why we need to go on this cruise. Yes, I will miss my babies. Yes, the thought of someone else taking care of them scares me. Yes, I know they will be fine. If I admit to having more fun without my kids...does that make me a bad mom? I don't think so. I think that it means that I love my kids enough to find out who I am with out them. I think every mom deserves that. I will forever be a Mom, but I will also forever be Crystal. I think it is important to remember who we are...let our children see that we love life, and that they can too....without us.

Love Thursday - Daddy & Daughter

I think that most mothers out there always are hoping that someday they will have a girl. One to dress up, to play with, to laugh with, and just plain pamper. Father's, on the other hand, think they want a boy. To play sports with, rough house, and teach them to be "men". Little do they know how much a girl will melt their hearts, and their lives will never be the same.

The day that Sydney was born. I saw it. The gleam in his eye that said that there were now two women in his life. Since they first made eye contact she has had him wrapped so tightly around his heart strings. There is a bond that will forever be intact.

As he stood there holding the small, precious bundle in his arms. I can only imagine what he was thinking. This new life that we made was finally here. She was a quiet baby, and still is very mellow. As Shawn held her, she didn't really cry. Just stared up into his eyes.

Over this past year it has been fun to watch their relationship grow. As Sydney has developed, so has her undying affection for her Daddy! One of the things that I love the most is when Shawn gets home from work. All I have to do is tell her "Daddy's home," and she drops everything and runs to the door. The grin on her face when she sees him is overflowing with joy. It kinda reminds me of a song that they sing in primary.

Daddy's Homecoming

I’m so glad when daddy comes home,

Glad as I can be;

Clap my hands and shout for joy,

Then climb upon his knee,

Put my arms around his neck,

Hug him tight like this,

Pat his cheeks,

then give him what?

A great big kiss.

She practically could have written this song herself. There is just something about a relationship that a daughter has with her father. Something that I don't think I could ever fulfill. I am thankful that she has a great dad. I look foward to her growing through the years, and watching as she continues to "Rule the World" in Fatherland. I truly think Shawn would do anything for her. He loves her so much! But then again who would be able to say "No" to her!

Go and spread some Love today! Hopefully you have some left over from yesterday! To find some more luvin' photo's go to "Love is All Around"

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Valentines Day!

For more participants go to 5 Minutes for Mom or the Wordless Wednesday HQ!