"Emmalicious Angelface"

Meet Emma! I have tons of pictures of this little angel but for some reason I love this one! That sweet little crooked smile, when I look at it I can almost hear her voice. Emma will be three years old in January and I have only seen her twice. Once for a couple hours when she was nine months old and once last May for a few days in Minnesota at Samantha's graduation from college. Knowing how children can be I must admit I was a little worried at how Emma would take to me upon her parents departure, especially since they were leaving the country for two weeks. Well I only have two words to say....NO PROBLEM. From the minute they picked me up from the airport we had an instant bond. I really feel a connection with her and I am so thankful

we were able to spend this time together. The funny things she said to me. The sweet personality she has, along with some peculiar habits made me that much more in love with this sweet little angel. I want to sit and make a list of all the funny and cute things she did and said so that I'll never forget them.

There's a really neat Museum very close to her house called the Hand's On Children Museum. It's right by the Capitol and Emma and I went there several times. She loves this place and although I did think of it more as a "germ breading ground" I have to admit the place is brilliant. I did find myself secretly wishing I had some place like that to take my children when they were small. When I wasn't moving her away from coughing children or trying to sanitize everything she touched, It was a real pleasure to watch her imagination run wild with all the different exhibits. Even if her favorites things to do weren't what I would have liked it's a wonderful thing to not have to say, no you can't touch that, or you have to be quiet, or don't make a mess. You actually can encourage the opposite.
I can't wait to see her again and hope she will have fond memories of me. Every time I take a shower by myself it makes me miss her a little. Every time I sleep the whole night through with no bruises on my kidneys from the kick box champion of the world, I think of her. Even though I still hear in my sleep "I'm done....Wipe me up" it was a pleasure to help her out. And best of all now I know that watching Barney 5,000,000,000 times in a row will not make your head explode. I love you Emmalicious Angelface!

Whew...I'm home !

Washington was BEAUTIFUL!!! Everywhere you look it's another spectacular view. The pictures above were taking from the balcony of Kym's living room. The weather was nice some days, and other days it was rainy and cold, but I can't complain. I had a wonderful trip and look forward to visiting again, but man was I happy to get home. I missed Darin too much and won't be going anywhere without him again for that long. The driving out there absolutely petrified me. I was sure any minute the brakes or the transmission would fail and I would certainly have a horrible crash, and if it wasn't mechanical failure that would kill me the traffic definitely would. I promise I'll never complain about speed weeks traffic again. I was able to spend a few days with Kym and Jym when they returned from their trip before I came home so I did get to see alot of stuff and go alot of places with them driving. Whew!!

Olympia...here I come!

On Monday I will be flying to Washington State for 3 weeks to hang out with Kym's children while she and her hubby Jim go on a Mediterranean Cruise. I'm super anxious! I'm so excited to spend time with my niece and nephews. I was able to visit with them shortly last year in Minnesota for Samantha's graduation, but now we'll really have time to spend together. While I am there I will teach Emma to read and possibly speak a second language. I will teach Davis how to drive and take him skydiving. Russell will probably be teaching me some stuff, and perhaps we will get him a concealed weapons permit or maybe a couple tattoos. Who knows, we'll see.

I'm not quite sure how well I will sleep. I wonder who will tuck me in bed each night and bring me my night snack. Don't know who will rub my feet when they are tired. Been thinking who will screen my calls, and make me bust out laughing when I'm just about to cry. See as everyone should know now I am old, and I'm at the point in my life where I need some extra help.(Okay I've always been pampered). I'm sure I can bribe the little ones into catering to me, but no one does it better than Darin. Since we married we have never been apart for more than a week and I'm worried how he will do without me.(Sounds like it huh?)

Anyway I'm really excited to be going and a little anxious because....well I'm me. I'm happy to be able do this for them and really look forward to it. Not sure if I'll be blogging while I'm there, but I will be taking tons of pictures :) This is one of my favorite pictures of them, but it's super old so hopefully I can take one just as cute.

HUBBY TAG!

WHERE DID YOU MEET YOUR HUSBAND?
Church
HOW LONG DID YOU DATE BEFORE YOU GOT MARRIED?
On and off for about 6 years
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED?
August 15,1987 - 21 years
WHAT DOES HE DO THAT SURPRISES YOU?
He learned long ago that I do NOT like surprises at all. So nothing really.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FEATURE OF HIS?
His personality, and his ability to make me laugh even when I don't want to.
WHAT IS HIS BEST QUALITY?
The way he loves and nutures his family.
DOES HE HAVE A NICKNAME FOR YOU?
Nothing out of the norm
WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE FOOD?
Not really one thing in particular. His favorite place to eat is Cracker Barrel
WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE SPORT?
Nascar
WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU FIRST KISS?
On the chair in my parents piano room after we had been "going together" for 6 months. Remember I was 12
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO AS A COUPLE?
Anything as long as we're together
DO YOU HAVE ANY CHILDREN?
A 22 year old daughter and a 18 year old son.
DOES HE HAVE ANY HIDDEN TALENTS?
He's actually super funny but people rarely see it because he's so quiet.
HOW OLD IS HE?
43
WHO SAID "I LOVE YOU" FIRST?
He did.
WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE MUSIC?
Classic Rock
WHAT DO YOU ADMIRE MOST ABOUT HIM?
His love and devotion has always made the kids and I feel like we are all that matters.
WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE COLOR?
I don't know his favorite but know he hates red and green!
WILL HE READ THIS?
Probably not
WHO DO YOU TAG?
Everyone who reads this

TAGGED!

6 Random Facts About Me!


1.) I was a speed skater when I was young. Skating was my passion, and I still skate everyday. (Well in my mind anyway)
2.) I have obsessive compulsive disorder, and certain things disturb me to the point of physical sickness and/or panic attacks.
3.) I love to eat, yet HATE to cook and find it to be gross waste of my time.
4.) I am germaphobic. I know better, and I know it's crazy, but can't stop it. Some days are better than others.
5.) I'm very shy, yet love to talk, yet hate to talk on the phone. I know it's very strange.
6.) I am fascinated with Asian babies (hope to have one one day of my own) and the Asian culture.

Okay, so now I'm supposed to tag some people. I tag everyone who reads this and will participate :)

Look who's 40, take 2

After work today Darin and I went out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. Woo Hoo ! There was a bunch of us and I had a wonderful time with my friends and family.

Richard & Amy Hill, Randy & Marie Child, Darin & I, Jordan & Michael Davis, Mom & Dad, Claire & Kevin, Wendy & Chris Allaway.

Mallory (Tabi's friend), Randy Child, Shalee Taylor(Behind Chris's head), Chris Phaffl and Tabitha Child.Kevin, Ralyn & Julynne Taylor.Meem & Amps (June & Jerry Edinger)This is a beautiful statue I received from the Taylor family. There's a story behind, and maybe I'll blog it one day.My beautiful flowers, cards, gifts and balloons. I had a wonderful birthday and will cherish all these memories forever. And 40 is great!!! I think I love it :)

Look who's 40

I awoke to the most beautiful roses from my wonderful husband for my 40th birthday with a sweet little tiny cake just for me.

This is close up of one of the roses because I have never seen any like it and thought they were gorgeous. They are red and pink variegated.
At work, my coworkers surprised me with a yummy chocolate fudge cake and even sang to me. Wish I would've taken pics of them but I forgot :( I am 40 you know. Beside the cake at work, I couldn't begin to tell the amount of messages, voicemail, texts, emails, and phone calls I received throughout the day from all my family and friends. I was really touched by every one's thoughtfulness and well wishes.

Then my wonderful friend Stacey took me out to lunch to my very favorite restaurant in the world, "Cracker Barrel". We had a great time even though our time together was short. This is a pic of Stacey and Corbin (a little guy Stacey babysits).Next is picture of me and sweet "LilaBeth". I love this kid and best of all she love me:) I had the best birthday ever and when it was time for bed I told Darin that I didn't want to go to sleep because I didn't want my birthday to be over, so he told me tomorrow could be my birthday too, so.........................