Wow, I feel like I just walked into an old house with sheets covering the furniture, and there's cobwebs everywhere. I can't believe I can still access this thing! I don't even know what to write because when I have time, I post it all on Facebook.  But I will genuinely try to make an effort to write a little more. Just don't expect a miracle here, lol.

I guess what prompted me to write was thinking of a friend I had met about 10 years ago. This person was so fun and we just hit it off literally from the start. But time has changed that and they're gone. And I'm stuck here mourning the loss of this. It's like part of my heart is gone too and I will never get it back.
I know blogs these days are supposed to be well written and nicely put together, but I just needed a spot to write in plain, unedited words that I miss my friend and sometimes I bear that pain in silence because life must go on. You find the beauty in every day things, in your family, and in work even. But sometimes that's not enough and you just want one more conversation,  one more laugh, one more hug. Maybe that's why I came back here. I was writing on this blog when this person came into my life. And I came back to visit it, like an old locked up house hoping to recapture a memory. To read some of what I wrote, trying to remember the significance of each post. Our love of dance, music, shows...Justin Timberlake, lol. So, to my friend...I miss you much. I love you 'lotso'.

Some New Ones

Take Out Tuesday

I know, I haven't updated this in a while, but wanted to add a few songs that I'm liking these days!

- Can't get the video but you can look at it here ----> Angel

- Same with this one (It has a preview of Gavin Rossdale's song, but plays afterwards) ---> Broken

- They must've not shut this one down yet!



Will update soon...

Home

SYTYCD + ABDC

America's Best Dance Crew is back along with So You Think You Can Dance! I am so happy about this, no re-runs here!

I can't say who my favorite is on SYTYCD is YET, but on ABDC; I LOVE Super Crew and Supreme Soul. They are awesome!

I haven't had time to find any clips from the previous show, but they're on tonight. MTV
has the shows on their site if you've missed them. 10PM! Watch it!

Say

A good friend of mine once told me that when you have a good connection with someone ~ be it friendship, or something more, it's so easy to say what you want to say. And really, what's the worst that could happen? If you have that connection, they're going to accept you no matter what.

I've realized it's when you hide or don't fully express how you feel or think to that person that it actually makes the situation harder. If everything was just "out there" you could at least acknowledge it and go from there. Wherever that may be!

One Republic is becoming one of my favorite bands (not just because Ryan Tedder is SO lovely to watch) but also the fact that the whole band plays with this awesome emotion.
Heaven knows I can't sing anymore, but as a person who loves to dance, it's easy to transfer that emotion into motion. I have enjoyed using their songs in my dance classes.

I love this song (Say [All I Need]) because it reminds me of times that I wanted to say how I felt, and never did.

Of times where you know it would have gone differently, if you or your friend, brother, sister, mother, father, or significant other just said that ONE thing, or few things that would have made that situation go a different route.

Or to just realize not to wait for the moment to pass you by anymore.

Sophia

This is my niece Sophie. How could you NOT love this face?!! I have a lot to update, but I had to post this picture of her. My sister says that her and I are a lot alike in the sense....well, we won't get into the negative things...but the positive is that she says we were/are both adorable kids.


I don't know about that looking at my old pictures...but this girl is too much! Sheba calls me when she is out so I can talk to Sophie. It's sometimes the only way she can get things done! (I hear ya on that one Sheb) but I love our little conversations. Sophie totally makes me laugh!

I can't wait to see my family and my little nieces! Of course, they know who their favorite aunt is! :)

Brooklyn at the Beach

It was barely the start of Friday morning, and already I was frustrated. I took Jalen to school, had a meeting, then had Brooklyn in the car and didn't feel like going home.

You ever had days where things are consuming your mind so much you feel like you're going to go crazy? It wasn't anything bad either, just a million thoughts running through my head at once.
Part of it was frustration of things not going my way. I'm the type of person that, although mostly laid back, I have to have things go...the way I want them to!



SO....I took the turn right before our driveway and drove 2 blocks to the beach. Brooklyn said "We're going to see the ocean, Mommy?" I told her yes; she got so excited.

I love watching the waves and hearing them crash into the sand. It got so calm and it looked so beautiful. I tried taking pictures of B, but she wouldn't let me put her down! It started getting windy after a while so we left but it was so nice to have this scenery so close. I love the beach! And I love my girl!

I took all these with my phone-camera, so they're not so great.

Unloading the In-Box

Okay, I have been meaning to do some 'family' catching up, but haven't really been in the mood for it. Like my "in-box" is getting bigger and bigger of things to write about them, and I just keep walking right past it.

But I always say I am so happy when my sis. or friends post their pictures because I feel like I got to be apart of whatever was going on. So these following paragraphs are short descriptions of the past few months and all the pictures I threw on slide...that will hopefully be done downloading by the time I'm finished writing this!

My brother got his mission call last week and I was on the speaker-phone while he announced it at my mom's house...with EVERYONE there! It was SUCH an exciting experience!!! So where is he going???!!! Well, you'll just have to CLICK to find out! This link isn't the best, but you can surf on your own for better sites!!

I gotta get on with this blog!!! But I LOVE YOU JAKE!!!! I am so proud of all the accomplishments you've achieved and of all your hard work. You are gonna rock!!

Okay,I just found pictures way back from Halloween. So!...I'm going to start from there. Jalen was the Island Princess, Rosella; but she's our princess for sure! ;)
Brooklyn, our little Evil Knievel finally let us put her SO SO cute Ladybug costume that my sister Sheba sent her. Thanks, Sheb!!

Because the houses are a little apart here, or most of them are between vacation homes, the schools have a huge carnival night and the teachers decorate their rooms for the kids to go trick-or-treating. We did that the Sat. before Halloween, and then we decided to take the girls to the Senior Living Home instead of sticking around the neighborhood. The girls had a lot of fun and the members loved seeing all the kids! It was a lot of fun.

Oh no, wait, before Halloween there were a few outings so I will throw in a few pic's of those as well. We went to Busch Gardens, and some other places. Celebrated Brooklyn's 2nd birthday, and I HAD to get her a Carvel ice-cream cake...that's just tradition in our family when you're little!

Okay, then there was Christmas! We took the girls to see Santa at the Elizabethan Gardens here. It was so beautiful, and the girls had a BLAST with the fake snow! Brooklyn wasn't so sure about Santa, she ran to give him a hug because she saw Jalen do it, then as soon as she was up...she was outta there!! Then you know it's time to go when all you want it ONE GOOD family picture, and it ends up with one kid fussing, and the other asking when they can get down...etc., etc.

We spent Christmas here in the OBX, but had to leave a few days before the holiday to attend John's Grandfather's funeral in PA. He had a Military Honorable Funeral; it was a very beautiful and touching service. He was a very decorated soldier, and they had all of his medals (including a Purple Heart) and awards beautifully framed.
So many people turned out to pay their respects. As I was looking around, I felt so blessed to be apart of this family that truly stuck together and showed their love for each other.

Unfortunately, we had to leave on Christmas Eve to drive home, but it was nice to enjoy the holiday with our girls. The drive home went very well though, so I was grateful for that! The sky was totally gorgeous. I took a few pictures of that too.

I did not go to church for a while after we lost our baby, so when I did return, it was my week to teach R.S. and I wanted to do something nice to thank the ladies for their help. I made Lemon-Vanilla mini-cupcakes and they were sooo good! All of a sudden, after church, I had half the men coming in to steal one. Our bishop walked in while I was teaching to give an announcement, and he eyed me for one. I told him to take two and he was very happy with that!

A couple weeks ago my friend who is like a long-lost little sister, she is a dance major, came into town and we had a little get-together! We get wild and crazy...and totally silly! I love it. And it was very much due! We went dancing for the night and a bunch of us all ended up talking and laughing till 5 in the morning! I was seriously paying for that (since I couldn't sleep in) the next day!!!

I'm leaving so much out, but for those who know me well, KNOW this is a BIG accomplishment! This weekend, was absolutely awesome. From Jake getting his calling, to General Conference to John's baptism...it was one - AWESOME - weekend. I love my family to death! Each year has brought us closer and it's been so amazing. What a ride it has been!

I am so thankful for all who came down to spend this weekend with us! One of my best friends - Casey came and was so wonderful to help with the girls...who absolutely ADORE her! (Cool "Aunt Phoebe"!)I swear she is the only one that could get away with doing the things she does with our girls. I just can't ever get mad! Anyone else, I would kill without a doubt! I love her!

And my other good friends' dad, "Pop" came and it was SO great to have him here. Wish you were there too, Tera!!! And everyone else - especially my family, who couldn't be here, but my mom sent the sweetest letter to John and it totally brought me to tears. I am so grateful for the strong woman that she is. And when I think of strong women I also think of my aunt. She is fabulous in every way, and has been there for me and my family since day one. I am thankful for you all!

With the hope of not sounding ridiculously gushy (did I say that right?, you know what I mean!)....I am so grateful I found the love of my life. I don't know what I would do without John! When I was around 8 or 9, I wrote in my 'diary' what my husband was going to be like, looks and personality-wise. I have to say, I have truly found it all in him. He is so understanding with me and puts me in my place when I need it! I love that my heart still flutters when he comes home. Our road was not the conventional one taken, by any means....but I don't regret a thing!

Trying to take a family picture again!
These girls are crazy! :)

One of my Favorite Things

I love finding new sites for Dance, and all that. I found this site a while ago and love the style they bring to the industry.

No boring bags, sweats, or shirts here. These are some of my favorites from Sugar and Bruno. I think my girls will use these warmers in the Hip-Hop routine. They're cute! And I had to get these sweats for myself. I love pink. Check out their site!

Finale!

JabbawockeeZ WON!!!! I was so excited to see them win! My heart literally stopped beating until Mario announced them! I am so excited for them. They truly deserved it!

I loved the finale, it was awesome! They had all the crews back on stage and got paired up to where all the crews were from. (Mid-West, West-Coast, Dirty South, and East Coast!)

I found all their performances which is below, but don't know how long that will last....Viacom has been shutting all the copied videos down. If you can't see it, just go to America's Best Dance Crew on MTV and watch it there!

I really liked the East Coast performance because they chose 'Phenomenon' by LL Cool J and, yes, this lady LOVE Cool James! Really, they were all great!

Status Quo and JabbawockeeZ did a stepping routine that rocked!

Can't wait for season 2 starting this summer!

Tonight!!!!

Jabbawockeez are number 1!!!! Tonight is the finale of America's Best Dance Crew! Just a reminder to watch it! I hope they win, I have been voting like CRAZY!!!

And yes, I finally got on the bandwagon and read all the Twilight series books from Stephanie Meyer. After MONTHS of being bugged by Sheba, I picked it up to start reading one Sunday. And yes....I was intrigued....then hooked. I read all the books in a matter of days. I read Eclipse in a day.
I love to read, but never thought I would be interested in a vampire!

SoljaBob

Okay, the only reason why I'm posting this besides the fact it's 3AM, and I'm deliriously tired is that this clip (to me) is totally funny! Then again, it just may be funny at 3 in the morning and in that case...I'll be waiting for your comment Shebs.

For some reason this song has the remnants of Sir Mix A Lot's I like big...booties. You know the song.
If you listen to the words it's just a 'silly but true' song. Thanks to my girls, I know EVERY Spongebob cartoon and love this episode especially. So when I came across this, I LMAO!!! (Thanks Mandy for telling me what that finally meant, I feel old now)

Well, my friend who has a closet ghetto side....and I LOVE it!!!, got me liking this song. He is totally funny too.

For the record!...I can't STAND that Superman song this guy sings.

Ketchup!!!

If anyone has seen Pulp Fiction you know my title is the punchline to the joke Uma Therman tells John Travolta. It's about a tomato that lags behind the mother and father too much...

Anyway! This is what I'm doing because my mother has been on me for almost a YEAR to post pictures.
I have been meaning to do the ones from mine and John's party as well and those were taken WELL into the night! I wrote all about this in my older post.
Holy cow, I get tired just thinking about it all! So this is all a medley of everything.

So here you go Mom!!! I have caught up! (sort of)...

Love,
Your EVER procrastinating daughter

America's BEST, Baby!!!!

This group is sooooo SICK! I love the JabbawockeeZ! If anyone has been following America's Best Dance Crew on MTV, you will totally agree with me.

The live auditions started when I was not feeling well from this past pregnancy, and it was John that turned the TV on for me while I was in bed.
This show (as funny as it may sound) is one of the reasons I started getting out of bed. By week 4 of the show I was just feeling happy for Thursdays. Then I would DVR it, and Jalen would watch it with me. She was fascinated with it all and made me think of the days my sisters and I would see a new video for the first time, or being out on the playground in NewYork watching everyone breakdancing, popping, just learning the new moves. It was awesome.

I got to speak with the executive producer a couple years ago about a project I am working on. And I got to brainstorm with him throughout the past year and to see this come to fruition...oh my gosh, I get even bigger chills!
I love the ending of this clip, I swear I get chills everytime I watch it. This is what made me fall in love with dance and hip hop.
All the groups were awesome, and I know I will be posting more clips even though the finale is this Thursday!!! Watch IT!!! The video below is not that great, so click here and love it!

Silver Lining

Well, took a break for a while, thanks to all our friends and family who helped cheer us up and help me get back on my feet. A part of me felt I should be more accepting since this is the fourth time, but in all reality...

I must say I am so thankful for my family, my girls, and John. He took care of me and the girls all this time and still so very supportive. John, I tend to forget this was hard on you too, and promise to be a better friend to you. I shut everyone out for the longest time and you were so patient with me, thank you for that. We wanted our little boy so much! I know when it is time we will be even more grateful.

My dear sweet spirit, someday I will hold you in my arms and you will complete our family. I had this poem framed for you and it will hang in your room when you arrive.

My day old child in my arms
with my lips against his ear
I whispered strongly "How I wish,
I wish that you could hear,

"I've a hundred wonderful things to say
(A tiny cough and nod)
Hurry, hurry, hurry and grow
so I can tell you about God."

My day old baby's mouth was still
and my words only tickled his ear,
but a kind of light passed through his eyes,
and I saw this thought appear,

"How I wish I had a voice and words,
I've a hundred things to say,
Before I forget, I'd tell you of God,
I left Him yesterday."

Go Brooke!!!

Okay, I'm not a die-hard American Idol fan or anything. I watch it when I can catch it...that sort of thing.

But you can totally bet that I'll be watching this season! Brooke White is IN!!!! Her family has been in the same ward my family was in when I lived in AZ and her mom is very close friends with mine!

Kaylene (Brooke's Mom) actually had a party at her house and my mom went to watch Brooke sing for Randy, Paula, and Simon. And she sang beautifully!

We are all rooting for you girl. Good luck! Keep your eyes peeled for her everyone!!

the ILLEST communication

I've had about 3 or 4 friends that I can pick up the phone at any time, be it 2 months or 2 years, and totally pick up where we left off. They are awesome!

I knew from the start we would be the greatest of friends because she came into work talking about the Beastie Boys the very first day I met her.

I have some major catching up to do on this blog but I had to post something for one of my all time coolest, funniest, sweetest friends.

Love ya girl! Can't WAIT to see you!

Best First Wedding Dance EVER!

I would TOTALLY do this if John and I renew our vows! LOVE IT! Thanks for sending this to me Sheba!

Video and Code Provided by WhoIsTheMonkey.com

Better Late than Never! Happy Birthday Sheba!

(I don't have a lot of pictures to post right now, all the older ones are packed since we are moving, but SOMEDAY! I will put them on another post!)

Happy Birthday Sheba!!!! HOLLA!!!! This post is a little long, but I had to write as many things possible about my sister because I love her to death!

On Sunday, November 25, 2007 my sister turned………

WELL!... it was her birthday!

Our family LOVES birthdays, and we tend to go overboard sometimes. But without those celebrations, it would be a plain ol’ life!

NOT growing up in our house though. With three strong-minded sisters and two little brothers later on…NOTHING was boring!

But great minds think alike, because Sheba did a post for my birthday and I was planning to do the same for her. So I had to go back and re-vamp my stories a little so they weren’t repetitive.

So SHEBA!!!!

This is to you, my AWESOME (yes we’re sisters, REAL sisters ~ yes she’s lighter than me, no she’s not younger than me ~ sure it’s strange that we don’t look ALIKE…yes, from the same mom and dad, go watch the discovery channel, grab a map or something) SISTER!!! My Cute, little – big sister! So cute you could fit her in your pocket, cute! (She hates when I say that!) I have nick-named her Mighty Mouse, because she’s so cute and small, but she packs a MEAN punch!...Literally folks, I have the scar from her nails to prove it! Just kidding….it’s really from her curling iron.

To my BIG sister:

With whom the ORIGINAL ‘Fight Club’ started….NOT on the mean streets of NY.

I have learned to throw that mean punch (which, in 8^th grade got me suspended) and tell people off like “none of their business!” No wonder we started the ‘gobble gobble’ craze!

Even though we went to a private Catholic school… you still knew how to accessorize that uniform like NO OTHER!

The original fashionista, who taught me the right shoes meant everything.

Years ago:

Me – “I just bought my first pair of Steve Madden shoes! Do you know who he is?”

Sheba – “Yes, Ish, I have like, 11 pairs from him, why?”

C-L-I-C-K!

Note to self: Don’t waste time asking trivial questions.

****

Dressed up like Boy George when you were 11 for Halloween and ROCKED it.

And the following year we were Nikki and Appalonia from Prince. (a modest version, of course).

Who taught me how to get my dancing groove on, and let me hang out with your cooler, older friends. Learning how to pop and lock, stomp, and a little break dancing in the playground of St. Mark’s.

Cheering for me in my first swim race in the good ol’ swimming pool where Poppo would constantly tell me he would throw me if I didn’t listen to you.

Helped me dress and choreograph my first solo to P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson, and tore it up with Billy Jean! You had the hat and everything! Remember that oh-so-80’s glittery necklace mom let you wear?

Taught me that MTV was AWESOME and had Prince, Eurythmics, Madonna, U2, Michael Jackson and all the Culture Club records….and YES! Can’t forget Menudo! We LOVED them, don’t deny it!

You took me with you and your friends to the Staten Island Mall on Saturdays and shared your favorite lip gloss and food with me. You even told your friends they had to wait so I could pick out a new outfit for my Barbie.

All our trips to Coney Island (CYCLONE!!!), and Great Adventure. The boardwalks, the icee’s. Summer in the Cat-skills where we all fearlessly did the end of summer talent show!

The jersey shore beach house with the Santangelos’. Ferry rides, fashion school with mom and Sophie in the city. Pizza in Brooklyn….LAUNDRY in Brooklyn!

South Street Seaport.

Windows of the World in the Twin Towers.

Junior’s Cheesecakes where we religiously got the strawberry one.

You and Mandy fighting over ‘the bowl’ at Shaffie’s. Showing me how to spray the Redi-Whip perfectly on my hot chocolate.

Playing that ORGAN!! “Hey, did you hear this beat yet?”

Look at the TV! It’s moving with the songs!!! (At Shaffie's)

The FIRST time we saw THRILLER! We were so scared! We huddled together on the floor next to the couch, screamed so loud…and then asked to watch it again!

(We got the girl’s scream down, and then would re-enact the whole thing!)

A little later down the road; you got me out of my Tomboy stage and dressed me up for one of the mighty 7^th grade Taylor Jr. High dances.

You showed me how to use curlers, apply eyeliner, and how you would kill me if I took your clothes. You took the Young Women’s camping skills literally and had to fashion numerous booby traps so I couldn’t get into your room, and CLOSET!

It wasn’t till you came home from college that we started having more fun, and the phrases: ‘I hate you’, ‘go away’, ‘leave me alone’ etc., etc. were used less between us.

…And yes, we started having more fun. Staying up late and making up hilarious videos, and lip syncing to the songs we couldn’t stand!

Laughing so hard that Mom would come in and yell at us to go to bed.

Helping me get ready for my H.S. dances.

Taking me to school when I was running late. Letting me know I could call you anytime if I didn’t have a ride home from anywhere.

Going shopping together!

Making my Sweet 16 birthday so special aside from the fact I was grounded for a month for sneaking out of the house! (Which is an ENTIRELY different story involving you too)! You got me the V.S. robe I TOTALLY wanted, and all the shower gels and lotions too!

Took me to get my first ‘styled’ haircut. “You hair is so pretty! It’s like a horse’s MANE!!” I wanted to kill her as you busted out laughing behind me.

Got into my first car accident with you…the day AFTER homecoming on our way to the airport. (It wasn’t Sheba’s fault though). Nothing says “Bonding” like a good smash of a car.

You have the BEST sense of humor! Or we’re both just crazy and laugh at the silliest things. “Do you know how to put that CD in?” “Umm, I think I know how to use a radio thank you!....Wait, how do you put this on?”

“Hey, let’s go sit in the back”…meaning the fire escape at Shaffie’s.

“Okay, which key goes in which lock? Did you lock all three? Or do we lock two and leave the other open to mess with robbers if they come?” I swear if anything was going to happen, it would’ve happened while we were trying to figure the freaking locks out!!!

You are one of the most talented and creative people I know. You could take a bag of lemons and make lemonade, lemon pie, lemon meringue, and somehow make a necklace and something to go into a scrapbook with whatever’s left over!

In-n-Out Burger has banned us from coming in after 11, but it was totally worth it! :)

I could hear Sherry now: “Indian Girls Gone Wild!” (Just kidding!) “Skooter Boy!”

Going dancing without you is NEVER the same! “Hey! Chinese fire drill!” Sorry….Debbie Downer said NO!! WOMP- WOOOOOMMMP.

You do SUCH charity work when I come to visit. You get me out of my beach –laid back wear and put me back together with new make-up and clothes. Call it feeling sorry for me, if you will, but I will take it!

Our trips to Nordstrom’s together and sharing a delicious strawberry-vanilla shake!

Sitting down with our little ones in the middle of the mall eating cheese and fruit saying “This is nice.”

Seeing a cute guy walk by and still being able to appreciate that by saying “That is nice!” (Our husbands are very secure) [I’m a married spud, I’m a married spud!”] :)

All our sayings that we only get, and get weird looks by everyone else! ~ Heed! Move now!, Oh shut-up you’re so annoying!...HE, HE!, IIIIII TELLLL YOUUUU!, What DE Hell! (that’s Caribbean), She’s so cooley!, I ‘m feelin’ Irie! (that’s NOT Jamaican!), Well, Good luck with that!”, Who da hey!...WHIP THAT MANE!!

The list goes on and gets sillier so I will spare the rest!

You are the BEST hostess, and I love coming to visit you because it is SERIOUSLY like the best B&B!

You still make MY Birthday special even though I’m so far away!

You don’t follow trends, you MAKE them!

****

…To my sister:

You were there for me when I didn’t have a soul to lean on.

You let me stay with you numerous times when I didn’t want to live at home.

You stuck up for me when I didn’t have a voice. And taught me to not to put up with anybody’s…you know what! (It took a while, but I’ve gotten better!)

You were there when I had to study for chemistry tests, work on dance, break up with boys, and when I left for college.

You have the best recipes, ideas…the best everything!!!. You’re the most loving mother, sister, and daughter I know! You balance so much that, besides mom, you are truly my role model and inspiration to be a better person. Your love for our Heavenly Father, and the faith you have portrayed after all the good and the definite bad we have gone through in our lives is a testimony to me that we were meant to be sisters. You were probably the one TELLING me to be proponent of Heavenly Father’s plan! :)

You have shown me to be myself even if that has meant it wasn’t the same path as others. You have accepted me with my own ideas and views (though some have not come without a fight) and I wouldn’t want it any other way! I love you!

So Happy Belated Birthday to the one and only SHEBA!

...“Everything else is just a knock-off!!!"

Ain't No Party Like an East Coat Party...

...Cuz an East Coast Party Don't STOP!!

LITERALLY!

Okay, I have been way busy and a little under the weather, but needed to update a few things!

I had an awesome 30th birthday. It was seriously a month long full of celebrations that actually ended with John's surprise 30th birthday party! His birthday is 11/13, (lucky 13!) and the past month has been nonstop!

It started out with my mom coming to visit with her best friend that's known me since I was 3. I was so excited to have them here and we had so much fun! I am way into history, and we went to a bunch of museums and historical sites, ate good food, and laughed a lot! My mom is SO fun! And Ursula is so hilarious. She had us going non-stop!

John was totally wonderful and took care of the girls for four days so I could go to VA with them and finish the "colonial tour" and eat more good food. I must admit I cried my eyes out when it was time to say good-bye. I rarely get to see my mom, and I enjoyed having her all to myself (motherly kitchen inspection and all!) My girls loved having Nana here, and we all LOVED her cooking too! My mom is such a good cook, I hope I could be half as good as her some day!

After she left, John and I celebrated 5 years of being married and 12 years of being together (the dates are within a week of each other). Then came Jalen's Birthday, and the official day of my birthday. John watched the girls again for me so I could go shopping and have time for myself. Lovely!

Later on in the month, I celebrated with some girlfriends with a magical (and absolutely fun) night of dinner and dancing!
In between it all came boxes full of delicious and wonderful surprises from family and friends. The best one came from my mom after she left...it was filled with home-made potpourri for the holidays, poems, cakes, tassies, bread, chocolate...just all of my favorite things!

In between all this, John had to leave twice for a week at a time for business. On top of taking care of the girls, being sick, teaching, and running my business; I had a surprise birthday party to plan!

With the help of some of the girls from work, I pulled it off and the night was SOOOO much fun! I think the best part was pulling off the surprise, and getting to spend the night out with my guy.
It was hilarious trying to get him out of the house though, he almost didn't want to go; then he was fighting with our friends that were in charge of bringing him to the party b/c he didn't want to go to the club without me...awww sweet! But I was getting irritated b/c I wanted him there already! He stalled so much, he ended being 20 minutes late! But "The GOOD Surprise" was not wasted!

We are way into cars, I think that was something that I absolutely loved when we first started dating was the love we had for all kinds of automobiles. We both have vehicles we're restoring, and 'Shae' decorated this chocolate sensation of a cake into the front of his '72 C10. (Yes Tera, Pop's truck!)

~~~~~~~~

Ever since John and I have entered parenthood, there have only been 3 babysitters we have called on so we could go out. They were all in the family of my best friends (shout out to the Jones/Keim gals) and all when Jalen was no more than 6-7 months.

Besides turning 30, John and I hit another milestone and actually found an AWESOME babysitter in our ward! I love this family, and felt SO blessed to finally have a reliable, beautiful and responsible girl to call on if we need to. She was laughing at me the night of the party b/c John left so late and I was running around like crazy trying to get ready to leave!
Thanks Sienna for all your help!

This may sound like no big deal to some, but for me, (and those of you who know me best) this was BIG. I don't leave my girls with A-N-Y-O-N-E!!! We have had our family watch them for us, so we get to go out (don't think I'm kidding) about 4-5 times a year when his parents visit, or we go to AZ...which is rare.
The 'Over-Protected Duo' is taking a break!!

Okay, so after the shock wore off, John had a GREAT time and everyone said they had a blast as well. I had it in the VIP room of a club here in the OBX and they catered the whole thing. The food was great, the band was totally awesome, and the DJ ROCKED the house! And you know the dance floor is my home!
John was called up on stage by the lead singer and the whole club sang happy birthday to him! We had a few friends from VA surprise him and come down, and it was so good to be with old friends (and new ones) for the night.

Everyone that came from out-of-town stayed with us, so it was a full house.
We had a great "after-party" staying up till about 3:30-4 just talking and hanging out, catching up and talking about different parts of the night.

I'm leaving so much out, but this is long enough, and I gotta go to bed! Peace Out "ya'll"!

Our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner was fantastic, and now it's back to the grind! Will have to write about that Oh, and Halloween!...another time! Pictures to come as well!

THINGS TO DO IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS:

Finish packing to move in Dec.

Shop for dessert menu for Progressive Dinner (homemade: cannoli's, choc. cupcakes, gingerbread snowflakes, pumpkin cake, truffles.)

COOK like Crazy

Finish details for a wedding next month

Christmas shopping

Dr.'s appt.'s (4 of them)

Did I mention pack?

Meetings with 2 Photographers

Wedding show meeting

Association meetings

Jalen's Christmas project

Gift for Teacher

Work on other blogs

Cure for World Hunger

...Piece of Cake!