I like the ME that I See

Over year ago I was still living in Florida, working my real estate job and living my life as a full time single mom to the rugrats, carrying on the long distance relationship with Mr. Man as we got reaquainted with each other all over again. We were together at least every other weekend for 18 months, he came to Florida most weekends, I traveled too. We loved meeting on Tybee Island for Honeymoon weekends!  

Halloween 2009 ~ I was in a wheelchair and they took turns pushing, I was still able to be a part of the Trick or Treat Fun!

During the week, the kids and I stayed busy as ever with a packed schedule. I kept us occupied and doing things together; We had library night weekly, BFF dinner night, Spaghetti night with the kids sometimes,  Mexican dinner night out most weeks and the monthly Art Walk down town as well as events going on at the beach, we were there if at all possible. I always tried to have as much FUN with the rugrats and their friends as possible. Mr. Man fit nicely into our family and spent time with my daughter one on one at the Pier fishing as well as taking the time to get to know my teenage son and ALL his friends.

  ME with my son May 2010 ( hard to get him to take a photo with mom any more)

There were many extra rugrats (teenagers) in our home; since my son was in 7th grade, he asked if a kid could stay with us for a bit because his mom lived in a hotel and his friend was riding a city bus to get to the school bus stop out side our apartments. I said yes and that began the consistent flow of kids that were in need for many years. Our house was always FULL of extra bodies but they were safe and that made me happy ~ The Ultimate  "Paying It Forward" that I could do! I miss my extra 'kids', I love them all and think about them, still worry about some.... and pray for them all (Another Blog subject entirely)

ME in 2001 ~ I've come a LONG way since his Middle School years!!!

As I prepared for Open house tonight for my daughter's 7th grade year, I looked in the mirror at an entirely different person from 1 year ago and way different from the woman I was 8 years ago as I took my son to Middle school.

I like the woman I see; wise beyond her years, compassionate and empathetic, more calm and relaxed about life, accepting of the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Knowledge of self really opens your eyes to others, I think its like the quote I read once says...What we see in others is a direct reflection of ourselves, good and bad.

ME in November 2008 ~ I took this and framed it as a gift for MR. Man

What I see in others that I like, I can try to emulate because that is a reflection of who I want to be, if it is something I don't like , I realize its something I need to work on within myself. There is always room for improvement and as I mature, I will continually look for the good in others so I can learn from them.

ME with my Daughter March 2010 ~ We both celebrated Birthdays ~ she is now 12 =)

The lines in my face, the body that is now 40,  the stubborn white hair that I have to cover up, the aches and pains, the body parts that just don't work like they used to or stay the same, but nothing stays the same, change is inevitable!  I look at these photos and see how much the rugrats have grown in just the last 2 years. I am proud to be their Mom ~ they challenge me and encourage me without even being aware of the impact it has on my life, to have the privilege of giving them life still amazes me sometimes! 

I embrace it, it is challenging but necessary for us to evolve and grow so we can live to our full potential! 

ME with Mr. Man on Tybee Island for his 41st Birthday celebration!

I like the ME that I See  ~ 5 years ago I would not have imagined feeling this way!

It's another one of those miracles in my life.....I am Blessed!

Happy & Blessed & He loved the Pink Dress!

Another Weekend Honeymoon ~ Just for the two of us ~

My awsome Mr. Man and I took a weekend getaway to Savannah / Tybee Island Georgia and it was just what we needed...

I bought a little sundress, light pink and halter style, it fits like it was made for me and my Man LOVED IT!!!! It feels so good to put on a simple pink sundress and make him so happy!

Our long distance love is still amazing & as our relationship continues to grow we are learning how to best love each other. Its hard to be in limbo with no real plan as of yet for when we will make the next step and share a home, in time it will all come together...

We are blessed to be Crazy in love with each other ~ High School Sweethearts!! Who Knew?!? I would have never dreamed it, yet it's the BEST thing that's happened to me aside from bringing my children into the world!

~ HIS NEW FAVORITE DRESS ~

It has been 11 months since I fell and healing is still taking place and will for quite some time. I have days where the pain is constant and other days are pretty good ~ it reminds me that I am blessed to have my life AND my foot, I cannot possibly curse the incident and how it affected my life when I know how very lucky I am to be alive and well and able to wear a little pink dress!!!

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The second day we were at the beach ~ Its our favorite place to go and relax!

He liked the red dress too but its not so new.....

Happy & Blessed

Tybee Island South Beach on a Sunday afternoon....

He is a Prince among men and my King!

Tybee Island North Beach ~ a much more secluded beach and the beauty in nature is all around!

Catching up with life..just as fast as I can!!!!

So, my last post was April 9....Think I took a long enough break?!? So much happens in life every day, its hard to keep up, the older I get the faster things seem to happen!!!

Sunset over Seattle while in the air.. It was amazing!
the Space Needle from the ground....
My Awesome Mr. Man turned the BIG 40 and we did it in style in Seattle, Washington, it was our most amazing honeymoon yet! A whirlwind trip in 5 short days ~

2 of them traveling friendly skies!!! I just had to pose with the plane....I can pretend its my own private jet right??!?! :)
Visiting with family, what a beautiful view from their back yard! and the Spaghetti Lunch was delicious!

Going to the Tulip fields,

Walking out to Deception Pass,

Staying the night on Lummi Island,

In a rustic cabin with the most awesome view....

Dinner in the Space Needle restaurant with a view!!! and so much more!It was our first trip together as adults, the first of what we hope will be many more!!! We went to Disney World in 1986 with his family, yes, I was just sweet 16, now here we are 22 years later and our love is stronger than ever!!!! Its great to have a special someone to look forward to enjoying life with... from the celebrations & trips to the joy & tears that come along with life accompanied by the snuggles at night and everything in between...♥
I feel our love for each other shines from each of us... love changed us both ~ for better of course! Its nice to be a part of an inspiring love story, one that is very real and I feel is forever!

We have enjoyed countless hours watching beautiful sunsets and breathtaking sunrises together!!

The Easter Sunrise Service at the beach was most memorable and we shared it with Savanna & Natalee too! ~ they are BFF's and both now upcoming 6th graders.. in respective different middle schools this fall... I cannot say that I am sad they won't be at school together next year, I could not control the influences on my daughter last year and I am hoping for different options for her so she can hopefully make better choices; it's scary to send them to middle school :( The 5th grade dance was the first one she attended that, when I pulled up to the school, she squealed with delight when she saw the boy she had a crush on...she is more interested in girly things and has grown so much in just ONE school year!

This was last Mothers day ....

and this is Mothers Day weekend 2009 She is the ultimate rocker chic and usually goes by the name Sophie H. ~ and where did my baby girl go?????????

Garrett is finished with High School, without all the hoopla attached to it, he will get his diploma in the mail. He is much more inclined to get on with life in college, playing in his band and cooking with his girlfriend Sam...

Jammin' at a gig This was the two of them on Cinco De' Mayo this year..

We ( Frankie & I) are signed up as distributors for Mona Vie.. I have a link attached to my website here on this blog page.. It is something that I felt the physical results from in just 1 week of drinking it and Frankie noticed improved health too, we both can feel it and cannot help but want to share it with everyone we can! Why not drink to our health every day? Its the least we can do and it makes our body feel good too!!

I am happy to share it with anyone that is interested!

So, that's an update from my CRAZI crazi world.. 'till next time dahlings.....Carpe Diem!

An unforgettable Honeymoon....

A pictoral blog entry of our weekend honeymoon #22 in Tybee Island, Ga

We drove from I-95 north and I-95 South to meet each other for a romantic getaway...

Sunrise Saturday morning on the way to Tybee Island to meet my sweetheart! I took this picture out of the car window ~ I love my Canon Sure Shot!

Our beach blanket and umbrella ~ We had the beach all to ourselves....

The sea gulls were resting, not even bothered by our presence that early in the morning...

North Beach where the lighthouse and old Fort are ~ completely deserted in the morning but the bathrooms were open :)

Putting my toes in the sand after a long break since the accident...It was good therapy to walk in the sand and feel the COLD water on my foot...

Sunset Saturday evening as we watched the full moon rise over the ocean.. it was a beautiful sight!

The Honeymoon Suite....

Our themed room ~ "Some like it Hot" ~ I brought my own feather boa :) and I still carry my pilllow everywhere I go...

Our 'honeymoon' weekends are so very special to us...We have not traveled to meet each other halfway since the acccident 5 months ago so this was an EXTRA special time for us :) The Atlantis Inn where we stayed was awesome ~ We were walking distance to the beach and the rooftop veranda was amazing...especially at sunset. The place was not real fancy in the accommodations department but there were egyptian cotton sheets on the bed and the towels were fluffy, it was clean and cozy and private ~ it was all we needed to enjoy our time together loving each other ♥ I know we will be back again for another honeymoon weekend in each others arms ♥

Honeymoon Weekends...

I am CRAZI ♥♥ in LOVE with my sweetheart!! He was here for our 17th honeymoon celebration this weekend and it was awesome!! I feel so very lucky to have a man in my life who really loves me for ME!! Its been a long time coming, I feel like we have come full circle since our days as High School sweethearts in West Columbia SC ~ I have been getting back in touch with classmates on Facebook and MySpace ~ its been fun to see how everyone is doing 20 years later :) I feel so blessed to be living this fairytale with my Prince Charming!

We call the time we have our "Honeymoon Weekends" ~ living apart is hard so we cherish the moments we have together ~ I literally don't want to be disturbed when I am with him ~ I feel like I need a "DO NOT DISTURB" sign on my life! Crazy as it sounds but when you only have limited time with the one you love you want to make the most of it! We have both been married before so we are more focused on a healthy relationship for us...We don't need to make it official by getting married to prove that our love is true, I think people should be married in their hearts first then the rest comes easy. This Thanksgiving Holiday will be our first together with family and friends, I am happy to finally have someone special to share the Holidays with, it sure beats being alone again...