My family

My family

Monday, February 9, 2015

Christmas Flu

January has gotten away from m!!  I'm just now posting Christmas photos!!  Yikes!  There's so much I want to share with you.

Where to begin...... 

The plan for Christmas was for Delanie to go to Texas while Jim and I went to Michigan.  The next week, Garrett and Maci would fly to Minnesota with Delanie to spend the week of New Years Eve. 

It almost went off without a hitch.  Delanie flew to Texas.....check. 


The day we were to fly to Michigan, Jim got the flu. :( 

Even after getting the flu shot, he was down - and I do mean DOWN! - for about six weeks.  Poor guy.....he spent his two week vacation sick-up-in-the-bed.  That was one of my mom's expressions and it still makes me smile. 

 
 
This flu strand was no joke.  This was the scene at our house for a very long time.  
 

He felt a little better the time Garrett, Delanie & Maci arrived in Minnesota.  We had a full week of activities planned and they all included him.  :)

This was the first time Garrett had been back to Minnesota since he returned to Texas in 2010.  We have seen each other tons of times since then but it was good to get him cute little bootie back in our home and have him all to ourselves for awhile. 

Although it was hard, I made a point of NOT taking tons of photos while they were here.  I wanted to be a present-participant in his visit instead of the person behind the camera.  (I did have everyone sit for a quick family photo shoot but I kept it as quick and painless as possible.)  I'll post those pictures later.  :)




Friday, February 6, 2015

Flashback Friday

Happy Friday!! :) 
 
Tomorrow is one of my favorite days of the year......my wedding anniversary.  Six years ago, I married the love of my life. 
 
 
In case you don't know the backstory, Jim and I met at a blackjack table in Oklahoma.  During our two-year courtship, there were plenty of ups and downs but as love would have it, everything worked out in the end.  :)
 
A few months after we started dating, Jim told me we would end up married.  I told him he we was smoking crack.  I finally came to my senses and realized he was right.  No big surprise there!
 
On December 12, 2008, I closed on the purchase of our home in Mansfield.  Life was good.......my family was healthy and happy, I was dating the man of my dreams, and the kids and I were finally able to move out of our apartment and start putting down permanent roots.  I didn't think it could get any better. 
 
To celebrate our new home purchase, Jim took me to Morton's in downtown Dallas to celebrate.  If you've never been to Morton's, it is quite the experience.  They have an aweome room with nothing but wine lockers that belong to their "regulars".  The walls are filled with photos of famous people who have dined there.  The napkin color depends on your pant color (because who wants white lint on black pants?).  All in all......it is AWESOME!
 
Little did I know that Jim had the whole night planned.  When the dessert menu arrived, this is what it said.......
 

I was shocked!  Just when you think life can't get any better and your heart is ready to explode, something like this happens.  :)  Jim came around the table, got down on one knee and popped the question.  I wish I could remember what he said but it was all a blur.  I do remember what I said though.  Instead of answering him right away, I kept asking him if he was sure.  He started laughing and said "you're not going to leave me on my knees forever, are you?" 

 

When we looked up, the entire waitstaff and several other customers started cheering!  It was such a wonderful moment.  We soon found out that a customer at another table was taking photos.  She gave the camera to the staff at Mortons and they printed out of the photos for us to mark the occasion. 
 
 
The photos were presented to us inside a handwritten card (below) signed by all of the waitstaff.  We never did find out who the thoughtful customers were but we were notified that they paid our bill as a congratulations gift.  Proof positive that there are still wonderful people in the world.  :)
 

 
Less than three months later, Jim and I stood before our families and promised our forevers.  Jim's parents' anniversary is February 7th.  Jim asked his mom if we could share their anniversary and she graciously agreed.  Isn't it funny how things work out exactly the way they are supposed to?  God definitely has a plan for us all. 


The whole Richardson crew flew down for the occasion.  The day would not have been complete without them! :)

 
Happy anniversary honey!! :)  I love you more and more every single day.  I cannot imagine life without you.  You're the one!

 


 

Friday, January 30, 2015

Flashback Friday

Happy Friday!! :)
 
With my youngest turning 16 this month, I'm definitely reminded of my age.  I have always thought of age as just a number - and I still do - but I've been reminded this month that that number is steadily creeping up.  :)
 
I thought it appropriate to post a photo of another milestone birthday.  This day seems like it happened yesterday.  Trust me......it's been a few years.  :)

The photo was taken outside my State Farm office in Texas.  Even though I'm back at State Farm after leaving to teach for a few years, the difference between my current office and the Texas office is night and day.  Thank goodness!

 
Grand Prairie, TX - 2008

Friday, January 23, 2015

Flashback Friday

Happy Friday!! :)
 
How's this for a flashback photo???  It was taken the year Jim's buddy, Mark, was married.....a long time ago!

 
Jim and his beautiful mother.

 
Mark Mayrand's wedding day - Late 80's??

Friday, January 16, 2015

Flashback Friday

Happy Friday.......and Happy Birthday Delanie!! :)

My baby girl turns sweet sixteen today.  Where has the time gone?!

 
From the day she was born, Delanie has been such a blessing.  She has always been quick with a smile or giggle.  Her dad and I tried a long time to have another baby after Garrett.  She was totally worth the wait!! :)

 
My sweet blue-eyed girl - 1999
 


Saturday, January 10, 2015

Flashback Friday

Happy Friday.......and Happy New Year!! :)

I started cracking up when I came across these photos of a New Years Eve celebration back in the day. We all gathered at Bill and Bea's house to celebrate.....and drink.....and dance......and drink.  Did I mention that we were drinking?!  The evidence is on our rosy cheeks!! :)


Tracey busting a move while Doug looks on (he's shaking his head and giggling)......


The ladies dancing to the Village People's "YMCA".  Check out Lauren (bottom left of photo) and Delanie (bottom right of photo)!  They were so tiny.  It's so cute that they were shaking their booties right along with the adults.  :)

New Year's Eve - 2000


Monday, January 5, 2015

Hello 2015

Now that we are officially into 2015, I thought it would be fun to look back at the highlights from 2014.....


Bring on the new year!! :)