Things I Want...

So I've fallen off the planet a little bit lately. Everything has been crazy, and I've shut myself out of the social circle for awhile. But in light of all the events lately, there's been something on my mind and on my heart. I want to make sure that my kids know what I want for them out of life, especially if, God forbid, anything happen to me and I'm not here to tell them myself. So here goes....

1. Be passionate. I want you both to find something in life that you can be passionate about and go at with full force. I've been passionate about quite a few things in my life such as horses, volleyball, writing, and finally...my family. You 2 make my life worth living and you get me through all the hard days. So find that something and hold onto it.

2. Be forgiving. Sometimes this is a hard one, but it's so important. Don't hang on to silly things and let them get in the way. Please understand that people do not always make the right choices in life, but they need someone to realize this and help them. It's easy to stay mad at someone, but it shows true character to forgive and move on from it. Always do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

3. Have a sense of humor. Life can be made a little less harsh with some laughter. Try to always find the bright side of things and humor in situations whenever possible. It may not always be there, but if you dig deep enough...anything is possible.

4. Find love. Love is the greatest emotion, as well as the hardest and most frustrating. But wow! When you find it, it will blow you away and it won't let you go. The only person I have ever loved is your dad, but I love him to the best of my ability. I would go to the ends of the earth and back for him. And I would do the same for you.

5. Be happy. Again, it's not always the easiest thing to do, but it's worth the fight to find it. You can only be happy if you let yourself, and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. I've been through some dark times in my life where I did not know if there would ever be happiness again. But I always perservered and it's always been there waiting for me. Just leave yourself open to it.

6. Don't second guess yourselves! You know yourself better than anyone else, and you know what is right and what is wrong. There will always be someone to help you along the way, but in the end...think about you and what you need and want.

7. Love yourself no matter what. If you don't love yourself, no one else can either. You are amazing people and the world deserves to see that.

8. Have faith. If ever you feel like you have hit rock bottom, close your eyes and know that there is no where else to go but up. Let God into your life and let Him help you. Pray and be humble.

9. Remember who your true friends are in this life. You will come across people and you will think that they are your friends. But sometimes that is not always the case. Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people who will always stand by you and not leave you alone when times get tough. I've been VERY blessed with the friends that I have, and I would not trade them for anything. They are people who are strong, supportive, and always there for me...even if I go a month without talking to them. Those are the ones who will be by your side in your darkest moment or your happiest day.

10. Know that I will always love you, no matter what. You can make mistakes because that's how you learn. I will NEVER make you feel like you are not good enough or that you are alone. I will love you because you are Brooklyn and Wil, the lights of my life. And if ever you are feeling completely alone and feel there is no one else, I pray that you know you can come to me with anything.

11. Always love one another. If ever there is someone who will be there for you, it will be your brother or your sister. Always stay close to each other and never lose contact. I hope you have a relationship like your daddy and Aunt Angel do because they would do anything for the other one. And you need that rock in your lives.


This only scratches the surface of what I want to say, but you get the general idea. Brooklyn and Wil, you changed my life and changed me for the better. I never thought that I would make a good mom, but you make me feel like I could change the world if I wanted to. I love you :)

To Be Grateful...

I am SO grateful for my family. I am also so grateful for our health and to be able to be together with no one trying to interfere. And for anyone who does not have that joy, I feel a deep pain and sorrow.

A friend of mine lost her husband to cancer today. He has been fighting it for awhile, but unfortunately...it spread and there was nothing that could be done. He was only 21 years old, and it makes me SO sad that he will not be able to watch his little boy, Zane, grow up and become a man.

And it also makes me wonder how poor Jessica could be so strong when the outcome was inevitable. I know it was hard, and I know that no one knows their real strength until it is put to the test. But to know that you are going to lose someone, no matter what you do...I just cannot even begin to fathom that. And I pray that I will never have to endure that. And guiltily, I feel relieved and thankful that my husband and kids are fine and beautiful and healthy.

On another note, I do want to talk about amazing my husband can be. Last week I was feeling exhausted, run down, and weary...physically, mentally, emotionally...and he saw this. And he asked me what was wrong. I told him that nothing was wrong, and he told me to quit lying to him. Now Seth doesn't do emotional very well, and he'll tell you that. So what I said to him was this, "I don't talk to you about these things b/c I know you don't like to deal with them. But I feel like I'm down on my knees right now and I can't get up. Everything is piling up and I just don't know how to get through it. I just want to run away b/c I don't feel like I have the strength to deal with it all." And he says to me, "This is what marriage is about. I'm your other half, and I'm here to carry you when you can't do it alone. But if you don't let me, I can't be there for you." And things have been blissful ever since. I love him for who he is and what he does for me and how he loves me (even when I don't feel like I can be loved). And I'm thankful for him every day. Plus he gave me the 2 best kids ever...and that's an even better reason :)

Where Does The Time Go??

Life is just going by so quickly these days! Here are some of the recent highlights:


1. We had our Fun Meet at work last weekend, and it was oh so adorable :) We hit quite a few snags a long the way, but it all came together in the end. And that's all that matters....it's all about the beauty of the effort.

2. I registered my big boy for kindergarten! REALLY?!? I just don't understand how it is already time for that! It's not fair :( But he truly is ready and completely excited...so who I am to rain on his parade?

3. I am planning my final event for the year...thank GOD! I'm ready for all the stress to be over and done. My last All Star Meet will happen next weekend, and then I should be done until December. It's a big one, so cross your fingers for me!!

4. Well, it hasn't happened yet...but Seth and I are having our 1 year anniversary on Sunday! Again, REALLY?!? This year has FLOWN by and I can't believe we're about to start a new one. In September, we will have been together for 10 years...and it's also my 10 year reunion for high school. Man, I'm getting old :)

5. I'm trying to be more positive, but it's really hard when it's raining all the time and I'm super tired. However, the effort and want is there.

6. Finally, WifeSwap is OVER!!!!! What started out as exciting turned into a royal pain in the butt, and emotionally draining for my poor bosses. But that's a post in and of itself. I'll try to get the whole story down soon. But for those who want to watch, it should be airing 4 weeks from today.


And that's that for now :)