Dear Cousin...

{thank you google images}

My Dear Sister Cousin,

I am not going to use your name, because I don't have to.  There is only one of you out there and everybody knows who you are, Mr. Toby Wilkerson.  

Sister cousin.  That makes us sound like we should have a reality show on TLC or something.  Don't you agree?  Or Wsquared, that could be another show too!  Which reminds me, we have a book to write!

Now on to the goods...

You inspire me.

You are my constant support.  My source of adventure.  My sounding board.  My strongest advocate.  My traveling companion.  The Mutt to my Jeff.  You are a sister in every sense of the word.  I will stand next to you and defend you against all odds, and I know that you will do the same for me.  

Life brings trials and ours has had their fair share.  Through it all you have stood tall.  For me, for you, for your children, for your family.  You are completely selfless.  You have handled stresses more than anyone could have imagined.  Stresses that stretch far and beyond imagination - deployments and death, to mention a few.

Like I said, Inspire...

We don't see each other often, but we don't need to.  706 minutes last month proves that.

I love you more than my red soled shoes.

Love to love you,

Me

{thank you google images}

    

Dear Friend...

{thank you google images}

My Dear Friend,

I am not going to use your name, you will know who you are.  It has been many years since we have seen each other.  Not since a special night long ago, your wedding reception.  I don't remember how long.  Has it been 14 years?  [I have been corrected, 16 years.  Boy was I off!]

There are so many things I remember.  Some things sound very stalker"ish", but I have a really good memory...promise.  I remember your green velvet prom dress and the time you were a Robert Palmer girl for Halloween.  Like I said, good memory.  More importantly I remember YOU.  Your kind smile an your sweet words.  I will never forget the letter you sent me after you went away to college to tell me you were marrying your beau, of a very short time.  And the night of your reception.  I will always remember talking with you while you changed out of your dress in the Relief Society room.

That was the last time we talked.  I was still in High School, you were married.  It happens.  Then the world of social networking started to come about.  I looked for you on myspace then facebook to no avail.  I couldn't find you anywhere.  Then there was the day I found your sister and through her I found you.  I was so happy to send that friend request.  I was so excited I forgot to tell you how happy I was to finally find you again.  This is a long long long time coming.  I am sorry it has taken so long.

You inspire me.

You inspire me by the honest words you express about your life.  No sugar coating comes from you.  I appreciate that.  You inspire me by your passion to live a healthy life and to pass it on to your children.  You inspire me by your love of the Gospel and the true sweet spirit you have.

Most of all I want to say Thank You.  Thank you for being you.  Thank you for your friendship.  I can always count on you to lift me up and to make me laugh.  I only hope I can do the same for you one day.

Love,
Me

{thank you google images}

Inspired...

I love to see the temple.

I'm going there someday.

To feel the Holy Spirit, To listen and to pray.

For the temple is the house of God, A place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young; This is my sacred duty.

I love to see the temple.

I'll go inside one day.

I'll covenant with my Father; I'll promise to obey.

For the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together.

As a child of God, I've learned the truth:

A family is forever.

 Houston, Texas Temple

November 2010

Growing Old...

Happy 6th Birthday Mr. P!

You have brought such love and laughter to this family, we know we wouldn't be the same without you.  You are the most amazing gift from heaven, Mr. P.  We love you so much!

SIX is a big year for Mr. P and we are starting it off with a bang.  We surprised him with a trip to Seaworld this year.  This is my boy who at Thanksgiving dinner said he was thankful for killer whales.  And whose favorite thing to watch on TV, other than the Food Network with me, is anything and everything to have to do with sharks and whales.  He can tell you many facts about whales, Orca's especially, that I didn't even know.  Thank goodness for Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel!  

Much more on this later.  

Mr. P's list of favorite things includes everything boys like.  All things Transformers and Super Hero have dominated the last few years.  This year has added Star Wars and Power Rangers.  We had to downplay his birthday, because of said surprise.  So on the morning of his birthday, before school, I let him open what he thought was his only present.

( I am a mean mom, and I am not afraid to admit it)

Here it is.  It also has a t-shirt with Darth Vader on it.

His first reaction...

"Oh cool!  But you could have got me a droid shirt!"

You can't win for losin' in this house!

So I asked if he would like me to take a picture of his shirt.

This is what I got...

He said, "The first one was a good guy face.  This is the face of the dark side.  I am your fatherrrr!"

Man, I just love this boy! 

More birthday to come!

Konversations With Kidz...

Miss C:  What is ?????

Me:  I don't know.  Google it.

Miss C:  Oh, Okay.

Me:  You know, back when I was growing up we didn't have google.  We had to use an encyclopedia.

Miss C:  Oooh, I have heard of one of those!

Me:  Geez!

Mr. P:  Do we get to go to the book fair today?

Me:  No, not until tomorrow.

Mr. P: But...

Me:  No, you have to wait until tomorrow.

Mr. P:  Ah Damn.

Me:  What did you say?????

Mr: P:  I said, "AH DAMN!"

Me:  GEEZ!

Miss C:  I learned about Eleanor Roosevelt at school today.

Me:  She was married to a President.

Miss C:  Uh ya, I know that.

Me:  I don't remember which one though.  Was it Franklin or Theodore?

Miss C:  Uh, number 32.

Me:  Oh, I didn't know he was the 32nd president.

Miss C:  Uh ya.  WHAT?  You didn't know that?

Me:  Geez!

We are driving home from school passing a house where a very (no joke here) over weight man lives.  He happens to be outside.

Mr. P:  Woah.  Look at him.  He is puffed up.

Me:  That's not nice.

Mr. P:  He is B.I.G.

Me:  That's not nice.

Mr.  P:  He's round.

Me:  That's not nice.

Mr. P:  He's round like a giant meatball.

Me:  (trying not to laugh out loud hysterically)

Mr. P:  Giant's like to eat meatballs.  Especially giant puffed up meatballs!

Me:  That's not nice.  Geez!!!!!

Me:  Said something to my hubby about going on a date.

Mr. P:  A DATE?  Daddy, are you going to kiss mommy?

Hubby:  Yes, yes I will.

Mr. P:  EEEEWWWW!  DIS. GUSTING!!!!

Me and Hubby and Miss C:  Rolling on the floor laughing.

Then and Now...

In August of last year I decided it was time to take off the baby weight.  I could hardly stand it anymore.

April of 2010

and...

November of 2010

Just wanted to give props to myself.  It has been long and hard, but totally worth it.  The journey isn't over.  I still have about 10 or 15 pounds to go.

My total lost thus far: 35 pounds

I am a much happier, healthier me!

A Few Of My Favorite...

We recently had the amazing opportunity of visiting Costa Rica.

Honestly I don't feel too much like writing about the whole experience, but I am more then willing to share my pictures.  

We flew into San Jose, stayed around for a day.  Then we drove own to Manuel Antonio.  We had a great time.  We enjoyed ourselves away from the kids, which is the most important thing of all!

Without further ado...

Enjoy!

Our Oh so fabulous Hotel in San Jose...

The hydrangeas that grow on the side of the road are the size of melons.

 This just may be one of my favorites.  I love butterflies!

We had to opportunity to hold this friendly bird...

Getting ready to do some zip lining.  Flattering, isn't it?

The walking tree...

The one and only dolphin picture...

Fuzzy, but it is what it is.  Playing around on ATV's...

 Somewhere in the area of Belize...

On the way home.  Sunburnt, but in first class!