Happy 15th Anniversary!!!

This weekend was our 15th wedding anniversary! We had such a great time together in SO Cal!
The highlight for me was meeting Pioneer Woman and having her sign copies of her cookbook for me! She was gracious enough to sign several copies for me, and even did a special page for each of my boys with their names on some of their favorite recipes! How sweet is she!
While we waited in line for hours, I got to meet some other wonderful ladies. It was fun to share our stories of how we all enjoy Ree's great blog!
Tony was a great sport... as always! Gosh I love this guy!!

March Madness

Caden absolutely LOVES to plant flowers; and since I've been promising we'd "get to it" for several weeks now, I figured today was the day...
He was SOOOOO excited...

and I am too, because it means I get beautiful pots like these.

But all of a sudden-- we had this beautiful rainbow in the sky:

because it started to POUR, right in the middle of our planting frenzy...

But one of the MANY things I love about my better half...

he doesn't let anything get in the way of "his plans". And a "little rain" didn't slow him down a bit. (I'm hoping it doesn't kill my newly planted flowers either, seeings how the poor things are more like drowning...)

While I ran inside to get in my warm bath that he ran for me because I was FREEZING, he stayed in his shorts... in the rain... cleaning up so we could get ready to go out for the night.

And I have to say... I hope my boys turn out JUST like their daddy, because I sure love him!

and my babies too!

Facebook Debate

If you haven't tried facebook... it really is A MUST.


I fought it for a while... but now I totally love it because I'm so much better at keeping up with friends this way. It's been great to hook up with friends from the past... and it's even replaced my overcrowded email inbox in a lot of ways (LOVE THAT) because instead of emails... friends just send messages on f.b.


Here's the funny thing-- Tony and I "share" a page (and you wouldn't believe all the grief we get over that). Well, it's MY page... but he's kind of taken over... which is pretty much how we roll on most things around here. After 18 years of that... you start to just go with it.


If nothing else... facebook highlights our differences... and has given us many a laughs over the confusion of who's page people are writing on. Last week his best friend thought Tony posted a message about taking a bath (as if)... and sarcastically said something about joining "me" in the tub. AHHHH.... talk about funny!


Tony loves people... lots, and LOTS of people. Even annoying people... not me.


Tony loves to be in front of a crowd, usually making them laugh... I'll do just about ANYTHING to go unnoticed.


Tony doesn't mind having his picture taken... I do WHATEVER I can not to be in one.

(THUS... our profile pix usually has him, and or the boys instead of me on it. )
Either way... if you get your own page, or you share one with your hubby... it's kinda fun to see what people are up to that you haven't talked to in 20 years.

AND... He Scores.

This is THE most wonderful teenage boy we know!

15 years ago, we fell in love with him... and we couldn't love him anymore if he was our own!

(wow, that was a long time ago... and even then, you can see it written all over his sweet little face, that Josh wanted Tony to hold him)

Tony would spend hours, just holding him and praying that he would become the man God created him to become. (He said he was praying, looks like he was just sleeping to me)

Tony has gotten to teach him lots of things, but mostly... Josh has helped us.

Last night was the "Father vs. Son" basketball game at the high school.

Josh asked Uncle Tony to play with him.
My nephew has NEVER, in 15 years years... seen or talked with his dad; even though we all live in the same town. Last night at the game; for just a moment, my heart went out for them both, not just my nephew. For Josh, it's hard to miss something you've never had. But for a quick moment last night, I felt sad for his dad too. He's missing out on knowing such a fine young man! I felt almost guilty that Tony gets to have these special moments with his nephew instead of his dad.

And while my hubby is NOT a basketball player (which is like saying the Grand Canyon is "just" nice), Tony went and played in the father-son game with Josh because he loves him more than anything. And while J probably wasn't too big on Tony's granny shot from the free throw line (seriously) in front of all his buddies...even though HE MADE IT... he was still happy they could play together.

So, while T's not "really" his dad, he loves to act like he is because that is an honor. It is a privilege to be with Josh, and he will continue to shoot for being the man that Josh will count on when he needs him.

And sometimes you shoot and miss.

And sometimes you foul.

And sometimes...

sometimes HE SCORES.

What a game!

I'm hoping by the time our boys ask him to play in stuff like this, he realizes he's supposed to let them WIN!

Of course, since he can hardly walk today, I'm thinking that might actually happen.

Added Addictions

I have issues.
Surprising, I know... but I'm addicted to lots of things.

* spending time with my boys
* shoes
* music
* books
*scrap booking
*shopping...

and that's only some of the things I'm addicted to.

This summer I've added blogging and Facebook to my 'ever growing list of addictions'.

Today I've discovered another one...

a really huge one...

My FAVORITE one of the moment... is my new Nikon D60!!

I'm in L.O.V.E.

I mean, really in love, with this new toy!!!

AND THAT...

is why I needed to watch 3 videos this afternoon (just to figure out how to turn it on)...
instead of getting my son ready for his baseball game (so he showed up to catch without his catcher's gear, with the wrong team shirt on--- but he's lucky I even got him there-- because that's really daddy's job since I'm supposed to be across town at football practice.)

and why my house may be falling down around me in the next few days....

and why my kids may not eat healthy food for the next several days...

and why I am in HOG HEAVEN...

and "ANOTHER REASON" why my husband is THE GREATEST!!!!

I finally got my camera... just in time to take some great photos when we go down to Newport beach tomorrow...

just in time for the Dodger game in LA we'll be at on Saturday.

just in time to take some fun football pictures this season.

SO...

as soon as I figure out how to use this wonderful new thing... I'll be back to blogging... with some cool pictures I hope!

NOTE TO SELF:
I also need to nail down the details of our poor children's schooling for next year... preferrable before the first day of school on Monday...
so I might need to take some time to do that soon (since Tony can't be bothered with "stuff like that"... it's all about priorities Baby.

I also might want to consider working in my classroom sometime between now and ... say, tomorrow! Since I'm running out of opportunities to do my classroom before school starts next week. ahhh

I told you all I needed a longer summer break....

Knights in Training... Examples please!

The best way to teach is by example... so here's my knight in shining armor getting the gourmet potatoes ready for dinner...



(nice arms... eh???) Yeah... Now I think so too... but I never really noticed that until Ree pointed out Marboro Man's ... isn't that sad???) Not my thing... but I love him because he is the most helpful, loving man around... with the biggest "servant's heart"... a true gift when you have 4 BOYS!!!

And here's my Knight in training... making dessert before his big game last night... (where he was the only one to "CRUSH" the ball.... yep, daddy's boy for sure!)

He's so proud... he loves crushing the oreos... and making A HOLY MESS!!

But I figured I had to be a little forgiving after all the shopping they let me do while they were at VBS the day before...

Like all my purses and shoes??? ME TOO... and they were "pretty good sports" posing too. (SORTA)

Black, red, neutral and green... got em all covered in one day- not bad.

ummm... back to this...

like all that butter??? Ree would be proud...

AND here's my 2 all stars... who I'm SOOO proud of!!!

BUT... here's my secret for not ever eating what my kids make... (besides dieting... again, still)

I spent the last decade saying... you need to share with your brothers--

but I didn't mean this:

or this:

or this:

opps ( you get the idea)...

"NOT" when you're cooking SON... that's GROSS!! (but they apparently don't mind-because it's ALL gone) I didn't get any tri-tip, or potatoes, or dessert, or corn, or broccoli (YUCK)... but I did eat the bread... which is why I need to be on a diet anyway.

ahhh...

Have a great weekend Y'all!

By The Books

I confess that I never read any "mommy books" or "how to books" that weren't a college requirement for my teaching credential.

*breathe, girls breathe*

I didn't take any kind of "birthing" classes either. NOT. A. SINGLE. ONE!!!

gasp.

Not because I didn't care, not because I didn't have the time... I just decided that I didn't want to know all the things that "could go, might go" wrong. Having listened to the doctors for the first 33 weeks of my first pregnancy, never thinking Kyle would be born... nor believing that his brothers would be possible... I could imagine enough trouble without the books including any other possible scenarios.

It worked for me... but I'm not about to tell another mom to do it "like that."

I was reading a mother's blog today on needing to ween her baby... and I thought I'd share my story of how I did it... because it worked SO WELL.

The boys are all about 14 months apart in age and I nursed all of them for about a year. Weening the first three was more matter of being in the third trimester of the next pregnancy than anything I did or didn't do. But then Caden had his first birthday and I remember thinking, "This is my last baby, and every "last" for him... will really be "the last for us."

I remember telling Tony about my mental check list: binkies... diapers... strollers... car seats.

He asked, "what about nursing?"

ummm... yeah, there's that too. ** What's HE thinking??**

Flash forward a few weeks...

We got invited by our friends to go to Hawaii for a week... with no kids.

Tony made all the arrangements, including having my sister agree to weening the baby while we were gone...

YEP... I kid you not.

I left all 4 babies... with my amazing sister... who spoiled the bajeebers out of them (with her 7 - year old twins as her helpers) for an entire week. I only agreed to it because Tony REALLY wanted/needed the time, and I figured it was finally time. Caden has always been a pretty easy kid... and didn't give her too much trouble (so she said... probably because I was having major guilt issues).

So... that's how my baby got weened... sorta

(Until, we got home... and I thought I was going to POP... and so he had a little smackeral of some, some. And darn Tony's hide... he just had to go and tell my sister... who was not too happy with me "after she'd gone and done all that work weening him for me.")

Family... I tell ya.

Reason 46834 I Married Him

We usually do holidays at our house because it's easy. We generally love doing it because it usually means that we are able to get things done around the house that we have been putting off. But for the Fourth of July this year, with baseball and everything else going on... we didn't think we could get everything together in time, so we decided to keep it low key... aka- not invite anyone. But, at the last minute- we (hmmm, Tony) changed his... I mean, "our" minds and decided... let's just do it!

For me, that means cooking and decorating, which I love to do.... but for Tony, it means cleaning and yard work, and getting to be with people... which he loves (the people part anyway).

I started cooking yesterday... and thanks to Ree ... my dad got his Jalapeno poppers, mom got her apricot dessert, everyone got the flag dessert, and a select few got blue berries with her yummy homemade yogurt that she shared on her blog the other day... LOVE that woman!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/07/bacon-wrapped_j/

And thanks to Jen at http://jennwa.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-02-28T20%3A33%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=7

The boys got to make they're favorite meat wraps... and a delicious dip that they devoured.

So it went like this... Tony decided we're doing the 4Th at our house Thursday morning before work. I go to Costco to get all the food, and I'm home and cooking by about 11a.m. I continue to cook until Tony gets home at 11:00 p.m., by which point I'm beginning to remember all the reasons we "weren't up for hosting a party." (My house is a mess, and it's not decorated for Pete sake!)

All six of us load up and head to Walmart to get the decorations I insist we need. (And I'm walking around a very crowded store thinking, "what's wrong with these people? Why aren't they home in bed, and what in the world are they doing out so late with their kids? Don't they know it's almost midnight? jeez! ... And then of course, I remind myself that my own 4 boys are racing their carts with their dad in the next aisle.)

Anyhow, somewhere along the way between getting the plates and getting some flags, I get the bright idea that we need pillows that are "4th of Julyish" too. How hard can that be???

I'll just buy a new sewing machine (I've never sewn a stitch in my life), and get some material. After all, how hard can it be to sew a square! I'll just whip some out when we get home, because it's very important to decorate! Right mom?

So, at 3 a.m. my hubby and I are doing just that! He was so great... we watched the instruction video and he finally got it all working for me (because I couldn't even thread the darn thing. I knew I was in trouble when it came with a instruction DVD. My own personal take is that it should have at least come out of the box ready to work for goodness sake. Oh well no.) By 4:30a.m. we had it basically done, all 7 pillows, but not quite. My mother, who puts Martha to shame, came to the house today a few hours before the guests arrived to "get it all finished before everyone showed up." Dad ate, I mean... cooked the poppers and got most of the food ready. My sister came early too... and she brought in the troops... The best kids on the planet = Josh + Cassandra. Josh keeps the boys out of the way and busy playing ... and Cassandra is a miracle worker who pretty much cleaned up and put out whatever we needed.

By the time everyone got here, we were pretty much ready. What a fun day! I love serving people and seeing people enjoying themselves. But most of all... most of all I'm thankful for a hubby that's still willing to do all-nighters with me (like we did back when we were dating)... and put up with me and my "great ideas." And I'm sure thankful for my great parents and sister who still know how to pull together and "getter done." Good times, good times!

so...

Happy 4th of July everyone!

ps- I'll be sleeping in tomorrow for sure!

Hit and Run

As a follow up to my first ticket last week... I was lucky enough to get in my first accident tonight. It was actually a Hit and Run... and as my hubby says, "The hits just keep on coming."

AJ and I were on our way to get Kyle in the "borrowed" car that we're using until the Excursion gets outs out of the shop. (Since we have to get it smogged because of my ticket from a few days ago...) NICE.

As I'm waiting at a light, some YAhoo hits me from the side as she pulls out to get in the turning lane. It's obvious she's not stopping, so I pull over to that lane to follow her. I know... DUMB, STUPID... but in my defense- it was a borrowed car! AJ is the only one in the car with me (Definitely daddy's boy because he's yelling... chase her mom, we can take her- go, GO!)

In one of my finer "stellar mommy moments," I do just that! I proceeded to speed after her (since I'm quite sure there's no cops around when you need them). I honked at her so she'd pull over...because that's what you do when you hit someone with the car...right? You pull over, you exchange insurance info etc... Apparently she didn't get that memo...

But, she eventually did pull over, along with the gang banger dude she was with.

WOOPSIE...

I stuttered something profound like, "You can't just hit somebody and take off like that lady, that's just... wrong! Ummm don't you think, I asked (ever so humbly- I might add?)"

Brilliant, yep... that's me!!!

So... she tells me she's late for work and she doesn't have time to give me any +&^)#&)_# insurance info... and drives off.

Once again, I display my infinite wisdom and continue to follow her... half-heartedly at best because by now I'm thinking... "and what pray tell am I going to do if I actually catch up with them???" hmmm.

There was no license plates on the car (which should have been my first big clue that this might not be a car I should try to follow to try. Since they probably don't have insurance to begin with, and it was probably a stolen car, and they were definitely not the "let's handle this situation calmly" type people.... I should have just "let it go." BUT, that is SOOOO... not my nature!

I'll say this though... I'm very thankful that we weren't hurt, and the car can be fixed (The guy from the dealership was SO cool about the whole thing). As my overly-protective, overly-smothering hubby lectured me on all the reasons why I shouldn't be listening to my 10 year old in crisis situations, and as my adrenaline goes back to normal levels...

I really am thankful, and realize yet again... I'm so fortunate!


Nevertheless... I'd rather go back to my perfect driving record since I've just ruined the tremendous bragging rights I've enjoyed over my husband for the last 18 years... (HOLY MOLY... that's a LONG time)

College Days

Here's where best friends from College spend New Years Eve every year...





And here's what my hubby and Tracie do NOT need to do to make them any louder and goofy...


and here's what I look like with my favorite people in the world after too much sun because I've watching the Mercedes Golf Touney at the Plantation House...

Tony and I went to The Masters College in Southern California. He got a scholarship to play baseball there, and I chose to go there because when I was in Jr. High, I started going to camp at Hume Lake and fell in love with a speaker from TMC named "Dewey" (of course, I only got to have him as my professor my freshman year - but it was awesome while it lasted!).

We both had an incredible time in college... ahhh, the memories we have! Hardly a day goes by without some fun reference or comment to a memory that stems back from that time of our lives together. I had no worries, no bills, no obligations... oh for those days when life was so simple!

The best part of those college days... are the life-long friendships that started! Since Tony and I are VERY, VERY different... we don't always enjoy hanging out with friends as couples now. Sometimes I'll have friend that I want to go out with, and Tony can't stand the husband... or visa versa. That obviously put a damper on the whole concept of a double date.

But... we have friends from college that are just PERFECT. Tony and Jason played ball together, and Jason and I had classes together. Jason and I are VERY much alike, so we enjoy the same things. We have a lot in common, especially the fact that we love our Sanguine spouses. I love Tracie because she is a female version of my husband... everything I'm not. Loud, fun, outgoing... makes me laugh and takes care of everything. She really is one of the nicest people I've ever been blessed to know - just like Tony!

Those are the kinds of friendships you treasure, because you know they're rare. We were in each others weddings, we spend New Year's together in Hawaii, and hang out whenever we get the chance because ... you talk about good times!

They came up this weekend... we laughed, and laughed! The guys golfed a couple of times while me and Tracie hung out by the pool with all our kids. We reminisced about all the dumb (fun) things we did back then, and chatted about being moms, and work etc. I never thought about my house, or what needed to be done, or what other things we should have been doing.

We just sat back and enjoyed being friends... and I remembered all the reasons that I loved those college days... because just for the few days they were here with us...

I had no worries, no bills, and no obligations... it was all about hanging out with friends!

The only way it could have been better, was if we were in Hawaii... but that's another 6 months away.

ALL STARS

Today TMAC got chosen to be the all-star coach for our #2 son's league! That's only a big deal because you have to apply, and then get voted in by all the families and other coaches, and the board of directors who eat, sleep, and drink baseball - literally (most of whom think they should be the one to get the position). AJ is happy that his dad got picked because he loves him to be his coach, but Tony is REALLY excited because he was worried he might not get it since we don't have the best record!

Me... While I'm very proud of him, and I understand it's great to be validated.... I'm sorta thinking... But I thought the season was almost over???

Party shoes

P5050239
Originally uploaded by rmac4444

After a mere 647 different pictures of various shoe shots... my hubby and I decided that this is THE one! (How sweet is he for humoring me)

These shoes are THE BOMB (as my boys would day)!

When my husband and I go to The Grand Wailea in Hawaii for New Year's Eve... I get all giddy because that means I get to go to one of my favorite shoe stores! Tony bought these shoes for me (and I felt guilty for at least a nano-second because they were very expensive) and after I got after him for spending way too much $, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed the bajeebers out of him because they are absolutely gorgeousssssss... and I love, love them... I mean, I love HIM for never, ever telling me no when it comes to shoes. Any wonder why I married him?

My camera doesn't do the shoes justice, so you'll have to just take my word for it.

I'm How Old Again?

The other day my dad asked me, "How old are you again?"

I told him was already 34, and he ... very quickly, reminded me of the year I had apparently forgotten. He reminded me I was half way to 70... thanks pop.

35??? Oh yeah, "you're right," I answered!

He laughed - I didn't.

But then... Tony bought me the greatest gift last night and I felt so much better (His gifts do that for me!). It was a Celine Dion DVD of her last 5 year contract in Vegas. I love her music... but the significance behind the gift is why my hubby is THE BEST.

For my 30th b-day (yes...5 years ago, not 4), he bought us opening night tickets for her show in Vegas. It was AAAAmazing! The DVD doesn't even begin to capture the wonder of her live show. Celine's entire family was there, including all her sibling from Canada. It was one of the best weekends we've ever had... for a lot of reasons.

As we sat in our room and watched the video together, he leans over for another kiss and asks, "yeah, we were good together 5 years ago... but we're so much better now."

Well, if you're gonna put it like that... I guess being half way to 70 isn't so bad.

Teacher vs. dad vs. mom

So I just got "another" call from one of by beloved son's teachers. It was not a happy mommy moment for me because it wasn't one of those, "your kids great calls. It was more, "he just doesn't seem too interested in school calls." Maybe it's because I'm a teacher myself, maybe it's because my boys go to a private school where my family is very involved... maybe it's just pride- but for whatever reason... calls like that just kill me.

Let me just say, HE GETS IT FROM HIS FATHER... ! And Tony will be the first to say that, albeit with a grin on his face.

My son also has his father's talent for sports, and right now couldn't be a better time to use baseball as an incentive to get his act together in school, right? Well, that depends on who you ask. But, since I'm the mom... I think it's a perfect plan. Apparently, his teacher, teammates, and coach/dad... they're not so sure.

Tony talked to the teacher that morning (he just happened to be there working in the kinder class with Caden), and told her that he'd "talk to him about being better." He apparently didn't get the message clear enough for dad, because he got in more trouble later on that day. By the time I talked to his teacher at about 3:45, I let her know that he wouldn't be going to his 11-12 year old team practice from 4-6, and furthermore... at his game that started at 7 he would be sitting in the stands with me. (She could hear the crying already... so she ever-so-graciously says, "Mrs. Mac, he was 1 of 6 kids that had a rough day today - and you're the only parent that's punishing your child."

and that matters because??? Well, my son's just lucky I guess; because HE knows better.

Well, coach daddy had A REALLY hard time grasping the concept of his "star player" missing any game time.

As luck would have it, his brand new bat came in the mail today and it 'was really important that he had a chance to use it at practice today." Sorry hon, not today!

Game time came... daddy comes to the stands... "um, have you decided if I can put him in the line-up? Rachel, It's really not fair to the team for him not to play in this game."

hmmmm. Dear, he's 9. He'll live, I know this is taking years off your life... but truly- not starting in 1 game will not kill him! And after all, this is about what's best for him!

Out of love for my darling, I did let my son eventually go in the game... after writing an ever-so-sweet "kiss-up letter" to Mrs. S assuring her that he "would be a stellar student until the end of the season." (He meant til the end of the year, I'm just sure of it!).

To which, coach daddy was SO happy, as he did wind up winning the game for his team!
"Yep, he might not be the best student Rae-- but boy did you see that boy hit and pitch tonight"


AHHHH.... and with that wonderful thinking dear, don't be surprised if YOU have to talk to his teacher again (because, it kills me)!

Swinging Saturdays...

We had our first practice at 8:30 this morning... that would be A.M.!!! What was the coach thinking? Scheduling it that early on a SATURDAY... for Pete Sake!

He was thinking... about his next practice from 10 to 11:30. Then he started to get hungry... but had to rush to the next game (that I was at by 11:10). So, leaving the game at 1:45 p.m. he rushes to pick up a game shirt and run through a drive-thru for lunch.

Then he drops me off for ... snack duty (my LEAST favorite part of my "mom duties" for baseball season) from 2:30 - 4:30. While I'm there (HATING life because it is FLIPPING FREEZING), he'll go do batting practice with one of his teams.

When he's done there... he'll come back over to the field for our final game of the day. When that game is finally over, my WORLD'S BEST SISTER will take ALL 4funboys to her house to spend the night! Is she amazing or what? Yes, we know we're blessed!

By that time it will be about 7:30 and ... He's thinking... date night, alone with my wife...no kids!

And I'll be thinking... That was some SWINGING SATURDAY! And ... please be tired too!

I know he's already thinking... date... because last night I went up to go to bed and I found a bubble bath with the most wonderful smelling candles he'd just bought (in the most beautiful basket!); and he says ... "I want you to rest now, this is so you won't be too tired for our date tomorrow night."

so... I guess 12 hours of baseball is as good as it gets on a Saturday- as long as we have a great date afterwards!

No Headaches!

I am especially tired today because we've been running at a ridiculous pace... and in anticipation of tonights chaos I left work a few minutes early in hopes of cramming in one more thing. But, Tony beat me home... and the house is totally cleaned, the laundry's done, he hired a guy to work on finishing remodeling the boys new rooms (and they'll move in this weekend!), and...

I fell in love all over again... so no headaches tonight!

But I'll share this email anyway... just because I laughed !!!


God said, "Adam, I Want you to do Something for Me." Adam said, "Gladly, Lord, what do You Want me to do?" God said, "Go down Into that valley." Adam said, "What's a Valley?" God explained it to Him. Then God said, "Cross the river."Adam said, "What's a River?" God explained that To him, and then said, "Go over to the hill...." Adam said, "What is a Hill?" So, God explained to Adam what a hill was. He told Adam, "On The other side of the Hill you will find a Cave." Adam said, "What's a Cave?" After God explained, He said, "In the cave You will find a woman." Adam said, "What's a Woman?" So God explained That to him, too. Then, God said, "I Want you toReproduce." Adam said, "How do I do that?" God first said (under His breath), "Geez....." And then, just like Everything else,
God Explained that to Adam, as well. So, Adam goes down Into the valley, Across the river, and Over the hill, into the Cave, and finds the Woman. Then, in about five Minutes,
he was back. God, His patience Wearing thin, said Angrily, "What is itNow?" And Adam said.... * * (YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS!!!!!!)** ***


"What's a headache?"

Ha....

Bubble Bliss

My better-half showed up to my school today to bring me lunch. He found me in the principal's office suspending (again) one of my students. Knowing that we'd miss our chance to have lunch together; he rolled his eyes, gave me a kiss, and left me to complete the paperwork (I HATE paperwork people!) When I got home from picking up the boys from school, dinner was in the crock pot, right next to beautiful roses and a "sappy note" promising a super long bubble-bath. Yep... he's THAT good to me. And yes boys, a bubble bath does "all that!" Thanks Babe!

Love Of A Lifetime...

At 18 years old I went away to college and discovered the love of my life. It definitely didn't start off that way; it took me several years to "get on board" with that plan. But, Tony... thanks for not giving me up, and endulging me in so many things! I wanted to write some wonderfully clever tribute to you for Valentine's Day, but I don't know where to begin. There are so many reason's I love you... How do you put 17 years into words??? I don't know... but here's what I do know:

I love you... so much! I love you for being my anchor through the storms of life. I love you for being the father that I knew you would be. I love you for doing ALL our laundry for the last 17 years (yes, we've only been married for 14 but since you started doing my laundry in college, and never stopped - I think I should of married you for that reason alone)! I love you for doing all the housework (I'm SOOO "over" being hurt that you don't let me do it all). I love you for bringing me breakfast in bed, even though I'm trying to diet. I love you for making the boys lunches every day, even though I think it's crazy you make 4 different kinds of sandwiches. I love you for running bubble baths for me, and making "sure the candles are lit." I love you for coming to my class to run races with the kids for P.E. when you really don't have time, and never giving me a hard time about all the money I spend on my students. I love your generous and kind spirit. I love you for being determined to make our relationship work, when nearly everyone thought we shouldn't be together because of our backgrounds. I love you for being the leader in our home. I love you for wanting the best for me and the boys. I love you for loving my family so much. I love you for letting me "have my moments." I love you for trusting me. I love you for forgiving me for all the times I've let past experiences distort my perception of how things are now. I love you for standing beside me in difficult decisions with the boys. I love you so much for taking care of everything through all my surgeries. I love you for all you've given up. I love you for your determination to be a better person, and wanting the same for me. I love you for being the best friend I have. I love you for calling me a dozen times a day to remind me how much you love me, even though we "just talked" 2 minutes ago. I love you for not be jealous, possessive, or demanding. I love you for being the hopeless romantic. I love you for the great letters that you write to me and the boys all the time. I love you for crawling out on the roof in your undies, in the cold wind and rain, to cut down branches that are keeping me awake. I love you for not "keeping score" in our marriage. I love you for not getting mad when I forget your "exact" birthday (I'm only off by a day). I love you for making me laugh. I love you for trying not to embarrass me... even though it takes SO little. I love you for being understanding. I love you for not caring what other people think. I love you for your silly heart. I love you for your willingness to help any friend, at any time. I love you for buying me shoes that I don't need, just because you know I'll like them. I love you for thinking I deserve so much better more I really do. I love you for working so hard. I love you for being such a great example for the boys. And, I love you for a million other things you do...

Happy Valentine's Day... I love you .