10 Years!!

Happy 10th Anniversary Andrew!

We have gone through a lot in the past ten years; Changing jobs, buying a house, bringing home two dogs, lots of travel for work, lots of travel for fun. We have been on three cruises, to Mexico once, to Hilton Head and Vero Beach, to Disney World more times than I can count and now a wonderful week in Hawaii! We have also had some tough times; years of infertility, loss of a job and the end of a career we were so sure was perfect. But God brought us through and we were able to experience the miracle of adoption and bring home our beautiful son! And God provided a great job after heart break. So thankful that we serve a faithful God and that we serve him together! God continues to bless our marriage and I am so thankful that God chose you for me! I love you and I am so proud to be your wife. Happy Anniversary Babe!

Birthday Weekend at Disney

We had such a fun time this past weekend at Disney. Michael remembered all the rides from our trip just a few weeks ago. 

Here is our weekend in Pictures:

Friday, we spent most of the day at Magic Kingdom. We had dinner reservations at Be Our Guest Restaurant. The food we really good, and the Beast came out at dinner. 

Friday night at Magic Kingdom

On one of Michael's favorite rides, the Carousel.

Michael loves emperor Zurg from Toy Story!

 Saturday Morning, we went to Animal Kingdom. This was Michael's first time there. We rode the Safari, and went to the petting zoo area.

Saturday Morning at Animal Kingdom

Playing the African Drums at Animal Kingdom 

Saturday night we had dinner reservations at Epcot in China. The food was really good, and really big portions. After dinner, Michael got a cookie.

Michael showing us his giant cookie at Epcot

 Sunday Morning we went to Hollywood Studios. Our goal was to get there right when the park opened, so we could run to Toy Story Mania and get a fast pass and get in line to ride it. That way we could ride it twice. Well, the line for the fast pass was SOOOO long. But Andrew waited in that, and I hopped in line for the actual ride. He finished up, right as the ride opened, and met us in line. We waiting only about 15-20 minutes. When we walked by later, the wait time was 120 minutes! Our fast past return was for 1:20, so we had several hours to kill. 

We met Mike and Sully!

Getting ready to ride Toy Story Mania for the second time!

Michael loved the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground
We spent a lot of time in there

Michael on "Antie"

As we were leaving the Studios, Michael got his
very first Mickey Bar!

He sure did like it!

And it got really messy!

 Sunday night we went back to Epcot for dinner in Italy. The Best Pizza I have ever had!

Monday morning we were off to the airport by 8:30 and home by 12:45. It was a fun weekend, and I'm so glad the Andrew enjoyed his birthday gift.

Andrew's Birthday Surprise!

For Andrew's Birthday this year, I decided to surprise him with a trip to his favorite place, Disney World.
Yes, we were just there 3 weeks ago, but that doesn't matter. Andrew would go every week if he could.

So, I decided to write a poem for him, to tell him about the surprise. Here is the poem. Yes, it is super cheesy.

You work so hard, all year long,
To not do something big, would just be wrong.

Your Birthday gift this year is really great,
But we have to leave on time, we can't be late.

So pack your bags and get everything you need,
We are taking a trip, oh yes indeed.

The location is a surprise, but I know you will love it,
You have been there before, so I know that it's a hit!

The surprise starts on Friday, so make sure you let work know,
You won't be there all weekend, or on Monday, also.

I hope you are excited, and the anticipation doesn't kill you,
But don't bother asking, whatever you do.

You will just have to wait, and see where we go,we
could leave by air, land or sea, soon enough you will know.

Here is one little thing I will go ahead and tell you,
There is no one I love more than you, Andrew!


Then on his actual Birthday, I told him where we were going. He was super excited, and couldn't wait to go.
I will post pictures from the trip on my next post.

Thankful Day 2

I am so thankful for my husband, Andrew! He is such a wonderful, strong man with a gentle, quiet side. He is a wonderful father to Michael and Michael sure does love his daddy. He lets me yell, and vent, and has no judgement when I come back to apologize. He understands me, although it has taken him several years, and if you asked him, he would say that he is no closer to understanding me now, than he was 12 years ago when we met. There is no one else I would rather have as my partner and best friend. I Love You, Andrew!

God, You knew exactly what I needed in a husband, and you gave him to me. He is calm, when I get excited. He is strong, when I am weak. He holds me up and supports me. Thank you for giving me Andrew as a husband. And thank you for leading him, so that he can lead our family.

8 Years

 Eight Years ago, I married my best friend! Eight years later, and he is still my best friend, but so much more. I love you so much Andrew, and I look forward to Many Many More years with you!

Kettle Corn Love

So, the last few weeks, Andrew and I have been on a major kettle corn kick. Andrew has perfected the recipe and technique, so I thought I would share it with you.
The recipe is as follows:
1/2 cup un-popped pop corn
Vegetable oil - enough to barely cover the pop corn (see picture below)
1/4 cup sugar
Salt - to taste

First, you will need a large pot with a tight fitting lid.

Pour the popcorn into the pan.

Pour in enough oil until the popcorn is barely covered and then stir.

Turn stove on high heat and wait to hear the oil sizzle.

Once the oil starts to sizzle, pour sugar in, and stir very well, to coat all kernels with sugar.

Spread out all of the kernels, so there is a single layer on the bottom of them pan.

Now just wait for the pop.

After the pop corn has started popping, give the pot a good shake. Continue to shake every 20-30 seconds.

Once the popping has slowed down (about 2-3 seconds between pops) remove from heat.

Stir the popcorn.

Add salt to taste and continue stirring.

Pour into a bowl and enjoy!!

We have tried different brands of popcorn and so far, the yellow corn seems to pop up the best. We are in search of the popcorn that will give us the biggest popped kernel. If you know where we could get some, please let us know.
Please let me know if you try making it, and how it turns out. Happy Popping!

He Loves His Daddy!

When Andrew got home from work yesterday, he went outside to cut the grass.

A certain little boy stood at the window for 10 minutes just watching his daddy cut the grass.

He sure does love his Daddy!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy First Father's Day to my wonderful husband and father of my child. You are a great father to Michael, and he loves you so much.

Also, happy Father's day to my wonderful dad and father-in-law. We love you!

7 Years

Today, Andrew and I have been married for 7 years!
It's crazy to think about it.
In those seven years we've had some great experiences.
Happy Anniversary babe!
I love you!

Happy Birthday Andrew!

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday! He is the big 3-0! Andrew, I love you so much, and love to see you with our son! You are a wonderful Father, and a wonderful husband. I am so blessed to have you in my life. And Michael is so lucky to have you as his father. I hope you have a wonderful day off! We Love You!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

This past week, our family went through a really big change.

Andrew no longer works for Chick-fil-A and has started working at BMW.



He has been going through the hiring process with BMW since early September, and this week he finally started. I never realized how intense the hiring process is. After an interview, a "rim-mount" assessment, a written test, a physical; including EKG, stress test and hair sample drug analysis, he was offered a job.

He will be working 4 days a week! That means 3 days off!!!

And this is where he will be working. We also found out that he gets an entire week off at Christmas and forth of July! He also gets Thanksgiving and the day after off! We are so excited about all the time off he will be getting.

Since we have been married, he has always worked in a restaurant. So he has always worked holidays. We have never been able to spend Christmas Eve together. There were even some years when he worked at Ryan's that he had to work all day on Thanksgiving. He has always had to work the day after Thanksgiving, and the day after Christmas.

This job is such an answer to prayer and we are so excited about how God has answered our prayers.

Everything I love most in life...

I love these boys more than anything else in this world. I am so blessed.

6 Years Ago Today...

I married my best friend! Happy Anniversary Andrew!

I Love you so much!

I can't wait to see what is in store for us!

I'm looking forward to spending the next 50 years with you!

Love,

Your Bride