I Met a Boy and I liked It......

I'm so excited to be back to blogging....  I really truly enjoy it!!  I love to "meet" new people and I need to get my thoughts out!!!
I'm even more excited to back to Writer's Workshop!!! 



When I read the prompt "Describe where you where when you met a boy", I couldn't stop thinking about the Katy Perry song (I kissed a Girl) and have since been singing-- I met a boy and I liked it...... and now I've probably got that song stuck in your heads as well, huh?  Sorry----- or not!!  :-)

Anyway,  I'm going to tell you about where I was (and more of course, because I am a rambler) and what transpired when I met this boy:

I was just separating from my ex-husband and starting my life as a single, working mom (while we were married, I staed at home with the kids).  I had just started working at an Environmental Consulting firm and was meeting all of my new co-workers.......  and there he was---- JOE!!  He was so nice, welcoming and friendly (and handsome to boot) and I was immediately drawn to his smile!
I was going through a break-up AND he was going through a break-up , so we became fast friends.  I always thought he was cute, but NEVER would've elaborated on it because of where I was in my life....... Sooooooo, everyday I would go to work, excited to see him and talk to him; and everyday I would make sure I found a reason to involve him in my work.

As time went by, I started going out with my co-workers on the Fridays that the boys went to their dads.  I had a great time!!   Joe and I started talking on the phone more often and eventually we would go out alone... as friends!!

We had a GREAT friendship; and has the months passed we went from being "just friends" to "more than friends" (wink-wink!!)  I still remember where we were when we had our first kiss.  We had been out downtown and it was late.  Me and my girlfriend were leaving his house to go home and as she walked out the door I closed it, turned around and planted one on him (I still believe that had I not made the first move, we may not be where we are now).

And shall I say, the rest is history....

CJ has the BUG..... the FLYING BUG

Wow..... LOOOOONNNNGGGG time, huh?? I won't even go into an explanation, except to say that it has been a very busy past few months!!!

I hope all is well with everyone-- and I promise to come "visit" all my "friends".... ;-)

Anyway-- CJ turned 14 on Monday; and for one of his gifts, Joe bought him an Adventure Flight.... (back story on this, is that in the past few months CJ has gotten WAY into airplanes, flying, models etc....)!!

An Adventure Flight is a 45 minute flight to their "training space", get some flying/training time there and then back into the flight pattern and land. While up there, CJ actually got to fly the plane H-I-M-S-E-L-F.... WOWZERS!!!

They just got back and CJ can not stop talking about flying and the plane and now flying lessons!!!

Action Time....

PARENTAL/KID WARNING:

Dear Parental Units (dad, carol, gladys...)-- do not read this if you do not want to be embarassed.....do not want to read some "personal" stuff about your daughter... or just can't handle the truth. Oh and if you do read it-- don't ever discuss the story with me... too uncomfortable!!
Dear Kids (CJ, this means YOU)- as your mother, I am telling you-- DO NOT READ THIS POST... you are not allowed until you are at least 18!! FINAL-- don't even ask!! And I will be able to tell if you do read it!! There are some things that moms just don't want to share with their kids (oh, but of course I don't mind sharing with tons of strangers)!!

I guess that is the problem with a blog that everyone I know reads... I can't always share EVERYTHING that I'd like to, without fear of who will read it.... Oh well, I got the "disclaimer" out of the way....

Be sure to check out Supahmommy and Mommybrain to read more!!

This is a pretty easy subject for me..... not to sound like a wild woman or anything, but Joe and I have a VERY "healthy" time at Inspiration Point.... we visit often; are never bored with it; and are always thinking up new adventures!! One such visit, that got interrupted by one of the kids.....

Let me preface the story with this-- (Dad/Carol, if you've gotten this far; then I apologize for the next couple of lines...) When I was a little girl, I remember that somehow I found out that my dad & stepmother would take a shower together...and somehow I found out that they did that so they could "conserve water"..... and let me tell you, I did believe that... I believed that for a long time... up until I was older and realized that probably wasn't true--- but I-DO-NOT-WANT- TO- GO- THERE... T.M.I.

Ok, so as a mother of 4 children who keep me busy ALOT.. sometimes we have to be creative and spontaneous.... sometimes has to be early morning or late at night when kids are sleeping... know what I mean!!

So, early one morning when the kids were still sleeping (and I know this because I usually ALWAYS have to wake them up); we decided that since we both had to get ready for work, then we would just "conserve water".... Well, i'm not sure how much "conserving" we did because we were in there quite a while.... and when it got to be just about "the moment" I hear a little voice say "mommy, are you in there..... MOOOOMMMMYYY?" (we have glass shower doors, that were fogged up, so you couldn't really see in--- thank goodness)

Everything was put to a crashing stop and this was our conversation (mind you-- I had pushed Joe to the very corner of our shower so no chance she would see him):

Me: yes, angie- I am taking a shower before work

her: where's daddy?

Me: he's probably somewhere around the house, just go back to bed for 3 more minutes (seriously- I said 3 more minutes-- that's really all we needed) :-)

her: but I need Daddy...

Me: Go back to bed-- NOW.. I will tell daddy to come in when I see him (wink-wink)

her: can you wipe the door so I can see in?

Me: NO-- go back to bed

her: Pleeaassee...? I want to see your face...

me: NO-- Ok, Angie-- just go lay in my bed and I will be out in T-H-R-E-E minutes!!!

That did get her out of there... but not before she basically "ruined the moment".... needless to say, I had to get out of the shower, get her out of my bed and into her room so that Joe could also get out of the shower.... and then we went about our day!!!

Don't feel too bad for us, we just met back at home later for "lunch" (hee-hee)

In Remission!!!

It's OFFICIAL.... Joe's Leukemia is in remission!! We got the news yesterday at his monthly appointment; after getting back the results of his chromosone tests.

We both know that it is because of the chemo pill that he's taking.... that he has to take the rest of his life.... and we know that if he stops taking it the cancer may come back.... but, whatever!!! Right now, his body is CANCER FREE and that is cause for a celebration!!!!

PSF- More Key West Pictures

Since I am trying to get back into my normal "blogging schedule", I am finally back to participate in PhotoStory Friday.... I do love doing that as I love pictures and I love to talk!!!


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I am going to share more pictures from our most recent Key West trip!!

Joe and I out on the boat... the weather wasn't very good this trip; but we still found a way to get out there and dodge the storms!!

This is the gigantic iguana that hangs out on our boat dock!! The picture doesn't do him justice, as he is so big it scares me!! I wonder if he will ever come after one of us....even if not provoked...?

Party night out.... somehow I got Joe into the most touristy spot, Sloppy Joe's, and even got him to dance!! two great feats---one great night!!!

:)

:)

This is our home away from home.... I know, I know Amy.... I am making you jealous!! :) Hey, you can come down and party with us anytime you want!!

Have a great weekend.... we will be having a busy one I'm sure!!

Tuesday's Tribute - My Guy!!

In honor of Joe's birthday this Friday (don't worry babe, I won't tell them that this birthday rhymes with shorty), I am going to do my Tuesday's Tribute about my guy!!!

Joe is one of the best things that has ever happened to me (besides my children, of course!!!!). We met a little over 6 years ago, at work..... I had just seperated from my ex and he was going through a break-up. We became friends pretty fast, as we had a lot in common and just had fun together....we were both a good break from reality that we both needed.

I always looked forward to going into work so I could see him and talk and laugh with him (shhh, don't tell him, but from the start, I always had a little crush on him). And eventually we started hanging out, with other friends, outside of work. We enjoyed our time together.... either in person, at work or on the phone; but vowed to remain "just friends" since we were both going through personal stuff........ BUT, you know how that goes.....

What started out as "just friends", turned into "more than friends" and then.............. well, then the rest is history!!!

He is very good to me and the kids.... he takes care of us and makes sure we have whatever we need and most of the time whatever we "want". He is funny, adventurous, always up for a new challenge and loves to travel!!

:)

He is a great daddy to Angie....

She loves her daddy dearly and it's safe to saythat she has him wrapped right around her little fingers!! And he has been really good with the boys.... I am sure that it was bit hard for him to go from being a single guy, living alone-- to dating a woman with 3 kids and one of his on the way...yikes!! The boys are always excited to tell him what's going on in their lives and Joseph has become particularly fond of him.

I am so thankful we found each other and have spent the past six years enjoying our lives together. I look forward to many, many, many, many more years.... Happy Birthday, Mi Lord (only he will get that)!!!

:)

Wordful Wednesday - Our 4th of July Weekend

For this week's Wordful Wednesday (hosted by one of my favorite bloggers, Angie) I will share about our 4th of July vacation.

Joe and I got to take an "adult" vacation last week and wow, it was GREAT!!! Of course, I love to take the kids with us too.... but it is also very nice to have alone time, with no responsibility!! : )
We drove down to Key West to spend 4 days of boating, swimming, tanning, relaxing, eating, drinking (alot), and just enjoying our time together!!!

:)

It's always fun to spend a holiday down there, as all the locals (and tourists too) head out to one of many little islands to hang out.... and at low tide, you get the best of both..... deeper swimming with a sandbar just a few feet away!!!

This 4th of July seemed like more boats than I've ever seen out there.....

There had to be at least 200 boats.... all shapes and sizes.... all different types/ages of people..... we were even entertained by a DJ booth set-up on one of the boats (still not sure how they powered that)..... good times!!!

Hope you all had as much fun as we did......

What a Weekend.... Part II

After my busy, busy Saturday, I slept in on Sunday morning...... I slept in and then lounged around in my pajamas until I had to get showered and dressed for my BBQ.

Joe and my Dad had planned a nice family & friends birthday party/bbq for ME... both of them knowing how much I enjoy get-togethers like that!! It was a day full of family, friends, LOTS of food, gifts, cake and FUN!!!

Joe made his "famous" ribs and I made my "famous" homemade mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.... I know, I shouldn't have cooked on my day, but since Joe really wanted those potatoes...and since he did peel them (all 10 lbs. of them) for me....well, I just did it!! And my dad my my favorite cake of all.... yellow cake with chocolate frosting...yummy!!!

Some pictures of our day...........

Joe and I waiting for the crowd to show up:

My dad worked up a sweat watching Joseph ride his bike:

Hanging out.....

....waiting for Joe to finish cooking.....

.....his famous ribs (and WOW are they good...I mean, great!!!)

I had to get a good picture of the kids before they ate and got all messy (yea, I'm a bit anal like that!!)

And mommy had to get a bit silly with them too........

Chowing down..... yummy, yummy!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!! (they thought it would be funny to put 34 candles on the cake.... ha-ha)

It's all mine...don't try to take it from me!!!

Some of my gifts.... Some of my favorite things.... I love Brighton and Bath & Body Works and I love, love, love Willow Tree figurines!!!

Happy Tuesday Friends!!!!

Photostory Friday.... He Spoiled Me!!!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I haven't done a PhotoStory Friday post for a while now...well, actually, I haven't done a "Friday" post for a while.... but I actually have a little bit of time before I head out for the day. It's funny how even though I am off of work, I still feel like I am going and going and going!!!

Anyway, last night Joe took me out for my birthday....we went out to dinner and to the mall for a shopping spree for me!! Now, this is a feet in itself because Joe does not like to shop at.all!!!! But he was such a trooper last night...he hung in there with me and didn't give me a hard time....even when we spent 45 minutes in Victoria's Secret...... and he did spoiled me!!!

I got shirts, shorts, a dress, sandals and some intimates from VS (but those are a bit too personal to show on here)!! Anyway, we had such a good night (and not just because he let me buy whatever I wanted)....just hanging out like school kids in the mall......people watching and giggling!!! Thanks baby....you are so good to me!!

Joe and Joseph

You know that Joe and Joseph have the same name.... I mean of course they have the same first name....but they also both have the same middle name!!! Obviously, I didn't know Joe back when Joseph was born..... so we've always thought it was kind of funny that I ended up with a man who shares the same full name as my son..... hmmmmm, interesting fact for the day!!!

A few months ago, Joe taught Joseph how to ride his bike without training wheels, but since Joseph didn't keep up with it, he "forgot" how to: so Joe had to teach him again!! Last night, Joe and Joseph spent about an hour out front riding, falling, turning, jumping off, riding, falling, laughing.... it was great..... I love to see that sparkle in Joseph's eyes once he has figured something out!!!

Joe showing him how to get started on his own....

And he's off.....

If all else fails.... jump off first:

He's so excited that now he can ride with his big brother.......

Nothing beats a smile like this..... he was so proud of himself....and I am so proud of him too!!!

And what a joy it was to watch the two of them interact like that.... I am very thankful that Joe has a good relationship with the boys.