25 Years Together

Twenty-five years ago today, Doug and I went out on our first official date.

We attended our senior prom together ~ as friends. As you can see above, we weren't hugging or holding hands. We were both quite nervous because we were definitely crushing on each other and this was an important, expensive first date.

I told our official "first date story" in my "20 years together" post.

I'm so grateful to that the "other guy" that refused to take me to the prom. That rejection pointed me to the path toward my soul mate.

 I still have all our prom memorabilia (yes, I keep everything)...

Below is the group of friends we went with. I (and Doug) kind of orchestrated all that too. We helped pair everyone up so we could all go together. (Unfortunately, we don't have contact with any of these people anymore.)...

The night was absolutely magical, especially for a girl that didn't have a lot of dating experience.

I was able to attend the most important dance of high school with a guy that I really liked...

After that night, we became a couple...

We have literally grown up together ~ we were so young when we started dating (I was 17 and Doug was 18)...

We have learned so many lessons and have made so many mistakes together...

It took 6 years (4.5 years of dating and a 1.5 year engagement) to finally tie the knot...

 We've laughed together...

We've mourned together (this picture was taken a few days after my first miscarriage - I managed to give a smile)...

 We've traveled together...

 We went all the way to China to bring home our daughter together...

 We have stayed on this relationship roller coaster ride with all of its ups and downs. We have experienced unbelievable highs and weathered many storms...

 And today, we are stronger than ever...

 Happy 25 years to the love of my life ~ a wonderful husband, a devoted father, an excellent provider, a super successful, kick-ass IT security regional manager/sales engineer and my best friend.

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish my mom (and my sis!) a very Happy Mother's Day.

My mom has always been an extremely loving, caring and attentive mom...

And now she is an amazing grandmother too...

I want to thank my amazing daughter - the beautiful soul that made me a mom. She is the reason that I am able to celebrate this special day...

She is the absolute light of my life. I waited for so long to become a mom - and could not have asked for a more amazing child. She filled the empty hole in my heart and made my dream a reality...

My cup runneth over.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms out there.

And just know, my heart goes out to those that have lost their moms and to those that still yearn to become a mom.

More School Stuff - Wax Museum, Meeting An Olympian and Ice Cream Party

For several weeks, Briana and her classmates had to research a historical figure of their choosing for the 4th grade living "wax museum."

 Briana chose Pocahontas ~ and I had to help her come up with a costume. She looked so pretty, didn't she?

The 4th grade parents were invited to a special early showing in the morning before the students from other grades started coming through to visit. The kids all looked kind of nervous and they were so cute trying to stay as still as possible in their poses.

The parents were told to tap the historical person on the shoulder and they would tell you an important fact. Doug and I went around the room and listened to all the kids. They did a great job - they were all super prepared.

Bri gave us a little smile...

Bri said her leg fell asleep after a little while in this pose, so she had to shift.

Look at this great room of kids...

I was a super proud mom...

 The kids were living wax figures for about 2.5 hours. That is a long time! Bri said it was fun, but it was tiring. She was kind of glad when it was over so she could move her body again.

The kids worked really hard and it showed. They all looked amazing. What a really neat memory they made.

And a few weeks ago, Briana got to meet a Jamaican Olympian at running club practice. She got to meet Dominique Blake...

She gave the kids a motivational speech...

Bri's coach sent this pic ~ it is quite blurry. But, you can make out Bri in the green...

That was such a cool experience for the kids...

And last week was the last running club practice for the 2015-2016 school year. Bri coach once again held an ice cream party for the kids.

Bri and her friend Meredith eating ice cream...

Meredith, Bri and Lauren...

Playing with hula hoops...

Time to get all the 4th and 5th graders together for a pic. Bri spotted me...

Awesome group of kids that love to run...

I scooped so much ice cream that afternoon (and a lot of it was rock hard) that I actually had a sore arm the next day!

Unfortunately, Bri didn't get to run a 5K this spring season. Her soccer schedule made it too difficult to get to any races this year. I am hoping that we can make it work in the fall. Even so, she loves to train with her coach. She absolutely adores her. I'm so grateful that Bri is able to be in this club. Next year she will be one of the 5th grade "top dogs."

I know she will miss it so much when she eventually moves on to middle school.

Star Wars Day!

My huge Star Wars fan was excited to dress up in her Star Wars gear today - down to her Star Wars crocs. :)

The kids were asked to wear red today in honor of their retiring librarian at school (must be her favorite color?), so a red bow was added for that.

May you all live long and prosper. ;)

19 Years - Our Wedding Anniversary

Married 19 years to this amazing guy. Happy Anniversary babe.

We have definitely been through every up and down you can imagine in this relationship and we are still going strong. He is truly my soulmate and I can't imagine my life without him.

Mei Mei Update

It's been a little while since I talked about my furry child. Miss Mei Mei has been my little sidekick through all my medical issues. She actually likes when I am not feeling well because she gets extra cuddle time in bed with me. She's a calming force for sure. I prayed for another super loving cat like my Asia kitty (who got me through my infertility struggle). Mei Mei is that cat - for sure.

When I pulled the muscle in my back, I put on my tens unit for some relief. Mei was extremely helpful to me when she put her head in the case and fell asleep...

Mei is super attached to us. She wants to be with someone in the house at most times. When Doug or I leave the house, even if one of us is still in the house, we will hear Mei cry at the garage door downstairs. She hates when one of us leave (it's kind of heartbreaking really - I can only imagine when we all leave together). She grabs her "babies" (her angry bird toys) and brings them around the house. They are her comfort. The angry birds are to Mei Mei like pink baby is to Bri.

Seriously, she adores these stuffed birds (Bri plopped one on Mei's head)...

And you know how I hoped that Mei would come to love Bri. Well, she really does now. One of Mei Mei's favorite times of day is when Bri comes home from school and she hinders helps B do homework (she is not supposed to be on the table, but it's so dang cute)...

I had to take Mei to the vet last week because she had an eye irritation in the left eye. She winked at me for about a week (and it became red and watery too). At first, I was thinking she scratched it a little or that she was suffering from allergies. But, it lasted too long for my liking. The vet did an examination but didn't see a scratch. She gave me an antibiotic ointment and sent me on my way.

After just a day of ointment, Mei's eye was open again. I am not sure if she had something in her eye bothering her (like a small hair) and the vet got it out somehow or if the ointment helped, but she's better now. Thank goodness.

Oh and even more good news. Mei is down a half of pound since our last visit. Remember when Mei gained weight because she had been prescribed the wrong food? Well, she is on the right food now and I am monitoring more closely the amount she eats. My vet is very pleased. She's got another 1/2 to 3/4 of a pound to go, but she's on her way.

Mei Mei is such a part of our family now ~ it's hard to remember when she wasn't here. She has been the perfect addition to our little family.