14 Years . . . .

My Dearest Love,

As each year passes, I say to you, "Wow, we've been married longer than either of our parents were!", and it blows my mind.  It makes me proud.  I'm proud of you, I'm proud of myself and I'm proud of the life we continue to create TOGETHER.  As the two oldest children from broken homes, we continue to prove the statistics wrong.

We fight for our marriage, because no, it's not always easy, it's not always fun, but it's WORTH the world to both us.

Life is hard.

It's as simple as that.  We already knew that though.  We have both been through hell and back even before we met each other so we know just.how.tough. life can be but we persevere.  We were both so broken, yet our love is the glue that makes us feel whole.

Your love completes me.
Your love encourages me.
Your love makes me believe in myself.
Your love makes me want to be a better me always.

14 years - - - -

Wow.

I don't know what I would do without you.  We are completely different but our values completely align and we know how to have fun together.  This is why I KNOW we are built to last.

I was going through some pics and saw so many that pulled at my heart and remind me just WHY I adore you Chris Auditore . . . . here are a few:

You saw something in that C-R-A-Z-Y, reckless 22 year old and made me believe I was "worth" something and worthy of love.

You promised to love, honor and protect me....always.

                                               You make FAMILY your Number 1 Priority

With 3 kids, and our crazy life, you always make time to romance and WOW me.

You still DATE me, even indulging me in date places you wouldn't typically go to!

You take us on fun little adventures!

Exposing the kids to anything and everything you can is important to you.

You MAKE time for each of them individually, sometimes driving yourself crazy with making sure each of them gets enough of your time.

Your patience is a gift....and yes, you will be teaching each of them to drive a car. I'm sure of that.

Our Daughters will never doubt how much they are cherished and will know just how WORTHY they are of the very best.

You are THE BEST role model for our son.

You have embraced more of the "outdoors" because they LOVE it!

You say "YES" to my crazy ideas and join in the FUN.

You complete all the jobs I start and almost always say yes to the list of projects that swirl around in my mind.  I appreciate you for that.

These are just snip its.  It's late and we had a long school day.....oh yeah, school.  I LOVE that you support and encourage me in educating our children. We both value education, and equally value quality of life.  I love that you help keep our household running and our needs met so we can continue on our Homeschool journey.  I appreciate how you respect my opinions, my way of doing things (even though it may seem crazy at times) and gently help steer me back on course when I feel insecure and lost. 

You are my calm.
You are my peace.

My crazy mind is always going 24/7, my body tries to go 24/7, my mouth pretty much goes 24/7, but when I connect with you, everything slows down.  I become grounded once again, recharged, refocused, and always ready to tackle what is coming at us next.

Thank you for always being there. 

Thank you for holding doors and opening car doors for me.  

Thank you for the morning cups of coffee in bed and the gentle forehead kisses you give me.  

Thank you for sweeping me away when I need it and giving me alone time when I need that too. 
Thank you for swooping in and taking over at just the right moments before I lose my mind.  

Thank you for stopping me in my tracks to just hold me and kiss me when I'm running all through this house like a crazy woman trying to get stuff done.  

Thank you for sharing your love of food, music, and movies with me.  

Thank you for taking me as your wife and lifelong partner.

Half of who I am as a 38 year old woman is because of you and your influences on me. 

I TRULY, DEEPLY, ADORE YOU MY LOVE!!!

HAPPY 14TH ANNIVERSARY!!

October Menu Plan

OCTOBER MENU PLAN

I don't care if it's 100 degrees out, I am adding in our weekly soups back to the menu......

YAY FOR FALL!

My Bestest Buddy!

On our run this morning ,which we have not done one together in a while, I was reminded just how AWESOME it is to have a running buddy.  Through running, this girl has become one of my sisters!  I love her and would do anything for her.  It's so funny how over the years running together, our topics of conversation have changed as we grow and change.

We have gone through different things at different times, listening, coaching, laughing, and crying....yes, all while running.  We share victories, setbacks, holidays, vacations, everything.  SHE is the friend I always wished I had.  SHE makes me a better friend to others.


So, Kim, Kimmers, Kimberlina, Kimmie.....here's to another running season, upcoming holidays, and a new season of life, yet again.  I'm so very thankful for you!!

First 5k!

Warrior Dash

Jingle all the way....

Adrianna Carmela

My Dear, AMAZING daughter...

I ADORE YOU!!  I wish I was the 11 year old waaaay back then that YOU are now.  You AMAZE me!  You are smart, observant, patient, thoughtful, creative, and resourceful.  Half of those qualities come from your father, half from me.  Guess which ones are from me, LOL.  You were a gift sent to me from God.  I didn't think I was EVER going to have a baby after my first miscarriage, but he sent YOU, beautiful, perfect YOU.  You will read this some day and since I tell you every year about your birth story, this post is not about that!  LOL

You were the easiest baby....slept through the night at 3 days old, hardly ever fussed, and was (well, still are) by far, the CUDDLER of the 3 kids.  You NEVER slept in your crib, only wanted to sleep in my bed next to your father, me, or Grandma.  I remember our saving grace was getting that foam Dora bed that you would nap on. LOL  Why we even bought a crib is beyond me...hahaha

THOSE EYES.... the UPS guy used to come and tell Grandma every time, "Oh those eyes"  (and yes, you were terrified of strangers, especially me, ha!)

I have learned SO VERY MUCH about who I am by WHO YOU ARE.  You complement me in many of the ways your father does, but in such a FUN way.  :)  As you are maturing and turning into the "YOU" that you were meant to be, I am in awe.   I mean, really, WOW, you are AWESOME!!!  

YOU are the reason I decided to homeschool our family.  YOU bring out the best in ME.  See, I told you that you were awesome!!!  YOU make me AWESOME. 

This brings me to the next part, oh how I LOVE that this has been all over Facebook. Moms all over have been posting and tagging each other....

http://www.scarymommy.com/multiple-personalities/

Now, fortunate for me, YOU ARE AN ANGEL "so far" but I know hormones and I know my little "la la land" can disappear in the blink of an eye, LOL.  

If I can do one thing "right" in life, it's to raise you, your brother and your sister to be kind, loving, and giving individuals.  I want you to ALWAYS to feel that you have a mom that adores you, trusts you, motivates you, believes in you, will fight for you, and ALWAYS have a place for you to come "home" to when the world seems just TOO much and you need a break to recharge.  I. WILL. BE. THAT. MOM.

Yes, I go overboard with some things that fellow moms roll there eyes over, but I know you LOVE.  I overextend at times, but when I see how you respond, it makes it 100x worth it.  I, at times, don't feel "good enough" but you are the one that whispers in my ear how beautiful and perfect I am.  Our relationship is something I DREAMED of as a little girl and I have it with you......so THANK YOU my love.  Again, I adore you!

You are beginning to change.  You are leaving early adolescence and entering the tween stage.  How is that possible???? I remember buying you this book last year to introduce you to all the things I had NO idea about at your age.....

And today, you are finishing your second "Cycle" of Womanhood.  I heard the stories, I was afraid of the backlash, but again, you surprised me.  You are so loving, so compassionate.  You feel like you are now "more like me", and sweetie, you are.  I need you.  I can't imagine life without you.  You are a constant reminder to slow down and be still.  You encourage me in the areas that as even a 38 year old woman I still feel insecure in.  You make me truly BELIEVE I'm awesome!  You make me feel special.  Even when you have cramps, are crying at the drop of the dime, you want ME.  I can NOT tell you what that means to me. Again, I ADORE YOU.

I know I go "over the top" at times, but hey, I'm passionate.....you GET THAT FROM ME..... 

Your "Hello Period, I'm not scared, I'm prepared" kit.

I knew the time was coming and I wanted for you what I never got. Yes, I went overboard with a special box including everything I could think of including Therma Care patches and a heating pad, LOL.....again, I go overboard ALL.THE.TIME. but hope you understand someday it's my way of showing how much I love you.  God knows I had NO idea what to do when I first got my period.....hahahaha....I opened the boxes, read the directions and that was about it. You are growing up in a different time than I did.  Hell, by the time your child has her period there will probably be some laser treatment for cramps, or maybe even a pill that will make cramps completely disappear....WOULDN'T THAT BE NICE?!?!?!?!

Yes, I made you go to a birthday party on the second day of your first period and you were nervous.......hahahahaha....those games at the wonderful Chuck E. Cheese kept your mind occupied though, right??????

I hope you look back on your "first period" as a memorable one......pedicures, chocolate cake baked by mama, a treat basket and all the goods you needed.  You blew my mind how "excited" you were.  I think you realized, felt, and accepted, you were entering a new stage of life.  You weren't scared, how is that?  You are my cautious child, not my risk taker, yet you approach situations like you've thought them through already and "got this"......maybe that's the key to success for you.  Give you the information first ( I did with the Care and Keeping of You American Girl Book last year) and then once you feel you have the information you need, knowing the support you have, NO WORRIES.


WOW, just when I think I don't know what I'm doing with this whole "parenting thing" you encourage me and make me feel like a ROCKSTAR!!!!!

I LOVE YOU!

I ADORE YOU!

YOU MAKE ME SO SO SO PROUD!

My silly Middle Schooler

My baker

You LOVE to have fun!

My Cuddle Bug!

My fashionista!

My Athlete!

The very BEST parts of me!

The BEST gift I could have been given to heal ALL of my childhood pain, is a DAUGHTER!  Thank you my SWEET DAUGHTER for being YOU, marvelous YOU!!!

I ADORE YOU.

Love,

Mom

Welcome FALL!

Even though this weekend is a tease, I had to get into the FALL mood with the beautiful weather we are having in Central Texas!  I have this weird little habit . . . EVERY year I indulge in the ever so yummy, not so good for you, Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.

That's not what Chris thinks is weird, this is . . .

I will hold off on getting my very FIRST one of the season until the weather is cool and I have a friend to go with.  I love my coffee.  I have an intimate relationship with my coffee.  BIG seasonal moments in Java World MUST be celebrated and I don't like to celebrate alone!

I know, weirdo.

Today, the weather was perfect and I had my bestie with me!

HAPPY FALL!!!  (Now if I could only get the energy to pull out Fall decor....hahahaha.....NEED.MORE.COFFEE)

WELCOME BACK MY LOVIES!

I didn't save these on PicMonkey as large enough files so I wasn't able to print them large poster size for them to hold, but this was good enough!   Welcome back my Middle Schooler, Third Grader and little Kinder Sweetie!  I LOVE YOU!