Family Vacation 2016

We just got back from our much needed family vacation to the Outer Banks.  We LOVE the Outer Banks.  We typically stay in Corolla.  It’s so peaceful, and beautiful, and one of our favorite places to go.  We spent a week with the majority of my family, nieces, nephew, brother, sister, mom, my 92 year old grandma!  My cousin and her husband stayed with us for a few days, and it was nice to have some time with them.

A pretty amazing thing happened our first day relaxing on the beach.  My youngest niece, Livey, my cousin and I were walking back to our beach chairs and we saw a butterfly.  Livey goes, “Oh look!  It’s Aunt Linda!”  Linda is my aunt who passed away a year ago after a long battle with cancer and my cousin’s mom.  My Aunt loved going on trips and especially loved the beach.  We asked her where she heard that, and she informed us that her mommy had told her when we see butterflies, that they are angels from Heaven coming to visit.  About that time, the butterfly landed on my son Jayden’s cheek.  In that moment, we all knew that is was definitely my Aunt Linda coming to visit.  It was a pretty special moment for our family and one I know we’ll look back on.

9 years

Today my oldest son, Jayden, turns 9. Every year he gets older, I wonder where the time has gone. Jayden and I have been through the ringer together and this year proves no different. I remember the day I found out I was carrying him like it was yesterday. The thirty hours of labor, the first time I laid eyes on him, the first time in my life my heart was really complete.

This year he wanted a hunting themed party and we did our best to make that happen.

Happy birthday Jayden!

 

Chicago Love

My husband is away on his first business trip.  He left yesterday afternoon for Chicago, and will be gone until early Saturday morning.  I have been anticipating this trip for quite some time.  We’ve never spent much time apart in the six years we’ve been together.  You never realize how much someone means to you until they are gone.  He called the kids and I last night using FaceTime, and let me tell you…seeing his face made me miss him terribly.  I literally started crying like a baby.  My boys of course looked at me like I was insane, but I feel like I’m missing a limb.

I met Jamie 16 years ago when I was dating this super big prick.  Jamie and I were instantly connected.  He swears love at first sight, for me it was friendship.  We would talk for hours on the phone, hang out together every single day.  He tried to take our friendship to the next level, but I was never ready.  After a few years, he was in a band, and traveling, and we just eventually drifted apart.  We went our separate ways, married other people, had our older boys.

I never stopped thinking about Jamie.  He was always in the back of my mind.  After I separated from my ex-husband, I very clearly told one of my best friends, that it was Jamie.  That Jamie was the one who I was meant to be with, but of course I felt that my chance had slipped away, and that I needed to accept that.

Then one day, ten years later, he literally walked around a corner and back into my life.  He’s been there ever since.  We were engaged within five months of dating, and married within 8 months. We felt that we had lost so much time, there was no point in wasting any more.  We didn’t even have a wedding.  We went to the courthouse with our closest family members present.

Jamie is not only my husband, but my best friend, my soulmate, my other half.  He’s the most amazing step-dad to my oldest son, and the best father to his boys.  Anytime I need him for something, whether it’s to cry or laugh, or vent….he’s there.  No matter what.  Can you tell that I’m ready for him to come home?!

 

 

Back to reality

Today was my first day back to work after an amazing 6 week sabbatical.  My job can be a bit stressful….well A LOT stressful.  This past year has been especially draining, and I felt that maybe this sabbatical could be a way to re-group, get myself back together.  The longer I was away from my job, the less I wanted to go back.  I love being at home with my kids, but it’s just not something that is feasible for my family right now.  My job has great benefits, flexible time off, and let’s face it, how many jobs give you a six week sabbatical every four years?  I feel like I’m going through some kind of mid-life crisis or something.  I’ve been trying to think about what I really want to do with my life…what type of career am I meant for?  I may not know the answers…but one thing I do know, is that I can’t keep going at my current job.  I’ve been on the search for a new one.  I have so many concerns, and decisions to make.  As scared as I am to possibly start a new venture, I heard a song today that put things in perspective.  It’s called Be Okay by Oh Honey….some of the lyrics are:

“I’m wide awake, so what’s the point of dreaming when your life is great?
Celebrate the feeling, celebrate the feeling.

Can’t complain about much these days, I believe we’ll be okay.”

The full video is here.

No matter where life takes me, I’ll be okay.

The simple life

Just finished this adorable hat below. I love the neutral, simple colors. Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that make you realize what it’s all about.

  
My family got together last night. First time we’ve all been together since my aunt passed away. Beautiful weather, amazing family. I’m truly blessed. 🌺