Coming Close to the End

Our trip is drawing towards the end and we have such mixed feelings. Eric was not able to make it here but is waiting for us at home. We hate leaving everyone, it seems like we had such little time, but we miss home as well. We spend some time with Maw Maw on Saturday and spend the whole day with mom and Kyle yesterday had a wonderful Italian feast last night. We are taking the kids to Chuck E. Cheese's again tomorrow because Mom took the day off to spend with us and I have dedicated Wednesday to Nani and I hope Angie and Matt can make it over there as well.

We will be back in May definately for Nick and Rachel's graduation and plan to stay a couple weeks. Just waiting for Nick to find the exact date so we can book our tickets quickly. So, we will only be away for a couple months before we return again.

BTW, Nick's CD is out and ready for purchase, it has been copyrighted and ready to go. Check out Undergrounds website and take a listen to a few of the songs, he won't disappoint. I didn't get to see a show while I was here but I did watch his DVD of the show, they are so good. March 10th is their 2nd round in the Battle of the Bands, which they took 1st place last time around. He needs the support, so show up to GroundWorks and give them your vote.

Tribute To Zeus

The Jenkins lost their beloved German Shepard Zeus Friday afternoon and I would like to say I am sorry. Zeus was a huge part of their family and he was a great dog. He will be missed by everyone who knew him and we all are very sad that he is gone, but he will remain forever in our memories and hearts. I am sorry Allan, Renee, Jordan and Delaney, he was one of the best dogs anyone could have, you gave him a great family and he knew that he was loved deeply, he had a great life. Bye Zeus, we love and miss you!

I did enjoy watching him the last time Renee and Allan were in Vegas (that was when I came into town last August.) He was so sad that they were gone and I was scared that he was sick, but he ended up perking up to his old self as soon as they came home. I am not a dog person as most of you know, but there were two dogs that have captured my heart: Midnight and Zeus. I am saddened that the two dogs that I have opened my heart to are now gone. I miss the both of you and hope you both are happy and looking after each other for us. It's funny how what starts off as a pet becomes so much a part of you and can break your heart into a million pieces when they are gone. I'm glad I had the chance to have my heart broke because it would be empty without knowing you.

I will post a tribute picture of Zeus as soon as I return home, please check back to see the wonderful Zeus that captured everyone's heart that he came in contact with.

Bonding with My Sister

I have decided next week I am taking Stephanie to get her first tattoo and we will share this experience together. I have been talking about another one forever and a day now so I am finally going to take the plunge and get one dedicated to Jimmy on my back and I will probably finish my mural on my leg while I'm there or else it will never get done. Steph is wanting to get a rat tattoo and has found her picture. She's a little nervous but excited to get inked, hehehe, she thinks this will be her only one and she won't want another...we have all said that. This will be my eighth and once I finish the mural it will be 11, wow, I can't believe I have that many, I just had to count. Anyway, I will let everyone know about our experience and I will make sure to post the pics of our tats on this page so everyone can get a look.

P.S. Don't call and complain to me that I don't need anymore because I will hang up on anyone who does.

Chuck E Cheese

Today I got to spend the day with Stephi, Brett, Taylor & Jimmy. They invited me to Chuck E Cheese and we all really enjoyed ourselves. I loved watching the kids have fun and playing and it was the first time I let Jimmy have full rein. I handed him a cup of tokens and he did very well using them himself and then collecting any tickets he had won. I have a hard time letting him be a big boy and today was very hard not being able to help him out, but I know he is older and that it's time for me to let him become his own person. The kids walked away with 830 tokens...WOW! We got pictures which I will post when I return home. Thank you Steph for letting me join in with you guys, I had a blast.

A Night in Toyko

Last night was our dinner at The Japanese Tokyo Steakhouse and it was fabulous. Dad, Nick, Stephi, Brett, Taylor and I enjoyed all the entertainment of watching our Japanese chef, who was the best I have ever seen. He had a lot of fun with Chip and picked on her the entire time he was at the table. Nick enjoyed a marathon shrimp throwing contest in which he caught none of them, the chef threw about 12 shrimp at him as fast as he could, but it was a lot of fun to watch.

It was the first time for Dad, Brett and Stephi and they all really enjoyed themselves. I was glad to see dad and really wasn't planning on Tay going but about an hour before I had to leave my mom came into my room and told me that Taylor was feeling left out, so I told her she could come along and changed our reservations. I am so glad she came, but the last time Eric and I took her she didn't like it, but this this time she loved it.

Thank you Dad for taking us, it was wonderful and I'm sorry you didn't get to experience the sushi, but at least you got to try the saki. Happy Adoption Day 18 years later.

Getting Ready for the Move

We finally got a new place to live and will be moving the middle of March. The kids and I are flying home on March 4th which gives me time to pack before we go. We actually found this place before I left and I spent most of our drive down here getting Eric on the ball to reserve it and he finally did. The kids are so excited to have new rooms. I have the address now and will be happy to give it to anyone who needs it because we will not be listed in any directories. We are ready for a new place and will have a lot more room, and for you who are freaking out that we are moving, we are signing a short lease because Eric thinks we will be back within the next 6-7 months...YEA!

Meeting Baby Izabel

We finally met Izabel last night when Greg and Alisha came by for a visit and she was so tiny and so very cute. I really enjoyed seeing Alisha and Greg again as well, it's been awhile since I've seen them. Alisha looked very good and they are all doing well, they are very proud of their little girl.

Taylor and Jimmy both loved the baby and they both were able to hold her. Jimmy kept was constantly rubbing her head and said many times that "Izabel was so cute."

Thank you guys for bringing her by and I will stop by on Tuesday to visit and see the new house. We all enjoyed seeing you, we'll just have to do it on a more normal basis instead of no contact for a couple years. See you soon.

So Much To Talk About

First off, I forgot to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you all had a wonderful day and evening.

Today is my eighteenth birthday being a Marshall. This day means as much to me as my actual birthday because I received a great father on this day. He has done so much for me throughout the years and continues to this day...thank you Dad.

I had a great first night back, I got to see my Mom, Kyle, Stephi, Nick and Brett. The kids were ready to head out the door to go see all the animals at Brett and Stephi's. I really felt like I had never even left, this is definately home. I dropped in on Renee last night and gave her a suprise. OMG, I could not believe how big Delaney had gotten, when she opened the door I saw Jordan, it took me a moment to realize she was too short to be J. Jordan was surpised to see me and gave me the biggest hug I have ever gotten from her, I swear, I love those girls as if they were my own. I loved seeing Renee, I have missed her a lot and we decided to do what we do best...SHOP! We both had babies to buy for and I had to get the kids Valentine's, so we headed to the best store ever, Wal-Mart. We got some really cute stuff. I just really enjoyed seeing her again, it's hard not having your best friend around all the time.

When I got home I wrapped up the present that I bought for Izabel, yes, I bought her even more stuff. Greg and Alisha, I hope you have more room because I think I have bought out some stores. Get a hold of me soon so I can get this stuff to you, I might decide to keep it for myself lol.

I spent some time with mom last night, but it seems like everytime I start talking to her Eric calls and of course he gets upset if I tell him I'll have to call him back. I guess he thinks since they are seeing me he gets to talk to me all the time. I plan to spend tonight here with my kids and my mom, Lost is on and I can't miss that. I loved seeing my mom and now I feel so much better, I am definately not homesick anymore. I needed to be here and am so happy now that I am, I look forward to spending all the time I can with her...I love you mom and thank you for letting us stay with you. I enjoyed seeing her this morning before she left for work, I didn't have to stand around and wait for her to get there so I could call her. We sat on her bed and had a cig before she had to leave, it was nice.

I was up late last night talking to Eric, who has been spending most of his spare time on the computer. He has also learned how easy it is to spend money by internet, he has been spoiling me and getting me lots of gifts that he orders from there. He is a great husband and has always done everything in his power to make me happy. I love my life with him and the children he has provided me. Eric, I love and miss you a lot, even though you think I don't because I'm here, I am thinking about you constantly.

We Made It!

We have finally arrived in KC today. It was a long trip, but we had a lot of fun. Our first stop was in Panama City, Florida and we just stayed one night because it was so cold. We spent a few days Louisana at a casino RV park, which we spent some time gambling. I took the kids on our last day there to Roxy's Diner which is located inside the casino and got them ice cream at 10 o'clock in the morning. Last night we made it to Arkansas and I think everyone was on there last rope, there was a lot of snapping at each other going on, but we knew we would make it here soon. We started off early this morning and made it to KC around 2:00 p.m.

Stephi, Nick and Brett greeted us at Mom's when we arrived and it was great to see everyone. It is almost 70 degrees here and Stephi and Brett took the kids to the park so I could relax in the tub. Nick also has his demo ready and let me listen to that, it sounds great. I can't wait to see everyone, but right now I am so tired and waiting for my mom to get home from work...she has beef and noodles on yum yum.

Eric might be heading this way next thursday from Philly, which will be great. I need to find him a ticket and I can't wait to see him now. I have been talking to him everyday at lunch and then before I go to bed, but we miss each other a lot. Jimmy decided on our second on the road that he wanted to go home and then the other night he started worrying about Gabby and wanted to see her. So, Eric misses us and is ready to head this way, hopefully I can find a flight on Southwest for him.

We planned to come up again in April but had to change our plans because Nick's graduation is in May and I can't miss that. My baby brother is getting his diploma, can you believe it, he's growing up. He will turn 18 April 11 the day before Jimmy's 4th birthday. Hope to see you soon if you are out here. Until next post...

The Countdown is On

We are taking off tomorrow morning and heading for Panama City, FL. We are packed and all the electronic devices are charging for the trip. The kids started pulling out DVD's to watch along the way and we pulled out all the games for the Nintendo. I plan to buy them new games if we happen to stop at a Wal-Mart so they can have something new and Nani picked the kids up Bambi 2.

I cannot wait to see everyone and the new addition to our family. For those of you who do not know about The Jack Site, you can go to my favorite links and click on it, Greg has added many cute pictures of Izabel...she is such a doll. We still have a lot to do before we start out on the road, but it's so exciting.

Renee, I can't wait to see you. I did get your email yesterday and you have me laughing...since your birthday I am noticing a little impatience with the age...hahaha, you know I'm kidding. I will be back home soon, Eric is working on getting the Lenexa store that will soon be moving to Lee Summit, so hopefully within the year we will be home. No more getting upset with me when you see me posting about homes, it's for rental only and nothing we cannot get out of. Of course, when we move back it will be closer to everyone and not so far out.

Next week we'll be back and making our rounds. I did get dad to change his mind about seafood and now he's taking me to Japanese...I am so excited, Japanese food out here sucks. Love you all and I will post when I make it to KC. I will have my cell phone, so everyone can get ahold of me on that or by calling my mom's home, if you don't have those numbers, too bad, I'm not posting them here...hehehe. Love ya all.

A Close Up of Izabel

I just wanted to post a close up of Izabel so everyone could see what a pretty baby she is. Grandma is holding her in this picture. I can't wait to see you when I arrive.

Happy Birthday Izabel Grace

Greg and Alisha Jack welcomed their daughter Izabel Grace into the world February 6 at 4:30 p.m. Izabel weighed in at 6 lbs. 14 oz. and measured in at 19 inches long. She is a beautiful baby just as we knew she would be. Uncle Murdock is holding her in the pic above. Congrats Greg and Alisha, she's beautiful.

Close to Departure

I talked to Nani on the phone this morning and found out we are starting back this Thursday.We have a few stops along the way, we are planning to spend some time in Panama City, Florida and The French Quarters in Louisanna. It won't be long and I will be home. Eric is getting to the point that he doesn't want me to leave, so I had to promise I wouldn't be gone more than 1 month. He is such a great guy for not giving so many problems about going back so often, he knows how close I am to my family. I couldn't have asked for a better husband and I love him so much and will miss him while I'm gone. The kids are so excited, even though we are leaving right before Taylor's friend's birthday and she was looking forward to the party, but she would much rather have her Aunt Ste. See you all soon.

Awaiting Word on Izabel

Alisha was induced today and we are all awaiting word of Izabel's arrival. I will post pictures of her as soon as they become available. We are so excited for Greg and Alisha, Izabel is a very lucky little girl to have such wonderful people as parents.

Like the Old Days

I felt like a kid again with Poppa and Nani here this morning with the sugu cooking and having the traditional Italian family dinner. Nani and I spent the morning in the kitchen cooking our hearts out and Poppa cooked the chicken on the grill. Dinner was fabulous.

Eric and Poppa started watching the Superbowl, so Nani and I decided we would head to the Indian casino again so we wouldn't be bored. Off we go and ready to win. We played and played and then we hit it big and as we were walking out the door this huge Indian with war paint on his face and a big tamahawk with feathers hanging down came running after us and said he would scalp us if we didn't hand the money over. Not really, we never won, but that is what we decided to tell the guys since we were only gone about 1 1/2 hours. We had fun spending time together and we really wanted to stop for a coke on the way home, but guess what, we were both totally broke, but boy did we laugh on the way home.

It was a good day and I am really enjoying them being around, takes away some of the home sickness.

A Night Out

I had a great day with Poppa and Nani, they came and picked me up this morning and we drove to The Hard Rock Casino in Tampa and gambled our lives away (not really.) I decided before I left an amount that I would spend and stuck to it, to the exact amount. If you can't tell, I won nothing and either did they and I will probably not go back, but it was a lot of fun spend the time with them. I will go to the casinos in KC, they are much better.

When we got back home Eric and Jimmy were outside playing with they're toys and Nani snapped some pictures of Jimmy in his Jeep. They headed back to the RV park so Eric and I could get ready. They offered to watch the kids so Eric and I could have a night out with each other. We didn't know what we were going to do without kids, it's been so long since we have went on a date, the last time was in September when I flew out to visit him.

They arrived around 7 P.M. and we headed out the door with the kids pushing us out so they could spend time with their Poppa and Nani. We decided to go to the Bedrock Cafe for dinner which is a seafood restaurant so I could have some oysters on the halfshell. It was a very nice dinner. Eric decided to start singing "It's A Small World" right when our drinks arrived and I about died of embarrassment, what a man. After dinner Eric decided to take me to my favorite place to shop...Books A Million. Stephen King has a new book and he knew I would like it. I could spend all day standing in that place flipping through all the SK books. We were planning to go to a local tattoo place, but it was getting late and decided I would get the next part of the mural (adding Flower the skunk from Bambi) some other day.

The kids seemed happy that we were home and Poppa and Nani sat around for awhile and we planned out what we were going to do for our Superbowl Sunday. They will be spending the day her and we are cooking chicken & steak spadini and basta and let the guys watch the tub for awhile. I think Nani enjoyed the computer and Poppa enjoyed the satellite tonight, of course Poppa got on the internet to look up houses for Eric and I in Lakeland.

Well, until tomorrow, I will finally stop boring everyone with my excitement, but thank you very much Poppa and Nani for giving us a night out, we needed it.

They Are Here

Poppa and Nani arrived yesterday evening around 6:00 p.m. We met them at there camping ground and all went to dinner at Olive Garden. It was so great to see them and we got to meet our new "Uncle" Rocky, who is so cute. The kids loved seeing them and Jimmy begged to stay with Nani Celli. Today they are moving to a new RV park because all the others are full, but it's a little closer to us. It was great to see family and they brought us some goodies that we cannot get here...Gates BBQ sauce, Wright's liquid smoke (great on pork chops) and Scimaca's Italian sausage (the Italian sausage down here is horrible.) I need to go get some chicken now so I can have some BBQ that is actually good. Eric and I went for some out here and Sonny's is suppose to be the best in Florida, it is about as good as the worst in KC, and Florida does not have burnt ends. When I get back I am going to have dinner at Smokehouse and have some real BBQ.

Of course, it's raining right now, it hasn't rained for several days, but since they are on vacation I guess that's the law. Hopefully it won't last long and we will be able to get out and visit some places. I really want to take them to Peterson Park to show off the alligator sign. For those of you I have not told, there is a lake in the park with a boardwalk, posted on the boardwalk is a sign letting you know the presence of alligators in the lake and then it goes on to tell you a little bit about the creatures finishing with a warning...DO NOT FEED OR MOLEST ALLIGATORS. Yes, it actually tells you not to molest them...who would try this. Eric and I were crying we were laughing so hard, but by molest I am guessing that they mean do not bother, because I don't know anyone stupid enough to do that in the term that the meaning is for us.

They are here and I am so happy! I don't know when exactly we will be heading back, but it shouldn't be too long. Them being here is just a step closer to getting home. Eric was happy to have family around since he has not spoken to his for several months and can't wait until he can get to KC in April. I will post soon and will keep posting while I am in KC, even though I don't think I will be able to post pictures until I get back. Love you all and I will see you soon.

Good Looking Family

I know, I know...old picture, but I think it's a great picture of all of us girls. Angie made a beautiful bride and she made sure the rest of us looked good as well. Lucky for us, she picked out good dresses. My little Taylor looked like a princess and Ang and I were so happy to find that dress, being the last one they had.

Lounging Kitty

This happens to be Gabby's favorite sleeping position, but as you can tell I woke her up before I could get the pic of her sleeping. She will prop herself up on anything (stairs, box, wall, couch) and take a snooze. She is a great cat and we love her. She will be turning a year old this month and has brought the kids a lot of fun times. Jimmy spends a lot of time playing with her (to us it looks like torture) but Gabby loves him and keeps coming back for more. I am glad Eric decided to get a kitten instead of us adopting a shelter cat, we made a good choice and the drive to pick her up was quite a trip for Vicky and me, but well worth it...we love our Gabriella DiFalco...the dago kitty.

Happy Birthday Kyle

Happy birthday to one of the best guys I know. Kyle came into our life 8 years ago and everyone is so glad he did, he has made my mom very happy. He is a great grandfather to my kids and Jimmy believes the world revolves around his grandpa Ky-Ky. Kyle has spent a lot of time in the garage fixing up cars and letting Jimmy help, many times they just detailed the Lexus. Jimmy cleans his Jeep and always makes sure to clean the wheels just like Grandpa Ky-Ky.

Kyle, I am glad you are part of our family, I couldn't of asked for a better step dad and grandpa for my kids. We love you and hope you have a terrific birthday and we'll see you soon.