Beautiful Day in Florida

Today was a beautiful day and the kids were outside as soon as they woke up, which gave me time to do my housework and laundry. Being Friday, we have lunch with Eric, but one of his guys had to spend the day in Tampa so Eric couldn't leave, but we took him Chinese from one of our favorite restaurants here in town. Back home for Taylor to head back outside and Jimmy to have his nap and I could get to work on the computer...gotta make that money! Once Jimmy woke up we went back outside so he could play with Clayton and Joshua and of course I stood outside talking to Tonya (Clayton's mom) as we do everyday. Since we've been here I don't think we have had one day where our yard wasn't filled with kids. Jimmy's Jeep has had so much use we have to charge it everynight and we have a broken headlight on it from it being wrecked into the boat, actually got wedged under the trailer for the boat.

Once Eric got home we sat discussing what we were going to have for dinner and couldn't think of anything until our back door opened and in walked Gannon (another neighbor) holding a little tuperware dish and said he needed sour cream for their baked potatoes that were going with their steak. That's when I looked at Eric and told him that's what I wanted and thanked Gannon for the suggestion! Once we hooked him up with his sour cream we headed to the store to get our strips and potatoes. We ended up having a great meal: steak, baked poatoes, corn, sauteed mushrooms and for dessert, Lemon Merangue pie!

So all in all, we had a pretty good day, the kids were great and the weather was as well. My kids and myself are starting to look as though we are Floridans with our tans. We are planning on heading to the lake sometime this weekend and have a nice seafood dinner somewhere, Eric has been wanting crab legs since we got back in town so I told him we would this weekend...he should be happy after that.

I still haven't got out to find me a new vehicle but our time is running out so hopefully that will get done this weekend. I think it would be easier if I could figure out what I want but I am so torn, I was telling mom today I'll probably just get the STS, it's a nice size and will be a comfy ride to KC, but all I know is there is no way we will be travelling in Eric's truck hehehe. I can't wait to get there, I am so proud of Nick, he's graduating, got his band and his beautiful girlfriend! WTG Nicholas James on all your achievements, I love ya bunches!!!

We finally have high speed internet again so I will be posting more often now, sorry about the delay. We had a pretty full weekend, Eric took us for Sunday brunch at one of the country clubs here in Lakeland and it was awesome, I have missed going since we left KC. I think the last time we went was the week before we moved to Florida. I hope all is well with my family and friends and I hope Renee and Allan had a blast in Vegas.

Jimmy managed to overflow the sink his bathroom today and that left a huge mess for me to clean up. I think I need to keep him with me every second, I walked into our laundry room (right off the kitchen) to throw in a load of towels and he headed straight for the bathroom, plugging the sink while brushing his teeth. Taylor has two weeks left of school and she will have completed the year. I just ordered Taylor's and Jimmy's school books for next year and we are waiting patiently for them to arrive so we can see what's in store.

Eric is managing a big open house this evening and will be arriving home late so the kids and I are planning a movie night and then I can put them to bed and watch Lost. Tomorrow Susan and I are planning to take the kids to the new water park in town and that's all they can talk about. We enjoyed having Emily stay with us the other night and hope she will stay again before Spring Break is over. I will be posting new photos soon and I will send the house photos on as well through email, I know everyone keeps asking me and you will have them by the end of the week. Love and miss you all!

Taylor's Good Deed

While I was unpacking my bedroom this afternoon Taylor came in and asked if she could make her and Jimmy lunch. She has been into cooking the past couple weeks and I told her it was okay. After spending five more minutes in my room I decided to go out for a smoke break and as I was heading to the back door I heard the microwave beep and peeked into the kitchen to find Taylor pulling out a plate of leftovers, beef green pepper and green bean casserole. I asked her if that is what she was going to have for lunch and she said no she had made it for me...awwww. I noticed she hadn't made her or Jimmy's lunch yet and she explained that I always make everyones food and am always the last to eat so she decided that she was going to make my lunch first and she would eat last. I just thought that was so sweet. She is such a good girl and is growing up so fast.

I actually finished her bedroom last night and she decided she wanted posters of the lastest stars on her wall: Hilary Duff, Kelly Clarkson and Jamie Lynn Spears. We also hung up 3 Bratz posters and a poster of the Care Bears but one big wall is dedicated to Chad Michael Murray. We went through her teen mags last night and cut out any pictures we could find and put them on the wall as well. For those of you who do not know (which I am sure you all do with how she talks about him) Taylor is in love with the One Tree Hill and A Cinderella Story star. She cannot miss one episode of One Tree Hill so every Wednesday at seven o'clock we do not see Taylor for an hour.

She has loved having her own room back again but Jimmy did wake up last night and go to her room, not ours, he wanted to be with his sissy. Last night before bed Eric and I enjoyed listening to her read us two books of her choice and look forward to hearing two more tonight. She has been doing so good in school and has spent a lot of her spare time outside on her new bike or jumping rope, she is becoming very active. Taylor and Jimmy will begin activities at the YMCA next month, Taylor is starting gymnastics and Jimmy is joining tumbling, they are both very excited.

We are all moved and everyone is pooped out. Thank you Susan for helping us out with the kids while we moved Saturday, we both appreciate it. Jimmy got his new car bed and here is a picture of him crashed on the first night in his own room!! The place is great and we have so much room...I am just happy to have my washer and dryer back, now Eric can do laundry more easily...LOL! He actually likes doing it and I don't mind letting him. Got our new number and satellite (DVR was turned on today, but we didn't miss Sopranos at least) but I have to wait until the 27th to get my DSL back on. I can't believe they can't activate it right away, I hate dial-up and don't really want to wait 7 days. The kids have made some friends and Jimbob is very happy because we have several boys his age in the neighborhood, he has been playing very hard the last few days. Talk to everyone soon.

All Is Well

We are starting our move this evening, I have spent the day packing and running around to finishing up last minute stuff. The new place is gorgeous and the kids love it as well. We have ordered a new living room set and are just waiting on it to arrive...can't wait, I'll finally have a pretty living room. Everything is going our way with this move, with the phone package that I got when we first moved here made it where we didn't have to pay to get a new number and become unlisted from the directory and I was able to get DirectTV out here tomorrow to move our system over to the new place. I did get an extra receiver so Jimmy could have satellite in his room as well, we are taking him out tonight to pick up his new 13" SpongeBob SquarePants TV/DVD combo and boy is he happy. He wanted a Dora the Explorer but we couldn't find one so he settled on SpongeBob. Jimmy is also getting his new race car bed tonight as well and we are letting him pick out his own bedding, giving him a little say so makes him feel like such a big boy. Our phone will be shut off Monday so we won't have the new one in the house until then, you will probably be able to catch us here, if not call my cell phone, I will have it on me at all times.

We have decided to spend Easter at Universal Studios, we leave the Friday before and are staying in a hotel for the weekend so the kids can spend 3 days at the park. They were running a special where kids are free with an adult 2-day pass plus you get an extra 3 days...5 days total for $200 and kids eat free in the park, that's a really good deal. Taylor promises to act better than she did at Disney for her birthday so we'll see. This will be part of Jimbob's birthday present since Taylor got Disney and we have decided on getting him a "Big Boy" bike as well. He calls it a 2 big bike and he got to try it out the other night and fits nicely on it, this boy has so many vehicles he doesn't know what to do with them. His favorite is his Spider-Man scooter that Nay-Nay, Allan, Jordan and Delaney got him for his last birthday, I don't think anything can take the place of that. He has also decided he doesn't like his Jeep "manymore (Jimmanese for anymore) and he needs a Dora Jeep so with the bright idea of Aunt Ste, we are going to put Dora stickers on his Jeep so he will have what he wants. Spoiled? Just a little.

I hope everyone is having a great St. Patty's Day and I am off to put cabbage in the pot with our corned beef. Talk to everyone soon, love ya all.

Time to Move

Well, we move this weekend to the house and we have no packing done. I talked to the lady last week and she said it would be the weekend of the 25th, but then I got the call today saying we had to be out of the townhome by next Monday so they can get it ready for the end of the month. Now, we got it all set up so we will be able to move in Saturday. I can't get a satellite installed for a week, so I will have to leave the TV here so I can come back Sunday to watch Sopranos...sucks. Phone shouldn't be a problem and I will let everyone know the new number as soon as we get it.

Aaron or is it Erin???

Aaron let Taylor talk him into wearing one of her play dresses while playing house this afternoon. He actually let me snap the picture which his mom threatened to put it in the school yearbook. Uh oh Aaron...blackmail!

Chasing the Boys

Taylor had her friends Aaron and Luke over playing house today when Aaron decided to run off with her babies. Taylor chased that boy down and got those babies back unharmed.

Taking the Baby for a Spin

Jimmy buckled little Elizabeth in her carseat and took her out for an afternoon drive. He packed a blanket and bottle for her as well, such a good daddy.

A Family Weekend

We have had a very busy weekend but a lot of time with our family. Friday night we took Tay to Outback Steakhouse for the first time since she could enjoy it (last time she went she was two) and she loved it.

Yesterday we did some shopping and let the kids know later that we had a surprise for them. We all spent some time in Kohl's and Eric finally bought himself a pair of shoes and Tay and I got clothes of course. We decided to head to KFC and while eating we teased Taylor that this was the surprise, she got to eat inside a fast food restaurant...she was not too thrilled and thought Eric and I had lost our minds. After dinner we proceded to Chuck E. Cheese so the kids could play and they were surprised and very happy. We got them 170 tokens and let them go wild. I told Eric we will never go again on a weekend evening, the place was totally packed where you could barely move. When the kids had picked out there prizes we headed to Toys R Us where Taylor got a new bike and two new Bratz and Jimmy got Trix from Bob the Builder and a gas pump for his Jeep. We need to run the kids around more often, they went to bed immediately with no fuss at all.

This morning Eric took us out to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe, which was a really good restaurant. Just a heads up, there is one in Zona Rosa and it's worth trying. I am planning on making some baked ziti for dinner to get us ready for the premiere of Sopranos...I AM SO EXCITED!! I ordered HBO Friday so we would be set to go. Well, now you all know (except for mom) why I haven't called, had a lot going on with my hubby and kids. We try to spend most of our time outside when we are home with it being so warm out but today is very hot so I am trying to just stay out an hour at a time.

Little Angel

I love this picture of Izabel, she looks so much like an angel. She is now a month old and such a sweet baby. She is so pretty in the pictures but when you see her in person she is gorgeous, just a beautiful baby. I can't wait to see you again Izabel and hope you are enjoying your Grandpa and Grandma Jack and all the other family that came from all over the country to welcome you into the world. I hope you are getting spoiled like crazy!

Nani, Poppa and Izabel

Nani and Poppa love all the babies in the family and they are both great with them. Great picture of them with Bella.

Matt and Izabel

Matt, such a tough man, melts when babies are around. I know Jimmy gets so excited when he hears Uncle Matt be around.

Angie and Izabel

Greg, Alisha and Izabel spent a Sunday at Nani and Poppa's while Angie and Matt were visiting as well. Ang, we're still waiting on some "Little Chandlers" following you and Matt around.

Mom and Izabel

I knew I had to hold Izabel as much as I could before Mom got home from work because I wouldn't have the chance after she got her hands on her. Mom loves babies and you usually have to pry her hands off the child hahaha. We all enjoyed the Jack's visit.

Me and Bella

This was my first meeting with Little Bella. She is such a precious baby and just the cutest thing. I enjoyed spending time with her and her parents, can't wait to see you all again.

Jimmy & Izabel

Jimmy loved Izabel and could wait to hold her. He did a wonderful job and was very gentle with the baby, he would rub her head and cheek so softly.

Posing Jimmy

Jimmy asked me to take more pictures of him after the angel, he loves getting his picture taken and then viewing it in the viewfinder.

Note the paper hung on the fence in the back, that is Taylor's garden that I have told you about. She loves Greek olives so much that she has decided to plant the seeds in the yard. She goes out daily to give her "plants" fresh water so they will grow by spring lol.

Sand Angel

Jimmy told me told watch him make a snow angel yesterday and I explained to him that it was not snow but sand, therefore, he was making a sand angel. This boy was dirty head to feet after he was finished.

Jordan & Delaney

More photos of J&D. Two beautiful little girls that I miss everyday. I can't believe how big you girls got in the 4 months I was gone. Love ya both bunch.

My Other Children

This is a gorgeous picture of Jordan and Delaney that was taken at Cutie Pie in Zona Rosa. This has to be one of the best professional pictures I have seen. The photographer told Delaney to give Jordan an Eskimo kiss and she didn't get it so this is what he captured...so cute. Love and miss you girls (kiss, kiss.)

Just Making Myself Clear

Eric received a call from his mother today and for some reason she thought we were moving back to Kansas City next week. How she would come up with this I have no idea, but I have never posted where we were moving for the reason of I do not want her to know where we are going to be. We are staying in Florida for the time being, just moving to a much better place. This website is not for Sand to know what is going on in our lives so she can come back on Eric and say she needs to see the kids...not going to happen. I made this so my family will be able to see the kids grow and what is going on in our lives.

This is not a post that I ever wanted to make but now I feel that it is necessary. I am not backing down on my decision and she will not be apart of our children's lives unless they decide they want to see her after the age of 18. My posts are getting pretty mixed up by the time they get to her and she of course is calling Eric with things that have never been said. Yes, Eric tried to get transfered to the Lexena store, but it didn't work out, I never said he was going for sure. I never said I was living in Missouri and I was flying out to get Eric...WHERE DID THAT COME FROM???? If information is passed, make sure it is correct or better yet, don't tell her anything about our lives, she is not apart of it!

Just wanted to get that out of the way, I am sick of the crap that has gone on with this and I just want to be done. If Eric chooses to tell her what is going on, let him do it, at least it will come out the way it really is. I am washing my hands of this and I hope not to hear about Sand again.

Uncle Nick and Jimmy

Nick and Stephi

Me and my Brother

Mom and Nick

Uncle Nick & Taylor

Uncle Nick and Jimmy Again

Can you see a pattern with the pictures and Nick???

Club Goofy

Midnight & Her Best Friend

Midnight did not get along with other dogs but Stephi and Brett's Lab Brooke was her best friend. She would go crazy when they showed up knowing that Brooke would be with them and she would not leave them alone if Brooke did not come along. Midnight often bugged Brooke but most of the time they would play together the whole day.

Baby Midnight

This picture was taken right after Midnight adopted us into her life. She was such a cute puppy.

Remembering Midnight

Midnight would be celebrating her third birthday this week and I felt that I should honor her with this. Midnight was a wonderful dog and we loved her deeply, she brought a lot of joy to our lives. She picked us to be her family as a small pup and after taking her to the home she came from several times before they said they did not want her anymore, she became ours. Midnight loved the kids and was very protective of the kids and me while Eric was not home, she would not allow anyone in our house except Stephi, Brett & Renee and her family, she did make good friends with one of our neighbors as well.
Two weeks before leaving for Florida, someone came to our home and stole her out of our yard. At first I thought she got out of the fence on her own, but soon found out that our whole town was losing their dogs left and right. We all searched for her but she never turned up until a lady that worked at City Hall let me know that they found the guys that had taken the dogs and she had been sold to a lab. I was crushed when they couldn't tell me where she was and I had no way of finding out where she was, I would have fought to get her back if I could have gotten just a little information.
I miss you Middie everyday and hope you are happy wherever you are. You were the best dog and a great addition to our family and no other will ever take your place. I hope you know how much we cared for you and always will.

Aunt Ste & Taylor

Here is the picture of Steph and Taylor that was done at Chuck E Cheese's.

Aunt Ste & Jimmy

Stephi had this picture done of her and Jimmy at Chuck E Cheese's, they actually turned out really cute.

More Beach Pics

This is a good picture of Poppa and the kids...note the sweat attire instead of suits lol.

Panama Beach, FL

This picture was taken at Panama Beach one cold morning. It seems it was cold the whole time we travelled, but was very warm when we finally arrived in KC.

Time to Move On

The kids and I arrived home yesterday morning and loved being greeted by Eric at the airport. The flight was great and the kids slept most of the way...we had to be on the plane at 6:40 a.m. Eric took us all out for lunch when we arrived and we spent the day with the kids outside. We have a busy weekend planned, The Strawberry Festivial starts tomorrow and we will be there and Sunday we have to buy the kids new beds and then we are headed for St. Petersburg to spend the day at the beach. I am pooped and still have to start packing...YUK! Well, all in all, it is nice to be home again and able to spend time with my family, we all missed Eric a lot. Thanks Mom and Kyle for allowing us to invade your space for two weeks, I really enjoyed it and I know Chip and Jimbob loved it too. Jimmy and Taylor had a lot of bonding with Grandpa Ky-Ky, he spent almost every evening playing with them and even gave them some golfing tips. Everyone spoiled the kids rotten, Aunt Ste had a new toy it seemed everytime she saw them. Steph spent the most time with the kids which they both loved, they want all the time with her they can get. I am glad they have such a great relationship with her. Uncle Nick did play with the kids as well and even took them to the park one day. Nani took them shopping and to Chuck E. Cheese's and they both had a blast whenever they were with Nani. Jimmy was sad to leave her behind, he told me as we walked to the plane that we forgot her and had to wait and when we arrived in Tampa the first thing out of his mouth when we stepped off the plane, "Okay, where's Nani at?" I am glad they had fun and I love seeing everyone too and can't wait until May.

I have 1 week to get everything packed for the move and all I have managed today was DVD's, I cannot motivate myself. Eric has hurt his back and is having a hard time moving around so until that's better I am on my own. We are excited to get to our new place, it is just coming so quickly and I am not prepared.

Eric thank you for all the goodies you got me while I was gone, I loved them all. You are so good to me and I am glad I have you in my life. After being gone I realized we have fell into the old married routine and I enjoyed talking to you on the phone, it was almost like we were getting to know each other again.

In Loving Memory Zeus

Here is the picture of Zeus that I promised to post, it is a great picture of him. You are loved and missed deeply.