Basketball Players- NC

I was so shocked to see a SIZE 18 shoe!!! North Carolina is famous for their amazing basketball teams and those guys are not just talented but BIG & Tall. The sales clerk saw me take the picture and was curious why, after I explained that I had never seen a shoe that big she understood but was still apologetic that this is was the largest shoe they carried!!! Being petite I was surprised that there are shoes even larger than size 18! Holy Cow!

Butterfly Exhibit - NC

Going to the Butterfly Exhibit was one of the highlights of our trip. It was so warm, tropical, green...(sigh)... and as you walked along the path beautiful butterflies spread their wings all around you flying from flower to flower. It was like heaven to me! Simply wonderful.

Life Science Museum - NC

Today we went to an incredible Life Science Museum. They had just about everything from space exploration, to live animals, various experiments, music and places just to play. It was a pretty chilly day, so we were all bundled up and saw maybe half of the museum which still took us a couple of hours. The museum is wonderful for children, I highly recommend it, and I was especially impressed with the "Crash Test Dummy". One could request to see it in action with a seat belt, just the lap belt, with the booster seat or no booster seat at all. I was amazed and it was a valuable lesson for us. We had such a good time and Noah was in awe over everything he saw.

Aunt Jackie in North Carolina

Tammy invited Noah and I to come out to Chapel Hill, NC to join them for a week while Jeremiah was off interviewing for different positions at various universities. It was such a great week!

Life's Lessons

"I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, noble, and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them."

--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Life's Lessons Learned", May 2007 Ensign

Success

"Always demanding the best of oneself, living with honor, devoting one's talents and gifts to the benefit of others- these are the measures of success that endure when material things have passed away."

~ Gerald R. Ford

Frustrated

Isn't it frustrating when you work out all week I mean really workout out, dripping sweat and all, in hopes that your hard work will pay off, especially on the scale, and come to find out that instead of losing 2 pounds like you had hoped you GAIN 2 pounds!?!?! They say that when you are stressed your body holds onto weight and you don't make wise decisions about food but I really thought I could push through the stress. It was an incredible release and exactly what I needed to relieve stress but the scale is NOT my friend this morning!! So instead of losing 5 pounds to get back to my normal weight I now have 7! I am so hoping its just water weight and that all these workouts were not in vain. Its just so disappointing and frustrating!!! I know that I over indulged with sweets this week because of the stress , trying to feed my soul and enjoy a treat , but it all adds up , workouts or not its diet AND exercise not one or the other! So back on the bike I go to hopefully sweat off these last pounds and achieve my goal! I've got 7 pounds to go now but I know I can do it! With Zumba, Tennis, Swimming, biking and some P90X it should eventually come off. It better!!! ; )

Love Day!

I have carried this sweet picture with me ever since I was little, as a matter of fact, it sits inside the draw of my nightstand and every time I need a little lift, or hope or boost for the day I look at it. Its old and worn now but I cherish it. Love does make your tummy tickle and thats why I LOVE Valentine's Day. Brandon claims it is my absolute favorite holiday but Christmas and Easter are still up there on the list. I love that there is a day dedicated to show love to one another! With the special day landing on a Sunday this year we ending up making a whole weekend out of it. It was wonderful! I don't feel any pressure to make the day more than it is or to say we just show love on this one day and not the others- its simply a day to enjoy, an excuse if you will to go out of your way with joy to show people how much you love them. Its not just reserved for sweet hearts! Brandon and I always exchange little tokens of affections, but we always do something special for the boys, their classmates, the neighbors, our parents etc. Just a simple "I love you" is plenty but why not make it fun!!!

So we did our Valentine Bingo, ate chocolate covered heart shaped pretzels, triple berry pie, and made a special dinner with Valentine plates, napkins etc we even had sparkling cider. We give each other lots of hugs, kisses and snuggles. We write letters to family and talk about all the good things in our lives. Its a blast. So many might wonder what did I give to Brandon... well I made him 2 photo albums one of our prom from last June which was such a good time especially since he had never been to prom and the other about his accomplishments at work. He was very touched and moved. To top it off Jordan offered to babysit and we got to go out. We went to see the movie titled "Valentne's day" which was awesome and filled with even more mushy love! It was great!

Valentine's Day

I am so lucky to have such a sweet, caring and romantic husband! He brought home this beautiful arrangement of flowers filled with 24 Valentines. Each Valentine had a memory. "Remember when..." it was so touching and thoughtful that I cried. We have been married for over 13 years and these memories are still close to his heart, not only does he remember them but he wanted to stir up my memory too! It was an incredible Valentine gift. We felt a greater love for one another and it is so great and vital to remember all the joy that you have shared together. I love you Brandon!

Valentine's Bingo

This year I was in charge of creating and doing a Valentine's Bingo for Aidan's class. With Brandon's help, I made the card, attached it to red card stock, stamped the hearts for the "free space" and then laminated it. I have 26 cards in all! A lot of cutting, photo "sticky" squares , stamping etc but it turned out great! We used candy hearts as the game pieces and gave valentine pencils as the prizes. It was a lot of fun and now I have it all ready to use again in the future! Don't you just love "LOVE DAY" !!!

Me and My Mom

Mom- I love you more than words could properly express. Thank you for being the amazing woman and mom that you are. You have been an incredible example of love. You work so hard to ensure that your family has everything that they need emotionally and physically. You could easily save the money you earn just for yourself but your generosity always surprises me. You are always willing to help out with groceries , paying for preschool , buying clothes and presents for the grandchildren or even just fun activities like going out to the movies, getting our nails done, or mini golf. You have dedicated over 20 years of teaching full time to not only educate all those children, but provide financially for the family. We have had so many opportunities because of your hard work and effort and I want you to know that it doesn't go unnoticed. You are a supreme example of responsibility , saving for a rainy day, and preparing for not only your future but ours as well. My life wouldn't be complete without you in my life. You have taught me so much about loving life and others. Your hugs are priceless. Thank you for all that you do, for who you have become and for loving us all so much. As Valentine's Day approaches I can't help but think of all the love you have shown me and my family and I too want to tell you that I love you- Always and Forever.

Happy Valentine's Day!

~Jacqueline

By the way the picture shown here is of my Mom when she was pregnant with me as well as a photo of me from last year when I had a longer version of her exact same haircut! I wish I had one in the same pose too. Well Mom, I love you with all my heart! Thank you for everything!

love

In a casual moment, in the parking lot of Bed Bath and Beyond, Brandon hugged me as we leaned against the car... he looked at me and then said "I have dedicated my entire eternal existence to you..."

Who needs anything more than that for Valentine's Day!?!?!? We still have plans for the weekend and gifts but really that's all I needed to hear! I have such an amazing, romantic husband and I am so very blessed to spend my life with him.

"Lucky"

Today Brandon came home in between appointments and we danced, sang, and kissed to our favorite song in the kitchen. SOOOOO mushy I know but WONDERFUL!!! I truly am lucky especially after all these 13 years to still be so in love and the perfect match for each other. Best Friends Forever!

"Lucky"

(feat. Colbie Caillat)

Do you hear me,I'm talking to you

Across the water across the deep blue ocean

Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying

Boy I hear you in my dreams

I feel your whisper across the sea

I keep you with me in my heart

You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

They don't know how long it takes

Waiting for a love like this

Every time we say goodbye

I wish we had one more kiss

I'll wait for you I promise you,I will

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

Lucky we're in love every way

Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed

Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea

To an island where we'll meet

You'll hear the music fill the air

I'll put a flower in your hair

Though the breezes through trees

Move so pretty you're all I see

As the world keeps spinning round

You hold me right here right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

I'm lucky we're in love every way

Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed

Lucky to be coming home someday