Waiting in Line

We've personally seen a few too many tragedies over these past few months. First, Danny's cousin, Diane, was killed in a horrific car crash in May by a drunk driver.  Then my cousin, Pam, who was also one of Danny's best friends, lost her battle with cancer in August.  And now Danny's co-worker (and only co-worker) and friend, Diane, is fighting for her life after a brain aneurysm on Wednesday. These were three beautiful, young, strong, healthy women who were all very special to us. You just never know. 

Every minute someone leaves this world behind.

Age has nothing to do with it.
We are all in the line without realizing it.
We never know how many people are before us.
We cannot move to the back of the line.
We cannot step out of the line.
We cannot avoid the line.

So while I wait in line, I will try to...

Wake up with a grateful heart

Encourage others
Be positive
Count my blessing
Share kindness
Be kinder than I feel
Be friendly to everyone
Treat everyone with love and respect
Let go of what I can’t control
Let go of what is hurting my heart and soul
Do whatever makes my soul happy
Let go of troubling thoughts
Have hope
Be my best self
Respond well
Be happy
Tell and show my people that I love them
Know that I already have it all

Surprise anniversary trip to...

MIAMI BEACH!!!

Danny surprised me with a 5-day trip to Miami Beach for our 25th wedding anniversary!  I had no idea where we were going until we were at the gate at the airport.  I was so happy when I saw the Miami sign!!  We had an amazing time.  The best part...it was just us with no kids!!  Danny went all out with car service to and from the airport and hotel.  He booked a couples massage which was so amazing.  And the hotel, the Loews, was absolutely gorgeous. We had an ocean front room on the 8th floor with the most incredible views!  We watched the sunrise everyday...

Happy happy me!!

The hotel at night...

Our view from the pool chairs...gorgeous...

The ocean was so warm...

There was a boardwalk that went for miles that ran right between the hotels and the beach. We went for long walks...

The food was just so delicious. Our first morning we had the best breakfast buffet ever at our hotel...

My morning tea with real cream...

Lunch everyday by the pool with a bucket of cold beers...

and frozen drinks...

I loved that you could just walk out the front door of the hotel and there were endless restaurants to choose from within walking distance. I swear this was the best cheeseburger I've ever had. It was made with homemade parmesan bread...



A delicious Cosmo at this Cuban restaurant Havana 1957...

We loved this Italian restaurant...

It had probably one of the best caprese salads we've ever had...

and the best homemade meatballs and pasta...

By the way...I did not follow my WW program and I was perfectly OK with that. I wanted to live my life in the moment and enjoy every meal without counting or worrying about points!

Before the humidity had a chance to attack my hair...

Our hotel was just so pretty...

Truth...

 

And I would add...

8. Husband

To my Daniel...Thank you for the most amazing five days. We really needed that time together away...just us.  You are a wonderful husband, father and best friend.  Here's to another 25 years!! I can't wait to go back!!

And to my sister, Kimmy...Thank you for taking such awesome care of our kids!  We had zero worries being away knowing you were in charge!  They had a lot of fun and got done what they needed to get done.  THANK YOU!!!

The Willis Clan "Speak My Mind"

They've been through so much.  After taking some much needed time off...The Willis Clan are back with a new album!  I'm so excited to hear all their new music!  This video is from their title track "Speak my Mind".  It's so powerful.  It talks about how they all kept quiet and couldn't find the words to save themselves from the abuse they were all suffering from at the hands of their father. It was written by the oldest sister of the family, Jessica Willis, (who has since left the group) actually years ago when she was trying to find a way out.  She finally did find the strength to tell someone and she was able to save herself and her siblings.  He has since been put away for a very long time.  Now they can move on and help others with their stories.  Love the Willis Clan!!

The Willis Clan is a family band, now consisting of just six of the older siblings, while the younger ones are on the road to recovery out of the spotlight for now...

Apple Picking

So Danny and I missed out on our annual apple picking adventure with the kids this year...but for a good cause.  We were away in paradise!!  Auntie Kimmy stepped in and they had a great time.  And she even made my lazyman's apple pie!  They saved us some and it was delicious!!

I love how the kids knew how to take our classic family photos without me even being there...too cute!!

High School Musical

Just found out that Gianna got one of the lead roles in our local youth theatre!!  They'll be doing High School Musical and she got the role of Gabriella!!  Yay!!  So happy for my girl!!

Gianna as Annie and her friend Nathan as Daddy Warbucks will now be Troy and Gabriella! How cute it that!!

Sugar Factory

Suzanne and I had so much fun celebrating these two girls at the Sugar Factory.  Julia just turned 16 and Lizzie will be turning 16 in a few days...

Here are the girls back when they were 8 years old.  We took them to get their ears pierced for their birthdays...

A little more grown up now...

First the girls ordered this drink...

and the moms ordered these drinks...oh they were sooooo good...

Just look at all the delicious desserts...

This was Julia's dinner...Nutella chocolate chip pancakes...and they were to die for!!!

And this was Lizzie's dinner.  I would have loved to have had that for my dinner because I love apple pie!!

The waiters sang happy birthday to the girls...

and we got this amazing fondue for dessert...

I ate all the chocolate chip cookies myself!!  I haven't had a chocolate chip cookie in 4 months and it was AMAZING!!! 

I love their friendship...

Such a fun night with special friends!!