Happy Birthday To My Honey

Happy 31st Birthday Babe!!!!!

Don't worry you get better with each passing year and are the hottest Daddy we know!

We Love you Lots!

Muahhhh.....

Your young wife Veronica, Tyler Jon and Genesis Nicole

Jack-O

My family and I relocated to NC when I was about 20 years old. I was born and raised in Miami, FL . You can say that I left Miami when I was in my "prime" so to speak. I had all my neighborhood friends, all of my high school friends, and friends that I went to school with since kindergarten that I literally grew up with. I hated leaving all of them. That was the hardest part of leaving my home town. My now husband came to NC as well though, and that made it all worthwhile. Still, leaving all of our roots behind proved difficult to develop new ones.

We have found many acquaintances here through out the years, but not many true friends, that took more time. Those friends that were true friends through all those years in FL are hard to replace. Now that we have been here about 9 years, things are better and we have met some really great people. Some true friends.

I met my great friend Emily through work. She was the type of person that after knowing her only a couple of weeks you felt like you knew her forever. Emily is a great person and a great friend to me, and I am grateful to have met her. I love her and her family. They are all great, and I feel like I brought her from Miami with me!

Her husband Jack is the same type of easy going person. This couple will do anything for anyone. They are kind at heart. They welcome you in your home and talk to you and the genuinely care about you and your life. It is a great friendship because John really loves Emmy and Jack too, so it's a win-win deal.

John and I really don't do much on weekends sometimes because it is our time with the kids since we work all week, and it is even hard to find a sitter some times. Of course though as fate would have it, the weekend John and I do have something to do, is the weekend Em is having a surprise birthday party for Jack. We hate that we are missing it and even tried to move our trip to the beach to another weekend but it is work related for John and we weren't successful in shuffling things around.

So this post is for Jack. Jack-O I am so sorry we will be missing your big 3-0 bash, but we will have to make up for it some other time! We will be thinking of you guys! Hope you aren't taking this big birthday too hard, definitely better you than me........"Rock-Out" this weekend.

A Long Weekend and More

This past weekend I enjoyed three days with my babies at home! Our normal sitter, a great one at that, is Mimi, my grandmother, she went on a trip to Fl and so John and I had to watch the kids on Monday and Tuesday. I stayed home Monday and got myself a 3 day weekend! John stayed home most of the day Tuesday and I came home a little early to be with them.

Man I love being home with my babies. Tuesday as I was pulling out of our drive way on the way to work, tears were pouring down my face at having to leave them. The 3 days with them makes it so hard to go back to work. I miss them tons and wish I can just stay home with them 24-7. For now I will hang in there a little longer and I will eventually be working part time. I CANNOT wait! Being with them is like being in another world and I just want to share in it more than anything.

Another world--If you are asking your self what world that is then you must not have children or spend a lot of time with any kids that are close to you. The rest of you know exactly what I mean. They are truly little beings trying to find their way and in the mean time are completely wrapped up in a world of their own. Sometimes, if you are lucky they let you enter that world with them. It is those moments I live for.

When your 3 year old son, who has a fascination with animals so grand that it is hard to explain, asks you to pretend he is a dog (or maybe a horse or elephant depending on his mood) for the day you have received his invitation to enter his world. He breathes it and takes it in, he is a doggie. He has no hands for the time being so you feed him and hold his cup for him and you use phrases like "good boy". His "dog" name is Fish, weird I know, but I have learned not to call him Tyler in those spells because then the realm we have entered, well, collapses. I like his imagination and his world and am honored to be allowed in it. The best part is when the doggie wants to be held and be loved on. Hey, it is hard to get him to let me do this much any more, so if I have to pretend he is a "spotted dog" as he says, then so be it. I love this world, I take it in, get lost in it, and I suddenly become the best pet owner anyone has ever dreamed of. Plus we both know that doggies don't talk right, that in itself on some days is an added bonus!

Then wait, behold, enter yet another world....My 2 year old darling daughter, who really believes she is a princess, and her best friends are Belle and Sleeping Beauty, is now playing with my make up. I kindly say "Genesis, can you please put Mommy's make up back where you found it?" She replies, "Yes your heirness." Ah yes, what's not to love about a child's world. I am queen for the day in hers. I take it any way I can get it. Enter.

Friday the 13th

What a week it has been! The kind that when it is over you aren't even sure of exactly what is is that made it so terrible or what you did or didn't do for that matter. Yes friends that is the kind of week I have had. I thought it was actually quite suitable when I saw today's date. I even wore black to celebrate the occasion. Now I am really not that supersticious and in all actuality the date we speak of doesn't really mean much to me, but if today goes like the rest of the week, I may just have to change my mind. Luckily, it will all be over in about 6 hours or so when we get to punch out of the office time clock and officially start the weekend.

I haven't posted all week and so I didnt even get to tell you about the visit from the Easter Bunny. Easter was great. I made brunch for my family and we had a nice time. The kids enjoyed all of their treats and baskets and the egg hunt as well. They even got the concept a little about Jesus and the meaning behind Easter this year which was a great accomplishment I thought.

They tag teamed the egg hunt as they do all else in their lives. they scurried about and if Tyler ran into pink eggs he would run and give him to his lil sis and Gen would do the same for him, handing him all of the "boy" colored eggs. Priceless.

Then on Wednesday this week when John was cutting the grass he scared 2 baby bunnies out of a nest they had made in our yard. They were so tiny and cute! We were able to catch one to show Tyler and Genesis and it was so sweet to see it up close. The little guy let out this God awful sounding cry, so loud I heard it upstairs, I thought one of the kids got hurt and then some!
Nice surprise the Easter Bunny left behind there!

Chow for now, I really have tons to do before I am able to celebrate the weekend. The countdown begins.......

~V

Genesis Nicole

In My Daughters Eyes

By Martina McBride

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero

I am strong and wise and I know no fear

But the truth is plain to see

She was sent to rescue me

I see who I want to be

In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes

Everyone is equal

Darkness turns to light

And the world is at peace

This miracle God gave to me

Gives me strength when I'm weak

I find reason to believe

In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand around my finger

Oh it puts a smile in my heart

Everything becomes a little clearer

I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your hearts had enough

It's givin' more when you feel like givin' up

I've seen the light

It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes

I can see the future

A reflection of who I am

And what we'll be

And though she'll grow and someday leave

Maybe raise a family

When I'm gone I hope you'll see

How happy she made me

For I'll be there

In my daughter's eyes

This song says it all and so much more. The bond my daughter and I share is something I never realized could be so life altering. She really has completed me in so many ways. She is a shining star everywhere she goes, she can just light up a room. Genesis melts my heart with happiness. I am so grateful for the love of a daughter.

Genesis loves her big brother more than anything I think. She wants to do everything he does, and she lives to please him. They take care of eachother and I am so proud to see their relationship get closer with each passing day. I remember when I found out I was pregnant, I thought it was near tragic to have them so so close together. God showed me once again how wrong I was. They are the best little tag team I have ever witnessed together.

She is a girly girl and all I ever dreamed of in a daughter. Gen loves her purses (filled with all sorts of girlie trinkets might I add, lotion, lip gloss, a brush, body spray, oh yeah the whole nine yards. If you thought you were going to find a Barbie in there or something then you found the wrong toddlers purse!) She will break many hearts one day including her daddy's. Clothes is an addiction for her I have noticed, this will surely turn into trouble in the next few years. For now I am delighted that if we go to a store, while her brother asks for a toy, she really wants those shorts or that dress! She loves all the Disney Princesses, but I think her faves are Sleeping Beauty and Ariel. But you should see her dressed as Belle, wow, she looks a lot like her! Genesis also loves bling - bling. Yes, that is what her auntie taught her to call it (yikes) but she loves it! She especially loves her Aunt Kiki's bling, all colors and shapes and sizes. She steals them when she can!

Genesis you and your brother walk around with my heart in your hand, you make everything right. I strive to be everything you see in me baby girl. I love you.

Maybe It Is Time....

...........To come to terms with some of my most guilty pleasures and addictions. I think I've been a real bad girl............

• Email. I can't live without it! My husband may appreciate this so that I don't rack up the cell phone minutes. It is the next best thing to talking to friends on the phone, which really between work and kids, sometimes I just don't have the time.
• Coffee. Starbucks or Caribou anyone? Better than chocolate on most days. Which quickly brings me to the next addiction.
• Chocolate. All of it except Dark.
• TMZ.COM. Come on, the dirt can get so good when it is about the crazy rich in Hollywood land. Most entertaining and I can get some crazy laughs out of it.
• E Bay. They really do have it all! Not to mention we have made a couple of bucks on there too.
• Hugs and Kisses from my kids. I can't imagine a day without those.
• Text Messages. I can thank my lovely lil sister for this one. She has a way of dragging me into her crazy world sometimes.
• My husband. Plain and simple everything about him and hmmm.....from him. So sorry if you are gagging right about now....I almost did too, but it is the truth.
• American Idol. The good the bad and the ugly. I suck it all up!
• Shoes. You don't have to ask "Hey, does my foot look fat in this?" Now that's a good thing.
• Purses. Another point goes to the sis on this one. Thanks Vikki.
• Disney World. With all the money we have spent going there the past 4 years I don't want to even begin to calculate all the other places we couldv'e gone, but hey, it is the "Happiest Place on Earth" and in my book, happy sure is good.
• Retail Therapy. Need I say more?

Absolutely naughty I tell you. I do think however that all things considered I make my momma proud!

The Purest Love...My First Born.....Tyler Jon

Ever since I married John in 1998 I couldn't wait to be the mother of his children. I wanted to be a mommy with all my heart. We weren't ready for a long time but in 2003 our dreams came true. We welcomed this perfect little angel into the world and named him Tyler Jon. He has brought endless happiness and tears of joy into our lives. He is our little man. He is the greatest little boy ever! (Of course we are bias.)

As I got the slideshow above ready I was in amazement that he has been in our world nearly 4 years now. I simply can't imagine a day with out him. I still remember finding out I was pregnant with him. I literally dropped to my knees in the bathroom and cried and thanked God for him. It may have marked the beginning of the best days of my life.

My pregnancy was a good one. No problems at all, the doctors called it "text book". I so appreciated that. Yet another blessing. I remember driving in my car, blaring the music while I was pregnant with him. I was enjoying the sun shine, enjoying my belly and his kicking that would inevitably start once I turned up that stereo. I used to talk to him and sing to him, those were good days, but nothing could have prepared me for his arrival and the even better days ahead.

Having him is just indescribable. Such a pure heart, an innocence that can only be seen in the eyes of the child. My child that I have been entrusted to if even for a season. I cherish him and every moment I share with him. He is so full of promise and love and he has shown me complete, total, undying, unconditional love.

Tyler loves his family. He genuinely has a heart for everybody and is always concerned about all those around him. If any of us say we are feeling sick he gets upset and says he doesn't want any one to be sick. He is the protector of his little sister Genesis. He loves science. He loves animals. He probably has a good 200 of these animal figures- all types. All of which he can name, and tell you where they live and what they eat. He is so smart. He is my little nerd. He loves to watch Discovery Channel and Animal Planet!! He enjoys his trains and trains table next best. Tyler often requests that we read to him from the encyclopedia, and the awesome part is that he actually retains a lot of that information. Not to brag but it is pretty amazing really. He is an amazing and intelligent little person all the way around.

Now he isn't a perfect one I will tell you, but who is? He is strong willed and has a very hard head. It is like pulling teeth to get him to say sorry sometimes (he gets that from his daddy). It is near impossible to change his mind about things too. Maybe all great characteristics for a little attorney in the making, but who knows. If you ask him today he will tell you that he wants to be an animal dentist.

We will take it one day at a time, for now I am just taking in enjoying my great little boy. I hope you like the slideshow. These are some of my favorite pics of Tyler in the past couple of years, and let me tell you, it's hard to pick so few :).

Monday Blues

I just cant get past how much Monday's down right suck. You would think after a life time of dealing with these said Monday's one could just bite the bullet and quit complaining. Maybe it's not my nature, because I for one, simply cannot do it.

Oh I can gripe forever about it:

• I miss my kids so much on Monday's I call them about five times! On some weeks, the sound of the morning alarm on a Monday can actually make me tear up to think that I have to leave them. I can't stop staring at their pictures in my office.
• Other people must be ready to fight the world on Monday's because I tell you what, the phone simply doesn't stop ringing at the office and my desk looks like a war zone.
• Ever wonder why the bed just feels so much better on a Monday morning? The tempature is just right, and the sheets feel like silk on your skin. (No wonder I can cry at the sound of the alarm. Here is another prime reason)
• The weekend is just so far away!
• Even though it rained on Saturday or Sunday when you were home, somehow God makes Monday's when you are back at the office absoultely gorgeous. Well, in his defense, maybe he is trying to cheer me up. :)

The lists goes on and on,but why hash it? Monday's arent going away and everyone, or certainly most of the human population, already know where I am coming from on this. Still, I cant help but wish it were already Friday.

So if you are feeling it the way I am, hang in there it is almost over. The good news is that it's a great day to be alive and I have that on my side and so many other things, which of course, are just foggy on Monday's.