I changed the dry erase calendar to June and realized that every single week except the last week (25th-29th) are full with the kids' activities.

• May 29th-31st Swim lessons- 10:45-11:25 a.m 
• June 1st- Friday...Keira's eye appt.
• June 4th-7th, Mon.-Thurs., swim lessons, 10:45-11:25 a.m
• June 9th- Saturday- Wedding
• June 11th-15th, Mon.-Fri., vacation bible school 5:45 p.m-8:30
• June 16th- a friend's 10 year anniversary BBQ
• June 17th- Father's Day
• June 18th-22nd-  Mon.-Fri., Summer Day Camp (for Keira and Aden), 9 a.m-1:45 p.m 
• June 25th-29th- Absolutely Nothing...yet ;) 

Saturday, May 26th Vow Renewal Ceremony

I didn't get any pictures of before the ceremony or the ceremony, but one of my friend's video taped it for me and is supposed to be emailing it to me, so when she does that then I will share it. 

This is what the ceremony looked like....

Scriptural Greeting- Ecclesiasted 4:9-12

Statement on the Gift of Marriage

Wedding Video from 10 years ago

Prayer

Scripture- John 2:1-11

Homily/Meditation- "Marriage is a Family Affair"

The First Decade- Slide show 10 + years

Declarations of Intent

Vows

Family Bouqet

Prayer of Blessing

Special Music- Lonestar Amazed

Charge and Benediction

Release of Lanterns 

You can see both the Wedding video (from 10 years ago) and the slide show (10 +years of our lives) from the ceremony by clicking on one of the links above..they are on the same link. 

Here are some pictures from the reception...Of course, this is not all the pictures, but I guess you had to be there to see everything! The old saying goes..."You had to be there." 

Didn't get a picture of Tay by the water because she slipped on a rock and fell in. 

The kids at the balloon release. 

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary! You think 10 years is long...just wait until you hear how long we have been together all together.....wait for it....wait for it..... 16 years! 


I never thought I would marry the man that I met when I was in high school. Okay, not at high school, but I was going to high school when I met him. He was 18 and I was 16. I had had a couple of relationships before him and I didn't get treated good in any of them. When I met him, I thought he was too good to be true. I thought he would date me for a couple of months and leave or do something dumb like the others did. I kept waiting and waiting, but nothing happened. He was sticking around no matter what!

16 Years Ago...
I saw him one night while my mom, my best friend and I were out at a bowling alley. He was bowling with his mom and dad and a couple of his friends. I told my mom that I thought he was cute and she is not a shy person, so she went and told him and got his number and she gave him mine. His mom chimed in saying he already has a girlfriend. I thought there was no way he was going to call me now since he was already in a relationship. I got home that night and was laying in my room with my best friend (having a sleepover ;) ) and the phone rang, my mom brought me the phone and it was him. We talked for a little bit and set up our first date. Come to find out he was still dating her when we went on our first date....and that's when it all started.

I could only see him on the weekends because I still lived with my mom in Utica and he lived with his mom in Seward and worked in Lincoln. We later moved to Marquette (over by Grand Island) and he stayed in Seward and Lincoln. He was going to school at UNL and working so I still only saw him on the weekends. That was about a 2 hour drive for him. Finally, it happened..the snow storm that changed it all. I was staying with him one weekend at his parent's house and there had been giant snow storm that weekend. My car was trapped and was not leaving, therefore, I was not leaving either! I called into work the rest of the week and eventually quit. We both said I might as well move in and that's what happened. We got an apartment in Lincoln with some friends and lived together ever since.

10 Years Ago...
That day feels like it was yesterday! I was so nervous! I had my sister in law as my maid of honor and my best friend at the time as one of my bridesmaids. Dan had his best friend as his best man and soon to be brother in law as his groom's man. We didn't want a big wedding party. We only wanted the people closest to us to share our big day!

We had a family meal/brunch that morning of the wedding. Then it was time for hair and makeup. Dan's aunt (which is a hair stylist) did my hair and makeup, as well as my wedding party and the mothers. I am not one to let someone else be in charge, so I was panicking all morning wondering if everyone had their respectable flowers on, if everyone was dressed in the appropriate attire. If everyone was there that was supposed to be by that time. I think it would have went a lot smoother if I hadn't been worrying so much ;)

Anyway, we had planned for a photographer of course, so he was there. I didn't want Dan to see me in my dress before the wedding, but we wanted individual pictures, so about an hour before the wedding we set it up that the photographer would take mine and my bridesmaids pictures by ourselves (without the guys), which surprisingly worked out great! Then it was the guys' turn.

You don't realize how much stuff can go wrong until that day! Everyday up until that day, you think... oh nothing will go wrong, I have been planning this for a year or two....wrong! If I have any luck at all it is bad luck! My personal attendant didn't show up (I guess she had more important issues at the time), so I had to ask Dan's aunt to do my hair and make up. My older brother (of 3) was having his first daughter that day... he didn't know he was until about an hour before the wedding started, he was supposed to be one of my ushers. So, a family friend of ours, he's just like my little brother, had to step in for him. My youngest brother was the ring barrier. I had asked my real dad to walk me down the isle and his daughter was going to be my flower girl, but that didn't happen because he called me about a week before the wedding letting me know that he wasn't going to make it....because he had a bad tooth..really? So, I didn't have a flower girl and my dad that has been in my life since I was months old walked me down the isle!

The ceremony was beautiful! We walked outside to our awaiting horse and carriage and took a stroll through the little town of Seward. Stopped in a park and took more pictures. Headed over to the reception and had a blast!

We left the reception and stayed the night in a hotel by the airport in Lincoln to catch our honeymoon flight to Vegas baby! Since then we have been to Vegas 6 times. I really don't know what made us go to Vegas. Dan had been there one time and I had never been there, I think he thought I would like it. I did like it. We stayed at Bellagio. Very beautiful!

To Dan....
We have had some rough times, some trying times, some happy times, some sad times, some exciting times, but most of all wonderful times. We have had our ups and downs, our bad days and good days. What kind of relationship would it be if you only had good days or only had bad days, you have to have both to even out a relationship. We have had our shares of arguments, tears, pleasures, challenges, but I wouldn't want it any other way. I love you! Here is to another 90 years! That's if I live that long ;)

I dropped Keira off at school one day and the teachers gave me a monthly newsletter. One of the dates, right there in bold, you can't miss it, says "May18th Last day of school." My first thought was Summer break! I love Summer! Most parents are petrified when they see or hear the words Summer break...because that usually means that they are stuck with their kids....oh God forbid that your child is around you! I love Summer break, it's no different than if she was going to school.

Summer to me means.....picnics. Staying up late. Late nights outside. BBQ's. More time with the kids. Parks. Swimming. Running in the sprinklers. Sitting outside. Doing yardwork. Family vacations. More activities for the kids. You are probably wondering why I haven't said camping yet? I do not camp! I am not the camping type. I will only camp if I have a camper.

Summer to me, is just cheerful. It means more time with friends. I play volleyball in the summer and am on a pool league. Being in those two activities makes the Summer go fast, but it's all worth it!

I had a great birthday. The hubby had to work, but got home about 3 p.m. It was a surprise ( I like surprises!) Picked Keira up from school and came home to find his car in the garage. I was pleasantly surprised, since I was asking him the day before to take the day off for my birthday :) The kids were surprised as well and was screaming in the car when we pulled into the garage..."Daddy's home! Daddy's home. I see daddy's car!"

The hubby and kids went shopping for my birthday present Monday night while I was playing volleyball.  They went to NY&C in the mall and this is what each kid picked out for me....

Aden picked out these shoes. These are not normally my type...have to have my heels, but they are surprisingly comfy and cute! Good job Aden!

Taygen picked out these beautiful blue earrings. 

Keira picked out this blue and black necklace. 

The kids did an amazing job picking out my birthday presents...considering I am a very picky person and probably have most of NY&C's jewelry. The hubby didn't know what to get me, so he just gave me $50 to spend on my self. Not sure what I am going to get yet.

Had a great birthday considering I was sick to my stomach and the hubby had to play pool that night. The hubby was also...we think it was some kind of food poisoning...something only the 2 of us ate because the kids are fine.

Mother's Day was great. It was like any other Sunday....lazy!

Aden made me something in Sunday School (I don't teach his class). 

"Mommy, I love you for all that you do. 

I'll kiss and hug you 'cause you love me too.

You feed me and need me to teach you to play

So smile 'cause I love you on this Mother's Day!"

All the kids made me these flower cards in kids Church

"Mom, to make your day fantastic,

I made you this flower of plastic.

I give it to you with this special gift,

a gift so sweet it may give you a lift.

I want to help you with all you do,

including helping with a dish or two.

Happy Mother's Day!"

The hubby got me some flowers! Favorite color! 

I am very blessed to have such an amazing hubby and kids. They take care of me when they can. Even though mothers should be spoiled when they can, it is nice to have one day dedicated to all the hard work that I do! 

Taygen is fully potty trained. She still wears a pull up at night. She is talking in complete sentences now and is into everything! :)

She is growing up so fast! She is being more independent when she plays. She will sit down for an hour at a time and play with Keira's dolls. She will put blankets on them and pretend they are sleeping. She plays with Keira's strawberry dolls and houses. I think we know what we are getting her for Christmas;)

Taygen is working on her feelings. The other day she was at the Y in the child watch and I walked in to see this boy hitting Taygen. He didn't hit her too hard, so, I just watched to see what she would do. She didn't hit back, she just said "don't hit me." I started walking over, he hit her again, she didn't do anything again and then told me when I walked over to her. Very proud of her!

Got Aden registered for preschool. I can't believe he is already going to preschool. He is getting to be such a big boy.

Aden is playing with Keira a lot more and starting to play with Taygen. He used to play by himself and didn't want either of the girls to play with him. He is now helping Taygen out when she needs help with anything.

He helps out a lot more with chores. He makes his bed, he cleans up his toys and even wants to sweep and mop ;)

It is hard to believe that he is only 3, he seems like he should be at least 4. I have had so many people ask if Taygen and Aden are twins. I had a couple people ask me when they were sitting in the double stroller together and then someone asked when we were walking in to the Y. I can see asking me when they are sitting down, but when they are walking next to each other, that gets a little extreme. Aden is 18 months older than Tay and at least a foot taller than her.

He is getting better when I leave him somewhere. He doesn't cry anymore, he just says "bye mom, see you later."

Keira has grown up so much in the last month. She listens a lot better. She takes on more responsibility. I don't know if it is because of her glasses or that she is going to kindergarten and she knows that she is a big girl.

I think it is both. Once she got her glasses, she started listening and being more responsible. Her glasses are her own. She finally has something that is her own. Yes, she has clothes, dolls, shoes, etc. But she has had to share most of that with Taygen and doesn't really have anything of her own anymore except for her glasses. She doesn't have to share her glasses. She finally has something of her own that she can take care of.

She only has 3 more days of preschool left. She had her year end program on Wednesday. I couldn't help crying a little.

She will be taking swim lessons again in the Summer. She is done with cheer for the Summer, she will start back up in August when school starts again.

Recently, I started reading another mom's blog. This one is different than all the other one's I have read. I am posting this post because I cannot imagine this happening to me or any other mom/woman out there. 

This post is for those of you who think you have it rough. For those of you who complain about how hard your life is and how much work your kids, work, life, relationship and etc are. 

This blog is about a mom who has 3 kids, her husband just committed suicide and her family got robbed at gun point and she had her friend kidnapped. Please take the time to read this mom's blog and just think about how easy we/you have it. Just hug and kiss your children, spouse, parents, anybody that is important to you every day. 

You should start reading it from the beginning and go from there to know the whole story. 

I was thinking the other day that I don't have any kind of bucket list or wish list. So, I decided that I would think about it and write it down as I go. So, here are a couple of things that I have on my list now. I will add to it as I think of things....

1. Meet Kenny Chesney (he has already made eye contact with me and blew me a kiss)
2. Cruise  went in February 2012
3. Be a stay at home mom and watch my kids grow up 
4. Hawaii and spend a whole week there
5. Take all the kids to another country
6. Build a home, make it my own

I have been watching GSN (Game Show Network) lately. I don't know why, maybe because nothing else is on during the day. I am really interested in Baggage and Lingo.

Here are the rules of Baggage.

Here is my baggage:

Small- Judge people by what they wear

Medium- Only get my eyebrows done every 3 months

Large- I have been in the back of a cop car and not just for a little ticket

If you watch the show, most of the people on there have way more problems and baggage than I do. My life is pretty boring compared to them, but this is the best I could do. Let's hear some of your baggage.

Keira had her kindergarten round up today. She got to go to her kindergarten for a couple of hours and see what her school looked like. 

Keira told me that she...

• Watched the movie Corduroy
• Met her teachers
• Did activities (didn't tell me what activities)
• Cut with scissors
• Used a glue stick
• Drew a picture of herself
• She told about her favorite books
• Played with toys
• Had her picture taken
• Had a snack and listened to a story

All the kindergarten kids got a tomato plant that they have to watch grow during the Summer. Kind of like the kids will grow during the Summer.