My friend Lisa Nichols (oops, she is no longer carrying that last name) got married today to a wonderful man named Larry. Back in May she asked us to cater her wedding and for me to be her personal coordinator. Of course I agreed not knowing exactly what that involved. Come to find out she wanted a very "high end" wedding, only the top of the line food, linens, etc.
Well, today we pulled it off after 4 months of planning! It was an amazing day, great food, great people, and an event that out did all others that I have done! I am proud of my team, my family and even myself! Nothing went wrong (ok, maybe the fire alarm went off when the kitchen filled with smoke right before she walked down the aisle but all in all, that was it)!
Now, you are asking WHERE ARE THE PICTURES? I was so busy and caught up trying to make her day perfect I didn't take any! Yes, I brought my wonderful new camera but REALLY I was super busy and I LOVED every minute of today! I was blessed to share the day with my family as they came to help me (except Kelly who had a great day with her amazing babysitter). I am exhausted but feel full of energy when I think that I accomplished this for my great friend! Now she is headed to a private island in Bora Bora for a great honeymoon, have fun my friend, you deserve it!

Tonight we big farewell and said "so long" to our friend Jeremy "Heish" at a party at BJ's! It was great to watch his friends love on him and wish him well in his next adventure! He is off to join YWAM and give them the next 6 months of his life!

We have enjoyed so much of Heish it is our time to share him with others while he shares God's word with the world! He has an amazing heart for God and missions, this is what he was called to do! When he comes back I am sure it will be back to the "playing field" with the gals, but for now all we can do is pray and support!

Heish, you are amazing and we love you and your friendship with this family! I thank you for your heart for God and for our family! Kelly will miss her playmate but we ALL wish you well and we are praying!

Sadness and Tears...and we look forward to the next time we see you!

So, I don't have a "thing" on my blog that tells me who is reading and watching my blog. One because I can't figure out how to make it work (remember computer genius here), two because I really don't care and I am flattered that they are taking the time to read about my boring life. I don't share too much personal information or things that are better left not being "google searched." Today I was talking to someone and realized that they "knew" something I didn't know they knew about me or had I discussed with them. At first I was confused, "how did this person know this?" then it hit me...I blogged about it. Ok, great so they read my blog and I am really great with that, just don't act like you don't know something once it comes out that you do...am I right?

It was odd, yes, odd it was! The whole conversation was odd...yes, that's it!

So...if you are reading my blog, great to have you!

Here is some information that will help your prayers! This is urgent and needed!

PLEASE also lift up my best friend and her family and his extended family. The round the clock waiting is draining and sad. I appreciate all of your prayers but MOST OF ALL THEY appreciate your prayers!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jamalmalone

http://www.ocregister.com/news/malone-brett-football-1852835-fight-police

I am sorry that I couldn't tell you more but I am really just trying to be considerate of all involved. Again, this is the best friend of my best friend's son. The sadness and waiting are consuming.

GOD BLESS MY FRIENDS!

I am not able to give too much information but here is the little bit I can give:

Please pray for my best friend son's best friend Jamal. He was injured seriously in a beating this last weekend and needs TONS of prayer! THIS IS A MAJOR REQUEST!

THANK YOU!

Yes, I did it, I parked in the Handicapped space. I am guilty and will pay my fine! I saw the sign, my old age didn't keep me from seeing it! I know my family is convinced I am going blind but it was a complete and honest parking job!
I was at work and needed to run to the kitchen quickly to meet my boss who also parked there because the Woman's Bible Studies have all started parking is limited. I stayed longer than I planned (not too much longer but long enough)!

So on that note....I owe the OC Sheriff's dept. $275.00 OUCH!

This worries me because REALLY it is probably not far off someday! WOW...let's just encourage all bad behavior in women and girls. I would LOVE to be a fly on the wall when a teen girl is begging her parents for this!!! Nothing like busting yourself with your begging!


Introducing the shePhone

Introducing the shePhone
Move over, iPhone.

Features include:

Perfume/Mace atomizer (just be sure to pick the right setting!)
Xanax dispenser (also works for other meds)
Dental floss
Corkscrew (for when the pills run out)
Home pregnancy test
Condom dispenser

From the interface:
Camera
Portable tanning laser
Cell-phone signal jammer (silence others in mid-call!)
Voice analyzer (is your BF where he says he is?)
Breathalyzer
GPS Universal remote (override other remotes)
Phone, Wi-Fi Web, MP3 player, and, finally, TiVo (record 24 when you're stuck at a client dinner)

This girl can surf, ski, kayak, and....she won't leave for school until the high speed chase is over on the news! I wish my phone had a better camera but the gizt of this is that she was watching a high speed chase this morning on TV as I finished getting ready and she says "I hope this is over before we have to leave, I love watching these chases!" She informed me every 3 minutes how much time she had to make it in time for school and still watching the chase and hoping for a resolution before she had to leave!

Either I should be REALLY worried that high speed chases are in her future OR she is a true Cali Girl who has seen it ALL!

(Ps...someone asked me why I don't have as much fun stuff to say about my other two God given children...it's because they are teens and they AREN'T funny anymore...just ask me when they are talking back! Seriously when I try to take their pictures they roll their eyes and walk away!

PSS...The high speed chase ended in time and she made it to school with 3 minutes to spare! She said "he was a dumb guy, but I liked watching him!" OH BOY...still confused!

In Todays Mail:

Credit card application/pre-approval for my 15 year old! SERIOUSLY WHAT THE HECK!
An invitation for my 15 year old to go to a financial class on how to buy a home!

A "Save the date" invitation for a CHRISTMAS PARTY! Seriously what's the rush!?

5 catalogs...Christmas season and shopping has started!

THE BEST CATALOG EVER...The American Girl Doll Catalog! We have 6 dolls plus ALL the STUFF...can't wait to buy more! I love having a girl for this reason alone! HA HA!

It's so fun opening my mailbox at this time of the year! It's a race to see where I can spend my money the fastest! How did they get my address...don't tell but I love to catalog shop!

Tonight I was on my way to a meeting for a wedding I am coordinating in Wagon Wheel (an unincorporated part of RSM). I had Kelly in the car and as we were heading up Oso Parkway towards Antonio, 3 hood-lum looking teens run across on coming traffic right when our light changed to green. I am in the far left lane so I stop, the middle lane person stops but the 3rd far right lane doesn't see them (could it be my gas guzzling big car in the way). I know what's coming and scream and Kelly does too, we couldn't stop it though...teenage boy gets clipped by the 3rd car, into the air he flies. I am freaking! By this time, traffic is all stopped behind us at rush hour. About 10 cars start pulling over and people are running out of their cars. I start to pull over but no one will let me and I am shaking uncontrollably. I roll down my window and the guy next to me and the many people in the street start trying to move traffic through. I then asked one guy if I need to stop and he says "no, there are tons of witnesses at this point." I didn't want to get Kelly out of the car at a busy intersection either so I give the guy my name, number and license number and tell him to pass it to the police if they want more witnesses. So far I have heard nothing. I continue to drive to my appointment where my legs feel like jello and my hands are shaking uncontrollably, great impression for an already nervous bride! I have been a bundle of nerves, Kelly on the other hand says "we need to pray for the boy and not think about it so we aren't scared mommy!" Wow, she has such wisdom and a clear mind for a 7 year old.
I wish I could say that the kid didn't deserve it but they were almost taunting the drivers to hit them by starting their run after the light turned green. I do pray that he is ok and not injured too badly, it looked like mostly a leg injury from what I got as I pulled away and hurt some not-so-nice words out of this teens mouth! The lady that hit him was genuinely concerned from the 3 or 4 minutes I was there but he wasn't so nice back to her. Seriously, it wasn't her fault ONE BIT! I on the other hand will have nightmare's of this event over and over! Was it worth the run to Taco Bell, just curious???

I have a monkey on my hands! Today was Kelly's first day of gymnastics. She has been waiting forever to do a class or something for just her. Today we signed her up for the class and SHE LOVED IT! It was so stinking adorable! The little girls are SO cute and the teacher has such a way with them that they will do ANYTHING! So, being Kelly's first day we NEVER thought she would climb a rope to the top...guess what SHE DID! NOTHING keeps the girl down!

Lisa and I hit the road at 10:30am. NOW, back up....I hadn't had much sleep last night because of too much stuff to take care of. So, when the first alarm rang at 5:40am (yes, you read that right and it's SUNDAY morning) I wanted to die right then and there!
Keeping in mind that I have the GREATEST husband in the ENTIRE world, I was able to push the snooze and keep sleeping...yes, he went to work for me! YES FOR ME! So getting the grumpy teen out of bed and getting ready for MY JOB, he leaves for work! THEN to my utter dismay and pure exhaustion...my 7 year old is up and at-ummmm because she is heading to the San Diego Zoo today and pure excitement has taken over! I on the other hand am ready to have a long cry because of pure exhaustion and frustration at the nights events and the day of being exhausted ahead! I get her ready for her pick up at 8am and head off to bed for a quick nap and re-coup for the day!
At 8:40am I hear a HUGE explosion and the power shuts off! Sirens go off and I am thinking that we are under attack!
Matt jumps on his skateboard and off he goes to figure out what happened! Transformers have blown up, not just loss of power but blown up! Fire department, no one can get off the hill and power is out for an undetermined amount of time! Fire is shooting up and it doesn't look good!
I call David to come home and he does. HE IS GREAT!
He tells me to pack and continue my plans with Lisa...after much persuasion I decide that I can because really there is nothing I can do to fix this and that frustrates me!
Lisa comes at 10:40am and we are off! We stop to buy snacks, go to the bank, have lunch at Jalepeno's...YUMMY!
We check into our hotel at 12:00pm, that's when the laughs start! Our first room was beautiful, BUT it had 1 bed and we asked for 2. We call down to the front desk and get moved to a new room! GREAT, we are ready to set up our computers, eat some snacks, laugh our heads off and guess what we hear.....
NOT 1 BUT 2 babies crying in the room next to us...NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!
We call down to the front desk AGAIN...NO really we aren't high maintenance but we are on a MOM BREAK and the last thing 2 moms with 7 kids between them need to hear is babies crying!
SO...you guessed it, we are moved again! The Head of Housekeeping comes to get us and we are off to a new room...this one is PERFECT! Except that the HOH says "you should be safe down here!" WHAT...we are at a nice hotel, not a dump! Should we be worried?!!?
It's quiet, we did a little shopping (we bought lap desks for our laptops...ha ha, matching ones) we just ordered room service (great italian and garlic breath), we have laughed our heads off, talked about great and wonderful things, and we are ready for dessert and blogging! THIS IS THE LIFE!
BTW...STILL NO ELECTRICITY back at the homestead and I am worried about how David will handle tonight and tomorrow morning when the kids head off to school! He keeps telling me not to but for those of you who know me, it will be another sleepless night as I keep checking in with the family! It's looking like tomorrow or the next day before they get it turned back on! Anyone want some great food out of our freezer!

As I lay here tonight, I dream of tomorrow! Today hasn't been great, my mood is not good, I am overwhelmed, frustrated and needing a HUGE break! I want to cry for SO many reasons, and need to cry for so many reasons. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my life, I love having a wonderful husband who cares so much about every little thing in my life (even when my mood is south, he wants to make it better), I love my kids...even when they challenge me! I love my friends, good ones, close ones, and aquaintances. Life is great if I think about it in a way that I have been given and blessed with SO much! I just need that "break," the one that allows me to talk, be quiet, cry and vent. It's not about not understanding what I do have, it's just about "down-time!"
SO..TOMORROW is that day! I am taking that much needed break for about 30 hours with my best friend. The one who needs to do all these same things, understands my same reason for needing this and counting the hours till we get in the car, turn on the music we want and start talking!
The greatest part about this is that I will come home refreshed and ready to start again! I will love my husband more, love on my kids more, and be ready to look through better eyes!
Everyone should be SO lucky!

SERIOUSLY...I was at Costco today with a friend and the Christmas stuff was out! Now, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas time! I love to entertain during Christmas, make people happy with the whole idea of giving, and I love the smell of the season! BUT...I mentioned that I wasn't ready to plan Christmas even though I have bought a few gifts.
Then...I get back to work and in walks someone who asks if we are having a Christmas Party again at the Harbor House! IT'S STILL SEPTEMBER PEOPLE!
THEN...I get home and my phone rings, it's another friend who came last year asking if we are going to be at the Harbor House during Christmas! ARE YOU KIDDING?!?! IT'S STILL SEPTEMBER PEOPLE!
So, here I am being asked the same question twice in one day! Is everyone planning for Christmas now???
So...here is the ANSWER TO THE QUESTION!?!?! Drum roll please!

OF COURSE WE ARE GOING TO THE HARBOR HOUSE DURING CHRISTMAS AND YES EVERYONE IS INVITED! I now will plan for more than a weekend so we can fit everyone in! Can't wait! Who wants to help decorate?

Ok bloggers! What's up with the lack of blogging these days? Julie had a great idea, someone (preferably HER...because she is creative and great) would post a question of the day, week, etc and we would all trail from there. Meaning, "she" posts a question on Sunday and we all blog about it's answer on Monday, etc. Sound fun?? I think so! SO...Jules...what do you think? Can we be so honored to have you be our "questionaire?"


PS, for those of you who know how great I am with a computer, you will be THRILLED to know my blog roll will be updated this weekend and I may even learn how to link people in a blog! My friend Lisa will update it while we are away YEAH!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, but wanted to add to the previous blog...just a question of sorts?

Lisa and I were both in a "spot" tonight, just about life, nothing major, life threatening, horrible, just stuff!

Asking a few questions:

How do you stop that thing that causes the "pit" in your stomach, your heart to lose a breath when you think about it, or that little pain you feel or someone else you know is feeling to stop? Does it mean we care too much, not enough, or that we are just women?

Really, it's nothing major...it's nothing bad...it's just that thing that keeps coming back to spark a little question of "why?"

Tonight Lisa and I hit the town again, oh how I love these nights but seriously my voice actually hurts after! We talk and talk and talk all night and THEN we talk some more! We were both a little heavy hearted tonight just about life, stuff and junk so we decided that we would see a movie to give ourselves a "check out" for 2 hours (I love how we both say agree on what we are going to do and why without question). It was the perfect "down time" even though the movie was OK and not great...The Nanny Diaries.
After we decided to get some sushi and talk some more. As our dinner time wore on we laughed, vented, cried and talked some more! I know...we talk too much, just ask our husbands! We think alike and pretty much know the next word coming out of each of our mouths! We are convinced that we can't function without each other and these nights to solve the worlds problems...ha ha!
So, when I say practice night it's because come this Sunday (and trust me I CAN'T WAIT) we are getting in the car and taking off for the day and night! We even got a hotel room and don't plan on coming home until Monday afternoon! I need this, and so does she! It's been a long time since we could take off for more than 3 or 4 hours so we are both looking forward to it! We both got new sweats! We got magazines, we plan on bringing our laptops and just relaxing! No kids, no husbands, no interuptions and lots of chatter, laughter and did I mention ALL OUR FAVORITE foods! Count down, we also made packing lists tonight, how lame are we!

PETE...as I promised! You tagged me...so I am tagging Brian, Cass, Amber! I will find a way to tag you again soon! Julie has some great ideas to keep you blogging...let's meet soon to discuss! Read below the daily chores!

Kids to school...check
Work today...check
Important talk with friend...check
Text group...check
Pick up 2 kids...check
Make dinner for family...check
Finish ALL laundry...check
Get little one to bed ON TIME...check
Clean house for housekeepers (no commments)...check
Wash face, brush teeth...check
Get in comfy bed...check
Blog...CHECK!

READ ON!
It's fun! You have to use 3 words to answer each question.
No more, no less. It's harder than you think.

1. Where is your cell phone?
Next to me
2. Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend or Husband/Wife ?
David the best
3. Where is one of your parents?
Where’s the wine?
4. Cheesecake?
It’s kinda gross
5. Your favorite thing to do?
Shopping is amazing
6. Your dream last night?
Did I sleep?
7. Your favorite drink?
Sparking lime water
8. The room you're in?
in the bedroom
9. George Bush?
Um..losing faith
10. What you're good at?
Being totally relational
11. One of your wish list items?
Getting something lifted L
12. Where did you grow up?
I found EUREKA
13. The last thing you did?
Put away laundry
14. What are you wearing?
Little cute nightie
16. Ketchup?
Don’t really need
17. Your computer?
It’s a laptop
18. Your life?
Moving too quickly
19. Your mood?
Today or yesterday?
20 your next blog?
In 5 minutes
21. Your car is?
A gas guzzler
22. Your summer?
Way to fast
23. Your relationship status?
Fun, great, growing
24. Your favorite color(s)?
pink, pink, white
25. When is the last time you laughed?
Harbor house Brian!

Ok...get blogging peeps!

So, someday you and Julie will have to sit down and teach me to hold on and let go! I am no different than any other mom who loves their kids and holds them close and dear. I breath a little deeper and release a little more as my oldest grows up SO fast and I let go a little more.
On Friday a friend told me about a car for sale, I didn't plan on buying her a car just yet but felt that this was a good opportunity. We bought her a Ford Explorer Limited USED, it's maroon...but I think it looks purple! We decided that it was a strong enough car to hold our precious cargo (Holly)! My nerves have been shot since we purchased the car.
The reason my nerves were shot was because I wanted some re-assurance that we were making the right decision. I also wanted to make her birthday special and a huge surprise! I was having anxioty attacks about pulling it off!
Here's the details to that part of the story...David and I drove the car to Brian's house in the afternoon and he drove it to Buco De Peppo. I had parked my car in the very first stall and when we were in the middle of dinner, we switched the cars so her's would be parked there when she walked out. As we walked out of the restaurant we handed her a little bag with the keys, she looked up and screamed at the top of her lungs! Brian had made a sign that said "HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY!" only to realize it was her 17th birthday (he changed it quickly)! Brian had the car detailed and cleaned....it looked amazing!
So, there you have it...she will have her license by the end of next week so watch out!
AGAIN...I blinked and she grew up to be the most amazing young woman with the world at her fingertips! She is brillant, beautiful and makes us proud to call her our daughter!

PS...THANK GOD FOR GOOD STUDENT DISCOUNT INSURANCE!

Last night we celebrated Holly's 17th birthday! It was amazing, wonderful, loud and surprising! I had a little bit of the blues during the day, a little anticipation because we were trying to pull of a HUGE surprise, and a little stress (ok, a lot of stress...no comment David, Matt and Brian), but last night turned out AMAZING!

I will tell more later but see the pic below to see what the surprise was!

17 years ago I gave birth to a beautiful, amazing, wonderful, gorgeous baby girl! Yes, I know we all think our babies are beautiful but truly she was the most gorgeous baby girl I had ever seen! My heart was full, our family was started and we had a plan. We would have 1 baby and we would be complete, we would love her, raise her to be a strong woman, and we would always be proud of her. She would be the strongest only child we would know. HA...2 years, 4 months later she got a brother, she would be the best big sister we would ever know and she would love her baby brother like no other because she was not getting ANY other siblings! 9 years 4 months later...she got a baby sister she wished for and prayed for!

Holly is all those things we wished for her and more only she is not an only child, she is a big sister with more love in her heart for the siblings she wanted for! She loves in such an amazing way when it comes to her siblings. She is strong, she is beautiful and now she is becoming my friend! Yes, we have our differences and she needs guidance and we butt heads once and a while, not as often as we used to and we make up a lot quicker but she is growing up.

Holly loves God, he is her first love, her heart screams out for ways to better herself through him. I am so proud to be able to raise my children in a Christian home after being raised in an atheist home all my life! She is what I prayed for in a daughter. She is lucky to have this life and I know she knows it! She loves people because she is loved! She loves her daddy, she strives to make him proud. He loves her so much he hates to discipline her, he just can't! She makes his heart skip when he remembers the day she was born. She can give her daddy a look that says pure love and he melts! She knows this and it's fun to watch! She loves having an "older brother" who she can talk to and turn to...no, I didn't give birth to another one...but she has someone who she has found to trust, teach and guide her when we can't. He tells her to wait to be loved like her heavenly father loves her by men, and she listens. This statement alone makes me proud of her walk with God. It is her goal and she has people who have come beside her to help her reach that goal because she has in turn loved on them!

I am in love with her today as much and more than I was the day I found out I was pregnant with her and the day I gave birth to her. She is amazingly smart, not just kind of smart...super smart! I fall in love with her more and more everyday, even on the hard days. She makes my heart jump when she is loving on others especially her siblings! Kelly can melt her in a way that screams unconditional pure love! Kelly told me today "I told Holly I loved her 3 times today mommy!" This is the deepest most amazing love! Everyone should be so lucky to have a girl like Holly in their lives...WE ARE!

I love this amazing young woman...she makes me proud to call her my daughter EVERY MOMENT AND EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL...I hope it is as wonderful as you are!

I remember a saying that Rick Warren says frequently today...

"If he leads you to it, he will walk you through it."

So, here's the deal...I was thinking on the way home from work tonight how stressful it seemed to get for a couple hours. I was mad, upset and frustrated at some of the occurances that happened and thought to myself "why am I here if I am this frustrated?" Then I thought back to someone who came into the kitchen and I asked a question about where they are in their life and why they are where they are? The answer I got back engulfed my heart in such a way that I knew God was talking through this person directly to me! I think I felt a real tear on my cheek...SHHH...don't tell!

I heard this person say "it was the encouragement!" When I asked the question I asked if they were in that place because of the encouragement my husband and I have given. They answered "I think so."

Sometimes friendship, relationships, co-workers, family and people are difficult. Somedays it seems harder to love or care about someone because you just aren't feeling the same about each other BUT...like Rick said..."if he leads you to it, he will walk you through it." God brings people into our lives for a reason, some just cross our path, some stop us on our path and some become a part of our everyday lives, again stressing that we don't know why God brings them into our lives. I have found by letting people stop on our path that I am hoping it will be easy to love on them...BUT somedays that is not always the case, unfortuately! I always want to trust God that he knows who is going to stop on our path and walk us through loving on them or encouraging them because we may be the only ones doing that somedays! I love that it opens up a world to our kids that is real, people are real and people are different.

So, back to my drive home...God lead us to some great people, some not so great, some fun, some not so fun, and the list goes on. BUT..he walked us through loving on them, encouraging them and now there are "thems" out there that can walk a little taller and step out a little farther because we did the right thing!

It's great to know that we are encouraging God's people so they can learn from our example and love on others the same! MY GOD will walk you through the people he leads you to!

I have felt it all too 'real' in my life- the ultimate pain of 'letting a loved one go'. It is something that tugs at my heart everyday since Kristi's death. I had no idea how much this same feeling- this sense of giving up and moving on and realizing that change is inevitable would grip my heart just because school is beginning and summer is coming to an end. But that's what my heart is feeling.

I learned that I will NOT be as busy as I have been!
I learned that I need quality and quantity time with my family and close friends!
I learned that I LOVE my husband and kids more and more every day!
I learned that I miss old friends, close friends, and need to make a better effort!
I learned that I love watching people have fun (I knew that but it was fun to watch)
I learned that leaving something great behind means looking forward to the next time!
I learned that pretending to push someone in the water means bad things can happen!
I learned that MOST sharks don't have teeth
I learned that teen drama is easy to get rid of if you stand strong!
I learned that I can't wait for next year so the countdown starts 349 days!
(Actually we go again at Christmas but it isn't the same...all invited though)

I know there is more...more adventure, more fulfilment, more learning, more joy, more challenges, and more grace for the journey. But that means this moment has to turn into a memory. A piece of our history. I know full well that means I have to let go...time moves on. You might not know it from the looks of it on this blog, but I am a bit "old-fashioned" and I LOVE my kids and the messes they make and the songs we sing and I enjoy washing their clothes and helping them get breakfast and lunch and dinner, and going on vacation, sitting with my husband watching them laugh, run, swim, play! Sometimes I feel I should be in a rocking chair just watching so I don't miss a moment. I feel old, I look old, and yet I want to stay young to continue these moments for years to come!

TAG....I had running games! Oh, that's not how you play this one...but trust me I wanted to run! I don't have any habits, hangups, etc...that's a lie so here goes BRIAN!

The Rules:
1. Post these rules before the facts.
2. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

1. I HATE to return phone calls. TEXT ME!
2. I have LOTS of fears...heights, needles, losing my kids, do you have a legal pad?
3. I can be SUPER sensitive, yet I can "check out" and not care! It's confusing!
4. I have a deep intuition, sometimes it's scary!
5. I don't sleep through the night almost every night.
6. I LOVE to entertain at home!
7. I HATE being the center of attention!
8. I was a success of the foster care system and I am proud of it!

I tag Holly, Elizabeth,and Pete!

We got home tonight around 7. Tears are streaming, clothes are dirty, kids are showered and ready for school to start tomorrow. We tried to leave ALL day but just couldn't get out the door. We all were so sad and just couldn't come home! I missed my husband the last 2 days not sharing the fun but we had some great bonding with the kids and some close friends. It was a time of cleaning, bonding, and some great conversations. I am grateful for the last 2 days to reflect on why we do this trip and remind myself that I will make the time for those who matter the most to me, especially my family and extended "family."

So...back home and back to reality. Here are a few more pics to share from our AMAZING AMAZING vacation! Enjoy and next year more of you will want to join us! We LOVED every minute of it!

While I PLANNED on blogging the entire time I was here on vacation, it just didn't happen! Too much fun, not enough "borrowed" internet connection and a MILLION other excuses but MAINLY I just couldn't stop!

Highlights:

Fellowship time with LOTS of new and old faces!
Tons of water play
Bonding, Bonding, Bonding!
PERFECT WEATHER!
Stopping to hug my family LOTS!
Water, boats, water balloons, touring the beautiful homes by boat, tanning, eating, swimming, and much much more!

We leave to head home tomorrow, though my husband left today (BOO HOO) to go out of town for the week, we are still NOT looking forward to heading to Lake Forest where I hear the high is 104! It's about 80 on my back deck here and perfect! I am NOT looking forward to the start of school, I will MISS MY KIDS terribly after a great week of loving on each other!

We are always blessed to be here on our birthdays and just want to THANK all those who pitched in for our gifts and fun this year! I don't like that it's our birthday here because really it's not about us, it's about all of those who we share time and fellowship with. We love that we can stop and talk even for a few moments with each of those who walk in our door, love on those we don't see and love on those who are closest to our hearts even a little more! It's amazing! Sometimes we forget to stop and hug, touch an arm or just say "how are you?" to those closest to us and this week gives us SO many of those moments! We had few injuries, one sicky (sorry Brian), and not too much drama (though I sent a girl home at midnight on night for bad behavior), all in all, there were TOO many HIGHLIGHTS that outweighed the lows that can't really be remembered!

It's been the BEST week again this year. Every year tops the last year and we just can't get enough of friends, family and fun, sun and water!

Heather McTaggart
The wife of an amazing, funny, incredible man! The mother of 3 God loving amazing young persons!

- -

• Guess where I am....
• Did I disappear...honestly YES!
• Because she is......
• Favorite part of my day...
• Sad, mad, frustrated...it's all in the bag for today!
• HOME SWEET HOME!
• Moving has begun...
• Mother's Day...is a beautiful thing!
• Cassandra made me do it...
• HELP...is needed!

• April 2007
• May 2007
• June 2007
• July 2007
• August 2007
• September 2007
• October 2007
• November 2007
• December 2007
• January 2008
• February 2008
• March 2008
• April 2008
• May 2008
• June 2008

Shopping

• Carlsbad Outlets
• Costco
• Downtown Chicago
• Downtown Seattle
• Ebay
• Irvine Spectrum
• Nordstrom
• Old Navy
• Target
• The Gap
• Trader Joe's

Movies

• Christmas Movies
• My Best Friend's Wedding
• Sleepless in Seattle
• You've Got Mail

• Allison
• Annie
• Brian
• Cassandra
• David Hughes
• Deanna
• Diane
• Doug Elliott Eric Busby NEW CHURCH
• Elizabeth
• Greg Vail
• Heesh
• Holly
• Jason
• Brad Johnson
• John Stearns
• Josh
• Julie blogger of the year
• Linda
• Pete
• Pioneer woman
• Rachel Styffe
• Randy Craft
• Rebekah Jones
• Riley
• Steve Powers
• Sue+cute baby and a half
• Tony Guerrero

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