For My Mom on Mother's Day

With another Mother's Day passed I can't help but feel grateful for my mom, a mom to celebrate. I read blogs about women who didn't or don't have a good relationship with their mother or perhaps their mother is dead to them. How blessed I am to have Terri Angela Fish as my mother!

She never chose a man over her kids, she never had a drug addiction, and she chose a good man to be her husband and the father of her children!

As I got older I learned that her childhood was similar to mine; we both had a traumatic experience in our youth, and when my mom learned of mine she didn't tell me I was lying, she didn't make an excuse for the pervert, instead she put me in counseling and gave me the best advice that she could.

She parented the only way she knew how. To be a helicopter-mom. Some might look down on her for that, but my siblings and I knew that she always was in our corner. When we were being bullied she did whatever she could so that we'd be safe, when we were having an unfair discipline at school she was in our corner helping us fight our battle!

Not to say her kids were perfect and that we were never disciplined. When we messed up we definitely knew it! She'd tell us and we'd be grounded. She knew what her kids liked and how to punish us; for me it was my music so when I messed up she took my music away. Her kids were challenging! I am the youngest of four and I was rebellious. I didn't want to attend church on Sunday, I snuck out of the house, I had my tongue pierced by a friend in high school...  Things I knew she disapproved of. I know I was the cause for sleepless nights and quite a few gray hairs on my mother's head... However, she still loved her only brown haired, brown eyed daughter unconditionally, and saw her potential even when I couldn't see it.

She never squashed our dreams or told us that our dreams were out of reach. She did her best at reminding us of what our strengths were and that she loved us.

I know I was not an easy kid but I am so grateful that she never gave up on me! It's because of her that I know what kind of mom I want to be! Now her love goes beyond her children and extends to her grandchildren!

I love you, mom! I'm so grateful for everything you've done for our family and everything you continue to do for us as well! You are one of the most selfless mothers I know and I'm so grateful you're mine ❤ I love you ❤ I wish we were rich so I could've spoiled you for Mother's Day and every day like you deserve ❤ Happy Mother's Day ❤

Our Baby James ❤

Looking back to his day of arrival...

As you can see his first day was quite emotional. Jim had to record our baby on his phone then bring it to me so I could see him, but I still ached to hold my baby. When they brought him to me I only got to hold him for about 15 minutes :(

Ready to go home ❤

So after a long emotional roller coaster
we took our baby home 3 days later

We love our little guy and are so thankful he's a part of our family ❤ He's such a happy, outgoing, lovable little guy!

For his birthday we went to Pappa's Pizza with the neighbors. Then on Saturday we had a cookout with our family and neighbors. We had such a good turn out and everyone got along and had fun.

Hard to believe our little guy is 3! He loves Thomas the Train, Curious George, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and Clifford's Puppy Days. He still loves water too so we're going to see about putting him in swimming classes. He hasn't had his 3rd year checkup yet, but he wears size 4 clothes! He's definitely tall for his age, so we'll see who will be the "bigger" brother.

James and his Birthday Donut

He loves trains

He loves playing with the kitties

We love you, James❤ Happy Birthday, little dude ❤

Raising Awareness for Sex/Human Trafficking

On April 20th Kennedy, my niece, and her dance team raised awareness for sex/human trafficking. It's such a scary topic as this happens more than we'd like to admit and can happen so quickly! It's just not being kidnapped but also making friends with the wrong people. The dancers did a beautiful job as they danced to raise awareness for such an ugly problem that continues to get worse. Please watch the video and feel free to share it with friends and family to help continue to raise awareness for an ongoing problem that's going on all over the world.

11th Birthday Extravaganza!

I don't know what I would do without my little Kevo. He fills my world with fun, happiness, laughter, adventure, and kindness ❤ I don't remember much of my life before him. It was boring, I can tell you that. Anyway, this birthday was special. Everything worked out so that we could do something fun and unforgettable. We took Kevin to Daytona Lagoon where we did only inside activities: laser tag, arcade games, rock wall, and they also provided a room to eat pizza, cake, and open presents. He really wanted boys only to be there but two of his girl cousins came. Everything worked out though. His friends made it, everyone got along, and everyone had fun.

Group shot

Deadpool cake made by Grandma Anna ❤

The Birthday boy ❤

He got a lot of Nerf guns

Getting ready to play laser tag

Climbing the rock wall

James played games too

Kevin and Nick

Alex and Kevin

They make my heart so happy ❤

Birthday Icee

Oliver and Kevin

Amina and Kevin

Kevin and Ethan

Chase and Kevin

So if you're reading this and wondering did I let him pick out his birthday dinner like I usually do? The answer is yes. Not only did I make him dinner but we had the neighbors over. It was a lot of fun! Kevin chose lasagna for dinner because it's what we had with our neighbors when they first moved next door. Kevin said it would recreating that night. For dessert I made vanilla cupcakes and Jim brought home a chocolate ice cream cake from DQ. It was amazing!

Kevin and my Granny share a birthday so sadly my parents and family were unable to come because they were celebrating with her. However, I met with my dad beforehand so that he could give Kevin a pair of roller blades that they had bought him for his birthday! (One less thing to lug around Daytona Lagoon).

Anyway, would I recommend Daytona Lagoon for a birthday party? I would. We got a room for an hour to eat pizza and cake. Afterward we paid and the kids were given cards to use for the arcade and indoor festivities. The only downside was that they are only good for an hour, so choose your activities wisely. We let the kids call the shots and do whatever they wanted to do when they wanted to do it. The first thing they did was play arcade games (there was five dollars on each of their cards), after that they did laser tag, and then the rock wall. However, time went by so quickly they never got to do the go-carts or miniature golf. Many of the boys were bummed about that, but oh well. You live and learn. All in all I am pretty pleased with the turn out, how friendly the staff was, the atmosphere, and the fact that they all had fun... Now I get to cry about my son being another year older 😭 ... and relax for 12 days until it's James's birthday 😭 Then he'll be 3!!! My goodness time doth fleetly fly! 😫

Kevin said he loves his birthday because he always feels like a celebrity! Another added bonus was that Field Day happened to fall on his birthday too! He was so excited!

We love you, Kev! ❤ We're glad that you enjoyed your birthday!! May all your wishes come true this year and in the years that follow ❤

For My Soon to be 11 Year Old ❤

Hard to believe you're turning 11! Seems like just yesterday you were this little squishy baby! Before you were born I was so worried that I wasn't ready for you, but when I heard you cry I knew then that I'd walk through fire for you ❤ I never believed in love at first sight until they put you in my arms. ❤

I love you so much! It's crazy to think that you're turning 11 because I feel like I've known you all my life ❤ I swear you're a piece of my heart, a piece of my soul; you were a part of me before you were you ❤

I know I haven't always been the best mom and I've made some bad decisions but it was never intentional... I was and am still learning; forgive me but you didn't come with a pamphlet. From every mistake I like to think that I have grown and become a better mother for you. You and James are my greatest joys and I try to let my actions show that whenever time and money allows. ❤

I want so much for you to have a better childhood than I did, to have many more memories, and for you to accomplish all your dreams. I know that you don't always enjoy our talks but I want you to be safe and informed. Again I'd walk through fire for you and comfort you whenever you are in need. ❤

It's been an honor to watch you grow and overcome your challenges. I've seen you grow from an awkward, shy little boy into a tall, outgoing, and funny young man. You are becoming more and more articulate every day, you know when to make a joke (and a good one), and you no longer have problems interacting with kids your age and making friends. ❤

I love you so much more than I know how to put into words. Your wisdom and big heart go beyond your years! I remember when you were 3 and I had the stomach flu you hugged me and said "I'm sorry you hurt". To this day you pick up on the energy in the room and seek out to comfort those that are hurting. I've not only seen it but your teachers have confirmed it as well. ❤

Every day with you is an adventure that I wouldn't trade for all the money in the world. I love hearing your stories or creating stories with you like we did in Tampa. I wouldn't ever change you but sometimes I wish I could change the world for you so it would be the safer, more affordable world that you think it is. ❤

May you always keep your wonder, your trusting nature, your big heart, and your humor. I want nothing more than for you to be happy and successful. May all your dreams come true this year and the many years that follow. ❤ I love you, kid. ❤ You make me proud to be your mother each and every day. ❤

Happy almost 11th Birthday, my dear Kevin ❤ May this birthday be all that you hope and wish it to be. ❤

Spring Break 2016

Hard to believe Spring Break has come and gone! It went by so fast! The best part about it was that Jim was able to have time off too! And for our Spring Break we went to Pennsylvania! Sure it was a long drive, especially with a two year old, but it was so much fun! James didn't mind the drive anyway. We left for Pennsylvania in the middle of the night and we got to Emma's  apartment around 3pm the next day.

Once we were there we got to meet her baby Milo, we hung out with Xavier and Jenn one day, Bekah's family one day, and Jessica and Amanda's family one day. It's nice that even though my family moved away from Pennsylvania in 1996 that I still have some good friends there. Besides visiting family and friends my only other requests were to get some bags of Middleswarth Barbecue chips and to eat at OIP, Original Italian Pizza; things that you won't find in Florida.

So we stayed for a week and then made the long drive back down to Florida. We were all sad as our vacation was over too soon but it has such a beautiful scenery and it's home to some of our favorite friends and family; we'll be back. So here's a few pictures from our vacation.

The boys as we were leaving the house.

Stopped for breakfast in NC

Stopped for lunch in Virginia

The beautiful scenery of Pennsylvania

James playing with cousin
Adam's toys

Baby Milo ❤

He has naturally crazy hair!

James loves his cousin Milo

Emma with her Squish

Jim said he looks like Draco
Malfoy here

Harley and Milo; sweet cousins

This was our last day in Pennsylvania. We hung out with Emma and went to OIP for lunch.

James and Jim walking to OIP

Emma and Milo ❤

Lunch at OIP

Sadly all good things must come to an end but I'm grateful we were able to make the trip and visit friends and family. Even more grateful that Jim got to go with us. It was fun reminiscing some of my childhood memories and showing Jim where we used to live. Maybe one day we'll see the sites in Pennsylvania but we didn't have a lot of money for that this trip; But as I said, I'm glad we went. Hanging out with friends and family is always fun. Just sorry I wasn't able to take more pictures.

Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed their Spring Break as much as we did. ❤