Celebrating 6 Years!

No one gets married and expects it to end in divorce.  We all think that it will last forever and I was no different. However, that's what happened with my ex and I. Now I'm happily married to my best friend and my soul mate. We just celebrated our sixth year anniversary! To look at where we are I often think about where we've been.

Jim and I were best friends in high school.  Each obsessed with Dragon Ball Z. He used to give me a ride home from school in a little blue Honda and we'd crank up the stereo and blast Metallica ❤

His family moved after our sophomore year to Deland and life went on so we lost touch. Then one day after my senior year we bumped into each other at Walmart, of all places. We dated for a bit but were too young and immature to make things work. Again we were separated. I married someone else and so did he.

He and I were separated when we found each other again. I wasn't looking for anything, just a friend but I found everything I had ever wanted in Jim. He was my light in the darkness and saved me from my pit of despair.

When he asked me to marry him I really thought we were going to be one of those lame couples that were engaged, but never married. Once my divorce was final I told Jim that I never wanted to get remarried. I thought my first marriage would be my only one, but I was wrong. I didn't want to get hurt again. However, Jim shows me every day that he's not my ex.

He calls me every day from work, he kisses me goodnight and good morning, he does whatever he can for our boys and I. He understands me better than any other guy I have ever been with and we always have fun dates.

I knew I had found a winner when Kevin adored him. Kids have always been a reliable source of when to trust someone or not. Kevin and Jim took to each other right away ❤ Now not only does Kevin love him but so does my family and friends ❤

How blessed I am to have Jim in my life ❤ I seriously didn't know how good my life would get when Jim and I started dating once again ❤ Thank you for choosing me,  Jim and for continually choosing me every day ❤ Thank you for the past 6 years and may we have 100 more 🍻 I love you forever and always! ❤

Day 30 - Modern Technology

I'm grateful for modern technology. It helps us keep in contact with those who live far from us. Our kids will never know what is what like to send snail mail and praying that you never lose their address or vice versa. Or how about calling cards? I used to get one every Christmas so I could call Emma and Jenn in Pennsylvania. Or calling after 9pm when the rates went down. 😜

I remember my parents were so happy when the Gameboy came out. It was really useful on long car rides and/or airplanes. Their kids were quiet and wouldn't ask "are we there yet" a thousand times.

Also, it's because of modern technology that my friends from Okinawa were able to find me and keep in contact ☺ Plus I now have a car that syncs to my phone so I can play music through its speakers. My phone also has a GPS so I never have to get lost or call my hubby asking for directions.

I love modern technology!!

Day 28 & 29 - Music and Good Neighbors

I'm grateful for music: good, bad, and in between. I listen to everything, from bands that no one has ever heard of to country, rap, hip hop, pop, punk, alternative, and ska. I draw the line at techno and scremo.

My first concert was in 1995 or 1996 with my mom. We went to see Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Tim McGraw has always been one of my favorite country singers. My favorite song that he sings is "Don't Take the Girl". My mom and I still sing it on road trips and sometimes my hubby and I sing it together as well.

I love songs because it's basically poetry, which I have always loved. I have a great memory and can usually memorize the words pretty quickly. Songs cheer you up when you're sad, can describe how you're feeling when you're having difficulty explaining them, and are fun to dance to. They can also make a long drive seem shorter and I love singing lullabies to my boys.

I'm so grateful for our new neighbors. We've had two families live in this house before but we never connected with either. Our new neighbors come over to play cards, we go over to each others house for food, help each other out in whatever way we can, and all of us get along. I love it! It's like living in Japan when our best friends lived across the street. Just makes every day more delightful ☺

Day 27 - School

I'm thankful for school and for the teachers. I have always loved to learn, to read, and to study. When I was younger I thought of teachers as a glorified babysitter, but now that I'm older I know better.

I have seen the many hours that goes into it. Planning, grading papers, tests... Not to mention how she/he decorates her/his classroom and the fact that they don't make much money.

I'm just grateful for all of it. I love the experience, the learning, making new friends, meeting new people, and the books. Of course, the field trips are always fun too ☺

Not to mention teachers are great too because they have to deal with bratty kids and disrespectful parents. I'm really grateful for teachers! We've been really blessed as Kevin has had awesome teachers thus far and my sister is an amazing teacher too!

So thank you to all the teachers out there ❤

Day 25 & 26 - My Dad and Being Home

We celebrated my dad's 65th birthday yesterday.  We celebrated it early as we were all together. My mom bought him an ice cream cake and red velvet cupcakes too. It was all delicious!

I praise my dad a lot, I know, but it is because he's awesome! He has always been a great dad! He always puts his needs and desires last. He loves my mom, his children, and his grandchildren. ❤

Lastly, our vacation was fun but it's nice to be home. To sleep in our own bed! Now it's back to reality, work and school. I hope everyone enjoyed their summer vacation. I know we did ☺

Happy Birthday, dad ❤

Day 24 - Vacation

I'm grateful for vacation. It's all about spending time with loved ones and recharging your batteries. I love this vacation! Jim got time off of work, my parents came, my Granny, the kids, my aunt Renée, and aunt Ramona with her family.

It's a nice walk on the beach, a cool swim in the pool, relaxing in the hot tub, building castles in the sand, and jumping waves ❤ It's one of our favorite traditions! We've been coming to the beach since 2011. Sometimes Jim comes with us and sometimes he has to work. Luckily this year he was able to get the time off.

The cousins enjoy it too! There's poolside games and contests, not to mention staying up late with each other, and an endless amount of playtime. I'm glad they all get along so well and love each other's company ❤ Having memories that will last a lifetime.

Of course, it's great for the adults. Everyone gets away from work, chores, and gets to take a step back from their life and reflect. So thank goodness for vacations. Bringing families closer together, giving us time to reflect, a break from reality, and giving us memories that will last a lifetime ❤ I so don't want this time to end ❤

Day 23 - Jon Gleason

Today marks his 30th birthday... So 12 years ago he was taken from us... It never gets easier. He was a great guy and a good friend. All he wanted to do was make the world a better place.

He was known for cheering up the sad, being the class clown, giving money to those that needed it, his love of music, and his love for animals. He taught himself Portuguese, how to play guitar, and he loved to play the piano as well.

I knew him and his family through church, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He and his family were one of those that I looked forward to seeing every Sunday. Jon always had a smile on his face and always wanted to make those around him smile too. He was a very caring and sweet young man.

He was taken from us 12 years ago during what is now known as the Xbox murders. He wasn't 18 yet and had big dreams for the future. He wanted to vote and he wanted to work in the medical field. My heart is filled with sadness as he was not able to accomplish these goals. I'm saddened that his life came to an abrupt end at the hands of violence. I will never understand this heinous act or those four people who decided to break into the house and kill him and five others 😭

Jon was a dreamer and a giver. One of his favorite songs was John Lennon's "Imagine". He was known to befriend those who needed a friend, regardless of their social status, and give a voice to those who didn't have one, such as animals. Jon was a vegan.

Every day I'm grateful that I got the chance to know you, Jon. I wish your death wasn't so soon and that you didn't die the way you did... At the hands of violence. You had a beautiful life and accomplished more in your 17 years than most people... You also were and are loved by many. My thoughts are with you and your family this day. I'd like to think you're still watching us, still with us, and proud of your family and friends for their accomplishments. I wish your life had been longer so you could take it all in and rejoice with us; but also so that all of your dreams could have come true.

Thank you, Jon for the memories. I'm grateful for you. Every day. RIP.