One Year

 

One year... wow, did one year of marriage go by quickly! 

David and I opted for Anniversary Week and found we did something special every day. For our 1st anniversary, we decided to stay home and have dinner in. Ordering the top layer of our wedding cake, inside it is chocolate chocolate chip with double toffee filling, It's so delicious and he lit up when he saw it. We LOVED our wedding cake!! At the end of our wedding, we went to the hotel and realized we were really hungry, so we dove into our wedding cake, thrilled I chose to take it with us. 

Playing the cd, complements of our DJ, transported me back in time to our magical wedding. I could close my eyes and fully remember the wonder of it all. 

Cooking dinner, listening to this music, we perused through our wedding photo album. As we sat down to eat, we held hands to pray as "A Thousand Years" began to play. It's the song I walked down the aisle to. What timing. 

We took our time eating dinner, reminiscing one year ago. After we cleaned up, I grabbed the knife to cut our cake, when David placed is hand over mind and we cut it together. At that moment, "At Last" by Etta James began to play. The song we 1st danced to. He pulled me in his arms, and we danced in the kitchen. 

Then, we played our wedding day video...

All I can say is, I was initially low-key disappointed when I waited too long and couldn't get reservations at our two favorite restaurants. Honestly, neither of them could have compared to the magic of nostalgia we shared with the air filled with the music of our wedding day, our album, our wedding video, and dancing in my husband's arms.

Happy 1st Anniversary, my Love!

xo

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

 

The day off together, summer nights, and a ballfield. 

We did a taste testing of wine at the ballpark. Our favorite choice was the Peach Lemonade Moscato. We provided our one-word description for their marketing purposes, had a blast with the staff in the tent and the woman asked if she could take a photo us by their sign. This isn't the photo, but I'm hoping I can find it online somewhere.

I'm hoping I can also find this refreshing new beverage, too!

US Marshals

 

My husband retired on Friday, June 2, 2023 and began with the US Marshals on Monday, June 5th. 

Retiring from a career is a major life change and bittersweet. Shifting and being sworn in as a US Marshal is another impressive professional accomplishment. 

He's ready for this new season and I am proud of him. 

David's Retirement Party

Congratulations and well done, my love, on a very successful career! 

We've had several conversations that going to David's retirement celebration, it felt more like going to someone else's party. How can my husband be retiring?! When you're young, I always thought of retirement when you're old and can no longer work. My husband bounds in energy, yet he has retired with 31 years, 8 months, and 28 days of service to the Sheriff's Office. 

His celebration was the "Thin Blue Line" theme, with two joined, magnificent charcuterie tables, and an exceptional dinner everyone was WOW'd over and spoke about all night. I did a plated double entree dinner, Asiago Chicken, Braised Beef with light Gravy, Cavatappi Carbonara, and Roasted Vegetable Medley. Our salad incorporated watermelon (David's favorite) and fresh blueberries to complement the TBL theme, topped with our new Champagne dressing. Guests expressions when the food was brought to the table brought me the exact satisfaction I was going for, and everyone raved all night how fabulous dinner was. 

The charcuterie tables were done by Taylour. She loves doing this and asked if she could help, so I tasked her with the table listing what I wanted to see on it and rose-shaped appetizers. She practiced and nailed it!! 

I began the program with a video custom made for him talking about being in law enforcement, the Training Center, and Michelle answering the phone telling the caller David is reading to blind children. That was what he always told her to tell his callers. Taylour & Brooke began by sharing David's many roles and professional achievements, then Captain (Rich) was the main guest speaker. Working with David throughout their career together and dear friends, there is nobody better than him. In closing, I had my sister-in-law, the Sheriff, came up to share final words. Their tribute to David was beautiful, honoring, and well-deserved. I could feel David squeeze my hand; I knew he was fighting tears. 

But wait... there's more! I had a special surprise for him before we closed this portion of the evening. Being shipped from the Eastcoast of the United States, is the Best Seller with White Glove Delivery... his massage chair. [It arrived and it is amazing!]

The DJ playing 80's rock and a variety of music, family and friends mingled, ate, drank, and celebrated. 

The room looked fabulous, every detail coming together beautifully. 

What a blessing it is to have a successful career. Every speech shared a common theme, he has touched thousands of lives throughout his career and made a difference. He is a legend at Training, he is admired, valued, and respected. Colleagues coming out of the woodwork, phone calls, wishing him well. 

To retire with such a legacy, to retire with good health, and to retire with the ability to do whatever he wants, he is a blessed man.

Happy Retirement, husband.

 

June 2, 2023

 

"There's My Morning Glory!"

 

Every morning I wake up and come downstairs, my husband greets me with a warm and enthusiastic, "There's my morning glory!" I confess, I don't often feel like a morning glory before a cup of coffee!

He is bounding with energy and happiness when he wakes up, usually around 4:00 a.m. and goes downstairs to stretch and workout. Me, I'm more of a 5:45 a.m. girl every day. It's our morning routine. 

Next week my husband retires from the Sheriff's Office. What a milestone in life and what a fantastic career he has had!! He's retiring from the Sheriff's Office and hired on with the US Marshals. 

Preparations are underway for his retirement celebration.

He is admired, loved, and respected by so many in his profession. These last couple of weeks have been bittersweet. So many conversations, emotions, and reflection. 

Plans are in place, good thing his wife is an Events Director! I've got a few surprises for him.

If I am a morning glory, he is truly the sun that shines on everyone. 

"You Looked Stunning Today"

 

My husband always lavishly loves me and showers me with words how beautiful I am even when I have no makeup on, glasses, a sloppy knot on top of my head, or a favorite worst outfit. Prior to dating, being caught like that would have been a certain death. Oh, how easily that changed!

He genuinely doesn't care and he genuinely makes me feel beautiful when I'm at my worst. 

About 8-9 years ago I found an outfit I fell in love with, but it was a bit too tight. I bought it anyway. I wore it once a couple years later, probably still a bit too tight, then back into the closet it went.

Since January, I've been doing intermittent fasting, Keto, and strength training. I don't remember when I weighed what I weigh now, last. I have a couple favorite outfits, I've held onto for many years and they all fit beautifully.

All this to say, that one outfit I bought when it was too small, looks great! I wore it a couple days ago and my husband told me several times how beautiful I looked and he asked me to twirl. Doesn't every girl dream of that?!. 

It was later that night in bed, when he whispered, "You looked stunning today..." I smiled and loved that he was still thinking about me in it. 

The Promise of May

 

May has a certain je ne sais quoi. 

The promise of warmth, sunshine, rebirth and flourish after a long winter. Six months ahead of being outdoors, playing in the sunshine, and basking in nature. Biking, pickleball, long walks holding hands, sipping wine in the sunshine, and patio nights. 

The thrill of knowing so much wonderful has arrived. The appeal of hope, sunshine, fauna and flora. 

To linger in the sunshine and rejuvenate in relaxation, play, and pleasure. 

Hello May, we welcome you. 

Spring Vacation 2023

 

Spring Vacation 2023 was everything we hoped it to be with the sun feeling hotter, and the food tasting even better. Our first stop was in The Villages to see mom and dad. Eighty square miles, four quadrants, 71K homes, everything in pristine condition and everyone riding golf carts. It's like a Jetson's playground for seniors with money! 

A couple nights at mom and dads where we perused the quaint shops of Lake Sumter and eating alligator for the first time, we stopped by the magical location where David proposed and I said, "YES!!" 

We rented a romantic little cottage on Anna Marie Island with a private beach and fell in love with this relaxed island that exists truly on "island time." Our skin sun-kissed, we walked hand in hand on the beach for days, going to several beaches, and lingering in the cutest beach shops. 

We couldn't wait to get to the ocean for fresh seafood and we dined well. From several seafood shacks (our favorites!!) on the ocean with phenomenal seafood, to a darling Parisian cafe, Le Creperie, we sampled and tasted everything fresh seafood. 

After a couple days at Anna Marie Island, we drove down the coast to our beloved Siesta Key Beach for sun, sand, and that fabulous Mango Tango. The very inspiration of one of our wedding day signature cocktails! My favorite seafood meal being Shrimp & Grits at Captain Curt's, a giant tiki hut restaurant with outdoor dining. 

Our skin thoroughly cooked, hours in the sun, we went back to mom and dad's before heading home. 

Thank you mom and dad for allowing us to stay with you, the fun playing cards every night, the use of your golf cart, and delicious meals!! We had the best time, and we love you!

Easter Dinner

 

We hosted Easter dinner in our home with an Easter basket for Amelia and an outdoor Easter egg hunt that led to Easter presents for Sofia, Rowan, and Claire. 

The kids were excited walking in the house shouting they saw Easter eggs outside!!! I had three empty baskets for them to choose a color to grab and run around collecting eggs. On the back porch was their presents with frilly bows. A sit-and-spin (one of my favorite toys when I was young), a seat on wheels they can ride around the house, Seek & Find cards for outdoor scavenger hunts, and a giant bottle of bubbles from Great Grammy (Gigi). 

Having my grandbabies together was wonderful to watch. Amelia sitting in her bouncy seat with the kids gathered around her quiet as to not startle or scare her. They would gentle touch her hair and watch her. Me, it's as if I've blinked in life and I have four grandbabies. 

The sun was shining, the food delicious, and yummy desserts. Lots of conversations going at once and little ones eating their special ice cream in their new ice cream cups and playing with their toys. 

Most visits end WWE with Papa David. David is swift and quick, and the kids love full on wrestle mania with him until they are flushed and overheated. 

Claire-bear is the quiet one. She likes to get into the pantry into napkins and cups, changes the channels on the television, and at the end of the day, I had to delete over 70 videos and photos she took with my phone. For the most part, I had no idea she even had it. She's quiet, smiles sweetly, and is unapologetically her. I love their unique personalities. 

It was a beautiful day for an Easter celebration. 

Rage and Prayer

 

My husband walked out the door this morning with a bullet proof vest on. 

Emotions are raging war in love, fear, understanding him, and zero acceptance of the cause. 

My husband made to protect what we don't believe in and I cannot even speak about it without becoming "F-bombing" furious. I go from fury to tears, from prayer to admiring the man he is. He's so loving and allows me to rage truth verbally, to him speaking into me that he is law enforcement in the gentlest and most loving way. Assuring me that all is well. 

Until... he walked in the door last night with an arsenal of "protection" and the seriousness of what he is taking and why quickly has me at the reality of the situation all over again. Pinning his uniform, loading magazines, filling duffle bags with weapons and a trauma bag, I laid across the bed and watched him. 

My husband is gentle, affectionate, patient, over the top loving, kind, and always super funny. He is my love and he is my Boaz. He is everything a husband is supposed to be, sprinkled in magnificence! 

My husband, going in with his team of close friends, those who train law enforcement. My husband, years on SWAT, trains SWAT, he is highly trained in defensive tactics, weapons of all kinds, armed, equipped, and lethal with crazy-skilled talent.

He is at the 11th hour on the verge of retirement. To be put in a situation we do not believe in, to protect those who choose to put themselves in a place of threat of violence, threatening my husband's safety, puts me in a significant heart condition of extreme conflict between rage and prayer. 

All it takes is one person for hell to break loose and today is April Fool's Day. 

My husband is maintaining order among fools. 

UPDATE:  All went well, thankfully. Ended up being an unnecessary expense for taxpayers. 

Birds Chirping

 

Ahhh, spring! To wake up in the morning to birds chirping. 

Tulips are coming up through our flower beds, which is a welcome sign of spring and knowledge our new home has tulips!! Hooray! Our grass is beginning to grow from the rain, sunshine is lingering longer through the evening, and I am opening windows in our home every chance it warms up just enough.

I just booked a lovely cottage on the beach of Anna Marie Island, with it's own private beach. Longing for the intense sunshine of Florida, the smell of the ocean, the roar of the waves, and day's basking in the sun with my husband, is pretty magical.

Last year was the best year of my life. It was also a very busy year with a lot of moving parts, house hunting, selling and buying homes, our wedding, and moving into a new home. This year... we are in our groove and look forward to lounging at our pool, biking, pickleball, jaunting off on spontaneous getaways, and a year of more relaxation.  

Winter was just the rest we needed; however, spring has arrived, and we are ready to play!!

Custom-designed Dining Room Table

 

For our new home, we custom-designed our dining room table. It is a one of a kind! 

I knew my vision and pouring through books upon books of fabrics and wood color selections, we chose the wood type, the stain color, the fabric and the fabric color. I wanted three different types of chairs around the table and enhanced with special requests, such as slightly larger, rounded captain chairs with tufted backs. 

We have wondered since we created this last August what the finished product would look like.

Six months later, my vision came to fruition and it's PERFECT!! Amish built, quality made.

We LOVE it!!

It's a GIRL! Brooke + Josh

 

We both have a Brooke and we say, "my Brooke" or "your Brooke" Otherwise, it begs the question, "which Brooke?" Our Brooke's are the same age, too. 

This is my stepdaughter, David's Brooke. Brooke + Josh. I absolutely adore them both!! 

David and I have two more grandbabies arriving in August and September of 2023. This means three of our daughters were pregnant together. My Brooke, his Brooke, and Taylour. 

Gender reveals are so much fun!! Those smoke & confetti cannons go off and there were screams of joy!

I love this photo of Brooke. That wonderful moment where you know what the baby inside you is. 

Family gatherings are large and enjoyable. In-laws from all sides, including son-in-law's, everyone coming together. Everyone genuinely liking one another and happy to see one another. Kelly, David's ex-wife, and her family are some of my favorite people. I genuinely like both my son-in-law's parents. Events are large. How blessed my stepdaughters are to have healthy and functional families! 

Come September 2023 we will have 8 grandbabies!!!!!!!!

Intermittent Fasting

 

January 22nd, I began intermittent fasting. Starting at 16/8 the first couple of days, let's be honest, I thought I was going to eat my shoe! It was the 3rd day I was busy at work and slipped into and 18/6 hour fast by accident and I realized I was okay. Thus, began my 18/6 fasting.

Within one month I lost I think it was 8 lbs. and 1-1/2" around my waist. What I found interesting as I read about the endless benefits of fasting, I found another amazing result is my allergies cleared up!!

I always thought I had seasonal allergies, that turned into year-round allergies. I now know I have food related allergies with fasting and eating clean (very little starches or sugar) completely clears me up. 

Now, if I eat heavy starches or sweets, my body reacts pretty strongly. 

I feel great!! David and I do this together, which makes me more successful. I have the Zero app that tracks my fasting times, because I like the daily green check mark when I've successfully completed a fast daily. It tracks my daily success rates, too.

Here's the thing, when I cannot go 18/6 and fall short at 16/8, I'm still doing fantastic and far better than a regular eating schedule. Out of the last 2 months, there are only 7 days I fell short. I won't beat myself up about that. 

Intermittent fasting also strengthens your immune system. David has been really sick with a fever for a 3-days and extreme multi-symptoms for over a week. I never got sick at all. I had a slight sore throat for a couple days, but that fact that I didn't get sick is nothing short of a miracle. 

I am seeing and feeling the benefits and super grateful for our healthy lifestyle. 

Curly Hair & Blue Eyes

 

Our sweet, little Amelia is almost 2 months old! Her hair is growing, and we are all delighted she has her daddy's curls. Blue eyes from both her grandpa's, she is her daddy over with her eyes open and totally her momma with her eyes closed. I don't think I've ever seen such different looks in a baby.

Brookie is such a good momma, knows her sweet baby and is calm and patient. Amelia keeps a close eye on where her momma is, too.

Me, I'm always smelling her. I do the same with Sofia, Rowan and Claire. There is something about your baby's babies that makes them your own. I think about them, miss them, and pray for them constantly. 

Sofia is so smart and funny like her momma. Rowan in his raspy little voice is still such a snuggle bug and a boy through and through. Little Claire with her icy blue eyes, blond hair and full little lips is in my arms most every time I am with her. She is unapologetically direct and owns up to any shenanigan directly. 

Each of my grandbaby's are wonderfully unique. I am so blessed. 

 

Welcome Sweet Little Amelia

 

Welcome to the world, my sweet, little Amelia Marie! She arrived on Wednesday, January 25th at a healthy 8 lbs. 1 oz. and 18-1/2" long. 

A headful of dark hair, nestled into her mama doing skin-to-skin, is how I met her and fell in love. 

I will always say, King Solomon said it best, "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged." They certainly are! 

Brooke did fantastic and Alex is a rockstar tending to both Brookie and Amelia. 

Her warm little body wrapped in soft blankets, her sweet baby scent, her little stretches, smiles, and baby noises are a joy to watch! I've enjoyed hours of snuggle time with her and kissing her little face softly. 

Brooke is healing after a c-section and Alex has stepped up in all capacities, we are grateful he is home with her for a few weeks. They are equipped and well-prepared for her arrival and her bedroom is so beautiful. Alex has never held a tiny baby. You'd never know! We love him and appreciate him so much for all he is to Brooke and now Amelia. 

Unexpected moments for me... Brooke was anxious and nervous inside at the hospital leading up to the c-section, but she displayed grace, class, calm, and politeness to everyone. I enjoyed her look of peacefulness with her baby in her arms and her graciousness sharing her little one as family couldn't wait to come in and meet her.

Mariah meeting Amelia was beautiful. She was breathless and emotional, waiting for this moment she dreamed of since middle school. I was grateful to be present, video-capture the moment and spend time with the three of us together + Amelia laughing and talking.

My heart burst in love when we FaceTimed Sofia, Rowan, and Claire from the hospital room as Mariah introduced them to Amelia. They were quiet as if they were in the room and didn't want to scare here. Looking at her quietly for several minutes, little Rowan leaned over and kissed the phone. My grandbabies seeing each other the first time was so precious. 

So much love and so many prayers, we are blessed Amelia is here. 

Excellent job, Brooke & Alex! We are so proud of you both!

The Wait...

This is Brooke, over one month ago. Add several inches, and you have my daughter who has tried pretty much every trick to induce labor... and still waiting. 

We all are. 

Me, I've been attached to my phone for a month now. Good morning calls hoping to hear she is contracting and ready for this grandmomma to meet them at the hospital. I thought about calling her and letting her know I was going out of town this weekend. We all know if I were to be out of town, she would most definitely go in labor. Perhaps the thought of it all would do something? No need to add stress to an already worn out Brookie. So, the wait continues. 

Did I share both our Brooke's are pregnant? Brooke & Alex due any day now, Brooke & Josh due August 13th. 

It's a quiet, winter January Sunday + little David + a pretty snowfall + no need to leave the comforts of home. It's a perfect day to stay in comfy clothes, make healthy meals, snuggle under a blanket watching our shows with a fire in the fireplace, and play with our new Occulus. 

I believe many of our neighbors are staying in, no tire tracks in driveways. It's so pretty looking out all the windows. My husband just brought me a piece of chocolate protein pie he made this morning with a dollop of whip cream on top. I hit the jackpot with a husband who enjoys cooking for entertainment!!! 

We are intermittent fasting and what we eat the hours we can makes everything actually taste so much better. I am 17 hours on with a 7-hour window to eat. Breaking the fast with a chocolate bone broth protein, collagen, walnuts, chia & flaxseed protein shake, then a light healthy lunch, and a good dinner. He goes 18 hours. 

We are always doing and trying new things. It certainly keeps things fun.

Now, if this sweet granddaughter of mine is just about ready... my grandma instincts to witness her arrival, and to see, hold, smell, kiss, and snuggle her is powerful.