A Magical Day

17 years ago today, Joe and I had just started our vacation at Disney. Tired from the trip, but still excited, we got our picture taken in front of the castle. Later on we had lunch at Tony's Townsquare, which I loved since it was themed after the movie Lady and the Tramp--so romantic! 

We had a delicious lunch, then (long-story-short) Joe proposed. I was stunned! We had talked about getting married so I knew it would happen but he lead me to believe we had a "plan", so I wasn't expecting it then. 

He did good!! The ring, the place, the magic! He did very good!! 

Now married 15 years, still happy, still in love, I'd still say yes! Love him to infinity and beyond!! (Another Disney reference!)

He Can Hear You Now

Joe had a follow up visit today at the Dr. to test his hearing after all his treatments. The Dr was amazed at his progress! He got back 80% of his hearing! It could still come back more, but for now, it's come so far! He responded so well to the aggressive treatment! 

Joe is over the moon estactic! He's had so much happen to his health in the last year, that he knows this is it, he needs to slow down.  Looking forward to less stress and lots of changes for him. Here's to a great rest of the year!!!

First Treatment

Joe had his first treatment at the Dr today.  He came home afterward in so much pain that it was hard to watch.  He had to get cortisone shots IN his ear and it was excruciating!  After about an hour of the pain he felt back to normal, which is when I took this picture.  He is such a trooper.  

Unfortunately he found out that he has to do it again a few more times in the hopes that it stimulates his hearing.  If going through all this works then it's all worth it.  I'm praying it does.

Silence

Thursday, Joe was complaining that he was dizzy and slightly nauseous. My response is always "go to the Dr." I sometimes get lightheaded if I don't eat well or if I'm getting sick so I thought that was happening to him. Friday he complained more about it but and said his left ear felt hot. It was red but I didn't know what it could be. We both thought ear infection. Who knows.

Saturday, he was running errands and noticed as he took a phone call that the sound was off. Like in he couldn't hear anything. He switched ears and it was fine. It finally dawned on him that he couldn't hear anything from his left ear. At all.

Of course, it's the weekend. He went to the clinic on Sunday to get checked out but the Dr didn't say much and told him to see an ENT. 

Yesterday, he went to the ENT that took care of him in May for his nasal problem. They gave him a hearing test, which showed he was completely deaf in his left ear. They gave him prescriptions and scheduled a few procedures, one being an MRI to make sure it wasn't a tumor. Supposedly, it's not a cancerous sort of tumor but regardless there wouldn't be anything they could do. He might be permanently deaf in that ear.

He is worried to say the least. I'm trying to stay calm for him, (I was freaked out worse when he told me tumor but didn't explain it's not a cancerous type-found that part out later) but I'm just upset that he keeps having health issues lately. He works too hard and is such a good person and just doesn't deserve this. 

Joe's Birthday 2014

When your day starts out with cake at work, you know it's going to be ok.  Joe's guys brought in his favorite, tiramisu.  

After a nice Italian dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, we came home to give Joe his presents. Of course, no birthday is complete without pics with his girls. 

Love this man, so very much! He means the world to me. Wishing him the best and happiest of birthdays!

Joe's Birthday Dinner

We got together with family to celebrate Joe's birthday today.  His birthday isn't until the 12th but that just means more cake in our future.

I made dinner for everyone.  Nothing fancy.  I wanted to make homemade pizza but was nervous about making it for a crowd of people in case it didn't rise.  So I also made garlic and oil pasta, as a back up.  Luckily, the pizza came out amazing!  

Of course the night can't end without CAKE!  Joe was surrounded by his girls.  All five of them--puppies count too!!

Fourteen Wonderful Years!

Today marks FOURTEEN WONDERFUL years since saying "I do."

FOURTEEN YEARS.

Hard to believe it's been that long, yet it seems like yesterday! 

Of course, as terrific as most days are, not every day is a fairytale.  Some days are downright tough with everyday craziness.  Through it all we keep each other grounded.  Joe is my rock.  He motivates me to be better.  He loves me no matter how crazy I get.  He is amazing!! 

If I had to do all over again I would in a heartbeat!  There's no one else I'd rather be with.  As corny as it sounds he really is my soul mate. 

Love him to infinity and beyond!!

Life Around Here

Life around here has been a little nuts. Joe has had trouble breathing and after continual dr appts. telling him he had an upper respiratory infections he saw a different dr. That dr almost immediately sent him for a CT scan. The results came back that he had polyps blocking the entire right side of his nose and most of his left side. 

Crazy!!! 

He went to an ENT and after more visits he finally had his surgery yesterday. The dr found a huge mass but took care of it. 

Happy that it was an outpatient procedure and he came home the same day. He's feeling better now and can already feel the difference. The girls and I can already hear the difference in his breathing and sleeping. It's going to be even better once he gets the final ok from the dr. 

This has been such long journey for him and I'm so happy he's starting to take care of himself. I need him to stick around for a long, long time!! 

This Guy...

This guy always has a smile on his face no matter how his day goes.

This guy can make me laugh no matter what mood I'm in.

This guy is giving & will give someone the shirt off his back.

This guy loves his girls beyond anything else in the world.

This guy works too hard.

This guy is the sweetest.

This guy is amazing.

This guy is mine.

This guy has a birthday today.

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man I was so lucky to have met!

Happy Birthday Joe!

I Love You!!

Father's Day 2012

Father's day is a day to recongnize all the wonderful father's.  Joe happens to be one of those AMAZING fathers.

He goes above & beyond for his girls.  When they're in trouble with me, he smoothes things out for them.  When they want something, they know what to do to get Joe to say yes.

Me?  I call him a sucker.  He knows it's true too.  He loves them with all his heart & would do anything for them.  Including makes pancakes & bacon for breakfast...on Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day Joe!!

Happily Married for 13 Years

Thirteen years ago today I made a vow, to love Joe with all of my heart, forever.

It's been an amazing journey so far, full of ups and downs.  Good times and bad.  I believe the good far out-weighs the bad.

We look back on our wedding as one of the happiest days of our lives.  We reminisce about our day fondly & often, not just on our anniversary.  We share our memories with the girls, hoping to set a good example of love for them.

We love each other more and more each day.  We look forward to time spent with one another, with or without the kids. We listen to each other.  We help one another.  I couldn't have picked a better guy to spend the rest of my life with.  He makes me the happiest girl alive!

This day, thirteen years ago, I married my prince and I get to live happily ever after with him...

Happy Anniversary Joe! 

I adore you!

Happy Birthday to My Man!

Today is Joe's Birthday (in case the title didn't give it away). ;)

Can I express how much I love this guy? I don't think I could explain all the reasons, if I tried this might be the longest post in history. :)

So I'll just share a few reasons...

The sparkle in his eyes.
His ready smile.
His ability to make everything better once he walks through the door at the end of the day.
How he makes me laugh daily.
His tender side.
How romantic he his.
His tough side.
How much he adores our daughters.
His protectiveness of us.
When he lets the 5 yr old in him come out.
He's encouraging.
His honesty.
His intelligence.
His easygoingness.
His tolerance.
His ability to do 5th grade math, when it makes my head spin. ;)
His quiet strength.
He knows when I need my space.
He knows when I need comforting.
How he seems to read my mind.
His generosity.
His warmth.
How he'll warm up my side of the bed without asking.
His willingness to stop on his way home for things I forget to do. ;)
How much he loves me.

This LO is a favorite of mine. It shows him at his most relaxed. He's surrounded by his 3 girls & he's having fun .

Happy Birthday Joe!
You are the love of my life!!

Ringing In 2012

No pun intended.
Really.

A few days before Christmas Eve, Joe was at the jewelers to buy the girls some earrings for Christmas. The jeweler mentioned to Joe that he still had the ring I had fallen in love with a few years back. So Joe texted me a pic of two rings. I being a women picked out the ring instantly without hesitation. He asks me if I want it & of course I said yes, BUT I also said that he didn't have to get it for me. Of course, if he wanted to who am I to say no?? LOL!

He comes home & hands me a gift bag. I told him to put it under the tree for Christmas & he said "No. This is NOT a Christmas present." We went back & forth a bit but then the woman in me gave in & opened it. It was as beautiful as I remembered it, but it didn't fit. It fit on my pinky.

Today we finally got some time to run down to the jewelers & he sized it for me.

I love it!! I consider it an Anniversary band, even though it's not our anniversary. Since there are 3 stones, I like to think that they represent Joe & the girls.

While we were waiting for the jeweler to size the ring I had plenty of time to look in the cases. I mentioned to Joe that I could give him a "shopping list" & pointed to a few things. He gets the jeweler to pull them out for me to try them on which I couldn't pass up.

What woman would pass up the chance to play??

However, Joe wasn't playing & had the jeweler polish my favorite piece for me to wear home.

I know how lucky I am to have such a generous & wonderful husband. He knows how much I appreciate the jewelry & he knows that I don't expect it either. He's just the type of guy that likes to treat me with something special for no reason.

So our New Year's Eve is off to a great start. We don't go out to celebrate, we stay home, let the girls stay up late, watch the ball drop & go to bed. Might sound boring to some people but to us it's nice & relaxing.

It's been a crazy hectic year. Some bad, some good, some fantastic. I'm ready to move into the new year. I'm ready to get back on the treadmill (I slacked off around June). I'm ready to shake loose of the fog that's been floating around me (a different post). Let's hope 2012 is wonderful for us all!

Wishing everyone a safe & healthy Happy New Year! Enjoy it!

Is it Friday yet??

This week has been absolutely nutty & emotionally draining.

Joe left Monday for a trade show convention in Orlando, leaving me home with the girls. I never like being without him for long. That night I emailed him pics of Marissa's math homework to check since she's doing algebra & apparently I am NOT smarter than a 5th grader. ;)

Over the weekend, I had pulled out all the photo frames I had in mind for the future photo wall in my living room. I laid them out on my kitchen table & Joe approved! I needed to spray paint a few so I would spray them a little each day.

see them? I love how it's coming out & I have more frames to add. Crossing my fingers it will be ready for Thanksgiving.

Tuesday after the show he went to the The Christmas party at the Magic Kingdom. Lucky him! We haven't been there at Christmastime in years!

As happy as I was for him, I was melancholy due to it being the anniversary of my Dad's passing. I was sad & cried a lot that day.

Besides all the usual activities the girls have during the week, Wednesday was "class observation" in school. Parents get to visit the classroom at their appointed time & see the class in action. It's just for 15 mins or so but afterwards I had to go to work afterwards. It was a non stop day.

While on the computer that afternoon I got a virus on my computer, I believe after clicking on a link from Becky Higgins on Facebook. This is the second time it's happened to me. I think I need to stop following her & just get updates through Twitter. Annoying.

After the girls' homework, we made Joe chocolate chip cookies to surprise him when he got back today. Bedtime was a killer for me, since Gianna pushed me over the edge. Getting out of bed, messing around in their bathroom & running around, staying up late past 10:30. I flipped. After dealing with her, I went into our Den where I found a huge mess of theirs & ended up tossing EVERYTHING into garbage bags. (Filled 4 bags). Then I proceeded to email Joe pics of the room before & after, waiting for his call.

I basically had a breakdown when he called. I cried more. I ranted & raved at him, venting my frusteration over the phone. Missing his shoulder to cry on. I was drained. I was too wound up to sleep but I was physically & emotionally exhausted.

This morning, I told the girls in order to avoid having their stuff tossed in the garbage, they must clean the den as well as their bedrooms & put all their things away. I explained that they are old enough to help me around here & can not expect me to do it all for them. I'm done.

After taking them to school, I had a long overdue hair appt. I was in need of a haircut badly. I was trying a new salon that someone recommended to me. Upon finding the salon, I had my doubts about the place but chalked it up to still being in a bad mood from last night so I walked in. I should have turned & walked out but stuck it out since it was recommended. The lady who cut my hair was an older lady & seemed to know what she was doing BUT I told her to keep the length & just clean it up a bit. She went shorter than I wanted & didn't style it well but at this time I was fighting the urge to jump out of the chair screaming to stop. I don't think she gave me a bad cut but it wasn't what I wanted. I came home, washed my hair & re-styled it. It was ok but not as long as it was. I will never again ignore my gut instinct. Lesson learned.

The girls have half days at school both today & tomorrow due to parent teacher conferences, so by the time I was done with my hair it was time to pick them up.

During this time, Joe was flying home so he can come with me to the girls' conferences. I could not wait for him to get home, I missed him SO much!

After feeding the girls lunch, I remembered that I was scheduled for a repair man to come fix my mini fridge, & I vacuumed & mopped the kitchen floor really quick.

Awhile after getting done Joe was home! The girls & I raced to the door to greet him. It was so good to have him home!! He was happily surprised with the cookies too! Shortly after the repair guy came & was here until 4-ish. (thankfully fixing the fridge)

I fed the girls dinner at 5:30. My sister, Chet was coming over to watch the girls so we could go to the conferences at 6pm.

Meeting with the teachers, both girls got good report cards. The only downside is Gianna has to learn to control herself & not fidget so much. The girl has ants in her pants!! She can't sit still to save her life!! It drives me nuts & I apologized to her teacher. It's something we definitely need to work on. Other than that we are very happy with their grades.

We then took advantage of our sitter & went to a diner for dinner, just the two of us. It was great to talk to him about everything in person.

Now I am typing this on my iPhone while On hold with "Dell" as they fix the virus on my computer.

Calgon? Are you there? I am DONE! Take me away!!!

Four Words Can Change Your Life

Fourteen years ago today, while on vacation at Disney World, the greatest guy I know, changed my world forever just by asking....

"Will you marry me?"

I'd still say yes.

The flowers he sent me today for our anniversary, because he's that kind of guy.

It's sometimes hard to believe 14 years have gone by so fast. He means so much more to me than I can put into words....but I can say that I just love him!

Father's Day

Did you ever look at a guy & think "He'd make a great dad?" Not everyone would be a great dad, but Joe is one of the great ones.

He goes above & beyond for his little girls. He's the type of guy that will make both pancakes AND waffles if the girls want both on the weekends. He stays home a little later than he should to get them up & going & get their breakfasts ready during the week.When he comes home at night,whether it's before or after dinner, he'll check math homework. No matter how tired or hungry he is.
He's the sort of guy that will give piggyback rides even after a long, hot day of walking the parks while on vacation. He'll also go on rides over & over to make his girls happy.

If the girls are in danger of getting in trouble for not finishing their dinner, he'll "help" them out by eating it for them when I'm distracted. (oh the stories I could tell!!)

He is their knight in shining armor. There's a saying that goes....

"A girl's first love is her Daddy."

So true.

Happy Father's Day Joe!!

Hope all the Dads out there enjoy their day!

How a Job Changed My World

Did you ever think how starting a new job could change your world forever? Well it did for me.

In January, 1994, I took a job in the Parts Dept of a Coin-Operated company in the Meadowlands, doing data entry. I was 19. I answered phones, did data entry & filing. It was a job that paid well & had benefits, for a 19 yr old this was like the lottery!

I slowly got to know the customers that called looking for parts for their video games & vending machines. Sometimes if the guys taking the orders were all on the phone I'd talk to some of the friendlier customers while I did my work. No flirting or anything like that, just being friendly.

Eventually when the local customers came to pick up their parts I'd put names to voices & meet some of them. This is how I met Joe. My first opinion of him was that he was a jerk. I soon learned he wasn't, I was obviouslly too quick to judge & was having a hard day at work.

At the time, we were dating other people & we were just friends through work. Nothing more than that.

That May, my Dad was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. By November, he was gone.

My boyfriend at the time (of almost 4 yrs) was there for me during the funeral & the months afterward. But what stunned me was the response from work. So many co-workers came to the viewing & funeral. What was a real shocker was when I not only saw flowers from Joe (a customer), but when we came to my father's viewing.

When he heard about my dad being sick, he offered to be there for me if I needed to talk. Reason being? His mom had died a few years prior from cancer. He understood what I was going through. I thought that was so nice of him, but I never took him up on it.

By March 1995, my boyfriend & I were over. I was sad, but at the time I knew it was for the best--we weren't on the same page. When I was ready I slowly started dating again. At some point during this time, Joe broke up with his girlfriend. By now I was thinking more of him than just a customer, but was too afraid of the age gap between us, so I let it go. We're thirteen years apart.

My boss at the time, John, & another co-worker, Bobby, were really good friends with Joe (still are) & John would tell me all the time how I should date Joe. I always protested how he was too old for me, blah, blah, blah.

Things eventually did go from just talking on the phone during work, to flirting. Eventually he asked me out & I said yes.

He took me to dinner, & we talked easily. It was never weird between us, either that we knew each other from work or the age difference. Right away it was like we had always known each other. It was an instant connection.

During dinner, I saw a commercial on a nearby TV, for "Braveheart" opening in theaters that weekend & mentioned how I'd like to see it, not expecting anything, just talking. He offered to take me that weekend--no playing those mind games that most guys play, just straight-forward. I agreed & we went that weekend.

Not sure when I realized he was "the one", but I do know it happened early on in our relationship. He was just so interesting & great to be around. We both wanted the same things in life & we spent as much time together as we possibly could.

--------

Fast forward to today & we've been together for 16 years.

SIXTEEN.YEARS.

Today is the anniversary of our 1st date. He is still the same guy I met all those years ago, but better...... He's mine!

Taken on our wedding anniversary this past weekend with my iphone.

To read the "in-between" part of our story (if you're not sick of hearing it) you can read THIS POST. Much shorter & to the point. ;)

12 WONDERFUL Years

Twelve years ago today, was one of the happiest days of my life. It was a beautiful day to get married to the greatest man!
One thing that stands out in my mind is how at the end of the night, my face hurt from smiling so much.

Looking back on how long we've been together, of course not every day is a piece of cake, BUT Joe "gets" me. We finish each other's sentences, we enjoy spending time after the kids go to bed together, we agree on so many things, he makes me happy.

And I'd still say YES!!

Happy Anniversary Joe!

I love you even more today!

Passwords

Awhile back I made the girls THIS Password book to keep track of all their online websites' passwords. It was the perfect thing for them & they share it between them easily.

Recently, Joe asked me for a password book too but nothing fancy. I knew it was going to be more "Guy-like" & nothing fancy. I him if I could use nuts, washers & duct tape to decorate it with but I got "what did you bump your head? Look", so I kept it very, very simple.

I took some chipboard & trimmed it just bigger than 3 1/2 x 5 inches. I used Studio Calico (Natalee??) stamps for the cover & then just outlined it in marker.
I printed this off the computer onto blank index cards. Then I punched holes on the side & kept it together with book rings & called it done.

VERY simple. Joe likes it & that's what matters.

Birthday Love

Today is Joe's birthday. Not just any birthday mind you, but the big 5-0!! Yep that's right -Fifty is Nifty!!

Most people are shocked when they hear his age. They all say they thought he was in his 40's. He definately doesn't act his age....

His age has never been an issue for us despite the gap. I tell him that he got his "trophy wife" on the first shot. No trading me in for the younger model, I AM the younger model!! LOL!! He's not allowed to have a mid-life crisis either. ;)

He such a sweetheart too. See his goatee? He's not big into facial hair but over Christmas he didn't shave for a day or two & I asked him to grow it in just to see what it would look like. And he did it FOR ME. The girls don't like it but I do. He gets a lot of mixed responses on it but the majority of people say it looks really good on him. I've already told him he could shave it off if he wants that I just wanted to see how he looked but he hasn't done it. I just really like the fact that he did FOR ME. KWIM?

OK, enough of Joe's grooming habits. He made sure to not go into work this weekend so he could enjoy himself & relax. Something he hasn't done much of lately. No I'm not throwing him a surprise party because it would be too "expected". Besides I already "got" him for his 40th & really surprised him!!

He's got a great way with the girls too. They just adore him. I tell him how the girls actually have him wrapped around their little pinkies. Around here we joke around about him having 3 wives. I'm the 1st wife, Marissa is the 2nd & Gianna is the 3rd. They both act like a wife does at times, but Marissa is the worst. If he has to work late, she'll grill him the next morning "Where were you?" "Why did you come home so late?" It's pretty funny, especially if you hear her say it.

I can't imagine life without him. He is the key to this family. He can be motivating just by being home. No words just his presence makes me want to tackle things that I've slacked on. ;) I may be an organizing junkie & he may let things go for a bit, but when he gets some time he can almost put me to shame...almost.

I love him more than I say. He completes me.

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY JOE!