Meet Jackson Lee!!!!

Proof that I am ALL BOY!!!!!!!!

Already like Daddy in the womb... Put up your Dukes!!



We are so excited that Matthew will have a new little brother and us a new son! Jackson Lee is a blessing and we couldn't be more thrilled!! GO BOYS! HaHa Dan said, "Now we have to try again FOR SURE..." :) (I'm still not sure how I feel about that one...) No, I am kidding... I will gladly try again! :)

My First Picture....

So hear I am... Lil ol' me, just floating around in my Mom's belly.... What is going on out there? I hear an excited little boy, two happy grown ups, and the sounds of some furry creatures running around? What exactly are those furry guys? Whoever you are, I'm in here growing and very excited to meet you! I was happy you could hear my heartbeat on Monday, I tried to stay very still so you could watch it beat!! I know Dad heard it cuz he had tears rolling down his face and so did Mom (I had a friend on the outside who told me... ;)

Well I can't wait to grow enough to come out and meet everyone, in the meantime I'll just be floating around and dreaming of my new life. AND wondering why those furry creatures let their tongues hang out??? That seems a little weird? :)

Love,
Baby

Our Backyard Oasis!!

We have been SO LUCKY!! I can't believe this is our backyard. It really turned out very nice and Dan can take all the credit. He designed and made sure everything was just like we wanted. It looks like a park back there!! Come by and visit us!!! Don't forget your bathing suit and towel!!

Dan's Off Training!!!

We Won!!!

The only station I get at work is 104.3 MYFM.... today I was listening and they said "Call now to be the 104th caller and win a 2 night stay at The Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas!" I WAS THE 104TH CALLER!! I was so nervous when the DJ asked me what I was planning to do this weekend all I could say was... EAT! HaHa, if that is not a typical response from me I don't know what is!!! Then I remembered Matthew has a Championship basketball game tomorrow (small oversight) so I mentioned that and then the DJ asked me "How tall is your boy?" I said, "Um... I don't know!!" HaHa I was delirious and my hands were shaking!
It had been a long time since I had won something on the radio, in 1997 I won $10,000 from KOST by being the 10th caller for "The song of the Day" While that was AWESOME, I have also won a years gym membership, amusement park tickets, and a $50 Thanksgiving Dinner grocery card!! That goes to show that you can win you just have to make the calls!!
So for those of you who want to come to LAS VEGAS and enjoy a free concert with Matt Nathanson and free tickets to the Beach Party, you have to be the 104th caller at 7am, 11am, 3pm, and 7pm!!! Here is the number 866-544-6936

Good Luck!

One year ago ...

They say time flies when you are having fun.... the past 8 years have been wonderful, filled with so many memories and good times that I'd have to say they are a blur to make that true. But I'd like to think I've held on to each and every single moment with love, excitement, gratitude and treasure each of my memories with you like a precious stone... You truly are my better half. You makes me laugh, smile and I can't wait to get home to you each and everyday. I respect you, I trust you and love you with all my heart. I've loved the life you've shown me and the life we continue to build.... It touched my heart this weekend when you told me (as we listened to Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen...) that you have always lived your life in "The Glory Days.." and you haven't stopped! It makes me feel good that you haven't stopped loving life and continue to dream alongside me... the luckiest girl in the world!!
Sooo..... this weekend as we celebrate our one year wedding anniversary, I look forward to many, many more together. I loved our wedding and I love you... It was a perfect day and I wish we could do it all over again. It was the happiest day of my life and I look forward to going back this weekend and re-living the glorious event in "Our town..." ;)

Remembering My Promise to you.....
Just when I thought that believing in fairytales was something I had to let go of, you walked in my door... You have not only brought back the little girl in me but you filled the hole in my heart... With you, I am a stronger woman, a better mother and the happiest I have ever been...
Dan, you are my best friend. You understand me better than even I do at times. No one can unscramble my words better than you!! ;)
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t know you are everything I need. And at this moment, I know all my prayers have been answered, and my dreams just beginning to come true. I thank God for you.
From this day forward, you will not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.
I love you enough to fight for you, compromise and sacrifice for you, enough to miss you incredibly when we are apart, enough to believe in our relationship to stand by it through the worst of times, to have faith in our strengths as a couple and to never give up on us.
The pureness of your heart was the softest place for my soul to rest. You place value in all the places that matter most. You encourage and inspire me to be the woman I am today.
Dan I want to spend eternity by your side, let me be the rock which you rest...
I will always be here to lend you the strength for all your dreams,
I promise to always know how to make you laugh!
To pick you up when you are down,
To smile and say “Welcome Home Daddy...”
I promise to be honest and open and to cherish each and every day as your confidant, your partner, and your friend...
I promise to always kiss you goodnight....
I will love you forever and never leave your side, I will walk beside you and never lose sight of the love we have built together, these are my promises and vows yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever....

Look at this Darling apron!!! My Best Friend Heidi's Mom has a Blog that I LOVE to look at. She is the most creative woman I know and has lots of great things to share!!! Anyway, I looked her up today and saw these darling aprons and I had to have one!!! They are absolutely Gorgeous and handmade too!!! I have my heart set on "Fresh Squeezed" for sure!!! I can't wait to get it!! Uh-oh, I am supposed to be starting a diet.... this is just another excuse to bake!!! :)

Take a look at her web-site.... http://www.apronmaven.blogspot.com/ I'm sure you will find something you LOVE too!!!

If this a dream please don't wake me.....

Catching up.....

It's been such a long time since my last post and I wanted to post a few pictures of our Summer so far.... I don't have pictures of Matthew's 5th Grade graduation, as I didn't realize my battery was dying so I am waiting for pictures from our neighbors.... He is playing basketball and doing awesome!!! His team has 5 wins and 1 loss.... It's so exciting to watch him play!! He has a cool new haircut you' see in his picture with Grandma. Dan is working hard and finally off training!! WooHoo! I'm here finding every and any second I can be swimming in our pool! Uncle Albert is back in California, getting ready to go back to work. He looks Awesome!!! His first day back we ate, ate , and ate and while him gaining 2.5 pounds was great for him... I'll be needing a new pair of work pants if this continues!!!!! :)


Here is Matthew recieveing a Student of the Month Award in June....

This is silly Brooke showing Dan what she had in her mouth!!



Matthew being bugged by the paparazzi!


Cousin Tommy graduating from Walnut High!!


Brooke loves her Uncle Dan!


Brooke sitting in Uncle Dan's old rocking chair!! Isn't it cool!?!?!?!



The whole family at Tommy's graduation...


Dan and I being silly....


Congratulating the Graduate!


The Roach Family....


Dan and Grandma this past weekend for my aunt Gloria's 50th!



Grandpa and Matthew... like his new haircut?????


Matthew and Brianna.....


Grandma and Grandpa...


Pool Fun....


As the Summer goes on, we find ourselves at a loss for words with all that we've been able to accomplish. We are always getting compliments about our home and how much people love to be here. Everyone is always welcome!
In reflecting, we have what we have because we have surrounded ourselves with good positive people all our lives who have influenced us to live the lives we do.... Those who have passed and thought nothing of our meeting probably don't even realize the impact they had or have in our lives today. Make it a point to put forth your best when coming in and out of peoples lives, that's what I tell Matthew.... One day you'll hope you can give back what you are given.....
Hope everyone is having a good Summer!!!!

Bring on the Sunshine!!!

With temperatures rising up to 110 degrees this weekend, we could not have asked for a better time for our pool to finally be done. I feel very blessed, a swimming pool has always been a dream for me. Friday night was the first night we grilled burgers and ate outside, following a family dip into the pool.... We were able to get the fire pit started too. Dan and I smiled at each other as we watched Matthew jump from every ledge possible.... We couldn't be happier! Stop by for a swim... ANYTIME!!

Early Lizard catches the worm????

HaHa! It's 2:50 and as I wait for my Monster to kick in, I thought I'd say Good Morning to all you sleepyheads!!!

GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!!

Have a Wonderful Day... :)

Our Magic Kingdom...

This is the view facing away from our house... Matthew's room and the Guest room are the lucky ones to be able to look out and see this dreamy sight... Dan calls it "Our Magic Kingdom..." I say it's "Fairyland" whatever you call it, it's so cool and mystic when the clouds creep over the foothills like this...

Because I am a little under the weather today, I spent most of the day reading in the guest room with the shutters open, revealing this special place.... I told myself that pretty soon the Hot Summers will bring in the smog and cover our special view, so I wanted to soak it all in for one last weekend.... ;) Isn't it like a dream????

Strength in Numbers...

I know my uncle could not have done it without you Curt, thank you for being the Rock he needed and will always need....

Taking a trip down Memory Lane...

I just finished looking through an old backpack of mine that had old pictures like this one Dan took while on vacation in Alaska... It also had tons and tons of letters, cards, receipts, newspaper clippings, and brochures from the first couple of years of Dan and I together... I had to call him to read him a few of the letters and walk him down memory lane with me... He always tells me "I loved you so much, it hurt my heart..." there was a song out by Sting around the time we first met, and because we were both trying to be careful with our lives and hearts that we tried very hard to keep our distance as much as possible and take things slow, (which turned out to be impossible) we knew we had a long road ahead of us but we both were willing to go through the rain together... Here are the words to the song, which still "Hurts my heart..."

I dream of rain

I dream of gardens in the desert sand

I wake in pain

I dream of love as time runs through my hand

I dream of fire

Those dreams are tied to a horse that will never tire

And in the flames

Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire

This desert rose

Each of her veils, a secret promise

This desert flower

No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this

And as she turns

This way she moves in the logic of all my dreams

This fire burns

I realize that nothing's as it seems

I dream of rain

I lift my gaze to empty skies above

I close my eyes, this rare perfume

Is the sweet intoxication of her love

Sweet desert rose

This memory of Eden haunts us all

This desert flower, this rare perfume

Is the sweet intoxication of the fall...

Good Pool News...

E-mail from GREG the Pool Contractor:

Just got back from Pool Engineering & the city of Fontana. They approved the new engineering & will not require us to tear down the grotto. There are structural details I have to change, but not as severe as yesterday. I really don’t want to hassle this anymore. The schedule will be as follows.

Tuesday – Demo gunite wall under grotto,
Wednesday – Frank to tie required steel
Thursday – Inspection ( Preplaster & Grotto )
Friday – Gunite Pool & Seat
Monday – Paint grotto
Tuesday – Pebble

No need to meet tomorrow – I have confirmed this schedule with all concerned

I will keep you all posted, Funny that I posted Dan's fight picture before this!! HaHa He's a big Chicken, Dan would not hurt a flea!! :)

Ummm, is that MY husband????

Not Empty Anymore!!

For the past 2 1/2 years, we have not had any furniture in our front room....

Anyone that walked in our front door was greeted to an empty hollow shell of a front room.

I swear it echoed as we greeted family and friends... (Hello, hello, hello.....) =)

We were blessed this past weekend to be able to find a few new pieces to begin to furnish the front room, so I let my "designer" hubby go to work! While I have to admit, it would not be my first choice of decor' as I am a bit "girly" in my taste, I have allowed him to take the lead as he has a great eye for decorating. It's weird to walk into the room, I am so used to it being empty... Just wanted to share our new scenery!

Chicken Noodle Soup and the Rain...

It's Raining outside.... Memorial Weekend, who would have thought???
One of my best childhood memories was coming home from the 2nd grade and my Dad had re-arranged the living room to a theatre for us to watch the rain... The couch was facing the front window, the curtains wide open... He had warm blankets and cool pillows all ready for my brother and I to sit and watch the rain pour down. I can remember this rain was really heavy and the trash cans from the neighbors periodically passed the window, and the gutter could barely hold all the water that came pouring in. The BEST part was as we sat there he brought two bowls of Campbells Chicken Noodle Soup with Saltine crackers!! Yummy!
So today as I opened the shutters to watch the rain fall, I thought of that special memory... Thanks Dad!




P.S. Looked for some Chicken Noodle in my pantry.. =( We are out!

Growing up in the Mid-West...

Dan tells so many vivid tales of him growing up in Iowa... He paints a fantastic, fun picture of a good wholesome upbringing. Anyone that listens to his stories of Iowa walk away not only with a clear picture of him running around all hours of the day with nothing but a pair of shorts, but also with a longing to have been there or at least visit all the old stomping grounds. .....

Mom sent some pictures of the house Dan grew up in in Alton, I think it's so cool that there are pictures of all the years...
Matthew would give away his most prized possesion to be able to do the things Dan has told him about!!
Dan misses Alton and the Good ol' Days, I'm so glad none of those Alton girls were able to steal his heart before me!!! :)

Pool Update:

Well... EVERYONE, (including us) has the same question:
When is the Pool gonna be done? And while I wish I had some good news, I don't. The whole delay boils down to our contractor DID NOT have a clear picture of what Dan envisioned for the pool. He wanted a ledge out over the spa that created a waterfall with a place underneath for the kids to sit or stand under to have the water cascade over them. Well, the spa ledge was built too close to the water level so instead of having to raise the spa after all the plumbing had been set, THEY chose to build us a Grotto. A Grotto that was never in the plans and the city did not approve. So for weeks Greg has promised that it was all going to be resolved and that he had it "under control" and apparently he did not. After many attempts to "politely" request any update possible, it has come down to this conversation below:

P.S. Being that Greg told Dan "You scare me" I have been doing most of the communicating in order to not intimidate this grown man... A lot of good that has done right?

Greg (Pool contractor) said:

I will be tearing the grotto down ASAP. It wont fly. Just very disappointed as to what went on in the field. Guess I just did not get what you wanted at the contract table. That is a rare situation. Whatever it takes at this point will be done. I am totally burnt out with this. Thanks Greg
Dan responded:
We are also disappointed in what has taken place. The grotto will be torn down and rebuilt? Is that the plan? We were very happy with the look and design of the grotto, just not the color as of yet. What are we looking at as far as a time table?
Greg responds:
We need to meet. That’s all I will say at this point. Thanks Greg
I say:
Greg,

To say that I am disappointed would be a HUGE understatement... And while telling you isn't going to make the situation any better, I felt I had to at least share my feelings as a consumer. If you are burnt out by it all can you imagine us??? We, or at least I feel completely powerless. Regardless of the misunderstanding, it is what it is and what needs to be done now is to get on this like you said, ASAP. With that said, I am requesting we meet tomorrow, and not put this off any longer than we already have. Whatever else is scheduled is not important, as we should have the priority now since it has been so long. Please don't let this week slip away and nothing get done, all it does is delay the project even longer and fuel the frustration fire. I know Dan e-mailed you already, but I just feel that we have not got the service we deserve for the amount of money we've have paid. Please Greg, I've been as patient as I can, tolerating the non-returned calls, and the no-shows, and all I ask is that we get this back on track with the drive and attention it received at the start. Please respond with a time for tomorrow.
Suzie

So... I am so sad. =( The excitement and anticipation has been so intense I can't explain it! It is my childhood dream to have a pool of my own and this just breaks my heart... I know things could be much worse, but for this moment I am engulfed in self pity. =( Poor me. Anyway, just wanted to share my afternoon... Someday we will have our swimming pool...someday.

Missing the Family...

It's almost creeping up on our One Year Anniversary and this time of year brings back so many floods of emotions... I can remember planning all the festivities for the wedding and being so excited about having all the family down to be a part of it all! It was a great feeling to know everyone would be together and planning everything we would do was the best part!! Now that the time has come and gone, we are missing the family... It meant so much to us to have you all so close, living so far away from each other is hard!! The kids all growing so fast... :( So, we just wanted to say that we think of everyone often and miss you so, so much!!