old home videos

My mom sent the girls a package full of Valentine goodies today. The candy is great, but the best part of the package was 6 DVDs- these are old home videos that my mom so kindly transfered onto a DVD from a VHS for me. I am currently watching Thanksgiving 88- from out at the Carns house........ Aunt Roberta and Uncle Bob's house. This was when they lived out in Carrolls. These house was always full, loud, happy, warmed by the fireplace, and always smelled of yummy food. Lots of fun people would always gather there. During the first part of the video, Monopoly was being played, but now it is Win Lose Or Draw, in the living room... everyone yelling... man, I love these memories. My family is amazing. Not everyone is perfect, but when I think of being twelve and hanging out at that house, I have nothing but great memories to think about. Lots of teasing going on, lots of joking, and again... lots of food and noise. I can literally "smell" the memories of that house. I remember going out there with my family after a Friday night Kelso High football game... my parents would usually all sit around talking and I would end up curling up with a big blanket and would soon fall asleep. I am so thankful for this reminder, for this DVD that I can keep forever. I feel overwhelmed a bit by the reminder of just how great of a family I have..... great aunts and uncles, cousins, and parents. Thank God for awesome family.

These kind of abs don't come for free!

Oh Jillian Michaels, how I love to hate you. I have this DVD- it literally kicks my butt (and hopefully will shrink it a bit too). I actually think this is the best workout video I have ever done. It has three levels, all twenty minutes each. Twenty minutes is nice... it is doable. It is not 90 never ending minutes of torture. Don't get me wrong, it is not easy, but I know I can do it. I do not know how the people on Biggest Loser, who are 400 plus pounds, actually work out for hours and hours with this lady. Amazing. So, if you are looking for a good workout that is effective, challenging, yet doable, this is it! $10 at Walmart.

The Olympics have begun. My girls love it... we all went to bed last night, laying in our room, tv on, watching men's speed skating. Nevaeh was certain that gymnastics would be a part of the Olympics and when I had to break it to her that it was the winter Olympics- and that gymnastics was not a part of it- she was irritated.... but only for a second. Now she loves watching. It is fun to watch. Athletes are amazing. Dedicated. Push themselves. So inspiring to hear the stories of their dedication.

the boy I could not live without

Since Valentine's Day is tomorrow, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the love of my life. I fell in love with Joel many many years ago. I first met him at church. My family began going to New Life, which was his dad's church at the time. I hated the church at first, cried every time we had to go, and wanted nothing more than to just stay at the church we had been at my entire life. I quickly realized that my parents had made up their minds and decided to just make the most of this new place. I started making friends, went to youth camp... and that is where it all began. By the end of the week at camp, Joel had become my "date" for the banquet. The only thing I remember about that banquet was that the milk I had been served at dinner was completely sour. Sick. Soon after camp, Joel became my boyfriend. I was in seventh grade at the time. This went on for, I believe, about six months until the jerk broke my heart and broke up with me. I still remember the phone call.... you could say I was somewhat obsessed. Life went on. I dated others, but always thought about Joel every time I heard a sad song on the radio.... this is almost embarrassing to write..... but it is the truth. There was something about this boy..... I liked him... a lot. Time passed. We remained somewhat friends but our lives began to be very different. I was just a good ol girl but he took a different path. We talked some through high school.. and then I went off to Tennessee to go to college. During my first year there, I had heard that he had moved to California.... and was not doing well. I decided to contact him. He was strung out on drugs, selling drugs, etc. We began talking again... he decided to clean up his life.... and then joined me at college during my second semester. Things were okay. We dated... and broke up... dated... and broke up... and so on.... but then.... we dated one last time and then married on June 18, 1999. Life was good.... then was hard for a bit... but now is fantastic. There has always been something about Joel Isaac Mathews that I just fell in love with.... he was the man I could not ever live without.
Now many moves and two kids later..... here we are... loving each other better than ever. Love can be a great thing. I firmly believe that love is not that giddy feeling..... it is a choice. It is hard, tough, and not always perfect. It is being able to accept one another exactly the way they are. I am thankful for him everyday. He makes me laugh, he plays air drums like no other, and his butt is pretty cute. :)

Spring cleaning? with snow on the ground?

Today is Saturday... Joel is working... kids are playing, being lazy, and watching tv. I had the choice of either reading, being lazy, or cleaning.... really cleaning! Like- cleaning out closets, throwing junk away, etc. I chose to clean. Half way into it I am pretty sure I am an idiot- but hey, it would be worth it when I am done, right? So, to get my butt in gear, I turned on Tobymac (actually downloaded his new CD from itunes.... and needless to say- totally got me in the mood. He is great. Talented, great lyrics, and fun. In fact, my kids love him so much- we are hoping to take them to see him sometime soon. Anyways, I better get back to cleaning... and get back to Tobymac.

Arizona... and a few random thoughts.

We are back from the nice weather, palm tress, and lazy days. Back to reality of cooking, cleaning, and SNOW. Lots of snow, might I add.... and possibly more to come. Our trip was good. I started every morning out with a jog... fantastic. Then the girls played at the park, on their scooters, and swam at the pool. They were active every day and went to sleep within minutes of hitting the pillow. Our last day there, I enjoyed two hours at a spa... a massage, a pedicure, and a manicure. Heaven! I feel like on trips.... like plane rides for example... give me way too much time to think... so here goes.....

* I hate it when people are rude. For no good reason. Just to be rude. I am amazed how these kind of people make it through life without getting their head bashed in.

* bad choices cannot be referred to as "bad luck".... sorry, but that is two completely different things.

*my girls make my life better and every day and every moment is a chance for me to teach them something.... about life. Something that will help them grow up to be responsible adults who make good decisions.

*do you think there is a time when you do not want to do something... but you should... simply because others would like you to? For example, something simple like eating at Taco Bell. If you did not want to go to Taco Bell, but everyone else did, would you suck it up and go, or would you refuse. Is that being selfish if you do not go or is it living free from doing something you do not want to do? I have my thoughts, what are yours?

*I loved the weather in Arizona but do not want to live there. I love the seasons... and would miss them too much.

*Sometimes I feel I am too passionate about things. I feel it might get me in trouble one of these days.

We have been in Arizona for the last week... heading back to Cincy today... where an endless amount of snow if falling..... ugh. Pictures from our trip will follow in the days to come.. when I am snowed in and have nothing better to do. As for now, I am going to go outside and soak up as much vitamin D as I can.