A Happy 13th Wedding Anniversary


Goodness this husband of mine for 13 years can be a little boring at times! I thought it would be nice to go out Friday or Saturday night with some close friends of ours to welcome them in our celebration of our wedding anniversary …. He (the husband) said no. I thought he wanted to do something – anything just to get out of the house and mingle with other people. Guess not – LOL
Now usually, I like the idea of just me and him, going for dinner and coming home; but I am not going to get a babysitter to just to go for dinner – the kids can come with us to dinner if that is all we are going to do. Friday the kids have school and we will pretty much be alone for 7 hours to do as we please. We will probably go to the gym, have some smoothies, come home and have “marital relations”, sleep, and go out for dinner with the kids. Maybe even go see a movie (aliens vs. monsters). And that sounds good to me. I just want to know if he does want to do anything, he needs to let me know by 10pm tonight! Yes, I am a planner. I hate making last minute plans.
He is a man, and men can just plan stuff when they want –women on the other hand, need a couple of days in advance to get a Sitter, plan our wardrobe and figure out if we need to do a little shopping, make a hair appointment, make sure we have all make up products available, shave …… and the list goes on!
Men on the other hand will get a phone call and on the other end the person will ask “what you got going on tonight?” And they reply, “nothing – want to go out?” That’s the end of the conversation with the answer being “yeah, sure.” 5 minutes later they go out!
We have been married for 13 years – been together for 17 years (dated for 4) We are high school sweethearts, so he should know me by now! OMG – who am I kidding?!

Men are men, my husband is my husband and he will never change, and I love him for that.
The truth of the matter is, no matter how much we may disagree, cause each other headaches, or how much we are total opposites of each other (personality) I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Tonight at my daughter’s school band concert, I had to hold back my tears because I was so proud. She sat up straight in her chair, flute in hand, as I watch my first born child play in harmony with the other band members. I thought about the first time I held her in my arms – look at her now. Growing into a young lady of musical talent – I know it is only 6 months away before she will be entering middle school – only 5 years away before she will be entering into college. I look down at my baby girl, she seem to be proud of her sister too. She eagerly watches “her sister’s” band play in harmony and chime. She seem as if she was imaging herself in band soon. She looks up at me as to say “I’m next mom!”
My girls.
I always want to be there for them. To protect them from harm and the craziness in this world-but that would be impossible. They were already tainted when I gave birth to them. They were born into a world of sin. The only thing I can do is teach, encourage, and guide them to the right path. Ultimately, the choice is theirs.
We tell ourselves as parents, we will never be as strict as our parents -we would not do this or would not do that. Now that I am older and have children of my own, a lot of what my mother and father taught me, I consider it as a blessing today! All of their tactics or teachings I do not agree with, but the majority of what they taught me, I intend to pass down to my children. My parents taught me the importance of knowing Christ, the importunates of an education, hard work, and disciple. Nothing in this world will be handed to you – and so I install those values in my children. But, unlike my parents, I want them to be independent. I want them to make their own choices, but also know how to make wise choices, and give them the trust and freedom to do so. I want them to understand that I will not always be there when they need me, but God will. Ask him for help with any decision you need to make, with any difficulty you may have, and he will be there to answer your every call.
I want them to have the freedom and independence to be themselves. I want them to know how to trust others and love others as God love us. I want them to be able to see more then what is on the outside of a person – I want them to value people but most importantly themselves as a creation that has God made. I want them to understand, if you have nothing nice to say about a person, you should keep your distance and keep your mouth shut. If you must say something to relive yourself of stress or anguish, you should wait until you are in the comfort and protection of your own home. I want them to know, that words hurt – in the book of Matthew Jesus teaches us that it is not the food that we put in our mouths that defiles us, but it is the words that come out of our mouths that will defile us! I want my children to understand the value and hard work of a dollar but I also want them to understand how to save and manage their money, credit, and understand the importunates of budget planning. I want them to be the leader in their life – but know how to be a team player when the times come – and the knowledge to know the difference.
I’m nowhere near being a perfect mom – I have probably said something or done something that may screw one of them up for life – I may be too fussy, pushy, arrogant, and controlling – but when they are older I know for a fact that they will remember the words of their mother and father . I know, because I have remembered. The truth of the matter is ….. It was always up to me to listen. I always had a choice ~ as my children also have a choice.

Recently I have been a victim of identity theft. I have never been a victim before and yes, I was one of those people who thought, it could never happen to me. But it did. It happened because I was careless about my personal information, forms I completed, and personal items I may have left behind. I was not damaged financially, (like so many other victims of Identity Theft) but the misuse and abuse of my name has left me violated, hopeless, and confused. Who would do such a thing to another person? And of course it is almost always something petty. $50 loan here, $75 loan there, $300 loan in December... There has been several petty small online payday loans opened up in my name. I have tried to explain to the collectors (that keep calling me a thief and a lier) that the account that was closed, have never been own by me. Someone filled out an online application using my information but had the money deposited in their bank account that was supposedly mine. This could be easily corrected if the collectors would just investigate it themselves. It only takes one phone call to find out if that certain account has ever been owned, opened or closed by me. Now those petty small dollar payday loans are now totaling over $4,000 and counting! Someone wanted free money and found me as perfect target to do so.
I have filed complaints and filled out forms to my Local and State Attorney General Office, Reported to all 3 major credit companies, Written 11 cease and desist letters, and have made over 24 calls.
In these economic times, people are desperate and will do anything to obtain money. It's sad, unfortunate, and unethical. I WILL press charges when and IF they ever find out who is doing this.
The truth of the matter is, there are millions and millions of claims, (some false-some true) out there from consumers regarding Identity Theft and I have just added to the million and million of paper work and claims for the Attorney General. Like there is evil and good in the world-there will always be thieves and robbers looking for an easy target. All I can do is correct the situation the best way I can, rebuild, renew, and move forward. God put our eyes in front of us to look toward the future - not the past.

I'm so glad the holidays are over! I don't mean to sound like a humbug, but I am glad to be back on regular schedule. No more rushing here and there, no more baking and over eating, no more school concerts and under budgeting the grocery bill! No more whining family members along with their whining kids!!!! ( I was redeemed of this torcher!)

Yes! The hussel and bussel of the Holiday Season is over.

Now it's time to get back on track!

Time to loose the 5-15lbs we gained from eating Aunt Sherry's Famous Cherry and Chocolate Mouse Cheese Cakes, grandma Paul's Red Velvet Cake, and Uncle Jo's Smoked Ham! After all of the junk we stuffed ourselves with, a fresh grren salad sounds refreshing!

So now, we drag our heavier butts back to the gym huffing and puffing and determined to loose what we have gained- or to loose more than what we gained! How long does it last? Two months? Two weeks?

If we do find ourselves back on track, loosing the weight, eating right.... here comes our sweetheart with chocolates- Happy Valentines day! Instead of saying thank you and sending the candy to work and have our co-workers eat it- we devourer the whole darn box of chcolates and bottle of wine!

Oh yes, the Holidays are over! Let the relentless cycle start again!

Instead of bills, Welcomed Christmas Cards are now flowing into the mail box. Family and friends near and far is wishing us a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Some cards come with a family picture of the children- we celebrate with them as we gaze at how large their family has become over the past years. We see how happy the children look in the pictures- they are staged into a posed, and neatly dressed that compliment their smiles. The kids seem to be saying: “Hi! Long time no see!”
***********************************************
I love to see the updates of family and friends at the end of the year- Now, for the upcoming year we have faces that match the tiny voices on the other end. But still, our hearts become heavy because we wish so dearly to see them in person. Financial obligations, our family responsibilities, or job obligations sometimes hinder us from making the long trip to see our family and friends that we hold so dear in our hearts. As it may be, we are still so happy to see they are alive, happy, and still remember us. We will return the favor, by calling them on Christmas Morning to wish them Bountiful Joy, Endless Hope, Good Health and Prosperity for years to come!
I now, extend my wish to you and your family:
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!