Back On The Boat

This past week Z and I took our traditional trip to UB's house for the 4th of July.  This trip we do every year, but this time it was extra special because we got to see my cousin Mandy and her daughter Aleah. They traveled up from Miami to get some family time. We missed Claudio, Mandy's husband, on the trip, but we sure did take lots of pictures for him to see and made lots of memories.

UB, me, & Z hanging on the sail boat. What a great way to spend a 95 degree day. Nothing like relaxing on Lake Michigan, sailing.

Z& I (traditional couple shot, I know)



Aleah!! She was such a sweet young lady! She loved playing in the water and chasing Baxter.

Baxter and Aleah... they were attached to each other the whole weekend. Two peas in a pod!

A picture before we go

Me, Aleah, & Mandy (my cousin... we miss you Claudio in this picture!)

Visit with Bob

This past week, Z & I went to Wisconsin to visit with Uncle Bob. As you know from previous blogs we make it a tradition to go to Uncle Bob's over 4th of July weekend, but we decided to make a fall visit as well. We had a great time playing games, a walk through the art museum, and a day at the zoo.
I am so thankful for the family I have, and that we are all pretty close (besides my sister) to be able to get visits like this in. I am so thankful for Uncle Bob and his tender and kind heart. I enjoy every visit we can. He is an incredible person!
Thanks Uncle Bob for everything!

Baby Love!

No, she isn't mine but I just have to share this little doll with you all. This is Aleah Teresa. Mandy, my cousin, and her wonderful husband Claudio (see family picture below) welcomed this little bundle of joy into the world this month. She is so precious, and I am sure Uncle Bob is a gushing grandpa. I wonder if he has made a brag book yet?!? Anyways, this is just so excited and just fun to think about as Z and I are hoping to have a family in the future.

It is crazy to think we are old enough for this parenting stuff. I remember with Mandy, my sister, and I would put on dog and horse shoes at family gatherings to keep entertained. Now that Mandy and Claudio have there new addition, it is fun to think about how now at our family get-to-gethers, our children will be putting on dog and horse shoes for us. So weird, but so cool!



Congrats Mandy and Claudio! What a great gift of a child. I will be praying for you guys, and I cannot wait to hear about Aleah and meet her soon (hopefully)!

Come Sail Away...

Wow, it has been WAY to long since I have taken the time to write. As Z and I said last night, there is a new "b" word in our house and it is "BUSY!" With Z doing his masters, teaching summer school, and everything in between he is busy. I am on overload with work and extra activities as well. Needless to say we were in need of a break.

It has become a tradition that we go to UB's (Uncle Bob's) house for the 4th of July, and this year Z and I carried the tradition. We even took a couple of extra days to spend time with UB and relax and get a quality visit in. I love my uncle so much. He is an incredibly giving and humble individual. I am so thankful that I have him in my life!!

UB's passion is sailing. He has a wonderful sailboat on Lake Michigan. We could not have asked for better weather. By looking at the pictures you would have no idea that it was a 90 degree day when we left the harbor everyday, but it was PERFECT out on the lake. I could have been more happy. I had my two best guys by my side. I was one lucky girl. Anyways, here are so pictures of our adventures on the boat one afternoon:

We had a great time, and I cannot wait until Zack and I get back to see UB and do some more sailing. Ireally enjoyed learning a lot about sailing this trip, and I hope that I can learn more and who knows... maybe some day I can take UB sailing!!

Recap of the holiday season

This holiday season was bittersweet. So great to see the family that we did, but oh how we miss Sam. Every moment of the holidays there were constant reminders of him. I guess that is how it will always be. It has been an adjustment getting to a new "normal" since the accident. I keep telling myself I don't have to like it, but just know that it is all in God's plan.


My husband and I have been real searching and getting into the Bible during this time. I think it has challenged us and changed us. I don't think that... I know it. Just yesterday I read a great verse:

"Whoever seeks to preserve this life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it"

Luke 17:33

This has been speaking to me so much. Last night I just laid in bed for a longtime thinking of it. Things of this earth do not matter. Why worry about my clothes, if I am the best knitter/crocheter person, or if I am liked by others. The only thing that matters is that I glorify God and work for his purpose. My challenge has been to reach out to others and challenge them as well. It has been hard to get out of my comfort zone, but oh how I am finding confidence in God!

Anyways... this is supposed to be a recap of the holdiays...lol. I guess I had to just get that off my chest. We hosted our first Christmas Eve at our new house this year. It was a quiet one as some members of our family couldn't make it, but Uncle B and my parents where here. It was so fun to eat ham, watch "Polar Express," and just visit. I love my uncle so much. He is such a kindhearted man. I wish in the past that I got to spend more time with him, but I guess I can change that now. I love my family... I really do. I know we all have our funny things and wierd habbits, but there is nothing like being in a room of people that love you unconditionally. I am so blessed to have them in my life. I am so blessed with each day I get to spend with them... especially at Christmas.

During the holidays I did a lot of projects and crafty things. If you are interested in seeing some of them please visit the page tittled "Knots of Love." I know I am not the best, but a lot of these were gifts and I LOVE making homemade gifts. I pray and think of each person while I am doing it, and I just don't think people give the gift of time anymore.... I want to do that.

This is getting long so I will sign off, but I do want to say that Valentine's Day cookies are coming up YaYa and hopefully more projects. I cannot wait to share them with you.

The 4th of July

It has become a tradition for Z and I to enjoy a short trip down to Milwaukee, WI to visit with my uncle... also known as UB! He is such a generous man and would do anything for anyone.... especially his family. It has been so fun to look back on pictures and see everything that UB has been a part of in my life. Memories like high school graduations, weddings, crazy monopoly games, and even just a simple visit over a weekend to see a production that my mom is a part of.

This weekend was special even if the traditional monopoly game was not played. It just was time where all of us could relax and enjoy each other. It was a little different this year as some family members are no longer with us or present, but it did not keep us from having a good time. We celebrated by going sailing on Lake Michigan, watching fireworks, and participating in the most amazing food in WI!

As we celebrated as a family I realized, once again, how precious the gift of family can be. How fortunate we are that we can get together. How some families celebrate without loved ones because they are currently in the service or have lost loved ones due to their duties. I just want to say thanks to the men and women that serve that allow this precious gift of time and family to be enjoyed by many...including me.