When I grow up......

When I grow up I want to be a professional freestyle motorcrosser for three reasons.

First, I want to be a professional freestyle motorcrosser because it is something not alot of people can do. It is something that I love to do for fun. I enjoy riding dirtbikes because some dirtbikes are fast. One time I went too fast. Dirtbikes are just awesome.

Next, I want to be a professional freestyle motorcrosser because it would be fun to have a bunch of fans. I would talk to my fans and sign autographs. Plus I am a nice person. One of the things it takes to be a professional freestyle motorcrosser is to be a social person. It would be cool to have more friends.

Last, I want to be a professional freestyle motorcrosser because I would get paid good money. I woul dbe in shows all around the world. With my leftover moeny after bills, I would buy new dirtbikes and after that I wold donate it to pets, kids with cancer, and the homeless shelter. When Im not riding dirtbikes I would be a mechanic.

In conclusion, that is what I want to be when I grow up. FYI: All photos courtesy of "moms camera productions". Professional FMX rider is Kenny Steinke.

Eat...Sleep...Breathe...DIRTBIKES

Yep...this is what our January and February consisted of. Early school days, Fridays, Saturdays and yes most Sundays my family was out at Camp Keith(aka Keith Langfelder a long time family friends dirt bike track). Trevor was all about dirtbikes....even dedicated a school project to the hobby.

Where do I start???

I ask myself this....where to start after no blogging for what seems like eons? I love to blog, write, journal or whatever you want to call it. Unfortuantly the time just has not been there for me to do a lot of the things that I love so instead of blogging, enjoying my time with my family is what I have been up to. I would like to bring everyone up to speed on things that have been going on so I will do so here in a short catch you up blog.

The last time I recall blogging was November 2011, but prior to that...hum prior to that I have no clue when was the last time I really blogged. So we will just start with November 2011.

November 2011: November is always such a busy busy month and then before we know it, it is New Years. We always start the month with Trevor's birthday. He turned 9 this year (sheesh...I have a 9 year old...I blinked..literally and he is a big boy) and we celebrated with a small bday party and sleepover.

Then about 2 weeks later and it was time to celebrated our little princesses 3rd birthday. Another birthday that came out of no where. I promise I am present in these childrens lives however time is just passing me right up! For Eme Shimmee we had 2 parties, a small party with Jessie, Jasmine and Austin during the week since they would not be in town the day of her actually birthday. Then on her actually birthday Grandma, Papa and uncle Mike came over to celebrate.

December 2011: Nana and Gdad came to visit. It was the first time in I dont know when that Gdad was able to take a full 2 weeks vacation for Christmas. We definitely took advantage of the time they were here. We went to Bass Pro Shops to see Santa, but the line to see him was around the whole store and would of taken forever so we decided to just look around the store.

The day after we went to Bass Pro Shops we went over to Disney World and saw the Giant Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian Hotel. I would of loved to stayed there longer and looked around, but our schedule was tight as we were trying to get to MGM Studios for the Osborne Spectacle of Lights which believe it or not I didnt get one photo of!

After these 2 outings we took it easy and just enjoyed lounging at the pool, having bbq's and spending family time together. Before we knew it it was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The kids were spoiled rotten as there are most years when both sets of grandparents are here for Christmas. This year though was somewhat different. In November Trevor began riding dirtbikes and it quickly became an obsession. A welcomed obsession as I wanted for him to have something to channel his boyhood through. He plays sports and such, but I felt he needed another outlet. We looked for a month and then found him a nice sized dirtbike that was exceptionally clean and well taken care of. We purchased it and stored the bike in Mary and Robert's shed. Trevor was not expecting to get the dirtbike as we made it clear we could not afford such an extravagent gift for Christmas...teehee..all the while we knew he was getting it! Christmas Eve rolled around and Steve and I could not wait another day to let him have it. So we wrapped a toy dirtbike that looked exactly like his Honda. When he opened the toy and had a stunned look on his face, Steve tossed the keys to his dirtbike to him. He caught the keys and could barely catch his breath. He ran out the backdoor to the backyard and jumped right on the bike and started it up. We definitely had him fooled. What a proud little boy he was and still is to this day! It felt good to provide our son with something he felt was a little far fetched for him to get!

Oh and dont worry....Eme was spoiled by the grandparents as well. Nana and Gdad bought her her first dollhouse complete with furniture. Grandma and Papa bought her Cinderella's castle also complete with all the Prince and Princesses.

As always when my parents are here to visit we tend to keep New Years low key. Which is fine by me. We had Mary, Robert and Mike over for a bbq and we played games. We didnt make it to the countdown and were all fast asleep at the stroke of midnight. Gdad flew back home on New Years Day so staying up late wasnt an option anyways. Overall the holidays were nice and stress free. As usual the weather was crazy and it felt more like it was spring than winter. With all the festivities it did seem to fly by and here we are in 2012.

Just Me- Amber Joy

**DAISIES**-They were in my wedding bouquet and I also have a tattoo of daisies on my shoulder.**

**FIREFLIES**

**DANCING**

**IN TOUCH MAGAZINES**-I am a sucker for gossip on a celebrity**

**2006 FORD MUSTANGS**-I love to hear that motor purr**

**HUGS AND KISSES**- I love cuddling with my babies!**

**SLEEPING**-I love crawling into clean sheets and snuggling up next to my husbands warm skin**

**TRAVEL**-I would love to go to Italy. But anywhere will do**

**PHOTOGRAPHY**

**MEXICAN FOOD**-YUMMY! Bring on the nachos**

**ROLLERSKATING**-My daddy and I used to go rollerskating when I was a little girl**

**KOBE STEAKHOUSE**

**MUSIC**-I like a little bit of everything**

**RAINY NIGHTS**-The smell right when it starts to rain is the best**

**MARILYN MONROE**-She intrigues me**

**CANDLES**-Scents can take you back to memories forgotten**

**A CLEAN HOUSE**-I love the way my house smells when its clean. It usually doesnt stay clean long**

**BOXERS**-The best dog a family can have. You have not owned a dog till you had a boxer.**

**READING**

**GOTHIC**-Yes one would not expect this from me, but I do like things a little dark.**

**MY FRIENDS**- I value each and every one of my friendships. You are all exceptionally special to me**

**KAROKE**-Only do this when I have had a few drinks**

**EXERCISE**-Yoga or Cycling anyone?!**

**PINA COLADAS**

**SIESTA KEY**-The best beach in Florida!**

**FAMILY**-I love to spend time with my family. We have so much fun together**

**LAUGHING TILL IT HURTS**-A good laugh is great for your soul.I like to laugh so hard that I can barely catch my breath**

**RAIN PUDDLES**-Jumping in them are the most fun**

**4-WHEELING**

**BEING WITH TREVOR**- Any time we are together!**

**$MONEY$**-gotta support the shopping habit**

**BIRTHDAYS**-I love to celebrate my birthday and Trevors.Growing up birthdays were a big deal**
**HOT AIR BALLOONS**- When I was a little girl we used to go watch the hot air balloon festivals in town. Its awesome to watch them take off**

**MY HUSBAND**-I love being alone with him. I love our date nights and the times that we can talk. He is an amazing husband and father!**

**PLAYING WII**-Its the most fun on game night with Steve and Trevor.**

**FALL**- Probably my favorite season. I love when the leaves start falling and the weather is a little cooler.**

**CRAFTING**- Whether it be scrapbooking or making hairbows....I love doing crafts. To see what you can accomplish with a few pieces of paper, ribbon and some glue is an amazing feeling.**

**BLOGGING**- When I sit down to blog, I dont know what comes over me. The words just flow. I may not always spell correctly and I know my grammar is not so great either, but who cares....This is ME!**

Breath It In

 
That was the advice for my sister on her wedding day.  As I walked her to the spot she would wait for our dad to walk her down the aisle, those were the words I told her.  It was something no one told me on that special day.  I was engulfed in the excitement of the day. Once it was over I took a deep breath and it hit me.  That was it.  A year of planning, several dress fittings, a shower, some parties and I was waking up in our honeymoon suite wondering what just happened. 

    This advice doesnt just apply on your wedding day, but to everything in life.  Even when you try to savor every little minute, when it is all said and done you still wish you could go back and do it again.

    The whole week of my sister's wedding I couldnt believe the time had come.  To me my sister was still that little girl being silly and doing goofy things.  The little girl who tagged a long behind me wanting to be just like her big sister.

  Now she was getting married and the next day wouldnt just be my little sister, but Michael's wife.  As my Dad walked her down the isle it hit me that just around the corner, in the blink of an eye everything changes.  No matter how we breath it in the moment will come and pass. 

Its Our 10th Anniversary!!!

Its amazing how the last 10 years have just flown by.  Is it cause we have been having so much fun with our babies, we are caught up in everyday life or time does just fly by?  Whatever it is, one thing is forsure these have been the best 10 years of my life.

No one ever said that marriage would be hard work.  But as so many of our friends around us have gotten divorces or split up, I am realizing that it is truely incredible that we have made it this far.  I look back at the road blocks and hurdles we have had to overcome to make it this far and I am in awe of how far we have come. Here are some vows that we make sure of to keep our marriage growing strong. Sometimes we need to be reminded of them, but for the most part this is what has kept us together.

1). Forgiveness.  Forgive and move on. Nothing will damage a marriage more than holding onto an old hurt. Everyone makes mistakes. Move on.

2). Compromise-This is a hard one to remember, but you have to compromise on things. Whether it be what movie you see on date night to parenting your children. You may not always see eye to eye and thats okay.

3). Never go to bed angry. This is one that I walked into this marriage with and will probably always be at the top of my list. I doesnt feel good to wake up the next morning knowing that a disagreement isnt resolved.

4). Date night alone at least once a month. This one is hard being that we have 2 little ones at home. Gesh we feel bad leaving Trevor at home tonight and not taking him with us. He really wants to tag along.

5). Listen to your spouse.  It isnt always easy and sometimes their stories may not interest you, but at least he is coming to talk to you.  When he stops talking, that is when you should start worrying.

6). Go to bed together even if you are not tired.  This is another one that is hard to do cause we are not always tired at the same time. We at least try to go to bed for the majority of the time together.

7). Enjoy each others hobbies together. Another one that is hard especially when your hubby likes motorcycles and you like crafts, but let me tell you what.  We had the most fun rebuilding a Harley together and I loved when Steve sat down at Christmas and made crafts with the kids and I.

8). Its okay to disagree and sometimes you have to agree to disagree. 

9). Dont leave the house without saying I love you. It may very well be the last time you see each other. A motorcycle accident taught me that one.

10). Have time for yourself.  Sometimes the best recharge is when you get some alone time. If you dont take care of yourself, how can you take care of your family and your marriage.

Induction Day

November 7: We were scheduled for an induction due to the gestational diabetes and the dr was worried about the size of the baby. I was scheduled for the induction at 6am.  I didnt know really what to expect other than I was going to the hospital and the induction would be started to get my labor going. The nurses administered 2 ivs which I hated. I felt like I had to be so carefull not to pull them out and boy did it hurt getting them put in. One iv was for fluids and the other was for the insulin just to keep my blood sugars under control. Dr. R wanted to do the gel pill induction before pitocin because I wasnt dilated and my cervix wasnt ripe yet. The way that the gel pill worked is the pill was inserted behind my cervix. Only 1 pill could be inserted every 4 hours. Talk about a long process.  I did not want to be couped up in a hospital bed so we walked around the L & D ward. I was not dilated at all! After 5 pills at 12am on the 8th of November I was only 1-2cm.

November 8: 12am....Dr R had just broke my bag of waters which was a very weird experience in its self and immediately brought on some pretty uncomfortable contractions. Imagine being able to breath comfortably and then it hits you like a ton of bricks.  It was too early for the epidural and I was so tired so the nurses were able to give me a small dosage of demerol which knocked me on my butt. I was out of it. It was almost as if I could hear everyone around me, but I could not respond. Not a great feeling, but I slept.

 Next thing I knew it was 7am and the demerol was not working what so ever. My contractions were at a pain level of 9 and I was dilated to about a 5. The epidural was the only thing on my mind. The anethesiologist finally got there and he had some trouble getting the epidural cath in my spinal column. Finally he got it and like magic all the pain was gone and I went right back to sleep.

About 9:40am the nurse came in to turn me over and she decided to check me. She could see Trevor's head and told me not to sneeze, breathe or move. If I did, I would have the baby on my own. I was slightly panicked as Steve had just left to go home to get the camera. My inlaws ran downstairs to get him. Dr R almost didnt make it. He was at the Kissimmee office and I was about 20 minutes away. He made it in 10 minutes. The room was full of so many people for Trevor's birthday. Since I was a gestational diabetic and there was some concern over Trevor's blood sugars, the nursery brought in 3 nurses. My nurse asked if I minded 3 female students to watch the birth. I didnt much care at that point. Then at my head was Steve and to his right were the camcorder on a tripod and my mom and Steves mom. The deal was they could be in there, but had to stay behind me.

Dr R came in got his gear on, they got me all ready and he said when I tell you to push I want you to push really good. I seriously couldnt feel a thing. I was so numb. When he said push push push push push, I just did even though I could feel anything. I pushed 5 times and that was all it took to bring our little man into the world. At 10:18am on November 8th, 2002 Dr R held him up, let Steve cut the cord and then Trevor was passed over to the nursery nurses. He cried a lot and the whole time and I was thinking, JUST GIVE ME MY BABY! I wanted to hold him and see him. He had been a part of me for 9 months. Those few minutes seemed like eternity. Then they passed him to me and I fell in love. He wimpered a little, but for the most part was very quiet once he was placed in my arms. I remember looking up at Steve in amazement that we made this perfect little person. Trevor's testing wasnt done and his blood sugars were dropping so he was taken to the nursery.

When they brought him back to me the first thing I did was strip his clothes off. I wanted to count his toes and see whose feet he had. I wanted to take in every single inch of his little body. It may sound weird, but I couldnt wait to know every inch of him. He smelled so perfect. Even before his first bath he smelled just like a baby. He had dark hair and a beautiful complexion. The one thing we could not get over is the fact that he  had HUGE hunds. He got his hands from the Joy side of the family for sure.  We had many visitors that first day. Being that he was the first grandchild the grandparents couldnt get enough of him.

I could of not have asked for a better experience. My mom asked me if I could do it all again the next day and I remember telling her heck ya. It was a breeze. I just thanked God that our baby was born healthy. We were finally our own little family.