CHRISTMAS ...... CARIBBEAN STYLE!!

Ahhhh.... what a nice way to spend Christmas. While I wouldn't do this every year, it was nice to get away and be in the hot sun for awhile. It is a holiday that both my boys will remember for many reasons. Here are some:


1. Austin getting sick (truly sick.... and still is sick). Although he enjoyed himself for the first 3 - 4 days, the last few really wore him out.



2. Collin being at that "magical" age of 5 and truly loved seeing all the characters. That age still holds the innocence of believing that the characters are real.


3. Collin jumping to me off the catamaran ( 20 ft. of water ) and him holding on for dear life as we swim ashore to the beach. I was swallowing more salt water and going under trying to get us to shore while he had a "death grip" around my neck. Felt like Tom Hanks in Castaway.


4. Watching my boys dance to island music on the catamaran and soak in the warm rays.


5. Spending an afternoon on Magen's Bay in St. Thomas. What a gorgeous place to be. Apparently, Michael Jordan owns a home over looking this beautiful spot.



With the exception of Austin getting sick, we had a really fun time. This trip was planned over 16 months ago, so it was great to finally enjoy the magical trip. I hope everyone else had a great Christmas, and I'm going to attach some pics from the trip. Oh, friends and family.... I will be sending out "New Year's" cards, for we were so rushed to get out of here for the cruise :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM US

It's almost been 5 years, that's so hard to believe. If I could send a letter to Jody, this is what it would read.

Our boys are doing great, and they are growing like weeds. I have a feeling that you are looking down and I hope you are pleased.

I've kept my promise to you, as I'm sure you can see. Not only am I involved with soccer, baseball, but now even Little League.

Austin has your charm, and your ability to talk. Collin is always asking about you, as you passed right before he began to walk. Please don't worry, Austin, Collin, and I are doing our best. However, it hasn't been the same since you left.

On Christmas Day this year, the boys and I will be on a cruise. We will be on a catamaran.... for we wanted to try something new. Please keep an eye on us and hold us close to your heart. Not a day goes by where you are not in our thoughts.

Merry Christmas Love!

p.s. I miss you

PIZZA ANYONE????

I'm still touched by the kindest gesture my friend did for the boys and I Friday evening. After going thru a nasty tooth extraction Thursday morning, I thought I would just bounce right back to my normal self. Not the case. I went to work on Friday and was basically miserable. The pain medication was making me sick to my stomach but if I didn't take it my jaw just throbbed. My friend advised me to take Friday off also, but I didn't listen... no surprise there. I try to save my sick days for the boys when they are going to need me, so I didn't want to burn a day just on me. Anyways, by the end of the work day on Friday I must have looked pathetic. Austin and I left school and picked up Collin. As I was holding a "take-out" menu in my hand that evening, our dog Cody started barking very loudly. I thought my neighbors must have people over. However, our doorbell then rang and there stands a pizza man looking at me. I told him he must have made a mistake because I didn't order a pizza. He then verified the address and asked if I was Angela. I said yes BUT I didn't order a pizza. He said that the pizza had been paid in full and was to be sent to me. I asked the man who had done this (even though I pretty much knew) and he said he didn't know.

How blessed I am to have friends that look out for me and the boys. This simple gesture meant the world to me because I knew it came from the heart. When you surround yourself with positive people who really care.... great things happen. There isn't room for negative people who do nothing but complain. I wish for everyone to have "true friends". People they can count on, people they can talk to, and people who will send a pizza out when you are sick. A miserable day that ended wonderfully due to sincere friends.