Another Year, No Divorce

Hubby and I celebrated our 6th year anniversary on November 8th. We started the celebration on Thursday by attending a Maxwell concert (she says screaming and swooning simultaneously). I knew there was something missing from music today and after attending his concert I realized: Maxwell was missing from music. He is a phenomenal performer but his dancing KILLS me. . .he's the guy who asks you to dance at the club and the minute he starts jumping all over the floor you regret you got up out of your seat. But what he lacked in rhythm he more than made up for in sex appeal and singing.

The day after the concert we boarded a plane to Salt Lake City, rented a car and then drove to Park City and holed up there for the weekend. IT WAS COLD. I'm talking snow on the ground cold. Although anything below 70 degrees is cold to this Southern girl, it was legitimately cold there with the temperature hoovering around 40 degrees. We slept A LOT, shopped, ate and took in the beautiful landscape.

I am so officially OVER traveling for a while now. . .maybe it's the hormones talking but I don't want to leave the great state of Texas for at least 6 months to a year! On another note, somebody please tell me I'm trippin' and that THANKSGIVING is not in TWO WEEKS! AGH!

The only good thing about time flying by is that before you know it I'll have (God willing ) two children to post about. Pregnancy is definitely NOT my friend the second time around!

Here's my FAVORITE Maxwell song. . .Enjoy!

Konnichiwa

So, my last post was kinda vague, I know. . .bet you thought I was in Brooklyn or Bangor, Maine. No, try a little farther East. We spent a week in Japan. The Tokyo area to be exact. We visited friends who are stationed at an air force base on the continent.

I was a nervous wreck prior to the trip and tried to be prepared to the tenth power because my son was going on this trip and the flight was 12 hours non-stop. I know that I have a tendency to brag about him from time to time but this time it is soooo deserved! He was the perfect little traveler! He asked ONCE in twelve hours when we were gonna get there. . .he slept half the flight so that helped but otherwise he watched movies or played games from the back of his own personal headset screen or ate snacks from the duffel bag full of goodies we brought on board or played with the Power Strangers (yeah, they are still holding up).

As for me, I was beyond tired and stressed out from the time the trip began until it ended because I let some outside influences affect me as we were preparing to leave and it continued throughout the journey. I enjoyed seeing my friends and experiencing a different culture- sidebar: why is the United States the only country that caters to people who don't speak our language? If you don't know some Japanese you will be LOST in that country! I found that to be the most frustrating part even people who understood a little English still couldn't really comprehend the questions I was asking.

Anyway, we visited the Sensoji temple in Asakusa, the Ueno zoo, ate a restaurant where we were sitting on the floor but our feet were hanging underneath us; the portions were MINIATURE but very good- my son loved the noodles, we rode the train to our destinations and did A LOT of walking, we also got to see some of the Yokota Air Force Base. My only regret was that we went all that way and didn't get to see Mt. Fuji. We were supposed to arrive on Sunday and take a tour on Monday but because we were a day late I guess we missed our chance. . .such is life.

Anyway, I was extremely glad to be back in the good old U.S. of A.! We arrived in Newark Friday evening and flew to Houston that night so, that was a total of 15 hours on an airplane and again my son was a complete angel! They only problem we had once we returned home was that he was still on "Japan time", which is a 14 hour difference so, at 1:30am our time he was up running around playing saying he couldn't sleep. We were all pretty jet lagged, I still don't think we've adjusted to our own time zone. I can't believe how fast that week passed and that we're back into our daily routine.

As of now, travel is officially ON HOLD until the work in my bedroom is done. So, Mo I hope you're reading this!!!!

Far East

Be back soon. . . .

Life's A Beach

I’m back from my weekend getaway in California. My husband and I took my son to the Golden State to get away from the Southern heat, humidity and RAIN this past weekend. We mainly visited beaches on our short journey (Manhattan, Santa Monica & Venice) but we also did the tourist thing and headed to Hollywood Blvd. to check out the stars on the Walk of Fame, took pictures at the Hollywood Vista point (good spot to photograph the Hollywood sign although the drive up Mulholland is treacherous!), and we drove down Rodeo Drive (didn’t see any celebs though). A highlight of the trip was eating at Sizzler! Ha ha! Don’t laugh! That was a big deal in H-Town when I was 16 but the buffets ran them out of town so, it was a bit of a nostalgic trip to get the steak and endless shrimp with the all you can eat salad bar. Reason number 4,576 why I need to go on a diet right now!!!

Anyway, even though the trip was brief it was nice and relaxing and helped me focus even more on what’s important in life. God, family and love. Nothing more, nothing less. I am so grateful for so many things and as I stared out at the majesty of the Pacific ocean I started to compile a list in my head of what I’m most grateful for:

1. Being in God’s favor
2. A husband who adores me
3. The unconditional love of my son
4. My sister (for incessant laughter)
5. Sight
6. Mental health (some days ;-)
7. Physical health
8. Freedom
9. Books
10. Chocolate

Gone Fishin'

I'll be back!! Needed to get "Far Away" for a few days. . .

Been Around the World

I'm baack! Just spent 4 days in New York City and had a blast although it was freezing! Anything below 70 degrees is freezing to me. . .but with the weather in NYC averaging about 45 degrees I'm sure many would agree on my assessment. BRRR!

At least once a year (sometimes more) my family and I take a trip. I think traveling is the best social studies lesson you will ever receive because it not only gives you a chance to see how other people live but you develop (hopefully) a deeper understanding and respect for other cultures, races and religions. We are but one body that inhabits this planet with over 6.6 billion other people. How amazing is that?!

I think it is imperative that we expose our children to the world through travel. Children should leave their communities periodically so that they are made aware of the myriad of options that exists outside of their neighborhood. If they decide to open a store or become a doctor or lawyer in their own neighborhood- that's wonderful- but they should know they can pursue an education or occupation ANYWHERE in the world! There are seven continents, fifty states and hundred of countries and they are only limited by their lack of knowledge.

Even if you drive to the next city or state you should make a point to not only take your children on a trip (at least annually) but give them some background on the destination or show them where it's located on a map. I always try to combine fun and learning! Here are some places I recommend:

1. Houston, TX (Space Center, Children's Museum, Kemah Boardwalk)
2. San Diego, California (world famous San Diego zoo, Legoland, FREE beaches)
3. Orlando, Florida (all things Disney, Universal Studios)
4. Ocho Rios, Jamaica (Beaches Sesame Street resort)
5. San Antonio, Texas (Sea World, Fiesta Texas, Riverwalk)
6. Washington D.C. (White House, Jefferson & Lincoln Memorial, National Zoo, Museum of American History)
7. Langhorne, PA (Sesame Place)
8. Chicago, IL (Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile, Wrigley Field)
9. Myrtle Beach, SC (Broadway at Beach, MagiQuest, Ripley's Aqaurium)
10. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho (Yellowstone)

Also, think outside of the box when it comes to arriving at your destination. How about a bus or train ride? Or a cruise? Just get out there and travel! Start planning and saving today! The more places you go, the more you'll learn and the more you'll know! Don't rely on second hand knowledge about the world- experience it yourself!

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