I think back on when did my passion and love for riding start?  And why?  Well …. I grew up, half of my life, in Pinetop AZ.  I have a dad & brother that love anything car or truck related.  I was a tom-boy, yet girly, and I loved to listen to my brother and his friends talk about vehicles, how to fix them … or the newest and greatest quad that was out, at that time.  My girlfriends would always laugh on how MUCH I know about vehicles … years, makes, and models.  And what the options were on them.  To this day, I still know that stuff!  I love it!  I would think nothing of it to go 4-wheeling with my brothers friends or my boyfriends at the time.  Most girls would freak out to be going thru mud at a high rate of speed, or tearing thru the forest on small trails and roads …. but me … nope… I loved it!   If I had the opportunity to go again … I would …. take me!!    My son is very much into trucks, quads, and anything automotive … and that is pretty much because his dad is … and well… his mom too.    I have to say, I’m a pretty cool mom that can keep up with “the talk” on vehicles or quads!  I want my daughter to grow up knowing how and liking to ride … that is why I hope to someday own at least 1 quad and continue our love for camping and getting out in the forest.  My hubby grew up riding dirt bikes, until he had some pretty bad accidents on them … so he resorted to having fishing boats and enjoying the lakes.  Hence, the reason we have  a boat instead of quads?!?!   probably!    But whose complaining!!

The look on Maddie’s face was priceless when the little girl stepped out of the Jeep and told Maddie it was hers now.  Marie then kissed the top of Maddie’s head and said in her sweet Italian-accent… “Happy Easter sweet girl.”   Maddie spends alot of time outside, and a few of her closest neighbor friends have had the Power Wheels ride-on toys for awhile now.  She’s been taking turns in theirs … now she has her very own!  We are so grateful and humbled by how giving our neighbor was.  We look forward to giving this Jeep to someone else in return, after Maddie has outgrown it. (which won’t be long, as you can tell!)  Thank you Marie … you’re a sweet lady!!

Maddie and her friend Hailey having fun in the Jeep together with their toys.

THANK YOU for being such a wonderful, sweet, caring, compassionate, loving  friend!!!  I am so glad the Lord has brought us so close, just as if we were real sisters!!  It’s awesome to experience life together … thru ups and downs… and see what amazing things God has done, and is yet to do in both of our families!  I LOVE YOU GIRL!!!  Here’s to 31 …. CHEERS!!

Mark & Jen of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

And…..  Mike & Mekenzi of San Luis Obispo, CA

We miss you guys!!!  Thanks for the laughs, the great conversations, the Kiwi Coladas, and most importantly …. YOUR HEARTS!

On Saturday, Hubby and I will be flying to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, staying the night and Sunday boarding an Italian Cruise ship heading to the Eastern Caribbean!  We are SOOO excited for this 8 day excursion to the beautiful, exotic, turquoise waters of the Caribbean!  Can I mention … we are going ALONE… no kiddos to worry about!     I’m not sure what the best part is …. going with no kids … or that this whole trip is FREE!!!!   Hmmmm…. probably both is best!   We board the ship (Costa Cruise Line) around 1pm on Sunday, we depart at 5pm.  We’ll be at sea all night and all day Monday.  Our first stop on Tuesday will be in Puerto Rico, from 5pm-midnight.  We’ll enjoy a little bit of the “nightlife” in Puerto Rico…. hope to find a little place to chill, relax and maybe enjoy some music.  The next day we’ll be in St. Thomas/St. John to enjoy ALL DAY at the beach and do some snorkeling at Trunk Bay.  (which I hear is the BEST beach in the world!)  Following that, we will stop in the Dominican Republic …. ANOTHER tropical beach day under the huge palm trees and my toes in the warm, white sand!   We simply cannot wait to enjoy each other’s company, laugh, be silly, be silent, sit on our private balcony of our stateroom, reflect, share, talk, have a few cocktails, and INDULGE in the wonderful, gourmet food on the ship…. day AND night!!! 

Bon Voyage my friends …. talk to you soon!  

The Same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.

Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

Worrying is more harmful than helpful.

God does not ignore those who depend on him.

Worrying shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.

Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue.

Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

Worriers are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God.  They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God.  Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today!  Worry can also negatively affect the way we treat others.

I have to say this is a constant battle with me.  “Letting go, and letting God…”  and fully trusting Him in my everyday life issues.  He cares about the small things and wants me to put my FULL trust in Him with ALL of it!!  God is faithful, sovereign, my comforter, my redeemer, my savior, and my ALL!  Without Him, we are nothing!

Water
Here on St. John in the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean Sea is warm and inviting, even in the winter. And because there are no rivers, large tides or strong currents, the water is clear and clean. The water is not murky, you can see right to the bottom.

The sea surrounding St. John is also extremely colorful. It’s a veritable feast for the eyes. There are varying shades of turquoise where the water lies over a sandy bottom, darker blues where the sea is deeper, greenish tints where below lies beds of sea grass and hints of reds and oranges over shallow coral reefs.

Not an exaggeration
These are just some of the reasons why the statement, made so often by those in the know that “St. John has the best beaches in the world!” is far from an exaggeration. It can be taken at face value; it’s just plain the way it is.

We got Rock Band 2 for Kevin for Christmas … it’s so much fun for the whole family.  Maddie got right in there and picked up those sticks and started jamming out.  I was about to explain to her as the screen popped up on what colors to look for and hit those same colors on the drum set.  I didn’t even have to tell her… she knew exactly what to do!  These were her words, ” mommy I know how to do it..”  (why yes you do!)  Is it this generation and electronics ??… or is it that my daughter is just completely bright?!   BOTH!!!  I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that she was better than me on our first times at doing it.    And my son… well… in my opinion he’s so good at those drums he could be in our worship band at church!    (that’s what I’m secretly hoping for one of these days!)

We feel so blessed!!  My hubby called me the other day and said to look at my email … He had sent me a link to a contest that he entered months back.  When I opened it up it was a picture of a huge cruise ship!  I was perplexed…. he began to tell me that he WON this contest for a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise next month!  I still cannot believe it!  So now of course a million things go thru my head  …. whose gonna watch our daughter?? …. what clothes am I gonna take – gosh do I even have anything to wear??? ….. what all do I need to take?…. how much $$$ will we have to take? …. do we need passports, will we get them in time?….  SO many things run thru your head in the midst of ALL the excitement and anticipation of being on a cruise ship – all you can eat FOOD – the gorgeous amenities – all the ports we will stop at …. Ahhhhh… the luscious white sandy beaches, umbrella drink in hand, TROPICAL TROPICAL TROPICAL …….laying out reading a book, the quietness, peacefulness, and God’s amazing beauty!!!!Blissful!  We can’t wait!  Need I say anymore …………?

Oh yes – one more important thing!  THANK YOU to our close, awesome friends that will be taking care of Maddie for 4 of the days, and my in-laws who will come down from Pinetop to watch her the 2nd half of our trip.  Without them, this would not be possible for Jamie and I.  We are truly thankful and blessed by such wonderful, amazing, devoted family in our lives!   We love you!!!!!   PS  You might just get a little surprise from us, straight from the Islands. 

Here are 50 facts about Jamie ……

50.  He was born in Kansas and he lived in a really small town.
49. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Sales/Marketing, Business Management.
48.  He graduated from New Mexico State Univ.
47.  He had risky eye surgery when he was 3 to correct a lazy eye.
46.  He wears a size 13 shoe.
45.  He loves black coffee!
44.  His favorite color is green.
43.  He has worn glasses since he was 3.
42.  He has 2 older sisters.
41.  He moved to Phx from New Mexico in 1996.
40.  He used to teach traffic school on the weekends!
39.  Is the Store Manager at The Maytag Store in Gilbert.
38.  He loves gadgets.
37.  He loves weather, and wishes he would have been a Meteorologist.
36.  Growing up in Kansas, he used to chase tornados.. I know… crazyyy!!
35.  He does not like tomatoes or onions.
34.  He’s a “meat & potatoes” guy!
33.  He loves Hot Tamales!
32.  He loves peanut M&M’s!
31.  He loves God!
30.  His wife and kids are very important to him!
29.  He loves to be on the lake boating.
28.  He likes to load the dishwasher a certain way!  (efficiency he says!)  
27.  He was a bachelor til he was 30!  (then met me!)
26.  I never have to pick up after him (hence being a bachelor so long!)
25.  He just starts doing the laundry without anything being said. 
24.  Denver Broncos is his favorite football team.
23.  He loves to watch the D-backs play … and any other game for that matter!
22.  He is 6’5″ tall  (yes, a whole foot taller than me!)
21.  He drinks a ton of milk!
20.  He loves mexican food.
19.  He hates seafood.
18.  He has green eyes.
17.  He’s not bashful about talking in front of others. 
16.  He’s a great sales person!
15.  He used to play the drums.
14.  He would love to live where it snows and has seasons again.  (wife says um not so much!)
13.  He used to go snow skiing in Colorado when he was single.
12.  He has been to Germany on a 10-day backpacking trip with friends.  (again, before he met me!)
11.  He loves the computer.
10.  He loves his little girl!
09.  He is a hard worker.
08.  He’s a wonderful dad!
07.  He’s an awesome husband!
06.  He loves our small group friends as they’re our own family!
05.  He is a creature of habit!
04.  He sticks to a routine.  (wife needs to break him of this!  She loves spontaneity occasionally!)
03.  He loves a good breakfast in the morning.
02.  He is frugal.
01.  He is MY husband … I love you Jamie!!!!!