Found this today...

and I thought it was great!!!!

Seven Years

My Dearest Matthew,

On this, the seventh anniversary of our wedding, I wanted to take a moment out of our busy lives to tell you how thankful I am for you and everything you do for me and our family. I also want you to know how much I truly love you.

Who could have imagined on that February night at Hooter's when our paths first crossed that we would be married and raising our family together? Who could have imagined the love that took hold and blossomed into what we have today? I know that I definitely wouldn't have thought any of this possible that night.

You have brought so much happiness, laughter, fun, peace, friendship and love into my life. Thank you. Before you, I didn't understand how strong the love between a woman and a man could be. Thank you. I always wanted to be a mother and wife. Because of you am I both. Thank you.

You have given so much to me. Your name, your family, your love, and so much more. You take care of me in more ways than I could ever explain. You give me comfort when I am sad, a smile to cheer me up, a hand to hold when I need reassurance, a hug and a kiss when I need love. You give me a warm and swollen heart when I see you playing or cuddling with the kids. You give me peace and quiet when the world (or the kids) have just been too much. I only hope that I give to you as much as you give to me.

I have so enjoyed these past seven years and I if we are together 107 it still won't be enough. You are my best friend and soul mate. I am so thankful for you!! I love you with all of my heart, mind, body and soul. I would gladly say my wedding vows to you every day and mean every word once again.

Love always,
Lora

Love You Soooo Much

These are just a few random picks of the last week. But I just love these kids so much!!! Can you tell why?


There's lots of times when I hug the kids I say "I love you soooo much!" Just their hugs are payment enough. But I have longed to hear Banastre say "I love you." We have tried every possible way to get him to say it. Nothing has worked.

Last night, my little man was completely wound up. A little on the crazy side too. He was running around and then ran straight to me, hugged me and said the most wonderful words in the world..."Love you soooo much!" I think my heart melted on the spot.

Needless to say, I kept making him say it all evening and then he even said it before bed without any prompting from me!! Now, I look forward to hearing it every day!

So to all of my family and friends.... Love you sooooo much!

Beach Bum

I think we may have created a beach bum. Yesterday in the car Banastre and I had this conversation:

Banastre: Mommy, you wanna go to the beach?
Mommy: Not today baby. We are going in two weeks.
Banastre: (Undeterred) You wanna play in the water?
Mommy: As soon as we get to the beach we can play in the water.
Banastre: Yay!!! Momma, wanna play in the sand?
Mommy: That sounds like fun! Do you like the sand?
Banastre: I LOVE the sand!!

This is from the boy who never says, I love you, Love you, Love ya..nothing. He just won't say it..but now he loves the sand!! Go figure!

At least we can be beach bums together!

Tag Your It

Ok, I got tagged...so here goes:

What I was doing 10 years ago:
I had just been accepted to nursing school. Just moved out on my own. Working three jobs: Chiropractor's Office, Belk's, and Hooter's.

Five things on my to do list for today:
Laundry, Fix Dinner, take Elizabeth to dance, make sure Elizabeth does some homework, bath's for the kids

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Set up trust funds for both of the children, buy our dream house, buy my mom's dream house and take care of all of her bills, and buy my in-law's dream house and take care of all of their bills, make sure everyone else in the family was taken care of, donate a whole bunch to the American Cancer Society, lots of travel!!!!

Three of my bad habits:
Procrastination, Forgetful, bite my fingernails

Five places I have lived:
Kings Mountain, NC;Boone, NC; Charlotte, NC; Monroe, NC; Clermont, FL

Five jobs I have had:
Sales Associate Cato's; Sales Associate Belk's; Chiropractic Assistant; Hooter's Girl; Administrative Assistant

If you read my blog and are a blogger...consider yourself tagged!!!!

Basket Case

We have been so busy around here! The temps here have been around 90 every day and are forcasted to be that way for at least the next week. It's almost too hot to go outside and play. Banastre has decided he no longer wants to sleep through the night, hasn't taken a nap during the day in over a week and I am VERY tired. But here's what he looks like!
At least he seems happy and well rested!!!

Also, please keep my Mom and her boyfriend Mike in your prayers. There's a lot going on with Mike medically and the entire family could use your prayers!!!

SO, in other words. Iam a basket case these days!!!!

Starpower Ft. Lauderdale

On Saturday, Elizabeth and Shooting Stars competed at Starpower Dance Competitions. This is our last regional competition until Nationals in July!
The girls and guys did a great job! Bang, Lollipop and Hairspray all received PLATINUM'S!!!! This is what Elizabeth was really hoping for!!!! We are so proud of Elizabeth and all of the other competitors. This is a wonderful accomplishment! It shows how hard she has worked and the dedication that she shows to the sport she loves. The scores and finishes were:
Bang: Platinum, Fist Place Division, 3rd place overall for 8& Under Large Groups
Lollipop: Platinum, 1st Place division, 4th place overall 8&under Large Groups
Hairspray: Platinum, 2nd Place division, 2nd Place 8&Under Lines/Productions


Bang was also selected to receive a Power Pak invitation. They have been invited to train and perform in Orlando with some of the Nation's top choreographers and Dancers. I really hope they will be able to participate and then they will even perform at Walt Disney World!!!!!

Another trip to the Beach

On Friday, the kids and I drove down to Boca Raton again. Elizabeth had another dance competition in Ft. Lauderdale. We chose to stay in Boca Raton because it was only 15 minutes to the competition site and since Matt wasn't with me this time, I was comfortable with the area from the previous weekend.

This car trip was much better and Banastre was a good boy this time!!! As soon as we got checked in at the hotel, we changed into our swim suits and hit the beach. Banastre had been asking all week to go the beach again and I was more than happy to take him.

This time was so much different! Banastre stayed in the sand for the beginning, but then decided that he now likes the water! We had so much fun playing and "swimming" in the waves!!!!!