Can't believe it's been a month already...

Since my last post, that is. I had to go private for a bit...just for my own sanity I guess. It's been a difficult couple months. I guess it's just the typical ebb and flow of a marriage, but it sure seems to "ebbing" a lot lately. I think we're in a better place now than we have been for years. Our communication is finally becoming productive. Nolan's not drinking and I think that has helped a multitude of things. I honestly believe that the drinking was really beginning to affect his thinking and day to day handling of things. The night that things "changed":

This is my left arm a few days after that night. In all fairness, I did shove him first...not to excuse him shoving me back...but I think we both learned a few things that night. Just like sometimes when the computer just isn't working right, you simply have to "reboot" it...and sometimes, we just have to "reboot" our relationships as well. This bruise is only a symbol of something much more painful...it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart that I felt that night. I love Nolan with all my heart, and while he does have his faults, so do I...and it was time for me to examine some of mine and figure out how I could fix them, and not just the "what" I've done, but the "why's" as well. It's not like 1,2,3 everything's fine, but I know we're in a better place and moving toward a closer, more loving relationship. In order to do this...we've both had to give up something we love. Nolan has given up drinking and I have giving up a certain relationship that has been very hazardous to our relationship. While it has not been easy...it has been worth it as I do not want anything to come between Nolan and I.
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There is still a slight reminent of that horrible bruise...but I wanted the picture to remind me of a time and place I never want to return to or see again...because sometimes it's the most painful and hardest things in life that actually bind us closer together...

It's official...

We're heading south for Spring Break! Time to put fighting aside, LOL and have some fun! We've decided to head down to San Antonio and then to Nashville (Arkansas that is ;) ) for the SB week! We're going to leave on Thursday afternoon after I get off work and the kids get out of school. We'll probably drive to Amarillo or Lubbock and stay for the night...then finish the rest of the way to SA on Friday. We like to stop in Junction, Tx for the BEST bbq (at Coopers)...we'll get it to go and then just chill at the hotel Friday night. Saturday morning...it's off to Seaworld. We were just at SW last July when we flew out to San Diego...but the SD Seaworld can't even compare to the SW in San Antonio. Luckily, the park will be open till 9 p.m. so hopefully, we can get a full day in!! Then Sunday, we're going to trot down to Corpus Christi and spend a little time on the gulf. We're bringing my nephew for sure (and possibly my sister too), and he's never seen the ocean...so that will be fun! Then, we're planning on spending Sunday afternoon/evening down on the Riverwalk...omg, that is so much fun! Monday morning...up bright and early to start heading east to Nashville, Arkansas to see my Aunt and Uncle! We'll stay there for 3 days and head back to Colorado on that Friday...getting home Saturday afternoon/evening!

The cats can take care of themselves...but I'm not sure what to do with Zoey and Maddie (the dogs)...but I will be working on that over the next few weeks!

I love having something to look forward to and I know we're all in need of some fun and TLC (at Auntie Laine's house)! My sister has never been to Aunt Laine's...so I'm really hoping she decides to come with...either way, we're taking Evan (my nephew)...so that should be good! I think that Paige should be tall enough to ride the Great White this time...last time we were there (in 2008), she was just a couple inches shy of being tall enough. I'm sooooooooo praying for nice weather!

Our hotel (Residence Inn by Marriot) is booked so it's "official"!!!

Disaster at Park East...

Yeah...well, it started out as a nice enough evening...sort of. After another lengthy fight this afternoon...we decided to go out for dinner to one of our favorite local restaurants (since I had a gift card for there that I got for xmas). Anyway...we sat in the lounge as they had live music (Broken Angel). We had a couple beers, a salad and some appetizers. I was so ready to leave that place. The tension in the air was unbelievable and I was just so uncomfortable...I couldn't wait to get out of there. Then I sat there in my jacket for over 10 minutes...Nolan finally had to track down our waitress. I was NOT happy! Needless to say, Nolan did not have his glasses so I signed the tab and she only got 10% tip...she was not a very good waitress and our service was horrible. More "discussions" on the way home and after we got home...I am so sick of all this. I'm just glad this stupid night is finally over...well...there's 30 min. left...then it's officially over. Watching some "Sunny" to cheer me up!

Taylor had a wreck...

Yeah...I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later :( ...but Taylor was in an accident last Wed. (2/2/11). Her car slid on a curve (just a few blocks from our home) and unfortunately, there was a nice Lexus in her path. Thankfully, no one was injured...though she did a bit of a burn on her left arm from her side airbag. Our insurance will cover the lady's car, but unfortunately, we only have liability on Taylor's car...so hers will not be getting fixed anytime soon. It's still drivable, but she's got a substantial dent on the drivers side rear door and back panal. Poor thing was sooooooo shook up....

Headlines: Choir Geek gives birth to two Cheerleaders!!!

LOL...yeah, it's true!! I wouldn't say I was a "nerd" in high school, but I sure loved to sing!! So I spent all 4 yrs of high school on 1, 2 and even 3 choirs at a time (I think I used all my electives on choir, LOL)...anyway, so it's a bit puzzling to me that:

A) None of my kids have my musical ability... and
B) I have 2 cheerleaders for daughters!

PWHS had their  peewee Cheer Clinic last week and since Taylor's a varsity Cheerleader, of course Paige wanted to do the clinic. Then last night, they got to cheer at the West/Centennial basketball game (which West won, of course...Go Cyclones!! ). So in a rare moment, I got to see both of my girls cheering at the same time!!

I'm so proud of my gorgeous daughters!! Go Taylor & Paige!!!

REAL Girls Rock!!!

Chase's 13th Birthday!!

Gosh...I have not been keeping up here and I'm not sure where the time has gone, but...

January 19th, was Chase's 13th Birthday (awwww...can't believe my baby  boy is a teenager already)! It was a crazy evening...we had connect at the church, and had planned on going out to dinner after connect. Well...before we even got to the church, it had started to "sleet"...but it was so cold that the sleet was just instantly freezing to the ground. This went on for several hours before the snow began. Oh boy...we did drive into town to go to Red Lobster, but it was slow going as the highway was like a sheet of ice. Taylor had student council so it was just the four of us (Chase, Paige, Nolan and I). We had a good time though. Chase got $25 from Grandpa and our gift to him is new hockey gear (for roller hockey). Nolan is going to take him this week to pick out what he needs. That was Wednesday...then on Friday night, he had a "buddies" bday sleepover party. Nolan took the kids skating from 4 to 6, then home for hotdogs and cupcakes. They had a great time!!

Happy New Year 2011!!

Gosh...can't believe it's the 7th already and I haven't posted anything for the new year! I had to go back to work on the 3rd and this week has been incredibly stressful and busy. It was soooooooo much working getting things ready so that I could have time off, and now there's so much to catch up on since I've been gone. Since there's really no one to fill in for me when I'm gone, it sucks :( !! However, this has sparked some conversation between Dave and I as to getting me some office help. I spend so much time doing "mindless" work (cutting inserts, folding bulletins, stocking attendance books, etc.) and I was thinking if I could get at least 4 volunteers to donate just 2 hours a month, I could have a helper once a week all month long. It would work best to have someone come in on Wed. mornings for a couple hours while we're having staff meeting. At least they could man the phones and do some of the mindless work which would really free me up to do all these other projects and things they want/need done. So...there will be a request in next Sunday's bulletin!

Back to New Years...

Nolan and I went to dinner and then stopped by the TW for a few drinks. We had to get home early cause Taylor was having a "few" friends over. OMG, my house was full ...I think the entire high school was here...and one LARGE hole in the wall, bathroom door broken, and Taylor's iPod stolen means the end of having get togethers here. I'm done! The kids love us and most of them are awesome kids, but I can't afford any more damage or loss. It's too bad that a few rotten apples spoil the whole bunch.  Anyway...we had a really nice dinner and it was fun to get a little time away!

Looking forward to an exciting new year!! Here's to 2011!