Happy 20th Anniversary

This is a special day in my family for many reasons. There will be a bunch of posts today, all dedicated to the special people and events that occurred on this day.

Twenty years ago today, my dad, officially adopted my sister and I. My parents were married two years prior, but I remember specifically asking my dad if I could call him "daddy." He then asked Christina and I if we would be okay with the decision to adopt us as his own. In all honesty, I don't remember much of my life without him in it. You don't have to be blood, to be a dad. This man has been a part of my life for 25 years and I am better for it.



Daddy,

I can't believe it's been 20 years already. I love that we celebrate this day every year and I hate that I am not there to share it with you and Christina. Clear as day, I can remember the red dress I was wearing, as we sat waiting for the Judge to arrive. Even though he never showed, we were fortunate that another Judge was available for the ceremony. Such a special day that I will treasure in my heart forever.

You took on two little girls as your own, and never looked back. Thank you for choosing us as your forever daughters. Thank you for loving me as your own. I have never felt differently. Thank you for holding me in your arms, when my heart was broken over a boy. Thank you for sticking with me, when my path wasn't the best. Thank you for encouraging me to be the best that I can be. Most of all, thank you for loving Mama then and now. You have set an excellent example of what a marriage should be. I love you Daddy!

~Tabaitha

Celebrating my 24th birthday

On vacation in Akumal 2003

Father's Day

5 years ago

Five years ago, we finally went on our first date and never looked back. We sure know how to pack a bunch of life in five years.

Feb 23, 2005 - First date
July 4, 2005 - Engaged
Feb 11, 2006 - Married
Nov 5, 2006 - Learned I was pregnant with our first child
July 10, 2007 - Mason was born
Jan 5, 2008 - Moved across country to California
July 18, 2008 - Learned I was pregnant with our second child
March 17, 2009 - Taylor was born

I can't wait to see what our next adventure will be. I can't imagine my life without you. Thank you for making the last five years, the best thus far. I love you babe.

Celebrating our birthdays at Dave & Busters

Waiting for our table at the Jack Daniels Grill

Our first picture together March 2005

Happy Birthday Connor

Happy 4th Birthday to my nephew Connor. Four years ago today, you made me an aunt again. Having nephews made my transition into parenthood so much easier. You are a ball of energy and a flirt. You can make me laugh at the drop of the hat and you give great hugs. Your mommy told me for your birthday dinner, you wanted chicken strips, mac and cheese, fried okra and jello. The funny thing is, I know you were completely serious. Miss you buddy and I can't wait to see you next time we are home.

Connor's first visit to my house - 2 days old

With Mimi at the river - 4 months old (right before you spit up all over her)

Laying in my bed - 10 months old

Gotta love those kissy lips

Double trouble. Ya'll are 16 months apart and the best of friends.

Ten on Tuesday

Brought to you from Chelsea! It's a "sweet" theme!

1. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Mint Chocolate Chip! I don't eat a lot of ice cream, but when I do and I'm at home, this is my flavor of choice. If I'm at Marble Slab (which they don't have in California) or Coldstone, I get sweet cream.

2. What is your earliest memory?
I don't know how old I was, I think 2 or 3, but I remember waking up from a bad dream and running into the living room towards my mom. When she turned around, she had a green face mask on her face and I didn't believe it was her for the longest time. I was really scared.

3. What is your earliest memory of a dessert?
Birthday cakes. I remember my mom always made my birthday cake.

4. Do you have any recurring dreams?
Not really, but I have dreams that come true. I remember almost all of my dreams the next morning.

5. Have you ever dreamed about dessert?
Not that I can recall.

6. What is one thing (aside from a cell phone or a computer) that you cannot go the entire day without?
Chapstick. I always have it with me and it's first thing I put on my lips when I wake up and the last thing I do before going to bed.

7. What is one dessert you could go your entire life without ever having?
Jello

8. If you could go on vacation tomorrow, where would you go? (assume someone else is footing the bill, but within reason...so "the moon" won't work)
Bora Bora. I would love to stay in a hut above the water. Tropical with gorgeous scenery.

9. If you could have any dessert tomorrow, what would you have? (assume someone else is buying it for you...within reason though, no "gold sprinkled ice cream cones.")
Wedding cake. I love a really good wedding cake. Isn't that your favorite part of the wedding reception?

10. What was your first impression of your significant other? If your single, what was your first impression of your best friend?
He was hot! We were at our friends birthday party and I saw him come in the door and I thought he was the best looking guy in the room.

11. What is your first impression of dessert pizza?
Not a fan. I've never tried it, but it just doesn't look appetizing to me.

Desires of the heart

Since Valentine's Day fell on a Sunday this year, it was only natural that we talk about relationships and love in church this week. Our sermon centered around the Song of Solomon and in Sunday School we continued Andy Stanley's video series called iMarriage.

First let me brag about our Sunday School class for a minute. There are about 20 of us on any given week, sometimes more and sometimes less. One thing I love about our class is how real and transparent everyone is regarding their lives and marriage. It's very refreshing and encouraging. That doesn't mean that we all have these perfect marriages, but we talk about our struggles and relate to one another in a lot of ways. Most importantly, we strive for something better.

We started the iMarriage videos at the beginning of January. On Sunday, we discussed putting other's desires before our own and more importantly, giving all of our desires over to God. You can try your hardest to change someone or think that nagging them until they do will help. I have some news, it doesn't! Instead, we are called to pray for our spouses, faults and all. If something is bothering you about them, bring it to God. I have heard this before, but this week it really stuck out to me. Andy mentions even the desires that seem so petty or small are important to God. Why? Because we are important to God. He wants them all.

Last week I found myself in prayer, and I remember telling God that I know it sounds stupid and small, but I really wanted something. I told myself it shouldn't really matter, especially when we have more important issues going on in the world today. Then I came across this verse:

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

After I read that scripture, my heart rejoiced knowing that I'm important to God. It's not the first time I heard it, but surely it stood out to me this week and I felt the Lord reminding me of this simple truth. That doesn't mean that we will get everything we want. It means that God will show us grace in due time.

Ten on Tuesday

Happy Tuesday! This week's questions come from Chelsea.

1. If you could open any type of store/place of business (money is no obstacle), what would you open?
I have always wanted to open a baby/children's boutique. I love finding cute burp cloths, diaper bags, baby clothes, room decor, and would love to have my own shop. My mom and I came up with a name this past summer, but it's a secret so that no one else will use it.

2. If all jobs paid equally, what occupation would you want? Why?
Stay at home mom. It's a full time job, but so worth it, paid or not. But I do like the possibility of getting paid to do something I love.

3. If you could be any animal in the world, what would you pick? Why?
An eagle so that I could soar thru the sky and see the world below. I realize I could be a normal bird, but I don't like birds and tend to have bad experiences with them.

4. If offered one "service" free of charge, which would you choose? (chauffeur, maid, personal shopper, chef, ect.)
A hairstylist to do my hair every day. I love getting my hair shampooed and styled. It's very relaxing and it's the one part I dread about getting ready every morning, because I have so much hair and it's thick.

5. What is one habit, no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to break?
Popping my knuckles. I try not to do it in front of people, because I respect that the sound can make some people cringe.

6. What is one thing, that no matter how many you own, you still love to buy all the time?
Shoes, shoes, and more shoes!

7. Out of all the game shows (past and present), which would you want to be a participant on and play?
The Newlywed Game show! Even though we have been married for 4 years, I would love to participate on a show like that.

8. If you could play the lead role in any movie that's already been made, which movie would you pick?
Bella in the Twilight Series. Yes, go ahead and laugh. I know, I'm such a dork, but if I got to work along side Robert Pattison and Taylor Lautner, I would be a happy girl.

9. Name five things on your bucket list (things you want to do before you die).
Be completely debt free. Meet and chat with Dave Ramsey. Watch my kids get married and have kids. Travel all around Europe. Travel to Australia.

10. Which one of your birthdays was the best? What did you do that day?
I like all birthdays! They are a very big deal in my family. One that stands out the most would be my 18th birthday. It was on a Friday and all of my friends and family went out to dinner that evening. Afterwards, my friends and I went to see a movie. I was surrounded by the people that mean the most to me, and it was the last time most of us would all be together before leaving for college.

This is completely off topic, but if you want to know why I love Texas so much, well Amanda sums it up best here. My heart feels all warm and happy this morning thinking about my home. Like I've always said, you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl!

Flashback Fridays

This weeks picture marks three years to the day, that we learned we were going to have a boy. This is the picture from the ultrasound. I'm not really thrilled about showing you my 18 week pregnant belly or the fact that Adam's face looks funny, but I am thrilled that I have the sweetest little boy.