Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Two of the classes in Dakota's school went on a field trip to a local pumpkin patch.
They learned about how pumpkins grow, and where they come from.
They did some fun songs and even got to measure pumpkins with a tape measure, which was Dakotas favorite part!
They also did a scavenger hunt/iSpy game with all their awesome decorations.
And last but not least Dakota picked out 3 pumpkins, one for him self and one for his sister and brother.
As we were leaving, we got handed a coloring book, a recipe book and some seeds to plant.
I intend to plant the seeds with the kids as a lesson. I am not sure if they will grow, but it will be fun, nonetheless...

Here are some photos from our day!

Sun, Wind, Rain - 31 Days of Joyful Blessings

The weather. The rain, the sun, the cool breeze.

I feel so very blessed when the sun is shining on me through an open window. Or when the rain is about to fall and the smell lingers in the air. Or when it is hot out and you get that sudden cool breeze.

Yes, this is something I am thankful for...

I love when the sun is shining and I close my eyes and take in its warmth. I love being able to bask in its light and enjoy the heat. ( Being in Florida, most of the tie it scorches me LOL) But I am still thankful for it!

I love rainy days inside. Or outside. I love snuggling up in a blanket with a movie and tossing a roast in the crock pot! I love going out side with the kids and dancing in the rain and splashing in puddles! I love the calm it puts on our home when we can hear the drops dancing on the roof.

I love when fall starts to roll in and we get those breezy days. Where you drive around town with the windows open and feel it kiss your cheeks as your hair flutters around your face. I love being able to throw on a hoodie and feel so snuggly warm.

These moments make me so grateful for living on this earth, even if it is only temporary.

God Never Makes Mistakes

Against all Odds!

American - 31 days of Joyful Blessings

Blessed to be an American.

I was born and raised in the states. I have freedom to do as I please.

I can vote for who runs the country.

I can freely speak my religion.

I can come and go as I please. I can have as many children as I want.

And though this country isnt perfect, I am proud to be an american!

Residence - 31 Days of Joyful Blessings

My residence.

What does this mean?

I am blessed to have lived in many different places. Each place has taught me something in my life!

I was born in Massachusetts, and resided there for some time! Then New Hampshire! Then a small stint in Vermont and New York.

Then we moved to Florida which I call home. Only for me to head to California, where my daughter was born! And then we headed back home, to Florida.

I have had the pleasure of making many memories and friends with people in each state and I love that!
Each person, each memory will be held in my heart!

The most beautiful state and weather by far was California. But the people were not very friendly. Massachusetts will always be where my family is, but it is darn cold there! And Florida just feels like home. I like it here.

What states have you lived in?
Which is your favorite?

Fearfully and wonderfully made!

Laughter - 31 Days of Joyful Blessings

Laughter.

It seems meaningless, right?
Why is laughter a blessing?

Laughter has gotten me out of some hard times. I mean, who doesnt love to laugh.

I am a jokester, I am snarky and sarcastic. Thats me. I joke. About everything.

If I am uncomfortable, I laugh. If I am sad, I laugh. If I am happy, I laugh. Its just what I do.

I am so thankful for laughter. It has turned some really dark times into something worth living. And that has to be worth something, right?

Look, I can be serious if I need to be. But who really wants to walk around like a zombie in a depressed state of living? We only have one life. One life to get it right, or wrong. One life to walk around in coma, or one life to live up and laugh!

I know which one I choose!

But hey, I am not always happy and chipper, I do cry, a lot... But I hope when I get to the pearly gates I can get there and God can say, "Wow, you made a lot of people happy and I could hear their laughter from here!"

I hope to the person reading this, that one time, just one, I made you smile, or I made you happy, if only for a moment! And if not, then lets talk! :)

Thank you Jesus, for laughter!!

You are EVERYTHING, that I didn't know I needed!

Quit staring, Just ASK!

My Dog - 31 days of Joyful Blessings

My dog, Jude.

I have always been a dog lover. I have always had a dog...

But my dog Jude, is the best by far.

We got him in October of 2008 or 2009 ( ack I cant remember!!)

We went to the flea market one day, as it was super nice out and freezing! As we were walking about the outside aisles, we saw this cage with one lone pup. As we got closer we noticed he was shivering to death. Pit bulls are known for their short hair, and get cold easily. As we looked around this mans booth we noticed he had tons and I mean TONS of rabbits, but this was the only dog. When we asked about him being the only one all he repeated was " No english, Spectra 7".  LJ and I had no idea what this meant! LJ took the pup out of the cage to warm him up, I kept walking. When I noticed LJ wasnt by my side I looked back. And there was LJ snuggling the pup. I walked back, and the "No English" Man offered the pup at a very very low price. LJ looked at me and I looked at him. There you have it, thats how we got Jude.

Jude was not very well taken care off prior to us. We assume he was kept with the rabbits, because he had a disease only caught from rabbits, and we found out Spectra 7 was some type of shots that breeders use, that isnt very good. When we took him to the vet, he had everything under the sun - the rabbit funk, worms, a parasite and an allergy to corn! So we got all his shots, got him all fixed up good and gave him tons of love.

I know he wont be with us forever, but I cherish the moments we do have. He is a great family dog, even though he is a pit bull. He is the most loving playful dude I have ever met. He is tolerant of the kids poking and riding him. He gives kisses and takes food from your hand so gently! He never barks or growls at us but he sure does love howling to sirens!!

Thanks Jude, for being our protector and friend!!

Then

Now

Friends - 31 Days of Joyful Blessings

My friends.

The real ones.

See I have several types of friends. I have real friends, I have occasional friends, and I have people who think they are my friends.

This post is for the real friends. The ones who really know me, who have seen me at my best and worst and are still willing to call me a friend.

I am not going to make a list and thank each one. They know who they are. Their names are written in my heart.

But I do want to take a second and acknowledge them.

So thank you my dear friends.
Thank you for letting me call you in the middle of the night if I needed something.
Thank you for putting up with my childish temper tantrums.
Thank you for holding my hand through all my relationship woes.
Thank you for answering the phone, even if you didnt want to.
Thank you for listening to me complain for the umpteenth time about something you could care less about.
Thank you for helping me with advice on how to tend a sick baby.
Thank you for loaning me that dollar when I was so thirsty or hungry.
Thank you for not asking for that dollar back.
Thank you for just sitting with me, when I wept.
Thank you for that hug I needed, even if I didnt ask.
Thank you for knowing when to and when not to say the right thing.
Thank you for telling me my fly was down.
Thank you for not always pointing out my faults or saying I was wrong.
Thank you for taking me on adventures, I would have never dreamed of.
Thank you for allowing me to make bad decisions, so I can learn on my own.
Thank you from stopping me, on many occasions, from doing the wrong thing.
Thank you for supporting me, no questions asked.
Thank you for letting me be me, no matter what any one else thought of me.
Thank you for helping me become the person I am.


You guys are amazing, and I know there is nothing I can possibly do to thank you. Ever.

But I promise you, that I will always be a faithful friend and you will always have a place in my heart.

Even if its been a long time since we spoke. Even if I just talked to you an hour ago.

I will always be here, thinking of you and thanking you.

Much love!

Hold on to that something special...

My grandparents - 31 Days of Joyful Blessings

My grandparents.

I know, I know, more family. But if you havent figured it out yet, I am very family oriented. I was raised in a tight nit family and we are all very very close. Including my grandparents!! They are like second parents to me, and I love them so much! They have so much wisdom and knowledge!

The Listeniks:
I dont know my real grandmother, she passed away when my mom was little. But I see her photos all the time and she was breathtaking! Just like my mom. I wish I had had the chance to meet her, I know she would be so full of love and class. But my grandfather did remarry and I do have a grandmother to love and hug! Grandma and Grandpa Listenik are pretty eclectic  They live in this amazing house, which we all loved to visit! It has a huge green house/porch room where us kids would just sit and play! There was always something to do or explore there. They live on a lake as well, so we always went for a swim or dropped a line in the water. They always had stories for us to hear or home videos for us to watch. Or if was too cold, just snuggle up to the fire place! They live down this huge hill that we used to sled down. Or ice skate on the lake, or row a boat to the local place where bands played just across the cove. Now they come visit us twice a year and stay at their condo on the beach. The condo where I grew up and now my children get to enjoy. They watch my children play in the pool and do all the neat tricks I used to do when I was little. "Watch me, grandma, watch me grandpa, watch this neat trick" Something they have seen a million times, but they put a look on their face as if they have never seen it done so amazing.  I love that and I love them!! I treasure the moments I have with them, and I treasure the moments they share with my kids!!

The Simpsons:
Oh man, where do I begin here. I am so close with my Nana and Papa Simpson. My nana is one of my best friends. I talk to her all the time. She is one of my go to gals when I am having a bad day or having an amazing day! She always has the best advice and has a way of putting my in my place gently if I am wrong. She speaks her mind, but is so loving about it, that sometimes I dont even realize she is telling me my faults! My nana and papa come down every winter to spend with us and we enjoy them so much! One year, we surprised them for their 50th Anniversary and flew up to Massachusetts. I had just talked to her on the phone an hour before the party, pretending we were still in Florida. Imagine their surprise to walk into the party and see us standing there. It was a great day! I am so blessed to have them in my life! And I cant imagine my life with out them!! Papa and Dakota are best buds! They snuggle and hug the whole time they are together, and have long conversations about kittys. I love those moments and treasure them!

These amazing people have molded me into the woman I am. I watch them with each other, loving and tender. I want to have the love they have not only for my spouse but for my children and my grandchildren and my great grandchildren. I can only hope to be at least half the person they are some day!

You cant catch it...

My Siblings - 31 Days of Joyful Blessings

My brothers and sisters.

I know a lot of what I am thankful for is family. But I am honestly so blessed to have them! I know they were chosen just for me, by God. And I am so grateful for everything each member brings into my life!!

Did you know I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters? Well I do. They arent from the same set of parents, which technically makes them, half siblings, but we never thought of ourselves that way. We were just always, brother or sister to each other. In my family "step" or "half" didnt exist.

My dad remarried and had 2 girls. My mom remarried and had 3 boys.

So I will just go with my brothers first, since I know them the best...

My oldest brother is Zach. He is truly an amazing person. Cool factoid... he DIED when he was little. I mean seriously died. But he came back to us, so he is destined for great things. Zach had something called missed SIDS. Or Sudden Infant Death syndrome. Its common and there is no rhyme or reason for it. But he wanted to live so bad he fought back. And he is here to tell the tale! He has had some rough patches in his life. But his ever so gentle heart will lead him where he needs to be. All in Gods timing. He is one of my best friends and I love him to death. He was born when I was 13 years old. I dressed and fed him like he was my little baby. He is such an amazing person! I am so thankful for him!

My middle brother is Josh. He has the most amazing blue eyes. He just headed to FSU on a scholarship. I am so proud of him! When he was little I would change his outfit like 10 times a day, because he was so docile and didnt mind all the pampering. He used to love to go into my room and tear things up. This one time he got into my room and let my pet parakeet out, and it had its wings clipped. So it was fluttering around and Zach thought my bird was attacking Josh, so he killed it with a shoe. I came home from school and my step dad sat me down and explained. I was so sad. But I allowed Zach and Josh to pick out another bird and name him to make them feel better. I had a parakeet named Spike. Josh has always been a very hard worker. He is going to make something of himself and I will sit back and be so proud.

My youngest brother is Jesse. I could write a book about him and his story. He was born a few months early and was only 2 or 3 pounds at birth. He was the tiniest baby I have ever seen. When he was finally allowed home to us he was on an apnea machine and a feeding tube. It was so scary! They gave us a blurb about him not being able to learn properly and etc, but my mom never accepted that. And now he is one of the smartest people I know! He loves to read and is a wealth of knowledge! Every time we stop by he always has his nose in a book! Him and my oldest daughter are only 5 years apart, so he was an uncle at age 5! But he is very close with my kids and I appreciate that!!  Dakota loves to beat him up! LOL!!  He is an amazing man and I am proud of who he is becoming.

My brothers are my friends and I appreciate everything they say and do for me. I know if I ever need anything, they will be there - no questions asked. I love knowing they are always on my side, even if we dont see eye to eye sometimes. My door is always open to them.

Me and my brothers at my wedding

My oldest sister is Jessica. My step mom allowed me to name her, to try and give us a bond since I live 3000 miles away. The joke was on us, because she is my twin... ok well not totally because she is far more beautiful then I, but she resembles me, A LOT! When she is not wrapped all up in her "juggalo" lifestyle, she is an amazing woman, who loves her pets and changing her hair style. She is an amazing make up artist. I miss her so much and I wish I could be more part of her life then I am. I know I would be an amazing big sister and mentor if given the chance. So I do what I can from where I am. Thank God for facebook, where I can see her pictures and talk to her almost daily via post or comment :) Hopefully someday we will have that chance to be the "sisters" we are supposed to be.

My youngest sister is Jennifer. I dont really know what to say here. Honestly. She has a hardened heart towards me, and I am not even sure why. I know she resents me living here, but it is beyond my control. We have never really gotten along and its a shame. She is a pretty girl with a large ego. She was a cheerleader in high school, but graduated and I dont even know what she is up to now. Other then tormenting my older sister... LOL.  I wish her well in her life and on her journey to becoming her. And thats all I have to say about that.

Jen and I at Busch Gardens ( I was prego) and Jessica... ( Wish I had a photo of us together)

Perfect....

My children - 31 Days of Joyful Blessings

My children.

Skylar, Dakota and Eli.

Oh man. I have been not looking forward to this post. How can I possibly convey how I feel about my children. How can I possibly explain to cyber world, just how much they mean to me???

I moved to California in May 1999. My ex was in the Marine Corp and was stationed on Camp Pendleton. I was scared, excited, nervous, and in love. It was hard out there with out my family and I was so far from home. I found work as a manager at a local Sub Shop and quickly made a mini family. I got pregnant in August 1999 ( on my 21st birthday). Again I was excited, nervous, scared and in love... We were so young and knew each other, but didnt really know each other, if that makes sense... I had known him since high school but never really got to know him as a boyfriend...  But regardless we were about to bring a child into the world and so we decided to get married.  Our wedding happened on March 11, 2000. Skylar came flying into the world on May 19th, two days before her due date.  I have never experienced such love for someone I had never met! She was an angel sent from heaven.... then we got discharged and the colic began... I was so lonely and wanted my family so bad.  My ex husband sent back to Florida to help me in June. Skylar was 6 weeks old. I moved in with my mom for a few months and got the help and love I needed. Then I moved into an apartment that my ex mother in law owned so she could help out too. My ex moved back to Florida in October 2000. And we tried to have a healthy relationship for Skylar and it just didnt work. We split in June of 2002.

L.J. and I were together for 3 years before we tried for Dakota. We tried for a few months and got pregnant. There was nothing abnormal about my pregnancy. All the testing looked good. I did fail the AFP at a 1:174 chance of Down Syndrome and at the time that seemed like such a far off number but looking back, it is still a pretty good chance. I wasnt given the abortion talk, but it was lingering there waiting for my reply...  I said no to the amnio - it didnt matter to me. My baby is my baby no matter what... I went into labor at my oldest brothers birthday party.. The contractions began in the pool... I thought they were fake, but they hurt enough for us to leave the party.  I drove home tensing up every ten minutes or so.  I put Sky to bed and laid down.  About 3am, it was time. Dakota came flying into this world on August 14, 2005. His Down Syndrome scared a lot of people, but not me. I was ready. He was wanted. And loved.

L.J. and I tried for Eli for a year. We had just about given up and decided two kids is enough. When suddenly one week, I just knew I was pregnant. I took 5 cheap tests that all came back negative.  I told LJ that I swear I am pregnant and decided to fork over the cash for the expensive test. LJ didnt think I was right so he laid out on the recliner waiting for me to take it. I went to the bath room. And there it was. The second line I KNEW would be there. I came running out - pants around my ankles in tears!!  He jumped up, nearly collapsing the recliner. Ahhhh memories! Eli was my trouble pregnancy, I had lots of bleeding and pain with him. But I survived and he joined us in this crazy world on March 9, 2011....

These kids, these very different experiences  their very different personalities. They are forever in my heart. I cant imagine my life without them, honestly! They mean the world to me and I feel so blessed that God chose me to be their mom! I know they have so much more to teach me and I cant wait to learn! I adore watching them grow and seeing how they are becoming who they are!

Stay tuned for more of our antics!

My mom chose Life!

My Husband - 31 days of Joyful Blessings

My Husband.

Ever wonder where I met my husband?
On the Internet.
Yep, we are one of those couples.

I had just started working for a new Internet company. Where we scoured the Internet for hours, built websites and did some online shopping. It just seemed natural to look for dates as well.

Whats funny is that my husband was so annoying on the Internet, I actually had deleted him from my friends list a few times because he was weird. I am completely serious! He lived with his step mom and two step sisters and they would change their font to a rainbow color and when he popped up it would be in rainbow lettering. I was like, what is up with this dude.. What guy writes in rainbow? HAHA
Then he tells me, he thinks he is good looking because his sisters told him so... Ummm, wait, what??
Delete. Delete. Delete.
Then he pops up and tells me he is moving back to New York. Umm, ok. Bye. Delete.
Then he pops up and tells me he stayed. OY!!

So, I was headed to a birthday party at some club for a friend on a particular night in December, and he popped up and asked if I wanted to meet. I figured, well if I don't like him, I can use the excuse of the party to leave. No problem!! So I said, lets do it! Lets meet up!

I drove to his house around 8pm. I wasn't nervous, because honestly, I figured I would be leaving in a few minutes. I had no high hopes with this one.

I stayed 4 hours. I missed the party.

The second he walked out the door, something in me stirred. I felt like a school girl. He wasn't perfect, but I loved that. He was funny and charming. I felt like I knew him forever and I felt like we never stopped talking. There was no awkwardness and it just felt so natural. We sat outside under the stars on a porch swing and chatted the night away...

I left wondering if he felt the spark, the connection that I felt. I wondered if I would ever see him again...

He called the very next day.

And the rest is history.... Noooooo just kidding, there is more...

He moved in with me about a month later. But I was living in an apartment owned by my ex husbands mother. So my ex was always around. It was hard on LJ to have that lingering baggage nearby, but instead of talking about it, LJ up and left. He wrote me a letter. A letter? I was infuriated.  He ended up moving back to New York. I thought I would never see him again.

That was in early February.

Some day in early April, a familiar name popped up on my computer at work.
It was LJ. My heart stopped.

He wanted to call me. And he did. I held back tears as he told me he was glad he left, but he did miss my daughter and I. He told me how well things were going and how he still wanted to be friends. I just agreed and let him go...

Later that night he called me at home, in tears. He wanted to come back, he missed us so bad, he made a huge mistake - yadda yadda....

Both of us in tears opted to try again.

He moved back a few weeks later, and we got our own apartment. Away from the ex's.

And the rest is history -  for real this time.

I knew from the moment I met him, that there was something. Something I cant put my finger on. But that spark, that flame, the thing they always talk about in movies, I had that! We have that! I love him as much today as the first moment I met him. And its exciting!!

Yes he irritates me, yes he makes stupid decisions, yes he is weird. But he is perfectly imperfect, and that's what I love.

I am so blessed to have found him. And I love him to the moon and back!

I do not Suffer...

Whats your Super Power?

My Parents - 31 days of Joyful Blessings

Day 2 -

My Mom and Dad.
They are a huge part of becoming the woman, sister, mother, wife, that I am today.

I dont know where I would be with out them! I feel so blessed that God choose this particular set of parents for me. I am their only child together. But I was meant to be here. I was meant to be theirs.

And even though I was raised in a single mother home, I still learned important things from each side of my family. And for that I will always be eternally grateful.
I can only hope that I can instill all the love and affection into my children that was given to me.

I hear stories from friends about how they hate their parents, or never even knew them. I cant even begin to imagine my life with out my mom or my dad.

My mom is seriously my best friend! We may not always agree, but when it all comes down to it, I would not trust anyone else with my secrets or problems. She is my rock! She always seems to have the answer. She always seems to know what to do or what to say. She is strong and independent and so very amazing. She works her butt off for us kids! And now her home is almost an empty nest. Which I know she is secretly dreading. Because she is that awesome of a mom.  She treats my kids as if her own, but with out over stepping those "Grammie" boundaries, and I appreciate that!! I love you Mommy!!

My dad is a huge part of my life, even if I dont talk to him often. He is half of who I am. And I love him. He has some faults but there will never be a day that I dont love and appreciate him.  I know that he knows I love him so much and will be there for him if he should ever need me. Hopefully one day soon, he can meet his youngest grandson and re-meet his other grandkids as well....

And I can write this post without writing about my step parents...

My step mother who was always a driving force of my laughter when I visited my dad. She was wild and crazy and could sing the heck out of a Patsy Cline song! She was a crazy driver, but always had my best interests in mind. Even if it made me sit at a table to eat my green beans - that I used to hate. Or ot buy me that cool flashy toy cuz I pitched a fit.  She was always there for me, and on my side and I appreciate that!

My step dad. I cant believe he stuck around! LOL!!  When he started dating my mom he had to deal with my teenage angst. Poor guy! But he has become such a father figure to me. If I ever needed anything he was there. He is such a kind hearted man! And my kids take to him like glue! I know that if I ever needed ANYTHING, he would find a way to make it happen.  He is by no means a perfect man, but he is a perfect dad! And I mean that! So thank you for all the times you had to put up with my antics. Thank you for caring enough about me to make me think of you as a father. There arent enough words of appreciation for you!