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with L-O-V-E!!!

I sit here on a Friday morning just staring at cyber space – thinking, smiling, reminiscing – just enjoying the moment … enjoying the feeling in my heart – it’s a wonderful feeling to still be in love with the only boy who swept me off my feet 24 years ago.

I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this way … Truly HAPPY and BLESSED – with a wonderful husband, who gave you beautiful kids and an exciting life. Sure my life is not all “flowers and chocolates and “froo-froo stuff” – it’s also filled with drama, adventure, mystery and occasional frustration but I am not going to complain. All in all – I am thankful for a LIFE full of emotions and interesting challenges. Everyday, I thank GOD for giving me my Johny.

A week ago, we celebrated our 24 year anniversary – we have been together longer than we’ve been apart – WOW!!! We’ve grown up together and I look forward to growing old with my honey. He accepts all of me (including all the flabs and faults). He is so patient, kind, giving, funny and smart … he lights up the room when he smiles. He still gives me the butterflies in my stomach when I know he’s coming home … and I know I’m still so much in LOVE.

He surprised me last Saturday by taking me to a Harry Connick Jr. concert at the Hollywood Bowl – what a perfect night it was. He also gave me a new camera – yay!!! cause my old one needed to retire. We wrapped up the weekend by watching “Inception” on Sunday evening – which was wicked good!!!

Thanks my love for making me feel so special.
Thanks for being a wonderful husband.
Thanks for being an awesome parent – and for going through this parenthood journey with me.
Thanks for being a cool dad to our kids and fur babies.
Thanks for listening to me when I whine and bitch about even non-sense stuff.
Thanks for working hard to take care of me and the kids.
Thanks for being truthful to me.
Thanks for teaching me what love is all about.
Thanks for choosing me to spend your life with.

I love you and I look forward to spending FOREVER with you.

Today marks another milestone in our lives … Nik, my eldest son turns 18. I still can’t believe that time just zipped by … so quickly. When I close my eyes, I can still see my little “Nikolas Ridiculous” smiling at me saying… “I love you mommy!” (… and tears begin to roll down my cheeks)

It seems like yesterday, we were just making Easter cupcakes and homemade pizza, telling stories before bed time or even playing “Chicken Limbo”. It’s sad that we can’t go back in time and experience it all over again. But, I am happy that God allowed me the experience … of being loved by a special little boy, being kissed and hugged non-stop like there is no tomorrow, having his little hands hold mine … now, he no longer has eyes for his mommy but for another girl. It’s OK. I’m ok with that. I just want for him to be happy – always!

Having Nik has taught me valuable lessons in life … like:
- It is POSSIBLE to love more than one child – a mother’s heart is BIG – really BIG.
- Even when kids try your patience, and push your buttons to make you go “wacko” – it doesn’t mean that they don’t love you or want to give you a hard time, they just want to give you a challenge that will keep you on your toes. Nik has taught me how to be more resilient!
- Patience is a good thing! Even if it’s difficult to stay patient sometimes …. all we need to do is give people some space.
- It won’t kill you to apologize and accept that you have made a mistake – saying “sorry” doesn’t mean the end of the world – life will go on.
- It’s OK to be BOLD. Be yourself – have fun and life will be much better! Don’t be afraid to be brave!

Having Nik made me appreciate:
- Real talent and Persistence – I enjoy watching and listening to him play the guitar or piano and singing. I am so proud of him … he is sooooo good and I’m not saying that just because I’m his mom. Sometimes, I secretly wish I was as good as him. He is so persistent when it comes to learning music
- Motivation – When he sets his mind on something important – most times … he pushes through and hardly gives up (like his latest addiction – P90x)
- Courage – I see him perform with no hesitation. Each time he sings – I just want to scream … “that’s my boy! What a proud mommy I am!”

Thanks son … for teaching me a lot of important lessons in life. I look forward to learning more through you. I wish you the best in life – always. I love you Nik!

It’s been soooooo long since my last post. I am not going to make excuses – life has just gotten busy. In an interesting way, my life has sort of taken an unexpected twist. If you have been following my posts – you’ll know that I have been focusing on “me” and my health. I still am – happily!

I am currently teaching Zumba classes successfully – meaning … my classes are growing – I am having more fun everyday meeting women like me who want to focus on taking care of their bodies. I am learning a lot – in business. I am fortunate to have a great place to teach Zumba – I just love the atmosphere – the camaraderie that we experience as exercise buddies. I love watching transformations – seeing how my Zumba peeps are slowly melting the inches away. I love how they smile when I compliment them about their hard work. It’s so fulfilling to be able to make a positive change in someone’s life.

Healthwise … I am doing fabulous. I am proud to say that I am OFF blood pressure and cholesterol medication. A big YAY!!!! The weight loss has helped plenty. I have lost a total of 15 pounds since March of this year. I still have quite a ways to go. Although the weightloss is gradual. I am happy. I have made some changes in terms of portion control and I am trying to eat healthy-ly (is that even a word?).

We have a new house-mate … my 84 year old mother in law. We have made a family decision to take her into our home as she is too old to live by herself – alone. Everyday with her is interesting. We have lived in the same house before … when my husband and I were younger but it was so much different way back then. Now … it’s an adventure. She’s definitely a character – I’ll tell you that. We are still adjusting to her and I’m sure she is adjusting to us.

The kiddos are not “kids” anymore. That is a sad reality for me. I never thought I would miss my babies as they were when they were little. My daughter has happily embraced adulthood – I am happy for her but I miss her. My older son will be in college in a few months. My not-so-little one will be a teenager in a few months. *sigh* I thank God everyday for giving me an opportunity to be a mother – for giving me beautiful children. I pray that I have taught and raised them well so that they can be well-functioning adults when they grow up.

All in all though … life is good at least in my neck of the woods. I am happy to focus on me a little bit more. Now, I have time to work (and have FUN while I work) – spend time with friends and rediscover why I chose to be with my one and only love …

How about you … how’s life treating you?