HAPPY ANNIVERSARY #11

11 years and the love continues to grow...

We have had a CRAZY year with lots of obstacles in our path of life.

• torn Achilles
• three career changes
• water damage in our house which resulted in a major remodel
• sick pregnancy but then great new addition to the family
• gallbladder removed
• runners knee, still trying to fix that one

First time out together without kids since before Maria was born. Tulip Festival...

Relaxing pedicure...

&

An adult dinner...

So thankful for this evening. Life is so busy! Work and kids take up close to all our energy and time which leaves little time for husband and wife to reconnect on a personal level. Getting to know each other, the his and her you fell in love with. It always rekindles our love when we can do that. I love our life we are building together and everything we fill our days with but wish for a little more one on one time to be with the love of my life.

Thanks for the great date babe!

Lesson to Learn

Throwing a tantrum at 10:00 PM is so tiring when your 3.

Dad spent ample time with Greyson:  read stories, snuggled, and scratched back.  When finished he went to scratch Everett's back, who sleeps above Greyson on a bunk.  Greyson decided he needed more of Dad's time and more back scratching.  He was not granted his wish.  Now you can imagine when 3 year old Greyson didn't get his way.  Tears along with anger and frustration.  It tuckered him out to the point of falling asleep on the stairs.  Dad and Mom were glad when it finally wore him out.  It appeared to be very upsetting in his little mind.  "Why would Everett deserve and scratch back if I don't get double that?"  We will forever be trying to understand the mind of a 3 year old.

We sure hope the lesson was learned.  If not by Greyson then it was learned from the observer next door, Cosette.

In the O'Neal house we have a saying,

"YOU GET WHAT YOU GET AND YOU DON'T THROW A FIT" 

Welcome baby O'Neal

Maria Pearl O'Neal
Born August 6, 2017
8lbs 4oz 19 inches

She is our little angel. So patient and calm. We all adore holding her and giving kisses.

Greyson is 3!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

You are my boy that lights the room with your smile. Daddy and Everett are your heros, (please don't leave him out because he thinks he's older then 3.) We love his energy and excitement for life. Greyson does things on his own schedule but when he decides to do it he does it perfectly. He is our little family protector. Watching out for all family members. Such a smart boy for 3!

He loves:

• Oreos
• peanut butter and honey sandwiches
• go go yogurt
• playing with Everett
• playing basketball
• going to the babysitting at Gold's gym and Home Depot
• playing with friends

We wish him a Happy Birthday today. Every year it gets more and more fun to watch him grow.

I am American!

It only took over 10 years, lots of $$$, and paperwork. It was not a fun process that soon I procrastinated until. .  . one day I lost my wallet which had my green card inside. To this day my wallet and green card cannot be found. It's a mystery that will always puzzle me.

I do believe there is a positive to every trial. My horrible misplacement of my wallet and all valuables inside led me to this day which otherwise would of been still in the future. My wallet has downsized more then half and I am AMERICAN and CANADIAN. Two best countries in the world and I can reside in either as a citizen. What a blessing.

THANKS SEAN-PAUL!

All who supported me on this day.

Also, a big thanks to Teri our good friend whom filed all our paperwork and lead us step by step through the process. She made the process that much smoother.

Through this process there were many ups and downs but one thing I learned is the importance of commitment to the place you live. That you give support, understand the system, and be involved. We all want to live in a free place and it's the people that get us there. 

OCH!

As a family we are starting to enjoy weekend get-a-ways. For us that means heading somewhere about one hour away for one or two nights. We do an activity and hang out at a condo/hotel for swimming, eating, and watching movies. We hope to make it a tradition of the O'Neals. It gets us away from the house and our many list of things to do.

Memorial Day Weekend

Hiking is a great way for us to get-a-way and enjoy the beauty of our world.

Less stress, more fun, right. Yes...until Monday.

"Everett, can you make sure Greyson doesn't run out the door while we gather up our things?" We are checking out of the hotel. He did pretty good but let a small part of Greyson's thumb out.
Finger slammed in door. OCh!
No thumb nail and here we are ending our weekend get-a-way in the emergency room.

Put to sleep and stitched up. Lucky for no broken bones. I  have a feeling this kid is like his Dad. (Always injured.)

My 5 year old boy's imagination...

 As we were eating lunch today this beautiful boy decided to tell me a recipe he invented for a new kind of sandwich. Oh the things this boy creates in his mind.

Gummy Worm Sandwich

 What you need:

• the world's largest gummy worm, (Bought at the candy store called Sweets.)
• bread
• 4 packs of Oreos

Everett:

"You take the cream off all Oreos and put them in a big giant bag. Put them on my bed. Jump on them till they mash up to Oreo dirt. Taste all flavors of world's largest gummy worm. Take the Oreo cream put it on toast. Take mashed Oreos on to toast and smooth it out. Put the world's largest gummy worm on top. Cut it in half and flip it over and cut it in half in the middle. Taste it, you won't taste the toast."

The joys of being a Mom!