Photo story Friday My engagement story...

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Because today is my anniversary. I thought it would be a good time to share my engagement story. Alan and I had known each other for a year and half and had been dating for about a year. Marriage has been discussed, rings had been looked at. I knew a proposal should be coming. I hate spoilers and I love surprises and even then Alan must have known that. Christmas came and went and nothing happened. He told me he was sorry but he was not going to propose till spring (he had good excuses) and I bought it. So its the day after Christmas and Alan and I had plans to go to San Francisco. I spent my day shopping and was running late when he came to pick me up. We drove up to San Francisco is the worst rain storm ever it was pouring rain and the wind was blowing, it was scary. Instead of going to the restaurant Alan said he wanted to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge( this did not seem strange to me at the time) and I still had no idea what was happening. We arrive at the parking area on the other side. It's near the water. Again the wind in blowing and the rain is heavy. The ocean looks fierce. He suggest we get out the car and look around. WHAT? So he gets out of the car and has an umbrella. I then knew something was up. He never carries an umbrella. So I get out and we go stand near the water. It's so windy and rainy and cold (remember its December 26th). He kneels down and proposes. He slips a beautiful diamond solitaire on my finger and I say, yes. He gave me a dozen long stemmed roses. We then went to dinner a the carnelian room a really amazing place. We had three waiters. Someone was singing in the bathroom and she dried my hands for me (my ring slipped off too because it was too big). It was the perfect night, despite the weather.
Last summer when we went away on our own we stopped by the spot...
We were married later that summer. 11 yrs later. 4 kids. Life is good.

Flash back friday...

I need to picture this today. I wish I could jump back in time and enjoy these moments more feel them all over again.

We went to Hawaii when the twins were 13 months old. Lindsey was 6 and Jacob was 3.
To everyone including myself this seemed like an ill-fated plan. Believe me my expectations were not very high. I was still nursing the girls and the thought of managing to make it through the plane flight was enough to make me not want to go.
When we arrived in Hawaii what I found was amazing. We stayed in a condo right on the beach. I could sit in the sand outside the girls window while Jacob and the girls napped! The girls were so tired they slept like a dream. I spent my days enjoying every minute.



As with any vacation there were a few disasters....

I took a picture of my sister/brother in law. While kneeling in the surf it overtook me and I quickly put her cheapo camera out of harms way. Sounds wise until you learn that my brand new expensive camera was hanging on my neck underwater. Yeah some tears were shed about that one.This picture cost me a lot!

Alan jumped off a cliff and seriously injured his ear. He was in pain the whole rest of the visit (this happened on day 2). Which resulted in two emergency doctor visits. It ruined his ability to do anything.
Last but certainly not least occurred mostly without my personal witness. On the return trip we were flying into LAX and driving home. Alan and I had purchased tickets for ourselves and the twins knowing a long flight and long drive home would be too much. As we were getting checked in we were offered a direct flight home bypassing LAX. It was a emotionally decision for me to separate from Lindsey and Jacob and leave them to fly home with their Grandparents and sister/brother in law. I was actually in tears. With Alan's ear he had been given medicine to hope to avoid it rupturing under the pressure of landing etc. A direct flight was much better for this so we did it. The flight was long and my arms nearly broke off holding the sleeping baby. I thought it was bad. Upon landing I called to see if they had made it to LAX only to find they had not left Maui at all. Flight cancelled left 2 hrs on the plane waiting. No more flights available. They were not given luggage or any personal items. The airport was closed and there was nothing done. They were left stranded at the airport for almost 2 days before Delta got them out. No compensation. No luggage! My niece was also just one was there sleeping in her mothers arms. It was awful for them. Thankfully they arrived home safely. Lindsey and Jacob remember this as an adventure having fun sleeping at the airport. Believe me EVERYONE was glad we took the other flight. Just the thought of twins in that airport was more than they could bear.

Jacob and Grandpa sleeping on the floor at the airport! Jacob is only three.

After reading the bad moments it might make you wonder how the good actually outweighed them but I assure you it did. It's amazing to me that when you look back on memories the good ones shine brighter and the bad ones seem almost funny. I am glad for that. I am glad for memories they make the sunshine brighter even in the darkness.

Flash back Friday...

Bad mommy award

About three years ago...

Heading the mall, pouring rain, three kids along for the ride. Jacob (2) and Sydney and Hailey (8 months) that alone would make for a bad day right? Arrive while on the phone (not paying close attention I am sure). Get out in the rain (pouring remember) go to open the door to get kids out and I discover to my horror locked doors. I panic, really panic. I was parked near a door so I ran inside to a info booth and ask her to call security and tell her what was going on (I could see my car from inside). The little lady looks about 90. She becomes greatly concerned (she should be) and begins to say that the kids are going to run out of air in the car. She keeps repeating this worry (instead of calling security) over and over. Run out of air, what? There is plenty of air in a car lady. I go back out to the rain (offering many desperate prayers) and tell Jacob what is going on. He seems to think he can get out and open the doors. So to my shock and jubilation he unbuckles his car sear and is able to somehow figure out how to unlock the doors! I was thrilled, grateful, and in tears! He never was able to get out of the seat on his own after that or open the locked doors... I went home after I reassured the lady that my kids were fine and had not run out of air. Crazy lady who did not help at all. Before you turn me in and think to bad of me I want to reassure all of my blog readers that all this took place in less than 5 minutes, a very long 5 minutes.

Tip... I now never lock my doors by hand. I always use the remote to do it, this way I know I have my keys in hand.

This is the one and only time I have locked my keys in my car (my entire life). Not the best time to do it though.