Just for you...

Wearing our Batman shirts just for you, Keetz! Fly high, sweetheart! Love you so much!

Dusting away the cobwebs...

My my.... it has been a long time, hasn't it?  A lot has happened since I posted an update, last!

• 13+ weeks later, and I am still in recovery from  my fall.  I am doing better.... though still somewhat limited as to what I can do, and still cannot straighten them out all the way
  I had to wear both arms immobilized in slings, for about 6-7 weeks, to heal.... at which time, I was completely dependent on other people.  And then Even after that, I was still extremely limited to what I could do, and would wear whenever slings as needed (ie. when I'd go out). I started going without the right arm in a sling, after 8 weeks... and just last week was instructed to not wear the left arm in the sling anymore, to allow the muscle to lengthen and regain strength. A major/severe sprain is said to be worse than a break, and take a good 10wks to heal.The doc says to definitely expect at least that long, plus several therapeutical weeks on top of that -to get movement, strength and flexibility completely restored. And then I will probably have even as much a 6-8mos after that, where I will have to be careful what I do, pickup,etc. or I'll be feeling it ... ::sigh::
  
  Feb 18th - "Princess KB"  fought off the "monsters" in our bathroom with her imaginary "purple lightsaber"... haha! Such a drama queen!!c

• In February, KB's wheat/gluten allergy was more than confirmed when we were told a pizza crust was Gluten free - when it wasn't!! :-(   For four days the poor thing suffered from uncontrollable mood swings, major temperament issues beyond the norm 3yo stuff - like totally off the wall bursts of anger & vehement yelling, or extreme meltdowns... night terrors, overall restlessness, and bedwetting... it was an intense & NOT fun week for anyone... :-(   Only prayer and God's grace got us through that one!
  
  
• At the end of March, we found out that Mom had a definite buyer for her KY house, and as long as all went well/as expected, they wanted to close on April 1st and move in within 30 days.... eek!!!!! Mom offered to live together for awhile... but after some discussion, we felt it would be in the best interest of our little family to have a space of our own...  So that  then sent us on a mad hunt for a new place to live, that was big enough that it wouldn't be a huge hit (coming from our spoiled 1800+sqft) but also was in our rather tight price range - God knew!
  
  
• April 6th -  signed a lease on an house, which God provided to us in some amazing ways!!! :-)
  
•  FB status on April 11 ::  Packing, resting, packing, resting <---- and so goes my life these days... :-) About ready to take another load over to the new house. So glad Bill Chatzistamatis has two full days off this week! - So much to do, and only 2.5 short weeks to do it!!
  
• On April 12th, we celebrated our 6 year anniversary!  

• JM blog post on April 16th:
   As they say.... "when it rains it pours!"  This became more true than I ever wished it to be as you know, we found out about 3.5 weeks ago, that we needed to find a new place to live, & move by Easter weekend. Though it's for happy reasons, it's also been (and is) extremely stressful. - esp since I am not completely healed from my accident in January. I've been blessed to have my sister here helping (ok, more like serving) me all these weeks... but she had to leave this morning. So here I am flying solo (household duties, KB, *everything*) for the first time in 11wks... with very limited motion, lots of pain, and tons of packing to do. (We really need to be moving the last of everything on Thursday, the 21st). I am soooo overwhelmed right now! Please pray for my strength, and that we'd get everything done quickly, efficiently and without any major hiccups. Thank you!

• Moving Week ::  Sooo thankful for dear friends, that sacrificed so much of themselves, to help us in our time of need.  My friend Wynn came over multiple time throughout moving week - for many, many hours - to help me pack up items and get them ready to take to the new house.  She even took me on a few runs, helped me unload, and even ran some errands to places like Walmart, to get items needed -such as a Rubbermaid for Christmas stuff! Wynn & her family recently had to move quickly, so many methods & tricks were still very fresh on her mind... and were so helpful in getting everything done!  Then her son Keenan also came over all day Tuesday, and a good part of Thurs morning, to help us move some bigger and/or more complicated items (like the computer setup).  They were SUCH a blessing, and between Bill's work schedule and my arms, there is no way we could have done all by ourselves and still have our sanity intact.
  
• April 22nd - Mom & girls come down!  Heather & Bryce came with them, to help! Soooo good to see my nephews - esp to get to finally meet my new one, CJ!
  
  
  
  
• April 24 - EASTER! Had a big lunch at Mom's (our old house), with everyone (including the inlaws, and a few good friends).  Insane doing something like that, that close to moving you say... ?  Yeah, probably.... but it was fun nonetheless! :-)
  
  
• April 25 - Mom's big move-in day... Yeah, so we didn't actually unpack everything from the giant, 26ft truck until the day after Easter. (see, we're not THAT crazy... Ok, maybe we are.)  Then we spent the evening going to the beach, going to Sonny's for dinner, and visiting with H, Bryce & the boys before they had to leave the next morning.
  
   
• Now we've been in our new home for a week, and other than a few various boxed of random stuff - ya know, the stuff you don't want to get rid of, but you wonder why in the world are you keeping it around?! - yeah....  For the most part, everything is falling into place beautifully, and I love our little place already!  (PS - two more days until my birthday!!!)

Thirty Days of Thanx :: Day 17

Today I am thankful for love.

Deals & Steals: "Love is a Verb"

During the month of October only...  Christian Audio.com  is offering
a download of their (unabridged) audio book:

Love Is A Verb by Dr. Gary Chapman

Absolutely FREE --- no coupon code required!! 

Happy Anniversary!

A very *Happy* Anniversary to my jovial, geeky, amorous, patient, fun-loving, & extroverted hubby! ~ Thank you for *everything* you do for me! You are an a loving man.. who always knows how to make me smile! :) A wonderful provider... and an amazing father to our little girl! ~ I  love you - for all you do... and all you are!  

Happy five years, Handsome!! 

Mensiversary....

We realized at dinner tonight, that yesterday was our 59th wedding mensiversary!! <3
(and they day before, was KB's 31st [birthday] mensiversary!!) -  LoL!

A weed bouquet in a chubby fist...

Valentines Day....

This year we didn't do anything huge for Valentines Day....  there was no big, fancy dinner out, or  roses...  no chocolate, jewelry, cards, or the like.  But you know what?  In spite of it all.... I LOVED every moment of our day!   It ended up being one of the most beautiful, magical & memorable Valentines day we have ever had... and I think it's because it was spent all together - just me and BOTH of my loves! 

I Corinthians 13 - A Prayer for a Wife

The following excerpt is taken from the book: "Becoming the Woman of His Dreams" by Sharon Jaynes. Every time I read it,  it resounds so deeply within my heart...  it nearly moves me to tears. I actually have it printed off, and taped to the inside cover of my Bible, so I can read/pray through/think on it often.  It's a beautiful reminder that, above everything else this world has to offer...  our purpose & priority as Godly wives,  should be to love & honor our husbands. -- be their biggest cheerleader, chief adviser, most trusted confidant,  best-friend., & helpmeet. ~ Enjoy!

picture courtesy of\

Wordless Wednesday: I love you

So Small....

What you got if you ain't got love?
The kind that you just wanna give away
It's okay to open up
Go ahead and let the light shine through

I know it's hard on a rainy day
You wanna shut the world out
And just be left alone
But don't run out on your faith

'Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands

And when you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Seem so small

It's so easy to get lost inside
A problem that seems so big at the time
It's like a river that's so wide
It swallows you whole

While you're sitting around thinking 'bout what you can't change
And worrying about all the wrong things
Time's flying by, moving so fast
You better make it count 'cause you can't get it back

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands

Oh, and when you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Seem so small!

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands

And then you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Oh, it sure makes everything else
Seem so small

~Carrie Underwood

Isn't it amazing how God seems to bring certain things across your path, just when you need them most....? One of our teens just shared a link to the music video with me (even more powerful than the lyrics alone!)... and after a really a rough week last week... the message of the song, genuinely hit close to home. ~ Thank you, Lord for the gentle reminder....

Sexiest Man!

Everyday People Cartoons

4 years...

This year, our anniversary fell on.... Easter Sunday! It was a busy but good Lord's day, with church & family.

(^The delicious cake my mother/sister-in-laws made for us.^)


-Album-

Happy 4th Anniversary, B! I love you!

Date night....

We decided to make our dinner our last week, the kick-off to a newly formed, weekly trend.... and use Thursday nights, for a regular date-night, just me & B!! yay! Since money is tight, I am always looking for frugal and creative ways to pull this off.... and as always, the Lord has provided. Over the last week, I have found a buy-one, get one Blizzards at Dairy Queen... a coupon for six free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings... and (the best one!) a Bo-go coupon for Sweet Tomatoes! Whoohoo! I can't wait to use them!

Valentines Day....

Tonight we finally got the opportunity to celebrate our Valentines day... and it was *awesome!!!* We had $100 to spend, between a gift card & a coupon... so we got to go all out!! We did the Lobster Indulgence Big Night Out.... which includes 3 courses (cheese fondue, salad, entree) + dessert fondue.

We had the Spinach Artichoke cheese (Fantastic!! -- a mix of Fontina and Butterkäse cheeses, spinach, artichoke hearts and garlic)... Caesar salad... Lobster Indulgence (Twin Lobster Tails, Limoncello Balsamic Sirloin, Shrimp Diablo, Sun-dried Tomato Chicken, Orange Fennel Pork Tenderloin, Porcini and Portobello Sacchetti, Fresh Vegetables) in the Mojo cooking style.. and the "Flaming Turtle" (Milk chocolate, caramel and chopped pecans, flambéed table side.) - with dark chocolate instead of milk! --- Delicious!!

Then after we were done eating... we continued our walk down memory lane, with a moonlight stroll down beautiful Island Park. It was perfect! - very reminiscent of the night B proposed! - so sweet! <3

One day old... I am in love... <3

Bryce & Heather...

Ok, so I stole these.... but I couldn't help it! Isn't my baby sister adorable? I miss her.

Look at her sweet tummy!! It's SO cute! ~ I just can't wait to meet that little guy!! ♥
(...and am *praying* I won't have to wait to August, before I can!! ::sigh::)


Mush....

There they go again.... ;)

Photography courtesy of family friend, Vanessa Meyers

Discounts.... and Valentines Day!!!

I know, I know... those two things really don't seem like they should go together.... but when your hubby is out of a job, and money is tight (or if you are just a tight-wad... ahem! I mean frugal with your money).... then, any little trick is well worth it! -- And I think this one will knock your socks off!

Restaurant.com is currently running an awesome
coupon code (expires 2/19)... for 70% off!!

-- Just use the code: PREZ during checkout!--

That's right! The already awesome discounted prices... just got even more affordable! :-) But what's even more exciting is.... since we had postponed celebrating our Valentines day (due to sickness, & holiday rush, etc.), we were able to get a $50 gift card to our local The Melting Pot Restaurant (which Restaurant.com would have normally sold for $20).... for only $6!!!! Procrastination (even though planned) has once again paid off!!! hee,hee!! ;)

Off course, per the rules of Restaurant.com, the $50 card is only valid with a $100 minimum purchase.* ~ But since we were, once again, being frugal.... my hubby had already redeemed his Am-Ex reward points, getting us another $50 gift card.... which we will pair with the above deal (totaling $100)... and eat oh.so.very.well!!! --

So, we get to have a fabulous & romantic Valentines Dinner, at a fancy restaurant (which also has sentimental value - it's where we went the night we got engaged!)..... All for just $6 + tip!! -- I am SO excited!! God is SO good!!

(Now to get everyone - namely Mother-in-law - well, so we can pick a time/date to go....)

* (Excludes alcohol. 18% gratuity added before discount, 1 cert. per table, No split checks. Not valid on holidays.)

A Sweet Surprise

After working himself ragged... already putting in 74 hours of work this week (with tomorrow, and at least part of Sunday still to go)... look what my husband so sweetly brought home, as a surprise for me tonight!! Wasn't that SO sweet & thoughtful of him? I am blessed!!

Dark Chocolate Almond bark... Can you say YUM?? I have already tasted it... it's OH.SO.GOOD! :)Thank you SO much Handsome!
I love you!!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 26th Anniversary
to my dear Mother & Father in Law!!