Happy New Year!

Another year has came and gone, what a wonderful year it was, filled with a lot of up's, and plenty of downs. But isn't that what life is all about?

2008 did not start off well I had just lost my Mum to cancer. Watching her slowly fade was one of the hardest things I have had to endure. At the time I didn't think I could live without her. But some how a year has passed, and I continue on.

In 2008 Wayne asked me to marry him, we didn't waste much time, as we both knew we did not want a big wedding. So we decided to elope, and were married on Tybee Island in May.

I was bursting with excitement, I couldn't wait to call everyone to let them in on our big secrete! Marrying Wayne, was truly the happiest day of my life. Knowing I have a man that loves me no matter what is the best feeling in the world.

It seems my life goes from one extreme to another I hope that in 2009 things level out. There are many things I am looking forward to in the new year.

I am excited about our first foster placement that will hopefully take place sometime in the near future.

I can't wait until our one year wedding anniversary. It's almost been a year since we married.. wow!!!

I am excited about our upcoming vacations. We really enjoy vacations, and try to get away whenever we can. We are in the process of planning a European vacation.

I look forward to spending time with my friends, and family. Watching the kids grow up, and turn into little people.

I look forward to adding to my family. Who knows by 2010 there could be another Sanford in the house.

Happy new year. Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2009

home again home again

 

We had a great time in Virginia, and finally made it home after 15 hellish hours in the car. From mid way through North Carolina until we entered Georgia we were in bumper to bumper traffic. In two hours we only moved 50 miles!

I was never so happy to roll into T-ville!!

Pictures to follow later

Surprise!!

 

We spent all day Christmas eve driving 12 hours to Virginia to surprise both of my sisters, and their families on Christmas morning.  We arrived in Virginia Beach around 9pm, it was so had for me keep my big mouth shut, and not spill the beans.

We are staying in a hotel over looking the ocean. Our room has a Jacuzzi tub, a bathroom twice the size of the normal, and a nice flatscreen tv!

I knew they were meeting up with each other for Christmas breakfast, I just had to figure out what time without being caught!  Everyone was surprised, I think they were shocked I was able to keep quiet!

We spent most of the day together, and even went swimming!

Can I get some rest?

 

Yesterday we left the house around 9:30am  to head to the Atlanta airport.  We arrived about five hours later, after stopping for lunch, and getting lost along the way.

The Smith's checked in for their flight and headed to the security area.  That's when the tears started flowing. It's hard living 3,000 miles away from family.  It breaks my heart to know that I will not be as close to Erin, and Carrie, as I am to my other nieces, and nephews. 

My hubby decide some retail therapy would cure my sadness so we headed to Ikea, where I quickly spent $400.00 on items for my foster care nursery.

We finally pulled into hickville somewhere between 12 and 1am. I am so over road trips, in total we drove over 2,600 miles in 24 hours of driving.

I'm back

Don't worry people I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth, I've just been running around like a chicken with his head cut off.  Thankfully we all all got over our sicknesses within 24 hours.  For a  brief  moment  moment Wayne was in panic mode thinking I was expecting, no thanks to my sister's and sister in law, saying I had morning sickness.

During our last few days on Tybee we rented bikes, climbed the light house, played on the beach, ate a lot of ice cream,  and ventured to down town Savannah for dinner, and a look around the shops.

Last Tuesday we packed up and headed South to Orlando, where we met Mickey and his crew. We swam in the pool, and socked in the hot tub.  We even watched the rocket launch while hanging out by the pool. We shopped till we dropped, ate more food in one day than most people do in a week.

If I didnt know my brother I would swear he is a police officer every time I turn around he's got a chocolate doughnut hanging out his month.

My sisters headed home to Virginia on Sunday, and we (Wayne, my bro and his family and I), ventured on over to my neck of the woods. They have a few more days state side and will return home at the end of the week. 

Check back later pictures..

Day five, full of sickness

 

For the passed 24 hours I have been dizzy, spinning like crazy every time I lay down. This morning I started vomiting, and haven't stopped since. Jaxon woke up with a fever, and runny nose.

Tonight Erin has been coughing on and off, and Alex had a slight fever before bed.  Now Nicola is complaining of a sore stomach.  Now this is what I call a great vacation!

Today we spent 1 1/2 hours having our pictures taken, it was a lot of fun despite feeling sick.  Our photographer took over 1400 pictures, so there is bound to be a few decent ones. 

The rest of the day we laid low.  Some of us took naps, while the others went shopping.  We strolled down to the ice cream shop, and ventured over to the park. 

Hopefully everyone will be feeling better by tomorrow, in time for our next road trip.

Vacation day three and four.

 

After visiting the Georgia aquarium,  a  few shops, and dinging on some good  food, we headed East to Tybee Island where we met up with Nicola, and Lesley.

The kids were down at the beach with in twenty minute of us pulling into the drive way.

We celebrated what would have been our Dad's 55th birthday by having a BBQ, and a toast in his honor with a glass of his favorite vodka in hand. 

Today we went to an art show, followed by play time at a local park. The kids participated in a crab race, Jannae, and Alex both took first place.

After lunch we  went in search of treasure using a metal detector.We came home $.26 cents richer!!

The kids are having fun getting to know each other, and running around like mad  both inside, and outside of the house. I wont be able to post very many pictures as I forgot the transfer cable to my camera.

Day two

 

Can you spot the tourists?

 

Sporting sun hats, shorts, and skirts in November..

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Vacation day 1

 

We arrived at the airport after a four our car ride, only to wait two hours for Mark, and his family to clear customs.  I was bursting with excitement, and could hardly contain myself. . 

Finally the elevator opened, and I spotted the bald spot, that belongs to my brother!   Both girls were shy, and where not so sure of Wayne, and Myself.

It took a mini van, as well as Wayne's lil focus to get all the bags, and people in. Four adults, two kiddlets, five suitcases, a double stroller, wheelchair, a few carry on's, a box of gifts, and a few other bits and bobs!

We headed to the hotel to unload the bags. Once the bags were out, we were able to fit into the van, so we ventured to find the closest Taco bell, as my dear sister in law has been waiting six years for taco bell!

After   we stuffed our faces ate our tacos, it was back home to bed, after a long day of traveling. 

Eight days, and counting

 

Incase you can't tell I am super excited about our upcoming vacation.  Not only could I use a break, I really NEED to see my family. We will be visiting the Georgia aquarium, Tybee Island, and Disney world!

We will be staying in my bosses beach house in Tybee, and are renting a five bedroom house in Orlando.

There will be seven adults, and five children four of which are three and under.  This will be the first time that I have met my brothers youngest daughter Carrie, and only the second time I have seen Erin.

We don't have a lot of activities planned.. Lazy days snuggling in bed with all those babies will suit me just fine.