Gadgets!

We live in the age of gadgets. We have gadgets everywhere, in our home, schools, jobs, and even cars. I was driving in Michael's car just the other day and overwhelm at the number of gadgets he has in one vehicle.

1. GPS (Global Positioning Satellite)
2. An IPOD
3. XM Radio
4. Cell Phone
5. Blue tooth Ear Piece

This is not to mention everyday stuff like, standard radio, air conditioning, cruise control and other basic car features.

Then I thought about everyone else who had all of these things in there car driving around here Florida and I cried. (This is why I pray each time I get in my car). There has yet been a day where I have had a near miss of some sort. Not to mention I am still apprehensive about the accident I had last year, yeah the guy who was drinking and driving. Florida has one of the highest rates of accidents, we have, teen drivers, elderly with oxygen tanks, tourists, natives, foreigners, New Yorkers, and those who just don't know where they are going, So I cringe at the thought of all of these individuals with same gadgets in their cars and I can only think one thing.

STAY AT HOME!

He ain't heavy...................

My Real American Hero!!!!!!

.................he's my husband. I am so proud of you. I hope you are proud of yourself. I know things get stressful both at home and work, but I want you to know I am so happy to be your wife and the mother of your kids. Thank you for being such a great example to us. We could not have a better man to take care of us. Today just showed how hard you work and good things paid off for you, I know you will be great because you are in everything else you do and we love you for it.

How rude!

We lived in South Florida, which is heavily populated by older adults. Sometimes they are just too cute and than there are the times when they are on the road driving and cutting me off. I usually bow my head and say a small prayer for them and me. The one thing I try to be is helpful and not rude, because there are a lot we can learn from our wiser more experienced friends. Well today, I was grocery shopping. Not my favorite thing to do right now but we were out of lunch meat and I HATE giving lunch money, (especially since I am so sure Payton's school is ripping us off). Anyway, while I was in the organic juice aisle, I overheard this nice woman ask for help finding silver polish. She was told by someone else it was on aisle 13. She could not find it and merely wanted help looking. The younger clerk told her it was on aisle 13 and if she did see it they did not have it. I was so angry with this young man I followed the lady to aisle 13 to help look. I found it and handed it to her. She was very thankful for my help. I told her no problem, it was the least I could do. She started playing with Phoenix and for those of you who know Phe she just stared at the lady like she had a third eye. Anyway, she was still very thankful. I don't have parents who are alive but if they were they would have been around this woman's age and I shudder to think that someone would be treating my great aunts or even Michael's parents this way. It is just RUDE! Yes I did take his name and report him to the manager!

Just Take our Daughter, Please!

Just kidding, I love my daughters. Today was take your kids to work day; this year was the first year Payton was really able to get the concept of what this means. Needless to say it was the highlight of her week. She couldn't wait until today. She started the day off by sleeping in, I was surprised dad is usually up and gone by 7 or 8. but today they left at about 9:30. They went to a few customers and then ended the day at dad's office were Payton thought she should sell things like dad does. So she did just that! She sold all of the books I sent with her to read just in case there was times when dad was busy. Well she made almost ten dollars. You should have seen her when she got home. She was so excited about her little business venture. I hope this does not mean she does not want to be a doctor anymore. Oh, by the way she did come home and ask me what I did all day. I told her "nothing as exciting a dad's job dear, mommy does not have time to golf".

Twins separated at birth, I am not kidding. She is his mini-me.....or him.whatever.

Like father, like daughter!

I think I will keep them both, because I am the luckiest women alive to have such a great FAMILY and a stud for a husband!

Phonex's 1st Bday!

I can't believe a year has gone by already! It feels like we just brought her home yesterday. Okay I know she is almost thirteen months, give me a break I have been busy. But yes she is finally 1. she is our pride and joy of the entire family.

First she serenaded us with a little tune on her piano.

Ecstatic, she took a bow, the little ham.

Then turned it over to her big sister, who then played Happy Birthday.

We celebrated with all of our friends with a hot dog bar, it was a huge it.

Topped it off with a little purple hippo cake, made just for Phe, by Janice.

She liked the cake she just wanted to open presents already.

She had a great time and can't wait to do it all again next year.

We have come such a long way. I can't wait to see what is in store!

She was over it!

And frankly so was the rest of us. Our STRESS-CATION, aka trip to Wisconsin was just that, stress full. For those of you who know us we are pretty laid back, we like to enjoy life and our kids. they are funny. But going to Wisconsin has finally taken a toll on all of us, EVEN Payton. Who came home saying, "do we have to go back, why can't we just go on cruises, they are more fun and not so cold". I asked her which does she prefer, she gave me the "duh stare" and said "CRUISES MOM". As you can tell by the look on Phoenix's face she was over it too.

And I can't say I don't blame her. We live a pretty quite existence and WI is the complete opposite of that. We are are laid back, do things when we feel like it kind of people and we like to keep our vacation that way. Let's just say things were being planned for us before we even got there. It drove Michael and I nuts. I made a small wager that he would be ready to go before I would be, (because I am use to the craziness). Well I was wrong, by day 2 I was over it. It was cold, raining, snowy and down right depressing. We were stuck at the airport for four hours and did not get into Brew town until 1 am our time. You would think consideration would be shown for people with young kids, it was not. For some reason that turn into a party. I am still trying to figure it out. Oh well, I had to finally concede defeat and say Michael was right, it is not worth the time, energy, or money for us to make such a trek. I agree vacationing someplace like the Caribbean or the Bahamas is a much better idea. I am thinking about setting something up for the summer and not waiting for Marquis' graduation present. Hey that 10 year anny is coming up, where can we go minus the kids?

Anyway it was great to see people I had not seen in a awhile. We had a funeral to attend while we were there. This might sound morbid but that was the highlight of my trip. It was really funny during the funeral when music was being played, (I think someone was singing). Phoenix was jamming like she was on Soul Train. It was so funny and a little embarrassing or so I thought. Afterwards, several of my COUSIN'S said it was refreshing to look over and she her getting down, oblivious to what was going on around her. It really lighten the mood. Payton was really surprised to find out she had so many biracial COUSINS, (she has a lot). She had a great time doing gymnastics with her COUSIN Raven. Which, I now truly believe the flexibility comes from my side. Anyway, Monday could not come fast enough, especially by the third day I got a fever that turned into bronchitis. We brought this home and all of the girls got it. We are still not better. Thanks to my husband, the doctor, he took really good care of us. He is such a big stud. I think I will keep him.

Speaking of big studs, one thing I also notice is that the kids, the younger two anyway, are very attached to their dad. I thought about this and realized that they really don't get to see him that much especially Phoenix. She is usually asleep when dad leaves and asleep when he gets home. I now know we need VACATIONS were we can just be us!

PARENTAL RESPECT!

Attention to everyone, kids need discipline, my husband and I are firm believers in discipline. No we do not beat are kids. Kids need and want structure, and since we are trying not to raise the next generation of self loathing, the world owes me something when I have done nothing little moochers. I would like to take the time to thank those of you who respect us as parents in not undermining our rights as parents. I recently experienced such disrespect last week so much so I literally had to bite my tongue to the point were I shed blood. I had clearly told my six year old she could not have something and it was clear, concise and to the point. Both my daughter heard me say no and the adult in question heard me say it. In turn this disrespectful adult gave my six year old something I said she could not have. Part of me wanted to scream at the top of my lungs what are you doing followed by a right cross to the kisser. But I have self control. I simply got into my rental car. As we drove away I took the item from my daughter and explained to her that what the adult did was wrong; and when mommy or daddy say no we mean it. All this adult did was confuse my child because she is six and looks up to adults and could not understand why an adult would purposely do something to get her in trouble. I told her sometimes adults make bad choices too. But this was a intentional disregard for our authority as parents. Nevertheless, I take this time to let all my fellow parents know, I vow never to do such underpinning to you. I also give a big thank you to those of you who have helped us become better parents by guiding and respecting our views even when we did not always agree and in the times when we were not there upholding the standards we have set for our children. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

I don't like the beach!

Well, I had an unofficial GNO last week; my dear girlyfriends who came to visit me. It was so much fun, we went to Rita's Italian ice every night it was the best time I had in a while. I have four days of bliss, I did not have to lift a finger at all. The best part was staying up to 3 in the morning laughing like a bunch of teenagers. It did finally get to the point where we were laughing at the craziest things in the world, like Taunie saying I don't like the beach, it is hot all the sand and the sharks bite your feet. Taunie said it as if this happens every time she goes to the beach and of course Teresa and I laugh for the rest of the night and all of the next day. Needless to say it was great to be with friends and be silly for no reason at all. Friends, I have the best in the world. These are two of the best women I have ever met. And I love them.

Young and Old.

I took these photos this weekend. A friend of mine liked some of the photos in my house and asked if I would take their family photos for them. Needless to say I had fun, but photography is hard work. Here are a few of my favorites:


It was grandma's 60th birthday! Here she is with Abby.
This is Abby holding hands with her grandfather.

Oh no we didn't! Oh yes we did!

Well it is official, WE are EXPECTING AGAIN! What, you might ask ……………..a baby. Surprised? No more than we were. Baby Hart is due September 20, 2008. We are excited now that the shocked has settled in. No, Phoenix is not a year old yet, we told her she did not seem to care. Payton overjoyed with happiness, she said she will have two people to boss around. Marquis, well he mumbled something about turning eighteen soon and walked away.