I Love To Celebrate Joy (and her family)!

Beautiful Baby Grace

Beautiful BeFrie and I poolside

BeFrie and I at the pool on Memorial Day weekend. Earlier that day her little girl, Gracie, was dedicated by Joy's dad, Major Dalton Cunningham, and her husband's father, Major Rick Mikles.

After the dedication and a snack break, Joy's parents retired after more than 30 years of service as officers in The Salvation Army. It was an incredibly touching service and one that both Mr. Wonderful and I were so happy to a part of...The whole weekend the Cunningham's adopted our little family which reminds me of how they did the same thing many years go when they opened their home to me.

I have always enjoyed celebrating with them the milestones. I love them all so much.

Off to North Carolina

Baby girl trying to organize the tees. I love the orange and blue.

Birthday Bike

Thanks to Auntie Lanie she got a new Little Mermaid Bike that has a nice little compartment for Baby Cindy to ride in when she goes exploring. She's not quite reaching the pedals yet but she's enjoying the ride anyway. Notice her and her baby match thanks to the Daniels' kids and their keen shopping ability. She had an awesome 2nd Birthday! Thanks to all of Baby Girl's family and friends for loving her from near and far!

Splash Park with the Williams'

We absolutely love going here...ever since Pie Festival when we learned that Baby Girl loves to splash in the water. This time around, she refused to wear her swim shirt. So, my extremely light-skinned daughter went topless the entire splash-filled time. Love her.

Day @ SeaWorld

After running around all morning -- breakfast at First Watch, grocery shopping for curry chicken ingredients and loading the car with what we may or may not need at SeaWorld -- we FINALLY got to the park right before noon. Of course, it was blazing hot but we still made the best of it. We started off at the Pets Ahoy show which was so much fun for the Baby Girl. I had the best time watching her react to the dogs, cats, birds, mice and pot belly pig. After the pet show, we went over to the Shamu show. It was again very strange to watch the show without any trainers in the water. We ate lunch over where the horses once were. Sad to see that change too. Then, we finished the day off at the Dolphins show. By then, it was time to head out to Charley's to meet up with the Lay's and Budimans' for the annual steak dinner celebration.

Cousins Night Out

Sexy Tanya...Let's do this girls!

We decided to start at the Monkey Bar. Oh and now Super Shah is our adopted cousin.

My beautiful cousins, Shelly and Tanya

The elevator ride down from Monkey Bar.

My longtime friend, Tina and I at Ember

My dear friend and adopted cousin, Soluna, and I at Vintage.

My sweet baby cousin Shelly and I

Happy Birthday Cousin Lanie!

I love that she's wearing my favorite color AND

she was cool with wearing Baby Girls' Backyardigan

Adventure Kid Ribbon. Love you Lanie!

First Cousin To My Current Office

Tanya visits Orlando...We started our weekend at the office.

Very, very dorky but I think she might've had a little fun with attending the Soap Box Derby Social with me.

Visit to the Dr. with Baby Cindy

Went to our favorite pediatrician's office today for Baby Girl's two-year check up. She does so well and has ever since we started going there. She somehow has always known to stay still and calm when the Dr. checks her ears and when the nurses measure and weigh her. The only time it gets difficult is when they give her "pinches." That's tough every time for both of us. I'm so proud of her and how she's growing up. Thank you God for such a beautiful Baby Girl!

Women's Auxiliary Luncheon

The lovely ladies who joined me this year for the Women's Auxiliary Luncheon at the Grand Bohemian in Downtown Orlando. The proceeds from the luncheon go to the women and children of the shelter. This event is always one of my favorites since in so many ways it's a celebration of friendship and love and how we can all come together to support each other through anything...

Birthday Bouncing

Happy Birthday to Madysen!

We went to Monkey Joe's for the first time. Baby girl loved it

but I get why they have comfortable chairs, some that massage you, right at the entrance.

1+1 = 2

Happy Birthday to my baby girl! Her birthday party was a lot of fun.

I am so thankful for friends and family who showered her with love and happiness all day long.

Lakeview Terrace to The Proposal

Why am I watching this movie at 11:40 in the evening? Seriously. This is not the way to go to bed. Not sure if it's because I'm ultra-sensitive when I watch stuff like this. Oh good, just switched to STARZ and the proposal is on. Much better. Betty White will give me good dreams or at least really funny ones.

Thank you Aunt Tori!

My husband's sister is my baby girls' best friend.

She absolutely loves playing with her and often asks for her by name.

God bless the Aunties! They are truly our children's angels.

Why I Love Mother's Day

1. Family. Because I get to spend it with my family and others get to do the same.

2. Food. I usually get to go to a nice lunch or dinner. This year, we went to one of my favorite Lakeside Restaurants in Winter Park.

3. Cards. I love greeting cards every day of the year. The Mother's Day cards lay it on extra thick (just the way I like it). I received the sweetest card from my cousin Tanya and the baby girl.

4. Relaxation. I got to relax a bit in the afternoon which is what I did last year. Always a treat of course.

5. Love. Anytime and any day you can make someone feel loved, do it. Mother's Day is a great excuse to really send the I Love You and Thank You message.

love it when...

love when i get some time in the afternoon to read and write in my journal.

love when i have a chance to talk with my brother and find out what's happening in his life.

love it when there's a breeze in orlando with lots of clouds and sunshine.

love it when the baby girl sings the abc song.

love it when mr. wonderful calls me out on something.

love it how i multitask so much i forget i'm doing it.

love it when i get to celebrate with friends for whatever is bringing them happiness in their life...a birthday, a wedding, a baby, a new couch.

a very important day!

this is a special day for me since i get to wish

my mom and my friend a very happy birthday!

Little Diva and Snow White - So sweet!

Thanks Fio for sending this picture of Little Diva with

one of my favorite characters of all time. So sweet!

the Latest of my Two loves and I

Roarrr! (pretending to be Rintu from Ni Hao Kai Lan)

My little beach baby.

We had a fabulous weekend @ the beach.

Nice suggestions for us to think about, consider, maybe even do...

Read 42 Practical Ways to Improve Yourself........

Meeting Casey Anderson and oh yea, spending the day at SeaWorld

Had a great day at SeaWorld with the talent of Nat Geo Wild (pictured above - Casey Anderson with Super Shah and I). We dined with sharks, fed some dolphins and waved to Shamu. It was an awesome day. We closed it out with some Thai food. What a day!

Greek Fest!!! Opa!! (reason #341 why I'll never be skinny)

Magic win! These "Blue Guys" are crazy.

Garbage Trucks and people

Some people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of anger, full of frustration, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they look for places to dump it. If you let them they will dump it on you! So when someone wants to dump on you, don't take it, just smile and wish them well and move on... you will be happier!

All the Best to Scott + Sterling

Scott and Sterling are getting married!

Here they are at their wedding shower that Geri and Lee put together for them.

GIVE UP THE SODA! (Good blog post that I just re-tweeted @LorelieJ)

I want to save this for a dear friend of mine who's convinced that soda is NOT that bad for her even though she's in the midst of trying to lose weight and has been for a few years. For some reason, soda and maybe her breakfast choices, she can't seem to drop the LB's. I love her but even I KNOW that drinking pure soda, not diet, does not help you stay healthy and fit. (I can hear the mountain dew lovers out there begging to differ.)

Check it out...10 reasons to quit soda for good

I only pick on you, my friend, because I love you. Really. You are so special and you deserve better than a can of soda.

celebrating the z girls

birthday present from c. to z's
Originally uploaded by ljohnson9

Baby girls' friends Z & Z turned two and with the help of their favorite three year old, ELMO, the birthday party was a hit. There was so much to do for the kids and lots of sweet treats along with pizza and cookies.

We had such a wonderful time! Love to my She-ro, RoWi and her sweetheart husband, Kif.

Sarah Evans Rocks!

IMG_0478
Originally uploaded by prsarahevans

Enjoyed meeting Sarah at our communications conference that was held early March in Orlando. She is an inspiration and someone who has a lot to offer to the world with her savvy pr skills and innovative approach to communicating via social media.

Ted and Teala Get Engaged!

The Johnson's - take 2
Originally uploaded by ljohnson9

My Fab father-in-law officially asked Teala to marry him at their engagement party in Jacksonville. Family and friends gathered for a beautiful night at the home of Michael and Sue to celebrate their friendship turned relationship and soon, their wedding.

Here's a photo of the Johnson's with Teala. We love her and are so glad that she makes C.'s papou so happy!

Congrats Ted and Teala!

Happy Birthday again to me! Dinner @ Pannullo's

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Birthday to me!

Super Shah bought me a cupcake for my bday.

So sweet all the way around.

Virginia with the Cousins