I'm Back!

Hey friends!  I'm not sure if anyone is even checking this blog anymore, but if you are, I thought I'd write a little blip today!  My kids and I just got back from a 4-day trip to NYC, and it was amazing!  I love the city, and the memories it holds for me from my childhood as a dancer.  My kids had never been, so this was a first for them.  My daughter really enjoyed it - my son, not so much, but at least they were exposed to it, right?  Life is good in my little world - my job at Thirty-One is more than I could ask for.  I am so blessed to be a part of this amazing company!  Kids are good - both teenagers, and doing their "thing"......Aaron remains the best thing that has ever happened to me outside of giving birth to my kids!  He's so patient and kind and loving....all the qualities that I admire in a man.  Ok, gotta run!  Off to a meeting........

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello friends! I know I haven't posted anything in quite some time, but I wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, and let you know that I will try to post more in the very near future! Life has kept me so busy this year! My new career has been such an inspiration to me - the ability to celebrate, encourage, and reward women for all they do, and all they are to so many - does it get any better than that? I think not! My fiance' has been such a positive light in my life, and has confirmed to me that we should all surround ourselves with people who lift us up, not bring us down. My kids are turning 12 and 13 today and tomorrow, and are such a blessing to me each and every day.....even though the teen and pre-teen years are challenging my patience already! My parents are healthy; my grandparents on my Dad's side are still alive, though my Grandma, barely. I just have so much to be thankful for! Oh, and don't forget.....my 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 fish, and turtle, who are all "for the kids", but let's face it, are taken care of BY ME!!! I am blessed! Let me share this quote with all of you today......."What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?" Deep, huh? Have a great holiday!!

Me and My Man.....

I am so happy and honored to be this man's fiance'. Thank God for second chances!!

The Proposal

Saturday, June 18th, 2011, my soulmate Aaron Foster Emery asked me to marry him! Of course....I SAID "YES"!!! He proposed to me in the most perfect place to propose to a former Miss Ohio.....on the stage where dreams come true....the Miss Ohio stage, in front of a couple thousand people! Here are a few pictures taken that evening....I am the luckiest girl ALIVE!!!!!

My First Thirty-One C&C

Thanks to Dawn and Tammy for making my first C&C an awesome one!

Hocking Hills Getaway, Year 2

A couple of my favorite pics....I am so lucky to have this man!

Clippers Fun...

Me, my amazing boyfriend Aaron, and Aaron's idol, Charles Nagy, former pitcher for the Indians and currently the pitcher's coach for the Columbus Clippers....fun times:-)

Love

Couldn't hide our love for each other if we wanted to....

Cleaning up well....

This past weekend, I turned 40 and my last Miss Licking County, Kasey Wilson, got married!! Here are a few photos from the wedding night....birthday party pics to follow soon....

A weekend with the families....

Here is a pic of Aaron and me in Aaron's parents' backyard, which coincidentally is just yards away from my Dad's backyard!

Lovin' My Man.....

My sweetheart....

For those of you who don't know him, this is Aaron, a man that I dated 20 years ago, and have recently reunited with. I have held off posting him on my blog, due to the sensitivity of our situations, but now that time has passed, I will share him with my non-Facebook friends!

The beautiful Opryland Hotel....

From my weekend trip to Nashville, TN....

Washington, D.C.

A few pics from our trip this week.....I made Grace walk the entire length of Pennsylvania Avenue, from the Capitol Building to the White House...she was NOT happy with me! (But very happy to have made her first trip on the Metro!)

Chillin' Poolside

Summer Fun

Some random (sorta posed) pics in our front yard.....

39....

Today I turn the beautiful age of 39.....just one more year before the BIG 40!!! I must say, this has been one of my best birthdays ever, thanks to wonderful friends and family. You all know who you are!!! **wink** Love you......

A Beautiful Day at the Zoo....

Here are a few of my favorite pics from our day at the zoo on Monday.....

End of Season Competition...

Our last competition before Nationals was held in Dayton this past weekend. Grace competed 6 times, and received "High Gold" in 5 of the 6 pieces. Here are a couple of shots from backstage...

Indians

Peyton and I are huge Indian's fans! Here is a pic from a recent game....