17 years of lovin you...

It was 17 years ago on this day that I saw a beautiful man and knew instantly I would be in his life forever. I was at Enchillada's in Downtown Dallas w/my cousin. We walked in and saw this table full of guys - about 20 of them. I immediately spotted, David - the most handsome one out of the group. Where we sat, my back was to him. I kept turning around looking through the table of guys to catch his eye. And luckily for me - he was leaning forward, trying to catch mine back. We played eye flirting all through the meal. Then it was time to go. For some reason, I was too nervous to go up to him and give him my number. I know, right? Little surprising - but I was. So, I found a maid in the building, paid her $5, and asked her to give him my number. I watched from around the corner to make sure she gave it to the right one. It took a few days and then he finally called. We met at a local bar, and I had my cousin tag along. Funny thing is - I wasn't 21. I was 20 years old and not legally old enough to drink. Of course - I was nervous to tell him that. I knew he was definitely older than me. I later found out he was 30 years old, and it took him awhile to call me b/c he knew I was young. We had a great time on our first date. My cousin ended up leaving and we talked for hours.

From that moment on, we were inseparable. We were together almost everyday for 2 years. And then, sadly, we broke up. I think I was too much for him : ) I was pretty sad about the break-up. He told me - if you were 5 years older - it would be different.

So for the next 5 years, I would call him just to check in. I wanted him to know that I was still here. I didn't want him to forget about me. (which was silly - b/c how could he, right?) Sure, he dated and I dated other people. But I knew that if I ever were to settle down - it would be w/him.

So, 5 years after our break-up, I bought a computer. And of course, I didn't know how to hook it up. So who do you think I called to come and do it? That's right - David! He came over, hooked up my computer for me ..... and after that - we were back together. And we've been together ever since (that was in February 2001).

It's been the greatest time of my life! I'm so blessed to have such an incredible man by my side! I love you David!

2011 Comes to an End!

I can't believe that another year has gone by already. It's amazing that as we get older - time goes by so much more quickly.

This year has been good for our family. We have been blessed so much!

David has been working more than ever. He hardly took any time off. There were a couple of scares at the Bank, but he thankfully made it through. We pray that continues in the New Year. He hasn't spent a lot of time golfing this year. Although he did go on his annual golf trip during the summer. I hope he'll be able to golf more in the New Year. I know it relaxes him and he enjoys it so much. He was able to go and visit his mom in El Paso this year. He really enjoyed it. And was so thankful for the trip and the time w/his Mutti. Other than that, he spends time on the video games. He LOVES the video games. Santa brought the boys a new keyboard for Christmas, and David has really been enjoying it. It amazes me how he can listen to music, and just about play it on any instrument. I hope at least one (if not all) of the boys picks that up from him.

Ben is half way through 4th grade. He's struggled a little. It seems 4th grade is tougher than the other grades. But his teachers are amazing and really helping him pull through. He still loves playing any type of video game he can get his hands on. He's doing more things w/David. They take a lot of things apart to see how they work. He played Basketball the first part of the year - but didn't play anything the second half. I hope we can get him into some type of sport this next year. He did join Boy Scouts breifly - but we had to take him out of that, but we do hope to let him re-join in the New Year.

Will is half way through 1st grade. He's doing great. He loves school, but he mostly loves the social part of school. He's very much like his mommy : ) He enjoys video games as well - from time to time. But if he had his choice - he'd rather be outside climbing the nearest tree. He loves being outside and he loves to explore. He didn't play any sports this year - but he wants to give baseball a try next year. He did join Boy Scouts and he's really enjoying that. We took a little break - so he's ready to go back strong in the New Year.

Andy is in pre-k, and he goes everyday. He really enjoys school and loves his teachers. I can't believe that in 9 months, he'll be in kindergarten. It seems crazy to me. He's my baby, and he knows it : ) He also loves playing Wii & xbox. He also enjoys playing outside too. I think he loves the video games and the playtime outside equally : ) He has not played any sports yet, but he definitely wants to play soccer next year. It's all he's talked about. He tells everyone "my mommy is going to sign me 'in' for soccer." It's so cute.

Kuma is still with us (thankfully). She's 12 1/2 now. She's slowing down, but she's still got a sweet spirit. We added two other members to our family this year. Teddy, (http://wilke-family.blogspot.com/2011/02/meet-charlie.html) who is now 15 months; and Ralf (http://wilke-family.blogspot.com/2011/04/another-member-in-our-pack.html) who is about 3 1/2. The combination of the three of them, especially w/a puppy has taken some time to get use too. But Teddy is finally maturing a bit & it's making life calm down a bit for all of us.

Me? Well .... I had sort of a tough year. I had my gallbladder out in September 2010, and it's taken until now for me to feel 90% better. I had a rough year, but I think (I pray) - I am on the upside of it. I didn't have a very productive year b/c of my sickness, so I'm determined to make this next year a great one! I'm hoping to find something I can do to bring in extra income this next year. I'm not sure what that's going to be yet - but I'm praying and I'm hopeful - I will figure it out. I have alot of changes I plan to make in the New Year, that I hope will be life-long changes. i.e., take my children to Church every week; get our finances in order for future goals; feed my family better quality food, so that we are all healthier; get my household and my children more organized; blog daily; restore relationships; spend more time w/quality friends; nurture the relationships w/my boys; stop using the four letter words that slip out on a daily basis (thanks Angie); be the best mother & wife i can be. I hope with these changes it will make my already wonderful life - perfect!

I hope that all of my friends and family have a tremendous New Year! May you be blessed Richly in this coming year!

Happy New Year!

David's birthday celebration

We celebrated David's birthday with our traditional Birthday sign, presents, home-made cards and lots of family time.

David, Ben, Will & Andy

Happy Birthday, David! We love you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!

Happy Birthday DAVID!

David,

Today as we celebrate your birthday - I want you to know how truly thankful I am to be by your side on this special day. You deserve a day of pampering, a day of rest, a day of love, kindness, and pure joy! You are an extraordinary man, husband and father and I am truly blessed - I know!

I hope that today is fantastic for you and that you feel surrounded in love. The boys and I are so excited to celebrate your 47th birthday with you and can't wait for you to see the goodies we have made/bought for you.

Happy Birthday my dear sweet husband!

All our love is for you!

Frosty the Elf

Our Christmas Elf, Frosty, came back again this year. We were so glad he made his arrival back to our house. The boys missed him (Will & Andy that is : ).

Frosty was pretty sneaky this time around. He had some clever hiding spots....

Andy trying to figure out why Frosty is eating all the syrup : )

Ben & Frosty

Andy & Frosty. Frosty is taking his marshmallow bath with friends : )

The boys look forward to Frosty coming back every year. He's a fun tradition for Christmas!

Legos from Oma!

Oma sent the boys Legos via David for Christmas. They were SOOOO excited! They love Legos and they love their OMA!

Thank you OMA for the Legos and for making them smile!

David visit with Mutti/Oma

David went back home to El Paso to visit his mom for a short trip. We've finally convinced her to move here and she's moving here early next year. He wanted to visit his home town and childhood home once before the house is sold and his mom makes her move here.

He had a great time with her and really enjoyed his visit. Unfortunately, he didn't take many pictures - but here's a few that he did take.

They went to Fort Bliss to see his Dad's grave and put up a Christmas wreath. The pictures don't do it justice. It's a calm, peaceful place. So beautiful and so humbling.

Mutti/Oma : )

Mutti/Oma and her beautiful Christmas tree : )

David had a hard time leaving, but soon Mutti will be here w/us. We can't wait for that day to come.

Dinosaur Chess

Benjamin has been into chess for quite sometime. Will has picked it up lately too. So, it's natural for Andy to want to do it too, since he wants to do everything his brothers do.

On this particular day, he tried to get his daddy, Ben or Will to play w/him and no one would play with him. He never asked me b/c he knows mommy doesn't know how to play chess. Plus - he likes playing w/the boys.

So - I went about my day; cleaning, laundry, etc. I come back into the kitchen and he has set up the chess board and is playing chess with his dinosaur. I thought it was so cute! But I was also sad that he really wanted to play and his brothers wouldn't play with him.

It's so tough when you have kids of different ages. Not all of them are into the same thing at the same time, and it makes times like this difficult. But .... Andy was perfectly satisfied w/playing with his dinosaur. He even let the dinosaur win : )

Thanksgiving

I love holidays and any day where I have the chance to hang out w/my family. My family is so spread out now - and some of us don't play well together - and therefore makes holidays difficult.
  
My parents and my brother, Christopher, came over for lunch. We ordered food from HoneyBaked Ham again this year. Their food is so yummy and it's so easy. My mom and my brother brought some sides and it made for a delicious meal.

My handsome hubby!

 Christopher & my mommy checking out the Black Friday ads.

 my daddy checking out the ads : )

my sweet moochie, Ralf : )

 Teddy :)

David carving the turkey w/a little help from Andy : )

Taking a little break for Mario Brothers on the Wii

My mom, Christopher, Will, Andy & Ben

Andy eating some yummy food : )

FOOD!

Uncle Christopher tried to leave - but Ben talked him into a little more Wii : )

If you have been to any party or gathering at my house,

then you have been in a fireplace picture at my house : )

My parents and my boys

Andy, my mommy, Will, my Daddy, and Ben

All of us

Andy, me, David, my mom, Will, my dad, Christopher & Ben

Our family

Andy, Me, Will, David and Ben

My 3 handsome boys

Andy, Will & Ben

We had a great day with family and we are so thankful to have had this time together. Our family has so much to be thankful for this holiday season - and we feel truly blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Tree time!

Our neighbors across the street have this fabulous tree that all the kids love. And they are kind enough (even though they don't have kids) to let the kids play in their tree. So .... they do!

We were out yesterday and I snapped a few photos of the kids playing in the tree. I don't know what it is about a tree - but if there's one around - the kids will climb it.

Ben, 3 neighborhood kids (Vette, Jaston, Christine) & Will

David showing Andy how to crack open nuts that fell from the tree across the street

We have this swing that we weren't really able to use b/c it needs to be hooked from a tree. So, we hooked it to the tree across the street. Will and the boy next door (Scott) thought it was funny to swing off the rock ledge, and then kick the other one in the butt. REALLY?! They thought it was hilarious

Here's Will swinging to kick Scott w/Andy watching : )

Braces off!

The day has FINALLY come. It's been 2 years, 5 months & 6 days. But who is counting, right?

Let's remember why I got the braces in the first place. Not b/c I wanted them, but b/c they were a necessity to fill a gap in my teeth, left from a loose baby tooth.

So - here I am on my way to get them off.....

At the orthodontist waiting for my tech.

Here's Jorge before the big unveiling....

Here's Jorge and I before the braces are off.....

And here's my awesome orthodontist, Dr. Bonilla, whom I absolutely love.

After the braces are off. Yea me! Thank you Dr. Bonilla, for finally letting me get them off. Only 5 months and 6 days past my due date. But who is counting . Uh, me!!!!!!!

Jorge's tools and my braces - if you an see them.....

My lovely chart. I hated that picture. I asked every single time if we could take another one.

In the car, headed home.... so, so happy :)

I had to go back to get my retainer, and so I took Dr. Bonilla and his staff a custom cake made especially by my friend and favorite cake maker, Terri.

Dr. Bonilla w/the cake. I think he liked it : )



Even though it was a long 2 years, 5 months & 6 days - I couldn't have asked for a better Orthodontist. Dr. Bonilla was awesome. I loved going in to see him and the rest of the staff. They became my friends and I will definitely miss them.

Thank you, Dr. Bonilla for my beautiful smile and the fun times.