Joe sent me flowers today...just because. I've never, ever had flowers delivered before. It's awesome ;) Between the flowers and the whole relationship status change on Facebook that he initiated I'm beginning to think he might like me... I'm unbelievably happy :)
10.11.2010
Posted by Valerie at 4:33 PM 1 comments
It's a whole new me ;)
Two very important things to note about the following pics: The first is an outfit that I bought when I was 18...I kept it because a) it's awesome and b) I was wearing it when I met Ryan. It's still awesome lol. The second is me in my wedding dress, all zipped up.
Now why are these important things to note? Because these pics were taken YESTERDAY!!! Woohoo! I have a new body and it's pretty close to the one I had when I was 19 and 20. I'm sorta stoked ;)

Posted by Valerie at 4:21 PM 8 comments
9.19.2010
hopefully quickly
Over the last three weeks Joe and I have seen each other everyday. Many a time the kids were with us too (mine and his). All of the kids get along like gangbusters, which makes them want to spend as much time together as possible. Caden and Lincoln now have 3 and 2 sleepovers, respectively, under their belts. And my children who have never ever ever in their lives listened to men as authority figures have learned to listen to Joe. I swear, he just has this way about him.
It's been the best three weeks :)
However, today we took Joe back to the airport. He's been called back to work on a boat in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico with three hurricanes going on in the area. I'm a little less than thrilled.
We're all going to miss him. Can't wait for the next month or so to pass...
Posted by Valerie at 3:28 PM 4 comments
8.25.2010
It's a nice feeling, I could get used to it ;)
I've started running. I'm up to 3.5 miles a day, which is the most I've ever run in my entire life. This post is not really about that. I'm sure the 5 of you reading this also read the weight loss blog and are therefore already familiar with my running ways. This post is about something that happened on the treadmill today.
A little backstory for ya....I'm slowly dating a guy that lives in Spokane but works on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico. So he's currently on the boat. Most of the time when he's in port we can text back and forth and we do, but when they have to actually go do a job out in the middle of nowhere then we lose touch. For some reason there are no cell signals out in the middle of the water...pshaw! poor planning on the cell phone companies part.
Anyway, he's back in port today, and we were texting whilst I was running on the treadmill. Very hard to do, I don't really recommend it. He knows I've been working at it and asked me how it was going. I told him I was gaining muscle and losing fat. His response?
"Sweet...getting hotter...if that's possible"
Now, it's hot in the Gulf of Mexico, and really muggy where he is. He tells me about the weather down there almost everyday, and I haven't talked to him in a couple of days. Also, for the entire time I was with my ex I had to fish for every compliment I ever got. Really kind of negates any compliment you do get. And after 12+ years of fishing I felt the need to clarify..."The weather?" I asked him.
"No, you silly" was the response I got.
I'm sure that all of you with super loving and supportive husbands will look at that and go "So?" But I'm telling you, that made my day. :)
Posted by Valerie at 12:47 PM 4 comments
8.22.2010
8.17.2010
Some of what we've done...
We went to the park in Coeur d'Alene. There's this great restaurant that serves giant ice cream sundaes, so of course we stopped in there. We also walked along the beach and the boardwalk...This last weekend we went to visit some friends in Vancouver, WA...we hit the Portland zoo, a local park and swimming hole, and then the beach at Seaside, OR. All the kids got along famously which was awesome as those were the hottest days of the summer. Two nights the three boys camped in the backyard with no adult supervision...ah, new experiences ;)
And then the kids went back to school today. Summer is over for us...short but sweet!
Posted by Valerie at 6:33 PM 3 comments
8.02.2010
There was a time in my life that I needed to blog. I needed the creative outlet it provided for me, and me alone. This was a blog about my life...sure the kids and the husband were part of that, because my whole life revolved around them. But ultimately, it was about me.
Selfish, selfish woman.
Now, I'm divorced and I don't have time to blog. This sits out here is cyberspace collecting cyberdust and probably cybermothballs. Every so often I throw it a bone and type something on it, (yes I know I just mixed my metaphors, go with me now) but it's more of a guilt trip than anything. 'Remember that poor defenseless blog that you started and then just up and abandoned?'...that's what I hear calling to me, mocking me.
And do you want to know why I have abandoned it? Because I feel like before I wanted people seeing what my life was like, and now I don't. I'm a divorced mother of three great kids. But my life is more about me now than it ever was before. I don't need this blog as a reminder of what a failure I am as a mother because I simply don't have the time to devote to them that I once had. I have school. And homework out the wazoo. And a social life....which in all fairness is a once a week outing that I take for my personal sanity. But I don't get to play with them like I once did, I don't make cool dinners, or bake cookies, or do crafts, or go on outings, or any of the cool things you see on every other Mormon Mommy Blog. Divorce sucks worst for the kids.
So until such time as I have something more positive to report, my poor little abandoned blog is destined to remain abandoned.
Posted by Valerie at 9:24 PM 3 comments
7.02.2010
6.19.2010
5.03.2010
It's so great that Caden's 8!
My son, my oldest child, my baby, turned 8 years old today. Of course that means that we have a baptism on the way, so we are busily preparing for that as well as the big birthday party this Saturday. Yes, that's the ghetto cake for his actual birthday, but the party one should be much, much cooler.
Caden is so fantastic! Here's 8 things you might not know about him: 1. He doesn't like fruit, but he looooooves vegetables. 2. He's really into science and creating things. 3. He has a terrific sense of humor. 4. He's incredibly smart, and pulls the class averages in reading and math UP. 5. He loves to play Wii. 6. He can explain almost anything he's read. 7. He has a very sweet testimony of the gospel. 8. He is a wonderful, tender and kind older brother.
So there you go. 8 years in the making. I have the best kid! Love you Caden!
Posted by Valerie at 9:04 PM 5 comments
