Happy New Years in California!

We left for San Diego after I got off work on December 30th and drove to St. George where we stayed overnight. We continued our trip on New Years Eve and made it to California at about 2:00. We checked into our hotel, freshened up and headed over to Sugarbabe's. We were so excited to see everyone!  It was Kasey's first time meeting Troy's family, I think he was a little nervous, but he fit right in!  Every year the week between Christmas and New Years, Steve, Linda, Art, Deb, and Heidi all go camping at the beach, so we headed down to hang out for New Years Eve.  We had a campfire, which was good because it was around 40 degrees.  Steve was joking with me saying "you left 20 degree weather, this should be warm to you."  I replied "I know, but we don't sit out in it!"  We were just so happy to be together with our family laughing and joking, it kept us all warm!  

The next day we got up and went back to the beach for a birthday brunch in honor of Sugarbabe.  We spent most of the day just hanging out talking, laughing and joking.  The Fisher clan is always so much fun.  They always show us such a good time, but I think they would do the same if you were camping in the next site, they always make you feel like part of the family.  They are just wonderful people!

The next day Steve and Linda gave us free tickets to the Wild Animal Park. We went together as a family and we had a wonderful time!  Bella is still talking about the animals so we are planning a trip to our local Hogle Zoo this spring.  It was so much fun spending the day together.  When we were done at the Park, we went back to Sugarbabe's for a farewell dinner with the entire family.

Thank you so much Fisher family for the wonderful visit.  We always hope you enjoy having us there as much as we enjoy being there.  We love you all so much and thank God everyday for giving us such a wonderful family!  Until we meet again, much love!

"The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn..."

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

--Moulin Rouge

I don't know if I even knew that Sugarbabe's name was really Margaret for the first two years of my marriage to Troy.  One day I asked him why he always called her Sugarbabe instead of Grandma.  He told me that when he was a little boy she would always call him "sugarbabe" so he used the same endearment for her.  Having known her for the last 10+ years, I don't think I could ever call her anything else.  She is the most loving and caring woman I think I have ever known.  When I am around her, I watch her.  I watch her get drinks for her family, cook dinner, find computer "stuff," she is always moving!  When we come to visit she always has a bunch of diapers, wipes, baby clothes, toys, dishes and spoons for the babies, as well as various types of food.  We never have to buy anything for the kids when we are there.  She is always thinking of everyone else.  

I watch her two sons, Mike and Steve care for her.  It is obvious they do it with so much love, a tribute to the mother she has always been to them.  They would do anything for her, trying to fill the void in her life since Papa passed away.  We all see the sadness in her eyes, any of us would do whatever we could to help take some of that sadness away.  We decided as a family to go to California over New Years to celebrate her birthday.  We hoped in some way, it would give her something to look forward to and focus on.  I don't know if it helped, but we were so happy to be with Troy's family and spend time just with her.  I know Bella, Max, and our family entourage are a handful, but I think children always help us get our minds off of our problems and focus on something else.  They are so carefree and innocent! 

We have been trying to figure out for a while now who Max looks like with his bright blue eyes, chubby dimpled cheeks, and curly blonde hair!  Sugarbabe pulled out a picture of Papa when he was a toddler, they could have been twins!  Mystery solved!

Sugarbabe, you are the matriarch of our family and example to us in everything you do.  I want you to know how much I personally love you and appreciate the role model you have been for me.  I couldn't have picked a more wonderful family to be a part of.  Thank you for taking me and my girls into your family and into your life.  I love the quote "The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."  Thank you for this life lesson, like I said, I watch.  

January Birthday Shoutout!!! (Better late than never)!

Margaret Fisher (Sugarbabe) Grandmother - January 1st
Kasey Tripp (future son-in-law) - January 6th
Josh Fisher (nephew) - January 16th
Rosemarie Caruso (friend) - January 29th

Olympus View Dental's Charitable Drive

Every Christmas, one of my friends Christine who works for "Make a Wish" organizes a charitable drive project with her friends.  This year I really needed a diversion so I asked if I could help.  Her charity this year was to gather backpacks full of clothes, food and supplies for homeless teens (very sad).  I asked the girls at OVD if they wanted to participate, and I was overwhelmed by their willingness to help.  We had a chili luncheon and pulled everything together.  These pictures are only some of what we collected.  I knew these women are fabulous but I was so impressed by their enthusiasm.  I just want all my friends from Olympus View to know that you are all my heroes, you are extraordinary people, and I am honored to call you my friends.