Marissade Taylor Roe

My little brother Andy has made me an Auntie! Marissade Taylor was born yesterday, February 20 at 9pm-ish Germany time which is 1pm here. She was a buxom 8 pounds 4 ounces and 22 inches long. She is healthy and happy addition to the family and we are all thrilled she's finally here.

Brandon and I were asked to be godparents. Which means that if something were to happen to Andy and his wife, Leslie, we would raise Marissadae. Brandon didn't know what it meant at first and niether did Andy, but we are all fully aware now!

Andy is thrilled to be a new daddy. He's gonna do great. My parents are Grandmomma and Papa so they're thrilled and being a new Auntie, I'm THRILLED! I have a new baby to spoil, woo hoo!!!!! The hard part is they are stationed in Germany right now and I won't get to meet the baby until 2009 when they're set to come back to the states. She'll be 3 then, unless somehow I can figure out how to get to Germany or Andy can get home... oh well, we'll survive.

Here's a picture of the newest addition to the Roe family. She's beautiful!

Happy V Day!

Well, it's Valentine's day, National Singles Awareness Day, Love Day... however you want to see it, I think it was thought up by the candy and flower and jewelry companies anyway. Supposedly Valentine's Day was founded by the mysterious St. Valentine... but of course that too is a "mystery".

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Now why on EARTH is this an excuse to purchase pretty shiny things for your sweetheart or yummy chocolates or nice flowers... I say again: It's a conspiracy by the candy and flower companies. They LOVE this day.

I've long wondered exactly why one who is not attached should be subjected to this day of watching other people receive candy and gifts and flowers. I remember back to my high school days and how much I hated it then. All the other girls got pretty gifts from their sweethearts and I was always left behind because I never had a boyfriend in high school.

Although, I do have to admit, my Daddy, being the wonderful and loving father that he is, came home one Valentine's Day with a beautiful bouquet for my Mom and a single rose for me. My daddy always made me feel special, and even at that young age, I could truly appreciate my parents' relationship and love and affection for each other that they shared. They've been married for 31 years this July and they still treat each other like newlyweds.

So here's to Valentine's day- a holiday of the heart.....

My Extended Birthday Celebration

Well, my birthday fell on a wednesday this year, which kind of eliminates the chance to celebrate ON my birthday. However, Brandon did take me out to dinner at Applebee's where I had my very favorite: Fiesta Lime Chicken. It was fabulous.

My boss got me a cake. It was dang good cake too, Vanilla with raspberry filling. Yummy fluffy icing and such. It was good stuff. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to me... fun times were had by all.

Brandon and Rochelle are planning a little get together for tomorrow evening down in Las Vegas. My guess is we're going to go sing Karoke at Boulder Station, which is one of my absolute favorite things to do, and probably have a nice dinner somewhere. I'm worth it!!! Honestly though, when Brandon asked me what I wanted to do I told him my birthday is the one day a year that I don't have to make decisions.... so SURPRISE ME!!!

Looking forward to it!

Shannon's Birthday is TODAY!!!!

So today we are celebrating the birth of my good friend Shannon Cobb. She is almost to the hour, one day older then me. It was funny the day I found that out. Here's the story:

Brandon asked me one day how old I thought she was and my response was: "I wouldn't put her a day older then me." Well, the next day Shannon and I were talking and I asked her when her birthday was, she says "February 6th..." I could not believe it! I said "NO WAY!" and told her mine is the 7th. Turns out she was born almost exactly a day before me. It is pretty cool.

She is a great friend and a fun gal to be around. Never a dull moment with that girl! Happy Birthday Shannon! I hope it is a good one!!!

Tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY!

Well, tomorrow I will officially be in my "late twenties"! Another year has come and gone. Looking back, I have done a lot in my 25 years, 364 days, 8 hours and 41 minutes of life.

I served for 8 years in the US Army Reserves. The Army took me all over the world: South Carolina, Ft. Lewis Washington, Germany, Ireland, Amsterdam, Kuwait (the worlds kitty litter box!) And several cities across the USA for training. Although, some of the things in my life seem to have been harder because of the military, overall, I wouldn't trade my time in the Army for anything. I learned my body can go way further then I ever thought it could. I learned that team work really can overcome any obstacle. I learned the value of family and all the wonderful things we have here in America and how lucky we are to be American. Above all else, I served for the greatest military in the world and protected my family! I am proud to call myself "ex-military".

As a kid, I traveled a lot with my family. My mom and I visited Manhattan when I was 13. We went to visit my 3rd grade penpal who lived in New Jersey. Her father was a big wig for Nabisco and he worked in the World Trade Center. I got to go to the top of it, I have a picture of my Mom and I standing at the top of the WTC with the wind in our hair and Manhattan in the background. We saw CATS on Broadway, visited Rocafeller Center and Carnegie Hall. We went to Central Park, FAO Schwartz (the best toy store in all the world). We went through the Lincoln Tunnel, to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was a super Sweet trip.

In 8th grade, I visited our Nation's Capital. Washington D.C. was awesome. We got to visit all the memorials, went through the capitol building, and other such tourist places. We saw the Holocaust Museum, the National Money Place, the Changing of the Gaurd at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier..... and lots of other cool places. It's amazing. Definately on my top ten list of favorite places to visit. History Brought ALIVE!

When I deployed from Ft. Lewis Washington, Brandon came out to visit me over Easter Weekend. He brought my beloved Onyx dog and our good friend Jeffrey. Next to my picture of my Mom and I on top of the WTC, I have a picture of Brandon and I at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle. Pretty cool...

Looking back at my life, I can't really imagine anything I would have done differently. I'm where I am today because of the decisions I made and I'm happy with where I am today! I have a great husband, a nice home, a good job and a great relationship with my parents and siblings. Life is good. So here's to you year 26: BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!