Pics and silly video

Just wanted to put up a few more pics from my awesome party in OP with my friends and family. Thank you again to everyone for making it such a fun special night. I loved every moment of it. I was thanking Jesus that night for how He has blessed each friendship and how our family is so close. I went to sleep that night praising him for each of those relationships that I value so much. I really have just the best family and friends, I am one luckly girl! They have all loved me through it all and support all my crazy endeavors, they are just the best. I have known most of these since elementary & junior high and they stuck by me through all of my crazy hair, stages/wardrobes, career paths, etc. I just could not be more grateful that each is still a big part of my life. I LOVE "doing life" with yall, just fabulous!

I know there are a lot of pics but I loved these and had to put them up. The videos at the end of Sam are absoultey hillarious, he basically taught my little cousins how to suck hellium from balloons (your welcome Deb!) and of course there is one video of our little fishy showing off his new found skills of going underwater in the pool. As you will see he gets VERY excited about it and is VERY proud of himself after each time. Thank you again to everyone, I seriously had the best birthday ever b/c each of you were there in one spot. yay! Muchos Gracias mi amagas, te ama mucho!

My Mom serving up some cake and ice cream, mmm mmm good!
Some of the gang

Jaime Lynn and Sammy getting their sugar rushes on

My little babies met for the first time! Peirce was talking to Caitlin and she was smiling back, so sweet!

Tabitha and Rob, such a sweet couple. Rob absoultely cracks me up. Michael was swimming in the pool so missed him in this shot but their son is adorable. He too cracks me up. Just love this fam!
My mom loving on Peirce, love his expression. Such a cutie pie!
Gloria was a hit! All the kids of course instantly loved her and she was just so helpful with Samuelito. We sure love her and Joe, they are the best neighbors ever!
Mehan and Coco
Guddaling, Coco, me, and Meeegan (or Meeegan the Vegan as Sam calls her and no she is not vegan). Just realized I have nicknames for each one, wow. If Linda had made it in the pic she is Winna Kaye and if Cindy had made it in she is RP. Again, can I call someone by their first name? I really just realized that I do this as I was writing the caption. Something to think about.
Little Marc all grown up
Audra made me the yummiest baked goods.. brownies, snickerdoodles, and choc chip cookies! They didn't even make it 3 days, how sad is that? You see how full those bags are. I seriously need to develop some self control one of these days. Thanks Gu!

Sammy with his cousins, he adores them
Julz made me the coolest card ever (again there I am with a nickname) and she made me super cute earrings that even matched my shirt I had on! She's simply the best!
Here we are with our cool earrings, stylez by Julz I call them.
Sammy and his buddy Jamie Lynn just chatting it up on the swing, they are just too cute

Winna and her precious little Catilin, so beautiful!
Check out one of the hallways, I wasn't kidding when I said they went all out on decorations! It was VERY trocpical

Prepare yourself for the last one, Nicole videoed this for me and she shook the camera when she laughed..Sam is one of a kind, that's for sure. I love you honey, thanks for cracking us all up. For those who were wondering , no the iced tea and Koolaid were NOT spiked. This is all natural. =)

Super fun bday!

I had a fabulous 30th bday! It was just so wondeful thanks to my amazing husband and my family and friends. When I came downstairs the morning of it, I came down to this site...they had cards waiting for me sitting infront of stairs..

Sammy blowing the noise maker in his own special way, ignore the part where he gets mad he got hurt and throws it and focus on the cute part. =)..

Plus tons of streamers and several balloons and bday tablecloth on the table. Sam just went all out. It was so festive and really made it feel like my bday! Sammy was beyond excited at all the decorations. We had a great day, the three of us just hung out and played and NAPPED! I actually got to take a nap when Sammy did, it was just the best. I woke up to Sam telling me I had to get ready b/c he had a suprise planned at 6pm. He didn't tell me where we were going or how to dress but I must say.. it was fun not knowing what was going on but a little hard for a planner like me. Did I need a jacket, what if it got cold? Could I wear heals or did I need sneaks? What should Sammy wear, play or dressier clothes? Did I need to pack food/snacks for him or would they be provided?? He gave me no hints & off we went. I was pleasantly surprised when we pulled up infront of Las Margaritas, my fav Mexican joint in town. It is cheap and delicious! I was even MORE Suprised when I told them I need a table for 2 and a high chair and the hostess asked if I was Teri and that they had a table for me and pointed to the back. I looked back and there were some of my friends waving and yelling "Suprise!!! Happy Bday!!!"! Yay! He had asked some of my friends from my program to come and join us, so sweet!

We headed back to Kim and Chris's new house after dinner for birthday cake. They literally JUST moved in so Sammy LOVES their house b/c lots of room to run and DANCE! The first time we went they literally only had the ipod docking station and Sammy danced the night away. This time they had a few more things moved in, including the largest teddy bear in the history of the world. Sammy's sugar rush following his cake was too funny. I included some videos for you.

As if all of this wasn't enough, my family and friends in Jax had a party for me the weekend following my bday at Aunt Sandra's house, it was so great. Really perfect! I appreciate all the hard work that went into the decorating, it was a lua theme and there were TONS of decorations thanks to Cindy. I just truly enjoyed having my family and close friends there to hang out and be with. Joe and Gloria even drove up from Gainesville! I wish it could've lasted forever. I just don't get to spend enough time with all those I love there so I really really cherished that time. The pics from that party are still on my camera but will post some up soon.

Here are some pics/video from Las Margaritas

Molly, Mike, & Jane
Kim, one of my VEGETARIAN friends eating meat..... I couldn't believe my eyes and had to grab a pic
The mariache band sang Happy Birthday to me and then sang "Un Elephante" for Sammy~ his second fav spanish kids song, its about couting elephants, he was so happy!

Veija! No idea if that is how you spell it in spanish but means old lady!
Ole!
We were making 30's with our hands, didn't come out quite the way we planned. Love my micro sized hat too.
Happy Birthday!
I take making a wish and blowing out the candles VERY seriously.
Sammy helping Kim put her hat on
The sugar rush begins!
He loved that they had an air matress in the living room and were ok with him jumping on it. He thinks "MMMM" and "Kiss" are the coolest. They let him get way with things that Mommy and Daddy don't. =)

First Day of School

Here is Sammy right before we headed off to his first day of preschool! He was super excited as you can see! He was saying "teacher!" when I took the pic. =) Love it! Thanks Grammy for the new sneaks and Grandmother for his new lunchbox & napmat!!

Sammy had his first day of preschool on Monday and he could not have been more excited. We went to Sonshine Day's orientatin on Sat and he got to meet his teachers and see the classroom. We were very happy to see his seat was next to Kyra's (his buddy from Gloria's house, they are one month apart and extremely close) and the two of them played and showed each other around the room. Later he would tell us the he went to "cool" (school) that day and he met his "eecha" (teacher) and he always would end with "keeya" (Kyra) and Addy b/c he saw his buddy Addy at his school, he is just so fond of her.

We had to wake him up early on Monday for school and I assumed he would be grouchy but nope! He popped his eyes open and was so happy and bubbly. He ate a good breakfast then asked for his lunchbox and was ready to go. We were very proud of him. He did so great when we got to the classroom. He was a little shy in the hall but went right in to the classroom and said "cool!!!" "yay!!!" and played with the toys. I had a million things to go over with the teacher of course and I got a little teary eyed but Sammy did great didn't bat an eye when we left. As soon as Kyra arrived she shrieked "Samuelito!!!" and he yelled " hola Keeya!" they ran and hugged, I got a pic it was too cute. They held hands and as they walked over to the kitchen center and that is how I left him. It was MUCH harder on us than him, that is for sure.

Sadly we got a call in the afternoon that he was having a rough time. He had gone down for nap with everyone but woke up after an hour and was crying a lot and having tummy probs so we picked him up early. I was on my way to class when Heather called and I should have gone on to class given that it was the first day but every mommy bone in my body begged me to turn the car around and I sure did. I ended up being about 25 min late to my first day of class but my professor was very understanding thankfully and I was able to be there for my boy.

He did MUCH better today, no probs and so we are thanking God for a great day! We will keep on praying him through this transition.

Every first day of school Hannah and I go out for icecream to celebrate it and to welcome in a great new school year and talk about all that is in store. It is a super fun tradition and it was fun to add Sammy to it this year. Hannah's little bro Mark wanted to come along so we all went and had a super fun time talking about the exciting day they all had. Sammy was so cute sitting there with them saying "cool, cool" just thought he was one of the big kids sharing his school stories too. I can't believe my Banana, she is so much more mature. She is in second grade this year, yay! I was worried she may be in first grade forever so this is a huge accomplishment. She seemed to love her teacher and so I am excited to see how well she will do.

Here are some pics.! enjoy!

Hugging Kyra when she came in

Happy first day of school! With Niki, Kyra's mommy
Showing me the kitchen area
Their little seats.. it is strange but seeing this for first time is what made me teary at orientation. Just couldn't believe he has his own little seat at a school table. Babies don't have those. =(
First day of school celebration!!!!!!!
Icecream!! Well really frozen yogurt but they had no clue
Silly face time as sugar rushes set in
Mui Tonot Samuelito!
Mark had purple teeth!

3 Big Changes for the DeLucca Fam!

It's been busy around here that is for sure. We have several big changes to announce, two good and one sad one.

1. Sammy is starting preschool! He will begin his first day at Sonshine Day this coming Monday and we are just as tickled as can be. It has taken a little while to get to the happy part, I was at first upset, then aprehensive but prayer works and now I am totally excited. The change occured b/c our dear sweet wondeful heaven-sent Gloria hurt her knee playing with Sammy last week. Not just regular kind of hurt I mean tore her miniscus and several other things. Ouch and did I feel guilty, uh yes I sure did! My giant boy took another one down. We waited on pins and needles for her MRI report to come back and then we got the news, at least 2 months before she can watch the kids again. OH NO. Thankfully God is so good and we got the call that very same day that Sonshine Day had a spot for him. It was such a God thing. We had put him on the waiting list a few months ago just in case something came up & what do you know. Wow is all I have to say. We met his teacher and saw his classroom and we go for orientatin on Sat morning. Sammy will get to have a couple of hours in the room with his new buddies while we are in the orientation so that will be good warm up for Monday.

2. Sam was sworn in today and is now officially "Reserve officer Samuel DeLucca" with the University of Florida Police Dept. This will be a part time position but will sure help us out until something full time comes through. I included a few pics and video from when he was sworn in. As much as he hated GPD and was glad to leave he said it sure feels good to have a badge and gun again and I must say, mamma aint hating looking at him in his uniform again! GRRRR!

Please pray with us over his most recent application (we've lost count at this point. We think this is his one trillion and thirty second application) just kidding, but Sam has applied for an amazing job with the Eigth Judicial Court and it is just perfect for him. He would be a juvinile justice coordinator and it would be just so wonderful. He has the application submitted and we are now just waiting on a call back hopefully for him to come in for an interview. Please pray hard! We need this so badly!

3. Our sad news is that we have to say good bye to our sweet dog Franklyn. We just love Franklyn and he is seriously the perfect dog. He is so smart, such an intelligent dog and is simply the best we could ever ask for. He is my little shaddow and I don't know what I will do without him. We decided it is better to give him to a home where he can live and be happy than to keep him here with us and be selfish. Franklyn has just grown in fear as Sammy has aged and now sadly he spends most of his days shaking and trembling and hiding under the tables. He is just so scared of Sammy and he growls when Sammy even comes near. Just yesterday Sammy tried to hug him and give him a kiss and he snapped at Sammy's face. It is not Franklyn's fault, I am actually glad he snaps b/c I am sure that has saved his life by keeping him alive up until this point. Sammy was so rough with him at first as he began to be mobile. We have done our best to teach him to love and be sweet with Franklyn and he is for the most part but even when he hugs him it it too tight. Our little Tank is only 6 lbs so a car smacking into his head is a big deal for him. I hate seeing the Tank like this. He is a different dog. So sad. Plus we had to go down to the cheap food for him and we can't buy the treats and he is now overdue with the vet upkepp b/c we can't afford vet bills so, overall we just feel like we have to do what is best for him rather than keep him just b/c it makes us feel better since we'd miss him. Ok better stop typing about it or I will break down and cry. =( I'll keep you posted on him and his new family.

Yay, I'm turning 29 again!!!

Well I am in disbelief that tomorrow is my 30th birthday! How did this happen to me? I don't feel like an old lady but I think back to what I thought of 30 year olds when I was 16 and yup, I was certain they were all old ladies. Now that my time is here though, I have decided to fully embrace the aging process! I have done some cognitive restructuring and decided that I am just delighted to turn 30. I think I was dreading it b/c I started thinking last week how I have accomplished none of the things I had planned to have done by the time I was 30. Here is a list of my biggies I had planned on:

1. Would have completed my degree by now

2. Well established in my career by now

3. Already interviewed by CNN (ha ha! hillarious now that I thought that would even happen)

4. Would have 3 children and next year at 31 would be working on #4

5. Would feel wise and have the whole life thing figured out

6. Would not be scared of walking in to my house alone when it is dark

7. Would eat hot sauce, not prefer drumsticks as best part of chicken (since ya know, that is the kid part), and would not need to put syrup on my greens to eat them

None of these things have happened yet! Not a single one. So, after some thinking I have decided that where I am in life is just fine. Although I haven't accomplished those things, and surely don't have the life thing figured out,I have accomplished personal things that are so much more important. I am finally free to be me and love myself despite my flaws. I am constantly working to improve myself and grow in my faith to be more like my Jesus. I want to make HIM proud. I feel like all my accumlated life expreinces really have given me some wisdom that can help others in similar situations. I finally don't worry so much about the opinions of others. I actually like to go against the crowd and be unique. I have fully embrased that I am a book nerd and can laugh at all my nerdy ways. I laugh at the moments where I hear things coming out of my mouth without thinking and realize I actually have turned into my mother, which is great and I love it. I just have fully embraced me, it took me many years to get here but at the ripe old age of 29 years and 364 days old I can finally say I like me and smile.

I sure never thought my life would be going in the direction it is now. I mean, seriuosly, if you would have told me at 16 that at age 30 I was focused on a career in RESEARCH which involved being a book nerd (ugh, like that is so totally not cool, like c'mon) and statistics (like so gross!) and would be married to Sam DeLucca (seriously, the guy that sits behind me in geography?? Like that is so totally out there!) or that I would be obsessed with mission work in Guatemala (like that is so weird) I would have thought you were nuts! Seriously, I really did say the word "like" about 100 times a day then. I am just glad that God stepped in and had better plans for my life.

I remember trying to decided what I wanted to "be". I took just about every intro class out there trying to decide. Intro to journalism since I was going to be an anchor woman, marine biology b/c of my ever promising career as a dolphin trainer (thank you mom for pointing out that I would have to wear a wetsuit to work every day, that image quickly changed my mind), anthropology b/c I decided I wanted to study the Dobe Ju/'Hoansi Tribe in Africa (ya know a specific African tribe that talks in click sounds) and learn more about them (again thank you mom for pointing out the amount of shots I would need to do this career, again quickly changing my mind).Then there was my career in interior design, I had planned to become a famous interior designer for celebrities so I could witness to them all (wow is all I have to say about that) but then I did one very long boring day of career shadowing with an interior design specialist at Ethan Allen and my mind was changed. These are only just a few of the plans I had in my little head. I remember talking with my mom when the time came that I had to declare a major. I had gone back and forth on several areas of study and finally my mom asked me what I was passionate about. I responded with helping children ,of course. Then I quikcly reminded her that it conflicts with what I picture for my future. When I pictured myself working and having a career, I pictured myslef going into a big fancy corporation building wearing sophisticated & stylish cute suits and heels and carrying a gorgeous breif case. I wish I could have seen my mom's face at that moment when she realized the criteria I was using to actually decide on my major. I am sure there were many prayers going up on my behalf that evening. Thanks for never giving up on me mom! =)

So, as you can see, I am VERY thankful that I got to the point where I stopped planning out my life and just prayed and gave it all to God. I still remember that moment in my old bedroom in my house I grew up in. With my head on my cloud pillow case all snuggled in my silver satin comforter, I asked God to direct me and reveal to me what His plans were. It wasn't over night but the way certain doors closed and others opened was such a God thing. I like to look back now in my old age and see just how quickly things fell into place at that point in my life. Best thing is God isn't done yet! He is still directing and guiding me showing me where He needs me to be.

I guess on this, the eve of my 30th bday, I am feeling eager for what is next in life. I love where I am in life. I won't lie and say I am content career wise only b/c I am so beyond ready to graduate and MOVE ON with things but every other aspect of my life is a pleasant surprise. I am thankful for the unanswered prayers for #s 1-4 on my above list. Glad He had bigger and better plans for me, better than even my wildest dreams. Guess this is why my fav verse is Jeremias 29:11-12.

I am really excited about tomorrow, Sam apparently has a fun day planned that I am allowed to know nothing of. In fact, he has ordered me to bed early tonight so he can start things... hmmmm! Can't wait to see what is in store and most excited about NOT WORKING and NOT mentioning the word quals (qualifying exams) for an enitere day!

As a little bday gift to me.... would you mind leaving a comment and answer this question? I would LOVE to hear what you have to say!

When you were 16, what did you see yourself doing at age 30?? Can't wait to read your answers!