My amazing husband, Chris, pushed out this video last night about our most recent Exchange Student, Michele. He told me he wanted to make a video and sat outside on the porch for hours working on this. When I say hours, I saw this when I woke up this morning, because at 3 AM he was still working on this. I’m so proud of him for the work that he put into this summary of the year, and more importantly, the ability to talk through what this program and Michele have meant for both of us (his words, and I take no credit).
Please enjoy the video, and give it a thumbs up on YouTube.
If you think hosting an exchange student would be a fun experience for you and your family, let me know.
As I sit here reflecting on the incredible journey Chris and I have embarked on together, I’m filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love. Today marks our 25th anniversary, a milestone that feels both surreal and incredibly special. From the moment our eyes met, I knew Chris was the one I wanted to build my life with. Our love story has been filled with ups and downs, but through it all, our commitment to each other has only grown stronger.
Chris has been my rock, my confidant, and my partner in every sense of the word. His unwavering support and love have been the foundation upon which we’ve built our life together.
As we celebrate 25 years of love, friendship, and memories, I am filled with gratitude for the journey we’ve shared and the adventures that lie ahead. Here’s to many more years of laughter, love, and making memories together. Happy anniversary, husband. You not only mean the world to me, you are my world.
I think it is true for everyone, but there are very few moments in history that have a lasting impact on my life. Sure, there is the day you are born; the day you meet your soul mate; the day you marry that soul mate; among others. One such date is March 14, 2008. That is the day we met @treykrivo. A cherubic little 10 year old, shy and quiet at first, partially hiding behind his mom while we learn about the journey we were all about to embark. On a personal level, this is probably the best thing to have come out my involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Chris and I met this young man, days before Chris’s birthday. We made a commitment to him and his mother, that we would do everything we could to be there for Trey. We first thought let’s try this every other week, and see how it goes. With few exceptions through his middle school and high school life, every week we got to get some “Trey time.” The week after we met him, he was so excited to celebrate the first (of many) of our birthdays. That is him with the cake he helped make for Chris’s birthday in 2008.
Thirteen years ago today, “that guy” continues to be one of the most amazing joys in our life. We see less of him nowadays, but we remain in very regular contact and few things excite me more than our plans to hang out with Trey. I’ll be honest, adult Trey tends to be a tad more fun to hang out with than 10 yo Trey, but that is mainly due to not really knowing the right answer to the question “if Superman and Iron Man were in a fight, who’d win?” The logical answer was apparently not correct?
Trey is one of the people in the world that I (we) would do absolutely anything for. He continues to grow into who he is destined to be. He is smart, kind (well maybe not to @mrmaxtoyou ), handsome, and a freaking amazing baker. We are thankful that his mother agreed to give us this amazing opportunity to be part of their family. We adore them both and look forward to all the future moments in his life, of which I am sure there will be many. Happy 13th anniversary Little Brother.
On June 17, 2018 I turned 50! I think there used to be a time when the idea of saying those words would have been almost unbelievable, but here I am – not only saying it – but embracing it. I’ve said for quite a few years now that “age is just a number” or “you are the age you feel.” Not focusing on what a number should be, but celebrating the number of days alive every day has been a focal point of my life for a few years now.
Celebrating with me were a number of friends, all of whom had journeyed to New Orleans for a weekend of fun, culture, love and drinking. The whole weekend was planned by my amazing husband, Chris, who surprised me on many occasions with creating more memorable moments than I thought possible. He is one of the most amazing men I know and love.
Enjoy a few pictures from the weekend.
No trip to NOLA is complete without a drink at Pat O’Briens
Chilling on the hotel balcony with Layton
Jackson Square is a must stop location for any trip.
Breakfast of coffee and pastries.
An amazing dinner at Antoines Restaurant. Simply amazing!
Today is the first time I’ve turned 49. It will also be my last. Over the next 365 days, I will incrementally become 50, and providing I continue to look after myself, those numbers will continue to rise. But today, today I am 49.
There are 31,557,600 seconds in a year, and while many of those seconds were spent sleeping, and a vast majority I have very little recollection about, I have also been blessed to have achieved some amazing things with some of those. And what has made those achievements and “things that I’ve done” all that greater, have been the people that are a part of my life.
So today as I celebrate turning 49, I want to celebrate the people who have helped me enjoy the last 31,557,600 seconds of my life. To everyone with whom I’ve shared seconds of my life, thank you!
Some highlights from my past year include:
spending a phenomenal amount of time with my family in Australia, and getting reacquainted with members of my family from years past,
traveling to Europe in March and meeting our former exchange student Emile’s family, traveling around Spain with Trey and Andrea, and experiencing new parts of the globe that I look forward to returning to,
new jobs and opportunities as I continue to work towards achieving our long-term dreams and goals,
new friends and long-term friends and continuing to build relationships, and
being able to celebrate Chris’s birthday in a unique way.
Every year for the past 18 years, I’ve thanked Chris for being my rock and being a solid foundation sharing each second as it ticks by, and this year is no different. Many of my special moments that I’ve experienced this past year has been with Chris by my side. I’m a lucky guy, and I am thankful for him every day.
Yes, today is my birthday, and I want to celebrate everyone who has helped make my year another one of those that I will look back on fondly. Thank you!
Happy anniversary to my amazing husband, Chris Moss. March 5, 1999 I moved here without really knowing where life would lead me. That date became the date that we established our lives together. Over the years, we have had an incredible journey, and I’m so thankful that three years ago we were married, and started a new chapter in our lives. So today we will celebrate 17 years together and our 3rd wedding anniversary. I love him more than I could ever have imagined. He is my soul mate, my best friend, my husband and my world. Happy anniversary sweet man!
On Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether my marriage to Chris Moss should be valid in Texas (which it is currently not), and across this great country. Currently, our marriage is recognized in 38 states (plus DC), which means that our relationship has a different legal status depending on which state we are in. Texas is home (for now) and I am tired of being a second class citizen because of who I love. Chris and I have been together for over 16 years, just over 2 of these as a legally married couple. Our love for each other does not hurt anyone or infringe on anyone’s rights, yet there are people today who still believe that we should not have the same rights as everyone else, and they work everyday to infringe on our rights and fight against our right to have our marriage recognized. Please pray, wish and hope that the Supreme Court will end this madness and that one day very soon #LoveWillWin
Sixteen years ago today, I began a journey with a man that I had fallen madly in love with. Two years ago today (same day) I was one of the happiest men on earth when Chris Moss and I exchanged vows on our wedding day. Today, like everyday, I am thankful that Chris is not only my husband, but my best friend and soul mate. Happy anniversary sweetie!
Today’s decision completely changes my and Chris’s life together. For over 14 years, I have found (legal) ways to remain in this country to be with the man that I love, and create the family that we have together. This has involved student visa’s and temporary work visas, in many ways limiting what I can or could do, and prohibiting many things that could violate my status. For over 14 years, I have tried to remained lawful and considerate of my “temporary” place of residence. Today, I can finally be treated equally under the law for the first time. This is what DOMA’s demise means for me. This is why I celebrate with my husband, Chris Moss.
But only one first!
