How I met your father...

Okay, so Lavar isn't the most romantic man on earth and he refuses to celebrate Valentines Day because he says it is only a Hallmark holiday.  I agree and I honestly don't really care.  I do, however, like to give him a hard time about not celebrating it.  But actually, last night he came home with pizza and ice cream!  He swore it wasn't for Valentine's Day, but hey, I'll take it!  Anyway, in honor of the day of love, (even though it is a day late) I thought I would share with you how I met my husband.  I think it is a cute quick little story. :)  Our entire love story is a little too long and dramatic for one post, so just how we met will do!

We both attended a small, Christian college called The Master's College in Southren California.  He played basketball and I played volleyball.  Lavar remembers the first time he saw me, what I was wearing, and where I was standing.  I, however, cannot remember Lavar during the first semester for the life of me.  I went to every basketball game, home and away, and still, not a clue.  I do remember being at a friends house and hearing two Bahamians talk and I could not understand what they were saying.  I actually asked someone if it was another language.  Little did I know how much that 'language' would be a part of my life.

Second semester around Feburary or March I was kinda sorta dating another basketball player.  We were sitting in the lounge area of the dorm when one of his friends (Lavar) brought us lunch.  I saw him walk in and the first thought I had was 'oh my gosh, he is so cute!  I wish I was not sitting with this guy right now!!'  We were introduced but that was it.  I didn't talk to him after that for a while.  Meanwhile my relationship, and I use that term loosely, with the other guy ended. 

At this time my volleyball season and his basketball season were finished, I was involved in intermural basketball.  I played in high school and decided it would be fun.  So after one of the games, my best friend Lindsey and I were sitting at the top of the bleachers and my friend Darren came up to us.  I had known Darren since early first semester and he was also a friend of Lavar's.  {little did I know, this was all set up by Lavar}  Right after Darren came over, his big, cute, black, Bahamian friend came over too.  Darren introduced us and all four of us started talking.  I don't remember how it came about, but it is very consistent in our personalities, Lavar and I made a bet.  {side note ~ he won't make bets with me anymore because now I never pay up. The beauty of marriage! haha}  We bet that Lindsey and I could beat Lavar and Darren in volleyball by more points than they could beat us in basketball.  It was on.  The next afternoon we were in the gym.  We did beat them in volleyball (Lavar is horrible) but they did beat us in basketball too, by more points... So our first date, I paid.  We went to a steakhouse, Tony Roma's on CityWalk and Lavar got ribs and chicken and a smoothie drink, while Darren was nice and ordered a simple meal and water. 

After that night we were inseperable, for a while anyway.  We have had ups and downs and have known eachother as friends, dating, not talking, dating other people, you name it.  There has been a lot thrown our way, but we wouldn't change it for the world because it has brought us to where we are now!  So happy Valentine's Day to my husband.  Love you!

Oh and I have to mention, before Lavar left the Bahamas for college he declared to his friends that he would NEVER marry a white girl!  HA!  I guess that teaches you to never say never (love JBeibs) and, well you know, I guess I am awesome like that!

Rekindle Challenge

I loved my high school years.  I was a 2 sport athlete and love my friends.  I went to a small private Christian school and there wasn't really "cool" kids and "nerdy" kids.  There weren't a lot of groups.  It seemed like everyone was just friends.  I liked that.  It was a small school so most everyone knew everyone.  I have two main memories that I am thinking about.  They are general, not really points in time, but I look back with fondness.  First is my family.  Not only did I go to a small private school, but most of my family did as well.  I had 5 older cousins that were one grade above me.  They were awesome athletes and great friends.  We ran the school, but in a good way.  Recently my cousin just passed away and he was one of the best men I know.  He was one of those athletes who was incredible and could play every sport and be awesome at it.  Recently just after his passing his wife got a letter from someone who worked at the school when he was there.  She wrote her and told her how awesome he was and sweet and respectful.  She told her how different he, along with the other boys in that grade, mostly my cousins, were all that way and how now it is so different.  It makes me think about how I want to raise my boys.  They will probably be athletes, daddy is a basketball player and they are both going to be close to 7 feet tall, I want them to be humble and respectful no matter how good they are.  A different breed.

My second best memory is when I was in my senior year of high school.  I played volleyball and had signed to play at The Master's College.  I knew that I needed to do the work out program.  I worked out everyday, sometimes for 4 to six hours of either volleyball, weights, or running.  I was in the best shape of my life.  I was toned and skinny and tight.  I look back at pictures and think, man!  If only!  And now, 10 years and 2 kids later, it just isn't the same.  I still weigh the same but things are as tight as they used to be. :(  I know I could stand to hit the gym a little more, as I am reminded by my lovely husband who is in the gym everyday sometimes twice a day.  The worst part about this is that my husband met me my first year of college.  Back when everything was, you know, a little more snug...  He is always "encouraging" me to work out to get back in shape, which I appreciate, because I want to.  I just tell him though "sorry babe, newsflash: I am never going to look like that again.  I hate to disappoint you!"  I know he means well and just wants me to be happy and I know I would be happier if I was in better shape.  Okay fine, I will start tomorrow!  Well, tomorrow is kinda busy, maybe Thursday.  Wait, Thursday I have to watch my cousin's son, okay Friday.  Wait Friday I have...  diet starts Monday!!