Happy Birthday to me!

Sunday was my birthday and it was very relaxing. Just what I needed! West bought me flowers and I was woken up at 7:30 in the morning by his whole family singing to me through the phone. It was awesome. I got this really funny card:

Then I got this really fun present from my parents:

I can't wait to make some yummy cupcakes!

Christmas Newsletter

I’m a big kid now….(singing Huggies Pull-ups jingle!)

Wow! I can’t believe that I am old enough to be writing a family newsletter! It seems like just yesterday I was sitting at the kitchen table with glitter and glue and stickers, and moving around the furniture in my Barbie house. Hey wait, that was yesterday! Just craft time has become a little more sophisticated, and the furniture that I move is life size for people who have way more money than Barbie. (A corvette, get real. Life requires a Ferrari, a Bentley, and a Land Rover. GAG!!)

Same goes for West… as a kid his mom couldn’t keep him out of puddles or swimming pools. He played video games and intensely studied facts and mechanical specifications of boats, planes, trains and automobiles. You should see our Library on the Titanic, his personal favorite! As an adult, he wakes up for his hour of soaking in the bathtub (not exaggerating, I have witnesses!) to be followed by a quick spell of online gaming and on to piles of spec books for anything electronic and daydreams of how to control it all by one remote.

I guess we never really grow up!

Really though, this year I think West and I finally felt the transition of growing into the full responsibility of adulthood. (I speak for us because he would never admit it!) But, we still know how to have our fun! As travelling is a passion of both, we managed to get a few vacations in this year. We spent a week on the North Shore of Oahu eating fresh pineapple (and found out I was allergic!) and swimming in the ocean (and confirmed my fear of water!) I much prefer historical land-based vacations. Which is why, I can not figure out how I got talked into a week long rafting journey through desolation canyon. But, I did enjoy that trip. Mostly because when we flipped the raft, I was left aboard with a few friends to save the day. A very proud moment!

In even more adult news, we finished our basement this year, an accomplishment of which we are very proud and excited. I have also have been doing graphics for West’s parent’s restaurant, The Road Island Diner. About this time last winter, I finished my first published book, a photographic journal of its restoration. I also did some freelance writing and had a few articles published over the summer, but it took too long for too little money. Being a writer should be a diet plan for weight loss rather than a career. You would literally starve on its wages. (No offense Stephanie Meyer, you seem to have figured out the money, let me know how when you get a minute.) West and I are also selling personal budgetary software and financial education through WakeUpNow. (This is a sales plug and should be perceived as such.) J

With all these goings on and different jobs to perform sometimes we feel a little…..Jamaican. It’s really the only word for it! (No offense to any Jamaican who might read this, I mean this in the most respectful way, your ability to juggle so many tasks is inspiring!) So with my Rasta hat on, we are on to a new year and wish you your happiest yet!

With love and warm Christmas Wishes!

West and Jessica