Nikki....Did you know your my stepmom?

This past weekend Brad and I traveled to Holcomb, Kansas to visit his daughter Laney. I was really nervous I just wanted everything to go well. I met Brad's ex Annie and Laney at the door. She was really excited to see us both and immediately wanted me to see her pink room. Annie was very nice to me and Laney was so excited to get going to our hotel room in Garden City. We gave her little stuffed animals. She named the dog Ding Ding Tesch and the Cat Meow Meow Tesch. She is so sharp and witty. We arrived pretty late so it was almost bed time, so before bed we watched a Disney movie in bed, we all went to sleep and I couldn't help but nothice in the middle of the night how alike they are. They both slept the exact same with their arms above their heads and their heads tilted to the exact same side.

Friday November 7th, 2008
The next Day I woke up early and went down to the lobby and got breakfast for everyone so that we could have breakfast in bed. Laney needed to get ready for school so I gave her a bath, did her hair, got her dressed, and we took her to school. I've never had to get someone ready for school. I completly understand why it takes so long for Mom's to get ready in the morning :) Her school was so cute with artwork everywhere, her teacher showed us the classroom and it was so hard to drop her off and walk away.

A few hours later we went back to pick her up from school. Laney opened up her presnts from Washington. She was very excited to play tea with daddy (a tea set from Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Barry) and eat the candy from Aunt Jenny and Uncle Brian. We gave her little glasses that were straws, it was so cute to watch her play.

After that we went to a carnival that was being held by her school. Laney had her face painted like a tiger, she looked so adorable. She played games like Go Fish, bowling, and jumped around in the bouncy house. We walked across the street for dinner at the Cafe, Annie's family owns it. Her family was very kind and welcomed me. Dinner was great too. Laney was so excited to hit the pool so Brad and Laney went down to the pool while I went to Walmart to stock our room with kid snacks and big bird apple juice :) We ended our busy day with a disney movie in bed.

Saturday November 8th, 2008
Saturday we went to the zoo, it was such a cute little place to go visit. There were so many animals to see and it turned out to be quite a nice day. Laney was really excited to show me around the zoo since this was my first time. She wanted to be on Daddy's shoulders so that she could see everyhitng that was going on, when she wasn't we were holding her little hands and swinging her in the air. It was perfect.

We went to the store at the zoo and Laney stuffed and made Princess Kangaroo Tesch. We bought her a princess outfit and pajamas for bed time. It was super cute. We even bought her a purse for her to carry, she looked so adorable. After the store we went to the park across the street where we played on the swings and Laney climbed a huge rocket ship. We ended the night with a dip in the pool and another Disney movie :)

Sunday November 9th, 2008
Sunday we gave Laney a bath and got soap in her little eyes. I felt so bad, so dad bundled her up in her blankets and they watched caroons on the bed until she felt better. Its amazing how giving kisses and hugs makes everything feel better.

Once she felt better we took her to foot locker where we bought her little tiny pink Jordan's......daddy is a sucker for Jordan's and I'm a sucker for that little smile.

Afterwards we went to Walmart and bought craft supplys so that we could make crafts at the hotel. Brad was so exhausted so he took a little nap while Laney and I made suprise crafts for daddy. She wanted them to match our apartment, she is so adorable.

Then I painted her toenails and fingernails all pretty and pink to surprise daddy. She was going to wait until Christmas to give it to him, but 5 months after he woke up she wanted to show him, it was so cute. That night we went to the movie theature and watched the new Madagascar movie. Her laugh is so cute.

Monday Novemeber 10th, 2008
Our last day in Kansas we spent watching cartoons with Laney and getting her ready to go home to Mom's house. When we dropped her off, she gave Brad a hig and a kiss and whispered I love you dad in his ear. Then she came running over to me and jumped in my arms and gave me a bug bear hug and the cutest little kiss and I said I love you. She didn't cry when we left.....but I did. I could barely make it to the car. It was so hard leaving her. She is such an amazing little girl. Before we came to Kansas I felt like Laney was his daughter, when we left Kansas I felt like she was our daughter and I was her mom too.

On one of our many car rides around town out of the middle of no where Laney Says, "Nikki, Did you know you're my stepmom?" I told her yes and asked her if she was okay with that and she said yes. Her mom called to see how things were going and Laney said, "Mom.......I like Nikki, she lets me wear her sparkley lipstick." Our car rides where so much fun. Laney plays a game called Bingo. If you see a yellow car you say Bingo, theree in a row you get to tap the other people on their knee, if you get a false bingo you get flicked. It was fun to play, she is so sharp and would see cars really far away, she said, "I have eagle eyes dad."

Our trip went so well. We had such a wonderful time. I miss her little face and her cute comments he made. Brad is such a wonderful daddy and makes her feel like a princess. I think I did pretty well as a step mommy. I love them both so much. I can't imagine my life without them in it. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have sucha great husband and a wonderful and beautiful little daughter.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

My parents were married on November 6th, 1976 in Placentia, Newfoundland at a beautiful catholic church that I grew up going to. My Dad was stationed to Argentia, Newfoundland Canada with the Navy. My mom worked at a "slot room" on base where all the navy guys would go and hang out. One night my mom was hanging out at the "slot room" with her girlfriend and met up with her friend was friends with my dad's friend. My mom repeatedly kicked her girlfriend trying to get her to introduce the handsome man to her. My mom pulled out these little figurines out of her pocket that were of a naked man and a naked woman and they were magnets....they were little gag gifts. She faced them back to back to back and they would magnitize toward each other. My dad looked at my mom and smiled. They were inseperable for months until my dad learned that he had to leave and be stationed to California in the States. My dad asked my mom what they should do since they were so in love and my mom said,"Well I guess we'll just get married." They only knew each other for 6 months and look at them today.....32 wonderful years. Its one of my favorite fairy tale stories, it just happens to be my parents.
One day I plan on renewing my vows at that same church. I love the way they love each other, how they know when something is wrong with one another, how to make each other smile. If my marriage is anything like my folks, Brad and I will live happily ever after.

BaRACK the Vote!

I Rocked my vote! I really hope Obama wins. We should know by tonight. I'm looking forward to seeing our country go into a different direction. I pray that things will change for the better for the United States!

Home Again

I am so happy to be finally home! Last week I was in Bellevue, WA learning how to use a program to help me develop and maintain the Tribe's website. It was a lot of information to take in, but I think I've got a good grasp on how to do it. My room was awesome. It was a very posh business suite with two flat screen TVs, a couch, a kitchen with the works, king size bed, huge bathroom. It was really nice. I even got to spend some much needed time with my very good girlfriend Elie. We had such a great time catching up. Brad and I missed each other so much that he stayed the night with my at the hotel and drove all the way to work the next morning. He is so good to me.

This week I was in Leavenworth, WA for a Transporation Safety Confrence held by the Washington State Department of Transportation. I shared a room with my coworker who is an archeologist. To get to my room I had to climb up a latter, really weird. I had no tv, no cell reception, and barely any internet connection. It was rough. It really started to get to me how much I missed being away from Brad. I couldn't call him, email him, or see him....it was horrible. We found ways around it....he called my room, I texted him from the street since I got a little reception out there in the freezing cold, I also wrote him a letter with old fashioned paper and pen. Last night Brad and I spent some time together on our couch and watched tv. I missed the simple things, like spending time with him. I relaly can't imagine my life without him and I hope I never have to. He is my everything.

Bridesmaid Dress

Alfred Angelo Bridesmaid Dress

Style #6583

Color Black

WASHINGTON (Jenn and Brandy)
(The store in Everett closed their doors for good!)
Wedding Belles
324 South 1st
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 336-5618

They have the dress in black size 12 so it will be huge on you, but at least you'll get to see it, try it on, and get measured to find out what size you would need to order.

FLORIDA (Becky)
Alfred Angelo Bridal
9344 Atlantic Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32225
(904) 726-8851

TEXAS (Sister)
Alfred Angelo Bridal
3211 Preston Road
Frisco, TX 75034
(214) 618- 4044

My sister has already purchased her dress for $109.00 plus tax. When she ordered her dress they said that the dress may take up to 4 months to arrive. I checked with other dress stores and they are the same! Dresses in Washington and Florida are about $165.00, but in Texas they are $109.00 on sale. Since they take 4 months or so to come in and the wedding is in 6 months.....you girls should order your dresses soon.

So I was thinking that we could have my sister pick up the dresses in Texas so that you girls can pay less money for the dress. If you like this idea, you need to go to the store nearest to you (addresses above to try the dress on), get measured to find out your size, send send me your size and the money to order the dress and I can do it over the phone and have my sister pick it up in Texas. Do you girls like this idea? Let me know what you think.

I just want to make this easy for everyone!

I love you all.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

This year we had a huge family celebration of Canadian Thanksgiving including some of the Canadian fixings that I grup with such a peas pudding and figgy duff. It was so yummy, my mom is such an great cook. I hope to cook as well as she can one day. There was so much food. The Tesch family joined us at my parents house. The boys watched football whiole the girls helped out in the kitchen and chit chatted. It was a really great time. I love that I have this instantly huge family. The better part is that I love them all and they all treat me and my family as if we are their family, its awesome. The kids watched sleeping beauty in the kitchen it was soooooo cute.
I love having two Thanksgiving celebrations.

Wedding Announcement

Our wedding Announcement was published in the Whidbey News Times on Saturday October 11....the same day I went wedding dress shopping and found my dream wedding dress. What a wonderful day :)

Attention Bridesmaids

Okay I have found the bridesmaid dress! The dresses will be black and the train will have to be shortened a little bit since it is way too long. I am going to order all of the dresses in Washington. The place where I am buying my dress gives an additional 15% off bridesmaid dresses. I need you guys to go to the store and try on the dress, get measured and find out what size you are.

Here it is Alfred Angelo Style #6583:

This dress is available in Washington, Texas, and Florida. So all my girls can get their dresses! I am working on finding out the best deal in each city.

Okay Here's what I've got so far:

FLORIDA (Becky)

Alfred Angelo Bridal

9344 Atlantic BLVD

Jacksonville, FL 32225

(904) 726-8851

TEXAS (Sister)

WASHINGTON (Jenn and Brandy)

There is a store in Everett, Kenmore, Silverdale, Seattle, and Redmond. Which location is better for you to go look at the dress and try it on? Let me know and I'll post the address.

Learning Process

I was reading my sister-in-law Anna's blog on what she has learned by being a mother and I was thinking what I have learned while being in a relationship with Brad, so I thought I'd share.

1. Communicate.....Express your feelings and don't be afraid of how the other person is going to react. Brad and I are still learning to understand how one another communicates, but this won't happen overnight. Sometime I'll get mad because he is so hard to communicate with or vice versa. We'll learn this together and grow stronger a s a couple.

2. Laugh. Laughter helps avoid arguments or disagreements. Brad has such a great sense of humor. If I get mad at him, he'll make me smile and I'm not mad anymore. He has this power over me....

3. Don't keep secrets. Brad is honest with me and will tell me anything, even if it might be something I don't want to hear. I would rather hear it now than later. When something happens bad or good Brad will tell me right away so that I hear it from him and not someone else. Brad isn't only my husband he's mt best friend, and I tell my best friend everything regardless if its bad or good.

4. Don't stress over the small things. If the house isn't clean and things aren't done, don't freak out. I am the one guilty of this. I am somewhat of a clean freak. But I have realized that those things can wait and eventually they will get done. I have realized when I stress, arguments happen.

5. Keep the friendship alive! Sometimes with busy schedules and routines, it is hard to remember that you are friends. People say keep the romance alive, which is also a great way to a happy marriage, but I think you need to remember that you are friends also. This is one is hard to explain but you just have to learn to be comfortable around each other!

6. Show each other affection. I am big on this. I have no problem giving Brad a kiss or a hug regardless of where we are. By holding his hand in church or holding onto his back pocket when we stand next to each other, he knows I'm right by his side no matter where we go and what we do. Its comforting.

7. We are a Team. Remember to always keep the other person in your best interest. Brad is my number one and he is mine. Everything I do now effects him, because he is my other half. Its hard to adjust to since I was single for so long and so independent.....but I'm learning.

I'm interested.....what have you learned? I could always use advice :)

Handsome George

George Andrew Tesch, 79, a lifelong resident of Oak Harbor, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on Tuesday, Sept 30th, 2008, following a short and sudden illness.George was born in Oak Harbor on Jan 29th, 1929 to Max Albert and May (Wagner) Tesch. He attended school in Oak Harbor and enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country during the Korean Conflict. After a Honorable Discharge, he returned to the island he loved to marry the woman he loved, Jacoba Mensigna on Sept 18, 1953. Shortly thereafter, George and Cobie started their family with twin boys, Dwight and Barry. He loved being a devoted husband and father and will be remembered that way. George worked for many years as the produce manager at the Commissary on NAS Whidbey, until his retirement in 1985. George loved being a grandfather and many fond memories were made by him and his beloved grandchildren, and later great-grandchildren. In 1992 he decided to busy himself by working part-time as a shuttle driver for Whidbey General Hospital. All who came in contact with "Sweet George" (as he was affectionately known) remember him for his quick smile, big hugs and kind words. He recently retired in 2007 from WGH to stay home and spend time with his beloved wife of 55 years, Cobie, and tend to his garden. George loved to travel, often taking his RV all around the country and many a weekend was spent with his family at Lake Conner Park, going on walks, playing horse shoes and relaxing around the fire. George will be remembered by all as a loving, big-hearted man, who was quick with a laugh and had a way of making you feel like you were his best friend. He will be greatly missed.

George is survived by his loving wife Cobie; two sons, Dwight Tesch and his wife June of Burlington; Barry Tesch and his wife Debbie of Oak Harbor; three grandchildren, Brad Tesch and his wife Nikki, Marc Tesch and his wife Anna, both of Oak Harbor, and Jennifer (Tesch) McGill and her husband Brian of Snohomish, WA; four great-grandchildren Grace Elaine, Delaney Anne, Ezra Marc and Audrey Claire, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved. George was preceeded in death by his brothers Fred Tesch (2006), Al (Max) Tesch (2007) and his sister Maxine Pease (2007).In keeping with George's wishes, no services will be held. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest register by going to www.whidbeymemorial.com . Arrangements have been made with the assistance of Whidbey Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc. located in Oak Harbor.