The Ameri Brit Mom

The New Fitbit Alta

I’ve been an avid Fitbit user for two years. In 2014 I received a Fitbit Flex for my 24th birthday. For the past 730 days I’ve sported that thing almost every day. Challenging myself to hit daily and weekly goals has made using a Fitbit an enjoyable experience. Just the simple act of tracking fitness has given me the extra motivation it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For example, where before I may have parked my car closest to the door to a shop I’ve now gotten into the habit of adding a bit of a walk whenever I can. Seeing my steps add up has given me a competitive spirit about working out and getting healthy. All of the tracking is made easy through Bluetooth syncing with the Fitbit App for my phone. The interface is easy to use and can be customized based on your personal fitness goals. Additionally I enjoy competing with friends and fellow Fitbit wearers through the App.

For two years the Flex has served me well. I never had any trouble with charging, synching, or troubleshooting. It has been a faithful little device. However, this year Fitbit released a new model the Alta. And for my 26th birthday I decided to upgrade my workout device and I am now the proud owner of an Alta.

Some major differences between the Flex and the Alta:

The display screen-the old Flex model I had did not possess a display screen. Progress toward goals was displayed via dots which appeared when the device was tapped. The Alta screen displays a clock, step progress, battery life, and many other selected statistics. This is really nice because I can have a quick look at exactly how much physical activity I’ve completed each day.
Auto detection– the new Alta recognizes the movements of your wrist and knows when you are looking at it. Each time you turn your wrist the clock or statistics automatically appear. The only tapping you must do with the device is the scroll between different stats (i.e. steps, calories, active minutes, etc.)
Accessories– The Fitbit bands are all designed to be worn as an attractive accessory, however, the Alta has a little more flair to it. Not only do the bands come in multiple colors, but they come in multiple materials as well. Currently there are plastic, leather, and stainless steel bands for the Alta. They are all so cute!

If you have any questions about the Fitbit products I’ve reviewed please comment below and I will do my best to reply accordingly.

What product(s) do you use to stay motivated?

The Ameri Brit Mom

Road trip to Chicago

Last week our family loaded up our luggage into a compact rental car and drove six hours west to the beautiful city of Chicago. Even though we only spent two and a half days in the city we were able to visit so many sites. We chose to travel to Chicago for a couple of reasons. First of all, we were in need of a direct flight to London for our annual trip to stay with my in-laws. Secondly, when looking at the list of direct flights we chose Chicago because it is the location where the novel I’m working on takes place. During our stay we ventured to many places mentioned and important to my book. I’m really excited about being able to weave authentic, intricate observations and research into my writing.

I’ve been to New York City a couple of times, but I must say that Chicago was by far a cleaner and more beautiful city in my opinion. I’ve been to Chicago a few times in the past, but it’s probably been fifteen years since I last visited. It was fantastic for my book to look at the city through a more fresh lens.

Here is a look at some highlights to our trip:

Lincoln Park Zoo And Nature Boardwalk

It was so cool to visit another zoo besides the Columbus Zoo. A major difference between the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Columbus Zoo (besides the fact that it is free) was that the animals were in smaller, more open habitats. Although, it may not suit the animal rights activists it was great as a spectator to be so close to the tiger and hear him roar as he dropped his bowling ball off a cliff. We really enjoyed this zoo. Arianna was taken aback by the slimy Hippopotamus.

We wrapped up our rainy trip to the zoo with a walk along the nature boardwalk. This was a scenic route around an pond in the center of the park. The walk culminated with a photo session from a pivotal location for my book. I may have gotten my cover shot here! (Obviously it will need a bit of doctoring)

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Chicago Children’s Museum (at Navy Pier)

The first day we explored the city it was cold and by mid day we experienced a downpour. Looking for indoor activities we made our way toward the famous Navy Pier and spent the afternoon at the Children’s Museum. It was made up of three floors of rooms aimed at providing educational opportunities. We all had a blast!

Michigan Avenue Shopping (The Magnificient Mile)

The following morning we woke up early and explored the shops on Michigan Avenue. Apart from the $39.00 parking we had a great day. Unbeknownst to us at 10am every morning when the Disney store opens they select a child (or two) to turn on the lights with a little chant and role play. We happened to be walking by just as this was happening and Arianna was chosen to open the store along with a little boy. They waved their hands and chanted famous Disney spells like, “Abracadabra” and “Bippity Boppity Boo.” And when they called, “Let the magic begin” the lights and music came on in the store. Before we went into the shop Arianna was given a medal to commemorate the event and the workers called her Princess Arianna until we left. It was a completely unplanned part of our trip, but it was one of Arianna’s favorite memories.

Unlike the day before, it was ninety-five degrees in the Windy City that day. So as we walked along the Magnificent Mile the biggest challenge was keeping ourselves hydrated.

Lunch at the American Girl Cafe

A few weeks ago we made a reservation at the American Girl Cafe in Chicago. Although it was a bit steep in price ($22 per person) it was a great time. The food was fantastic and Arianna truly was treated like a princess by the staff during our meal. Her smile really shows how much she enjoyed the experience of dining with her dolly.

The United Center

This pit stop was a pick of my husband’s. We drove a little west of the city to The United Center where Michael Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls. Check out his basketball trick video in front of the Jordan statue basketball trick video in front of the Jordan statue. In case you didn’t know my husband is a professional free-style basketball trickster and travels around doing shows and provides clinics and private training as well. He grew up idolizing Michael Jordan so this was a monumental moment for him.

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Overall it was a great trip.

We were able to accomplish so much in a short amount of time. Now life is slowing down and we are staying the rest of the month with my in laws in England. I’m looking forward to sharing memories from this trip with you as well.

The Ameri Brit Mom

24 Book Challenge: A Book from the 2016 Best Seller’s List

The following is a book review by The Ameri Brit Mom. This is book #8 from The Ameri Brit Mom 24 Book Challenge in 2016. This post expresses the genuine opinion and experiences of The Ameri Brit Mom and is in no way endorsed by authors, publishers, or outside influences.

Title: The Girl on the Train

Author: Paula Hawkins

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Copyright Date: 2015

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As I’m over in England it is only fitting that I read a best seller inspired by London commuters. The Girl on the Train is a thriller based on an unreliable narrator, deceit, affairs, and drama. I purchased this book a few months ago and awaited its reading since the moment I brought it home. From page one, I was engaged with the story. I felt involved in the events as they unfolded and as though I was working alongside the police department to uncover the details of the horrific crimes discussed.

Rachel Watson always rides the 8:04 train into London. Rain or shine Rachel boards the carriage and takes a seat by the window. She passes the time watching the people and houses along the tracks. In her mind she creates stories about each of the people she passes including “Jess” and “Jason” who live along the tracks in Witney.

When Megan, the girl she has named Jess, goes missing Rachel believes she may have witnessed clues to help move the case along. At the risk of sounding like a busybody Rachel reaches out to the husband. Recently, unemployed due to alcoholism, Rachel raises some red flags to those around her when she contributes to the details surrounding the missing person. As the case unfolds Rachel realizes that she has more at stake than she thought.

This is a story of the fallout of lies. Set in suburban London this book explores the realities of pain and heartache caused by the people that are most beloved.

I enjoyed the way this book was written from different perspectives using a timeline in the title of each chapter which allowed me the chance, as the reader, to work out the truth for myself. If you’ve ever read Gone Girl, you will notice several similarities between these books. Both protagonists suffer at the hands of ones they have loved.

The Ameri Brit Mom

Switching Between Storylines: The Irresistible Novel

The thirteenth chapter in The Irresistible Novel by Jeff Gerke was succinct and to-the-point. As always, Gerke wrote about a “rule” and examined that rule from multiple perspectives.

**Disclaimer: The usual preferences he explores pertain to those opposed to the “rule”, those in favor of the “rule”, and The Gatekeepers, or publishers. All of this is done not to create prescriptive writing for his readers, but rather to help writers develop their own unique voice.

So here is a look at the very short chapter written about switching between storylines and viewpoint characters:

Switching Between Storylines

The “rule”- You shouldn’t introduce a lot of viewpoint characters and storylines very early on in a novel.

Before diving into this rule it is important to clarify that a viewpoint character is one through whose eyes or voice a story is told. It is expected in the writing industry that multiple characters will be introduced early in a novel, but the jumping from perspectives is the idea held in question. A storyline refers to the problems or situations unique to the viewpoint character.

Those who disagree with the “rule” generally argue that introducing multiple viewpoint characters within the first fifty pages of a novel builds reader engagement. Starting a story is oftentimes the hardest part of the whole writing process. Engagement is the goal. And each author reaches the point of engagement in a different way. That’s what makes each book and author unique. If every book started the same way it would get pretty dull. If you ask me, whatever avenue you use to engage your reader (if done effectively) is never bound to any rule. Show off your unique voice and engage, engage, engage!

However, there is something to be said about the “rule” above. Part of engaging your reader involves forging connections to your main character. If jumping around viewpoints creates an unclear view of who the protagonist is in your story then it is definitely hindering your reader’s engagement. It should be clear from the first several pages who your reader should support as the main character. You want them to feel like part of your character’s team. Readers need to know who to root for and what they want them to accomplish in order to feel like part of the story.

I would be extremely cautious with switching between storylines or viewpoint characters in the first quarter of your novel. It can be done, but it’s difficult. Be sure to align your reader with the protagonist and build that relationship before giving them a new vantage point.

My Current Project…

My book (which I hope to name very soon) is written with two viewpoint characters who happen to also be father and son. I alternate chapter perspectives, but in the beginning I make it clear the protagonist is the father by giving him longer chapters and more of a transparent voice. The son’s story is told in broken pieces and short chapters. From chapter one the reader is left rooting for the father despite his bad luck and poor judgment.

**Side note: My recent trip to Chicago was not only a trip planned for vacation purposes, but also served in furthering research for my novel. The novel is set in downtown Chicago in 2015. I spent much of my trip traveling to locations mentioned in the novel to create more vivid details and verifying other portions of the plot. I’m really excited to add to my original manuscript and to continue my progress of making my baby a real, published book. Stay tuned for more details in future!

The Ameri Brit Mom

Five Minute Friday: Want

This week the topic for the Five Minute Friday link-up post is Want. What is a link-up? Essentially a link-up is when you join other bloggers and write on a similar topic. You share your blog posts with one another and begin conversations via a host site. You can head over to Kate Motaung’s page to check out other entries from inspired bloggers. Here’s my five minutes of uninterrupted, unedited writing on this week’s topic:

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Today is our final day in Chicago before our flight to England for the remainder of the month. For today’s Five Minute Friday post I decided to recount my memories and thoughts from my morning walk along Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile.

Wanting in the City

by Lauren Sisley

The cityscape surrounds me.

Tall, ivory concrete blocks my view on all sides.

The wind and sun crisp my skin.

My elbows graze the shopper beside me

As I travel down Michigan Avenue:

The Magnificent Mile.

The sound of bags bouncing on arms fill the air.

I breathe in fried food and cigarette smoke with each slow inhale.

People speak loudly–in different languages– into headsets,

But never to each other.

How funny it is that one can be so lonely in a city so big.

It’s fun to visit,

But I could never stay.

As people rush about seeking out things that they want,

I realize that I have all I could ever want.

And it didn’t cost a dollar.

Some go broke in pursuit of goods.

While those who lack have plenty.

What I own is little.

What I want is free.

Throwback: How to Pack For An International Flight

In honor of our Traveling Adventures which begin today here is a look at a post from last summer about packing for an international flight:

I met my husband in 2007 and I have traveled every summer (and one Christmas) since to his hometown in England. As we embark on journey #9 to England I decided to share with you some things I’ve learned about packing for a two week journey overseas.

First off, I wish I had taken advice from seasoned travelers before my first couple of trips to England. It feels pretty helpless showing up in the airport to drop off your luggage and getting the red tag labeled, “OVERWEIGHT” strapped to the handle. Not only is there an added fee for any luggage over the limit (which for most airlines is 50 lbs.) but if it exceeds the limit too much they may force you to lighten the load before putting it on the plane. This is never a good experience. I’ve come a long way since my college days feeling the need to pack my entire dorm in my suitcase and so I thought I would share some things I’ve learned through the years about what to pack and what is unnecessary when it comes to international travel.

Pack:

1. An Adapter: Almost every international trip will require an adapter for that region if you plan to take anything electronic or any chargers for electronic devices. For the first few years I traveled to England I would buy these in the airport and they can tend to run quite high in price, but a few years later I was able to plan ahead and purchase a USA to UK adapter on Amazon.com in a pack of 3 for $5.00. It is a wise and worry-free step in the process of packing to research the adapters and purchase them in advance.

2. A carry-on bag filled with books, pens, and paper: As one enters a new country you will undoubtedly be expected to fill out a customs or claims card. In my experience many airlines provide these cards during the flight to help ease the process once you have landed at the destination, but they do not provide pens for filling out these cards. Have a carry-on bag packed full of things to keep you busy during the flight and always be sure to include a pen or two. Additionally many of these cards will ask for the address of the location where you will be staying so somewhere in your carry-on or a in a note on your phone have that address handy.

3. Clothes: It goes without saying that 80% or more of what you pack for your trip should be clothing. When it comes to what clothing to pack think about layers. As a preppy college student I always tried to pack my entire wardrobe for a two week trip to England which filled my luggage to the seams and oftentimes is what put me over the weight limit when it came to the airport scales. Realistically you should just pack minimally allowing room in the suitcase to bring back souvenirs from the trip.

I am about to take a two week trip and here is a list of the clothing I am packing. (Please note that it is much colder in the summer in England than in Ohio):

-5 pairs of shoes: athletics, 2 pairs of flip flops, dress shoes, sandals

-3 pairs of shorts

-2 pairs of jeans

-1 dress

-3 tank tops

-5 shirts or printed tops

-3 hooded sweatshirts (because it rains frequently in England)

*Another tip I’ve learned for those of you concerned about the weight of your luggage is to wear your bulkiest pieces to the airport so that they are not added to the weight of the suitcase. I tend to wear my athletic shoes because airports require lots of walking, but also because they are the heaviest of my shoes. I’ll also pack a sweatshirt or two in my carry-on because I’ve never been on a flight where I haven’t gotten cold at some point. Most airlines offer blankets, but most do not cover both legs and arms.

4. Beauty Products: It’s so easy to go overboard on products for a trip. I’ve learned to minimize packing in this area as well. Purchasing the $1 travel-size shampoos, conditioners, and lotions have become essential to my packing. Apart from shower materials you should limit the makeup and hair products that you hull around. I always spend quite some time thinking through what I need. Anything else is just going to be added weight and space. I do always pack my hair straightener and one bag of cosmetics.

That’s about it for the what-to-pack list. Now for those items that you better just leave at home:

1. Cds, Dvds, and other media beyond tablets: These items oftentimes are embedded with a regional code that players in another country will not be able to read. So if you pack your child’s favorite Dvd thinking that you can show it in a hotel room you will be disappointed. If you or a member of the family can’t go without a certain album or movie it is best to download it onto iTunes or Google Play and watch it on your tablet or iPad.

2. Breakables or spill-ables: If you’ve ever watched them load suitcases onto a plane the reason behind packing anything breakable or spill-able goes without explanation. Although your suitcase may house some of your most valuable possessions it is likely not going to be treated as such by the airline crew who has over 250 suitcases to load on one flight. Make sure anything liquid has a lid that is securely fastened. One year I made the tragic mistake of not checking the lid on my hair spray and opened up a suitcase full of sopping wet clothes. Not fun.

3. Food: The compartment where luggage is stored during a flight is not equipped with air conditioning which will cause many foods to spoil or melt. If you are planning to take snacks be sure to store them in your carry-on and check the guidelines for food and liquid to see what is acceptable with your airline.

4. Bulky items: Really anything that is not completely necessary for your trip should be left at home. Do not pack anything that is going to be bulky and take up more than its fair share in weight and space. In the past we’ve shipped large gifts or items that we would use on the trip ahead of time, but for the most part that hasn’t really been an issue.

My best advice is travel light and think twice before placing any item in your suitcase. There are not many things in life that I would consider myself an expert in, but international travel (especially with children) is definitely one thing I’m beginning to master. If you have any specific questions about international travel that were not addressed in this post please feel free to ask me in the comment box. I hope that I could lend some quality advice that I learned the hard way through trial and error.

The Ameri Brit Mom

Anniversary Bliss

The first week of June is always full of such bliss in our household. On June 4, my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary. June 6 is my mother’s birthday which we always commemorate with a mother-daughter lunch. And my birthday is today, June 7. (I’m 26!!!)

We are busy packing and preparing for our Chicago trip today because we leave first thing tomorrow. At some point between weighing suitcases and checking off the last things from our to-do list we will also be venturing out to the Columbus Zoo for a couple of hours. The zoo has become one of our family birthday traditions. I’m really excited to make some memories at the best zoo in the country today!

As excited as I am for my birthday festivities I’m still living in shadows of my anniversary weekend. It was so much fun!

June 4, 2016 was our fifth anniversary. My husband planned an entire day filled with some of our favorite things as well as some new activities. My parents watched our daughter for the whole day which freed my husband and I up to do some pretty awesome things.

First off, we drove to Columbus. For a really long time we’ve been saying that we would love to rent a bike and ride the Scioto Mile Trail which runs parallel to the Scioto River in downtown Columbus. We ended up riding close to four miles. This was so scenic and refreshing. It was also a blast!

Our next stop was a Barnes and Noble on the Ohio State University campus. We had a leisurely walk about the books. It’s been a while since we have had the ability to check out adult books in a bookstore without a toddler screaming to look at the kids books or play at the train table in the back.

Then we were off to dinner. We chose The Cheesecake Factory at Easton. It was delish!

Lastly, and most excitingly we participated in our first Wine and Canvas event. At Wine and Canvas professional artists walk you step-by-step through the painting process. Everyone is working on the same picture and there is a steady supply of “liquid courage” as they call it. This was so much fun and I was really pleased with the way that both of our canvases turned out.

It was so nice to enjoy a night out on the town with my husband doing things that we rarely get an opportunity to participate in with a child. I feel so lucky and blessed to have been married to such a great guy. And in less than 24 hours we kick off our Great Traveling Adventures of 2016!

I hope everyone else is having a great start to June!

The Ameri Brit Mom

24 Book Challenge: A Book From a Banned Books List

The following is a book review by The Ameri Brit Mom. This is book #5 from The Ameri Brit Mom 24 Book Challenge in 2016. This post expresses the genuine opinion and experiences of The Ameri Brit Mom and is in no way endorsed by authors, publishers, or outside influences.

Title: A Separate Peace

Author: John Knowles

Publisher: Scribner

Copyright Date: 1959

“My brief burst of animosity, lasting only a second, a part of a second, something which came before I could recognize it and was gone before I knew it had possessed me, what was that in the midst of this holocaust?” (Knowles 188)

Living in America during World War II was particularly trying for seventeen year-old boys. On the edge of the draft yet still covered in innocence boys are being thrust from their studies to a front a world away. As a senior at The Devon School, a prep school in New England, Gene watches as the war begins to affect those closest to him.

Gene is a quiet and introverted boy. He befriends Phineas, an athletic and popular pupil while at school. While he cares deeply for his new friend, Gene finds himself tangled in envy and anger which cause him to act irrationally one day as the two boys are diving in a creek near campus. In that moment Gene learns the weight of his decisions and the dangers of allowing his emotions to control him.

As much as Gene fought to stay out of the war he finds that the war is brought to him. Unable to escape war’s grasp Gene learns to cope with consequences. Through the process of learning about decisions and their outcomes Gene bridges into adulthood.

This book was banned and challenged on multiple counts in the 80s and early 90s for its “unsuitable language.” However, when one examines the subject matter (seventeen year-old boys) it should come to no surprise that the occasional curse word appears within the pages of this book. Nothing over-the-top or flagrant stood out to me as I read this book, granted, when this book was written it was a different world. Artists were censored much more than they are today. But even through that scope and lens I found it very difficult to pinpoint any offensive language or scenes from this novel.

Many people also cite the negative picture painted about America’s involvement in World War II as grounds for banning this book. Again, I think the author was fairly realistic in his portrayal of the natural emotions that many men encounter when they come face-to-face war; much of which involves fear.

Overall I liked this book. I’m a bit of a history buff, and so I can understand that those who are not as interested in war and politics may find certain parts of this book to be boring. However, there are large portions of this text that do not relate to the war facing Gene and his friends, but rather focus on the realities of coming of age-a major theme of the novel.

Occasionally Knowles throws in a bit of illustrious language (which many readers either love or hate) like the following sentence:

“It proceeded along the lower end of the playing field, and under the pale night glow the playing fields swept away from me in slight frosty undulations which bespoke meanings upon meanings, levels of reality I had never suspected before, a kind of thronging and epic grandeur which my superficial eyes and cluttered mind had been blind to before.” (Knowles 186)

Whew…what a sentence!

So my advice: tread with caution! If you enjoy a good historical read and don’t mind a bit of heavy description then you will love this book. I found myself loving it at times and then there were days (which bled into weeks) where I just had to walk away from this book because the plot had slowed down so much. It’s been a long time coming (I think I started reading this book mid-March), but I have finally finished this literary classic and I am glad to have had the pleasure to read about the journey of Gene, Phineas, Leper, and Brinker as they encountered World War II from the home front.

The Ameri Brit Mom

That: The Irresistible Novel

Today’s simple principle comes from Chapter 12 of The Irresistible Novel by Jeff Gerke. There are writers and editors out there who believe you should ban the word that from your fiction if you hope to ever score a publishing deal. Before I jump into an analysis of this chapter please remember that Gerke’s book is not a cure-all for fiction writing. He isn’t prescribing the only way to write a novel, but rather is investigating several arguments when it comes to writing in order to strengthen the writing voice of his readers.

That

Those who continue to allow the appearance of the term in question into their manuscripts do so because it is a natural part of the English language. Like previously discussed terms of controversy (-ly adverbs, asked and said, “to be” verbs) those who choose to incorporate these terms do so because of their reflection of natural language. To those who choose not to omit such terms they oftentimes point to the silliness of targeting certain words in order to strengthen whole manuscripts and also feel that the use of one or two arguable words is not enough to deserve a rejection letter.

Still others out there feel very strongly that the term in question should be removed in all instances from a fiction manuscript. They believe deletion of that from writing creates a stronger voice. (It is worth noting that those who fall into this second group of writers do often feel the use of the term is acceptable when used in dialogue.)

My Current Project…

I chose not to omit that from my manuscript. In the writing of my book I was not out to create the next literary classic so much of my writing is instinctual. That isn’t to say that when it came to certain scenes in the book that I didn’t omit the term if I felt it was overused or weakening a particular moment. I’m never going to refer to myself as a stickler when it comes to the use of certain words. I understand as both a writer and a reader that depending on the text or plot that some words will bless or hinder the flow. When it comes to the term that I keep it in my writing unless it causes me to stumble around.

**A great way to catch words that weaken sentences is to read your writing out loud. Almost every piece I write goes through this editing process. It’s easier to catch the awkward wording when you hear the words as they appear on the page. Something an eye can glance right over may be a huge stumbling block to some readers.

Your Turn

Which of the following sentences do you think is stronger?

“I didn’t know that you had come home already.”

“I didn’t know you had come home already.”

Did you even notice the subtle difference that can have on a sentence?

(Gerke 83)

Five Minute Friday: Haven

This week the topic for the Five Minute Friday link-up post is Haven. What is a link-up? Essentially a link-up is when you join other bloggers and write on a similar topic. You share your blog posts with one another and begin conversations via a host site. You can head over to Kate Motaung’s page to check out other entries from inspired bloggers. Here’s my five minutes of uninterrupted, unedited writing on this week’s topic:

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According to Dictionary.com the term haven is defined as, “any place of shelter and safety; refuge; asylum.”

For me I find safety and shelter in many places including the Lord, my family, and my friends, but today I am going to focus on the haven that I find in my husband, Sam.

Five years ago today I was a little twenty year-old about to become a wife. At exactly this moment I was surrounded by family as we set up the reception. Trying not to become a bridezilla I arranged each table exactly as I had envisioned it. I wanted everything about the following day to be just as I had always wanted.

As a young twenty year-old there weren’t many things in my life that I was yet sure of especially when it came to adulthood. Only a month earlier I had graduated from college and landed my first teaching job. I was a newbie in the adult world. But the one thing I was and have always been sure about was that I wanted to grow up with Sam by my side. I never had a flutter of fear or uncertainty as long as he was part of the picture.

And every day for the past five years he has been the strength I’ve needed.

We have celebrated so much joy together. We have suffered through loss and pain at each others’ sides. We have grown and moved and taken chances. And if I had the past five years to do all over again I wouldn’t change a thing.

On my fifth wedding anniversary I am so thankful for each of the days that I have been Sam’s wife. I’m blessed to share life and a family with such an amazing guy!

He is my haven.

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