Heaven's To Betsy

Quite possibly one of my favorite blogs I've written.  Not sure if it's my most absolute favorite, but it's up there.  May seem silly, but it came to me after a LOT of pondering...

Monday, August 28, 2006 10:00 PM

Heaven's to Betsy... Current mood:  anxious Category: Games    So, last time I typed a blog about an overused word or phrase, it was just HELL! All Hell broke lose. It was just such a hell of a blog, it should have been damned into the lake of fire. Seriously.,, Well, this time, let's focus on Heaven... and Betsy. Why? Why would we wish that Heaven come down to creation and meet up with Betsy? 1: Just who is Betsy. What kind of woman she must be for all of us to be demanding that heaven come to her, instead of her going there? No one is that special, I'm sorry. Get there the same way the rest of us are going, lady. Don't cut in front of me! The line is too long as it is! 2: How are we certain she is going to Heaven? Maybe she deserves fire and brimstone? Maybe a bolt of lightning is going to come out of the sky and smite us for actually calling down heaven on such a despicable creature? We don't know her heart, after all. Bottom line. I don't know Betsy and I don't like the idea of her taking the easy way out. However, I just cannot help myself from saying this phrase. It just rolls off the tongue like sweet butter on a hot biscuit. Mmm.. homemade and old fashioned. Makes me feel.... People, are you kidding me? I feel nothing. Nothing but shame for saying something so stupid as "HEAVEN'S TO BETSY!" Then again, hell isn't such a smart thing to say either. And now I will continue with my mundane life... pondering the great mysteries and in sighting you all when they have been processed. Much love to you, Betsy, and the Heaven's above... and may you have a good night.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

This song is just amazing. I can't hear it without crying. And written by a man who was an awesome minister who was taken to Heaven much too soon. Thank you, Jesus, for giving this man the talent and the song. It's a perfect explanation of what His love has done for me. And yet I wasn't even born when it was written...

Bobby & I once danced to this song in Ralph's (Grocery store) at 1am after a difficult week. I don't remember particularly why it was a hard week, but I do remember the spontaneity of the moment and the romance of the way Bobby took the bag of Dorito's I was picking out of the bin and threw it aside as we began our waltz over to the bottled water aisle. One of the most romantic moments of my entire life.

I love this song. It's just flat out soothing & peaceful. Just the other night I had a tough night. Okay, I admit. It was a bad hair day that took hours to repair. When this song came on my iPod I stopped, took a deep breath, felt the calm take over me, and was able to accomplish my goal. This song I have played on happy days, sad days, stressful days, and days full of rejoicing. :sigh:

I really can't explain this one. It's been my favorite song since I was a wee teenager. I do know that when I realized I didn't want to be alone forever as I had previously claimed during my divorce was while listening to this song. I wanted to feel "Hysteria". Yeah, I know. Super cheesy. Who cares, go read another blog if you don't want cheese, because me? I'm all about cheese. Especially since Bobby came along. Thanks to him, I know "Hysteria".

LOVE this! Who doesn't?

Okay, just kidding. I was serious about the others though!

More to come as I think of them... I'm tapped out for now.

Merry Christmas! Also Happy Anniversary, New Year, Birthday, & MLK!

For most people, the day after Christmas brings a halt to the insanity that has everyone running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Not in this home! No sir, we don't like to keep things boring around here. Since Bobby & I met in person and married in the few days after Christmas, our anniversary falls the day before New Year's Eve. Add to the fact that our daughter's birthday lands smack dab in the middle of January (usually around Martin Luther King Jr. day) and you've got one busy, tired family. We love it all though...

This last week, however, Bobby & I took a break. We sent the 2 little ones to my Mom's for 2 days and locked ourselves in the house. We slept like we've never slept before, ate delicious food, and played Rock Band for hours. (Who doesn't love that game? Seriously?!) I cannot stress enough how wonderful it was to have time alone where we could talk to each other, goof off,  and both of us eat at the same time.  I believe every parent should take one of these "getaways" at least once a year, with a 2 night minimum, if possible.

On that note, I'm so blessed to have a husband who takes the time to do something so valuable for our marriage and sanity.  I'm even more blessed to have parents who love my children and take them for a few days.

Now, let's see if I can lay low and stay off the radar until mid-February... Yeah, right.

(Photo of Johnny included simply because he's a doll!)

The Home Stretch...

Finally! We're almost there!

I've had a couple of personal countdowns going on lately. 3 major ones especially. All of them are closing in, and I cannot tell you how happy and relieved I am that the D-days are getting closer!

1: Jeff and Becca arrive in just a little more than a week. It's going to feel so amazing to have all of my babies under one roof and know when I lay my head down at night that they are all just down the hall. (Well, except for the one that is with me constantly, but we'll get to that in a minute.) Even though it's only temporary, I will enjoy it thoroughly!

2: By the day Jeff and Becca arrive I hope to launch The Carnahan Family website. As I've stated before, this has been 2 years in the making. It will definitely always be a "work in progress" as there are always more pictures to be found/scanned/snapped etc. But the majority will be complete. On the agenda now is to finish sorting/tagging/labeling the photos, complete the message board, and set up a home page. (ATTENTION: This site is going to be stalker proof. Not stalker retardant or resistant. Proof. I hate to disappoint, but no. You will not be able to find out added information about Bobby or I on that website unless you are an approved user. Sorry, gotta draw the line on stalker access at some point. No fun, I know. Especially since our other family site is "down" and this is pretty much the only "public" site left.)

3: Last, but certainly not least, the arrival of Johnny D. As of yesterday, I am not only 29 weeks pregnant but he has dropped. Yes, this has added some more discomfort. (I've been on a hiatus from life as it seems since last Monday when I ended up in L&D for a pulled round ligament muscle and sciatic nerve pain.) However, I'm getting to where I realize it's not too much longer that I'll have this baby under my heart. I'm enjoying every kick and squirm. Even at night, though I wish he'd let me sleep a little more since I know he's going to be keeping me up at all hours once he arrives. I can't wait to hold my new baby, see what he looks like, introduce him to his brothers and sister... and not have to hear one more single person whine and complain about his name, the spelling, what nickname he will go by, or what they think the name should be or sounds like! It will be on a legal document and done! And if you complain then, well, you're just being cruel to a sweet little innocent baby who never did anything to you. (Whew, sorry... don't know where that came from... silly hormones...)

With all 3 of these exciting events, I feel so blessed to be a part. God has truly blessed me. I have an amazing husband with whom I have amazing children, and came from an amazing family. (It's all just AMAZING!)

Sometimes in everyday life, it's easy to forget just where you came from, and why you are where you are. Thankfully, I can say I'm in a good place. I know this is so mostly because of the prayers of my grandparents, parents, other family members, and good friends along the way. I was raised in a Godly home and instilled with values that will never leave me. Though some of us have drifted due to time and distance, by starting this website I've begun keeping up with other relatives that I might not have otherwise and feel blessed to have those connections. Who knows what else will come of it? Maybe nothing, but you never know.

So here I go, down the last stretch of road. I am so looking forward to just sitting back and enjoying what I've worked for and what God has given me. It's going to be good. I just pray that God keeps his hand on my little (though I guess a family of 5 isn't so little, is it...) family (my big extended one too!) as all these countdowns come to an end. It will be so nice to have something tangible from each once they are all 3 complete. :)

Feel Like Laughing? Crying? Throwing Something? Cleaning Your Entire House Top To Bottom?

I hereby declare this pregnancy hormone awareness day!!! (Go through the videos in order for full effect...)

First, the song Bobby sang to me the night we got married. I know, awww... It just happened to be playing in the limo, and being nervous he sang along. This song always just makes me smile.




Now, to make you sad: You have to watch them in the exact order... Better yet, look them up for better quality versions...







Stop what you're doing! Put down the knife! Do NOT slit your wrists! "But why?!" You ask? "WHY did we have to go from happy to sad in 1.2 seconds flat?" I'll tell you why... Because that's what it's like! Not fun, is it?

Now, cheer up and watch this:



Fun! YAY! Happy! Weird, creepy, silly, but HAPPY!

Everyone getting on your nerves?





Angry and ticked, huh? But at least you feel vindicated... Don't be mad at me! I could have used a lot of worse songs just to make you feel anger! Trust me!

OK, Ignore the weird graphics...



Naturally, you worry just what that baby will look like...



Then you remember, everything will be fine...



Besides, if you're having one of Bobby's kids at least, it's inevitable...





That was just strange, and you can't explain it. You don't feel bad, but not quite like yourself either...

But who cares, you're STARVING!!!!



Now you're feeling sleepy...



What just happened? Why is it every time you fall asleep you wake up more confused? Stupid pregnancy dreams...




WAKE UP! You're nesting! Time to CLEAN!



Your husband thinks you are most certainly and definitely CRAZY!



Would not be complete without this...



Who doesn't feel happy and complete after hearing "Hysteria"? Oh yeah, that's just me... anyways...

And now, for at least a few moments...



But, here you are, and it is well...



And now, you have officially experienced a full mood swing. Congratulations! Were you truly pregnant, you would feel this way CONSTANTLY... never ending... it's such a beautiful process, isn't it? That's why to your husband you dedicate this:

I'm A Blubbering Idiot: At The Very Most, To Say The Very Least...

Adventures in incubating...

Yesterday Tommy & I ran to the store, and on the way home I decided to listen to the radio. Well, first song to make me cry, naturally, was Darius Rucker's "It Won't Be Like This For Long". I have 3 children, and often long for those days I just couldn't wait to pass... like the first night home with each of them. There I was, bawling on the freeway, while Tommy "sang" along in his car seat behind me.



Well, here's where it gets even stupider... more stupid... whatever! (You don't even know how to SPELL! (What I apparently yelled at my sweet husband in my sleep last night...))

When Bobby and I had been married about 6 months or so, his first father's day as Jeff & Becca's step dad, he made a list of songs he wanted me to hear that either he just liked in general or reminded him of me while I made him a father's day dinner. One was a Brad Paisley song. Since then when I have heard it, I kind of think "awww". Well, yesterday a DIFFERENT Brad Paisley song played on the radio... and there I was, deliriously confused and sobbing at how lucky I am to have him and how far we've come in the last 2 years and 4 months... It wasn't until HOURS later that I realized IT WASN'T EVEN THE RIGHT SONG! Boy, did I feel stupid. I cried for NOTHING! He laughed at this when I told him, I was mad. Gotta love hormones....

So, tell me, which Brad Paisley song do you think was the right one, and which one the wrong?

Oops, it's been a month!

Wow, those last few weeks flew by! So fast, I forgot to blog!

Probably because I had a few weeks of really great bursts of energy. I accomplished so much that I was wanting to get done, and even some things that I didn't plan on. Now, though, I'm back to the pregnant with lack of energy state. So here I sit, just for today at least, with plans to do nothing whatsoever but nap and veg out.

What all has happened in the last month? OH SO MUCH! Let's see... (No specific order... and of course, the news involving my children is the most exciting...)

• Took another trip to Disneyland. (I had wanted to go more, but was unable to since I was finishing up all those above mentioned projects...)
• Had Tommy's first birthday party.
• Ikea had tax free days. (WOOHOO!)
• Bobby had serious dental work done, and will again tomorrow.
• Found out the gender of our new baby, which entailed discussing names, shopping, and setting up gift registries. (It's another boy, by the way. No, we're still not done. 2 more!)
• Jeff turned 8! YIKES!
• Discovered I have gallstones, and just how painful they can be.
• Much much more, but my tired brain just doesn't want to think...

Eventful this month has been. (Thank you, Yoda, for using me in such a way.) And even more eventful will this month and the month after... and after that... etc... will be! After this weekend I believe we have 2 "free" weekends before every weekend is booked until it is almost time for Jeff and Becca to get here for the summer! Yikes! And after they leave? It'll be my due date!

Just thinking about all this has made me so tired that I forgot what I was going to blog about before I started typing and got distracted... maybe I'll be back to blog more later...

Here I Go Again... & Again & Again & Again!!!

This last Friday my Mom, Dean, Tommy, & I all loaded up into my parent's truck and drove down to Anaheim, just like I have so many, many times before. I have only been to Disneyland 3 times since my last annual pass expired in October of 2006, and was greatly looking forward to celebrating Dean's birthday and Tommy's first trip in one day.

We certainly had a blast! We only went on one ride, which was fine with all of us it seemed. There was so much more fun to be had just by walking around, checking things out, and watching Tommy's reaction to different things.

The only thing I said we absolutely had to do was take Tommy to Mickey Mouse's house to see his pal, Mickey. He LOVES to watch "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" on Playhouse Disney so I couldn't wait to see his reaction when he was finally able to meet him. It was certainly memorable!

Near the end of the day, I met up with my friend Hilary who I haven't seen in a few years (it was great catching up!) and walked over to the Bank on Main Street... where I upgraded my one day ticket to an annual pass! WHEW! I have missed the parks so much, and am so happy that I will once again be able to go almost as often as I feel like! I'm kind of in a "Disney Revival", wanting to get all my collectibles out of storage and figure out ways to work them into different parts of the house. (I already have a few things in each room... Some Bobby realizes and cringes at. Others he has NO CLUE!) The urge to jump back in to the "geekdom" that I once was enveloped in is there also... but I'm resisting the urge to go in head first... think I'll just tippy toe it for a bit so that I don't drown myself in mouse and burn out too fast. I loved so much taking Jeff and Becca frequently when they were young, and am so glad I'm going to have those same bonding opportunities with Tommy.

Do I have another trip planned right away? No. I don't even know when I'll feel like going again. But knowing I can? Priceless. I tear up just thinking about it...

And that is all the geekiness you are going to get out of me for today!

Well, now, isn't that better?

So, what do you all think of the new look?

Since according to my tracker I have a, well, what do I call them... "person" is a nice way to put it I guess... that likes to read and re-read my blog way too often I was worried that their eyes might tire out from looking at that bright white background when they spend so much time going through all my posts on Bobby and snooping on what we're up to. Since it's not as fun as sending late night drunken messages on myspace, I'm afraid that she would get bored. Wouldn't want that to happen, now, would we? Then again, I guess they could just mind their own business and finally move on YEARS later. Nah...

Also, I think this is prettier. More "Angie like". Especially for when I get into a "state of Angie". Much more fitting!

Feel free to let me know of any suggestions you all might have... and not just on my layout either... ;)

If the month is shorter, why aren't my bills cheaper?

So here I am, writing a quick blog as Tommy sits next to me on his horsey. He loves this toy! He's also been carrying on "conversations" with me as he sits here. I was working on my "to do" list for the next week and when I would ask him if I was forgetting anything he would exclaim "YEAH!" I'd then ask, "Okay, what is it?" He would then go on with what appeared to be a tangent or an excitable need using hand gestures and all. Bobby and I were laughing so hard, trying to guess by his hand gestures what he could be saying. Break dancing? Learn Karate? Do the robot? He needs Ritalin already? There is no telling, but this kid is so much fun. He brings back so many memories of Jeff and Becca at this age, but yet all three are so different.

Also, just as my children are all different, so are my pregnancies. So many people, my Dr included, refer to me as an "expert" or such in this area. Yes, I do have quite a bit of experience from all of my pregnancies, miscarriages, childbirths, and newborn care. But expert? Just last night I was thinking "I have no idea what to do!" No, it wasn't an emergency. I just seem to be carrying very differently than I have with any of my other pregnancies. None of my pants fit right! I had to go out and buy a new pair that have a different belly panel than any other pair I've had so that I didn't feel confined. I'm much more tired than I remember being with any of the others, and the pregnancy dreams are different also. Every child is a gift from God, I just can't help but wonder what God has in store for this child and our family. So exciting!

I can never blog enough about how blessed I am to have the man I married. He's been in so much agony this week with health & dental issues but still makes an effort to pitch in and be a supporting husband & father. In today's world, this is such a blessing. So many men only care about themselves. I hope I never take him for granted, though I doubt I will because each day he does something that reminds me how lucky I am... and I doubt he even realizes it.

I can't believe in 2 weeks both of my little boys will be a year older. Their birthdays are just 2 days apart. Tommy will be 1, but Jeff, my first baby, will be 8. I still remember 8 years ago right now, being 1 day from my due date and crying, begging, pleading with him to JUST BE BORN! At the time I just couldn't wait to hold him and kiss him and love him forever. Now I'd do anything to hug him everyday. He knows Mommy loves him though.

Tommy's birthday party planning is just about done. I've purchased all the decorations and favors. The day before the party we'll buy the food, etc. Sometime today or tomorrow Bobby and I plan to go down and order the cake. It's gonna be such a fun day!

One little tidbit I need to throw in... I have found that all I need to make me smile, whether I'm happy, sad, or somewhere in between (which could be all of those in 5 minutes thanks to stupid pregnancy hormones, lol), is Tommy touching his belly button and saying "beddybuddon!" He doesn't seem to realize it is two words, and he's so serious when he says it that I can't help but giggle. Now I'm working on teaching him to say "one" and hold up his index finger when someone asks how old he is. He could care. LOL.

Well, time for me to log off of here! Have lots to do and need to start preparing things for dinner. I promised Bobby oven fried potatoes and eggs. (The recipe can be found here.) They are rather scrumptious and have quickly become a favorite in our home!

Well well well...

Christmas is over. :(

That was fast, as it always is. Just as soon as I get used to the rush and excitement it's time to wind it up. I shopped, wrapped, baked cookies, decorated the house, made Christmas dinner, and watched quite a few Christmas movies. I was shocked with how well I stayed organized, lol. But we really did have a nice Christmas Season this year. Though it was hard not having Jeff and Becca here, I knew they were having a blast at their Dad's and found peace in that.

Thomas LOVED opening presents, and even more so enjoyed realizing that those presents were toys. Bobby was happy with the gifts he received, as was I.

Thankfully, I made it through most of the month without my morning sickness escalating too much. I kept praying "Just let me make it through Christmas without getting too sick..." Well, that's how it went! After dinner Christmas Day it hit and it's barely let up for a few moments here and there since then. But that's OK, it's all worth it for us to be able to add on to our family the way we'd like to. I'm starting to feel more and more pregnant and getting more excited. It's so hard to believe that I'm going through all of this again already, but in a way nice since I did this recently it's a little more familiar than that last gap of 5 years.

I told Jeff and Becca over the phone this morning that they were going to have another brother or sister. Becca was excited and shocked. "You aren't supposed to have another baby until Thomas is 3." Where she got this from, I'm not sure. Her and Jeff are 22 months apart and others that she knows have had babies closer together. The only thing I can think of is that I may have said something similar right after I had Thomas (We're talking a week or so...) when she asked if we could have another one right then. She said she was excited as long as I have a girl this time. I told her it's up to God and that maybe he'll answer her prayers for a baby sister. When Jeff heard he thought I was joking, though he also asked for another baby this last Summer. I wonder when he'll realize I'm not lying... and what he'll think about it.

On top of it all... The excitement of the holidays and my pregnancy along with the upcoming New Year, Bobby and I are celebrating our 2ND wedding anniversary. 2 years ago today Bobby and I drove up to Vegas and got married. It was the best decision I've ever made and he's been such a gift to me. I'm so lucky that I get to spend the rest of my life with him and thank God every day for bringing Bobby my way. He gave me a card on Christmas Eve claiming I was the best Christmas Gift he ever received (we met right before Christmas), however I'm pretty sure he stole this line from me and though I LOVED the card, I do believe he was my gift. The one that nothing else will ever compare to.

This blog has really been nothing but a ramble. Think I care? Not really. Hope you all had a great Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

Mmmm...

All the more reason to eat at Carl's Jr!

Uncle Butch and Aunt Ruth support the Carl's Jr Chili Cheese Burger and Fries... and you know I'm all about supporting Uncle Butch and Aunt Ruth! Guess what I'm having for dinner?

I don't know about you, but that's as good of a reason as any to use Palm Center Cleaners to me! (Not that I didn't use them already, ahem...)

Some say sell out... I say a work of genius!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I hope all of you (meaning my now apparently 2 readers... oh, I should mention... I have a tracker and I know who reads my blogs by IP address, location, whether they were linked by a search engine or via email, etc... ;) That's right... I know who my new reader is. Maybe it's creepy that I track it, but not as creepy as a stalker. Oh well... Enjoy!) had a fantabulous Thanksgiving!

We had a nice day here with Tommy and my parents. It wasn't the same as if Jeff and Becca had been here and we talked about them a lot of the day and how much we missed them, but some things just couldn't be helped in that department. Bobby made the best turkey I have ever tasted! We kept the rest of the meal rather simple, but it came out OH SO GOOD! Tommy loved "big people food" and loved having his grandparents at our house for the day.

Now to continue staying awake so that I can hit the online Black Friday sales I want to take advantage of at midnight. Last night I stayed up for the Toy's R Us sale and got a toy for each of my kids at insane prices! Tonight I'm waiting up for the WalMart online sale. Looks like it's gonna be worth it!

At Least It Wasn't Chicken Poop!

OK, so first of all... we have to go back about 7 1/2 years to the beginning of this story in order for it all to make sense...

At the time a lot of those that attend our current church were attending the Fontana PCofG. I was living in Washington State at the time and was down visiting with my then husband and baby Jeff over Summer break from school. Naturally, having a new camcorder I felt the need to record everything about my trip. If you know Crystal, then you know that she was naturally on quite a bit of the footage. Her and I felt the need to record EVERYTHING! Of course this also meant recording her after she fell walking to the car after morning service... into MUD. She did so gracefully, but then had mud all over her, and her reaction was hilarious while everyone just laughed... especially me. Kathy yelled out a valid point to Crystal, "At least it wasn't chicken poop!". I don't know why, but later that night when we watch the video from that day it cracked us up. This may not be too shocking, but I wet my pants. The combination of Crystal's face and Kathy's phrase was just hilarious. The term quickly became a daily part of conversation.

A few years later, a company released a lip balm. The name? "Chicken Poop". Kathy bought Crystal and I both a tube. Various pictures, emails, endearments have been traded between the 3 of us over these last few years. It's our "thing".

So, now to the present day. A few weeks ago at our mini ladies retreat at church Kathy, my Mom, and I were admiring these little chickens that were up for bidding in a silent auction to buy gifts for orphans. Kathy kept trying to tell me that I should want them because she wanted to buy them for someone. My Mom pointed out they would look cute in my kitchen... Kathy said I needed chickens since I blog about cooking them so much... and within a few minutes I decided "They must be mine!" and put down a bid. The next morning I was sick and unable to attend service. This last Sunday, Tommy was teething so badly that he barely slept (and barely let Bobby and I sleep) for the last 5 days. I had no idea where I stood in the bidding and figured I lost. I wasn't too bummed, but I was kind of sad and hoped to find some others later. Sunday night, my Mom calls on her way home from church to let me know KATHY BOUGHT ME THE CHICKENS! I was so excited. Bobby thought I was nuts.

Tuesday my Mom brought the chickens over and I placed them on the counter. I sent Kathy a picture text of them and she called to let me know "I was glad when they said unto me, let us put the chickens up on the counter". It was great. I was so happy and felt so privileged that Kathy did something so nice for me...

I cannot believe that with all of us involved (Crystal knew of the chicken bidding) NO ONE thought of "At least it wasn't chicken poop".

So, now, let me just say once again... Thank you Kathy for my chickens! At least they don't make chicken poop!

Am I All Talk?

Probably.

Wait, let me clear this up...

I've posted all these dumb blogs about Christmas and holiday planning without actually realizing that THANKSGIVING IS NEXT WEEK!

That makes me an idiot. I thought by mentally evaluating my holidays I was ahead of the times... when in reality I'm behind because I have yet to really begin some of the necessary planning.

To try to catch up, I'm ordering my Christmas Cards today. Hopefully this season won't be so hectic that we forget it's all really about Jesus!

TGIF!

Wow, this week flew by! It seems as though I'm still recovering from LAST week, and here this week is over! On Sunday night I made a "To Do" list for the week. Luckily I gave myself the deadline of tomorrow afternoon since I still have about half of it left. This is going to be our first weekend of "nothing" in awhile though, and I look forward to that. Relaxing at home with Bobby and getting things done around the house. I love when he's home and we can just relax and have a conversation, watch a movie, play with Tommy, WORK ON THE HOUSE, lol. I just really hope he doesn't get stuck in insane traffic on his way home tonight, ugh.

And now I have ditched this blog to go answer the phone... It was Crystal and she wants to get together this afternoon. Maybe I'll take some pictures and blog about it later... or not... We'll see if Kathy is lucky enough.

Christmas Came To Our House...

OK, not quite completely yet... but it has begun!

Yesterday after my dentist appointment I stopped by Target to get a few things. I ended up going to the one near Crystal's since it's on the way to my Mom's to pick up Tommy so she met me down there since she needed to get a few things herself.

It should have been obvious to me that this would be the beginning of my Christmas shopping when I walked in and saw the Dollar Aisle filled with Christmas items. I grabbed a few small things for Becca and some small decorations. After we looked at everything from beginning to end there, we went on to the rest of the store. We picked up a few things and made A LOT of notes of what we will buy and what we will not buy. When in the toy aisle I saw that 2 toys Bobby and I were already planning to buy Tommy were about $10 off each! Naturally, I took the bait. I'm excited about already marking things off on his Toys R Us wish list.

So, now it's time to start cracking down on this baking business. I have house work to do today since I was gone all day yesterday and will be gone all day tomorrow, but I'm hoping to at least start making batches. :Fingers Crossed:

Just around the corner...

Jeff and Becca - Christmas 2007

Jeff and Becca - Christmas 2003

Not long now and we'll be getting out the boxes of decorations and ornaments, baking, cooking, singing, etc. etc. etc.

CHRISTMAS! YAY!

I've decided to distract myself from all the political stuff today and think about something exciting!

This year is a special one, as it's Tommy's first. I've already begun a LONG wish list for him, as the poor kid really doesn't have many toys. It's going to be so much FUN!

Jeff and Becca will likely arrive the day after Christmas as this is their year to spend with their Dad. I'm completely up in the air on what to get them this year, but either way I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they open their presents!

I have a few ideas of things to get Bobby, but I'm really uncertain. I've got ideas for stocking stuffers for sure. Hard to say. I'll likely be looking into more ideas today... If Tommy allows me the computer time.

I'm also starting to think about all the baking I'd like to get done. I've decided I'm going to start baking cookies in the next week and freeze them so that there will be less money to spend at once and less work to be done in those few final days before we celebrate the birth of JESUS! There will for sure be pies, maybe a cake, definitely some casseroles, Mmm... I love holiday food... TOO much! Just look at me!

Did I mention the gift list? Naturally, this year's is going to be shorter than usual due to the economy being what it is, but I still have a few key people I'll be buying for. Seriously, this is my favorite part!

And then there are our Christmas cards. I'm debating just doing a "Photo Card" or also including an "update letter". I know some people find these annoying, but that there are also those who might like to know what we're up to. We'll see... Such decisions. :sigh:

It's gonna be wonderful! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

The Luckiest Girl In The WORLD!

Yes? Did you call my name? Why, naturally, that is me! I AM the luckiest girl in the world!

Why, you ask? Well... here's why...



:sigh:

I swear he's one of the best things God ever gave me. (Can't forget salvation and my children, family, and friends.) I go to bed every night and wake up every morning knowing that he loves me and would do anything to take care of and protect our children and I. We're not "perfect", but in this day and age we really do have a wonderful marriage and relationship. Very few men these days have a modern outlook with old fashioned values, and I find that very important. I don't know what I'd ever do without Bobby. He's not only my husband and lovah boy, but also my best friend. He's always there, regardless, the moment I need him. I don't know what I would do without Bobby, and I can say without a doubt I'll love him for the rest of my life. To think, I knew all this after only 3 days of knowing him. Anyone want to doubt the power of love at first sight now?

Oh, and not to mention... his sexy untouchable hotness... HELLO! ;)

Lucky, lucky, lucky, ME!!!!

Serial Killer Material

At one point in time I had this genius idea. Yes, it only happened once. I'm sorry to disappoint.

It started with a simple photo of my first child's newborn foot. It was one of my favorite photos for years, and still is. A few years later, I started taking photos of random feet. Ugly, pretty, big, small, shoes, boots, bare, etc. My thought was that I was going to create a coffee table book titled "Keep Your Feet On The Table" or something geeky like that. I don't remember. I even had friends and acquaintances sending me photos for the compilation. It was great.

Then my laptop crashed... and I lost the majority of my photos!

Naturally, over time, I lost interest.

But now... because of the title of this blog I have been inspired to do the same but with EYES!

Won't you? Won't you please? Let me put my camera up to your eye and flash my brilliant light into your life?

Seriously, everyone, feel free to send me photos of your eyes... or cropped photos only including the eyes. I'm weird, creepy, and might just be a freak. Why should that stop you? Try to make it artistic... If it goes well enough maybe I'll get back to my original idea about feet. You never know!