Everyone have a Happy New Year!

Here's to another great year full of good times, laughter and love to all my good blogging friends!

I'll see all of you in 2007! Myspace Layouts

We've survived Christmas vacation so far, so good. Now we are off to find some SNOW! Some of our Christmas plans were remade. My grandparents who live in Prescott, AZ, were going to stop by and visit us on their way back from CA. They were visiting my Aunt and Uncle,my cousins, and their new Great-Grand baby who was born a little before Thanksgiving. My grandmother hasn't been quite diagnosed Type 2 diabetic, she's more borderline right now, just taking care of herself by monitoring her diet, wasn't feeling well, so we made plans to do our Christmas gift exchange with them this weekend. It's been raining the last couple days, so I'm hoping Sunday morning the kids will get to see Snow. They've been wanting to make a snowman and have snowball fights and maybe do a little sledding, so will just have to see what Jack Frost has planned. We should be back sometime later Sunday evening. What are your plans for this weekend? Do you have anything planned for New Years?

#124

Appetizer

How do you usually celebrate on New Year’s Eve?

I usually make some appetizers and finger foods. Call all my family, wishing them Happy New Year. The kids try to stay up, while we watch the Ball drop on TV. One year I'd like to go to New York to see it for real.

Soup

Name one thing unexpected that happened to you in 2006. Lindsay was born. Katelyn was supposed to be our last one, so having Lindsay was a very nice surprise. Salad

Where was your favorite place that you visited in 2006?

Our trip to Las Vegas. If I could afford it, I'd like to go once a year. Not to gamble, but just to do all the touristy things.

Main Course

What resolution is your top priority for 2007?

Eating healtier at lunchtime. Thanks to Candy Minx for offering her great lunchtime tips. It's not that I'm trying to diet, but eating out gets expensive, and I would like to eat better things for me than french fries and hamburgers. Dessert

Using just three words, describe 2006.

BUSY, Fast, Fun

Still hungry for more, check out these other great places to dine HERE!

For those of you who didn't play FF, I'll ask you

Where was your favorite place that you visited in 2006?

Thirteen Things I'd like to do in 2007!

Thanks to GoofyGirl for this cute TT Header!

1. I'd like to take the kids on more outings. More trips to the library, fun museums, join a Mom's club.

2. To read more. I'd like to try and read a book a month!

3. I love to cook. I'd like to get the family involved more with cooking dinner. Right now I cook 2 large meals for leftovers the next day, and then 2 regular meals, and leave one night to eat out, but.....

4. Lunch time is when I eat too much fast food, because I'm on the go from about 10:30-5:30, and have very little time for me to have a healthy lunch. So, I'd like to try and eat less fast food.

5. Start making scrapbooks for each of the kids.

6. I'm going to be looking in to Homeschooling Katelyn, possibly Josh too next year! For Katelyn because she would be a late starter in K, because of her late birthday, and I don't want her to miss out. Josh because of his health, I'd like to find a Mom's group of Juvenille Diabetics, so he could have some friends who also are learning to deal with the same thing.

7. I'd like to start drinking less Diet Pepsi, and more water. I'm not giving up my Coffee.

8. I'd like to try and be more patient with the kids and my husband. Have more laughs and fun!

9. Be more organized!

10. Take a room in the house a month and do something different with it! I'd like to paint our bedroom, fix up the bathrooms, put wood flooring in my daughter's room, just some examples.

11. This should have been #1, before the kids go back to school, I'd like to take them up to where the snow is. Katelyn's never seen snow, and Josh was 6mos old the last time he saw it. Maybe make a snowman, just depends on how much snow we see!

12. I'd like to take the whole family camping this coming fall, up North to Pinetop,AZ!

13. To have a more Peaceful Year, my whole family. We've had some situations, where we all could have had a little more patience and understanding, maybe even compromise more, or just to let it be!

As 2006 is coming to a close, I found this not only a wonderful way to start a New Year 2007, but a way to keep the spirit of giving going. Kelly at Pass the Torch is doing a wonderful fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She has been authorized by Empowering Youth, Inc. who will donate $1.00 per comment to this post. In your comment let her know I sent you. If you have time stop on by and help her raise money to help find cures to save children.

Wordless Wednesday

We had a really wonderful Christmas, How was yours?? We spent Christmas Eve at my SIL's. All the cousins running around, Christmas wrapping paper covered her living room. The baby was crawling through it we could barely see her. My husband's other two kids were there. His son has his drivers permit, so my husband let him drive his truck! He won't even let me drive it!! That was pretty special for him to get to spend time with them. His son also bought presents for all of my kids which I would have never expected. I thought that was really cool. That night Marissa helped me wrap presents. We had baked cookies for Santa, left them out. Usually all the cookies get eaten, so it looks like Santa ate them all. Even my husband was completley stuffed from my SIL's, so Marissa wrote a letter (from Santa) to Joshua, Katelyn, and Lindsay, saying the cookies were really good, and he could only eat just one, because he wanted to share the rest with them. Christmas morning, about a quarter to 7, we hear Josh get up. We hear him searching through presents. Paper being unwrapped, and he comes running down the Hallway screaming," Look what Santa brought me!"

The funniest thing, the baby had more fun playing with all the other kids toys!

Merry 1st Christmas, Lindsay!

She loved the Purrfect Princess Kitty!

The camera says, "You look Pretty as a Picture!"

This is how I look, first thing in the morning before my cup of coffee. Love her eyes!

Nana, bought the Hummer! You know she has to buy the Best!

And my husband did good this year!

He bought me my very own digital camera, so I would stop using his.

Wasn't that sweet of him!

This morning as the kids were waking up, and Josh was the first one. I was sitting on the couch, snuggled up in a blanket (Yes, it's getting that cold here in AZ), sipping my morning coffe. When Josh climbed up on the couch and snuggled up next to me, looked up at me with his Big Blue, and this is how our converstion went.

Josh: Mom, How do Reindeer Fly?

Me: They are magic Reindeer.

Josh:Where's their magic?

Me: (Me trying to be creative.)...They have Star dust, something like Fairy Dust.

Josh: ( Didn't work.) Mom, reindeer are not like Fairies, they don't have Wings!!

Me: That's because the Magic is in their Antlers!

Josh: No, Mom, the Magic is in their NOSES!

This will most likely be my last post until After Christmas. On Tuesday, I'll have Christmas Day pics posted.

On Monday I posted a wonderful Christmas Memory I have, and Southeren Girl, posted one of her special Christmas Memories.

If you are traveling this Christmas to go visit family and friends, I wish you safe travels, and if you are Home , Enjoy and Relax!

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas!

Thursday 13-#30

Here are 13 Random things about my week!

1. There are only 4 more days until Christmas.
2. I still haven't finished my shopping, and I'm not looking forward to going to the malls.
3. Today was the kids first day of Christmas Vacation, I like saying that than saying they are on Winter Break.
4. They still have 2 more weeks. I'd like them to go back now. And I don't know why they didn't get out on Friday. Why on a Weds?
5. I've been buying my Christmas gifts for me. Some mint lipgloss form Bath and Body Works.
6. I bought a Vanilla Spice gift set from The Body Shop for my Aunt, I'm going back to buy one for me.
7. I found some 400 count sheets that were on Sale for $20.00.
8. When I stopped into Starbucks to buy GiftCards for the Nurses, I splurged and got a Peppermint Mocha.
9. If you haven't read my post below, yesterday we spent the day baking, and the Eggnog bread really was a hit. Even my son liked it, and he doesn't like Eggnog.
10. Both my husband and I have tried staying awake to watch Polar Express, but end up falling asleep halfway through.
11. The kids loved watching A Charlie Brown Christmas.
12. It was funny to hear Josh come around the corner and say, " OH, Good Grief!"
13. The baby loves Candy Canes, and since we put them a little higher on the tree, it gives her more incentive to stand up and walk around the tree! Which is a good thing, she's learning to walk, NOT a good thing, she yanks the candy canes down, potentially the tree? Which hasn't happened.

13 Bonus Christmas Trivia Questions

1. Name the three reindeer whose names begin with a "D"?
2. In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, what biological shortcoming made the Grinch so mean?
3. How many pipers piping did my true love give to me?
4. What song contains the line "Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me"?
5. Who wrote A Christmas Carol?
6. What was the gift my true love sent on the sixth day of Christmas?
7. What was Scrooge's first name?
8. What fruit is St. Nick's nose like?
9. What Saturday Evening Post artist was known for his whimsical pictures of Santa Claus?
10. What 1990 movie told of a boy's experience when two men break into his house during Christmas?
11. Visions of what dance in children's heads?
12. What is the name of the most famous Christmas ballet?
13. On every street corner you hear what song?

I just realized how not only is it a Small World, but a Small Blogosphere. I stop in and visit Sandra every once in a while, to see how her Type 1 Diabetic son Joseph is doing. While reading Perfect Post Awards, I noticed she was nominated for a November Perfect Post. It's a wonderful post on, as mothers of Type 1 Diabetics on Insulin Pumps, what we go through on a daily basis. Brought tears to my eyes. Truly a fantastic post. On a good note, the other day at the nurse's office at Josh's school, she told me that Josh looked the healtiest out of the other Type 1 Diabetics there, which made my day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Thank you to all of you who have stopped by to visit me through this year. For your wonderful supportive and caring comments.

I'm sure some of you are all cookied and baked out, but today Marissa, the kids, and me had so much fun baking. We had the radio playing Christmas songs, and Marissa was playing "Christmas Bells" on her violin. The house was warm with the heat of the oven, and smelled so good with all the Christmas goodies.

So help yourself to some virtual goodies, they are absolutely, 100% calorie FREE!

Pecan Swirl Bread

Chocolate Chip Cookies with a Caramel Drizzle

EggNog Bread

I found the recipe from Kelli at There is No Place Like Home! It had such a wonderful smell while it was baking. I didn't get a chance to put on the Eggnog glaze. If you have time to bake, I'd really suggest you make this.

Cranberry Orange and White Chocolate Chip Cookies with White Chocolate Drizzle

We also made some Peppermint Fudge, but Blogger is not letting me post a pic of it.

Wishing you all The Very Best Christmas Wishes!

With Christmas upon us, I've been really busy. Buying presents, baking, and sending Christmas cards. I often miss something, and can't remember everything. I like to have my kids give their teachers a little gift. This year, I bought their teachers Apple Ornaments that I had personalized. As much as my kids say they want THIS for Christmas and they want THAT for Christmas, I was so surprised when my son this morning spoke up and said," What did you get for the nurses at school, Mom!" That made me feel really good, that he was thinking of them, and helped me to remember I'd almost forgotten them. So I ran over to Starbucks and got them gift certificates. I don't know how much of my ,"It's better to Give than Recieve" talk they listen too, but it was a refreshing change to hear him being so thoughtful.

For more Pass the Torch Tuesday stories you can read over at Kelly's.

When my brother and I were growing up our Mom would take us to the Mall right around Christmas every year. This mall, some of you may have heard of it called South Coast Plaza. It's one of the most amazing malls in So. California. I haven't been back recently, but I do have this fond Christmas memory. The mall every year we've gone, and been has always been gorgeously decorated. Bright lights and Huge Christmas ornaments. Bright red pointsettas and those White Reindeer light decorations. Simply beautiful to look at. When I think of Shoppers rushing home with their treasures, I think of this mall. There are some of the same shops in there that you would find in Beverly Hills. Back when I was growing up, those shops didn't exist, but the mall was just as bright and beautiful.

At the center of the mall, was an old Merry-Go-Round, and my mother would take me and my brother to see Santa, and then to ride on this Merry-Go-Round. Of course 20+ years ago it was only 10 or 20 cents a ride, but there was something magical about it for me and my brother.

While shopping for gifts at Toys-R-Us a couple of years ago, we wandered over to the mall next to it. When what to my wondering eyes did we see, but a Merry Go Round. Although it's $1 a ride now, I'd hope to continue a wonderful tradition I grew up with and continue with my children.

Do you have a Christmas memory or Tradition that is very special to you?

This story had me ROTFL, The Truth about Reindeers. Enjoy it, I did!

MY PICTURE OF THE DAY!

Why do weekends seem to go by so fast? I started feeling the pressure of the Holidays. We did a little baking. Marissa made us brownies. Which were gone in less than one day. Then Marissa, me and the baby did a little shopping. For Katelyn, I first wanted to buy her some Disney Princess Dressup clothes and shoes, but couldn't resist buying her a Pink Purrincess Kitty doll from Build-A-Bear with a Fairy dress and wings , and the good news I would save $15. What was really nice was getting to spend time with Marissa shopping. Being that she's almost 13, growing up for most of her life I worked nights, and felt like we really didn't spend a lot of time together. So it was so cool, picking outfits out for Christmas Eve and just having her try on jackets was alot of fun. On Sunday morning my Mom invited us to Church for their Children's Christmas Pagent. Can anyone relate to getting 4 children ready for a church service by 10:30. Thank Goodness, doughnuts and juice were served between services, because I did not have time to make a nice breakfast. Hearing the Christmas story of Jesus's Birth really made my soul refreshed. I felt my heart soften a little. Not that I have a hard heart, but with my son's illness, I realize I do harbor some resentment towards God for allowing this to happen to a child, and our family. I almost wish he'd of made me Diabetic, so my son wouldn't have to suffer. I came away from the service glad that I've known all along , this is God's way of getting me to trust him and have faith in him, that he is taking care of our family. After that I took the kids to see Santa. I must have this inner timing of year after year, for the 3rd. year in a row, we get there and then 1/2 an hour later Santa takes a break, and we end up waiting another 1/2 hour. The kids were all right waiting, not an easy thing for a 3yro and 6 yro to do. Josh surprised me, last year he didn't want to have anything to do with Santa, this year he just jumped in his lap and started talking about wanting an XBOX360, and a Basketball. Well, I can get the Basketball. Katelyn was more than a little scared, she didn't sit on his lap, she kind of sat next to Santa and told him she wanted a Pony! I'll have to go buy her a My Lil Pony. My husband found a mini Donkey online for $700, he was just teasing. You know what I like about this picture, they are both smiling. Last year, they were both annoyed about having to wait so long to see Santa.

I've still got plenty of baking and shopping to do. If you have time stop by Tuesday night, I'll have some Fresh Baked virtual goodies for y'all. Everyone have a good Monday tomorrow!

Are you all finished shopping? What do you have left to do?

Welcome to our Home! Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad! Help yourself to some Fudge or Sugar Cookies, and some Hot Chocolate! Enjoy the Tour!

Please stop by and visit BooMama for more tour information or to view other beautiful decorations. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

I always find something fun and new when I visit Local Girl. She posted about Club Mom having a Photo Contest. One photo each day will win a $50 gift card from their rewards catalog. Stop on by Club Mom, and vote for my picture! Joining is really easy!

#122

Appetizer

What was your very first job with a paycheck?

My first job was at a 'Lil Soup, Sandwich, and Salad Cafe. It was a hole in the wall joint in

South Coast Plaza mall in Santa Ana, CA. Soup

Did you ever lose something really important to you?

At a resort where I worked in CA. After 5 yrs. of service, I recieved a Pin. I've looked everywhere for it and I can't find it. Every holiday we worked too, we got a pin, and my 5 yr pin's not with the others. I'll just have to keep looking for it. Salad

What is the best Christmas present you ever received?

My husband bought me a Home Foot Spa, and a gift certificate for an hour massage. Main Course

Tell about a favorite “hang out” place for you and your friends when you were in high school.

At the mall from up above, because it was close to school. Or in the Summer we'd hang out at the Beach. We'd play Volleyball all day and have bon fires at night Dessert

Name something that always brings a smile to your face. That's an easy one. My silly kids and my husband, who'll never grow up.

Dine for Yourself

Thanks to GoofyGirl for this gorgeous Holiday TTHeader!

ThursdayThirteen#29 13 of my Favorite Christmas JOYS!!

1. Decorating : Hanging stockings, and ornaments on the tree. The pretty lights and gorgeous colors that just brighten the room.
2. Shopping: This is the perfect time of year for me to get away with overspending!! I mean I love buying gifts for everyone.
3. Baking: Cookies and Fudge. A tradition I started about 3 yrs. ago is to make Cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.
4. The Smell of a Christmas Tree: Even if we have a Fake tree, I found FEBREEZE has a Pine Tree scent, I just spray on the tree once a day! Nothing compares to smell of a Real one.
5. Hot Chocolate: With Candy Canes or Peppermint Schnapps, just warms me right up. With plenty of Marshmallows too. Oh, and Starbucks too!
6. Singing Christmas carols.
7. I love candles. Lighting all my candles, so the room is all aglow really makes me happy. I'd wish Christmas was like this everyday of the year!
8. Watching all the old Christmas movies that I grew up with, makes me feel like a kid again.
9. I'd like a White Christmas, but it really doesn't snow here. It did snow in Scottsdale about 6yrs ago, but it melted within the hour. So we're keeping an eye on the weather to see if it'll snow up North were my Grandparents live, and possibly have Christmas up there, if not, they might come down here and spend Christmas with us.
10. Sending and recieving Christmas Cards.
11. Shopping online. I've done about 3/4 of my shopping online, and I'm loving it. No fighting crowds, no fighting for a parking place, and no fighting over the last toy that's on a shelf.
12. Watching the kids open their presents on Christmas day, and seeing their eyes get all wide with excitement.
13. Spending time with the family.

My husband and I had the biggest laugh tonight. Most of you know, our 3yo Katelyn has quite the imagination. Well tonight, using the box I got the baby's Christmas toy from Amazon , and the attachments to my vaccuum, declared she was in a swamp, and she was looking for swamp creatures and that she was in a boat in a swamp rowing with my vaccuum attachments. We then asked her who the swamp creatures were, and she said, of course her brother, Marissa, and my brother. This child has the wildest imagination. She is bound to be a future story writer with the plots she has in her head. As we all know and love, 2 and 3 yos behaviors as Terrible or Terrific, depending on the time of day, and if candy is involved. For Katelyn, ever since she saw her cousins presents, wants her presents NOW! Every day this past week, and I kept telling her not until Christmas Eve, and that she needed to wait for Santa Claus to open her presents. Bless her heart, after stomping her feet, through all the pouting and the endless I wants.....She told me today out of the blue....OK, Mommy I'll wait for Santa, and just walked out of the kitchen, like nothing every happened !! I can completely relate to being impatient over the Holidays. I had and still have a hard time waiting for Christmas! If you like to read more Pass the Torch Tuesday posts, where Kelly challanges us to catch a kid, whether it is your own or not, doing something good, you can read them HERE!

If you have time today, stop by Local Girl's and vote for your favorite

Decorated Christmas Tree.

You are also needed to vote for one of my good Blog Friends Mrs. Lifecruiser for the

Weblog awards. She's up against Dooce. What I love reading are her wonderful stories and memories she has about her travels with her husband Mr. Life Cruiser. She was also sweet enough to post her recipe for Sweedish Cinnamon Rolls, which I plan on making for Christmas morning!

You can vote once a day until 12/15.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours was pretty good. I started my Christmas cards, did a little more decorating. Didn't get to do shopping, but my SIL said she'd watch Katelyn for me so I could do it sometime this week. Marissa's been sick, and Katelyn and the baby have a touch of the cold, and I've been fighting getting sick. I'm just stuffed up and can't breathe a little. So, I'm drinking plenty of OJ, and going to bed early. I've missed late night blogging. Katelyn was sneezing really loud, and I told her God Bless you, and she looked at me, and said she didn't sneeze, she was "BLESSING"! Thought that was really sweet of her. We have more family coming to visit today and tomorrow, leaving on Weds. This is my MIL's oldest sister, and one of her closest and dear friends. She loves to play with the kids, and always has time to stop by and visit us. So I'm off to finish cleaning up before she gets here. Hope your Monday's a good one!

Your Christmas Song Is

White Christmas I'm dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where the treetops glisten, and children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow You like everything to be perfect at Christmas And it's just not Christmas if it doesn't snow

What Christmas Carol Are You?

Here are the lovely gifts Mandee's Mom Hazel sent to me for the Christmas Grotto Swap. The gorgeous Santa snow globe ornament, The Santa, Katelyn loves playing with him and imagining his reindeer and hearing Jingle Bells. Some beautiful candles, and the Gorgeous candle holder. I really like the Ceramic SchoolHouse, and the other Snowman decoration. I was really excited to see all these wonderful presents from the Netherlands.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Morning Glory at Seeds From My Garden is hosting Christmas Tree Treasures. Most of my glass ones and collectibles are put up, but here are a couple of ones that are very special to me!

This one my husband gave to me for our 1st Christmas.

I just got this one from Mandy's Mom Hazel for her Christmas Grotto Swap. All the way from the Netherlands. She did send some really wonderful gifts, which I will share tomorrow with y'all!

Homemade ornaments are very dear to my heart especially the ones that my kids make. Both are from their K class.

For those of you who have come here looking for a T13, I am taking a short break this week! My week has been pretty hectic. I'll be back next week for sure. This week I'm posting something new that really touched me this week. I don't post about my husband enough, and as he has started to read my blog, I thought it only appropriate to let him know how much I and his family Love him. From Kelly at Pass the Torch, I found this Love Thursday post, so I thought this post would fit perfectly.

LOVE IS..... Sharing my 1st Cookie with my Daddy!

Don't you just love how the baby has more hair than my husband. LOL! Just teasing. He really is a wonderful father and husband. When I had to go back to work with Katelyn our 3yo when she was 6wks. old, he stepped up and took care of her, even after he worked over 12 hrs. as a restaurant manager. Those were a couple of crazy years for us for sure. He loves to play catch with our son, and the baby is his little precious Angel. Right now, he's working on starting his own WoodWorking company, building cabinets and custom furniture, so he can work from home.

What I love about him most, is his deep blue eyes, and sense of humor. He can always put a smile on my face, when I'm having a terrible day. Taking care of our son has been much easier with his support. He is a Type 1 diabetic as well, so I have him to turn too, when I feel hopeless against not knowing what to do in taking care of our son. We've had some interesting years together. I just Thank God for my husband's love and support of his family, for all his hard work, and all the little things he does to make all our lives better.

You can read more stories about Love Thursday at Chookooloonks and Pass the Torch.

Wordless Wendsday "Grand Canyon in a Snow Storm"

Picture taken by MFShadow

Picture taken by Samir

I'm sorry I didn't get around to visiting everyone yesterday. The morning started fine, I took the baby to get her shots, and it only took an hour this time. What hung me up, was when I went to get a prescription for test strips, (this was on Thursday), the pharmacy faxed the Dr. for a refill request. Here it was Tuesday, and the Pharmacy still hadn't heard back from the Dr. So I called the Dr. and they returned my call and said they never got a refill request. Then, come to find out since we switched insurance, the type of strips I needed weren't covered by the insurance, I had to call the Dr. and have them fax a prescription for the ones that are covered. So I spent a better part of my day going round in round with Dr.s, pharmacies, and insurance companies. It's all taken care of now, but I don't understand why everything has to be so difficult?

5 of my Favorite Christmas Songs Meme

I found this great Meme over at East of Oregon, so I snagged it.

1. Mary Did You Know by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna
2. The Christmas song by Nat King Cole
3. Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt
4. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bruce Springstein
5. J-I-N-G-L-E BELLS by Frank Sinatra

This time I am tagging since this was a fun and easy one. Let's start with

Ocean Lady, LocalGirl, Liz, Catch and Southern Girl ( I allready know who her favorite singer is, just wondering which songs!)...And You, what is your favorite 5 Christmas songs. If you do this, let me know, so I can visit yours.

A few other Wonderful Christmas Happenings are

Morning Glory's Christmas Tree Treasures this Friday, December 8th. Post a picture of a special ornament you have and why it is so special to you.

Local Girl's 2006 Tree Decorating Contest- Post a picture of your beautiful Christmas tree by Monday December 11.

I missed this the last time,

BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes

on December 15th.

HOT Tamales and Monday Christmas Memories

Yesterday my husband was so funny! I'm sitting posting my GTS post of my Christmas Cactus, and he comes up and asks me Out of the Blue,if I know how to make Tamales. We both love Tamales, and I've watched some friends of mine make them. So I told him, if he goes this week sometime and gets the ingredients, I'll try and make some. My favorites are the Sweet 'Dulce' ones with Pineapple, and the Spicy Red Chili Pork Tamales. He used to work as a Restaurant Manager, so he knows his way around a kitchen. Another thing I told him, He had to help me make them! I couldn't have all the Fun myself! So we'll see how they turn out!

Since I'm writing about my Husband, here's a funny Christmas memory I have of him, when I was pregnant with Katelyn. I told him he could buy me some nice warm JOE BOXER P.J.s, some really cute and comfortable ones. When he comes back after shopping, he looks so proud of himself for buying me EXACTLY what I wanted. The only problem was it was size XXXL. They were cute, but it was like I was wearing a tent, even being 7 months pregnant. He does a wonderful job in the gift giving department, this particular year, I'm not sure what he was thinking!! Anyways I get a smile when I think of him pulling the top out of the bag and the smile on his face, and then the look he had when he saw the look I had! Priceless!

This Thursday I'll have a special post about him!

Today's Christmas Quote!

Emily Matthews~

From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other.

Everyone have a Good Monday!

Today was an extremely BUSY day! First Josh had bowling. He got 2 strikes and 3 spares and bowled 102. Then we picked up Nana so she could go Christmas shopping with me. When we got back home, my husband and BIL were putting in a new kitchen window for me. We are slowly replacing the original single pane death trap windows, with double pane ones. One by one of course. We still have half the house to do. Nana and I went shopping, she got her husband Vince Gill's new CD Collection, and gifts for her great-grand children in CA. I was able to get dress up shoes for Katelyn, and a Basketball for Josh, and one gift for one of my neices. We had a good day shopping. After we got back, I didn't plan on cleaning up the mess my husband would make this weekend, which put a damper on some of my decorating, I'll just do more tomorrow. I have some Christmas shaped Sugar cookies, and Chocolate chip for y'all, with some hot chocolate. These are a few pics I took, the tree didn't quite get finished because by the time after dinner Katelyn fell asleep, and I want her to have some fun decorating.....Oh and the baby, crawled right straight for the tree, and almost pulled it down. My husband's been asking me what I want for Christmas. For a materialistic gift, I would really like a new digital camera. If I could have my Mom's new husband's fmily and ours get together would be my Christmas wish! So here's a question for you, What are you asking Santa for?? Something materialistic, or a simple Christmas Wish??

Most of our ornaments are plastic or the silk covered balls. Anything non glass.

With 3 'lil kitties who like to climb the tree, I learned my lesson a couple years ago after they just about broke all of them. I don't want any of my fur babies or children to get hurt.

Starting today and all throught the weekend, I'll be shopping and decorating and doing more shopping, and decorating the tree and more shopping!! I'll be posting a pic of our Tree Saturday night! Stop by and I'll have some virtual Eggnog and Hot Chocolate and cookies for you all! Carmen's having a Party this weekend! If you have time this weekend stop by. She's put on a wonderful Holiday spread and hired a virtual D.J. to play your favorite Christmas song! Both her Tree and decorations are gorgeous!!

To Everyone Have a FUN weekend!!

Friday's Feast 120

Appetizer Have you ever flown in a helicopter? No, but I would love to fly in one over Hawaii, or the Grand Canyon.
Soup What color is your warmest coat or jacket? I really don't wear jackets here in AZ! My long sleeve shirt is a Teal color!
Salad What is your favorite rainy day activity? Curled up in a blanket, drinking Hot tea, and reading a book I just can't put down!
Main Course Describe your hands. My fingers aren't long, and they aren't stubby, but they are very skinny! I wear a size 5 ring!

Dessert If you could eat only one nut for the rest of your life, what nut would you pick? I love Macadamia nuts. If I could afford to eat them the rest of my life I would, Covered in Chocolate of course!!

Thursday Thirteen #28

13 Of The Christmas Movies I can't wait to watch!

1. The Santa Clause
2. Christmas with the Kranks
3. The Polar Express
4. A Christmas Carol
5. It's A Wonderful Life
6. Scrooged
7. The Polar Express
8. White Christmas
9. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
10. Frosty the Snowman
11. The Little Drummer Boy
12. The Year Without Santa Clause
13. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and even though it's not a Christmas Movie
14. Pirates of the Caribbean 2

Here's what I've done so far. I'm going to try changing the background to either red or green, and then take a couple more pics. Using quick clicks is really fast and easy. The background,elements and word art I used Holiday Magic from the Shabby Princess, and the EZCard template Designed by: Marsha Zepeda.

Alphabet Meme

I've been tagged by Ocean Lady!

A - Available/single? No.

B - Best Friend? Tracy

C- Cake or pie? Cake.

D - Drink of choice? Winter time- Hot tea with milk and sugar, Summer time- Diet Pepsi.

E - Essential item you use everyday? My radio, I love listening to music.

F - Favorite color? Burgundy

G - Gummy Bears or worms? Gummie bears

H - Hometown?Costa Mesa, CA.

I - Indulgence? Chocolate Brownies with Hotfudge and Vanilla Ice Cream, whipped cream and a cherry on top.

J - January or February? February ~ my oldest daughter and the baby are almost 12yrs apart.

K - Kids & their names? Three girls Marissa,Katelyn, Lindsay one boy Joshua.

L - Life is incomplete without? Love, my family, adventures, and friends.

M - Marriage date?July 31st.

N- Number of siblings? 1 brother.

O - Oranges or apples? Apples.

P - Phobias/fears? creepy Crawly Spiders!

Q - Favorite quote? “The Serenity prayer!” God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.

R - Reason to smile? When my kids are all playing nicely and are being super silly! My husband does or says something to make my day!

S - Season? I'm a Summer girl. Love the heat, but not when it's 120F!

T - Tag 3 people? Anybody is welcome to do this!

U - Unknown fact about me?I don't like Pumpkin pie!

V - Vegetable you don’t like? Green Bell Pepper.

W - Worst habit? I assume to much about things, and worry too much!

X - X-rays you’ve had? I thought I'd broke my foot one time!

Y - Your Favorite Food? Greek Gyros, Mexican enchiladas, Italian manicotti and Sushi.

Z - Zodiac sign? Cancer.

If you do this let me know, and I'll come visit yours!

With the End of The Year Quickly approaching, and I do mean QUICKLY, I've been looking back over the year at things I'm just amazed that my kids have done that really have touched my heart and have given me such joy. Starting with Josh, he is a whiz at the computer. He has been one since he was 3. Before this computer was all mine, we shared (me and the kids) it with my husband, and my husband really didn't like my son downloading any free games. One day my husband comes home from work and asked me WHY I had downloaded some games for Josh. Of course I didn't do it, Josh did! Another thing that amazes me is, I just found my husband's 2nd grade report card. The teacher noted that my husband needed to work on his math facts up to 20!! I remember when in K, all I needed to know was my ABCs, and counting up to 10. Now, my 3yo is counting to 20, and Josh is doing simple addition and subtraction and needed to count to 100 in K! Just blows my mind how much is expected of our children now adays to keep up with the world. What really touched my heart yesterday, and I don't even know how to work my cell phone except to answer it and take pictures, but my oldest, Marissa, she set my phone with a Christmas song ringtone, and a date reminder to what time she needed me to pick her up from school. So at lunchtime I got her message!! I wouldn't forget her, Well maybe not yesterday, but she knows I seriously need a schedule to keep up with everything! It's not any one thing my kids have done, but these are a few little things, that I'm so proud of them! For more PTT stories you can find them HERE!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Back to Monday! It's been a crazy morning. First I post a short Monday Memory, and then I have an interesting post about a Free Rose Bush, which as we all know, you never get anything truly for Free!!

Here's a picture from the Pyramid of the Sun outside of Mexico City. There are two pyramids with very steep steps as you can see. The view from the top is breathtaking. The Valley of The Kings is so green and lush. Very gorgeous. Nothing like the dusty border towns of the SouthWest.

Yesterday my husband was looking through Craigslist. He found someone posting some Free Rose Bushes. He knew I wanted some, so he told me. Now here's where the catcher is. I would have to dig them up myself, and the woman lives about an hour from me. I asked her how the ground around the roses was, and she said it wasn't Too Bad. There were 5 bushes, and she would help me dig them out! To know me, I don't like things of beauty to die, so I decided to go and SAVE the Rose Bushes. When I got there, she wasn't there. The ground wasn't at all like she described. It was covered in grass, and a couple of the rose bushes were dead. The ground was rock hard, so I flooded the one rose bush, that was worth saving. I made the trek out there, so I wasn't coming home empty handed. After about an hour and one mud hole later, I pulled it out of the ground. Just as I've got the rose bush in the van, the woman pulls up and I told her I was only taking one, because it was getting late, and took longer than I thought! With my rose bush in tow, I head home. This is definetly a 3 hour tour!! Just as I am exiting the freeway, something comes off my car and gets trapped under my wheel. I'm scared half to death and shaking! Get out of my car which is still running fine, I decide to drive the mile home and check it out when I get there. What it was, was my tire separated and the top portion came off! So the end of the story, my tire from the Van I just bought was a 2001, and I'll probably have to buy 3 more tires! Free rose bush= 4 New Tires! Oh well, at least I'll have something pretty to look at!!

Everyone have a great Monday!

I'm still working on my Christmas card, but I figured them out to cost $6.00 total with postage. I'm using Marsha Zepeda's EZCard #2 . I haven't decided on a background, and I still need to take 4 pics of the kids, but I thought this would be a great way to do my cards this year!!

Christmas Cactus Flower Detail, Washington, USA Photographic Print Wild, Jamie &... Buy at AllPosters.com Hope everyone had a Wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, food and FUN! We were all stuffed. Nana put on a spread and announced this would be her last time cooking, so she went all out! She makes the best stuffing, and her Turkey, Great Grandpa said this was the best one EVER! It just fell off the bone!! She made whipped poatoes and this awesome green bean/onion with cheese casserole. There was fresh fruit, and I made a Pomegranate Salad with mandarin oranges and walnuts. For dessert we had apple and pumpkin pie. My MIL feed the baby who just loved the mashed potatoes. Lindsey ate half her plate!! She also took a very long nap! Which was a plus for the Momma, who is just loving this 4 day weekend! Yesterday my Mom came over and baked cookies with the kids. I went and rented Monster House and The DaVinci Code. I was surprised that Monster House was PG!! I really wanted to rent CARS, but I was too late! Katelyn was a little scared, so I put on Little Einsteins for her! Marissa and I watched the DaVinci Code. It was good, I liked National Treasure better! Tom Hanks is great! Then we just kicked back the rest of the weekend! No GTS post, but I've been digi scrapping again, and I'll post a Christmas Card layout I've been working on later. Sometime next week, I'm going to take the kids Christmas picture!

Cacti Decorated for Christmas, Phoenix, AZ Photographic Print Galloway, Ewing Buy at AllPosters.com

One hundred and nineteen

Appetizer

Have you ever changed a flat tire by yourself?

No, but I remember when my husband was showing me how, and I just let him change it! I'm not very good with tools!

Soup

Do you have an "innie" or an "outie" belly button?

Innie. I had it pierced until I was expecting. Then I had to take it out!

Salad

Name a new paint color and describe it.

Steel Blue. A bright greyish -blue, very cold looking!

Main Course

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

There are so many to just pick one! The kids favorite would be decorating the Christmas Tree.

Dessert

If you were a cookie, what kind of cookie would you be, and why? White Chocolate Macadamia nut! You are what you eat, and they are my favorite!!

Just to let you all know, Josh is doing just fine now!

Thanks for helping me feel better!

We're off to get Stuffed at Nana's house.

Wishing everyone a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to let you all know how Thankful I am to have you for Great Support, your wonderful comments and kind words, really help me get through my day! Yesterday was a very hard day with Josh, but we got through it. In the middle of the night, he must have tossed and turned really bad, because his pump got knocked out. He was fine after dinner and at bedtime, but when he got up yesterday morning his blood sugar was really high, and he felt really sick, so I'm sure he probably went all night without getting any insulin. It just upsets me that these things are out of my control. I was telling my MIL, that I worry so much about him, she said that was good, I'm supposed to worry about my kids, but that's not really what I meant!With him more so beacause he can't take care of his diabetes by himself yet, and I'm trying to take care of. It's under control for the most part, but there are days, I feel so helpless! Knowing that he was sick while he slept, and there were no signs. He slept quietly, and I'm supposed to protect him against the unknown! I had no control over that, and that's what scares me. When he gets older and reads this, he'll probably laugh and blow it off, and tell me I just WORRY too much! That's OK, I'm his mother, and that's my job, right!! ;-)

You all have a good night and a good day tomorrow!

Kelly at Pass the Torch, started PTT for bloggers to praise our children, or another child we see, for the good things they have done or are doing. Whether it be something small, or something out of this world, it's something we're proud of! I've mentioned before that my daughter Marissa, plays the violin! She's had a couple concerts I've been meaning to post about, and this post would fit how proud I am of her! Last year, was her last year in Elementary School, and she had to pick out her classes for Junior High. As the Summer came to an end, and she was pre-registered for her Fall classes, all of the sudden her best friend did NOT want to be in Orchestra! So what do you think my daughter wanted to do, She wanted to Quit with her friend! I was a little upset, because she is very talented, more than I ever was! I'm good at Math and English, she's artistic and very musically inclined! So I gave her the speech about NOT QUITTING, and WHAT IF her friend moved, she'd be giving it up for nothing! What it really came down to is my trying to change her class with the counselors, but because it was so late and all the other classes were full, she'd have to take Orchestra anyways!Last week she had a concert, and she told me she was glad she didn't quit! I'm relieved she didn't either. I'm hoping she continues and one day can get a scholarship, and thinking how great it would be if she was in a Symphony! I love listening to classic music, and I love listening to her practice. It is one thing that calms me down, believe it or not! HERE and HERE are a few of the pics from her concert! They are a Mariachi group! Isn't her Sombrero gorgeous!