Are We There Yet Mom

2012-01-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

Happy Belated New Year!! What a year full of FIRSTs...Lindsay's first day of school, Marissa's first day of her LAST year at school, Josh's first day on his own taking care of his diabetes by himself...and he did an awesome job....Katelyn started reading her first book series, my old Nancy Drew books...

My plan was to start the new year, with the intent of blogging everyday...and I am a little off by a couple weeks, but I had to sort through what EXACTLY I wanted my blog to be about, the things I wanted to share, what direction I wanted to go with it and then I would just run with it so without further ado...this blog will remain about the FAMILY and family reviews...I wanted to start a healthy living/recipes blog, a home/garden blog, and on the side my hobby for custom cakes/cupcakes. I know it sounds like alot, but I've had A TON of time off, and now that I'm back and without more time to dedicate to blogging, I feel I can offer my readers information for their reading pleasure!

More to come....Here are a couple pictures from the Holidays and a picture from a field trip I took Josh on to the Science Museum.

Here are some cool links I found via Pinterest...

Source: ginnys.com via Christine on Pinterest

Source: wonderfuljoyahead.blogspot.com via Christine on Pinterest

2011-10-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

It came to me as no surprise that the first winter here in Arizona, my skin got dry, and itchy, even the familiar crocodile skin with those troublesome patchy, flaky areas. Having moved from California, where there was more moisture on the coast, I now had to face living in the Southwest extremly dry desert climate. To make matters worse, and even though our winter temperatures can be mostly mild compared to the rest of the nation, it does sometimes get very cold, which effects my skin too. Truth be told, I always carry lotion with me. What I am looking for in a lotion is to help my skin stay moisturized and soft, overall. One thing I also look for is if the lotion has a strong scent. I've found that these types of lotions cause a flare up in my allergies, so I prefer lotions that have a light scent or no scent at all.

Keri offered to send me some of their lotions to review, so I accepted. They sent Keri Luxurious Deliciously Scented Nourishing lotion . It is total Skin indulgence with Shea butter, Apple Extract and Vitamins A,C and E.

Keri Lotion^® has been recognized for more than 50 years as a great lotion that has provided continuous moisturization for generations. Because everyone’s skincare needs are different, Keri offers a line of hand and body lotions to meet the needs of your specific skin. Each lotion is formulated with the Keri^® Hydro-Deep^®technology, which penetrates the skin with a unique blend of moisturizers to lock in long lasting moisture protection, helping to keep your skin looking – and feeling – its best all day long.

Keri^® Lotion helps you surround yourself in continuous moisturization.

Get All Day Soft, All Day Smooth^TM with Keri® Lotion!

The Keri^® Hydro-Deep^® Technology penetrates skin with a unique blend of moisturizers to lock in long lasting moisture protection helping to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Keri^® Lotion is available in five different varieties, ranging in price from $5.99 to $7.99, tailored to meet the needs of individual women’s skin:

· Keri^® Original – Enhanced with five essential moisturizers, this product is daily dry skin therapy for smooth, healthy looking skin.

· Keri^® Advanced – This non-greasy, lightweight formula is fast absorbing for silky, soft skin.

· Keri^® Shea Butter Conditioning Therapy – Provides a conditioning therapy that penetrates deep into skin to nourish with naturally rich Shea Butter.

· Keri^® Basic Essentials – Made with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E for a lightweight formula that provides optimal hydration.

· Keri^® Luxurious – A total indulgence for the skin, with a light apple scent and Vitamins A, C and E.

Keri^® Lotion is available at Walmart, Rite Aid, DrugStore.com and other retailers nationwide ranging in prices from $5.99-$7.99.

I fell in love with this lotion. It's very hydrating, without leaving a greasy residue, with a light scent of fresh green apple. I've been using it everyday, especially on my hands and my feet, I noticed they looked and felt smoother and softer. My skin truly felt indulged. Being a mom on the go, the one thing about this lotion, I noticed how fast it absorbed in my skin, so I could apply and go without wiping any lingering excess before I headed out the door.

In addition here is a $2.00 OFF coupon from KERI.

Win it: Thanks to the generous folks at Keri, one (1) of my lucky readers is going to win a bottle of Keri Luxurious Lotion!

Mandatory Entry:

Just mention in comments before midnight, (EST) on 010/29/11 WHY you need Keri. That’s it!

A random winner will be selected and notified via email shortly thereafter.

The winner will then have 2 days to claim their prize.

Please leave me a valid email address in this comment so that I can contact you if you win. If no email address is left, the entry will be disqualified.

Please leave a seperate comment for each entry!

Extra Entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to where I can find it!

2. Subscribe to my RSS feed !

** Please leave a seperate comment for each entry and remember to leave a valid email address in one of the entry comments. Winner has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

This giveaway is open to Continental US and Canadian residents only.

***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. ***

2011-10-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

One word to describe this morning was WHIRLWIND!

It's Parent Teacher Confrences this week, and like the chickenpox back in the day, you wanted all your children to be exposed to it, so you got them through it all the same time.

Same thing with this morning. First was Lindsay's. She's doing really well. Again, I remember Kindertgarten we needed to know our ABC's by the time we were sent off to 1st grade. Now they are needing to be able to count to 50 and know all their ABC's by December before Winter Break (Christmas Break)!

Then Josh had his. The last two years with his Diabetes and me working and going to school, had been really tough. This year I have to say he's doing so much better, and it really does show. From his handwriting, and his general feeling about school and learning. He does need some improvement with Math and comprehension, but we are getting there. His teacher said she knows he's doing his very best. Which made him smile.

Katelyn's went just like I expected it too. She's doing wonderful. The only surprise I got was that she's reading books way below her grade level, when both her teacher and I know she has read books at and above her level, so we're just going to check to make sure she's choosing books that suit her better.
So with one conference right after the other, after the other, OH did I mention this was BEFORE school even started.....Then I had to go home and get the children ready for school. By the time I got back Today I help in Lindsay's class, I went straight to there.

A couple more random things. I joined PINTEREST which I am just loving checking all the crafts, recipes, and photos out. Has anyone else checked it out?? What do you think??

So far I am making these Pumpkin Cupcakes

Source: myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com via Christine on Pinterest

and this SPOOKY BANNER to decorate for Halloween from Create and Dream Scrapbooks

Wishing you all a SPOOKTACULAR DAY!

2011-09-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend.
Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer
So my question is . . .

If you could travel anywhere TODAY, WHERE would you like to go??

2011-09-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

For Josh's Birthday he chose to go see CARS2, instead of Transformers. I'm glad he did, because we had a blast. The movie isn't just a fun movie with lots of laughs, which had Josh saying, "WASABI" all night long, but I loved the whole James Bond spy movie theme it portrayed. Plus I am a sucker for Happy Endings!

Star race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship on the road from Radiator Springs to exciting new places when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world's fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage!

Information courtesy of Disney

On Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D™, DVD and Movie Download November 1st. Pre-order your copy at Amazon.com

2011-09-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

Cilantro-Lime Chicken in a Green Chili Cream Sauce

One of my favorite foods are chilis, especially green chilis. It must have something to do with the time I spent in New Mexico. I am absolutely in love with green chilis. If you are looking for a quick and easy dinner, than this Cilantro-Lime Chicken in a Green Chili Cream sauce is delicious and don't worry about it being too spicy, because the chilis I use are very mild. It also helps to remove all the seeds, that are responsible for all the heat of the chili.

I don't know where I found the recipe, but I've made my own adjustments.

1.5 lbs chicken
1 Anaheim chili, seeded and diced
2 Tbls. butter
1/2 red onion
1/4 cup of white wine
3/4-1 cup heavy cream
1/8 cup cilantro
1 lime

First I sauteed the chicken in the the butter until it turns golden brown, about 7 minutes until the temp of the chicken reached 165F. Then I added the onion and the chilis to the pan. If you need to add more butter that's fine. I love butter. Saute the onion and chilis until they are soft. I then add the wine to deglaze the pan, and then I added the cream. Finally I shredded the chicken, (you don't have too) and added it to the cream sauce. Garnish with lime.
For the rice I just made a pilaf and added some tri color peppers to it.

2011-09-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

"He promised her a new and better life. Out in Arizona, underneath the blue never-ending sky!" -Sedona, AZ

What amazes me is, all this time I've spent blogging, I never realized the impact it has had on my children. In participating in Wordless Wednesday, it never occured to me that my love of photography would rub off on Marissa. She loves it, and has such a passion for it that I couldn't help but share one of my absolute favorites she just took on a trip she took with her friend to Sedona.

Happy Wordless Wednesday all!

2011-09-15T12:12:00.000-07:00

Today I started thinking that Halloween is just around the corner. About this time of year, I have my children start thinking what they want for their Halloween costumes. Katelyn this year wants to be Cleopatra. If you are like me, I'm looking for really cute costumes, at a reasonable price.

Keeping that in mind, I was really pleased to find this perfect website Just Kid Costumes. Navigating your way through the website couldn't be easier, they list plenty of specific costumes. You can get very creative, with over 3,000 costumes and accessories to choose from including superheroes and Disney Princesses. I even found a super cute Cleopatra costume. Some of the costumes are around $30, but there are ones for under $20.

Just Kids Costumes offers a fun app called the Dress-Up room. All you need to do is upload your child's photo to the app and then you can see what they would look like dressed up in their favorite costume. It also makes sharing those photos easy with your friends on Facebook!

Look for Just Kids Costumes in the October 2011 Parents Magazine. Oh I almost forgot the best part, shipping is a FLAT rate of $4.95 AND you recieve a FREE Gift with purchase ( and who doesn't like getting things for Free) A Halloween Activity E-BOOK.

SOMETHING FOR MY READERS!Just Kid Costumes is offering readers 10% off of their purchase of ALL PRODUCTS if you purchase by Oct. 16th, 11:59 PST..So today be sure and head on over there and pick out your child's costume!

Here's your 10% discount code: BLOGGER10 *

For this review I was offered an entry into a contest.

*All products are eligible for this discount. Coupon is good through Sunday, October 16th at 11:59pm PST. Merchandise total of $8.95 must be after any coupons have been applied. Discount does not apply to shipping, or sales taxes (CA only.) Coupon will be reflected as a 10% discount on the merchandise subtotal on the checkout page. Coupon cannot be combined with other coupon offers. Coupon is non-negotiable. Not valid for prior purchases. JustKidCostumes.com reserves the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered, or ineligible use of a discount

2011-09-13T23:25:00.000-07:00

GOOD MORNING BLOGOSPHERE!!

There are no words to fully express how I have felt being gone from blogging, these past few years, and how incredible it feels to be back visiting with you all. Although I haven't truly disappeared off the face of the planet. I've kept up, by reading blogs and interacting on Facebook.

To catch all of you up, TIME has just flown by, it's extremely hard for me to believe, but Marissa my oldest is a senior in Highschool, planning to attend NAU. She has a passion for the arts; digital/B&W photography, ceramics, and painting.

Joshua is now in 6th grade. His diabetes so far this school year has been amazingly under control, opposed to last year, which was a very difficult one. He's active in sports like he has always been.

Katelyn is 8 and in 3rd grade. She's in student council and is still my Sunshine.

My little Lindsay is 5 and started K. She absolutely loves her teacher and school, and keeps questioning me on Saturday if this is a school day.

For me, while I've been working 25 hours a week, going to school, (with plans to graduate this spring), and this year I feel a weight lifted off me with Josh's diabetes. The nurses at his school are amazing. They help me feel like Josh is in excellent care. Not having to worry has encouraged me to get back into blogging.

WHAT exactly have I been going to school for?? Actually I am wanting to start a personal chef business for families that have special dietary concearns, or a small catering business. As ALL of you know I LOVE to cook.

To help me get back into the blogging groove, I am keeping up with ALL the blog posts I used to write about, of course our family, and cooking, as well as crafts/decorating, product reviews/Giveaways and see if I can get Marissa to help her mother with some guest posts on photography.

As always, I am looking forward to catching up with all of you, and am so overjoyed to be back in the blogosphere once again.

2007-11-12T21:42:00.000-08:00

This hasn't been a FUN Monday after all!! Here I am, just temporarily, until I transfer to my new server. I'm trying to catch up with you all, I've just been frustrated with my hosting company. They kept telling me my blog would be back up by morning, and when I called to talk to them in person, they had no idea when my site would be back up, and instructed me to 'Submit a Ticket' if I was having technical difficulties. In my opinion what kind of customer service is that. They were absolutely NO HELP what so ever. And even had the nerve to charge me for my monthly hosting fee. My brother said it could be weeks maybe months before they get it back up. I called a new hosting company and it could be a couple of days, or by next week. On a positive note, I am learning some techy stuff as I go along. So what have I been doing, since I CAN'T post, ACKK!!! I am in withdrawls, and besides FUN Monday, I have a post, but it can wait until FRIDAY, what I've been up to. I will leave you with a name and you can GOOGLE it if you want to , "Amy Butler". As for things going around the house, Lindsay learned a couple new words, she can say 'Socks' and she can say, "Good Girl" and "P Butter"! You all have a great day tomorrow!

2007-09-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

Thirteen things that begin with "A"

1. Apple Crisp-

2. Antonio Bandaras-

3. Albuquerque-Not only because it is home to the World Famous International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta every year in October, but because of the gorgeous sunset display of the Sandia Mountains.

4. Apricot Jam-

5. Acapulco- This is the only beach I have been to on the Mexican Riveria. Besides it's gorgeous beaches and international restaurants, the most amazing thing I saw were the La Quebrada Cliff Divers.

6. Asparagus-

7. Arial-from the Disney movie "The Little Mermaid"

8. Victoria Secret's Dream Angel perfume

9. The movies "Are We There Yet", and "Are We Done Yet"

10.

2007-05-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

The following is a sponsored review by: BabyBlogs.

BabyBlogs Is the Easy Way To Share Baby Photos to help announce the birth of your precious new addition, or a way to cherish the memory of your older children's birth stories. If you are looking for a great way to create an online photo journal of your baby to share with family and friends, that is very simple to use, doesn't cost a thing, with adorable premade templates. Then BabyBlogs is the answer that you are looking for. There are templates for baby girls, and baby boys, there are Easter and Christmas templates and ones for special seasons. Along with some cool templates with animals, like cows under a moon, and a frog, I'm sure you'd find one perfect for your little one.

There is no HTML codes to know, editing your title and posts you can do in a flash, changing your template and creating more pages is as easy as 1,2,3.

Here's a sample page for you to look at. You can have your own Baby Blog up in less than a minute. You just create your own private page URL, pick your template, upload your photos and write your journal. It's that simple.

I would recommend this as a great way to post an online photo journal without publishing a complete blog.

2007-01-03T22:57:00.000-08:00

Thursday 13 Things that if you knew me, You'd know this About Me!

I love the Ocean. My favorite part is through walking through the surf, holding hands with the one I love while watching the Sunset.
I love to cook, simple, but nutrious food, that the family can get together at the table and relax and talk about their day. Now this doesn't happen every day at our house, but I love when it does.
I love my family, my husband and my kids to pieces.
I love pretty flowers. Thanks to Green Thumb Sunday, there is hope for my brown thumb yet!
I prefer cats to dogs. I like dogs too, it's just that Cats purr and can fit in my lap better, when I pet them.
I love to travel. Somebody says, "Road Trip!" I'm all packed and Out the Door before you can say, "Let's Go!"
Both my husband and son are Type 1 Diabetics. I'm very proud of my husband for stepping up and being a fine example of how you take care of yourself for our son. I just pray for a cure everyday. It just kills me to see them go through what they go through on a daily basis. Sure they try to maintain a normal sense of blood sugars, but it's gotten easier with technology. Seriously though it scares me half the time taking care of my son because he is so young, and he can't tell me all the time how he's feeling, if he's low, or if he's high.
I'm closest to my Grandmother.
My father passed away almost 10yrs ago at 52, and it was real hard for me, because he was the second closest person to me. He taught me to listen to people, and you really don't know a person, until you walk a mile in their BOOTS!
I've wanted to open my own restaurant. I like to eat. I love the idea of entertaining, so I'd invite everyone I'd know, just to come in for a good meal and a good time.
I love to do things with the kids, like finger paint, going to the library and feed the ducks,just listening to them. This is a good one. After watching CARS, my son asked me if we could go on Route 66! So I thought we'd cruise that one day!
I'm really starting to like taking pictures. PIC OF THE DAY!
What is one thing if we knew you, what would we know??

2007-01-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

Picture provided by Lucianne

2007-01-02T02:10:00.000-08:00

As nice as it is to Get Away, it is always so Nice to come HOME! We had a great visit with my Grandparents. My husband got me a new digi cam for Christmas, so I'll post pics later as soon as I figure out How to upload them to the computer. The funnest part of the trip was taking the kids about 20 min North towards Jerome,AZ up to play in the snow. It wasn't fresh snow, but they got to have their snowball fights. My grandmother had a couple little patches of snow up at her place, but most of it had allready melted. My favorite part of the trip was just spending time with her. I like helping her in the kitchen, and playing cards with her. With the pics I'll post more, but There is No Place Like Home! Hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year! I don't know about you, but I must be extremely technically challanged. I spent a couple hours going over the new camara's manuals on how to upload pics, and finally gave up. My husband came home and had it all ready in less than a minute. All he had to do is flick one switch! Argggggg!

I'm also starting Project 365 which I first saw over at Local Girl's last year, but decided I'd wait until New Years to start mine. Here's Pic 1! Let me know if you start one too, and I'll come over and visit yours.

2007-01-02T01:36:00.000-08:00

It's Pass the Torch Tuesday-Classics Week!

One of my favorite PTT posts was written from Kelli.

10,000 Miles in Blue Streak.

She writes about what is her greatest memory about her mother.

Here is one of my own favorite posts about my daughter Marissa, and why she is my Right Hand daughter.

Pass the Torch Tuesday Guidelines: Every week, we share simple and stupendous times kids MAKE US PROUD. Just write about CATCHING A KID BEING GOOD, or if you’d prefer to share your story in comments, that’s fine as well! Complete guidelines and former PTT links are HERE .

2006-12-30T17:56:00.000-08:00

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

2006-12-29T19:35:00.000-08:00

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?

2006-12-28T22:10:00.000-08:00

#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?

2006-12-28T07:36:00.000-08:00

Thirteen Things I'd like to do in 2007!

Thanks to GoofyGirl for this cute TT Header!

I'd like to take the kids on more outings. More trips to the library, fun museums, join a Mom's club.
To read more. I'd like to try and read a book a month!
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.....
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.
Start making scrapbooks for each of the kids.
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.
I'd like to start drinking less Diet Pepsi, and more water. I'm not giving up my Coffee.
I'd like to try and be more patient with the kids and my husband. Have more laughs and fun!
Be more organized!
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.
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!
I'd like to take the whole family camping this coming fall, up North to Pinetop,AZ!
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!

2006-12-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-12-26T23:35:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2006-12-26T07:47:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-12-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-12-20T21:49:00.000-08:00

Thursday 13-#30

Here are 13 Random things about my week!

There are only 4 more days until Christmas.
I still haven't finished my shopping, and I'm not looking forward to going to the malls.
Today was the kids first day of Christmas Vacation, I like saying that than saying they are on Winter Break.
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?
I've been buying my Christmas gifts for me. Some mint lipgloss form Bath and Body Works.
I bought a Vanilla Spice gift set from The Body Shop for my Aunt, I'm going back to buy one for me.
I found some 400 count sheets that were on Sale for $20.00.
When I stopped into Starbucks to buy GiftCards for the Nurses, I splurged and got a Peppermint Mocha.
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.
Both my husband and I have tried staying awake to watch Polar Express, but end up falling asleep halfway through.
The kids loved watching A Charlie Brown Christmas.
It was funny to hear Josh come around the corner and say, " OH, Good Grief!"
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

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

2006-12-20T09:43:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-12-19T18:57:00.001-08:00

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!

2006-12-19T12:58:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-12-18T12:56:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-12-17T20:55:00.000-08:00

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?

2006-12-15T08:38:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-12-15T08:34:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-12-14T22:11:00.000-08:00

#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

2006-12-14T08:03:00.000-08:00

Thanks to GoofyGirl for this gorgeous Holiday TTHeader!

ThursdayThirteen#29 13 of my Favorite Christmas JOYS!!

Decorating : Hanging stockings, and ornaments on the tree. The pretty lights and gorgeous colors that just brighten the room.
Shopping: This is the perfect time of year for me to get away with overspending!! I mean I love buying gifts for everyone.
Baking: Cookies and Fudge. A tradition I started about 3 yrs. ago is to make Cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.
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.
Hot Chocolate: With Candy Canes or Peppermint Schnapps, just warms me right up. With plenty of Marshmallows too. Oh, and Starbucks too!
Singing Christmas carols.
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!
Watching all the old Christmas movies that I grew up with, makes me feel like a kid again.
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.
Sending and recieving Christmas Cards.
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.
Watching the kids open their presents on Christmas day, and seeing their eyes get all wide with excitement.
Spending time with the family.

2006-12-11T22:31:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-12-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

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?

2006-12-09T15:08:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-12-08T13:21:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-12-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-12-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wendsday "Grand Canyon in a Snow Storm"

Picture taken by MFShadow

Picture taken by Samir

2006-12-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

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?

2006-12-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

5 of my Favorite Christmas Songs Meme

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

Mary Did You Know by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna
The Christmas song by Nat King Cole
Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt
Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bruce Springstein
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.

2006-12-03T21:23:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-12-02T19:46:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-12-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

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!!

2006-12-01T07:34:00.000-08:00

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!!

2006-11-29T20:52:00.000-08:00

Thursday Thirteen #28

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

The Santa Clause
Christmas with the Kranks
The Polar Express
A Christmas Carol
It's A Wonderful Life
Scrooged
The Polar Express
White Christmas
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Frosty the Snowman
The Little Drummer Boy
The Year Without Santa Clause
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and even though it's not a Christmas Movie
Pirates of the Caribbean 2

2006-11-28T23:44:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-11-28T23:40:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-11-28T23:33:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-11-27T12:37:00.000-08:00

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!!

2006-11-25T17:13:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-23T21:31:00.000-08:00

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!!

2006-11-23T08:46:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-11-21T23:20:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-11-20T18:02:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-11-20T11:31:00.000-08:00

Carnival, Memes and More!

The Carnival of Family Life's Thanksgiving edition is up at Thrifty Mommy's!There are lots of great stories and articles for decorating and Great recipes too! I submitted my story about the Missing Turkey! Which she thought reminded her of the movie A Christmas Story! I haven't seen it before, so I'll have to watch it!

HOLIDAY TIME SURVEY

I found this over at Catch's ! It looked like fun.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?He wraps them!s ! 3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? colored

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No

5. When do you put up your decorations.. after Thanksgiving!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? My grandmother's homemade Stuffing! Nobody can make it like hers!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:The one year my Dad bought me a PogoStick. I couldn't stop bouncing on it!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Is there something I don't know?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, at my SILs. 10.What kind of decorations are on your Christmas Tree?Bulbs and every year I buy a Hallmark ornament! The kids hang candy canes and string popcorn.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread itI love how everything looks so peaceful in the morning, and how the scenery is so clean and white. I really wouldn't want to live in it though!

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, It's been a few years, but I love it!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My pogo stick! 14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?Being with my family, being thankful for all God has blessed me with.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?My Grandmother's FUDGE!

16 What is your favorite holiday tradition? Taking the kids to see Santa, and Christmas Morning Service at Church!

17. What tops your tree?An angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?I like Giving! To see the kids faces light up when they open their presents!Brings so much JOY to see it!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?The Christmas Song.....Chestnuts roasing on an open fire!Jack Frost nipping at your nose!

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy?Yummy!!! I like to stir them in my Hot Chocolate!

Let me know if you do this on your blog so I can come visit!

I haven't done quizzes in a while, and I've seen this one everywhere!

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	6.9
Mind:	6.5
Body:	7
Spirit:	5.2
Friends/Family:	5.7
Love:	7.3
Finance:	6.6
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

It was pretty right on my spirit is low because of the stress I feel in taking care of my son! It seems like everyone is so busy in our family, that we aren't as close as we used to be!

2006-11-19T21:06:00.000-08:00

Motivational Monday

Life is Not Measured - Anonymous Magnet Buy at AllPosters.com

Trying to get through Mondays and survive the rest of the week, I thought I'd give myself a little something to remind me of how lucky I am and to be Thankful for the Life God has given to me, and so I'm dedicating part of my Mondays to something Motivational. A poem, a quote, or a story! If you have a favorite poem or quote or story that lifts you up, let me know in my comments, and if you post it, let me know, so I can visit yours! Also today, I'm posting a great Monday Memory, and More!

Hope you all had a great weekend, and Here's to a Great Short Week! See I'm allready looking forward to Wendsday!

2006-11-18T21:41:00.000-08:00

Join

Ralph Waldo Emerson~

For flowers that bloom about our feet;

For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;

For song of bird, and hum of bee;

For all things fair we hear or see,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

For more of my Green Thumb Sunday pics visit HERE.

2006-11-17T15:17:00.000-08:00

Save The WORLD! Save The TURKEY! Thinking back on old Thanksgivings past. They are all full of fond memories of family and all the good food and everyone being Thankfull! Every year, my MIL, SIL, my husband's grandma and I, we all take turns cooking Thanksgiving. This year it's NANA's! I wanted to pick a ThanksGiving memory, that stands out from all the rest, and it has to be without a doubt one the whole family still talks about! It was about 15yrs. ago, so way before my oldest daughter was born. My MIL had just pulled the Turkey out of the oven. The guys were all watching football. Christmas music was playing in the background. The women were all visiting at the dining room table. Seemed like the start of a lovely Thanksgiving meal as usual. My FIL had just finished up carving the Turkey. He had no sooner put the Turkey on the table when from the living room he could hear the yelling and shouting of what ever team was playing that had just made a touchdown. He went into the living room, leaving the Turkey all ALONE in the kitchen! Announcing that dinner was now being served, we all headed into the dining room. We were all sitting down about ready to give thanks for the wonderful meal put before us, when we all heard my FIL screaming from the kitchen. We all got up to see what was the matter. Peeking into the kitchen, when what did we see, but my In-Laws Yellow Lab Blondie feasting on the Turkey!! And boy was he one happy Dog!! We all went out that year, but we've never left the Turkey alone again! And yes he got at the Pumpkin pie too!! What is one of your most memorable Thanksgiving stories?

2006-11-17T09:09:00.000-08:00

First I want to Give A HUGE Thankyou to Liz a.k.a. Looney Mom for all her help decorating my place for the Holidays!! She is so sweet and great to work with. She'll make sure you are happy with the way everything looks, and that everything works and fits perfectly!!

I love it!!

Secondly, I spent more time yesterday at my son's school than I had planned. It was a special day, and I enjoyed having lunch with him, my MIL and his NANA. It wasn't for Thanksgiving, just a day almost like Open House, but more like Open Classroom for Family. It was fun, and it made his day to have us there. He was really happy to have us and show us what he does at school.

I'll be visiting T13s, today for sure. I'm picking up the house today, because family is in town and leaving tomorrow, I'm pretty sure she'll be coming over today sometime. I have very little time to blog today!! Catch up with everyone later!

Everyone have a great Friday!!

2006-11-16T07:46:00.000-08:00

Kudos to Denise for the banner!

Thursday 13 #27

13 Things I'm Thankful for!

Next week, we'll be with family, and I most likely won't be doing a T13, so I'm doing my Thanksgiving 13 this week!

It has to be the support and love of my family. The love from my husband, and all the hugs and kisses from my kids.
My morning coffee.
I'm thankful for having a roof over our heads, food on our table, and warm beds to sleep on at night!
For our health, and at least being able to have the technology now to take care of my son and husband's diabetes!
For the nurses at my son's school, who help me take care of him, when I can't be there!
For the weather in AZ. In the summers it can be so HOT, but it's a dry heat.No Humidity like back East! And the Winters here are so gorgeous!
For our Pool, to help us COOL OFF in the Summers, and air conditioning!
For my digital camara, that helps capture all the great Moments with the kids and family!
For email, I can keep in touch with all my family and friends (blog buddies)!
For my van, that takes us where we need to go!
For my children's teachers, who have a great responsibility for giving my children their education!
God's love, and his strength with which I couldn't make it through my day on my own!
For all of you!

2006-11-14T23:21:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday #6

2006-11-14T09:19:00.000-08:00

For PTT, Kelly started,you catch a kid being good, about the little things we witness everyday, that make us proud. Between the time the children come home from school, and dinner time, I would say is the busiest time of day! Homework is finished, and then they can go outside and play until I call them in for dinner! Last Weds. my son was finishing up his homework, and Katelyn the almost 4yr. old, comes over and wants him to write her name for her! He was so thrilled to be the big brother in showing her all the letters in her name! That he was having more fun teaching her, than riding his bike outside. Then at dinner, they were going back in forth counting their numbers, and when they got over 15, Katelyn wasn't too sure of what number came next, but Josh would tell her, and she'd say," Oh, yeah, that's right!" It's always nice to see them get along and help each other, which doesn't happen very often. You can read more Pass the Torch Stories Here

2006-11-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

Speed Dialing the Tooth Fairy!!!

Yesterday, my son's tooth was pretty loose, but it didn't seem loose enough to Fall out! He comes racing down the hallway, all excited that he'd gotten it out! Knowing my son, he kept playing with it until it came out! He had to tell EVERYONE !! Then he turns to me and wants to know if I knew the Tooth Fairy's phone number, so he could call her to let her know she could pick up his tooth tonight and give him a dollar! My husband and I were trying to keep straight faces and busting out in laughter!

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

2006-11-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

We had a surprise visit from our family from CA, this weekend. When I took Josh bowling, they showed up at the bowling alley to show their support! Josh was so excited and happy to see them that he bowled a 110. Better than his Mama for sure! My husband's Aunt and her son who is a year older than my daughter is like an older brother for Josh.

My husband's Aunt and I were talking about our almost teenage children, and compared notes as to what they do. It made me think how much I appreciate my Mom, and not knowing what she went through while we were growing up, I'd hope my children would appreciate everything I do , and am sacraficing not working to be home with them, and my son would one day look back and remember everything we went through taking care of him. I don't mean to sound like they owe me, or expect anything from them, but all that it would really take to make me smile would be a small Thank you MOM, we Love you, and I would be the happiest Mom in the World!

Getting back to why I've been thinking about all of these things, the Blogosphere is very small indeed, after my company left after lunch, I read a comment from Chaotic MOM about a contest she was having, fit perfectly with what was happened today! You can visit Chaotic MOM to read all the details of the contest!

My mother is a very quiet person. She's slow to anger, and very loving! She is the most patient person I've ever met, and she has a heart of gold. She has a Green Thumb and we had the most gorgeous garden in our back yard growing up. Right now she's sewing a costume for my daughter who has a Violin Concert on Monday! She's an awesome and very thoughtful grand-mother!

My Mother-in-Law, has always been like a second mother to me! When I was faced with things I couldn't talk to my Mom about I'd confide in her, and when my Dad passed away, she's always been there to comfort me! Which is fine, because my Mom didn't know how, she was dealing with her own grief at the time!She's quite the opposite of my mother as far as being patient and very quick to anger, but she's very straight forward, and lets you know what she's thinking without holding anything back, which can be a good thing! She's a wonderful Grandma too!

I'm thankful for my grandmother. She was always so much fun to be around, and still is. Since I am her first grand child, she sort of spoils me I think, but I love this woman to death. She loves to play with my kids, and always sends packages in the mail, which they love getting packages in the mail from Great-Grandma! She's an awesome baker. She bakes my husband all these cookies and spoils him with them! My mom doesn't like to shop at the Malls, but when I go up to visit my Grandma, we go Shopping!

My husband's GrandMother. She is NANA to my kids! She's alot of fun to be around too. My husband is the first grandchild for her, and since she has 6 daughters, when my husband was born, he was like her first son. She is an awesome cook. She's having ThanksGiving this year. Her stuffing is incredible! She's a very active 70 yr. old, who up until last year bowled in a league with my husband. Josh wants to bowl with her, which is so COOL! She's always treated me like I was her grand daughter, and we both check up on each other every day! She's concearned about her whole family, which includes the 13 grand children , and I think she has 15 great- grandchildren, which is only about half of the grand children with kids! So she's very family orientated! She's also a giver, and whenever we go over to visit, she wants you to feel like you're home.

These are the women I'm very Thankful for in my life. Not forgetting my sister-in-law who is like the sister I never had. Even though she's six years younger, since she's had her children, we've gotten much closer!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

2006-11-11T11:54:00.000-08:00

The Vietnam Wall

Thankyou to my father who fought in the Vietnam War, and my brother who has served his country. Thankyou to all the Veterans who have Protected our country, and to their families who have Supported them!

John Fitzgerald Kennedy~

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them

2006-11-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

I am wondering how many Moms, Stay at home or that Work Full Time can relate to this. There is no greater and more important of a job, than that of being a Mother. It's very hard work. Kailani had me laughing when she called me "Super Mom"! I didn't feel that way this last Tuesday, and what was ironic was it was Pass The Torch Tuesday, and I wrote this post about how great my kids were during the weekend, they were anything BUT on Tuesday, and I felt like the worse mother in the world. The kids had just gotten over the flu, and then Josh picks up something and starts coughing and stays home from school Tuesday and Weds. Adding to that my MIL and my husband's grandmother come for a visit, and told me I looked like I was ready to Climb some walls! Which didn't HELP me!Honestly, I don't think Calgon could take me away! A week's vacation at a Sandal's Beach Resort sounds more like what I really needed. Then while I visited Catch her post this morning was perfect, because my husband on Tuesday had said and done something that just about pushed me to tears! It was classic, he had this look on his face, " What did I do, or Did I say something wrong!" I'm still not sure if he knew what he was saying.We have our good days, with our share of bad days. I can't wait for the Great day that will balance Tuesday out!

Have you had a day like that!

2006-11-08T16:24:00.000-08:00

Thursday Thirteen #25

13 Things in 13 Years 1993-2005

1993- It's my 21st Birthday, and I took my first trip to Mexico. I spent a month visiting the surrounding area of Mexico city in the state of Guerrero.
1994-My oldest daughter Marissa is born. I named her Marissa, because her name means "of the Sea", and I love the Ocean!
1995-I left CA to live in El Paso,TX. Don't ask me WHY, but if I had any regrets in my life, which I don't, but if I did, that would be one thing I would change!
1996-My Second trip to Mexico. I got to see the Pyramids.
1997-My dad passes away, we move to ABQ.
1998-Went to see the Balloon Fiesta in ABQ.
1999-We move to Phoenix.
2000-My son Joshua is born.
2001-We bought our house.
2002-My Mother got remarried.
2003-My second daughter Katelyn is born, and my son is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
2004-I'm trying to learn about taking care of my son, while working full time, and taking care of a baby. This was probably my hardest year, so far!
2005-My son starts K! A very important day for me!We find out we could expect my 3rd daughter, Lindsay sometime in March of 2006. She was born in February!

2006-11-07T22:45:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday #5

2006-11-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

For PTT, Kelly started,you catch a kid being good, about the little things we witness everyday, that make us proud.

After Dinner, I have Josh and Marissa help empty out the dishwasher, so I can load it. When here comes Katelyn, chiming in she wants to help too. My son is always trying to get out of putting the dishes away, so I thought he'd pass it all off for Katelyn to do . I was genuinely surprised, that he was showing her how to sort the silver ware, and to have her pass the plastic bowls and cups to him for him to put them away. I would have never expected him to help her, in explaining to her what to do and where something goes (that task usually belongs to me). To be honest, I didn't think he had the patience to show her. He WAS getting a little impatient at trying to tell her where the silver ware goes. She was just tossing them all together in the drawer, but you could tell they were both having fun together helping each other.

You can read more Pass the Torch Stories Here. Here's one of my own favorite PTT stories "Patience".

2006-11-05T19:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas Gift Exchange 2006

I am so excited. I found out who I'm sending a Secret Santa gift to. It's Mandy's Mother. Mandy is the Hostess for this year's Christmas Grotto Goodie Swap. This Sunday I was reading Mandy's Green Thumb Sunday post, about the special gift she got for her Birthday from her mom. It's a beautiful post, you'd enjoy reading.

Her mother is very special, and I'd like to give her something really nice. Your suggestions would mean so much to me! What would be the perfect gift for her?

2006-11-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

The Great Cookie Exchange 2006

Heather at Everything Under the Moon had the wonderful idea of starting a cookie exchange!

My mom's closest friend would make these over the Holidays! Growing up when we went to visit her, she was sure to have these.

Reese's Peanut Butter Bars

1 1/2 cp. Graham crackers, crushed

1 lb. powdered sugar

1 1/2 cps. extra crunchy Peanut Butter

1 cp. melted butter

12 oz. chocolate chips

1. In a bowl mix all ingredients except chocolate well. Pat into buttered 9x 13 pan.

2.Melt Chocolate Chips. Pour over top, and refrigerate for 10-15 min. Cut into small squares and refrigerate again until solid.

2006-11-04T15:48:00.000-08:00

Feeding Ducks at the Park!

My Green Thumb Sunday post is up at my Garden Photo blog A SW Oasis.

2006-11-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

With the Walk for a Cure for Diabetes this weekend, I thought I'd share some great news I read about JDRF Announcing New Research Grants to Accelerate the Availability of an Artificial Pancreas. You can read the story here, but I am full of hope that my son will see a cure in his lifetime.

JDRF has made its Artificial Pancreas Project a priority because research confirms that current diabetes technology is inadequate: some studies have found that even patients who aggressively manage their disease- managing their blood glucose an average of nine times a day- spent less than 30% of the day in normal range. The rest of the time, their blood sugar levels were either too high or too low.

Which is something I've learned about perfectionism. Here I am trying to make a life without fault for not only myself, but for my family. In taking care of my son, it's a roller coaster ride. The highs and lows my son feels through out the day, "will over time, lead to severe complications like heart attacks, kidney failure, amputations, and blindness," said Dr. Richard Insel, JDRF's Executive Vice President of Research. Even with my attempts to monitor his blood sugar levels, I'm not perfect, and neither is life. Diabetes has helped me, to better accept that fact, and to enjoy life as it is, and the best I can do is live life one day at a time, and to teach my son how to live his life by taking care of what he eats, and in turn has helped us to watch what we eat! Diabetes has been a blessing in disguise and helped me also rely on God for daily strength, and thanking him for his plan for my family's lives, even though I don't see what his purpose is for Diabetes in my son's life. Only God knows, and only time will tell!

Thank you again everyone for your encouraging words and thoughtful comments!

2006-11-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

Have you thought about starting your Christmas shopping yet? I am usually the one you see hustling from shop to shop rushing home with my gifts at the very last minute. This year I'm planning on spending more time with the family, and less time shopping at the malls. I've bought things from Ebay before, and other online stores, but when I found out that I could buy the kids' presents at the Disney Store online for up to 75% Off through Coupon Chief, I couldn't resist saving money and time. It's a win-win situation. I get more time for my family, and I'm saving money. What could be better than that? There were other stores too. Sears, and Target just to name a few of the Big ones. I like shopping at OverStock.com , Old Navy, Illuminations, and The Body Shop. I'm sure with all the Coupon Cheif coupon codes you'd be able to find some great holiday deals!

2006-11-03T09:31:00.000-08:00

The chef is on vacation this week for Friday's Feast from now until Nov 17! Memes are great, because I get to visit so many great blogs, but than my day gets really busy, and I'd like to post something about the kids, or what's going on, or something funny that happened, that by the time I get around to it, the day's gone. It'll be a nice break. This weekend, I've got the Walk for a Cure for Diabetes, and as far as I know, not any family visiting this weekend. My husband wants to go see the New Santa Clause movie with Tim Alan. I think I'll take the kids to the park where they can actually play now on equipment that won't be so Hot to play on, and to the Library!

What ever your plans are, you all have a nice weekend!

2006-11-02T07:53:00.000-08:00

T13-#25

Thirteen Things I'd like to do on my Life List!

1. Learn how to scuba dive. Then I'd visit either The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or the Bahamas!

2. I'd love to go ski on SugarLoaf Mountain in Vermont. I've skiied Big Bear, in Utah, and New Mexico, but I hear this is the place to ski, oh and Vale, CO, too.

3. To be a leaf looker, and visit New England when the leaves all change color.

4. Take a Helicopter ride, either over the Grand Canyon, or Hawaii.

5. While in Paris, I'd visit the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower.

6. In Acapulco, at a hotel called Las Brisas, they have these cute little Pink Jeeps to drive around, I'd like to ride those, or take a Jeep tour of Sedona, AZ.

7. Learn how to knit some cool tops or scarves.

8. My daughter, I don't know where she came up with this, but she wants to take me to this European spa in Greenland....

9. And I want to take her to Hawaii as a graduation present from High School.

10. I've always wanted to go to Key Largo, anywhere where it's 5' o clock

somewhere.

11. I would love to do some ParaSailing in Hawaii.

12. Take an Alaskan cruise with my husband.

13. Visit the Pyramids in Egypt.

2006-11-01T12:59:00.000-08:00

Last night reminded me of one of Janet Evanovich's novels, and I was Stephanie Plum. That poor girl has more bad things happen to her than the law allows. One thing after another. Once we got out the door to go Trick-or-Treating everything was fine. The kids had a blast, and came home with more candy to last the rest of the year! I had everything somewhat planned, carve pumpkin after kids got out of school, have dinner, get dressed and GO! What's that saying about the best layed plans....HA! My daughter decided to stay after school for a new Art club. My other daughter decided to get her costume down and play with it. I searched high and low, the entire house couldn't find it! I'll probably find it this weekend when I clean her room.She still had her fairy wings, and a really cute feather boa. I just dressed her in one of her gorgeous dresses with makeup and she still looked like a fairy princess. My son's insulin pump came off, and I had to fix it, when it came to prime the pump with insulin, it told me MOTOR ERROR, somehow after a couple attempts, we got it working, and as for the pumpkin carving, Note to myself next year, do it the day before, too many things to do around dinner and getting ready! Some of the fun things that happened last night. One woman's house we went to was a witch, was that you Wystful, she had the loudest, scariest witchy cackle that the whole street could hear! It was great! Another house went all out and was decorated like the cemetary from The Nightmare Before Christmas with Jack the Pumpkin King, and had all these Egyptian statues and a sarcophogus(sp?). Lots of Pumpkins and spooky ghost lights. The most interesting costume I saw was this woman had a pink T-Shirt and pretended to be pregnant, with Britney across her chest and a fake blond wig. One man dressed as a wizard with a creepy face, scared Katelyn half to death, and my son just told him BOO! It was cute! My husband got in it. He got his black overcoat and a glow in the dark skeleton mask, played the music from the UnderTaker (WWF) off his laptop and put in some black lights in his garage. He had fun passing out candy. Another funny thing, while I was feeding the baby her bottle, Josh was pushing the stroller for me. By this time his candy sack was feeling very heavy, as we approached this house one of the mothers started laughing. They thought it was cute, the baby was out of the stroller, and the candy was in!HA HA! That was a sure sign it was time to go home!

Don't forget to vote over at Kailani's for her Halloween Costume contest! Please put a vote in for Lindsay's 'Lil Pink Panther costume for Cutest Kid!

2006-11-01T12:58:00.000-08:00

I found this 'lil pink kitty cat costume for the baby. I looked for Pumpkins, but they must have been sold out. She kind of looks like a 'lil Pink Panther! :P I'll be posting pics of the other kids, my son didn't want to put his costume on , and it was really late to do the other 2 girls, so I'll try for later tonight or tomorrow.

2006-10-30T17:44:00.000-08:00

All sickness aside, and everyone feeling more like themselves, I felt like things were back to normal this week! I've been thinking about PTT, and what this means to me. I've discovered through time and space, memories good or bad have a way of staying with us. I can tell you my first day of K, and the one time I got my finger jammed in the door. I could tell you about the day I got married or the birthdays of my children. I want to be able for my kids(and me) to see that I do remember the good things they do. It might actually surprise them, and hopefully remind them of good times they might not easily remember, but I do! This PTT is about my 3yo. Katelyn. She is a very thoughtful and a very sensitive little girl. It was lunchtime, and she wanted a ham and cheese sandwhich. I was feeding the baby and blogging, I let her know, that I'd fix her one. About 5 mins. go by and here she comes down the hall with 2 pieces of cheese, and 2 pieces of ham. Two for her, and two for me. I just thought it was cute, that she was thinking of her mother, and that it was lunchtime for me too! After I put the baby down for her nap, Katelyn and I had our lunch, shared a couple cookies. After that we read a new book, and then she took her nap. This was one of life's precious moments, that I want her to remember.

For PTT, Kelly started,you catch a kid being good, about the little things we witness everyday, that make us proud.

2006-10-29T16:08:00.000-08:00

We did make it to a small Pumpkin Patch not to far from our house. My grandparents went to Tahoe, so I wasn't going to drive to Prescott to see them, if they weren't there, and when I found out how much the Big Pumpkin Patch in Queen Creek was, I might as well have taken the kids to Disneyland. It would have been almost $50 to just get in, that's not food or Pumpkins. The kids did have fun. There was a Hay ride, and some baby chicks Katelyn had fun watching. The kids also got to decorate their pumpkins with stickers and markers.Here are a few pics. I'll be uploading more.

2006-10-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

This has got to be the longest week I've ever had. First last weekend, the baby, me and Katelyn were sick. Now my son and my oldest both were getting sick all night. I've gotten only a couple hours of sleep,every night this week. After reading Ocean's idea for a costume, that could work for me. Just call me The Zombie Mamma! My husband lucky him was bit by a mosquito, and being diabetic the doctor gave him antibiotics, so he'll probably miss this round of sickness. He was so sweet last night Josh came out of his room. Took two steps and did the Exorcist down my hallway at 9 last night. Usually my husband and I watch Shark. He actually picked up a mop and was trying to help me clean up the mess. Which I was shocked he even stepped up to help. Usually I'm on my own, but after taking care of the other two and myself, I'm just so exhausted. Things wouldv'e been easier if they all got sick together, instead of taking turns! Thank you all for well wishes. Josh is resting now, and Marissa's feeling better. It's an ugly 24hr bug. Katelyn was so cute the day after she was sick. Josh took a book out of the library, The Hungry Catepillar, and bright and early in the morning, she was back to her self. Loud as could be we could hear her trying to read the book,"Look at the pretty Butterfly!" I knew she was feeling better.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

2006-10-27T06:09:00.000-07:00

Friday's Feast #117

Join the Fun!

Appetizer

Create a new candle scent.

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

Soup

Name one way you show affection to others. A kiss, a smile, and lots of hugs.

Salad

What is your favorite writing instrument?

Pens, I love Sharpies. When I was about 16 or 17 my dad and I would do the crosswords together in the morning, and I'd start with a pen. He'd get a little upset, but always gave me a smile.

Main Course

If you were given $25 to spend anywhere online, from which site would you buy?

Amazon

Dessert

Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, what are you going to be?

I'm not sure.I want to, but I don't have any ideas. Anyone have any suggestions.

2006-10-26T04:03:00.000-07:00

T13-#24

Thirteen Random Facts and Things About Me

1.) Halloween originated among the Celts in Ireland, Britain and France as the Pagan Celtic harvest festival, Samhain.

2.)Samhain is the word for November in the Irish language. The festival marking the ending of the summer season, and the end of the harvest.

3.)An Irish legend tells of Jack, a lazy but shrewd farmer who used a cross to trick the Devil, then refused to free him unless he agreed to never let Jack into Hell. The Devil agreed. When Jack died, the Devil wouldn't let him into Hell. So, Jack carved out one of his turnips, put a candle inside it, and began endlessly wandering the Earth for a resting place. He was known as "Jack of the Lantern", or Jack-o'-Lantern

4.)The Pumpkin by John Greenleaf Whittier (1850)

Oh! Fruit loved of boyhood! The old days recalling, When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling!When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin,Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!

5.)My Little Computer Corner

6.)My Morning Life Saver

7.)My Art Gallery

8.) Things that help me keep track!

Here are 5 random things about my week, because of sleepless nights with being sick, and the kids being sick the rest of the week.

9.) Tried to put Katelyn's shorts on the baby.

10.) Tried to give my husband some chocolate milk, instead of Katelyn.

11.) Thought I was calling my husband, not sure if I called him or his grand-parents, his grandfather's name is Bill too, but I called him Honey, and he started laughing, it wasn't my husband, but his grandfather. He told me that was OK, I could call him Honey anytime.

12.) Called my MIL, thought I was calling my Mother, left a message calling my MIL, HI Mama! That's OK, she's like a second mother to me.

13.) Left for my son's school to the nurses office for lunch. He has lunch at 12. I was an hour early. I get an A for effort!

Today the family is feeling much better, and I'm doing a T13, so my day's looking pretty good! Halloween trivia provided by Wikipedia.

Other T13's to visit I'm linking to everyone who leaves me a comment. I'm not using Mr. Linky, because it betters Technorati rankings this way, and I know how Blogger goes down , so you can email me a comment anytime, and I'll still link you here. It takes a little time, but I promise I'll link to everyone.

1.) Tracie

2.) Whiskey Talking

3.) Chelle Y

4.) Carmen

5.) Just Expressing Myself

6.)Amy the Black

7.) Baby Powder

8.)Mama Duck

9.)Kukka-Maria

10.)Catch

11.)Brony

12.)Jane

13.)Tug

14.)ChupieandJ'smama

15.) Gail

16.)Stacie

17.)Kay

18.)Something Blue

2006-10-25T03:18:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday #4

Get the Wordless Wednesday code here
View More Wordless Wednesday Participants

2006-10-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

Do you like Trivia as much as I do?

Trivia has always fascinated me. I'm always curious to learn something New. At Aviva Blog you can find a ton of really cool facts. With Halloween right around the corner, I enjoyed reading about the History of the Jack O' Lantern. I was just amazed at other great posts including Things I didn't know about Coughing, or 10 Things to do with Hairspray. There is also some unbelieveable information about Christmas Trees. There are posts that are really freaky too, one about Burial Customs, and one about Weird jobs. I'll be sure and check it out again, because I find Trivia facts really cool.

2006-10-24T10:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry no PassTheTorch post for me today, the kids and I have been a little sick this weekend. I'd like to Thank Kelly, she did inspire me to start a new blog. It's over at Crafty Kids . In the beginning, I think I'll only be posting once a week like my garden/photo blog A SW Oasis. And if that isn't enough, I'm thinking of starting another blog all about my Digital Scrapbook Layouts. Like I don't have enough to do allready. Everything ties in here at home, and gives a little variety to my blog. Everyone have a great day!

2006-10-24T01:37:00.000-07:00

Five of my favorite shows

I don't watch too much TV, but ceartain days especially Thursday nights, my husband just leaves me alone to watch my shows.

5.) Heros-On Monday nights, new show about these people with super powers who are all connected. One can fly, one girl is invincible, one can stop time and teleport, and one can take on all the others powers. They are all trying to save the world, and I just love sub-titles, two of the characters speak Japanese.

4.)LOST-Every episode leaves you with more questions. It always hooks me into having to watch the next weeks.

3.)Shark-It's on Thursday night after CSI.A new one about an L.A. lawyer, and being a single dad.Great show! My husband and I actually watch this one together.

2.)CSI:Las Vegas-My husband just pointed out that Grissom was in this Western movie way back when, I think it was Young Guns, anyways, Crime scene and mysteries have always intrigued me.

1.)Survivor-This season is great. They divided the teams up into racial groups. Whites, Asians,Hispanics, and African-Americans. In the begining you could tell the groups would stick together and which race was the best, but now the teams are all combined, it's Survivor, it doesn't matter what race you are, can you play the game!

2006-10-24T01:02:00.000-07:00

Got Pumpkin? The Second Annual Intricateart.com Pumpkin Carving Contest is now open! If you’ve carved your pumpkin, go on and get a Wicked picture of it and enter the contest!

Contest dates:

Monday, October 23, 2006

through

Monday, October 30, 20065PM CST

Voting will be held on Halloween only!

Check out last years entries HERE!

Read the rules & enter the 2006 Carving Contest here.

2006-10-23T23:23:00.001-07:00

I found the Perfect Christmas Gift for my Grandmother
Can you believe there are only 61 days until Christmas? This year I'm trying not to be a last minute shopper. I'm not sure what to get my Grandmother that has everything? I came across Thomas Kinkade Christmas Gifts, Kinkade art collectibles, Music boxes ,with hundreds of gorgeous collectible items, I could easily find the perfect Christmas gift for her. She just loves The Painter of Light!Have you seen his paintings of beautiful, luminous scenes. I found this Thomas Kinkade Wall Clock with Stained Glass Art for under $40.00. It features 4 breath taking beautiful pieces of lighted stained glass art that are easily interchangeable for seasonal decorating. I know she would just love it!

2006-10-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

I've been planning on taking the kids to the Pumpkin Patch since the first weekend in October, here it is almost the last weekend, and we still haven't gone. I don't think they are as disappointed as I am.Hopefully we will get to go next weekend. This weekend, the baby had a fever and wasn't feeling too good. Then we had unexpected friends of the family come and visit, with a 2 day notice. I'm glad they let us know they were coming, but I still had to rush and clean the house and get things ready for them to come. And I wasn't looking forward to them coming. My husband and I aren't materialistic who try and keep up with the Joneses, but these friends have to have the New everything, or whatever we have isn't good enough. They always do things better or have more than us. Thank God it was only for Saturday, and they left Sunday morning. Anyways, whatever flu bug the baby picked up, she shared with me, and Sunday night, I just felt horrible. This morning I feel better, but still icky. I kept my son home from school, because he said his tummy felt sick too, and I'm not taking any chances. Back to our friends, when we were working with them about 15yrs. ago, we all got along, and we still do, I just feel like if we don't have what they have, we don't fit in. With two diabetics in the family, I try and explain to my oldest daughter, we'd have more in life, but taking care of my husband and son is more important, and they are worth more than anything, or any trip. She's been feeling some pressure from her friends too about not fitting in, and not having the things all her friends have. I've tried to explain to her too, that she may not have things like they do, but she's got what she needs, and a family that loves her. That having what they have wouldn't make her who she is, she makes who she is by being herself, and they'll either accept her, or not, the important thing is that she needn't try and impress them or change who she is to be their friend. She's seeing how her real friends treat her, and that makes me feel good that she can see what I'm talking about, even if that means she doesn't have an IPOD, or those expensive tennis shoes. If I had the money I'd take us all on a trip. Somewhere with a beach, where I could watch the kids chasing the waves, while my husband I can relax. If you had money, what would you do with it?

Design by Lara Payton I just want to thank each and everyone of you for all your wonderful comments. Hope you all enjoy your Monday!

2006-10-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

I'm having a hard time deciding on a costume for the baby. I've got Katelyn's and Marissa's costume. Josh knows what he wants to be, but the baby, I can't make up my mind. All my children were pumpkins for their 1st Halloween, but the baby's nickname is Koala, and Tom Arma's Koala costume is so cute. I also think she'd make a cute Ladybug. I also finished Janet Evanovich's Eleven on Top, and I'd like to Pass it on to anyone who would like to read it. First come, first serve.

2006-10-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

Friday's Feast #116

Appetizer

What is your favorite beverage? It's a tie between Diet Pepsi and Diet Peach Snapple.

Soup

Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work. Cell phone, digital camera, a cup of coffee.

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are? 9. The only time I'll cover something up is if it will seriously hurt someone's feelings.

Main Course

If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why? This is so cute, when my oldest daughter was 3 or 4 at Thanksgiving dinner, with a Turkey leg stuffed in her little mouth, asked if we lived in Al-Bu-Turkey!!(Albuquerque)

Dessert

What stresses you out? What calms you down?

Bills and my son's Diabetes. I don't sweat the small stuff, but dealing with insurance companies, just drains me! When I get a chance, a nice HOT Bubble bath, a glass of wine, nice soft music, and the soft glow of candles, help renew me emotionally,mentally, and physically!

I'm linking to everyone who leaves me a comment. I'm not using Mr. Linky, because it betters Technorati rankings this way, and I know how Blogger goes down , so you can email me a comment anytime, and I'll still link you here. It takes a little time, but I promise I'll link to everyone.

Other Great Places to dine.

1. Amy

2. Pilot Mom

3.Caylynn

4.Catch

5.Kailani

6.Steven Novak

7.Haleigh Anne

8.Kay

2006-10-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

Thursday 13-#23

13 Pumpkin Things I Like

1.) Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte

2.)Halloween Pumpkin spice cookies

3.)Pumpkin Chocolate chip muffins

4.)Pumpkin bread

5.)Pumpkin ice Cream

6.)Pumpkin seeds

7.)My grandmother still makes Spicy Pumpkin butter

7.) I do like a Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.

8.) and a Pumpkin Cheesecake

9.)Thai Pumpkin soup

10 .)Pumpkin Creme Brulee

11.)Pumpkin Spice candle from Yankee Candles

12.)Pumpkin Pecan Pie Bars

13.)It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

My first TT this week was going to be of these awesome carved pumpkins, but since blogger was being difficult about posting pics, I opted for these delicious recipes. My friend emailed me this as a slide show, but you can view them here at www.pumpkingutter.com!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants Other T13's to visitI'm linking to everyone who leaves me a comment. I'm not using Mr. Linky, because it betters Technorati rankings this way, and I know how Blogger goes down , so you can email me a comment anytime, and I'll still link you here. It takes a little time, but I promise I'll link to everyone.1.Tug2.Uisce3.SlackerMommy4.Kailani5.Just Expressing Myself6.Maggie7.TBirdonaWire8.Amy9.Barbara 10. ChupieandJ'smama11.Haleigh Anne12.Ali13.Laurie14.Socks and Abby15.Patent Princess16.The Mistress of the Dark17.Momish18.My 2 Cents19.scribbit20.Mar21.Gail22.Kelly23.Deb24.Chaotic Mom25.Susan26.DK

2006-10-18T00:21:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday #3

Get the Wordless Wednesday code here

View More Wordless Wednesday Participants

2006-10-17T00:14:00.000-07:00

OK, this week, my kids were good, but they were themselves this week, nothing out of the ordinary! My BIL came to visit us this weekend, which was a complete shock. He told me that when we went to visit my SIL this week, and my neice let me son, and tried to teach my son how to Rollerblade, that she does not share her RollerBlades with anyone. That she must really like my son to share them with him. My son had a blast learning how to skate, and she had fun teaching him.What was so funny, is that my son is a true clutz. He trips on air. My SIL and I were holding our breaths that he wouldn't crash and break something.He just fell forward, then pulled himself back and almost fell over, but he got the hang of it, and got the biggest grin that he didn't FALL! So, a lesson learned, if there is something to be enjoyed, how much more fun it is to share it with someone else. :P Pass the Torch Tuesday Guidelines: Every week, we share simple and stupendous times kids make us proud. Just write about catching a kid being good, link to this specific post (it may ping in comments) or put your link in comments so we can find it, and read everyone’s posts. Or if you’d prefer to share your story in comments, that’s fine as well! Complete guidelines and former PTT links are >HERE< .

2006-10-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

OK! I've cleaned up my page a little. Still editing. I was trying to match my new site on my own domain. I have my own domain, but I read something this weekend at Plain Jane Mom's blog that had me a little more than upset, and now changing my mind to stay on Blogger a little while longer. If anyone else had heard of this let me know if you have any more info. There is a site called Bitacle that is scavaging and theiving not only our posts, but our entire blogs. My garden site A SW Oasis is only a couple weeks old and has been collected allready. Bitacle, uses our posts to make money with AdSense. It wouldn't bother me too much about the copying of my posts, because I'm not a very good writer . The fact is the Principle of the matter, It's Piracy!! I spend a good amount of time on my posts and someone comes along and is making money off of them. . She's not alone. There are plenty others. No one asked my permission to copy my blog. The other fact, they are HOT LINKING Photos, which if I moved my site to my own domain my bandwith wouldn't be very much, and I'm not very Techy to figure out how to stop them from stealing it! So I'm looking further into this. Just thought I'd ask to please keep Kailani from the Pink Diary and family , in your prayers and good thoughts, she was in an EarthQuake Hawaii had, and has been without power*Edited:She's got power now*. It's been a long day today for a Monday! Which reminds me how much I H A T E Monday's, especially ones after a long four day weekend! How is yours going??

2006-10-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

My husband took this pic of Katelyn our 3yo. one day and thought it would be cute to send it to everyone and ask them if they could find the baby doll?? I don't normally participate in Saturday Scavanger Hunt, but this week's Theme is LOST, and one of TC's pic reminded me of this one, so I thought I'd post it. Josh did really good at bowling today! He's a real natural everyone says, but I know it's because it's just Fun for him and he enjoys doing it! He used my ball which is a couple pounds heavier, but he threw it like a champ.

2006-10-14T00:19:00.000-07:00

What did I do these last couple days instead of spending time blogging, you may be asking?? Missed all of you of course. Did you miss me?? Thursday I spent with my neices and my SIL, having lunch and catching up. My neice tried to teach my son how to rollerblade, he's not too gracefull, and both my SIL and me were holding our breaths, that he didn't brake anything. He had a blast. Friday I spent packing my daughter up for the weekend, her girlfriend invited her up to Flagstaff, where her grandparents have a cabin, and it's supposed to snow, so my daughter's really excited. She started packing, T-Shirts and thin cotton PJs, I unpacked her and put in sweats and long sleeved thick cotton shirts. We really don't have too many cold weather clothes, because most of our winter is spent in the 80s. I just love the winters here in AZ. While the kids were riding their bikes, I had a candle lit dinner on my patio, watching my husband work in the garage putting drawers together for his cabinet job. There's got to be a term , other than cabin fever, for us here in AZ not being able to go outside in the Summer because it's too HOT! There is nothing like fresh air and watching the kids play after dinner. My 3yo even got excited because the sprinklers came on, and she was running in them. It's not even Summer weather, but it still felt good. I did want to let you all know how much I missed you all! I'm going to catch up with all of you tomorrow! Have a great night!