Friday, January 7, 2011

saving

7 Days into the new year and I am holding strong. This will be a great year!
My #1 resolution is to not spend as much money. 
That is pretty easy when:
1. You don't have but $16.00 in your account until the end of January
2. You are stuck inside because of the cold and snow
3. You have thrown away ALL new Victoria Secret and Express catalogs!
4. You realize that you have everything you can ever need or want...and it isn't in material items.

At this rate...I will save enough money to go on vacation this year after all... 

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Care Packages

I know some of my friends have dealt with deployment of their loved ones, and I am looking for advice and ideas. I send my brother out a care package weekly...

So far I have been sending him:
Beef Jerky
Candy
Tuna Fish creations
Crackers
Pop Tarts
pull tab containers of food (Chef Boyardee, Healthy Request, etc.)
Pictures
Other random snacks
Personal items, razors, etc.
magazines and books

I know he has a few items on his wish list that are a little too expensive for me to purchase right now,

a Kindle (electronic book reader)
PlayStation 3 or X-Box with games

If any of you have creative ideas of what to send him, or see the above items at a sale price (that I could afford!) please let me know!! Nine more months seems like forever for someone who is already homesick!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Out with the old, in with the new!

Happy 2011 everyone!
We rang in the new year with a few friends and of course my babies! I can't believe that they both stayed up until midnight (let me add that they have a 7 pm bedtime), that was quite the accomplishment. We cheered 2011 in, and 2010 with a toast of sparkling grape juice, which the kids loved.

2010 was a great year for me, with a few not so great moments. I was sick a lot off and on, but now that the bacteria has been identified, I am hoping that 2011 is spent kicking it's butt!

This past year I went on an amazing vacation with my family, parents, grandpa, and cousins. I also had the amazing opportunity to go on yet another road trip with my best friend, and brother Matt. We went to North Carolina and met relatives and loved ones that we have not seen in many, many, many years. I was also Matt's guest of honor at his military ball, which he made VERY special for me. Saying "see ya later" in September to him as he headed off to Iraq was a down, not so great moment. Now that we are in 2011, I am even closer to seeing him again!! Caleb started school at the place of my dreams (for both of my kids), we knocked down a huge tree in our back yard, I got to spend TONS of quality time with my grandpa....the list of great memories could go on and on (and by far outweigh the bad!).

I hope your 2010 was as special as mine, and I hope 2011 is even better! I am ready to create more amazing memories and have a year of health and love. God is so good!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve

I sit here with rollers in my hair, wet toe nails, all lotioned up, sipping a cup of coffee...getting ready for Christmas Eve church service. This is my favorite time of year. Watching my children get all excited for what tonight and tomorrow will bring, talking about "Jesus's birthday", preparing food for "Santa" and his reindeer, and celebrating Papa's (my wonderful dad) 55th birthday! This is a lot of excitement for one weekend! I am enjoying my down time now...that is while I have it. I love every moment of Christmas.

The hole in my heart this year is my best friend, my brother not being home for Christmas. He has a great reason, serving over seas and protecting our freedom, but still, I miss him terribly. Only he gets my sense of humor- and actually laughs at what I say, only because he is thinking the same thing! Nine more months is way too long. I feel like he should be home in nine more days...
**sigh**

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Give lots of hugs, lots of smiles, and lots of love this weekend. And remember why we celebrate.
Happy Birthday Jesus!





Monday, December 20, 2010

It is starting to look like Christmas!

Christmas. It is starting to look a lot like Christmas in our home. The tree is up. Presents are wrapped. Cards have been mailed. Snow is on the ground. And the official Christmas pajama pictures have been captured.




The kids always get excited when I pull out my backdrops and camera equipment. Of course, a 7:30 am photo session is the best way to go...that is when my kids are the happiest (Lord help me!!)

Yesterday was Ross' birthday. What a fun weekend we had celebrating! Happy 29th birthday honey! 

Other than that, not too much going on. I am staying pretty busy with all of the December birthdays in our house, plus getting everything ready for Christmas. I would say, considering all of the stress I have been under lately, I have stayed relatively healthy. I couldn't be happier for that! Knock on wood... 

We are planning a fun week with family and friends, celebrating the birth of our Savior. This is all after my root canal tomorrow of course! No fun in that!!
I pray that all of my friends and family ( especially the ones living away who I won't get to see...) have an amazing and wonderful Christmas.

...And a VERY merry Christmas to my brother who is now overseas, serving our country. I love you Matt!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Caleb turns 5???!

It has been awhile, I know. I have had so much on my plate lately, my blog has been pushed to the back burner. The most recent huge news is that my baby boy, Caleb, turned five last Thursday! Unbelievable that is has been five whole years since I gave birth to him. It really does seem like just yesterday...

5 years ago I was 36 weeks pregnant, preparing for my baby boy to arrive on January 9. He had a different plan for me! On December 9, 2005 I woke up at 5 am to a soaking wet bed; my water had broke. Being a first time mom, I had no clue. I had just thought I peed the bed. Seriously. At 8 months pregnant, it could happen! Moving to the couch, I realized that it was a little more than that. With a little urging from my husband, we headed out to the hospital to make sure. Good thing I did, I was 6 cm dilated and 100% effaced at arrival. I had never imagined it would happen so fast. Labor was well underway and could not be stopped at this point. At 12:34 pm, after only a few pushes, my beautiful baby boy, Caleb Ross, was born with no complications and completely healthy. I could not have asked for a more perfect delivery, or a more perfect baby boy. He was the most wonderful Christmas gift I have ever received. That little boy blesses me daily and fills my life with so much joy.

Fast forward 5 years. I just want to freeze time and keep him five forever now. He is growing way to quickly, right before my eyes. Caleb had school on his birthday, so we celebrated Thursday evening with a family dinner at Bravo, his request. The family birthday party was this past Sunday. We had a wonderful time celebrating with cupcakes, ice cream and lots of laughing (...and presents!)

Loved all the way from North Carolina!
WOW! Iron Man! Wowwwweeeee!

Even Addy got to join in the fun! A remote controled My Little Pony???!!
Has not set it down since! Hello new favorite toy!
Thank you Nana Sharon and Doc!

Grover all the way from New York? Thank you Uncle Logan!!

Cowboy boots. Real cowboy boots! Caleb slept in these for two straight nights!


Woody pajamas and a sled?! We will be using that sled a lot!
...And a Dairy Queen Blizzard maker??!
Thanks for the pillow pet sister!

Time for candles and cupcakes...

About to blow out candles, holding his prized whoopee cushion!


Monday came and my poor little (newly turned) five year old woke up sick, just like his daddy. He spent the day laying on the couch moaning and groaning... the stomach flu is no fun. We are all snowed in (major Ohio blizzard), so I guess the timing is okay, if I had to choose. I am sure he would much rather have spent the day sledding and building a snowman, like most kids did today (all the area schools have been cancelled), but we did enjoy a lot of Gatorade, ginger ale, naps, and movie time.  So far, and surprisingly, I have been the only one in the family who has managed to not get sick. Vitamin C, I swear by it.


...Now I should go get some sleep. Santa has more shopping to do this week. Christmas is coming fast!
PS. I am feeling great right now! The antibiotics did their job and I am cough and fever free, and pray it stays that way though the holidays! Thank you for all of your prayers!

Monday, December 6, 2010

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

What I woke up to this morning!


Addy playing in the "little" bit we had yesterday! Now we have three times as much!