tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57911483198812084212023-11-16T03:39:43.510-08:00Mom to 4!momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-24430447443607108772010-04-10T22:59:00.001-07:002010-04-10T23:03:08.924-07:00Swagbucks!!!!Seriously,<br />SwagBucks is AWESOME!!!! It's a search engine like google or yahoo or whatever.... but you earn bucks for using it! I have over 600 for just 2 weeks.... and I can redeem them for gift cards =) YES!!!! and....it's all FREE!!!!!!<br /><br />You should sign up.... and use me as a referral... =) It's free!!! <br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/momtomy4">HERE</a> to join me...=)momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-55189331879434533452010-03-13T20:02:00.001-08:002010-03-13T21:31:21.397-08:00I'm a mom but I wanted to be an architect!<span style="font-family:arial;">Some of you may know me well enough to appreciate what I have to say...others may not know me as well and therefore care less about what I have to say... where ever you lie on that line...I hope you get something out of my pen on paper moment...<br /><br /><br />How long has it been since I've sat still and put my thoughts on paper? Too long. So as I was driving home from work today I just started thinking. I thought about how far I've come in life and where I'm headed. I used to write all the time. I wrote poetry daily. Since my life took some detours...I haven't put pen to paper. Why? I think because it was easier to ignore then accept. So I'm writing...<br /><br />How many of us have accomplished goals that we set for ourselves when we were younger? Be honest now. How many of us were told by our parents that we could be president one day? The reality is....there have been 44 US Presidents since the beginning of the Presidency. 44...that's less than the amount of kids in 1 high school homeroom! The odds aren't exactly great when you think about it. Not that it's not possible...just not exactly reality for most of us.<br /><br />We have been asked since we were young, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" But how many of us have actually followed through with that idea? Are you a pretty ballerina? A movie star? Better yet, a Rock Star? Or a Sumo wrestler? An astronaut? Are you a Policeman or Fireman or pro-surfer? What about being a lawyer or doctor or teacher? Some of us are those things. But we have these dreams as kids about having this grandiose life, because that's what we've been told will happen. Yet at the age of 31 I have accomplished only 2 of my original childhood dreams. 1. Get Married 2. Be a Mom That's it.<br /><br />There are many jobs that are not suited for me and I know it. For example, there is no way I could ever be a lawyer. Why? Because I am not a confrontational person so why in the world would I want to argue in front of large groups of people? No thanks! I also know that I am not a salesperson. I hate being under pressure so why would I make you feel pressured to buy something? I couldn't be a police officer because of the fact that people scare me! I like living in my little bubble where I can pretend that the world isn't as dark and ugly as it really is. I'm not sure I could be a firefighter either. I like to help people, and I'm not afraid of fire or hard work...but I am scared to death of heights and I can't see myself climbing up that huge ladder... =) If I was going to be a doctor then I would've been a pediatrician - because I love kids. But honestly, I really never thought about any of those jobs. What did I want to be when I grew up? Alot of things. I wanted to be an architect because I loved drawing and designing houses. I asked for sketch/drafting pads that had all the boxes on them so that I could use 1 square to equal 1 ft. I had books of layouts that I designed and sketched. I even bought a stupid computer program that helped you design your own house. Did that dream come true? No. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I had a goal of finishing college and I started my college education by majoring in Sports Medicine. I had the great idea of becoming a physical therapist/sports medicine tech. I thought it would be great to travel with a team and tape up all those ankles, knees, and hands! I think I would've fit extremely well into that field. I loved my Human Anatomy class and I just loved sciences! But after a year of that...I was talked into changing my major to Business. Why? Because it was less work and easier! lol But did I finish college then? No.<br /><br />While in college I was working for Starbucks and my DM had approached me about the Assistant Management training. I really thought about it...but then one of those detours jumped into my pathway and so I turned in another direction. Funny as it is...I am back working at Starbucks after having many other jobs in between. I love it. I'm happy there. I enjoy what I do and without it I wouldn't be me.<br /><br />Tonight as I drove home I began thinking about what would make me happy. In the past few years I have found myself slowing fading into the background of life. We've moved twice in 5 years and I've lost myself along the way. It's inevitable that things chance and circumstances change ... but through it all I changed. No longer was I the fun-loving person that I had once remembered. The last time I was truly happy and laughing was in high school. I faked it pretty well in college and there were some times when it was real...but life changed for me along time ago. What would make me happy?<br /><br />I became a wife (goal 1) and then we had 4 kids (goal 2). I finished college too. 11 years after I started but I finished. I have a degree in something that I didn't even think about until recently. My BA is in Early Elementary Education. I had a goal of teaching. Perhaps at a Christian School so that the kids could attend, but with our education system being what it is out here in California....I didn't get my teaching credential. So...here I sit.<br /><br />So...what now? What would make me happy now? Goal 3 - Singing. I miss it. If I could be in a choir or singing group again I would love it! Goal 4 - Basketball. I miss that too. Luckily, I was offered an Assistant Coaching job for Hailey's club team so I can check this one off the list! =) I could put Goal 5 - A job that suits me...but I think I'm happy where I'm at. I actually look forward to going to work!<br />Even if it's not what I originally planned...it makes me happy.<br /><br />Eventually, I will sing again. I will Coach basketball. I will join a Bunco group again. I will own my own house and actually live in it! (we own a house...but we rent it out). I will become organized. I will be the wife and mother that my family needs. I will be a friend to others and I will give where I can.<br /><br />Every choice that I've made has affected my life in some way. Every decision is important. So I will decide to be happy. There are days when putting myself first isn't possible...but my name at least needs to get added to the list! So many times everyone and everything gets pushed higher and higher on that list until there are so many things ahead of myself that I get lost and forgotten. As a mom...it's easy to do. But the saying...."If mom's happy, then everyone is happy" is hilarious because it's true!!! There are days when I'm bummed....and I find that the mood of the house is the same. But on those rare days when I'm happy, upbeat and full of energy...then so is everyone else.<br /><br />So even though I didn't become the architect or physical therapist that I had always wanted to be... I have become who God intended me to be. That doesn't mean that when the kids are all grown up and out of the house that I couldn't go back to school to become an architect...lol =) It just means that right now...I am everything I need to be.<br />With kids... I am a lawyer - or more like a judge! I have to determine who is telling the truth and who is lying. I have to issue punishment for the crimes!<br />I am a chef, a chauffeur, a life coach, a cheerleader, a maid, a friend, a doctor, a fireman (but hopefully not as often!), a teacher, a guidance counselor, an example... I am a mom.<br /><br /></span>momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-58810756548297131292009-07-19T13:47:00.000-07:002010-03-13T20:01:44.705-08:00So obviously it's been too long. Blogging has just been one more thing on my plate and my plate is already overflowing! I hate that I don't have time or maybe it's that I don't make time. I find myself bending over backwards to take care of everyone else yet the 5 or 10 minutes that it would take me to blog seems like a luxury that I can't afford. How many times do we as moms loose ourselves? I have that mom guilt...you know what I mean because I know you've felt it too! So today I say NO MORE! I WILL take care of myself. I WILL take time for me to do something that I enjoy and that does NOT include grocery shopping! I WILL tell myself that it's ok...everyday. Let's be honest... life is sometimes overwhelming. There are days when getting out of bed is a chore...let alone making the bed! There are days when we as moms, wish that time would stand still for just another hour so that we can sleep just that much longer!momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-49791098392559490912009-06-15T15:40:00.001-07:002009-06-15T15:44:23.510-07:00Whatcha Doin?!This is how the conversation (joke) between Annabelle and William went...<br /><br />Bella: Hey momma...listen...<br /><br />Will: Yeah mom, it's funny.<br /><br />Me: OK tell me.<br /><br />Bella (to William): Whatcha doin? (in her girly, sweet, 3 year old voice)<br /><br />Will: Eatin' chocolate.<br /><br />Bella: Where'd you get it?<br /><br />Will: The doggie dropped it. (roaring laughter from Will and Bella!)<br /><br />oh to be 3 and 5 again! =)momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-9944376706444651082009-06-10T07:40:00.000-07:002009-06-10T07:45:43.474-07:00Think BEFORE you SpeakThese are all oldies, but they sure LIGHTENED MY day and hopefully you'll get a good laugh!<br /><br /><br />Here are six reasons why you should think before you speak -<br />The last one is great!<br />Have you ever spoken and wished that you could<br />Immediately take the words back....<br />Here are the Testimonials of a few people who did...._<br /><br /><br /><strong>FIRST TESTIMONY:</strong><br /><br />I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids intow<br />And asked loudly,<br />'How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job?'<br />I turned around and walked back out and never went back<br />My husband didn't say a word..<br />He knew better.<br /><br /><br /><strong>SECOND TESTIMONY:</strong><br /><br />I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf<br />balls....<br />I was unhappy with the women's type I had been using.<br />After browsing for several minutes,<br />I was approached by one of the good-looking gentlemen who<br />works<br />At the store.<br />He asked if he could help me.<br />Without thinking, I looked at him and said, 'I think I like<br />Playing with men's balls'<br /><br /><strong>THIRD TESTIMONY:</strong><br /><br />My sister and I were at the mall and<br />Passed by a store that sold a<br />Variety of candy and nuts.<br />As we were looking at the display case,<br />The boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help.<br />I replied, 'No, I'm just looking at your nuts.'<br />My sister started to laugh hysterically.<br />The boy grinned, and I turned beet-red and walked away.<br />To this day,<br />My sister has never let me forget.<br /><br /><br /><strong>FOURTH TESTIMONY :</strong><br /><br />While in line at the bank one afternoon,<br />My toddler decided to release<br />Some pent-up energy and ran amok.<br />I was finally able to grab hold of<br />Her after receiving looks of disgust<br />And annoyance from other patrons.<br />I told her that if she did not start behaving<br />'right now' she would be punished.<br />To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice<br />just As threatening,<br />'If you don't let me go right now,<br />I will tell Grandma that I saw you<br />Kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!'<br />The silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange.<br />Even the tellers stopped what they were doing.<br />I mustered up the last of my dignity and<br />Walked out of the bank with my daughter in tow.<br />The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me, were<br />Screams of laughter.<br /><br /><br /><strong>FIFTH TESTIMONY: </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>Have you ever asked your child a question too many times?<br />My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty<br />training And I was on him constantly.<br />One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch, in between<br />Errands It was very busy, with a full dining room.<br />While enjoying my taco,<br />I smelled something funny,<br />So of course I checked<br />My seven-month-old daughter, she was clean.<br />The realized that Danny<br />Had not asked to go potty in a while.<br />I asked him if he needed to go,<br />And he said 'No' .<br />I kept thinking<br />'Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don't have any<br />Clothes with me.'<br />Then I said,<br />'Danny, are you SURE you didn't have an accident?'<br />'No,' he replied.<br />I just KNEW that he must have had an accident, because the<br />smell<br />Was getting worse.<br />Soooooo, I asked one more time, 'Danny did you have an<br />accident<br />? This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants,<br />Bent over, spread his cheeks<br />And yelled<br />'SEE MOM, IT'S JUST FARTS!!'<br />While 30 people nearly choked to death on their tacos<br />laughing,<br />He calmly pulled up his pants and sat down.<br />An old couple made me feel better,<br />Thanking me for the best laugh they'd ever had!<br /><br /><br /><strong>LAST BUT NOT LEAST TESTIMONY:</strong><br /><br />This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days<br />And a very embarrassed female news anchor who will,<br />In the future, likely think before she speaks.<br />What happens when you predict snow but don't get any!<br />We had a female news anchor that,<br />The day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't,<br />Turned to the weatherman and asked:<br />'So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?'<br />Not only did HE have to leave the set,<br />But half the crew did too they were laughing so hard!<br /><br />Now, didn't that feel good?<br />Pass it on to someone you know who needs a laugh<br />And remember<br />We all say things we don't really mean,<br />So think before you speak!!!momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-60344337319513688912009-06-06T19:18:00.000-07:002009-06-06T19:26:43.749-07:00Business Trips...So, Steve has been gone for a few days on a business thing. We considered driving out to be with him for a day but the logistics of me, cooped up in a hotel room (since the weather is too cold to swim) with all 4 kids...not my idea of fun. <br />How is it that he gets to go out to lunches and dinners (paid for by the Co.) while I'm eating mac n cheese from a box?! Or just flat out be alone. Or hang out with other adults. No, feeding the kids, folding laundry, sweeping, unloading the dishwasher - reloading the dishwasher, playing referee, cleaning, bathing, etc... <br />I know it's hard for him to be away. He misses us. But really? 4 days of not having to take care of anyone else but yourself...I have NO IDEA what that's like or even what I would do. Granted he's working...but you can't work 24/7. He went and played golf this morning with one of the other DM's. Oooo how hard. I woke up with Annabelle's feet in my back and the kids asking for breakfast. Then I get to do 10 loads of laundry (which by the way isn't even all of it) while attempting to do some homework.<br /><br />So, I just had to vent for a second. The worst part is... this is the first of 4 business trips. The month of July will be oh so much fun! Anyone have a job for my husband that doesn't require him to be gone 4 days a week??!?!!!?!?!<br /><br />The kids start VBS on Monday so that should be great fun! =)momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-27585868281512551492009-06-02T16:23:00.000-07:002009-06-02T16:42:39.096-07:00Get off your phone...Get off your phone...GET OFF YOUR PHONE!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3UTDarUiSAVwB-hCIwleNKgl5c-UEPAVCt8KuMlI8Wrf3pdF93EpQyiQWwCKFDFm7q_M51LcozS-taeqVoUoqlL25q4F1WO90oJMncEkQStMYJcOYzpGatDc77eeyqmOrfMqRCKa1iKL/s1600-h/starbucks+barista.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 110px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3UTDarUiSAVwB-hCIwleNKgl5c-UEPAVCt8KuMlI8Wrf3pdF93EpQyiQWwCKFDFm7q_M51LcozS-taeqVoUoqlL25q4F1WO90oJMncEkQStMYJcOYzpGatDc77eeyqmOrfMqRCKa1iKL/s320/starbucks+barista.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342879685966996066" /></a><br /><br />So first off.... Don't you LOVE my pin?!?!? I love it.... found it on Facebook and thought it was hilarious! <br /><br />Ok. So I just have to rant for a minute. As you know, I work at Starbucks. My store has a drive thru. I LOVE working the drive thru. It's busy and fun. So, what's my rant?!?! CELL PHONES!!!! C'mon people! Get off your phone! I am so tired of being told to hold on while someone finishes their phone conversation...at the speaker box! I am tired of remaking drinks because "Oh...I had wanted that Iced not Hot!" Um...HELLOOOOOOO We repeated your order 2 times PLUS it was on the screen in front of you as you ordered! Her excuse?!?....."Oh...I was on the phone (while she is still holding the phone to her ear)..so maybe you didn't hear me...or maybe I didn't say it loud enough" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!<br /><br />Now.... I totally don't mind remaking a drink if I mess up or we mess up or it's our fault.... BUT.... It bugs the crap out of me to have to remake a drink because you were on your phone while you ordered...on your phone while you paid...on your phone while you took the drink from me....and on your phone while you complained about it not being Iced. OMG!!!!! It's sooooo rude!!!!!!!!<br /><br />We work hard. We are expected to get your drink order right - the first time. We bust our butts to get you through the drive through with as little wait as possible.... but if you change your order...because you were on the phone...and I have to remake it.... you have now made everyone behind you late for work!<br /><br />Whew! Don't be offended if you talk on the phone in the drive thru lane. Just please at least put the phone down while you talk to me. DO NOT put up 1 finger to tell me to "hold on"....DO NOT mouth the words "thank - you" or "no" so that I can't hear you and neither can the person on the other line.<br /><br />We are people too. We do not work for you...we work for Starbucks. Treat me with some respect. I just spent 8 hours at the drive thru window...2 days in a row.... I have been told to hold on, I have said hello to you (by the speaker box) at least 4 times before you finally tell me what you want, I have been ignored completely, I have been handed a credit card without you even looking at me OR even rolling your window down all the way!, I have been yelled at, I have been told that I was wrong not you (of course...while you were on your phone)...AND the kicker.... I have handed you the wrong drink...and you drove off with it...still talking on your phone! That last one was hilarious because I handed her a Frapp. and she ordered a HOT Latte!!!!! She took off before I could catch her!!! HOW CAN YOU NOT REALIZE THAT YOU WERE GIVEN A COLD, BLENDED DRINK WHEN YOU ORDERED AN EXTRA HOT DRINK!?!?!?! oh wait I remember..... because you were on your phone!!!<br /><br />Ok... so thanks for letting me rant. I realize that no Starbucks is perfect. We make mistakes...we're human. There are days when you will wait for a while in the drive thru.... but please know that we are doing our best. Show us the common courtesy of getting off your phone. And honestly, I rarely hand out the wrong drink...that one time just happened to be a fluke but the truth is there.... she didn't even notice because she didn't even look at me...she was on her phone.<br /><br />We had a lady sit in the drive thru for 5 minutes yesterday, parked at our speaker box, windows rolled up....on the phone. One of the guys walked out to see if there was a problem - if she needed help - if there was anyone behind her... and no to all of it. She was just talking on her phone for 5 minutes. She finally ordered...came up to the window...still on the phone. <br /><br />It's just hard to be perky and happy in the morning when I'm being disrespected at the drive thru window.<br /><br />Sheesh! <br /><br />Please take no offense. I am just expressing my frustration. I do NOT represent Starbucks in anyway... just myself.<br /><br />But know that I appreciate it when you say thank you, or smile at me. I try to do the same for you.momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-34627713923502273682009-05-27T22:57:00.000-07:002009-05-27T23:06:21.491-07:00So proud....Ok so funny thing... you know how kids make up their own words? You know, like han-ga-burr for hamburger or host-i-boldt for hospital (yea...those are my kids!) Annabelle made a cute one the other day... I was making lunch and we were having quesadilla's... these are Bella's favorite. She tells me after she eats..."Thanks for making me a cheesydilla mom" LOL I just had to laugh. She was clear and precise with her other words but cheesydilla!!!! Awe...so cute.<br /><br />Also...I'm addicted to Facebook. Oh, wait...I think I already told you that! I think it's because I am finding people from forever ago. Like my friend Abby from High School (um...13 years ago) or my friend and floormate in college - Amber (um...10 years ago) and my friend Todd from my Starbucks days down in Newport (10 years too!) It's fun to play catch up and see where everyone is. LOVE IT.<br /><br />Jake and Jessica took some more photo's and they're awesome (as always)... just check out Jake's website... click <a href="http://jacobmariano.com">HERE</a> then click on Blog..it will take you to the pics. My sister Rachel is the bride model on the top of the page. It's sick how beautfiul she is!<br /><br />That's all. I'm tired...(it's now 11pm) Steve's been gone for 2 days now and tomorrow will be 3... I need a nap, and a bath, and a good book (which I can't find because I think it's under the laundry pile) and my husband back. I can't sleep when he's not here....momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-59998062955496224942009-05-26T10:22:00.000-07:002009-05-26T10:25:46.557-07:00Last Class!!!!!Today is Tuesday. It's the first day, of the last week of this class I'm taking. I am jumping for joy inside...because once this week is over...I will be starting my very LAST class!!!! Whooo Hooooo!!!!! And what makes it even better is that it's Intro to Criminal Justice! LOL!!! I'm excited! I can't believe it's been 2 years of hard work...late nights...dozens of papers...tons of research...and finally - the end. I just checked my GPA... and it's at 3.78! YES!!!! I'm pretty stoked!<br /><br />So...once I finish this paper that is due this next week I will be done...and moving on to the last class standing between me and my BA!<br /><br />*sigh* can you can senioritis when your 30? =)momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-41807728065739441992009-05-23T16:20:00.001-07:002009-05-23T16:21:39.791-07:00Facebook is crazy fun!Ok... so I've found high school classmates, college classmates and old friends I used to work with! I'm stoked on Facebook right now! I love catching up with people I haven't talked to in a while and it's so great to find out how they are. Whew... it could get addicting...=)momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-80732989044182716552009-05-22T17:47:00.000-07:002009-05-22T17:48:08.561-07:00p.s. I'm finally on Facebook...SO.... wanna be my friend?!?! lol<br /><br />Come find me ...momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-44379823919241770652009-05-22T17:04:00.000-07:002009-05-22T17:45:30.202-07:00Pictures!!!!Ok so it's been a while and I've finally downloaded some pictures from my camera. Our desktop has taken a turn for the worst and now all of our computer stuff has to be done on my laptop...so...I have finally downloaded the necessary crap and we're up and ready to go...so... here are some updated pictures...<br /><br />The first one is of Jeremiah and Annabelle on Easter...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OpjdUXz92WnnKzGFXvNkK1eSw0W8JDLn0LiC6Ur3wXzbZdKCEpXSI4TY4zOksFjUyoqtFKaxX0pgZwM1fHgXTq0u2VEM50UzkJ2kC9Q4P_o64XHgE8h4yPE3ZUd_hl9tojkNMmSmDiMG/s1600-h/may+09+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OpjdUXz92WnnKzGFXvNkK1eSw0W8JDLn0LiC6Ur3wXzbZdKCEpXSI4TY4zOksFjUyoqtFKaxX0pgZwM1fHgXTq0u2VEM50UzkJ2kC9Q4P_o64XHgE8h4yPE3ZUd_hl9tojkNMmSmDiMG/s320/may+09+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338804335922422738" /></a><br /><br /><br />This next one is of my Grandma Mariano and all of her Great Grandkids! Whew! 4 of those are mine...2 are Rachel's and the cutest baby on my Grandma's lap is Jake's. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEOt44tJwIew-5iSi8dP-7SEk8l7i1ZPpv9mBr4IRgCsWSvBrn397eFJB8lwMpgkNBpY8aIoj1dLFEMYz1uXvJLWkfRaXPGx8BkVwCRkngCPLfwB5xEkht9UP1UnioENg8lyO7-jt5CYp/s1600-h/may+09+019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEOt44tJwIew-5iSi8dP-7SEk8l7i1ZPpv9mBr4IRgCsWSvBrn397eFJB8lwMpgkNBpY8aIoj1dLFEMYz1uXvJLWkfRaXPGx8BkVwCRkngCPLfwB5xEkht9UP1UnioENg8lyO7-jt5CYp/s320/may+09+019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338804966736513762" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here is Hailey getting close to a miniture pony at CALM (California Living Museum)...there are a couple from our day at CALM. It's definetly NOT the Wildlife Safari Zoo that we LOVED in Arizona...but it was pretty cute.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEa2SIpu1ek08ZJvOpejte5HpgDipvN7CwRREomQ-rQJWs_pQ1ROsEL75tlsE196sLHMwB3V7tw8hprCB_eq89WQeSfL61kps4U0NufStE8FFKhP0R08sfJtVuFBe-1nnN3aE61wmtvf8D/s1600-h/may+09+046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEa2SIpu1ek08ZJvOpejte5HpgDipvN7CwRREomQ-rQJWs_pQ1ROsEL75tlsE196sLHMwB3V7tw8hprCB_eq89WQeSfL61kps4U0NufStE8FFKhP0R08sfJtVuFBe-1nnN3aE61wmtvf8D/s320/may+09+046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338805938318844674" /></a><br /><br />Annabelle and Hailey getting up close and personal with the pony...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWRO_-uz7-HSIFN_fPx28JmXS_TEakq4urgGQEz8uN9XuuGamUApY3jI5zg6flvFtifGfLcAp7A4H7OSHKzSgHGn_jtfH2zITUNkPOJxdreRACw49v5ip9gN-BsSeUuEH-pWHfmidkXEP/s1600-h/may+09+051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWRO_-uz7-HSIFN_fPx28JmXS_TEakq4urgGQEz8uN9XuuGamUApY3jI5zg6flvFtifGfLcAp7A4H7OSHKzSgHGn_jtfH2zITUNkPOJxdreRACw49v5ip9gN-BsSeUuEH-pWHfmidkXEP/s320/may+09+051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338806703069160930" /></a><br /><br />Here's another one of the kids and then of Steve feeding the goat...such yummy little pellets!!! =) I'm guessing they're treats or something...shoot if you put me at a fence and hand fed me OREO's then I'd eat out of your hand too!!!! lol<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBG96LMxL9t1RqADGO-bog7Z0VBixk6HTu7NcxzErexWR8QmFFJglE3P8wKvauqGgT38p_AexKmOWHg6nSwtk7nqcHxmqdgCqY8an6FweMA7p9xVQY2-7GGVXwN1KSvx86FDaO7FVVZF8/s1600-h/may+09+053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBG96LMxL9t1RqADGO-bog7Z0VBixk6HTu7NcxzErexWR8QmFFJglE3P8wKvauqGgT38p_AexKmOWHg6nSwtk7nqcHxmqdgCqY8an6FweMA7p9xVQY2-7GGVXwN1KSvx86FDaO7FVVZF8/s320/may+09+053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338807584290299154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SMqOyusVDajCpBYt6pgnOTGux4kgIu6mUciGDSSyRpJ0x9n7MacNVM2sztPOa72xo288GzZxSsec21l-exg4sPhfwMCi9eRi-QhDKDUrLOQnE9YNW2pf54xnbYLYy74O8Y2ZFbpgoG-n/s1600-h/may+09+052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SMqOyusVDajCpBYt6pgnOTGux4kgIu6mUciGDSSyRpJ0x9n7MacNVM2sztPOa72xo288GzZxSsec21l-exg4sPhfwMCi9eRi-QhDKDUrLOQnE9YNW2pf54xnbYLYy74O8Y2ZFbpgoG-n/s320/may+09+052.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338807581416959122" /></a><br /><br />Here's Bella!!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHslxJlFsi0LopTRO1Wj2i6xI-URoZxWRtoWMPOIpgia-2e2gez1DiW2T6BGtGgEa76ZbJHIBBtTfkjN7tUB30oyyTQkiKwcBH0s0L9x0dgi1wvC750hf74o_fqcCPYu6-hTg84DSTzd8U/s1600-h/may+09+054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHslxJlFsi0LopTRO1Wj2i6xI-URoZxWRtoWMPOIpgia-2e2gez1DiW2T6BGtGgEa76ZbJHIBBtTfkjN7tUB30oyyTQkiKwcBH0s0L9x0dgi1wvC750hf74o_fqcCPYu6-hTg84DSTzd8U/s320/may+09+054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338809198082238322" /></a><br /><br /><br />OOOHHHH.... Hailey's first dance... well sorta... it was a Father Daughter Dance... How cute are they!??!?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3v5qvMS2u_Y9KhYZHimrFs9EG-_ND_kktJO_jmeLP6spN00hjbmfxLQU880C1hci-OoKuNskafhHEoGbMTEidAsMvV2PcNFZUT-aztMnkqnD5nKESpVUIOpS3r6RKsCeISf-7QOF41cP/s1600-h/may+09+062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3v5qvMS2u_Y9KhYZHimrFs9EG-_ND_kktJO_jmeLP6spN00hjbmfxLQU880C1hci-OoKuNskafhHEoGbMTEidAsMvV2PcNFZUT-aztMnkqnD5nKESpVUIOpS3r6RKsCeISf-7QOF41cP/s320/may+09+062.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338809699128123746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6a13cl_owjuyESW_VQkCHhjM6fCoolXgzs_4whngw3fz1rGk7J2og4yapQPk3eM9PX41Ux4o60EvH7yLhYH38Os7ZiYHJ15L0EUss5zJANwTyjl9r82en9RNOsMv-inhHp-2fKqElQ9p/s1600-h/may+09+071.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6a13cl_owjuyESW_VQkCHhjM6fCoolXgzs_4whngw3fz1rGk7J2og4yapQPk3eM9PX41Ux4o60EvH7yLhYH38Os7ZiYHJ15L0EUss5zJANwTyjl9r82en9RNOsMv-inhHp-2fKqElQ9p/s320/may+09+071.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338810910234167730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7M9ml-lelYwaHqmOGxDLVju9IRUVaUqJY1FMTjfFFk9wfmGpYYBxaKz6k3TnQs0ifKPAL-KtlNgZ86HRumrKqkKrCZREDWTxi-7OUbeMX8vlsEkqJuUao0-3KhOjP4g7qavJIuKEVgR2/s1600-h/may+09+067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7M9ml-lelYwaHqmOGxDLVju9IRUVaUqJY1FMTjfFFk9wfmGpYYBxaKz6k3TnQs0ifKPAL-KtlNgZ86HRumrKqkKrCZREDWTxi-7OUbeMX8vlsEkqJuUao0-3KhOjP4g7qavJIuKEVgR2/s320/may+09+067.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338810902808808482" /></a><br /><br /><br />William at his preschool graduation.... it's hard to believe that he will start kindergarten in the fall! 3 kids in school and 1 to go.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfOZZbGOH9hEVpnD5t4rkPgKYgUMTnXKL2Z9wh9M_DkYY5fTtG73cmmptkA7auJ1SruJ6noC8KsExABdrEonDuBJu9LUjYz0rblmFwVAJo-ZrktAAqSh5NZfdcNhHjHzM2rTUX6xQ57lp/s1600-h/may+09+119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfOZZbGOH9hEVpnD5t4rkPgKYgUMTnXKL2Z9wh9M_DkYY5fTtG73cmmptkA7auJ1SruJ6noC8KsExABdrEonDuBJu9LUjYz0rblmFwVAJo-ZrktAAqSh5NZfdcNhHjHzM2rTUX6xQ57lp/s320/may+09+119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338812212932292338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish4Podp4Q-5y6GA0Clb91L4OLsw_uV4XvV4ZKu3UX10Vl6cFNKNrsY8CCIr4U7_bIX36vd844vmxoqt2otfYpRpMDdI7uMg06OVF_hXaPOPHUzewpvi5Xw-WraDycTu4gwVhV873hjct1/s1600-h/may+09+112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish4Podp4Q-5y6GA0Clb91L4OLsw_uV4XvV4ZKu3UX10Vl6cFNKNrsY8CCIr4U7_bIX36vd844vmxoqt2otfYpRpMDdI7uMg06OVF_hXaPOPHUzewpvi5Xw-WraDycTu4gwVhV873hjct1/s320/may+09+112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338812207464157522" /></a><br /><br /><br />ok...so that's about it for now... unless I can find some more pics.... =)momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-49478191726447064982009-05-18T20:14:00.000-07:002009-05-18T20:16:21.026-07:00Background updated....hey so do you like my new background? I do! =) It's more me... I was just ready for a change. You know how you get to that place where you're bored with what you have and just need a spruced up boost!!!??? well...that's me in a nut shell...<br /><br />Enjoymomto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-44208724862401812062009-05-18T19:33:00.000-07:002009-05-18T19:43:11.239-07:00Time...whatever that is!Hey. So I've been bugged to update my blog so I have caved. I've been crazy busy...but also a bit lazy when it comes to blogging or replying to email or whatever... so...sorry...<br /><br />Here's and update.<br /><br />Our Family Feud show aired and we laughed our heads off watching ourselves on TV. Laughed and blushed from the embarassment of looking so...um...not thin!!! =)<br /><br />I'm working like mad and I love it!<br /><br />The kids have a few days left of school and I'm dreading summer vacation. Will and Bella are done on Friday (with a party tomorrow and no school wed/thurs). Hailey and Jeremiah get out next Friday.<br /><br />Steve had a little health scare last week and we are now recovering. He had a short stay in the hospital for heart related problems and now has an appointment to see a cardiologist on Friday. We'll see how that goes. Keep us in your prayers.<br /><br />Hailey tried out for Robin Hood at a local children's theater and we'll find out later this week if she got a part. She also just got her hair cut...but I'll have to post pictures later.<br /><br />I finally joined Facebook. Wanna be my friend? =) lol<br />I've found some friends that I haven't heard from since highschool and college. It's kinda fun!<br /><br />Um...the kids' school wants to send them to a different school and I have to petition to keep them where they are. It's stressing me out. William starts kindergarten in the Fall so it's a super important issue right now.<br /><br />We do NOT like our town... nope...not one bit...we wanna move... anyone want to offer my hubby a job?!?! We are ready to go.<br /><br />Oooohhhh I have 1 class left and I will graduate!!!! Yeahhhhh yeahhh yeahhhh FINALLY!!!!<br /><br />ok...so that's about it in a nut shell. We're pretty boring... =)momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-80515990981102217572009-05-06T21:37:00.000-07:002009-05-06T21:38:42.348-07:00FAMILY FEUDOur show airs Thursday and Friday May 7th and 8th. I just wanted to post it up and let everyone know... =) Don't laugh too hard!momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-77781809262964979482009-01-27T13:53:00.000-08:002009-01-27T13:58:27.704-08:00I made the Dean's list!Ok so I did it again! I made the Dean's list at <a href="http://www.ashford.edu/home/">Ashford University</a>! I'm so stoked because I have made the Dean's list every quarter for the past 2 years. My GPA is 3.79 and I'm pretty excited about that too!<br /><br />I only have 4 classes left to take and I will FINALLY have my Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences with a focus on Elementary Education. My estimated graduation date is July of this year....=) <br /><br />I'm going to borrow my brother Jake's cap and gown from when he graduated college and pretend it's mine...take a picture with my Degree and be done with school! =) <br /><br />It's only taken me 12 years to finish...but hey...at least I'm finishing, right!?<br /><br />I just thought I'd share that tidbit of good news with you all... =)momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-25244895187610142782009-01-24T17:39:00.000-08:002009-01-24T17:45:19.395-08:00Free tall coffee from StarbucksHey everyone. Sorry it's late notice but Starbucks is offering a free tall coffee to anyone who will pledge to volunteer for 5 hours! That's it...5 hours! Imagine what a difference we can make in our communities if everyone pitched in! Anyway, the promo is continuing through tomorrow the 25th. It was only for this week and I'm sorry that I didn't post on here sooner. Here is a brief intro...<br /><br />Starbucks has teamed up with the HandsOn Network to launch the I’m in! campaign from Jan. 21-25 in the United States. Customers and partners are invited to pledge five hours of their time and in return, Starbucks will offer a free tall brewed coffee at U.S. company-operated stores and participating licensed locations. This is part of our StarbucksTM Shared PlanetTM program goal of generating more than one million annual hours of community service by 2015. (www.starbucks.com) <br /><br /><br />For more information click <a href="http://pledge5.starbucks.com/">HERE</a>momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-10824714818585250862009-01-23T20:09:00.000-08:002009-01-23T20:12:34.993-08:00FREE 3 yr Subscribtion to Today's Diet and NutritionA friend of mine sent this link to me and I recieved it and so did she. I thought that I'd send it along to anyone who wants a FREE 3 year subscription.... Enjoy...<br /><br />FREE 3 Yr Subscription To Todays Diet & Nutrition<br />Enter Promo Code INAUG09<br />**Offer Expires 1/24/09 **<br />http://www.todaysdietandnutrition.com/subscribe.shtmlmomto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-20139935898431639212009-01-22T12:10:00.000-08:002009-01-22T12:51:16.174-08:00Whatever!Today is January 22. Time goes by too quickly to even think about and sometimes I just wish it would slow down. I know that it's not possible but I'd still like for it to not fly by!<br /><br />Christmas has passed us and then New Years (which by the way...we stayed home and just hung out). Now I see Valentines stuff everywhere I look oh and Easter stuff too. We are a society that lives holiday to holiday. Consumers that do nothing but consume. I find myself going holiday to holiday as well. Not necessarily consuming but it's my calendar. The kids had Christmas break (or Winter break if you're in a liberal state like mine!). Then we had MLK day and therefore no school on Monday. We'll have Presidents Day in Feb. and they won't have school that day either. Eventually it will be Easter Break (or spring break). And finally summer vacation. We'll then start the process over with Labor day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc... Holiday to Holiday and back again. So I say...whatever. =)<br /><br />I haven't been blogging. I haven't been doing much of anything actually. I'm working, doing school work, trying to clean my house, taking care of kids, doing more school work (both mine and helping them with theirs), cooking, Church, Bible study group, fitting in a shower somewhere in there, more cooking, more cleaning, more schoolwork, work some more... You get my point. Things just get busy. Life gets busy. There are days when I'm so run down and tired that 7:30 looks pretty good for going to bed! I know...7:30pm! but seriously, I'm tired.<br />So because of that tiredness...and lack of energy and what seems like a million other symptoms...I made and appointment for me to see a doctor. It's funny that we as mom's tend to do EVERYTHING for our kids and forget ourselves. My kids have been to the doctor, the dentist and they get exercise...but I haven't been to the doctor in over a year, the dentist in...well... lets just say it was in the 90's! and I haven't seen a gym in 2 years. I justify myself by saying...I walk up and down the stairs multiple times a day, chase the kids, work and just basically do everything else so...why go to the gym?<br />Bottom line is this...<br />2 years ago I felt that something was off with me. I went to my OB and she did some blood work...she said that since I had just had Annabelle within that year that my body was just adjusting. The blood work came back normal. You'd think I'd be relieved but I was just more frustrated. I know my body....I know when it's not at 100% but the tests are telling me I'm wrong. So...I let it go.<br />About a year ago it started again but we were in the process of moving and my DR. chalked it up to the stress of moving. Whatever.<br />Now...it's so bad that I can't function. What you might ask? What am I feeling? A lot but let me just tell you briefly because I'm sure you don't want to know it all. I am light headed and dizzy almost daily. I am lethargic and completely exhausted (yes I know I have 4 kids and a husband that works alot but that's not the cause), I have severe and I do mean severe back pain on my left side. So bad that there are days when I can't get off the couch or move because it hurts to walk. Steve, bless his heart, will offer to rub my back but it's not the back muscles that hurt...it's internal. If you've ever been kicked in the kidney's or had a kidney infection then you can imagine my pain.<br />So...I went to the doctor. Told her everything I just mentioned plus more. She ordered blood tests and an Ultrasound. I'm waiting and waiting and waiting. I received a referral to an OB and I went and saw her. I sat there for 20 minutes trying to tell her that there is something wrong. She told me it was hormonal. That I am stressed from moving here. That the "pill" is the answer to all of my symptoms. I told her that it was more than that....I felt that I had a cyst on one side and possibly fibroid's. She examined me and said she didn't feel anything and that I was fine. She once again pushed the "pill". I sat there getting more and more discouraged. I am tired of doctors treating me as if I am a child and have no idea what I am feeling. It's my body. I've birthed 4 kids for goodness sake! I know when something is not right.<br />She just talked at me...not listening.... finally the nurse came in and brought her the results of my ultrasound (they had to call to get it because no one sent it over...) She looks at the results and says....Oh...you were right. You do have a cyst and fibroid's. **sigh** It's about freakin time!<br />Her answer to the fibroid.... the "pill". **ARGHHHHH**<br /><br />I'm seriously frustrated, discouraged and disappointed. The blood work never was sent over to her office so she has no idea what that result is but I'm telling you...something is not right.<br /><br />I was sharing this with one of the ladies in my Bible Study group because I've just been so down lately...she said that she experienced the same thing but ended up having to seek a second opinion because the OB she say just brushed her off (like me). She pushed and ended up finding out that her fibroid was taking so much of her blood that she was anemic and that her body was taking blood (or whatever) from her bone marrow. If she hadn't pushed for them to run more blood tests who knows what would've happened.<br /><br />I have another appointment with the Primary doctor next week...so we'll see how that goes. But it's just frustrating.<br /><br />I know that doctors hear the same thing over and over from many patients...but that is no reason to treat everyone the same. I am not the same as the patient in the next room...so don't treat me like I'm an idiot. **sigh**<br /><br />Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest. Steve was saying goodbye to me this morning and he hugged me and said..."Don't be in a funk today"...You know why I'm in a funk? That STUPID "pill"!!!! I agreed to take it for 3 months so that she can see if that helps (it won't in my opinion). Then I will have another ultrasound to see if anything changes. So in the mean time...I get to deal with the horrible hormonal crap that the "pill" does to me...and my poor husband gets to deal with it too! I'm really having to make a point to not be irritable with the kids...I hate the "pill" because of the way it makes me feel. So...if you see me within the next 3 months... just love me despite my hormonal ugliness ok?!?! =)<br /><br />So pray for me. And Steve! =)<br /><br />I'm going to try to blog more. I just have little motivation right now...Any suggestions from anyone?momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-45991672207510608972008-12-29T15:48:00.009-08:002008-12-29T16:58:21.702-08:00A month....It's been a month. Yup, a month...well..actually longer than a month by now. I know that life is busy and things happen but the truth is that I just didn't want to sit here and write. I had homework and housework...and work... I'd look at the computer and say..."I should blog" BUT... I wouldn't actually do it. I'm just tired.<br />I don't know about you...but life tends to get exhausting.<br /><br />So to recap a whole month...*whew* here we go...you might want to get comfy...grab a cup of coffee or tea...or PEPSI! and start reading!<br /><br />Hailey did great in her Oral Language Festival. She didn't win the district competition and was disappointed but we were so extremely proud of her.<br /><br />She asked to have a Christmas Cookie Party on the last day of school and so I made dozens of sugar cookies. I was at Albertson's and I saw that they had pre-made cut out sugar cookies...I was excited because I figured that if I bought those it would save me hours in the kitchen! But...just to my luck...they sold out and I had to slave in the kitchen anyway. I was happy to do it for Hailey but man! It was not as easy as me just buying them! The girls had fun though. I took some pictures which I'll post later. (along with my not wanting to Blog...I also haven't loaded any pictures on the computer and my camera is quickly loosing memory space!).<br />Of course, Steve had to go on a business trip the last week of school so he missed the 8 screaming girls! but I'm sure he wasn't too bummed about that!<br /><br />He was bummed though because he missed Jeremiah's program at school as well as Will and Annabelle's. It was so extremely adorable to watch Bella sing in the program. She kept getting up and down off the risers! William was an old pro since he had already been in Christmas programs. Jeremiah the same...still adorable and still making me proud to watch them.<br /><br />So...Family Feud...<br />ready for this one?!?!?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCd23m6Y2ZsduoFIViXnO4GjFPTWqDYw2qrZXcOhCtgSSvBq1YhQ0i4JrgkMDX2gHcCnzqW84iQB8a4q-ObuzmpaK4QfEX4eKeZd_Q1iOHF38CClfBfVKm-AUTJwLtRrGDc3BaAQ4b_xE/s1600-h/MARIANO1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCd23m6Y2ZsduoFIViXnO4GjFPTWqDYw2qrZXcOhCtgSSvBq1YhQ0i4JrgkMDX2gHcCnzqW84iQB8a4q-ObuzmpaK4QfEX4eKeZd_Q1iOHF38CClfBfVKm-AUTJwLtRrGDc3BaAQ4b_xE/s320/MARIANO1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285373864243494834" /></a><br /><br />We went to the studio on a Sunday. Traffic to LA wasn't so bad...it only took me about 1 1/2 hours. Anyway, we got there early. Rachel did my make up because apparently I'm not too good at it! We were excited to get in the studio. There were 7 other teams and then us. We had a light breakfast (provided by Family Feud). We went through the briefing and we headed over to the actual stage for the rehearsal. It is smaller in person than it looks on TV. Actually, really small. Anyway, we KILLED it in rehearsal! Killed it! We were the only team to actually sweep the board! It was So EXCITING!!!! My dad was the captain, then me, then my sister, then my brother and lastly my mom. After rehearsal we were seated in the audience. (We'll be in the audience for 5 shows starting March 27th holding signs for the other teams and clapping until our hands hurt!)<br /><br />So...as luck would have it... they changed up our order. They made ME the CAPTAIN! Seriously! I thought I was going to have a panic attack. I didn't want to be the captain because I didn't want to have to talk or have the pressure of making decisions! The casting director said to me... "You shouldn't have been so perky then!!!" lol! They were really fun people and we joked around alot. Ok..so... they changed our line up. No biggie. <br />We weren't chosen for the first game ... or the second... or the third... We figured that since they came over to tell us that our order was changed that we were definitely getting on the show. I mean, seriously there was another team there that froze up in rehearsal and we all thought for sure they wouldn't get on....but they did. To make a LONG day shorter.... we didn't get on that day. They asked us to come back and gave us a confirmation of when we'd be on. After much talking about schedules and such...we agreed and went back the following Saturday night. <br /><br />The great thing about going on Saturday was that they offered the green room for our kids! (we were really debating about if we should go back because Steve was gone and we didn't have anyone to watch my kids). SO.... we had the large green room for my 4 kids, Rachel's 2 kids and my Jessica with the baby. Jessica and Michael (my bro-in-law) came to the taping so that they could sit with the kids. Hailey and Jeremiah were SO EXCITED to be there. They were thrilled to see the set and even more thrilled that they got to watch the taping from the green room! They watched the live feed.<br /><br />Ok so... this is how it went... We went up against a team that had already won 3 times BUT hadn't won the Fast Money for $20,000. We were stoked so we were ready to play and beat them!!!! We did great. I was captain and I think because I had a week to prepare myself...I was fine... =) Not too nervous so that was good. We stole some points and we got our own points....and we WON!!!!!!! YES!!!!!! So, Rachel and my Dad played the fast money. My dad did great! Rachel went next and had fabulous answers! We did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!! ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDY58dojBwAU2980RahCniLKsg3ubkzBET7etpT-meWcmDNmGP750ClUinPfYNmd0JeP6Xii2qV6roBmRB0QOclxjzlqOx9pgQX4u8g5UKVNgRRui8Xv7ZtvnenHqEIWtxAb0MrVZCmNCu/s1600-h/MARIANO.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDY58dojBwAU2980RahCniLKsg3ubkzBET7etpT-meWcmDNmGP750ClUinPfYNmd0JeP6Xii2qV6roBmRB0QOclxjzlqOx9pgQX4u8g5UKVNgRRui8Xv7ZtvnenHqEIWtxAb0MrVZCmNCu/s320/MARIANO.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285373411827402482" /></a><br /><br />Ok so we air on May 7th and May 8th. We got to go back to play again because we won but the team we played was really good and we had weird questions.... we were doing great until the last question...then we lost. But that is ok! We won't the $20k so we were happy! It was even better since the kids all got to watch us win! Awesome!<br />John O'Hurley was quite the gentleman and we had a great time laughing with him.<br /><br />Here's some fun pics<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNki2b7d6xsw12AEyyOYJGnGZoro5ThaR5UuZc4i2H7NUcu-4wR8DHnZotJCTpa3SnvpCuRk2xrDhoDqLL_WuGGpdbJMwHBXMhil4OqXUTI0h1APKatvdvL__xXBWTrZdL5xpC1DQSbEtm/s1600-h/MARIANO2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNki2b7d6xsw12AEyyOYJGnGZoro5ThaR5UuZc4i2H7NUcu-4wR8DHnZotJCTpa3SnvpCuRk2xrDhoDqLL_WuGGpdbJMwHBXMhil4OqXUTI0h1APKatvdvL__xXBWTrZdL5xpC1DQSbEtm/s320/MARIANO2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285374326339496642" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfs_cFZ91G5-sz7Hdp4_KgzN7tyc1Oxl-3D1amkXx7ZWryKAEQ0gzhzGvKFNbDtTk-YUyzvGL4ALuzWckWKBBweFbX7OMYou_p_O1riVZuFBfXtKicAOt2Wseg-B4gHVoSs0Leq8UKHGM/s1600-h/MARIANO3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfs_cFZ91G5-sz7Hdp4_KgzN7tyc1Oxl-3D1amkXx7ZWryKAEQ0gzhzGvKFNbDtTk-YUyzvGL4ALuzWckWKBBweFbX7OMYou_p_O1riVZuFBfXtKicAOt2Wseg-B4gHVoSs0Leq8UKHGM/s320/MARIANO3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285375235259089154" /></a><br /><br />Hailey was excited to see a dressing trailer from Hannah Montana's show. I'll post that picture later too. I drove the kids down Hollywood drive so they could see the Walk of Fame. Hollywood isn't as glamorous as they thought...Jeremiah said it was boring! Hailey wanted to know where the famous people live and Will and Bella could care less! We also saw Nickelodeon Studios on Sunset. She was stoked!<br /><br />After the taping my family and I went to this great place on <a href="http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/">Hollywood and Highland </a>and it was fabulous! If you ever go down there you have to check out UWink. The guy who created Chuck E Cheese and Atari created this concept restaurant. Click <a href="http://www.uwink.com/restaurants">HERE</a> it's a fun restaurant that has you order your food on a monitor...it's a touch screen and you are able to see what your food will look like, all the ingredients, the nutrition info, you can request refills without trying to flag down your waitress, and you can play games with everyone at your table. They had the Steelers football game projected HUGE on the wall along with a bunch of other games. It is an awesome place!<br /><br />Ok...so all in all... that is our update. We had a great Christmas...I was blessed enough to get a laptop (much to my surprise and I almost made Steve take it back but I didn't and I'm typing on it now!). I love it! It will come in handy for my school. It's almost funny that I have to fight the kids for computer time....but not anymore! <br /><br />So, that's it. Our month in review. I'll put some pictures up as soon as I get them off my camera...<br /><br />So Cheers to you. May you have a wonderful New Year's and May you be blessed as we go into this new year. I promise to keep up on my blogging ... especially now that that I don't have to fight the kids. =)<br /><br />xoxoxmomto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-15801697637607049892008-11-21T14:54:00.003-08:002008-11-21T15:06:19.515-08:00Family Feud HERE WE COME!!!Whooo Hoooo!!!! Can you hear me cheering?! If you could only see my smile! =) Family Fued finally called and we are going to be taping a show in 2 weeks! We are stoked!!!!! My sister tells me I have to get a hair cut...not negotiable! =) That's ok...because I know I need one. You know as a mom...we tend to put ourselves last on the day to day stuff. I haven't had a real haircut in nearly 2 years. My sister has trimmed it but a real hair salon...yea...I almost forgot what ones looks like. It's hard to find someone that knows how to do my hair...it's thin and very fine and just kinda unmanagable. I've found a couple of ladies...but they're not local. I didn't have anyone in Arizona...nor do I have one now... so... anyone in my area want to share their hair girl with me!?!?! =)<br /><br />Ok...enough of my ranting. Family Feud! I'll keep you posted on our outcome! Keep your fingures crossed...and toes...eyes...and whatever else you can cross! =)momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-3400010699983593212008-11-19T18:24:00.006-08:002008-11-19T20:04:19.893-08:00The competition!Hailey and a classmate competed in the Oral Language Festival this past week. They memorized a piece and said it for the judges. There were a few other "duo's" but out of all of the 4th grade....Hailey won FIRST PLACE!!!!! Whooo Hoooo Hailey!!!!<br /><br /> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYJ2ju-MKJapbqBVJUApmMUkRSJH6aWav2g_t9LPftfWYJQGrWk_RzhVWMPtRAhvULJK8QDDaSv4XVWGJoSVjdBRJ2Ol3wX6cU-6DYzren_yIABTR-gKkO53R-opaCxVMRnvweK36Gx2u/s1600-h/013.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270561389834400418 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYJ2ju-MKJapbqBVJUApmMUkRSJH6aWav2g_t9LPftfWYJQGrWk_RzhVWMPtRAhvULJK8QDDaSv4XVWGJoSVjdBRJ2Ol3wX6cU-6DYzren_yIABTR-gKkO53R-opaCxVMRnvweK36Gx2u/s320/013.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />They will now go on to compete in the district competition. It's a 4th and 5th grade competition. The students had the choice of doing it alone or duo or with a larger group. She chose to do the serious duo. She had wanted to do the humorous duo but there were already 2 groups that were already doing that ...so serious it was. There should be about 15 duo's... so it should be fun. If she goes on from there it will be to county. She is pretty excited and we are extremely proud! They won a medal and she wore it all weekend long and took it to church! =)<br /><br />Keep her in your prayers for this Friday morning. She will be riding the bus to another school for the competition. We'll be there cheering her on...quietly of course. =) The video clip isn't all that great...sorry. Eventually,we'll get a new camera but until then....here ya go!<br /><br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-732533de5b852005 height=266 width=320 contentId="732533de5b852005"></OBJECT>momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-23575934930021469952008-11-08T10:31:00.017-08:002008-11-08T11:21:21.767-08:00Why?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMtEKLNNNan25wBGbG9eZ6gI2h6zQgU09o_u4atptYLJBD_pO_KMA5drLclUL9iwVE-usa5ZQLlBi3qMdW8TUqeUCI4nJgqAXRSwEAIbePZouyzJsVGFPu9xoYdjttbZ9xtpVEIeMuKx8/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266368564387393314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMtEKLNNNan25wBGbG9eZ6gI2h6zQgU09o_u4atptYLJBD_pO_KMA5drLclUL9iwVE-usa5ZQLlBi3qMdW8TUqeUCI4nJgqAXRSwEAIbePZouyzJsVGFPu9xoYdjttbZ9xtpVEIeMuKx8/s320/022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Why does it take me nearly a week to post on my blog? Um...I was lazy this week. Steve was gone for over 2 weeks and I had a lot to do. I just didn't want to do it all! I was supposed to go to the dentist. Yeah, um.... I am terrified of the dentist. I need to go. If I told you how many year it has been since I last went to the dentist...well...I wouldn't. Let's just say...it's been a very LONG time!<br /><br />So let's play catch up....<br /><br />We went to the Outback before Steve left because we had a gift card and he was craving steak. Jeremiah decided that he wanted ribs. He hasn't had ribs before. He gets his plate and he looks at me and said... "How am I supposed to eat these?" He picked up his fork...lol We were trying not to laugh. Steve told him to pick them up and eat them. He didn't want to at first but after some nudging he did. He took a few bites and said..."What is this? Chicken?"... Oh my gosh! We couldn't hold back our laughter on that one! We said now...that it was pork. To that he said..."what is pork" lol! Pig. Yeah, um...we got a pretty funny look and then he just kept eating. That is, until his hands got pretty dirty. He then asked for a napkin. At the Outback....they use cloth napkins. So, Steve hands him the napkin. He looked at Steve and said..."I can't use that, I'll get it dirty". Sweet boy! Steve had to convince him that the cloth napkin WAS the napkin and it was OK to use it and get it dirty.... they just wash them. He looked at me for permission! It was cute! So, when I told him that he could use the napkin, and it was ok to get it dirty, he giggled while he wiped his hands! He LOVED the ribs and said he will definitely eat them again!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tHjvTiGpjcW12ix76YrOWDo50oNOZ7ej16MPQuJtknz-M4ixARmNzp9XTi-W21JAe8su3zO6wFuPBVSr6kZ3_nGg_N6aue68Q3XtHREYo3MYlwQoUUsIMVXgC0Ql31TZUAtHLvSuBako/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266360623733138770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tHjvTiGpjcW12ix76YrOWDo50oNOZ7ej16MPQuJtknz-M4ixARmNzp9XTi-W21JAe8su3zO6wFuPBVSr6kZ3_nGg_N6aue68Q3XtHREYo3MYlwQoUUsIMVXgC0Ql31TZUAtHLvSuBako/s320/002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I couldn't leave out Hailey....so here is a picture of her eating her kid sized steak. She laughed because it was so tiny....then very un-lady like....picked it up with her hands! Yeah...we're working on table manners and etiquette!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-_q2Nbp3ZmX4lQFYdwij4sQc9es-xWnQWTSzUEjuFW5qhIQHvSk_-i-5Qh8RxiDGiPNyKKkUspGxPwJOa5EPgJVvtxDldzEnLk8U0Byr_5-SPdozXWBt5WrdNIulpMAhVw9QEID7S6xj/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266361176831754066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-_q2Nbp3ZmX4lQFYdwij4sQc9es-xWnQWTSzUEjuFW5qhIQHvSk_-i-5Qh8RxiDGiPNyKKkUspGxPwJOa5EPgJVvtxDldzEnLk8U0Byr_5-SPdozXWBt5WrdNIulpMAhVw9QEID7S6xj/s320/003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Steve and I went to my parents cabin for our anniversary... Lake Arrowhead is beautiful in the fall so here is a picture of the lake side. Lovely!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBG3d_tqMbGUqd8MzSA6VfVKmjV2gpMcDizKtbLg9Watvvvlp-L5R82Skpa7Uu9OIcU3x64IShgaeUfKsCubrCeh2Rp3ebLfwOawvGzY_zycdubUU6AatJutR2QZ64x072v1NyTs9nupU/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266365708272294658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBG3d_tqMbGUqd8MzSA6VfVKmjV2gpMcDizKtbLg9Watvvvlp-L5R82Skpa7Uu9OIcU3x64IShgaeUfKsCubrCeh2Rp3ebLfwOawvGzY_zycdubUU6AatJutR2QZ64x072v1NyTs9nupU/s320/008.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQHDNWkhsuW2pML5X9n23tCMIM6aULyD0LpEIFivs8qDhI-e9zzG4mzi0Dklt0Wisg2EYPTp8IkA4ihdsVLgZlyEsG_yyt0BPXnKsfUvAZWymL_3vWsvZz5MyKpjcASMv7kOIeIQcQBTK/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366025808592066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQHDNWkhsuW2pML5X9n23tCMIM6aULyD0LpEIFivs8qDhI-e9zzG4mzi0Dklt0Wisg2EYPTp8IkA4ihdsVLgZlyEsG_yyt0BPXnKsfUvAZWymL_3vWsvZz5MyKpjcASMv7kOIeIQcQBTK/s320/005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So, Halloween. We don't really do Halloween. I just don't like what the day represents and the fact that 364 days a year we teach our children not to talk to strangers and not to take candy from strangers YET 1 day a year we allow our children to knock on doors and ask for candy... besides the whole spiritual battle we have this battle... it is my preference not to do trick or treating. We went to the kids' preschool for their "Harvest Fest" and they had food and bouncers, games and candy. The kids dressed up and had lots of fun and it was easy for me since Steve was still gone. So... with that said... Here are their adorable faces! =)<br />Bella was a princess in the dress my niece wore at my brothers wedding....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bV7pstPdFQHlWWjpNqF8Ru7NG7ihxCHD9uJk4zUjVeCK-W7c-DYryRblLK-ExhSl7GgGdJ8H0CLGd9pXv0yZiQV3D87MFzuQPX-bGjRjveP1XeppoccPcgviEelzP1DYMmU8OZcH3wZ/s1600-h/018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266363497702124690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bV7pstPdFQHlWWjpNqF8Ru7NG7ihxCHD9uJk4zUjVeCK-W7c-DYryRblLK-ExhSl7GgGdJ8H0CLGd9pXv0yZiQV3D87MFzuQPX-bGjRjveP1XeppoccPcgviEelzP1DYMmU8OZcH3wZ/s320/018.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNipj3X8nt5fIDwiQQY66rEgGva5MGB3qn1cnlRkWFtyxg6SNdULLFSx0TCPDP0IdN9OBBjmOkazf8398Moch8S492S5E2DceKbKd4T_BMp3b_49tef1SlVBJIzetMNep30-jXyoGObGM/s1600-h/029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266364018396670722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNipj3X8nt5fIDwiQQY66rEgGva5MGB3qn1cnlRkWFtyxg6SNdULLFSx0TCPDP0IdN9OBBjmOkazf8398Moch8S492S5E2DceKbKd4T_BMp3b_49tef1SlVBJIzetMNep30-jXyoGObGM/s320/029.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jeremiah was conflicted... he didn't really want to dress up (even though he dresses up daily! Will and Jeremiah have costumes galore...Spidey, Power Rangers, Batman etc)<br />I tried to get him to dress up in my Starbucks garb! =) That lasted about 2 minutes...enough for the picture....he went....as him self! =)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl9d_hO3dKOP8516_ti233z2anT8ybynpN6j1HbI1J8OzmVvF3PM0De3oO8szFQDeq3V07A6861jV9CgHVuCi_lBtd3u2V9ONwn4hLHXNS2iOOqreKpKrhGgaXHPqOLhnAdWDSNjO-RE4/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266364420714553442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl9d_hO3dKOP8516_ti233z2anT8ybynpN6j1HbI1J8OzmVvF3PM0De3oO8szFQDeq3V07A6861jV9CgHVuCi_lBtd3u2V9ONwn4hLHXNS2iOOqreKpKrhGgaXHPqOLhnAdWDSNjO-RE4/s320/010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Hailey was tough. She isn't really a little girl anymore. I tried to get her to wear the dress she wore at Jake's wedding so that her and Bella could match but that was a bust. I let her try on one of my dresses that we tied up in the back. She tried on my shoes... so I guess she went as Me! =) She wore a sweater over the whole dress....so this picture is just at home...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYPzLMyBELRp62tAusWWSja6ULDnT6lwsggg-0agPI0nYbOHem-Y1WT2JCKPSx-E8c0DHJTWoDDK_T-lRcZkidse-gZcNUL-P2GbZca6uJODRKHitKK4-gfSfEOKoJYGUX8YjGI_KzdUi/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266364901811206850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYPzLMyBELRp62tAusWWSja6ULDnT6lwsggg-0agPI0nYbOHem-Y1WT2JCKPSx-E8c0DHJTWoDDK_T-lRcZkidse-gZcNUL-P2GbZca6uJODRKHitKK4-gfSfEOKoJYGUX8YjGI_KzdUi/s320/015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />William was Batman. He dresses up daily so this is one is his favorite...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iI_brzmVtV99iVslZQ_kCBMZHe4EZi3AgmAyoTF6rsOktXYjqO8dfJ7Zs8JM-BI109UmZs5OsxpMtmav2Cqs2fbztGOZSBOjJcUgbQlqiy8dY_yaiQ1l7MNrm2cUMJLkG9SvyX0kvYJI/s1600-h/023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266365304314526770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iI_brzmVtV99iVslZQ_kCBMZHe4EZi3AgmAyoTF6rsOktXYjqO8dfJ7Zs8JM-BI109UmZs5OsxpMtmav2Cqs2fbztGOZSBOjJcUgbQlqiy8dY_yaiQ1l7MNrm2cUMJLkG9SvyX0kvYJI/s320/023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They got their faces painted, went on slides and played some games. It drizzled and was kinda cold...but it turned out to be pretty nice!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz60UDnzrQrg6SxgmVaiv1o7HjqEHhFkeLvUvaLkGlJOeZIWXbOlHAYRoQT3OkreHnrkIXF3Ymx4NxBqHtVPHuU_fxRiDoLhGRQ6zjkJY3ZjwNGWySAGIMGJ0W-Y3EfFyxXDV7NO7kWWZu/s1600-h/035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366771761593314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz60UDnzrQrg6SxgmVaiv1o7HjqEHhFkeLvUvaLkGlJOeZIWXbOlHAYRoQT3OkreHnrkIXF3Ymx4NxBqHtVPHuU_fxRiDoLhGRQ6zjkJY3ZjwNGWySAGIMGJ0W-Y3EfFyxXDV7NO7kWWZu/s320/035.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtNbDRX6KzVMEDo8dbTEoJ_v7uwmq4pSIvztDzVDbda7pQEGLXhiK5IlEKvVgHBZD_X3zeFqGKgehlvKf28FAr6E6ZA9bUvoT3yJlQc36qusftxi_86mySsQCUV-6sP0T0uQCc6UOjhBD/s1600-h/039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367162927023314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtNbDRX6KzVMEDo8dbTEoJ_v7uwmq4pSIvztDzVDbda7pQEGLXhiK5IlEKvVgHBZD_X3zeFqGKgehlvKf28FAr6E6ZA9bUvoT3yJlQc36qusftxi_86mySsQCUV-6sP0T0uQCc6UOjhBD/s320/039.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUR7VOnl6YLuImgCIpw72J3FwBetGIxoRK5KKyySuBLDLsVonGaMO_VtO9KKtlAqVIeIIAW4AbsCCyyuhDl4HtbwA3aeX4aR15QpX9EhoSpb-CrnvIExtsJiEDPZgRb6pfxPb8RE5bMB85/s1600-h/038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367529555206994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUR7VOnl6YLuImgCIpw72J3FwBetGIxoRK5KKyySuBLDLsVonGaMO_VtO9KKtlAqVIeIIAW4AbsCCyyuhDl4HtbwA3aeX4aR15QpX9EhoSpb-CrnvIExtsJiEDPZgRb6pfxPb8RE5bMB85/s320/038.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAVEcIMwLXHdzS-NzbE-GFMoxa0dv004FqTB1OzQjBsEzcrKIDpEl-qPtNuueRXR48cRlg9NsfIwm9mNQNfrG0G7CooNyoMpGIO1JXRxub-NAlYm1tRl2c7KFUyS1YESczhAh_0eUpAB_/s1600-h/053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266368071989589954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAVEcIMwLXHdzS-NzbE-GFMoxa0dv004FqTB1OzQjBsEzcrKIDpEl-qPtNuueRXR48cRlg9NsfIwm9mNQNfrG0G7CooNyoMpGIO1JXRxub-NAlYm1tRl2c7KFUyS1YESczhAh_0eUpAB_/s320/053.JPG" border="0" /></a>momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-47219681326757477172008-10-31T12:05:00.003-07:002008-10-31T12:13:29.668-07:00Eggnog?!?! WHAT??So, I was just at the grocery store... picking up a few things...and I saw it. It's October 31st...I know it's the last day of the month but c'mon....already? As I walked down the isles I noticed...Halloween stuff marked down...barely any thanksgiving stuff....and WHAT IS THAT??? Christmas? Seriously! I heard the Christmas music playing throughout the store...aren't we rushing this a bit? <br /><br />I noticed all the baking stuff being displayed in the middle of the isle.... and then I saw it.... EGGNOG. Yup...Eggnog. And not just one kind....3 different varieties.... Regular, Light (c'mon...if you're going to have eggnog...make it the real stuff!!!!), Cinnamon, and Caramel Apple. Interesting.... <br /><br />I also noticed some mulling spice. Yea... I don't think everyone knows what that is but can I just tell you...it's yummy!!! My parents took the kids up to Oak Glen last weekend while Steve and I were enjoying our peace and quiet... and they brought us back some fabulous Apple Cider from the apple farm. I can't wait to warm it up and add the mulling spice... =)<br /><br />Oh and .... I bought some eggnog too! =) I like to add it to my favorite Chai and it is such a heavenly drink! I'm glad it only comes around for a short while because if I had access to it all the time...I might be a little rounder than I already am! =) As soon as we get the eggnog at work...we're screwed! It is quite possibly the most popular drink of holiday's! You should try an Eggnog Chai. I'm going to go make one right now...you'll just have to wait until Starbucks gets the eggnog in...or... I can tell you how I make mine at home! =) <br /><br />Don't all rush out and buy eggnog now....it'll be around for at least 2 more months.... =) Lucky me!momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5791148319881208421.post-1336005615572816562008-10-28T18:36:00.002-07:002008-10-28T18:39:03.400-07:00My brother had a picture published!Ok, sorry.... I'm just SUPER PROUD of my brother. I know I brag about his pictures and stuff but seriously..... he just took some pictures for a law firm (their lawyers, offices etc...marketing stuff) and they used on of his pictures in a magazine! Check out my brothers page to see it.... click <a href="http://whitecloudpro.blogspot.com/">HERE</a> <br /><br />Yeah Jake!!!!momto4http://www.blogger.com/profile/09551931187859799719noreply@blogger.com0