2007, A Year in Review

2007

What a WONDERFUL YEAR!

Here's our year in review. . .

Christopher went for his first haircut 1/07
Christopher started walking in 2/07
Adrianna turned 4 in February!

Christopher had his first "Easter Morning"!
Morning of Christopher's FIRST BIRTHDAY!Adrianna had her FIRST Dance Recital (sick and all, she still wanted to go!) 5/07


We went to Daddy's WhichWich? Sunset Valley Opening all Decked Out! 6/07
Adrianna had her first "Slumber Party" with her cousin Bella 6/07Adrianna went to Vacation Bible School for the first time! 7/07

We visited out local Fire & Police Stations, met both the Fire Chief & Police Chief! Summer 07

We went on our FIRST FAMILY VACATION out of the state to Disney World!!!! 9/07
Christopher went Trick or Treating with his Adrianna,Kylie and Kat!
Thanksgiving Dinner

Christmas

My Sister and her little dog Scooter moved to Texas with US!!!!!!! YAYYYYYYY

And last but not least. . . the new additions to our lives in 2007
Ryan Matthew 3/2007

Kathryn Finley 8/2007
Avery Elizabeth 9/2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Results of My Friends

Okay my friend/family results are...

Chris: ISFJ The Defender
Beni (my sis): INTJ The Strategist
Cat: ENTJ The Chief
Erika: ESFJ The Supporter/Protector
Kyle: INTJ The Strategist
Cindy: ESFJ The Supporter/Protector
Brandon: ISTJ The Examiner
Sabrina: ESTP The Pursuader
Jon: ESFP The Entertainer
Sonya: ENFJ The Mentor
Ruth: ENFP The Advocate
Jay: ENFJ The Mentor

Come on guys...let me add some more names!

Wow, as I keep adding I realize how lucky I am to have such diversity among my friends!!! :)

My Personality Results

I was talking this morning to Ruth about the personality test I blogged about and realized I only looked at the chart and was too "busy" to look more into it, says something about my "personality" already, LOL!

Anyway, here are the facts about Gina! :)

ENTJ - The "Chief"

ENTJs are strategic, organized and possess natural leadership qualities. They are master coordinators that can effectively give direction to groups. They are able to understand complicated organizational situations and quick to develop intelligent solutions. ENTJs are outspoken and will not hesitate to speak of their plans for improvement. They are decisive and value knowledge, efficiency and competence.

"ENTJs contribute a wealth of energy directed toward the goals and those of the organization. Their sense of identity is closely tied to how they carry out their responsibilities. They are curious about new ideas and theories, evaluating them in terms of their goals. They are very efficient, competitive, strategic, and task focused."

"leader, ambitious, hard working, dominant, prepared, hates to be bored, confident, opinionated, analytical..."

Real ENTJ People

Al Gore - former American Vice President Benny Goodman - Jazz musician Bill Gates - Microsoft Founder Candace Bergen - actress (Murphy Brown) Dave Letterman - TV show host, comedian Edward Teller - theoretical physicist Franklin D. Roosevelt - American President Harrison Ford - actor (Indiana Jones)

Jim Carrey - actor, comedian Margaret Thatcher - British Prime Minister Newt Gingrich - Speaker of the House Patrick Stewart - actor (Star Trek's "Cpt. Picard") Richard Nixon - American President Sigourney Weaver - actress Steve Martin - actor, comedian Whoopi Goldberg - actress, comedian

ENTJ Career Matches

ENTJs are often happy with the following jobs which tend to match well with the Chief/Intellectual personality.

Business Administrator Computer Consultant Corporate Executive Officer Entrepreneur

Judge Lawyer/Attorney Manager Mortgage Banker

Politician Scientist Systems Analyst Teacher/Professor

(WHERE'S SAHM ON THERE? MAYBE THAT'S EQUIVALENT TO "ENTREPENEUR"! HA!)

Details . . . . . . . . . .

Preferences

Extraverted

iNtuition

Thinking

Judging

Temperament
NT (Intellectual)

ENTJ Population
Total: 3%
Male: 4.5%
Female: 1.5%

Primary Function

Extraverted Thinking

Secondary Function

Introverted Intuition

Tertiary Function

Extraverted Sensing

Least Function

Introverted Feeling

Well there I am on PAPER! I know some people HATE to be "labeled" by their personality type, since it's ever so revolving as we age and mature. But it is very helpful to get a better understanding of where people are coming from. You are able to see things a little more clearly more than going based on YOUR feelings or perceptions of what the other person is like or the reasons you think they do something or react in a certain way.

I took a disc personality test and initially loved it! Loved the results until I questioned them based on other peoples thoughts or ideas. But here as I do another one of these tests and get pretty much the same results just explained a little differently, WOW it's so motivating for me! I do love to lead, I do feel fulfilled when I'm doing what I love and believe in. And I love that my friends and family are motivated by me and don't think I'm just a neurotic person who can't ever relax! I am who I am, but am always open to enhancing some of my weaker parts of me! And being a mom, and growing daily in my relationship with God, those two things alone are building that part of me that takes a little bit of a back seat to "getting the job done" but as they develop within me, WATCH OUT!

As my 30-something birthday approaches in a week I am realizing more and more how fulfilling my life is and how much I've grown since being "open" and "less selfish" , more opportunities have risen, more "good" people have been brought into my life, and I've experienced more "success" than I ever have. It's amazing what maturity can do for a person, not just age or emotionally but spiritually too!

I'd love to hear some of my friends' results so send them along to me!
xo

Our Family Video 2007

Oh yes, my husband is the MOST thoughtful, AMAZING guy ever!!! He surprised us all on Christmas Eve with this little video collage of family photos. (There are definitely some I would have left out, but HE loved them so I can't really say anything THIS TIME) I'll be sure to delete photos I DON'T like before leaving them on the computer, LOL!

Well, enjoy...

(Oh yeah and it has music so if you need to, mute first)

MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE EVER!


Just a quick drop in to wish you ALL a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! The virus has left our Home, we had a wonderful dinner with our family last night....Baked Cod Fish, Fried Fish, Fried Shrimp, Shrimp Cocktail, Octopus Marinara, Baked Ziti, Broccoli with Apple Cider Vinegar and Olive Oil, Antipasto Platter and yummy baked goods! We opened all our gifts with all the Aunts,Uncles, and cousins! Everyone left about 11 and then Chris and I were up putting presents out and stayed up till 3am putting together Christophers Radio Flyer Big Wheel and talking about how lucky we are to have such an amazing circle of family and friends. Chris led his first AMAZING prayer before dinner and made a Family Video Montage that made us cry!

Now the Ham with Mom's Special Glaze is about to come out of the oven, Butternut Squash Casserole is almost done and all the other sides are about to be complete and leftover ziti reheated. I've probably gained about 10 pounds this holiday season, but I DON'T EVEN CARE! LOL That's what the New Year is for, right? :o)

OKAY, now back to work!
Merry Christmas!
xo

You've Gotta be KIDDING ME!!!

THE STOMACH VIRUS HAS HIT US ALL!!! Not even a joke! Chris was sick all last week and it's just tapering off, my sister was up all night puking and today I feel HORRIBLE! We had to reschedule dinner for next weekend, I spent the morning dragging my feet through HEB getting odds and ends for Christmas Eve and the Ham and sides/desserts for Christmas Day. Not fun. Thank goodness my mother in law is here helping out and will totally do most of the cooking along with Chris since he's getting back to normal. It just bums me out! BUT the most important thing is that we are all together and I finally get to spend a Christmas with my sister!!!! :)

Presents will get wrapped (somehow) desserts will be prepared (doing fudge and canolis, super easy) and everyone else will help with all the other details. I'm going to enjoy lounging in my pjs, napping when I can, filling up on hot peppermint tea and chicken soup and feeling comfort in remembering what Christmas is REALLY about. We've been watching all the traditional Christmas movies, rented The Santa Clause 3, lit the fire place and I haven't worried once about how the kids are dressed, how my house looks or how it's all going to fall into place . . . I just know it will! :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF MY FAMILY AND DEAR FRIENDS!
LOVE YOU!
XOXO

WOW, ENTJ!

Kyle did this on his blog and I caught the bug. I impatiently went through the 76 questions, and here is what I got.... couldn't believe I was SO close to his! DON'T DARE CONSIDER ME A NERD! (sorry Kyle)

Joe Dimaggio's Italian Chophouse

Okay so we are being taken out for dinner by Chris's bosses tomorrow night to Joe Dimaggios Italian Chophouse.....I CAN'T WAIT!!! It's located in The Domain, very fancy and elegant and I am just WAY TOO EXCITED! Here is a pic I found on Austin's CitySearch website along with the description.... In Short
Originating in hilly San Francisco, this second location in the Domain offers up a high-end taste of the 1930s supper club experience. A sophisticated color palette of dark-hued tones decorates the plush leather booths, club-chaired tables and elegant bar, creating a luxurious, almost nostalgic, atmosphere with dramatic lighting and aging period photos. Chef Brian Moran concocts classic dishes (lamb chops, chicken Parmesan) as well as some with unexpected touches like salami and egg pizza.

I'm just dying for a steak, some martinis, wine and Irish Coffee! (just for you Sabrina, LOL) I've got my little black dress, new HOT black pumps and a cute little black clutch along with my French Tips courtesy of my little sis, hair colored and cut and I'm ready to hit the town!!!!! :) We have had quite a crazy month and now I GET TO RELAX, well for a night at least. Sunday will be full of baking, sauce making, seafood preparing and grocery shopping. Yes, I am going to be one of those looneys out shopping at the grocery store the day before Christmas Eve! HA!

At least my Christmas Shopping is done, my spirits are as high as ever and I couldn't be more grateful than I am today.

Chris's Blog

I have my husband's blog as a link on my sidebar but he doesn't write very often so people don't bother checking as much so I just wanted to share some of his wonderfully put words with all of you right before the holiday is kicked off!

Chris's Blog


His words are always moving and motivating to me, Thank God I married him! :o) Anyway tonight is Delivery Night and I am still all emotional from last night's pickups so I will probably share the experience of them both tomorrow sometime.

Have a Great Day!

Another One Bites the Dust!

Okay so now it's Wednesday morning, 5:00 am . . . where on earth are the days going????!!! Yesterday was spent unloading the Uhaul, unpacking LOTS of clothes and shoes (man the girl has some shoes!!), making phone calls for dr. appts, finalizing details regarding Orange Santa Gift Pickups and Deliveries and having some yummy dinner that my sister cooked for us. Not to mention topping it off with some home made cookies that Erika baked for us.

So today is Orange Santa Pickup day and I'm looking forward SO much to it! This entire week is exhausting, but so EXCITING at the same time. I am so happy to be part of something so wonderful! Tomorrow will be the really exciting day, DELIVERY DAY! From what the police officer and fireman who led it all up for the past couple years told me, there is just nothing better than the joy we will see in the little kids' faces as Santa pulls up in the FireTruck with all the bells and whistles with their Giant Bag full of gifts for the family! I get the chills just thinking of it. I almost don't want the day to come because it'll all be over! :(

But come Friday, time for a mani and pedi so I can be ready for a fancy dinner with Chris's bosses! They were talking about some place like The Four Seasons, WOW! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to dine and it's been SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long so I just cannot wait! Wow!

A 14 Hour Day?!

My 14 hour day has come to a close! I woke up and ran out the door this morning at 8:30 to arrive at Council Chambers for the BIG Wrapping Day for Orange Santa!! I was completely amazed at the amount of toys and the great quality of toys that were donated by our local citizens. We had so many wonderful women, men and children there today wrapping, wrapping, wrapping away! We had Christmas music humming in the background, baked goodies from volunteers, hot coffee and Lots of Fun! There is just something about being in an environment like today that just feeds so much of my soul! Everyone was smiling, humming, laughing and besides the music, you could hear the scissors cutting, paper crinkling and tape being pulled and torn.

We had to leave around 3:00 to go shopping for gifts that were on wish lists that we didn't have any donated items for. NOW THAT WAS FUN! Erika, Cindy, Catherine and I were running through Walmart like little elves filling four shopping carts with everything from makeup and Longhorns Tees to CD players, Scooters and Bikes! We had about 70 families we served and approximately 200 children. Each child was given about 5 gifts, the older ones 3-4 gifts. I've NEVER seen so many presents in one place. We turned the Council Chambers into a little workshop and by the time we all walked out of there tonight and shut the lights off it looked just like it did when we arrived and seemed like it was all a dream!

I've wanted my whole life to be part of doing things like this and finally at 31 years old I really am! It should be harder to do it, especially having two small children and a hectic schedule but it just isn't. When you are doing such great things for other people, everyone wants to jump in to help in whatever way they can. Adrianna even came and wrapped a couple gifts all by herself today and that made my day even more terrific! What on earth did I do to be so lucky to be living a life as fulfilling as this? Don't get me wrong, I have financial struggles, worry about everything "women" love to worry and obsess about, and other things going on , BUT none of that even matters when you're filling it with all the "good stuff" and don't waste your time on the petty things or the things you just can't change.

Going through the applications for Orange Santa and reading the reasons why people are applying, getting a glimpse into their hardships, reading little kids' letters to Santa, ABSOLUTELY BREAKS MY HEART! I will tell you, this is one of the best things to do during Christmas time. It helps you get out of the "BUY BUY BUY" mindset and more into the meaning of the holiday. For any of you that have always wanted to be part of something like this, PLEASE get involved in your local community "Santa" programs next year. You will be totally amazed at the joy it will bring into your life! It's always so easy to say that you think it's such a wonderful thing to do and you would love to do it, but the reality is that in order for these things to be successful, YOU need to be there volunteering in some way or another. Every person counts. We had two little girls around 8 and 10 with their mom today for HOURS, just shopping along, sorting, and wrapping...those sweet little girls, so giving so young...I hope and pray that Adrianna has that same heart and I will do everything to encourage her and guide her in the right direction and definitely lead her by example.

That is why I am so thankful to Resonate for being the avenue to get me to this place and provide me with the tools to do what I've always wanted to do, the things we ALL deep down desire at some level.

I'm sitting here with sore feet and a sore back wondering how everyone else is feeling as they lay down and end their day. Do they feel as wonderful inside as I do? Are they just so ridiculously happy and amazed at what went on today? Women, Men of all ages, children, pregnant moms, moms with babies that didn't sleep through the night, dads at home going nuts all day without mom there to take over, all the givers, all the supporters, facilitators, You are ALL amazing! There is NO place I would have rather been today! Now, we have photos with Santa at McDonalds tomorrow, gift pickup on Wednesday and Delivery Day on Thursday! The next few days will be crazy, but I THRIVE on crazy!

Chris got home after driving 25 hours, and sleeping only an hour and a half! I met him and my sister at home for some spaghetti and meatballs that my mother in law made for us for a very quick dinner, put the kids down set showers and towels up for Beni and Chris and went back to
wrap things up with the other volunteers so I can't wait to wake up with my family which now includes my sister every morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, life is great!

The Ball is Rolling...

To save me from making a bunch of calls today, I figured I'd write a quick post letting friends and family know Chris arrived safely in Orlando last night and is at the Uhaul place putting my sister's car on the trailer right now. They will spend the day loading up and are planning on leaving tomorrow morning around 4am.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! I can't believe it's really happening!!! I can't wait to welcome Beni "home"!


And just to show you how great the friends I have are, last night 5 of us girls hung out at my house sorting and organizing applications for Orange Santa over coffee and cookies, and well my friend Cindy brought over a "Welcome to Texas!" gift bag for my sister!!!! This is a person that I've been friends with for only about a year, and am totally grateful for her being brought into my life. How many people go out of their way to shop for a gift, make a card and package it beautifully for someone they don't even know?!?!? She is really good at doing those thoughtful little things that let you know she cares! (I could see her owning a Hallmark Store, LOL) And WOW, how blessed is my sister Beni coming into a great group of women and families who are excited and can't wait to meet her!

My heart is full . . . .

Going Out With a BANG!

Alot of things are starting to fall into place for me and my family these past few weeks. I've received an amazing outpoor of generosity from all the friends brought into my life by God, my church has helped with the difference in what I need to help my sister get here safely before Christmas, our leadership team has been "relaunched" , "refocused", and "remotivated", my family life is great, things with Chris's job are getting better and better and I honestly couldn't ask for a better way to end one year and begin a new one.

I've been under alot of stress this past month with the worry and concern over my sister and some family issues which has thrown me so off track and has made me lose a little bit of focus. I've made some decisions that probably weren't the best, but the best for me at the time I made them. I don't have any regrets since my motivation has never been ill-willed or malicious. Sometimes change is hard and can hurt, but needs to happen to get to the "good stuff". I've experienced this many times before and thankfully I can look back and see the results of my actions when those decisions were made with good intentions and with a good heart and the results when they were made coming from a not so good place. I feel some freedom today for the first time in a long time and most of that is due to the pressing on my heart all day and night yesterday from God. I am finally starting to be able to "listen" and "feel" Him working through me. There is nothing better or more empowering that THAT. What I've worked through these past few days I just know is the right thing for me and my family BECAUSE I listened to Him. Kyle mentioned these verses a while back and they have stuck with me so I wanted to share them with you. Being known as "smart" or "knowledgeable" isn't exactly what I want people to think of ME as, but striving towards being "wise", wow, now that's a goal worth working towards. :)

Proverbs 2:1-9
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.

Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.


Kyle's blogposts during August2007 before baby Kat's birth were focused on Leadership and I suggest you read those posts, they were inspiring to not just me, but even friends of mine out of the state both "churched" and "unchurched". These were some of my favorites of his.

In our group settings I don't ever speak up to pray in front of other people, I'm just not comfortable doing that yet but I would like to pray today because I'm just SO full of joy and thankfullness!


Thank you Lord! Thank you for giving me Kyle and Erika, thank you for all the friends that I've found through them and for the impact each and every one of them has made in my life. Thank you for continuing to show me that YOU love me and will take care and provide for me and the ones I love. Thank you for giving me the gifts of life through my children, thank you for showing me forgiveness and how to forgive, thank you for giving me the personality I have, the strength that empowers me when I'm walking in your Spirit. Thank you for an amazing life partner and best friend, my one true soul mate that I can call "husband". Please keep Chris healthy and strong, help him in the places that ONLY You and He knows needs healing. Help me remain a strong, loving wife and mother as well as friend and confidant to those who need me. Provide me with wisdom to know the decisions I make are in the best interest of the greater good. Help me spread Your Good News, use me in the ways only you can to help others out there who are lost or just need help getting back on the right path.

Today is a new day and my eyes and heart are once again open, Lord help to keep them that way. And it's in Your name I pray, Amen

Our First Christmas Party!

This weekend was full of birthday parties ( a close friend and Chris's brother Jay), fattening food, a block party, and an awesome Resonate Community Christmas Party! We had alot of fun yesterday. I totally have to share it....

We started by dropping the kids off at Kyle and Erika's for childcare with two of the sweetest teenagers you could ask for. Those two girls watched 5 kids under the age of 5! Oh and just wait till the end of the details for the GRAND FINALE! LOL

We headed on over to Chili's with our friends at a huge table laughing, eating, story telling and all WITHOUT KIDS!!!! Usually everything we do that is church oriented has the kids right there with us, distracting us mostly, bless their little hearts, BUT we can't have REAL conversation and last night it was SO wonderful to actually talk about US and not being centered around kids, which most of us parents well, just can't help of course! So, dinner was awesome and we then went over to Brandon and Cindy's while another one of our couple friends joined us over there for some WONDERFUL DESSERT and a gift card exchange. It was so much fun, I can't wait to spend my Amazon GC! Cindy baked the most DELICIOUS Boston Creme Pie, little did she know it's one of my FAVORITES!! She also made a yummy spice cake and TRUFFLES! Can you believe it, TRUFFLES!!!! I was in heaven, and the girl never even talks about her baking, she has some hidden talents there that she's been keeping secret!!! (You have to watch out for the quiet ones, LOL) I was too full to devour them and couldn't stop drinking the home made eggnog our friends Jon and Sabrina brought over, so luckily we will have them at our team meeting tomorrow so I can continue to pack on the pounds. :)

Last night was a wonderful relaxing way to end one week and prepare us for the crazy two weeks to come. Orange Santa will be very time consuming this week, but will be the best payoff when we are giving out gifts next week, My sister will be giving me a pedicure and fake nails this time next week (she doesn't know that yet) and I will be getting ready to do the shopping for all the fish we will eat on Christmas Eve!

Oh before I get off track, the most AMAZING part of last night?????? ALL 5 KIDS WERE ASLEEP ON SLEEPING BAGS WHEN WE GOT THERE AT 9:30!!!!! I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK!!! It was hilarious and we know who needs to be watching our little ones a little more often!

Check out my other two Blogs...

www.orangesanta.blogspot.com

www.personalkeepsakesonline.blogspot.com

Crowes Nest Farm Trip...

AND SOME PICS....

I'm Amazed....And Thankful of Course!!!

I am completely amazed by the people that are in my life! Whether they are close family members, members of our "church", or loosely connected friends that we are just starting to get to know. People have been reaching out and "giving" to help us get my sister here and I can't say anything except that I'm totally amazed! I've never been around people besides my immediate family that just want to extend a helping hand without hesitation.

So I just want to say "THANK YOU" to all of you for your help and support. I truly get what it means to live in a community of giving people, people who put others first, people who really love people. These people definitely represent what it means to be a follower of Christ, living and loving just the way he did, and one of the funny things is, they don't all call themselves "Christians".

I am praying today, thanking God for blessing me the way he has and for the strength to continue on these next couple weeks until we actually get my sister here.

It can be tough...

This time of year is the most AMAZING time for me. It is when I feel at my best, most energetic and excited as I can possibly get! But this year is a little different for me at the moment. My little sister lives in another state and is going through a VERY tough time. She has ALWAYS done everything on her own, treats everyone with love and is probably one of the kindest people I know. She has always been known as the quiet and sensitive one where I was "labeled" the loud and obnoxious child. :o)

It so hard to understand sometimes why things go so badly for some people, especially the ones who wouldn't hurt a fly, have the best intentions all the time and are always giving to those around them. But I guess the best way to think about it is that God has a plan for everyone and all the trials that we go through in life are to bring us to a bigger and better place, that does offer me comfort when I am filled with anxiety.

I, along with my church and friends are raising money to get her here by the 17th which is when all her utilities will be shut off. The week of the 17th is when we are doing a fundraiser for the Hutto Orange Santa which raises money for children in our community who would not be receiving gifts this year, wrapping all the gifts and having an event that all those families come to pick up the gifts. The timing almost couldn't be better. Once we have enough money raised to get her here, we will dive into Orange Santa week. At least it will keep her mind busy and she will be with family before Christmas, which is REALLY what Christmas is about. Being together and celebrating with family and friends.

I am reaching out to all of my friends and readers asking for ANYTHING that could help in her getting here. She lives in Orlando so even if you can't help financially, maybe if you know of a church there or anyone else that wants to help make a difference in someone's life during this time of year, please email me auditore@suddenlink.net.

Your prayers are so much appreciated by all of us....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

WOWWEEEEE ALFREDO!

I had a rough couple of days and was getting ready to make Baja Fish Tacos for dinner tonight when my friend Sabrina called asking if she could bring some dinner by on her way to the mall! I stopped what I was doing IMMEDIATELY when I heard her say Chicken Alfredo!!! She had NO idea that I was having a rough two days but just wanted to bring it "just because" . . . man am I lucky!!!!

OH AND THE ALFREDO.........THE BEST I'VE EVER HAD! And that's alot coming from an Italian! :o) She even brought it by on a gorgeous platter, garnished with fresh rosemary....man! The presentation alone was to die for, never mind the aroma of fresh shredded cheese, bacon and roasted chicken...OH MY GOODNESS! I grabbed a fork and dug in immediately without even getting a plate waiting for Chris to walk in the door!!! I feel 10 pounds heavier already. LOL

This woman has the heart of an angel! She is wonderful and so very giving to the people in her life. The lady bakes her own bread, cooks gourmet meals, and can bake like Betty Crocker! It's no wonder the American men have a thing for the Irish women, their accent alone is enough to swipe up a guy in a second. We went to her daughter's 2nd Birthday party on Saturday and I got to meet her cousin from Ireland and his accent is just as "lovely". I loved to listen to their lingo, especially the way they use the words lovely and grande...it's so great!

I just KNOW we are going to be friends for a long time. We come from the same type of culture and that's very hard to find, especially since Chris and I moved here to Texas. Sure you can find people with the same values as you which we are so fortunate to have found, but to find people who curse like it's nothing, realize the importance of having your house in order and lip gloss put on 15 minutes before your husband is about to walk in the door, submitting to him and respecting him first and foremost, understanding the importance of traditions that have been carried on for generations and having the desire to make sure your children are cultured in Arts, Music, Film, even if you have a BOY! :o) AND DON'T JUDGE YOU, well that's pretty awesome to say the least! Don't get me wrong, I've met quite a few people who do all of those things I just mentioned and they are all dear friends of ours.

I just wanted to brag on my friend Sabrina for a bit, because I'm on a cholesterol, fat high right now and AM LOVING IT!

THANKS SO MUCH GIRL!!!!!
YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

I was just ASKING for TROUBLE!

Okay so my week has started off with LOTS of drama, but that's okay, at least I can blog a bit! LOL (The kids are napping so I have a sec.) Anyway, I had a crappy start later this morning but it is all working out and I just ended up playing with the kids and setting up the train set around the tree all day instead of leaving on errands. ( I said I wouldn't do this till xmas eve because those of you who know my son, well let's just say he LOVES to get into EVERYTHING and keep busy busy busy just like his mamma!)

See for yourself....

GOTTA LOVE THOSE TODDLERS....

front door

FAMILY TREE


OH YEAH, AND LIKE MOTHER LIKE DAUGHTER...
(Adrianna's bedroom!HA!)
YES, SHE DECORATED HER PINK TREE HERSELF!(MUCH BETTER JOB THIS YEAR THAN LAST,lol)

It's Official!

The Christmas season has truly "OFFICIALLY" kicked off! Chris and I spent the past two days at Garden Ridge, Michael's AND Hobby Lobby. Yep, you read correctly my husband went WITH me to my "candy stores"! :o) It's the only time of year he initiates going to them, LOL He is probably MORE excited than I am to do the exterior lights. We dream of the house on the block 10 years from now that people drive from neighboring neighborhoods to come see. We add a little more every year and learn from mistakes from the previous year so we figure in about 10 years we will hopefully have perfected it.

We are TOTALLY that cheesy house with WAY too many lights, inflatables, plastic lawn figures, candy canes, and so much more . . . heck, the more the merry for us!!! Most adults would rather a simple, classy look but I swear we are just like big kids when it comes to decorating and the KIDS go crazy over the decorations. I remember last year my niece told me how cool our house looked. Nothing like the approval of a 4 year old! :o) Now Adrianna can't stop talking about it this year. It's so very exciting!!!!

Oh and what kicked off our season? WE PUT OUR TREE UP!!!!!! YAY!!! My mantle is decorated, stockings are hung and the tree is glowing... What a way to start my week!

Smells Like Christmas!

Friday night my friend Sabrina surprised me with a few candles from her trip to Yankee Candle to get my Christmas Scents going.... I HIGHLY suggest this one, reminds me of trips to Christmas Tree Farms.....oooohhhhhh!

Friday...the End of the Week or just the Beginning????

Yes, today is Friday . . . supposedly the end of the week but for those of us who work 7 days a week, it really isn't. It's actually the beginning of the fun weekend! :o) I was up at 5:30 with Adrianna, don't ask me why she wanted to get up with me today?!?!?!?!?! We baked a "Sock it to me" cake for our 10:00 playdate, picked up her Aunt and cousin then enjoyed some shopping afterwards. Now, kids are napping, I'm drinking coffee and getting ready to make some dinner for a friend whose been under the weather this week. Guys are having a poker night with some new friends, I'm heading over Sabrina's to just have some one on one coffee time and that is just the beginning of a jam packed weekend!!! Sometimes it seems like alot, but come Sunday night it is always fun to sit down with a glass of wine, or coffee and talk about the fun weekend we had!

This is one of the things I'm so grateful for being able to stay home. I used to work part time nights and weekends so it never seemed like I had a life! Well watch what you pray for because now, I KNOW I have a life, LOL! It is full and fun, hectic but fulfilling....I could not ask for more.

Have a great weekend!!!!

Memoires of Adrianna :o)

So I HAVE to be the proud mamma and brag a little here! My princess is just walking around 24/7 WRITING by herself! :o) She has been writing for some time, but now she is starting to walk around the house with her notebook copying things she sees! SO SO SO CUTE!!!!


THIS SHE SAW ON A PAPER ON THE FRIDGE . . .
THIS SHE SAW ON A GREETING CARD...
THIS SHE CAME UP WITH ON HER OWN!
(said it spelled Louis?? Someone on television, beats me!)

THIS IS HOW SHE PHONETICALLY SPELLS HUTTO TEXAS! LOL
(HTO TOES) I don't know.... :o) I went ahead and showed her the right way but was proud of her trying on her own!


And the list or shall I say pages go on and on. She has been sitting copying the newspaper for the past 45 minutes while I clipped coupons! I found some "Bob Books" from a seller on Craig's list that I'm hoping to pick up tomorrow and got them for a steal!!! Usually each set runs about $15 or so and is great to get your preschooler reading short sentences. She SO wants to learn so I figured, why not? It can't hurt.

OUCH!!!!

OUCH!!!!

Okay so TODAY was NOT the day for me to pull my back out!!!!! We spent the day yesterday pulling TONS OF CHRISTMAS decorations down from the attic and I was the one crunched up passing sterilites to Chris to bring down the ladder. Sure my back was sore last night when we were over his brothers watching the Giants/Cowboys game and it was still sore this morning when I woke up at 5:00! I ran out the door with the kids by 8:00 to get some printing items, decorations for Gift Donation Receptacles and the decor for the 15 $ donation jars to be delivered TODAY for the ORANGE SANTA KICKOFF that our church is sponsoring for the city! (Many more details to come, I'm SO excited about this!)

Welllllllll while pulling Christopher out of the car at Dollar General, I just about dropped him and instantly started to cry. And out of no where here pulls up Ruth on her way to the hair salon and she pulled in to see if I needed help! She was at the right place at the right time for me, that's for sure! I got everyone into the car and drove a couple blocks to Erika and Kyles going about 5 miles an hour not able to barely turn the wheel and Erika unloaded me and the kids onto her couch until Ruth left the salon to get us. This was just way too ridiculous and inconvenient for ME!! I had a TON to do!!!! Thankfully Erika put together all the jars, took over making dinner for a friend that is sick and I planned to double up on my dinner tonight for AND Ruth came over, picked us up and brought us home, putting Christopher down for a nap for me.

I got in touch with Chris who at the moment was running some errands and on his way back to the office to spend the next 5 hours doing Monday paperwork, but instead turned around and headed home for me with those AMAZING back patches, a bottle of advil and a gallon of milk for the kids! He made Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers and kept telling me he doesn't know how I do it by myself. (that put the biggest smile on my face, that's for sure!)

So, in spite of the agony I've been feeling, it was great to see everyone pull together to help me today! I can finally sit up for a short time and even walk around before having to slide back on the couch. "Gina" not able to run around like a nut getting things done . . . you KNOW that stresses me out beyond measure! LOL

Riverbend Church

Okay so I know I've written alot this week, but that's only because my mother in law has been here so this may be the last blog for a few days! :o) Christopher has been up once again since 5:30 (4days in a row now so I'm thinking this might be his new rising time,LOL) so by 7:00 I was wide awake when Chris woke up. We watched a service on TV from Riverbend Church and I was SO LOVING IT!!!!

It was about "contentment". Being content in a Type A World! You know a type A person, the perfectionist, the leader, the competitor, and so on. That type of personality sets the bar for the rest of us and isn't a bad thing at all. The pastor went on giving all these crazy examples of if we lived in a world where everything was only 99.5% perfect what the results would be and he gave examples such as, every day 12 babies would be given to the wrong parents, 5 million or so cases of soda would be made without carbonation, 2 million books would be shipped with wrong covers and so on. I think you get the point.

So while that's all good, you NEED to be content with where you are. It seems like we are always trying to be older (when we are young of course and vise versa), trying to be richer, trying to have more assets and so on. So why can't we just be content with where we are? Well there are three major things that prevent us from doing so..

The enemy of Contentment:
*impatience
*immaturity
*complicating your life

He said something else that will just stick with me probably forever!
"Don't dig up your own seeds", basically just have patience, live in the MOMENT and just know it will all work out! He gave an example of being a young boy on his parents' farm and every spring when he'd see the fresh soil tilled and seeded he didn't question if the crop would grow, but waited for it to sprout up! Patience.

This spoke to me so much this morning so I just wanted to share it with all of you.

cute!

This was from Adrianna's 4th Birthday last February and we were just watching it AGAIN, so I wanted to share...

1 Samuel 24:12

Okay, so all of my friends and family KNOW that I am NOT knowledgeable at ALL on the Bible, religion, prayer, etc. BUT I do want to know more. I want to learn about the stories, find the meaning and be uplifted just as I would from any other book I would choose to read. One of my main reasons for reading the Bible is so I can teach my children. I think it's wonderful to grow up with that sense of security like Chris did.

Anyway, I've been part of 3 different Bible Studies, the first was definitely my FAVORITE! We covered the book of Mark and I'm thinking about going back into the New Testament very soon. My friend Erika and I have been meeting biweekly for what is called an LTG (life transformation group) if you want the "title" , I call it . . . ME TIME, time to enjoy some healthy reading and sharing the weeks insights and or struggles. We've read Ruth, Esther, Some Psalms (138-150), just finished 1Samuel and are in the midst of 2Samuel now.(I'm only up to Chapter 9 Erika!). Well, my sister in law Ruth has asked to join our Bi-Weekly Team as well as my friend Catherine too which I think is pretty cool! What mom doesn't want a night every other week to just sit and have coffee and REAL conversation, uninterrupted by our little ones?! I've never experienced anything like this and am in NO WAY what friends back home would call a "Bible Thumper". I don't mean to offend ANYONE by that phrase, I just want to ensure my family and friends that what I'm doing is enriching my life beyond measure not joining some sort of crazy group or anything.

My friends now are REAL, with real problems, real struggles, real joy and real support. They are just like any other friends I would have, just with strong community focus and what I call real "humanitarians". It's amazing that I found them! I am not going to be one to quote scripture or anything like that because that's not where I'm at right now in my life. I'm more aware of people and their feelings, I want to do more than just focus on my life and my family, I want to reach out even more than I have in the past to others and help, and THAT I just can't help to not see is from my growing relationship with God! We are made to have these beautiful hearts and a conscience, now what we do with those or let be done with them is all up to us...

So today while I was reading for my LTG I couldn't' help but to go back to 1Samuel to something I highlighted (yes, I write and highlight in my Bible that doesn't' even look like a Bible, it's called The Book and it's WAY easier than the King James version for sure!) And I sat and thought about it for a minute and wanted to share...
"Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you." 1Samuel 24:12
"You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil." 1Samuel 24:18

I've lived most of my life thinking "well screw you, you hurt me and so I'll do the same back to you!" But I am realizing more and more and find comfort when reading something like this and trusting it that dwelling on the negative or trying to punish someone else will NEVER do you any good and really won't even make an impact on them either. "Kill them with Kindness" my mom always said and it's soooooo true!!!

Ireland

Last night I was thinking about some great places to visit if the opportunity ever came and I couldn't help but to think of Ireland. I have a friend who is actually FROM Ireland and you just have to hear her accent, it's "lovely" as she would say. :o) I don't know what it is about accents, but I just LOVE them! Especially Italian ones, LOL
(above is a picture of Northern Ireland. I googled images just to see the lush beauty and WOW, the little red flowers are called Fuchsia and are my FAVORITE! Also very popular flower/bush in Italy (my mother-in-law's fave flower)

I lived in Massachusetts from the age of 14 to 21 and loved it there! Of course it was full of the Irish and there was an older Irish woman who was like a mom to me. Her name was Grace and I loved everything about her! She had a heart of gold, a mouth of a truck driver, and a smile that would stop traffic. She had the most amazing blue eyes that were so warm that you couldn't help but to love her. AND she was a touchy feely type person which is what I grew up around, always hugging and kissing people so I felt at home with her from day 1. It's so funny how in this country you can see so much the diversity of people and culture . . . some curse, others are appalled by it;some meet you and hug you immediately,others are SUPER uncomfortable with touch and their personal space; some would NEVER speak a word of disrespect towards their elders, where some could care less about the elderly in general; Values vary from one house to the next . . . Now don't get me wrong, diversity can be good. It's just when you move out of a community, culture, environment where what "YOU" do and say and behave is the "norm" , it's hard to feel like you belong anymore.

So what do you do then? I ask myself this all the time. We now live in Texas where well, people aren't like what we're used to. We've met some pretty incredible friends, no doubt, but they are all very different. Some people may take offense to the way I speak, the way I behave, or the things I do. But I am fortunate to have been given some amazing friends that share the same values in their heart even though some behavior or culture may be different. I had a long conversation with a close friend about the difference in life here in Texas , life in Florida, life in the Northeast and yes, the New England area will ALWAYS be my favorite , but living here in Texas is where I've GROWN the most. I've experienced some amazing relationships, some good some bad, but I wouldn't change either! Being OUT OF your COMFORT zone is how you GROW! And MAN it's not easy....it's stressful at times, but wow how fulfilling it can be.

Okay so I got off track about my vacation dreams. I was talking to my friend Sabrina (Irish Gal) and she told me stories about her favorite places to visit and her number one?? ITALY! It's so easy to travel to Italy when you live in Ireland and wow, now I have a place to stay when we are privileged enough to go over seas for a vacation one day and I will actually be able to go to the two places I've always wanted to visit!! AND NOW I'LL HAVE FRIENDS THERE TOO... (Sabrina, we need to go together FOR SURE!) :o)

Well, enough of my daydreaming . . . I'm off to get ready to start my day!
Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!!

54 Days till Christmas!

That's IT!!! Halloween is over (well almost) and it's officially time for the countdown!!!! 54 Days until Christmas!!! Now is when I start playing the Christmas Music, watching Christmas Vacation along with all my favorites from Charlie Brown to Frosty to A Christmas Story...it's SUCH an exciting time for me and for our family! We will officially start bringing Christmas stuff down from the attic next weekend to start testing lights and gather a list of "Christmas Stock".

I've compiled a slideshow of pictures from our fall fun days so far. Everything that the Fall should be . . . playdates at parks with friends & family, Pumpkin Patch trips, Fall Festivals, Halloween, cookies,sweets and lots of FOOD! I just can't wait to wake up and get the ball rolling and to share it all with you!!!!!

Enjoy the show...

The Pumpkin Patch

We went to a little local Pumpkin Patch today! It took forever, but Adrianna finally decided on "Her Pumpkin". We have the seeds in the oven know, YUMMY!

Day 1

I DID IT!!!!! I ACTUALLY RAN TODAY!!!!!

Okay, so my Super Duper Running Friend, Amanda, a.k.a THE TRAINER, took me on my FIRST run!!! I have been playing with the idea of that quick rush, easy to execute workout and I've FOUND IT! I have a membership to the gym, my one of MANY over the years and it's just so hard for me to go. It was much easier to go when I had a friend to go with and my kids would stay in the childcare. But now Christopher just won't stay and the drive 12 min there and 12 min back just to be called in to pick him up after 10 minutes was just SO discouraging for me!

And NOT that running seems easy, BECAUSE IT DOES NOT, but it's something I can do on the spur of the moment, kids are quiet and I can just take off for 30 minutes instead of over an hour like I used to with the drive to the gym.

So say a prayer for me that I can keep this up. It's quite intimidating running with a friend that has legs of steel and her running partner has legs that never seem to end they are so long. I know I am the "beginner" and may be a pain to bring along but I just am so thankful to have women that want to help me feel better about me!!! :o)

Man, that rush I felt on the way home WAS AMAZING!!!!! WOW I can't wait to chase after that again tomorrow!!!!!

YAY FALL!!!!!!

Cool, crisp weather, crunchy leaves, halloween cupcakes and a park date with friends...
That's what I'm talkin' about!

Trick or Treat

Adrianna and Christopher are going to be dressed as Mickey and Minnie this year! I just finished making their Trick or Treat Bags and the total cost for each bag was $5!!! Aren't they cute?!?!?! :o)

You know you're a MOMMY when...

Well you know you're a mommy when you get thrown up on by your child and don't even flinch, in fact you encourage it to go on your lap or in your hands instead of on the couch or the carpet! :o)

You also know you're a mommy when you take a whiff of what smells like sour milk and pick your baby up to see that it's just diarrhea that leaked through his clothes and all over yours (that you just changed when the other child vomited on you!) AND it doesn't even phase you.

I've had the joy of having puke on almost EVERY part of my body, including my hair (gotta love that one!), I've been peed on, pooped on and it doesn't phase me. I NEVER thought I could experience that and not be TOTALLY grossed out!!! But when your sick baby looks up at you with those glassy, sick eyes you can't help but have your heart break and think about NOTHING else but making them feel comfortable.

So it's official, all 3 of my babies are sick (I included my husband in that one since we ALL know how men get when they're sick!). I'm holding on strong, hoping that I don't get it because then we're in trouble! :o) I'm about to make some soup and settle down to finish watching "Homeward Bound" with Adrianna.

We have to miss out on dessert with friends tonight, Pumpkin Patch trip tomorrow with all of our friends, Bible Study and a Pumpkin Hunt on Friday . . . that is the part the stinks the most, missing out on the FUN stuff! But it's okay, we will do the Pumpkin Patch with Daddy this weekend instead and enjoy laying around in pj's, watching movies and eating soup while the air is nice and crisp outside.

My Hair!

So just like any other female I know . . . I get SO frustrated with my hair!!!! I had no problem in the 90's, I had curly BIG hair...it was great! But now in the straight haired, skinny body decade I am LOST! ESPECIALLY here in Texas with all the fair skinned, blonde beauties! And of course one of them have to be my sister in law! LOL

Anyway, I was supposed to get my hair cut by my Trendy, Perfectly put together (almost ALWAYS!), beautiful friend Amanda, BUT we ended up staying up WAY too late playing taboo with our husbands and dancing to 80's music in my SUPER SMALL living room like a couple of 16yr olds....it was fun to say the least. Well anyway, today she was going to come do it but Christopher has a stomach virus so no company today. So I got to thinking, what do I do with my hair and then out of the blue I get a phone call telling me how AWESOME my hair looked the other day. A very random compliment but so needed at that moment. I wore it curly and it's the second time I've done that in the past couple weeks and got another compliment, sooooo I guess I'm going back to curly for the fall. My hair does well during this time of year with the whole frizz thing so I guess I'll try it out again for a while.

It's so funny how much we women rely on each other. We like to have each other's approval, we like to copy each other, borrow things from each other, get advice, opinions and so on. . . we really need each other for SO MUCH! I would be lost without the amazing women in my life, by my side helping me and supporting me and allowing me to do the same for them too.

This is such a random post but I thought maybe if anyone knew of any good hair product that could be recommended, that would be AWESOME!

Horses

As far back as I can remember, I've always LOVED horses. I never grew up around them or anything like that but always dreamed of owning one, brushing one, riding one. As a very little girl, maybe 5 or so I used to fantasize about unicorns and was convinced they existed and if I stared up into the clouds long enough then I would see one. I even collected them a little and was obsessed with My Little Pony too! Loved to watch Mr. Ed, got a kick out of Westerns just to spend time next to my dad and of course just STARE at the horses. They have the most majestical eyes!

It's funny, while asking all of those "I want to know everything about you" questions at the beginning of my relationship with Chris, he told me his favorite animal was a horse...I about died! I just couldn't believe it! He was a city boy and didn't grow up riding them or anything like that either, but he admired them just like me! There is just something about their shiny coat, their physical strength, their speed, flowing manes and gentle eyes... I JUST LOVE THEM!!!

Anyway, I am so happy that Adrianna isn't afraid of them. She gets SO excited whenever we are driving around town and she gets to see them. She already is experiencing something I didn't growing up and it excites me SO much! She says she wants a white one, just like a princess....I love her so much! We went to Olde Tyme Days on Saturday and that's all she wanted to do, ride the horse (pony) and get cotton candy. . .
Oh and yes, that is a butterfly TATTOO on her right arm! Chris doesn't like her to have them, but the Girl Scouts troop suckered us in! :o) Oh and I CANNOT WAIT to get her involved in the Scouts in February!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!