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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Call Me "Betty Crocker" or "June Cleaver"...whatever!

Yesterday my Ego was WAY HIGH!! I felt like a domestic goddess....LOL You know I'm laughing my behind off right now as I'm typing this! Everyone knows I love to cook and I used to say, "Yeah I can bake". Well that was until I met this group of women who LOVE to bake and do it every chance they have...yes that's a little intimidating to say the least. So I usually don't even mention "Gina" and "baking" in the same sentence, well not until yesterday!

I DID IT! I actually made sugar cookies from SCRATCH, I mean flour and all. I used a recipe from crisco butter flavored shortening and they came out FLUFFY (cakelike, my favorite) and they WEREN'T BURNT!!! Oh my Gosh!!!! ANNNNNDDDDDD I made a pumpkin roll from a recipe on the LIbby's Pumpkin Can...adventurous but good. Still have to try that one again to perfect it, but it was still yummy! So I of course had to go drop some off to a couple friends, came back home and had dinner with Chris(pork roulade...really good!), dessert with the kids and then I PASSED OUT!!!

My day was full! I had two friends "drop by" for a few minutes, I spent my morning finger painting with Adrianna, she "washed" dishes for me while I picked up the breakfast stuff and the living room, she made her bed and I made mine, and then while looking through her room for a photo from a year ago (which I couldn't find anywhere!) we ended up tearing her room apart, getting rid of some toys and organizing her closet. After dessert, I gave the kids baths and that was IT...I WAS SPENT!!!

"DOMESTIC"....that is when I feel my best! When I'm doing what I want to do, being with my kids and taking care of my home...that's my BEST reward!

My friend told me to put pics of my cookies on the blog but I CANNOT upload them for some reason...this dinosaur computer is just maxed out now (it is from 2000 after all) I think and just can't take anything else on it so I can't do that now! :o(

Ahead of the game!

Wow so I'm finally not just caught up but am a little ahead of the game...FINALLY!!!! Small household details are caught up, sheets are all washed, every stitch of laundry complete, household chores pretty much done, and now I can take a breath! :o)

I have some wedding save the dates to work on for a customer, a birth announcement to complete for baby Kathryn, a few small magnet orders, some stuff for WhichWich?, and I'm meeting with the owner of a local children's store who his interested in selling my bow holders!!! YAY!

They are so cute and I NEVER thought I would get an opportunity like this, so wish me luck! ;o)
Oh and if you know someone getting married....here's a sample of a save the date magnet that I'm currently working on...
Okay, enough self promoting! I was sitting outside this morning reading Psalms 135-150 for my LTG group and have SO many questions!!! Simple ones to most people who have scripture knowledge, but for me...I KNOW NOTHING!!!! :o) My biggest question was who was King David? Why did he write half of the Psalms? Why did he have recluse in a cave? I started googling and am overwhelmed by the info out there. I did get a good start and if any of you have some good direction or bio info that is "childlike" and easy, let me know. I swear I'm learning more from Adrianna's Bible than anywhere else! HA-HA!

My day is starting off great today. I'm so glad to have a group of women who are encouraging and seeking to grow closer to God, because I'll tell you from my own personal experience, when you read the Bible to yourself or a Children's Bible to your little ones, it does something...it in a way feeds your soul, nourishes your spirit...and it's one heck of a feeling, that's for sure!

And for me, it empowers me! It makes me feel stronger, more motivated and that in turn makes me be able to multi-task better than before, focus much better, and at the end of the day, I feel fulfilled!

Our Honeymoon

So last night, Chris and I were talking about how on our 2nd night of our honeymoon which would be tonight... we went to the casino and I wanted to play the $20 slot machine (he thought I was crazy but said I can do it once) and I WON $2,500!!!!!! Wow, did that turn our plans for our 10 days in Aruba COMPLETELY around!!!! We ate like a king, did all the activities you could imagine and truly had no worries while we were there! It was GREAT!

As I look back on the last 8-9 years I can really see how God had been working in my life. Here I was thinking , "Wow, I'm SO lucky!" I can't believe I found this guy and things moved SO fast, most of my family and friends said "Too Fast" but I just knew it was right. One can't explain the heart and the things it causes you to do, only YOU know it's right! We quickly found an apartment which should have been harder than it was so we moved in together immediately. We then had a car situation that amazingly worked out for us. Job opportunities happened easier than they should have. Our wedding reception was paid for by a couple who were bosses of mine back in Massachusetts but were really like my parents to me. We were lucky to be able to go on a honeymoon never mind actually "DO" stuff while there! We started a family, were brought here to Texas (also something I just knew in my heart we were supposed to do) and the list goes on and on....

This whole time, we weren't "church goers" but always have believed and had faith (Chris always had more faith than I did, but my lack in that was result from a crazy childhood). But now, being in our 30's and 40's (okay, he's only 40 and wouldn't like me referring to the 40's since it just started,LOL), we have BOTH matured and are able to see life from a different, more secure place and MAN! IT IS GOOD!

I never knew it could get any better than it was 7 years ago when we sat on the beach drinking our margaritas talking about how wonderful life was! All the conversations about what our future was going to look like. How we wondered what our kids were going to look like and whose personality they would have. Would we have one of each or two girls? Would we live in the city or the country? What would our first house look like? Would I get a white picket fence? Would I be able to stay home with kids and bake cookies, be head of the PTA and have a group of friends with kids? Would the fire still be just as hot as it was on that particular day for us? Would we still be just as in love as we were in the beginning?

Wow, we've grown so much and the best part? We've grown together as ONE.

Our Wedding Song

We had so many songs we wanted, and decided on this one. We used the original by The Four Tops, not Whitney.

"I Believe in You and Me" by The Four Tops

I believe in you and me
I believe that we will be
In love eternally
As far as I can see
You will always be the one
For me
Oh, yes, you will

I believe in dreams again
I believe that love will never end
And like the river finds the sea
I was lost
Now I'm free
I believe in you and me

I will never leave your side
I will never hurt your pride
When all the chips are down
I will always be around
Just to be right where you are
My love
Oh, I love you, girl

I will never leave you out
I will always let you in
To places no one's ever been
Deep inside
Can't you see
I believe in you and me

Maybe I'm a fool
To feel the way I do
But I would play the fool forever
Just to be with you forever

I believe in miracles
Love's a miracle
And, baby, you're a dream come true
I was lost
Now I'm free, girl
I believe in you and me

I was lost
Now I'm free, girl
I believe in you and me

October 8, 2007

I know you'll be reading this love,
so HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!

I was honored to become Chris's wife 7 years ago today. I remember pacing and pacing, worried, running over checklist after checklist, making phone call after phone call, those few days before the BIG DAY! I like to be in complete charge and have always had a hard time physically when I'm not. I get headaches, stomach aches, panic attacks, and everything else you can imagine. But I was AMAZED that morning that I wasn't as nervous as I thought. I already had the manicure,pedicure, massage, went through the horrific experience of waxing for vacation, got the deep conditioning treatment for my hair, facial and woke up feeling refreshed and OH SO READY! All that anticipation and FINALLY, IT WAS THE DAY!!!!

Like most brides, it was a moment I will treasure forever! I WAS FINALLY A "REAL" PRINCESS, like I always dreamed! I can go on and on with all the details, but want to keep this short and sweet! I am married to a super sensitive, giving, loving, compassionate, supportive, understanding, patient and kind man. He truly is my best friend. He completes me, he complements me in all the ways I need him to so I don't seem as disfunctional as I feel at times. He listens, truly listens, to me when I talk to him about my problems, my dreams, my fears, pretty much anything! Well, does he have a choice? Poor guy!

I don't want to embarrass him, which I'm sure I am, but whatever...it's my blog! :o)
Here are just a few of the things I love about my sweet husband Chris....

He's a dreamer, and loves to share them with me, both the big ones and the small ones.
He always opens the door for me, even with two kids!
He knows when I need to take the lead and he lets me.
He never yells at me, curses or disrespects me.
He's not afraid to show affection in public.
He is the "Truth Teller" in my life, ALL THE TIME, like it or not!
He's great with people, he's usually the favorite boss, and is a success in everything he does!
He is a thinker and a great problem solver.
His kisses are gentle, his hugs are tight, and his whispers make me feel like a teenager in love.

I get butterflies when I see him in a group of people and he flashes me a smile. My legs get weak when he tells me how amazing I am. My heart melts when the kids jump out of my lap as soon as the front door opens and they see daddy. I never thought in a million years I would have a "Chris" in my life to love me, support me, honor me, and continue to do so just as he did 7 years ago.

I love you hun . . .


I always wished and hoped for a strong man who will love me no matter what I say or I do.
I always dreamed of someone who would stand by me, even if he may not agree 100%, but because it's important to me and that's enough for him.
I always dreamed of a man who never got tired of hugging me and wasn't embarrassed to show it in public.
I always dreamed of a man who didn't put sports, work, or friends BEFORE me!
I always dreamed of a man who was completely fulfilled and content with having just ME!

Chris, YOU ARE my dream come true...... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

TOMORROW IS OUR ANNIVERSARY!!!!

I am so sorry to have fallen off the blog radar, but I'm just trying to recover from my first week back to reality! :o) Tomorrow Chris and I celebrate 7 AMAZING years as husband and wife. I was going through my box and came across this card that was sent to me a couple weeks after we got engaged....



Chris and I started dating in 3/99, moved in together immediately and got engaged in 7/99. We were married the following October which gave me a little over a year to put together the most AMAZING day of my life! I will blog more about that tomorrow . . .

Two days and still no laundry! HA!

Well, I've had a load in the wash and one in the dryer for two days now and it's just at the bottom of my P-List! :o) If you know me, then you know I am VERY good about keeping up the laundry---never letting it pile up, well not the Post Vacation Me!!! What did I do today instead of my usual housework and catching up on laundry???? SHOP!!!!!




It was the first time in a LONG time that I went out and just bought a ton of clothes at once. I wish it was for me, but it was for my little princess! WHAT A STEAL!!! I went out for the day with my bud and it was alot of fun shopping for our girls together. We spent, I don't know probably an hour (at least?) in the girl's section and about 10 minutes if that in the boys. They just aren't as fun to buy for. Anyway, my deal for the day..... The Children's Place! My bill totalled $77 but after my 20% printed coupon from slickdeals.net and my 10% for opening an account (which I charged to and immediately paid that with my debit card right there in the same transaction) it came to $51!!!!! I am so proud of myself. It cost me $1 out of pocket since Nana gave a $50 check to use!

I'm sure plenty of you girls have already done this, but for me it's almost a euphoric high! "Getting a Deal" ahhhhhhhhh!!!! :o) Erika told me to post pics of Adrianna modeling the clothes but she said "No mommy, I'm not a model, I want to be a mommy and drink coffee!" That's my girl!

So now my feet ache, the coffee is brewing and we will be going over Erika's for pizza tonight! Mmmmm, what Italian doesn't LOVE pizza?!?!?! LOL

HEROES!!!!!

I am SO excited that one of my favorites is back on! I am even more excited that I remembered to DVR it before we went on vacation since it came back on last week!!!! What is tonight going to bring????? HMMMMMMM......

Today turned out GREAT! Everything worked out with the car, Chris and I had some homemade chili (I actually did a good job doing it by myself!), we went to the gym, had a Starbucks on the way home and now we are putting kids to sleep and getting ready to be able to watch Heroes (after it's over, thank goodness for DVR)! He also told me some great stuff schedule wise which frees me up to be able to make TShirts and Bows with the Girls Wednesday night for Friday night's football game! YAY!

It's so encouraging how at 1:00 in the afternoon it could seem like nothing is getting done, everything seems hectic and overwhelming but then it can all change 100% by 8:00pm. I know Chris's encouragement/support is the BEST medicine for me. Everything always seems like it's okay and will work out when he's around! :o)

Welcome Home!

Welcome home to US!

Came home to . . .

Chris having 2 flat tires
My car failing inspection and now I just have to pay $325 to fix it
Broken oven
Laundry like mad
A $300 electric bill
3 ft. tall weeds in the backyard
A 4 day toothache
A to-do list like you can't imagine
oh and did I say a BROKEN OVEN??? LOL

It's almost comical. Thank goodness I really RESTED on vacation so I'm actually for ONCE not FREAKING out, having chest pain or feeling like I'm going to cry.

Life is still great and I just have to roll with the punches.... (and at least I have a bottle of wine I can open and enjoy as soon as Chris gets home! Ha!)

TONS OF PICS TO FOLLOW IN MY UPCOMING POSTS....