Huggies and Kisses - A Bit of Insanity

At the diaper shower we had a few weeks ago, my brilliant friend Amy gave me the gift of "Huggies" and "Kisses." Great play on words, my friend. After the shower, I carefully put the Huggies away, awaiting their lucky day to get soiled. I also put the Kisses away, to be eaten after the baby is born (in the meantime, I'm supposed to avoid sugar, I know, BOOOOOO!). Well, this morning, I buckled under the pressure. I totally caved. I've been feeling so cranky, and uncomfortable. I'm just getting over a nasty cold. The baby is obviously still in the tum, the Huggies are sadly still in pristine condish, so I had no choice but to raid the Kisses. Don't judge me. . . don't you dare judge me.
Ohhh, sweet revenge. Although I'm not sure what I'm proving to whom, I am sure that it tastes fabulous.

p.s. THANK YOU AMY!!!!

Giving Thanks - #8 - Our Thanksgiving Tree

If you look in our living room you'll see our first ever, Thanksgiving Tree. I wanted us each to have a chance to count our blessings and this came to my mind. Each leaf represesents something someone is thankful for. It has been a terrific excercise. I hope your Thanksgiving was extraordinary; and even though we are moving on to the Christmas season, maybe we can keep counting our blessings with a spirit of Thanksgiving.

Happy Birthday Alfonso!!!

Happy birthday to a truly remarkable person. We LOVE YOU!!!

Giving Thanks - #7 For The Baby

I don't mean to complain, but this pregnancy has been kind of rough. I am definitely FEELING 8 1/2 months pregnant, what with all those wonderful consistant aches and pains, not to mention the baby's random soccer practice routines she loves to do in the middle of the night. (We are lovingly calling her our super-hero, ninja, princess, tap dancing, aerobic intructor baby. Yeah, she's a live one.) Minor complaints aside, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. I'm so THANKFUL that she's coming. And seriously, I can deal with the lovely side-effects, its a very small price to pay for a healthy little one.

Yeah, totally worth it. :)

Giving Thanks - #6 For My Sister, Delynn

I was the annoying little sister. You were the popular fashionista. For some reason we did NOT get along very well, did we? I am so glad for the passage of time and the chance we've had to become FRIENDS! You truly are one of my BEST friends and I can't imagine life without you. Thanks for being there. Thanks for not killing me when I wore your clothes without permission. Thanks for being my sister. "HEY! THAT'S MY SISTER!!" I love you, Delynn :)

Giving Thanks - #5 For Three Rays of Sunshine

Particularly named, Benjamin, Spencer, and William. I cannot. . . rephrase, I REFUSE to imagine life without them. Children change our lives in ways that can never be anticipated and in quantities that cannot be concieved. Rain or shine, happy or cranky, naughty or nice, they are each a vital part of me. I wouldn't trade them for the world and all it's treasures. I am so thankful to God for sending them to our family.

“The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.”
Pablo Casals

Giving Thanks - #4 For Dirty Dishes

Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;
We have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;
We have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds;
They were so warm and comfortable last night.
I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom,
Complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory;
They are so convenient.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly;
It has served us faithfully for many years.
It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today.
It has baked so many things over the years.
The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing,
The lawn that needs raking;
We all enjoy the yard.
Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door.
My kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says
You have richly blessed my family.
I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

Author Unknown

Giving Thanks - #3 For A Good Man

You better believe they are out there! But after being badly hurt at one point, I wondered. I really did. But for some inexplicable reason, God allowed me the chance to know the genuine article, a truly good man. Alfonso is the light of my life. Never before has anyone treated me so kindly. I've never known someone so caring, attentive and accepting as he. So today I want to thank my Heavenly Father for seeing fit to send me this man and I just have to tell you, Alfonso, I LOVE you. Thank you for being you.

Shower Time!

Giving Thanks - #2 For Antibiotics

Get well soon, Will.

Giving Thanks - #1 For People

Artwork by Paige Pooler

#1 For People: I have so much to be thankful for. But I want to start with the people in my life. It takes a lot of patience to put up with me and my crazy antics. Especially now as the birth of our baby approaches. I have been more needy and difficult than ever, yet I have felt so much love and support from all directions. I just want to send this out to you, thank you for being there, even when I'm not. Thank you for being kind to me and for keeping me going.

Thank you for being you!

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

Albert Schweitzer

"One's friends are that part of the human race with which one can be human."

George Santayana

Witches Night Out - Part Two

As promised, (and mucho thanks to D.D.) here are the rest of the pictures from our fabulous night! This is really just a glimpse of all we saw!

D.D., the headless freak bride, and Megan.

Our witchy crew and some seriously tall dudes.

Brazilla, Me, and the reigning Queen, Talullah Spellbottom.

Megan and a freaky masked man.

While shopping, I ran into one of my favorite people! So good to see you, Sarah!

Megan got a witchy manicure!

In her own words, "I was so scared, I almost started crying!"

Carrie, D.D., the lovable Lucinda, Me, Megan, and Mom

Thanks for a GREAT night girls!!!