First Saturday of 2009

Well it's the third day into this year and I'm trying to stick to my resolutions. I haven't eaten at a fast food restaurant and I have been getting out of bed as soon as I wake up. I also have not been eating as much lately and lost 5 pounds. Yeah! Only 20 more to go. But who's counting? Hubby & Josh are off at a cub scout sleep over on the Battleship New Jersey and Andrew and I are hitting the movies. I enjoy spending one on one time with the kids. It gives me a chance to really give them complete uninterrupted attention.

Andrew is giving us cues that he's gonna be quite the little Casanova later on. Kyle's girlfriend Julie told him the other day that he was cute. He's been in love with her ever since. That night he cried over getting to sit next to her at dinner. Yes, I caved! He then proceeded to give her googly eyes and served her macaroni and cheese. He was totally hamming it up for her. He even told her he loved her. Yikes! With his adorable looks and his charming ways he is totally going to be a lady killer. Watch out Kyle & Julie in 15 years he'll be 20 and you'll only be 35. He may dig older women still at that time.

Happy New Year

Welcome 2009! Hubby and I had a good time last night with friends. We enjoyed great conversation, yummy food and a little edge of your seat entertainment from Vegas. The daredevils this year were awesome and kept my stomach in knots just praying that they made it out alive.

So anyways, what your New Year's resolution? I have really thought about mine and I believe I am going to crack down on eating out. This perhaps will work two-fold on my weight loss goals. In addition I plan on waking up earlier and being a bit more on top of things. I know some of you are shaking your heads at the idea of me evacuating the bed early but you'll see.

To conclude today's post please pray for a friend's husband who is traveling to Vietnam to pick up their new daughter. Pray for travel mercies, an easy transition and for physical health while there. May we all be blessed abundantly from the Lord this Happy New Year.

Hodgepodge

Here's a hodgepodge of assorted pictures. First is my beautiful Christmas cactus. This beautiful flower was given to me by my friend Mary before she left for California. It totally freaked me out last year when it began to bloom. I didn't know it was a bloomin' cactus. But as you can see if develops the most beautiful blooms and brightens up my kitchen window.

Here's a Johnny Cash wanna-be. I just had to take this picture. Kyle was less than amused. He was unfortunately on his way to an acquaintances funeral. She passed away in a car accident the Saturday before Christmas and this past Saturday was the funeral. When he came walking out of his room in all black I asked him if he was the undertaker or what. I know you are suppose to wear black to as funeral but this was a bit of over kill..(no pun intended)

This here is my new little brother. Look he even does tricks. He likes to sit pretty for scooby snacks. He was quite the wild pooch before, but I'm beginning to believe he is starting to settle a bit.

Below is a picture of me Christmas morning with my prized possession in hand (the Shark steam mop). I know it's an illness to ask for cleaning products as gifts. I can't help it.

Here's a peek at the boys opening their stocking stuff. Doesn't Josh looked excited about receiving learning, educational backed games for Christmas. I told him that Santa must be wanting him to refine his multiplication facts. Not sure if he was buying it or not.

Last but not least is the "hit of the day". Why Rudolph did leave that "otter graph" after all. Josh was so excited that he could hardly contain himself. This prized possession now has a seat next to Barney the Presidential dog on his dresser. Hope he doesn't ask for Yogi Bear's autograph next year, or Manny the Mammoth off of Ice Age. I'll be in quite the pickle then.

Merry Christmas Eve

They day started out great Tuesday morning. The boys had pajama day at school and wore their favorite Pj's with their red robes. They also enjoyed hot chocolate and "The Polar Express". After school we were off to my in-laws for dinner and an exchange of gifts between the boys and hubby's sister. Dexter sported his holiday sweater too!

Here's a holiday picture for Christmas 2008! Kyle was wrestling at a meet so he missed out on dinner and dessert. this pic was taken before dinner when the pants were still able to be fastened.

With Christmas Eve dinner right around the corner and the anticipation of Santa.....I wish you and your family the true Joy of Christmas! God Bless!

New Song

Check out the new song I uploaded to the playlist. I love this song "How many Kings". It's one of those songs that just touches you and makes you stop and really think about what Christmas means to you. All you have to do is click on the song itself in my playlist and it will start. I have played it a million times today alone.

I haven't even made it out of my jammies today. I was snug in my bed the better part of the morning and really had no desire to go anywhere today. The boys ran around and cleaned up after our overnight guest went home. I mad a scrumptious Chinese dinner and I am contemplating making chocolate chip cookies. Yep...I'm the cookie monster here. Yum, Yum Me love cookies! :-)

Party time

Last night was hubby's Christmas party. Although I really wasn't planning on going, I did have fun in the end. We won a Star Wars DVD for Joshua and after the party we hit the slots. I walked into the slots with every intention of making my $10 donation and leaving empty handed. I won for the first time. Not a lot just $40, but it was something.

Today was cold, cloudy & rainy. I stayed put inside while Kyle & his girlfriend were here and Joshua has a friend over for the night. I have accomplished many of the things on my previous to-do list. How about you? I do need to buy 1 roll of wrapping paper. I had enough left over from years past to wrap about 90% of my presents. I am trying to go through the house still and downsize. I also gave away all the pre-purchased toys I kept on a shelf in the basement that I used for last minute gifts when the boys would get invited to birthday parties. It was a good feeling to give away all of the toys to the "Toys for Tots" group. Try it sometime...it's very uplifting.

The Gift

Here she is in all her beauty (Dad, pay no attention to the dirt markings on the rear tire). This is hubby's new pride & joy. He brought this puppy home the day after Thanksgiving. Hubby is lucky to have such a gracious father-in-law. My Dad bestowed upon hubby the keys to one of his finest worldly possessions and let him drive away with it for a mere $1. At first I was concerned. Why would someone give such a gift...was he sick, did he know something I didn't, but the conclusion came that he was just doing a great deed to our family. That worldly possessions mean nothing , but that seeing family happy means everything. This was a profound moment. My Dad loved this truck so much that it sat for over 10 years in the garage. "Old Blue"(yes I've named it) only has 12,000 miles on it. So for him to give it to us was a true act of kindness and love. So to Dad I send out a big THANK YOU! Love ya lots!