Sunday, November 28, 2010

Family Photos!

I have them in my hot little hands!  That's right.....our family photos are done!  And in case you didn't see them on facebook, you can see them here! :)






















Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I have SOOOOOOO many things to be thankful for.  I'm not even sure where to start!  But I thought it would be fun (since today is the 25th) to do a list of 25 things.  Keep in mind that these are in no particular order!

1.  My wonderful family.
2.  My equally wonderful friends.
3.  Billy's job that he loves.
4.  A healthy family.
5.  The mirror in my bathroom that makes me look much smaller than the other mirrors in the house.
6.  My iPod.
7.  My house with a heater that works and a comfy bed to sleep in!
8.  The Gospel.
9.  Food (mainly Taco Bell).
10.  The library.  I seriously go there a couple times a week.  I LOVE BOOKS!
11.  My favorite blankie.
12.  Sports.  Because my life wouldn't be the same without basketball, football, soccer, baseball, etc.....
13.  My car.  Even though most of the time, I complain about it.  I'm thankful that it runs and gets me where I need to be.
14.  Being able to serve others.
15.  Paradise Bakery cookies (I know they are "food" but they definitely need a number of their own)!
16.  Memories.  I'm so thankful for the wonderful memories I have of a great childhood and of great friends who are still very dear to me.
17.  Blessings in disguise.  Sometimes it is hard to realize you're being blessed when something challenging is going on.  But it's super nice when you figure it all out!
18.  Life.  This is very broad, I know.  But after my last post, it is something I think about almost daily when I wake up.
19.  Black Friday.  I like good deals.  Just sayin'.......
20.  TV.  Yeah, I know I should probably stop watching so much of it.  But while my husband is living in a different state, it is the only way I stay sane.  So don't judge me.
21.  An education.  I'm thankful I have a college degree....even if it isn't really serving a purpose.  At least it looks cool! :)
22.  Gum.  I like to chew it (as opposed to swallowing it????).
23.  Photos.  I love capturing moments.
24.  A free country to live in and those who fight to keep it that way!
25.  Billy.  I know he is included in my number 1 since he is family.  But he is such a hard worker and I'm so thankful for him and all he does for us.  It has to be just as hard for him to be away from us as it is for me to be away from him.  I'm so glad he is making this sacrifice for our family and I sure love him.



This is one of our new photos and it's my favorite of just me and Billy!
  

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Seriously.

I know my posts are typically sarcastic but for once, I wanted to write something that's a little more serious.  This is my FAVORITE time of year.  And it isn't because I receive gifts (although that's pretty cool, too).  My favorite thing (besides the celebration of our Savior) is GIVING.  So here's a little bit about what is on my mind:

I feel like I've been in a bit of a funk lately.  I get down sometimes because I'm lonely.  My husband doesn't live here.  I don't see him very often.  My daughter has started making herself vomit before bed (for a week straight).  And I just feel like I'm a big ball of stress.  It isn't how I want things to be.  So last night, after the storm woke Lola up at 12:45 AM, I started thinking.  And I didn't just start thinking for the first time, really, I guess I was reflecting.  Things in my life, while at times stressful and crazy, are really pretty darn good.

My heart has been breaking a lot over the past several months.  But not for me.  It breaks when I look at Lola and am reminded that a sweet, young couple I know recently lost their 20 month-old little girl.  I can't even begin to imagine their sorrows.  It is at moments like those, or when Lola is waking me up or throwing up all over me, that I'm thankful I have her.  No matter what she is into, or what she is doing, I'm so happy she is healthy and mine.  I'm blessed with wonderful children who help me grow on a daily basis.  They are growing UP and I'm growing more and more on the inside.  They teach me so much.

My heart has been breaking for a dear friend who has to go through chemo again.  Yet she is an inspiration to us all.  She is a wonderful mother and friend.  And through everything she is dealing with, she finds time to serve others.  How awesome is that?  She truly is an amazing example and I'm glad to have her in my life.

My heart has been breaking for the family and friends of a high school acquaintance who passed away last week.  He was only a few years older than me.  And he died so suddenly.  When you hear information like this, it causes you to pause and think about your own life; how short it can be.  It makes you reevaluate your goals and your dreams.  It made me thankful to wake up today and have time to spend with my family.

Yes, the things on my mind weigh heavy.  But I'm trying to focus on the positive.  And that's my point.  While my heart has been breaking, my mind has been becoming more alive.  I started realizing that instead of having a pity party, I wanted to help others.  By doing so, I have been happier.  Sure, I still have days where I just sit at home alone and feel sorry for myself.  But most of the time, I'm staying busy and remembering that while my trials sometimes feel HUGE, they aren't nearly as huge as they could be.  These challenges have made me stronger.  And I'm glad that I have found happiness in serving others.  I'm so thankful for my blessings and for everything that life throws my way.  Sometimes I might not be able to handle these tribulations, but for today, at this moment, I can.

Because all blogs are better with pics....here is one from our most recent photo session!


Monday, November 22, 2010

Veterans Day Program!

I know Veterans Day was on the 11th but I forgot to post the photos from Blake's school program.  Here are some of the things I loved:

1.  Blake had a blast singing and had been practicing the songs for AGES at home!  He even tried out for a solo part (but didn't get it, although I don't know how).

2.  I loved the music.  The kids did a really great job (2nd and 4th graders).  And mad props to their music teacher who put it together!

3.  I loved the slide show of all the soldiers who have served or are serving this country!

4.  I loved that the program was on the same night as the book fair......because I love books!

5.  The program was also the night of the art show and my little artist had a piece on display! 

Here are some things I didn't love:

1.  I was alone (with Lola).  :(

2.  Because we spent too much time at the book fair, the gym was FULL by the time we got there.  That meant I got to stand the whole time (holding Lola).  Where did we stand?  Well, behind the bleachers, of course.  Yeah, our seats were THAT good!  It didn't help that there were about 8000 people there and the gym is the size of my family room.  Just sayin'.....

3.  Standing elbow to elbow with the police officer next to me.  Not that I was breaking any laws or anything.  I just felt dumb standing so close to him....and occasionally knocking into him while trying to control Lola.

4.  The fact that it was about 150 degrees by the time the program ended.  I'm pretty sure I had never been so hot in my life.  Well, maybe once or twice.  But at that particular moment, I was super convinced I was in a sauna.  With all my clothes on.  Holding Lola.

But guess what?  It was TOTALLY worth it because Blake rocks my socks!  Here are some photos!








Saturday, November 20, 2010

Stuck in my Boots!

These are my favorite boots.  Billy got them for me a few years ago for Christmas.  The only problem?  There is no zipper and they are a touch hard to get on!  So when I do put them on, I often require help getting them off!

I decided to wear these boots today.  I didn't realize when putting them on, however, that I would have nobody around to help take them off!  Billy couldn't come home for the weekend.  Blake was with his dad.  And I guess I thought Lola or the dog would be able to help.  Welp, I was wrong.  Those two (Lola and the dog) were of no use.  So I napped in my boots.

Then after a lot of squirming, pulling, grunting, and nearly breaking all my nails.....I was able to get the boots off.  I sure love them but I didn't love being stuck in my boots for most of the day.  Moral of the story?  Don't wear these boots when nobody is around to help take them off.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Peep This!

I just thought I'd give you something to peep in case you haven't seen the tag on my facebook page!  One of our favorite photographers, Sheryll, took our family photos in October.  Where did we take them?  Why, on the University of Louisville (go Cards) campus, of course!  I'm super excited to see the rest of them!



Oh, goody.  I like how small they are!  I LOVE the last photo.  I love the location.  I love how cute my family is.  I DON'T love how fat my face looks.  UGH.  I was looking down which made it look like I have about 3 chins and my hair is hanging funny.  Whatever excuse I use, doesn't change the fact that my face looks fat.  Maybe it really is?!?  Alas, I still like the photo and I don't look as big in the other family photo.  Sooooo......there ya go!  It is what it is!

sheryll-lynne.com

Sunday, November 7, 2010

VIP

For reals!  As you know (if you read my blog....and you should), Billy and I celebrated four years of wedded bliss on November 4th.  Of course we weren't able to spend our anniversary together but we went out the next night.  Where did we go?  Only COURTSIDE to the Indiana Pacers game.  That is right.  The tickets say row 1, seats 3 and 4.  Jealous?  Even if you aren't a sports fan of any kind (GASP), you would probably still enjoy sitting on the flipping WOOD of a basketball court (while a game is going on, of course).  Here are some things I noticed while sitting in said row ONE at Conseco Fieldhouse.

1.  My shoes look AWESOME right there on the court (well, on the carpet which is on the edge of the court).  I should sit there more often!

2.  I caught Tyler  Hansbrough looking at me at LEAST five times.  Billy didn't see it.  But of course I did! ;)

Tyler is the player in the white shirt and you can clearly (okay, not that clearly) see him looking my way!
3.  I noticed my husband actually ACTIVELY participates in the game (though is not nearly the fan I am) when he's sitting super close to the court!  And I noticed how cute he is when holding the adorable Lola!



4.  Basketball players are REALLY tall.  Especially when they are right in your face....I mean, so close you don't have to zoom in at all on your camera.  And in some moments, you kinda have to lean back to get a proper photo of them.  Um, that was pretty sweet; I'm not going to lie!





5.  The camera guys like Lola.  She was on the jumbotron (in fact all three of us were on the jumbotron) for a LONG time.  I felt kinda silly (but secretly kinda cool....and a tad famous or something).  As if the world will now KNOW me because I was on the jumbotron.  Not likely.  But maybe...... ;)


I am aware of the fact that I look REALLY old in this photo!
6.  I don't have a photo to go along with this.  But I noticed that people who heckle players are TOTALLY annoying.  We were blessed to have those seats but to the guy two rows behind us from Milwaukee, you kinda ruined the moment(s).  He was crazy.  My favorite quote from him?  "All is right in the world."  He was a little dramatic.  I think he might be up for an Oscar this year so be sure to look for him.  And to my favorite person sitting next to me (who wasn't Billy), thank you (sarcasm) for heckling the Milwaukee players.  You, too, were very annoying.  We know some of their players were a little old (for basketball player standards).  But really?  They didn't need to "get their walkers off the court."  Also, he should have noted that each time he yelled something stupid to the players, they scored.  Moral of the story?  Heckling=points on the scoreboard for the person you are pestering=stupid idea.  So save your breath.

Anyway, speaking of me thinking of being famous, of course I taped the game at home, in hopes of seeing us on TV.  And here we are.  It's a bit blurry, but still, I'm totally going to be famous now!  Ha!  And where was Blake, you might be wondering?  Well, he had plans with his dad.  He wasn't too bummed to miss out on this opportunity but he did want me to take plenty of photos.  Which I think I did pretty well, don't ya agree?!?



That is me in the green and Billy (who looks slightly deformed) holding Lola on his lap!


And again.  We were SOOOOO close!
And so I conclude that life as a VIP is pretty darn sweet.  Thank you, Alan and Beth, for thinking of us and for letting us sit so close to the Pacer players that I could have actually touched them.  And secretly (but now the secret is out) I was tempted to touch a calf or two on several occasions.  But I thought they (mainly Danny Granger) might think that was weird.  So I didn't.  But the point is that I COULD have.....because I was THAT close.  The end.


P.S.

Lola is now obsessed with the program from the game.  She takes it everywhere and looks for pictures of Boomer (the mascot) who always comes to say hi to her at the games.  She is totally scared of him in real life but she sure loves "Boo," as she calls him, when she sees him in photos!


This is at the mall.  She looked at it in the car on the drive there and couldn't part with it when we went inside!