Turkey Day!!

Watching the parade in the morning. Bud LOVED the balloons. This is the first year they have enjoyed the entire parade. Bud is especially excited about Toy Story 3 in 2010. Bug enjoyed Miley Cirus and the Little Mermaid. :)

Bug wanted her hair straight today. :)

The fam-dam decided to eat out for Thanksgiving this year since most of us were doing other things. We won't be doing it again next year. It just didn't feel like Thanksgiving...and it cost a bunch more than making dinner would have.


Mashew was slammin' down the corn bread! SO funny! :)

Next year we will separate Bud and Jare-Bear. :)


It was nice to see everyone and have the kids get together. :)

Hope you all had a wonderful day.

I Am Thankful For...


Freedoms. I am SO grateful for the freedoms I have by living in the great country I do. Everyday I hear stories of situations happening around the world and I feel more profoundly thankful than ever that I do not have to suffer. I have also gained a new feeling of freedom over this last year. I feel free to actually think, question, and reason. Some thoughts I dismiss as soon as they come. Some I ponder on for days, weeks, and even months. I am finding out for myself what I believe by really asking myself hard questions I have so long avoided or feared. I love that I am really thinking for myself irrespective of anything or anyone else, or as much of anything else as possible. I am freer to become what I really want to be and to change my mind if I feel like it.

Good Books. I have never been a big reader. In fact, growing up, if I could choose anything else to reading a book...I would. But I had an excellent literature class my junior year of my undergrad that helped me discover the wonderful world of books. I was an avid reader for a while, but then after having babies and stress...I lost my reading practice. Well...last summer I rediscovered Harry Potter and read the entire series in 1 month. I also discovered the Twilight books which brought fun enjoyment for the next month. I continued by reading a few cheesy romances and some excellent more realistic character rich books. Now I am reading some thought provoking spiritual journey type books. I am just simply enjoying whatever $1 book I find next at the discount store. I now fall to sleep at night by books instead of medication! :)

Movies and Music. Two other things that bring me loads of enjoyment a part of my life I want to foster from now on are movies and music. I want to enjoy my life and movies and music is how I choose to do it often. I love the 2 hour escape into other lives, stories, and places. And I love how a song can take me back to a particular memory or person. I love to listen to my daughter sing and my son try. :) I love to play the piano and sing. I want to do this more.

My Mom. I am thankful for my mother. Although we still argue, I have grown to appreciate more and more what she did for me growing up and the person she is. She does SO much for me and my kids. Without her I would not have the opportunity to finish school, get a good job, and take care of my family. I will eternally be grateful for her sacrifices to help my little family. I'm just glad she gets some time off for good behavior this Christmas. :)

Lastly....My Children. What can I say. They are my life. I am a much better person because of them. They teach me daily how to be a better person. I love their minds. I love Bug's sensitive spirit coupled with her feisty attitude. I love Bud's hilarious commentaries on life and how he protects his sister. They are so fun. I can't wait to see what they decide to become.

I am thankful for my many blessings!

Just Beautiful!

What would I do without them? They are my life. :)

It's Up...and I'm
Not Apologizing! :)

The kids and I LOVE our Christmas tree. The kiddos picked out the ornaments (hence the florescent color scheme) and all the shimmer. We had a bunch of fun putting it up this year. And Bud only broke two bulbs, I broke three - butter fingers. And let me just say how much I enjoy the pre-lit tree. I hated putting on the lights. :)

The Perfect Man

I recently had a conversation with a friend about good movies. I mentioned a few of my favorites like It's a Wonderful Life and The Painted Veil. She mentioned a few of hers. And then I mentioned my favorite musical which is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. She loves it too.

Anyway...it got me thinking about why I like this show so much. Ultimately it comes down to one thing....Howard Keel. He is the perfect man. He is the perfect combination of rugged good looks, just enough macho mixed with tenderness, and a set of crystal clear basso cantate singin' pipes. He's played some of my favorite leading men roles in Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, and Calamity Jane with the beloved Doris Day. And don't forget The Love Boat and Dallas in the roaring 80s. :)

Well...enough said. I love this man...mostly for his lovely voice! :)

Do They Know It's Christmas?

Today, while the kiddos and I were driving around town, this Christmas song came on the radio (and yes I realize it is only Nov., and NO I will not get sick of Christmas music by mid-Dec.).

I told the kids it is one of my favorite Christmas songs. They asked if it was about Santa. I told them it was about starving children in Africa who did not get Christmas and their are kids around the world that are still no going to get much Christmas.

My four year old son shrugged and said:

"Mom...can we stop talking
about this. It is depressing me."

:( :) :( :)

Tagged by Keri!

I am: bored.
I want: to be sure.
I have: two great kids.
I dislike: elitism.
I fear: success.
I feel: excitement for Obama
I hear: transformers.
I smell: Ham and bean soup cooking.
I crave: self-sufficiency
I cry: when I think of people hurting/making fun of my children.
I usually: keep on trying.
I wonder: what next year will bring.
I love: my kids.
I care: about what happens to poor people.
I always: enjoy the silence.
I am not: married...and it's ok.
I remember: found things about childhood.
I believe: most people want to be good.
I dance: whenever I can.
I sing: in the car and shower mostly.
I argue: most days.
I write: in blog form only.
I win: whenever i can- i am super competitive
I lose: my keys constantly.
I wish: I was self-sufficient.
I listen: to good music as often as possible.
I forget: my name sometimes.
I am happy: when I am home, safe, and with my kiddos.

OK, on this one I tag Stine, Alice, and Jolynn.