Want to hear something funny...My broken camera... Shapoopie was playing with it the other day, opened the door to the battery....I noticed it was not pushed in! So it was never broken, so now I have 2 camera's...cool beans. I will always keep one in my purs
Anyway, My beautiful, wonderful, thoughtful sista Amy thankfully was in town during this time and she captured these really great moments that I am eternally grateful for so.... clear
Amy and Lilli/ My parents ....a trip to the
During this time we had two trips to the ER, Lilli had pink eye and Ryan fell of the play scape and busted his eye open!! Humpty Dumpty is all put back together and is doing great now
We had a great Halloween. The boys were Star Wars, Seth was a punk rocker and I was myself...j/k as Seth would say, "a naughty kitty"
We also celebrated Seth's Birthday...he is going Rocker!
We had a lovely Turkey dinner at my house! Good friends were near and we ate till the cows came home! In audience was our good friends the Smedleys and the Bakles and co. We had this really good PRE-COOKED SMOKED TURKEY! OK no offense mom, but this is all I will make anymore. It was the most tender, tastiest turkey I ever ate!Then we had all the fixins of course and then a COSTCO pumpkin pie. I had sampled it many times and deiced it was better than I could have made so that was that. Then we hung out and played Apples to Apples and laughed ourselves silly. I Won...of course!
Then yesterday I shopped all by my SELF!! And this is near and dear to my heart! It makes me wonder how many times I shopped without toddlers and how I NEVER appreciated this time!
This is the first time since 2005 that we have put a tree up and decorated! So I choose to do a tree theme that matched my new LR furniture. Red and gold don't really match anymore. ;) SO some new blue, green, and brown balls did the trick! Then I found some evergreen that Seth had trimmed of our bushes and that looks smashing on the mantle!
I loved decorating the outside this year. Of course I pulled out all the wreaths and candle sticks and jimmy rigged them to the window somehow....then I bought a bunch of lawn ornaments from Garden Ridge....so fun! Seth doesn't DO lights so I feel like I have to make up for it with other stuff. Seth said with a look on his face like he was eating lima beans, "The outside looks good.....it looks like Santa's winterland." Hmmm are you serious? Yes, he said. Well, that was nice of you to say.
It has been nice to have these three days to ugh, work work work! (cook, clean, cook, clean, decorate, work, clean, cook....)The house is a MESS with storage bins and everything everywhere! Good thing I have tomorrow...the day of rest....ok I can DREAM!!!
So Ryan came home from school on monday and I was on my computer while he was eating a snack and drawing/coloring.
He come over to me and get my attention, "Look Lisa, these are Indian symbols!" and shows me about 20 symbols he had remembered from HEART from school earlier...I was so impressed and I told him that he should organize them into a story...well he did, and I loved it, so I told him to put it in his backpack and show his teacher....
I didn't hear anything till my phone rings, thurs. evening. It was his teacher, Mrs. O'Keefe...and she told me how impressed she was with his story she sent him to tell the principle, and she was so impressed that he had done this all from memory that she invited him to read it aloud in front of the whole school at the Thanksgiving assemble!!! YAH, GO RYAN!!!
Here's how it went....my little Indian!
This is his favorite new hobby right now.....I know I know, he has some pretty sweet moves...it runs in the family! LOL
At one time in my life, like many others around me, I SWORE I would never buy a mini-van! I would rather poke my eyes out than buy one. WHO needs one?
For some reason this has become like a rite of passage, coming to terms with this is the best car for my family and owning up to the fact that I am not a young chic anymore and never will be again!
Here is my story:
Key remote in hand, the salesmen pushed one button and the doors opened. He pushed another and the trunk opened. Now I was drooling. There is a compartment to put backpacks, juiceboxs, legos, purses, diapers, 20 thousand cup holders, c.d.s, iPods, and hooks for my grocery bags. Without lifting a finger, both of my boys got really excited and jumped in and said, "wow there is so much room!" As if I were buying a minivan for them, well ok I kinda am...not for German Engineering! Well the Practical part of me kicked in and could no longer disregard the fact that this is the one car on the market with one objective....to make my life and my kids life easier. So I had to swallow my pride and make the JUMP!
What! When did these things become so desirable to me? Nonetheless I just couldn't fight it anymore....I WANTED A MINIVAN!!!
SO now I drive to the grocery store, get out, stranger next to me, "Haha, you had kids for the love of German engineering...." Yup hehe you got me. I drive Ethan to school, another dad dropping of his son..."Do you like it? haha, did you have your kids for the Love of German Engineering?" I'm at a jewelry party and all my new Texas girlfriends are busting me out for "crossing over to the dark side....hhaha nah you just bought it for the love of German Engineering."
What ever you want to call it...I do really LIKE my new mini-van. Though I'm not sure where the mini part come in. I'm still feeling like I'm driving a bus! It's my fun, groovy BUS!
It seems I need to clarify a few things to make my purpose of posting on Autism clear....
My heart goes out to all those families, whose lives are touched with someone whom has a disability. I have always had a special place in my heart for people with these special needs.
Anyway....... the "guy" in my ward that is a Autism specialist. He was board certified as a E.R. doc in 1999, but once his son was diagnosed with Autism in 2001, he found the Pediatricians had very limited knowledge of the disease. He was frustrated by this and decided to research, study, and evaluate cases of his own. He started working at a Autism clinic in Utah in 2002. In 2006 he moved to another Autism clinic in Austin,TX.
During this time he has studied and treated a thousand patients, written a book about all the different research and latest treatments for Autism, and become known by the Autism and medical community alike as a "specialist". Actually according to some, "one of the leading Autism specialist in the country". He is the biological father of one and adoptive father of two Autistic children.
If you watch one of his interviews on t.v., when asked if he believes if there is a connection between vaccinations and the rise in Autism, he will reply, " No one knows." or "We don't know for sure." This is true.
In a private conversation , he said he did believe there was a connection, that he has seen too many cases that lead him to believe that SOME forms of Autism may be "Triggered" from vaccinations. My favorite quote, "How many 40 yr. olds do you see walking around with Autism."
For me, coming from a man with this much knowledge, background, and experience. This is enough of a reason for me to walk on the side of caution and decide for myself personally if I am blessed with a third child, I will ask for his advice on which vaccinations he thinks are critical and on what schedule he thinks I should get them taken. This is for myself personally. But the reason I posted my comment about Autism in "Gut Feelings" was because I was trying to pass on some "insider information" from a extremely reliable source on the subject that I feel is critical knowledge for all mothers and in this circumstance my friends and family so they can take my information and research it for themselves and make the best possible decision for their family.
There are very smart people who have Autistic children, who look at all the research, study all the books and come to the conclusion that there is NO connection between vaccinations and Autism. (ex.mom of five)
There are very smart people who have Autistic children, who look at that same research, study the same books, and come to the conclusion that there IS A CONNECTION between vaccinations and Autism. (ex.Jenni McCarthy, The doctor I know)
Is one better than the other? Is one smarter than the other? Or are we all human being with our own path and own experiances.
Everyday mothers choose to do things for their children to be "on the safe side." Well, having a M.D. Autism specialist that I know personally and has all the experience and expertise to back it up that says there "could be a connection" is enough for me to be "on the safe side" and choose to vaccinate my children on a different schedule than the medical community dictates.
I am not here to debate whether or not Autism is caused or triggered by vaccinations. I care very much for my friends and family and I was merely trying to pass on some information I found very enlightening and knowledge is power. Everyone has a choice of how they interpret it. For all those women still in thier child bearing years I hope you will take this information and continue to educate yourselves and make a decision you feel is best for you and your children. God Bless!
Just curious, what was your gut feeling when you first heard that Barack Obama has been elected our 44th president?
I was pretty much undecided the entire election, leaning towards McCain. I found out my true feeling tonight as the T.V. announcer spoke, "We have just leaned the Barack Obama will be our 44th president." Then this feeling of worry and Oh, NO!.....do you know why? All along I have said that I think that when government tries to change things for the better....the issue seems worse of. Because government is a system. I will rub your back if you rub mine. I will vote this way, because this will get me elected next term. John McCain does not admit to it, but many good men have said that he at one time was considering defecting to the democratic party!!!...why he didn't do this? It would crush his chances of running in this election. BUT Some how in all this chaos, we operate.
I also have been thinking about cause and effect relationships.....we ship our factories and outsource our workers abroad....our goods become cheaper.....overseas economies thrive....driving up our cost of food, gas prices and price of goods. We want everyone in America to own a home=We sell homes to people who can't afford them, housing bubble, economy crashes. (I believe this would have never happened if GOVERNMENT would not have pushed for banks to lend in this way)
We start vaccinating our children, this is revolutionary and exciting medicine. But as the rate of infectious disease goes down, the rate of muscular and auto immunity disorders increase to make up for it! (Parkinson's, Lou Gehigs, Autism, Cancer)
I don't know the keys to the universe, but there seems to be a system of balances. As you increase or decrease one thing, the system or the opposite cycles.
SO as I said previously, this election I was worried about one word that came out of Obama's mouth....Change........
About a month ago I watched a 20/20 episode about what the government has "changed" over the past 50 years and in these cases how it had negative effects. Things somehow always ended up worse of!
Yes, I'm worried a little about the issues....gay marriage, abortion.....but I'm even more worried about the "balance" of our already very delicate government.
I THINK Obama is a good man with good intentions. I believe that he cares about the issues facing Americans. I would love to see and hope to see change.
What worries me is the cost.
ALSO, for those of you all having babies! I have a doctor in my ward that is a Autism specialist. He said that he has seen too many normal functioning children that digress to Autism after receiving 18 months of vaccinations to not believe that their COULD be a connection.There is enough evidence out there to claim that vaccinating our children in the way we do can lead to Autism. They have never studies the effects of giving a baby 4 shots in one day! How can we expect every child out there to be able to handle this many dissabled viruses entering their system and crossing the blood barrier of the brain! If you are not promiscuous and you do not do drugs you are not at risk for Hep B and YOUR BABY IS NOT EITHER!! This is a shot they get the day their born, not needed! If you are not at risk, neither is your child. He suggested that we give our babies shots, but space them out, one per day. Only get the ones that are critical.
For my digital camera to bite the dust...."duh duh duh, another bites the dust"
It happened at Sea World while my family was visiting of all places. One cement fall too many. Not too many tears over this one folks because in the camera world, mine was archaic. So too bad so sad I poured over Internet sites to find the best camera for the money....and then I went to Best BUY and THEY said, that camera does not exist....( a camera with HD video quality and 10 mega pixels and is a Kodak) I told him, "LOOK IT UP!" Which he did, and became humbled. Then he told me he could not get it, so I had to order one online. This meant missing all the family events, the ward trunk or treat, Halloween, Sea World, and RYAN BUSTING HIS EYE OPEN ON THE PLAYGROUND AND TRIP TO HOSPITAL!!!
All is well, but I lament over the loss of pictures! My fam took many and have promised to send, so I wait some more!
I have so much to blog about! So I apologize, if you check and once again, hear the same song over and over again and the same old post.....So you may wait for all the details ...as I wait for this little baby to arrive....
Mini ....fingers feeding hungry goats that climb trees (yes, really they did!!!)
It's a bird, a plane, a new bimmer convertible??? ....oh just another mini......VAN!!!!! Mini....work uniforms Mini ..... natural disasters( yes, this is what you don't want this to be, BUT IS!!!) Mini....people painting mini pumpkins
I came downstairs this morning at 7:30 a.m. and found Ryan typing...yes, my almost 6 year old typing....and it was not jibberish! He was so excited, "Lisa! I finished my story, wanna hear?"
He read it too me and I was soooo happy and asked him if I could blog it!
He had opened up his own word document (no one showed him how to do that) and just starting sounding out words. He said he didn't know where the "dots" went! HA!
Ryan's Story: (copy and pasted from word)
Ryan and ethan ar brothrs and ryan is the smatst ethan is not smatst becase he is a toodlr and ryan is bigist becase he is 5 yers old ethan is not becase he is 2 yers old and we love ar mom and dad and tha’s the sory of all abot 2 boys ryan and ethan the end
My zesty, adventurous big (yet smaller than I) sis, was nick-named Shelly. She was thin, very thin as a child so either my mom or dad started calling her Shell bones. She's still is thin due to her vigor for life-thin-ing activities, such as this...... Anyway, this is my plug for her BLOG!!!! Peer-pressure at it's finest and she has succumbed!
I don't know why this became more about her being thin than her blog, because it's supposed to be about her cool new blog that I'm bragging about because I'm proud of my adventure chasing big (smaller) sista!
BUT
Because I felt the need to be "witty" and use a cool nick name I felt the need to explain IT!
I love Michele because:
-She is the one of the most caring people I've ever known, she is a great friend - she' very generous, too generous, even to her own dismise -money does not matter to her, as long as she can eat and cook a yummy meal - she is highly adventurous, always has some ultra cool hobby like rock-climbing, living in N.Y.C. on her own!, kayaking, -she can move to totally new city with no money in her pocket and make it like gang busters - she is well read, very intelligent, and believes that one person can make a difference in the community, city, and beyond - she keeps stretching herself, not settling for that job at the desk, that pays the bills and is good enough.... - she finishes what she starts - she can stand up for herself - she has a great laugh and has a way of making you feel funnier than you really are b/c she will laugh with you so easily - she has great no none-sense advice - she's naturally beautiful, never wears make-up, but if you saw her, you would say, wow...she's really pretty - she's a good, no great listener and has helped me understand myself - she's thoughtful
.....and I think she deserves the best life has to bring her! And I have failed her, because I forgot to send her a birthday card!!!!!...it was on my mind, I never did it, then a week passed and I thought I need to get her a really big present now to make up for it....then another and another and then it got so big that no present or apology could make up for my FAILURE as a sister and human being. I have had nightmares about crying and apologizing to her about this! I have even been too chicken to call her, b/c I don't know what to say....even though I have been dying to talk to her and see how she is doing....so my darling sister who I love so much....can you ever forgive me! I AM SO SORRY! Because she has never missed my birthday...I don't think....anyway.....can you forgive your ultra self-absorbed lamo sister?
xoxoxox(hehe) Lisa
...so there it is I have purged my biggest disgrace to the entire blog world....flog me!
So this is kinda a big thing in my life, I have not mentioned to yall.....
I STARTED WORKING!!!! What I was thinking I don't know? Do I need this, NO! I thought it would be fun because I love what I do and it would be fun to get out of the house a couple days a week....right?
Well theoretically....YES! In theory I had this ideal scenario in my head of dropping of Little Ethan at this great school where they love him like their own (this part same true!!!) and I go to my job where I get to have real adult responsibilities and gratification and talk to adults...e.t.c .e.t.c
So 3 weeks ago I started working part-time for an orthodontist near my home. I had interviewed and accepted the job two days later... the day I accepted my friend drops by (you have to know that her husband is a pedo dentist that partnered with an orthodontist) and she is "great! who are you working for?" I reply "Dr. so and so" and she get this horrid,scrunched up, scared look on her face! "OH NO!!" She proceeds to tell me that this lady had worked for her husband's partner and she (my new boss) was basically horrible and ugly to work with and had done really horrible mean things to his partner. GREAT!!!
But she had been so nice and her office was so nice so I decided to put this thought to the side and go for it, because I had found this great little school for Ethan and everything was in place.
So the first week I noticed that she was "particular" ok CONTROLLING,O.C.D., anal, exact, perfectionist.....but so far she was being somewhat pleasant in her "corrections" Due to her perfectionist status, No one can do anything great, or even good, there is something wrong with EVERYTHING and she has to make us very aware of it....so basically all day long she was ridding us.
Actually I was ok with that, b/c she was somewhat pleasant about it all and I was learning a TON.
Week two I had a small issue with the other clinician in the office, but then she went to a work training meeting about office politics and she came back all pleasant and nice, now suprsingly we have been buddies (in week three we had to stick together)
Week three: The witch has landed... the criticism is fine, I have no problem, I am open and wanting to hear how I can learn and be better....
BUT
there is a big difference between constructive criticism and accusatory, demeaning, and insulting criticism. She just started saying little disses here and there. And I took it, because that's what I do...I take people's crap. Then she pulls me in her office and insults me and it's complicated and technical, but basically saying I "wasn't thinking" is what it came down to. I defended myself thoroughly and told her I disagreed and I did what I did b/c of previous training....and I CRIED! The thing was, you would have thought I crashed her computer systems or something...
I can't sleep, eat, and I am working my butt of for this Nazi that doesn't even treat people nicely.
She has had 5 people quit on her in a year. And they didn't like give a 2 weeks notice and quit on friendly terms, they walked out the door and never came back quit. Her entire staff is less than 3 months old. (Except one girl in the front)
All of these are RED FLAGS I know! SO what do I do????? I usually am NOT a quitter unless things are really really abusive, but I things are different this time. This is not fiances. I wanted a "fun" job. I really do love working in orthodontics.
So I'm in a pickle. I have got some great advice and would love your two cents....because I don't feel like I'm thinking straight. :)
I was reading my friend Katie's blog and came acorss this post called Quirks. I then followed over to her brother's post where they listed their quirks...an I was like hmmm they have some interesting quirks. I wish I had more quirks. I am one of these people who likes everything and have wished I had more quirks throughout my life. WHY? Becasue they make us unique and they make people who love us go, " OH, so and so doens't like that, please don't do that or bring that....e.t.c." But there is really nothing I don't like, or do....anyway....that's what I thought, until I started CONCENTRATING......
I came up with a few measly few:
- I tend to hold my breathe while I am plucking my eyebrows. I pluck pluck and then I take breaks to breath. GASP:::::
- I have to sleep with a pillow between my legs...not a body pillow becasue body pillows don't flip with me as I change sides very good...
- I have to have a piece of chocolate after lunch and dinner, but never breakfast
SO that is that... that's what I came up with....
This morning I quizzed Ryan with some questions I got of a friends blog,Hillary:
1. What is something that mom always says to you? I Love You 2. What makes mom happy? doing things for you-like chores 3. What makes mom sad? not doing what Lisa wants. 4. How does your mom make you laugh? doing funny things, like jokes 5. What was your mom like as a child? pretty good 6. How old is your mom? 29 - (dang he knew) 7. How tall is your mom? I do not know- I think tall 8. What is her favorite thing to do? Inviting Friends 9. What does your mom do when your not around? working upstairs 10. If your mom becomes famous what will it be for? for ugh I dunno 11. What is your mom really good at? (his face scunching up like in pain) ugh exercising 12. What is your mom not very good at? I do not know(good answer!) 13. What does your mom do for her job? doing dentist (I'm an ortho assistant) 14. What is your moms favorite food? meatloaf- well that's what I tell him to get him to eat it! 15. What makes you proud of your mom? doing things you told me to do 16. If your mom was a cartoon character who would she be? Dora- because you're a girl and you wear pink 17. What do you and your mom do together? playing together 18. How are you and your mom the same? we have the same eyes 19. How are you and your mom different? you have blond hair and I have brown 20. How do you know your mom loves you? doing amazing things! 21. What does your mom like most about your dad? when he blogs 22. Where is your moms favorite place to go? Sea World
This is a video from our FHE activity: TWISTER....
Yesterday morning, Seth was fixing my burned out memory card and Ryan and I were playing Lego Indiana Jones and Ethan was.... Ethan? Oh, Ethan!!!!....SOOO mid way through shooting some Lego characters too pieces I hear Ryan exclaim, " Ohhh, Ethan looks like Spiderman!" Me- oh gotta get to the next level, what Ethan looks like???? Oh shoot that must mean.... Just then I pause up the game and run over to where Ethan is. I fear what I might see as I turn him around. Ethan sqeeks, "pitty, me pitty!" (pretty) I turn him around and see this:
UPDATE ON NEW LAMP: Oh, and I ran over to Old World Market store and picked up a new paper latern. I like it a little more....Seth likes is a LOT more and the Living room is well lit once more!
In this world of elections, bank failures, natural disasters...to me this is what matters... My family and my faith. The stuff : the cars, the furniture is but a figment of our imaginations. I would give it up tomorrow as long as I can still beleive what I want to and listen to the laughter of my children and husband and people I love. AMEN.
OK, SO I have a totally traditional space in my living room, but I fell in love with this lamp and I'm trying to make it work.
I know it is too modern for the space and maybe the latern is too large. I'm trying to get some ideas that will make it work... What I love about it is....
-conversation piece, it's just so darn cool
-different
-makes the space pop
-it goes with the organic, natural decor
- great for reading!
So I really want to see if I can make it work...so my plea to all ya'll decorator's out there is....
Some ideas I've had alread are:
Paint the shade, buy a smaller paper latern, look for a more traditional shape latern, paint the arm brown and brush on some gold leaf
We want a picture, not a belly itcher!!! Or a nose picker, wedgie picker, or anything you may finding any normal 5 year old boy playing tee-ball to do....unless they are your own adorable child running around out there, then they are the cutest thing ever to hit a ball on two legs!!!!
I must have a thing for men in uniform because when Ryan got all suited up for the first time this morning, I just about fainted, he was soooooo darn cute, CUTE, CUTE!! Baseball pants have a way of hugging the hiney :) I KNOW THIS IS MY SON-CAN IT!
Ryan LOVES base-ball so far and he really really tries so hard! Even when he is not supposed to...today's game went something like this...
Ryan was playing the second base man- you know the guy who stands on second base, ready to catch the ball and tag another team out, something like that...
Ryan felt the need to escort the opposing team to the next base so...
He was running back and forth between 2cd and 3rd for the whole inning. It was so cute. Some kids were like "don't run with me" other put their arm around him and felt the need for a little game snuggle.
For NEVER playing a game in his life, I of course, non-biased, thought he did amazing :)
BTW, check out these uniforms, they have their own team name and their own number!! Seth said he didn't get a numbered Jersey till he was in H.S. Even his stitched hat has his numbered stitched into the side!!! WHAT!! That's where all my $195 went!
Warming up...
...Lining Up with Coach Mike...nice guy...totally volunteer!
...Did you say we can go to Chick-fil-A after this?
Swing batter batter, warming up the old arm....
I am sooo grateful to have my sweet boy old enough to do this stuff, it is amazingly thrilling!!
Never Mind....I'll show you, no make-up, in my jammies and all.....
I have a new ALL-TIME, FOREVER and a DAY FAVORITE MOVIE!!!! can you guess????
Here's my story...when I was 12 my big sis, brought home a tape (yes, I said tape, as in cassette, look it up babies) from her favorite band Depeche Mode. Well, they covered a song called "SOS". My sister was curious who sang the original so she went to the library and got a tape of a band called "ABBA" Well, at the time we were moving to Ohio and living in a town home and we were sharing a ROOM! Yes, this was a scary scary sight. But this good thing came out of it....SHE WAS LISTENING TO ABBA! Well, I think she listened to it a couple times and was like, ok that's nice...BUT ME? I was in love at first song. I took the tape from her (I don't think she minded) and I fell in love hard with every song fast!
Then I bought the C.D. and another C.D. and then one day I found there book of EVERY song ever written and I bought that too! When I broke up with boy-friends, what did I want back? Nothing but my ABBA cd's. I would swallow my pride, call them and tell them I'm coming over for ABBA, period.
Do I have a favorite song? NO! There are so many many good ones.
SO...... fast forward ummmm a lot of years, like 18!!!! (Ahhh, go ahead do the MATH!)
I am living in Texas, liking it ok, but not as much as I expected and I get really really home sick. I drive home for summer trip...totally have a blast which makes me even more depressed about not having any friends in Texas and NOT wanting to go back.... my road trip BACK to Texas I am listening to the Secret.. and I learn it's all up to me. I can create the life I want. So I'm not sure, but I give it a whirl. (I love it when I spontaneously rhythm) On my way home, I say, I will make fun friends, I will make friends with BOATS. (Boats and lakes and going out on boats is big here) SO I get home and the sunday I get back I make friends with a girl I had met before AND WE PULL UP TO THEIR HOUSE FOR DINNER AND GUESS WHAT???? THEY HAVE A BOAT! and we love them!
Then there is this other couple that is our age and we adore them too! Interestingly all three hubbies get along like thee pees in a pod. They can all sit around and watch re-runs of "cringe" Beevis and Butthead and get a good laugh. SO we have been spending almost every weekend hanging out with these lovelies BOATING, dinner out, dinner in (they both can cook way YUMMY!) and I am having a blast!
So....how does this tie into ABBA? Well, last weekend we decided we needed to do a "girls night out" and we did it!
The Panera by my house FINALLY opened, YAH YAH YAH!!! and so we went there and sat out on the patio and I caught my first chill in TEXAS, it felt great! SO after some good convo, grins and giggles...we headed over to a MOVIE........can you guess?????
OMGash!!!!!I laughed, I cried, I sang, I danced....and it was sooo great to share it with my new three amigas which I am sooooo grateful to have met! I luv you guys!!
******Rachel, STEPH, MILLIE and AMY if you have NOT seen this movie, you can do two things.... yall HAVE to plan a girls night and go see it together! It will be memorable, I promise! and THEN when I get there in DEC. we have to have a girly party in RACHe's attic and have a Mamma Mia dance party!!! You'll know what I mean after you watch it!*****
I feel remiss, if I started talking about our trip before I mentioned this little guy....yes, at one point IKE was nipping at our heals on the cruise and we were experiencing some rockin and winds.
We went rogue and snuck up to the top level of the ship where we could feel the full effects of these tropical storm strength winds. Probably like 50 MPH...It was thrilling, but stupid and dangerous. They kicked us of and closed it for the remainder of the ship.
A lot of the people helping us of the ship lived in the Galveston area and when questioned, they said they were all staying? I wonder if they did. I pray they will be ok! There saying this is the worst storm to hit Galveston/Houston in 100 years.
Anyway, about the trip....We had a BLAST! I have 150 pictures and YOU KNOW I will be giving you the full report shortly. BUT I have 4 loads of laundry to put away and a deck to clean of in preparations for IKE.....pray for all the coastal people!
Stay tuned for stories about this:
And Spid-ie stories about this:
...and this was per request by yours truly, can I deliver or what?
Good to be home! God bless AMERICA! We are soooooo soooo blessed! More on this later...
thankfully was in town during this time and she captured these really great moments that I am eternally grateful for so.... clear 
We also celebrated Seth's Birthday...he is going Rocker! 
s
In this world of elections, bank failures, natural disasters...to me this is what matters... My family and my faith. The stuff : the cars, the furniture is but a figment of our imaginations. I would give it up tomorrow as long as I can still beleive what I want to and listen to the laughter of my children and husband and people I love. AMEN.
