Happy Birthday Honey!

Sending out a special Birthday Wish to my loving husband, Matt. He has finally caught back up to me in age. He is always giving me a hard time about me being older than him since my birthday is a few weeks before his. Well honey, as you should know, I don't consider myself old just quite a bit wiser.....LOL.....no really =)

Yesterday was officially his birthday so Caleb and I decided we would make his favorite dessert, banana cream pie, instead of buying a cake we won't eat. We made the whole pie from scratch w/ a little help from JELL-O instant pudding mix. Then decided to make spaghetti for dinner. It was very enjoyable, my dad even came over for the celebration.

Oh where the years have gone. I remember first meeting Matt my freshman year in high school in Mrs. Pruemer's English class at the ripe old age of 15. Those were the innocent years when we never thought about getting old. Not to mention the fact that we were invincible. Now all we think about is adding another year on. Now instead of every weekend planning parties with our friends we are planning family time or scheduling dinner plans. The funny thing about this is it's perfect to me. I couldn't live without my family. I know I'm getting older now.

Anyway,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY, I hope you had a great day!!!

I love Comments

I know there are a few people other than Christina & Dawn (thanks girls) that read my blog. I know this because I sort of kind of track it. Plus this morning I had an email from someone who said they read my blog and wanted me to check theirs out. Well I did, buuuutttt, I couldn't read a lick of it. I'm not even sure where they were from. It was a nice blog set up but that's all the further I got.

Now, I'm just worried about identity theft. Weird huh?!? I'm just not to computer literate and afraid that by opening up that email msg then I let some crazy person in on a lot of personal information. I know I'm crazy. Did I screw up by opening that email msg about my blog?

Anyway, what I'm getting at is, if you stop by my blog please let me know by leaving a comment if you have one. I love to hear other people's opinions on some of my moments, the good and the not so good :-)

Thanks for understanding, Have a great day!!!

The Christmas Madness Starts Today

Today is the beginning of my families Christmas Madness!! From this point till Sunday evening we will be rushing around getting ready for each of our families Christmas'. I wish I could plan on spending more time w/ just Matt and Caleb. Does this feeling make me a selfish person? I just don't feel, though we are together through all the family Christmas', that we get to celebrate Christmas "together". We are always looking at the clock making sure we allow ourselves to get to the next event. Where is the Christmas cheer in that?

Here's the list of Christmas events for us this year:
1st, Christmas Eve: My mom and dad's
2nd, Christmas Day: Our house in the morning
Tom & Sue's (for immediate family) by 11:30-12pm
My Gma Millie's (for my dad's side) by 5-5:30pm
3rd, Dec.26th: Back to Tom and Sue's (for Tom's side)
4th, Dec.27th: Matt's cousin Lucy is having a Christmas Wedding
5th, Dec.28th: Over to Angie & Joe's (for Susan's side) at 12pm

Oh, did I mention that I work on Christmas Eve till noon and the 26th from 7:30-5:30pm. Seems like there's no time to breath let alone time to enjoy the holidays when your constantly on the go.

This may not seem like a lot to everyone else but for me, who before I got married, had only 2 Christmas' to attend throughout all my youth years. So this is still a huge adjustment for me. I know you would think after 6 years of this I'd be used to it, but it just seems to get more hard for me as the years go on but I keep smiling and moving through the motions.

Not only do I have a problem w/ being on the go but I feel that Caleb doesn't get to enjoy any of his gifts from Santa because once he unwraps them he's bounced to another location. Christmas is about the children and watching there eyes light up with excitement with every gift they open. How can any appreciation or satisfaction be shown when your just too busy to enjoy everything?

Wish me luck through this busy Christmas Season that I keep my sanity. Merry Christmas everyone!

Winter Wonderland

The cold Christmas snow, rain, and ice has finally struck Effingham. I sit here worrying about all the travelers on the road to make it home for the holidays. I'm such a worry wart about things I can't control. I won't feel good until I hear they've made it.

The ones worrying me the most are my kid sisters, 2 coming from Chicago (Jennifer & Elizabeth)and 1 coming from Champaign (Alicia) . I'm also concerned w/ my my B-I-L and S-I-L, Chris and Christina, and my sweet little nephew Calvin who are traveling south to see Mickey and Minnie for Christmas. I'm still waiting for the word on there safe arrival to Walt Disney World :-)

I hope everyone is careful w/ there travels and please wear your seat belts. Can't wait to see you all soon.

My Baby Turned 10 Today.

I think today was possibly the hardest day for me when it came to my son, Caleb. How did the time manage to slip away so quickly? I can't believe my little baby turned double digits today! He is supposed to stay little forever. Isn't there a contract for that? If not I need to figure out how to have a contract made :-)

He is just growing up so fast before my eyes. He is so independent now. He enjoys doing certain things other than just hanging out w/ me now, such as; Playing w/ his friends, hunting, going to any sporting event possible w/ whoever will take him, he's grown into a mighty hunter in training, and most of all he is starting to separate himself from us at all cost. Am I not "cool" anymore? How can you stand to hang out w/ your friends more than me :-)

He is a very sweet natured, loving, and thoughtful boy w/ an adventurous and mischievous side. He knows how to play mom and dad against each other, what child doesn't. But in his rougher times he knows who to come to if he really needs a warm word of advice - ME.....LOL! (Who else would it be)

So I guess I'm not necessarily loosing my little boy completely but watching his transformation from my little baby boy into a young man has my heart torn with emotion.

Caleb,
I hope to never loose momma's little boy. No matter what I hope you always know how much your father and I LOVE you. Your my little buddy, personal stylist, and confidant. I'm pretty sure I count on you as much as you count on me. I know in years to come that may all change, but for now I'm holding on w/ dear life to every moment we are lucky enough to share. I hope you've had a wonderful 10th Birthday filled w/ much love and memories.

Oh ya, don't ever forget: It doesn't matter how old you are, you'll always be my little baby boy.


Love Always,
Mom


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I would also like to take this time to send a Happy Birthday cheer to my kid sister for she and my little man share the same Birthday. How sweet is that, right!?!

Happy Birthday Jen!!!!! Hope you had a great day!

They're Coming Home :-)

Well, mom and dad are finally coming home today from there wonderful, well deserved trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Mom has been checking in periodically to let me know how much fun they were having together. It's so nice to hear her so happy!

I can't wait to see them tonight, I don't think there going to be getting home till about 8pm if the weather is cooperative. I think I'll surprise them and be there when they get home and help them unpack and settle back in to the "Real World" of Illinois cold :-)

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Mom & Dad,
I'm so glad you enjoyed yourselves in the sunny land of "NO Problem Mon". However, I also am so very happy your coming home because I've missed you terribly! I lost the ones I can always turn to in a pinch for a whole week ~ I never knew how much I really need you!

Prayers

Wanting to take a minute and let a friend of mine know I'm thinking of her on a difficult day. No words can heal, only time will help, but a shoulder to cry on is always near.

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For all my passer by's:
Please say a quick prayer for my friend and anyone else who may be having a hard time this Christmas Season.

God Bless & Merry Christmas!!

Havin a Blast

My momma called me at 8:17 this morning. Yaaa, it was so nice to hear from her. The sayings "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" or "You don't know what you got till its gone" are 100% true statements.

It was great to hear that my parents are actually ENJOYING there time away together! They both have gone snorkeling, mom said dad drank half the ocean, but they enjoyed it and would do it again. Yesterday they went to Dunn's River Falls and climbed it, what an accomplishment for my parents =) My mom and aunt went on the paddle boats too. Mom said she was interested in wind surfing today if the weather held up, she said it was in the 80's there and sunny - we can only dream of that weather now.

I have just one request: Bring some sunshine home w/ you on Friday =)

Thinking of my Sis

Just sitting here thinking of my kid sister on a cold winter night. I just wish we were closer in age so we could appreciate the same things in life. Having an eight year difference in age really can challenge a sibling relationship.

I've always loved my kid sister but as normal we don't always see eye to eye. I just want to learn how to work together instead of always butting heads w/ each other. There is no doubt that we both have love for one another but our lives are just so different. Why do I have such a hard time relating to her? Am I a really difficult person? I find myself questioning this situation a lot. I don't know how to fix it & trust me I'm a fixer. I know I'm partially to blame for this situation but our attitudes on life are linear opposite. I'm more plan, plan, plan and she is more relax and let things happen. How do you fix such different personalities?

I know at this point in our lives we need to figure something out, but how? Any opinions? It's the Christmas season, the time to show our love for one another and to appreciate all God has given us? I have a ton to be thankful for and she is one of the biggest gifts in my life. I want to know how I can reach out to her and start over from any sadness I may have caused her or any times of doubtfulness I may have led her to think of herself.

Jennifer, you are a wonderful person!! No matter what situation may happen between us always know that I love you w/ all my heart. I would never intentionally hurt you and I know the same goes for you. May the days to come embrace our characters to prove to each other that life is good and being unhappy gets us nowhere.

We are strong individuals who both have a mind of our own and we both need to work on the fact that we are NOT always right! You win some, you lose some, but no matter what, your a better person because of every experience you have in life.

Always know,

I LOVE YOU SIS!!!

Christina, I did it!!!!

I know that most people will think I'm a weird-o for getting so excited about something that probably comes so easy to most but I did it and I'm so proud of myself!

Anyone who knows me knows I'm pretty computer illiterate. If I can't figure something out I just call my brilliant, computer savvy S-I-L, Christina. Well tonight I figured out all by myself how to download songs and put them on my blog!! Cool right?!? I didn't even have to call Christina w/ the usual technical help, I'm so excited and proud of myself.

OK, enough gloating on myself I just wanted to share my happiness w/ everyone else who might find this blog humorous =)

Thank You Gma Sue =)

Thank you for the sweater Grandma Sue. I really appreciated it! That was a very sweet thought. I plan on wearing it for Christmas Day.

Love Always,
Caleb

Shout Out!!!

I want to send a Shout Out to my S-I-L, Christina. Your the best!!!

She and my very handsome nephew Calvin brought over a cute Christmas box filled w/ all kinds of yummy surprises =) You and your friends did an excellent job on the Christmas Candy this year, as always ;-)

Thanks again for your Christmas wishes, they are very much appreciated.

They Made It!!

Jamaica Bound and Free!

My mom and dad and my aunt and uncle have landed in the beautiful, warm, and sunny Jamaica this afternoon. I'm so jealous =)

My mom and dad have been married for 25 years and haven't been out of the U.S. once. My dad has never been on a plane before. Furthermore, he's barely been out of Illinois. I think he's been as far as Florida - ONCE. So we were a little worried he might get butterflies upon entering the plane and chicken out.

Well he did great! No problems through the flight and they are well on their way to a Fun and Worry Free Week in the land of "NO Problem Man" Jamaica.

I hope they take a lot of pictures so they can prove they were really there =) Wish you the best, be careful, and most of all - HAVE A BLAST!!!

On to #2 - NEW MOON

Well I'm ready for book #2 - New Moon. I'm so excited!

I've been so busy at work today that I haven't had a chance to open the book. I will however get started this evening. The way the last book left off I have to find out how Edwards family feels about Bella now.

Secret Santa?!?

I want to thank whoever it was that dropped a sweater, placed in a holiday bag, w/ red tissue paper on top, off at our home this afternoon. Unfortunately I'm at a loss. I don't know what to do w/ it. Is it for him for Christmas, his Birthday, or just because? When should I give it to him? It's a really cute sweater that would be great for Christmas pix. So whomever this Secret Santa is please let me know what I'm supposed to do.

If I don't hear from anyone by next Friday I'll just go ahead and give it to him as an extra birthday gift. This way he'll have it washed and available for our family Christmas'.

Again, A Big Thank You to whomever you are!!! You have great taste =)

I'm getting old

In my past 32 years of life I have never been able to drink coffee. It would make me really jittery and then sick to my stomach. I never knew why it made me feel this way but it did therefore I never drank it. I absolutely LOVE the smell of coffee so it made it very frustrating to not be able to drink it. So to deal w/ cold weather I always stuck w/ my hot chocolate.

On Tuesday I didn't have time for my hot chocolate run and I was freezing at work. Even w/ my space heater on I couldn't get warm. So I thought I would try coffee one more time. It was actually good to me. Yes, I had to put two packets of sugar and one packet of creamer in it but who's counting that? It tasted good to me and it didn't make me jittery or sick. Wow, was this really it? I can drink coffee?

My new theory on it is: I'm getting old!!!!

Yaaa, I did it!!

I finally got the book TWILIGHT read. All 500 some pages. For me, this is a major accomplishment because I hate to read. I'd much rather watch a movie if I had any down time available.

Talk about a great book. Yes, the movie was very good but this book was great. It went into so much more detail and filled you in on a lot that the movie left out. I was very impressed w/ all the good details on each character and the showing of how much one family would do to help someone they loved! Ahhh, definitely a chick thing.

I want to send a big Shout Out to my friend Dawn :-) Thank you for introducing me to the series of books. Now I'm addicted and even though I asked for the New Moon for Christmas I'm not going to be able to wait. I'm going to get it tonight while I'm out. The sneak peak at the end of Twilight leaves you hanging at such a dramatic point......OMG.....I'm hooked!!

Well, I'm off on my next adventure......till next time....

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Well, another year is gone and so much to look back on.

I had a wonderful birthday today. To start my day off I walked into work and found an apple fritter (my favorite doughnut) on my desk w/ a lit candle in the center and my boss sang his version of Happy Birthday. Let's just say it was the version about a monkey, haha.

Then about an hour and a half my delightful mother surprised me w/ a plate full of her famous, melt in your mouth, buttery, delicious pancakes. Your the best mom!! She then stayed to visit for about an hour. While she was there I had a beautiful surprise of flowers delivered to me from Martin's IGA. One bouquet was from my sweet, sweet son, Caleb. The other was from my momma. It really put a smile on my face.

Then my friends Mark and Janet and their daughter Jenny took me out to TGIFridays for lunch....I know your thinking how could I eat so much right.....I like food. I tried something different, Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta w/ Alfredo sauce and red peppers....mmmmm. Lunch was great until we were ready to leave and Janet conveniently reminded our waitress that it was my BIRTHDAY!! So of course they brought out some yummy ice-cream w/ chocolate and Carmel syrup on it and then sang their famous song. Oh the memories.

Then after work my hubby took me out to Puerta Vallerta and had a good meal, where my sweet, sweet son had to let them know it was my birthday and yes, they sang to me there too. I think he did it just for the desert since I was full.

After this long fabulous day we got home and there was one more gift to open from Matthew. As I opened it and read the box I was so excited!!! It was something I've been wanting for a long time now and didn't expect to get for my birthday, maybe Christmas, but not my birthday! I got my CANON Powershot SD890 IS!!!!! I ripped it open and started taking pix of everything; Caleb, my mom, Matt, my cat, the living room - I think you can get my excitement now. Honey your the best! This camera is amazing!!!! Now I can take pix up a storm at all our Christmas get togethers, yaaaa!!! Look out everyone.

Thank you to everyone that called, text, emailed me, and stopped by today. You have all made my day! I haven't been one to be very excited about birthdays in the past few years, it seems to be just another day. However, today was absolutely wonderful and yes, IT WAS ALL ABOUT ME! Everyone who cares about me let me know one way or another and that melts my heart. I have a lot of good people surrounding my life. Thank you all again!

Happy Thoughts for me!

Well as of today I'm a widow till Sunday. Deer Season has struck again. I've got a lot going on this week and emotions are running high. Anymore lately that's all I am, a big pile of blubery emotions. Tears, sobs, and sleepless nights.

I usually love deer season. I have the house to myself for my good quality Me time. This year is soo different for me though, why? Anyone who knows me probably knows why. I try so hard to be strong on the outside and carry a positive attitude, but this season it's really difficult to do without my husband. I've never been this needy before and I hope it doesn't last long. I know I'll make it through. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm just not a quiter. I will prevail in what I'm working so hard for. I have nothing but happy thoughts now for a wonderful future.

Good Luck Honey!! Hope you find you BIG Buck!

Here's to my HAPPY THOUGHTS!