Hello again! And Happy New Year!

I'm Back!! I'm Back!! Did anyone miss me???? Its a new year with a new computer. You will not believe the stuff I need to get caught up on. So much has happened but yet...nothing happened. That's kind of how my life goes sometimes. Thinking about getting caught up makes me exhausted. I have a truck load of pictures to download and go through (I am anxious to show you my snow pictures) and I need to figure out how much I am going to post about.

But until then......here is a little 2008 year end review quiz. I found this at another blog that I frequent. She posts this same thing every new year.
Some of the questions are a bit silly, but it’s still kind of an interesting way to recap your year and compare to years past.
So you should embrace this thrilling ritual, because in the wake of the holidays I’m sure you have nothing better to do than answer some long-winded quiz, right? Here are the questions:

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Rode the subway in New York. Also I survived 10 days away from my husband and kids


2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Why look back? Lets just look to the future...

*I want to be more loving and attentive to my husband
*More patient with my kids
*Be wiser with our money
*Get in better shape
* Be a better friend
*Learn how to take better pictures
*Be a better cook


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Both of my sister-in-laws had baby girls this summer

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My husbands Aunt Nancy lost her battle with cancer this past February.

5. What countries did you visit?
No new countries but I did visit some new states. My mom took me to New York in May. It was awesome!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More patience and definetly more faith. Everyone can use a little more faith I think


7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Probably when Kaden FINALLY agreed it was ok to use the potty

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
It may seem like a small thing but I braved getting my mole removed

9. What was your biggest failure?
Getting nothing done! I feel I have not improved or grown this year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
None of my own but I did suffer through Kadens broken arm

11. What was the best thing you bought?
New computer parts so I won't go crazy not being online!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Todd...for sticking with me!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Probably some of the people at Todds work. Some decisions made this year affected us in a huge way

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills... Bills... Bills....groceries and a few trips along the way

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Anytime I went away on vacation this year. Mount Baker, Weaverville, Vegas, New York and Disneyland

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Believe by Mainstay

When all around me starts to fall and when my faith it seems so small
Even in my darkest hour, I will believe
Even if the sun begins to fall, even when I feel nothing at all
Even if I’m all alone, I will believe I will believe...

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? I would have to say a little sadder. I had higher hopes this time last year
b) thinner or fatter? I think I am a little thinner (but only because I just got over the flu)
c) richer or poorer? Definitely poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Smiled. Laughed. Loved.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Complain. Worry. Cry

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve with my family. Christmas morning with just us and then Christmas afternoon with Todds family

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I fell in love with my husband again

22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office. I also got into Sex and the City

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone but I hate our situation we are in now

24. What was the best book you read?
Um duh....Twilight!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I love Muse!

26. What did you want and get?
For my family to continue to be safe and healthy

27. What did you want and not get?
To get pregnant. Get a job I could do at home

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I enjoyed going to Twilight on opening night

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 34 at a cabin in Mount Baker with some friends

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The economy making a turn for the better

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Having to do with what I got

32. What kept you sane?
My blog and Facebook. Oh and naptime!

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I am not one to "fancy" celebrity's. I think its all ridiculous

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I have to admit I don't pay to much attention to politics

35. Who did you miss?
I miss the happier and less stressful ME

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Didn't meet alot of new people but I have reconnected with alot of old friends this year

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Live within your means

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see'
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

Ding Dong The Computers Dead!

I am at the library on the computer right now. Our computer at home a finally kicked the bucket! We knew it was coming. We were warned. The power source has been slowly going out and yesterday it said it's final prayer. May it rest in peace. When are we going to get it fixed??? Who knows. Until then I am offline which drives me crazy insane. I feel so disconnected. I would give up my phone anyday if it meant I could still have the computer. I feel lost and disoriented with the comfort of getting online. *sigh*

So anyways....I have new stories to tell about going downtown and seeing the gingerbread houses and getting santa pictures. We've also got snow with frigid temperatures. All this will have to wait.

Goodbye for now my friends....

Going through the motions of Christmas

Its December 12 and so far the Christmas spirit hasn't visited us yet. Its always been a struggle but this year in particular seems really really hard. I feel like we are going through the motions and everywhere I turn the struggle gets bigger and bigger.

For instance our tree....

I can't get over how pathetic it is. Usually we go out as a family to a tree farm and cut down our own tree. But with Todds schedule we decided that we would just have to go buy one at the store. We are a "noble" family. We like the branches to have nice even spaces between them so the ornaments can dangle. Lowes is trying to tell us that this is a noble.....I don't think so. Look how full and barrel shapes it is. We might as well saved ourselves $15 and bought a douglas fur! (sorry to all the douglas fur fans out there) But the story doesn't end there. You probably can't see it by the picture but there is a huge hole in the front of the tree. That is where the tree-train was supposed to go but after Todd cut back the branches to try and fit it in, we realized the trunk is way to thick. So no tree-train this year AND there is a big freaking hole in the front of it. And also, for the icing on the cake....not only are we losing needles faster then a speeding bullet but the tree is leaning! Todd doesn't see it so he won't fix it.

This is the beginning of the huge pile of lights that are not working this year. All the icicle lights and all the lights for the windows are broken. When I put them away last year they were working. What is happening inside those boxes during the year. I swear its a conspiracy going on. So we don't have all the lights put up because its not like we are going to go buy more....cuz we are freaking broke! Yes its a tight Christmas this year. Todd lost about $1300 a month in his income because the company is cutting back on expenses. So that means Todd and I are not buying for each other this year. Which I guess is fine because I don't really NEED anything that bad. But the lack of Christmas shopping as put a slight damper on the spirit. I am not a big spender or a major shopper but I love to go Christmas shopping. I love the challenge of finding the right gift at the right price. I love finding an item on sale and feeling like I got a good deal. I love the walking around, touching and thinking about things. With Kyler getting older I found it harder to figure out what to get him because not only does he have everything but he is almost out of the toy stage so you can't just grab a toy off the shelf. Research needs to happen. And I enjoy the challenge. And even though I know I don't need anything and its more important for the kids to receive...there is that small part, that little girl inside of me that will be disappointed to have no presents under the tree for me this year.

I use to work in retail and even though I am glad to not be doing that, there is a small part of me that misses it during the Christmas season. I worked in the perfume section and would help everybody pick out there gifts. I would wrap them up in pretty , elaborate packaging and feel really appreciated for it. Sometimes I miss the hustle and bustle of it all.

*Slap *Slap...I know I need to get a hold of myself. I know what the true meaning of Christmas is. But even that part feels like its missing this year. *sigh*

Maybe when the baby is in the manger...then I will feel better.

What??

The strangest thing happened to me today and of course my first thought was "I might just have to blog about that!"

ok so here's was happened.....

I am in the check out line at Target and I hear "Can I see your ID?" (and no this is not a repeat of my last ID post) my response was "huh??" cuz you see I didn't have anything I felt I needed to be carded for. No alcohol. No cigarettes. I wasn't trying to see an R movie. and I wasn't writing a check. Can you guess what I was being carded for???

Go ahead.. take a guess. I bet you'll never figure it out in a million years!

It was...

AIR!

Yes Air! Canned Air that is. And the checkout chick couldn't even tell me why (though I guess if you really really think about it I am sure it has to do with getting high or something!) But she definitely had to scan my ID before moving on. So weird! I don't even know what this world is coming to and what will be next.

What goes beyond having to be an adult to have air?

Thanksgiving Martha Stewart Style

Let me introduce you to my cousin Brian (Thank you Brian for dressing for the occasion!) and his girlfriend/fiance/wife Audrey. (Nobody knows what to call her cuz they've been together for like 13 years, they both wear wedding rings and they call each other husband and wife BUT they are not married...confusing!) Anyways...we were invited to there house for Thanksgiving this year and thank goodness for that cuz up to a few days before, we had no where to go! I didn't know this but Audrey is our familys very own Martha Stewart.

I just couldn't believe what she put together. I mean you see this kind of stuff on tv but never in real life...especially in Arlington WA where hicks are very common.

Just look at this...my place tag was hand done just for me!

The kids had there very own table...not that Kaden sat there for very long but its was blissful for a few minutes

This here is what you would call Pink Panties

Pink lemonade..7up...Vanilla Vodka...Just trust me on this one!

This is how we had our turkey prepared this year

I was wary and a little frightened but I tell ya...it was the yummiest turkey I have ever had.

Yes that is my child sucking on a greasy turkey leg and yes I am ok with that...but only because it Thanksgiving.

The kids got to make a gingerbread house too (Good idea Audrey!)

All in all it was a great Thanksgiving! I don't know if it was because of the fancy table set up but the food was just amazing! The best Thanksgiving feast I think I have ever had. My mom's pumpkin pie was missing but I guess everything can't always be perfect!

But don't ask Kaden how he felt about dinner

He chose to have cereal instead

I could sleep for like a 100 years!

We are back from our Thanksgiving travels and we had a great holiday with the family. Yes, I have pictures and stories but right now I think I just need a vacation from my vacation. The house is a wreck and all I want to do is work on my puzzle. Also I need to delete a ton of crap off of the computer so I can download more pictures. It feels weird to not have posted anything in over a week and I don't know if anyone even noticed. But I am hoping to get my act together in the next couple of days. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and if you braved Black Friday like I did....God bless you child!

I Went, I Watched....And I LOVED IT!

Can I say that I am SOOOOOOOO glad I was not disappointed!!

I have fallen in love with Twilight all over again. What is it about these books and these characters that just draws you in like nothing else? I wish more people I knew would read it and love it as much as I do.

I loved how the audience reacted to different things in the movie. The tension of when they meet and before they get together...you can feel everyone holding their breathe knowing whats going to happen. Laughing at times because we know the characters soooo well and we know the meaning behind a certain look or action, that it makes the movie so much more enjoyable.

I am looking forward to the next movie (or movies?) and OH YES their will be a next one...you can count on that one! If you haven't seen the movie yet...just you wait and see!

My favorite scenes......The baseball game (Love the song!) and the gazeebo scene (love that song too)

PLEASE PLEASE do yourself a favor and reading the freaking book and THEN go see the movie (and only in that order!) you will wonder why you waited so long to join the movement.

Hi my name is Andrea Reynolds and I am an Edward-oholic...and I am ok with that!

Only a mom can relate (Read at your own risk!)

I know it may be way to soon to have any sort of celebration dance but....Can I just say that Kaden is doing SOOOO amazingly well at using his little potty! I can't believe it. Am I on Candid Camera? We have had no accidents since Wednesday and no diapers on unless its bedtime. Well unless you count when he peed on the floor because his little penis wasn't pointed down in the toilet. By the way.....how do you properly clean the carpet anyways. I can't get the smell out!

Did I mention we only started all this on Tuesday??

Anyways, he tells me when he has to go...kind of. He has an almost desperate plea in his voice when he calls for me. Of course I'm immediately "in action" when he needs me and 45% of the time its a false alarm. Kind of exhausting but oh well. Todd says I can't let it rule my life. Um...what? How can you ask that? Of course its going to rule my life! It will rule this house until we are confident he won't pee all over our bed. (again!)

Now when it comes to poo?... As I type this Kaden is sitting on the potty next to me whining and carrying on. "I don't want it...I don't want it!" "I not do it! I not!" "No Ma no!" He has to poop but he is scared. Its really the funniest thing today yet. I can't help giggle about it. He's so serious about it while his face is turning red. Somehow when you are scared to go poo....it becomes alittle backed up. (Go Kaden go...Go Kaden go!)

We actually ventured out yesterday but stayed clear of the public bathrooms. I think we need to take it one step at a time. I don't want to scare the kid to death.

Right now he is running around and yelling to Kylers friends in the other room..."I did it! I did it!" They have no idea what he is talking about and completely ignoring him.

I guess he'll have to celebrate with his candy alone