Wow, it has already been a week? Here is my weekly list of what I am thankful for!

Tax Refunds: This year we really needed it. Gotta love the feeling of getting back money you have already put in. haha However, not only did we pay bills with it, we are now the happy owners of Disney annual passes. SO for that, Uncle Sam, I thank you!

Cool Weather: Florida is generally hot or some form of hot, whether it be humid and muggy or blazing and uncomfortable. So these little breaks from the heat are nice.

My Friends: You know who you are. You have been there for me through alot of crap this past year. Thank you so much for listening to my seemingly endless crying, whining and frustration. I love you all. Without you, I don't know that I could have made it out with my sanity and humor intact.

Potty Power (the DVD): Hats off to this video. Yes, you are just as annoying as the other DVD's that we watch all the time but you have a message. And that message is for Ryan to use the potty and to wash his hands. And he gets it. But maybe not in quite the order you had intended. But still, he is into the potty and that is great. Now if only we could find the flushing lever that somehow he removed. Potty, did you eat it?

Tijuana Flats: I have found a new, less costly restaurant I am in love with and it is you. That is a high honor. I am in love with your oh-so-good-for-you chimichanga. And Ryan loves your cheese dip almost TOO much.

So what are you thankful today for? I am tossing it to my readers that aren't doing it, to start reflecting!

Ryan's Big Boy Room!

We finally decided to go forward with getting Ryan's big boy bed put together in his current room. We have so much to do in the other bedroom that this is the better option at this point. I think we are both liking how all the colors are coming together with the existing color scheme from his Zanzibar nursery stuff. So maybe we will keep him in here. Either way, we are not painting! Plus, we like the location of the room better. Who knows! Here are some pics:
From the door


From the closet

One of the pics I bought for the room (still need to figure out how to frame a 38x27 poster of trains...not an easy task) and part of the train that will eventually go up around the room in the other room

The bed plus Ryan

And because he is a ham...

Well, thanks to Tib, I have decided to carry on this tradition of postng that I am thankful for every Thursday. It doesn't have to be the mundane. It can be random. And I am very random. haha Anyway, here goes...

My son...yes not so random, we all love our kids. Not only does he surprise me with something new he has learned (good or bad) daily, he also is a funny little guy! And he's persistent. I could eat him up most days.

Washable paint...pics will come but any art supply for kids that is washable is a godsend. Truly.

Starbucks coffee...nothing wakes me up like a fresh brewed cup of that. And there are so many days I need that wake me up.

God...again not so random. Last night at Bible study, I learned so much that I never knew. God completely amazes me how He has made this world we live in. And how He continually loves me eventhough I fail Him daily.

Big Brother...hmmm maybe the complete opposite of God but still I LOVE that show. I love that they brought it on early to help with the writers strike. I think if Allen had to watch one more home decorating/makeover/buying show, his head would explode.

Roller Skating!

Boy was that fun! Oh, who am I kidding Ryan hated it. His skates were too big. He had no control whatsoever, but he's 2 so I wasn't surprised. And even Allen and I were hurting. It has been a long time since we were considered "awesome" on skates. haha Here are some pics of Ryan:
Getting the skates on

Daddy lacing him up

And we are up

Nope, we're down

Getting ready to do a split

Oh, Magic 8 Ball, I hope you are right

If you aren't, you will be vacating my blog!

Today is a Blog-filled day!

One of my buddy's inspired me to add a little art work to my blog. I find hers hilarious, so keep looking at the bottom of my page, near my music, for newest piece that cracks me up. Thanks, Tib!!!!

I've Been Tagged!

I guess this is how this goes. I have to answer these questions. And then tag someone else! So be prepared my little readers!
Four jobs I have had in my life:
- Server at Pizza Hut (oh s glamorous)
- Clerk at a Children's Consignment shop
- Therapy assistant/office staff for a Pediatric therapy center
- Supervisor for an anesthesia billing office
Four movies I could watch over and over:
- Dirty Dancing
- Hope Floats
- The American President
- Hmmm any of the Exorcists. They terrify me and I like that!
Four places I have lived:
- Berlin Center, Ohio
- Baytown, Texas
- Dover, Delaware
- Winter Haven, Florida
Four shows that I watch:
(varies by seasons)
- Big Brother
- American Idol
- Property Virgins
- Young and The Restless
Four places I have been:
- Greece (including my fave Santorini)
- London, England
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- some caribbean destinations via cruises
Four people who email me regularly:
- Sarah
- I wouldn't say anyone else right now REGULARLY unless you count people who always send mindless forwards...did I mention that I HATE that? Other people email me once a week or so though
Four of my favorite foods:
- Mexican food (love me some enchiladas)
- anything Italian
- cookies, chocolate chip and homemade soft, not crunchy
- Taco Bell (should be another food group)
Four places I would rather be right now:
- Right now? I guess a spa getting a massage, pedicure and basically anything else pampering
- a movie
- seeing my family
- traveling anywhere fun with the family
Four things I'm looking forward to in the next 12 months:
- a healthy pregnancy HOPEFULLY
- hmmm, 12 months is a long time, so Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary
- getting Ryan's big boy room done
- him being potty-trained
Goals for the New Year:
- Save $
- Not be so stressed
- finish getting the house the way we want it
- Balancing my life
Four gifts I got for Christmas:
- My beautiful mixer
- Is it sad that I can't remember what else?
Four places I want to visit:
- Paris
- Italy
- Hawaii
- And great Britain and Greece again
Four things you did not know about me:
- I am a lefty
- I took diving lessons one whole summer and never was very good
- I went to Las Vegas for my honeymoon
- If you looked at my underwear/sock drawer you'd see complete mayhem except the couple pairs Allen has folded neatly amongst the chaos
Four things I wish I could be better at:
- singing
- saving money
- finishing projects...I am not a finisher
- being touchy/feely...not that way a all
Four things I can cook without a recipe:
- chili
- bake ziti or any baked italian dish
- meatloaf
- cabbage casserole
Musicians that I really like:
- Def Leppard
- Mark Schultz
- Madonna (the old stuff)
- Bryan Adams

OK, now I am going to tag Amy, Shaunee and Tib!

My Little Valentine

I am loving this age. Everything is new and different for Ryan. He is commenting on everything he sees. Yes, I could do without the tantrums but the good definitely outweighs the bad. nyway, on to Valentine's. He loved Valentine's Day this year. Maybe it was just the candy he loved. He's my kid so I am not surprised. So here's a mixture from his Valentine party day at school (Tuesday) and yesterday.

His valentine treats he gave out to the other kids.

Going to school

Looking at stuff from his bag at school (lollipop is from the stuff)

First experience with Conversation Hearts (not a big fan but he was)

Loving the candy

Reading cards with daddy

Saying he wanted to night-night, not so much

Looking through his MOPS bag


Mmmmm, a lollipop

Decisions, decisions, nugget or lollipop

The aftermath of candy

Happy Valentine's

A Quiz About my Favorite Sweets!

COOKIES! If I were a Sesame Street character, I would definitely be Cookie Monster. (although being The Count would be awesome so I could say 1 ahahahaha 2 ahahahaha... all.the.time) So anyway, I ran across this quiz.

You Are a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Traditional and conservative, most people find you comforting. You're friendly and easy to get to know. This makes you very popular - without even trying!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

And I will be posting a Happy Valentine's message as soon as I can Ryan to put back on his shirt.

Wow~ It's finally over!

Allen's 40th birthday has come and gone. The party was a hit. If you are interested in what we did, look at this blog www.allensamazingrace.blogspot.com
I will be updating that blog with pictures and video soon (as in when I have time).
Ryan is actually feeling better, which makes me really happy. And I actually, for the first time in months, feel not as stressed out. I will post more later, with pics.

This is me today

Wll actually this whole week. Too much to do, not enough time. I want to scream. I am trying to remain as stress free as possible. It's getting hard to keep a smile on my face and my brain from exploding.
Ryan has a double ear infection with a cold on top, just like an awesome germ sundae. He is on antibiotics, after 2 trips to the doctors and several breathing treatments.
Allen's 40th birthday party is on full speed towards Saturday. I want it to be perfect and un for him. I want it to be an awesome 40th birthday. And I want my sanity back. So I am looking forward to Saturday to happen. But I am even more so looking forward to Sunday when it is all over.
Myself? I am still trying to work and trying to be a good mom/wife/maid. Oh, who am I kidding, my maid skills suck tremendously. I am a marginal wife. And maybe just a little bit better of a mom these days. I constantly feel like I am not giving anything 100%. And I wish I could. So I need to work on that. Maybe if I got into my Bible study a little heavier, all of these pieces would fall into place abit easier. So maybe that needs to happened first. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Yes,that is where I need to go when I am most stressed out and feeling like a failure to everyone.
Anyway, enough of that. You don't come here to hear my woe-is-me's.
My one funny thing for the day is this....Ryan calls movies "BOOBIES". And no, that is not the type of movie he has been watching. However, now looking at Jessie on Toy Story 2, she has a pretty nice figure for a cartoon character. Heck, so does Ariel from the Little Mermaid, minus the tail. haha

Our New Family Video!!

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