Because its funny

Here is Sadie sleeping on Sparkles' (the lizard -- for those who don't know) cage.

My resolution

Actually two of them -- and both are something I know I can keep.

No losing weight.

No giving up chocolate.

Or Alcohol.

Or anything fun like that.

Nope. My first resolution is this: I will read AT least 2 books a week. And I will post them here to keep myself accountable. This is to guarantee me "Me time"

The second resolution is: Project 365 -- I will take one picture a day. It can be a picture of anything -- but I will take one a day. I'll be posting these in my picasaweb album titled Project 365 :)

The Christmas Goods (and Blah's)

We are finally done with all the christmas trips. Got lots of awesome goodies for one and all.

AND half the family was out with a nasty tummy bug Friday.

The house is coming along nicely. Pics soon.

Because I'm feeling a teensy bit evil

AND I still have no pictures.

A WEEK AND ONLY 5 PICTURES -- Where is the fair? That is so WHACK.

I have decided, JC, Jason Craig, best buddy, my pal, BFF, that if you do not get with the program that I will start posting random memories on the blog for all the world (including your lovely wife) to see.


And I don't mean cute, when we were 5, JC was afraid of the dark stories.

That's right.

I'm talking about the JC did a striptease for the cat when he was drunk off his butt type of stories.

AND remember dear friend, that I have 27 years worth of memory.

Poor Miss Ryley

She looks just like her daddy.


Just kidding JC -- She's beautiful. I'm so glad that she's here safe and not quite so big. LOL. I know everyone said she'd be huge being overdue, but ha, not your baby.


I'm so proud of you. And of course since we are best friends, I feel the need to offer you up some advice.

#1 -- You cannot lock her up in a turret.

#2 -- She's going to cry sometimes just to cry.

#3 -- This one is important. You cannot Kill Kris for calling at 2 or 3 am for old times sakes. :)

Much love to you, Jase. Seriously, I am SO elated for you. And Miss Ryley is the luckiest girl in the world (well, third luckiest) because you are her daddy.

My take on Holland

I posted this on my family blog and I'm going to repost it here. I love you Jen. And W, and Z, and Little Luke man!




Life in Holland -- For Jen
*I am writing this for you Jen. For you because I know you are hurting right now. And I am posting it here. Because I know there are other mothers out there. Mothers who have also found themselves in Holland and maybe they feel all alone too. *

I know that you are staying offline right now. And I understand. I truly do. I'm going to write this post, and I'm using the imagery from 'Welcome to Holland' that you shared with me.

I’ve been there. Where you are. Where you’ve just stepped off the plane and found yourself in Holland. A whole other country than where you should be. Sure its not the same thing, our children do not have the same problems. I’m in a different part of the country than you. But.

It’s still Holland.

And so. I will share with you my journey. My journey through the landscape of Holland as I have seen it thus far.


There were moments when I was sad, sadder than some people thought I should be. Me, with my living, breathing, child.

And there were times I was scared. More scared than most first time mothers are the day they arrive home for the first time with their new babies.

Plus quite a lot of periods of time when I was angry, Oh I was so angry. More angry that a lot of people thought I should be. Me, angry at the world and everything in it.

And then. Something happened.

Soon I was excited. As excited as any mother is when their child starts talking. .

And I was amazed. As amazed as any mother is when their child starts walking.

And now. Now I am enjoying all that life brings me and my child. All the little things. All the non exciting things to other mothers. Because I know. I’m not watching just any child. I’m not watching some genius child prodigy. I’m not watching someone of no importance. I’m watching my child. And I’m seeing her do things. All kinds of things. And she’s doing them on her own. In her own way. In her own time.

And I realized something. I realized that as Mothers, our primary goal is to see our children succeed. Succeed at whatever it is their hearts desire. Some of our children want to be doctors. Some want to be writers. Some want to stay at home and play video games all day long (Hey, it’s the truth). As mothers, we do what we can to help our children, and we hope they take from us all it is to be a kind, decent human being in whatever they choose to do as adults. Some of our children need more from us than others. And some of our children don’t quite know how to take those two steps away from us. They need guidance. They need love. They need acceptance. Acceptance to do things on their own. In their own way. In their own time.

And it is in that simple truth. That I find, Holland, isn’t all that different from Italy.

So you go a head and be. Be sad. Be scared. Be Angry at the world and everyone in it. Be whatever else you want to be. When you return, we'll walk this path together. And then we will show everyone just how beautiful Holland can be.

My little Purty's

3 Little Angels all in a row

From Girls Christmas Pics

From Girls Christmas Pics

From Girls Christmas Pics

Christmas Goodie Recipes

Jaci over at Writeminded asked for some Holiday recipes. It's just as easy to post here for everyone. (JC -- fix your wife some of these for delivering that beautiful baby)

Here's a few Christmas Goodie Recipes!







PECAN PRALINE PIE

1 (9 inch) pie crust (graham cracker or butter cookie)
1 (9 oz.) Cool Whip
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 can Eagle Brand milk
1 c. flake coconut
1/2-1 c. chopped pecans
1/2 stick butter
1 jar caramel topping

Melt butter; stir in coconut and pecans and toast. Watch carefully or will burn before you know it. Mix Eagle Brand milk and cream cheese thoroughly; fold in Cool Whip.

Pour half of mixture into pie shell. Drizzle 1/2 the jar of caramel topping over mixture. Pour remaining pie filling over caramel, then remaining caramel topping over the top of pie. Sprinkle with toasted coconut and pecans. Cover and put in freezer for at least 12 hours before serving.



Snowman Treats
Ingredients:

* 1/2 to 3/4 cup Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter
* 34 round butter-flavored crackers
* 12 ounces white candy coating, coarsely chopped
* 34 miniature chocolate chips
* 9 pieces candy corn, cut lengthwise in half
* 34 milk chocolate M&M's
* Assorted colors of decorating gel

Directions:
Spread peanut butter over half of the crackers; top with remaining crackers to make sandwiches.
In a microwave, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip sandwiches in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper.
Immediately position chocolate chips for eyes and mouths and add a candy corn half for nose. For earmuffs, place an M&M on either side of face, connected with a strip of decorating gel. Let stand for 30 minutes or until set. Yield: 17 servings.


Colorful Candy Bar Cookies

Ingredients:

* 1/2 tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough, softened
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 24 miniature Snickers candy bars
* Red and green colored sugar

Directions:
In a small bowl, beat cookie dough and flour until combined. Shape 1-1/2 teaspoonfuls of dough around each candy bar. Roll in colored sugar.
Place 2 in. apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Yield: 2 dozen.

Dearest JC

I don't believe I have received any recent pictures of my newest little niece.


DO NOT make me call you.


I will do it.


at

2 am


and wake up the princess.


I SO WILL.


ETA: One measly picture does not rectify this situation.

I'm thinking 50 or so and we'll be cool

He tries so hard to be sweet sometimes!

So we are leaving Sutherlands (Like Lowe's) and I tell him that I wish he could more strong manly friends (meaning people who can do manual labor in my place on the house) and he laughs. Then he tells me that he doesn't need anymore friends, he's got the best one already (meaning me)

So I don't reply, then he goes Did you not understand me. Well duh, I understood what you were saying, but hello -- the point of you getting friends was so I don't have to play contractor --- so while the thought is sweet, go find some friends.

Dearest Luke

I think you need one of these.

Reviving the BLOG

:)

Okay. I miss this craziness. And we haven't had silly chats in a long time.

SO. WE will. :)

And I'll blog them all (well mostly lol)


First a quick update on my girlies


Caity -- Our lovely 4.5 year old has kidney problems. And bladder issues. So we've spent the better part of the last 5 months in and out of Children's hospital and visiting our new favorite doctor. Our urologist. We are on a strict medicine regimen currently and eventually will probably opt for a kidney operation once we have the bladder issues under control.


Izzie -- Izzie has her own medical issues, she has genetic anemia, elevated lead levels (which are coming down), and some weight issues. We have her on a high calorie diet to put some weight on her.

For further medical updates -- check out the family blog


AND We got a new house (Merry Christmas to me!)so we are in the middle of preparing it to be moved into (likely late jan/early feb)

Welcome to the World Emmy

You sweet beautiful soul you.


Emily Cathlene.

born 1.30.08
4lbs 9oz
17 inches long

Ah A beautiful start to the new year

Doncha think.........








and my favoritist part -- CHECK out the HAIR!!!!!


Yes -- It's RED RED RED

Effin Thieves

On Wednesday morning, sometime between Midnight and 4 a.m. some effin losers broke into my beloved passport.

They stole JJ's ipod, and broke the mount it went on. They tried to steal the stereo, but were unable, so they just tore up the dash area surounding the stereo and destroyed everything in their reach (including the stereo)

They also stole other minor things, including the diaper bag, and our sling.

Oh and the EFFIN registration for the car too.

I haven't had such a fun week after that.

DOWN WITH SCUM SUCKING SLIMY EFFIN THIEVES.

Dearest Luke

While those feet things are pretty fun (and tasty) these things they call thumbs, they are the bomb diggity.





You should try them sometime.



Your pal,



Izzie

A Funny Moment. Caitlyn's first Curse word

So being at the shop with FIL, Caitlyn's picked up a few things. Most of it is harmless. BUT
She did happen to pick up his favorite line, Piece of Shit.

Usually if he's working on a brand he hates, its We're not doing anymore (insert namebrand here) Pieces of shit. ETC.

Caitlyn is rarely in the back near him, but apparantly she's heard it before.

So one day we go to Mickey D's for lunch. She gets a happy mealof course. The toy breaks that same afternoon, she throws it down in disgust and yells "Piece of Shit"

So while attempting to hold in laughter, I tell her that we dont say that. I was shocked though that she used it in proper context.