A little bit of this ...

Random thoughts

2009-11-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's me again - how long has it been? Too long.

My heart breaks for all the families involved in the shooting at Fort Hood, TX yesterday. Jason and I talked about it last night .. and like I told him, it's one thing when you don't know anyone closely involved ... yes, it's sad .. but when you know someone that is closely involved (a friend is stationed out of Fort Hood) it's a different story. I was glad to hear that his wife and son were safe in their home when this all happened. I am not sure if he knew any of the fallen .. or any of the injured .. but I am sure that it's still "family" ... you know? Hard to explain. I pray that the Lord is with the families of those fallen, that he will bring quick healing to those that are injured .. and that He would bring peace to all those involved.

Last night we brought Joseph to the mall to get his suit fitted for Megan and Hunter's wedding - which is tomorrow. He looked mighty handsome and can't wait to see them all together tomorrow. I will try and remember to post pictures.

I can't believe how quickly Christmas is approaching! 48 days! YIKES. I've gone some shopping done, but definitely not enough! I so need to figure out what to get for Jason's mom, dad and sister ... and also other gifts for the kids. We have one idea - but not sure if Santa is going to bring that or not. Big responsibility that I am not sure if we are ready to take or not. I will post more another time about that. I am so ready to put my Christmas tree up and decorations!!! :) :) :)

Well, I honestly am not sure what else to write about - so I guess I should go and try to FLY for a little while. LOTS to get done since I haven't done much all week ... and this weekend is going to be busy.

* rehearsal tonight
* wedding tomorrow, Party Lite candle party at Christi's in the evening
* church, Jason has meeting, choir, church on Sunday

Yikes!!!! HELP. will it ever slow down!?!?

Be blessed - will write more later. Maybe an update on all the things I will get done today!

I want 2 to blog ..

2009-07-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

.... I really do want to blog, but I have no clue what to blog about. Woke up this morning with no voice, and it honestly isn't that great still ... but at least I can say a few things. As long as I don't try to scream. LOL ... with 4 kids ...

School starts in just a little over a week. THANKFULLY. It will be nice to have quiet in the house for a while. Will only have about 2 1/2 hours with all 4 kids at home before Jason gets home. That is nice. His schedule changed this morning ... he only had to go to work for 7:30am. It was nice to snuggle this morning a little before he had to go. Just quiet time ... always nice.

I should be doing dishes or laundry right now -- and will as soon as I get done with this post ... but I wanted to jot a few things down first. LOL .. I know, not really interesting -- but hey, it works for now. At least it shows that I am still around! :) I am ok ...

Alive.

Blessed.

Kids are great.

Jason is good.

Christmas in July ladies fellowship at church tomorrow evening .. supposed to get set up our table tonight -- and I am not sure if I have all that I need for it. sad. I tried to call the person who is supposed to be helping me -- and got no answer .. so I will try again in a few minutes ...

Musical dress rehearsal all day Saturday -- Jason has to be there to help on Saturday morning, kids have to be there for 1pm. Praying for Brandi and her stress level during this ... I think it's going to be great.

Baptism on Sunday morning - Joseph! How awesome is that!!! :)

Ok, that is all for now. Need to go and get a few things done before Jason gets home from work.

Be blessed.

Live, Love, Laugh

2009-07-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

It's been months since I've taken the time to sit and type out a blog post. Forgive me? HA, is there really anyone reading this to answer that question? Doubt it very much! :) But, oh well - at least it's there for me to go back to and read - if I ever take the time.

Since I last posted, many things have happened. The end of the school year and start of the summer vacation for the kids - but of course, here we are, less than 2 weeks before school starts up AGAIN. I can't believe that I will have a 4th grader and 2nd grader. I am looking forward to finding out who will be their teachers. So far we have been blessed with amazing teachers for the kids and I hope and pray that it will continue. I know it's going to be a lot more to handle - much more homework ... but I believe that they can do it. They are ready to learn more! :)

Soon we will be celebrating Samuel and Jenna's 3rd birthday - wow! Where has the time gone?? Can't believe they will be 3 years old ... and that means, it will be 3 years since I've seen my parents and sister .. and I know how much that upsets them .. especially my dad, because I told him that I would see him in less than 2 years. OOPS! Who knows when we will get the chance to go up to Canada to visit them. Especially now with the ticket prices so much -- and such a long drive!!! blah. Procrastination.

Concerts - I've seen NKOTB 2 times since I last posted. I saw their opening show for the Full Service Tour in Atlanta - in June and also saw a show in Memphis in July. I was hoping to attend the last show of the tour in Texas on July 18th .. but we just couldn't do it. LOL ... no way were we adding 400 miles to our trip to Oklahoma .. although it would have been AMAZING to be there. :) Now, here's waiting on what will be next (my friend Shannon is trying to convince me to go on the May cruise -- but there is just no way I can justify spending that much money on a NKOTB tour). LOL ... so, who knows what will be next.

I took Stephanie to see Demi Lovato -- was a really good show .. and I am so glad that I was able to take her. It was great to be there also with Shannon and her 2 nieces -- even if we were not sitting together ... just sharing the experience with them. Now we are awaiting the Aug 22nd Jonas Brothers concert. Praying that Shannon will be able to find tickets for her and her niece. :)

Jason and I just celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary ... July 18th. Along with my friend Rachael and her husband, Jeff. Who knew we would ever become great friends and share that special day!! :) We were driving to Oklahoma on our anniversary ... and we got to go out twice (once to the Melting Pot here and once at the Cheesecake Factory in Oklahoma) ... I can't believe it's been 11 years!! WOW!

Not sure what else to write, so I guess that I will end with that .. Hope that you all have a blessed day!

NKOTB Day! :)

2009-04-24T08:26:00.001-07:00

Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis declared April 24, 1989, "New Kids on the Block Day."

Happy New Kids on the Block Day to everyone! :)

2009-04-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

-- Tomorrow is Friday -- YAY! I love weekends and I love them even more when Jason only has to work half a day. Since he worked this past weekend, he only has to work 8am-noon tomorrow. Kids will get home from school at 2:30pm and then he'll take them to his parents house. They are going to spend the night with them (yes, all 4 kids) ... this is a first, so we will just have to wait and see how it goes. Pray for us! :) I think we are going to try and go to The Melting Pot for supper and then not sure if we'll do anything after that or not. I am letting Jason decide what we are doing.

Don't really have plans for the rest of the weekend. We'll probably have to head over to his parents at a decent time on Saturday -- and it's supposed to be a high of 80+ ... so not sure what we'll do. Maybe we can take the kids somewhere in the afternoon to run around outside. There are many parks in the area ...

My friend Ken - who is currently overseas is leaving today to go home for 2 weeks of R&R. I am praying for a safe trip home and praying for the time he will spend with his family - much needed at this time. It's been great catching up with him lately -- and will miss chatting with him while he is gone -- but he definitely needs this time with his family.

-- Currently 78F outside. I think I will grill out some ribs for supper tonight. YUMMY. Trying to figure out what I am going to do with my potatoes. Do I mash them? Do I make homefries with them? Do I bake them? Do I cook them with butter and garlic in the oven? Help! :)

Waiting on Stephanie to get home from school. My SIL is picking her up. She had a play rehearsal at school -- her SEARCH program is putting it together -- and for the next 3 Thursdays they are staying an extra hour at school to work on it. She should be getting out in the next few minutes -- and should not take them long to get home! I can't wait to see how it went -- what she thinks -- what will come from it (what part she will have and things like that) .. Not sure when exactly they are doing the show -- but I guess we'll get that info soon enough. Well, just got a text from SIL -- and they are going for ice cream. Not fair to the other 3 kids -- even though they don't know about it -- but nothing I can really do about it. Hope Stephanie won't say anything about it to them.

I suppose I need to go now and get some things started for supper. I also need toget some laundry done. fun fun, not!

Hope that you all (who read) are having a blessed day and you have a most wonderful weekend.

Be blessed.

Hello ... is this thing on?

2009-04-21T18:06:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would write a little something -- even though I don't really have much on my mind that I would like to write about. But, I thought I would do it anyway! LOL. Not as if anyone is reading this anyway -- that I know of :) Most people have been so busy lately.

-- Twitter -- are you on it? I am :) ypatten35 is my username on there if you want to "follow" me. Part of me is a little tired of listening to other people's conversations on there -- so I only follow certain people on my actual phone -- all others, I follow online! LOL

-- Facebook -- That place is so much fun and I've taken to playing 2 games on there. Farm Town and Restaurant City. Great place to keep in touch with people as well. Most of my photos are on there if you want to check them out. So much easier to put them there than to add them to posts here.

Nothing much going on around here .. Just taking it easy -- waiting on school to be done for the summer. 23 days. wow. Am I ready to have a 4th grader and a 2nd grader? I just don't think so.

I've been keeping in touch with my friend Kenneth a lot lately. He is overseas. He is about to leave to go home for 2 weeks of R&R ... he is looking forward to it. Please pray for him -- as he will be heading back ... praying the Lord will keep him safe while he is over there.

Jason and I are planning to possibly go out on Friday night -- not sure yet - do not have anyone to watch the kids yet - so we'll just have to wait and see. It would be nice. We even thought of asking his parents to keep them overnight - sleeping in - wow! Haven't done that in a long time. LOL .. Of course, it's already Wednesday tomorrow -- so don't know what will happen. Might have MNO on Saturday night -- but haven't decided that yet. :)

Taxes were done and sent - YAY for not having to pay this year!!! :) Too bad we only got the K1 Report late and could not file sooner!!!! We always would leave it to the last minute because we had to pay ... surprising! But, good surprise!

Filling out application for Stephanie to go to Camp Pinnable this summer. WOW. 1 whole week away from home!!!! YIKES! How am I going to handle it?? I know she is going to LOVE it .. and is going to make so many new friends ... I know how much I enjoyed it when I was her age ... but still ...

The Biggest Loser - WOW, I am so impressed with the 6 people that are currently on there. it will be interesting to see who will win the whole thing -- and just how much weight will be lost by everyone!!! awe -- that is sad -- to see the two that are bellow the yellow line tonight and now up for elimination -- wonder who they will send home.

Well, it's getting late and I should be getting to bed soon. Hope that you all have a most wonderful rest of the week ... Be blessed!!!

blah blah blah - I don't think anyone is listening to me

2009-04-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

Pollen - it's going to be the death of me! Man, I have a love/hate relationship with this time of the year. I love the weather -- but I hate the pollen in the air and what it does to my head/sinuses. blah. I'm done with the heavy head and the sneezing -- and it has just started. A friend of mine told me to eat local honey -- I might have to go in search of some -- and do a mass consumption of it! LOL ... Oh well, I needed something to complain about today.

It's Saturday -- Jason is "working" this weekend. He had to work from 8am this morning until noon -- and now he is on "call" for the rest of the weekend -- but that means he gets to come home early on Friday. YAY. Wonder if they will let him come home at 11am instead of noon, since he goes in for 7am instead of his usual 8am! That would be nice. Need to ask him about that and see if he can find out. You just never know when it comes to work. LOL.

This afternoon/evening we are having a progressive supper with our Sunday School from class. It will start at the pastor's house for salads. Should be fun. I just hope that my head will feel better by then -- pray that the Cable Guy will come by the house before we have to leave for that! I want my cable / internet back! LOL ...

Nothing much else is planned for this weekend.

I had one of Joe's friends mom's (live up the road from us) come by yesterday and ask if I would watch her daughter for a few hours every day starting on Monday. Apparently she had enough with the place where she was taking her before -- and they decided that they needed to do something right away. I have no problem with this -- what is another child added to the mix? Right!? LOL ...

I so need to go take a shower -- and get dressed - and do some more productive things today. I got breakfast done this morning -- and folded some clothes.

Life ....

2009-04-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

- 5 weeks of school left. When did THAT happen? Joseph gets done with CRCT testing today - Stephanie still has 2 days left of it - Monday and Tuesday of next week. They get report cards today. Wonder how those are going to look.

- NKOTB in Atlanta on May 28th. YAY! They are starting a new tour -- called the "Full Service" tour and their first show is going to be the ATL show. It's going to be outside .. at th Lakewood Amphitheatre ... should be interesting!! :) I'm sure that I will have lots to talk about after this show. My friend Shannon wants to go to Birmingham after - they play there the next night - and just get lawn seats since they are just $10 ... not sure if I will go or not. I suppose I need to decide since we'll have to get tickets ...

- Jason is working a new schedule at work. He now goes in for 7am in the morning, so I have to get up with the older 2 to get them on the bus in the morning -- it's not been easy -- as I still tend to stay up late in the evening -- but it's so nice to have him home by 4:30pm in the afternoon (he gets out of work at 4pm). It helps to have more time with him in the evenings. The kids really enjoy it. They no longer want anything to do with me when he gets home! :)

- We've been out of Cable for the past 4 days. They are supposed to be sending someone to check on it this afternoon - it's about time. We've called every single day this week -- and they continue to tell us that there is an outage in the area?? There is a problem - come fix it!!!

I really am not sure what else to write about -- but I wanted to at least post a little something. I should be getting some lunch and working on laundry right now -- so I guess I will go do some of that -- I need to stop procrastinating. LMAO!

Hope that whoever is reading this will have a most wonderful and blessed rest of the day and weekend!!!

<3>

I am going to MEET NKOTB!

2009-03-05T06:15:00.000-08:00

March 16th in Nashville!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!! This is insane!!! LMAO! I was able to buy a 5* VIP ticket from this lady on the nkotb.com message board. A friend of hers was going to use it and because of financial reasons, she was unable to -- and so I jumped on it -- since I was unable to get one when they went on sale! YIKES!!! What am I going to wear? What am I going to say? I am going to be -THIS- close to the boys!!!!!

*SCREAMING* ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I will be sure to share the experience!!!

Challenge

2009-02-17T17:19:00.001-08:00

MICKEY! One of our favorite place in the world. :) Orlando, FL! This was taken at our last visit - in October 2008. We got to see some of my family (that I had not seen in over 10 years -- and that the kids had never met before) and spend time with some wonderful friends! :) So much fun.

This was a challenge that was given to me -- and now I give it to you. One your computer, click on your photo folder. Open the 6th folder and post the 6th picture from that folder. Share with us what that picture is -- Rachael & Jason :)

SAD

2009-01-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

yup, just sad.

Loco?

2009-01-27T10:37:00.000-08:00

So, am I completely insane to want to --

1. Leave on a Friday evening.
2. Drive to Nashville, TN
3. Celebrate friends birthday on Saturday.
4. Stay in Nashville, TN through until Monday (LATE)
5. drive home for a few hours of rest.
6. Head over to Greenville, SC on Tuesday
7. Go to 2 NKOTB concerts (Monday/Tuesday)

Get home LATE Tuesday night ....

Make sense? Crazy?

Jason says that I am obsessed! Thanks! <3 him too!

LOL ... well, currently that is the plan!

NKOTB in Greenville

2009-01-26T06:56:00.001-08:00

March 17th!!!! WOOHOO! :)

NKOTB in Nashville

2009-01-20T06:57:00.001-08:00

March 16th -- WOOHOO!!!!! Girls weekend!!! I am so excited!!!!

Photograph y

2009-01-13T19:08:00.000-08:00

Well, with the new camera that Jason bought me for Christmas -- I've had some time to play. I set up an account with flickr and I will post it here so that you can check out the pictures. :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8810371@N02/ is the link ... so check it out! Of course, the NKOTB pics were not taken with the new picture :) Hope that you enjoy!

Holidays and Birthday

2009-01-12T07:26:00.000-08:00

Are done for a little while. Next is my birthday but I doubt we will be doing much -- other than perhaps going out for supper that night (since it's a Monday) .. the kids are out of school that day - not sure why ... but oh well! :) We'll see what happens.

Valentine's Day is coming up as well. I need to figure something out for that. Thought about making Valentine's with pictures of the kids (saw this on a website I go on and thought it was an awesome idea) .. will have to take pics of the kids soon if I am going to do it! :)

Jason is looking at vacation time for this year .. not sure when he will take some -- and what we will do. Definitely want to do things with the kids .. something educational but fun! Of course, there is one other thing that I want to do -- but will have to wait and see how things go for that. Our first for spring break is possibly going to Washington DC ... lots of museums .. lots of walking! LOL .. so, again, we will see what happens! He is going to request times off today ... and we'll go from there.

We are trying to transition the little ones into big beds (sharing rooms with the older 2 kids) -- Jenna has slept in her bed -- all night -- the past 2 nights! :) Samuel, has not been so easy. First night -- wasn't having it .. last night he slept in it until 4:30am this morning and then ended up in our bed .. so at least it's a start! Pray for our sanity! :) I am also looking at finally getting interested in potty training. They have not shown any interest at all lately ... but it needs to get done .. so off came the diapers earlier -- Jenna is sitting on her chair right now (which is new for her) .. so MAYBE! Again, pray for sanity! :)

Anyway, I guess that will be all for now. Hope that all is well with you (who is reading this) .... be blessed!!

It's been a while ...

2009-01-07T04:55:00.000-08:00

Time does fly -- when you have EVERYONE at home -- The older 2 got out of school on December 18th and it just seems like there was something going on every other day around here!! :) The month of December was busy at church -- with things going on it seems like every Sunday evening -- the only one we did not go to was the live nativity -- we decided to take the kids to the Magical Nights of Lights instead ... although it took us forever to get through it -- and it was COLD! The place was packed with people (I guess because it was the Sunday before Christmas) ...

Tuesday of that week, we took the kids to Bryson City, NC to do The Polar Express - unknown to them of what we were doing -- even though they were in their PJs and we ended up at a train depot! LOL ... we finally had to basically spell it out for them ... it was pretty funny. We had so much fun (pics are on facebook) ... I think it was a great experience for the whole family.

Wednesday was of course Christmas Eve and had a 6pm service at the church. That lasted about an hour -- then it was home for snack foods, the Christmas story and gifts! :)

I got a new camera from Jason and it will take me forever to learn it! LOL It's a Canon Rebel XS ... thankfully we can share accessories -- so I can use all the lens' he already has -- and his flash! :) I've been playing some with it ... although it is big and I'm used to carrying my little point-n-shoot ..I think I might get the hang of things :) I've joined two message boards that Jason was already on -- for photography -- and I've enjoyed it so far.

Christmas day we went to Jason'a parents house, like we usually do. We had ham for lunch along with some sides ... it was a nice slow day. During this time, Jason only worked one day -- and he was able to come home at 2pm that day -- so that was nice! He then had off until the 31st (he had to go in to work that day and worked all day) ... that evening we had some friends over to ring in the New Year! We ended up letting the kids play Wii for a while and then the adults played -- and then we watched the peach drop in ATL ... and Jason did some fireworks (the ones that are just on the ground -- not shot in the air) .. Samuel HATED them and Stephanie took him inside for that ...

New Years Day 2009 -- we again took the kids to IHOP for brunch. We've been doing this for at least 3 years now! :) They really seem to enjoy it ... after that we just go for a ride -- not always sure where we are going to end up ... last year we drove into ATL .. this year we headed up to the mountains -- we decided to go check out Tallulah Gorge and falls. It was a bit chilly so we did not hike to the falls -- and Jenna was coughing a lot in the cool air ...

January 2nd - Jason's birthday ... the older 2 kids ended up going to stay with the grandparents for the night -- so we had a sitter come (friend from church) and we went out for supper at The Melting Pot -- YUMMY! It was so nice .... how great is it when you go to a restaurant and they say "Hey, we haven't seen you in a while, where've you been?" ... LOL ... (Rachael -- we still need to go again sometime soon!!! I miss you) .. Our waiter was slow -- but that is ok -- it seems like everyone around us was new to the restaurant -- so we took it easy on him and we enjoyed the time together. We stopped in at Starship on the way home (heehee) ...

Tuesday, January 6th saw the kids go back to school and Jason go back to work -- it was nice to have him around ... but it's nice to have the quietness of just the 3 of us at home -- right now the little ones are still sleeping ...YAY ... we had a rough time when Jason left for work yesterday as they were awake and did not want him to leave.

WOW! I see some blueness in the sky! Still cloudy though -- but not as bad as it has been! I know that we need the rain ... but at the same time, does not make for great days when it's dreary outside! It's some windy out there though! Mid 50s is our highs for today ... not too bad for January! :)

I guess that will be all for now. I think I've updated up until this point. Joseph's birthday is on Friday but we'll be celebrating on Sunday with a few friends. I need to get a few things for that .. and I need to call and move his cake to the picked up on Sunday and not Saturday (long story) ...

Be blessed!!!!

mmmmm. melting pot! that is

2009-01-02T14:01:00.001-08:00

mmmmm. melting pot! that is where Jason and I are going for supper tonight for his birthday!

Santa has made his way ...

2008-12-24T22:24:00.000-08:00

... to Oakwood, GA! It's time to go to sleep now!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

VALENTINE's???

2008-12-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

WTF???? This is at the end of the Christmas section at WalMart tonight!!! I don't get it! I really don't. It's not even January 1st 2009 yet. CRAZY!

I AM DONE!

2008-12-22T20:56:00.000-08:00

Santa is ready! :P I am done. I am not buying anything else! YAY! GO ME!

Christmas time is coming ...

2008-12-22T05:44:00.000-08:00

Yes people, Chrristmas is almost here -- are you ready for it? I don't know if I will be ready or not -- but here we are -- 2 more sleeps and it will be Chrsitmas Eve day ... do I honestly want to go back out to the stores? No, but I will have to. I need to get some snack foods and things like that for Wednesday and Thursday and I can't go tomorrow. Jason is working today so we'll have to do it this evening. FUN FUN .. NOT! Might have to leave him in the truck with the kids and go in the store by myself. He hates crowds -- I am starting to hate them as well!

Last night we were able to go to the Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier Islands ... our music director gave us a free pass that he had won since they would not be using it .. we had not gone this year and not sure we would have gone had it not been for this pass. The cost is just way too much -- $40. It has gone up over the years. I remember paying $25 not too many years ago. I will be posting the pictures I took on facebook for those that would like to see them. The kids seemed to enjoy them. We did not end up staying very long at the Santa Village since Stephanie started feeling bad. She was hungry and got cold too fast after being warm in the truck ... so we headed out and had supper at Cracker Barrel - YUMMY!

Tomorrow will be our trip to NC to do the Polar Express! Should be fun -- the kids still don't know that we are going. We will try and leave in the early morning -- when we are all fed and ready to go. I'll let them wear their new PJs ... they will not understand .. but that is ok! :) It will probably be a long ride with questions as to where we are going, how long will it take and things like that. It's about 110 miles away ... Jason's parents, his sister and BIL are all going as well, so we should have plenty of pictures to share when we get back. I can't wait. :) A few friends have gone and done it already and they say that it's well worth it.

Well, I suppose I need to close out this blog and get my day started. I have some much needed picking up to do -- not as easy to keep things picked up when the older 2 are at home. I have some much needed laundry to get done as well ... sigh! I hate laundry -- but I will get it done! :) Hope that you all have a blessed day .. and will blog again soon. :)

Be blessed
Merry Christmas

2008-12-15T07:19:00.000-08:00

Jason - done - need stocking stuffers
Stephanie - done
Joseph - done
Samuel - done
Jenna - done
Jason's mom - done
Jason's dad - done
My mom - done
My dad - done
Paula - done
Jacob - done

DONE DONE DONE!!!! Yes, I am done!!! Unless I decide that there is just ONE more thing that I need! LOL ... with a little over a week left, it's always possible!! LOL :) We will do Christmas Eve here at the house and then Christmas day at the inlaws house ... we will have ham instead of turkey ... need to figure out what sides I will make and I still need to get snack foods for Christmas eve.

This week is our last AWANA night at church until after the holidays. We are having a Charlie Brown christmas. We'll watch the movie and then have birthday cake to celebrate Jesus' birthday! Should be lots of fun. Stephanie's friend Isabel is going to come over after school and come with us. :)

Jason is working this weekend -- yay -- NOT ... but then I have MNO (White Elephant) at the house on Saturday night. I think Jason will take the kids to his mom's for the evening ... Sunday is church of course -- and then we have the live nativity that evening ...

Kids only have 3 more days of school after today. They start vacation on Friday ... they still don't know that we are going to do the Polar Express on Tuesday (the 23rd) -- so should be fun! :) I can't wait to surprise them with that.

Anyway -- not sure what else to blog about -- so I will go for now. Be blessed.

thunder, lightning, lots of rain -- and tornado watch!

2008-12-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is what we are going through right now -- and ongoing until 2pm this afternoon -- praying that it will just rain! :) We had a little bit of thunder and lightning earlier -- but nothing big and only for a few minutes.

Jason is back to work today ... I am so thankful for him. I went out shopping with a friend yesterday morning, he stayed home with Samuel and Jenna -- and he did some cleaning for me in the kitchen and living room -- and worked on some laundry for me!!! I <3 that man! He is so wonderful!

So, this is like a "Monday" for me -- so it's back to getting some cleaning done .. I am in the bedroom right now .. so trying to get some things done in here. :)

Be blessed!

Christmas to-do Update

2008-12-09T18:19:00.000-08:00

Jason - done - need stocking stuffers
Stephanie - done unless I find something else for her
Joseph - done unless I find something else for him
Samuel - done
Jenna - done
Jason's mom - partial
Jason's dad - done
My mom - done
My dad - done
Paula - done
Jacob - partial

YAY!

Christmas to-do Update

2008-12-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

Jason - done - need stocking stuffers
Stephanie - done unless I find something else for her
Joseph - done unless I find something else for him
Samuel - need gift from santa
Jenna - need gift from santa
Jason's mom - partial
Jason's dad - done
My mom - done
My dad - done
Paula - done
Jacob - partial

I think that overall I am doing well for it being 16 days before Christmas -- I still have 2 weeks to go. I might not be out shopping for gifts days before the holliday! :) I'm sure there is something that I am missing -- but who knows. I am not going to worry about it.

Right now, it's getting late .. but I sit here in the room, checking things online as I have the headphones on and listen to the music for our Choir Christmas performance .. which is in less than a week -- YIKES! We have a rehearsal this coming Saturday morning -- and then the performance is on Sunday evening.

Jason is off work again tomorrow -- not sure what we will be doing -- only time will tell. We might get out for a little while again .. that would be nice! :) Maybe do a little more shopping. Go to WalMart and get a few things -- stocking stuffers -- groceries ... we'll see what happens! All depends on how quick we can get up and ready. LOL

I guess I need to get going for now ... and get ready for bed.

Be blessed!

4 day weekend - for Jason

2008-12-06T15:03:00.001-08:00

Jason has the next 4 days off from work -- right now, he is asleep. Samuel is asleep. I do believe the other 3 are awake and all downstairs playing. I do hope that they will keep quiet and not wake the other 2. Stephanie just came in and was about to whine about something but I stopped her. There is no need to start that way on a Saturday morning.

I should be going to take a shower so that I can get ready to go help out with free gift wrapping this morning at 10am. We do this as a church every year. I haven't been able to the last few years but I am looking forward to doing it today. I will help out for a couple of hours but then I will have to take Stephanie to a birthday party at 2pm. Fun. Roller skating is where the party is at. It's for her friend Isabel.

We currently have no plans for this evening -- but that is ok. We probably just need to hang out at home and do nothing! This month is so busy as it is. :)

Tomorrow of course is church -- and then I have choir practice at 4pm. I need to listen to my song some more today. I just now put it on headphones so that I can listen to the whole thing. I really so pray that this will go well. We have not had a lot of practice time (the choir) and not many are being positive about it. Please pray for us. That this will minister to even just one person. It's going to be performed next week ...

Then not sure what we will do Monday and Tuesday while Jason is at home. I need to talk to him about that and see if he wants to do something. We might go do some shopping ... or something! It will be nice to have him at home. Of course, he will then have to go to work the rest of the week! :)

Draft autosaved at 8:36 AM -- and now it's 6:01pm! YIKES!

Today -- went to wrap gifts (slow) ... went to a birthday party - went to the Christian bookstore - went to Best Buy -- we are now home for the evening! I guess I will just have to post this ... and update more some other time --

2008-12-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

I was given this award and I treasure it ... I would like to pass it on to 5 other people. Choosing just 5 people is very difficult for me -- as there are so many people in my life that are deserving of such an award ... but I will try to limit this post to just 5. If you are not mentioned, do not think it's because you don't mean that much to me! :)

1. Jason -- yes, he is my husband -- but he is also my closest friend. I love him more and more each day .. he is there for me through the good times and the bad times. He loves me for me .. and will do anything for me. He means the world to me and I don't know what I would do without him in my life. I am thankful for the blessing the Lord has given me for bringing him in my life.

2. Melanie -- a dear friend whom I miss so much. We don't get to talk as much as we would like. We have not seen each other in person in a very long time -- but when we do get in touch with each other, it's as if it was just yesterday that we saw each. We just pick up right where we left off .. she is family to me! I love her dearly. We have always been able to share everything with each other. Easy to talk to and confide in.

3. Rachael -- another friend that I miss dearly and wish so much that she lived in GA again .. but I know that she is happy where she is -- and that soon we will get together again. A person that I can talk to about anything.

4. BigSis -- Lisa -- My sister, my friend. I never truly understood the bond that we had until I moved away. Yes, we faught like crazy growing up .. but as we got older, that all changed. We have grown closer and I miss her like crazy -- wish that we lived closer to each other -- wish we could talk to each other more often -- wish we could just "hang out" (or perhaps it's the distance that has brought us so close?) LOL. I love her with all my heart ...

5. Lisa W - a person who I can always count on to make me smile even on those horrible days. We share many things with each other ... our children play so well together ... and I treasure her friendship. She has been there for me in many ways ... and I am thankful that the Lord brought her into my life. I am truly blessed.

Again, I say -- if you are not on this list of 5 people, that does not mean that you are not a wonderful and amazing friend .. you are all blessings from the Lord and I am grateful for all of you .. and all that you mean in my life ... we are all brought together for a reason -- the Lord knows what He is doing ...

Thank you ....

Christmas to-do

2008-12-02T06:57:00.000-08:00

Jason - done
Stephanie
Joseph
Samuel
Jenna
Jason's mom
Jason's dad
My mom - done
My dad - done
Paula - done
Jacob

I think I need to do some more shopping on amazon.com .. I just wish that I could finish the last 3 on there (MIL, FIL, BIL) ... and get it over with .. but not sure what to get MIL & FIL! The kids -- well, I have a few things to get wrapped from the closet ... and then need to get a few other things and will be done.

Jason's gift -- I am working on. I can't really say anything online about it -- because he reads everything :) LOL ... I just hope that he will LOVE it! :)

Saturday will be a busy day -- but that is ok. Jason has Monday and Tuesday off next week! YAY! :) Long weekend!! Love those. He *HAD* to take the last 5 days of vacation before the end of the year ... and this will be 2 of those days. :)

Nothing else is planned this week ... AWANA at church tomorrow night ...

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas

2008-11-25T05:56:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year -- The kids will have early release from school today, and will then have Wed-Fri off from school for Thanksgiving! Not sure how I feel about that -- 5 days of no school ... it can be a long time! :) I'm sure that it will be fine. Jason has Thursday and Friday off -- and we'll be spending most of the afternoon / evening on Thurs. at SIL's house. I will cook the turkey here but bring it there (since she is working from 7pm Wed night until 7am Thursday morning).

I would really love to go shopping on Friday. WalMart will probably be the place to go -- but perhaps Best Buy as well. Only problem -- finding someone to go with me. I'm sure Jason would go -- but of course, we would have to have someone here to watch the kids. So, not sure what will happen .. I will look over the sales again and see what I need/want to get!

Jason found out that he still has 5 days of vacation time that he has to take before the end of the year .. so right now we are looking at him taking Dec 8th, 9th, 23rd, 29th and 30th ... we have already made plans for the 23rd (we are awaiting the confirmation email) ... we will be taking all the kids to Bryson City, NC to do the Polar Express (http://www.gsmr.com/reservations/excursions.php) --

The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey to our "North Pole". Guests on board will enjoy hot chocolate and treats while listening and reading along with the magical story. Experience the joy of watching the children's faces when the train arrives at our "North Pole," where Santa Claus will be waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express where he will greet each child and present them with a special memento. Holiday carols will be sung on the return trip to Bryson City. Families will want to make this a holiday tradition! $38.00 per person for adults and teens 13 and older. $26.00 per child over 24 months of age. Children 24 months and younger are complimentary. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum in Bryson City. Please note: During the online reservation process, you must select a date and time for each reservation. If a time is not available for selection, that time is sold-out and no longer available. Thank you.

-- I know that they are going to LOVE it ... Jason's parents, his sister and BIL are all coming as well ... I will be sure to take lots of pictures. Like I said -- just waiting to get the confirmation email. I am hoping that they are not booked on that day / time we picked. It's the last day they are doing it before Christmas ... and one of the last trips of the day (picked the 5pm train) ...

Christmas Eve we will be meeting here at the house. I really did not want to have to move everything (gifts -- as we open everything from family that night) ... and then of course, come home to get the kids to bed and settled -- so that Santa can come (we've had a discussion already with Stephanie and Joseph about this -- since Stephanie's friend mentioned that Santa wasn't real -- Stephanie and Joseph have told me that they still know that Santa is real -- so we still have time) LOL .... so we are going to do it here -- and I think Jason's parents will spend the night -- unless they decide to go back home. We'll see ... because usually we go to their house on Christmas day to eat lunch/supper ... still have a month to figure out THAT detail! :)

I still need to get some shopping done .... not sure what to get for a few people .. but I'm sure that I will think of something before the 25th of December! :) Any ideas would be great!!! LOL

Ok, enough for now. Hope that you all have a blessed day!!!!

Santa's NKOTB Helpers

2008-11-19T17:24:00.001-08:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Update on my mom ..

2008-11-18T19:01:00.000-08:00

Well, I talked to both my sister and my mom this evening ... my mom called me once she got home (yes, they sent her home from the hospital) ... They did the CT scan today and it showed nothing -- they had told her that if it did not show anything, that they would send her home. She should be getting calls this week to set up some more tests .. and see where that will take them. She asked the doctor how long it should be before she gets those calls and he gave her his number and said if she does not hear from them this week -- to call him! I am still upset that they did not keep her at the hospital and monitor her -- but that is the joys of medicine in Canada ...

That is about where we are right now ... they haven't really ruled out anything .. although they are not leaning towards stroke as much -- mainly because the numbness she felt was on both sides of the face and not just one side. They are going to check her heart --for blockages and things like that. Do a stress test ...

Thanks for the continued prayers!!! Will post more as I know more.

Please pray

2008-11-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

Sent this out through email last night --

-----------------------
My sister called to let me know that my mom is in the hospital!

She was not feeling well last week -- and finally on Saturday decided to go see the doctor. The doctor was unsure what was going on. Seemed to think it could be stroke related or possibly a vitamin deficiency (I know, broad spectrum there) - were going to send her in for a CT scan ... and see what that was going to show. My dad called to tell me this on Saturday evening -- he did not want me to hear it from anyone else and make me worry more than I already would.

Well, apparently what was happening last week happened again this afternoon so my dad called 911 and the ambulance brought her to the hospital. The feeling she had was starting in the chest area and went up to her face (numbness on both sides of the face) ... and she felt like her head could explode. At the hospital, they took some blood work ... and are keeping her overnight to monitor her and continue to do blood work (as the first set did not show anything) ... they are unsure if it's stroke related or possibly heart related. Tomorrow they are going to do some more blood work, a stress test and also the CT scan ... so I won't know anything else until I hear from my sister possibly tomorrow afternoon sometime ...

I would greatly appreciate any prayers ... for my my mom, my dad, my family ... the doctors.

Birthday Celebration

2008-11-13T15:08:00.000-08:00

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated.

During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me.

As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago.

At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.

Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts.

But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited.

I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to be with them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.

They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time.

To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor!

At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?

I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.

I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life.

I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you.

Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still aking the final arrangements..

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book.

Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party.

Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon. I Love you!
Best Regards
Jesus

2008-11-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

It seems like time just goes by. I look at my blog and I think to myself that I should sit here and write something up for it .. but then I remember that there really isn't much for me to write about. I don't have the mose exciting life -- and well, I at times, have a difficult time getting thoughts into words with things that are happening in the world around me.

Today is Tuesday and we currently have nothing planned for the day -- evening. My SIL mentioned to me last night that she wants to take the kids to the corn maze and she might do that later today/this evening .. but we'll just have to wait and see until I hear from her. I will need to get Stephanie to do her homework the minute she gets home from school so that she does not get home (if they do go out) and say "but I didn't get my homework done".

I've decided that I need to take the time to make a weekly menu (at least) and get groceries for the week, so that I won't have to worry about making supper at the last minute and thinking that day "I wonder what we are going to have for supper tonight" .. it will already be there for me, I will just have to get it done. Anyone have any suggestions on new recipes that I might want to try -- I am always making the same meals over and over again. Not sure what we will have for supper tonight though -- I guess it will all depend on if SIL gets the older 2 or not -- and go from there. Now that it's getting colder, I need to find some more things to make in the crockpot. :) That makes things a lot easier ...

I can't believe it's been almost 2 weeks since the NKOTB concert. WOW! Time sure does fly. I continue to post with the ATL and TN ladies on www.nkotb.com ... we are all keeping faith for a summer '09 tour ... I haven't posted on www.nkotbfans.com as much as I used to -- it seems to have slowed down now that we are getting close to the end of this tour -- well, somewhat - close to the end of the US part of the tour. I still wish that I could have gone to another show -- and even wish I could have done the 5* with the meet and greet -- even though most people have mentioned how fast those went ... I would have settled with a sighting outside of the arena LOL ...

This has been open all day -- and I did not get to finishing it -- I am actually not sure what else I want to blog about. The younger 2 are currently taking a nap and the older 2 are doing homework. I am waiting for SIL -- she plans to pick them up around 4pm. I got a call from my sister earlier this afternoon, she just seemed to want to chat! That doesn't happen too often, but it's nice when it does. We caught up on a few things. Usually we just email and call when we need to! LOL.

Anyway, I guess that will be all for now. I hope that you will all have a wonderful and blessed day and hopefully I will be back to blog again soon.

I can't say that I am surprised ...

2008-11-05T05:53:00.001-08:00

.... a little disappointed perhaps -- but not surprised with the outcome of the election. I was hoping, when I went to bed last night, that I would wake up this morning and things would have changed and we would have seen a victory for McCain ... but that did not happen. It's ok though. I send congrats to Obama and all his supporters. My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and for our country. It will be interesting to see how the next 4 years will go.

Voting

2008-11-04T13:36:00.001-08:00

Did you?

What a week --

2008-11-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

WOW -- what a week we had last week -- Starting with Great Big Sea -- a date! Jason and I headed to ATL around 6pm (SIL watched the kids for us) ... and we got there with plenty of time to get in (we were worried at first because we did not have tickets at the Will Call window -- where they were supposed to be) .. but since we ordered tickets from the group website -- we were actually just on "the list" at the door. Jason felt so important .. as did I! :) So, we go in -- and try and find some seats (as it's general admission) ... we did not get there soon enough to get REALLY good front row seats or anything like that ... but we got seats on the side that were not too bad. We were hoping to be able to get up closer once the show started .. but we had to stay at "our seats" ... a little different than usual -- but that is ok! We had awesome view and the show was amazing (as always) ... there were about 500 prople (maybe a little more -- can't really tell that well in the venue) ...

After the show was done (I bought a shirt) -- we thought we would hang out by the tour bus in hopes of seeing one (or all of the guys) .. maybe get some pics or autographs -- but no such luck -- they were already on the bus and were not coming out. We hung out with 3 other people out there. Finally one of the guys (that helps the group) came out and asked if we were looking for autographs and we said that we would love it -- so he took some things on the bus for us -- for the guys to sign (I sent in my shirt) ... so that was really cool. We got home quite late -- only got to bed it was probably around 1am! Thankfully Jason did not have to work the next day (but he did get up to get Stephanie and Joseph off to school) ... Jenna and Samuel decided that they were not going to sleep in .. oh well -- early morning!

Wednesday -- woke up knowing that I would see New Kids On The Block that night -- and was VERY excited. Had no clue what I was going to wear -- had no clue who I was going to hang out with for the day -- but after a while I started getting ready ... Jason drove me over to Duluth (we were meeting other fans at the Loafing Leprechaun for lunch at 1pm) .. I got there early but found some girls to hang around with -- which was cool. Off to the LL for lunch -- and met lots of fans that I had been chatting with online (www.nkotbfans.com and www.nkotb.com) .. and also girls I had been texting with that morning! :) We hung out there for a while -- and then I went to the hotel with 2 friends for them to get ready (they had 5* and had to be back by 4:30pn for the Meet & Greet). We met up with some other fans and I found a few others to hang out with until it got close to show time. We hung out at the Convention Center in hopes of getting a glimpse of the guys. We did hear some of the soundcheck from outside -- which was cool! :) We also got to see Robo (the fans will know who this is) ... and that was cool -- through him it was confirmed that there would be a SUMMER TOUR!? WOOHOO!! Exciting news. Saving now -- I *WILL* be looking at getting 5* ... I so need to have some facetime with Donnie! LOL

Back at the venue, I finally met up with my friend Heather, and we went in to find our seats. They were awesome -- even though we were not that close to the stage! Then we waited on the show to start. Started off with Natasha Beddingfield ... and Lady GaGa. Both were very entertaining ... but we wanted NKOTB! LOL ...

Finally the boys were on stage -- and tears -- well, very close to tears -- and excitement -- and elation ... WOW! There are just NO WORDS that can describe how it was -- ok, so a friend on the boards summed it up -- and I will add her words to this blog -- cause I don't think I could put it any better than she did (I asked if I could quote her and she said that I could)!

----- Alabama Girl -- How I Became 13 Again: New Kids Rock Atlanta, GA

For once, I was 13 again. I had read accounts of other thirty-something women who had attended other NKOTB concerts at earlier stops on the tour. Several had mentioned this inexplicable phenomenon of age regression, stopping short of calling it time travel, but coming close. All the same, as I counted down the days from the 140’s to 1, I couldn’t help but wonder – what effect was this event going to have on me? After all, I’m a grown, married mother of 2 who drives a minivan. Would I feel obligated to act my age – subdued and reserved, excited only on the inside but not showing it? Or would I become a blubbering fool?
I stood there in the Arena at Gwinnett Center, in my great seats, just before the boys hit the stage while the drama mounted. Instead of my sweet dad by my side, as had been the case 18 years before, it was only fitting that my husband was with me now, gallantly stepping in to be my escort to an NKOTB show. To his credit, his only complaint the entire night, other than having to watch Donnie Wahlberg grab himself, was trying to find a men’s restroom, since they had all been converted to accommodate the disproportionate number of women. The lights went down, and the frenzied crowd of 13,000 women reached a fevered pitch. “Fifteen years ago – they walked away,” it said on the giant screens, while epic-sounding music played. “Now, they’re back. Are you ready? IT’S TIME.” All of a sudden, pyrotechnics and a hydraulic lift give me my boys back, in the flesh, right in front of me, and Joey McIntyre belts out the first line of “Single.”
I jumped up and down. I screamed. I danced. I shared some “Oh my gosh!” looks with the girls around me. I even wet my pants a little, as a reality check that I have, in fact, had two kids. But other than that, there was an absolute unbroken continuity between the girl I was in 1990 and the woman I have become.
The guys gave us everything we had hoped for – old favorites like “Please Don’t Go Girl,” “I’ll Be Loving You Forever,” “My Favorite Girl,” and “The Right Stuff” (complete with the entire arena screeching out the oh oh oh’s), and plenty of brand new ones too. Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre had never sounded better. And as proof of their often -discussed commitment to the fans, they even had a small revolving “B-stage” set up toward the rear of the arena to give those folks some close-up time too.
The end came all too soon, and in the darkness, the crowd began chanting the classic “oh oh oh oh oh’s” of “Hangin’ Tough” – to which the guys responded with an explosive double encore of “Step by Step” and “Hangin’ Tough”, wearing personalized Boston Celtics jerseys. Watching them form a huddle at the end of that song, grasping shoulders and going round and round like kids – or brothers – I teared up. I realized that I had come full circle, in a way. I was hit with a truth at that moment – people don’t really change. I’ve done a lot of living in 18 years, but I’m still me. And those guys I was watching – my first crushes, the ones I chattered endlessly to my girlfriends about, the one whose posters covered my walls and who I gazed at while I tried to do Algebra homework, the ones who occupied most of my waking thoughts and dreams at night – they were still the same five boys, who have come around once again to create the magic. It’s the magic of the feeling – pure elation – and just when I thought those days were long gone, the magic came back once more.

------------

I just can't help but smile as I remember the experiences of the day. The new friends that I've made -- and the anticipation of a new tour next summer (if we got the right words from Robo that afternoon) ....

Oh how I could kick myself for not going to the right Waffle House on the way home from the show -- or else we would have met Donnie (cooking at the Waffle House at the Pleasant Hill exit at 2 in the morning) ... sigh -- no facetime -- but MAYBE ... just MAYBE ... there will be facetime at the next tour! :) 5* ... I HOPE! I'm sure there is more that I could write about -- and share -- but my mind is blank right now .. I will just have to write more when I remember more. Took loads of pictures and videos. All pics are up on Facebook and I have a few videos on youtube :)

----------------------------------------------

Thursday evening -- Cheetah Girls -- Stephanie's first concert! OH WOW! What a fun time that was .. to experience that with her!! :) From the moment the lights went out -- until the end of the show -- it was such a joy to see how excited she was and to think that we could bring that to her! She loved every moment of it -- especially when she was just inches away from the girls when they walked down the aisle where we were sitting (just a few seats away from the aisle) ... The music was wonderful, the seats were amazing, the dancers - WOW! What an awesome time!!! Took lots of pictures and videos -- pics are up on Facebook!

Then it was time for Halloween! We met up with Christi and her family (Allie and Roo) .. and took them TorT'n in Paula's subdivision -- they hauled (of course) ... and we had a fun time. Even Samuel and Jenna were getting into it. Stephanie was a Monster Bride, Joseph was a TMNT, Samuel and Jenna were both Elmo! :) Did not get very many pictures. I will have to see what I have ... MIL got a few as well I think!

-- And then it was the weekend -- and now November has begun ... and it's hopefully going to be a slow week!!! :)

ON CLOUD 9

2008-10-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

NKOTB concert last night ... all I have to say (for now) is what a sign summed up for me:

(if you will pardon my language for a moment)!

DONNIE FUCKIN' WAHLBERG!

HEAVEN! (even if I did not get any facetime with the man)!

2008-10-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

So, how many times can one person listen to Blues Clues before going completely insane? :) At least we have several episodes to choose from .. it's not the same one over and over again! Jenna is still sleeping right now, so Sam and I are in my room, watching Blue and playing on the laptop!

Tonight is Great Big Sea in Atlanta. WOW ... wonder if I can find my Nova Scotia flag before we go to the show!? Probably not. Oh well! I can't wait to see them and sing and dance and laugh! Hope to get to meet them after the show -- when it comes to the Variety Playhouse, you just never know. I think we've met at least one of them after the show each time they've played there ... will take pictures I'm sure, and post them on facebook (as always) ... Have I mentioned yet that I CAN'T WAIT?! LOL

Busy week ... but fun week!

2008-10-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

Tuesday - DH and I have a date - we're going to Atlanta to see Great Big Sea (www.greatbigsea.com) ... SIL is going to babysit for us at the house so the kids can get to bed at a decent hour since they still have school the next day. :)

Wednesday - I am going to see New Kids On The Block - OH MY GOODNESS!!! I can't believe it is just 2 days away!!!! WOW!!! YIKES!!!! They are going to be in the same building as me for the first ever!!!

Thursday - Stephanie and I are going to see Cheetah Girls! :)

Friday - Halloween!

I just don't know how I am going to be able to handle it all! By Saturday I am going to be exhausted but I think it will all be worth it!!!

Fill my cup, Lord - CeCe Winans

2008-10-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord - This is my prayer --

Fill my cup, Lord
I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting in my soul

Bread from Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more

Fill my cup
Fill it up
And make me whole

AMEN!

Wicked!

2008-10-20T06:57:00.000-07:00

Last night - Jason and I went to see Wicked at The Fox in Atlanta. This is the second time that we see it (last time was about 2 years ago). It was AWESOME (as I was expecting it to be) ... the cast was amazing -- the costumes -- the sets - the voices. All of it -- I could not help but be impressed again by this show. My friends Caren and Erin came with us ... Erin had not seen it before -- so it was great to share that with her. :) I would recommend this show to everyone! If you get the chance to see it -- DO SO! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

It was so much fun -- singing along (ok, trying not to sing too loud as I did not want to annoy the people around me) ..

DEFY GRAVITY! :)

Christmas

2008-10-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is that time of the year again -- time to start thinking about what to get the kids for Christmas ... and it's the same thing every year -- I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START!

Stephanie - the 9 year old - she is always saying she would like this or that - but never anything SPECIFIC! She is usually pretty happy with what she gets -- but it would be nice to have an idea!

Joseph - the 6 year old - who is still as obsessed with Thomas the train as he has ever been - I would love for him to get into other things - but I just don't know what! He just doesn't show interest in anything else.

Samuel and Jenna - the 2 year olds - who still don't know the whole idea of Christmas. Yes, there is the whole -- Elmo, Curious George, Blue's Clues - but toys - what do you get?

HELP! Give me some ideas! I am so lost .. and need to get to shopping soon!

Don't even get me started on the extended family. SIL< BIL, MIL, FIL -- I always have the hardest time figuring out what to get for them -- they never give very many ideas. Jason I at least have some ideas -- won't say anything here as he reads my blog though.

Again, I need help -- I need suggestions -- PLEASE!!!!!

New Kids on The Block

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1988 -- I was 15 years old .. and loved listening to music ... I started listening to this group called New Kids On The Block -- and was hooked! There was no turning back! The love for this group, never left! :) I was never able to see them in concert -- as they never came close to where I lived -- but I had all their tapes and had wall to wall posters (and I do mean WALL to WALL to WALL to WALL! My mom hated to go into my room and see what I had done .. but she let me do it. I would get every magazine that I could find.

I was a Donnie Girl .. LOVED him .. had his dolls to prove it (and most of the posters on my walls proved it too) ... followed them -- even though most of my friends did not understand why I liked them so much.

So, fast forward to 2008 -- and the day I found out that NKOTB were getting back TOGETHER -- and then found out they were going to TOUR! WOW .. how exciting that was!!! I got even more excited when I found out that they would be playing at the Gwinnett Arena -- which is just about 30 miles from my house!! I was on the computer the day tickets went on sale -- I was going to see them live! :) So, I bought tickets for myself and a friend of mine, her name is Heather!

I got hooked on the www.nkotb.com and also www.nkotbfans.com boards. Meeting other people that would be going to the show in Duluth ... and keeping up with the shows that have already gone by -- the pictures, the videos -- I am giddy -- going back to when I was 15 years old!!

Here we are now -- just 13 days before the show on October 29th!!!

No one that knows me -- are surprised that I am going! :) LOL

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

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enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
a youth she's content to leave behind....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family....
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...
a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself..
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it..
whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...
where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table .. .
or a charming Inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

Our trip - this might get long.

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Saturday, Oct 4th --We started our trip to FL! We were of course all excited. The kids - because we were heading to Disney, Jason - so he could take pictures, myself - cause I was going to see family that I had not seen in a LONG time .. and we were going to see friends we had not seen in a while. We did awesome time driving down there and thankfully did not have to stop many times! We decided to stop at the Coronado Springs Resort first -- to see Kim, Tina, the girls, Anne, Melvin and Mike. It was so nice to see everyone and to meet the girls!!!!! We hung out with them a little while -- but then it was time for us to continue on to Linda's .. as we were all getting tired! We made plans to meet up the next day. Got to Linda's ... and tried to get to sleep at a decent time (ya, right) ...

Sunday, Oct 5th -- Animal Kingdom! We had never been there, so this was great. We met up with Kim and the gang and hung out with them some ... we saw the animals ... had a wonderful time. Stephanie decided that she LOVES roller coasters -- she got to go on Mt. Everest -- yikes. Not for me! LOL ... but wanted to go again after it was over!

Monday, Oct 6th -- Magic Kingdom! I so love this place -- can never get enough of it! Stephanie rode Space Mountain -- yikes again -- and thought it was "tame" ... sigh! What am I going to do with that child? First snakes and now roller coasters! Jason's parents met us there in the late afternoon -- and seemed to bring the rain with them -- but that did not stop us -- we stayed on and got to see the evening light parade and the fireworks -- WOW -- so amazing!!

Tuesday, Oct 7th -- we all decided to take it easy .. and just met Kim and the gang at their resort for some swimming (older 2 kids) and supper at the restaurant there. Jason's parents met us there. We were hoping to see each other later in the week, but we ended up not getting back together .. I am sad about that :(

Wednesday, Oct 8th -- we went to the Kennedy Space Center. Jason's parents met us there. It rained ..but we still had a great time. I think it was very educational for the older 2 kids .. younger 2 -- probably won't remember this trip at all. Samuel finally fell asleep while we were doing the bus tour ... he was so tired.

Thursday, Oct 9th -- we headed out to Anna Maria Island so we could see Aunt Brenda, Uncle Dennis and Garrett ... also got to see Walt for a few ... we went to the beach (Stephanie was so excited when she found out) .. and of course, got sunburn! But it was nice to see them all -- had not seen Brenda and Dennis in 10 years .. Walt in 12 years and of course, never met Garrett (he is just a day older than Samuel and Jenna) ...

Friday, Oct 10th -- went to Downtown Disney and had lunch with Jason's parents at the Rainforest Cafe. Awesome place!!! :) Did a little bit of shopping ... and then headed back to Linda's in the late afternoon .. needed to start getting ready to head back home the next morning.

Saturday, Oct 11th -- headed home ... miss everyone!!!!!! :(

Told you it would be LONG .. LOL .. there is more, I am sure ... but I need to go and do other things! :)

test message from phone.

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test message from phone.

My first blog

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We always need a "first" blog ... and you know, I never know what to write about. Most people who are going to see this blog, know who I am -- and everything there is to know about me .. but I guess, just in case, there is some person out there who sees this -- and doesn't know.

I'm Yvette -- known to some as Yvie -- I am 35 years old. Married to Jason (10 years now). SAHM to Stephanie (9), Joseph (6), Samuel and Jenna (2). We live in Georgia.

I love to Scrapbook. I am a FLYbaby (small steps). I have been and always will be a fan of NKOTB (seeing them in concert in just 15 days). YAY! :) First time ever seeing them in concert! I love The Melting Pot and Red Lobster. I co-own a parenting message board (if you would like the link, just ask -- it's slow right now) ... and I enjoy posting on a few other boards as well. I enjoy Facebook and MySpace. :)

Not sure what else to write, so I guess that will be it for my first post. I will try and blog some more. Most of my blogging so far has been on MySpace .. but I am following in my friend Rachael's footsteps .. and might start blogging here more!

Be blessed.