Happy New Years Eve!

Yes, I know that I still haven't put up a post about Christmas, or pictures....I'll get to that when I get a chance to get on my home computer. Right now, I want to summarize 2008 through my eyes.

I honestly think that 2008 has been the best year for me since becoming an adult. Don't get me wrong, there have been some really hard times, but I've gotten through them and I have gained strength from them. Myself, my husband, and my two daughters have all seemed to remain happy and healthy. 2006 and 2007 were very rough, stressful times for us. The first half of 2006 I was pregnant and miserable. We were broke and about to have another baby. It was a very hard time. Jacelyn came in May of 2006 and things seemed to start looking up. She started getting eczema and had a never ending cold. In December of 2006 she got bronchiolitis. In 2007, she was diagnosed with asthma and several allergies. She is allergice to pork, pecans, eggs, and has a slight milk allergy. She is also allergic to trees, grass, weeds, and something else...maybe pollen? I can't remember now. It was rough to see her go through all of the allergy testings and be put on so many medications. The medicines seemed to really help her with all of it. 2007 was also a very rough time for Rick and I as a couple. There were many times where I wasn't sure if we would make it another day together.

I was very happy to welcome 2008. Something just told me that I would be better than years past. And it was. Jacelyn's medicine was slowly clearing up her eczema and asthma. She still has eczema but not nearly as severely as before. Rick and I have both been at our jobs for a couple of year now and have both been blessed with many raises in the last year. I got my very first brand new car in July. Carlie started kindergarten in August which was very emotional in a happy way and a sad way for me. She is doing great, minus a few bad behavior reports. Rick and I did have a short separation which turned out to be the best thing ever for our relationship. We were both able to take those 4 or 5 weeks and realize that we truely did love eachother and we have never been happier. We both realized what we would be losing and have really made an effort to make eachother happy. I'm not so sure that we were in love when we got married. I think we did it just because we got pregnant and thought it was the right thing to do. I really believe that we have fallen in love with eachother and learned to love eachother during our marriage. We have also decided this year to get his vasectomy reversed in the spring. It took a lot of thought and planning but it's what we both want more than anything.

I really think that 2009 will too be a great one for us. My dream for 2009 is to have a successful reversal by April or May and to get pregnant shortly after. I hope and pray that all of my family and loved ones stay healthy, happy, and prosperous. I pray that Carlie continues to do well in school and that she gets a great 1st grade teacher that is a great fit for Carlie's personality. I hope that Jacelyn's asthma and allergies stay under control and that we can eliminate at least some of her daily medicines. I hope Rick gets promoted to the job that he wants and that his boss keeps saying he is a shoe in for. My personal goal is to get healthy and fit. I also hope that it will be fairly easy to conceive and that I have a healthy pregnancy whenever it does happen. I also hope we are able to buy our own house in 2009.

Here's to wishing everyone a Very Happy New Years and a DEVINE 2009!

Merry Christmas!

We weren't home much of yesterday so I'm just now getting a chance to say "Merry Christmas". We had, I think, one of the best Christmas's ever.

Until, Jacelyn superglued her mouth. (Don't worry, it was only on her lip and the tip of her tongue)

What were Rick and I doing??? Playing his new Rock Band system.

To my defence, Rick had left my pink tool bag out after putting together Jacelyn's new trike and neither of us knew it had a tube of super glue in it. She's all better now.

I hope that you ALL had an excellent day and were able to spend time with your loved ones.

Never ending story

Since Blair is out this week, I'm having to scrounge (is this a word) around for a babysitter. Today my lucky friend Ambyr watched both girls since school was out due to the ice. Actually, we took them over to her house last night so that we didn't have to get out with them in the ice this morning. She had to be at work at 4pm so my sister in law, Emily, picked them up for me. She was going to take Jacelyn to get her ears pierced but instead took them to Walmart to let them pick out toys. She bought them each a baby doll, diapers, bibs, and bottles. What on Earth was she thinking? Christmas is in a week! Crazy Auntie Em. lol. Maybe those ARE their Christmas presents??? Anyway, so I get there to pick the girls up after work and Emily comes out to unlock her car doors so I can get their carseats. I get Carlie's in, she buckles up. I get Jacelyn's in and I buckle her up. Right as I'm about to get in the car I hear those dreaded words...."I HAVE TO PEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!" Carlie has to use the bathroom. When Carlie has to go, Jacelyn has to go. I unload BOTH of them, walk BACK into SIL's house for them to potty. Did I mention that it was freezing and still had tons of slick ice on the ground? So they get done with their business and I load them BACK into their proper restraints. AS SOON as I buckle Jacelyn's seat I hear, "I NEED TO POOOOOP!" Jacelyn had JUST pee peed on the potty but didn't know she had to go #2 until she got back in the car?!?!?! I swear kids do these things on purpose! Now I know why I'm going grey at 25 years old. I tell her to hold it until we get home. We ate all of our food since we were stuck in the house for 2 days so we go through McDonalds drive thru. The whole time Jacelyn is screaming about needing to poop. I'm sure the order taker person got a good chuckle. Finally, we are driving back home and Jacelyn whispers "I'm holding it momma" and the screaming stops. I didn't know whether it was a good or bad sign. I got inside the house after unloading the kids, the armful of toys, and the food. Take Jacelyn into the bathroom and there it was......she didn't hold it....

They are still up!

This is the conversation I'm hearing right now as I'm checking blogs.

Carlie: Jacelyn, get back in bed!
Jacelyn: You are not my boss!
Carlie: Get back in bed!
Jacelyn: No, You are not my boss!
Carlie: I said get back in bed!
Jacelyn: I want Mommy do it!

Am I ever going to get to sleep?

So umm....

It's freezing here. Like literally....27 degrees. The school closed at 1:30 because of freezing rain. It looked like it had been snowing because of all the sleet and slush on the road and grass. My know it all 5 year old also decided to tell me that it WAS SNOW on the ground, not ice. Hmm...I think I won that battle. School is closed tomorrow because it's just supposed to get worse. We will get a slight warm up tomorrow afternoon but will still be under 32 degrees. I love snow but I hate when it gets like this. We get ice several times throughout winter but only get a good snow about once or twice. It's sad really. lol. I really think the girls are losing their minds today too. They are both SO WIRED! They are screaming and yelling and fighting and playing and laughing all at the same time. I think I may take up smoking to get through the night, either that or have me a leg spreader. Do you think pineapple juice and coconut rum will warm my bones as much as a big shot of whiskey? Okay, I'm only kidding...I think.

On to other news, a little more personal than usual. My sister Blair, the one that babysits Jacelyn and my nephew all day, everyday, was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy on Saturday. She ended up having to have emergency surgery at 11pm Saturday night. Although her left tube hadn't ruptured yet, when the doc cut it open to take the mass out, she started bleeding uncontrollably. They had to go ahead and remove it so that she didn't hemorrhage and need a blood transfusion. She has a cut that is identical to a c-section cut. She is doing well now and got to go home this morning. I was at the hospital from about 10pm-1am Saturday night and then went back up there from 3:30-5:30pm last night. My MIL kept the girls while I took flowers and balloons. When my MIL left, she went home to cook supper. I got a call around 7pm saying that an ambulance had just taken Rick's grandmother (Granny) to the hospital because when she was eating dinner, she slumped over and didn't move for a minute. After that she started slurring her speech and having a little weakness on her left side. She lives with MIL and SIL and they were following the ambulance to the hospital. I called my mom to come watch the girls and we left as soon as Rick got home from work. Thankfully, it was just a TIA (mini stroke) and didn't seem to do much damage. Her blood pressure keeps going extremely high and they are doing tons of tests on her. I'm not sure when she'll get to go home.

Here is a picture of Blair (With Zoey and Carlie and a little bit of Jacelyn)

Here is Rick's Granny and his Mom

Pictures from "Breakfast with Santa"

I took the girls to breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning. They had so much fun! Jacelyn was VERY scared of him last year so I was a little worried about this year. She loved him! When we got there, we ate breakfast and then did crafts until they called our group in to see Santa. The girls sat on his lap and took a wonderful picture. The picture had a weird blue mark on Santa's nose when they printed it so they are mailing or emailing me another copy. I'll be sure to post that here when I get it. Here are some pictures from the event. Some of them are a little blurry for some reason.

Jacelyn, My friends son Caden (He's almost 3 months older than Jacelyn) and Carlie

The gym!

So, I decided to finally join a gym. I've tried to just work out at home with DVD's but it doesn't work for me. I don't feel like I'm actually doing any good and then I quit. I figured that if I have a contract and I "HAVE" to pay each month, then maybe that would motivate me. My friend Ashley also joined with me. We both went last night for the first time and worked out for about 40 minutes. I'm so embarrassed to admit this but it was the first time that I've ever really worked out at a gym. I've been once before but all I did was the bike. This time, I actually did cardio and strength training. I felt so good when I got done. I can tell that I'm out of shape but I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would. I actually enjoyed myself! I really hope that Ashley and I can motivate each other enough to keep it up and go at least 3-4 times a week if not more. The best thing is that I didn't wake up sore this morning! I'm sure that tomorrow might be a different story but as of right now, I'm not sore at all! I can't wait until I can start seeing a difference!!!

Christmas Pictures

Here are some of the pictures from our Christmas Photo shoot. We had to do it two days in a row because the girls weren't being cooperative AT ALL and because on the first day, Rick had an allergic reaction to my sisters cat.

Happy Anniversary Rick!

It all started four years and 3 months ago. I was packing and getting ready to move out of my apartment. My friend Ashley came over to help and while she was there, she got a phone call and asked if it was okay for her friend to come over and hang out while we packed. From that night on, we've been inseparable. We had an inside joke that we would get married and had already named our first child before we even started dating. Just a few weeks later and spending time together every day since the day we met, he went out of town to visit family and I missed him. What was I doing? I did NOT want a boyfriend. I had just gotten out of a relationship and wasn't ready for another one. The night he came back he wanted to hang out. I had a date that night but I wanted to see Rick more so I called the other guy and cancelled the date so that I could see Rick. That was the night that he asked me out for the first time. There was just something about him that I couldn't resist. We moved VERY fast after that. Two weeks after we started dating (somewhere around the middle of October), he asked me to marry him. The first time wasn't very romantic and I didn't even think he was serious. Later that night, he took me outside on the open deck, in the pouring down rain, and asked me to marry him. We set the date for the wedding, Sept 17th, 2005 but ended up "postponing" it until further notice because he wanted to move out of state and I wasn't willing to. I had a 2 year old daughter and I didn't want to take her away from all of her family and everything that she knew. At the end of Sept 2005, we found out that we were expecting. We decided that since we were already engaged to go ahead and have the wedding before the baby came.

December 10, 2005 was the day that I became Mrs. B. It was a very stressful time in my life. Planning a wedding, taking care of a toddler, and being pregnant. Problem #1 was that I was going to borrow one of my good friends veils as my "something borrowed". The night before my wedding about 9 o'clock at night, she called to tell me that she had just remembered that it was at the cleaners with her dress to be preserved. I started calling around and my sister told me that they had veils at Hobby Lobby. Where else was I going to find a veil the morning of my wedding? I went to Hobby Lobby when I got up the morning of the wedding and all I could find was this hideous veil. I regret even having one now. lol. Someone also told me that I was supposed to keep the veil on throughout the reception. They probably said it just so that I could look stupid! haha. So, problem #1 solved. My Sister in law's friend did my bridesmaids hair. When they walked into the room where I was getting ready, their hair was in corn rolls?!?!?! The girl that was doing my hair and makeup quickly fixed their hair. Problem #2 solved. My mom showed up with my bouquet of flowers. It was supposed to be a full bouquet of white roses, it ended up being a bunch of small white roses. I did get compliments from people that didn't know what it was supposed to look like that said it was the most beautiful bouquet they had ever seen so I guess....problem #3 solved. Problem #4 was my beautiful and energetic almost 3 year old flower girl, Carlie. She WOULD NOT cooperate. She didn't want to walk down the isle. She DID NOT throw and petals. While we were kneeling on the prayer bench thing, she wanted to kneel with us. She threw a temper tantrum in the isle while we were saying our vows. BUT, I didn't care. She was a part of the ceremony and that's all that mattered to me. Problem #4 solved.

It has been the craziest 3 years ever. So many wonderful things have happened. We have grown together. We have learned how each other think. We know what buttons to push, and when to NOT push them. We have learned to communicate with each other. Best of all, we have learned to love each other.

Happy Anniversary Rick! I love you!

100 Things

This is all over the place and seems really intersting!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (does a school band count?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables (We had a garden when I was a kid)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept in an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (I've seen an eclipse but I don't know if it was solar or lunar or what...)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (I don't have a lot but it pays the bills, that's all that matters)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain (Rick proposed in the rain)
53. Played in the mud
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (We had a 6 week martial arts class in PE in HS)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten cavier.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

I had 32 and there are actually only 97 questions if I counted correctly. lol.

I'm half of 50 today...

I know that 25 isn't usually a big birthday for most people. To me, it means that I'm half of 50. Fifty years old seems so far off to me most of the time, except the day that I'm half way there and now it seems like 50 will be here tomorrow. When I was younger, I would have never pictured myself being where I am at only 25 years old. I have a wonderful husband, two amazing daughters, and a career that I (mostly) love. Most people my age are just getting married and starting their own families, I've been at that stage for almost 6 years now. What's next you ask? I have no idea. Maybe buying our own home instead of renting and hopefully adding one more perfect baby into the mix. I am so in love with where I am in my life right now that it's hard to think of things that could make it any better. Does me starting out my adulthood earlier than most make me wiser about the World and life in general? Probably not but I do love it when friends calls me for advice because they know I have probably been through *it* before.

I also love when friends who I haven't spoken to in a very long time email, call, or text me with a simple "Happy Birthday". I've been feeling like most of my "old" friends have forgotten about me since I've been so busy with life lately so it feels really good to know that I'm still thought about, especially on my birthday! I can only hope that my 25th year will be as wonderful as it has been here lately!

So, I'm having a great day after a great weekend. We are having our Thanksgiving Luncheon at work today and then we're having a family birthday dinner since there are 6 people in my immediate family that have birthdays from Nov 13th-Nov 27th!!!

The Matching Monkeys

Here are some pictures of the monkey, sweater, and hat that MIL got Jacelyn this past weekend for Christmas. I found these online at The Children's PLace website because of course, Jacelyn isn't getting them until Christmas. I'm so excited about how cute this is!

P.S. I tried to find a picture of their Christmas dresses but I'm not having any luck.

Birthday weekend!

My MIL invited me on a girls only birthday trip (My BD is tomorrow). This is the first time in over 4 years that I haven't had either a child or Rick with me for an entire night. It was just me, my MIL, and my good friend Ashley. We had a blast! We went to Tunica, MS. We went to the casino and the outlet malls. I pigged out at the buffet until I hurt, had too many drinks, AND lost money! Who could ask for a better night? They had a bar/club with gogo dancers. We just sat outside of it at a slot machine and watched some of the most uncoordinated people dance. I swear I almost peed myself laughing so hard! Sunday morning we went shopping at the outlet malls and I got all 4 of our Christmas outfits and did a little shopping for winter clothes for myself and the girls. I got SO MUCH stuff for so cheap! We found a little monkey with a cute striped sweater and a pink bow at The Children's Place that had matching sweaters, hats, gloves, and scarves for Jacelyn! MIL got the monkey, sweater, and hat for her for Christmas. I can't wait until she opens it! She loves monkeys!

Here are a few pictures of me and my friend Ashley goofing around in the hotel room after one too many drinks!

Right after we got to the hotel room.

After drinks, gambling, and too much smoke in the casino

We *ARE* doing it!

As of right now at least. We still have a few months to change our minds but as of right now we are both dead set on getting the reversal done! I have found a doctor about 3 hours away that is highly recommended and a fraction of the cost of the doctor here that would be doing it. He also has a higher average % of patients conceiving after the VR. The average success rate is 76% if done less than 3 years after the V and his success rate is 83%! The average of a couple who have had a child together in the past is 90%. The chances go down quite a bit after 3 years. It's been a little over 2 years since he had it done. I think it was in September of 2006. Microsurgical Vasectomy Reversals are all he does and specializes in them! We have to put down a deposit to book the appointment so that is what we are starting on saving up for right now. It's not that much but with the holidays coming up I am focusing on saving for that rather than the reversal. We hope to have the deposit by the end of January and hopefully book the procedure around the end of March or first of April!

I'm sure I'll be posting updates throughout this journey but in the mean time, please pray that everything remains great for us and that we are able to go through with this in just a few short months!

To have another baby or to not have another baby?

That is the question. Rick had the big "V" about 2 years ago. Jacelyn was an infant. We were SO broke and suffering from sleep deprivation. We "knew" that we only wanted two. We now totally regret it. No one tried to talk us out of it, no one said "Ya'll are still so young"...nothing. I'm not blaming our decision on anyone else. I just think that someone, especially the doctor, should have gone over everything with us a little better.

I would LOVE another baby but I know the likely hood of it is gone. I know that there is that slight chance of conceiving after a vasectomy but I know that isn't going to happen with us. I just have never felt complete and I know I would with one more. I've always seen myself having 3 kids. I miss being pregnant, I miss giving birth, I miss the whole process of it all. I miss having a little baby in the house. Carlie is such a great big sister and I know that Jacelyn would be too. With all that being said, I also know that I would miss sleeping and the freedom that I am beginning to remember from before. Jacelyn is at that age where she can play in her room with Carlie and I don't have to worry (although I do check on them often). I don't have to feed either of them, change diapers, and I barely even have to dress and bathe them. I know that in about 9-10 years I can go out on a date with Rick and leave the girls at home alone for two hours without having to find a sitter. I think of having to buy clothes, school fundraisers, yearbooks, shoes, backpacks, school supplies, lunches, graduation caps and gowns, college, and their first car for 3 kids and I about pass out. Is it really that much more expensive to add just one more child to the mix???

*IF* we were going to have a reversal, I would like to get all of our debt gone and buy a new house first. We are not struggling financially anymore and Rick is up for a promotion between now and 6 months from now. Time is running out though. The likely hood of reproducing after a reversal decreases after 3 years so if we are going to do it, we need to do it NOW. I've been telling myself that if it happens naturally even though he's fixed then it's a blessing but do I really want to spend all of our money on a reversal and take the chance of it not working? I can think of so many things that we could do with that money, like put it as a down payment on a house. Maybe we could use our income tax return in 2010 for a house? We both want a baby so so bad though. I just don't know what to do.

Kid Funnies

There have been a few funny, you had to be there, type of moments that I wanted to put on here to remember in the future.

Last night we were on our way home from dinner. Carlie asked Jacelyn a question. Jacelyn kept saying "Why? Why? Why?" over and over. Carlie got so frustrated and yelled at her "Jacelyn! Why is a letter! NOT an answer!!!!!!" Hahaha! I laughed so dang hard!

A few minutes ago, Jacelyn climbed on her kiddie table to get something off of the counter. Carlie had left her drink on the table and Jacelyn knocked it over and it spilled all over the floor. Jacelyn squated down, looked at her mess and said "Oh my gosh!........Oh my Jesus!" I know that she shouldn't use the Lord's name in vain but I couldn't help but laugh. I tried to hard to tell her that we shouldn't say things like that but I know she probably didn't know I was serious. I just could not keep a straight face! I asked her where she heard that and she said her grandpapa said it "Rick's dad" hehe.

Okay and this last one only Kaycee will get I'm sure. I asked Jacelyn to bring my phone to me so that I could call my mom. She brought it to me and she was acting like she was calling someone.

ME: "Who are you calling?"
Jacelyn: "I'm calling the HOGS".
Me: "You're calling the HOGS???"
Jacelyn: Yeah! HOOOOOGGG SUIE!"
(It's supposed to be 'Woooooooo Pig Suie' for those of you that aren't familiar with "Calling the Hogs")

David Letterman, on President Bush

No matter what your political convictions are this is an eye opener....What a thankless people we are!!!

David Letterman, on President Bush. (Surprising)

David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see....
'As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.'

'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a da y, 7 Days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state.

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what h as 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S, yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' discharge after a few days inthe brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done itthis way......Insane!Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the NewYork Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bi rd flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

-David Letterman Please keep this in circulation. There are so many people who need to read this and grasp the truth of it all.

Respectfully, For God and Country,

Retirement Party

Rick's stepmother retired from her job yesterday and we were invited to her retirement luncheon. Carlie had a Halloween party in her class so we only took Jacelyn. I've never been to a workplace where everyone dressed up like this. It was hilarious! There are about 30 people that she works with and they were all dressed up in a costume! I wish I would have gotten pictures of everyone but we were talking too much for me to think about digging my camera out. I did get a few pictures of Jacelyn with my IL's.

This is a rare thing...a picture of Rick! I have to sneak them when he's not paying attention

Jacelyn pigging out!

I was going to save this one for wordless Wednesday but it's too funny to wait that long! Step-MIL was a Spartan Cheerleader. Jacelyn thinks it's the funniest thing when she touches her nose with her tongue!

Our Halloween night.

I am shocked that we made it home by 9pm, I guess it's because we started our Halloween fun at 4pm. Our first trip was to my work, then it was off to my great great uncle and aunts house, then to MIL's, then to my friends house where all of my other friends and their kids were meeting up, then to another friends house so that the girls could trick or treat with her kids, and then finally to my mom's church where they were handing out candy to the neighborhood kids. I had two more trips after that but thankfully those two people hadn't made it home yet so we skipped it. We all had a great time but we were all worn out and there was no protest to get in bed!

Jacelyn the monkey, Carlie the banana, and Caden the Power Ranger at stop #3

Carlie at MIL's

JJ and Carlie

Blake "Peter Pan", Jacelyn, Trae "Captain Hook", and Carlie (these are my 2 nephews) Stop #2

I NEED MAKEUP!

Last weekend I was getting ready to go grocery shopping. Carlie was at her Granny's and Rick was at work. I think I went to brush my teeth or something in the bathroom and I left my makeup bag in the living room by mistake. I walked back in there to grab it and this is what I saw...

You may have to click on the picture to make it bigger but she had put mascara on and something on her right cheek. I don't know if it is foundation or eyeshaddow. I took a picture, then took the makeup away. Jacelyn just kept yelling and screaming "I need it Mommy! I Need makeup!!!" over and over! haha. I couldn't do anything but laugh! If you look closely at her right eye (left on the screen) you can see that the white of her eye is red. I'm guessing that she stabbed herself with the mascara although she never cried. It was red for a good 2 hours though!

Jacelyn singing her ABC's.

My father in law has a Bing Crosby doll that sings different songs. While Rick and Jacelyn were on a visit, FIL started singing the ABC's to the tune of one of the songs (The name escapes me right now). Jacelyn, being the imitator that she is, decided that she could also do an impersonation of Bing Crosby's version of the ABC's.

Pumpkin Patch and Hayride Filled Weekend

Here are tons of pictures from our pumpkin patch/hayride trip on Saturday and then our hayride/fall festival with friends on Sunday. Sunday's pictures are first, sorry.

Painting pumpkins

Carlie's pumpkin
Jacelyn's pumpkin

Looking out at the river
Pretty picture of Jacelyn
Another one. She was everywhere!
Me and Carlie on the Hayride on Sunday

Carlie, Me, and Jacelyn at the Pumpkin Patch on Saturday

Jacelyn and CarliePumpkin Patch 2008 (Jacelyn wouldn't look at the camera)
Jacelyn and Daddy on Satuday
Carlie found her pumpkin!
Jacelyn used her pumpkin as a pillow on the hayride back to the car