December Picture a Day Challenge

The past month I haven't been really inspired to write about much for some reason.  I have had many thoughts, but didn't feel the need to write it in the blog-o-sphere.  So the other day I was browsing around on a website and found something that I thought would be kinda fun...

Picture a Day Challenge for the month of December.

In November people write what they are thankful for every day, there is so much I could write on any given day the I think people would become bored with the sappiness.

So here goes...

Day 1

Your View Today

Sampson, Benji & Lulu...its a first, they normally hate being next to each other!

I had to post the dogs because they are the first thing I see in the morning when I wake up.  One if not all follow me around the house on a regular basis.  And they are the last things I see before I go to bed at night.  Why is that?  Because I have to tuck each one of them into bed (on my bed) in their separate spaces before I go to bed.  And of course that usually doesn't last very long because before long they are all cuddled around me under my covers. 

Day 2

Favorite Holiday Movie

This is a little difficult for me because I have grown up watching so many different holiday movies.  I remember the old movie about Scrooge being one of the first holiday movies I ever saw.  I also remember watching It's a Wonderful Life many times.  I can say that every year I watch these movies, but only seem to watch them once.  There are many other movies that I have watched that I totally enjoy like Elf, Home Alone, and Miracle on 34th Street. 

However, none of these movies bring me as much joy as.....

A Christmas Story

Day 3

Red

This is my dad who dresses as Santa Claus every year!

My choice for RED would be a red Santa suit.  I was looking for a picture of me dressed in my red Santa Run suit, but for some reason I can't seem to locate any.  So I went with my dad who is my families very own personal Santa Claus.  This is him I think last year playing Santa once again....

Day 4

Joyous

This day has been a little more difficult for me to decide on a picture.  But after lots of searching I found one that makes me laugh because the pose has now been going on for several years...

Although Adam may not show lots of emotions most of the time, every Christmas he gets very excited.  He may not like all the decorating and driving around to look at lights, but when it comes to family time and presents Adam is all over it!

Day 5

Today's Temperature

Yes that says 70 degrees!  Not quite a cold December.  More like Springtime weather!!!  I'm dying to dress warmer for cold weather, but its still short sleeve and light jacket weather.  Hopefully it will start getting a little cooler. 

Winter isn't what I remember it as a little girl.  When I was little I remember winter being absolutely freezing cold.  I always had a heavy winter coat, that I would wear everyday to school.  My kids didn't even own a super heavy coat until the past couple of years and that is only because we went to Utah in the winter time.  We didn't want them to freeze!

Day 6

Shopping

For this picture I didn't want to expose my shopping secrets just yet.  Yes, I have done some shopping, but I thought it would ruin the surprise to my family if I put a picture of shopping bags or places been shopping.

So I thought I would do the next best thing and post a picture of our bubbies on a regular shopping trip that make when we go to Utah...

Yes our dogs frequent Home Depot with us all the time when we spot there on our trips to the cabin.  They love hanging out in the shopping cart and LOVE the attention they get from the other shoppers.

Day 7

Bright

Finding bright normally isn't too difficult this time of the year.  But I had a hard time finding just the right amount of bright this year so far.  When I was growing up there was a neighborhood on Hondo Court that would decorate the neighborhood in a theme every year.  This entire neighborhood is what I would consider BRIGHT!  Every house had lights and something that was Christmas themed.  The neighborhood was so popular, people would go to see it from all over the valley.  Cars would be lined up just to circle through the housing area.  I have yet to see another Hondo Court in Las Vegas unless I am totally missing something somewhere. 

So tonight as I deciding what my Bright picture would be I thought of a house I see every morning when I take Nicole to seminary early in the morning.  I always see this brightly lit house, so tonight I drove over to it to have it as my Bright picture...

Up close it wasn't as bright as what it normally looks from a distance early in the morning.  But when I saw the garage door painted with the Charlie Brown Christmas characters it brought back the memories of Hondo Court from so long ago...



Day 8

Ornament(s)

This is a fun day!  I absolutley LOVE ornaments!  Especially giving ornaments.  When I was young, my grandma would give me a new ornament every year for Christmas.  So when I started having kids, I started buying them a new ornament every year.  I always have to find the perfect ornament for each person for that year...

Last year I bought myself an ornament because it reminded me of my little dog Lulu.  Last night when I was taking the ornaments out of the box to put on the tree, I unwrapped the Lulu ornament and held it up...I was talking about how cute it was, then all of a sudden from across the room Lulu barks a small bark!  I turned and looked at her and asked her if she liked it too..

Obviously she did because she didn't bark anymore and wagged her tail for approval!

(I am totally serious!  Lulu even smiles at us regularly!)

Day 9

Something I'm Reading

At the beginning of the year I set a goal to read 12 books.  I met that goal a couple months ago..

But I also set a goal to read the Bible (Old Testament) completely through.  I have been reading it all year, but may not be able to finish it by the end of the year...

Day 10

Wrapping Papper

I don't think anyone could have enough wrapping paper. Every year I (we) buy new wrapping paper, but still have an over abundance from prior years.  I know this sounds kinda lame, but I always try to use up the old wrapping paper because I get tired of mass amounts we seem to have left over every year.  But I (we) always seem to buy more....

A day late...

Day 11

Green

I thought and thought about this day.  The easy picture would be a green Christmas tree of course, but I didn't want to be that obvious....

So I chose something that the everyone at this time of year wishes they had more of...

Day 12

A Beautiful Sight

There are many sights that can be considered beautiful.  This could mean anything to anybody.  A beautiful sight to a man may be a woman's body and vice versa...There are many sight seeing places that I have been to that are beautiful.  But I chose to go in a different direction for today...

This is the Portland, OR temple.  It was a surprise to us when we pulled up to our hotel and saw the temple across the street after having such a stressful couple of days prior, when leaving Washington for good!

Day 13

Family

Any one that knows me can attest that my family is the most important thing in the world to me. This year has been a huge change for us.  Breanne married Tyler and moved to Cedar City.  Josh and Adam are now working in North Dakota.  I have been sad because I'm not able to see all of them on a regular basis....but I'm learning that sometimes that's just how it goes due to life circumstances....

Day 14

Christmas Tree

I love to decorate the Christmas tree...Seems like every year we end up with a different looking tree.  This year it happened again.  I started to decorate with what decorations we found in the garage, but for some reason it wasn't just right and felt like something was missing.  I was right, we were missing some ornaments. I forgot that there were decoration in the attic too...

Geez, how many ornaments does a family need.  (My mom and I started talking about this...I think between the two of us we have enough decorations for about 5 different trees!)  Needless to say, my dream of having a Christmas tree forest will one day come true, but for now with limited time one tree is good enough!

I missed a day because we went out of town and I didn't feel like taking my computer along with me.  Its been nice to not have to lug my computer around anymore since I have finished school...

Day 15

Favorite  Holiday Song

This was a hard one to narrow down.  Every year my favorite seems to change.  I have lots of favorites for different reasons.  Some I like because they remind me of when I was young like The Little Drumer Boy.  Others I like because I can act funny while singing them like Elvis Presley songs..I like to acti like I'm an Elvis impersonator (of which I SOOO am not).  I also like to hear the Lucy & Linus song at least once, so I cn dance like Snoopy when he was on top of the piano (No I don't climb on top of the piano), I just raise my head and kinda trot in place, if that's what you want to call it.

This years favorite....

I think the older I get, the more meaningful Christmas truly is.  With all the changes and experiences I have faced this year I have been able to contemplate more and focus of the true meaning instead of others instead of what my immediate family wants...

Day 16

Outside Christmas Lights

We were slow to put up lights outside this year.  Plus we have fewer people who are willing to make the effort to put them put.  I told my mom I needed to go for a ride to take a picture...

I was working on some stuff on the computer, then my mom opened the front door and said "Come Here".  So I got up and went outside...

This is what I saw....

Again I didn't post my day on time.  I fell asleep watching Charlie Brown and didn't wake up until the alarm clock went off...

Day 17

Presents

I thought out of the box for this one...

 We went to see the light display at the Speedway, I thought I would include some of the lights we saw that were lit up like presents...

Day 18

Stockings

I think this is actually the first year we (I) have actually hung the stocking by the fireplace.  Normally they're laying on the back of the couch...

 

 

So I'm s few days late, life kinda got in the way this past week, but I thought I would take sometime tonight to get caught up with my days...

 

Day 19

Candy Cane

 

Not one of my most favorite things in the world, it was a little difficult to take some kind of picture of a candy cane rather easily. 

 

 So one night while out shopping with Nicole we came across this...

 

 

Day 20

Tree Topper

 

There is a story behind our tree topper...

Honestly this is a very ugly tree topper!  We did have a really pretty one, but all the lights burned out on it and we weren't able to get it to work again.  Sooo...because of this blog challenge, my mom insisted on having a tree top!  The only tree topper she could find was this tinsel star!!! So the tree was without a topper until I think Sunday night when we finally decided to put the ugly thing on our beautiful tree....

 

 

 

Day 21

Peace

 

This was a little difficult because I wasn't sure how to really show a picture of Peace....

 

But this is the best I could do tonight...

 

This is Sampson...  He will not get out of bed in the morning because he is sooo peaceful in my bed sleeping!!!

 

Day 22

Tradition

 

Over the years I have tried to be consistent with traditions for my family.  I asked Nicole what I should post for tradition...she immediately said Pajamas!

 

I didn't think Nicole would appreciate me posting a picture of her in her cute new pj's, so I am posting mine that my mom gave me.  Every year since the kids were babies I have given them pj's on Christmas eve.  This year was no different...even the kids in other states received their new pjs with a note written on the tag to open on Christmas eve! 

 

 I think the pj's this years were all a success! (At least I hope)

 

Day 23

Scarf

 

This was easy because I LOVE to wear a scarf when its cold! 

 

 

Day 24

Favorite part of Christmas Eve

 

This year was a little different.  Half our family wasn't in town with us, so we decided to do something a little different.  This year we went to see the Magical Forrest.  I thought it would be fun to go to see since we none of us have seen it for several years.  Plus I wanted to find some way for Josh to feel a little more Christmas spirit since he has been so busy working in North Dakota and didn't really have the chance to enjoy much Christmas festivities...

 

But doing that isn't my most favorite part of Christmas eve...

 

The excitement of opening the one obvious present is my most favorite....

 

 

Day 25

Morning

 

So this may sound unusual, but I'm always the first one awake on Christmas morning!  I am always waiting for everyone to wake up!  This morning was no except...

 

I got up because I was tired of faking that I was still sleeping, so I got up and came downstairs to wait for everyone to wake up... I decided to give everyone until 8:00, if they weren't wake I would go upstairs and start yelling "IT'S CHRISTMAS!!" 

 

Thank goodness everyone started getting up...and get this it was 7:59.  Once I heard everyone upstairs I hollered up the stairs "IT'S CHRISTMAS, NOW COMMON!" 

 

 

 

Who's to Judge?

Today I have been thinking about things that really bother me.  Mainly it's a problem that most people are guilty of, which is totally wrong...

JUDGING!!!

I have been judged harshly so I now what it feels like to be judged.  However, who is anyone to judge another? The feeling of being judged is a horrible feeling because you feel that you have done something wrong, but in reality your just making due with what has been given to you. 

People are judged for a number of reasons...

LOOKS

FINANCIAL STATUS

CHOICE OF LIFESTYLE

POLITIC DIFFERENCES

CLOTHING

RELIGION

The list can go on and on!

Judging another when one doesn't know the circumstances or the story of the person being judged is just wrong.  I have learned not to judge because I have been though enough judgement in my life.  At times I am curious of another, but if I really want to know why I have learned to ask questions to the person, not from another person who assumes they know.  If the person is willing to share, they will.When I have had information shared with me, instead of judging I think most often "Glad that's not my life"!

So before sitting back and thinking a person is wrong or has a problem and judging them for their life circumstance, why not  ask questions before  looking through your rose colored glasses and think you are high and mighty.  

This morning, I saw that one of my harshest judges is learning a great lesson in life.  Before you cast stones in judgement, try walking a mile in the other persons shoes for awhile.  Then maybe you will understand better what lead someone to where they are today

A week I never want repeated

It's amazing how much life can change in just a couple of weeks. One week  all was well, then life as what I knew changes in a matter of minutes. My family as I knew it was forever changed. Sadness has come to my heart in a way I never thought possible or even fathomed. I don't want to go into much detail because it's painful to me. But I'm hoping one day wounds can mended and life memories can be different than what they are at the moment. This is one area of my life I have no control over, but decisions of others who have placed judgement...Hopefully one day this will change and future memories can be made. I have been praying for this change to happen...

Another unexpected change that has rocked our world... Josh starting another job. The job wasn't the major change...the change was him having to pack up in a matter of a few hours to get to North Dakota where the job is at.  That's right freezing cold North Dakota!  Job opportunities just opened up for him.  He had 7 different offers in one week!  The past couple weeks have been a little stressful for me because I have worried about his well being...Is he comfortable (he slept in the car a couple days), does he have enough food? Is he warm enough?  And the biggest question...is he getting enough sleep?  I know he is okay, it's just the worrier in me.  He finally settled with a company that will allow him to come home every three weeks.  That was really important to me.  I just hope this will help us in the long run like we think it will...

I know its been a couple weeks since my last post, but there are other issues that has happened in the McCourt family, besides the above.  We went to Disneyland a couple weeks ago..Had lots of fun (blog thoughts to be posted later).  On the day we were to come home, Adam called me early in the morning to tell me my car was broken into and major damage was done to it...Someone took a sharp object and gouged the leather seats and my stereo system.  That wasn't a pleasing sight... (Everyone knows how much I love my car) So it needs to be repaired, but Josh had to take it to North Dakota, so it will be a little while.  The estimated damage was a little over $7600.00!

But wait that's not all that happened that week...

Adam was in an accident in the little Ford Focus.  He was coming home when it was raining and on the freeway.  Hydro planed, did a 360 spin and hit the wall!  Thank goodness it was only him and no other cars and 2:00 in the morning!  So we had to deal with that as well. Adam handled himself very well.  Being a mom and getting a call about an accident at 2:00 in the morning isn't a pleasant experience (NO I DIDN'T FREAK OUT) I honestly have a deep fear of getting worse calls in the middle of the night about my children...(Doesn't help working in the funeral industry) Anyway my mom and I went to help him and got the car home. Little car will be fixed and on the road again soon...

I was talking to my dad the other day telling him about all the STUFF that keeps happening...His words, "Just another adventure is the chaotic life that is yours!"  Yep that pretty much sums it up!  Never a dull moment!  Even when the moments are quiet, there is always something that is happening!

Recommitted

I have been working on my goals all year...I have accomplished some of them, but some I have lacked in and will not be able to accomplish this year.  I struggled the last few months to stay focused on school and to get it completed.  Honestly the last few months were a killer.  I tried to do as little as possible to complete my work, but I did it and finished with a 3.57 GPA (Not to bad if I do say so myself)

Anyway a few of my goals were neglected because I was overwhelmed with work, wedding and school.  Now that two of them are over and no longer need constant attention, I am now able to refocus and recommit to my personal goals.  Overall, some will not be able to be finished this year because lots of dedication has to be spent on them...Like the marathon....

So as of last night I have started running again.  I totally suck at running, but I am determined to become a better runner one day in my life!  I know I can do a half marathon because I have done it before, I just need to recommit myself and focus on my end goal.  

I will now find a marathon that I want to complete, train and register for it.  That is the only way I will be committed to something like this.  In the meantime, I will run on my own and find random runs that will entertain me and help keep me focused.

Dislike...

Since I've been having issues narrowing down things to write about, I decided that since I have done some of my favorites in the past, I would do some of my dislikes... 

Seems harmless and easy and in no particular order...

Frogs- My kids definitely LOVE this!!!

White, Red and Blue cars

Being late or people who make me late without a good reason

Lame traffic tickets!!!

Breanne & Tyler living so far away...YES I miss them!

Bananas

At one time country music would have been on here, but I tolerate it much more now

Love my bubbies (dogs), but NOT their barking (especially at absolutely nothing)

Feeling fat

Hummm...not sure how to put this one nicely but...BUTT KISSERS!!!  Seriously just be you!

Indecisiveness

Liars

Waking up in the mornings.  I love the day once I'm awake, but sometimes the morning just comes too quickly for me to really enjoy right away

This one is more of a personal thing, but my arms!  My family already know why, but I can't change it, so I've had to just deal with it and will continue to for the rest of my life.

Okay, so some of these are pretty dumb, but this is me...

Most are personal, but there is a reason for all of them.  The frogs wasn't too bad until my kids decided it was hilarious to put a frog in my face and chase me with it...yeah not so funny, but to them it is :)  It's okay, I love them anyway, no hard feelings.  Just freak out a little when I see them...

Others are long standing issues that will never go away, but nothing I can do about so life goes on...

Today Will Make a Difference

The problem with a blog is trying to decide what to write about.  My problem is I have so much on my mind it sometimes get overwhelming to pinpoint what I should and should not write about in my blog.  I know that my blog is about me and whatever I feel, but sometimes its best to keep some thoughts to myself.

But this past week i have had some serious thoughts about the world and what is happening in it lately.  Yes we are in a political season, but the world is a different matter.  At the beginning of the year I set a goal to read the Old Testament and have been steadily working at it...I also made a goal to read several books, which I have been working on as well.  I recently finished reading a book about the Dead Sea Scroll, which was very interesting.  It was interesting to read about the discovery of them and the turmoil that was going on in the land at the time of the discovery of them in the 1940's. 

Since I was reading the Old Testament and this book, a realization came to me...the Middle East has ALWAYS been in turmoil.  Even this past week uprising has transpired.  My personal thoughts when I saw this was..."That part of the world has never had peace in the land".  I don't understand how a nation can live with such chaos, but when I pondered on the reasoning, it's obvious...there never will be.  It will always be a contentious land...and it will continuously get worse unfortunately!

So all I can do is live my life, and be the best possible person I can be.  Make good decisions (so may be the wrong decision, but I will learn from them).  I need to be an example to my family so they will know that I did all I can to be a good person and so they can teach their future families as well.  The life I live today will make a difference in the future, but the turmoil in the world depends on the decisions of today...

In the moment...

I've been trying to decide what to write about...

Problem is I have tons of stuff on my mind and don't know where to start just yet!

I was thinking about writing about Breanne & Tyler's wedding, but don't really want to right now because I don't want to get emotional at the moment..

I could write about crazy things at work and the deceptive practices people do...but don't really feel like doing that either right now because I'll only get pissed off!!!

Could write about school...only 3 weeks left!  Thank goodness!  But trying to decide if I want to continue with further education or not is my dilemma...Yeah lots to think about...

Could write about my goals, but feel kinda dumb because a few got a little side tracked...

(Note to self, you have accomplished some so far, so just keep going!)

There is so much more I could write about, but I will just leave it at this for now!

Huh..Too Dark???

I have a confession...

So I drive a hot rod muscle car which most people know.  At times I tend to lay on the gas, awww... who wouldn't when you drive a hot car like mine!  

Needless to say, Josh and I have gotten into a little trouble because of the car.  Josh more so than me.  He like to spin tires, drive crazy fast to prove a point to others...(which I still don't get because we already know what the car does) and do donuts in the parking lot for no apparent reason!  I guess it's a guy thing???

So what's my confession? 

 I got a ticket last week!  Oh the horror!  Naw...it was seriously TOTALLY lame!  I was driving to work with the flow of traffic (mainly by alone because it was so early) then over on the side of the road is a police officer hiding...So I just pass by like no big deal because I wasn't doing anything wrong.

I saw him pull out and knew he was coming after me because I was the ONLY car on the road!  So I turn the corner after the light changed...of course he flashes his lights at me!  So I pulled into the parking lot of my work (go figure).  I rolled down my window half way, knowing the standard practice of having to do it from prior experience (Mainly from Josh!) I pulled out my registration and insurance, but couldn't get to my drivers license because it was in my purse in the backseat.  

So in the meantime, the officer told me to lower my window even lower and sticks his head into my car with his left hand in front of my windshield looking at his hand on the outside.  He said the reason I pulled you over is because your window is too dark!  I said, "Ah no my window is not dark, I just had it replaced and don't have any tint on it!"  He then let me out of my car so I could get to the backseat for my drivers license.  In the meantime, he calls on his radio for back up and a tint monitor?  Seriously? Back up? A tint monitor?  Okay whatever...So soon I was surrounded by two additional cops...

I sat there waiting...

The "Back up" soon left (Apparently they decided I wasn't a threat)  So lame!  Anyway, the original guy came back over to me and this is what he said...

"Your windows 'appear'" to be too dark, but a tint monitor isn't in the area (who has ever heard of a tint monitor).  Your sides are too dark as well! Your going to have to get that fixed."  Do you know how badly I wanted to say..."Dude, do you have any idea how many times this car has been pulled over and NOT once were we told that the windows were too dark? Seriously we have a record, he could've looked it up...We have even been pulled over because the officers just wanted to look at the car!  (True story, ask my kids!)  Anyway his lame excuse ended with a speeding ticket for 8, YES 8 miles per hour over the speed limit!  Seriously, who gets a ticket for 8 miles over the speed limit?!  Apparently this girl! Common I mean if your going to give me a ticket, make it worth it....Like 15-25 miles over the speed limit after its been reduced about 10 extra miles per hour!  

So now my family thinks it's hilarious that I got a ticket for 8 miles over the speed limit.  Seriously, normal people drive a little over the speed limit, who doesn't.  So normally there is a 5 mph over the speed limit buffer..So technically if you put the extra 5 on there...I got a ticket for 3 miles over the posted speed limit!!!  I have to admit, I think its pretty funny!  Adam won't let me live it down... The two of us go the rounds about my ticket because its so full of crap!  That guy couldn't give me a hellacious ticket so he apparently had to give me something...What a waste of time AND of my money!  Thank goodness I have a lawyer who can help me take care of it! 

See here's proof...

DRIVER DROVE FASTER THAN POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 45 WHILE WESTBOUND OT A SPEED OF  53

Shoot... that's just cruising speed for everybody I know!!!

Roadside beggars

Today in Sunday School the topic was rather interesting...I have decided that topics of the lesson vary depending on who is giving the lesson, but that's okay because I always try to find a purpose of the lesson.

Today the teacher was teaching about no judging others and their situations in life, meaning beggars.  While I have been through enough of my own issues, I do my best not to judge others and what their situation in life may be.

While sitting there listening I thought about myself and what I do.  I don't judge people because of their life circumstances because they are there for some reason.  I do what I can for others when I can, but when it comes to those on the roadside I have a very difficult time doing something.  Josh on the other hand gives random strangers on the side of the road rides to another state.  I get so paranoid when he does that, but he feels its the right thing to do.

I hope that one day I will be able to be more open to helping others in these situations, but then again...Josh is a giant compared to me so if someone had any ill intentions toward him, once they saw him I'm pretty sure they would have second thoughts...

Although, I do give service in my own way, giving to another freely on the side of the road is a different circumstance in today's world...

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Anyone that knows me really well knows I love a good surprise!

 My latest surprise was last week that was actually started by my Step Mom Joni.  She sent me an email reminding me that it was my dad's 60th birthday and that she would like to surprise him for his birthday with me showing up to his little party.  Sooo...hehhehe....I called Josh to see what he thought about us going for the weekend.  He thought it was a good idea, so I emailed Joni back to tell her we would be coming.

I made reservations at a motel down the road from my dads house because I am familiar with the surrounding, but Josh wasn't.  So we were able to hang out at places that I liked before the surprise Saturday evening.  In  the meantime during the week I thought about a fun gift idea to give my dad...

I thought about an "Old Man Kit"..which was a walking cane with a bicycle bell on it.  A block of wood with exercise instructions...Place block on the floor, walk around  twice, check heart rate, relax....you have now just walked AROUND the block twice!!!  I also included Bubba teeth for just in case, and stress relief ..bubble wrap!

During the day Josh and I went to A's Burgers for breakfast.  Walked on the beach and pier then watch the activities of the Ocean Festival in San Clemente.  I introduced Josh to Rainbow Sandals, which he loves!  We had to have the sales guy go into the basement/back room to find a size to fit Josh!  Then later in the day walked around a mall in Newport Beach.

Plans for the yacht club BBQ surprise were changed,  so we took our time heading to the final destination which was at friend of my dad's house.  We finally got the call that they were at the house, so we drove (and got lost) to the house.  We met Joni and Bink in the front of the house.  I pulled the cane out of the trunk and rang the bell....Joni & Bink LOVED it!  We walked around the back of the house, I then started ringing the bell on the cane.  As I walked around to the patio...my dad was TOTALLY surprised!  His face was priceless!  He asked if I was just in the neighborhood...YEAH RIGHT!!!  Nope we came to surprise him!  It was a blast to do that! I love being part of a good surprise, especially this one! I was happy that Josh and I could go and spend time with him for his birthday, which he thought I forgot about...HEHEHE...little did he know!!!

It's been Awhile...

Last night my mom and I were at the computer looking to make reservations for a motel in September...while showing her how to open another window, she asked me why I haven't posted a recent blog?  My reply, "I've had so much on my mind since my last post, I can't decide really what to write about."  Her reply...A laugh because she knows it's true!!!  So here I am today, feeling a little guilty about not writing all my thoughts because isn't that what my blog is about?

So here goes...a HUGE thought that's been consuming me lately...

The past couple months have been incredibly busy and crazy.  So much has been going on that I tend to get a little overwhelmed.  I've been working on finishing my schooling, although I official graduated (Only 6 more weeks to go)!  Then there has been the WEDDING!!!  Oh... all I can focus on is getting it over with next week!  Then I won't have to think about if we have everything ready and in place anymore.  Thank goodness I am not a procrastinator, or nothing would be finished!  We have only had little details to work on the past month!

This next weeks final agenda will be all about getting ourselves ready for wedding day.  Hair, makeup, nails, clothes, etc are on my mind right now.  I'm not to worried about myself, its my girls who I am stressed about right now!  I keep telling both of them to play with ideas for their hair and makeup, but those play sessions has only happened once!!!  I'm not sure what they have in mind yet.  Whatever it is, it BETTER  be good!!! ESPECIALLY BREEZY!!! Hint, Hint...

Getting Josh and Adam ready was no big deal.  We just needed to find the right clothing.  I threatened both of them to don't even think about cutting their hair within two weeks of the wedding.  They both tend to get chop happy (especially Josh) and look like goof balls!  I didn't want to look back at pictures with them looking like dorks!  hahaha  Speaking of goof ball...Adam went and got his ears pierced (The earrings may be coming out for the wedding!) All we need to do hem Adam's pants, pick up shirts from the dry cleaners and the rented vest for Adam on Thursday, them they will be complete!!!

I'm getting anxious to see family and friends who we haven't seen in a long time. I hope lots of people are planning to come wish Breanne and Tyler well on their new life together.  I am looking forward to having Tyler in our family and getting to know him even better.  I'm just thrilled that he has been accepting of us, even with all of our craziness that goes on :)

I'm hoping that when the wedding is over, I will be able to focus on things I have neglected before all this began.  While I've enjoyed working on the wedding with my family, I will definitely be able focus more on the things I've been  slacking on and have a little time to recoup other areas of life...

Just a thought

I'm not one who is big into politics, however I do pay attention to what is going on in the world pretty much on a regular basis.  I watch and listen to commentary from the political know it all's, but something struck  me as kinda funny this morning while listening to the news....

Wasn't it just a few years ago that Obama was telling people NOT to come to Las Vegas because of economic circumstances and to save their money?  I remember the backlash he got from many locals back of the negative words that he said...

So...I have noticed that that man and his wife sure are making LOTS of "visits" to Las Vegas as of late! I'm wondering if secretly they really want to live here and are looking for a new place to live?  Hummm would it be because he's back pedaling from the negative image he portrayed of Las Vegas?  I'd say the sucker is kissing butt for votes!!! We can't seem to keep either one of them out!

The news this morning asked, "How do you welcome the first lady?"  I replied to quietly to myself... "Tell her to go away!"  Breanne heard me say that and busted out laughing!  It may not be the proper thing to say, but heck there has been no CHANGE for the better! 

I have to admit that my family hasn't benefited from anything under this president.  We have struggled more in the past three years than we ever did in the past.  Heck Josh and I were both out of work for almost that entire three years!  

Are we better because of what we have accomplished on our own? 

You betcha!!! 

The College Graduates

Four long years has finally paid off....

Today Josh and I officially graduated with our Bachelors degrees.  I personally have been working toward this day for the past four years.  It has had its up's and downs.  At times I honestly felt like giving up because I got discouraged, but I hung in there and persevered to the end. 

It was especially fun for me because Josh and I graduated together.  I'm sure that there aren't many couples who get to graduate together. So it was extra special for me...and I think for Josh too!

Josh & I before graduation

Graduation was at the Orleans Arena, which I had never been to before.  We had to be there by 8:30 in the morning to get ready for the event.  Holy crap!!! Whoever decided the set up wasn't thinking about all the people who would be wearing black.  All the graduates had to stand in line to check in.  Checking in was not a pleasant experience.  We had to go to the third tent, but it was actually the fourth.  Thank goodness Josh ran into his Delta Mu Delta buddy who let us get in line with him!  I was seriously sweating under that gown!!!

I was really happy to see friends who I started school with.  Many of them I had in most of my classes until I transferred to online courses last year.  I have to admit, I was just as happy for them because they each had many struggles just like I did!  Congratulations my friends!!

Josh and I weren't able to sit with one another because apparently we have different degrees, which we didn't know about...Oh well!  So we had to find each other, luckily we were separated by three rows on different sides of the aisle.  He sent me a text message and asked me to stand up.  Then we saw each other, so it was nice to know we were close enough to each other.  He then found our family and showed me.  I looked and blew kisses to them  :)

Our kids...LOVE, love them!!!

I think that's me at the front of the line...

The ceremony was long as usual. The student representative who gave the speech did a really go job. Instead of a long boring speech that nobody will remember, she gave a Top Ten List of things she's learned in the past four years. Most of which were true to the graduates as well.

This guy was a riot...he kept messing up!  And the entire program was scripted right in front of him...

Finally we were able to receive our diplomas.  Josh did his typical, arm raise in excitement... I was so happy for him, yes I cried a few tears of joy.  Then it was my turn, I was a little nervous, but excited.  My name was read and I walked across the stage, I was trying to listen for my family, but there is so much going on in the moment, you can't hear a thing...

Josh walking the stage...

I walked down the steps and was overcome with emotion.  I didn't want to cry, but I couldn't help it. I knew Josh was close as I was walking down the aisle.  Once I finally saw him, I had to run and hug him.  I cried a little when he said "You did it, be proud of yourself".  Then I had to go site back in my seat and wait for the rest of the students names to be read...that seemed to take FOREVER!!!

I think this is me walking/running down the aisle to Josh

Once the ceremony was finally over, confetti fell from the ceiling.  It was kinda cool to see and have done.  Then aisle by aisle was dismissed.  Josh's row went before mine, but he hung back near the usher and waited for me.  We were able to walk together holding hands...yes were heard some awwww's, but I didn't care.  We are proud of one another.

Raining confetti!!  Cool experience I have to say!

Once we got outside the building to find our family, all we saw was a sea of black.  Josh couldn't see anyone from our family.  Then all of a sudden Tyler found us.  He took us over to where our family was.  We got congratulation hugs all around.  It was fun.  I'm so glad that everyone who made it was there.  It does make a difference!




We finally found our family...

Our family...

Family members...

Josh & I with my mom...

Josh & I with his dad...

Now with Dad & Joni... So glad they were able to make it!!!

I had to pee SO bad, so I had to cut the standing and talking short, but not before announcing we had lunch reservations for everyone at Buca di Beppo.  Of course we needed to celebrate with food!

Breezy & G'pa Ken

The soon to be EDGEL'S (Cuteness)

After lunch, just talking

Lunch was good.  Good company, good conversation...what more can one ask for?

At the end of the day, I'd have to say it was a very memorable day, that I hope everyone in my family will always remember.

It's official...we're college graduates!!! Yeah us!!

 

Always Be Prepared

Ever have a time in your life when you were excited to do something that you've always wanted to do, but when you actually did it you kept asking yourself "WHAT WAS I THINKING"?

Well I most definitely had that experience on Memorial Day!  Josh knew I have always wanted to go on a hike over by the dam to some warm springs. I have heard of people going on the hike and having a good time...

Well let's just say...

We didn't follow the proper Boy Scout code (always be prepared)

This is the thing, Josh just told us to get ready to go...OKAY, a  little more detail woulda been nice.  I grabbed my tennis shoes, put them in my backpack along with my camera, phone & lip gloss!  But I was wearing my flip flop and I could change once we got to where we were going.  (See he didn't exactly tell us where we were going until we got there!) 

We're still in the parking lot...

 So Josh, Nicole, our two little dogs and I get to the hike around noon.  It was nice weather, not too hot (I'll just leave it at that)  and we start walking down the trail.  Josh always takes off and leaves everyone behind so he always has to stop and wait.  He stopped at a shady spot under the highway bridge...No big deal for him, he sits down and gives the dogs some water while Nicole and I are left behind with no water!  So we finally reach him and I begin to climb up the hill to where he was....WHAM!!!  I fall flat on my face!!!  And Josh just sits there and stares at me like I'm an idiot and asks me what I'm doing!!??  Ahhh...hello!  I like falling on rocks and hurting myself!  So I sat and drank some water.  

Highway Bridge

This is my knee after I fell...doesn't look too bad, but looks are deceiving!!

Well unbeknownst to me, while I was falling some older lady was climbing up the mountain in the same area, she was out of breath and could hardly function.  The people she was with went ahead without her.  She said that this hike was NOT for a person from New England and couldn't believe she was having such a hard time because she is usually a first responder.  We gave her a water bottle to see if it would help her any.  It did!

So on we went.  Trudging through a gravely trail that was difficult to walk in.  No shade!  The sun blaring down on the rocks and our little dogs walking along with us.  Then comes these crazy rocks we have to get down.  Someone was smart somewhere in time and tied ropes where these rock were.  If those ropes weren't there I would have said Screw It!  But get this...we should have listened to our dog!!! They wanted NOTHING to do with going near those ropes.  So Josh climbed down, then Nicole part way...I would hand the dogs to Nicole then she handed them down to Josh.  Finally once everyone was down, we continued on.

Rocks & Ropes!

Then again, more ropes and rocks!!!

We got to where we found the hot springs, but just a trickle.  The water was most definitely HOT!  In fact too hot!  I walked through it while on the trail, but figured it was too hot to do much more.  In NO WAY would I want to swim in that nasty stuff!!!  What am I talking about, I wasn't going to swim anyway!!!  But it was really gross! I kept thinking "I wonder how many people have take a pee or poop here?"  Yes, that's how gross it was.  And this place was a LONG, LONG way from any toilets!!!

Start of the hot spring "Waterfall"

 So we didn't finish the hike, we stopped at the last rope because we were having to carry one of our dogs because his paw got hurt.  It isn't fun having to carry a dog.  But we were tired as well.  We sat and rested for a little bit then started back toward the car.  By this time, we were pretty much out of water!  We only had about half a bottle of water left to use between us three and the dogs. Josh put Sampson across his shoulders and we each took turns carrying Lulu.  She would walk when there was a lot of shade, but most of the time she was carried because the rocks were too hot and sharp for her.  There was a couple that was going back that we spoke with most of the time.  In fact, we ended up catching up to them because they left  before we did.  They ran out of water too, so they were struggling just as much as we were!  

We look happy, but we were actually exhausted.  We still had to go back!

At one point Josh said, "I'm just going to go on ahead and take the dogs.  I'll get them to the car and bring back some water."  Since he went ahead the couple kinda stayed close by.  We just went back and forth talking on off to keep ourselves going.  The last time as Nicole and I past them, the lady was trying to cool off, well she ended up lifting up her shirt...Nicole says "EWWW....I didn't need to see that!  You didn't see that mom?  Her BOOBS were down to her knees!"  Oh poor woman!  

We walked along the best we could and do our best.  I kept talking to myself as I walked along.  I thought about what the pioneers did and how difficult their circumstances were.  Would I have been able to do what they did?  (That's an entirely different subject in itself)  Finally Josh came back with 6 bottles of water!  It was the best water I ever had.  He even poured some on me, it was so cold because my body temperature was so whacked out!  The couple was still a ways behind us, so I yelled to them asking if they wanted some water.  I already knew they did, so Josh and Nicole took the water to them.  I was so thankful when I finally got back to the car.  

WE WERE DOING OUR BEST!!!

So technically, we just about died that day, but saved 3 lives because we shared water with them :D