Da Bears

On Football Sundays my whole family (I'm talking my brother and his family, and My family) all dress in our Bears garb. We may not be together, but you can guarantee that we all are showing support for our favorite team. Anyway, my mom was disappointed because when we would all come to her house for a Sunday dinner she was the only one who didn't have a bears shirt to wear. Well she is finally in the loop because Michael and Amy got her this awesome Urlacher jersey for Christmas. I am so glad she is part of the Sunday gang now.

What is your resolution?

What exactly is a New Years resolution? According to the dictionary, a New Years resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. Last year I didn't even make a resolution because I find it difficult to keep up with them. This year however I am going to try to make a resolution that I can keep. I took a class this last semester that taught me a lot about nutrition and exercise and I find myself reading labels more often and buying things that contain whole wheat or whole grains. I know there are other things I can do to try to make myself more healthy as well. I guess my resolution is to become more aware of how to be healthy and set a good example of healthiness if you will to my son. I am not sure this will rub off on my husband since he does not eat vegetables, but I can sure try.

I have added a pole to my blog so tell me what your new years resolution is.

The top ten resolutions of the New Year:

1. Spend Time with friends and family

2. Fit in Fitness

3. Tame the Bulge

4. Quit smoking

5. Enjoy life more

6. Quit Drinking

7. Get out of debt

8. Learn something new

9. Help others

10. Get more organized

Our Lady of the Snows Shrine

We took my family to the Our Lady of the Snows Shrine to see the lights and the animals that they have there every year. They have over one million lights on display. It is beautiful. They also have a petting zoo with camels, lamas, deer, donkeys and goats. The kids loved being able to pet and feed the animals. They even had a baby camel. How cute. Last year we started this tradition and hope to continue it year after year.

Present, Presents and MORE Presents!

This is a picture of my tree after my family arrived at my house for Christmas. We could barely get to the tree. I am not really sure if I have ever seen this many presents under my tree. A great time was had by all though.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Yes I am late as usual, but Merry Christmas anyway. I hope that Santa found all of you and left you all you asked for. We had a fantastic Christmas. I did not come home, but I hosted Christmas for my Mom and Brother and their families at my house this year. A great time was had by all and I think we all got way more than we needed. Christmas is my favorite time of year. Not because of all the presents, but because of family and the true meaning of Christmas. I just hope that the meaning of Christmas does not get lost in all the wrapping paper and stockings. Merry Christmas and a Happy 2008!

Check Out the New Ape Hangers!!!!!

My brother finally got his ape hangers on his bike. Pretty sweet huh. Too be honest I am not sure how his arms don't go numb while he is riding. Anyway...can't wait to ride with you bro. Love you~!

Christmas Gifts....

Nick has already received a few Christmas gifts from a couple of his aunts. From Aunt Kathy he got his very first matchbox car and a singing and dancing DVD that he absolutely loves. He literally does not take his eyes off of it when it is playing. He also got this gift from his Aunt Leslie. I had never seen this before so I wanted to share it with all of you. It is called a Scuttlebug. How cute is this?

Christmas Wing Ding Cook-Off

Every year we get together at Aunt Jeanne's for our annual Christmas gathering. It never fails to bring a ton of food and fun. This year we decided to try out something a little different. We had a wing cook-off. Everyone brought what they thought to be the best ever wings. We tried all the different kinds and then placed our votes. There were ten different kinds of wings...all delicious in their own ways. The winner this year though by majority vote was Mr. Tony Zuber. Congratulations Tony (watch out next year). Oh yeah...The apron looks wonderful on you!

The youngsters...although they are not so young anymore.

My present under the tree.

Gabe trying to teach Nick the ropes. Looks like hes really trying to squeeze his head off.

Check out all that food.

Just hanging out.

Mamaw and one of her boys.

The gangs all here.

For all the Mothers of Little Boys....

The Little Chap that Follows Me

A careful parent I want to be

A little man follows me.

I do not dare go astray

For fear he'll go the self-same way.

I cannot once escape his eyes

Whatever he sees me do, he tries.

Like me, he says he's going to be

The little chap that follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine

Believes in every word of mine.

The bad in me, he must not see

My life to him must example be.

I must remember as I go

Through summer's sun and winter's snow.

I'm building for the years to be

For that little chap that follows me.

unknown

The Legend of the Candy Cane

A Candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus. It also represented the staff of the "Good Shepherd".

The candymaker then included red stripes. He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life.

The candy became known as a Candy Cane - a decoration seen at Christmas time. The meaning has faded, but still gives joy to children young and old, whom Jesus loves and treasures.

For My Mom...Merry Christmas!!!

Farewell Jimmy!!

As most of you may know...I am a HUGE STL Cardinal fan. In particular though i heart me some Jimmy Edmonds. I stood in line for three hours last year to try to buy a ticket to meet him and get his autograph. They sold out as I was reaching the purchasing booth. Needless to say I met Chris Carpenter instead. (Not too shabby either) Anyway, When I woke up this morning my husband had text me and asked me to call him as soon as I woke up. For those of you who know my husband that is not anything out of the norm. He told me he had some sad news for me...Jimmy has been traded to the Padres. THE PADRES??????????? Yes Jimmy I know you live in southern California, but I haven't even had the chance to meet you yet. I sure wish he could have finished out his contract as a Cardinal and given me the opportunity to meet him, but I guess now I will have to move on and find me another favorite...Maybe that cute little Schumaker, or maybe Ankiel.....Audios Edmonds. You will always be my favorite.

My Finals are Done!!!!

I was trying to study for my finals and Nick decided he wanted me to read him a book. I am finally done with this semester. A break I am definitely ready for.

Dear Santa.....

If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye, then there is something wrong with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did each time I received it through my email. Very Sweet!!



Dear Santa,

Ive been a good mom all year I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes, Mommy' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting 'Don't eat in the living room' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always,MOM...

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

Name this movie....

Hey. If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is. Hallelujah. Holy shit. Where's the Tylenol?

Isn't this why we have kids?????

My mom used to make me do chores when I was younger and I hated it. She used to tell me that's what kids are for. For some reason Nick is obsessed with helping me clean up. I could seriously turn on the ole dust buster and I would never need a babysitter. He loves to play with it and I get a clean floor. What a trade off!

My Future's So Bright.......

Nick seriously got these glasses at his baby shower. He is just now to the point where he will keep them on. Now that he knows that they are fun he likes to wear them around the house.

Good Cookies!!!!!

Nick helped me make sugar cookies the other day and I could not help but to let him sample the finished product. Needless to say there was more icing on him than on the cookies. I am not sure how that happens, but let me tell you it did.

I am sure Grandma Linda almost fell off her chair when she saw that I actually gave him sweets. I am not to into giving him candy or cookies. I guess one little cookie won't hurt...Right?

A Little Christmas Cheer

A Shout Out to Glitzy Girlz

For those of you who love purses, there is a website you need to check out. I have a friend in Newton who started a purse and jewelry business along with a few other women. I ordered a purse from them last week and have already received it. I LOVE it. You can see the picture at the bottom of this posting. They have a huge variety of purses, wallets and even jewelry. Check it out at www.glitzygirlz.blogspot.com. I promise you wont be disappointed. Keep bringing the purses girlz!!! I have this wallet on my wish list.

My new purse!!!!

Christmas Pictures

Nicks pictures are up on Amber's website. I am having a very hard time picking out which ones I am going to buy. They are all really good I think. Check them out at

http://www.photographicsgallery.net/

Thanks Amber. They are wonderful.

Rachel.....This one's for you!!!!!

My neighbor Rachel and I like to visit and drink coffee while Nick and Taylor play. In Nicks trick or treat bag Rachel put this little coffee cup.
He likes to drink out of it. He makes a huge mess normally, but i think its cute to see him sippin out of a coffee cup.

Night out with the Girls!!!

On Friday night Nick and I ventured to Springfield to spend the night with my cousin Tisha. She was on call and couldn't do much, so we hung out at her new apartment (which is absolutely adorable) and had a great time. We have decided that the next time we visit we are going to stay for the whole weekend.

Just a really crazy picture. I am not too sure what he was doing here.

Aunt Tisha and Nick dancing away. The boy sure loves to dance.

The First Snow

Nothing like a little snow to start the season out right. Nick was not real sure what to think about the cold white stuff hitting him in the face. I think this was actually on Friday, but I am just now getting around to putting it up
He can barely walk around in his coat, but i assure you it keeps him warm.

Can you imagine this in your rear view mirror?

Rockin Out

My brother and Sister in law got Nick this little MP3 player for his birthday. Yes I know he is only 15 months old, but it plays songs like Mary had a little lamb and so forth. Anyway he has always liked to listen to the music, but now he walks around with the headphones. He really gets down to the music. This is an action shot of his moves. Quite the little dancer huh!

Nick's First NFL Game

Just to state the obvious to begin with...I am a HUGE Bears fan. Ryan, however got free tickets to the Rams game on Sunday and he tells me that we cannot turn down free tickets as we may never get them offered to us again.
I told him I would go, but I was going to wear my regular football season Sunday Clothes....Anything Bears. He stated that this would just not be appropriate because you cannot wear the clothing of an NFL team that is not play. So anyway I went for something neutral. Nick had a blast. He stood in the aisle and danced to the music. as people would come by he would hold out his hand to give them "knuckles'. This is something that he has picked up on this football season.

Here is our little dancer. He was more entertainment than those stinkin Rams....Oh Well at least Nick got to catch a game. Next time I think I will suggest soldier field.