She loves her brothers

So today was the first snowfall (the other's were just dustings) for us of this year. FINALLY - I mean WHY live in the mountains if you can't depend on the season's to get you in the Holiday mood. LOL

(Of course we had plans to travel to Littleton today - yeah so of COURSE it would snow today so that we weren't able to go)

All was not lost though and our kids had fun anyways.

This why the Princess has two big brothers. Free rides!

Check back - I'm going to post our Christmas tree tomorrow.

"I've had a lot of savings"

Black Friday shopping actually worked for me this year.

Savings at ToysRUs - $120.00

Savings at JCPenny's - $130.00 (more then I even spent)

Hearing Sara laugh when I told Chef "I've had a lot of savings" when asked how much I've spent. - PRICELESS

I live to amuse.

I proceeded to go home and save another $35.00 online at Amazon.com

LOL

All in all not a bad trip out on Black Friday. We were lucky enough to run into nice people and we met Lisa at JCP for shopping and then we met Erica at the movies to watch "Twilight".

A very nice day trip with a fun friend.

Thanks for dragging me out Sara!

What's your number?

RUN not walk over to 5 Mintues for Mom to get in on this AWESOME giveaway.

You won't be sorry. Here is the link.

Thanksgiving Paradisms from Princess

*The smurfs float came on the screen....

Princess - "Santa Clause Smurf!"
Me - "That's Papa Smurf baby."

*Watching the musical with the sailors (forget the name).

Princess - "They need shirts on. It is cold outside."

*Random Thought

Princess - "I want to eat a chocolate bunny."
Me - "Wrong holiday honey."
Princess - "Ohhhh"

Thanksgiving.

I love Thanksgiving. It's not just the wonderful food (although that is a MAJOR plus) but is a time when we can fill our house with people. LOL Sorry I'm crazy but it's fun. The bonus we are not running all over the state trying to make everyone happy. We usually host Thanksgiving and everyone brings their favorite side dishes (cause Chef's Turkey is to DIE for not to mention his gravy *drool*) This Thanksgiving I am reminded to be thankful. Although it's not to say I am not always thankful.

I am thankful for my family. A husband who always sticks by me and children who can always be counted on to drive me insane (I say that lovingly - no really I do). I am thankful for our experiences and time together.

I am thankful for my friends. Those that are here and those that are far away. The military has brought many of them into my life and I wouldn't trade them for the WORLD. They have become like family to us.

Speaking of family. I am thankful to have been given so many who have made me who I am today. Without this beginning I wouldn't be me. I am thankful for my 2 beautiful little nieces and a lovely nephew (who is on the way). Sisters, brothers and inlaws you are so dear to me.

I am also thankful for all of my "online" friends. One day we might be fortunate enough to meet. Who knows I might move to an area near you in the future. I am glad to know you as I do.

I would like to add that I am thankful to my two wonderful followers. You have made me feel very special. :-)

Now what??

Okay so I took these AWESOME pictures today of the kids that I want to use for our Christmas cards. The problem is that I do not like any of the templates I find on Kodak.com or Walmart.com. It just isn't a part of "what I am thinking of" for this year. So I want to just print my own 5x7's but need to know how to make them. I have photoshop (otherwise my pictures wouldn't look as great as they do...LOL) but not sure how to use it for making a card. Any ideas?

Aren't they just the cutest!!!

Seriously at FOUR?

So Princess comes home today from Preschool. Same as any other day. Run in. Hug Mommy. Pull her folder out of her bag. Got it.

Today she brought home an adorable little Turkey project. Only something was missing (I guess).

So she starts pulling everything out of her backpack.

Snow boot (check) - flys across the room

Other snow boot (check) - follows other one

Scarf (check) - outta here

Gloves (check....and check) - buh bye

Hat (check) - Man that got some air

"It's not HERE!" says Princess

"UGH" as she throws her bag down.

"Where is it?" she exclaims

"Oh no!" slaps her head with her hands

"I don't have it." (gasp - really?) As she throws herself on the couch in dispair

Chef walks in...."What's wrong?" Me...."She is missing something I guess." (trying not to laugh - not very well mind you)

Chef says "Why is your folder on the dining room table?"

Princess says "I don't knnnnnnnooooooow."

So I pick it up and pull out her regular papers...oh wait here's a baggie????

"Is this what you're looking for?" I ask

"YES!" says Princess "Oh good" as she goes about her business.

Um really seriously AT four yrs old I have to deal with the mood swings....oh boy. I am so glad I had 2 boys first. (Sorry Sara! and Stacy)

Well it's the truth...

So last weekend I had to write a paper for school. My first actual "paper-paper" you know the ones. They have to make sense and get a point of veiw across (my point of view) and it has be written like a college student and all that jazz. ANYWAYS I did it but I was drugged. I was nervous about the "sense" of it. Needless to say I had to turn it in anyways...

Yesterday I got my grade. I got a 78 out of 80. Yeah I know - right.

So this morning I tell Chef. This is our converstation.

Me - "So I got a 78 out of 80 on my paper."

Chef - "Really! That's great hon." (comes over to hug me)
"I knew you could do it. Why didn't you tell me this yesterday?"

Me - "Cause you were being a butt and I was PMSing so I didn't want to."

Chef - "Um okay then."

Well shoot - he can't fault me for being honest can he. LOL

PSA!

My PSA for today is this:

JUST SAY NO (isn't just for drugs anymore)

Parents JUST SAY NO!

If your child demands food or drink in the car while you KNOW they will make a mess and spill it everywhere learn to ... JUST SAY NO. :-)

If your child is hungry on the way to preschool (where they will eat brkfst soon) JUST SAY NO to the fruit roll up. :-)

If your child screams and throws a fit because they don't want to ...(whatever) JUST SAY "cause Ms Holly said so". I mean JUST SAY NO.

I know you can do it!!!

ROFL

That is all.

Updates....opps

Okay so my life around here. I have been sick. Sick since Halloween. Which is mostly ANNOYING! (who taught these kids to share and who's idea was it that people needed to share?) I couldn't take it anymore and after prodding from Sara I decided to go in to be seen. I couldn't take off of work so I decided to head to the AFA Acute Care Unit after work on Friday. I took Sara with me since it was HER idea and well the AFA is far.and dark.and did I mention far. So we get to the base and start driving into the great blue yonder for signs for the hospital. We keep going.going.going....

Um doesn't it seem like we've been driving awhile?? (me)
Yeah, but we're almost there so keep going. (S)
But what if we die? (me)
We need to work on your false sense of security on a military base. You.have.none. (S)
Well yeah but you know how those cadets can be. (me)
Yeah (S)

driving some more.....

Um I think we've gone too far (me)
Yeah, I haven't seen the sign. Turn around. (S)
There's no where to turn around. We're going to die. (me)
Just turn around no one is coming down this road. (S)
*I do a 3 point turn*
Hey! There's a freaking sign. (me)
Yes (S)

So we turn and head into the hospital FINALLY. Um where do we park now? Doesn't the Air Force believe in LIGHTS. Goodness it is pitch black out here. We finally decide to park somewhere and hesitantly head towards what we THINK is the Acute Care Clinic. HEY it is! Lucky us. We go inside (did I mention it is FREEZING!). Sara goes to sit down while I walk up to the counter.

Do you have an appt? (dude)
Excuse me? (me)
Do you have an appt? (dude)
I didn't know I needed one. Peterson just told me to come in. (me)
They don't know anything. (dude)
*nod my head in agreement*
I will see if I can get u an appt. (dude)
Thanks (me)

He finds me an appt for at 7pm - it's 6:15 so thats not too bad. We wait.

I finally go back and was seen. I have *drum roll please* walking pneumonia. WTF Not okay. So he gives me 3 drugs to take to help me feel better and off we go. Need to find dinner. I's hungry and Chef informed me (after I called him) that my kids ate ALL of the dinner. Brats. So we're off in search of food.

So on TOP of this I have my college semester coming to a close and of COURSE there was a major paper DUE on Monday (today). But I'm sick (yeah didn't think that would work) so I had to carve time out of resting to work on it and OTHER assignments.

Didn't my body get the message that I do not have TIME to be sick.

So thats where I've been/am. I hope to get back to regular blogging at such a time when I feel better and classes have ended. I should have tons to talk about I would think.

Daycare-isms....

"M go potty before you lay down please." - me
"Ms. Holly I don't have to." - M
"Please go and try." - me
from the bathroom..."Ms Holly it won't come out!" - M
(trying not to laugh) "Okay M wash your hands and come lay down then. Thanks for trying." - me



**side note - Where are you peeps? I see you checking in but no one is commenting. This makes me slightly sad. I love comments as much as the next gal. (batting my eyelashes)

Awards Night

I'd like to thank.....

Oh wait it wasn't about me.

The boys had their Flag Football awards ceremony last night. It was long and boring...(we had to sit through all the soccer teams first) and FINALLY they got to the Football players. (course I was ticked cause all those loser soccer parents effing LEFT before they got to the Football so by then NO ONE was there except the football families. LOSERS! Some people are SO RUDE - ANYWAYS - I did say this wasn't about me. LOL)

Aren't they so freaking handsome?

Monkey being...well Monkey. LOL Excuse the crappy quality - my camera likes to PMS when I need it to take nice pics.

Little Man - now on the way there I asked him "Why are you so damn good looking?"

His reply: He fell off the curb as he was walking cause he turned to look at me with this huge grin on his face. (I know I planned it that way...LOL)

Of course the Princess was there too and wanted her picture taken with Mommy. (ignore the wide eyes - have NO idea what that is all about...LOL)

Tip Junkie Mom-preneur Shop-a-thon Giveaway

Say that three times fast. Tip Junkie is hosting a Giveaway also this month (for 12 days actually). So get in on the action and you might win some awesome made by mom items for yourself or to use as gifts.

Six years ago...

Six years ago our life changed. We experienced something that no one should ever have to go through. The loss of a child. My husband was overseas in Turkey. He would be gone for 18mths. Right before he left we found out that I was pregeant again. We were so excited because this was planned.

I was about 20 wks when I went in for a routine ultrasound. During this I found out that we were having a daughter. A daughter! I called my husband and he was so exicted. We had two boys and now we'd have the daughter we wanted. Also during this ultrasound I was told that I would have to go to OKC for a 3D Ultrasound because they were having trouble seeing everything. They scheduled it for 2 wks later.

A friend went with me to OKC - along with Monkey (who was 1 1/2 at the time). We were joking around and talking the whole way there. She went into the ultrasound room with me (Monkey played in his stroller). The Doctor walked in said hello and placed the monitor on my just now starting to show stomach. He wasted no time. He said "I'm sorry, she is going to die." I just stared at him. Not really grasping what he was saying. He went on to explain that my daughter was anencephalic. What does that mean? He said the top of her skull didn't form and neither would her brain. "I can feel her move though." His reply "It doesn't take a brain for a baby to move. The movements come from the Brain Stem that is still there." My friend gasped - she couldn't believe he said that. I just looked at him and said "I said now what?" He went on to give me two option. Deliever her now or continue to carry her until Feb. When I would be alone - feeling her grow inside me. Feel her become more real to me and my son's. Watch my 3 yr old become excited at the prospect of having another sibling. Have people I know or don't know congratulate me. Do this all - without - my husband.

My friend and I left OKC and traveled back to TX. We tried talking about everything BUT. We stopped in Lawton for lunch. I said I needed to call my husband but I didn't think I could. We got back in the van and headed back home. As soon as we got to base I drove to Cotto's office. He would help me. He knew where I was going that day. We pulled into the parking lot and went inside. I asked for him (he was helping the wives of service members overseas without them - he was a local support system for us). As soon as he walked out I burst into tears. I couldn't say anything. I finally got out that I needed him to bring my husband home. He took me back to his office and he started making calls. My husband would be home on Wednesday (it was Monday) and he was getting on the plane now. (They were prepared on his end to put him on a plane)

Wednesday night I sat at home with two wonderful woman. Christina and Missy. They stayed with me - waiting up - until he walked through the door. I grabbed him and didn't let go. They quietly left out the front door. I stayed up all night that night. Crying and talking. Trying to understand what I did, what we were going to do and what next.

We came to the hard decision that it would be best for everyone involved if we delievered her early. That way my husband could also be here with us. So the boys wouldn't be hurt anymore by this then they would be. We went to the doctor's the next day. We told them our decision. They respected it and the Doctor who would deliever our angel had been there for other births like hers. I requested that there would only be one nurse to attend me during the labor. They respected that as well. Saturday would be the day.

We had a ton to do and prepare for. The days were a blur.

Saturday came. We went into the hospital. Not only would I have one nurse but she too had attended a birth as special as this one. She would be blessed and honored to be with us on this day. She was so sweet. I was in a panic. I was worried that I was making a mistake. She wasn't really sick and she wouldn't really die. Please can we do another ultrasound? What if they are wrong! Everyone was very paintent and reassuring that there was nothing we could do.

The day was long and short all at the same time. Finally she was born. I squeezed my eyes shut and cried....my husband cried...the nurse and doctor were quick and queit. She took Abigail Hlee out of the room. She cleaned her, took foot prints and dressed her for us. Including a little cap for her beautiful head. She brought her back to us to hold and love. She looked like a tiny minature of her brothers. She had ten fingers and ten toes. She was beautiful. She was ours.

She has forever changed our lives. Sometimes for the better. We're stronger now. We learned that as a family we can do anything. She is our little angel. In other posts I've talked about Princess talking to Abigail. Without Abigail we would not have our Princess. Together they share a sister bond that no one else has. Two souls united in heaven. My daughters.

Today is Abigail's birthday. Tonight we'll sit together as a family and celebrate our little angel and our beautiful family. Today is a day to be thankful for everything we have.

Christmas Giveaway

5 Minutes for Mom is doing a Christmas giveaway from 6 Nov - 28 Nov. All winners will be drawn on Dec 1st. So be sure to head over there and check them out.

All of the contest will be added to end of this "Christmas Giveaway 2008" post.

Shoot who doesn't like to win stuff. Even better some of the items if you win them would make great gifts. BONUS!

Discrimination????

Um no this is NOT a political post. LOL This is actually funny.

Okay so the boys come home today and tell me that tomorrow is "Spirit Day" and they can wear orange and blue or their uniforms. (okay side not I live near the "Bronco's"). I say wait okay so for "Spirit Day" you can only wear orange and blue but no other team colors. They both say yes. Well this bothered me. For one who says my kids have to support a team they do not like or they can't enjoy the no uniform day like everyone else. Not fair in my book. So I call the school to clarify. The Admin lady confirmed that yes it was orange and blue or uniforms. I said I didn't agree with that and she asked to take down my info so the Principle could call me back. I said okay.

Fast forward a few minutes....this is after explaining to the boys how that is discrimination against other teams other might support and it isn't okay to pick a team based on the Principle's "interests". (Little Man mentioned that the Principle likes the Bronco's).

So I am talking to Chef on the phone and I make the comment "I could understand wearing orange and blue if a member of the Bronco's was visiting their school tomorrow..." and Little Man pipes up "Well the Mascot is coming to our school tomorrow." WHAT???

You failed to mention this little bit of IMPORTANT information. GAH!

So that changes EVERYTHING. My goodness if there is a valid reason other then someone else's "likes" then hello it is fine. So I explain to them how this changes things and how they are not being forced to support a team they might not like (my boys are for Greenbay btw).

So the Principle calls me back (ut oh). I ask her if they have Bronco's visitor coming tomorrow and she says "Yes, it is the mascot for (something or other)." I say ok cause at first I was concerned about the being able to only wear orange and blue and my oldest said it was because you liked the Bronco's and that bothered me." She laughed and said "Oh I understand and if this was a reg "Spirit Day" then they would be able to choose who they wear. Also don't tell anyone but I grew up liking the Redskins but I have to be quiet since our visitor if from the Bronco's." I laughed too and replied "That I bet since she is also from a military family and half if not more of her students are in military families as well." I thanked her for calling me back.

If I haven't mentioned it lately I love this new school. The last two years has been wonderful. Everyone is very supportive and the boys are excelling (more on that later).

Oh and I am doubly glad I am a parent who checks up on things - can you imagine what Little Man would of said at school if I didn't find out the truth...LOL. Oh boy.

Falling Falls Oh pretty pretty

Okay so bare with me cause I couldn't come up with a better title. SHHHH

My sister wanted to take the Princess to see the Niagara Falls. Which we were only about 20mins away from so I was all for that. I had not been to see them since I was about 3 yrs old when I went with my Uncle and his girlfriend.

Aren't they pretty???

The Princess and Mommy

I ADORE this picture. I think she looks like she is in a clothing ad. LOVE IT!

My sister's lovely little family.

The Princess wanted to go on the boat so bad that Auntie Puffin and I could not resist. Off we were to get soaked. Good thing it wasn't really cold out and unusually warm for Oct in Buffalo/Niagara.

Here is the Princess all bundled up in her free slicker.

Princess and Aunti Puffin.

Princess and Mommy

She loved it and was so funny when we would get hit with the spray from off the falls.

A pretty rainbow.