ALMOST TIME

After a no sleep night due to a strange noise at 3:43am this morning that made me sit straight up in the bed and not move, when I finally did go back to sleep I slept in so now I am way behind today. I need to pack Brady and since he is staying at his Aunts Leigh and Uncle Jason in Columbia for 2 nights then his Uncle Billy's and Aunt Dana's in Greenville for a few nights I have to pack two bags for him plus packing me. I have to be the worse packer in the world! I hate to pack I could be going on the best trip ever and closer to leaving time I don't want to go because I don't want to pack. Crazy I know but that's how I am. And back to the noise I was so uncomfortable with it that I called Trista and Jeff to come over and check it out. It sounded like someone walking on our front porch shaking the doors to see if they were open. Freaked me out. Jeff didn't see anything and he kind of made fun because we live in a nice area. He was like no ones going to bother you over here but if I were a criminal I would hit the nice areas first. Glad Mikee will be home today and even though I don't want to pack I am ready for the alone time in Great Exuma. See you when I get back.

I REMEMBER THIS WHEN I WAS A KID

Brady stayed home with me today because he was up and down during the night with a terrible cough and since I am getting ready to leave for a few days with Mikee I thought a day in would be good for him and for me. We watched movies, played Guitar Hero III (I still can't get enough of this game) and pulled out the Creepy Crawler Oven and had breakfast for dinner (Brady made the blueberry muffins and the bacon for me while I made the pancakes). I remember having one of these ovens when I was little, I loved it and so does Brady. He sat in the kitchen forever today making bugs and things.

VERSE

Today while looking at a few blogs that I follow I was reading about loss of children who aren't home with their families yet. There are so many families out there going through so much with adoption and the wait to be together. I found this verse and thought it was just perfect for me today and the things on my mind so I thought I would share.
"Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief." Proverbs 14:13

WHAT TYPE OF MOTHER HEN ARE YOU??

I saw this over at Sheas blog and thought it was fun.

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

MY NEW PLAN

OK its a little late to start this being I leave Wednesday morning for The Four Seasons Resort in Great Exuma and don't really want to put on a pair of shorts with my lilly white legs and winter roll. I know you know what I mean but I am going any way and I will just wear a wrap and a cover up the whole time. With this being said I have joined Weight Watchers online. I know that its online but I will still have to check in and all the good stuff just not in front of anyone. I have never had to diet in my life but as I get older I feel like it just sits in the middle section so I have decided to exercise daily and do the point system for my food. The big problem I have is COCA COLA and SWEET TEA! Love both of them so I am doing water and diet Mt. Dew (seems to be the only diet drink I can stand). I will keep you posted on how this turns out, I don't need to loose a bunch of weight but about 10 to 15 pounds would be nice.

ADOPTION UPDATE

I haven't really said much about our adoption lately due to the fact that we had a situation present itself where we were going to do a domestic adoption and bring home a infant baby girl this month. Well that seemed to vanish on Wednesday January 16th when I talked to our lawyers office. Let me back up and give you the whole story, Mikee and I both found out about this situation through different ways we didn't act on it right away but it seemed to keep coming back to us so we decided to check it out. We did and things were on go, we rushed to get out international homestudy revised by a new social worker (which was great and very helpful) for a domestic adoption right here in SC. I was and still am very excited about the thoughts of bringing home a baby from day one so excited that even though this has fallen through and crushed my heart I still think this could be the best thing for us. Mikee travels alot and I think he was nervous about the bonding issues with older children, he was excited about a infant from day one. I on the other hand had started to get a little nervous of what to do you know its been 9 years almost. Call us CRAZY!!! I have done a little research and lets just say our names are getting on every list I think there is out there. I just contacted a great lawyer who has a agency that has a great placement program and is awesome, this guys dad started the firm years ago when he retired from the FBI. I even went to the home of a lady who has used this firm twice and she should be their poster child for sure. I feel good about it and have already sent in our paper work and you know what everyone wants $$$$$$$$ to proceed to get on their 35 list. This list is where there are 35 families that the birthmothers can choose from. You make a scrapbook of your home and life for them to look at. Which leads me to this question do you think a scrapbook that I hand make or should I go on Snapfish and make a digital one???? I just can't decide which would be better I think they would both take about the same amount of time. I am also in the process of writing a letter to the birthmom for the front of the book I think I have started this thing a hundred times just don't know what I should and shouldn't say. Well that's where we stand on our journey, its been a crazy one but God has a plan for our family I know. There is a precious child or children waiting to come home to our home either here or on the other side of the world. I can't wait to meet our baby and I pray for her or him daily.

BOYS NIGHT OUT

We took Brady out last Friday night to celebrate his GREAT report card. He invited Richard, Andrew, Buford and Jordan to come along (these boys also have great report cards). We went to the Melting Pot in Columbia, it was the boys first time there and they had a blast as you can see!! I feel like we ate and we ate and we ate! Mikee and I enjoyed this trip with them its awesome to see things through kids eyes. When a kid does something for the first time their excitement is awesome it just warms my heart.

SMOCKING CLASS

On Tuesday I started a smocking class that will last for about a month or so with my friend Tara who is a great smocker (I guess that's a word)! I was thinking about making a Easter outfit for my nephew and maybe a blanket for sweet Lilly Rae, we will see just how fast I can smock. I really enjoyed the class and think I will enjoy smocking. Now let me say I will only be smocking not putting the whole thing together. I will take the pattern and the fabric with the piece that I smock to a couple of ladies to have them put it all together for me. Baby steps for me the smocking is big enough!!

AS GOOD AS

I have never been much of a TV watcher but I did love Sex and the City and I can't wait for the movie this year. I just started Cashmere Mafia and love it, it is definitely as good as Sex and the City once you get into it. I do love a few other shows like Samantha Who and Dirty Sexy Money but since the writers are all on strike I had to find a new show to record. I can only watch things I can DVR because there are just too many commercials for me. Look for it on Tuesdays, cute show.

TOO FUNNY

I HAVE GREAT NEWS TO SHARE

MY DAD GOT BACK FROM PHILADELPHIA ON SATURDAY AND THE DOCTORS HAD JUST WHAT HE NEEDED. GOOD NEWS!!! THE TUMORS SEEM TO BE SHRINKING AND THE HOLE IN HIS SPINE HAS CLOSED. THE CHEMO IS WORKING SO THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE IT. HE WILL GO BACK ON 2/10 FOR MORE CHEMO. THIS IS AWESOME MY DAD NEEDED SOME GOOD REPORTS, THE CHEMO HAS REALLY DRAINED HIM AND MADE HIM WONDER IF ITS WORTH IT. HE HAS BEEN ON CHEMO SINCE JULY 1, 2007 WITH NO BREAK FROM IT. I WANT HIM TO CONTINUE BUT HOW DO YOU TELL SOMEONE TO KEEP GOING WHEN THEY DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS WORKING AND THEY FELT SO BAD. I DON'T WANT HIM TO SUFFER BUT I DO WANT HIM TO KEEP FIGHTING. THE TYPE OF CANCER HE HAS THERE IS A 1% CHANCE TO SURVIVE IT AND I TOLD HIM HE MIGHT AS WELL BE THAT 1%.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS FOR HIM. THEY MEAN SO MUCH TO US. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK PRAYER WARRIORS!!!!!

HERES TO BEING YOU

NANCY'S BOW SWAP

If you would like to participate in a bow swap please e-mail Nancy at npoellot24@yahoo.com and she will tell you what to do. She said we will swap a few bows totalling no more than $10 with 2 or 3 people and the postage shouldn't be much on these either. Try to do this early in the week I think she may stop taking names on Friday. She would like to get this going by early February and would like to try to do a swimsuit swap in the summer. Great idea Nancy!!!

ANOTHER CUTE CHIC FLICK

Yes I have had a very unproductive weekend. I have really gotten nothing done that I wanted to like clean out my closet which is in BAD need of it and a few other things around here. All I did was watch movies like the Nanny Diaries which is another great chic flick if you haven't seen it check it out. Mikee left today for a trip so maybe I will stay up late tonight and get some things done. I will also meet with the contractor today AKA Uncle Jimmy about our master bath. When we bought this house we remodeled everything except for the master bath I spent most of my focus and money on the kitchen, which I love my kitchen and so does everyone who comes over. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do and I didn't want to rush it and not like it in a year or so, so we have just lived with it. I am thankful I even have a bathroom but I have to say I HATE IT. It has so much wasted space, the bath has not been updated since the original owners and its time. There is no vent in the shower area which is causing mold on our ceiling and it has this rain shower head which excuse my potty mouth but IT SUCKS!!! Mikee and I both hate it so its not just me wanting a new bathroom, we are going to have to do something soon so I figured I would just get everything in line and all picked out and while we are traveling this summer Uncle Jimmy can just take care of it. Good idea right. Now all I have to do is make Mikee think its a good idea.

MUCH NEEDED GIRLS NIGHT OUT

A couple friends (Tracy and Karen) and I went to see this last night. I decided at the last minute yesterday I needed a chic flick and girl time. You all know what I mean, sometimes you just need it. We went to see Juno and I have to say I just loved it. Juno is a 16 year old girl who finds herself pregnant and is going to give up the baby to a young couple who have no children, I will not tell anymore because I don't want to spoil the ending but its a cute movie. Juno's personality is GREAT, I just love her sarcasm.

FOUND THIS

So I saw this on a site I was looking at and thought it fit me just great for the week we have had. I think I need one in the kitchen and in my bathroom so I can keep telling myself to keep calm and carry on!!!

COMING THIS WEEKEND!!!

I just love great chic flicks and I think this will be one. It's about a girl who has been a bridesmaid in 27 weddings but never married herself. Previews look to be a make you cry, laugh kind of movie. Can't wait to see it.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

So I just downloaded pictures from the holidays. Bad I know. I will start with New Years Eve on this post. We went out to the Farm and had a few friends over with their kids (Bozardt's, Williamson's, Dibbles and Mobley's) and had a blast. We had chili and cornbread, King Ranch casserole and lots of other goodies. The kids had fun on the Guitar Hero III and just being kids out on the farm, they fished and played all night. When the new crystal ball in Time Square was about to drop we had the kids come in and get their PJ's on and get ready to bring in the new year. Mikee opened the champagne and the kids had their sparkling grape juice! It was a nice time with friends. I will get those Christmas pictures in order soon and post them, I have the beginning of a sinus infection that I am trying to fight off with some Biaxin left over from the last one that I had such a hard time getting rid of so wish me luck.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We must go forward. God expects you to have enough faith, determination, and trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. He expects you not simply to face the future; He expects you to embrace and shape the future—to love it, rejoice in it, and delight in your opportunities."
-Elder Holland

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

I don't know about you but I am ready for some normality (if there is such a thing around my house)! Brady goes back tomorrow and I think he is ready as much as I am. You know there is only so much you can take during the Christmas vacation. Don't get me wrong I love my time with him and I am very thankful for it but we need some time apart to. I can only play so much Wii and Army men!!!!! I have a very long list of things to do in the morning and I have to say I am looking forward to just getting them done. Sometimes checking off a list can make you feel so good!!!!

I didn't make any resolutions this year and we all know why ( I never do them) so I thought I would just try to set mini goals for myself. Like exercising twice a week instead of everyday so if I do go more than twice a week then good for me. And with Lilly coming who knows if the mini goals will even make it. I will try and hope for the best.

On a much more serious note my Dad goes back for test and treatment this week. He doesn't want me or my Aunt to go with him and my step mom he says he can handle it, so I will be here waiting for any news. He is getting tired and I don't know how much more Chemo he can take. I pray for him daily to not be in pain and know how much he is loved and for the Dr's to make the right decisions and suggestions for him. I really appreciate all the prayer that everyone is doing and all I can say is please keep it up, he needs it and so do I.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE NEW FINDS

OK so I have never been much on slippers until I found these. I have noticed as I have gotten older its not as comfortable to walk around without shoes on plus its terrible on your pedicure. They are AWESOME!!!! I must not be the only one who thinks so because they were sold out everywhere I tried to get a pair in my size but EBay saved the day. Hope your all staying warm, its crazy weather here in SC cold today and hot this weekend. Go figure.