It's a......GIRL!!!!!

Our little baby girl is HERE!

Our little baby girl is HERE!

Annie Laura arrived on December 19th at 4:02 PM

7 lbs. 14.5 ounces

19 3/4 inches

She was our biggest baby!

Everyone is adjusting to our new "normal" at home! Numero uno can not get enough of her and wants to hold her all the time. He asks questions like "why doesn't she have teeth" & "She doesn't look like a girl - when she grows up will she look like a girl?"

Little man could take or leave her! He will run up to her and say "hey, baby" and give her a kiss and then run off which is fine with me!

There is never a dull moment here! We are constantly busy so phone calls, emails, etc. are falling to the wasteside! We are enjoying our family of five and trying to settle into our new way of life!

We are excited to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Thursday!

Tomorrow's a new day in our family!

Everyone has been anxiously waiting so patiently but tomorrow at 7:30 am - we will be induced to bring this baby into the world! I've never been induced - I've always gone into labor on my own so it's been a strange feeling knowing today was my LAST day - how do you decide what to do with your time? Are you ever really caught up? Are you ever really READY?

I've had such mixed emotions about a "Christmas baby" but as I was driving around today, my mind racing with all the to do's of the season, I was reminded of what a special time of year this is. This birthday, this child is such a blessing from God and His timing is perfect.

So.....we shall know tomorrow what this new little member of our family is and would ask that you say a little prayer for us in the morning. Thanks for all your support and we'll post an announcement soon!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas.....

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas at our house! With a new baby on the way any day, I simplified this year and didn't pull every single decoration out (knowing I'd have to put it all back up!) But....there are some things I can't do without at Christmas -

Here are a few of my favorite things:

This sign is GREAT! It's hard to see in the picture but it actually has a silvery glitter to it.

My Willow Tree Nativity Set - I couldn't love anything more!

2004 - 3 months

2005 -16 months

2006 - 2 years & 5 months

2007 - 3 years & 17 months

2008 - We'll have a new family member!

My grandfather used to make cars & trucks for us each Christmas. These are the only four I've come across and I cherish them so much! I'm not a very fun mom when the boys want to play with them because they are so special to me! They are WAY UP high so they can't be reached!

Here is our family Christmas picture in 1975 -

This is my dad's side and the last year that all were living - I'm the tiny baby (3 months old) sitting in my grandmother's lap on the right. While I don't remember this exact moment, Christmases at that house with those people are some of my favorite memories of all time.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

Eggplant Parmigiana Baby!

I don't know who this baby is but it's one of the babies that Scalini's Restaurant has dubbed the "eggplant babies". The eggplant legend started two or three years after they opened when people started coming in and mentioning they had eaten the eggplant and shortly gone into labor. One person told another and the legend grew by leaps and bounds. This legend has carried on for 25 years.

So a little over two years ago, on July 2nd 2006 at 7:45, I decided to put this legend to the test and went and had the famous eggplant parmigiana at Scalini's in Marietta. My due date wasn't until July 16th but I was 38 weeks and had my first child at 37 weeks! I had never been pregnant for 38 weeks!!!! What was up with that? So it was worth the try to me.

Well needless to say, it worked! You are supposed to go into labor within 48 hours and I had my second little man on July 4, 2006 at 3:11 PM. I got a $25 gift certificate for another dinner, a Scalini's baby tee and the option to put a picture of him on their famous "baby wall". So I had no reason not to try it again!

Tonight was the night! Even though my due date isn't until Christmas Day, I'm now 37 weeks and 2 cm and 50% effaced. I just need a little quick start! So if it works, I should have baby #3 by the end of the weekend! If it doesn't work, the eggplant is delicious so I at least enjoyed a great meal!

Keep you posted!

Never a dull moment....

I guess any mom of two active boys (or girls) for that matter could agree to this statement - "There is a never a dull moment around this house" but sometimes my kids are so active, I really can't believe it. For the past few days, I feel like all I've done is sit and watch them two wrestle, run around the house chasing each other and holler (screech) at the top of their lungs. And what's so funny about it is that THAT is a normal day for us!

But yesterday added a whole new dimension to the craziness we've been experiencing. First of all, I pick numero uno up from school and his teacher has some concerns (well quite frankly, I have too!) She wonders if his glasses are helping him see (which freaks me out!) and he's making up stories and seems very anxious! I can tell all of these things at home without even sending him to preschool and to be honest, our entire family is anxious! And it's not BAD anxiety, it's just the waiting of when will this baby come?, all of our plans on hold and I'm sure it's even more so for the boys (especially numero uno) that mommy is trying to take it as easy as possible and definitely isn't acting like her normal self. So needless to say, I was even more worried about him after his teacher mentioned something.

Then I pick up little man from his class and get him to the car to realize he has a poopy diaper! Yes, he could have just done that when I was picking him up but they hadn't used any of the diapers I sent in his bag that day so I know he wasn't changed. So not only was he messy but soaked as well. Probably just an oversight but still something that will put an emotional pregnant mom over the edge.

So at home, I go to change this gross gross diaper and while i'm changing it - I notice Andrew has something in his hand - a necklace with dog tags from a G.I. Joe doll. Harmless right? Well, harmless until he SWALLOWS IT at least! I hear him choking and it hits me that he's just swallowed that necklace! I jerk him up - poop everywhere - and sure enough, he's already swallowed it. Is any time convenient for this? no but not when you are just about to lay your kids down for naps, eat a quick bite of lunch for yourself and get some much needed rest! So we headed off to children's healthcare (urgent care thank goodness!) and had an xray done! Basically, it can get lodged or stuck in three places, and luckily this little necklace wasn't lodged but sitting right in his tummy! Where it should be! (well it shouldn't BE there but when you swallow it, you want it to be there!) They said he should pass it in 3-7 days....nice.

I have this wooden thing that I keep in my window that says:

Normal Day - Let me be aware of the treasure you are

I did get a relaxing dinner out with the girls Monday night - we ate dinner at NINE Restaurant in historic Roswell and it was just great to sit and catch up without the worry of kids. They brought baby stargel some fun little goodies! Here is a picture of us and my big belly at 36 weeks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with their family!

Here are some pictures of me with the boys

at their Thanksgiving Feasts at school!

This one was not happy about putting on big brother's pilgrim costume!

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" Philipians 1:3

Cook a little longer!

No, I'm not talking about our Thanksgiving turkey! I'm talking about our little caboose that needs to cook a little longer! Because I had some concerns about "cramping" and called Tuesday morning - the dr. requested I just come in and get checked out before the holiday! I wasn't really prepared to go in nor was I concerned but because my babies always want to come early (the two boys came at 37 and 38 weeks which was great!) they wanted to see me.

I still wasn't concerned and really just excited that they would check me - curious to see if anything was happening! Well, they hooked me up to a monitor and I was to push a button every time I felt the baby move, hiccup, kick, etc. and I literally could have just held the button down the ENTIRE time! The baby was constantly moving so they said I had no problem with fetal activity! But I had two contractions while on the monitor for 15 minutes. She checked me and I was 1 cm and 30% effaced. I was told to go home, take a warm bath and get off my feet for the next three days. Friday I will be 36 weeks and she said if I went into labor now, they wouldn't stop it but they'd rather me go another one or two weeks. Well, me too! I don't want this baby to come too early!

But you think "resting" will be so easy - something you even crave for a dr. to tell you! But it's not actually all that great when you aren't supposed to get off your feet! My mom came over this morning and took the boys to get haircuts and dropped numero uno at a friends house to play and helped with little man. I just feel so quilty laying here! I feel bad when my little man is crying when he goes to take a nap...is he thinking "mommy's home but why isn't she coming up here to put me down?" I was so worried about it, I did actually get off the couch to go upstairs and comfort him....sweet boy!

While they were gone this morning I was thinking about how much I've been saying I'm so ready to have this baby but then I immediately wonder am I REALLY READY? It's crazy with the two we have now!!! But while it's going to be crazy, I know I'm ready, His timing is perfect and we are overly blessed. I saw this cute phrase in the Uppercase Living catalog that said:

Grant me patience to deal with my blessings

I might be ordering that soon!

Also, today I get this email from my husband (many of you have probably seen it before so I won't post the entire thing) but it's listing things to be thankful for such as:

I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT's HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE .

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

You get the point and then he sends me another email almost immediately that says "A couple were missing" and I'm thinking it's just another part of the forwarded email but he has actually written his own two things to be thankful for:

I AM THANKFUL FOR MY SCREAMING KIDS:
Because I've been blessed enough to be called Daddy


I AM THANKFUL FOR MY WIFE WHO CAN'T HAVE DINNER READY AND CLEAN THE HOUSE:
Because we've been blessed enough to create another life

I couldn't love him any more...

Changing of the Guards

We clearly have one baby around here - although sometimes the 4 year old likes to act like he is. I can say this statement with confidence considering I am the baby of four - the baby gets special treatment, in other words....it gets "babied" but it is now time to change the guards because we need to make room for a new baby.

Getting this point across to our two year old is another challenge!

This is the kid who we moved into a big boy bed - he went back into his crib on night three because he got out probably 15 times between the hours of 1:00 and 3:00 - so he's still there happy as a lark!

This is the kid who we consistently (major emphasis on that word) potty trained for over 2 months (yes, you read that right) and he pooped his pants consistently (again emphasis on that word!) every day - sometimes twice a day!

This is the kid who loved his paci so much (he calls it "baby" if that gives you any indication of the love between them!) that he got down to one and it was totally wripped all the way around except for one side was still hanging on. I was in fear that he'd chew the remainder off and choke on it in the middle of the night so I snipped it. So much so that I couldn't even believe there was enough to hold between his teeth - what did he do? Picked it up, put it in his mouth and never did a double take!

(How gross it that?)

So yesterday when I literally had lost the "baby" (aka paci) I really did look everywhere! Because I need him to nap and obviously he doesn't react to change very well - especially the kind of change that requires him to be a big boy! Well, I couldn't find it and I was not a happy pregnant person walking all over this house, down to the car, back up looking for this stupid thing! So today was the day - we are done with baby and I just told him "i'm sorry sweetie - I really can't find it".

The crying (screaming really) lasted about 30 minutes and finally the quiet lasted about 30 minutes as well before the screaming started again. A nap that lasts 30 minutes is no nap! But at night-time, he cried a little bit and went on to sleep - woke up at 1:40 asking for baby but again went right back down.

So this morning, I was talking to Aunt Mine on the phone and she's saying "you need to find that thing before he does and tell numero uno if he finds it, to please bring it to you - not to give it to little man" Well, too late...here comes numero uno exclaiming "guess what we found? We found little man's paci and I gave it back to him!!!" Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

He had it and chewed on it for a few hours and then daddy snatched it out of his mouth and threw it to me....It's been "gone" ever since and yes, we had to mourn the loss of baby all over again with the crying and the screaming but naptime lasted for 3 hours! I had to WAKE him up so it's getting better! Hopefully tonight will be as good too.


So today was a monumental day for our baby who doesn't understand that his days of being the "baby" are limited. He's going to be a wonderful big brother but I'm sure it won't be an easy transition but I just pray that he'll always know (that both big brothers will) that they will always be mommy's baby.

Here are pictures of the NEW baby's coming home outfits -

baby boy outfit -

it's hard to tell but it has a tiny Christmas plaid piping around the collar, sleeves and down the front

baby girl outfit

not a great picture but it's a flannel gown that buttons down the front with little holly leaves

Sweet Pea Photo cards 15% off!!!

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1 month to go!!!

When we first out we were expecting a "Christmas" baby - the boys were so excited! Especially the four year old who really understands we have a new baby on the way! So now when we see Christmas decorations out, he'll say "our baby coming soon!" But one day, it was clearly evident that he'd had an epiphany as he said to me "mommy, you can't have your baby on CHRISTMAS DAY!!!" The light bulb came on that if mommy is having a baby on Christmas day then that means she won't be home for Christmas! He was not okay with that and to tell you the truth, neither was I! I know it's just for one year but I don't want to miss Christmas morning with my precious boys. So my doctor has assured me that he will induce me at 39 weeks on December 19th (if i make it that long!) so we are looking at one month from today (at the longest!) WOW!

I have small burts of motivation like today I put up four loads of laundry and it literally took me hours!!! The four loads of laundry was due to the usual procrastination that I've been feeling - I'll lay here on the sofa and think of all the things I should and could be doing but it doesn't happen! Yesterday, I even dropped the kids off at preschool and came home and slept for the three hours - definitely had other things to do but it was wonderful (of course in the pj's)!

So the countdown is officially on and as I sit here having more frequent braxton hicks and feeling this baby's sweet hiccups - I can't help but wonder what this little addition will bring to our family, will it be a boy or a girl, will it be an easy baby like numero uno or a colicky crankster like little man was, what will it's name be? (no, we still can't come up with a boy name!)

Will definitely post pics of the nursery when # 3 comes home because it will look so different when the girl or boy bedding is in the crib and when the girl or boy artwork is hung. So we'll keep you posted!!!

Is this normal?

So my last blog was about my various splurges (good and bad) during this pregnancy. And these pajamas have turned out to be so comfortable that it was hard to find a time where I'd be out of them long enough to "handwash" and let dry flat for two days (which seemed like an eternity). But I did finally break down and wash them and the night that I had to go without them was back to my old jcrew nonmaternity pants and some random maternity tshirt - which had been fine in the past! Well, it wasn't fine anymore! The pants were falling down, the shirt rising up and when I got up to go to the bathroom at 3 am - I even mumbled to my husband "i miss my pajamas...."as I was climbing back into bed. So the next night I was putting them on and I didn't even care that they were still a little damp!!!! I don't know that it was normal to be that excited about one pair of pajamas but I was happy as a lark!

My mom said "I want to see them" to which I replied "oh, you will because I don't plan on getting out of them anytime soon!!!" I get dressed each morning to do my motherly duties of carpool, preschool, etc. but I'm counting down the minutes until I can get home and change into my pj's - how sad that my husband sees me in them when he leaves in the morning and returns home to find me in yes....my pj's!

I'm just glad to have found this one comfort that is going to get me through these last few weeks of this pregnancy....so if you stop by in the late afternoon - don't be surprised if I answer the door in my pj's!

When to splurge and when not to splurge

So we have a new president and quite honestly, I'm just tired of talking about the election, hearing about the election and even worrying about the election- just ready to move on.

I am now 32 weeks and 5 days in my pregnancy (so they told me today at the doctor) and our sweet little one is head down! Yeah! This was very exciting news to us as our little man (#2) was NOT head down and was in breech position causing the doctor to turn him at 36 weeks. Luckily, he stayed head down and was born two weeks later but not without a lot of worry!

I decided to splurge on two things this pregnancy - one a definite must have and one definitely not worth the money!

For one, I never had a pregnancy through the fall and winter so I splurged this time and bought a pair of "designer" jeans (the brand is called Paige)

Anyway, they have been nothing but a constant pain in the butt since I got them. At first they were constantly falling down so I got them altered. It didn't matter so I took them back in and they told me it was too early in my pregnancy so they may still be a little big and that I needed to buy this belly band to hold them up so I did.....no help whatsoever. Now not only are the jeans falling down still (and I consider myself at the end....I mean, how much larger are my HIPS going to get?) but now the belly band is riding up - it's all around uncomfortable. Usually I don't tell the price of things because I don't care but if you spend $200 (I'm embarrassed to even type it!!!) then you should want to SLEEP in those jeans, they should be so comfortable!!!! They should be taking you out, buying dinner and waking up beside you in the morning! So take it for what it's worth - I would rather have 3 pairs of my GAP maternity jeans to my one pair of Paige jeans.

On the other hand, I bought these FABULOUS pajamas from Ann Taylor Loft - who knew they carried maternity? But they aren't even Ann Taylor brand - they are a brand called Olian and this is definitely another splurge for me. With the other two pregnancies, I would just buy larger pj's that weren't even maternity and they never fit right leaving me uncomfortable when I had visitors, awkward with nursing and you know how you already don't feel all that pretty! WELL....I tried these pj's on in Ann Taylor and I'm afraid I won't ever want to take them off! Concerned friends and family are going to be telling me to get out of the pj's when my baby is 5 months old!!!! I was going to save them for the hospital and for when I come home but the other night as my current pants and shirt I was sleeping in was so uncomfortable, falling down, riding up - you get the picture - I figured why not enjoy these pajamas now??? And that is exactly what I'm doing - they are SO comfy! So again, take it for what it's worth - definitely a splurge worth investing in especially when you want to feel halfway decent about yourself at the end of your pregnancy and when you bring that little one home.

We are so ready to bring this little one home!!!!

Halloween 2008

Halloween took on a new form this year for many reasons:

1. We weren't "allowed" to attend our neighborhood party which we usually go to. It includes a hay ride, hot dogs, chips and even some homemade macaroni and cheese. But this year, we did not pay our homeowner's dues (which are optional) because everytime we were going to attend a party (and take our $75 dollar check) I was basically in the bed or throwing up sick from this pregnancy. Needless to say, I asked the appropriate person about it a month or so ago and she said we would still have to pay our dues of $75 but she wouldn't charge us a late fee....whatever. So since we only had this one more party, we thought it was ridiculous to pay $75 for some hotdogs so I offered to even bring something or pay a little bit OR even not eat dinner and just let our boys ride the hayride....all suggestions were turned down because the board members had talked it over and it really wouldn't be fair to the members that had paid their dues. Forget the fact that the girl whose house it's at had 9 of her closest friends and family crash the party along with another neighbor who brought another couple who doesn't even live here (Did they pay THEIR dues?) That is just the "social" amount of dues - don't even get me started on the pool dues if you wanted to join the pool ($450) that is the size of our bathtub...literally. Thank goodness they are optional. It all worked itself out because of reason #2.

2. Our Papa Jim had a stroke on Thursday so he was in the hospital over Halloween (and still is). He had some sort of wierd episode where he couldn't speak, mouth drawn up, couldn't raise his arms or legs so nana called 911 and gave him 2 aspirin which turned out to have saved his life. By Thursday night, he had drastically declined losing speech and most memory - not being able to tell you the month we're in or his birthday. BUT they caught it just in time before he had a massive stroke and he's expected to make a full recovery - his speech is still a little off but improving everyday! His carotid artery was 70% blocked and so he'll be on a blood thinner for the next 6 weeks and then they'll do surgery to "unclog" his blockage. All this to say, my children have spent every halloween with Nana and Papa Jim. We've always gotten pictures with them in their costumes and this year couldn't be any different, hospital or no hospital!

3. Just one more note....can I please tell you how lazy kids are today? I had some groups trick or treating at my door while their ride waited at the street to DRIVE them to the next house...WHAT? You don't even deserve candy.....I had to say it!

Hope everyone's Halloween was wonderful - now on to November!

Done

As a mother of two very active boys (ages 4 and 2), I'm usually "done" by bedtime if not way sooner (like 5:00 when daddy walks in the door). That's not to mention how I feel at the end of a long day when I'm 32 weeks pregnant! Today was one of those days that started way too early and there wasn't enough coffee in the world to get me started on the crazy journey of what was today!

I agreed to bring a green salad to my bible study fellowship today so as I'm putting that together, I just keep asking myself "Why can't I sign up for something easy like 2 liter drinks or paper plates?" But noooooooo.....I have to sign up for a salad and go all out with the red leaf lettuce (which I ran out to get at 11:30 the night before!), plum tomatoes, purple onion, artichokes, black olives, shredded provolone and homemade dressing (Let me know if you want the recipe!!! It's SO yummy!) and needless to say the girls loved it. But I'm up at the crack of dawn putting this salad together just to have the dressing spill out in the car as I'm RACING to get numero uno into the carpool line.

Yes, I was the very last car in line and I've never been THAT late! But I didn't want to get little man out to walk in numero uno since I'm already late for bible study hence the pulling in on two wheels. Today was the Fall festival at school and they were supposed to wear their western wear and I had to get this picture of my precious cowboy before we left home which made us the last car but I got the pic! (Thanks Aunt Mine for the costume!)

So I arrive at Bible Study late since it starts at 9:30 and I can't even drop my kids OFF until 9:30 at school (resulting in me never being on time!) which I hate because they always have an opening where someone speaks and then you break off into your small group of about 10-12 people. It's so nice to make it to the opening and sit and relax and prepare yourself for the study ahead but instead I'm always missing the opening and getting there after small group has gathered, all out of breath, not relaxed (need I mention 32 weeks pregnant?) and telling myself how overcommitted I am all the while wondering "how can I quit bible study?" How horrible is that?

We had a fellowship today which is why I took the salad and they ask a question that you are supposed to come prepared to talk about...the question today was "Who has been most influential in your spiritual walk?" Well, I don't even have to think about that one...it's definitely my grandparents - my dad's parents. So I start to tell my story and not only start tearing up but face getting red and hot, neck breaking out in hives and having a hard time breathing! I just kept saying "ya'll I'm so sorry! I can't even get through this without crying" but I did eventually wrap it up....I don't know how. Their story is so amazing and the kind of people they were and the legacy they left for me is something I will be forever grateful for. When trying to tell their story to strangers, I really can only tell about 1/100th of the story because they are so many aspects to it but I have this huge burden to put together a book of all of their letters - letters of their courtship while he was working in Washington, D.C. and she was here, letters from WWII while she was at home with two small boys, homemade cards, programs from different bible studies he went to, etc.....I just feel this need to do something with these - not only is it historical but it's such a testimony of faith and I know they've been placed in my hands for a reason. More on that later -

I put off one of my friends from coming over this afternoon to play after I closed numero uno's hand in the car door - not good. Then collapsed into a nap that could've gone on for HOURS, got the kids dressed in their costumes and headed to the Waggoners to carve pumpkins. That would sound easy, right? wrong - kids were complaining about their costumes, blah, blah, blah - lots of whining but we got there and it was great. Here's pics of how the day ended....

Sorry for the long blog! wow!

Pumpkin Patch

So last week, numero uno literally asked me EVERY DAY if I would please take him to the pumpkin patch so I promised Sunday was the day we would go! I always picture we are going to get such great photos at the pumpkin patch....then I remember, not with my 4 and 2 year old!!! But here are some shots that we got!

Sorry the blogs have been minimal lately...we are on a strict countdown of to do lists before baby #3 gets here! Stay tuned for pics of the nursery which we are planning to tackle and finish this weekend!

Countdown to Election!!!!

(We are going to have a new President in 17 days!!! AAHHHHHH!!!!)

So I took the opportunity to vote early today - while I usually don't talk politics with people, I figure this is MY blog so I can do whatever I want! In my county, there are three places where for the past few weeks and leading up to the election, if you are a registered voter, you can walk in between the hours of 8:30-5:30 M-F and cast your vote. Both kids were in preschool today so that's exactly what I did.

After watching the debates last night and receiving numerous disturbing emails - I can honestly say I'm very scared about this election. I've never been SCARED about an election. 4 Years ago I wanted Bush to win and I would've been bummed if Kerry would have won but that's nothing compared to how I feel now. As I stood in line filling out my forms, there was this precious old couple in front of me- the man could hardly see or hear and his sweet wife could barely walk with the assistance of a walker. (If you are 70 and above, you can walk to the front) Sometimes I have these moments where I see people like this and it just reminds of me of my sweet grandparents and I truly believe we are losing the last of the best generation. Where is our country headed? What are we basing our morals and values on? I'm an emotional pregnant woman (as we all know) but I felt so much emotion for that sweet couple, this election and what our future holds.

In less than 20 days our new President could be a man that doesn't like the American Flag ("it's a sign of oppression for some people"), confuses his "Christian Faith" by accidentally saying "Muslim faith" (WHO DOES THAT???) and wants to reinvent our national anthem because it "displays a war like message with the bombs bursting in air and all - it should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose". Why would he even WANT to be President? It doesn't even sound like he's fond of America!

Here's a letter to our next President-who I keep telling myself is already decided upon by the One who decides all things...

Dear Mr. President-
One of the many things we don't envy about your job is the public's fascination with approval ratings. For the next four years you will be reminded on a daily basis of whether or not the citizens of this country approve of your performance.

Our hope is that you will set your sights on something of far greater consequence than our approval. We want you to lead in such a way as to gain and maintain our respect.

For that to happen, there must be consistency in what you say and what you do. This alignment will provide you with the moral authority necessary to lead and influence those who selected your name in November, as well as those who did not.

Conduct your public life in a way that positions you to confront without reservation those who have abused their power and influence. Conduct your private life in such a way that you can speak with authority to husbands and fathers about their responsibilities at home. Lead the way in personal generosity. Be the first President of our generation to give away 20% of your annual income. And do it publicly, so as to remove any doubt from either party that you are a man who truly cares about the less fortunate in our nation and in our world.

Our country is deeply divided over the economy, healthcare and national security. A significant portion of the population will not share your beliefs about how these issues should be addressed. There's nothing you can do about that. But please don't do anything that would lead us to wonder if you really believe what you have said you believe about those issues.

The late journalist Louis Fischer wrote "history is the chronicle of divorces between creed and deed." We pray that will not be the case with your administration. Our hope is that you will be a President whose actions reflect the promises you've made and the values you claim to embody. And if that is the case you will have something far more valuable than our approval. You will have our respect.

Sincerely,
Concerned Citizens of the United States

90210....

So many things have changed....the teenagers are skinnier and MUCH more sassy (aka potty mouth), definitely much more "touchy/feely" in the halls and they are in clubs called C&C "Champaigne and Cocaine" but one thing that hasn't changed is the ability to suck me right back in.

I remember back when the original show was on and having friends over every Thursday night to watch Beverly Hills 90210 - now they've dropped the "beverly hills" to just 90210....you should KNOW that's Beverly Hills people!

They still have the Peach Pit, the old man that runs it, Brenda, Kelly and talks of Brandon and Dilyn although they haven't made appearances yet. I even realized my age tonight when the PARENTS of the teenagers made a reference to an old movie that you'd only know if you're at least my age or older - the reference was "No one puts baby in a corner" (Dirty Dancing for you young folks!) The parents just laughed while the teenagers looked at them like they were crazy and what was I doing...of course, laughing! The day is coming soon when I'll be getting those same looks from my own kids.

My better half walked in during the show and says "What is this crap? This isn't even worth the energy it takes to run it on the tv." I guess he wasn't a big 90210 fan - then or now. You see why he's my better half for so many reasons. He doesn't encourage me getting sucked into these stupid shows. But I'm afraid it's too late - Adriana just overdosed, Ethan and Annie were about to kiss and Naomi might be going to jail...I'm tuning in next week!

Noteworthy October Special

The season of gifts is upon us! So our October special is a win - win for the person giving the gift or receiving it!

During the month of October, purchase an order for any stickers including return address labels, round stickers or calling card stickers and we will DOUBLE your order! Now is the time to stock up on teacher's gifts, Thanksgiving goodies, stocking stuffers or gift tag stickers for yourself!

Please visit the link below to see the huge selection Dinky Designs has to offer and then email your order to me to ensure you get this special promotional offer!

www.dinkydesigns.com

Facebook...the new era

This is my facebook profile pic

I have to be honest and say that I was a little skeptical when friends starting getting facebook accounts. I couldn't figure out what the big deal was? Plus, who in the world has the time to update your every move? But after the 20th friend told me I needed to get a facebook account, I took the plunge and signed up (it's free by the way!)

I had some serious preconcieved notions and misconceptions about facebook-

I thought it was for teenagers/college kids-

-I definitely couldn't have been more wrong about this one! I swear it's the new communication tool for people MY AGE! The thirty something stay at home moms who just miss their old friends!

I thought it was a meat market for hooking up -

- Again, couldn't be more wrong! My husband has his own facebook page now (which freaked me out at first) but it even links us together as married. And once you see who all of your friends are, you realize they are all in the same boat as you...married with kids. Plus, no one can view your info without you "accepting" them as your friend which keeps away the creepy freaks that you don't know!

Here is his profile pic - this was also our Christmas card picture last year!

I was shocked to find practically all of my cousins on there plus the pastor that married us is on there! There is just no reason for people NOT to join......

So....I helped my sister set up her facebook page. Needless to say, her 16 year old daughter is furious with me. She doesn't think her mom has a right to be on facebook. I told her not to accept her mom as her friend then! If that's the problem! But I tried to tell her that her mom has a life outside of her....she has her own friends, cousins, etc. to communicate with! AND...she doesn't need her daughter's approval to get on facebook!

Here is my sister's facebook profile pic

What is up with our kids thinking that our whole life revolves around them? Everything is not about them....which is why we've started telling our kids "sweetie, you are a small fish in a big pond and the sooner you learn that, the better" We also try to portray to our kids that mommy and daddy were here way before you were....we come first here.

Sorry to get off on my tangent but I'm contemplating starting a group on facebook so my sister can rack up more friends than her 16 year old daughter!