Happy New Year!!!

We are all set to be rid of 2008 & usher in 2009 with great joy! Lots to be thankful for and lots to just plan wish to forget......all in all we still have our health, our home and our love and that is what it's all about!!! From our home to yours......Happy 2009--may it bring many new adventures and great blessings!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

From our family to yours!!!

12 days!

It's been a while since my last post!! I've been a little wrapped up (no-pun intended) with work, shopping, snuggling and finally getting to do all the fun things I've been waiting to do with Miss O now that she's a little older. 1st was Santa...she was OVERJOYED to see him. She calls him...."See-ta". Now every man with a white beard is "Seeta" and she isn't afraid to yell it out!

Next Miss O & Mommy got to decorate Gingerbread Houses....this was a 1st for both of us! We had fun! She consumed WAYYYYY to much sugar (more then she's EVER had), I had a blast building the house....and she had a blast cramming as much candy in her mouth and then joining in on the joyous sounds of screaming little girls all hopped up on crack....in the midst of it all you could hear her saying, "Running, running, running......." I think she liked running.
It's a day to go in the books!

Me & Miss O--notice anything unusual??

Dipping the stick directly INTO the icing was much better then actually chewing the candy!


Here she is running......

And here are our houses.....

She cried as we left.....while I was buckling her in, she kept crying..."Running...running", it was pretty pathetic but soooo hysterical!

Last night I baked Christmas cookies for Miss O's classmates.....I've waited for the opportunity to buy the little baggies, make tags, bake & decorate the cookies...you name I was on it. I know eventually I may not be as enthused but for now I was cherish it. When I picked her up from school today....Miss Kim had given her a dolly....it was the sweetest thing. I teared up because she is so loved and so well taken care of. God put O in a great place & I couldn't be happier!

And now....for my next Elf-duty.....wrap all remaining gifts! I've got some done....but did some shopping Saturday and well you know the rest!

Anyway.....Merry Christmas. I hope that you are enjoying the season with those you love.

Our Picture with Santa~

We got this great tip from my favorite blogger about Bass Pro Shops and Santa's Wonderland. You get to do free stuff--including take a picture! FOR FREE--YESSSSS FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLUS, it only took like 2 mins for it to be printed up!

So stop by (if you are lucky enough to have one close to you) and get your picture taken! We did.....well Miss O did! All by herself too....she wasn't afraid of him at all and he was really sweet!


Here the real picture...I'll post my pics later.

Wordless Wednesday (One Day Late)

I know I'm a day late but I was out of town--so here it is!!!
Next week I'll be back on track~

Look Ma--NO Flash!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm trying to learn how to take pictures--instead of just pointing and shooting--which is funny because I have a "point & shoot" camera! So this weekend I took time to reacquaint myself with my camera & discovered some pretty cool things! Anyway, with a helpful tip read the other day on one of my FAVORITE blogs (she makes me want to take better pictures and capture more then just a picture! Visit her blog & you'll see why!), I ventured out there!

I still have lots to learn--but this is my 1st attempt.
(Lil' Miss O wasn't as willing to participate--however My girl Lola was very willing to help Mama out--which was weird!!!)




I even ventured outside with the camera.................

Great-Grandma Betty.

O's Great-Grandma Betty passed way this morning. She was in her final stages....it is still hard to accept.
Betty loved her family with everything she had....and even when she was in pain or couldn't walk she ALWAYS made a valiant effort to make everyone feel welcomed!

She was a beautiful woman both inside & out.....she will be GREATLY missed.

Love.

She whispered to him: "I love you"
He whispered I love you back and then said, "If everyone loved each other the way we love each other the world would be a better place"

Later she would ask him to snuggle with her to help her sleep. He obliged her.

_______________________________________________________

$19.93

That is how much it cost me this morning to FILL UP my gas tank!!!!! Any suggestions how $19.93 for groceries??

So we've got the tree up.

It took a while...but it's done.....the house is just about done! I also got all my music changed online, all the backgrounds done....almost complete. Still waiting on a few things to make it complete! This week the lights should go up on the house...if the weather cooperates!!

Sooooo for now.....I'm wishing you and yours a Merrry Christmas Season.

Here's where we started......

The lil' Miss was more then happy to help Mama decorate....or I guess more happy to pull everything out of the boxes and then off the tree as I put it on! We went round and round until I gave up--put her to bed and then finished a few hours later!! Maybe it's too soon....next year will be better!! LOL! For now I'm glad she was able to help or be apart of it.....

That is was I loved the most about Christmas when I was younger....I remember just decorating the heck out of our house with the most hideous decorations and listening to Christmas music. I loved that my mom made as special as she possibly could. I want O to ALWAYS remember some of those same things and carry that with her forever...like I do.

Our tree & fireplace~

Getting ready for Christmas!!

I'm so excited. Heath is outside pulling out all the Christmas decorations.....I'm sitting in here watching Beauty & The Beast with O. Since she's been born, Christmas gets more & more exciting.....because she'll start to understand a little more every year and enjoy along with Mommy!!! I'm soooooo excited. Stay tuned for pictures to come!

I love Christmas!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving.

We hope that you all have a beautiful day with your loved ones!!

Love,
H, Y, Lil' O & Pugs--Lola, Sophie, Big Ben & Simon (our foster Pug)

Wordless Wednesday.

Down with the sickness......

O has an ear infection....................AGAIN! Meanwhile she's still battling that peskie "P" word! Ugh. I don't like it. I don't think she does either!!! What is a mother to do????

Ack--I've been tagged!!!!!!!!!!

Don't you love the 4th picture in the 4th folder of your picture files? I do! I was tagged by Marlita to post & tell about it, then tag 4 more friends to do the same. So here it is:
It was crazy clothes Friday at her school--it was actually Halloween but since not everyone celebrates it--this was a cute alternative to dress up! The instructions were simply--dress as CRAZY as possible!!! This was the best I could do....she's still too cute though!
So far I've tagged my friends Sandra, Virginia & Trish....I'm looking for one more friend to tag!!!

Super-Duper-Trooper!!!!

Pneumonia at it's finest. Yesterday O went to the doctor with what we thought was a pesty cold--it was not. She has a mild case of Pneumonia--I guess they call it "walking pneumonia". She's doing good....taking her "yummies" (aka--medicine) and finally took a GREAT nap today!
I love you pretty girl and I'm sooooooo sorry you aren't feeling good.

The anticipation is growing!!!!!!!!!

I'm really excited about our very 1st arts & crafts fair coming up this weekend! Marlita & I have been working really hard on things and pray that it will go off without a hitch! We will have our diaper cakes and new burp cloths on display & up for sale as well as taking any new orders! I hope that you can help us spread the word by emailing your friends who lives in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow area!!! There will be over 100 booths this year as well as a new cafe that will be set up for the shoppers! I hope that if you do have time in your day to stop in, come by, and show us some love.....we'll need ALLLLL the support we can get from family & friends to help make this successful both for our new business and the craft show (as well as calm our nerves)!!!

Here's the info:

When: November 22nd, 2008

Where: The Church at Battle Creek (www.tcabc.com)

(in Broken Arrow on the corner of the B.A. Expressway & 145th)

Time: 9am-5pm

Why: Because don't you have some Christmas shopping to do!?!?

Don't forget to visit our blog too--there are lots of pictures of what we have been up to!!

Thanks again for your support with our new business--I know God has some great things planned for us in 2009 and this is only the beginning!!!

A thing that I love.

Helping pugs. I love rescue work and I wish I had more hours in the day to invest my time in it. In two days I got two calls about two pugs being given up--one was due to a death and the other was due to a move. More then anything, I love getting on the phone and making things happen so a pug doesn't get "put down" because someone doesn't know their options. I mean seriously, in this day in age don't you know there is a "rescue" option instead of "well we'll just put them down".....and what vet in their RIGHT MIND would allow this to happen!?!?!?! I'm so glad I've put myself out there enough & in peoples faces about our rescue! There is no excuse....when you take a pet into your home it's your responsibility all the way around to love and care for that pet and when you can't find someone who can. You don't get to pick and choose when to get "rid" of it because it's become an inconvenience. There are options people....just take a little time....do the research. There ARE people out there willing to take in your pet and give it a second chance at life.

Anyway.................I was very happy that these two little pugs won't be "put down" because they didn't have any options. I love that I was one of their options.

If you are looking for an addition go to: www.homewardboundpugs.com there are lots of good little additions just waiting to be loved!

A little R&R~

I just had to post this picture. I went in to check on her as I heard her cry out for "Mommie" so I rushed to go see what was wrong--nothing--she was fast asleep when I got there. (I think it's sweet even in her dreams she wants me)

So I got my camera because I couldn't NOT have a picture of this, no one would believe me! Doesn't she look so peaceful? I think it's funny how she's even crossed her legs! Silly girl~

I soooo desire......

to have Jerry Dirmann as my Pastor again. I love Pastor Ed...I love my church and I'm thankful that we've found a church we can call home but as I was listening to a teaching my sister gave me called "God's Unlimited Ways to Provide" so many memories and emotions came flooding back.....it's funny I haven't even finished listening to it and was already devising a plan as to how we can move back to California to go to The Rock and be back under Pastor Jerry again. I think it's mainly because as I look back I realize I took advantage of it as a child/teenager, not fully understanding what was at my fingertips. Now as an adult, a wife and now a mother--I've been grasping but nothing felt like it was holding me or my family. I was wrong (nothing new of course). I've been putting my faith in man/or my own ability.....but it's all coming back. I remember the importance of HIS covering, HIS provision, in HIS time. He's there--holding me or trying to anyway--I've just been too busy to let Him.

But alas, I cannot go back and I'm certainly NOT going back to California....but it did stir something inside of me and I'm not sure just yet how to pull it out. I can't wait to finish it though......if anyone wants to borrow it or wants me to burn a copy of it....I will be glad to!

If you get a chance, visit http://www.pastorjerry.com/ or http://www.gototherock.com/ and if you have an iPod or MP3 there are some free downloads of some of his teachings....they are very powerful and VERY annointed. They also have a great worship team......my sister is finally getting her cheeks back in it too!!

That's it. Good nite.

We made it home....

two days ago. The trip didn't turn out how I had envisioned but I love my family with all my heart and I can't get enough of my niece and nephew and cried when I left because I will miss them terribly. The birthday party was a hit & O's 1st airplane ride was a success and she did extremely well. I'll post pictures later tonight.

Now we are preparing for our "Holiday Market at Battle Creek"......diaper cakes will be made this weekend, burp cloths are done and I just put in my order for our banner. I'll post more on my other blog--
http://www.youniquetechnique.blogspot.com/ but it's exciting.

Heath is on the job hunt again but this time we are a little more optimistic....he's actually on an interview as I'm typing this. "Lord, I thank you for your blessings, I thank you that you have given Heath favor and that we look to you for provision--Amen".

So for now I will close....not much more to type about today!

In other news.......

O & I leave for Wisconsin in a few hours! She has no idea but I'm a little nervous.......I know it'll go well but I just checked on if the flight is filled and YES it's filled! Keep us in your prayers for a smooth flight....all the way around!

God Bless America.

A rush of emotion hit me around 11ish last night--much more then I expected. Watching this historical election take place I was sadden because while, yes, it opens many new doors for the future of our children--but what kinds of doors? Will she still have the same people fighting for the freedoms of our country? Will she still have the same people fighting for "In God We Trust"? What will her generation have to face?

Yes change will come, that is one thing we can be sure of but at what cost?

That is just my thought, my opinion.....I will continue to pray for our President and our great, great nation!

Just do it!

If not for your future or for your children's future....at least do it for the free Starbucks & Krispy Kreme doughnuts! :o) Just kidding....but sheez the things that will motivate this country! LOL! It's a historic event......no matter what happens this country will NEVER be the same.

Time change?

How do you do it with kids with the whole nap & bedtime thing?? Just curious?!?!?!

Memories.

We aren't BIG Halloween people but it's nice to have a safe place to go to celebrate our way! O had a good time with her cousin S, Mama even got a little dressed up and Daddy did it all with a SMILE on his face!!! Ahhhh....memories~

Fall.

In our very own front yard!!!!!

Well I did it.........

I finally stepped down! I've mulled over this decision for about a year now and it was NOT made lightly. Not that any of you would remotely even care or know what I'm even talking about BUT on the off chance that you are interested....here it is in a nutshell.

I'm the Tulsa Pug Meetup Organizer & once a month about 10-20 people come over to my house and bring their pugs to socialize in my backyard! We can have an average of about 12-15 pugs here at any one time. It's a blast!

It's been so much fun, I loved every second of it but at this point I can't do it anymore. There is soooo much going in our lives that being the organizer once a month is literally too much!!! Once a month may not seem like much but there is alot of stuff that goes into organizing this monthly social and I have to put the brakes on something. It's like all this politico mumbo-jumbo......belts are being tightend and things are getting cut!

Anyway, I just had to share because this is a MAJOR deal.....I've been the meetup organizer for FOUR years!!!!!!! This is really a sad day for me.

Thank you Auntie Marlita.

My good friend Marlita called me yesterday and asked if I needed a small table for O. I was like....HECK YA! That was going on her wish list for Christmas! Anyway, it's real cute and perfect. She had a blast yesterday trying it out and playing with the chairs--it's an excuse to climb--she had fun eating her apple snack and coloring in her color book! Isn't she the cutest?!?!

Any suggestions??

In one week O & I will be embarking on a new adventure--traveling by plane, alone (and by alone I mean without the assistance of Daddy), on a plane and I'm terrified!!! I'm a total worry-wart,over-exaggerating, drama queen but I am legitimately concerned!!! I should probably NOT google "How to travel with a toddler on a plane" anymore.
So now I turn to you....."How DO you travel with an 18 month old" and NOT go stark-raving-mad?

Any suggestions?? Help!

A perfect fall day!

We finally made it to the pumpkin patch. Today turned out to be a perfect day....PERFECT! I had a meeting in the morning...and O had a good nap. I think I was more excited because this year she could walk around and explore on her own. Explore she did! We had a blast. Here are just some of the pics from today....I swear I love this time of year...almost more then Christmas--ALMOST!!

O feeding the goats...

Me & O~

Trying to make her way to that little boy in the center!

She almost ran into that little boy--we was running towards her!

It doesn't get any more perfect than this!!!

Helping Daddy decide which pumpkin to pick!

She's such a big girl now!

That's pretty much our day.......tomorrow we a have a fall festival at Dentiny Church! I'm still debating weather or not to take her in costume?? I'll decide tomorrow....right this moment I'm wiped!

Do you skype?

I'm so loving my newest find. Thanks to my sissys I have a new FREE and easy way to stay in touch even though we are so far away from each other. If you skype...look me up!

It's fast, free and easy...if you already do it I know I'm a little late in the game!

www.skype.com

Back from the depths of the earth.

I seriously thought I'd NEVER survive! Okay, I know, a little dramatic...but I was really sick (yes AGAIN). Our anniversary plans were ruined because of it and we never made it to the pumpkin patch either!!! I feel much better....and today I even skipped a little when I walked outside to my car as I left work! The air was crisp, there was a little thunder in the background, I was on my way to pick O. I felt like all had fallen back into place once the rain came in and the wind blew all the YUCK out! God knew what he was doing when He created the seasons. I think it gives us something to look forward to, like a new beginning. For me once Spring is done, I dread Summer (in Oklahoma it can be a little brutal)& in my head I start a mental count down to the end of September (as that is when the HOT air starts to go away). I LOVE fall & winter. Maybe it was because I grew up in Sunny California & I never really got the chance to appreciate what it was like to see the trees change colors or understand the necessity of a "HARD" freeze or just knowing that this year there is a possibility of a "White Christmas". So for me, today marked a new beginning....all the YUCKY stuff is done and gone (cause I literally puked it ALL OUT) and now we can start fresh! And you know what...it's not even Monday! You actually CAN start over in the middle of the week!!! Anyway, I think I've sorta rambled...but that's okay.

Family happenings...Heath is STILL on the job search but I believe God knows what He's doing and that a door is going to swing open--SOON. O is 18 months old. She had her 18 month check-up & is weighing in at 25 lbs (25th percentile) and is about 33 inches tall (50th percentile). She's singing ALL the time which we love...and she says THANK YOU when you give her something she asks for! She's really into tomatoes right now...and her favorite place to hang out is in front of the fridge rearranging the magnets! As for me....life has returned to normal...I'm working on diaper cakes this weekend (after taking a small hiatus). I'm even going to attempt a little scrapbooking this weekend in my nearly complete craft room...O is almost 2 and I haven't even started her book!

In a few weeks O & I will be flying to Wisconsin together for the first time--well it's O's 1st time flying--our 1st time doing it together. Heath can't come, which makes me sad, but the next time we go out there together our newest little niece/nephew will be making his/her debute, which I'm overly excited about but will to contain it for Suzie's sake. Anyway, here's a pic of the princess and her costume for this year! I'm told we are calling her "Maya the Bee"...I'm not exactly sure why....but that's what Maya said we were calling the costume.

Thats about all I got for now. Nite.