2008...Looking Back...

This year seems like it came and went entirely too fast. But...I seem to say that every year. This year I have SO MUCH to be thankful for and am glad the end of the year falls close enough to Thankful Tuesday! :)

So...in no particular order...I am thankful for 2008 for many many reasons. This will be long...so stay with me as long as you can! :)

1. This year I lost my grandmother. It's been VERY hard on me - especially this holiday season. But...I AM SO INCREDIBLY THANKFUL that I had her in my life exactly 8 months this year. Also...as weird as this may sound...I am SO VERY THANKFUL that I was able to be there when she passed. I think about that day a lot and I am just so honored I got to be there when it happened. It wasn't anything morbid or scary...but something very beautiful. I miss her so so so so so much and I am just SO thankful I had the best grandmother!!!

2. I am thankful for my husband. We, like most couples, have had our ups and downs this year. However, looking back over this year...I am thankful that we have grown closer. I am thankful that he is such a wonderful father and I am thankful that he is a wonderful husband. I am truly blessed to have him by my side. I can't wait to see what the next 50 years or so has in store for us!!! I have a feeling that 2009 will also bring more changes for us! I am excited to go through them with HIM! :) Sometimes...I wonder how I am so blessed to have such a great husband!

3. Of course, I am truly thankful for my daughter. This year started out difficult with her MSPI issues but as this year comes to an end...she appears to have outgrown them! There is nothing more scary than going to change your brand new baby's diaper to find it filled with blood! I am just SO SO SO SO thankful she has outgrown the issues! I am also thankful that I decided to STOP breastfeeding and get her on her special formula. For one, I don't think I could have eaten a diet only containing range-fed lamb, turkey, squash, rice, sweet potatoes (and regular potatoes) with only salt and pepper, and pears. I give SO MUCH credit to the women who can do that - especially for an entire year, or more. I am thankful that I made the *right* decision for everyone involved (I am sure hubby wouldn't have liked me much on such a horrible diet...and I can't imagine I'd be happy either)! I am glad I made the decision to put Emily on formula. It was the difference between night and day! People say that formula can be even more detrimental to babies...but in our case, it was the one thing that healed her. I am just SO GLAD and SO thankful she has outgrown these issues and is a happy, thriving, running around, getting into everything...toddler!

4. I am so thankful for my friends!!!! This year, some of my friendships came to an end. I thought certain people were actually true friends, but my eyes were opened and I learned they actually weren't. It was pretty hurtful and there are days I am STILL pretty hurt over how everything went down. I got hurt that these friends could not and would not communicate with me (although they always said that communicating was their number one thing they did well...(sadly...they were mistaken)). But, believe it or not, there are days I really miss those friends and wonder how they are. I also find myself hoping they are doing well and that life is treating them good. BUT...with all that, I became a new me. I now refuse to beg someone to be my friend. I refuse to try and make someone WANT to take an interest in my life. I refuse to allow someone to lie about me behind my back, and sadly enough, even lie to themselves. In the process of going through all that...I met NEW friends, reconnected with friends I lost touch with, and grew A LOT closer to other friends. I am SO THANKFUL that the people in my life now...are the true friends. They are the ones that I can count on when I need anything. They are the ones that take two seconds out of their day to ask how I am...and GENUINELY want to know. They are the ones that hold my hand when I need it and and tell me like it is when I need that too!!! I am SO THANKFUL that I learned the lesson on what a true friend is. I am SO THANKFUL for all the people in my life...the ones I have known forever, the ones I just met, the ones I met through this blog who at a time or two can relate to what I went through with these friends (and just other things in life), and the ones that have re-entered my life. Thank you to all of you!!!

5. I am thankful for my mother. This year has brought us closer together because of my grandma. I couldn't imagine being any closer to her than I was prior to everything that happened with my grandma, but believe it or not, we are even closer now. I am getting all choked up thinking about her right now and thinking about how blessed I am. I am so blessed to have such a beautiful mom, someone that gives SO UNSELFISHLY. Someone that has THE BIGGEST heart of anyone I know. Someone that has taught me SO MUCH about life! I love her dearly and am SO SO SO SO SO thankful SHE is my mother!

6. I am also thankful for my dad. He has the biggest heart as well. He always wants the best for me. He always has my best interests at heart and it is SO TOUCHING to see how much he loves my daughter! It's also so touching to see how much he loves ME! I love him more than words could EVER EVER express. I am SO SO SO THANKFUL HE is MY dad! :)

7. I am thankful for my other family members. I have an amazing brother and sister-in-law with two AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME children! My niece and nephew hold a HUGE piece of my heart! They always have and they always will! I am thankful for two AMAZING step-parents that I am PROUD to say they are my parents! I have AMAZING aunts and uncles and cousins!!! I don't know how I got so lucky to have such a great family...but I am thankful I do!

8. As funny as this sounds...I am thankful for my computer. It allows me to be connected with all of you. It allows me to vent my frustrations and share my joys with all of you! It allows me to work (which I guess is important! LOL!). It allows me to meet new people. It allows me to escape for a bit when I need to! Lord knows that I needed to A LOT this year - and I am thankful I had this here to do so! I am thankful I started this blog this year. It will be something that Emily can look back on when she is older. Also, God forbid this happening, but if I were to pass, Emily would have a little bit of me to carry with her through my words on this blog. In fact, everyone would. I know that sounds morbid...but that's how my mind works sometimes!

9. I am thankful for all the laughter I have had this year. This year wasn't the easiest...but through it all...there were many times I was laughing so hard I was crying! I am so thankful for those moments to carry me through the hard times - and I can't wait to have more of those moments in 2009!

10. Lastly...but not least...I am thankful for myself. I know that may sound selfish or weird...but I am. If I were not alive, I would not have gotten to know the most amazing man, the most adorable and beautiful daughter, the great friends and my awesome family. I would not be here to witness such wonderful things. I would not be here to learn and grow. I would have missed a lot. So...I am thankful I am alive. I am thankful for this new journey I am about to embark on next year. I am thankful for just being able to go through everyday life and experience so many wonderful, amazing, scary, disappointing, sad, angry, funny, dorky, difficult, perfect moments!!!!

As 2008 winds up...thank you to each and every one of you who took time to read this little bloggy blog of mine!

What about 2008 has made YOU thankful??

PS...If I don't make it back before the new year...I wish each and every one of you a VERY VERY safe and happy new year!!!!! Looking forward to 'spending' 2009 with all of you!

Thankful Tuesday

Once again I contemplated doing this this week. Lord knows I have been SOOOOOOOOOOOO busy that I haven't really blogged since before Christmas. I have had so much going on! But...thinking about how this year is coming to an end entirely too fast...I figure this week would be a GOOD week to actually do this post! I am posting it a little early in hopes that you will think about doing it for tomorrow and it will give you time to reflect on this past year!

So with that being said...


Welcome to Thankful Tuesday! I hope you will take the time to participate this week! It is a great feeling to stop and reflect on all the things you are thankful for! It can do wonders for a bad mood and can do wonders to remind you of the little things that sometimes we all take for granted!

So for this week's assignment...

Your topic is:

2008. What have you been thankful for this year??

So what you do is simple...

1. Post a new blog listing ten things that you are thankful for in regards to this week's topic! Feel free to do more than 10!

2. Be sure to link my blog somewhere in your post. (Shameless plug...I know!)

3. Come back later on in the day (after I have posted my post (which will probably be some time around 10 California time)) and sign Mr. Linky that will be at the bottom of my post. This will let everyone know you have participated.

4. Leave a comment for the person that signed above you (or if you are first, leave a comment for me).

5. If you are feeling generous, leave a comment for at least 3 people...or even more!

That's it! :) Pretty simple! Now get to work!

Merry Christmas!!!!

We celebrated Christmas yesterday since hubby is on shift today (and tomorrow now - he has an overtime shift - boo!) and Emily LOVED LOVED LOVED the slide that Santa brought her! It was a huge hit! :) Pictures to come soon!

But the reason for this post is that I just wanted to wish everyone a VERY Merry Christmas!!! I hope that this holiday season finds all of you well and safe. I hope that Santa is good to each and every one of you! I wish nothing but happiness and joy this holiday season!

Thankful Tuesday

The holidays always make me feel thankful - and this year is no exception! :)

In no particular order...this is why I am thankful this holiday season:

1. The munchkin is old enough to "semi" get Christmas. She doesn't like Santa and doesn't know *yet* she'll have new toys - or even why - but she sure likes the lights and the tree - which I am thankful for! It brings a smile to my face and makes me all warm and fuzzy!

2. I am thankful for the smiles and laughs and the pure joy and love I feel in my heart while I watch my daughter dance and "shake" to this jingle bells thing we have. It sings and dances and "shakes" and so does she! She gets SOOOOO excited and will scream and squeal while dancing and shaking. It TRULY is the CUTEST thing EVER.

3. I am thankful that my husband got me a GREAT gift this year. He DEFINITELY did not need to go all out and spend money on me like he did (yes I already have the gift) and I am thankful for that!

4. I am thankful that my shopping is done (okay I have to get a $5 gift for my mom's and one other thing today) and that all my presents, as of yesterday, are wrapped! :)

5. I am thankful that my friends and I get together every year to wrap presents...or at least attempt to...while having some drinks. This year 2.5 additional people came (my friend brought her daughter) and it made it even more fun! Only downfall...I had one too many chocolate martinis! Those drinks are SOOOOO good but very dangerous because they are so good! By the way...pics to be posted from that night soon - once I upload them!

6. I am thankful that we even get to have Christmas this year. Times are tough EVERY where and for most everyone. I am thankful that we are blessed to have a few presents under the tree...and heck...even a tree for that matter!

7. I am thankful that I will get to be around family this year. Family is what makes the holidays so special! I am REALLY looking forward to going to my moms (although it may be a little harder this year without my grandma) and hanging out, playing board games, and laughing and snorting (okay my cousin Michael is the snorter - and my mom is too - I am just the one that usually cries first from the laughter!). FUN times! :)

8. I am thankful that Erik's family from all over the place (Hawaii, England, Canada) will be here. Not only will I get a chance to get to know them better but they will get a chance to meet the munchkin!!!

9. I am thankful that my husband put his bah-humbugness aside and decorated the house and even took us out to look at the Christmas lights up around the neighborhood! I just love doing that and I am glad he got into it this year!!!!

10. And lastly (but DEFINITELY not least) - I am thankful just for this time of the year. I am thankful for the "magic" in the air (meaning the lights, decorations, people usually in a good mood, "Santa" being at the mall - although he came WAYYYYYYY early this year - BEFORE Thanksgiving!) and just everything about this time of the year. I usually hate when it is over because I just love this holiday so much!!!!

So from our house to yours...I wish all of you a VERY VERY VERY Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, GREAT holiday season (whatever it is you do/don't believe in).

MERRY CHRISTMAS! :)

Thankful Tuesday!!

I contemplated on doing this today. The holidays are SO hectic with everyone and everything that I figured most people probably wouldn't have time. BUT...if you DO have time...feel free to play along this week! :)



Welcome to Thankful Tuesday! I hope you will take the time to participate this week! It is a great feeling to stop and reflect on all the things you are thankful for! It can do wonders for a bad mood and can do wonders to remind you of the little things that sometimes we all take for granted!

So for this week's assignment...

Your topic is:

THE HOLIDAYS. What about the holidays makes you thankful??

So what you do is simple...

1. Post a new blog listing ten things that you are thankful for in regards to this week's topic!

2. Be sure to link my blog somewhere in your post. (Shameless plug...I know!)

3. Come back later on in the day (after I have posted my post (which will probably be some time around 10 California time)) and sign Mr. Linky that will be at the bottom of my post. This will let everyone know you have participated.

4. Leave a comment for the person that signed above you (or if you are first, leave a comment for me).

5. If you are feeling generous, leave a comment for at least 3 people...or even more!

That's it! :) Pretty simple! Now get to work! ;)

Prayers Please...

I am asking for prayers from anyone who can offer them up right now! Without going into too much detail, PLEASE pray for my family...one of my cousin's was found dead on Saturday. They identified her yesterday.

Also, another cousin of mine just gave birth to a baby and suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. We do not know what will come of it. So if you can find room...can you PLEASE keep her in your prayers too??

Sorry for the downer post - but I DO believe in prayer and our family can sure use them right now!

Cards For Hannah...

A friend of mine shared an article with me that was in her local paper about a little girl named Hannah Garman. She has been diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor. Little Hannah is only 4 years old and the prognosis is not good.

The family is doing their best NOT to focus on the inevitable but to focus on Christmas instead. So what that means is cards. Lots of them. It would mean the world to Hannah to receive the cards. The family is stating it has already lifted her spirits.

Hannah has lost most of her motor skills and is confined to a bed. However, she has been able to open the cards and it has definitely put a smile on her face!

Tonight a convoy of 60 fire engines (the paper said 30 but it ended up being 60) and other rescue vehicles paraded over to her house and dropped off hundreds of cards for her. I was touched when I heard that part because that right there makes me proud to be a Firefighter's Wife!

I am going to be sending her a card tomorrow and encourage all of you to do so as well!

You can mail them to:

Hannah Garman
704 Orchard Road
Lititz, PA 17543

I know this sounds like all the other things you read about sick children wanting cards...but this one is real. I looked it up on snopes and sure enough,it is true.

You can read the article here.

Weekly Assignment

Thanks Mama Kat for the fun this week! :)

Dear Santa:

I am writing you for the first time since I was a little girl. I am not asking for much this year. I already have pretty much everything I need. However, this morning, it was brought to my attention I do need something else. I am not sure if they make it. I am not sure if there is even such a thing. I know there are variations of it out there but not sure if they make this kind.

I want to remind you that I have been VERY good this year! I have sacrificed a lot in my life for my family. I have given up the dream of being a successful business owner so that I can raise our daughter. I have put aside a lot of my needs and desires so that my husband can pursue his career as a firefighter. I have not asked for much from anyone. I have been there for family who needed me, and friends who have needed me. I have been nice (for the most part) to my husband. I have been very nice and patient (for the most part) to our daughter. I have been nice to total strangers and have even done random acts of kindness. I am QUITE sure I have made your "nice list" this year!

However, I fear that if I do not receive the one thing I think I need, I may be transferred to the "naughty list" next year.

All I am asking for is some sort of ear filter. I want something that is a comfortable fit. I need something I can sleep in and not even know it is there. I definitely need something that allows me to hear my daughter if she needs me. I need something that allows me to hear the phone (but ONLY if it is an emergency), or other sounds that will allow me to protect my family and myself. This filter NEEDS to drown out hubby's snoring. He snored last night and I am pretty grumpy today from lack of sleep. But I will even take listening to him snore if you can create something to drown out the munchkin's SUPER SUPER annoying aquarium in her crib. Honestly Santa, I thought the six-minute mode was bad. She had it on that mode one night and played the thing allllllllllllllllllll night long. Six minutes is a LONG time when it is played at 2, 215, 230, etc in the middle of the night.

However, somehow...some way...that thing now has a 12 minute mode. I know it is that long because I stared at the clock the entire 12 minutes wondering when that thing would stop making noise. I need these ear filters to drown that ANNOYING sound out but still allow me to hear her if she needs me. I know I could take her aquarium out of her crib, but that would not be a nice thing to do since she loves it so much! Plus, remember, I am trying to stay on the "nice" list. I usually try and remember to change the aquarium to a ear-friendly mode before she goes to bed but SOME HOW it does not stay there. SOME HOW that damn aquarium will bring me to my grave early and I really like being alive. I really LOVE my family even if I want to strangle my husband for being loud right now but they deserve a NICE mommy and a NICE wife. That is NOT going to happen if I don't get these ear filters.

So Santa...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help a woman out! Can you have your elves concoct something to drown out the annoying sounds but allow in the important ones? I REALLY don't want your helper reporting bad about ME next year so anything you can do would be VERY appreciated!!!

Thanks Santa! You are the best! Now I am going to go and count to ten before I get more grumpy. Maybe I'll count to 100.

Love always,

I Am Thankful For This Past Week..

I am thankful for a lot of things this past week!

Some are...

1. The fact that I got to see Phantom of the Opera for my third time! I LOVED it the first two times I saw it and I still loved it the third time I saw it! I am also thankful that Erik didn't hate it and he probably won't boycott Broadway as much in the future! :)

2. I am thankful that my husband bought me an awesome present for Christmas that I already get to use!!!!! An iPhone. Only draw back...I may need iPhone-anonymous. Those things are addicting!

3. I am thankful our tree is all done being decorated and we even have a few presents wrapped underneath! Emily is infatuated with the shatter-proof small ornaments on the bottom and I must admit...it is SUPER cute watching her take them off and run and squeal! :)

4. I am thankful that a friend of mine was able to help me out yesterday with some paperwork that needed to be served! She swears I helped her but I think she helped me more! :)

5. I am very thankful for the new client I got yesterday! With the economy and this time of year...things are slow! So I am VERY thankful for the new paying client!

6. I am thankful my husband took out the trash! This morning at 6 I heard the garbage man and panicked realizing I went to bed and the garbage didn't get taken out! As I peered out the window to see if the garbage man was on our side or the other side of the street...I saw our cans! Awwww! It's the little things like that that I love about my hubby!

7. I am SO very thankful that my daughter has almost transitioned to normal food! By normal food - I mean not solely dependent on a bottle! Yes, she is still taking a bottle and she is 15 months old! However, she dealt with some serious digestive issues early on that caused us to move A LOT slower than the average child does. I am SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO thankful that she has grown out of the issues - but we still have to take it slow. I am SO thankful that we are almost over the hill!!!! :)

8. I am thankful that I am feeling SO MUCH better than I was! I had the flu for a week straight! I didn't stop and slow down like I should have. I didn't rest at all - I was going going going every day. Every day until my doctor gave me some medicine to help with the vomiting and ordered me to rest that is!! The two days that Erik let me sleep all day long did WONDERS! I guess my doctor was right...again! :)

9. I am thankful that most of my shopping is done for Christmas! I only have a few more things to do - and then wrap them all! I am looking forward to doing the wrapping with my friend! We do it every year together. I just hope that this year we don't drink too much and only get four gifts wrapped (between the two of us) while we call people and take ridiculous pictures of ourselves!

10. And last but not least...I am so thankful that my 66 Christmas cards are done and in the mail! :) WOO HOO! :)



PS - Now it's your turn...what are YOU thankful for???

Thankful Tuesday!! :)

Welcome to Thankful Tuesday! I hope you will take the time to participate this week! It is a great feeling to stop and reflect on all the things you are thankful for! It can do wonders for a bad mood and can do wonders to remind you of the little things that sometimes we all take for granted!

So for this week's assignment...

Your topic is:

THIS WEEK. Meaning from last Tuesday to today - what made you thankful?

So what you do is simple...

1. Post a new blog listing ten things that you are thankful for in regards to this week's topic!

2. Be sure to link my blog somewhere in your post. (Shameless plug...I know!)

3. Come back later on in the day (after I have posted my post (which will probably be some time around 10 California time)) and sign Mr. Linky that will be at the bottom of my post. This will let everyone know you have participated.

4. Leave a comment for the person that signed above you (or if you are first, leave a comment for me).

5. If you are feeling generous, leave a comment for at least 3 people...or even more!

That's it! :) Pretty simple! Now get to work! ;)

Excitement In A Box...

So a while ago I was reading Momma Kiss' blog about new traditions and she mentioned the "Elf On The Shelf". I had never heard of it before but it sounded AWESOME!

The munchkin is obviously too young to understand it now - but I saw it in the store (and only thought they were online) and got all giddy (yes I said giddy)! I CAN'T wait for her to be old enough to understand! Hoping that will MAYBE be next year? We will have to see! :)

What is the Elf On A Shelf you ask??? Well...I will tell you!



Basically the Elf shows up (usually around Thanksgiving) and is one of Santa's helpers. He sits on a shelf (or anywhere you put him) and watches the kids to make sure they are behaving. Each night when the children go to sleep, he goes back to Santa and reports on how the children were all day. The next morning he is in a new spot and the children get to look for him! :)

The Elf can't talk to you and you are not allowed to touch him or he will lose his magic. He does, however, listen extremely well and takes notes for Santa. You even get to name the Elf yourself! :)

Now our Elf will hopefully be named next year. You are suppose to name him the first time he visits. I hope Emily names him something cool! I am sure I TOTALLY jumped the gun on buying him but I am all about traditions and all about the holidays and thought this would be a really fun thing to do for years to come!

In other exciting news...there is a giveaway over at
Kim's Keepings that I am hoping to win. It's for a book band! Yes, I admit it...I am a reading fool! I feel weird if I don't have a current book to read! With the munchkin always wanting to crawl up where I keep my book, and with Erik already losing my spot once because the bookmark fell out, I think this would be a great asset to my books! Oh, the littlest of things bring me great joy! I sure hope I win! :)

Saturday Thoughts...

All morning long I thought it was Sunday! I couldn't understand why my friend, and my mom, both had Christmas parties on a Sunday evening! It didn't make sense to me - but a lot of things around this time of year are so jammed packed that I didn't really question it.

I then found myself leaving a message for my sister-in-law about her cousin probably having her baby this weekend. I explain that it must be today since she put on her myspace message that it would be this weekend...and since it's Sunday...it must be today.

Then I called Erik to see if he would be home in time tomorrow so I can possibly get to the court first thing. He didn't answer but that is what I was going to ask him.

Then I realized...it's only Saturday!

I guess when you are sick and sleep two days in a row...that's what happens! It literally feels like I lost a few days from my life!

I have a huge list of things to do today...and I haven't accomplished hardly any of them.

I had down to wrap presents. I got two done so far. Wow.

I had down to get the Christmas cards ready...I haven't done that yet either. However, that does require some input from the hubby and since he is on shift, he's harder to get a hold of.

I had down to head to the mall. When I realized it was Saturday and not Sunday - I QUICKLY changed my mind. Not like Sunday would be less crowded...but in my mind I thought just maybe it would be!

I had down to send some pictures over to Costco for printing for my grandma when I go see her. I haven't done that yet either.

I had down to work on my other project for Christmas. However, it made me pretty sad last night working on it...so I have kind of stayed away from it today.

So as you see...I haven't accomplished much today. I did accomplish playing with the munchkin. I did accomplish her trying some ice cream with me - that she LOVED! I have been wanting to do that forever and since she has MSPI (milk/soy protein intolerance) I have been leery of it (plus she didn't want anything to do with it for a long time). But we tried it today and she loved it! It was awesome!!!

I also managed to R E S T. I realize I RARELY rest. In fact - I don't even think I know what "rest" means these days. I need my strength and I need to get myself healthy so that I don't manage getting sick again. So that's what I have done today!

Oh - and obviously...I have blogged today too!

So now I am off to wrap more presents, send some pics to Costco, and possibly work on my Christmas project!

What are all you up to today??

Fabulous Foto Friday!

So I am back - feeling better now! I literally slept the past two days away. I found myself at the doctor's who informed me that if I don't rest - I am never going to get rid of it. So that's what I did. I rested. I am SO thankful Erik was off so I could do that. The last two days have just flown by because...well...I slept through them! Thanks for all the well wishes!

So for Kimmy's Fabulous Foto Friday...here are the rules:

1. Post a special picture that you took during the week. If you have more than one that you want to post, that would be great also. It can be any kind of picture (i.e. funny, silly, weird, artsy, fun, whatever).

2. Write about what the picture is about and what it means to you.

3. Come back later and sign your name on Mr. Linky to share so we all can make our way to your blog and see your wonderful picture(s).

4. Be sure to comment on the person above you. If you want to comment on more than one person, I'd love that and I'm sure they would too! The more comments, the better :o)

So here are my pics from this week...:

Santa came down to the fire station to visit everyone and I took Emily down there to meet him!

"Look Sweetie...It's SANTA!"



"Yeah...I am not too sure about him!"



"HELP!!!"


"Mommmyyyyy!!!! Come get me!"


"Get away you big hairy man in a red suit!"


Mommy gave me a cookie so at least I am not bawling now...


This is better - away from the scary man!

SO over it!

So last night we went and saw Phantom of the Opera. It was AWESOME! That was my third time seeing it and Erik said he even enjoyed it!

We met for dinner prior to the show and I actually had a small appetite. I was thankful for that!

BUT...by the time we got home last night...I was sick again. Everything I ate came back up. Sucks. I think I slept for 2-3 hours last night because I kept running to the bathroom. :(

So today...I am going to see the doctor. I think it's the flu but the "advice nurse" said the symptoms I have only last 3-4 days and since it's been 7 for me, I needed to come in. :( Not sure what they can do - I honestly don't think they can do anything. We'll see.

I am SO over being sick - this is ridiculous. I just hope I can feel better soon!

If I am not blogging in the next few days - that's why - still sick! :(

Today I am Thankful...

Today's Thankful Tuesday is about...well...Today. What exactly am I thankful for today?

Let's see...

1. I am so very thankful that I woke up feeling a tad better. I've been battling this stomach flu/virus since last Wednesday evening and it has NOT been fun! So far today - I am thankful I have not had to run to the bathroom! :)

2. I am thankful that today is my friend's son's birthday! He turns 14 today! I CANNOT believe he is 14! I think I met him when he was 9! How does that happen! Nine seems like a decent age - 14 seems too old! Stop growing up!!!! But at any rate...HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. I am thankful that tonight I will get to go see Phantom of the Opera! I can't wait! This will be my third time seeing it!

4. I am thankful that I got a HUGE chunk of the Christmas project I undertook done!

5. I am thankful for my hubby hopefully buying me a new cell phone today!

6. I am thankful for my mother-in-law watching Emily tonight so Erik and I can go see Phantom with my mom and her friend! Although my mom and her friend will be there - it will be a MUCH needed break for us!

7. I am thankful that not only did I wake up for another day on this planet, but so did my husband and my daughter!

8. I am thankful that I kept my breakfast down this morning and was actually semi-hungry!

9. I am thankful for the laughter my daughter brought me this morning!

10. I am thankful for everyone in my life whether in person or via the internet!

Thankful Tuesday!

Welcome to Thankful Tuesday! I hope you all will take time to participate this week! It is a great feeling to stop and reflect on all the things you are thankful for! It can do wonders for a bad mood and can do wonders to remind you of the little things that sometimes we all take for granted!

So for this week's assignment...

Your topic is:

TODAY. Meaning what about today are you thankful for?

So what you do is simple...

1. Post a new blog listing ten things that you are thankful for in regards to this week's topic!

2. Be sure to link my blog somewhere in your post. (Shameless plug...I know!)

3. Come back later on in the day (after I have posted my post (which will probably be some time around 10 California time)) and sign Mr. Linky that will be at the bottom of my post. This will let everyone know you have participated.

4. Leave a comment for the person that signed above you (or if you are first, leave a comment for me).

5. If you are feeling generous, leave a comment for at least 3 people...or even more!

That's it! :) Pretty simple! Now get to work! ;)

Fabulous Foto Friday!!!!

So last night I came down with the wonderful flu. :| It started with a low fever of 100.1 and this morning I thought I was on the healing path since it was only 99.9. Fast forward a few hours and now it's up to 102.3. Boo.

I REALLY REALLY need to stop smoochin' on the munchkin when she isn't feeling well!

BUT since today is Kimmy's first ever Fabulous Foto Friday, I had to make sure to sign on to support her!

Here are the rules for Fabulous Foto Friday:

1. Post a special picture that you took during the week. If you have more than one that you want to post, that would be great also. It can be any kind of picture (i.e. funny, silly, weird, artsy, fun, whatever).

2. Write about what the picture is about and what it means to you.

3. Come back later and sign your name on Mr. Linky to share so we all can make our way to your blog and see your wonderful picture(s).

4. Be sure to comment on the person above you. If you want to comment on more than one person, I'd love that and I'm sure they would too! The more comments, the better :o)

--

So now that I read the rules - I already realize I am going to break them. I did take pictures during the week but I REALLY feel like SHIT doo-doo and don't feel like uploading them. BUT...doing a project I have for Christmas - I found some pictures I just LOVE and thought I'd share those!

They are of myself when I was a wee one and one of my brother and I. The first one of me by myself, I was Emily's age. Not sure how old I was in the other two!




I think Emily DOES look a tad like me! Some people swear she doesn't and just looks like Erik. But in these photos...I see her. We have a different one on our fridge that she looks like me too! What do you guys think???

Weekly Assignment

Back again this week for one of Mama Kat's weekly assignments! :)

The prompt this week tells me to:

Post and write about the 6th picture from (the 6th folder of?) your Flickr account and then do the same for the 6th picture of the 6th folder on your computer.

Silly me. I don't have a Flickr account. I guess I am not as cool as all you Flickr people. Honestly, I am not even sure what the heck Flickr is! Hmmmm. I assume a place to upload pictures?? Maybe upload and share pictures??? Okay...honestly...I should just shut my yap (err...stop my fingers???) before I make myself sound stupider! :)

At any rate...you will have to deal with the sixth picture from my sixth folder on my computer! :) Yeah I know...I am not following the rules but whatev!

So here is the picture:



Every time I see this picture it cracks me the heck up! We were at V. Sattui Winery doing some wine tasting with my cousin (before he got sober and became a member of AA) and his now ex-girlfriend. I believe this was our first stop, and in true Erik and Denise dorkiness...we decided to act silly while the picture was taken. We didn't necessarily plan on acting silly...it just happened! I sure miss those dorky times - those care-free-having-no-responsibilities-like-we-have-now-just-call-each-other-up-and-run-out-of-the-house-on-a-whim-and-spend-the-entire-day-and-night-doing-whatever-our-minds-came-up-with! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my life the way it is now...but sometimes...I sure miss those carefree days! :)

Since Mr. Linky is Back Up...

I wanted to thank everyone that participated in

yesterday!!! I know I asked you to leave comments because Mr. Linky was messed up and I appreciate all of you for doing so!

Since I don't want any of you to be missed - I thought I would list everyone that participated!

I encourage all of you that didn't participate - and those that did - to check out these amazing blogs and leave them comments!!!

I also would LOVE for you to join me in Thankful Tuesday next week if you'd like!!! :)

Also - I did start doing a Fun Foto Friday but since I am already doing Thankful Tuesday I thought I'd leave the "foto fun" to Kimmy! I hope you all participate! I am already getting my pictures ready! I have been scanning 395802358327035783014813058 pictures as part of a project I am doing so I have quite a few cute ones to share! So be sure to check out her page on Friday and join in the fun!

So, once again, thanks for participating yesterday and be sure to leave these people comments! :)

The Perfect Pen

Trina over at Trina's Place to Blog

Kimmy over at Our Lifes Journey

Serenity over at Russell Party of Five

Kristen over at Somethin' About Nothin'