GIFTS

Well - we have started our Christmas shopping - and i must say - it doesn't seem like we get as much for our $ as we used to - I feel extra stressed lately - when i should be JOYFUL in my gift giving - i find myself a little down about it - i am praying that God will give me peace about it - seems like i just don't want to spend $$$ -- i think i am always worried that something is going to happen - like the fridge will go out -- or something on the a/c will go out (this one happens a lot - so it seems) you know what i mean - those big ticket things that you never plan for - and it is not only the money spending that has me anxious but the wondering if the gift RECEIVER will like the gift -- ok so "like" isn't what i am shooting for - I want them to LOVE it -- I want it to give them the "awwe" feeling -- the "this person really cared enough to pick something for me" feeling -- Maybe i am just putting to much pressure on myself -but for me Christmas is the only time i really get GIFTS -- my family and my husbands' family always give $ for birthdays and such (which almost always goes toward some extra bills) - so i guess when i am shopping i just want to get them something EXTRA SPECIAL --

What are your CHRISTMAS SHOPPING stresses or joys?

Halloween

ok -- i know this is late - but honestly, i have tried to post it several times - blogger must have a bone to pick with me or somethin :(

so here are my CUTIE PIE KIDDOS -- super duper cute aren't they ???

Makenna was Little Red Riding Hood (although i don't think i got one single picture of her with the hood on/up) and Noah ended up being a Storm Trooper - Originally he was going to be the BIG BAD WOLF - but somehow that was lost in translation and he thought i said he could be a werewolf - once he realized i wasn't going to budge on the WEREWOLF thing - he decided to be the STORM TROOPER -- but i must say - i didn't mind the change because i was having trouble finding a BIG BAD WOLF costume anyway - It was kind of strange because this is the first year he really wanted to be something SCARY - while searching Target online he was picking the zoombies and the grimm reaper costumes -- SCARY --

does this mean my little boy is growing up?

question for you: DO YOU LET YOUR KIDS WEAR SCARY COSTUMES FOR HALLOWEEN??

Excuses

This weekend God taught me a Great lesson
it started by me needing to go on a Retreat
for work -- kind of like a training weekend
from Friday thru Saturday -- I really didn't
want to go -- I had been under the weather
and was coming up with every excuse to skip
out on the event
>didn't want to leave my kids - after all heath
and i had just spent the previous weekend
alone and i MISSED my kiddos
>didn't want to mess with the hassle of taking
the kids to my sister in laws - driving in traffic
to drop them off and them having to drive back
through traffic to pick them up
>didn't want to do laundry before the weekend
just so I would have clean clothes to wear to
this retreat - and the house looked disasterous
>didn't want to share a bed with people i work with
i don't like sharing beds with people (except for my
hubby that is) just seems WEIRD to me
>didn't know if i would LIKE one of my roomates
(very UNchristian of me HUH)

I could go on and on I had it all worked out in my head
I didn't NEED to go - It was going to be horrible
but you know what -- IT WASN'T HORRIBLE - It
was great - and God really should me that HE is in
CONTROL - (he shows me this A LOT - but i am a
little hard headed, if you know what i mean) The
kids were fine and had a great time with their cousins
the house didn't fall apart - and in fact it looked better
when i got home than when i left -- THANKS BABE --
Heath was able to come home to drive the kids there
My roomates were great and i really enjoyed getting
to know them better (hopefully i won't be so quick to
judge from now on) and just for kicks He provided
me with my own FOLD OUT SOFA -- I didn't have
to share a bed with a stranger after all --

GOD is GREAT even in the LITTLE things - like fold
out sofas

Anniversary cont.

these are the flowers
my hubby got me for
our anniversary
isn't he SWEET!

9 years together

Today Heath and I have been married for 9 years.

WOW

today i was thinking about how drastically my life has changed in the past 10.5 years that we have been together - all we have been through - the death of my son, Aasin- our marriage at such a young age - the birth of our son Noah and our daughter Makenna - accepting CHRIST as my Lord and Savior - moving around so much ;) - all of our financial ups and downs - and the regular day to day stuff - trying to make time for each other - as well as time for our FAMILY -

when i think about the number 9 i can't even believe it -- I can remember being married for 3 years - but sometime after that it seems we must have hit a time warp -- NINE - that is a big NUMBER -- 9 -- WOW -- where did it go -

no matter what the number I can say this -- i love my husband more today than i did NINE years ago when i said "I DO" -- and if you would have asked me on that day - "could you possibly LOVE heath anymore tomorrow than you do today" my answer would have been "NO WAY -- it isn't possible for me to love him anymore" - but see that is what is so amazing - Not only did GOD bless me with Heath and his love for me - but he blessed ME with LOVE - a love for HIM - a love for Heath - and a HAPPINESS that I thought I would never feel

so here is to Happily Ever After --
No matter what

"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9

54 hours

54 hours ? what does that mean you ask ??
the number of HOURS that my husband and I spent ALONE this weekend --

Our Anniversary (9th) is on Wednesday and we were supposed to go to a beach house in galveston (that was cancelled at the last second) so instead of just scraping the whole thing we decided we would have our romantic getaway at our VERY OWN HOUSE -- IT WAS FABULOUS --

I couldn't believe that heath had made all the Beach House plans by himself -- (it wasn't his fault it was cancelled) He arranged for childcare - someone to feed the dog and the turtle -- EVERYTHING -- I was IMPRESSED -- and so thankful -- so even though we didn't do what he had planned (he was more upset about it than i was) I was SO THANKFUL that he put some thought and effort into it -

We really did have a blast -- after all -- we know where the BEST RESTURANTS are here -- and all the great SHOPS --etc. We rented several movies and just cuddled and slept in -- went to the mall -- just did whatever we FELT LIKE DOING --

I so missed him when he went to work today -- bummer - back to the REAL WORLD i guess

The kids had a great time at the in laws -- they were able to spend their allowance $ - and they made carmel apples - went to the park --

Whoo Hooo

I FREAKIN WON SOMETHING from CK

http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/contests/files/contest.207.html

So excited -- I haven't won anything on CK before and I am always entering their give aways ---- FUN --

bummer

bummer

just read that Rhonna is closing her blog - Cathy Z already shut hers down and Tara is no longer a Garden Girl at 2peas -- WHAT IS THIS WORLD coming to???

- GASP -

These ladies have all inspired me in so many ways. I will for sure miss stalking Rhonna and Cathy on their blogs, and I will SO MISS seeing Tara's creations at 2peas.

Thanks Ladies

myspace

finding so many old friends on myspace -- where have i been?? -- and why didn't i sign up sooner?

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=118716171

Stop this Train

Layout I did last week

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1002301

Friday - Saturday

I have been horrible about keeping up with my blog lately - SORRY

Friday -- had a WW meeting -- gained 0.4 pounds but i am thinking it was just the CLOTHES ;) seriously - we had a 75 degree day and i had a long sleeve shirt on and pants instead of my usual sleeveless shirt and gaucho attire -- that could be it, RIGHT?? really though i am getting so frustrated measuring out EVERYTHING -- takes up a lot of TIME - and as a working MOMMY i don't have lots of that to spare -
after the meeting Molly and i spent the day together -- I AM SO THANKFUL that God has brought us together - she is a great friend and we are having so much fun together -- and no i am not saying this because she bought me a starbucks coffee on friday ;) we ended up getting the kids off the bus and playing down at her house - and we all had dinner together - and can i just say that her hubby did some amazing work in the kitchen -- i was seriously impressed -- KUDOS to you MIKE!

Saturday -- nothing out of the norm -- heath had to work and i read A LOT -- and tried to do some laundry - straightened up the house -- nothing to exciting

RECAP

Friday 10-6 -- went to Weight Watchers meeting - lost 1.6 pounds - not bad - would have liked to loose more but i am not complaining - at least i lost and didn't gain -- rode 6 miles on my bike -- WOW -- making my total for the week 26miles

Saturday 10-7 my nephew stayed the night with Noah -- they played so well together - not one single disagreement -- HEATH WAS OFF of work - enjoyed having him home with us

Sunday 10-8 - heath bought shipley donuts -- can you say SABATOGE-- bought me two MAPLE DONUTS my fav -- i couldn't resist - after all if i didn't eat them they would go to waste -- no one else likes maple -- POINTS are RUINED for the day -- i couldn't even find out how to look up the point in the book -- THAT MUST BE A BAD SIGN ;)

Monday- 10-9 kids were out of school -- PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE DAY -- it went very well -- Makenna scored 100% on her bench mark tests and Noah wasn't very far behind her -- Teachers had nothing but positives to say about the kids -- WOW -- that is a GREAT FEELING -

Tuesday - 10-10 WORK -- came home with a little headache that turned into a migraine - went to bed at 6 pm and didn't get up until 6:30 the next morning -- OUCH

Wednesday - 10-11 WORK -- usual day -- made the kids chili dogs for diner and then realized i couldn't / didn't want to eat them -- the hot dog itself had 5 points - not counting the bun or the chili and cheese(the good stuff) -- :( -- i really wanted that darn CHILI DOG -- so i ended up eating 5 points worth of DARK CHOCOLATE hershey kisses -- i should have just eaten the freakin hot dog

also did a layout on Monday -- here is the link if you would like to check it out http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?gallery=1&cmd=display&layout_id=1002301

Happy Birthday Nicole

to one of my very BESTEST friends
I wish you a lifetime of BLESSINGS and HAPPINESS
I luv ya girl!!!

I am STILL HERE ;0)

I am still here
Heath has been working a lot of hours
several open to close shifts -- but almost
always CLOSING so he isn't here at all until
the kids are in bed asleep
Which is HARD for THEM and ME (and i am sure it
is tough on Heath too -- I am really starting to feel it
- I am a little run down -- I guess there are times like
this that make me think "Heath giving the kids their BATHS is a
BIG DEAL " I really miss him being here in the evenings

Makenna is really testing me lately -- she seems to ask WHY anytime i say something she doesn't like -- URGHHH -- That is SO disrespectful - so hopefully today I made it clear that saying "WHY" is the same as ARGUING / and is TALKING BACK -- we shall see ;0)

Noah had a tough time on the bus today - he is feeling lonely and even told me he was "all alone - just like a MONK" where does he get these things - i just don't know but we talked through it - hopefully tomorrow will be easier for him

I am going to Weight Watchers tomorrow -- EEEEKK --- nervous about weighing in --- I feel off the wagon last week end as far a food is concerned but i have rode my bike 4 times this week already - going 4 miles every night -- but today i went during the day before the kids got off the bus and i only did 2 miles -- it was +90 degrees so i am thinking it was still ok -- i was dying out there in that heat -- OUCH --

OKRA -- and BIKES

tonight at LUBY'S
i offered my daughter some fried OKRA - because she
said her "green beans tasted funny" - which really meant
that she didn't want them because she was eyeing her
strawberry cheese cake - :D

any way -- she said "No thanks, Mom, I don't like Oprah"
and the funny thing is that she really thinks that it is called OPRAH
TOO CUTE!!!
I think I see a OKRA scrapbook page in my future ;)

as for Noah - well he has learned to ride a bike ---
STOPPING and TURNING are another story ;) -- he hasn't gotten
those down yet -- to stop he slows down and just bails off the bike altogether and when he turns he doesn't always keep pedaling -- so the bike slows down and just sort of tumps over -- he is so cute though and just so EXCITED -- Heath has worked with him 2 different times for about 30-60 minutes each time -- I really thought it would take longer for him to get the balance thing down - but it just goes to show HE can do all things through CHRIST --- SO STOKED for him -- this is a really big deal for a little boy - any little boy - but I think it may be just a little more important to my little boy - a boy who happens to have Tourette Syndrome - So CONGRATULATIONS to you, NOAH, my dear sweet boy - and not to worry - you will soon learn to STOP and TURN the bike too -- I just KNOW it

CONGRATS to you ASHLEE

My Super Artsy friend ASHLEE won the first Challenge on the Autumn Leaves ColorBlog

here is the link to view her awesome Layout
http://www.autumnleaves.com/colorBlog/2006/09/our-challenge-1-winner-is.html

Season of Change

Today the air was cooler
and it was so refreshing
Heath and I enjoyed a one
mile walk together after the
kids went to school
Just walking and talking
and sharing
It was REALLY NICE

I opened the windows today
and let in the delicious fresh
air - it was so cool and uplifting

The breeze was gentle and
all day I witnessed God's
CREATIVITY -- from the
leaves on the tree in
Mr. Tuckers yard that
are turning a VIVACIOUS
YELLOW to the PALE PURPLE
morning glories that continue
to grow in my front flower bed
no matter how many times i pull
out the vine (not sure why i keep fighting
them) ;) It has been a BEAUTIFUL DAY

I am really feeling a sense of change - and
i don't mean just the change of SEASONS
from SUMMER to FALL but more like
I am in a SEASON of CHANGE

things are really different now that
we moved back
Not BAD different - just different

I think I imagined we would just pick up
were we left off but i am finding that that
isn't what GOD has planned --

Even our old Small Group at church
has disbanned and everyone is joining
OTHER groups (we were in this group
since 2001 so it seems really
weird right now)

I am also finding myself missing
my MOPS group as well (mothers of preschoolers)
but now that Noah and Makenna are both in school
I don't really FIT anymore -- ;) and since we aren't
having anymore children - well, you can see
where i am going with this -- ;)

I really feel like I am on the edge of something
- not sure what it is but I feel like GOD is
preparing me for something - PREPARING
ME FOR CHANGE ---- I am
excited to see what HE unfolds - HE never
ceases to AMAZE me --

"Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all
sleep, but we shall all BE CHANGED..."
1 Corinthians 15:51

BLESSINGS to you all

Happy Birthday Momma

Happy Birthday Momma
I love you so much !!!

Magic Mommy Wand

now that Makenna is SICK -
i am starting to think we have some
serious STREP COOTIES in the house
can we say CLEAN LINEN LYSOL

makenna got sick on Monday night and was vomitting every few hours during the night - i thought it was some sort of stomach virus but she couldn't keep anything down on tuesday - so i called her doctor's office and left a message for a nurse to call me - when they finally called me back 6 hours later (6:00 p.m.) the nurse said to bring her in because some of the other kids with strep have been vomitting as well- she had a doctor apt today -- SHE HAS STREP TOO -- she seemed to be feeling better and even ate a little today around 3 (she wouldn't eat dinner though) - but then tonight she started vomitting again -- i felt so bad for her - i am sure you moms know how hard it is when one of your children are sick -- they cry and beg and plead for you to fix it - to make them better - Makenna was crying saying "Mommy what will make it stop? I don't want throw up to come out of my nose - it hurts" --- I REALLY wished i could WAVE my "magic mommy wand" and take it all away -- so tonight i am thinking -- I REALLY NEED THAT FREAKIN' WAND -- if any of you know where we sign up to receive one -- let me know would ya

Noah LO

this is a picture of Noah
isn't he ADORABLE
i used the GO FISH kit
that came in this months
TSR shipment
www.scrap-room.com

Sleeping Beauty LO

pic is of Makenna

Freestyle Flowers

this is of Makenna on her 6th Birthday --
Layout was inspired by one done
by DANIELLE THOMPSON
( she ROCKS!)

Pretty Is LO

did this layout for an ALI EDWARDS CHALLENGE on TSR

Sweet Slumber LO

Heath and Makenna

did this for an ELSIE challenge #5 (Embellish a Floral Accent) on TSR - www.scraproom.com

SUPER VIRUS

Ok so after another trip to the doctor I found out that I must have some sort of SUPER strep VIRUS -- because the last round of antibiotics didn't kill it -- so now another prescription $$$ and co-pay later $$$ - maybe i can finally KICK this thing --

But on a positive note - my mother in-law made us some killer chicken and dumplings with corn bread -- YUM YUM

Thursday's Thoughts

STREP THROAT is kicking my butt

-- found out i had strep throat yesterday and am now missing my second day of work - I HATE MISSING WORK -

then while Heath was cooking dinner last night (he did this cause i was sick) the oven CAUGHT ON FIRE -- (we think it was just from grease or something) anyway - i realized we didn't have a fire extinguisher - GO OUT AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF THESE - so Heath ran next door for an extinguisher and i took the kids outside - heath was able to put the fire out - my son was FREAKING out - dd was just wanting to know when the FIRE TRUCK was coming - anyway black smoke was everywhere - (it is a good thing we have two sets of french doors in the family room -which is connected to the kitchen) we just opened the doors - turned on some fans and watched as the smoke and dust from the fire extinguisher billowed out of the house --- Anyway the kids went to my in-laws house and we began CLEANING - which took about 4 hours - so the kids came home and took a bath and were in bed at 9 their usual bedtime is 8 at the latest - so lets just say we had a hard time getting them off to school today -

so today i think i feel worse than YESTERDAY - and had a fever AGAIN this morning

and on top of all of that i am so stressed about money lately -- YUCK -- i wish we could go back to BARTERING

ok i am through whining -- thanks for listening

SICK

I really dislike being sick
FEVER / headache / Sore throat
and just feeling YUCKY

fever finally broke tonight at around 9:30pm -- feeling a little better - well, enough to check out a few blogs and TSR anyway -

9-11

9-11
I can't believe it has been five years.
today made me stop and think for a
while about several BIG DAYS in my
life - where i was - what i was doing

The Challenger - OKC Bombing -The
Car Accident that Claimed My Son's
Life - Princess Di's Death - Sept. 11 -

today i took a step - a step to regain
control over my weight -- I went to
a Weight Watchers meeting - and let
me just say the it wasn't anything like
what i had imagined - but then again
what i was imagining was something
like a boxing match where the announcer
says in a booming voice "IN THIS CORNER
WEIGHING IN AT A WHOOPING ___
lbs. HEAVYWEIGHT SHAWNNA _____"
lets just say i was TERRIFIED
but it was ok - and it really seems like something
HEALTHY that i can do - no more fad diets for
me - this is something that i could do forever

Curriculum Night -- Very happy that BOTH
of the kids teachers had nothing but PRAISES
for my kids -- THAT WAS AWESOME

A WHOLE WEEK

i can't believe it has been a whole week since i blogged -- OMGoodness -- i have been such a BAD BLOGGER -- SHAME ON ME --- ;)

things of course have been busy - still trying to find me groove -- if you happen to see it running around - please send it home to me --

on a positive note -- LAUNDRY is almost CAUGHT UP -- Heath helped me out last night - he did a load of dishes and several loads of laundry -- What a GREAT husband i have -- LOVE that GUY -- he helps me out a ton -- i usually have to ask - because like most guys HE CAN'T SEE DIRT - so he doesn't just do something because it NEEDS to be done - but if i ask him for help he always lends a hand -- :D

also this weekend is the online crop at the scrap room -- www.scrap-room.com - it is from 4pm - 12am - friday and saturday -- we have lots of "classes", challenges, and of course games and prizes -- My class has to do with FLOWERS and is tonight from 10-12 so stop in and say HI would ya -- ;)

Friday

I made it - it is finally FRIDAY --
today I have to clean the house and i
am hoping to clean the carpets - and
hopefully manage to FINISH the laundry
that i have been "working" on ALL WEEK
So now that i am adorned with my GRUBBY
CLOTHES -- the CLEANING MUST BEGIN
after i blog of course ;)

Actually I don't really have much to say
but i will continue to ramble if it means
a few more minutes without having to
scrub toilets -- Do you ever find yourself
blogging for no apparent reason - without
anything SPECIAL to say - just to get out
of something that will still be waiting for you
once you publish the post you are working on-
If so, well, I guess we have something in common

2 cute things my kids said last night

Noah -- asked if he could have a WHOLE soda
and said that he once DRANK a whole soda at
grandmommy's house - and that is how he new
he was a REAL man - cause the TEST of a true
man is being able to drink a WHOLE CAN OF
COKE A COLA

Makenna - after opening a fortune cookie she asked
me to read the fortune - it said WELCOME CHANGE-
so what does my little girl do - she holds out her hand
and says - BRING ON THE MONEY -- (both kids just
started earning an allowance so she is all about money lately)

Hope you all have a SAFE and FUN holiday
weekend

blessings
:D