P2P

PS3, Let’s Fight

Me and that thing?  Are about to fight.

It just irritates the fire out of me that you have to BEG Scott to turn the volume up on the TV normally.  I mean, literally, beg.  PLEASE, I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND THE WORDS COMING OUT OF THEIR MOUTHS.  I have to put the closed captioning on whenever possible just so I catch everything.  His ears are sensitive and he can’t handle it.  But last night after he hooked that thing up?  He had it up so loud that the bass was almost knocking my glass shelves off the wall in the bathroom.  I am not even joking.  What gives?

Also, it may irritate me a bit that he has barely left his recliner since getting it.

If I knew how to turn it in to this.  I would.

Except I wouldn’t be grilling whatever that is on the grill.  Gross.

P.S. I realize I’m being hypocritical and all since I rarely leave my computer.  Which this post pretty much confirms because I’m taking the time to post a picture of a PS3-turned-grill.  But just let me complain.  Please?  I have PMS and I’d rather not yell at him because he really is a great husband and deserves some fun time.  OK, whew, I feel better.  Therapy session OVER.

P.P.S. After he got off the game this morning he cleaned the whole kitchen and put in a load of clothes to “stay out of trouble”.  We might keep this thing after all.  Bwa ha ha ha.

P.P.S.  He’s playing again.

Christmas 2009

Totes, do you need a model?

We had a lovely Christmas Eve/Christmas with our families.  We spent Christmas Eve at Scott’s parents, Christmas morning at home and the afternoon at my parents. 

I was worried this year Emma (and consequently Lexi) would figure everything about Santa out.  But the only question she had regarding that on Christmas morning was whether Santa and the reindeer ate their cookies, milk and carrots.  And indeed they did.

Note the paper that says “reindeer carrots”.  Emma wrote Reindeer and Lexi carrots.  They were worried they wouldn’t know what they were for.

Check the full album out here.

Meet My Family – 1st Grade Style

I hate being the one that’s posting artwork from their children but this little booklet she did at school amused me.

“I have four people in my family.  My sister is five her name is Lexi mom Dad and me.”

“My mom is a computer worker.  My Pet is a dog.”

Riding bikes

“My Dad is a policeman (plesman).  We like to swim.”

Love how she spelled policeman.

At the pool…apparently I wear a bikini and Scott has pink trunks.  And Lexi is TINY.

“We like to go to Taco Bell.”

What can I say? The 7 year old nailed it.

Putting Together My “Crazy Love” Puzzle

I keep recommending Crazy Love by Francis Chan and I do recommend the book.  But I think there’s a bigger picture brewing that has me so excited about it.  I could start the story when I stood inside a Books a Million and spotted it on the shelves among other recommended books but I think I’ll start a few years back.

This is a long one but a good one…

Read more »

Life Jackets and Fishing Poles

If you remember, Lexi had issues with her life jacket last week.  Well this weekend we’re supposed to go visit an elderly couple who live on the lake.  They really want to take us out on their boat.  I really want to go out on their boat.  Lexi really didn’t want to go out on their boat.  Scott told her he would go buy her a life jacket if she would wear it on the boat.  Also, the girls wanted a fishing rod.  So last night we took the girls to Wal-Mart and got them Barbie fishing rods.  They had no life jackets so Scott took them to Target today and got those.

And today Scott taught them how to cast it.  I think that’s what you call it anyway.  I’m clueless about fishing!

Emma really, really…

got into it.

Then they got serious.  It was time to try out their life vests and try it out at the pool.

As green as our water is right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually caught something.

I think they eventually got the hang of it though. That looks about right…

Here are a few videos.  If you can’t see them, in one the girls are practicing in the front yard and the other I try my hand at it and utterly fail.  I’m a lot of things but a fisherman is not one of them.

Videos might not be done processing but I need to get to bed!

Anniversary Dinner

Tonight Scott and I celebrated our 11th Anniversary that is actually tomorrow.  A local radio station had a Half Off Gift Card.  Which trust me, really isn’t half off because tax and gratuity doesn’t count.  Anyway, it was at Ruth’s Chris and it was so, so good.  After last year’s big Grove Park Inn weekend, it seemed like a simple celebration with just dinner.  No movie, no ring, no spa but it was still fun.  And you can definitely tell we are past the honeymoon phase by our conversation…

Me: I’m going to burp in your face.
Scott: I don’t care.

Me (in jest): You got 11 years but I ain’t promising another 11.

Me: I love you, babe.
Scott: I love you too.  But I’m not giving you another ring.

Me: I want the chocolate explosion
Uh, I’ll spare you his reply

Scott: The kids want their room redid
Me: They’re not getting their room redid.
Scott: Honey!  It’s “redone”.  Hmph.  Embarrassing.

Me (referring to dessert): It was not that big last time
Scott: That’s what she said.

None of that may be funny to you.  But it was funny to me.  I love that he makes me laugh.

I may heart a lot of things.  I love my TV and my kids and my book and all my blogs but never doubt I heart Scott so. much. more.

And I can’t end this post without saying  I can’t quit thinking about the Ruth’s Chop Salad I had.  Yum!

Belated Birthday

So last Saturday was my birthday. I turned 31.  I was dreading 30 so much last year but I have to say it turned out to be one of my best years ever.  Turning 31 isn’t what I would call fun…I’m IN my 30s now instead of just being 30.  At the same time, I love who I am in my 30s so much more than in my 20s.  Here are just a few things I did this year:

• Visited Wilmington last year to start my 30th year off right.  Got to see some amazing One Tree Hill filming.
• Went to Grove Park Inn to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary
• American Idol concert where I had after-party passes
• Got voted into the Hot Blogger Calendar and had an amazing trip to NYC with Heather and Dani for the photoshoot.
• Went through the Twilight craze including winning a Premiere tickets and a chat with Catherine Hardwicke
• Went to the NKOTB concert
• I wrote my non-novel.
• Went to DisneyWorld
• Visited Wilmington AGAIN and got to meet more of the cast.
• Met Phil Stacey
• Saw Phantom of the Opera
• Many, many moments with my girls and husband I can’t even begin to link to.  Well, Emma starting Kindergarten and Lexi cutting her hair were a few highlights of the year.

Wow.  A lot of those are BIG things.  It’s been an amazing year.  On Friday night, we were at my aunt’s house for a cook-out.  She made a cake for my dad whose birthday is the 28th but he wasn’t there yet and she realized my birthday was Saturday so everyone sang Happy Birthday to me.  I know it wasn’t planned for me, but it’s the first birthday in a really, really long time that my grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins sang Happy Birthday to me.  On Saturday night we went out with my mom’s side of the family to Applebee’s.  They sang Happy Birthday to me there and also had cake at home.  I’m so very blessed!

On Birthdays, Politics and Toilets

Today is Scott’s birthday.  The girls are dying to have Scott a party even though Scott does not like parties and told me he didn’t want a party. I think he’s going to lose on this one.  I think the family will be coming over for some ice cream and cake.  And the girls may or may not have bought some balloons and noise makers for the occasion.

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Scott has somehow taken to politics.  Recently he’s been listening to talk radio.  At night he has been listening to Bill O’Reilly and right now we have the Sotomayor Hearings on and Scott is talking back to the TV.  It’s so very odd.  I guess that’s what middle-age does to you.

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The girls and I went to Dunkin Donuts per Scott’s birthday request this morning.  The radio was still on from my trip to Dani’s house last night.  I wasn’t paying much attention until I heard “Birthday Sex“.  I hate that song (yes, it’s a real song on the radio) but thought it was funny I heard it today….except when I hear Lexi chime in “Birthday checks!  Emma did you hear what they’re saying…Birthday checks, Birthday checks”.  Emma was like what is that??  Neither have ever heard the word “sex”.  I quickly turn it off and Lexi was all “Put it back on!!”  And I was all “NOooooo”.

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A friend of ours works at Lowe’s.  He gets deals on tools for Scott sometimes.  And guess what he randomly asked if we needed last night?  Toilets.  Yep.  $52 a piece.  Thank you, Lord.

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So Happy Birthday, Babe.  You get to pick up toilets and have a party…JUST what you wanted to do today.  Maybe we can watch some Bill O’Reilly and figure out those Birthday Checks tonight to make up for it.

Disney: Then and Now

I wish I had my Mom’s pictures of our visit to Disney when I was 7.  It’d be interesting to see in this post.  I’ve referred to it a few times, but Scott and I visited Disney in 2002.  What’s interesting is the day before we left, I found out I was pregnant with Emma.  I made the call to the OB to get my first appointment on the way to Florida Monday morning.  That’s the reason I didn’t ride Tower of Terror or Rock ‘n Rollercoaster or why I rode Space Mountain for the first time after three visits last week.

I thought it’d be interesting to compare a few pictures.

Here I am at Animal Kingdom in 2002.  Emma is there and she’ll tell you she’s in my tummy.

Now here is Emma and I at Animal Kingdom this year:

It’s kind of odd how similar my outfit and even hair is.  Except now that baby in my tummy is outside and 6 years old!

Here is Scott and I (are Scott and I? is me and Scott?) (and Emma) at the Tree of Life in 2002:

Here we are this year without the kids:

Wow, you can really tell where Scott lost 25 lbs!

and with them:

Kind of cool to see the changes in our family!

Do They Ever Grow Up? Really??

We got HD hooked up today from DirecTV.  Scott was sitting in the living room on the ottoman looking through the channel guide getting excited over the possibilities of watching How It’s Made in HD and…

Scott: Come here.

Me: I’m working.

Scott: Come herreeee and sit with me please.

I walk over and sit beside him, even lay my head on his shoulder and look at the channel guide with him.  I’m expecting him to explain all the great channels we got in HD and…

Scott with a grin: You smell that?

#%O*&#(*U

Where is Edward Cullen when I need him?

Kelly’s Wedding

So today was the big shebang.  And I really hope no one in these pictures mind their pictures on here…lol.  The wedding was really, really beautiful.   You could tell these two were just giddy in love and so ready to do this thing.  After 10 years of marriage, it almost made me want to barf lol.  Ok, just kidding.  It was great to see that excitement in two people.  It’s a rare thing these days.

The decorations, food, singing, even the people were all beautiful.  Kelly and Brandon have some very pretty family and friends.  The rain even held off for them until the very end.

And without further adieu, here are some pictures.  First off, let’s take a look at the fashion for the day.  Because last night Heather, Scott and I had to run out and buy the girls new dresses because the ones I brought just didn’t cut it.  So we went with the purple theme of the wedding.  It paid off actually.  Here are my little princesses:

And here is the dress I bought from the Dress Barn the other day when we went shopping. I also found those very cute hot pink pumps and matching bracelet at the mall yesterday.  Emma took this picture. You can see we were laughing  about it.  I think she did well.

So let’s get started with the ceremony!  The two say their vows.  I did get a little teary-eyed during this.  He honestly was the most earnest groom I’ve ever heard give his vows.  So sweet.

The lighting of the unity candle…two become one.

It’s official…

Between the ceremony and reception Amy takes a minute to check in on email on the beloved iPhone (did I mention my MOM got one and I just set it up tonight?!  Wish I had THAT training session on video).  Can’t lose a minute.

The cake (and cutting).  They were too very nice to each other during the exchange.

We all take some time during the reception to grab some family photos.  Mom took this one of Heather and I.

We grab one with our cousin Amber.  Isn’t she gorgeous??

All my girl cousins on my Dad’s side.  We’re second generation of Nana’s girls.  I wish I had a picture of us growing up at Christmas to post and compare.  We always got our pictures taken together.

And finally, the two newlyweds grab a kiss towards the end of the reception.

Congratulations, Kelly and Brandon!

Kelly’s Wedding Day

Today’s the big day.  We’re already pressing dresses, picking out accessories, drying hair and getting emotionally prepared for today’s wedding of my cousin.  Somewhere in this city a bride is getting her hair done, the groom is going to get in his tux and today they get to say I Do.  I congratulate both of them and pray God blesses their marriage.   And ditto to what Heather posted.

Look what I found in the hammock today

Yes, she’s asleep and if you notice, she’s holding his thumb.  So sweet.

Heather’s Hot Mess

Nothing like money to motivate my sister!  I suggested she start a blog so she could help herself out of debt a little quicker with PPP and bam, 2 minutes later, she’s starting her own blog.  Well, I don’t care why she started one, I think she’s a really funny writer and I’m excited we all get to read her now.  So go visit Heather’s Hot Mess and give her some really good comment love!

Update on Dad

Heather and I went up to the hospital today for Dad’s catheter.  After only 45 minutes back there, they came to tell us they were done with putting the stent in which we weren’t expecting until tomorrow.  He had 85-90% blockage in his main artery but the others looked ok.  He is in recovery now and we’re home for a little bit until they get in a room and we can take the girls up.  He’s doing really well now, already wanting to come home. That’s when the hard part starts though…taking his medicine every day, exercising and eating right…(right, Dad?!).

Thanks for all the prayers, we appreciate every single one.