It's Been a Wild Ride

To all my loyal readers who have witnessed the highs and lows of November, we have made it! Thank you for listening to me whine, cry, cheer, scream, rejoice, etc. The end has come, and I would REALLY like to forget this month ever occured, but if I were to erase November from my mind, I would have to erase all the wonderful acts of kindness that also occured. From my house to yours, here's hoping that December is much brighter!

Online Shopping FREAK!

OK, so most of you know about my fear of people ringing my doorbell. I hate when people come to my door, I will most likely NOT ANSWER if you show up unannounced, and you will hear us all inside trying to be TOTALLY QUIET! However, after being stuck inside for almost four days, with no chance to get to any stores on Black Friday, I finally caved and started online shopping. First, I started buying things for those who live out of town. I don't know why I try to buy anything and mail it, it is soooooooooo much easier to ship from the site DIRECTLY to their house! So, I made a few purchases! Then, I started to feel a little down, not that I don't LOVE giving and all, but I wanted something to look forward to at my house (HOW RAPIDLY MY FEAR SUBSIDES AFTER BEING STUCK IN A HOUSE WITH CRABS ALL WEEKEND)! Please let the UPS/FedEx man/woman be friendly, someone with a smile, someone that DOES NOT HAVE SWINE FLU! So, I make a few purchases. You know what I did, I started using up the gift cards that I still have in my wallet from last Christmas. Got the kids some clothes, bought a few gifts for my family, ordered some gift cards, renewed my grandpa's POGO subscription (I figured it was just easier since I set it up to log on and insert my card number than trying to have him do it!) Seriously, it was ADDICTING! AND YOU KNOW WHAT, I got to do it all from the privacy of my own home, most came with free shipping, and I was wearing my pajamas the whole time. I think I even earned a Disney dollar or two! So from this home to yours. . .Merry Christmas and HAPPY SHOPPING!

What Swine Flu Looks Like

It looks like a REALLY BAD COLD! You have a temperature, and you have a TERRIBLE COUGH that doesn't go away for DAYS AND DAYS ON END!!! I was confused as to what Swine Flu "looked like", but now that I know, I could spot it a mile away!!!

What the Nurse/Doctor Means. . .

when (s)he says:

"You will be able to run a marathon the next day!" TRANSLATION: After the excruciating pain that you will endure for 6-8 hours after the procedure, you should wake up the next morning and tend to your two children, just like always, almost just as though you gave birth!

"Don't do any housework for 4 weeks!" TRANSLATION: As long as your husband and daughter don't come down with swine flu, you should get a good amount of rest and relaxation. If they do get swine flu, pick up and carry on as though you never had a painful procedure, and a procedure in which it is important NOT to stretch the bladder muscles.

"You won't throw up more than three hours after the anesthesia!" TRANSLATION: BULL SHIT!

I can't think of anything else that is funny. This is so not funny to me. Pat has told me that I am not a silver lining person. He is wrong! I do see the silver lining, the kids are able to get the treatment they need to get better, the friends and family have come out of the woodwork, I got to spend Thanksgiving in my pajamas which are my favorite thing, I learned that the surgery may have worked because I now know that I can throw up without peeing myself, and there are many others. I do see the silver lining, and I know that it is there, but not for one second does that stop the tears from falling! Pat and I have FAILED miserably this weekend to work as a team, it makes me sad, but really I don't know how else to do it. I just had surgery. I am supposed to be lying in bed. Nothing went according to my plan, and anyone who knows me, knows that I hate when that happens!

Thankful

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We have absolutely SO MUCH to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. While Jackson is staying with my mom, and Pat and Tyler recover from their diseases, and I recover from surgery, the outpouring of love and support is ABSOLUTELY incredible. Friends have listened to me sob on the phone, sent text messages checking up on all of us, offered food, grocery shopping, invitations to their home for Thanksgiving, etc. I know that we are not having a "traditional" Thanksgiving this year, but I know that we are doing what is best for our family. I miss my little Jackson more than words can express on this holiday day, but I know that to him tomorrow will be Thanksgiving, and one day we will all forget about this "not so traditional" Thanksgiving. To each and every one of you that have sent me a comment, email, text message, phone call, etc. It really warms my heart, and your care has not gone without notice. Just a pic of my sickie, she is still beautiful!



NOW, who is going to wait in line for me at Walmart tomorrow to get the smoking deals I have been eyeing in the ad!!??

Tyler

She is now diagnosed with swine flu and strep throat!

Pat is on his way to a CVS Clinic because no doctor can see him.

I am going to cry myself to sleep because my head is pounding, and I can't really do anything to help! If I end up with swine flu next week, HEADS WILL ROLL!

Surgery

THE MOST PAINFUL DAY of my life!

Just as soon as I find my camera. . .

I will have a picture of Tyler's cheek bone incident. . .more to come!



OK, so the picture doesn't even do it justice, it has change colors about a million and one times, it was nasty, but it is healing nicely!

Christmas Movies

I LOVE Christmas Movies. Lifetime, Big Screen, Hallmark, ABC Family, whatever! I have about 12 on my DVR right now waiting to watch. Pat is a good sport about it, and he watches them with me, but really, I think he would just watch Badder Santa each and every time if that were an option! I even taped Richie Rich's Christmas the other day and made the kids watch it with me, telling them it was a Christmas Movie for Kids! I am desperate to see Santa Baby 2 coming out in December on ABC Family.

What's your favorite Christmas must see!!!!????????

2006

Some people don't accomplish nearly the amount of things that "we" accomplished in 2006. (AND, I just wanted some of you to laugh at my blond hair!!)

ANNOUNCED 2nd Pregnancy



ATTENDED Two Day Wedding Extravaganza for Katie and Paul while PREGGO!



WATCHED Pat give speech at said Extravaganza after gaining about 20 pounds!




TRAVELED to Saint Louis



ATE the yummiest Easter Brunch ever, and watched Pat gain some more weight!




GRADUATED from Law School




MOVED to Anthem



(here's the full belly if you must see me less than 2 months before giving birth!)



PASSED the AZ Bar Exam-sadly I don't have a picture of this momentous event!

GAVE birth to darling Tyler!



SAW Rachael Ray in person at Ghetto Mills Mall!



LEARNED that Tyler had eyes only for Daddy back in the day!



MET the Anthem Santa for the first time!

And Now for a Sappy Moment!

I know that Pat and I have not been able to have kids for over a year now, but CORRECT THAT, Pat hasn't been able to have kids for over a year now, but I COULD! Not that I was planning on running off to have some kids with Justin Timberlake, but as of this coming Tuesday, I can't run off with Justin to have his babies. I know, I know-what are the chances, BUT a girl can dream!!!!!!! Right!??????

I DON'T want more kids, I can barely handle the two I have, and we are SOOOOOOOOOO BLESSED, so blessed, some people would love to have a boy and a girl, the boy first so that he can look out for his younger sister (some people think this way, I don't really care), and Jackson does that, he is GREAT, really!!!!! SOOOOOoooooooo, why do I seem sooooooooooo incredibly sad about this stage of my life coming to an end??? I really probably can't have more kids anyway, we tried, biggest blessing of my life was NOT getting pregnant. . .tried for a year, it was NOT meant to be!

BUT, I read all these blogs, see all these people getting pregnant, read about the people who CANNOT get pregnant, and it makes me wonder about what life with a third child would be like. I thought Jackson and Tyler were the most beautiful babies in the world (well, Tyler was kind of scary and scrawny, and I didn't really know what to do with her 7 pound 3 ounce self after all of Jackson's 9 pounds 9 ounces, but she "chubbed" up a little and got cute, now she's gorgeous, so really it all evens out in the end!), but I see other blogs, and really ALL babies look like my babies, so they are beautiful. It reminds me of all the FANTASTIC clothes, the smells, the first smile, step, tooth, etc. WHY DON'T THEY REMIND ME OF THE BAD? Being up all night, never sleeping, fighting with your husband because they don't know how to help (OMG, that still happens, does it ever stop!), the crying, the whining (still ongoing), not being able to eat real food, never leaving the house without fifteen changes of clothes, POTTY TRAINING, etc.

I may have just reminded myself of all the reasons why there is no baby 3, but it still breaks my heart, just a little, to think about never having a baby in the house again. It makes me smile a little though to think about the fact that the two little loves in my life, even with all their drama, illness, whining, crying, issues, etc, still make me tear up, thinking about the fact that they nor any other child will be a baby in this house, EVER AGAIN!



Oooooh, and how can I forget my Grandma, and how if you have a baby in the state of AZ, she will come sit in your hospital room for HOURS, just holding the baby so that you can sleep, watch TV, eat, whatever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I know that the procedure will improve my quality of life, or at least I hope, but it doesn't go unnoticed that these are the last of my precious babies!

Yummie Tummie Hip Length Shapewear Tank

This perfect-for-layering tank is actually shapewear! Everyone is talking about Yummie Tummie. The Tank flawlessly slims your midsection. Go ahead. Wear it under your favorite tops. It'll look great as it camouflages lumps and bumps! Body-conscious, shaping tank top. 100% cotton fabric, spandex tummy panel. Slick fabric will not cling to clothes. Tummy panel firmly shapes and smoothes bustline to hips. Moisture-wicking, keeps you feeling cool and dry. Elongated design, will not roll up. Tagless for comfort. Hip length and designed to be perfect for layering. Available Colors: Black, Chocolate,... Ivory, Navy, Nude, Pale Blue, Pale Pink, Salmon, White Available Sizes: LARGE, MEDIUM, SMALL, X-LARGE

I WANT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SUPER CUTE NEW BLOG!

I wish my friend, Jen, would post pictures of her house on here because then you could see just how stinking GREAT her taste is! I love it, I love the blog tips, and for you etsy lovers, she is always talking about etsy!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Too funny to leave out of the Ten on Tuesday! I really want to submit it to Jay Leno. . .God Bless Tyler's teachers, they were soooooooooooooo proud of this project, and when I took a look at it, I couldn't stop laughing, SERIOUSLY!!!???? Plimoth. . .try Plymouth next time people!



(and a picture of Tyler because she wanted to hold her boat and have her picture taken!)



2. I need to find some guidance in becoming the mom I would like to be. . .because most days, I am TOTALLY NOT!!!

3. Next Tuesday, I am going in for a bladder sling and uterine ablation. I am anxious to see how it all goes, I wonder if it will bring the desired relief, but mostly I am scared about the "No Driving for Two Weeks Rule!" When the procedure was sold to me, the doctor told me one week, then I got the papers in the mail and it said two weeks. I haven't told Pat about this yet because I fear he may FLIP OUT! I am totally going to have to send out a schedule of drivers, but I don't live close to the schools, what the heck am I going to do? I certainly cannot be alone in the house with them for two weeks, SHOOT ME NOW!

4. I don't like Sarah Palin, that is no secret, but she THREW McCain under the bus on Oprah, and apparently does this again and again on 20/20 Friday night, so I am curious, if you liked her before, do you still like her? Do you like her more than McCain? Because I like McCain WAY MORE THAN HER, and she just gave me ANOTHER REASON to hate her! Although I want to squeeze that sweet little baby, Trig! He is just too cute for words!

5. While I LOVE Dolce's services, I absolutely DESPISE the girls that work at the front desk, most specifically the Arrowhead location. THEY ARE MORONS, no one knows how to ring up gift cards, they stare into space and wait for some other MORON to come to their assistance, FOR THE LOVE. . .Tabitha would DIE if she saw the crap these girls are pulling!

6. Each year as Jackson's birthday approaches, I start to get depressed. I DID NOT put one thought into how TERRIBLE a December birthday would be, not only December but TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS, who has the energy?! I am a person who thinks out EVERYTHING, but seriously, he NEVER gets to go to school on his birthday! While he calls his school birthday his "pretend" birthday, we all know it is not the same! Sweet thing just wants me to bring him McDonald's like we did for Tyler on her birthday! Lucky for me, this year his birthday is on a Sunday, Football Day, the day he loves most!

7. Pat and I watched The Ugly Truth this weekend (1) HYSTERICAL (2) Maybe I am getting old, but was it TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE!?? (3) Pat and I just kept wondering if we really heard the tv correctly!???

8. Has anyone ever been to the Wrigley Mansion? I feel I want to go, but I also feel it may be overrated!

9. I really want the Cardinals to do well this year. They are so random with when they play well and when they do not, but I am desperate to have a team to cheer for once Fantasy Football is over!

10. My mom's college roommate, Joanie, moved here this summer. I love that she is here. I know her situation is TOTALLY different than Karissa's, but it gives me hope that MAYBE one day Karissa and I will live in the same city!

Holiday Drama

When I was younger, I used to think that my family was unique in that we fight over everything! I was embarrassed by this, and I would try to keep it on the down low! However, as I grow up, I am learning that we are NOT unique, every family has their own drama, and I really have NOTHING to be embarrassed about. I met the cutest elderly lady at Target the other day, she was my cashier. We started chatting about getting ready for the holidays, the drama, the fighting, etc. She told me that her family once had a fight over how the Christmas tree should be decorated. Then, she whispered a little "secret", "If you have a glass of wine before the start of the party, it will all seem a little easier to deal with!"

I would have to say that our biggest family fight, probably happened over Easter when Pat and I lived in San Antonio, but our biggest Christmas fight was probably over what time to eat Christmas Eve dinner.

What has your biggest Christmas fight been over? Maybe this will help bring some realization to how stupid these fights are and bring some relaxation to the holiday season.

PS-I obviously do not know how to spell the word embarrassed!!!! It came up twice during spell check, and then, I had to check it again after I typed the PS! That's kind of funny!

Seattle

I think about returning to Seattle about twelve hundred times a day. I have never been to a place where I just love it from the moment the plane touches down. I am not easily impressed. Something about Seattle impressed me. I don't know if it was the people, the food, the weather, the atmosphere, etc. Maybe it wouldn't be as GREAT if I lived there, but honestly, it is my happy place. I can only imagine all I didn't get to see and do since we were there for all of 24 hours, but I think about taking the kids there, watching Tyler eat MASSIVE AMOUNTS of fruit at the Market, going on a boat, to the top of the Space Needle, the possibilities are endless. Maybe we will just forget about buying a house here and get one there. I am sooooooooo thankful I got to go to Seattle this year!

Runner-Up

SAY WHAT? I think we should have been the winner, but that's just me!

Anyway, I entered this ASU Contest awhile ago, and you can click here to see the winner and the other runner up! I won a t-shirt. Pretty groovy, now I am off to research what I could have won if I were the winner, LOL!!!

Dear Santa-Part 2

Let's be real Santa, you haven't done a real good job of getting me what I want for Christmas. Usually I have to do all the work myself, and you even take it as far as having me wrap my own gifts. I am prepared, don't worry, I know I haven't been the best of girls this year, but come on, I have seen the way kids behave today, I can't be any worse than them!

(1) Target gift card to fuel the Clearance addiction.
(2) Michael Buble and Joss Stone new CD
(3) a DVD player
(4) REALLY LARGE flat screen tv (just in case you did find a sponsor and they want to throw this in)
(5) new computer, I mean seriously, I can't write you these letters or provide delightfully entertaining blogs to my seven or eight followers if my computer runs like a tortoise
(6) a maid-just a standard request
(7) also a nanny if I am able to request help
(8) a diagnosis, just in case you happen to be magical like you claim
(9) those Reebok shoes that have the AMAZING looking girl modeling them in the commercial that make me feel like a GIANT LAZY ASS every time it comes on-I mean, you must just put them on and poof you look like her, I wouldn't have to work out or anything? Size 8
(10) The sequin Coach purse OR shoes, but really just one or the other, both of them and you would see me coming from a mile away.
(11) My kids to overcome their fear of animals-so annoying.
(12) For Postino's to deliver, or at least start curb side service, and a gift card there because I love it, love like marriage!
(13) For my husband to come home early once a week, by early I mean 2 or 3! I mean if he is going to work late once a week, shouldn't it be compensated with him coming home early once a week?
(14) Costco gift cards are always good because they have easy to make food that is YUMMY, and that is a gift to me-FOR SURE!
(15) Tyler learning to play by herself would be a REAL TREAT!
(16) black furry flip flops from Macy's-Roxy brand-they are not slippers, they are in the shoe department and Andrea and Shannon told me that I can wear them out!
(17) The Pioneer Woman Cooks (cookbook)
(18) Trip to St Louis to see my Bestie!
(19) Bath and Body Works gift card-I really only like certain scents, so please just let me pick my own!
(20) Any sort of wine (preferably with a fun label), I don't discriminate, always makes a nice gift!

Can't say I never told you what I want.

XOXO
Sick of Wrapping Her Own Presents and Putting them Under the Tree

Dear Santa

Please let someone to decide to sponsor a new wardrobe for me for Christmas. I have nothing to wear, and that is odd since my closet is full, all of which I don't like or doesn't fit. I like to shop at Macy's, but their stuff is expensive, so if someone does decide to sponsor me, I would like a shopping spree, something in the neighborhood of $1000 would help me become a little less reliant on my black pants.

Sincerely,
Desperate for New Clothes

Mash Up

Playgroups are No Place for Children-MY NEW FAVORITE BLOG!!!!

On a different note, here are some pictures Shannon sent me from the Fun Run-Thanks Shannon, it's good to have friends like you!








My sister, Katie, wants opinions over on her blog on whether or not she should have another kid. Her opinion is that "Maybe they (grandma, mom, sister) just think I can't handle two.....but I think I am doing a good job with one....what's one more...right? ;o)" Come on ladies with multiple children. . .weigh in on this one!

30 Things I Would Buy for Pat, if I were RICH!

1. Porsche Cayenne Turbo



2. Mercedes



3. 3 piece suit

4. Joanie's Pottery Barn Couch she has on Craig's List (might be a little bit for me too)!

5. Really nice watch-Rolex maybe?



6. PS3



7. A big screen TV



8. new i-Pod

9. new laptop



10. Einstein's Bagel Gift Card with an unlimited amount of $ on it!



11. Membership at Disneyland's Club 33

12. Trip to Europe

13. Beach House in San Diego



14. New Tennis Racket (not from Target)



15. An appointment with a top stylist to do something with his hair that he has been asking me about for over 10 years! What do I know? I wear black pants and a t-shirt every day, HA!



16. Golf Lessons

17. Trip to meet the cast of Glee Audition to be on the show Glee


18. 14 Day Round Trip Cruise to Hawaii (also might be a little bit for me-but seeing me happy should make him happy, right?)!

19. Membership to a certain Country Club that is right by us.

20. Nice bottle of Malbec



21. Lawn service

22. Contacts

23. Suburban-so he could stop listening to me talk about how I want one! Isn't that nice of me!???



24. The Nerf Game for Wii



25. A paralegal he gets along with

26. Unlimited supply of junk food here at home: twinkies, chips and ranch dip, Dr Pepper, hot dogs, and the list goes on and on!



27. A house with LOTS AND LOTS of carpet

28. A deep fryer



29. A few extra hours in each and every day!

30. The new Michael Buble CD, but that will be owned by JACLYN SWOPE for her "My collection of frozen bananas is bigger than yours!" Some may think this is silly, but I chose it because of Pat, and since it is his birthday and all, I will tell you that he has threatened to throw my three or four frozen bananas away a million and one times, and I am not sure what he would do if I had NINETEEN in the freezer!!! Congrats. .. you will be able to rock out to the sweet sounds of Michael Buble-while making some banana bread! (ooooh, and Go Bananas is a Fresh Beat Band song, you scored points with your comment as well!)

HAPPY 30th Birthday Pat-hope you have a great day!

MONDAY FUNDAY!

I am letting my kids paint this afternoon. What has gotten into me? You will have to stay tuned this month to find out!

Mostly, today is about enjoying the little ones in your life!

Make sure you enter the contest tonight. I will be posting the winner tomorrow!!!!!!

CONTEST TIME!

Hope you are all still working on your submissions. Remember to post them on your page by TOMORROW. . .I will announce the winner on Tuesday! I know I want the Michael Buble CD, and as of now, I AM KEEPING IT!!!

Fun Run 2009

In case you are wondering, I hate taking pictures of my kids, in fact I despise it. I want to document that this morning, I was trying to take a picture of them, and Pat was standing behind me playing the PSP, instead of doing something like, OH I DON'T KNOW, making faces at the kids or trying to get them to smile. Needless to say, I threw a little temper tantrum, and I didn't take very many pictures after that. I am hoping that Shannon got some good ones for me!!!!



In this next photo, Jackson manages to poke himself in the eye while getting his picture taken, THIS IS WHAT I AM DEALING WITH!



Miss Tyler LOVES the Fun Run! She ran SUPER FAST!





Jackson took 2nd place in the 1K race, pretty awesome if you ask me! Check out the ribbon!