Dear 2008

Goodbye 2008.

It's not that I don't like you. I'm tired of hearing about you. So much happened this year. Matter of fact, so much happened this year that it'll be in the history books for years to come.

2008. The worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Mortgage crisis. Lehman Brothers. Stock Market plunges. Bailouts. US auto industry. Job losses. All of it. Yes, I'm tired of hearing about it but at the same time, I am thankful that the economy didn't hit my family harder than it could have.

Terroist attacks in India. Russia Georgia war. Images I hate to see.

Okay 2008, you did have some things that were positive. I loved watching the Olympics with the boys. Especially watching Michael Phelps win a record 8 Gold medals! Watching Obama's historic presential win -- especially the acceptance speech was something I was glad to see.

2008, you weren't all bad. I mean, I did get to go to Disney World twice this year! Jared and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. In fact, this year as every day passed, we grew closer together.
So 2008, you weren't all bad. But like I said, since we will be hearing about you, reading about you for a long time, I'm ready to put you behind us!

Here's to 2009! For peace, love and prosperity!!!

Looking forward to...

Some people can't wait for Christmas to be over. For me I can't wait until it is here!



This year, I am looking forward to...



...spending time with our family

...eating lots of cookies and candy

...playing games, especially my new Apples to Apples to go

...taking hundreds of pictures

...watching the boys open their gifts

...laughing with my sisters and brothers

...having hours of wonderful, amazing conversation

...eating HoneyBaked ham

...being woke up on Christmas morning by 3 very excited boys

...listening to beautiful Christmas music at church

...making more memories!!!!

Whatever it is that you look forward to, I wish you the best!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas is almost here!

Today I woke up and realized it was December 23rd. I began to panic! I still had several presents to buy. Coupons to use (that expires on the 24th). Food to make-- but first have to go to the store. Presents to wrap. The list in my head continued and continued. So at 8am, I woke the boys up and we were on our way to Florence for some last minute hustle and bustle.

We accomplished alot. Our first stop was the HoneyBaked Ham store. We arrived at a good time as they were only about 10 people in line. By the time we left, the line was out the door. That is one line that is worth the wait! I can't wait to eat the ham on Christmas. Just one tradition we have. After picking up the ham, we went to Best Buy to get a new tv for the family room, then to Dick's where I got some amazing deals and then finally to Target. The stores were crowded but the lines went so smooth. We were in and out with no problems. Of course the boys were well behaved so that helped!

To reward them for being so good, I took them to (expensive) Steak n Shake. Since they need all the calories they can get, they both got a large chocolate milk shake and we all got a "value" meal. $19.67 later and we headed for home.

On the way home Brett said if it didn't start to sleet, it would be a perfect day. I smiled and agreed it WAS a perfect day. Indeed it was. It was a perfect day. I woke in a panic for no reason.

The sleet, freezing rain, ice and bad roads kept me from going to the grocery store tonight. So I get the joy of fighting the crowds in the morning. Hopefully it won't be too bad if I go really early.

Instead of the store, Brett, Nolan and I are laying in my bed watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". A perfect ending to a perfect day.

How did I get so lucky???

Election Day...a letter to my boys

Dear Bradley, Brett and Nolan,

It's November 4th, 2008. A historic day. No matter how I vote today, Americans and I will make history today. Democrat Barack Obama could become the first African-American president. Republican John McCain could become the oldest president elected to a first term. Sarah Palin could become the first woman elected vice president. Record voter turnout also is predicted.

I know you don't completely understand this whole election thing, but your interest in the election has been exciting. Its great to talk to you about the topics that the candidates are talking about. You have voted at Nick.com, you have made your signs, you wore red, white and blue today and you have watched the news with me. You have talked to kids at school about the election and have come home with questions about taxes, jobs and Barak's middle name. You have seen the commercials on TV that are mean and distasteful and asked why people would say such mean, hurtful and sometimes untruthful things. With all these things to help you form your opinion--You don't agree with each other on who to vote for. Bradley & Brett, you want me to vote McCain. Nolan, you want me to vote for Obama.

The 2008 race for the White House has been going on for over 21 months and people are engaged. It has rewritten the rules on how to reach voters, raise money, organize supporters, manage the news media, track and mold public opinion, and wage -- and withstand -- political attacks. What it has given people, is a sense of hope. It has also brought to the surface a lot of emotion and some outrage. People are ready for change.

I am ready for change. I am voting because we need a change. Today I'm voting for a change. I have traditionally voted for the best candidate- I have never really picked a party, so that doesn't sway my vote today. I have not been impressed with what is happening to our country. Today, I am voting for Barak Obama to be our next president. Sorry Brett. This multicultural, bi-racial idealist is who I feel will best bring about the change that we need in America.

I worry about your future. I worry about what it will mean to grow up a boy in this community, in this state, in this country. I worry that someday your choices will be limited and that you may have to settle instead of reaching for your dreams. I'm worried that you may get sick and that I won't be able to get you the best medical care possible. I'm concerned that you'll be forced to live in a land full of polluted water, air and no natural resources. I'm worried that you may be forced to fight in wars that have no point and no end. I'm voting today with this in mind. I'm voting for your future.

You are lucky in that you were born to two white, educated, professional adults. Apparently, this makes a difference in this country. You are lucky to have parents that can afford to take you to the doctor when you need it. You are lucky to be in an amazing school that constantly tries to improve. Too many kids in this country are not as lucky as you. Something must be done.
When you are older and reading this letter, you will know what the outcome of this election meant for our country. What progress was made. You will know how the war ended with Iraq, and how our nation got out of this terrible economic condition that we are in. What I hope that you will see is how people listened to their hearts, got involved and made a difference. What a changed world that can make.

I want you to know all of these things, because today when I vote I'm thinking of you.

Hugs, kisses and love always,
Mommy

Halloween

Halloween has come and gone. But I must say, it was a great Halloween. I planned the party for Brett's 4th grade class. Seeing the kids at the party is always neat to see because the kids are allowed to dress up. This year I was surprised to see one of the girls dressed up like a 80's girl.

Wait a minute.

A 80's girl?

That wasn't THAT long ago was it?

I mean, she looked like me....just a few years ago.

I had brought my Senior scrapbook to work a few days ago and yes, it was good for a few laughs but I am glad I was raised in the 80's.

There are so many things I don't think I'll ever forget.

The banana clips I used to wear in my hair.

Sometimes I would crimp my hair!

I wore French rolls on the bottom of my splatter painted jeans-- that I HAD to have!

I had slouch socks, and puff painted your own shirt at least once.

I owned a doll with 'Xavier Roberts' signed on it's butt. (I think I still have my Cabbage Patch Dolls)

and then I found more on the internet that I can relate to....

You knew what Willis was "talkin' 'bout."

You know the profound meaning of "Wax on, Wax off."

You can remember watching Full House and Saved by the Bell for endless hours.

You'll always hold a special place in your heart for "Back to the Future."

You know where to go if you "wanna go where everybody knows your name."

You thought Molly Ringwald was REALLY cool.

You know what "psych" means.

You fell victim to 80's fashion: big hair, crimped, combed over to the side, and you wore spandex pants.

You wanted to be a Goonie

You knew "The Artist" when he was humbly called "Prince."

You could breakdance, or wished you could.

You know, by heart, the words to any "Weird" Al Yankovic song.

You remember when ATARI was a state-of-the-art video gaming system.

You own any cassettes or albums.

You were led to believe that in the year 2000 we'd all be living on the moon.

You remember and/or own any of the Care Bear glass collection from Pizza Hut.

"Poltergeist" totally freaked you out.

You carried your lunch to school in a Gremlins or an ET lunchbox.

You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the ONLY female smurf.

You inserted the word "like" into, like, every sentence.

You wore biker shorts underneath a short skirt and felt stylish.

You ever had a Swatch Watch.

You remember when Saturday Night Live was funny.

You have heard of "Garbage Pail Kids" (and perhaps still have a collection of them).

Punks actually "shocked" people.

You wanted to be The Hulk or Rainbow Brite for Halloween.

You know what a "Whammy" is. ("No Whammy, no whammy, stop!")

Partying "like it's 1999" seemed SO far away.

You remember "Friday Night Videos" before the days of MTV.

You remember when music that was labeled "alternative" really was.

You were shocked and horrified at the Challenger explosion (which you were probably watching in school at the time).

Schoolhouse Rock played a HUGE part in how you actually learned the English language.

You ever dressed to emulate a person you saw in either a Duran Duran, Madonna, or Cyndi Lauper video.

At one point during your teenage years, you walked with a noticeable tilt to one side due to the number of plastic rings on that arm.

"Celebration" by Kool & the Gang was one of the hot new songs when you first heard it at a school dance. The first time you ever kissed someone at a dance fell during "Crazy for You" by Madonna.

You ever owned one of those embarrassing crimping irons.

You used to hold in your head the thought that all those gold chains on Mr. T actually looked kinda cool and the thought that Mr. T made millions seemed rational to you at the time.

You remember with pain the sad day when the Green Machine hit the streets and made your old big wheel quite obsolete.

You've gotten this far on the list and aren't totally confused.

The phrase "Where's the beef?" still doubles you over with laughter.

You're starting to believe that maybe 30 isn't so old after all, and it's those people over 40 you have to look out for.

Your hair, at some point in time in the 80's, became something which can only be described by the phrase "I was experimenting."

You've ever shopped at a Banana Republic or Benetton, but not in the last five years, okay?

You ever wanted to be gagged with a spoon.

When someone mentions two consecutive days of the week, the Happy Days theme is stuck in your head for hours on end.

You remember "Hey, let's be careful out there."

You had a crush on Jon Bon Jovi, or knew someone who did.

You thought eating Reese's Pieces would attract your own Alien.

You have ever called 867-5309.

You had a poster of Rob Lowe, Kirk Cameron, or Michael J. Fox on your wall.

You held the top score on Pac-Man.

You owned a t-shirt that said, "I shot J.R." or know someone who did.

You HAD to have your MTV

You know what a "burnout" is.

You owned a Jordache anything, or you remember when Jordache jeans were cool.

You remember when Madonna was just hitting the scene.

You remember the original version of Windows: Macintosh.

You thought "Weird Science" was a masterpiece.

Chevy Chase was really funny in those vacation movies.

You actually know who Rick Springfield is.

I can relate to every item on this list. A few of them brings smiles to my face. I am proud of being a child of the 80's. SO I guess I was glad to see the girl dressed up like a 80's girl. It was a great time in the world that I wish I could go back too as well!!!

As far as my kids for Halloween.....Bradley had a football game so he didn't partake in the activities. Nolan wore a scream mask....guess he was a scary person. Can you believe I didn't get a picture? Brett wore an invisible face mask. Here he is with his friend Aaron before they went out to the sub-division.

I stayed back with Jared for the first time to help pass out candy. I really enjoyed seeing all the kids and their costumes. We had some friends over and had a great time!

Hope you had a great Halloween!

First Digital Scrapbook Page

I finally did it....I figured out how to use my CS2 program and made my FIRST digital scrapbook layout. It took me forever how to use CS2 but now that I got it, I want to do more! This page was about our meal at the California Grill during our trip to WDW for our anniversary. I can't wait to do more!!!!

My Godson is a SENIOR!!!

I had the honor of spending some time with Matthew tonight to get some Senior shots. It was the hardest photoshoot ever! What is it with guys not wanting to smile??? Here are a few-- let me know what you think!





He was being silly peeking through the bushes so I had to take this "fun" shot!!!