I DID IT!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RON!

Tomorrow is my step-dad's birthday! Today we had a little party since Cindy has to work tomorrow. We didn't do presents today we'll do that on his actual birthday and Kristy I remembered the cards ;) They are with are stuff to give him tomorrow! So I'm cutting this short tonight. Much longer post tomorrow! That's alot of "tomorrow's" in such a little post, lol!

New Layout

Obviously if you're reading this you've noticed the new layout. Not sold on it yet, I'm still looking BUT I am sold on the header! It's my dad and Santa...doesn't get much better than that!

Crawling Baby + Christmas Tree = TROUBLE!

And so the fun begins...Allie WILL NOT leave the Christmas tree alone! I should have known. Although Julianna on her first Christmas was only 2 weeks younger than Allie and I don't remember these problems! I didn't post a full picture of the tree yet because it isn't done. We had some tree drama today. I went to put the tree up and noticed the whole top half of the tree's lights were blown. I've had the tree 6 years so...to the store I went to get another one. I really like the new one it actually looks alot like my old one which was the idea. It's 3/4 done. Joe and Julie had a really good time decorating! I didn't get any good pictures of Joe but trust me he was totally into it! Tomorrow I'm finishing this tree and starting Mom's tree (we have our own!) and decorating the house. I did get some awesome bargains today! We shopped all day! We fought Wal-Mart (2 different ones), Target, The Mall and Circuit City! I know crazy right? But so worth it!

Allie "helping"

Julianna really helping...she did awesome!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We had an alright day so far. I still have a hard time with holidays. This will be our 3rd year in Texas and holidays still don't "feel right". I miss home now more than ever. It's something that I'm sure gets easier with time but it hasn't gotten easier yet. Speaking of home I'm getting ready to make plane reservations to go back! Southwest has all airline tickets after the New Year for $89! I'm jumping on that! I'm looking at being in Maryland the 6th through the 26th of January. I'm not sure yet what to do about Joe. He has to go to school. At first I thought about taking him out of school for a week and then letting him fly back to Texas with Ron (Ron is in Maryland every other week) so that he only misses one week of school and not 2. Then Mom suggested he just stay home and go to Maryland in the summer (we go home every summer too). I'm not sure what to do. It's to expensive to go while he is out of school on break and I want to go around the time my niece is born (Jackie is due January 1st). I have to think on it?

Back to Thanksgiving, I got side tracked! So in a couple hours we are hitting up The Main Event for a game of bowling...Kristy and John we are going to miss you! No one has a nicer "spin" than John, haha! And tomorrow we are hitting up Black Friday!!! Check this sight out for Black Friday sales http://www.blackfriday.info/sales/. In honor of Thanksgiving I'm leaving with a short list of things/people I am thankful for today...

* 3 great kids who make my day everyday
* Jazz
* An awesome set of parents who are sooo supportive
* Bubba for loving our kids unconditionally
*3 kick ass sisters and brother
*Cool in-laws
*The most loving Grandparents anyone could ask for (they seriously are the best)
*Tony, my rock, I'd be lost without him
*Kristen (my "other" sister) for ALWAYS making me laugh
*Health, right now everyone is healthy, what more could we ask for?

And really that' s just the tip of the ice berg. I'm asking everyone to keep my niece Miki in your thoughts (she has been really sick) and the victims of Mumbai. I have been following this story closely and my heart really goes out to them.

9 Months

I know it's a day late...

Drawing a Blank...

So...I'm going to send you to Jenny's blog to read the clip titled "True Love".

http://mamaonaplaydate.blogspot.com/2008/11/true-love.html

Is that not the sweetest post? I just adore this family. As I'm sure you know by now I named my Allie after her daughter who died of leukemia in 2004. Jenny now is the executive director of Hero's for Children a non-profit organization created in honor of Allie and another little girl who died of cancer named Taylor. I know money is tight for alot of us, especially this time of year but if you ever want to donate to a charity this is an awesome one to donate to.

In Honor of THANKSgiving...an Intersting Perspective

I received this in an email earlier and thought it was "blog-worthy".

No matter what your political convictions are this is an eye opener....What a thankless people we are!!!

David Letterman, on President Bush.
(Surprising)

David Letterman wrote this; it's the David we don't often see....

'As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe.
It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'

A.Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B.Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D.Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state.

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know.
What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media.

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.
With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance? '

-David Letterman

Getting in the holiday spirit...ALREADY!

So I have mixed feelings on the holidays starting so early. Usually I'm a stickler for the Christmas Season not starting till AFTER Thanksgiving. Every year I notice them pushing the holidays earlier and earlier. Well this year I gave in. I made a picture apt. because I wanted to have their Christmas pictures done before the holiday rush and while we were out I just went ahead and had their 1st Santa picture made (I think last year we ended up with 4 Santa pics!). Killed 2 birds with one stone. Oh and the professional pics. we had taken turned out really cute! They will be back Dec 3rd so we'll have them in the mail shortly after.

This pic...not so good! But it's totally them, Joe looking confused, Julie trying to tell him what to do and Allie aka The Boss!

PICS

Hairbrush already?

Working on those 2 front teeth

Her favorite toy right now!
Julianna laying in my lap
Tony and Julianna

Frick and Frack

He should consider opening up a daycare...the kids love him!

Allie looks confused, lol

Tony left today. I hated seeing him go, we always have so much fun together and not to mention the kids ADORE him. From the pictures I'm sure you can see why! Tomorrow I am going to try to get the kids Christmas pictures made. I say "try" because you never know what the moods will be and all 3 have colds. I made this apt. almost a month ago and really don't want to have to cancel. After next Thursday all hell will break loose in the mall and I'd really like to not have to worry about pictures. Pray for us!

Picture Promise

Pictures to come tomorrow...there is some cute ones too so its worth the 24 hour wait :) I would have posted them tonight but Cindy's laptop won't read my memory card. Sorry

So I have a little more time tonight (although Allie is sitting right next to me trying to attack the keys)! Julianna did awesome today in therapy...Ms. Jackie (her therapist) said it was her best day yet! We also found out last week that she will be discharged in December (I know I've said that before) but we are all confident that she really is done. The last couple times they mentioned discharge I was happy because I want her to be finished but it was just an uneasy feeling I had that she wasn't ready. I now am 100% confident that she should be discharged. I think the fact that she is doing so well in dance class has boosted my confidence in her. She really is doing great!

Speaking of names. I find it ironic that Julianna's therapist's name is Ms. Jackie and Joey's teacher AND therapist names our Ms. Cindy! My sisters' names are Jackie and Cindy...talk about confusing for them!

Tony leaves on Saturday so tomorrow is our last full day. I believe that calls for another trip to The Melting Pot...I'll def. post pics. from that, I hear the last pics. of Allie at The Melting Pot were a big hit :)

Another Life Line...

As in "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" I am using a life line to get "out" of today's blog! As you know I'm trying to do 30 straight days of blogging for prizes. My best friend is in town so I just don't have alot of time (story of my life) to blog tonight. Hopefully be back tomorrow. The last two weeks with Kristy and her family in town and now Tony, have been jammed packed with entertainment and good conversation! Definitely not complaining about this! I'd trade a slow blog for quality time with some of my favorite people anyday ;)

Big Milestones

Alexandra has hit two huge milestones! She is now crawling and her two front teeth have pushed through!!! I'm loosing my baby! Her crawl is rather interesting (I'm going to try to get a video up soon). She goes from sitting, to on her arms, to dragging one leg and leaving the other still in sitting position. Strange.. I am extremely thankful her two front teeth are in, she has been working on those bad boys for at least a month.

All of Allie's milestones have been biter sweet though. With your first kid you "rush" through milestones because you look forward to them growing up, it's all new and exciting. With your last (and you KNOW it's your last) you almost don't want them to reach milestones. Of course I'm glad she is growing and thriving but I wish I could slow time during her baby stages. When you think back to a baby's first year it is amazing how much progress they make in such little time. Your born a little ball, all you know how to do is eat and cry. And you turn into this walking, talking little person in just 12 months! It's crazy how fast it goes. I am trying really hard to relic these milestones with Allie because I know it won't be long before she changes again! And since she is my last, I will never get to relive these stages again as a mother. I don't regret getting my tubes tied at all, I honestly haven't second guessed it once! But I think it would have been an easier first year if I didn't KNOW this would be my last child...Knowing that just makes it a little harder to swallow.

Enough philosophising, Julianna is calling me to help her make play-dough animals...and I'm getting the "Please Hurry Up" so...

Q&A Session with Julianna

What is your name? Jewie (aka Julie, lol)
How old are you? Deuce (2)
What is your favorite color? Purple
What is your favorite animal? Giraffe
What is your favorite TV show? Dora and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
What is your favorite food? Chips
What is your favorite thing to do? Color
Who is your best friend? My brother (awww...so sweet)
What is your favorite toy? Ponies
What is your favorite song? Frosty the Snowman (she is doing that song for the winter recital)
What do you want to be when you grow up? A Butterfly (interesting)
Tell me something naughty that you do? Play in the cat food
What is your favorite candy? Chocolate
What is something you are good at? Baby Allie (helping Allie, she really is good about that)
What is your favorite store to go to? PetSmart
What is your favorite thing about Joey? He's my brother
What is your favorite thing about Mommy? She tells me secrets (it's a game we play)
What is your favorite thing about Daddy? He watches cartoons with me
Julianna are you happy? Yeeessss

Today is going to be an extremely busy day (I know, I know, I sound like a broken record). Joey has a dentist apt. at 12 (never fun) then sometime tonight my best friend Tony will be arriving, have no idea what time yet. So more than likely I am going to have to put the kids to bed, leave them with mom and go to meet him, hopefully not to late. Then the rest of the week is jammed packed. WIC apt tomorrow morning @ 9:30, Policy Council meet Wed. @10 then Gym and Dance, Thursday as of right now is open. Friday Julianna has therapy @11 and a snack activity at Joe's school @ 1:15 and Saturday I am meeting my new playgroup (more to come on that) @ 12:00 at the Dove Christmas Festival. All of this while entertaining a friend visiting from home. Gives me anxieties just thinking about it. And it will be this busy till after Christmas....AHHHHH!!!


Update: . Just when I thought I had this Thursday cleared I get a phone call with the news that a last minute meeting was scheduled at Joe's school for Thursday morning...see what I mean?

Hate Sundays Like These..

Redskins lost to the Cowboy...eh I hate even typing it. I'm going to give myself the evening off of blogger to wallow in my sorrows. Be back tomorrow.

Role Playing

Here are some cute pictures from the Children's Museum yesterday! Mikayla and Julianna had alot of fun dressing up! They were adorable! A "real" post to come in the near future. I need some sleep...we didn't get home from bowling until 2:30 last night and our little darlings had us up at 7 :( Exhausted today!

Family Ties

Ron with Julie and Mikayla

Cousins!

Mikayla, Allie and Kadence playing

Julie on the carousel at the mall

Allie and I

Mikayla

Allie's 1st ride on a carousel!

Trying on hats at Gymboree
Mikayla and Allie

They are so cute together!

Q&A Session with Joe

So for some odd reason the laptop will not upload pictures. On normal nights I would just go to the desktop in the back of the house but I am right in the middle of a scary movie ("Baby Blues") so...pictures tomorrow. I'll post them in the morning. I believe our plans for tomorrow are Children's Museum, Texas Roadhouse and Bowling at Main Event. Busy day! And because I've neglected this blog the last couple of days I'm going to copy Christina and post this survey I did earlier with Joey, I'll do one with Julianna the next time I have a "slow" blog!

What is your name? My name is Joe
How old are you? 5 (as he holds up a whole hand)
What is your favorite color? Green (seriously he wants EVERYTHING green!)
What is your favorite animal? Lizard
What is your favorite TV show? Johnny Test
What is your favorite food? Chicken Nuggets
What is your favorite thing to do? Visit animals
Who is your best friend? Lana (she sits with him on the bus) and Mathew
What is your favorite toy? Army Men (he's just gotten into the whole "military stuff")
What is your favorite song? Pictures to Burn
What do you want to be when you grow up? Herpatologist (that's really what he said!)
Tell me something naughty that you do? Ugh, Nothing (ha, yeah right!)
What is your favorite candy? Chocolate
What is something you are good at? Learning
What is your favorite store to go to? The Big Store (aka Wal-Mart)
What is your favorite thing about Julianna? She's a girl (?)
What is your favorite thing about Mommy? She takes me to the bus
What is your favorite thing about Daddy? He watches TV with me
Joe are you happy? Um Yeah (and he smiled big :)

A Writing Slump

Had a nice relaxing day with Kristy and her family. This afternoon John watched Mikayla and Kristy went with me to the Wednesday rush...Joe's gym and Julianna's dance class. I know I've been slacking on the updates. I promise a big one tomorrow with some new pictures :)

Happy 3rd Birthday Bradley!

Bradley minutes after being born

Bradley on his 1st Birthday

Bradley, Age 2

And Today...Happy 3rth Birthday!

Hope you had a great birthday B-boy! Love you!

A day at the Museum

So...today's plan was to go to the Children's Museum and then meet mom after work. We picked Cindy up after she got off school (at 11) and drove into downtown Houston. After a couple little direction problems we were happy to finally pull into the Children's Museum! We get out, pulled out 2 strollers, put 2 hungry kids in strollers and just as I was about to get Julianna out of her car seat some man yells to us "the Children's Museum is closed on Mondays"! Poor planning on my part! No biggie though. It took all of about 2 minutes for me to realize the National Science Museum was only about 3 miles from where we were at. We get to the National Science Museum, eat and do the butterfly, rain forest and general museum exhibits. We had a really good time! The kids were really good! I'm still amazed at how well behaved Mikayla is for a one year old...so laid back! As I've said before that she fits right in! So we stay at the museum about 3 hours and by this time it's 4 and time to leave to meet mom at The Melting Pot for dinner (we had 5:15 reservations). For those that don't know The Melting Pot is a fondue restaurant and by far the best restaurant on earth!!! John and Kristy had never been and it was the perfect reason to splurge a little. The Melting Pot is usually reserved for "special occasions". Can't think of anymore specialer of an occasion!!! So we enjoy, 2 different cheese fondues, 2 different "Land & Sea" fondues and are you ready...Smores and Milk Chocolate fondue with strawberries, pound cake, gram cracker covered marshmallows, cheesecake and brownie! Seriously, you could stick your entire face in it (Allie basically did)! It's heavenly! Better than sex (every women we've polled has agreed on this!). It's literally to die for! So the bill comes. By this point we are full to the brim on delicious food and high on chocolate. I usually don't talk prices but this was funny. Here is how the convo went.

John-opens the bill and looks at us

Me-What is the bill?

John-I can't even say it!

*By this point we are all gazing aimlessly at each other

Me-I open the bill...drum roll please...$290! I say to the table OMG it's $290 and what do we all do...
BUST OUT LAUGHING! We thought it was the most hilarious thing! I don't know if we were delirious on chocolate or just plan crazy but all we could do was laugh. It ended up being $60 a person, that includes several drinks and we all went dutch so it wasn't a huge bill for any one person. I do have to say though it's well worth it, it may not sound like it, but it is. Sometimes you have to indulge a little. We were there about 2 hours and the kids (aside from some minor Allie problems) were really well behaved! Tomorrow I believe we are doing the Funeral Museum (explain why tomorrow)...

Kristy, John and Mikayla at the museum

Allie and I in front of a big waterfall

My girls!
Allie watching the butterfly

Cindy holding a butterfly, this part of the museum was really cool

Kristy and Cindy eating bugs!

Yummy? I couldn't bring myself to try them!

US!

The Dessert Plate at the Melting Pot

Allie AFTER tackling the dessert plate!

Lots more pictures at my myspace www.myspace.com/lizpilkerton. It's just so much easier to post over there.