Christmas Day Photo Overload!

When Lily woke up on Christmas morning she ran out to the living room and say the presents under the tree she said "mine?" and then "open?"

Let the fun begin!!

As soon as Lily opened her Barbie she immediately started to dance with it! So cute!

Lily got new pink sparkley shoes and of course she had to wear them "right now"

She got a Barbie fishing pole so she can fish with her Daddy when we're camping!

Of course she had to trade the pink shoes for the new boots she got!

All decked out in her new winter attire!

Lily and Auntie Robynn

Just when she thought she was done, the family came over with even more presents!

Auntie Robynn and Uncle Wally bought Lily the Puppy grows and knows your name. Lily loves Abby!!

At the end of the night, Lily wanted Papa to rocky-rocky and about 2 mins into it, she was out!! She was completely exhausted!!

We had a wonderful Christmas! Lily was way too spoiled, but I guess that's what happens when it's your first Christmas as a Mommy and Daddy! (and Grammy and Papa, and Auntie!)

New Chair For Lily

Our little princess got a new chair from Grandma B in Florida. She loves it!!! She thinks she is such a big girl!! Actually, the first thing she did this morning when she got up, was go sit in her chair!! She also got that cute Build a Bear from her Mommy and Daddy!!

Thank you so much Grandma!!!!

More photos to come........

Merry Christmas

Just a couple of photos before I head off to bed! We had a wonderful Christmas day surrounded by those we love! We had Lily out until 1:00am last night so she slept in until 10:30 am. She really hasn't had any interest with the presents under the tree, well that changed this morning when she woke up and walked into the living room! She was just too cute, she saw her stocking and "wow'ed" then she saw the extra presents under the tree and ran over to it and said "open"! She opened that one, and then wanted to open more! I do have to say that it took about 4 hours to open all of her presents. She had a ball!!

Rob and I did realize tonight that we forgot to give her a present that we had hidden in the basement!!!! Looks like we wait until tomorrow!! Wait until you see the photos!!

More on our Christmas day tomorrow!! Stay tuned......


(Lily's new Christmas jammies that say: I'm the best gift of all) I saw these and couldn't believe how perfect they were!!! Truly she is the VERY best gift of all!!!!

The Stockings Are Hung...

Lily FINALLY went to see Santa today!!! (nothing like waiting until the last minute huh??) She didn't cry but she was not impressed at all!! She liked Santa until she had to sit on his lap! But at least her photo turned out decent!!

Rob and I finished up our shopping Saturday and even got all the presents wrapped and ready to go last night!! We can finally relax!! We are spending tonight at Mom and Dad's and everyone is coming here tomorrow!!

Wishing you all a Wonderful Christmas!!!!

I've Got The Best Secret Santa Ever!!!

That at this stash I got from my Secret Santa over at SIStv!!! I was spoiled rotten!!! Thanks Angie so much for this awesome gift!!! I needed a pick me up and you gave it to me!! I can't wait to play with all of this wonderful stuff!!!

Angie even made me these two beautiful
collages!! She took the time to make me
the angel one with the lyrics to my favorite
song "Angels Among Us" by Alabama and
that totally touched my heart!! And I thinkI have to share the L one with Lily cause it will be so perfect in her room!!





On another note, our sweet foster daughter left last night to go to another Foster Home. We are wishing all the best for her at her new home!!!! I hope this was the right move for her!!

Rob and I will be dropping Lily off at my parents tonight so we can power shop!! I want it all done tonight!! Wish us luck!!

Today is the daycare party here, and man o man, do I hate party days!!! The kids are so wound up and excited!!!!! They are finally all quite watching Mickey's Christmas Carol, unfortunately it's too late for quite because I already have a headache!!!

So look out Friday at 5:00, I'll be looking for a cocktail to celebrate 5 days off from work!!

By the way, if any of you are scrap bookers, you should really check out SIStv, there are a great group of ladies there!!! Never been a part of an online community because of all the negativity you hear about, but not here!! Beware though, you WILL become addicted!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

Till next time.....

A Special Lady

I got happy mail last week and have wanted to post this since. I received this ornament in the mail from my Auntie Carrie. Her Mom married my Grandpa and Grandma Carmen loved Cardinals. Grandpa and Grandma Carmen even had red cardinal decorations for their wedding. Now every time I see this on my tree I will think of Grandma Carmen. I know this is going to be a hard Christmas for Auntie Carrie, this will be the first Christmas without her Mom. Auntie Carrie I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you!! Thank you so much for this wonderful reminder of Grandma Carmen!

On another note, I'm getting sick!!! AGHHHHHHH!! Every year I get sick around Christmas!! I've had this nagging cold for about two weeks now, I swear it is getting worse!!! Last night I was freezing and had the body aches, I went to bed in sweat pants and a sweat shirt with a heating pad, just to stay warm!! Anyone who knows me, knows I'm ALWAYS hot!! So today I'm loading up on lots of motrin and cold meds. I just don't have time to be sick!! I can only hope for the best!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Happy Hump Day!!

All American Christmas!!

I'm finally getting some photos of our main tree up!! Totally matches the rest of our living room! I LOVE this tree!! I've also posted some of my favorite ornaments. Just wanted to share!

I don't know what the deal is but I'm a little Bah Humbug this year!! Maybe it's because time has just gotten away from me! I'm just now doing my Christmas cards (with no pictures of Lily), I'm not even close to being done Christmas shopping, I have no lights on the outside of my house (which is so not like me), and Mom and I haven't even done cookies this year! Lily has not even gotten her picture taken with Santa!! I am such a SLACKER this year!!

We have had a really long week and are looking forward to Friday at 5!! I will be off of work for 5 days and I really need some rest! Rob and I are heading out shopping for ALL of the gifts we need to buy, then I'm going to convince him we need to stop into the local bar for a drink!!

We have a Foster daughter here with us that has been here for about 2 weeks. Unfortunately due to circumstances we can't control she is leaving us this Friday. It has to be done, but it's so sad that we have to move her!! She is really a good girl, just some chances we don't want to take!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!

Where is the time going?????

Ok, it's official, I SUCK at this blog!!! I know I need to update, but time is seriously getting away from me!!! So much to do in so little time!! I will update with a few photos later today. For now, I'll keep looking at my list of things to do!!

Rob and I haven't finished shopping yet, Christmas cards haven't made it in the mail yet and yes I do know there are only 8 days until Christmas!!! AGHHHHH!!

More to come......

The Reason For The Season

Here's our little Princess playing in her room with her Little People Nativity Scene! It's just so darn cute to watch her!! Every night before she goes to bed, she starts with Mommy's nativity scene and she has to kiss Baby Jesus night night, then the sheep, and the camel and sometimes even Mary and Joseph. Then of course we move onto the one in her room, how can you tell a little thing she can't kiss Baby Jesus night night?! You just can't!! Her should hear her say Baby Jesus, it's just the cutest thing ever!!

On other Lily news, today she was having a snack, mini pretzel twists. She came up to me showing me a pretzel and told me it was a heart! Yep, it does look like a heart! What a smarty!! We play on her doodle pro and I draw the shapes and I tell her what they are and make her repeat it, obviously she is listening!! Then last night, her and I always play the game, My Daddy. She'll run up to me and tell me "My Daddy" then run to Daddy and I chase her saying "My Daddy". Well, last night we were doing this, and she said "My Rob". Rob and I both stopped in our tracks and looked at each other like did she really just say that?? I figured that she just said that since she hears me say Rob, so I asked her where Rob was and she pointed right at her Daddy and said "My Rob"!! Dang kid, I guess she really does listen when we think she isn't!! I love all these fun things she does, it seems like each and every day she amazes us!!

It's late and I really need to go to bed, it was a BAD day!!! Seriously a BAD day, maybe tomorrow i'll fill you in......

Photo Overload!!

First of all, sorry about the way these pictures are, I so have no idea what I'm doing!! Just wanted to share Lily's tree that is in her room. (yes, there is a section of lights out, Daddy has not looked at those yet). She loves having the tree in there, and when she naps or goes to bed, she tells us whether or not she wants it on or off. She is loving having all the decorations up. She loves seeing all the lights when we're driving down the road. Look Mommy, pretties! See that? We here a lot of that!! The only thing she doesn't quite understand is why we have a tree in our living room. We brought it in last night and it's still sitting there with no lights, no nothing! She just can't figure it out! Maybe tomorrow we'll get that done!

We still have plenty to do around here before Christmas: gifts to buy, baking to do, parties to attend, photo's with Santa, Christmas outfit for Lily, ideas needed for gifts, tree to decorate, outside lights to put up.... I swear if it all gets done, it will be a miracle!!!

Lily is saying some of the cutest stuff lately and totally blowing us away!! We always play this game where she says my Daddy and then I say no my Daddy, well tonight she said My Rob of course Rob and I look at each like did you just hear that?? So I asked her who Rob was and she pointed to him!! I could tell you soooo many crazy things she has done lately, where she learns all this I'll never know!!

Hope you all have a great week!!! I've got more photos to post tomorrow of Lily's favorite Christmas decoration. Stay tuned.....

Poor Baby Girl!!

I took the princess into the Doctor yesterday because she was wheezing. Seems like every time she gets a cold it goes straight to her chest. So, she's been put on an inhaler twice a day for a week, hopefully that will clear it up. Lily actually likes to do this, she calls it her "peeks". The first time she had to do this was in the emergency room at the beginning of summer and the nurse played peek a boo with her with this, so hence her "peeks"!

I've got almost all of our Christmas decorations up in the house, the only thing left to do is go get our real tree this weekend! Wait, the outside has to be done too. When I'm officially done, I'll post some photos.

The daycare kids all left early, so I think I'm off to take a nap!!! How cool is that!!

Black Friday!!

Mom and I headed out for our annual shopping this morning, Very early I might add!! I think this was the earliest we have headed out. We met at Kohls this morning at 3:45 am. As I was on the way to Kohls, I passed the exit from the highway, and Holy Crap, there was a line backed up for as far as I could see!! Obviously, Mom and I are not the only crazy ones, but Dang!!! There were just too many people!! I think this was the longest we've ever waited in line!! We waited in line for an hour and a half at Kohls, and two hours at Menards!!! We also hit up Walmart (which was quicker that a normal day at Walmart) and Home Depot (also a very quick trip)! We were done shopping by 10:00 am!!! Whoooo Hoooo!! I was back in bed by 11:00 and slept until 5:30!! I think I'm going back to bed VERY soon!! The good part about all of this craziness: I got almost all of the kids on my list Done!!! I always feel better when I'm done shopping for the Daycare kids and all the other kids on my list!!

Tomorrow I start putting up all of our Christmas stuff!! I hope to have it all done by Sunday, so next weekend we can go cut down our main tree. I have this slight obsession with Christmas trees!! I have one in the breezeway, one in the living room, then smaller trees in the Kitchen, Bathroom, our bedroom and Lily's room!!! I love to decorate the trees!!! I'm sure once I get it all done, I'll post some pictures!

Have a great weekend!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I found this on the scrapbooking website (SIStv) that I hang out at a lot!! Thought it was wonderful!!!

JOSH GROBAN - THANKFUL

Somedays, we forget to look around us,Somedays, we can't see the joy that surrounds us,so caught up inside ourselves,we take when we should give,so for tonight we pray for,what we know can be,and on this day we hope for,what we still can't see, It's up to us, to be the change,and even though we all can still do more,there's so much to be thankful for, look beyond ourselves, there's so much sorrow, it's way to late to say, I'll cry tomorrow each of us must find our truth, it's so long overdue, so for tonight we pray for, what we know can be, and everyday, we hope for, what we still can't see, it's up to us, to be the change, and even though we all can still do more, there's so much to be thankful for, even with our differences, there is a place were all connected, each of us can find each others light, So for tonight, we pray forwhat we know can be, and on this day, we hope for, what we still can't see, it's up to us, to be the change, and even though this world can still do so much more there's so much to be thankful for.

Hope you are all having a Great Thanksgiving!!

Today I Am Thankful For.....

Just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!! I decided I need to list the things I am thankful for this year. Everyone should do this (in my opinion), even if you don't write it down, do it in your head! Sometimes we take for granted all of the things we should be thankful for.

• Above all else I am truly thankful for being blessed with the wonderful family I was born into. Not everyone has a relationship with their parents like I do. We've been through a lot, and somehow between all the good and bad, we are closer than ever! I can't imagine my life with out them! It's that whole unconditional love thing, I know that they may not like everything I do, but they always make sure to let me know that I am loved! Thanks Mom and Dad!! I LOVE you both very much!
• My Sister, she is a piece of work!! Man do I love that girl!! I can tell her or ask her anything and I will get an honest opinion!! She is such a wonderful person, I wish she thought she was as wonderful as I think she is! She has been and always will be the person I seek out in good and bad times!! We have our disagreements, but I hope she knows how much she is loved!
• Rob-my love of a lifetime! I can honestly say that he is probably the person who I should tell way more often than I do, how much he is loved and appreciated! Without him, who knows where I would be or what I may have become!! I know I am a better person because of him!
  
• Our sweet baby Lily!!! She is the reason I am most thankful this year! Rob and I are so lucky to be HER Mommy and Daddy!! I don't think it gets any better than the joy she brings into our life each and every day!! She is our miracle!!! Lily Rene' your Mommy and Daddy love you more than anything in this world!!
  
• We are blessed with a GREAT group of friends! I know that the people who come into your life and stay there, they know ALL about you, the good and the bad and yet they choose to still be there time and time again, those are your REAL friends!!! Those friends that build you up and not tear you down, they are hard to find, so when you do, don't let them go!!

For all of you lurkers out there, leave a comment and tell me something you are thankful for!

Ok, kids are waking up from naps, so I guess I have to cut this short. I'll update soon about our super fun weekend away with the girls and Rob's hunting trip.

Wish you all a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Shopping Here We Come!!

I can't believe it's been 5 days since I've been here!! Not much going really. Just a quick update.

Rob's brother Rick came in on Monday afternoon from California. Rob, Rick and Uncle Wally left Tuesday evening to head North for Deer Hunting. They are meeting Papa, Chuck and Mark who will be there on Wednesday. We haven't seen Rick since we went to Florida for Kelly and Melissa's wedding about 4 years ago (I think). Rick had not seen Lily, so Lily finally got to meet her Uncle Rick! I'm sure Rob and Rick are having a great time catching up and doing the guy thing! They will be home on Sunday at some point. No news from deer camp about any of the men getting deer.

Lily and I, Grammy, and Aunt Robynn are meeting Rita, Danelle and Danelle's two daughters Naomi and Nora at Birch Run Outlet Mall for some serious shopping!! We are leaving early tomorrow morning and staying overnight in Frankenmuth at a Water park hotel for the kids. Many of you must think we are out of our minds for taking 3 kids, 2 under the age of 2 shopping, but let me tell you. It's in their blood!! They've learned from the best (Grammy and Rita)!! We are looking forward to a good time!! We never had a bad time when we're all hangin' out together!!! We'll be back late on Sunday! (oh crap, I just realized I'm gonna miss my football!!)

My excitement for the week of course is courtesy of Lily!! Now, mind you, I've been doing daycare for almost 9 years and no one has EVER swallowed anything funky on my watch. That was until Tuesday when my dear sweet daughter swallowed her hair pretty!! Thank goodness Uncle Rick was here and said it should pass. So we played the waiting game and the next afternoon, we had success!! So now I no longer have to check poopy diapers for a hair pretty!!

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

PS: I added a few new layouts to my slide show!

Thank A Veteran Today!!

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED



Because of our Veterans, America will never lack Heroes
Only for words to express our appreciation!

On This Veterans Day 2007, we come together as a Nation to thank our Veterans for their service and to let them know that their service and sacrifices will never be taken for granted. Americans are blessed to live in a Nation of democracy and freedom. For those blessings we thank our Veterans!
~excerpt from 2007 Veterans Day Message from Acting Secretary Gordon Mansfield, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Happy Marine Corps Birthday Daddy!!!

Happy Marine Corps Birthday!!!

I am PROUD to say that I am the daughter of a Marine!! I was lucky enough to be raised in a Marine Corps Family and I wouldn't have had it any other way!!

I LOVE YOU DAD !!!

You will ALWAYS be my HERO!!

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference, the MARINES don't have that problem!
~Ronald Regan

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

Fridays are my very favorite day!!!!! Gotta love no work (ok a job) for two whole days!!! The best part is that we really have no plans for the weekend!!!

Rob will be getting ready for hunting, they leave on Tuesday. Rob's brother comes in from CA on Monday, so we have a little cleaning to do! Isn't it crazy that you do cleaning jobs that you wouldn't normally do, just because someone is coming to visit?? That seems to be the only way I get certain things done!

Not much exciting going on, it's been a pretty low key week for us!!!

I'll update more this weekend, but of course I'll leave you with a photo of Princess Lily!

Oh, and one more thing, it appears that I wrote in my family update that Rob has Type 1 Diabetes, but he actually has Type 2. My apologies to anyone I may have freaked out!!

Have a GREAT weekend!!

What do you think??

I found this and had to check it out!! What do you think?? Is it accurate??? I love that it came up deep pink, cause I'm all about the pink!!!

Happy Monday!!

you are deeppink #FF1493

Your dominant hues are red and magenta. You love doing your own thing and going on your own adventures, but there are close friends you know you just can't leave behind. You can influence others on days when you're patient, but most times you just want to go out, have fun, and do your own thing. Your saturation level is high - you get into life and have a strong personality. Everyone you meet will either love you or hate you - either way, your goal is to get them to change the world with you. You are very hard working and don't have much patience for people without your initiative. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Football Sunday

Sundays at our house is always about Football!!! (at least for Lori) How bout' those Lions!!!! That's what I'm talking about!!!! Good to see Kitna scoring me some points in my Fantasy Football league, now if Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson would do the same, life would be great!! Did you see Shaun Rogers make that interception and run in for a TD??? Now that was a sight to see!!

It's been a low key weekend for us, we've done nothing exciting. Some yard work and some housework was about it for us!! Gotta love a weekend when you have nothing to do but chill!!

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Can They Win???

Since Papa loves Notre Dame, Lily loves Notre Dame!! Maybe if I post this today, they can pull out a win!! SCORE!! (see, it's working already).

Pictures from Halloween

We had the best time Trick or Treating with Lily. She did so good!!! She walked like a big girl, said Trick or Treat, said Thank You and got the hang of it pretty quick!! Just a quick post to share a few photos.