Read and Go!!!

I'm home. I'm tired. More about all that later...

But for today...head over to She's Star-Crossed and check out the giveaway! It closes soon so RUN!!!

She is giving away an adorable hat from this etsy shop, my favorite is the owl...here's a pic:

She is also giving away a book, your choice between two books that I can personally recommend highly.

This is an awesome giveaway. Hop on over and join in the fun! Are you feeling lucky?!

Pampers Codes

So we are a Pampers family ALL the way. Love them so much. I joined the pampers village and started entering Gift to Grow points listed on each package of pampers. So far I have redeemed the points I earned for 2 of the 10$ starbucks gift cards and a really nice Melissa and Doug puzzle. (I blogged about the puzzle...see for yourself!) Yipee!!!!!

If you are a pampers mom and aren't doing Gift to Grow you need to! it is such a simple process and you get free stuff! If you don't want the hassle feel free to give me your codes :) lol. I have no idea if that is legal but it sounds good :)

In the meantime, if you want to sign up, use this link so I can get some referral credit for your signing up...and then create your own referral link and get your friends to join! sweet! Can't wait to have a free starbucks and think how buying diapers has made that possible :) lol. maybe I won't think about that so much during the coffee itself...just for the paying for it with a gift card part. lol.

So go sign up using a link from this blog post (that helps me out) and get started! Here are a TON of codes you can use...some are worth 5, 10 & 15...if you find out that any of them are expired would you post a comment so I can update my list? Every time I find a new code I will add it to the bottom of this list and list the blog as "new" so it bumps up to the current date. (easier to find that way)

Here is a list of Codes that are possibly/probably expired as of 10/23 but you can still try:

GTGSPRINGFREE10
GETSTARTEDNOW10
GTGPLAY3USA2010
GTGPLAY1USA2010
GTGTEAMUSA2010
GTGPLAY2USA2010
JUSTFOROURFANS1
HAPPYHOLIDAYS10
STARTEARNINGNOW (I got this one twice...so try it a couple times in case it's usable twice)
THRIFTYMOMMYGTG
OHAMANDAAWGTG08
WELCOMEBONUS089
JOINTHEFUNGTG09
JUSTBECAUSE2009
GRATUIT89102009
GROWWITHVILLAGE
XKCMYXFVD96VXVK
WELCOME2GTG0809
15GTGSUMMERFUN
GTGSUMMERFUN5PT
WELOVECHEERIOS2
GTGLEARNMORE089
25GTGSUMMER2010

PAMPERSTWITTER5

1FORMEGTGSEPT23

4happyhalloween

This is the most current list (as of 10/23/10) of active codes!

WELCOME2VILLAGE 10

GTGCOUPONPOINTS 10

GTGTENMONTHCODE 10

WELCOME2PAMPERS 50

GTGFIVEMONTHS10 10

CAREFORNEWBORNS 10

2BEGINEARNING50 50

PAMPERS4MOMSOND 10

GTGGETREADYSOON 10

10PTSFREECODE4U 10

PUNTOSPARAMI123 10

FACEBOOKOCT2010 10

JOINNOW4REWARDS 50

GIFTSTOGROW4MOM 50

GIFTS2GROWBONUS 20

WELCOME2GTG2010 10

PAMPERSGTG10PTS 10

WelcomeMembers5 5

GTGWELCOME10PTS 10

NEWWIPESPACKAGE 10

HAPPYHOLIDAYSFB

CONGRATS2NEWMOM

F9779FYAHFJRYCN worth 10

4WJDHKU4RPP6PT2 worth 10!

January email from Pampers offers bonus double points for size 3 Cruisers, valid through 02-10-2011. (Judah is in size 5's so no idea if this works or not, but if you are in size 3's then go for it!)

VMF776C7HMXXT4A worth 42! get it while it's hot...not sure how long it is good for.

pampers4momjfm1 worth 10! quick!

NC3XPM9YRD49EMT is worth 10 and only good until Feb 26th!

XK6JT33PRDRAK6W (I think this one is only good in the USA) worth 10

SEP3PGW7NRKYWXK worth 10

500000Pampers10 worth 10!

T9PDXPKKGA3M4GK is worth 10, only good until March 22nd though.

Head over to facebook and take THIS QUIZ to earn a code for 10 points!

traveling light

Heading to WI today to visit my dad and my mom. (and hopefully my gram, my uncle, my bro and his fam too!)


I was determined to pack light. I think I accomplished it, but the real test will be our journey through the airport and airport security. wish me luck!


See ya next week!

I cheated

I totally cheated on my stylist. What can I say, I was not happy with the last cut she gave me and I just needed a fresh perspective...

...the worst part? I cheated on her in her own salon!!! ahh!! I was so nervous she was going to come in at some point while my hair was getting cut and ask why I hadn't scheduled an appt with her...but she never came in...phew! what a relief.

So here is my new cut...

This is straight from the salon, I will of course attempt to style it myself tomorrow and it will look nothing like this.

She definitely fixed a couple of the things I was unhappy with about my previous hair cut. I can tell that already even before I've gotten my own hands on it.

So now what do I do? Schedule appts with the new girl or go back to the old girl? she wasn't bad, she's given me several really nice hair cuts...but I really liked the new girl...oh boy, I have gotten myself into a mess. haha.

ps. I took these pics with photo booth so I'm all backwards and that is always a weird thing to look at a pic of myself like that..did I mention I am backwards looking? haha I'll stop now..

have you ever cheated? and been caught? and yes, I am really only talking about hair stylists on this one...lol...unless you feel the need to confess anything else and then go right ahead...

baring it all

No. There are no nakey pics here. Just a truth telling.


The topic? My weight.


Please don't hate me, but I have never struggled with it before. If anything, I needed to gain at different times.

But it's a new day. haha!

I gained 55 lbs when I was pregnant. By the time Judah was a yr old I had lost it all. Thanks to breastfeeding I didn't really need to adjust my diet much at all. It just came off with time.

And then I gained 5 lbs...Judah was nursing half the time and I was still eating like a full time nursing mom.

And then I gained 5 more lbs...I guess I just figured if I ignored it it would just go away. Logic is not always logical people!

And then I gained 5 more lbs....and my pants were tight. Oh Lordy.

I drew a line in the sand.

I am down 8 lbs since I drew the line...that leaves me with 7 more to go...and maybe a little more after that if things are going well.

I have officially cut out anything that would be considered "drinking my calories"...of course I still drink milk, but in moderation. And tons of water.

This cup actually keeps me drinking water. I do not know why. I'm sure there is something psychological about it. ha!



It was a christmas gift. Thanks honey!

I am working to not snack when I am bored...or in the evenings...ayaiyai...I love to snack so this one is hard...adding a few healthy snacks into the mix is helping.

I am also turning into a calorie counter. I have literally never once in my life looked at how many calories were in something...so there is a rather large learning curve on this one.

I am using a sight called....Calorie Count...go figure...so original I know...no one can accuse them of false advertising ;-)

It has been really nice to see and keep track of what I am putting into my "tank" (food is fuel is my mantra).

I am also putting to good use our Elliptical. I talked to my brother who is a fitness expert and he talked me through a plan of action on "The Beast", as I affectionately call it :) Now to work the plan!

So that is another one of my fun (dripping with sarcasm here people) January things. Why must it be such a drab month?

I am working towards keeping my current pants and not buying a bigger size. I am working towards having more energy and feeling good about myself. I am working towards health.

Wish me luck!

New Heights

So another thing going on in our home and lives this month is....

dun dun dun...

wait for it...

potty training! yes. that is right.

my baby likes to go pee pee on the potty.

I can barely stand it. He is getting big. He pees on the potty and he climbs ladders on the play ground with no help.

When did this happen?!

We are not doing much other than just letting him go if he wants. No potty schedule, no pressure, no expectations.

Just trying something new and fun.

He has been telling us when he is going potty for a while now. So I just offered if he wanted to try it on the potty and he said yes and then he actually went.

He likes it when I count "1, 2, 3 pee pee!" haha.

Taking potty time to new heights people!

It is fun to see him learn and grow and do new things. I just wish I could bottle up the sweetness of his baby days.

On another note completely. I am no lactivist, just a mom who nurses her child and wants to do so as long as I see fit with out fear of being in trouble if I do so out in public. TN state law right now states that moms are only allowed to nurse children until 12 months in public. But there is a chance to change that right now on a bill that is being considered. Just taking the age limit off of the current law. If you are interested in participating in getting this changed, follow this link and read the blog I read and take a moment to send an email on behalf of the moms of TN. And remember, if you are a nursing mom and plan to visit TN, drive thru TN or fly thru, this also effects you and your rights.

where I blog...

A fellow blogger friend asked where people blog...so here's a pic of me doing my thing. My hubs took this pic on the ipod, didn't know he was taking my pic but I'm glad he did. I kept meaning to respond to Andrea's post but never remembered to take a picture...ha!

So yeah, I sit in a chair with the Lappy and usually watch TV too...terribly interesting I know. I can't imagine how you have lived with out knowing this before. You are welcome. haha.

so where do you blog? sitting in a comfy chair? at a coffee shop? in the bedroom? on your porch? do tell...

the contrast

If you've been around my blog long enough, you know this is a place I keep track of the beauty and joys of my life. I don't spend a lot of time on my blog being a downer or complaining or keeping track of the crappy stuff life brings. But there is a time and a place for all things. Even in my happy place.

I guess in order to see the beauty and the joy you need the contrast. Or so I will tell myself.


So on that note...a few things to share about my January and my life.

My dad. He is almost 81 and has been dealing with dementia for a while now. He lives in assisted living (thank God, it was so hard on my mom to care for him before that) and is in generally speaking, good health. However, recently he suffered a small stroke. And that caused him to have issues in regards to breathing and swallowing and such. He aspirated and got pneumonia. His doctor recommended he get a feeding tube. Now if you know my dad at all, you know his one joy in life is eating. So that was not happening. He has no desire to live on tubes and machines and will just live with what comes his way until he doesn't.
Anyhow...this has been going on for several years now. A slow fade.
But the difference this time is that his doctor has decided he now requires Hospice.
And yes, when I got that news I cried. In the shower. For a long time. Ugly Cry.
I know that people can live for years even on hospice, but it still holds such meaning. It is the last step. The end is coming. Like it or lump it.
So next week I am going to WI to visit my mom and my dad.
I hope it is not the last time I see my dad alive. But there are no guarantees. There never are.

So that is that. Praying for the best, preparing for the worst.

Anyhow...now that I typed that out I don't really feel like talking/blogging anymore. So other stuff will just have to wait I guess. Maybe tonight I'll pop back on and change the mood around here...but for now...even on the good days, this is what is in the back of my mind.

feeling peevish...

Pet Peeve:

When someone is singing and they start singing louder and they pull the microphone away from their face, causing you to then hear nothing. Lame. Just sing into the dang microphone and if it's loud it's loud. Isn't that the point?

Seriously. Not something important but isn't that the nature of pet peeves?

Pet Peeve:

When someone leaves time on the microwave. Just clear it so you can see what time it is. It's especially annoying when there's like 1:30 seconds left and you think it's 1:30 and it's really like 4 o'clock.

Seriously. Not the end of the world but isn't that the nature of pet peeves?

Pet Peeve:

When someone has messy eyebrows. Oh man, I just want to get in their face and smooth those bad boys out. I just don't understand how that doesn't annoy the person with the messy brows.

Seriously. Who cares. And yet it bothers me. But isn't that the nature of pet peeves?

Pet Peeve:

When people are out in public and smacking and popping their gum. I'd rather be in a cow pasture hanging out with an actual cow than being stuck with a cow like human who has no manners. Ha! there. I said it. Close your mouths people.

Seriously. I think this may be on every persons pet peeve list except for the ones who do it. And again, isn't that the nature of pet peeves?

Pet Peeve:

There, They're, Their being used wrong. Oh man. Not cool. However, I struggle with the use of apostrophes and to, too so I guess I'm not perfect. But it still bugs me.

Seriously. With social networking and rampant tweeting and texting, it's bound to happen thousands/millions of times in a day. And yes, that is the nature of pet peeves...they don't always matter, they just are.



Okay. Got that out of my system.

Your turn. What are your pet peeves? hmm? do tell...

My word.

My word for 2011:

Good

To see the good in everything. To do good. To know what is good and get rid of what is not. To enjoy the satisfaction that comes with things that are good. A good meal. A good feeling. A good day. A good time. To revel in the fact that my God is good. And to count the many good blessings in my life.

I feel like this word isn't given much credit. And yet...is there anything better? than something good?

This year will be good. It won't be perfect. But it will be good.

Matthew 12:35a "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him..."

Romans 12:9 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

a request...

would you consider clicking the "follow" button at the top of my blog if you are a reader? lots of you already have :)

I appreciate that people take the time to read about the things I share here.

Working on a post for later tonight...picking my "Word for 2011"...have you picked a word?

See you tonight!

girl's night

"well, it's my night to rock

no watchin' that ol' clock

Ain't no doubt, Lordy, it's a girl's night out"

-Wynona Judd

(don't you just love how sweet baby E looks like she is a cabbage patch baby coming up out of the lettuce wraps? haha)

I went out last night with some girlfriends. oh how I needed this. good for the girly soul :)

Cheesecake Factory. Need I say more? Heaven in your mouth.

If you look up the word "linger" in the dictionary, our photo would be there...we most definitely were in no hurry to leave last night. Our waiter left before we did. Just enjoying each others company and a night out on the town! No kids, No Fuss, No Muss.

The Christmas Chronicles Part 8, Wrapping up Christmas, all good things must come to an end...

Lance's sister gave us some wonderful "handmeups" for Christmas...

Judah is in Thomas the Train heaven...and I think I can safely say, Lance is too.

Check out the track they built...and by "they" I mean Lance.

This was right before we said good bye to miss Brandy. We loved her visit!

And after Brandy left, my sister Jessi came for a few days!

The Christmas fun just went on and on...and I didn't mind!

Low and behold...my mom sent Jess some gifts and there was one for me in the box too! sweeeeet! haha. My sister will tell you christmas horror stories about how I always got more presents than her...so she was crying foul when the shared gift turned up...haha.

and I'm not gonna lie...I rubbed it in a little...err...a lot...lol

We got matchy matchy books!

Thanks mom!

I just liked this picture. Judah flying high! and he was flying high after all the attention he received over the holidays...bringing him in for a landing may take a while...

Jessi's puppies were along for the ride...puppy cousins.

And this is a series of sweet Judah faces...because I love him.

He is the best gift in my life. Hands down.

Our Christmas season was truly Merry and Bright. And for that I am eternally thankful.

The Christmas Chronicles Part 7, Kiss:Like father like son..

Now this was a gift from Lance's sister and mom...and I would venture to say it was a rather perfect present! ha!



In the words of his mother:

"when Lance was a pre-teen and young teen he was a HUGE KISS fan--he had posters all over his room--he was such a fan we got tickets to KISS in Mpls and Howard took he and his sister there in a single engine plane through bad weather so he could get to the concert--we were stone deaf parents!!!"



In the words of his father:

"What really happened is that the weather was good starting out but we hit unexpected bad weather which I was able to handle near Minneapolis. We made it on time and the first thing Lance saw when he got in was the KISS leader in full costoom in the hall way. He swore to me that it wasn't really Gene Simmonds but someboy immitating him. It is funny how kids think. We were in a Cherokee Warrior that was operated by the flying club. Alan Reman went with us because I did not go to the concert."

Judah most definitely already loves Rock n Roll.

He loves all music and loves to dance.

I think he has a future in music...look at that style and attitude!

I think his daddy was loving this :) haha

A great Christmas gift!

The Christmas Chronicles Part 6, A new year with old friends

Before Howard and Sandy left town, my friends Kristen and Tim arrived...which made it possible for us to all enjoy a wonderful breakfast together on New Years Eve Day. Tyler, Jessica and Cassie came over again which was great. We had such a fun morning!

I have spent countless New Years Eve's with my friend Kristen...so many good memories. It was wonderful to have her and her husband here for yet another celebration!

Kristen and Tim are basically an Auntie and an Uncle...and they play the part well!

Judah would agree wholeheartedly!

I will post a little bit more about what they got me for my birthday later on in the month...because it requires it's own grand reveal and back story :) how's that for suspense...muahahaha...

We spent the weekend lounging around, eating good food and just enjoying each others company. Kristen and I were expert frisbee competitors on the Wii before New Years Eve was over...yes...we rock. Brandy and Tim just rolled their eyes at us...haha.

A New Year's Prayer

Dear Lord, please give me

A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;

A work to do which has real value,

without which the world would be the poorer;

A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;

An understanding heart;

A sense of humor;

Time for quiet, silent meditation;

A feeling of the presence of God;

The patience to wait for the coming of these things,

With the wisdom to recognize them when they come.

Amen.

Unknown

The Christmas Chronicles Part 5, Papa Big Boots & A Sweet Parting

I'm gonna tell you a little secret

You won't believe it's true

Did you know your

"Papa" Big Boots

Once wore little boots like you

-Elvis song from "GI Blues"

Judah found his "papa's" big boots and had to try them on.

What a sweet little man.

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

Some sweet kisses for the road!

Judah has asked about his grammy and papa every day since they left.

What a joy it was to share the holidays with them!

The Christmas Chronicles Part 4, Grammy repairs "banka", A Christmas Miracle

Anyone else out there have a Linus? I seriously did not know how my child would react to seeing his grammy fixing his blanket. Or has he calls it, his "banka". He is extremely possessive of that blanket!

Not only did he not mind her holding the blanket, he didn't mind watching her cutting pieces of his banka or watching her sew new binding onto the edges! I was probably more nervous about it all than he was. ha!

In the end, his banka was restored and better than ever.

A Christmas Miracle!

The Christmas Chronicles Part 2, A white Christmas & Gifts Galore!

I already posted about our Christmas Eve experience, but I didn't include some of the fun pictures from Christmas Eve Day that I took...and the fun pics from the middle of the night when the snow was coming down and of course our Christmas Day! So here goes! Lots of photos...and this is not even a tenth of the ones I took...that will be saved to torture someone evil some day...haha...even I don't like looking at that many pics. This is a much more manageable selection, and the fam will love it :)

For days before Christmas, Judah enjoyed stacking the gifts like blocks and sitting on them and he even fell through one box when he stood on it. It was pretty funny. It was nice that he didn't know about opening them, I didn't have to worry about that this time around...next year I anticipate hiding the gifts until the night of christmas...

Judah especially loved the gift bags cause they had handles to carry around the house...

Miss Brandy came to spend Christmas with us. She lives in Virginia and is going to school and needed the break! Judah was super happy to have her here! He called her "Bandy" and wanted to be by her all the time.

Friends!

Christmas eve and we were ready!

All the pretty paper!

One last shopping trip before the big day. We were searching for one more of the Matchy Matchy shirts...we ended up buying the only one they had right off of a mannequin!

We have a time gap in the pictures here, I already blogged about the really lovely Christmas Eve service we attended....and after we got home and Judah was tucked in...I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures of the snow! I wasn't sure it would stick...I'm glad it did! First time it snowed on Christmas in 17 yrs. Nashvillians were going crazy.

It felt like Christmas!

A Magical White Christmas!

Christmas morning dawned and it looks like Santa was here!!! We love Santa!

Judah's stocking was full of fun little things like car ornaments and helicopters and Elmo movies...the kid scored big!

Dig deep kid!

Playing with the loot!

And then it was melt down time...to much fun for this little man...

so off he went for a nap...a nice long happy nap!

It looks like our house was dusted with powdered sugar...

yummy pretty tasty powdered sugar...it put us in the mood for cookies...

Judah was up for more fun! miss Brandy made some amazing gingerbread men...

watching them cook! what a cute pair!

Judah liked biting their legs off first...that's my boy!

Time to see what Santa brought mommy :)

I think Judah liked my gifts as much as I did...especially the socks he turned into a scarf. ha!

We were not sure Lance would make it home on Christmas but he did! We were SO happy! We opened our gifts and enjoyed each other. It was such a fun evening.

Judah's great Aunt Sue bought Judah some fun gifts...by far his favorite gift was the Elmo Slippers she got him...he actually squealed then got up and danced in his slippers...it was a riot.

and then he sneezed. hahahahaha

My boys...this warms my heart.

such a cute little back pack :) meow!

Brandy got us all some really sweet presents. Judah loved his finger puppets!

Kiss the puppy!

daddy got this gift for Judah...which makes this particular picture priceless...

and my favorite gift! my blog in print! awesome. every year is its own book. love love love.

Judah got more matchbox cars than an heir to hot wheels...

Brandy got some fun gifts too. It was fun to get her stuff she liked.

So there is a smattering of our christmas pictures. It was a really fun day. I didn't even know if I'd get to see Lance or not, and it turned out we got to spend a big chunk of the day together.

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."

-Hamilton Wright Mabi