My favorite time of year...

I love to decorate for the holidays! And I always over do it! So far the outside is done...I could do more but won't! The living room is done...except the tree needs to be decorated...the stair case is almost done and the mantel is finished! The dining room and family room will not be decorated this year...two little hands would have a field day, so we are just doing table arraignments. We had a great day yesterday...I picked up mom early and went to the chiropractor while they stayed in the car...then we went to the The Christmas Shoppe...very disappointing! Wow!!! I guess I was expecting more...oh well! Then we went to see my dad...Julian had not see him in about 2 weeks...which is the longest time they have been apart! I am ver fortunate to have my family in town. We really are lucky! After that we came home, I kept Julian awake in the car...it was hard to do, but if he gets even 10 mins in the car asleep, he thinks he has napped for 3 hours! So we went down for a nap...yeah well that lasted for a good 48 mins! Are you kidding me!! Poor baby...his teeth are killing him. I must say the first 10 teeth were no problems...these molars and eye teeth are brutal!!! Today we went to church, shopping for a few things, then we came home, and Julian slept for 3 hours...got to love that! We were able to get so much done! Then the rest of the day was family time! I just love watching him explore and find new things! Today he began to play with his dinosour that you put balls into...he loves it! It was alot of fun! Well I am home with him tomorrow, Weds and Friday this week. Tuesday is a long day and Thursday will be longer! But at least I have 3 days home with him. It has been so wonderful being home with him for the past 2 weeks...it is alot of work...but so much fun! I love working part time, and don't think I could ever get useto staying home full time.

Dad is doing much better. Thank for all the phone calls, the prayers and little notes! We really appreciate it all! The prayers have worked! Love God, Love life! Hugs and blessings

Pictures from our day...

Gram, Julian and Uncle Damon

Uncle Damon and Julian

Our little family

The table

Me and Jeffrey

Well it took all day to do, and about 30 minutes to eat! We miss my parents! But Thankfully we will all be together for Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving! 2008

Well here we are again...this is my third year of blogging on Thanksgiving day. I am thankful everyday...every morning and night when I pray I thank God for all I have and all I have been through to be where I am today.

There are so many things that I am thankful for...my family, my wonderful husband (who is cooking dinner!) my parents...so thankful that my father is doing much better and will be back to normal very soon! Thankful that my brother is home this year and will not be going back to Iraq in January. Thankful for my 86 year old grandmother who will be spending the holiday with us. Thankful to have a job in this difficult economy...thankful for wonderful friends who have stuck with me through think and thin, who love me for me! I am so thankful for my son, my smart, funny, lovable, hugable, kissable, playful, beautiful son. This morning Jeff brought Julian into bed...this is the first time he stayed put. He snuggled in and watched sesame street. For 30 mins! I looked over and I started to cry...I am so thankful...so very thankful.

Today we are having my brother and grandmother over for dinner. Mom and Dad will be at home, while dad is still on the mend. It will not be my favorite Thanksgiving since it is the first I will miss with my parents in 37 years. We are a small but close family and when one is missing it is very noticable. But there will be 2 missing so it won't be the same. But we will make the most of it and good conversation, laughter and maybe a few tears (from me of course!)

So I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving...look around you...you all have a lot to be thankful for!

First Hair cut...

Before...
before....

Getting ready...

During...

Watching Baby Einstein...

Done! Back view...

Look how good it looks!

Today we went and got his hair cut...it was a long time coming and after I tried to cut it a few times, I realized it was time for the professionals to do it.

So much happening...

Well, my father is home and recovering from his surgery. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts! The power of prayer is amazing!

The last 2 weeks I have been working from home, since my parents are not able to watch Julian, Jeff and I decided not to put him into any kind of child care for now. We feel he is still too young and needs to be with people who love him as much as we do. I know that there are alot of places that take excellent care of the children whom they watch...it is just our preference. So I have been home working, I have an office set up and there really isn't anything that I can't do here. So there have been a few days that I had to go in later in the day...but we are all surviving!

So we are having Thanksgiving here this year...not sure if mom and dad are going to make it, so we will have the rest of the family over. SO...I have been cleaning the house...our once beautiful living room, has become a drop spot for baby toys, play pen, toys he is standing on, toys he is throwing...as I work through these toys, I have become increasing sadden by how fast my son has grown up. At 15 months, he is 97% on the height and 81% on the weight. He looks so much older then he is...we have to remember how young he is. So we are teaching him to share...that has been fun! He is now climbing on the couch...and tip toeing along the cushions...this is a no no! So I have had to discipline him...my form of discipline is telling him no....and then he comes over to me and gives me a big kiss. Man it is hard to resist that cute little face!

October was a great closing month for me. I had a total of 8 loans close. This month is a little quite, but I did manage to close 4 and write 4. So work is going ok. Refinance is coming back...so if you have an interest rate of 7% or higher call me! We are running a special right now! So go to my web site at www.yournexthouseloan.com and let's see if we can save you some money! I can do loans anywhere in the US. I do love my job and where I work. I think that working for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a great place for me. They are one of the only 3 star rated banks left and in the top 10 of the world safest banks to invest in. Not to shabby! So I am here if you need me.

Happy Turkey day!

I have been a bad blogging friend to many!

Hi my blogging friends! I am sorry I have been MIA! You know how life gets in the way sometimes...well it has for sure! We have been very busy...the fall is almost over...bring on the snow! I can't want for Julian to play in it this year! He is going to be our little snowman! I have been working, things get busy and then they slow down. I had a great month in October...made goal and then some. I had an agreement with my area manager that if I hit a higher goal that he had set, he would pay for an over night for Jeff and I at Niagara on the Lake...and YES! I hit it! So we will be going there in January or February...haven't picked a date as of yet. You know that we love NOTL! Our favorite place to go other then the wineries.

Julian is growing leaps and bounds! He is now bigger then a 2 year old in one of his little play groups! And that child is not small! Holy Moly! We have a big boyon our hands! He is a gental giant! He is so cute...he grabs my face, opens his month and kisses me! But the face he makes is so funny...it is like he diving in for an apple at the apple bobbing or something like that! Too stinking funny! Yesterday he learned how to climb up on the couch! Lovely! And he can now step up the stairs with no help! I think to my self...sometimes I need help!!!

We started a new bible study all about raising a rock solid child. It was great! If you are interested in hearing more let me know, I took alot of notes!

I have been under alot of stress lately, so I really haven't been myself...I hate that. Normally I am so happy go lucky about everything...I need to get back to the goodness of the lord and have him help me through this time. Jeff has been wonderful and understanding, so that makes it easier for me...but still I am so stressed out!

Did anyone watch ER last night? I cried from the begining to the end! Cried like a baby! Maybe it is because it is that time of the month and I am late. But I am also very stressed so don't read anything into that comment! I know you are all thinking...pregnancy...and I am not...so bite your tounge! LOL

Well, I am going to go...I will try to post more this week. I will need some serious prayers this week and I will posting about it on Monday! Have a great weekend!

15 months...

Where has the time gone? It feels like I just brought my sweet baby boy home. Everyone told me the first year goes by so fast...well they weren't kidding! I can't believe it! He is becoming a little boy right before my eyes! He is running, dancing, talking screaming, playing following comands...everything he should be doing...and he is the most presious gift ever! I love to hear him mumble...god only knows what he is saying...but it is so darn cute! Enjoy your weekend! Jeff and I have a date night planned with Katie and Patrick and Sue and Joe...I will take some pictures...we are going to Married Life Live at Church and then out for drinks. Should be fun!!

Mixed emotions...

Well last night the country elected a new president. To this I have mixed emotions. The President Elect was not the candidate that I would have chosen for our country...but then again neither was McCain...but looking at what I believe in and who I thought would best be our President, regardless of making history or not. I voted on the records that were put forward...I think that this is wonderful for our country...the first AA/CC to be elected...how wonderful and how far we have come. That now helps our children see that dreams really do come true regardless of the color of your skin. On that point...my son who is CC/HS is now the future, along with many friends of mine who have adopted bi-racial children. Wow how wonderful is this...I only hope President Elect does not forget what he is here to do...that is lead our country...keep our country safe from all evil doers. Financially...I am scared...I pay taxes every week when I get my check from work...that should be enough, but I have a feeling that it won't be. I hope he doesn't stray from that he has been campaigning for. I hope America didn't just vote to make history, but voted for the best man to lead our country...this is all I can hope and pray for.

Maybe one day, Julian will be running for president of the USA...how wonderful will that be...and if not, I want him to finish school, get the best education he can and be a productive, honest and non judgemental American. That is what my mother raised for a son and a daughter...that should not be any different then any other American. Please pray for our country and your family everyday. I will continue to do so, today like every other day before this day. Hugs and Blessings