Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's going to be 2008 in 1 hour! This year seems to have flown by. I changed my animated "me" to show how I would celebrate if I were going out! Looks like fun, but really I've been in my pj's since 7:30 watching movies with Zachary & Ryan and undecorating. We have big plans as a family for 2008. Lots of dreams we hope to fulfill. I'm thankful that my family has been healthy all year and only small bumps in the road. I'm thankful for the wonderful friends that I have and the new ones that I've made. My life has become richer because of them and can't wait to spend more time with them and my family in 2008! Have a great New Year's Day, we're spending it with my mother in law in the morning and maybe taking a movie in in the afternoon! Happy New Year!

A Very Merry Un-Christmas

Do you know that song from Alice in Wonderland? A Very Merry Un-Birthday to me? Just change it to an Merry Un-Christmas. I never thought that I could feel that Christmas morning could be ruined or go wrong. Until this year. Austin did something that took the wind out of my sails and had me sobbing. "Santa" brings his gifts unwrapped and clearly sets each kid's gifts in their own pile with their stocking in front of their gifts. Clear as day. While we were still sleeping~we as in Zachary too~Austin decided to rip open all of Zachary's gifts and dump out his stocking. He shredded the boxes to his stuff and most of Zachary's. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw this. I started yelling, "What did you do? What did you DO!" And his response was, "I was bored." Ryan came running out and also started yelling the same thing. I quickly told Ryan to run and keep Zachary in his room until I can "fix" this. I had to tape boxes shut and find all of Zachary's stocking stuffers. I had to even switch toys that were the same, but gave Zach the unopened box. I don't think I've ever cried so hard. My heart ached. I really can tolerate a lot Austin does, but this just was unforgiveable. I talked a lot to him that day about what he did. But there was no empathy. I know he has problems and lots of them, but I've never witnessed so much selfishness that morning. We didn't open gifts until later that night. I just couldn't celebrate. So it was kind of a crappy Christmas, hence my not posting. I needed the sting to go away.

I hope all my friends had a nice holiday. I'm excited to still have Ryan home a few more days. Tomorrow we're taking Austin to my Grandma's for 4 days........BIG SIGH.........I need the break. I'm getting to scrap on Wednesday and Friday, maybe I'll make a big dent in my pictures. I can't wait for a little destressing time!

Here is a picture from the 23rd where we celebrated at my mom & dad's house. I love this picture. The second one is of my brother and his girlfriend Evan. She's SO pretty! My brother is wearing my Grandpa's red holiday jacket. My Grandpa died 5 years ago on Dec. 21st. It was his favorite holiday and he always wore this jacket.

We're going to watch a movie now, I now pronounce you Chuck & Larry. Hope it's funny!

I am pooped!

I went out shopping today at 8am! Aaack! I had to. Those little things that just seem like you aren't done yet are lingering, but now no more. I hit the mall. Front parking space. Very nice. I was there for a few hours and then left and went to Wal Mart and Linens and Things. I found these for Zachary. Do you know how hard it is to find toddler friendly Star Wars stuff? I also go Hans Solo and Chewbaca. Their about 6 inches high and they're calling them the "trendy" version of Star Wars. He's going to love them! I think they're new? I've never seen them before. So I'm done. Finished. Phew! Ryan is out shopping and I'm going to go get a pedicure and then come home and wrap. I want to share what I got Austin too. He's going to be thrilled! He asked for a video camera. And we looked at the kid ones. So not worth the money. Just crappy altogether. Then Amazon reccommended The Flip. I remember seeing this on Oprah's favorite things. It is really cool and cannot wait to open it! You do not need a video tape and it just plugs in to your tv or computer and transfers. So easy to use. And the best part is that it (60minute rec time) was on sale for the price of the 30 min one! Hopefully he'll let me use it and then I can post some videos here!

I work tomorrow for a short while and then we have a dinner at my parents house. Monday is Ryan's Birthday. We're going to an early lunch and then having dinner again at my parents. I can't wait to give him his birthday present. He keeps dropping hints he wants a watch and I keep telling him it's SO out of the budget......hee hee.....but I bought one for him!

Everyone have a great holiday and be safe! I hope to see some of my scrappy friends after the holidays.

Pictures as promised

I seriously feel like time is running short and to sit here and upload pictures seems like it takes forever! But here are some as promised. I'm really sad about Zachary's program ones. They are so dark and fuzzy. They asked you not to sit in the aisle, so I just snapped from my seat. I hope we can get some off the video camera to make pictures from. He was such a hoot!

I have one shot from my birthday, one of the boys at Snow Day, Ryan & I at his holiday party, Zach's holiday program and Zachary helping make cookies. Today I've stayed home all day baking. I've made a lot of stuff. I need to go put some chocolate on top of the scotcharoos that I made so I better run. Maybe I can write more later when I'm not feeling frazzeled!

It's getting closer!

I cannot believe Christmas is in one week! I was on the ball and then it seems like I've just run out of time! So much to do and so little time. I feel like I've been on the go since Friday. Running around shopping for Birthday & Christmas presents. Made presents Friday night and got home late. Saturday: Snow day and more shopping and KIA's Holiday party. Sunday I worked all day and did more shopping. Today I was able to workout and knock out a big chunk of shopping this afternoon. My MIL picked Zach up from school so I could have some time alone and then I went to Austin's IEP. After that my mom calls and asks if we could come over for dinner. I guess? We weren't able to get together for my birthday so I had to put Santa's visit on hold til tomorrow. Zach has one day of school left and then his holiday program. Austin has 3 days and then they are off! This next week is going to fly by! I haven't baked any goodies or made out Christmas cards. Where did all my free time go? I promise to upload photos tomorrow, I have lots to share. Good night.

Happy Birthday to me!

I'm 36 today. Nothing exciting going on today. Just the normal stuff. Working out, cleaning, making gifts. Tonight we're going to the Cheescake Factory with the kids. I haven't been in a long time. I'm looking forward to going. I ate a bowl of cereal for lunch so I can have yummy dinner and piece of cheesecake. I'm thinking of running up to the mall and buying myself a small present. I really want this; I think white would be nice since I have some many colorful sweaters. OH! I just remembered I have city cash for here!!! And that starts tomorrow! Yeah, now I really can get it. (its NY&Co)

I better run now, I need to get Zachary.

13 days left until Christmas!

Family Fun Day!

That was what our Saturday was designated, Family Fun Day! We went and saw "Enchanted" first. What a cute movie. Ryan laughed a lot, so I was happy he didn't think it was lame. He prefers to not go to the kid movies. Then a quick stop at Oasis-saw Erika & Steph! That was a nice surprise. I grabbed some holiday ribbon for some projects I'm working on. Then over to South Coast Plaza for a bite to eat. I had coupons for a kids meal for $1.99 at Rainforest Cafe. Not my first choice to eat. Or even my second, but the kids like it. Since we ate an early dinner (4:30) we got right in. Then off to the carousel. It's so stinkin cute! Instead of horses its reindeer and sleighs. Then next to that is Santa's Workshop. There are wooden decorations the kids can pick from and decorate. Zach got a reindeer and Austin chose a nutcracker. It was super busy, but they were really enjoying themselves. I had a Reality TV show sighting. Tamara from the Real OC Housewives was with her BF and his & her kids at the workshop. They weren't taping and amazingly no one bothered her or even seemed to notice her. In fact, neither did I. Ryan is the one who pointed her out. I do have lots of cute pics, but I don't know how to transfer from my phone to the computer yet. A task I need to figure out today.

I have a small vent~and most of my loyal readers and friends already know this. I HATE Adelphia. Guess what? Our cable box went out again. This is the 7th one in 2 months! We are officially shopping around for satellite tv now. It really doesn't matter how much money they credit us, their product is crap and their techs are dumb. We've had 3 modems, 4 splitters, 6 techs out,7 cable boxes and about 40 phone calls to them in a matter of 2 months. I think maybe it's time to call the better business bureau.

Tomorrow is my birthday!
There are 14 days left til Christmas!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Really it is. I love December. Both Ryan & I are December babies, so we both seem to be in especially good moods all month. I wish other months had such pretty decorating going on. I managed to get my sisters gift off in the mail today~her birthday is Sunday. I bought some other birthday cards for some special people who have December birthdays as well. I love cards. I could buy four or five for each person. I tend to usually give two because the cards (and humor) is just always the perfect thing to say!

Christmas shopped today. I'm about 50% done. Austin is my challenge this year. Everything he wants is SO expensive, but I think I've narrowed it down.
Tomorrow is a "stay home"day. With the anticipation of the rain, I'm going to workout and then come home to decorate.
Ryan has a meeting at work tonight about a MBA program at his work through Concordia University. I hope it's "a go" because he really wants to get his MBA. That would be such a great accomplishment for him.
Well I need to finish up some laundry and start homework. Have a great day!

Monday

Finally feeling better, though now Ryan has caught that nasty cold I had. An uneventful weekend for us. Soccer is finally done. Celebrated my little brother's 18th birthday and I worked all day Sunday. I'm doing some holiday make & takes at the Red Bee on Sundays. Come by if you can, they are a lot of fun and easy for kids to do. Though the one I'm doing this Sunday is an origami gift box. Eeek. I need to practice this week.
22 days til Christmas
9 days until my birthday.
Have a great day!