Remembering You...

My mom went to be with the Lord six years ago yesterday. There's more than an enormous place in my heart soley reserved for my "mama". At times it feels like just yesterday I was laying my head in her lap so she could gently stroke my hair, b/c she knew that's what soothed me. However, other times it feels like an eternity that I was able to hug her and tell her how much I loved her.

She loved the little things in life, it never took much to make her happy. Just an outing to a grocery store with me would brighten her day (to this day, I wish I had indulged her just a bit more). She loved cooking amazing meals, she poured immense amounts of love into it. She adored time spent with just the four of us, family time was so important. She also relished the time spent with her sister and niece, and those were my best memories! Jen, her niece, had such a special place in her heart; as they were two of a kind!!! My Aunt was not only her sister, but her best friend and she misses her so much!

With every fiber of her being she loved and nurtured my sister and I. She sacrificed so much for us that words can't even describe. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her and miss her immensely. As I just said to someone the other day, until I am reunited with her again, all I can do is pray that I see her beautiful face in my dreams.

I love you mom...

Jeromy's Grandfather

Jeromy's Grandfather (Daddy Bill) passed away on Saturday. He passed unexpectedly, but quickly, of a massive heart attack. Sadly, he had to have his leg amputated months ago and it was not only difficult for the family, but so incredibly hard on him. Daddy Bill was such a strong man and hardly let on of his pain and suffering! He always seemed to have a warm smile on his face and something funny to say, and he was such a loving man. As the matriarch of the family, this was a hard loss to take for his children and grandchildren, but as we are assured, he is being welcomed into Heaven. He is healthy, happy and glorifying our Lord as we speak! He lived a long, happy life and adored his wife and family. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten!

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" John 14:1-3

Tagged....

Hmmm...Ok, here we go, some good some bad!

1. I love old people, I am picky about this though! Most are so incredibly precious, and all I want to do is hug them!!!

2. Speaking of hugs (Ashley), I can't stand when someone hugs me so lightly you barely feel it...you know, they've got their butt sticking so far out that you think they think you have some sort of disease! If you're gonna hug someone, MAKE IT WORTH IT!!! I will call most people out on this too...so beware :)

3. Jeromy won't like that I posted this, but here it goes. I met Jeromy when he was working at Texas Roadhouse through college and I was managing. He was dating a girl that also worked there, whom I did know and like. First, let me just put this out there...Jeromy is very full of himself, and he used to think he was a gift to women (not a huge surprise to anyone that knows him). Well, while he was dating her and being so, um what's the word??? SMUG (love ya babe)...he so "smuggly" asked me to come hang out with him and his friends in a hot tub! I pretty much laughed at him and declined! Well, that was about 2 years before he actually, formerly, asked me out. So, I guess he knew what he wanted from the "get go" :)

4. I am 4 years older than Jeromy. FOUR VERY BIG, LARGE, ENORMOUS, GINORMOUS years OLDER...and I'm reminded of this regularly :) I don't feel older and I'm told all the time that I don't look a day over 24ish, so THERE!!!

5. I don't like talking on the phone. I'm terrible at answering calls, returning calls or just plain calling people. I ADMIT IT!!! (some of you are nodding in agreeance right now)

6. I pierced my tongue when I was like 21 or 22! At the time, my best friend and I thought it would be the "cool" thing to do. Another fact about me is that I have an EXTREMELY LOW tolerance for pain, so don't ask what prompted me to want to pierce my tongue! An interesting side note: it actually didn't hurt! (yea, I know, how in the world will I be able to give birth? not letting my mind wonder there yet!)

7. I wish I was taller, I'm scared of getting old and wrinkley, I wish so bad my husband would "baby" me, I want to see a Broadway show and a Nascar race soooo bad, I can't wait to have babies, I'm terrified of gaining weight (hopefully that doesn't make me sound vain, cause I'm really not), I love to shop, I want the fairytale, I don't like my job b/c I'm not reaching my full potential (hence the fact that I can write this blog WHILE I'm working!!!)....ok, gotta get back to work :)

And, I don't have anyone to tag :( But, thankyou Katrina for tagging me!!!

Bare Minimum...Newlywed Style!

So, after fixing some yummy hot chocolate for my hubs (well, after he brought down all the Christmas "stuff" from the attic, he DID help)...I decided to decorate our pitiful Christmas tree.

Now, I'm not going to diss it that bad b/c my Patti got it for us on our first Christmas...and we are grateful for that. But, this year after decorating the Christmas tree and setting out our very minimal knick-knacks, I had to laugh.

Here it is!!! Cute but pitiful...I think it's leaning. What do you think???

And, here are a few of our decorations...and as you can see, it "ain't" much! So newlywed"ish" of us!

I'm holding back until we can sell our townhome (which may be sometime around 2022???), to invest in more Christmas decorations! So until then, we will settle for this.

Oh, and check out how cute I was when I was only 3 years old!!! Not humble at all ;) Little blurry, but you get the picture!

Two Little Elves....

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Quick trip BACK to Florida...

We went to Orlando this year for Thanksgiving. This was the first year celebrating Thanksgiving without my Grandmother. She passed away last February, so it was particularly hard on us and especially my Grandfather. Her presence was certainly missed...her running around preparing things, snipping at people to get out of her way, breaking out in a sweat...so I had the pleasure of taking on that role this year! We all know by now that I don't cook, BUT I can surely throw a casserole together. My sister prepared most of the casseroles, and then she was out like a fat kid in dodge ball...leaving the rest for me. You know, all the timing of the casseroles, turkey, biscuits...and then setting the table and the hour of clean up, while everyone kicked back! Ya'll would have been so proud of me :) Jero would not appreciate me bragging about my Thanksgiving day accomplishments. His thoughts are, "Don't do it and gloat about it, just do it!" Well I say, the heck with that I worked my little bootie off! ***Taking a bow***

So, onto the airplane "drama"! I bought Kamden one of those CHEAPLY made, but not so CHEAPLY priced, remote control airplanes. Well, if ya'll didn't know already, I'm married to a big kid who just HAD to try it out first...and guess where it landed??? Oh YES, you guessed right...THE ROOF!!!

So, we came across this ladder. This picture doesn't do much justice in showing how very SHORT this ladder actually was! I didn't get a lot of pictures of Jero trying his very best to get on the roof with this stunted ladder...but, lets just say it was HILARIOUS watching him try!

So funny that my sister was in tears! This picture, also, does no justice in expressing how hard she was laughing...it was just one of those "moments", laughing till you cry-there's nothing better than that! I, however, didn't find it quite as funny as I was envisioning an impending hospital visit!

Low and behold, he made it up there (after discovering a much taller ladder, thanks to Gramps).

Kamden was sooo upset that he couldn't bare to watch!!! I'm not sure if he was upset for Jero or for his plane???

What a hero Jeromy was!!! We wouldn't be making that mistake again!

Yes, there is that tall ladder we needed so badly...worked much better :)

And there is our Happy Camper!!! No damage to the plane OR Jeromy...thank heavens!!!

Just us girls!

It was such a wonderful visit that I am very grateful for! I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!!! Christmas is on it's way...YAY!

The ABC's About Me...

A--Attached or Single: Attached...MARRIED!

B--Best Friend(s): My husband, sister and cousin

C--Cake or Pie: Um, cake!

D--Day of Choice: Most definitely Saturdays!!!

E--Essential Item: My devotional prayer book

F--Favorite Food: Mexican & Italian

G--Greatest Joy: My family

H--Hometown: Asheville

I--Indulgences: Clothes shopping!!!!

J--January or July: JULY!!! I LOVE summer!

K--Kids: None YET...does my husband count?

L--Life is Incomplete Without: My faith & salvation, second to that is my FAMILY!

M--Marriage Date: October 20th, 2007

N--Number of Siblings: 1 Great Sister

O--Oranges or Apples: Love 'em both equally!

P--Phobias: Heights....YIKES!!!

Q--Quotes: "It's not WHAT you do, it's how much LOVE you put into it that matters" Mother Teresa

R--Reason to Smile: Most definitely all the little things in life that we take for granted...I'm blessed in sooo many countless ways!

S--Season: Summer...doesn't get any better. I'd say winter just for the Christmas season, but I hate the cold!

T--Tag 5 Friends: I don't have 5 friends to tag....sad huh?

U--Unknown Facts About Me: I'm actually a little shy, believe it or not! I think if someone were to describe me, shy wouldn't be in their description.

V--Very Favorite Store(s): Old Navy, Gap, Ann Taylor, Charlotte Russe

W--Worst Habit: Sucking my thumb (I personally don't think that's "bad", but my husband does!)

X--X-ray or Ultra Sound: Funny question...I've never had either

Y--Your Favorite Movie: Steele Magnolias "Don't talk about me like I'm not here"

Z--Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Too Funny....

Boredom can bring you to some funny places! I stumbled upon another blog today and found this. I couldn't stop laughing and neither will you!!! Some questions asked by people on a pregnancy website that a lady took the liberty of answering in her own unique way...


BEFORE THE PREGNANCY:

Am I more likely to get pregnant if my husband wears boxers rather then briefs?
Yes, but you'll have an even better chance if he doesn't wear anything at all.

Are birth control pills deductible?
Only if they don't work.

What is a chastity belt?
A labor-saving device.

Should I have a baby after 35?
No, 35 children are enough.

Can a mother get pregnant while nursing?
Yes, but it's much easier if she removes the baby from her breast and puts him to sleep first.

My husband and I are very attractive. I'm sure our baby will be beautiful enough for commercials. Whom should I contact about this?
Your therapist.

DURING THE PREGNANCY:

How will I know if my vomiting is morning sickness or the flu?
If it's the flu, you'll get better.

I normally wear a size 34-C bra. Now that I'm pregnant, should I continue to wear a bra?
Not if you don't mind switching in the future to a size 34-Long.

What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
Childbirth.

I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Since I became pregnant, my breasts, rear end, and even my feet have grown. Is there anything that gets smaller during pregnancy?
Yes, your bladder.

Ever since I've been pregnant, I haven't been able to go to bed at night without onion rings. Is this a normal craving?
Depends on what you're doing with them.

Under what circumstances can sex at the end of pregnancy bring on labor?
When the sex is between your husband and another woman.

My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

What does it mean when the baby's head is crowning?
It means you feel as though not only a crown but the entire throne is trying to make it's way out of you.

What are forceps?
Giant baby tweezers.

Does labor cause hemorrhoids?
Labor causes anything you want to blame it for.

AFTER THE PREGNANCY:

Will I love my dog less when the baby is born?
No, but your husband might get on your nerves.

Under what circumstances should a baby not be circumcised?
When it's a girl, for starters.

Where is the best place to store breast milk?
In your breasts.

Is there a safe alternative to breast pumps?
Yes, baby lips.

What does it mean when a baby is born with teeth?
It means that the baby's mother may want to rethink her plans to nurse.

How does one sanitize nipples?
Bathe daily and wear a clean bra. It beats boiling them in a saucepan.

What are the terrible twos?
Your breasts after baby stops nursing cold turkey.

What is the best time to wean the baby from nursing?
When you see teeth marks.

What is the grasp reflex?
The reaction of new father's when he sees new mother's breasts.

What happens to disposable diapers after they're thrown away?
They are stored in a silo in the Midwest, in the event of global chemical warfare.

Do I have to have a baby shower?
Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

What causes baby blues?
Tanned, hard-bodied, knock outs.

What is colic?
A reminder for new parents to use birth control.

Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
When the kids are in college.

Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
Yes, pregnancy.

Who Do You Look Like???

So, I was bored at work today (I know, that's bad) and created my "Celebrity Look-alikes". A couple don't surprise me b/c I've heard it before, like Teri Hatcher and Paula Abdul. I'm kinda digging the Jessica Alba and Eva Mendes pics, b/c my hubs is IN LOVE with them...hahaha! To my blogging buddies out there (the 2 or 3 of you), go ahead...create one, they're fun!!!

Surprise, Surprise!!!

We spent the weekend in Hickory celebrating the BIG 4-0 of Jeromy's cousin and her husand. It was a SURPRISE birthday party for the two of them! They thought they were attending a party of one of their friends, and to their surprise it was for them...

Lauri and Jeff

Jero and I with my BIL and SIL

Patti with her boys

Patti with the BEST daughter-in-laws EVER :)

Jero's other cousin Sandi and her husband Ray

Ok, I know there are a million pics of us...

but, this is what you'll get until the family grows :)

My absolutely ADORABLE husband!!!

Jeromy and his Grandfather
(prayers for his healing & strength, please)

Patti, her sister Libbie and Gama

Cutie pies Brady and Jake, Lauri and Sandi's boys

Precious baby doll Piper, check out her dimples!!!

Jero and Brady

Baseball Games & Ocean Waves

Our Vacation in Indian Rocks Beach!!!

Jero and the boys playing "Rock Band"

...let me tell you how much fun that is to watch...NOT :)

Leya & I at the first of FIVE games of the week!

(defeating side note: they won ONE out of FIVE games!)


Our HOT Boys!!!



The Capitals from afar...

Base hit BABY!!!

Doing what he does best!

As Jero calls it...War Paint!!!

Still dreaming of "Rock Band"!!!

Kris & Leya, sweet couple!

Us...again

Some of the guys from the baseball team.

They were an awesome group of guys!!!

On the beach! Everyday was beautiful!!!

VACATION...FINALLY!!!

We're headed to Indian Rocks Beach, FL on Saturday morning! It's near Clearwater, FL. Jeromy has another baseball tournament (I'm not complaining) all next week. We've booked a condo on the beach, and I'm looking forward to some R&R!!! We're going with Leya & Kris, the same couple we went with to Raleigh for the last tournament. I'll be back with some great pictures of good times :) Have a great week guys!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO