Veterns Day

I am so greatful for the things my husband does for our country, as well as the other men and women that give so much of their lives for us!

Our flag string broke the other day in the wind, and forgetting about it I started crying while talking to my sister on the phone this morning~ Luckily, a street repair man named "Frank" helped me out. As well as say thank you to a veterans wife!
Thank you Frank!

Six, one more day!?

I can hardly believe that six whole years have went by...
Trent will be seven tommorow, Already??
Trenton came into our lives at the age of around 8 months, he came from a bad situation. He remained with us until he was 14 months old. He had learned to crawl,walk, babble, play, and smile again..to make eye contact..... He had grown in weight and in spirit. He had is first teeth come in, and ate his first birthday cake... Well it was a cupcake... it was everywhere. I just feel bad that even though I loved him so much, I took very little pictures of that time. I coped by keeping that part at distance. Even when I craddled him in my arms, I felt like I knew I had to give him back to bio parents eventually. So, I loved him, and kept him safe... but for me taking little to none in the way of pictures helped me... I didnt want the tears and pain looking at them later in time. As I thought and expected the court system from MI, let the parents have him back. I was angery that the system could do that to him... He was thriving. he was happy, and had gotten his shots all up to date which he had never had with them. He was turning into a chunk with adorable dimples and a sweet spirit.
Needless to say, He was abused when he was returned to his bio parents, and we found out he had Fetal Alcohol Syndrom, and was mildly autistic. They still failed him, so we got another phone call, for a gaurdianship, this time there was more.... he had lost 7 lbs, and momma had another baby. My prayers for Trenton to come back were answered, and with a brand new 4 week old baby brother. Can you believe the courts worked so hard to help the parents and yet they just signed their parental rights away? They didnt want them? Seven years tommorow, I had a life changing event happen... I fell in love and had my heart broke all at once! With Trenton... I know it doesnt make since to some of you, but I felt like I died when left and was treated so horribly. I feel like part of him is dead sometimes. Hes went through so much...
When all he deserved was to be loved, to be happy and healthy... Now he is... Forever! If I didnt mention it; we adopted both him and his baby brother, ( whom turned 5 Valentines day!!!) Wow! Happy Birthday Trenton... We are so glad we have had you for all 7 Birthdays!
Pictures speak volumes... I wish I could turn the clock back and snap everyday of his life sometimes....
I Love you Trenton... My lil Bug!

It's Happening

Day after Thanksgiving 2007
Christmas Eve 2007
Christmas Day 2007 ( Pouting my chin up to hide it)

January 2008

I have waited SO long to actually feel good about buying clothes, I dont yet... since now I am in between sizes.

I have waited for somone to say Oh wow, and pat me on the back and actually notice the hard work I have been putting forth since I started this change of lifestyle, (change of diet.) I have went for months getting excited as I would see the Dr. for Blood pressure checks, and just last week a glucose test. My sugar and BP had been high off and on but The Dr. asured me that getting the weight off would bring me back. Well I am no longer pre~diabetic, and while my BP spikes at times, the Dr. as have I have noticed now it is usually stress induced. I am not where I need to be or where I want to be, but I do have more energy, and dont get worn out as easily chasing after the boys. I am liking who I see in the mirror again though and that is IMPORTANT! For sixteen years this has been a challenge, and I am FINALLY motivated to do something about it! Espescially since someone yesterday really didnt recognize me, and I told here who I was... she just didnt put it all together UNTIL I showed her my Drivers Licence picture. She thought I looked so different. I am proud the work is showing, but will NEVER forget what I looked like, or HOW it feels to be starred at like you are a pig, when at resturants I always felt like someone was starring like are you going to eat ALL of that! It was so degrading, humiliating...but humbling too. For now I see what others struggle with and will never put an overweight person down. It hurts.... and they too can acheive success, it is hard and alot of work but it isw SO SO worth it! It matters to me that I am healthy and able to let go of it all and be there for my kids and enjoy them... They matter to me, and the weight has made it hard to have fun with them. I am thankful to see that, and to be heading down the right path!

April 24th 2008 ( Previous Pictures were Mid April at the park with the boy's. I havent been able to fit on one in years....

This and That~

THANK YOU TOM, for being such a wonferul husband and taking care of us, even when your not home, thinking of us and making us feel your love when you are SO FAR away!

You sacerfice so much for us all, not just your family but so many other Americans as well! You give so much up for us... I know that I could never do what you do, or repay you for what you have done for this country, even though you are just, but one person YOU make a team of others to do the job~ I love you and I am so proud to be your wife, and have you as my Best Friend!

It has been a long time since my husband has gotten to tell me "Goodnight"! Normally he is being told Goodnight from me as the time difference is SEVEN hours. Well, it is 12:08 am and He called me a few minutes ago. He was off to breakfast, and then to work! I love that his voice will be the last one I hear before I crawl into bed tonight, or morning LOL! I miss him so much right now. I can hardly believe that sometimes I CAN and DO survive without him being here. It is SO hard at times. I know that God is using him and every single soldier there. Just refer to my previous thoughts on this, here is a link! God's hands and Feet I hope that many of you will reflect back on this and really think about what it says and know that Yes while I KNOW many don't agree with the war and soldiers being away from home, missing their loved ones; That They THE SOLDIERS chose this lifestyle and myself as a wife knew it was a possibilities that I would see my husband leave for war. I knew this just as him as a soldier. That DOESN'T make it easier. I know that you Tom, will eventually read this.... I miss you Babe, be safe and know we all love you ~
Tom acting just a BIT Silly... Got to do something over there!

Anyway for a subject change! Things have remained busy as usual, which is good at times. The house is done and everything is PERFECTLY organized. FOR NOW!

I don't know why when everything is all put away in a new home (Or in our case a 1930's home) that things look so good and perfect and has a special place UNTIL we all get lazy and just put it where ever. Anyone else do that? I keep finding myself in a hurry and starting to just shove something in the drawer or in a cabinet and find myself scolded by my inner voice... Now, is this where that goes? At least I don't say it out loud or answer myself.. I just put it where it goes! Which So far has not been in the dining room piling up the table! I think it looks too nice when it isn't cluttered!

Told ya it wasn't cluttered! Very simple light over dining room table... Love it~~

The boys had a nice Easter despite their Daddy being gone. We went to some friends house and had a pitch in, had a Easter egg hunt indoors, since it was snowing on Easter! Yes, EASTER! It is Indiana afterall~

Christian is talking ALOT more and going to the potty all by himself. He isn't totally trained but ALMOST! YEAH RAH!!! Some days I cant believe how much the boys are changing, and wonder where they would be if we had taken them into our hearts and our home!

The boy's headed back to school, Spring break was over for them. I am the one that has spring fever now! I can NOT wait to finish "decorating the yard" . First things first though... It has to be CLEANED up!

I love the way the kitchen came out considering the age and what it looked like to start with, remember the before? Just in case you have forgotten... It was DREADFUL! It was enough to make a crazy person sane! Even my MIL thought is was awful... and to say the least she likes alot of things.... I love ya Momma~ BTW. That is my new name for her. It took me 16 years to call her that!

Before>>>

Same wall, AFTER~

Kitchen table, remaining UNCLUTTERED! For now

Favorite wall, Kitchen of coarse! AND....of coarse the Living Room~

Fun Tree Topper

I have ALWAYS wanted a snowman tree topper, I didn't want a Angel, a Star or a Santa....
Do you know that I have NEVER EVAH seen one though! I am sure that my fellow Snowmen lovers out there can agree!
Alas, until now!!!!!

I give you Mr. Snowman, that is what the kids are calling him! Sorry this first picture is a little fuzzy but, keep looking! :)

I made him all by myself.... Which makes me very happy and proud! I can hardly wait to turn the tree on and see his body glisten.... ( Used clear sparkly glitter spray paint to get that effect), Looks just like fresh fallen snow~However I know that you can see it in the pictures!
The HARDEST part was waiting on the gorilla glue to dry and hold all the dowel rods firm! Oh the anticipation was BRUTAL! All and all it was a lot of fun and I am very thankful that he turned out so Darn cute! BTW.... EAT YOUR SNOW HEART OUT LIZZA! ;) LOL! You know I love ya!

Dizzy

I feel like the world is spinning. I want it to stop if only for a second. The spinning is SOO fast!
I am completely overwhelmed. I started this whole thing with finding something EVERYDAY that I am thankful for.... However!
Today, Life just has fizzed and to be blunt IT SUCKS!
Our computer has been acting dumb and caught some INCURABLE virus and we decided to take the plunge and brake down and get a new one. But..now I have to figure out Vista Shimishta. Hopefully I will be able to add photos when I add them to this new computer which I might learn to like.... I just found comfort like an old shoe in my old one. The keys seemed to fit my fingertips and everything! I will be okay. I just feel a bit dizzy. Thank God we could get a new one and not pay for it until after the holidays.

Matters only seemed to get a bit more fun (sarcastically speaking) when the phone rang and it was the big guys from the commander, Hubby now has to report MONDAY! I know that I can find comfort and thanks in the fact that he has been of the last week and a half HOWEVER I feel like being a CRAB! So I will say this....I AM thankful that he has been home on vacation spending time with us all!

Are you playing?

Today I am thankful.......
I am thankful that my husband is cook bacon and french toast!
Thankful that my children slept in a bit and are at the moment cheerful!

Don't forget to leave those comments, and I will draw a name and choose someone to send a goody to! I will draw Wednesday evening!

Still looking....

I am still looking for comments to pick a name from! You know everyone likes something free in the mail! Leave me a comment on what you are thankful for and keep checking and commenting I will pick a name on Wednesday~



This is what the holidays are ALL about. It isn't what you GET... It is WHAT Are you thankful for? It could ALL be taken away in a blink of an eye!



Think of the California fires, Hurricane Katrina, 911~ A loved one going off to war and never returning~ It could be anything~



Today, I am thankful that my hubby is STILL on vacation ( until DEC 10th) when he leaves for Iraq. I am thankful we didn't get into a fight when I rearranged the office and I broke the computer desk. He didn't get mad,and he bought some brackets and fixed it back up!

Thankfulness after Thanksgiving

Please Lord let all my photo's upload... Blogger is being so mean again! Then again, everything has been going wrong since yesterday~ I am thankful it is a new day! So we can all start fresh.

Yesterday my computer crashed and hubby took it apart and read a book on how to possibly fix it. Well as you can see I am online... BUT! The computer is still not acting right~ Seems slow and like it is dying. I just would like to make it through Christmas and then I will worry about a new one. IF... it can make it~ So in any regard, I am thankful I can atleast post a bit.

The friday night after Thanksgiving, we have a tradition to go downtown to Indianapolis ( No matter how cold) and watch the lighting of the Christmas tree, and spend time with some really great friends. I am so thankful they are such good freinds and that God has put them in our lives!

Jordan was a blast too, carring her blanket everywhere to stay warm, she has a special place in my heart, and she caused a laugh too.... She was told by a man that she looked like a Native American toting her blanket. I am thankful for the face she made when he said that to us!
Just wish I had a picture of it~

I was also glad to walk through the mall with our friends and laugh at Tom... ( We wont embarass him on here, but we laughed!) The time Joey and I had walking through the stores and looking at the decor... Esp the SNOWMEN! Helping her pick her Christmas cards...
I am thankful for the time we shared,That Tom was home safe with us, and that the kids ALL got along and behaved!

Starbucks was there as well to keep us ALL warm! The gave out FREE Hot cocoa! We tried the Peppermint~
I am thankful they warmed us all up with good cheer, the FREE cocoa, and the man serving making me laugh! Oh and repeating his little dance so I could take a picture of it!