This will be the Best Thanksgiving Ever!!!!

Ok, so the time has come for me to be able to make a big announcement. My ex has signed over his parental rights. We can finally file a petition for Mike to adopt Parker. We are meeting with our attorney today to sign all the paperwork. I cannot tell you what a relief this is. The last 5 years have been filled with verbal and mental abuse, but I can honestly tell you that it has all been worth it. I know that sounds really crazy but, if all of that had not happened, we might not be where we are today. We can finally start a new chapter in our lives. I truly have the best husband ever- he has been there through the good and bad, tears and all. He has always stood by me and has been the one to remind me not to give up hope and tell me that it would all be ok. I would be nothing if it weren't for him.
Mike, I love you with all my heart and cannot tell you enough how happy I am that this day is finally here for you and for our family. Our Family.... gosh, it sounds so good to say that. Parker is finally all ours and you are finally, legally, the dad that you have already been to Parker over the last 3.5 years.
This will be the best Thanksgiving ever, as we have so much to be thankful for. God bless everyone who has been praying for this day. I love you all. Happy Thanksging from ourfamily to yours. :)

Totally Random

So, things here on the blog have been a bit morose over the last few weeks. This blog needs more humor. After perusing around on youtube, I found this random video that I just had to share. I don't know what the exact purpose of it is, but I can tell you that the person editing this little ditty needs to be fired. Enjoy. And don't blame me for the next 2 minutes of your life being completely wasted- you have been warned.

T minus 14 hours

So we only have to hold our breaths for about 14 more hours until I can unveil our news. Please continue to pray. I told Mike on Saturday that I had never been so ready for a weekend to be over in my life.
I am also ready for tomorrow to get here so we can get on the road to North Carolina. I love going up to see my in laws (and no I am not just saying that because they read my blog). We have such a fun time there. Good food, good times, and good fun (with a little bit of getting picked on by Papa Jack). We have the dvd player ready to go with a bunch of movies for Parker and I to watch in the backseat while our chauffeur (Mike) drives us around.
I also have the book Twilight to finish reading and I went ahead and bought the second book in the series. I am really getting into this book. Something about it is so captivating which is really odd since I normally want nothing to do with anything vampire related. I think the box office numbers from the movie release this past weekend show that this series is quite a hit. I can't wait to read the next three.
Last, but most certainly not least, I want to wish my wonderful hubby a belated Happy Birthday. I hope he had a good day reading. We met up for dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise and went and got a pie from Coldstone Creamery. Yeah- it was all calorie free. Don't you worry. I checked it all out. Parker and I went to Hobby Lobby and while the lady was cutting our fabric Parker said "Today is my Dad's birthday- He's 23!" Ha! The lady looked at me like I was crazy when I died laughing. I told her he was 33 and she said "Oh good because you would have been really young." Hee hee.
Have a really good Thanksgiving if I don't make it back on here to post until I get back. Don't forget that the average Thanksgiving meal has 4,000 calories. Yep... 4,000!!!! Eat up!

God is so very very good

Whew- this has been one of the longest, most trying weeks I have had in a long time. But in the end, so very worth it. Many of you know about our private struggle that has been taking place over the last few weeks. WELL........ we got really good news yesterday, but in an effort to try and not jinx myself, I won't say anything else (except that it involves the two boys below). I shed enough tears yesterday at work to fill my little cubicle. Tears of joy though..... happy tears (for once).

And then last night our dog Allie woke us up around 2:30 with her barking. Now, let me pause to say that this dog isn't a barker. It is not normal for her to bark, especially in the middle of the night. Mike went downstairs to find the back door wide open. We had some really strong winds sweep through here last night and I guess the door wasn't shut completely, so it blew open. Leaves and pinecones are all over the floor now. But, we then realized that our kitty, Leia, was not in the house. Can someone say PANIC?!?!?! So we looked outside in the cold wind and, after two hours, finally came inside to make Lost Kitty flyers. It was such a cold night and so windy, I was worried she wouldn't survive. But, she was back at our door this morning. I was elated.

So, tonight is a mommy/Parker night. Mike has some work to do so we are hitting the town. Gonna go to Cheeseburger in Paradise (just what my stress induced, ever expanding waistline needs) and we have advanced purchase tickets to see the new Disney movie, Bolt. I am really excited. I love going to the movies with Parker. He is a really fun date and, after the week I have had, I thihk we are both in need for some fun.

Well, this week has definetly helped me sum up the things that I am so very thankful for this Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for?

The Ultimate Bucket List

So I was sent this list from a friend and was told to bold all of the things that I have done thus far in my 29 years here on this planet. Intersting things to think about and I would like to complete 99 of them. I just can't see me killing and eating an animal. Oh, and be fired from a job. Wouldn't really want to do that either. I don't consider that an accomplishment. Feel free to cut and paste to assess yourself. I was having a crappy week but this list made me realize that I'm not a complete loser. Just a little one. :)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band ....at school
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Do you ever have those days...

when you have absolutely nothing to say. Well, today my friends is one of those days. Nothing bad, nothing good, just nothing. Kinda boring this week. I locked my keys in my car this morning when I ran into the gas station. Thank goodness MIkey was close and brought me a spare key. Where would I be without him? Well, technically, I would be in a cold parking lot, sitting around, drinking a starbucks energy drink, trying to figure what Macgyver would do in that situation. Luckily, that did not have to happen. Actually, a funny thought just popped into my head. One time I locked myself out of my old townhouse. I managed to pry the window of the back door down just a tad and use a hanger and a rubber band to retrieve the spare key off the hook on the kitchen wall. Yeah, I'm good like that.
So anyway, I'd better get back to work. Been really busy. My brain is actually having to process important information instead of the useless stuff that normally goes in. Hey, did you know that Australia have 24,000 miles of shoreline? Ok- well now you do, so go find a way to work that into a conversation today. Have a good one.

The holidays are upon us

So, this morning it just hit me, like a ton of bricks, that Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK!!!!! Let me repeat that.... NEXT WEEK. That means that the christmas season is upon us. Oh lordy be. Wasn't it just July and we were getting ready for kindergarten to start? Wow- I am SO not ready for the shopping season.
My frequent trips to Target and such will be a thing of the past since they will now take 4 hours as complared to the normal hour I usually spend in there. Plus, I get really cranky around all those people. I hate Christmas shopping crowds. And the black Friday sales? Please... I stood in line in 1998 for a Furby and swore I would never do so again. BUT, having kids can make you do really weird things. So, a few years ago I got up early in NC and snuck out to get Parker a portable DVD player at Target on the day after Thanksgiving. I stood out in the coold blustery weather to save $20 on a DVD player. Looking back it was kinda ridiculous, but we use that DVD player all the time, so it was worth it. I would have paid full price had I known the hours upon hours of enjoyment that my child has had watching that thing on car trips (saving my sanity alone is worth full price).
So, being the crafty person that I am, I try to find as many ways as I can to make things rather than buy them. Anything to keep me away from the mall. I would rather eat liver and onions everyday for a month than make a trip to the mall. I can honestly say that I have not been to the mall since last year. I hate going- the crowds, pushing people, kids running amuck, and the obvious lack of manners. No thank you.
So, Christmas this year will be simple. Nothing fancy and very homemade. But its all good. Being together will be the best gift of all. Another gift is in the making, but I don't have confirmation on that yet. (No, I'm not pregnant.)

Meanwhile, here is a picture taken this morning at my desk. Isn't that a healthy breakfast?

Have a happy Monday.

TGIF

Yep, it's Friday boys and girls. Even though it is gray and misty outside, there are roses coming up in my little corner of the world. We had a parent teacher conference yesterday and got the news that our kid is really smart. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Every day when he comes home, we ask him what he learned that day and the response is always "I don't know." I have noticed lately that he has been asking us to give him two number to add together. He has also gotten into writing letters. and spelling words. He seems to have taken to this Kindergarten thing pretty well. And even in the behavior department, she said that he is just your ordinary 5 year old boy. The poor woman has 11 5-year-old boys in one room. I will begin praying for her sanity. I don't know how she does it.
I am really excited about the event that Parker and I are going to tomorrow. Scrap Chic is having a kids craft day. Needless to say that Parker wasn't exactly thrilled when I told him that we were going to the scrapbook store. He has seen more scrapbooking supplies than most kids see in their lifetime. He has always been really good while doing so (except for that time at joanns that he almost lost and eyeball but we won't count that). But when I told him that HE was going to be using glue and glitter and stuff like that, he got that crazy look in his eyes. A five year old and glitter. Glad we aren't doing this at my house. So, it will be a fun mommy/Parker day.
Tonight we are going out for some steak.
I have been craving it for about two weeks now. I can not wait. On my way home I MUST stop at Target to get my new obsession: Pumpkin Spice Trail Mix. For the love...... it is so good. Run, don't walk, to Target. Even if you live 20 miles from a Target- still run. This stuff is that good.
I can't remember life without it. Well, ok I do because I just bought my first bag last week, but that is not the point. Buy the stuff. You won't be disappointed. If you are, then save the bag for me and I will get it from you.
Have a happy weekend! Take time to create something.

Procrastination no more

I admit it. I am bad about correspondence. I can talk on the phone during my time in the car and that is about it. I think I am pretty good about email as well. But letters and cards.....well, I suck. I never did Christmas cards until last year. I gave individual cards to people when I gave them their gifts, but never did a mass mailing to many many people. All of my friends are so good about it that it makes me feel kinda guilty. For a minute. They are organized and on the ball. Not me. I am thinking that my creative mind tends to make me rather unorganized and messy. Non conventional in some ways. But it works for me so, what the heck. And my friends know me and still love me just the same (Christmas card or not).
Until today.
I ordered my Christmas cards a month ago. They came in last night and I have already assembled them all. We are going to take Parker's Christmas picture this weekend. All I have to do is print address labels and stuff the pictures in and I am done. I vow to have my cards out by December 6. And I feel really good about that. I am actually on the ball for once. Now if I can just find time to pull together everything else. Mike wants to get the Christmas stuff up in the house before we leave for North Carolina in two weeks. I think he remembers last year when we were literally putting stuff out about 3 days before Christmas. Some years I am gung ho, but others I simply lack the Christmas spirit. This year will be a good year. I am feeling it. If you haven't noticed, I already have my Christmas tunes over there on the side of the blog. I was so happy to find the Hippopotamus song. Love it.
A tradition that we started last year was the "Elf on a Shelf". Santa brings Joe (the elf that Parker got to name) to our house after Thanksgiving. Joe watches Parker during the day and flies home to report to Santa every night. The next morning, Joe is in a different spot and Parker has to find him. This goes on until Christmas day and then Joe flies home for the year. Joe even went to school with Parker last year for extra encouragement. Parker has already asked about Joe this year. The challenge for us parents is to find creative places to hide him. I love watching Parker's face when he finds him. In fact, seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child is the best part of the holiday season. I love watching Parker do anything Christmas related. Last year we had the best time decorating gingerbread men. I think we might try to tackle a gingerbread house this year. Hopefully, Parker will be game to sitting in Santa's lap. Anyone that knows Parker knows that he has a fear of "Dress ups" or dressed up characters and costumes. He has been too scared to sit in Santa's lap for the last two years or so. Poor guy. I hope it gets better soon. We have told him that we can't go the Disney until his fear subsides.
For those of you who know about our current situation we are in with the ex, please pray. The papers just went out this morning and we now have to play the waiting game. I am so nervous and scared but I know that whatever happens, happens. It will all be OK no matter what.
Well, have a great day. I can't believe it is Wednesday already. Hopefully this upcoming weekend will be a little less hectic and full of fun. With my two boys, the fun abounds. I'm one lucky gal.

Parker the Stand Up Comic

(**Please pardon the reference to beer in this clip. Unfortunately, given the fact that my husband is a criminal defense attorny, he hears all about the people who drink "beer" and drive.**)

Ai yi yi

I think I was home for a total of maybe 6 hours this weekend. Busy, busy. But very good. I has my first booth this weekend at the Fall Festival at Parker's school. What a fun time. I learned some tips about what I need to do in the future and what not to do as well. For anyone reading this that I may have met this weekend, Hello. Welcome to my blog. Here are some pictures.



I also got to see Mr. Patrick yesterday afternoon. He was absolutely adorable as usual. He got baptised yesterday. Angie's mom had a beautiful party afterwards. Yummy food and good friends. I love hanging out with them. Both Angie's and Toby's family are just the sweetest people. There was a huge cake that said God Bless You Patrick, but by the time I was leaving the thing said "God Patrick". It made me giggle.

I got an idea from a christmas workshop that I am taking online. You can cover a cereal box with patterned papers, sew in some blank sheets of paper into the "spine" and make a cute little kids journal. I thought this would be perfect for Parker to take with us when we head to Jack and Katy's in a few weeks. He can draw some pictures in there that represent all the fun things we do up in NC. Using clipart from Microsoft, I created a cute little cover for the book.

I promise to take photos of the individual books that I created for the show this past weekend. I want to get a separate gallery posted of samples of my work. I will get that done this week.

So, still busy as usual, but things are good. As I have said before, being busy shows that you have a purpose. Whether it be motherly duties, household duties, work commitments, ets, you have a greater purpose. EIt is all part of a greater plan and I do not intend to buck the system.

So..

I have had some not-so-fun crap going on around me for the last few days. Lots of tears and such. Apparently, stress can lead to broken blood vessels in your eyes. I look horrid and have to wear my glasses until it heals. Yuck o. So, in an attempt to make myself laugh I have lots of options.
1. Hang out with Parker. He has become a stand up comic overnight. I often find myself laughing hysterically while listening to him tell a story. Blessings now wear crazy clothing combinations and draw with markers all over their bodies. At least mine does. I will post the Parker stand up video tonight. It is classic.
2. Watch mindless tv. I watched The Hills and Dr. 90210 last night for 3 hours. Great stuff.
3. Peruse this website: www.knockknock.biz Oh my gosh, they have some great stuff.




4. Read the Pioneer woman blog. http://thepioneerwoman.com/2008/10/bikes_manure_and_human_nature.html Funny lady on a ranch with 4 kids and a husband she calls Marlboro Man. Funny stuff, lemme tell ya.
5. Youtube-ing funny videos. Type in "I love Potatoes" in the search box and see the video that comes up. Parker and I watched that to no end. We also really like the swiffer commercials with the song "Baby Come Back" in them.
6. curling up with Mike and the couch and watching Bill Mohr. Yes, I really like that show. I know it doesn't quite line up with my views but its pretty dang good. Plus, my husband thinks it is sexy when I get intersted in politics. That's really why I watch. Hee Hee.
Gosh, just compiling lists like this makes me happy. All is well with the owrld again. Peace out.

I got nothing.

Between politics and personal stuff that is going on, I have nothing to say today.

Before I go though, I am reminded of the lyrics to a song on my South Park CD:
"The whole world's gone to hell but how are you?"- Big Gay Al

I did my civil duty....

and still managed to make it to my office meeting at 8:30. Yay me. We got in line about 6:15 and walked out at 7:30. Not too shabby. I was all set to go and enjoy a free meal at Shane's Rib Shack (courtesy of my Georgia voter sticker) until my husband informed me that it was a felony. A felony for the giver and the recipient. Leave it to attorneys to take joy out of a free chicken finger plate. I guess I had better come up with something else for dinner. So much for being a good, but hungry, voter. I really might have to risk the felony conviction and go to Starbucks for my free coffee considering I was up at the crack of dawn.

So, big news around our house is that Parker learned to ride his bike without training wheels this past weekend. He took off. He was a natural. He only crashed once. I was of course in tears at the sheer fact that my baby isn't a baby anymore. He is a tall, self-sufficient, bike riding BOY. My how five and a half years has flown by.

This weekend is the Fall Festival at Parker's school. I am trying to get all of my projects wrapped up for my table. I am getting excited. I know I need to post pictures. I am going to take plenty of photos. Augh.... the picture taking isn't my problem. It is the getting them on the computer that takes me so long. I have to get better with that.

Well, happy election day/ If you haven't already done so, get out there and vote.