Finally Getting Around To It

We have azalea bushes in front of our house.  Look closely at the picture below.  What do you see?

Can you see them?? 

Yes, they are Christmas lights!!

We are just now getting around to taking down the Christmas lights.  (Don't judge)

We just never got around to it because of the big snowmageddon earlier this year and then when the snow finally melted, it was still too cold, then when it got warmer, it was still too dark by time we got home, but then we just got lazy and never got around to it.

With Spring in the air and flowers/trees starting to blossom, we thought it was time to take the lights down.

Now we can enjoy the beauty of Spring as it blossoms.

Next up - Spring cleaning the house.  Not looking forward to it.  At the rate we're going, it'll take us until Fall to finish all our cleaning!

A Big Sister

For the last few weeks Abbey has told me that her mom has been sick in the mornings and at night and she throws up a lot.  This past weekend, Abbey told me her mom's belly is getting bigger and they went to the dr. together to hear the heart beat.

Yep, my sister in law (SIL) is expecting.  Abbey is going to be a big sister!  My brother and SIL have not told us directly so I have not mentioned that I know either.   

I am happy that Abbey will have a sibling (even though they will be 7 years apart).  I'm finding it hard to be happy for my brother and SIL.  They can barely take care of Abbey and they're having another kid?! It's hard for me to be excited for someone who's daughter was sick over the weekend and I was trying to call her at work and when she was able to call back her comment with regard to Abbey being sick was, 'what am I suppose to do about it?'  Lovely isn't she? 

I know life isn't fair and I shouldn't judge. I will just have to be happy that I am going to have two new nieces or nephews this year (my sister is due in July and I don't know when my SIL is due, but I'm assuming in the fall). 

A Week of Pure Happiness!

Refelcting on my AMAZING Cruise!

• Cayman Islands - this was our first stop and since Steve's staph infection was still fresh, we took it easy and just did a semi submarine tour and did some shopping.
• Isla Roatan (Hondurus) - we did the Zip Line and it was awesome!  Scary at first, but after the third zip, the fear subsided and the fun really kicked in. 
• Beliz - Butts Up! That's what we would frequently here as we were cave tubing.  And if you didn't put your butt up when you heard that, well...you would feel violated by the rocks in the water as they scraped up your butt. I was a little bummed (no pun intended) that we couldn't take cameras with us on the tubing (water and cameras don't mix well together unless you had a water resistant camera).
• Cozumel - beach day!  We took a shuttle up the the northern part and relaxed on the beach, went jet skiing and snorkeling.  Since I don't know how to swim, I was holding on to Steve for dear life, but once I realized I wasn't going to drown (duh, life jackets) and I could breath through the snorkel gear, I was really enjoying it!

Every evening when we came back from dinner, there would be these little creatures waiting to great us in our room.

If you've ever thought about going on a cruise, I highly recommend it.  It is very relaxing and you do lose track of the 'real' world for a bit.  I was so grateful that we could go with our best friends in the world.  I can't remember the last time I had that much fun and was HAPPY!

Reality Sets In

I am almost done catching up with my blogr rea.der.  And two of my favorite blog gals got BFP's while I was gone!  I am so over the moon happy for them! 

When I hear about a fellow IF sister who gets a BFP, I am super excited for them and there is no envious feelings there.  BUT, when it's a non-IF person, I am not as super excited.  Don't get me wrong, I AM happy for them, but it's not the same kind of excitement.  Does that make sense?

A friend of mine confessed today that she is 14 weeks pregnant and I did the customary Congrats/hug/dance.  And I was happy for HER, but then reality set in for ME.  It hit me like a ton of bricks, like a welcome back to reality awakening.....I'M still not pregnant!

I'm still trying to recover from that harsh reality.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

The cruise was absolutely amazing and just what we needed!!  We got back on Sunday evening and took yesterday off from work to recover.  And we certainly needed it (slept most of the day)!

Today is our first day back to work.  I have lots of work to catch up on and of course, tons of blog updates to read.  Bear with me as I dig out.  It's good to be home.  I've missed all my blogging friends!! 

(I will post pictures when I can get around to it).

Bon Voyage!

I am going to miss all of ya'll! 

Really, I am!

I can't believe I won't be able to read about ya'll for 7 days!
(I'm secretly hoping I can find an internet cafe to check in on ya'll! Seriously!!)

What ever will I do with myself?!

I will be thinking of ya'll and will continue to keep all of ya'll in my prayers!!

BON VOYAGE my friends!!!

PreVacation Stress

Why is getting ready for vacation so stressful??!!

I've been running around all this week getting last minute things for our trip.  Trying to finish up work stuff so I can hopefully leave early today to finish packing.  I'm worried that I won't pack enough or too much or I'll forget something really important! 

Tomorrow will be a busy day too.  I have to take Abbey to ballet (which I love) and then pick up a friend at the airport, then we're going to a charity dinner.  I won't be home until late Saturday night and we have to leave super early on Sunday morning to get to the airport (1 1/2 hours away).  Which means I have to get up at 3:30 AM and out of the house by 5:00 AM.

Steve is doing much better from his staph infection.  He had to go see a surgeon to drain it completely.  He now has a big hole (literally) the size of a pencil eraser on his right thigh and a much smaller hole on his left thigh.  It's quite disgusting and I thought I was going to gag everytime I had to help him with it.  The good news is that he is clear to go on vacation, but he can't go in the water.  We are praying that he will heal much quicker and will be able to get in the water toward the end of the vacation.  Thank you all for your prayers.

I know all this stress will make the vacation much more enjoyable once I'm out of Dodge city!!

My New Hobby

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL??

I haven't the slightest idea how to use it yet, but I'm hoping to learn.

This is going to be my new hobby!  I am so excited I even created a photography blog;

Oh, Snap!

If you have any experience in photography or know of any blogs/websites that would be good resource, please let me know.  I need all the help I can get! (There are no classes offered in my area so I have to learn on my own and with the help of friends). 

I will not be taking it on vacation with me since I don't know how to use it yet.  And it's way too expensive to take on vacation because I can't risk something happening to it!

See what everyone else is showing and telling over at Mel's. 

Retail Therapy That Is Not Fun

The only kind of retail therapy I do NOT like is shopping for bathing suit season!  In preparation for our cruise next week, I've been running around trying to find the 'right' bathing suit.  You know, the kind that hides all my imperfections I hate about my body.  Unfortunately, they don't make such a suit. 

I am by far NOT a skinny girl so I can't just squeeze myself into just anything.  To find a modest bathing suite, without looking like an 80 yr old grandma, is almost impossible!!  There are some not so pretty prints out there that should never be made into a bathing suite. 

I have found that the skirted bathing suites are best for me.  They are modest enough and hide most of my imperfections.  The hard part is finding ones that are not full of flowers and ugliness. 

I bought one similiar to this last year.

And to add to my stress level, Steve has a staph infection!  He went to the dr yesterday and they prescribed him some heavy antibiotics.  He is home resting today.  I am praying that he will have a fast recovery. He goes back to the dr. tomorrow for a follow up.  Please keep him in your prayers.  I don't know what I would do if we had to cancel our cruise.  Of course, Steve's health is much more important so we will do whatever we need to.

Blog Parade!

I came across Rear Window's 32nd Street Blog Party and wanted to join the fun.  Participate and you could be a winner for one of her awesome giveaways for the blog party.  Hurry, the party ends on March 8th!  Click here and here to view the giveaways.

1. What's your favorite time of the day, and why?
When I'm home from work, usually around 6:00 pm.  The rest of the evening is mine and I can do whatever I want!

2. If health wasn't an issue, what food could you live off of?

SEAFOOD!!! I could eat Crabs and Shrimp all day!

3. If you could have one wish granted (besides wishing for more wishes), what would it be?

No explanation needed. 

4. What's one thing that you get teased about a lot?
Steve calls me a back up dancer when I'm singing and dancing in the car to my favorite 80's music!

5. If you could choose one movie, book, or TV show to spend your life in, which would you pick? What type of character would you be?

I would pick Lea.ve It To Bea.ver and be the stay at home mom who cooks and cleans and has dinner on the table when my husband gets home and life just seem so simple (yeah, I know it's not real). 

6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be?
 

I would love to learn how to sew!  I keep imagining all the things I want to make like curtains, pillows, and cute dresses for Abbey!

7.If money were no object, where would you go on vacation?

I would love to go to Vietnam with Steve so he could see my homeland!

8. If you were an awesome singer, which genre would you sing?

I love pop, R&B. 

 
9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, what would it be?

It would be so nice to be able to shop for new furniture at E.than Al.len!!

10. If you could live in any point in time, when would it be?

I would love to go back in time to the Leav.e It to Bea.ver days with Jun.e Clea.ver!

11. If every outfit in your wardrobe had to be one color, what would it be?

Black!  I need all the help I can get to look even an ounce skinny. 

(I could never afford Jim.my Choo.'s, but I like looking at them).

12. If you were one of the seven dwarves, which one would you be?
 

HAPPY DWARF!

 
13. What's the last album you listened to?

Love Michael Bu.ble!

 
14. What's something we'd be surprised to know about you?
 

I'm very shy when I first meet people. Especially in a group setting. I don't say much, but observe a lot.

Snail Mail

I LOVE getting unexpected snail mail.  There's something nice about checking the mail and seeing something with your name on it that's not a bill or junk mail!  It's easy to write an email, but when you take the time out to write someone a simple card, it makes for a great day. 

(Don't get me wrong, I love getting emails from friends/family too.  Sometimes that's the only way I can get an update to know what's going on in their lives). 

I received a cute little card from Suzy at Not a Fertile Myrtle last week.  I was having a hard time and she sent me a card to let me know she was thinking of me and to not give up on hope.  That really meant a lot to me and it was much needed.

Yesterday I received a card from a very close friend who is going through a difficult time right now.  It was a very sweet card about friendship.  Melted my heart.  She is an amazing person and it meant the world to me that she would take time out of her crazy life to think of me. 

I know we all have busy lives, but you never know what an impact you can have on someone's day by simply dropping them something in the mail.  I challenge everyone to take a few minutes out of your day to send someone you know some words of encouragement, a thank you, or a simple thinking of you message. What a great way to put a smile on someone's face. 

The Other Love of our Lives

Abbey at 8 months (I think).

Some of you have asked me about my niece Abbey and if we have custody of her.  Considering how much time we spend with her and all that we do for her, we should just claim her as ours.  (But the law doesn't just let you claim kids that aren't legaly yours...you know how that works). 

I wanted to share with you just how special Abbey is to us.  She is my oldest brother's daughter and was the first grandchild on my side of the family.  Even before she was born, I spoiled her rotten by filling up her closet with all sorts of cute clothes.  And while my brother and sister in law (SIL) were trying to pick out a name, I suggested 'Abbey' (my SIL couldn't say Abigail at the time) and they agreed.  I remember making a comment to my husband that I thought Abbey was sent here for us (now as I think about that statement, it was pretty prophetic don't you think?).

Both her parents are workaholics and don't really do much with her.  I have been there with her from the beginning.  When she was just a baby, I use to pick her up after work and watch her for a few hours until her mom got off work.  I would watch her on the weekends (and still do) while her parents worked.  I was pretty much there to capture her first year (and every year since). 

(All the *I*s below include Steve too!)
I signed her up for a book club when she was a baby and now she loves to read. 

I take her to see Santa and the Easter bunny every year.

I take her to the pumpkin patch every year. 

I signed her up for her first ballet lessons two years ago.

I help her with her homework (when I can stop by on the way home).

I take her to birthday parties that she's invited to. 

I throw her birthday parties. 

I take her to movies. 

I buy her cute clothes/shoes (doesn't every aunt?).

We play games with her. We teach her and look for opportunities for her to learn new things. 

We pick her up almost every Friday night to spend the weekend with us.  She goes to church with us on Sundays.  She eats with us and prays with us. 

She cries when she has to go home or when we leave (from visiting her). 

I think of her every single day and call her almost every day to see how her day at school was.

She makes us laugh and fills our lives with so much joy. 

We do all these things for her because we want her to know that she is loved.  We try to teach her kindness, charity, and love.  And we try to teach her patience, but that one is a little hard sometimes for a six year old (or a 31 year old!). 

Can you tell we love our niece?  I can't imagine our lives without her. We've thought about taking her with us IF and WHEN we move, but I don't think her parents will let us (because my mom won't allow it, but if she agreed, they would all be on board).

I share all of this with you, not to toot our own horn, but to share with you the special bond that we have with our Abbey.  She means the world to us and we will be here for her to help her grow and develop into a beautiful young woman.

Abbey, 2009 (6 yrs old)