Just a Few Pictures

Who doesn't like pics?

First, a pic of hubs and I yesterday before heading to my parents.


Then, I finally decorated our living room. I LOVE it!

Goodbye 2011!

I have been m.i.a. the last few weeks; I've been burnt out the last few weeks and needed a break to just relax some. With the holidays out of the way, I have time to breathe and enjoy myself. Can I start by saying how happy I am 2011 is gone? For the most part, it was a bad and hard year for us. Beginning this week, I;ve done small changes to insure that 2012 is a better year for both Josh and I.

So, to start, I have decided to put a lot of focus on myself and my marriage in 2012. I admit, I put both of those things on the back burner and take them for granted most of the time. I am not going to do that anymore. I downloaded a daily devotional on my newly gifted Nook Color (amazing too!) and make sure I finish my day with it each day. Josh and I are also doing a daily couples devotional for a year that goes along with the movie Fireproof. We're only a few days in, but I can really feel God working with me and Josh. We've gotten along so much better lately and we are so excited to do our devotional daily.

I have also decided to restart my diet. I'm starting Monday. I will be doing my morning meal replacement shake, yoga, and using a new app I downloaded- Couch to 5K. I am not going after a goal wait, just to be a healthier me.

Anyways... Here's my New Year's Resolutions:
1. To become the woman God wants me to be- Godly and a better wife and woman.
2. To become a healthier me- fitter, exercise more, eat healthy.
3. Read a book a week beginning the first.
4. Take care of me- enjoying relaxing bubble baths, reward myself for good work.
5. Get back into school.- 2 semesters to go!
6. Get pregnant- mommy hood needs to happen to me :)
7. Date nights with the hubby at least twice a month.

What are your guy's plans for 2012? I'm not one to make resolutions, because I never complete them, but these are things I feel are within my reach. Keep me motivated :)

Meet Me On Monday: Edition 61

It's Monday, hooray! I told you guys I'd get this week's Meet Me on Monday post up, did I not? Are you excited?
Every Sunday Never Growing Old will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!

Java will add a linky so we can follow who participates and get to know them better!! Be sure to link the POST and not just your whole blog!!



Questions:

1. Tomorrow I'm going to _________?
2. Pudding or Jello?
3. What book are you currently reading?
4. What is the first concert you went to see?
5. What is your current weather?
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My Answers!

1. Tomorrow I'm going to _________?
Work. It's Grinch Day tomorrow with the babies, so it'll be a very fun and eventful day/week.


2. Pudding or Jello?
Pudding fo-sho! Cheescake flavor? Yes, please!!! Or the Oreo cookies and cream? Yum!


3. What book are you currently reading?
The Help. Well actually, It's in my bag to start reading when I get a chance. I read a lot, but lately have been soooo busy! I may actually start it tonight. I plan on reading a book a week for my New Year's Resolution :)


4. What is the first concert you went to see?
Britney Spears! It was awesome!!!


5. What is your current weather?
Freezing and rainy! Honestly, Oklahoma weather goes from one extreme to the next!!! I'm sick of it!

It's Soooo Chilly!

Hi all! I am sorry there hasn't been a post up in a week or 2 (I can't even remember my last post before today's 2). I've kinda been in a funk and not wanting to do much when I come home from work. Finances have been tight. Broke is a total understatement for us right now. The way it looks, we'll be on a tight budget until the week of Christmas. This time of year is always hard on us, but we always pull through an make it.

I will be going back to school in the fall of 2012. I am so so excited, because I am so ready to be done. It will certainly make finances a lot easier when I've graduated. If I have figured things up right, I have 1 more semester of finishing up my coursework (13 hours) and a semester of student teaching (DO NOT look forward to it, cause I'll only be working 2 hours a day at my current job). I did send an email to my adviser to get advise and some questions answered. I really like my adviser and know she wants to see me succeed. I am also hoping to get my financial aid back to help even more with schooling since I've been cut off from all Oklahoma funding. I will also be taking my 2 Elementary OSAT Subtests in April, then my last certification test midway through student teaching to get my teaching license.

Is anyone else freezing? It's currently 43 outside, but my house feels even colder than that. Ugh, the downfall of having propane to heat the house. Josh's parents are buying us one of those cute little electric fireplaces for Christmas, so I pray that it helps in heating the house a little bit. It's supposed to get up in the 60's this week, so hopefully that helps too.

I have been a complete sloth all weekend. I need to clean the house and put decor on our walls, but so far, I've only completed washing the laundry. I am still in the p.j.s I put on Friday night after work lol. Seriously, it's kinda embarrassing how lazy I have been.

We're celebrating Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve morning because we found out yesterday that Josh has to work Christmas Day :(Freaking sucks! I'm off until the 27th and will be home alone Christmas and the day after because Josh has to work. We're having a whole week of fun for the kids this week at work and celebrate Christmas with them this Friday. Parties with the kiddos is always fun!

Well, I am going to get off of here and make a blueberry cheesecake. Maybe it'll make me feel less guilty for being lazy. I've given up hope of a diet until after New Years lol. Hope you guys are staying warm and cozy!

Meet Me On Monday: Edition 60?

I am pretty sure I skipped last week's MMOM post; oops! To make up for it, I am posting this last week's edition answers and tomorrow, I will post this week's :)

Every Sunday Java over at Never Growing Old will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!



Questions:

1. Monday's are _________?
2. What is your favorite kind of milkshake?
3. What monthly bill do you most dislike paying?
4. How many email addresses do you use on a regular basis?
5. What color lights are on your Christmas Tree?
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My Answers!

1. Mondays are _________?
Crappy! I absolutely do not look forward to them. I hate getting up after being a sloth all weekend and starting a long work week.


2. What is your favorite kind of milkshake?
Strawberry! Although, Mickey D's makes yummy Vanilla ones!


3. What monthly bill do you most dislike paying?
Rent. $400 sucks!


4. How many email addresses do you use on a regular basis?
2. My personal and work.


5. What color lights are on your Christmas Tree?
Honestly, this year I was way lazy and didn't put additional lights up, so it's just the multi- colored pre-lit ones that are attached to the tree :)

Getting Back To Reality

No more 4 days off from work, tear :(. I had a great Thanksgiving break and feel like I got a lot accomplished!

*Did some deep cleaning around the house; way over do and much needed. I swear, we threw away 50 pounds of crap! I just need to clean out the kitchen (been promising to do it since Wednesday, but it's cold and I don't feel like doing it!).

*Got my faded out hair, dyed to a rich, deep auburn. I LOVE it! Makes my skin look amazing and I get so many compliments on it.

*Wore my adorable crocheted scarf from Miss Michelle at The Stuttering Shell. It looks so cute and is so warm!


*Didn't really get out to do any Black Friday Shopping, but did do lots online! Proof... :)


P.S. I did a lot of Christmas shopping, but rewarded myself too :)

* Bought some retroish, sexy clothes from Torrid. I cannot wait to wear everything. It's cute, just wait!!

*I watched Water For Elephants and it was sooooooo good! Bumped up to one of my favorite movies!

*My grandma is sending me a Christmas package! I dunno what it is, but it's such a sweet gesture. I know she can't really afford it, but it's a tradition for her. I told her I loved the Willowtree Figurines, so I am hoping maybe she picked some out for me :) I'll keep ya'll updated!

That's all she wrote! Hope you guys all had a good Thanksgiving and spend time with people you love!

Meet Me On Monday: Edition 59

Has it really been a week since my last post? That is so not okay!! At least it's Monday and we all know what that means!It's time to get to know your blogger neighbors with the Meet Me On Monday hop hosted by Java over at Never Growing Old. It is a lot of fun so be sure to hop over and follow along.



Questions:

1. I really need to clean my _________?
2. What food makes you think of Christmas?
3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
4. What was your first paying job?
5. Have you read the Twilight series?
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My Answers!

1. I really need to clean my _________?

Kitchen! Sink full of dishes, unorganized cabinets, and dirty counter tops. Who wants to do that when it's freezing though??

2. What food makes you think of Christmas?

Gingerbread and peppermint!!! I LOVE to make gingerbread cookies in the winter.

3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?

I am totally okay with aging, but I thin my mid 20's and 30's will be full of a lot of memories. I finally am finding myself and it's such a relief.

4. What was your first paying job?

I had a summer job and worked as a custodian- royally sucked, but the money was nice to have!

5. Have you read the Twilight series?

Nope. I'm not a Twilight fan, but eventually, maybe I can talk myself into reading the books.

Meet Me On Monday: Edition 58

Well its Monday again and that can only mean its time to get to know your blogger neighbors with the Meet Me On Monday hop hosted by Java over at Never Growing Old. It is a lot of fun so be sure to hop over and follow along.



Questions:

1. I wish I had more time to _________?
2. What is your favorite kind of soup?
3. Where will you eat Thanksgiving dinner?
4. What is your favorite time of day?
5. Did you start Christmas shopping yet?
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My Answers!

1. I wish I had more time to __________?
Be crafty! I love creating things and making things pretty, but I rarely have the time to sit around and just engage myself in it like I want to :)



2. What is your favorite kind of soup?
I LOVE French Onion Soup! Applebee's makes the best ever!!


3. Where will you eat Thanksgiving dinner?
At my parents :) Usually we do a meal at both of our parent's house, but this year, with Josh's mom feeling so bad; we opted to just do it once.


4. What is your favorite time of day?
When I get to head home from work- around 5:30 p.m. That's me time/family time and I usually cook supper, watch some t.v., all that good stuff :)


5. Did you start Christmas shopping yet?
I did, finally!!! Yay!!! I have 4 presents wrapped under the tree and a good 4-5 more coming in this week, and more will be under there after this weekend :)

Time For An Update

It's been a few days since my last post on my mother-in-law's upcoming surgery and other stresses. I figured I'd give you guys an update, in case you've been praying.

My mother-in-law's surgery has been postponed until December 5th and Josh was able to get off to be there with her. Her anesthesiologist backed out because she's so high risk with her heart conditions. Personally, I am happy it;s being moved to a nicer hospital where people will take care of her and know what their doing.

My great uncle had a stroke on Thursday. He's still in the hospital because he is still partially paralyzed and has a feeding tube. He also developed pneumonia, so he can't begin his rehabilitation until that is cleared up.

My right side of my body is killing me! Right under the ribs- almost like I've been kicked or pulled a muscle. When I breathe in, it feels like my muscles are seperating from my body. It scares me, because this pain can be associated with ovarian cysts (which I have had one in the past). It's not something I want to experience again. I am going to give it a few days to see if the pain lessens, and if not, i'll be going to the e.r. I have also been bleeding off and on for a month- not normal for me, but not unnormal either. I think it's because of dryness (no need to be more graphic then that). I don't cramp and it doesn't hurt, so I am not trying to be concerned over it. Josh thinks it could be an early side of pregnancy, but I try not to get my hopes up on it. I hope that it is, but I have been excited so much in the past and nothing. I will be taking a pregnancy test first thing in the morning, so I have my fingers crossed that it is positive.

Can I just say I am soooo excited for Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Mostly, I am soooo excited to shop! I bought one of Josh's presents yesterday and it feels so good.

Also, Tiffany, if you'r reading this, I am the worst blog partner ever! I have not forgotten about you, but life's been soooo hectic. I will have your package out by this Saturday, I swear!

That's all for tonight. Please keep us in your prayers. I appreciate so much all the kind words and prayers for us in the last few weeks; it means the world to us!

Homemade Gift Exchange Swap!

Hi all,
It's a time for giving and I am defientely in a creative, giving mood! I have signed up for my 2nd Homemade Gift Exchange Swap put together by Miss Linda at Craftaholics Anonymous.I am so excited to get my creative skills put to work and to make an amazing package for my partner!

Posts will be put up of what I create and receive!

Meet Me On Monday: Edition 57

It's almost the start of a new work week and that can only mean one thing; its time to get to know your blogger neighbors with the Meet Me On Monday hop hosted by Java over at Never Growing Old. I realize it's only Sunday night, but I had time to kill and figured, why not? It is a lot of fun so be sure to hop over and follow along!



Questions:

1. Does your family/friends know about your blog?
2. What is your favorite card game?
3. What do you wear to bed?
4. What is your favorite kind of French Fry?
5. What is your usual bed time?

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My Answers!

1. Does your family/friends know about your blog?
Only Josh; most of my friends and family don't even know what a blog is lol.


2. What is your favorite card game?
I don't play a lot of card games, but I'd say Solitaire if I had to pick. That or Blackjack :)


3. What do you wear to bed?
Usually a tee-shirt and gym shorts- sexy, huh?


4. What is your favorite kind of French Fry?
I love the seasoned steak fries or wedges. I also recently discovered my love for sweet potato fries, yum!


5. What is your usual bed time?
Around 10:30 or 11 on a weeknight and 1 or so on the weekends.

Chipping At the Weights on My Shoulders

This is going to be one of those blog posts, you know, the one where I am speak things that are on my mind and go on and on and on. I warn you now, if you're not into that, now is the time to leave, but if you do care, then please read ahead.

I realize I haven't posted much recently; I honestly, have had no motivation or desire to do it. Sometimes the daily posts get old and I suffer from not having anything worth blogging about. Right now I should be in bed, I am tired, but there's so much going on that my mind is racing a mile a minute and I am not even sure I could allow myself to sleep, as much as I need it.

I will start with saying, I am stressed to the max. I try not to let myself get stressed, but it hit me a lot and when it does, it hits me bad. I am one of those people who doesn't sleep, eats crappy or doesn't eat at all, and physically gets sick from stress; it's no bueno. There is so so much going on right now that it's a little overwhelming.

Next Monday, my mother-in-law is going in for her 2nd hip replacement surgery. The first one she had was botched and she's been in pain for quite some time. It has really gotten unbearable the last few weeks and she's using a walker and can barely stand. Knowing that she is in such pain and that Josh and I are a hour to an hour and a half away, makes it really hard. To make it worse, she has heart problems and has an artificial heart valve. She has had open heart surgery a few times and the first time it was unsuccessful. Heart valves are not supposed to last more than 10 years I want to say, and it's been over 10 since she had the last surgery. I talked to her today and she is really scared for her surgery; her dr. told her at her pre-op that there's a high chance she could pass a clot and stroke out during surgery. Her heart is also enlarged and not functioning correctly and she also has a high number of liver enzymes, which is not good. I hate so so much that there's nothing I can do and it scares me to death for her surgery. It's worse that I can't get off for work to be there with her and that Josh has to go through this with her by himself. As of right now, she'll be in until after Thanksgiving. I am trying so hard to be upbeat and strong through this, but I see how Josh is handling it and it breaks my heart. If you pray, please pray for Josh's mom, but also for Josh. My heart breaks that I can't be there and I am going to be a nervous wreck.

This also puts some other things into thought for us. As most people know, Josh and I have been trying to have a baby for a year and a half now and still no success. I am not going to lie, every month that it doesn't happen, it wears us down a little more. It's hard when everyone around us is easily popping those babies out and we can't even have 1. Now I am trying even harder, because we know that Josh's parents may not be around much longer and we want them to experience their first grand kid. Pressure causes us to fight more, and it's hard. I know people say it'll happen when it's meant to be and that God knows that perfect time to bless us, but it doesn't make it easier and gets old (I hate to say that, but it's true...).

We're also considering moving to be closer to his parents and help take care of them. The part that's holding us down right now is that I am not done with school and the job I have now is a great job. I am going to try and get finished so I have my teaching degree and can get my master's at OU. Bad news is, the rate that's going, it'll be another year and a half or 2 years because I got cut off of funding. I want so badly to be done; I feel like i'll never get there and I am soooo close.

I feel like I am so behind with my Christmas shopping. I have 3 gifts for my nephew bought so far and have so much more I plan on getting. At least next week and the week after, I can get some of it knocked out.

Then to top it off, Lexi (our Spaniel) won't stop crapping in the house. She's done it 3 times today, I dunno what her deal is. And 3 times, I've freaking stepped in it. Needless to say, she;s in trouble and will sleep in her crate tonight.

Anyway, I'll get off of here and cut the pity pot off. I just needed a way to let some of this weight off. I know God never gives us more than we can handle, but sometimes I dunno how he thinks I can handle situations.

Thanks so much for being great subscribers and leaving kind comments, they make my day!

Fall Scarf Swap Reveal!

Hi guys! I am here to share with you another swap reveal (I know, I've gone a little crazy with swaps, but I love them!)- this time I participated in the Fall Scarf Swap hosted by Miss Angela over at Sweet Tea Diaries and was paired with the adorable Michelle from Stuttering Shell, which was a perfect match for me! I love wearing scarves pretty much year round, and am trying to further grow my collection for when I student teach (perfect way to jazz up an outfit without going overboard and still looking professional and classy).I received an email from Michelle letting me know she was crocheting me a scarf (I was super excited, I LOVE crocheted scarves soooo much!).

Anyways, my package came in today and it's soooo gorgeous, much more so than I had imagined.

The cute card and scarves!



I don't have a scarf like this (why, I have no clue!), but I want more, Michelle, do you sell these, cause I would buy more :)


Cute cream colored scarf with gold threading from Old Navy- love it too!!!



Thanks so much Michelle, I LOVE them! :)

Meet Me On Monday: Edition 56

Well it's Monday again and that can only mean its time to get to know your blogger neighbors with the Meet Me On Monday hop hosted by Java over at Never Growing Old. It is a lot of fun so be sure to hop over and follow along!



Questions:

1. Are you excited for the holidays or are you dreading them?
2. Do you hit the snooze button or get right up?
3. Do you still have your tonsils?
4. What was the last piece of candy that you ate?
5. Do you shop at thrift stores?

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My Answers!

1. Are you excited for the holidays or are you dreading them?
I am mostly excited; I'll be even more so in a few weeks when I have my shopping done :)


2. Do you hit the snooze button or get right up?
I usually get right up and usually before the alarm goes off; dang internal alarm clock!


3. Do you still have your tonsils?
Yep I do, sometimes I wish I didn't!


4. What was the last piece of candy that you ate?
Reeses last night. Sad, no chocolate today :(


5. Do you shop at thrift stores?
No, if there was a nice one here, I soooo would! They hold some awesome treasures!