Just Me!!

Christmas has finally arrived. A whole day devoted to Christmas shopping helped me locate my Christmas spirit. Of course the day had it's mishaps...Turning down our friends for another Sheraton overnight hotel stay which included a Seahawks game tomorrow, Charlie falling down and getting wet, Charlie hitting her head on a fire hydrant wheel, and Charlie crying. Despite all that we had a good time. The kids purchased really awesome stuff for each other (with their own money-a first), and a few goodies for us. I ended the night with a shopping trip at the PX with Jackie and Chris. They are so much fun, and I love how goofy they are with their kids. Valerie gets really embarrassed by how much affection they show each other, but she is getting used to it. We and I, absolutely love having the Slaughter's around. It's changing my whole family, for the Better! I would type longer, but I have Taco Bell sitting here yelling at me, and I bought Mark some sexy cologne so I think I ...

I feel like a Christmas Grinch. Inside I am craving to spend money on the kids, decorate the heck out of my house, and bake gingerbread cookies. Outside, I just want to ball up in a corner, drink coffee, and never move away from the couch. We haven't decorated. We haven't shopped. We have plans though. Plans to buy a TV for our family room. Plans to decorate the tree with a new tradition of putting it up with the kids on December 24th. What would santa think? Maybe I will catch the Christmas spirit today....! I wonder if I forget to wear a coat today, then maybe it will happen? Maybe catching the spirit is like catching a cold. Either way, better come soon for everyone's sake. A.

Every time I post on my blog, I have to change the background. Why, you ask? Because I am only happy with my blog background for a few days. Seems so small in the scheme of things. Life, that is. I had no idea what today would bring, nor would I have imagined what it did. Clarity, focus, a sacredness for time, and a outlook that I would love to adopt in my own life (in hopes that my children will grab hold of it as well). No Regrets , the first book title of author and Olympic Gold Medalist Apolo Ohno. Since Mark is Apolo's Facebook friend, we found out that he would be in Federal Way signing his newly released book. We loved watching Apolo skate in the Olympics, and Ethan loved watching him more. We thought it would be a great outing for E-man. Turns out, for me too. I stood in line patiently (and I am usually short on patience), for nearly two hours, just so my son could have this experience. Little did I know that I would enjoy it almost as much as he did! I had a few ...

This picture collage created with Smilebox

Last Sunday we had big plans to take the kids to their first concert! The Harvest Festival in Seattle was hosting a free night of Christian music bands! We didn't expect everyone else to be going too! We arrived at 615 and they weren't allowing anyone else in because there wasn't any more seats! It was at Key Arena! Big crowd! So change of plans...we took the kids up to the Space Needle and had some light snacks! Good time was had by all...I think!

We stopped by my parents house this morning for a roast my mom made for us! Instead of grandma opening the door we were met by a VERY pregnant Lucy Arnaz! She was all dressed up to go to one of her Red Hat functions! The funny thing was that Ethan actually thought she was pregnant! Grandpa claims "this kid" is not his!

Lists! I love them! We have been so busy with the holidays, that my personal list looks long and overdue! I have completed about three fourths since yesterday so I am feeling great! My parents also came over today with yummo scones! I enjoy living closer for this reason, and of course the kids love seeing grams and gramps! Tomorrow is going to rock...first church then taking the kids to see Merci Me and Jars of Clay at Key Arena! Completed Charlie's dress up wall...tinker bell philosophy and all!

Our Halloween Party went off with a few glitches. Thanks to my mom, we had a blast decorating, shopping, cooking, and baking . I unfortunately was ordered to lay low and not do any work this weekend by my Dr., since my BP was out of control. Also everyone was on time except the hostess'. Despite that we were able to enjoy our party and our guests. Everyone came, but not everyone dressed up. We will have to work on that for next year! It is fun to dress up, I think anyways. Those not dressed up included Mike, Shannon, Lanie, and Jeremy. After the party, when everyone had left, Val agreed to host a tutorial on the Thriller dance she had learned at school. I was her first drop out (remember my BP :), but everyone else made it through with flying colors. After rehearsals, Mark introduced Valerie to more of Michael's ingenious works. YouTube was a great way at first to give her a glimpse of his career, but somehow we ended the night with Michael's last greatest achievement, h...

Ethan Magic Questing I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down! Fun at the GWL No worries, the waves aren't too big! Wave pool fun! Life Jackets must be worn in the wave Pool! Mommy Said So! Kiddie Area! My playground! Thanks to my sister watching the "cheap savings blogs," we were able to join in on a fantastic rate at the Great Wolf Lodge! We arrived Friday, after the kids were dismissed from school at 11am, and arrived at the water park for "our adventure" around 130pm. We had a blast. The kids kept us water logged nearly the whole time. Red eyes, and a few scratches are the only things we have to show for this 24 hour blast o fun weekend. Charlie loved the wave pool, and spent most of her time battle the waves with me. We did get to enjoy a brief nap in the lobby, while Mark got in a few moments of reading. The GWL did such a wonderful job treating the kids to a great time, they even had a kids dancing night complete with a D. J....

All I really needed to know I learned in Kindergarten! I know that you know it is a book title but here it is a statement. Robert Lee Fulghum was right! As much as I hated that book, although I never even cracked it open to see what was inside, it finally hit me today that the shaping of my social life began in those early years! All this insight came to me today because Mark's friend Slaughter is living close to us and for the first time in a long while we got to really enjoy ourselves, enjoying others. So after they both left, I started asking myself why it is that I have a hard time getting to know other people. The answer came to me...kindergarten, first, and second grade shaped my view of relationships. Sure other things helped such as a horrible experience in high school where my friend defriended me because I told her parents she was going to commit suicide, and of course my first major boyfriend broke up with me because I didn't let him be spiritual enough! My First...

Changes are in store for the kids, Mark and I. Some changes are expected, like changing schools, friends, drive times but others such as routines, lifestyles, and health are aren't expected. Even though the new house won't require it, we want a new life (Mark and I). I want to be that family that people look at and say "hey, even though she has three kids, she still has it altogether!" I haven't been that lately. Especially with my health, and weight that I have let it slide slowly back to the place I started from when Charlie was born. Why would I do that to myself? Today while packing, I found our family pictures that were taken in March of 2010. Boy, do I look hot! I felt good, wasn't so tired, and seemed to have it more together! I want that back, so with the new house comes changes, those that are expected and those that aren't! Here's to health, happiness, home owning , and house routines!!!!

My new computer background...thanks to Mark and LeeLou blogs!

Marilyn and I are alike (according to her quote, and of course pictures of her when she was curvy) I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, am out of control and at times hard to handle, but if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best!!--Marilyn Monroe Hope all goes well August 10th. Appointment's made...now I just have to bring some skeleton's out of the closets! He-hee....not sure if there is any in there though!

Smile Dancing...the African Way African musicians Family time Where's the blanket to sit on? Grandpa's Ride Helping Pappa with his tires! Is she trying to tell me where she would rather be? We had the pleasure of enjoying the "free" concert in the park this Tuesday! They featured a group of African musicians and dancers. The group included the audience with teaching African songs, dance, and some customs that still remain in place in Africa today. The only thing missing was a blanket to sit on and a yummy picnic (ALL the other moms were prepared)! After the show we spent the rest of the afternoon playing at Grandpa and Grandma's house.

I miss my friend, Norie . I hope all is going well for her and that she is enjoying life in New York. My husband was going through boxes today and found some picture disks, and these were some of my favorite photo's from my trip to New York in January of 2004! I think it made me realize that I should schedule another trip soon. Although I have a "ME" day coming up on Wednesday, so that's at least a start! I miss you Norie ! Let's plan a trip to Japan, okay?

Okay, besides the fact that I love Trapper's Sushi, I think his new place rocks! The decoration is elegant, classic, Japanese inspired, and still appeals to a man's needs as well! Awesome job! The vinyl wall art WILL be on a wall in our new house! It may not be the same, maybe more cherry blossom inspired! Regardless of the price, it gives off peace and tranquility just sitting near it!

Since we are hunting for a house, I thought it would be proper to document what I hate about this house and what I will miss when we leave. I took over 100 photo's today, and had a blast! It was incredible just to spend all day home. The kids played outside, and Charlie spent most of her time riding her bike. She has changed so much lately. She is riding a bike without problems, and is using the potty on her own (and throwing the wee-wee in the toilet after she uses her potty). I couldn't be prouder:) The calendar let the kids know that it was Wednesday, so we headed out to Sprinker for cheap skate night to top off our night! Hate this sign in my backyard that let's me know that this is NOT my house! Valerie searched for silver in rocks, with her friends metal detector. She plans to sell this on Ebay for 2500.00 so she can go to the Galapagos Islands with her aunt next year! Any takers? Love this tree in the corner of the yard...basically because it cuts out having to lo...