Tri- Cities

In no particular order, here are a few things I love about my hometown. Some things I especially love around the holidays.

First things first! I get my hurr did! This four inch grow out needs to go. Praise heaven for sisters who go to hair school!
My lil' sis is master of mixing some drinks. She's all about a red party cup to make family get togethers memorable:) best part is we can still drive home at night.

7-11. The beautiful Clearwater street has a 7-11 on it that has more slurpee choices than any other 7-11 in the country. A great reason to take a trip here. That and Clearwater has this weird feeling like you're suddenly back in 1996.
Burger Ranch's Candy Cane milkshakes. J's personal fav (thats why he's holding an extra large cup)! These milkshakes aren't for those with weak stomachs or those with a low tolerance for white trash. Enter this establishment at your own risk...shoes optional. Let's just say Brittany Spears would LOVE this place. I like their lime squeezes, french fries and fry sauce myself.
Oh, Christmas tree! I love being with my family at Christmas. Love my mom and dad.
Classic kids photo in front of the tree. Mom makes us take one every year. Look at those poses, Carri and I had obviously just watched 5 hours worth of Kardashian trash on tv. We should do a Christmas card like the Kardashian's next year! Remind me to do that!


my house= quiet lounging all day throughout the Christmas break. Mostly the animals lounge wherever the person who will pet them is. My mom usually has a line of animals by her, my dad usually doesn't:)Taking my dog Kit on walks is also something I like to do. It's always a walk full of surprises and fun like the one time when Kit pooped in someones yard right as that person was coming out of the house and I had no bag to pick it up! We started jogging immediately and I pretending like I didn't see the poop, problem solved.
Cable bridge is a beaut, a must see. Except when its icy then its a death trap for reals!
Areal view of that famous river...roll on Columbia roll on!
Farm land, there's quite a bit of that around these parts to.

Love this place and all its glory, Merry Christmas all!

1 year

Exactly 1 year ago this morning at 4:45am my life changed forever. I had taken what seemed like hundreds of pregnancy tests over the last 3 years only to be let down. But on this day 2010 I saw a faint line that indicated a positive test.

I can't help but remember the incredible feeling I had each time I went into my room to sneak a glance at that test throughout the next several days (it's not that gross I swear!)
The picture above was taken around 12 weeks, I was so proud of my tiny bump.

I thank and have thanked the Lord everyday for the last 365 days for my Summer blessing. A year ago I was afraid to say the word pregnant out loud for fear it would disappear and be only a possibility again. Today I watch my angel as she attempts to roll over and I am thankful for amazing things that can happen in just 356 days!

The Lords timing is the best timing and I am grateful for the little lessons of hope, faith and patience he has gone through with me in order to teach me more about his wonderful plan of happiness.

Random Christmas Deco

I'm always curious about how some of my friends decorate for Christmas. Here are a few things around my home. Picture frames full of old photos from Christmas past. My Grandpa on skies and the other photo is Josh's mom on Santa's lap. I love old photos, especially the one's that pertain to the Holidays.
Love my JOY sign. the mugs don't fit in the cupboard so they end up here. The movies in the background are tacky but I didn't think this choice of entertainment center through when I was 21 and more excited about getting married then picking this thing out. Ah well.
Gingerbread houses made at Thanksgiving with friends. Then I put all my Christmas S&P shakers around. I got two sets of snowmen. Kissing moose and kissing beagle dogs in sweaters. My husband hates it, I think it's adorable so I win.
More to come, if you hate it then just be glad you don't live here. Poor husband:)

What we're up to this week...

We're learning to take a pacifier. She tries to suck on everything lately. She especially likes her hands so I thought I would stick a pacifier in and see what happens. She use to hate them but now she finds them tolerable.
Action shot: a combination of rolling and sucking on a bink.
Tummy time is always fun and we're holding our head up very well nowadays. As you can see she is still somewhat bald, she doesn't let that stop her from rocking a headband. Someone asked me if she was a boy or girl the other day. She was wearing a dress mind you and luckily the baby in my arms held me back from my first reaction to slap the woman. Thankfully I kept it classy by pointing out that strange as it may seem the baby who is wearing a dress in my arms was in fact a girl.

Last but not least, baby S is sleeping in her own room!! Since Friday December 2nd Sum has been taking her naps and sleeping in her very own room. Still in her pack n play but in another room. My room now feels emptier and less fun. I must admit I miss her sleeping next to my bed but I cannot lie at the fact that I sleep much better and less stressed. Ya for the progress of babies!
Now that I have bragged and gone on about this little milestone that has lasted just 3 days I must add that if motherhood has taught me anything it's that nothing lasts forever and she could be just waiting for the right moment to hate sleeping alone again. Cheers for 3 nights tho:)

Also notice in this last picture how sprawled out the babe is. She has never liked swaddling and in fact tries to stretch her arms out as far as they will go. You try to confine this baby's arms or legs and she will scream bloody murder so don't even think about it:)