Update on Baby G

Got a few more pictures of Baby G... she is one cute little peanut!


Love the hair! What a moptop!


Baby G with her older brother N


Baby G getting some love from Cousin Adam ~

Pictures from Christmas

Picture taken with Adam's new Canon Powershot SD 800. It has a feature that lets you choose just one color and the rest comes out black and white. Technology! What will they think of next!


I (we) got a new vacuum cleaner! I am so super stoked! Ours was seriously on its last leg!


Adam finally got his french press... this has been an on going request for at least a year if not more!

Prayers are requested...

A friend from our bible studys mom, dad and brother were in a car accident on Christmas Day. Her mom and brother didn't survive and her father is on life support.

Please pray for them.

Oh and BTW

We are home safe! We got back yesterday and the trip home was uneventful... did some errands during the day and then went to an outreach program at our church! What fun that was... got to bring Christmas and the message to some awesome kids and their parents ;~)

I went into work today and there were , drum roll please... 817 unread emails... that has to be a record! Today was not a happy day before the beginning of Christmas... pushy sales and fragile Jessica do not a good combo make. I limped and struggled through the day and now... it's time to put it out of my mind. Time to enjoy life. I will worry about the 40 some odd outstanding contracts that need to be taken care on Tuesday ;~)

Hope everyone's Christmas season is going well!

Just a bit of good news

From Milwaukee

Things are going well out here... the service for Adam's grandmother was today and it was very nice. Afterwards we went to a great Italian restaurant nearby and then onto Lee's house (one of Adam's cousins).

There are so many G's out here! Never thought I would see so many but Adam's dad has 6 brothers and sisters so there is a lot of family. It was very nice and I am glad I got to meet this side of the family, maybe next time it will be under better circumstances.

A bit of good news.... KMR (my cool supervisor) called me this morning to let me know that our parent company is putting money back into Ad.com so everyone is getting a bonus! Now I am not retiring or anything but it is a good amount and it will definitely carry us into Jan easily.

It always happens that way... just as I start to think that God has all but abandoned Adam and I, he comes through with a solution... and it is always one that my little pea brain couldn't possibly think of. You would think I would learn ;~) Anyway, I am very thankful and I will make an effort to remember this next time!

Here are some pictures from Wisconsin ~


Waiting for the rent a car in the Milwaukee airport


Adam and his dad in the hotel


Adam big pimpin the Yukon that his dad rented!

Hello All

Sorry I have been absent... Adam and I are flying to Wisconsin today for his grandmothers funeral. We found out Saturday that she passed away and his dad has made all the arrangements to have us go out there for the funeral. Needless to say, this has put a damper on the holiday season... not to mention a funeral for a friends mom that we attended last week.

With all that going on Adam and I have been under some financial struggle lately and everything is really getting to us. Please keep us in your prayers as we are quickly being overwhelmed.

Thanks all.

Celebration!

We are getting a new fridge! and we aren't even paying for it! Our landlord stopped by today to take a look at the fridge that does not cool or freeze anything and he agreed... a new fridge we must have!

Let me tell you, we have hated that fridge since the day we moved in!

He is ordering it and it should arrive on Saturday* morning!

Merry Christmas to us!

*This day has actually been moved to Monday morning but I am still equally as excited!

Tonight at Bible Study

Tonight at bible study Pat challenged us to think of one way we feel led to show God's glory in everyday life. (This stems from John 17:4 ;~)

I have 2...

1. Spend at least 10 minutes a day in the Word/Prayer... I am starting off small because I need the victory (as Sarah said... I just want my words to NOT be discouraging... I will deal with them being encouraging at a later time ;~) I feel the same way... baby steps.

2. Make a phone call to a friend that I have been putting off for some time. It has been on my heart to deal with this issue and face it head on and I think through facing this, God's glory will be reflected. It's hard to explain it out here (which obviously I don't want to do) so you will have to trust me on this one ;~)

What I didn't know was that we would share what we wrote down and be held accountable... don't get me wrong... I feel very comfortable sharing pretty much anything I would have written down... it's the accountable part! I have to follow through on this now! Yikes! Now I know what Adam went through when he asked the bible study to pray with him for the ability to quit smoking (he has been smoke free for over 2 months... YAY hubby!)

So since the bible study knows and is holding me accountable... I figured why not throw it out there to the blogosphere! So there you go. Those are my goals. Here goes nothing ;~)

Latest on the street

I can't think of anything to write... so I will put up a picture or 2...

Here are the 'girls'... everyone reading this knows Danielle and I and the newest addition is Heather!














Adam and I went to get a Christmas tree...



















Ha! We didn't actually buy this tree but wow... can you imagine?



















This is our tree (and Heather... can you see her?? She blends in with the tree!)















And Christmas isn't complete without a Christmas Beagle....

2006 Holiday Edition

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! I won't call anybody out but if you want to copy and paste this to your own blog, be my guest! Just let me know so I can read your answers! Merry Christmas!

1 . Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate or Spiced Cider!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? No Santa in our house… I do the wrapping and put them under the tree! Adam does a heck of a job complimenting me on my wrapping job though!
3. Colored lights or white on tree/house? Colored lights!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? You know… I don't think I do… I may have to do something about that.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Apparently yesterday. We got a tree and pulled out all the decorations… fun times!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Anything my dad makes ;~)
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: There are a lot of favorite memories... too many to count or list here.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was about 7 I think... no loss... I am not a huge fan of Santa (although I have quite a few musical Santas around my house, go figure!)
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? One and usually it is a stocking stuffer
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights and ornaments! It was decided last night that the garland would have overwhelmed the tree (it's on the smaller side ;~)
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it or What's that? :) I like it... more so I like watching how my husbands face lights up at the mere thought of snow.
12. Can you ice skate? Depends on your definition of 'skating' and how upright you have to be in order to qualify.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? No but I remember giving my favorite gift. A perfect piece of Lladro that I gave to my mom... gave it to her on what turned out to be her last Christmas.
14. What is the most important thing about the holidays? Not working... well that and spending time with the fam! Looking forward to having Christmas day and evening at my house with dad and Stacie!!! Fun times!
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Hot buttered apples (I think that is the name)
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Getting a new ornament every year.
17. What tops your tree? An angel
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving... no question. I love the feeling of getting a great gift for someone and watching them open it!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? White Christmas by Bing Crosby only because I just watched White Christmas (the movie) the other day (shout out to Danielle!)
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I am with Nancy... I like the fruit flavored!

First day back after 6 off

Man that was tiring! Finally dragged my butt into work and logged on to my computer... to find what?

285 unread emails.

When I left on Tuesday, I had one read email in my inbox... One... 1... One email. That I had already read. Daunting doesn't even begin to describe!

Anyway, it took me the better part of the morning just to sort through it all and figure out what had been taken care of and what was still outstanding. I was exhausted after a few hours! Jen (the temp that they hired on to work with me through the holiday season, YAY me!) was great. We had a little refresher course and I sent her off with her own contracts... she did some and I did some and we actually caught up! I am loving having another me around... hopefully this position might be made permanent!

Life at work is going as usual... hate it some days and like it others (well tolerate it). On the other hand... Adam's business is blowing up like gangbusters. He is working with a new lawyer who has really taken an interest in him... he keeps him busy and full of work and he even offered some office space... my husband with his own office... forming an LLC... how very adult is that! Anyway... I don't want to go into all the details but know that things are moving and the business seems to be the direction we should be going... God just seems to be laying out the brick path before Adam, day by day. It's fun to watch!

I hope all is well out there and that everyone is gearing up for Christmas!

Yeah yeah... I suck at this game.

I have been off for 5 days in a row so far and this is my second post... sad, I know. Honestly... I used to have so much more free time but with Danielle back and Josh and Heather next door (NOT complaining about either FYI) every night seems to be filled! Between games, movies and outdoor events... blogging takes a backseat!

Anyway here I am... What a great break this has been so far. Adam and I completely rearranged the storage in our apartment yesterday. We moved all the storage bins of my moms clothes to an accessible place and stored all the 'long term' stuff away. I realize that doesn't seem like a lot but trust me... it was back breaking, time consuming and thought provoking. Now a picture of my moms clothes... Count them (go ahead, I dare you!)


13 storage bins... ridiculous right! I love my mom but good gravy, that's a lot of clothes! In her defense, there are shoes and some of my clothes in a couple of them but for the most part, moms clothes. I can see that going through these will take a while. And talk about the worlds largest quilt! I think I will have more than enough to make quilts for my kids as well (and quite possibly enough for a small nation).

Thanksgiving day was a good time... We met up with Adam's dad for brunch in Annapolis which was better than the original plan... having dinner at Adam's stepmom's brothers house. Since Adam's dad and stepmom are separating... meeting for brunch out was a much better idea. I have to say, this is one 'separating' that I am happy about. Those of you that know the story... Adam's stepmom and I didn't exactly get along like BFF's. More like a 'tolerable' relationship. I honestly believe that with her gone, we may be able to spend more time with his dad. She was a good part of why we stayed away... and if you think I am over reacting or being mean... you should hear the whole story ;~)

Anyway, after brunch we went to a friends house but not before cuddling with the dogs (Scout and Riley) for a half hour on the couch (literally, all 4 of us on one couch... we were adorable). We had a good dinner and good conversation at our friends house... Sarah and Demetri can really do Thanksgiving dinner!

We left there and came home because we knew that Josh (aforementioned neighbor, who is officially at 'little brother' status with Danielle and I) was home alone... his wife had to work the late shift so we wanted to make sure he had someone to hang out with... as it turns out, Heather got off work about a half hour after we got home and joined us... and Danielle came home around the same time so we all sat around and played Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture Edition.

All the dogs were here as well which made for some fun mayhem... Let me go over the cast of characters, they are:

Layla - the 3 month old pug who goes and goes until she passes out and then 20 minutes later is ready to go again;

Scout (left) - the 4 year old mutt who doesn't have an off switch and who's life has meaning when there is a rawhide around, and Riley (right) - the almost 10 year old beagle who is turning into a crotchety old man who needs to police ANY fun that might be had.

This translates to Layla running after either Scout or Riley and biting them (did I mention she is fearless?) and Scout and Riley warning her to lay off or playing right back... If Scout and Layla are playing, that means Riley runs behind or between them and barks (LOUDLY) which then drives the humans (at least me) batty because Riley's barks are head inducing. All in all, complete mayhem and complete fun.

That has been our life for the past few days... the 5 of us get together for breakfast some days, dinner and games some nights and black Friday shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. Good times!

The most awesome dog in the world...

Today is a happy day for me...

I am off work for the next 6 days. You can't even imagine how happy this makes me!!!

Adam and I have some loose plans throughout the holiday weekend but for the most part... it's all about what we want to do! For the actual turkey day, my dad has gone to visit his family in NY, Adam's mom and stepdad are off on her brother's yacht somewhere between here and FL (rough life, I know!) and Thanksgiving at Adam's stepmother's was cancelled (well at least for this part of the family... which makes me pretty darn happy too!) So Adam and I are going to meet his dad for a Thanksgiving brunch somewhere and then head over to the Poulos' (friends from bible study) and have dinner with them.

As for the rest of the holiday weekend... what I want to do most of all... is go through my mom's clothes. I saved almost every last piece of her clothes and it is currently in plastic bins stashed around my house. For those that don't know... my mom had a LOT of clothes so there are a lot of plastic bins! Also, one of the things that we loved to do together is shop so a good portion of these clothes, I was with her when she bought... not to mention the memories I have of her in some of the outfits. I have been asked several times, why don't I wear them... she was 5'4" and a size 0 or 2 petite... ain't no way folks. No way my amazon self is fitting into those bad boys! I am also asked why I don't give the away... while in theory this sounds like a good idea, there is no way I could. I have too many memories of her clothes and I couldn't bear the thought of someone else having them. As I carted her clothes around from apartment to apartment I came up with the perfect plan for me. Make a patchwork quilt from her clothes. Then I can keep it with me always... my plan is to also make quilts for my children so they have a piece of their grandmother as well.

Anyway, I thought about this alot (for almost 2 years now) but never acted on it... I needed the time to be right... I mean we are talking about cutting up her clothes... that is going to take some willpower to do... not only that but just going through them in the first place. Oh it will be tough! But I think I am ready. It's been 2 years and I think that I have healed a lot... don't get me wrong. I would die on Friday if it meant that I got to spend Thursday with her but I know that I can't make those deals so I say that I am healed ;~) Back to the timing... I was waiting until the time was right...

Enter Suzi... I saw a long time friend of mine at church this past Sunday and somehow or another we ended up talking about my idea. Low and behold, she makes patchwork quilts... seriously, I had no idea! We talked for a little while longer and she really wants to help me with this project which just happens to be fantastic because I need lots of help with this project! We have a plan to meet in the beginning of Dec to chat and get the materials together so my plan is to get started now! And it just so happens that I have the next 6 days off to do it... and that folks is how I tie a story together ;~)

Peace out and sorry it's been so long... I will try not to let that happen again ;~)

2 years and 2 days

It's been 2 years and 2 days since my mom died. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and other times it feels like its been decades. I feel older and wiser now... like I am privy to a world that a lot aren't. There is nothing like losing immediate family to really jar your life and change you forever.

I miss her a lot... she really was my best friend.

I planned on spending the day being mopey and sullen... I wanted to leave the 12th open for me to be sad... but then it turned out that Danielle was moving back into the neighborhood, for good, on Nov 12th... then a couple things surfaced for that day and I realized that it could only be God saying that He didn't want me to be sad and full of self pity... that here on earth, there is a lot to be happy about and a lot to look forward to. So I embraced it.. and that is what I have learned in the past 2 years and 2 days... to make the clear decision to live without anger, sadness or regret. Don't get me wrong... I don't always get it right but life is too amazing not to try.

So I spent the day watching the 2 year olds in second service, chatting with friends after service, grocery shopping the heck out of Safeway with my awesome husband and helping Danielle and Adam put together a very cool computer desk. It was a good day, one that I can look back on and know that I did it right.

Now I leave you with an image of my awesome mother...

Updates!

This is what Adam found when he was getting ready to leave the apartment...

Seriously folks, you don't get much cuter than that! We have always known that Riley prefers to sleep with our clothes but here he takes it to the extreme.

So Adam and I went to see James Lovell last night and what a great time! He is so interesting (hovering around the moon will do that to you apparently) but more than that, he is funny. He has a great sense of timing and humor as well as relaying the drama of what he went through. Very very cool.

One point that I thought was especially poignant came when someone asked him what the moon looks like up close... he gave a brief description (all shades of gray and dusty) but then he said that what was more outstanding to him was the sight of earth from out there. How all you could see was the blue of the water and the white of the clouds, there was no NY City or Baltimore, no black or white... its just a piece of matter in our solar system rotating around the sun and we are all just people aboard. I thought that was a particularly awesome statement.

So before we went to see the speaker Dad, Stacie, Adam and I went to get some ice cream and play some scrabble at a coffee shop in Baltimore... here are some pictures!

Our Troops

Regardless of any feelings that I have toward John Kerry, good or bad, his statement was one of the most crass and insensitive comments ever made.

He does have the right to think what he wants, no matter how elitist it may be but he doesn't have the right to generalize an entire group of people that fight for our freedom day in a day out, at the sacrifice of life, love and family. Team morale is one of the hardest things to build and maintain and statements like his can crumble that morale in a split second. These men and women need to believe (and hopefully know) that their sacrifice is worth their effort and all that they have done hasn't been in vain. Say what you want about the war... I am not convinced we should still be there but I am convinced, without a doubt, that every soldier no matter the education level or salary level is entitled to be lifted up and revered and not to be told that they are stupid and that they somehow deserve this life because they didn't work hard enough. Plenty of men and women joined because at one time or another wanted to make a difference and this is their contribution. That shows more courage and gumption than any degree that can be earned.

I believe that these soldiers may enter the military out of high school and don't get the 'book knowledge' that Kerry apparently holds so dear but I also believe that these soldiers are smarter than any of us can ever imagine. They have seen more, done more and lived more than most people who went to college can ever imagine. Their experiences have taught them more than a classroom ever could.

To Mr. Kerry... here are your stupid and your poor... enjoy your freedom.

In the little things...

I love when I see God in the little everyday things...

Yesterday was a rough day at work... really strenuous and difficult... on top of that I am not feeling well and I am tired because I am not sleeping well... even with all that I ended up staying at work an hour after I should have (and yes, I am putting that on the timesheet!).

My loving husband decided to skip his regular meeting and stay home with me (such a nurturer) and this is a huge deal because he RARELY ever misses this meeting. So I get home and our neighbor is outside with his new little pug, handing out halloween candy. I stop by to say hi and pet the puppy (and I mean puppy, she's 10 weeks old). We chat for a couple seconds and I head in to the house. Once I was in the house, I felt the need to go back and out and chat some more... so Adam and I took Riley out (as well as the candy to hand out) and joined Josh and Layla. We ended up chatting with Josh for at least an hour or so...

Now for the God part... we were talking about people relocating to 'slower' states (east coast being too busy for some people) and I mentioned that a lot of couples in our bible study just relocated to North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia... they all seem to be leaving the craziness of Maryland. What Josh heard was that we are part of a bible study and that we go to church... as it turns out, he and his wife have been looking for a good church around here. And to top it off, they are interested in going to our young married bible study... so they are coming with us tomorrow night!

I love how God can take a crappy day and remind me that it isn't about me... it's really about Him and doing his will.

Birthday weekend of sorts

In addition to celebrating my dad's birthday on Friday, Adam and I celebrated a friend turning 30 on Saturday.

His actual birthday was on Oct 12th... So HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY CRAIG!

What a great time... besides awesome friends and a great time, the food was delicious! Wifey sure can cook!

Much love to the 'over the hill Paco' who could never possibly get old. Young at heart forever!

Better late than never

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dad!

Here's to the man who thinks Oct 27 is just another day!

I love you and hope you had a great day!

Long time no blog

I haven't been feeling well this past week so I have been a little absent on here... after work, all I could think of doing was vegging on the couch until it was time to go to bed! And many thanks to my husband who took care of me and let me do just that. Not to mention, I have an awesome Creative Memories photo album going and I have been focused on that lately.

So this weekend was pretty interesting... Saturday night my department had a social get together at the bosses house... only at an event like that (and 5 glasses of wine later) do you get a picture like this...

Yep, that's me with my bosses, smoking a cigar... good times.

Peace out ~

White and Nerdy

This speaks for itself and before anyone says anything... yes, a few references did ring true... Shaddup!

Happy Friday the 13th!

I don't really believe all the hype about being unlucky today... in fact, I had a rather good day. Busy but good ;~)

I bet you didn't know that Riley does impressions. Oh yeah, he's a regular (insert famous impressionist here).

Check it out...

Can you guess who this is?

Anyone recognize this face?

Yeah, he's pretty awesome.

How painful...

does life have to be for me to make a change? Apparently very. But I am ready now. I am going to really try to follow through with some major changes... no matter the fear of rejection or fear of hard work. I owe to myself to do this.

I realize this is cryptic but this is all I want to divulge right now. Wish me luck!

How do you celebrate 10 years sober?

With LASER TAG of course!

What a great night... Rob orchestrated the whole event and for that I am so thankful! Here are some pictures of the nights festivities...


Gearing up for some hardcore laser tag.


Adam and Yocky


Being threatening with our warpaint


Group shot... left to right... Yaya, Loser, Pretty, Lucky, LightfeasorG, Shark, Punch, Spike, Knee, V, Phaseshift, Tiny, Cream Puff and I was Poofy. Good times!

10 Years

Adam is celebrating 10 years sober today!

Check out his story.

I am so proud of you sweetie! I love you!

A litany of baby G pictures... cause she is so darn cute!

We have a new cutie in the family!!! Welcome baby G!


Sly and subtle 'What's up homie?' pose


Mom and big sis M getting ready for the day


Aunt S and baby G chatting it up


"(YAWN) Man, it's rough being this young... so tiring!"


"How do you like my mohawk?... Fixed it this morning, just for you."


Oh yeah, that definitely looks right!


Seriously! How small is she compared to him! What a peanut!


What a gorgeous baby... so loving her!


If you can get past my double chin, this is a great pic!... Now raise your hand if you didn't see the double chin until I pointed it out... oops ;~)


Talk about comfortable... like I was born to do this!


Oh yeah! It's what all fashion all the babies will be sporting this winter... ski bunny babies!


Big sis M and I at the opening of grandma and grandpa's store... looking good!


Mom and her girls!


Big sis M is going to do well with baby G!

Fathers

I have been thinking a lot about fathers lately. My biological father, David, in particular and how he relates or compares to other fathers that I come in contact with throughout my life.

My birth father spent 7 years with me. Living in the same house, watching me grow up, theoretically, being a father. Yet one year after my parents divorce, he was gone. I haven't seen him since I was 8 years old. I have spoken with him 3, maybe 4 times in the past 20 years. Wow, even to write that is astonishing. I remember once when I was about 14 or so, my mom somewhat threw us on the phone together (in a desperate attempt to help forge a relationship) and he blathered on and on about his step-daughter getting ready to go to college... couldn't remember how old I was or what grade I was in (let alone that I lived and died by the New Kids on the Block)... nope, rambled on about Laura, the (apparently) world's best step-daughter.

The last time I spoke with him, I called him just before 10:00 pm about some paperwork that I needed filled out. Deadlines were approaching and I needed it done so I could keep medical insurance through the military until I was finished with college (as was my right as his child)... and he got angry that I called so late. The conversation lasted maybe 3 minutes. I hung up before I started crying (ANYONE that knows me knows that is quite a feat) because I couldn't bear the thought that he would know how much he hurt me. I was 19. I haven't spoken to him since. I doubt he knows my mom is dead... actually, I doubt he cares. I doubt that he cares that I could quite possibly be alone in the world.

So I look at people in my life and fathers that I know now.

There is the father that attempts to have a relationship with his child but is blocked for one reason or another. The father that tries to know about his child but isn't let in. This guy, he is my hero. It doesn't matter if he always gets through or not... it is the effort and attempt that make the difference. I pray that when his child is of age, the love that is there will finally be able to be seen. I hope that it will be evident why he wasn't there all along and that his child will love him for the effort. Hang in there... from a kid that truly was abandoned. I would love to hear that my dad tried.

There is also the father that takes on more than necessary. The one that 'adopts' the older sibling of his biological child, even though they aren't blood relation. The one that loves his wife's child as if the child were his own... The one that has no problem adopting a child of a friend in need because there is no where else for her to turn... The father that earns money to support them and then, at the end of the day, goes home, kisses his wife and walk right outside to play with his 'children'. This guy is also my hero.

Then there is the father that comes in later in life. The one that doesn't do anything particularly heroic, or at least that is what he would say. However, in reality, he is quite heroic. The one that manages to erase years of hurt by another man and restore the lost confidence. The one that steps in and shows, by actions, how real love is supposed to work. The one that stands by through much pain and suffering and through the very worst of times and comes out the other end, still as strong and loving as ever. The one that I couldn't possibly live without.

So to all the fathers that I know... Thank You. I love you guys.

Festivities

Some pictures from the weekend...

Dad, me, Adam, Billy, Cindy and Stacie

Billy, Dad and Stacie holding cell phones in lieu of lighters while Cindy did karaoke

Adam getting ready to dig into his Vacarro's eclair

Riley enjoying the ride to H-town

Adam and I's goddaughter, Erika Ryan, being adorable

Carter Sauce, Jeffrey and I... I swear Jeffrey was happier than he looks to see me!

Celebrating Nick's birthday... one of his many gifts was an electric razor... definitely needed!

The birthday boy!