ChAnGeS

So it has been a while since I last blogged. The computer decided to never work and crash on us. A lot has happened since then. So I will attempt to fill you in.

Christmas came and went. It was a great time spent with family. New Years followed. It was also a great time spent with family. I can't believe January is almost over already. Time sure does fly. Most of my time has consisted of working and having my little boy Anthony. He has gotten so big and very smart. He is practically a part of this family. He has learned "buh bye" and waves both hands as he says it, "thank you", high five and "shut". It is to the point if we are in the cabinet or fridge getting something out, he comes along and shuts it saying "thank you", while we are still in it. It is pretty funny to see. February 3rd, he will be 15 months old. Grow up way too fast.

Work on the other hand, is a little different story. We were informed of some "changes" being made this past Tuesday. They eliminated 3 senior manager positions, meaning 2 people were fired out of the blue. It was a big wake-up call. They say there are more changes to be made this coming week, but they won't tell us what kind of "changes". Until then, I am thankful to be employed. McDonalds is always hiring if push comes to shove.

I'm sure I am forgetting some things, but they will come up in another blog. I have to work early in th morning. Hope all is well with everyone. Until next time....

LoVe <3

Couple Days

So the past few days have been interesting. I had off on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday I went over to a firends house and played some pool. After that, the plan was to make some Christmas cookies. So over to the house we went. Exactly 7 hours and 31 dozen cookies later....we were exhausted. It was a lot of fun. Lots of laughs.

Wednesday consisted of going to the dreaded stores to even TRY to do some Christmas shopping. Then we sat around, ate dinner and wrote out 60 Christmas cards. All while watching "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". Oh my goodness! Who thought of that movie?!? Yes....I did think I would have a permanent indentation of the pen on the end of my finger. Needless to say, it went away.

I worked from 6-3 today. It was a long day. Very dragged out. I seem to be taken from one end of the store to the other. At least I know I get my exercise in. I get to work 7-4 tomorrow and then its 2 overnights in a row! I can tell you know, I may be a tad grouchy on Tuesday if I don't get at least 6 hours of sleep. Consider this fair warning :) Nah, it should be all good.

I don't know what else to say for now so "Peace, Love and Grits" Until next time...

LoVe <3

Whispers

Yesterday morning I woke up to "Bekah...Bekah", I opened my eyes, "it snowed last night!" My response, "no it didn't Sam".  Sam- "Yes it did. Look outside." I rolled out of bed as Sam came into my room. I opened my blind, and sure enough, the ground was dusted with snow. Sam- "See, I told you. Alright, I gotta go to my CPR class". This whole conversation, was done through whispering. You could tell the excitement in his voice. Like he just couldn't wait to tell someone.

So he woke me up just to tell me. Then memories flashed through my head. The times that we would listen to those superstitions about wearing your pj's inside-out. The whole time crossing our fingers that school would be cancelled. Sam, Seth & I all piling into one bed and sleeping sideways so all 3 of us would fit, on Christmas eve, and non-stop talking until we passed out. Just to wake up at 6:30 and know that we still had to wait for Mom & Dad to get up.

Or even farther back, when we were at the old house on Hickory Mill Rd. Oh how I loved that place! When we had nothing but each other, our cousins, our FAMILY! On Christmas morning, Matt or Dan, would sneak downstairs and take a peak around. Then come up and talk about the presents they saw. Sometimes even giving hints when the presents were too big to be wrapped. I will never forget the morning that Dan went down and came back up, his eyes as big as could be and said "Bekah, you are going to LOVE it!" He sat down on the floor and started "air pedaling". Instantly I knew I had gotten a bike. I remember jumping up and giving him a big hug, as if he had gotten me the present. Or the Christmas I got the big dollhouse. I was so upset when Sam started playing with it before me! I can laugh at it now. Then there was the Christmas that I got the leash and dog bowl. I remember ALL the excitement from every one of us! We sat there in the living room floor, building legos and thinking of what names we would pick for the dog. Never knowing that we would get Frosty. He was a pain, but very much a part of our lives that we will never forget. That dog was loyal and a little snappy, but he was a part of our family.

As we get older, the tables turn. We could care less about what we get. We even say we don't want anything and can literally mean it. Just spending that time with family is the best. Talking about those old days and sharing those memories, makes my heart all warm and fuzzy. It's irritating to me that people make it about worldly possesions. You can't take it with you! If thats all your life has mound up to, it's going to be lonely. So just to set it straight, its CHRISTmas, not x-mas. Don't take the reason out of the season! He gave us all another chance at life. Whenever you want it, just ask for forgiveness. He is why we are all here! Just a thought. Until next time...

LoVe <3

Home

Thursday night was a blue night...literally. Mom & I decided to paint the brown accent wall in my bedroom blue. We did this successfully and laughing at each other having our blonde moments. Friday was moving day. I can't even tell you the number of times I went up & down stairs. Mom, Dad & I got everything moved, completely unpacked and situated within 10 hours. Not too shabby huh?

I can't tell you the relief I feel. I don't think reality has even set in yet. It feels SO good to be HOME! I have passed out every night since I have been here. Sleeping like a baby. As I sat in my room last night, I was almost in tears. As we finished the final touches, I heard "welcome home Bekah Boo". Moms words ran through my head until I fell asleep.

I am so fortunate to have my family. Without them, I would be nothing. I can't believe it takes such stupid mistakes to make people finally realize what they have. I love these people with my whole being. I am truly blessed. Here are a few pics of the final product...

After we got everything cleaned up, we ordered some chinese for Sams birthday dinner. He didn't feel too well so we all just chilled. Work went crazy as usual. Mom & I went to the mall and did some Christmas shopping for Sam and Seth. I realized, I don't really have a tolerance for teeny-boppers. Sorry, but I have just outgrown that phase. Tomorrow I get to work yet again. But I will be home in time for the football game. Ravens vs. Steelers.....it's going to be crazy.

I'm going to help Mom with laundry, then jump in the shower. Who knows, maybe I will dream tonight. Until tomorrow....

LoVe <3

* Life isn't about the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away *

Catchin' up

So, yet again, it has been a little while since I have written. Thanksgiving here was great. I spent all day with my family. Mom, Dad, Ganny & I were in the kitchen until dinner was ready. Keeping up with the dishes as we were finishing with them. Once the boys got to the house, it really started getting fun. It was a good day to sit around, laugh and eat WAY too much.

Work has been the usual. Doing my my job and everyone elses. But it is a job. A source of income, I have no reason to complain.

Then comes the most crazy news of it all. I officially moved back home (for financial reasons). It feels good to be home, but at the same time, I feel like I failed. Mom had to give up her spare room that we spent all our time setting up and making it look nice. I have goals though. I am going to pay off all debt. Save up for Matt & Amandas wedding. Then I am going to go back to school and save my money!! I am officially never moving out again until I get married. Luckily I have a family that welcomed me back. I love them to death. Now it is my turn to do them proud.

I hope all is well with everyone. I will continue to write. It should be more frequently now because I won't be going back & forth. Until next time...

LoVe <3

First steps

Oh my goodness!! It feels like ages since I have blogged! I have been as busy as a person could be. There are sooo many things to catch up on.

Work has been hectic as usual. Doing the normal chores, like cleaning, dishes, laundry, grocery shopping, etc. And then of course, having my little love bug. Spending lots of time with the family. Just been here, there and everywhere. But amidst all this running around, one of the most exciting things happened!!

Anthony just turned 1 on November 3rd (I have no clue where the year went). He is growing too fast! I decided that we would stay at home for the couple days I had him. By home, I mean HOME! Not my townhouse, but with my family. Of course they welcomed us with open arms. And might I say, packing for a baby is DAUNTING! I had one bag with everything and he had 3 bags. I still felt like I had forgotten something! I had closed the night before. Not getting in bed until 12:30. Woke up at 5 to go pick Anthony up, and headed back home. He was a little out of it at first....

So we got him in a bath, changed and fed him some breakfast. He was a happy camper. Such a little cutie. Happy as can be. He took a nice nap and we went about the rest of our day as usual.

I get him bathed and in his pj's. Feed him dinner and totally expect him to fall out. WRONG! He had this last burst of energy, as usual. It was 9 o'clock and I couldn't believe he was still awake!! Mom, Dad, Anthony and I were all in the basement watching the CMA's. Anthony was dancing away to the music. He crawled over to the steps and I grabbed his hand. He stood up next to me and started walking beside me. Then he threw my hand down. He took 12 steps on his own, fell down on his butt, got up and started walking again!!! I was SOOOO excited! Mom & I were yelling. Dad was cheering him on. By the time I got my mind together I only caught the last 4 or 5 steps on video. I got to see him take his first steps!! It was an amazing feeling!

Needless to say.....we tried to get him to do it again. But little man was tired and finally fell asleep. He couldn't seem to get comfortable and wound up sleeping on me all night. So I didn't get any sleep because he was causing me to sweat to death. He woke up in his usual way, talking and with a big smile on his face. We started day 2.

Not a single thing in the house went untouched. Drool and slobber were everywhere! He is my little window licker....

He is my little love bug. Blows kisses to everyone....

It was a great few days! Yet again, spending time with family. If only work could go as easy! Hope all is well with everyone. Hopefully it won't be as long until the next blog. I plan on blogging again tomorrow. Until next time...

LoVe <3

Laughter...

....is the BEST medicine.

So this past week was my week to open. Of course, it had to happen when I was sick. Waking up at 4:30 every day and not getting nearly enough sleep. But I somehow made it through. Wednesday after work, I went home to see my family. Mom & I decided that we were going to move the plants from the foyer and put them in the family room. Basically just swap them around. We get this done. She had already decided that she wanted to move some of the bird feeders down to the back porch.

We go outside to do this. At this time, it is dark. I had NOT been informed of all the "details" before I said I would help with this project. The way she made it sound, it would be easy and done in no time. LOL. SO very wrong. I go out back to see that we were putting a shepherds hook in a big garden pot. No problem right? Wrong. In the 2 big pots were 2 trees. Naturally, they had to come out first. Mom asked me to go get a small shovel from the garage. She said it was hanging on the wall. So I went and got a small shovel aka a trowel and bring it out. She starts laughing hysterically and says "Could you have gotten a smaller shovel?" I had just done what I was told. I didn't know that the shovel was supposed to be used to dig holes in the ground to replant the trees!! I thought they were going "buh-byes" for good!

So we cut the trees out of the pots and I "lovingly" throw them on the ground. We get the shepherds hook in the pot and fix the bird feeder. Mission accomplished....right?? Wrong. We had to plant those trees now. I figured this shouldn't be too bad. I figured wrong. Of course, Mom wanted them planted down by the woods in front of this HUGE tree. So it was inevitable....I was going to hit those roots! After almost falling off the shovel, scaring myself with my own hair and throwing some of the "good" dirt away.....I finally had one tree in the ground. Oh my goodness, I have to do this again?!? After a hysterical laughing spell. We (when I say we, I mean I) started digging again. It struck me. We are outside in the dark, digging holes by the woods.....our neighbors probably thought we were burying somebody!!

Finally, that nightmare was over. We went inside, Dad had come home from work. We ate dinner and sat around for a little bit. Dad decided that he wanted to bring some firewood up before it rained. We grabbed our jackets and gloves and out we went. Mom, Dad and I all out in the dark again.  I thought we would be using the "old" method. A wheelbarrow and our legs. Well yet again, I was wrong. Dad grabbed the tractor and the wagon. I started laughing hysterically. If our neighbors thought it was weird that Mom & I were digging holes, they definitely think we are burying somebody now. We dug the holes and Dad took the body down in the wagon. BAHAHAHA!!! Finally the wood was done.

We then headed to the garage to empty off the pallets for the pellets to be delivered on Thursday. That was done in a jiffy. By this time it was 9:40pm. It was time for me to head to the house. It had been decided that I would get off of work on Thursday and stay the night at my parents since I had off Friday. Great plan.

I got to the house, showered, went to bed, went to work and back at home. Mom & I ran some errands. We had left the mall and I noticed there was a stink bug about 3 inches from Moms head!! I decided it would be best for me to wait and tell her after we were parked at the grocery store. I kept watching it to make sure it didn't fall on her at any time. We get parked and were about to eat a pretzel when Mom saw me glance over to her side with a smile on my face. She immediately looks out the window, "What are you looking at? Whats so funny?" Of course I said nothing. The she glanced up and let out a hysterical scream. Of course she was demanding to know why I hadn't told her. I had my reasons. For one, I wanted us both to live. For two, I couldn't imagine trying to explain to Dad how Mom totaled the brand new car because of a stink bug! I just couldn't see that going over well. So she went to get it to "crawl" onto a piece of paper. She knocked it right onto herself and let out this horrified scream. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. I don't think I even took a breath for a minute!! Utterly priceless!!

We finished at the grocery store, came home and started making dinner. It was scrumptious. And then we made a new bread pudding. That was delicious WITHOUT the rum sauce. It was a very relaxing night. Slept great. Today will make many more memories I'm sure. I will keep you posted. Hope all is well with everyone. Until next time....

LoVe <3