HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

In a world full of economic woes, downfalls, slumps, etc....I still have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my Jesus, who has forgiven me, cleansed me, and continues to help me each and everyday. I am thankful for my husband, who puts up with me, loves me, and is so cute. I am thankful for my girls, who drive me crazy, make me smile, light up a room, and make me so proud. I am thankful for the family I was born into...Dad, mom, and Shannon. What a great foundation I was given. I love that my sister and I are more than sisters, but are great friends. I love that my parents have always worked so hard to maintain a relationship with their grandkids, even though we are so far a part. I am thankful that all my daily needs are met, far exceedingly! I am also thankful for great friends, who love me, put up with me, eat with me, cry with me, and laugh with me!
Today we went up to our church to help minister to the homeless. We all worked as a family as "hosts". It was our job to walk 2 men around from station to station. To make them feel comfortable, to minister, and be their friend. They were provided with many wonderful opportunities including; clothes, jackets, backpacks (full of goodies), dental care, medical care, showers, the ability to go on-line, or make a phone call, manicures, legal council.......and at the end of all that, a fantastic meal. What a wonderful opportunity for all of us to remember just how blessed we are. As we went into eat, Pastor John said a prayer, and that is when I just started crying. As he thanked God for all our many blessings, it hit me, that even if I was the one homeless, I would still need to thank Him. This world encourages us to keep on wanting, until there is nothing else left. Today, Bob and Steve, just wanted some socks, a warmer jacket, and a hot meal. Everytime I put on a pair of shoes, I don't stop and thank God for them. I am so truly blessed. Thank you Lord for each and everything in my life! My kids were a bit nervous at first and then they were just great. I have to say that Madi is a natural. She was able to make conversation, and just be herself. Miah and Mikelle were so good about serving the food and making sure their drinks were full and such. I hope all of you had a tremendously blessed day as well.

Beyonce' at AMA

I don't like music videos, have never been to a concert, and find most live performances kind of boring. However, this year Beyonce' did her little jig at the American Music Awards! I have watched it so many times. I find it totally catchy and entertaining. I apologize if her "shakin' her groove thing" bothers you. I just imagine that if any of us ever got up the nerve to dance for our husbands, we would wish we could do it like this. And I guarantee they wouldn't mind. Hope you enjoy! Watch Beyonce dance herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uerTtXtgye4
I went out and bought my leotard today! LOL!

Vancouver Here We Come!

I am speaking that title in faith. I am only putting this out there on blog world, because I believe in the power of prayer. My husband applied for a job opening in the Evergreen School District. Those of you who live there know that there isn't much movement in Vancouver as far as teachers go. It's hard to get a job there. So we need the power of prayer on our side. We have enjoyed our life in Las Vegas, but it's time for a change! Next school year would be perfect. Madi is going into high school and Miah middle school. I know the rain will be something to contend with for a while, but what are ya gonna do. I lived there for many years, so hopefully, I can get used to it again. It is hot here, way too hot. But it's always sunny. I mean literally sun everyday! It's pretty rare that we have a cloudy or gloomy day. This is the first time since I have moved away almost 20 years ago, that I feel this little excitement in my tummy about coming home. Please pray that God's will be done in our lives, and if it is not God's will that we come there....pray that He changes His mind! Ok, I might be kidding! Thanks ahead of time for your prayers!

1.99!!!

Just wanted to send a quick shout out!! Hooray, I bought gas for $1.99 a gallon today. Let's face it people, the economy stinks right now. I mean, for the most part, we are all very blessed. Its just tight, hard, whatever you wanna call it right now. One positive thing in the middle of this crunch time for me, is the decreasing gas prices...yipee! Speaking of crunch time financially, Christmas is just around the corner. I have not bought one present, not even one! It's not going to be like the Christmas' of ole', which is ok. I believe we are going to go and help at church on Thanksgiving, and minister to the homeless. Not to have a selfish motive in this, but I think the timing will be perfect, as we try and teach our kids to remember how many things we are blessed with. I was telling my sister yesterday, whenever we were finished opening ALL of our many gifts as a kid, no matter how many we got, there was kind of this dissappointment. Like that's it? So I do know the expectations that kids have. We have set it up that way. I like presents, I like buying my kids presents. We have never put Christmas on a credit card, so it was never a matter of us living above our means. It's not like we go totally crazy, I do like to get that one thing they really want. Last year it was the WII. This year, it's more like phones, and IPods, and I am not thinking I am going that route. When are they going to just be into clothes? The other day when I told my girls that this Christmas they wouldn't be getting as many presents as usual, they said, "less than last year?" I'm thinking "wow, this is going to be more difficult than I thought!" I'm going to have to be more creative with my gift giving than ever. What about y'all? Is everyone having to cut back? Any creative ideas for gifts? Any magic pills to give to my kids so all they care about is Jesus, and not presents? Ha! I'm just being silly.

I've Been Tagged!

1. Watching T.V. is probably my favorite way to relax. The funny thing about that is that we didn't even have a T.V. for like 9 years. That's a long story....I guess I am just making up for lost time. DVR is my favorite, because I really can't stand commercials. I like reality T.V. for some stupid reason. I like Oprah when she isn't talking about "the light, and inner people, (lol)". I like Rachael Ray, and the View. That's my morning routine.

2. I know we have talked about Target many times. I was just there tonight. I have been trying to stay away. I forgot just how happy I am when I am there. Of course I am most happy when I am there with cash to spend. It has a little bit of everything. It's not overwhelming like the mall. The prices are reasonable. I love the home decor stuff! It's to die for! I love TARGET!

3. I'm kind of a "go by the rules" gal. Authourity has always intimidated me a bit. Even now if I have to meet with the kids teachers, I find myself all sweaty and nervous. I didn't like getting in trouble as a kid, and I certainly don't want to get in trouble for my kids. If a cop is driving behind me, I tense up a bit. Stuff like that!

4. I am a junk food junkie! I would always choose something "unhealthy" to eat, over anything "healthy" if the calories didn't matter. I love things like ice cream, pizza, french fries, tacos, burgers, pop tarts, cookies, pastries, candy, soda, chips, etc......This is exactly why I am attending Weight Watchers for my 99th time. Oh, and Starbucks...I like it!

5. I am very competitive. I guess this isn't really something new to most of you. But, I do play to win! Whether a board game, sports, etc. At GGW my team lost a game of Taboo. We are going to have to train for next year. Ha ha! Worst part about it, that means, my sister actually won. The little sister is never suppose to beat the big sister. I'm slowly getting over it.

6. I can't stand bugs, spiders, snakes, etc....All of them really freak me out! I can't kill em, so I just panic. I usually have to ask my kids to come and get rid of this bug! We have black widows in Vegas. Scary!

7. I find my hubby very hot! He looks like he did the day I met him. I wish I could say the same about myself. Poor guy. I have been every size under the sun, over the last 18 years. I am working on it! Hopefully for good this time! But that junk food just calls my name!

Dena, Shannon, Lee Ann, and whoever else might read my blog.....you have been tagged!

On a Lighter Note!

Politics, religion, wars, abortion....lets get to the important stuff! HAIR! Last week I got a wild hair up my bootie, and.....had my hair chopped off. Mom, I am sorry. I know you like it long, and so do I. I miss my long hair the way I miss a good friend. I don't know what to do without it. I wasn't going to blog about it, or tell my mom. Cuz I figured it will grow some before I see her, and maybe she will never know. Lol! So here is a picture of my hair before....

Very nice, long, long, long. And now here is my new bob....
Not a very good picture. I just woke up this morning and knew I needed a picture for this post. Mikelle took it for me. Does anyone know how long it will take me to grow it out? I'm guessing 2 years? Although it doesn't have to be as long as it was...just long enough for a cute pony tail.

Made a Decision!

I decided to erase the two blogs that seemed to cause a lot of tension. The election is over....and so is this conversation. Love to you all!!

Picture Updates!

Mikelle celebrated her birthday with a few friends by going to see the movie, "High School Musical 3". She had lots of fun. 3 of the friends are from softball, and 1 is from school. What a cute bunch of girls

For our "Harvest Day Festival" Madi and Mikelle borrowed some uniforms from the cheerleading coach at Charles school. Miah just wanted to be a cat. But that didn't really work out. So no pics of Miah.

It was a busy weekend of softball for our family. On Saturday, the day began with Madison's double header at 9 & 10:30. Then I had 2 games. We played my alma mater, UNLV & SUU. That lasted from 10-5. Then we headed over to the third field of the day to watch Miah's double header. Her team played at 6 & 7:30. So basically we were at the softball fields from 7:30 am til' 9pm. Yesterday, I had 2 more games, and Madi played 4 more. Madi was a pick up player this weekend for "Code Red". She played in 4 games with them, at the 16-U level. She is scheduled to begin practicing this week with "Rage", because they have asked her to be a pick up player for the next couple weeks. Well yesterday, after Madison's last game with Code Red, the coach from Rage came up and asked Madi if she wanted to play in their last 2 games of the day. (Now she could only do this because it was just a "friendly round robin" with local teams. Of course Madi said sure. She did fantastic. She hit 5-6 in the last 2 games. The coach came up to me afterwards and said of course we don't want to put any pressure on her, just a little...as she stretched out her arms...lol! Code Red actually asked Madi to join their team on a full time basis as well. I am happy for Madi. It's good to feel wanted. And she should!

As far as UNLV softball goes. They are going to be good this year. All of their key players are healthy. They have so many juniors and seniors, who are ready to get it done. On Saturday, we competed decently with them. Sunday was a different story. They played SUU before they played us and we sat and watched them just kill the ball. They scored about 15 runs with tons of homeruns. Well let's just say that they continued that same hitting right into our game. In the first inning they had a 3 run homer, and a grand slam before we had an out!!