I am alive

I know...it's hard to believe. I miss blogging. I really do. I miss capturing all those moments, but lately, I haven't even had time to think about my moments.

I'm done! I did it! I made it through taking 11 hours of classes, working full time and raising a family (with a TON of help from Eric!!)! But, I did it!

I'm so glad my semester is over, but I'm ready to keep on keepin on. Gotta love Joe Dirt!

Things are great. I have 2 weeks off before I start summer school. I am quitting working full time and will hopefully have more time for the family and for studying. I'm anxiously awaiting the beginning of June when I will find out if I made it into the program...so keep your fingers crossed.

The kiddos are doing GREAT! Mason is getting way too big and so is Savannah. I seriously can't believe she is going to be 2 in about a month. That's just messed up. I'm going to go find some pictures to post because it's been awhile! :)

I totally suck!

Seriously. I suck.

I haven't blogged in over 3 months. :(

However, when you think about all the things and accomplishments that I have had in the last 3 months, that may explain it! ;-)

First off, I started back to school in January. I'm taking 11 hours of classes on top of working full time. So, my free time is spent with Mason, Savannah, Eric, My anatomy book and notes, my statistics book and notes and psychology. Nuts! :) Classes are going GREAT! I'm loving it, even though it's a TON of work! I just keep saying that it'll all be worth it in the end!

One of my other major accomplishments is that I've lost over 20 lbs! YAY ME! I started back on weight watchers and it's been GREAT! I haven't been this skinny in over 5 years! I'm very excited about it! :) I'm also super proud of Eric...he's lost 20 lbs too and is going to run the Mini Marathon! I think that our losing weight and exercising together has been really helpful individually!

The kiddos are doing great! Savannah is starting to really talk a lot! I was getting worried, but she's coming around. She's got one HECK of an attitude, which makes every day a little more interesting than the next. :) Mason is going through a little bit of a testing phase. He's always testing Eric and I and how far he can go. It's fantastic! NOT!!!!

Here are some updated pics....I'll try to update more often!

My quirky little girl.

Let me start with this...

Here is my Vannah on Sunday morning. Just playing along with her new kitchen set. Keep in mind, Santa CHOSE this kitchen because of all of the features on the bottom including the refrigerator, oven, etc. however, the only thing she wants to play with is the microwave...so after catching her climbing on top of it a few times, we brought a step stool over...and now she's content.

Please note...the shoes. This girl LOVES shoes. Seriously. What's even more interesting is that the shoes that she loves the most are Mason's! She gets home from school everyday, takes her shoes off, and puts a pair of his on. It's insane!

What I'm trying to say is that she cracks me up! I guess it makes her so loveable...even through her drama queen fits that she throws!!!!

Tell me Santa...by Mason...

We had another Santa encounter, this time at my work.

Check us out...

















Here are just a few of the MANY questions that Mason asked Santa Claus.

• Santa, why do you have boots on OVER your tennis shoes?


• Santa, why do you have a hat on?


• Santa, where do you live?


• Why do you live in the North Pole?


• Where is the North Pole?


• Where are your reindeer?


• Where is your sled?


• Where did you get my present at Santa?

He sure is ONE inquisitive little boy!

Ladies and Gentlemen...we have a BOW!!!

I was just a little (jumping up and down screaming) excited!

I know...I know...

It's been awhile. Eric and I went to Vegas and it's been crazy at work and I've lacked the time to update my blog. :(

Let me start with a funny post.

Mason and Santa. :)

Ask Mason what he's asking Santa for Christmas and he says everytime...a Lighting McQueen Race track. And for 3, saying the same thing and being that consistent means a lot!

So, last weekend, at Eric's work, they hosted a Breakfast with Santa...and Mason was SO excited to see Santa and tell him what he wanted. So, he gets on Santa's lap....

tells santa what he wants..."A Lightning McQueen race track" and chit chats for a few.

Mason gets down from Santa's lap...looks at me and says..."Well, where's my race track?"

I had to explain to him that Santa doesn't bring the presents until Christmas, etc. It was hilarious! I love that kid!

Treats on Thursday!

I will continue my theme of things I love about the winter to add one of my favorite winter treats.

If you don't know already...I am addicted to candy cane EVERYTHING!

I bathe myself in Candy Cane scented body wash. Spray my candy cane perfume. Burn a candy cane candle and indulge in these fantastic creations....

That's right my friends....some DE-Lightful Candy Cane Kisses. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love them.

If you love me...go out and buy me a bag for Christmas now. :) I'll wait.... :)

YUM!!!!!

Confession: I LOVE snow!

I do.

I admit it.

I LOVE snow.

I love the chill in the air, and the beauty it brings to outside. I love how pretty snow on top of Christmas lights are. I love getting all bundled up to go outside and play in it!

It just makes me feel cozy and I really appreciate the beauty of it!

I remember sitting at our front window and just watching it come down when I was growing up and later hoping for at least 5 inches so we could have a snow day! :)

Granted, its not fun to drive in and it makes people forget how to drive, but I really do love it!

There's only about 1/2 an inch outside right now, but it just makes me happy. :)

A touching ending to a trying day!

So yesterday was one of those days that is just hard on a mom.

Taking the kids to school yesterday was just awful. Savannah had a major breakdown and wouldn't stop crying for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Mason, fighting for my attention, started doing the same exact thing. It was heartbreaking. Again, Mason had to be pulled off of me when I left. I HATE that part about working...I really do. We did however get to go have a special Thanksgiving day lunch with the kids, that was overshadowed by another rough leave by me with Savannah. I was just spent emotionally the whole day.

Now...to the touching part. :)

Eric was bowling so the kiddos and I hung out and had a fun evening. Wherever Mason was, Savannah wanted to be. It was about Savannah's bedtime and I was trying to get her to sit with me on my chair. She wanted nothing to do with it. She walked over to Mason on Daddy's recliner and just kept patting to get up there. Mason looks up at me and says, "momma...I don't have any room!" Cue the Savannah crying breakdown. Mason then moves his sleeping bag, Toby and car out the way and gently pats his lap for his sister to join him. It was the sweetest thing.

So, I helped Savannah up and she was instantly at ease on Mason's lap. They just laughed and watched the show together. Mason would occasionally look down at his sister and cuddle up closer to her. It was so adorable. A few minutes later, Vannah was asleep...happy and content with her big brother Mason! :)

I am very thankful that a moment like that overshadowed the trying episodes of earlier that day. From the hardest parts of being a mom to the BEST parts of being a mom. What a way to end the evening. :) It is really just an amazing thing watching my children protect and love each other....amazing!

Fun Christmas Get to Know You! :)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
For the majority of gifts, I prefer to wrap...I don't like to challenge myself too much so if it's a hard item to wrap, I will use a gift bag!

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial and Pre-lit

3. When do you put up the tree?
I was just talking to Eric about this today! I was hoping to do it this weekend! Usually right before Thanksgiving or the weekend of Thanksgiving!

4. When do you take the tree down?
New Year's Day or right around there

5. Do you like eggnog?
YUCK! No thanks!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Not sure...maybe my Barbie McDonalds set. Those little cheeseburgers were DEFINITELY a choking hazard!

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Usually Eric, or my Grandma!

8. Easiest to buy for?
The kiddos...I have a hard time stopping!

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Nope.

10. Do you send cards or email cards?
Send cards. :) usually with pics of the family on them. :)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Wow...don't know or remember!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Definitely National Lampoons Christmas Vacation! DEFINITELY! I am one of those that HATES...I repeat HATES The Christmas Story and I don't see anything remotely funny about it!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually the day after Thanksgiving

14. Ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yep.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Delicious potatoes, buckeyes, delicious yummy food! Oh, and Peppermint White Mocha's from Starbucks. :)

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, and they are colored

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (although my favorite at the moment is This Christmas)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We travel to visit the families on christmas...

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Of course....Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitsen and of course Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Neither...I do a snowman! :)

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The Christmas Story movie! :)

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I LOVE Snowmen...I have them EVERYWHERE!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Delicious potatoes...:) Have I mentioned I love them???

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I want to really enjoy the time with the kids this year! I'm looking forward to it!

A Humbling Day!

Today, I am not going to work! YAY! :)

Ok, that's not what's humbling.

About 5 years or so ago, after hearing the Make A Wish Request a thon on a local radio station, I decided that I really wanted to get involved with the Make a Wish Foundation, a foundation that grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses. Something about the tears and the joy in the voices of the parents and the kids who had their wishes granted struck me. I felt compelled to help with not only donations, but my time.

That is when I became a Wish Granter volunteer with the MAW foundation. I've been fortunate enough to help over 8 children with their wishes over the past few years. It is truly one of the most rewarding experiences that I've ever been a part of. I get to meet the families and find out their wishes, and the joy and excitement and awe that these families have knowing that we take the time and the organization funds this family trip make it all worthwhile.

I will say that when I first started, I was not a parent, and now that I am a parent, I feel even more compelled to help because I am SOOOOO fortunate that both of my children are healthy. The strength that I see from the children I have met is amazing. AMAZING!

So, this afternoon, I'm heading to the WZPL studios to answer phones for a few hours for the Request a Thon. I've done it every year since I started volunteering and I love it! The goal is to raise $199,000 dollars in the 36 hours! They've exceeded their goals every year. :)

So, if you're in the Indy area...call 317-239-1099 to donate and you get to request ANY song too! Who knows, maybe I'll be the one to pick up the phone! :)

Warning...You Might Pee Your Pants!!!

So, my good friend Shannon posted on her blog that she is currently obsessed with the website Cake Wrecks.

Intrigued, I decided to visit it myself.

Seriously, I've spent a good 45 minutes CRACKING UP! There are photos of how cakes have gone horribly wrong (spelling...things don't quite look right etc.)

I can't stop laughing.

Please, I beg you...if you need a laugh...check it out...

One of my favorites...

The cake is supposed to say, "Happy Birthday You Old Bastard!"

You'll thank me later. :)

Amazing Series!

If I haven't already told you about my love for reading....

I. LOVE. TO. READ.

My favorite books right now are the Twilight series. After hints (PLEADING) by my friend Kris to pick up Twilight and get sucked in. I did it. I bought the book. It was awesome. I love it! I am now 1/2 way through book 2 (new moon) and book 3 and 4 are on their way {hurry Amazon...hurry!}

It's been awhile (Harry Potter) since I have gotten so caught up in a story. I dream about it. I think about it, a lot! It also doesn't help that the Twilight movie is coming out on November 21st and I'm seeing movie trailers!!! :)

So, if I haven't hinted enough already, to those of you that haven't read it yet.

Pick up Twilight. You'll thank me. :)

{End of Public Service Announcement}

Whoopins.

Last night on the way home from school (when all the deep conversations about life take place) Mason was telling me all about his day. He was telling me about how he saw a HUGE Jet at school and how loud it was. He then went on to talk about how when we go to Disneyworld someday, HE's going to fly the jet.

I calmly explained that he can't fly the jet now, so he corrected and said that he wants to do it when he's bigger.

Then, being the super mom that I am (:-)) went on to tell him, "Honey, you can be anything you want to be...anything in this world!"

Cue complete silence in the backseat.

Mason then says, "Well, than I want to be Piderman (his rendition of Spiderman)"

Mason continues, "I'm gonna be Piderman and I'm gonna shoot Whoopins and get the bad guys."

"Whoopins" I say? I'm of course thinking of getting spanked, etc.

Then I realize he means WEAPONS! I immediately cracked up. I like Whoopins a whole lot better anyway. :) The things he says just CRACKS. ME. UP.

I Voted!

Whoo hoo! I've got my sticker to prove it. Unlike many lucky people here in Indiana, I had to wait over 2 hours (including 1/2 hour outside at 7:30 a.m.) to rock my vote!

I will admit that I felt very PROUD to have casted my vote! YAY me!

I was also excited that I got about 200 pages of New Moon read while in line too!

Seriously? November?

What the HECK happened to October...or September for that matter. It's November. There are officially 51 days until Christmas.

Where does the time go?

October was a crazy month for us...filled with exciting times...such as:

• My first FALL Vera trip! Whoo hoo!
• A very exciting Pizza train ride with Grandma and Grandpa, which whenever Mason thinks we are going to go to a park, he thinks we are going on a pizza train too! :)
• A fun birthday party!
• TWO trips to the pumpkin patch
• Beautiful family pictures were taken
• Mason's 3rd Halloween and Vannah's 2nd halloween!

I'm tired just thinking about it, and those were just on the weekends! If the trends follow, I'm sure that November will be just as exciting and busy. :)

I have so many things that I hope to get accomplished in November... how about you? What are your goals for this month that will be over before we know it?!

Halloweens of Past!

Happy Halloween! One of my favorite holidays! I thought it would be fun to go through and find some old halloween pictures...let's see what I've got! :)

One of my all time favorite pics of Eric...him and his scary faces! :) You can see right there why I married him! :) (I can't even begin to tell you how long it took him to get his hair to do that. It was so stiff... {that's what she said! (I couldn't resist!)}!!!

Mason in 2006...Arrrgh!

Last year...my little unicorn angel! :)

Mason LOVES to dress up in costumes....Here his is a monkey...and as Tigger:

Tonight Mason will be Spiderman...a muscular Spiderman at that, and Vannah will be a witch! Pictures to be posted soon!

I actually had to dress up for work today. We have to decorate our area and we are doing a haunted pumpkin patch. I will be a cowboy. Stay tuned for that excitement! :)

Happy Halloween to my favorite ghouls and goblins!

Thursday Threes

Three of my Halloween candy favorites that we’ve been known to steal from my kids’ trick or treat bags…

1. Twix!!! YUM!
2. Sixlets...I LOVE these! I remember these were my favorite when I got these trick or treating!
3. Sweet tarts! I can't refuse!

What are YOURS?

I've been RANDOMLY Tagged!

The Godmother was so gracious to tag me! Now I need to post 7 random facts about myself and tag 7 people.My 7 random facts are (in no particular order):

1. When I eat waffles, I am very particular about how I put the syrup on them. I have to fill up each hole one at a time and so no extra goes on the plate. Wierd...I know. :-)

2. I was never a big sports person, but got involved in Karate in high school. I was in it for 3 years and actually competed in some national tournaments.

3. I am the worlds biggest nerd. I LOVE school. I miss it. I once took a extra semester of anatomy and physiology in college just because I liked it so much!

4. I have never been to Europe but have always wanted to go!

5. I HATE to cook.

6. I love giving my kiddos funny nicknames...(ie I call Mason "chicken face" for some ungodly reason!)

7. I really don't like what I'm doing right now and I'm seriously considering changing my WHOLE career!

Ok...I'm tagging:

Amy, Julie, Leah, Justin , Cheryl, Jean and Karen!

He's a Pierle!

It's no surprise. My son has come from a long line of boob men.

Last night...we were getting ready for bed.

One of my bras was sitting on the nightstand in my bedroom.

Mason: "Momma...what's that. What is it used for?"

Momma: (not wanting to go into this explanation tonight) "Honey, don't worry about it, it's just something that momma wears."

Mason (smiling with an evil grin...he grabs the bottom of my shirt): "Is it for your BOOBS???!"

I seriously snorted I was laughing so hard.

At 3, the boy sure knows boobs and all that goes along with them. I have a long 15 years ahead of me!