Why am I choosing to embarrass myself?

I saw this posted on Heather's blog as well as Renata's blog... check them out!

15 years ago, I was...
*13 years old
*In the 8th grade at Osceola Middle School in Ocala, FL
*The drum major of our middle school band for the Ocala Christmas Parade
*playing the flute
(Sorry, no picture for this one... I honestly looked, but the 8th grade was such an awkward year... I probably burned all pictures from that time in my life!)

10 years ago, I was...
*18 years old
*A high school graduate... graduated with honors :)
*Spending my last summer at home doing community theatre
*Moving to Tennessee in the fall to attend Lee University
*Majoring in Music Education
*Playing the oboe in the Symphonic Band

That's me on the right

The only picture you may ever see of me dancing... I'm just to the right of "Frank Butler"
The show was "Annie Get Your Gun"

Freshman year of college in the Symphonic Band
That's Brandon sitting behind us... funny that we barely knew each other in the picture!

Me and Brandon coming home from a mission's trip to Brazil... we were only friends back then.

5 years ago, I was...
*23 years old
*Becoming a mom for the 1st time in January
*Married for 2 years
*Graduating with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration in May
*Spending 7 months as a stay at home mom after graduating

My first good look at Chandler

Chunky cheeks!

Graduation was extra special as a mom of a 4 month old baby girl!

Thanksgiving 2003

3 years ago, I was...
*25 years old
*Working as a Ministry Assistant at our church
*Married for 4 years
*Excited that we were buying our 1st house!

Our house just before we bought it
It looks different now :)

Chandler and Me December 2005... the pile of notebooks on the table reminds me of all the work I had to bring home with me!

1 year ago, I was...
*27 years old
*A mom of two beautiful girls
*Married for 6 years
*Staying at home full time!

Riley was born in March 2007

Just me: Mother's Day 2007

My Family on Thanksgiving 2007
Dad and Mom
My Sister,Erin, and her husband, Joel
Me, Brandon, Chandler and Riley

This past year, I was...
*watching my baby have surgery
*watching Chandler turn 5 years old
*watching Riley turn ONE!
*going to my 1st UGA football game
*becoming obsessed with Twilight
*off on an adventure to Australia!
*having life changing surgery
*learning to take time for myself.

Riley's cyst removal: January 2008

Chandler's 5th Birthday Photo Shoot

Riley's 1st Birthday Photo Shoot

Our 1st UGA football game!

My Twilight Obsession!

Me & Charlie the Koala in Sydney, Australia!

Me just before surgery

Just Me: October 2008

OME!!!

For all of you non-Twilighters that's "Oh My Edward!" :)

This arrived in the mail today...

I have been anxiously awaiting this package for some time now!
Ever since Kristy announced that I had won a contest on her blog!
Since the beginning of October I had been pondering what piece of jewelry I wanted Kristy to make for me as "my prize" and when she mentioned that she was going to start working on some Twilight inspired stuff... well, I knew I HAD to have one!

The packaging alone made me happy!

I know you can't see the necklace... Honest, I tried getting a photo of it, but my camera just wouldn't focus!

Here's what the card said...

"Jen... I hope you [heart] your necklace! I had a hard time deciding on what to do. I wanted you to really [heart] it! Soo... here ya go! Your fav twilight saying, w/ some EC [heart] on the back & close to your [heart]! Hope the chain length is good for you as well!
Miss you! Hope you enjoy your Twilight outing... with you were here to enjoy it w/ me!
[heart] Kristy"


So, here's my note to Kristy...
(I've already called her and left a gushy non-sense voicemail on her phone!)

KRISTY! THE NECKLACE IS AMAZING!!! I LOVE IT!!! IT IS PERFECT!!!
You KNOW I'll be wearing this when I see Twilight this weekend!!

Check out Kristy's jewelry... she's working on a new site so be sure to check back often!
Bright Heart Studio

Happy Birthday to Brandon!

Yesterday, November 18th was Brandon's birthday. He is now 29 years old! :P

He had to work yesterday... isn't that how everyone wants to spend their birthday? At work?

We had tacos for dinner last night.

He got a shirt in the mail from my parents and a card from Chandler & Riley.

The girls went to bed at 8:00 and Brandon THOUGHT we were going to watch a movie...

He went outside to change the lightbulb on our front porch when Jonathan and Amy pulled up in the driveway...

On Monday night, I called Amy and invited them to come over to surprise Brandon for his birthday.
I went and got the girls out of bed and we all sat around eating cake... Chandler knew they were coming over and that there was a surprise cake waiting... she did a very good job of keeping the secret. :)

Brandon was surprised and I think he enjoyed getting to hang out with friends on his birthday!

And really, if we are honest about it, ANYTHING would be better than how we spent his birthday last year!

Baby it's cold outside...

The last few mornings it has been a little more than "chilly" outside... it has been down right COLD! Each morning at 6:45 I RUN out to my Explorer and start the engine to hopefully warm it up a little before rushing my kids out the door to school...

We have leather seats... I LOVE my leather seats because any time the kids spill anything, it wipes up pretty easy, but I don't LOVE my leather seats when it's below freezing outside! I don't know if you know this, but LEATHER SEATS ARE COLD!

Anyway, so each morning we race around like crazy women getting ready for school and I'm always thinking, "Dear God. Please let the ice on my windshield be melted so I don't have to freeze to death while scraping ice off of the windows."
Most mornings He takes mercy on me and the ice is melted...

This was NOT one of those mornings!

Chandler had to be at school a little earlier this morning to have "Pancakes with Pastor". Her school has a day where the kids invite their Pastor to come have pancakes with them in the cafeteria before classes start. Chandler invited Pastor Jonathan, our children's pastor (and good friend, to have pancakes with her.

We woke up on time, but just as I was about to load up Chandler's backpack I realized that I forgot to make her lunch last night!
Probably because Jonathan and Amy came over to help us celebrate Brandon's birthday... but that's another post... coming soon!

I raced around making a lunch when I realized that I had not gone out to start the Explorer yet! UGH!
I ran outside and started the engine... ran back inside to finish Chandler's lunch... crammed the girl's into their coats and we ran out to load up.

Out of curiosity, each morning I check the temperature on the way to school. Recently I've been checking the temp in Fahrenheit and Celsius. **My continued obsession with all things Australian I guess.**

This morning the temperature was 24F... that's -4C for my Australian friends... THAT'S COLD! At one point is also said 21F and -6C, but it changed back to 24F pretty quick.

So, in summary, the coldest day of the "fall" so far was the day that we were running late and I forgot to warm the engine early enough for the ice to melt off of the windshield.

I was running around the car as quickly as possible with an ice scraper. I would like to point out that the ice scraper was a gift from my Grandmama. When she gave it to me I laughed because it has a "mitten" attached to it... however, many times (this morning included) I have said a little thank you to my thoughtful Grandmama as I scraped ice from my windows!!

That really made me laugh!

I can't take credit for finding this video... I saw it on another blog I enjoy reading: Samster.com.

Since visiting Australia back in September I've found that blogs from fellow Australian bloggers really appeal to me. :) **I've added 3 of these blogs to my "Blogs I like to Read" list... see the right hand side of the page if you want to check them out!!

I did see many of these (I would say all, but I'm sure I didn't see that particular shark!) at the Aquarium, Toronga Zoo and Sydney Wildlife World.

What really makes me laugh it that I actually had people warn me about some of these Australian "wonders" before I left on my trip. As you can see, I survived.

So, go book your flights to Australia!

**Just watch out for those crazy birds!!

That's All...

My brother-in-law, Joel, tagged me

1. Put your MP3 Player/media player/etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Sunday Morning [Maroon 5]
Huh?

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Why Can't I? [Liz Phair]
This song is from the soundtrack to "13 going on 30"... I love that movie and this song is actually pretty accurate. lol.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
That's How You Know [Amy Adams]
From the soundtrack to "Enchanted"... Apparently I like a guy that finds, "a little way to show [me] every day..." lol!

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Ever Ever After [Carrie Underwood]
"We all just wanna make it to ever ever after..."

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Feelings Show [Colbie Caillat]
I have (in the past and fairly recently) been known to let my feelings show... I don't know that it's my motto, but it may seem that way to some people. lol.

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
It had better be tonight [Michael Buble]
Do you think I'm pushy? lol.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
How Sweet It Is [Michael Buble]
Ha! "How sweet it is to be loved by you..."

WHAT IS 2+2?
Head over Heels [Go-Gos]
Wrong!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Always on my Mind [Michael Buble]
Wow. Pretty accurate. :)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Yellow Submarine [The Beatles]
Humm... maybe that person likes the ocean? lol.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Capri [Colbie Caillat]
Well since the song is about a mother and her child, I guess that is a good answer...

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Hello Goodbye [The Beatles]
Maybe a Target Employee? lol!

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
This Love [Maroon 5]
"This love has taken it's toll on me..."

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Comin' Home Baby [Michael Buble]
Ha ha!

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
The Best is Yet to Come [Michael Buble]
That's pretty appropriate for a wedding reception dance.

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Every Breathe You Take [The Police]
Yikes! Kind of creepy!

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Ticket to Ride [The Beatles]
Huh?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Nothing Lasts Forever [Maroon 5]
wow.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Don't Stand Too Close to Me [The Police]
Ouch!

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
A Beautiful Mess [Jason Mraz]
Lol. I actually do think this song describes me, but not for this question.

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Ice Ice Baby [Vanilla Ice]
Lol! Am I going to freeze to death?

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Tied Down [Colbie Caillat]
Lol!

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Mad About You [Belinda Carlisle]
Have you ever seen that TV show? It really does make me laugh!

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Midnight Bottle [Colbie Caillat]
Making bottles at midnight has made me cry before!

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Help! [The Beatles]
Ha ha!

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Back at Your Door [Maroon 5]
I don't really know what that might mean!


DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
She Loves You [The Beatles]
Apparently, she loves me!

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Infatuation [Maroon 5]
Wow... deep.


WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Losing My Mind [Maroon 5]
Yep, that hurts!

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
That's All [Michael Buble]


Ok. So, some of those made sense and some didn't....

Your turn.

Riding in the car with girls...

We are currently visiting Brandon's parents in Georiga for the weekend. We are celebrating an early Thanksgiving in combination with Brandon's birthday (11/18) and our nephew, Colten's, 2nd birthday (11/8).

On the way down last night, I was reading (Ecilpse. Yes, it's the 3rd book in the Twilight series and yes, I am reading it AGAIN!), Brandon was driving, and the girls were watching a movie.

Suddenly...
C: "Mom. I know what the ocean is."
J: "Really? What is it?"
C: "It's a large stomach of salt water."
J: "Huh?"

Brandon and I exchange puzzled looks

B: "Chan? Do you mean a large BODY of salt water?"
C: "Oh. Yeah. That's what I mean."

Congrats to Jenn on 800 Posts!

Jenn posted her 800th post today. 800 posts! I can't even imagine!!!

So, instead of posting 800 things about herself (I don't think I could come up with 800 things about myself) she posted things about her self in 8s.

So, I'm playing along using her categories:

8 Things I Love:
SLEEP!
My Family
Australia
Twilight
Holidays
Hot Chocolate
Scrapbook Supplies
Pictures

8 Things that give me the Heebie-Jeebies:
Bugs
Mice
Snakes
The reptile house at the zoo
Birds from NSW
Guns
Having to walk to my car alone at night
Chalk Boards

8 Places I Have Been:
Australia
Brazil
Argentina
Paraguay
Uruguay
Mexico
Aruba
Trinidad

8 Random Facts:
I started playing the violin at age 6 because a kid at school brought one for show and tell and I begged my parents for a solid year to let me play!
My cousin, Brett, and I are planning a trip for next summer to Forks, WA... home of the Twilight saga!
I hate my hair... I always have.
I would love to travel across Europe one day (sooner rather than later).
I'm ALWAYS cold... even in the dead of summer I have been known to wear a sweater or a light jacket.
I played girl's fast pitch softball in high school... sometimes I still get the itch to play again.
I miss acting on stage.
I miss girly sleep overs with Kristy, Heather, Crystal and Kim.

8 TV Shows I Love:
The Office
How I Met Your Mother
NCIS
Grey's Anatomy
Private Practice
Ellen
Hell's Kitchen (please don't judge me for that one!)
The Amazing Race

Ok, it's your turn!
Leave me a comment letting me know that you did it so I can check out your answers!!

A Thought for this Rainy Thursday...

If you openly acknowledge that something you are about to post (or have already posted) is going to hurt someone.... DON'T POST IT!

Sometimes we (I include myself in that we) think that we can say whatever we want to under the heading of "speaking the truth" or when it is followed with "it just HAS/HAD to be said".

So, before you spout off things that "just have to be said" because it's "the truth" consider a few things...
is what you're saying REALLY the truth?
do you personally know the situation?
will it hurt someone (directly or indirectly)?
is it spoken in love?
is it really necessary to say anything at all?

I am still working on this myself... I am an imperfect person... I know, SHOCKER! :)

If you REALLY love me...

Ok, last Friday's Entertainment Weekly (EW) featured 3 different Twilight covers... I have searched high and low all over town and have not been able to find a single copy... I am appealing to my online friends...
If you happen to have a subscription to EW and you aren't a Twilight fan and MIGHT want to bless me with your copy, e-mail me and I'll send you my address... I'll even BUY your copy off of you and pay for postage!

If you happen to be out running errands and see Edward Cullen or Bella Swan (or both of them) staring back at you from the magazine rack and want to be so kind as to pick up a copy for me, I would be eternally indebted to you! Just send me your receipt and I'll reimburse you the cost of the magazine AND the postage!

Good grief...

Hi. My name is Jennifer and I'm addicted to Twilight. :)