Happy Birthday Momma Mia

Momma Mia, Momma Mia-

the fairest of them all.

The best of the best,

always there to break the fall. 

The one & the only

with the biggest, kindest heart

known to rub your belly when you're sick...

even if you ----!

She can whip up a meal, while cleaning the house

& doing the laundry in her best Sunday blouse. 

She's loving 

& classy

& selfless 

& caring

but they say the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree...

so I hope she is sharing.

Today is her birthday, it's her last year before 50-

so enjoy it mother dearest- while your still "young" and nifty.

Birthday Dinner @ Burton's Grill

Today Warren sent mom a birthday gift from heaven- 

look close, it's a beautiful rainbow.

"Let your faith be bigger than your fear".

Happy Birthday Daddy-O

It's your party

& you can cry if you want to. 

Or you can...
eat donuts 

& cupcakes 

& cookies 

& McDonalds 

& Lucky Charms- with whole milk...

All Day Long. 

Because it's your birthday

& mommy said so

& so did I.

Because you deserve it-

more than anyone else on the planet...

& that's a lot of people.

So there...

You're that special.

I Love you Daddy-O

& don't cha ever forget it!

With a heavy heart...

It's all over the national news and in the headlines. 20 children- 6 adults- 26 total. To date- the second biggest school shooting in the United States of America. The villain- Adam Lanza, a 20 year old male. The school- Sandy Hook Elementary- Newtown, Connecticut. 
Before I went to bed last night I watched a one hour special put together on the massacre that occurred early yesterday morning.  There was an interview taken of one of the trauma doctor's from Danbury Hospital. Only about ten minutes from the school he explained that when the emergency call came in they immediately prepared for what they expected to be an overflow of injured adults and children. He said "Two came- that was it". He went on to say that "when the realization hit the trauma team that no one else was coming- it grew silent and devastation sunk in". Out of the 26 that came in contact with the shooter- no one else made it out of the school alive. 
Please, somebody tell me that this horrific news isn't true. Tell me it was just a nightmare and that their aren't really sick people like that 20 year old male- living in the world- never mind living in our own state. 
The holidays are coming up. Christmas is only a week away and while we're sitting as a family around the tree laughing and talking about life and what's to come it's important that we remember those that aren't as fortunate as we are. Mostly it's important that we pray for them- that somehow- someway- they will find strength and comfort in the days to come.

"Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted".

Tis' the season

The sun has yet to rise- I can't fall back to sleep. My body is tired but my mind is not. I bet it's because lately my life has felt like a game of "red light, green light" mostly getting stuck on the "green light". That's about to change though- for a little while at least- and boy oh boy- I couldn't be happier. I finished up with school this week and after 4 exams and 1 final, let me tell you- it feels like Christmas came early! 

Wait, did I just say Christmas?!- because I can't believe it's right around the corner. I have lots of shopping to get done, which also means lots of wrapping to do- Falalalala lalalala. Tis' the season. 

This season will be extra jolly though- because the month after December is January and do you know what that means? It mean that I'm finally going to be an Auntie! This 9 months waiting business is really starting to get to me, can ya tell?! 

Anyways, I will blog more frequently this next month- so close your eyes and plug your ears if you don't want to listen--- and for those who do- stay tuned, I hope you didn't give up on me.

& some snapshots of lately-

Comparing bellies after Thanksgiving- 

Can you tell which one is real?

Oh Christmas Tree.

Nursing Friends

We finally got a family picture- or 3!

 "May your days be merry & bright".

Amish Country or Bust

Lancaster, PA I think I like you a real lot. 
Earlier this week Mom and I took a mini excursion down to Amish country. She's been needing her dining room table fixed for quite sometime and she heard of a fella down that way who could get the job done.  It was just her and I and 5 hours between us and our destination- which sounded easy enough. But fyi two ladies in the same car with no sense of direction is a bad combination. Thank goodness for Bluetooth and Dad who patiently directed us- without both we may have ended up in Kansas (I'm serious). When we arrived it was dark. We dropped the table off at the "fix it" shop and headed a few miles down the road to visit some of our Amish friends. They own a bed and breakfast and insisted that we spend the night. It was a lovely little place.
The next morning we woke up bright and early to explore. That's were the fun began. That was my most favorite part. The scenery was like something out of an old storybook- the way of life- simple. I was in awe- I'm still in awe. I loved it- everything and everyone. I want to go back (now).
& by the way, if I ever decide to run away and you can't find me- I just might be in Lancaster, PA...

Our Amish friends lovely home

I think I need this little number for my garden...

I can't see nuttin'

Good morning little half pint.

 Sweet little B&B- We had the "honeymoon" suite-_-

Centerville "Bulk" Food Store

 Holy Chocolate Bar

 Lucky Charm Marshmallows- 
& you don't even have to pick through the cereal.

2 boxes of "bulk" food later...

&&& some recent snapshots...

 Oh Deer.

Howdy Partner

Yesterday we celebrated Chris's 28th Birthday! It was a snowy evening filled with hot cocoa, a delicious dinner and baby talk- my how life has changed already! I love you Chris (& Aly)! Hope you enjoyed your last birthday as duo!

Hope you all stayed safe & warm during the Nor'easter- I think it's safe to say winter has officially begun!! 

Oh Skinner Baby(s)...

Sooo, just in case you've been living under a rock & haven't heard. 
Just in case you've been left totally out of the loop.
First of all, you need some better connections 
& second of all---
I'm going to be an Auntie x2. 
Yes, I'm serious-
Ev & Kristin are expecting in April!
Somebody pinch me! 
Pretty little lady or sweet little gent?!
We won't know until we meet.
But if he's anything like his Daddy
or she's anything like her Mommy, 
we'll be the luckiest family around. 
Wait--- aren't we already?

Did you know that one year ago today Ev & Kristin got married?! Time flies- Happy 1st Anniversary love birds, the best is yet to come!!!

 "It's funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back everything is different."

Lucky Me

I'm blogging- it's been awhile- I know, shame on me. But just like everyone else in Connecticut I'm hunkered down glued to the weather channel (at Chris & Aly's). School was cancelled, work was cancelled. But because I haven't blogged you don't know that I'm totally- 100%- abso-tively okay with with this weather. After a very busy few weeks it feels good to have zippo on the agenda- and because I know "Sandy" won't last forever I'm savoring every minute of it. 
Since the last time we've talked so much has happened. Skinner Ranch Rodeo has come and gone. Fall is winding down in preparation for winter. Work has been crazy busy which is nothing new and nursing school has officially taken over my social life hence the lack of things to blog about. 
It's really ok though- because last week made up for every short coming that has ever been thrown my way (well maybe not everything) but I'm serious lately I've been feeling like the luckiest girl in the world and heres why--- 
It all started last Monday when I aced my big nursing exam. Then, Wednesday Daddy-O surprised me with a brand spankin' new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee- yes, you read that correctly. And to be exact, he actually brought me to the dealership and told me to pick out the one that I wanted- holy moly- it's fancy- lucky lucky me. Then, if that wasn't enough excitement, Friday I got a 100% on another nursing exam. Wowie, what a week- is this really my life?!
& some snapshots of my October.

Hey Tex, where'd ya park your horse?

Balloon Release

Barrel Racing

Warren got our balloons in heaven.

New Wheels

 Happy Halloween

Smarty Pants & Our Limo Driver

Our ride for the night.

& there she is, Good Ole' "Sandy" herself.
Jokes over sister, turn the power back on-_-

"Just when we think we will never smile again- life comes back."