I Got Motivated!!!

Thank you to everyone for your sweet comments and emails about my last post. I'm feeling better, and even had a burst of motivation last night to finally get my pantry organized.

And I did!

It's not 100% where I want it to be, but it's a good solid start to getting my kitchen into an organized kitchen that will work with me instead of against me.

If you've been following for a while, you know that my home belonged to my grandparents before they died. So I basically grew up in this house. My grandmother was the kind of person who had a place for everything, and everything in it's place, even if it made no sense to anyone else.

When I moved in, I had a hard time visualizing any other way of storage and organization. Cereal was in the bottom cabinet to the right of the stove. Pasta and spices in the top cabinet to the left of the stove. Canned soup and veggies in the top right. Even my drawers were the same. But after three years of living in this house, I decided it was time to make some changes. Now, they may not seem major to anyone else, but they are huge to me.

Here's the pantry before:

And here are the other cabinets that are going to be organized. A lot of what's in them will be moving to the pantry.

I have a very large pantry, but it really wasn't set up in a way that made the best use of the space, so I moved some of the shelving around. It's so deep that it's hard to see what you really have. Perhaps the reason I have eight bags of chocolate chips, five of them half empty.

I took everything out of the pantry and the cabinets, and set it on the kitchen counters.

The cabinet is somewhat custom, as my grandfather installed it and didn't glue in or tack down any of the shelving. So it was all very easy to move around.

Here's what it looks like now:

I have a ton of Tupperware (I used to be a consultant), and I love my Modular Mates. I also used a bunch of $1 shoeboxes that were on sale at Target last week.

I still need to make labels, and I would really love to get rid of that ugly shelf paper and paint it...but I think that may be a little too ambitious for me right now. I'm just happy everything is in one place. I'm considering taking the doors off, since this is just a former laundry and it's closed off from the other rooms in the house. What do you think? Doors? or No doors?

Tomorrow I will be working on the rest of the kitchen. If I'm still motivated!

Special thanks to my bloggy buddy Gwen, who, even though she doesn't know it, inspired me to get busy with her sewing closet makeover. It's seriously awesome. I just finished Gwen's blog makeover, so stop by and check it out!

Do you want to win a FREE BLOG MAKEOVER? Enter the Blog Makeover Giveaway! Ends Friday (1/21/11) at 11:59 pm PST.

I Have Nothing to Say

And that's totally not like me. Anyone who knows me, knows I ALWAYS have something to say. 

But tonight, I am just not motivated.

I have so much to do, so much going on, and I'm not motivated to do any of it.

I think I have the January blues. (Is there such a thing?). Or maybe it's the after-Christmas blues.

Whatever it is, it's sucking the inspiration right out of me.

I'm having a hard time coming up with things to blog about, like tonight when I sat down to write a blog post (about four hours ago) and this is all I've come up with.

I need inspiration.

I could share recipes, but since we're eating healthier, it's all I can do to come up with the basics. Eating healthy sucks. Ok, so it doesn't really SUCK, I know, it's fun! (did you detect the sarcasm?) But the stuff we have to eat, sometimes, sucks. I would much rather be eating the Hershey kisses we have leftover from Christmas while I sit and blog surf, than carrot sticks.

I could share some home decor, but we're preparing for a big remodel of our enclosed patio and my house is a disaster. I'm not motivated to clean it either. There are rooms and pantrys and closets that need organizing. But I don't want to.

I could share some feel good story about motherhood, but quite frankly my son testing my patience lately. He did say something funny the other day though. He told me I was like the Grumpy Old Troll from Dora the Explorer.

A friend told me I should make him answer a riddle every time he wants to go somewhere.

Did I mention I'm lacking inspiration?

What do you do when you're not motivated? Where do you get your inspiration from?

******

There is one thing I'm still very motivated about - my new blog design business! Don't forget about the blog makeover giveaway from Simply Klassic. (maybe that's where all my inspiration has gone??). Giveaway ends Friday, Jan. 21 at 11:59 pm PST.

Something NEW is HERE! (and I'm GIVING IT AWAY!)

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

I told you a few days ago that something new was coming to this blog.

Well, the surprise is finally complete, and here it is....

I started my own blog design business!

I'm so excited to get started!

When I started this blog almost a year ago, I had so much fun designing it that I wanted to do more! So I emailed my FIRL (friend in real life), Kate of Salvage Dior, and showed her a concept I had for her blog. She agreed to let me give her blog a makeover. I've done three makeovers for her, the latest just a week ago. Each time she was so excited, and I loved the simple joy a makeover could give!

One of my bloggy BFFs, Noelle of Because Nice Matters, had mentioned how she had paid a designer to design her blog and the designer had never followed through. I offered to help her out, and you can view her recently completed design here.

The wheels started turning and I thought how fun it would be to be able to work with different people designing blogs. And my new blog design business was born!

If you're interested in a new look for your blog, jump on over to Simply Klassic.

AND just for my lovely followers...a special treat!

Would you like a makeover for your blog?

Would you like a blog makeover for FREE?

I thought you might.

I am giving away a Deluxe Blogger Package to one lucky follower of Betty Crocker Wannabe.

Here's what you have to do (Please leave only ONE comment for all three) :
1. Leave me a comment on this post telling me the design style you like for your blog (scrappy, vintage, modern, etc.) AND
2. Be a follower of Betty Crocker Wannabe (and let me know you are), AND
3. Become a follower of Simply Klassic (and let me know you are).

Since I will use random.org to choose a winner, I will have to delete invalid entries (I know, I'm a big meanie!).

BUT...
For an additional entry, blog about Simply Klassic and the giveaway. Leave a separate comment on this post with a link.

Giveaway ends on Friday, January 21 at 11:59 pm PST.

The winner will be announced on Saturday morning, January 22, and also notified by email. Please make sure that your email is linked to your blogger account.

I will also be giving a discount of 20% to the first five customers who place an order (mention the giveaway).

Thank you all for being such loyal followers and friends of Betty Crocker Wannabe. I hope you will stop by Simply Klassic and let me know what you think!

Merry Christmas You Guys

I'm busy getting ready for Christmas, baking cheesecake (by request), Sugar Cookies (by request), making Rice Krispie treats, and just getting our house ready for the big day. In the midst of that, I wanted to post a few pictures of what's been going on in our house this holiday season, and I'm going to cram it all into one post!

~ Christmas At Disneyland ~

First up, our annual Christmas trip to Disneyland, and our annual photo in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

Next stop ~ SANTA!

(Santa liked Cooper's hat)

Disneyland has the best Santa, and they don't shoo you out if you want to take extra pictures.
Cooper told Santa he wants a trash can for Christmas.

He meant a trash truck - Stinky, actually. I have it on good authority that Santa has one of these in his sleigh on it's way to our house.

We watched the Very Merry Christmas Parade.

Toy Soldiers are one of my favorite parts of this parade.

After the parade, we made our way to the castle to watch it light up, and then to Main Street for the fireworks and snow.

Disneyland really is one of the best places to be at Christmastime. It's truly magical.

And exhausting.

~ Christmas at Home ~

This month, I've cut back on the blogging, in an effort to spend more time with my family, and we've been having lots of fun!

We played Santa.

He asked his stuffed animals what they wanted for Christmas, 

then told them to say cheese, while I took their picture.

We donated a toy to Spark of Love Toy Drive at our local Fire Station, and Cooper got a tour of the garage where they keep the big trucks. The fireman and paramedic who showed us around were AWESOME!

We watched Cooper sing in his first Christmas Program,

He's the curly haired blonde in the middle :)

baked cookies,

and posed for photos in our new jammies.

 

Cooper & Gracie (Rick's daughter) in their new matching jammies.

By the way, when you're finished reading this post, head over to Gracie's Mommy's blog Salvage Dior, and wish her a Merry Christmas. Take a moment to look around and read her story. She's an amazingly strong lady, and I'm blessed to call her friend.

~ Christmas Traditions ~

We started some new traditions this year, like Christmas Countdown Books, and opening up a new ornament on the day after Thanksgiving, so we can enjoy it for the whole season. We're continuing the tradition of fish on Christmas Eve, and Prim Rib & Twice Baked Potatoes on Christmas Day (YUM!).

One of my favorite Christmas traditions from my childhood was when my mom and I would bake cookies and watch the John Denver & The Muppets Christmas special.

I will leave you with my favorite scene from the special ~ "Stille Nacht." It's absolutely beautiful, and they sing it in German, which is the way I learned it when I was very young. I remember attending Christmas Eve services with my grandparents, and, being the good Germans that they are, when it came to the part of the service where we sang Silent Night, they always sang in German. Quietly, but nonetheless in their native language. Anytime, I hear the song, I can't help but sing in German as well.

(be sure to turn off the music at the bottom of the page)

May your Christmas be a magical time of year, full of friends, family, good food, and wonderful traditions. May you feel the wonder and joy of that first Christmas day, and may the blessings of peace, love and health be yours in the New Year. We'll see you in 2011!

Merry Christmas you guys!!!

Recently Heard At Our House...

I went to the salon the other day, just like I do every six weeks (I know, I know; but seriously, one of the very few things I do to treat myself) for my regular color and cut (wait, I don't color my hair. really, I don't).

Anyway, the woman before me was going to a fancy Christmas party and wanted a cute hairdo so my stylist, Linda, curled her hair in these big beautiful ringlets. It looked gorgeous and I was envious since I've always wanted curls in my straight as a board super fine hair.

Then later, when Linda was blow drying my hair, I said "think you could curl my hair like you did so-and-so's?" She said "Of course!"

So she did. After I saw it, I was wishing I had talked Rick into a date night that night, since all I was going to be doing was going home. What a shame!

When I walked through the door, the boys were on the couch. Cooper was excited that I was home, but when he jumped up to greet me, he stopped and started to laugh. Not just a little giggle, but big 'ol belly laughs.

"Mommy, you look funny!"

Way to pop that bubble, Coop.

Rick just kind of looked at me and said, "I've never seen you with curly hair before." I gave him the "stupid" look.

Two hours later we were sitting on the couch watching a movie, and Rick turns to me and says, "You know, it's kind of growing on me." I said, "The curly hair?" He said, "Yes, I just thought you should know."

Men.

Well, I LOVED the curls, so I managed to get a couple of Christmas pics in. What do you think?

Merry Christmas everyone!!

In desperate need...

of a blogging break.

I've had grand ideas about posting photos of our Christmas tree, ...but I just don't have the energy right now. Between broken appliances (three to be exact), preparing for a remodel of our enclosed patio, and hosting two parties this week alone, I'm wiped out! I promise I will be back soon...with more decorations, a few crafts, maybe a printable or two, and some new recipes.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the comment love on my Christmas Word Tree printable!!! I'm blown away by the response, and by the near 50 new followers that seem to have appeared overnight! Welcome, and thank you for sharing in my little piece of the internet.

See you reeeal soon!

Blue Christmas

The past few Christmas's have had a bit of a learning curve for my little family. When my father and  grandmother both died following Christmas of 2007, the holidays changed for us. The first Christmas without them was the hardest, as we really just didn't know what to do. Many of the traditions we had, sort of revolved around the two of them. So, what now?

I remember opening up a box of my grandmother's Christmas decorations, and just starting to cry. Yes, right there in my garage at 10:00 at night, I stood there, tears streaming down my face, wishing I was there just helping her take down her decorations from the attic, like I had done for the past 20 years. I kept several of her ornaments, and my favorite are the ice skates she crotcheted many years ago. They are among of the first ornaments to go up every year.

After my dad died, I inherited Rodney Reindeer. It was a long standing joke between us, that it really belonged, not him. So when he died, I took it home with me (that night, in fact). It's one of the ways that I keep him with us. He sits high atop our TV armoire, and Cooper knows it's Grandpa's.

Last Christmas was a little better, as we started to make our own traditions, and to choose which traditions we would carry on. This year, I'm focusing on making new traditions and creating new memories.

The holidays seem to be the hardest when you've lost loved ones. This time of year is about family, and celebrating together, and without them, everything changed. But time does heal wounds, and the grief becomes just a little less each year. They are still missed, very much, but with each passing year, it gets easier.

Today is National Adoption Day

Today also happens to be our own personal adoption day, or "Gotcha Day." It was the day I held my son in my arms for the first time. It was the first time I was called "Mom." The first time I felt there was something in this world that was bigger than me. The first time my life truly revolved around another human being. It was the first time I could say I was truly living the life I was destined to live.

I thought it fitting that I share a post I wrote a while back, about this very day, three years ago...

**********

I've shared various parts of my adoption story; how I came to choose adoption, our finalization day and choosing the date, and some of the steps along the way. Today, I'd like to share the most precious story of our journey.

The day we met.

November, 2007

I was waiting for the phone call, the one that said my baby was ready for me.

At birth, my son had been placed with a wonderful foster mother who had taken great care of him for the first nine weeks of his life. I had already had the presentation, received photos, and waited on pins and needles while a judge decided my child's fate.

I received the call from my Social Worker on November 19, saying that we were clear, and I could finally meet my baby. The plan was for me to go and visit with him the next day, on a Tuesday evening, and come back to pick him up and take him home the following day.

Monday night was filled with much preparation and anticipation. I washed bedding, set up the nursery, and bought an infant car seat and a few outfits, including a "Baby's First Thanksgiving" outfit, since the holiday was just three days away. My purchases were still in my car when I went to visit the foster mom's house the next day.

I barely slept that night, and just plowed through work the next day, as it was really NOT where I wanted to be. I even agonized over what to wear, because, you know, first impressions and all.

The thirty minute car ride to the foster mother's house, I just kept telling myself to breathe. I was about to meet my child for the first time.

When I pulled up, I realized my Social Worker wasn't there yet, and I was 20 minutes early. My heart was racing as I walked up the pathway to the front door and rang the bell.

A child answered, and went to get her mother, who came down the hall with an infant wrapped in a soft blue and white striped blanket. Tears filled my eyes as she placed the baby in my arms. 

"Here's your baby," she said, smiling; and to my son, "Meet your Mama."

I just held him and looked at him for the next 30 minutes until the Social Workers arrived. Like I mentioned, the plan was that this would be just a visit and I would come back and pick him up the next evening. The foster mom questioned the Social worker, "Why can't she just take him home tonight?"

I don't think I took a breath for the next minute while the Social Workers pondered her suggestion.

"I guess that would be ok." That's when my mind started racing. Could I really do this alone? "Do you have a car seat?"

I told the Social Worker I had purchased the car seat, but hadn't even taken it out of the box yet. That had been on tonight's agenda! They set it all up for me while I just got to hold my baby.

I signed the paperwork, gathered up his belongings, said goodbye to the Social Workers and hugged the foster mom. We were off to start our lives together.

I remember praying in my heart as I secured him in the car, asking God for guidance, and above all thanking him for the most precious gift of my life.

Drumroll, Please.....

THANK YOU to everyone who voted in my Christmas Card contest, and for all of your sweet comments! I have quite a few new followers, so welcome, and thank you for joining in on the fun. There were a few people who commented who didn't leave their email, so if you didn't receive your Noel printable, please email me at coopsmommy07@aol.com so I can send it to you.

There was a total of 43 votes, and it was a close race. (View the cards again here.)

The Christmas card with the most votes was...drumroll please...

Number 1 (by only one vote)!

Thank you from saving me of the pain of having to choose myself. And for saving Rick from the headache he was getting from me constantly asking him!

Now for the giveaway winner!!!

The winning comment (via random.org) was:

Rebecca @ Searching Out Simple who said "I'm torn between #1 & #4. But mostly I'm jealous you're sooo far ahead of me on Christmas cards! ;)"

Rebecca has a beautiful little girl and a soldier hubby and I'm so thrilled to be able to design something for them.

But because I loved all of your comments so much, and I was feeling generous, I decided to choose ANOTHER winner!

Noelle @ Because Nice Matters, who said "I follow...right over a cliff I will follow if it means I can win a Christmas card design...Please oh please pick me! Now...for YOUR Christmas card, #2 was my favorite until I saw #4. I love them both but #4 just shouts 'home for the holidays' with a fireplace and cup of hot chocolate. :)"

I'm excited because Noelle has become a friend and provides me with comic relief each and every day! Go check out her blog, you'll be glad you did!

Congratulations ladies!! Email me at coopsmommy07 (at) aol (dot) com so we can work out the details for your choice of a personalized printable or Christmas card design!!


I've been working on a couple of Christmas banner printables and a few other Christmas projects that I will be sharing soon. AND I'm getting my oven fixed!!! Woo-hoo!!! That means I'll be sharing a few of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes too.

Saturday is National Adoption Day, and it's also the anniversary of the day my son came home for good. Be sure to check back this weekend when I share that story...

Because I'm really THAT Interesting...

So I log on to Blogger today and I'm greeted by this:

Seems I have just hit 200 followers. I. Am. Floored. Am I really that interesting?

I mean, I've always got lots to say, but it amazes me that you show up every day to read it.

I just want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for sharing in my adventures. I have loved reading all of your comments, and I try to get back to as many as I can, but between working full time and my family, I don't have a lot of free time.

If you are reading this, know that I appreciate you!!!

Blogging has been a great way for me, like so may others, to get a little free therapy. It's nice to know there are people out there who have shared similar experiences, who I can learn from, and people who are willing to hear what I have to say, and learn from me.

I know there are many readers who don't always leave comments, but I hope you will leave one on this post.  But whether you are a serial commenter, or a lurker, I'm curious, what keeps you coming back?

I have lots planned for this little 'ol blog...stay tuned to see what adventures I'm up to next!

October 2 - A Tribute to Family

Tomorrow is October 2, 2010.

Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of Cooper legally becoming a part of our family.

It would also be my dad's 72nd birthday.

I thought I would share with you a couple of posts I wrote back in April & May. A special tribute to the history of this day in our family.

October 2  (Repost)

My Cooper came home in November of 2007. Thanksgiving that year was amazing, full of family, love and joy at this new arrival. My dad, who had been very sick for several years, had a great day, and was so excited to meet his grandson, who was just ten weeks old. My dad died just five weeks later.

Cooper with Grandpa & Gram on Day 1

Fast forward to September of 2008. I was preparing to sign adoption papers, to finalize Cooper's adoption. The attorney called me to set up a time for the court finalization. The day it would all be official. No more court dates. No more Social Worker visits. No more sitting on pins and needles waiting, hoping, praying. She told me I could request a date that would work for us, or that was significant to me. Her exact words were, "If you wanted, say, October 2, we could ask for that." My heart skipped a beat, and I felt my face get hot, as tears filled my eyes.

October 2 was my dad's birthday.

My dad and me on his birthday10 years ago.

I slowly asked her why she mentioned that date. She told me it was her son's birthday. I said, "That's the day I want. That was my dad's birthday and he died shortly after meeting Cooper."

The Attorney was quiet for a moment, then said, "I'll do everything I can to request that date."

Grandpa & Cooper watching Ducks Hockey

A few weeks later, I received a letter in the mail, stating that our court date was indeed scheduled for October 2. I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. This would be the first birthday since he died, and what could have been a day to mourn, became a day to dance. I couldn't think of a more perfect way to honor my dad.

On October 2, I cried again, as the judge said that he was mine. Forever mine. I cried happy tears for us, and for my dad, who I know was with us that day. We'll celebrate that day every year, and it will not only be about how we became a family, but about sharing with Cooper about his Grandpa, and how much he loved him.

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven: 

a time to be born and a time to die...

a time to mourn and a time to dance..." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Signed, Sealed, Finalized!  (Repost)

There are many important dates in an adoption:

"Gotcha" Day (as some refer to the day you bring your child home)

The .26 Hearing (the day parental rights of the natural parents are terminated)

The Signing (the day legal papers are signed before the adoption can be finalized)

The Finalization (The final court hearing when the child is legally yours) 

These are the most memorable for me, although every adoptive parent has their own. I've shared before about the importance of the date I chose for our finalization, but today I'm going to talk a little bit about the day itself.

I don't remember what time we got to the courthouse, or how long it took to get inside. I don't remember much of what the judge or the attorney said. It was an overwhelming day; I was overwhelmed with the feelings and emotions of exactly what that day meant.

I had heard stories about adoptive parents getting emotional during their finalization hearing, and I was determined to keep myself together. The judge asked if I agreed to “bestow upon him all the rights of a natural-born child?” With a lump in my throat, I nodded, yes. Then he told me we were bound together forever as parent and child, and the tears came. Nearly seven years of agony were over. I was a mother in every sense of the word.

This is the only picture I have of us with the judge. Sorry, the lighting was terrible...

There is something inherently different about adoption - with childbirth, no one asks you if you promise to love and keep your child, but with adoption, you make a verbal and legally binding commitment to the child whom you have chosen to parent.  You stand before a judge, and numerous other county employees, and make a conscious decision to take on the responsibility of the life another human being.

It was the greatest, most selfless thing I have ever done.

Words That Matter

I've been finding a lot of meaningful quotes lately, that I would love to put up all around my house, as small reminders of what's most important in my life. My son, my family, my faith. Since I really don't have the wall space to keep adding framed words, I thought I would begin sharing them here.

Im thinking that each week, I will share a new quote and why it's meaningful to me. I would love to hear how it touches you as well.

I saw this quote on the adoption blog Grown in My Heart the other day...

Christopher Robin looked long and hard at Pooh's face.

"Are you learning me by heart?" asked Pooh.

"No," he answered, "I know you by heart. You are inside my heart."

-A.A. Milne

Oh yeah, this one got me. Actually, a lot of A.A. Milne's words get to me, but this one more than others.

"I know you by heart. You are inside my heart."

That pretty much sums up what adoption means to me. My son is a part of me, and I him. We are not connected by biology, but by our hearts. And there is no stronger bond than the bond of love.

Immortalized on Page 211

That's what Rick said when he finished reading my adoption story in the recently published book "From the Heart: Stories From the Front Lines of Parenting."

I was so thrilled and honored to be a part of this amazing compilation of unique stories, written by real parents. I was not only able to share my own, very real, story, but also the difficult and rewarding journey of adoption.

For more information, or to purchase the book, click here. All proceeds benefit children's charities.

Defining Friendship

I've been thinking a lot about friendship lately, and what it means to be a friend.

Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

-Kahlil Gibran

I am what you could call selectively social. That is, in my private life, I have a few, intense, long-time friends rather than a vast collection of "networks." Some formative experiences caused me to be rather slow to trust and so, even people who consider me their friend often don't know a good part of who I am for a very long time, if ever.

I have been fortunate enough to collect friends over the years. I have a dear friend from Jr. High, a few from my high school and college years, my church friends and colleagues, my adoptive moms group, and a few friends I have met under random circumstances. These are friendships of all different levels. Only one of these friends knows the deepest levels of me. With her I can share anything and everything, the good, the bad, the ugly and the truly insane. The others know only the parts of me that I choose to share. Does that make them any less of a friend? Of course not, they just haven't uncovered all of the levels.

So what makes a true friend?

A true friend loves at all times, despite my faults. She listens and cares for me always, and hurts when I hurt.  She is there for me when I need her, when at all possible. A true friend lets you be yourself and accepts you for who you are. A true friend works to learn who the real you is.

True friendship is being able to confide in a friend, trust them with your secrets, trust that they have your best interests at heart. True friendship is being able to tell a friend when they've hurt you. True friendship is knowing when to say "I'm sorry."

I recently confided in a friend that she had hurt me. She, in turn, was hurt by what I said. In both cases, it was the presentations and deliveries that were the most detrimental, not the intentions behind them. What does this say about our friendship? Does it mean that we were truly never friends? On the contrary, there would be no hurt if there wasn't a deep friendship. Can this friendship be mended? I hope so, but time will tell.

I hope that I am the kind of friend that I want to have, and who is all of these things. I know that sometimes I fail. Miserably.

I am a friend who will do anything, go anywhere. When a friend is hurting, I hurt. I keep confidences. And when I let you in to my heart, you are there for good.

What is your definition of friendship?

Ten Things That Are NOT Okay

Under the topic of totally random, I'm taking a break from party planning to delight you with a top ten list. Because I know you 've been wondering, just what really drives me crazy.

Drumroll please.......

10. Asking "Does this make me look fat?" If you have to ask, the answer is probably yes.

9. When my son splashes so much bath water that it begins to make it's way down the hall.

8. Women who wear pants with words across the butt.

7. When people use text language in normal conversation. OMG LOL!

6. Mass email forwards.

5. People who quote the Bible, yet have no idea of the context of what they're quoting.

4. People who use the drive-up ATM to do seven transactions. For goodness sakes, get out of your car and stop holding up the line!

3. Jon and Kate. I'm over it.

2. The Old Navy commercials with the talking manequins. Creepy.

1. Hot Dog and Hot Dog buns packaging. Is it really that hard to package a product that matches up to it's counter part?

So tell me, what is NOT okay with you?

Because I Don't Always Follow the Rules

I've been handed several awards lately, and I'm sorry to those handing them out for not posting them until now! I'm supposed to share the award, where it came from, and share some things about myself. But because I don't always follow the rules (ok, who am I kidding, I always follow the rules), I'm going to share it all at once...

I recently received

award from Kelli at Sovereignly Sustaining Sanity.

And this one

from Scrap Addict.

I was also tagged by Rachel at Randomness with Rachel and was challenged to answer a few questions. There are eight of them, and these will serve as my seven things about me as well. Because I'm unconventional like that.

1. What is your "guilty pleasure" food?

Cereal with milk. I know, crazy right? But when I'm staring into my freezer late at night, looking at the ice cream, I usually end up closing it in favor or Lucky Charms or Frosted Flakes. Ok, perhaps not so much "guilt" as "pleasure."

2. If you could guest star on any TV show, which one would it be?

Ummm...Grey's Anatomy. And I would play the chick who can finally steal MeDreamy away from Meredith .;)

3. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Bad drivers. You know, the ones who slow down as they're merging onto the freeway, speed up when you try to change lanes, and don't use their turn signal. Oh yeah, that's a big one.

4. Scary movies- love them or hate them?

Love them, as long as I'm not home alone. 

5. If someone was to make a movie of your life, who would play you?

Jennifer Aniston of course. We're like twins! Ok, so maybe it would be more like Bonnie Hunt.

6. If you could only shop at one store for a year, which one would it be (not counting grocery stores)?

Depends on if I have the $$ to shop! If I have unlimited funds, then I choose Nordstrom. Otherwise, Amazon.com - haha, smart right? Wait, does that count??

7. Are you a MAC or PC user?

PC all the way.

8. What would your friends say your best quality is?

I'm always willing to lend a hand, and help out when needed.

I know I'm supposed to choose some blogs to pass this on to, but, you know, that whole "rules" thing. There are so many fabulous blogs that I love; they are all listed in my sidebar and they are all well worth your time! Go take a look, then come back and tell me what you think.

I also want to thank everyone who takes the time to comment on my posts, as random as my topics seem to be! I love reading each and every one of them, and try to get back to as many as I can.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend! I'm off to spend some quality time with these two beauties...

and this crazy guy...

Please don't tell him I showed you this photo. He might never speak to me again.

TTFN!

Adoption - Fate or Chance?

I recently came across this article about Sandra Bullock.

In the article, Sandra, who adopted her son earlier this year, talks about what she believes about adoption. She says, "Everything works out the way the universe wants it to work out. We had always said that it didn't matter where the child came from. If they had issues that were medical issues, we didn't care. It's like the child that needed us in the home is the child that's going to be placed."

I've read conflicting things on this topic of fate in adoption. From everything happens for a reason, to life is a game of chance. Some believe that God placed these children in their lives, and vice versa, others wonder why a loving God would put a child in harm's way just so others could be parents.

While this is far too philisophical a topic for me to tackle, it did make me think.

So here's what I believe:
- I believe that God led me to adoption.
- I believe that the child who needed me at the time "found" me at the time I needed him.
- I believe that we were meant for each other.
- I believe that I could not love my son any more if it was "fate" or simply by chance that we were brought together.

What do YOU believe?

Allergies, Part 2

Like I mentioned in this post, Cooper was tested for allergies. And it was a very traumatic experience. For me. I had to hold the poor thing down while they took four viles of blood. Ouch! (That's the sound of his Skechers kicking my thighs). Yes, it was a painful experience for him, but I am so thankful I did it.

Let me start from the beginning...

My pediatrician had always said that, because of his severe excema, it was probable that Cooper would have allergies. She even suggested at 18 months that I have him tested, because I was nervous about peanuts especially. But I just didn't want to put my baby through that experience if I didn't have to. So I told her I was going to bring a peanut butter sandwich with me to his two year appointment. She laughed.

I think she thought I was kidding.

I wasn't. I whipped that sandwich out at our 2 year check-up, and had him take a bite. He seemed to do fine, just complaining that something was stuck in his throat. We figured it was the texture he didn't like, and that was that. Yay, he wasn't allergic to peanuts! Since then he has had the same reaction when eating anything with nuts, and eventually would refuse it, saying he didn't like it. I started to get suspicious...

Fast forward to a few weeks ago.

Our babysitter had a friend stop by with a dog. Now, I knew Coop had sensitive skin and that if a dog were to lick his face, it may irritate him a bit, but just for a few minutes. This time was different.

I got a call from Rick as I was getting ready to go home from work, telling me that my son was having an allergic reaction. I asked if he was breathing, which he was. Rick told me his eyes were swollen and he was sneezing, and red and blotchy. I hurried home to see my son sitting on the couch, eyes almost swollen shut, skin red and itchy, looking so very uncomfortable. He was most definitely having an allergic reaction.

Scared the H-E-double hockey sticks out of me.

I scooped him up and took him to urgent care. He was back to normal within a couple of hours, and without medicine, but I was convinced now that we needed to have the testing done.

So, here's the results:
Highly allergic to DOGS (hence the reaction to the friend's dog)
Moderately allergic to CATS, PEANUTS, WALNUTS, SHRIMP, DUST, AND MOLD

I am now the proud parent of an allergic kid. I'm nervous because I've never had to deal with allergies myself for anyone in my family, other than Rick's daughter Gracie who is also allergic to peanuts. So we have become a no peanut household. We're preparing to see an allergist to determine the severity and preventative steps and to see if there's anything else to be worried about. In the meantime, I've got an Epi-pen, and a year's supply of Benadryl, just in case.

My Summer Vacation

I love summer. I take a week off each summer and try to do as much as I can, even if it's local. It helps me to recharge, and "fill my cup" as Rick says (smart guy, that man of mine!). This past week was no exception.

I decided to take a week off from blogging as well, but now I'm back and ready to share some of our adventures. I spent a lot of time loving on this guy:

Waiting in line for Midway Mania at Disney's California Adventure

We spent a few days down in San Diego at Seaport Village and Sea World.

We forgot our Sea World tickets in the hotel room (oops), but we were able to get them reprinted (thankfully) at the Guest Services window, since they had been purchased online and were under our names.

We also spent a couple of days enjoying our Disneyland Resort Annual Passes. We spent time at both parks, and Cooper got to do several NEW things - like Pirates of the Caribbean, and Midway Mania!

All through the rides, he kept saying "Mommy, this is fun!" with a huge smile on his face. Melted my heart, and I was so grateful to be able to take the time off to spend with him. He is talking like a "kid" now, not just like a toddler, and before I know it he will be off to Kindergarten. Is it just me, or do the days go by faster when you have kids?

We ate lunch on the Seal Beach Pier, had a few playdates and had some 3rd birthday photos done. I'll post some of those soon. I've been spending some time getting things together for the big birthday party. I'm so excited and can't wait to share the whole party with you!

What did you do on your summer vacation?

Posts coming up: Birthday photos, Allergies, and Adoption Fears...