I am up to my diamond clad ears in photos right now. I can barely see.
Lots of holiday gifts, the holiday card, some fun stuff, some blog stuff... just lots and lots of photos.
Trying out a new technique tonight in the dark depths of our home office.
Wish me luck....
The weather people are talking about some measurable snow coming our way.
The pittance we got the yesterday wasn't enough to quench the "Give me snow now!" beast that is living inside me. I will admit I made sure I knew where my snow boots were this afternoon. I also located and tried on Kate's snow pants and coat because I can't go outside and play photo queen (read nut job) without Kate.
Kate is in love with Christmas music. We listen to it all the time. She sang "We wish you a merry christmas" to me yesterday for my birthday instead of Happy Birthday. I spent most of the day trying (unsuccessfully) to teach her that it's "Holly Jolly Christmas" and not "Lolly Dolly Twismas".
I have about 50 percent of our holiday shopping complete. Thank you internet.
I haven't ordered our holiday cards yet because I can't stop torturing myself.
I'm preparing an entire post on the cards I got for my birthday. Some were quite epic.
I got quite buried today and didn't get enough returned calls or emails made, this happens almost daily.
Kate grew about an inch overnight last week. She'll be the only 4 year old that can dunk a basketball.
Loved all the birthday wishes. Thank you again. To all of you that guessed Silence of the Lambs in my last post, job well done. I love that movie!
Also stemming from those comments; yes Kathy, I will marry you. :)
Scott watches really bad game shows on the Game Show Network during the day. Please give me some ideas of tv series that are out on DVD that I can rent or buy to make the torture end. Oh, and it can't be CSI, NCIS, or Criminal Minds because that is what he's watching if he's not watching the game shows.
I have about 60 pages left in a book that has taken me forever to read so I'm going to shush up for now and finish the damn book. Sleep, who needs it?
In honor of my 33rd birthday here's a list of 33 things I've figured out over the years.
1- snow makes cold bearable.
2- Someone can disappoint you and that's ok. But it's not ok to disappoint yourself.
3- Smothering food in sauces and gravy doesn't make anything taste better.
4- Anything said with a Boston accent is sexy.
5- You can't pick your family but you can pick your friends. Choose wisely.
6- Peas are just gross.
7- My soul is quiet at 2000ft AGL 
8- You can give birth without any medication.
9- Contrary to popular belief, you can remember every single, painful, moment of child birth.
10- I am and will always be my own worst enemy.
11- Chocolate cake is never bad.
12- I look good in a pink hard hat (Thanks J)
12- Capers will make me gag.
13- In complete chaos I am always calm.
14- Starbucks is the work of the Gods.
15- Classic is always the right choice.
16- Don't order a sofa and loveseat off of a 2x2 fabric swatch.
17- I get antsy if life is too boring.
18- I see life in the details not in the big picture.
19- I am a people pleaser.
20- There is no such thing as a good infomercial.
21- My self control (or lack there of) will be the death of me.
22- Movie lines are best quoted by my brothers. 
23- Sports are only entertaining when seen live or played.
24- I can exist on 4 hours of sleep a day for months on end.
25- If I have money to spend on myself I will find nothing I want.
26- Brushing your teeth is much more fun if you dance around and "sing" an early 90's hip-hop song.
27- American Girl by Tom Petty will always make me dance (bonus points to the person that can tell me what movie that song is in).
28- Last Dance with Mary Jane by Tom Petty immediately transports me to high school dances.
29- I am not a good mall shopper.
30- I hate feeling stupid.
31- I'm a pretty good cook.
32- I'm opinionated, critical and judgemental but I always try to see the good in everyone.
33- I was put on this earth to be the best mom I can be to this beautiful face.
There is a storm brewing on the horizon.
It's threatening to unleash.
Crushing everything in it's path. 
The thing about storms though, as quickly as they come they go.
Usually leaving behind raw, exposed, earth. The rain carries away the impurities, leaving behind an earth that is ready to heal.
As the holiday season approaches, I'm plagued with thoughts of previous holidays. Christmas's spent in the hospital or talking to the vascular surgeon hoping to buy enough time to get through until the new year.
These thoughts, warnings if you will, have their place. They need to exist to protect me, to warn me, to keep me alert. I struggle with keeping them where they belong and not allowing them to take over.
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”
Albert Einstein
Thanks for the reminder Al.
We've gotten the holiday season kicked off.
Lots of things to share...
Thanksgiving was delicious. Lots of cooking, playing and hanging with the family.
The highlight of the meal... Kate and my homemade pies. The icing on the cake was the whiskey cream sauce. Oh good heavens! Make it, make it and pour it over everything.
We braved the stores on Black Friday as Mom and I have done so many years before. 
We started late. My days of getting out the door before 6am just to shop are over. 
We had a great time and got a few good deals and nobody had a meltdown. 
A quick lunch to refuel.
Justin attempted to get himself banned from the family for putting ketchup on his hashbrowns. This is a criminal offense in our group.
It's a good thing Kate loves her Uncle otherwise...
Saturday was cleaning, more baking, more whiskey cream sauce and dinner at one of our favorite spots with Craig and Lindsey in from Florida along with Mark, Jay'me and Josh. Lots of visiting over dessert and coffee at our house after dinner.
It was great to hear all the tales of Scott's ... um... formative years. Some great stories with great company.
A reminder of all that we have to be grateful for.
We're all alive and things are well. I've been swamped with holiday stuff, photo editing and visiting friends in from out of town.
A full, proper, photo filled update coming up soon. I promise.
One of my favorite photos from the past few days.
A great day spent with family, lots of delicious food and virtually no stress.
So much to be grateful for. I could go on and on, like Scott did giving his toast after dinner, but unfortunately Miss KT is having a rough night.
I'll have more to share tomorrow. Right now the person I'm most thankful for in the world needs me.
From our family to yours Happy Thanksgiving.
