The 1st time ever!

JJ fell asleep in his own bed. Now, there's many of nights (ok, all of them) that he will fall asleep in our bed and then we'll transfer him, for him to only crawl back in sometime in the morning. But last night he fell asleep in his own bed for the 1st time ever (no, I don't count the couple times we tried the "cry it out." Those times were horrific, a child should not cry for almost 2 hours!) But last night I started out laying on the floor next to his bed then before he fell asleep I moved to our bed and held his hand (his mattress is next to my side of the bed, yeah, we cosleep, no, we're not crunchy.)

And do you know what motivated him to even try?

The promise of a Power Ranger, which was waiting for him on the night stand when he woke up.

Our Xmas "card"

Xmas cards are only going out to those that do not have internet access, to everyone else that I talk to so frequently here and on other sites, we wanted to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season! We love you all, you all mean so much to us! Hope the new year begins and stays wonderful for us all!

And now the update version of the pic

I LOVE these ladies

Look at all the hot mommas! I had a blast out with all you ladies last night, I really needed that, thanks to everyone for making it a wonderful night and blessing me with your company, but Angie, thanks for coordinating everything, and Trish (aka Secret Santa) thanks for such special gifts!

Looking forward to tonight & tomorrow!

I miss my JM friends! I haven't been able to see you all nearly enough this past year and I'm really looking forward to a girls night out (along with the goodies) and I'm also looking forward to getting the kids together tomorrow. I'm in serious need of time out! Can't wait, this day will probably go by so slow. Now, off to get my stuff together and get myself ready for work!

I was in a crafty mood last night...

I saw initial paintings on a site and fell in love and decided to try 1 since I felt there was no way I would personally pay $20+ for a 5x5. I went back and retouched the letter on this 1 some, its trickier than it looks. I think next time I will get the paint markers to have more control. Now to get a few more canvases, but remind myself that I still have some other craft & cooking things to do....

And then I did the digi scrap page, putting off doing JJ's "3 Years Old" page b/c when I started on it last week and got almost 75% done the program closed on me, so I'm taking a break on that one, I wasn't fully satisfied with with the layout anyway....

It's Mr. Chris Moose....

http://www.elfontheshelf.com/
Ok, so I stole a tradition. I'm going to cut myself a break, it's being hocked for $ anyway (such a cute idea, I would too had it been my own!) But, I looked and looked for an elf with no luck. And decided why not make the tradition more our own. So, we have a moose, or maybe he's a reindeer, I can't tell. But, JJ named him Chris Moose last night. Now, each night after we all go to bed Chris Moose makes a trip up to the North Pole to report to Santa about us all. Last night JJ said he was only going to talk about Brandon with Santa. This morning when we woke up Chris Moose had decided to sit down in a different spot after his long trip North and back. JJ's face was priceless, the "ooohhhh" look, his little mouth in a perfect "O", then the smile, wish I could have captured that moment!
So, if you manage to make it over before Xmas, and if you happen to spy Chris Moose, go ahead and say "hi" to him, and keep in mind, he's watching you ;)

Magical.......

Is there anything more magical that watching a child look at a Christmas tree being lit up? There's no way those tiny little lights can put THAT much spark in their eyes! What makes it so much more special, it continues to happen each and every night when they are turned on!

DECEMBER!

Where did 2008 go? And how did it manage to fly by so quickly? But, there's so much to look forward to this month! JJ will be writing his letter to Santa and taking it to Macy's to help make wishes come true, not just his own (http://www.abc15.com/content/news/webxtra/story.aspx?content_id=acf2ff6c-0f9b-47c9-ba52-2599e65d8b64). We have our mommy group's kids' party Saturday, and the night before I get an evening out with those same mommy friends for our own adult party. I get an excuse to go shopping, and its more fun shopping for others anyway. Of course there's the daily excitement with JJ with the advent calendar (I've picked up a couple extra things, a book or Xmas themes toy to add to the candy as a special treat for a couple nights.) Bran will be bringing a friend down next weekend and we're going to "Swim with Santa" at the hotel we stayed at a couple weekends ago. This is the 1st year JJ will sorta get the cookies & milk for Santa, and waking up Xmas morning! I get time with family and friends, which is priceless, and right now I'm very excited that after Xmas I will be seeing my middle sister who will be visiting from HI. And then, after the New Year, while everyone else here is shivering, we'll be enjoying sunny FL! All in all, thanks to friends and family, we will go out with a bang, and bring in the new year the same.

My little boy is 3

I can't believe 3 years have flown by so quickly! The time goes by too fast, no matter how hard I try to savor each moment with you. Each and every day you make me laugh, you've inherited our dry sense of humor already and when you do or say something, then say "ha, ha" we can't help but giggle at you, then you get on us that it isn't funny. As much as we were worried when you stopped talking, now you seem to always have words ready, many of which surprise us that you can even say them, let alone understand them! We've made our usual trips to PA, NJ, FL and Va to see family and friends, and you also got to go to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure this year. You finally love the beach and pool. You have a fascination with Cowboys, Pirates, and Ninjas. There's still a love for motorcycles and airplanes, Daddy takes you around the yard on the motorcycle each time he starts it up, and we are currently planning a flight for you and brother with a friend. You've fallen for superheros, your favorites seems to be Spiderman and Iron Man. You're so lovable, hugs and kisses all the time, and I melt each time you say "I love you." I'm going to file each and every one of those away for in a short time you will become embarrassed to be affectionate. You love puzzles and books, which hopefully will stick forever. You're our little daredevil, trying to ride bikes down slides or climbing onto anything. Dr Nu tells me she doesn't want to hear any complaints from parents with smart kids, or stubborn ones, that it will get you far, which is of course what we all hope for you! I hope you've had a wonderful year, as wonderful as you've made this one for us! As much as we miss the baby that you were, and we enjoy you each and every day of our little boy, we also look forward to all that is to come. We love you past the stars and back, more than you can every imagine!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday! Stuff yourselves and watch some football (and you better root for Dallas for me!)Take some time to think about all that you have, give thanks for all the little things, and for just once today, block out any complaints that might creep up!We all have so much to be thankful for! But still, take a little time to say a prayer, or send positive thoughts, or make a wish (whatever strikes your fancy or beliefs) to someone who may not be as blessed...
Love - Kat

Wacky Wednesday

A funny for those of us filling ourselves on turkey and pigskins tomorrow!

The pro football team had just finished their daily practice session when a large turkey came strutting onto the field. While the players gazed in amazement, the turkey walked up to the head coach and demanded a tryout. Everyone stared in silence as the turkey caught pass after pass and ran right through the defensive line. When the turkey returned to the sidelines, the coach shouted, "You're terrific!!! Sign up for the season, and I'll see to it that you get a huge bonus." "Forget the bonus," the turkey said, "All I want to know is, does the season go past Thanksgiving Day?"

What I'm thankful for

- My family *I know, its true, you don't HAVE to put up with me anymore, we're all over 18 now, we're not going to get in trouble with our parents for being mean anymore.
- My friends *You guys really don't have to put up with me, there's no blood ties, you don't have to be nice to me, and you're all more than nice, pulling my sorry butt up when I'm playing my own violin, making me laugh when I need it most, hearing my droning nonsense, etc.
- My husband *I don't even think I could put into words all the things that I love and appreciate about you, and that's the sad thing b/c they really do need to be verbalized!
- My boys *I don't think you 2 will even comprehend just how much I've depended on your presences. People always think that through life parents carry the children, but just knowing that you guys are in my life has brought me through so much.
- My coworkers *I love the people I work with, there's no doubt you all make the day so pleasant. There's not 1 day, no matter what has happened, that I haven't had at least 1 laugh! most of you can count yourself in this column but also in the 2nd one, so know, that even though I get paid to be around you, I'd still want to be even if not!

I'm also thankful that I have a roof over my head, heat (and air conditioning), running water, a soft bed, electricity, vehicles that run, lower gas prices, family to visit in other states, a full closet, medical coverage, good health, and all the other things in my life that daily I might take for granted.

Now I need a weekend from our weekend

We had a great time this weekend. I only got 1 pic from Coco's, so if anyone else got more please send them to me! Friday night we went directly to the pool at the hotel, Saturday we did the party then came back and did Old Time Photos, then Winterfest of Lights. It was great spending time with friends (though I wish I had more time!) and family! It was a great way to bring in the holidays and I thank you all for spending time with us!

Here's a link to all of my pics on facebook, I also posted them on Myspace: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=62301&l=0b69f&id=718801160

Our weekend to come

We're going to wear JJ out this weekend! And this isn't including him playing with his cousins as well! Can you see why I'm so excited!? And of course, being near the outlet's, momma's getting a new pair of shoes that she has her eyes on as well ;)
http://cocosfunhouse.com/index.php
http://www.fskfamily.com/pool/
http://www.atlanticbreezes.com/iwinterfest/winterfestpics.htm
http://www.oldtimephotos.com/flash/index.html

It's Thursday....

2 more days, YAH! Can't wait to see so many of you, things have been so busy, I miss everyone!