Without a hitch

Thanksgiving went off without a hitch except.......
I'm on my way to Grandma's house bringing my warm cheesy spinach/artichoke dip and bottle of wine, and I'm just coming into Berrien Springs. I have the radio up to Christmas music, singing along, sure I'm going slightly over the speed limit, but it wasn't like obscene or anything. Anyway, I happen to look over and I spot a MSP car heading the opposite direction, and I'm like oh snap! I tap my break, and check the rear view mirror. I see the trooper turn around. At this point, I know I'm busted, I had no idea how much over the speed limit I was, but knowing it was inevitable, I just pull over, put it park, reach for my drivers license and wait for him. Sure enough, the light goes on, and he parks behind me and starts to walk up. I'm not nervous yet, because I'm quite comfortable around police/ems/fire agencies(thank you Anthony for getting me out of more tickets than I can count on both hands, love ya xo) as most of them in the area either know me, or know my name, you can say I have "immunity." I roll my window down, and he has a huge smile on his face and says "I have to know what your license plate means" I get this alot from people. I have a specialize plate it is LTFD9WF. Trying to sound that out? It's Lincoln Township Fire Department 9 WF=Wife. I explained to the troop, he grinned in acknowledgement, and then, he asks, do you know why I stopped you? Before I could say a word, he said I just wanted you to know you have a tail light out, and you were going slightly fast. Then the nerves set in. My mind was racing, oh I have more explaining to do to Anthony. He took my license and said he'd be right back.

When you are on the road passing by someone stopped by the police, ever think, oh man, they are getting a biscuit!!!! poor sucker. Well, I saw that in people's faces as they drove by and stared at me. What was I going to tell Anthony, here's another ticket to get me out of?

The trooper came back, handed me my license and said he just had to write down that he stopped me and talked to me about my tail light. Have a good day miss, and drive safe.

Was he being nice? Did he have dinner to go to? Was a tail light ticket not worth wasting ink for? I don't know, nor do I care. But I am thankful we have our boys in blue out there, risking their lives everyday just to tell me I have a tail light out. And I squeeked by not having to come home to Anthony and say, look what I got today!

Serenity

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.

I have been struggling with some personal family issues for several months now. Tonight, as I watched Natalie at swim practice and thinking about the impending holidays, I have decided to take a different approach. I was listening to my Mp3 player, and came across a song I hadn't heard in so long. Last winter, when Natalie was having so many issues with girls at school, we totally related to this song. Cause when push comes to shove You taste what you're made of You might bend, till you break Cause its all you can take On your knees you look up Decide you've had enough You get mad you get strong Wipe your hands shake it off Then you Stand, Then you stand. I need to strengthen my backbone, and put an end to the bullying. I do not have the control over what people do or say. I cannot change them, so I must accept it.

Dr. Laura says there are 4 r's to determining if you should forgive or be forgiven. In my case, forgive. Responsibility, Remorse, Repair, & Repetition. Watching her blog, helped me to come to this decision. If you want to watch the Dr. Laura Link, click here.

Therefore, I've made the decision that this holiday, I will have the strength to endure whatever my bully will throw at me! I will learn to Stand. Isn't it strange how stuff happens during the day, to bring you to decisions that you struggle with? Almost as if you see things so much clearer. God has granted me the wisdom to know the difference. Thank you Awesome Father!

Our Fishy

The results are in from the swim meet. Natalie took 2nd place in freestyle relay event, and 6th place in butterfly. She has moved up in the age brackets this year, so she has some work to do for endurance. Instead of just swimming 25 yrds(one time across) she had to swim 50 (across and back). So endurance is what she is working on. Here's a few pics from the big event. The next one in 2 weeks! Go Bees!

Spirit(all over)

Cheering on teammates

If you want to view all her swim heats, click here. Photobucket is a wonderful thing!

Twilight

I went this weekend and saw the movie Twilight. Twice. The movie was very good. It stayed true to the book, which I'm so glad I read first. It seems like I always see the movie first and then think, oh I should read the book. I think the people who played Bella and Edward did a great job. I just read on Stephenie Meyer's website, they are already making the next movie in the series. I'm so glad, but I'm sure we will have to wait a full year to see it! At last a movie to look forward to. We all look forward to the Harry Potter films, and I remember waiting so long to see the next film in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Go Edward and Bella!

Christmas Tree

Does anyone have their tree up yet? I'm not allowed to even think about Christmas decorating until after Thanksgiving. It seems every year Christmas gets here faster and faster and there is just not enough time to get everything done. I'm sitting here at my computer tonight, listening to it snow/hail outside and wonder how I can plan on not having to do everything last minute. I do this every year, I always say I'm not going to do last minute shopper this year, and it never fails, its Christmas Eve and I'm at Meijers getting wrapping paper, cookies, baking supplies and whatever else I procrastinated about for the last 3 weeks. UGH, I want to waive a magic wand and have everything done and wrapped and under the tree.
First things first, I need to get the tree! Our family tradition is that we go to this tree farm near Indiana. We get all bundled up and climb on the trailer pulled by horses with sleigh bells (my favorite sound at Christmas) and go out to the field and start the hunt. In years past, it has always been my job to pick out the tree. I had no experience picking out a tree, so of course I'd find the perfect looking one, Anthony would cut it down and when we got it home, he'd scream "Could you find a tree with a more crooked trunk?" So to solve this problem, it is now Natalie's job to pick the tree, that way there is no comments made about the tree trunk! When the tree is picked out, we ride back to the store, and pick out this years "family" ornament. A cup of cocoa later, we are on our way home to decorate our tree.
Here's my favorite picture of theses moments....

To view all our Christmas tree picking memories click here

Tootsies

Have you seen these toe socks at Walgreens? Natalie loves them, but I think they are uncomfortable. It must be a young feet thing!

Last night was Natalie's Thanksgiving Concert, where she got to play her recorder and sing 2 songs. The program went on without any problems. But each girl had to call each other to see what dress they are wearing. This is 3rd grade, does it matter if its the same dress? I think brown is the new black this year. Natalie's dress was brown and about 3 other girls were brown too. Luckly, noone had the same dress!

It's closer to Turkey and I'm looking for some receipes! gobble gobble

What a relief

All is good in the world again. Anthony called said he finally killed something. Kill the whitetail, that's all they think about. Venison Chili anyone?

He can dream....

Falling for Leaves

It's that time of year again, and our oak tree finally decided to let go of its leaves. So I spent the after noon raking up the leaves. I am thankful that we don't have to bag them up, we just rake them to the curb and a guy comes by and sucks them up into his truck. Its weird to see a huge vacuum tube connected to a truck. Of course Natalie finds in fascinating.

"Take time every day to do something ridiculous."
Author: Philipa Walker
Next week Anthony leaves for deer camp. Stayed tuned to my version of Deer Camp Rules.

Ready, Set, Go

I'm so proud, Natalie moved up from beginners to intermediate in Swim Team. She is improving more and more each day. She really needs to work on the endurance part, but that will come more with practice...Natalie's first meet is November 22, let's get to work.

Natalie got a really cute jacket and snow pants today from her Grandma. I'm hoping the snow pants can be worn at a much later date....I don't even want to think about snow yet. The jacket is white/Lime Green with pink piping around it. Very cute, and of course, she looks so cute in it. Why can't they make cute stuff for adults?
We bought Natalie her very own saddle to ride her horse. Needless to say Natalie had a great bday. Now as the day is done, I'm totally done. Although the only thing I have to look forward to now is the holidays. UGH, I'm really not ready for that!

Happy Birthday Natalie

Dear Natalie,
I looked at you today and saw the same beautiful eyes that looked at me with love when you were a baby. I looked at you today and saw the same beautiful mouth that made me cry when you first smiled at me. It was not long ago that I held you in my arms long after you fell asleep and I just kept rocking you all night...
I looked at you today and saw my beautiful daughter no longer a baby but a beautiful person with a full range of emotions and feelings and ideas and goals. Every day is exciting as I continue to watch you grow. And I want you to always know that in good and bad times I will love you no matter what you do, or how you think, or what you say. You can depend on my support, guidance, friendship and love every minute of every day. I love being your mom.
Happy 9th Birthday Natalie, we love you.
P.S. Swim hard tonight!
Mommy


To view Natalie's year in review click here

Too much 80's?

Press pause on the music playlist below, before you play video

High School

Natalie is going to see High School Musical 3 again today. She is totally into Corbin Bleu since she got to meet him this last summer at the fair. I took Natalie and her friend last week to see it, and the theater was fill with screaming girls. Today, she's is going with a friend, and hopefully the theater will not be in the same shape as it was for me!

My baby girl turns 9 tomorrow. Where does the time go? I can't believe I have a 9 year old. For some reason, this birthday to me is bittersweet. Is it because she 1 year closer to double digits? Is it because she is growing at such a fast rate, that I can't keep up? Or, do I long to have my cuddle bunny back, as she is constantly pulling away, I just want to hold on.......I'll make it through, I'm sure I will.


My daughter how you're growing
and changing every day;
Some day you'll be too busy
to dance, and sing, and play.
It seems like only yesterday
I rocked you in my arms;
and though a tiny baby
I was captured by your charms.
Then in the blinking of an eye
a toddler walked to me,
Those days too are gone now
but oh, how can that be.
Now when I look at you
a little girl I see,
with grown up dreams and wishes
playing make-believe.
Too soon you will be all grown up,
but my pride will never end.
For I'll always be your Mother and I hope your dearest friend