My sweet boys

Yesterday was my sweet little boys 1st birthday. WOW - already 1 year old...I'm right along with most people and can hardly believe how fast time goes. It seems so long ago I was pregnant with him but I remember when I was pregnant and feeling like I would be pregnant forever! We had a party at our house and were so blessed by everyone's generosity to him. It's been raining cats and dogs so had to create a make-shift play area in our unfinished basement. It all worked out pretty good though.
My other sweet boy is my husband. Today is Father's Day and he is such an awesome dad to our children. I'm so thankful for him!

My Birthday

I quite possibly have the best husband on the planet. Even after almost 8 years of marriage he's still so thoughtful of me.
Today was my birthday and he took the day off of work to be with the kids so I could have a day off. He served me breakfast in bed, then scheduled a manicure and pedicure at the spa I like going to, took me out to lunch, then we came home and lounged, then we went out to dinner.
I just think it's so thoughtful that he took the day off work so I could relax. He's so thoughtful and kind hearted, and not just on my birthday.
I'm truly blessed to have him as a husband, friend, and father to our children. I hope my little boy grows up just like his daddy and I hope my little girl learns how a man should treat a woman and not settle for less!
I'm so thankful for all the birthday wishes from all my family and friends too! Everyone was so thoughtful!

Time marches on

So it seems I'm a little slow at this online diary thing BUT I try to find time when I can. Life is so busy these days I hardly know where the time goes. My little girl is lively, active, and chatty! My little boy is getting so big, it makes me a little sad. He'll be 1 yr old in 2 months! Hard to believe 1 yr ago I was very LARGE and, of course, in charge. (still am:)
My mom came to visit last month when Shawn was in China and we had a great time but the time went so fast, again. This week I'll be turning 35...officially in my mid-thirties...or as my sister says I'm now "clinically middle-aged." Whatever...I'm so blessed! I think the thing I've really been realizing lately is how fast time goes. My niece is graduating high school this year - I was 16 when she was born and now she's 18 years old! I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone when we go visit!
Okay so the kids are in bed so my husband and I finally have some alone time. Gotta go!!!

Love...

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday! I think it's a combination of things that I like: a day reserved to say, "I love you." Which, of course, we say it every other day too but I like that there's a specific day set aside for LOVE. All people want to feel loved and cherished and to be able to reciprocate those feelings. I also like the red and pink color combination together, a signal that Spring is on the way!
So a little tribute to those I love...
My husband, I love the way you love me (sappy country song, I know) I love the father you are to our children, I love how you make me laugh until I almost pee my pants.
My daughter, I LOVE how you're learning about everything and how you want to be my "big helper." I love when I print something from the pc - and you get so excited that a "delivewee" has arrived. I love to make cookies for you and when you say, "Oh mommy, you make the best cookies" that melts my heart.
My little boy, I love how you snuggle your head into my neck. I love how you throw your whole body over to the side when you want to nurse. You speak loudly without being able to say any words yet. I love how you belly-laugh when your sister tries entertaining you.
My mom, I love that God made you my mother, I am so blessed.
My dad, I love that you're a loving example of what a dad should be.
My sister, I love that you're so giving and you have a beautiful heart.
My brother, I love how nice you are to me and how you give 110% to what you believe is right.
My neice, I love what a beautiful person you are, inside and out.
My nephew, I love how you like to play jokes.
My other nephew, I love how you play your ocarina all the time - don't ever stop.
My other mother, I love how you have a generous heart and that I can call you anytime and talk.
My other sister, I love how talented you are.
My other other sister, I love that I can call you sister now instead of just friend.
My other brother, I love that we can pick up and talk with each other even after not talking for a year or so.
My other other nephew, I love how you call me Aunt Kathy :)
My other other other nephew, I love how you talk to me like I'm cool :)
My other other other other nephew, I love your dancing!
My other neice, I love how sweet you are.
So that's my little family in a nut shell.
If I wrote about all my relatives, I may be here for a couple days! (15 aunts and uncles and 28 1st cousins.) But of course there's something I could find that I love about each one of them.

Anyway - here's to Valentine's Day - look for the good in everyone and let your love shine through!

What is going to become of our nation

So do people even know why they voted for Obama????
From what I can see, I think a lot of "Middle class" Americans felt like he was one of us, with his sleeves rolled up during his campaign to emulate a hard worker or "the American way." Do they know he made/makes 6 figures? So is clearly not Middle class.

I hear a lot of people wanted "Change."

Well it looks very much like that is exactly what they're getting...

"Change" that our tax dollars are now supporting abortions overseas. In America alone 50 million abortions (more than the population of some countries) have happened since Roe vs Wade in 1973. Is this the birth control method that we chose as a nation? Are we comfortable vilifying Hitler (who killed LESS people since the Roe v Wade ruling) while claiming "freedom" and "women's rights rule?" Not that abortions stopped when Bush was in office either. And now we're funding overseas abortions, too.
"Change" that we're getting over $885 billion to stimulate our economy but they still can't figure out what happen to the last $700 billion.
And as far as future "Change," does anyone know about Obama's health care plan? Who do they think is going to pay for his "governing body" that will ensure Dr.'s are giving excellent health care? How do people think every one's paid for health care will be paid for? To state the obvious, we're not the Soviet Union nor the Communist Republic of China. To state another obvious (or maybe it's not) but higher taxes will pay for socialized health care.

I'm absolutely stunned at how many Christians voted for Obama.
McCain is a liberal Republican so I don't feel he was a stellar choice either but do Christian Americans really want "One Nation under God?"
It definitely appears to be "NO" that we're just fine on our own without God.
What is going to become of our nation without God? Prayer taken out of schools? Abortions as birth control? Funding other countries abortions? Greed in Wall Street? Offend people if we say, "Merry Christmas"? Child abuse cases too numerous to count? Being accused of "Hate" if you speak out against homosexuality?

Like I said, looks like we're just fine on our own without God...

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it

I felt heavy this morning, so I started singing the song that I've titled this entry. Of course, before I knew it, the heaviness lifted. I look at both my children and am so thankful for the 2 precious gifts God has given us. I am so in love with them! And for my husband - he's a breath of calmness to me, a pillar of strength and support.

I also, really LOVE that he doesn't try and decorate the house...no...he leaves ALL of the decorating up to me and I'm so thankful for that. It thrills me that I don't have a head of some animal up on my wall or some kindof Ninja sword or Emmit Smith shrine in my home. I'm SO glad!

I have to say, I get annoyed when guys try to put their 2 cents into decorating...because all of us girls know they haven't a clue...Of course there's the exception but they're so far and few between. I'm pretty sure they only exist on those decorating shows.

To change the subject:

We had snow today and daddy took Sarah out to play. I asked her if she wanted to go outside and play in the snow and she said, "Can I make an angel and catch snowflakes on my tongue too?"

The other day I dropped a whisk with tomato soup on it on the kitchen rug and I said, "Oh Crap" and Sarah piped up and said, "I know that word." I said, "What do you mean?" and she says, "That means you're really frustrated." HA!!

I didn't even realize I say that word until I found out little ears were listening and I decided it probably wouldn't sound so hot coming out of a 3 year old mouth. So now I say, "Oh Carp." Just kidding...ha!

I have to go and prep her room for painting this week. Be blessed.

Memories of 2008

My first great memory is the birth of our son in June. He is the best little boy ever! He's so smiley and a tad on the spoiled side - thanks to mommy :)

Our daughter turned 3 and started preschool too.

We were able to see quite a bit of family this year! My parents stayed for last Christmas and the beginning of this year.

My sister came right after the birth of our baby boy.

Tamara (SIL) and Connie (MIL) came to visit this past summer. Then Tamara was SO helpful when Shawn has to go to China on business. THANK YOU again :)

We went to visit my parents in AZ.

A lot of our friends in NJ had babies! More are on the way too!

My niece turned 18 - WOWEE! Where did that time go? I was 16 when my niece was born - so hard to believe she's 18 now! I'm so proud of her - she's such an awesome contribution to society. So beautiful and academically focused. She's going to be the best adult ever! I love you Rachel.

I have to get caught up on posting pics - so here ya go!

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!