I Can See Clearly Now, The Rain is Gone

Literally. I think that last post came about because we had been cooped up inside for too long due to the rain. Things got much better after that. We took the kids bowling, then Joe and I got to get out of the house for a few hours. Thank Goodness for babysitters! Yesterday we spent the entire day outside. We visited the Japanese Tea Gardens, then spent the rest of the day in Golden Gate Park. They close off the streets so people can roller skate and ride bikes. It's pretty cool! Anyway, I think the other morning just started out badly. Some mornings are like that I guess. Thank you for your words of encouragement. I am under no illusion that parenting is going to be easy. In fact, I know it will be a lot harder than this is. It does worry me sometimes. But I think Rebel is right. When it's your own child you figure out a new "normal". And Mary Mia, I know exactly what you mean about cleaning up after two year olds. I taught a two year old class for a year and they are like whirling dervishes! I had two parent helpers and I still couldn't contain the mess. I can't imagine the mess one two year old will make in our small apartment, let alone two. Parenting is going to be a huge adjustment for us. Huge. But we'll figure it out as we go I suppose. Oh, and can I just say, I have had my husband here with me the entire time and I was still feeling overwhelmed? I don't know how you people that stay at home full time with your kids do it. You guys(girls) rock. And don't even get me started on you single moms. I am in awe of you. I'm not worthy. I just don't think I could do it.
Today the kids were supposed to go to this day camp at the kid's gym, but when I looked online it said you had to sign up in advance. I was a little bummed, but I called them to see if it was possible to bring them in. They said Yes, they did have some spots available, but I needed to be there at 10:00 or shortly thereafter. It was nine forty five. You have never seen anyone get ready as fast as we did this morning! I was like a drill Sargent. Put your clothes on! Quick! Where are your shoes? You need socks! Go get them! Hurry, Hurry, Hurry! Let's go! I pulled my hair into a scraggly pony tail and we hightailed it out of here. I didn't even have makeup on(gasp!). We made it there by twenty after ten and paid an exorbitant amount of money so we could have four peaceful hours to ourselves before we leave in the morning. We had a leisurely breakfast and I'm doing some last minute picking up before we have to turn around and go get them. Four hours sure does fly by!


Lastly, today is kind of a special day for Joe and myself. You see, nineteen years ago today I attended a New Year's Eve party where I met my wonderful husband. I came very close to not going to that party. It was at some one's house that I didn't know very well, and it was going to be all "grown ups" there(I was 17). Alas, I did go, and here we are, nineteen years later. Who would have thought? I love you Joe. You're still the one.

Feeling Overwhelmed

The first two days of watching the kids went very smoothly. Well I guess that was the honeymoon period, because it is only 9:30 and I am feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. The day started with arguing(Cameron). And then yelling(Me). And being sent to his room(Cameron). And then some tears(both of us). It is raining and I don't know what we're going to do today. Joe got to sleep until 9:00. I made a huge breakfast, but I was so busy cooking and serving everybody else that by the time it was my turn to eat there were no more hash browns and my food was cold. I really wanted those hash browns. I'm trying to take care of two adults(my Dad is with us) and two children and two dogs and a cat. Our dog keeps nipping at the kids and chasing their cat. Their dog hates our dog and spends the majority of the day growling at her. I'm trying to keep our dog away from their cat and their dog, while keeping her away from the kids. I have cleaned the whole upstairs at least three times, but no matter how many times I do the dishes or vacuum, there are always dishes in the sink and things that need vacuuming. I'm tired. Did I mention this is my vacation? The only one I get. Don't get me wrong. I offered to do this. I'm not blaming anyone. I want to spend quality time with my niece and nephew. I don't get to see them as much as I would like. But I'm thinking maybe next year Joe and I plan a little trip of our own. Even if it is a weekend trip. Sometimes I wonder if I can do this. The lack of sleep. The constant mess. Everybody wanting something from me. All the time. It's different when it's your own kid, right?

P.S. I'm so tired of hearing things like "Welcome to my World". Or "You're so lucky you don't have kids. See how hard it is?" Or "Are you sure you want to have children of your own? You're pretty stressed out." These aren't my children. This isn't my house. Or my animals. Or my car. Why don't you try babysitting someone else's kids for five days and then see how you feel? It isn't the same as raising your own familyy.

The babysitter is coming tonight and Joe and I are going to the movies. I know everything will be fine. I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed today. This too shall pass.

14 Months!

Hey, that one slipped right by me! We made it to S.F. yesterday and of course it has been go, go, go ever since. I'm tired already and we don't go home until Tuesday! Today we drove to Sacramento to visit with our Aunt and Uncle and cousins. So fun! It isn't often that we are all able to get together at the same time. Lisa and Scott left for Mexico from there. You know what's funny? Joe and I drove all the way up here to watch the kids for them, and right now they are staying at our house for the night since we live down South. So we're at their house(with their kids) and they're at our house. Not sure who worked out the logistics on that one. Joe and I have decided that next year we're not watching any kids and we'll go on a trip. Yeah right. Promises, promises :) Must go to bed now. Am exhausted and no matter what I say, those kids will not sleep past 7:00 a.m.
Must work on that :) And hey, 14 months. Woo hoo!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas. It's kind of low key around here this year. We're headed off now to the in-laws for presents and dinner. Joe got me some sheepskin boots and a bracelet from Brighton, plus lots of fun stuff in my stocking. I got my big present a montha ago when he got me the IPhone. I'm feeling slightly better today, though still very dizzy. Weird. Anyway, early tomorrow morning we're headed up to my sister's house to meet up with my side of the family and watch the kids for a week while Lisa and Scott take a trip to Mexico. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post from there. Those kids wear me out! So if I don't get a chance later, I'm wishing you all a Happy New Year too!

This is making it's way around the blogs, and it really touched me, so I thought I'd share it.
One day you'll be home with us Sophie. We will wait for you.

Twas the day before before Christmas.......

And all I have done for the last two days is lay in bed. I'm just not feeling well. I have so much to do! Laundry. Wrapping. One last present to buy. A trip to get ready for. And yet here I lie, in bed. Do you know what vertigo is? I thought it was a Hitchcock movie. Until yesterday morning. I had been feeling a bit dizzy for the last few days. Nothing major. I take medication that can cause dizziness, so I really didn't give it a second thought. Yesterday when I got up from bed to go to the bathroom, the room began to spin. Really spin. I couldn't stand up. In fact, I couldn't tell which way was up and which was down! It made me feel sick to my stomach. And it really scared me because it wouldn't stop. I called out frantically for Joe, who was in the other room. He came flying into the room. I think he must have recognized the tone of my voice. Scared. Within minutes I knew I was going to be ill. Right. Now. Joe practically carried me to the bathroom, where I was violently ill for fifteen minutes. It was awful. Afterwards the spinning stopped and aside from feeling weak, I felt fine. I went back to bed and rested for another hour and was fine the rest of the day. Later I googled my symptoms and came up with Vertigo. I have never in my life experienced anything like that. Ever. It was simply awful. But I was fine the rest of the day and grateful that it was over. Until this morning. When the exact same thing happened. Complete and total loss of balance. The room spinning out of control, followed by violent vomiting. I'm not sure what to do. I can't go to the doctor. It's Christmas Eve! What could be causing it? I'm supposed to make a seven hour drive on Wednesday up to my sister's. What if I get sick in the car(I have never suffered motion sicknes before.) Does anyone have any experience with this? I pray that this goes away on its own. And soon.
*It is not due to an ear infection. I had my ears checked last Wednesday and they were fine. I'm also pretty certain I don't have a sinus infection. I have had a stuffy nose for the last three days, but nothing major. I have not had any alcohol beverages. I have not changed the types or dosages of any of my medications. I just don't know what the cause could be, or what to do about it.*

Today we're keeping it pretty low key. Some last minute errands, and church tonight. I hope everyone has a Happy Christmas Eve! Also, here is somthing I found on Joannah's blog that I had to share. I have watched it three times already and am sitting here crying as I watch. This is the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Bloggy Parade of homes

I am participating in Shannon's(Bless you Heart) Christmas Parade of Homes. I would link to her, but I'm gonna be late for work! I'll do it when I get home and then you can go over there and see all the other homes dressed in their holiday finery. Here is mine:

Entertainment center













Our front porch. We totally need more lights. On the fence.
And on the shrubs in front of the fence.












Front window


















Wreath that I made.


















Our tree


















The Angel on top. It was my Mom's but my Dad gave it to me after she died.


















Small Nativity. I have a larger one my Dad gave me too.













Snow globes















Chandelier, decorated.


















Elf and Santa candle


















Snowman

I had the strangest day. I had to go have another scan done as a follow up to my mammogram. It took a long time. I even had to leave and come back. More on that later. In between appts. I decided to go to Starbuck's and get some Caramel Apple Cider. Yum. Anyway, into Starbucks I went. When I opened the door, there was a long line going all the way to the door. I came in a little too quickly and ran into a man standing at the end of the line. I backed up quickly and apologized. He gave me a dirty look, but turned around and we continued to wait our turn. As the line started dwindling, he didn't move up in the line. He just stood where he was, leaving me blocking the doorway. This went on for a few minutes. There was only one person in front of him, yet he remained where he was. I thought maybe he wasn't waiting in line and maybe he was waiting for his drink to be made. I turned to him and said "Excuse me. Are you waiting?" He spun around and YELLED at me "OF COURSE I'M WAITING. WHAT DO YOU THINK I'M DOING STANDING HERE?" The entire store turned to look. I was mortified. I took a step backward but said nothing. I was stunned. He went up to the counter and placed his order. After he ordered he turned around and looked at me and said "I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE HOVERING OVER ME. STEP BACK." Again I was stunned. And pissed. I said to him "You don't have to be rude to me. I said I was sorry." This is what happened next. I am NOT exaggerating. This is how he responded:
He got his two coffee drinks and started towards the door. He got halfway to the door, turned around and started yelling at me again. "YES, I DO HAVE TO BE RUDE TO YOU. BECAUSE YOU ARE STUPID. FIRST YOU RUN INTO ME, THEN YOU ASK ME A STUPID QUESTION. YOU REALLY ARE STUPID!"
Then he walked out the door. Every single person in the store was staring at me. I was so embarrassed. But it gets better. I go up to the counter to place my order. I told her what I wanted and that I needed a couple of gift cards. I was shaking and visibly upset, but I held it together. When she told me the total amount that I owed, it was only for the amount of the gift cards, not the drink and pastry that I had ordered. I looked at her and said "I don't think that's right. You didn't charge me for my drink." She replied "I know. It's okay." And she gave me a sympathetic look. Then you know what I did next? I started to cry.
In the. Middle. Of Starbucks. I cried. I went over to stand where they give you your drink and I continued to cry. In the middle of Starbucks. Nice. It was so bad that another employee that had seen the exchange came over to comfort me. Which only made it worse. Because then I couldn't stop. I cried all the way out to my car. I cried when I called my sister on the phone. In fact, it took me a good twenty minutes to stop crying. When I talked to my husband later, he asked me why I let that guy upset me so much. Why was I giving him that power over me? It wasn't until then that I realized it wasn't totally about what happened at Starbucks. It was about the stress I have been feeling lately. It was being worried about whatever it was in my first two breast scans that warranted a third look. And it was about the complete and total relief I have now that we made it through the review room without being questioned. It was all of those things. I just kind of lost it a little. But then I pulled myself together and went back to the doctor where, after almost an hour of testing, it was determined that there is a small mass in my left breast, but it is nothing to be worried about right now. They want to check it again in six months. Whew. That was a relief. A couple of other strange things happened after that, but I'm too tired to share them right now because now I am home with my husband. I have taken a warm bath and I am wrapping Christmas presents and all is right with the world.
What a strange day.

My husband said later on that he wished he had been with me when that happened. I don't. I'm glad I was alone. Don't get me wrong. My husband is not a violent man. At all. But the only time I have ever seen him come to blows with someone else is when we were at a concert and another man threatened me. I can't even remember what about. But my husband was going to kick his a%%. I had to physically push him away from the other guy and he made him apologize to me. He will let people be rude or step all over him, but when it comes to me, he doesn't mess around.

We Made it through the Review Room!

*I must have been so happy I forgot how to type. Of course I meant "we". Not "me". Oops! All fixed now.*

You wanna know the best way to turn yesterday's bad day into a fantastic one? Learning just now that we are OUT OF THE REVIEW ROOM! Thanks Cyndi for the heads up! I can not tell you what a huge sense of relief(and joy) I am feeling right now. I was very nervous about this step in the process because of my health issues. I am so happy. So happy.

For those non-adoption folks out there, this means that China has reviewed our file and determined that we qualify to adopt a child from them. It is one step further to Sophie. It doesn't mean that we are close. We still have to wait in the long, long line. Now our file sits in a room somewhere until our turn comes up(possibly still two years away) and they match us with a child. I am thankful to God for getting us this far. I have Faith He will get us the rest of the way.

Do Over

I deleted the entire last post. I don't know why I let small, insignificant things bother me like that. I guess I'm just stressed out and felt rotten all weekend and then had a stressful day at work. And I'm a little worried about my scan on Wednesday. I know I shouldn't be. But I am. The holidays are getting me down because things are going to be different this year than years past and I don't like different. Now it looks like my husband will not be able to get off work while I visit my sister and we will have to spend most of our time off apart. I wish all of my friends and family lived close together and we could all just spend the holidays together. That's all I want for Christmas. To spend time with my family. I don't know why that has to be so hard to make happen. I deleted the comments I didn't like and decided to leave Gracie's video up for now. I'm going to bed and will have a better attitude in the morning.

Thank you for all the good thoughts regarding my headache yesterday. It is sooooo much better today. I still have some lingering pain on the left side of my neck, but it's manageable. I'm not sure if it was some kind of migraine or what. I have been having some neck problems that manifests in a headache, but nothing like this one. I'm glad to be rid of that! Still, it is definitely something worth mentioning when I go to the doctor again. I haven't done much today. Joe is at work and I'm laying on the couch in my P.J.'s watching a Little House on the Prairie Christmas special. I heart Little House on the Prairie. I would love to buy some of the seasons on DVD. It was one of my favorite shows as a child. Next on is "The Walton's Christmas." Yippee! Gotta love the Hallmark Channel! The Christmas tree is lit and it is quite cozy. Soon I'll have to start thinking about laundry and dinner, but for now I'm staying put on the couch.

I have a headache so bad it's almost crippling. I managed to crawl out of bed this morning and go see my Dad, but have been in bed ever since. It could be a migraine. But not like any migraine I have ever had before. It hurts in the back of my head, on one side, with the pain radiating down my neck and left arm. Tylenol isn't even touching the pain. Please don't comment to tell me I am having a heart attack or a stroke. I have already Googled those ailments and I don't have any of the other symptoms. This is how well my husband knows me. When he came home from work I was in bed. As soon as he came in the room I said "I have a really bad headache. I think I could be having a stroke or something." His answer?(Without missing a beat) "I'm sorry sweetie. I'll get you some Tylenol after I take a shower". Then he closed the bathroom door and got into the shower. Perhaps he is aware of my tendency to over react. Either that or he is insensitive :)

Tired

I'm so tired. I think I may be coming down with something. Ugh. I feel like I'm just not ready for Christmas. I mean, I'm done shopping, but the presents are sitting there unwrapped. I have my Christmas cards, but I haven't sent them out. I am always so gung ho at the beginning of the holiday season, but then I kind of fizzle out at the end. I'm tired. I have to have an x-ray on my ankle because it still swells up and causes me pain from when I fell down my sister's staircase in October. When I called to make the appointment, they asked me would I also like to make my appt. for the follow up mammogram that I missed, because they really need to see me before Christmas and I have to have an ultrasound of my breast too, and why haven't I called to reschedule because it is imperative that I get in before Christmas. Oops. And also Huh? When I called to make the first appt. she told me I was only having a second mammogram(no ultrasound) and that there was no hurry to get it done. I'm not sure when that changed but now I'm slightly worried. Why do I need an ultrasound? And why is it all of a sudden "imperative" that I get in before Christmas? I'm going to put it out of my mind for now. Worrying is not going to change anything. I have to go see if I can put together something for myself for dinner. Joe's working and I have a headache. And oh yeah, I'm tired.



P.S. Thanks for all the suggestions on what to do about the wasted electricity going on at my house. I should say though, that it is a very small children's lamp and there is an energy saving bulb(the weird spiral kind) in it. I do like the idea of one of those electric candles though. I'll have to run that one by my hubby.

We'll Leave the Light on For You

I think that is the slogan for a hotel chain. Wait, let me check.......Yup. I was right. It is the slogan for this hotel chain. Well apparently it is also the new slogan for our home. Let me explain.
Every night when I come home after work, I pull into my parking space, which is right outside Sophie's room. Since we moved into our new apartment, I started noticing that the light was on in her bedroom. So every night when I got home I would go inside and turn it off. The next night I would come home and see that the light was on again. Hmmm.......that's strange. Again I would go inside and turn it off. I must have done this ten or twelve times(yes, I can be a bit slow on the uptake at times). Finally one night I came home and turned it off once again, and when Joe came home I asked him if he kept leaving Sophie's light on. He didn't answer at first. I thought he didn't hear him and asked again.
Me: "Joe? Are you turning Sophie's light on every night, because I keep turning it off and every night when I come home, it is on again!"
Him: He looked at me sheepishly and replied "Yeah. I've been turning it on every night after you go to bed."
Me: "Why? It's really annoying for me to have to go and turn it off every night."
Him: "I'm sorry. It's just that I'm going to leave her light on all the time. Until she comes home."
Me: "Oh. Well you could have told me. It would save me the trouble of coming in and turning it off every night."
Him: "Sorry. I should have told you."
Me: "Ummmm...that's okay. That's really sweet."

But do you know what I was really thinking?

You're planning on leaving her light on all the time? Until she comes home?
Do you know how much electricity that is going to waste?

Yeah. I'm up for wife of the year this year. At least I kept that last part to myself!

Yesterday Joe and I ventured to China Town in Los Angeles for an FCC(Families with Children from China) waiting families dinner. It was held at a Chinese restaurant in China Town. It was really neat to meet other people who are in the same boat we are, waiting for their children. We even met one couple that not only is using our agency, but is also in our group. That means we will be traveling together when we go to China! Pretty cool. After dinner we did a little shopping at the stores in China Town. I picked up a few knick knacks, and Joe got a set of Chinese swords. What is it with men and swords? That was the only thing he asked me to bring him from China when I went three years ago, but I couldn't find any while I was there. Now he has some and is already planning on displaying them proudly on the wall in our bedroom. Yay. Actually they're kind of cool. I'm glad we went.
Here are some pics:




























Joe spent almost a dollar trying to get his coin to land in this pot. I did it on my first try(hee!)

Sunday Randomness

So I'm all done Christmas shopping. And! They are almost all wrapped! Go me.
Well, there is one thing that I didn't get. My husband gave me a Christmas list a few weeks ago. Mostly books, and movies, and a board game. That he wants me to play with him. Yippee.
Anyway, I ordered all his stuff off of Amazon and I didn't even have to go to the Mall. Not that I go to the Mall. I avoid the Mall like the plague. Especially this time of year. So I thought I was good to go, as far as shopping for him. Until last weekend. We're watching T.V. and all of a sudden he turns to me and says "I think I want a Wii for Christmas". At first I'm like "A what? A who?" "A Wii", he says. You know, the gaming system". "Ohhhhhh......that. "Are you kidding me? It's like, 22 days before Christmas. There is no way I will be able to score one of those. Are you crazy?" I said(Or something a little more empathetic. I can't remember exactly) I have looked online, but there is not a Wii to be found(Heh. I like saying it. Wii. Heh Heh.) So if anyone knows where I can get a Wii(for less than $500. Seriously. $500? Give me a break), please do share. I told him not to get his hopes up too much. Why, oh why, can't men plan ahead like we do? Why?

Speaking of Christmas presents, yesterday I went to the mailbox and found this:

Is she not the cutest? Her name is Luo Pan, which is "Hope" in Chinese. Pan Pan for short. I ordered her four months ago, but when I didn't receive her and my check didn't clear I thought my order had either gotten lost in the mail or I was too late in ordering(they are numbered and only a certain amount were being made). Imagine my surprise(and delight) when she came in the mail yesterday. I think she will be coming to China with us. And you know I had to buy Gracie one too, because cousins must have matching dollies. They must.








I wish I could tell you where I got her, but it was so long ago I can't remember and all that was on the return address was someone's home address. I do remember that I found out about them through the One Hundred Good Wishes Quilt group I belong to.

Just saw this on another blog and had to steal it. I love it! I've played it four times already!
http://thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf

I miss this...........


















Don't get me wrong. I'm happy to have this:


















But I really miss her...........

I don't know if it is because it the holiday season(and we don't have children. Again) or what, but I have been so emotional lately. First I had that meltdown last week, then today I spent a good portion of the day on the verge of tears or in the bathroom crying. I think it might be time to go to the doctor and make sure that hormone patch is still working because this is ridiculous. I know what started me feeling sad again. What I can't figure out is how not to be sad about it.
Here's the deal. I had this friend. We met twelve years ago. We worked together. We became very close and remained friends even after we both moved on from our place of employment. I have known both of her children since they were born. I babysat for them many, many(many) times. Joe and I would go over to her house for parties, and I knew pretty much all of her neighbors. That's how often I was over there. Joe and I started trying for a baby four or five years into our friendship. We tried. And tried. And tried some more. Nothing happened. The more we tried and the more nothing happened, we found it difficult to be around others who had kids. It was so painful. For both of us. We stopped going to her parties. I still came over for dinner, or a movie occasionally, but I couldn't bring myself to go to her children's birthday parties. I wanted so much what all those other people had. I would leave every party in tears. Finally I decided not to put myself through that pain any more and I stopped going. I'm not sure my friend understood it. She couldn't fathom how going to a children's birthday party could cause someone so much pain. I didn't expect her to understand. I just expected her to respect my decision and try not to feel hurt by it. We saw each other less and less. The phone calls became sporadic. Eventually she stopped returning my phone calls at all. We did communicate through e-mail some. Last Fall I tried to reconnect with her. I e-mailed her several times. I told her I missed her and the kids. I asked if we could get together. She would respond, telling me how busy they were, and how this wasn't a good time. I persisted. I called on the phone. I sent cards to her and the kids. I received nothing in response. I let it go for awhile. A few months ago, I sent another e-mail, asking if we could get together. I missed our friendship, and wanted to see if we could rekindle it. Again I was told they were very busy, and this isn't a good time. I must be very dense, because I didn't get the hint. Even though my husband tried to kindly tell me that she had no interest in being my friend anymore. I didn't listen to him. I can be stubborn like that. I was sure if we could just get together and I told her how sorry I was for those couple of years when I crawled into a hole to protect myself, she would understand and we could be friends again. Two weeks ago I sent her a small gift and a card telling her how much I missed her and the kids. I heard nothing. I waited another week. Maybe she was just "really busy". Finally two days ago I e-mailed her. I asked if she got the gift, and could we get together. Yesterday she e-mailed me back. Yes, she did receive the gift. She doesn't want to get together. In fact, she doesn't have the "time or commitment" required to be my friend. She has "a lot on her plate right now, and she doesn't have anything to spare". She said it seems like I have a lot of issues that I am dealing with, all of the time,(which is true) and it became too emotionally draining for her to listen and be there for me. She wishes me well, but it is not a good time for us to reconnect. She needs some time for herself right now.

I am crushed. I feel so rejected. I have never had someone just come right out and say "I don't want to be your friend anymore". It hurts so much.
Here are some things that my head knows, but my heart can't seem to understand.
1. I probably don't want to be friends with someone who can't reciprocate my friendship, or be there for me when I need them.
2. It may not be all about me(shocker!). She may be going through some hard things and it truly isn't a good time.
3. I do have a lot of issues. I know that. Medical. Emotional. Financial. More issues than most people. Perhaps I wear my heart on my sleeve too often. I'm learning to curb that a bit.

If my head knows all of the above things, how come my heart hurts so much? Because it really, really hurts right now.


Please be kind in your comments. It doesn't help me to bash her or hear how awful she is and how she isn't worth my tears. She was my friend. We had so many good times together. I miss her. I'm having such a hard time with the fact that our friendship is over for good. It makes me feel so sad.

Nobody does Christmas like Disney

This is how I spent my day off. Yes, I am very lucky.

See how happy Joe is to be having his picture taken with Santa? The depth of his joy does not come across in the picture :) We were the only people in line that did not have children. It didn't stop me!













They put snow on the castle for the first time ever.














Lights in New Orleans Square. One of my favorite places in D-Land.















Main Street














The castle is stunning at night.

Random Pictures

I've been promising pictures for awhile now. So here are some random pictures that have nothing at all to do with one another. Randomness.

Pictures from our trip to Canada:
Joe in front of the Aquarium



















View from the other side of the coast














We visited this really cool suspension bridge. It was very high in the air. Notice how I am smiling for the picture and clutching onto the side of the bridge with all of my might so I wouldn't fall to my death? Talented, I am.

More Random Pictures

I put up this bamboo forest in Sophie's room this weekend. I got them at Ikea and they just stick on! Then I put up a shelf for s couple of Sophie's panda bears to sit on. My dad made this awesome stained glass panda bear for Sophie. I plan on having a light behind it to illuminate it at night.




















I plan to buy an ornament each year for Sophie as she is growing up. I though it would be neat to start before she came. This is the third ornament she has so far(sigh). I usually go with a Chinese themed ornament, but I loved this one.

Okay, I keep seeing this all over the place and I held out as long as I possibly could, but then I just had to do it. It cracks me up. Every. Single. Time. So check it out!
(And yes, by the way, I am very easily entertained! :)

My husband looked at my Christmas lights this evening and said "Does this look like the house of a normal person?" Hee! I wonder what he is trying to say? :) I have to admit, it is a bit reminiscent of this. O.K. not quite that bad. I'll show you how it looks later in the week(I promise!).

My Sees-ter went home today. I miss her. I'll be seeing her again in three weeks though, so I can't be too sad. I finished my Christmas decorating today. We are all ready for Christmas now! The tree is up, the lights are hung, and every flat surface of my house is covered in decoration. Joe thinks I went a little overboard with the lights outside. I disagree. You can never have too many lights! I'll post pictures later. I keep saying that. I guess I owe y'all a bunch of pictures. Soon. After seeing an advertisement on a couple of other blogs, I ordered a bunch of products from this company. I love bath products. Bubble bath, soaps, lotions, body oils, I love them all. And unlike most people I know, I actually use them on a regular basis. The products I ordered from this company came the other day, and they are fabulous! They are all natural. The scents are absolutely heavenly, and they are very reasonably priced. If you are looking for Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers for friends and family, you should check it out!
I'm off to enjoy the few hours I have left until the Daily Grind starts again in the morning.