3 Weekends to Go!

This is the 3rd to the last weekend that we have has a family of 3!!! I went to my drs appt Thursday and Ann Mason did great! She weights approximately 5 pds 3 oz and is in the 19%! She is so cute with big Angelina Jolie lips and lots of hair :) or at least that is what the ultrasound techs say! I am so ready to put bows in her hair...watch her come out bald as can be!

This is our last weekend left without company so we are just hanging out getting ready to watch Friday Night Lights (Oh how I love me some Tim Riggins!). Tomorrow we are going to put the carseat in and I am going to attempt to wash some of Ann Mason's clothes. We are going to meet our friends Nikki and Jon and their 2 boys at Incredible Daves for some fun on bouncy blow up's and dinner :) Sunday is superbowl (which doesn't interest me one bit) but it will be fun to go to Frank and Kimmies and socialize for a little bit! Other than that I hope to take LONG naps tomorrow and Sunday!

Sounds crazy, huh? :) Just the way I like things right now! Boring! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

PS....

Check out Kelly's Blog today! They got to feed and hold Harper, she is SO cute. I can't imagine how they felt getting to hold their baby after almost 12 days!! I am SO excited for them.
http://www.kellyskornerblog.com

FIREPROOF!

Tex and I just finished watching the movie Fireproof! It couldn't have come at a better time! Palmer was up all last night and today let's just say was a test of patience from the moment we woke up until the moment he went to bed. Tensions were high, feelings were hurt and physically and mentally I was exhausted.

I had been wanting to watch this movie for SO long and since we were snowed in today it seemed like a great time! All I can say is WOW! At first I wasn't sure if it was going to be that great. If you keep in mind that it is a low budget movie and none of the actors will get a Oscar nod you should be ok :)

This movie just pulled on every single one of my heartstrings! Whether you have a solid marriage built on your faith of God or you are hanging by a thread this movie is terrific! I sit here with swollen eyes from crying of course. This movie is such a testament to God and the power of commitment to marriage! Every couple could benefit from this movie!

I can speak for myself that I sometimes am so quick to criticize and so quick to think that "I" am the one doing EVERYTHING and Tex doesn't understand all that "I" do for this family, etc...! This movie definitely puts you in your place and shows you how to open up and be slow to talk and quick to listen! There were so many wonderful lessons in this movie, lessons that I only hope that Tex and I can re-inter ate into our marriage. Some of things are just simple ideas that you forget over time. One of the greatest topics of the movie was about studying your partner. It talks about how when we date we study our partner and learn all of their likes and dislikes but when we get married we just stop. They said to think of dating as studying for your high school degree and then when you get married continue to study your partner and earn your college degree, your masters degree and eventually your PHD! :)

It also put so much emphasis on learning to love from God and thru him you can love more freely and more deeply. It is so easy to think that you can do these things on your own and we can't. I am so bummed cause our church just started a 9 week session on "Fireproofing your marriage" it was supposed to start tonight but I am sure it was canceled. I want to do this class SO bad but I also want to be 100% committed and with the baby coming I just doubt this is the best time.

I will be going out to get my copy of "The Love Dare" as seen in the movie Fireproof. It is a 40 day challenge for your marriage and I have been eyeing it for a while but now seeing the movie I am more excited to try this!

If anyone else has seen it I would love to hear your thoughts! I am so glad this movie has caught on and now there are classes and small groups in so many churches giving this message! If you haven't seen it go out and rent it. It is definitely a movie that makes you want to be a better wife and husband!

Baby It's cold outside!

Wow! I usually don't play into the big threats the meterologist forcast but I must say that this time they hit the nail on the head! Snow/Ice storm of 09'! We got 4 inches of snow yesterday and then it started to rain and that froze and now I am watching it snow like crazy outside! I can't remember the last time we had a real snow day off work! We are lucky right now because we still have our power! Keep your fingers crossed cause a few of our friends are already out of power!

If the power goes out I am splurging and going to the Embassy Suites and going swimming! :) I keep on thinking about the women that were supposed to get induced today, do you think they did? They had already canceled my drs appt for today and I doubt I will even get to go tomorrow. That is petty compared to going into labor, I can't imagine!

I am thankful for a snow day as long as everyone stays inside and is safe! Uncle Joe and Aunt Ashley are coming over with some more food and we are going to make a day of it!

I just got out the infant car seat to wash it and get it ready to go in the mini and the moment Palmer saw it he said BABY!!! I really do think he knows!

Everyone have a safe day whether you are inside or out!

Snow and Haircuts

Today turned out to kind of be a snow day! Not one where you get to peek outside and get excited to find out that you are off school and fall back into a deep sleep but rather one where you look outside realize that you HAVE to go to work and you think how the heck am I going to get out of the neighborhood! Yuck!

Thankfully Palmer and I managed to maneuver the mini up the the street after having to reverse all the way down the street and rev up some speed to get up the hill all while the neighbor is directing me! We made it to work and daycare and decided we had to go about our day.

We all got to leave early due to the freezing rain that is now coming down with intensity! Supposedly we are in for quite a winter storm! I am hoping that it is bad enough to NOT get out of the house tomorrow. Driving in the snow is one thing but ice is another!

Today was officially Palmer's first walk in the snow! It snowed last year around this time but he was just 7 months old. He LOVED it! He had on his brand new frog boots from Target that were perfect snow shoes! Here is a pic of him all decked out.



On a random note, everyone knows I love a bargain and can be rather tight when it comes to spending money (SOMETIMES). I can not understand why a 21 month old haircut should cost the same as a man's haircut. That said $15 is just ridiculous to me to get Palmer's haircut! Solution- Templeton Salon at the house! I am becoming a lot better at these cuts! I actually pick up the hair and cut it at an angle just like I have learned from watching people cut hair :) Here is a pic of Palmer after I got a hold of him last night :) I think it looks just as good as any $15 job!

GIRLS NIGHT!

Last night was a long awaited girls night! I can't express how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends. They are more than friends they are my family and I know that these friends will be there thru thick and thin. I never thought when I packed up for college and drove away that I would meet 11 of the most amazing girls in the world! 11 Girls, I know that sounds like a nightmare right? :) The greatest part, it isn't! These relationships have turned into the most easy, non-demanding and rewarding friendships you could ever ask for! Along the way we have added some new great friends but for the most part it has always remained mostly our core group.

We all live in Kentucky (Owensboro, Louisville and Bowling Green) and we used to try and get together more frequently at different locations but with time, marriage, kids, etc... things have slowed but we NEVER forget how important our girls nights are! I strongly believe that your girlfriends can fill a part of your life that your husband and family can not and you need them to balance out your world :)

Girls nights have definitely changed and evolved over the years. They have gone from empty bottles of wine strewn across the house and ash trays over filled with ciggerate butts and headached filled mornings to nice dinners discussing everything from marriage, careers, and babies! While the earlier girls nights were PLENTY of fun and crazy times I much prefer our girls nights now. I guess getting older helps! haha

Last night we trotted off to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner!!! I have to admit that my meal was mediocre but it was well made up for by the most delicious bites of cheesecake I have ever had! If you ever go to Cheesecake Factory order the DULCE DE LECHE CARMEL CHEESECAKE, you will have no regrets! Then we headed somewhere that is a little different for us, the bowling alley :) We only bowled one game and I doubt anyone could tell you their score but we had a great time talking, catching up and just laughing about old times!

I love these girls and I am SO glad that we are still close after all of these years! I love forward to girls nights for many years to come!



Kimmie, Blake, Katie and Erin



Tiff, Whit, Blake and Kimmie



Linds, Brook, Jamie and Jenny

EBAY OBSESSION!!!

I am officially obsessed with Ebay! Since Ashley has had her computer at our house I have turned into an Ebay fanatic! Tex is worried I am addicted and asks if I am spending our life savings :) I have NOT spent much money at all and I have found SO many good deals and we all know I LOVE a good deal!! At least I am not 78, chain smoking and buying Elvis memorabilia from QVC, right!

Just thought I would share some of my latest treasures from EBAY!!!
Here are a set of 12 nice grosgrain hair bows that I got for $7.99 + free shipping! I am new to the girly world but at most stores just one bow is $7.99 so I felt like this is a good deal!


This second item I am kind of hesitant about! I have many mixed emotions about the ever-debated headband on an infant! This one in particular though I thought was "dainty" and "cute" so I thought I would try it out and see how it looks! For $5.99 + free shipping I thought it was worth it! I think some babies pull it off great and some...not so much.



This next purchase I was extremely excited about! This item is known as none other than the HOOTER HIDER :) Assuming that I can breastfeed (please pray that I can!!!) I thought this was such a cute and stylish staple that I HAD to have :) The hooter hider is a great and stylish way to cover up but still see your baby while breastfeeding. I got to pick out my material and it snaps around the neck. Most stores sell these for $45 + which was way too much! For ONLY $18.75 + free shipping I am not a proud owner of my own hooter hider :)



The next purchase was my most exciting yet scary purchase I have made thus far!! I just made this purchase last night and I kind of got caught up in the bidding before I knew what was actually going on I had WON!!! Tex is turning 30 pretty soon and for most of you all that know us we are lacking on technology at the house, it just has never been "our" thing (i.e. no phone, limited cable, no computer, old cell phones, etc...) Tex has been wanting something to play his music on for a long time so I thought I would get him an ipod. I know NOTHING about ipods but as a compulsive pregnant lady I started bidding on this item anyway! Turns out I THINK I got a great deal. This is the new Apple Ipod Nano Chromatic 4g and I got it for $100 + FREE SHIPPING. This same one at the Apple store goes for $149 +! If anyone out there knows about these things let me know if I got a great deal! Tex and I don't usually spend much or even exchange gifts like this but you only turn 30 once, I can't wait to see his face! Then we will just have to figure out how to use the darn thing :)



I am done with my shopping for the moment although I have already found quite the steal on a monogrammed Easter dress for AM but I thought that might be pushing it a bit :) Ebay is great for those you haven't used it, just look at my deals! haha

35 weeks pregnant!

Week 35 of Pregnancy: Fetal Weight Gain
With five more weeks to grow, your baby is accumulating fat at a rapid pace, but he or she has pretty much reached the in utero limit in height by now. Which means your developing baby's once skinny arms and legs are now quite plump…and irresistibly, squeezably soft.
At about 20 inches and five and a half pounds (but with about five more weeks to grow), most of your baby's growth over the next month or so before you meet will be in weight (with a gain of anywhere from one pound to several), not height (baby's pretty much reached the in utero limit in that department). Accordingly, fat continues to accumulate at a rapid pace these days (on baby, not just on your hips). Back in the middle of your pregnancy, your baby's weight was made up of only two percent fat; now at 35 weeks pregnant, that percentage has soared to closer to 15 percent (and will increase to 30 percent at term). Which means your baby's once skinny arms and legs are now quite plump…and irresistibly, squeezably soft.

Also continuing to grow at an amazing pace is your baby's brain power. Luckily, the part that surrounds that amazing brain — the skull — remains soft. And for good reason: A soft skull will allow your baby to squeeze more easily through the birth canal. (Mother Nature was really thinking this one through — imagine trying to push out a rock-hard head…ouch!)

ONLY 24 MORE DAYS UNTIL ANN MASON GETS HERE!!!!!!

The Cycle of Life

Nana and Palmer May 2008
I have never thought that the cycle of life was very fair. I have never lost anyone extremely close to me since I was 8 years old and I have learned that I don't deal with death well, not that any of us do....

As I anticipate the birth of my daughter I also fear that my nana is getting weaker by the day and continues to fight to be with us. I have so many mixed emotions of being so excited about this new life I am going to be blessed with and an old life who I can't imagine living without. It just doesn't seem fair!

I keep on thinking of my papaw who has been there with nana for 64 years of marriage, how do you watch your loved one fade away? How do you take a lifetime of memories and hold them close to your heart? How do you look back on your life and realize it happened in the blink of an eye? How do you deal with facing your own mortality?

It seems like the first of this year has brought about so many people that need our prayers and I am constantly reminded of how precious life can be. As much as I try to cherish each moment my days go by with the same speed as anyone else's and I can't stop father time, even though I want to scream at him to stand still for just a little bit.

I am heartbroken over my nana but I look at her and realize how strong in her faith she has been over the years and what a good life she has led by her example to us all. I know that life goes on and I know that our memories keep us going. As much as I want my nana to be here for ever I also know that the quality of life she is living is not good and I want her to be in Heaven at peace and finally without pain.

To everyone that has had to face the cycle of life my prayers are with you!

To end in a more light-hearted manner... this is a quote about the cycle of life from George Carlin which makes a lot of sense! :)

“The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A Death! What's that, a bonus? I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, get it out of the way. Then you live in an old age home. You get kicked out when you're too young, you get a gold watch, you go to work. You work forty years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You do drugs, alcohol, you party, you get ready for high school. You go to grade school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a little baby, you go back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating...
...and you finish off as an orgasm.”

Maybe we can all learn from Logan

As I sat and looked at some different blogs tonight, I ran accross this video from You Tube.... Of course given my emotional state I bawled my eyes out. What a powerful message from such a little boy, hopefully we can all have the faith that Logan has! God Bless

Who is going to bail me out of jail?

I have officially LOST it! Me and my preggo hormones have been on a rampage this morning and I fear if I leave my house again today I may end up in the back of a cop car for assult :)

My pregnancy low: I just got into a fight with the dr at urgent care and walked out on him while he followed me all the way down the hall still trying to talk! That's right I walked straight out on the dr after waiting for an hour and 15 minutes without turning back once!

I am going to bed for the rest of the afternoon and I am going to pretend that I am not a complete loose cannon right now! DON'T MESS WITH A PREGNANT WOMAN WHO HAS A HORRIBLE SINUS INFECTION AND HASN'T SLEPT IN 4 NIGHTS!

Is there a world record for staying in the house?

If there is.... the Templeton's are trying to break it! We have been couped in the house since Thursday! Technically Palmer has but I did "get" to get out of the House Friday and Saturday morning for work related activities in the office. We are pitiful and I haven't put on makeup or real clothes in 4 days!

Palmer gives me a lot of things.... mostly love, happiness, laughter, etc... but the little stinker also gives me his sicknesses as well! I am DOWN and OUT my friends. I haven't been this sick for a while and it is miserable! I know Tex thinks I am beautiful no matter what but this is pushing the envelope! My face is SO chapped from the top of my nose to the bottom of my chin (literally) because I have sneezed and blown my nose SO many times. Not to mention that I am 34 weeks pregnant and I just look like a big puffy mess!

Palmer and I are going to stay in one more day and try to kick this nasty stuff! We are both in our pjs passing back and forth a tube of chapstick (his new fav obsession) I would post a pic but it is too embarrassing!

Hopefully we get feeling better SOON cause this could be a fun week of outings and postings! We are going to see Ann Mason again Wednesday, I am hopefully going to get to go on my date with Jamie to see Bride Wars, I get to see Ashley in her wedding dress for the first time in person and we are having our first girls night of the year on Saturday! I better go get some rest so that I can make these outings!

Good News and Organized Closets

My nesting has kicked into high gear!!! T-minus less than a month until Ann Mason gets here and I want her to come home to a clean, organized house! (At least for the first few days!) I am proud to say that EVERY closet in my house is organized and cleaned to a T!!!!! We took a whole van full of stuff to Goodwill and it feels so free-ing to let it all go! Even my linen closet in the bathroom is clean! Now if we can just get the laundry squared away and the laundry room clean I will feel much better!! Sorry I don't have any before pics so that you can truly appreciate the work that was put into each closet, but imagine the worst and that was it :)

Palmer is feeling slightly better but now I am suffering from the worst sinus infection ever! Luckily my lazy Suzanne could pass for a Walgreen's pharmacy and I started myself on some anti-biotics so I should be better shortly!

Here are the final pics from my ever- so organized closets! Ask me what they look like in a month :)

Our master closet: You would never know how much stuff you can accumulate when you have to kids in less than 2 years! I have a whole maternity side and a whole side I hope to fit into one of these days!



Ann Mason's closet: I LOVE looking in this closest daily
and thinking about how cute she will look in all of her pink
and pretty little outfits! She even has a hot pink velour boppy!


Palmer's Closest: This could have been the biggest project
I have tackled, the floor was covered in stuff from the past 20
months!! I need to have another boy because the amount of tubs of
clothes we have in our garage is embarrassing! I think his closest is pretty
clean now!


This is our downstairs closet that we usually just shove
items in and shut the door quickly! Now we have a whole
other closet to utilize! I LOVE nesting!


Not only am I nesting at home but I am switching roles, hours and even desks at my work so this morning I went and cleaned my office that I have been in for almost 4 years! It was embarrassing the amount of paper work I have accumulated in that amount of time! It was SO nice to clean out every file and folder and to get rid of 75% of the stuff that I didn't need!!! I have a new desk to come back to after maternity leave and it will be clean and organized too!


**** Last but certainly not least,thanks to everyone who has prayed for Baby Harper, Kelly and Scott. From the last update it seems the prayers are being answered!! Harper does not need a transplant right now and it seems she is improving on her own! Keep praying!!!

PLEASE PRAY FOR HARPER!!!

I know that many of you don't really understand this blogging world :) but as you blog you find people that you immediately connect with and that inspire you on a daily basis. I have found that in a girl named Kelly!

To make a long story short her and Scott are such a great Christian couple that had a lot of trouble with conceiving a child. Luckily around 9 months ago God answered their prayers and blessed them with conceiving a baby girl they named Harper. Since then Kelly has posted daily of prayers, dresses and every pregnancy moment in between. She has captured the hearts of SO many people.

I am so sad this morning because she was induced yesterday and things were going great until Harper was born and had trouble breathing. They had to fly Harper to Tulsa and are doing a lung and heart transplant on her! You can read their entire story here http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/
As a mom I can't imagine what she is going thru right now and my heart breaks into a million pieces for her! Nothing in life is certain but this just seems so unfair.

PLEASE PRAY FOR BABY HARPER, KELLY AND SCOTT as they fight the battle of their lives! Prayer is so powerful and it can do amazing things!

RSV and a Confession

Well sickness strikes the Templeton's! Darn it! We have been doing SO good lately. I swear I am thinking it has been about 2 months since Palmer has been sick.

I picked him up yesterday from daycare and immediately could tell he just wasn't himself. We went home and got in the bath (with stress relief bubbles) and kept him cozy most of the night. He is just like his mommy and LOVES to take multiple baths when he is sick cause at about 7:00 he went upstairs on his own and whipped open the shower curtain and decided he needed another bath so of course his wish was my command!

Tex stayed home with him today and took him to the Dr and lo and behold it is RSV! Yuck! He has to have 2 breathing treatments a day and it looks like we are confined to the house all weekend!

I am choosing to view this as a positive considering there are many tasks that I need to accomplish around the house and this is as good of an excuse as any to get them done and not leave all weekend! We are going to stay in our pj's and get more organized for AM to get here!!

Well my confession is embarrassing.... I view myself as a decent cleaner and my house always seems to be picked up and clean enough for the most part. I would say that to the average person coming in, our house would look pretty darn clean! Well, one thing I have NEVER done in 3 1/2 years is clean my blinds or windows! I KNOW, that is GROSS!!! So, Tex has heard me gripe about this for months now and decided to do something about it. He started cleaning them and realized he would have to take them down to soak them there was SO much funk on them! I bet once they are clean I won't even notice them! How often do normal people clean their blinds and windows?

I have got to get on the ball and wipe down baseboards, etc.. but who really has time? Between work and getting ready to have 2 kids under the age of 2 I feel like I am treading water right now :) My goal is to suck it up and have someone come clean REALLY good the Friday before I have Ann Mason! I am also contemplating taking the mountain of laundry to the laundry mat and just knocking it out! Any suggestions on how to keep the cleaning under control? :) I might just succumb to the fact that my house will be a mess until the kids get a little older!

I will post some before and after pics from our organizing extravaganza this weekend!

The Perfect Drs. Appointment!

Hooray! Ann Mason did awesome today! She remained in the 17% and weighs approximately 4.4 oz! She passed her stress test with flying colors and she seems to be doing great! My blood pressure was down and I had only gained 1 pd since the last weigh in!

But I haven't even told you the best part.... they moved me up a week!!! Ann Mason is on the books and set to arrive on Feb 16th at 8:30 am!!! I am BEYOND thrilled! Of course I want her to stay in there and be healthy but I was SO excited to know that my pregnancy days were fewer than I had thought.

I realize that at this moment I "think" I am exhausted and little do I know how exhausted I will be once she arrives but I am ready! Well, ready might be a slight exageration but I can get ready in these coming weeks! Of course her stuff is neatly organized and her closet is clean. Her room needs a few things hung on the wall but all of this is materialistic stuff that can be done at any time.

I know my heart is ready, it has a lot of love to give! It is funny cause I haven't once worried how will I love her like I love Palmer. I know a lot of moms deal with that before baby #2 is born but I have never doubted that I could love 20 kids :) I guess my main worry is making sure Palmer knows he is just as loved as ever! He has been a big momma's boy lately and like I have said before we just "get" each other. We have a connection that seems to come so easy, no words need be spoken but somehow we just fit together like the best of friends. He has been my biggest fan and my pride and joy for almost 20 months and I am SO scared that I am not going to be able to give enough of myself to both babies. I want to make sure I give Ann Mason the one on one time I got with Palmer yet all the while never make Palmer feel left out! I know this is a struggle for all mom's and it comes with the territory but it sure is scary!

All of that aside, I am beyond excited and so anxious to meet this amazing little lady that has kept me on my toes throughout this pregnancy! I already love her so much.....

There are Readers out There!!!!

So, I am ecstatic! I keep this blog as an online diary and an outlet for my thoughts and memories but I know how much I also LOVE reading other people's blogs as well! I don't know why other peoples lives intrique me so much but they do!

For a while now I have been wanting to find something to track who comes to my blog and I finally found a great site! Don't worry I don't have the specifics but I can see how many hits a day I get and what states they come from! Lo and Behold I have some READERS!!! I was thrilled! I really honestly thought that no one but a few close friends read my blog.

It isn't anything crazy but since Sunday I have had 30 hits :) 30 hits to some peoples blog happens in 5 minutes but to me this was great! I have readers in NY, Utah, Texas, TN, IN, Arkansas and of course the loyals from KY! I would love to hear from you all! I never get any comments so the next time you are on feel free to leave me a message! I am just glad that there are people out there who visit my site! WOOHOO!
*************************************************************************************
On a side note, I have given into the temptation and decided to follow the bachelor this season! I think Jason is a doll and it warms my heart even more that he is a single dad. I missed the first episode but caught it last night! It seems like there is quite the buzz this season for the bachelor gossip!

My mom is even reading message boards, it is getting serious! :) I realize I have only seen one episode but here is my favorite so far! No mean comments if you disagree, this is just my opinion and it is subject to change a million times this season but based on last night this is what I thought!

Here is the doll himself, Jason! He is SO cute.


And ta-da! Here is my pick Melissa from this past episode,
I realize she is only 25 but she seemed pretty mature and just
like a ball of fun!


Stayed tuned for more bachelor predictions in the future!

*** Say a little prayer for Ann Mason as we go tomorrow and see if she has grown in the past two weeks! I know I have grown but sadly that doesn't always mean that the baby has! I will post tomorrow and let you all know what we find out!

Some of my current favorite things!

So it is Sunday and I am sad that Monday always comes around soooo soon! I am SO ready for maternity leave already! Tex said I couldn't keep on getting pregnant to have a maternity leave :) I don't think I appreciated my maternity leave with Palmer because I was constantly feeling like I should be doing things and getting out and about! I vow that this time around I will cherish every minute of not getting out of my pjs and being around the house all day!

We had a low key weekend which was nice because I just didn't have the spirit to do much this weekend. Sleeping is impossible with my vivid "pregnancy" dreams and my uncontrollable bladder so any chance I get I take a nap with Palmer!

So, since I usually post about kids, pregnancy, etc... I am changing things up and giving some reviews! Here are a couple of my simple entertainment pleasures lately!!

Books:

Product Description Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him

***This is one of the best books I have read in a long time if ever! The messages in this book are unbelievable and so thought provoking. Anyone that has gone thru a "great sadness" or struggle in there life and has asked the question "why"? this book is for you! I would love to re-read it because I think there is so much more I can learn from this book. I wish I knew of a small group that was doing a discussion on this because I would love to hear others opinions and perceptions of the book! What a wonderful book that gives you hope and faith in a time where we need it most! I definitely recommend this one to anyone!!! Blake

Amazon.com Review In this latest thriller from perennial bestselling author James Patterson, Washington cop Alex Cross gets involved in his partner's effort to save the life of an old Army buddy who's facing execution for a horrendous and inexplicable murder spree in North Carolina. The Army's evidence against Sergeant Ellis Cooper, a decorated Vietnam vet, is overwhelming, which isn't surprising since it's all been planted by a quartet of killers whose reason for framing the erstwhile hero isn't revealed until long after they are. The big secret is who set the murderers loose, and in true cliffhanger fashion, Patterson keeps it under wraps until the very end. Meanwhile, his usual blend of action, violence, fast pacing and uninspired-though-serviceable prose prevail, and will probably do so all the way to the top of the bestseller lists.

****James Patterson is an oldy but a goody! I bought this book back a couple of years ago and for whatever reason it has set on my bookshelf collecting dust. I typically choose to read all of James Patterson's sappier novels such as Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas, etc..... but I picked this book up the other night have been more than surprised with how much I like a good crime drama! It is SO good I have trouble putting it down at night! I am anxious to start reading some more of his crime dramas!

TV:

The Mentalist on CBS Tuesdays at 9!

THE MENTALIST stars Golden Globe Award nominee Simon Baker as Patrick Jane, an independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), who has a remarkable track record for solving serious crimes by using his razor sharp skills of observation. Within the Bureau, Jane is notorious for his blatant lack of protocol and his semi-celebrity past as a psychic medium, whose paranormal abilities he now admits he feigned. Jane's role in cracking a series of tough high-profile cases is greatly valued by his fellow agents. However, no-nonsense Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon openly resists having Jane in her unit and alternates between reluctantly acknowledging Jane's usefulness and blasting him for his theatrics, narcissism and dangerous lack of boundaries. Lisbon's team includes agents Kimball Cho, Wayne Rigsby and rookie member Grace Van Pelt, who all think Jane's a loose cannon but admire his charm and knack for clearing cases.

***This is a GREAT new show that Tex and I love! Not to mention the main character is not bad to watch! If you like a good crime drama with some additional personal plots this show is for you!

REVIEW Expanding on the hit feature film and best selling book "Friday Night Lights," this poignant series centers on the small rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the coveted state football championship rings are held in the highest regard. The Dillon Panther's faced many challenges their first season with Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, "Grey's Anatomy") at the helm, but after much hard work, determination and a victory at the State Championship Game, the team's fate at the start of yet another new season and the Taylor family's future with them, continues to remain uncertain

**** My prayers have been answered! They are bringing Friday Night Lights and Tim Riggins back to prime-time! This show has captured my heart and is one of my all time favorite shows! There are very few good shows left on prime-time especially one that the whole family can enjoy, but this is it! I can't wait, it starts Jan 16th at 9!

It doesn't take a lot to entertain me these days! :) I look forward to these simple things in life! haha

33 Weeks Pregnant

I am now 33 weeks! WOOHOO! That is approximately:
45 days
Or 1 month, 14 days excluding the end date
Alternative time units45 days can be converted to one of these units:
3,888,000 seconds
64,800 minutes
1080 hours
6 weeks (rounded down
Until Ann Mason is "scheduled" to come. Ms. Ann Mason has proven to either be stubborn or lazy throughout this entire pregnancy and hasn't cooperated for over half of the ultrasounds that I have had. I had an appointment yesterday for my stress ultrasound and Ms. Ann Mason was in a mood and decided to fail it! I then had to be hooked up to a heartbeat monitor and click a button everytime she moved and she was still being stubborn and not doing that very well so they gave me a boxed grape juice with enough sugar to kill someone and she finally decided to do what she needed to so that we could "pass" and get to go home!

Dr Walsh seemed to not be concerned and told me that she would see me next week so as far as I am concerned we are clear for another week! This coming Wednesday we go for another growth ultrasound and we should know at that point whether she is making progress or at a stand still and proceed from there!

The technician did comment on her hair again and said that not only does she have A LOT it is LONG :) Who is thinking bows, bows, bows? I am!!! Watch her come out bald as a babys butt, either way I hope she stays in my belly to cook a little longer but the anxiousness is definitely rising! I can't wait to meet my baby girl!

Your pregnancy: 33 weeks
How your baby's growing:This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.See what your baby looks like this week.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently

I am getting so technical....

I added a playlist of songs on my blog! The one by Darius Rucker that I blogged about is on there if you want to hear it!

The Bass Pro Shop and Nesting

So, as a mother of a toddler I am quickly becoming quite the expert on free/really cheap winter entertainment. In previous posts I have blogged about chick-fil-a playground, the ship at the mall and pottery barn kids....but I think we hit an all time low or an all time jackpot depending on how you look at it. :)

Last night we met our friends Nikki, Jon, Reid (Palmer's best friend), and new 2 week old baby Alex at the Bass Pro Shop! Yes, friends you heard me right. There is a Bass Pro shop about 15 minutes away in Clarksville, In and is said to be the 2nd largest one in the country! We thought the boys would enjoy a little outdoor (but indoor) adventure! They LOVED it! They looked at fish, the aquarium, there was a shooting range with animals, they climbed on ATV's and climbed thru trees. As if this weren't great enough there happens to be a full service, pretty nice, restaurant in the Bass Pro shop so we thought we would also have dinner there!

3 Full Hours later we walked out of the Bass Pro Shop with tired toddlers, full bellies, and the satisfaction of a great night! I give the bass pro shop five stars on the free/really cheap entertainment!

****As for nesting I didn't know if it was ever going to come with this pregnancy. I have barely had the energy to shower these last few weeks but I put my mind to being productive this weekend and being productive is what I did! I started with Palmer's room and cleaned out the ENTIRE closet and all of the drawers in his room! We filled a 30 gallon Rubbermaid tub, and filled 2 trash bags to take to Goodwill! Any mom out there knows that cleaning a child's closet (if you are like me) brings some unhidden treasures. I was appalled that we had let one little child collect so many toys, clothes and other things! I then went to Ann Masons room and cleaned out her soon to be entire closet and organize all of the stuff that Tex and I bought at babies R us! I then went and cleaned out all 6 of my dresser drawers in my room! Goodwill is going to be SO glad when we make our delivery! I am proud to say that P and AM's rooms are beyond organized and spotless and our room is working toward that goal! I feel so much more ready to have the baby! I even half packed my bag and Ann Masons bag for the hospital! I LOVE NESTING! Now if I could just keep it this way.....

New Years Eve and New Years Day!

I hope everyone had a great time ringing in 2009! We had a great time but I am sure much more low key than most :)

NYE we decided to at least get out to go eat! We are at the stage with Palmer that we don't like to do this much. Tex and I LOVE to go out to eat but with a 19 month old the cons outweigh the pros and most of the time we just get take out or scratch the plan all together! So, we decided to take him somewhere that he would be mildly entertained such as BW3's (Tex suggested Hooters), etc... We finally decided on Fuji a hibachi grill type Japanese restaurant.

I am horrified to admit that I was so desperate to have a NICE meal with Tex that I did what I swore as a mother I would never do..... I packed the portable DVD player "just in case of an emergency"! I know GASP, GASP! I was just as appalled as you but again I was desperate. Of course that "emergency" happened in the first 2 minutes when Palmer pulled the infamous locked legs and wouldn't sit in his high chair so I busted it out immediately and tried to pretend I was noticing all of the disapproving looks from other parents, oh the shame! (Mind you the volume is NOT turned up so it doesn't really distract anyone else but Palmer :)

For the first part Palmer did great and ate 2 bowls of soup, a bowl of steamed rice and probably half of my steak! We got thru most of dinner great until the end but I will give him credit he is getting better! The little stinker just doesn't liked to be confined! Oh how I wish we had some built in babysitters here! You have NO idea!!! :) Maybe next year I will start in June asking people for NYE!

That night we hung out around the house and watched the Ryan Secrest countdown and fell asleep at 11:30! We tried to stay up till midnight!

Yesterday we had a GREAT start to 2009! We wanted to get out of the house and do something fun despite the freezing weather so we took Palmer up to the Cincinnati Children's Museum http://www.cincymuseum.org/! This is BY FAR the coolest place ever and for $20 for the whole family a trip that you just can't miss! If you live anywhere around Cincy it is well worth the drive! Palmer ended up being a great age for the kids museum I think any younger it might be hard but he ran with the best of them! It literally took Tex and I both running around to keep up with him! There was a Clifford Exhibit, Water and Sand toys, Blocks and Ball rooms, Grocery stores, bulldozers and an entire mini cave city where Palmer would wind his tiny way up all of the tunnels with Tex and I following him about to have a panic attack due to feeling claustrophobic :) My 8 month pregnant body was in no shape to climb and twist around and I am paying for it dearly today! It was such a NEAT trip, we can't wait to go again and bring some of P's friends next time!

It was such an eye opener when we were there that he is not momma's baby at all! He is this big boy that loves to discover things and has NO fear and will try anything once! It broke my heart into a million pieces but also made me so proud of the little independent person he is becoming!

All in All we started 2009 off with a bang! I have debated and debated about NYE resolutions but I decided not to really make any this year. Not because I don't need to improve drastically in many categories but because you make these resolutions and break them within 2 weeks! SO each day I am going to try and think of one thing that I can do better that day and hopefully that will keep me focused and on track!

I hope everyone's 2009 started off great! So Long 2008!!!