I've discovered e-Bay!

Yes, it's true. I have never been on e-Bay.... that is, until this week. I am probably the only person in the world who hadn't succumbed to the e-Bay hype. I am not a patient person when it comes to shopping. I love sales if I don't have to rumage through a bunch of stuff. Anyway, I must thank my cousin Michelle for introducing me to e-Bay. A couple weeks ago I was visiting her in Wake Forest, NC and she showed me some things she was "watching". I was intrigued. I've been sick and at home for the last 2 days and decided to peruse online. Day-time T.V. just doesn't cut it. I'm happy to say that I just purchased my first item on e-Bay. I am very excited about it and can't wait to get it.

In addition, while I was in NC; I was up early and turned the T.V. on to pass the time until everyone else got up. Now, I must say, I have never watched QVC or HSN....EVER!!! For some reason, I stopped on HSN and saw a copier/fax/printer. I bought it. My mother and sister-in-law would be so proud! It was so easy~

I must say, my trip to NC changed my life. I am a believer.

Apple Picking

My mother, my sisters Mandy and Dori, plus Robbie, Shane and CeCe went apple picking in Winchester, VA today. It was HOT (91 degrees) but a lot of fun. Everyone (except me) went on a tracker ride as soon as we got to the farm. They saw pigs and everything! We then went to pick our apples and Robbie and Shane loved picking "perfect" apples. The farm had live music, a kettle corn stand and a farmers market inside the barn. It had a wrap around porch with lots of rocking chairs and a playground plus moonbounce for kids. In October they have a haunted house and a pumpkin patch along with live bluegrass and lots of festivites. We definitely plan on going back! I usually go to Winchester on the weekends to spend at least Saturday with Dori, Brian and kids. I look forward to going and love it when I can spend the night. Robbie, Shane and I sleep on an airbed in the living room and Robbie and I always plan to get up at midnight to sneak downstairs to watch a movie but we haven't been able to wake up yet to actually do it. We always have milkshakes and popcorn too. It's heaven.....pure heaven.



This is Mandy and Robbie. Robbie made that hat in preschool. Robbie likes to wear hats.








This is Shane. He's driving the apples away.







These pictures crack me up. Especially Shane's. They wanted to take pictures of themselves looking like punks. Seriously....I love these kids.

My Nieces and Nephews

This is my neice Hannah. She is 14 and a stunning young woman. Hannah and I have become really close as of late and I LOVE to talk to her. She is so unpretentious and FUNNY! She calls it like it is. She makes me laugh with all of her stories and I could listen to her talk for hours. I stand in awe of Hannah for many reasons-she has a quiet strength and a strong sweet spirit. She is extremely bright and has a 4.o average right now. She is the type of teenager you look at and say "she's got it all". I am so proud to be her aunt! LOVE YOU MI SOBRINA.

This is Sterling or as I call him "Buddah". Sterling is 9 years old and LOVES movies and books. His favorite series of movies is "Goosebumps". Sterling also likes to cook and is quite good at it (takes after his father in that interest) Sterling is a very special boy (and dang good looking). I remember at his baptism I felt such a strength and humbleness from him. He will definitely be a leader and a great missionary.

This is Drake. Drake is 7 years old and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do!!! He is also playing football right now. Drake is the oldest in his family of all boys. I love Drake because he still kisses me. Drake has many interests and is a great role model for his younger brothers. I love Drake's smile and Drake looks so handsome in his suit that he wears to church. He is good to his cousins and I can't wait to see where he goes on his mission!!!

This is Luke and Mason. I put this picture of both of them because I think it is adorable.

Luke is a twin. He and his brother Ian were born at 23 weeks and Ian passed away from complications. Luke is 4 and is AMAZING. This kid is so strong and FAST and has crazy balance. He looks just like his father who looks just like his father. Sometimes I look at Luke and for a second I go back to my childhood and see Travis...it's crazy! He is a happy child always on the move. I love Luke's voice....it is so sweet. Luke is going to start gymnastics soon..I can't wait. He will be great!

Mason is "the icing on the cake". He is almost 3 and makes me laugh and he talks and talks and talks. He is a handsome little thing and loves to cuddle. He'll come sit on my lap and start talking about EVERYTHING and he is very entertaining. He is very affectionate and his expressions KILL me. He likes to play with his brothers and has no problem keeping up. I think he's going to be a little heart-breaker because all the girls will love him.

This is Robbie. He's almost 5 and is going through a stage where he does not like to wear his shirt. From the moment Robbie was born, we have had a special bond and I talk to him at least once every day. Robbie is in to skateboarding and video games right now. Robbie is amazingly wise for his age-I'm constantly saying to him"HOW do you know that" and the kid does not miss a thing. There's a song that reminds me of Robbie - it's called "Bubbly" by Colbie Caillat. This sums my relationship up with Robbie ~"every time I see your bubbly face, I get the tingles in a silly place. It starts in my toes and I crinkle my nose, wherever it goes I always know that you make me smile" This kid is the keeper of my heart.

Shane is 3. Shane is HILARIOUS. He walks to the beat of his own drum and provides hours of entertainment. He is a very sensitive child who loves to laugh and make people laugh. Shane loves to do whatever Robbie is doing and this kid can run nonstop for a LONG time. He should be a long distance runner. Shane has a sweetness to him that is very endearing and you can't help but kiss his cute little face. Shane and I share the love of mint chocolate chip milk shakes and try to have one every time we are together...which is alot!

CeCe just turned 1. I love this picture of her...she's like "PAHLEASE......" CeCe is a darling little girl who I spoil every time I see her. I can't help it and she has the closet to prove it. She's the type of baby that when you pick her up she nestles her head into your neck....and you just melt. I love to dance with CeCe; and I love to take naps with her. She wakes up so happy and ready to GO! I love when I walk into the room and she reaches for me too...she's a doll. Can't get much cuter than her.

Sydney White

Okay...two posts in one day? What?

I am just so excited to let you know that I just saw a sneak preview of the movie Sydney White. It's my new favorite movie. I love Amanda Bynes and she does a great job in this movie. There's a lot of background stuff (I'm sure there is a more technical way to say that) that you need to pay attention to. SOOOOO funny!
http://www.sydneywhite.net/

I have a fish

So, this is what my blue betta fish looks like. His name is Mickey and he really is BEAUTIFUL. Those of you that can remember way back to 2000 will remember that I had my first fish ever named Ruby. (she was red) Ruby had a horrible death - I watched it actually. I'm not sure what she had but I was online in a chat room about betta fish frantically trying to figure out what I should do when she passed. Laura will remember the obituary I sent out. I flushed her and had a hard time using my "facility" for a while after. So, after that TRAUMATIC experience I waited a couple years and then got another fish. I had a BBQ and had everyone put a name in a jar and I picked out the name of my new fish. His name was Sabbath. (he was also red) Sabbath was amazing. He lived for almost 3 years!!! My nephew Robbie loved Sabbath and sometimes it looked like Sabbath was talking to him. Anyway, Sabbath's fish health started failing and it took about a week for him to finally pass. I would've just flushed him earlier but then I thought he'd get a "second wind" and come swimming back and would startle the hec out of me when I went to use my "facility". So, I waited patiently for Sabbath's little fish life to end and then I flushed him. No obituary this time but Robbie and I promptly went out and bought Mickey. I decided to go blue this time. The problem is, I just haven't bonded with Mickey and I've had him almost a year now. He's very aloof and just swims around. It's very odd because even when I feed him, he takes his food and then swims away - like he doesn't want me to see him eat or something. Once Mickey goes, I think I'm going to take a break and not have a fish for a while. I need to figure out who I am first. :-)

24 KARAT SKIN

Are you kidding me? The newest trend in the spa industry is 24-karat gold facials. $400 - $600. I heard that gold was making a come back but this is ridiculous. For any of you tempted to try this; call me. I have some words for you. If you want gold on your skin, buy some jewelry. Seriously, what will they think of next?

How Cute Can One Child Be?

Well, I'll tell you. Pretty DANG cute! CeCe graced us with her presence last year on Sept 13th. We almost lost Dori in the process but a year later that is all but forgotten as this little girl continues to bring us joy every day. She has learned at the tender age of 1 that she has her Aunt "YaYa" wrapped around her finger. She has also learned that the women in our family have no problem voicing their opinion and BOY HOWDY does this little girl voice her opinions!!!

Well - Here I am

Friends have been asking me to do this for FOREVER and my dearest friend Laura finally talked me into it. I can't say that I will be very diligent but I will try. Some days/weeks will be better than others. Who knows I may become the blogging queen. In fact, I'm kinda liking it as I write so stay tuned.....more will be forthcoming!

On a very sad note, my cousin Benji passed away on Wednesday evening in a helicopter accident. We are all very saddened and feel a great sense of loss. He was a wonderful man and will be missed greatly.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070913/BREAKINGNEWS/70913003/1002/NEWS