I'm not a fan of criminals

This morning I turned on The Today Show and heard about four police officers who were murdered in coffee shop in small town outside of Seattle.

They weren't on duty.  They weren't responding to a call.  They weren't caught in the cross-fire of shootout. They were simply enjoying a cup of coffee, reviewing reports before their shift began when "reportedly", Maurice Clemmons entered the shop, walked to the counter and then turned around and executed two of the officers.  Then he killed one more before the last officer was able to get to him, wrestled him to the ground and they believe get off a couple shots before he was then killed as well.

Clemmons then fled the scene and is now holed up in a Seattle house, surrounded by police.  Police are unsure if he is dead or alive.

Unfortunately, none of this should have happened at all.  Clemmons, who had a long criminal history - including raping a child and assault on a police officer - should be in prison serving a 95 year sentence (I believe), but nearly a decade ago, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee commuted his sentence.


As a future police officers wife, I have no words.  Only prayers.

It's almost that time...

... time to enjoy the three F's.

Food.  Family.  Football.

WOO HOO!!!!

I love this time of year.  It's getting cooler.  I love the food.  I love the family time.  You know I love the football.  And it's almost time to decorate for Christmas.

I baked 4 pies last night and tonight there will only be more baking.

A few nights ago, Taylor brought this to me and Joey, which just reminded me of all I have to be to be thankful for:

(Mom I love you and dad I love you too. Ok, ok? Got it, got it? Taylor)

I'm truly blessed with the most wonderful family and more than I could ever want or need.

I hope that you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Love God. Spend Less. Give More.

Lobster. Wh-WHAT?

Yesterday, Joey offered to do the grocery shopping so I sent him with a list of maybe 10 things.

He came back with this:

(That tag says "lobster", in case you can't read it.)

Yes, my husband came home with 2 lobsters, handed me the bag, and when I felt something move, I almost died.

Silly, silly man.

We barely had a pot large enough for these poor, tasty little guys. (And no, they didn't scream.)

 

Then, since we were working on bringing out our white-trash side, we set the table and dug in.

Yeah, those are paper plates.  Don't be jealous.

It was actually quite tasty, but I'm not really into staring in the eyes of the food I'm about to eat.

Busy, busy, busy!

Oh my goodness, I feel so out of the loop!  I've been so busy this week that not only have I not been blogging, but my Google reader has reached monumental numbers.  That totally stresses me out!

So what's been keeping me busy this week?

1. We're having family pics taken tomorrow.  I have to dress everyone.  I know it's only 4 people (including myself), but still...
2. Been to the gym twice this week!  Seeing that I hadn't been at all since Joey started the Academy, this is a major improvement!
3. I made the BEST Chicken Parmesan with Garlic-Butter Noodles for dinner last night.  Wish I had extras for lunch today.  YUM-MO!
4. I've been working non-stop on the new Blogalicious Designs Etsy store!  Check us out for your holiday cards, invitations, and announcements.  We'll be adding more items soon, so if you don't see what you're looking for, just contact us and we'll design whatever you need!
5. Speaking of Blogalicious Designs... Have you noticed the coupon code in the upper right column of my sidebar?  Be sure to check us out for your blog and web design needs.  And don't forget the coupon code!
   
6. Wordpress.  'nuf said.
7. Bought the new Sarah Palin book.  Haven't started it, but I'm excited to read it.  Did you all see her interview on Oprah?
8. Speaking of Oprah, can you believe her show is going off the air in September 2011.  I don't watch it that often, and honestly, I'm not a huge fan, but still!  She's been doing that show almost as long as I've been alive.  (I said, almost...)

Well, I'd better get back to all the things that are keeping me from reading your blogs.  UGH!  I promise I'll read them all.  Happy Friday!

My wish list...

Not my Christmas wish list, just my overall wish list.  Although I absolutely love Christmas - it's my favorite holiday (see HERE and HERE) - I just can't talk Christmas before Thanksgiving.

So, what do I want, you ask?  Well, other than world peace, here are few suggestions for the powers-that-be:

• Online shopping to come to my grocery store, like Erin tweeted about.  Would that not be the bombdiggity??  OMG I can't even think about it for very long because it makes me sad that I still have to spend hours of my life each week walking the aisles... UGH!
• I've mentioned this before, but one day, they will be mine.

• Sipping a fruity drink while laying by the pool HERE.  My parents are on a cruise in Hawaii and they're torturing me with pictures.  I'm glad they're having a great time, but since I couldn't squeeze myself into their luggage, I'm a tad jealous.
  

• Wishing Taylor's blankie hadn't gone missing.  He doesn't need it, but for some reason I was thinking about it last night and got really sad.  It's the blanket that he had ever sine he was a baby - and never slept without it.  I just wish I had it to keep, but it's gone.  And I'm sad.  See how much he loved this thing?

• Sarah Palin's book.  I'm very intrigued.  I watched the Oprah interview last night and was quite impressed that Oprah did "bash" her.  I thought it was a good interview.  Now I want to read the book.  And I don't read.  I mean, I can read (obviously), I just don't have time, therefore I usually don't.

And that's all for today.  What are you wishing for?

Yeah, me too.

Can't talk.  Too irritated.  Be back tomorrow.

Seek and you shall find... MAYBE.

Um, totally NOT digging that someone found my blog by searching "joey gorena naked".

What the heck???

Pretty sure you're not gonna find what you're looking for.  This is a family blog, people.  FAMILY blog.

And just for kicks, here's another one:  "santa claus december cookies n milk open presents yea yea"

Someone actually typed all that into a search engine??  Dying laughing.

MHR Friday... on Thursday

Yesterday, Joey had the day off from the Academy for Veterans Day.  It was fabulous for several reasons.  First of all, he took me to lunch.  I haven't seen my husband in the middle of the day in at least 8 weeks, so I was extremely excited to have a lunch date!

Then, while I was at the gym after work (which, confession time, I don't think I've done that it at least 8 weeks either!) he was at home making dinner.  And not just any dinner...

He made YUMMY lasagna!!  Oh my goodness it was so good!!!

Also, earlier in the day he picked the kids up from school and took Ashton to get her new glasses.  Look how adorable she is...

When I got home from the gym and saw her for the first time, she just kept saying how clear everything was!  Poor thing had no idea what she had been missing.  She kept reading labels all night long.  I love that girl.

Thanks, Joey, for everything you do for me.  You are truly the best husband ever.  I love you so much and I'm so proud of you.  I know I say that a ton, but it's so true.

You're the best!!

How could I forget?

I was so nervous watching this game, I gave myself a migraine.  But despite the crappy officiating (Hello!  That would be MAJOR pass interference in the END ZONE!!  Are you blind? Why yes, yes are.), we pulled off the win and are #1 in the NFC East.

HOLLA!!

 Pic from HERE

And even if it's just one catch, Austin will make it count!  Fo' shizzle!

The downside...

I've never had any issues with blogging.

I mean, I've heard of people having their content plagiarized, pictures stolen, and then there are people who just all of the sudden take their blog private.  Which I assume means they've had some sort of "thing" happen.

Even after hearing about all of it, I've never worried.  I'm just one of those people who chooses not to live in fear.  I think if someone is going to do something, they'll find a way no matter what I do.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not intentionally stupid about the way I live my life, but I don't believe Jesus has called us to live in fear.  I believe we are supposed to give people the benefit of the doubt and trust Jesus along the way.

So that's what I try to do.

But sometimes I get fed up with the world.  I don't understand why people don't have the same point of view as I do and I don't understand why people would take something that doesn't belong to them.

Like pictures from someone's blog.  Why would you insist on portraying yourself as someone you're not?  I just don't get it.

So, what do you do?  Do you take your blog private?  Do you stop blogging altogether?  Do you start watermarking all your pictures?

I don't blog for comments.  But I'll admit, if no one reads my blog, then really, what's the purpose in having it?  It's extremely frustrating, though, to know that I have to think before I post anything.


Why can't we all just get along?  That's my motto, but not everyone seems to buy in.

Things that make me happy...

Snuggling with this little guy this morning.  Who could say no to this face?

My first peppermint white mocha of the season. In the holiday cup.

Taking the kids to get Blizzards tonight to celebrate their straight-A report cards.

The anticipation of date night tomorrow with this hottie.  (Minus the hair, of course.)

Knowing that God is still on the throne.  My hope endures.

Happy Friday, y'all!

The power of prayer.

Do you believe in the power of prayer?  I do.

It seems like God is giving me multiple reasons to pray these days, so what do I do?  I have a Post-It note on my computer screen that I've written down several things that I'm praying for at the moment.

For example, right now, one of my all-consuming thoughts is Joey's health during the Academy.  He has bad knees from high school football, strained his hamstring in the Academy (which is thankfully healed), and injured his elbow during grappling at the Academy.  At any point, if he is unable to participate in PT, they can release him.  (There are currently 4 people in his class who are "on the bubble.") His academics is not on my mind as much, since he has a 95 average (YAY!), but I still pray.  I have his name written down and every time I see that bright yellow Post-It, I say a prayer.

I have a friend who has been out of work for some time now, but she has a job interview tomorrow.  It's written down.

My best friend is currently in the hospital and scheduled for surgery to remove her gallbladder this evening.  It's written down.

There's a Navy pilot that is still missing off the coast of Texas. There are search parties currently searching, hoping and praying that he will be found alive.  I don't know him, but when I came across the story I was compelled to pray.  So it's written down.

I have several other things on my list that I won't share, but I think you get the point.  The Bible says to "pray continually" (1 Thes. 5:17), so I'm trying to do that.  With the help of my Post-It note.

The Tooth Fairy Cometh

Last night, Taylor finally lost his first tooth.  It has been hanging on by a thread (literally!) for at least a week now, but last night he told Joey that he wanted him to pull it.

Joey said all he did was touch it with the tissue paper and it feel right out!  LOL

Taylor was so brave and we're so proud of him!

The Tooth Fairy visited him overnight and left him a $5 bill!  He was so excited, but he told Joey that the Tooth Fairy shouldn't have left that much money since he was only in Kindergarten.  He should have only left a dollar.  (Seriously, this kid makes me laugh all.the.time.)

Joey told him that this was special because it was his first lost tooth, but he was sure the Tooth Fairy wouldn't be so generous in the future.  LOL

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And for your viewing (and partying) pleasure, please check out my good friends party site! You can get great party ideas and even submit your own ideas. Check it out!

And people still don't believe in God?

I saw this on The Today Show this morning and was completely in awe.  Take a look...





Really??  People still don't believe in God?  That tiny baby was under a train!

I don't believe for one second that there is any explanation other than God saved that precious child.  Thank you, Jesus, for your divine intervention.  I'm continually amazed at how much You love us.