I have been published

First time ever of being published!!!
Check it out: http://scrapstreet.com/11gss/2febgs/strip.htm

Lazy Sundays & Hot Dogs

For the past two Sundays, Josie & Daddy's lunch and or dinner have been hotdogs in his new hotdog maker. Mikey saw this out at Uncle Bobbie & Aunt Sandy's on New Years Eve. Sandy was going to get Mikey one for his birthday but couldn't find it. She ended up having to order it and Mike got it last Saturday. He is in Hog Heaven! He loves hot dogs, I never fix them cause I don't like them. Now he has Josie to eat hot dogs with and it also gets Mommy out of making supper and or lunch.

He even fixed some last night for Chris & Katie when they came over. Another gadget that he loves!!!

Granny's 80th Party & Crying Babies

We were suppose to have celebrated Granny's 80th birthday with a surprise birthday party on her actual birthday of January 15th. However, she woke up that morning and went to the doctor with the flu. Therefore Dad called everyone on the list to cancel. Then called them all back last week to reschedule for this Saturday. Pat Campbell took her to Greenwood for the morning and then brought her to church to be surprised. She even walked in with Uncle Richard and still had no clue what was going on.

We had a great turn out and great fun, seeing cousins we hadn't seen in a while.

Josie had a lot of fun playing with all the younger ones. Especially Gabe & Beth's youngest. She wanted to hold her so bad, thankfully she let her. They were both too cute. And Josie told me she liked this baby and pointed towards another un-named baby and said "that one cries, this one doesn't". Josie you are too funny!!

So, thank you Baby "E" for not crying!

Toy Story Tent

Friday evening when I got home from getting my hair CHOPPED!!!!, we went to Lowe's and then took Josie to Kmart so she could pick out her tent. She had the choice of Tinkerbell, Princess & the Frog and Toy Story. She chose Toy Story.

She was super excited for us to put it up and didn't want to wait, so after her bath, she & I went down to put her tent together. I never had one of these but Nathan did and I remember playing in his. I even remember one time being in his with Jennifer eating lifesavers and I got choked on a Lifesaver. So Josie~ Don't eat a lifesaver in your tent! :-)

Just a few rambles and some photo catchup

Last night, Josie & I watched Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer together for the first time. I bet she talked for the first 30 minutes. Asking me what and who everyone was. It was suppose to be bed time but she didn't go to sleep as planned. But that was part of the fun of this time of year, wasn't it? Being able to stay up and watch Rudolph and Frosty. Well she got too!

Then tonight we watched a little of the Grinch Stole Christmas. She wasn't quite sure on that one, but she kept watching it. She kept saying the Grinch was mean. I tried to tell her the Grinch wasn't mean he was just grumpy about Christmas. Then proceeded to tell her that Daddy was a Grinch cause he didn't like Christmas. She got downright made at me and told me he was not a "Ginch!" :-)

Now let's get caught up on some photos.

Josie and her tattoo. She is so proud of it.

 Amy is suppose to be dipping these Smores but she dropped one in the chocolate so she got to eat it! Likely story Amy.

 Cindy, Aunt Susie & Mom's family minus Nathan Garrett & Austin.

 Josie told me on this morning that the snowman was crying. I asked her why and she said he wanted out of his box. So Daddy put him up that night when he got home. She was a little timid with it at first but then figured out he was just pretend. Now she has to blow him up every night and watch him grow out the window.

Just a few of my decorations.

Josie & her kitty! I just set my shutter button down and let it keep going. This was the only one I got that was half way decent. I even have one with Blue's mouth turned back towards her and open, like she was trying to bite something.

Blue likes to get under the tree and eat the branches.

Josie's first Advent Calendar. We explained the whole concept to her but we'll see how much arguing we get every night wanting more candy.

Reverb 10- Dec 1st Post

In searching sites for all of this December Daily juiciness, I found a site suggested from Tracey Clark called Reverb 10. I guess it is going to give me a daily prompt to help tell our story. So here we go:


The Prompts



December 1 One Word.

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)

For 2010 I'm choosing "Stressful."
I'm choosing this word because the balance between family, work and housekeeping is hard to maintain.
As Josie gets older it is getting a little easier in the housekeeping department. She will now let me clean the house and when asked to do so and sometimes threatened she will help with the clean up of her toys.
Work itself isn't stressful, but finding where Josie is going daily while I am at work is.
Family is stressful and I think it will contine to be as Mike & I find a balance between our "me" time, family as a whole time, and Couple Time. We have had it so easy for 13 years of not having a child. He did what he wanted and I did what I wanted, but now that Josie is in the mix, he still does what he wants and I can but I have Josie to take along with me. (I wouldn't change it for the world though and I would do it all over again, if we could afford it.) But I do hold a grudge towards him for having this freedom that I don't have anymore. And this stresses me out that he doesn't understand that.
And these are why I choose stressful!

My word I would hope for 2011 would be: Happiness
I hope to have an easier 2011 in my own life. I would like to simplify things. I would like to be able to get myself to let the house go. I need to get over the organization factor when it comes to Josie's toys. She is Two and that is not going to happen. Even though it drives me bonkers when she asks for something and had she put it back where I had it, I would know where it is to find it for her.
In my work area, I would like to have a set schedule for Josie's daycare. I have a plan in my head but wether it will work out or not, we'll see.
As far as Family, I need to get over the fact of Mike doing what he wants to do when he wants to do it. I need to accept the fact that I have Josie, I am her Mother and that is what Mother's do. They always have their children.

After reading back over this post, the wording in this doesn't sound right. So for future Josie, I love you and wouldn't change a thing in the world about having you. You were wanted for a long time and you are a huge blessing in our lives. Don't ever doubt that. But reading some other posts of Mom's, I feel that my feelings now will benefit you when you have your own child and you can read this post and see that, Yes, even your Mom felt this way at times. I would really like to know how my Mom dealt with the three of us at her young age and staying home all day long by ourselves. I've asked her about some things since having you and her response is always the same, "It's been so long, I don't remember." Well if I don't remember, you will have this blog to come back to.
I love you both! Josie & Mike- You are my world!!!

Just a Ramblin'

Josie went to work with me today and we had a great time! We started putting up the christmas decorations and at lunch went to Hobby Lobby to buy some ornaments for the tree. She picked up the tube of ornaments and walked around holding them like a purse as she was "shopping". It was cute!!!
Tonight when I picked her up at Papa Doug's and Mama Carole's, dad carried her to the car. As I was putting her in the car she says "that's my Papa" I said yes that's your Papa Doug. She said no that's Papa Richard. (I've been telling her about him lately, while she plays with all the stuff he made me when I was little) I told her no that's Papa Doug, Papa Richard is in heaven with Jesus. She sat and thought a moment and then asked my why he was with Jesus. I told her evidently Jesus needed him up there with him. She thinks another moment and cocks her head to the side with her little attitude and says "I don't know why Jesus needs him, Mom". It was too cute and made me sad that she never got to meet Papa Richard and he never got to meet her. But I know that all the Grandparents are looking down and watching her as she grows.
I miss you too Papa!!!

Pampered Chef, Josie & Dawnna

Yeah!!! I had my fourth Pampered Chef party last night and it was a $400 party, so that means I met my goal of $1500 for the month of November and I get my spring products for free. I'm so excited, can't wait to see that box on my porch.
Today, Dawnna came over and hung out with Josie & I. We had a good time and got the menu set for the Richardson Christmas party. And even assigned the specific items to different people.
Josie would ask Dawnna every once in a while, "Why you here, and when you go home?" Then as the day went on, she asked Dawnna when her Mommy was coming to pick her up. That was hilarious and we had to call Aunt Susie to tell her.
We had a great Sunday though! Hanging out, made some snickerdoodles, did some more Christmas decorations, which I will probably be griping about come January when I take them down cause I did so much. Which reminder to self, Take some pictures! I stinking forgot my camera over Thanksgiving so I'm gonna have to rely on everyone else to give me some photos to scrap.
Man! I miss my brain!!!

Uncles, Money & Tears

Josie saw Uncle "Davie" (David) on Thanksgiving night and now instead of it always being Uncle Butch she talks about, now it's Uncle Davie. She informed me this morning as I was getting out of the shower that Uncle Davie was crying. I asked her why he was crying and she told me because, she didn't give him a Million dollars. I guess I would cry to Uncle Davie.

Speaking of Uncles! Thursday at Nana's, she was scared to death of Uncle Rick. We walked in the door and of course they all swarmed her. That's not a good way to start! Uncle Rick (Jones) asked if he could have a hug and Josie just nodded her head yes, not quite knowing what to think. But she went to him and as soon as she started hugging him she also started crying. From that point on, she wouldn't go near him. If he came near her, she would run to me crying and squeeze my neck. It was kind of funny, but sad at the same time. It's sad that she is like that because she doesn't get to see any of them enough. Or comfortable at Nana's enough that it doesn't matter who's there. But they just aren't like my side of the family. They don't do get togethers unless it's holidays.

On a side note, last night was the first night she slept in Big Girl Panties. My little girl is growing up!!!

I also signed up for a new class. I need to get my photo mojo back!


Wish me luck! And hopefully this will keep the blog up to date better. Got to go, Josie's awake from nap!!! And we are off to another Pampered Chef show at Cindy's.

What a Mouth!

What a mouth, Josie has on her now! It's sounds different when it is coming from other children's mouths or from kids that are older. But what do you do with a Two Year Old that calls things "Stupid", constantly says "Butt Crack" and is now saying "Oh God!"
Then to top it off, tonight I was having her go pee before bed and she tells me "You're an idiot!" Come on girl!!! You're too young to be saying this stuff. I've tried the ignoring thing and the getting on to her and telling her she can't say that stuff. But it all just keeps flying out of her mouth!
I guess at least she's not cussing me, Yet that is!!! :-)

Christmas Time's a Coming!

Just have some things to post on here for memory sake and then I'll get us caught up in photos.

• Josie has been in big girl panties since November 1st. Mostly she goes without having any accidents and I believe we are officially potty trained. Diapers are only at night and nap, which I think I could get rid of but Mommy's paranoid!
• She is into singing all of her bible songs and knows about all of them. She is also starting to try and say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Bible.
• Her music is expanding, she was wanting to listen to music last weekend and found my CD's. And guess the first one she grabbed?!!! Made this Mommy so happy. She grabbed John Cougar. or whatever you want to call him. He's still Cougar to me!
• We started putting up Christmas decoration on Nov 1st. and now she wants to decorate everything.
• She helped Mommy put up her Disney tree in the family room and actually did very well. When she did get bored though, she started tearing my boxes trying to get the ornaments out. Not good!
• She & I went to Wal-mart to pick her out a tree, I had planned on getting her a pink one but she picked out purple. It is actually very pretty, but a little too small for ornaments, so I bought some purple lights to put on it. The only ornaments she has on it is the ones Uncle Christ brought her this past Tuesday and they are monster trucks.
• Speaking of Tuesday, this past Tuesday was the second week of no Mommy's allowed in dance class. And she did really well this week. Took a little coaxing but there were no tears shed!
• This past Monday evening, I had a pampered chef show so Daddy stopped to pick up Josie and take her home. When they got home they fixed our downstairs toilet. Tuesday evening, Josie & I come home from dance class and she said she wanted to take a bath downstairs. I needed to pee and this is the conversation that took place as I was peeing.

                       Me: Josie, I am so glad you & Daddy fixed the potty and we can flush it now!!!

                       Josie: Mommy! pause  I didn't say damnet!

                       Me: You didn't?

                       Josie: No Daddy did!

I about died! This girl talks way to clearly and picks up on way too much. But even though she shouldn't be saying it, you can't help but laugh cause it was hilarious.

• After she went to bed last night I started putting the ornaments on the upstairs tree. When she woke up this morning, she was running back and forth between me and the tree, telling me she sees Strawberry Shortcake and Mommy pick me up!

Now we'll get caught up on photos.

Daddy telling Josie to eat the pumpkin!





Josie telling Daddy how to draw her pumpkin and he's not listening to her.







Michelle helped her carve the one on the left and Daddy carved the one on the right.

Josie really got into Halloween. It didn't take her long to figure out what the costume was for.

 Then we had a Ninja and a Cheerleader Barbie.

Josie had a blast when I got my Pampered Chef kit. She ended up climbing in the bag.

 Cindy made this cake for Kayla, she wanted a Barbie cake.

Granny made her a purse and matching dress. Josie got one too.

Josie had to play dress up last night after we had our bath.



Funny Things this Kid of Mine says & does

Wednesday night she was being a complete terd! I told her if she didn't straighten up she was going to be sent to her room. She says "K, I go to my room" and off she went. That threat didn't work!
Yesterday, she went to stay with Mama Carole. She was all excited cause she hadn't been there in a week due to Uncle's wedding. She told Mama yesterday, while squeezing her legs together, that she does this and kitty goes "Meow"! And she does do that every once in a while in order to keep kitty in her lap and she gets in trouble for it.
After eating last night, Aunt Emily took her outside to play so that I could clean up her mess from the day. When I went out, Uncle came home so I told Josie to run down to his house and knock on the door. So off Josie & Emily go. Course first words out of her mouth is "butthead", which is what Uncle taught her. She came running back to me to tell me that Uncle said Butthead. I told her to go wip his butt, and she did, then she herself said, butthead, and told Emily, that she would wip her butt and she did. So she knows it's wrong but won't quit saying it.
Once we got home, she got mad at me for something after her bath and came in the bathroom, yelled at me and then spit a raspberry at me. I went in the living room after her, picked her up and put her on the couch and told her she was in trouble for being hateful and she could just sit on the couch until I told her to get up. So while she was sitting on the couch, I was picking things up before bedtime and she would continuously go " Mom", me "What", her "Nothing". Then repeat it all over again. She then finally asked if she could get up and I told her yes if she came and told me she was sorry and gave me a hug. So she did and while doing so told me she was a brat.
This morning, while getting ready to leave, I told her to go give her kitty a kiss goodbye and that we would see her tonight. She picks her up and is bouncing her around like you would a baby, and says "mommy, kitty not cooperating" Don't know where she heard that one from because then she proceeds to tell the kitty as she is turning her around to face her so she could kiss her. "You wear me out!". Ha!!!! She sounds like Mommy! :-)
Like Granny says, there is only one Josie. And Mama Carole says, could you imagine if she would have had twins!
So what are you saying Grandma's?!!! Hee Hee!
Anyway, here are some photos that I hadn't posted yet. Yes Becky!, here is one of Blue too!!!

These photos were taken on the 12th @ Riley's football game.

MacKenzie's birthday party at Karst Farm Splash Pad. The kids had a blast. Allyson got Domino's pizza which I hadn't had since they changed their recipe and it was really good.

Michelle & Cindy didn't want the ice cream to be thrown away so they just ate it out of the container.

Well I think that catches me back up again! Oh No! One more note, Josie wanted to get on the scales last night and she weighed 32.8 lbs at 2 yrs, 2 months and 4 days.