**Blog Anniversary = GIVEAWAY!**

Wow!
One Year! The Sullivan Sitcom is one year old! I feel like celebrating!

I honestly can't believe I've kept this thing going. I thought for sure I would have given it up by now (I know, I need to work on my confidence issues!) I'm really excited about having this past year made into a book for our family to look back at. An instant scrapbook of the year's events! Have any of you done this yet? What website did you use? Was it pricey?

Before we get to the giveaway part, I want to take a minute and let you ALL know all much I LOVE hearing from you. If you are a real life friend or family member or a bloggy friend who has somehow found me. THANKS! If you are someone who reads my blog daily or just pop in every once in a while! THANKS! If you leave comments on a regular basis or someone who has never left a comment. THANKS! I love you all and just knowing you are there, brightens my day.

I found this a few weeks ago on Mari's blog. It's a list of the top 10 people who have commented on my blog. Isn't that cool! It is in the top left corner of my blog...go check it out. I thought this was a great tool for this post! Where are you on the list? Kerry at Colored With Memories is the #1 commenter! Thanks Kerry! Guess what you get a prize! How fun is that, and easy as pie! (Kerry, send me your address and I'll get your prize out in the mail!)

Okay, now on to the goods! I must tell you that this isn't a huge giveaway! In fact it's pretty much not that exciting, just a few little things that I love.

1. A $15 Target gift-card (it's not much, but every little bit helps right!) Who doesn't love Tar-jay?!?!

2. Two little coin purses from my new favorite ESTY seller! (One is for you to keep and the other is for you to give to someone special to you!) I just need to tell you that Theresa was very kind to donate one of the coin purses for this bloggy giveaway! Her handi-work and customer service are top-notch and these little coin purses are just adorable. I have ordered 2 different times now! Thank you so much Theresa for your generous donation.


3. Scripture Mints! I found these the other day and they are so cute!

So there you have it! Yep, that's all I've got!

Now, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Come on, I know you can do it! Even if you don't have a blog...you can still leave a comment. Even if you comment under anonymous, that's fine too...just make sure to include your name and email address so I have a way to contact you if you are the winner.

Want two chances to win? Click on the "follow me" section and then make sure to leave me a comment that you are a new follower. Then you will be entered twice. If you are already a follower, just mention that in your comment and you can be entered twice as well.

This is going to be so fun! It's easy...you can do it!

Email me if you need help...I'd be glad to offer my assistance! Just click on the "email me" button on my sidebar!

Also, just so you know, I'm going to welcome your comments till midnight Sunday night. I will use the random number generator to find the winner! US shipping only....sorry international friends!

Thanks for helping me celebrate this special occasion! Now let's get this party started! (I'm singing the 'Pink' song...can you hear me...awww, I'll just play it for ya!)

Mommy messed up!

We had yet another "mommy messed-up moment" yesterday. Max and I were just getting ready to head out the door to pick up his little friend, Dax and take them both to school. Max grabbed his coat and backpack and then came running. "Guess what mom, you didn't get my snacks for school today!" Obviously, the large metal tin can that they put in the kids' backpacks to remind us, didn't work for me! Instead of taking the tin out of the bag and putting it on the desk in the kitchen to remind me, or at least adding it to my master list of things-to-do...I left it in the bag and TOTALLY forgot! I called his teacher really quick to see if they had anything to serve...she of course was super and it totally wasn't a big deal. I grabbed 2 bags of microwave popcorn and 10 small bags of fruit snacks and off we went.

Max's teacher happens to read this blog on a regular basis and couldn't believe that "little miss organized" would be the one to forget! She just kept laughing saying that maybe I spend too much time on the computer....that maybe I needed an intervention! Darn it! There goes my mommy of the year award!

Just a little side note: Max told me after school that he loved taking the popcorn....so maybe I got a few points back.

Still learning about boys!

Remember this post a few weeks ago. I have to say a big "thanks" to you all again for all the knowledgeable advice. I can honestly say that although the problem isn't entirely fixed...(will it ever be?, Linda informed me that's just what boys do!) we have moved on to a new problem.

Late last week we were all (all three of us, Andy must have been at a meeting or soccer) snuggling on the couch before it was time to go upstairs for bed. I noticed Max's hands in his pants and just kindly asked him if he needed to go potty. I wasn't ready for his response. "Nope, I don't have to go potty, but my penis is hard like a brick mom and I'm waiting for it to get mushy." Well then, okay...what do I say to that. I wanted to roll on the floor laughing, but I didn't think that would be very "parent-like", so I just said, "okay, let me know when it's all better." After talking with Andy when he got home, I decided that the next time it happened, I would just tell him that it's just how God made little boys and sometimes that happens. It seemed to work fine....till....Sunday at church.

Andy had to leave the service a little early to go out and help the men with the morning breakfast, so it was just me and the kids...luckily there weren't too many people around and when I saw Max fiddling with his pants, I asked him if he needed to go to the bathroom. I should have been prepared, he kindly whispered, "Nope, God's just making my penis hard like a brick again!"

Oh how I love these new challenges I'm given! Learning something new everyday...what a blessing!

My job is on the line!

I started thinking the other day about when the kids were younger...like babies and toddlers and all that I got accomplished throughout my day. I would impressively get a lot of stuff done. I remember that I would get the entire house picked up (I'm not a big fan of clutter, just in case you didn't already know that) and then I would "clean" one room each day. For example, after I got everything back in it's place I would tackle the living room. I would dust, wipe the baseboards, vacuum, and whatever else needed to be done in that room. The next day I would go to the next room, and so on. It totally worked for me. I felt like I was accomplishing something. And even though, it wasn't a lot...doing it a little at a time worked for me.

Then along came something that took me away from this routine. Do you know what it is? I'm sure you do! This darn computer.....blogging, reading blogs, and now facebook! I can remember back when I only checked email once maybe twice a day. And now, well, I won't even begin to tell you now much I'm on the stupid thing...it's not a pretty picture at all. It totally consumes me. For some reason, I need to know how my bloggy friends are and what's going on in their lives. I was talking to Andy about this the other night and he kindly informed that he can put a block on the computer, so that I only have access to the Internet at certain times...uh, thanks hun for trying to fix my problem, but that's not the answer.

So I'm asking all of you....how do you not let the darn computer take over your life? How do you keep up with everything else and still find time to blog, read blogs and facebook? I would love to hear any good tips or helpful hints. I feel like my "job" is on the line here....and I need an intervention!

Praying for sweet Tess!

Please pray for this sweet little girl! We have all seen the miracles that happen with prayer...we need one here!

May God lift her up, today and always!

Snow Fort Fun!

Last Thursday and Friday were "snow days" here in our little part of the Midwest. It was also too cold to go outside. So Saturday when it warmed up a little, Andy and the kids were outside building this....Isn't it great!

Maggie will take you on a tour....are you ready??

Peep holes?

What lucky kids they are to have such a great Daddy! I think he likes playing in the snow more than they do!

Random Thoughts!

* Blogging - I've got nothin'! I have tons of stuff floating around in my head...but actually taking the time to post is another story. I need to get back in the routine.

* Facebook - This is where I've been spending all my computer time...it's my new addiction! It's so great finding old (and new) friends...glad I found you Tressa, I can't wait to catch up with you! If you're not on Facebook yet, check it out...you'll be amazed at all the people you have forgotten about. Look me up...I'd love to be your friend!

* Kitchen update - we're gettin there! The doors are shipping this week and then we'll have a lot of painting to do. I need to order my cabinet hardware, counter tops and tile for the backsplash...but it already looks a million times better! I'll keep you posted!

* Snow days - I really need to sit down and make a Word document listing activities to do on these "special" days. Since we really didn't leave the house...and everything was cancelled...I felt like we didn't have anything to do. Sure we played games, played the Wii, and watched a few movies...but we got bored pretty quickly. Where is my new Family Fun magazine when I need it????

* Birthdays - We have a LOT this month! Family and friends, preschool and kindergarten parties as well! This week is crazy! Eight of them (yes, 8!) from Sunday the 18 to Monday the 26th...that's a lot people! I need to remember this for next years monthly budget!

* Blog anniversary - Only 11 more days people. Make sure to keep checking back and leave me a comment that day....I've got a few little goodies to give away!
Speaking of anniversaries...our wedding anniversary is coming up soon too! Seven years! Crazy! 02-02-02 was an awesome day that I will never forget!

I promise I'll be back soon with something more interesting than this for you to read...maybe snow fort pictures, half-naked boys with cowboy boots on, or crazy sayings from a five-year old girl who acts like she's 15.

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Birthday Joy!

Wearing this in honor of you today!

Wordless Wednesday! - No more high heels!

We are so honored!

Andy and I have been asked to do something really special. We have been asked to be Godparents to little Miss Sloan Joy. What an honor! We are both very excited. What's even more exciting for me, is that I truly feel that this sweet baby girl has something very special about her. Just look at that adorable face...don't you just want to eat her up!!!


Janelle was only about 4 months pregnant when Joy passed away, Sloan wasn't able to meet her Nana (Joy) here on this earthly world, however I feel very strongly that they have already connected. I think that somehow, and in someway, Joy was able to give some very special gifts to Sloan. From very early on, I have seen Joy in Sloan. It's a certain look Sloan gives me, and I'm not sure if anyone else sees it, but I do...and I know it's Joy! I can't wait to see what this sweet baby girl does in her life and to be able to share and experience it with her. She will do amazing things!

As Janelle and I were talking about the dedication service, I went up and pulled Maggie's dress that she was dedicated in and asked if she would want to use it for Sloan. We both agreed how special it would be and that maybe we could start a new tradition that our girls could then pass on to their own girls someday. (I'm searching for a picture of the dress...I'll post it when I find one.)

Another tradition is Aunt Jodi's amazing cookies...a must have at any special gathering...These were the cookies she made at Maggie's dedication.


Thanks guys for asking us to be Sloan's Godparents...we are delighted and can't wait to share her faith journey with her!

Fit Friday Finale

Way back in October, October 17th to be exact, I started Missy's "Hot for the Holidays" challenge. It was a great opportunity to get my rear in gear and get the weight off. Remember my first post about it? I've got to tell you, it's been a great thing for me. Now I'm saying that I did well, but I'm just so happy with all the new bloggy friends I have made and the encouragement they have given me.

They say it take 3 months to start (or stop) a habit and I truly believe that this time doing Missy's challenge has allowed me to get in the habit of getting to the gym. I can totally tell when I don't go. I feel more sluggish, more tired and tend to munch more. I have made it a part of my routine to get to the gym. It's only an hour out of my day and I usually go while Maggie is in school, Max doesn't mind the daycare and so we are all happy. I have been going Monday, Wednesday, & Friday mornings on a regular basis now...and it's working for me. I have also been going to a few evening classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights if I can make it.

I don't really have any numbers to share with you. Since I never posted a starting number back in October it really wouldn't be of any consolation anyway. However, I do see a little more definition in my arms (not even close to what I want, but better) and my current clothes are feeling loose. When I started the 12-week challenge at Gold's Gym on 12/31 they took all my measurements. I will be measured again in 6-weeks, I am so looking forward to seeing some progress and sharing that with you!

Missy, Thanks again for starting this and keeping it going! And to all my friends doing this with me....I couldn't do it without you! Thanks for all your kind words and encouragement!


Maybe I'll post a picture when we start up with a new name next week!?!?!? (OMG - have I totally lost my mind?)

**Update on Finn and Marci**

Thank you all so much for you prayers! It's amazing to see how God works and people come together to help even in crazy situations like this one.

Finn is doing great and was released from the hospital today. Marci was admitted last night and had to have emergency surgery this morning. She is doing fine now (Nicole and I went up to the hospital to see her tonight) and her spirits are good. I will let her share all the details later. She will have lots to blog about, a lot of praises to post, and Mike will be happy to have new reading material at lunch...(love ya Mike!) She will be in the hospital for a few days, so please continue to pray for quick healing for her so she is able to get her back to her family...at home...all together!

Praying for Finn and Marci

My dear friend Marci had to admit her baby boy to the hospital yesterday for pneumonia. And now she has been sent to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. Please pray for both of them!

WFMW - family calendar

At this time of year, a lot of people get a new year calendar, start filling in the dates of family and friends birthdays, doctor appointments, school/church functions, etc. It's just a part of the new year.

However, I have found a new solution that works for me. Being that this was the first year to have a child in school, I bought a school-year calendar. It's the "At-A-Glance" Collegiate Planner #70-CP06 to be exact. I LOVE it. It runs from July 08/July 09. I was able to put all the school year in one calendar. Also, my main circle at church also runs on a school-year calendar due to the fact we are mostly moms. Having this calendar also made it easy to get all the church dates in. This calendar isn't a small one where it would fit nicely in your purse,(plus it might get bent, heaven forbid.) And it isn't pretty or super cute, but I love how it shows the entire month...I need to see it all! It is spiral bound and has a rather big square for each date with lines. (the lined version is a must for me...it keeps it neat and I'm all about that!) However it is pretty thin, so it fits well in my bag when I head off the church or other activities. It seems to me that with all the happenings going on after the holidays and the first few days/weeks of the new year, we don't need another thing added to our list of "things-to-do" and that July would be an easier time to try and fill out a new calendar too. I can leisurely sit outside while the kids play and drink some lemonade, all while filling out my new calendar. Oh, that sounds so nice right now.

One more helpful hint. I have found that if I use a different colored highlighter for each person's events it makes it much easier to scan quickly.

So if you are a mom with school-aged kids, this might work for you and if you still have wee ones and not doing the school thing yet...keep this in mind when you do. Check out all the other helpful ideas at Rocks in my Dryer! Happy Wednesday!

I'm so excited!

It's been a very busy day...and it's an even busier week, but the one thing I'm looking forward to is "Mommy's TV time" tonight....now before I tell you about my excitement, I must disclose that reveling this may change your view of me forever...but please don't judge me....I really am a good person...are you ready.....

Nip/Tuck starts tonight and I LOVE that show. It's totally a bad show, the story line is totally crazy, it's basically porn on cable....but I love it. Maybe I like it so much cause it's so not the Disney Channel...which seems to be the only thing we watch around here.

Anyone else watch it??? Am I the only terrible one out there??? Anyone???

Back to our regular scheduled program....

Today is the day...Andy went back to work, Maggie went back to school, Max and I are heading to the gym. It's a wonderful thing.

We had an awesome holiday break. The kids love having daddy home as did I, after the first day or two (yes, I needed that long to adjust my routine.) He worked so hard on the kitchen, it's coming along very nicely and I'm sure he's just as glad to get back to work and to get out of the kitchen for a while.

The newest thing right now is the new found love of boobie-traps. Making their own in the crawl space to be more specific. The kids watched Home Alone for the first time over the holidays and I wish I had gotten all their laughter on tape....they loved it! We also watched The Goonies and even though there is some not-so-nice language (they didn't even notice it) they loved all the traps and inventions in that movie, oh and I think Andy remembered every single word of it.

So my "kids" (all three of them) decided to make their very own boobie-trap, pretty clever I must say. Wanna check it out.....



The holidays are over and so we go back to our regular scheduled program. Back to carpool, meetings at church, getting to the gym, trying to keep up on the laundry, figuring out what to make for dinner and loving on my kids.

Oh how I love the regular scheduled program!

Hello 2009!

Happy New Year all my bloggy friends! It's always so exciting to me to start a new year, start fresh, re energize, refocus, and reorganize! I love it!

We spent last evening the way I hope to spend all future New Year Eves. We had an early dinner with friends (and kids) at a dive restaurant, where it was loud, crowded, but oh so yummy! I think I'm still tasting the garlicky salad! Yummo! We were done and on our way home by 6:30! Put in a couple movies, the kids wanted popcorn, (and even though I was still completely stuffed from dinner, I can never pass on the popcorn) and we rolled out the sleeping bags. We watched "Alaska" and my kids loved it...Andy and I thought it was pretty good too! Put the kiddos to bed about 9:00 (they totally thought it was midnight and were so excited to stay up "late") and then put it in "Mamma Mia" for me. Let me just say that if you are a big fan of this movie, you might want to stop reading now! It was so cheesy...I loved the play, I love the music, but this movie just ruined it for me! I was totally cracking up laughing at Pierce Brosnan singing....I'm going to look at him with a entirely different light from now on! Anyway...I still watched the entire movie and then Andy and I played tennis on the Wii for a while...he kicked my behind, but he better watch out....I'm going to practice while he's at work and become a pro! Hehe!

Lots of stuff coming up this new year. My blog anniversary is in 30 days and I'm so excited. I have been trying to come up with a little giveaway, so stayed tuned for that!

I also started a 12-week challenge at Gold's Gym! I got measured yesterday and they will re measure me in 6-weeks to see how I'm doing. I've decided to change Missy's "Hot for the Holidays" to "Hot for my Hubby!" I think he will like that! Anyone want to join me in that????
Anyone know how to make a button for that???

We are taking a family trip out west (AZ) at the end of March, which is something fun to look forward to. My parents are getting a condo out there for the entire month, but Grandma said she couldn't go an entire month without seeing the kiddos....Paca said, "fly them out" so that's what they did! So my Gold's Gym challenge will hopefully help me look better and feel better for this trip as well!

So many new things, such an exciting time! I wish everyone a very Happy 2009! (oh cute, that rhymes!)