It's crazy out there!

Today we were back to the regular scheduled program. Andy was back at work, the kids went back to school. Everything was hunky dory until I decided to run to Target.

I thought it was cyber Monday, why were there so many people out shopping, aren't they supposed to be shopping from home? Were they giving something away that I wasn't aware of?

Seriously, you would have thought it was like a week before Christmas. I try to be patient and have a Christian heart. I smile and speak nicely to everyone who helps me. So why do people have to be so mean.

Anyway...this is just my quick little reminder to slow down and remember what this season is all about!


**Oh and just a little side note, I left one of my bags at Target and they can't seem to find it. So I think someone helped themselves to my already purchased items. To them I say, "Merry Christmas! I hope you have warm feet!"**

How many do I really need?

Today as I'm decorating the house for Christmas, I realize that I have a very serious problem.

My love for cute holiday paper products. Why do they have to be so stinkin'cute?


Seriously, I would be set for the next 5 years or more. It's not like we are having a ton of holiday parties or anything, I just can't resist how cute they are. I already bought a few this year, forgetting that I had bought some at the end of the season last year. Those were found again today as I was going through the Christmas tubs. So sad!

So here I am, admitting my love for holiday paper products....stop by if you need a few extra plates or napkins...I'm sure I'll have plenty.

Happy Decorating!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Take some time today to enjoy all the many blessings
that are around us each and every day!

We have so much to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

CELEBRATE!

We're having a party!

A "celebration" kind of party!

On a Tuesday night....

What kind of party you ask?!

We are having a "Maggie's NOT nervous for school" party tonight!

A few friends, a little pizza, a lot of ice cream and the Wii, what could be better!

This may seem like a small accomplishment to some, but it's HUGE in our eyes! Way to go Maggie, we are very proud of you!

We ♥ healthy! - Week 7

Not enough time to blog today,
Cleaning and baking are getting in the way.

People are coming over tonight,
My basement is so NOT a pretty site.

Trying to be healthy this week was just okay,
More days at the gym is the only real way.

Tonight is about friends, and slush and food galore,
All the calorie counting goes right out the door.

Start back tomorrow with a busy busy day,

How was your week? I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Thankful Thursday!

Last week:

*I am so thankful for healthy happy kids and the opportunity to be able to stay at home with them. Even though it's the hardest "job" I've ever had, I LOVE it! I love that God has given me two totally different personalities in my children. It's making me grow as well as I do the best I can to guide them in the right direction.

*I am so thankful for my hubby. I wouldn't be able to do this stay-at-home gig without all his hard work. He is such a great daddy and I know I don't tell him often enough. So, thanks honey for all that you do for us. We love you!

*I am so thankful for the challenges God has placed in my life. I know for a fact that I would not be the same person I am today if it weren't for my past. God gives us all different roadblocks, challenges, and hurdles to overcome. We have to be faithful that He is right along with us, guiding us on this pathway, directing our life in the direction we need to be going.


This week:

* I am thankful for a warm, dry, cozy house that keeps my family safe and secure. Even with no drywall/plaster downstairs and the icky, cheap carpet (which is getting replaced very soon), I'm thankful to be right where we are. A home is about the memories you make and the time you spend together...walls or no walls.

* I am thankful for an awesome group of friends. Friends you can be yourself with. Friends who are always there to share your joys and comfort your tears. Friends who you have a lot in common with, and those special friends whose differences make life just a little more interesting. Friends you can call who live hundreds of miles away and friends you have actually never met, but know that if you did, you'd be friends forever. God places people in our lives for a reason and I'm so thankful for the people He has given to me.

* I am thankful for the freedom to write what I want on this little blog of mine. It may not be funny, entertaining or even interesting for that matter, but it's mine, and I hope that it will someday be a great gift to my family. They might not appreciate it now, but I hope that in the years to come, they will cherish these everyday moments.

By the way, some of you know that I'm kinda a dork about numbers, (example: got married on 02-02-02, which was the 5 year anniversary to our very first date) anyway, when I logged on today to write this post, the visitor counter said, 23, 456! I thought that was pretty cool....wish I could tell who that person was, I'd send them a little prize.

Today the kids are thankful for:
Maggie - Charlie, Mom, Dad and sometimes Max
Max - Jesus and us (Mom, Dad and Maggie)

Oh, I almost forgot...Happy Birthday wishes today to my dad, my grandma, and our little friend Ashlyn who is 6 today! Love you guys! Hope you all have a great day!

I'm sure thankful that you stopped by to read this post today, and I'd love to hear what you are thankful for!

What NOT to do...

It's been raining here for like f-o-r-e-v-e-r and the other day I went to the grocery store and I was so thankful that it had stopped pouring rain and that it had turned into just a nice steady rain by the time I was checking out. I tell ya, it's the small things that make me smile. What a difference it makes to load up your goods in just a steady rain verses the pouring rain. Can anyone relate to that?

Anyway, I rushed home to get the stuff put away before I had to leave again to get all the kiddos picked up.

I pulled into the garage, and hit the button to open the back of the van. I rarely use this nifty gadget, I usually get out of the van first and go around to the back and manually lift the back door. I usually do this just to double check that I have pulled up far enough that the door won't hit the garage door up at the top.

I guess rushing was my first mistake. And I honestly don't know why I pressed the button inside the van...but I did and yep, you guessed it, a BIG ol' crease. YIKES!

It's didn't make a loud noise or a big thump....nothing. I didn't even notice it til the next day when I was putting something else in the back.

It's not horrible, and most people probably wouldn't even know. But I know, and now it's going to drive me nuts...forever!

Can ya see it there? Right above the hitch!?

I was a little worried to tell Andy, not that he would be mad, but you know...I was afraid of getting that well-how-it-the-world-did-you-manage-to-do-that look. But I should have known, my laid back guy gave me the most laid back response, "Bummer!"

So there you have it, just another tip from this gal who doesn't know much about a lot, but I do know this, don't open the back door of your mini-van without first making sure you are all the way in.

(Tim, I can hear your comment now...."that's just another reason why we DON"T have a mini-van!" - Okay, I'll let you win this one!)

What I DON'T know....

While listening to the radio this morning, the announcers were talking about what people, or I should say, "Things women don't really know about!" I pretty much fell into every single category. I'm so pitiful.

* Directions - like in north, south, east & west. If you placed me out in the wilderness (or even the middle of my driveway) I could NOT tell you for sure what direction was what. I will admit that it would be a lot easier if I was standing in my driveway, but I wouldn't bet my life on it either. Oh, and if you ever have to give me directions, I need landmarks people, with left and right...not "turn north on highway 91, then south on blah, blah" really what I would be hearing is that, "I really don't want you to come to this thing I'm giving you these directions for..."

* Sports (what they are and the people who play them) - Okay, so yes, I know what the different sports are, but I have no idea what all the rules are and what people play what sport. And honestly, I could care less. Thank goodness my hubby isn't a big sports fan. I'd be in big trouble.

* Counties - You know when there is a storm coming and the TV people put that cute little radar picture at the bottom of the TV screen. I still to this day, don't remember which shape is our county. The kids will ask, "Is that us mom? Do we need to take cover?" Guess I better figure that one out..or we might find ourselves going north, south, east and west in a tornado.

So there you have it, I'm officially one of those women....I'd love to know what you DON'T know!

Waiting....

...why does it have to be so hard.

I'm not waiting for anything major. I'm trying so hard to just be patient. I'm definitely NOT praying for patience, cause we all know what happens when we do that, right?!

I guess I'm just not a good wait-er! It's hard.

I ordered my new dining table back at the beginning of October, of course it's back ordered, and won't be in until late November. But I want it now! I want to have it before I start decorating for the holidays...oh, yeah...I still have to order the chairs too! And then wait for them to come!

I ordered some Christmas gifts on Etsy also at the beginning of October, have had only one email from the seller, and I'm getting a little worried. (Did I tell you that some items I ordered last year for Christmas didn't come til after Christmas?!?....I think I'm having flashbacks to that) So I'm worried and waiting to hear something from her.

I'm also waiting for the family picture proofs...wishing and hoping they come out okay. Honestly, I'm wishing and hoping I don't look like a complete goofball.

Oh, and I'm waiting for drywall. I'm already tired of looking at pink insulation and wood boards on my walls downstairs.

But instead of whining some more, I guess I'll just wait. What else is there to do!

We ♥ healthy! - Week 6

Well, not much new to report. Pretty much the same as last week.

I have to admit that I did have a little bit of Pepsi last Saturday morning. That was because I was up waayy past my bedtime on Friday night at the Beth Moore conference, and up waayy too early Saturday morning to get back to the conference. I'm not blaming Beth for this, and I would have had coffee except for the lines to the potty were waayy too long for my liking. However, I do have to say, that when I tasted the Pepsi...it wasn't good. I'm not a "dark" soda person anyway...so I'm glad that I won't have to worry about the soda thing for a while.

I also have to admit that I caught myself nibbling from Andy's popcorn bowl last night....and it was past 8:00 p.m.

Gotta get back in the groove next week....I have to!

How was your week? I know I saw my friend/neighbor at or coming from the gym several times this week....great job Mary! Maybe you can help get me motivated!

Hang in there with me girls....together we can ♥ getting healthy!

Thankful Thursday!

Since we are getting close to Thanksgiving, we are once again turning our regular Thursdays into Thankful Thursdays. Even though I am thankful most every day, I want to take the opportunity to share it here.

I'm going to list at least 3 things each Thursday and then repeat them all until Thanksgiving. I'd love for you to join in as well!

*I am so thankful for healthy happy kids and the opportunity to be able to stay at home with them. Even though it's the hardest "job" I've ever had, I LOVE it! I love that God has given me two totally different personalities in my children. It's making me grow as well as I do the best I can to guide them in the right direction.

*I am so thankful for my hubby. I wouldn't be able to do this stay-at-home gig without all his hard work. He is such a great daddy and I know I don't tell him often enough. So, thanks honey for all that you do for us. We love you!

*I am so thankful for the challenges God has placed in my life. I know for a fact that I would not be the same person I am today if it weren't for my past. God gives us all different roadblocks, challenges, and hurdles to overcome. We have to be faithful that He is right along with us, guiding us on this pathway, directing our life in the direction we need to be going.


I asked the kids this morning what they were thankful for on the "Thankful Thursday"....they responded with....

Max - "Jesus, because He makes everything!" He was probably thinking about toys, because he was looking at a toy magazine as he replied.

Maggie - School

That was all I could get out of them. Hopefully, as we talk about this more, they will get more into it....at least I hope they do.


Hope you are Thankful on this beautiful Thursday, if you are, I'd love to hear about it!

Thank you!

Happy Veterans Day!

Enthusiastic!

That is one of Maggie's challenge words on her spelling test this week in first grade!

Enthusiastic!

I can tell you with all honesty that my spell check would have high lighted that word if I would have typed that word without looking at her sheet.

I think I'm going to be in a lot of trouble.....good thing my girl has a smart Daddy to help her with her homework!

We LOVE healthy - Week 5

Okay, okay...more excuses. I've really got to stop this.

I did get some exercise in this week.

Remember Sunday's post about the high ropes course. Oh my gosh....my arms hurt so bad on Monday...but I went to my class at the gym anyway. Glad I went, but the air conditioner was broke and I couldn't stay the entire time. (MS and overexertion....not a good combination) I stayed for 45 of the class...so that wasn't too bad. But Tuesday...oh my word, don't they say that the second day after exercise is the worst. WOW!

I took it easy on Wednesday (actually chose getting my hair done instead of my exercise class...sorry Ann!)

Wednesday and Thursday afternoons I was battling fatigue. So I chose to rest and finish book #2 of the Twilight series. (I know, I know....I said I wasn't going to read them..but gosh, they are so darn good.)

Eating hasn't been too bad either...dinner is still my main meal. I have been doing well at eating light during the day and then getting most of my calories from dinner.

So there we have it. How'd you do? Did you get your exercise in? Any tips on motivating yourself to do the exercise?

Remember, together we are going to love getting healthy.

**Oh, and hey if you leave me a comment, click on the "email followup comments" that way I can respond to your comment. I'd love to hear from you!**

Winter project

Remember this post a while back. Remember his rule about winter projects....well, the projects have begun.

I wish I could just snap my fingers and wiggle my nose and the entire process would be done! Only a few weeks till it's time to put up the Christmas tree down there. But no pressure honey!

Learning to Trust

This past Sunday, Andy and I spent the entire day with the senior high youth from church. We left the church at 7:00 am and drove an hour and a half to a beautiful state park. The morning consisted of a small worship service and then a shortened version of The Amazing Race. We had 7 girls (the boys weren't brave enough to join us..hehe!) and we divided them into 3 teams. They did a fantastic job. I was so proud that they didn't get too frustrated until the very end. Great job girls.

H.U. & K.A., I'm sorry, but I don't know what happened to your team picture, sorry :(

While the girls were out "traveling" to different countries, Andy and I hiked the park. It was some great quiet time. We don't get that too often.


We then headed out and drove another 45 minutes to another camp. There we were introduced to this....

A high ropes course!

It took a lot of concentration!

and faith! (yep, that's me...)

but most of all, it took trust. Trusting yourself, Trusting God!

In the picture above, I'm getting ready to do the zip-line. I am standing on the second ledge (at the very top of the picture), 45 feet in the air. First you have to do the ropes course to even get to the zip-line...then climb the tree...then the zip-line. Just so you know, I'm NOT the adventure-some type. This was WAY out of my comfort zone...I mean WAY! I sat there for a l-o-n-g time, everyone was cheering for me...(thanks to all of you for the encouragement), but when it came down to it...I had to tune them all out...focus on something bigger...I had to trust that God was holding me in His hands. He wasn't going to let me fall. I had this overwhelming peace once I put the focus on Him. I leaned forward and fell. Tears were pouring out of my eyes the entire time. I was emotionally drained, but the feeling was something I don't think I've experienced before! What a trip!

Andy was in hog-heaven...all this stuff is right up his alley!

The goofy group picture!

This group of girls is the best. They used team work and were very encouraging to each other. I am proud of each and every one of them. You guys ROCK! I ♥ ya!

Halloween Recap!

Halloween is always fun here at the Sullivan Sitcom. And what a better way to kick off the Halloween weekend then to have some fun food to go along with things.

Maggie was out of school last Thursday/Friday due to parent/teacher conferences. I had a great meeting with her teacher by the way, and Maggie is doing great at school...thanks for asking! hehe! However, the pre-school did have class as usual and so Max got to get away from is sister for a few hours of those days.

Instead of dressing up for Halloween at preschool, (can you just imagine all those little kids in costumes...cute I know, but just as you get them all dressed and ready...somebody has to go potty!) they did "BAT" day! They had to dress in black and bring a bath towel (hello...every bat needs wings!) with them on Friday. I joined in on the spirit and decided that the kids needed to have "BAT" cookies for their fun-filled day!

So who do you call when you need BAT cookies and you don't bake? (okay...back up just one second...I can bake....but I can NOT frost) And you need them to be cute? I called up my very talented friend over at Baked Blessings (you can always click on her blog from my sidebar!) for me some super-cute-I-could-have-never-done-that-as-cute-as-she-did BAT cookies...wanna see 'em?



The kids loved them...

I also ordered pumpkins, cause you know, it was Halloween and all. We gave some of our most special friends/neighbors these for Halloween.

Thanks to Baked Blessings for making me look like the good guy without doing any of the work...love you guys!

Anyway...back to Halloween, we had Aaron, Janelle and the kiddos over along with Janelle's parents who came up from St. Louis. It was great to see them all. We also had our friends the Shoemaker's come over and go trick or treating with us. It was cold, but dry and that's all that mattered. All the kids got a lot of candy, had a lot of fun playing with each other and got really tired.

The cutest cowgirl and cowboy I've ever seen!

Some great neighbors...probably our last time trick-or-treating at their house...the for sale sign is up! :(

Trick-or-treating at the Clark's house!

Here we have the entire crew...minus Sloany...she's had about enough of this trick-or-treating business...but boy did she make the cutest Strawberry Shortcake I've ever seen! Adorable...check her out here.



We had a great Halloween, full of fun with family, friends and festivities. Can't get any better than that.

Oh, and just another little side note....the Candy Witch has come and gone. She took all of our candy and left the kids each a little toy. Gotta ♥ the Candy Witch!