The Friday 5

So, my life's been crazy. I've been a lazy blogger. Sorry.

This weeks Friday 5: Keeping it Positive

1- What's your favorite thing about the shoes you're wearing?  I am wearing my Ugg-type boots.  They are warm. And comfortable.  And fit like a glove.

2-What's your favorite thing about the people you work with?  I don't work.  Well, out of the home.  So, if my home's my work, my favorite thing about my kids is.  Hmm. Right now it would have to be their imaginations.  So fun to listen to them play.

3-What's your favorite thing about the climate where you live?  Ugh. I generally don't like our weather, but we truly get all 4 seasons.  I love all the different seasons in their own way.  Today's 60^ and rain/wind, not so much though.

4-What's your favorite thing about Friday? Usually it signifies a few days with help with the kids. Not this week. Dan's going hunting.  (Ugh!!) SO, I am alone for the weekend, too. :(

5-What's your favorite thing about the year coming to an end? It's been not a great year for my family. I hope this changes in 2009.  Plus, I love a fresh start. 

Your turn!!

"Happy Sanksgibbing!!!"

From our little indians (and princess, because she refused to be an indian) to yours, hope your Thanksgiving is blessed and you take the time to remember all that we have to be thankful for!!

17 Random Things...

Adam tagged me to do a list of 17 random things...he could only come up with 14, so we'll see if I can do better.

1. My three favorite musical artists: I don't know if I can name 3, but I love coldplay, Sugarland, Tom Petty, John Mayer, the list goes on. My iTunes playlist is full of a wide variety of artists.

2. My favorite tv shows are: Two and a Half Men, Grey's Anatomy, and the Office.

3. The Office (the show) seriously helped me recover from brain surgery. For almost two weeks straight, my mom, Dan and I all three sat in our bedroom and watched every season it. For those of you who know my mom, its no wonder they say laughter is the best medicine. Hearing her laugh made me laugh, and it really did help me recover faster.

4. I had brain surgery. Almost a year ago. (I totally think this counts as random.)

5. When I was 17 (I graduated high school young) I moved by myself to Honduras. It was there that I discovered my love of the medical field.

6. God has shown me over the past year and a half just how big he really is and that he really is in control (maybe I'm a little slow on the uptake, but it was shown in real, tangible ways).

7. I have to have Chapstick on my person at all times. No lie. After aforementioned surgery, Dan's sole instruction was to make sure my lips were regularly chapsticked. :)

8. I love to people watch. Dan used to (and still may) hate to go out to dinner with me because all I'd do is people watch.

9. I am a routine fanatic. To a fault. I need to learn to let go. :) I have to do the same things before I can go to bed: clean kitchen, start dishwasher, make coffee for the morning, get kids clothes out, brush teeth, etc. And only then can I sleep. Luckily Dan has started making the coffee for the morning so I can get the stuff done faster.

10. I don't know what IFNJPLSJSO I am. :) I took the test thing during pre-marital counseling, but I think they must have cut that part of my brain out. Maybe ESFP. Not sure.

11. I have never been in a wreck (with another car--did hit a brick wall on ice once, but not relevant) till September 26 of this year, and then proceeded to get rear-ended a total of 3 times in 6 weeks. I mean really. I'd think I was the problem if I wasn't the one getting hit.

12. I voted Democrat for the first time ever this year. And proudly.

13. I have some of the best girlfriends ever. Two I've had for years and years and years, and some that are new but becoming great friends.

14. I'm thinking of getting a tattoo.

15. The Christmas season (now til New Years) is my absolute favorite time of year. Always has been, but I am enjoying it way more now that I have my own kiddos.

16. I hate to fly, but hope to get over that soon so I can explore the "earff" (how Eli says earth). I guess I should get over it by next Thursday, since I am flying then. Hmm.

17. I love to read, but once I start, I can't stop. Harry Potter single-handedly led to the deterioration of my household.

Phew. I made it. Now, I tag:
Sarah A: she shares, or has been a part of, etc, many of these. 4, 7, 13, 17, she knows without even thinking about it. And, 17 is her fault.
Missi: I am pretty sure she shares 17.
Amy S: because many blame her for 12. :)

I am not sure who reads this. If you do and wanna play, do.

Wacky Hair Wednesday!!

Each year, Gabe's school does a year-long fundraiser for Relay For Life (last year they raised over $50,000!!), and all of the things they do are fun for the kids. For usually a quarter each, they get to bring a stuffed animal to school, dress as twins, etc. Well, today was wacky hair Wednesday. Here's the result!!

Projects

So, I love doing projects around the house. When we first got married, I had a hard time finding my style. As the years have past, I have found it (I think!!). Here are some pics of what I've (with Dan's help, and some friends as well) been up to:

Middles

And this Friday on the Friday 5....

1. What usually marks the middle of your day? I would say lunch, but it's not true. I guess the horrible hours from 1:30-3 when I am dragging and there isn't much to do.
   
2. From whom (or to whom) was your most recent middle-of-the-night phone call? I cannot honestly remember. I called Dan in the middle of the night in India when I found out about my aneurysm, but that was over a year ago and therefore cannot be the last time. Hmm.
   
3. On what social, political, economic, or moral issue are you in the middle of the road? Gun control. I have misgivings about it but believe it's a basic right. Its a struggle.
   
4. How likely are you to give someone your middle finger? Ha. Not very, if its a stranger, but I jokingly do it more than I should to people I know!! :)
   
5. When were you last caught in the middle of a disagreement that really had nothing to do with you? Geez. No idea. I am currently in the middle of a disagreement that has EVERYTHING to do with me, though!! ;)
   

Ok, now your turn!! :)

It's tiring being 2!!

This is how I found Ava Monday. Really.

Since I won't write about what I REALLY want to...

I want to rant and rave about politics and the election, but am sick of other people doing it. SO, I thought this would be fun!!
And, I am interested to see if I get the answers right!!

MY GUY

1. He’s sitting in front of the TV. What’s on the screen?
Sports. CNN. Whatever we have TiVo'd and not watched.

2. You’re out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Ranch, if he doesn't care about calories. Something watery if he does. :)

3. What’s one food he doesn’t like?
Brownies. (Though that's changing.) Anything too "earthy".

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order?
Bud Light

5. Where did he go to high school?
Cincinnati Christian

6. What size shoe does he wear?
14, but most stores don't carry it so he wedges his feet into a 13.

7. If he were to collect anything, what would it be?
Electronics. And he does.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Turkey, with a bunch of stuff piled high.

9. What would he eat every day if he could?
Skyline. And, he may.

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Honey Nut cheerios

11. What would he never wear?
Hmm. Not sure. He doesn't like anything "too trendy".

12. What is his favorite sports team?
Bengals or Reds, Xavier Musketeers for college.

13. Who will he vote for?
OBAMA!! Thank GOD.

14. Who is his best friend?
Adam.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn’t do?
Too many things to count, I am sure. :)

16. How many states has he lived in?
One, permanently. He lived in KY for a summer or two, but not sure that counts.

17. What is his heritage?
Amish.

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
Oreo Ice Cream Dessert, though its not baked.

So, did I get it right?? I would love to hear other peoples lists!! :)

Halloween and Fall Fun

The kids had a BLAST yesterday doing Halloween things! Gabe wore his costume to school and we went for the annual Halloween parade (which is apparently a HUGE deal!!). We went to Chipotle with the Savage's and Anderson's (if you wear foil on your person at all you get a free burrito/bol/etc), then headed to the Anderson's neighborhood to trick-or-treat. The kids had so much fun and it was a beautiful night to be out.

After the candy fest, the Savage's came back here for a bonfire and adult beverages. :) They all spent the night and we got up this morning and made a delicious breakfast/brunch. The Daddies took the kids to Mt. Airy Forest, and took a 2 mile hike. The kids had great time with such great friends!!

Friday 5

I found this fun website and thought it would be a great way to kick off the weekend!! So, here goes!!

1. Where’s your favorite beach? The Outer Banks, NC...the best family vacation spot, hands down. Though, Sydney, Australia may just give it a run for its money (check back with me in January and I'll let you know!! :) ).
   
2. Where’s your favorite place to spend money? Ha. Target, hands down, but I spend more at Kroger. :)
   
3. Where’s a good place to watch people? Anywhere!!!!!!!!! I love to watch people! But, malls or such places are good, too.
   
4. Where’s a good place to be totally alone? My house, but only when I'm the only one home.
   
5. Where’s a place outside of work (or school) where you’re likely to run into people from work (or school)? Well, I don't work or school, but a place to run into friends would be Kroger, or Target.
   

I am now going to tag some people to do this...I am not sure who reads this, but Sarah A., Kristin S, Karen S, and Missi. (If you read this and blog, please do your 5!! Not trying to leave anyone out!!)

Have a great weekend!!

Busser Bown!

We watched "Busser Bown!!!!" (Baby Alex to the rest of you!!) today while his mommy and daddy went on a date. After his nap he was VERY hungry and ready to eat his apples and oatmeal. Well, our highchair is long since put away, so he ate in Ava's double doll stroller. As she said "it his same size!!!". So cute!

This is what a tantrum looks like.

Every day we have "work time" at our house. Gabe does his homework, Eli practices his letters or draws, and Ava colors, or something that resembles that. Yesterday, during work time, Ava colored for maybe 10-15 minutes, and decided she wanted to watch a show. Show time is only in the morning, so I told her no. These pictures are what followed.
*the brown stuff on her face is oreo. it also, somehow, ended up on the back of her legs.*

My girl

She is so beautiful!!!!!!!!! Sweet girl!
As a friend said, "Your daughter is a chia pet." I swear her hair
grew overnight!!!!!!!!!!

I know I post a lot of pictures of Ava, but she's so photogenic, and SO darn cute!!!

They will kill us for this one day!!!

But we couldn't resist!! When Dan and I went to bed last night, this is how we found Eli and Ava.

*and, all three kids were on the bottom bunk :)*

Beauty Shop

Ok, Dan is going to KILL me, but this was too cute. Ava was fixing his hair. "Daddy look pretty Mommy??" was what she said to me. Yes, Ave, he does.

All our babies!!!

A few weeks ago, my dear friend Laura was in town from San Diego. She has an almost two-year old, Ky, and is expecting her second boy in November. It was a madhouse for a few hours, but so fun to see all of our kiddos play together. Funny story--Ava always called Ky "Baby Kyser", and continued to. He's taller than her, and walking and talking, but she still referred to him as Baby Kyser all day. :)

I love Alex's face in this picture!!! This was the best one of all of them. Five kids five and under don't always want to sit still for a picture.

My favorite quote from the debate...

Well...we all know who I am voting for. I am not posting this to start a fire. Just wanted to post my favorite quote...

"The past is the prologue."

Now, of course those aren't Biden's words. But, how true of life. If we didn't go through the hard stuff, what good would the great stuff be? I am a year out of the "year of the aneurysm", and with perspective comes peace. God's CLEARLY got bigger plans for my life. I am grateful for my prologue, as hard as it was.

My daughter...

Ava with "her" Bay Aleh
So, most of you know how independent AvaGirl is. Well, she more than proved it this week. Dan took the kids to his sisters in Indy, and I stayed back for some alone time (and girl time with Sarah!!). Dan left sunday, but his mom stayed. Lydia (our niece) wanted Ave to stay, and then Lil would bring her home. Well, monday came around, and when it was time to leave, she flat refused. Hands on hips "NO bamma (grandma), I stay here with Leela (Lydia)." After some "fighting", Grandma called Dan and explained the situation. Ava got on the phone with Dan and said "Daddy, I no come home. I stay with Leela. You come get me friday." And guess what? Thats what we're doing. I am dreading her at 12...or 16...Yikes!!!!

I am going to give this a try!!

So, we had a blog (www.smokeroh.com). I can't write code, and Dan can't really even see straight he's so busy. I am going to try this out. Here goes nothing!! :)