UGH! Christmas Pictures...

One of the only things I dread at this time of year is getting a picture of my girls for our Christmas Card. I wish I could say it was easy every year, but it is most definitely not. One year we even resorted to "photoshopping" two pictures together. I know that is totally cheating, but at some point you just have to give up. I wonder why both girls cannot smile at the same time for ONE picture. It would be so much easier on everyone. In light of my attempt at the "perfect" picture, I thought I'd share a few attempts from Christmas past.

Amber, 2 years old, Amy 7 months.

Amy, 19 months, Amber, 3 years

One of my favorites...insisting on being in a laundry basket.

Really...really...

I am hoping for an easier time this year! Wish me luck!

Courage from behind the glass

Anyone that knows Amber and Amy also know that they are terrified of pets. Not just dogs, but cats, birds, turtles, you name it they are literally terrified. Like that running to me, holding on for dear life and whimpering kind of afraid.

Last week, Amy did not want to go to a store that I wanted to see. So, I bribed her, like any good mom does, right? I told her that we could go in the pet store, right next store if she went in this other store with me. I used that really excited mom voice that you get when you are trying to talk your kids into liking something. She agreed and we spent at least 45 minutes in the pet store before she was ready to go. She liked it so much that she has been BEGGING for me to take her to the pet store again ever since.

She has been begging so much that Amber started in on it as well. So, since Amber was off school today, I took them both. I am not kidding that we spent no less than an hour in this store.

It is so funny to see them interact with these animals the way they do, with all the courage they have, from behind the glass.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

AHHH! You can imagine that this was not my idea...including getting out the air mattress in the first place. We have for the past two weekends had "movie nights" on Saturday night. We get out the air mattress and load all kinds of blankets on top and then the girls and I climb in and we watch a movie of their choice. I usually nap, but that is beside the point. As with anything at my house, the air mattress was still out on Sunday afternoon when Dave decided he would make it a mountain by getting on all fours and letting the girls climb up. This obviously got old quick, so he propped it against the couch...when all of the following broke out...

Me, Myself and I

So, I guess I'll start by telling a little about myself. Doesn't everyone love to talk about themselves...HA! I promise I'll keep it short.

I was born on July 17, 1972, that makes me 37 years old. I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, at the old St. Anthony's Hospital that was down in the city. I was raised a South City girl. I lived in the same house until I was 18 and then my family moved into my grandparents house. I went to Kindergarten and 1st Grade at a city school called Windsor. This was at about the time that they were starting the desegregation of the city schools and the teachers went on strike for about 6 weeks in the middle of the school year. That was also the end of my public school tenure. I then attended St. John's Lutheran School, also in the city. As every St. Louisan is dying to know, I went to high school at Lutheran High School South. I was not an athlete. The only thing I really enjoyed doing was singing. I sang in the choir in high school, and also my first year of college. My singing voice is not great, but I can get by with singing out loud in public...HA!

My first year of college I went to a small college called Blackburn College. I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but decided, at 19 years old, there wasn't enough money in that career. Little did I know then that the rewards that you receive in teaching cannot be assessed with a monetary value. I transferred to Southeast Missouri State. I LOVED my college experience there. I joined a sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and met and lived in a house filled with my best friends. When asked, this is always the period in my life that I wish that I could revisit. I started as a nursing major, but after failing Anatomy and Physiology the first time, changed my major to Health Management.

I finished my college career in 5 short years, and came home thinking I knew it all...little did I know. I worked at several places before I finally settling down. I started at Nutri System. Then I got a job as a Fitness Center Supervisor at the Charles Melvin Price Support Center. I loved that job! But the government decided that money would be better spent elsewhere and decide to close the army base. I then got a job as a Fitness/Wellness Program Coordinator at the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, now called NGA. That is where I met my husband, Dave. I am going to dedicate a day to everyone in my family, so more about Dave later. I worked at NIMA/NGA for 5 years, to the day. I worked full-time until I had Amber, then part-time until I had Amy. I met some very dear friends there, that helped me through some really rough patches in my life.

Fast-forward to today, I have two beautiful daughters, Amber is 6 and Amy is 4 1/2. Everything I do today is for them. I stay home with them and only work when Dave is available to keep them. I am fortunate that I have been able to do that. I remember thinking when Amber was very young and about to start daycare, I am not sure anyone can do this as well as I can. I know that sounds selfish, but I truly believe that Dave and myself are the best caregivers for our children.

I thank God for putting me where I am today, in my life and in my mindset. Even though I have had a lot of trials over the last few years, I know that it is all a part of God's plan for me.

It's the Start of Something New

I am really trying to figure out why I am starting a blog. I must say that I LOVE to read the blogs of others, so maybe I think someone might be as interested in my life as I am of theirs. What does that say about me...am I really that nosy? I have been addicted to my cousin Carrie's blog for probably almost a year. She is an excellent writer, and I LOVE reading stories about her 3 beautiful children. I often think, "I could do that", I have cute kids, and I love to talk. I am sure my writing will probably not be nearly as good as hers, but hopefully for those who know me, you will be able to hear my fast-talking, loud, VERY detailed storytelling voice coming through my blogs. So today, two of my facebook friends "advertised" their blogs and it got me thinking. Should I, or shouldn't I??? Of course they egged me on, because I don't get to talk to them very often in person, so they don't have to hear my stories...HA! Maybe they really miss that. So I decided to give it a shot. Maybe it will give Dave a break from hearing me talk as well.