People I Love!

Don't feel so hot today...so I was looking through the 1337 photos on my iPod and thought how lucky I am to have so many people to love! And I have all these photos to remind me of them! Now this isn't everyone...just what I could find quickly skimming through my pics! Hope they make you smile
You know my friends love me for taking these pictures...and they are really gonna love me for sharing!

I'm the LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD!

All About Abbie

I decided that I wanted to interview members of my family and some friends (if I can get cooperation)  for my blog...and Abbie volunteered to go first!  Brave girl!  But first, I want to share a little bit about her!

Having Abbie has really changed my life!  She has tested me like no one else and continues to test me daily!  Just the other day she wrote a letter to me asking why she has to clean her room when I don't always keep mine clean.  She expressed her disappointment with me and Darren and how we do or don't do certain things.  Then after a page of complaints, puts and arrow to turn the page over.  And on the back there is a huge heart and the words..."But I STILL LOVE YOU!" 

If that isn't me getting a taste of my own medicine, I don't know what is!  And the  hardest thing about it?  Most of what she said was right!  The part where she said all I do is sit at home all day and watch TV and play on the computer and do what I want, kinda ticked me off a little...I wish!  But I appreciate her honesty and courage...even if she put me in my place!  Gotta love a strong, opinionated girl!  I guess I have taught her well...so I had better watch out!

And then yesterday, she brings a little creative project she had made...listing everything she loves and is thankful for...I want to share it with you!  The girl, strong and opinionated as she is, has a huge heart and is full of compassion!

This is her list...my family, my friends, God, Jesus, Mary, spring, summer, teachers, school, food, houses, iPads, iPods, puppies, dogs, TV, singers, actors, animals, art, colors, paper, pencils, flowers, cups, water, sand, clothing...I am THANKFUL FOR ALL THINGS!!!!!

So, here is the interview!

How old are you? 8...almost 9!
What grade are you in? 3rd grade

We'll start out with favorites...
Color...lime green
Book...Abbie's ABC Book (a book I made her with photos I took of all the important people in her life!)
Movie...Annie, well no, Grown Ups...yeah,  and Parent Trap...

Food...Apples & Peanut Butter...and Strawberries...not together!
TV Show...Good Luck Charlie
Game...Bubble Talk
Place to Visit...Florida

With Aunt Maggie on Sanibel Island!

With Aunt Maggie on Pine Island, FL!

Parent...Just kidding!!!  I tried!  She was good...she said "both"
Clothing...My abercrombie shorts
Actor...Mia Talerico on Good Luck Charlie and Vanessa Hudgens
Singer...Carrie Underwood

Dressed as Carrie Underwood for Halloween!

Team...St. Louis Cardinals

Sport to play...Volleyball


Season...Spring
Gift ever...
Person...Kynlee

Meal...lettuce, chicken nuggets, and an orange
Resturant...Yen Ching
Subject in school...Grammer
Song...Temporary Home and It Girl
Teacher....Mrs. Ladd

Mrs. Ladd...Abbie's idol!

Memory... When me and Kynlee meet...(which was when they were babies...so she can't possibly remember).  And when we went to the the spa for her birthday! 

Birthday memory....When I had my birthday party at the flower shop! (Whalen's West Side Floral)  I LOVE Teri!!!

Vacation....Going to Michigan every summer and staying with Coach Slagell!

Best Advice from Mom...To NOT worry about tests! (this is my most recent advice...not the best?)

Best Advice from Dad....to listen to him!

Best Advice from Mrs. Ladd...to NOT worry about ISATS!

Who do you admire most and why?  Mrs. Ladd, because she is a teacher and she is really nice, she is so skinny and she is organized!  And I want to be a teacher like her when I grow up!

What do you want to be when you grow up?  I want to be a Kindergarten or 1st grade teacher because they have more of the fun stuff.. they don't have to teach as much!  (Not sure about that, but I'm not arguing!)

Where so you want to go to college?  somewhere in Hawaii  (that's my girl!)

Where do you want to live when you grow up?  Well, Sanibel Island, FL! (OH YEAH!!!)

What do you think is the most important thing I try to teach you...to stay healthy and not be like you when I grow up!  But I don't believe that you are fat!   ( See my recent post on Body image)

Most important thing for Dad...to work hard and choose the right thing!

What trait are you happy you got from me?  To be nice and take care of others...even if you don't like them!
What trait are you mad you got from me?  SHORTNESS!

What trait are you happy you got from Dad?  That I am organized and neat.

What trait are you mad you got from Dad?  Getting mad easily!

Do you look like a celebrity? Yes  Who? Carrie Underwood (....hmmmm??)

What's your best talent? Running and playing volleyball

What do you LOVE?  Volleyball and family!

Can I live with you when I'm old? NO! Because I'm gonna live be myself!  (well, I'll be visiting Sanibel Island frequently!)

Will you get married? No

What do I do that embarrasses you?  Sing and dance...there probably is more but I can't think of it!

What does Dad do that embarrasses you?  Acts goofy around my friends!

Who is gonna buy me a house on the beach?  Bart and Dad!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hanging out with Kynlee and playing volleyball in the backyard.

Do you have a boyfriend? NO!

Anything else that you want to share?   Who are my best friends? Kynlee & Kami.

Kynlee & Abbie

Abbie & Kami

Anything else?  Nope!


Sweet, with a whole lotta Sass... I think I am doing something right! And I look forward to watching her grow and sharing in all the ups and downs that goes with being a girl!  I'm so thankful God gave her to me!  He knew I needed someone to keep me in line!

I'm Thankful!

Sometimes, I think we need to stop rushing around, worrying, talking, complaining...just stop...and be silent and thank God for all of the blessing in our lives!  Don't ask Him for anything...just thank Him!! 

So, today I'm going to do just that! I'm gonna list whatever pops in my head!

Today I am thankful for...

Forgiveness...so thankful that He forgives me, that my friends forgive me and that my family forgives me!

Darren...he is amazing!  I'm am so blessed to call him my husband and best friend!

Bart, Brett & Abbie...they bring so much joy, laughter and fun into my life...yes, they bring their own sets of issues but seeing them overcome struggles and develop into caring, loving individuals is so rewarding!

Friends...I do NOT know what I would do without them! 

Bubba & Belle...they make me laugh...yes, they make messes that I dread cleaning up but the kids love them and they love the kids...I think pets kinda complete a family..so most days I am thankful for them!

Vacuums...to sweep up that dog hair that makes me CRAZY!

Hugs...I am so happy that there is a way to show someone you love and care about them without saying a word!  And a great big hug always makes my heart tingle!  I think they can cure many things!  I used to have a big poster in my room growing up and it said this...I still remember it!

It's wondrous what a hug can do.

A hug can cheer you when you're blue.

A hug can say, I love you so,

or, gee, i hate to see you go.

A hug can sooth a small child's pain

or bring a rainbow after rain.

A hug says welcome back again,

it's great to see you, where've you been.

A hug, there's just no doubt about it,

we scarcely could live without it.

A hug deligths and warms and charms,

it must be why God gave us arms!

Hugs are great for fathers and mothers,

sweet for sisters, swell for brothers,

And chances are your favorite aunt,

loves them more than potted plants.

Kittens carve them, Puppies love them,

Heads of State are not above them!

Hugs can break the language barrier

and make your travels so much merrier.

No need to fret about your store of them,

the more you give, the more there's more of 'em,

so stretch out those arms without delay,

and GIVE SOMEONE A HUG TODAY!

Music...how can someone live without music??  It effects me like nothing else can!

Dancing...goes right with the music!  Oh, how I miss ballet class...I LOVE to dance!  I love to crank up the music in the speakers throughout the house and just dance and sing...now the kids aren't always so thankful for that but I really don't care!  Madonna and I have a great time!

Laughter & Fun...oh my goodness, I love to laugh and have FUN!!!!

Humor...it makes me laugh!

Sarcasm...I am thankful that God made that one of my special talents...but not sure how my family feels about it!  Brett appreciates it, I think!

Grass...I love to walk barefoot in it...and cutting it is one of my favorite things to do!


Sunshine...don't you just feel happy when you're out in the warm sunshine?

Shoes...even if you're chubby, you can still wear cute shoes, right?  Unless your foot is as wide as mine..then you are a little limited!

Mascara...I do NOT leave home without it!  Greatest invention ever...besides eyeliner!

Big Barrel Curling Iron...if you saw my hair without the use of one or with the use of

Hair Products for Curly Hair....you would be thankful for both as well!!!

Those things can take me from this....

To this...now you are thankful for those items, too, aren't you?

iPods...music, e-mail, pinterest, FB all in one little rectangle...Amazing!!

Cheese...no explanation needed :)

Jimmy Johns...not only do they have great sandwiches...they have awesome signs in the restaurants that I love to read!

Cameras...what in the world would I do without being able to capture images of my life?  I LOVE looking back at old photos and daydreaming about the past and talking about our memories! And seeing things I otherwise would never be able to see!



Like bart in Australia! I'm so Jealous!



The Beach/Ocean...the peace i feel when I am on a beach watching the waves...nothing compares!  i will live there one day!

Grandma Hazel...I miss her so much, she loved me unconditionally.  And through her life and death, I learned alot about life and love!

Granny Lois & Grandpa Bob......They are goofy and I know they love me!

My Parents...for raising me in church...Dad is a great example of a Godly man, he has helped shape the person I am today and taught me about loving God and loving others!  I am so thankful for his wisdom and ways!

My brother...we may not agree on everything but I know I love him, he loves me, and he loves my kids!  He is so giving!!!

Jennifer...my sister in law!  She is awesome, organized, and loves the kids! 

Computers...oh my goodness, I used to be scared of these things...but they bring so much information, so quickly! 

Books...I LOVE to read and learn...and sometimes escape!

Creativity...I thank God for giving me a creative mind...for allowing me to think outside the box..to be just a little different!

My Health...I thank Him for blessing me with wonderful doctors and for leading them while they repaired my birth defect during open heart surgery 4 years ago.  That is something I never want to go through again and I never wish it upon anyone but I am thankful that my heart is now "normal"!

Smiles...they change everything...put others at ease...and I do believe they are contagious!

Love...so thankful that I have people to love and people that love me!

And the obvious...food, shelter and clothing!  We so take that for granted, but we shouldn't!  So many people in this world go without!

Make sure you thank Him for all of your blessing today!