99 things I am grateful for

So I sat down to make a list of the things I am grateful for in my life. Some of the things are silly but it also helped me realize some of the things I take for granted. I really am blessed. Thank you to you all for making my life so much richer.


1. Gary
2. Raven
3. Ronin
4. My mom
5. My dad
6. Jesse
7. Becky
8. Andy
9. Kaidence
10. Bonnie
11. Gary
12. Josie
13. Jason
14. Josette
15. Mauro
16. Dianne
17. Kris
18. Kaitlin
19. Karli
20. Nathan
21. Mariah
22. Michael
23. Sienna
24. Grandma Perkins
25. Mimi
26. Stan
27. Grandma Lopez
28. Aunt Sanza
29. Uncle Narvin
30. Eric
31. Christine
32. Guhner
33. Addison
34. Deanna
35. Donny
36. Merik
37. Emma
38. Michelle
39. Bryan
40. Nash
41. Jared
42. Marcus
43. Lindsey
44. Jamie
45. Ally
46. Cody
47. Jonas
48. Our home
49. Our Health
50. Unconditional love
51. I got to know all of my grandparents
52. Friendship
53. Our past
54. The possibilities of our future
55. Books
56. Good food
57. E-telecare
58. Health insurance
59. The internet
60. Lexapro
61. Diet Coke
62. Crystal lite
63. Forgiveness
64. Play dates
65. Mrs. Broussard
66. Lucy
67. The Military
68. Our country
69. Detangling Spray
70. My DVR
71. IUDs
72. Hair color
73. Air conditioning
74. My supersized washer
75. Target
76. The microwave
77. Debit cards – I hate cash
78. Digital camera
79. Bubble baths
80. Music
81. Pedicures
82. Crockpot
83. Dishwasher
84. Electricity
85. Cars
86. Sleeping in
87. Giggles down the hall
88. Blogs
89. Email
90. Cell phones
91. Ikea
92. Sunglasses
93. Solar screens
94. Tylenol PM
95. Waxing
96. Bed time
97. Hugs
98. Kisses
99. Bedtime songs

Tag I'm it

I have been tagged.

Four Places I have worked:
1:Jimmy's Filling Station ( a restaurant not a gas station)
2: Mountain Park Country Day School ( try answering the phone with that every day)
3: Comfort Inn
4: Phase 2/ Etelecare

Four Paces I have lived
1: Show Low, AZ
2: Fountain Hills, AZ
3: Gilbert, AZ
4: The QC... Andy and I try to make Queen Creek sound cooler than it really is

Four Favorite TV shows:
1: The Gilmore Girls
2: Friends
3: Grey's Anatomy
4: How I met your Mother

Four Movies I want to see:
1: I am Legend (mmmm...Will Smith)
2: Enchanted
3: Martian Child ( I love the Cusacks)
4: Charlie Wilson's War

Four Favorite foods
1: Orange Chicken from Panda Express
2: Diet coke or a diet Pepsi Max depending on the day
3: My mom’s bowtie pasta with pesto, asparagus and chicken
4: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Four Weird things about me:
1: I put 3 strokes of deodorant under each arm a day…. No more, no less
2: I am almost completely gray- thanks Grandma P and Mom
3: When I read a good book, I become obsessed. The house is a wreck and we order pizza or eat leftovers.
4: I like to have my toes popped- Gary tries but my Dad is the best at it.

Four Places I would rather be
1: London – I love everything about that city – even the cold
2: At the park with my kids
3: At the movies with a friend.
4: On a date with my husband – we don’t do that enough

Four People I am tagging
1: Gary Henderson
2: Andy Alvarado
3: Clella Sinclair – come on mom join the blogging frenzie
4: Josie Rapper

Mr. and Mrs. Alvarado

So I have waited for Becky and Andy to post pictures from their wedding but apparently they have moved on;o) Here are a few pictures we got from the photographer early. Obviously they lucked out when they found this guy on Craig’s list and they got a SMOKING DEAL since he just moved here and is trying to build his portfolio. He is amazing. I cannot wait to see the rest!

If you want to see more of his work go to www.motionandpicture.com

The Great Mud War of 2007

So, one of our favorite things to do is hanging out with the McCleve Family after school. The kids play really well together ( for the most part ) and it gives me a chance to catch up with Christine and let’s face it- sometimes you need to talk to another grown up for more than 5 minutes on the phone. The kids all love to be outside and since the blistering sun is not a concern right now that is where they are most of the time. I love that there is really not too much trouble the kids can get into in the backyard since it a secured area with only "mom-approved toys". I am sure you know what I am talking about. I have an on-going list of things that are not allowed in the backyard. So far I have had to outlaw dolls, action figures, DVDs, and spoons. Yes, I said spoons. My children think that our eating utensils are better suited for digging in the dirt than for eating. There is no way we can have everyone over for Thanksgiving unless we eat with our hands!

Anyways, Christine and I sent the kids in the backyard to play. They were digging in the dirt, running around and having a great time. We heard the water turn on. Now let me just say here, that as a mother you are required to holler “stay out of the water,” I am pretty sure it is some unwritten law that mothers pass down to their daughters, but face it, we don’t really expect them to listen to it. Every child needs to squish mud between their toes and make mud pies. Christine and I did do the required holler and went out 10 minutes later to make sure everything was under control but all control had been lost ( along with all of Ronin’s clothes- more on that another day). The events of October 30th will always be known as the Great Mud War of 2007.

There was mud everywhere - on the patio, the walls and all over the kids. We watched through the window and as soon as we went outside Raven looked up with a guilty look on her face and asked, “Can we play in the mud?” A little too late for that, Missy.

Later that night Addison told me “ We had so much fun today but my mom said we can never do it again.” I had to laugh about it. It is one of those things that you rarely give them permission to do but you are glad when it is done. Childhood really can be so much fun!