Donating, movies, and girl talk

Yesterday I picked up the girls and my mom. We did a little shopping and then delivered a bunch of cereal and other items to the Ronald McDonald house Donate here.

If you are interested in donating there are many different ways you can do this. We did the Inkind Donation and if you click on the link it will take you to the wish list.

We also took in 20lbs of soda pop tabs POP TABS

The girls are becoming vary familiar with what the Ronald McDonald house does for our community and I hope to keep this tradition up for years to come and even add on.

After the Ronald McDonald house, we headed to the movies to see Marley and Me. Now, I figured this would be a fun movie being the girls love animals and I LOVE labs. I knew the ending would be sad but had no clue how it would effect Faith. She just cried and cried. It broke my heart! What the heck did I do to her? Well, after the movie, I dropped Morgan off at home and took Faith for a little drive to talk about why she was so upset. She asked me "why do people put down dogs". She was crying. How the heck am I suppose to answer that??? Well, I figured it out and I think we had a really good talk about death {well as good as you can get when you are discussing death}. I love that kid! It tears me apart when she is sad and I just want to fix it and make everything better for her. We talked about school too and how smart she is. How she likes math and she could become an engineer! She said she wants to travel {this would be why I love her so much!}. As she struggles with reading, I am trying to help her understand that she can do anything she wants to and build her little self esteem right out of this world! We had a really good time together and I need to remember more one on one time with the girls. They both are amazing as usual but they are growing up so quickly. I went as far to discuss scholarships with Morgan for college!

Happy Monday~

Peace!

Merry Christmas

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Traditions stayed the same for me as I went to Gold Canyon on Christmas Eve night to spend time with the girls. We had a good time. They both got a 2009 calendar (tradition), a singing toothbrush (they were totally excited), and a toy (Morgan a Hannah Montana Barbie and Faith a Fur Real Tiger). Not to mention the Wii at my house including a couple of games they have yet to open! And no, I did not get a new puppy. The one I am holding is up for adoption so if anyone is interested, let me know. She is absolutely adorable... oh how I want to bring her home but I am sticking to my rule of only labs from now on (that's when I am actually ready for a new dog).

Dixie and I

A yummy desert I made {Thanks to Cherrye at My Bella Vita for the recipe! This was a great hit and so easy to make. I even made it again for Christmas day at my aunt and uncle's house}

Morgan {This is one of my favorite pictures of her, she is beautiful!}

Morgan with her Hannah Montana calendar.

Faith opening up her Fur Real... I love the look on her face in this one.

Faith with her calendar of puppy's, kitty's, and bunny's

Morgan, Faith, little Faith, and I {Little Faith is Susie's daughter. She is a doll and wants to spend time with the girls and I... I'm trying to keep it just the girls and I but every once in awhile definitely try to include her. I will always be the aunt who has gum...}

At my mom's house on Christmas morning. I went over to put the mud pie and fruit salad together while my mom finished the hard boiled eggs. She has never carried a purse but recently has been carrying a small bag around that she puts stuff in. I thought it was time for her to have her own official Coach purse. This is a little bigger than what she is used to but I think with time, she'll get use to it. Well, at least I LOVE it {she secretly does too}!

Finally, my fruit salad for Christmas day. Very simple and extremely fabulous!

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
3 medium firm bananas, cut into chunks
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used almond slivers)

{I added strawberries, grapes, apples, and extra pineapple}

In a large bowl, combine the milk and whipped topping until well blended. Fold in pie filling, bananas, pineapple {additional fruit} and nuts.

Have a Happy Weekend!

Free

I am officially finished with my first MBA class... and I got an A. Go ME!!! {whew}

Started the second class and I now have a 2 week break from school. For some, you might think that is nice. In reality, this is the only 2 weeks I will have off of school until next year this time{unless I schedule a break which I might need to do}.

Happy freedom from writing papers!

Mocha

So tonight my mom put her dog, Mocha down. She found out a few months ago that she had a tumor aka: CANCER in her shoulder. I don't think I've ever shared with you all how much I HATE CANCER! IT SUCKS!!! Mocha is the 4th lab we've had. Brutus was our first one, from the time I was 8 to 18 (he was my favorite with the exception of my Casp). Then we got Bruno, a chocolate lab who died from valley fever. I got Casper when I was married and had custody of him after the divorce. One day I'll post some stories of that cute puppy. He died when he was 4 from... valley fever (I hate that as much as cancer!). And finally Mocha. I will miss her...

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then you must do what must be done,

For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.

Don't let your grief then stay your hand.

For this day, more than all the rest,

Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.

What is to come can hold no fears.

You'd not want me to suffer so;

The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my need they'll tend,

And please stay with me till the end.

Hold me firm and speak to me,

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see

The kindness that you did for me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you

Who had this painful thing to do.

We've been so close, we two, these years;

Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

--- Anonymous ---

Christmas Lights

After we finished the tree, we went to look at the Temple lights. We also drove around my neighborhood where there is a cul-de-sac which is always lit up. They have a huge snowman {see picture below}. We picked up pizza and came home. The girls played the Wii and then we watched Elf. Fun night!

Christmas.... Tree

Yesterday morning I set out to find the "perfect" tree. I had to get my mom's truck so the tree didn't have to go on top of my jeep. Then stopping at lots to find the tree {I'm a bit picky!}. I finally made it to A&P nursery, around the corner from my house and spotted the tree. I asked the guy if he would put it in the stand for me and pretty much make it so all I had to do was bring it in the house and decorate it. No problem he said... so I get my tree home and... it is crooked! Like I know how to get a saw out and straighten it up. So... My tree is a bit crooked. I suppose it adds character though. Actually the way it is facing, it is not that bad. Anyways...

Next onto lights. Now, I love a lot of lights and I have never had problems with stringing them. Everyone tells me they are getting artificial trees because the lights are already done and they hate putting lights on the trees... Oh whatever! Well let me tell you.... this year.. I HATED putting lights on! What the heck!!! I think everyone cursed me. For some reason, I started at the top. I usually start at the bottom. The last row of lights... did not work. Now, my lights are old so ok, I'll go get new ones. Which I did. Then, those were not enough. CRAP... I do not want to go back to the store! So I decided to space the lights out a bit... so unwrap the lights and place them farther apart. YAY... it works. I plug them in. The top strand of lights {which remember are probably 12+ years old} well, half the friggin strand works and half does not. Now let me ask you this.... HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? Plus... I plugged them in 30 minutes ago before I put them up there. Now, I am frustrated. So back to Target I go... but when I get there, I decide I don't want to fight the crowd so I turn around and go to Walgreens... who cares if I spend more money. It's the convenience, right? Well... Walgreens has a "buy 1 get 1 free" deal. SCORE!!! I come back home, finishing putting the lights up... and waited for the girls to show up.

I let them help decorate the tree this year. It was fun! {The angel ornament is what I picked up in Venice made of Murano glass... it is one of my favorite ornaments}

Happiness follows frustration!

So... as I am reading for school and about to fall asleep, I get a phone call from "the boy" at Michael's. It is 8:30 at night and he says he found my frames, I can come back down and he'll frame my paintings for me. HOLY HAPPINESS!!!!

Frustrated!

So yesterday I got a phone call from Michael's telling me that my frames were ready for my paintings I purchased in Italy. Last night, I seriously forgot to take them down there and get them framed! {What was I thinking???} So, tonight, I head down totally excited to bring them home, hang them on my newly painted wall, and admire them for the night.

I show up at Michael's, the nice boy looks for the frames, looks a second time, and comes back to tell me he cannot find them! Seriously... it is NOT that big in the framing room!!! GRRRR...

So I sadly take my unframed paintings back home with me and wait to call tomorrow to find out WHERE the frames are so I can bring my drawings back in tomorrow night.

That my friends... makes me sad!

Here is what the paintings are of: Roman Forum & Colosseo (the drawing is the outside, I put a photo up of the inside), the Santa Maria Maggiore, Trevi Fountain

Girls church musical

The girls had a Christmas musical at church tonight. Faith has gotten so good at being more sociable. She did not figet or anything tonight... She did so great! She was even Mary {with no lines though}. Morgan had lines throughout the entire program. She was awesome and so animated with her lines. I remember her first church Christmas program back at Gilbert Christian. I think Paula was going to have a heart attack because Morgan was so shy.

{my camera or the lighting in the building did some wacky things to the eyes!}

Random- Max

So it is kind of weird not blogging every single day. My November committment went pretty well. I missed a couple days and more toward the end because I just could not think of anything else to write about.

So nothing too exciting at this point. It seems that I am constantly doing homework. I feel completely overwhelmed but I know this is worth it in the end! I just need to stay focused and not procrastinate too much. {like I am now}

Here are some pic's I took of me and Max the other day. Every once in awhile I think he might die so I take some photo's because I'll feel bad when he dies and I don't have any! He is getting old... 13 now. He does not even bark as much when people show up. He's mellowing out and we totally get along now... well I like him more, he's always loved me WAY too much! Is that such a bad thing? Nah....

Now, if anyone has input on operations management, accounting, financing, something about banks and financing, a paper on problem solving... let me know! You know, the good thing is... I painted my house and it feels more comfy which is a good thing, why? Because I think for the next 18 months I will not see very far past these walls!

Pull me out sometime... K!

Peace~