Christmas Blessings

I am truly blessed to be able to spend time with the people that I love so dearly. It is such an amazing feeling to watch my god-daughter grow up and experience new things and to teach me new things. I am so thankful that I am able to be a part of her life. She is most definitely a huge part of my heart. She may never know how special she is to me, but I do! Today I spent a couple of hours baking Christmas cookies with Olivia, my mom and my grandparents. It was a memory that I will hold dear for a long time. Who knows how many more times that will even be possible. Thank you C for letting me be a part of her life. Here are a few photos of our little baker during her cookie making process....

Getting dressed and ready to bake!!!

Learning to roll out cookie dough with her honey

Cutting out the cookies! A little flour on the face..haha

Isn't she cute

Sharing some of her flour with me

Time to start decorating with Aunt Robbie

Eating the leftover sprinkles

Happy Birthday Shawn!

Happy 33rd Birthday to my hubby!!
Also this past weekend my little brother Jeffie proposed to his girlfriend...yhea..she said yes..(of course)
On another note...if anyone knows of anyone that collects barbie dolls or beanie babies let me know..i'm getting rid of mine. I have about 500 beanie babies and about 10 barbies mint still in the original boxes..pretty expensive ones..so if ya know anyone let me know..k

I know..I'm a slacker!

I know it's been awhile since doing any postings. I am really bad at this! I check my myspace account almost everyday but this...well you've already noticed. Not much has been going on around here. Same ole' stuff, different day. I am working on cleaning out all of the stuff that we have accumulated separate and together over the years. I have already gotten rid of a bookcase that my uncle left here when he moved out and we bought the house, along with all of my nursing school books that were on it! I gave them all to my cousin CJ who is planning on attending nursing school here in the next year or so. She is working on all of her pre-requisites right now. I am so very proud of her and I hope that she makes it through! She just had her second child on November 11th. His name is Dominic Joseph and he was 9lbs 1oz. Yes he was a big boy.

well anyway...so yes I'm trying to do some major cleaning around here...i know you're supposed to do that in the spring but i just couldn't take it anymore. I've actually considered renting one of those POD things and totally emptying the house and doing all the remodeling that needs done and then bringing stuff back in and put it where I want it and getting rid of everything else that was left...LOL. Funny I know but I hate this! On another note I have a couple of friends that are going through some pretty rough stuff, so please if you can add them to your prayers..they all need it! My friend..my best friend Melissa and her husband have been trying to have a baby for awhile now and just recently she had surgery to hopefully (cross your fingers) fix things or improve them. So please pray that they will have a beautiful baby soon!!! I also just found out that a friend of mine that I used to work with has been going through some medical stuff and lots of testing to find out what's going on with her and the doctors are not quite sure but they believe that it could be MS..she's only 24 years old. So please pray for her..I'm worried about her lots. Also I regularly follow some blogs and one of them belongs to my cousins sister in law..she has twin girls and I just seen that they had a horrible night two nights ago. One of the little girls Rachel went unresponsive and they had to call 911. Apparently she had what they call a febrile seizure. Her temperature was up and they believe that is what caused it. I hope that that is what is was and that it never happens again. I'm sure her mommy was very scared. I cannot even imagine. They are beautiful little girls! My thoughts and prayers are out there for each and every one of them. On a lighter note...it's Christmas! (Bah-humbug!) I'm just not feeling it this year. I feel like such a grinch. Maybe it because I don't have children yet or maybe it's because I'm broke from my wedding but I'm just not in the mood yet and it's only 2 1/2 weeks away. I still haven't put up any decorations and I don't know if I will at this point. I did go help my grandma the other night. She broke her wrist and has troubles with lots of tasks so I spend 6 hours over there wrapping presents for her. We did get them all done!!! Yea...all 190 gifts!! I know WOW.. but she does spoil those great-grand babies. Well if I don't post again...and you know me....I hope everyone has a safe and happy holidays. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Love you all lots!!!

Honeymoon Pics

Ok I know it's been like a month since we've been back and I still haven't posted anything...I'm working on it...Some of my family and friends have introduced me to my space. At first I wasn't too sure about it, but now I love it. It is so easy to use and to post pictures. I have re-connected to some old friends that I haven't seen in awhile. So if you want check it out..it's great. I've got a lot more photos on their than I do here. But anyways here goes...

This was our ship...The Marineer of the Seas (Royal Carribean Cruise Line)

This ship was huge!! Their were three other ships in port on that morning that we left. I felt big and bad..haha ours was the biggest of them all. This picture was taken when we sat out at sea when we were at Grand Cayman. We were on one of those little (not so little) boats that tendered us back and forth from the mainland. They look little compared to our ship but they actually held about 60 or so people on two decks. The ship was beautiful! The inside was absolutely beautiful. Clean and tidy..and if you know Shawn..that's a plus.

The first day on the ship was Sunday. It took us awhile to find our room because the lady at the desk had told us the wrong floor our cabin was on. Once we located it, it was bigger than expected. I absolutely loved having the balcony. We sat out there almost every night and we would go out many times during the day to watch the people and just look around at where we were at and take photos. We were lucky and our cabin was always on the same side as the piers where we docked or tendered out. So we always had something to watch and enjoy. Sunday was a little rough for us. We already were tired from not having any sleep the night before from the reception and poor Shawn was so sick from all the alcohol. I think..no I know he had way to much. That poor man was vomiting from the time we got home from the reception all the way to the plane in Atlanta. Needless to say once we were on board and did the safety muster drill we both crashed in our cabin till the next morning.

Monday was our first full day at sea. We did a lot of exploring of the ship that day and learning where everything was. Monday night was formal night in the dining room. We got dressed up..and go figure..I forgot a curling iron and all my make-up so our pictures did not look so good. But we did it...and it was nice but not exactly our cup of tea. We preferred the buffet. We ate there pretty much every day for most of our meals.

Tuesday was our first day at one of our stops..Labadee, Haiti

This was our view from our balcony. Beautiful, beautiful island!! Of course, it rained most of the day. Labadee is Royal Carribean's private beach. So it was nice. We both got our feet wet in the ocean before it started pouring down rain. We went back to the ship and wondered around awhile.

Wednesday we docked in Jamaica

Wow what can I say....Looked beautiful from afar..but I never want to go back. I was scared most of the time. We did take some advice from family whom told us that we had to go to Dunn's Falls...it was tons of fun!!! So glad we did it. We booked a tour/shopping and the climb of the falls. The tour..not so good! Crammed in a tiny bus, speeding down small roads almost running people over and we never got to stop and take photos or really see anything other than trash and garbage all over the place. We did climb the 600ft Dunn's Falls. That was amazing. We bought the video of us climbing up and I'm glad we did. It actually showed us in it more than I thought. I was so glad to get back past customs and security and get back to the boat though. I never realized how poor Jamaica really was until I saw it for myself. They were literally begging to tie your shoes for five cents and swimming out to the ship asking for money. I was glad to leave!

Thursday we tendered at the most beautiful, laid back place on earth.......Grand Cayman

This place was amazing! The people were so laid back and very pleasant to be around. The shopping was nice..not pressured at all. This is a place that I would love to go back to in the future. We spent most of the day just wondering around the island shopping and taking in the sights. We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Saw some ridiculous looking water colors. I could have stayed there forever!

Friday was our last stop. We docked at Cozumel, Mexico

We had horrible thunderstorms while we were in Cozumel. Lightening that just came from nowhere in the middle of the ocean. We weathered the rain and did some sightseeing and shopping. Not at all what I had expected. Almost as scary as Jamaica but not quite. I did do some wheeling and dealing for some of my things that I bought. And boy was my cousin Sandi right! They will do almost anything for the sale if they know that you are paying cash. I got things for half the price they were originally asking. After the rain came and went it got really, really hot and humid. Almost to hard to breathe. We decided to walk back to the ship and that was a huge mistake. They had told us on the ship that it would only be like a fifteen min. walk back....well it was more like an hour and a half. I was completely exhausted mostly from the heat and my asthma flaring up. Haven't had trouble with my asthma in years till that day. Ha! We did take a carriage ride..if you will (the thing almost fell apart going down the street) to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville where we had lunch that day. It was nice there. I enjoyed it...Shawn did not..not his cup of tea.

This was our pier that we were docked up to in Cozumel...funny thing their were no rails on this pier and by the end of the day we sat and watched from our balcony..they were bringing people back to the ship in wheelchairs because they were so drunk and couldn't walk..that they were afraid they would fall in to the ocean!!

Saturday was our last full day at sea while we returned home Sunday morning at 6:30am. Seven days was just enough time for a cruise. I don't know if I could do one that was longer than that. While I did enjoy it very much, I was very excited to be back home. We are now considering taking another cruise in the near future with some of our family and friends. I think that having a group of us go would be so much fun. Here are some various pictures taken on the ship and around our stops. Enjoy!

Some Wedding Pics

Ok I know it's been awhile. Getting back to life here at home has been a challenge. Work has been crazy, this house is still a mess, lots of running around to do and tons of birthdays. So here are some pics from a friends camera from the wedding. It was an amazing day. Even though I tried to sit back and take as much in as I could...the day still seemed to fly by. Looking back now we try to talk about it together and we still forget things that happened and things that we missed...so we can't wait to see the video and see it all again. I'll try my best to get some pics up from the cruise. It also was tons of fun. We can't wait to do it again. Also there are some pics on my myspace page if you want to see them.

We're Back!!

Home at last!! We made it home late last night and all is well. I will update with lots of pictures soon. Got to get things back in order around here. Cleaning up and unpacking mostly. We didn't have much time before we left so everything from the wedding and reception was pretty much just piled in the living room..on the floor and the couch and chair. We picked up Mady this morning from Melissa's....boy is she worn out!!! She's already napped twice and its only 2:30. I'll try to update soon!!

One Week To Go!

Well everything is done! This past week I spent all my time calling people and confirming everything. Everyone is in place and everything should go off without a hitch. If it doesn't o-well...i'm excited. I'm too the point that if something does not get done the way it's supposed to that i'm not going to freak out. The important thing is that we are their and that's all that matters. I'm surprised...i'm not even nervous. I'm more excited than anything. I have waited so long for this day and now that all the planning and preparation is done, I can't wait to see it all come together and marry my prince charming.

I had my bachelorette party! It was so much fun...Thanks girls!!! I couldn't have got through this whole planning thing without all of you!
Melissa-your experience and willingness to help me has gone above and beyond. I am so lucky to have you in my life. You are my guardian angel. Without you I would have been lost! Thank you!
Angie-what can I say...you are awesome! We have been friends for so many years...you have always been my rationale side (haha) I know it sounds funny but, whenever throughout the years I would start to freak out about something you were always there to tell me to calm down, that everything would work out for the best. And you were always right. You are so special to me and I have always looked up to you! Thank you!
Mellisa-Thank you so much for stepping up and helping me in my time of need. Thank you for being so calm about everything...(haha) I need that at times. Thank you for just being you and coming into my life and my families life. You are truely and angel with a voice to prove it!
Sarah-What can I say...Thank you for being my sister! My one and only! I know you couldn't be around as much as you'd like but school is more important. Thanks for just being there!

A Million Things...

That's what I feel like I have left to do. But actually everything is almost done for the wedding. We met with the catering company last week and picked out the food and the bar. We are able to get in to the K of C the night before to decorate so that makes me happy. She wanted $200.00 to reserve the hall the night before so that no-one else would rent it. I was like umm I don't think so. I am not paying so that I can come in and decorate. But since she knows me she said that we could come in as long as we are done and out by midnight. So that was nice of her and it didn't cost a thing. This week we are planning on meeting with my uncle at his flower shop to go over the flowers and centerpieces. That is really the last of the big things to do. Everything else is done and paid for. Friday we are planning on going and getting our marriage license. I just picked up all of our paperwork and documents for the cruise. I'm excited about going but now I'm scared of the weather. I'm not scared of being out there because I know that they take care of us and wouldn't put us in any danger...I'm scared that they are going to cancel the cruise and that we are not going to be able to go. That would be a bummer. I'm excited to think that 3 weeks from today is the wedding! Shawn is still scared to death. He doesn't like to be in front of a bunch of people. Yesterday I went and had my trial up-do for the wedding. I loved it! It was so pretty but I had so many bobbie pins it was funny.

Long Week

This has felt like the longest week ever! Work was crazy all week, went to bingo with my grandma, quit at the hospital and went to dinner with some of my girlfriends from nursing school. And it's only thursday! But at least I get 3 day weekends. So after much deliberation I have decided to quit working at the hospital. Their are many reasons, but mostly I just didn't enjoy it anymore. Staffing issues and my boss leaving ...just made it not fun to be there anymore. I dreaded going in there everytime I had to work.
Plus I still had my moments when I would stare at rooms 4 and 5 and think of my great-aunt-Anner. I got to spend some time there with her in room 5 when she was in the ICU for a couple of weeks and we talked a lot about old times and everytime someone new would come in her room, she'd tell them that I was her little girl and that she loved me. She later passed away in room 4. Staring at those rooms brings back lots of memories and I get teary-eyed everytime. I loved that woman as if she were my own grandma! She did a lot for me growing up and taught me many things. I miss her terribly!
On another note....I got together with some girlfriends from nursing school and had dinner this week. The five of us had our own study group every sunday night. They were my moral support through that tough experience. We all became really close and after graduation I didn't see them that much. All my fault!!! Working nights in the hospital just killed me. I was either at work or sleeping. I never saw any of my friends and even my own mom. Now I work days monday thru thursday 6:30am-whenever we're done, usually around 3pm. It's a surgery center for ophthamalogists. I'm home every night and 3 day weekends are wonderful. I'm hoping now that I can see my friends more often and actually have a life.
Well I must go and give my puppy some attention now since i've been on the computer for awhile. Talk to y'all later.

Bored!

Not much going on today. Shawn had to work. Mom's in Michigan for the races. The grandparents are at the river. Melissa's in Cincinnati. So i'm all alone! Just me and the dog!
I received some more rsvp's in the mail today! Finally something exciting arriving in the mail...other than bills! (haha) I look forward to getting the mail and seeing who is coming to the wedding. Some people I haven't seen for years and others I just look forward to getting together with again.
Today my plans are to relax a little. Maybe lay out in the sun and try to get a tan. Probably not going to happen. I do not tan! But this body needs something before the wedding. I was gonna try the airbrush tan thing...but I've been told that if you sweat that it may rub off. That's all I need..streaks and tan all over my white dress. Not good!
Yesterday a girlfriend and I went to a flea market in Rogers. Neither of us had ever been there. So it was an adventure just trying to find the place. The place was huge. If you're like me..then you would like going there for one reason- they have purses from new york! You know the ones that you get from the back of stores that are on lock down and hush hush a secret. (haha) I bought two. I could have bought a couple more..but I really didn't need them. What can I say, it was a good deal!

Felling A Little Better

Well I've talked to my cousin, Michelle a couple of times this past week. She has been on a couple of cruises and was able to give me some really good advice. I feel a little better about what to expect for this cruise. I think we're both more excited the more we talk about it. We went shopping the other day and bought some clothes to take along. Any excuse I get to go shopping is a good one! Thankfully my best friend Melissa has agreed..actually volunteered to watch Mady for us while we are on our honeymoon. I'm more at ease with that. I was worried about leaving her in a kennel for 9 days.

We went this past week and tried some of the food that the catering company had to offer...to see what we liked and didn't like. I am more a picky eater than he is..therefor he of course liked everything and I didn't. So what's gonna happen....we're gonna have the same ole' food that everyone else does. But that's ok..food is food..i guess.

I have finally got all the guys down to the tux shop and had them fitted for their tux's. Most of everything else is done..I think??? I'm looking forward to my Bachelorette party! It's in two weeks. I'm looking forward to just hanging out with my friends and catching up. Basically de-stressing!

Here is a picture that I found on the web of what our cruise stateroom will look like. We got the room with a balcony.

Here of some pictures of the K of C in Massillon. This is where our reception will be held at. I'm excited about it. The room is huge with a nice big dance floor.

Here I Am

Hello everyone! This is my first stab at this blogging thing. I have followed my cousin's blog for about three years now and have finally decided to give it a try for myself. Although I may not have much to say..ha ha I do not have any children yet..We do have a new puppy! Also we have about 6 weeks to go till our wedding and honeymoon! That's about all I can handle right now. Details, Details, Details. Now I know why people hire wedding coordinators. There is just so much stuff to do and so little time. For months I had nothing to do and now all of a sudden...Bam Everything needs done and finalized now. My mind is spinning in circles. Thankfully I have my bestest friend Melissa (my matron of honor) and she has been through this and has been a very big help to me. Without her I would be totally lost. In the past couple of days we booked our honeymoon! Wow, talk about expensive. (To me anyway) We have decided to go on a cruise to the caribbean. We are going thru Royal Caribbean on the Mariner of the Seas. It's a 7 night cruise, starting in Port Canavaral, Florida and stopping along the way in Labadee, Haiti, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, George Town, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico. We're getting excited but also a little scared because we've never done anything like this before and do not know what to expect. We're kinda the people that like to know what's going on before it happens...haha We do want to try to do some excursions on the seperate islands, but were not sure what exactly yet what that might be. Maybe some snokeling or swimming with dolphins. I myself would love to try the zipline tour. So we will see. Here is a picture of our ship.

I will try to post some pictures and other stuff later. Got to go do some stuff for the trip..