Saturday, April 4, 2009

A Shout Out to My Friend Amy!

My friend Amy made me this A-W-E-S-O-M-E scrapbook in anticipation of my baby girl. I've scrapped a little here and there, and enjoy it but it's very time consuming. Amy is what I'd consider a professional scrapper! The quality of her work is amazing! =)

PLEASE, please check her out at www.YourCustomScrapbook.com

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Idol Recap of Top 9

Idol night. Woo-hoo. I just realized something too--hopefully by the time this show ends, the night of the grand finale, I'll be holding my baby girl in my arms instead of my belly. Yee Haw!

Oh dear, Why is Paula wearing a prom dress, AGAIN?!

an Usher song by Anoop...hmmm. Neat MJ jacket, way better than the dorky tie and sweater getup though. Eh, I don't think this song shows any range. I really preferred him in a slower jam. The fast ones just come off so dorky.

Megan--Oh Gawd! Bob Marley?!?! Is this any surprise? She's putting the nails in her coffin, I hope anyway. Eh. Ick. Talk about standing at the bus stop?!?!!! This girl has no confidence! Thank God it's over. Ah yes, a chair that would help out her awful body language, but probably not the awful voice.

I think they pay people to boo what the judges say...

Danny-What Hurts The Most (rascal flatts)- I have a hard time listening to any RF song ever since my Grandma died, because I automatically associate it with the RF song played at her funeral. That being said, I managed to sit through his performance. How many different pairs of glasses does this kid have?! I felt like he sang it with a lot of emotion, which was good. I liked it. Though sometimes when they take a song sung by a band it is a little weird for me.

Allison-Don't Speak. I love this song. Let's see... Not so sure about her wild hair but I bet Gwen would approve and I think it's bringing youth to her image. I liked it. She made it her own in a good way. Not blown away though. I think Gwen would have totally dug the out fit. I didn't think anything of it, I'm surprised the judges gave her such a hard time. I really liked the beginning with the guitar.

Scott-Just the Way You Are, Billy Joel- Do you think he looks like Kirk Cameron a la Growing Pains era?!! LoL! Well, at least an attempt is being made to look a little cooler. I've been sort of over this guy for the past few weeks, but I think he did very well and it's his best song yet. Very nice. BUT.... I don't see him being the right market for this audience.

Matt--You Found Me, The Fray-- Whew! He must have read my blog comments from last weeks show about his terrible outfit. He looks MUCH better this week. I loved how he was surrounded by people while performing the song, way cool stage presence. I thought it totally was awesome! I might even download this one. Rock on!!!
Wait...what?! Oh Paula, shut up. I can't stand anything that comes out of her mouth. OMG! I can't believe it! All bad reviews!!! No way!! Not fair!! I totally agree that it showed versatility!! Poor Matt! I hope America agreed with me!

Lil--Celine--I Surrender-- I don't even know what to say. Oh that sounds good-BORING! Too Safe! No charisma. She's lost something... I hope she finds it soon.

Adam--Play that Funky Music--Oh dear. Current record? Let's see.....
Um! Children watch this show!! Enough thrusting young man! I swear, he's channeling Elvis again this week. I don't know, probably could be a hit today, but I wouldn't buy it. I do agree with Kara, I do look forward to see what this kid is going to do next. There is no denying his talent and creativity.

Kris--Ain't no Sunshine--Last person usually knocks it out of the park. Will Kris? He plays Piano??!! Wow! HOT! HOT! HOT!! Ooooh, Kara can count tonight. Woo hoo! Best of the night for sure!

My Bottom 3-
Anoop, Megan & I guess Lil. I like her, but she's had weeks of wrong songs now...

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

It's Happening!!

I had to go to Walmart to get my eyes checked and order new contacts. I walked around a bit afterwards and it occurred to me that I am starting to waddle!!! ICK! Please Lord, let this babe come a *little* early. Maybe it's just the pants I am wearing. They are not very comfortable. Yeah, that must have been it...

I'll do another Idol recap tomorrow!

Hey-have you seen this awesome stuff at Target? OMG! I love it!!
http://www.target.com/b/ref=in_se_pagelist/190-6233325-8626260?ie=UTF8&itemsPerPage=33&node=1263103011&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=1263103011&rank=pmrank&viewID=leaf&field- pricebin=&store=&size=33&rh=&page=1&fromBrowse=1

(obviously I have no idea how to make that a clean link with just a word... feel free to leave a comment on how to do so, if you know!)

Monday, March 30, 2009

Sharing My Husbands News

Okay, so I can't for the life of me figure out how to find his blog to simply just link it to mine... so I copied and pasted what I wanted to share from his. =)

I'm so proud and happy for him! Here is the details in his own words though:


Not a Banker Anymore

Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 11:08pm
Yes! You read that right! A couple of blogs ago I mentioned that there was a change coming. Here it is.I guess this is a special blog. For those friends/family who don't know, I gave notice to the bank that Monday that April 3 will be my last day there. My last day in banking. Crazy.I took a position as Chief Operating Officer of a local private company. It is a growing service concern with 200+ employees. It is a dream come true! I always had a goal of being an executive manager, but I always thought it would be as a banker. I am very blessed to have this opportunity. I thank God for providing my career with so many great opportunities along the way, but this one is the best! I can't explain why, with our economy the way it is, and so many folks hurting, any other reason why I have been given the opportunities I have. The Lord is looking out for my family and I, and I couldn't be more thankful.It was April 6, 1996. My first day as a banker. I got hired by The State Bank as a teller. Thereafter, I quickly understood that my calling was to be a banker. I later took jobs in credit administration, mortgage lending, credit analysis, commercial lending, and commercial lending management. I worked for The State Bank, Clarkston State Bank, Standard Federal Bank, The State Bank (again), and Davison State Bank. I met most of my best friends in the banking business. I will mention none, with fear that I will forget somebody. That is how many great people I met. I guess, looking back, that is the single most important thing I will take from my time in banking. Sure, I learned a lot of other stuff, but banking is a people business, and I met some of the best. The banking business grew me up. I have no earthly idea what would have come of me if I hadn't gotten so focused on my banking career. I was 19 when TSB hired me. I don't know why they did. I was kind of a punky kid. I was a hard worker, though. I quickly became proud to wear a tie everyday. My first manager, Mike Macklem (wonder where he is today), made it really clear that you had to have a BA to make it anywhere in banking. He also told me that the only way to make any money in the business was to get into commercial lending. In May, 2000 I was a college graduate, and in September, 2001 I was in the commercial lending department as a credit analyst. The successes came. In 2003 I became a Commercial Loan Officer at Clarkston State Bank, which at the time was affiliated with TSB. In 2006, I won the Professional Banker of the Year Award at TSB. The award is the highest honor provided to a salaried worker at TSB, and that was my proudest career moment. In December, 2007 I was made Vice President of the bank, which I was also very proud of, especially given my age (I was 31). In December, 2008 I was given the opportunity to manage the lending function of Davison State Bank in addition to my duties at TSB. They recently announced the sale of DSB, but managing the department for that short time was very rewarding. It has been a GREAT career. So, why am I leaving all of this? Opportunity. Very simply. There is risk in making a move that I am. However, I think there is just as much risk (if not more) in staying. Banking is in a time of transition. I don't know what will actually come of the business, given the economic troubles we face.So I did it. I have to pinch myself now and again. I am excited to start a new chapter.Anyway, my next blog will be back to baseball, simple minded politics, and updates on my walk with Jesus!

The Voice


So, a new chapter opens in our life. We are so blessed and looking forward to the new adventure.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Idol Recap of Motown Night

I love having a DVR and getting to fast forward through all the hullabaloo and scripted crap that they think people really want to hear about. I must say I think Paula is so full of herself it's not funny. Why is she wearing some princess tutu dress? Dear Paula, the show is not about YOU!!! Stop being so damn dramatic, let the contestants SHINE.

Fast Forward...

Matt-Let's Get It On. I like this song. Sexy. Love him with the piano, love that he's getting up. Great performance. What I can't get over is the NOT-AT-ALL-SEXY Mr. Roger's Neighborhood sweater getup. WTH??? His outfit was so distracting for me that it lost some of the sexy appeal that he the song has. Who wants to get it on with a guy wearing that nerdy sweater, button up shirt and tie... ?! Phu-leeze!

Kris- How Sweet It Is. Song is fitting for him. I think of him as very sweet. I liked what he did at the beginning. It was just okay for me overall, but his cuteness adds bonus points from me.

Scott-Can't Hurry Love. Oooookay, so every week he picks a song sung by a woman and thinks he's changing it up, surprising the peeps. Eh...I'm over it. I do think any artist who can sing and play an instument is a class act, but I'm finding this poor guy to be quite boring. He needs to try to smile more during the performance, or at least look like he's enjoying it.

Paula is an IDIOT!

Megan- For Once In My Life. Before she even begins I'm thinking Ugh Ugh Ugh. I don't like her, never have.
She can't dance.
She's not comfortable.
Quite frankly, she can't sing.
When I close my eyes, all I can picture is an old lady singing. It's like that for me everyweek.
I'm so glad the judges came down on her. Please put us out of our misery, send her home!!!

Anoop-Oh Baby Baby. I was excited to hear Anoop. Even in his corny songs, I knew the boy could sing. Okay, another kind of sexy song but it's totally ruined for me by the awaful outfit!! Who is dressing these boys??!!! The performance was really good, this boy does have some talent!

Michael Sarver- Ain't to Proud To Beg. Another Ugh for me. He genuinely seems like a nice guy but as a performer, terrible. He makes way to many weird faces and moves the mic too awkwardly for me. Boring. Forgettable. I can't believe this bozo stayed on longer than Alexis Grace. :(

I almost always agree with Simons comments... yep, there is no way he can win. Say bhu-bye
bla bla bla...

Lil Rounds- Heat Wave. I think she was concentrating on the song so much that she didn't enjoy performing it and that really came out. Yes, it totally seemed rushed. She did look cute, I loved the dress. Hopefully she can kick it back up a notch next week.

Adam-Tracks of my Tears. First observanc-scary hair. Coupled with that outfit, I think he's just missing Elvis's sunglasses. Moving on.... as much as I don't really care for this guy, I think he knocked it out of the park tonight!!!!! I really think that song would be a hit (again) if recorded like that today! WOW. He even gets the standing O from Smokey. Rock on. I do think Adam is in a different league than most of the contestants in that he understands the artistry aspect of performing. Even if he doesn't win the title this season as The American Idol, he's going to be a star.

Danny-Get Ready. Last I checked there is no "T" in the word ready. Eh... Not overly impressed. I totally agreed with Simon, but now I can't recall what exactly it was I was agreeing with... ha. I guess he was that forgettable last night.

Allison-Papa Was A Rolling Stone.
Randy-blazin' HOT
Kara-Amazing
Paula-Awesome
Simon-Survivor
Me-I thought she did really well, But I sort of tuned out... I think she has a hard time connecting with the people who actually vote. The fact that she is only 17 but seems way beyond her years--I think sort of hurts her. She is an awesome singer so, I hope she stays because there are others who defnintely need to go home.

First up=Paula. Gawd. Can't we get rid of her?! I'm so sick of her and Simon's crap. ANNOYING!

My bottom 3 picks-Megan, Michael, & Scott.

Monday, March 23, 2009

So Sorry

Okay, It's clear that I suck at blogging. Or at least doing it on a regular basis. I feel like what I might have to say isn't very interesting, but I guess who cares?

Today I am waiting... I don't like waiting on things that have to do with depending on other people, as I've mentioned before. A new chapter is being opened in our lives and today was a big day for my husband and this transition. It's after one pm and I haven't heard from him yet. I have no idea how his day is going but I'm dying to know. He was pretty upset as he left this morning, which of course makes me upset. Even though good things are to come, it doesn't make any of this any easier.

I have a funny "Out of The Mouth of Babes" ~ this is a conversation between my 4 year old & I:
B: Are you pregnant mom?
me: Yes.
B: How did the baby get in there? Does God just shove it in?
me: Mmmmhmmm, yep, God just shoves it in.

LOL... I don't think I'm ready to have the birds and the bees talk with him just yet. ;-)

Speaking of my 4 year old... we went to his kindergarten roundup last week. Oh my. I can't believe my first born is already going to be going to *real* school. Some how preschool just isn't real. Having him gone 5 days for hours on end will be so odd. Just thinking of his first day of school, getting on that bus in six months makes me cry! I was mortified that I was blubbering at the open house about his first day of school. I am sure that most mothers cry on their child's first day of school, but SIX months before?!!! Must be the silly baby hormones.

Ah, baby baby. I'm counting down. Technically 9 weeks to go. According to my midwife on Thursday it will be 8 weeks. If my wish comes true, more like 6 weeks. I'm hoping for a mother's day baby. The full moon is May 9th. It's possible... trust me, I'll be doing everything I can to make the arrival of Baby Joy come a little earlier than May 24th. I've been feeling really good. I guess I am surprised by this. About a month ago, I found out my iron was low and ever since I have been consciously trying to make sure I get enough, I have just felt marvelous.

Guess I better mention my middle child. =) EO's been giving me a hard time. Must be the age. He'll be 3 in a couple of weeks. I am a little worried about how he'll be once the baby arrives. His favorite thing to do now is the complete opposite of what I want him to do. It's really hard to punish him because it always ends up seeming to punish B too. Like if EO won't pick up toys and I take them away then obviously B won't get to play with them either. And fighting with EO at bed time, just keeps B awake too. *sigh* hopefully it's just a stage...

Well, I guess that is all I can think of for now...my thoughts are elsewhere, waiting to hear from my husband.

Oh, and I will try to write a little more often... I have come to terms with the fact that my blog isn't going to be full of way cool pictures and such. ;-)

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

What a Beautiful Day!

I must start by announcing that today has just been a beautiful day here in good ol' Michigan. It's literally 60 degrees and sunny here--in FEBRUARY!!! Everyone you meet to day is in a good mood. I'm not so silly that I don't realize we'll be getting more snow before it's all said and done, but a little warmth and sunshine can put the hope back into us that spring WILL eventually get here, making the last few weeks of winter tolerable.

I have a new obsession...SONIC. Not so much the food, which was okay, but the DRINK selection is awesome! I love the slushy drinks and the limeades!! Sadly, I can't seem to get my timing right to go to happy hour between 2-4. What a pregnant girls dream!! =)

Tomorrow is my oldest son's Valentine's Day party at school. I'm helping out for the party and made from scratch heart shaped sugar cookies AND from scratch frosting. The kids will be putting on the frosting and other decorations...I sure hope they like them. It was a lot of work, and a little secret--the first time ever I have made my own sugar cookies. It took me all day.... not sure if I'll be signing up for that treat again! ;-) Now I just have to get B to sign all his little Valentines to hand out. He can write his name, but doing it 22 times in a row...well that's a challenge and I, of course, wait until the last night to have him do it.... oops!

Better get on that....

Hope you're having a fab day!