Hello and happy Tuesday to you all! I actually got thru the Thanksgiving holiday unscathed. :) It actually was a wonderful time at my mother in laws house in Arizona. My boys had such a great time just being boys out there. They rode their bikes, shot their BB guns and just had fun. Jeff and I had a great time too getting up at 3am to get to all those great holiday deals the day after Thanksgiving. We actually got some REALLY great ones. One of my favorite buys was a Casio EXILIM digital camera- it's super nice. I've included a few pic's from the camera here in my blog. We also got the boys some great stuff as well. I would put it on here but on the off chance my oldest figures out this blog and sees it, it would be hazardous. :)

My mother in law has this cute puppy too named Midge. She's about 6 months old. She's a chihuahua mix with something else. She kinda looks like a miniature German Sheppard.

Well, looking forward to Christmas now. The next month's blogs will probably be all about the holiday's and all the craziness that will take place in my house. Enjoy!

Well, it's almost Thanksgiving. This is really my favorite holiday. Kinda feel bad for it cause it gets skipped over so many times. The retail world jumps from Halloween straight to Christmas without giving our little Turkey friend a second thought. But really, this is an amazing time to reflect all that we are thankful for. So in this blog, I would like to share my thankfulness.
I'm thankful so much for my beautiful children - Ethan and Garret. Althought this is hard to write at the moment cause they've stomped on my very last nerve today however, maybe this is the best time to get my heart and mind back into perspective. I love them so much. Ethan has a heart of gold and he prays every night for the people in South Africa for their hearts to be open to the gospel of Christ when he comes to share it with them. Garret's laugh will make anyone's heart joyful. His blue eyes melt you and his hugs warm you all up. I'm thankful that God has blessed me with these wonderful boys.

I'm very thankful for my best friend Christy Edge. She means so much to me. I can't ever imagine picking anyone better to be that person to me in my life. Not that she's always nice and let's me have my ay but because she's open and honest enough to point out those dark places in my heart that God's needs to refine. And she doesn't do it in an arrogant way, but a loving way that leads me closer to Jesus. She doesn't come up under me, but stands beside me in all situations, still allowing the Lord to lead into he way He want's me to go. She's helped me see who God created me to be and to learn to love that person inside. She's cried with me, laughed with me and even hurt with me. Thank you Lord for sending me Christy to share your light and to encourage me in this life.

And I would also like to say I'm thankful for Jeff, my husband. Although over the past year I would say it's been difficult but, I'm thankful. He's really changed over the last year. He's a wonderful father to my boys. They have "Man Night" every Tuesday and just to see how they look forward to that encourages me. He's become a great provider for this family. Just recently got a great city job and it's really filled that financial gaps. And he's learned to listen to me more and to help where he can. I know he's starting to see the Franny God created and is trying to get to know and love her the way God intends.
I'm also thankful for my mom and dad. They have helped me so much in life. I can't even list all the things they've done for me, it would be a huge list. However, I do want to mention one thing - they have always believed in me. No matter what new venture I was on, they stood with me believing I could do anything. They have bought me so many instruments and such that have really helped me get musically where I am today. Thank you so much for believing in me mom and dad.

Most of all I have to thank Jesus for the sacrifice He made for me. That even when I was yet a sinner, he died for me. His love has no comparison and no boundaries. I am thankful for His unending grace and mercy that I seem to need on a daily basis yet, it never runs out. God, you truly amaze me in all that You are. That you created the universe and named every start yet, formed me in my mother's womb and gave me a purpose and a plan, for good and not evil. Thank you Lord for giving me hope in this life. You are truly amazing.

Oh my gosh!!! I just totally came across the funniest website today. Check it out at http://www.mistupid.com/people/page027.htm I'll be adding it to my fav blog/websites as soon as I figure out that feature on this blog. But for now, log on and check it. These are bad metaphors that college students used in their essays. Wonder where these kids are working now.... Microsoft? Hmmmmmmm, who knows. :)

Ok, I've been trying all morning to get the pictures I took of the new stuff I got Riley however, it just wouldn't work. So frustrating. I was able to get this picture off the web. This is the new toy I got for him but it doesn't have the rope attached to it. Just the stick part but that's what it looks like. I so wish I could get the picture up of his Padres collar - it's hip happenin'. Oh well. About to go get him in a few minutes. YAY for Christy!

Christy, never, NEVER do this to Riley!!!!!! (previously known as Duke) Don't make him go through this kind of agony ever again...poor puppy. What kind of people do this kind of horid thing to their beloved four legged friends anyways! (If you are one of them, I'm sorry but really, does it look like he's enjoying this?) Don't get me wrong though, there are some dogs that have little hair and live in cold climates and need some assistance but this, this is pure crulity! He didn't enjoy this at all. Bad owners...bad!

I'm so excited though. Today is the day to go pick him up from his previous family. We got a new name for him (as shown above). RILEY! Duke didn't really fit ya know. Actually, his full name will be Riley Scout Edge. I liked Scout and that almost was his name however, the consensus from most was Riley. I'm grateful that Christy still honored me by using Scout as a middle name.

I went out last night and bought my new "nephew" a few things. I got him a Padres Dog collar and a cool squeaky toy that's shaped like a stick (cause his previous family mentioned he likes sticks, not really balls). We are about to pick him up in about 3 hours.

I am soooo excited to get him. For a lot of different reasons. You see, my best friend Christy is totally amazing. Any of you that has had her for a friend knows she's one in a million. I have heard so many storied about her last dog Ashton and how much she loved her and how it was such an amazing dog to Christy. I wanted so bad for her to have that again. I feel she deserves the best and a loyal companion to be by her side always, to have someone to tell all her stuff to at 3am if she wanted to (although Christy, I am still available then if you want human feed back) :)

Congrats my best friend, I pray that he's everything you want and that he become your faithful companion. :)

YAY! Here's some more pictures of Duke. One is him at Christmas time last year in Texas (where he was born) and the other is him in the travel trailer of his first family. He traveled a lot with them, he even went kyaking! Crazy! So excited to meet my new nephew this Friday. :)

Wow, went WAY too long between blogs. Went to Ecuador and got out of my groove. Just wanted to take a moment today and congratulate my bestest friend in the whole wide world on getting a puppy!!! Well, he's 3 years old but, a puppy to her. He's so cute. His name is Duke. He's a German Shepard mix and he's the cutest thing. We went and looked at him on Saturday and got to know him a bit. He's going to be just perfect for her. We were originals looking for a small dog but Duke is more of a medium dog but he just "fits". He's very obedient and very trainable. He plays dead when you go "Bang Bang" and he gives high fives. I'm so excited cause it's kinda like I'm getting a new nephew and I hope he comes over often to play. Congrats Christy on Duke...or whatever you change his name to...if you decide to. :)