DELIGHT in the new year

So, I've seen over on other bloggers about picking out a word for the year. I thought that it was a cool idea. I had a couple words in mind but yesterday I stumbled upon the word DELIGHT. I looked it up (I know what it means but wanted the exact definition, people!) and the verb definition seemed so fitting - make happy, experience happiness. Now I'm not depressed or anything like that. I need to make sure to delight myself every once in awhile--pedicures, craft time, shopping, lunch with girlfriends sans children and husbands. As a mom I want to make sure to delight Caleb and enjoy time with him even if that means the dinner dishes get done another day just so I can sit in the living room floor and play cars with him. Making sure he is healthy and happy is my #1 priority. As a wife, well Justin should be delighted enough that I married him right? Okay, okay maybe not enough but we need to delight ourselves with more date nights and going snowboarding, something he promised me that we will do since I have never been. But really just to experience happiness.

Do you?

Truthful Tuesday time! And this week's question is good!

Is there a Santa Claus?

Last week I heard this saying "There's a time in every man's life that he believes in Santa Claus, a time he doesn't believe, and a time he becomes Santa Claus." I think Elizabeth's answer was great. I will teach my child to believe in Santa Claus for as long as he lives because that is the spirit of generosity. I think a great example comes from something that happened to my brother yesterday. He went through the Starbucks drive thru, ordered a drink, went to window to pay and get the drink only to find out that the car in front of him paid for his order. Generosity and kindness right there.

So you can't tell me that there is no St. Nick. I believe and always will!

Christmas Spirit

Want to win Elements 8???? I sure as heck do! So go here and enter to win......
http://grammiemommy.blogspot.com/2009/12/power-of-two.html
Want to win Lightroom 2????? I really really do too! So go here and enter to win.....
http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2009/12/power-of-two.html

(Sorry for the old style links...I have to use the old editor to be able to post at work)

Now I can't wait to go home and fb about this for another chance to win!!!!

Nightmare before Christmas?

This week's question.......

Do you believe in ghosts?

Kinda a spooky question for the holiday season if you ask me but I guess I'll still play along.

Nope, don't believe in ghosts. And that's all I have to say about that!

Want one?????

This bad boy right here???? It's a HP Touch Smart 600 computer!!!!!Well MckMama is giving one away! So go below and do whatever is necessary to win one for yourself too!

http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-giveaway.html

Truthful Tuesday

"What do you really want for Christmas that money can't buy?"

Well, since I've started this post at 7:50am and it's now 9:50am, looked at a few other peoples post to see what they say but my mind has been thinking about Chris.

For those of you who don't know, my very close friend Chris Franks was in a terrible accident in September. While in her husband's truck, she was leaning from the passenger side over the center console and into the driver side trying to give her adult daughter a kiss goodnight when she slipped and slid out the door, landed on her head on the grass. She was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered she had broken her C1 and C2 vertebrae. She is now paralyzed from the neck down. She still needs a ventilator to breathe but is making great progress and is now in a rehab facility and hopefully coming home before Christmas. (You can go to her website for more details, updates and info about her flower shop in Anaheim Hills @ http://www,caringbridge.com/chrisfranks)

So my wish.....is for her. Wanting some type of miracle that would be able to repair the damaged caused and she will be able to talk, walk, and live like the way she is used to. But that is not going to happen. So I wish that the doctors will release her and she can be able to spend the holidays resting at home, where she and her family want to be. See, her family is pretty much demanding that she be released since she will be doing the same things at home and will be having nurses and pt's coming in anyways, so why not have her home sooner then later.

My only other wish seems to be going to happen too! For many years, being a child of divorced parents, I've always run around going to many different places on Christmas. And once I moved in with Justin, his family was included too. So this year, I wanted to spend all Christmas Day at our house, opening presents with Caleb in the morning and having both of our families over for dinner. I know that this can't happen every year and that it will be hard to keep the same traditions with having 4 sets of parents between Justin and I just once I didn't want to do all the running around. It defeats the purpose of the spirit of Christmas when we have to drive from Elsinore, to Corona, to Oceanside, to whereever else then finally home. Well, Justin's dad finally said they will be coming over! I'm so excited! To have everyone over and make dinner, it will be good times. Plus, our house is finally big enough to have everyone over and be comfortable. So let the planning begin!

11 this morning....

So, my employer let the accounts receivable clerk go last Friday( I'll call her L). I was very upset about this decision and, although I didn't work directly with L and not trained in her position, I felt her supervisor told lies to human resources that led to L being let go. My company has slowed down considerably in the past few months and have had to let under performing field labors go but L was a very diligent worker and the company just threw that away.

I was not looking forward to coming into work today at all since I share an office with the accounts receivable department. I didn't want to face the a/r manager (I'll call her T) at all that I told myself I would not talk to her at all today. Not that I would be rude to T but that just because we were in the same office, didn't mean that we have to be besties. I was holding up pretty good to my "just sit and your desk and mind your own business" attitude until about 11 this morning. That's when everything changed.

I told Justin on Friday that if my supervisors came to me and wanted me to help with a/r I would reject it immediately. I didn't want to work under T; she is the most negative person I've ever met and I'm getting tired of all of it. It brings me down listening to her complain about everything!

So this morning about 11 am, my supervisor asked to speak with me with another supervisor. So I enter the conference and my two supervisors and T are in there waiting for me. And my heart sinks. They pretty much tell me that I get to be trained in T's position and I am to train T in my position so that when T is on maternity leave, I will handle her desk. This is the point where I was suppose to stand up and say "NO! T is an awful supervisor! I can't work with her! I don't want this position! T lied about L! L stood her ground and was tired of being bossed around by T and should not have been fired for that! Why does T get to say when L goes to lunch? We all go at various times as long as we are back in our allotted time? T is always late but tattles on L? She's knows L was good and was threatened so she made things seem worse! T had a huge smile on her face, very much like the Grinch did when he stole Christmas, while L packed up her personal belongings! But the Grinch changed!!!! T will never change!!!! NO!!! Can't do it!"

But I didn't. Instead, I smiled and said "I would love to, it would be a great challenge and I'm ready to learn something new with this company."

What's wrong with me! I knew this was going to happen and I practice my speech (or vent) in my head all weekend long. But with T being in the conference room it threw me off. Plus, I wasn't asked if this was something I wanted to do or given time to think about it.

Our safety manager came in this morning and was all cheery. He said "The sun is still shining. It's just on top of the clouds!" At the time I thought that he is the weirdest person here. But after 11 am I know that I was suppose to hear that. The next few months might be cloudy and rainy but the sun is still shining. And once T goes on maternity leave maybe there will be rainbow.....

Would you???

So Elizabeth does this this question thing every Tuesday. I think I might start answering them. This week will be my first week.

Would you get a boob job?

Ami's TRUTHFUL answer.....

YES!!!!!

In fact, I can't wait for it!!! Having a baby and breastfeeding has caused my girls to be old ladies and I am no old lady yet! I'm hoping that for my 30th birthday I can get an updated pair. Granted if I've had our second and final child and done breastfeeding. I think that implants have come along away and you won't look like a bimbo with a pair of fake boobs. My step mom finally got a boob job a few years ago and you can't even tell, wouldn't even know, even in a bathing suit that they are fake. Her girls look incredibly natural. I so look forward to the day that I can put on a cute tank top and not have to worry about my bra peeking out or buying uncomfortable under wire bras just for the support. I guess I better hurry up and have the next kid.....

Edit....

I'm sure I should have uploaded all the pictures from Halloween through our trek across the divide and back for Thanksgiving last night while Justin worked BUT that didn't happen. And it probably won't happen anytime tonight because it is tree trimming tonight, tomorrow is gym (if my partner can make it ;)) so maybe by the end of the week or Sunday when Justin has another night outage. I'm going with Sunday!

thankful

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some.--Charles Dickens

So it's a week from Thanksgiving and this season I'm especially feeling thankful for everything I have. Maybe it's because of the economy we are in right now and I know how lucky Justin and I both are for having our jobs, our house, our vehicles which many are losing right now. Maybe it's because I'm still on a high from getting married and from our honeymoon. Maybe it's from the miracle for this boy and his family here --> http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ which has given me hope and faith that all things are possible. Maybe it's realizing from Chris' accident what I take for granted and how strong and determined she and her family are which is something for myself to strive to do. Or maybe it's because I'm just getting that much older and wiser. Whatever it is, I like it. I'm getting excited to make a run to Colorado next Tuesday for Thanksgiving. It will be a lot of work this weekend packing and making sure I haven't forgotten anything for Bubby. But it will be so nice to see Vicki and Robin and spend Thanksgiving with them, something that will not probably happen very often. Going to Colorado also means that we will be bringing back the cab for the new prerunner! Justin has been doing a great job of parting out the old truck but its still in the garage. Looks like I will have to park my car outside for a while until he finishes it up!

Lord,
Thank You for this sink of dirty dishes, we have good food to eat. Thank You for this pile of dirty laundry, we have nice clothes to wear. I'd like to thank You for these unmade beds, they were all comfortable last night. My thanks for this bathroom, complete with splattered mirror, soggy towels, and grimy sink -- it's still very convenient. Thank You for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly - it has served us faithfully for a long time and inside are cool drinks and enough leftovers for another meal. Thank You for this oven that must be cleaned -- it has baked us many good things through the years. Our whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing -- we all enjoy our private yard. Thank You for that slamming screen door -- the children are healthy and able to run and play. Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says that You have richly blessed this family. I shall do them all cheerfully and gratefully.
Amen.

19 months

On Saturday, Justin and I took Caleb for his 19 months and Christmas pictures. We were suppose to go on Wednesday, but Caleb was sick and we actually debated even going on Saturday. Although it was a long wait because of a large family before us (five children under 10 and the mother was pregnant!!!) we got a few good ones and that is all we really need to give to the grandparents for Christmas!!!

Always playing with a car!



Cute picture, except for the snot from crying!

Hopefully next year I can use our new camera and take our own pictures. I would have liked to have had a little Christmas flair but the Christmas backdrop was awful! I'm talking 70's family Christmas portrait awful here! I just need to learn to how to edit the pictures and then I could totally do my own! And find the time to do it!

Getting Munsoned Out Here

I love poWM!!!! This is one of the good ones! Kingpin is a classic!

Getting Munsoned Out Here

Wedding Slide Show

 Here's a slide show from the wedding!  Such a great day!  I love my family and friends!

First Not Me Monday....

So, this is my first "not me Monday". I did not go and get Carl's Jr. for my family after the gym because I was too tired and feeling sick to just go home and make dinner. No, that wasn't me!
Clicky here for rules and other Not Me! Monday! blogs!

Rain Rain, Don't Go Away!!!

Blogger does not like me to post at work.  I had to do some weird things to finally get this up!  But yesterday I looked up the weather and it says 60% chance of rain next Tuesday!  Rain??? Really??? No more 105 degree days are around the corner.  Normally I don't mind the heat but with the wedding this year and my sister making the cheer squad for Corona High, the river seasons for my family was put on the back burner!  How do I miss the river? Oh well, camping season is on tap now!

I need to ask everyone to pray for a good friend.  She had an accident and is now paralyzed from the neck down.  Please keep her, her family and the doctors in your thoughts and prayers.  Such a tradegy for such a loving friend, wife, mother and grandmother.  Thanks for doing this for me!

I'll try to post wedding/honeymoon pics soon!  I'm just waiting for my mom to give me a cd of the pictures she took so I can include all of them.  If you have pictures, please email me them.  I have an offer from David's Bridal and Shutterfly for a free book and the offer expires November 30!  I should be getting the proffesional ones too in a couple of weeks!

Almost here....

So the BIG day is finally here!!!! After Saturday I can finally say we are the TATE FAMILY! I'm so excited and a little neverous. I don't think as nervous as Justin and my dad are though! Thanks to EVERYONE for making sure tomorrow goes off without any problems! Then Justin and I will be leaving for Cabo on Sunday! I do need the R&R but I will miss the bubby! How can you not with a face (and hair) like this!

VEGAS!

Check this out http://theleyvafam.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-post_9539.html .....and this..... http://http://theleyvafam.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-post_3719.html ......and this..... http://theleyvafam.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-post_5388.html

Had such a fun time in Vegas with all our friends! Thanks everyone and partying with us one last time as bachelor/bachelorette. But that doesn't mean we have to stop partying! Can't wait to dance the night away again at the wedding! Thanks Danielle for taking pictures for us!!!

15 Month Check Up

Yesterday, Caleb had his 15 month check up. He's now 20.2 lbs and 2 1/2 feet tall. It was so nice going to his new pediatrician's office. I've been there a couple times for follow up for a ear infection and during the walk-in sick hour. I was in and out in under an hour. Dr. Furutan actually sat his chair and talked to me. He said Caleb is growing at his pace (he's in the 10% for height and 5% for weight), explained again that not all kids can be on the top of the chart and as long as Caleb keeps growing at the same rate each time then he is not concerned and to keep doing what I'm doing. Such a switch from a doctor that told me I need to feed him more. I can officially say he's definitely part Italian! He loves spaghetti, lasagna, raviolis and anything else with red sauce. I'm so happy because I love making spaghetti. I guess that means I have to get my grandmother's spaghetti recipe from my dad and make it for him. And learn how to make lasagna!

Sunday Afternoon Fights and BBQ

The Hirscy's and Leyva's came to our house for a bbq on Saturday. While the men folk watched some UFC fights we had tivoed the girls played with our kids. Here's Caleb wearing Linkyn's shoes and playing with her hat.

Linky is just too cute!!!

Ryan with Dustin and Justin with Caleb. Dustin is so adorable. Almost makes me want another....almost but not yet!!!

My new camera fell off the counter on fourth of july weekend. I have to use my old camera which still works but isn't as compact so I don't take it everywhere. Hopefully we get a new one before the wedding!!!!

River!!!!!

This father's day weekend we went to the river. It was the first trip as a whole family for the year. Caleb did good. He was very tired and got cranky sometimes, but I think he had fun playing in the sand and in the boat. He wasn't quite to sure of the water unless you were holding him. We had fun and the weather was great, just a little windy but it kept the temp down. We can't wait to back but it will be awhile. It's a busy summer with all the activities for the wedding in September!

Tasting the wrapper, it might be better then the fruit snack.

Hanging out with papa

Just chilling in the boat

My step mom got this old school walker from a friend. Caleb never really liked it when he was smaller, but now that he can manage to get into it by himself he's all about it. He even sits and bats at the toys.
We had so much fun I didn't even get a picture of Caleb with Justin or a picture with all of us. There's always next time!

Long time....

I'm a sorry excuse for a blogger!! It has been way to long! Caleb is getting bigger every day. One of his favorite foods right not is spaghetti! He loves it! It's hilarious to watch him eat the noodles because he tilts back his head and drops the noodle in his mouth. He is very good at sharing now and offers all of his food to you. He has three new teeth with more coming in almost everyweekend. He can say "da" (dad) and "do" (dog). His babysitter thinks he says her name, Brenda, but I haven't heard it. Every once in a while you hear a "ma" but not as often as "da". He holds up my cell phone to his ear and babbles away. He is a crazy happy little boy!

All gone!

Yummy!!

Trying to get the camera with spaghetti hands!

Pink Eye Sucks

Sometime over the weekend Caleb got pink eye. It's not fun and having to put eye drops in his eyes is horrible. I hope this is the only time he ever gets it as a child. And because he was playing so closely to Linkyn on Saturday at his party, she has it know too! So sorry Link, hope you feel better soon!

Here's Caleb walking. This was taken last Friday. Now he is just cruising around even better.

Another River Weekend...

We went to the river this weekend and visited Neal, Danielle and Linkyn in Bullhead.

Here's Caleb excited to be having mac and cheese for dinner.

Caleb was driving Danielle's dad boat in the garage. It kept him happy.

And here's Caleb again, playing king of the mountain in all the pillows on our bed at the river house. We are so lucky to have such a happy little boy!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Caleb sure looks like he's been hitting the bottle in this picture. You can't see his shirt but it says "Kiss Me I'm Irish" on it.

Dinner with Danielle and Linkyn and River Weekend

So last Wednesday, Caleb and I joined Danielle and Linkyn for dinner. When we got there Linkyn was still asleep so Caleb had to wake her up.

After dinner, the babies played for a long time while Danielle and I talked. It was a great night and Danielle made a fabulous dinner.

This weekend we went up to the river house to relax and play around a bit. My dad Justin and Caleb went on a rhino ride and when they got back Caleb wanted a turn at driving. Very relaxing weekend at the river house, just helped do a few chores around the house and had a few cocktails.

Collage

So I was playing around in picasa and made this.

Blink 182 is BACK!!!!!

I love blink-182!!!! I'm so excited they are reuniting and coming out with a new album and tour!!!

Tagged

Danielle tagged me so I had to open the fourth folder and post the fourth picture. So here it is. Caleb in my dad's motorhome on Halloween Weekend. I remember how excited I was because Caleb was finally getting the crawling thing down. Now I'm chasing him all over the house. I don't know many people on the blogging network so Darlene and Amy get tagged.

9 months old today!

Caleb is 9 months old today! I can't believe how fast the time has gone! This little cartoon was in my babycenter.com update today and I thought it was funny. Once Caleb started crawling he finds any little speck on the floor and straight to the mouth it goes. Okay, well back to work just about a half left to go for this hump day!

The Wagon

On Sunday, we went to my dad's house to celebrate his and Alicia's birthday. Caleb got to pick up one of his Christmas presents, THE WAGON. This used to me my sisters old wagon from when she was little. Morgan used to sleep in the wagon on the beach at the river when she was little. My dad had it at the river house and it was beat up. So for Chrismas he re-did all the wood in this shop and sealed it, had the metal repowdercoated, and bought the moon rims for it. He had a friend custom make the sticker with Caleb's name on it. We hope to get the same use out of it as my dad and Sharon did with Morgan.

New Year!

Wow, I can't believe it is already 2009! We went to the river house for new year's this year. It was quite, mellow and relaxing. Justin and I went out to Uncle Bill's for drinks twice, we rode to the sandy hill in the rhino and quads twice, and slept in and hung out around the house! On Friday Caleb woke up at 6am but took a nap at 9. He was out for about 3 hours, VERY RARE!!! Justin and I took the quite time to take a nap on the couch with the rest of family. The couch is huge, I should have got a picture with everybody on it. I didn't take pictures, my sister received a camera for Christmas so she was going picture crazy. Now that the holidays are over, Justin and I are starting to plan the wedding a lot more. We have a lot to do!!

Christmas Day

So I did say my next post will be of Christmas day pictures, I just didn't say how long it will take!! Justin got called out to work tonight (very very windy!) so I'm posting on a Friday night while watching Chelsea Lately when Caleb is fast asleep. I also figured out how to add some things to the blog too!

Here's Caleb with his stuff from his stocking. This is the only picture i could get of him sitting still in front of the tree.

Caleb was so excited to see what was in the wrapping paper. Here's Caleb at Justin's dad house, the first stop of the day after a brunch and opening presents there we continued on to Justin's aunts house in San Diego. Dinner was so delish!! We hung out there for the afternoon and headed back to our house. It was a long day!! This year we are going to stay home and everybody can come to us! Then next year we will run around to see everybody or, if finances allow, we will go to Colorado to see Justin's mom (can't wait to come up Vicki!!)