The 'WEIGHT' Is Over!!

Follow this 'WEIGH'---->





^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

I'm Ready...I'm Ready...I'm Ready!!

I'm pushing myself to be be better for the New Year!!
Check it out HERE!!









^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.....Cards By Shutterfly That Is!!

As most people do, especially those with small children, I love the holiday season!!

I love the decorating, putting up the tree and doing my Christmas cards!
Every year, since my daughter's been born, I've done photo cards.
I love them!! I love making them!! I love giving them!!
It's such an easy process. Anyone can do it! It's also a great time saver, as I don't have to fill out every one because it's all printed out for you!! With a full time job, a house and a 5 year old to take care of, I don't have much time to spare!!
This year I'm using Shutterfly!!
I've used them in the past and I love the finished product!
I've searched through their Holiday Photo Card selection
and found some really nice designs!!


Like this:
I love that it fits 4 photos, so I can have one of each kid and one of the 3 of them!
I also LOVE snowflakes!!


Going with the snowflake theme is this:
As well as snowmen, which I also love. One photo of the 3 of them would fit nicely!

I love the simpleness of this one:
Again, 4 spots: one of each, one group.
I do like 'Happy Holidays' b/c it covers all the winter holidays!!


I really like that this one is so simple!
Love the brown and again...4 spots.


They also have a nice selection of Folded cards!!

Here is my fav!!

4 spots and so fun & festive looking!!


And this one I also love!!!

It has a spot for your last name initial, plus the year!!
And the black and white photos are awesome!!

Wow, I've got some work ahead of me trying to figure out which one I want!!!
In the mean time, I'll have fun doing a photo shoot with my crew!
I can't wait to do take after take until I get the perfect shots!!
Then, I can try them in the different card styles and decide which card they look best in!!

OOOOO...can't wait!!!

Oh,
and you can even make
photo cards for the New Year!!


Enjoy your card making process....
I WILL!!!

^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

Which way do I go George? Which way do I go?

I get so confused at times!
Not knowing
which path to take...
which direction to go...
HE doesn't always answer right away...
but HE does answer!!!







^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

The Benefits Of...

...walking to/from school!

Weather/work schedule permitting, I walk Shea to school and then walk to go pick her up!

Here are some benefits to this activity:

1. ~ exercise
2. ~ time to myself
3. ~ time with Shea
4. ~ saves on gas
5. ~ better for the environment
   
6. ~ don't have to fight to find a parking spot
7. ~ don't have to wait to leave parking spot
8. ~ no dealing with school traffic
9. ~ lots of SUNSHINE!!!
10. ~ fresh air
    

Can you think of anymore benefits?
Let me know!!




^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

1 Year Already...WOW!

Today
is
^Mark^'s
1 year
^ANGEL^versary!

We
miss you
&
love you
so
much!!!

^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

Easter Candy

This post isn't about the Easter candy you may be thinking of.

It's actually about something even sweeter...

the REAL Easter candy!!


You see Easter isn't really about all the commercialized
goodies

like this













or this















or even these










Just like Christmas,
we tend to get lost in all these
things and forget about
what the true meaning of the holiday is
REALLY about...




It is about
HIM













about what HE DID for us

and

the amazing gift

HE

gave us!!!


So as you bite into that
yummy chocolate bunny,
peel a colorful hard boiled egg
or
find that goodie filled plastic egg,

REMEMBER THIS













and how much

~SWEETER~


that gift is!

"In the bonds of Death He lay

Who for our offense was slain;
But the Lord is risen to-day,
Christ hath brought us life again,
Wherefore let us all rejoice,
Singing loud, with cheerful voice,
Hallelujah!"
-- Martin Luther







^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

So yesterday
was my
birthday...

and now that I am older,
I'm not too much into celebrating it.

Not in a big hoohaha way,
anyway.

I did spend it
very
lowww
key,
however...

Spending
most of the day

HERE:

watching
this:

as well as,

napping...

I relaxed
and
ate
THIS:

Later,
hubby made dinner for the gang
[cheese steaks]

while I
baked a piece
of
Tilapia
for myself.
[And ate it with the leftover onions & mushrooms from the CSs.]


I did not
have
a
traditional
birthday cake...


Instead
I had
THESE:

[which, btw, I made myself!!]


So, you see...
nothing
spectacular
nothing
amazing

just
a
lazy
day!!

^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

The Blessings On Thee: A Job, Free School, Great Family...Needed Work & The Lord's Love For ME!!!!

1.) A job!!!

2.) Free Pre-K!!!

3.) Great in-laws who watch Shea!!!

4.) Some work this week for hubby!!!

5.) The LORD's constant blessings & LOVE!!!!












^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

COMING SOON!!!!!

I PROMISE
I will
give
some
LOVIN'
attention
to this
poor
neglected blog...

...to be continued....






^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

♪ Lies Lies Lies Yea, They're Gonna Get You ♫

This seems to be the tune playing in my head a lot lately!!
For good reason, as it seems that MANY people around me these days are full of them!!

Let me back up a tad...

I've noticed as I get older that I have less and less of this:


LORD knows I am leaning on HIM to improve it
-- HE is the BEST teacher, after all --
besides having a little one that I really need to practice it with.
So I am a work in training.

Anyway, this problem is aggravated by many things:

Ignorant people...

Rude drivers...

Fakers...

The list could go on and on...

But the WORST is
LIARS!!!!

I wrote this as my FB status yesterday, and it is SOOO true!!
"It's not the lying that bothers me. It's the fact that people think I'm stupid enough to believe them that does."

Do I have the word IDIOT

written

across

my

forehead???

I don't know what it is, or even why these people feel the NEED to do it!!

Whether it be a little white one

to make themselves

or their family members look better

or

a big one

just because

it makes them

feel better

about

themselves

...idk!!

Unfortunately, I have many -- TOO MANY-- people in my life that do this!!

I am talking FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!

One in particular, is a close relative AND a pathological liar!!

Others are just friends & family that have to streeeeetch the truth to make themselves look better!

They

all

could easily

put this

on their

back

windshield!!

Seriously, are they that insecure that they need to do this to people

that ♥ love ♥ them no matter what??

I just don't get it!!

Now, I am by no means perfect or innocent in the lying department.

Let's face it, we ALL do it a one point or another.

But, it's usually small ones to protect ones feelings or devert a confrontation, etc.

Right or wrong, it's in GOOD meaning.

But these other people...well, there is just NO GOOD meaning in their lies...NONE!!

And it eerks me to no end!!!

Then to think that I am stupid enough to believe what they are telling me...ugh!!

Most of these people have been doing it for years...basically as long as I've known them.

And for the most part, I let it go

taking everything they say with a grain of salt.

But it seems that my patience for it has dwindled and they have actually gotten worse, as well!!

And it is so funny to me when you call a person on something, they do and say all they can to defend themselves, think that you just forgot about it and then try to play you some more...HELLO??!!!

Oh, I could go on and on about this, but I won't...I just needed to vent!!

What do you think about this subject?

Am I alone or do you feel the same??


Please...share!!



^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

Ree's Ribbons

Ree...

--> hopefully found a job--I have an interview @ Bancroft on Tuesday,
and it should go well!

--> is very happy w/my decision to put Shea in our local school's Pre-K program!!

1. I'm extremely happy with her teacher--and assistant!!
2. But still a little worried as to who is going to watch her if I do get this job. --It will only be for a few hours in the afternoon, until Nick gets home from school, on Wed. -Fri.

--> still HATES mosquitos, but they aren't much of a nuisance right now with the cooler weather.

--> has been watching what she eats and getting some exercise!

1. Been walking Shea either to school or from school.
2. Hoping to do both this week--Shea & weather permitting!!
3. Has lost 4 lbs. this week!!

--> is still excited--and nervous and scared and happy-- about going back to work!!

--> would still LOVE to go back to my old job and hopes to go back one day!!

--> is very happy to have her driveway back after months!!

--> is thankful that this past week has brought good news and good things even in the midst of the not so good things!!

--> is still suffering from these dangit sinus headaches!!

--> is looking forward to earning some $$$ and getting caught up on all our bills!

--> is NOT looking forward to the hours I'll have to work, but glad they aren't overnight!!

--> is still ALWAYS and everyday putting it all into the LORD'S hands and praising Him for what He has given us!

--> is humbled by HIS grace!!

--> is wishing everyone a great weekend!!

^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

Veggie Tales Tears

I heard Shea whining in another room this afternoon,

so I asked her what was wrong.

Her reply,

"I'm cutting onions and crying."

lol

too cute!!

^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

Ree's Ribbons

Ree...


--> is still looking for a job!!

--> is getting nervous about how Shea & preschool are going to work out:

1. Should I just enroll her in the local elementary school's FREE program--which is only ½ day and then take her out and put her in the paid preschool if & when I do get a full time job? or
2. Use this program and see if that paid preschool has a take/pick up and just send her there for the other part of the day?

--> is hating mosquitos!!

--> is still trying to watch what she eats & exercise as much as possible!!

--> is still unmotivated and has lack of energy!!

--> is headed to the doctor's this Wednesday for a number of things--don't worry...nothing serious!!

--> is ADDICTED to Wyler's Light Cool Raspberry **And is happy to say that I get them for $1 @ Walgreens & Dollar General!!

--> is excited--and nervous and scared and happy...--at the prospect of going back to work!!

--> is confessing that I REALLY would like to go back to my old job b/c I am familiar and comfortable there!!

--> is extremely irritated that I still cannot use my driveway--after 3 weeks--while the borough is making upgrades on the side street [unfortunately where my driveway is] next to our house!!!
--> is REALLY REALLY HATING mosquitos!!

--> is hoping that this coming week brings good news and good things!!

--> is always and everyday putting it ALL into the LORD's hands and praising Him for EVERYTHING He has bestowed upon us!!

--> is wishing everyone a lovely week!!



PS...Thanks her bloggy friend Shelly for her idea of random factoids!!




^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

Wordless Wednesday: My '4' Year Old

^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^

Because It's Been Ages... [See update!!]

I thought it was time for an update, beings I don't give my poor abandoned blogs the attention they once had and still deserve!!

2009 has been quite a year, thus far!!

We've had our share of loses, as well as, many new arrivals and good news, too!!


TOMM:
Tomm celebrated his 20th birthday in April. Still not decided on his direction in life he justs wants to work and save some money to attend CCC. He has been in and out of work this past year. He was working at Green Lea, but was laid off. He searched and searched and after a lot of hem and haw, paper work and what not, he finally started a new job yesterday @ Bancroft. It is a period of training, but it is paid - so bring it on!! Time will tell what this postion brings. Tomm has a habit of leaving jobs that he doesn't like. So his father and I both warned him that THIS job was sticking. If he didn't like it then he had to fins another before quitting!!!

NICK:

Nick celebrated his 16th birthday in February. He will be starting his Junior year @ Sterling High School in September.

He currently is a bustboy @ Chilis and enjoys his job. My nephew Reggie also works there, which is nice b/c he takes and brings him home often :)

He is eagerly anticipating getting his driver's permit and then license!!

SHEA:

Our little princess will be celebrating her 4th birthday in less than 3 weeks!! I can't believe how fast she is growing and how big she is getting!! She amazes us every day!!

Shea is going through a whiny--or should I say whinier-stage right now. She cries over everything and anything!!! I have been trying to tell her that all she has to do is ask rather than cry, but it hasn't helped much.

She will be attending preschool in September, although at this time I haven't decided which one. I am leaning towards Tender Hearts, though. She was excited about going to school and actually couldn't wait! However, for some reason, she now doesn't want to...hmmmm.

TERRY:
The father continues to try to find work in this terrible economy, and it has been extremely slowwww!!! He works when he can and is up to anything if it will bring in some money.

Summer is his favorite time b/c he ♥s to sit outside or hang w/his buddies and drink beer or Twisted Teas.

He worries way too much what people say and is very paticular with his work!! He is, however, working on these things!!

MOI:
Oh, me. What can I say? A work in progress! Still not happy w/my weight! Still trying to get myself together!! Will I ever get there? We shall see!!

Anyway, I hope to be working come September!! I have reapplied at my old job - Archway and hope to get back in there!! I am looking forward to being back w/ my old peeps [or what is left of them anyway--so much has changed!!]. Say a prayer and keep your fingers crossed for me PLEASE!!

As far as the family as a whole, we have had our share of ♥aches and happiness:

MARK:

On this past 4/6, we lost our nephew/cousin at the tender age of 21.

Mark had many demons which unfortunately included drugs! Sadly, he couldn't conquer them :(
We miss him terribly and I still have a hard time believing he is gone!!

We ♥♥♥♥ you, MARK!!

This is my fav photo---

Shea misses him terribly!!

In June we lost a number of pets [between family and friends].

HOOCH:

My BIL's dog HOOCH was put down after having problems with seizures.

We miss him!! ♥♥♥

DIANA:
Our niece/cousin Diana brought both sad and happy news!!

As you can see from this picture, she is expecting---a baby boy in October!!!

He will be welcomed by Diana, her hubby Michael and big brother Joey...along with the rest of the family!!!

ROSCOE:

Diana's little Chihuahua, ROSCOE had to be put to sleep in June, as well. Sadly he was found to have cancer during an operation to remove an abcess in his belly :( He was only 5!!

He is missed, too!! :(

SHARKEY:

This past week, Diana and her crew welcomed a new addition--

Sharkey.

He is a cute little chihuahua who is already loved!!!

WELCOME SHARKEY!!!!

DONNA [& LAUREL]:

My friend Donna & her daughter Laurel, had their share of ♥ache & ♥warming events!

MURPHY:

Yet another June loss-- Donna had to say goodbye to her beloved Murphy!! He had cancer and was about 12 years old.

RIP ole buddy

MICHAEL JOHN:


Happily, Donna & Laurel also

welcomed new arrival Michael John on 7/2!!

What a cutie!! We are soo happy for them!!

WELOME MICHAEL!!

TEAGAN [REBECCA]:

On July 15th, my bloggy friend Rebecca welcomed her 4th child

--yes you heard me & God Bless Her!!!

A baby girl Teagan Jayne...how precious!!

Super happy for the Kelley clan!!!

WELCOME TEAGAN!!!!

Along with those two births, a few more of my friends welcomed little bundles since January:

• Devin Robert on January 28th welcomed by Sherri, Brian, Brady & ^ANGEL DYLAN^!!
• Robert on March 17th welcomed by Lauren & Robert Baker!!!
• Jackson on March 16th welcomed by Cara, John & Sophia!!

There are also many babies on the way...

• A baby boy for my bloggy friend Michelle in October!!
• My bloggy friend Amy is having a baby, as well!
• Old school mates - Chantell is having twin boys & Joanne is having a boy, too!
• A pal that I used to work with-Brie is having her own bundle of joy!

******BABY UPDATE:

Chantell gave birth to her boys Tuesday 7/21 @ 6:20pm ~ Joseph Richard is 5lbs. 3.5oz & 18.25in long & Michael Phillip is 4lbs. 11oz & 17in. long!! At just shy of 34 weeks, mommy had some big boys!!! Mom & babies are doing well!!! CONGRATS Chantell, Joe & family!!!

So, that's it for now. I will try to post more often, but can't promise I will.

Ta for now!!

^JUST ^j^ BELIEVE^