Thank You and an Update

*UPDATE*
Here is a link about the accident.

Thank you for your sweet response to my last post. I told my husband not to worry. I told him I was going to call upon the wonderful bloggers that I know to pray for his tenants. And I knew you would respond because you are the most generous and wonderful people I know. And I think your prayers and good wishes are helping.

The last we heard, the father and little girl in the hospital are doing better and will probably pull through. The youngest girl was released into the care of family friends yesterday. My heart breaks when I think about that poor family.

Nine years ago, my father was killed when he was hit by a courier van while walking across the street to work. At the funeral, one of his co-workers told me something that really startled me. She said that she heard about the accident on her way to work while listening to a local Christian radio station. Evidently, the radio station had a traffic helicopter that was flying over when the accident occurred. The pilot asked listeners to pray for the victim in the accident because it didn't look good. My father's co-worker didn't find out until later that it was my father who was the victim. She told me that she knew that my father's soul was carried to heaven on the prayers of all of those listeners. It's a nice thought. I always say a prayer now when I go past an accident. You never know what a difference it might make.

A Favor Needed

Hello my friends.

I have a favor to ask of you today. It is so important to me that I am going to put the same post on both of my blogs.

Last night, my husband got a phone call that some of his tenants had been in a car accident. It's a family of four. The mother was killed. The father and one of the little girls are in the hospital and the little girl has yet to regain consciousness.

I actually believe in the power of prayer. I really do. I am asking you today to take a moment as you read this to pray for that family. It doesn't matter to me what you believe. I think that if we send this family our best wishes, thoughts and prayers, it will help them. I am praying that the father and little girl still in the hospital make it through this tragedy. They have lost enough already. And I am also praying that the father will have the strength to go forward with his little girls after such a horrible loss. I can't imagine going through something like this.

So, if you have a moment today, please send some positive energy to this family. They need it desperately.

Warm Fuzzies and a "Boo Hissy!"

Can I admit something silly?

I just get tickled pink when someone gives me one of those blog awards. It really gives me a warm fuzzy! It's always nice to be recognized and to feel valued. So, thank you to all of you who have given me a blog award and thank you to the creator of those awards too!

Now, for a "boo hissy."

I am a little over five months pregnant now and my belly really hasn't popped much. I know people look at me and are afraid to ask if I am pregnant or just overweight. I'm starting to feel self-conscious about it. At my prenatal pilates class last night, a woman who is a week behind me has a nice big belly. Not me. I seem to have gained weight all over but not especially in my belly.

A co-worker just stopped by my desk to see how big I am getting and he said, "You don't look pregnant at all! You're not trying to diet are you?!"

I know he didn't mean anything by it but it kind of hurt my feelings. Of course I wouldn't diet while pregnant!!! I can't help it if I have a small belly! I know it's a silly thing to feel sensitive about. I don't know why women get so competitive about this stuff. Myself included. It's not enough that we often fall prey to comparing ourselves with each other physically on a daily basis. But to do it while pregnant?! A good friend of mine is due today and she proudly told me that she has only gained fifteen pounds her whole pregnancy. That made me start to worry that I am gaining too much weight. I guess I just need to focus on being healthy and not worry about comparing myself to others. It's all so silly!

Back to the (Scrapping) Grindstone

Hello my friends!

I am back from Texas where I had a lovely long weekend with my mom eating and shopping. Got lots of fun clothes for baby!

I have been thinking that it might be a good time to knuckle down and get my wedding scrapbook done. I haven't even started it yet! (My wedding was in July 2006) I need to get that finished and then my honeymoon scrapbook done because pretty soon, I will have to start a baby scrapbook! It just seems like such a daunting task that I have been putting it off. I think I need a weekend where I do nothing but sit at my dining room table and scrapbook. I just never seem to have the time! And when I think about sorting through and organizing all my wedding photos....whew!!!

However, I have been spending too much time on the couch in front of the tv so at least this would be a productive sitting activity. I'm going to get right on it!

In a day or two... ;)

Shopping Trip

Tomorrow morning, I am flying home to Texas to spend the weekend with my mom in Dallas shopping and eating. I can't wait! I am going to get off the plane and head straight to my favorite Mexican food place, El Fenix.

Mom and I are going to do some shopping for baby. There aren't many good baby and maternity stores where I live so I'm looking forward to going to all the neat stores in Dallas.

I hope you all enjoy the weekend and I'll tell you about my adventures when I get back. If you are so inclined, please send good thoughts and wishes my way for a safe trip!

To Valentine or not to Valentine?

Valentine's Day is coming up and I'm wondering if I have the energy to make homemade valentines for everyone.

When I was growing up, I really enjoyed Valentine's Day. In elementary school, we would decorate paper bags with our names on them and hang them around the classroom. On Valentine's Day, you were asked to bring valentines for EVERYONE in the class. Kids would come in and "deliver" their valentines into the paper sacks. Later, we would have a party and open our valentines. I just loved that! I remember all the thought that would go into my choice of valentines at the store. Store-bought or homemade? Should I include candy or not? If I give this valentine to "cute boy," will he think I like him?!

When I got older, I started to think Valentine's Day was mocking me. I didn't date in middle school or high school and this phony baloney holiday was a painful reminder of that. I decided that I would change the holiday to be less about romance and more about telling the people in your life that you love them. This has become more important to me over the years due to certain events in my life.

So, I'd like to make valentines this year for my friends and loved ones. We'll see if it happens. But if I don't, I want to tell everyone that I love and appreciate you. You enrich my life everyday!!!

Marley Baby

I find myself gravitating towards children's clothing stores these days. I'm curious about what is out there for little boys. So far, I have not been very happy with my findings. I'm afraid I'm just not the kind of person who likes trucks and airplanes and trains on baby clothes. It just seems so gender-specific to me. There just doesn't seem to be as much variety for boys as there is for girls.

A new store just opened in my little town that has "rocker chic" clothing for kids. I had to check it out. My husband is a big fan of reggae music, so when I saw this onesie, I had to buy it.



My mom tracked down some terrific CDs that she gave us for Christmas. One of them was a collection of holiday rock music that had been converted to lullaby-sounding songs. In the same series, they had a CD full of lullaby-converted Bob Marley music. I just love it.



When I was sick on Christmas Day, I laid on the couch in front of the fire listening to the CDs and dozed off into a nice nap. I'm looking forward to playing the CDs for our baby when he arrives.

In the meantime, I'm keeping my eye out for hip boys' clothing a la Kingston Rossdale.

Spread the Love

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. I know many people think of this as a silly "Hallmark" holiday. But I think it's a great time to remind the people in your life that you care about them.

Mica over at Garb-oodles Soup has created a special award to pass on to our friends. It is called the "Spread the Love" award. Isn't it sweet?

I would like to give this award to all of my readers and blog friends but to these people in particular:

1. Alison Gibbs at Creative Art and Craft for being such a devoted reader and always leaving me supportive comments.

2. Mary Isabella at Daisy Bouquet for also being a regular reader and supportive commenter.

3. Michelle at Hippie Dog for being so sweet!!!

4. Cheryl at Artsy-Fartsy for being the best swap partner ever!

5. And to Vieve over at Princess Genevieve for being a devoted and loyal friend for 14 years!!!!

Thank you for all you do, ladies! Now, go spread the love!!!

Your Opinion Solicited

I was really expecting to have a girl so now I have to readjust my thinking. I always wanted to do a nursery in green. I just love a nice spring green. I'm thinking green and yellow might work and I like this "cottontail" themed room from Pottery Barn. Is it too girly for a boy? I don't want to get too gender-biased because I don't believe in that. But, I'd like your opinion.

Today's the Day!

I go in for my first sonogram today. I am nervous and so excited that I can hardly stand it!!! The big event is at noon PST. I will let you know how it goes!!!

**UPDATE** It's a boy!!!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday. I was sick with a bad cold over the holidays but still had a good time. Spent lots of time with my mom and we even started working on my baby registry which was fun!

I really enjoyed catching up on everyone's blogs. Sounds like a good time was had by all. I know I swore I wouldn't do any more swaps for awhile but I couldn't resist Heather's Hippity Hop Easter Swap.



In this swap, you will get paired with a group of ten people. Then, you will create an artsy Easter item that you will send ten of to your group. You will receive nine different items in return. I so enjoyed seeing the 12 Days of Christmas swap items so I think this will be fun. And I have some extra time to get it done. Head over to Heather's blog for more information.

I know 2008 is going to be a momentous year for me and I can't wait to see what happens!