Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas in SC. It started off a little rocky when John came home from work very sick the day we were supposed to leave. Luckily it was only a 24 hour bug and after sleeping all day & night, 4 hot baths, cracker barrel's chicken noodle soup, lots of meds & a back rub from yours truly he was ready to hit the road Christmas eve morning.


Christmas eve night we had dinner at John's grandparent's house and exchanged gifts with the adults. We draw names in our family...I had granny and made her a book online with photos from Poppa's 85th birthday and other family pics. Poppa had me and got me D&G light blue perfume!

dad had Kim & got her framed pics of their family (with a little help from me) :)

she loved her book!

Janet got an electric skillet!

the kids got to open one gift

new PJs for Julia

Brooke had a trip to the ER earlier in the week from getting hurt on the rope swing!

Caleb & Matthew

Blake & his daddy

John & Caleb

I was sick to hear that TN was getting 5-6 inches of snow on Christmas day!!! One of the things I will forever miss about MN is the snow! It was sooo fun and make December feel like a winter wonderland. God must have heard my pleas b/c we got some of that snow even in SC! It wasn't as much, but still enough to make everything white and beautiful. John built a snowman with his cousins & the neighbor kids. He pulled them up the hill to sled down while Jax and Raleigh chased after them.

Christmas morning came early with kiddos in the house, but watching them open their gifts is so much fun! Kids really make Christmas! I ended up getting some great gifts too. The biggest surprise would be the 9mm pistol from John. We had been wanting something other than a hunting rifle to protect the house. I had mentioned not loving all the construction workers that have been posted on our street for several months now building 3 houses. They know I am here alone and if they wanted to know my schedule and routine of the day it wouldn't take much effort. yuck. That was all John Turner needed to hear.

Meet Polly:

Polly the Pistol and I got acquainted this past weekend and the firing range. I won't lie...I was intimidated at first. Those things are LOUD and there were all these other people at the range shooting all around me. I've never felt so out of my comfort zone. It also freaked me out to be around people/strangers with loaded guns, SHOOTING inches beside you. What if they were crazy people, why did they have guns? They may have wondered the same thing about me, but surely they didn't feel threatened by me with my pink handle grip and hot pink earmuffs. The whole experience was weird, but I felt more comfortable by the end and got used to Polly. I still have a tendency to close my eyes when shooting anticipating the jerk and LOUD pop of the gun so I have to concentrate on that, but overall I'm happy with her and really feel more confident. I also had bullet shells hit me in the forehead, nose and one went down my shirt...it was HOT! The irony is of all the places John and I have lived since we've been married, our current neighborhood is probably the safest. We needed Polly when we lived on Clemmer street in Cleveland. :) Remember this scary night?

first target all to myself

John teaching mom

dad layin' down the law

John is just a show off ;)

another list...

I'm copying my friend, Abby and making a list of things I like and don't like about myself. I liked when she did it and I have no original thoughts right now, but I can make a list anytime!

However, in making this list I've wondered what I would change about myself if I could only pick 3 things to change. It sounds easy, but it's actually hard! If you could only pick 3 things to change about yourself what would you pick? ...is it a nail biting habit, your ocd tendencies, never being on time? I would really like to know!

Things I like about myself:

1. I like that I can drink any type of milk. Anything from whole milk to fat free or soy. I have a preference, but I can be happy with whatever.
2. I love that I love people. The more the merrier to me. I don't really need alone time, which I've learned is odd for only children.
3. I love animals & I like this about myself because I feel like it's rare. It makes me feel like I'm fighting for the "under dog"...no pun intended..ok it was intended just a little bit. I wish I was on that show animal cops tracking down people that abuse animals...with a gun. hello dream job!
4. I don't judge people on how they spend their money. I don't have a single pair of designer jeans, but I don't care if someone has 10 pair. I've never bought a purse for more than $20, but I really don't care if someone has 10 purses that were $400 each (I have been give 2 designer purses though!) Everyone splurges in different areas. It's not my job to care where or how it's spent even if I would spend it differently.
5. I always try to be a good friend. I realized I've failed at this from time to time, but I like that I truly try.
6. I like that I can enjoy being in a big city or camping in the woods.
7. I don't really have regrets in life. Sure, there are things I would do differently, but I don't think it's fair to call them regrets. Dolly Parton once said that regrets aren't fair to you because you couldn't possibly know then what you know now. I like Dolly...and her approach to regrets.
8. I like that I can resist sweets. I can never resist bread, cheese or pasta, but I've been known to turn down a dessert or two.
9. I like that I've never dyed my hair. I don't really know why, but it's always fun in the "never have I ever" game....since I play it every day.
10. I'm happy I'm not a picky eater. I'll try about anything once.
    

Things I do not like about myself: Why was this list so much easier to make!?

1. I don't care about my looks as much as the average girl. I wish I got into fashion more, but I could (and often do) stay in sweats with no makeup all day and I'm totally fine with it. I wish I was that person that had to put make up on and look presentable everyday, but I really just don't care....and I go in public like this.
2. I'm pretty forgetful. I forget birthdays like it's my job.
3. I need excessive amounts of sleep. I'm pretty sure it's not normal. I just don't do well with staying up late...and by late I mean 11. sad isn't it!?
4. I cry easily. If I'm angry, I cry. If I'm sad, I cry. If I'm nervous, I cry. It's not cool...not at all.
5. I don't like that I question everything....and everyone, even Jesus himself. I think if there was one thing John would change about me, it would be this.
6. Deep down I know loads of money wouldn't solve all of my problems and help me save the world, but somehow I can't really grasp that. I don't like that I feel money could make me happier.
7. I have reusable bags for grocery shopping, even specific mesh bags for fruits and vegetables, but I never remember them. Most of my green efforts seem to fail...
8. I always buy pants knowing that I will have to get them hemmed, but never do it. I just wear the already hemmed pairs over and over.
9. I've failed at every exercise program I've ever attempted. I do it for awhile then go back to being a couch potato. I know it has to be a lifestyle, but instead it's just spurts in my life.
10. I wish I could accessorize more. I need a little bling in my life, but the only jewelry I wear is my wedding bands. I will throw on a scarf now and then, but that's as crazy as it gets here!
    

I can't do it..

I think I've seriously lost my ability to blog. I can't even remember what I used to talk about on here.

It used to come so easy...so natural, like an extension of my thoughts and now I'm racking my brain to think of things to say...and I've got nothing.

I'm waiting for my second wind...any day now!

Crazy Cool!

My friend, Whitney, posted this video on her blog. It's so fun! Since it makes me smile, I thought I would share!