Ok so I usually never do this... but.....

So I was at a friends shop and saw this jewelry. It turns out that a lady I know sells it and does shows in your home. So before I decided to have a show at my house I was wondering how many of my friends would be interested in coming. January is a great month.. Just because they are having a half of sale. Even if you don't want to buy anything just to get out of the house. I know how it goes to go to party's but not really want anything. Anyways so here is the link if you would like to see just a small portion of what the jewelry looks like.

http://corporate.liasophia.com/jewelry.html

I am going to post a poll on the side to show me if you would be interested.. .Please let me know. No pressure but if I do this, I want to do it before the end of January so that everyone can get he good deals.

Thanks Meg

SPT-2008

is there a part of you, a part of your home, a part of your creativity that gets more attention from you than anything else? when you look at your reflection, do you automatically zoom in on a feature you love or you loathe? when you are in your creative space, is there one project that gets you when you really zoom in on that thing, that feature, that idea, does it take on a whole new meaning for you??

do you think we will know what it is?our attention before all the others?

I am so excited about this spt.

Here is what I am zooming in on right now!

I am rediscovering the things that I really love, that interest me, and that I know that I believe but would not hurt for me to gain a real passion for again.

first I am going to try and start reading again, before kids, I really liked to read. Now I find it hard to find the time. I need to start again!

The second is that I really want to zoom in on my marriage. I am married to a great guy, however due to school, work, life, etc we do not always take time for each other. I really am going to do more of that.

Lastly, I love to take pictures, especially of my kids! It is my passion! Sometimes I feel as though I see moments of life as if they were snapshots. I tell my husband all the time, I wish I had my camera, what a great moment. Most of my friends would tell you that I am a picture junkie!

Taking Mandy's Challenge!

UPDATED SORRY IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN THIS ONCE.. BE AFRAID OF THE UPDATE BE VERY AFRAID!

So my friend Mandy challenged everyone to post their post baby hospital pictures. I guess a conversation came up between some friends of ours about how after you have a baby you are all happy to take pictures because you just had this beautiful baby. However later you realize that you did not look as good as you thought you did. So here are our latest hospital pictures. This is when Kael was born. I agree I do not look my best, but I love these pictures. I could post a million of them. I have to admit looking at them makes me look forward to holding a new sweet baby again someday!
PLEASE NOTE: THIS PICTURE IS THE UPDATE I WARNED EVERYONE ABOUT! THIS IS THE MORNING I LEFT TO BE INDUCED. THAT IS RIGHT INDUCED. AFTER CULLAN MY DOCTOR SAYS THAT I WILL NEVER MAKE IT TO 40 WEEKS BECAUSE MY BABIES ARE WAY TO BIG. AS YOU CAN TELL. YES IT WAS PAINFUL TO CARRY SUCH AN ENORMOUS BABY! BUT WORTH IT FOR THE SWEET RESULT!

I COULD NOT FIND MY CD WITH CULLANS BIRTH ON IT BUT I GUARANTEE YOU THEY ARE JUST A PUFFY!

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Say Goodbye to your Audience Cullan!

Despite my not feeling very well, Garran and I had to run one important errand before he went in to work today. We had to go to the DMV to renew our tags and update our license. Of course we did not pick the best time. It was nap time for both of the boys, however it was really the only time that we could both be there today. Anyways we got in line and waited for our numbers. Well we got the first half of our business taken care of with getting our tags renewed. Then we had to go get back in line to get another number to get our license updated. Well Garran was 238 and I was 239. Of course they do not take debit and we had no cash so we had to write a check. I told Garran to tell the lady at the counter to just wait until I went up there and I would pay for both of us because I did not want to have to write three different checks. However when Garrans number was called, my body decided to call me in a different direction. That's write I had to make a desperate run to the restroom. (Cullan had to go with me because Garran had Kael) So I am dragging Cullan down the hallway (our dmv is in our mall, and the closest bathroom was in Sears) I am desperately looking for a bathroom and just barely make it in there. Well of course by the time I get back, I have lost my place in line, but Garran is holding up the line because I took the check book with me in my flee to the bathroom. So I have to wait until they call my number and try and deal with the lady who is holding up the line while I explain to her that I do not want to have to write three checks in one place. Finally she just processed mine and let me move on to the picture station with Garran. Ok by this time the kids are loosing it. We had been waiting not forever but a while in their world. It was very hot and not very kid friendly. Cullan started getting very cranky and all we had brought in was our little umbrella stroller due to space issues. So we decided to take Kael out of the stroller and put Cullan in while waiting to take our photos. Well this does not go over well. Cullan absolutely losses it. He starts crying and trying to work his way out of the stroller. By this time Garrans name had been called and he is trying to take his picture while holding Kael. After taking his picture I suggest to Garran that he take the boys to the car and I will take my picture and be out there shortly. Apparently Cullan was in agreement with our idea. He was still crying but had wiggled his way to get his feet on the ground and was walking out of the DMV dragging our umbrella stroller still hooked to his waist. All I could do was laugh. Here we were standing in front of everyone working and waiting in the DMV. Everyone was staring at us, and all I could do was die laughing. I mean the scene was extremely funny. As Garran walked out following Cullan he passed the waiting area where people were watching some laughing and some looking disgusted. Garran says to Cullan loud enough for some to hear I am sure "Say Goodbye to your audience Cullan, take a Bow!" Oh I am glad that I could laugh about this feeling horrible and all. Needless to say that was our only errand for the day!

NO REST FOR A MOMMY... EVEN WHEN SHE IS SICK!

WARNING: THIS BLOG CONTAINS BOTH GROSS AND FUNNY CONTENTS-READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

So my family has recently been struggling through some horrible stomach virus or flu or something. We have all had it and it is terrible. I mean completely awful. It includes a large amount of getting sick. With young kids that do not understand the concept of trying to make it to the bathroom, it has been a very messy two weeks. Well anyways yesterday was my turn to have the worst of it. I was miserable all day long. Anyways here is the humours part of the day. Garran had left to run a few errands including going to the store and getting some sprite and things like that to try and help settle my stomach. So both the boys were napping when Garran left, so I would be able to continue to rest while he was gone. However about ten minutes after he left, Kael decided to wake up. No big deal I thought we will just sit in the living room until Garran gets back and then I will go back to bed. So I turned on something that I thought that Kael may be interested in, and got some toys for him to play with on the living room floor. As I was doing that, I felt the sudden urge to run to the bathroom. Now I was used to getting sick but I was concerned about getting sick in front of Kael with no one there, just because I did not want to scare him. I should have none better. Kael entered the bathroom about mid process for me. I could feel him starring me, and then I see his little head poke between the sink and the toilet. Hence the picture just to give you an idea. Then I hear him begin to laugh and clap. I guess he thinks that I am doing this for his entertainment. But here is the real kicker. As I am finishing up my reason for being in the bathroom all of a sudden there is a bottle in my face and Kael wants some juice.

I thought really. You can't wait like two seconds, I am kind of in the middle of something here. Oh well I guess that when your a mom, your kids just don't understand when you might just need one minute. At least not when they are one and two!

(Just a disclaimer, this is not my bathroom. I hate our bathroom so I did not want to post an actual picture of it on the Internet for everyone to see how ugly it is)

It must be hard to be so darn cute!

Today we went to play group. We then decided to take the boys out again. I have been feeling a real need to get out of my house. For almost a month I just did not feel like leaving and within the past week, I have been itching to get out of my house. So we decided to take the boys out today and just go have some fun. We went to this pet shop, because the boys love to see puppies, fish, basically any kind of animal. Then we decided to just take the kids and go walk around the mall. The kids had so much fun, but oh my goodness. What a bunch of hams I have... Hence the title of this entry.

There was this older couple there power walking around the mall. Our mall is not very big, so they passed by us a number of times. At one point I was with Cullan while he was sitting on these different cars that kids could climb on and play with. Anyways every time the couple would pass the would constantly say something about Cullan. The first comment was about his golden curls. Then the second time they spoke directly to him and he flashed them his I know I am cute smile, to which the gushed over. This continued for about 20 minutes.

Later we were split up again and Garran had Kael out walking about while Cullan and I were looking in a store. Anyways, Garran told me that the walked down this one entry way that is all mirrors. Kael saw himself in the mirror and began kissing his reflection over and over. Garran asked Kael "Is that a cute baby" to which Kael looked over his shoulder and Garran and gave him this smile like "You know it" Then continued to kiss his own reflection. Garran and I are not looking forward to their teenage years. We are hoping their egos may go down about their own looks, but then we have to worry about the interest of little girls going up. (Because of course Garran and I know they are both going to be very handsome boys!) Oh well for know it is cute to watch people gush over your kids, and say how cute they are!

SPT-2008

stop for a minute and take a self-portrait, a snapshot of you in the here and now. what ARE your dreams and goals for 2008? what is your word? what are you thinking about right now as we plunge head-first into the new year? (just a head's up - we WILL be revisiting these photos throughout the year...)so, tell us about it: what is your new *you* resolution?

FRESH

This year my word is FRESH. I am wanting to use this word to its fullest extent. I want to get a little makeover this month and start with a FRESH look. I want to leave all the baggage of 2007, and start 2008 stress free and leaving the pains of the previous year behind me. I want to start FRESH with friends and family. Any little tiffs or problems I am leaving behind. Wiping them clean and starting with a clean slate. I also want to spend more time with my family, taking advantage of being outdoors, breathing in the FRESH air. My kids love being out doors and this past summer I was stuck inside due to pain. This year we will enjoy the FRESHNESS of being out doors. I also want to start FRESH on those same goals that I set every year saying that I will be better at but each year let fall by the way side. This is the year I will attempt at least to make that list for next year a little shorter. And finally just to start each day FRESH! No matter how badly the day before went. I want to try to wake up each morning with a since of starting a new day with no anger or frustration from the day before. FRESH is my word people and you can hold me to it!

This is the first step to my FRESH look. I started off they new year by getting my eyebrows done! Next is the hair.. Photos to come! Happy Fresh Year!

Living in the Land of Flu and Disfunction!

So this has been what everyone has been saying at my house since the day after Christmas. We have all gone through our cycle of it. There was one day that I could not even get out of bed. Then Kael had it and it was like anytime I looked at him he was vomiting. Our house was miserable. Well then about a week after Christmas things seem to be getting better.

WRONG

Sunday morning Cullan walked in our room and said "Mom, Mom" and then this-

That's right. All over our bed and blankets. I guess the kids realized they had gotten all of their bedding dirty from either throwing up or dirty nasty diapers, so they decided to move onto to our room. So today we are working on mounds of laundry and praying that the throwing up will stop, so that we will not have to spend tomorrow at the laundry mat as well. Good luck to all who are healthy. I hope you stay away from what ever it is that we have.

Gillespie-Schneider Christmas!

This year we had a late Christmas at my parents house. It was a lot of fun because this year the kids were old enough that they really enjoyed opening their gifts. We all had a blast and got some really nice things. Thanks for all the wonderful gifts guys... We had a great visit! Kael teething and all!

It's all fun and Games till someone brings out the shakers!

The other night after dinner we decided to be nice and give the boys a little treat. They got to split on of those packages of the Little Debbie's Swiss Rolls. Anyways this is our story in photos.

Boys in the kitchen sitting on the counter waiting in suspense to enjoy their treat!

So Cullan was excited but Kael was absolutely in heaven. He was really enjoying his treat.

All of a sudden something happened. Cullan grabbed the salt and pepper shakers. Garran and I were both standing right there chatting. (Obviously we would not let our children sit on the counter without us being right by them, however we managed to miss the fact that Cullan had picked these two lovely items up) Cullan had finished his treat, Kael had not =(

Cullan decided to share the salt and pepper with his brother. We thought it was gross, Kael did not seem to care. He did not want to give up his delicious chocolate treat (You can tell he is my son that way!) Even though it had some extra seasoning!

What a good sport, he even took it with a smile.... He must really love his brother!

NEW TALENTS

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GARRAN THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COOL TO LEARN HOW TO CROCHET FOR SOME OF HIS ART STUFF. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO LEARN JUST BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN. GARRAN'S MAIN SUCCESS SO FAR HAS BEEN HATS. MINE HAS BEEN SCARFS. I DON'T HAVE A PICTURE OF ONE, BUT HERE ARE SOME HATS GARRAN MADE. I THINK IT IS ALWAYS FUN TO TRY SOMETHING NEW. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TALENTS YOU HAVE UNTIL YOU TRY!

SPT-2008

what was your favorite spt from 2007? take a moment and revisit this spt journey you've been on. which was your favorite photo? your most creative? is there a post that sums up your year? a post that reminds you of something small and fun that you might otherwise forget about? will you continue to spt in the new year?

Well I only started this self portrait Tuesday thing in November of this year. However my favorite post was the black and white photo challenge. I love black and white. There is something about it that just makes me happy. I do not think that the picture I posted was my most creative but the subject matter was my best work. (my kids) I enjoy spt because it does make me think about the little things that I may not have paid attention to otherwise. I will most definitely continue SPT this new YEAR! However this year I will try to be braver, and actually be in my self portraits. That is my new years resolution for blogging.

A Caucusing We Will Go!

So I have to admit that I was a little hesitant to write this blog. If there was one thing that my mother said growing up was that you never discuss politics or religion. Well I have found that at least one of those has been very true in my life. Politics. Politics always seems to flare up peoples emotions and even between friends there have been awkward moments when certain views do not align. However I decided to write this anyway and hopefully not offend anyone. I think I have made a decision about who I will be caucusing for on the 3rd but to keep hate/love mail to a minimum I will not reveal who it is. However I wonder how many of you will be out doing the same on the third. I have to admit this is my first time taking a real interest in the election. In the past I just voted in the final deal and that was it. However as I have researched all of the candidates that are left to choose from, I find myself and I hate to say this choosing the lesser of two evils. There is not one candidate that fits everything that I am looking for. I wish I could say "Oh yes this guy is perfect" But of course I think we know that is unrealistic especially in politics. I got really frustrated the other day as I was researching each one. I would start to get excited about a candidate and then hit a topic that was very important to me and hit a wall because they did not share my view. Oh well I guess that is the point of these, to find out which person best matches what you want. I think that the next person we elect has a lot of work in store for them, and I hope as citizens we are smart enough to elect someone that will do a really good job. Ok off my soap box. All for now. Enjoy the 3rd whatever you decided to do.

Winter Hassel.... This is my story!

I AM GOING TO THE STORE!

THESE ARE MY KIDS CULLAN AND KAEL

WHO MIGHT KICK OR SCREAM AND SOMETIMES FLAIL.

TIME TO FIND SHOES, THERE ALL IN A MIX,

TWO, FOUR OK WE FOUND SIX.

BOTTLES, PACYS, AND SIPPIES ARE NEXT,

IF I DON'T GET THEM ALL, THEY'LL BE SORELY VEXED.

NOW WE ARE SLOWLY HEADED FOR THE DOOR,

BUT OH YES, DIAPERS AND WIPES, I AM SURE WE'LL NEED MORE.

ALL WE NEED ARE COATS HATS AND MITTENS,

WHILE AVOIDING MY KAEL-BAEL, HE SMILES AND ONCE MORE I'M BITTEN.

OK WERE READY, LINE UP BY THE DOOR.

SURE GO AHEAD THROW YOUR FIT ON THE FLOOR!

NOW GET IN THE VAN AND WE'RE ON OUR WAY,

WITH A SIGH I REMEMBER IT'S STILL EARLY IN OUR DAY.

AS WE ARRIVE AND PULL IN I'M SHAKING MY FIST,

OF COURSE DON'T YOU KNOW I HAVE FORGOTTEN MY LIST!

I CAN NOT WAIT FOR SPRING!

MY HONEY!

OK SO I HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE JUNO, HOWEVER I LOVE THE LINE OFF THE COMMERCIAL. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME KNOW JUST HOW APPROPRIATE THIS IS FOR ME. IT IS SO TRUE TOO.

"HE IS THE CHEESE TO MY MACARONI"

GARRAN HAS SAID BEFORE "OUR KIDS WILL COME OUT ORANGE BECAUSE OF MACARONI". I EAT IT OFTEN FOR LUNCH WITH THE KIDS.

NEW PJ'S

THESE WERE A CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM OUR FRIENDS THE PALMER'S. THE BOYS ARE JUST SO CUTE IN THEM THAT I WANTED TO POST A PICTURE AND SAY THANKS. IT WAS VERY SWEET OF THEM TO THINK OF OUR BOYS.

Gillespie Year In Review

This year has brought many ups and downs to our family. We have had some good times and we have had some not so good times. But this was our year none the less. Hope your year was eventful and filled with happy memories.

JANUARY

• Garrans new semester started.
• Moved into a new house.
• Snow Snow and more Snow.
• Started a new work out program. Lots of working out at 5:00am.

FEBRUARY

• Valentines Day Date .... I got a new robe out of the day...
• Still lots of snow.
• Still lots of working out.

MARCH

• Finished weight loss program. Losing a total of around 30 lbs.
• Started boot camp at the YMCA.. I think I was crazy.
• Did I mention the snow.

APRIL

• Celebrated our 3 anniversary.
• I got the best hair cut I think I have ever received in my life. Thank you very much Lindsay.

MAY

• Gave Garran his first ever surprise birthday party. He was very surprised.
• Planned and planned for our big vacation.
• Did a lot of playing outside.

JUNE

• We got our new van.... Yeahhh
• Let the multitude of tests begin for my leg and back pain.
• Oh yes Gall Bladder surgery!
• Oh yeah we traded Garrans beloved truck for a more family friendly car. Sorry honey.

JULY

• Our first ever family vacation. 3 states in two and a half weeks. DE, VA, and NC.. All in our new van with an 18 month old and a 7 month old. What a great adventure. We had so much fun. Cullan loved the ocean.
• Lice attack one and two.

AUGUST

• Back Surgery.....Yippee
• Palmers famous Salsa party
• Kael took his first steps. What a big boy!

SEPTEMBER

• Spending days at the botanical gardens.
• Kael visits the specialist about his seizures.
• parking drama (You can read more on our blog)

OCTOBER

• Cullan and Kaels birthday party. It was great. Just like the invitations read. "Double the trouble, double the fun, Cullans turning two, and Kael is turning One!"
• Cullans first haircut.. It was painful but the curls are still here... Yippee again.
• more parking drama
• Pumpkin Land... Kael is the new Goat whisperer.
• Garran giving blood. If any of you read our blog.. you know this was hilarious.
• Trunk or treat.. the boys finally got it this year. We had a blast.

NOVEMBER

• We went to a great Roda.. Brazilian.. sounds like hoda. Also check blog.
• Stinky box disaster.
• First snow of the year well for this season.
• Happy Birthday to Meg!
• Great Furniture Find... I am the champion of great deals when it comes to this one...
• A trip to the ER for Cullan... Apparently thyroid pills look yummy.
• Writer's strike...... Where have all the good shows gone...

DECEMBER

• Decorating our charlie brown tree
• ginger bread houses
• the polar express about a million times
• my first ever jury duty... wow was it boring .. also amazed at how many convicted felons you can meet in just one sitting.
• oh yeas another trip to the ER for Cullan .. This time he thought it would be fun to touch the iron. Now everything is hot and we have to blow on it until ice forms.

This year by far has not been our best. Garran and I have been talking recently about how we are ready for this year to just be over with. Granted there have been good things that have happened this year and for those things we are greatful. But of all the things we have been through this year, the biggest lesson I have learned is how greatful I am for my family. I love them all. I especially love Garran and the boys. I do not know what I would do without them. Garran is my best bud and always knows just what to say to make things better when I feel like I am at the end of my rope. His year has been stressful this year with school, work, my multiple surgeries and other stressers and yet he never complains. I love that about him. He is great. Cullan and Kael are two of the sweetest boys. The are so funny. Every day brings a new adventure. What would I do without there sweet smile and sloppy kisses. I just want to say how important family is to me and how greatful I am for mine especially today.

A blog for our Friendly Neighbors!

I often like to post funny things that children say. My own children don't really speak that much yet. Cullan has an OK vocabulary but not sentences and things like that. Anyways I was watching my Friendly Neighbors girls when this conversation happened with her little girl.

So this is how it went: Me: "Are you excited about Christmas this year?"
PB: "Yes, I am very excited!"
Garran: "Do you think Santa will be coming to your house this year?"
PB: "I don't know"
Me: "Well have you been a good girl this year?"
PB: "I don't know, I am still waiting to find out!"

I thought that was just to funny not to share. PB is always very to the point in our conversations.

Gillespie-Loden Christmas

This year we spent actual Christmas Day with Garran's parents. It was fun. We decorated some Christmas cookies. The kids really liked that, well just licking the frosting off. And then we played some card games but really just did a lot of hanging out. Hope everyone had a safe and Merry Christmas!

Our Family Christmas!

So this is the cutest video we have taken in a long time. Garran and I both agree that we just can not get over how cute Kael was. For Christmas Kael got this monkey that when you pet it makes different noises and moves it's little arms and legs. We had seen it in a store one day when Kael was with us and he just loved playing with it, so this is him right after he opened it. We have video of him opening it that is really cute too, but we thought this one was better. Enjoy!