Fridays Fave Five

I try to post my fave fives every week, but well, let's face it. We all can't be perfect! If you don't know about Friday's fave fives, you can read & learn more about it here.

My number one fave five this week is going to have to be my health. I suppose it sounds a little odd to say my health is a favorite of mine. But if you look a little deeper into that statement, it completely makes sense. I am so grateful that I have never had any major health issues. No operations, minor or major. No broken bones or fractures. No drugs or addictions. And while I know I'd be a lot better off if I'd lose weight, for the most part, I'm healthy.

2. Freedom. I can't even watch a military video anymore without crying. I am so thankful of each and every military personnel for the sacrifices they make for their country. The commitment they give is so admirable.

3. Friendship. I'm going to try and make this description as UN vague as I possibly can. Everyone loves a good friendship but I'm talking of a specific friendship. And if you're reading this you'll know who you are. ;) At the beginning of the year, I met a lady with young children. I didn't really think we clicked. IT {whatever IT is} just wasn't there. So I talked to her when I saw her but didn't go out of my way to speak to her or ask her how her day was. I waited for her to ask me. [I know, how unfriendly of me!!]  She was just...different. But it wasn't just me. No one really went out of their way to get to know her. And as the months grew on, I began recognizing and teaching myself that I wasn't being fair. I fell into that hypocritical "clique" that just didn't care either way. No one gave her a chance! And now that I've gotten to know her [got to know her?? how is that correctly phrased??], She is a great person. And I'm happy to say she IS my friend! But, I still don't care either way. Except now, I don't care what anyone may think about it. Which brings me to my third fave....

3. My defensiveness...or...I just don't care anymore attitude. Not to be taken the wrong way. I do care what people think of me and my family. Who doesn't? I used to be the kind of person that sat back and didn't speak up if I was offended. But something inside of me changed. Maybe I just finally grew up. :) I will defend myself and my family and my beliefs. There is no reason for me to sit back and let a person think they are holier than thou. They get my two cents. Each and every time.

4.. Knowing Camden is doing better and understanding math a little better now. Seeing the look on her face....adorable!!!

5. These pictures of Kainan.

Why didn't I think of that?!?!?!

This post is in response to Casondra over at Pieces of My Heaven On Earth. Casondra was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Please take a minute to read her post and then come back to this one. Go on, I'll wait...

I"m so sorry that Casondra [and many others] feel this way.  But I'm going to be honest...when I read that post it was almost as if I had been punched in the stomach! As I read her blog, it hurt me to know that she feels that way. Hurt me because she has  to see it {the pink} and feel that way. And also hurt me because I have always, ALWAYS admired her. For her strength, her wisdom, her faith. She is such an amazing person! And I, like many, many other people support her. Be it by buying items with pink lids that donate to BC research, being a constant reminder to feel your boobies, coloring profile pictures pink or by praying {and praising} to God every day. I felt that I was "supporting the cause" now I feel like I've offended those that I was trying to encourage. Which makes me feel horrible. I don't want to imagine going through what Casondra and so many others have and then having constant reminders everywhere. I hate that she is hurting physically and emotionally. She is such a trooper! So, I apologize for any of the constant reminders I may have represented! I am glad that she aired her "dirty laundry" for everyone to view and possibly even criticize. Because it gave me an entirely different outlook. I have a different perspective on breast cancer awareness. All that said, I'm still buying products that donate to research!

10 things Tuesday

10 Things Tuesdays! Ten things made you happy this week? Blog about them! Ten things you want to do before the week’s over? Blog them! Any ten things, any theme you wish. Check out the originator of 10 things tuesday at Magnolia Queen.

I don't know why I chose this theme this week, other than I have no creative juices flowing as of yet this week. But this week my ten is going to be things I wouldn't mind having. :)

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

10. A brand new Chevy Silverado-I love the look of these trucks!

9. A house of our own-I'm glad to have been able to finally get into a house, but renting is not our goal!

8. A wedding-Yes, I'm married but I'd love to be able to have that special day in the perfect dress....although it isn't important, it would have been nice to be able to have a real wedding.

7. A shopping spree-I can't remember the last time I was able to go out and spend money without worrying about not being able to pay bills...one outfit, is that too much to ask? Lol

6. A good, warm pair of fuzzy house slippers.

5. A haircut-I toss this idea around a lot...and then never do anything about it. I like my hair long and short...I'm so undecided.

4. A chocolate milkshake-it just tastes so good :)

3. A purse-I don't NEED one, but I would really like to have a nice, sturdy, stylish purse. Every woman should have one...and I don't. ;)

2. A visit with my family-I don't get to see them as often as I'd like. Most of them are in Indiana, mom, dad, brother & two sisters while my older brother & his family will be in Spain for the next 2+ years.

And my number one thing that I wouldn't mind having right now.......


 Sleep! 
 For whatever reason, I couldn't sleep last night. Was nearly 5 am when I finally fell asleep...I was awake at 7. :(

Monday, Monday...

Yesterday was DEFINITELY Monday!
Kainan woke up with a cold...it was snotfest for quite awhile yesterday morning! Eww!

I had to call The poison control center for the first time yesterday. Kainan took it upon himself to cure the snot monsters by taking a maximum strength midol. I know it was only one because it was a sealed pack of two. And majority of the one pill was missing. :( I have no idea where this kid found it, unless it was buried deep in the bottom of my purse and he pulled it out! I was pretty sure he wouldn't be affected by it but had to be sure. He managed to do this while I was putting laundry in the dryer! Kids can do anything in ONE second, that's all it takes...until Mommy asks them to do something for her. Then it takes DAYS to get it done!

Our cat was on frenzy overload yesterday as well. I wish I had the energy this feisty feline has! If you asked, yesterday I would have told you he was composed of some kind of rubber substance. That's the only explanation for the bouncing off of the walls!

-On a side note-

Dear Ohio weather,
Would you please make up your mind as to whether you want to be summer or fall. Although I don't mind the warm days here, I was so looking forward to comfy jeans and hoodie sweatshirts, campfires and wienie roasts. The leaves have changed color and also are falling beautifully to the ground indicating that is indeed autumn. However, the spike in temperature topping off at 87° indicates that summer may still have a few tricks up the sleeve. So, I've pulled the shorts and tank tops BACK out of hiding and shortly after I did the temperature topped at about 45°! Only to surprise me a couple of days later with another heat zone! Oh summer, autumn, summer, autumn, summer, autumn...............please decide which season you will be gracing us with.
Thank you,
Vanessa

Friday's Fave Five

it's fridaaaaaaaaay!
and so a list of my "friday's fave five" must be compiled. what is friday's fave five all about?  you can find out all about it by clicking here

ONE~girl time-i need it. i crave it. i love it.

TWO~crafting-i know i've mentioned this a lot lately, but it's because of the upcoming holidays. right now i'm planning the halloween costumes for the kids. then i will move right along to Christmas! :)

THREE~fridays-i may not work and i stay home a lot but by golly i enjoy fridays as much as the next person! my husband is home [usually], my darling daughter is home-gotta love the weekend and friday brings it on!

FOUR~pizza :) it puts a smile on my heart. and my face...hehehe pizza is definitely a comfort food to me. i mean, who doesn't like a good pizza???? we made some pretty good home made pizza pockets this week...yummy...greasy, but yummy!

FIVE~Christmas shopping-okay, so i didn't actually buy anything...but man was i shopping/eyeballing/looking. i can't help but drool over the many things i would love for my kids to be able to have. sadly that can't happen, there just isn't enough room in this house for it. hahaha!

yep, that's my five! have a good evening!!

Friday at last!!

Today is picture day at school. But I'm not ordering...sorry but I just don't see how it is realistic to order & pay BEFORE the photos are even taken. Especially when it is easier & cheaper for me to take Camden's photo's here at home. And that is just what I'm going to do! She doesn't get the exchange wallets to exchange with kids anyway. We just order them for our walls...and being that she had pictures taken at LEAST 3 times last year {maybe it was only twice, but there were 4 poses to choose from}...I believe I'll just do them here.

MOPS today! Which means I get to hang and socialize with others ladies/moms/friends! Yipppeeee! :) I love me some socializing!

Today is also Friday's fave five, but I don't have time on this post, will have to make it on another later this afternoon, gotta run!!! Have a great Friday everyone!

Thursdays 10-my happy things

10 things that make me happy! Only 10? I'll do my best! And don't forget to check out Lora's 10 over at Take Me the Way I Am

My 10, in no particular order.

• listening to my children laugh & play together [there really is nothing better!]
• dates with my husband [rare and lots of fun]
• land o lakes mint hot chocolate mix [yummm]
• crafting [scrapbooking especially!]
• Christmas [no explanation needed because if i explained, i'd likely go on and on and on and...you get the picture]
• roadtrips [there's just something exciting about them, even when the kids are grouchy and complaining the entire time....just can't get enough!]
• the twilight saga [aaahhhhh...so romantic!]
• drive in movie theaters [love the feel of the nostalgia]
• taking pictures [i love capturing the moments in our family on film...er uh....digitalness]
• a clean house [ i don't feel this one needs further explanation! although if you visited my house, you'd never know i loved it clean!!]