Thankful Tuesday

This past week was a wonderful week and I can't complain one bit. I've got a lot to be thankful for...

- I am thankful for Jalen being a healthy and happy little boy who will be 3 on Thursday.
- I am thankful I got to visit with my Mom this weekend. What a fun, relaxing trip that I would take again for sure. I got a beautiful birthday cake that we ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
- I am thankful for my sisters. In times of need, we know who we can count on.
- I am thankful for my Dad who gave me an excellent birthday dinner.
- I am thankful for Nicholas who I did miss while we were apart and who got me two cute shirts.
- I am thankful we may be having a new addition to our family.. Stay tuned for details.

I'm very thankful..
How about you???

Not Me! Monday

Well, if you read My Charming Kids, then you will know what "Not Me Monday" is, but if you don't check out MckMama's blog to see what exactly it is. Until then, enjoy my Not Me Monday!

I did not roll down the windows and turn up the music on the way to the beach to pretend I didn't hear Jalen screaming in the backseat for everyone under the sun, but me. Nope, not me! I'd never do that.

Jalen did not turn on the hose at my Mom's house. I did not go running outside to make him turn it off and come inside to eat his dinner. I did not get squirted in the face with water so I would not turn it off. I did not proceed to run inside screaming that my kid was squirting me with water. I did not have to use a umbrella to shield myself from getting soaked by Jalen while trying to turn the water off. Nope, not me, not my kid!

I did not make Jalen a birthday shirt for his birthday. I paid big money for his fabulous birthday shirt. Nope, I wouldn't ever be creative and decide to save money -- nope, not me!

I refuse to get my child a dog for his birthday. I am not going to get my son a dog so that he can be the child who actually got a dog for his birthday. I would never do that. :)

My Mom and I did not eat cake for breakfast, lunch, and dinner while we were visiting together. Our parents taught us better than that. We ate very healthy. We would never do such a thing!

What'd you do this Not Me! week??

It's The Big 100 !!!

This is my 100th post.. Aren't you excited? I am. I should do a giveaway or something, but that may just have to come at a later date because this weekend is a beach weekend. After a wonderful birthday, Nick headed to the beach with his friends and I'm off with Jalen to see Mama! It'll be a fun time for all of us and pray for a safe travel...

Like I said earlier, my birthday was a great day. I woke up with texts and phone calls from my sisters, my Mom, and my Dad. I got my hair done, which I do like. I went back natural. I came home to a surprise from my wonderful boo. He got my Kenny Chesney tickets and is even going with me. Very excited. I'm sure he is too since he was the one who went to buy a CD of his for me and kept looking for Kenny Chesnut until they told him it was Chesney. Hey, he tried and I'm happy! We went to a wonderful dinner at my Dad's. It couldn't of been a better dinner. Thanks Dad! After that, I got in my dress and headed out. It was a nice, fun night, but I know why you only turn 21 once because I wouldn't do it again! Next morning my sissys arrived. Very good to see them and glad they got home safely. I was lost without them! Thank you to everyone who made it very special and thank you Kia for driving up!

I'll post pictures soon, but I won't be posting because this is my last weekend free before school start. Boooo!!!

21

Today is my birthday! I am officially 21. To me, it's just another day in paradise. Today I will get my hair done around 1 and then, off to Dad's for a dinner fit for a queen. Later on, I will possibly hit the town, but there is no telling.

This past year has been a year of change and growth I would have to say. It has been a hard year, but a rewarding year. It's been a year of new family members. It's been a lot. From this year I can say I'm a stronger person and from this year I've learned many lessons. I've learned that in life all you need is your family and if you don't have that, then you don't have much. There is someone that always has it worse than you do. Change can be hard, but it can work itself out. When you say you don't know how you'll ever love another one just as much, you will - just look at my newest family members. Goodbyes aren't forever. You can count your friends on a hand. God made us sisters, but we made ourselves best friends. Distance is just a measure of love and strength.

Jalen, you've made me who I am today. You've brought me courage, strength, faith, happiness, and love. You're my hero and I love you with all my heart. Nicholas, you are my best friend and pull me through things that many times I don't know how to get through. I love you! To my family, I love you more than ever and I realize how important you are. To my other family, you are all so very special to me and I love you all. To both of my families, I'd do anything for you and you will always be the most important part of my life.

Happy Birthday to me and to another great year....

By the way -- my next post will be our 100th post!!

Adventures of Jalen and Chloe

Well, as everyone knows, Jessica, Lindsay, and their entourage took off to Vegas for a week. Jalen, Chloe, and I stayed behind to hold down the fort here. Chloe has been a very good girl and Jalen loves having her here. It'll be hard for him to say bye to yet another dog. Hopefully, soon, we'll get him one to stay. Today they played outside while I did a few things in the house and kept an eye on them. In literally 1 email, Chloe decided to dig. Yes, I about had to kill her. She was fine though. Jalen loves playing outside and the 25 mosquito bites didn't stop him. They had fun! I decided to be brave and leave Chloe by herself and I have to say she did a great job and did not destroy a single thing - though she may have been tired from playing outside with Jalen! I have to say the funniest thing she does is chase Curious George on TV and cries to get him. Never seen this before in a dog. She literally jumps back and forth to get him. Lindsay is liable for any television damages, though! Off to our next adventure....

I do miss my lil Ry-Ry! Come home to Auntie!!!!

Just for Fun!

What's your favorite salad dressing? Thousand Island or Ketchup and Mayo for the homemade verison!
What's your favorite sit-down resturaunt? This is hard -- Braso's was really good, but for a more down-to-earth choice, Chili's?
What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? Pimento cheese from Harris Teeter or even better, Fresh Market
What are your pizza toppings of choice? Pepperoni or Sausage depending on from where
What do you like to put on your toast? Strawberry Jelly
How many televisions are in your house? 4
What color cellphone do you have? Black with a pink/black case
Right hand or left hand? Lefty
Had anything removed from your body? Wisdom teeth and does a baby count?
Last heavy item you lifted? Jalen
Ever been knocked unconcious? No!
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No, because I wouldn't want to spend my time worrying with when it was.
Last run-in with a cop? My ticket
Last person you talked to? Jalen Nicholas
Last person you hugged? Jalen Nicholas
Favorite season? Summer
Favorite holiday? Christmas
Day of the week? Tuesday - usually off
Month? August - birthday time
First place you went this morning? Bathroom then downstairs to watch Curious
Last movie you saw? Wow.. I don't know
Do you smile often? Yes
It's four in the morning and you get a text, who is it? Jessica
What flavor drink at Sonic? Still just a Diet Coke or Dr. Pepper
Wish list for Christmas? Vacation to the islands.
Can you do push-ups? Yeah, riggghttt!
Can you do a chin-up? Nope!
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Nervous as can be!
Ever been in a car wreck? A couple - One bad one but we were all okay.. Thank God
What's the last song to make you cry? Darrius Rucker - It won't last for long..?
Plans tonight? Never do - plans are dumb. :-)
Ever been given roses? Yes, thank you Nicholas
Current worry? Money, Missing my sisters and nephew
Met someone who changed your life? Jalen - wouldn't know where I'd be and probably don't want to know
What was the first thing you thought when you woke up? Something must be wrong with my family and I didn't answer the phone - missed called from Dad, missed call from Jessica, and 5 texts from Jessica. Nope, they just love me! :)

Thankful Tuesday

Well, this week is full of many thanks, just as every week is! Jalen is growing like a little weed and he continues to amaze me each day. Do I wish I could stop him from growing? Yes, but he turns into a little man every day!

This week I am thankful --
* My sisters are taking a vacation to Las Vegas, despite the fact I miss them very much, but that they are having safe travels.
* We have Chloe, Lindsay's puppy. Jalen is in love with having a dog in the house again.. Who knows what his birthday present will be!?
* We've made it exactly a month living as a family of 3 in one household and it's been a great adventure.
* I will be getting a year older and a year wiser soon! :-) Wonder what next year will hold..