Merry Christmas!!!!!!

It is so amazing how kids love boxes more than the gifts that come in them! Auntie Sarah and Zoie had the best fun with this box. Mom got some great shots of them!

We woke up this morning, smelling something great downstairs.......(we are still at my brothers with my family) and Mom and Sarah had already gotten up and started breakfast. Not only did they make some cinnmon rolls, they also started stuff for Christmas dinner. Wow, they are on a roll. Here's the menu:

Turkey, Ham, Bread Pudding, Yams, Jello, Stuffing, Deviled Eggs, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Veggies, Cranberries, Olives, rolls, Potatoes salad, green bean salad and Gluwein.

Sound good???!! Mom and Sarah are doing a fab job getting this all together!

Can't wait to eat! I believe we are going to have a wonderful meal!!!!

HO HO HO!!!! I hope you all have a wonderful day, and get to enjoy some wonderful family time. I sure am blessed to be with mine this year. John is with his family and I am with mine.

Have a great day, try to be good!!!!

showing a man how to find someone on Facebook.....that has never touched a computer. Interesting!!!!

so, we were just sitting here with Mom, Dad and Sarah. And I was commenting on Mom's blog about her posts. It is just soooo cute how my Mom writes her blogs:) We were trying to show Dad how to get onto the internet, and specifically on Facebook. Hmmmmm.......interesting!!........hmmmmm..... I wonder if that is what he is going to ask Santa for this year.

Probably not.

So, Z and I made it to North Carolina fine.......went to dinner, let Z play and now we are just GOOFING OFF !!!
Tomorrow we will pick up Travis' gift that Sarah got him......wait for Gpa Jim to get here, and whatever else comes our way.
Can't wait to see some of my uncles', and some cousins.

fun, fun, fun!!!!!


just wanted to say Merry Christmas once again!

trying to get the Christmas spirit

I am trying to get into the Christmas spirit today. After talking with Amber earlier, I really decided to TRY to get more into the Xmas music, movies and decorations. Well, I must now tell you that I at least put up my Xmas wreaths on the doors.

I had my reservations about putting a tree up, going in the attic and getting all the decorations out and making it look super festive in the house. I just think that Zoie will have WAY too much stuff to get into then. She is totally in the curious stage and is extremely fast now! I just think she will have a better concept of not eating plastic, glass and all that jazz next year. Zoie and I are leaving Tuesday morning to go to my brother's and his girlfriend's house to spend Christmas there with all of my family. My parents flew in Friday, so a few of my uncles' and some other family are coming to my brothers house as well. It is going to be a hoot I imagine!! My family is cool. But you know how it goes, there are still a few nuts in every batch of cookies!! And I cannot take any responses from that last sentence audience!!! :>)

Just want to wish everyone a very, very MERRY CHRISTMAS!! But I guess I better be politically correct as well and wish those of you that are not "CHRISTMAS" people.........a HAPPY HANNIKA (incrrct sp.), FELIZE NAVIDAD, HAPPY KWANZA AND SO FORTH! Don't want to upset anyone:) Hope everyone gets to spend precious time with friends, family and loved ones.

Peace out sistas!!!

PS- this pic of Zoie is a few months old now, but I just thought it was cute.......but she is always cute, right?!?

need to add this!

I sat and thought about how fortunate I am, just this morning. I really must say that I am a very blessed, fortunate and ultimately grateful for my support system: my friends. I love that I can pick up the phone (to 2 people in particular- you know who you are!!!!----- )and just ask their opinion, if I am crazy for thinking the way I do about things, or about just any random thought I have about anything.
I just had to say this, I sure do love my friends and family. I am soooooo very blessed. Thank you God. I could not have gotten through this last year and a half without you two. I love you my very best friends: Amber and Yvonne. I just love you guys so much. I really forgot to say this in the last post. You guys are very much appreciated.

very happy to be sleeping in my own bed!!!

So Z and I are back from our trip, and now I am back sleeping in my own very comfortable Sterns & Foster! Gotta just love those guys!!!
I have learned about a get-to-gether or two that I missed out on...........damn!! Tisha and Amber both had their parties' while I was away.........hmmmmmmmm......should I take this personally?!?! ........................nope.
I guess that will be ok but if it happens again............there will be HELL to pay for you two! (that is funny, if I say so myself!! :<)
So everything is nearly back to normal......except the fact that Z and I are still on
Seattle time. We got home Wednesday and we have slept in late, and stayed up even later! John is not diggin' that whole deal.
This morning started "Operation Potty Training". I am still trying to learn all the do's and don'ts of that whole deal. Very very time consuming I am learning. Good times!!!!!!! Good times!!!!!
So to start off our day, I go and get little Z immediately upon waking.....take her diaper off...... put her on her potty, kept trying to make up a "potty song", never had I thought of making up a demo tape for going potty but I wish I had before I needed it. (I may try to add music to it and market it!)
The little chick got up off her potty and stuck her hand in her potty, and then I realized her hand was wet.......she pee-peed on our very first attempt at potty training!!!!!! OMG! I WAS STOKED!! I clapped, hugged her, and we did a little dance! She got up off the potty and went to sit down beside her doggie brother Sammy boy, then hugs him. I thought, oh my, how stinkin' sweet! She gets up from hugging him, and then Sammy starts to eat something on the floor beside him.
I am now intrigued at what he is eating, so I get closer and realize that he is eating Z's poop on the floor! SERIOUSLY GROSS!!!!! I immediately try to move him away from it, and put Z back on her potty........clean up the remaining poop, (just pebbles thankfully!) and go back to the potty to get Z cleaned up. Then guess what?
There was poopy in the potty too!!!!!!!! She pee-peed and poo-pood!!!!
My baby is growing up!!!!
I was telling Vonny about this endeavor tonight as we were playing Skip-Bo (cards), and she said it was a fluke that Z knew what she was doing.
It probably was. She just turned 20 months. I know potty training cannot be this much fun! We just had a great day. Poop and all.
***Food for thought: get the dog out of the bathroom before potty training.

another great dinner with family and friends!

hello fellow bloggers!

to start where I left off from the last blog....I must tell you about court.

ok, soooooo, after my Mom had to "wrestle" Kim about the signing of papers....she finally succumbed to sign with her blessings. The papers were not stated exactly how she wanted them stated, beings that she wanted to add more visits.....but the state was not granting them any more than 1 a year....she got pissed. So....my Mom intervened once again and saved the day.

I cannot tell you how much I love my Mommy!! She is always dead-on with everything!

They brought the bio father in....and I was absolutely saddened how they treat people in handcuffs. I just broke down. My heart went out to him.....he really looked terribly sad. We were instructed not to try to talk, look or communicate with him at all. How freakin' barbarrack can you be??!!
The judge was extremely nice allowing me to hold Z up to give the bio father a hug during the hearing, once his attorney begged that he should be allowed to see the daughter he has never seen. It was such a sweet/sad moment. I feel very saddened that he is where he is in life.

I am extremely excited to now let you know the outcome of court.

I am supposed to have the paperwork in my hot little hands at least by Tuesday, to bring back home to give our attorney to start the whole adoption process!!! can you say, "finally!!!"

So we are celebrating, and we have family and friends over to share in the joy!

The pics that I am posting are of me and my little niece Amanda. She is now 20, and getting married on the 28th of Dec. to a cutie-pie named Chris, and he is serving in the Army right now.

So..........this is also a pic of her new ink on her forearm. She got it done yesterday. I am proud of my dad, (her grandpa) he said it was "not bad". He is a good boy for not lecturing her!

I have to explain the licking pic--I started doing that to her awhile ago....and just had to keep up the tradition!!! I just love my little niece!!

peace out cheek-aaaa's!!!!!!

It is freezing here!!!!

hey ya'll! it was literally 9 degrees here yesterday...(brrrr!!!! ) the day we had court. I will have to start from where I left off from the last post.
ok, so here goes. Z and I stayed with my youngest sister Kristi, her new hubby and the kids Sunday and Monday night. We had such a blast! The kids had fun playing together, running around and just being cute.....
Tuesday we headed back to "Papa's and Gramma Roddens" and then had an interesting call from my sister "the sister" (Z's bio) late that night. She was a bit angry and said that she had just left her attorney's office, and she was not signing the papers. I was dumfounded. I wanted to know what had changed in just the course of a couple of days....and then I realized she had probably had a few drinks as well.
So I got hung up on again, then she calls back and yells at me some more....and then I got hung up on for a second time. I just love to be hung up on! Don't we all!!??!!?? No biggie! Happens alot with her.....just the way it is. Her last words to me were "if you want to play hardball with me, then I will see you in court tomorrow". I will try to post the rest a little bit later, we are getting ready to go see another one of Z's auntie's and some more cousins.
stay tuned to "my crazy life".

Here in Seattle!!

yeah!!! Z and I FINALLY made it to Seattle, after sitting on the tar-mack for over an hour just waiting to depart from Charleston. I learned that it is quite a challenge to keep an infant occupied for hours on end, when they are restrained on your lap and cannot move. Pretty tough! Z did very well on the flight out here, I must admit. We had an incredibly long day, but she only went into "crazy wild" mode one time. I really tried to prepare everything in advance. I am talking down to the coloring book, her Baby, snacks, sippy, and even her music. We really met some nice people on our flights as well. One guy that was next to us on the 2nd flight is Z's new boyfriend, she got quite intrigued by him, he was PC. (pretty cool, for those of you old school peeps)
We really took it pretty easy today, just sort of lounged around the house at Jack and Sue's (Z's other g-parents) and tomorrow we are taking all the kids to see Santa fly in over near my parents in Darrington. He is supposed to fly in on a helicopter.
I really cannot wait to see Z's face!
She (Z) is having a blast, she got to see her 1/2 sister and brother Kyle and Ashley and of course her Papa and Gramma, her auntie Megan and cousins Leah and Junior.
She is one busy chick!! Running around playing, playing and just being busy.
well, just wanted to update you all on our last couple of days.
I get to see my parents tomorrow, my sister and nephew and neice! cool!!! I am so excited to see all of them!!! OH, and I can't forget to tell you about the huge craft fairs (that means TWO of them!) that we are going to tomorrow! how fun!!!!

peace out!!!!!!!
don't forget to be nice to everyone, the world is a tough place sometimes!!!!!!

clean 'em baby!

yes, you read correctly...........my Z is getting her first teeth cleaning today.
yeah!! I am really curious to see how she does. I am sure it will be pretty noisy, because I already know she is going to freak out.
She and I have been practicing her brushing, making sure that we get each and every tooth. We go through all the motions, and I lay her back and tell her this is how the dentist is going to do it, then we brusha brush brush.
She had her first visit at 1, so now she is 1 1/2 they start the cleanings. Amazing, isn't it? I thought it was sorta early, but I guess it is good to start them off very early to get them used to good oral hygeine. Go figure.
Well, gotta run and start getting us ready to go see DR. Randy in MT P!

peace out my sistas!!!

have a great day everyone!
don't forget to start looking for your turkeys!

busy day!

Hello fellow bloggers!

Hope you are all having a great day so far.......me, I am busy, busy and busy!
I have a house full of people coming in for Thanksgiving.....and from different places, so I am busy cleaning house, watching Z mess it up- and then more cleaning:)
Gotta love that little one! She is just sooooo cute, you can't be mad at her very long! She is currently sitting in her high chair and eating her cheerios, making me a nice mess on the floor of soy milk.
Today's journey :
1.) meeting up with John, getting some papers signed that I forgot to get him to sign last night
2.) going to drop off those papers with caseworker for the adoption
3.) going to costco for what other than: diapers; soy milk & soap
4.) going to wal-mart to fill RX, shop for misc. stuff
5.) going to bank
6.) making Stampin'Up! order
7.) ????think that's it!

well peace out my sistas!! hope you all have a wonderful day!!!
chow- I must get my aching bones out of this chair, off this computer and get that little angel out of her high chair and put her in the bathtub.............


This pic that I am posting is one of Vonnie & Z last December, when Z had to go to the hospital.....my poor baby! Just thinking about what I was doing last year around this time, getting Z settled in, then bammmmmmm.... MRSA. That sucked.


now she is trying to stick a cheerio up her nose........gotta go!

great customer service, great way to do business

I have learned that if you do not have anything nice to say, then do not say anything at all, I believe I learned that by the 5th grade. I have also learned that you learn to play fair, don’t hit, and don’t spit. When you have something to say (especially to defend yourself, or correct that person’s incorrect knowledge) you speak your peace, you let the other person speak, then you speak, they speak and vice versa it goes back and forth to solve the problem. Pretty easy right???? Get how this game works?!?
You see, I know exactly how it works, I have learned from the self-professed master of the game.

This post is coming due to a “spat” with a particularly rude person in a local business yesterday, in which, I did spend a lot of time, some effort and a little money, at this particular business (maybe that was part of the problem…….).

I have learned that people that claim they are someone they are not…….. everyone knows the deal about that, I don’t even need to go there, I am really trying to be nice, here, ya know.
People get annoyed by know-it-all attitudes. Just the facts. People are people.
Where is the humbleness that is so nice in life today? Apparently, some people’s ego is bigger than life itself, and that it is all about them. Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news…..it is not all about you. You MUST understand that people just don’t care how smart you think you are.
I bet no one has ever told you that before. I am just here to help you out with your misguidance.

People that are in customer service, (this means if you work with the public, in case you were confused) should know how to speak to people and listen with their ears.
If everyone has a problem with the same person, don’t you think maybe it’s not everyone else…..and that it could possibly be you? Ever heard that saying? Maybe, just maybe after you run everyone off in this business, you will get the hint.

I have also learned that when you encounter someone that claims she is “self-professed genius” you learn to know how much that person thinks of themselves, and why they must act in the manner they do. You are really not that smart, as I was a customer and one of your best supporters. OOPS!!!! YOU DID IT AGAIN!!!!

The “favorite” customer is the one that spends the most money with the business, yeah, I get that, surprise, surprise, RIGHT???!!

When someone is giving you signals that they just don’t want to be bothered by you, you usually get that hint loud and clear. I got the message loud and clear.
You also learn a lot about a person if they have to talk-louder than you and not let you or your point of view to be heard, just to “control” you or the situation. Great customer service, I appreciate you.

I am an old fart.

yeah!!! I had a great night of sleep last night! I really don't sleep too well at times, and last night I went to bed early, after a long day.
First I had to get up early, (even before Zoie!) and get ready for heading out to the bi-annual yard sale at TPH aka Chas Scrapbooking. Wow! what a great day of fun! Sheila and I were partners in crime writing down the sales on our little pad. She would call out the vendor # and price, then I would write it down, add it up and all that jazz. The women (and some men) were wonderful! It was a great success, as usual. This is the first time us girls, (me, Amber, Vonnie, Sheila) all worked it. We had to go in the night before (Friday night) at 6:00 to start sorting out all the different categories, and then get everything organized. We left (Amber and I) around 10:00 pm after all that was finished. Then like I said, we had the yard sale yesterday, and everyone that had put their stuff in as a vendor, they get dollar for dollar in store credit towards merchandise in the store. I put lots of stuff in the yard sale this time. I really hope I did well with selling my "loot"! I know I wrote up a good bit of my stuff yesterday that people purchased. My goal is to use my yard sale money that I made only to buy stuff I need! I am really being very selective now with my purchases, and that is with every purchase I make in life. I have always been VERY frugal, but now that basically John and I both are unemployed, and with a new baby.....things are more than tight.
But after the yard sale, I had to leave and come home, pack up Zoie and head over to my friends' daughter's baby shower. Heather is expecting a baby girl in January. She really looked beautiful being pregnant. She is young, (19) but, you know how that is, her Mom and Dad are helping them....and they are just excited to be grandparents!
Well as Zoie and I were leaving the baby shower, I was carrying her in my arms, along with all of her "stuff" (back-pack, sippy) etc. I lost my footing and twisted my ankle, with us slamming to the gravel. I managed to cover Zoie, she didn't get a scratch, but I really hurt my knee with all the weight landing there. I swear, every time I wear these Dansko shoes....I end up twisting my ankle and sometimes falling. I feel like an old person today.....bum knee, hurt wrist with tar gravel still embedded in it and a swollen ankle. I tried to clean out the wrist last night, but boy, that peroxide stings like crazy. I am being a baby. I am old. Had to take Tylenol 500 mg last night before going to bed. I am old.

not much going on today, thankful for that!

Today will be a pretty low-key kind of day. Z has already had her nap, I am playing on the computer trying to find out lots of info re: the trial coming up in Dec. Wow! lots and lots I need to make sure I document, just in case I need it in the future. Going to get my hair cut later today, overdue. So we had a pretty fun day today, we did lots of flash cards this morning, and just goofed off! fun, fun, fun! worked this past weekend at CS, not crazy busy.... Grandpa came into town and surprised me when I got home from work Saturday evening......that little crazy boy! always running the roads! He will be back here for Thanksgiving. We are supposed to have a pig roast instead of the traditional dinner. cool, works for me......less clean-up for me too! rock on my sistas!

hay ride woohoooooo!

this was soooo much fun!! I am finally getting the chance to post to my blog, after a kinda busy week. We were invited to go on this neighborhood hayride over in Westcott Plantation with our friends Robbie and Denise. We were going to just go take Z around to some friends-"mainly my girls", and trick or treat.....but I thought it would be a good idea to let her experience her first "official" Halloween with other little kids, since the girls would be busy handing out their candy. There were probably about 20 kids that went, and we just had the best time! We had the IPOD and BOSE kickin' it all throughout the ride! We really rocked! The kids were having such a great time, getting the candy, dancing and just being kids! I just had the best time watching them and John and I took turns taking Z up to the houses to get her candy.....I think even he had a "smidgge" of fun!!!! Our friend Denise has a twin sister named Carla, and she was fun, with her "little" boys. I say little, but wow! the 2 year old was huge for only being two! They couldn't believe Z is only 18 mo.!! Fun, Fun and more fun!! even if Z wouldn't wear her Chocolate, chocolate chip cookie costume that I made her--you better believe that in the future I will acclamate her to her Halloween costume a few days PRIOR to the big night, I don't want her to fight me on the costume. Big lesson learned in parenting. I am sure there are going to be many, many more thing that she will teach me :) I am having a prob. with posting my pics to this post for some reason....so I will try to fix that and post pics later, gotta go feed a hungry girl now!

A long time overdue

I know this

post is a little bit overdue, I know, I know. I hear you loud and clear compadre. So......here's what's been going on in my world.
1. Got sick
2. got even sicker
3. feel better now
4. end of story.

got it?!? I am sooooooooooo over this whole flu/H1N1 crap!

ok, so now life is moving on........and trying to get caught up with my little world.
I will be at the scrapbook store working this weekend, so if you get a chance, come visit me!!!

hi peeps!

ok, so say a prayer for me........please!please! I need a good paying job....so I have this semi-formal interview tomorrow with this company that you have to do "group interviews" and all that jazz.
Not so much liking the whole "prove yourself" type of gig....but, you know.....whatever it takes! :) I guess that is how they roll...!

Well, wish me luck!
THANK YOU JENI, THANK YOU JENI!!
I APPRECIATE YOU WATCHING ZOZO FOR ME! I owe you girl! you rock!

peace out sistas-

just chillin'

hello my chicks,
where to start! Went out last night...don't get too excited...just ...to one of my bff's to help clean out her attic, (I am such a wild chick, can't you tell!!!) so her hubby can start working on her "craft area". He is like this really crafty woodworker dude, and really quite good. I was amazed how great his bunk beds for the kids turned out, Harry Potters wand, and some other broom looking thing. And lots of other cool stuff. I have never seen a Harry Potter, so not really sure about the whole broom/ and wand thing. So, just acted like I knew what she was talking about....Ha Ha!!
I really had to do some smooth talkin' to be able to get out, even though I really wish I didn't have to hear a bunch of SHIT when I got in. It really ruined my evening! I am a(n) *!}^~ adult! I do deserve to get to leave my house, and leave angel girl here, especially if I seldom ever get a break!!!I really think it sucks that my relationship is in this valley. Peaks and valleys, peaks and valleys..... you know.
Both of my bff's have these absolutely blissfully sickening-sweet, lovey-dovey relationships......and I really think that should be what all marraiges could be/ have that too! but there is this dude named bud that someone I know would rather have, and he rules the entire house. Kinda sucks shit. ok........we all know it is really no secret any longer......I refuse to harbor his sickness any longer. My life revolves around my angel girl now.......and that is what is important to me. So anyhoo.......sorry to write a book..........just sitting here doing some thinking about my life, and how much of a dissapointment I am to myself.
I really am so happy that my girls, (you know who you are) have wonderful marraiges, I do believe it can happen.....rock on my sistas!! You guys rock!changing the subject, as my Amber calls it, "deflecting". I am learning how to do that quite well now!

My little brother and his girlfriend are coming into town for the weekend tomorrow, and I can't wait to see them!!! They are just so freakin' cute together! I really just love his girlfriend Sara....she is really good for him. He is such a great young man, so proud of him. I really got lucky with all of my sisters-in-laws.....they are great! Note to self: Need to spend more time with them while I can. Life is too short.
nite sistas! trying to think happy thoughts, and get my few hours of sleep for the night.

wanna go???

hey my peeps!

want to get out for a while sometime this week? I NEED A FRAKIN' BREAK!!!!!!
I plan on doing something....even if it is just riding around by myself in my car. Possibly thursday? john is hunting but I think Thurs. is good for me. any suggestions? wanna go?

this is how I feel right now. Special.

another day comes and goes.......

hello my peeps!! yesterday I spent a majority of my day-- in b/t the one of many Zoie meltdowns!!! gotta love that whole teeething thing! My poor baby!!!-- trying to get a SU! order to go in. wow, what an ordeal! Still not completely in.......... ?!

anywhoo....... we are still trying to deal with John's Dad's sickness....it is a reality that the whole family is trying to come to the realization that he is not going to get any better. Doesn't look too good...... it looks like anyday now.....the inevitable is going to happen. John is not taking it too well. My heart hurts for all of them. John is really having a hard way of life right now with lots of other things too.......the economy......this whole adoption thing.......did I mention that he has shingles?? he is just getting it from all angles lately. I am trying to be a good girl and not piss him off! He is about to crack I think. Thank God for our ZoZo. He absolutely lights up when he sees her, just like she does when she sees him.

I think I will take angel girl to the mall today to ride around in her wagon. She loves that wagon. I love that wagon. Wagon makes Mommy's life a bit easier!


God I Love that little girl with the sweet angel face. My angel girl.

peace out sistas!!