Wordless Wednesday...

Wordless Wednesday...

Is there anything I can say about this?

Adventures with Lil'D...

Let's bake cupcakes together!!

While Jeremy went to the Charger/Raider game, Lil'D and I spent last night making cupcakes together. We had a really great time. He didn't want to go to bed he was having so much fun. Jeremy came home happy because the Raiders lost 34-7!!

7 Random Things...

I was tagged a couple of weeks ago by Jenny at Dailydose of Motherhood. I am supposed to list 7 random things about myself. I am finally taking the time to post my list:

one...
I really love Hello Kitty. I have no idea why. Since I moved to California in 1996, I have always been obsessed with her. Now I do not have a ridiculous collection or anything. I only have a few things. But, when I see something hello kitty I just have to have it!

two...
I bite my nails. It is such a horrible habit. I have tried many many times to quit. I have quit and then started back up again. I had acrylic nails for a long time, but it is such a waste of money. I am in a biting mode right now and I hope to completely break this habit one day.

three...
I don't like chocolate cake, brownies or chocolate ice cream. I know, I'm weird. I get told that all the time. I can eat candy bars and m&m's like there is no tomorrow, but put brownies in my house and I won't touch them! It's kind of a blessing right now since I'm trying to loose weight!!

four...
I have social anxiety. I get really nervous in front of a group of people. My heart starts pounding so hard it's almost painful and my hands start to sweat, I even start to shake sometimes. The crazy thing is that all the years that I was a twirler I could get up in front of a crowd of a thousand people and have no problem, but if I have to talk it's just so painful I just want to run away! Even if it's a small group of say 5 of my friends, that I know really well, I clam up and have nothing to say unless I am asked a question. I'm always the quiet one. I'm much better with one on one, sometimes you just can't shut me up I have so much to say.

five...
Right now I really love chinese food! I LOVE orange chicken and bejing beef from Panda Express and I LOVE house special chicken from Pick Up Stix. I could eat it everyday!!

six...
I can wiggle my ears. I have been able to do this since I was in elementary school.

seven...
I love rain, I love snow, I love cold weather (probably because I miss it so much). I get so excited if it's cool enough at night to wear a sweatshirt! I miss the season change. All the years I lived in Texas I took the weather for granted. I love it when it rains...how it sounds, how it smells. It's rained like 4 times this year. I never see snow and I have to go out of my way to drive down a certain street that has trees that change with the season. (like I have time to do this)BUT, I love the beach and cool weather! I hardly ever go to the beach in the summer, it just gets so hot and miserable. I love it on a windy day! I really love it on a cold day! There is something about walking on the beach, holding hands with my sweetie, while the sun sets and we are all bundled up because it's freezing!!!! Weird...I know!

Well, that is it. That's me! Hope you enjoyed the list. I enjoyed making it.

Wordless Wednesday...

For more WW go to 5minutes for Mom!

Back to the real world...

Ok, now that I got the hard part out of the way, let's get on with the good stuff.

Thanksgiving Day...

I had Jeremy's entire family at my house (except for his sister). That is 16 total including us...

• Grandma & Grandpa Ham (Jeremy's mom & dad)


• Jeremy's oldest brother and his wife and their 4 kids


• Jeremy's older brother and his wife and their 3 kids
  
• Me, Jeremy & Lil'D
  

=16

Here is my first turkey fresh from the oven!

It was absolutely perfect! I am so proud...and thankful to Martha!! (Stewart, that is). I dry brined it for 12 hours and roasted it for about 3 hours. I also made dressing and fresh steamed green beans. Jeremy's mom brought homemade mashed potatoes and gravy...they were yummy! There was lots of food and we ate and ate! Lil'D didn't do to well this thanksgiving. He had one bite of mashed potatoes and a taste of dressing. He ate 2 cups of strawberry yogurt. My little picky eater has arrived. He drank all his milk though!

We spent the rest of the evening looking at ads and planning our attack for Friday.

Black Friday...

My sweet Jeremy got up at 5:45am and went to Home Depot and got my beautiful $199.99reg price LED prelit Christmas tree for $49.99!! Lil'D and I woke up at around 7:30am and Jeremy had already taken the tree out of the box and put it together! We finished decorating the tree on Sunday night.

Here is the final result:

Lil'D had a wonderful time playing with the beads, putting the ornaments on the bottom branches and throwing ornaments on the tree and watching them stick. He also enjoys running the Christmas train below the tree. It has a remote control just like Grandpa's trains.

Date night...

Friday night Jeremy and I went out to dinner and a movie. We figured that all that we have been through we deserved to have a night out. We went to Fuddrucker's. I love their fries! dipped in the honey mustard sauce. Yummy!!

Then we went to the movies. We saw...Twilight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I read the book about 2 weeks ago and loved it so much I read the second book, New Moon, shortly after. It was really great and I understand now what all the rage was about. I absolutely L-O-V-E Bella and Edward! I can't wait to read the next book, I'm chompin' at the bit. I'm going to get the book this week and I will probably read all 600+ pages by Sunday night. I'm just a little obsessed, that't all. Here are the two people my world has been all about the past three weeks:

Moving on...

Did you know that 20% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage? If you have had one live birth and one miscarriage you have a 10% chance to miscarry again. I found that women in their late 30s have an 18% risk of miscarriage. You always hear these things, but secretly pray and pray that it will never happen to you.

I was pregnant. I took a test and was positive on Thursday, November 6th. Went to the doctor and got an official blood test. I was so excited. It had taken us only 5 months. My due date was July 12th, 2009. I immediately made my first pre-natal appointment, subscribed to all the pregnancy newletters by email, dreamed about my new sweet baby, thought about names, you know, the whole shebang. I was only 5 weeks.

On Tuesday, November 18th I started spotting. I called the doctor immediately and went in for a test that charts my pregnancy hormones. I continued to bleed and was in a little pain. I took another blood test on Thursday. On Friday morning the doctor confirmed my greatest fear. The pregnant hormones were not rising anymore, they were descending. I missed almost 3 days of work because I just didn't want to go through this there. I was emotionally up and down. The weekend passed as if it were a dream. I took another blood test on Monday morning and Tuesday they said that my numbers were coming down and a good pace and I would probably not need a D&C. The doctor wants me to go through 2 full cycles before trying again.

What a crazy emotional rollercoaster that was. I'm still up and down. I went in for my last blood test this morning just to make sure that I still don't need to D&C. I have spoke to several people who have 2 miscarriages in a row that are my age. I fear another.

But I have to go through the fear to bring another life into our family. The Lord has given me strength and reassurance through this trial. I am thankful to have had this happen at 6 weeks rather than 20 weeks or something way worse. I have a child in heaven now. I will be reunited with him/her one day.

It's time to move on and go on with life.
I just wanted to share this with all the people in my life that I don't see everyday and may be many, many miles away.

Wordless Wednesday...

Bathtub Adventures...

Please visit 5minutesForMom for more adorable pics!!

Thanks momma...

I received a card from my mom yesterday. Here it is...

I just love Mary Engelbreit stuff. I just love this card. My momma is so sweet and thoughtful!

New signature...

I finally figured out how to add a divider between my posts and add my signature to the bottom of the post! If you want to know how check out this site:

Pocket Templates: Tricks for customizing your Blogger template

Enjoy!!

Empty...

I've been trying to blog for almost a week now and I am just sitting in front of my laptop...wordless. I have so much going on in my life, but nothing really to say about it.

The usual stuff is overwhelming me...housework, laundry, what to eat, stuff like that, but this week is just different. I put up a new design on my blog, but that wasn't as satisfying as if normally is. I'm just fickle, unsatisfied, missing something. That is the best I can describe it.

I have something really important to tell you, but I can't just yet. I have to make sure that certain people know this information face to face first, then I will add it to my blog. Very short, very simple. It's not anything that you really want to hear, but it is something I have to share. I feel that if I share it out loud, I can get on with my life.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and a houseful of people. I have twelve guests coming to my house. I will be making my first turkey ever. I am 35 years old and this is my first turkey. I've been married for 10 years and have never made my own turkey. I'm not a big cook in case you haven't noticed. We always do potluck for Thanksgiving and my mother-in-law brings a turkey and my sister-in-law brings a turkey. I'm giving my sister-in-law a break this year. I've been DVRing Martha and am ready.

So here is what I'm gonna do this week. Keep you all informed of my Thanksgiving day plans.

I just got back from the grocery store with a 16 pound bird. I put it in the refrigerator to start thawing.

Have a great week!!!

♥ Elliemae

Funny Lil'D

On Saturday morning Lil'D woke up at 6:50am. Jeremy and I were still sleeping:

Lil'D: Momma, Momma, Momma

Lil'D: Daddy, Daddy, Daddy

We are trying to get him to play in his room on Saturday mornings for a little bit, just until we are up and ready. He started playing when we didn't answer him.
Jeremy and I got up, took showers and just as I was getting ready:

Lil'D: Momma, Momma

Lil'D: Daddy, Daddy
...
Lil'D: Jeremy, Jeremy

Lil'D: Elliemae, Elliemae

That got my attention.
He knows our names just listening to us.
Amazing what they pick up, isn't it?

♥ Elliemae

Taking a short break...

I am taking a little break. I am just swamped with life right now. Just busy being a wife, mom, daughter, friend and employee. I am so crazy busy I haven't taken a single picture in the month of November yet. Those that know me understand that is way out of the ordinary. (my flickr account has over 14,000 pics)

I will return soon....I always do!

Here is a great Wordless Wednesday photo for you:

Little boy in a great big world!!

♥ Elliemae

Wordless Wednesday...

Guitar Hero World Tour


for more photos please visit 5MinutesForMom!

♥ Elliemae

Our trick-or-treat night...

We were planning to leave the house at around 6:30pm to go to the fun festival at church. I was excited about trick-or-treaters coming to our door and Lil'D seeing the kids dressed in costumes. I was excited about Lil'D passing out candy and learning the phrase trick-or-treat.
No one came to our door.
We left for the fun festival and there was no one going from door to door in our neighborhood. I was shocked. Not a single trick-or-treater in sight. I'm glad we were going to the fun festival.
We had a great time at the fun festival. It was filled with game booths, candy, food and kids dressed up in their halloween best! Lil'D loved playing all the games. After he played each game, a bucket of candy was held out to him and he gently and ever so carefully chose one piece and put it in his bag. Of course, they offered him another. He really loved picking out suckers. Suckers are his favorite.
We stayed out till 9pm. We got home at 9:15. Lil'D didn't ask for any candy and we got him to bed at 9:45pm.
I've got some great photos...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

♥ Elliemae

The man of my dreams...

Jeremy is my husband and my soulmate! We met October 30, 1995.

How we met:
I had just gone through a lot of firsts:

• Graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. (boy were the math majors upset about the BA changing to the BS for our interior design program)
• Moved out of my parents house
• Rented a 1 bedroom apartment in Dallas, Texas (big city)
• Got my first real design job at Expo Design Center (A Home Depot Company)

My first day of work was computer training on the kitchen cabinet design program 20/20. I sat in the front row. Halfway through the morning the computer I chose crashed. The only available computer was next to my future husband, Jeremy. I would have never guessed that. He was such a crack up and made me laugh the entire 2 days of class. We even sat together at lunch and got to know each other. We became instant friends.

I was in a 3 year relationship with a guy from my hometown who had moved to Dallas a year earlier. There were a lot of group activities after hours that I usually attended and my boyfriend never wanted to. Jeremy and I were always talking and laughing with each other. In the beginning, it never crossed my mind to like Jeremy like that. But as we got to know each other better all that was going through my mind was " this is the kind of guy I want to marry." I was torn and of course Jeremy didn't want to spend anymore time with me knowing that I would not be able to like him as he liked me. I really had no idea he liked me in the beginning. So after my ex-boyfriend not really being interested in meeting any of my new friends, much less not wanting to hang out with them...things changed.

The night of our company Christmas party my boyfriend made us late because he had spent the day with his guy friends shopping for a sport coat jacket and getting drunk. I had to drive us to the party. It was at the hotel at the Galleria. Jeremy and my ex met and it was kind of a weird moment. Halfway through the party my ex was falling asleep in a chair while I was on the dance floor. I told him we really needed to talk. I don't really remember everything in this conversation, but he told me I should marry a guy like Jeremy.

We broke up that night. I was sad of course. I had 3 years invested in this relationship and wasn't a quitter. I tried to just separate my myself from everyone including Jeremy. That was really hard considering we worked together. I finally gave in about after a week when Jeremy asked me out. We went to dinner and then to the movies. We saw Golden Eye. We ended up staying up all night long and talking. It was a Thursday night and we both had to work the next day. We were exhausted, but I knew everything was going to be great. I knew that he was the one I was going to marry after we dated for a month. He felt the same way.

Jeremy wanted me to go on vacation with him to his hometown, San Diego, California. How could I say no to that. We went in May 1996 and then moved there in August 1996. We both transferred with the company. We rented a two bedroom townhouse and I was living in the most beautiful city ever. I couldn't believe it. Jeremy proposed to me in December 1997. We got married in June 1998.

It has been the best adventure being married to him. Always something happening and doing things by the seat of our pants! I've live life to the fullest so far with him. There is not much we haven't done together. There is, of course, plenty more for us to do!

I wouldn't have it any other way! Jeremy is my soulmate and gift from God! We spent our childhood, teenage and college years 1500 miles from each other. By the grace of God we found each other and will be together forever!

Hope you enjoyed this story! I love telling it.

♥ Elliemae

Things I love

♥ Elliemae

Blogroll...

30 days

A Chelsea Morning

Dailydose of Motherhood

Diary of a Modern Matriarch

Grace Violet

iMommies

Keeping the Home

Monkeybox

Motherhood Adventurez

Pink Paper Peppermints

Thrifty Jinxy

Tip Junkie

Today's Creative Blog

Two Peas in a Pod

♥ Elliemae

My Awards...

from Jenny @
Daily Dose of Motherhood

from Jenny @
Daily Dose of Motherhood

♥ Elliemae

Blog Housekeeping...

I'm doing some blog housekeeping today and some small tweaks to my template. I'm just not quite happy yet. It just looks really cluttered. Maybe I'm just a cluttered kind of person. Well, I'm not willing to admit that.

Anyway. I'm going to put together some posts of things that I usually keep in my sidebar. It's really stuff that I don't need, but I like it. It will make my sidebar much less cluttered.

♥ Elliemae

While I am in work mode...

Here is what I am currently working on:

What you are looking at is a column that sits on top of an island in the kitchen at MustardStone. The column is rough and I have sketched what the panels are going to look like in pink. If you look closely there is a maze of ceiling beams around it that is making me pull my hair out. I finally finished my drawings yesterday and sent them in to be manufactured. I will of course post the before and after of this column and it will just blow you away!!!!

♥ Elliemae

The Barn Kitchen is Complete...

Do you remember this job I was working on:

Barn Kitchen Rendering

Kitchen Floorplan

Kitchen Elevations

Well...

Here is a photo of the kitchen during installation:

And...here is a photo of the completed kitchen...

Isn't is bea-u-tiful? Hope you enjoyed seeing the progress! This is what makes my job so fulfilling!

♥Elliemae