5 Favorite Things

Okay, over on MamaKat's page, she does a weekly writer workshop. This week she wants us to pick 5 of our favorite things and write about them. So go on over and visit her page and tell us what it is your loving these days.

1. Lucky Brand Jeans - these are my favorite jeans. Although a bit out of my budget... okay, alot out of my budget... I broke down and splurged on a pair. And even though I've put on a little weight since then, they still are great because they make my butt look like I'm still in my early 20's!!! Whoo hoo!!!



2. The beach - I absolutely love the beach. If I could be anywhere, it would be there!!! Nothing like watching the sun rise while sitting out on the deck with a good cup of coffee. It's so peaceful and serene and for a moment, you forget about all the fighting and such that is overtaking the world.



3. Gary Allan - This is a no brainer... look at this man! He is the epitome of sexy!!! Therefore, he gets extra pictures for his mention... lol



4. Daisies - forget a dozen roses. Send me something as simple as a daisy. They are the cutest little things....


5. Cheeseburgers - my ultimate comfort food. No matter what, if I am down in the dumps a cheeseburger makes me happy. Or it's even great when I can't decide what I want to eat, then a cheeseburger will do. Last year when it was believed that I had Celiac Sprue, I was told cheeseburgers would have to go. Oh heck naw!!! I was devastated. While we waited on test results and so forth, I was put on a strict gluten-free diet. Ummmm, okay, I had a hard time finding stuff I could actually eat... but test results came back and everything was good to go... guess what I ate first???

A harsh realization

***UPDATE**** So I get up this morning and on the news is the story of a commuter plane that crashed into a home in Buffalo, NY killing everyone inside and one person in the house. A woman and young child made it safely from the home. From what I understand they are not able to get close enough to put the fire out. My heart goes out to the families suffering through this... but on the flip side, is this not validation for me fear?



As I'm driving home yesterday I notice an airplane in the sky flying pretty low. This is normal occurence since I live near Barksdale AFB and planes in the sky are no biggy... it's not like I haven't seen it a hundred times before.


But as I got closer and closer I realized something harsh.... I will never ever go anywhere that requires me to fly... I have an insane fear of airplanes. The closer I got the more I started to panic until I was in a full blown anxiety attack. I just kept thinking that what if this plane crashes? What am I going to do?? I can't handle stress like that?? What happens if I choose to fly and my plane crashes???

Okay and if that's not weird enough, my fear of helicopters is even worse!!! I freak if I even hear the noise of a helicopter. I can't stand to look at them which is why I'm not even posting a picture of one.

I know, this is beyond therapy and of course is contributed to some deep rooted issue. But dang, I can't even drive home and look in the sky without having a panic attack. And of course, my dreams of traveling exotic places is gone down the drain since not all the valium and xanax in the world can get me on a plane!

Any suggestions?

The Letter Game

Okay, I thought this would be really easy but it's a lot harder than it seems. It actually requires thinking... imagine that!

If you want to play, leave a comment on this post letting me know, and I'll assign you a letter. You post ten things you love that begin with your assigned letter. When people comment on your list, you give them a letter, and the chain continues on and on. I got the letter T from Ms.Mojito over at http://makemineamojito.blogspot.com/


1. TEXAS... born and raised here!! Currently living in Louisiana but am proud of my heritage!! And miss "home" every day...


2. THREE DOORS DOWN.... great band from the coast of Mississippi... these guys rock!!!


3. TV.... I could watch television for hours and hours on end... but of course, then I'd never get anything done... especially with SoapNet... lol



4. THANKSGIVING.... mmmmmmmm, that's about all I can say. I look forward to this day to be able to pig out on turkey and dressing.... and yea, I know you can do it anytime of the year but there's just something about this day that makes it more special...


5. TAKING TRIPS WITH MY SISTER.... we always have a blast wherever we go. Our weekend in San Antonio was a trip and something I'll cherish forever... Or even if we go nowhere except to see Keith Urban and Gary Allan... talk about eye candy!!!


6. TINGLE KIDS.... and these are only a few of them... they all drive me loco but I love each and every one of them...


7. TWINS... my good friends, Dave (the hub's cousin) and Amy, had twin baby girls that were born premature. Both weighing less than 2 lbs. - just celebrated their first birthday and both are nearing 20 lbs a piece... they are sweethearts!


8. TAKING NAPS... it seems like I NEVER have the time to do this but as you can tell, others do...


9. TEQUILA ROSE... tastes just like strawberry milkshake... but beware... it will kick you in the rear and leave an ugly mark if you drink too much...


10. T-SHIRTS... the most comfortable thing in my wardrobe. Love the feel of cotton... and this is my favorite one by far...

Thousand Word Thursday - The cat

Wanna join in the fun??? Click the button above and post your pic!




Sometime in 1970-something.... "Oh no Mr. Cat... you're not going anywhere..."

Wordful Wednesday - I'm so sleepy

If you want to join the fun, head on over to Angie's page @ 7ClownCircus ..... Enjoy!!!






This is Ms. Addison and her big brother, Blake. This picture was taken before 6 a.m. this morning. I don't think either one of them were wanting their picture taken but you can tell by her big yawn that she, especially, was bored with Mommy and her picture taking.... lol

Here are a few more... just cause my kids are so stinkin' cute!!!

Before and After.....

This is Becca yesterday morning before her appointment to get her braces.....




This is her after braces... She is not happy at all. I keep telling her they don't look bad and she looks cute but she is having none of it. I remind her that when it's all over with she will have really straight, pretty teeth and that's going to make that wonderful smile of hers even more beautiful!



p.s. she would kill me if she knew I put these on here.

Cat attack!!!

It's now known as the Attack of the Crazy Cat!!!

The night started out calm and peaceful. Hubby was in bed sick, Blake was in his room playing his Xbox, Addison was in the bassinet asleep, and the rest of us were sitting around watching tv... well not so much watching it as we were listening to it. Even the pets were being lazy as seen by Lily piled up in Becca's lap. Then it happened, out of nowhere... she lost it...




She must've seen the string on my camera moving and decided it was time to play. She just started running all over the couch, attacking anything that moved. She calmed down some and was laying there until William, who was sitting in the recliner, moved and she decided to attack him...





This went on for a good 15 minutes last night and of course, William was crying because the cat was being mean.... poor thing. And who would've thought that I'd catch her this morning, still wanting to be the attack cat... I really blame this on the horse wormer...

A Thousand Words Thursday

Our "inside" dog, Charlie (or Charles when he poops in the floor). He just hasn't been the same since the cats and the baby came along.


For more "A Thousand Words Thursday" check outtheMom at Cheaper Than Therapy.

VU Reflux... what is that?

Yesterday Addison had her doctor's appt and basically this is what is wrong with her: What is vesicoureteral reflux? With normal urination, the bladder contracts and urine leaves the body through the urethra. With vesicoureteral reflux, some urine goes back up into the ureters and possibly up to the kidneys. Reflux exposes the kidneys to infection. In children, particularly those in the first 6 years of life, urinary infection can cause kidney damage. The injury to the kidney may result in renal scarring and loss of future growth potential or widespread scarring and atrophy. Even a small area of scarring in one kidney may be a cause of high blood pressure later in life. Untreated reflux on both sides can, in the most severe instances, result in kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation. Why does vesicoureteral reflux occur? The valve system at the ureterovesical (ureter-bladder) junction may be abnormal: In some children the tunnel of the lower ureter through the muscular wall of the bladder may not be long enough. For these children, there is a good chance that growth may provide the necessary difference to allow the valve to work. The ureter may enter into the bladder abnormally (usually too much to the side), resulting in a short tunnel. This reflux is less likely to resolve with growth. Some children have reflux because of underlying problems such as lower urinary obstruction (such as urethral valves), abnormal bladder behavior (such as uninhibited bladder contractions or hyperreflexic bladders), infrequent voiding, or constipation. How is reflux evaluated? Children who are suspected of having reflux should have a renal ultrasound and a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). Based on these studies, reflux can be classified into five grades - grade 1 is the least and grade 5 is the worst. Mild degrees of reflux have a good chance of resolving spontaneously with age. Chances of resolution with high-grade reflux (grade 4-5, or reflux related to an anatomic problem such as a long-standing obstruction) are much lower. How is reflux treated? Since many children will outgrow their reflux, they can be followed carefully, with their reflux monitored at intervals by tests such as VCUG, renal ultrasound, or nuclear voiding cystogram. During this follow-up period they are kept on a prophylactic (low-dose) antibiotic to keep the urine free of infection. Any fever or urinary tract symptoms (such as burning, frequency, urgency, straining, foul odor, bloody urine, or unusual incontinence) must be evaluated with urine analysis and urine culture. Children who develop breakthrough urinary infections in spite of prophylaxis are at risk for kidney damage and need to be considered for surgical correction of reflux. How is reflux treated surgically? Correction of reflux (ureteral reimplantation or ureteroneocystostorny) is recommended for high grades of reflux, for reflux that fails to resolve, or for patients with breakthrough infections. The traditional surgical approach involves opening the bladder and creating a new longer tunnel for the ureter through the bladder wall. What about long-term follow-up? Children with a history of reflux should probably be monitored life-long with measurement of height and weight, blood pressure, and urine analysis. Occasional ultrasound tests will assure that kidney growth is on target for age and size. If kidney function from previous reflux should deteriorate, the pediatric nephrology team can begin appropriate medication and dietary restriction. She has Grade IV. And what I've found out is that 1% of babies have this. She will be monitored once every three months. So what I'm hoping for is no breakthrough infections and that this resolves itself. We don't want any procedures done. She was great during the test and did not even cry when they gave her the cathether but she did have the look that said, "What the deuce?" lol. She's such a trooper!!! Good news, she now weighs 11 lbs. 4 oz. Getting to be a little chunk!!! Here is a video my 16 year old shot with her cell phone the other day. That is Becca you hear in the background picking on Addison's "big" head and "nappy" hair... lol

We all wear panties.. or so at least I hope

Okay, ladies.... Erin over at BlueeyedBride is having a panty giveaway in honor of Vday... so head on over there and get your entry in....

You know we can never have too many panties!