Merry Christmas! One down; one started!

Merry Christmas everyone! Can't believe the holidays are already upon us...where has 2009 gone?!

We had a blizzard hit Lawton yesterday...which means we're currently celebrating our first White Christmas ever! Here's a view of the snow piled at the back door after it finally stopped:

And one of the front - this was before the snow stopped, and today, I can barely see my tires:

I was kicking myself yesterday because I was totally convinced nothing would happen. We were only under a winter weather advisory on Wednesday anyway when I got home, so I thought I could go out yesterday and pick up the last few things for Christmas. Um...yeah. No. The system took a dip and dumped seven inches of snow on us. So much for that. :P

We opened our gifts at midnight for Christmas, and I got one thing knocked out and another officially started. No. 98 is done; my sister got me an emergency kit for the car! I just need to add a couple of bottles of water to put in there, and I've already got blankets in there. Suhweet! Thanks sis! Here's the kit - which has a lot of stuff in it, lemme tell ya:

And...I GOT MY CROCKPOT!

Now, I just need to get a crockpot book and start using it. This thing comes with a lock-on lid and a temperature probe. I'm already in love. :)

This Christmas wound up being an awesome one. I got a flat screen [!!] from my parents, a Flip [!! again] camcorder [which is what i used to record jj walking], a Kevin Durant jersey [that actually fits - it's not one of those big jerseys, which super excites me] and other things. We were all quite spoiled this year. Overall, it was an awesome Christmas - and it's going to get better, because we're getting ready to eat. Yum.

That's all I got for now. I know I need to post pics from JJ's birthday and try to upload the video of him attempting to eat his cake, so I'll get on that later. Merry Christmas everyone!

JJ the Walker.

I'll post another update in a few minutes, but I wanted to get this in first. Introducting...JJ the Walker. :)

No. 89 started: Merry Christmas everyone! [and more of no. 91]

I'm the first to admit that this year, the holiday season has flown by me. Yesterday, it was Thanksgiving; in five days, it'll be Christmas. My office doesn't have any Christmas decos up, I haven't wrapped any presents or made any holiday cookies yet...it's depressing at how I just let the holidays fly by me. I did, however, start no. 89 - which was to decorate the apartment for Christmas.

I went out and bought some Christmas decorations and put them up. I didn't overdo it this year, because I'm barely at the apartment anyway. But my parents' house did get decorated, and I'll be doing more next year [since by then, i'm sure we'll be in a house of some sort]. I need to put the blue lights up on Monday, if I can figure out how to do it...but I'll be at the apartment for two nights this week before I go home for two weeks, so I doubt I'll put them up. I'm just glad we got SOMETHING up this year.

I also got my start on no. 75 the other night, which was to go to a Mavs game. Before the Thunder/Mavs game, I was super torn. I really like both teams, but I'm a bigger Mavs fan than Thunder fan [mavs are my first love, after all], so I wore my Kidd jersey to the game and went with it. I did cheer and clap for the Thunder, but I was more vocal for the Mavs - especially since up until the 4th quarter, they were losing the game. But then the Mavs lit it up, Dirk hit some big shots, and they pulled out the win. I was SO stoked.

JJ and I had fun at the game together:

I took this pic during warm-ups, and JJ is super fascinated by sports - he loves to watch basketball and football [he is definitely my and j's child, lemme tell ya], so I couldn't get him to look at the camera. But, you'll notice that I'm wearing the Mavs blue - love it. I'm really hoping I get the Mavs alternate jersey for Christmas, but we'll see if that happens.

I'm still really excited that we're going to the bowl game in a few weeks. It'll be insane to be in the new Cowboys stadium and even more insane to be a part of a bowl game experience - one I thought I'd never be able to do when I started college. Amazing how things come together that you don't expect.

And now, before I go to bed, I'm going to do some more of that long-butt survey that I'm sure will take me a million days to finish:

501. If you could rename yourself what would your new name be?
I love my name - I wouldn't change it. Honestly.

502. What is your Glam Rock name (the name of your first pet plus your street name)?
Maui Stratford. That's not a Glam Rock name. At all. Guess I don't live on a cool street.

503. Have you ever created your own 'what ___ are you' quiz?
Nope. I'm not that creative.
If you did make one what would it be about?
Le nada.

504. What is your favorite song from the 70's?
Probably anything released by Queen - especially "Somebody to Love" and "Bohemian Rapsody."

505. What do you feel like complaining about?
You don't even want to know. Writing it could get me in trouble.

506. What do you feel like celebrating?
The fact that I get off for Christmas on Wednesday!

507. Have you lost touch with anyone you should call?
Of course - but I hate being on the phone.

508. Deep in thought do you forgive everyone?
Pretty much. But then I snap out of it.

509. Can a person speak out against their government and still support their country?
I think so. We don't have to agree with everything the government does; just because we disagree doesn't mean we're unpatriotic.

510. What do you have faith in?
God and karma.

511. Do you believe your government has a file on you somewhere?
I'm sure they do. Now, what it has in it...no idea.

512. What (not who) do you care about?
A lot of things. My alma mater, the planet, finding a cure for cancer [all cancers], issues that immediately affect me as a parent, issues that immediately affect me as a citizen of Stillwater...

513. What is the worst thing that could possibly happen to you?
Losing everyone close to me. I can live with losing everything else, as long as I have my parents, my sister, my husband and JJ. If I lost one of them, I'd be completely devastated - if I lost all of them, I don't know how I'd be able to survive.

514. Who or what is really the absolute root and source of all evil?
I believe in the devil/Satan/whatever he's called.

515. What do you want to change about the world?
Too many things to list here.

516. Why did you decide to complete this survey?
I'm doing my 101 in 1001 list, and I saw this on a lot of other lists and wanted to do the same. :)

517. Has anyone ever led you on?
Um, yeah. And I hate it.

518. What was the last thing you did against your will?
Got up early. :P

519. What are your plans for the rest of today?
Hopefully, I'll make it to the mall so I can go to the movies and get my wedding rings cleaned [finally]. I also need to wrap presents and make cookies.

520. How can you make tomorrow better than today was?
I can make the most of it.

521. Would you rather date someone 4 feet tall or 9 feet tall?
Four feet tall, I think. It's easier to make someone taller, but making someone shorter would be tough.

522. How often do you get jealous?
More than I'm willing to admit out loud - or to myself most days.

523. What is the one thing you do that your friends wish you didn't?
Probably ignore them. I don't mean to - life is just insane.

524. Do you do any soul searching?
All the time.

525. Do you believe you have a soul?
Definitely.

526. Would you rather have a child that is more confident or more curious?
I don't know...in my family, I'm the more confident one, but my sister is the more curious one. Both have their advantages and disadvantages...I guess more confident.

527. Are you a slave to love?
Yup. :)

528. If you were going to write a bedtime story for someone you loved what would it be about?
I don't know...probably be a fairy tale of some sort with a loving, happily ever after storyline.

529. Does anyone understand you?
Nope. I don't even understand me.

530. Do you understand yourself?
Refer to above. :)

531. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: Which is your element?
Fire. Especially when I'm pissed.

532. Who influences you to be the way you are?
My parents, my husband and JJ.

533. What is one idea that you live by?
Everything happens for a reason. I always think that I have little control over the eventual result of something; I'm just a tiny part of the bigger picture that is my life.

534. How can people act to make you want to get to know them?
Be open and willing to socialize. I can't get to know you if you clam up.

535. Are you more delicate or tough?
A little of both, but probably more delicate.

536. Would you rather be smarter or more beautiful?
Smarter - and that's how I am. My sister's more beautiful; I'm the smarter one.

537. Have you ever had a surprise party?
Nope - wish someone would throw me one though.

538. When are you at a loss for words?
Not often - usually when I'm super surprised or super upset.

539. What is the worst time to be alone?
During a thunderstorm. I hate storms.

540. What do your parents do that you will try never to do?
Nag. :P

541. What gets you through the night?
My baby boy - I wake up for him every single day.

542. Do you really want to live forever?
No - that would be depressing. You'd have to watch all of those close to you die. I couldn't handle it.

543. Do you often experience powerful emotions?
Yup. I'm a very emotional person.

544. What could make you so happy right now that you would cry and laugh and sing?
Getting these credit cards paid off.

545. Who is your favorite visual artist?
Norman Rockwell.

546. What would you like to protest against?
I don't know...I'd have to think about that one.

547. What or who do you support?
Universal healthcare. I know there are a lot of flaws still, but I support it.
 548. If you found out you were pregnant today, would you have an abortion?
No way. I would be so excited - albeit shocked - and wouldn't even think about an abortion.

549. Do you like picking out greeting cards or would you rather write your own?
 Picking them out. There's a lot of good ones out there.

550. Do you like to be thought of as mysterious?
Nah - I'm not mysterious anyway.

No. 75 in the works - guess where I'm going...

That's right baby - I'm going Bowling. I found out yesterday I actually did get tix to the Cotton Bowl, and I picked them up from UPS today. My bowl form didn't make in before the season ticket priority deadline, so I was pretty sure I wouldn't get any...but then I got the notification yesterday that I actually did get tickets, and I got giddy all over again. The Cotton Bowl's on January 2nd at The House That Jerry Built, and this may be the only time I get to go to a bowl game within driving distance of my hometown...so I'm going. And I'm stoked.

I've also gone Etsy crazy - I bought five pairs of earrings after buying the initial two pairs I have. I got two pairs for my sister for Christmas and the others for me. Maybe I can stop stealing my mom's and sister's earrings now...I'm still looking for more jewelry on there though. I love all this homemade stuff.

It's been a little insane the past couple of weeks, with work and JJ being sick [again] and all this other stuff...I'm more than relieved that Christmas break starts on Wednesday, and I won't be at work for 11 days. I definitely realize that I was spoiled last year when I took off eight weeks around the holiday time for maternity leave...and I'm seriously considering not trying for baby no. two until March 2011 so that we have a better shot of getting a holiday baby and, therefore, can take off more time during the holidays. And that'll still fall within my 101 in 1001 goal of getting pregnant before 2012...it could work!

I'm getting ready to head to Lawton for the rest of the weekend to finally start wrapping presents and make holiday cookies - I'm so excited. It hasn't really felt like Christmas this year because I've been so busy, I haven't had time to enjoy the holiday season. But with only six days until Christmas, I'm going to spend the next few days Christmas-ing it up. I have a self-imposed goal to not let the holidays slip by me next year. Hopefully at this time next year, I won't be as stressed out as I am now.

I'll update more later!

No. 96 done!

I know it's after 2:30am, but I got caught up doing some online shopping and found the CUTEST pairs of earrings on etsy. I finally made my first etsy purchase a few minutes ago, which also crosses off no. 96 on my list!

I got these from bettilouise [pics courtesy of the bettilouise etsy shop]:

Aren't they simply adorable?! I may give the pearl ones to my sister, but the button ones are mine. :)

OK. Done shopping - off to bed. I also replaced the scarf I left behind at the Thunder-Golden State game on Monday, thanks to eBay. No tellin' when it'll get here, since is coming from China, but I only paid $8 for it. :)

Eek! No. 76 started!

So, as some of you may know, I'm a big NBA fan. I know a lot of people think the NBA is full of whiny floppers who only care about money, cars and bling...but the NBA was my first love. It'll always be my first love.

Anyway. I'm a huge Dallas Mavs fan - and have become a huge Thunder fan. Nothing would've pleased me more than to get tix to the Mavs-Thunder home game on Dec. 16, but I couldn't justify buying tickets for the game when I've already been to like, six Thunder game and bought a 10-game pack. Well, my justification came today - ESPN's covering the Mavs-Thunder game, and all of the Loud City tickets are half price right now. So, I jumped on that wagon, got my tix, AND got free tix to the Thunder-Knicks game in January.

Holy cow I'm so excited. Not only do I get to see my two fave teams play, but I also get to start another thing on my list! For awhile there, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it to a Mavs game this year. SUHWEET!

The rest of the list is coming along slowly. I've decided to make brag books for my parents for Christmas - I just need to pull the million photos of JJ together in one place and get them printed. I also need to find brag books or scrapbooks to put all the pictures in...I want to print off pics from JJ's first year, and I think there's too many for a brag book I could pick up anywhere. I'll go do some digging around on eBay and see if I can find anything. I think I'm getting a crockpot for Christmas from J...I'm SO excited about that, too! I also asked for cookbooks for Christmas, so I should be able to start on that one after the New Year. I can't believe 2010 is just around the corner...there are only 23 days left in the year! Eek!

That's all I've got for now. I'll blog about JJ's first birthday later on today or tonight - I was just too excited about the Mavs thing to not blog about it. :)

New ones: #6 and #28!

I finally have new ones that I've started...I'm so excited. :)

The first one on the list, #6, was to go on a date night every month for a year with J. We had our first date night [in a long time, i must say] this past Friday - we went to the Thunder-Bucks game together. Because the game got moved from 6:00 to 8:30 [stupid tv schedule, but it was cool the thunder got some national tv time], my parents didn't want to go, so J and I went. We invited his best friend, but he had an emergency to tend to and didn't make it...so it was just us. It was so nice - we'd never been to an NBA game together before, and it was awesome for us to just go without baby. During Christmas break, we're going to do dinner and a movie for our second date night...I'm too excited.

Things are going better with us now...I'm just getting anxious about this whole Air Force thing. I'm probably going to meet with his recruiter during Christmas break to get some final questions answered, see if we can find out when he's leaving for basic and tie up whatever loose ends we need to tie up. I'm anxious and excited for this to start, but I'm also nervous and afraid about what life changes are ahead for us. I love Oklahoma. I don't want to leave yet. I want to be close to my family, especially since I would like to have baby no. two in a couple of years. I'm having a hard time letting God lead me and my family down the path we're meant to take, but I'm getting better.

Anyway. I also started no. 28, which was to have dinner with friends at least once during eight separate months. A couple of weeks ago, I met up with my old roommate and two of my awesome friends from college. It had been SO LONG since we'd seen one another, and we had a lot to catch up on. One of the girls I consider one of my best friends from college, and she and I stayed two hours after the restaurant closed and just talked. I missed her so much...it was nice to catch up and to spend some interrupted time with some of my dearest friends. We ate at Thai Cafe, too...one of my fave restaurants in Stillwater. Yummay.

So I've started two more on my list, and I'm close to getting JJ's birth certificate ordered - I just need to write a check and send it off. If I do it now, I should have it right after the new year...I'm not sure how long those things take to get processed, but I'm sure it'll take at least a month, if not longer. It took me four months to get my new tags for my car...I'm hoping his birth certificates don't take THAT long, but we'll see. I'll be happy to get that out of the way - I'll feel like my son has the important documents he needs in his life right now. Now, if only his mommy could get her name legally changed...I've been married almost a year and haven't done it. Oops.

Life is going better, for the moment. Work has been super hectic; I've decided that I'm gonna have to start scheduling my time out throughout the day. It's pathetic that I have to do that, but that's what it's coming down to right now. I have no idea how I'm going to get everything crammed into the day, but I'm going to try my best. Family life is getting better; Thanksgiving was so awesome. I didn't leave my house any other time during my long weekend home except for the basketball game. I didn't even go Black Friday shopping; I did all my shopping online. It was so nice not to deal with the stores this year - I don't know what I was thinking when I went to the stores 39 weeks pregnant last year [never.again.]...my OB would've killed me if he knew I did that right before my son was born.

JJ's going to be one in three days! How bizarre is that?! My mind keeps reverting back to this week last week, when I found out I'd be induced on the 4th, how I felt, how anxious I was [and how i wanted him so desperately to come on his own because i was scared of being induced]...my last days at work, the day he was born...I remember all of that so clearly now. It's amazing how all of that has flooded back to me after a year; I'm pretty sure that week is the clearest remembered week in my entire life. I still can't believe that he's almost a year old and a toddler. I have GOT to start taking more pictures of him...and loading them to my own computer instead of the home one.

I would write more, but I've got to get to bed - I've already been up almost 24 hours. I'm gonna need coffee in the morning, that's for sure.