Weekend Update ....

Can't tell you where this weekend went? I hate looking forward to a weekend and then in a blink of an eye its gone. I had a horrible migraine Wed night into Thursday. Then Friday I still did not feel better but only had to work a half a day. I got nothing really done that I wanted to.
The holidays are fastly approaching and as my daughter said Saturday, "you're rushing me"! Well don't I ever feel that way. Saturday I tried to do some Xmas shopping but have the two kids with me doesn't help. Can't really get stuff when they are around, not for them anyway. Before we did that we went to my grandma's for her Birthday. She turned 82! She's so funny and we had a great time just sitting around talking and looking at all the Xmas stuff she and grandpa were starting to put up. Emilee of course was eating everything in sight. We had cake and ice cream! Then we watched Paula Dean on TV for a bit. I had to be at work by 3 so again, we were "rushed" at the mall. By the time I got home on Sat, I was tired and well we went to bed. Today was more shopping with just me and Andy and we got most of it done, still have a little bit more, its tight this year so it's looking for bargains and seeing what to get. Anyway, the Packer game sucked so we didn't even bother watching it all. Don't even get me started. It has been nice the last 2 days though but tonight we are in for a freeze. It's going to get down right COLD!

Well I hope everyone is doing well and thanks for checking in..

"Carter"

Well the Winter storm "Carter" has come and gone. Dropped 6.5 inches of fluffy white snow on us. Yes its pretty but not fun to clean up.. Yesterday the kids had a snow day due to all the snow that fell overnight and the high winds that were going on. Emilee also stayed home and me? No I went to work. I made it fine and so did Andy. However, when Andy got to work, he was sent home, dealership wasn't going to be open, all the appointments were cancelled and it was worse out by him. So it was a fun filled day for them, no school and no daycare.

Here are a few pictures of Emilee playing in the snow...

I guess she still thinks she can "mow".. lol

Spending Time "Indoors"

This week we got quite a few inches of snow dumped on us. Then the temp got down right cold .. I am not complaining because I absolutely love the snow, however driving in it can be challenging, but I'm careful and I do fine. Andy and I celebrated our anniversary, last week we saw "Four Christmases" and it was hilarious. So Wednesday we went out to dinner and it was very nice. Today Emilee pooped on the toilet all by herself, and of course I was not home to witness it.

We are inside for most of the day. We have a birthday party for Jake next door later today. Andy and Teresa are downstairs playing Rock Band and Jacqueline decided to make some Christmas cookies. St Nick came last night and visited the girls. Brings back lots of memories. If I told them what we used to get they'd look at us weird. Anyway hope everyone is doing well.

Thanks for checking in...

Anniversary

It's hard to believe that 3 years ago today Andy and I got married. It was December 3,2005. When I think of everything that has happened from the time we met until now is crazy! But I wouldn't change a thing. We are lucky in a lot of ways. We have each other. We formed a little family together and then created one with Emilee. As difficult as times have been and are at times, we couldn't do it alone. We were married outside in Arizona of course. It was a beautiful day and it goes by so quick but I just remember loving that all my friends and family were there. We could have skipped the ceremony and just did the party.

Andy and I tease each other and joke around like I never have with anyone and I enjoy it. I have friends that have been married alot longer, and hope we have many years ahead.

Thanks for taking time to read my blog, i have to run because it snowed MORE last night and I gotta get out of here..

Julee

Happy Thanksgiving!

I will be quick for now. I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I hope everyone is together with their loved ones and family today. I will post some pictures later today when our day is over. Good health and love to everyone. We miss everyone in places far away and we will be grateful to visit the ones near us.

Love,

Julee

Ok, We had a great Thanksgiving, it's been a long few days, we went to our neighbors for a late lunch and had a great time as always. Later we headed off to my Uncle's house and my grandparents and aunt and cousins were there, we had a great time. here are a few pictures from our day. Hope everyone is doing well !!

Migranes, Cancer & MS

This week has been very busy. Work has been busy, which is a good thing. However, it's been very stressful. Life is stressful, especially these days in the world we live. I try to find balance in everything but sometimes I'm overwhelmed. Anyone else feel that way ever?

I suffer from migraines and I haven't been having too many of them, but yesterday I had a big one. I thew up at the restaurant and left work cuz there was no way I could work. Not a good way to serve your customers! I came home and i was in bed very early. Last week my mom who had breast cancer 2 years ago and has been doing so well got a call from her doctor that one of her routine mammograms came back with something on it. She went in and had an ultrasound and well she has to have a biopsy Wed to see if the cancer is back or not. We all hope and pray its not. I don't want her to go through all of that again. Hopefully its just blocked tissue or something. I try not to worry until there is something to worry about. Our family is strong, my mom is strong and we'll get through this. I hate being so far away but she knows we are all thinking of her. My aunt was diagnosed, my moms sister, with breast cancer this past year so this all needs to stop. I can't imagine what she's going through but she's strong and well we'll just wait and see.

My friend Betty also was in the hospital this weekend due to her MS. She's feeling better now, she had to be hooked up to an IV and fed steroids but I hope she's up and back home soon to spend Thanksgiving with her family.

I hope everyone is doing well and Emilee was outside even with the cold weather, playing, wanting to mow the grass.. dead grass, but grass no less.. here are a few pictures, along with some from when she got her new boots and didn't want to take them off while wearing her robe.

Thanks for checking in..

Week Update

It's been quite a busy week. Andy had school down near Milwaukee again, he left Monday night and spent the night at my cousin Jaclyn and her husband Jake's house (thanks again!). And then he came home Wed night. I had to work Tuesday night. Work in itself has been busy, its that busy time of year, our busiest month of the year. Everyone wants money for Xmas, who doesn't. I love Xmas. It's my favorite time of the year. This will be our second Christmas in Wisconsin. The weather is now starting to "feel" like it! High 30's to Low 40's for the high. Sounds cold to some of you, but its not that bad if there's no wind.. hee hee. I enjoy it. We are supposed to have a tad bit of snow Sunday after the game. And by a tad i mean .3 inch is what they are saying so may not be anything. I'm waiting for the first big snowfall. My aunt Liz and my cousin Austin are on their way from AZ to move back here so they are in for a BIG change!

Not much else is going on, getting the house ready to get my Christmas decorations out. I will post pictures from Thanksgiving and the upcoming weeks. I plan on being prepared this year.. ok stop laughing! I said I plan.. lol.
The girls are waiting for their movies to open up next week. Jacqueline wants to see the new Harry Potter and Teresa wants to see Twilight. I'm sure they will be going next weekend.

Hope everyone is doing well.. Emilee is now yelling at me to get off .. so i must go..

Weekend Excitement!

This weekend went by in the blink of an eye. Friday night my sister Michelle and her husband Glen were coming in town for the weekend along with a friend, Erica. Erica grew up here also and visits often. Hopefully her and her family will be moving back here next summer.. (RIGHT ERICA??) Anyway, they flew into Milwaukee on time and well I won't go into detail but Glen knows what I'm talking about when I say, he was the reason they did not leave the airport until 2 hours later. Anyway they got into Green Bay around 8. They all were hungry and were hungry for a Kroll's hamburger. So Andy and I went to Kroll's with them and they got their fix. I was tired and well we went home. They went out on the town and had fun, which was great, I'm glad they had fun. Saturday we woke up to some snow falling. It was a great site for them to see, coming from Arizona. Saturday afternoon we had Jacqueline's 13th birthday party, had most of the family over, the neighbors, it was great. They played some Rock Band downstairs, had pizza and cake. After the party, mom's party started. My cousin Jill and her boyfriend RC, along with my friend Betsy, my sister, Glen, Erica and another girl I work with at the restaurant met up there and had some drinks. We then headed out to the Top Hat, a martini bar that i LOVE. Didn't go crazy, I am well in my 30's now..lol. Those days are over. Andy came out when we got to the Top Hat and had his Coke :-). Anyway it was fun and I'm glad everyone that was able to make it could. The flu is going around and so some people couldn't make it so we'll just have to make it up. Sunday Glen and Erica had to leave at 7am in Milwaukee so they were gone SUPER early, and Michelle stayed until today. Andy drove her this morning.

Emilee got to know her Aunt "Shell" and well if you know Michelle, you know why. She's crazy! She bought Emilee a toy and well thats all you really have to do to win kids hearts..lol.
It was a great weekend.


Enjoy the pics and thanks for checking in...

Snow Fall

Last night we had some sleet. Rain mixed with snow, doesn't do much, just cause bad roads and weather. This morning we woke up to snow fall. Actual snow. It didn't stick. But it sure was pretty. To most winter is coming and it's a dread. I love fall. The temps are coming down and the sweaters are coming out. Emilee was too cute, staring out the window saying "it's snowing outside". Now it didn't produce much, nor did it stick. It wasn't measurable by any means, but it was pretty to watch and a big difference from the 74 degree weather we had on Tuesday! Well Fall is here and Winder is on it's way!!

Hear are a few pics..

November 4, 1995 12:01pm

Hard to believe that 13 years ago yesterday, I turned 19. Even harder to believe that 13 years ago today I had Jacqueline. She was a pretty easy pregnancy, compared to Emilee that is. I was never sick or tired, until the end. I worked until the day I had her. I may have gained a ton of weight but I was very much mobile and felt good. I had alot of false labor with her for the last month of my pregnancy. I think we went to the hospital about 4 times before my doctor finally kept me over night on my birthday. She just wanted to come out. I was ready for her. Her actual due date was Nov 7th so she wasn't far off by any means. I remember just being very tired. I got to the hospital about 10pm on 11/3, it was a Friday. The Dr ordered them to give me a shot of Demerol and in the morning he would be in. They could see I was exhausted. Well that put me right to sleep. Sat morning at 6:30 the Dr came in and checked me out and said well "Are you ready to have a baby today"? I thought to myself, huh NO?! Get me out of here, I freaked. I was 19 and it scared me to death. No one knew that. Well this baby was coming. I was more afraid of the pain and the mere thought of how is this thing going to come out of me? LOL.. Well after I was induced and in labor for an hour and a half I had enough, i wanted that Epidural. I was done experiencing the "natural" labor.. forget it, give me the drugs!! I got it at 9 or 930, wasn't quick enough for me.. Anyway I remember looking at the clock, it was about 11:55am and the Dr came in and said ok almost ready, I couldn't feel a thing. Next thing I know, Out she came, the most beautiful thing I ever saw! 12:01pm .. I did it. It was surreal. I couldn't believe it. What I didn't know what was going to come next.. the next 13 years so far..

Jacqueline Elizabeth, you are outgoing, spunky, sensitive, smart, beautiful and most of all, my daughter.. Have a great 13th birthday!!

Thanks for reading my blog..

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

First off, I can remember growing up in Wisconsin and on Halloween the weather could always be a challenge. We could have freezing cold to abnormally warm days. Typically its fall and well its cool but if you were lucky it was nice outside. Living in the Midwest, you never know what could happen. All I know is that I had fun. Living in Arizona one thing was for sure, it was going to be warm, sometimes god awful hot. I hated it. Now I was not a child going trick or treating but taking the little ones out was never fun. And they still made the costumes warm, i didn't get it. But they still had fun. Anyway last year on Halloween, our first back here in the Midwest was well typical Midwest weather. It didn't rain nor snow but it was windy and chilly. Emilee was dressed for the weather, and with her being only one back then we didn't stay out long.

This year was different. The weather couldn't have been better. It was sunny and the high was 61 i believe, maybe warmer. Emilee went as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and Jake her friend from next door was a Scarecrow. It was too cute. The girls dressed themselves up. Jacqueline was a bunny and Teresa was a Vampire. Emilee & Jake walked most of the way and were so darling. They said "trick or treat" and stared at everyone that crossed them. Emilee walked door to door and oh my it was just a sight to see. She lasted and got lots of candy.

I hope everyone had a great Halloween and here are a few pictures from ours..

"Autsim"

For most of you who know me, you know that my nephew Nathan has autism. My sister Jennifer has 3 boys. Nathan is a twin and was diagnosed with it I believe after he was 2. His twin brother Reed is not, nor is his older brother Connor who is 7. Reed and Nathan just turned 5 in August. I can remember the day they were born. They were scheduled C-section babies, my sister Michelle was to help video tape some of the events. If my memory corrects me she was 38 weeks, so full term for twins. I do believe they were each 7lbs, so they were by all means "healthy" babies. I remember I couldn't get off work so as soon as I was able to get off work, my other sister Michelle called and said that they both came out one right after each other, however I learned that Reed had to be flown to another hospital because he was having a hard time breathing and they wanted to look after him and make sure he was ok and that his lungs were ok also. Well of course that was devastating and with all the drama of just having one baby, having two and worrying about one, I can't imagine what goes through a mom's mind. I knew he would be ok. I got to see Nathan and I just was so much in aw with that little man. He was perfect. He had the bluest eyes and light skin. I of course was jealous that once again another sister having yet another boy.. lol. But there he was, all perfect. Watching him as weeks went on he was great. He was the best baby. He was mellow, don't get me wrong he cried but he would always smile and just kick back. I loved it. I lived pretty far from them but I took Nathan once or twice overnight. He was fine. I didn't mind it at all. I never suspected anything wrong, at that age I don't think anyone would or could. He was typical. I don't remember when but my sister said that she thought that something might be wrong with him. Maybe around the time Reed was talking and walking more than Nathan. I know people told her oh kids do things different, don't compare the two ect. Which can be true but she had the instinct and was around them more than anyone. She took him to his doctor and I believe after some visits and tests they diagnosed him. I have been trying to read up and become more aware of what it really is. I know that it doesn't mean its the end of his life or my sisters. From what I understand the form he has he will be able to function, have a job someday. He has great parents and family around him that he will succeed at whatever he wants. He is super smart. Just look at him. He's made such great progress. I love seeing pictures of him and hearing from my mom and others on how well he's doing. I don't get to see him that often since moving to Wisconsin but I hope someday he knows who I am. He has speech therapy and I know he's speaks alot more now. I always enjoyed taking his picture because out of everyone he always would smile, I'd show him on my camera what I took and he's smile so big. I miss that.

I write about this today because Nov 2nd there is the Autism walk in Phoenix that my sister and family walk in every year. They have been having a dinner and silent auction to raise money for research for Autism also. If anyone wants to donate or participate you can. Here is a link if you want to donate www.walknowforautism.org I know that my sister does a great job with Nathan and he's very lucky. There are some devices, therapies ect that insurances don't cover that could help these kids become more independent and help grow that more needs to be done to help families. SO thanks for taking time to read my blog and enjoy some pics of Nathan. You'll see how wonderful he is, just look at his smile :-)