New phones today! But a bone to pick with Verizon

So when we decided to get new phones since our 2 year contract is up, I really got my heart set on this....

It is purple and oh so sleek! But unfortunately in order to have it, you have to pay an extra $40/mo for a data package. Since I am by far not that cool, I ended up with this....

Now, it is still in Flamingo Red and is very comfy to the ear. Plus it slides out to text. Best of all they (Eric's too) were free and do not require any extra cash to use. I must say, I was steamin' mad when I found out about all this from Verizon. We have Verizon because they have the best coverage and with Eric's job, that is a must. Plus almost everyone we know is on Verizon - which means free in calling. But come on!! Like their plans don't already cost A FORTUNE. Their 3G phones require a data package, no more pay as you use. Stupid Verizon. But over all I am happy... Even if my phone isn't purple. Or blue. Or green. Red is nice still.

Thoughts about weight in winter

"Scarlett, you dun had a baby. You ain' never goin' be no 19 inches ev'r again." sigh...


Why does my belly still look 5 months pregnant? I think maybe because it was a year ago stretched beyond reason, again. Maybe because I enjoy Shelly's oatmeal fudge cookies too much... Maybe because running in place in my living room (yes laugh it up) on the Wii for 30 minutes isn't the same as real running... Maybe it doesn't matter because I have two beautiful children, even if my former perky little belly button now resembles Lost World Caverns. Maybe I am too content with where I am to do much about it. Just a thought... :)

A long week, but a good week

Natalie, you are right I should blog more often. So here is a post for this week.
So this week was long. It started with a sweet and sour weekend, followed by a Monday I'd like to forget. Eric went to work Monday morning and just got home late last night - Thursday. But it was a good week for growth, mostly for me. I have two good recipes I'll post for you, too. Anyway, so we posted a poster that says, "Our home is a happy home" and has the following rules: 1) Be nice (smiling sun) 2) share (toy truck) 3) Listen to mom and dad (cartoon person with a large ear) 4) Mom and dad listen to the children (dad walking with a daughter) 5) Help each other (table place setting) 6) Love one another as Jesus loves you (heart in hands, picture of Jesus). Taking the wonderful advice and reminders from www.askingjane.blogspot.com, I strove to be ALWAYS kind and patient with Noel, no matter how snudy or stubborn . It has worked. I am so glad to have Eric home this morning. I love what I do, but I am hoping to have some time to myself this weekend. Just a little :^)
OK so the recipes - one is a crock pot which was so easy. It is a red beans and rice recipe from my friend's blog with a corn pudding from Paula Dean (modified) which is so creamy and yummy. Saturday night I made the corn pudding and assembled everything but the water in the crock pot and put it in the fridge. Sunday morning, I poured in the water to the crock pot and set it on high for 5 hours so it was almost done when we got home from church (the house smelt AMAZING!). An hour before we ate, I threw in the corn pudding ans started the rice. Yum Yum. The other recipe came when on Monday night I wanted something fast like pancakes, but wanted to incorporate some vegetable. Thus, pumpkin pancakes.

http://cookyourheartout.blogspot.com/2010/01/easy-and-cheap-whats-not-to-love.html

http://cookyourheartout.blogspot.com/2010/01/hard-day-turn-simple-treat-into-serving.html

Prayers for a little man

I am asking anyone who happens to read this to say a prayer this week for Alex Clayton. If you are unfamiliar with an infant's head, the top of the skull is supposed to have "floating" plates that fuse as the child becomes older. This allows for birth and the rapid growth of the brain during the first 1-2 years of life. Little Alex (7 months) had his plates fuse prematurely. He will be going in for surgery this week. The doctors will have to remove parts of his skull to allow for his brain to grow properly. As you might imagine, this will be a painful recovery. This family also lost their previous child shortly after birth, so I'm sure it is a very tense and anxious time for them. Prayers on their behalf would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and God bless.

OK the rest of those holiday photos...

My dad and Judy's house has the most beautiful view. One morning the fog was rolling through and it was just breath taking... Of course my camera skills are not. Oh well.

Dad (Papa Harris) and Noel

Judy (Grandma Ju ju) and Ty

Me and Ty

Myself and the kids at the Greenbrier. We had a great day. We went for a sleight ride, walked around the shops, ate cookies at tea time (actually Noel at too many and threw up that night... alas..). Oh and no she didn't blink. This is the "I don't want to smile at the camera" face. She's been making that face since, oh birth.

I bribed her with candy to smile. It worked!!

Ty got a ball for Christmas. He likes to kick it around.

Christmas tree at my mom's. These are not in the right order, but you'll get the over all feel of Christmas :)

Santa brough Noel her own sunglasses
Ty's a cool dude.... In his sister's sunglasses....

Hamilton is also a cool dude...

Christmas at dad and Judy's with Hammer and Katie

(My) Dad and the kids. There is Noel's un-smile again. Silly girl.

Christmas with the Harris Family

The kids and I spent the week of Christmas with my dad and step-mom. We really enjoyed ourselves. I'll up-load more photos later, this is all for now. Katie, my step-sister, just got back from her first semester at college. Ham graduated Virginia Military Institute (with distinction) in May and is now active military. He will be stationed in Germany for 3 years. We are hoping to go visit.

On vacation and snow in the south!

We left NY on the 10th for our very long Christmas vacation. We stopped for the night at Chad and Caroline's. It was so nice to see them. Then we ventured on our way - stopping at Chick-Fillet since we don't have them in NY and we love their chicken - to let the kids eat and play at their play place. We arrived at the Crosby's not too late in the day. We had a nice dinner with them and the missionaries. Eric had to leave the following day, and it was that day that the kids started to come down with a wicked cold. We loved playing with the Crosby's. It was so warm, we went on a walk with only sweatshirts!! We stayed with them until the 15th when I made the night time 3 hour drive to my mom's. Noel's eye was so nasty, I wasn't sure if I should take her to the doctor... When we went into a store, people looked at me like I beat my child as her eye looked like she had a big shiner. Anyway, but with some cold medicine that of course she isn't supposed to have but I gave to her anyway, it cleared up. I think she had a plugged tear duct and her eye was really irritated from rubbing it and the goob getting in it. So anyway, Ty was just mostly the runny nose man. Poor kid couldn't sleep - his nose would just dry over with boogers and he'd cry and cry, and cough on congestion. Poor little guy (and mom who had to hold him to comfort him every hour all through the night for 5 nights). SOOO then Eric came back from work on Thursday night. Boy was I glad to see him! Friday they were calling for a storm. We had to go out anyway. Kroger, the local grocery store, was a MAD HOUSE as you might imagine. The snow didn't start until after noon. But when it started - oh my - it fell fast! It was so beautiful! I was feeling very blue after a week of no sleep due to the kids being sick and everything was so.... brown... To see the snow was just so wonderful! By the time we got the kids to bed we had a good foot of snow. Eric and I were supposed to get out on a date. Undeterred we went anyway. We had a blast! VA isn't very efficient at snow removal. It was the first time we actually had to drive continuously in 4x4. I told Eric, children sled, adults 4x4. The people at Target looked at us like we were crazy. Well, maybe we were, but we didn't have any problems. Eric is an expert at snow driving - if you've ever been to his childhood home you'd totally understand. This morning however - holy cow! It us up to 18 inches! They haven't even bothered to plow my mom's road. Everyone is literally snowed in! It is so exciting because this never happens in NY. NY is very efficient at snow removal. Even if we have a huge blizzard, you can bet the roads will be clear by noon. Ice is the only thing that brings NY to a halt. Anyway, enough from me. Enjoy the pictures!!! We love you all our friends and family and HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!



Noel wanted a picture with Santa when we went to Walmart (free Santa pics! Thanks Walmart!) But then she decided she was afraid of him.
Noel and Ty getting ready for our trip

Jake and Noel at Chad and Caroline's

Nicholas

Noel and Marika at the Crosby's. They never both smile at the same time and the pic where they were almost both looking happily at the camera, Noel had her foot up in front of the camera.. Go figure!

Ty and Corbin. They are just so cute together.

At the Crosby's writing letters to Santa. Noel wants a Princess toothbrush like Marika.

Snow at Roanoke VA Friday evening....

Noel didn't want to nap (erg) but fell asleep on Eric at 4pm.
Roanoke VA Saturday morning!

Mom's back yard table

"Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. So since we've no play to go, let it snow,let it snow, let it snow..."