Check out this ornament!

Is this not the cutest ornament?!?! Amanda stopped by Saturday night after she had been shopping all day to bring us a little gift...she brought us this adorable couple ornament where the lady is pregnant! I was so excited:-) How appropriate!!! Thanks Amanda...we LOVE it...so sweet of you to think of us:-)

Our tree!

Here is our tree...I just realized that I FORGOT The gold swirly things that shoot out of the tree...OH WELL...maybe I'll get those in this week with the rest of the decorating. Kevin managed to sneak this shot in of me decorating the tree Thursday night before the nausea kicked in. I finished the tree up on Saturday...I wish you all could have seen Tucker's face when he saw our tree with the choo choo train around it...he thought that was the neatest thing! He is going to be sooooo much fun this year...he is just so excited about EVERYTHING he sees...he loves ALL the outside decorations that everybody has up...it gives you the best feeling to see his little face light up with joy:-)
And....the finished product...well ALMOST!

Thanksgiving Day

Just a few pics from Thanksgiving Day...Mom took most pics with her camera but here are the only 2 that I got! Mom and David

Me-Maw and Tucker

Busy, busy, busy...

Well...where do I start? I have been very, very, very busy since Tuesday! Tuesday was Mom's bday so we all went out to eat Tuesday night and had a wonderful time celebrating. Then Wednesday I worked. After getting home Kevin and I rushed to Franklin to run a few errands before going to Thanksgiving dinner at Mom and David's. We always have it the night before Thanksgiving since we all go in separate directions on Thanksgiving Day. Needless to say, I ate and ate and ate! Then Thursday morning, I got up to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV as that has been a tradition since my sister and I were little. Kevin put new speakers in his truck while I stayed in watching that, then it was off to his parents for Thanksgiving Mid-dinner at 2 PM. After visiting a while we came on back home since Kevin had to work Friday morning and I wanted him to get my tree out so that I would be able to decorate it. So, I began decorating it Thursday night until I got nauseated and had to quit...will these spells ever go away? So, I went on to bed since I knew that I wanted to go shopping with Mom and Whitney on Black Friday...we left home at 5 AM! We started out at Target since they had some electronics that we wanted! It was CRAZY but we got everything that we wanted so we were thrilled:-) I was pretty out of it most of the day...just wasn't feeling well BUT I had a GREAT time eating...LOL...breakfast, lunch, ice cream, pretzels! And then this morning I got up and finished decorating the tree and put a few other things up. I still need to do the outside but that will have to wait until at least Tuesday on Kevin's day off b/c there's NO way I can do that by myself! SO...that's been my past few days...BUSY BUSY BUSY!

The Folded Napkin

I received this email this afternoon and it touched me so I wanted to share...Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

The Folded Napkin

A Trucker's Story

If this doesn't light your fire, your wood is wet!

I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome.. I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade. The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded 'truck stop germ' the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks. I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot. After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers' thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and peppershaker was exactly in its place, not a breadcrumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto his cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met. Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work. He was at the May o Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often have heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months. A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine. Frannie, the head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news. Belle Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of this 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table. Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Belle Ringer a withering look. He grinned. 'OK, Frannie , what was that all about?' he asked. 'We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay.' 'I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?' Frannie quickly told Belle Ringer and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed: 'Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be OK,' she said. 'But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is.' Belle Ringer nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables. Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to replace Stevie and really didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that day until we decided what to do. After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face. 'What's up?' I asked. 'I didn't get that table where Belle Ringer and his friends were sitting cleared off after they left, and Pony Pete and Tony Tipper were sitting there when I got back to clean it off,' she said. 'This was folded and tucked under a coffee cup.' She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed 'Something For Stevie'. 'Pony Pete asked me what that was all about,' she said, 'so I told him about Stevie and his Mom and everything, and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving me this.' She handed me another paper napkin that had 'Something For Stevie' scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds. Frannie looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply: 'truckers.' That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work. His replacement worker said he's been counting the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all that it was a holiday. He called 10 times in the past week, making sure we knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was in jeopardy. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work. I then met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back. Stevie was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting. 'Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast,' I said. I took him and his mother by their arms. 'Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate you coming back, breakfast for you and your mother is on me!' I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room. I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of grinning truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner plates, all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins. 'First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess,' I said. I tried to sound stern. Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had 'Something for Stevie' printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table. Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it. I turned to his mother. 'There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on that table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. 'Happy Thanksgiving.' Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well. But you know what's funny? While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table. Best worker I ever hired. Plant a seed and watch it grow. At this point, you can bury this inspirational message or forward it fulfilling the need! If you shed a tear, hug yourself, because you are a compassionate person. Well.. Don't just sit there! Send this story on! Keep it going, this is a good one! AMEN!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to 2 Special People in my life! November 25th

I'd like to wish a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to 2 very special people in my life!

One of my very best friends Shelley... and...

My Mom...

Hope you both have a wonderful day with many more birthdays to come!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to Mom and Shelley,

Happy Birthday to YOU BOTH!

Luv you both BUNCHES!

Give Thanks UL

I meant to share this week before last but it slipped my mind. Just wanted to show off some more Uppercase Living! I did this for my Mother-N-Law for her birthday. I LOVE the way it turned out!

Our 1st Christmas Card...

We have received our 1st Christmas Card already...LOL! Well sort of, Kevin's cousin works for the New York Yankees so he heard of our news and sent us this card! Neither Kevin nor myself are Yankee fans BUT with this being the last year at the old stadium, he has sent Kevin several neat things! Now we have a new ornament for our tree:-)

A few surprises...

So I have been really slack on my blogging lately...I apologize...I just haven't felt up to doing anything lately! I have been nauseated since Friday off and on all day and night. I'm hoping that it was the vitamins and have changed them BUT I'm still not myself so it may be that I'm just going to have to deal with it! Anyway, just wanted to share a few surprises...will share a bit more later on in the week maybe! This is a giggling monkey that Kevin's brother and his girlfriend gave us the night we told our great news. He somehow slipped away and made a phone call and this is what we got. It's sooo cute to hear that little monkey laughing!

Not sure why this downloaded this way b/c it's not the way it's saved. Anyway...the same night that we told Kevin's folks...his Mom had been to a craft show in Richmond the weekend before and had bought this to have for me when we did get pregnant...I thought it was sooo cute and I love the pink!

And last night I was sitting at the computer and Kevin came in and surprised me with these 2 books...already have began reading them...I know that I will learn a lot!

How we broke our great news....

Just wanted to share how we broke our great news to Kevin's parents...it was Kevin's Mom's bday on Tuesday, the same day we went to the doctor. We were going there for dinner to have her bday celebration. Keep in mind...Kevin thought of this on his own...it's a little poem that he found on the Internet and he framed it and wrapped it. I was WAY IMPRESSED:-) It's such a sweet poem! The look on their faces was PRICELESS:-)

Tucker and Ho Ho!

Here's the picture I promised you of Tucker and Ho Ho from last Saturday...you just can't ask for a more wonderful smile:-) Like I said before...just couldn't resist buying these pictures!

The Proximidade Award
I have been awarded "The Proximidade Award" by Judi and Wendy. I am honored to accept this award and I will display it proudly on my Blog Spot.This is an explanation of the award straight .The nature of these awards frequently, is such, that one is requested to pass them on to others we deem worthy of receiving them , in the case of the "Proximidade" award, I am expected to pass it on to five worthy souls. I will reference these good people below.First allow me to give you some explanation of the purpose of the "Proximidade"----one creates one's blog and one makes posts to it---over the course of time, one receives comments and develops regular readers, and via reading each others pages and exchanging comments one grows "closer" to these people, ---so via blogging one moves into closer proximity to some individuals than one might not otherwise have come into contact with----and acknowledging this "friendship", this proximity---one earns a "proximidade".
I hereby award "The Proximidade Award" to the following people. They must post the award on their Blogspot and wear it proudly. Please don't forget to select 5 other Blog friends to give this award to.I hereby award "The Proximidade Award" to the following people. They must post the award on their Blogspot and wear it proudly. Please don't forget to select 5 other Blog friends to give this award to.





I hereby award "The Proximidade Award" to the following people. They must post the award on their Blogspot and wear it proudly. Please don't forget to select 5 other Blog friends to give this award to.

Donielle
Shannon
Kelly
Jamie
Tina

Breaking News!

Ok...I wanted to wait to post tonight b/c I know that Kevin has a creative way of doing this but I just couldn't stand to wait! So here goes...are you ready???? Scroll down....














Kevin and I are expecting:-) I confirmed that y'day with a doctor's appointment in Suffolk! Yep, definitely pregnant! I am about 5 1/2 weeks putting me due around July 9th as of now. I will know more definitely when I go back on December 11th for an ultra sound! WE are thrilled and most of you that know me can figure that I am scared to death since I am a BIG fainter when it comes to needles and pain! So keep me in your prayers that I'll be strong thru this all! I will try to post later on how we told our parents...Kevin is soo creative, his Mom's bday was y'day plus it'll bet the 1st grandchild on their side so she was ecstatic! I think we've covered all of our family so I wanted to spill the beans to my blogger buddies:-)

Happy Birthday to my Mother-N-Law!

Just wanted to wish the BEST Mother-N-Law in the world a wonderful birthday with many more to come! Hope your day is great! Much love!

A little early Christmas...

On Friday coming into work listening to the radio, I heard the DJ talking about the Polar Express Exhibit opening at MacArthur. Immediately I thought of Tucker and his LOVE for trains! I called Whitney and Mom to see if they would be interested in going so that is just what we did...headed for MacArthur Saturday morning...Kevin, Mom, Whitney, Tucker, and myself. We had NO intentions of seeing Santa BUT Tucker was fascinated with him as you'll see in the pics below. He started out by talking to him from his stroller...then Santa invited us in to walk thru the BIG snow globe with snow falling. Tucker was fascinated with it all...all the snow globes had buttons to push to make the characters talk, etc. So, when we came out he went right to Santa's lap and talked and talked. We had NO intentions of even buying the pic the lady took UNTIL we saw the pic...it was soooo cute! So you know we had to buy it then! I will scan that in and share with you later! We will see the "REAL Santa"(as Whitney and I call him since we saw him every year when we were little) in Richmond in December. After leaving "Ho Ho" (as Tucker calls him)...we had to look at him about every 20-30 minutes...LOL! Thank goodness we could see him from all 3 floors of the mall! There were a few other attractions that amazed Tucker...1. riding the escalators continuously up and down (thanks to Uncle KK for entertaining while the rest of us shopped) 2. his new stocking hat...remember it was 70° on Saturday and was wearing his NEW hat around the mall...people thought it was sooo cute 3. the shooting water fountains that you throw pennies in and make wishes 4. the Redskin store and 5. all the boats, cranes, and other heavy equipment around outside just amazed Tucker. We had such a great day, we were so glad we made the trip to find out that Tucker LOVES Ho Ho:-) Warming up to Ho Ho!

Walking thru the snowing snow globe!

Tucker showing Santa something WAY up high!

I LOVE this one...whatever he was telling Ho Ho was very important!

Just before the BIG grin picture that Ho Ho's helper took!

And the best...a cool treat about choo choo's from Ho Ho!

Here's Tucker in his NEW hat from The Children's Place watching the water fountains!

This was the HUGE snow globe that we walked thru!

Here is 1 of the snow globes that had buttons to push to animate the characters.

Redskin Fans!

How do I look???? (yes, I watch too much TV)

Ok...I had someone suggest that I get my hubby take pics of me in the different sweaters....my cousin stopped by tonight so I got her to take the pics while my hubby was cooking dinner (a big thanks to her):-) Let me know your thoughts on which color you think now...OH...please excuse the hair and make-up...I promise I'll look better for pictures on Sunday afternoon!

Please HELP me make a decision!

We are having family pics done this weekend and are wearing fall colors. I need some help deciding on which color to wear so I thought that I would ask my fellow blogger friends for help. The orange and brown turtlenecks are identical...baby doll style. The golden one is a turtleneck as well but has a wide band at waste. My main thing is which color to wear??? If nobody else comments, I know Shelley will...LOL! I so miss not having her at work for stuff like this (only one of the many things I miss of course)! The good thing is that I'll see her the weekend so if she doesn't comment I have a back-up...I'll just take the turtlenecks to her and let her decide in person:-) Thanks in advance for your opinions:-)

Faith turns 4!

Faith is a Halloween Birthday girl! She was born Halloween night in 2004. This year, they celebrated her birthday the day after. On Saturday, we roasted hot dogs and smores! What a fun party! Faith, the birthday girl!

I thought this was such a sweet picture, Faith's Ga-Ga and Nana taking care of her younger twin brother and sister. Faith also has a big brother, Matthew.

Roasting hot dogs!

The birthday girl blowing out her candles!

Erica and Ada enjoying a cupcake and ice cream!

Opening presents! Faith loves my Vera Bradley backpack so Kevin and I gave her a ballerina backpack!

Faith's baby sister, Jenna.

Faith's baby brother, David!

"Our lil' fireman"...Halloween 2008

Here is "our lil fireman" Halloween night! Tucker had a BIG night with LOTS and LOTS of goodies! We started out in downtown Franklin trick or treating with Caroline Nelson at the local businesses. Then Whitney and Charlie took Tucker to "Trunk or Treat" at one of the local churches. What a great Halloween it was!

Caroline and Tucker getting ready to Trick or Treat

Grandma K and Me-Maw with Tucker