It was time, time for me to move away from the point and shoot cameras. Time to move onto a bigger better more capable camera. I did quiet a bit of research before I made this purchase! I love photography and with little point and shoots there is only so much you can do! I loved my old Cannon power shot, it took great photos but was still very limited. I wanted something to learn with again as I took a class in high school where I did it all. I do mean all I would take the pictures with a regular SLR camera, remove the film from the canisters in a light proof bag, process the film, and develop it in a dark room.


I loved that class and the creative outlet it offered me! So I spent my hard earned money on a new baby! As I said I looked around a lot and read tons of reviews and settled for the Sony Alpha A230, and I must say I am impressed already!

I haven't had the opportunity to use a ton of the settings or even get back into manually changing ISO settings and such, but look at what I have done!










































































And check out the Lightning! I did test out a special setting and shutter speed for these, lighting is hard to photograph!


























I cant wait to have the time to really test out this cameras capabilities, but you cant complain when even you worst shots come out good!

I have a confession to make. While I have been awesome in not picking up a cigarette since quitting in April of 09, I have recently started enjoying smoking Swisher Sweets little filtered cigars. I feel like such a failure! I had smoked a few here and there along with regular cigars now and again I think around the time hubby and I went to Laughlin last October.

I do mean here and there a pack I bought while out there literally sat in my china cabinet until maybe June of this year! But around forth of July I started smoking a few a day. Now most of the time I do not inhale, however when you smoked for 17 years its hard not to inhale when you are not concentrating on not inhaling, its like second nature! Now the packs have been lasting like a week or more but I just came to the realization umm hello dummy what are you doing! So I am taking steps early on to nip this in the bud. I realized there are times I truly miss it. I enjoyed smoking, I enjoyed the taste, the feel in my lungs, all of it but the smell and the cost! So with that being said I have ordered an E cigarette with NON nicotine cartridges.

I have gone almost 17 months without cigarette and I see myself teetering on the verge and I do not want that monkey on my back again. I do not want to fail, I know that many start smoking even years after they quit but I do not want that to be me! So this is what I am doing, I hope that the taste and feel of a smoke without the bad stuff will help enough. My brother who was also a smoke used an e cigarette with nicotine cartridges to quit so lets hope the non nicotine version gets me away again! Don't hate me cause I messed up!

*eta* I smoked a few cigarettes just the other night. I feel like a loser, dang why did I do that. Big slip but it will not happen again!

As I reflect on this summer in particular I am a bit sad. I had both my children home with me which at times was great, but I was also in school. I know I have talked about the Biology class that I took over the summer semester. I really felt like if I was going to commit to going back to school then I needed to start as soon as possible.

I survived and I thrived. I actually completed the class with a final grade of A. I did start my toddler in day care two days per week so that I was able to do my labs and have time for home work. This did make me feel very guilty! I mean I am a stay at home mom right? But there just was not enough time in the day to do it all and take care of two kids alone! Yes alone as hubby works out of town. I was thinking back to this summer and if I could have had some help with anything in particular it would have been house work.

I was able to keep up with my schooling and laundry but my house work did suffer. I just couldn't do it all I am only one person. I think that if I could have had the help of  housekeepers or janitorial services then maybe I would have had more time to spend with the kids. 

The every day chores that need to be done like dusting, vacuuming, and  cleaning the bathrooms take up a ton of time, especially when you are strapped for time already! My husband has told me we should look into getting help like once per month for a deep clean but I just haven't made the move yet. I do think before next summer comes along I will check into it, maybe I can make the summer more enjoyable for all of us that way.



This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are 100% mine.

I was asked if I wanted to try the new Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo's that recently hit the market. I said sure I make tons of sandwiches around here between my daughter and husband for whom I pack lunches almost daily.

Because of this you have to try to keep the sandwich blahs away. I mean you can only do so much with regular Mayo and mustard.


In the process of reviewing them I though dang some of these are so tasty you could use them in cooking as well, and I did just that. I will share a wonderful sauce that I came up with using the Horseradish-Dijon flavor in a bit.

There are four varieties available:

Hot & Spicy

Garlic & Herb

Horseradish &  Dijon

Chipotle


We loved three out of the four, the Hot & Spicy just was not a flavor we enjoyed, and we love spicy foods. However the other's were wonderful and really ad to the flavors or your sandwiches! My favorite sandwich creation was Roast Beef On hard Chibata bread, a small amount of Brie spread on the bread and Garlic & Herb Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo! You have to try it.

My husband and daughter enjoyed Chicken Salad on Extra Fiber Bread made with the Chipolte Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo, great way to turn last nights left over into a delicious sandwich today.

OK I promised to show you a recipe too so here go's. I was having a light dinner of Baked Salmon and a yummy Cucumber, Onion, and Fennel salad. I usually just squeeze lemon over my fish but the salad I made already had lime juice in it, so I wanted a different yet complimentary flavored sauce to go with it.


I created a light and yummy Dill, Horseradish-Dijon sauce to top my fish by combining

1 Tbsp Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo in Horseradish-Dijon 

2 Tbsp Kosher Pickle Juice

1/4 Spear Kosher Dill Pickle seeds removed and finely chopped.


Just mix all the above ingredients and spoon over hot fish, OMG it was so good and the heat from the fish warms it right up to the same temp so no cooking needed.


Wanted to see what it looked like? Yeah I have a few picks for you as well as the quick and easy salad recipe too! Let me give you that really quick.





























Cucumber and Fennel Salad

1 Large Cucumber

1 Large Fennel Bulb

1/2 Onion preferable a sweet variety

3 Tbs Raw Sunflower Seeds

2 Tbs Olive Oil

2 Tbs Fresh Lime Juice

Zest of a Lime




Finely Julienne the Cucumber, Fennel, and Onion. Mix with the Lime Juice, and Olive oil, and Lime Zest. Toss well and top with the Sunflower seeds, and salt and pepper to taste. So light and refreshing! This is a great recipe to use in place of Cole Slaw for those of us on South Beach Diet!

If indeed the world will end in December 2012 why bother? I mean really all these shows on Nostradamus and other Prophets including the Mayan Indians say the world will end in 2012. Um that's super but why discuss it now?

Its a bout a year and a half away what can possibly be done before then. Will it turn out to be another world wide scare like Y2K?

I am just thinking out loud here, but It certainly is one of those things that makes you go hmmm.

Yep today I head back to school. I will be taking two classes this semester Art and Prealgebra. I am a nervous Nelly as they are both on campus not online like my last class. I am not worried about the Art class but math is my nemesis. I am so math dumb it isn't even funny! I will try to keep up with my posting, ok I will post at least a few times a week but with two classes and two kids I am sure there will be less down time in my future.

So wish me luck!

People who can never admit they are wrong! What the hell we are all human and we can't always be right, to expect that is unrealistic. I get it why can't everyone else?

What is even worse is those that point out when others are wrong or make mistakes, but fail to admit they are wrong or god forbid that they made a mistake! Get over it you are not perfect OK, let some of the pressure to be god to your minions and let it go!

People respect people who are humble who admit fault, those who are accountable. Those are WONDERFUL qualities in a person, ney those are admirable qualities.

ah this is one of those things that can save you a ton of work if you are a review and giveaway blogger. Who really wants to manually count comments? I did for a while and it wasn't even the slightest bit fun!

Now some template wording is different so I will tell you a trick that helps me when I get there. My template program happens to be one that is worded different so it took me a bit to figure out where to change things.

Ok as with most tweaked head to the design area of your dashboard and expand the widget. Remember Ctrl F to bring up the search box.

I find it easier to replace codes rather then to try and change them when you are not fully comfortable with HTML this way you do not get those dreaded errors about parsing and closing brackets and such. So in these three steps you should have your comments all numbered.

****Ok the one think I wanted to point out as I said earlier some templates have different wording in the coding. Because of this it can be hard to find where to start. If your template does not have the exact verbiage of "Comments-block" just look for the first comments in the html, then search for the next line of code, you will find it!*****

1..Ok type in

<dl id='comments-block'>

replace it with this

<dl id='comments-block'>
<script type='text/javascript'>var CommentsCounter=0;</script>

2. Find this code

<dt expr:class='"comment-author " + data:comment.authorClass' expr:id='data:comment.anchorName'>

and replace it with this code

<dt expr:class='"comment-author " + data:comment.authorClass' expr:id='data:comment.anchorName' style='clear: both;'>

3. Final Step Find this code

<data:commentPostedByMsg/>

Now replace it with this one

<data:commentPostedByMsg/>
<span class='numberingcomments' style='float: right; font-size: 20px;'>
<a rel='nofollow' expr:href='data:comment.url' title='Comment Link' style='text-decoration:none'>

<script type='text/javascript'>
CommentsCounter=CommentsCounter+1;
document.write(CommentsCounter);
</script>
</a>
</span>

Notice the Font size in the last step? You can also change that number to better fit with your blogs comment section. Hope this helps!

This is a very helpful hack that is useful to those of us that accept advertising links on our blogs. Most of the time those who contact us only want the ad to show on the home page only. First of all I would create the widget as a link list this way you can easily find it when editing your HTML. This is also going to be helpful because the code will be there unless you change it, so if you get more then one just ad it to the original widget!

OK go to Design in your dashboard and then edit HTML, remember to expand widget template. Again Ctrl F so that you can type in the term you want to search for.

Most widgets start with this code so in the search box type in


once you find that code highlighted look for the name of the widget you created IE


<b:widget id='LinkList2' locked='false' title='Title' type='LinkList'>

Now just below this you should see a piece of code that looks like this


<b:includable id='main'>

once you find that you want to ad this code right below it


<b:if cond='data:blog.url == data:blog.homepageUrl'>




Still with me? Ok the last part is to close the tag so enter this code at the end and before the next widget code starts



Ok then now everything that you include in that widget will be visible only on the home page.

What I have found helpful is to keep the widget alive even if you don't have an ad there. This way you don't have to keep adding the code time and time again. I will just keep a link to my blog or another page there like your facebook profile or twitter! Hope this has helped

Most blogs including mine have a button code box, that is those little buttons to advertise our blogs with and the HTML for others to"grab" the code and paste it on their pages.

This is a good way to get the word out on your blog, or maybe a blog event you have going on! First you need a button, even someone with no design experience can create one. First the most common size is 125 px by 125 px. You can Create one in even the most basic program like Microsoft paint. Once you have the finished image you need to host it somewhere off of your computer where others can access it.

I use Photobucket but Picasa, along with other sites work just fine as well. OK once the photo has been uploaded to the photo host make sure you copy the photos direct URL.

Once you have that information copy the code in the box below and replace the Your photo URL with the URL to your photo, and the your URL with your blog URL and the your Blog Name with your actual blog name

<table border="0" width="100%">

<tr>

<td align="center"><img src="PHOTO URL" alt="" /><br/>



Copy and Paste Code</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td align="center"><textarea cols="13" rows="9"><a href=" YOUR BLOG URL" target="_blank"><img src="PHOTO URL" border="0"></a></textarea></td>


</tr>

</table>







Now add this code into an HTML/Javascript gadget and your all set!

OK this little trick is perfect for those who want extra room above/below your header or  both. It can also be used to add a space above your posts as well.

This is helpful for those using Google AdSense or any other type of advertising where you need extra space to place an ad.


OK from your blogger dashboard click on design, this takes you to your template editor. Click on edit HTML and check the box to expand the template. Once that is done I suggest hitting ctrl F this will bring up a search box where you can type in the word(s) you are looking for. This is so much easier then searching for the codes manually as your eyes will cross after a while!


First you need to search for Showadelement and change it from Showadelement='no' to Showadelement='yes' . If there is a Maxwidgets='1' in front of Shadowelement change it to Maxwidgets='2' or more, or if you want and unlimited amount change to Maxwidgets="


Now you are no longer limited to the amount of gadget space in your template.

I am the kind of person who would so rather be able to learn things on my own then to pay someone to do it. I cant say that  I am a computer genius or anything, but I can usually figyre stuff out, that is if I can actually find directions or a tutorial.

I have found finding what I need to be the most difficult part. With that being said I am planning on dedicating a week maybe a bit more to post some of the tips, and trick that I have found the most helpful along the way.


The blogspohere is such a fickle place! Some time you find those that will help and other you find those who are willing to point out your mistakes but do not care to help! Ugh frustrating!!!!! I want to help I love to help, so let me help you! I will post what I know and if there is something I miss that you can't figure out let me know in a comment I will try my best for you, cause I am one type of whiz and that is a google goddess!

That's right school is almost back in session. My daughter starts middle school on Monday and I start back the middle of the next week.


I wish I could say that the summer flew by but it did not! I took my first college class in 15 years over the summer. I managed to score an A in a class that was condensed from 16 weeks to 8, but it was stressful. I was constantly reading, taking tests, doing labs etc all the while dealing with both kids at home. Ahh I personally am glad that school is starting in a few day!


When I say that it is a great way to save I really mean it. most if not all stores that carry back to school supplies will put them in clearance usually within a week or two of school starting. This is the perfect time to stock up on already low priced items at an even deeper discount. I know that is can be hard to determine what your child will need from year to year, but you can stock up on the basics that they always need like folders, crayons, notebooks, pencils and stash them for next year. It's the same principal as stashing gifts in a gift closet, or buying Christmas decorations the week after the holiday! I try to do this a lot and now with two of us in school I will be doing it for sure. Also remember the coupons, office/school supply companies always put them out around back to school time!

I have really come to conclusion that text books are the biggest racket! You can use them as a deductions because only money that "has" to be paid to an accredited school can be used. Since you can purchase them elsewhere all that money is spent with nothing to show for.

My Biology book last semester was $95.00 and that was for a used book through the schools book store. This semester I was determined to save more money if possible. I say if possible because some times you just can't find a used copy.

This Semester I am taking two classes Prealgebra and Art Appreciation. Both require a book. I tried the campus book store and was unable to find a used copy of either because (here comes the bogus part) they were brand new editions. The books are likely the same as last semester but sometimes they change the cover art and the publication dates!

Well I got smart and looked up the ISBN for the previous semesters and both Books have the same cover art! Woot so unless the teacher like studies the publication date or the edition information on the cover they will not know. I was able to get my art book Living with Art for less then 90.00 when the campus book store wanted to charge 140.00! Every little bit helps!

I was then able to find my Math book which is the same exact edition as listed for my class just minus the XL access code (but I found you can purchase those separately if you really need it) for $50.00 shipped and its annotated teachers edition so It actually contains more info then the students and it was brand new! I found out it was the same ISBN when I looked up the actual package from the publisher!

If you are patient enough to do a little research you can save a ton, I cant see renting books when you can usually find used copies for the same price. At least you can re-sell them and make something back, renting to me is like leasing a car a waste of money! Just type your ISBN or book title into a search engine and tons of used books stores come up, then take your time looking!

Are you kidding me? I swear to god leave that one off the drawing board! Times are tough for everyone and one Way I save money is to purchase things online. One major place I buy from is Amazon. The reason is free shipping with Amazon Prime and because I do NOT get charged sales tax.

Most people who purchase from Amazon are free of sales tax. The pushers of this bill claim it will even the playing field with brick and mortar stores. Umm why do we have to level that field? Can anyone see a benefit to shopping online if it were not for this? Me heck no, why would I pay shipping and tax on something online when I can avoid at least the shipping and get it in town if it is available.

To me the only thing this bill will "level" is many online retailers, especially the little guys! Who is lining the pocket of the pushers? Maybe angry big box retail stores that are green with envy?

This really has me hot under the collar! Can you tell? Jeez the government taxes me to live, eat, have a home, drive, everything even when I die so for right now for god sakes leave your hands out of my pockets and toss me a freaking bone!Mainstreet fairness act my butt! Why on gods green earth would I want to give more tax revenue to my state? Arizona cant handle the money they have now!

I have linked to both The La Times and Cnet so you can read up and think about it. What are your thought?

I was sitting here thinking that it may be time to get another eye exam. I have been having really weird Ocular Muscle pain like my eyes are moving or being strained. The pain is getting bad I can't even close my eyes to go to sleep without feeling like they are fighting under my eye lids!

This year though I am not entitled to get a new pair of glasses or contacts because my insurance company will pay for the exam every year but only lenses once every other year.


I have said before that I really loved the glasses I bought but hate the arms. They have extra thick plastic on the ends that hurt my head. Because of this I am already thinking about new ones.



I wish my prescription was needed all the time because I always come across deals for discount Proclear contact lenses. I have always wanted to have blue eyes just like my brother and my daughter, with contacts you can have the eye color of your choosing! However if you love your eye color already, clear contacts let their beauty shine through without covering them up.


Good and bad is that I only need them when I work at the computer for long periods of time, they give my eyes a break from strain. I really wonder if my eye pain is from not wearing my glasses as often as I should? I have them on now and wonder of all wonders they aren't bothering me at the moment. Maybe I will use my old glasses since they are the same RX for the time being? I just want to pain to leave it hurts!

I think while I am there I will have them measure me for contacts anyway, they make some that are just for cosmetic use too you know. Who says you cant use contacts like a fashion accessory? I love to change my makeup and jewelry maybe now I can change my eye color as well!

I have gotten lazy, well not lazy but just lax shall I say the past pew weeks. I have not been eating entirely on plan. As a matter of fact I have been eating some bad stuff but with the buddy's birthday party, finishing up my class, and preparing for myself and my daughter going back to school life has been kind of hectic.

Honestly I feel like crap when I eat that way.....you are what you eat and that is the truth! I have gained 4 lbs and I know some is water weight from the added salt but some is from eating refined junk! I am still under my original goal but I was digging how the number kept going down. I need to feel better again, to love what I put in my face, to eat when hungry and for nourishment. South Beach is a way of life, an occasional treat is fine but you need to commit to the healthy eating for life or you will just gain it all back. I do not want to do that!


This means there will be more recipes posted to my blog as I get very creative while eating well so enjoy!

I say South Beach friendlier because I use some things that aren't really endorsed but that I use all the time and never trigger a weight gain or cravings when used in moderation. This would be appropriate for phase 2 and 3.


I love Granola but if you have ever looked at nutritional info on most packaged granola it can be a scary thing. Packed with fat and loaded with sugar. Well I wanted to come up with a recipe that would satisfy my cravings while not sending me into a sugar spiral. Granola is one of those foods that can be used so many way.

On top of Fruit and Yogurt for a nice desert parfait, eaten alone as a trail mix, in a bowl with milk as cereal.



Anyway it took me and a combo of 5 recipes with lots of tweaks to make this one. I hope you enjoy it we have been!





























Apple Cinnamon Granola

• 5 C. Old Fashioned Oats

• 1/2 C. Chopped Almonds

•  3/4 C. Chopped Pecans

• 2 C. Shelled raw Sunflower Seeds

• 1/2 C. Brown Sugar Splenda Blend

• 2 tsp  Cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg

• 1 tsp  salt

• 1 C. Unsweetened Apple Sauce (I used Cinnamon Applesauce)

• 1/2 C  Agave Nectar

• 1/2 C. Sugar Free Maple Syrup

• 2 Tbs  Olive Oil

Preheat your oven to 300F


In a large bowl mix oats, almonds, pecan, sunflower seeds, Brown Sugar blend,Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and salt.

In a small sauce pan heat the Applesauce, Agave, Syrup, and oil until all liquefied and warm.

Remove pan from heat and add to the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix will to coat.


Spread the mixture evenly onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.  Bake the Granola for about 45-50 minutes making sure to turn the granola every 10 minutes as not to burn. Once the granola is a nice golden color and no longer very moist pull and let it completely dry out before storing in an air tight container for up to a month.

See where the good goes™

Meet local health workers and the children they help to survive.
www.GoodGoes.org

Each year, almost 9 million children in the developing world die of largely preventable and treatable illnesses before they reach the age of five – that equates to approximately 24,000 child deaths a day.

However, every 4 seconds a child survives thanks to the basic health care provided by local health workers.

Save the Children and the Ad Council are working together to mobilize citizen action in the U.S. to help local health workers save more children worldwide.

Help local health workers bring the good to the children who need it most.
You are one step away from helping children around the world survive.


This was posted as a PSA I was not compensated in any way to post this information.

I admit I knew about Safeway and their  Home Grocery Delivery program, but I just never thought too much about it. We as people get stuck into our own little routines as we go through life, I am no different.

I know that grocery delivery has been around for eons in smaller neighborhood type stores, and also for those that could afford the "luxury". Yes I use the world luxury because that was one of those little ideas I had in my head when I though of grocery delivery. You know what I mean right? Those ladies of leisure sitting around with a cocktail in their hand while on the phone relaying their shopping list to a waiting store clerk.

Grocery shopping has just been one of those things that I have always had to make time for, I knew of no other way. This is however one activity that I refuse to do with my kids. That certainly makes it tough as I have a husband who works more then he is home, often this results in late night scatter brain trips. I just thought well Ce la V.

Well it doesn't have to be that way! Safeway can help us, you can place an order and have it delivered in a time range that works for you.

So I know if it were me the first question I would have it "what is the cost to use the service"? Good question and yes my first thought. The delivery fees rang from $6.95 to $12.95 depending on the order size and time selected for delivery. Not to bad for the convenience of it wouldn't you say? Do you think you could get a personal shopper to do your grocery shopping for that? Heck no!You can choose ether a 2 or a 4 hour window for delivery.


This may not be something you see yourself using all the time, that's what I am thinking. BUT for those time when you are short on time and have a million and one things on your plate it sure is nice to have this available. Currently Safeway offers Grocery Delivery to residential locations in the following areas: Northern California: San Francisco, Marin, Greater North Bay, East Bay, Sacramento, San Jose, Peninsula, Monterey, Salinas Portland, OR Seattle, WA Greater Phoenix, AZ Maryland, Philadelphia, Washington D. On the website you can also enter your zip code to see if you area is being serviced.

Here is some more info for you on this service. There is a $50.00 minimum order amount, No coupons cannot be used, but you will get the current Safeway club card prices. To pay for your order they accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and debit cards that have the Visa or MasterCard logo.


Alrighty then now that I have the technical info out of the way let me get onto my experience. First you need to create an online account so that you can shop.Once you are done registering you can begin shopping by wither viewing the entire store through "virtual Isles" they are sort of organized like a regular store would be.  You can also type in the name of what you are looking for an it will be added to an express shopping list with a product that best matches those terms.

Onto the actual delivery, painless! My delivery driver was running a bit late but that is life sometimes things get delayed BUT he called way in advance to let me know. I purposely ordered things that needed to be kept cold and frozen. I wanted to make sure they arrived in good shape. PERFECT my eggs were in great shape and my Ice Cream was frozen solid. The reason is the truck. Take a look at the photos. There are individual baskets inside both sizes of a climate controlled truck!






























The whole process couldn't have been any easier. If you are looking to save time in a very easy way give Safeway Home Grocery Delivery a try. I'm my opinion some things are so worth the money, this is certainly money well spent for the help. This service would not only be fab for the busy household but imagine what a help this could be for the elderly or the disabled! This would be a great way to regain some Independence.

I wanted to pass on a special code for you to use. If you enter the code  MNDYALRDY you will receive $7.00 of your total and FREE delivery on your first order!



I was provided gift cards to help with the expenses incurred to facilitate this review.

Thanks to my mom who is willing to watch my kids, and pets again the hubby and I are planning a getaway. We will be heading to Las Vegas at the end of September and I couldn't be more excited!

This will be my second trip out there. We went there on our honey moon and I loved it. This time though rather then staying on the strip we will be staying down town on Fremont street! I knew that I wanted to stay  there when we headed down there last trip.The atmosphere is so different down town then on the strip. I love being able to walk around and be in the middle of it all. The strip is cool but man you really don't understand just how much walking you have to do in between hotels.

I chose to book the Golden Nugget woot! The hotel has been remodeled and it is the nicest one IMO down there. I am looking forward to having some alone time with my hubby as that is so far and few in between with his job! It will also be a nice break from me since I will be in school in a few weeks taking two classes this time! We will fly out on a Wednesday afternoon after class and come back on Saturday.


I am still debating which show to get tickets for. We fully intended on seeing a show the first night of our honey moon, but we both crashed after getting to the hotel! It was like a big ahhhh after months of planning and paying cash for out wedding that once we got a chance to slow down we STOPPED.


One more reason to be happy, three yes three Coach outlets in Vegas woot its like winning without gambling! I plan on picking up a few purses as that will be it for the year! So have you been to Vegas? What show would you recommend? What attractions should we try to to see? I will be going to the wax museum woot wait for those pics.

Do you have any favorite casinos, restaurants? Buffets?

Three years ago today while up earlier then usual I sat checking my email. I was about to say good bye to my husband who was leaving for a golf game. In one moment I was cool, the next I was hit with a really painful contraction. Then next one came 7 minutes later, then the next 5 minutes after that and continued at 5 minutes apart.

I told my husband that golf was not on the agenda today as you were ready to get out. I cant blame you I was tired of being fat and hot! Yes my son I suffered in the AZ heat with no A/C while preggers with you. I was starting to wonder when you were going to make your appearance as you baffled the midwives as to your staying power even after two membrane stips.


I hoped into the shower in pain and hurried to get dressed. We left for the hospital at the same time I did with your sister at 6:30 AM. I got there and it was time to hurry an wait. I was so grateful to have the option of an epidural with you, ahhh that magic man and his medicine made! I am so glad your dad was in town he would never have made it babe cause by noon I was ready to push. OUCH that epi wore off on the left side so a rolling I went, thank god it started again cause you my dear decided to come into the world nosey and face um. I had a hard time buddy cause you were 7lbs 4oz and your sister was only 5lbs 13oz. Ah that damage you did was crazy, but it was all worth it. The took you away right away cause you had meconium and they wanted a neonatologist to look you over, but you were perfectly healthy. You were gorgeous, the son I had wished for my buddy. Today you are my big boy, my three year old buddy. I don't know where the time has gone, but I am grateful for all the love you bring to me. Happy Birthday Gaige.

Here are some photos for you to look back on buddy.

about two weeks before you came

before the magic drugs happened

First pic in moms arms

First pic with Daddy

First Portrait after being cleaned up