My Boys

I know this is corny, but shortly after I met Mike I had a dream or vision or something of him lying on our couch holding our son on his chest while they slept. That's the moment when I knew I was going to marry him. So, even though in my dream he was wearing a t-shirt and they were both really asleep, this reminded me of that moment. Too cute.

Fun with Jack

Amy came over yesterday to watch Jake while Mike and I went out for a little couple time. Here are some pics she took while she was here. I love the one of her little boy Jack and Jake playing piano together. And look at the expression on Jake's face as he's looking at Jack's potty! Thanks Amy!

Birthday Wishes

Here's my new birthday haircut. I've had this cut before, but it's been awhile since my hair was this short. I'm liking it. This morning we went to Shipley donuts where they gave me a free birthday donut! A couple days ago we went to Schlotzsky's to get my free birthday sandwhich. And tomorrow, we're going to Baskin Robbins to get my free birthday ice cream cone. Because around here, we celebrate your Birthweek and not just your Birthday. And what better way to celebrate than with free stuff? Did I mention that today is my birthday?

Flinn Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Family name history

We have a Walker

I've been trying to get a good picture of Jake walking to post on the blog, but alas, I can never capture him. I have some video, but my videos don't upload right anymore. Not sure why. So, anyways, he's been walking since a couple days after Christmas. Most of my family got to see him take off for the first time. Unfortunately, Mike wasn't there. But, he has since seen Jake go many times. It seems that walking is now his preferred mode of transportation. And usually he's doing it with some object in each hand. I love that he's growing, but I miss his cute little monkey crawl!

Football Update

Green Bay Packers lost. It's time to regroup. I will now pledge my allegiance to the Giants. If Peyton Manning can't be in the Super Bowl then I will cheer on his brother Eli. They are sure to lose now that I have said I want them to win. Sorry, Giants.

My Coat

So, I took your advice and went back to Kohl's to ask the manager if I could have the sale price on the coat I wanted for my birthday. When I went back, it was back on sale! It was originally $84, on sale for $49, I got 20% off by using my Kohl's card and I had a $20 gift card to the store. So, I'm saying I got the coat for $23! Totally worth it! And today is really cold so I already got to wear it. Yeah!
Just look at the purple cuteness of it all. Check out the lining. Polka dots. Fun!

I just made this oreo cookie cheesecake. They're pretty easy to make and taste very yummy. My question is this, why do my cheesecakes always crack down the middle? Am I not cooking them long enough? Too long? Any ideas?

Puppy Love

Relaxed

Things I'm ticked off about

1.) The Cowboys lost their game yesterday.

2.) Peyton Manning lost his game yesterday. Let's just say that if the Green Bay Packers don't get into the Super Bowl and win it this year the 2007 football season will be dead to me. I'll pretend it never even happened.

3.) Due to the writers strike I couldn't watch my favorite stars in all their fashion glory at the Golden Globes last night. And there probably won't be an Oscars show this year either. Isn't that kind of like cancelling Christmas?

4.) Commanche Moon. Did anyone watch this last installment of the Lonesome Dove series last night? I remember loving Lonesome Dove. I could only watch the first hour of this show last night because it was really so bad. The writing was just nuts. And Val Kilmer whom I normally love was just not good. His accent, hair, wardrobe, everything really was just a mess. Did anyone else watch it? And did you like it??

5.) The coat I was going to by myself at Kohl's for my birthday went off sale the day I went to buy it. And that's not nice.

Fast food update

The tacos? They are bueno. At Taco Bueno. Some of you may know of my decades long love affair with Taco Bell and how it ended most tragically last year. Well, Amy has been telling me for months now that the place to go for good fast food Mexican food is Taco Bueno. And much to her delight they are building the first one in our city not far from where we live. She has literally been calling them regularly to get updates on the grand opening. I have to say I was skeptical. Could anything equal my initial fondness for the Bell? I do love Taco Villa, but they don't have those here. Whenever I go home to visit my parents I always make at least one stop there to have a bean burrito. So good. Except that over Christmas right after eating my Taco Villa I got a pretty crazy stomach bug. So, a few days later when the taco urge hit me I decided to try the Taco Bueno in my hometown. And, I'm pleased to say that it didn't disappoint. It was good and cheap which are two qualities I look for in all of my friends. If you are a lover of the Bell I will warn you that Taco Bueno has a different taste. It's pretty much the taste of salt. I noticed it immediately in both my burrito and my taco. And you know what? I love salt! I use it at almost every meal. If I was a cow, you would always be able to find me at the salt lick. The one thing I love more than salt is chocolate. Can you imagine if there was a chocolate lick somewhere? I would totally be there. I would look like one of those little suction cup stuffed Garfield animals stuck to the chocolate lick. You couldn't pry me off with a stick. It would be great. But, until then, whenever the Mexican fast food bug hits me, I think you will find me at Taco Bueno. And that's just bueno.

PayBack

Um, do you see the size of this pop up tent train thing? And can you see how many balls are in it? And can you see the pure look of joy on the boy's face as he plays in it? Thank you Aunt Cheryl! It's almost like you're trying to get back at me for something. Jake also loves his new book, Hooray for Fish! And he enjoyed having MeMaw read it to him. Thanks again for the book Laura. It's his favorite right now!

Christmas pics

The Strike is Over!

Well, after ten days of standing in picket lines, holding my signs, and walking in circles, I've given up on the writer's strike. For some reason nobody wants to pay me to keep up this blog. Also, picketing by yourself in your living room where no one can really see you is not much fun. And I'm easily distracted by the need to make a sandwhich or clean a toilet or something. So I'm rejoining the blogging world so that the three of you who read this occasionally will not feel like you're getting the short end of the stick with this whole striking writers thingy. I mean, I know you're already watching re-runs on television so surely you should have something new to read every day or so. I write for you. And I write because I love the writing. And I write because there is nothing on television for me to watch.

Seriously, Jake and I have been at my parents for the last week. Did you really think I was picketing? In my own living room? I'm sad, but not that sad. We had a wonderful time with my family and a great Christmas in general. Tomorrow, I will post pictures, but tonight I'm just too tired. We had a nine and a half hour car ride today. Just the two of us. Jake did so well for most of it. All except the last hour and a half where he just felt the need to scream. Right in my ear. He was so excited to get home to his own bed. I heard him in there for at least an hour talking very excitedly and it sounded like he was running around in his crib. When I peeked my head in to see what was going on, there he was laying on his back holding a stuffed animal up in the air, pumping his arms and legs up and down while he laughed. It was so funny! We missed Mike and are glad to be back home but we're very glad we got to spend much needed time with family. I promise to be back everyday this week with an amusing antecdote to share with both of you. Or at least a cute picture of little mister!