SORRY!!!

Okay everyone, I'm sorry I've been a slacker. My excuses are not as good as Kim's so I won't even go there. Suffice it to say, life right now is BOOOOOOOOOOORING. Nothing majorly exciting has happened since last I posted that Kim hasn't already blogged (i.e. B.W.'s birthday and an actual winter storm).

Actually, I guess I lied. Block three of classes ended for me, and I still have my solid 4.0, which is getting to be a more and more difficult feat to accomplish, but I WILL do it. Just a few more blocks and the baby degree is all finished. Can't wait! But for now, I just have to make it until the 22ND, when I get my first break since starting school eight months ago. It is a much anticipated event. Two weeks without worrying about school will be a nice change.

So, yeah, that's about it. Definitely haven't missed much. We're all excited in the house to be VERY nearly finished with Christmas shopping. We can't wait to get the gifts shipped out, and then focus on the REAL reason for the season. I promise, I will blog before then. After all, you have to see our pretty decorations, that is once they're put up of course!!!!

Birthday Bowl-A-Rama

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Isn't it hard to believe that the year is already almost over? Holy smokes, how time has flown by since January!

Anyway, onto the post for the week. Tuesday is normally Dad's and my league night for bowling. However, due to the holiday this week, they didn't have a League Night. Since I become absolutely even more horrible than I already am when I skip a week of bowling, Dad and I, along with our teammate and dear friend Ricky, decided we would bowl as usual. So, we did.

The super fun part of it is that Tuesday was also my best friend's birthday. So to celebrate, I picked up some balloons, Mom and Dad picked out a card, and we all bowled together. The six of us had a fantastic time enjoying one another's company,engaging in friendly competition and smack talk, generally being silly, and looking forward to more fun nights ahead.

Date Night

So, Friday was a super fun night. For the first time in quite a while, sad enough to admit, I got a fun date night. It actually turned out better than I could have imagined. By total chance, while waiting for Mom and Dad to get to the theater and while texting Ricky directions on how to print his ticket AWAY from the box office, I looked over. To my surprise, a friend I've grown up with was there with her husband. So, Steph and Steve, Mom and Dad, and Ricky and I all had a great time.
Being the addict I am, we went and watched Twilight. Bless our dear men who came along without even grumbling. What a fun treat! They were champs throughout the whole movie, well mostly. The guys had fun teasing us mercilessly, but it was a right they earned for sitting through one of the most ultimately chicky chick flicks ever.
Thanks Dad, Steve, and Ricky for humoring your hopeless romantics! We really do appreciate you! Despite the razzing we received, it turned out fantastically well thanks to our tolerant men.

After the movie, Stephanie and Steve went their own way while we went to dinner with another friend I've grown up with and her husband. Thanks to Ricky, we tested a really yummy restaurant. We'd never been courageous enough to try it, but we're so glad for the recommendation. What a fun night! Thanks boys!

Hot Mama!

Since Mom's operation in March, she has been morphing in front of our very eyes. Just thought you guys might like to see the miracle we witness everyday!

Did any of us imagine a year ago that she would be where she is? No wheelchair? Walking long distances (for Mom), dancing in circles? If your answer is no, take a look at this fun video!

Time Check

Saturday night was B-Man's region concert, and man was it amazing! It had me thnking back to my own experiences in various concerts, including one just like he had the blessing of participating in. In the various thought processes, it hit me. I double-thought the question, "Has it REALLY been 10 years?" Crazy to admit that it has. Those wonderful choir memories will stick with me through my entire life.

Anyway, it was a fun family night, and I was able to get some fabulous pictures-and video too! Just for you Catherine. Please forgive the lack of clarity. It's amazing it turned out as well as it did! What a fantastic night.

Mom and I had fun playing with Gracie after the concert. What a cutie she is!

And wherever there's a Haven, you can bet a Payten is not far behind. Such adorable sisters!

Anyway, Words cannot express how proud I am of Bryan. He's stepped it up and become quite the young man. What a fun, great kid. I so can't believe he'll be eighteen in just a few short months! Can't wait to see the man he becomes. Love ya Dude! Have fun watching, or at least listening, to the videos. Then you'll be able to understand why we're just so proud! :)

Addiction

Hey Everyone! If you don't already know, one of my few addictions is the Twilight series written by Stephenie Meyer. Even though it's juvenile (for the most part), I absolutely LOVE it. Thank you soooo much Eliza. If not for your suggestion, I'd be in complete and toal ignorance.

Anyway, I was looking at a friend's blog, and his wife had taken a test to see which heroine she was. Usually, I skip over these things because they are ALWAYS wrong. However, this one was pretty accurate. It turns out that I'm Bella. Who would have thought? Just thought it was funny!


Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Catching Up with the Joneses

While in WA, we were able to catch up with Sid and his family after fifteen years of highly inter-mittent communication. When we knew we were headed up in his direction, we gave him a call, and sure enough, we were able to get in touch with him. After telling him the situation, he volunteered his home to us, and everything else we needed, including a car. He would hear of nothing else.

How fun it was to get to stay with them the week we were up there. It felt like there had never been anytime apart. He is still the same old Sid, just a little more mellow. I guess being 41 does that to ya! But we had a fantastic time with them each night after our wanderings and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Suzanne, and the kids, Gabriella (Gabi, 11) and Matthew (Mattie, 9). How good to know that the bond formed so long ago is still very much alive. We very much enjoyed our time with them. Thanks Jones Family!