Kara DioGuardi

So I'm sure some of you have been watching American Idol, me too. How do you all feel about the new judge Kara DioGuardi? I love her, she adds that girl power that was missing. Between her and Paula they can finally put Simon in his place, am I right? She is sassy and fun, but do you really know much about her? Who is she? Why is she qualified to be an "American Idol" judge? Well, I decided to find out these questions and I was very surprised at what I found. She is a grammy nominated "Hitmaker". Of the several hundred songs she has written, 268 have been released on major labels world wide, and over 168 have appeared on multi-platinum selling albums. Impressive eh? Her songs have been recorded by grammy award winning artists such as: Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion, Pink, Faith Hill, and Carrie Underwood. And tons of other artists like: Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, the Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana, Leona Lewis, EVEN David Archuleta! I have added a bunch of her songs to my blogs playlist if you want to hear them, and you can visit her blog here to find out more about her. So watch out Simon, I'm tuning in to see what she has to say from now on.

Jen's Hidden Blogs!

I love reading my sister's blogs, they are a great way to stay in touch, and it makes me feel connected to my 6 amazing sisters. It has come to my attention that one on my sisters has been holding out on me and has "hidden" blogs. Sorry Jen, but I am posting the links and "outing" you. I hope you still love me!


Wow, Jen, that's a good question, how would an apple feel? We never knew you were so multi-faceted, click here, oh who knew you could make taco meat with walnuts and pumpkin seeds! click here for her recipe

So inventing a life in Shanghai? Isn't that ripping off Kellie a little? I know, a girl's gotta dream, click here

This one is my favorite, I love how you feel so free to share your self-portraits, your self confidence is a truly inspiring quality. Click Here


What a creative girl! I hope we all remember to add these to our blog lists!!!

Christmas Rush!!

Merry Christmas everyone! I have been so busy getting ready for christmas I haven't had time to post much, not to mention my camera is broken, so I hope you all have a great christmas and I try to post some pictures soon!!

Chasing penguins

If anyone has been around my kids, you know they sing all the time. In the car, in the shower, doing chores, seriously all the time! And they really love to sing with the radio. Most of you have probably heard the song "Chasing Pavement" by Adele, if not it's on my playlist. This is a song we listen to in the car alot. The song goes like this "should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavement even if it leads no where" Well, recently I noticed my Jessie sings "should I give up or should I just keep chasing penguins" It makes me laugh, I can't even hear the song anymore without hearing "penguins" and now, neither will you!

Happy Birthday Aerica

11 years ago today I was blessed with this sweet spunky little girl. She's had a sparkle in her eye since the day she was born. I am loving (and sometimes hating) the new experiences that come with a pre-teen. She is helpful and smart and knows more about wildlife than anyone I know, except maybe Chad. I love her more everyday, Let me list some of my favorite things about Aerica.

She sings all the time
She is the tallest kid in her class.
She is 5ft 1 and doesn't trip the airbag in the front seat
She can laugh at herself
She is confident
She is kind
She looks just like her dad

I love you Aerica! If you have a something you like about this amazing girl, feel free to share!!

Lessons in Life

I recently reconnected with a good friend of mine, as I was looking through her blog I came upon her posting entitled "Lessons in Life". She had read recieved an email with 50 lessons in life and had taken her favorite 20 and posted them. I loved this post and with her permission decided to post the 20 she singled out. Here they are, along with the 21st that I got from my Mom as we were discussing this topic. Thanks Angie! I would love to get some comments back of any good "lessons in life" anyone has!
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
3. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
4. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
5. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special!
6. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
7. Always choose life.
8. Forgive everyone, everything.
9. What other people think of you is none of your business.
10. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
11. Believe in miracles.
12. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
13. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
14. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
15. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
16. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
19. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
20. The best is yet to come.
21. Those that mind, don't matter; and those that matter, don't mind.

Let's hear yours!

The Great Eight

I have been tagged by my friend and coworker Rachelle, so here it goes.

8 T.V. Shows I watch...
1. Raising the Bar (New TNT series, love it!)
2. Law and Order
3. CSI
4. Cold Case
5. Without a Trace
6. Wife Swap
7. One Tree Hill (pathetic I know)
8. 90210, the new one (Hard to admit, but what can I say?)

8 Favorite Restaurants...
1. Cafe Rio
2. My husbands grilling (does that count?)
3. Applebee's
4. Outback
5. Chinese buffet (there's a few I like)
6. Bleak's bar and grill ( miss this one!)
7. FuddRuckers
8. Dairy Queen (white trash, I know)

8 Things that happened yesterday...
1. Got home from work at 0530 am
2. Slept
3. Parent-Teacher Conferences, yikes!
4. Pre trick or treat nap with all 3 of my kids on the king size bed, it was the best
5. Costume time
6. Trunk or Treat at the Mona Church
7. Trick or Treat all around the neighborhood
8. Went to work for ER night shift

8 things I look forward to...
1. Next Halloween, I know, I'm a freak
2. Basketball season starting
3. Basketball season ending
4. Family Time!
5. Spending more time with my Mom and Dad and sisters now that we live closer
6. Sewing and quilting for the holidays
7. Christmas shopping
8. Family time

8 things on my wish list...
1. Happiness for everyone
2. Successful basketball season for Chad
3. Successful basketball season for my Dad
4. More quality time with loved ones
5. Expanding my family
6. Less stress
7. More dropping of interest rates!!
8. Higher pay for teachers, yeah right

8 Words or phrases I use all the time...
1.Seriously
2. Freak or freakin' (gotta work on this one)
3. You are kidding
4. Apparently...
5. Stop that!
6. I'm serious, you better stop that!
7. Hey
8. I need a diet coke like now!

8 people I tagged...
1. Jen
2. Mindy
3. Kellie
4. Cassie
5. Holli
6. Missy
7. Anna