Decision '08...

I just finished reading up on all the propositions and I think I have finally decided on my votes for all those. My final decision for president has not been made yet. I know where I am leaning towards, but I feel as though I need to look up some other issues and views this person has in order to make my final decision. I'm not someone who likes to share their political views, but I just thought I would let you know where I'm at. I may let you in on who I vote for if I feel like I can make a good enough argument to defend my choice. :-)

Pumpkin Patch...

We went to the pumpkin patch on Friday with my mom. The pumpkin patch at Live Oak Canyon next to the 10 Freeway is super awesome. They have u-pick pumpkin fields, pumpkins that are already picked that you can choose, horse rides/petting zoo, a corn maze, bounce houses (not my favorite), ATV rides, hay rides, and a hay castle. It just feels like fall when you go there. I bought Addie a tiny pumpkin and I got another small pumpkin for our house. Next year will be lot's of fun and Addie will be able to pick out her own pumpkin. Enjoy the pictures!

If you want an update on Addie you can click here.

Burning Ring of Fire...

Yesterday marked my first call to 911 and hopefully my last call. At about 4:45 yesterday afternoon I turned on my oven to preheat it for our dinner. When I saw that the oven was ready for the food I walked over to it and saw flames inside. I opened it up and looked to see that some oil that had spilled (from a previous dinner) was on fire. The flames weren't horribly big so I thought that maybe I could blow on them (I know I'm dumb... I was fanning the flame). This obviously made them bigger and I closed the oven. The flames went down a bit because of the lack of oxygen, but I thought I better call 911 to have the fire department come out and check on it. The 911 operator was very nice and stayed on the phone with me until the fire trucks arrived. He was very nice and we carried on some polite conversation. The fire trucks arrived a few minutes later. First a smaller "pickup" size truck came down, then the big fire truck and then on the main street next to mine was another one. They told the third one to leave when the saw my entire house was not burning down. My first initial thought when they arrived was that my house was messy and I looked like a mess. :-) They went in and I guess put it out. I didn't see since I was in the front room with Addie. They brought out a fan and some fire deodorizing spray and were gone within 20 minutes.

I am very grateful to the Riverside Fire Department. They were very nice and super cool about everything. Needless to say, I going out today and buying a small fire extinguisher. Oh yeah... and I'm scrubbing out my oven. :-)

Today is my Birthday...

28 years ago today my mom gave birth to me. Thank you mom for going through labor. I now have a better understanding of what hard work that is. :-) Last year around this time I made a list of 27 things to do before I turned 27. Here is that list and what I did and did not accomplish:

1. Read 27 Books (Fiction & Non Fiction)
I'm pretty sure I met this goal. I forgot to count. But I did finally finish Blue Like Jazz. I really liked it a lot and now I am making a goal to read a book I got at Christmas last year by Donald Miller called Through Painted Deserts.
2. Be a better leader
I'm working on this everyday, I hope that I have been able to lead students in a better way
3. Visit at least one new state
This one was shot down when I got pregnant
4. Run a half marathon
Same as above.
5. Write an article for a youth journal or something similar
I have many thoughts but nothing yet on paper
6. Write at least 10 scripts for youth ministry
I think I wrote one and I have this other idea that keeps floating around in my head and it's actually a musical of sorts.
7. Take at least 4 more graphic design classes
I have taken 1 and a half (I had to go on modified bed rest during my spring class). I will begin taking classes again this Spring
8. Work out three times a week
I was until I went on modified bed rest during my pregnancy
9. Play the keyboard/piano more
I don't think I played once this year.
10. Finish my wedding and college scrapbooks
Nope, but I did start on my London scrapbook.
11. Be an awesome wife
I strive to do this one everyday. Some days are good, some days are not so good. :-)
12. Buy my first house
Possibly starting this process soon.
13. Take a cooking class
Nope
14. Start a discipleship group with teenage girls
Nope
15. Buy a Mac computer
Nope
16. Be an awesome aunt
Trying.. I don't get to see my nephew that often though... so sad. 17. See a TV show taping in L.A.
Nope
18. Go back to London
Nope, not this year, maybe next year.
19. Go camping
Nope
20. Go on a week long vacation with my husband
Went on vacation to San Diego, not a week long but it was still nice.
21. Start designing stuff for people & churches
Nope
22. Eat healthier
Pregnancy helped this. Having my daughter did not. I'd say I did good about 3/4 of the year
23. Volunteer somewhere other than at church
Nope, but I would like to do this when Addie gets a little older and I can leave her for a little longer
24. Connect better with friends
Somewhat... I'm not the best friend. I'm super forgetful and a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to calling and emailing people back
25. Work on being less stressed
I think I did the best with this... I still get stressed about things, but I think I am doing better everyday
26. Ride Space Mountain at Disneyland
Pregnancy kind of shot this one down too.
27. Be more faithful in my quiet times with God
I did well with this until I had a baby... now I need to make more of an effort to find time to spend with God.

Overall, I didn't meet many of my goals from last year so I am not making a list for this next year. I am going to try to accomplish some goals without writing them down. I did have a baby thoguh and that was a long term goal so I think that can take over and count for like half of the goals I made last year. :-)

Brilliant Bows...

I have tried to put bows and headbands in Addie's hair from day one. At first all I had were some headbands from Target, but then I was introduced to Brilliant Bows. A girl I went to college with started this business and I love that she did. Thanks to someone giving us a gift certificate to the website we now have a whole lot more bows. If you have a daughter or know someone who does and they like to wear bows in their hair check out this website. They have all different types of bows and they are specially designed to fit either an infant or toddler. They are also great for infant girls who don't have much hair. She made sure of that. Check it out!

Addie loves wearing her bows: