I'm thankful for marriage...it's just something I love

If you're looking for the giveaway click here.

I asked all of you to tell me one person you're thankful for, and that if you felt up to it, to tell me why.

Can I just say that I am absolutely LOVING how many of you said your husbands?! I love it. Love.it.

I'm a passionate person. I love to love.

And one of the things I love most is marriage. I believe in it completely. I believe it's amazing and fun, wonderful and exciting and I also believe it's one of the hardest things I do on a daily basis.

Being married is tough stuff. But I believe in it. I believe in my marriage. And I believe in yours.

When marriage hits a rocky spot (and it does a whole lot 'round here) I think one of the quickest ways to start getting back on track is to start being thankful. Thankful for that man of mine. Thankful he's seen me through some really crappy years. Thankful to God that He gave me a man perfectly suited for me.

I don't know, yesterday and today, reading through your comments about being thankful for your husbands or your dad (who is a husband) just made me well up with tears of thankfulness to Jesus that so many of you are happy to have that man of yours.

So, today...this week...this year, I'm thankful for my marriage. That we've made it 11 years, 4 months and 13 days. Because it wasn't that many years ago when my husband and I spent a Thanksgiving apart. A lonely holiday for us both.

I'm thankful for our blissful days because...well, they're just fun. But I'm also thankful for our yucky days because we come out stronger.

Thank you for sharing your person you're thankful for. You blessed the heck outta me.

If you haven't yet shared the person you're thankful for click here. It also enters you in to win free coffee!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Giveaway Time!

Loving that it's already that time of the month again!

Birthday Bloggy Giveaway time!

Real quick, I'd like to take a sec and let anyone know who may be a first timer to my blog what the Birthday Bloggy Giveaway is all about.

My 30th birthday is coming up real soon! Like June soon! I absolutely love that day. My birthday is my favorite day of the year. Some people say Christmas, or Thanksgiving or Flag Day, and while those are really nice and all, I'm a big fan of a day about me. Because I'm extremely selfish, self-centered and a lover of all things wrapped with pretty paper and shiny bows!

To celebrate that I'm turning THIRTY!! I decided back in July that it would be fun to give gifts away each month on the third up until June.

So far I've given away:

July: A Scentsy warmer and bars

August: $25 cash money

September: A grocery shopping planner and journal

October: 1 year subscription to Martha Stewart

November: And last month my sister-in-law donated Close to my Heart scrapbook supplies



For December....

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It's a gift for the Starbucks lover. (once again, want to keep this alllll for me.) So, even if you aren't a Starbucks lover, I'm sure someone on your Christmas list is and by winning, you'd have a gift to scratch off your list-PHO FREE!

Ooooh, look below...there's a super cute, felt, red bag....

What's inside??
A Starbucks coffee mug with a really cute candy can handle that I love...

And a Christmas tree ornament.....
And a $5 gift card to Starbucks!

You like?! Me too!!

How do you enter? So glad you asked!

Here are the Rules:
In honor of it being Thanksgiving week and all, please leave a comment telling me one person you are thankful for this year, and if you'd like, tell me why you're thankful for that person.

If you comment anonymously, please leave your name.

If you'd like two chances to win, copy the code that's in the middle of this post and write your own blog post about this giveaway. Then come back and leave another comment letting me know you've done that.

Winners are chosen randomly through random.org or by me writing your name on a piece of paper and my husband doing the drawing.

After the winner is announced you have 48 hours to contact me to redeem your prize. You can contact me at truckfamily@gmail.com. If I don't hear from you within the 48 hours, I'll choose another winner. (trust me, it's been done.)

I'll announce the winners next Thursday, December 3rd (aka 6 month before my birthday!)

It's Good to be Loved

There's nothing better-in my opinion-than to love and be loved.

And then to have someone make it known to everyone just how much they love you...

Well, that's just icing on my cupcake.

The one where you're supposed to answer with just one word...to that I say HA!

Cell phone: I ♥ my iPhone.

Hair: Curly. Long-ish. Brown/Blonde-ish. And always frizzy.

Father: I always want to put the first thing that pops into my head when I'm supposed to answer a question about my dad. But out of courtesy for any of my dad's family who may read this...I won't. So, my father? Curly haired, tall, broad shoulders, amazing, infectious laugh. Deceased.

Favorite food: Mexican. Hands down.

Dream from last night: I haven't remembered any of my dreams for over a week now. It's odd. But I'm thankful. The ones I was having were absolutely awful and I hated going to sleep.

Favorite drink: I'm now in love with Iced Pumpkin Spice lattes from Starbucks. mmm. But if alcohol is being served, I love me some Sangria.

Dream/goal: To weigh 115 lbs by my birthday in June.

What room am I in: My bedroom/laundry room. Seriously...the washer and dryer are in our bedroom.

Hobbies: Eating. And spending time with family and friends.

Fear: How much time do we have? I live in it everyday and it's awful and ridiculous because with God before me...what do I have to fear?

Where do I want to be in 6 years? Debt free, skinny, homeschooling, and happy.

Where was I last night? Where I always am. Home. Well, except for when I decided at 7 pm that we needed to drive a coupla towns over so I could have Starbucks.

Something I am not: A morning person.

Muffins: Just outside my jeans.

What's on my wish list: Plane tickets.

Where did I grow up: In a lonely apartment in Yakima five years ago.

Last thing I did: Made toast with honey.

What am I wearing: A pair of sweat pants that Emily gave me and a sweater.

TV: not so much.

Pets: We are the assisted living for dogs. We have a Golden Retriever who's 10 and a Beagle who's at least that old if not older. And we have the occasional llama.

Friends: First thought was Mary. I've known her almost 10 years and this girl...she gets me. The girl who laughed when I threw a pencil at her husband during a game of Pictionary...just a couple weeks into our friendship. The girl who laughs at me. The girl who came to my work 5 years ago and told me to get my life together. The girl who encourages me in my desire to homeschool. Sweet Mary who did not leave a comment on my lonely post last week but instead called me after she read it. Thank you, Mary, for being a steady friend these last 10 years. I love you.

My life: I don't have words...it's a beautiful mess. I love it. And it makes me crazy.

My mood: Contemplative. How's that for deep, eh?

My vehicle: Dodge Grand Caravan. Cup holders and heated leather seats. That's really all I care about.

What am I not wearing: A cowboy hat.

Favorite store: Goodwill Outlet. I lub it.

Favorite color: Burnt orange and a deep red.

When did I last laugh: With Mary today. She's always good for that.

My BFF: sigh....

When did I cry last: When I was on the phone with Mary last week. I lost it. Absolutely lost it.

The place I go over and over: The grocery store.

Person who emails me regularly: Treena

Favorite place to eat: El Valle and Red Robin

Ten Years on the Farm

Today marks 10 years since Josh and I unlocked the doors to this house. Our first house.

I was going to write this sappy, deep, meaningful post about the last 10 years.

But instead I'd like to tell you about the llama. We all know I don't do sappy, deep, meaningful posts. Hello, who was I trying to kid?

Our neighbors have a llama. The last couple of days he (she?) has decided to jump their fence and wander around our driveway. (three houses share this driveway.) I was wondering how he was getting out, so yesterday I went out there and as soon as I got out there I spooked him and he took off toward the fence and jumped it!

Then, today I'm headed out to check my mail and he's in my yard. I run back into the house to grab my camera and well...you're welcome.

Just munching on the grass and weeds in my yard.

Hanging out in my pasture...I went to close the gate because I'm scared he's going to leave the driveway and be hit by a car. When he saw me coming to close the gate....HE CHARGED ME!!! I had to run for my life. I haven't run in about 13 years. For anyone on our road today who may have seen the chubby girls running wildly with a camera dangling around her neck...uh, sorry. I'm sure that wasn't a pretty sight.

Obviously I wasn't so scared that I quit taking pictures. Because, hello, even though he lives next door, I just can't get enough of the llama on the loose.

He's heading over to jump the fence. Which he did several times today. Totally and completely cracks me up.

I'm sure I should tell the neighbors but I'm doubting they'll do anything.

In the ten years we've lived here there have been countless animal stories. One of my favorites was about six years ago. I was sitting in this very room, at this very computer on a very windy day, when I look out the window and see a cow staring in my window.

A cow.

At my window.

He didn't look familiar, you know...'cause I can sooo easily tell all the cows apart around here. ☺ So, I herded him him into our pasture, shut the gate and figured someone would come get him. Someone did. He was gone the next morning.

Another time I was doing dishes and there was a horse in my backyard.

And then a cow.

A couple months ago there was a donkey...or two.

And there are always chickens.

Mind you, we don't have any farm animals (well, besides the girls.)

Ten years here and I think we're just gettin' this party started. Can't wait to see what kind of animals the next ten years bring us.

Glad I don't have John's problem

After eating worms last night, I decided I didn't want that to happen again. I needed to find an answer.

So I Googled.

God Bless Google.

Apparently what happened to me last night is not uncommon. But still!

I found a website with several people talking about similar situations. Okay, maybe not similar...but they still wanted to know about the worms.

A few people offered suggestion/solutions. Storing bay leaves in your dry goods or placing peppermint gum in your pantry were a couple I found interesting.

But after reading one guy's problem, I feel a little better about myself.

John says:
"I found a couple in my pants the other day, those darn things are everywhere!"

Thank yooouu, John.

Monday Summary

Today I made meal after meal.

And didn't quite clean up after all of them.

Then it was time to meet my husband at the truck stop so I could pick up Sugar and give him all the food I'd so lovingly slaved over for the last three hours.

On my way out the door I realized someone had a stinky diaper.

And it wasn't me.

So, I had to change Spice and then throw her in the van. It wasn't until we were half way there that I realized she didn't have a coat on or socks or shoes. It was all of 40 degrees outside. Mother of the Year committee, I'm nominating myself this year.

After that it was time to go home and put together some sandwiches for the wee children and then lay them down for naps.

Then Shadow (our Golden Retriever) decided to vomit this huge, nasty, green hair ball. I panicked and didn't know what to use to pick it up. I had a Ro-Tel can that I'd emptied into one of the dishes from today, so I went to scoop the puke into that only to have some red remnants from the can spill onto my carpet.

Stupid dog. Stupid puke. Stupid red stain.

The girls and I played with Legos for a while but both children think it's more fun to destroy than to build. What's with that?! Then Sugar thought it'd be funny to play this game where she pretends to be hurt and I take her to the doctor to get better. So, we did that for awhile.

Dinner was some leftovers of one of the meals I made for Josh. It was good but a lil too salty. It had onions, pimentos, and green peppers in it and my girls loved it. (there were other ingredients as well, but I was impressed that they ate it.)

Then came bath time.

Read: Free babysitter time. Kidding...

I wash the girls and go on and on with my "don't splash water all over the floor" spiel only to turn around and hear water splash all over the floor. Sigh.

As I head out the bathroom door to clean up some toys in the living room Sugar yells that Spice pooped in the bathtub.

I removed the children as quickly and as safely from the tub as motherly possible and threw towels on 'em. Rescued My Little Pony x 5 and got a cup (not a Ro-Tel can) and scooped poop.

We played some more. (not in the bathtub)

Then it was time to clean up toys and read for a bit.

The girls were so quiet as I left their room. It was so sweet and peaceful.

And then the phone rang.

The children's father decided he wanted to say goodnight to his offspring.

Soooo, I had to go in there so he could talk to them and they were thuh-rilled. But bawled as he said goodbye and I left the room.

Good times.

I then decided I hadn't made enough of a mess in my kitchen and I needed to bake some oatmeal cookies.

So, I make the oatmeal cookies and decide to eat batter while a batch of cookies bakes. I scoop (how many times will i use that word in this post?!) some dough into a bowl, pour a glass of milk and sit down to Facebook.

Batch number one finishes. I head in to the hurricane that is my kitchen and decide to clean up a bit. As I'm going to put the lid back on the oatmeal I see something moving in it.

Crawly things.

In the oatmeal.

The oatmeal I dumped into the batter.

The oatmeal that I'd been eating.

I think I'm going to need another Ro-Tel can.

Ode to Denise's Amazingly Organized Lists

In honor of my sister-in-law, Denise, today I'll make a list post.

After a very long, very full, very wonderful day yesterday I sat down after the girls went to bed and made my to-do list for the week.

Here's what she looks like:

Monday:
Vacuum/Dust
Laundry+FAPA (fold and put away)
Make new tabs for my filing cabinet
Clean the pantry

(so far today I've vacuumed and made a week's worth of meals for Josh for the truck this week and kept my kitchen almost clean!) (now I'm pooped and not sure if I'll get the other stuff done!)

Tuesday:
Clean the bathroom including sweeping and mopping
Sweep entryway
Sweep and mop kitchen

Wednesday:
Heading to Yakima and will be gone most of the day so I made that my Get out of Chores Free Card day.

Thursday:
Laundry+FAPA
Clean tops and fronts of kitchen cupboards and cabinets
Vacuum/Dust

Friday:
Menu Plan
Clean out fridge and freezer
Wash the baseboard trim in the living room

Saturday:
YARD WORK!

Menu for the week:
Breakfast
Egg holes and sausage
French Toast Casserole
Toast and Eggs
Cereal
Pumpkin Chocolate chip muffins
Pancakes and bacon

Dinner
Calzones
Pesto Pizza (had this last night, it was pretty good in spite of my lack of making a decent crust)
Beans and Cornbread
Spaghetti, garlic bread and green beans
Fried Chicken and biscuits with corn
Meatballs and mashed potatoes
Leftovers

(Denise, I'd like an ode post now. ☺)
(and even though it makes me nervous, I'll let you make up the title. ☺)

Fun in Progression

A couple of weeks ago the girls and I went in the truck with my husband.

We were headed to Oregon with a load of something and we were going to be unloading that (whatever it was) and picking up something else. I was pretty giddy about this trip because it was a double exciting whammy for me. On our way from re-loading (it was lumber, I remember) we were headed up to Emily's where we'd be staying for the weekend and in the process of getting up to her house we'd be driving right past Josh's sister's house (you know, kinda).

Josh's sister is my SIL, Treena, you know in case you forgot. I love her like crazy. It was the day before her birthday (her and Emily share one) and I wanted to surprise her. So, we showed up on her doorstep! In the excitement I totally forgot to have Josh take our picture. We couldn't stay long as we'd be hitting Portland traffic if we did. Traffic's bad enough in a car, in a Peterbilt it's even worse. Anyway, we had fun surprising her and then it was time to head out for the rest of our weekend.

(this is the part where I don't tell you that 20 minutes from emily's house we get a call that we were loaded with the wrong crap and had to drive back down and re-load yet afreakinggain and making us three hours later to emily's than originally scheduled)

Ahem. Anyway.

We get to Jim and Emily's and she has dinner ready. Within minutes of finishing dinner we realize it's time for a Starbucks run. This is when the laughter and picture taking begins. Ohh how I wish I could post the picture. My phone is pretty slow with the whole picture taking thing and let's just say sometimes it captures a person at just the wrong moment. Which can actually turn out to be just the right moment and have me in hysterics.

But I'm not going to post it because that wouldn't be nice.

Instead I'll get on with the rest of this post and the pictures that I can post.

Emily's birthday was on Saturday and Gayle was coming over so we could start the Birthday Girl's festivities. Goodwill Outlet would be first, because what better way to start your birthday evening than by pilfering through someone's unwanted junk? Then it was to be Sushi for dinner. (gagging)

yep, we're adorable.

had this been a weee bit bigger, I totally woulda bought this for my husband. We left without it but with 30+ lbs of other goods.
Sushi on a conveyor belt. I'm trying so hard to pretend I'm a big girl.

This was as close as I wanted to get to eating it but I actually did put it in my mouth. And later into a napkin.

Gayle loved it as much as I did. You're welcome Gayle for this picture.

Birthday Girl was all about it!

We left about 12 minutes after we arrived and we were still hungry. Birthday Girl decided bread sounded good. Hello, when does bread not sound good, right? We drive until we see Panera. Which I've never been to. But apparently they have clowns.

And if I see a clown, I've got to have my picture with one.

Such a good sport.

Why yes we did have some soup and bread with our massive amounts of butter thankyouverymuch.

The fun didn't end there! After soup, bread and tiny cups of water it was off to dessert!

But not before a little rat tail action behind me. That guy has better hair than I do! We went to Olive Garden for dessert. Each of us getting something different and each of us stuffing our faces too quickly for me to get a picture of what we ate. Let me just say, the five pounds I gained from that Pumpkin Cheesecake were totally worth it.
Birthday Girl and her bestest friend. They're pretty stinkin' cute, huh?

After our appetizer (sushi) and dinner (Panera) and dessert (Olive Garden) we headed out for coffee (Starbucks). I didn't get a picture of said coffee because I was too busy throwing myself in front of Gayle to get to the cashier before she did. I totally took her.

We took pictures in the photo booths at the mall. You know the ones. You go inside a little booth, pull the curtain and sit nicely while they take your mug. FYI, three adult woman do not comfortably fit in those booths. You know, in case that was on your agenda for this weekend. And one photo booth session didn't prove to be enough, so we forked out another three bucks and did it again.

Seriously, one of the best weekends of my entire life.

Thank you, Emily and Gayle for letting me be a part of such a special time! Loved it!

lonely

i know i said i have a fun post full of pictures coming. and i do. it's just that today is one of those days.

a day where i'm sad.

and lonely.

and just trying to be happy.

in every place.

this place.

this place being my home. my town. my friendlessness.

i love my house. mostly. i love the rooms that have been remodeled with my husband's hardworking hands. but the rooms that aren't done or aren't finished drive me nuts. the house is 3/4 sided and 4/4 unpainted. drives me up the wall.

my town is ugly and gross. gang ridden. and being the minority in this town means our billboards are in a language i don't speak. but it's where we live. and it's where we are. and my husband loves it here. despite what anyone (even me) says about it. i wish i felt his sentiments.

having my husband away from home is hard. fall makes me love our house even more. it's cozy. the sun going down early is no longer one of my favorite things. it makes it easier to put the kids to bed early but other than that i find i get depressed over the early darkening hours. i want my man here to snuggle on the couch with.

i want a friend. one who lives nearby. someone to hang out with. someone who enjoys just hanging out on the couch like i do. a confidante.

i miss that.

told my husband the other night how it's weird to not have a best friend. how it feels so lonely. he didn't say, "well you have me" because he knows there's a difference. he definitely is my best friend but there are just some things i don't believe men care to hear about. and that's what a best friend is for.

and i now feel so bottled up inside with all the things i think or things that go on during a day that i've no one to tell.

it's lonely.

it's hard.

Three

I have a post full of pictures coming soon. Pictures that make me smile.

Until then, will you do three things for me?

You will?!

Great!

In the comments section I want you to leave me the answers to these three things:

1. The name and web address of your favorite blog

2. Your blog address (can you tell I'm in need of new reading material?)

3. A prayer request. What can I pray for you about? If you don't want to leave your prayer request in the comments section, please please please email me. truckfamily@gmail.com

Happy Tuesday, friends!

I'll be Buried with the Thing

The wind blew a bunch this weekend. And blew our plans that we'd made for outdoor work to heck so we hightailed it indoors.

There's always something to be done in here.

Always.

But instead we rearranged furniture. Because that's what I do best. I'm so good at being bossy and my husband is buff and looks hot while moving furniture.

We're a great pair.

Our kitchen is pretty small. Well, it's decent sized. It's just when you put in a dining table you basically have to climb over that table to get anywhere else in the house. There's just no good place for the table or the fridge. There are, however, lots of great places for crumbs and dog hair.
Or so it seems.

Remember my post about our kitchen table? I thought I'd be fine moving the table to the basement or our upstairs. Both are places that collect the unwanteds of the main floor. Sometimes my kids go there. Okay, not really.

We decided if we moved our fridge to a really ridiculous place in the kitchen we could put the really nice dining set in the kitchen and take our very used but much loved set to the basement or wherever.

So, we moved furniture and some more furniture and then it was time for Table of Olden Days to head downstairs.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't part with her. This table and I are stuck to one another. My husband just looked at me and sighed. I shoved the ol' girl into a corner in the living room and have decided when the girls get another marker fetish they can do it at the table.

The comfy chairs and beautiful wood of the new table definitely have their appeal and I love having them in my kitchen.

But I just can't give up the one whose been there for me eleven years.

We have a Winner!

I'm currently on the phone with Treena. This month's giveaway sponsor.

I asked her to pick a number between 1-14.

She's picking.................

Number........................................

.........................................................................

NINE!!!

Natalie!!!!

Sweet deal! Since I already have your address I'll get this shipped to you within the next day or so.

Thanks to everyone who entered and a HUGE thank you to Treena for donating this amazing prize!

Can you believe it? Seven more months til my birthday! I'm totally stoked.

Belated Bloggy Birthday Giveaway!

It's that time of the month again and I'm late!

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Last month my SIL emailed and asked if I'd like to have anyone donate the prize for the giveaways. I'm no dummy, I said, "heck, yes!"

After receiving all the goods from her for this month's giveaway, it's taking every bit of restraint to not keep it for myself. Because I love all of it. All.of.it!

Do you love to scrapbook or make cards? Know someone who does? This is the perfect giveaway for you! (um, or your friend.)

Look at all of that amazing papery goodness!

So, here's a detailed description of the picture you're looking at.

The back of the picture is the paper. 15 sheets of background and texture paper and 8sheets of cardstock (thicker paper.)

In front from left to right:
An acrylic stamp set
Accessories in a cute lil baggie
2 pre-made cards with envelopes
3x3 Kraft album
Another baggie full of accessories

Isn't that so awesome!? Do you see now why I want to keep it all to myself?

All you'll need is an acrylic block and some ink pads and you're in business to make your own cards or scrapbook layouts.

If you don't scrapbook or paper craft of any kind, please enter anyway. Christmas is right around the corner and this would make a great gift!

Rules:
Leave a comment to enter.

If you comment anonymously, please leave your name.

If you'd like two chances to win, copy the code at the top of this post and write your own blog post about this giveaway. Then come back and leave another comment letting me know you've done that.

Winners are chosen randomly through random.org or by me writing your name on a piece of paper and my husband doing the drawing.

After the winner is announced you have 48 hours to contact me to redeem your prize. You can contact me at truckfamily@gmail.com If I don't hear from you within the 48 hours, I'll choose another winner.

Entries for November's giveway are open til Monday morning. I'll announce the winner some time on Monday.

Thank you, Treena, for donating November's giveaway!