To Blog or not To Blog?

After a lllooooooong time away from our blog, I'm thinking about posting again. I don't care that really no one reads it, but as I was looking for an old picture today and came here to the blog to see if I had maybe put it on there...I realized what a great journal the blog can be. I know my Cousin Kristi (my favorite blogger) is always saying that, but today I realized how true it is. So, I think I will start posting again

Happy Memorial Day

Thank you to all the Service Men and Women of past, present and future for the sacrifices that you and your family make.

I AM GRATEFUL!!

Sorry and Congrats!!

Sorry for the lack of blogs...if anyone is reading heehee. We moved and my life is upside down! I am someone who needs an organized atmosphere and the boxes and junk stress me out to no end! On top of that I now have my foot in an ugly blue velcro shoe thing and I'm on crutches b/c of a darn bone spur on my big toe! So there is only so much arranging and organizing I can do. So...I'll blog when I can!

Oh yeah...CONGRATS JANICE AND EDDIE!! You go from MySpace to OurSpace today!!
I love you both so so much and I'm so happy to be a part of this day and your lives...oh, and YOU'RE WELCOME!!

Happy Birthday Nannie and Gizmo

Before I start...I'd like to ask that everyone please put me on your prayer list. Without going into too much detail, I will just say that personally I am having a hard time right now and some major inner struggles. The Lord knows what those are so please just keep me in your prayers...I need it!!



I'd like to mention that today would've been Nannie's 88th Birthday. I know she is in a way better place right now...but I still miss her everyday. I miss having that person in my life that I turn to for EVERYTHING good and bad. She was my best friend and my prayer warrior. She also drove me nuts, as she did everyone...but when she was driving me nuts I knew it was b/c she wanted to spend time with me and she loved me. I can not describe to anyone how much she meant to me, and there are so many moments and secrets that we shared that I will treasure the rest of my life. I was so blessed to have her and to spend all the time with her that I did. I loved hearing her stories and learning about my family, and I also loved the times when I was sad or angry or worried that she just sat and listened and sometimes held and rocked me. She prayed me through my ups and downs of teenage life, through a few major heartbreaks, and through every test I took in college. She was my biggest fan and knew me better then anyone. I still feel that Nannie is the only person that has ever, and probably will ever, understand me 100%. She was not only my Grandmother...she was my confidant and truly my best friend. Everyday there is something that makes me think of her. I still live life thinking..."what would Nannie say or think or do about this" When I was picking my wedding gown my Mother said how beautiful it was. I said yeah it is really pretty...but would Nannie have loved it? I was so blessed to be so close to her and I miss her. I know she is watching over us (and probably arranging things to go her way with a chuckle and a grin) and keeping us safe. (Note: unfortunately I don't have any pics of her on my computer other than a scan from a photo album...need to scan more pics!!)



Today is also Gizmo's Birthday. She is my beloved cat and other best friend who is turning 15 (in human years) today. That cat has also been there for me through it all. Good and bad. I realize that not everyone feels the way I do about their animals. But I love animals and mine have always been treated as part of the family. Giz and I have been through so much together and moved around and even gone to college together. She is there when I study and read, never leaves my side when I'm sick and has been there many times just to listen when I need to talk to someone. Never does she interrupt or tell you your feelings are not important. She just sits there purring and looking you straight in the eye while you get it all out. She cuddles with me and makes me laugh quite often. Even at 15 she goes CRAZY for some yarn with a feather on the end. She HATES when I cry and just somehow knows when I need companionship. You always know when Giz wants attention. She gets in your face and hits you w/ her paw until she gets it. When she wants in a room she knows how to bang the door around until you let her in. She is truly a very intelligent cat. It is amazing and has often been remarked on by myself and other family members...how many personality traits she shares with Nannie...I'm sure it has something to do with their Birthday being the same. They both are stubborn and just exude this sense of entitlement. They both are caring and sweet and there when you need them. Like Nannie, Gizmo certainly gets her way and let's everyone know when she's had enough. (Poor little puppy Fionn doesn't get away with anything when Gizmo is around) I love Gizmo very much and she has been a major part of our family now for 15 years. Hopefully I have many more years with my best friend and snuggle buddy. Can't imagine not having her around to bring me kisses and love.

This blog entry has been a good sense of venting for me. I thank anyone who reads it for allowing me to ramble on. Today is a day to cherish these two blessings in my life. So...Happy Birthday Nannie and Gizmo...I love you both!!

New Addictions

In reading My Cousin Colleen's blog I learned about The Nester. I love it! I stayed up late the other night and "back read" everything. I've now read everything that she has posted and clicked on almost all the links! Crazy I know!! Her ideas are so simple and look so great! I am all about reusing things and that is one of the reasons I have so much "junk" (as others frequently call my collections and treasures)! Just waiting to be used for something new in the future. I really relate to her philosophies and agree that you do not have to wait for the "perfect house" to make where you live now a HOME. So often I would find myself saying to Mike "when we have a house..." That is so dumb! I need to make each inch of our apartment (new apartment in 2 weeks and pretty much holding my breath I'm so excited!) comfortable and homey. I pretty much do that now. I hang pictures and put up shelves and have even totally unpacked everything I own in places I was only going to spend a few months. That is how you feel at home in your space. Also, I definitely need reminding that "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful"! Thanks Nester! I am so excited to move and start getting creative with the inspiration and ideas I have gained from The Nester! THANK YOU COLLEEN for sharing that site! Any others??

Through The Nesting Place I found a blog by Eddie Ross!! My fav designer from Top Design Season 2! If you love Martha Stewart you will love him even more! I LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM and his ideas are so brilliant! Perfect mix of modern and country. He is a genius on everything from decorating to baking and entertaining and flower arrangements! Ideas on Flea Markets and Antiquing! Finding a bargain and collecting are definitely things I enjoy! He lives in a charming farmehouse and surrounded by adorable animals! Basically...he's my new hero!! Plus...he's such a cutie!



So, those are my two latest addictions. Amazing where a couple of mouse clicks in a time of boredom can take you! I've also been trying to learn how to better "decorate" my blog, so bare with me as I mess with it. It is hard to stay focused though with these new addictions of mine!!

Check them out! They are both listed as Blogs I Follow. (If I knew how to make words link I would...any help?)

New Year's Eve

So, every year there is a huge bash at Butler's Courtyard. A ton of people come...people of all ages and backgrounds. Some people that we don't even know! It is such a blast, and not only do we get to drink and dance the night away with great friends, but we get to spend it with our family. The more the merrier...and any time anyone wants to ring in the New Year with friends and family just come to Butler's!!

This year Mike and I parked the RV so we wouldn't have to drive home, and people would have a place to crash as needed. Before the party started Mike and Fionn and I got in a few hands of poker. Fionn has a great poker face.




Then, we danced the night away!! It was so fun! We took a ton of crazy pictures. Due to time and sanity...I'm not gonna put any more up on here, but let me know if you want me to send you some.

Belated I know...but I hope 2009 is full of blessings and joy for everyone!

Our First Christmas

Mike and I spent our first Christmas together. He even talked me into putting up Christmas decorations and a tree. The picture below is of us going to Christmas Eve services.


After much anticipation Mike was able to open his gift from me. It was an XBox 360!! He was so thrilled and has been glued to it non stop since then! It was a great gift and a terrible gift...haha...he loves it! He got some other small things too. I got tickets to the Houston Ballet's Nutcracker. We had great seats and it was so awesome. Delicious fancy dinner before and then an awesome time at the show. He also gave me actual Nutcrackers. That is our first tradition together. Mike said every year he will buy me a new Nutcracker. He also bought me some new makeup and a book and a bunch of other things. I LOVED our 1st Christmas together and know I will cherish the memory of it forever.



We spent Christmas Day at my Parent's house with Shawna and Michael (also their 1st Christmas) and PaPa and Oma. Mike made Irish Breakfast which was delicious and we had bought Crackers for everyone to share. You pull the paper and there is a toy, a joke and a paper hat.



Of course...Fionn was the cutest little Reindeer ever!!



I know it is VERY belated...but I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

I am so bad at Blogging!

I really enjoy blogging, but for some reason, I can't keep up with it. I have many entries to catch up on...Christmas, New Year's and our weekend with Savannah. So, here it goes....

Nichole's Baby Shower (Dec 6)

As Best Friend to Nichole and future Other Mother to her daughter (aka Nutter Butter) I had the huge honor of throwing her baby shower. We had it at the Worthington in Ft. Worth which is a very fancy hotel. Mike and I got a big suite (that was way nicer than our apartment!) to host the shower in. It was really fun and all Nichole's gal pals were there. We had 4 pregnant women and they are all 4 having girls! Sophie already gave birth to Gracie...congrats!

Nichole and Chris got some really great stuff...tons of adorable clothes, a high chair, and many many other things from their registries.

We didn't play any games, but I had a table set up with onesies and bibs and socks and tons of craft stuff so everyone could decorate them. It was really fun, and they now have some cute one of a kind outfits to put on the baby. Chris and Mike even got in on the decorating action when they came back to the room. Also, Chris had to model the new diaper bag. Looks good Sip!



Before the shower I was privelaged to go with Nichole to the 3D sonogram apointment. It was SO AWESOME!! below are two pics from that. I was so amazed at the technology and how amazing the detail was. It is almost time for Nutter Butter to come into this world so please keep Nichole and Chris in your prayers for a safe and smooth delivery! The countdown is on!! Her official due date is Feb 8th, but I just know she'll come in January. Stay tuned....

Shawna and Michael Finally Got Married!

Shawna finally became Mrs. Michael "BooBoo" Erminger! After being delayed by Ike the wedding took place at Agave Road in Katy on November 28th. It was a beautiful wedding with lovely decorations and all their friends and family were in attendance.

We didn't get too many pictures, guess we were having too much fun...but a few of my favs that we took are below.

To see the awesome pics that the photographer took:
1. Visit http://www.solarisstudios.com
2. Click on "View Your Wedding"
3. Enter in the following password. 67021wrichardserminger

Congrats to my Baby Sister!

Back in Blogg-Land

So, it has been forever since I've blogged myself and forever since I've read my favorite blogs. I just spent the morning reading all the blogs I missed. Phew, I missed alot! So, why so long since my last blog you say? Well, life has been different for me and I'm still adjusting, I've had an interesting month and 1/2...

I lost my job. It is very sad b/c I loved my job, and I was so spoiled and I loved working w/ my Dad every day and my friends and took my duties very serious. I do that w/ a job/task/responsibility. I throw myself in 100% and take pride in my work. So, I now have no job, which for 2 & 1/2 years has been a major part of my identity. Now what?

So that is one reason I haven't done the blogs as much, I am not staring at a computer all day. Which is probably a good thing.

I also had a surgery that took forever to recover from, then Shawna's wedding, filling in at Butler's here and there and then this week was sick w/ flu or something.

But I'M BACK! Since there is so much to blog about I will get my computer sorted out & pictures organized and come back strong. For now, I'm going w/ Mike all the way into Houston to a grocery store that has his Irish food. Poor fella...

Stay tuned....

Election Day '08

I finally voted! All the hype and all the excitement...now it is over and we just watch CNN and wait.

As I was walking in to vote, and saw all the signs lining the street and sidewalk to the voting location, and all the people out in their t-shirts with hats and buttons and handing out flyers and explaining to voters why the candidate they support (both for local and national election) is the best, I wanted to shout THANK YOU JESUS. I didn't of course, for fear of looking like a lunatic...haha, but I felt it in my heart, and he heard me.

As I've been talking to my friends and peers lately I am saddened by the fact that the awesome privelage and right to vote seems to be lost on so many of them. It is just seen as something "older people" do and "right now I'm not into politics but I'm sure I will be when I'm older". That angers me! It will be too late then.

The Presidents from the past have formed our present and the President elected in the present will form our future, and our children's future. I will not ever tell anyone who to vote for, I believe it is a personal choice. I know it was a hard one for me. When taking the online tests that supposedly tell you who you agree with most, I always land in the middle. I leave it up to my prayers and my gut and even take advice and guidance from my family members (mostly my Dad and Uncle). But the decision is mine and I made it for myself and so should you. The point is, I don't care who you want to vote for, that is up to you, I just want people to vote. I just want somehow to express to my friends and peers how important voting is. "What is one vote" you say...well, ok, so maybe your one vote doesn't make or break an election...maybe...but shouldn't you want to vote just b/c you can?

As I was walking in to vote, all I could think about is how amazing it was to see all those people, of all different ages and races and lifestyles coming to vote...men, women and young adults! What an awesome responsibility and right we have as Americans. I don't think when our military is serving and fighting they are doing so b/c they want Republicans or Democrats to win the vote...they are doing so b/c they want We the People of The United States of America to win the vote.

So, whoever you want to vote for, just vote. It takes no time at all, you are able to take off work and it excercises one of your greatest rights as Americans. If you don't use the right to vote, you lose the right to complain. If you are reading this too late and missed your chance to vote, get registered and pay attention to the world around you and vote in 2012.

I feel great, I feel like I contributed to Democracy today and mostly, I feel extreme joy and gratefulness for the Men and Women who have gone before us and who serve us now to give us our rights as Americans. Sounds cheesy...but man...am I proud to be an American!

Nutter Butter's first picture

Below is a picture of Nichole's baby...aka Nutter Butter. I am so excited to meet her!! (See post below titled Other Mother)

Oh, and the name is being chosen so if anyone has suggestions let me know!




Looks like she is drinking a beer already!! Definitely Nichole's daughter...haha

Dude...Where's My Boat??

I've been wanting to put these pictures up since Ike. This was a problem all around here...these pictures are some we took on the Island of Clear Lake Shores where my parents live...random boats everywhere! On streets, in yards and even up against and crashing into houses! I only imagine after the storm there were alot of...Dude...Where's My Boat? haha

Other Mother

I have been so blessed in my life to be surrounded by strong Christian women. My Nannie, my Mom, my Aunt Verna, my Youth Leader Mel, Cecilia, other friends of my Mom and many other women. I think it has been a true blessing and gift to have these woman as examples and leaders and show me what it means to be a Christian wife and mother.

One woman I would particularly like to mention is Janice. She is my Mom's Best Friend and Business Partner and my OTHER MOTHER. Having someone to turn to no matter what, who loves me unconditionally just as a mother does, and someone that does not judge me or lecture me or ridicule me but just listens to me, let's me vent, and when asked gives me gentle guidance and advice without giving demands and without forcing me into a decision that she wants. She gives pros and cons for both sides and has a way of being supportive of either decision while using her experience and knowledge, and her strength and God's word to guide me into the right choice. As a young lady with a rocky relationship with my mother, it is nice to have someone who is sort of neutral and loves both my Mom and me and can sort of be in both corners and we can stand on her neutral ground.

I have told Janice repeadedly that she is an Angel to me and to my family. I love my Mom and Janice does not replace her. But to have Another Mother to turn to is such an amazing thing. The lifting up, the support, the advice, the love, the friendship, the guidance and example, mixed with the the prayer that she provides - on top of that my own mother does is just amazing! (Janice does alot of other stuff too that will remain between us!! HAHA)

So...where is this reflection on my relationship with my Other Mother? We found out Wednesday that my Best Friend and Soul Mate, Nichole, is having a baby girl!! I can't wait to be someone's Other Mother!

I have something to say to my Nutter Butter (that is her nickname already)...I will ALWAYS be there for you no matter what and I hope that our relationship is strong and good and you will know that I love you like my own and that I am here in times when you feel you can't turn to your Mom, when you feel you need Another Mother...I am here and I love you already and I am so excited for you to join our friendship and our family! It has already been a blessing for me to be part of your tiny little pre-birth life, and I can not WAIT to watch you grow into the intelligent, beautiful, strong, loving Christian woman I know you will be. You have already blessed with an awesome Mother and hopefully I can live up to the high standards Janice has set and be an awesome Other Mother! I hope I am as much a gift from God to you as you and your Mom and My Other Mother Janice are to me!!