Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve! We always go to the Candlelight Service at church at 4:30. It was special this year because our family got to light the advent wreath. Cedric read the text and I did the lighting of the candle, of course I almost knocked the entire wreath off! For those of you that know, I have a bad history when it comes to acolyting! After the service, we headed down to visit with Mamaw Dot. After that, we hit Aunt Janie's for snacks and presents. Everyone got too much as usual! We always go back to mom and dad's last. Dad reads the Christmas scripture out of the Bible and then we all recite The Night Before Christmas (Gaby knew a lot of the words this year!). We have done this tradition for as long as I can remember and it is SO special to me. I just love it and I look forward to it every year. We always seem so snug, safe, and secure when we are all together on Christmas Eve. I love Christmas Eve even more than Christmas Day! Back at home we settled into our pajamas to watch the Christmas Story marathon and hoped that Gaby would settle down...Yeah right! He was still awake after midnight. Around 1:00 he konked out and we were up at 6 a.m. to begin the Christmas Day festivities!!!!!

New Year's Eve

I am finally getting around to doing a new blog, I know, I suck! I have been off all week and just getting things done around the house. All the Christmas decorations are down and put away, except for the tree, which I am going to tackle tomorrow. We got the 2nd mattress for Gabriel's John Deere room, so it is all ready now! I have been working on getting things ready for his birthday party, which is only a little over a week away. I cannot believe he is turning 2 already!!!

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas! We are blessed to have such special families and friends that we shared our holiday with and I promise to post pics soon, I am working on organizing them. Gabriel's favorite gift from Santa has to be his new big boy bike. It is a real bike with training wheels and he has already mastered it!! He loves it!!!!

Happy New Year to all! I will be spending this New Year's Eve at home with Gaby, Ceddy, MeMe and Rocky and I am really looking forward to it!!!!! When I think back to bringing in the New Year in 2000, it was spent very very differently in Boone with my 3 favorite gals...but that will have to wait for another blog :)

Merry Christmas from The Moores!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

Vacation!

As of 5:30 today, I am officially on vacation!!!! The presents are all bought, wrapped, and bowed...the majority of the cooking is done! Just used my new perfect brownie maker from Meme, it worked great!!!!!! Amaya and I finished icing the cookies for Santa and the peanut butter fudge is ready for Uncle Zach! I am watching Christmas movies with the family and working on a bottle of wine with Ceddy! I love this time of the year, especially Christmas eve! I just love the anticipation of Christmas morning!

Dexter

This Monday I got some really bad news from my friend Maryellen. When I got home, I had a message from her to call ASAP, which I knew must mean some sort of bad news. She let me know that one of our former students had passed away. He collapsed in gym at school on Monday and was in the 8th grade. I had him for speech in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade, and he was probably my all-time favorite student. He could bring a smile to my face like no other. He was not the smartest cookie out there, but if you could earn an A for effort, he would have made the A Honor Roll every 9 weeks. He was very good at fixing things and putting things together, and he always helped me out with things like that. I remember once on a Friday ( I had him right at the end of the day) he told me he wished he could come home with me for the weekend. If I could have, I would have taken him, which tells you just how much I liked this kiddo. Cedric got to meet him several times, and they always talked football, for Dexter loved to play football and was pretty darn good at it. We have always talked about him over the years since we moved back here because we think that De'Angelo Williams (the Panthers running back) looks just like a grown-up version of Dexter.

When things like this happen, I really don't know how to make sense of them. Dexter had a hole in his heart that was diagnosed after I taught him, but apparently he had been cleared by the docs to participate in gym class. I truly believe that Dexter was an angel here on earth and I guess the Lord just needed him for something bigger up in Heaven. I had planned on attending his memorial this afternoon, but due to the bad weather (it is already sleeting here and is calling for snow) I will not be able to make it. Dexter, you really made an impression on me and the rest of those who came into contact with you. Your adorable, smiling face will be missed by all who had the privelege of knowing you.

Computers Make Me Crazy!!

Wow, I just got finished hooking up a docking station, big monitor, and monitor stand with my laptop! It took me at least 2 hours and I almost threw my laptop at the wall several times! But it is hooked up now and appears to be working and I must admit, it is nice to look at a big monitor and have a regular keyboard and mouse to work with!! But seriously, why is it all so complicated????????? Oh and I also now have a webcam so if any of you guys are on SKYPE, find me!!!! It is going to be great to communicate by video with friends and family that are far away (think Boston, Vermont, Texas, and even Bunn, which is not that far away but it will be nice to see Baby Tyson live whenever I want)!!! Brianne I know you are already skyping, we need to hook up this week. And Cynthia, go to Wal Mart and get a webcam, they are $18 or so. And Laura, I know you already have a webcam, you just need to go to Skype.com and download! Love and miss you guys!!!!

Tis The Season!

First, let me just say that I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR! The holidays just make me happy, period. I love Christmas lights, Christmas music, Christmas coffee creamer (my personal favorite is peppermint mocha), Christmas shopping, Christmas scented candles, decorating, wrapping presents...ok, do you get the point?? I definitely get swept up in all the Christmas hype, but as a parent, I want to do my best to make sure that Gabriel knows the true meaning of Christmas. We have been reading a book about the birth of baby Jesus and also I have been talking with him about the nativitys that we have at our house. We are planning on going to a live nativity in our town. We did several boxes for Operation Shoebox and I talked with him about them being for little boys that didn't have many toys. Also this year, we will be lighting the advent wreath at church on Christmas Eve. Anyone got any other ideas??

Mooresville Christmas Parade 2009

This year, we took Gaby to his first Mooresville Christmas parade! MeMe went with us and we all had a blast! I think MeMe and I had just as much fun(or more!) than Gabriel did! We had a great spot to watch from, which was near the beginning of the parade. MeMe bought Gaby an awesome blow-up Rudolph, he loves it and now tries to ride it at our house!! My favorite part of the parade were the Clydesdale horses, which were right before Santa at the end of the parade. I have seen them before on TV (think Budweiser commercials!), but never in real life. They were HUGE and absolutely gorgeous! Gabriel liked the bands and music and of course he was excited to see Santa. He cracked me up because he just HAD to sit on the ground beside two girls who were probably 6 or 7. He is already a big flirt!!! I think we have started a new tradition and I look forward to going back next year!!!!!

So Thankful!

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving! I know that I have so much to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for my special family, for all my wonderful friends near and far (think Bunn, Texas and Vermont!), for my cool new job, for Cedric being back in school to become a nurse, for little Luke getting a new heart on Halloween, and for having a house, food, clothing and all the things that we take for granted everyday. This has been a special year, watching Gabriel grow from a little baby to a rambunctious little man is a joy everyday. Not a day goes by that Cedric and I don't look at him doing something outrageous, then look at each other and smile. Wow, I am so thankful that God decided to make me a mom!

I hope the year to come is filled with happiness, good health, and good fortune for everyone. Please take time to enjoy each other today, we all truly are so lucky and we need to slow down and just enjoy it today!

Where's Big Bird?

Holiday Fun

Well, our tree is up and I am definitely in the Christmas spirit! Tomorrow is a big day! I have going to Gabriel's Thanksgiving Feast at his school for lunch, then we are meeting up with MeMe (aka Melissa) to hit the Christmas parade in downtown Mooresville. It has been YEARS since I have been (probably 6th grade, maybe middle school) and I am so excited to take Gabriel. Growing up, we went every year, then went to my Aunt Laura's to help decorate her famous sugar cookies for Thanksgiving. So much fun! Now I get to begin a tradition with him! Ceddy may meet us there, depending on when he finishes up with his class and also the traffic.

Wednesday, I will be busy cooking for Thanksgiving and maybe doing a little Christmas wrapping! On Thursday, we will have lunch at my Grandma Dot's, then head to Kings Mountain to see Cedric's family. Then we hope to stop by my Aunt Janie's that evening. We need to get to bed early because Friday is one of my favorite days of the year, BLACK FRIDAY! Mom and I have gone shopping on this day for as long as I can remember. We used to go to Charlotte back when I was in elementary school, but now we go to Hickory. Cedric will be going with us this year, this is his first year of not having to work at the DARN Mat Firm the day
after Thanksgiving, YIPEE!!!! I can't wait for him to see the madness!

Saturday, I will do the rest of the decorating around our house, right now we just have the tree up. Then Sunday, we always get together to decorate the tree at mom and dads! I just love this time of year! Looking at the Christmas tree all lit up seriously makes me HAPPY! OOH, one more bit of excitement...The Cedric Moore family will be lighting the advent wreath this year at the Christmas Eve service at church. I have never done this before and am really honored. Dad and Zach are predicting that I trip and fall when walking up to the wreath, which is up the stairs at the front of our church. To be fair to them, I do have a history of tripping at big moments. I fell down the steps several times while acolyting in church as a kid, and also tripped going UP the stairs at my high school graduation :) Hopefully I will be able to not get injured this Christmas Eve!

I'm The Mother Flippin'

This is HILARIOUS! The guy with the bandana and red shirt is my friend's nephew! LOVE THIS!!!!!

Rappers with beard from Miramax on Vimeo.

Nap

Wow! I just woke up from an afternoon nap with Gaby and man, was I sleeping good or what? It is the kind of sleep where when you wake up you have no clue where you are or what day it is...The phone woke me up, but he is still konked out! I guess I was worn out from my long day of work yesterday...I left the house at 5:00 a.m. to head up to Haywood County in the mountains to do an all day training event at the hospital and I didn't get home until 8:00 pm. I tried to watch UNC play last night, but I fell asleep probably before halftime! The traning went great, it is a part of my job that I really, really enjoy. We go into hospitals and train the people that work in labor/delivery on using our computer software program for entering the data from their newborn hearing screens. It is always fun to meet all the nurses and see the different birthing facilities. Plus, you know I love to talk and this is all I do, all day long, it is right up my alley!

Today I took Gaby for a haircut with Jenny, that boy LOVES to get his haircut. He sits there all serious, it just cracks me up. It is one of the only times that he sits still! Then we headed over to Mooresville to do a little shopping. I was looking for some jeans for him. We have a time fitting him for pants. He needs the length of 24 M, but he is too darn skinny for them (must be nice). In the clothes section of Ross, what did we find but a Cookie Monster jogging suit? I am not a big fan of character clothing, but he LOVES C. Monster and it was only $7.99, so it came home with us. As soon as we got home, he had to try it on and go check himself out in the mirror, he is full of himself! We also bought Ceddy's Christmas gift from Gabriel. Gabriel helped pick it out, it was very cute! Tonight, I am planning on hanging at the house and watching the Heels play. Tomorrow, we are putting up our tree and then I am hitting the new Twilight movie with Mease at 7:00, can't wait! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!!

How Pumpkin Pies Are Made!!!

A friend from work sent me this and I thought it was hilarious! Enjoy!!

Gabriel Meets Santa

So Gabriel has been talking for several weeks, so we decided to take him to BASS Pro Shop, where they do the picture for FREE!!!! Needless to say, he was a little scared of Santa and would not sit on his lap. He stood close to him, told him what he wanted (a bike), and then backed away. Of course Santa patted his knee for me to sit on, and I could not turn him down :) Gaby then sat on my lap and hurray, they got a pretty good shot of us! I highly recommend going there to see Santa. Not only is it free, but they have a great decorated area, complete with Santa's workshop, big reindeer, lots of Christmas trees and lights, and lots of fun free things to do. Cedric and Gaby both loved the remote control monster truck! Plus they were giving out free samples of yummy fudge.

Speaking of fudge, I had a bad food weekend. It started off with queso and chips at Chili's at Concord Mills. Once you break bad, it just goes downhill from there. But I recommitted today and plan on going strong until Thanksgiving Day, when I am going to eat whatever the heck I want (hopefully sweet potato casserole made by Aunt Carol, hint hint!) But I will get right back on it on that Friday, no eating the good stuff for the whole weekend. Man it is hard as hell to lose weight. I just wish I could be one of those people who can eat what they want and stay skinny. I gotta tell ya, I really do like to eat (and drink yummy beer)! Speaking of beer, here is a good holiday one to try. Harpoon's Winter Warmer. It is a yummy ale, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg and it has cute red, green, and white labels. Zach and I have decided to become beer conisseurs (spelling?)...Our first batch of home brew is now ready to be chilled and we hope to crack into it this weekend.

Gabriel's Christmas Portraits

Picked up Gaby's pics today, I think they turned out pretty darn cute! We are definitely getting into the Christmas spirit around here. Gaby and I love Christmas tunes, Cedric pretends to think we are nuts, but I think he secretly likes them too! We are hoping to take Gaby to Bass Pro Shop to get a picture with Santa, they do them for FREE there!!!! And I plan on putting up the tree on Sunday or Monday if I can figure out a way to con Ceddy into helping me :) We had plans to travel to see Laura, Travis and Tyson for the UNC/Miami game this weekend. Sadly, Cedric's cousin Shirley passed away after a long battle with cancer, and we will be attending her service on Saturday. Please keep Cedric's family in your prayers, Shirley was a very sweet mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed. Hope we can reschedule a visit with The Smiths, we miss them!!!

Please, please let the weather clear up for the weekend, this rain is so GLOOMY! We did have a fun Veteran's Day off yesterday though, despite the rain. I had planned to send Gaby to school and clean up this house, but he was just so cute and snuggly when I woke him up that I just HAD to keep him home with me! I didn't get a lot of cleaning done, but who really cares! We went over to Mooresville with mom, dad, and Zach and hit Lowe's and Target (two of my favorite places), then drew names for Christmas at Aunt Janies, put the pink/white tree up at mom' s house, then went out to eat last night at Stacey's with the family. Very good day! Thank you to all our Veterans for all your bravery and for keeping us safe!!!!

NO MORE HAPPY HOLIDAYS BULLCRAP, IT IS MERRY CHRISTMAS!

UNC HOMECOMING 2009

Halloween 2009

We had a great Halloween! We started off on Friday in full costume for the Costume Parade at Gaby's school. Saturday, we all got dressed up again and headed out for trick-or-treating. We hit Nonnie and Dwight's, Aunt Janie's, Mamaw Dot's, the Anthony's, and then Mitchell and Rita's, before heading over to Grammy and Papaws for the Halloween party. Even though it rained and we did not get to build the bonfire, we had a blast. Lots of good food, fun, and laughter. We also got some great news on Halloween, Baby Luke found out he was getting a new heart! The surgery was completed early Sunday morning and he is on the road to recovery!

Sunday, we went to church for a special All Saints Day. It was a very special day for our family because Pete was honored. We miss you Petester!!!! Please keep Melissa and the rest of her family in your prayers over the next few months, the holidays are going to be tough without the presence of Pete, but we know he is somewhere looking down on all of us and smiling! I am sure he has been cussing Jake Go Home (aka Delhomme!)this football season and will be cheering for the Tarheels as baseketball season begins! After church, Ceddy and I did a little Christmas shopping and then we headed over to Zach's house to bottle up the beer we have been brewing. Zach got a beer kit for his birthday and we have made the first batch, Oktoberfest with added cinnamon and brown sugar. It will be ready for chilling in 2 weeks and we can't wait to try it!!!!

Yesterday, we took Gabriel to get his Christmas portrait done, and we broke out the Christmas music. Cedric thinks I am crazy, but I don't care! I LOVE this time of year! I love the sights, smells, and sounds of the Christmas season! Gabriel is talking about going to sit on Santa's lap and I cannot wait to take him!!!!!

Nothing Like Some T and A !!!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2009!!!!

Halloween 2008

Wow! My baby has grown up so much in one year!!!!

TOO DARN CUTE!

Gaby and "my big ole' pirate" in our dining room, he loves this thing!!!!

Notice how he has one pacy in his mouth and another in his hand! We have him down to using only at night time and during naps...Let me tell ya, he LOVES his pacy!!!!

I know I am an SLP and he should probably be done with this thing by now and blah, blah, blah, but I would rather him have it than suck his thumb!

Old Pics

I was going through a box of old pictures looking for something today, and I thought you guys would enjoy seeing these...Most are from college and grad school, a few from my wedding (and my friends')...I love seeing all our different hair styles!!!

Monster in My Pants

Ok, I have been singing this song the last few weeks, and I finally found it on utube...No clue why I know this song, the guy is from the B-52s....I am just glad I found it, I was beginning to think I was making it up! It is HILARIOUS!!!!

Fall Fun

I love fall and we have just had so much fun this weekend. We hit the Bandys/Maiden game on Friday night and tailgated for awhile...As soon as we got in the game, it started raining though, so we had to leave...Gabriel and I could not survive the rain. I am sure Cedric would have stayed had we not been there, but he was sweet and took us home. Bandys did win though!

Last night, we went over to Robin's for an awesome pumpkin carving party. At the last minute, we decided to go in costume, so I got another chance to wear my pirate outfit...Funny story about my costume...I dressed as a pirate several years ago for an adult party. Pulled out this costume several weeks ago just to make sure it was still ok for this year....It wasn't! My how things have changed in a few years. This outfit looked like a pirate slut! If I moved at all you would be seeing my butt! No way would I take my little boy out trick or treating in that get-up! I guess being a mommy has changed me a little :) So I threw together some things I had with my pirate accessories for the modified pirate outfit, I think it turned out cute and will be much warmer than the little pirate dress. Man, I didn't remember it being trashy but I guess my perception has changed!!!!

Cedric wore part of his costume and is going to have on the full pirate ensemble on Halloween. We had a blast last night, just hanging out and enjoying some fun with our family and friends. Cedric carved an awesome monster pumpkin and the Mark Sigmon family brought an awesome "Luke" pumpkin!!! Today, we are having lunch at my mom and dad's, then probably a little football,then a birthday party for Trevor at Nonnie and Dwight's house. A fun weekend and looking foward to heading to Chapel Hill on Thursday for the UNC/FSU game!!!!

Birthday Party for Rocky and Scout!

Cleveland County Fair Pics!

Fridays

I have to tell you, I think Fridays may just be my MOST favorite day of the week now. I work 4 day weeks with my job, so I am off every Friday. I love it! Gabriel is home with me on Fridays, and this is our special time to just do whatever. When he wakes up, we read stories together in bed in our PJs, he usually helps me do a few loads of laundry, maybe we go get some groceries, we usually go to Harris Teeter so he can ride the mechanical dragon, just whatever we want to do, we do it. I feel so fortunate to be able to be at home with him more. I feel like this one day of the week that I am a stay-at-home momma, which I always thought I would love to be. I think I have the best of both worlds now...I am really lucky to have the job that I do, and it really just fell into my lap. Thank goodness for Farren, the previous school nurse at Shuford, who told me about this job about a year ago! I knew I was not too happy doing what I was doing, but I don't think I realized just how unhappy I was until I began doing a job that I LOVE! Working out of your home is a wonderful thing and I feel so lucky that I have the oppotunity to be doing it.

Everyday I do something different. I may travel to a hospital for a training, go to a health department to do some hearing screenings on little cute babies, or it may be an office day where I am on the phones and doing paperwork all day. Each day is something new and I feel like my week just flies by. I have 22 counties to cover and 19 hospitals, so I have a lot of different great people that I interact with. I do think that at some point I may miss working with kids, but honestly, I don't right now, especially since I've got my own little monster here at home! It really is my dream job and I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on it and to thank God for answering my prayers on this one.

For Zach!

Pumpkins and Mums!

We went yesterday (and back this morning for more) to our favorite produce stand to stock up on pumpkins and mums for our yard. We decorated this morning and I think it looks great! I love fall! Tonight we are headed to the Cleveland County Fair with Cedric's family, I can't wait. I love a good fair!!!!!

Fall Fun

Cynthia and Jody came home with Mackenzie on Sunday. Haven't talked to Cynthia since Saturday, but they were doing great. Guess they enjoyed their first MNF last night at home, our poor, poor Panthers!

Weigh in tonight, nervous as usual. Although I have not went over my weekly allowance in points, I have eaten more this week and I just hope I haven't gained!!!!

We are planning on going to the Bandys/Newton game on Friday with Mease, then hitting the Cleveland County Fair with Ceddy's family on Saturday, fun!!!!

Loving this chilly weather, getting ready to break out a hooded sweatshirt, my favorite item of clothing in the whole world!!!! Have been enjoying my pumpkin creamer in the mornings, thanks again Aunt Carol!

Big meeting tomorrow in Greensboro for work, I will finally get to meet the rest of my department in person, gotta love these travel restrictions!

My daddy got me a HUGE 4 ft. statue of Captain Morgan!!!! I will post a pic as soon as I take one, it is in the garage at mom and dads, we have to move it here. It is going into the dining room for now and will eventually reside on my covered back porch when we finally build our house! It is awesome and Gabriel keeps saying "big pirate!"....THANK YOU DADDY, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Updates

Cynthia is in labor as as I type this! Hopefully Mackenzie will make her arrival sometime today! I was really hoping for tomorrow, so she could share Zach's birthday, but I guess it is all up to her now!!!!!

I have lost 15 pounds now on WW, but I still have a LONG way to go to make goal. But hey, 15 pounds is a good start and I am starting to get back into some pants that I have not worn since before I was pregnant with Gabriel.

We have our costumes for Halloween ready...big hint, swords, eye patches, and of course rum for me!!!! Cedric has a t-shirt that goes along with the theme, that was all I could talk him into as of yet....

Celebrating with the family tomorrow night for Zach's birthday...not sure where we are going yet, but I am ready for a good meal. Saturday we have a party at Cedric's brother's house and I am hoping we can hit the fall festival at Murray's Mill in the morning before we head to Kings Mountain.

I got new glasses, they are brown and very cute! I will post a pic later, I feel smart when I wear them!!! I really like them and have ordered some more from this online site where you can get them for really cheap! Hopefully these pairs will arrive in the mail soon! I got a red pair, a black pair, and some sunglasses all for $50! What a bargain!!!

Fall Pics at Murray's Mill

These were done by Katie Houser several weeks ago at Murrays Mill, and I just LOVE them! See kthphotography.smugmug.com for more info!

Where has the time gone????

I cannot believe Labor Day 2009 has come and gone.... Gabriel is closer to 2 than 1, and I just started planning his 2nd birthday party...it seems like yesterday that we were celebrating his first birthday....this year has just flown by and I want things to just slow down a bit. We are always so busy, busy, busy that sometimes I feel like we just need to slow down and take some time to enjoy each other a little more, does anyone else feel this way????

We just got back from a wonderful weekend at the beach with mom and dad! Thanks for such a fun-filled trip!!

Tomorrow it is back to school for Cedric and Gaby and back to work for me...plus an eye doc appt., hair cut/color (something fallish I am thinking), then a WW weigh in at 6. See what I mean about busy??

Planning a doggie birthday party for Rocky and Scout with Measer!!! Can't wait!!!

Excited about the fall festival at Gabriel's school on Saturday, he will get to ride a pony, but insists that he wants to ride a bull and a "mo mo" (aka motorcycle)...thanks Papaw :). Hope the poundcake I am making for the cake walk will be as good as the ones that mom makes :)

Can't wait for the start of NFL football, but wish the Panthers had a new quarterback...

Have a good start on my Christmas shopping.....want to get done early this year so I can relax and enjoy the holidays this year (yeah right!)!

Can't believe Cynthia will really be a mama in less than 1 month!!!! So excited for C, J, and Romeo, who will be such a sweet big brother!!!!

Trashy TV!

Cedric and I have this ongoing debate about the TV shows I choose to watch....now, I don't try to get him to watch these shows with me, I watch them in the morning when noone else is up yet or during my lunch break during the day when noone else is home...The main shows are the Housewive series (NY, Orange Co, and currently Atlanta)....and I also LOVE Tori and Dean (which just finished up for the year), which he finds ridiculous....He just doesn't understand why I like to watch these shows...But my good pal Maryellen offered a good reason and I think this could be it....We (us busy, stressed, overworked, and overwhelmed women) watch these shows for exactly the same reason men do not understand why we watch them...because they are mindless and so NOT like our real lives! No, I really don't have anything in common with these housewives, but that is just the point! We can watch them and just escape for an hour or so, which is what we need occassionally!!! We can watch them spend tons of money on accessories, clothes, etc. and spend tons of time at the salon drinking wine and getting their nails done (something I don't have the time or money to do!)... I don't want to watch some boring historical show or how-to-make it show like Cedric watches....I don't want to have to pay too close attention or learn some useless facts about animals, machines, etc....I have enough on my mind as it is! I want to sit back with a glass of wine, coffee, or whatever and just watch some mindless show where I do not have to use up ANY of my brainpower because I hardly have enough as it is!!!!!!!

So boys, leave us alone and let us have our 1 hour of peace, quiet, and Housewives every now and then!

This and That

* Just saw that Greg Paulus is going to be the starting quarterback at Syracuse this year! Yuck!

* Cedric has orientation tomorrow and Thursday then classes start next week!

* I have my 3rd WW weigh-in tonight, so far I have lost 6 pounds and hope to have lost at least 1 more this past week...I get very nervous before our meeting and feel like I am on the show "the biggest loser"!!!!

* I am officially ready for fall! Bring on football, pumpkins, and yummy apple cider scented candles! Oh and bring-on tailgating, one of my favorite fall pastimes!!

Gabriel's New Room

We have finally finished Gabriel's new bedroom, it has taken us nearly all summer, but it is done and it looks great! The only thing we are waiting on is the rug, which has been ordered and is on its way!!!! Oh, and we have to get a mattress for the top bunk, but it might be awhile on that one, since there is no way I want Gabriel getting up there. And of course he will want to get up there, because he is a crazy daredevil! I don't think Gabriel is going to sleep in this room anytime soon, but it will be a place for him to hang out and play in. And who knows, he may even want to sleep there sometime...

Beach Trip 2009

18 months

Wow, Gabriel is 18 months old today, officially a year and a half old and I cannot believe it. My how things have changed since January 10th, 2008. He is walking, actually running most of the time, feeding himself, peeing in the potty some,singing, dancing and talking in 2-3 word phrases. He can even count to 5 and say the ABC songs! He is a little man, not a baby anymore. I do miss when he was so small and cuddly, but I must admit, he is a lot more fun now. Easier in some ways, more work in others (he is NEVER still) but I really am enjoying him a lot at this age. Happy 18 Months Sweet Baby Boy!

We took him for a check up today, he now weighs in at 27 pounds (Rocky still has him beat by a few pounds) and he was almost 34 inches long. He head is in the greater than 97 percentile! All in all, he is a very healthy and happy little boy.

We are busy packing things up around here, we leave for a week at the beach in the morning, yippee!!!!

My Gaby

He will be 18 months old on July 10th....my how time flies when you are a mama!

Ready for the Holiday!

I am very ready for the holiday weekend! We are hitting the pool at Peggy's tomorrow with Measer, then will be going to Grandma Dot's for a big cookout at the lake for lunch on Saturday. After that, we will hit the pool at Uncle Mark's for another big cook-out, then back to Grandma Dot's to watch the fireworks that night. Busy, busy day but should be a TON of fun!

Last Friday, we took Gabriel to Kool Park Pool, which is a place I used to go to as a kid. It is a huge pool (bigger than a football field) and a large portion of it is only 18 inches deep, and Gabried LOVED it. It also has a water slide and we must have went down it 20 times. There are tons of picnic tables that are shaded and you can bring in your own coolers, floats, etc. The only rules are no alcohol and no glass. It was so much fun and we are planning on going again sometime this summer.

I did a knitting class Tuesday at the library. It was for beginners, so I didn't really learn anything new, but the lady that taught the class is very experienced and is planning on doing more classes, so I am hoping to go back and learn more. I used to knit a lot (thanks Maryellen for teaching me!) but all I really made was scarves and 2 ponchos and I really want to do more. I would love to make a big cozy blanket for my house to keep on the sofa.

Happy Daddy's Day

A very Happy Father's Day to my hubby, my daddy, and my brother...You are all three amazing dads and I love you very much! I hope you have a great, relaxing day!

Slacker

I know I have been kind of a slacker lately on my blog...not sure why really....We had a super busy weekend and then I had 2 really busy days at work, and before you know it, over a week has passed without a blog. But I have been ready everybody else's :)

Our busy weekend was great! It started out in Raleigh Friday night for Hamilton and Shawnda's wedding...It was fun to see some of our old friends from Raleigh and we even got to spend some time with my cousin Dana and her sweetie Mike. Cedric sounded great on both of the songs that he sang of course! We had a fun time at the wedding then headed out to a local drafthouse to have a little more fun! Ceddy and I were back on the road by 11 on Saturday and we headed to my FAVORITE restaurant for lunch, the Royal China Buffet, which has an amazing sushi bar. Guess What? IT IS CLOSED!!!!!!!!!! Talk about disappointed. Noone ever wants to go there with me because the chinese food really isn't that good. Cedric agrees to it and then the damn place is closed. They had a sign up, they had fell behind on their lease. Blame it on the darn economy, just like everything else. Here are a few pics from wedding #1:




We got back just in time on Saturday for wedding number 2, by cousin Derrick and Danielle's wedding. The reception was a lot of fun, Gabriel had a ball dancing, blowing bubbles and just being crazy with "Bock-Bock", whom all kids just adore (my Uncle Block, aka Marshall). Here are a few pics:







Sunday was big event # 3, the baby shower for Cynthia, Jody, and Baby Girl Mackenzie! Gosh, it was so good to see Cynthia and Jody, who now live in Texas. I really miss them so much. Laura, Miss Rhonda, and adorable Tyson made the trip and Measer was there too (aka- "MeMe" by Gabriel). We had a great time hanging out and Cedric and I stayed until 7 or so. We sent Gabriel on home with mom to head to a graduation party for my cousin Katherine. Monday night, Cynthia and Jody got to come hang out with us again. I did not want them to leave :( When they did, I really almost cried and couldn't even say goodbye properly. It is hard having Cynthia so far away. We have been friends for over 20 years now. Man I feel old just typing that! But Laura and I are just hoping maybe someday they will move back to the state of NC. It is hard for me, with all my close friends far away. It's like I don't feel like trying to make new friends because I like the friends I have, and we have such HISTORY together, but they are just too far away to hang out. Laura is the closest in Bunn and we manage to see each other every couple of months or so. I need to branch out around here I guess but I just don't feel like it. Mease, it reminds me of what you said about hating dating, I feel like I hate making new friends! Does that make sense to anyone????????

Anyways, here are some pics from the shower:






What else? I just finished Week 3 of the running challenge. Week 4 is going to be tough! My iPod Touch is screwed up. It works ok if you turn the wireless off but if the wireless is on, it doesn't work and keeps shorting out. Gotta take it to the Apple store I guess, thank goodness it is still under warranty. Gaby's bedroom is looking good, Cedric has started painting. I will post pics when the painting is complete. Hope everyone has a great Father's Day Weekend!

Summertime Fun

We have been busy this summer so far, but having lots of fun!
Still doing the Couch Potato to 5K Challenge, getting ready to start Week 3!
We have 2 weddings and a baby shower this weekend and are headed to Raleigh tomorrow night for the first wedding, Cedric is singing in it :)
Enjoy the new pics!

RAIN RAIN, GO AWAY

Here is a random assortment of things going on....

This is my first Friday off and man, I am LOVING it! 4 day weeks rock!

Ok, I was not able to run last night because it rained...and when I say rained, I mean it really rained HARD. Woke up this morning to guess what??? More pouring down rain. This is the kind of rain where in college, you just skipped class and stayed home, unless you had an exam.....You would get soaked walking around campus....I had to go to Morganton this morning in the rain to pick up a file cabinet for my office. Lots of fun. I got DRENCHED just going into the building from my car and I had a hooded rain jacket on. I am hoping the rain will stop sometime this afternoon or evening. I really want to do my first workout of week 2.

Gabriel peed once in the potty on Wednesday, then he did it 2 times yesterday! I am going to buy some pull-ups or something this weekend! I am so proud of him. I think he likes to go in the toilet so he can flush....The last time he flushed, he said "bye pee-pee" in his sweet little boy voice, just about made me cry :)
I love being a mommy more than anything in the world :)

I am listening to "The Secret Life of Bees" on tape when I travel and it is GREAT! I want to drive places so I can listen to more. If you have not read this, I HIGHLY recommend it. I am also reading "Stori Telling" by Tori Spelling and I must confess, I am loving this one too :) I don't know why, but I really do like her. Must be because she loves her doggies so much :)

I am having lunch with Mease today at the Prickly Pear, this Mexican place we have both been dying to try, I am so excited! Then I am stopping by Wally World to pick up Gabriel's new John Deere bedding which has arrived. You gotta love Site to Store free shipping. The store does irritate me at times, but man, you can get ANYTHING there, especially from their web-site. I could not believe they had the bedding I wanted!

Not too much going on this weekend, we will probably just continue to work on the projects around here, fixing up the new bedroom for Gaby and maybe doing some work on the back porch if it ever stops raining. Next weekend, we have 2 weddings and a baby shower for Cynthia, who is coming in town from Texas!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to see her! Plus, Laura and Miss Rhonda (her mom) are coming into town for it too, so we will have a 3 season reunion (all we need is our spring season, Brianne)....

For those of you who are wondering what the heck I am talking about...my 3 best friends and I call ourselves the "Four Seasons". We dressed up like them at Halloween one year in college and Laura and I have never let it die, we drive Cynthia and Brianne crazy I think, we just love a THEME! Our theme song is James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend" which says "winter, spring, summer or fall....all you gotta do is call, and I'll be there..." You get the point! We also have these Willow Tree angels, all of us have all four of them, there is one for each season. I am winter, Brianne is spring, Cynthia summer, and Laura is Fall (remember this susan???? --"she lost her pumpkin, but she FOUND her pumpkin!!!!"). We have charms on our silver charm bracelets, mine is a snowflake... I will try and see if I can round up a picture of our Halloween costumes to put on here, they were awesome! Laura and I drink this wine that has the four seasons on it and we are always looking for season-themed stuff to give each other. We have even talked about getting a Tarheel foot tattoo that has our season symbol in the heel part..we still haven't convinced Brianne of this though, I think once she said she would do it when we turned fifty...That is only 19 more years Brianne and you know I won't forget it :)

Wow, all this talk about the seasons has really made me miss my girls. I am glad I will be seeing all 3 of them sometime this summer :) I love you guys!

BIG BOY!

My baby boy peed in the toilet last night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It almost made me cry though, man he is growing up so fast!

Day 3 of the run challenge went great last night...Tomorrow I will be making it harder, running for 90 seconds and walking for 2 minutes....

Day 2

I survived Day 2 of my running challenge, it was actually easier than Day 1, because I did it around 8:00 last night so it was not as hot (I did it at noon the last time and it was just miserably hot and humid)....Day 3 is tomorrow, then on Thursday I will be bumping it up a notch!

Lazy 5 Ranch

We hit the Lazy 5 Ranch yesterday with some of Gabriel's daycare buddies and we had a blast! I think I may have enjoyed it even more than Gabriel did! His favorite part was seeing a tractor of course (his obsession right now!).... We rode a big horse-drawn wagon all over the ranch and the animals would just come right up to the side of it and eat right out of your hands! Of course Cedric would not feed the animals but of course I did. Then they have a huge picnic and playground area and we had lunch and let all the kids play..Great place and only $7.50 a person when you had a group of 15 or more. You could spend a good portion of a day there. Definitely will be going back soon. Here are some pics of our trip:



Speaking of the tractor thing....Cedric and I hit Lowe's last night to pick up paint....Acorn squash and bell pepper.....Looks like John Deere Green and Gold....We are re-doing one of the bedrooms (which is currently serving as our "closet room" to fix Gabriel up a "big boy" room! I have ordered John Deere bedding for his bunk beds and they should be in pretty soon.

This evening will be day 2 for me of the Couch Potato Challenge!!!!

We are headed to church and then plan to spend the afternoon outside....mom and dad got some new things for the kiddies to play with, a sand/water table and a BIG plastic pool. Gabriel hit the pool yesterday and I have a feeling he will end up there again today, I LOVE SUMMER!!!!!!!!

Couch Potato to 5K Part Two!

OK, I accepted Maryellen's challenge to join her in her new running regime.....For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, check her blog out "TBG Happenings" to see what I am talking about! This is a program you do over the course of 9 weeks. It is 3 workouts per week. The first week, you do a 5 minute walking warm up, then you alternate between 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes. The amount of running increases over the course of 9 weeks and by the end of it, you are running a 5 K (a little over 3 miles).... I did the first workout today and I agree with Maryellen, I was tired and sweaty at the end of it! I am excited about this because I have dabbled a little with running before and have done a 5K before, but it is just something that I have never really stuck with... I like the fact that this is all laid out for you and you can just check off the workouts as you complete them (I am a planner and love anything that is organized!)....Stay tuned to see how this works out for me!

OOH, I forgot to mention that I ran today to music from the Rocky movies, man, that really pumps me up!!!!!

New Pictures

Here are some pictures from a recent birthday party we attended, Mother's Day, and Amaya's dance recital on Saturday, enjoy!

BUSY

It seems like I have been super busy this past week, it has been awhile since I have blogged. Work is going good and it is keeping me pretty busy. The travel restrictions have finally eased up a bit, so I am getting to go out to my sites. I really think I am going to like my job. I was worried that I wouldn't have a lot of contact with people, and since I am a "people person", I thought that might bother me. But I have lots of contact with people. I talk with other consultants on the phone ALL the time and we also get together to do many of the trainings and such, so I don't think I am going to get lonely. Plus with Ceddy out of work (FYI-he got laid off due to SLOW business) and Gabriel at home 3 days per week, I am always busy doing something! Cedric and I are going to an open house tomorrow at a local college. They have a nursing program and Cedric is interested in possibly doing that. He also is still in the process of the CM Fire Department and has his physical exam next Thursday. I am not missing the M. Firm one bit, most of you know I hated that company with a passion. I LOVE having Cedric at home at night with me and on the weekends, it is just wonderful to actually get to spend some time together! Anyways, I will try to blog more, I thought I would have more time to blog working from home, but so far, that has not been the case :)

My Day

Wow, I have had a FANTASTIC Mother's Day! Started out with Cedric surprising me early with a bagel from my favorite place and a wonderful cinnamon cappucino coffee...He got up WAY early to go sneak out and get this before I woke up, because you know I get up pretty early to have my "me time" in the mornings....Also got a gorgeous hydrangea and a big desk calendar for my home office. Gabriel made me an awesome apron with his hand prints on it and painted me a jewelry box at school. Also got 2 sweet cards, with Gabriel's signature (with a little help from dad) and Cedric even helped Rocky to stamp his footprint on the card too using my ink stamping stuff!!!!! Ceddy is good, I have to give him credit, he really is the most thoughtful person I know! We went to church and then had a great lunch with mom, dad, and Zach (Nicole and Jackson went to lunch with her family)..We had grilled kabobs and best of all, an oreo cookie ice cream cake! Went to Lowe's with Zach and Nicole to help them get some veggies to plant and talked Zach into digging up a plant and a tiny tree for me. I am going to try and grow them in pots until they get bigger...Then we headed over to Aunt Janie's to celebrate with the Sigmons. Ceddy played basketball and Gabriel just played outside for hours, he had a blast.

It was just a wonderful day and I feel so blessed to have my wonderful family. I love being a mother, it is just more than I ever imagined. It is knowing you would step in front of a bear, a train, a bullet to save your child without a second thought. It is looking at your little boy and seeing so many other people in him, your husband, your mom, your dad, you. It is watching him grow up into a little boy, no longer a baby who you hold in your arms. It is holding him on you while he sleeps, just for the chance to be near him. It is that sweet way that he smells. It is his curly hair and big brown eyes. It is hearing someone say over and over "mama, mama, mommy" and know they are talking to YOU. It is a miracle. Thank you God for making me a mother!

Raleigh!

We had a great time on our trip to Raleigh! I worked Wed-Friday and got to meet a lot of the other speech and audiology consultants. Everyone seems GREAT! I got to do a home visit and now have my state car, although I can only drive it when I am providing direct services to a child. So I am stuck at home most of the time, since a lot of what I do involves hospitals and training staff there. I have been working on getting my office set up and they are coming to do the phone and fax line on Thursday. Tomorrow I am headed to Gastonia to do a rescreen clinic at the health department. So I have been pretty busy with work and so far, I LOVE my new job! It is so different from what I had been doing and I love the flexibility of it. I also found out that I can do 4 10-hour days and be off on Fridays, yippee!!! I am going to begin this is in June.

Our visit with Laura, Travis and Tyson was SO much fun! He is just adorable and cute and sweet and reminds me of a little baby chick! Laura is a "natural" at being a mom, of course I did not expect anything less from her! Travis is a sweet dad and Miss Rhonda is LOVING being a gradma! Gabriel had a great time playing and thankfully he did not tear up anything! It was so good to get to spend some time with the Smiths, we miss them so much and just wish that we lived closer to each other. Here are some pictures from our trip:

What Do You Think?

Sunday afternoons are....

definitely more fun and relaxing when you know you get to work from home the next morning! Sorry guys, I am not trying to rub it in, but man, what a nice feeling to know that I do not have to head to school bright and early tomorrow morning. Cedric and Gabriel are napping and I just got back from Belks, where I finally found a few pairs of shorts that I like...Two summers ago I was wearing maternity shorts and last summer I think I must have just worn gym shorts because I did not have a single pair I could get into..they are all size 10s and unfortunatly, by big a*& is not!!!!! But now I have a few pairs to wear until I get the rest of this weight off! I have lost a few pounds, just for an update :) Cedric has lost more of course, whatever!

I am working from home tomorrow, then traveling to Morganton on Tuesday to pick up my printer/fax thing and meet some of the staff. Then on Wednesday, we are headed to Raleigh where I will meet with my big boss at 1:00...let's hope she has a sense of humor and likes my fushia highlights (they were supposed to be more of a red color, but i still like them), considering I did not have them when she hired me....Then, I will work with some of the other consultants on Thursday and Friday and I am SUPPOSED to get to bring my car back with me, we will have to see, every day this changes as a result of all the travel restrictions and the crazy state budget...we are going to visit Laura, Travis, and most importantly, baby Tyson. I cannot wait to get my hands on him! ANd it will be so fun to get to hang out with Laura and Travis and see how they are adjusting to life as MOM AND DAD!!!!!

Anyways, happy weekend, and I cannot believe this 90 degree weather....LOVE IT!!!!!

For Susan :)

I know a lot of you are wondering what is going on with the new job, so here is the scoop on things! I went to Morganton on Monday to do paperwork, get keys, name badge made, fill out benefits stuff, etc. Plus I got to pick out the desk that I want for the house and my boss and I went to Staples to pick out my computer, printer, keyboard, etc. He and his wife took me out to lunch and I really think he is going to be a GREAT guy to work for. Very laid back, good sense of humor, and best of all, he is an SLP! My big boss from Raleigh was supposed to travel here to do some training with me this week, and then I was supposed to go back with her to Raleigh on Thursday to do some other things and to get my state car....BUT....Due to the nasty state of NC budget issues, the state right now is on travel restrictions, meaning noone can travel. She can't come here, I can't go there. So basically this week I am doing some readings, watching training videos, and looking at pertinent stuff on the Internet until this travel issue resolves. Also waiting on the people to come here and set up the additional phone line, get my new cell phone, etc. That is all in the works, but let me tell you, the state of NC moves very SLOWLY! Hopefully if the money comes through on the computer we picked out, I will go to Raleigh next Wednesday to get my computer all set up. I am not required to do this because I cannot be reimbursed for it, but I had planned on going to visit Laura, T Bone and Baby T Bone anyways so it will all work out! So that is the scoop, nothing too exciting to tell until all this budget mess gets worked out!

Our Spring Break

We have had a busy and fun week to say the least! Easter was a TON of fun this year, Gabriel got a big wheel from the Easter Bunny and I think he would sleep on it if we let him, he loves the thing more than anything he has ever owned I think! Monday, we headed down to the beach. The weather was kind of crummy, but we still had a lot of fun shopping, relaxing, and we even went to a circus that was in town. It was great! Gabriel's favorite part was the motorcycles riding around in a big metal round cage, he loved them and wasn't afraid of their loud noise. He rode every single thing that he could ride while we were shopping, like the carousel and I bet my dad spent at least $10-15 paying for all that stuff, it is 75 cent a ride (a quarter won't get you anything these days!). Then dad and Cedric took him swimming at the indoor pool and lazy river at the condo, which he also LOVED! What he did not love was keeping the ear things in his ear to keep the water out :(

Anyways, we came back from the beach on Thursday and Cedric and I spent the whole day Friday doing yard work...raking, picking up sticks, mowing, weeding, etc. You name it, we did it! But the yard really looks great. Plus it was good exercise, I am still sore! Yesterday, Cedric had to go back to work :( Mom, dad, me, Gaby, Zach and Nicole went to Asheville to see the ACC Allstar team play which included my favorite, Tyler Hansbrough! We got back LATE last night and Gabriel must be WORN OUT, he is still asleep and it is almost noon! Tomorrow is my first day of the new job, I am SO excited!

One Chocolate, One Vanilla!

Happy Easter from the Moore Family! Hope you guys all have a wonderful day! We are headed to church, then to mom and dads for lunch with Measer, Mitchell and Rita. Then if the weather cooperates, we will do a little egg hunt with Gabriel. After that, it is over to Aunt Janie's for supper, then home to pack for the beach, we leave in the morning! Don't eat too much candy!!!!!

Couldn't Help Myself :)

Numero Uno!

Just As Promised!

Grandma Dot's Birthday!

We had an 80th birthday party for Grandma Dot today, she turned 80 on April 2nd. It was at her house on the lake and what a great day for a party! We had yummy sandwich stuff, snacks, cake (Martha cake-the best of any I have ever had EVER) and birthday cake ice cream (the best ice cream ever!). Everyone was there except for Shanda and Jett, who is sick with the flu :( We missed you guys and hope Jett feels better very soon! Measer and I even had a little Easter egg hunt for Gaby and then we made Cedric hide the eggs for us, she won :( But we had a great time and it was so good to enjoy the sunshine!

Don't worry, I haven't already blown my diet, but we did splurge with a small piece of cake and a little ice cream. I have already lost a little weight and was able to get into some size 12 jeans today, yipee! My goal is to be a comfortable size 10 again, that is what most of my clothes are. Not sure what that exact weight is, but I care more about just feeling good and having clothes that I can actually zip!!!!
I have done very well so far and I feel a million times better. We all have much, much more energy, I have been doing all kinds of things around the house, and just feel more like my old self again. Cedric, mom, and dad have lost weight too and feel much better. I have cut out most of my diet soft drinks, instead I drink water, crystal light, or my new favorite, Vitamin Water 10 (which is SOOOOO good). It is expensive, $1 a bottle, but I rationalize it because I am not buying wine. I was buying at least 3 bottles a week which cost more than a week supply of my vitamin water, so there! Doesn't that make sense???

Anyways, here are pictures from the birthday party...Tomorrow night we are dying eggs with mom, dad, Zach, Nicole and Jackson and then you know what we will be doing.........Watching my Tarheels and my boyfriend Tyler play for the National Championship against Michigan State!!!!!! When we played MSU in 2005, mom and I almost got into a fight with some fans at a bar in Myrtle Beach that were running their mouths, it was so funny, and of course, the Tarheels whoooped up on them. Lets hope it is a repeat tomorrow night!
Go HEELS!!!!!!! Don't worry, I will post "One Shining Moment" again either tonight or tomorrow to get everyone in the mood, it just gives me cold chills when I hear it!