reflections on a decade

I know many people feel that this past decade has been a big stinker but for me personally, it was wonderful! Some of the highlights:
-became a wife!
-had two fabulous kids!
-bought 2 houses
-bought 4 cars
-found a vocation that is the perfect fit
-hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back out in one day
-took some great family vacations
-watched both of Em's kids being born
-became active and involved in a small church
-continued employment for Jay despite the economy

Granted, there are downers from this year. 9/11 being a huge one; the wars that are still ongoing; financial crisis; 4 car accidents (only one was my fault!); deaths of extended family members. But overall, I still think of the decade as being pretty great!

I feel like my life is turning out just as I hoped it would. Granted, I didn't have a firm plan on what that was going to look like but I am liking how it is unfolding! :)

Here's to the next decade being just as great!

happy birthmas!

Welcome to my niece, Ashley Grace Towey! She joined us today around 1 PM, weighing in at 8 pounds 14 ounces and was 21 inches long. JT is referring to her as a "handsome woman"--she is pretty chubby! :) She looks like a little sumo wrestler when she is all bundled up.

We had a whole plan in place for how things were going to go today and of course nothing went as planned! Emily was induced and we thought it would take a lot longer than it did. We had some childcare issues for the three cousins but thankfully Jimbo was there to hang out with them while the ladies went to watch Ashley make her entrance. Because of flu precautions the cousins aren't allowed up to see Ashley which was a bit of a bummer. Understandable but still a bummer.

I was able to witness the births of both of Em's children and this birth was far less horrific and scarring than the last one. :) Em did great and only pushed for 30 minutes this time. She is doing great and feels so much better than last time. They might end up coming home tomorrow just to chill before the holidays get started.

We are glad to have Ashley here safe and sound!

my friend the local celebrity

My friend Shannon Daugherty (yes, we call her Brenda) entered a cooking contest on Fox 9 and is now one of FIVE finalists for the grand prize! If she wins, she gets Cambria countertops as well as one year of free groceries! Her hubs was laid off in July so free groceries would be a huge blessing right now.

She was on the morning news in October to demonstrate her recipe (yes, the morning anchor jokingly called her Brenda too). I want her to win this so we are trying to get the word out. You can vote for her once per day for the next two weeks. Each time you vote you get entered into a drawing for No Name Steaks--yum!

Here is the link to vote:

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/generic/contest/Cookoff_Recipe_Contest

If you vote for the Smoked Trout Pate I will kill you. I am dry heaving over here just thinking about it!

Support Brenda! Donna Martin graduates! Maybe someday you will buy her house in SLP and love the countertops! Get voting people!!!!