Day 2: The person I've been closest to longest...

One thing this little challenge has taught me is that I don't have very many pictures of myself!  Not only that, I don't have pictures of myself with people I love.  I must remedy this.  I was sure I had a picture of me with my dear friend, but I still haven't located one, so....

Anywho.

This is my friend Janet.

This is proof that we've been friends a really long time:

...a really, really long time.

 ...and I hereby give her permission to publish any junior high mullet or high school big hair pictures she might have of me. That's only fair. :)

Janet is one of those "forever friends." One of those people that you want to share good news with.  One that will laugh with you and cry with you.  One that will literally dumpster dive for a friend.  Literally.  But that's another blog.

We've known each other since Little Dribblers in 3rd grade. We also played softball together, and it was then that I realized what a great friend she was.  I've always been the kind of person that liked to be by myself, and Janet was one of the few people that I really enjoyed having around for long periods of time!  We spent so much time together "back in the day"...summers were split between our houses.  Many of my favorite memories include her.  She is truly one of those friends that knows everything about me and likes me anyway.  (And thankfully she doesn't tell everything she knows either!:)  I still enjoy the times we are able to get together and just talk.

One time when we were in high school, we were doing something with our youth group...I don't even remember what it was. But  Janet had to leave early, and I will never forget what the teacher said about her after she left, because it was such an accurate description of her.  She said, "Janet has such a kind heart.  She is so accepting of everyone. She is one of the nicest people I  know."

That was her in a nutshell back then...and it's still so true today.  I dare you to try to get her to say something mean.  :)

I have so many good memories of Janet and me.  We've shared lots of laughter and tears.   Our boys are best buddies, and it warms my heart.  I'm honored that after all these years, I can still say she's one of my best friends.

The 30 Days of Me: Day One

When I first saw the "30 days of Me" challenge on Karen's blog, my initial thought was, "Really?"  But as I read through this little blogging challenge, I felt my creative juices begin to flow.  If you're a blogger--or if you're not--I think you should participate.  It's not nearly as self-centered as it sounds, AND it isn't just one of those "What did you eat last Thursday?" kinds of lists. It's really more a celebration of the people, places and things in your life that make you who you are.  Which really makes it more about them, and less about you doesn't it?

Day One says to include a picture of yourself along with 10 facts.  The 10 facts I can do...no problemo.  But of the thousand or so pictures on my computer, 10 are of me and I don't care for any of them!  So I searched and thought and searched some more, and then decided to ask my husband to send me a picture he had at his office...it was when I felt the prettiest.  Yes, it's almost 7 years old. But it's my blog, dadgummit, and it doesn't matter that the picture is almost 7 years old! 

I love the backstory to it:  It was Valentine's Day 2004, and when we scheduled the photo session a few weeks earlier, I had no idea that we would get 4 INCHES OF SNOW that morning. At first we discussed rescheduling, but Karen Price and Cathy Dykes--the brilliant photographers behind this picture--were more than willing to venture out into the muddy slush that remained that afternoon.  It was still FREEZING, but it was still a wonderful day.

And here are the 10 facts...

1.  When I was 8 years old, I was riding my four-wheeler around my parent's land.  I came across a huge opening in the woods that to me was the most beautiful place on earth.  I went home and told my mom and dad that I was going to build my house there one day.  And I did.

2.  I had a very vivid imagination as a child.  I see that same imagination in my kids and it makes me smile.

3. Drying my daughter's hair is one of my favorite things to do. She's very patient with me while I pretend to be a hairstylist.  And her hair looks so beautiful afterward.  And I know she's not going to let me do it forever.

4.  I had a poem published in college.  Yes, it was just a college publication, but I was published nonetheless.  The funniest part?  My significant other at the time thought the poem was about him.  And it wasn't.

5.  I was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" in high school.  I still have no idea what my peers were thinking.  Ironically, I teach next door to another person voted "Most Likely to Succeed."  Both graduates of VHS now teaching at VJH, and both feeling pretty successful.  :)

6.  I loved high school and hated college... so much so that the very thought of graduate school makes me break out in a cold sweat.

7.  As much as I love our house now, I still miss our little house on Stadium Lane.

8.  I remember several years ago I asked someone whose singing ability amazes me why she didn't try out for American Idol or try to break into the music business.  She said, "I love to sing so much.  If someone who knew something about music told me I wasn't very good, I don't think I could get over it."  That's how I feel about writing.

9.  I am a total homebody, who is blessed to be married to another homebody.  Some nights we look at each other and say, "We need friends."  But then we'd have to leave our house at night.

10.  Every year on our anniversary, Kevin and I take a little trip to celebrate.  Part of the fun is finding a cool bed and breakfast.  Yes, we are B&B people.

Happy Birthday, Sadie Beth!

Anyone who has a birthday close to Christmas knows how hard it is to plan a party this time of year. Sadie is one of those unfortunate souls.  Last year we managed to throw together a family party at the last minute, and it was fine.  But since school started, Sadie has been planning her birthday party with her friends, so I knew we weren't getting off the hook easy this year.  Our December was super busy, and before I knew it, her birthday was here and there was no party in sight. :(  Mother of the year, I'm not.  That's when I asked Sadie what kind of party she wanted to have, and a small miracle happened.  That sweet child said she wanted to have her party at Chuck E. Cheese. 

Do you know how easy it is to plan a party at Chuck E. Cheese?  Super. Easy.  Within 30 minutes, I had the party reserved online and invitations sent. I ordered a cookie cake and relaxed.

 Sadie was so excited the day of the party!  She had some great buddies join her.

 I love this picture on so many levels!  You might be wondering where her little girl friends are.  Apparently she prefers to hang out with the boys.  And what sweet little boys they are!

 We were so excited to have PeeWee Herman Ryan be our host at Chuck E. Cheese.  He was really nice to the kids and super attentive.

 I like this picture primarily because the last time we were at Chuck E.'s both my children wouldn't get within 50 feet of him.  Jackson is still not a fan of large costumed animals, but Sadie figured since he was throwing a party for her, she might need to show him some love.

The last great party moment was the Ticket Blaster...Sadie let Jackson join her in this wind tunnel full of tickets.  Let's just say they didn't quite get the memo about grabbing the tickets while you were inside.  They thought it was super cool, though, and PeeWee Ryan helped them out in the end.

It was a great day, and baby girl got exactly the party that she wanted, which was all that mattered anyway.

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas this year. 

 The hardest part was getting three kids to smile at the same time.

 It's getting easier to get two kids to look like they like each other, though.

 We got out money's worth out of Annabelle's Santa outfit...it was so stinkin' cute on her we wore it everywhere!

 This is my nephew Josh.  He's "the cool nephew."  Annabelle likes him already.

 The thing I love most about Christmas is how excited my kids get about every single gift.

 The celebration ran a little long for my dad... ;)

...and to all a good night.

Angel Fire 2010

After Christmas last year, Kevin and I were talking about how we really wanted to spend Christmas somewhere in the mountains, surrounded by lots of snow.  We started looking around the internet for potential cabins that we could rent during Christmas break the following year.  We went to http://www.vrbo.com/ and entered the words "Angel Fire Cabin" and this is what came up:

To say a cabin like this would be our dream home would be an understatement.  It was awesome.  But it slept 22...a tad on the big side for our little family of four.  That's when we got the idea of rounding up the whole Peden gang for a family vacation...once we sold Mom and Dad on the idea (which took very little selling since vacationing in the mountains is one of their very favorite things), the rest is history.

Of course, the year brought about a few changes...Annabelle came along, and then Jones.  Annabelle was old enough to travel, but since Jones was only a few weeks old, Kim, Jed, Cody, Karen and Josh stayed in Oklahoma...which made us really sad, but we totally understood.  And then Mark got a new job the week before we left, so he couldn't go either.  But the rest of the crew made the trek, and boy was it worth it!

 Sadie was not a fan of skiing, but playing in the snow around the cabin was right up her alley!

 Jackson loved skiing!  Okay, maybe loved is a strong word.  He did great.  Sometimes the wind was a little too strong for him, and sometimes it was a little too cold, but he was a trooper and had a great time!

 Just like the rest of the Carter clan, Eli picked up skiing right away!  I think Jackson was inspired by his cousin's enthusiasm!

I wish I had more pictures on my computer, but we loaded the rest on Kevin's laptop, and it's at work with him.    If you're ever looking for a wonderful place to house a large group, this cabin is for you.  It's ski in, ski out, has tons of room and the owner is very easy to work with. It was a great vacation.  One we hope to do again soon.