It Smells Like...

SNOW!!!  I just took the dog out and the ground is frozen (as was his pee, I think) and it smells like snow (not Foster's pee, the air silly).  So Ms. Negative Nancy-Meredith, maybe it will be winter wonderland when I wake up!  If that's the case, it will be EXTREMELY hard to go to work when my ski overalls will be calling.  Sexy and functional.   

So, goodnight moon...

10 Days!!

10 days from a thunderstorm in the winter what do you get?  SNOW!  Now I normally don't care for snow, but 10 days from now would be right around Christmas and by golly if I can have a White Christmas then I would just be the happiest girl around.  

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...

Twilight

Not only is twilight my favorite time of the day and my favorite word, it is now the book I'm reading.  That's right folks, just like teenage girls across this great nation I have succumb to the newest fiction craze.  It is an easy (not dumb, just easy) read because I began it only this morning (having stomach issues kept me from work) and I'm 3/4 of the way through.  I'm obsessed.  It is romantic, intense, suspenseful, and just plain good.  My sister lent me her copy of the first and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.  Not to mention see the movie!  I can't believe that I'm so into it.  However, I never did the whole Harry Potter thing.  I never read the books and barely saw the movies.  So, this is my Potter.  I'm not ashamed!!

On My Heart's Desire

I came across this letter that I wrote for myself earlier this year: Erin was out of town (the reason escapes me), and my dog and I enjoyed the quiet without much tv, without much talking, without much of anything...

I enjoy being alone. I say this after a weekend spent, for the most part, in solitude. When I am isolated, I have the opportunity to listen to my thoughts, my ideas, and my dreams. We all have meditations of these sorts, but we don’t always have the freedom to revel in them, to get lost in them, and to develop them. This past weekend was especially extraordinary in that I was reacquainted with my guitar. I have always used my guitar as a form of worship, really as a form of prayer, and I prayed a lot this weekend. With a thankful and overwhelmed heart, I prayed to my father. I played songs that I thought would please him. I even tried to sing. It was during this time that I realized that guitar is not a passion of mine. I enjoy playing it, to be sure, but the enjoyment comes from the connection that is made with Christ, not necessarily the music that is made. If I could connect with God on this same depth through some other vessel, it is safe to say that I may not ever play the guitar. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you view it, I have never connected with God on this level through anything other than music. I found God again this weekend. I found him sitting right there next to me.

In the past few weeks and months, I have felt Him pulling on my sleeve, asking me to trust in Him. Financial trust is one of my biggest struggles; it always has been, as I have imposed upon myself a desire and need to provide security for my family. I pray only half-heartedly that I will conquer this battle soon because it is, after all, keeping me in pursuit of Him. In light of the recent tax incentive money we received, and at a time when our church is following its call to expand and reach the city of Raleigh, we (my wife and I) felt convicted to give all of our incentive to Journey. Let me say that this money could have been put to great use to help pay down debt, so making this decision was not easy. It was, however, necessary. I want and need to put myself in a position in which I can do nothing except lean on God. With the incentive money as a base, I had created a plan that would allow us to be debt-free in a short time. I don’t know where the money to pay off debt will come from now, and I don’t know how long we will have this hanging over us, but I do know that it will come…probably in God’s perfect timing, as I have learned that my plans are simply those, my plans.

My Father has given much to my family. He has shown Himself to be true to His word. It is only out of uncompromised love that He shows any favor on me. He loves me. He actively loves me. He doesn’t just sit in His throne watching me live my life, He holds my hand and guides me, most often without my knowledge, into and through celebrations, obstacles, and pain. This is my heart’s desire: to love. I want to love Him so selflessly that I yearn to struggle for Him. I want to be humbled and captivated by His mercy and grace. I want to show His mercy and grace in my life. I want to love my bride the way He loves His. I want to actively and passionately love her. I want to challenge her to become more like Christ as I strive to be more like Christ. I want to empower her to take on those challenges, to embolden her to do anything, and to support her in everything. I want to lead her. I want to love others so much so that they are not just affected, but they are changed. I want to love so much that it defines my life, regardless of money, job, or situation. I want to love.

God, help me love.

Interesting Article...

This is an interesting article on how some states provide ballots that deal with certain issues...North Carolina unfortunately is not one of these States. I would love to have the opportunity to cast a ballot against abortion that would contribute directly to changing/creating a law.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/state.laws/index.html

Clarity

I want to make myself explicitly clear. Please let me know if I am not. By writing what I wrote, I wanted to settle some misleading claims about Obama. When asked if he supports abortions, he always responds by saying that he supports abortion rights. This is politician for disagreeing with the act, but not refuting a constitutional case regarding such tender subjects. That was the point. No one on this blog, apparently, has seen that...it must be my fault because it must not be clear. Caleb and Cameron, I agree that this right to privacy is a copout and a complete mockery of the judicial system. Not once was I defending this stance; my sole intention was to clear misconceptions about a candidate's ideologies. Consider it a pet peeve of mine...I am a factcheck.org fanatic now because of this blasted election (if you go there now you will see that the first 4 topics show that GOP/McCain-Palin/Anti-Obama group ads are misleading).

This is what I am targeting in my posts.

On the fight against abortion. I agree completely with the fact that we need to do everything we can to fight it. Starting with two things simultaneously: education and the definition of life. We need to educate young low income women about abstinence, contraceptives, and the opportunities available to them if they do have an unexpected pregnancy. Many young women, in addition to being poor, are alone, misguided, and terrified when they find themselves pregnant. I know that it is due mostly to irresponsibility, but we need to have some compassion at some point and just start reaching out. Also, we need to address the legislature and demand that they act against abortion. We need to define life as our belief tells us: it begins at conception. I believe that if a fetus has a chance at life, then it should be considered life. A problem brought up in Roe v. Wade was the fetuses were never counted during any census. Well, maybe that is something we need to have changed too. We need to go after the legislature because they are the ones who created the laws that the justices interpret. The President really doesn't have much to do with these laws. This is where I got into defining the President's views and thus where we hit a roadblock.

I am not voting for McCain because I think his judgement in choosing Palin over all of his other options is a red flag. It was clearly done for political purposes because in no way is she more qualified than Mitt Romney to be VP (for that matter, Mayor Meeker is more qualified to be VP, at lease he has a law degree). I find McCain's decision and explanation laughable, insulting, and embarrassing to this country.

Although I am unsettled by the fact that I am voting for a democrat this year, I truly feel it is far more beneficial across the board than supporting republicans. I also feel that this country is more than the issue of abortion. There are many things that need to be looked at, including capital punishment (which is no less murder than abortion), and thus a reason that I do not support McCain. Obama has pushed for reform and mandates on capital punishment while McCain has not, and I find it unjustifiable to condemn abortion but not the death penalty if we are being true to Christ.

McCain has not shown that he is qualified, competent, or genuine enough to lead this country. I can say with 100% certainty, though, that the game would be very different if he had chosen Romney to serve with him. By not doing so he showed that his motives are not pure. I don't agree with all of Obama's views, including abortion, but he has proved to be more Presidential, more professional, more accepted by foreign countries, more competent financially, and more detailed in his choice of VP than his opponent.

If you want to fight abortion, I will fight it with you. We do not need a President to be do so.

Sidenote: It is predicted that only one justice will be replaced on the supreme court this term, giving Obama or McCain the chance to fill only one spot. In essence, this means that the court can only get more conservative or will remain relatively the same in regards to ideologies.

Thats all. I hope this makes sense as it is quite late.

Sick and Tired

 I can't wait until this election is over.  I can't wait until I stop receiving unwanted opinions.  I'm sick of defending myself and I'm tired of being told I'm not a good Christian because of who I'm voting for.  Both candidates suck.  They are sinning, immoral, and crooked politicians.  So I'm voting for the one who will bring this country out of the hell it's in.  I'm done, don't ask me about it anymore and don't email me anymore little forwards that are trying to sway my vote.  If we can't have an open forum without yelling at each other, it's not worth it.  Screw it, I'm voting for Jimmy Carroll. (erin)

My Hubby, the hott one...on politics

ON POLITICS…by Jeremy Morin

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obama_and_infanticide.html

I am attempting to respond to what I hope will be the last political related email I receive this year. First, though, let me say that in no way do I support abortion…on any level, at any time during a pregnancy. (I suggest reading that again to be sure that you understand my view of abortion.)

Now, short of berating anyone who takes political videos posted on YouTube or any other website as completely objective and unbiased, I would like to encourage everyone to conduct their own nonpartisan research on every issue, especially those that strike our emotional chords hardest.

Currently, abortion is legal (I can’t believe I am having this conversation again). The President alone cannot change the laws of this country; in fact, the President has surprisingly little power when you look at what he can actually do without the consent of Congress. Consider this a good thing because not only does it eliminate the possibility of a dictatorship, rest assured that the President also cannot suddenly make abortion, never mind infanticide, legal. All of this assumes that Obama does support infanticide, when there is conflicting evidence, specifically in his voting record, on the issue. As a democrat, he supports abortion rights. That is, he supports a woman’s right to choose for herself, as he (and other democrats) feels it is her right to privacy that allows her this ability. This is the biggest problem with, dare I say, conservatives and abortion. It is often construed that when someone votes for abortion rights, that they agree with the act of abortion. This is not always so. Many, it can be expected, base their opinions on their interpretation of the Constitution. That is, they accept that there is a right to privacy, and under this stated Constitutional right, the opportunity to choose to abort a baby shall not be impeded upon.

(At this point, you may want to read the second sentence of this letter again.)

Moving on…
I have said from the very beginning of this, ever since John McCain was nominated to be the Republican candidate, that there are more important issues that will affect our economy and our stance/reputation on a global scale. I can’t believe that more people aren’t talking about how John McCain said that since he is not as well versed in economics as he should be, he would like to appoint someone (as VP) who is. Enter Sarah Palin. Wait, what? Didn’t he say he wanted someone who is versed in economics? Consequentially, our republican ticket consists of a 72 year old veteran, who admittedly doesn’t know all he should about economics and a 44 year old former sports reporter, who somehow became Governor, and this the best choice for our nation’s economy? Really? So we are trusting in someone whose better judgement, and that of his advisors I imagine, chose a hockey mom over a former excessively successful businessman, Mitt Romney. I’m not sure I want that judgement leading this country.

http://www.mccainfactcheck.com/facts/11/john_mccain_333426.shtml
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/bogus_claims_in_boca.html

I could go on for days about economics, qualifications, and the global consequences of being misguided, but that would bore you and it is an issue that will always have two sides.

After watching Pastor Jimmy’s video blog, the fallacies of elections hit me. We, Christians, Christ Followers, are electing a sinner on moral and economic issues to lead an immoral country in an immoral world. I don’t really need to say any more than that.

Lists

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to make lists.  To-Do Lists, Top Five Lists, etc... So, here is another, yet informative, list.  

Things I'm Proud of:

1. I am proud that I was a virgin when I was married.  I got to experience the most intimate gift from God with a man who was also a virgin.  

2.  I am proud to be a Christ follower.  

3.  I am proud that being a Christ follower dictates my actions and decisions.  This is not a burden but a freedom.

4.  I am proud that I know every word of the movie (including songs) Little Mermaid.

5.  I am proud that I have a job that I love but that I would leave it in a heart beat to be a mother.

6.  I am proud that I have friends who aren't afraid to tell me the truth.  

7.  I am proud that my parents taught me to think for myself and that even though I'm a Christian I will not vote for the Republican presidential candidate just because he's Republican.

8.  I am proud that I cry when I think about how much I love my family. 

9.  I am proud of all the useless trivia in my head, because I'll kick your ass at Trivial Pursuit.

10.  I am proud of my taste in music (thanks Dad and Mom)

11.  I am proud to be a Daddy's Girl and proud that I'm told I'm just like my mom.

12.  I am proud to be born and raised in Raleigh and would be delighted to live here the rest of my life.

13.  I am proud that at one point in my life I owned enough scrunchies to wear a different one each day without repeating (as if) for at least a month.  

14.  I am proud that I cry during a couple of songs, including but not limited to:  Butterfly Kisses, Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares, In Christ Alone, Old Rugged Cross (Gran's fav), I could go on...

15.  I am proud that I do believe in a loving God and I have blind faith in Him no matter how naive or elementary some people might think that I am.  Screw society's senical view of my childlike faith and desire to be a Proverbs 31 woman.

These are some silly and some serious things that I'm proud of.  I know that I'm wrong a lot, but these are things I know I'm right about and things that I will never apologize for.  

Snooze time....

Back in the Saddle Again...

Well, me and the hubs got a fancy new tricked out computer.  That's right, and it's a Mac.  Praise Jesus!  I have always been a Mac (due to the Art school education I received) but Jeremy has long had PC's.  So when Jer's loving father bought us a computer (PC) who's to say "No thanks Pop, we want a Mac."  Not this chippie I'll tell ya that.  No, instead we've enjoyed our PC and loved as our own; which in fact it was.  But, the Lord smiled upon us and lo and behold, CRASH.  Two days before Jeremy's first Grad school class, our PC broke (again, might I add).  So, happily we called the student loan suits and asked them to give us some mo' money, and they did.  We went (I skipped) to the Mac store and bought a brand new iMac with all the fixins'.  I adore it.  That's all that needs to be said.  I adore it.  But not as much as the God who blessed us with it.  Thanks Heavenly Pops for the iMac; and thank you Earthly pops for giving us our first wonderful computer.  You're both Aces in my book.  

Gonna be late...

Annoying

Well Friends, our computer pooped out on us. So until we can figure something out (ie:get a new one) I can't blog because all we have is my 6 year old MacBook. I love it, but it has no updated anything and is as slow as molasses. So, until then.....

P.S. I hate PC's. I am not a PC. I am a Mac.
P.S.S. I am happily working on Christmas cards and hope to get them printed soon!! Tune in for pictures!!

Crazy.Long Week

So this week was wacko. First ah all, there was something to "do" everynight. I have not had snuggle time with the hubs or even just sit-down-and-be time. As a result, I'm sick today. I went into work and the wave of "oh man I'm gonna puke" hit me like a mack truck. So, homeward bound and here I am after sleeping and being sick. As I was on my way home from work, my bestest college friend called me with news that her mother has passed. Her mother had a life long battle with alchohol and it won. This news made my heart break. Brooke is drained and I am sad. I wish I could sit with her and eat and chat like we did in college. I will pray for her and her family.

Good news: I got a new job, at the Y. I am now the S.W.A.Team Admininstrative Assistant. I will be a link between Sports, Wellness, and Aquatics. Assisting them in anyway I can. This includes creating fun posters, t-shirt designs, postcards, etc. I'm so excited about this new opportunity, but sad to leave Track Out.

That is all. Just a crazy week.

Just because, here is a favorite picture of mine. We were at Alex and Beth's wedding (beautiful and intimate; I felt lucky to have been invited).

Weekend Reflections & Autumn Thoughts

First and Foremost: GO PACK!!
Well, other than watching the awesome NC State vs. ECU game (I know, I went to ECU. But you can't erase a lifetime of loyalty just because I went to another school) our weekend was pretty chill. Jeremy and I had the windows open ALL weekend: Thank you Lord for the beautiful fall weather. We woke up Saturday snuggled under the covers because we were actually cold!! Halleluiah!! So we spent the morning watching Across the Universe (beautiful movie) and eating Taco Bell for lunch. It was bliss.

Upon seeing Across the Universe a thought was confirmed that I've had for about 15 years now. I grew up in the wrong decade. Now, I will NEVER speak ill of the 80's. I mean how could you? Pretty in Pink, T-Shirt Rings, neon splatter paint (everywhere), Duran Duran, the crimper, and on and on. However, I have felt for a long time that I would have fit in perfectly into the 60's/70's. I believe it was when I was a hippie for Halloween in 2nd grade. I loved the clothes that my mom resurected from her past. I was in awe of the music my dad listened to, and, once I learned all about the Vietnam War, I was a fervent protestor of our being over there. I just see myself as Lucy (Across) in a Greenwich Village apartment with 8 other free spirits and enjoying life and music and protesting the war. I must say, there are some aspects I choose not to participate in, like the over-use of drugs, but all in all I'd love it. This is just something I've always thought about and Saturday's screening just confirmed it even more...

Now, today is the first day of Autumn. My favorite season. I love Halloween, pumpkin spice candles, orange and brown, leaves falling, and college football. Tonight's supper is my tribute to fall rolling in. I'm making spaghetti squash. It's a great low carb alternative to pasta and sooo good! All you do is slice the squash lengthwise and then again in half to make quarters. Now, Jer and I are saving half of it for another night but two people could easily eat a whole squash. Scrape out the seeds and soft pulp on the inside (it smells like a pumpkin, yum). Then, rub olive oil all over the squash then sprinkle the inside with salt and pepper. Place the two quarters rind side up on a cookie sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes at 375 degrees. Once the pulp is done, scrape the pulp out with a fork (it should look like spaghetti as you're scraping it out). Add any toppings you like. Tonight we're adding sauteed red onion, tomatoes, and lemon juice. As Jeremy says, "Yum yum gimme some."

Happy Autumn Everyone....

Late Thoughts

So it's late. Well it is for me. I mean 11:00pm! That's late for me. There's a lot of things that happened this week that I wanted to share. Nothing to big or crazy. Just things. Also, I love lists, I do. So this will be in a list format.

1. I got an interview for another Admin job at the same Y I work at now, just a different atmosphere and new responsibilities.
2. There is a great "debate" going on between some people at church (including Jeremy and I) about politics (and aren't we never to speak of religion and politics in public, ah well). It's on facebook and it's brilliant! I love it!
3. I've watched a couple of things on youtube over and over and over again: bon qui qui and all her glory, all the flight of the conchords' songs, and the tina fey and amy pohler skit (palin/clinton). I literally have watched each of these like 20 times this week. It's a problem that I don't want to fix.
4. I miss my puppy more and more each day that I have to go to work.
5. I've been praying for Stephanie (NieNie) and Christian like crazy this week because of her surgeries. But he was finally able to go see her for the first time since the plane crash on Thursday. Click on the "cjane" button to the right and you can read the update by her sister Courtney. Truly beautiful.
6. I have fallen in love. This man that comes into my home everyday and cooks for me and then cleans, too. He takes my dog out and even cuts my hair. He is goregous and sometimes he kisses me, real good ones. It's weird ya know, it's like he's in love with me too. I should marry him. Oh wait, I did. Lucky gal.

Tomorrow is snuggle saturday with the man of my dreams, and the Bud.

Bedtime.

Nizzle

This is Nizzle (with Christie and Anna making faces in the background that make me laugh). She is my friend. I love her dearly. She and I love the same things like hot tea, Whole Foods, Obama, Ten Thousand Villages, hippie bags, and flea markets. Actually, this list applies to my other friends too, but more of these are me and Nizzle. She is pretty and now, she is on my blog. Dom, you're amazing.

Ode To The Bud

Dearest Foster,

Thank you for being so kind. When I was sick last week you stayed by my side and licked me occasionally to show love. You are always ready to play fetch well, unless you're watching your "stories" in which case you look at me like I've suggested a run or something. And even though you chewed up my blue suede peep toe pumps, I still love you. I love when we have snuggle time on the bed with daddy (Jeremy to me) and when you're done with us and you hop down and lay on the cool bathroom tile. You are my son because we have the same hair color and eye color. I love you Bud.

Love,

Mom

A Chronological look at Foster:

The photo that was online where I found my little Bud. He was rescued from the woods in South Carolina. This was him weeks old. Needless to say, I fell in love. And as soon as I sent these photos to Jeremy at work, his reaction was "Crap. Well I guess we're getting a dog." He was in love too.

Another one from South Carolina. So dern cute!

This is the day we brought him home. We named him Foster right here in Stacy's apartment.

This is how he used to sleep. On the shelf under the coffee table with his head hangin' off. I mean how can you not love this kid?

My Boys.

More Family...

More people I love...

Boys making quite akward faces...seriously, those are terrifying. Front to back: My love, Andrew, Taylor, Caleb, and Dan.

Girls are much prettier. Front to back: Christie, Anna (sister), Laura, Meredith. My dears.

Morgan (known this chick since birth) and Nathan (her handsome boyfriend who has a bro-mance going with my husband) with us at the Durham Bulls Game this spring for Jer's 25th birthday.

There are just so many people in our lives that we love dearly. You'll see them all on this blog once I can get a digital camera that works!! Film is expensive, although the photos are goregous.

The person I love the most however, is Jeremy Francis Morin. That's right, Francis. I love his middle name, it's so Italian, like him. Here are just a fraction of the reasons I love my husband:

1. He is goregous.

2. He waited to have sex until his wedding night. He saved that moment just for me, and I saved it just for him.

3. He always covers his eyes during boobie shots in movies, he knows I'd cover them anyway.

4. He always makes me feel beautiful, celluite and all.

5. He loves me like God loves the Church, just like he's supposed to.

6. He lets me pay him with kisses for cutting my hairs (that's right he cuts all of 'dem).

7. He likes all the same movies, music, YouTube vidoes and tv as I do. And he'll watch Bon Qui Qui over and over with me because he knows that if he didn't I WOULD CUT HIM!

8. He can make me laugh anytime of the day no matter how bad of a mood I'm in.

9. The other night before falling asleep he steam rolled me. This is not some weird sex position, it is simply that he rolled over and over me almost crushing my ribs. This annoyed The Bud so he jumped up on the bed and began licking us until we stopped.

10. He is my personal Noah Calhoun (The Notebook, as if I should even have to write that) and any other perfect romantic movie hero you can think of.

11. God sent him to me to protect and care for me, which he does non-stop everyday.

12. He makes faces like this in pictures when I think he's smiling. Jerk. Hot Jerk.

13. He laughs when I fart.

14. He talks about our children (not ready just yet) and dreams about what they'll be like with me.

15. He got this excited when we were finally married!

My two favorite photos from our blessed day.

Well folks. That's it for today. I just worked out with my trainer for the first time and I know it's going to take me at least 20 minutes to shower because my dern arms are still shaky. Thanks a lot Billie.

Whoa. Two blogs in one night. I know. Well, my love was working out after he got home and now is off to the store. I love him. He is so good to me. More on that later...

I wanted to do a meet the family type blog. This way, if you don't know me all that well, you could get a little closer. Some of photos might be funny and old. Or some of the people might also be funny and old. But, they're fam.

These lovely ladies are my mama (left) and my mama-in-law, mamasita. The strapping young lad in black is my daddy. And the man in the peachy shirt is a dear friend of the family (practically my uncle) Mr. Mike. I was always taught to say Mr and Mrs and so even though most of my parents' friends are like family I have to call them Mr. Mike and Mrs. Candi. It's just my upbringing.

This is how we usually find my brother. Sitting on someone with food shoved in his always open pie-hole. I do heart him, though. The two hot totties in this photo are my sister and my sista. The beautiful bean pole is my baby sister and the hot blonde is my best friend of almost 19 years. I've loved both of my sisters my whole life (even before I had a sister of any kind I wished and prayed for one).

I know. Goregous photo. I hope Stacy (sister-in-law) is not mad I put this up. This is Stacy and her fiance Matt. Matt and I actually went to high school together (Class of '02) before he knew Stacy. They are one beautiful couple and I cannot wait to be in the wedding and a part of their perfect day.

There is so much more I want to share about my family and friends, but it is time to shower and then bed. I know, I'm an old fart, but when you have to be at work at 7am, early bedtime is welcomed.

More to come...

Greetings...

This is why I love my FAMILY. I am constantly greeted in the same manner pretty much everyday. When I get home, my pup Foster, affectionately known around the homestead as "The Bud", greets me. Now, there are many different ways that he does this. If I get home from work early, he is groggy and has NO clue why I'm home. This greeting is almost like I've invaded his privacy and it takes a minute for me to a) find him (hiding in the guest bathroom) and b) to get him to wiggle waggle mode. For those not in "the know" (anyone other than Jer and I) wiggle waggle is when Foster gets so excited that his body cannot keep up with the demand of his rear as he wiggle and waggle's his tail-end excitedly. However, if I get home at a normal time he is right there in my face, wiggling and waggling, with an expression on his face that says, "I'm so glad you're home." Also, a little bit of "Take me out NOW, woman!" Either way, it is a nice thing to come home to.

This is the darling face I get to see when I step through our door.

Then there's the husband's greeting. I'm either running around cleaning, watching TV, or on the computer so The Bud is the first to get to Jeremy when he walks in. And while Jeremy loves all the wiggles and waggles, he still says hi to me first. It goes a little something like this, hit it:

Jeremy: Hi Wife!

Me: Hi Baby!

(smooch smooch)

Jeremy: Hi Bud. (scratching furry white tummy and chest, kisses on the head, loves all around)

more smooches between me and the hubs and us and the Bud continue.

These are my favorite greetings. The ones you get when you walk in the door from a day at work that may or may not have been pretty crappy. I mean wouldn't everyone much rather be at home with the loves of your lives than at work? I would.

So Much Stuff

So, we got to see Grace Elizabeth and all her cuteness. She is tremendously cute. I mean really, most babies look like wet worms when they're first born. GE just looks like a little soft angel who makes faces like she just smelled a fart. She has the sweetest features. Oh, baby fever go away. I didn't get any photos, but I soon will. For now, she is our little ya-ya. YA YA!!

************************************************************************************

Meanwhile, I got some film developed and found some fun pictures to share.

This is the most handsome dog. Our Foster B. Wellington Morin. We respectfully call him The Bud. This is right before he got a much needed haircut. I'm tellin' ya, he's not that fat, it's all fur.

My favorite flower. Peonies. These were from Whole Foods and lasted forever. They were beautiful and I couldn't help but stick my face in them everytime I walked by. That in the background is my cute blue chair from the flea market. The color just reminds me of summer and sweet tea with mint.

My boys. The Bud with his eyes closed and mine are surprisingly large. I usually have tiny eyes when I smile. Thank you Lord for my sweet family.

Luke and Dominic. Our hilarious and not-too-shabby pair of nephews. They are so funny. Luke is three going on 76. He's great. And Dominic is about 7 months old is has the sweetest personality. We don't get to see them as often as we'd like, but we think about them quite often.

Now, to bed. 6 am comes quite fast.

Peace & Love.

GE Whirlpool

Well, my first niece is here! We ain't blood but it don't matter. She is already a part of me. I am so excited to get off work and meet this little girl that I've talked to many times already. God is truly amazing in the gifts that He continues to give us. Thank you Lord for keeping Laura and Gracie safe. Pictures of the GE to follow as soon as I can meet her!!!!!



Peace

Hope

So I just read this woman's blog: Stephanie Neilson. She is an amazing woman of God with a gorgeous family. She and her husband were flying in a private plane (her husband is a pilot but we're not sure if he was flying) and the plane crashed. The good friend piloting the plane died. Christian and Stephanie are still in chemically induced comas and are covered in burns. They are stable and their faithful family has all the hope in the world that they'll pull through. The couple has four children who are now with Stephanie's sister. This story just teaches us to live everyday with love, laughter, and with no limits. Just go to Stephanie's blog and you'll see just how creative she is, how in love with her family she is, and how much she loves the Lord. It makes me kiss on Jeremy even more than I normally do (which is a lot so I hope he doesn't mind) and makes me think about my day to day life. I hope I'm making the Lord proud and living this life he gave me to the fullest.

Now, they are not dead and no where near it. I just pray that they get better so they can see their beautiful children once again. Stephanie and Christian, I pray that you feel your family's faith and know that they love and care for you deeply. Peace be with you...

Summer's Slipping Away

This is the last week of camp. I always get sad no matter how old I get. I have so much fun during the summer and knowing that my favorite season is coming to an end is sad. I have to wait three more seasons to feel that joy I get everytime summer rolls around. So, as a toast to the season I thought I'd write a list (I adore lists) of my favorite things about summer.

*The very begining of summer when you know what's coming is going to be a blast...
*Bold blue skies behind bright green leaves
*Salty skin and hair from an amazing day on the beach
*Floating on a boogie board in the tidal pool that forms in the late afternoon on Sunset's expansive beach
*Reading full books for fun
*Lightning bugs
*Tanned skin
*Smell of suntan lotion and sea air
*Rocking in rocking chairs with friends talking about nothing in particular
*Camp assemblies filled with dancing and just having fun
*Driving down to the beach with the windows down and the dog in the back listening to James Taylor with my hubby at the wheel
*Water (pool, ocean, lake, doesn't matter)

These are only a few of the many things that I adore about summer. Ofcourse, I am one of those people that can mourn one season ending and get pumped about the next season in the same breath. So, not to steal thunder from summer, a short list of why I love fall...

*Football (NC State to be exact)
*North Carolina State Fair (never missed a year)
*Leaves changing
*Jeans come back into my daily life
*So do my cowboy boots
*Leaving the windows open all the time...

I hope we all can think about our summers and hope that the joy never fades. But also, embrace the upcoming fall season as I'm sure it will be just as delightful as summer 2008.

Peace and Love.

Well, I sat and read all of Kelsi's answers, so maybe someone will read mine! Thanks half-day!



1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT??I have scars on both my knees because when I was a kid I just didn't understand my mom when she said "Stop running down that hill!!!"
2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?Ugh, in our bedroom there's nothing. The rest of the house has art, photos, the usual.
3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?Me? Snore? Why, never!!!
4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?I'm going to have to copy Kelsi and say I love everything! Except Emo and hard core rap.
5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?I never knew until a couple of years ago, and now I can't well remember.
6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?Just to love everyday.
8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?IF that means something I've bought then it'd have to be my pup. I love him to pieces.
9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?5'9”
10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?Nope.
11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?Yup. I freak myself out most of the time.
12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?Jeremy. But I was being a girl if you know what I mean.
13. WHAT’S YOUR WORST FEAR?Agree with Kelsi again, having Jeremy taken away from me.
14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Dark brown hair and hazel/green eyes. My hubby is quite handsome!
15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING PROPOSED TO AT?On Sunset Beach at sunset.
16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?If I had to choose, I'd say coffee but I'm a Coca-Cola person.
17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?Cosmic Karma pizza from Mellow Mushroom: pesto, sundried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, pizza sauce and cheese!!
18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?I really just want a Sonic Limeade!
19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?Green
20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?NO, unless there are goldfish in sushi and I just didn't know it. Not on purpose let's just say that.
21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?That's tough because I think most people put a lot of though into all their gifts. I think I'd have to go with Jeremy giving me my grandmother's wedding band to use as my own band. Beautiful man he is.
22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?I'll always have one on Jc Chasez and Justin Timberlake, oh the Nsync days were glorious. But in real life, I'll always have a crush on my hubby.
23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?Nope
24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?J. Crew & surf companies like Volcom and Billabong.
25. WHO IS THE HOTTEST FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?Besides Nsync, I'd have to go with Shia LaBouf; and I think Jessica Biel is beautiful and Reese Witherspoon.
26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?Yes, my Foster!
27. WHAT KIND IS IT?He is an Australian Shepard/Chow mix. Adorable.
28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?Can't say.
30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:Lame.
31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?Brunettes, duh!
34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?Jamaica, Ireland, Italy, and Bahamas.
35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?Temper.
36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?Nope.
37. FIRST JOB?Ymca Day Camp Counselor, and where am I working?
38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?OH have I...
39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE?I do believe in soul mates, but I also believe you can fall in love multiple times. I haven't, but I know people who have truly loved more than one person. It's just batural.
40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?At work being productive.
41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?No.
42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?My humor, my hair, and my legs. I prefer hearing the first one.
43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?No, never needed them. Thanks mom!
44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?Money. Isn't that awful? We just have a lot of things we want to do with the house and what not.
45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?Four.
46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?My middle name is Leigh after my dad, Lee.
47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?Smoking or being dumb.
48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU MISS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?No real responsibility, agreed Kelsi!
49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?Tresseme shampoo and Dove conditioner.
50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?Yes, and it's taken me a long time to perfect it. I'm still tweaking it a bit.
51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?Turkey.
52. ANY BAD HABITS?I have a lot. I'm late a lot and I'm quite lazy most of the time.
53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?No.
54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?Totally.
55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?.Nope. Someone will always get hurt-agree!
56. DO LOOKS MATTER?I think for initial attraction, but you can move past looks.
57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?Scream it out. That's how I was raised.
59. WHAT’S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?To have a family that is happy with who they are.
60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?Sports equipment and a trampoline.
61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?I don't know. Who knows that?
62.WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?NO but my sister was, oh the agony.
63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?No. (dripping with sarcasm)
64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?Mac and Cheese
65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?Humor, hottness, and if it's Jeremy.
66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?E-Money (rarely)
68. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?The Office, Friends, reality TV of all kinds
69.WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?Kill them.
70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?Chocolate. Add in some peanut butter and I'm in heaven.
71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES? Um, yes.
72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?In the guest room.
73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?Dinner, tv.
74. WHAT'S THE FASTEST YOU'VE EVER GONE IN A CAR?I think I went to 110 and shat myself.
75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?Sure.
76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?My dog sleeping.
77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?Water.
78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?Husband.
79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?Smile.
80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?Art, hang out with my boys, see family and friends, watch tv.
81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?I love to hate people. hehe.
82. FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR?I love Summer and Fall, but my birthday is in December so it's a toss up.
83. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?Oooh, this is hard. Snickers, Reese's Pieces, and Chewy Sweet Tarts.
84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?I have a soul mate: Jeremy, a kindred spirit: Christie, and plenty of bosom buddies...but Chrisitie was my first best friend and other than the hubby, she still is.
85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?Brown
86. EYE COLOR?Hazel, damn it.
88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?I love Taco Bell and Chic Fila.
89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?Macaroni Grill, Mexican of any kind, Mellow Mushroom, The Rockford, we love eating out.
90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?Oh yes.
91. Last thing you watched?Saved by the Bell this morning.
92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?My birthday. December 30th
93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?Nope
94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?Neither.
95. KISSES OR HUGS?Hugs for all, kisses for my man.
96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?Relationships.
97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?Stuff for camp with the YMCA's money.
98. DO YOU HAVE A LOW SELF ESTEEM OR A HIGH SELF ESTEEM?Depends on the dern day.
99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?Nothing. Sad because I love to read.
100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE:Satisfied.


Thank you Kelsi for helping me waste 35 minutes of my life. I do love these....

My Heart Breaks

There are many things in this world I don't understand. One thing that has plagued me since childhood is animal cruelty. Jeremy will tell you, I cannot watch National Geographic shows that even show the "circle of life." When I was child I used to cry when a horse would fall in a war movie and I sobbed when Old Yeller was killed. I just have a huge heart for animals and their well being. Awhile ago I heard about the Taiji dolphin slaughters that occur every year in a small bay in Japan. These horrific whalers and fishermen trap whales and dolpins in a bay and net off the only way out. Then they proceed to slaughter the mammals with harpoons as the water turns blood red. Witnesses have said that the water is so thick with blood you could dip a paint brush in it and be able to paint a deep red onto a canvas. As I write this my eyes are filling with tears again because I cannot believe this happens. This is not the circle of life. This is humans taking their power over these animals and making a profit. Not only does this cruelty happen to the dolphins and whales but most often their meat (which is soaked in mercury because of contaminated waters) is then sold in markets and used in school lunches!!! Can you believe this?? I have sent out an email to almost everyone I know about a petition against Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart actually has a hand in the Japanese market that sells this meat. I am no longer shopping at Wal-Mart (there are many other reasons not to shop there, too). If you want to sign the petition I will post the link below. Water is a part of me as much as my arms and legs are. The animals that inhabit the world's oceans and seas should be left to live as they have forever. I am so sick of animal cruelty and this is one cause that I'll not forget or let slip to the back of my mind. Thanks for joining in the fight. Peace.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/991643794?ltl=1137650675

http://www.savejapandolphins.org/

A fisherman's boat in the bloody waters of the small bay in Taiji Japan.

An arial shot of the bay where so many cetaceans are killed each year.

Wilmington and such...

Well we just got back from a wonderful weekend at the beach. We were lucky enough to stay at my parent's beach house and then head into Wilmington for dinner and what not. I must say sleeping is amazing, esp. when you don't have an alarm screaming at you in the morn. We did have a great time and it gave us time to enjoy each other and actually have a couple of conversations without life getting in the way.

So as of tomorrow morning, the diet begins. Jeremy and I are very excited that this time it might actually work (ahem). We bought a scale and everything. Let's pray that we at least stay healthy.

So that's about it, until next time. Peace.

BLOG

'Ello Friends! Oh man. I do love the blogging (as much as I wish I didn't). But it is nice to just sit and talk about yourself for awhile. So I'll only be able to update this joint on the weekends since I have NO time during the week.

This week was kind of sick. It was really crazy because working with other people's bratty-ash kids is crazy in and of itself. Plus we were short staffed, so that was fun. To top it off, I went to get my hair dyed for the first time (professionaly, I've done it myself before). I showed her a couple of pics and then we were off. Well (said like Laura), it didn't turn out as I had hoped. It was bright blonde and orange. No, I have no pictures. However, the same girl squeezed me in tonight after the salon closed and totally fixed it. I love it and as soon as I get some photos of the new do I'll put some up. It's light but not too crazy.

Ok, so that was kind of lame post, but not too much has gone on this week. The hubby is still hot and I still love my puppy so much. So, until next time...

Peace.

Peer Pressure

PEER PRESSURE
By: Jeremy & Erin Morin

For centuries parents have always dreaded the age when their precious children would feel the effects peer pressure. First, it starts with their friends' opinions being more important than the parents'. Later, it turns to more serious offenses such as drugs, sex, and the influence of that rock n' roll music (or noise, as we like to call it). If the children make it out alive through all of that there is still one sin darker than the previous: blogging. The never ending checking of status', changing opinions and favorites, constantly uploading and adding comments of photos, the incessant finger-clicking and typing, and the sallow color the skin becomes due to lack of fresh oxygen and sun. This must stop. Leading researchers say that if it continues newspapers will ink their last issue, shops will close, the ozone will disintegrate, global warming will actually happen (thanks Al), and Britney will be fit for motherhood. Hopefully we are not too late. Generations from now could never know that such a thing even existed. We hope that you will join the fight to eliminate the blog from our society.

Stay tuned for our next blog!