Marley and Me

This has quite simply become the boys favorite new movie. Yes, it's a terribly sad movie, but here's the kicker......they don't know it because they fall asleep every night they ask to watch it before the end leaving me a blubbering fool! Isn't it sweet??

LOVE IT!

Ok, so i'm going to admit that i'm a dork. there it is right up front! but i don't feel well, and i didn't feel like screwing around at all, so just go to the last song in the play list. i'll get it to the top soon, fighting a sinus infection. enjoy! i did and thanks for the input on the fireplace. everyone had a different opinion although no one picked #1! it wasn't my fave either;)
BTW..awesome new pic and header is from sam provenzano. isn't just the coolest;) thanks, sam!

Decisions, decisions.........

We're revamping the family room. It's always been a goal to do so, but now the carpet is torn and MUST be replaced. The fireplace has always been a want, and now we've saved our pennies to turn into a 2 story. I'm planning on getting new leather furniture, even though I've never had leather, but OMG I saw a set I just can't live without if the family room gets done "right", ya know? Ok, so here' what I need help with. I want the fireplace to be "the" pinnacle of the room and I'm not into the whole traditional looking thing. It doesn't matter what's there now (it's a white deco Italian fire place looking thing, that is now yellow, cause you can't clean it with anything cause I don't know what it is and bleach apparently turns it yellow as does ajax when you try to clean it, duh!) so I'm going for a more stacked stone looked, so I've attached a few. Don't know the color of the carpet yet (probably as sage green or deep yellow (don't cringe it's actually not a puke looking color), as it'll be installed after the fireplace is done, and I can always repaint the walls. Oh yeah, the new furniture is a rustic brown color, if it matters.

She's now 15 weeks!

Yep, it's not me, though I do love babies! My best friend, Megan, is expecting her second bundle of joy in September and how fun it'll be. Her first trimester was a bit like we all remember with morning sickness and such, but now she reports she is doing much better. Ian is her precious 2 year old son who is keeping her on her toes through all of this.

I have known Megan for 20 years. We were inseparable at times; we roomed together in college, lived a block apart after getting married, and now spend time catching up with one another on the phone as our lives often keep us apart more often than we'd like to acknowledge. We did get out to dinner sans husband and children last week and talked for a couple hours, mostly about kids, of course!

Meg....here's my guess now, another boy! You heard it here first;-)

I've created a monster

in Jack......and in a good way! The boy LOVES to clean. YEAH FOR ME!!!! Today after a good day of outdoor shopping, the boys were pretty much worn down as was I, but we have a ritual here and it's kind of sad that the boys know it. Every other weekend, when Frank is working of course, I clean, from top to bottom. Now, you might think big deal, but if you know me, you know my house is clean, as my husband says "neurotic clean," everyday, so this ritual of cleaning is the kind with toothbrushes and scrubbing the floor on my hands and knees.

Ok, so how does Jack fit into this? He now vacuums like a champ..........he empties the garbage.......he hangs clothes.......he unloads the dishwasher......empties the dryer.......strips all the beds of sheets.........you name it he does it on cleaning day! AND, if I do it instead of him, he cries, which I find hysterical because I know soon I will be begging him to clean!

Love at first sight!

Oh how I love the Kane County Flea Market! My mom and I try to go at least twice a season and today was perfect with sun shining and the semi warm weather. A few of my favorite friends made it home with me........Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, and Coach (all replicas, of course!) I have wanted the Louis Vuitton for such a long time that my mom laughed when I found it because it is such a good looking replica I about died! The black Prada is to go along with my 3" peep toe pumps coming from www.shoedazzle.com, a site one of my girlfriends turned me on to. At shoedazzle, you complete a survey of "looks" you like and after doing so, once a month they send you 5 shoes to choose one from at only $39.99!. I can't wait to put them together and go out on the town! I'm going to have to or Frank is going to have my head for the damage to the pocket book ;) If you haven't made it out to Kane County Flea Market yet, make sure to do so! It's only $5 to get in, free parking, and tons of great finds! I got some beautiful flowers as well, but seeing how it's going to be 30 degrees tomorrow, we'll see how they do! I also picked up a ton of Easter decorations at fab prices. I'm going back for some stools I have my eye on for the kitchen, but I did a pretty good job today. Take a look.

today is national autism awareness

So, I have a dear friend, Sam, you know the one who took the wonderful pics on our Christmas cards this year? Yeah, those......well, she's always been really good to me and those around me. I call, ask for help and she's there. Well, today it's her turn. I received an email from her asking for us now to do our part and I thought "OF COURSE!" You see her son Dylan, aka "Big D", has been diagnosed, thankfully on the high function end of the spectrum so today is near and dear to her heart. Dylan is Ant's age and Sam I'm convinced, is the reason Ant had a Spongebob birthday party. Anywho, please read and pass the word. There's also a special incentive by donating to the Autism Walk Sam and her family are participating in this year with the link below. Here's what she sent:

today is national autism awareness day here..
1 in 150 children born today will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders
to help us in raising awareness you can do something as little as adding the picture
below to your profile picture!!

as many of you know my son has been diagnosed on the spectrum
thankfully for us is highly functioning... and many others are not as lucky

our jobs as the mommy's and daddy's of these little hero's is to be their advocate... so
here i am doing my job.. spreading the work making many more aware of what this is.. and
ways we can help.. and ways we can hope

we are walking in honor of TEAM BIG D.. if you would like to make a donation in honor of
him we would be so grateful.
CLICK/VISIT HERE TO JOIN OR DONATE:
http://stepupforautism09.kintera.org/teambigd

anyone would walks and/or donates $25.00 or more will automatically receive a $50.00 gift
certificate/print credit from Samantha Provenzano Photography

if you want to know a little bit more about Big D there is a video posted at the bottom
of the page..
he really is quite possibly the coolest lil man out there..
and i know a few people can let you know the same thing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYzgFIjzlgQ