New pics from my NEW CAMERA! Thought I share some pictures of the kids spent at Alverthorpe. Many of the pictures were taken by E. He is enjoying the camera just as much as mom is.

Had to post this one of S. Doesn't she look like an angel?

My new camera is the NIKON D60. I researched it a little and had it narrowed down between the D90 and D60. The D90 plays video and I was really interested in having the capability of doing that. However, it was pointed out to me that the Ultra Flip costs just $150 and fits into your purse perfectly. The D90 costs about 5oo dollars more than the D60 which definitly helped my decision and might be a bit a more complicated to use. So, I settled on the NIKON D 6o and so far have been very pleased with the results. At the nearby playground E and S decided to ride the tire swing. I was actually able to capture their spins without the pics coming out blurry. Just love it.

More pictures ot come later.
2 1/2 days left of work.....
J

Christmas 2008

Another Christmas has come and gone to be placed into the memory books of our hearts. We had a wonderful holiday spending it with Big B's family. HIs brother, R, from Tennessee and his family spent the week close by and we had a great time. Christmas Eve we took the kids to their place for a swim in the indoor pool at the hotel that they were staying. The kids had a ball and were all tired by the time we headed to home (which was the plan). S fell asleep in the car and went straight into her bed and E headed there after the cookies and milk were placed for Santa to see.

The morning was nice as the kids slept to the wonderful hour of 7:30. After presents, and breakfast I headed to the cemetary and then to visit my mom. Then it was back home to prepare for our guests. Big B's brothers and their families along with his sister A and her daughter, his parents and Marilyn all arrived later for dinner. Santa brought the boys Rockband for the WII and we had a great time attempting to sing, drum and play guitar like the pros.

The day sped by and soon I was thinking how much preparation goes into just one day to have it end too quickly. I felt the same way for our big Christmas party which we held back on the 13th. I anticipated that day for so long and poof...it was over.

All in all it was a great holiday and I'm thankful that we spent it in good health. I missed by baby Katie but the feeling sorry for myself only lasted a few minutes. I was able to pull myself out of the funk before really falling into it and was able to maintain thankfulness for what I do have and what God has given to me the chance to experience.

Now onto some current news about life in general... It's been awhile since my last post so you might not know that I resigned from job. For those of you who see me on FACEBOOK, you all know already. My notice has been given and my last day will be this coming Friday. I have been given the opportunity to be able to work on The Katie Elise Lambert Foundation and help continue the efforts of raising awareness of child safety. I am grateful to be given this chance and hope that my daughter's name will continue to be associated with child safety.

On one final note....I got my new CAMERA!!!! I love, love love it and cannot wait to post the newest pics on here. The ones on this post are from my old camera and after this all will be from the new NIKON> I took it to the park today with the kids and it was so awesome to take pictures of the kids running and playing without them turning out blurry. The weather was unseasonably warm, the bikes were out and we all enjoyed the fresh air.

Time to run and I am wishing everyone peace for the new year.

J

CandleLIghting Ceremony

I thought that I would post a few pictures from the Compassionate Friends Candle Lighting Ceremony which was held on Sunday evening throughout the world. It is the hope of CF that for 24 hours straight, each year on the second Sunday of December, that a continuous wave of light will circle the world in memory of all children who have died too soon. This year's local event was sponsored by a local Foundation, http://luluslullaby.com/index.php. Friends of ours lost their daughter to Suddden Unexplained Death, back in August....she was just 2 years old. It was a wonderful, yet heartbreaking moment to see my friend, R, the mom of one of God's newest angels. To hold another person, another mom, who feels what you feel, who is experiencing the intense grief that only a parent can even begin to understand, is a bittersweet moment that soon will not be forgotten. I want to thank everyone who remembered my angel Katie, on Sunday evening and who offered their thoughts to me on Facebook.

Please let this serve as a reminder, to never, ever, take you children for granted. Remember to hold them, hug them and tell them you love them each and every day..several times a day. Little Olivia passed away in her sleep just a couple of hours after being put to bed. No warning, no signs, nothing. God was ready for another beautiful angel and he chose Olivia to join Him in paradise.

The Big Party!

Today is the day of our Christmas party. I may have mentioned previously that what began as an intimate Christmas get-together has turned itself into a large (lots of people) party. Last night Big B and I began preparing the house to hopefully hold many people. We put up additional tables and chairs, started preparing our bar area...it wil be self serve, and now are basiclaly just keeping our fingers crossed. We have held many parties in our lifetime but usually the larger ones are planned during the summer months so people have the choice to sit outside by the pool or inside in the air conditioning. Nothing this big has been planned before during the winter and I pray that it turns out well and that our friends and families enjoy the company, the food and the Christmas spirit. I know I am really looking forward to seeing some friends whom I haven't seen in quite some time...only on Facebook....and to hang out with my new friends in a non-work atmosphere.

I hope everyone is doing well and I will try to post tonight after it's over.
J

The Hunt for the Perfect Tree

Last Saturday it was time to once again look for the perfect Christmas tree. Aunt A and mom mom, little misses, S and G and myself took my van while Big B and the boys drove the jeep to Colavita Tree Farm. Even though we got lost on our way we had a great time searching for our trees. The weather was perfect and the kids all were excited. They had a wonderful time hiding among the hundreds of trees while we hunted for what would eventually grace our living rooms with bright lights and shiny decorations.
We had them wrapped and tied to our roofs and each of us headed back homes quickly to get the trees into water within the hour. Success. Big B took our tree home while Aunt A and I carried hers into her living room. Beautiful.
Our tree in now completely decorated as well as our house. I've been busily preparing our home to welcome our family and friends to our home in a "welcoming in the hoidays" party next Saturday.
What began as a small Christmas get-together has turned into what may become a large Christmas bash! That's okay though. I am truly excited that many people have given me the "yes" response to the RSVP.
Besides the decorating I've been shopping, cleaning and praying that everyone and everything turns out well.
Today I took S shopping as I usually do on Saturdays. She is so hyper sometimes I felt my nerves pretty well shot by the time I put her to bed tonight. The girl does not know how to stop moving. We first went to Michael's craft store which was WAY too crowded to move through the aisles comfortably. As people passed each other each would need to turn sideways to pass without bumping the other's bags, merchandise or handbags. S was excited to see the craft toys there, especially the Hanna Montana items and had trouble keeping her hands to herself. She touched everything and moved like a pinball, rapidly from one item to another, touching, looking and grabbing. The other patrons in the store were probably sick of hearing me yell for "S" nearly the entire time we were there.
Our next stop was Target. Once again we shopped while Miss S insisted on pushing the cart. All was well except for the cart constantly getting stuck while she attempted each of her turns.
One thing that she always wants to do is stand on the front of the cart while being pushed. I don't let her do this and have always said no to her persistence. While waiting in another very long..(the slowest line in the store), S decided to climb on the front of the cart while my eyes were scanning the endcap of DVDs. We were standing still and I guess my patience was wearing thin. Before I could blink, the cart with S on in tipped and both hit the floor. A nearby customer grabbed S off the floor while I stood still trying to figure out what happened. She was okay but received another talk about trying to stand still and not standing on the front of the cart. I felt another grey hair pop up after this and couldn't wait to escape the store.
Then off to CVS and then to PetSmart we went where she was a bit quieter and a little less touchy but energetic nonetheless.
I was glad to get home and S is finally in bed. I often wonder how one can keep going without really taking much of a break when one is just 4 years old. Does anyone have answers?

I hope everyone enjoys the pictures from our tree hunt and I promise to post more perhaps tomorrow. A little tired now so I wish the very few people who follow my blog, a good night.

J

What are you Thankful For?

So there is this list floating around and you are supposed to bold the things that you have done in your life. Should be fun! Feel free to play along!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train2
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
9. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person5
0. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China? (Does just China count)
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen (hope to soon)!
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in Arlington
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (does a thesis count)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
I have so much to be thankful for....Happy Thanksgiving!

J

LET US REMEMBER...

http://www.compassionatefriends.org/News_Events/Worldwide_Candle_Lighting.aspx

I'M HERE!

Okay,okay, I know, it's been two weeks since my last update. Oops. I'm sorry for the time lapse but there just has not been too much to blog about recently. Let me see. I guess I could tell you all about the tick I found on S last week. EEEWW. S was upstairs in the bathroom and began yelling for me. She was screaming, "SPIIIIDERRRR! Mama, SPIIIIIIDER!!!!! Now being the very nurturing, compassionate mom like I am, I yelled back from down the steps....it's okay S, he's just coming inside to keep warm! Just leave him alone...spiders are good. They eat other bugs!" I felt like I had done my motherly duty until I hear footsteps running from the bathroom.....and E yelling...MOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!! IT'S A TICK!!!!!! Here, E was venturing by the open bathroom when he stopped to sneak a peek at one of his favorite creatures....the spider, and noticed that indeed it WAS NOT CHARLOTTE or one of her descendants. It was Mr. Tick and it was embedded in S's thigh. GROSS and pretty dangerous. I looked at the disgusting creepy crawly and ran to find tweezers...(while thinking....damn if only I didn't get my eyebrows waxed, I would know where the freaking tweezers were). Just then I heard a blessed sound which was of the garage door opening and Big B coming home. YEAH! Big hubby to the rescue. He pulled, rather dug that %$#@ disgusting DEER tick out of S's thigh while I still continued my search for those damn tweezers. (I never did find them.) Vicky's Nail Salon owners will be happy about that.

So after our tick ordeal I found myself with a brand new worry...one of my favorite past times is worrying. My new worry? Lyme Disease. I've been keeping my eye on her leg for bulls-eye rash and thankfully it has not appeared.

Big B had doctor duty on Wednesday..without me. After 11 years, he finally had the chance to take the three kids for check-ups and experience the joy of them receiving their shots. I, thankfully, was working. Little b and S had 7 shots between the both of them for which I was disappointed. E got off easily as he was running a low grade fever so the flu shot was postponed for him. Little b has been sick since though. He's got a nasty case of phlebitis on his right upper arm, along with chills, aches, and feeling plain lousy. Trouble is, I'm not sure if it's from one of his 3 shots or he's just got a virus.Hopefully he will be feeling a little better tomorrow.

On another note, I just can't believe that next Thursday is Thanksgiving. It feels like it was just yesterday that we were sitting by the pool, or playing at the beach. I still want to feel the hot sun's ultraviolet rays and watch the butterflies dancing in the warm breezes. I'm not ready for these cold Northeast winds whipping my face with frozen precipitation. And what is the deal with the snow already? Isn't it a little early?

Where does the time go? And then there's Christmas....How many of you are finished your shopping? How many have started? Is it really just a little more than a month away? Quick, let change the subject.

I have a new favorite singer for anyone that cares. It's Chris Daughtry (yes, I do believe he was an AI winner). Not sure why I put this in my post, but it's here to stay.

But instead of posting his video, I've decided to post a video of one of my favorite songs for Christmas season. It's by the Trans Siberian Orchestra...their version of Pachebel's Canon. As we begin the holiday season, let us all remember what it really is all about.

Enjoy,
J

THIS CAMERA!

My camera has got to be one of the worst cameras on the market. It is the Sony Cyber Shot and it has failed me many, many times. The photos consistently turn out fuzzy, distorted and without the correct light...even with a flash. The pictures in this posting are proof. I took many pictures yesterday as the kids played inside together and only a few came out decent enough to post. The pictures here are proof of the poor quality the camera exhibits.

We have been looking for a good, decent camera for some time now and I am hoping that Christmas will bring one that will enable us to capture memories that will last forever. We've been researching NIKONs and have it narrowed to 3 and I am looking forward to having a camera which I will feel confident using in the near future.

Once again I find that Monday is rapidly approaching and a long awaited weekend is drawing to a close. It's difficult to believe that it's November 9 already and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It's crazy how quickly time is passing by for me. Wasn't it just summer and we were sitting by the pool? Weren't we just celebrating the 4th of july in the sweltering heat? Didn't I just hear someone say that they're sick of 90 degree weather?

How very frightening to know that if I die at the average age of...is it 76 for a woman, that my life is more than half over.

Does anyone else feel that the older you become...the faster life moves? Is there is a way to slow it down, enjoy and savor each moment?

I hope you enjoy the picures of Buddy and S. The two have come along way...Buddy has show great patience recently with S. He is tolerating her but we still try to keep her away from him for the most part.

Enjoy and have a great Monday!

J