A little of this & that.

Life in Nebraska

I didn't realize how long it had been since my last post! We're still in Nebraska! Eden and I did get home for a short visit. We made it to Clint's football game, visited friends and got to see Granny! Rae and Pop rode back out with us and stayed for about a week...which we LOVED!! It was nice to have some company during the day and Eden had a blast with them. I've been asked about posting new pictures and new ones will be posted soon or at least before we leave here!! Ha...who knows when that will be.
Take care,
Alison

HERE WE GO...AGAIN!

Well, it's about time to pack up everything but the kitchen sink and hit the road. The guys out there always say, "How much stuff do you need?" A LOT! This time we will be in Nebraska. It seems like we just got back to Arkansas but it's been a month. We've been so busy that time has just flown by! I have lots of pictures but of course I've "misplaced" my camera case (it has the cable used to download pictures in it). It could be in Indiana, Arkansas or Nebraska...it might just be gone forever!! I feel bad for DW because every phone call ends with me asking him if he's seen it!
As for the 30 day challenge....I haven't made it to day 30, yet! I am trying and I hear from some of you that you are, too! Good luck. I could give excuses but the truth is that's all they are. I am keeping at it and I will keep you updated! Lord willing the next post will be written from Nebraska. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel there.
Take care,
Alison

Update on 21 Day Challenge

I made it to day 3 only to start over again. Yes, I am still on day 1! I am trying very hard and I think that has to count for something...Ha.

Life here is going well. We should be back in Arkansas sooner than expected which is meet with mixed emotions. DW needs some time off but after a few days he goes a little stir crazy!! He's getting time off but not enough for that trip to Hawaii that I've been pushing for...maybe the end of the year but who knows with his work. We do have a full schedule of things to do and people we to see while we are home.

I really don't have a lot to say. Just wanted to update ya on the challenge. I have pictures of DW's birthday that I'll post later.

YIKES! 21 Days...REALLY?

This complaint free challenge seemed like a brilliant idea yesterday...today not so much! LOL!! It was going really well until "the incident" late last night and now I get to start back at day 1...awesome! Good things that are happening is that it causes me to think about everything I say and think. Look at it like this, the brain is the manufacture and the mouth is the customer so if the customer stops buying what the manufacture sells...you get it, a supply and demand type thing! Oh, for the record I've had to start over twice just today. My goal is to reach 21 days before football season that way I can't complain about the HOGS!!

I had a very special person in my life call me today and say that she's engaged. YAY! I am so excited for them. Here's the weird thing...I was thinking earlier this week that she was going to call me soon and tell me she was engaged! Stuff like this always happens to me and my mom. I think it's passed down because apparently my great-grandmother had this, too. But, the bad part of it is when you wake up and think of someone in the middle of the night only to find out they passed away during the night. Oh well, what can I do?

Hello, my name is Alison and I am an addict. I am addicted to facebook, it's ridiculous! I am talking to people I grew up with and they have families...which I find so funny considering how we used to be! I am friends with a "girl" I use to babysit and she even has a baby, now that makes me feel so old! Can we say BOTOX?! Bring on the needles! Also, I am addicted to the Wii...LOVE IT! It's insane how much I enjoy it. Friends come over to play and it turns very competitive real quick. Unlike, other addicts I don't want help with these addictions!! I enjoy them too much and I have it under control...HA HA! ;)

Check back to see how things are going with the 21 day challenge!

Becoming Complaint Free...DAY 1

Your thoughts create your world and your words indicate your thoughts. When you eliminate complaining from your life you will enjoy happier relationships, better health and greater prosperity. This simple program helps you set a trap for your own negativity and redirect your mind towards a more positive and rewarding life.

Today I am taking on a new challenge for myself and extending it to you. To become complaint free! The goal to make it 21 consecutive days (proven to become a habit after 21 days) without complaining. When I complain I take the bracelet or rubber band off one wrist and put it one the other and start back at day 1.

*The preacher who started this said it took him 3 bracelets and 4 months before he reached 21 days. It took his 10 yr old daughter 2 months and his wife 6 and he chalked that up to her being married to him. :)

I just figured with all the bad news we hear daily about our government, economy, world and just the downfall of humanity we could all use more positivity. I am going to do something about it, so I must start with myself. Yes, this does include complaining about the weather and favorite teams. If you think you're not a complainer than take this challenge and you'll have no trouble reaching your 21 day mark...right?! I will keep you updated! Good luck!!

A Complaint Free World, inc. is a non-profit organization which provides Complaint Free purple bracelets and other materials to help people affect positive change in their lives. For more information on the Worldwide Complaint Free movement visit our website at: www.AComplaintFreeWorld.org

Easter Time

It's been a Good Friday for sure! DW, Eden & I headed off to Wal-Mart totally unprepared for the crowd...yikes!! On the way to the store DW and I were talking about our plans for Sunday and then it hit me this is the first time in my life I won't be with my parents on Easter. This is bittersweet for me because I love being here with DW but hate missing holidays with my family. Oh well, that's life. What's a girl to do when she's kinda sad-GO SHOPPING! ha.

It has been raining ALL day long so we've had a really lazy day and I enjoyed every bit of it. It's been great being out here with DW and Eden has bonded with her daddy which warms my heart. I was holding her the other night and DW looked up and said, "The two of you look just alike." Ha...almost everyone think she looks like her Pop and only a handful of folks have told me that she looks like me.

We did manage to get her picture taken with the Easter Bunny and they were so stinking cute. While we were standing in line I noticed all the parents in front of us trying to get their kids to smile and look at the camera. I turned to DW and said, "We're not those parents just take her and move away!" So, here we go, it was our turn DW took Eden to the bunny and I said to the photographer, "She doesn't have to be smiling or even looking at the camera just snap a picture and that will work for us." Of course, she totally freaked out and the picture was too funny but guess what, I've "misplaced" them. Big surprise there! :) Oh well, I hope I didn't throw them away and yes I blame DW for this! After all he was there, too...lol!

Happy Easter!
Til next time take care,
Alison

Jan this blog's for you. Love ya!

Whoo hoo it's Friday and I am ready for the weekend! Saturday, we are going to try and get Eden's picture made with the Easter bunny and if that doesn't work I am going to buy a bunny and release it after I take some pictures!
So, I am heading into Cincinnati the other day and as I am driving I am passed by a mini-van and on the back window in big white block letters it reads, "SLOW DOWN BABY ON BOARD." Really? Thank God you plastered that on your car I was "this close" to driving my car into yours! Not to mention I was driving a little faster than the law allowed and you passed me. I just don't get some people...but I did have a good laugh so it was worth it.
VH1 has a series of I Love the 80's, 90's and so on. I always wondered if the baby on board signs are things people will look back on and go why did I do that? You know like BIG hair in the 80's and tye dyed shirts in the 70's! I find it very funny! I mean you don't see adolescent or know-it-all teenager on board signs and yet even though they are not babies anymore you would still want people to drive with caution! Right? What do I know I have been trying for years to get DW to put a "I LOVE MY WIFE" bumper sticker on his truck and he still hasn't. I may ask that be my mother's day gift this year...yeah I doubt it happens but if it does I'll be sure to post a picture!!!
Til next time take care,
Alison
*Momma Jan, I didn't think anyone read my blog that's why I haven't been updating as much, but now that I know you do, I will!! *Love you, mean it!*

Catching up...

We have arrived in Indiana! We are loving it and Doug is sooooo happy that we are out here with him. Looks like we'll be here for awhile...yay! Mom and dad rode out with Eden and I and flew back home...we really miss them! Thank goodness they offered to make the drive with us, I couldn't have made it here without them. Life is going well and seems to be better when we're all together. Eden is still not walking and no it doesn't bother me! She's very fast! lol. I can't get much done during the day but that's okay with me because house work can wait!! Well, there's not a lot going on which I love but just wanted to share that we made it and it's going good.
The picture was taken before we took Pop & Rae to the airport...sad times!
Til next time take care,
Alison

Don't be that person...

Ummm, lady can you not see that I am trying to figure out what went wrong between Chris Brown and Rihanna so if you don't mind turning around, sitting down and shutting up, were the words I wanted to say but I did not. Here I am on the last flight before arriving in Indianapolis to see Doug and all I want to do is read my recently purchased gossip magazine hoping this will keep my mind off flying-something I do but don't particularly enjoy. That's when it happened two women sit down one beside me and the other directly in front of me...she had long gray hair and is adorned with lots of turquoise jewelry. She then proceeds to turn around and begins the third degree on yours truly. She asks where I'm coming from and where I live and then tells me that they are two crazy women (her friend much more reserved). And on their last flight the person they were sitting by changed sits...I can see why!! All of a sudden she reads my shirt JRMC Wellness and yes it's written in the right hand corner of the shirt and she asks "What's JRMC Wellness" only as she asks she runs her hand across my right breast...I KNOW! Good Lord, she's one of those people. You know the ones, they don't respect personal space. Feeling violated I inform her it's where I workout and I look down as to signal that this conversation is OVER but she did not pick up that cue. She says "Do you workout for fun or because you have to?" "I just do," was my reply. "Oh, that's wonderful someone your age being so healthy," was her response. I am sure my frustration was written all over my face, as I can not hide my emotions very well. She finally puts her behind in her seat...thank goodness. The point of this story keep your hands to yourself.
RESPECT THE BUBBLE!!!

Life...

Well, I am almost all packed for my week with Doug. I am really excited to spend some time with him but will miss Eden so much. When he comes home it's for such a short period of time and he has to make his rounds visiting folks so we hardly get to see each other. Eden and I came back to Arkansas in October and were only planning on staying until December and here it is almost March. I am glad we got to spend time with my family but I am ready for the three of us to be together again. Hopefully, while I am with him we'll be able to figure out where we want to be and then get moved sometime soon...Hawaii is sounding better and better with all that sunshine and water.
My 27th birthday is coming up and I am realizing that there are some things that I really want to do this year. I want to go skydiving!! I have been wanting to do that for years but now 27 is creeping up and it will only be a matter of time before 30 (Lord willing). I was going to do it for my 25th but as time goes on the list of people that were going to do it with me gets smaller and smaller. Any takers?? I figure why not start doing what I want to do...I don't want to be one of those people who says I wish I would have or I am too old to do that now.
After I had posted this I was going through my email and found this one email India had sent me...
Words to live by. Go do something meaningful, the house work can wait!
A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package: 'This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package.' He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.
'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on , was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is it. He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died. He turned to me and said: 'Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion'.
I still think those words changed my life. Now I read more and clean less. I sit on the porch without worrying about anything. I spend more time with my family, and less at work.
I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through. I no longer keep anything. I use crystal glasses every day... I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it. I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to. The words 'Someday...' and ' One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary. If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now.....I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell. I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends. She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favourite food. It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come.
Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.
Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no one.

Spa Day!

Julie, Lacey, Christie, Ashley & I got together last weekend for Julie's baby shower. Only that Julie didn't want a shower so we went to the spa, ahhh yes much more fun!! We had such a great time. Here's a pic of all of us before the relaxation began. We joked that our lives have changed since college because we stayed in that night and remembered what happened the next morning!!! Ha...adulthood!

Doug decided to come in that weekend since he wasn't working because of the weather. The spa day had been planned for some time so being the best husband ever he told me to go and enjoy myself and me being the good wife...I did!!! Not to mention I am (Lord willing) flying out there on the 14th for a week, YAY. Saturday, Doug took Eden to see his family while I was in Hot Springs so it that worked out beautifully. The picture of Eden in her high chair was taken Sunday before Doug headed back...she has no clothes on because I forgot a bib and I'd already washed clothes for the day. She likes to kick back and put her feet up but I didn't grab the camera in time to get her with both feet up and crossed-that's when you know she's all done.

Til next time take care,

Alison

Eden's 1st step

Lately the days have been flying by too fast I guess it's because we'll be leaving soon and I know it will be so hard to leave mom & dad...Eden has become very attached to them. And who wouldn't she gets away with everything. Today was awesome and tonight little miss Eden took her first step! YAY!! She took a step from Rae Rae to Pop and I got it on video but I have no idea how to post it. Eden got to spend some time with her cousins this weekend and they had a blast. She's especially fond of Caden and he loves his Edie Bell!! Well, that's about all just thought I'd share how excited I am about Eden's first step!!
Til next time take care,
Alison

We enjoyed the warmer weather today but I think that will change tomorrow. Oh, well! I talked to Doug and he sounds good but I think he's ready for Eden and I to be there. I am wanting to fly out next month for my birthday-he'll work, I'll shop and we'll go skiing sometime in between. That all is subject to change that's how life goes for Doug just last week he was getting a month off and heading home! There's not a lot to say but had a few minutes and thought I'd write...an outlet for me. I was reading Kristie's blog and got the idea to give some realism's about myself that you might not know!

1. Having a baby is everything I ever wanted but never knew I did. I never pictured myself as a mother and didn't dream about my wedding day. Now I can't imagine life without Eden.

2. Doug and I dated four months and then got engaged. He's traveled all but 1 year of our marriage and it never gets easier telling him bye. It drives me crazy when I hear people complain about their spouse. If you have someone to talk to and laying next to you at night there's no reason to complain.

3. I type and retype several times before I post because I am not a great writer and grammar wasn't my best subject.

4. I am a people pleaser but I am working on that! I've been told the older you get the easier it is. It takes a lot for me to walk away from a relationship but when I do that's it. After reading Kristy's I understand that it's okay to do that!!

5. I love anything that has to do with water. I use to be a lifeguard and by far it was the best job I have ever had. We didn't get paid much but if they knew what we did there after the patrons left we wouldn't have gotten paid at all!!

6. I would love to do interior decorating full time. Mostly because I love to decorate but partly because I love the show Designing Women. I drive by the house anytime I get the chance. The actual house is in Little Rock.

7. I am addicted to CNN. I watch every chance I can and enjoy talking about politics. I am the liberal one in the family. My sister and I have completely opposite views on everything concerning politics. So, this last election was fun...well, at least it was for me.

Til next time take care,
Alison

What a difference a year makes!!

Today Eden turned 1! I can't believe how fast she is growing. When I started thinking of where she was a year ago I couldn't be happier of where she is at today. Doug wasn't able to be here for the cake and presents today so we had the "real" party while he was home. Only when we had cake this time I forgot my memory card was not in my camera it's at my house-WONDERFUL! Life seems to be very busy right now and doesn't look like it's going to slow down anytime soon but that's okay, too.

I was running a errand today that required me to be out in the middle of nowhere and that's when I saw it...a toilet in the middle of the yard with Obama is the S?*! written on it and I would have stopped to take a picture but the 18 wheeler was in the drive and I didn't feel like being beaten with a BANJO! I thought only in Arkansas-a toilet. HA...I couldn't tell if it was a compliment or an insult.

The first pic was taken at the hospital the night before Eden came home. We had to spend the night under observation before she could be released and the last two were the day she was born.

Til next time take care,

Alison

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I hope everyone is doing well and ready for 2009. I expect wonderful things to happen this year and am optimistic about my resolutions...just hope I don't forget them which is what usually happens ;) I can't explain it but I am really excited about this new year. I can definitely say the past 12 months taught me a lot!! I plan on taking the life lessons I've learned in 2008 and implementing them in 2009.

We are doing awesome and Eden is about to celebrate her FIRST BIRTHDAY! We already had the party (will post pix later) since Doug was home. She's crawling everywhere and into everything. She's one you have to watch constantly. I remember after we brought Eden home my mom telling me this year will fly by and I can certainly say she was right...what's new?! I was having a conversation with a friend recently and she asked when do your parents stop having all the answers and that made me nervous because now I'm a parent and feel like I don't know enough!!

Christmas was wonderful and relaxing Doug, Eden & I stayed home, spent some quality time together and opened presents. I got my zebra chairs and Doug got his new seat covers...Santa did well this year. Speaking of Santa Eden had her picture taken with him...good times were had by all. The toughest part picking the package! Doug came in early so we got a whole week together WOO HOO this doesn't seem like much time but it's been over a month since we saw him last. He's in Indiana now and will be there until March or that's the plan for now. We'll probably head out there sometime soon or at least I hope. It gets harder every time time he leaves but hey that's life and you do what you gotta do so you can do what you want to do!

In other exciting news Clint, Alissa and the kids will be heading to Conway soon. Clint is now the head coach for Conway High School. He's going to be staying at our house for awhile since he starts Monday. I am rather happy because I finally get to return the favor to them for letting me crash at their house more than once. The last time Alissa was pregnant with Caleigh Jo...don't know many people that would do that!

Well, that about wraps it up. I hope everyone has a favored year. God Bless!

Til' next time take care,
Alison

Family Photos

Here are a few pictures that Alissa took of us last weekend. Doug got to come home for a week and what a week it was. Eden, Pop and Ray Ray were sick, Doug got to visit a doctor and I had my wisdom teeth taken out!! However, we did manage to get some pictures taken while we were visiting Clint and Alissa. Alissa was so nice to do that for us because it was getting cold out-so thanks again! We had a great time but we usually do when we're with my family not to mention Clint's team won Friday night!!! Eden loves being around her cousins, she and Coleson Trey rolled all over the place!
Til next time take care,
Alison

Second Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Mom flew to Illinois so I would have company and help with Eden driving back to Arkansas. Before, we left we took Eden to another pumpkin patch and had a blast!! Here are a few pictures from that day. We've been so busy since being back home...we're still traveling everywhere! Eden went trick-or-treating with Ethan, voted (even got I voted stickers:), Pop's birthday party, Clint's football games, lots and lots of shopping...never too busy for that ;)
Til next time take care,
Alison

~Eden is 9 months old~

Eden is nine months old, has 4 teeth coming in and she's sitting up by herself for short time spans!! Life's been calm and it has been NICE being here. The weather here is cooling off and I love it. Here are some more pix of Eden...enjoy!

Til' next time take care,

Alison

A gift to Doug from his mother-in-law

Eden's First Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!!

BLACK BART'S PUMPKIN PATCH

Well, I wrote a story about our trip to the pumpkin patch but it got deleted and I am too tired to retype it. So, to sum it up we had a great time and Eden had several pictures taken of her today. You know just a few or a hundred but who's counting. On the plus side of the post getting deleted I figured out how to make the pictures smaller. Whoo hoo for that! We are all doing great and loving life right now! I absolutely love Fall and the only thing that would make this time of year even more perfect would be actually going to a football game instead of getting the score text to me, but thanks for doing that oh and you don't have to text me Arkansas scores anymore I get the picture it's going to be a very LONG season!!!
Til next time take care,

Alison