What can I say...

I have some the most awesome friends in the world. I truely feel blessed by the amazing women in my life. I love each and every one of you!

P.S. Misty, here's your post for the day!

Weekend Fun

Friday night Elijah and I went to see the play Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the ASU Fowler Center. It was an awesome performance. We had front row seats and Elijah was lovin' it. It really does make all the difference when your on the front row! Most enjoyable, is that you don't have to worry about someone blocking your view.

Saturday I kept Grady for a friend on mine. Elijah and Grady get along great, and Elijah is very protective of him. We hung out at the house all morning, took a short nap and then went out to mom' s to have some water fun. We set up the slip and slide and dolphin pool. They had a blast and I finally got some sun!

Carrie Underwood/Little Big Town tickets went on sale Saturday. Dana, Kara and I were all surprised to find out we will be on none other than....the FRONT row!!! I cannot wait!

All in all, it was a pretty good weekend.

Sweetness

Tonight Elijah was full of sweetness. He was sitting on the couch watching tv while I was busy cleaning up the kitchen. He yelled at me to come in there. I went to the couch and asked him what he wanted. Simply stated, "I just want a hug and kiss", which I gladly gave him. After I gave him a kiss, he cupped my face with both of him hands and in the sweetest, most sincere way he said "Mom, I'll never give up." Of course, I replied, "Never give up on what?" His answer melted my heart..."Mom, I'll never give up on loving you."

Crazy Eights

Okay, Shannon tagged me. Although it took me well over a week to complete, I had fun doing it.

Eight things I have a passion for:

*Career. I absolutely love what I do. What an amazing honor it is to take someone hurting and lift them up. Show them they are worthy, show them they are loved. I may not always work with these women and children, but my passion for helping them will never die.

*Parenting. One of the toughest things I have ever done, but the reward is so great! I never wanted children, but could not imagine my life without Elijah. What a marvelous creation and truely a gift from God.

*God. I don't want to think of where I would be without Him. I still remember where I was and it wasn't a good place. I gave my life to Christ while carrying Elijah in 2003. My life has been richly blessed. I am not perfect. I am a sinner. However, God's grace has allowed me to grow and flourish in a ways I never knew imaginable.

*Family. As we get older, the value of family becomes ever more clear. My family is small. Most of my extended family have passed on. My mother and stepdad are such a gift to me. They have always stood by me and are there to lend a helping hand when I need it. What they do for Elijah...well, there is no words to express the gratitude. My brother and his girlfriend have blessed me with a wonderful niece whom I love dearly.

*Friends. My friendships mean the world to me. It took me many years to understand the true meaning of friendship. I have always been one with few friends. I believe, in part, due to my untrusting nature and the desire not to get hurt. I am in awe when I think about the awesome people that have came into my life. I am me, and they love me for it. Can't ask for more than that.

*Higher Education. Education has always been important to me. Even though I didn't act like it at times (like when I went to college three semesters in a row and flunked out all three times). When I was 26 I decided I needed to do something with myself, so I went back to college. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I love to learn and can't wait to go back for my Masters. I just have to decide for what?!

*Missing Persons. I am sure some people think I am alittle wacky and even somewhat obsessed with missing persons. I am not really even sure why I am drawn to these cases. All I know is that my heart truely breaks for the victims and those that are left behind. I know if sounds crazy, but one day I hope to bring a missing loved one back home to their family.

*Crafty Stuff. Even though my artistic ability is nil, I love to do craft projects. I am real good at copycat work. I just can't think up creative things on my own!

Eight things I would like to do before I die:

*Own my own home. Though I do think it is rather nice that I don't have to be responsible for major repairs since I am renting.

*Find the man God has for me. I am starting to seriously doubt this one.

*Take Elijah to Disney World. I want to go as much as he does.

*Quit smoking. Horrible addiction that has control over me and I hate that!

*Crochet something! I love to crochet but my impatience has never let me complete a project. I can't tell you the times that I have started, undone, restarted, undone.

*Get physically fit. Constant struggle since giving birth. I acquired some bad eating habits while I was pregnant. Too make matters worse, I really do not like to sweat. So, by default, I hate exercising!

*Preserve memories. My scrapbooking has been neglected. I haven't really worked on anything since June 2004. In addition, I have at least six empty photo albums that need to be filled.

*Go to NYC! I don't have a desire to travel the world, but I would like to visit New York City in the winter.

Eight things I say a lot:

*Are you crazy?! I picked this up from Elijah.

*It wasn't your fault. Something I am constantly reaffirming to the women I work with.

*Where did these people learn how to drive? Seriously, it is almost more than I can stand.

*Eko, get down! Remind me again WHY I got this animal!

*No, you can't have a poptart/eggos/peanut butter for breakfast, lunch and dinner! I believe Elijah could live off these and nothing else, well besides chocolate milk.

*Snap! Snap! When Elijah isn't moving quite fast enough to suit me.

*Will you please pick up your shoes and put them where they belong!? Everyday.

*Ahhh, it's so good to be at home. I pretty much say this everyday when I get in from work.

Eight books I have read recently:

*Bible
*Harry Potter and the Death Hollows by J.K. Rowling-the last of the series :(
*Perfect Murder Perfect Town by Lawrence Schiller
*Cry Rape by Bill Lueders
*Forensic Science Encyclopedia
*Every Breath You Take by Ann Rule
*Decoupage Book by Holly Boswell
*Three Memory Maker magazines

Eight movies I have seen eight times:

*Serendipity
*50 First Dates
*Legends of the Fall
*Forest Gump
*Dirty Dancing
*Ghost
*Peter Pan
*Curious George

Five people( I don't have eight fellow bloggers) I invite to do this with me:

Dana
James
Michele
Amanda
Mike

Father's Day

For as long as I can remember I have despised this day. The days leading up to it is those of dread and anxiousness. When I woke up this morning, I didn't want to get out of bed. I just wanted to slink away and not face the day. Not face the fact that we have been abandoned. Of course, it is nothing new. My father has been gone from my life for 29 years, you would think I would be use to it by now. Elijah's father has never been apart of his life. Fours years have come and gone. Four years he can never get back. I often wonder if either of our father's ever think of us.

Don't get me wrong. There is a blessing in our life. Elijah has the best relationship with my stepfather, Ronnie. No words can express the gratitude I feel towards that man for what he does for my son. And me.

I went to church today. I didn't want to, but I did. We have some amazing dad's at our church and I tried to tell each of them Happy Father's Day. I truely admire them.

Elijahism

Elijah has started some weird things with his feet lately. One of which, out of the clear blue saying, "Mom, kiss my foot" as he shoves it in my face. He is especially prone to do this right before he goes to sleep. I find it quite odd. He isn't doing it in a rude kind of way that you might imagine. It is like a comfort for him. Sweet, but really strange.

The other habit he has started is claiming his feet are "out of entergy". Every morning he wants me to pick him up and carry him to the couch cause his little 'ol feet just can't make it.

Funny kid.

Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda's name according to Elijah... KaPoo.

I have never seen Elijah so excited about a movie. We have been looking for a KaPoo toy for several days now. We finally found a KaPoo plush at Kohl's and he couldn't be happier. I have been getting my rear kicked by KaPoo all evening.

The movie comes out in theaters Friday and that's where we will be!