Spare a prayer

I just found out that my Grandma fell last night in her apartment- splitting her forehead open (requiring stitches) and suffering a concussion. She spent the night in the hospital and was discharged today.

The bad news: this was her third fall in a month so she will probably lose her apartment and have to move into the nursing home. If you could spare a prayer for her, it would be greatly appreciated.

We're thinking about you and love you, Grams! xo

Headin to Georgia Y'all

Me and Lil P are fixin' to head to Georgia next week- I'm being sent on a work trip and typically wouldn't mind a trip down South (I'm hoping Lil P cooperates and we have a relaxing week!).

I've been to Savannah before and loved it! The last time I got to feast at 'The Lady and Sons' and even got to meet Miss Paula Deen herself and her hubby! It was such a great time, and you all know I'm a sucker for a Celebrity Sighting. I've got my camera ready to go- just in case!

So while I'm noshing on Georgia peaches and enjoying those 80 degree temps, I hope y'all don't have a snowstorm! Bless your heart! (I'm just practicing- that's Southern for 'you're so dear'.)

Have a good week everyone! :)

Quote for the day

"FAITH makes things possible, not easy."

~Amen!

Recession? What recession?

Last Saturday I met my mama at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Williamsburg. I was definitely in need of a little retail therapy, but was trying to keep in mind that I'm on financial lockdown (bad combo, I know).

I don't know why but I was surprised when we got to the mall- it was packed! Every store was brimming with eager shoppers- even Coach (!) which I always admire from a distance. The $300 purses were flying off the shelves- uh, tell me, what do you do for a living and how can I do it?

But the highlight of the trip was my very first time shopping at Motherhood! My mom bought me my very first maternity outfit- they even had cute little 'fake' bellies you could Velcro on to see how you would look further along. I'm just in the bloated/borderline fat stage right now....patiently waiting for my Buddha belly to grow!

We finished off the day by having supper at the ever fabulous 'Pizza Haus'. It was such a great day spent with my mom! Thanks mom- can't wait for our next shopping excursion! xo

Baby Love!

We've had a whirlwind couple of weeks, taking in the news, sharing with family and friends. There's always the thought- what if you tell too early?

I'm learning to trust with pure blind faith- that all that is meant to be, will be. And for a born planner, that takes a feat of strength! But am finding myself calm and relaxed most of the time, when not praying to the porcelain God. Come on 2nd trimester!

Here are some fun pics taken over the past few weeks~

In true 'daughter-of-a-baker' fashion, the cake that broke the news to my work peeps:

Starting the book collection! Thanks Jen and Burt!This is a wardrobe must-have! Thanks Jim!Cutest lil trinket! Thanks Dave and Dana!

Also many thanks for the cards, prayers, well-wishes... we couldn't do this without our amazing family and friends! xo

Believe in Miracles!

Introducing... Baby "Little Peanut" Wallace! Measuring 7w3d, heart rate 170 and due November 1st!

We are still in shock and loving every minute of having little peanut with us. 2009 really is going to be OUR year! xo

Now that's something to smile about

Okay- I just have to give a shout out to my favorite morning radio program- Big Ken and Colleen on http://www.star1025.com/

I was tuning in the other day and caught a segment called 'Good News.' AMEN! It's about time we start hearing about all the good news that goes on in today's society- I don't need to hear about the stock market dropping or job losses or who beat up/killed who. What I do need to hear is some good news! I was all over this and even though the segment only lasted a couple minutes, I was bawling by the end. Hormones? Nope- just a healthy dose of Good News!

So thanks Ken and Colleen! And keep up the good work!

The scent of birthday cake filled the air...

....yesterday as we celebrated Steve-O's birthday! Happy b-day buddy!

We enjoyed a mexican feast and I, of course, ended up eating way too much cake. Now how does that always happen to me?!

It was fun to get together and celebrate- hope you had a great b-day Steve-O! xo

Reformed Shopaholic

So last night I went to see 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' with my girl, Adrian. Gee- some people have amazing, Oscar-nominated films made after them (Harvey Milk anyone?!) but not I. No- if there were one movie that completely explained my life, or I should say- life before the wonderful joys of unemployment, it would be this movie.

I'll sum it up for you: girl, girl who loves to shop, girl who can't stop shopping... and shopping...and shopping...yep, that was me!

But then the phone rang and when I answered it, it was a BIG, HUGE wake-up call! All my 15 pairs of black shoes that only my eye can see how they are different? Yep, going to be worn til the soles wear out. Spending money on jewelry? Not on my watch!

I can proudly say I'm *trying* to curb my shopping appetite and have adopted the cozy term: safe-0-nomics. Wherein, all my extra cash goes directly into our safe for, what else, safekeeping (and no, you won't be able to guess the combination).

No more trips to the mall, dash in's to Target, strolling through Kohl's... and maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to outsmart this thing called a recession. Oh yeah, and the movie was fabulous!

Sharing the Love

One thing that I really wanted to focus on in 2009 was spending less, being thankful for all that I have, knowing how blessed I am- and I realized looking around my house- I don't need so much STUFF. I can function just fine without my spare bedroom stuffed with stuff, stuff I don't use, stuff I will never use, just more and more stuff.

So it was time to get busy! My church was seeking donated items for their annual rummage sale so last night, Andy and I filled up my entire trunk and backseat with all our extra, non-used STUFF. I dropped it off this afternoon and instantly felt the kind of relief you feel when you declutter, when you remove the chaos. It felt liberating! And great to know that someone out there might really need what I didn't.

So if you're feeling weighted down, cluttered, out of sorts- take a minute to work on a room or a closet and donate the items to a Goodwill store or local church. I guarantee you'll feel amazing for sharing the love. xo

The sun is shining! The birds are singing!

And you know what that means! Crackbury, uh- I mean, Cadbury, has started stocking the stores with their Easter shipment of crack, uh- I mean chocolate creme filled eggs and oh my! I confess- this is my Easter weakness!

If I truly wanted to sacrifice for lent, I would bid a humble goodbye to my sweet little eggs...but unfortunately, I just can't resist them! So I've had my daily allowance of 3 (3 you say!) yes, 3... and that's being on my best girl-scout behavior. I could easily down 8, oh who am I kidding? At least 20 of these creme filled goodies but since I bought out the store, I realize I need to play it safe. I need to ration.

If I were really smart, I'd buy stock in Cadbury. Here's to retiring at 40!

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Saturday night, Andy and I met our group for dinner at La Pizza House in Des Moines to celebrate our good friend, Lisa's birthday! It was my first time there and I have to admit, the onion rings and pizza rocked it! Of course, I've never met a pizza I didn't like. And this one, like all the others, was calling my name...

After pizza, we headed to Crawford's to continue the birthday party. It was a great night! Happy birthday girl and enjoy your day!

Happy Birthday Mama!

Yesterday was my mom's birthday (she doesn't look a day over 39!) and even though we couldn't be there to help her celebrate, we were thinking about her and wishing her a wonderful birthday!

In case you were wondering, if you looked up the definition of 'mom' in the dictionary- you'd see my mom's cute little face smiling back at you. She is the epitome of a fabulous mom- she continues to lift us up every day- rooting for us, loving us, supporting us... and I don't know what I would do without her. She has shown me, not just with her words but with her actions, the kind of love a mother can give to her children. And I relish in the day when I too, can spread that love on... thanks mom for always being you!

We love you! Happy birthday! xo