Welcome!

So, notice anything different? No, I didn't get my hair cut- I mean the new design, silly! You likey? (Who are you, my husband?) I started a twitter account shortly after beginning the party here and met up with Jumping Jax Designs. She does amazing work and I thought that if I still wanted to blog after Hubs came home from being deployed I should treat myself to a custom design. Well, around the time I got really bored at looking at the same ole, same ole and looking at other awesome blog designs, Becca offered a great sale for her blog makeovers via twitter. So, not only did I get a great person to work with, but also a great deal! Sa-weet! I called it my birthday present and I'm so excited to finally show it off!

Let me take you on a tour- see up there- right under the header? Those Labels? I can now put posts in their rightful places. It's like organizing for blogs! Love it! I know some of you only want to see the grand kids, so now you have your very own page for that. Now, all I have to do is figure out exactly how to use them!

Also- look over there on the right. See the birdie and letter? You can now hit those buttons and they will link you up with me via twitter or email. My twitter-verse is fairly small right now, so I'd love for us to be tweeps! Email me if you have anything to say, or please just leave a comment.

Also- if you like what you read, or if you're just curious to know what our life is like, or if I know where you live, please hit the "Follow" button over there. I know you visit and you're not a follower! So, come on, make a girl happy and follow! Everyone else is doin it! (sorry, a bit of peer pressure sometimes works)

Am I missing anything? Oh yes! Of course, if you have a blog, or are thinking about starting one- please look no further than Becca at Jumping Jax Designs! She was so very patient with me and all of my questions. From the very little guidance I gave her, she created an awesome design. Thank you so much Becca!

What do you think of the new design?

Wordless Wednesday- old school

Campbell at 4 or 5 months

Coming Soon!

There have been some exciting things in the works for this blog for about a month. I'm so excited, I wish I could show you right now, but you'll have to be patient- or I'll have to be patient for a few more days.


Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, talk amongst yourselves. I'll give you a topic, The Partridge Family was neither partridges nor a family. Discuss!

Neti Pot? I think NOT

Holy Moley y'all! I've been sick since the day before Christmas with what has grown into a sinus infection. When I was in high school and my early college career, I used to get them every year. If you had them you know just how miserable they can be. The absolute worst part about it all is not being able to breathe out of my nose. I'm not a mouth breather, your mouth is for eating and your nose is for breathing, right? It might not help at all that I suck at being sick.

So, once when I had an infection, my parents brought me to this ancient doctor who had to have been the first doctor in Florida. Seriously, he could have treated De Soto. I remember his green fingernails always freaked me out. (why would a real doctor have green fingernails? *shudder* Wouldn't he have access to medicine to treat that??) Anyway, so here I am, feeling miserable, can't breathe through my nose so you might as well shoot me, and this old guy comes in. After he diagnoses me with a sinus infection they have me lay down on the exam table, dim the lights and a nurse comes in to assist. "Assist with what" you may ask? I didn't really know, but trusted him. So, out comes this foot long wood skewer. He proceeds to stick it into my nostril ALL. THE. WAY. DOWN. UNTIL. IT. WAS. IN. MY. THROAT. IN MY THROAT!!!! One end of this thing was in my nostril and the other end was in my throat. I'm not lying, people! My stunned parents watched the whole thing. They couldn't believe what they were watching him do. I may still be freaked out about that. Maybe.

Anyway, so whenever I get a sinus infection Afrin has always been there for me like a trusted friend. She understands what it means to be a nose breather and how important it is to breathe. Besides, my lips get so dry if I can't breathe properly. So, Afrin became my cold cure. I think I've done alot of damage to my poor sinuses though. Regular Afrin doesn't even work for me anymore. My sinuses laugh at it now. So, now I have to go for the Afrin Sinus No Drip formula 12 hour stuff. Yeah, except it only works for like, 8.

Ok, back to this week. I finally get to the doctor (not the above mentioned one- Heck NO!), and she gives me some antibiotics and asks my about using a neti pot. I believe my response was something like "Absolutely not!" And she said "Oh, you're one of those patients." Ha Ha Ha! Seriously, I guess you love them or hate them, but I am NOT pouring saline in one nostril so it can swirl around in my sinuses and dribble down the other side of my face. It's just not hot. No way. I'll take steaming showers, humidifiers and Afrin for $1000, Alex!

Netti pots are disgusting.

I understand that some of you may LOVE this contraption, but I promise you I will never use one. I think it's great if it works for you though. Now, excuse me, it's time for a date with my friend, Afrin.

Random December Pics

Let's get December out of the way shall we? After I play catch up, I'll be able to move on to 2011. So- here it goes:

Hubs surprised me with a night's stay at the B&B we got married at almost 9 years ago. Commence collective "awwww...." Yep, I think I'll keep him. Us on the massive wrap around porch after having a scrumptious southern breakfast.

Hubs and Avery on GDaddy's 4-wheeler. We all got a turn, and had a blast!

Ella modelling at the old Army tent GDaddy put up for us to play in. It was the site of the ghost stories later on.

Campbell cheesing it up for the camera. I wanted to take some 3 year old pictures of her and she delivered!

And, the obligatory 'all the kids in front of the tree' shot Christmas Eve.

We had a great 2010. We're looking forward to an even better 2011. I mean, hey, at least Hubs isn't being deployed this year!

Christmas Update

Are you wondering where I went? I know you are. You're sitting there in your PJs in front of your computer wondering "Where is Nicole?" Well, we've been in the middle of nowhere Georgia, and I say that in the most loving way. Middle of Nowhere Georgia is where my in-laws live and they live on a big piece of property. You know you are in the middle of nowhere when you can't even get a cell signal and the land lines are spotty. Anywho- the girls have had a blast at their Granny and Grandaddy's "farm". There's been plenty of four-wheelin', hay rides, bird house painting, campfires, s'mores, and last night we even had a scary story telling in a big tent- complete with ghosts and goblins outside scaring us. Like I said- a blast. Our Christmas was very blessed with being with our family and savoring these times together...and lots of food. I hope your Christmas was equally as special for you.

Today- off to my parents house to have fun with Nana and Papa and Great-Granny! More fun times to come!

Wordless Wednesday