Thankful for family

Today I am thankful for my family. My dad has been my rock throughout my entire life. My sister is amazing and brings alot of interesting things to the table.
Along the way, I have learned that families come in many different forms. I am lucky enough to be a part of some amazing families. My favorite Aunt and Uncle are really not related to me at all, but I love Bud and Steph more than anything!! Their kids (Brandon, Conor, and Josh) are great. I have been so proud of Brandon this year! My Aunt Marsha and Uncle Rick are actually my Godparents but they, along with my cousins, Chris and Jessica, have meant so much to me.
Then there is the Hessel, Sutphin, Smith, Ballard, Wunderlich, Cook family. I am so upset that I did not get a group shot of us to show you how that group has grown but it now consists of Danny & Karen Hessel, Grandma Lucille, Ben, Bridget, Benny, Jake, Danny, & Tucker Sutphin (with Charlie on the way), Gary& Tiffany Smith and Stevie and Jenna, Rachel & Mike Ballard with Andrew, George, and Carli Grace, Will Cook, and Me and Travis. I have known the Hessel family for my entire life! I love these people as my own family!
I have many more people in my family but it is hard to mention them all.

So here's to families, both large and small, related or not! Keep them close and cherish every moment!

shredded bodies

I start day one of the 30 day shred last night in my quest to look decent on my wedding day. Right now I am not so sure if Bridget and Rachel are my friends or if they are trying to torture me. I will say that I like it better than going to the gym where it smells funny and people are sweating and grunting all over the place. Of course it didn't help that Travis started laughing at my attempts to do push ups! Oh well! One day down, and 29 more to go! I will keep track of my progress. Maybe bragging rights will motivate me!!!

This time I know I will win!

My friend Rachel is having another giveaway, http://his-mine-ours-gj3smom.blogspot.com/2009/06/pillowcase-princess.html . She finds the cutest baby clothes and then has a raffle for them! This time it is Pillowcase Dresses and I swear they are the cutest thing ever made. If I wasn't already baby crazy then these sure would set me off! Chech out Hot Tots boutique to see the styles. They are so versatile too... as Rachel explains in her post!

Pick me Rachel! Pick me!

I finally did it!I

I finally did my first coupon power shopping trip!
Here is what I got:

4 aquafresh toothpaste, 2 20 count tampax, 1 Pantene Shampoo, 1 Pantene conditioner, 3 Pedigree Dentastix, 1 Dawn dish soap, 1 Busy Bone, 3 Beggin' Strips, 3 All small and Mighty, 1 Glade Air Freshner , 1 two pack glade scented oil refill, 1 pledge multi floor cleaner,and 1 Comet Powder cleaner. Oh, and a Listerine and Mayo for Karen.



Total before taxes: $ 85.79



Total paid on my Visa: $31.25



Total savings: $54.54



Not as impressive as say... some of Rachel's, but I was impressed with myself. The toothpaste was free and each came with a free trial size! Score!



Thanks Bridget and Karen for the help and Rachel for getting us all started!!!

Learn a Little, Link a lot

I thought it would be fun to post Learn A Little, Link A Lot!What is this, you ask?This is a post to allow all of us bloggers to get to know each other a little better.
Here is what you do:
1. Post 10 things about yourself.
2. Post 5 blogs that you really enjoy to go to.
3. Post 1 thing that you received for FREE lately that you are really excited about!
4. Come back here and post on Mr. Linky so we can all learn a little bit about you.

If you don't have a blog, please post a comment here with your things.I would love to know a little more about all you wonderful people!(Please don't post things that will make you a target for spam or otherwise not nice people.)
10 things about myself:
1.) I almost always have to have the TV on. Usually I don't even watch it, I just need the background noise.
2.) I am really scared about starting this new career path as a teacher, (especially Early Childhood)! I know that I am never going to make a lot of money, but I love my kiddos!
3.) I love watching medical stories on TLC. For example, I am watching "Joined for Life; Abby and Brittany turn 16" However I start to get scared that I may have a child with one of the rare disabilities/diseases on these shows.
4.) I am very excited to start a family. If I hadn't already bought a dress and other wedding stuff, we would probably just start now!
5.) I really enjoy taking classes but hate doing the work and taking tests!!!
6.) I am so grateful that Travis and I found each other. Despite all of the initial obstacles, he understands me and is so supportive of me. I really love spending almost all of my time with him!
7.) I love to read! I will read just about anything!
8.) I really do hate drama. I wish everyone would just focus on themselves. Drama stresses me out!
9.) I like to be the peace keeper and this has bitten me in the ass. I forgive and forget to keep everyone happy. Well, I am slowly learning that it is not my job to keep the peace all of the time, and I don't have to apologize for things I really didn't do
10.) I really, really, really, want to buy a house. However, there are like 4 houses total in our price range in the area we ( and by we, I really mean Travis) want to live.

5 blogs I follow

I only follow 2 blogs
My Life - Erin
His, mine, and ours - Rachel

What I have received free lately;
The man at Subway gave me a free, fresh, warm chocolate chip cookie! Yummy

Accepting Rachel's Challenge

Even though Travis and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, I though it would be fun to accept Rachel's challenge and list 5 reasons why I LOVE Travis.

1.) He accepts and loves me even with all my baggage. He offers me his unconditional support and respect. He is my shoulder to lean on while at the same time, he makes me stand on my own two feet.

2.) He makes me feel beautiful and sexy all the time. I may not like the way I look right now but he tells me I am perfect.

3.) He shares my interests and has opened me to new experiences. I have found that I enjoy things that I would have never thought of.

4.) We have fun doing absolutely nothing. We have fun at Cards games, watching TV, at a bar etc. I truly enjoy spending time with him!

5.) I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him. I cannot wait to have children with him! I cannot wait to see what kind of father he will be! I Love him forever!