I'm BAAACCKKK with gifts to woo your forgiveness.

So - I ran away - well not really, but darn near everyone around me, including me has gotten sick.  Then I had the joy of of a horrendous toothache and had to go to the dentist.  But here I am, I didn't leave you, I just barely had time to tend to my regular responsibilities, much less post here.  The good thing is, since I've missed a few posts - I have lots to talk about. 
First I want to beg your forgiveness of my absence with awards!

First off, Stef showered me with not one, not two, but THREE fabulous awards all in one!  I am honored and humbled by her. She, herself is an amazing woman, a heart mom and a great advocate for CHD awareness!  Please go check her out at When life hands you a broken Heart... Create Hope . She gave me the Beautiful Blogger Award, Happy 101, and the Sunshine Award.  With these I must pass them on to up to 10 new bloggers I've found and list something that makes me happy and talk about something that brings sunshine to my life.

I want to give the Beautiful Blogger award to these three amazing women and the beautiful blogs they have (and I'm not just saying they look pretty).  Some of you may know them, but I've only recently found them - so go check them out!

Natalie's Sentiments

Lesson's Learned

Blessed Quiver

Now on to something that makes me happy!  Spring, not that we know what that is this year.  Here in NC we have had more than our share of snow.  But on Saturday - when it was nice for a minute, I noticed my first signs of spring, the crocus are coming up in my yard, and there were yellow and white blooms.  I love it!  So to those who also find happiness and are always willing to share it - the Happy 101 award.

Everyday Occasions

My Adventures and Antics

Mommy 2 3 Miracles

You may wonder how through all the heartache in the world, sunshine is still found.  It comes from the little things and it comes from passing the little things on.  There are moments in my day that bring sunshine in, like when Little Man demands I kiss everyone goodbye - even the dogs - before going to work.  And if he doesn't see it, it doesn't count.  He shares his sunshine with me daily - and so do these women.  They share their life with me and I share mine with them.  I am lucky to have found all of these women in the blogging world.  The Sunshine Award goes to

The Five Fish

Desert Rose Moments

I'm Living Proof that God has a Sense of Humor

Now then I'd rather be Changing Diapers (who is a great new find, and a fabulous blogger) also graciously gave me the beautiful blogger award!  I feel really bad now, that I've gotten this award twice, yet I haven't posted in 2 weeks due to pure craziness.  (usually I'm a much better poster).  While I've already passed it on, Heather's rules are a little different, and inclue me listing 7 things about myself.  So here goes.

1. I used to love snow, as a southerner it is a foreign concept and never fails to wow us with it's amazing white flakes.  My yankee of a husband would laugh at me when I would just go stand on the porch and watch.  This year, I'm doing a snow go away dance.  I've finally seen enough - so much that I'm pondering moving further south.
2.  I'll never actually move, it is really just a daydream.  My work is here, family is here and I love the small town we live in. 
3.  I do want to move into a bigger house - with a inground swimming pool, on about 5 acres.  That is my real dream.  I've already sketched it out a few times, and continue to look at how awesome I could make the kitchen.
4.  I love to cook, if I didn't love what I do, I might be a chef or a baker.
5.  As much as I love to cook, I hate cake - all kinds of cake so don't tell me otherwise.  I am a cheesecake fan, our wedding cake was cheesecake!
6. I am now craving cheesecake, but will probably go get a Pepsi instead, I'm a Pepsi not Coco-Cola drinker.
7. I really feel bad for not posting, or even reading blogs the last two weeks.  I have a lot of catching up to do.  I am such a guilty person - I should've been Catholic.

Love to you all, glad you came back for a visit - even though I left for a little bit.  I promise to be better!

Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much. ~Oscar Wilde

Christmas Questions you say?

Laugh until you Cry tagged me in a little Christmas Meme which is from the Top Christmas Blog.  So if you want to know all about Christmas at my house, read on my friends, read on.

1. Have you started your christmas shopping yet?
Well I bought a little bit, and won a couple of things.  So started yes, but anywhere near finished? NO!  Which is really bad for me.  I usually start mapping out a plan and shopping in October, but this year, well October just slipped right on by - and for that matter so did November.

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions.

If you read my post a couple of weeks ago - you know I am in need of some traditions. I've adopted one Helen gave me that the boys will open one present Christmas Eve (that I've always let them do) and it will be new PJ's.  I like the idea that I can at least make sure they have matching pjs on for all the pictures that are taken Christmas morning.  The only one we have is our annual trip to Mcadenville the city of Christmas lights.  The boys love it - we went last Sunday and even little man kept saying "lights, lights, lights"

3.When do you put up your tree?
The weekend after Thanksgiving.  I prefer one holiday at a time, but as much Christmas as I am able to squeeze in.

4. Are you a black friday shopper?
I wasn't.  Last year was the first time I ventured out and that was because a friend dragged my butt out of bed.  This year, dear hubby had to work, so I didn't make it.  But I feel like I missed some really good deals and a great time.

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home?
We don't travel far away - but we do go to the in-laws just down the road for brunch and dinner. 

6. What is one of your funniest Christmas memories?
My favorite -he he he- is from when my brother and I were little.  He really wanted a jambox for Christmas and our very cool aunt got him one with a cassette player and all - it was so great - and I was very jealous.  Until he opened the box and saw it was pink.  That gift went to me - with the promise that he would have another one, wonder if he ever got one???

7. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
There are so many great ones.  I am a big fan of Polar Express - have loved the book since I was a  little girl.  I also have to watch the Grinch every year and Charlie Brown.

8. Do you do your own Christmas baking? What is your favorite treat?
Yes I do my own baking!  I love to cook, good ol' southern food and desserts.  Last year the twins and I made batches and batches of cookies and peppermint brittle for them to package up and give to people as gifts.  My favorite thing to make is fudge, or cheesecake.  I make a mean cheesecake.

9. Fake or Real tree?
I like a real one - sprayed with anti-burn stuff.  But we bought a fake one the first year we were together and it has been that way ever since.  I just can't see spending the money on a real one when I have a fake one (make that 2, someone gave us their old one) right here.

10.  What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
Panic - I've never felt any panic before.  Usually I have it all done in a timely fashion and try to enjoy every bit of it.  This year though - there might be a little panic if I don't get some shopping done soon.

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
Nope - I had that experience once in college when I came home and my step-mother hadn't wrapped anything yet.  And I may be caught wrapping gifts for my mother in law who saves them all for me to do, but all of my stuff is wrapped.  I enjoy wrapping and will take my time in the evenings doing it all.

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
I'm probably the most excited person Christmas morning, I've always been the first one up and have even woken up my children out of sheer anticipation.  I love to see their faces when they get up and can be found with my cup of coffee in hand sitting near the tree waiting on them.  That is my favorite part - the joy and wonder of their faces first thing in the morning.

13. What Christmas craft do you like best?
I made really neat stockings one year.  But my favorite is making the Gingerbread house, I try to get better each year.

14. Christmas music?
Dear hubby isn't a big fan - although he enjoys the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  I am not picky and love Christmas muic.  The Christmas station has been on in my car since the first day of December.

15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
Hopefully before the 20th. I do not want to be caught out the week of Christmas. One year I fogot the gift for my brother and had to go out  Christmas Eve, it was pouring a cold rain and the mall was packed.  It was the most miserable shopping ever. 

The original version of this meme says to tag 5 blog friends, so that is what I'll do. I'm going to tag:
Desert Rose Moments
Diaries of a Coach's Wife
I'm Living Proof that God has a Sense of Humor
Twinsomnia
Anti-Supermom