Goodbye Oh Nine.

Looking back through 2009, it was a great year. There were no big problems or fiascos, other than raising twins ; ) There were great friends, family and 90210 all day reruns. It was a great Oh Nine and Ten will be even better.

Looking back at my resolutions from this year, I would say I was a success. My goals were simple and to the point.. lose weight, read, travel. I lost 35 pounds, read 38 novels (and my goal was only 12 or one a month) and I had the trip of a lifetime with my best gal pal, Bell. My resolutions were mainly to get "Mandy" back on track. I took time to lose weight and buy new clothes that fit. I replace make up that expired 3 years ago, when you are suppose to replace it every 6 months. I took time for me and still played Super Mom.

The one resolution that I did NOT keep (and have not accomplished even though it has been on my New Years List since 2005) was to have my wisdom teeth removed. However, I have had the chat with a dentist and he referred me to an oral surgeon, so it may possibly get done within the next few months and then maybe finally marked off of '10's To Dos. And just a note: I don't mind the dentist. I am just not a fan of having 4 teeth ripped from your jaw. Not a walk in the park.

I have a doodled list of New Years Resolutions for '10 too and I think they are reasonable and accomplish-able and I will share those tomorrow.

Here's to a great Oh Nine. See you next year.

A Ton More Photos up on Flickr.

Five Loves in Photos, more on flickr.

A Kansas Christmas, Photo Favorites.

Home Sweet South Carolina.

Hello family, friends and fellow blog followers. I am happy to report that we are home and happier than ever. Today we will go get Lincoln, whom I am hoping will want to come home with us. There is some major groceries that need to be bought and Jason wants to spend his Christmas Cash on to "upgrade" his DS to a DSI. So we will check into that later. There is also a trip to Sprint in my near future as my cell phone took a swim in the potty. Watch for more posts and a ton of photos to flood through here and flickr over the next few days. Hugs.

Christmas Program Day.

Is this not a handsome six year old? He is a heart breaker! Today was his school program and he had three parts. He did great! I love this kid! There are photos of the program up on flickr and I will post a small video clip later. Hugs, M

9:58 On Wednesday Night.

Today I took Jason to and from school, drove thru the bank and Burger King.

I painted Christmas ornaments with the kids after karate. I stopped in at Walgreens for 59 photos and some goodies.

I finished a project tonight that has been exhausting for me to work on. Many times I thought about giving up, but it's done.

Tomorrow is Jason's school Christmas program. I have all his things laid out and ready. I am seriously stressing about it though. Jacques is unable to attend and I have no idea how I am going to handle Zach, Ryan and try to watch the show. Ryan will be fine on my lap. Zach is another story. Plus there is no stroller restraining technique that will work because A.) Zach will scream to be released B.) The stroller will not fit through the auditorium door.

The next two days will be SUPER busy and stressful. Lots of last minute to do's before heading off for the holidays. Tomorrow night, we will take Lincoln up for his overnight holiday extravagance! He is super excited and smells good too.

Renee-Sent you FB mail.

I haven't got to read the last two days much. Last night a read a handful of pages in bed, but have yet to get any done so far. That's my TO Do after blogging.

And I got to shower tonight.

10:07 Wednesday Night

Fresh Cut and Highlights.

Tuesday. Ongoing.

Jason to school
Breakfast for the babies
Vacuumed dining, kitchen and wood floors
Mopped dining room and kitchen
Started a load of dishes
Started 2 loads of laundry, still have more
Paid bills
Got two babies down napping!
Surfed the web
And it's only 11:06

Monday. Finished.

-Jason to and from school
-Jason to karate
-Took twins for flu shot no. 2
-Returned item to TJ Maxx
-Returned item to Old Navy
-Returned library books
-Hit the grocery store
-Returned a movie
-Picked up pottery at Mad Platter
-And still found time for Starbucks!

Monday, and a busy week.

I want a planner. A dates, coupons, planner paper organizer. Maybe a gold one from Target. It's totally on my To Do list. Plus I plan on getting a new, fashionable winter wool coat this week. (You know what else?? If I had a planner, I could write down Buy a Planner.)

We leave Friday to start an eighteen hour drive to Kansas, with two two year olds. It will be fun. I can't wait to be home. I am not looking forward to the weather. I hate cold, but as least I will be looking good in it, new coat and all ; ) And I have the best set of mittens, scarves and gloves this year. However, one set is fingerless, so I will be fashionable yet freezing. Bell- I know that you are rocking an amazing couple o' sets too.

This week is entirely busy and overbooked. Karate twice. Two appointments, well make that one, cause this morning the twins got their flu shots. The dog needs a bath and will be sent off for an extra long overnights with some furry friends, and Renee. Plus I have to leave the house in immaculate condition that way I do not loathe coming home to it. I have to grocery shop at Walmart, return items to Old Navy and TJ Maxx, return library books, stop at Food Lion, pick up pottery from Madd Platter, and still hoping to hit Target and Burlington Coat Factory somewhere there. Then I still have to finish packing for 3 kids, myself and the hubby. Not to mention getting all the excess rounded up that we will need to take home: presents, stroller, baby bed, suitcases...

I guess I should stop our mail too and have the neighbors check in on the house now and then.

Basically what I am saying is, "Get off the computer Mandy! You are too busy to be setting on your bum blogging!"

Weekend Family Photos.

1. Jason earned his black belt a week ago and was awarded it on Friday night. 2. Ryan and Daddy on Friday night. 3. Lincoln thinks he is a chiuawa lap dog. He had a vet check up on Friday and weighed in at 59 pounds. Lap dog? I think not. 4. Zachary strapped down, the only way he will behave. And there is food store in his cheeks.

Saturday.

I jumped into today's housework head on and am relieved that it is done. I can relax easier when the house is not in a state of chaos and to top it off, both babies are sleeping. So I have some down time to get online and shower. We have to head over to Harbison today for some recreational shopping. I am currently on hold, and have been for 6 minutes 20 seconds, with a shoe store looking for a specific size and color. Make that 7 minutes, now I am hanging up. Happy Saturday ; ) Hugs, Momma Dake

Thursdays Thoughts.

I still need to address and mail Christmas cards.

The hubby surprised me with Starbucks tonight.

We went to Target. I bought a book, a notebook, diapers, a book for Jason and a hair cutter set for the hubby.

I may be addicted to Diet Coke.

I have the coffee pot set for 6:30 tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow Jason is out of school, Jacques is off work, and we are spending the day in Augusta, Georgia.

I am reading book two in my new series. And I got the book that I wanted in the post below. I should be reading now and not at the computer.

Both babies were down by 8:30 tonight.

I am working on next years goals and to dos.

New photos on flickr.

I am ready for Friday.

Welcome Back, Amanda.

This year I have read 36 novels. I have read memoirs, fiction, trash, non fiction, and classics. During September and October, I read a series of nine books in a row, and when I was done with them, I still wanted more. So I hit a downer and could not for the life of me, find interest in another book. I tried, but never could get in and going. I took up embroidery during that dry spell, so that didn't help me in the reading department, but it kept me busy. On Sunday, I dove head into a new book, another series with seven books so far and I finished it today. I already have book number two ready, but am reading a Christmas one first. (And after that I have another Christmas read too.) I am back on the book track. It feels good. Here is the link to my set of books for the year: Read 'o9. Just for fun: 11 of those were on Kindle and the rest were paper with spines ; )

Side note: This book is on my TO DO list and on my Christmas List. I am number 72 in line for the library's copy. It is not out on Kindle until the end of December. Under The Dome By Stephen King. You can find it at Walmart, Santa.

December 5: Holiday Baking.

Saturday I made some cookies for the kids to decorate. Ryan and Zachary used a ton of frosting, but had a blast. Jason did not eat any and Daddy did some decorating too. There were no cookies left on Sunday ; ) More photos up on flickr.

Hello, Santa.

Jacques work brought in the Captain as Santa. All the kids got their own gift and chocolate bars the size of Texas. Ryan is not really a fan of any fat guy in a suit, and his photo proves it. Zachary is only in it for the chocolate and to have his portrait taken, but Jason knows the drill. Today we are visiting "a Representative of Santa" at the mall because Jason knows that Santa is just too busy this time of year to being sitting around at the mall.

The Dake Family on Friday.

Celebrate.

The boys really enjoyed the frosting part of their birthday. We celebrated on Thursday night with cupcakes for all. Ryan can show you "two" on his fingers and both boys can say, "two." There are more photos up on flickr Twins Turn TWO and there will be another post here later with photos from Friday.

Twins Turn TWO! Happy Birthday, Boys!

December Daily o9

This year I am doing a simple advent calendar for the boys, well for Jason. Each day, up until the 18th, has it's own envelope with a slip of paper inside. Each day is something different and special. It's an event, craft, Christmas baking, a birthday.. I got it all covered. This year is about celebrating all month long. I started a whole set on flickr for the whole month, Holiday 'o9.