Wedding Info

Ok, so in response to the several responses/questions I've gotten since my post, Manda's fiancee is very nice. We like him, although he is shy, so he doesn't fit in so well yet. He is from Nigeria. No, they are not getting married so he can stay in the country. His name is Tem, actually its Temitope. His dad is a recently retired CEO for Unicef and his mom is a nurse. He has siblings, but I don't remember how many. I think he has two sisters, both married, and at least one brother, who is a lawyer. I think. They me through her roomate, who is dating Tem's friend. We all wish they would wait longer, but they don't see the point. They love each other so why wait. Oh, and, to clarify, she is not prego;) (She gets asked that all the time!!) The wedding will be relatively small, so if your family/you do not get an invite, please don't be offended. We are working on a very limited budget and time schedule. Any other questions, I probably don't know the answers!!

I NEED a Break!!

Ok, so I can`t see straight because I`ve been staring at the sewing machine forever, so I`m taking a break. I found this on another blog, so I`m copying it! It quite funny! Enjoy! (I really like exclamation points today, hmmm.)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Patches Equinox

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Strawberry Sugar

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) TGIL

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Magenta Bulldog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Lynn Lethbridge

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Gilti

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Red Shirley

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Brian Eric

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Vanilla Toffee

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Eric (Ok, so I don`t think this one really would work for me. My mom has no middle name)

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Wolsey Washington

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Summer Lily

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Mango Socky

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Peanut Willow

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Sewing Lightning Tour (ooh, sounds intimidating!)

Update

Ok, so I know I said I'd only post once in January, but we've had a big happening in our family that just couldn't wait. Amanda has gotten engaged and is getting married February 23rd! Ah! So now, I have even more craziness to deal with! Life is a complete gong show, but it keeps moving along, so I guess I have to move with it!! Oh, and did I mention that I`m taking a class at the college. Actually I`m taking two classes. One is a pattern drafting class and one is a living healthy class. I`m excited about both. I actually haven`t started the living healthy class yet. It starts this coming week, but I`ve been doing really well in the pattern drafting class. Its super exciting. Ok, so thats more than I actually have time to write, but there it is.

New Year's Revolution

Ok, here goes. As this is most likely going to be my only post this month, it is going to be a big one. Lets start with Christmas. It was fantastic, for the most part. While we were at James' parent's house Christmas Day, I got a cold from James' mom, what a great gift. Sadly, I have not been able to get rid of it since. Today, I almost feel human, but am not quite there yet. Fortunately, the rest of our Christmas went very well. TJ got spoiled like crazy, as did the rest of us. TJ loved opening presents. He especially liked helping Uncle Terry open his presents. Terry, however, was not so sure about this.

This is actually Terry's present TJ is opening. Terry just gave up after a little bit.I just like this one!

For our present, my parents took our family on a vaction to Disneyworld!! It was very exciting. I have decided I found where I want to live. I LOVED Florida. I know I will never get to live there, but a girl can dream. We had a blast. The only part that wasnt great was that it got COLD. Not just wimpy cold, but 1 or 2 degrees celsius cold. Not fun!! Oh well, we all survived and had a great time doing it!

TJ loved giving EVERYONE kisses!! If he couldn't get to them, he would blow them kisses!

His first mouse ear hat!

Playing peek-a-boo with Scar

As you probably know, I LOVE the Muppets, so I was thrilled to go to the Muppet 3D Theater and find this GREAT fountain!! And no, I am not wearing the poncho because of the fountain. This was the day it started getting cold and it poured rain. I was soaked because Jessica and I went looking for ponchos for all of us. Yet I still put the poncho on afterwards, hmmm.....We went on a backlot tour at Disney MGM (soon to be Disney Hollywood) on one of the days when it was cold. We we all bundled up. But it was SO worth it because I got to see the COSTUME SHOP!! I told James that someday I will work there. Wishful thinking again, but I can't help it!

We spent New Year's Eve in Disneyworld, then headed to our hotel and went swimming. It was lots of fun. And now, here we are, more than a week into the new year. This year is going to be a big one for me. One way or another, things are not going to be the same this time next year. I have decided that I am not making resolutions this year. Rather, I am hosting a revolution. I have let myself dissapper over the past few years and I am going to find me again. I am making several drastic changes in virtually every aspect of my life. I won't bore you with all the details, but I will tell you some of the major points. I am doing this mainly so I can have someone to report to who keep me accountable. So, here goes...

Revolution #1 my health

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have changed the way and what I eat as well as increased my exercise time. The doctors think they have finally pinpointed why my body won't let me lose weight, so I am now on a special diet to try and kickstart things. Most importantly though, I making time in my life for this part of my life.

Revolution #2 my spirit

I have become very lax in spiritual matters and it stops now. I am going to get back in the habit of really studying my church materials and sincerely praying. Simple primary answers, but the change they can bring is phenomenal!

Revolution #3 my business

I am starting my own line of materntiy clothes. Right now, I'm making diaper bags for a local store and saving every penny to fund my line. I'll keep you posted, but things are looking really good right now in this area.

Revolution #4 me

I am taking time to find myself. I am playing the piano more and seriously considering starting lessons again. However, my business has to be more established before I do too much learning new things! So, I'm focusing on setting aside a little time each day to read, play piano or relax. I have also set up a scrapping day with some of my family every other week. Finally, I'm in the process of getting a playgroup together, more for me than for TJ, but he'll have fun too!

As you can see, I've got a lot on my plate, but I love it. I feel alive and excited. I'm seeing progress in many areas already and can't wait to see what the year brings!!

Happy New Year

Women...

I had the unfortunate opportunity to attend the funral of the mom of one of my closest friends this past Thursday. As funerals usually do, it got me to thinking. I didn't htink of what I wanted said at my funeral, or wonder who would be there. Instead, I wondered about the woman that lay before us and the extraordinary life she lead. She wasn't rich, famous or a great adventurer, but she was an amazing woman. She was one of the best examples of faith, love, motherhood, friendship, charity, service, hard work, laughter and joy that I have known. Not only was she an example of these things, but she raised her daughter (and seven other children) to be as well. Since I met her daughter back in high school, both women have been a source of comfort, strength and inspiration to me. I, along with countless others, was always welcomed into their home and treated with an abundance of kindness. I have shared laughter and tears with both mother and daughter throughout the years. This great woman raised a daughter whose faith and testimony have helped restore my own, who has loved me unconditionally, helped me through the darkest times of my life and celebrated the happiest times with me. As I sat listening to the service for this great lady, my thoughts turned to the many women I have been blessed to look to in my life. I have an amaing mother. She is one of my best friends. I know I can tell her anything and she will still love me. She has dropped everything, driven through the night and spent money she didn't really have to spend to be by my side when I needed her. She is such an example to me of what a mother ought to be. I have been SO blessed to have such amazing friends. When my life was flipped upsidedown, they were there for me. I know I can always turn to them and look to them for an example. I have great sisters and a fantastic, close-knit extended family. How lucky I am to be a part of such a great family. How blessed. I am so greatful to all of these great women and I pray that I can be worthy to stand among them. I can only hope to offer them a small portion of what they have given to me. To all of you, thank you. Its not enough, but on paper (or screen!) I can give no more.

Where did November go?

Apparently, I lost a month somewhere. Has anyone seen November anywhere? It must be lost because I don't remember it coming or going really! Life around the Gilbert house has been crazy busy over the last while. So many things have happened, here are a few of the most noteable...

1. We bought a car. I love it!! I don't love the payments, but its going to help our credit so we're not having to pay a zillion dollars in interest on our house! Yippee!

2. James found out he has to get lasik surgery. Of course, he found this out AFTER we drained our savings for the aforementioned car. Oh well. He'll be getting the surgery in the early part of next year.

3. I quit my job at the school to stay home full time and get my clothing line up and running. I'll keep you posted as it develops, but keep your eyes out for my new maternity line debuting early next year!!

4. I have taken on a million different sewing jobs. Its amazing, really. I had ads up forever about my custom sewing and alteration business, hoping I wouldn't have to go back to work. No results, so back to work I went. Then, I decide to do the clothing line full time, and suddenly I'm swamped with orders and alterations! Its a good thing I love to sew!

5. I have been called as a primary teacher. We'll see how long it lasts. Last time, I taught two lessons and then they changed me to pianist. I don't know what age or anything I'll be teaching b/c I don't actually start until January.

6. TJ... well, what can I say, he keeps me busy, but he also keeps me smiling. Yesterday, he almost made me pee my pants I was laughing so hard. He started walking around the furniture 5 or 6 weeks ago and now he thinks hes ready to try it on his own. (He's not!) He was holding on to one of the tables, turned around, leaned on the table, looked up at me, smiled and launched himself forward! He flopped right on his face. At first, he looked startled. Then, he looked up at me and went into hysteric fits of giggling!! It was the cutest thing I've ever seen!

This was at Trevor and Cheri's place. TJ LOVED the singing snowman!!

7. Ok, I saved the best for last!!! Things are FINALLY finished with cancelling my temple sealing and our little family is going to be sealed on December 22!!!!!!!!!! If you could see me right now, you would see smiles like crazy!! It has taken almost three years, but it is finally here!! Hip hip HOORAY!!!

Ok, now I'm off to continue preparing for the festivities at hand! (Man I am a nerd!!) I will talk to you all much sooner than last time!!

Quick Update

Well, here is a quick update on our life. James is home this week, so we are busy busy. But, its great because I love having him here. TJ is doing great and growing like a weed. He got his two front bottom teeth in the past week, so it has been a very cranky week. James and I just bought a new car. We are going to Calgary to pick it up on Saturday, so I will have pictures soon. Sadly, Damien has had to leave us. He became overly protective of me and wouldn't let James anywhere near me. So, we had to call his previous owner to come and pick him up. I gave my two weeks notice yesterday. I loved my job, but was just too stressed out. I really feel like I should stay home and be with TJ and get my sewing business going. It is going well, I've been hired to work on a few major jobs and have some designing stuff in the works. I'm not going to go into too much detail about that now though, because I don't have a lot of detail!! I'm still working on figuring out how to turn the pictures from Rhonda into jpgs, so if any one has any advice, please feel free to pass it on!! Well, gotta run, TJ is keeping me busy!!!