Much I Take for Granted

Wow. Who would've thought this week would be the longest of my life. Little did I know what was in store. Tuesday after work I began hearing from some friends that they lost power. I was so sad for them, but I really thought we were going to be fine because we still had power. As I watched tv, I listened to many limbs cracking and breaking and falling. Fe called and couldn't stand hearing the sounds either, so our house quickly grew in number as Jason, Felicia, Eli, Micah, Devyn and two of the girls friends piled in our house. School was out the next day and I wasn't going work so I thought it would be fun to have such a lively house. The girls and I played Clue. I love that game. We started to go to bed around 12, and the power went out. But only for 30 minutes. Phew! I thought to myself. That was a close one! I woke the next morning to find that sometime in the early morning, probably around 4, our power went off. It didn't feel too bad... but of course, I was under my warm covers. Jason and Felicia's apartment had power so they all loaded up and went home. We packed up some stuff and walked two doors down to my aunt and uncles house. They have a gas heater and gas stove. My parents were down there, and my cousins. We sat and talked, played Scrabble, and made the time pass. That afternoon, mom and dad stopped back by thier house and they had power! So before it got dark, we went back home and packed up some clothes and food and headed to my parents. Yep. That's it. My "roughing it" lasted 8 hours.

My big event on Wednesday was falling on the ice. We were packing the car and I walked out with a few things and hit a icy spot and my feet flew right out from under me. I hit my back, left elbow and my head on the driveway. I strained every muscle in my neck and shoulders trying NOT to hit my head..... but it didn't help. I'm still a little sore, but everything's fine.

It was fun to be around the family and sit and talk. Things that I take for granted and don't always embrace. But it felt so great to sleep in my own bed last night. And it felt so great to wake up and get things done in the house today.

I can't even imagine what some of my dear friends in Paragould and Brookland had to deal with. And what so many are still dealing with for the next few days. My biggest hardship was knowing that Lost was airing Wednesday night and I couldn't watch it! (No worries, I watched it the next night online!)

There are simple things that we take for granted everyday. Turning on a light when we walk in a room. Being warm inside our house. Cooking the food that we have in our frig. But for some, they don't even have the room or the house or the food in a frig. I have a new appreciation for things.

Only Five More Days.......

I've been spending my spare time at nights lately to rewatch the Season Four episodes and bonus features. I still love this show as much as when I watched the first episode of Season One. There is so much going on, so much on the surface and so much deep within. I absolutely cannot wait til the 21st!!!!!!

Love and Hate

I like the color grey...... I have a new sweater that's grey that I really love......

And I also have these grey heels that my great friend Julie got me for my birthday......But something that I don't like that's grey....... my hair!!!!! I found a few grey hairs this week, so I prompty added hair color to my WalMart list. Last night was the night! I'm now a brunette!!!! It's just a wash in color so it'll be gone in 6 weeks. Who knows if I'll do it again....

Christmas Day

Saraya was so much fun this year. Very vocal with her list...... a list that grew every time someone asked her what she was wanting. On Christmas Eve we had a service at church. I wasn't sure how well it would be attended since we haven't ever had one since we've been at the church, but we had 97 people there! It was a really great time together. When we got home we sat out some cookies for Santa.

Saraya woke up and was really excited about opening up her stuff. I love how many truly "happy and surprised" looks I got on her face! She of course got WAY too much stuff. It'll take her awhile to play with it all!

We have the privilege of staying home all day on Christmas day. I wouldn't have it any other way. We start the day with the grandparents and David and Jana. We sit around and open all our stuff. Then we make breakfast. This year, the menu was biscuits and gravy, sausage, cream cheese and crescent rolls casserole, a rice casserole and eggs and ham. It was all really really good!!! I think this is just about the only day of the year I eat breakfast. We then retreat to the living room to watch the Disney Parade. Saraya really enjoyed that this year since we were just there a few months ago. She kept talking about all the things that we had seen. And Hannah Montanama sang too! So that's an extra bonus. ;) After lunch is probably my highlight for the day.......... the LAKER GAME!!!! What a great thing for the Lakers to always play on Christmas Day. And this year it was a Finals rematch with the Celtics..... and we won!!! It was great. We finish the day celebrating with James' family. We eat non-traditional food for Christmas... ribs, bbq, brats, the works! It's so great. Then we open all the presents!!!! It was fun having nieces to buy for this year. I think they were my favorite ones to buy for!

My best present was by far my 16gb iTouch!!!! I am in love! We already had a wireless router, so I can get on the internet and Facebook right from the iTouch when I'm at home!!! It's GREAT!! Plus it's just fun with the touch screen. Because of my new addition, James got my Nano because it's way better than his, and we gave his Nano to Saraya. I've put all her music on there and she's been glued to it ever since! It's really cute!!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!! And I hope that the things that made 2008 great, continue for you in 2009!!

I am the Champion, my friend!

I did it! I can't tell you how excited I am to have the winner's trophy in my Yahoo Fantasy trophy case!!!! I stuck with my faithful starters that I've been playing for awhile, even though I seriously thought about changing some of them. But I didn't. And it paid off. Several guys scored BIG for me! This week Rivers actually DID score me 25-30 points!!!! :) I look forward to my trophy presentation from The Boss. I think that's almost as fun as winning. We've watched football all season, just about every Sunday, with the Hillis'. It's been a great tradition. And if there's one person in the league that constantly gives me a hard time, it's Jake (aka The Boss... oh wait.... THE BOSS) It just better not have a cow on it! hehehe.....

Sunday....

Saraya made these Reindeer antlers at church today. She loves them. She said that "they're a little floppy but they're still cute". :) And I agreed. When we got home she wanted to take a picture in them. You have to look close for the hanging antlers!!!

Then we took one of ourselves. Then she wanted to take one of me. Which turned into a photo shoot. She'd hold the camera down, look at me and say things like, "um... can you move your head like this".... "can you put your leg like this".... it was hilarious! Like mother, like daughter!!

Trying Something New...

This year for Christmas with my grandparents, we decided to do Christmas Brunch. I'm not sure if it'll become a tradition or not. We'll see if we do it again next year.

Grandpa and mom were both crippled...... grandpa broke his foot and mom has a stress fracture. So they were both a little slow. My cousin's daughter Kayla is a couple months younger than Saraya. And they are both spoiled by this group! They had a huge pile of stuff. As we sat around watching them open gift after gift, me and my cousins discussed how we NEVER had a pile like that!!!!! :)

After they opened theirs it was time for our Dirty Santa game. That's always fun. Lots of stealing and lots of laughing. Good food.... good times.... good family.

Fantasy Football Finals

Here I am. I made it again. I've been in the Fantasy Football league two seasons now, and both seasons I've made it to the finals. I think this is my thing! I had the pleasure of beating the Defending Champion (aka Laubach) yesterday. In both of the seasons I have never beat him, so this was an extra nice win... seeing how he used to hold that fact over my head.

Cristi and I were really hoping for an all girl final..... we did not get our wish. James beat her tonight by three small points. So, looks like it's a Hewitt final.

I'm confident in my team. And the fact that I know his team password and someone might be replaced in his lineup. :)

Fantasy Football!!!

So this was a big weekend matchup for me. I entered the playoffs last weekend in 6th place. And yes, there are only 6 people who make it to the playoffs... so I just squeaked in. This week I, Victorious Secret, played Fire & Ice (aka Warner).

There are many guys in this league. In fact, there is only one other girl in the league, and that would be My Football is Pink (aka Cristi). Pinkie entered the playoffs in first place!!! And I know for a fact that there are many guys who are cheering for both of us to lose. They probably really wish we weren't even in the league. We've played two seasons now, and both seasons, we've BOTH made it to the playoffs.

I could care less about Tampa Bay and Carolina, but I was glued to the tv. Our scores were really close, and we both had people playing in the game. But when it was all said and done, my guys actually outscored F&I. So I'm movin' on up!!!! I'm thrilled... THRILLED!!!! One of us girls is going to win the whole thing. I can just feel it. And I'm gonna love it even if it's Pinkie and not me! It would be really great if it's an all girl final. :-)

Turning Thirty-Three

We celebrated with some friends on Saturday my big milestone. We started out eating dinner at Fuji's which was soooooo good. It's one of my favorite places to eat, but we don't go very often. We had a huge group crammed around the table.... and it was alot of fun!
But I think the Laser Tag was almost more fun than that! We had 15 play... and we played boys against girls...... and the GIRLS WON!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!

I am blessed beyond words to be surrounded by such wonderful friends. People I can laugh with, share life with and can count on. These people are like my family. And I love them all!!!

Black Friday and Memphis!!!

Our standing tradition has been for many years to go shopping on Black Friday. Sometimes you don't even need anything... you just go. It's usually my mom, me, my brother, Jana and my mother-in-law. David and Jana were out of town (missed you two!!!!) so it was just the three of us. I was up and out the door at 4:30am..... yes, people....... AM!!!!! This is the only day of the year where it's acceptable. After we hit a few stores here in Jonesboro, me, mom and my great friend Julie were on the road to Memphis! This was a first for us but it was great.... and I'm thinking it needs to be a new tradition. We had so much fun. Mom had a voucher for a free hotel, so we spent the night and shopped on Friday and Saturday. As we pulled out of Memphis, I figured out that I had been shopping for 36 hours (minus sleeping of course). I only had a few presents bought before Friday morning and I love being able to say that I am just a couple short of being completely done!!!! YAH! Here's a picture of the three of us with all our loot.

Happy Turkey Day!

Here's Saraya today in her Turkey handprint tshirt she made at PreK this week and her "indian" braids! :-)

I asked Saraya five things she's most thankful for this Thanksgiving....

1. Mommy & Daddy

2. Ibe, Papa & Grandma

3. our house

4. our mouths (she's a talker like me!!!)

5. our Christmas tree (we finally got it up!)

I hope you are all enjoying a relaxing day like me... and gearing up for BLACK FRIDAY!!!!! I can't wait!!

David & Jana's Wedding!!!

Saturday was the big day for my little brother. My cousin Rebekah did my hair and makeup, that was fun to not have to do it myself. We got to the church just in time to take pictures.

dad, me, David and mom

It worked out that Ashley and Scott were able to be here for the wedding. I was so glad! Even if it was short, I always enjoy getting to spend some time with Ash.

2:00pm came quickly and it was time to start the ceremony. My cousin Stephen sang an original song that he and David wrote just for the wedding. Then they seated the mothers. And then it was my turn to stand in the doorway. I had to wait until the precher, groom and groomsmen came out. And as David walked out there, I instantly got teary. There he stood. No longer the little brother that was 11 years younger than me, that I've watched grow up his whole life, he now stood there a man. He has grown into a wonderful man, and he'll be a wonderful husband. I cried all the way down the aisle. But I quickly regained composure as the georgeous flower girl (aka Saraya) dramatically threw the last handfull of rose petals up and over her shoulder as she walked down the aisle.

The ceremony was beautiful. It was fun to have all the family together. And the reception was nice. David's always been a big UNC Tarheels fan, so his groom's cake was their logo. It was hard for him to choose between the foot and the Apple logo.

The Liles cousins!! Scott, James, Stephen, Andrew

Ashley, Saraya, me, Jana, David, Brent and Rebekah

Three Years...

...have passed since my grandpa left this earth.

For twelve years I saw or talked to my grandpa every day during the week at the parts store. I took those moments for granted. I've found myself hearing his voice in my head as I answer the phone or seeing him walk in the door as I've reflected on it this past week. With every tear, I'm grateful for the time I did have with him, especially those last twelve years. I wouldn't trade them for anything.It was far from perfect when he was with us. There were plenty of disappointments and hurts but there were also hugs, smiles and joy. Regrets will always exsist and I can't undo the past. But the bottom line will forever be, that I love him. And I miss him.

Halloween Festivities!!

Last Saturday we went to a halloween party at Chris and Karman's house. It was cold but it was fun! The kids loved the hair color, tattoos, bonfire, and most loved the hayride. That would be everyone but Saraya. She's not much for scary stuff. And as they came around the corner and I heard the chainsaw with a guy running towards the trailer I knew she was going to loose it. And I was right. She got off bawling her little eyes out. Took a little while but she finally got over it! She had fun anyway. She insisted on wearing her WonderWoman costume from last year. It was a little small but oh well. She's with her dear friend Elijah who so wonderfully taught her this mouth noise that they both repeat ALL THE TIME! :-)

Thursday at PreK they were able to dress up. So for this party Saraya decided she wanted to be Cinderella. Which was fine with me cause we already had the dress in her dress up stuff! Parents were able to go to school during lunch so James snapped some pictures.

And finally, tonight we went trick-or-treating! For the last month at least Saraya's said she wanted to be a bat. I have no idea where this came from, but she kept saying it, so I got creative with black clothes, a trash bag, face paint and hair spray color!! It actually turned out pretty cute!!

It started as our cell group, then it grew last minute!! We had a ton of people at our house. I think I counted 35. We ate pizza and then hit the streets. Most people probably didn't like seeing our big herd coming cause we made a big dent in the candy bowl!!!

Little Big Town & Carrie Underwood

I've been looking forward to last night for over four months! I've been to many concerts in my short life, but this was only my second time to be on the front row. They're especially good for us short people!!! I love music, I love concerts, and I will start my story with a fact that I'm sure you know if you know me..... I can't sit and be still... I must stand and dance!!!!

Little Big Town opened up the show, and they were great. I think they were even better this time that when I saw them last time! They have great songs and great harmonies.... I really enjoy them and all their music. (And the girls fashion! I loved these boots! Even though I could never pull them off.)

I made eye contact with Philip a few times and he nodded his head at me cause I was singing all the words (we were friends way back in the day when he went to ASU). I was secretly hoping that he recognized me.... but no go. About halfway through their set, two older gentlemen came in and sat on the other side of me. I would never think of these two as Carrie Underwood fans. But I didn't give them another thought. I continued to enjoy LBT, dancin' and singin' my heart out. Almost as soon as the lights came up after LBT was done, one of the men sitting next to me got my attention and said, "I like watching you and all, but if you never sit down, I won't get to see any of the show." I didn't really know what to say. Standing kind'f comes with the territory when you're at a concert, especially when you have floor seats. Plus, all the people around us that weren't standing during LBT were for sure going to be standing when Carrie came out. So I just smiled and said that I'd try.


Carrie came out and rocked! It's no secret that she could sing, I mean, you sing live on American Idol, you can't fake it on that show. But to hear her live and in person....... man, she can WAIL! She did not disappoint and she sang all my favorites.

She had several costume changes. And I got a play by play commentary about it from the two men. Her first outfit was a short black dress, and I guess they thought she was dressed for halloween. Then she put on a big full floor length blue dress for a few ballads. One man said, "that dress is twice as big as the last one". Then she went into an uptempo song and they ripped the long part of her skirt off and she had a short one on underneath it. Lesley happened to look over right when it happened and apparently their eyes bugged out. I'm glad they didn't have a heart attack. That would've been very distracting. :-) I'm all heart, I know. Just kidding!!!


Then came the odd moment of the night. Carrie picked up the guitar. I was impressed at first... but then she started strumming. Well, lets just say it looked very awkward. She was strumming way faster than the song and, well, you couldn't actually hear the strums..... so I'm thinking she was muted. I think it's great that she's learning how to play. I would love to play guitar. But I won't be learning four chords anytime soon just so I can hold a guitar while I'm on stage! No worries Jon and Charleton!!!!! I was quite jealous of her pink sparkly mic though!!! I would love to have one of those!

It was a great concert, with my great friends Kara and Lesley!!!!!

people.com

Usually everyday, or at least every other day, I look around on people.com. I like to see what the hot topic is, or see the newest pictures. So tonight I was looking around on there and noticed that Taylor Swift had made a video of random things. It said there was some backstage footage of the new Crossroads they're about to show on CMT. So I watched it. And I watched it again. And again. I think I'm up to seven times. Why you ask? I am a Taylor Swift fan, but I'm an even bigger fan of my cousin Stephen!!! He's in a band called Love and Theft and they've been opening a lot of Taylor's shows. And for a few short seconds, Love and Theft are in the video with Taylor. They show up around the 4:22 mark. And Stephen's the one on the right side of Taylor!! Gotta say, seeing family on people.com made my night! :-) Love you Stephen!!! You can check out the video here.

Crossroads Fall Festival

I've been working on stuff for the Fall Festival all week long! It was a lot of fun organizing the Chili Cookoff. We had six entries, and four willing judges. We played all kinds of games after we ate. There was bowling, football toss, paintball target range, and even face painting and hair color along with many others. We had a guy come out with his train. The kids love the train! But after all that came one of my favorite things..... flag football!!! I didn't do too good at taking pictures today.