Just Another Day in Paradise...: November 2008

I know Halloween was 2 weeks ago, but I haven't blogged in forever and it seemed like a good place to start again. We had a really fun Halloween this year. We had non-stop activities the week leading up to it. I'm posting a few of the highlights. I love carving pumpkins, so we always do this for the family home evening before Halloween. Here are the kids showing off their work.

Meggan had us over for a yummy spaghetti dinner and a visit to the local Shelley pumpkin patch. Here are some pics of the kids with the cousins. We had a great time.

The kids humored me this year and were willing to be a Steelers player and cheerleader. They were actually excited about it after I hyped it up for a couple of weeks. But, Hannah had a little Halloween party at preschool and wanted to be Tinkerbell. So, since it's too cold in Idaho to trick-or-treat as Tinkerbell and because she wanted to be a Steelers cheerleader with her football player brother, we compromised. She was Tinkerbell at her school party and a cheerleader for trick-or-treating.

Hannah and Andrew before trick-or-treating...the older kids were with friends cuz they're too cool for us these days. They actually got to trunk-or-treating at our church and then trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. They made a haul this year! :0)

I have been tagged by Meggan and Melissa (a very long long time ago)

I: Amanda Jo Reading
I am: really tired today
I think: about everything way too much
I know: that the church is true
I want: my kids to be happy
I wish: I had a better metabolism
I hate: migraine headaches
I miss: My grandparents
I fear: for my children in this evil world
I feel: a touch nauseated
I hear: Nothing
I smell: Cinnamon cider scentsy
I crave: a banana creamy...I've wanted one of these for like the past week. I called Dave to have him pick one up for me after work.
I search: constantly for missing things in my chaotic home.
I wonder: if Obama will be a decent president
I regret: not finishing my bachelor's degree with only one semester to go (it's never too late, right)
I love: My family
I care about: things too deeply and then I get overwhelmed.
I always: time myself when I brush my teeth
I am not: as limber as I used to be (I was doing cartwheels with Hannah a couple weeks ago and I almost broke in half)
I believe: our country will get out of the slump that it's in
I dance: ...with my kids
I sing: constantly and usually with my kids
I don't always: bite my tongue when I should
I write: as little as possible with my carpal tunnel syndrome
I win: and then I gloat (I'm a soar winner)
I lose: and then I pout (I'm also a soar loser) At least I can admit it, right. :0)
I never: thought I would be in my 30's :0)
I listen: to the TV during the day, but I very rarely watch it.
I can usually be found: driving my children here and there and everywhere
I am scared of: bad things happening to my kids
I need: a nap (I'm with Meggan on that)
I am happy about: my new home business and being able to stay home with my kids

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8:15 (I was a touch on the sleepy (and sick) side this morning.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds for sure
3.What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Madagascar 2
4. What is your favorite TV show? Boston Legal and Grey's Anatomy
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? soda crackers and 7-Up
6. What is your middle name? Jo
7. What food do you dislike? tomatoes
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Twilight Soundtrack
9. What kind of car do you drive? Suburban
10. Favorite sandwich? Turkey and bacon (I agree with Meggan)
11. What characteristics do you despise? self-righteousness
12. Favorite item of clothing? Sweaters (one of the reasons I look forward to winter)
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Scotland because I'm obssessed with it and Dominican Republic because Dave served his mission there.
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Liz & Co...I think they're cute and I can usually wear a size smaller in these than anything else, so they make me feel skinnier. (Deep down I know that they're really just sized differently)
15. Where would you retire to? I'm not even really sure where I'll live in 2 years...but Dave and I have talked a little about ending up in Pittsburgh.
16. What was your most memorable birthday? My first surprise party when I was in the 2nd grade.
17. Favorite sport to watch? Football, of course
18. When is your birthday? 9/16/77
19. Are you a morning person or a night person? night...I stay up way too late
20. What is your shoe size? 7 1/2...it was 6 1/2 before I had kids, but it went up half a size with each pregnancy. It better not happen this time...we'll see.
21. Pets? none right now...I work on Dave occassionally, again...we'll see.
22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I'm pregnant (about 8 weeks), but my kids don't know yet, so please don't tell them, since you all talk to my kids so often. :0)
23. What did you want to be when you were little? Mostly a mommy and a teacher.
24. What is your favorite candy? Hmmm, so many to choose from. But, I'd have to say a Heath bar. (I think) or maybe Butterfinger, except Almond Joys are pretty yummy. But sometimes I really want a Milky Way, and when the mood strikes, a Reese Peanut Butter Cup. Okay, so I eat way too much chocolate.
25. What is your favorite flower? lilies
26. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and June 29 (my due date)
27. What are you listening to right now? Nothing... my house is blissfully silent because my children are actully napping
28. What was the last thing you ate? grilled ham and cheese sandwich
29. Do you wish upon stars? very often
30. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Red...it's my favorite color
31. How is the weather right now? beautiful...a little nip in the air with a beautiful clear sky and no wind...the way I wish it was year round
32. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? sil Bonny
33. Favorite soft drink? Currently Cherry Coke (I go through phases)
34. Favorite restaurant? Texas Roadhouse
35. What was your favorite toy as a child? Probably Barbies (like Meggan...we usually played with them together). I also really loved Legos
36. Summer or winter? Winter...not a huge fan of the heat and I love winter activities...snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, and just good old-fashioned sledding. I also love wearing sweaters, Christmas, and drinking hot chocolate.
37. Hugs or kisses? Both, but I'm pretty selective about who I'll dish them out to...I'm not a very touchy person. And, I'll only kiss 3 people...Dave and my 2 children.
38. Chocolate or Vanilla? Usually vanilla...I love chocolate, but I don't care for chocolate flavored things...kind of weird.
39. Coffee or tea? Neither
40. Do you want your friends to answer these questions on their blogs? yes
41. When was the last time you cried? This morning and I don't even remember why. It was probably about something stupid because my pregnancy hormones are in full throttle.
42. What is under your bed? My box of gift wrapping stuff and Dave's Christmas presents. He is not a snooper. I only have to tell him not to look and he won't. We're very different in this regard. :0)
43. What did you do last night? Cleaned my house after everyone was in bed, watched Grey's Anatomy, cried a little about something stupid, and then went to bed.
44. What are you afraid of? the evils my children have to face in this world
45. Salty or sweet? I'm a fan of both, but I crave sweet more often.
46. How many keys on your key ring? 3
47. How many years at your current job? I quit my last job about 2 months ago, but if you count my little home business...about 1 month
48. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
49. How many towns have you lived in? 15ish...I moved a lot between 18 and 23.
50. Do you make friends easily? depends on the setting