Evan's first Easter was so great! Saturday we had an egg hunt at church. He actually picked up about 5 eggs on his own then was done. LOL! Then during the drawing he won a gift card so the Easter Bunny finished his basket up with that and there is still $ on there for a rainy day or new sippy cup! Which ever comes first. Then that evening we all went to Irving to see my cousins that I havent seen in years! Their babies are soo big now! It was a really nice dinner at a place that definitely brought back many memories! Being in Irving alone does that though. Then Sunday the Easter Bunny had come and hidden a few eggs and brought Evan a ton of goodies. A new Gdiaper, 2 sippy cups and 1 sippy cup with a straw, and some new binkys! Then we went to church and it was a great service! After that we loaded up and headed out to my sisters for an Easter cook out. Evan of course was a little ham and even got to do the egg hunt. He found just as many eggs as everyone else! LOL! But shared his goodies! All in all it was a great weekend! I so look forward to more holidays with that little turkey butt!

We started working on our garden this wknd. Its looking great! A ton of hard work that I am happy to say I am helping with. It really makes me feel accomplished to look at what true hard work can do. Our yard is by far not finished. They grass needs to be cut and fertilized and we have more weeds than grass at the moment but its all coming along so well. Hopefully I'll remember to post pictures when its all said and done. So far we extended the flower bed to wrap around the porch and dug it all up, put down the plastic barrier, added the green metal border around the mid to top section, used mostly organic soil to fill it in with replacing the crap dirt that was there. (I literally found trash in the dirt when I got about a foot down. Now today we will plant 5 impatiens, 3 bright pink Salvias and 12 orange Salvias. Then next weekend we plant the apricot hibiscus tree! Our house is really starting to look nice! We are trying to save the tree in the front yard. Last sumer something got to it and killed most of it. We cut it off to where the living met the dead and its maybe a ft tall. We are fertilizing and watering it to give it everything it could possibly need to really get growing! Fingers crossed it works. I have no idea what our next project will be but I love the thought of constantly improving our home! That and every time I watch the show or even see something about it I get "I am not a hoarder" crazy and start clearing things out! So declutter is always at the top of my list!

Next Sunday will be Evan's first Easter! I am so excited. I know he has no idea about whats going on or who the Easter Bunny is or anything. But I love the idea of having traditions of our own. Things to do with my own family. I love that we can make these decisions that our children will forever carry out and do with their children and so on. I also want him to know not just the commercial side of Easter but the religious side. We will be going to the Easter Egg hunt at church next Saturday and then Easter morning service. Just like Christmas I want him to know the reason for the season. But his Easter outfit is so cute! He looks so good in it and I am hoping it'll fit. He's growing like crazy and its starting to get tight. Especially in his cloth diapers. Just one more week to go though!

I saw over the wknd that they are cancelling One Live to Live and All My Children, huge staples of daytime television for the last what 50+yrs?!? I have grown up on these and other daytimes soaps and love them. They kind of make me feel better in a "my life could be so much worse" way. I am sad to see these go! I love the characters the ridic drama and the fact that I can pick up after months of not watching and after a few minutes be completely caught up. They dont go off for summer hiatus, they dont show reruns and they rarely have any sort of violence! Whats not to love? Yes there is the occasional death but they always come back and sometimes with kids they never knew or a new hot spouse. Pure genious. One of the things replacing one show is a cooking show. Umm we need another one of these why? I am not a fan of reality televison. I find the majority of it stupid. Even most of those are horribly staged. I feel that at this rate our children will never know what a sitcom or daytime drama or even a drama period is! I heard a while back that in business especially entertainment all decisions are based on ratings and revenue. Who cares about those that watch said show, if its cheaper to take it off and put in a cheap crappy reality show then lets do it! Sad but true.

Evan had his tubes done yesterday and he was so incredibly happy all day! I was surprised at what a difference it made! We were actually able to take him outside with out him crying as soon as we got out there! He took 2 great naps and went down so easily last night. He seems to really notice the new sounds and startles easy when he's asleep. Which is just fine because we know he can hear us! And his hearing has been corrected by the tubes. This was probably the best thing we could have done for him and I am so glad we were able to find a dr. to get him in sooner! We even went to Lowes and started the garden. We are planning on actually doing it right this year. The liner and organic mulch and the whole 9 yards! Evan had so much fun at Lowes. I think he got that gene from his dad! Austin is a Lowes lover! I think he would spend long periods of time there walking the aisles if he could! LOL!

Evan has his tubes in the morning. I am so nervous even though I know its just a simple procedure. Its still my baby going through something. He will be put under light general anesthesia and total it should only last about 10mins. He gets to keep his binky and we get to be with him right up until they take him back. I think he'll be ok going back because the kid has no stranger danger what so ever. I just hope he really does better. At his pre-op check up Monday they did a hearing test and he definitely has some hearing loss on the left and very mild on the right. They said that all of it will be corrected after the tubes. I pray they are right. Thankfully he is still getting some breast milk I have left from my pumping days and he can have it up until 4hrs before surgery. He gets uber angery when he's hungry and I hope that this will help him from being so angry when he wakes up since he wont be super starving.

We have started the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover and wow! It seems so simple yet so hard at the same time. I do believe we can do it though. We have been planning on selling our house early next year but now we are thinking of staying where we are since we know pretty much what our bills will be every month and can stick to a budget a little better. We've already stopped eating out so much and have been cooking at home. The only problem is we have eaten out a lot this past wknd because we didnt have any groceries and no chance to go get them. But for the most part we've been eating in. We are getting baby step 1 done and almost have it. Then the biggie-baby step 2 which is the debt snow ball. I highly suggest everyone at least check it out. Dave Ramsey

I am so excited! I have been entering contests like crazy to win photography props. Lol! I have become obsessed with learning everything I can about it. I am constantly learning new tips and editing techniques. I want to know as much as possible so that I can do the best job possible. Well I finally won one!!! I won my choice of newborn hat or headband from Robins Nest Boutique! I chose a super cute sock monkey hat in size 3-12mon. She has some of the cutest things in her etsy shop and I cant wait until I can order her little pea pod and hat. Super cute!!

A friend of mine recently forwarded me this article by a journalist. I think its a really interesting read.

A very interesting column.. COMPLETELY NEUTRAL
Be sure to Read the Poem at the end. Charley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel...
He has been a journalist for 49 years.  He is retiring and this is HIS LAST COLUMN.

Be sure to read the Tax List at the end.
This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral, neither anti-republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. It's a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering!

545 vs. 300,000,000 People  
-By Charlie Reese
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank. 
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? John Boehner. He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.
If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan ...
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.
Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.
What you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you.
This might be funny if it weren't so true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

I enjoy politics. What I dont enjoy though is the under handed ways thing are done. I dont understand why a group of (usually) old out of touch men feel they can tell us what to do. A major issue in this shut down threat (I originally typed shit down on accident but I feel that is also a correct term) is the planned parenting issue. WTF? Seriously? Something as helpful and needed as planned parenthood  is causing such a huge issue? If this country was founded on freedom then why do we have old ass men trying to tell us what we can and cant do? Its because they are voted into their position of power by the same people who are against what old asses are doing. I have an issue with people complaining about things but not voting and making your preference known. I also have an issue with people voting not knowing the issues then complaining about it when they helped put the douche bags there. There is this very useful tool called Google. Learn it! Learn to research issues and problems before bitching and getting it wrong or blindly following the rest of the herd off the cliff. I had a great conversation with a friend recently about something causing great controversy with people who had not taken the time to look into what they were complaining about. She however took that time and you know what she disagreed with the "majority". Why? Because she knew the truth and the facts of the issue. Why do I feel like I can stand on my soap box and rant? Because I pay attention. I read things and not just one source several. I get views from all sides and my OWN decision. I really wish more people would do this! I am obviously not afraid to my opinion known.

It kills me to see someone making a huge mistake, especially when it affects others as well.  I have learned to keep my mouth shut about certain things. Its been hard but I've done it. But sometimes I want to scream you have no idea how big of a mistake your making!! Stop and think about it. Is it really worth it? Do you realize what you are doing? Yes there are times when things are hard but you can get through it and not have to take the easy way out and completely screw things up. Listen to others around you. When every one is telling you the same thing, THEY might just have something there. But with these people its usually more productive to dig your way to china with a plastic spork.

I am a failure! Yep I admited it. I had to stop doing P90x when we remodeled our downstairs and even though its been done for a week I am yet to start it back up! I will though. I want to look decent for the summer and thats not going to happen sitting on my bunghole eating Pecan Sandies! Mmmmm shortbread cookies!

What an amazing weekend! It started out with Evan's first swim class. He did great! He was def. the youngest one there but loved it any way. The only thing he couldnt figure out was the whole going under water and not drinking or breathing in the water. Lol! He was a pro at kicking his feet and moving his arms.   I cant wait until we go back next Saturday.  Then we came home and let Evan nap and then went to try to take bluebonnet pictures. Unfortunately it was really windy and we didnt get much. Actually I only got 1 good one. Then we went to Deep Ellum and found spots for pictures. Then Sunday we went to church and just had a lazy day at home. The only bad thing to that though was that we got nothing done! The dogs werent bathed the house wasnt cleaned the laundry wasnt done. But I think we needed a lazy day. We needed to be able to just sit and play with Evan and just let everything else wait. Then we went grocery shopping and came home and put Evan to bed together. Although I have turned soft! I used to LOVE storms the more severe the better. Living in Sherman gave me a taste of the bad weather and I loved it. But since Evan was born I have become so scared of them. Mainly due to wanting to make srue he's safe and nothing will happen to him. Once we moved him into our bed I was better. Geeze it was a storm though. 60mph wind gusts, hard rain, cloud to ground lightening. The works!

I am so excited for the shoots I have coming up. Great locations, great ideas, great subjects! I am needing to expand my portfolio, so I put that out there. And when you offer they will come! lol!

We have recently put ourselves on a budget. We need to see where our money goes so we can better handle it and save it. Oh the life of an adult! LOL!