'Twas the night of Wilson Christmas

and all through the house

all the creatures were stirring

but that noise had better not be a mouse

(cause that would totally be gross)

When out in the great room there arose such a clatter

when Papa posed like a cheerleader, we wondered what was the matter

when what to Jane's wondering eyes did appear?

but a funny new bike made with wood and no gears!

With my eyes all a bleary from just arising from bed

and Jane's hair crazy sticking out from her head

With Blaine in his camo; me in my new shirt

came this huge diamond necklace that made my heart hurt

When I saw this gift, I covered my nose

to wipe away tears; from my eyes they arose

(I mean, seriously - that's pretty beautiful, right?)

with Jane looking nasty, her mood turning quite quick

I knew in a moment she won't get Saint Nick

the presents may number the new fallen dew

but, people, remember - this girl is just two

So hear me exclaim as my eyes loose their sight

HAPPY Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!

SW

WEDNESDAY TOP TEN! recent scrapbook pages

and by recent, I mean most recently created. The dates of the photos are from early spring. But, I have been in a scrapbooking funk since moving. I just realized that my scrap magazines must still be sent to my old address, for I have yet to receive one here. Maybe I'll remember to do something about that after Christmas, New Years Eve, and my trip to Hawaii!

Anyhow, I just completed a few layouts last night and this morning. My scrapbook was out of chronological order (sorry Big Picture Scrapbookers, but I function better this way!), so I had to get out my new book, fill in a bunch of pages, and insert my stack of recently completed layouts.

I love looking through my scrapbooks. It takes me forever! I pour over each photo; marvel at the changes in Jane; and laugh at the great memories I've documented.

Of course, I then decided to share some of my faves.

(I think the photo will get bigger if you just click on it)

So, I just wrote this "CONTENT" page this morning... along with a few others.

Now I'm "caught - up" through May '09.

Enjoy!

Ess-Dub

Never.

"What about you? What are some of your nevers? And what do your nevers say about you, for better or for worse? Leave a comment, or blog it yourself. It's a great journaling jump start."
- Cathy Zielske on her blog



So, I'm going to list all my "never"s. I'll see how I do.



I will never be an only child.

I've never been to New York.



I've never been able to calm myself down when I get all worked up.

I never want to hurt someone.

I've never been on time.

I've never watched my dad's memorial video without crying.

I never pass up an offer to go to Starbucks. Cinnamon Dulce Latte, please.


I never understand cancer.

I will never get a tatoo, or get my ears pierced.

I thought I would never be a girl that does my hair and make up. on the same day.

I will never forget the moment I laid eyes on my daughter. On the ultrasound screen, first. Then her real face on December 19, 2007. Amazing.

I can never take back mean words that come out of my mouth.

I never stop regretting those words.

I never thought I would live in Salinas again.

I never thought I would live in Soledad!
(p.s. I got this photo online from a story about the WORST housing market in 2008. Seriously. In the nation. The worst was Soledad!)

I have never flown an airplane.

I never choose chocolate.

I never in a million years could have guessed what my life would look like by now.

I never knew 30 was so young!

I never knew running could be so fun.

I never thought I would say running is fun.

I never say never. :)

MONDAY TOP TEN: my brother's fantastic wedding

Burt & Markie Cheatham

December 5, 2009

Pretty danged adorable, if you ask me.

Also, ask me who the photographer was....

ok, it was me!

The wedding was a late afternoon ceremony, taking place on the patio of the Bayonet-Blackhorse Golf Course in Seaside. The reception was held right inside the clubhouse with panoramic views of the two golf courses and the bay.

I was so pleased to be able to photograph this wedding for many reasons, but I'll limit my comments to the TOP TEN for now.

And, as usual, in no particular order...

MONDAY TOP TEN: the Cheatham wedding.

1. These two were simply made for one another. Burt comes from a crazy and loud family, and Markie is so calm and collected: hardly ever getting her 'feathers ruffled'.

2. Burt made us all proud by offering a toast to both of their fathers. Markie's dad passed away in late 2006, and of course our dad passed away in March 2009.

3. Markie is a striking beauty. Truly.

(this is my FAVORITE photo from the day)

4. Burt & Markie have been together for over two years, and have grown closer and really helped each other through the times.

5. How adorable were these wedding favors?

6. Cousin Patty & Brother-in-Law Dean assisted in the photography. This exit from the ceremony photo is from Cousin Patty.

7. I really love the angle on these ladder shots. Blaine & I are pretty peeved that it got stolen from where he stashed it under our car.

8. I didn't even know two of the groomsmen before this day. But I was so impressed by their character and brotherly love for Burt.

9. I also didn't really know Markie that well before the wedding festivities. I only saw her when she was probably super overwhelmed by the onslaught of Cheatham sister energy. She impressed me so much throughout the day: I loved seeing her interact with her friends, love my brother unconditionally, and remain calm through some un-planned occurances. She was the opitome (sp?) of grace.

10. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful ceremony joining this beautiful couple. Welcome to the family Markie! We love you guys!

MONDAY TOP TEN: why I am on Team Jacob

With several days under my belt since watching the second-in-the-Twilight-series movie, New Moon.....

(yes, I did stand in line for a couple hours waiting to get seated for the midnight movie)

I must declare my still-allegience to Team Jacob.

Seriously.

Yes, I do know that I am old. Never really went through the teeny-bop stage.

My sister Amanda was the only one with a Kirk Cameron poster on her wall... until now:

Top ten reasons I am on Team Jacob.

1. He is hot.

2. His friends are all hot.

3. And he is also hot. (108 degrees is his running temp, btw - what else could I have been referring to?)

4. He is oblivious to how fantastic he is (read: scene when he first removes his shirt in the movie - to wipe up Bella's bloody ol' head - he doesn't realize at all that the hoards of tweens *and thirty-year-old-women* are swooning in their velvety theatre seats).

5. He is kind and sincere. He does not ditch Bella, even though he is afraid he is bad for her. He sticks around to protect her.

(Edward, I'm sneering in your direction)

6. Nobody in his family might "accidentally" try to attack you to suck your blood when your clumsy self falls all over the place and gets tore-up.

7. He is just so sweet...

8. No future evil sister-in-laws...

9. No evil-secret-vampire societies are contemplating tearing him limb from limb.

10. You can tell your friends you are dating him.

Yes, I am now officially one of those crazies....

A Twi-hard fan.

To my defense, aren't all of us now?

note: edited to remove the embarrassingly exposed chest photos of little Jacob Black. He's sweet and kind - that is the best feature about him. The eight-pack abs don't hurt, of course-unless you are a vampire trying to punch them.

iPhone lovin'

Jane is constantly asking me for a game:

"mama, gay! MAMA! Gay! Pea, gay?"

This is the soundtrack of my day. And it is pretty cute. (BTW, translation: "Mama, game! MAMA GAME! Please, can I play a game?"

If any of you are iPhone fanatics, check out the Itsy Bitsy Spider game by Duck Duck Moose. It is just a few screens with tons of interactive animals and things. Almost anything you touch has some animation - and it is different all the time, too.

There are lots of great apps, but this one I love so much (because Jane loves it so much) so that's why you get this lovely commercial.

Plus the iPhone just rules.

the nerdy thing is...

that these shoes are the whole reason I wrote my previous blog post. But the photos where still on my camera.., and

well...

I plain got carried away looking through all the old photos of Jane.

The whole point was to tell my mom that a miracle has happened.

After a million years of my mom liking one thing and me turning my nose up...

or me loving something my mom finds appalling...

THESE SHOES WE AGREE ON!!!

they were super cheap,

from a resale shop,

a little big,

but finally fit.

And three generation approved:

Grandma bought 'em,

Mom thinks they are super adorable, and

jane loves them and has been begging to wear them since coming home from Grandma's last month.

we are all happy:)

Jane's Ten Cutest Shoes

In no particular order...

1. Brown squeaky shoes. Staple.

Modeled here with Victoria and Camila:

2. Mom's running shoes.

Modeled here in our spiffy new bathroom:

3. Tri-colored squeakers. Thought they wouldn't match anything, but they actually match everything!

Modeled in the Gizditch Farm orchard:

4. Blue squeakers (ok, so she has a lot of these) with the pink leather flowers.

Modeled here in our old living room on the day she discovered pockets:

5. Golden roman sandals.

Modeled here with BFF Olivia on Grandpa's/Cheryl's front porch:

6. White squeaker sandals. Perfect for the whole summer long.

Modeled here in Grandma Julie's backyard (CUSTOM, mind-you) swing:

7. White patent leather for easter 2009.

Modeled in Grandpa's yard with Cousin Carson:

8. First Flip Flops. 'Nuff said.

Modeled here in our old dining room:

9. Red cowgirl boots. Every gal needs 'em.

Modeled when received in the mail from Grandma Julie:

10. Handmade boots by Jenny Stover Plumb. Super cute.

Modeled here in our old living room:

11. First pair of red squeakers.

Modeled in David's Bridal while helping Aunt Kylie pick out a wedding dress:

12. Trying on dad's dirty ol' work boots.

Modeled here in mom & dad's old bedroom:

13. Bright pink Robeez. Staple.

Modeled here in Aunt Laura's kitchen, with Cousin Kacie watching carefully Jane's new steps:

14. Blue and Pink Pumas. Second-hand from Olivia.

Modeled here in Papa & Grandma Alice's house with Uncle Mitch:

15. Polka dot Ped-i-peds. I bought these for Jane. Just because they are so danged cute.

Modeled in our old dining room:

16. These may be my favorite shoes of all time: the white sandal-looking Robeez. Totally versitile, totally classic, totally my favs. I bought these, too.

Modeled along with one of my favorite hand-me-down outfits from Cousin Elsie:

17. First shoes. From Melissa Costa (you had better read this young lady). Jane's first babysitter buys her first shoes.

Modeled on the old Wilson couch. It is also the current Wilson couch:

Such a cute kid needs to sport such cute shoes. I think they have done each other justice thus far. What do you think?