Flash Back Friday....

....30 years and counting. In light of my 30th birthday on Monday, I decided that this week's flashback would be a snapshot in the phases of the last 30 years of my life! There are a couple time periods where I (purposely) have little to no photos of. I may add a couple more to this post later tonight, as I didn't have time to find a couple pictures that I wanted.

I am was such a ham! Here's 2 year old me posing for mommy. She would change my outfits (which of course she made most of my clothes) several times a day and do mini photo shoots with me. Ohhh, remember those plastic bow clips!

This picture is me when I was 3 years old playing in my daddy's boots. It cracks me up that I now have a similar picture of Natey trying to wear my Uggs. It was probably easier for me since Daddy's cowboy boots were a little more structured than my Uggs!

Oh, yes, one of my high school senior portraits.

Don't be jealous of the awesome background, you know you love it.

I turned 21 in Las Vegas with about 10 of the people I worked with there for the party. Don't try to adjust your monitor, my hair was super short and burgundy!

I'm 24 in this picture. I took this picture with my camera phone and was surprised how well it came out. I was at one of my favorite places, the Oregon Country Fair, and in my dad's 70's style Winney!

Obligatory wedding picture...We got married in 2006 (I was 27) at the Temple to Music in Roger Williams Park in RI. I will tell the whole wedding story someday, but it was raining or overcast all day, that is, until I arrived at the ceremony. the clouds parted and a beam of sunlight shone down right on me. I told everyone my mom would give me sun for my wedding...maybe now they will believe me!

We got married in June and in September I found out I was pregnant! Quick, surprising and totally amazing! This picture is one my FIL took of me in the same park we got married in when I was 9 months preggers with Natey (28).

This is also a camera phone shot, taken by my husband during the few moments of sleep I actually got the first week I brought my little man home.

And this is pretty much me now!! I liked the hair at first, but I am at the point that I get to EVERY time I cut my hair off, that I want my long hair back. So a growing I will go, err, or something like that!!

30 years young! That is me in a nut shell. My life has been in no way easy, but I have had some of the most wonderful friends and family members and some of the most unforgettable experiences. I wouldn't change a thing!

Baby Steps-101

I love making progress on my list. I know I have a long time to finish it, but I don't want to wait until the last minute and really enjoy accomplishing each of my goals. I tend to not comment on the goals that are a weekly or monthly commitment like our date nights, not watching TV once a week, and updating my blog (that's a no brainer). I do keep them updated in the sidebar in case you're wondering how I'm doing on those though!
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#11: Identify 100 things that make me happy

I decided to keep a running list with links back to the original posts. I think it tells the whole story and isn't so fragmented. :o)

1. Natey
2. Fall


3. Good times with great friends

#19: Attend 3 concerts
If you read my last post you heard all about the fabulous time Joelle and I had last night at Coldplay. She is pretty much going to be my concert buddy from now on. Have I mentioned how much fun we had? No, well, tons!

#25: Learn a new word every day
53. limn: to draw or paint; also, to describe.
54. quandary: a state of difficulty or perplexity.
55. genuflect: to bend the knee, as in worship; also, to grovel.
56. corroborate: to strengthen or make more certain with other evidence.
57. execrable: detestable; extremely bad.
58. bivouac: a usually temporary encampment; also, to encamp.
59. hubris: overbearing pride or presumption.

#49: Eat 5 things I swear I hate but haven't tried since I was a kid
I do not like eggs. I don't eat eggs in their solo form, except deviled. I do not eat things that are dipped in beaten eggs and then cooked so that the egg is basically a crust on the outside. Are you sensing a pattern here? I used to be a terrible brat about my food. I would even cry if I had to eat something that I thought was disgusting, sometimes even before I took a bite. I must have been like 5 when that happened right? Try 25. I know, completely embarrassing. Since meeting Aaron, I have increased my food choices about 500%, at least! I am even to the point where I will eat thing that I don't especially like and not say anything. Even with all of my progress, apparently in Aaron's mind, I am still the girl crying over disgusting fried rice in a Chinese restaurant.

We went to Aaron's step Grandmother's house for brunch with the in-laws. We find out brunch consists of French toast and Aaron immediately throws me under the bus and says, "Kameron doesn't eat that." Hi, um, I'm here and well aware of what is being served, and don't you think if I was going to say something about it, I would have already!?! So after a ton of fuss by everyone in the room but me, I make my point clear that I will, in fact, be trying the french toast.

I guess I was lucky it was covered in fresh blueberry compote that Aaron's dad had made, so I couldn't really taste the french toast. I was very proud of myself. I'm sure Aaron was waiting for me to break down at any moment. Oh ye of little faith!

Viva la Vida!

All I can say is fantastic! Joelle and I had so much fun last night.I've been fighting off a cold so I was hoping I would be good to go for the concert, and I totally was (today is another story)! I haven't been to a concert since I was pregnant with Nathan (John Legend and I had never heard of him before I went) and before that, probably in Vegas, though it's been so long I can't remember what show it was. I love watching artists live. Let me rephrase that, I love watching amazing artists who are even better in concert, live! Coldplay did not disappoint.

Joelle and I left early so we didn't hit Boston traffic on our way to the Garden. We got there around 4pm and headed over to Boston Beer Works for some food, adult beverages and to shoot a little pool before the concert. It was so nice to spend some "let your hair down" time with Joelle. A lot of our outings involve our boys, so it was great to have some time just for us. We may have been having a little too much fun though, as it took us almost an hour to shoot 2 games of pool! We both swore up and down that we do not stink that bad usually. I'll admit, she beat me...both games. I'm blaming it on the beer and my fabulous new boots...the heels were throwing me off!

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On to the concert! Duffy was the opening act. I had heard 2 of her songs before, and she was really good. I was surprised that such a big voice came from such a petite girl. The main event of course was Coldplay. I love them and was so excited that they were playing a second show in Boston since I missed the first one (It sold out in less than an hour). The concert was at the TD Banknorth Garden, home of the World champion Celtics! We had good seats, i only wish I had a better camera. In the pictures it looks like we are further away than we actually are. Without further ado, here are some of the shots from the night! Please disregard how ridiculous happy we look...again I blame the beer, my heels had nothing to do with that one!

The screens they had were amazing. They weren't just showing what was happening on stage. It almost looked like a video with all of the effects they had going. This shot is of lead singer Chris Martin. Again, sorry my camera stinks...

Early on in the concert.....

Um, yeah......

My absolute favorite part of the show was when the band left the stage and surprised the crowd by appearing in the stands right next to our section!!!! They played 2 songs acoustically, one of which is my favorite, The Scientist. They were so close and I was way too wobbly at that point to get many good shots (besides I wanted to enjoy the songs), but I got a couple and this one is my favorite.

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All in all, the show was amazing and we had a blast! The last shot was the background of the stage during the encore. I thought, at that moment, of the juxtaposition of the crazy evening I was having and what was happening with Mck Mama and her family. I loved that the last thought that came to my mind at the concert's end was Viva.....Life.

When I got home I checked Mck Mama's blog and was so happy to see the prayers of so many were answered in the birth of her sweet, HEALTHY little man!

Wordless Wednesday-Coldplay

Me and Joelle are going to see Coldplay tonight! Yipee!

Geeze I miss my long hair!

Please Pray for MckMama and Stellan

Most of you who read my blog are also faithful followers of Mck Mama's blog (http://www.mycharmingkids.net/), but I want to post this anyway. She is going in tomorrow at 9:30am CST to deliver her 4th child via c-section and she needs your thoughts and prayers. Her son Stellan was diagnosed with a heart condition at 20 weeks and they told them he would not live. Well, he's still alive by God's mercy, but whether he will survive outside of the womb is still in God's hands. Please take a moment to pray, and if you aren't religious please keep her in your thoughts. A prayer vigil was set up here.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Happy Birthday Ending

I am officially out of my birthday funk.

Let me give a little background on the subject of why I may have been so boo-hoo. First of all, I live in Rhode Island. My best friends and family live in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Texas. In case you haven't noticed they're FAR away. I have a hard time with holidays and birthdays since I feel so disconnected at times.

The hubby and I had originally wanted to go to Las Vegas for my birthday, but finances and no one to watch the boy for 2-3 days nipped that plan in the bud. I planned a big surprise party for Aaron in May for his 30th and I wanted some hoopla for mine too. (I know selfish, right, but come on 30th birthday!!!) It's not like he could throw a big party for me out here, what with my 2 actual friends that aren't Aaron's friends and all. So, I guess I just wanted something special to make me feel a little better. I love my husband to death, but an event planner he's not.

I am a huge believer in greeting cards. Not that I want to support Halmark or anything, but cards have always been really big in my family. I come from a family of card underliners. You know what I'm talking about. The hubby doesn't understand cards. "What's the point, you just throw them away." I think they are even more important than getting a gift. Well , he botched my first mother's day card this year (and by botched I mean he didn't get me one) and managed to get an anniversary card (the day after), so I had very low expectations for my birthday. But the hubby came through on this one!(He's going to kill me for sharing this story by the way.)

He got home from work yesterday and I was bumming. He said he needed to take a shower before we went to dinner, but he came back into the family room 10 minutes later still un-showered. I wondered what he was up to, but then he emerged with my present and what else you ask? Yes! A CARD!!! Ok, I seem crazy at this point, but I was in 7th heaven. He was so funny and even made it a point to note in the card that he had got me one, in case I hadn't noticed. He also got me something unexpected as my gift. You know when you mention something you want and get a "Yeah right honey, you'll never use that" response? Well that's what he said a few weeks ago when I mentioned that I wanted to get a sewing machine and learn how to sew. Well, he bought me my very own sewing machine, and to top it off I have someone to give me lessons.

My friend Joyce took me to lunch and got me cake! I also was so happy to come out of work yesterday to the tune of 3 voice mails and 2 text messages filled with birthday wishes. I do have some great friends, not to mention all of the wonderful bloggy friends who stopped by my post and wished me well. Thanks guys!Tomorrow night I am going to dinner and a Coldplay concert with my friend Joelle. That will be the icing on my birthday cake and I can't wait!

I think I got so caught up in my pity party that I didn't appreciate what I have. I have a wonderful husband who tries really hard to please me, even though I may be a pain at times. I have great friends and family who call, text, send cards and gifts to make sure I feel loved from across the country. I have an amazing little boy who's love and smiles are the best gift anyone could ever ask for.

What was my problem again???

Not Me! Monday

Monday! Monday! Monday! Ok, so I know the commercial says Sunday and this is not wrestling, but it is more fun, I think. Another Not Me! Monday post is comin' at ya. If you want to read what other people "didn't do" this week then visit MckMama's blog to partake in the fun and free therapy. While you're there send her all of your prayers and happy thoughts. Her 4th 'lil one is going to make his debut on Wednesday and he is one of God's true miracles! We can't wait to meet you Stellan!

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I was not so caught up in reading my data that I plowed through a wet floor sign sending it crashing loudly to the floor in the hallway of my lab. If I did do something so clumsy, I would definitely have stopped and picked it up instead of looking around embarrassed to see if anyone saw me and then keep walking. In the event that the lab manager stepped into the hall to see what the commotion was, I wouldn't have mumbled something while giggling and rush out of there like an idiot. Nope, not me!

I have not been checking MckMama's blog all week in hopes she posts what Small Fry's un-room looks like. That would just be sad. I have much better things to do with my time than that!

When my hubby called me at work on to tell me he was in the ER and had to get 6 stitches in his thumb, I didn't tell him I still wanted to bring Natey to work for our Halloween party, even if he couldn't come. That would be selfish!

I did not ignore my phone when my MIL called on Sunday because we were having brunch and I didn't feel like talking, only to find out she was calling to see if we wanted FREE tickets to the Patriots game. I don't believe in karma, and if I did that would most certainly not be it.

I am not turning 30 years old today. I am simply celebrating the first anniversary of my 29th birthday.

What did you "not" do this week??

Down and out no more

I haven't blogged since Thursday and I feel like it has been so long. Truthfully, I haven't really felt like it. I have been a little down in the dumps the past few days and I am trying to get out of my funk. I'm not really sure why I have been feeling this way. I guess it has to do in part with the fact that I turn 30 tomorrow. It is supposed to be a milestone birthday but I haven't felt very festive. I guess I miss my friends and family that live so far away and I miss my mom the most. I hope I feel a little better tomorrow, but if not I am just going to suck it up. In the mean time I will use this post to talk about the things that have been making me smile the past few days.

#2 on my my 100 things that make me happy list has got to be fall. I mean just look at the amazing colors and the wonder of a small boy playing in the leaves. If that doesn't make you smile I don't know what will.
How 'bout monkeys, do those make you smile? My little monkey sure does. We had a Halloween party at work on Friday and I brought my little man to see his biggest fan, Joycie. It was fun, but man is this kid the energizer bunny. All of the other little ones were timid and staying with their parents. Not my boy, he was running down the corridor yelling "GO!!!" at the top of his lungs. We stayed about an hour and that was all I could handle of chasing him around so we said our goodbyes and hit the road.

Nathan + paint = giant mess. I bought a huge set of finger paints for the boy when they were on sale and have brought them out a couple of times to see if he was ready for them yet. He's not ready yet. He smeared the paints around the paper and then decided that they looked super yummy, so he began eating them. I though we'd at least get a cute masterpiece out of the whole adventure that I could stick up on the fridge, but alas, when I took the paint away, he ripped the paper in about 4 pieces.

So much for art, let's move on to carving his "puckins". He loved his pumpkin. I cut the top off and let him stick his hand inside. Oh, he got a kick out of that. I gave him a spoon to "help" scoop out the insides, but he would rather bam things than scoop any day. I did manage to salvage what he didn't throw on the floor for roasted pumpkin seeds, and they were good!

The pumpkin carving and painting were back to back projects so needless to say he really needed a bath. After the bath, daddy gave him this stylish doo...

I knew that would make me feel better. You can only feel so down when you have so much to smile about.

Path 101-Day 52

I've had a couple of people ask me about my 101 list, so here's the skinny. I saw it on my friend Liz's blog and I realized it was something really cool that I could do for myself. The original website is worth checking out if you want to go on this journey too. It is nice because it is a reasonable timeframe to complete things (~2.75 years) and it really makes you think about what inspires you and what you can do about it!

It's been a while since I have updated on my 101 so here are the latest and greatest.

#25. Learn a new word every day: This task is getting annoying. See, I just called it a task and not a goal!!! Partly, because most of the words I learn I can't use in a sentence without sounding like a total know-it-all. If I did use some of the words no one would know what I meant and I would have to explain myself anyway. Ugh. I guess it will simply be for my own benefit. Oh, and by the way Dictionary.com, I misprize you repeating #19 as #46. I'm on to you.

33. littoral: on a coastal or shore region.
34. volte-face: an about-face.
35. rubicund: inclining to redness; ruddy.
36. officious: meddlesome.
37. implacable: incapable of being pacified.
38. circumlocution: the use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few.
39. aficionado: an enthusiastic admirer; a fan.
40. legerdemain: sleight of hand.
41. plaudit: enthusiastic approval.
42. euphonious: pleasing or sweet in sound.
43. sobriquet: a nickname.
44. otiose: ineffective; also, being at leisure; also, of no use.
45. waylay: to ambush or accost.
46. misprize: to despise; also, to undervalue.
47. expeditious: characterized by speed and efficiency.
48. alfresco: outdoors; outdoor.
49. bailiwick: a person's specific area of knowledge, authority, interest, skill, or work.
50. malfeasance: wrongdoing, misconduct, or misbehavior.
51. synecdoche: figure of speech
52. plenary: full; complete.

#50. Try 10 new restaurants: I played lunch hooky from work last week and Aaron and I went to Crazy Burger in Narragansett. We shared two burgers so we could get a taste of more than just one. I know, what's so special about burgers, right? Well, these were really good. I liked the LOCO Burger (avocado, black beans and cheddar, grilled in a tortilla, topped with salsa) better than the WHASSUPY Burger (horseradish, garlic and Worcestershire sauce with Brie cheese and onion rings on a whole wheat bun). Aaron has been to CB before, but I haven't and it's my list, so it counts!

#62. Send one "thinking of you" card a month: Well, you all saw the card on my Wordless Wednesday post yesterday, but if you didn't here it is again...

The inside said, "Luckily I have you for that," and it went to someone very deserving.


#70. Eliminate the use of plastic shopping bags: I have been doing so good on this goal. I guess I can't force Aaron to do it, but when I send him to the store with 3 bags (that I had to go get out of my trunk) and he comes home with plastic, it irks me a little. Again, it is my goal, so I won't force it on my hubby. He'll give in eventually.

#28. Read 50 books: It has been a couple of weeks since I have done any reading. I think it has to do with the book I decided was next in line on the list. It is The Fountainhead and it is over 700 pages long! I started it last night and made it through 45 pages before I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open any more and it was only 9pm. Nathan...stop waking up at 5am...it's not nice to mommy.

Wordless Wednesday- I couldn't decide!

I saw this card and it made me think of my friend. I almost fell down laughing in the aisle. In case you are wondering, the inside says.."Luckily I have you for that."

For added cuteness!