September 11th

I wanted to commemorate this day by thanking all those men and women who have served and currently serve our country in the armed forces and other areas of public safety. I would personally like to thank my brother Lee who is currently serving in the Navy, my friend's husband Trent who is a fireman and former Marine and my friend Laurie's brother Mark who is a policeman for their services to our country. I sincerely appreciate all that you and your comrades do for my family and me. You are what makes this country so great!

Bia's Bedroom

When Bia was born we didn't paint her room or anything and then a few months ago when she graduated from the crib we switched hers and Chatty's room. Bia's old room (Chatty's new one) is a little bit bigger and could better handle a full size bed (which the crib converted to) that Chatty sleeps in. When we moved Chatty into Bia's old room we painted it and little by little I have been adding a few things. It still isn't complete but here are a few pictures. Trust me it looks better in person. I wish I had more patience to do stripes like my good friend Laurie, but alas solid blue is what we have.

They had to have their picture taken before they would leave the room!

So now you all know Chatty's real name .... and yes I made the bed right before I took the pic!

I know the green frame over the cork board doesn't go, but I haven't had a chance to find a pink one to hang on another wall.

Since we had painted Chatty's rooms three different times, I was feeling guilty that Bia was left out. Bia is attached to her raggedy Dalmatian puppy and would take it everywhere if we let her. Last year when the Disney store was closing we found a Dalmatian comforter set for $15 and bought it. It has been in the closet this whole time. I am not a huge fan of character bedding but since Bia loves puppies we decided to pull it out and paint her room. I turned the comforter on the wrong side so it only shows the spots because I think it looks less tacky. Bia loves it and keeps saying "Daddy paint" since her daddy painted her room. Pretty cute.

We have a bed frame but started her with the bed on the floor. This works well because she can climb up on her own. Yes Bia does sleep with all of that stuff - she is a hoarder of animals & blankets!

Not too fond of the curtains - they were some I had in the linen closet. Any ideas? I think something with a valance would be good ...

Anniversary & Weekend Recap

Ok -so we only took two pictures (three if you count the one I took of myself before dinner that was fuzzy) and I look huge in all of them. I swear it didn't look that bad when I was standing in front of the mirror before we left! The waiter and hostess didn't know how to use the zoom on the camera (edit - I edited one of the photos of the two of us and have re-published this post). Other than the lack of pictures (and bad ones) we had a great evening. The girls had a blast with Nana and Poppa for their sleepover - thanks guys! The rest of the weekend we spent swimming and hanging with the neighbors, painting Bia's room (I will try and take a few pics of the room, but we still have a few touch up things to do) and figuring out the new computer. It is amazing how they are all so different.

I am Alive ...

I am alive and yes we purchased a new computer and then returned it and purchased another new one today! Lovely, I tell you! It was a busy but fun weekend, with the exception of my beloved Seminoles losing a close one tonight! Ugh - I told Mr. ESPN I am going to start having to take the Tuesday after Labor Day off because of all the drinking and celebrating associated with the Noles first game of the year!

Will try and post more details about our big weekend tomorrow but as a fore warning I failed to take any pictures this weekend. If I post old ones, would that be bad? Oh wait, I did have a couple taken of Mr. ESPN and I at dinner on Saturday night so I can post those ...

Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. ESPN

Tomorrow marks 11 years for Mr. ESPN and me. To celebrate Chatty and Bia are going to Nana and Poppa's house for a sleepover. Not sure who is more excited about this - Chatty, Poppa or Mr. ESPN! We plan to relax and enjoy a kid free night and go to dinner. We still haven't decided where we are going to dinner.


Honestly it doesn't seem like that long ago we said our vows. Neither one of us is the super mushy type (not to be confused with sentimental and emotional - which I am, him not so much) but I did want to acknowledge this day and tell you all he is a great husband, dad and friend! It hasn't been easy but it's been fun (most of the time). We frustrate each other to no end but I never doubt his love for me or mine for him! Yes we got married young but I know we got it right! I love you Mr. ESPN! By the way you still owe me that trip to Europe!


Since we were married ages ago, aka before digital prints, I had to take pictures of my pictures (since my computer at home broke - see previous post) rather than scan them in. Since that was the case I only posted a few (for some reason I couldn't find one of all the guys and the ring bearer). I wasn't too thrilled with the way they turned out so I went on scrapblog and played with them (Casey - scrapblog is addicting). I love sepia and black and white photos. Let me know what you think.

Friday Facts and Findings

1. First - Chatty's first time riding the bus home from school today - hope it goes well!
2. Football - watched my first two games of the college football season last night - so glad to have it back on my television
3. Feet - sore, ran 6 miles on Wednesday morning (at 5:20 am no less!) and then 3 yesterday, good thing Friday is my day off!
4. Fried - our home computer. We have delayed purchasing a new one and now it looks like we may have to purchase two, one for the kids and one for us since this one is fried. Mr. ESPN is supposed to talk to his IT friend at work today to get some advice about what to purchase!
5. Future Bride - meeting the future Mrs. Kingston for drinks this afternoon and to give her the belated Bridal shower gift I have. The gift is different but fun I think ... will post about it next week.
6. Frustrated - got to work this morning for a 6:00 a.m. conference call and it was canceled ... UGH!! At least I can leave early right??
7. Fancy/Frilly - trying to decide what to wear and where to eat for out anniversary dinner tomorrow night. I am going to make a quick stop at a couple stores to look for something.
8. Food - my neighbor's nanny is making Thai food for us on Sunday night, I better take an extra dose of Prevacid so I can handle all the spiciness!
9. Fall - is it really coming to the desert? It isn't supposed to break triple digits this weekend! Woo Hoo! I never thought I would be so happy to see 95 degrees!
10. Friends & Family - looking forward to some quality time with both this weekend!

Have a great and safe Labor Day Weekend!

The Season Starts this Weekend!

Warning to my friends/readers who don't care for college football - go ahead and skip this post because all it talks about is my love of college football! I'm telling you this is your fair warning!

T Minus three Days until College Football starts ... who do you think is more excited, Mr. ESPN or me? Truth be told it is probably a pretty close competition ... he may win out but only by a slight amount. I tease him all the time that the real reason he married me is for my love of sports - I guess it is the southerner in me! He told me our Netflix subscription will end this week as we won't have time to watch movies with football on. Yes we are that couple that purchases the college football television package (and the NFL package) so we can watch all the teams we love. We have discussed that when we retire we are going to travel to different college stadiums to tailgate and watch games. We have several must see stadiums on our list (including but not limited to) the Big House (MI), Between the Hedges (GA), Doak Campbell Stadium (FSU), Death Valley (LSU), the Swamp (UF), TX Memorial Stadium (UT), among others. By the time we retire we will have several season's worth of stadiums on our list.

So in honor of the upcoming season leave a comment or post on your own blog the following.

• Favorite Team
• Team you Cheer for other than your Alma Mater & Why?

My answers:

• Favorite Team - Arizona Wildcats (mine and Mr. ESPN's alma mater); it's tough being a Wildcat fan because we haven't had the best of teams but hopefully we are finally turning the corner; Chatty cheers on the Go Cats with us and I think Bia might get into it this year too.
• Team you Cheer for other than your Alma Mater & Why? Florida State Seminoles; I am from Florida and my big brother and I grew up watching and cheering for them; I think he is the reason I love college football and sports in general; we still chat after a lot of the FSU games; Chatty loves the Go Noles too.

Can't wait to see your answers!