Beth & Hal got engaged!

Beth & Hal got engaged last night! He took her on a date to Disneyland. (How appropriate for them) He proposed in front of the huge Christmas tree. He got down on one knee and presented her with a ring. There was quite a large group of people gathered around them. Hal stood up and shouted to the crowd, "She said YES!" Then everyone cheered and took pictures of them. After that he took her over to Club 33 where they celebrated, ate dinner, sipped champagne and watched Fantasmic from the balcony. Sandford and I are very happy for both of them! PTL!

Tidewater Mommy's Christmas Get-Together

Sondra and Pam are finally back from Seattle, and Florida, respectively. Sondra graciously opened up her home for quesadillas and gifts! Who could Kim possibly be talking too? We're all here!


Here's a picture of Pam & Jackie relaxing on the couch!

Heather with her awesome friend Sondra!


Thank you all for a good time!

December 28, 2008

Today we all piled in the car and went up to have lunch with Chris' aunt and uncle. She made lasagna and the kids ate pizza. It's about a 2 hour drive from Heather's house. The drive up there was beautiful. Lots and lots of green trees and lots of rivers and ponds too. I have to say, when it comes to gorgeous highways, Virginia has California beat, hands down! At around 4:30 p.m. we packed up the kids and drove another 15 minutes down the road to have dinner at Chris' grandparents house. What a wonderful cook she is. We feasted on pork loin roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh broccoli, fresh corn and homemade rolls. I'm afraid to step on the scale tomorrow! They live about 15 miles outside of Washington D.C. It took us almost 3 hours to get back home. Ryder screamed the last 50 minutes of the trip and Summer and I almost couldn't take one second more. Tyler kept his composure and I was very proud of him. We finally walked in the door at 9:55 p.m. The kids changed into their p.j.'s and went right to bed. It was an exhausting day. I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store for all of us!

Shopping on 12/26/08

After getting about 2 hours of sleep on Christmas night, Heather and I got up early (4:30 a.m.) to go meet Kim so we could hit all the "after Christmas" sales. We were at Penny's for the 5:30 a.m. opening, 6:00 a.m. for the Kohl's opening and at Target at 7:00 a.m. Our best deals at were found at Target. Nina called me from Texas @ 7:30 a.m. to tell me her and Rachel were on their way to their local Target store. Shopping the day after Christmas is a Skadsem - Mother/Daughter - tradition that I started years ago. She got her best deals at Target too! (go check out her blog for Christmas pics and for the deals she got) Check out all this loot that Kim and Heather got:

Christmas Day in Virginia 2008

Ryder, Summer & Tyler with their stash of gifts!

The kids all got way more presents than they needed! Every year we say we're going to cut down, but we don't. For sure next year we will! Chris' grandparents came over to spend the day with us as did the Windle Family. Good food and good times were shared by all. Summer has been sick and won't leave my side. (You know I love it)

Christmas Eve with the Windles

Kim and Natalie came over to spend the day with us. We had a lite breakfast and then Kim drove us over to the base for a special gift. Chris had set up a video conference. This was the first time in months that Chris got to "see" his family. It was just like you see on T.V., except that where we were was a very high clearance area. They confiscated our phones and my camera. We were taken into a locked room with a private escort. The room was set up with two very large plasa screen t.v.'s, a huge cherrywood conference table and lots of comfortable leather chairs. The escort assumed responsibility for all five of us. (quite an undertaking) He had to stay in the room with us the entire time.

The kids were able to see their daddy face-to-face. They were so excited. We were able to stay and talk to him, via web-cam, for about 30 minutes. God Bless the U.S. Air Force and Master Sgt. Alward for the time and effort that it took to co-ordinate it all.

Later this evening we went over to Kim and Ryan's for a crock-pot lasagna dinner. It was really yummy! (got to remember to get the recipe from her) After that we all piled into their van, stopped to get hot chocolate and then drove over to the Newport News Christmas light display.

When we were done with that, it was back to the Windles for the Christmas gift exchange!

Words of Wisdom (I stole from a friends mom)

I feel the Lord would like us to remember about why we celebrate this season. Over 2,000 years ago there was an announcement made to mankind. That announcement was one of "Good News" The angels split the sky and proclaimed that "Behold!" they were bringing tidings of great joy. I don't know about you, but I am sure we all could use some good news about now. This year has been one unlike any we've experienced in a long time. One trouble upon another is the norm these days. We have heard of wars, rumors of wars, starvation, earthquakes, violence in the streets, world wide economic failures. These are just to name a few. Personal trials in many lives have been heartbreaking. Many have lost a job, lost a home, or maybe the worst loss of all, the loss of a loved one. Through it all one thing that has and will never change is God's love for us. He is still announcing to us the greatest message the world has ever heard that God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to earth to be our Savior. He is what Christmas is all about whether the world gets it or not. God does bring us great joy and gives us many things to be thankful for.



Sandford and I are thankful for 2 new grand babies born this year. Rachel Faith Bailey, born on 3/11/08 and Ryder James Perry, born on 4/7/08. We now have 3 grandsons ages 9, 2, and 8mo. And 2 granddaughters ages 5, and 9 mo. We cannot be more blessed. In many ways life can be overwhelming, but one thing is for sure, there is a God who loves us and cares very much about all that we are going through. In this day and age we are all aware of the term "Bail Out", and everyone is looking for one. Remember one thing that the Creator of the Universe stepped out of the Heaven and came to earth and provided the most costly "Bail Out" of all time. All the money in the world could not have bailed us out of our mess. We were lost and without hope. The price of our salvation was costly to Jesus. He longs for us to accept the greatest gift one could ever receive, His love! We pray you have a blessed Christmas as you reflect on all He has done for you and all that He longs to.



God sits on the thone!

More Christmas Pictures!

I had this shirt made just for Beth! Hal's Gal! How cute is this?

Hal got a new drill!

Christmas Celebration

Tonight we celebrated Christmas. We tried to make it memorable. I even got out the Christmas plates and set the table with the "good" stuff. No paper plates for the Skadsems tonight! Sandford and Hal "made fire" in the fireplace. (Hal was a huge help to me all day.) We had our traditional Christmas dinner of prime rib. It just wasn't the same without ALL my family here to share. I NEED (not want) to be surrounded by my family. I miss Nina and Heather so much! And like they say, it just doesn't seem like Christmas without kids running around and the look of joy on their little faces when they open up a gift. I am very happy that I will be flying out to Virginia in the morning to be with Heather and her family for the holiday's. But part of me feels so guilty not seeing Nina and her family and also for abandoning my mommy, my husband and Beth. Please keep me in your prayers.

We are going to see Dexter and Noodles tonight at the Universal Amphitheater! It's been soooo long since I've seen them in concert. STP, Three Days Grace and Staind are the other bands that I want to see. We have seats in the mezziane (upper balcony) in row E. Not the best seats BUT there really isn't a bad seat at this venue. I'm really excited! This is my Christmas present! I'm dragging Sandford along because Beth said she didn't want to go! Rock on my friends! Merry Christmas!

Flash Back Friday

After years of begging and pleading, Heather FINALLY let me and Beth take Tyler to Disneyland all by ourselves! What a fun day we had. I guess it helps if you know the "Head Mouse". hehehe Tyler got special treatment from everyone all day! Boy is he going to be disappointed when he goes to an amusement park one day with out his "Fun Aunt Beth" .

Trying to get in the mood . . .

FOR CHRISTMAS! So yesterday Hal tells me he will decorate my house for Christmas. I hadn't been planning on doing anything since I'll be in Virginia with Tall, Tiny and Tough. But he said he would really like Beth to have a Christmas tree and all. He asked so nice, how could I refuse. They are so cute together that it gives me a cavity!

Not Me Monday

Apparantly I need to participate in "Not me! Mondays" So here goes . . .

I did not call my p.s. and schedule a t.t. for Thursday, January 8th. Nope, not me . . . I’m not insane. Why would I want to go through all that pain (and more) so soon after my lipo?

I did not go back on my word to Vikki that one of the girls b.f. could live in my house because he has no place to go and I can’t let him not have a roof over his head.

I did not beg, pled, and threaten Sandford to go and get a job and stop being a drain to society. Nope, not me! I would NEVER be the kind of wife that wasn’t loving and supporting at all times.

I did not eat six (count ‘em) six, Skinny Cow mint flavored ice cream sandwiches for dinner one night. And the next night I did not have an entire can of whipped cream (enjoyed every last drop too!) I would not do these things, ever!

I did not take the vacuum cleaner completely apart, clean it and then not have a clue as to how to put it back together! And then go and buy a new one just in case Sandford was unable to fix my mess. I would never do that! Not me!

I think that's enough for one day . . . look me up next Monday!

Flashback Friday

It's Flashback Friday time! When the children still lived at home we had a family tradition of going to the L.A. County Fair every year. This picture was taken years ago. See how much thinner I was? Notice the long hair? Looking at these pictures brings back so many good memories.

Thank You Tina!

This is my princess, Tina! We work together. Well, if you can call it work. She makes the job seem like fun every day! I just wanted to let everyone know how awesome she is! My water heater (hot water heater, hehehe) broke and we've been without hot water for days. Tina let me go over to her house and take a shower! (no, not with her) It was the best shower I've ever had! She is a friend that can always be counted on!