We are expecting

Well in case you haven't heard Bill and I are expecting. Juniorita (since we don't know the sex yet) is due July 3, Bill's birthday. So does that make me free and clear of buying him a birthday present next year, since I will be working on this present for 9 months. Needless to say we had only told 3 people that we were even trying, so to everyone else it was total shock. The day we told everyone I called our shock and Aah campaign. I had said for years that I didn't want to have children because of a sleeping disorder I have, and being pregnant would require me to come off some medication not allowing me to drive for long distances. I did not drive for a year when I was first diagnosed and it was hell, having to rely on everyone to get anywhere.
Bill has been great about me not being able to drive long distances. I am able to drive to work but not outside of Hooterville. I haven't had any sickness, so all in all this hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Knock on wood!!!
A lot of people have said "I thought you weren't having kids". Isn't a girl allowed to change her mind. I decided that I didn't want to miss experiencing this with Bill. I wanted to see him as a father and watch our child grow up and see what impact they would have on us and the world around them. So stayed tuned to the blog for pregnancy updates.

Our baby's first photo Nov 11, 2008

Baby's second photo 10 weeks

Welcome home TJ

I am so excited to say that TJ is home from his last deployment to Iraq. His flight was carrying 260+ troops returning home to family and friends. Needless to say we turned out in force to welcome TJ home from his second tour.

Most of us will never know what these soliders go through in having to be a way from their family, home and friends. Then again most of us hope we never have to know what these soldiers see and experince when deployed in a war zone. I have to say that being there to see these brave men and women come home makes you so proud to live in this great country. I think that every American should attend a homecoming ceremony to show our soldiers how much they are appreciated. To everyone who serves or who has served I say, "Thank you", and to TJ you made us all proud to have a soldier who serves to protect us and this great country.

Vista is not my friend

Ok Bill and I purchased a new laptop, because when we finally got Internet in August and hooked up the computer it totally freaked out. Needless to say it is still at the computer Dr. Anyway the new laptop has Windows Vista, and so far it has not been my best friend. Let me tell you my story.
I had a family member come home from Iraq on Friday Nov 14th, and last weekend I was so excited to get the pictures off the camera and post an entry on my blogsite. First off the prompts were not the same as my computer at work so that threw me for a loop. Second I spent a hour moving pictures into folders. I thought I was free and clear and erased the pictures off the my camera memory card. Then when I went back to the computer to start working on my blog entry my pictures were no where to be found. I was frantic these were pictures that I couldn't recreate, they were priceless. I searched every where on my computer for the pictures. I think for a moment I had a mental breakdown, fearing the worst about my pictures.
Then yesterday I spent some $$ for a software package to find deleted material on memory cards. Lets just say that the computer angel was looking over me yesterday because my pictures were found. I had a video of the troops marching in to the hanger with the crowd cheering that would make the hair stand up on your arms, it didn't recover it but I have the pictures. So stayed tuned for the pictures from TJ's homecoming.
As for you Vista I will tread with a little more caution when it comes to my precious photos.

Maple Hill B&B

If you ever need to get away from all the hustle and bustle, Bill and I strongly recommend Maple Hill Manor in Springfield, KY. Bill and I have been there for the last 4 years on our anniversary and wish we could go back more. Bills says that it isn't far by far enough to get away. They have 7 rooms with private baths and serve the best breakfast you will ever eat. It is so much to eat that normally we don't have to eat until supper. We look forward to the breakfast and always ask for the eggs in a basket and lemon pancakes, but I will have to say that the croissant french toast was pretty yummy this year. Todd and Tyler are great hosts and make sure you have a memorable stay. Oh don't let me forget to mention that they have homemade sweets every night. Also it is a great place to take the kiddos, they have Alpacas, dogs, a horse, lamas, and cats(Ripley just loves me to come and visit). I could go on about this place for several pages, but go and check out for yourselves and be sure to tell them that Bill and Mary Beth sent you.

A little piece of heaven here on earth

Does this not look like the best stuff ever? My dearly beloved was in Paducah last week and called to see if I needed anything. Hummm. Well while you are there would you care to go by Holman House and pick my up my favorite pie. Holman House is known for there desserts, they are the best. I had also asked for Deluxe Cheesecake but they were sold out. So from the picture you can tell that he was ever so kind to stop. French pecan silk pie IS the best pie ever. Living here in Hooterville I don't get to Paducah very often and I am sure everyone can attest to those food items from back home that you miss dearly when you move away. So lets just say I enjoyed every bite of my pie. Thanks sweetie you made my year. Oh and if anyone has access to this recipe, I might just have to name you my new BFF.

5 Years and counting

Well it is so hard to believe that it has been 5 years. Sometimes I think it has been longer and then sometimes it just seems like yesterday. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful husband to share this journey with.

State Fallen Firefighers Memorial

Bill has been after me to download the pictures off my camera from his trip to Frankfort, so I can get the new pictures on my blog. If we look back to the morning that he was leaving I asked if he wanted to take my new camera (the one he got for my birthday that I hadn't even used yet). I got a very mumbled "I guess I can". Well as it turns out he was the only one who took a camera. Yes of course they all had cameras on their cellphone but you can't do much with those pictures. When he got home that night he rushed to show me the pictures on the camera. Of course being a women I reminded him of whose idea it was for him to take a camera. Since this was his first appearance in his new uniform I think he was so glad to have taken my camera to capture his trip in pictures. I asked if he was glad he got me a new camera for my birthday.
Anyway, Bill was asked to represent the department in their annual trip to Frankfort to participate in the Kentucky Firefighter memorial ceremony on October 1st. Luckily he had been at honor guard training camp in Bowling Green so he was able to implement all of the stuff he learned. Since this was his first year I think he was very moved by the whole experience. I think that it is events like this that put into perspective the dangers of his job, but also how much he loves and respects his job.

L-R Bill, Troy, Dale, Matt, Larry

Fireproof

Bill and I went to see this movie on Friday night. Now if any of you all know my husband well you know he is not the type to go to the theatre. It has probably been a year since we went to the movies together. Anyway I had seen Fireproof posted by some of my friends on facebook about what a great movie it was and that all married couples should go and see it. So to convience my husband to go the movies I had to play on the fact that the movie was about firefighters. With that being said he was very eager to go (he doesn't miss a fire movie).
We made it into a date night, the theatre here wasn't playing the movie so we had to go to Clarksvegas. We went to Sams, and then out to eat. When we got to the show and the tickets cost $17.00, Bill turns to me and says "That's why I don't go the movies". Yeah Yeah. But then he had to go and buy popcorn and 2 big drinks. Which I think turned out to be more than the tickets. When I go I don't buy drinks and popcorn, but I guess Bill just couldn't forgo the popcorn. Anyways back to the movie. It is a great movie. I hadn't even heard about it until I read some posts on Facebook. I would recommend this movie to all married couples, it reminds us of what is important in these trying times we live in. Also great for those singles to give them the reality that a marriage is a work in progess that never ends.
Hey Tara, Kirk Cameron is the lead actor.

Honor Guard camp

Here are pictures from Bill's week long trip to Honor Guard Camp in Bowling Green. He really enjoyed going and says he learned alot so now he is going to Frankfort. He said they pounded the payment good, he walked so much that his ankles hurt. This was the first year for Bowling Green to open up their honor guard camp to outside departments, which Bill was happy. He said they offered a great course and week long training. He enjoys going to other departments to see how things are done and the equipment they have. You know boys and their toys. Needless to say I was home all week by myself but that allowed me to have total control over the remote for premiere week (see ER post).

ER you have done it again.

Ok I have been so totally psyched this week. It is premiere week and I must say that so far they have been great. Dancing with the Stars, Cloris Leachman stole the show. I recorded Heroes so I can watch it when there is a little less going on, I know that it will be great as always. CSI Miami, thank goodness they didn't kill Caine off. I had to record Survivor last night because of a garage fire, but I did make it home to watch the first episode of ER for the last season. I have always been a ER fan since episode 1 and last night reminded me of why. Thank goodness my husband wasn't home because I was crying and so caught in the moment with Pratt's fate. Yes it did have its questionable years when the writing slipped but it has bounced back in the last couple of years as strong as ever. My friend Paja and I would always have to be home on Thursday night to watch ER. Her first child is named Ross go figure.
I am excited to see Dr Carter return and Angela Bassett come in to take over as Chief.

Also stay turned for updates and pictures from the Hopkinsville Salutes Ft Campbell chili cook off (the fire dept. took first place in the civilian division), my husband's week long trip to honor guard camp (one reason for delayed posts he has my camera), and the Night Riders reenactment.

How many of you is there?

I just heard about the coolest website. Ever wonder how many people out there have your same name, well now you can find out. You can also see how many people there are with your last name. So here are my stats, with the joyous union to my husband I am now 1 of 221 people with my name in the us, then with my maiden name I was 1 of 2214. So I guess changing my name does have its perks.

Happy 31st to me

Yeah I turned another year older. I was so blessed to have dinner on my birthday with my family. In the upper left is my grandfather who will turn 81 next Monday the 22nd. The others are my mom and step dad and last but not least is my dearly beloved husband. My grandfather was a few minutes late to meet us because he was talking to the two nice fed-ex ladies who had dropped off his new remote at his house. We ate at The Oasis in Kuttawa and I had my favorite Cajun Chicken Pasta. My mom scrambled around Saturday in a hurry to make my favorite cake, Strawberry, but just not any strawberry cake the one with coconut, chopped nuts, and strawberries. So yummy. Then on Sunday Karah took me out to eat in Clarksvegas and we spent the whole afternoon shopping. Thanks so much to everyone for making my birthday special.

Holy Grail

My dealy beloved was given the greatest opportunity last week to visit what many firefighters would call the holy grail, the Pierce fire truck factory in Appleton Wisconsin. He left last Wednesday and got back Friday night. They toured the factory on Thursday, I asked if he tried to hide so he could spend more time there.
I told everyone all week you would of thought that he was a little kid going to see Santa Claus at the north pole. Bill was deathly ill on Tuesday night and couldn't hardly get off of the sofa, but to much surprise he had miraculously improved enough on Wednesday morning to make the 14 1/2 hour (they had to stop twice for sit down meals-fireman should say it all) trip to Wisconsin. He had exclaimed that he wasn't going to miss this trip.
I will have to say that Bill did get me shirt from the Pierce factory.
Much thanks to Jeff for sharing his pictures with us.

New Kids on the Block

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Just in case you were sleeping or in my case already at work this morning, the greatest thing was revealed on the Today show, New Kids on the Block is going to be back on tour next year and they are already in the recording studio. Could this really be true?? If my memory serves me correctly I remember Tara having all the Teen Bop issues with NKOTB on the cover. Oh how we would long to go and see them in concert. Like my mom always says it you wait long enough it will come back in style again. Should we all hope that they will be in concert close to us. They will be in concert live on the Today show May 16, 2009 go ahead and pencil them in.

Nashville Star

On a recent to Nashville to find the ultimate dress for a wedding, much to my surprise we ran into, Coffey and Gabe from Nashville star. At first Bill wasn't going to have his picture made but decided ah what the heck. They were both super nice and very gracious. I know Nahvillians see stars all the time but to a western Kentucky gal she was super excited. I couldn't wait to call the local radio station deejays and tell them. I wish these two guys the best of luck in their life dreams I know we haven't heard the last from them.

Finally a blogger

Yeah, I have finally made it to the world of blogging. One of my fellow bloggers has harassed us non bloggers for years now (ok maybe it was just months) to come over to light and start blogging. It only took me several weeks and much debate to decide on a title and blog address to call my own. So I hope that I can live up the my fellow bloggers who I so admire, LavidaLadybird, Brandiandboys, and sumtinfishy. Please bear with me as start on this new endeavor with you.