"Four Household Chores to Avoid During Pregnancy"

This is from the experts at Babycenter.com........ ;o)



**Here are four household chores to avoid during pregnancy:
-Moving furniture
-Change the kitty litter box
-Using ant or roach spray
-Refinishing furniture



Okay... WHY are these all chores that I NEVER DO???

Maxine Moments...

I LOVE this cartoon!!! :O)

Creator Of Maxine <http://pressroom.hallmark.com/Multimedia/Item/John-Wagner>http://pressroom.hallmark.com/Multimedia/Item/John-Wagner John Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970, says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother, the woman who bought him art lessons when 'fill in the pumpkins' was about the extent of his art classes at St. John's Catholic School in Leonia N.J.

John remembers doodling as a preschooler and says both his grandmother and his mother encouraged his artistic interests. He eventually attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston and landed at Hallmark as part of a new artists group. But it was the birth of the humorous Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986 that added a new dimension to John's professional life. The Shoebox way of seeing the world unleashed his talents and he created Maxine. 'Cartoonists are sensitive to the insanities of the world; we just try to humanize them,' John says. 'If Maxine can get a laugh out of someone who feels lonely or someone who is getting older and hates the thought of another birthday, or if she can make someone chuckle about stressful interpersonal relationships, then I'm happy. Putting a smile on someone's face is what it's all about.'

Those smiles have led to Maxine's becoming a bit of a celebrity. She (and John) have been the subject of media stories, including People, USA Today, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, St. Petersburg (FL) Times, and Las Vegas Journal-Review, and they have been included in a major Associated Press story. Collector and trade publications have reported fans nationwide are collecting Maxine items. Letters from consumers and fans to John and Maxine reveal a very personal connection to Maxine. Many people say they are just like her.

Why the name 'Maxine'? 'People at Shoebox started referring to the character as 'John Wagner's old lady,' and I knew that would get me into trouble with my wife,' John says. The Shoebox team had a contest among themselves to name the character and three of the approximately 30 entries suggested 'Maxine'. John says the name is perfect. John, who says he's humbled by such acceptance of Maxine, admits he's proud of her. Now you know the story of how Maxine came to be.

First Day of School - August 2009

Thursday, August 20, 2009 -

Bear, Brother & Sissy

Eden - 1st Grade

Oliver - 3rd Grade

Eden's New Accessory

As you can see, Eden is sporting some new glasses! She was complaining at the end of last year about not being able to see things clearly so this summer, we went to the eye doctor and now she's got her first pair of spectacles! She LOVES them! So... at the end of Kindergarten she got her glasses and I was in the third grade! I also tried my hand at cutting her hair at the beginning of the summer and it ended up pretty short, but cute just the same! What a cutie girl! :O)

GAME 6 - Tar Heels

*Tuesday, 18 August - GAME 6 - West Exchange - Eden's Final T-ball game of the season! Tar Heels (light blue) vs. (royal blue)

Eden running to third.

Eden stopping the ball.

I love watching Eden throw the ball! HA!

Jaren

Haylie and Eden

Eden and her coach, Holly.

Jare Bear and sissy, Edes
Eden played against her friend, Jaida, from school tonight!

Eden at bat and fielding the ball......

Oliver's FIRST night at Cub Scouts

18 August - Cub Scout Pack Meeting - Oliver's very first night!

Cubmaster Jeremy Jolley introducing Oliver to his fellow scouts.

Oliver's first color guard.

A fun game we played after the meeting.

At first he didn't want to go, but I told him that I KNEW he would love it if he went... and he did! Mother certainly DOES know best! ;o)

Arboretum with Jaylyn & Jacob

My good friend Andrea needed a sitter for her kids for the day while she was at work so I happily said we'd love to have them come and play! We went to McDonald's and to the Arboretum where Jaylyn and Jacob had never been! They had a ball! I got some cute pics of them playing as well! I LOVE all of the gorgeous flowers in bloom out there!!! Afterwards, we went to Sonic for some slushies! What a fun day with friends!

A MUCH NEEDED... Haircut!

As you can see from previous posts... my hair has gotten very unruly as of late! Bye, bye Willy Wonka hair! :O)

Oliver's 8th Birthday Party... FINALLY...

17 August - Cadillac Lanes bowling party for Oliver's 8th birthday! He was baptized and we celebrated his actual birthday with family and promised him he'd get his party sooner or later. Well... it was way later... after his birthday, I'd hurt my back again and so it kept getting postponed until today! He invited some of his friends to celebrate by going bowling! :O)

Oliver has great form... as you can see... as well as some pretty kickin' highwaters! HA!

Love this pic of Bear!!! It was his very first time bowling!

Oliver's victory... um... squat...?! ;o)

Me and my lover man!

Jaren and Tyler

Edes

Oliver

Takoda and Oliver

Eden, Samantha, Takoda, Oliver

Group shot... minus Tyler C., Nick H. & Porter E. *We wish they could have been there!*

Silly group shot!

What a character! Happy Birthday, AGAIN, Bubba!!! :O)

Oliver's bowling acrobatics... more like breakdancing...

Jaren's "Cool Walk"

A MUCH NEEDED Ladies Campout!

14 & 15 August, 2009 - Holiday Lake Ladie's Campout

I had the chance to get together with some fun ladies from church for a much needed ladie's overnight campout at Diana's cabin. It was a BLAST!!! Thanks, Diana!!!

Meg, Krista and I in the van before heading down to the cabin!

The cabin and 'the little engine that almost couldn't'........ ;o)

Krista wedging herself into the floatie!!! HA!

Hey... I'm Elliot from "Open Season"!!!

The gals headin' down to the lake for a swim!

It was heaven to just lay on my raft and float for several hours chatting about 'gardening'...

We went for an evening ride on the golf cart and swam a little more. It looks like I'm sliding off the back!

Nice view of the beach and the lake from our golf cart ride.

"That's a NICE hill........"

Susie and Diana sitting by the fire. We all stayed up until 2:30 am and then headed in to bed. Meg, Susie, Krista and I were still really giggly and just could not sleep so we went outside and gabbed by the fire until 4:30!! TOO FUN!!! I love those ladies!

I LOVE this pic of Krista... exhaling... HA HA!

Too much smoke! I guess I'm just too sexy! Because ya know... smoke follows the sexy ladies... ;o)

Meg walked in and found me doing my physical therapy exercises... my cat stretch to be exact! Look at my HAIR! I look like Willy Wonka!!! Frizzle Fry!

Our group picture before most ladies left for home. Krista, Charity, Diana, Jamie, Niki, Susie, Katie, Me and Meg. What a fun group!

Mormon moms gone WILD!!! ;o) HA!

After most ladies left, Susie, Diana, Meg and myself ventured out for a swim. Although it was slightly overcast, the lake was very busy! I felt sick floating on my raft with all the waves, so we went ashore and laid on the beach for a bit. Here is Diana on her 'ramiumptum'.... ;o)

Susie and Meg

I soooooooooo needed a girl's trip, but it really could have been a tad longer! ;o) We all had so much fun! This needs to be a tradition... The 'Mom's Gone Wild Campout'!!!