I was thinking of my best friend Stacey today and how much she means to me. Other than my family, she is the most dearest person to me. She is apart of my family. Too often do we fail to tell those close to us how much the mean to us. So I thought I would share my heart with you today.

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. The jokes, the shopping trips, the myspace comments, the tea parties, the grass on fire, the derby hats, the hair advice, the 2 hour long conversation when we just spent the whole weekend together, the smiles, the laughter, and the tears.

Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty. Or when something is in your teeth, or when you should never wear that red shirt again

True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable. Knowing how each other feels without saying a word.

There are big ships and small ships. But the best ship of all is friendship. This was kind of corny, but I like corny.

She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It's good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind.

It takes a long time to grow an old friend. We think now that we have been friends for a long time, wait til we are old and not so grey thanks to hair color.

If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me.

A friend accepts us as we are yet helps us to be what we should.

There is one friend in the life of each of us who seems not a separate person, however dear and beloved, but an expansion, an interpretation, of one's self, the very meaning of one's soul.

I found one quote that sums it all up.

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. She knows what I am talking about. And thats all I have to say about that.

Adam's 29th Birthday

Adam will be 29 on thursday. I am trying to figure out what to get him. He is hard to shop for. Not that he doesn't know what he wants, he knows what he wants, they are just BIG toys. Any Ideas????

I miss my sister already!

We had my sisters going away party this weekend, and it really hit me, several times. I am really going to miss her. It's not that I don't want her to go, because I do want her to go. I think it's great what she is doing. But that doesn't have anything to do with me missing her. I mad a slide show for her of old pictures and new pictures, and pictures of her friends and family. we watched it together with her best friend Coleen after everyone left, and we all cried. That messy cry were your nose runs, and you have convulsions. I am trying to be funny so I don't cry again. We have always been together, for our whole life. We know things about each other that no one else knows. And we are sworn to secrecy, so don't ask. I love her, and the girls so much, and I will miss them. They are leaving Friday, and we will see how I am doing then. So I have to say goodbye Thursday and won't see her for a few months.

Family Pictures

We had our family pictures taken this weekend. We had alot of fun, and were really happy with them. Here are some samples. We had them taken at Click Portraits in New Albany. Clickportraitsnow.com

Going Away Tribute

Click the play button twice and the video will start.

Support Launch Fundraiser

Launch Children's Ministry Department is doing a Premier Designs Fundraiser. As some of you know, I am an independent distributor for Premier Designs. I am donating all of my profit (which is 50% of the sales) to the children's Department to help pay or supplies , and for our Upcoming Easter Event.

Help to support this fundraiser. You can help in 2 different ways. See me for a catalog and place an order, or you can collect a few orders from your family and friends. If you collect orders, you could win some Free Jewelry. The incentives for the fundraiser is Jewelry and other prizes, like a Jewelry Box.

Come on guys! Valentines is coming up, and every women would love some Jewelry. Buy your honey bunny some Jewelry and help the children's Department while you are at it. See me before Wednesday Jan 30th, and I will hook you up, and you will get it in time for Valentines Day. I will even gift wrap it for you!!!

Come on lets raise some funds for an amazing ministry. The Fundraiser closes out on Feb 13th.

Shoes or Skill

Today after church we went to the Mall to get Big Adam some new Basketball shoes. After we found them and got home, Big Adam asked Alex, "Do you think daddy will do good tonight?" Alex said, "Yes". Adam asked him, "Do you think it's cause daddy's good or because he has Jordans," and Alex said, "Jordans!"

Funny...but true

Here is a great quote from my friend at work today...

Why do they call them apartments when they are together... Why do you park on a drive way and drive on a parkway.... When I finally got it, I was cracking up.

Thanks Brent for the laugh.

We are getting our family pictures taken Saturday. I can't wait. We haven't had family pictures taken in like 17 years. I will have to scan one in and show you guys our old family pic. After having our family pictures taken it's addicting.

Were cookin now!!

The deliverers called at alittle after 10am and said they were on there way.

Here it is. I took this with my phone, so it's not that great.

Ok, I have been wanting it to snow so bad, and was happy to see the beautiful white stuff this morning.

The dilivery people called yesturday and set up delivery of my new stove for this morning at 7:15. So I got up early, and was ready. At about 7am, I get a call that because of the snow, the can't deliver it. The thing is, we took out our current stove last night and moved it to the garage. He said they maybe able to deliver it Thursday, two days away. So unless it can be cooked in the microwave, we will be eating out.

So on all days for it to snow.

Reality

My sister and Adrian are in Tampa, Florida looking at apartments, and have job interviews. This really hit me the other day that she is leaving. I guess I just didn't think she was leaving. I thought something would happen, and they would stay. But as we are just two weeks away from moving day, it has become a reality for me.

The love my sister and I share are like no other. We don't have to tell each other how we feel, we both know. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't express how we feel more often. Lord knows I am an emotional person. No mater what I bring to her, she always has a since of reason. She always has the right words, and never judges me. This isn't going to change by her moving, because she is always a phone call away, but there is something about physically seeing someone. I am going to take advantage of these next two weeks, and spend time with her, and the girls, (and I guess Adrian too ;o)

Here is a pic from when we were kids, on a family vacation in Tampa, Florida.

Last Thursday Alex said, "Mommy, is there anything wrong back there?" He opened his mouth and pointed to the back of his mouth. Later that night he got a fever, and the next day the Dr told me he had strep throat, and tonsillitis. He was trying tell me that his throat was hurting, that was just his way of telling me.

Countdown to Atlanta...3...2...1...!

I leave Thursday for a Premier Designs Jewelry Regional Conference. I am excited to be able to go. I won the trip this year, lots of winning going on, could it be FOG (Favor of God)! It's in Atlanta. I will be riding down with three other girls. The conference starts Friday, and wraps up Saturday evening. The conference is very motivational. Of course there is Jewelry, but it's more than that. It's girl time (minus the husbands that go, but they just deal with it), it's full of motivational speakers, and testimonies. I am sure I will have lots to blog about.

Isn't it obvious!

I bought some Pistachios yesterday at the grocery. Last night as I was looking at the nutritional value, (being the good little weight watcher member) I noticed a label. Allergen Alert: Contains Pistachios

How funny.

What a Day!

I went to Weight Watchers on my lunch break. Then I went home to pick up some lunch. On my way to my house, I hit a curb, and got a flat. Adam told me to drive very slowly home, I was just a few blocks away. Well, then the tire came off the rim, so I parked it, and had to walk home in the rain. As I walked up to my house, I noticed that I had left the garage door open when I left that morning. When you leave your house do you ever get that feeling that you left the iron on, or the coffee pot. Well mine is the garage door. You can ask my kids, I am always going back to home to make sure that I closed it, and that no one is going to steal my dogs. Well, I had that feeling this morning, and I told myself "Angela, every time you have that feeling, you always go back home, and it's always closed". So I continued on my way, not thinking twice about it. So there I am looking at the open garage door. So i walked in the house, and grabbed a knife. I let the dogs out of there pen, and I walked from door to door making sure no one was there, and making sure that nothing was taken. Everything was OK. So when Adam got off, we got to change the tire in the rain. Needless to say I learned two things today.

1. If I ever have the feeling that I left the garage door open, I will go back and check.

2. Tire vs. curb, the curb will win!

I've lost 21.6 Sticks of Butter!

I lost 1.2 lbs this week, taking my total weight loss to 5.4 in 2 weeks, that's 21.6 sticks of butter. That is huge, how Exciting. I got a 5 lb Gold Star today. You get a gold star for each 5 lbs you lose. Bring on the Stars. This week was a little tough. I love sweets, and craved them. I gave in a few times. But when I went to my meeting today I got some mini snack bars. Peanut Butter Bliss with Chocolate. Yummy. They are only 1 point. That will take care of my sweet tooth. I'll be back next Thursday with another update.

12 Years

12 Years, that is a long time. I am 27 years old, that is almost half of my life.

Adam and I have been together for 12 years. Today is our dating anniversary. Everyone always laughs, but that is the big one.

We met in High School, at the lunch table. I remember the first thing he ever said to me. I remember going home that day and telling my mom how I meet this cute Italian boy at school (Adam is Puerto Rican). I remember seeing him walking home while I was on the bus, and thinking, man he is hot! I would look for him everyday. I remember the feeling when I found out he had a girl friend. I remember the feeling when I found out that they broke up, but then I had a boyfriend. But even more I remember the feeling when I found out that he liked me more.

I remember the first time he ever kissed me. He used to come over all the time, we were friends, and my parents loved him. Standing on my front porch, he was leaving, and he leaned over and kissed me. Tingles!

I remember the day we started dating 12 years ago. January 9th, 1996. I had a boyfriend, and he had just broke up with his girlfriend. It was a snow day. I called my boyfriend, and broke up with him, and then Adam and I started dating.

The rest as they say is history. We have so many memories, 12 years worth, even more if you count our friendship. I love making new memories with him. I love him with all my heart.

Happy Anniversary Adam!

Vision Heat is Victorious!

Props to Vision Heat tonight for defeating Dee's Team.

Boom Shock-a-locka!

Babe, show em how it's done!

My husband is XBOX 360 Hog. He doesn't like to share. Pray for him!

He also loves when I Blog about him. Hi Honey.

Game Day!

GO CARDS!BEAT CATS!

I won!

I just got a call that I won the GE Profile Free-Standing Double Oven. I am so excited.

Here is the email announcement.

Congratulations To Angela Rivera, Winner Of The Free-Standing Double Oven Brand Ambassador Incentive Program!

Congratulations are in order for Angela Rivera, who recently won the Free-Standing Double Oven Brand Ambassador Incentive Program. In recognition of her outstanding “bzzing achievement,” Angela will be receiving a GE Profile™ Free-Standing Double Oven from the GE Store.

Here are the final totals from the top five participants:
1. Angela Rivera – 344 points
2. Alison Greene – 276 points
3. Anna Bowling – 78 points
4. Tina Kirkland – 77 points
5. Michael Racculia – 67 points

Thanks to everyone for your bzzing efforts! We’ve seen some great results from this pilot program and look forward to sharing them with you later this month.

Thanks for the bzz.
The Brand Ambassador Team

Alittle bit of nothing

Double Dippin'
Last night in my class at church, I saw a new meaning of double dippin'. We were watching a short video, and I was handing out a little snack to all the kiddos. One of the kids, was sucking on there thumb, and had there pointer finger up there nose. I had to laugh.

Cold Feet
Last night when I was all cuddled up in bed trying to go to sleep, my husband kept touching me with his COLD feet. I mean, it felt like he was outside with no shoes or socks on, then he came and got in bed. (he had actually just got done with his new COD addiction, and had just crawled into bed.) Of course once he realized there were too cold for me, he kept touching me with them. I don't like being cold when I go to bed, that is why I wear as much clothing as possible, and sleep in socks. Sleep in socks people. Lol.

Little things about me..that really don't matter to you...but I am going to tell you anyway...because I am addicted to Blogging...
...I don't shave my legs as much in the winter as I do in the summer
...I like pickle juice
...I am a BIG Chicken, I don't do haunted houses or scary movies
...When I was little I wanted to be an astronaut
...My dream job as an adult is to be an archaeologist
...I wake up in the middle of the night to give my kids kisses
...I am naturally a shy person, so just say Hi, and we will go from there
...I do care what people think of me
...I hope my kids will be silly, and have fun, and not worry so much what people think of them
...my office is a mess

I am reducing!

I joined Weight Watchers last week, so today was my first weigh in. I lost 4.2 lbs. I am so excited. I have struggled with my weight, and have done weight watchers in the past. It really works if you stick to it, just like any program. So this time I am focusing on staying with it. So you will be seeing less of me in the future.

No More

We have been TTC for the past 5 months. I have two beautiful boys, and after 6 years, we decided to try for another one. Just one more time. I was at ease with the decision, and wanted it so bad.

Over the holidays, I got really sick and ended up in the ER, total Dejavu. I looked at my husband, as I hadn't been that sick since I was prego with my youngest 6 years ago. And we both new we couldn't do it again. It broke my heart, but we both knew it couldn't happen. As I sat there, with the IV hooked up to me, I felt anger, sadness, and relief all at the same time.

Anger because I just wanted to be normal to have a normal pregnancy with normal morning sickness. Anger at HG because I knew I couldn't do it again. I couldn't put my body threw that, my kids, my husband, my family. I was totally down for 3 months last time, and on meds the rest of the pregnancy, and who knows what it would be like again. Adam and Alex were so worried about me, they kept calling while we were at the ER. I realized I couldn’t do it. I am going to enjoy the two gifts I was given. I have nothing but respect for those women who are going unto another pregnancy with HG. It is a huge sacrifice, and no one else can understand unless they have been threw it.

Sadness, for a moment. But the pain I was in, helped me to see that I have two wonderful sons, and That I am going to make sure they know they are loved, and put all my energy into them.

Relief when the nurse came and told me I wasn't pregnant. I knew it would be over soon. I looked at Adam, and said I think we need to stop trying and he said I think so too.


It is sad that this illness keeps us from having more kids, and I know that no one else will understand this decision unless you have been threw HG. So many women get morning sickness, but HG is so different.

Somethings just happen. I don't know why they happen, why some woman get HG, why people get cancer, or why things happen to kids that should never happen. I know God has a plan for everything, we also have the power of free will. He doesn't control us, but he can make the best out of the worst situation.

Sorry if this was alittle TMI. This is me.