A Present To Look Forward To

My cute daughter and I are going to see Wicked in April!! Here is a trailer from youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0m6sclZkH0&NR=1

I'll tell you all about it!

My boys' favorite thing to do

Legos! They play with their legos all the time and James shops on lego.com every chance he gets. I just love this picture of all 3 of my boys, so content and focused while trying to complete a Christmas present.

Christmas Eve Brunch

Every year, I host brunch on Christmas Eve. I love starting the holiday as early as possible and this forces me to be DONE with all holiday shopping and errands. We welcome family and freinds and enjoy being a part of the start of their holiday as well!

Here are just a few decorating pictures from that party:

Coffee Bar

Cups from the hot cocoa area on the pool deck

Toppings for Waffle Bar

Rice Krispy Treat wreath, donut trees, carrot cake muffins

Candy trees that Kim made and Reindeer Food to go home with every family

Ribbon trees that I made

My sweet boys with their favorite babysitter!


Merry Christmas!

Bethlehem, a 6 year old's perspective

I just got this from Southern Living At Home. Look closely. Do you see it? Is there anything sweeter than your 6 year old little boy integrating his dinasours into your nativity scene?

Slinky Incident With Multiple Injuries Foils Mommy Play Date

This weekend I had plans to shop all day Friday & all day Saturday with 2 girlfriends. We had sitters or friends picking up our kids from school, our husbands were scheduled to be super dads all weekend, we were ready to relax and have fun and we deserved it!! Myself and a friend from Augusta drove to Charlotte to meet a mutual friend who moved last year. We pulled up to a very large and very nice mall. Our time was valuable......only 48 hours with no kids, no husbands and no responsibilities but to shop......so we chose to valet, like all smart mothers would. We open the doors to hand our keys to the cute valet and a phone rings. My Charlotte friend says "oh no" and we immediately knew that it was definitely a school for one of her 3 kids. We kind of sink a little and try not to smirk (because it was inevitable, right?). We hear "uh huh" "oh no" and then "he needs stitches?". Okay, so we know it's her 7th grade son, her other 2 kids are girls. My Augusta friend is a doctor's wife (Chief of ER Pediatrics I believe) so she knows a lot about "kid emergencies". She very quickly says "how does a middle school student have an accident at school?" I naively giggle and say "good point". Cute valet guys says "you're not shopping are you?" He was very amused. We are still refraining from laughter for fear that he is hurt and say "um, no". We climb in the car as she hangs up the phone and says "he was in an accident involving a slinky and needs to go to the ER, he cut his hand". Okay....we lose it. We laughed and laughed......not only at our bad luck and the bad timing...but a SLINKY was involved? We glance back at the big beautiful mall as we depart.

She calls her son back to get more details because my smart medical friend is asking a lot of valid questions. The slinky incident involved multiple students and there are multiple injuries, he has a big cut but it's not bleeding anymore so we determine there is an issue but he's doing fine. Okay, hysterics. A slinky incident with multiple injuries. I need to mention, recently this friend of ours was in a car accident involving a raccoon and prior to that her last vehicular accident involved an automatic car wash. To say her luck is amusing is an understatement. We had been looking forward to this day for a month and it was foiled by a slinky. Of course........it was foiled by a slinky. We take her to her car, she directs us to a mall closer to her son's school and she departs. 4 stitches and 3 hours later our friend joins us. She missed hours of shopping and a great brownie. We all missed lunch because we did not want to enjoy lunch without her.

The update: three students were injured, two required medical attention. Apparently, the kids get a "health break" for 15 minutes so they can get some fresh air (they do this in prisons, right?). Her son was innocently playing football. Allegedly, two kids had a metal slinky that they pulled apart between them. A football player ran into the slinky, it flew and hit two other players, one being our friend's sweet son. The school is now trying to assess whether there was malicious intent with the boys who had the slinky and suspension is being discussed. We should all say a quick prayer for the kiddos, my friend's son loves playing guitar and he is inconvenienced and in pain and we feel bad for him!

That evening, over a wonderful dinner and a bottle of Merlot AND Riesling, we giggled a lot as we reflected over our day. As moms we are always ready to run to our children's aid anytime they need us. As moms will will continue making idyllic plans to reward ourselves. As friends we will continue to smile and giggle (and laugh 'til we cry) as we realize that idyllic plans are sometimes impossible but watching life unfold together is half the fun.

-Kim

Sugar Cube House

I have fun at Christmas. - Kim

Best Cryptic Christmas Present Phone Call 2007

My Brother: Hi Kim

Me: Hey!

My Brother: So, you make a lot of cupcakes right?

Me: Oh yes

My Brother: Do you travel with them?

Me: Definitely, to school all the time

My Brother: Do you find them difficult to transport?

Me (pause and try not to giggle): Why, yes, they are very difficult to transport actually!

My Brother: Okay, love you, talk to you later

Me: Love you Bye!

Hilarious. Hey, good thinking! I own about every baking thing a girl like me needs and I can't believe I don't have one of those!

-Kim

Gingerbread Gingerbread Gingerbread

Hi. My name is Kim and I'm addicted to Gingerbread. As you learn more about me, you'll learn that I'm really addicted to gingerbread. I adore it and I have fun making my annual house! Here is my 2007 home.

-Kim

Shot Glass.....A Mother's New Use

I read "Real Simple". They always have ideas for different uses of everyday items. Like line your drawers with dryer sheets. Well my parents visited this week. I don't keep appliances on my counter. I put the toaster in a cabinet and we take it down daily. We use cinnamon sugar often and I've always mixed it in a pastry duster (the thing you'd put powder sugar in to dust on a cake). Well, we needed more and mom and dad used a shot glass! It's tall and thin so it fits well in the cabinet and we, honestly, never use our shot glasses now that we're old and boring. So...viola....a great use for an items that's traditionally used for something entirely different! Other uses for shot glasses that I've implemented this year...holding toothpicks which I use often when dying my frosting. One day we'll be cool again and use the shot glasses, right? Really, who has time for shots?

-Kim

I Love My Self Absorbed Daughter

I always prayed I would not have a weak, meek child and I do not. Katie is hilarious and enjoys her life thoroughly...she giggles all the time. She enjoys keeping herself happy, just like her mom. My husband thinks I'm a bit self-absorbed but he's amused by me. I told Eric the story I'm about to tell you and he smirked and said "she's your child honey". Today Kate and Derrick were given $20 each for Secret Santa at school. The school buys tons of gifts and pre-wraps them. The kids pick out gifts, for their loved ones, and a volunteer labels them after talking to the child. Parents don't go since this is their time to buy gifts for us. Tonight Kate had her Secret Santa bag filled with wrapped gifts and said "can we open our presents?". I said "No way, they're for Christmas and there's nothing for you in your bag anyway". She said "yes there is" and laughed. I took her bag and took out the gifts to see:
"From: KATIE To: ME".
Some volunteer probably got a kick out of that. She cracked up, thoroughly amused with herself. As a mother who loves that I have a strong decisive child, I was thrilled that she made the decision that she deserved a little something for herself too. She's adorable.

-Kim

You CAN make a red hot tree!

Kim says you can't but you can! See, Kim was just too precise! Here is the proof! Throw out the rules and get messy and it's a breeze!


In case you want to do it, here's what I did:

• put a large plate down below where you are working
• cover a small area with hot glue
• drop red hots on it
• quickly dump red glitter over the same area
• use a tiny paint brush to ently get the glitter off the candy so it's only in the spaces
• keep going!

Done, a red hot tree!!! I tried it with regular glue but they literally slipped off. Hot glue is the only thing that dries fast enough. My 8 year old helped me by dumping the red hots on and we had a blast!

Here are the three trees that I grouped together:



I bought the set of trees from http://www.orientaltrading.com/, aren't they cute? They came with the bases, trees and then a stick that joined them together so they were easy to decorate separately. The tall one is candy canes and was very tedious but so worth it! The small one was really too small for any candy so I just used ribbon and I think it turned out cute. I used glitter and more ribbon for the bases.

I love a good Christmas craft!!

Kiersten

Hosting A Gingerbread Party

I host a gingerbread party every year. I could go on and on about how to host a gingerbread party and would be happy to elaborate if anyone would like. For now, I wanted to show you my candy. Candy is obviously a very big part of a gingerbread party and I have so much fun getting all the candy ready! Yes, I have a list so I make sure I don't miss anything critical to gingerbread homes!

Merry Christmas!

-Kim

Christmas, Candy & Crafts

I love crafts when it involves home decor. Check out my easy creations. I don't even think I need to explain how to do these things. Grab a hot glue gun and have fun. Oh, and get a strong hook, your candy cane wreath will be heavy.

Kim's Craft Tip: don't ever bother trying to hot glue red hots to any form. I tried to make mini wreaths with red hots. 4 blisters later I was amazed......I was being so neat but there was no way to keep the gloss of the candy. The glue got on the candy due to the gun or my fingers and it was a mess. Just don't do it. I just saved you hours, I am so kind.

-Kim

I know I'm not the only one . . .

with real estate issues. Yup, seems 1 out of 2 people are in the midst of trying to sell their house or have a story of their best friend with the same problem. I've been under contract for months to close on the sale of our old house early December and that just fell apart. Worse yet, they are renting our house as they needed to settle in this area and get jobs so now do I not only need to try and sell this house again but have to determine when they are going to move and what condition my home is in. WHO is coming over with some wine??? :)

Here's a picture of my bathroom at my old house. I hand textured and painted the walls myself and loved this bathroom. I had hoped that someone else would love this bathroom and buy my house but seeing as there are 30,000 other bathrooms to love in central Florida, this hasn't happened . . . .

Cheers to everyone else out there with real estate struggles--we will all get through this somehow. But it's easier with wine . . .

Kiersten

Part 1 of 'project-get caught up' is done!

I ordered my digital prints--over 300! I am SO behind--aack! I am thrilled to have done that as it took HOURS to edit, sort, upload, pick quantities, etc. I have ordered from many sites but Walgreens had a great sale--some free prints, free shipping, and 12 cents by mail so I used them this time. This way, it will come straight to the house and I don't even have to remember to stop at the store! Yea!

I'm thinking about using Creative Memories' new software. It seems to really help with organization and merges from editing right into their online ordering page as well as their digital scrapbooking software. One thing their software does is mark which pictures you have printed so you never wonder 'have I done that yet'? I need that! Anyway, just on my mind--haven't ordered it yet but I've heard great things about it!

Kiersten

The Reality of My Scrapbooking Life

Check out this picture of my beautiful scrapbooks! I AM very organized and love having my books on display and pride my self in my scrapbook accomplishments. There is nothing more rewarding than being caught up with your books!!! Well, here's my little secret. I am SO organized, that I have managed to 'sort' my pictures into so many to do bins by major events, stacks of pages ready to make, accordion folders filled with random events ready to plan pages for and then a stack that has been growing of pictures that need to be sorted that I am now BURIED in to do stacks. ALL need to actually be 'SCRAPPED' but staying on top of what you need to do is a job in itself right? Well, I seem to be a pro at that. I pulled everything out today so I could sort the stack that got too big and here is my reality. I am behind 2 1/2 years. I couldn't believe it. I saw my son Carter's birthday pictures from his 4th birthday party--he turned 6 this past August. Oh boy. Here is a question--has the digital world confused others or only me? That's another issue I have. I sorted what I have but this stack doesn't even include the pictures I have on my computer that I need to print!!! I haven't ordered prints in over a year! So I have the pictures from my kid's birthdays that my family has given me but then have to sit down and figure out, have I ordered mine yet? And then can't do the page until I do! And if your solution is to print myself, I have done that in the past and spent too many hours loading ink and paper and cutting them off the sheet and it seemed like SO much work to me! I LOVE digital cameras but this is my newest frustration. Anyway, back to my stack! I am sorting and ordering digital prints this weekend and vow to get caught up. Here is my personal goal--to be done through the holidays by the time the kids are out of school. I'll let you know!!! Oh, and wish me luck!

Kiersten

Cutest Halloween Costume Ever

I saw this child while trick or treating and just thought it was the cutest toddler outfit ever!!! How sweet is she? I always look at things and wonder if I could make it and this is a definite yes! Orange tulle with some green and orange silky material and you are set!

Kiersten

My cute Ninja and Police Man

Here are James (Police Man) and Carter (Ninja) with Jim. James doesn't like candy but he loves to trick or treat. We will toss all of his candy soon after the big event or I will eat it all.

Kiersten

Spooky Food!!!

I had lots of fun making food for the halloween party we attended! Here is my gooey snake (pie crust filled with provolone and turkey sitting on lettuce) and spiders on sticks (hard one-- chicken nuggets with spider rings and ketchup). As you can see, whereas my twin has a high talent in actual cooking and baking, I excel more at presentation! I managed to turn frozen nuggets into something that kids and adults alike thought was so cool! One little girl was scared to eat it and we had to explain what it was. Both were big hits and so simple!

Kiersten

Raising Children.....Kim's Opinion (I'll always have one)

It's still Halloween Night....I just heard my door bell beep about 40 times (not exaggerating). I figured it was my husband being obnoxious although I didn't think he was that obnoxious. I opened the door to find about 12 teenagers. I am nice, usually. I had multiple teenagers thank me for not boycotting them tonight. These kids, different. I smiled and said "y'all are going to break my door bell, that's not nice". Then I gave them candy, because I am nice. Why does this child think he can risk breaking my door bell? Can you break a door bell? If so, I'm sure he almost did tonight. My opinion: teenagers should be lectured by their parents prior to leaving their home "have fun, be safe, be polite and only ring once".

One of the 12 was a teenage girl in a tight black dress with "blood" smeared on her neck, face and arms. What is her mother thinking? Bad parenting, bad. My opinion: Slutty Halloween costumes have their place....they are for college girls and young women with no children. They are not for teenagers and they are not for mommies. Dress up and have fun....if you're an adult and you're not doing it in my neighborhood around my children.

Yes, I'm opinionated but I know you love me.

Kim

Shiraz, Pumpkins, Costumes and Candy

It's Halloween Night. The kiddos are adorable, I fulfilled all my mommy duties: made a special dessert for the kids (not that they needed any more sweets), planned and managed my son's class party this afternoon, carved some pumpkins, bought an easy but fun dinner, roasted pumpkin seeds, lit the pumpkins, handed my husband his one and only Halloween t-shirt and begged him to wear it, perfected the costumes, took pictures & stood by my husband as he opened a bottle of Shiraz.

Eric took the kids out, we have too many neighbors to ditch our home so I stayed here and handed out candy. Our neighborhood is funny because a decent percentage of people own and use their golf cars...so you don't just walk. You ride in your golf car. We walk but I should make it a goal to have a golf car by next Halloween. If you need to buy or sell a home in Augusta, call me, I need a golf car.

I thought about making a drinking game out of this holiday. Every time the doorbell rings, I take a sip. But, I haven't done that. I've barely touched the glass because I've been sampling our candy.

By the way, I was freaked out at a haunted house when I was little and grew up not liking Halloween. I remember everything about that event, someone told me to walk close to a person in a coffin. I was obedient and did as they said. He jumped up at me and I cried and cried. I remember Daddy taking me to a cool toy store while everyone entered another room on the right. I told mom this story recently and she said "Kim, that was Disney World". Ah, I didn't remember that part. Pumpkins, scarecrows & candy....that's more than enough for my kiddos and they're having a great time.

Happy Halloween!!

Kim

No I Can't Bake 4 Dozen Cookies, Next Question.

I drink out of a mug that says this. I use this mug when I'm baking for events or coordinating volunteer events, which means I ignore this line of thinking.

I like to be busy. I think it's fun. I did the following from 4pm to 8pm:

1. Son's Room Mom: Call all of the parents to ask for more donations for the party I'm responsible for on Wednesday. Some parents are great. One donated 17 pumpkins & $25! Another donated cookies & goodie bags for each child.

2. New Job: Chair for the 40th Anniversary Celebration in Sept 2008 at my church: Sent out the initial emails. I get to plan a carnival. Any advice?

3. Football Coach Gift Coordinator (Eric pulled me into this): Email those who have not donated to figure out who and who is not giving so I can go buy gifts tomorrow for the proper amount.

4. Hospitality Chair for PTO: Sent an email out to 40 volunteers asking for "fall inspired" brunch donations for a breakfast for 135 teachers & staff next week.

5. Chair for a Neighborhood Group in my subdivision for church: We throw parties for all church neighbors and coordinate support when necessary. I emailed the chair of this entire project tonight and asked her to replace me. Aren't you proud of me?

6. Son's Birthday Party: Need to plan his sleepover and did some research.

I feel so productive and helpful.

Kim

I want to be Hugh Hefner's Next Girlfriend!

That's right! NO, I don't have the figure you'd expect (here I am in a bathing suit and yes I'm aware it's pretty much a complete blur. That was done for your protection). NO, I'd never make it in his magazine so I wouldn't be a future girlfriend like the rest of the past playmates. NO, I don't have any interest in the man himself, Hugh Hefner. NO, I don't want a divorce as I'm married to a great guy. HOWEVER, being a 'girlfriend' means you get to plan parties every day and that's my dream! I've always noticed that all these girls do is plan parties, have you? Every Birthday is the biggest bash, every holiday has them deciding on the next over the top thing they want to do (slip and slide that is 40 ft long?), every event is fully catered and set up and cleaned up and served but the girls get to plan whatever part they want! Their annual Easter bash has them decorating as many eggs in any way they would like but the staff buys it all, gets the craft items, sets it up, cleans it up and FINISHED whatever eggs the girls decide they don't want to do! Come on! How do you not want to live like this? And they have a new outfit every single day! Okay, time to eat. Pick up the phone, ring ring, 'Hi, this is Kiersten and I'd like a Ceasar salad please. Oh 3 of my best friends stopped by in their bikinis and Karen wants what? oh, a grilled cheese sandwich and Julie wants sushi and Kim will have a burger no bun. Thanks so much . . . . Sure, we'll eat in the dining room. We'll be there is 15.' And lets not leave out that they also have movie night once a week (that's them at one) and have consistent parties annually--I do thrive in stability. And we also can't leave out the gifts for the parties, by the way. It's your birthday so here honey, have a new car or a pink golf cart (my current favorite wish list item) or these silly other gifts that we spent all day shopping for because that is our LIFE this week. Enjoy! Name anything you could want from a lifestyle (well, other than the older shared boyfriend bit) and a home and tell me that being a 'girlfriend' isn't the way to go?

-Kiersten

Camping is Not For Everyone!

We are a cub scout family and went camping, full of excitement and energy! Well, it rained so horribly from 2-4 a.m. and we got soaked. I tried to tough it out as we were supposed to stay until Sunday. By 11 am on Saturday, I was packing up. Picking up James' sleeping bag and having it pour out water was the end of it for me! We came home around 3 and I have never been so glad to see my house!!!! I don't think I can camp again. I REALLY tried, I swear! I have lots of 'how to survive camping as a mommy' secrets but it still just isn't for me. I attempt to be a good mommy to my two boys but I can no longer pretend to tolerate it. It is horrible. I don't like to sweat and it isn't good for my skin. I don't mind the natural breeze and sleeping under the stars but that usually comes with humidity and mosquitoes and an inability to sleep. So the stars are just perhaps prettier from my spa with wine? I've heard this word 'GLAMping' and I promised the boys when we broke their little hearts and told them that they would be missing their pack meeting and fire and another fun night of camping that I would figure out a way for our family to still camp. I don't know where the word 'glamping' came from but I assume that it could be similar to my new camping plans-
-Invite all my other 'we can't camp' cub scout friends over for 24 hours
-Set up our tent around 3 pm by the pond
-Make the cots and put out sleeping bags
-Put my hair in a headband, wear flipflops with a tshirt and wipe off my mascara which officially means 'roughing it'
-Kick around a soccer ball and play a sack race
-Hop in the pool with wine
-Grill out and eat on uncushioned chairs NOT in the screen enclosure--we are creating an environment here so flies have to touch our food and we can't alway be comfortable
-Toast marshmallows in a fire pit that we can make by the pond for these 'trips'
-Get a mosquito bite or two in the name of 'camping'
-Let the kids run wild outside while we adults get in the heated spa with wine
-Get the kids in bed in the sleeping bags
-Lie on our cots for 15 minutes while they calm down
-Kissy kiss the kids goodnight and go inside to shower and put on pjs
-Turn on the baby monitor that we set up under our cot so we can hear them if they need us--we are good parents
-Wake up in the morning and take a pan to the grill and scramble eggs outside--again, environment
-Shower inside or if we want to get crazy, on the patio deck
-Let the kids swim
At this point, I hoe that they are over this, and we can go inside for the rest of the day. I think I could do that every two months and be a good cubscout parent. I have packed my car with more stuff I would need to leave the country many many times for these camping trips and I have tried to be a good sport. But I just can't do it again. It may be like child birth though. The next time I may not remember all this and think it's a good idea. But as of now, the above is the only way I will ever camp again!
-Kiersten

High School Musical On Ice = Mommy Daughter Heaven

I've never seen less men in my life. But, I haven't been to an Indigo Girls Concert. The men I saw were smiling & carrying HSM merchandise. Which means their smiles were fake because the t-shirt cost $35!

We escorts enjoyed ourselves as much as the girls. Well, I did see someone who appeared to be a nanny asleep. But, all the escorts that paid to get in seemed to adore the show!

One of the girls with us wanted you to know that Gabriella, Troy & Sharpay look nothing like they do in real life. I agreed with her.

My favorite parts:

1. Basketballs falling from the sky

2. The bathing beauties being pulled around the ice on pool floaties during the "Fabulous" song

3. The "We're All In This Together" Dance, of course

4. Our girls beaming with excitement

5. All things Sharpay and Ryan

Disney, as usual, I thank you and I love you. You are magical!! My mommy friend Gwenn is fabulous as well, we had a wonderful day.

-Kim

My tree inspiration!

Two days after making my trees, a new Oriental Trading scrapbook catalog arrives and guess what was on the cover? Yes, this was my inspiration! I had been checking out their catalog online and I guess this stayed in my head! Their trees are what they sell and they are on a base and mine are not, I just used the cheap floral cone. And theirs is made of scrapbooking paper but I used ribbon. Anyway, I laughed when the catalog came and had to share this!

-Kiersten

Christmas Decorations are in the stores!

Wow! Back to School is barely down and things are already beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And I am a wonderful consumer and thought that I'd better get ribbon before the best ones sold out. Right. It's the first of October but that's what justified my purchase. That and 40% off. I am not crazy--if it were full price I wouldn't have done it, I swear. Having just moved into a new home also doesn't help me with these impulse buys--the decorating ideas are ENDLESS and I'm beyond excited about have Christmas in our new home! I saw something that turned a floral cone into a cute little tree so I went with it. Once I was done with the ribbon, I couldn't figure out what to do on the top. I had no clue where I saw these trees and wished I could remember so I could go back and look at their topper. Well, I also plan to do a full blown Candy Cane theme since my new dining room is painted red so I had to work some candy into the trees too and putting them on top was perfect! I love my trees! Now I just have to pray that I don't develop an ant problem over the next 2 1/2 months so this glued on candy lasts!
-Kiersten

Kim's 100

1. Baking is my passion, my past time, my joy.

2. I am a list maker. I excel in life because I excel at list making.

3. I have been accused of being opinionated. I like being opinionated, but I'm nice to.

4. Katie and I donated our hair to Locks of Love this summer. Our hair was short but it was rewarding.

5. I love Suburbia. I love neighbors, kids, mini vans, church, PTO, the ice cream truck and the car line at school.

6. Webkinz is a past time of mine. I win lots of money for my kiddos.

7. I'm easy to make fun of. I don't know why, but it's true.

8. I will always be preppy, even if it's not in style. I like sweater sets, loafers, bobs and pearls. You can make fun of me, that's okay.

9. I can say my alphabet backwards, ask me anytime. I can say all the US Presidents as well, in order. Only ask me that if I'm in an amusing mood.

10. Eric and I both hate yard work. Lord, I pray Eric starts to enjoy yard work. Every marriage needs one person who will spend time in the yard.

11. My children are the center of my universe, as they should be.

12. I spoke in front of 2,500 people. A script was given to me and I was to MC the entire opening ceremony of the Alpha Kappa Psi National Convention which means I went up on stage about 10 times. I did very well. I even had to banter with the keynote speaker at one point. I don't ever want to do that again.

13. My husband is so handsome when he plays with our children, cleans or fixes something. He's not as cute when playing xbox or snoring.

14. I love spin class. Especially if the instructor plays 80s music. Head To Toe by Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam is the best Spinning 80s song. I have no time for spin class, however, but I would go everyday if my first job was not "mom".

15. I love wine, I think it's fabulous. I'm a red wine girl.

16. I am rarely stressed but I do need a calm atmosphere to focus. That's why decorating is important, I want to feel cozy and happy.

17. Pushing Daisies is my new favorite show. Greys Anatomy, Desperate Housewives & Brothers and Sisters come in second.

18. I've been on a Royal Caribbean Cruise and we loved it. I did feel like I could fall overboard, that's a daunting thought.

19. Sound of Music and Annie are my favorite movies and I could watch them daily. If I'm sick, Kate puts in Annie and we watch it in bed.

20. We took our children to Vegas for a family vacation. People have strong opinions of this, we learned. It was amazing, you must rent a car. They can not walk the strip. They saw "Ka", Celine Dion, Hoover Dam, The Bellagio Fountains and the list could go on and on.

21. I prefer Old Navy jeans and Ralph Lauren Sweaters.

22. I collect Lenox Ornaments. I have a lot....I'm embarrassed to give the number.....alright, it's over 100, that's a lot of Lenox Ornaments. I also collect the dated Lenox Annual Holiday Plate. Feel free to buy me anything Lenox that coordinates with Lenox Eternal.

23. I collect wine corks which I enjoy looking at. Long live cork, please stop thinking about those other options. They are not the same.

24. There's no reason for the average person to bake a cake from scratch. Just doctor cake mixes. Those folks are smart and the cakes are great.

25. Eric first kissed me after a Jeff Foxworthy concert (UCF Homecoming Concert).

26. I was in Alpha Kappa Psi. I was a President. I was a District Director and Chapter Advisor post college. Many a wedding resulted from the Nu Chi Chapter. Mine included.

27. If I don't have my cell phone (my Treo Smartphone with email/internet/calendar/to do list) I can't function. Literally. I must have my phone.

28. Christmas weddings are wonderful. Christmas anniversaries are not wonderful. This is especially true if your birthday is also the week of Christmas. It's fairly hilarious.

29. I grew up Baptist but am now Catholic because my husband is Catholic. I thought it was funny that you can buy shot glasses at The Vatican.

30. I am lacking in knowledge about history & geography. I blame my high school. There I said it. It's not me, it's them.

31. I have an obsession with serving pieces. I love them. I have lots. I use to tell Eric I have a normal amount. But, I don't.

32. I write down the funny things my kids say and sometimes I'll read the journal with amazement. My most amazing memory...Kate looking at the Castle in Disney telling me why every light in the castle was on. She knew where every prince, princess and character from Cinderella (the mice included) lived. This happened as the park was closing when she was 3 and I still know the bench we occupied. She was so adorable (still is).

33. I should be a caterer....I think I will be one day.

34. I am naive. I saw "Boys In The Hood" in college and had to ask what the 'hood was. I still ask questions like that often. I pray my kids are also naive.

35. I have yet to see Grease or Gone With The Wind all the way through (I know Tia will cringe when she reads this).

36. I planned a trip to Vegas just because I love Celine Dion. My husband is my hero. He will tell you he did not enjoy Celine. But, he did. (yes, he did)

37. My two business degrees are useful but Business Calculus was a waste of time, just as I suspected.

38. Lazy people drive me crazy. We have a world to manage and improve and there are people sitting around that are not volunteering at school, church or their communities. Why not?

39. Now that I'm a mom, I am anxious (read scared) when driving on a bridge or by water at all.

40. My husband works in the golf industry. His company calls his division "sexy" which I find amusing.

41. I'm a child of the 80s and I adore all things 80s.

42. I took 18 hours the fall semester of my senior year at UCF. Plus I was the President of AKPsi and the Vice President of the Dean's Leadership Council for the College of Business that semester. I did not sleep much. I met Eric that semester so I have great memories.

43. I saw Milli Vanilli in concert the month they were "busted" for lip syncing. We were shocked. Shocked.

44. I'm a better mother in cool weather. I did not enjoy being a mom in Florida.

45. A perfect meal will include pasta and bread.

46. I love Oprah. I have an "Oprah For President 2008" t-shirt. People have rolled their eyes. I love Oprah. I think the 12 pack (my high school gals) deserve to be on Oprah, we're special.

47. I had a kidney stone in the 10th grade. I had two children with no drugs (nothing at all) and the kidney stone was much worse. Much worse.

48. High School was amazing. I hear all people don't agree. I loved it, I loved my friends and we had a perfect little life.

49. My car was booted multiple times in college because of parking tickets. I never felt that I had to follow the rules for some reason.

50. Katie's dance recital day is one of my favorite days all year.

51. I won the "Miss Lucy" award in the 8th grade because I talked and gave advice all the time.

52. My house is brick, my decor is traditional and I aspire to have all my furnishings from Pottery Barn.

53. I don't like salt and omit it from all recipes. Eric never notices and he likes salt.

54. My children never slept in their cribs, not one night. I know, you have an opinion. No, they do not still sleep with us.

55. I love bunko. But the game of bunko is not why I love bunko. If you play bunko with good friends, you likely agree.

56. I didn't Instant Message until this year, and I like it. However, it's a time robber. I exhaust my business partner on IM because I can talk all night, about real estate, my opinion of anything or just nonsense.

57. Eric's parents have blessed me (and their son, of course) with trips to London (twice), Paris, Wales, Venice, Florence and Rome. Their love of travel is deep. They are very good to us!

58. My biggest regret in life: I did not see Madonna in concert in the 80s. What was I thinking?

59. My handwriting is above average. Back when my friends were all getting married, I was the friend that addressed all the invitations in exchange for wine.

60. I'm skeptical of technology. I don't like change, it causes problems for me. Perhaps I am cursed. I pray for status quo.

61. I figured out I was street smart in my college bowling class. They told us our grade was based on improvement. Every one tried very hard that first class but I bowled gutters intentionally. I got an A and I am smart.

62. I am an open book. Matter of fact, this is probably repetitive to many of my friends. I talk a lot! My friends are fabulous.

63. Venice was amazing. We've been to Vegas a couple of time and that made the trip to Venice interesting. There were a couple times I 'zoned' and thought I was in a hotel and then said "Oh, my word, this is not Vegas....this is the real deal". My husband had the same feelings.

64. Music makes we happy. We went to a great restaurant (Cadwalladers) and they had The Fray's Live album on. It made that dinner fantastic. Wine, great food, my husband & The Fray...perfection.

65. My son is an excellent baseball and football player. I have a feeling he'll play college ball. He is serious about excelling in sports and he impresses me so much. He's a natural and just loves it.

66. I sweep my kitchen at least once a day. Children are messy, even well behaved children are messy.

67. I was discriminated against in London because of my red hair. The waiter was rude (nasty is not a stretch) and we had an awful dinner.

68. Baking is how I relax. Last year I baked 1488 cookies (124 dozen) in one day, for Christmas.

69. I don't think babies should ever cry. I know I'm likely wrong but that's my belief. I spoiled my babies and they seem just fine.

70. College was the best time of my life. I love every year of my life. But college, there's nothing like it. Sleep 'til 10ish, go to class, spend your parent's money, go out every night and incur debt. What fun.

71. I hate cooked vegetables. I like raw veggies only. That's not good, I know that.

72. I want to see Victoria Falls, that's just one thing on a long list of things I must see.

73. I have a dirt sensor on my vacuum. I am a clean person but the dirt sensor rarely goes off.

74. Pediatricians have sick and well waiting areas. I think OBs should have a separate area for women dealing with infertility or miscarriage. Sitting in the waiting room with pregnant woman and newborns is cruel. I know that is difficult logistically.

75. Eric is still my best friend. I thoroughly adore him.

76. My daughter is just like me. I think she's going to have a wonderful, happy life. My mom says "This blond hair does not go to waste". That suites Katie and I well.

77. I cried in public when I saw "The Pieta". That was right before we attended Mass at The Vatican in St Peter's Basilica.

78. My childhood was great. My parents are as close to perfect as you will find.

79. I love all things Gingerbread. I think Thanksgiving should be in June so we can celebrate Christmas for 2 months. 1 month is not enough.

80. I am more organized than you, probably. I can say that because most people tell me I am ridiculously organized. It's just how my mind works.

81. I have been a class mom every year since I've had children in school. It's fun.

82. My favorite word is bliss.

83. I love Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom at Christmas and we go every year. It is magic.

84. Real Estate is a tough career right now. Be loyal to your Realtor if they're doing a good job. Your Realtor deserves your loyalty. In case you did not know, I'm a Realtor.

85. I am still very close to my college friends and high school friends. I talk to them daily which I hear is unusual. I keep very busy online.

86. I like quotes. They help me focus. I should probably write a blog about my favorite quotes.

87. Going to bed with an unkept house makes me looney. I thrive in order.

88. I have my son's birth on tape. I had my daughter too quickly for a tape. I loved my quick deliveries, I love midwives and I love the book The Bradley Method of Childbirth. My midwife died of breast cancer, which freaked me out. She was the one that should have detected if I had breast cancer so that was sad to hear.

89. I love a man in a sweater vest, khakis and great shoes. A man in uniform doesn't do it for me.

90. All rooms should have lamps. Never turn on your overhead lighting unless you're looking for an earring or making a beaded necklace with your child.

91. Black and Denim is my favorite look.

92. I don't like the feel of glass. I hate mushy food (grits, cottage cheese etc). I don't like scary or sad movies. I don't like parents that scream "Make Them Pay" and children's sporting events. Yup, I witnessed that recently. We moms were *this close* to talking to the culprit. I was with multiple elementary school teachers so I was ready to hear a good lecture. I love mothers with opinions.

93. Cooking a big meal for your children is overrated. My kids love Healthy Choice meals..... they are healthy and easy. I am a good mom.

94. My Kitchen Aid Mixer is bigger than the mixer at a professional bakery in town. My mom bought me the biggest and best mixer ever and I love her.

95. I didn't find Stonehenge interesting. People tell me I should have.

96. I bungee jumped with a harness around my ankles, right before it was regulated. Now you must have ankle and waist harnesses (boring!). That same week, two people died bungee jumping. One catapulted. That's just stupid. Oh, you probably don't have to ask, but I was not a parent then, I was a college student. I have this on tape.

97. My extreme fear of needles and all things surrounding medical issues is problematic.

98. I take a bath every morning, not a shower.

99. I've been to The Masters with my husband a number of times, so have my children. That's not a big deal if you've lived in Augusta a long time. It's still a big deal to us.

100. We go to church weekly & Katie wants to know if you have to sleep in heaven. If you know, will you update us?

Kiersten's 100 or so . . . .

How do people come up with 100 things? This is it for now though I may think harder on another day . . .

1. I met my husband at the Gap and was engaged 1 year later in another Gap. I know, that's odd.
2. I was born on Cape Cod and love light houses.

3. I have never been hospitalized and never broken a bone. Yes, I am knocking on wood.

4. I collect pewter.

5. I have an obsession with magazines and have more subscriptions than I can count.

6. I have joined a book club--I hope this helps me get over my magazine addiction.

7. My son James has a swing in his bedroom. People think it's really cool but what some don't know is that he has a form of autism and it calms him. It is 'sensory input'.

8. I am a huge scrapbooker though, if you have read my blog, you know I am behind!

9. I love to be crafty and always make fun things--it's a challenge to me to create something!

10. I taught myself to sew because I couldn't bear to pay someone else to make window treatments.

11. My husband's hobby is drag racing and it's not something I love but do tolerate it because I love him.

12. We just built our dream house and it was lots of work but worth every minute.

13. I have yes disease and am trying to cure myself.

14. My youngest, Carter, has ADHD and wears a sticker on his tushy! I know some have strong opinions about this but let me tell you, I love his patch! It's so great to see him act calm and in control and they way he and I have always wanted him to act.

15. I am the hospitality co-chair for PTA and treasurer for cub scouts and love being busy but don't always love the to do lists involved in these 'jobs'.

16. I love bunko and it would take a huge event for me to miss it!

17. I'm a 30 something with a myspace page and I love updating my slide shows.

18. My husband is a general contractor and I think he's really smart.

19. I love to stay up late and really struggle to wake up in the morning!

20. I wear lots of black--it's just too easy to not buy lots of it!

21. I am bored in a white room. I truly think color creates energy.

22. I hate laundry. It is my least favorite household chore.

23. I am addicted to my treo and even read email and checked out tmz.com while camping.

24. I shave every single day and don't understand those that can go a day with stubble. Not me.

25. I don't cook. I do it only for big parties.

26. I have to sleep on the left side of the bed.

27. A glue gun is an often used household tool in my home.

28. I am a coffee addict.

29. I'm older--16 entire minutes.

30. I have 2 boys, James (8) and Carter (6).

Twiness

Details About Us We Know You Want To Know:

We have a younger brother, Andy. The poor thing. We talked so much, he never had a chance to speak his mind.

Mom and dad dressed us a like when we were little. Kim wore pink & Kier work blue.

We have never confused ourselves with each other. People have actually asked us this.

In the 7th grade Kim was sick of being asked who she was so she work pink and gray EVERY day and told people that only Kim wears pink. She grew out of that prior to 8th grade.

We never switched dates

Kim went to Kier's driver's ed class because that worked out logistically for some sleepover but she got caught because all of our friends joked and the teacher wasn't an idiot and it was a small town.

We switched Math & Biology once so Kier could take Kim's math test. Kier passed the test but Kim failed her science project.

We didn't really like each other in high school but became friends in college. We didn't dislike each other either, we just didn't want to see each other.

We grew up in a small town so we were always together. Same friends, same sunday school, same everything. It was annoying

Our husband's won't answer our home phones because they know it's most likely each other.

Our husband's think we have our own language because we switch topics so often and skip the small talk.

Our children have been confused, just briefly when they aren't paying attention.

Things We Did Alike:

When we were 6, we went shopping for an easter dress. One of us went with Mom, the other with Grandma. We each bought the exact same dress.

We both worked for The Gap for years, all through college. Kier initiated that.

We both worked as mortgage brokers together for 7 years, through our 'having baby' years. Kim initiated that.

We got married within 10 month of each other. We discussed a double wedding. But the Catholic/Protestant thing proved too much. We should have done it.

Kim had her dress custom made because she didn't like the dresses on the market. For Kier's wedding, Kier removed the pearls, added chiffon, removed the sleeves and viola, it was an all new dress.

Our first born children are 4 months apart.

Our second children are 7 months apart.


The year Burberry Plaid was popular we wore the same outfit to Christmas Eve Brunch, as adults and felt silly but it was funny.

Our husbands often own the same clothes because we have the same taste. The year they had matching Christmas PJs was the best and cutest ever.