Good stuff to read

Ok...I have been following this blog for some time. This post is a really good one! This is what our country needs for sure! Read it when you have time...worth the few minutes.

Tricia :)

Vacation Pictures...FINALLY!

Ok, so I got myself together (after a cold that lasted a week and a half) and finally got the pictures organized. So...below are some of the best ones and an explanation of each. Enjoy!!!

Mom, Mariah and me waiting for
the train in Busch Gardens

I love vacation!!!! You do to...don't you?

All the "kids" posing at Sea World
(a little cold that day)

By far her favorite ride at Busch Gardens
(she has the brown GAP sweatshirt on)

Danielle and Mariah being
"Polar Bears" in Sea World

This was a HUGE jungle gym that went
REALLY high. Mariah LOVED it!!
(she is in there somewhere)

She met a new friend
(she loves all the characters...not scared at all)

All the girls posing on Shamu

The whole family (including Grandma and Grandpa Murdock)

Four Generations

One last picture but first an explanation. We spent most of the time...well, when we were not hopping around Florida...at my Grandparents house. They have a lot of really neat pictures that have been hanging in their house for years. This last picture is actually a picture of a picture. See if you can guess who it is!

Who am I?

Hope that satisfied for now! We had so much fun and I want to go back now seeing how it is still only 30 degrees here in PA!! Warm Florida sounds really nice right now!

Tricia :)

We have a winner!

Ok, so not to many of you loverly people decided to participate but those who did...thanks and it was fun to remember!

The winner is Anne. It has nothing to do with the extra point she claimed (however that was good). We just chose her memory as the best one. Thanks to everyone who celebrated my 100th post with this fun memory game.

Anne, just email me your address and I will send you a little something soon!

Tricia :)

Just a side note: The comment that my sister wrote was very close to winning...reason I decided not to choose her is because I did not want to show favorites...her being my sis and all! Love you Kate!

100th Post

Ok, so here I am...finally! As far as pictures go, still not done getting those sorted. So that will have to wait!

How do you like the new layout? I do live in a cheerio and peanut butter and jelly world so that is "The Life I Live."

As for the promise of giveaways. I have been thinking through this one. I have decided what to do.


Oh, did you want to know? Here you go...in order to win the prize (to be announced what that will be), you need to post a comment on this post. Simple...not quite! The comment must contain an interesting story about me. How you know me. How we met. Something goofy I did when we used to hang out. Anything like that.

I will leave it open until next week, Sunday at 8:30 pm. You have until then to try to win. I will, along with "my people" (Jeremy), decide which is the most interesting and announce it next week in a new post!

So, have fun and may the best man or woman win!!!

Tricia :)

Some vacation fun!

Ok, I said I would do this like 2 weeks ago but I lost track of time. Jeremy got a nasty cold as soon as we got home and is just now feeling ok. Anyway...here are some of the pictures from Florida. I will get some more up soon.

Incidentally....I will be having a give away during the next post because it will be my 100th post. So, be looking for some fun giveaways and such next time I show up!

Now for the pictures!!!

Mariah on one of her favorite rides at Busch Gardens

Taking a "ride" on the turtle at Busch Gardens

Shamu...this was a cool show at Sea World

Ok, so I will be back soon with more to show you. Just didn't want you to think I forgot!

Tricia :)

We are back

Just a brief note to say....WE ARE HOME! Not very excited about it though. Even though it was in the low 60's all week...that really beats the freezing temps at home.

New plan...moving to FLORIDA!!

More to come in a few days....after I get back into the groove!

Tricia :)

Be back in a week

We are off to FLORIDA for a whole week starting Saturday. CAN NOT WAIT FOR SUN!! It is less then 20 degrees here today and I just want warmth. So, when we return I will again post some fun! Sorry for lack of post....I have been feeling rather eh with this first half of the pregnancy.

I am almost 10 weeks in so hopefully in a few weeks I will get some energy back. Saw the doctor yesterday and he said all things are fine. I will update you more later!!

Tricia :)

Our New Business

Well, I am hear to announce the launch of a website for the business that Jeremy and I started working in about a year ago. We are independent representatives for a company that offers services for all your communication and entertainment needs. Go here to see the website and see how we can save your family money on your services today.

Have a super week!

Tricia :)

National Skating Month-January

Ok, so January kind of snuck up on me. This month we will be celebrating skating. It is National Skating Month. Now, for those who live in a warm climate...regular roller skates will do. For those who are cold like us...I guess we will have to do the ice skating thing. Either way, skating is the name of the game! Hope you have fun!

We had a good time over Christmas with Jeremy's family. Always nice to get away. We are most excited about our trip to Florida in 15 days!!!! Can't not wait for the sun and fun!

Have a super month. Talk to you soon.

Tricia :)

I have decided to make this the last of my monthly holidays. I am...well...not wanting to do it anymore...so there!!

What is the hardest thing to clean in the kitchen?

COCOA POWDER!!! Holy Cow!! Write this down...DO NOT spill cocoa powder in your kitchen! It is VERY hard to clean up. Oh, and whatever you use to clean it up...yeah...you have to clean that too! Wow, what a night I had. Glad that is over.

Anyway, on to the real reason for this post. I went to my first baby doctor appointment today. We are due to have Baby Knapp on August 14. So excited!!!

So, how are all of you? Doing well I hope. If we don't chat before, have a wonderful and blessed Christmas with your families.

Tricia :)

Early Christmas present

We got an early Christmas present in our house....I am pregnant!! We are so excited. Of course Mariah is constantly talking about being the big sister and having a baby in the house. She says good morning to the belly every morning and even gives kisses. I know it will wear off soon when she realizes baby has 9 months until he/she comes. Oh well, for now we will just rejoice in our early gift from God!!

Just wanted to share! Hope you are all doing well.

Tricia :)

National Tie Month-December

It is December...the last month of the year. Can you believe 2008 is almost over? Where did it go?!?! Anyway, this month we celebrate the tie. I don't where one...ever...but for those who do, enjoy this fun time.

It was a toss between this an Choose a Summer Camp Month...I only chose this because it is more likely that I will be wearing a tie this month then choosing a camp. I am almost 29 years old and I don't think any camp will allow me to come and join in the fun unless I actually was a counselor.

Anyhoo...have fun all you tie wearing dudes out there!!

Side note: If you are looking for a good camp...maybe for your kids...or you if you are into that kind of thing...I suggest New Life Island. My sister and brother-in-law are on staff there (he is the activity director and she works in the kitchen). It is an AWESOME camp and is a great place to send your kids. Super awesome stuff to do...and more importantly, a Christ-centered environment! Go here to get more information!!

Tricia :)

Things I am thankful for...

I got this off a friends blog. You do yours and let me know on a comment.

1. Our awesome God
2. Jeremy...my amazing husband
3. Mariah...our super great daughter
4. My two great sisters, Danielle and Kate
5. My parents
6. Gummy Candy
7. A roof over my head
8. Pizza...only $8 at Walmart...very good buy, very good taste
9. My job
10. My bed
11. Brownies...making those in a few minutes...YUM
12. Pay Day
13. Eyes that work
14. Warm blankets
15. My favorite sweatshirt
16. Friends
17. The steakhouse burger at Burger King....wow...very good
18. Grandparents
19. My church family
20. Health

How about you?

New blog look...and other musings

I have a new look and name. I thought it was about time!! So, enjoy this for the winter....which around here will be half the year!!

I am realizing that I do not blog much anymore. Not sure what that is all about. I think maybe I was having fun for awhile and lost some interest. Either way, I will try to make it more regular.

So...how about a family update?!

Mariah is doing well. I can't believe she will be 4 in May. It seems like just yesterday she was born and now I have a almost 4 year old. My Mom always told me that this would happen but I think until it does...you don't really believe it. She is always doing something new...always testing the boundaries. I will admit that this is fun...most of the time. Sometimes I struggle with where to put a boundary and how to keep it without alot of argument but...well, I am learning new stuff too.

Jeremy is great! I have really fallen in love with him again over this last 2 years with all the surgeries and stuff I have gone through. He has been an amazing support. I would not have made it without him and Mariah to make me smile when it was tough. I love him with all my heart! Thanks hunny for being the amazing man and father that you are!! I can't wait for the rest of our life together!

I am doing good too! I am finally done with surgeries...for now I guess. My eyes are improving all the time and I am so thankful to God that I can see. It is a real gift to have eyes that work and I have really come to know that this year. I had 5 teeth (3 wisdom teeth and 2 bad molars) pulled this last month and that was really a great experience...well...as great as that can be. I had almost no pain and it healed very quickly.

We as a family are really looking forward to some great stuff this year. First, January 17 we are going on our first family vacation...at least first one where we are flying. We are headed to Florida for a whole week...with the rest of my family...for a fun time together! Can't wait!!

Also, we are going to be trying for baby #2 so hopefully that will happen this year. I am ready...beyond ready...to add more little people to this house. So...hopefully I will have fun news in a few months!!

Anyway, that is all for now! Hope and pray all of you are doing well! Thanks for stopping by.

Tricia :)

National Peanut Butter Lovers Month-November

I do so apologize...I am behind by a few days. Wow, November already!!

So, this month we celebrate the love of Peanut Butter. I must say that I have a love for peanut butter...especially when it is inside of chocolate! SO, enjoy the peanut butter lovlyness this month. Have yourself a daily pb & j or maybe a daily Reese! Anyway, enjoy and do tell of all the peanut butter fun on a comment!

Tricia :)

Pumpkin Fun!!!

Mariah and I carved our pumpkins today. I did most of the work but she volunteered to do the messy part...guts and seeds!! Anyway, we had fun! I did not get any progressive pictures but below are the ones of the finished product.

Mariah and her doggy pumpkin


Mommy's silly face pumpkin

Halloween Fun!

Everyone WATCH OUT






There is a Ninja loose in the area







She is quite strong and scary






Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

Mariah's New Toy

So, Mariah got a gift of money from her great grandma and so she picked out this lovely gift. She was very excited...she paid for it all by herself and was so proud of herself for picking out such a wonderful item.

Photo Challenge

Ok, so I am taking a challenge presented on a friends blog. You need to post the sixth picture from the sixth file in your picture file on your computer. That is it...so post away. Mine is below! Leave me a comment if you are going to do it and I will check yours out!

This is the closet where our washer and dryer are.
I took the photo before we moved in!

Tricia :)

Ladies Retreat 2008

Last weekend we had a Ladies Retreat for our church that was loads of fun. We dealt with the subject of having a Mary heart in a Martha world...which basically means we need to put intimacy with the Lord above all the business in our lives. Great topic...much learning...much fun!! We were up until 4 am just talking on Friday night (breakfast was at 8:30). We were SO tired Saturday but it was a great experience!

Below are some pictures of the weekend. Enjoy!!

All the ladies

Gloria
*We have bible study at her house each Monday*

Ali
*I co-run the Kidz Zone in church with this lovely lady*

Gwen
*We laughed a lot on Friday night*

Darlene
*Pepsi got us all through to 4 am*

Me
*I had fun...this was Saturday afternoon...do I look tired? I did not do my hair so instead I donned this lovely hat...doesn't it bring out my...total lack of style!?!?*

Tricia :)