Top 10 Things I Wanna Buy Baby Isaac

This last Saturday was Carrie's,
of Our Small Haven & my SIL,
baby shower!

It turned out so beautiful!
And just made me want to go shopping, again
for Baby Isaac!!!

Here are the Top 10 Things I Wanna Get Him RIGHT NOW:

1. Keep Calm & Rock On Sign:
From Nuevo Designs

2. Photo Book Toy - JUST for Baby Isaac

From Genius Baby Toys

3. Squeaky Shoes

I can't tell you how much I love hearing these shoes when I'm shopping!

From Pip Squakers

4. Cute Lil Growth Chart

From KidOBabyAccesories

5. Blocks

For Now.

From Little Sidekick

6. More blocks

For Later.

From Littlesaplingtoys

7. Adorable lil hats.

From Propmania

8. Circus Sleep Sack

From Gymboree

9. Lil Red Tricycle

I'm ready for him to grow!!!

From Radio Flyer

10. Baby Einstein DVDs

Cuz Baby Isaac is gunna be one smart cookie!

From Baby Einstein

Top 1s of 2011

Happy New Year

from The Montemayor's!

This is us...at midnight.
Mark Dean is pretty much asleep.
And I'm looking pretty rough.

We had dinner at BJ's Brewhouse.
Where they have the best pizza in the world...almost.
Then spent a quiet evening with Brittany, my SIL, drinking fake wine.
While Mark Dean and my brother slept.

I truly hope you brought your New Year in in a much more exciting way! :D
___________________________________________________________

Time to get to the point of this post:
I saw this "resolution-style" list over at Krystal's Kitsch.
I know...I already did a resolution post but...
I loved this because I have a love for lists.

So...here it is.
And if you love it as much as I do.
And do a list of your own, come and link back cause I'd love to check out yours, too.

One thing I will learn: My digital SLR.
One place I will go: Somewhere, anywhere NEW! Mark Dean is going to Vegas (again, without me, most likely) so I want a mini-vacation of my own once I get finals out of the way (since this is the reason I can’t go to Vegas in the first place!) Anyone wanna join me on this destination-less adventure???
One physical habit I will break: Spending money on things I don’t need.
One physical habit I will cultivate: Finish things I start. I’m good at thinking of things to do...and starting them. But I never make it to the end because I find something else to start.
One mental habit I will break: Procrastination. I am used to putting so many things off...cleaing, studying, things that aren’t fun, etc.
One relationship I’ll repair: 2010 seemed to be full of relationship repair so, I’m not sure who else I could make amends with. Of course, I would love to reconnect with all of my ol’ middle school and high school buddies. :D
One work habit I will change: Start on homework the day it’s ASSIGNED...not the day it’s DUE.
One thing I’ll throw out: Throw out? I’m a hoarder at heart so, this is TBD. But I will throw things out. Promise.
A second thing I’ll throw out: Two things...in the same year! We shall see...
One thing I’ll eat more often: Home cooked meals.
One thing I’ll eat less: Fast food.
One thing I’ll drink more: Water, juice & caffeine free drinks.
One thing I’ll drink less: Dr. Pepper.
One resentment I’ll get over: I’ve come to terms with all my resentments. Although, I seriously wish these things I had to get over never existed at all.
One person I’ll treat more respectfully: Mark Dean. He’s my husband. He’s annoying. Husbands are annoying. Now, that I’ve come to terms with that, I’ll try to be more understanding and nicer. :D
One thing I’ll spend less money on: Anything other than food.
One other change I’ll make in my finances: Pay more on my debt than I do shopping for things I don’t need. So I can be debt free before the end on 2011.
One thing I’ll spend less time doing: Sleeping. And sitting around on the computer. I want to be productive with the time I spend on the computer (is that possible?).
And a thing I’ll spend more time doing: Studying. I’m determined to dedicate myself and get the best grades I can until I’m completely done with school.

Top 10 Places I'd Like to Spend a Year

I'm not crazy about moving. But the idea of seeing all these places throughout the changing seasons and interacting with the locals on a local level, not a tourist level, is much more appealing to me.

No. 1 - Boston, Mass.

Autumn is my favorite season.
And when I think of Autumn, I think of the beautiful outdoors of Boston during this season.
I wish there was a place of permanent Autumn..I'd never move.
And I know this city has so much more to offer than just a beautiful Autumn scene.

No. 2 - Austin, Texas.

One of my favorite places in the world.
6th street. Lake Travis. The State Capitol.
Awesome places to eat. Great things to see. Weird people to meet.
What's not to love about Austin.

No. 3 - Washington D.C.
During an election year.

I can't even imagine the energy.
But I'd def. wanna be apart of it.

No. 4 - Jamaica.

I love Jamaica.
While I was there for our honeymoon, I loved being the towns, almost as much as I loved being on the beach.
The way of life fascinates me.
I'd love to experience simplicity HERE. And teach.

No. 5 - Frankenmuth, Michigan.

One of the most festive places in America.
They really appreciate Christmas!
And I don't know much about my German background. But I do think this place could put me in touch with my heritage. :)

No. 6 - San Francisco, CA.

I love architecture.
I think it's something I wish I would've pursued in school...if I have the drive.
And this place the best of it, by far.
I want to live in one of these adorable homes...not a hotel for just a visit.

No. 7 - Italy

More beautiful architecture.
And amazing food.
That I could spend a year soaking up.

No. 8 - Somewhere in Washington State.

All Twilight-induced, so Folks would be fine with me.
Reading the Twilight Saga over and over, taking it all in on a deeper level...in the setting of the books.
That would be me quite happy.

No. 9 - Durham, North Carolina.

I wonder if you could just absorb the genious-ness that has to be in the air just because it's where Duke University is located.
I didn't have the typical college experience so, living where you can witness the college life and feel the college spirit would be enough.
Oh, and an opportunity to attend would be an added bonus.
Plus, Duke has awesome architecture.

(College Station, home of A&M University, would be a more reasonable alternative.)

No. 10 - New York City 

(or a place close enough that I could travel in and around the city easily)

So awesome things happen in New York.

A year of Broadway shows. Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. New Year's Ball Drop.

I would need a full year to appreciate what this city has to offer.

Ten years of my life would be well worth the experiences.

Of course, to make the experience better (and more unrealistic), I'd like to have a fat bank account and no job to really enjoy and take advantage of every opportunity these places have to offer me.

Yeah, keep dreaming, Lynzi!

Where would you like to spend a year?

Thanksgiving Thursday - 11/25

Since Thanksgiving happens to fall on Thankful Thursday, I thought it would be appropriate to do an EXTRA special thankful post.

I want to share the Top 10 Things I'm Thankful for This Thanksgiving:

1. My amazing husband who married me this year which made this year so extra special! After 7 amazing years as my boyfriend, he made my life even more perfect when he said "I do" to so many adventures we will take on throughout out lives together. :) I'm super excited to see what lies ahead!

2. Family & friends. What would a year be like without an amazing family and some awesome friends to be surrounded by? It would suck...and go by really slow.

3. A house to call a home. It may still be in progress, as far as, curb appeal goes but on the inside, it couldn't be more warm and welcoming. Stop by and stay awhile!

4. My blog - a place for my writing, crafting, and cooking abilities to shine...and the entire blogging world. I love how it's connected me with so many amazing people. And I hope that all continues to grow.

5. Learning new things. I loved that I've tackled a few new things this year...Twitter, Photoshop (very little but I still learned something), knitting, and a few new recipes (some to keep and some to trash). Still haven't mastered that cleaning deal though. :-/

6. My faith. Every time I think about what I've been given and how grateful I am for it all, I always note how strong my faith is. Without it, I'm not sure I'd be surrounded by the beautiful things in life that I hold so dear.

7. With faith, my relationship with God. I'm know I've said it before, it's one that only He and I can understand. And it works. And I'm glad it does. He is what gets me through everyday...good and bad...easy and hard.
8. My optimism. I always try to see the bright side of things. I plan for a great, BIG, elaborate future. Some may mistake this for being unrealistic. I just think it's setting goals, pushing myself to gain more in life, and still being on cloud nine where ever I end up!

9. Memories. One of the things in life I hold close to my heart. That's why I adore pictures sooooo much. It's the only thing that will truly help you hold onto a memory and can capture so many beautiful moments that otherwise, might be lost. (Why else would I get the best photographer in town to capture our BIG day?!?)

10. The gift of life. While so many people around me, here and there, are passing on the gift of life, I can't help but feel so excited to know that I hold that power myself...when He chooses to bless us with this gift. And the excitement I feel for my nephew overflows within me as the days grow closer for Baby Isaac to be here.

     
Life is such a beautiful thing and I try to appreciate every moment I'm given...whether I'm just laying around on the couch with Mark Dean and Stuey or I'm baking up a batch of love to share with the ones I love.

It's so important to recognize what we are thankful for year round. It shouldn't take a day off of school and work, full of non-stop cooking and eating to appreciate what ours lives are made up of.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Top 5 Books I Want to Read Soon

I love reading. I love it so much that a Kindle or Nook (or any other e-book device) would be a smart investment. But I love having a library...a real library! (Psst! Santa, I could use more shelf space for my book!)
Since reading Twilight, and finishing Twilight, I really don't know what I want to read...or even what I like to read because I said I'd never read the Twilight books. Well, I did. And I loved them.

But recently, I came across some books I do actually want to read and along the way, I found some that I wanted to always go back and get but forgot about, obviously.

Here's the Top 5 books I want to read as soon as possible (10 seemed overwhelming):

1. Cherries in Winter by Suzan Colon

I came across this book a weekend or so ago while waiting to meet my parents for lunch.
Funny how books find you when you need them the most.
It killed me to put in down. And walk out of the store WITHOUT it.









2. A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg

A long, long time ago, well, maybe a year, I found this book and found it quite interesting. But at the time, I already had a few other books in my hands so, I told myself I'd come back for it.
Never did that but I found it while looking through Amazon for Cherries in Winter (used!).








3. The Recipe Club by Andrea Isreal

Last year, I read The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman and when I came across this book online, it reminded me of the Christmas Cookie Club book that I loved.










4. Kardashian Konfidential by Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe Kardashian

This is what I (used to) love...autobiographies, biographies, memoirs.
And this book fits right into my collection.











5. The Showgirl Next Door by Holly Madison
This is one book I haven't stumbled upon. I've been waiting, and waiting, for this one to be released. Finally, a release date so, the countdown is on!
Book 5 should give me my celebrity-book-fix till February 2011, when Holly Madison's book is to be released.

Top 10 People that I Count as Blessings

This post spawned from a bittersweet day I had yesterday. I experienced a lot. I learned a lot. I realized a lot.

Here are the Top 10 Blessings that I counted on my 10 little fingers yesterday.

1. The GREAT Lord, Himself - I have a STRONG, deep faith. If you know me, you could actually doubt this and I could understand why many would think this. My relationship with Him is so personal but I trust Him and know He has something in store for me that I'm still too blind to see.

2. Carla, my mother-in-law - Last night, I spent hours talking to her. I'm not sure I've ever bonded with her like this. She mentioned things to help me look forward and opened a part of my mind that I've ignored for quite sometime.

3. Mark Dean, my wonderful husband - who is reasonable enough to talk sense into me when I need it but makes everything okay when I am shaken.

4. Stuey, my lil pup - This rotten lil pooch is a blessing in disguise...a gooood disguise. Last night, he sat at my feet barking and barking and barking (and barking). When I moved my feet, he sat through the entire house. That's when it hit me - he wanted to play! So I got up and played and played and then we had cuddle time. That's when I realized what a blessing this little dog is. He completed my day in such a way that only he could.

5. Glenn, my dad - He keeps me rational and reminds me how responsible I am. And that's it's okay to be that way.

6. Kim, my mom - She does what great mothers do. She listens. And loves.

7. Megs, a follower blogger from This & That Creative - She left this comment simple little comment that completely made my day - "I'm so glad there are people out there like you!"


8. Christy, Mark's aunt, my aunt (haha...never got to say that before) - Simply put...she inspires me.


9. Life, not a person but still, I'm counting it - I don't take it for granted. I'm alive - what more could I ask for? It's full of ups and downs and I understand enough of this journey to accept it.


10. Myself - I often times doubt myself. I'm usually my own worst enemy. At times, my confidence falters. But deep down, I know I'm capable of anything. I just forget sometimes.

With blessings like these that consume my life, I can smile at the end of the day.

Top 10 People that I Love

pSo, just call me Barbara Walters because I'm starting my own Top 10 People...but instead of JUST facinating people, I'm going to showcase all different kinds of Top 10 People.

To start my first one, I think it's appropriate to proclaim to the world the Top 10 People that I LOOOVE!

1. Mark Dean - my high school sweetheart, my best friend, my annoying roommate, MY HUSBAND!

2. Kim & Glenn (my mom & dad) - I think it's fair to consider them one in the same because my life wouldn't be the same without them both...and when they got married, they became one anyways!

3. My Grandma Gladys - this is amazing woman deserves a Top 10 Reasons why I love her alone...she's just that darn fantastic!

4. Brittany - my sister-in-law, who is more than just a sister-in-law...she's a REAL sister, a REAL friend, and I'm so lucky to LOVE her!

5. Kasey - my BESTIE who stood by my side at my wedding...and has been with me during so many ridiculous moments of my life!

6. Marsha - this woman is like a 2nd mother to me. I thank the Lord every day for letting our paths cross!

7. Carla - my wonderful mother-in-law that loves me as her own daughter but also, gave me something to love in life and an opportunity to love her!

8. Chris - my brother...my butthead brother...that I love no matter what...and can burn on the spot...and for every 10 burns I get in, I let him slip one in on me! :)

9. Jerry - Mark's dad. Though I never got the opportunity to know him, I know just from the stories I've heard that he was an amazing man that I DO love. He gave to the world a piece a piece of himself that's carried on within Mark Dean!

10. My Maw-Maw & Paw-Paw - these 2 people are simply the most amazing people I've ever met and I love them more than words can express. In an old blog of mine, I dedicated a post to my GRAND!parents which I do plan to one day repost on here...just not sure when.

Through this little exercise, I did realize that there is no way possible to narrow down all the people I love to just a Top 10 but these are the people that I will built a loving soul within me and I will love them always and forever.