Ants Marching...

...and no, I'm not talking about that great Dave Matthews song! I'm talking about the rude little everyday pests called ants, or perhaps more scientifically (if that!) "Argentine" aka 'sugar' ants. We have been battling thousands of them over the past 4 days & I think they finally surrendered, aka kicked the bucket. Whew! Saturday morning, I suited up as team captain (3rd year in a row!) for the annual Arthritis Foundations, Jingle Bell Run...and boy it was cold! However, I had my iPod charged & in place, jingle bells were securely fastened to my shoes, my muscles were semi-warmed up & I was ready to show that course who was boss! Well, maybe not so much 'boss', but that I wasn't going to let those crazy 4-5min mile runners intimidate me. I actually crossed the finish line in 32:18...4 mins better than my previous 5k time! I was flying high...it made me realize that my workout routine was really paying off. However, I think it's time to invest in new running shoes, b/c I was experiencing what I call "Kerrigan knee pain" (like as in Nancy-Kerrigan-clubbed-in-the-knee-feeling-by-Tonya-Harding)kinda pain. However, Rod sees dollar signs & hears a constant 'cha-ching, cha-ching' when I express my need for new running shoes. I'll keep working on him. The ever faithful Team Jingle-Jangle joined in for another year (The Bennett Family & The Brown Family...kids & all! Poor Monica called in sick...we missed you Monica!) too...unfortunately heel pain struck my mom & so she opted to sit this year out (my Dad followed suit)...Rod opted for a warm bed Saturday morning & probably a warmer breakfast (i had none!). When I got back from the race Sophia had a case of the sniffles & wasn't feeling like herself. Nana jumped at the chance to keep her & spoil her in her jammies while Rod & I ventured out to knock out our Christmas shopping. Glad that's over! Mission accomplished - we picked up Sophia & headed home. Cue the ants. Upon opening the pantry door, ants had descended up on our 5 shelves of glorious goodies...I'm talkin they had a map goin on...better than Oregon Trail!! I shrieked & we began dumping any opened packages of food in the trash...they were everywhere. Once under control, I breathed a sigh of relief...but not for long. We treated it with some pest control, but Sunday & Monday we kept seeing stragglers. Gross. Just when we thought we had it beat....they surged with a surprise attack in a woman's most sacred place...her CLOSET! Yes, ladies they were repelling down into my cherished purses & handbags & grappling onto the fabric of my most favorite dresses - I'm pretty sure I was gagging by this point. Rod leapt out of bed to come to my rescue...I'm sure I'm guilty of some choice phrases & expletives, but this was my closet for heaven's sake. After beating those ants into oblivion & 2 loads of laundry later, I was pooped & ready to go to bed. Haha. Third time's the charm. I went to hang a Sophia's towel in her bathroom & became irate (i was beyond tired & angry at this point)when i flipped on the light & discovered this satan-ants had decided to do a tour thru this room too. They were pouring from the sink onto the counter, up thru the medicine cabinet & proceeded to the parade route around the bathroom ceiling...I felt like burning my own house down at this point. God Bless Sophia, b/c out of all the racket Rod & I made she slept thru the entire Ant-War of 2008! By the time we cleaned it all up, it was 1:30am....T minus 4.5hrs and counting before my alarm was set to go off. Great. As I crawled into bed (only after harrassing Rod to douse his feet under running water to ensure no ants having a slumber party in our sheets!) I had this horrific sensation the ants were crawling all over me, my anger & frustration had gotten the better of me. I woke up to find no ants (except the stragglers) & called Cook's Pest Control immediately to set up a little visit! They came, they saw, they conquered! So far, so good....we discovered the ants were traveling up a tree in our front yard, taking a leap of faith onto the roof & passing the attic 'bouncer' throwing a 'peace' sign their way to wave them thru to the hottest ticket in town...our house. Ugh. Thankfully, my Dad, ol' faithful, came to the rescue this morning prior to Cook's, to help me evaluate the post-mid-night war damage. Thanks Dad...you're the best! In the famous words of George Costanza's dad in Seinfeld...."SERENITY NOW"!

Gobble Gobble til you Wobble Wobble

Even though it's the day after the big Turkey day, we have SO many things to be thankful for: each other, our growing little girl, a warm home, food on our table & clothes on our backs. However I'd like to give a thanksgiving shoutout to Best Buy's Geek Squad for fixing our computer...I've always wondered if they take offense to being part of the 'Geek Squad'? Or perhaps that's a compliment? Another turkey day shoutout goes to our families for feeding us two awesome meals....think we may have o.d.'ed on Tryptopan yesterday as Rod & I were a little touch & go there for awhile on whether or not we'd ever even make it to the 2nd turkey day meal. We both napped while sophia took her nap & we both agreed we only felt worse after! Thankfully, we were able to perk up a bit downstairs while helping referee my family's annual Thanksgiving Monopoly game. A word of advice....don't play with any family member of mine unless you are willing to cry 'mercy' & give up all your properties & money. The Schultz's are definitely cut-throat monopoly players...no wonder I loathe seeing the box come out during the holidays! However, Rod being the banker & real estate lover, is all over that game like white on rice....it's sickening. He even got Sophia into it! My family upgraded to the electronic banking version, so Sophia's job was to hand the debit/credit cards over to my brother who was acting as the banker. Hilarious, but sad at the same time...she looks like she's swiped a few cards before...I think Rod & I are in for rude awakening as she gets older...yikes. Sophia really dug her mashed potatoes this year & nibbled on some turkey, green bean casserole & dinner rolls. Ditto at the Lopez's thanksgiving....just add 2 1/2 whole bananas to that...what can I say? Sophia digs her daily helpings of potassium - you know, it helps with runner's cramps. Speaking of, I could only feel worse during both meals yesterday when I was trying to imagine suiting up as Team Captain for next Saturday's Jingle Bell Run....this captain is second-guessing her ability to run at this point - pretty sure I gained a few LB's after yesterday's festivities. ugh. Back to Lopez's thanksgiving - we were glad to see Rod's Aunt Becky & Uncle Steve from Miami...they are always hilarious & were elated to see Sophia. Gabby's boyfriend, Devon, also joined in on the meal & even let Sophia sit next to him. For those of you who don't know - Sophia has a MAJOR crush on Devon, and luckily, Aunt Gabby is willing to share! She adores Devon & was so pleased to be sitting next to him...she was all smiles! After we wrapped up the 2nd & final (thank GOD!) meal, we were off to see the 'crap house' on the corner of Boultier & Carter Hill Rd....if you haven't seen this Griswold-style Christmas-light-spectacular, it's a must-see. It's so tacky that they even ask for donations to pay their electricity bill! It's hilarious - every light up yard decoration ever made adorns their lawn (if there is one...you can't see it!) accompanied by motorized figurines that dance/twirl/move alongside the ever-enormous inflatable yard deco. We LOVE gawking at this house & figured we better introduce Sophia to the yearly family tradition too! We were really hoping that the house that coordinates a light show with music (located in Eastern Forest neighborhood) would be up & running, but no such luck. We'll keep trying...I always feel sorry for their neighbors...I hope the people running that light show booze up their neighbors good before the season begins! Luckily, today being Black Friday, I was able to be at home & spend some much-needed QT with Sophia...we even went to the Azar's house for a play-date! Poor Rod had to go to work, so it left us girls some fun together time. Jessica Azar & I have become good friends (we had a class together back at Auburn...year's ago!) & decided Zack 5, Ben & Sophia would have fun playing. Zack 5 & Sophia are only 5.5 mos. apart & little Ben turns 1 next week. Thanksfully the rain held off this morning, which allowed the kids to really run wild in the backyard! They had a ball! They climed/hung/slid all over the jungle-gym, played in the sand & gave each other rides in the little red car. Then we went inside to have some yummy lunch together (& little Z5 was a sweetie & shared some fries with Sophia!). We had a GREAT time - thanks for having us over Jessica! Now Sophia is busy napping & I'm racing to get this blog done - & hoping I can post a slideshow of the past two days!

Welcome to the Jungle...errr, Circus!

So, we survived our 2nd official Halloween! Even though it was well over a week ago, I promised photos of the annual photo opp between the Brown's, Bennett's & now Lopez's! The annual photo opp started back in 2005 when little Taylor & Cal were just a smidge over 1yr old...Cal was an octopus & Taylor a pumpkin...each year, they have faithfully brought the boys all dressed up to my parents house in Deer Creek, so we could all giggle over them. However, it all changed when 3 more additions came along. Taylor (Brown) became a big brother to Myra Jane (March 2007), Cal (Bennett) a big brother to Brady (April 2007)...& of course, our first, Sophia joined the brood in March 2007...just a week after little miss Myra Jane! So, last Halloween (2007), the babies were learning to crawl - however, this year it was a WHOLE new ball game! Cal (superhero), Taylor (army man), & Brady (Elvis) all ran around the house chasing each other & having a big time...well, Sophia (the not-so-graceful-ballerina) came charging after the boys squealing with delight...& had ZERO idea why she was squealing, but nonetheless she wanted in on the action!! Meanwhile, Myra Jane happily stood licking her tootsie pop - completely content as a the cutest little piggy-bystander! Luckily, we were able to snap some fun photos....so enjoy! A big thanks to Nana & Papa for hosting this fun tradition year after year...and thanks to Amie & Karen for rounding up their crews, costumes & all! We can't wait for the Halloween Circus 2009!

A Happy Wife is a Happy Life!

Well, since last time, we've all been through one sickness or another! I think we are mostly well now, except for little Sophia who was diagnosed with her first ear infection on Oct. 30th. She had been battling the head cold & congestion for about a week, so I was able to get her seen right away. However, the comical part was that Nana had her that particular day & had her dressed up in her Halloween costume (ballerina) to show her off to all the ladies at Dr. Bennett's office! Well, since the pediatrician is right around the corner, we opted to just send her in there decked out in her ballerina outfit. According to Nana, the pediatrician's office had a fit over this chubby little ballerina! Thankfully, we had been doing all the right things for Sophia at home, but Dr. Simon prescribed a simple antibiotic for her ear infection. She's been doing well with it & claps after she takes it all down!



Last night we attended Heather & Gregg's engagement party... it was beautiful! Wine, candles & yummy hors d'ouerves were the setting...oh, & our great friends too! We all filled out enclosure cards that read "Words of Wisdom" for Heather & Gregg to read & heed! So, always having to be the silly & light-hearted ones, Rod & I chose to write, "A happy wife is a happy life!"...the couple then chose to read some cards aloud, & guess who's was the grande finale....ours! Everyone erupted with laughter, but then everyone agreed that, "that is the truth!". I couldn't agree more! So, with Rod & I off to the party last night, Sophia experience a 'new' treat...a "real" babysitter! Wonderful Brianna McClure came over & Sophia immediately took to her (thank goodness!). Sophia went right into 'tour guide' mode & took Brianna by the hand to all her favorite places around the house...what a hoot! Brianna is such a sweet girl, that I never doubted the two would become instant friends. All went well, & we came home to find every parents dream...a sound-asleep-baby, & a babysitter sitting on the couch diligently doing her homework! Needless to say, we found our new golden babysitter...THANK YOU BRIANNA!!



Earlier in the day, I had to go into work for SH&G's Christmas Open House...I had a great time personalizing ornaments for the Coton Colors line & visiting with customers. However, I could certainly do without the bossy old ladies!! They are always good for a laugh, but only after they are out the front door! Rod & Sophia came to visit me for lunch & we had a great time. Sophia was happily 'visiting' with all kinds of people..."Little Miss Friendly" at your service! Rod fared well with her & even managed to get some housecleaning done before I got home (ah, what were those words of wisdom again? "A happy wife is a happy life"!). However, when the day/evening was all said & done, we were pooped.

We are also upset about the time change...Sophia woke up at 6am this morning, but because of the time change, it was really 5am....ugh. But it's now going on 8am & we all have had breakfast, but I could sure use a good jolt in the form of a peppermint mocha from Starbucks! I'm going to need it since I'm headed back to the store today for more Christmas Open House & then on to a friends at-home Usborne book show - yay! I also have to get back to finishing up several Christmas orders I have for Lollipop Designs. I'll be adding photos of that to my Lollipop blog later...

I'll blog again about the new tradition we have going with the Brown's & Bennett's on Halloween...this year it was a circus! Unfortunately, I must wrap this up & blog about that episode later...let's just say we had a super-hero, an army man, a piggy, Elvis & a ballerina all running around chasing each other & screaming....ahh, the joys of sugar highs & Halloween!

Bienvenidos!

Well, we've finally arrived - into the blogging world that is! As if Rod, Sophia & I don't stay busy enough, we decided to begin a family blog to share with our friends & family! Bear with me as I get this thing goin'...our computer is on the fritz & so that will determine how often I can update the blog & add photos. However, you can always email our family at our new family email address: rlopezfamily@yahoo.com OR you can email me at juliealopez@yahoo.com I'll try to check both, but my personal account goes straight to my snazzy new iPhone! Rod & I were eligible for upgrades, so we both took the plunge & got iPhones & we are truly addicted!



So for the official update:



Rod, aka "The Dad"... has been very busy with work at Regions Bank. He recently moved from the commercial lending division to the commercial real estate division (where he's been dying to be!). Rod is a numbers kinda guy & LOVES working at Regions doing credit underwriting for some 'high rollers' as we like to call them. You'll often find him stressed, but don't mistake it for not liking his work...he loves it & is REALLY good at it. We are blessed as a family that he takes such a vested interest in finances & keeping our family on track! One other SUPERB trait of Rod is that he is the Master Chef in our house & is always cooking us girls something yummy...Bon Appetit!!

Sophia, aka "The Princess"...is SUPER busy these days! She is almost 19mos old (Oct. 28th to be exact) & certainly acts much older. She had really grown out of the 'baby' look & into the 'toddler' look the past few months...her sweet curly little locks are getting longer & 'bouncier', her vocabulary is growing daily, walking slowly has transformed into running and she goes 'night night' all on her own these days!! She is busy saying the following (among a LOT of unknown jibberish!): mommy, dada, puppy, wa-wa (water), no!, nah (snack), wah (walk), bah (ball), nana, papa...& perhaps a few that have slipped my memory for now. She is a chatterbox & I'm beginning to worry about Parent/Teacher conferences in a few years once she's officially a 'school girl'! She does attend a Mother's Morning Out program at a local church every Wednesday morning for 3 hours. Since she's a 'lonely only' so far at home, it's important for her to get some 'kid' interaction with some other little people her age. Her teachers say she does great & I don't doubt it...once she's warmed up to you, she's nothing but a little show-off! She also keeps poor Lucy, our 4yr old beagle, on her toes as she relentlessly chases her around the house either on foot, on her ladybug scooter or behind her babydoll stroller....poor, poor Lucy!

Julie, aka "The Mom"...often wonders when she can catch her breath! I am still working full time at Southern Homes & Gardens as their Marketing Director & merchandise buyer. My work load rarely lessens, but that's the way I like it! I get to pour out my creativity when I design all marketing materials (print ads, e-blasts, direct mail, etc)...I also get to travel to market to purchase all the home store items!! Every season when the store changes over, I get to relish in a sense of pride for a job well-done...it can be stressful, but I thrive on it! I have also started a side 'biz' so to speak, called Lollipop Designs. It allows me to paint on canvas for various occasions. I'll add my Lollipop blog here, so you all can check it out! Since Rod is the Chef in our house, I serve as the Sous Chef...a spot I'll gladly take. However, since Rod is known to cook 'good' food (aka non-nutritional at times) I spend spare time working out at the gym or going for stress-relieving jogs in the neighborhood!

I best wrap up as Sophia has woken from her nap...keep us bookmarked in your favorites so you can keep up with us! We'd love to hear from you too!