Don't ask me why, but today I was thinking about the alarm clock I had in high school. I could ALMOST picture it in my head and it made me smile. I remember I thought it was VERY cool and if I closed my eyes and concentrated, I could almost hear R.E.M.'s "Orange Crush" blaring from it on WDEK-92.5 FM (which is apparently now a Spanish broadcasting station). And I remembered it was cube-shaped and had a plug-in for ear phones (super cool). I could remember doing my spiral-permed hair HUGE in front of my dresser mirror while Peter, Cory and the gang waited impatiently for me outside in the green Impala or Buick or whatever it was...it was green (I suffered from chronic lateness in HS..I blame the high-maintenance big hair). And then I could imagine us driving to school with INXS playing in the car. Oh - good times!

Anyway - tonight I found myself STILL thinking about that darn alarm clock! I just HAD to find a picture of it so I could accurately remember it. I can't admit how much time I spent with Google on this one (it takes awhile when you don't know the brand, not sure of the color...just that it was cool and cube-shaped. Do you KNOW how many alarm clocks were cube-shaped in the 80's?!

But my efforts were worth it....I found her! (and now I want her). Here she is...the super-duper cool P'Jammer! (how 80's is that name even?!)

I forgot she was multi-colored (see? cool!)..and I was right! a headphone jack right there on the front! LOVE! How can I get one?!

Go HERE to see her in action! (I totally need to get a life).

And now I'm going to join the "P'Jammers for Life" group on Facebook (think I'm making that one up? Go look! I dare you!)

If money, greed, practicality, etc. were no object....here's my Christmas wish list:

A live-in maid

An iPad and cute case (or the more affordable yet still out-of-budget Nook)

A cute (and soft) hat and mittens

Lots of Cute Socks!

Perfume


A full day/evening with friends to shop, eat, shop, go to a movie, drink, shop

A super-plush Snuggie (cranberry or tan or chocolate)

A stereo speaker for the kitchen

Pretty smelling lotion

Wii Fit (but i'd rather get this cheap at a post-Christmas clearance sale)

iTunes gift card

A cross necklace (items listed in random order)

A really good chocolate bar (Godiva or the like)

Rachael Ray 4-pc. Bubble & Brown Singles Set in Yellow or Blue

Portable speaker for iPod

Starbucks gift card(s)

Stylish shoes that fit (tennis shoes and cute dress-casual)

Blonde Hilights

Designer (looking) jeans

Happy Anniversary 12/4/2010 at OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Anniversary to my husband and best friend! I love you!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Lauren quote:

"I want to find some toys I don't want anymore and give them to Santa so he can take them to kids in India...because sometimes kids in India don't get any toys."

She proceeded to bring me Grant's beloved garbage truck. It appears her generosity only applies to Grant's things. We'll work on that.

I am thankful for a special birthday gift I received for my first annual 39th birthday yesterday. Don't you just love how my (super dramatic) 5-yr-old is exploring vibrato? LOL! So sweet..I keep listening to it over and over again. Just click on the play arrow below to hear how blessed I am!

My daughter is a first-year cheerleader. She cheers on the varsity football squad as well as the competition cheer squad. Her school hasn't had a competition squad in 6 years I believe. This means the ENTIRE squad is new to the world of competition cheerleading. They have worked soooo hard! Hours and hours and HOURS of practice, bruises and bloody noses and lips from stunting mishaps and a tiny amount of drama...but mostly hard, hard work!

Last Saturday they competed in the Iowa High School Cheerleading Championships. This event showcased schools from all over the state of Iowa. Let me tell you something....the talent was A-MAZING! And guess what? My girl and her squad...they took SECOND in their division! Way to go girls! Your parents, your school and your community are so proud of you! We couldn't have a better group of girls representing our school. Especially that one that calls me "Mom." =)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Lauren, age 5 as "Jessie" from Toy Story; Grant, age 3 as "Woody" from Toy Story

Bailey handed out candy at our house and later went to a haunted house with friends. It was a fun night and the weather couldn't have been better! Now...where to hide the candy...

What we had for dinner.....a knock-off of Applebee's Grilled Shrimp 'n Spinach Salad. 4 out of 5 Whitsitts agreed....YUM! Thanks to A FEW SHORTCUTS for posting this recipe. We loved it! IF we had each ordered this from the actual restaurant, it would have cost a minimum of $45. NUTS! WAY cheaper to DIY a knock-off recipe. =-)

I haven't posted on the blog in a long time. LIFE has been so busy, stressful and overwhelming. We've been in the middle of several nightmares on the personal front - but we're holding on! We know there is purpose in persecution. We know there is purpose in pain...if you look for it. He has a GOOD plan for our lives!

I heard this song on the radio this morning and thought it fit our situation perfectly. Since pain isn't unique to our lives....I wanted to post this in hopes that it gives YOU hope in the midst of YOUR struggles. This is a Christian artist named Josh Wilson. This is NOT the official video...but a good slideshow to his music anyway.

HOMECOMING WEEK

Last week was Homecoming week, which means lots of activity and crazy stuff. First up? CLASH DAY!

Tuesday: Favorite Sport Day

Cheer (of course)

Wednesday: Character Day

as "Oliver Oken" from Hannah Montana (insert my eyeroll here)

Thursday: Dress Up Day

Thursday Night: Community Pep Assembly! Guess who got a special treat??

Friday: GAME DAY!!!

Saturday: DANCE!!!

Sunday: