Quick update!!

Hey everyone! I'm still alive...but I've been home for the holidays and don't have my computer home with me! I can't wait to get back and catch up with everyone and also update my blog! ;) ;) I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxo

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!

Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season! May all of you have a blessed holiday with the ones you love! Can't wait to get hear stories and see pictures in the new year! God Bless to you all!


Love to all ~ Amy

HOLY COW!!

Can you believe that Christmas is in 5 DAYS!?! I feel like the holiday season just started! I hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend before Christmas. For those who are traveling...be safe. Tyler and I are heading to Indiana to be with his parents and then back up here for Christmas Eve dinner and church! Tomorrow night we are having a large Christmas party at my house here at school, so that should be fun! I'm off to cook and clean!!!!!

Check out all the cards I've gotten from bloggers...you guys are so awesome! ;)

The New Bathroom!

Over the course of the last couple of weeks, Tyler was asked to fix the drywall and paint the boys bathroom. It had real ugly wallpaper in it before and just wasn't cut out for a 1 and 4 year old! After the wallpaper can down, the walls were horrid. Tyler spend many nights in this bathroom spackling, sanding, trimming, and painting. This is the finished product!

Isn't that color awesome! Lisa painted all the fish and nailed them on the wall. Also the rug was our inspiration for the wall color! The boys love it and spend lots of time in here now! I'm so happy that I'm marrying a handy man! :)

Christmas Party and Weekend Fun!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! :) Friday night Tyler and I had his company's Christmas Party. If you know Steffie B. over at Never Too Many, you probably know this story! It was a good time and it was really good to see some of the people there. Tyler works for Stef's husbands company so we go back a few years! I love Stef...she is such an awesome person!! Also Emmie (her daughter) was there. Tyler and I love Em! It was so fun seeing her also! Saturday I got to spend the whole day with my best friend. We did some Christmas shopping, so I'm finally almost finished! Saturday night, my parents threw a dinner party for a few of their friends, so Tyler and I joined in for some free food and wine! ;) Today I got to see a few of my good friends who haven't seen my ring yet!! We went to Starbucks and talked for awhile. It was very fun!

Tomorrow starts the week before Christmas!! wahooo!! Tyler and I are heading to the mall tomorrow evening for some shopping. I guarantee a good blog story after this experience. Never a dull moment when Tyler and I shop together! haha Well I hope everyone has a great start to the week!!!

HUGS-A

HIP, HIP, HORRAY!!!!!!

I'M DONE WITH MY LAST FALL SEMESTER!! I think finals went ok...obviously they would have been better if I didn't have a wedding occupying my mind! ;) I'm just glad to only have one more semester of college left! Whew...what a huge weight off the shoulders.

As for Christmas shopping...still haven't done much. I know I know, I'm slacking a bit. I have just had so much going on in my life...! hehe I'm hoping to get a huge chunk done this weekend and the beginning of next week.

And just an update...I'm still grinning from ear to ear, I look at my ring 24/7, and I just can't believe I'm getting MARRIED!!!!!!!!!

~The Proposal~

Well I can't believe it! I am still shocked...I can't stop smiling and I just couldn't love my fiance' more! Here is the story...

As we all know, I have been sick with a nasty sinus infection...I've sounded like a man for a few days now...haha. This past Friday night, the parents of the family that I live with, went out for the night. Tyler and I stayed home and watched the boys. Around 7pm, Tyler went up stairs to put Ryan (the 1 year old) down. Kyle (the 4 year old) and I started to bake sugar cookies, Tyler soon joined up when he got Ry to sleep. We were just cooking away and having a good time. As we were finishing up, I started on the dishes. Tyler and Kyle had left the room and I just thought they were playing down stairs. A few minutes later, Kyle comes walking up the stairs with his hand behind his back and a smile on his face that lit up like a Christmas tree! I said..."Kyle, what did you do!?" haha He then walked right up to be and said, "Amy, Tyler loves you very much." All of the sudden, my heart started to race. Then from behind Kyle's back, he pulled out a black ring box. I started to scream and cry and everything else! Tyler walked up behind him, grabbed the box, and got down on one knee. I was shaking, crying, and speechless. He said the most amazing and loving things I've ever heard. I screamed "YES YES YES!!!!!!" (In my man voice) I hugged him and kissed him for about 5 minutes...well until Kyle said "AMY WHY ARE YOU KISSING HIM SO MUCH!" haha Got to love 4 year olds! Then I spent the next 2 hours calling my best friends and my family. Then my voice was completely gone!

I am still glowing and will be for quite some time now. We are thinking about September 2009 for our wedding. I want to get through with college and my internship and hopefully save a few $$. I can not wait to spend the rest of my life with Tyler. He is my true love and soul mate and I thank God for him everyday. I think I'm going to start turning this blog into a wedding blog! haha I'm going to need some opinions! ;) I will leave you all with some pictures...of the ring of course! It is amazing!

~MEET THE FUTURE MRS. PYKE~

Pictures and details will be posted soon! I just can't stop shaking with excitement!!

TGIF

Here is a little video that will make you smile! Kyle loves this song and as I was reading blogs this morning, it started playing! So why not dance?! It's Friday after all! (Don't mind my man voice! haha) HAPPY FRIDAY!

Blah.

It's official...I have the dreaded beginning of winter cold. I've tried to steer clear of it but it didn't work. It's been hitting everyone in our house. I have the running nose, sneezing every minute, head is like a balloon feeling. Luckily it hasn't worn me down too bad yet. I'm trying to lay low for these next couple days. I can't be sick now though...I have 3 Christmas parties in the next 3 weeks and not to mention 5 final exams next week!!! I'm hoping I can kick this cold to the curb!

UPDATE: I still have this nasty cold. My voice sounds like a man, and when I cough it hurts....bad! Gosh I hope this passes by tomorrow...Tyler and I have Christmas party #1!

Finding Faith with Blogging...

Ever since I've started blogging, I have become more in tuned to God and his amazing power. I've been reading adoption blogs for sometime now but just in October of this year started my own blog. It was definitely a calling by God. I read your stories and I see how good God can be and how so many are struggling and need a touch of his love. When I read blogs that are crying out for prayer, I immediately make a mental note and pray for that person each night. Before I started getting involved with blogging, I didn't feel the need to pray as much as I do now. Reading the stories and seeing the pictures that I do, compel me to reach out for God and pray to him to help heal all who need it. I want to thank everyone for posting such personal and inspirational stories. Know that if you say you need prayers or even if you don't....I'm praying. God has called me to be apart of this blogging community and I'm loving every minute of it.

HAPPY DECEMBER!

I can't believe its already December. Boy has this fall flew by. It is snowing and just keeps on coming...we already have a good 4-5 inches! Today we baked 5 different types of Christmas cookies and I feel like I gained 10 lbs. just by seeing all the butter and sugar we used! ;) I do love the holidays!!
~I hope you all are having a great weekend~

~My Melissa~

I have the most wonderful best friend ever. She is a strong, passionate, loving, courageous, inspiring, Godly woman. We have been through so much, including dumb high school fights, hard break-ups, and first dates. During the holiday season I often think about what I'm most thankful for. She definitely scores high on the list. I know she is there for me any time of the day and any day of the week. She always listens, she always cares. We tell each other the weirdest things and yet we both love each other so much! She is my rock, she keeps me grounded when I feel like giving up. She is my shoulder to cry on and my girl to laugh with. She is my Melly and my best friend.

These are a few of my favorite things... (Christmas version)

We all know that the holidays are a wonderful time of the year. It is definitely my favorite! I'm going to share with everyone my favorite things during the holidays....(and everyone should post theirs too!) :)

As you can see I love watching the movie Elf, baking and eating Christmas cookies, wearing tall boots with cute dresses, sipping champagne, building snowmen, getting kisses under the mistletoe, hot Starbucks drinks, and lounging in front of a warm fire!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my faves....what are yours?!

I hope everyone has a good start to the week! The holidays are getting closer!!!

I also wanted to just say YOU ROCK to Steffie B. over at Never Too Many. Her gift of giving was such an amazing act of God. Thank you Stef for being so awesome!

3 weeks left!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving! I sure did! I do however have a crazy busy week this week, which stinks. Oh well...3 weeks till I'm done with this semester and then one semester left of college. Ahhh, scary thought. ;) It was really nice to spend time with family this weekend. I also got to see some friends whom I haven't seen in months. That was great! Tyler and I spent a day at his parents which was wonderful to see them. Last night we went out to dinner with my sister, her husband, and another couple. That was fun also. Then we ended the night with some Catch Phrase. *If you haven't played that game, you must! Well all in all I'm glad the little break went well. It's back to reality for me! Booooo, no fun!

TO ALL!!!

TA-DA!!

Here it is!! My Christmas blog...created by The Blog Fairy! She is so awesome! THANK YOU VERNA!!!!!!!!!

I know it is a tad early, but I'm leaving tomorrow right after class for home. I won't be back up and running again till Sunday. I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving and leave me a comment on what you think of the new look! ;)

3-Days!

It's Monday....but this is only a three day week!! :) Enjoy the day everyone!

**Stay tuned....the Christmas blog is going up this week!! :)

Relieved...

Happy Thursday to everyone! The weekend is right around the corner. :) Well I posted a few weeks back about how frustrated I was with school. It was seeming like I try and try and nothing good came of it. Well I finally got some relief! This time around in some of my classes I tried a new approach to studying. I always knew that when I make note cards, I do so much better. It is just taking out the time to actually make the note cards that kills me. I'm great at procrastinating. haha I did however take two exams this past week and the studying finally paid off. I did such a better job in one of my classes that my teacher told me I was the one who improved the most. This just sent me through the roof with happiness. I have always been a "not so good" test taker and so hearing this just made my day. I went around smiling for about two days after hearing this. I'm just glad that I found a way to make my grades and my confidence improve.

On the flip side...I'm getting really excited for the holiday season. I've always loved this time of year. :) Tyler and I will be traveling to his parents over Thanksgiving for a few days. I'm super excited because I don't see them near enough. I also only have 3 weeks of school left for this semester and then finals week. Then just one semester left and I'm done!!! I see a light at the end of the tunnel....HALLELUJAH!!!

It's totally a Tuesday...

This picture just sums it up! :) A few weeks ago I was outside with the boys and I turn around to see Kyle in these safety goggles. I laughed for a good minute or two. But this is how I'm feeling today...a bit crazy?!

Today was and is definitely a java day! I started the day with a grande Starbucks, and ending the day at the coffee shop to study... Oh Monday!

Weekend fun!

What a fun/tiring weekend I had! My mom and I traveled up north for the weekend for a little getaway. We had to do some stuff for her work which consisted of being outside yesterday from 9am-4pm....all I have to say is, brrrrrrrrrrrr! I was frozen until this morning I think! :) We did get a chance to get to the mall though. I got a new winter coat, some boots, and a long sweater. I just love to shop!! After the mall we headed to the Red Mesa Grill for dinner, where we indulge in margarita's and fajitas. It was a good night! ;) The picture below is of the sign that hung on the side of the restaurant. I thought it was awesome! ha ha

I hope everyone had a good weekend and has a good start to the week! LOTS OF LOVE!

SNOW?!

This is what I woke up to this morning....

So...I naturally turned up XM radio to Holiday music while I got ready! The boys came down when then heard the music and danced and sang with me. Call us crazy but we love the holidays around here!! On the flip side....I chopped my hair last night!!

I'm still a litte freaked out with how short it is...but I do love it! It's a good change. :)

Tomorrow morning my mom and I are heading up north for the weekend. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and I'll see everyone on Sunday! ***HUGS***

I have a favor...

I am searching for a good book. I haven't read a really good book in a long time. I need a book that I won't be able to put down, that will make me cry and make me smile. I tend to get really busy with school, family, and well just life...and don't spend much time for myself. When I'm reading a good book, I tend to just think about that one piece in my head and life is so much sweeter. Therefore, I need every ones help. If YOU have a favorite book and think I would like it....Please leave a comment! Thank you!!

**ATTENTION BLOGGERS!!**

Everyone should participate if at all possible! We need to help the blog fairy bring home Noah! Contact her and she can make your blog go from dull to beautiful! She is working on a normal header and a Christmas header for me. She does awesome work! Remember all the proceeds are going to Noah! :)

Sick!

I woke up this morning with a sore throat, a stuffy nose, and body aches. I knew it was only a matter of time. My whole family had this a few weeks ago when I visited home. Also wiping runny noses and being busy out of my mind probably contributed to this sickness. On top of it all, I have a busy upcoming week. Is it Christmas vacation yet?!

Hoping for the best.......

I feel like I'm getting sick....... :( To bed I go and pray I feel ok in the morning!

**Had fun at the shower today! Thanks for hosting it Seventh Diamond!!!

BABY SHOWER!!

Everyone go check out Verna's baby shower for little Noah over at the Seventh Diamond!



HAPPY SATURDAY TO ALL!

FRIDAY!!

~Meet the boys~

As most of you don't know, I am a nanny for a family and I also live with them while I am finishing up my degree at CMU. It sure is a lot of work so I would like to take the time to say something to all you mom's out there....YOU GUYS ROCK! :)

The boys I nanny for are amazing. I love them with all of my heart. I've been a part of Ryan's life ever since he was born....let me tell you a little about each boy.

~Ryan~

Ryan was Nemo for Halloween :)

Ryan, our little chubster. He is almost 1 1/2 and has a heart of gold. Everyone always laughs because Ryan and I are so similar. He is my snuggle buddy and I love him! He just started talking and his little voice just makes me melt. He has the words "momma, dadda, ball, kitty, doggy, and thank you" down. Just recently I may add, he added AMY to his vocabulary! I think it is absolutly adorable when he says my name. "Ah-meee, Ah-meeee!!!" is what I hear from the top of the stairs. He calls for me when I'm here and when I'm not. and when I walk in the door from a long day at school, he runs to me with open arms....now thats love! We have always had a special bond, he's my Ry-Ry!

~Kyle~

Kyle was Suuuuperman!

Oh my Kyle...What an awesome kid! I came into his life when he was about 2 1/2. He always seemed to amaze me with how smart he is. There is never a dull moment with Kyle around. He is so compassionate and cares for everyone. He makes people feel welcome and never seems to have anything mean to say. Kyle is never hurtful to other kids, he plays with much joy and happiness and boy does this kid have an imagination! His latest thing is going on boat trips. He builds a pretend boat out of couch cusions and puts all his toys into it. He then will try to find anyone to come on a boat ride. :) He is a strong willed kid and I know he will get very far in life!

~My boys~

I will love these boys forever. God gave me this amazing opportunity to be a part of their lives and I will charish it forever. My love for children is so strong and someday I hope I can be an amazing mother to my own.

New face lift...

I'm glad everyone enjoyed my Halloween blog! I didn't win the contest :( but thats ok! I had a blast making it!! Trick -or-treating went very well tonight and we got more candy then I think is humanly possible to eat. The boys are already passed out for the night and I'm not far myself. I can't believe tommorrow is November. It seems just like yesterday it was summer...

~HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO EVERYONE!~

Be safe and enjoy the day! :)

Halloween Eve...

Tomorrow is the big day!!!!!!!! I better get some rest!

I'm taking the boys trick-or-treating. We have a superman and a Nemo....both adorable! :)

Pictures will be coming soon.

Happy spoooooky night to you all!

Kyle The Performer!

**YOU NEED TO STOP THE MUSIC PLAYING ON PAGE BEFORE WATCHING THIS VIDEO!!**

Isn't he adorable! :)

~Five Little Pumpkin Sitting On A Gate~

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate,

The first one said,"Oh my, it's getting late."

The second one said,"But we don't care."

The third one said,"I see witches in the air."

The fourth one said,"Let's run, and run, and run."

The fifth one said,"Get ready for some fun."

Then whoosh went the wind,and out went the lights,

And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!