The holidaze in California....

Sorry for my lapse in blogging, but I am back for the time being....We have decided to not fly home again this year for Christmas instead we are going to stay here in sunny California. We are trying to establish a "Latham family tradition". The first week in December we put up at 6ft fake tree. This is a big deal for me, bc Shane really loathes Christmas trees. We are complete with even wrapped presents beneath it. When I was a child we ALWAYS had a Christmas tree. Even though it looked like a Charlie Brown tree....I want Makayla to grow up with the same tradition. We are going to let her open her presents on Christmas morning, and then we have been invited to dinner with some friends or ours. Christmas eve day we are going to spend putting together all her toys that her grandma got her. Then that night we are going to go to church. No it isn't my traditional Christmas but I believe it will be a good one. Merry Christmas to everyone!

A little Incubus for you....

Pardon Me

Pardon me while I burst Pardon me while I burst A decade ago, I never thought I would be. A twenty three on the verge of spontaneous combustion woe is me But I guess that it comes with the territory. An ominous landscape of never-ending calamity. I need you to hear. I need you to see. That I have had all I can take And exploding seems like a definite possibility To me So pardon me while I burst into flames. I’ve had enough of the world, and it’s people’s mindless games So pardon me while I burn, and rise above the flame Pardon me, pardon me. I’ll never be the same. Not, two days ago I was having a look in a book And I saw a picture of a guy fried up above his knees I said I can relate Cause lately I’ve been thinking of combustication as a welcomed vacation from. The burdens of the planet earth, like gravity, hypocrisy, and the perils of being in 3-d... And thinking so much differently. Pardon me while I burst into flames. I’ve had enough of the world, and it’s people’s mindless games Pardon me while I burn, and rise above the flame Pardon me, pardon me. I’ll never be the same. Never be the same...yeah. Pardon me while I burst into flames. Pardon me, pardon me, pardon me. So pardon me while I burst into flames. I’ve had enough of the world, and it’s people’s mindless games So pardon me while I burn, and rise above the flame Pardon me, pardon me. I’ll never be the same. Pardon me, never be the same. yeah

Outlooks on life....

Today Shane and I watched the Michael Jackson memorial on TV. (We did the lottery thing to get tickets but of course....we didn't win). I was deeply moved by the amount of respect that people had for him. Regardless of your viewpoints about Michael Jackson......He was a very influential person. When I was watching the memorial.....I watched his children....I could see the pain in their eyes....My only thought was....I never want to leave Makayla. I couldn't bear seeing her in that much pain. The very controversial Reverend Al Sharpton spoke at the memorial. He said to Michael's children....Your father wasn't strange....it was strange what he was forced to go through. He is right. From the moment he auditioned for Berry Gordy at Motown till the day he took his final breath, Michael endured a lot of hardships. I admire Michael for many reasons.....here are a few.....Michael kept his children sheltered from the media....He didn't want to put his children through what he had to endure growing up.....Michael was a family man. Many celebrities now days don't show family values. Michael was and will always be a damn good entertainer. You can't hear Billie Jean or Thriller without singing along. But when you are singing it you know....there is no one else who can sing it like Michael. In closing I want to say this.....we are not promised tomorrow....so today live your life as if it is going to be last....Love too much....sing too loud....and dance like no one is watching!


RIP Michael Jackson you will be missed!

a blog of why....

Why can't I finish something I start? Why can't I take Makayla's bottle away? Why can't I motivate myself to lose weight? Why am I so terrible with meeting new people? Why do people in LA have to be so fake? Why do I put all my trust in one person instead of God? Why can't I have one day of complete rest? Why do people have to discriminate against my husband's disability? Why does my husband have to watch so much Discovery? (I hate Dirty Jobs) Why do I want another baby so bad? Why can't we be where we wanted to be financially? Why does my brother have to act like a douchebag? Why am I afraid of everything? Why can't I swim? Why does my best friends ex have to be a jerk? Why do we have 3 xbox's? Why can't I beat Ghostbusters? Why am I so addicted to Vampire novels? Why does New Moon have to come out on my anniversary? (the husband would be never be caught dead in the theater for that one) Why won't Makayla say Mommy? Why does my mother think that everything is so dangerous? Why does my father still do that crap that has for years made him so sick? I guess one day I will get the answers.....but if not....oh well!

Yes I am a gamer...

So....I am sitting here watching my husband play Ghostbusters and honestly......I am wanting to pull my hair out.....Mainly because I want my turn....When we first met I really wasn't too into gaming. I thought that it really was a waste of time. I was introduced to the original Xbox and I found out that gaming can actually be fun. The first game I played on my Xbox was Fight Night Round 2. Jared, Shane, and I would sit for hours beating up on each other. Then there was Burnout Revenge. (I love that game!!!! That is probably one of my favorites of all time. They have tried to duplicate it but can't seem to get it right!) I loved crashing into things and seeing how much damage I could do! Since I was bad at racing games it was cool to finally be able to play a game that the point was crashing and causing damage. The 360 came out and about a year after that my favorite game ever came out.....Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter! I would play that game for hours upon hours. I wasn't the best at it, but I was a force to be rekoned with.....We had an Xbox Live gaming clan that we played with. They were like our best friends. We played clan matches against other teams. We were unstoppable! That was 3 years ago......I still wanna play that game and wish that more people would play it. But now with a baby I don't get to game as much as I used to. Now I am pretty addicted to my DSI! It is probably one of my favorite inventions. Mario Kart is amazing. Shane and I play it all the time. I guess the reason I started this blog was to express my frustrations of Shane hogging the Xbox right now to play Ghostbusters.....But anyhoo.....I am a gamer, a mother, and a wife. My mother always says I guess it is better to play video games than be out doing drugs....I guess she is right! lol!

Just don't get it!

I don't understand how childish people can be! It never ceases to amaze me how crappy people can be. Why do they seek you out only to try and destroy you! They even fly across the country show up on my doorstep, act like they are my best friend, and hold my child. Only to turn around and try to cause more problems. My husband has been dragged through the mud by these people and frankly I am over it! Their little smear (SP) campaigns are getting ridiculous. People hide behind their computers and text messages, because frankly they are just afraid of confrontation. They are ridiculous. They are only looking like children, because everything they say NO ONE cares about hearing. They hacked into my husband's email, they have talked to our business clients, and called employees. All that jazz! For what enjoyment! These were people that we considered our family. People who babysat my child. It is sad. I can only say that Shane and I have not and will not respond to these people who you know who you are! All of you that have said and done things to me.....I wonder if you believe in Karma.....because you aren't hurting anyone but yourselves. I am sure you will read this so in closing.....All these things you have done to us has not hurt us.....just made us stronger and taught us some lessons about who to trust! I would rather have 1 friend in this world than 15 fake ones! I am sticking to it...so this is me brushing you off. This is Dana saying do what you got to do, because I don't care! God doesn't reward bad behavior! So when you are talking about us and spreading lies....think about what it is making you look like! I am not 12 in grade school.....I am 25 with a child and a home! So good luck in all you set out to do, but know that God sees everything and knows everything. I am going to leave it in God's hands and walk away!

OCD

So here recently I have decided that I have a mild case of OCD. It may get worse but right now it is just a mild case. My husband tells me that it is getting worse. My sister made an interesting point. She said that when I was working I was able to obsess about my job and making sure that everything was perfect. But now that I am unemployed and stay at home with my daughter.....I have nothing else but the house to obsess about! My sister told me that I just need to have an activity that my daughter and I do everyday. So I have decided that I will try to take her to the park everyday....It is really nice to take her. She loves playing with the other little kids. But the whole time we are out I am thinking about stuff I have to do back at home. If anyone has any advice I welcome it! AHHHHHHH!

Cartoons

I don't understand cartoons that on now days.....I think that they have a better educational value than the ones that I watched as a child. The only one that I remember that was in the slightest bit educational was Sesame Street. Makayla watches Noggin. Every show that comes on there is very educational. But they are ridiculous! But I guess the crazier they are the more kids pay attention. I laugh at most of them. Yo Gabba Gabba is SOOOOO LAME!! But that is probably her favorite show. My mother would not have been able to put up with these cartoons. Fraggle Rock was so annoying that my mother would not watch it without taking Tylenol first! I never understood, but she always said you will when you have children.....AHHHH!!! I find myself wearing head phones and listening to my Zune to escape. As long as it is an educational show she will be able to watch it. I don't really understand not letting your child watch TV. How do these parents ever get anything done!?! I must not be as talented! But thanks to Dora, Diego, and yes of course Moose A. Moose......I am able to take showers, eat, and clean! It's not like I just make her watch TV all the time. We go outside and play, I read stories to her, we sing and dance, and we occaisonally go to the park. But sometimes you just need ME time. When I was pregnant everyone would tell me to prepare to not get any sleep, but no one prepared me for how much personal time I was going to have to give up. That may sound like a complaint, but it truly is the best job I have ever had! So to all you pregnant women and those who are contemplating having a child.....when you have a child.....your life is no longer yours anymore......Being a mother is truly one of the most selfless jobs ever! But I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity! Maybe sometime soon I will get it again you never know!

Being a happy mommy

So I consider myself very blessed. I have a wonderful husband, 2 beautiful German Shepherds, amazing friends, and my pride and joy....Makayla. She is so amazing. Yesterday I took her with me to Costco. There were balloons all over the place. She was squirming and trying every way she possibly could to get one of those balloons. After screaming and throwing a fit in the middle of the store, one of the ladies who worked there gave her one. (we are working on the tantrums....it is definitely a work in progress) She has held on to the ribbon on that balloon ever since! I have to pry it out of her hands to get her to eat, sleep, and bathe! I have never seen a little baby react over a balloon like this! It is so precious!

My friend Rachel posted a blog about what her son loves. It was the sweetest blog that I have ever read so I am going to post what my little girl likes!


1) Balloons....She screams when she looses the string
2) Dora the Explorer. She loves all the songs and Boots has to be her favorite character.
3) Yo Gabba Gabba....I loathe this show! But when it is on I can get housework done and shower!
4) Music.....It doesn't matter what it is or where it is coming from....She stops to dance!
5) Macaroni and cheese......probably her favorite meal!
6) Our dogs.....she terrorizes our dogs. She loves to poke them in the eye just to watch their eyes close
7) Playing with the pots and pans. She thinks they are drums!
8) Playing outside......She loves to pull grass up!
9) Shane's laptop and any electronic thing that she is not supposed to have! She loves to go over to Shane's table and see what she is going to be able to pick up and put in her mouth!
10) Remotes and telephones.....if you use it....she thinks she is supposed to!
11) Her bottle!!!!! I don't know how we are going to ever take it away from her. She LOVES IT!


Well these are just a few things about my little one, but it is now 2 am and I am falling asleep!

First blog....

Ok....I am not one to blog....nor have I really ever done it. I have terrible grammar skills and a boring life. But one of best friends from Tennessee made one and I loved it so here goes......A little bit about Dana Latham....Well I was born on July 5th, 1984. There are 20 years difference between me and my siblings. So it was almost as if I were an only child growing up. I grew up in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is probably the only place I will ever consider home. I miss the mountains and trees....My mother and father were pretty strict growing up. I went to church 3 times a week. I wasn't always the best child.....but all in all I turned out ok. High school was rough, but I am sure it was for most people. But I was really lucky to have the friends that I had and still have! I had a posse of 4 girls.....Heather, Jessica, Shannon, and Teri! We had some really good times and really shared a lifetime of memories! After high school I went to Walters State Community College for a couple of semesters. My parents separated and I was devistated. Everything I ever believed in was crushed! My mother, sister, and I became really close through this time. Which was one good thing that came from it. I was failing all my classes and couldn't concentrate in class so I decided to drop out.....probably the only regret I have! After I dropped out, I was working 40 plus hours a week. So one day my friends decided to take me to the movies because I was so depressed.....It was April 2nd, 2004.....We went to see Walking Tall. I needed to go to the bathroom during the movie. As I am walking back to the theater a cute guy with a dog walks by me. I looked at him and I had no desire to watch the rest of my movie. I wanted to find out who this guy was and what it was about him that drew me to him. Well after the movie we were walking out to the car and he pulls up in his car with a beautiful German Shepherd hanging out the window. We stood there talking for what seemed like hours and I gave him my number......Well we went out on a date 2 days later and 7 days later he proposed to me! I said yes and I moved out of my mom's house and moved in with Shane. We were married on November 20th, 2004. Five years later I still feel the same about him. I know some people judged us because we moved in together, but they also don't know the situation that I was in before we moved in together. I don't wanna cry so I am not going into that! Well in April of 2005, my father decides to return home to my mother. Which has actually turned out pretty good. It took a toll on our family, but I think we are almost back to normal....At least the Barnes family is very good at pretending. We moved to Knoxville and started hanging out with Jym and Rachel. They are great people and we always have fun when we are with them. They always were there for me when times got tough and always offered a couch when I couldn't take it anymore! For which I will always be grateful for! My girls and I didn't really speak for about 2 years. But thanks to Myspace......I got in touch with all them again. Heather had moved to Knoxville during this time. So we started hanging out pretty much everyday. Shannon was still in Sevierville, but we talked on the phone quite frequently. Teri was in Athens, Tn, but we talked on the phone a lot too. I always tell Heather she is my fertility god because not 2 weeks of us hanging out again......I took a home pregnancy test and it came back positive.....That was September 26th, 2007. Shane and I had 2 dogs and always thought that was all we would ever have......God had another plan! Heather went with me to the doctor and yes I was pregnant! My baby girl Makayla Lynne Latham was born on April 4th, 2008 at 1:44 pm. She was born on Shane and my 4 year anniversary. It was amazing. Mom, Dad, Shane, Heather, and Shannon got to be there. I hated my sister couldn't be there, but I understood. Makayla was born 4 weeks early. Her lungs weren't exactly fully developed. Her chest was going up and down sooo fast. It was terrifying! They grabbed her and took her to the NICU where she spent 8 days. Now 14 months later you could never tell that anything was ever wrong with her. Makayla is amazing! I love her soooo much. Well Shane got a job opportunity here in Los Angeles, CA. We have been here for almost 7 months. There have been a few incidences that have made me really miss home. I hate being alone....but I am so shy when it comes to meeting new people that I will probably just talk to my friends back home on the phone and on twitter and facebook. Becky is only girl I hang out with out here. We like to talk Twilight! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't talk to my friends and family back home. Heather and I have to talk everyday. I love talking to her on the phone bc she always makes me feel better! Well ok....I am running out of things to say so I am finished......For those of you who actually read this thanks! Well expect more in the next couple of days!


dana latham