Feelings, whoa whoa whoa, feelings

Hi friends (if there are any of you left reading this since I have been gone for soooo long). I am missing my blog. I've been thinking, why have I been neglecting it? I know why. My sweet baby boy, who has somehow become 5 years old right in front of my eyes, is starting Kindergarten in two weeks. I'm so excited for him, truly. I think he will love it--learning so much, making friends (which comes so easily for him), etc. But at the same time, I am having lots of sadness as a Mom. I have spent every day with him, have been the one home with him since he was born. I've taken care of him when he's sick, hurt, mad, happy, silly . . . everything. Just being his mom, which I wouldn't trade for a second, even when I'm frustrated and having one of those "moments." And now he's starting his school career, being gone every day, and while I know these are wonderful, amazing times for him, things are changing. His life is starting a new chapter, and it's sad for me, although he will never know this. I just love him more than he will ever know. So, blog, I'm neglecting you because I want to savor these last weeks with Matthew before the next chapter begins. Every. Single. Moment.

Emotional?

This is ridiculous. Matthew got in bed with me this morning and we were watching the Dog Show (you know, like Best in Show where the breeds compete against one another) and I cried. Yes, I cried. It wasn't even for best in show, it was just for some minor competion. Ridiculous.

2 of 52 and 8 things!

First off: the Mommy Challenge 2 of 52 ( a day late, but oh well). I knew I needed a picture for the challenge, so we were being silly. I had to do the hold-the-camera-out-with-one-arm trick but oh well. Yes, I know I have no makeup on. Again, oh well.


Matthew wanted to make silly faces, so we did. I love this picture because I think it's the first time that Molly actually "got" that we were taking silly pictures and what that meant. She looked at us both before we took the picture and I told her to look at the camera. I had no idea what she was doing--I actually thought she'd just be looking and not have a silly face. But she DID! She totally got it! I love this picture!!!

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8 Things

My blog friends, Alicia and Lindsey, tagged me to do this 8 things list, so what's a girl to do? Here ya go!

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To

1. Summer days at the pool

2. Spending this weekend with my family

3. Walking tomorrow morning with friends

4. Matthew's T Ball game

5. My BFF's Baby (due any day)

6. Going to bed

7. My Aunt (aka Gorgeous) coming into town next weekend

8. 4th of July with family/friends

8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Laundry

2. Cleaning (really just picking stuff up)

3. Met Hollie at the mall for a play date

4. Had dinner with friends at Mi Cocina

5. Had a margarita (yum)!

6. Played with Matthew and Molly

7. Spent a little time with my mom

8. Caved in and got Matthew and Molly a chocolate milkshake because I just didn't want to hear them beg any more!

8 Things I Wish I Could Do

1. Get a massage

2. Sleep late (or even just until 8:00)!

3. Relax on the beach

4. Come home to a spotless house!

5. Go to my cousin's this weekend for her boys' birthday party (the twins are 4)!

6. Go shopping for just me and be frivolous!

7. Find a great hair stylist

8. Go to Chicago when BFF has her baby

8 Shows I Watch

1. Survivor

2. Days of Our Lives

3. Amazing Race

4. Biggest Loser

5. Deadliest Catch

6. The Office

7. Reruns of Seinfeld

8. The Weather Channel

8 People I Tag

1. Hollie (The Drama Mama)

2. Jill (SneakyMomma)

3. Shelly (My Little Men and Me)

4. Andrea (The Hughes Family)

5. Hilary (Lambie Blog)

6. Deb (The Waters 5)

7. Lucy (A Modern Day ...)

8. Ann (who says she doesn't blog anymore, but I know she reads, so we'll see)! (Griffith Family Life)

3!

Look what's back!

3

My "3" key is back! Whoo dee hoo!

So this morning, Molly was watching a video on Hollie's blog of her best friend, Kylie. And watching it. And watching it. Over and over again. When I looked down, my "U" key was gone. I freaked! I accused the kids, made them look for it, swore to never let them use the laptop again. Then I noticed that I could fix the 3 key since the U key was off. The U key showed me how it was supposed to be, so I fixed it. Only one problem, I couldn't find the U key anywhere. More accusations. More irritations. Went to the mall, ate lunch with kids and friends, played, came home, put Molly down for her nap. I decided to pick up a little and grabbed my tennis shoes to go put them in my closet. Guess what was inside my shoe? My U KEY! Complete with two tiny pierced holes just the exact same size as . . . the cat's teeth! It was the stinking CAT all along. Not Matthew. Not Molly. It was the CAT that has been stealing my keys! Sorry sweet children!

So I guess I Facebook now . . .

I couldn't take the pressure. Too many people asking if I was doing it. I did it. I'm on Facebook. If you're reading this, you better add me to your friends. I don't want to be the dork with 14 friends on Facebook! Ha!

Before I had kids . . .

1. Mike and I went out on the weekends and stayed out as late as we wanted.

2. There was lots of disposable income. : )

Three. We slept in. We took naps. We got lots of sleep.

4. We watched the shows we wanted to watch.

5. I didn't cut up anyone's food except my own.

6. Our yard was really pretty. Because there was time for that.

7. We both had new cars.

8. My house/car was almost always clean.

9. I didn't have stains on my clothes from little hands/mouths.

10. I had lots of free time to do my crafts and whatever else it was that I did with free time.

11. I didn't buy apple juice every single time I went to the store.

12. I didn't crave time to myself and then have that "itchy" feeling to get back home.

Thirteen. My number three key worked.

14. I didn't have tiny hands around my neck that warmed my heart.

15. I didn't kiss tears away and hug little bodies 100 times a day.

16. I didn't hear little feet running down the hall.

17. I didn't hear little voices calling "Mommy," or squealing with laughter.

18. I didn't realize our house was so empty.

19. I didn't realize my life could be so full.

Daddy's HOME! Yippeeeeee!

Well, I hadn't posted about this, but Mike had been out of town for work since Sunday morning.
It
has
been
a
long
week.
I have to say, I was underappreciating him. Yes, I said it. And here I thought I was the one underappreciated. Nope. Nope. Nope. I guess this was God's way of showing me how this marriage thing works on another level.
I totally rely on Mike helping with bath/bed and adult conversation most nights of the week. That little dose of help/time with husband/daddy just makes everything better--and I hadn't even realized it.
So--we were all looking forward to picking daddy up from the airport last night--who cares if we were up way past bed time! Until . . .
HE MISSED HIS FLIGHT!
The kids were disappointed, but ok. I was devastated.
We picked him up at 8:45 this morning and all is right in the world! Yippeeeee! Can't wait to go meet him for lunch in a bit! Love you Michael!

Randomness

My BFF, AKA Lucy (not her real name) did this on her blog, and I thought it was cute, so I'm doing it.

Rules:

Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. You can't tell this from my blog, but I have a potty mouth. I used to cuss a lot before I had kids, now I mostly do it inside my head. I haven't done it on my blog--not sure why--but I'm seriously thinking of starting.

2. Shit. Damn. Son of a Bitch. Fuckity Fuck Fuck. Hee hee. That felt good!

3. I have watched Days of our Lives since the summer I was 8 years old.

4. Speaking of t.v., I love my reality t.v. shows. I am currently watching "The Biggest Loser," "The Bachelor," "Diet Tribe," " True Beauty" (so bad, but oh so good), and I also love "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race."

5. I taught Elementary Special Education before my current position as Mom. Not to brag, but I was really good, people. I loved my job and the kids and still think about them. I had continued to tutor until this year and I miss it. I miss getting out of the house once a week and doing something professional. And I miss the cash monies. : )

6. I have a new fave snack. It's a yogurt parfait of sorts. I layer Light and Fit Vanilla Yogurt with fresh blueberries and barenaked granola. Sometimes I add in a few mandarin oranges if I'm feeling orangy. Damn yummy snack. And healthy!

7. I LOVE Dansko shoes in the cold weather. They are big and clunky and ohhhh, so comfy. I have several pair and they are super duper.

8. In the warm weather, I love my croc sandals. I think they were pretty much the only shoe I wore last summer. I can only find one of them right now--I'm thinking the other one is under my bed (note to self: send Matthew under the bed to check--that's an added bonus of having children) and it was warm here yesterday and I couldn't freakin' wear them!

9. Speakin' of freakin' . . . I think I'm going to have to tone that down in front of the kids. The other day, Matthew said "Mom . . . I can't get my freakin' pants on!"

10. We're on a chili fix. We've made several batches the past couple of weeks, and I think we have perfected the recipe. I will start it and do the basics, then Mike will come in and tweak it up. Oh, gracious. It was delish!

11. I've blogged my quirks before, but I have to brush my teeth before I get in the shower. I have to. I have tried to get in the shower first and I can't do it. I turn the water off and go brush my teeth.

12. I have lived in Dallas almost 20 years and I can't find a hair stylist that I like. What the hell? (Hee Hee I cussed again). My last several hair cuts have been from Rosa at Style America, which is fine, but surely to God there is something better out there. I also color my hair myself.

13. I have known my aforementioned BFF since I was 12. Except we hated each other for the first year. She spread evil rumors about me (that I colored my hair--gasp!)

14. I met my husband in a bar. When I saw him, I thought he looked like the nicest guy. And I was right! We've been together almost 12 years--married for 7, and he is still so nice. And he's cute, too.

15. I think tacky things about strangers in my head sometimes and it makes me laugh. I'm not being seriously judgemental or anything, I just do it to make myself laugh. And if I see a stranger on a recurring basis, I make up a name for them.

16. We have lived in our house for almost 6 years. There are positives and negatives about it--it's not our dream home, by any means. BUT--It does not have a pantry. Yes, you heard my correctly . . . it does not have a pantry. We knew this when we bought it, but I didn't realize what a big deal it was. It is a big deal. There's crapola everywhere. Our kitchen can not be clean because there's no place to put anything.

17. My favorite beverages are: Diet Coke (preferably from McDonald's--it's the best), really good iced tea (PF Changs has great tea) and Margaritas (I love the margaritas at Mi Cocina and Uncle Julios). Yum yum yum.

18. This is a big admission: I don't shower every day. Believe me, I would if I could, but there are some days that I can't because of the kids. I plan to do it when Molly's napping and then she wakes up too fast or something. I'm looking forward to the days of showering every day.

19. I can pick things up with my toes. Things like pens that fall under the table, the razor in the shower, etc.

20. I am a really inconsistant emailer. Or email responder--whatever. I do fairly well responding for a few days and then I'll get a few long emails to respond to (which I love getting!) but then I get overwhelmed or something and have to let them sit for a few days (or even longer--that's bad). Part of it is that I get busy with the kids and when I do have a few minutes to do something, it's usually stupid laundry or stupid cleaning. And then part of it is that I really want to respond with a lengthy email and I think I'll do it after the kids are in bed and then I'm tired or want to actually spend some time with Mike. If I owe you an email, I promise it's not personal.

21. My mom thinks I don't make Matthew and Molly wear their coats, hats, gloves, etc. enough. She may have a slight point, but first of all--we're usually just getting in and out of the car. Secondly, I know in my heart that my grandmother Irene, bless her soul, scarred me for life because she always, always, always made me bundle up to the point of ridiculousness--INCLUDING WEARING A HEADSCARF!!!!!!!! OK. That is damaging to a child. Don't ever do that. Thirdly, we live in Texas where it's freezing in the morning and 85 by 3:00.

22. I like to be by myself. I really like it. I love, love, love Mike and the kids, but I was an only child. It's just wonderful to have a few minutes to myself occassionally.

23. We buy our milk at Braums. We like the milk that doesn't have the growth hormones or antibiotics and it's gotten expensive at the store. And Braums milk is like $3.50/gallon and it tastes great, etc. Not that I drink a lot of milk--maybe just in cereal once a week. I've cut back because I think it makes me congested. Anywho . . .

24. When I was pregnant, I wore the big ole honkin' granny panties. I'm talking they were HUGE. I wasn't going for those cute below the tummy sexy panties. I went purely for comfort in this arena. Everything else was so freakin' uncomfortable anyway--but not my undies! I'm sure Mike is glad they are gone! It wasn't pretty . . . but it was comfy!

25. When I was in college, my mom got this thing as a gift. It was a "bag" that you put in the microwave for 4 minutes and it got hot like a heating pad and it felt great on cold nights. Well, we did a lot of research and have made some improvements and my mom and I have perfected the bag of bliss. We make them now. They are the best. Mike and I heat three of them up every cold night and put them in our beds before we get in. We put them on our cold feet, and every other cold place and they have changed our lives! I've given some to friends and you can tell the people who love them because they always want another one! The other people don't get it, which is fine. They just don't get it. Well, I'm in the process of making some for a few lucky people. Do you think you will be one of them????

Well now I'm supposed to tag 25 people to do this. I don't even know 25 people. Well, I probably do, but they surely don't read this blog! So--if you're reading, I'm tagging you via email or blog. Tag!

What have you been doing?

You know how those phone conversations start with your friends, your husband, etc? Where the other person says "so what have you been doing?" (Or worse, where the husband--not mine, of course, he would never say this--says "So what did you do ALL day?" like you sat on the couch, watched soap operas, and ate bon bons???). Well--this is what I did this week. Please keep in mind that our house is normally not this wrecked, but husband and children had been home for over two weeks, and things got a little, shall we say, C R A Z Y!


I like to call this: Matthew's Room Before Matthew's Room AfterPlay Room Before

Play Room After

Dining Room Before

Dining Room After

Prepare yourself! Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

Living Room Before

Living Room After

I also cleaned our "office"--which is really our secret room where we put all the odds and ends. It is now safe to enter. Mike will probably come home, see it, and freak out! "Where did you put everything??? Did you throw ______ away??? (said with a slight tone of panic). If you remember from prior posts, he's a saver and I'm, well, not.


So, we also have this kitty. Miss Ginger Bell. AKA Q-Tip. That's right. I'm going to start calling her Q-Tip. They are her toys of choice. I'm finding them all over the house. She's theiving them out of my Q-tip jar in the bathroom.

I'm not kidding. She runs into the bathroom and puts her teeny little paws in my cute and adorable Q-Tip holder and then has her way with them.The post wouldn't be complete with out a few shots of the kidlets. Here is my future engineer.

Sweet kidlets eating breakfast this fine morning. Don't look too close, Basco is probably drooling.

Where's Molly? Wheeeeeere did Molly goooooo? I can't find her!

Oooh, let's look a little closer.

There she is!

And as if to break her Mama's heart. Mama says "Molly, smile for the camera!"

Molly says "No! No! No! Noooooooo!"

I'll get over it. After a margarita. Or two. Happy Friday!

OK--so MUCH to say!

Really, I could just sit at the computer and post to this blog for 2 hours. I have pictures with Santa to blog, pictures from our family Christmas las weekend, pictures from Matthew's Christmas program yesterday, pics of Molly in her very first bubble bath, and pictures of the newest members of our family (what?? what did I just say???). So--let me just say that I'll get there. Maybe, maybe I'll stay up late tonight and do it.
Also, my sweet friend and one of my very favorite people in the whole world, Tiffany, is coming for a visit today! We worked together when I was teaching (she's a speech therapist--the very best there is and I'm not kidding) and she moved to Henrietta, Texas several years ago. She has two beautiful boys and they are coming for some major Build A Bear Christmas fun this afternoon. There will definitely be pictures of that fun happening.
BUT--I just read my friend Ann's blog, and left her an entirely too long comment. It's basically this: I am having HUGE cravings, urges, wants, and needs to go to the fabric store. I have been for a few days. Y'all, it's bad. Mike's parents are giving Molly a bunkbed for her baby dolls for Christmas. It is all put together in our laundry room--it's pink and purple and just so cute. BUT--the bed bottoms are cardboard and I keep thinking how cute it would be to get some foam for mattresses, and make tiny sheets, blankets, and pillows. Molly loves her babies and she must have little covers to tuck them in at night. She loves to tell her babies "night night" and pat them. So, I won't mention the two quilt kits that are in the top of my closet not made and my precious Halloween throw that is almost finished from two Halloween's ago (I'll have it done by next Halloween--I'll blog it). I also have a couple of pairs of Matthew's pants to take up and one little sewing project for little missy. SO--can't you just tell that the doll bed is a major priority in my life? It must come first. After all, there's only 6 days until Christmas. And like 300 days until Halloween!

The sweetest sound

It's official. The sweetest sound in the whole wide world is when your baby says "I love you" for the very first time. Little Miss Molly said "I love you" back to me today. And, oh, how the heart swells three sizes at least.

The . Best . Movie . Ev. er.

Last night I saw the best movie in the history of the world. I'm not kidding. It is now my new favorite movie of all time. Mamma Mia! Love it love it love it. Love it. The Dancing Queen scene is my favorite movie scene ever and I think I could have been in that movie. I laughed--outloud--loud--alot. I cried. Like nose-running, serious cry. But it wasn't sad at all--fabulous. I would say more, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I'm definitely going to see it again. And again. And then buy it when it comes out on DVD. If anyone would like to go see it, call me. LOVE IT!! And, when you go, stay through the singing during the credits--totally worth it. You'll also notice that Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are the producers. Made so much sense because it was the best . movie . ev. er. Seriously.
On another note, if anyone of you happen to be shopping and see a Scooby Doo rolling back pack, please call me immediately. It is a back-to-school shopping emergency.

I'm baaaaaack!

Oh people, serious fun was had by all at our bi-annual scrapbooking retreat. It's a group of 30 women who go, but there's 8 of us in our little group that are friends. We laughed--I'm talking the kind of laughing that you only do with girlfriends. It was much-needed and seriously refreshing. I have to admit, though, I was exhausted today. We stayed up until 1:30-2:00 every night and were up early each day. At the time I was fine, but when reality hit, I realized how tired I was. I am so thankful that my amazing parents came to my rescue this afternoon. They brought lunch over, put Molly down for a nap and mom whisked Matthew away for a couple of hours so that I could take a NAP. Luxurious.
I would post pictures of the retreat, but Mike had to take my camera. He went to the fly-in in Osh Kosh, Wisconsin--something he has wanted to do as long as I've known him (which, by the way, I met him 11 years ago last Saturday). He took tons of pictures. Not sure what I'm going to do with them. Hmmm. Anway--I missed the kiddos and am glad to be home. Matthew and Molly are finished with summer camp at mother's day out/preschool, so I have 3 weeks to cram in some serious summer fun before school starts. Any suggestions?

September 11, 2007

OK--I had written this very cute and clever post yesterday. I was really impressed with my cleverness. I was so clever that I deleted the entry before I posted it. Anyway . . .

Several things . . . first, I really want to post more often. Daily would be good because I'm addicted to reading everyone elses blogs and I am loving this! So--that is my goal. My problem is that Matthew is not napping anymore (unless I am lucky enough that he falls asleep in the car at the exact right moment) so I don't have his nap time to run up to the computer and do my emails, etc. Also, by the time he's in bed, that's time for Mike and I. So--I have to work on a time.

Also, I think most people who would read my blog already know this about me, but: I'm a dork. And I use the term "dork" in the most endearing way, because I love the dorkiness about me! Things that I do, or that happen to me, or things I think that are funny (that some people don't think are funny) all make me laugh--that is why I'm a dork! Anyhoo, this is an example: there is a mom that I've been talking to for about 5 months. Her little girl is in the same gymnastics class as Matthew. We've been talking for a while now about our chiddren (not a type-o, sometimes I say it that way), lives, etc. It's probably been at least 4 or 5 months of talking. Well, I really like her. Anyway--I didn't even know her name. I've been talking to her for 5 months and didn't know her name! So it was to that awkward point that I didn't want to ask her because it's been so long and that's kind of embarrassing. But, I'd had enough, so I asked her yesterday. (It's Hollie, by the way.) Well, come to find out, she's a dork like me! She didn't know my name either, and she had just asked Coach Mike (the best gym coach ever in the world--love him!) what my name is! So then we were all excited that we knew each others' names. OK--then the subject of blogging comes up. We get even more excited because we both just started blogging and we totally "get" how fun it is! So, now we added each other to our friends list and we're dorky and excited blogging friends, too!