Blessings

I had a weekend full of fun, snarly children, fattening food and wonderful news. It was Brady's 2nd birthday party which is always accompanied by lots of eating and fighting and hitting. It just isn't a toddler party without all that. At least for the members of our tribe.


It was the year of Thomas and Cars. Two year olds barely branch out in their interests, only allowing a few themes in at a time. I am hoping this is the last Thomas birthday I will have to entertain or, should I daringly hope, ever attend. It is the most mind numbing and costly hobby a child of only 2 could possibly show interest in. If you have a toddler boy who has yet to discover the island of Sodor, NEVER turn on PBS at 2pm. You'll thank me for that tidbit.



There was one gift that did not land in the typical birthday boy category and I have to say that it was my most treasured gift of all. It was a small, unassuming box that didn't seem to hold anything of great value - maybe an outfit? But as it was opened, a piece of paper sat in the box with 4 very exciting words written upon it.

"A New Baby Cousin"

My brother Kevin and his wife, Tiffany are expecting another baby.

The news of a baby is fantastic and miraculous under normal conditions. But this baby is truly, truly a miracle. My nephew Hudson - their oldest - was very long awaited and finally arrived after much prayer and a round of in-vitro.

My newest (hopefully niece - but I'll take either one) is a complete gift from the Lord. I just know that the faithfulness of our friends and family (and my Gram who was in earnest prayer DAILY) was looked upon with mercy from God and He has blessed us with this tiny life. A life that was predicted never to have been. I am tickeled...hopefully pink.

I have been craving a newborn, so this is a good fix for me. This will be a first though, someone in my family is pregnant and I'm not pregnant with them!

It does make me - only momentarily - think wistfully about a swelling belly. And then my 3 hooligans give me a swift kick, and I am reminded why I was on my knees thanking God for Dan's vasectomy just last week.

Whirlwind

My life has been nutty busy lately. I am still alive. Unfortunately it has left me with such little time to blog. My kids, my business, my husband's crazy work and school scedule - YIKES!

Good news: I was promoted to District Manager with Arbonne last month. Yeah! I am having such a good time with my new business and it was a nice reward for all my hard work.

Bad News: Stinky has been just that....a stinker lately. His tantrums are rearing their ugly head again. Much crying self to sleep...me that is. He is such a good boy but so emotional. Sometimes I think I am the world's crappiest mom. But I try...so I guess that is something.

Other news: My little Red is not so little anymore. She had her big #5 birthday last weekend. We did the party at a place called Kidsville. They did everything for me and I went home to a house that was only messy because I am terrible housekeeper, not because I had a party there.
Red was happy and spoiled and nasty to her brother. All in all, a typical 5th birthday.

Some highlighted gifts for you children of the 80s:

A cool PINK flat screen Lite Brite! (Thank you Uncle D and Auntie C)

and

An alternative to the classic Easy Bake Oven. (Thank you Uncle K and Tia)

It's like being 5 all over again!

As much fun for me as Red.

I gotta go bake a mini cake now. It will taste like a brick, but what the hell.

One Whole Year

How is it possible that this...

Can become this....

Overnight?

I can't believe my baby...my last, sweet, little baby is now entering toddlerdom. Sweet Jesus, please save me!

The days are whizzing by too fast. I miss his newborn smell. But his crusty, cracker face is still just as adorable.

My little Boo is the sweetest little baby with a disposition that could melt the hardest of hearts. I am so lucky I get to be his mommy. And even though it makes me ache to see him so grow so fast I can't wait to see the little boy, the young man that he will someday become.

Happy Birthday, Brady!!

Birthday ROCKS

I had the most fabulous 22+8 birthday this weekend. On Friday night, I dressed up in a new slinky black dress and waited for my husband to come home so we could go to dinner. When he finally gets home, he has a big grin on his face and a big box. (Oooh...presents...early....this is a good way to start)
Giddy, I sat down and greedily tore open the package. Shoes. They were cute. I was slightly impressed, until I looked up and realized he wanted me to PUT ON these black, casual, ankle boots. (Keep in mind I was wearing a slinky, strapless dress.)

PANIC.

He wants me to wear these to dinner.

He looks so happy and proud of himself.

What do I tell him?

Maybe they won't fit.

Please don't fit. I really like my new black dress and I will look RIDICULOUS in these shoes.

"Try them on!" He begs, excitedly.

Gulp.

Here goes....

I slip one shoe on.

Whew...they ARE a little tight.

I go to try on the other boot.

Hmmmm, something is stuck in there.

I peek inside the shoe and see a small white box.

Slowly, and suspiciously I pull out the box...Dan is grinning...smirking really.

I pop open the box and see the most DAZZLING diamond earrings.

"These aren't real are they?" I blurt out. (I sure know how to ruin a moment)

Oh but they are. And they are GORGEOUS. And huge (which will embarrass my husband by my telling you that).

I am one spoiled rotten girl. And it feels great.

And thank GOD he didn't really expect me to wear the shoes.

Birthdays Rock!

You know who totally kicks ass? My dear OLD friend, Kelly. She sent me this for the second year in a row. I am giddy, covered in chocolate and seriously chubby. Thanks, Kel!

I am off to get ready for a fabulous weekend. Dan is taking me to dinner at the Red Circle tonight, some swanky downtown restaurant. I can't wait. I'm gonna be a grown up tonight....I may even ditch the nursing bra and put on some high heels.

Tomorrow my parents are having a birthday party for me at their house, just a small group of friends. I begged them not to throw a surprise party...that is mortifying to me. Thank goodness they complied.

My brother and family and coming down from San Jose too, so I get to see my nephews who I miss SO much. We are doing a 4th birthday party for Ace on Sunday. Such a big boy. Gosh, it happens so fast.

Anyway, I'll probably be too busy...or smashed...to blog, so happy weekend, all!

Possibilities

One of the following happened yesterday that kept me from doing a Valentine's Day blog:

1. In my old age, I simply forgot.

2. I was swept away in an endless romance and could not make it to the computer through the piles of candy and flowers sent to me by countless lovers.

3. I spent the day covered in sugar, flour and children making cookies and candies. Then fell asleep with pink icing on the corner of my mouth so as to entice my husband with my ratty t-shirt and stained jeans and slippers.

Remember when Valentine's Day was actually romantic spent doing wonderful things like candlelit dinners, moonlight walks, slow dancing, romantic getaways? Maybe if I put romance on my day planner...(***Kristin, remember to be romantic tonight....take a shower at least, put on underwear that is not reminiscent of your grandmother)

In all honesty, in all the chaos we had a nice day. The kids had a great time making heart shaped cookies with me...licking the knife with every swipe of icing. (Remind me not to share these cookies with anyone...) Dan gave me a really thoughtful and ROMANTIC! gift. It was a really pretty journal with all kinds of sweet notes to me in it. I absolutely loved it.

Savannah made me a card at school, but then decided to give it to someone else. Hmph.

I also got a wonderful surprise in the mail from Carly. She sent me a birthday gift. It made my day. I wish my camera had batteries so that I could have taken a picture. It was a lovely card, an Aquarius magnet, and a chic lit book by Jennifer Weiner which I can't wait to read. Thanks, Carly!!

All in all a nice Valentine's Day. Even if we did just go to bed and watch TV. If you can't be away at some romantic hotel, being at home cuddled up in bed with some kiddie saliva cookies that were made with love ain't so bad.

4 Days and counting

It's gonna happen in 4 days. I feel something seeping out of me. It's my 20s. I'd say all the fun years are behind me, but I was never a real wild child so I guess I'll have to make up for it in the next decade. Yes, my 30s will be the decade of booze and sex and staying up all night.

Ok...so there won't be alot of booze...but hey, why not a little more since I was pregnant through my 20s. Maybe we can just declare Tuesday as Martini Tuesday. I like that plan. Hopefully some sex...but then again we all know where that got us in our 20s. And staying up all night isn't so much of an option as a guarantee with my little hooligans. But by GOD, I am going to live it up.

I have been assured by some wise souls that turning 30 isn't equivalent to falling off a cliff. I've even heard that this is going to be the best decade of my life, raising my kids and still being young.

Despite the horrifying number of candles on my cake...(there will be cake, right?)...I am so much happier now than I was 10 years ago. I truly wouldn't go back if I could. I am so much more self confident now and happy with my day to day life. I did some amazing things in my 20s. Got many big life goals accomplished. I married a wonderful man and had 3 beautiful children. I guess I have been busy for only being 29 years and 361 days old.

But here is a list of 30 things I would like to do in the next 30 years.

1. Go to Europe
2. Finally get a haircut I like
3. redecorate my house
4. Learn to knit
5. Take a Chinese cooking class
6. Learn to make a mean margarita
7. Go to a country concert (I never go because no one I know likes country)
8. Own a sexy car
9. Learn to exercise regularly
10. Learn to decorate cakes
11. Watch my kids graduate from high school
12. See my kids go on their first date and try not to snicker
13. Be best friends with my daughter, just like I am with my mom
14. Help my kids through college
15. Pay for Savannah's wedding
16. Give each of my kids a car
17. Go on a romantic second (did I ever really have a first??) honeymoon with my hubby.
18. Go to New York and see a Broadway play
19. Go on a girls vacation with Shana
20. Move to Texas
21. Take a trip on a train
22. Go on a Disney cruise with our kids.
23. Have a dog that gives birth to puppies
24. Take some classes that interest me for no reason, no pressure of grades (Political science, Spanish, history...things I didn't enjoy when I was younger but could appreciate now.)
25. Go to the Hershey Spa.
26. Own something by Prada.
27. Remodel my bathroom to have one of those enormous 2 person bath tubs.
28. Fall in love with my husband over and over and over again.
29. See my kids fall in love
30. Meet some grandchildren.