13.1

"Hey, we should run a half marathon together" said Amanda  "Sure, sounds fun" says me

Whaaaaa??!!  I know NOTHING about running a marathon!!! I'm not even back up to running a full 5K right now.  But what do I do...I sign up!

Early July, I talked with the hubs about pros/cons of doing this.  Before I signed, he just asked me to really think about why I wanted to run and if it was reason enough to stay dedicated to training.  I have to say, I think my reason is.

I wouldn't change my life for the world, please know that.  6 years ago and student teaching away from my degree, we found out we were having our first baby.  Of course we were excited, especially since we had to overcome some issues to even have him.  After talking with my professors, waiting till next semester was the best choice, as he was due during the smack middle of the semester.  Well, our little bundle was born in Oct.  Jan rolled around and guess who didn't go back to school.  I had no where for Seth to go.  Not only could we not afford daycare, but honestly, it just wasn't even considered an option for our family.  So I stayed home with him and said I'd finish later.  3 years and another child later,  still no school.  By this time, things had changed and not only did I still need to finish student teaching, but more classes had been added.  I still had no place for the boys to go, so I did what many have done...I started over.  I was able to get into online classes and work towards a new degree that would still put me in a setting I loved.  I worked towards a double major in Soc/Psy and have one semester left to finish-one day I will.  Yes again, another snag in the road and school is on hold.  This one is financial, but one day I WILL FINISH!

See a running theme in my life?  School is not the only area I have started something and never finished. I often let myself get discouraged about being an "uneducated" stay at home mom.  I find my self worth can sometimes get lost in the endless laundry and stack of dirty dishes.  Occasionally, I get upset thinking "Surely, I was meant for more than maid service".  I know that I am.  I know that my boys need me and we all benefit from me being home.  They are strong, smart, independent boys and I'd like to think I have a little something to do with it.  I have accomplished a lot in my life...but its all been for others.  Again, never would I trade it nor do I begrudge it. I love my life.
To me, this race is significant for the reason, it's a personal accomplishment.  This race will take training, commitment, determination.  I will have to run when I don't want to, train when I hurt, will myself to the end and sometimes cry till I get there.  My legs have hurt, my chest has burned and many times I thought it was impossible to physically keep going-and that's just 5 miles.  I still have 8 more miles to add to that.  But the day I cross that finish line, I will have finished!!!  I'm not worried about my time.  I not going to sweat it if I need to walk some.  My goal is simply to finish.
My goal needed to be at the almost impossible level, I didn't want it to be easy.  I wanted to stretch myself to the end of my limits and prove that I was capable of doing something I never thought possible.  So you can see, I need this for me!

So yes,  I think my goal is enough to keep me motivated to keep at it. What I'm showing my boys (including my husband) along this journey, is important to me.  On the weekends I go early in the morning, John will sometimes bring the boys down to the park and meet me for my cool down walk.  Sometimes I take the boys with me, they ride their bikes as I run beside them.  The trail we run has many hill and inclines.  At 6, 3, heck 33 even, they can be difficult to reach the top.  I will help push them along, as they tell me they can't do it.  "You CAN do it" I tell them.  "It may be hard, and you may have to go slow, but don't quit.  Keep trying"  Once we reach the top, I always make them stop.  We stand and look back to see just how far we make it. I want them to see what they accomplished and feel proud that they did it.  My oldest said once "Whew, I didn't think I could do it Mommy.  I must be stronger than I thought I was"  Yes baby, you are.  THAT'S what I want you to learn.  You are stronger than you think, you can make it if you just try a little longer.  And don't let the sight of something so big up ahead, stop you from even trying.

This race is so much more than just running 13.1 miles. It's a personal goal that is met, it's teaching my boys that it's not always going to be easy.  Sometimes you may have to take a break, but that is not stopping.  You catch your breath, get back up and keep going.  Believe in yourself and make up your mind it WILL NOT BEAT YOU!!!. 

It may sound silly to get so wrapped up in all that this means for me-my family.  But that's ok.  You don't have to understand it.  This one...this one's for me!

What happened...

When I started this blog it was to keep memories of my kids and whatever randoms popped into my head.   However, it didn't take me long to find the awesomeness that is blogging. Soon I fell in love with craft blogs, fashion blog, sarcastic/keep it real blogs and I wanted to be just like them. 

I joined in linky parties, I commented on blogs and hoped that someone noticed me, I fashioned my writing style after bloggers that I admired. I made crafts not because I wanted to, but because I needed a craft blog.  I searched for any topic I could write about, just as long as I wrote something and obsessed over my stats to see who and from where people were reading.  I became a blog that was about everyone/thing, but me-or the real me!

It was a lot of stress to keep up with all of that.  I got overwhelmed and just stopped blogging.  What I didn't stop though, was trying to keep up being like others, rather than just being myself.

This last year has been a growing year for me.  I've incorporated a million things into my life.  Most because I wanted to jump on board with whatever the "in" thing happened to be.  Some stuck because I realized I liked it, while other fell to the wayside.  In the middle of being like everyone else, I was frustrated because it was exhausting and I just really wanted to be me.  Buuut, the problem with that was that I didn't really like me because I had so many expectation on myself of what I needed to be to keep up.  I needed to be healthier, do more crafts with my kids, get dressed every day, have a clean house with food on the table by 5.  The list went on and on, especially as I saw all the posts and pictures of friends who seemed to be able to accomplish so much and keep everything together.  Why could I not be like that too??

After a slight mental breakdown from the stress of it all (poor John lol), it all had to stop.  I took a break from everything but my family and came up with a game plan.  I'm now learning to love me for me-imperfections and all.  I sat down and listed all the things that made me unhappy about me.  Then I listed what I was going to do to fix them.  On some things I can not "fix" necessarily, but will have to learn to accept my limitations.

I'm never going to be the crossfit queen or the tall/lean body type exactly like my friend Charity.
I'm never going to be organized or a craft queen exactly like my friend MaryRuth.
I'm never going to be able to make a beautiful decorated house out of amazing sales and garage sale finds exactly like my sister Rachel
I'm never going to be as dedicated to eating healthy or clean lifestyle exactly like my friend Ashley
I'm never going to be a cute dresser like so many of my friends, I have no fashion sense.  And...
I'm never going to have a "strong woman" personality like my friends Amanda and Katie. 

I love and adore each of these friends listed, and so many more, for different reasons.  I'd love to be half the women they are and I admire them for each of their amazing qualities and can only hope that they rub off on me a little.  Couldn't hurt right?! ;)

Buuut, what I'm learning is that in my quest to be exactly like my friends is that I need to learn what makes me.  They are the reason I have learned so many things about myself.  They have many times been my rock and support-sometimes they knew they were, sometimes they didn't.  Always these ladies are an inspiration to me!!!  I now know...

I love running and it is beginning to change me into a fit person for MY body type
I'm working on decluttering my life and in doing so, finding organization that works for me.
I may have to ask for help in decoration my house, but I'm learning I'm actually really good when it comes to power tools and DIY projects.
I have found a healthy/clean eating style that works for my whole family and doesn't seem too daunting
If I try to step out of my comfort zone a little at a time, I can kinda clean up ok.  Annnd...
I'm learning I'm much stronger than I give myself credit for.

I want to remember these change and the people who helped me get there.  All of this post , is to keep an account for myself here on this blog.  One day as I'm reading old posts, I'll stumble across this and remember this turning point in my life.  I hope to find myself much happier with me by then. 

So to anyone that still even reads this as a blog stop, I can't promise the frequency of my posts, but they will be honest, real, and FOR ME!  :)

If you have things that you are struggling with in your life, I challenge you to have a chat with yourself and see what you can do to make yourself happy.  I promise it will be worth it!

Excited

Next week I start Crossfit!!!  I'm so excited, and scared to death at the same time. When I went to my trial class, it was incredibly awesome.  It pushed me so hard I got sick and threw up all over the place. The trainer gave me my space for a bit, then stepped around and told me to get back out there. It was only an hour class, but I swear I could tell a major differece afterwards.

So Wed morning, 5:30 I'm not sure what I will be doing exactly, but I can assure you I'll be barely moving afterwards!!!

I just blinked and...

Seth is now old enough to start school.  I'm taking this a lot harder than I thought I would.  I'm excited for him because I know he will love it and that makes me happy.  But for almost 6 years we have been together everyday, so this is a big adjustment  for me-he's taking it all in stride in case you were wondering.

Seth,

I am proud of the young man you are becoming.  You have a big heart and the compassion for others to go with it.  You teach me daily, lessons I should be teaching you.  I love how when we are having a rough day or life gets tough for dad and me,  you turn right back  and make us hold true to what we have tried to teach you.  "Let's just pray about it mom, God will help us"  You are a daily example of God's love.  I love that in all the 5 years of your life, you have never had what I would consider a bad day or even a bad mood.  You have always been such a happy little man, with a song for everything.  Your passion for life is exciting and I can't wait to see the great things you accomplish in life.

Love you smaller than a paramecium
Love you medium like an oak tree
Love you  bigger than seven giganotosaurus' standing on top of each other

Gettin my healthy on

I'm trying to stay calm and not get too excited with the changes I am seeing in my body!

On July 24, I went with a friend to see what Crossfit was all about. It was intense, muscle aching, puke inducing awesomeness!!!

Yes, sadly at 6am, no food on my belly, burpee's got the best of me. I yaked all over on the side of the building but could have gone back for more workout, except I was too embarrassed. Not because I puked, I was actually proud that I pushed myself hard enough to do that, but due to having kids and a weak bladder...well you can see where this is going lol.
So I packed up my incontinent self and went home!

But it wasn't a "oh that was a cool experience" kind of thing. It sparked a new desire for a different type of exercise. I still go to Zumba and love it, but I may actually like strength training. I've met various friends since then and worked out with at parks, backyards, living rooms anywhere someone was willing. I bought kettle bells and John has even joined me. I'm really enjoying it, and talk about stress relief!

So 5 days ago I started a challenge (the Crossfit place was doing it, so I joined in on my own). It's 21 days doing 60 pushups. Now I have baby whimpy arms and can't lift my body weight to save my life. But in just these few short days my arms are toner, my waist is tightening and I feel my strength increasing. I am doing modified pushups right now but I am working my way to full pushups. I started struggling to make it through just one set of 10, and I can now do 3 sets of 20!!!!!!

I know to some this is still whimpy, but I don't care I AM PROUD!!!

I can't wait to share before and afters of my arms. Be excited, you all have tickets to the gun show ;)

Life

Life is funny sometimes.  You work so hard to get where you want to be, and achieve all the things you've prayed for only to have other areas that you thought were secure fall totally apart!  I'm sure there is a lesson to be learned in all of that, but sometimes it can be a really hard pill to swallow. 

So instead of focusing on negatives, I'm trying to focus on all the new things that are happening. 
School...Seth is starting and I am stopping.  Both are very bittersweet.  I am excited that Seth is starting K, he loves to learn and I know will enjoy it. It's hard because then it means he won't be with me during the day. That makes me sad. He can drive me bonkers at time, but I love being around him.  And my school, I'm sad that this semester is not going to work out, however, I'm glad that I'll be around and totally free to do whatever for this year.

And in 4 months, we have almost completely finished projects on the house.  After the hot water heater flooded we had to put things into high gear so we could get it all completed before the new carpet was laid. I'm loving the colors and how it's turning out.  Pictures are coming soon!!!

We go on vacation next week and I. CAN'T. WAIT!!!  We are not getting to go far, but Tanglewood Resort was running a special so we took advantage of that.  Close enough that it is not going to be a huge traveling expense, but far enough out that we feel we are away. Putting everything to the side and enjoying some time with the family is just what I need! :)

Why Hello...

I've missed blogging, and I'm baaaack!!!

Life got crazy there for awhile but I feel as if things have settled down enough that I can start back consistantly. 

So much has happened but in due time I will catch you all up. So for today, I will just share some photo's. Excited to catch up on all of you!

mmmm pudding

4am party in mommy and daddy's bed

my little paleontologist

I miss you guys

My computer may never be well again :(. It's been one issue after another and not only have I not been able to blog but no way to read all of yours either...boo!

I know I'm missing out on some wonderful ideas, hearing what's going on in your lives and I'm sure some awesome blog challenges. Really hope to be back soon!!!

Longer break than expected

So while my computer is still not fixed yet I wanted to drop in just to let everyone know I haven't abandoned blogging.

I have so much to catch up on, things to tell you and a LOT of reading!

So until I get back, we are enjoying licking our first harvest of veggies from the garden, running as a family, lots of book reading, community classes for the kids, back yard swim parties in the bitty baby pool, late nights going insane watching the Mavs with the hubs, and lots of sword fighting. Notice their protective gear he he ( the previous sentence may have seriously been the longest run on in the history of blogging!)

Hope you guys are enjoying your summer. Texas heat has finally found us and it's only going to get hotter!!!

One day I'll be back

So I got the charger to my laptop only to find out that where it plugs in to my computer has a short. Not really sure how we are going to fix it yet, so we are completely without a computer. It will not hold a charge at all. So glad I decided against summer school!

So I'll be blogging periodically from my phone, but in the meantime those that entered the giveaway will you please all send me your addresses.

I can't post the picture of the drawings but the winners are:

Tiffany-winner of the magnetic bulletin board

Casie-winner of the recipe holder

And because of all the blogging issues I've decided that everyone else will get the bookmark!

So Tonya, Yvonne, and Naila Moon send me your addresses too please :)

Computer problems

GeoTagged, [N33.63476, E96.61803]

Hope to be back by Monday! The charger to our computer broke and best buy does not have the right one.

Waiting on our new one to be shipped and going crazy without the Internet. It's just not the same on my phone. I can blog from my phone -like I'm doing now - but my fat fingers make lots of errors and autocorrect hates me and turned all my wirds into dirty meanings.lol. So instead of all the spellcheck Nd the chance of being offensive I will take a break.

See you next week and have a great weekend!!!!!

Get your read on

About 3 wks ago, my super fabulous hubs surprised me with a nook color.  He had been asking me if I wanted one and I was really on the fence because I LOVE to hold  books and feel them in my hands.  I wasn't really sure how I'd feel some computer reader thing.  When I finally said, "yeah, I think so" it was no time and I had one. 

Makes me sound spoiled huh, well I am!  We've had a rough couple of years-5 to be exact, that we lived on the bare minimum, and I was fine with that.  We were still in such a better place than others in the world. It bothered my husband much more than it bothered me.  In the last year, my husband was blessed with a great job, and despite my protest, he feels the need to make up for things.  I'm not complaining, I'm kinda enjoying it-as long as he doesn't get too crazy.  But all that has NOTHING to do with this post.  Now where was I...oh yes, the nook!

I'm loving it!!!  I thought it would be a while before I really got to enjoy it because the end of school and having finals  But like I always do, I got my priorities in line and placed schoolwork at the bottom and went right to reading!!!  I've read 4 books in the last 3 weeks that didn't rhyme or have pictures with every page, and I instantly feel my brain power returning. 

I haven't read for pleasure in so long that I'm not even sure where to begin.  I found a great Christian author that I really enjoyed.  His story was a little predictable, but enjoyable none the less.   Check out Dan Walsh and his books The Unfinished Gift, The Homecoming and The Deepest Waters.  These were 3 of the 4 I read, and are quick easy reads.  I had all 3 finished in a week!

Some of the others on my list:
Water for Elephants
Life of Pi
All of Jody Picoult-I fell in love with her when I read My Sisters Keeper
There are a few I haven't read of Corrie Ten Boom and if you have never heard of her, I highly recommend checking her out.  Her story is AMAZING.  She was a survivor during the Holocaust and is a great inspiration!  Love everything of her's that I read.  The Hiding Place is a great one to start with!

Reading about reading is I'm sure not very interesting, so I'm ending this post, but first do you have any recommendations to add to the list? 

Monday Giveaway!!!!

So a while back I posted about trying to up my followers. I wanted to get to 20 and I assumed I'd want to continue growing, but eh that phase is kinda over.  Don't get me wrong,  I'd love for you to follow.  But I want you to follow because you enjoy reading my ramblings, not for a follow back-cause this gal don't follow unless I like to read your crap! :)

Also, yesterday was my BIRTHDAY!!!!  So I can't think of a better day to celebrate 20 followers and my birthday than a giveaway!!! 

And since I'm in my 30's, I'm going to be giving away 3 different gifts!! I can give you an idea of what they will be but the exact colors may vary.  Does it really matter tho because who doesn't like getting something in the mail!!!!

Prize #1- For you crafters and such:  Idea from the lovely Mrs. Cheri from I am Momma, Hear me Roar- ck out the link she'll tell you what and how I'm going make them for you!


Prize #2- For the readers, a neat little handmade bookmarker!  Again from Cheri's page, too cute go look.
*you will have to go look at Cheri's page to see the pictures, I can't put them on my page to show you!
Prize #3- And for the cooks-not quite sure what this will be yet, but some handy dandy fun kitchen item.  I'm thinking a nifty recipe holder.  I have some really cute ideas.  Maybe something like this from A little Knick Knack, but I'm not sure yet?!



picture from A Little Knick Knack



How to enter:

No need to go and like a bunch of things!
No looking at someone elses stuff and reporting back to me.   But checking out the blogs that gave me the craft ideas would be nice, and you're nice right?!
Just leave a comment and tell me how fabulous I am, and you're done!

I'll pick a winner on Friday...good luck!!!

What are you studying anyway?

I took it for granted that people are just in my head and know all that I'm talking about.  So here it is that I've mentioned school, but not really told you what I'm doing.  So today (not at all due to lack of topic!) I'll share what and why I'm doing what I'm doing.

This is my 3rd attempt at school.

Right out of highschool, went straight to college for 2.5 yrs then quit because school and 3 jobs didn't play nicely together. (I moved out a year after I graduated, bills suck people!)

Then got married and went back to school.  I finished the last little bit of my assoc. and was student teaching away from my Elementary Ed. degree when we found out we were having Seth.  I emailed my professors and they told me it wasn't impossible, but would be very difficult to complete this part of my education while pregnant, then having a newborn.  So I took a break because due to complications getting pregnant, added stress was no bueno.

Glad I did because I ended up on bedrest the last 6 months of my pregnancy...but that's not what this post is about.

So during my break, Seth got bigger and another little stinker-Mr Aaron-was added to the mix.

So here it is my 5 yr break is over and I'm at it again.  I checked into where I stood in my degree after so much time and had 5 classes with student teaching to finish.  Now my problem was student teaching-what was I going to do with the boys?!  I couldn't put them in daycare, not if I wasn't making the money to pay for it.  Plus I REALLY didn't want to do that!  Hmmm, what to do?!

*quick flashback to how I chose my current degree*

I had worked in a PPCD classroom in one of the school districts.  This classroom was for children with physical and mental disabilities.  I left when we decided to have kids because it was not a safe environment for a pregnant person, especially at my height.  I am 5ft, and most of these kids heads was stomach level.  Some were autistic and had meltdowns, while others had bi-polar, anger management issues and during a meltdown it was a serious ordeal, so I just didn't want to chance it. (special ed and science were subjects I was becoming certified in)

I worked as a substitute teacher...which I really enjoyed.  Highly reccomend for anyone interested in teaching.  I gained more experience here that really helped prepare me for my own classroom!

click pic to find out more

Then I took an opening at our local juvenile alternative shelter, NTYC.  I was a case worker that worked with AT RISK children and their families in the STAR Program.  We were responsible for the suicide hotline (isn't it horrible that there even needs to be such a thing)  We tried to intervene and resolve conflict before Child Protective Services were involved and the removal of the child was necessary.  If the child was removed they often stayed in our shelter, which was the back portion of where I worked.  It housed foster children, CPS removals and was the runaway safehouse.  In my classroom, we often had families that needed intervention, and most times it was NTYC that offered their services.  Now I got to see the other side of what happened.  I.FELL.IN.LOVE. with this job!!!!  To be able to try and help resolve family issues and be successful was a great feeling, but if had already gone to far being there to try and help the child make sense of things was something I felt privileged to be a part of.  I could write a million posts on this subject and what some of these poor children go though, but I'll refrain!

But back to my degree.  As you can see, it really got in my heart and is something I am EXTREMELY passionate about.  So as of yesterday and spending hours on the phone with my advisors, I am only 3 semesters away from graduating with my double major in Sociology and Psychology!!!  This will take me into social work, which i'm nervously excited about.  Whether it is through CASA or CPS, investigating their foster families I'm not sure on that direction as of yet.  Still lots of time and prayer left for that answer.

 

click for more info



click for more info

 Part of me is very sad I did not complete my education degree.  I have wanted to be a teacher as long as I can remember.  But part of me is glad I'm not, with the way education is going. (all the political mumbo jumbo is what I mean by that)   I learned so much being a substitute and in all the different school districts.  When I became the regular for our middle school, I felt right at home.  I especially loved it when I got 6th grade science(where I hoped to teach).

It takes a unique person to be a middle school teacher, but it was right up my alley!!!!  I loved me some 6th and 7th graders.  8th graders....ehhhh not so much lol.   My folder of lesson plans may never see the light of day :(  But as sad as I am about that, in my heart I know that working in the social field is where my heart truly belongs.  Besides, I'm the Children's Church leader at our church so I can get my classroom fix there!

So that is what I am studying, how I got to this point and what I hope to do.   Fall semester I actually will be taking classes on campus...eeek!  I've been an online student recently.  I'm sooo nervous.

But ass hard as it's been and will be going back with kids, I don't think I would change it if I could.  My boys are seeing me work hard and it's been  Team Family working together to make it possible.  My boys (John, Seth and Aaron) being there to see me graduate will be one of my top 5 greatest accomplishments!

 

Now, enough about me.  I'd love to read about each of you and what you do.  Or what you have always dreamed of doing, even if you are not doing it...yet!

Just what I needed

I have been so quiet about it, that I'm sure none of you noticed I've been stressed over finals and ready for school to be over.  It's not like I mentioned anything about it here, here, or here!

Last night was a day after Mothers Day celebration dinner at Carino's, with the mom's group I'm a part of.  I had been looking forward to it all week, but as the day rolled on life happened and it would have been easier just to call it quits and not go.  Sooo glad I didn't!

I had a wonderful dinner with the most fabulous ladies last night.  I enjoyed every minute of our conversation, and it was more than just the superficial daily chit-chat.  One of the nice evenings where everyone opens up a little and you feel that you really get to know them on a more personal level.  Love nights like that.
must have been the free dessert that brought it out!

So thankful and blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful ladies.  I needed last night more than even I realized.  So glad I went...thanks guys!

Super excited for our next get together in June...salsa and topas because we are amazingly awesome like that!

Loved this!!!

My Secret Mother's Day Wish List




By Gwen Moran



When I see those Mother's Day commercials where Dad and the kids show their appreciation for Mom with big, chunky gemstones, bouquets of flowers, or pounds of dark, luscious chocolate, I know that not one of the people who produce those touching vignettes has ever cleared green slime out of a child's stuffy nose. I would also bet that none has had an infant spit up pureed sweet potatoes on her designer jacket, or experienced the blood-chilling terror of a walking in on a toddler who managed to reach and swing from the dining room chandelier in the time it took to get a juice box out of the fridge.



Reporting from the front lines of motherhood, I can honestly say that I have no use for any carat that isn't good for my family's eyesight, or bouquets that make my sinuses ache. Plus, any chocolate sampler that gets opened in my house is gone in one sitting - and that's not allowed on either Atkins or Weight Watchers.



Instead of expensive tokens of appreciation, my secret wish list includes a dozen things that would never be featured in a 30-second commercial, mostly because of FCC regulations. These are the things I really wish my family would give me for Mother's Day (in addition to the glitter collage made in school, of course):



1. Poopy Diaper Amnesty: Actually, I'd like to avoid contact with anything sticky, stinky, or slimy, including the refrigerator door handle, the floor of my SUV, and whatever that congealed mass is at the bottom of my daughter's backpack.



2. Shower Power: Not the kind with lots of presents - I'm talking about the kind with hot, steamy water. And soap. And time enough to shave my legs without looking like I've just starred in a Wes Craven slasher flick.



3. Silence of the Clan: Give the new drum set a rest. Lower the volume on the 1,876th screening of "The Lion King." (And if I ever find the person who gave us the mini fire engine with realistic lights and siren, I can't be held responsible for my actions.) I need sweet absence of noise without the worry that only very bad things happen when it's so quiet.



4. Roll-over Minutes: It could be an extra half-hour with the bed all to myself or a lazy afternoon nap. I'll take any opportunity to lie horizontally with both eyes closed and no elbow, foot or Chicken Dance Elmo jammed in my back.



5. One Clean Thing: A toilet, a sink, or a child that got clean without me would be a Mother's Day miracle. Actually, I don't need even need "clean" - I just need "won't cause Grandma to faint when she visits."



6. Potty Time: Some may have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, but my dreams include using the facilities with the door closed and no one knocking, calling my name, or forcing the dog to play dress-up in my absence.



7. Phone Alone: I may not be able to complete a conversation which isn't made up of sound bytes that fit in between "Get down from there," "Stop it," and "I'll get it as soon as I'm off the phone," but I'd sure like to try.



8. Drive Bye: Boy, I'd love one day where I don't have to be the family chauffeur. Even those nerves-of-steel NASCAR drivers would crack under the pressure of navigating the Parkway with a screaming toddler who might, at any second, bean him in the back of the head with a Barney and Friends board book.



9. Peace Meal: It could be supper at home or even a burger at the local fast food joint - just let me have one meal during which I can finish my food in a single sitting without someone licking the ketchup off of my French fries and putting them back on my plate.



10. Remote Control: Some time alone with the television would be nice, even though I'm not sure I know any shows that don't have big red dogs, multicolored monsters, or purple dinosaurs in them.



11. Room to Groom: From taming the wild brush of my un-plucked eyebrows to filing down the too-tough heels of my feet, I'd like the chance to look like a civilized human again. All I need is a brief window of opportunity and a small supply of health and beauty products.



12. An Unsolicited Hug, Kiss and an "I love you, Mommy." Okay, that's three things, but when delivered as a package, without a roll of the eyes or a begrudging "Oh, alright," it's the most satisfying gift any mother can get.



Although time alone in the bathroom is a close second.

Randoms

So I'm overloaded her at finals week, but I need a mental break.  Since I'm pretty much brain dead, I thought I'd share a couple random things about me!

• I hate white milk, but love chocolate milk.  However, I'm lactose intolerant so that doesn't work out so well! :(
• If I do drink white milk I have to shake it to make it all frothy so it tastes less gross and flat.  Shake it next time and tell me it doesn't make a difference?!
• My bread on a sandwich has to match up on all sides
• I don't like anything once it gets soggy and if my food gets messed up I throw a whiny fit...just ask the hubs!
• I love love LOVE cheese

Somehow that turned into a random post about my food issues.  Let me share some non food related tidbits!

• Wrinkled sheets drive me nuts!
• I love to read, but it's been so long that I no longer know what I like to read...any suggestions?!
• I have never been into exercise, but recently discovered I really enjoy running
• I love animals, especially dogs and cows.
• On Thanksgiving and Christmas my brother gets his horses out and we take turns riding.  Something I look forward too each year!
• I would kill to be able to pick up any instrument and just play...I love music!
• My husband and I met by a weird chain of events and on our first date I didn't like him...AT ALL!!!
• I love gardening and being outside
• I love to dance
• I love to bake and  before Aaron tinkered in cake decorating
• When I started highschool I was a size 3, graduated a size 6 and am not even close to either of those now :(  Come on running...do your thing!
• Started this blog couple years ago, but it has only been this last year that I have really gotten into it. I have fallen in love with the blogging world. 

What are some randoms about you?

Mondays Thoughts!

4 more days, 4 more days, 4 more days!!!!

little sappy, with lots of happy!

So woke up totally missing some friends this morning.  I always miss them, but today was exceptionally bad.  One has moved permanently and our schedules just haven't worked to fit in some time to hang out :(
I have got to do something about that soon!!!

One hasn't moved permanently but it feels like it.  Her husbands job has them doing some work out of town, and her and the boys tagged along.  They've been gone FOREVER!!! Like seriously, what did you leave in February?  Hurry home!

One lives in another state and although it is only 30 mins away, it's enough to make it inconvenient for a quick visit when she and I both have 2 kids to drag along. Boooo

And one is a child hood friend that I have reconnected with-just like we never stopped hanging out- but darn that living in another town!!!  Aren't you people suppose to clear your moving and leaving with me first?!

And my close in town friend was preparing for company, otherwise I would have bugged her to death today!

So Tiff, Casie, Amanda and Tonya I miss you guys and ready to hang out soon.  Kisha be lucky you were busy or you'd have had to entertain me all day today!

So that's my sappy, let me share my happy....DATE NIGHT!!!!!

John and I have a sitter (hear that people, a sitter) and we are going to be gone from 6-12...yes midnight!!!!!

A couple years ago, one of John's buddy's from college passed away.  He was a great musician, and a really sweet guy.  Right afterwards the plans were put in the making to have a benefit concert in his honor to raise money for a music scholarship for SOSU.  I got to go for like an hour last year, but it was too loud for the boys.  This year, I get to go for most of the whole time, with John and our other friends and have a great time hanging out and reconnecting.  It will be the whole crew he went to highschool/college with that has accepted me into the club.  Like the crew was all dating each other, so John is the only one that married an 'outsider'. lol  I'm soo excited about tonight, and mostly I can't wait to hear Aaron play and sing.  The reunion of their old college band Haag Circus is amazing, and they do a great job of covering Journey.  I especially love to hear Aaron sing Lights.  It's going to be such a fun night!

Sometimes a good dose of friends is all that is needed to clear out the blues.  And to my girls I mentioned above, I'm making plans for a serious GNO this summer and you all WILL be there! :)

Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

AWKWARD

• End of year group projects when you are taking online classes...um no I'm not driving 4 hrs to meet you I don't care how much my grade depends on it!!!
• My end of year burnout.  I'm currently burnout on EVERYTHING including being a mom :(
• The whiny start to this awkward session...sorry folks!

I"m just going to shut the door on the awkwards today!  I don't think they are going to improve...

AWESOME

• John running with me now!  He's lost 7lbs, but I'm too big of a chicken to get on the scales...
• For now, it looks like tornado weather is going to chill out a bit
• The massive strawberry on my strawberry plant!! did I really have to specify strawberry plant?!  I bet you were confused and wondering if it came off my zucchini!
• John surprised me with a nook color and I'm loving it!!!!  He got it for me this past weekends and I've already read 2 books!!!  none of which were a text book in case you were wondering :)
• Getting a night out tomorrow. I. CAN'T.WAIT!!!!  It is a benefit concert for a friend of ours that passed. This is the 2nd year to have it and raise money for a music scholarship in his honor.  Last year I had to take the boys back home it was too loud, but this time we have a sitter...till midnight even!!!!! 
• My new jewelry.  I had a friend that did make it, but after her baby, she's found something better to fill her time.  I was excited to see another friend making it now.

Glad to be back and blogging with clear sunny skies.  Now to catch up on what I've missed for a week!