Happy Leap Year Day! Today is a day like no other. Not only does it come around once every four years, but I now have two friends who's sons were born on this day.
Four years ago, one of my best friends gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Weighing in at a chart topping 10lbs 10oz, baby Carson made his grand debut! Four years later, I am so happy that he and M&M's are such close pals! In fact, my beautiful friend is currently pregnant with another baby boy due in April, so he and Almond Joy will be close in age and they can be friends too! Happy Birthday Carson!
Joining the world today, baby Jack made his big debut weighing in at 9lbs 8oz. I am so proud of his mommy and so excited for his parents to experience all the joys, trials, and tribulations of parenthood! They will be wonderful parents and Jack is one lucky little boy! Welcome baby Jack and Happy Birthday!
Although I had a very rough and trying day at work on this extra day of the year, I am so happy that this is how I get to end it...babies make me smile!!
Did your extra day make you smile? Happy Leap Day, see you again in 4 years!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Happy Birthday Kit Kat!
Nine years ago I gave birth to a sweet baby boy with beautiful big blue eyes!! I can't believe it's been 9 years already...I am such a proud mommy! My first baby, my sweet, shy boy is becoming such a smart little man and I am SO beyond proud of him!!
Happy Birthday Kit Kat, I love you so, so, SO much!!
Happy Birthday Kit Kat, I love you so, so, SO much!!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
New Layout!!
I have been doing some blog research and I found this great template (awhile ago) and until today I could not figure out how to change my layout! Now that it is changed, I am taking a poll...like or dislike? What are your thoughts?
Thanks for stopping by with your input!! I appreciate ALL comments :)
♥T
Thanks for stopping by with your input!! I appreciate ALL comments :)
♥T
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
First day back
Well, I made it!! I survived my first day back to work since September 16th...that's FIVE MONTHS!!!! It was a super busy, crazy, chaotic day, but I made it and I am so happy to be back! Now that day one is under my belt it will only get easier from here right!?!
So thankful that I get to have my substitute with me for the rest of the week. Sad to say but she knows my job better then I do! At the beginning of the school year I was reassigned to Bookkeeper in the main office at the school, worked exactly 3 weeks and left for maternity leave. Before I left, I was still doing my old job therefor not learning my new job, so here I am being trained by a sub...interesting to say the least! But really, what does it matter!?! I am back to work and today I was so totally spoiled and loved! My co-workers are THE BEST, and I am so lucky I have a job I LOVE!!
Have a great week friends!!! Happy Fat Tuesday!
So thankful that I get to have my substitute with me for the rest of the week. Sad to say but she knows my job better then I do! At the beginning of the school year I was reassigned to Bookkeeper in the main office at the school, worked exactly 3 weeks and left for maternity leave. Before I left, I was still doing my old job therefor not learning my new job, so here I am being trained by a sub...interesting to say the least! But really, what does it matter!?! I am back to work and today I was so totally spoiled and loved! My co-workers are THE BEST, and I am so lucky I have a job I LOVE!!
Have a great week friends!!! Happy Fat Tuesday!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Today is all about ME
Today was a glorious day! I went to the doctor for my last check up post surgery and I got the "all clear" to go back to work! My incisions have healed on the outside and my sutures on the inside are dissolving! YAY ME!! With the exception of the weight restriction (0-15 lbs) and no stairs restriction, I can go back full time and without harm to myself!! I have made it 6 weeks post-op and I am feeling great! She also said that I can GRADUALLY start working out as long as there's no lifting, no running and no abdominal workouts...so basically, I can start walking. ;) I am so super excited that my body is healing and I can go back to work! I'm excited, nervous, worried, happy and exhausted all at the same time! The last day I worked was September 16, 2011. I really love my job and miss my co-workers so very much! The students on the other hand...well, they are ok too! Thanks for all your prayers, your well wishes, and your sweet comments! My next appointment is in June...I'll keep you updated!
Happy three day weekend everyone!
CHEERS!!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Drink up
I recently found out that a family member, very close to my heart but who lives several hundred miles away, has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. It really hit close to home for me. This beautiful woman, a wife and a mother of two, has had her life change right before her eyes. Having faced a similar battle, I wish I was there for her...I mean physically there. I think about her everyday. I wish I could hold her hand, tell her I love her and be a sounding board for when she just needs to vent. I wish I could hug her, lend her a shoulder to cry on and just bring her flowers to brighten her day. Even though I can't be there, I know she is surrounded by wonderful people, a huge support system, and so much love and I know she will be OK!
Most of us know someone whose life has been changed by cancer. I have a close friend who lost two family members from this awful disease but I also know a handful of survivors. Today, I am dedicating my glass of lemonade to all the ones who have fought. I am remembering those who have fought but didn't make it. I am cherishing those who have fought and won. I am also toasting to those who are battling, because there is no greater gift than the present.
Friends, family, co-workers, strangers....please join me and have a glass of lemonade. Drink up to those whom you remember and cherish and toast with me to those who are fighting. Drink today, tomorrow and anytime you get the chance. While you drink, just take a moment to think what someone, somewhere has given to take their lemons and make lemonade.
Most of us know someone whose life has been changed by cancer. I have a close friend who lost two family members from this awful disease but I also know a handful of survivors. Today, I am dedicating my glass of lemonade to all the ones who have fought. I am remembering those who have fought but didn't make it. I am cherishing those who have fought and won. I am also toasting to those who are battling, because there is no greater gift than the present.
Friends, family, co-workers, strangers....please join me and have a glass of lemonade. Drink up to those whom you remember and cherish and toast with me to those who are fighting. Drink today, tomorrow and anytime you get the chance. While you drink, just take a moment to think what someone, somewhere has given to take their lemons and make lemonade.
"To the world, you are one...but to one, you are the world!"
Sunday, February 12, 2012
A splash of paint
Sometimes all you need is a break. Most people would go to the coffee shop, take a nap or read a good book. I am not like most people, although I will admit, I do love to go to Starbucks! When I need a break, I do something I love. Something that soothes me and makes me at peace with myself. I crank up the music and I bust out my paint roller. Yep, its true, I love to paint! I'm not talking art, I am talking whole rooms or walls. My masterpiece this weekend is my kitchen!
Since before Almond Joy was born (yes, sad to admit that it has been that long), I have had three different paint sample spots on my walls. My plan was to paint it during my maternity leave but I never got around to it. So here I am, one week from returning to work, finally painting! Although my kitchen is one of the hardest rooms to paint becasue of it's cookie cutter cabinets and walls, I am at peace! No stress, just me, my paint brush & roller and some Whitney Houston music (in honor of the late singer who died yesterday.) Yes, it is a lovely Sunday!
*~ I will post some pictures once it is all completed! ~*
Here is my new dining room/kitchen! Now all I need to do is hang the pictures :)
Since before Almond Joy was born (yes, sad to admit that it has been that long), I have had three different paint sample spots on my walls. My plan was to paint it during my maternity leave but I never got around to it. So here I am, one week from returning to work, finally painting! Although my kitchen is one of the hardest rooms to paint becasue of it's cookie cutter cabinets and walls, I am at peace! No stress, just me, my paint brush & roller and some Whitney Houston music (in honor of the late singer who died yesterday.) Yes, it is a lovely Sunday!
*~ I will post some pictures once it is all completed! ~*
What is your go to when you need a break?
Here is my new dining room/kitchen! Now all I need to do is hang the pictures :)
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Shock and Awe
I am constantly amazed by the actions and words of some people. Today was no exception. Late this afternoon, I found myself as the subject of a complete and utterly embarrassing moment. It was a moment that I will never forget as long as I live.
This afternoon, my family and I went for an outing; all 5 of us. I dropped my husband and boys off to get their haircut while Almond Joy and I went across the parking lot to Target. I am still not allowed to lift her so instead of trying to somehow manage putting her carrier into a cart, I opted for putting her into her stroller (just slide her seat right into it!). Anyways, we went in, got what we needed and headed for the registers.
While standing in line to pay, this woman and her son wander up behind me. I was looking at the display on the end cap (the line was fairly long), and saw the two of them so I politely smiled. The woman looked at me, looked at my daughter in her stroller, then looked at me again and says "Wow, how far apart are they going to be!?!". WTF...excuse me!?!? Yes, she thought I was pregnant. I was so surprised by her words that immediately I could feel my face getting hot. I was so embarrassed!!! I stood there starring at her with a look of disbelief. Did she really just say that!?!? I wanted so badly to say something smart ass or give her a piece of my mind, but there were no words. I turned around, paid for my items and left. It was a total blow to my good day. :(
After leaving Target, I picked up the boys and then we headed over to Red Robin for a family dinner out. Feeling so sad and perplexed by what happened ten minutes before, my sudden craving for a yummy fattening juicy bacon cheeseburger turned into a guiltless lower calorie BBQ chicken wrap, no fries. My husband was puzzled, so I shared the incident with him. Being the loving, caring man that he is, he told me I was beautiful and said that I did not look pregnant. It was too late, though, my appetite was crushed.
After we got home from dinner and taking Kit Kat to his scout meeting, I sat down on the couch and turned on one of my favorite tv shows...Biggest Loser. After about 30 min., I suddenly felt better!! I opened up my non-fat stress reducing sticks (aka Red Vines licorice) for dessert, snuggled up in my pink snuggie and soon forgot about the insecure, rude, under-educated (I mean, what competent and educated adult asks ANY woman something like that) human who ruined my day.
When my show ended, I was somehow reminded to the shock and awe moment of the day, and realized, why the heck should I be embarrassed??? She is the one who made an ass clown out of herself by assuming something she had no clue of! If I could go back and relive that moment, it probably would have gone something like this: "I am a mother of three and just had surgery...not that it's any of your business." Yeah, that sounds good. Wait, who am I kidding, I would have done the exact same thing I did before...no words, turned around, and left. Yeah, I took the higher road because friends, that's what making lemonade is all about!!
CHEERS!
This afternoon, my family and I went for an outing; all 5 of us. I dropped my husband and boys off to get their haircut while Almond Joy and I went across the parking lot to Target. I am still not allowed to lift her so instead of trying to somehow manage putting her carrier into a cart, I opted for putting her into her stroller (just slide her seat right into it!). Anyways, we went in, got what we needed and headed for the registers.
While standing in line to pay, this woman and her son wander up behind me. I was looking at the display on the end cap (the line was fairly long), and saw the two of them so I politely smiled. The woman looked at me, looked at my daughter in her stroller, then looked at me again and says "Wow, how far apart are they going to be!?!". WTF...excuse me!?!? Yes, she thought I was pregnant. I was so surprised by her words that immediately I could feel my face getting hot. I was so embarrassed!!! I stood there starring at her with a look of disbelief. Did she really just say that!?!? I wanted so badly to say something smart ass or give her a piece of my mind, but there were no words. I turned around, paid for my items and left. It was a total blow to my good day. :(
After leaving Target, I picked up the boys and then we headed over to Red Robin for a family dinner out. Feeling so sad and perplexed by what happened ten minutes before, my sudden craving for a yummy fattening juicy bacon cheeseburger turned into a guiltless lower calorie BBQ chicken wrap, no fries. My husband was puzzled, so I shared the incident with him. Being the loving, caring man that he is, he told me I was beautiful and said that I did not look pregnant. It was too late, though, my appetite was crushed.
After we got home from dinner and taking Kit Kat to his scout meeting, I sat down on the couch and turned on one of my favorite tv shows...Biggest Loser. After about 30 min., I suddenly felt better!! I opened up my non-fat stress reducing sticks (aka Red Vines licorice) for dessert, snuggled up in my pink snuggie and soon forgot about the insecure, rude, under-educated (I mean, what competent and educated adult asks ANY woman something like that) human who ruined my day.
When my show ended, I was somehow reminded to the shock and awe moment of the day, and realized, why the heck should I be embarrassed??? She is the one who made an ass clown out of herself by assuming something she had no clue of! If I could go back and relive that moment, it probably would have gone something like this: "I am a mother of three and just had surgery...not that it's any of your business." Yeah, that sounds good. Wait, who am I kidding, I would have done the exact same thing I did before...no words, turned around, and left. Yeah, I took the higher road because friends, that's what making lemonade is all about!!
CHEERS!
Monday, February 6, 2012
A little bit of sunshine
Friends, it's a beautiful, bright sunshiny day!! Amazing what a little bit of sun can do to a much dreaded Monday morning!
If you are like me, Monday's are not my favorite day of the week. However, life is about choice. I did not go to bed last night thinking "oh man, it's Monday tomorrow", instead I went to bed hoping for sunshine and happiness!! I am so happy mother nature listened and I get to have another fun day playing outside with M&M's!! I think maybe we will take a nice walk to the library, stop by the bank, the park and maybe, just maybe (most likely going to happen) we will stop at Sesame Donuts and grab a yummy snack!! Maybe Monday's aren't so bad after all!!
Happy Monday everyone!! I hope that you have a wonderful day filled with lots of beautiful sunshine and lemonade!!
CHEERS!
If you are like me, Monday's are not my favorite day of the week. However, life is about choice. I did not go to bed last night thinking "oh man, it's Monday tomorrow", instead I went to bed hoping for sunshine and happiness!! I am so happy mother nature listened and I get to have another fun day playing outside with M&M's!! I think maybe we will take a nice walk to the library, stop by the bank, the park and maybe, just maybe (most likely going to happen) we will stop at Sesame Donuts and grab a yummy snack!! Maybe Monday's aren't so bad after all!!
Happy Monday everyone!! I hope that you have a wonderful day filled with lots of beautiful sunshine and lemonade!!
CHEERS!
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| Photo Rights |
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Bonding time
As a busy mom of three kids and working a full time job, I am always on the go. Half the time I never know where I am going or where I've been! There is always something going on whether it be cub scouts, sports, school function or appointments. Sometimes I feel like life gets so busy that I constantly have my running shoes on. This past month has forced me to put away those running shoes and focus on other aspects of life. With the free time, I devoted it to kids. It made me realize just how important spending time with my kids means to me.
The past couple of days we have had beautiful sunshine! I've taken M&M's outside each day to ride his bike, play basketball and have play dates with our neighbor friend of his. We have taken walks up to meet Kit Kat at the afternoon bus stop, drawn with side walk chalk, and just enjoyed being outside in the fresh air. It makes my heart so happy playing with my little boy! Since Almond Joy has been born, we haven't had many times when it's just been the two of us. I know it means so much to both us to have that time to make memories and I'll take it ever chance I get!
Saturday, Kit Kat and I also got to spend time together, just the two of us, hanging out. His cub scout den fulfilled one of their Bear Cub achievements by participating in the local Home Depot Kids Workshop building activity. Each scout got to build their own keepsake box. So the two of us spent the next two hours making his box. We sanded, glued, nailed and painted it (and ourselves) until it was just the way he wanted! It was so much fun spending time with him doing something only big boys gets to do. He's growing up so fast and becoming such an intelligent kid. I've got to get as much "mom time" in as I can before he gets to the age of not wanting to spend any time with me. Again, I'll take every chance I get to make memories and I know that right now in his life, it means so much to him! I am so proud of the young man he's becoming!
No matter how busy life can be, I will never let it get in the way of spending quality time with my kids. The most important things are the simplest things in life. So when you feel like you've got your running shoes on, don't forget to stop and take a break and realize what's most important in life. Take the time to build Lincoln logs with your child, play catch with your dog, have a movie night with your spouse or go to happy hour with the girls. Don't be so busy that you miss making memories. Today is the tomorrow we talked about yesterday...there are no re-dos and you don't get it back.
How do you manage your time for the important people in your life?
The past couple of days we have had beautiful sunshine! I've taken M&M's outside each day to ride his bike, play basketball and have play dates with our neighbor friend of his. We have taken walks up to meet Kit Kat at the afternoon bus stop, drawn with side walk chalk, and just enjoyed being outside in the fresh air. It makes my heart so happy playing with my little boy! Since Almond Joy has been born, we haven't had many times when it's just been the two of us. I know it means so much to both us to have that time to make memories and I'll take it ever chance I get!
Saturday, Kit Kat and I also got to spend time together, just the two of us, hanging out. His cub scout den fulfilled one of their Bear Cub achievements by participating in the local Home Depot Kids Workshop building activity. Each scout got to build their own keepsake box. So the two of us spent the next two hours making his box. We sanded, glued, nailed and painted it (and ourselves) until it was just the way he wanted! It was so much fun spending time with him doing something only big boys gets to do. He's growing up so fast and becoming such an intelligent kid. I've got to get as much "mom time" in as I can before he gets to the age of not wanting to spend any time with me. Again, I'll take every chance I get to make memories and I know that right now in his life, it means so much to him! I am so proud of the young man he's becoming!
No matter how busy life can be, I will never let it get in the way of spending quality time with my kids. The most important things are the simplest things in life. So when you feel like you've got your running shoes on, don't forget to stop and take a break and realize what's most important in life. Take the time to build Lincoln logs with your child, play catch with your dog, have a movie night with your spouse or go to happy hour with the girls. Don't be so busy that you miss making memories. Today is the tomorrow we talked about yesterday...there are no re-dos and you don't get it back.
How do you manage your time for the important people in your life?
Friday, February 3, 2012
The color RED
Happy February! Ok, so I'm a couple days late, but that's irrelevant. Most people think of February as the "love" month, mostly because of Valentines Day. You see it all around you- red roses, red balloons, red heart boxes filled with chocolate, stuffed animals with red hearts and the words "love" or "be mine." You can't go anywhere without seeing red. I'm puzzled how just ONE day can make such an impression on a whole month, especially when so much of it is centered on love. Why is it that people go overboard to show how much they love somebody for just one day? Shouldn't we show the people we love how much we love them EVERYDAY? What's worse, to me, is that so much money is spent on this one day of "love" and so many times we hear "money can't buy love." Is that ironic? I'll let you decide for yourself.
My husband and I don't celebrate Valentines Day. Occasionally we buy each other a card or our favorite candy bar, but we don't do it just because it's Valentines Day, no, we do it because at that moment, we think of each other. I bought my husband a card this year from our daughter. Being that it's Almond Joys first Valentines Day, when I walked past the card section and saw "From Daddy's little princess", I couldn't help it, I had to buy it! However, with or without the card, red means more to us than Valentines Day.
Rather then celebrating a Hallmark holiday, my husband and I instead celebrate something much more meaningful on February 14th...his mom's birthday. Every year I make a dessert to celebrate and honor the memory of such an incredible woman. While I never got the pleasure of meeting her, I've heard many stories, seen lots of pictures and been welcomed into a family that loves and misses her so much everyday. She was an incredible woman full of strength, wisdom, beauty and more love for her family than anyone on earth. I wish I could have met her. Happy Birthday, Carol, you are loved and missed so much!
So, friends, I ask you- What does Valentines Day mean to you?
My husband and I don't celebrate Valentines Day. Occasionally we buy each other a card or our favorite candy bar, but we don't do it just because it's Valentines Day, no, we do it because at that moment, we think of each other. I bought my husband a card this year from our daughter. Being that it's Almond Joys first Valentines Day, when I walked past the card section and saw "From Daddy's little princess", I couldn't help it, I had to buy it! However, with or without the card, red means more to us than Valentines Day.
Rather then celebrating a Hallmark holiday, my husband and I instead celebrate something much more meaningful on February 14th...his mom's birthday. Every year I make a dessert to celebrate and honor the memory of such an incredible woman. While I never got the pleasure of meeting her, I've heard many stories, seen lots of pictures and been welcomed into a family that loves and misses her so much everyday. She was an incredible woman full of strength, wisdom, beauty and more love for her family than anyone on earth. I wish I could have met her. Happy Birthday, Carol, you are loved and missed so much!
So, friends, I ask you- What does Valentines Day mean to you?
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| Heart Brownies I made last year |
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