Mommy Time

Adam made dinner tonight and cleaned the dishes. After we ate, he told me to go to our room and relax. He watched the girls and got them to bed. So I...Decided...To...Have A...MOVIE MARATHON!!

Is there a better way to spend Sunday night than with Edward, Bella, and Jacob?



I think not!

Late Night Visitors

I was lying in bed last night around 4 a.m. trying to fall back to sleep. I have no idea what woke me up to begin with, but I started hearing little sounds from the back patio. It sounded like a dog or cat was out there, but the cat was in our bed and the dog (we are dog sitting) was snoring loudly enough for me to know that he had not been left out for the night. I got up and crept to the back door. There, sitting at the back window, like a pet dog or cat was....

Mr. Raccoon!

I woke Olivia up and we watched the raccoon snoop around the porch and creep through the yard. Andy (the cat) woke up and came to door with us and when he spotted the raccoon he jumped against the window blinds and scared the 'coon away. We watched him shimmy up the back fence and scramble over. This raccoon is about 4 times the size of the cat and is by far, the biggest raccoon that I have ever seen!

More Goodwill Finds

The girls and I took another trip to Goodwill today. I found all of the toys and the cell phone armband plus a double kids folding chair with the travel bag and built in drink holders.

The total was $22.69. The cell phone armband still had tags on it from a local boutique that went out of business. It was $16.00. We paid .99. I can't find the cost of the chair online but I bet it was more than the $4.99 that I paid (and it looks brand new!). The shovel and bath/beach toys are Little Tikes brand and had never been opened or used. We paid $1.99. I am not sure what the original prices were on the bouncing horse (that still works and plays music) 0r the beaded wire toy, but again I am sure that we got deal!

That's All I Ask For Anymore by Trace Adkins

I heard this song on the radio the other night on the way home from the Miley Cyrus concert. It is written from a man's point of view, but it exactly how I feel!

it was a home run when the game was tied
a pick up truck when I could drive
one pink line when katie said I'm late
it was a passing grade, a pretty girl
all the money in the world
what mattered then kept changing every day

but when I bow my head tonight
there'll be no me myself and I
just watch my wife and kids please lord
that's all I ask for any more

now a days it's crazy how
a passing storm, a siren sound
can make me drop it all and pick up the phone
to hear her say that all's okay is all I need to know these days
can't wait to see their faces when I get home

and when I bow my head tonight
there'll be no me myself and I
just watch my wife and kids please lord
that's all I ask for any more

let 'em outlive me by a hundred years
let their laughter dry up all their tears
let 'em love and be loved back like I have been

when I bow my head tonight
there'll be no me myself and I
just watch my wife and kids please lord
that's all I ask for any more

that's all that matters anymore

My Birthday

The girls and I were sick on my birthday, but Adam got a cake and my dad sent flowers and we partied like I was 104~

I Just Don't Get It

I just don't get Yo Gabba Gabba! The creatures are weird. DJ Lance is even weirder. And the guest stars??? I know what Biz Markie is doing these days. He is guest starring (if you can call it that) on creeping kids television programs! Anyhow, my kids are obsessed. Amanda stares at the t.v. and Olivia dances with enthusiasm every time Tooty, Flex, Muno, Brobee, and Foofa take to the screen. Ugh!

More $$$

Guess what? I just received my 3rd check from Inbox Dollars. That is 3 checks in the last 4-5 months. Jealous? Just click on my ad bar to the right and you can start earning too!

The More Things Change...

The more they seem to stay the same.

All the changes that seemed to be coming our way have all been halted for one reason or another. Some signs just can't be ignored. They say that when one door closes another opens up. I have to believe that this is true. I am not sure what is in store for us, but I am looking forward to finding out!

Have I Told You Lately That....

I LOVE

I have gotten some great deals lately and maybe I'm a little obsessed. Not Michael Jackson obsessed, just always checking Ebay first before making any online purchase. Plus I get $$ back through Inbox Dollars and Ebay Bucks. (Double the $$ back!)

This might be me...

Just say'in...

Back Aches, House Hunting, And More...

I have been suffering from a tremendous back ache for the last 2 days. (No, I am NOT pregnant. Trust Me!) It is all on one side. The right. I carry A's car seat with that arm, so that may be it. I am just so tired of having an aching back. Ugh!

We have also been house hunting, so I have been carrying A's car seat around more than usual. I never realized how many great houses were our there. I never thought I would say this but, I am tired of looking at houses. *Gasp*

In other news, I am tired of summer t.v. I can't stand the humidity. I am ready for fall.

Sorry for the rant! I have an aching back. I am burning up and nothing is on t.v.!

I Really Have Not Given Up...

I have not given up on blogging. I just misplaced my camera battery charger and have not taken pictures for days. And...we made a quick decision to put our house on the market and have been busy, busy, busy trying to get it in tip top shape. We always said that we would stay in this house for as long as possible, but we got my mom's house on the market and decided after debating for about 24 hours...why not? We are really just experimenting to see what happens. If it doesn't sell, then we will happily take it off the market and stay. We love it here. We came home here after our wedding. We brought our babies home to this house. We have had so many good times here and have so many wonderful memories. There is plenty of time to make more memories here, but we also love home and garden and have worked on this house for 6 years. We figured we could take on a new project (God willing) and maybe be able to stay in it forever! Who knows? We will see!

On another note, Amanda had her 6 month check-up today. She is in the 90th percentile for height! Who would have guessed it? Olivia has never gotten above the 20th percentile for height, ever! Back to A, she is in the 25th percentile for weight and 75th percentile for her head circumference. (Small head-I am used to Liv's 95th percentile topper!) The doctor told me to start her on baby food. I made baby food a few weeks ago, but decided to give her some avocado for her first food. She loved it. I wish that I had pictures to share.

Forgive my lack of posts, I have been busy, but am going to try to update more often!

5 Years Ago Today...

5 years ago today, I married my best friend. I am so lucky that I can say those words and honestly mean them. The past 5 years have been full of ups and downs but have been the very best 5 years of my life.

Adam and I met casually about 8 years ago. We were both dating other people. We lived in the same apartment complex and our relationship consisted of a passing "hello" when checking the mail or running into one another in the parking lot. Two years later we seemed to be running into each other every few weeks (Thank You Klings!). Adam called me on a Wednesday morning for a Saturday evening date (following all "The Rules") and I accepted. We went out on that date and have hardly been apart since. We made a down payment on our house 6 weeks after our first date, were engaged 6 weeks after that and married almost 1 year to the day from that first date!

We have experienced great heartbreak and tremendous joy over the past 5 years. We lost a beloved dog, suffered infertility and miscarriage, lost jobs, and said goodbye to my grandpa Fink, and fought, nursed and eventually lost my mom to cancer. We have held hands through his little sister's countless surgeries and eventual loss of an eye and his dad's heart surgery just last week.

On September 8, 2005, we welcomed Olivia Jane into our world. She has been our light and brought us more happiness than we could have ever imagined. She is the perfect combination of her mom and dad. She is beautiful and smart and outgoing and witty! She has a special way of touching people and making them love her!

On January 27, 2009, we had Amanda Grace. We wanted her so badly. She will probably never understand how hard we tried for her. She is not even 6 months old and already has a smile that will melt your heart and light up a room. She loves to cuddle and coo and has the sweetest temperament. She is wonderful and gorgeous and the "perfect" answer to our prayers.

Adam and I have laughed until our sides hurt. We have taken fun vacations and spent time with our many wonderful friends. We have long conversations about everything and nothing. We embrace our differences and respect each other's point of view. Though we don't always see eye to eye, we understand one another.

When I was a little girl I dreamed about my wedding day. I played wedding with my Barbies, my dog married the neighbors dog in a lavish backyard ceremony, and I pretended to walk the aisle with tulip bouquets a time or two. As I got older, I fought to catch a "real" bouquet at friends wedding (okay, so maybe I tried to catch more than just one!) and bought Bride magazine to look at rings and princess dresses. 5 years ago today, just as the doors were opening to the wedding of my dreams and my dad was about to walk me down the aisle in my pretty white dress, I looked at him and said "I have dreamed of this moment all my life and now it's here!" It was. It has been. I trust that it always will be.

I realize now that being married is much, much more than diamonds and pretty white dresses. Being married to Adam is give and take, good and bad, happy and sad, and the best decision I ever made.

Tuesday

There is no real title for this post. I haven't downloaded any new pictures. We are back from Houston and Adam's dad is doing well so far. Thank you again for all of your prayers. I have been working on getting my house back in order after our whirlwind packing and leaving etc...I have also had several orders from Shimmer Sister to complete. Thank you again to everyone who has ordered or referred a friend. I absolutely love the business! I will have some new things to add soon!

I am off to continue my Jonas Brothers marathon on Disney with Olivia, Reagan, and Amanda. I hate to admit it, but I like these Disney shows with Jo Bros, Hannah Montana, and Zack and Cody!

Ugh!

I have been sick all week. I have officially been without a voice (or hoarse) for 1 week. Olivia's daycare was closed this week so she has been home with me all week (she is usually at school 2 full days a week) and I know she must be bored! We have found Sprout on TV on Demand. I figured that if she saw any more Dora, Diego, or Sponge Bob that her brain was going to melt. We have made 2 short trips to H-E-B and 1 trip to Sonic. Other than that, we have been grounded. I let her set up her tent in our bedroom to try and make being "laid up" a little more fun, but that too has become B-O-R-I-N-G! So, my question is...does anyone have any ideas for things to do at home with your little people when you are sick?

Memorial Day Weekend

I spent most of my Memorial Day weekend cleaning and organizing. My big project was the pantry. It was not planned, so I do not have any before pictures, but these are the after. (Sorry they are not very good, I took them with my cell phone!) If you know me, you know that this is a VAST improvement!


So much for fun lake parties and basking in the sun! How things do change when you have little people!

Shape Up Shoes

Has anyone tried these? I am interested in knowing if they really work.

Shoes

I found my shoes! Okay, so they aren't the EXACT ones I was looking for, but...

I went to DSW to try on pair of the Cole Haan Air pumps to make sure that they were as wonderful as I expected. Guess what? No Cole Haan Airs at DSW. Since Marshall's is right next door, I decided to just make sure that they didn't have any there either. I perused the aisles and there were no Cole Haans. Then I went to the Clearance section and tried on a cute pair of gun metal Tahari's and out of the corner of my eye,

I spotted these...



VICTORY!

*No they are not the black peep toed pumps I had my eye on, but neutral works for me!

One pair in the whole store and they were my size! It was destiny! I wore them around the store, just to make sure that they were comfy and then I made them my own. I got them for $205.00 OFF the original price. If you know how much these shoes cost, then you know that I got them for a GREAT PRICE! About 75-80% off. I am so excited. I cannot wait to wear my new shoes!

Note: Olivia loves shoes! When she got home, she went into my closet and inspected all of the shoes (as she does almost daily) and immediately noticed the new pair. She insisted on trying them on and wore them around the house. She loved them too!

Ding Dong Ditch and Lowe's Loyalty

Last night we had 5 little boys between the ages of 7 and 9 ringing our doorbell and running away. Adam and Olivia went to the door several times and finally Adam caught them. He picked up one of the boys and turned him upside down. Olivia had a complete meltdown. She thought Adam was really mad and trying to hurt one of her precious boyfriends. The boys told us that the game is now called "Ding Dong Ditch." I asked the boys if they were ringing our doorbell because they "liked" Livvie and they assured me that it was NOT that! HAHA! Time after time we get glimpses of what our future holds!!!

On another note, Adam finally got his new grill today. Our old grill somewhat "fell to pieces" on the inside and so I told Adam that I would get him a grill for Valentine's Day. We looked around on V-day weekend and didn't find anything. It got put on the back burner for a while and today he decided it was time. He borrowed our neighbor's truck and went to get the grill (fully assembled). He was about half a mile from home when the grill flew out of the back of the truck on a busy main road. It really did fall to pieces and was being dragged behind the truck. He pulled over and called Lowe's. Guess what? They took it back and gave him a brand new one! All they asked in return is that we be loyal Lowe's customers. What customer service! We are usually Home Depot shoppers, but today became lifetime Lowe's shoppers!

My Little Baseball Fan and Shoes

Today Adam randomly asked Olivia if she would rather go with him to Houston for an Astros Game or go to SeaWorld for the weekend. She took about 3 seconds to declare that she would MUCH rather go to an Astros game. He was "ever so" pleased. A few minutes later, he says "Olivia would you rather go to an Astros game in Houston with me or stay here and go get a pedicure with mommy?" (None of these things are a reality...he is just throwing out random questions. Well, a pedicure is always my reality!) Olivia takes about 1 second to answer, "Go get pedicures with mommy!" He was puzzled and asked"why?" She said, "the people at the pedicure place like me and it feels good!" Like, hello? I think Adam is starting to realize that he is surrounded by girly girls!


About the shoes...I am thinking of investing in a pair (probably from Ebay) of Cole Haan Air Pumps. Has anyone worn these or heard about them? They are supposed to be "heavenly" as far as heels go. I would love to know if this is true before I buy!

LaLa Is...

I took Olivia and Amanda to the mall on Friday for a girls day out! We had lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen and walked the mall.



Most of my days are spent feeding, burping, and changing baby A. I wouldn't change it for the world. Today A and I have been cleaning and organizing Olivia's room while she is at Sarwat's house. (A isn't much help, but she did sleep through the whole thing!) Now we are off to drop off at Goodwill. I can't clean Olivia's room when she is here because even the tiniest toys that she has not touched in months become treasures!

Happy Monday!