Archive for 2010
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Summer is in full swing and while I have been enjoying myself on the weekends, I have also been putting off very important things and avoiding important people. I am trying to wrap my head around things still and putting together our new “norm,” but cannot seem to stay on track. So many distractions have come my way, but tomorrow is a new day and I will once again try to tackle my slacker ways and come out victorious. Or at least, that is the plan. First and most importantly is studying for a test tomorrow evening, then comes the whole catching up on assignments for my online class. Those are the two most important things at the current moment. I will worry about the less important things on Saturday afternoon while I watch the newest member of the family– my three month old nephew Bryce! Together, Bryce and I will tackle my enormous to do list, do a little bit of shopping and order new swimming pool supplies. Unfortunately for Bryce, I will also smother him with kisses and cuddles. It will be my first time watching him and goodness gracious y’all, I’m excited. I miss babies!
Posted in Cleaning, Family & Friends | 2 Comments »
Friday, June 25th, 2010
At twenty months old, AddieBoo absolutely adores bouncy seats. Not only for herself, but also for her baby dolls. Weighing only 20 pounds, she can easily get away with climbing up into the bouncy seat, watch cartoons and grab snacks from her little snack tray. When she is not in the mood for sitting still, you can usually find her strapping in her baby dolls and bouncing them to sleep.
Addie’s first bouncy seat gave out at about 15 months old and I toyed around with the idea of buying her a new one at that time, but never got around to it. So when Mom Central and Infantino sent me the Fold & Go Bouncer, I got a little excited. I could not wait to see the look on Addie’s face when we opened the package, as she is always trying to kick babies out of their bouncy seats at reunions or playgroups.
While the Fold & Go Bouncer is similar to other bouncers I have come across in terms of all the bells and whistles, it’s most stand out feature is how easily it collapses for storage and travel. As a mother who suffers from OCD, I find this Fold & Go Bouncer the perfect solution for keeping baby items tucked away until play time. Plus, we can take this particular bouncy seat with us when visiting with family and friends, without taking up too much space in the vehicle. One lesson I learned though, was to use the hook and loop straps to keep everything together when collapsed. Without the hook and loop straps, the bouncer easily opens up.
“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino
products to as part of my participation.”
Posted in Toys | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
The road of life is rocky and you may stumble too,
So while you point your fingers someone else is judging you.
~ Bob Marley, Could You Be Loved
Friday night, a nasty storm came ripping through our county. Not only did we lose our power for several days, but many people lost their homes. I am grateful that my house, as well as Tiffany’s, is still standing and that neither endured much damage. Not having electricity for a few days definitely sucked, but we made the best of our weekend by barbecuing, lounging in the pool and setting off fireworks.
Friday kicked off the beginning to an awesome weekend. I took Lucas into town with me Friday afternoon to run errands. He’s a 
complete pain in the rear, but we had a good time running errands. After I dropped him off, I headed into town to watch Max’s ball game and made it home just in time for the storm to hit. Our plans of cooking out Friday evening went down the train, so we had Taco Bell with candlelight instead. Max and Emmy fell asleep way before dinner arrived, so Tiffany and I were trying to find ways to entertain Anna without the use of electricity. Lucas let her shoot off some Roman Candles for a while, then Anna came in the house and had fun courtesy of my bra and digital camera.
Saturday brought better times, though we were still without power. Tiffany and I ran some errands for her grandmother, picked up Randy, grabbed some beverages and lunch. We met up at the house for about an hour before deciding it was a good day for swimming. We were floating around in the pool for about twenty-thirty minutes before the guys decided to come in to town and join in on the festivities. Once swimming became boring again, we all headed back out to the homestead to shoot off more fireworks, start up the 
bonfire and throw some food on the grill. Highlight of the night included:
- Jager bombs with Randy
- Fire safety with Lucas & Randy
- Cuddling with Anna in the lawn chair
- Singing “Crazy Bitch” with Randy as loudly as possible
- Trying to disappear from the crowd, only to be followed ?
- Anna’s impersonations
- Whispering Eye
- Cherry Chapstick
Sunday was not overly exciting. The gang came over to float around in the pool, I made spaghetti dinner and we had hours of laughter, discussing the night before. There were things about Saturday that I wish I could take back, but then again, it is what it is. Those moments, even the bad ones, are what makes it one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time.
Posted in Family & Friends | 2 Comments »
Friday, June 18th, 2010
As a busy Mom of 2 and the babysitter for many, I have come to appreciate children’s items that are already assembled and ready-to-use. These items are true live savers! The Infantino Jumbo Wheel Play Space is just that- already assembled and ready-to-use. I simply took it out of the box, laid it on the floor and watched as the babies reached for all of the pre-attached toys. Aside from the ease of this particular item, I have to admit that I fell in love with the vibrant colors.
Bryce, the youngest child to use this mat, absolutely loves all of the noises this mat makes and giggles when he here’s the crackling noise. My twenty month old daughter loves the musical flower and bops around the house to the music.
And while this mat is meant for children aged 0 months on up, I have found that some of the older kids have enjoyed playing with this mat as well. My son (age 3) and his friends love playing duck duck goose on this particular mat, as they have their own individual sections to sit in.
From one mother to another, I do believe the Infantino Jumbo Wheel Play Space is a worthwhile investment. It is something I plan on purchasing for the newest addition of our extended family in December.
“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino
products to as part of my participation.”
Posted in Toys | No Comments »
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Life has thrown so many curve balls in my direction this year that I am stuck in a constant whirlwind, never knowing which end is up. Things have been moving at such a fast pace and for once (in the last three years), I have found myself insanely happy. My children still come first and always will, but I am also beginning to put myself first again.
Friday night I celebrated Mama Bear’s college graduation from college. Mama Bear’s husband is a nice guy and while I know he supports his wife’s decision to go back to school, he has not always made it easy. So for her to finish and with honors, I was ecstatic!
Saturday was a chaotic day filled with driving, my little brother’s graduation party, more driving, visiting with Melissa, visiting with Doug, Tiffany and Lucas and then home, where I crashed for the night at 11pm and slept until about 10:30am. Something I have not done in ages! However, my plans to sleep all day were rudely interrupted by Doug and Lucas requesting special dips for the race that they did not even watch.
And today, well, I got a lot accomplished. I made decisions regarding mine and the kiddos future. Decisions I am still unsure about, but am willing to tackle head on. There are a lot of changes that will be taking place in the near future.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
–Reinhold Niebuhr
Posted in Ethan & Addison, Family & Friends | 5 Comments »
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Tomorrow is our local Relay for Life. I have walked every year faithfully since my sophomore year of high school (10 years) and am sadly not going to be able to take part in the walk this weekend. My heart sunk in my chest when I realized I would be missing out. You see, this year I have every reason to walk. My ex-mother in-law is a breast cancer survivor and my best friend’s aunt has been diagnosed malignant Mesothelioma.
It is strange how many years I have walked for no one in particular and when I have someone to support, I will not be able to make it. But I made plans that cannot be broken and still, I find myself devastated.
Posted in Health & Safety | No Comments »
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Three years ago, the deck outside the back of my house was finished and stained. To look at it now though, you would never know, as nearly all of the stain has chipped off. It looks rough and is in need of a major face lift. Hence, the title of this post. Well, our deck is getting a face lift. Along with all of the furniture. Our wooden furniture needs repainted and the metal furniture just needs new outdoor chair cushions. Had I been smart, I would have taken before/after photographs. Nothing beats the back yard in the summer at this house.. the yard is always well kept and the flowers look amazing. Will be sure to upload some pictures.
Posted in Home & Garden | No Comments »
