It came- it went- goodbye week-

We avoided it and avoided it- but the time has come for K's last week at his school.  I wish we could keep him where he is- but locationally (not sure if that's a word- but) anyhow- it's taking me an hour and half round trip each morning and each afternoon!! crazy! So although I can't say I will miss that- I sure will miss all of his sweet sweet teachers- and I am sure K is going to miss all his friends.

These ladies have taken care of me and babyK since he was just 12 weeks old. They have listened to me babble on- and they have taught us both about feeding, sleeping, schedules, etc..

We have learned sign language and Spanish, songs, instruments and dancing- painting, sculpting, singing, you name it!!

So this week was the week! He started his brand new school- and it's hard. FOR ME. K didn't even bat an eye. and I know this is a good thing- but I was sad. I mean- I didn't go in and laugh and joke with the teachers- I didn't get to sit down and make fun of husbands and kids and weekends etc... 

Oh me Oh my- what's a mom to do?

Answers and Questions

I like to think I know a lot. Or maybe I don't know a lot- but I can find the answers that I am looking for if I need to. Research. Google. Friends. etc...

But lately I feel like there are too many answers that I don't know- I can't look up- I have no explanation for.

Why did K's classmate have to loose her Daddy this week? She's not even two yet. My heart aches for her and her mom.

Why did this car accident have to happen? What's the deal with these central TX fires? Why did so many lose their homes?

And just a few days away from the 10 year anniversary of Sept. 11th- why?

And on a totally different note- the kids- they ask so many questions- how do I answer?

where is my parent manual? You mean- these kids don't come with instructions?

WHAT?

WHY?

I mean changing diapers and warming bottles- I can handle-

 but this teenager business has got my brain all muddled up. I mean- I can remember being an actual teen, I think, right?

It doesn't matter.

Because it's all different now.

These kids- these days..

The same way it was different when I was a teen- the same as when my mom was a teen.

Parents just don't understand

So my brain is on overload- I am turning to my old faithfuls

Google, Internet friends, Blogs, and Real life friends-

Sometimes "I don't know" is the best answer. it's the true answer.

why would you do that? why would you say that? what now?

yeesh..

this is real parenting stuff- makes me feel like my mom and dad. I know when they were telling me back then- what it would all mean now-

 I.just.didn't.get.it.

Now- oh now- oh yea- I can see what they meant. I can feel for them- I can see what I put them through. I know where that wrinkle came from. But how do you get that through to your kids now?

How?

How can you explain to them- that in this day and age (geesh that's sounds old) but with all the new techie stuff- you can't just throw away 8th grade love letters and gossip notes-

oh no-

there's evidence- tied to your name forever. and just one little mistake now- is attached to you forever. means words can be blasted to millions in a matter of seconds- and there is no delete button.

and it's unreal how cruel kids can be to each other.

This was cracking me up today- so I will leave you with this- at least I'm not that old....

A new place to potty-

Yay- we did it! We started AND finished our 1st house project - and we are all in one piece. Of course- we still have other unfinished projects around the house-

but let's just .... hmmm... what's the saying? let's bask in the glory? nah

that doesn't sound right.

bake in the glory? I don't think that's it either.

Anyhow- whatever it is- we are doing it in glory!!

I wanted a purple bathroom- shhh- stay with me- I don't know why- I just thought it would be fun and daring- whew! It turned out better than I expected. Really. The pictures don't really do it justice.

Here we go-

ok- so this is our small 1/2 bath downstairs

- BEFORE-

view from the outside looking straight ahead

view looking towards the toilet

see it's all drab and boring- not anymore!

I got some wooden framed mirrors from Ikea- and painted them purple and put little marble things all over them. See-

pretty huh?

the purple looks a little brighter in this picture- but you get the idea

 here's a view from the outside looking towards the mirror

and the obligatory husband's beer while he works shot.

 pictures hanging on the wall

 the new shelves over the toilet

view towards the sink again

 my cutie little messer upper helper.

If there is a sport for unrolling toilet paper rolls in a matter of seconds

 he would WIN!

So that''s it folks! all done. Now of to the other bazillion million quadrillion other house projects to do.

Sleep Deprived-

Remember when you had a newborn? and you didn't get sleep? and you were surprised at how well you could function on such little itty bitty sleep?

and that one glorious night- when your little one slept through the night!!!!! and the clouds parted- and sunshine rays shined through- and rainbows appeared- and angles sang!!!

and you were like "YES! This is what it feels like to sleep again!"

so so nice-

at 10 weeks old BabyK started sleeping through the night- it was awe.some.

But now- at 17 months- yes almost 1 1/2 years old- he has decided that he no longer needs sleep.

well....

he no longer needs sleep unless its on mommy or in mommy's bed.

great.

this week we have been trying some tough love. Thursday night I rocked him for 30 minutes- he was out cold- I put him in bed- and crying begins.

He cried on and off for 1.5 HOURS  ya'll- it breaks my heart. (now- let me get this straight- he did not cry that whole time- just little fits and cries for about 5 minutes each- then he would talk to himself and hang out- and NOT sleep)

FINALLY- he started falling asleep standing up- yes- STANDING- and he was so wobbly standing- that finally he fell to his bottom and then tried sleeping sitting up. Swaying all over the place- it was kind of funny actually. And then finally finally he laid himself down and went to sleep.

Only to wake up crying at 4 am-

This is newborn stuff right??

My clouds have closed- my rainbows are poop- no sunshine rays and angels singing... what happened?

Last night I left a night light on. I gave him a extra snuggly doggie to hangout with him. and again- the same thing-  except after an hour- he actually wedged himself in the corner of the crib standing up- so he really did fall asleep there- standing.

So I need help- ideas- suggestions-

On one hand- I think he's safe in the crib- do I just leave him in there- pour myself a bottle glass of wine and turn the monitor volume all the way down?

I know bringing him to our bed is a badbadbad habit to break- and I am paranoid and scared of it- but as of right now- it's pretty much the only way we can get in a good nights sleep.

so it's documented here moms- if it happens to any of you. Or if it has happened to any of you- what did you do? is it a phase? a growth spurt?

I need my rainbows- sunshine- and angels back!

and if I can get a picture of him stand sleeping- I will definitely add it! LOL-

Dread- dread-

what do I dread?
bathing suit shopping- ohhhhhh- how I dread thee. Let me count the ways.

I know I know- we don't have all day.

Ok- enough of that- It's time- I haven't bought a new suit in almost 2 years- because....

Well because I was hoping to be able to confidently wear some of the ones I already had.

You know- the ones I bought for our honeymoon-

Pretty- cute- lovelies. Like this cutie that I got for our honeymoon trip-

But remember- on said honeymoon- the husband and I came back as a party of 3. And how the past two years have flown by and of course BabyK has filled our lives and yadayadayda... blehch!

I have been sporting a cute skirt and top that I LOVE- but first all- the top is an old "going out" top that I use to wear- and it's just not holding up the parts that it's suppose to-

*yes- I use to wear this top out- like with low rise jeans- and I rocked it oh-kay... let's just skip past that part*

I mean how freakin hard is it to find a black bandeau -not belly showing bandeau- but black strapless takini top. I have looked EVERYwhere- I am willing to pay top dollar just so that I can replace this one that is umm how do we say- losing it's elastic...

OK- so today was the day. This is what I learned.

1. bathing suits are expensive- ok let me re-phrase- if you want a bathing suit that will hold all the right places in- then be ready to spend some cash...
2. dressing room lighting is bad
3. take off your shoes- bathing suits and tennis shoes will NEVER look good- take off the socks too
4. babies + bikinis = is a no go for me. This is not a whine- But that's why I am hitting the gym- and that's why I listen to The Watch, and that's why I went to the gym 1st- before going to the mall-
5. go to the gym- A LOT-
6. once you have said kids- keep in mind- that you don't just get to lay on chairs- relaxing, sipping cold beverages, and working on your tan- NO you are running and chasing- and this is good since it burns calories- so keep this in mind when picking out a suit

Anyhow- surprisingly I narrowed it down to 3-4. And ended up with this one. It's cute and comfy. and it does come with a strap- since we don't want the girls to make a public appearance.

So if you know where I can find a black strapless takini top- pleasepleaseplease tell me! Then I will have two suits to sport this summer!

Today is a good day-

Just like Ice Cube says-

Today is a good day.

Only I forgot my AK- oh well-

here's what DID happen-

I made it to my favorite step class and got my butt kicked and The Watch says that I burned 607 calories in an hour- so yes- I remembered to actually start the watch!

Got to celebrate one of my friends birthdays last night- it was a surprise and she LOVED it! (on that note- she got a Watch too- I need to remind her that she has to actually start it to burn calories)

And tonight we are celebrating BigBroC's 11th birthday! With dinner at the Hibachi grill- how fun!

It rained last night- and even though that kept BabyK up part of the night (that part, not so good) it was nice to hear actual rain drops- don't remember the last time we heard those... and we soooo needed it!

It Wednesday- so 1/2 way through the work week- whopwhop!

whatelse- whatelse- whatelse

Oh- I know!!!

I found my camera- yo!

Yea- so stayed tuned for picture upload city! yay! It was in the bottom of the pool bag- go figure. I swear I looked there like a bazillion times- but whatev-

Hope you all are having a fant-ablous day!

Word.

Excuses are like.... well...

you know- everybody has one...

Yesterday was a Big Ol' Excuse day for me! I will just give you a glimpse into what I was thinking- then you can all think stuff like "wow- she's part crazy" but I know you all will really be like "yup I do the same thing" and then you will all be like "I totally see her point and those aren't really excuses because they are real reasons"

1st yesterday's plan was:
- Grilled chicken and asparagus for dinner
- and I set my day to go to the gym after a 9-10 presentation

Soooo- the presentation ran over- and my Ipod wasn't fully charged- and I had another presentation at 1:00-
New plan- charge Ipod then go to the gym at 2-

Well if I go at 2- then by the time I get home at 3:30ish- that takes up too much of my work day- so- let's just work and then go to class at gym at 4:30.

I even call hubs to confirm that he won't be leaving work until about 4:30- so he won't be home until 5:30- same time as me- and then we can cook dinner and hang.

I call hubs at 4:00 ON MY WAY to the gym- pulling out of the neighborhood- and he has left work!!

what?

we have agreed already-

ugh- well I can't go to the gym and you be coming home... that just won't work.

U-turn. back to the house.

hmmmm.... well now- I haven't left the house all day. (well ok- so I left- but didn't even make it out of the neighborhood- so it doesn't count)

I make the executive decision- to change clothes and meet hubs out for dinner. I mean- since I haven't been out of the house, and I have bunko on Thursday- which would mean that we didn't get our "every other Thurs. night out to dinner" done-

And I can miss one day at the gym right? I mean- I am still sore from Tuesdays butt kicking.

Basically I wore workout clothes all day long- and never made it to the gym. But did make it out for pizza, wings, and beer- oh and spending time with hubs.

remember- these are all very valid real  reasons NOT excuses.... right.

RIGHT!

See I told you.

Music Class

How cool is this?

Music class at school- with DRUMS! yay!

and Mr. Will is an actual musician. He plays in bands around Austin- so it's pretty much like a celebrity is teaching my son music! Sometimes it's drums, sometimes the stand up base, guitars, bongos, etc....

Blessed, Lucky, Loved

I sat last night and really reflected on how truly blessed I am. My friends, my family, my love-

I am so honored to be a part of making the world a better place. Remember the movie Pay It Forward? It's so very true. If just each of us- treats others the way we would want to be treated in return- just think.... think of the possibilities.

My new job- the values that we teach our children, the friends that make me want to be a better person. For real- my cup is full. My heart beats hard and proud.

And my heart goes out to families that have to experience loss. It pains me.

The tornado in Joplin- claimed too many. This family -the Hamils- lost their 15mo old son, the mother and 5 year old daughter are in the hospital, and her 3 year old son was ripped from her arms during the storm and is still missing.

Heartache.

If you can help. Help. $5, $10, $20- every cent counts. Give blood. Give supplies. Give your time. The American Red Cross has plenty of information of ways to help as well.

Count your blessings. Hug your loved ones. Send some love to those who need it.

Ramblings-

whew! what a week- last week of school- 3 day weekend- and 100 degree weather- HOT!

BigSisC won the Citizenship Award- that's for being helpful and a role model student throughout the year- she was the only girl in 7th grade to win the award!! Way to go! So very proud of her- can't believe that she will be starting her last year of middle school next year..... time has just got to slow down!
BigBroC has his awards ceremony and 5th grade graduation on Friday- then it's out of elementary school and off to the 6th grade for him-

surely- I don't age at the same rate as the kids do- right? .....RIGHT?

Earlier this week we hit up the Round Rock Express game. We love sitting out on the "grassy knoll" - at least that's what we call. We just bring a big blanket and relax chase babyK around. At least the sun had settled a little bit and we got a good spot in the shade- a nice breeze- and a great crowd.

This weekend we are heading out with one of our favorite families- the K Family. They have a lake house that is o'so fun. Spending the days floating in the lake and fishing. And of course my favorite part of the planning- is deciding what to eat!

The menu for this weekend:
- sausage and biscuits for breakfast
- brisket and red beans
- jalapeno bacon wrapped chicken
- grilled corn on the cob with cilantro pesto butter
- grilled asparagus
- spinach artichoke dip
- cheesy bean dip

I know- way to much food- we always have a lot.

And speaking of having a lot- my family is truly blessed and I don't want to end on a sad note here- so read on to the next post-

SUMMER LOVE!!

Cha-Cha- Cha- Changes...

Man! I feel like I haven't posted in FOR- ever- and that probably because I haven't.

So much has been going on- so I am just going to give a quick re-cap and then we'll be all caught up and we can move forward from there.

1. I GOT A NEW JOB!!! Very very exciting- and it's with a company that is home based. so everyone works from home- how cool is that? So to get some training underway I went to "boot camp" in Park City, UT for 3 days one week. Got pretty spoiled with a nice big room with a fire place. Went and checked out where they hold the Sundance Film Festival- and of course, did some work too. Then I came home and turned right back around and headed out to Orange County, CA for our annual company meeting to stay at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Nigel for 3 days- and WOW- I was pretty spoiled there too! Steak, lobster, wine, live music, sail boat racing- oh- and we did some work too. All in all this has been a fantastic move for me and I am so happy and honored to get to work with this great group!

2. K had his 15 month doctor's appointment (last month) He is just growing growing growing. Still in the 5% for weight and height- coming in at just 20 lbs. But no worries- his noggin is still big and in the 75%- it's all the smarts he keeps in there. He's walking, running, climbing, and good ol' dad taught him how to jump in the bed.... good one dad. He can sing Itsy Bitsy Spider- with hand movements, the ABC's, and he will try and repeat just about anything you say. (going to have to start watching what we say) He eats like a champ- and the strangest thing- the other night he reached into the Pico and wanted to eat it??? that boy!

3. BigBroC is finishing up his last days in Elementary School- 5th grade graduation is just a week away! Then it's off to Middle School *gasp* He's decided to play the Baritone- so I think next year will be a lot of fun for him.

4. BigSisC has finished her 1st "sports" season- she played volleyball, basketball, and then did track. She says she likes basketball best- and can't wait to play next year. Of course next year she will rule the school as a big 8th grader- time is going by too fast!

5. Around the house we have been sprucing up the yards- we have some peppers and tomatoes growing.
-We are almost ready to start our patio.
-We almost have my new office all set up- and we are going to be adding some french doors to the study.
-Diesel chewed up my heart strap for The Watch- why? I don't know- he's such a weird dog! but good news- it still works- yay.
-My mother's day was great. We went to Pecan Street Festival, ate crawfish, and then played some bat-mitton with friends- great great day! Thank you to all who made it so special.

Hmmmm... I think that about sums it up. Hopefully things around here will get back into the normal routine- I'll keep you all posted.

The sweetest sound

I just wanted to mark this moment in time-

K has started saying "love you"

awww..... melts your heart right?

like at bedtime we will say "good night- love you"

and he says "ni ni lmm uuuu"

I will capture it on video to post soon-



So...

positive thoughts this week-

"Prepare your mind to recieve the best that life has to offer"

what is meant to be- will be-

isn't it crazy how the universe 'tests' you for these situations?

pulling strings- making your head spin- making you really think about what direction you want to head.



"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be"



but that's ok- I am up for this adventure-

anyhow- all i want to be is myself-  black eye and all.

ya- that's right.

i have a black eye.

maybe they will think i'm tough.

i bet it will make our meeting memorable....right?

oh who am I kidding- they are going to love me!

i will keep you all posted.

Topless gyms

I wanted to go to the gym today- I really did- but

I went downstairs to get dressed-

pants- check
sports bra- check
socks, shoes, workout watch- checkcheckcheck
shirt- ohcrap!

and NO i am not into working out
a. topless or
b. in a sports bra

so I guess I will be shopping on my lunch break today....

and I will leave you with the little tid-bit. Did you know that some where like over in Europe or something- they actually do have topless- I think- even nude gyms. I am not kidding.... I read about it once- for real. And I would search it up for you- but I am at work and could probably get in trouble for looking that up on the clock.

that's just what i want to motivate me when working out- some big sweaty fat guy- naked.

ew.ew.ew.gross.

Happy Friday!

Imagine-

I know it's hard to grasp what's going on in Japan- it's not over-

there are some that have lost EVERYthing-

not just houses, cars, clothes, all thier belongings- but

mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles- entire families- entire villages

history. identities.

If you don't count your blessings- you should.

It's hard to think about how we can help- but we can.


Japan is one of the most modern countries in the world. Even though they were somewhat prepared for this- in hopes that it would never happen. considering that a 8.9 quake could have killed millions in a less developed county-


Even so- the images are still heart breaking.



Anyhow- anything helps. And if you would like to donate- go here.

Or do what we did and buy one of these super cute t-shirts and wear it to support the people of Japan.


100% of the proceeds of the sales of this shirt will go towards The Salvation Army's relief efforts in Japan.