Wedding Weekend

My youngest sister got married on the 2nd of October. We were once again all 4 in the wedding, and the kids did really well since they had done it before. It also helped that BG wasn't a groomsmen and instead an usher. He was able to keep them distracted as I walked down the aisle so that they would walk down on their own. The best thing about the wedding and being involved, is meeting new people and making new friends. There were a handful of Lauren's friends who I really connected with, which is not shocking since Lauren and I are a lot alike. One in particular is actually my friend now as well. It was fun to be the older sister to a couple of new girls who didn't have older sisters. Now if they would just tell my sisters that having an older sister is cool...Here are some funny stories from the wedding...

The night before the wedding two of Lauren's friends, myself and my mom were practicing bustling the dress. When Lauren put it on, there was still a pin in the back of the dress pointed right at her backside. She pulled up the dress and the pin went straight into her butt cheek, to which she responded "Oh S***" Thankfully SD was in the room and heard every word, which she then proceeded. Lauren apologized profusely and told SD that I was going to wash Lauren's mouth out with soap! SD hasn't said the word since, so hopefully she forgot about it! Thanks Lauren!

At the rehearsal dinner, SD met a new friend, a relative of the groom. The little girl was about her age and they had a blast running around together. She came up to me and told me that she had a new friend named Sophapia, funny thing is that we were at a Mexican Restuarant. I finally figured out that the little girls name was actually Sophie...too funny!

Cookie Cutters

Over Christmas, we were at my Parent's house and I was passed down something that I have very fond memories of as a kid. My my mom gave me a bunch of the cookie cutters that she had. As a kid I used to love the sight of this can being pulled out, it is green and white and was a gift from a doctor friend of my dad's, filled with popcorn.  We knew that it meant we were going to get to bake cookies.

We have already used a bunch of the cookie cutters for making cookies, but we have also used them in art projects, for making pancakes and just to trace for fun.

Passing down these cookie cutters has been really cool and I hope that SD and Linus have fond memories of them as well!

Looking Back

We ask for deliverance from something, we are thankful for the deliverance, but then as we walk through the hard parts of actually being delivered, the flesh begins to cry out in opposition. We start drifting backwards in our spirits to that place that was familiar, instead of walking obediently towards where God wants to take us.

I know this has been true with our family’s finances. We prayed for deliverance from debt and God began to show us a way out. Yet as we have walked through what it has taken to be debt-free, I have often caught myself looking back at when I used to charge things freely, with no thought as to how we would pay for it. Oh, how nice that was to just be able to go buy something without having to scrounge and save, I find myself thinking. I don't want to look backwards or give into the comforts my flesh craves. I want to push forward, straining for the prize God has for me. I want to seek Him with all my heart – no matter where that takes me. I want to live in that sometimes uncomfortable place of walking in total obedience. When the rain comes pouring down, I want to choose to dance in the puddles instead of longing for the shelter of past sunny days.

“But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.”
Acts 7:39 (NIV)

Ice Cream Sunday

We have started a little Sunday evening tradition around here.  On Sunday evening, we grill out and eat dinner "Alfresco" as SD would tell us.  The kids typically swim in our fancy large blow up pool while we get dinner ready.  After a yummy grilled dinner, the whole family gets in the pool (yes, it is big enough) and we play a LOT!  BG is really good at playing with the kids in the pool, afterall, he is just a big kid!  Then out we go and have ice cream on the deck.  The nice thing is that it doesn't matter if the kids get it all over them, because they are in their swim suits, outside and about to have a shower!  It really tires them out, so they sleep well on Sunday night and really does set the tone for the week.  Only problem, our pool has malfunctioned now, so I don't know if this routine has stopped or just paused :)  At least it made it through the hot summer for the most part!

Family time in the pool with Gigi!

Easter Sunday

Easter was pretty hard this year and very emotional. This was the first major holiday since my sister in law passed away. Not only that, but her birthday was yesterday. I think it was hard on all of us. I know for me, I was overcome with emotion and had to fight back the tears, and I am not typically a crier! At church, after the sermon, they dimmed the lights and a bag pipe player came out (dressed in a kilt I might add) and played Amazing Grace. For some reason, this just struck a chord in me and opened the flood gate of tears. After that was played we went on to sing music, all of which continued to flood me with emotions. Today, I can't remember the names of the songs that we sung, but I remember how I felt. The thing I was thinking about the most was what a celebration they were having in Heaven and how my sister in law was able to participate. I thought, man, they must have these kind of celebrations every day, basking in the glory of the Risen Savior!

BG and I talked about it later and come to find out, he was having trouble keeping in the tears as well. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a sister, she was like a sister to me and I have had a tough time with it, even though I have only known her for 10 years, compared to his 35. At lunch I could tell her husband was also having a rough time. The awesome thing is that I know that I will see her again and be able to celebrate with her! I sure miss her!

Look Mom, I Found Sand

This summer we went on a mini-vacation to Port Aransas. This was our first trip as a family and pretty much the first real trip we have taken since having kids. Thankfully, my parents live in between the metroplex and the coast, so we got to make a pit stop there. They were also able to come with us along with my sister. It was great having all of the extra helps and it brought back tons of great memories for me, since that is where we vacationed every summer of my childhood.

The kids LOVED the beach. Linus had no problems crawling around on the sand or in the water. SD was in heaven. BG took her out in the waves and she giggled the entire time.

One afternoon, as we were sitting on the beach, she was playing with our family friend in the shallow water. She came running back to me with a handful of sand and said, "Look mom, I found Sand." It was so funny because she said it with such enthusiasm and like she had discovered something new, never mind that she was walking on that very discovery!

Kids are funny!

SD's 3rd Birthday

SD's third birthday was last Monday, so I decided to take the day off work! I really want to try and do this each year for the kids so that they have a special day! We had the most amazing day as a family, and we didn't really do anything spectacular, just spent time together. We started the morning just hanging out, then I worked on making SD's robe that she requested. Then the kids and I went for a quick jog and got ready to go look at a patio table. After getting the table, we picked up some lunch and went to the park. SD had gotten a kite for her birthday (BG does all the toy shopping) and she wanted to fly it. We went to the park in our neighborhood and had a picnic lunch followed by BG running around like a maniac and SD following him giggling out of control. They did the kite up for a while, but either way SD had a blast. Then it was back home for naps, much needed naps, the kids were exhausted!

It was so refreshing and amazing to have such a great day with my family. It is days like this that I cherish and try to burn into my memory!

Cousin Memories

I was running the other day (okay it was about a month ago now!) and I run through the park in our neighborhood. I glanced down and saw the remnants of a cap gun, the little red circle that houses the "ammunition." All of a sudden memories came flooding back into my mind of when I was younger. I have a lot of cousins, but there are two in particular that I am really close to. They are they sons of my mom's sister. They are the sames ages as my younger sister and I are, so the four of us always were together. Not to mention that my mom and her sister are close, so we did lots together. We went to the same high school and still have a great time when we get together. So, why did those memories come back?

Well, my aunt and uncle have a cabin in Ruidoso, NM and we used to go there as kids. My aunt always tells the story of how she would take me with them so that I could take care of my cousins and help her out, I am only 6 months older than the oldest one if that tells you anything about my personality! Any way, I remember one summer we were up there and we bought cap guns and mexican jumping beans from the "Trading Post" and had a blast in the back yard "shooting" things. I still vividly remember this, and there is not much I remember from my childhood.

Unfortunately my kids do not have first cousins that are close in age or live near by. But, we have some distant (by blood anyway) cousins that we are very close with and thankfully, they will have plenty of opportunities to build these types of memories with them! I will post some pictures of their time together next time!

10 days is...

• a really long time to sleep in someone's living room on a pull-out sofa
• a really long time to be away from your own bed and the comforts of your home
• a really long time to be away from your husband
• a really long time to live out of your suitcase

But, that is just what my mom did! I have been MIA because my mom has been in town for the past 10 days and just left this morning. Actually, as I am typing this, she is probably pulling up to her house and letting out a big sigh of relief that she is home.

I had so much fun with my mom here and the time flew by. Well, it kind of passed slowly in the middle because we were so anxious to get to Canton, but I can't believe that 10 days has already passed. She was up here for so long because we had our annual Canton trip planned for months when we found out that our church was going baby dedication the weekend before. I thought it would be a great time for her to be able to spend some quality time with the kids and asked if she would like to stay the week between the two. She thought it was a good idea as well, and preferred that over making the 9 hour roundtrip twice. So, she did.

My mom, youngest sister and brother came up last Friday for Linus' dedication at church. Then my brother and sister left on Sunday. We had a great time, Jordan, my brother, was a huge help because he plays really hard with SD and she just loves it. My sister, Lauren, is a fashionista (so is my other sister and my mom, somehow I didn't get that gene) and she helped me with my wardrobe and gave me great ideas. The girls also went to Sam Moon and got some affordable accessories!

After they left, it was just my mom and she was fabulous. I have to say that not only the kids are on Gigi detox, I am as well. While she was here, she spent lots of time with the kids, which is the most important thing since she is far away and doesn't get a lot of concentrated time with them. She also helped me out a TON! She did laundry, ironed, cleaned and the list could go on. It is so nice having your mom around because, she is your mom, she almost knows what to do before you even ask. Not only that, but it was a third set of arms, to help holding Linus, or to get SD juice, etc. I guess I will have to start doing my own chores now!

On Friday, I took a vacation day and we were going to take the kids to the fair, but it looked like rain and was sprinkling, so we decided not to. We ended up hanging out at the house and she helped me finish making SD's Cinderella costume and we made drapes and pillows for the formal rooms. (pictures to come)

Then, Canton! We had a blast in Canton. We learned a couple of years ago that it is so worth it to get a hotel room and stay Saturday night. Sunday morning is a fabulous time to shop, it is cooler and not nearly as crowded as Saturday. So, we got down there around 10 on Saturday and shopped around (we also had my SIL, MIL and the kids with us). After lunch, we checked into the hotel and the kids took a nap, while I watched and the rest of them just relaxed and cooled off in the other room. Then, we were ready to shop again. After shopping, we headed over to eat dinner and then back to the hotel for some shut eye. The benefit of having small kids in a hotel room is that you pretty much have to go to bed when they do, so I got a ton of sleep Saturday night. Then we got up bright and early Sunday morning and started shopping again. We managed to fill both cars pretty full and head back to big D all by about noon. We got home around 2 and started decorating while the kids napped. My house looks beautiful now!!

So , after relaxing and giggling last night, my mom got up pretty early and got on the road home. I had a fabulous time with her and will miss her company. It really gave us some good time to hang out and talk as adults. I got to know her more and got to ask those questions about her past that I didn't know to ask or be interested in while I was growing up. I think it is fun that some day your mom becomes more than your mom, but she can also be your friend and advisor! I sure hope that SD and I can do this one day as well!

What a Wonderful Weekend

We had such an amazing weekend! It was great weather here in the metroplex, finally a little bit cooler, and we had a lot of awesome family time.

Friday - The kids and I went to our LifeGroup social and SD had so much fun playing with the water ball. I got to hang out with the ladies and get to know them better, which I really liked too!

Saturday - The fam went for a 5 mile run and then to a local park where they were having a fishing tournament for kids. SD didn't participate, but she and BG will be going back for some good father/daughter time. Then the whole fam actually went shopping! BG and I got new running shoes and SD got some adorable mickey mouse crocs that are pink and turqoise and she LOVES them. Then she got some new Fall clothes, I don't think much of her stuff from last year will fit.

Sunday - Church (great Sermon!!!) and then Aunt Mamie came over for some Grocery Game tutoring! I didn't get a ton of chores done, but enough to where I don't feel overwhelmed today. We are doing a Sabath Bible Study and I am really trying to observe it, funny thing is that I feel less rested when I do nothing! And BG and I capped it off with a movie last night, look for a review soon!

Graduation Hangover

I just got back from my sister's college graduation. It was relatively uneventful and not too long and boring! The speaker was the President of Hunt Oil and was actually pretty good. He said one thing that was really interesting, he said that he didn't really remember the speakers of his two graduations, except the one from law school became more memorable when he was part of the Monica Lewinsky's trial.

Anyway, it got me thinking about graduation. It seems like such a big deal and so important at the time, and it definitely is, but then, it is over. It is all such a whirlwind and then all of a sudden it is over. Then what? You are faced with reality. Reality of finding a job. Reality of paying all of your own bills. Reality of not being able to sleep in or lay out all day. Reality that money does not grow on trees and that you actually have to live on a budget. Talk about a bad hangover!

But, each season holds something new, something interesting, something exciting.

Stories From the Field

We have this thing at my company during our monthly meetings where people tell stories from the field. I thought it was an appropriate title for my recent trip. To say this weekend was a whirlwind is an understatement. I flew to Lubbock for my sister's college graduation and...

- We had serious plane delays, which has been my experience with American almost every time I fly. Anyway, at first we were waiting for a flight attendant, which to me is annoying and it seems like that shouldn't happen, don't they know when they have to work? Then a computer had to be changed out. Thank goodness we were in a hub airport and they obviously have extras laying around.
coffee filters
- Because of the delay, my "I can wait until I get to Lubbock to go to the bathroom" turned into, I have to pee on the plane! Nice, huh! I don't know the last time I had used the airplane bathroom before this flight, but it has been a while! I will say that the bathrooms are improved from what I remember. But a couple of observations...No one who is much bigger than I am can comfortably go to the bathroom in these, they are really small! And, they were using coffee in prepackaged filters as air freshner, quite strage, but it worked!
- My dad wanted to go to the Panhandle Plains Museum and Palo Duro Canyon while we were in Lubbock. So they picked us up from the airport and off we went. While we were in the Museum, it rained, just enough to make everything wet and slick. I fell coming out of the museum on the limestone steps and banged up my knee pretty good. And I did all of this 100% sober!
- I was glad to get home around 3:30 on Saturday and spend time with my family! But then, I got a call from a group of my friends who were staying at a hotel close by and decided to go out with them. I had a blast, but look for the details in another post!!

Linus Update

We have switched Linus to a 4 hour feeding schedule and so far it is really working. He was sleeping through the night and then started waking up again. I think it was because I was waking him up at 9:30 to feed him and I think it was disrupting him. I tried it on Tuesday when I worked from home, and he did really well. Tuesday night, he slept from 8-5!!! Then my MIL was with the kids yesterday and she said he did a great job. We upped his ounces from 5 to 6, but reduced the number of bottles he gets. Of course, I am not sure how much he gets when he nurses, but I don't think he is lacking in food! He has moved to a longer schedule before SD did, but I think it is because he is so much bigger! We will see how he does today, but I have high hopes already!!

I can't believe that he is almost 3 months old! He is getting so big and a lot more interactive. SD of course has really taken to her role as big sister and tells everyone that she is a big sister. I love seeing her love on her brother, it just doesn't get much better than that. I know that she is very anxious for him to be old enough to play with her, she repeatedly brings him toys to play with and is very good about sharing, I just hope it will continue.

Tomorrow I am leaving them for the first time overnight, well at least Linus for the first time. My baby sister is graduating from college and I am going to see the event. Thankfully, I got a flight for pretty reasonably and don't have to drive the 5 hours to Texas Tech!

The Perfect Day

Yesterday was one of those days. The kind that you wish you had every day, except then you wouldn't appreciate them as much. I was calm and relaxed pretty much all day. SD was pretty well behaved, she took a good nap and didn't whine excessively. Linus has been working on his BabyWise schedule and did a great job yesterday, taking good naps and barely crying before them. Not only that, but I was a good wife, homemaker and mom, not to mention I took some me time!

We went for a long walk in the morning, which both kids loved, and I actually took a stab at running a few steps! Don't tell my doctor :) It felt pretty good, except next time I will wear a better sports bra :)

Then, I got all of the ironing finished, cleaned the floors and got stuff ready for Amy's shower this weekend. I even crossed a bunch of stuff off my imaginary list. SD and I even got to spend some really good alone time together while Linus took a nap. We played outside on the swingset, did a game (thanks Carla, she LOVES it) and just hung out!

Then, at the end of the day, I felt satisfied and relieved that it was all done! So, I got out my needlepoint and am finishing up the kids stockings. I need them to be done by next week so that I can take them to SA with me and have them made into stockings. I will be so glad to be finished with them!

So far, today has been another great day! We got to see a movie with Aunt MAmy and Lukers (as SD affectionately calls them). And right now both kids are asleep. Oh, and I finally got the cable/internet/phone changed and picked up SD's charm bracelet and it is only 2!

Hope you are having a great day!

6 Hour Tour

Last night Linus slept for 6 hours straight! I fed him at 9:30 and then he didn't wake up until 3:30 to eat. Actually, he really wasn't all that awake. I woke up at 3:30 and realized that he was stirring a little and I was about to pop! So, I got him up and fed him. From there, he slept until 6:30 when I woke him up again to feed him. Not sure if it was just a fluke, or if he is going to start sleeping longer. I didn't know what to do with myself since I had gotten so much uninterrupted sleep.

He is really hard to keep awake during the day, but yesterday I worked really hard at it, and it paid off last night. Today, he did a great job of staying awake and then napping. I am refreshing myself on BabyWise so that we can transition into that soon. I thought I remembered most of it, but when I started reading, there were some things I had forgotten. The good thing is, I am much more relaxed this time around and won't be as rigid on the schedule.

All in all, today was a great day and I got a ton done. We had a photographer come over to take pictures. He is so awesome! He came and did pictures when SD was born and it is a great deal! I had seen a picture at the hospital of siblings with their feet in a picture together, it was so cute, so I had him do that with SD and Linus, I can't wait to see how it turns out! I will post some when I get them back in 2 weeks or so. The kids did really well during the photo shoot, I must admit, I was a little worried. SD is at a weird picture stage, she doesn't just sit there calmly, but she doesn't really understand the "look at the camera and smile" philosophy either. Most of my pictures of her are "action" shots.

BG actually had to go into the office today, so I was on my own with both of them until he got home after 5. We had a great time. They both took good naps from about 1-3:30 so I was able to get a lot of stuff done, that time frame is becoming my favorite part of the day! Then we played in the play room for a while and I think SD really liked that, Linus was in the bouncer, so we were able to do puzzles and she got some good one on one time. Then she got distracted and I got to make some cards.

This week is a pretty busy week for us. Tomorrow, 2 week check up for Linus, Wednesday I have an incision check and then Thursday, SD is getting to go see her first movie in a theater. I will let you know how that goes! Well, off to enjoy my free time until I turn into Bessie again!

Two Totally Different Experiences

As I was laying in my hospital bed for 3 days, I started thinking about how different my two deliveries have been. Neither one was traumatic or horrible, neither was perfect, but overall, they were both pretty good and I would do it again if I didn't have to be pregnant (and I hadn't just gotten my tubes tied :) ) Here is a run down:

With SD

• At Collin County Hospital, with a black female OBGYN who had great bedside manner
• Gained 60+ pounds
• Went in to be induced the night before and had contractions, water broke etc, but ended up a C-section
• Epidural
• Very attentive nursing staff, but got kind of annoying because they were so in my business
• At night the nurses timed their visits so I didn't have to be woken up as often
• Could only eat ice chips until my epidural was out
• Had epidural for more than 24 hours
• They helped me shower the first time, etc.
• Newer hospital with "updated" amenities
• More of a drive from home
• Both my pediatrician and OBGYN were not on call that weekend, so I saw someone else

With Linus

• At Tarrant County Hospital with a white male OBGYN who is to the point and fun to talk with
• Gained less than 40 pounds
• Scheduled C-section, had to wait in pre-op (with nothing to occupy our time) for emergency C-section to be done
• Spinal Block
• Very friendly nursing staff, who was more hands off, we are here if you need us, which I really appreciated
• They didn't do a great job of timing their visits at night, the last night they did a horrible job!!
• Spinal block started wearing off that day and I got to get up the next morning and walk around
• Hands off, which means they let me get up for the first time and helped me, but then just left me on my own to get back in my bed
• The TV was a Zenith and the volume button on the bed didn't work, so we had to get up to change the volume
• They were doing construction on the hospital and there were workers outside my window one morning as I was breastfeeding
• Saw my actual doctors in the hospital

All in all, they were both great experiences. I have had great deliveries with little to no complications. I am truly blessed and I am so glad to be home with my family. Speaking of my family, we have even numbers of both sexes, even our dogs fit the mold! Just a little fun fact for you!

Introducing, Linus

Linus is here! Here is a picture of him

I think he looks just like SD and BG, I got nothin!

SD is loving having a little brother and has been really good. My mom is in town and is taking care of her and bringing her up here everyday to visit. I don't know what I would have done if my mom had not come up here to keep SD on her normal schedule. I am able to focus on Linus and getting him on a schedule knowing that my mom is keeping SD on as normal of a schedule as possible. Here are the three of us watching a movie:

So, here is the story of his arrival in case you are interested...

We got to the hospital at 6:30 am on Tuesday to check in. The C-section was supposed to start at 8. They were running a little behind because my Dr. was delivering another baby, but not too late. Then right before we were supposed to go back, we got bumped by an emergency C-section and had to wait until 9:45 to go back. It was kind of weird because I actually walked into the OR and sat on the table. They were counting all of the tools while they were doing my spinal block. Then I laid down on the table, they strapped me down and let the fun begin. It was weird because I was a lot more alert than I was with SD. When they brought him out he started screaming, but not nearly as much as SD did, and I started tearing up. They got him checked out and BG got to go take pictures while they finished up with me.

When they announced the time he was born 10:10 I thought that was his weight. I was shocked, but then they told me that was the time and that his weight was 9lbs 2oz, a big healthy baby!! They brought him to me to see for the first time and he was as cute as can be, with big chubby cheeks. When they were finished stapling me (it sounded like the staple gun I used to recover my dining room chairs, which was wierd) they took me to recovery and I got to hold him. Then they took him to the nursery because he had swallowed a little fluid and wanted to check him out some more. They gave him a bath and SD got to watch from the window, isn't that cute:

Then we all got moved back to our room. So far things are going really well. He is nursing well (which was a huge worry of mine) and is on a pretty good schedule. He is letting me get about 4 hours of sleep at a time at night. He was circumcised yesterday morning, so he was pretty sleepy all day yesterday, but started getting his energy and appetite back yesterday afternoon.

As for me, I am recovering well, walking around and getting showered and dressed. My doctor said that we could go home today if we wanted to, but we are going to take advantage of all of the help we have at the hospital for one more day. We will be going home tomorrow and our new hectic life will begin. Enjoy!

Partying with the Blue Hairs

Last night I went to the neighborhood Garden Club meeting. Let me give you a little background, we live in a neighborhood that was "established" in the late 60s, our house was built in 1968, and only has 150 homes in it. It is tucked away in the trees and is a fabulous sleepy little neighborhood. Most of the people have lived there since they built their house, it seems that in order to get into the neighborhood, someone has to die! Anyway, my neighbor has been inviting me to the Garden Club meetings since we moved there last May, and I have not been able to make a meeting until last night. And it was a blast!

I know, you are thinking that I am crazy, especially since the average age of the group is around 65 or 70. I have been wanting to go because I like knowing my neighbors. We had a plant exchange last night, similar to a White Elephant Gift Exchange. I got number one and my first two plants got stolen, but I ended up with gorgeous pink hydrangea. Anyway, back to the blue hairs...like I said the average age was late 60s, one lady was even in an Electric Wheel Chair. They were the absolute sweetest ladies. They were so nice and polite. We even had refreshments, yummy deserts, stuffed strawberries, some cake that had to be made with 8 sticks of butter, and of course punch! The hostess had china and silver out and her crystal punch bowl. I met a lot of fabulous ladies who were all nice and polite and interesting. The cutest was the lady in the wheel chair, our next function is a dinner at a restaurant (last meeting until fall) and was talking about how good the margaritas were at the restaurant we were going to, then she was talking on her cell phone, it was funny! Oh, and they were so glad to see the "next generation" moving into the neighborhood. You see, they all raised their kids together, go to the same churches and were on PTA together. The great thing is that there was a lady there who was within 5 years or so of my age and she has a little girl who is a little younger than SD. We exchanged info and are going to try and get the girls together to play. Evidently, there are also two other ladies with younger kids in the neighborhood (one who has 5 kids and is pregnant with her 6th, and home schools them all!). Hopefully this next generation will be able to carry on the tradition and keep our neighborhood the way it was intended to be!

One of the nicest things about it was being with more mature ladies. Since we have moved, I don't know that many people. We are getting involved in our church so that is good, but the only other people I interact with are people I work with. Most of the women that I work with are girls, they are young. They are in a completely different stage of their life and some of them are slightly immature, caddy and emotional, which I do not handle very well! I was telling my MIL about it this morning and how it was nice to be with mature ladies who can mentor me and how different it is from being with ladies my own age (or younger) and she chimed in "and not having to be in competition over everything." This is so true! Amanda wrote a great post about this a couple of weeks ago, you should go read it!

Anyway, the ladies were explaining that the Garden Club was the closest thing that we had to a neighborhood association. It is not always about gardening, although a lot of these ladies are very in to that and good at it, but it is about really being a community and looking out for each other. It is crazy, they know all of the city council, mayors, etc. and what is going on in our city. I am glad that I am getting involved in our neighborhood and will be able to say hello to people I "know" now when we are out walking or running. The funny thing is, I talked to one male neighbor a while back, and he was telling me about the Garden Club and was kind of "mad" that it was only open to ladies and said it was because it was just a gossip club. It is funny! Hopefully I will have more stories about it as I continue to go to meetings.

Schedule & Sister in Law

So we are supposed to get together for February and March B-days this weekend with BG's family. I have known that we are going to BG's brother's house for this event, but just found out the time yesterday. Let me give you a little history, all of BG's family lives near us (now that we moved) and so most of the time (about 99%) we do stuff near us, which is nice and convenient (one of the reasons we moved). BG's brother lives on the other side of town, about a 45 minute drive, so it is not nearly as convenient to do stuff over there, granted, they always have to come over here, but as BG says, it is not our fault they live over there, they had a choice of where they live. So, that is strike one against this event, we have to drive. Strike 2, my SIL scheduled it smack dab in the middle of SD's nap. I don't think that she did this on purpose, but if you know her, she is kind of focused on self. I have always felt like we schedule everything around her boys' schedules (they are involved in a bajillion sports and half the time don't even come to family events, they missed a Christmas get together for a basketball game, but don't get me started). I was trying to just go with it and not get my panties in a wad, but it really frustrated me. I have never really had ground to say anything before, because I didn't really have a valid reason. So, I asked BG what he thought and he said it was up to me, how much of an issue I wanted to make it. So, my decision.....



I sent her an email asking if we could move it back an hour or so. I am more than willing to move SD's nap up a little earlier so that we can make it over there, but it would really help for it to be moved back a little. I think I am compromising, at least a little. Part of me wanted to be a total "B" and dig my heels in and say either we are not coming or we will be late (we are supposed to bring the appetizer, so that would be an even bigger pickle!). Anyway, am I way off base here? I am trying to be the bigger person, but I also want her to realize that it is not all about her or her boys, but the family as a whole. I asked BG's sister what she thought (we have similar opinions about her) and she said as long as I was compromising (moving SD's nap) that I wasn't being a total "B," but if she was inflexible, I should lay it on THICK!

***Update*** Another reason to keep SD on schedule, she was pretty much up all night last night, I think jacking with her schedule so much is messing up her sleep patterns!!

A Christmas Hangover?

Do you have a Christmas Hangover today? Not the kind caused from alcohol, the kind caused by a day full of activities. I sure do! I wanted to be home today, to watch SD play with all of her new toys, and to spend time with my hubby! We had a phenominal Christmas and to say we are blessed is an understatement. It was so much fun watching and helping SD open her gifts, she really enjoyed it. I guess it is probably good that I am not at home, I think SD had a total hangover as well! She did not sleep well (HUGE understatement) last night, she was pretty much up from 1:15 to 4:30. She is tired and was somewhat cranky when I left for work. Not to mention, work is actually soothing right now, the phone is not ringing, no one is really here, I am getting a lot of stuff done, etc. It will make me feel good to come back in the new year and have a somewhat clean plate. But, I do want to be at home!

So, what did I get, SD get, etc. for Christmas. Well....
I got some Heartwood Creek stuff, which you know I love, I also got some prayer journal refills, and an organization system from my hubby to put over my scrapbook table, to be filled with all sorts of goodies. He has even already put it up and the playroom looks so much nicer! I also got a broomvac, exercise stuff and scrapbook GC. And, we are not done yet, we still get to visit my family in SA this weekend!

SD, well she raked it in!!! She got so much stuff. From us and Santa she got a Cookie Monster doll, a learning puppy thing, clothes and books. At my inlaws she got a shopping cart with food, an Elmo vacuum, a broom, clothes, a music set, a firetruck, a see & say, a baby doll that she has yet to put down (didn't even want to let it go for bathtime), and a toolbench. She also got a table and chairs set and a bookcase/toybox from my mom that got delivered to our house. She is going to get even more toys when we go to SA, good thing I cleaned out her toys and moved some back in the nursery for the baby!