Mid-Year Vows

About a month ago, or so...Heather made a comment to me that keeps replaying in my mind. She mentioned in conversation that I met all of my New Years resolutions. And I think I keep replaying that conversation searching for what she meant. I don't think I achieved my resolution. That was to lose weight. And that, I haven't done! (As I sit here typing with my cup of Jamocha Almond Fudge ice cream!)

So...I pulled up my blog and browsed the January archives. And I found it. I know what she was talking about! Re-read it here.

People Pleasing. I feel as though I am continuing to be so strong. I am not saying 'Yes' to appease people. I feel more genuine and thorough when I agree to something I really want to do, rather than agreeing to doing it with half of my heart.

Detox from Toxicity, and Don't Get Involved. I have combined these because they seemingly go hand in hand. I have really distanced myself from the negativity that seemingly clouded my life. I have not cowered, nor have I shut out...but I reprioritized, and I feel so refreshed! I really think that's why I seem to have such a much more positive attitude and disposition in my life this Spring/Summer!

Assertive. I did not write about this in my original post...but it's scattered through out a few different ones. I had a goal, that after the first of the year, I would get Hayden's education plan put into place for the 09-10 school year. Leaving matters up to others was doing me no good. Although I've never sat back completely and just observed. So by the end of February, I met with the Board of Special Ed for the CUSD, and the Special Ed. team at her school. She had 2 psych. evals scheduled for April, a speech eval., and a second opinion on her diagnosis. We also met with the intake specialist for the State after months of run around. And in that period of time...the school created her IEP, she started Speech Therapy there once a week with the kindergartners, she's going to have an aide in Kindergarten and receive Speech and Socialization. She was also denied benefits for services with the State and she's being re-evaluated this Thursday for a resubmittal. She's got an incredibly supportive team and a plan! I've also got a tutor lined up for her that's coming out to meet her in two weeks!

We blew that vow out of the water!

So, I'm not sure what lies ahead in the future, but I do know that I have found a great sense of myself over the last nine or ten months. I'm loving it, I'm comfortable with it and I've embraced it. As often as we say that growing up sucks, it can also be rewarding! I know life will continue to throw me curve balls, as it does almost daily. But all of the above vows that I have made to myself and followed through with, have given me the strength, the courage and the confidence to handle them much more different. Maybe this is my zen.

Clownin' Around

My parents took their four grandkids to the Circus on Sunday. They went early enough for the pre-show and didn't get home until 8:30! The kids had a BLAST and still haven't stopped talking about it! They spoiled them rotten with just about every souvenir and sugary treat you could imagine. What an amazing memory they have created!

Thanks Memaw and Papa...that was such a special treat!

No June Gloom Here!

I truly cannot remember the last Summer that I had this much fun! With trips to the library, picnics in the park, play dates, lunch dates, pool play, BBQ's, arts & crafts and more. We're rolling in the fun! June 2009 was one of the best on the books!

Sometimes they like each other!

Sneaking Mommy's makeup!Rockstars!Shopping Silliness!Swimming with Bella and Jaxson!Daddy's GirlTay's first crush!Blogging!Conal's Debut at 'Yankee Stadium'!Giving Mickey and Minnie Swim Lessons and saying "Hi" to Aunt Meghan!Special Night at the Winnett'sCool Off In Style 2009Impromptu Sunday Dinner with the Krynski's
And no pics...but TWO movie dates with my honey. And he finally caved and tried Sushi and loved it. We may be on to something!

the Hoover Dam

On our way to Vegas, we crossed over the Hoover Dam. It looks really neat lit up at night. I have no pictures of that as my camera was on the wrong setting. We sailed right through on the way there. The return, however, was a different story. We were held up for over an hour. So...I took a bunch of random Dam pics!

Mommy's Weekend Off!

Last weekend, a couple of my girlfriends and I went to Vegas! It was a great, relaxing, low key weekend. YES!! You heard that right. Relaxing AND low key, in Vegas! You see, It's official! This one time party girl does not hang like the chicklets anymore! And believe me, I am HAPPY to pass the torch! Over the last year, I've learned that alcohol doesn't sit well with me.

Bonnie, Kerri and Kerri's sister Courtney and I found a smokin' deal on a room at Planet Hollywood. Split between the four of us, with lots of added bonuses...such as a bottle of 'you call it' each day, a gas credit and gambling credit...it was next to free! We loaded up Kerri's car and headed out on the weekend of all weekends. Bonnie packed a huge, hard sided suitcase full of booze and mixers and we took lots of poolside snacks! We even saw "Hangover" earlier in the week to get us even more amped...as if we needed that!

On Saturday, we enjoyed pool side buckets of beer, a nice lunch and I treated myself to 3...yes, THREE naps! It was heavenly. I told the girls before I went that they need to realize that I NEVER get to nap nor do I get to visit a pool without a least one kid hanging off of me at all moments...so if I'm in a zone, leave me, just write the room number down and I'll find my way back! lol

Saturday night we got dressed up and went to an easy dinner at the Cafe at Bellagio. On Sunday Kerri, Courtney and I went shopping, looking for souvenirs for the girls. We had a great pool side lunch at the Monte Carlo, and decided where we want to stay next time. FUN!!

I had so much fun. It was nice to have nobody to look after, other than myself. I came home rested and ready for a big week with the girls. I cannot remember EVER saying that about Vegas. So, I pass the torch to those young, crazy 20-somethings who don't mind waking up bloated and nauseaus and feel comfortable putting a little 'hair of the dog' when they wake up. Wash, Rinse, Repeat. I'm done! Owwww!!

Planet Hollywood Pool with Paris and Bellagio in the background

The view from my pool side lounge chair! Ahhhh.....

In front of Bellagio

Pinkalicious!

While we anxiously anticipate the arrival of little Miss, Jenna and I deemed it appropriate to throw an 'all things PINK' baby shower for Pam!

She put up a little hesitation at first...since it is her third baby. Obviously, she hadn't a leg to stand on. We weren't letting her put up any sort of struggle because 1.) We knew she's always wanted a girlie shower, 2.) Everyone that knows and loves her has been waiting for her to have a little girl and wants to celebrate with her, 3.) I don't think I've ever got to throw a GIRL shower...they've all been for boys, and I really, really wanted to do one up!

Thanks to Tina, Jenna's mom, we were able to use the Val Vista Lakes clubhouse again, like we did for Jenna's! It's the perfect location and so beautiful out there! We did a dessert shower on Monday evening, featuring a chocolate fountain and all the yummy goodness that goes along with it!

I will admit, decorating was half the fun! We had so much fun planning it and seeing it come to life! Jenna made an adorable banner that we hung on the mantle and we tied pink tulle to anything that we possibly could!

Pam has the most creative and clever friends. And, as she puts, some very "professional shoppers", as well! She got the cutest gifts. Handmade and store bought..they're all boutique style. This little girl is definately loved more than she could ever imagine and we haven't even met her yet!

Ace of Cakes?

Look out Duff Goldman!

Smitten!

When we were in California for my Grandpa's funeral, we spent the majority of our time with family. Family that lives less than thirty minutes away, but we never see. Krystal and Nick are a lot of fun, and not to mention new parents. We met their eight month old son, Wyatt, for the first time on our trip. I feel a bit ashamed that we had to make a 600+ mile drive to meet him for the first time. I guess life gets in the way...but at least now we know what we were missing out on!

Right after our trip, I ran into them at my mom's house. We've been seeing a lot more of them lately! I did mention they are fun, right?! Well, they asked me if I would mind babysitting Wyatt for at least two, occasionally three days a week. I JUMPED at the chance!

I kid you not....this is THE BEST BABY I've ever seen! I've heard him cry ONCE...he always smiles and is, quite possibly, the happiest baby born to woman-kind! The girls and I are SMITTEN with Wyatt! We look forward to him coming bright and early on Monday and Wednesday's, and are sad when we see one of his parents pull up to pick him up.

He's so happy to be here. He follows Hayden and Tay around everywhere...or just cuddles with me! We love to play games with him and get him 'talking'! My girls fight over who's going to help feed him and who gets to sit by him in the car or at the table. It's hilarious!

He has the yummiest smile and eyes that sparkle like the sun! He seems so content while he's here...it was the first time they've really left him with anyone other than his Grandma's and he seems to have taken to us really well! I must admit...when we arrived at a softball game last Thursday and he was there...his face lit up when he saw me and it melted my heart! Krystal and Nick are very lucky to have such a delicious little baby boy! Seriously, with a face like this...how could you not be SMITTEN?!!

I survived camping...may I have a cookie please?

It's no secret how much I loathe camping. I cannot keep my feelings locked up. When the talk of pitching a tent in the woods, where coyotes and bears frequent and toilets don't; arise...I try my hardest to change the subject. Find alternatives. Offer my housesitting services. Look for a job. I really, really don't like camping, and I'll look for any excuse possible to get out of it.

HOWEVER, being the good sport that I am...I took one for the team a couple of weeks ago! Conal and Bub planned a camping trip to Forest Lakes about a month prior. I knew there was no getting out of this. Especially once my sister invited my parents, and our husbands invited my cousin and her family and my uncle. Actually...that gave me a little more to look forward to. I've always heard camping is more fun with a big group.

Heather came to my rescue. She offered up their pop up trailer that they hardly use. I jumped all over that offer! And even though Conal would not let me use anything other than the beds...and only hooked up the generator for about 10 minutes of light each day, it sure as heck was better than sleeping in a tent...on the ground...where critters roam!

The kids had a blast. Hayden was disgustingly filthy and completely in her element. Taylor is just like her Mommy. She needed rescuing. She did not have fun and wasn't shy about saying so! She fell lots, cried often and did NOT enjoy the dirt under her finger nails. (Phew...that totally contributes to my game plan for next time - YAY!!)

Post Note Edit: I did forget to add.....I actually had a really fun time! AND...would do it again. Not too often, for not too long. But I would!

For more camping pics, click HERE and HERE!

Learn to Swim with Miss Jaimee

Pictures from the first day of lessons with Miss Jaimee on June 1st-ish! This is Hayden's third Summer with her, and Tay's first!