My Big Boy


Today Grayson got his first hair cut! ( sniff-sniff, by mommy... he's too big already!! ) I love his long hair. It's always been quite the statement. That's the first thing people comment on. I've been such a proud mother of his crowning glory, since my daughter never had any! Poor Maddy was bald, barely getting whispies when she was 1, and we are still cutting those whispies off trying to get the look of thicker hair! Not my boy, Grayson! The first thing out of the doctor's mouth when delivering him was, "Whoa! look at all that hair!" Maddy and I have had our fun too, placing pink bows and clips onto his luscious locks, when daddy wasn't looking. So getting it cut today was a big step for mommy... I mean Gray. :) So here it is, the before, during, and after of Grayson's big boy hair cut at the salon today!!!

"Watch out kids! Momma has a new camera!"

What are we doing?

I put my cable channel to the 'contemporary christian' music station this morning to be background music as I cleaned. A song with a catchy chorus caught my attention. I backed up and stared at the TV. Wow, it hit me deep. I'm very passionate about giving back, loving others, reaching out a hand. Knowing God has given me greatness if I would only tap into it. We have become so callused listening to the news everyday, and seeing the sad and "misfortunate" around us. My heart became heavy this morning realizing once again, I have been over focused on myself lately, and what I think I'm going through. I've tried to ignore the overwhelming sadness on the news and the world around me. And that is wrong. I'm very happy for the morning wake up call today. I need to see what I can be doing.....because if we all did one thing......Please listen to this song and see if you feel any tugs at your heart. Challenge yourself today, are you doing anything to "give back" ? There is greatness inside each of us to give compassion, love, generosity if only we'd take the time to listen and remember.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot4sgVYCeas&feature=related]

I've been the one in the back of that welfare line.





(btw, I'm not saying give money to all on the street corners, I'm saying give back somewhere in the world..you get my point , right? )

You must be married a long time.....


I realize now, that I have settled into marriage. Today is our 10th anniversary, and what was the very best gift? My husband doing all the dishes for me this morning, that I was too tired to do last night. He then brought me a cup of coffee while I was still in bed. Really, that was the best gift I could ask for right now. Raising 2 little ones, a house that has been under a remodel, and dealing with a lot of back pain. Coming out to a clean kitchen is like paradise for me!! Really, I don't have the expectations I used to. I think this is the reality of life, a life chosen for family that is. We're busy raising kids now. Back in the early years I thought and dreamed of what we would do for the "the BIG 10 year". We would go on a 'real' honeymoon- a cruise, or trip to Hawaii, we would redo our vows, we would upgrade my diamond ring, and all would be so settled! HA HA HA!!! The truth- we're struggling to buy diapers, trying to remodel a house we can barely afford that received flood damage, we had a 'fight' this week, I have tons of laundry to do, a baby, and a four year old who is not sleeping at night! And you know what? I'm relatively happy. Sure its not perfect, and we don't have our relationship 'figured out' all the time, and we're surviving on coffee. But its good. This is what we chose when we chose to have a family. This IS a sacrifice of our personal desires, for the trade of the joys and rewards of family life. Quite frankly, we couldn't take a week vacation anywhere away from the 9 month old right now, even if we could afford it. I could care less about diamonds right now, and as for the relationship... its just fine. We are companions on the journey of life.

What romantic and wonderful thing are we doing tonight to celebrate you wonder? Well, we'll be moving everything out of the master bedroom, closet and bath and ripping out all the old carpet and pad and hauling it out. Home Depot will be here at 8am tomorrow for their second time, since they mis-cut the carpet the first time. We'll be sleeping in the living room tonight, which I guess works fine, based on the fact we will be battling our daughter to go to sleep once again. Hmm.. you know, isn't this what having a family and a home is all about?

I'm happy we have made it 10 years, and maybe, just maybe, in 10 more we'll get that vacation..... ( or dare I dream, will it be the 30 year mark instead?)



"The grass may be greener, but it still has to be mowed"

( a favorite quote, that always gives me perspective)

Signs that remind your that you're a mother:

• Wearing a powder blue towel with a star on it that reads, "bathtub star" after showering!


• Handing your husband a "Go Diego Go" bandaid, for his boo-boo!


• Knowing all the words to the "Wonder pets" cartoon theme song!


• Snacking on Cheerios all morning for my breakfast!

Toolbelt Diva...Demolition Chick....Remodel Gal.....


Whatever you want to call it....my name should follow it today! I surprised a girlfriend this morning, who was visiting for coffee, with, " Are you feeling strong today?". I had gotten a call from the guy doing my bathroom tile. He could fit us in today, instead of Friday and it would work best for him to come over in 1 to 2 hours! After living in the chaos we have been for 5 weeks, I desperately said yes! ( Why the chaos? I haven't written about it yet...but I will! I have some great pics of the "goings on" in our house!) This meant that I needed to tear out the bathroom vanity, sink and counter tile and backsplash, right NOW, by myself! I actually was quite excited. I love a challenge, to see what I really am capable of. But I had the kids, and needed a bit more muscle. So I dragged in my girlfriend as my partner in crime!! I gathered the crowbar, hammer, wrenches, utility knife, screwdriver and pliers, and made my plan. It took a lot of work, and sweat (wait, women don't sweat, they perspire :p ) , one blister, one scratch and one pipe bonk to my mouth and its finished!! We hauled it out and I am feeling quite powerful and accomplished right now! The gentlemen are in there laying the tile now! I did leave several holes in the drywall that my husband will be just thrilled to see, but there just wasn't any way around it. He already has a lot of patching he was going to be doing anyway, so what's a couple more... :) ? As we finished hauling out the last piece, my friend says, "you are amazing you know!". Thanks..... I like that, I'll take the compliment. But I'm just capable in this area. We also concluded that I should start classes or a web site for women on simple home repair. I know there are a few out there. 'Toolbelt Diva' is a current TV show on DIY network. I just love the concept. My husband isn't a "Mr. Fix-it", so I've just learned to do most home repairs and remodel type work...oh yeah, and I'm not too shabby with cars either! I think it would be quite fun to teach some classes to women on how to do basic things like, plumbing, and appliance maintenance. I've been asking my sister in law, who is a seamtress and also works with leather, to make me a hot pink tool belt for the last couple of years. Maybe this year for Christmas I can get one. I dunno, should I have her put my initials on it too, in rhinestones ?! :)

Happy Mom's day to me!!



Celebrated these cuties yesterday!! Although I have my "moments" :
I love these kids more than I could ever imagine, and cherish the joys they have brought into my life!!

Have you seen this commercial??


[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=KSECUIKi5cM]



If you have had a baby boy, than this will ring true for you!!

Maddy and I saw this on TV, and we were cracking up!! I just loved it. Watch the guys facial expressions! It totally reminds me of my brother! This type of scenario has happened many a time here in my neck of the woods!

WARNING: Some serious bragging ahead!!


My husband totally spoiled me for my birthday this year!
He called me Saturday afternoon on his way home from work, and said, " I'm at a store trying to pick out something for you to wear on your birthday tomorrow, and its too hard. Pack up the kids and get ready, I'm taking you shopping!" Welllll, twist my arm! ( Basically what that translates to: he envisioned my crying in my closet while I was trying to find something to wear for my birthday date with him. As he knows I am suffering with the baby weight that is not finding its way off very easily! Like a very wise, old married man, he knew the quickest and smartest way to avoid that scenario!!! And I'm proud of him for it! :p) We had fun picking out clothes together ( well, except for the noisy, needy children that is!) After finding the perfect "weight disguising" sundress, he told me were picking out shoes to match! YEAH, again, twist my arm! Then we accessorized with earrings and necklace!!!! SO romantic ! ( again despite the fact that we have the kids, at a mall, at 7:30 at night!) He put the kids to bed, so I could paint my nails. What a man!!
Sunday morning I awoke to major spoiling, and I'd take it again any day!!! Waiting for me was a raspberry mocha from Starbucks, a peach jamba juice and a "healthy" cookie, 2 mylar baloons, and a gigantic and gorgeous flower bouquet!!! A funny card, a serious card, and a card from the kids!! Whoa, are you getting all this? Like I said, serious bragging here, because this guy is making some major points here! I went off to take a shower and get ready, since he had just informed me that we had reservations for brunch, while my dad watches the kids, YEA!
We then headed out to the countryside on a fabulously sunny day and made our way to King Estate Winery for brunch!!!!!! If you have read my blog post about 'why I should live in Europe', you'd know that this was the perfect way for me to spend my birthday! I felt like we were transported to Europe. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, the breeze was blowing, the hillsides were breathtaking! King Estates has the most incredible restaurant, and they treat you well! The food was amazing, and that's an understatement! We had a wonderful and relaxing time together. The only thing that would have completed the day more, is a hammock among the grape fields for a nap in the sun. TOTAL PEACE , and I really needed that. I love my husband, he knows me well, and knows how to treat a lady right, don't you think?! So, yes, I'm totally bragging, but I think he deserves it..... he made some serious points!!

There is a time for everything... sometimes,unfortunately

I'm feeling very reflective on life itself today. A very sad thing has happened to a family friend this week and it has left me with many different feelings. I had such a beautiful and truly happy week. I was refreshed and felt more of a zest for life after a great trip with a close friend. I came home wanting to tackle some new things, challenge myself in others. I was met with a devastating story about someone I care about. I went to my Bible this morning, and decided to post this today, as I reflect on the many ups and downs of life itself as we know it on this earth.

"There is a time for everything, and everything has its special season.

There is a time to be born, and a time to die.

There is a time to plant and a time to pull up plants.

There is a time to kill, and a time to heal.

There is a time to destroy, and a time to build.

There is a time to cry, and a time to laugh.

There is a time to be sad, and a time to dance.

There is a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather them.

There is a time to hug, and a time not to hug.

There is a time to look for something, and a time to stop looking for it.

There is a time to keep things, and a time to throw things away.

There is a time to tear apart, and a time to sew together.

There is a time to be silent, and a time to speak.

There is a time to love, and a time to hate.

There is a time for war, and a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8