Off the deep end...

Sooooo, I am exhausted! What else is new?? I need to look into some vitamins or something because I have been dragging all month! Today is the 24th, so that's over 3 weeks where I spend more time yawning than blinking! *YYYYYAAAAAAWWWWWWNNNNNNN*

So, guess what I did yesterday?? Here's a hint - I jumped in the deep end at my swim class!! Yeah, I know that was way more than a hint but I couldn't help myself!!! :-D This was only our 3rd class, but I did it. I know I didn't cure cancer or anything, but I have a SERIOUS water phobia!! Like, it's not funny! Our instructor, Bill, took my hand and jumped in with me. He is soooo patient - jumping in water with a grown woman!!! LOL Check that visual!!! LMBO I really have to laugh at myself. Anyway, after the first jump, I took off the training wheels and jumped in by myself!! WOOO HOOOO!!! I know - I'm awesome! :-P

I'm still trying to get comfortable floating on my back, but I'm confident I'll get there. I've spent 28+ years scared of water - that won't change overnight, but I'm proud of the little progress that I've made. We'll see what happens next week.

In other GREAT news - SHANA GETS TO GO HOME TOMORROW!!! YAHOOOOOOO!! She had 2 drains in her abdomenal region for the excess fluids and such... well, she had those taken out today. I KNOW that had to hurt - but she's so strong...I'm sure she only cried a little bit! Ok, well she told me she cried a lot, but I didn't want that on her permanent record.. lol It appears all is going well and I'm just happy that she's getting out of there. I've always been told people recuperate better in their own surroundings. Shana and I were roommates for over 5 years in college and before I got married and I am going to be staying with her for a while to help her get back on my feet. Hmmmm, won't this be interesting! I think it'll be fun (kinda) - but I don't think she has cable! UGHHH! She was supposed to get it before the surgery, but I don't think she did. Glad we both have Netflix!

So, Shana got her drains taken out and she gets to go home tomorrow after having major surgery. I jumped in some deep water completely surrounded by lifeguards and was never really in any imminent danger. I'll say it again - a little perspective.. Even still, 3 baby cheers for me working on my fears (which is really a blog all in and of itself..)

Traditions, toe kisses & a little perspective

WHEW!!! It's been a LONG week and an even lonnnnnnnger weekend! I can't complain though! Well, I could but where would that get me?

So, when I found out I was pregnant for the second time I knew that I wanted to start all sorts of traditions for my family - Easter eggs, going to the pumpkin patch before Halloween, Christmas morning breakfast, family fun nights, etc. The boys and I went to the pumpkin patch last October and we plan to go again in a couple of weeks for this year's trip. I'm excited! We're still working on Christmas. We've gotta work out the kinks but we're getting there. So far, we have the boys in their Christmas pajamas and we have a big breakfast on Christmas morning. I think I'm gonna also let them open one gift on Christmas Eve - that won't be a big deal until they are older though.

ANYWAY, since we reached the milestone of everyone in the house eating the same meals - I decided to start my dinner and a movie tradition. We had to wait until Aaron could eat what we eat before we could start. I'm glad we waited! :-) We'll do it one Friday a month and I'm proud to report we started this past Friday. We had a 'picnic' on the living room floor eating pizza and drinking chocolate milk and tasty apples for dessert. Our movie of the evening was Finding Nemo. It was a HUGE success!! I can't wait for next month's festivities. Maybe we'll watch The Great Pumpkin since we'll be nearing Halloween. In the meantime, check out my boys....

Eat up boys!

The 2 AJ's (and Jordie's sneaker!) :-D

My boys eating their apples

Apples give Jordie superpowers! lol

As I said, this has been an extraordinarily long week. I tried to fit so much in to my schedule that it became obscene. I'm paying for it now b/c my body is wearing down and I am so fatigued. I just have to make sure I don't get worse! *looking for my ecinacea*

So, I had family coming into town yesterday to attend my sorority's annual scholarship luncheon and fashion show. I was doing all I could to prepare for them. I was cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc in preparation. I probably went a bit overboard, but I wanted everything to be nice for them. So, while the boys were watching Nemo I headed back to the kitchen to make food for Saturday. I made a muy delicioso chicken pot pie and some apple bars - very cakey and super YUMMY! neither dish was very complicated to prepare, but both happened to be quite labor intensive. Once I finished with that and got the boys to bed - I had to finish cleaning my house! AHHHHH! I thought I had made more progress during the week, but I guess not. I didn't get to bed until 3am!!! Once I got up there, I looked at my cell phone (error #1) and saw a text from my boss. He is in Hong Kong so I knew he would be awake - so, I replied (error #2). He wrote back. It was funny b/c he asked why I was still up and if I had just gotten home! I literally LOL'ed. I told him I WISH my life was that glamorous!!! LMBO!!! Anyway, as it turns out, he needed help editing an org chart!!?!???!?!??!?!?!?!!!????!!!?! I went BACK DOWNSTAIRS, turned my computer on, made the necessary changes and hit the send button as fast as I could!!!!! (error #3). On my flight back up the stairs, I had to ask myself why I answered the text!!! Too funny.... Or rather, too sad! LOL

Ok, wow - I really do ramble on don't I.


So, the fashion show on Saturday was a huge success. We had a great turnout, great activity with our raffles and our silent auction. We had some great vendors. And the best part - just about everyone from my table won a door prize!! HOLLA!!! There were a few intense moments (gotta love the seniors), but all in all, a great day! So, the show was supposed to end at 3pm, but we didn't get out until close to 4. My mom and Aunt Vic came back to the house to see the boys. Of course THEY BOTH WERE SLEEPING!!! LOL YAY, they decided to wake up. Tif came over too so mommy could see Jace. He is too cute! It was great having them all over, but can I please tell you how tired I was!!!! I couldn't keep my eyes open for anything. Mommy and Vicki had quite a drive ahead of them, so they didn't stay long.
MomB and her boys (I heart those matching tops...)

They left by about 7pm and Tif was gone by about 8pm. I left Aaron downstairs with Ty and I took Jordie upstairs so we could chill out in the big bed before night night time. I turned on Backyardigans for him and that actually allowed me to close my eyes for a few minutes. I was quickly awakened by a little toddler playing footsies with me. I asked Jordie what he was doing and he said 'touching toes.' It was soooo sweet. Maybe it was just my fatigue talking, but in that moment, nothing could have made me happier. I just changed the name to toe kisses...and he was so generous with them and was more than happy to toe kiss me goodnight! What a special boy i have! MUAHHHHHH to you too Jordie - from my big toe to yours! LOL

WHEEEWWWW.... this is the reason I need to blog more often.


So, I wake up today and I'm still exhausted! I can't seem to get it together. We all made it to Sunday School this morning, so that made me EXTRA happy. We so often try, but we're all a little too slow in the morning. I hope we can go more often - especially since I want to pick my French class back up. The boys were in rare form today and nothing was working to get them to calm down. Needless to say, we left church early. I was just way too tired to wrestle with them in there. My patience was on "E"! We left and the boys were both asleep before we even turned off the block. We all took about a 2 hour nap that afternoon. I woke up, not really refreshed, but ready to finish my day. I was in a bit of a funk, and I knew I had to go see Shana - but I didn't want to go with that attitude. It was too late for lunch but not quite time for dinner, so I just made a quick fruit salad so they wouldn't be starving. It looked quite yummy (apples, grapes, blueberries & strawberries), but I wanted realllllllll food! ;-)

Yummy fruit!! I love those little hands!

Anyway, before I knew it, it was 6pm! I had to get to the

hospital! I left the boys (all 3 of them) and made my way to see Lil Sha Sha.

Seeing her was GREAT! She had her surgery on Thursday and today is just Sunday - she looked FABULOUS!!!!!! She's not moving much, but that will come soon enough. The surgery went well and the surgeons ended up only taking her spleen and part of her pancreas! Isn't God good????!!!! He is able!!! WOO HOO!!! I am so excited for her! I mean, this is not the ideal situation for her, but things are still wayyyy better than they could have been. She has a long road ahead of her, but we're all here to support her. I'm just so proud of her!

Going to see her tonight served a few different purposes.
1. I got to see my dear friend and let her know I'm here for her.
2. I got a quick break from the boys (I love them, but still..lol) and
3. It wasn't intended but it offered me some new perspective on life (& all its ups and downs).

You never know what is in store for your life and you can't always sweat the small stuff. Shana went through something major and just to see her afterward makes me so appreciative of what I've got going for me. My days don't always go according to plan, my house can sometimes be a big mess, my attitude oftentimes needs adjusting - but I have my health, I have my sanity, I have a wonderful family!!! I am BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE! So, thank you Shana..... This is probably just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the lessons we'll all learn from this surgery. I know it's all for God's glory and I can see that manifesting itself already.

So, three cheers for Lil Sha Sha!!!

And with that, I bid you adieu....

It's Not a Too-mah!

Remember that little nugget from Kindergarten Cop??

Well, sad to say, but it is a tumor.

No no, not me....one of my best friends in the whole world is having MAJOR surgery in the morning to have it removed.

Can you imagine being a healthy twentysomething - going to the doctor one day to find out you have a 13cm tumor residing in your abdomen??? That is just mindblowing!!!! And if that's not bad enough, while you're in surgery to get the tumor removed - they must also take your spleen, one of your adrenal glands, part of your pancreas and part of your stomach. WTH!!!! This is all just too much....and I'm not even the one going through all this.

But....GOD IS ABLE!!! What does the scripture say, By His Stripes...

God be with Lil Sha Sha as she goes through this.

It has truly been a long hot summer for her, but she has plugged her way through like a true CHAMPION! I don't know why God chose her to go through all that she is currently going through, but I am confident that it is all for His glory. God doesn't make mistakes and I am just trusting in Him now as I prepare for what tomorrow brings.

Writing about Lil Sha Sha's situation really puts things into perspective. My little issues are really just that - LITTLE - when looking at the bigger picture. I am not perfect, but I need to better focus on my positive attributes. Ty surely ain't perfect, but he sure does do a lot of good day in and day out that I guess should be recognized more often. I have 2 wonderful little boys who are mature beyond their years and intelligent beyond the scope of imagination - how about I relish in that a bit more rather than obsessively think about the mess they made at the dinner table.

I truly live a charmed life..
I'm not wealthy, but boy am I rich!!!

Dear Lord,

I come to You this evening as humbly as I know how. I come with a heart full of thanksgiving and joy for this day and for Your goodness!! Thank you Father for showing me that it really isn't about ME! Thank you Lord for the gift of family and friendship. Thank you Lord for blessing me DAILY even though my actions prove I don't deserve it.
I come to You now Lord with a special prayer for Lil Sha Sha. I pray that You touch her in a MIGHTY way that she may go into her surgery calm and at peace knowing that You are with her. I also pray for every doctor, nurse, practitioner, receptionist, valet, agent, etc that she may come in contact with that Your light may shine through them. Lord, I pray for the safety and well-being of all mentioned above and the families they represent. Lord, I pray that Sha Sha has a full recovery post-surgery. Lord, I pray that You place a hedge of protection around the operating table that Sha Sha may be kept from any possible hurt or harm.
Lord, I pray for the G-Y family - that they may have strength during this time. Lord I pray that where Sha Sha is weak, that they are able to lift her up. Lord, You said that You will never put more on us than we can bear and we are leaning on Your Word!
Thank you Lord for the VICTORY!!! WE CLAIM IT RIGHT NOW IN THE NAME OF JESUS!! THANK YOU FOR SENDING YOUR SON TO DIE ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS! THANK YOU FOR HEALING! THANK YOU FOR DELIVERANCE! THANK YOU FOR GRACE! THANK YOU FOR MERCY!
In Jesus' name I do pray now and forever more!!!!!!!

Speedos and Vera Wang

I'm not a big girl by any stretch of the imagination. A girl is never supposed to tell her weight, but I'm proud of my diminutive size! I've had 2 babies in 13 months and I wear a size 2 - or so I thought. When I got married 5+ years ago, I weighed in at 113 lbs. I loved being that size. Now, 5+ years and 2 babies later, I weigh 120 lbs. I know because I just got weighed this morning at the doctor's office (migraine follow-up). My weight hasn't changed that much over the years, but I guess my shape has definitely changed!!! WHOA!!!

I just came in from my second swim class and I had such a good time! Guess what??? I can float on my back!!!!!!! MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT!!! I didn't think I'd ever be able to float on my back, but I can! I mean, I can't do it in deep water, but I'm getting there. I just have to learn to breathe and also hold my breath for a longer length of time.

I digress...

So, Ty, my dear husband, told me that all of my bathing suits are too "sexy" to go to the local Y. He reminded me that I would be swimming with 'soccer moms' and I wasn't going to South Beach! lol It's nice to know he thinks I look sexy in my bathing suits, but the one I wore last week was a tankini...nothing special. Sure, I felt confident in it, but I really didn't see anything sexy about it. Anyway, his words really stuck with me. So, before today's class I went to Modell's to buy goggles, a swim cap and a new bathing suit. btw, my hair was still soaked after class so what exactly is the point of a swim cap???
Since it's getting colder, all the bathing suits were 25% off!! WOO HOO! They had a lot to choose from. I picked a few up, hanger modeled them in front of the mirror and made my selection. I noticed the smallest size they had was a 6. It looked like a good fit, so I bought it. I got home and why was this sucker tiiiiiiiigggghhhht! LOL I mean, it fit oookkkkkkaaaaay, but an 8 would have been more comfortable. My new speedo makes me feel like an olympian, but it also makes me look like a stuffed sausage. So sad...like Dadu! ;-)

As I was driving to the Y, I remembered the same thing happened to me 7 years ago when I went gown shopping with my mom. I tried on like 20 bridal gowns and the sizes astounded me! I ended up buying like a size 10! Yeah, it had to be tailored down a bit, but really, a 10???

Age ain't nothin' but a number, and I guess gowns and swimsuits follow the same rules.

I made a beautiful bride...if I do say so myself, and I make a beautiful beginner swimmer - with my wedgie inducing suit! HA!

btw, my swimsuit is a speedo but my wedding gown was NOT a vera wang (i wish!)

REJOICE!

You see how the devil works. I typed out this nice blog at 1:15 in the morning just to have it all deleted! BOOOOO! The devil shall NOT steal my joy tonight!!!!

I won't go through the whole thing now, but just know God is GOOD!!!!
One of my favorite scriptures is short and to the point (kinda like me...lol). It reads, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4 KJV)" In just a few words, so much is spoken!!

God is the head of my life and the source of my salvation!!! I thank God for blessing me OVER AND OVER b/c I surely do not deserve it!!!! He does so much for me, I must REJOICE!! I must PRAISE HIS NAME!! We are called to pray WITHOUT ceasing - but so many of us seem to only pray when all else fails. We need to give God what's right, not what's left! :-) I love the Lord with all my heart and I am so grateful for His soul-saving love!!!

I pray that we all remember that the Lord is "...able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think... (Ephesians 3:20 KJV)"

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! I am FILLED with His spirit now and I just had to share. I have to be up in a few hours to attend my meetings, but I would be remiss if I didn't take a few minutes before bed to give God the glory for everything that encompasses my blessed life, and also for my most recent find........my meeting notes from June!!!

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!

back to work......
p.s. I haven't slept well all week...how much you wanna bet I rest well tonight! I'll report back soon. God is good!!

Wait a minutes!!!

I have a sorority meeting in the morning.
While I'm not the secretary, I had to take minutes at our June meeting. Why I waited ALL summer to type these minutes is beyond me.
When it comes time for elections, this is an office I will NOT be running for!!!

Oh yeah, I lost my notes from the meeting (truthfully, I think one of the 2 foot monsters destroyed them), so I'm trying to type them from memory.
I forgot what I had for dinner tonight, so this should be interesting.
Sometimes, you just have to laugh at yourself.

It's 11:45pm, laugh time over.....just time to cry.

btw, I haven't slept all week. I am sleepier than I could have ever imagined.

That Juno stripper writer couldn't have scripted this scenario any better. Now all I need is a baby or two to wake up screaming for a cup of juice or the need for some stuffed animal. HA!

What the?? Did I just hear something???

No, that's just me stalling.... lol
time to get back to the task at hand.

oh yeah, welcome to my blog.

Anger Management

So, I was in quite a funk much of today. I blame it mostly on hormones - things have DEFINITELY changed since having the babies...

My head hurt, I had no appetite, I craved solitude and I seemed to be bothered by what some would consider minutia.

Anyway...


I walked through my door this evening after a long day at work and all I wanted to do was kiss my babies and get a glass of water. That's not too much to ask is it? Well, I walked through the door and the mess I saw was UNBELIEVABLE!!! Like, it takes some serious effort to create that kind of mess. The sink was full of dishes, the counters had crumbs all over it, the floor was covered with debris.. I mean, EVERY room was its own personal disaster. This just set me off....

I could not utter a word. Can you believe that?? ME, silenced!! HA!
Ty, I guess sensing my fury, quickly left to get a haircut. Uhhh, buh bye! grrrrrrr

So, I commenced to making the boys their dinner. Chicken and broccoli - quick and easy. That's all I could muster on this fine evening. Jordie was taking a late nap (I think he sensed something too...lol) and Owwie was joining my pity party b/c he started H.O.W.L.I.N.G!!! He cries when he's hungry, but he was crying as if he hadn't been fed in his entire 14.5 months! It's funny now, but a few hours ago...not so much.

Owwie is a GREAT eater and eating really livens him up. And just like that....I was cured! Good moods really can be contagious! I love my Owwie!!!
How could you stay angry looking at this lovebug!!! Such a sweetie pie!

Dolphin Racer

I have 2 beautiful boys - Jordan bka Jordie aka Babydoll and Aaron bka Owwie aka Lovebug. Jordan is - as he says it - 2 in May! Aaron turned 1 in June. As big brother, Jordan took swimming 'lessons' at the local Y last summer. This summer was way too packed, so he just started his second session this past Monday. Owwie makes his debut in the pool in just a matter of minutes. I am so excited for him, I'm just sorry I can't be there! BOOOOOOO!

Anyway, I started my swim class last night. We learned to float!! Holla! I'll be doing laps in the ocean in no time. *trying to remain confident* I took lessons as a girl, but uhhhh, well, that didn't go too well. Try try again they say! So, after a 20 year hiatus - I'm back in the pool!!

I am such a rambler....

I got home last night around 10pm...the boys had long been off in dreamland so I could only share my experience with Ty, the only swimmer in the house! He was watching MSNBC so that was a short conversation! HA! I couldn't wait to tell Jordan so we could have a conversation about our joint efforts!

Fast forward to 8am this morning...
Me: Good morning Jordie
J: Good morning Mommy
Me: Did you sleep well
J: Yes, I slept well.
Me: I went swimming last night...just like YOU!
J: I went swimming in the pool with Daddy
Me: Did you have fun in the pool?
J: Yes, I had fun in the pool
Me: Did you splash with the kids?
J: Yes, I splashed with the kids
Me: Do you want to go swimming in the pool again?
J: NO!
Me: *shocked as all get out* Why not?
J: Because I have to go with the dolphin racer. I can't swim with Daddy ANYMORE!
Me: (thinking WTH?!?!?) you can't go with the dolphin racer, you can only swim with Daddy
J: NO! I don't want to swim with Daddy. I want to see the dolphin racer!

Anyway, this went on for another 5 minutes...you get the point. I was trying to figure out this whole dolphin racer thing b/c I knew I heard about this mystery man before but I couldn't place him..........until Jordie said the magic words!
"Mommy, I have to get dressed (which he says every morning) and go downstairs to watch The Backyardigans!"
You know how Oprah talks about having an 'AHA' moment! Well, that was mine!
The Backyardigans is Jordie's FAVORITE program!!!!!!!!!!! I can't stress that enough! He has every episode catologued and memorized in that 2 year old brain of his. It's truly remarkable! LOL Anyway, Dolphin Racer is one of the episodes. The characters are underwater the whole time.... I guess that's how he made the connection.

Sooo, the boys and I are on our way to being the best swimmers ever.....even if we have to compete with a cartoon to get there.

I love my family!