Be AWESOME peeps!

I adore
love
love
love
love this video:

(thanks Nichole for sending it to me!)

Those who know me well, know that I LOVE the word AWESOME!
Actually, you likely think that I overuse the word.

really?  is what I have to say to you....

I try to live my life with a little more pizazz, a little more passion, a little more drama (ya, I know, I know :) )
so using these words:  like, good, nice, great, etc  just isn't enough for me!
I like AWESOME!
I think you should too!
Cuz isn't life AWESOME!
I sure think it is!!!
Be AWESOME people!
Make YOUR WORLD AWESOME!

My heart runneth over Wednesdays

my heart runneth over with......jealously....

When the phone rang at 6am, I was certain it was my boss telling me to stay home.

Then I woke up,
entered reality,
and heard the Superintendent inform me that E and H were getting a snow day!

While I wouldn't take their joy away for anything,
Have to admit.
I'm jealous.

Holy Crappie!!!

Our adorable niece N, caught this HUGE Master Angler crappie at my dad's lake this weekend.
We were so so proud of her!
And clearly by the size of the smile on her daddy's face, he was too!

While Mom's away

My babies sent these while I was away

Pending departure

Today I'm experiencing the guilt/excitement emotional combo that often comes along with parenting.

I'm departing in a few short hours for a week-long work trip.
As I'm packing up, I'm sad....so sad.
 EIV is going to be napping when I leave.  I won't touch his locks for 7 days nor hear his ADORABLE voice. 
E came up and kissed me goodbye (an hour+ before my departure) because she told me she doesn't want to cry when I actually leave...she's growing up too fast. 
H has been clingy (not her normal gentle/cuddly) and crabby...knowing mommy's leaving soon. 
I feel bad.  I feel bad I'm leaving.  I feel guilty for ditching my family.

Then, I recall the numerous times this week I said 'vacation' instead of 'work trip', and mind twinkles with excitement.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm working the full week; actually this is a huge accomplishment of my most recent project.....but I will be alone.  It will be QUIET.  No feet, elbows or butts will wake me.  No whining, no chicken nuggets, no diapers, no siblings fighting, no homework, no reality.....nothing...and nothing will be a taste of heaven.

But am I a bad mom for feeling that way?  I know the answer to that....well, at least I think I do.....
I know that I'm not the only mom who feels this way.....why does it have to be?
Why does a 'break' have to come wrapped up with a guilt bow?

Totally pooped!

I love me some babies when they sleep!
Don't you just want to caress that sweet cheek, tousle that hair....
oh, I do!

Our December Baby!

Thanks to my AWESOME vacation over the holidays and Blogger not cooperating, I'm just getting around to sharing our December with you all....but with the joy of collages, I'll be able to do that in just a few posts.

December was a BIG month for our family!  Our baby, (which makes my heart hurt because I won't be able to say that for much longer :(  )  turned 2!
In Anibal family style, we had donuts for breakfast!  EIV was so exciting when he stacked them all by himself.  
And his birthday party was football theme.  Football cake and lots and lots of game-day food (e.g. hot dogs, brats, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, peanuts, etc).  I was too busy enjoying every minute and everyone who helped us celebrate to take pictures....so the cake is all you get.

And some of EIV's favorites at two are:
-Little Einsteins
-Mickey Mouse
-Jake & the Neverland pirates
-Nichole
-SHOES!
-playing anything with balls involved (yes, that too!.....he IS a boy!!) but especially throwing a baseball and kicking a football.  It is amazing how good he is at it!!  Thanks daddy for those awesome genes!!
-Oat bran with yogurt
-Chicken Nuggets
-Sucking his thumb
-Yankee blanket
-going for a drive anywhere
-running, running, running


So now we embark on year #3.
The 'piss and vinegar' has started to emerge....gotta love the terrible 2's!!

We love you dear EIV and thank the Lord for you (and your health) each and every day!!

testing

Trouble

I'm in trouble.
The days are passing me by and getting me more and more behind (shocking!) with my blogging.

The Trouble is....Blogger is not cooperating with me.
I'm having one heck of time uploading pictures, regardless of what computer I use.

An although I'm sure you all just LOVE my rantings and writings, I know it's the pictures; mostly those of my adorable munchkins, that you really want to see.

My goal for the evening is to tackle this trouble and put an end to it.

Thanks for your patience :)

My Heart Runneth Over Wednesdays!

My heart runneth over with.......reality.......and reality bites!!!!!

Three days back into the 'real world' of work, working out, early mornings, late nights, homework, schedules, bedtimes and real clothes and i don't like it one bit!!!!

I want my two weeks plus of vacation back and I want it stat!!!!!

Year in Review

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!
I've been enjoying every minute of my 2 week vacation and haven't thought about blogging one single time.  I've been having way too much fun!!

Before we jump head first into 2013....(holy crap...2013!...remember Y2K?....it wasn't REALLY 13 years ago was it??)......I thought a summary of our crazy, busy, every celebration a family can have year 2012 was fitting.

So trust me, I'm summarizing A LOT here, but the pictures are fun!!

Jan - dressing up Jeter for our New Years Day party, refinishing a chandelier, surviving the cold
Feb - celebrating our nephew's first birthday and spending time with our cousins
Mar - celebrating #45 with dad, fun with markers, fun in the sun, and a 3 year old princess party
Apr - H playing soccer, swimming lessons and cheese balls
May - Abby graduation and bridal shower (lots of skittles...yum!), planted garden
Jun - slept in our home ONE DAY, out of ONE weekend this entire month!!  Q125 Celebration in Howells which included some cute firefighters, grandpa's crazy beard (thank goodness he shaved!), a float and 3 full days of inflatable fun, Abby's beautiful wedding and a family trip to San Francisco for Landon's graduation, including a trip to the beach, hugging huge trees and walking the best city with grandma
Jul - Howells Olympics (proud to report we scored a couple of medals....way to go Ed, my stylistic diver :), time with cousins and an impromptu watermelon feed with the neighbors, annihilated the Warrior Dash
Aug - Hired the BEST nanny EVER, started school with a first and second grader and H turned 6....complete with cake and donuts and princess party
Sept - Celebrated EIV's first Heartiversary (thank the Lord), birth of another nephew (4 boys in less than 2 years)
Oct - Another nephew, another first birthday party, Vegas trip for Grandma/pa's 50th, time with cousins, E turned 8, lots of pumpkin patches and a week long work trip for mom
Nov - turkey centerpieces and a thankful tree, celebrating #36, and Black Friday baby!
Dec - Santa beard, 12 days of Christmas activities, EIV turned 2,  Grinch hearts for good deeds and lots and lots of family time and love

Whew......I'm exhausting reliving it all.

Our blessings were and are abundant!
Here's to making 2013 just as AWESOME!!!!