Sunday is...

*a day where I can't quite seem to fully wake up, despite the 2 cups of coffee and 4 crazy children running around.

*a new day full of new miracles(and that's the attitude I will have today, despite arguing with Matty all morning).

*a day full of cleaning, Wii playing, cooking, and reorganizing.

*quickly bringing the afternoon and with it, a visit from the in-laws complete with a Mexican lunch made by Matt. Yumm-o!

*kicking my larger-than-it-was-2-years-ago butt!

*the day Mason comes home from his dad's. MAN I HAVE MISSED THAT LITTLE BOY THIS WEEKEND!!!

What is Sunday to you?? 

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

OH










                                    SO

                                      TRUE.












Missing my sweet 5 year old tonight, as he spends the weekend with his dad.

Wordless Wednesday: Chocolate Doughnut Edition

A Tease...and a picture

Miss me?? ha! I missed you too...you lurking readers!
It's been a full weekend and I have a post coming with details of my Saturday night.
Until then, I find this picture HILARIOUS and hope you will too!

Sesame Street Confessions

While reading Sesame Street Books this morning, my precious, 22 month old son points to this lovely character:


















and says, "MAMA!"


Then, as if that wasn't good enough-points to this un-lovely character:

and screams out, "DADA!"  


At this point, I was rolling. Rolling people.
It just doesn't get better. 

Just One Thought

Have you ever been so incredibly happy that you have to make yourself go back to a song, a picture, a memory of when you were so incredibly sad, just so that you can briefly feel that pain, briefly know that you NEVER want to be back there?

I think it comes from a life of having your heart broken over and over again, and I don't necessarily mean from men.

Sometimes I feel like I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Like it can't REALLY be this good, I can't REALLY be this happy, it's too good to be true.

I don't know what that is in me, why I feel like that.

Does it come from losing my mother, my best friend, at a young age?
Does it come from trusting in someone and then feeling that trust dissipate as they raise their hand to you time and time again?
Does it come from time and time again of being letdown and then finally learning to just do it on your own?

I am not sure.

I know that the pain of my past makes me more appreciative and grateful of my present.

And maybe that's the point.

because they are all crazy and I love them for it!

*Love*

Three years ago, I met this man.

We now have 2 beautiful children together, have blended our family and become a brood of 7, have had MANY ups as well as downs, learned a lot, laughed a TON, cried too, and have been so wonderfully blessed!

I woke up this morning to 4 dozen roses and the love of my life. 

I go to bed tonight, feeling so very thankful for Matt in my world!

Happy Valentine's Day Baby! Here's to 50 more!

UGH.

                                                   I was right.




















I have strep throat. I couldn't take the pain in my throat anymore- went to Urgent Care.

I feel like I have been run over by a truck. I am fevering, then freezing.

The babies are in bed, Matt took the other kids grocery shopping and I am going to bed with some hot tea, the remote and some books.

Tidbits

*Went to Mason's Valentine's party today. So fun. Final conclusion: 5 year old + Lots of chocolate=insanity. Twenty-four 5 year old's + Lots of chocolate=madness.

* After lots of procrastinating(on my part)and lots of pissyness(on his part), child support orders for Mason are final!!! Mason's dad will now be supporting his child like he should have been the last 5 years!

*About to book a Mason & Mommy trip to California! So excited. So is Mason. He keeps asking how many days until our trip. My family hasn't seen him since he was 2 and this is our special trip together(+baby, since Theo is still attached to the boob)and Mason's birthday present. 

*Daphne and Jack have strep throat.

*Think I may have strep. Yay!(thought this once before, trekked to the doctor, paid my co-pay, didn't have it, felt like a doofus.) I am now hesitant to go get checked again. 

*Despite repeated attempts to start babyfood, Theo is not having anything to do with it. He gags on anything that's not breast milk. We are sticking with exclusive bfing until he is more ready to try foods- and I am in no rush. I am relishing my last baby and my last go round at nursing.

*I am on a MAJOR cooking/baking streak. I think Matt is digging it because it gives him a break from the Master Chef role he has taken in our house. 

*I am still doing Weight Watchers. I am finally getting into a groove with it and realizing I CAN lose weight, even with our crazy life.

*Matt and I are celebrating Valentine's Day tonight instead of Sunday, because we can actually be alone tonight! I am concocting yummy creations for the evening(will post pics)!

*Will keeps escaping from his crib and has now learned how to barricade the door with his toys. He is one of the most clever little boys I have ever met, and I am not just saying that cuz he's mine(or maybe I am). He keeps me on my toes, all day-every day.

*FINALLY, because I can't go without leaving you with a picture, I included Mr. Will passed out in his room after one of his escapes. He did make sure to don a hat first though. Oh how I heart him!

Have a Fantastic Friday!!!

Picking my brain....Valentine's Style

Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee is hosting a Giveaway for these cute aprons- one for you and one for a little. Head on over there and link up your answers to the Random Dozen questions below!


1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?
I am a grumpy mess! I alternate between wanting to be held by Matt and wanting to be far, far away from everybody and everything.

2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?
WAHOO!! These are usually the most fun days with Mas- we make cookies and play games. I miss him being home during the week. Kindergarten has been more of an adjustment for me than him.

3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?
I wish I could sew! I would love to create sweaters/gloves/hats etc. It is on my to-accomplish list of 2010(which is coming soon to this blog near you!). 

4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?
I used to, until I had 2 babies in 16 months. Now I am doing well to keep my house clean, let alone decorated. 

5. What song is on your mind today?
 Replay by Iyaz- it's not really my style, but I LOVE it!


6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?
Classic movies all the way! Best movie ever: Gigi! Go rent it, put it in your Netflix queue, whatev, just WATCH IT!     ****Have tissues handy****


7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside an argument with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room. 
With the exception of what my children need, I cannot put arguments aside. It drives me nuts. I want to finish it NOW. This is something I am working on.  

8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)
Physically-his eyes and his smile. Personality wise- his passion for EVERYTHING he does and his humor. Matt can always make me laugh. 

9. When was the last time your heart raced?
Today, when Matt came home. I am not even exaggerating. The man still does it to me every.day. I am blessed.

10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?
Hmmmm....the only thing I remember is my mom always made Valentine's Day very special for my brother and I. She always gave us a really sentimental, unique gift and I couldn't WAIT to get to school to show my friends! I still try to do that for my kids- just something little that really represents a hobby/passion/talent/interest of theirs.

11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?
Forget the truffles and all that jazz. It's either Snickers or a Hershey's Cookies & Creme bar for me!


12. Red or pink?
Pink, baby! Pink.


You know you want to join in on all the Valentine's fun AND have a chance to win those ca-you-t aprons!!!
C'mon- click the button-and go answer them yourself!

Wordless Wednesday: New Haircut Edition

Good friends are few and far between.

My mom was fortunate to have good friends in her short but beautiful life. One of her best friends was Miss Kari. 

I went to live with Kari & Tim after my momma died. They were expecting their first child(Sol) and I was a crazy teenage girl that had just lost her mom and was looking to the wrong things to heal my heart. I put them through a lot. 

I am so grateful for what they did for me and how they opened their home. I see now what a huge thing that was!

Sol was my first experience with babies and taught me a lot- some of which I still use with my own babies. 

When Sol was 10 months old, Kari conceived Will. He is just one month younger than my Mason. 

Our lives are all very busy BUT we were able to get together this last week. 

              

                                                       Kari & Theo snuggling

When all our kids play, we call her Will-Big Will and my Will- Baby Will, otherwise it gets a BIT confusing! 

                                                                   Big Will

                                                     Sol being a race car driver

     

                                       The Three Muskeeters(Big Will, Sol, Mason)

                            I am so glad our boys enjoy playing together!!

                  

                ---------------------------------------------------------------------

                    And I kind of (wink, wink)enjoy hanging out with Kari too!!

                                                                   I <3 THIS LADY!

Side Note:  The first picture and these last two are from Kari and my 4th of July celebration a few years ago but they were fitting so I threw 'em in!

Call me Crazy

but looking at this picture of me holding Will while Baby Theo grew in my tummy...

makes me want to have 'just one more.'

Today

Today I am running on coffee and the love I have for my sweet children.

Today I am missing my mom so much it hurts deep down in me.

Today I am listening to music that floats me back to more carefree times.

Today I feel like I blinked and here I am- 25, five kids, married. Whoa.

Today I have said about 50 prayers, thanking God for all I have.

Today I have decided to not be a nagging wife and just enjoy my wonderful Matty.

Today I am going to bake and clean and cuddle my kids.

Today is a great day!