Adoption...

I always imagined having a house full of kids one day. I never expected there to be 15 years in between when I had my first child and when I had my second. Of course I didn't think it would take 2 marriages either...lol I also have a step-son but unfortunately he doesn't live with us. So now I am 38 years old and not sure if my body can handle another pregnancy, so I am thinking about adoption.
I was checking out some sites where children are waiting for adoption here locally. I noticed there are a lot of siblings waiting to be adopted by a single family. That is when I realized that maybe I am supposed to adopt a set of siblings instead of just one child. My dream would then come true and hopefully their dream would come true too.
I am aware of the fact that I have many obstacles to overcome before I could do that, and that is a bit frustrating, but I am determined! I figured once my 19 yr old moves out I would gain an extra room, and if there was a boy he could share a room with Logan even. Unless of course the housing market decided to change and we could get a bigger house. There is the adoption cost that would need to be considered, but I have been in debt before, so that doesn't seem like a deal breaker...lol
I am a planner, and even though the hubby wants to wait until the oldest moves out before looking into this option, I decided I needed to satisfy my desire by researching it as much as possible before then. So I would love it if anyone who has gone through the adoption process would send me some links or additional information. Wish me luck!

Guilt Free and Loving It!

I used to put so much pressure on myself to be the best Mom ever, like all of us mothers do. I always felt I came up short because I worked a full time job. Then in the last 3 months I have decided I am probably better than I give myself credit for. Not that I am bragging or placing myself upon a pedestal. I just think I devote more time to my kids while working then I might if I was home all day with them. I think having the "ME" time makes me more focused.

I get to challenge my mind mentally and socialize with my co-workers on a daily basis. This is what I consider "ME" time. Then when 5:30pm rolls around, I switch to mommy mode! During Mommy mode I get to arrive home and give him his 20 minutes of totally mommy time before dinner. We all sit down for dinner together and share our day's activities with each other. (how many families do that anymore?) After dinner we get dishes done then we head outside! It is this time that I look forward to. We talk about the garden and how it is changing, we chase lizards and frogs, and spray each other with the garden hose. Our night usually winds down with a wrestling match with Dad, bath time, and then cuddle time on the couch with 30 minutes of TV time. Then begins our one-on-one bedtime story telling and crazy conversations. Might not seem like a lot to some, but how many stay at home Moms have the time to do that everyday?

I thought all families do this. I thought all families eat dinner together and play outside with their kids and constantly think about the next best activity to do with them. But I am finding out that I may actually be an exception. I stay up until 1am every night so I can get my housework done and grocery shopping accomplished without taking away from my time with the children - I thought this was normal?? After some inquiring I did with other working and non-working Moms - this is definitely not normal...lol The best part of this is that it works for me! - and I am finally okay with where I am and satisfied with how I decided to be a Mommy :)

Back on Track!

I am back...Finally!
I have been so side-tracked with camping, working, and just being a busy Mom! I have decided that I really need to keep up with my blog, as a way to maybe clear my head.

Survived the Holiday Season...

Halloween 2009








Thanksgiving
2009 at Tasha's



















Christmas 2009

Logan turns 4!

As Summer Comes to an End...

We had a great summer...crazy how fast it went by. As it is coming to an end so many changes have taken place.
Brittany is working and is all signed up for college. She is learning how exciting independence can be and how much hard work it takes to have it.
Laine is preparing for another football season after recovering from his collar bone injury.
We were informed Logan is advancing to the 4yr old classroom at the end of this month...which has caught me totally off guard. But he has been doing great so I shouldn't of been so surprised.
Me and Tim celebrated our 7th anniversary last month...and I must say our relationship is stronger than ever because we took the time to invest in it over the last 7 months. I am glad we did because in the next 6 months there is going to be a lot of changes taking place for not just us...but the entire family!

...PROM..GRADUATION!...Busy couple months

Brittany's senior prom was like I always imagined for her...the perfect dress...the perfect date...and the time of her life!

My little girl graduated high

school last month - Hard to believe

how fast time has gone by!

Perfection Connection..

I have been stressing over everything these days. I want Brittany to have the perfect Prom night! I want to find the perfect Graduation Invitations! I want to plan the best Grad Party ever! I want to plan the best week vacation when laine and my family are here! Why can't I settle for simple and easy. I guess I have waited so long for Britt's graduation, her prom, and to have my whole family around me. That eventhough I know I can not plan the perfect events - I know they wil be perfect anyway...because of who will be there. I have no one to impress but my little girl, and I guess that is where the pressure comes from...I want her to have the most perfect memories!
Mommies have it hard!

Feeling Guilty...It has been too long!

Well it has been quite some time since I posted...and I must tell you life has been busy!

So here is my readers digest version of what has taken place...

Well there was a whole lot of Drama but we decided our lives have no room for it anymore...had a Girls Weekend that got me outta a over-worked funk...Dishwasher takes a dump...trip to Arizona to spend time with my family, that I haven't seen in over a year! - It F'n rocked!....Work craziness....economic kick in the butt. But life is good and I haven't been happier! Sometimes all we need is a break from life, a few drinks...a whole lotta compasion...and a willingness not to let life get ya down!

Phew...life is a trip!

A Relaxing Saturday...

It was such a wonderful day, the sun was shining and we were restless.

Me & Logan woke up and had french toast and decided we wanted to get out of the house. So we went outside and washed Logan's car and then went for a walk. Then we went to the Grand Opening of the Sweet Bay grocery store opening just down the highway. Logan thought it was great because they were playing music and he was given a balloon..he also loved the free samples all over the store. We had to hurry home for lunch. But after lunch we went to the park and played until Daddy came home. Then came nap time..ahh

When Logan woke up from his nap, Daddy was getting ready to leave for the night to go to Tampa and Brittany had just got home from a sleepover...so Brittany, Logan and I watched Madagascar2 and then went to Chick fila for our Dinner(naughty I know). Logan ate his whole kids meal and behaved so he got to play on the slide. Logan met this 8 yr old girls who he had a blast with! Even Sissy had to get a piece of the action by being the monster..lol. He didn't even fight leaving the play area(wow). After our tummies were full we decided to stop by the grocery store and get popcorn and ice cream for Movie night. So now we are sitting back watching movies and I feel like I made the right choice..Laundry definitely could wait until tomorrow, the house didn't need to be immaculate, and I had the best day ever just hanging with my kids! I am learning...lol

Happiness is Spreading....

Today I was cleaning my house and I had this overwhelming peace come over me. I know it is hard to believe that scrubbing floors could make you feel that way, but it did. Seriously though, I felt like life is so much better for us then I realize sometimes.

I scrubbed my counters and told myself, wow I was able to afford granite counter tops..10 years ago that wouldn't have been important. I was thankful that I had 8 loads of laundry to do, because that told me my kids were well clothed. It felt good to clean my appliances because I knew they all worked and were dependable. I dusted off the big screen TV, and couldn't help but ask myself...wow, did we really need that. I cleaned my pantry and I was happy because I had enough food in there to cause such a clutter in the first place. I was happy to pick up toys in the living room, because it reminded me that my child is not lacking as much as I sometimes tell myself.

The coolest part was...15 minutes later I sat down and read my sister-in-law's blog only to find out...she too was sharing in the happiness in her own way too!

Logan's Birthday- Yee Haw!

Logan said this was his best party!..lol...but he was definitely tired when his head finally hit that pillow! Thank you all for coming and please know how much we appreciate you sharing in his special day! Here are a few pics from the big day!

Becoming the New Me!

When me and Tim decided to take our weight loss more seriously, I was amazed by the results. Not just the results to my body but to my mind also. I noticed myself being happier and more confident, but most of all my kids have seen Mom emerge again as a new woman. Someone who is ready again to take charge of her life and set limits. I am thankful to Tim's parents for leading by example and motivating us to finally do what needed to be done years ago.

I reached my weight loss goal today..and I am amazed at myself! But now that I know what I am capable of I have decided to shoot for another 10 lbs..because it no longer seems out of reach for me. I feel empowered! I know when I set my mind to something I can make it happen, so I am not sure why I ever doubted myself. Tim and the kids did the Happy Dance with me in the living room when I finally fit into all my business wear from 7 years ago!

Yeah Me!

My Little Dude Turned 3!

It has been quite the crazy ride raising Logan...but I can't believe he is already 3 years old! It didn't hit me right away because his official party is not until the 11th. I watch him describe his day at daycare...I hear him using his imagination...I watch him problem solve and ride his bike...I watch him dress himself and undress...I watch him hit a baseball that is pitched...and I just sit there in aww. What happened to my baby boy?
I feel like everyone misses out on so much because they don't see him everyday. I guess that is something that we, his family, is only meant to see and cherish. I am going to invest in a nice camera for my computer and easy software for my family to install..so not only can Logan talk to them but they can see his personality. He can be quite the devil...but he has a way to make up for those times with just a quirky smile or a "I wuv you Mommy". Even Daddy can only stay mad for only seconds.

Here are some picture from a few of the moments I have cherished..

Truly Blessed!..No words Needed!

Justification For My Gray Hair!

Toddlers are control freaks! They want to suddenly decide who gets to take them to the potty and who gets to dress them or even who gets to look at them. The examples are endless. It is cute until Mommy is the only one he chooses all the time. I am just now getting a break and Daddy is the new "Lucky" one!

They also think at 7:30am when you are running late, that they can decide that the shoes I picked out is not what they want to wear...and I can't help it I will not send my child to daycare with shoes that don't match what he is wearing...so the battle begins...ultimately Mom wins but with 5 additional gray hairs added to the collection.

Dinner time has been interesting he seems to think he can now decide when he has his dinner. So my attempt at being a strong parent (lol) I set aside his dinner just in case he wants it later( I know I know...I need to be strict) But then as we are kissing him goodnight he says "Mommy, I want dinner". I think it was the hardest thing I ever had to do but I had to say no it is time for bed. He was not happy. That was not a good night. But my guilt subsided when he drank 3 glasses of milk while arguing with us.

Logan has also developed this skill of kicking and screaming louder then I ever thought was capable by a small child. Another skill he has is he knows what he wants and he is not open to discussion about it. I will admit I tend to spoil him from time to time but I never give him what he wants when he throws a fit...so why the sudden rampages I am not quite sure. This better be a phase! I used to take Britt to the store when she was small and as long as I gave her time to look-touch-feel the toys she never asked for anything....well FYI..not working this time!

Is this what the next year of my life is going to be like now that he is turning "3"!

Soo Busy....

Wow..life has been crazy lately! We have been go-go-go! Saturday we had our Pre-Holiday party at the house. On Sunday we went to Celebration to see Santa and to watch the snow fall...then last night we forgot we had VIP tickets to see the taping of Wheel of Fortune. It was fun but we didn't get out of there until around 11:30pm! But I am looking forward to tonight..we have no plans and we get the night off...woohoo! The rest of the week is going to be crazy! We have to get Logan's christmas pictures taken on Thursday and Friday we are hoping to go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party with the kids. Brittany's Dad is coming to visit this weekend so she is excited about that. Then Laine is coming on Sunday!
In the meantime I need to figure out how I am going to do my cooking and finish my holiday shopping.-UGH!
Logan's transistion is going well so far..he did good on the first day and today he is going to go to his new class for 3 hours...then tomorrow they will try a full day. He likes that he moved up to the bigger playground and that his classroom is twice the size...but I am worried about the fact that he has twice as many kids in his class. :( I am trying to prepare myself for all the new habits he is going to learn...lol I am just thankful that I can mention the "Big boy" class without him falling to the floor and saying "no!no!no!". Now he asks me if he is going to the "New Class". He is growing up so much! He is like this little man instead of my little baby (sob, sob). I think I need another...maybe adoption this time.



Wow..I can ramble on and on..opps

Look what Logan revealed to us tonight

Trimming the Tree

What is better to do on a cold cold night...but of course decorate the tree and have hot cocoa with marshmallows!! Who knew hot cocoa was a toddler's dream come true!

Umm..Yummy

Catching Up...

Our Thanksgiving was pretty close to prefect! But I missed my family.

My brother went home for Thanksgiving so knowing he was home made me miss everyone even more.

The weather turned out to be very nice and the food of course was great! I think next year Logan is going to deep fry the Turkey..lol..he learned from the pro!

Tim's sister Jenn and her hubby Chris was there...and of course Ryan!

We had a surprise visitor, TJ, Tim's cousin showed up and that made it even more special.
Our thoughts we were with Tim's granddad who is still recovering in the hospital and his Granny.

Here are a couple pictures from Logan's internship..lol

Count Down to Logan's Transistion Week!

I have been dreading this time since last year!
I know it is good for him to move on and meet new kids and to get used to another teacher...but it is sad for him and for me. I think the part that has me the most freaked out is he goes from 10 kids to 20 kids in his class....UGH! So now he has 19 other kids' personalities to incorporate into his own...just wonderful! I think he will adapt easily to the other kids because he is a social butterfly...but the new teacher is going to be tough...he truly loves the teacher he has now.
They suggested transitioning him the week of Dec 15th!! --But I am not sure if they have my buy in yet because of the holidays and people being on vacation...I would rather him start on a week when they can guarantee me the teacher will be there and not a substitute.
So say a prayer for us!