To All the Girls I've Loved Before

I have a confession... I feel HORRIBLE about it. Seriously, so, go easy on me. . . here it goes.

I had a box in my hallway for two weeks like looked remarkably like this one.

Ok, IT WAS THIS ONE.

It came from Jessica. Because a while back Jessica and I decided to swap some baby clothes. See, I was going to have a girl, and she just had a boy (in a round about sort of way). So, we decided to swap clothes. I send her Wade's clothes and she sends me her baby girl clothes. GREAT! We could both save some bucks!

My MIL delivered a bag of baby boy clothes to her shortly after her "delivery" and she was going to return it via my MIL. We tried to set up a rendezvous when the MIL came for THIS VISIT, but it didn't happen b/c she was coming from Hawaii (rough life, I know). So, a short time after the MIL returned home, I got word that a package was coming. . . I knew what was in it and I was stoked!

However, it arrived one day before *ell week. Except for you remember, *ell week was TWO WEEKS LONG. Really, it was all I could do just to survive. Serious.

My MIL came last week for the blessing of baby K and she saw the SAID BOX in my hallway. I said, "Oh yeah, it came right before spring break, and I just haven't had time to get to it because:

A: It was Spring Break and survival was of the utmost importance.

B: Kaylin has been living in my room and I had no place to put clothes and

C: My In-laws arrived the DAY AFTER *ell week so I had to frantically clean before they came and

D: My life has been COO COO ever since K was born.

[Insert picture of baby clothes over taking my room here]

So: as part of their visit, I decided to move Wade downstairs and kick him out of his crib (more on that later) buy him a cheapo dresser from Ikea, and get all of his clothes out of the nursery so I had some room to put that stuff. The in-laws bounced babies while I put together the dresser and eventually Wade was "moved downstairs". Jean finally had had enough of my postponing and said (one night at 10:30 p.m.) WE ARE GOING TO OPEN THAT BOX NOW!!! ( I didn't understand the urgency). But I complied.

Much to my surprise, there was a baby shower in a box from MY GIRLS. The girls from my old hood. Heidi, Kara, Holly, Karen, Lori, Lindsay, Jessica (of course) and Amy, Leah and Whitney. I was OVERWHELMED with LOVE. These girls are the best support system that anyone could have and I love them so much. As I lifted each gift out of the box the urge to cry got stronger and stronger. They were so generous and showed so much love through a box! They also sent me an amazing gift card so I could shop to my hearts desire. I was overcome with a feeling of love and support from them.

The tough thing about moving is missing them. I have yet to find my niche here with girlfriends and I am in DEEP NEED because I have a birthday coming up that I need to CELEBRATE!

Girls, you made me feel so loved. Thank you so much for all your love, support and prayers. I miss you all tremendously, and love you all. I wish I could have moved you all with me. As a matter of fact, I am still holding out hope that some of you decide to move here :) I am sorry your box sat in my hallway for two weeks. I love you, and thank all of you!

Kaylin's Blessing Day

What a week! It started off with the in-laws coming to visit their winter home. . . They have become snowbirds, and haven't even realized it! The kids love having them here and we reserved all of our celebrating for while they were in town. It was nice to have a few extra hands around after two weeks of spring break.

Life has been traveling in flashes of light since little K was born with visitors, spring break and celebrations. Sorry if I have been neglecting the blog. K is a bit of a handful, but is flashing us more smiles as of late to reward us for all of our bouncing and rocking. I have to admit, I have turned a bit soft on this little babe thinking that she is my last. I rock a little longer, I watch and cuddle a little more and I DEFINITELY don't get a lot done. All of you have been sooooooooo generous with your gifts and well wishes and believe me, it has not gone un-noticed. I am close to living a normal life and will be able to get back to all of you SOON!


To reward you for all of your patience I wanted to post some pictures of K on her blessing day. She LOOKED FABULOUS in a little number given to her by her grandma K-lo. Although she looked happy in this picture, she cried through her blessing... (TOTALLY indicative of her temperament so far! :)

This is how she looked RIGHT BEFORE her blessing (my dad was snapping pix in church.. the shame) I think this is a good indication that she was NOT going to be happy during the prayer. Does this face not say, "Whatchootalkin'about willis???"

Here is a picture of the family after the blessing. It was a little windy, no?

As you can see, Abby is dawning her new dress! Doesn't she look adorable? I had a photog take some pictures of her and K in their Easter duds and although they don't showcase the dresses, they sure are adorable anyway. I stole them from Sarah's Blog. . . She is a total sweetheart and did my sitting for FREE b/c she was teaching a class! She is super talented, check her out!

Oh, and this one doesn't have many clothes, but sure is adorable.

We had LOTS of people come and share the big day with us, both family and friends.

And Kaylin? Well, after crying all through her blessing, she was so tuckered out, she slept through her party. . .

I have sooooooooo much more to post! More tomorrow! (ps- I tried to post this at 10:00 a.m. Now you know how my day went...)

Waking Up

I got up early today. . . You know why. . . The good news is, it was 5:45 a.m., but the last time I looked into her little brown eyes it was 10:00 p.m. She cried for a nano second at 4:00 a.m. But, fell back asleep. . . it could be a fluke, but it is a fluke I am happy about this morning.



The Spring in Arizona is beautiful. The desert "blossoms like a rose". You might not think that scripture refers to AZ, but it applies anyway. There are new flowers (not tulips however) blooming everywhere and the smell of Jasmine is COMPLETELY INTOXICATING. A few times last week I took the kids out in the evening. There is a house down the street that I can tell has Jasmine in the yard. I can't see it, but the smell is so overwhelming that I KNOW it is there, just beyond the fence.



When we buy a house, I will most certainly plant a Jasmine bush. . . because it makes me SOOOOOOO happy. So, I will replace my favorite tulips for Jasmine. . . Happily.



Spring Break is almost over. It wasn't THAT bad. Peter works 2 nights a week until 8:00 p.m. Those days were L.O.N.G. and he took a test this weekend that he has been studying for for months, eating up Saturdays where I would be "on duty" all day as well. He passed. I am so happy for him, I almost feel like I passed it myself. Isn't it great to have so much joy for someone else that you almost feel like it is your own? It is yet ONE MORE THING that we have put behind us. There is a list about a mile long . . . but



Settle Law Suit : Check

Find Job: Check

Pass PMP Exam: Check



Our trajectory feels like it has finally changed to be on the path. . . the reason we came to the desert in the first place. To start a new life. It feels like it is finally here, blossoming along with the spring.

I bet you didn't know.. but there are TONS of butterflies in Arizona. They are all over, and sometimes it is amazing to me how they flourish in the Desert. They are beautiful, and I love watching them. It is amazing to think of their transformation. . . I feel like we too are breaking out of our cocoon.

Another Word On Couponing

Did I say I wasn't a "coupon-er"? I lied. Today I went to Walgreens (My favorite new haunt) and got Rimmel Make-up buy one get one FREE!!! (Then I used an ACTUAL CLIPPED COUPON for $1.00 off any Rimmel Product) I also got my $2/$4 M & M products... Nice. (With Super Saver coupon of course....) I bought something else that wasn't on Sale, but was normally $5.75. So, $4+5.75 +$7.99 + $4.99= $17 something or other RIGHT? WRONG!

I used my $10 in store credit (that I got from one of my diaper purchases last week and paid about $5.00 for it all!!! (Remember, the Rimmel was buy one get one FREE + my $1.00 off coupon)

I am a novice, but these bloggers are making it soooooooooo easy for me. To be honest, I have found my FAVORITE site called Couponmom.com. Why is it my fav? Because she has an e-book that has a perfect description of the best way to save. You don't have to buy it, or sign up for it, just click on it and READ! It was awesome. So, if you are just getting started like me, this is a great play by play description of how to do it. (Leah, this is for you!)

ALSO, on their site, they make using the coupons SUPER EASY! They have all of your Grocery Store adds loaded up AND they have cross referenced all of the coupons that you have gotten from newspaper ads! They say you never have to clip another coupon. Just write the date on the front of the Coupon book i.e. Redplum 1/22 and there you have it! You can find the coupon that you need easy as pie! Even I can do THAT! (Because it takes NO time and there is NO searching around or cutting out coupons!) LOVE IT!

There you have it! That is the best I can do! Now, let's all go out and save A LOT of MONEY!

Did I say it was going well?

I think a few days ago I said that Spring Break was going well.. Oh... that was SO DAY 3! Since then, Wade's illness escalated into something so full blown he would be found sleeping in various spots in the house. He was so irritable that I had to become a video DJ and before one video was even over (or even 10 minutes in) he would come crying to find me to change it. (It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO time consuming) It even got so bad, I let him have his binky back and now I am going to have to break the habit AGAIN!



The weekend was a blur of Wade continuing being hysterical, loud kids, lots of messes, me meaning to clean the floor for 4 days (and counting) and doing piles and piles of laundry. (I swear... it IS ridiculous) Not to mention Kaylin's great schedule of sleeping from 10-4 has been completely SHOT TO HECK and as a result, I am completely sleep deprived during *hell* week. :)



To be honest, I just do my best to get through every day and hope that by next week I will have cleaned SOMETHING in my house. (Just one thing would be good)


Not to mention I got Wades fabulous cold. So, being under slept and crazy sick isn't helping my status much... To top off week ONE, we took kitty to the Vet on Monday. She got in some crazy cat fight and had a big ol' wound.. She has had it since Thursday, but lets be honest... I couldn't get to her issues until Monday. I had enough of my own.

Here is to hoping you all have more FABULOUS plans for Spring Break, other than rampant illness, a 5 week old, and trips to the Vet. :)

Here is Abby coloring at the Vet. Thank heavens they had crayons and coloring books!! And NO, Abby doesn't ever comb her hair... Is there anyone out there who can tell me how I can get her to care about what her hair looks like???? (Oh wait, maybe she is taking after me... Notice there is no picture of MY hair)

Here is Wade getting impatient in the 5x10 foot vet room. Yes, he is still in his pajamas. It was 8:45 a.m.

Here is Kitty, awaiting her fate. They put her out, shaved her up and put a tube in her. YUK. And here is a picture of the BIRTHDAY BOY! Yes, I said Birthday. He turned 2 yesterday and NO we did not celebrate. It was determined that we would celebrate next week with the Grandparents.. We said nothing of it yesterday, but I DID take this cute picture of him at the park to commemorate the day.

It is LIKE stealing . . .

It is. I can hardly believe it. I have been meaning to post this all week. I have. I feel bad I didn't. Because it was a ROCKIN' deal. If you read Jill's blog, or Katy's blog you would have seen it anyway. So, I don't feel THAT bad.

I am NOT a couponer...I try to shop the deals. . . at Christmas time, I took advantage of the major deals at the grocery stores.. Buying groceries for $100 and when I looked at the "YOU SAVED" line it said $100! WOW! Even today at Walmart I asked them to match a price and they did it! But I am thinking I should be a little more consistent because there is some serious money to be saved! These two girls know how to rock a DEAL! After tonight, I think I am officially hooked.

I printed off my Huggies coupons and headed ACROSS the street to Walgreens (yes, Walgreens is LITERALLY across the street) and got my CHEAPO diapers.

Huggies on Sale $10
Coupon $5
Pay $5
Wipes on sale $6
Coupon $3

Buy $25 worth before coupons (pay only $13 plus tax) and get $10 in register rewards) Turn around use your register rewards and get ANOTHER pack of Diapers FREE.

SO: get 3 packs of diapers and 1 pack of wipes for $13. It was awesome! And soooooooo easy. I tried to get some more coupons, but no luck. The library wouldn't let me download the print software, Peter couldn't print them at work, but I was able to print from each of our computers so I had 4 of each coupon.

I went back tonight and got

1 Pack of Wipes $6
Coupon $3
1 Pack of Wipes $6
Coupon $3
1 Pack of Wipes $6
Coupon $3
Diapers $10
Coupon $5

$14 and I turned around and got ANOTHER $10 and walked right back and got another pack of diapers... FREE. Did you get that??? Walgreens GAVE ME $20. It was awesome. I even got a little bit of a rush. Jill checks out this blog and this blog and they will do all the work for you if you are a novice like me. Trust me.. it takes almost as much time just to read these blogs as it would to cut out all the coupons. But hey, these are tough times.. and we can all afford to save some money (can I get an AMEN?)

Check out their sites and give it a try... I swear, it was a rush.

Day 3

Oh, I hate to say this, but it feel like day 25!! Not that things aren't going well, they are... but I feel like I am in a constant state of entertaining the kids, re-directing, rebuking, doing dishes and loading and unloading the washer and dryer. Can I put a ban on eating? Or at least eating anything that involves plates, cups or utensils? Or getting clothes dirty? Maybe I will institute naked week.

Yesterday we did Jaxon's therapy run, hit the library and Costco for lunch, and I did a little work on the elliptical. Today we hit a different park. We walked there and I have to tell you, I am wiped out. I think I have contracted Wade's little disease and my throat is already starting to swell... isn't that SWELL.

My body just ain't what is used to be... all this walking/jogging/riding... attempting to lose the pregnancy lbs. has really done a number on me. Unfortunately it is not just sore muscles, but sore JOINTS. I feel like I have been jumping up and down on cement for days.. Oh wait, I kind of have. Looks like I am going to have to try to stay "low-impact" for a while until my body starts to recover a little. As a matter of fact, the shape of body is why you haven't seen a picture of me on this blog in... MONTHS, because it ain't pretty. I was hoping to rectify that soon.

As a matter of fact, I took a shower today, did my hair (which rarely gets done) and put on make up! (If my hair gets done, make up is usually left out) and Abby instantly asked, "Where are you going? "[Sad] I said, "No where" and she said, "But you NEVER get ready unless you are going somewhere." Just how I want to be remembered I tell ya. Unfortunately, that is just kinda how things are going at this point with me and my 5 week old.

Oh, speaking of my 5 week old. This is her sweet little monkey face.

She is just as serious as they come. Not too many smiles.

Unless you call THIS a smile. Trust me. There was only this ONCE and it was so fast I was EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to even capture it on film. Good thing I have a quick finger.

Alright, since I DID do my hair and put on make up (and it wasn't Sunday) here is a picture of me... courtesy of my photographer Abby. We were outside enjoying the weather. Hoping for more fun, and less pain tomorrow.

Day 1

Wade woke up at 3:30 a.m. with a 102.2 degree fever.

He went back to sleep until 8:00 a.m.

Kaylin woke up at the same time.. Both times..

Not a bad wake up time for the first day of Spring Break!

We did a different rendition of our "park tour".

As I watched my two older ride in front of me (as I jogged with the stroller) a weird kind of peace came over me.

I am grateful I have them.

Even if they are going to drive me insane all week.

Abby and Jaxon played Wii.

Wade watched TV (all day long... he is dreadfully sick... to the point of screaming at you if you even look at him)

Abby spent the rest of the afternoon on the Serengeti. (At a friends house)

Jaxon, Wade and Mommy had quiet time.

It was fabulous.

I burned dinner TWICE.

Wade's temp at dinner was 104.

He didn't feel like eating much.

Other than the horrible fever, I hope tomorrow is as good as today.

The Beginning of the End. . .

Our spring break starts tomorrow.

It is two weeks long.

I am stuck here at home.

Without the Manny.

I think I am going to hire one.

Seriously.

I hope I make it.

KJ is sleeping through the night.

If you call waking up at 5:30 sleeping through the night.

I guess it could be worse.

The girls had their photo taken in their new dresses yesterday.

It was priceless.

I had to let them wear the dresses today.

Even though it isn't Easter yet.

I couldn't resist.

Wade's birthday is coming up.

I can't believe he is going to be two.

I hope I don't forget.

Since it is during *ell week.

I mean, "Spring Break".

I will be watching Monday nights replacement show tomorrow.

I love it.

I heard SHE was going to be on it... NO WAY!

You better set your TIVO.

I guess ABC felt guilty, and wanted to "make things right."

Last night I was nursing the baby at 11:00 p.m.

I was bummed because I realized it was daylight savings and it was really midnight.

Then Peter reminded me . . . . AZ DOESN'T HAVE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!

And I realized, yet ANOTHER reason I REALLY LOVE IT HERE.

Not to mention, the weather.

Which is awesome.

It is going to be a long couple of weeks.

I hope I make it.

Gettin Crafty [Overload Edition]

I mentioned a while back that my MIL was in town lovin' up on a newborn. We did a lot of that and a lot of getting crafty. Ok, maybe SHE was getting crafty and I was nursing a baby and taking care of Wade while she was using the sewing machine. Either way, she is the SUPREME MISTRESS of the SEWING MACHINE!

She immediately took charge of my dust ruffle, which had been laying on a 1/2 wall in my kitchen and can be viewed in its resting spot here. It was there for over a month, I am sure. She walked in and whipped that thing out in a nano second and here is the finished product! Proudly displayed in eye shot of K's letter and matching curtain! I am thrilled with the results and full of gratitude that it no longer holds residence half finished in my kitchen.

She also brought Kaylin's baby blanket! She has been sewing my babies quilts since Jaxon was born. You can see her first project here. He adored that blanket and she has since made him another because he loved it to shreds. Literally. I got to pick out the fabric and design and here is what came back! I truly LOVE IT! Isn't it beautiful?

Here is a close up of one of the roses.

Once it gets a wash or two the little edges of the roses will fray. It makes my heart go pitter pat when I see it. It will be a little while before she gets to enjoy it fully (it is kinda big), but until then, I will enjoy it for her!

Now, on to the last project we completed. I know, we (she) was busy. I would have love to have been a bigger help. But, lets face it, I wasn't. But, I was sure thrilled to see the last project on my list completed. I had mentioned that I was dying to make Abby a cute dress with some of that coveted AMY BUTLER fabric. I got the fabric and was ready at my second attempt at a Shabby Apple knock off. After all, Shabby Apple makes all their dresses in an ADORABLE Amy Butler Fabric. SOOOOOOOO cute. Here is the final result.

No models yet. You will have to wait until Easter. The dresses are missing their big satin ribbons! It wouldn't be an Easter outfit unless her little sister had one to match!

I can't WAIT!

How to look like a complete scumbag on National television

Easy Enough.

Jason finding "true love" is like a cow tip toeing through tulips. GREAT JOB JASON! If I said anything nice before about you, I take it back.

=

Waderific

Lately, I have been enjoying my time with Wade. He truly is a super fun loving easy going kid. (I say that as he is just about ready to turn two... let's hope it stays that way) He SHOULD be at the top of my irritation list, but, I just find him so stinkin' adorable, he just sits at the bottom.

He is talking so much more these days and I love the things he decides to say. The other day, we were at Jaxon's therapy and Wade was playing on a broken play structure. It was missing part of the deck, and Wade stood there looking at it for a minute and said, "THIS . . . IS. . . .SERIOUS" (ala Wonder Pets) It was so funny.

He is even cute when he gets into trouble. I had a pile of Abby's clean clothes at the top of the stairs for her to take down to her room and this morning as I walked by the stairs he had tipped them all over and was laying on the on the stairs! I admonished him and told him to go watch his show (yes, guilty.. I was cleaning) and he very contritely said, "Ok momma" in his softest little boy voice. A few minutes later, I walked by the stairs and all of the clothes were off the stairs. I had to vacuum the basement anyway, so, I went down there to see how far flung the clothes had gotten, and this is what I found.

He had carefully taken them ALL down to her room and although they were no longer folded, he piled them all on her bed, nice and neat. Too cute.

When he is leaving (or thinks he is leaving the house) he is always sure to come and find me before he goes and says, "Goodbye momma!"

Even today at Costco, I had let him out of the cart and he was running around one of the display tables. He was sticking around, so I let him, and then when I told him it was time to go. . . he let out evil maniacal laughter and started running in the other direction. The problem is, I was having a hard time putting on my "mad" face because it was truly funny. A lady standing near by said, "I know that doesn't seem funny, but you will miss it someday". I just smiled, but the truth of the matter is, I know my days are numbered. And for some reason, he is so easy to enjoy!

I don't know if it is his adorable smile, or his deep husky voice. But, I just can't resist him.

Thanks to the Pineapple Princess for these pix of Wade. She is a novice.. but truly gifted! Check out her blog here!