It's been awhile

Well, it's been awhile since I've blogged. No amazing or worthy excuses here... Yes we've had company and yes I've been soaking up every minute of my Big Girl being home and yes I'm in the throws of potty training Monkey. But I don't think those qualify as true excuses for my lengthy absence. In all honesty, I've been in a funk of sorts. Nothing of substance was coming to me and rather than bore you with something that I myself didn't even want to proof-read, I decided to spare the masses. But with that said, I hope to be crawling out of my self induced funk and begin to share my tidbits of life once again.

Lots of things have been happening in our house these past few weeks. Big Sissy came home and I can not even tell you how great it feels to be complete again. This may sound insane, but I honestly think I was depressed while she was gone. I've never clinically been diagnosed so I have no way of knowing for sure. But lets just say there was weeping, LOTS of weeping; which I'm sure wasn't helped by my out of control pregnancy hormones!

Monkey has been doing great with the potty training. EXCEPT for poop. She might be trying to break me down, one poopy pantie at a time!

We found out the sex of the baby... drum roll please... IT'S A BOY! And we are very excited for this new adventure. Although if I'm being completely honest, I am a little frightened. I mean, if it was a girl at least I would have known what I was doing. This is going to be all new territory! Territory which I am so happy to conquer!!!

Big sissy will start kindergarten in four days, FOUR DAYS!

Oh and I am GROWING, I am as wide as all outside and I don't know what is going on with my body! I didn't blow up this fast with either of the girls. AND I'm exercising more and eating better this time! Who knows...

Anywho, I'm a mess. That's one thing I know for sure. Excuse me while I go pick up the pieces and tuck myself into bed! ;)

Discouraged

Today I am discouraged. Our morning started with realizing someone broke into my husbands car (on our driveway) and stole his BRAND NEW (as in, just got for father's day) expensive mountain bike and his stereo (only the face plate, morons!). Police report was filed. But we aren't going to file with insurance. Auto wont cover the bike, only the stereo. And Home owners will cover the bike but our deductible is $1,000! And now that we're out more than that over the bike, we don't have an extra grand siting around for that. And visa insures it's purchases apparently for 30 days, which was a glimmer of hope... until he called and they said, no because it was on our property. For them to refund us, it would have to of been stolen in public, what?!?! Anyhoo, I don't get people. Seriously, get a job and buy your own stuff! Ugh. Today sucks.

Wondering Wednesday

I wonder HOW on earth parents send their kids away to camps and such! How do these mommies survive!?!?! At least I'm getting daily photos and MULTIPLE phone calls everyday!

I wonder how my daughter knew I needed to hear her tell me, "You're my favorite Mommy EVER, you know?!?!" at the exact moment she informed me.

I wonder what I did to deserve my 21 month old picking up on this potty training thing virtually over night!

And lastly, I REALLY REALLY wonder what on earth that woman in front of me in line at Target was taking! She had SIX children under the age of 7 and she seemed perfectly sane! Saner than me with only the one!!! Oy Vey!

not so glamorous

My life is not glamorous. Never has been and I've accepted that it probably never will be. But that's okay, glamour simply isn't my style. :) For instance, today I was overjoyed when Monkey pooped in her potty. ITS SO NOT GLAMOROUS TO BLOG ABOUT POOP! Nor is it glamorous to say what happened when she jumped up, completely freaked out by the experience and proceeded to poo the remainder on the floor! So today I cleaned poo off the floor and tomorrow's gem is yet to be revealed! I think glamour just might be overrated.

Pee and toots in the POTTY!

MONKEY PEED IN THE POTTY TONIGHT!!! And not only that, she was the one that let me know she had to go!!! Then about an hour later she took me to the potty again, but this time she sat there and let out about four HUGE farts! No actual poo or pee was produced, but I was proud all the same! Oh the little things in life! :)

snails pace

Well time is crawling by! My big girl has only been gone for two days now and I am in full blown withdrawals. There might have been some sobbing involved last night. And YES I KNOW that I am pregnant and hormonal! My husband thinks I've lost my marbles... which might have actually happened. I love having time with the little one, it is so neat to see her personality when independent from sissy. The hardest time is bed time and nap time. Those are the moments when Big Sissy and I have our quiet time together. She has been calling a lot, but not enough, and when she suddenly says, "Okay Mommy, love you goodbye!" it breaks my heart. Like, what could be more fun then sitting there on the phone and talking to me?!?!?!?! Clearly I'm insane, I think I will go smoother monkey now!

I AM ALIVE! :)

A thousand apologies for my recent absence. We have house guests and things have been a bit busy around here. Tomorrow morning my mother in-law and father in-law leave... and with them they will take Big Sissy! :( I agreed to this almost a year ago. But now that the time is here, I'm not so sure how I'm taking it. She will head up to northern California with them, spend 8 days with them and then 8 days with my parents. And then my parents will bring her back. I have never been away from her for more than one night. And it wasn't 24 hours, just a night (for this last marine corps ball). I might spend the next 16 days in the fetal position on the floor. Ugh. Well, I'm off to go spend my last moments with my first born! Send prayers, I'm weak and I will need them! ;)

Oh and here are two 15 week and 2 day bump shot. (Yes, I know I look like I'm 20 weeks already! But hey, I have big babies! haha)



Me with all THREE <3 munchkins!

Totally Random Friday...

I've decided I have the cutest kids, well, ever. :) I understand that this may sound a bit silly, considering there are billions of children in the world... BUT I guess I'm just cocky like that! haha, but on a serious note, I think my kids could be in commercials or ads or BILLBOARDS! (I hope you are aware of my totally un-stage momness. I actually have friends who put their kids in pageants and another friend who's kids have an agent. That's not me. Not that there is anything wrong with doing that, but I'm content bragging about my kids awesomeness on here.) For instance, I think my kids could sell Pringles...




OR, they could sell Dryer's / Edy's Ice Cream!




OR, my other kiddo (aka the puppers) could totally sell some Purina! :)



I will leave you with one more random side note... I am SO glad that I was able to go spend time with my grandpa. He truly is an amazing man who has led an equally amazing life! I feel totally blessed that my girls will have warm memories of their great-grandfather!

I'm Back!

Well, it has been awhile since my last post because I went on a trip up to Northern California. My family normally does an annual 'mini-reunion' over the summer. However this year, with my grandpa's cancer he couldn't handle the traveling. So instead of heading to Lake Tahoe we all just rallied around him. :) We didn't get to go anywhere exciting, and it wasn't our typical vacation, but it was wonderful. I LOVE my family. And it is so nice to simply sit around a table laughing and talking with the people who know you the best. Our tradition on these mini reunions is that each couple has a day to cook and do dishes. So no one has to cook or wash more than once and once your day is over you are free to enjoy everyone else's delicious specialties. It may sound silly but it is SO much fun planning a menu for 14 people. On my day I did a typical breakfast that consisted of waffles, fruit, eggs and bacon. For lunch I went simple and made a variety platter of pita sandwiches; turkey, chicken salad, roast beef and ham with a bread bowl of spinach and artichoke dip and watermelon. For dinner I decided on making a few roasted lemon and herb chickens (that turned out WAY BETTER than I have ever made before), home-made herb and dill potato salad, and home-made macaroni and cheese. It came out great and everyone enjoyed. I was so happy because the year before I felt like a total flop when I made this spinach pasta dish that was delicious BUT my uncle couldn't eat due to an allergy I was unaware of! (that particular uncle couldn't make it this year so my dip at lunch didn't threaten any lives!)
Anywho, it's the simple things in life that make me tick. And spending a week and a half with all those people has left me with a permanent smile. In addition the chemo has done it's job and my grandpa's cancer has shrunk by half! PRAISE THE LORD! All in all, a pretty good trip. Other than the fact that it once again reminded me of how much I love the foothills and long for the day that the hubby, kiddos and I can move back! (P.S. I still adore Southern California, was even born down here, I just miss being close to our parents!)

Wondering Wednesday

Today while at the gym I wondered this...
WHY on EARTH... was this 40 something year old man wearing camouflage shorts (torn and faded, definite high school kid shorts) with a... wait for it... Justin Bieber T-shirt and Birkenstock sandals with tube socks!?!?!? Man o man, I know it takes all kinds to make the world go round. But come on people, there is something creepy about wearing a teen pop idol t-shirt if you are over the age of 18. Period. And the rest of the ensemble left me equally as speechless. hmmm. I wonder.

Happy Memorial Day?

I don't exactly know why people say "Happy" Memorial day. Today I remember. And remembering those that have fought and passed for my freedom, does not leave me feeling happy. It leaves me somber and thankful. Today I hope you remember, and not only those who have fallen but those families who have been left behind.

Rest In Peace Lance Corporal Brad Shuder. You are loved and missed.

Thankful Thursday

Well tonight was Military Appretiation Night at Chick-fil-a. Our entire family ate for free. So tonight, I am super thankful for our free dinner! And the fact that my girls played so hard that they instantly fell asleep when their heads hit the pillows! But more than any of that, I am SO stinking thankful that we live in a place where people get it. People understand what our troops are doing and sacraficing. I love knowing that when I have to be away from my husband, others appreciate what we endure so that they don't have to. Lastly, I am thankful that I get to celebrate this memorial day with my husband this year!

Wondering Wednesday

Today I wonder how I could possibly be this grumpy and this sleepy at the same time. I wonder. :)

Awww

I was sitting on the couch earlier watching the Boston v. Orlando game, when I realize that I am watching by myself. Strange, right? (mainly because it's not what I would typically choose to watch) Then I realize that J went upstairs to say prayers with Big Sissy before bed, HALF an hour ago! So I go up there to see what's going on and low and behold he feel asleep in her top bunk with her. It was so sweet! One of those awww moments.

And looking at this picture reminded me of an equally sweet photo from the day Big Sissy was born!

Simply Blessed.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for the little things. Monkey slept in until 7:30 this morning, I am THANKFUL! Big Sissy made her bed this morning without me asking, I am THANKFUL! J didn't have to leave for base until 9am this morning, so we got to have breakfast and a nice morning together, I am THANKFUL! I've been to the gym, ran my errands, showered, fed the kiddos, did school with Big Sissy and put them down for naps, ALL before 1, I am THANKFUL! :) Today I am simply blessed.

Wondering Wednesday

Today is a BIG WONDER!!! You know what I wonder? ...

I WONDER how I got pregnant while being FULLY cautious and FULLY using protection! ;) But with that said yes, I am pregnant with baby #3! And yes although this was a huge surprise, J and I couldn't be happier that the Lord is blessing us with another child!

I wonder if this baby knows that he or she is loved more than it could ever imagine from the moment I saw those lines on that silly little stick.

I wonder if this baby is a boy or a girl.

I wonder if this baby will look like me, or my hubby, or both of us.

I wonder how my girls will adjust.

I wonder why God is so good!

I wonder at what point I will officially lose my mind!

Coma please

Things have been insane around this house the past week. And I mean insane. Between doctors visits, dental checkups, house guests, soccer practices, soccer games, church, Mom's group, the gym, kiddo sleepovers and potty training... well, I just want a nap! Maybe even a coma. I know I have some awards to address and I promise that I am uber thankful and will participate as soon as possible! I hope everyone had a wonderful Monday. :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY LADIES!!!

Happy Mother's day to all you ladies out there with small and large bundles of joy! :) My girls came and woke me up this morning before church to bring me breakfast in bed. It consisted of a granola bar and a glass of orange juice! :) Big Sissy informed me that she wanted to make pancakes but Daddy didn't know how. haha. She also said that she is going to vacuum for me later! What a doll! I hope y'alls day is just as special as mine has been.

oh dear...

Dear LARGE spider,

You are back! Or are you? How can I tell? Is this you, or a friend?!?! My husband laughed at me and walked away when I asked him to "handle" you. Needless to say, I am infuriated! Our bedroom ceiling is vaulted and about 18 feet tall, there isn't a chance in hell I can reach you! To make matters worse you're now in a corner making it impossible to even throw objects at you with any positive results.

What is my next course of action you ask? Well, I'm seriously considering shooting you with a can of wasp spray that promises to reach up to 27 feet. Yes, the can does warn to only use outdoors. And yes, it is probably going to make my room filled with toxic fumes. However, I see no other solution. Did I mention that you are very large?

Sincerely,
Your Nemesis, Jessica

arachnophobia

Dear LARGE spider,
Where have you gone? You were on my bedroom ceiling this morning and now you're gone. I tried throwing objects at you, you evaded me. It's nothing personal. However, you are LARGE and a bit scary. Please leave my home immediately. Thank you.
Sincerely, Jessica
p.s. I'm not going to lie, I'm afraid to go to sleep!