The Little Things Matter

All day long, all I could think about was how much longer until I picked Isabella up at school. Until I could have her home with me, where I knew she was safe.

I spent extra time with Riley today. Snuggled on the couch, watching Winnie the Pooh. Slipped him an extra animal cracker (have you tried those organic ones from Costco? Yummy!). Stroked his head with extra tenderness.

Tonight, Isabella and I snuggled on the couch and watched Tinkerbell The Secret of the Wings. She snuggled up under my arm on the couch, under the quilt. Every once in awhile, she would look at me and say "Guess how much I love you, Mommy?" "How much, Bella?" "More than mushrooms!" My silly girl.

I paid more attention to everything today. To the way Riley says "Choo choo" for every train he has. The way he puts my hand on his belly to give him a belly rub. Today, he carried his blankey, lovey, blanket, Scout, Winnie the Pooh, and a train with him everywhere. To the sweet way Isabella played with Riley this evening. To the sweet way she sings. To the way she put her baby to bed and told Riley and me to "Shh, my baby is asleep!"

I hugged them a few extra times. I gave them a couple of extra kisses. I inhaled their scent before bed. And I thanked my lucky stars that my babies are safe.

Isabella and I prayed for the victims and their families tonight. She asked what happened to them, and I told her a bad man hurt them. She said he needs a time out. I wish my life was that simple.

Hug your babies

Day 21-23

Day 21

I am thankful for being able to make yummy food to eat with my family tomorrow. I am thankful to have the money to buy the food, and the ability to make it. Everybody loves my sweet potatoes, and it is so nice to have a dish that is requested.

Day 22

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my family. For my husband and our children. For my godmother. For my dad. For my brother and his girlfriend and the baby they are having. I am thankful for friends that are more friends than family. I am thankful for everyone I love.

Day 23

I am thankful for an amazing husband and awesome godmother that take over when I am sick. Good Lord, was I sick! I spent most of the wee hours of the morning depositing my insides in the toilet. I have NO idea what made me sick (apparently all of that yummy food did not agree with me) but it was HELL. And my ribs still hurt. But Jeff and my godmother took over. Isabella went shopping with Grandma, and Jeff was on Riley duty. I slept all but maybe two or three hours of the day. I am thankful to have them to pick up the slack

Day 20

I am thankful for being there, even when it is scary.

Sometimes, there comes a point in a friendship where one of the people steps forward a little bit, takes a little bit more of the load, lets the other person unload all of the worries and fears that person has. Sometimes it is incredible scary to be that person; to be the one shouldering the load, listening, trying to find the right words, trying to be THERE long distance for the person you love.

Today, I was that person. Today, I was scared out of my mind. Today, I was trusted with more than I ever have been before. Today, our friendship grew.

Here is what I need my friend to know: I keep my promises. Always. Especially to you. You are stronger, smarter, sweeter, sassier, braver, and more loving than you ever give yourself credit for. You are amazing, in so many ways. And it will be ok. Today was rough. But we got through it. And we will get through the next one. I love you

I am always there, even when it is scary.

Day 19

Today I am thankful for two on one time with Isabella. I love when Riley spends the night with grandma because it gives me (us) the opportunity to hang out with Isabella. Sometimes Jeff is at work and it is just us girls, coloring and watching princess movies and painting our nails.

Last night, she wanted to go to the mall with Daddy AND Mommy, so we did. We ate and she played, and it was so nice to hear her observations about life and people and food and just everything. She has some definite opinions about things. She is wicked smart. Way smarter than I was at almost four (and I was pretty smart, let me tell you ;) ).

She's a funny, interesting, smart, silly little girl. And the time without her brother is precious.

Day 18

Today I am thankful for our spunky, sweet, charming Riley. Happy birthday, little man. The last two years have flown by, but have been filled with laughter and silliness thanks to you. You are turning into such a big boy. I don't know where my baby went.

Your roars make us laugh, your ostrich pose never gets old, and your smile lights up the room. Ever time you come to me for a kiss or a belly rub, it warms my heart.

Watching you grow from a tiny newborn into a two year old almost the size of your sister has been amazing. Watching each new milestone, hearing each new word, learning about what you like and don't like, has been an entirely new experience. Thank you

Thank you for adding to our family. We love you, sweet boy.

Day 17

I am thankful to have an amazing husband that says "Let me see your list, baby" and then spends 90% of his Saturday completing stuff on that list.

Tomorrow we're having family and friends over for Riley's second birthday dinner, and I had an entire page full of things to do. Not only did Jeff knock out most of them, he even did some that weren't on my list. Made me feel much less stressed.

I love that he saves me, in a million different ways. He is my anchor and I am thankful for him today, and every day

Day 16

Today I am thankful for the little girl that sat with me and watched Alice in Wonderland, and then told me what an awesome mommy I am for letting her stay up to watch it.

Isabella loves movies, especially about princesses (I know Alice isn't a princess but she "sure has a pretty blue dress, mommy"). Tonight was Alice in Wonderland on Disney Jr. I thought, hey, let's let the almost two year old stay up to watch the movie, too. The kids got their little couches, a couple of snuggle friends, and their pillow pets and blankets. Riley lasted about half an hour.

What came after was so special. Isabella climbed up on the couch with me, her head on my shoulder, and watched the rest of the movie with me, never moving for a second. I thought she had fallen asleep, but she was just REALLY into it.

I love how snuggly she is.

Day 15

I am thankful for the love my baby boy is receiving. Three days until his birthday and the packages have already started to arrive. I never expect gifts from people, but I love that my friends think of him as much as my family does.

Some of my friends are most definitely my family, and count Riley (and Isabella) as theirs. The person who sent the package today sure does. I cannot wait to see his face on Sunday.

Day 14

I am thankful that something as small as painting my nails makes me feel pretty. And that, whenever I look down at my nails, the thoughtfulness of a friend makes me smile.

It doesn't matter if I am wearing makeup or not; if my hair is in a ponytail or if I did something with it. It doesn't matter what I am wearing. If my nails and toenails are painted, I FEEL pretty.

Isabella told me she loves my nails because they are shiny and pretty. She wanted me to paint hers blue, too. Mommy is not ready for that yet. lol. But I think she might have inherited my love of nail polish!

Day 13

I am thankful for texting, IMing, FB chat, whatever it is that makes it possible for us to reach the people we love and need, when we need them. Yesterday was not a great day. Kids were misbehaving, I had a headache. But I was able to text and IM my besties and somehow, that always makes everything better.

I abhor talking on the phone. I will talk to my godmother on the phone because she doesn't text. But texting is so much easier because as soon as I put the phone to my ear, someone needs something. Usually, it is Riley. Who is simply upset that even though Mommy was in the office and he was in the living room, I am not on the phone. Silly little man.

So I am thankful for technology and those that use it. lol

Days 11 & 12

Day 11: I am thankful for my husband, and every other person who has served our country. Thank you for fighting for us. For keeping us safe. For believing in our country. Thank you for the sacrifices you, and your family have made.

Day 12: I am thankful for cooler weather. I am thankful that I needed a sweatshirt this morning. I am thankful I got to drink hot chocolate.

Day 10

I am thankful for a few things today:

1. I am thankful that my friend's little boy is going to get the help he needs, even though the process is scary

2. I am thankful for cooler weather

3. I am thankful life in BFF's house is just as nuts as mine is. Love you, H

4. I am thankful for BEDTIME. Oh so thankful for bedtime

Day 7, 8, and 9

Wow, I really thought this would be easy but I keep forgetting. I guess I should have just done the FB thing. Oh well. Here it goes:

Day 7: I am thankful for family that is not blood related. Family is more than someone biologically related to you. And a few of my friends are more family than some of my family.

Day 8: I am thankful for weekly family dinners. Knowing there is one day a week where 1. I don't have to cook and 2. We are continuing a tradition started by my grandparents before I was born means more to  me than I can say. I love that my kids are participating in a tradition my mom participated in, even though they don't know it right now.

Day 9: I am thankful, oh my God, SO thankful, that Jeff has a job. 6 people at his work got laid off today, but he is not one of them. God saw fit to keep Jeff there. So please say a prayer of thanks that Jeff is at work and a prayer for the people that got laid off and their families.

Day 6

Today, I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful for him every day, but today he gets a turn. ;)

I am thankful that he is always there for me, no matter what. He hold my hand in public. He makes bad jokes when he thinks I need to laugh. He tells me I am beautiful.

Tonight, he stayed home with Riley so Isabella and I could go shopping and out to lunch with my godmother. He didn't get anything done he wanted to, but he wanted us to have fun (Riley does not agree that shopping and anyplace he has to sit still are fun).

He works hard, harder than most, to provide for us each and every day. He's an awesome dad, an amazing friend, a fantastic husband.

I am thankful for the love of my life

xoxoxo

Day 5

Ok, this is for yesterday because the day got away from me.

I am thankful for my kids. Their belly laughs, their "I love yous" (Riley says that now, on a full time basis). When they play together, when they snuggle. I love Isabella's obsession with princesses and Lalaloopsy, and Riley's obsession with Winnie the Pooh and trains. I love how much they remind me of their daddy.

Their smiles light up a room. They smell good (most of the time). They are such PEOPLE now. I am amazed by them every.single.day.

Thank you, my babies, for making me a mommy

Day 4

Today, I am grateful for:

- Not having to change time

- Meeting Jeff's cousin Sandra and her family

- Isabella was well behaved at dinner

- Being able to bring a smile to my best friend's face after a tough weekend

- An awesome husband

- Dinner plans with friends this week

- My pinky toe NOT being broken

- Sleeping childing

- All of you

xoxoxoxo

Day 3

I have a friend who is going through one of the worst things imaginable: a sick child. He's not much older than Riley, and I find myself watching Riley and thinking "What if that was him?" I cannot imagine the pain and fear she and her family are experiencing. All I can do is pray for them, for her little boy.

My kids are typical toddlers, attitude and all. And even still, they are healthy. Thank God.

So today, I am thankful my children are healthy. Healthy enough to drive their momma nuts. <3 p="p">
And if you would, please take a minute to pray for a little boy and his family. Pray for peace, for answers, for  God to give this little boy many many more years to be a happy, playful little man.

Day 2

My godmother is amazing. She moved here from San Diego to be closer to my kids, her grandkids. She takes each kid one night a week. We go shopping together. We have weekly dinners. Heck, we just took a family vacation together! She will step in in a moments' notice. She is more than I can say.

Last night is a perfect example. The kids were out of control. Isabella had been home from school for ONE hour, and I was already contemplating how early I could put them to bed. They weren't listening, Isabella was talking back, time out wasn't working. I was tired of yelling. Jeff was at work, so I called my godmother to vent about the children. She's great like that. She doesn't offer advice; she just listens and feels bad for my insanity. ;)

About half an hour later, the doorbell rang. And there she was. MAD GRANDMA. lol. If you have never seen MAD GRANDMA, I am sorry. You should. Every mom should have one of those. MAD GRANDMA is Grandma, with crazy eyes and no smile and a stern voice. And she brings Mommy cookies. lol. She brought me cookies and lectured the kids and made them clean up the living room. And then she gave kisses and hugs and went home. And bedtime was a dream.

On day 2 of a month of gratitude, or thankfulness, I am more than thankful for my godmother. For being my mom, for being my kids'  grandma. For just being. Thank you

November Month of Gratitude, Day 1

Last year, I did a Facebook status with what I was grateful for for every day of November. This year, I thought I'd do a blog post for every day. It's something different AND it will make me write every day.

What am I grateful for today? Best friends. Do you have one? I do, and I am grateful for them every day, but they are the topic for today.

I have lots of friends. People you chat with, share with, exchange Christmas cards. And then I have BEST FRIENDS. The ones you can call at 2 am and know she'll be sitting on the couch watching tv. The ones you stay up late chatting with. The ones that know your deepest, darkest secrets; a certain look, or tone. The ones that can give you the same lecture you give yourself, but it sounds better. The ones you consider to be your sisters, their kids your family. I have THOSE friends.

And THOSE friends get me through a lot of days that are really hard. They ride the crazy train of life with me, never getting off. They bought tickets for the end of the line. I am supremely grateful for them.

So, Day 1 of gratitude: best friends that are there, no matter what, for however long this journey is. I love you

the boy gets a new room

Since my brother moved out, Jeff and I decided to move Riley into the carpeted front bedroom, versus his current tiled room. Safer for the boy that can climb out of and back INTO his crib. :/ Jeff and my dad repainted the room and then I spent 95% of my day moving Riley's stuff into the room.

I took in his changing table. He followed me, saying "Mine, Mama."

I took is his dresser. "Mine, Mama."

His rocker. "Mine, Mama."

His toys. "Mine, Mama."

Yes, baby, all of it is yours. Once I had his room set up (minus the crib that Jeff had to move in this afternoon), Riley wandered around, touching his things. "Ryry. Mine. Ryry. Mine." That little man is POSSESSIVE! haha

When I picked up Isabella from school and she walked in the hallway, she exclaimed "MOMMY! Someone moved all of Riley's things to Riley's New Room!" Yes, darling. MOMMY moved them. Good to know she thinks I have slave boys at my disposal (Can I have a couple of them, for real??).

Now that he is all moved, the next step is to move the computers and crafting back to the room that used to be the office. I can actually craft again!

I have to say, I am pretty proud of the decorating I did today. And nice to know my kids are proud of me. lol

Bye Bye, Binky

Dear Binky,

It's not you. It's me. I don't need you to fall asleep anymore. I can do it on my own. I am a BIG BOY now. I can climb out of my crib (Heck, I can climb back INTO my crib). I drink out of straw cup. I sit in a booster. I can talk in sentences. I'm too big for you.

We've had some good times. When I was new, you were one of my best friends. You've helped me through some rough nights of sleep, and some of the worst teething I have gone through. We had some laughs. I've thrown you more times than I count, tried to feed you to the cats and to Grandma's dog. 

But we have to part ways now. I'm almost two. I hope you believe me when I tell you it's not you. You've been good to me, and I hope you find someone new to chew on you. 

I'll always hold a special place in my heart for you.

Love, Riley

The Week Daddy was Away

I meant to write about this last week but got consumed with family.

Jeff went to Annistan, AL, for five days for a FEMA training seminar. We talked to him every day. Isabella would tell him all about her day at school and Riley would say "HI Dada! Hi!" and give kisses. While Daddy was gone, Riley added about ten words to his vocabulary, which impressed AND saddened Jeff.

Riley and I and my godmother went to the airport to pick up Jeff and go out to lunch. Every time someone would come down the stairs from a departing flight, Riley would yell "Hi Dada!" Eventually he got frustrated because none of them were daddy. FINALLY Daddy came and this was his greeting:

Riley ran across the airport faster than I have ever seen him run! He was SO happy to see Daddy. And we ALL are thrilled to have him back

A 3 year old and a Pair of Scissors (An unfairy tale)

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful little princess names Isabella. One morning, she decided to take a pair of scissors to her hair. She cut a big chunk out of the front of her head and then put the scissors away and hid the hair in the trash. When her mommy, the Queen, saw her hair, the Queen saw red. Right there, in the front of the beautiful Princess' hair, was a huge chunk missing!

"Did you cut your hair?!" The Queen demanded

"Yes, and I put the hair in the trash so you wouldn't be mad," answered the unrepentant preschooler.

"You knew I would be mad but you did it anyway??"

"Yes, because I wanted to. Can you fix it now?"

No, my misbehaving child, I cannot! There is a HUGE chunk of hair missing!!!

As you can see, there was no fixing THAT! So, I brushed other hair on it and tried a clip. No go; her hair is too fine. So, I sent her to school with "messy" hair in the front. Her teacher noticed her hair as soon as we walked in. :P Mommy is NOT happy, but I also know it could be a lot worse. Bangs will grow out faster than if I had to cut her hair because she cut a huge chunk in the back. She apologized and the scissors are now in Mommy's locked craft cabinet. 

What upset me most, though, is that she KNEW I would be mad but did it anyway. I'm kind of impressed that she knew to hide it in the trash, though. 

What am I going to do with this child???!!!

Sometimes...

...they are just the cutest

When we decided to start trying for a sibling for Isabella, I considered the insanity of having them so close together. They are just shy of 22 months apart. They fight, they bicker, they hit, they scream. But they also love on each other, chase each other, snuggle on the couch. Isabella is super protective of Riley, when she isn't beating on him. ;)

During the highest moments of insanity, it's moments like the one above that make me SO happy we had them so close together. I love my babies

4th of July fun!

Jeff's best friend is my cousin's husband. They live in WA and we haven't seen Steve since his retirement party almost four years ago! Jeff misses his friend (but don't tell him I said so -- he's too manly to admit it :P ). They were in San Diego for vacation and we decided to drive to Yuma on the 4th of July to meet them for lunch and let the men hang out. Here's some highlights:

Isabella LOVED playing with Sarah; they spent over an hour playing in the play area while Riley had his big cousin Laura to watch over him (giving Mommy time to just chat, thank you, Laura)

Even though it was a LOOOOONG drive there and home, it was worth it: 

Hope everyone else has an amazing 4th of July!

A boy and his wagon

This wagon and truck made my little man so happy today! Thank you, Grandma! Riley picked them both out and his grandma was more than happy to buy them for him. He then pulled them all around Ross, didn't want to give them up to the cashier to scan, and pulled them to the car...where they rode on his lap all the way home, even after he fell asleep. lol. Love this little man

Thoughts for Thursday

Last night, I watched the new season of Dallas premier on TNT with tears in my eyes.

When I was a kid, my mom was OBSESSED with Dallas, and I got to stay up late and watch it with her. I'd have chocolate milk, she'd have a Diet Coke, and we'd munch on pretzels as we cuddled up on the couch under a quilt. I didn't always understand what was happening on the show, and I thought Sue Ellen was the wicked witch and JR scared me. But I got to stay up late with my mom, just the two of us. It is one of my fondest child hood memories.

Last night, as I sat on the couch with Jeff, watching the new Dallas, I missed my mom more than I have in a long time. I wish Isabella was old enough to sit on the couch with me and watch the show, but I think three is a bit young. We'll just have to make due with the DVDs in a few years!

What's your fondest memory as a kid with your mom?

What a weekend!

Most weekends around here involve some sort of working on the house/Jeff doing a side job on Saturday and then church on Sunday. With the three day Memorial Day weekend, I figured we'd have a little more fun than usual. I got more than I bargained for.

Saturday, we had friends from out of town over for dinner. Mandy and Ray used to live here but are currently in New Mexico before relocating to Missouri. We saw them the first weekend of May in New Mexico and then they came to Tucson for the weekend. Dinner was good; the kids played and got along. Jeff and Ray got along well, too...with tall boys, home-brew and So Co! Hilarity ensued. It's been a long time since I have seen Jeff have that much fun. He needs to have more fun like that! 

For a few days now, Jeff's mouth has been hurting. He could barely eat on Saturday; Sunday it felt a little better; Monday he was in a lot of pain and could barely talk. We managed to take the kids for a bike ride and enjoy a rare day of sunshine with not 100 degree heat. But then he came home and needed to take a nap. When he got up (almost 3 hours later), he looked awful. I knew something was wrong but he kept telling me he was fine. So fine in fact, that he decided to go to the ER because he was having trouble swallowing. Yeah, he was fine. :P 

He apparently had an abscess and it was causing all of the pain. It burst while he was waiting for the doctor. Thankfully, nothing too serious. He is on antibiotics now and is feeling so much better. I think I lost five years of my life, though. 

So, sick husband, friends from out of town, three kids under four running around, Tucson heat. Aside from the friends being over part, we can skip that kind of weekend next year, thank you!

When did my baby girl become a big kid??

Isabella has been going to school for about three months now. First, two days a week; two weeks ago, she started going five days a week. Every day up until this week, there has been a flurry of eighteen hugs and fourteen kisses, she has to hug Riley twice, she has to say "I love you" two or three times. Every.day. Every. Until Monday. It happened: I had to ASK my baby girl for a hug! She still gave it willingly, but I had to ASK. My mommy pride is crushed at the same time that I am so ecstatic that she loves it that much there. She has a friend. She has projects. She EATS. She NAPS. She goes on the potty every.single.time. Where did my baby go??

I love hearing about her day. Her school is in a home, four houses down from us. I usually go pick her up alone because I love the two minute walk back to our house where she speed talks me through her day. Mommy, we painted! Mommy, we played outside! Mommy, I ate ALL my lunch! Mommy, I got a sticker!" I love the sound of her voice, as she tells me every moment of her day from the moment I left her at school. She is so excited about her day and everything she did; and her teacher tells me how she is one of the smartest kids (and she is the youngest three year old).

But she is a little girl now. There's no baby left...until she is sleeping, curled up with her lovey or her dolly. Then I can still get a glimpse of my baby girl. <3

Date Night

Last night was date night. Kids at Mamaw's, just Jeff and I for dinner. We haven't been on a date since before Bella broke her leg in July of last year. It.felt.wierd. We kept looking for the mess to clean up, the kid to tell to sit down/stop screaming/eat your dinner. Apparently, we need to do it more often.

Olive Garden was DELICIOUS. We had this new shrimp scampi in lemon sauce appetizer. Divine. Stuffed chicken marsala for me; tour of Italy for Jeff. Scrumptious. It was nice to be able to talk without being interrupted; to have time alone; to reconnect. I LOVE my husband! Haha

Here's to more date nights!

I miss my BFF

My bff moved yesterday. Yesterday, Riley started walking. I mean REALLY walking. All over the house (although today he is back to crawling, little bugger). I wanted her to see. And today I am having the worst day.  I want to be able to call her and have her come over or go to her house. I hate the Air Force! lol

Everything is going wrong today. Non napping, teething toddler. Not listening, sassy other toddler (preschooler? heck, Idk what she is). Car not working. Trying to get things ready for a party tonight. Had to get our kitten fixed today. All before we get our taxes back next month! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

There, that feels a little better.

Mandy! I miss you!!! xoxoxo

The boy says "no"

At just shy of fourteen months, Riley has told me "No"!

The kids spent all of Jeff's three day weekend "helping" him work in the garage. This consisted of them playing in the pack n play while Jeff organized. This morning, he was at work when they got up, and both of them were looking for him. While standing at the washer in our laundry room, I feel Riley crawl past me. He started banging on the door to the garage, yelling "Dada! Dada!" When I told him Daddy was at work, he looked at me and said "No! Dada!" and proceeded to pound on the door some more! Guess I got told