If Anyone Finds Mine, Please Return!

Lost: One Money Tree - belonging to me - Please return if found!!


I find it fitting that I'm getting ready to make a post about having to spend money and I get a phone call from my son's after school program reminding me that our payment is due. Gah. There goes $100!

I feel like I'm bleeding money this week.

Our dishwasher finally bit the bullet. It has been giving us a hard time for months now and it finally said "Screw You" and stopped working the correct way. Damn it. So, this weekend we are purchasing another one. It's hard to decide on where to get one from. Sears or Home Depot. Or maybe even another place. Everyone is having good deals right now due to the holiday, but we are gonna have to look around and figure out what model is the best one for our money.

We are also buying a "new to us" couch from the hubby's brother. We have had our couch for about 8 years now and while the Girl Child and I were in Ireland, it seems that between the boys rough housing and the monster dogs jumping on it - it broke. The whole middle section of the couch now leans backwards... It's not very appealing to the eye, let me tell you. So, because the BIL is looking to redecorate the game room/office of his house - we are getting a smashing deal on a very gently used couch to replace ours. Still costing us some money, but a whole lot less than what we had planned on spending for brand new stuff from the local furniture store.

I've come to the conclusion that I (we) need to learn how to save money... instead of spending it. I'm sure it won't be easy - but I think it's time I (we) grew up and planned for the future or incidentals that we don't see coming - like couches breaking or dishwashers giving up the ghost.

Oh, the wonderful life of being an adult... eh?

Success!

Last night, both kids had their gymnastics class.

The 2nd for Zachary and the 1st for Rowan... both had previously been in gymnastics, but it's been a good 18 months or more, since they've had a class.

I really think that they enjoyed it... and I mean, enjoyed it.

Both came out of the class with sweaty, pink faces... with HUGE smiles on!

Again, Zachary told me "I LOVE gymnastics Mom!!" while Rowan just sat there, obviously pleased with herself.

I watched both during their class and they seemed to have done really well. I even heard one of Rowan's coaches ask her if she had taken classes before because she was doing so well on the bar...

Seeing my kids do so good and truly enjoy themselves while doing it makes me one happy momma!!

Like I'm Not Busy Enough

Like most mommas, I'm pretty busy.

Between work, after school activities and other functions - we run full tilt around here.

And well, I've gone and made things more busier.

I signed the boy child up for gymnastics - all because he wanted to do it. But hey, why would there be any other reason to, right?

So, tonight, he had his first class in the boys' pre-progressive group. He seemed to enjoy himself and came away telling me, "I love gymnastics Mom!". I'm thinking signing him up will be good for him.

Right now, Rowan is doing cheer leading and has guitar lessons - So I was thinking he might have been feeling somewhat left out. I think his age is good to be doing this... and who knows where this will lead. I do know he wants to do some kind of martial arts, but I'll see how he handles these classes before putting himself else that takes a lot of dedication as well.

And you want to hear something even crazier?

I have gone and added Rowan to a girls class that is the same time as Zachary's.

Yea, like we don't have enough on our plate with her - between Cheer, guitar and 4H. LOL

I honestly don't care though. I believe putting the kids into as many things possible - with out having their grades or health falter - to keep them involved and out of trouble.

Having sports and other activities (like 4H) that make you keep your grades up and keep yourself out of trouble to participate in are good things for the kids. I know it made a difference for me when I was growing up... and I want my kids to have that same experience.

With all these activities, I think it's time for a sign on my car that says, "Mom Taxi"... LOL

20 Random Things About Me

20 Random Things About Me...

1. I've always enjoyed peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches - gross, I know... but it was a childhood favorite and every once in a while, I'll have one.

2. I will always have a pet. I don't care if it's a dog or a cat... but I can't be with out a pet.

3. I don't care if my bra and panties don't match. I'm not one of those girls. Just as long as they are clean and cute, that's all that matters!

4. I have a bad habit of biting my nails. I'll break the habit every once in a while, but I always end up biting them again.

5. I love taking pictures. I'm not a great photo taker and I don't take nearly enough pictures, but I do love taking them.

6. I love to read. If I can, I'd ignore everything else in the world and read books forever.

7. I taught myself how to knit. It's something I only really do in the winter - when it's cooler and I'm less busy, but I still do it.

8. I have stomach issues and I hate it!

9. I became a mom at 19 and wouldn't change it for the world. I want to be one of those cool, young mom's.

10. I don't have many "in real life" friends. Most of my dear to the heart friends are ones I've met via the Internet.

11. I love Sushi and could eat it multiple times a week - but I don't. I'd be broke if I did.

12. Dark beers are my favorite. I'm all about the Smithwicks and Firerock Pale Ale.

13. I love watches. Just rarely wear them.

14. I don't know what my real hair color is. Guessing it's a dirty blonde by now.

15. I can't sleep with any part of my body hanging off the bed - the boogie man might get it.

16. I can't stand scary movies.

17. I find myself, as I'm getting older, to be less patient. Which is a bad thing.

18. I like to be connected to the outside world - via phone or computer - but really didn't mind not having the ability to use my iPhone at times in Ireland.

19. I've only been out of the country once... and that was just recently to Ireland.

20. I will go back again.

Yuck

Yea, that would be a great way to describe how I'm feeling at the moment.

Colds seriously suck.

They suck the life out of you.

They make you not want to do a single thing. And they pretty much not allow you to accomplish anything you had wanted to do... um, like work out.

I've found it hard to work out when you can't breath out of your nose... and being a mouth breather sucks.

The chapped lips suck even more.

Ugh.

What a downer of a post this is, right?

So, I'm pretty sure you've guessed, I didn't accomplish my work out that I wanted to do last night... After suffering through cheer practice, I went home and melted into the couch and stayed there until it was time for bed.

I wasn't even able to stay up to watch the season premiere of "Sons of Anarchy".

Thank goodness for DVR's.

Now, to attempt getting through the day...

Well, Well...

Look who has returned from the great beyond...

I have had the inkling to return to blogs for a while now. So I figured that I'd take the time and do that today...

I don't know how much I'll be around... but I'm intending on using this blog as sort of a journal - to talk about my journey with exercise and weight loss (again)... as well as just being used to do the normal blogging stuff about daily life...

So, about the exercise and weight loss.

I have decided that I need to get back on the wagon and continue my goal of losing the weight that I don't need... which is about another 25 -30lbs. I have sorta slacked off for the last few months, which ended up making me gain about 7lbs back from my initial weight loss... which pisses me off.

I signed myself up for the September Challenge over at the Shredheads blog. I'm partaking on "Team Bob" challenge which includes doing Bob Harper's newest DVD's - Inside Out Method. I started off really good... went home and did my work out and then the next day was an off day (I'm following his work out plan).

After that, I didn't do anything. I came down with such a bad head cold, that I couldn't even think about working out... I still feel rotten, but tonight, no matter how I feel or how tired I am, I will be doing my work out.

I realize I can't continue to live this way - over weight and tired. I need to better myself - Inside and Out - so I can be a better person all around.

And, I can't let my husband - who has been working out and lifting weights, making himself look good - walk around with the fat wife. LOL

So. Like I said... I hope to be around here more. I do read lots of your blogs... I don't comment much, but I am going to try to start doing that again... I miss the community.


*photo from http://www.weheartsit.com/ (thanks Brandi)

Update

So, life has become busy once more.

Cheerleading started this Monday... its 5 days a week... for 1.5hours each day... that is until after Aug 22nd... then we go to three days a week. Thank god. Because I bet by then, I'll be even more whopped than I am now!

Rowan returns to school on the 10th... I'm sure she will be shell shocked with school activities plus cheerleading for the first few weeks. I can't believe she is going to be in 2nd grade. It kills me. Really, it does.

Working out has been going really well. Well, at least most days. LOL

Since the middle of May, I have lost 19lbs. I'm hoping for another 16 lbs more by Oct. 1st. Not sure if I will make it, but I'm going to try hard.

I'm doing a lot of different things. Lots of treadmill, some videos - like Jillian Michaels "30 Day Shred" and "No More Trouble Zones"... even have done the CardioMax video from the "Biggest Loser". But mostly, its at least 30 mins of the treadmill almost every day.

I'm eating better... feeling better. Its amazing what exercising and being healthy feels like! LOL

I have dropped just about 1 1/2-2 sizes... and I can totally see my body toning up and developing muscle structure from the weights. Oh, yes, I'm doing that too... its in the videos - but I've also done it with the husband at the gym too. LOL

Told you we were on healthy/exercising kicks!!

I took some recent pictures lately - from when we went to Tahoe for the weekend... here are a few:

I wish I could share some of my honey and me - but, well, because of his job, I'm not going to... plus, most of you are friends on my facebook any how... so you will see them there!!

Hope all is well... Gonna go relax now... its been one of those day!!

Good Gravy...

... where the hell have I been, eh?

I have no excuses... except for that I find life to be very busy under the Pickle Jar.

We really don't have too many extra curricular activities going on - besides getting ready for fair - but I find that I'm constantly on the move. Okay, not constantly, because damn it, I've become addicted to "Farm Town" on Facebook... but moving enough.

I've moved on from the 30 Day Challenge on the Wii Active to doing the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michael's from The Biggest Loser. I'm not doing it 30 days in a row - but more like every two to three days... then take a break and just do cardio or like today and yesterday, just doing nothing.

The last three days, I've done the level and then hopped onto the treadmill for more cardio. Well, between that, the dreaded Curse, stress from my parents being gone... and life in general, my body decided to up and get tired and give up on me. So yesterday and today were down days.

Tomorrow morning, I'll be right back at it... Its funny how exercising can become some what addicting or rather, part of your routine after not being a part of your life for some time.

I'm still struggling with some issues - getting it done and eating better - although, I've pretty much cut out all sodas and most alcholic drinks... lol But I can honestly say I'm enjoying the work outs and the results I've been seeing.

I've lost about 15lbs since starting the 30 Day Challenge back in the middle of May... and I hope to lose another 20 lbs by October. I really need to keep track of my food intake - thinking of starting a food diary along with my exercise one... because I want to make sure I'm eating enough and not too much to lose the weight I want.

Anyways, enough about my weight loss challenge - although, I highly recommend Jillian's DVD's or rather, any of the Biggest Loser one's!!

The kids are great... Rowan is enjoying her Summer break. She is particularly enjoying the fact that I'm on vacation this week (my parents are gone, hence the need for child care)... she is getting herself ready to show her rabbit come next month at the fair. I got all of her whites for show, except her shirt... I can't wait to see her all dressed up. It will be too damned cute.

Zach, well, what can I say about him... he's my love bug and monster boy all mixed in. He is growing his hair out and looks like a long lost Jonas Brother. His laugh is unbelievably catching... and I don't know what I'd do with out him - although, some days he makes me want to rip my hair out.

Right now, he's going through a stage where he doesn't want to nap... and he wants to back talk. Its no fun. I think he's getting the hint that his mommy doesn't like it too much. LOL

Derek is good... he's dropped a bunch of weight too - the bastard. I hate how men can just drop the pounds with out trying as hard as us women. No fair. He's working a lot, but not as much as he had been...

We are looking forward to a trip we are taking at the end of the month to South Lake Tahoe for a wedding. It will be just him and I for two nights - plus the other people going as well - but I mean no kids... it will be a good time, I'm guessing. Its been a while since we've gone away by ourselves. Its over due!!

I've been keeping up on blogs, just so you know... but honestly, I'm not commenting like I should. I know that makes me a bad blogger friend... but sorry... sometimes, there isn't time or I don't know what to say! But I am reading...

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend... we are in for another busy one. There has been no breaks the last few weekends for us...

Toodles!!

30 Day Challenge

So, I decided that its time to make a life change.

Its time to do that dreaded thing and lose some weight.

I can honestly say I don't eat too badly. Mostly I don't eat enough... and then sometimes, when I don't eat and then eat, I eat the wrong things or eat too much because I'm so hungry.

I've decided to throw some exercises into the mix along with eating better - small, healthier meals more often during the day.

I recently saw some commercials on a new work out videa game by EA Sports. Its called EAS Active... You can find it HERE

It has a 30 day challenge that you can do... and I decided that is exactly what I needed!! I don't have the time or money to go to a gym. We have a treadmill (when its not making funky noises like tonight!) that we can use... so all I needed was more "gym" like stuff to do.

I really think that the EAS Active is what will be right for me - along with the cardio on the treadmill.

I have a goal.

I would like to drop at least 30 lbs by the end of September. If you average it out, its about 7.5 lbs a month... I know it will be hard... but I'm determined!!

Wish me luck, alright?

Its Cool to Celebrate Your Birthday All Week

Yea, that's what I've been doing all week pretty much!

My birthday was this Thursday, but I had been celebrating since Tuesday at work where we had BJ's Brewhouse brought in and I so enjoyed a Stuffed Baked Potato! Yum.

I even got a crazy cool balloon - that is still up and floating in my living room! Isn't it stinking funny???

We have gotten the last 3 or 4 birthday people some kind of Holy Cow its your birthday balloon... so I guess it was my turn!

Then Thursday, my actual birthday, I didn't have anything planned besides Rowan's Open House... because Derek had been scheduled to work all week during the evening.

Well, come 5pm on Thursday evening, when I was still at my parents house waiting to go to the Open House, Derek called and asked when I was going to be home because he was there waiting for me!!

Yup, my husband pulled a fast one on me. He got off work early and went and picked up stuff to make for dinner. He cooked a feast!! Stuffed chicken breast, bacon and jalapeno wrapped shrimp, twice baked potatoes! Omg. So yummy. He even picked me up one of my most favorite desserts - ice cream cake!!

I couldn't have been more surprised!! I swear, I'm one lucky duck to have him!

He even went to the mall and bought me some new Roxy flip flops - but he didn't get the right size :( So, I have to go and exchange them. But still, it was the thought that counts!!

I was off Friday from work and didn't do too much... pretty much took the kids to school and ran an errand to Target where I picked up some new sunglasses because my other pair had broken on Thursday morning.

I love Target glasses because they are cute, but if you break them, it isn't that bad because they didn't cost you a fortune!! I mean, $15 isn't the same as $150 you know?

The rest of the day, was pretty much spent being lazy! We played outside by the pool in the evening and did some more BBQ'ing... just the way I like to spend a day off.

Saturday was the last of the celebrating of my birthday though.

After our baseball game in the morning - where we did great! - and after Rowan went and got fitted for her cheer leading uniform (it will be here before we know it!) - we went to my parents where they were throwing a combo party for both my birthday and Derek and my anniversary.

I got some fantastic gifts, too! Some cash from the Grandma that Derek and I are going to put away for our Vegas fund - October is just around the corner! - then I got a Border's gift card and if you know me, you know that is like Gold. Then my MIL got me this cool Roxy bag and a gift card to Famous Footwear so I can buy some new sandals. And my parents got me this beautiful, I mean beautiful necklace when they went on their cruise. Its a round circle, with diamonds and two beautiful Emeralds on it. I was shocked! I can't wait to wear it...

We spent the afternoon/evening in the pool... enjoying drinks, snacks and a wonderful BBQ. I think that is pretty much a standard thing in the Central Valley when its summertime though. When its 100+ degrees!!

Today, its supposed to be around 104!! Can't believe its going to be that hot when its only the middle of May. That is more like mid June weather!! Its craziness!!

And today we are supposed to be working out in the yard!!

Thank goodness for the pool... if we get too hot, we'll just jump in and then hop on out to finish!!

God, I love summer! I am determined to get tan this year too! LOL

Have a great rest of the weekend ya'll!!

Poppin' In

... to say Hello!

Life is busy busy here... tball has taken off... we have practice 2 days a week and as of Saturday, our games have started.

We had opening day on Saturday and it was nice. We played our first game and let me say, it was interesting.

The kids did surprisingly well. They paid better attention during the game than I ever imagined! Only a few decided to do that cute thing called "Chasing Butterflies" instead of paying attention to the ball game.

I threw Rowan in as the catcher the first inning the other team was up to bat. The child has never played catcher before... but I was SUPER surprised and VERY pleased on how she did. She caught balls, she threw them back to the other coach with no problem. As we came off the field to get ready to bat, I started to tell her how well she had done and she broke down crying!

I guess she was rather flustered playing the position and she also said the dirt and something in the helmet (??) was making her eyes burn. I told her to shake it off and get ready... but kept repeating how well she had done... and she kept telling me that she didn't do good at all.

In fact, she is still telling me that... Truly, if I have anything to say about it... she'll be a rocking catcher - just like her momma was :)

Zach did pretty well... although I did have to carry him off the field after he "struck" out at batting. See, the kids get three pitches from the coach and if they don't hit off of those, they get three swings off the tee... if they don't hit the ball on those three swings or if they hit foul balls, they are "Out".

Well, Zach didn't want to hear that his time up to bat was over. He kept saying, "Puhleeese Momma... let me have another try"... well, it couldn't happen so I ended up just picking him up and carrying him off. Oh how he cried... but it was still too cute!!

Dear husband was unable to make the game... which was a bit of a disappointment, but its okay. He made some OT and my parents and his mom came to watch the kids. They had a blast watching the munchkins... and truly, I pretty much enjoyed the whole thing. I did get a bit flustered a few times, but I pushed on... LOL

I wish I had some pictures... I will have to wait until my momma emails me some pictures because I wasn't able to take any.... but when I get them, I'll share for sure :)


Everything else is going well.

My tattoo is healing well. Itchy like a muther f'er... but its healing and I love the way it looks. I'm already contemplating another one. I've got a few ideas... its just a matter of figuring out what I want and where to get it!

I will be getting another piercing done this weekend, I believe. I'm going to be getting a Monroe piercing... the one that looks like a beauty mark above the lip? I think it will look totally cute... and I get to go with one of my bestest friends (who is also getting pierced) Coley.

So, now I have something to look forward to besides another busy weekend... and house cleaning.

Hope you all have a good week!!

New Ink...

Okay, I know this isn't the best picture - Rowan took it and you know, a 7 year old isn't the best picture taker... but this is my new art...

I had it done this morning, so its still sore and oozing a bit... not to mention a bit more red than need be... LOL

Its a Celtic Motherhood Knot... which each circle at the top, the color of each of my kids' birth stones...

I'm sure happy with the outcome... its my first tattoo in 8 years!! Craziness... I'd like to get more later on, just not sure what though. LOL

Pass me a vacation in a bottle, um, k?

Okay, I know I'm technically on vacation right now... but that is from work... not life. LOL

I could really use a few days away from my normal life - preferably with the husband and to somewhere nice... doesn't have to be warm, but that would be a plus.

Derek and I have talked about when he is done with all this mess of a case about us going away for a day or so... just him and I. We threw around the idea of doing a Northern Cali tour - going to Great America and Six Flags Marine World - also hitting up bars and hotels along the way, ya know?

I think that would be fun... but I'd like to spend the weekend in the City - San Francisco for those who don't know it as that - but Derek isn't a fan of San Francisco, which totally blows!! He says its dirty and there are too many bums there. He is partially right about that... but there are other parts that are truly beautiful there!!

Yet, who is to say when Derek is going to be done with this... he is gone again... He left today and won't be home until late tomorrow night... if not Thursday. We'll see.

The kids and I have enjoyed our first two days off together. Zach is still going to school, but his days are over around 1145am.

Yesterday, we didn't do much... but today, we went and saw "Monsters vs Aliens"... and then tomorrow, we are going bowling with my SIL and niece and nephew. Thursday, we are going with a girlfriend and her daughter to the Sacramento Zoo. I'm excited about that. It will be the kids' first time! So you know there will be plenty of photos from that!!

Speaking of... here is a picture that I took of Rowan in the car the other day... I'll leave you with her toothless grin:

Easter 2009

We had a fantastic Easter... Brunch with family and then dinner with my grandma. The kids were spoiled and ate too much junk... but so did I. I hope your Easter was just as nice!

Rowan and Zach - my cheese balls.

The kids and I at my in-laws... this is right in the middle of the egg hunt - hence the kids looking like they are being interrupted.

Out of Nowhere...

... in walks me... ha!

Hello! I decided today that I would blog... so here I am.

Life is, as always, a bit hectic here in the Pickle Jar.

I feel as if I've been running around ragged for the last three weeks. In fact, I'm sure I have been.

My lovely husband is on a new assignment at work and they have a ragging case going on right now... I will not and can not tell you what it is... but its keeping him from us. He is working his damned sexy ghetto booty right off on this case.

I am extremely proud of him... and I can see him enjoying taking on this new aspect of his job - this is one of his first REAL investigations - but I can also see it taking a toll on him.

In this last pay period, he has reached 100.5 hours of OVER TIME! Yes, over time. So, he worked a total of 180.5 hours in just two weeks. Craziness, I say. Craziness. It will be a somewhat nice paycheck... but surely the money isn't replacing the time he spent away from home.

I know all this is part of the job... I grew up with my father being gone because he is a police officer... I knew exactly what I was getting myself into when I got with him... I accept it. I am a VERY proud police officers wife... but I can tell you this, I do miss him greatly when he is gone...

And my children can sure DRIVE ME UP THE F'ING WALL when I'm all by myself with them! LOL

The last two and a half weeks have been quite interesting actually... I've made a trip to the Urgent Care for a child - you'd expect me to say Zach, yes? Nah... wrong. It was for Rowan. She is fine... she just did a number on her leg jumping on a trampoline at a friends house. If my parents hadn't been with me (Derek was out of town for his job) I think I might have gone off the deep in just a bit more than I already had.

You know, when your daughter screams bloody murder and cries out in pain when they are carried/moved, that something is truly wrong. At the urgent care, the Dr thought Rowan might have broken her femur... but in the end... after x-rays and wraps... she only pulled muscles or ligaments. ::whew:: She was on crutches for two days, but she is doing just fine right now...


This weekend should be a pretty good weekend if Derek doesn't have to leave out of town again... I hope to get all four of us out in the front yard to do some landscaping. My WONDERFUL mother came over week and a half or so ago and brought with her plants and a swift kick in the ass for me... and we worked in the yard... There are just a few more things for us to do in it to make it look perfect... and I'd like to get that done if the weather is nice.

I'm also looking forward to Easter. We are going to Derek's parents house for brunch and an egg hunt with the rest of his family. My parents will be out on a cruise enjoying some time to themselves... Derek and I plan on spoiling the kids a bit this time around. Both kids have been interested in the Nintendo DS Lite... so we are thinking of spoiling them and getting them one. We know its a lot of money at once, but Derek (and I) love to spoil them and since he'll be getting some extra money this check, he thinks its a perfect gift for them. I can't complain. Daddy is gonna do what he wants to do ;)

After Easter, I'll be off all week... I took vacation because Rowan is on Spring Break and my childcare (parents) are going to be off on their own vacation. I'm looking forward to spending time home with the kids and doing some fun things with them. I'm thinking of the movies and possibly a trip to the zoo. I'd like to take them to the San Francisco Zoo... but its a bit farther than I'd like to drive... so it might be the Sacramento Zoo instead. I've never been there, but I think the kids would have a fantastic time!!


Well, I know I've rambled on about a bunch of different things... LOL. I hope everyone has a nice holiday!!

It seems...

... that two weeks is my normal 'in between blogging' time now. Or at least pretty darned close.

I guess its the only way I can give myself enough time to come up with something to write about - not like our lives aren't super busy or anything ;)

Yep. We are Super Busy. I feel that sometimes, I need a Super Mom costume to run around in! I'm zooming from one place to another, it would make a whole lot of sense!!

We started Tball practice two weeks ago. So far, so good. Its a bit different for me. I guess I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. Dealing with 10 children at once is a bit hard. Thankfully, a few father's have stepped up to help lil' ol me do the practices.

My kids seem to enjoy it. Although, Zach is one of the youngest on the team and he seems to get bored if we are moving at a slow pace. At Thursday's practice, I looked up to find him on the bench just sitting there. I asked what he was doing and he said he was bored and wanted to sit down. I gave him about 3 mins on the bench before I made him get his booty back on the field.

We don't even have a game until April 25th - our opening day - and I'm hoping that by then, we can get most of the "techniques" down. Basically if they can hit the ball, throw the ball and make sure they get the ball to 1st base and back to the picture to stop the play, I'll be golden. So far, we aren't there yet. But I'm sure we'll get there.

4 H has also taken up a bit of our time this month... We've had 3 meetings and total and its just the 15th of the month. I can only imagine as Fair approaches (July) that it will be more and more. Rowan is practicing with her rabbit daily - the nice rabbit, not the feral one. She seems to be getting used to the idea down on how to show a rabbit.

This last weekend, we had a dinner we had to attend for the City. It was where they acknowledge the new hires, promotees, and the Police/Fire/Personal person of the year. I told Rowan that we had to look nice because Daddy was getting up in front of the people... so she picked out her own outfit. She looked so pretty in her green dress... Such a good Irish Girl.

Of course, I had to get a picture of the Super Model. She loves to pose - always has. And even if she is missing 4 teeth - with 2 more lose ones - she is simply gorgeous...

Of course my son couldn't be left out... I dressed him in such a cute outfit - although I got plenty of Shite for it. See, I put him in a pink shirt... and to me, I think that is fine. You know, "Real Men Wear Pink"... but a handful of people had something to say about it and by the end of the evening, I was ready to lay into someone! Now tell me, isn't he damned cute in that pink shirt??

Who can say that him wearing that is wrong??? I think he was totally ROCKIN' the look... not to mention his cool ass flame shoes!

He might be a Momma's boy... But he is surely a BOY! No questions about it ;)

Busy Weekend

This weekend was a bit on the busy side...

I came home from work on Friday early - not feeling all that well - and after making a pit stop at the local Home Depot for a few things. We needed a new filter for our air system and I also picked up a new shower head for the shower in my bathroom. I've been wanting a shower head that has those changeable settings and what not for a while... so I decided to pick one up.

After that, I spent the evening on the couch. I couldn't really pin point what was wrong, but I was just feeling Off. Still sorta am, but not as bad as Friday. That's for sure.

Saturday, Rowan and I spent the day with my mom... a Girl's Day out. We went to a GIANT mall about an hour and 45 mins North of us - Galleria at Roseville. We have a mall here in town, but its NOTHING compared to that one.

We did a bit of shopping - some at the Disney Store - and then met my brother and his wife at a restaurant there at the mall. It was SUCH a nice lunch... the longest I've had in a while. I swear, we were there for an hour and a half! I even tried my first Dirty Martini! I can honestly say that its not something I'll have again - but I'm glad I tried it.

After lunch, we went back to shopping. See, my mom decided to take Rowan shopping as her birthday present - so that's what we did. We shopped at Gap Kids and my mom and Rowan picked out a BUNCH of cute things. I got some outfits for Zach - because I couldn't resist. But damn, now I know why I shop mostly from Target and Children's Place when it comes to my monsters... That place is OUTRAGEOUS!!

The mall has a Louis Vitton store as well... we went in just to look around. The purse I liked was SO cute... but of course, it was as much as a monthly house payment for me! I can't believe it. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have one... but its just too much money for me.

We had such a good time, being together... for a Girls Day Out. But we were all super tired... that much shopping and traveling can wear a girl out. For sure. We didn't get home until 630pm... and I was asleep by 9!!

This morning, we had our 4H clubs breakfast. Rowan and I signed up to work 830-1030am. That sure seemed like the busiest time to work, oh my goodness.

The turn out was great though... I'm sure they made plenty of money for later on...

This picture is the picture that we turned in to the Rabbit Leader to put on the Primary Rabbit Group board at the breakfast... Personally, I think she is gorgeous, but I might be a bit biased ;)

And yes, that is pink in her hair... she got a pink extension put in on Friday. It looks so cute. It will be there for about two months or until she gets tired of it. I don't think she'll get tired of it though... LOL. She's already talking about getting another one put in!!

Overall, it was a good weekend... although somewhat busy... now, its off to watch a movie with the hubs... I think it will be early to bed as well! Have a good week!!

In a League of My Own

Tonight, we had a coaches clinic for all the tball and rookie coaches in our youth baseball league.

I'm sure, you can guess by the title and picture what I'm about to tell you...

I'm the only, yes only, mother (woman, whatever) coaching!!

I was surrounded by men tonight... usually, that is something any woman might dream about... but not me.

Or at least not tonight ;)

I was overwhelmed. I was looking forward to see what other mother had the guts to join "the boys club" and coach their son or daughter - or in my case, both.

Well, I was left alone. All by my lonesome to be there with men upon men. Buddies who grew up in this town and know each other for forever... guys who looked at the lone woman like an enigma.

I sent an email to my mom tonight while there (gotta love my blackberry) saying how I was the only mom coaching...

I should have known that emailing her wouldn't get sympathy... but rather "YOU GO GIRL! You can do it... Be a "----" (my maiden name)"... Instantly, I felt somewhat better.

I even stuck up for my team when it came time to pick the field date and time! I basically said that being "odd woman out" that I should get one of the first picks... I am woman, hear me ROAR!! LOL

I'm looking forward to coaching... I know its not going to be the easiest thing to do. Partially because I'm doing it alone. I have no assistant coach and Derek has no desire to coach... so its just me. I'm going to rely on parent help... which, being a first time coach, I'm going to welcome. But I know I'm not going to let some egotistical man overstep the boundaries and take over the team!!

Again, I am woman, hear me ROAR!!

So yea... I'm in a league of my own (my favorite movie of all time, so its kinda fitting)... but I'm SO looking forward to it!!

Someone Turns 4 Today...

Today, my baby boy turns 4 years old...

Its amazing to see how he is becoming such a "Big Boy" and isn't a "baby" anymore...

He's my sweet little cuddle bug boy... and its hard to see him grow up... knowing he is it. The last one.


We celebrated both Rowan and Zach's birthday last night with family and some friends at a local pizza place. Zach's birthday theme was WALL-E... hence his WALL-E outfit in the picture...

Today, we are going to my parents for a late lunch/early dinner so celebrate again - but this time with my grandma... since she didn't make it last night.

So, Happy Birthday Zachary Justice. You are 4 years old today!!

Lil'Bit Out and About

Rowan took Lil'Bit out for some fun this morning...

Thought I'd share a few of the pictures that I took while she was out...

Miss Rowan and Lil'Bit...

Lil'Bit hopping around on the couch. Of course, Zach snuck in there...

She decided to climb up onto my lap... and proceeded to climb on the computer too! Guess she wanted to see what I was doing :)

Lil'Bit standing up to say Hello!