Finally!

I FINALLY got the house swept, mopped and picked up. The counters are clean, the bathrooms are clean and the kids' rooms are almost clean (this is not my job and I will not be doing it for them, however they will both be doing it tonight). The only things left are the kitchen table, my bedroom and bathroom (although the tub is clean). Everything had been spot cleaned as needed, but I hadn't had a chance to really clean it all at once until now. Well, actually I'd had the chance I just didn't have the willpower to 'get er done' until today.

The end of Vacation week 1

and SO little has been accomplished! I'm almost ok with it though.

I've started back up with my physical therapy and weight loss. This summer will be about 'taking back me' or at the very least, 'trying to devote some of my attention to myself'. I intend to get back to the gym on Monday (took off a few weeks for the hurt ankle) and I'm going to try and keep somewhat normal hours. During my first week I managed to get myself all out of whack-bedtime at 1, sleeping poorly and then sleeping good once morning hits. It's hard to get anything done when I'm not getting out of bed before noon (but it was decadent for the first week).

Logan has been out of school since May 24 and he's settled in nicely. He goes to bed around 12:30 and is up around 10. He doesn't seem to have much interest in doing anything with anyone, but hopefully as summer drags on he'll become bored with hanging out at home all alone. He's been very sweet though and we've enjoyed quite a few games and quiet moments together. I'm trying really hard to be a more attentive listener so that he won't stop talking to me, but he claims I still suck at it. (Yes I asked him if he'd noticed that I'm trying harder).

Ciera just got out of school on the 2nd of June and had a school honor roll Bowling party on Thursday, so that basically counts as a school day. Today was her first day with no 'plans' and she is already complaining that 'summer is really boring'. I'm hoping she learns the importance of making plans in advance.

I'm hoping to rededicate myself to cooking at home, finding new things that the family will eat and hopefully feeding us all healthier options. I HAATE searching for the recipes though! I'm also hoping to get the house picked up, cleaned and a better system for helping it to stay that way once I return to work in August.

We have a few trips planned, some softball tournaments, a lot of softball practice, basketball games and practices and a basketball camp for Logan. It's not a highly structured summer plan, but mine never is.

He does exist!

I am thrilled to announce that he really does exist! Almost 4 years ago I had the opportunity to meet a fabulous woman that I now consider a friend. She was on the opposite side of surrogacy, an IM, a woman hoping to have a child through surrogacy. All this time I have followed her journey and heard tales of 'the man' in her life. A few years ago I caught a glimpse of him, almost like a Bigfoot sighting. Was it real or was it just the shadow of another man? I've followed his blog (it's a rather annoying set up that only allows me to read the current entry, I've yet to discover how to read older entries without going back to my reader-but worth the effort) and been riveted by the experience through his eyes, a man's eyes, an IF's eyes.

Well, tonight I finally got to meet the man behind the blog. He does exist! And not only did I get to meet him, I got to chat with him for a bit before boring him to tears with my woman stories and driving him back to his basketball playoff. Fortunately, I was able to WOW him back to the room ( he mumbled something about the game being over, but I'm pretty sure it was all me).

The really, REALLY, fantastic news is that they are expecting an adorable little girl at the end of August! They've had such a tough road, but persevered and are now just 11 weeks from holding THEIR baby girl in their arms! I could not be happier for them! I'm also pretty tickled for myself. I was promised an invitation when they come through town with baby A!!

At any rate, now that things are going so smoothly, Mr. Blog does not feel the need to update. I know, I'm not really one to complain about a lack of posts, especially since this is my first post in months, but this is a man with an audience. An audience just WAITING for more details, info and a glimpse into the mind of Mr. Blog! So I'm asking you, my faithful readers (both of you). Please visit his blog and leave him a comment begging him to update. Perhaps you can suggest that he just give a 'countdown to baby A' post. Or perhaps he could blog about her name? So take a minute and go leave a comment for Mr. Blog.

And while you're at it, could you stop by another friend's blog? You don't even have to leave her a comment. Just sign up to 'follow her'. She's desperate for more followers, but is not concerned about the lack of comments on her hilarious blog. If you have the time, you may even want to read a few of her past entries. She really is a hilarious writer and I can't even imagine what a day in her house is really like (although I'm guessing it's almost how she writes it).

Thanks so much for helping a gal out!

School is out now, so the hope is that I can find my way back here to begin blogging again. I also hope to exercise a lot and love it, eat healthfully all summer, clean the house weekly and sleep in every day, all while spending amazing amounts of time with my kiddos doing all sorts of fun things. I'll try and update the things that really do happen.

Emotions

A quick little note to cyberspace to hopefully get some things off my chest.
I'm finding myself rather emotional lately. So many reasons, all legitimate in my mind, but still emotional wreaks havoc on my mind.
The biggest whopper is Ciera's best friend (13) just found out that her mom has breast cancer and will begin chemo on Wednesday. Yeah, the odds are good that it will be a rough year, but she will kick cancer's arse. But the real kicker is that this incredible girl has already lost her father, around 2 or 3 and her mom is really all she has. She has a younger half brother and grandparents, but can ANYONE take the place of your parents? And even if she doesn't lose her, just the fact that she has to deal with the possibility at 13 breaks my heart! She's 13! She should be thinking only of herself and not having a care in the world! She signed up to run Race For the Cure for her mom and Ciera and I are going to run with her. Ciera and I both HAAAATE running, but it feels like the right thing to do.

Then we've got the end of the school year coming up and that always makes me emotional. However, I believe that my kids are leaving the school where they've been for the last 4 years and that leaves me feeling raw as well. It's been such a wonderful place for them, but they are both ready to spread their wings and move on to other things.
Which leaves Logan starting MIDDLE SCHOOL! I went to a K-8 and middle school freaks me the heck out! He's excited though and I'm trying REALLY hard not to project my fears onto him. I need to find others that have been through it recently to get a better idea of what to expect. I did hear some info today that has me feeling a little more relaxed.

Oh yeah, my baby boy turned 11 and although I love him to bits he's had be on the edge of my seat worrying that I'm screwing up as a parent of a boy. I know he goes through cycles and I feel like we may be heading out of this one, but I'm just freaking out a bit. I'm currently reading Raising Cain and am feeling a bit better about things. Time will tell!

The job seems secure, but there are days when I feel entirely inadequate and unprepared. I've been assured it's a rough period right now and even the well seasoned teacher is struggling.

Oh yeah, my youngest brother seems to be struggling with the death of a very close family friend and ex family member (both too young to have been lost) and seems to be pulling away from everyone and everything. He's been weighing on my mind a lot lately as well.

Those are the biggies, we'll see where we go from here, hopefully bed.

Happy 11th Birthday Logan!!!

Dear Logan: I can't believe....
to be continued.

Welcome to the family, Macey Raelynn!!

My sister delivered her 4th baby today! Macey Raelynn entered the world shortly after noon today. She's a robust 8+lbs and 20.5 inches long!! Baby girl is doing great and is already an excellent nurser!!

Big sister Melody was at the hospital, but was roaming the halls with Grandma when Macey was born. I hear that big sis is over the moon!

My sister is doing well. She sounded exhausted when I spoke with her, but the epidural worked well for her.

My mom stopped by this afternoon to share a picture from her cell phone. Macey is very cute and cheeky. I hope to add a picture when I get one.

Check out my Canadian friends giveaway!

My great Canadian friend Sarah has posted this to her blog:
Check it out for yourself at 2-becomes-3.blogspot.com




Enter my Le Creuset GIVEAWAY!!!

Monday, March 8, 2010

G I V E A W A Y - Le Creuset

Before I spill the details about my very sweet giveaway, I want to share with you a great site for kids bedding. When I decorated my daughters nursery, I kinda became slightly hooked on kids room decor and I find myself dreaming about plans for a future re-do when she gets a little older. Allchildren'sfurniture.com is a super neat online store that delivers to the U.S.A. and CANADA and I have just been browsing my heart out! This bedding set is my current fave!

Time to DISH the GIVEAWAY!

Woot Woot!

Cookware.com wants YOU to give you a...

Le Creuset 12" x 9.5" Rectangular Dish in Black Onyx




From the website:
"Le Creuset's Rectangular Dish is truly an all-in-one dish that you can use for baking, slicing, serving, and storage. Poterie Stoneware can be used in the oven, broiler, or microwave and will not absorb odors or flavors. The durable finish resists chipping, scratching and staining. This beautiful and colorful piece has sure grip handles to go straight from baking to tabletop, making an impressive presentation."


Sounds and looks dreamy doesn't it?

*Swoon*

To enter this giveaway:

All you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me what you would make for me in this fabulous dish if you invited me over for a visit! lol! Be as creative as you want - I'm not picky! Dazzle me!

To increase your odds of winning:

1. Head on over to allchildren'sfurniture.com and leave an additional comment telling me about the awesome kids bedding set that you found.

2. Join up to become a follower on this blog let me know in a comment. (If you already are of my uber fab followers leave a comment stating that you are part of my crew)

3. Follow me on Twitter and tell me so in a comment. (If you already follow leave a separate comment stating so)

4. For 2 extra entries:
Tweet about this giveaway and then comment me the link plus an additional comment that says "Tweet"

5. For 5 extra entries:
Post about this giveaway on YOUR blog. Then come back and comment me that you blogged it including the link. Then leave 4 separate comments that say "Blogged!"

Nuts and Bolts
~ This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the USA.
~ If you are commenting anonymously please leave your email address in EACH comment that you leave so I can get in touch with you in case you win!
~ This giveaway will close on March 15th at 7 AM ET. I will announce the winner in a separate blog post and then contact the winner by email.
~ Cookware.com will ship your prize directly to you!
~ I have not received compensation for this giveaway. Just wanted to give my readers a chance to WIN a cool freebie!

Best of luck my peeps!!!