One of them days

Well today definitely has had it's highs and lows.
I am writing this from my phone and surprised I haven't passed out yet from pure exhaustion.
Woke up late (as always) and rushed myself and the boys to eat and get last minute stuff done and packed. Had to get an order finished up to get mailed out. Which led me to the post office and what was suppose to be a 5 minute drop off turned into a 20 minute wait in line drop off with a heavy 24 lb baby in my arms and a curious 4 yr old.
We made it through and off we went to pick up my aunt downtown. Ugh I don't do downtown San Antonio. From there we took the 20 minute drive to sea world. To sum that up it was 103 degrees, lots of walking and lots of animal viewings. It was fun because the boys were so very good. The baby didn't nap there and Aiden listened pretty well (no tantrums, rare!)

The fun part of today came when I ran out of gas on the highway, while driving home at 5:30 (yes rush hour) almost 40 minutes later my knight in shining armor came to our rescue!
Grateful for a day with my children and a husband that will do anything for us and be there for us whenever we need him.
I.am.so.very.tired!

This was Preston very into the beluga whale show.

Both boys at the Shamu show, last show of the day and Preston was once again very good and was taking it all in.

Aiden got to ride 2 rides, this carousel and the kid shamu roller coaster.

On the way out of the park we ran into the dry version of Shamu! Preston was like what is that! Not my best picture as I was so hot and icky and Aiden refused to take a picture, yup end of the day.

Aiden talking to the dolphins.

Me and my sweet boys !!!! So worth being hot for these sweet faces to have fun :-)

Yup my view from the side of the highway!

While waiting you have a lot of time on your hands!

My hunny filling up the car, which wasn't very easy with all the cars zooming by him.

A long day and only a 20 minute nap in the car, and a LATE dinner, he is still smiles during his 830 pm bath. I love this baby boy more than he will ever know !

Cookie Monster

Not the character from Sesame Street. It's a favorite sweet treat we like to eat around here called a Cookie Monster. I can't take credit for this dessert, my sister-in-law made them for us a long time ago and they have been a favorite in this house every since. If there is a restaurant around you called BJ's they have a similar dessert called a Pizookie, it's to die for.

Here is what you need, glass bowls like these (I got them at Big Lots), cookie dough, a cookie sheet and vanilla ice cream.

Take the cookie dough and press the dough down to the bottom of the bowl. I cooked them at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. It will look different than a regular cookie when you take them out, kind of raw doughy looking. Bake it for longer if you prefer it to be/look more baked.

Here is what ours looked like after baking them.

Since the white bowl is hot from being in the oven we place it in a larger cereal bowl and put vanilla ice cream on top. Then enjoy :-)

So very simple but SO very good!

How do you measure your success?

Is it by your job, by your house, your car you drive, or......????
To me everything I need is under my roof. I am successful not because of what I have but because of who I am and what I do with my life. I get so tired of family and friends looking down on me because I am a "Stay at Home Mom". Yes I have a college degree and I did work out of the house while my oldest was son was 4 months old till he was about 2. So I have been that working out of the house mother and the mother that works at home. Let me tell you they both have their ups and downs. But for me right now, my place is at home with my kids. And my husband is finally at the point where he sees and values how much work I do at home with the house, the boys and my business. It's one thing just to be a SAHM but to be one that is trying to run a business is HARD work. I don't get 6-8 hours to just sit at my desk and work, update websites and email customers and suppliers. I have to multi-task and figure out how to make it all work while juggling the SAHM duties too. I am not sure what the future holds or what I will be doing in 5 or 10 years or once the boys start school. But for now I am happy to be where I am. My heart is here in my home with my boys and my work.

That being said I didn't get very much work done this weekend, but I am kinda ok with that.

We went to a birthday party of a little boy that my oldest son use to go to school with (when I worked out of the house)

It was fun for the whole family. 

Life lesson #54 waiting patiently for cake is always hard no matter your age

Is this baby really turning ONE in less than 2 weeks?!?!?!

Blessed to be a mom to these little monkey boys.

Look at these stinkin cute boots I found at a resale shop for Preston! I HEART resale shops.

Hope your weekend was fun and relaxing with those you love most too.

Wordless Wednesday

                                          

The Weekend....

was a whirlwind of many things.

Saturday my husband worked, so off the boys went to their Nana's house while I went to help my friend Laura with the Project Hope Donation Drive. It was fun. hot, good to catch up and laugh with friends and I was able to get the boys a few outfits at Green Baby Resale for VERY cheap.

There is Laura, cute as always, in front of Green Baby Resale. We were able to get enough money to buy more craft boxes, and a bunch of lovies and frames were dropped off too. i would say it was a definite success. 

Rushed home to pick up the baby from my mom as Aiden always wants to sleep over at my mom's most weekends. And the plan WAS to nap but as I dozed off, I had a Ladybows shopper stop by. Which is always ok in my book. Shortly after it was already 6 and time to get ready to go. 

I went to a friends house for a catalog party and oh the laughs that were had there were too much to handle. I was able to have a girls night and then was able to catch up with some very old middle school friends. I stomach and cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. Time slipped away and I didn't home till 230 am. I am way to old for that and paid for that on Sunday.

That is Jenn I have known her for 20 years. She hosted the super small catalog party at her house and then we went out for food and laughs with some other "old" friends as well.

Sunday was going to be work on Ladybows and church, and grocery shopping day. But I was sleep deprived and lets just say, we barely made it to 1:00pm service and very little Ladybows worked got accomplished. Grocery shopping on a Sunday is NEVER a good idea and we barely made it out of there alive. LOL

Glad and thankful for this handsome little chunkster. He was so good while he shopped in the madness of the grocery store and always brings a smile to my face no matter what mood I'm in. 

Hope you all had a relaxing and eventful weekend!

My heart is full

...and I couldn't be happier. I have so much going on right now and it's the busy kind of good. Raising 2 handsome boys, wife to a hard working husband that allows me to stay home with the boys and do what I love, bow making! I have fall shows I am gearing up for and Aiden is about to go back to MDO in Sept, my baby turns one in Sept, I am joining a MOPS (mothers on preschoolers) group at my church in Sept and well as you can see Sept will be pretty busy but in the good kind of way. In addition to this long wonderful list I have taken on helping my sweet friend Laura (I have known her for 18 years!) at Bits of Splendor and a few other awesome ladies working on Project Hope.

Laura has been working on Project Hope for over a year now. She had a "crafting event" to decorate about 50 boxes last winter and I don't remember why I didn't go to help, I remember it being cold, rainy and a Saturday morning, all of those are not good combinations for me.

When she announced a few months ago wanting to hold another crafting event and that she wanted to double her goal of 50 boxes from last time, something inside told me I needed to help. I started that night sending her story and her blog about Project Hope to businesses on Etsy. Not knowing what they would say or what kind of response I would get. That morning I had a few replies and they were more than happy to help. I was kinda shocked, but then thought, no I guess I'm not. After all Laura's great writing skills paired with what the Lord was already doing with this project was just the beginning.

Over that last month or so I was able to get donations for door prizes, a banner for us to use at our event, and booties, hats, lovies, etc. I was so happy what was coming of this project. The Lord was working his way into peoples hearts that were donating items, money, time and still is working.

This project is near and dear to my heart because of the miscarriage I had in between the boys. And even though it was at 7 weeks it was still a baby and had a heart beat and was alive. I wanted to help in a big way with this project and had no idea at the start of this project how I would but it has all come together.

But for those that haven't gone through a miscarriage it seems to still be an important Project to and I love that. I am so excited to see how the donation drive will go and even more excited to see the crafting event take place on August 31st.

All those boxes, decorated for sweet families and moms to take home to look at, read and hold on to in the memory of their precious babies, is just to much to take. I love it all.

Matthew 7:7 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Meet the Fam

Get to know me and my little family.

I am 30 years old and graduated with my degree in Interdisciplinary studies in 2006. I have my teaching certificate to teach early childhood (pre-K) through 4th grade. I have never had a teaching job at a public school, but have been a substitute teacher and a preschool teacher in a 3's class. I know have worked with kids ages 6 and under A LOT in my life. I nannied while in college and also worked as a waitress. I would rather work with kids any day over waiting tables.

I met my husband while working at Texas Roadhouse, although we didn't start dating until after I left there to go work at Chili's. We were friends for about 6 months before we started dating. We got married in March of 2007. It was a big, dream wedding and we honeymooned in Jamaica.

Greg, my husband is a big kid. Always goofing around and very laid back. He loves basketball, golf and electrics.

We knew we wanted to start a family right away. I am VERY impatient and after a few months of trying and not being pregnant I went to the doctor to get checked out and tested. We found out I needed to take fertility pills to help me conceive. And after 2 months of that we found out we were excepting our first child. We were so excited! Greg started a new job, and we bought our first house. We were told at 20 weeks that we would be excepting a GIRL. I was thrilled because my best friend was excepting her second child and it was a girl. Yay, we were both going to have girls. I started shopping right away and planning the nursery and registering.

Just for fun we decided to go have a 3D/4D sonogram. I was 28 weeks and it was Friday and we were heading out of town for my first of three baby showers. This was going to be a baby shower thrown by my mom and her sisters. At the sonogram was my mom, my brother's girlfriend, my best friend, and a few more friends and mu mother in law. The owner of the sonogram place is very laid back and a big jokester. He put the ultrasound wand on my tummy and said "oh your having boy, huh?" I said "NO!" he said, "um yes, look right there." I thought it was the picture of the lady that was in the room before me's baby. I was confused and overwhelmed. I was having a boy! But wait I was told it was a girl and for 8 weeks, we talked to her, planned and shopped for her. I was having a baby GIRL shower the next day for crying out loud. 

It took awhile but we came to grip with our little boy that we would have. We picked Aiden, not knowing how popular that name was going to be. His due date was June 1st, but because of extremely high blood pressure I had an emergency c-section on May 16th. I wasn't ready. I didn't get to rest and prepare myself for his birth. But it didn't matter because he was born at 5:56 pm. And four years later he has been such a blessing. He is strong willed, loving, mama's boy, stubborn, and a goof just like his dad. He never ceases to amaze me with what comes out of his mouth.

We started to try to have baby number 2 when Aiden was two. We wanted to see what would happen without taking fertility pills. After a few months and nothing I started to take the same meds that helped us conceive Aiden. Two months after that we found out we were pregnant. At 6 weeks I went in for a doctor's appt and all looked good, saw the baby and heard the heartbeat. A few weeks after that, we found out that the baby's heart had stopped beating and it was probably a few days after that appt that it had happened. The worst thing I have ever had to go through. Physically, emotionally and spiritually to deal with it was just painful in ever way. But realizing that our God gives and takes away and we need to praise Him in the storm despite the circumstances. He has the ultimate plan for us and I was able to see that plan unfold in the best way possible. After waiting the amount of time needed I took my pill again and nothing. My doctor told me she didn't want me to take that same drug anymore and referred me to a fertility specialist. I didn't want to hear that. After all that drug worked, 2x. But I went and got a new pill to take and after the first round I was pregnant again. It is so much harder to be pregnant again after a miscarriage. The thoughts and wondering about how the baby is doing and growing is always on your mind at least for the first 12 weeks. I had a ton of blood work done and extra ultrasounds for that first trimester which I loved. And we made it through the safe zone and then I wondered is it a boy or girl? A part of me kind of didn't care because after all I felt blessed just to be able to be pregnant. But hello, I sell bows and how fun would it be to have a little girl. Well we went and had a ultrasound at 16 weeks. Boy, he said 100% boy. I didn't believe him, after all they were wrong last time. So I went one hour away to a sonography school where they give free ultrasounds so the students can learn and practice on real patients. They (the instructor) confirmed boy. HHHmmmm still could be a girl, right, maybe? So at my 20 week appt this would be the 100% confirmation for me. And they told me, BOY. Ok so it's a boy. Thank goodness I kept all of Aiden's toys. Names, hhmmm boy names are just difficult. I found a theme for the nursery, bumble bees. I loved the colors. I was excited and ready for number 2. Planned c-section. So on Sept 6th I went in for my c-section and had my 9 pound 1 oz baby boy! Holy geez even my doctor was surprised that he was so big. (Aiden was 6.10)

But we welcomed Preston James into our world:

Our life has never been the same ever since. 

This sweet baby boy has a special place in my heart. I love both my boys the same, of course. And they are both mama boys, but this little boy is something else. He is a very good baby, LOVES water, gets into everything (Aiden wasn't that way) and I could kiss and squeeze him all day long. I can already see how these boys are so different. Aiden has adored Preston from day 1 and has been an awesome big brother. And Preston already looks up to Aiden. They already play and goof off at the dinner table.

My heart is happy. We are blessed. 

I see how Gods plan for our family has come into place. We had to loose a sweet little baby to gain this sweet chunky monkey baby boy. I am okay with that and at peace with that.

I can't even imagine life with these 2 boys in my life. 

Are we done? Are we going to try for that "girl"?

These are the questions always asked.

I can 100% say I want another. Not because I'm trying for that "girl" but because I love the idea of a full, loud and happy house of kids. Boy or girl, I really don't care, any baby is a blessing to me. I know people and friends that have been trying for years to have a baby and I feel just beyond blessed to have the 2 we have and so anymore babies would add to our blessings, no matter boy or girl.

 Just having 2 is boring to me. For other families it works for them. For me I want more and if that is in Gods plan for our life I can't wait to add to our family. 

I even think about a 4th sometimes, but SSHHH don't tell my husband, lol. I finally got him use to the idea of number 3. Hehehe.

If they came out sleeping through the night I'd have 10, and if they came out for costing a fortune my husband wouldn't care how many either. 

But for now we are four and happy and blessed with our family. And excited for the future. 

Forgiveness

I have sad and heavy things on my mind tonight. It's a sad day when you realize how little you mean to someone that is suppose to be "family". But actions speak louder than words and as much as I try to follow the rules and do what it right. It gets old after awhile to feel defeated.
I know none of this makes sense, but without getting into to much, all I can write is how I am feeling.

Today was a get work done, while doing laundry and while my hubby played with the boys type of day. Well that's the kind of day it was suppose to be. Yes laundry got done and some work too with some hot glue burns on my fingers -ouch- and the kids played, with whining, fits and boogers.
We also watched the Lorax again (we watched it last night) and I must say it is the.cutest.movie! I don't mind watching it over and over. If you haven't seen it, I definitely recommend it.

We went to church and loved every minute of it. Always a good message, and a great time to focus important things in my life. The boys had a blast and it is my favorite family activity.

But this evening was rough for me and I heard this Matthew West song 2x today "Forgiveness" It's a great song and definitely is one of the hardest things to be able to do, forgive others especially family and friends.

So as I really thought about the song and try to be the bigger person, it's hard to do but easy to give to God to handle.

"It’s the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don’t deserve

It’s the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just to real
It takes everything you have just to say the word…

Forgiveness
Forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It’s always anger’s own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it’s power can do
So, let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

I want to finally set it free
So show me how to see what Your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, Forgiveness"

So focusing on God and what he has done and is doing in my life and my boys life is what I am focusing on. Not the negative and those that are negative around me. After all how could you not look at these sweet babies and smile? They are my everythings. My little blessings.

P.S.- Next blog will be a MUCH more happier and uplifting one. :)

Stretched to Thin

I know that everyone feels stretched to thin every now and then. Being a mom of 2 boys, one that crawls and gets into EVERYTHING and a 4 yr old that lately has non stop energy, plus a husband, home to tend to and a business sometimes is a bit much for this mama. 
I try not to let it but sometimes the demands of everyday life leave me feeling at the end of the wondering if I gave everyone the best of me. 
Today was one of those days. My oldest woke up later than usual at 10:40 and was not feeling to good. He had an upset stomach. This did not fit into our plan for the day. I had errands to run and we had friends to meet at the pool. So he literally planted his body on the couch with blankets and didn't move for almost 2 hours. I went ahead and pack us all up and went to run my quick errands, he was a champ and survived them all. Then we arrived at our final destination, the pool and he lost his cookies (well apple juice really). But after that he was 100% better, ate lunch by the pool and swam with his friends like a fish.
A much needed afternoon of fun. I think that's why I fought for us to go. I want to be the fun mom that knows when it's time to take a break from house work and bow making and spend quality time with my kiddos.

It's funny how much things change in a year. Last summer when I was pregnant with that water baby. We would go the pool at least once a week with our sweet friends and the kids would play and I got to have adult conversations while lounging in the water. Ha, not anymore. Packing up for the pool takes on a whole new meaning and chasing that water baby is enough to wear out an Olympian. Needless to say this was our first time meeting this summer at the pool and summer is almost over. How sad.

Look at the fun going on. Makes my heart happy to see my kids having fun.

Tonight I go to bed knowing that I did my best, my kids are happy and the house work mostly got done and my work will have to pick tomorrow.

Summer time

So today, Aiden my oldest was literally bouncing off the walls! We were home all day as I didn't have my car today. So we all took a field trip after dinner to go get some clothes for the boys with my mil and then decided to get some frozen yogurt. Well Aiden decided to leave the house with crocs and socks! Despite my begging him to take them off he wouldn't. He was something else I tell ya.

Preston demanded to taste someone, anyone's yogurt.

This is Dr. Aiden

This face, he is something else but boy he has a way of melting my heart.

What it's all about

So I did it. I came up with a blog name and page name, I may not be 100% happy with it, but I'm hoping it will grow on me.

Why did I want a blog? To get all my random thoughts out and I am pretty sure the facebook world doesn't want to hear nor do I want to say it on there.
Who will read this? Well um I doubt anyone really, but it's not for anyone in particular it's for me, an outlet if you will.
My goal. To post at least 2-4x a week (ha) and document and post pictures of my life and family.
Blog World. So apparently there's a "blog" world. I doubt that's what I'm looking for or even know how to get there, I would just like to know how to set my page up the way I want it, lol.
About me. That will be a later time on another day. Because my 11 month old is napping and I have about a million in one things I want, no need to do. So I better get to doing.
One last note. I am SO not a writter and there may even be misspelled words, despite the ABCcheck button. It's just how I roll. I don't need an English teacher to correct my posts, haha.