My Little Man Turned 5!

It is so hard to believe.  My little guy hit the big 5 this year on his Birthday.  It feels like only yesterday he was just speaking gibberish and was a cute, little, cuddly ball of joy.  Sometimes you have to stop and realize how fast time passes by.

Kayden is such a smart little guy.  He's in preschool and learning new things every day.  He comes home singing new songs or counting to new numbers.  I have a real soft spot for that kid.  I think maybe because he was my first experience having anything to do with little boys.  Growing up with one sister, and babysitting mostly girls all of my life, I was clueless what to do when I found out I was having a boy. I have to admit I was actually quite nervous! Over time I have learned to really enjoy him and find myself loving having a son.

Happy Birthday little man! Mommy loves you with all her heart!

Thanksgiving 2011

I love Thanksgiving.  I remember many Thanksgivings growing up.  We would have dinner with my extended family, aunts, uncles and grandparents.  The times we would have it at our house were the best times I remember.  My grandma and grandpa (my dads parents) would both come.  They had been separated for years but they would try their hardest to be civil and have a meal together for the family's sake.  Sometimes I thought I could still see a little flirtatious behavior between them, and perhaps just a bit of spark.  Then my grandma would say something nasty to my grandpa and the moment was over.

My grandma was such a spitfire!  I think I get a lot of who I am from her. She was tough, strong, very opinionated and outspoken.  You always knew what she was thinking or feeling!  Not one year goes by when I don't wish she was there to spend the holidays with me again.  She was so much fun to be around and we had a relationship unlike any other I've ever had in my family before.  Miss you grandma. I think of you all the time.

This year we had Thanksgiving at home, just Marcus and I and the kids.  It was a nice dinner.  Too much food like usual, and I must say that after spending most of the day cooking, everyone eats so quickly and then boom, it's over! A lot of effort goes into it, and it seems like such a short amount of time is spent enjoying it.  I know that it does leave a lot of good memories though.  I'm glad the kids will grow up having memories of times like it.

I thought I would share some photos of the mess that was made:

I could have swore that there was a rule out there that says "she that doeseth the baking, shall not doeth the cleaning".  Unfortunately upon much effort browsing the internet, I was unable to locate it in time. :) I will be more prepared next year!

Lots of Updates to Come

I know I have been a blog slacker.  I've got so many posts I need to put up. We got a new computer for Christmas so now I am looking forward to it. :)  I also got something totally awesome, a new camera.  Marcus did his normal research for 30 days prior to buying it and was super happy with himself when he was able to talk to the salesman down to a good deal. I cannot wait to use it! So hang tight for a bit and I will post soon when I get my pictures off my phone and onto the computer.

Until then, HAPPY NEW YEARS!

The Big Surprise

Well, when Marcus went to Wales to pick up his boys, I decided to have myself a party! I wanted to do something special for the boys before they got back so I decided I was going to redo their rooms.  Marcus left, and things began to get destroyed! He has a bit of a problem watching these types of things while they are happening, so I figured if/when I did this he would need to be far far away.  Like 6000 miles away! For the most part I was on my best behavior.  I only sent him several tormenting pictures and assured him he did not want to come home early. :)

Lets start with the mess:

Beds came apart, rooms began to be emptied and all stored in our lovely family room!

My attempt at keeping clothes organized.....fail...

more mess..... 

Now some photos of the gutted rooms before the makeover:

A look at Cy's part of the room before...very boring I know

Cys bed

Sethy's sleeping quarters...

The boys bathroom, not sure who is in the mirror though, weird

The potty and the tub, check out that blue toilet water!

 Kayden and Joshy's room - new furniture set up

More Kayden and Joshy's room (still not sure it was very 

bright puttingour two chatter boxes in the same room.....still rethinking.....

 Kayden and Joshy closet view

Kayden and Joshy dresser (new)

So days went by of painting, and tearing things apart.  Then more days were spent putting things back together.  I think Amazon must have made 75 deliveries to our house in a week with new and fun things for the rooms. I'm just keeping those lovely Fed Ex employees stable in their jobs. :) 

Then, drum roll please............................

This is what they came home to:

Cy's spot spruced up a bit...

Cy's Bed

Sethy's part of the pad

The new finished room

Then, on to the bathroom:

 Sailor boat theme

 Loving the lighter and brighter walls

cute little lighthouse

 Potty in style....

and a sail boat curtain

Next came the other boys room for Kayden and Josh:

I was feeling some red....and pirates! ARG!

I still have a few more wall decals to hang up

 I did also do the baby's room but it isn't finished yet so I am not sharing! I still have a few little things left to do, but I feel like for the most part it looks pretty good. Now, I have to do the rest of the house! So much to do but little bits at a time seems to be the best way to get it all done. :)

Dreams During Pregnancy

 It's a known fact that pregnancy brings about some very strange dreams.  I have been experiencing this first hand with this pregnancy for sure.  Every night I close my eyes I lay there wondering what I will come up with next.  I think all of the hormonal changes in my body bring up a whole different set of emotions.  Maybe some I would typically try to suppress, or some perhaps I didn't even know existed.  But lately my dreams not only seem strange, but they seem more intense too; often times waking me in the middle of them, once even in a full swing punch (sorry Marcus).

Last night I dreamed that I was just a week or so away from delivering the baby when I received a letter in the mail.  The letter was addressed to me and from my doctor.  When I read the letter I was a bit baffled.  It told me that at my 20 week scan they had made a mistake, and that in fact I was going to be having a little girl.  I remember being mad! I had nearly everything ready for the baby, and not one ounce of pink. I woke up and felt a blog post in the works!

Sometimes I wonder if dreams really do have meanings.  They say when you dream you are flying you feel like you are on top of your life.  Or there's that dream where you are running as fast as you can but going absolutely nowhere, literally standing in place.  I often dream of places from my past, especially my old house, or people I know of but have never actually met.  What does it all mean? Why do we dream and what significance do our dreams play in our life?  I think that could be something interesting to study.  To learn what is known about dreams and what is still in question.  Marcus always dreams he's a super hero, or doing awesome bike tricks or mountain climbs.  Maybe his dreams mean he's still a kid at heart? Maybe he dreams those types of dreams because in real life he is so busy, and always going that it's the only chance he really gets to stop, have a break and some fun1   I find myself often dreaming about arguments and fights with family, bringing up some of the old scars I have from over the years.  Does that mean I am holding on to feelings that need to be let out and only seem to come to surface when I am not awake?  Do I perhaps suppress these feelings when I need to be working through them? Why do they always feel it necessary to pop into my dreams?

I don't know what my dreams mean, or anyone else's for that matter, but I think I'm going to buy a book and see if I can start figuring it all out! Maybe one day I can even become the master dream reader and can tell people what their dreams mean! Now that would be cool!

....or perhaps it is way too early and I should have another cup of coffee before I hurt myself. ;)

To be continued I'm sure........

Good News!

Yesterday I got some really good news I thought I would share.  I've been working a temporary job at Fidelity Investments (for a girl on maternity leave) for just over 3 months now.  This job is due to come to an end on December 2nd. I've gotten myself to a place where I really am enjoying the company and the people I work with, so I was a bit sad that the end was near.   I have been job searching for some time for options after this one ends.  I've been interviewing and working with recruiters to find another job, but after nothing has come through I decided that I would take a few months off and just stay home.  Although I was actually looking forward to a bit of time off, I was still stressing about what I was going to do when I was ready to go back to work. I'd have to start all over, in a new role, at a new company, and go through the dreadful interview process again.  It just really didn't sound fun.  So needless to say, yesterday came as a good surprise. :)

One of the guys I work for asked if I would give him a call to discuss a potential opportunity he had found for me.  At one of their management meetings this week the managers expressed frustration over the fact they do not get any administrative support and are in need of some extra help.  He told me that they had been impressed with my work, and that they were creating a new position that they felt I would be perfect for. Not only were they creating this position, but they would be willing to hold it and not fill it until I was ready to return to work after the baby was born.  This new role also allows me to work from home 2 days a week as well giving me more time with my kids and less time in the car. He wanted me to think it over for a bit and get back to him with my thoughts. I couldn't stop smiling. I can't tell you how good that made me feel.  It's strange how things can really turn around so quickly.  I feel great about this new role.  I know I love the company and I work well with the people here.  I am excited that I will have the option for tuition reimbursement through work allowing me to continue my education.  I really feel like it just filled a big gap I've been dreading for a long time. 

I absolutely love this time of year and all the fun things it brings. I've always been big on family traditions and keeping the holiday spirit alive. When I had children of my own it was like the Holidays became magical again and I absolutely loved it!  Lately there have been some hard things happening in my life in respect to my parents and family. Current things and things that have happened over years and years that I am working hard to overcome. I'm trying to stay positive as best as I can.  The opportunity at work has definitely helped. I think it was just the boost I needed to set me on the right track.  I am so blessed to have what I do in my life.  I have beautiful, healthy children, a fantastic boyfriend who does so much, a beautiful home, a good paying job, a chance to further my education, the list could go on and on.  There really isn't much I could ask for that I don't already have.

Sometimes in our lives we have to get to a point that we accept the fact that there are people; who no matter what you do or how hard you try, won't ever change. And although it is hard to accept, we must be grateful for what we do have and life must go on. Sometimes when I get down I think I just need to sit back and remember that I do have people in my life that care and are there for me whenever I need them. All I can do is strive to be the best me possible, and not let others get me down. Life is too short to not be happy and smile. :)

Happy Holidays everyone and god bless. 

Shhhhh.....

I've got a secret project in the works. Photos coming soon!

Stay tuned..............................