2011 Year-End Review

January

I organized my closet shelves. 

They could use another good organizing right about now. 
This time, my husband needs to organize his side.

Watching my basketball stud.  It's amazing how much he's changed over the past year.

 

February

 

I baked chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes.

These are very rich and heavy.  One advice, make sure the butter is melted or you will have gritty icing.

 

 

Hailey got 1st place at the Athletic Championships competition.

Actually, her team got 1st place at every competition they competed in last year.
I can only hope for that outcome this year.  We'll see!

 

March

 

We made rag flip flops.

These turned out so freaking good! I wish I had made me a pair. 
They are still holding up and look great!

 

Hailey took her first plane ride!
This was so exciting and nerve racking.  She was so nervous.  I got sick on the ride back home. 
All five of us are flying this March.  I am stoked!

 

We went to Disney for a cheer competition.  See posts here, here, here, here and here.  AND Hailey's cheer team won 1st place in Nationals!!!

 

We saw Mitchel Musso in Concert!
He puts on a good concert for the girls too.  I would see him again. :)

 

 

April

 

I made a Rosette headband.

Our dog chewed this one. Ugh!  Time to make a few more.

 

 

May, June, July and August - I took a break from blogging.

 

 

September

 I came back!!

I bought supplies for Art Journaling, which I will start on next week!

I'm so excited to share this experience with you and to give them this gift next Christmas.

 

October

 

I turned 34 and went shopping.

The shoes shown below are my favorite shoes. 
I wear them all the time.

 

 

Kids attended their fall festival.

 

 

Kids had mismatch day.

 

 

Soccer became my obsession.

Joseph has signed up for travel soccer now.  He has been training 4 nights a week since November. 
I can't wait to watch him play this Spring.

Kids dressed up as Zombies for Halloween
Hailey actually found the tutorial on youtube.  This was our first attempt.

 

And this is them on Halloween night...

 

 

November

I am Thankful for...

 

 

 

December

We went to Tennessee for our first competition of the season! Come home with 1st place!

 

Hailey visited Santa even if it was a flop.

 

 

My kids got sick right before Christmas. 

Thankfully they were better before the festivities.

 

We had a great Christmas!

 

 

Bring on 2012 baby!!

My New Year Resolutions...

1.  Spend more time enjoying life and documenting it.
2.  Pay more attention to my husband.  He needs my affection as well.
3.  Save more.  Joseph goes off to college in 5 years.  I want him to graduate debt free and in order for me to give him that gift, I must save more.

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Christmas 2011

We had a good Christmas in our household.  We spent Christmas Eve at my grandma's house, then to RJ's aunt's house and then to his mom's house.  We don't exchange many gifts at any house.  I think the kids got pajama pants, a couple shirts, jacket, nail polish, nurf gun and money.

Christmas morning, the kids got up early.  Joseph found a laptop from Santa,  Hunter found a kicker stereo box for his ipod and Hailey found a Le Pan android tablet.  All three were very happy.  After RJ and I rolled out of bed, we opened presents.

I set up Joseph's laptop and set his parental controls and then I downloaded a bunch of apps for Hailey.  They played around for awhile and played their new xbox games including Just Dance 3.  That is so fun to play and watch.  They crack me up!

Then we headed to my mom's for dinner.  It was a pretty relaxing day, which is just perfect.  Oh, my mom bought me a Jo Totes camera purse.  I LOVE it!  She got me this one.

Did everyone else have a good Christmas?  Did you do anything special or did you have a relaxing day like we did?

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Living with Iron Deficiency Anemia

I was diagnosed with Anemia a year and a half ago.  It was actually a week before I had my hysterectomy.  I was at work, my stomach hurt, I had a headache and I couldn't hold my head up.  I went to the doctor thinking I was getting the flu and they told me that I needed to go to the emergecy room.

I called my mom (moms make everything better) and she met me at the ER.  They took a blood sample and it came back that my red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets were all too low.  The first thought that came to my mind was that I had cancer.  I always prepare my mind for the worst, probably a bad habit, but I can't help myself.  It didn't help the matter when they set an appointment with a Hematologist/Oncologist doctor.  They gave me a prescription for an infection and sent me home.

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The following week, I went for my hysterectomy.  (I had to have a hysterectomy because I had adenomyosis.)

A week after my hysterectomy, I went for my first appointment to the hemotologist and plastered all over the wall and magazines were tip and encouring words about living with cancer.  I was freaked out.  After they called me back and took blood samples, I was assured that I just had an iron deficiency anemia.  I was given a prescription for iron pills.

My following appointments were to check my iron levels.  By the first appointment, my levels went up 3 points and I was told it was like adding 3 pints of blood to my system.  The next appointment, my red blood level went back down to 10.  I was warned that if my levels did not go back up with taking the iron supplements that I would have to get injections at the next appointment.  I also had to have a colonoscopy to see if I was bleeding anywhere.

The colonoscopy came back normal, thank goodness.  I missed the 6 month follow up appointment and just went to my rescheduled appointment on Dec. 22nd.  My levels are back up and I do not have to see him again unless I start feeling sick again.  I do, however, need to continue taking my iron supplements.

Some of the symptoms I had were the following:
Extreme exhaustion
light headed
dizzyness
shortness of breath
headaches
problems concentrating or thinking clearly
pale skin
low blood pressure

I've always been a sleeper.  I love to sleep.  But, when my red blood count was down, I could have slept for days.  When I stood up, I would black out.  I wouldn't pass out, but I would lose vision for a good 10 seconds and I would just have to stop and not move for the 10 seconds until my vision came back, then I was able to move on.

Iron Supplement Side Effects
They say the iron supplements could give you an upset stomach &/or contipation.  They do not give me constipation, in fact, they make me more regular.  They did upset my stomach until I read that you must drink a full 8oz of water with each pill.  Once I started doing that, my stomach never hurt.

So, as of right now, I guess I am not considered anemia, but I will continue taking my supplements because I never want to feel sick, tired and dizzy again.

**Please note, I am obviously not a doctor.  I'm just sharing my experience and symptoms of anemia to possibly relate with others.**

If you have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, I would love to hear your experience, suggestions, etc.

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Even the Poopy Days are Worth It

"Mommy. I don't feel good."

Those are words that no parent likes to hear, since it's hard when your child is sick. But, those words take on an additional meaning when you have to go to work. It's also funny how those words seem to materialize on Monday morning around 7am instead of Friday afternoon when there's the weekend ahead to recover.



A couple weeks ago, I took my kids to the mall to play in the inflatable wonderland for a birthday party, because I'm cool like that. It's in the middle of the mall where rambunctious children are free to jump, climb and slide down air-filled vinyl dream castles. You would think a woman my age would have come to terms long ago with other people's selfishness as was so noticeably obvious from all the sick kids surrounding us like an ambush.



So, of course, two of my kids got sick. Although I realize I cannot keep them stuck inside and quarantined, one does expect to go to a heavily populated public facility without being deliberately exposed to whooping cough, malaria, bird flu and other highly infectious diseases.  I know they didn't get that sick, but it sure does feel like it!



Anyways, last week, I'm awakened by the sounds of Joseph and Hunter throwing up. Luckily they were able to get to the toilet first. Poor guys spent an entire week with a tidal wave of nausea, driven to their needs of frequent toilet gazing, vomiting, and running to the toilet with it coming out of both ends. When they were not hugging the toilet, they were sleeping. I spent my time comforting them, going to work and disinfecting. It was exhausting for them and for me. It was one of those weeks that could make a person question why anyone would want to be a Mother. In fact, it was the kind of week that people point to and say, "See, that is exactly why I am never going to have kids! Who would want to do that?"



In the early mothering days, when I had a week like that, I would dissolve into a puddle of despair, thinking, "This is what I am in for for the next 20 years. I can't go on if I am ever going to have another day like this. I must have been insane to sign up for this!"



While I still wonder if I am crazy occasionally, I have a little different perspective now. I know from experience that yes, there will be another poopy day like this in my future, probably many. But, I also know from experience that there will be a billion wonderful little moments that make the poopy days entirely worth it. I know something that those women who choose not to have kids will never know. I know how it feels to hold your newborn and to have a 3-year-old whisper in my ear "I love you, Mommy." I know how your heart swells with pride when your 7 year old overcomes something that challenges him, and how it feels to watch a little one while they sleep. It's a feeling that can't be explained, which is why it will always seem crazy to someone outside looking in, when I say that even last week, with all the poop, I still love being a Mom.



Last night after I wrote this post, I got sick as well.  Trying to decide whether to sit on the toilet or hug it was not a decision I wanted to have to make.  Oh, the joys of being a mommy. :)  I wouldn't change it for the world!  I hope this little lady doesn't get sick and if she does.... I hope she recovers before Christmas or catches it after Christmas.  Say a little prayer for her, please.




I hope all of you have a healthy Christmas this weekend.

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Twas the night

I just realized I had my comments restricted.  Sorry about that! Anyone can comment now. :)  I'd love to hear from you.  Pop in and say Hi!

I found this poem a long time ago and wanted to share. I have the author's name, but I don't have a link to refer back to because I've saved it for... oh...4 years now.  I'm sure our house will be like this come Saturday night onto Sunday.

'Twas the Night For Assembling from Kellie Head

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, except me and my spouse

The stockings were empty, no presents were wrapped

We were way behind schedule and our resources tapped

The children were nestled all snug in the beds

While the horrors of assembling danced in our heads

Dad armed with a screwdriver, ready and poised

To build a red trike for one of our boys

When off in the hall there arose a strange noise

We dove over boxes to hide all the toys

The thud, it turned out, was our dumb puppy Paul

Who was chasing the cat and ran into the wall

Back to his task, Dad cursed at his mess

I suspect he was lost, but he'd never confess

He wrestled with parts and fumbled with tools

Emailed the manufacturer and called them all fools.

After hours of struggle, the bike finally took shape

With a few cuts and bruises and the aid of duct tape

He stood back and gaped at the bike he just built

It weaved and it wobbled and rolled with a tilt

His frustration grew; his voice shook as he spoke

"The directions are Greek, it's all a sick joke!"

At this point he snapped, his thinking unclear

He'll do something stupid; this was my big fear.

He grabbed each toy's instructions, oh why won't he learn

Tossed them into the fire, chanting "burn baby burn"

"Burn Disney, burn Huffy, to blazes with you

Burn Fisher Price, Playskool and Hasbro, too"

As smoke filled the room, this was his first clue

That in a moment of haste, he had neglected the flue

"My husband's a good man," I tried to explain

"The instructions weren't clear. It drove him insane"

The fire chief nodded and gathered his crew

Hopped onto their truck and away they all flew

But I heard them converse as they drove out of sight

"Her husband's the third jerk who's done that tonight!"

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I've only managed to take two Christmas pictures this year.  I'm so excited about Christmas, but was just not in the decorating mood.  This is our tree at night.

And this is Fred.  He's been spying on the kids.  He's also declared that they've been pretty good this year.  He hasn't played any tricks on them yet, but I'm sure he will soon. ;)

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Christmas Themed Treats

These are Christmas treats that I've pinned over the past month.

Reindeer Cookies

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Snowmen Donuts

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Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Reindeer

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Chocolate Dipped Prestzel Sticks

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Sugar Cookie Pinwheels

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My family and I are going to make the pinwheels and pretzel sticks this week along with puppy chow, chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies and peanut butter cornflake bars.  I'll let you know how they turned out.

What are you baking this holiday season?

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A Visit With Santa

Over the weekend, Hailey spent the night with her friend.  The plan was for her to go see Santa with her friend and I was going to clean all day Saturday. 

That all went down the drain when I received a text from Chelsee's mom stating that she was bringing Hailey home because Chelsee was being a brat.  She also said that she told Hailey that maybe I would take her somewhere since she was all dressed up.  Great.

Hailey walked through the door in her pretty dress, heels and shawl.  I was in my pajamas with dirty hair and no makeup.  I texted my mom to see if there were any Santa she could see besides the one at the mall.  I just wasn't in the mood to stand in line for an hour or so at the mall to see Santa.

Mom texted back with a negative!  So, I hopped in the shower and got ready.  I made my mom go with me and we jetted to the mall.  Hailey was so excited. 

We stood in line for an hour and they wanted to charge us $25.00-50.00 for a picture with Santa! I think their eggnog was spiked! I was not paying that much for a picture.  So, Hailey just "visited" Santa.  She told him what she wanted and was 100% satisfied.  Gosh, I love her. 

I didn't bring my camera because I thought it would only be about $10.00 for a picture, so all I have to show for it is this blurry iphone picture.  Bummer.  But, at least she was happy.  That is all that matters. Right?

Have your littles seen Santa this year?  What do they want for Christmas?  Hailey told Santa she wanted an Ipad.  She may not be so happy on Christmas morning.

 

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Random Jargon Today

Just a bunch of random jargon today on this fine Wednesday morning.

1.  I rocked out to this on the way to work this morning.  Looks like I need to dust my dashboard.

2.  I found this bumper sticker on a window and loved it! They were sold out in the store; not that I would put it on my bumper, but I loved the message.

It reads:

 "Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: JESUS CHRIST AND THE AMERCIAN SOLDIER. One died for your soul, the other died for your freedom."

3.  Hailey went ice skating for the first time last week.  She did really good.  Her friend's mother took her while I was at work.  They had an early out at school.  When I went to pick her up, she showed me her moves that she learned.

4.  When I laid down with her last night, she squeezed me tight and said, "I love you SO much, mommy."

She melts my heart.

5.  Last night after basketball practice, Joseph puked everywhere in the parking lot.  Needless to say, he didn't go to school today. 

I pray that he feels better soon and that the rest of us don't get it. 

6.  I worked out last week and my muscles felt it. I hurt so bad. I think I'm used to it now. Just trying to force myself to continue.

I did lose a pound and a few inches. I'm not sure if my hip measurements were correct when I first measured

 because losing 5 inches in my hips in 2 weeks seems a little unreal to me.

My goal this week is to drink a lot of water and continue working out to 30 Day Shred.

Here are my stats:

Weight: Before. 148 / Now. 146

Waist: Before. 32 inches / Now. 32 inches

Hips: Before. 47.5 inches / Now. 42 inches

Thighs: Before. 25 inches / Now. 22 inches

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Have a rockin' Wednesday!

Have any of your kids been sick recently?  What have you been rocking out to lately?  Christmas music?

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Gift Wrapping Ideas

If you are following me on Pinterest, you've already seen these when I pinned them.  If you aren't following me, you should. ;)

I love the kraft paper, lace, pastels and flower wrapping paper. 

This would be perfect for a wedding shower, baby shower, Mother's Day or a girl's birthday.

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I love the string of yarn and the yarn doilies along with the kraft paper.  Very shabby chic.

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I love the idea of using old newspaper as wrapping paper.  Very creative. 

Tie with with twine with a card laced in.  Such a cheap, yet vintage looking, way to wrap gifts.

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Love the kraft paper with a simple ribbon.  The added hand stamped name made this wrapping perfect. 

I'm going to try this for some of my Christmas presents this year.

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Again more kraft paper and twine.  This time with added paper doilies and scrapbooking materials. 

Hot glue a tag and button on there and you're set to go.

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Kraft paper again, I think I see a theme here.  I love the different trim, twine, ribbon, etc. 

I really like the idea of using the measuring tape.  So cool for a boy's gift!

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This one is basically the same as above but with different colors,

but I especially love the use of an old map, that would be good for a boy or man's gift.

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This pleated paper is pretty darn cool. If you visit the link below,

it tells you how to make a bow out of wrapping paper. 

Direction on how to get the pleats can be found here.

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Have you seen any cool wrapping ideas or done any yourself?  I'd love to hear about them.  If you'd like you can link them up here!

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