Blessed

I am feeling very blessed tonight and just wanted to share that with everyone. I love that my marriage is a partnership. That Ben and I both participate in all aspects of our relationship. He helps with the kids, he takes turns preparing dinner with me, he cleans up around the house. I am so lucky.

How many have husbands that sit around and expect their wife to do it all? How many have husbands who think "they work all day, and house work is a woman's job"? I don't know the answer to how many, but I feel sorry for the wives of those types of husbands. I love that Ben is so active in our children's lives. I love that he respects me and can see that I need a break from dinner and cleaning up sometimes. Now, granted, my house is NEVER spotless...but he does take his turns cleaning up the kitchen and any other room that is in desperate need of a pick up!

He truly is amazing. I don't know how I got so lucky. When people talk about things they would go back and do differently, I can't help but think I wouldn't go back and do anything over. I am afraid if I went back and made even one different decision, my family wouldn't have moved out here and I would have never met Ben. Now, I am not saying there aren't great guys out there and that there aren't other lucky women. But...I am very lucky!! And I just wanted to share how blessed I feel. I love my man!

What A Week!!

Whew! I'm so glad it is Friday and we are moving on to the weekend. Just trying to get back into the swing of doing the all day stuff by myself is exhausting!!

I LOVED having Ben home this summer. Loved it! I love that he is so active with the kids and it is so obvious how much he loves them and so obvious how much they love their Daddy! In fact, since he has been back working these last two weeks - he subbed janitorial for the few days before school started back - they wake up crying every morning, "Where Daddy Go?!?!" And it breaks my heart when I tell them he went to work and they cry harder. Because they know that back to work means he isn't going to be home all day. I hate to see what next week brings.

This week, he has been home shortly after school. He has gone to they gym right after a couple of times, but is usually home right around 4. Starting next week he will be doing SAFE after school, which usually keeps him there until 5:45, 6 ish. They are going to be highly disappointed when they wake up from nap and Daddy isn't home shortly after. But....you gotta pay the bills.

Needless to say, I'm bummed that summer has come to an end. We are going to try to squeeze in one last vacation before summer completely disappears. We are going to try to head to Reno for Labor Day weekend. Labor Day weekend brings our favorite outing to Sparks - The Rib Cook-off. We love the Rib Cook-Off!! Tons of people, but lots of awesome food! My favorite place is the Kentucky Bourbon booth! I'm going to have to eat really good for the next week, so I can enjoy some yummy ribs and pulled pork without feeling too guilty!

We mainly be going to visit with Levi, Kristy and their family. And of course, Grammy Ellen and Papa Jay! We got to spend some good time with them before the wedding this summer, but it just didn't feel like enough. So, we are making another trip north to visit, so that it won't be until next summer before we get to see them again. They are our adopted family...and we love them just like they are blood. I can't wait to go visit again!

The kids are enjoying preschool. Antonio seems to be doing some better with drop off. This morning he cried when I was trying to leave, and the teacher took him. I rounded the corner and stopped at the open door to talk to one of the teachers, but was out of his sight and he had already stopped crying. That is a good sign to me! I think he just turns on the tears to try to get me to stay, but once he knows I'm gone, he is ok with it. I'm so happy for them, because you can tell that the social interaction is helping them. And it does give me a chance to get a little more done.

Boy, I knew trying to get my own business started would take a lot of work, but trying to do it on top of all the other work I was doing...I feel sooo busy some days. Like I said, I'm glad for the weekend. I still have a lot of work to do this weekend, but at least I will have Ben's help with the kids and will hopefully be able to get some of it done! Well...back to work!

Quiet Reflection

As I sit here and listen to only the clattering key board, and the dryer through the wall, I wonder where the phrase "silence is golden" came from. Does anyone know?

Some days, as I'm sure any mother would attest, all I want is five minutes of silence! Just some time to clear my mind and have thoughts that don't surround work and/or taking care of two toddlers. But other times, I love the noise. I love the sounds of laughter coming from the kids. I love hearing what they are going to come up with next. I swear, I need to start writing the stuff they say down so that I can share it with them when they are older.

Tonight, in the bathtub, Antonio was being a little cranky. I told him to be nice to his sister. He said, "no, my don't want be nice." Analise turned at him and screamed, then she said, "my scream at you, be nice me!" It was so funny. I had a hard time not laughing out loud. I don't want her to yell at him, and I don't want to be mean to her, so I know if I laugh when they are doing it, it is going to promote the behavior. But, gosh! It was funny.

They are so funny. That show, Kids Say The Darnedest Things, I could host the show from my house. I could be rich!! My kids would make millions laugh. Ok, maybe not all the time, but when they are being funny...they are funny!

To slightly change points, I wanted to update you on how preschool is going. Analise LOVES it! I know, if you know my kids, you aren't surprised. She is definitely the more outgoing of the two. She kisses me and goes when I drop off. Not a problem to drop off at all. In fact, a couple of times I have had to call her back to give me a kiss because she has run off to play without even telling me bye.

Antonio on the other hand, is still adjusting. I still have to peel him off me, crying to be able to leave. His teacher, Miss Jenny, assures me that he only cries for a few moments after I'm gone and then he is fine the rest of the time. It doesn't relieve my guilt when I leave and he is crying, but I know what he is learning and the social interaction is great for him. Maybe it will make Kindergarten easier, because as sad as it makes me...it is right around the corner!

When I pick them up, they are all smiles. They are happy to see me and reassure me that they want to go back. That always makes me feel better. And the work I am able to get done while they are there is great for me too. Whether it is cleaning up around the house, working on work projects, or taking the time to hit the gym...it is very nice to have some me time. I honestly think it makes me feel more relaxed when they are with me. I'm not so stressed because I do have the little break. I am so glad I decided to do this. Thank you so much, to those of you who encouraged me to do it.

Yay, 2 followers!!

Yay! Now, I have 2 followers. Thanks for following me, Ellen!! Can't wait for you to get started on here. Maybe when we are there for Labor Day weekend, I can help you set yours up.
Love you and glad you are interested in what I'm doing enough to set up to be able to follow me! :)

Watching My Mouth!!

Well...it has happened, Mommy said something naughty and Antonio has adopted it as his new phrase!! When I am frustrated, I have noticed that I tend to say "Damn it".

The other night Antonio was playing "baseball" with a giant balloon. He was having me throw it at him and he was swinging his soft baseball bat and hitting it. He swung and missed and out popped those words...damn it!

At first I didn't know how to react. I found it slightly funny at first, but knew if I laughed he would continue to say it. So instead, I told him...no no no, you don't say those words. Did he listen?? He is two, of course he didn't listen!

Over the course of the past few days he has said it a few more times. I really hope he hasn't said it at preschool. I always hated it when the kids swore at the preschool where I worked and now, I have the potty mouthed kid!!

And what's worse, I hope he hasn't said it at church! His Sunday School teachers haven't said anything to me about him saying it, but I would just be so embarrassed if he said it. Mostly because I know it is my fault! I said it first, and he copied me. What a BAD MOMMY!!

So, tonight, he said it again. In as calm of a tone as I could, I put my arm around him and said, saying damn it is naughty. If you say it again, I'm going to make you eat soap!

He stood there and pondered it for a moment and then calmly said, Mommy, my no say damn it anymore. I sure hope he doesn't. Now...Mommy has to no say damn it anymore too!! Or I guess I will have to eat soap to prove my point!

Preschool and a little guilt trip

As some of you may know, I have been batting the idea of preschool 3 days a week around for almost all summer. I want them to have more social interaction and a learning environment. It will also help me with giving me more time to get work done for both my job and around the house.

It has been a stress point for me. I know it will be great for them and great for me too, but I have this horrendous guilt about sending them to preschool (daycare) when I am home and can be taking care of them. I absolutely love being with them, even when they drive me crazy! They make me laugh every day, so to send them somewhere else when I am at home, is an awful feeling for me.

Well, I broke down and decided that this is what they need and what I need. I decided Pahrump Early Learning Academy would be the best place for them. I know the owner, and she is a fabulous lady. I know she wouldn't have someone on her staff that wouldn't do a great job taking care of my babies, so we set up to do a trial week before we officially commit.

Their first day was today and the drop off was as bad as I thought it would - for Antonio. Analise acted like she could have cared less. One of her friends that we get together with on a regular basis, Peyton, was there and the two of them took off playing together. Antonio, who had begged me earlier in the morning "Mommy, no leave me!" Wasn't as anxious to go run and play. He held tightly to me and when Pam's (the owner) daughter, Avery came to take him he screamed and cried.

After I was safely inside out of his sight, I cried a little too. The only reason I didn't just turn around and take him with me was I knew that he would be fine. And I was right.

When I picked up I got the report that they both did great. He was sad at first, but then picked right up and went on - no more tears. Boy, that made me feel so much better!! Analise was happy to see me and excited to know that she gets to come back on Wednesday. Antonio seemed a little unsure about that one, but in the car did say "Mommy, I want go back." So, we will see how Daddy does dropping off on Wednesday! :)
The kids on their first day.
Analise (very excited) and Antonio (not so excited)

Being a kid!

Oh the joys of being a kid. Those days are long gone for me, but I do have so many fond memories. Watching my kids run and play today and seeing the carefree feeling they put off, it makes me wish that this time would stand still for them. The joys of being able to run around naked through the sprinklers and then eat watermelon and get it all over you, is so precious to me! The laughter and smiles they have are moments I want to lock in time forever. I don't want them to ever have to know heartache, or stress. I hope that they can capture this feeling and hang on to it tightly for as long as possible!

I wish that I hadn't hoped to grow up faster as often as I did. Perhaps I could still be a kid! When you are a kid wishing to be a grown up so you can do whatever you want, you don't see the stress and responsibility that comes with being a grown up. I think if that could be more evident, kids wouldn't wish away their childhood quite so much!

Thankfully, my kids allow me to reflect on my childhood and all the happy memories I have from it. And some days, it is as if I am reliving parts of it! I am so grateful to my parents for giving me the adventures that I had as a child. And, despite current beliefs, kids can have everything they need without lots of money. They may not have everything they want, but that is okay. If they don't get that toy or shirt or pair of shoes, they WILL live! And if they have to work to earn that $53 pair of shoes - like I did - they will appreciate them more, and they may also see that one pair of shoes isn't worth working all summer for. Even though some days I wish I could go back to childhood, I am so glad that I get to watch my kids grow up. These are truly the most special times in our lives. I just hope I can remind myself to slow down and appreciate it more.

New Background

Oohh! I love it! :)

I HAVE A FOLLOWER!!!

I am soooo excited! I finally have an official follower!! Thanks, Desiree, for becoming my first follower. I can't tell you how excited I am. I have always wondered if ANYONE reads this, and now I know at least one person will on occasion!
If anyone else reads this, please follow me! That way I can know who reads this silly thing! ;)

Trip to Kentucky - August 2009

Well, we just got home from a week long trip to visit my family in Kentucky. It was a fun filled, busy week that went entirely too quickly. The kids had a fantastic time playing with their cousins Evan and Sadie Jo. I think by our Christmas time visit, watching them all play together will be even more fun.




Living in a small town has its benefits. Dad is great friends with the Fire Chief, Mark who gave us permission to stop by and see the fire trucks...even though no one was there. Antonio absolutely loved it!! All the kids loved it, but he had this look of utter amazement on his face that was so priceless. It was such an amazing experience. I wish Mark had been able to be there so we could have turned on the lights on the truck. Maybe at Christmas.



Ben and I also went to the Cincinnati Reds game while we were there, with my Dad, Carol, Beth, Matt and Evan. It was great, except that the Reds lost. It had rained all day and even the whole way to the game, until right before we got there. We were wearing sweatshirts during the game. It was such a welcome relief after the heat Vegas was having before we left!







We had a birthday celebration for everyone who had had a birthday since the last time we were together and for Beth, whose birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks. The only ones we didn't sing to were Mom, Carol and Me. Since all our birthdays are in December, we will maybe sing to us next time.

We went to a family reunion that was held at my Grandma's house on the Saturday of our trip. It was great seeing extended family members that I hadn't seen in several years. I didn't even recognize some of my distant cousins, since the last time I saw most of them they were younger than 10 and now they are all teenagers or older. Time sure goes by fast.

During that visit, we were able to get a four generations pictures. One of Grandma, Mom, Me and Analise, and one of Grandma, Mom, Me, Analise and Antonio. I know those pictures will be pictures to treasure for a lifetime.


Four generations.
(Mom, Grandma, Me and Analise)


Four generations.
(Mom, Antonio, Grandma, Me and Analise)

It was a great visit, but definitely too short! I can't wait until Christmas when we all get to get together again.