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! ;)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Getting Going
Well, as some of you may know...I've been working for the last few months to get my own PR company going. I've been networking, setting up meetings, going on lunches and I feel like my wheels are spinning!
Just when I feel like I am making progress I come across someone who wants me to give away the knowledge and skill that I have been working on developing for years, for FREE!! What I don't understand is how I can make money when I'm working for Free?? Now, I have volunteered my services for non-profits, but that is because I wanted to help that company help the community. But to work for free for everyone...I won't be able to feed my children!
Argh! Just doesn't make sense to me!!
Just when I feel like I am making progress I come across someone who wants me to give away the knowledge and skill that I have been working on developing for years, for FREE!! What I don't understand is how I can make money when I'm working for Free?? Now, I have volunteered my services for non-profits, but that is because I wanted to help that company help the community. But to work for free for everyone...I won't be able to feed my children!
Argh! Just doesn't make sense to me!!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Lying
At Sunday School today in the class that Ben and I attend, which is called PEP - Parents Encouraging Parents, there was such an important topic that we talked about. It was basically about why you should teach your children that it isn't doing what God wants when you lie. And about how to teach them not to lie. And that brought me to a question that I'm just not sure of the answer to. When my kids are mean to each other; biting, hitting, whatever the case may be, they are asked if they did it and always say yes. Then they are punished for being mean.
What I was lost about is - isn't that teaching them that telling the truth is getting them in trouble? They are smart kids...how long is it going to be before they start lying to avoid the punishment? My good friend and adopted sister - Cassondra Lauver gave me good advice when I asked her how do I teach them not to lie when they are being punished after telling the truth. She said she always used to thank Skyler for telling the truth, but let her know what she did was wrong so she needed to be punished for that. However, is she had lied, the punishment would be double/worse. I am thankful for these words of wisdom and I definitely plan on trying to reiterate that to my kids as we grow. It makes me nervous that I am soley responsible - along with Ben of course, for shaping these tiny people into the adults I want them to be. It is so scary!! But I love them so much and want them to grow into amazing people. So, if anyone else has any words of wisdom, I would love to hear them!!
What I was lost about is - isn't that teaching them that telling the truth is getting them in trouble? They are smart kids...how long is it going to be before they start lying to avoid the punishment? My good friend and adopted sister - Cassondra Lauver gave me good advice when I asked her how do I teach them not to lie when they are being punished after telling the truth. She said she always used to thank Skyler for telling the truth, but let her know what she did was wrong so she needed to be punished for that. However, is she had lied, the punishment would be double/worse. I am thankful for these words of wisdom and I definitely plan on trying to reiterate that to my kids as we grow. It makes me nervous that I am soley responsible - along with Ben of course, for shaping these tiny people into the adults I want them to be. It is so scary!! But I love them so much and want them to grow into amazing people. So, if anyone else has any words of wisdom, I would love to hear them!!
Getting a glimpse of yourself
There is nothing like getting a glimpse of how you react to certain thing through your children. As I grew up, when I misbehaved - which wasn't often ;) - I got a spanking. I never had timeout. So, new methods are confusing to me. How much help is it in showing your child what they did was wrong by making them sit down by themselves? I do timeout, I just don't always get it. Anyway, that doesn't mean I don't spank. I don't beat my children...so don't report me! But, sometimes a swat on the butt is what is necessary to get the point across that what they are doing isn't right.
As I sit here on a Sunday night trying to finish a work project, I'm watching my children play. And now that I'm writing a blog, I'm not really getting much work done, am I? :) Anyway, they are taking turns giving each other a swat on the butt, saying take my hand, then walking each other to the corner and making the other sit in timeout. I have to say it is hilarious, but each time it is their turn, their voices are getting louder and louder. It makes me see that as they repeat a misdeed, my patience is smaller and my voice level when punishing gets louder and louder. I don't want to be that parent that is constantly yelling at their kids. If nothing else, this will remind me that sometimes it is necessary to take a deep breath as I'm punishing so I can keep a calmer demeanor. I want my kids to have a good example and know that even though I am punishing them, I still love them!
As I sit here on a Sunday night trying to finish a work project, I'm watching my children play. And now that I'm writing a blog, I'm not really getting much work done, am I? :) Anyway, they are taking turns giving each other a swat on the butt, saying take my hand, then walking each other to the corner and making the other sit in timeout. I have to say it is hilarious, but each time it is their turn, their voices are getting louder and louder. It makes me see that as they repeat a misdeed, my patience is smaller and my voice level when punishing gets louder and louder. I don't want to be that parent that is constantly yelling at their kids. If nothing else, this will remind me that sometimes it is necessary to take a deep breath as I'm punishing so I can keep a calmer demeanor. I want my kids to have a good example and know that even though I am punishing them, I still love them!
Friday, July 24, 2009
VYP event
Last night I spent a couple of hours at the Vegas Young Professionals mixer. It was the first real mixer I have been to, and while I was nervous on the drive over and nervous walking to the bar, once I got in there and saw a few people I knew, I eased right in.
I made a few really great contacts, and might even get a couple of great clients out of it. If anyone who reads this is working in Vegas and between the ages of 21-39, it seems like a really great group. It isn't too expensive to join and you meet some really great people. And for Mom's like me who spend most of their time working from home, it was a great outlet to have adult conversations and meet other working people who also might have kids.
I met some great people and got to see some friends I have made through other outlets. Gina and Will are both such great people. Gina is a great lawyer if anyone needs her services and Will does web development if you need that. And from what I gather just from looking at sites he has done...he is pretty great at it. Let me know if you need their contact info! :)
I have a second contact for websites too...Nick Jones with Company Insite. He is actually building my site. He is amazing too. Not to make you fight for it guys, but I just love ya both! :)
I made a few really great contacts, and might even get a couple of great clients out of it. If anyone who reads this is working in Vegas and between the ages of 21-39, it seems like a really great group. It isn't too expensive to join and you meet some really great people. And for Mom's like me who spend most of their time working from home, it was a great outlet to have adult conversations and meet other working people who also might have kids.
I met some great people and got to see some friends I have made through other outlets. Gina and Will are both such great people. Gina is a great lawyer if anyone needs her services and Will does web development if you need that. And from what I gather just from looking at sites he has done...he is pretty great at it. Let me know if you need their contact info! :)
I have a second contact for websites too...Nick Jones with Company Insite. He is actually building my site. He is amazing too. Not to make you fight for it guys, but I just love ya both! :)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Love
There is nothing like watching two people madly in love with each other making a commitment before God to love each other forever! That is what I spent this last week doing.
I watched Ben's best friend, Levi marry the love of his life, Kristy. I love those looks you see a bride and groom give each other at the altar. That look of nothing but pure love!
Ben was the best man, and he did such an amazing job with his speech. I was so proud of him. Because if you know Ben, you know he isn't much for public speaking. But it was so great! And once our kids pooped out, which was really early, Ben and I were able to relax a little and enjoy the rest of the night. I even got him to dance with me. It was great!
We love Levi and Kristy both, so much. And we are just beyond happy for them. We wish them a lifetime of LOVE and happiness. And know that is exactly what they will have.
I watched Ben's best friend, Levi marry the love of his life, Kristy. I love those looks you see a bride and groom give each other at the altar. That look of nothing but pure love!
Ben was the best man, and he did such an amazing job with his speech. I was so proud of him. Because if you know Ben, you know he isn't much for public speaking. But it was so great! And once our kids pooped out, which was really early, Ben and I were able to relax a little and enjoy the rest of the night. I even got him to dance with me. It was great!
We love Levi and Kristy both, so much. And we are just beyond happy for them. We wish them a lifetime of LOVE and happiness. And know that is exactly what they will have.
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