Resolution Smesolution!

I could go nuts and make some crazy unreachable New Year's Resolutions, but in reality after the 2nd week in January I'm sure I'd break them all. Instead I think I'll try to set some goals for myself that I can work on. Just the typical organize my house, eat a little healthier (notice I said a little), spend more time in God's Word, get Josh enrolled in some kind of fun, active activity/class, go on dates with my hubby, save more money. I'm sure I could list a bunch more, but come on... I'm not going to become super workout, in shape, eating her veggies, super mom and wife over night. I'm definitely not willing to give up my ice cream and oreos though!

I'm in Love...

...with my new Shark Steam Mop.

I am always on the lookout for easier, yet more efficient ways to clean my house. We had some friends over a few weeks ago who recently replaced the carpet in their house with laminate. Since we have laminate floors through our house as well, we got on the topic of how my floors are such a pain to clean. Our friends said they bought the Shark Steam Mop and that it was amazing. Of course, I put this on my Christmas list. I used it for the first time the other night and it was indeed AMAZING.
It doesn't use any chemicals, just water. It sanatizes while it cleans and is so easy to use. It is safe on all floors and I would recommend it to all. Put me on an infomercial!

Beyond Blessed

We had an awesome Christmas and are so wonderfully blessed!
Our handsome boys all ready to go to Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's house on Christmas Eve.

Santa came!

The aftermath... this clean freaks worst nightmare.

My husband is amazing!

Happy Birthday, Jesus

We have lots of Christmas traditions in our family. One of my favorites is making a birthday cake for Jesus. We baked the cake last night and decorated it this morning. Josh loves helping me in the kitchen, so he had lots of fun.

Another Roadtrip

We are off once again to visit family. Both my Mom and Dad's sides of the family live in Santa Maria, so that is where we are headed tomorrow for a couple days. We, as in the boys and I. Daddy will be working. My Mom came up today from Nevada and is going with us. This time I will definitely remember the portable potty and some barf bags. =)

Ho Ho Ho

Santa was at Daddy's work on Friday night, so we took the boys to see him. Josh was so excited to go. While we were driving there I told Josh that Santa was going to ask him what he wanted for Christmas. Josh kept saying he wanted a birthday card.... who knows?? When we got there Josh was so shy. He didn't even say a word to Santa. I guess better shy than terrified. You can tell by the picture. The boys didn't even smile. Maybe they were in awe of good 'ol jolly Santa.

Wordless Wednesday

The Most Precious Sound

I love that my boys are starting to play together. Now when I say "play together" I mean to the extent of Josh making faces at Jason, Josh tickling him or waving toys in his face. Josh is always wanting to play cars with Jacie (he calls him) or wanting Jacie to go play in his room with him. One of my favorite things is to hear the boys laughing at each other. It is so sweet and absolutely adorable when Josh makes Jason laugh. I think it is the most precious sound ever!

I'm Losing It!

Please tell me you've done something like this... I washed Josh's bedding, (yep, he peed the bed) took it out of the dryer and brought it into his room. The next thing I did was separate the pillow case from the sheets then proceeded to put the sheets and blankets back on the bed. Last thing to do was the pillow case and it was no where to be found. I can't find that darn thing anywhere. It has been annoying the heck out of me. Josh says he didn't hide it anywhere, so unless he is fibbing (which he very well could be) than he's going to have a miss match pillow case for awhile.
Watch... next month I'll find it in some odd place like burried in the back yard all chewed up by my dog. It could happen...I found one of missing bras in the backyard... Seriously!!!!

6 Months

Jason had his 6 month check up today. Can you believe it.... 6 months old? It is so bittersweet to me. I love the fact the he is getting older and developing so well, but I miss his new baby smell and having him fall asleep on my chest. Now he would rather be sitting up (with help) watching his brother run around the house like a crazy man than cuddle with mommy. He weighs 16 pounds and is 26 inches long. He is ready to pass up his big brother here pretty soon. =)
The poor guy had a rough afternoon after getting his shots.... no nap and lots of tears. Where does the time go?

All I Want For Christmas is My Two Back Teeth...

TO STOP HURTING!!! Seriously! Who knew that a simple filing would turn into agony, pain and torture? Right before we left for Nevada I went in to get a filing and came out a mess. My Dentist said that he hit the nerve when he was doing the filing, but he fixed it and I should be fine. Of course, once I realized I was not fine it was the weekend and no one ever returned my messages on the emergency voicemail.
Even though I had a great time in Nevada, I was poppin pain pills like an addict. Once we got home, I had a message from the dentist saying that for some reason he didn't get my message until that following Monday.....hmmmmm....really???
To make a long story short after trying some quick fixes in hopes of no root canal, nothing worked! I am still poppin the pills. I went in today and the verdict is, "Root canal on Friday morning!"
Yes, I asked the doctor about him "accidentally" hitting the nerve and he said the decay was actually really deep. You bet he is going to say that to save his behind. Overall, he is going to cut some of the cost and hopefully after Friday my Christmas wish will come true. HA HA

Home and Ready for Christmas

We are home from our trip to Nevada. Despite Josh getting carsick through the mountains, stopping every hour to go potty (I will never forget the portable potty seat again!), getting pulled over by CHP or my brother and husband almost killing themselves exploring mine shafts.... we had a wonderful time!!
It did snow one day, but not enough to stick to the ground. My brother took Josh to his fire station and my Dad took Josh to his work to see all the heavy equipment(tractors, snow plows, etc.). Josh was in heaven.
We got home and started decorating for Christmas. It is so much fun now that Josh has the concept and knows what's going on. Mike is still off of work for 4 more days. For all of you that have your husbands home nights and weekends... don't ever take it for granted. I dread when Mike goes back to work. Josh (and Mommy) absolutely loves having Daddy home to put him to bed.
I can't believe tomorrow is December... 25 more days until Christmas!!

Roadtrip

This is the first Thanksgiving in years that Mike actually has off. To make it even better he didn't only get Thanksgiving, but he has 10 days off. So..... we thought we'd take advantage of it and take a little roadtrip to my Mom and Dad's in Gardnerville, NV. We don't get up there as often as we like, traveling with 2 kids is not our favorite thing to do.
It looks like it might snow when we are there. I sure hope so!! Last winter Josh had a blast in the snow. I'm looking forward to relaxing, eating yummy enchiladas (my fam's tradition is enchiladas on Thanksgiving, we don't do the traditional turkey dinner), getting family pictures taken, having a girls night out with some girlfriends from high school, and having fun with the fam!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful

I have been so frustrated these last couple days with my dentist. I went in for a simple filling and came out with a ton more work done and I am still in a lot of pain as a result. What is with dentists not returning calls on their "emergency phones"? Even with the pain and frustration and wishing my husband was at home and not working, I am going to attempt to think positively and focus on Thanksgiving.
I have so much that God has blessed me with. If I list it all I would be here forever writing, and you would be here forever reading. Here are a few things...
- an awesome husband who works so hard to take care of me and our boys
- healthy, adorable kids
- our beautiful home (even if I am dying to paint the walls, but hubby likes them white)
- the opportunity to be a stay at home mommy, but still teach here and there when I want to
- family full of Christians who love Jesus (even though I wish they would all get up and move to Hollister)
- friends who make me laugh (and cry because they won't move to Hollister either...LISA)
- double stuffed oreo cookies... I am so serious!

I love posts with pics, so here is the most recent one of my family. Josh, Mike, Me, Jason, Dad, Mom, Sis and Bro

Check This Out

Josh at 14 months old

Jason at 5 months old

Notice the boys are wearing the same outfit. They are so alike, yet so different. Jason is wearing the clothes Josh was wearing when he was well over 1 year old. You expect baby #2 to be just like baby #1 and that is definately not true. Jason is so different than Josh was at this age, sometimes I feel like a new mommy all over again. I sure do love my little squirt and my chunky monkey though!

Priorities

Today we sat down at the table to eat lunch and Josh wanted to pray. Here was his prayer.
"Dear Jesus, thank you for my motorcycle. Please help Daddy to fix the battery and make it loud. Amen" No, thank you for the food or for the day. He sure does love his "motorcycle".

I do it Myself!

Josh is now in that oh so lovely, independent stage and wants to do everything "myself". He loves to get dressed by himself and is pretty good at it. He does occasionally put together some pretty funny outfits, most include big yellow rain boots. The other morning this is what he put on. Notice that the shirt and shorts are on backwards and also on top of his pajamas. The shorts and sandals he is wearing are about 2 sizes too big.

Jason is about 2 weeks shy of being 6 months old, so I thought it was probably about time to start rice cereal. I picked some up on our Target outing today. The boy absolutely loved it! I figured I would just hold him in my lap and feed him, but before I started I thought I'd put him in the high chair for fun. To my surprise he totally fits in the high chair and loved being able to sit up and look at Josh and I.

Josh was sitting in his chair eating his dinner watching me feed and take pictures of Jason. I think he started to get a little jealous. He kept saying, "Mommy, look I am eating my food too!" Of course, I had to take some pics of him as well. This is the pose he gave me.

Looks like I am about to have my hands full (not like I don't already) at meals.

Got a Clean Microwave?

I follow this blog http://blog.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/ and found this great tip.
There is a technique you can use to clean your microwave easily and quickly, with very little effort… and it leaves your kitchen smelling wonderful afterwards!

Here’s what you do…

1. Take a large mug or small, microwave-safe bowl and pour in water until it is about half full.

2. Cut a lemon or lime in half and squeeze the juice into the water (you only need to use half of the lemon, or all of the lime if it’s a small one) . Throw the squeezed-out lemon or lime skin in, too.

3. Put the mug/bowl into the microwave and set on full power for 3 mins (this time, double check you pressed 3, not 30!).

4. Carefully remove the bowl of water (it will, of course, be boiling hot) - and you’ll find that the citrus-scented steam created by the water has softened all those dried on bits and lifted the grease. You can then easily wipe the microwave clean with a cloth.

If you don’t have a lemon or lime to hand, you can use vinegar - or even baking soda - instead. We actually prefer the citrus method as it leaves such a nice smell - but, whichever way you choose, at least you’re not using harsh chemicals to do a job that can be accomplished equally effectively without them!

8 Years

Wow! I can't believe it has been 8 years since a cute, 18 year old, basketball playing, college boy asked me to be his girlfriend. Here's a trip down memory lane!

College Days


Engaged



College Graduation


Our Big Day



Baby Boy #1



Baby Boy #2



Still In Love

Boys Will Be Boys

What is with guys and bets??? My husband and a bunch of guys he works with are all in on this ridiculous bet... drum roll... "let's see who can grow a mustache and keep it the longest" Are you kidding me?!?!?! Mike will be the first to tell you that he is a hairy guy, so he is going to look hideous. The worst part of it all is that we are getting family pictures taken in 2 weeks! I will die if he has a mustache in our pictures. They have a pool of money going and whoever can go without shaving the longest gets it all. Whoever shaves first has to buy the rest of the guys dinner of their choice. Girls would never do this! So, since you've had a good laugh let me add to it... this is what my handsome husband is going to look like.

Goodnight Mommy

I found this in Parenting Magazine Nov 2008 issue. Story of my life!! I have to say my spouse is not grouchy... hungry though!

In the messy green family room there was a telemarketer ringing the telephone and a crying toddler because his brother just popped his red balloon and a picture of the cow jumping over the moon (which someone colored on with permanent marker) And there was a missing teddy bear, and a boy with gum in his hair

One to be scolded and laundry to be folded and a very hungry spouse and something stinky in the house (that no one else seemed to smell) and a comb and a brush and a colicky baby who just won't shush and a frazzled mommy screaming #*%#@

Goodnight messy room goodnight scribbled on moon goodnight telemarketers and the popped balloon goodnight long gone teddy bear goodnight cereal bar smeared on the dining room chair

Goodnight spitup and goodnight leaky sippy cup goodnight much too little house and goodnight grumpy spouse goodnight comb goodnight brush and goodnight to a certain 2 year old who just needs to hush right now and I mean it

Goodnight Elmo goodnight toys I'll pick up tomorrow, or the next day Hello chardonnay and TiVo, "me" time finally

Kraft Foods to the Rescue

I have to admit that cooking is not one of my favorite things. I am not the best chef, which doesn't help. Mostly, I don't enjoy cooking because I am an incredibly picky eater. Since Mike works nights I really don't have to cook big meals very often. When I do, I feel like we are always eating the same thing. A friend of mine told me about www.kraftfoods.com where I have found some awesome, easy and yummy recipes. On this website you can sign up for weekly emails that give recipes from meals to deserts to side dishes... you name it. You can also sign up for a free magazine that has a ton of great recipes and entertaining tips in it as well. I got mine in the mail last week and love it. Check it out!

Longest Day Ever

In my "pre kid" days I used to love the fall time change. Who wouldn't want an extra hour of sleep? Now that I have two little ones, I dread the time change. It makes for a good week of out of whack sleep schedules. Last night I kept Josh up later and tried with Jason, but he was out. Well, it didn't help because Jason was up at 5am and Josh was up soon after. Since we were up and about so early it felt like church didn't start until noon and at 4:00 pm I was looking at the clock thinking it was time for bath and bed. Give them a few more days and I'm sure bed time and wake time will get back to normal, but I think today was the longest day ever!

Happy Pumpkin Day!

Tonight I took the boys to a Halloween/Birthday party that some friends of ours had. Josh and I had fun getting his pirate costume all ready. At first he wasn't sure about the tattoos for his face, but once I put the first one on he loved it and kept saying, "Thank you, Mommy." I put Jason in Josh's superman outfit he wore his 1st Halloween. Jason looked so cute! Once we were at the party for a while we decided to take the kids trick or treating. Josh was a little hesitant at first, but once he noticed he was getting candy he started to enjoy himself. A few times I caught him trying to walk right into people's houses. Little brother was a trooper in his stroller. Once we got home we of course, had to turn on Peter Pan and watch it for a little while before bedtime. We had a blast and since Daddy had to work, we have lots of candy for him when he gets home!
Here is Superbaby


The Pirate

Wordless Wednesday

Where Have You Been All My Life?

We have wood blinds on all the windows in our house. They are white and seem to attract tons of dust. They are not my favorite to clean, so they tend to stay dusty, which I hate. The other morning I cleaned the blinds on our biggest window and it took me forever. I used a wet wash cloth and then went over it again with a dry one. Today I was at Target and found the Pledge Multi Surface Duster. How come I never knew about this? This product is amazing and perfect for cleaning blinds. It took me no time at all and was so easy that I held Jason and cleaned my blinds at the same time. The best part of it all is that it is under $3.00 and I had a $3.00 off coupon. I got it for free!!!

By the way, my husband thinks I am the biggest dork for posting this as a blog.

Long Time Waiting

Last Christmas we got Josh a puppy. Maybe I should be honest and say that Daddy got a puppy last Christmas. Roxy was such a fun puppy and even with Josh only being 1 1/2, they played so well together. As Roxy has gotten older she has become a complete spaz. She is really hyper and loves to jump up on anyone and everyone. We got her fixed and thought that would help... it didn't. I know a lot of it has to do with her not getting as much attention as she needs. Josh loves his dog even though she is crazy. I've always wanted Josh to be able to play with her, but we seriously lock Roxy on the side yard when Josh goes out to play because Roxy will attack him.
This afternoon Josh and I were in the backyard playing and he wanted me to let Roxy out. I went ahead and did with Josh close by my side. To my amazement Roxy was like a completely different dog. She was calm, nice and didn't jump up (or I should say attack) us. We had so much fun.

A Ham on My Hands

Not much needs to be said about this silly picture. What a goofball!

So Fun!

Mike and I had an awesome night out! Yes, I survived being away from the boys, even though I did text my sister a few times to check on them.
This is how close our seats were.

Mike kept telling me I should go talk to the cheerleaders. He was joking and I don't think he thought I actually would... here's my proof.

Is It Tuesday Yet?

I got Mike tickets to a Golden State Warriors game for his bday. For you non basketball fans, that is his favorite NBA team. We went a few years ago (I was actually pregnant with Josh and didn't know it) and had a blast. This time I got court side tickets! The game is Tuesday night in Oakland and I am so excited. My mom and sister are coming into town tomorrow, which is so convenient because we'll just leave the boys home with them. It is a big deal for us to get out without the boys. This is maybe the second time we've gone out since Josh was born, 2 1/2 years ago! It's not that we don't like to go out by ourselves, we would just rather take the kids with us. Mike works such long hours that when he has his days off we'd rather hang out at home with each other and the kids than do anything else. Tuesday should be fun. I'm looking forward to it, even though I'm sure I'll miss the boys like crazy. The only time I haven't put Josh to bed is when I was in the hospital having Jason. I know... you are probably thinking that is pathetic! Give me a couple more years and I'll be writing a blog titled, "Kids for rent!"

Yikes!

I was sitting next to Josh today and noticed something shiny up his nose. I said, "Josh, what's in your nose?" Completely calm he said back to me, "A screw, Mommy." The little monkey put a stinkin screw up his nose! Who knows where it came from or let alone how long it had been there. It was jammed in there good. Mike had to use tweezers to get it out. What's next... a bean in the ear??

Happy Birthday, Hubby

Today is Mike's birthday! The big 2-7! That is so old! It seems like just yesterday that we were 18.

I'll let you have a good laugh with this picture from our freshman year in college. Where has the time gone? Now we are almost 30!! Well, he is almost 30... I am proud to say that I am younger. =) Happy Birthday, old man!

Josh made this for Daddy to see when he comes home from work.

Too Big, Too Fast

My little Jason is already 4 1/2 months old! Where has the last couple of months gone? I feel like we just brought him home. He weighs a whopping 13 pounds and is 24 inches long. He loves his tummy time and can now roll over from his tummy to his back, but I haven't seen it yet!! He goes to sleep on his stomach (I know, his pediatrician would kill me) and when he wakes up he is on his back. The little stinker always does it when we aren't in the room. He is super ticklish and full of giggles. He loves his big brother. Whenever Josh walks in the room he lights up and is all smiles. It is really cute!!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Today Mike was home with the boys and I went and subbed in a 6th grade class. This class was great. All the students were well behaved, polite and respectful. I was very impressed all day. In the afternoon, it was time to switch classes for Science. This meant that my class was going next door and that class was coming to me. I knew the second this group walked in (or bombarded) the classroom that I was in for it! This class was downright disrespectful, rude, and mean! I have seen my share of "difficult" students, but nothing like I saw today. How can two 6th grade classes right next door to each other be complete night and day?? I am so dissapointed in the lack of respect that some children have nowadays for their elders. If the paddle was still allowed in school, I would have "tanned their hides" as my Grandpa says.

Outnumbered

My brother, Luc and his friend, Nate (who is also my sister's boyfriend) are here visiting from Nevada. This means that there are 5 boys in my house! There has been a lot of video game playing, 4 wheeling, dirt bike riding, gun shooting, wrestling and whatever other boy stuff you can imagine. Josh has loved the extra "guy" attention. I'm sure he gets sick of hanging out with mommy all day, even though he does love walking around in my heels. This gives me just a little taste of what it might be like as my boys get older and start having all their friends over... I can't wait!!!