Progress…

Looking back just about a month ago I mentioned our struggle with getting Payne in his own bed, well I am overjoyed with the progress that he has made in such a short time.

I have been very consistent with bed times and routines , I would contribute that to much of our success. It wasn’t easy but all good things come with hard work, right?

What makes me most proud was last night he looked at me and said “mom, its time for bed” Oh my gosh… Music to my ears. I told him that I would get him a drink and be in to read. I got in there he was getting his pajamas on himself and jumped in bed with a smile on his face.

Our next goal is going to be getting him in bed a little earlier, this may have to wait until a little closer to school starting because we are soaking up every moment the sun is out:)

Lucky…..

Yesterday I picked up Wylie from his dad’s. He hopped in the car with a couple of cards and his birthday present. We talked about how cool it was he got LOAD of cash that he can spend however he wants. I asked what he might spend it on and what we should do that day.

When we got home he was gathering his stuff and asked me to grab his cards. Sure, of course. I took a peak in to see what everyone wrote and this is what I read…

Wylie,

you bring smiles and sunshine everywhere you go. I am so happy to be able to be a part of your life and I love having you and your cute personality in our lives.

Love,

his step-mom

I couldn't help but get a little teary eyed.

I am so LUCKY to have a woman like her helping me raise a great kid and Wylie is so LUCKY to have a women like her in his life. I know that she loves him and he loves her.

we are LUCKY!!

12…

on the 16th my sweet boy turned 12, I can’t believe it!

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!

Were has the time gone, really? I LOVE this boy more than words can explain, he is my sunshine!

At his request, he wanted to have a family dinner instead of his usual bash. So on Sunday we had the fam over, it was nice and low key.  Of course I was a little sad not to get to plan something with a theme, balloons, party favors and a cake to match. But I realize he is a pre-teen and is much to cool for childish parties now.

On his big day he did invite a couple of neighborhood friends over for pizza and homemade oreo’s.  Later that night he took a friend to boondocks to hang out. He scored a huge tiger from the claw machine which he was pretty stoked about! We also made it to the Spaghetti Factory for lunch on Tuesday which is his FAVORITE place to eat and rarely go. I think he had a good time and I am glad I was home to get to spend his day with him. 

**a side note, the photo is courtesy of Payne. I think I am going to stop taking pictures and just hand my camera over to these two. I have tons of funny shots, I just wonder where I was when they took these?

and it’s ONLY Wednesday…..

I feel like this has been the longest week of my life.

I have been waiting to hear back about a job I had interviewed for last week, they had more interviews this week but I keep checking my phone to see if I missed a call.

It is the first full week both of my kids have been home together now that school is out. I pretty much want to SELL them!! Payne wants to do everything and go ever where Wylie does and of course Wylie wants no part of that deal.

Payne’s BF down the street is gone on vacation so he really has no one to play with. Though he thinks she will magically appear if he keeps knocking on her door. No lie he will ride to her house, knock, come back home and say Syd is still not home. Then I explain AGAIN that she will be home after 3 sleeps. When do kids understand the concept of time??

Mr. Strate is BUSY with work and I won’t see much of him this week which means no break for me:(

Wylie needs a new phone because he got his wet! We went to the phone store and they told me that he was over is text allowance by 550 texts!!! My heart sank, but good news is that they were able to back date my plan so that I don’t have to pay $$$$$ and of course just in the knick of time, our cycle date ends today at midnight!!

I think this picture sums up feeling on this  week so far! Typical Payne and poor Wylie just being accommodating.

the Aquarium

I am glad that I have given this place a second chance. I went when it first opened Payne was just a baby and Wylie didn’t really seem interested. But these two and a half are taken by the whole place. It’s worth buying a pass so you can go for a quick afternoon visit.

not the greatest pic, but I love how all three are together.

Best Friends!!

Payne trying to be the size of the penguin.

Syd, trying to be the size of the baby.

and of course the real penguins are pretty cool.

are you a rOck StAr….

We hosted the sixth grade end of the year party  this weekend. With the help of his teacher and the other room mother Rachel I think it was a success….

we had a Rock Band competition.

“the stage”

 

“the Band”

Mrs. Brown singing

Gabe on guitar

Preston singing to Wylie, ha ha… Rachel on guitar

Wylie is a natural drummer and Ben, the class “mascot”, he is Gabe’s little brother whom everyone ADORES.

“the audience”

“our smallest FAN!!” he was so excited to be part of the fun.

the talent agent?? I am not sure why he was on the phone. but that hair due screams punk rocker.

and LOTS of sugar…..

This was such a great school year, we just wanted to give the kids a ROCKIN’ send off!!!

bitter sweet…

life that is, not chocolate :)

Last Thursday was Payne’s last day of his first year of preschool. Last week was Wylie’s last year of Elementary and my nephew graduated from High School

I seem to be fairly emotional about miles stones that come up in life. My husband, seems to think I am crazy. He can’t wait until everyone can provide for themselves (maybe, I exaggerate?). I, on the other hand look at these moments and wish I could freeze time.

My nephew for instance, he is not my eldest nephew but the first one I remember when his mom was expecting him, I couldn’t wait until he arrived.  I was 14 when he was born, I adored him, I was old enough to help out when he was around, not just be his playmate. I still adore him, he holds a special place in my heart.

 

Congratulations, another “Digger” in the family :)

Wylie, the first LOVE of my life….

(Wylie and his 6th grade teacher)

This kid, he is soooo smart, funny, witty, kind, handsome, unique, confident I could go on… But I have to say, I am so lucky that he is mine!!

and of course Payne,

(Payne, Lucy his BF and Ms. Traci his teacher)

My baby, he has come full circle this year. He was such a shy guy so when I enrolled him in preschool my only hope was that he would break out of his shell a little and he has. He instantly had a bond with Lucy but as the year progressed he started playing with a few of the other kids and is even playing with new kids in the neighborhood.  I am so proud of him!!

I am so proud of all three and only wish them the best of everything. Now I will wipe my tears and go finish the laundry, LOL!

thoughts on being a SAHM

At first I dreamed of all I would accomplish,

I THOUGHT I would…

-have the cleanest house in town

-actually be caught up on my laundry

-get caught up on my scrapbooking

-make more home cooked meals

-eat better

-work on my weight loss/exercising

I THOUGHT I would have all the time in the world…

I THOUGHT, what do these mom’s do all day not to die of boredom, frustration, irritation and lack of adult communication.

Well, I haven’t done any of the things I thought I would have. My house is dirtier than ever, my laundry can wait, the scrapbooking has never been touched, I don’t like to cook, so eating better made its way to the back burner and exercising is totally out of the question. For some reason I am totally ok with this, all of this. I have worked hard, in a doggy dog industry for a long time and I am enjoying some what of a break.

What I have been doing (besides looking for a job)..

Eating breakfast with my kids, sometimes in bed while watching cartoons (shhh... don’t tell Mr. S)

Going to preschool with Payne during his rough patch

Attending functions at Wylie’s school

Talking a walk at 9 in the morning cause Payne just can’t wait one more minute to ride his bike.

Watching Wylie get on and off the school bus

Playing LOTS of board games, I totally enjoy watching Payne learn the rules of the game, I can just see his wheels turning.

READING….. this may be Payne’s favorite thing ever. It is always one more story? How do I say no?

Hanging out at the park with friends

Hanging out with friends in the neighborhood

Most importantly watching Payne enjoy his childhood, the most priceless gift I could have been given since loosing my job.

At first I wondered how are we going to make it through until I find another job but some how things are working out, I know this SAHM thing is only temporary but I have LOVED it, sometimes more than others, just to be honest. This is a time that I strongly feel came for a reason in my family, a time that my kids needed me and I will find the perfect job when it is time to work again.

go ahead and treat yourself…..

A week or so ago I hosted my mom’s birthday. It was a last minute change of plans so I didn’t have much time to figure out what we were going to have for a cake. I really wanted to splurge and purchase a cake from Nothing BuNdt Cakes but they are pricey!! So I put my trust in the internet and found a recipe and made it myself. I have to say it was SUPER easy and luckily enough I had a bunt pan.

Everyone LOVED it and I would defiantly make it again.

you can find the recipe here:

http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2008/09/nothing-bundt-chocolate-cake.html 

** a couple of things, first I had everything I needed at home but the mini chocolate chips and didn’t want to go to the store so I just chopped up regular size chocolate chips.  second the frosting recipe makes a TON I would cut the recipe in half.

The other delicious treat I would like to share is NIE NIE’s Oreo's. Since they hit the lips of my young one’s they request them all the time!! These two recipes are very similar and are for chocolate lovers.

http://www.cjaneanswers.com/search/label/recipe

Hope you like them!!

the hUnGer sets in……

I was going about my day, enjoying the long weekend, a relaxing day on the boat and a family BBQ when this little guy showed up….

This is my great nephew (I know you would never guess me to be old enough) ha ha

He stole my heart from the moment I laid eyes on him. He is such a good baby with a sweet disposition. I spent the next hour gooing over him and watching him just smile and goo back. He has made me even more baby hungry!!!

Don’t you love his “hawk” he was born with that much hair if not a little more and he has the most beautiful green eyes. I want to eat him up…

just a little Thank you,

In honor of Memorial day this is to those of you who have served our country, those who are serving our country and to their families who support them, Thank you!