Friday, June 20, 2008

Photo Story #3


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek



I had to actually publish this a day late (sorry!) since I couldn't actually save the image to my computer. You get a link instead, but I assure you-it's worth it.

I fully intended on sharing a different picture (actually I couldn't decide which one out of 3!) but they are all on my desktop, which, of course, won't start up for me right now. Sooooo, I am on hubby's lap top (as usual) and I had to scrounge for a 'photo story' pic. I am completely aware that nothing can top last week's (I know you're all still seething with envy, don't be hatin'), but this is what I came up with.

In the central valley of California where we live, it gets HOT. OK, not as hot as YOU in Arizona and stuff, but Hot enough. Like 112 degrees hot. The first summer we lived here (coming from the ocean where it rarely gets above 80), I *made* hubby (read: cried and cried until he agreed) put the house on the market, 'cause I wanted to go HOME! Well, for some reason (God!) the house couldn't sell, despite the reasonable asking price and the crazy hot housing market. Zac pleaded to me to try and stay one more year and if I still hated it, then we could sell it. I agreed. After that year, I realized I liked my friends and my life here and agreed to stay indefinitely. On one condition (c'mon...you gotta have conditions!). We had to get a pool. SO, we had it designed and it had a separate little shelf section that was only 18 inches deep so the babies could chill out without me freaking out. I saw the design on paper and we looked it over and couldn't quite figure out what in the world was so awkward about the design.
Finally, it comes to me. I say to the pool designer, "Um, Fred, uh, um, doesn't it look kind of like a, um, uh, penis??" My husband shot me "the glare," but he knew darn well he was thinking it, too! Fred assured me it would not look like genitalia. I beg to differ.


Bird's Eye View of my house

When you get to the page, you may need to click on "Bird's Eye View" to see the yard.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Photo Story Friday #2


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek





I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "OH MY GOD! Is that Corey Feldman with our beloved Kelly??" Why yes, yes it is. Before you get too insanely jealous, let me tell you a story about the picture. Before I do, though, Yes, I am aware the photo is pretty rough. It has definitely seen its share of cubicles and grubby, admiring hands. Don't hold it against me.

When Zac and I were dating, I surprised him with a ticket to an 80's concert for his birthday (which is TODAY, by the way.) He was turning 26. It was Flock of Seagulls, Ric Ocasek from The Cars, Berlin (still rocked) and a "surprise guest." Imagine MY surprise when the surprise guest was MY favorite 80's actor. I mean, The Goonies alone could make you fall head over heels for this 'talented' actor. Add in the Lost Boys (filmed in MY hometown) and you have the complete package.

So, after Corey's concert (apparently he thinks he can sing sings), it was announced that if we bought his CD for 10.00, we could stand in line and meet him. Well, I didn't care whose birthday we were celebrating, I was gonna meet COREY FELDMAN! So, my wonderful boyfriend stood with me in line for an hour (he likes to say it was 2, but he's wrong. Sometimes I compromise at 1 1/2 hours) to meet him. In line I met a girl who said, "Oh my God! What are you gonna say when you meet him??" Gosh, I hadn't thought about it. So, I came up with a really good one-liner. It HAD to be good since I had loved him since I was 13 and by this time I was 24. So, I get up to the front. I say "Hello" to Corey and then I say, "Corey, I have waited 10 years for this moment." He looked at me adoringly with those big brown eyes and said in his raspy little voice that I love SO much, "Awww, I'm so glad you waited." Now, I'm not sure if he really was glad I waited or if he thought I was "special" so he was just being nice. Either way, I got the reaction I'd hope for. And after all that, my boyfriend still loved me, even married me. Not to say he doesn't make fun of me, ALL THE TIME, for this experience. Good thing we both have a sense of humor!

And, believe me, Zac went up a couple notches on my "coolness" meter, too.

Happy 35th Birthday to my awesome husband, Zac. I love you more than Corey!


*Oh, and just in case you missed the first season, The Two Coreys will air its Second Season (I mean, the first season was SO good, how could they not be picked up AGAIN?) on Sunday June 22nd. See the A&E website for the full schedule!*

Thursday, June 12, 2008

My morning of affirmations

Kendall sits next to me and says, "You're the bestest mom ever and I'm always gonna keep you." "And you're not fat." Hey, kid, thanks for throwing in that last part. I was beginning to worry you were trying to boost myself esteem since I'm a cow.

Nolan has pneumonia. Took him to the doctor yesterday and it was confirmed. So, he is laying low for a few days (yeah, try the whole "limited activity" with a 6 year-old boy!) I have been sleeping in the guest room with him for a few nights now to help him when he coughs all night. He says, "Mom, can you sleep with me again tonight?" I told him I miss my bed and I really want to sleep with my husband tonight (get your minds outta the gutter, people!). He then tells me, "Oh, Come ON, mom! It's not like HE's gonna miss you." See how much my kids love me??

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

I've come to the realization...

That I am not able to keep up with blogging when we have a lot going on in our lives. I have thought about it and thought about it. I've even said to myself, "I should TOTALLY blog this" several times a day and by the time I got around to picking up the computer, I was too tired to DO it. And I miss doing Thursday 13, too. Since the last time I posted, my two little ones had birthdays. My son, Nolan, aka NINJA turned 6 years old. And my only daughter, Kendall, aka PRINCESS, turned 4. So, on this Wednesday (since who knows if I will be able to get on tomorrow) I am going to do a list of 13 things about each of them, for their birthdays.

Kendall 5/24/04

1. She is ALL girl. I have never known a more girly girl. You'd think with three brothers, she'd be a tomboy. But no, she loves dresses ALL. THE. TIME. Babies, Barbies, Weddings, Princesses, you name it.
2. She is so proud that she has the "same eyes" as her mommy. She's the only one that got my brown eyes and she tells me all the time. It's a special connection we have.
3. She sings all the time. Her "favorite kind of song" is 'Bubbly' by Colbie Caillat. She makes up songs when we are driving around and sings them, annoying her brothers to no end.
4. She is SO smart. She is my speller =0). She saw one of Nolan's papers from Kindergarten and was so mad because he spelled something wrong and she caught it. Do you think this is my kid, lol??
5. She LOVES strawberries. We went to my cousins wedding this past weekend and her beautiful white sweater was white with red strawberry stains by the end. She must have eaten about 30 strawberries.
6. Kendall will play by herself with her babies and her Barbies for HOURS. I can always get things done when it's just her and me at home.
7. She is a toucher. She always wants to be touched. I am NOT a toucher, at all. It's hard for me when she is all over me. But it melts my heart when she says, "Mom, when I sit by you, will you just touch me on my arm?"
8. She will sit still and be quiet when I need her to, unlike the boys at this age. We had a promotion ceremony last week for my oldest (to 7th grade, wow!) and it was 1 1/2 hours long in the heat, and she was SO good the whole time.
9. Kendall potty trained herself at 20 months. I seriously didn't do a thing. Her brother was still using the kid potty and she wanted to, also, so she did. From then on, it was panties. Loved that!
10. She is SASSY. If anyone gets in her way and screws up her little routine, she will SCREAM, a blood curdling scream. You'd think someone was killing her.
11. She loves BABIES. Kendall is a nurturer and any time she sees a baby, she comforts and loves them.
12. Kendall is a pleaser. She is helpful and she really does what she's supposed to 90% of the time.
13. Kendall really, truly thinks she is a Princess. No one told her she was, but she is absolutely convinced she is. I am not about to burst her bubble.

Nolan 5/30/02

1. Nolan is stubborn. In fact, I don't know anyone quite as stubborn, besides his father. No real examples here, but you can imagine, I'm sure.
2. He is determined. The kid taught himself how to ride a bike on a whim one day.
3. He hates reading writing and spelling (boooo!) BUT he LOVES math.
4. The kid is his father reincarnated. He looks exactly like him. See 1, 2 and 3. He also has his dad's weird mannerisms AND sense of humor. It's a good thing I love my husband as much as I do, cuz I have two of him!!
5. Nolan does not know how to walk. He runs and jumps EVERYWHERE. He jumps all over the furniture (which drives me crazy) doing gymnastics.
6. Nolan understands things way above his age level. It's crazy how complex his mind is. He understand adult humor, especially, so we really have to be careful what we say in front of him, or he may just tell his preschool teacher, "Hey is that a banana in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?" Oh, wait. He did THAT already.
7. He is compassionate, which is something I did not really realize until this past weekend. We went to my cousin's wedding and my aunt has an 18-year-old foster daughter who is severely mentally challenged. Nolan was so nice to her and so attentive, I was floored.
8. His favorite food is artichokes. He likes them dipped in butter and garlic. (so do I!)
9. Nolan has piercing blue eyes. Everyone who meets him talks about how beautiful his eyes are.
10. Nolan is a homebody. He does not like spending the night anywhere besides home and anytime we talk about moving (which we aren't going to do anytime soon) he gets all upset. He really likes his room. He says when he gets married, they will live at home and his wife can sleep on the pull out under his bed.
11. He is VERY protective of his sister. She might bug the crap outta him, but he is always looking out for her. He'll never admit it, but he loves her dearly.
12. Nolan has bruises from head to toe. So much, in fact, that every time we go to the doctor, I get questioned. I finally asked the doctor, "You wanna come over for dinner sometime? See for yourself."
13. Nolan is my little booger. As active and crazy as he is, sometimes he will just sit close to me and play with my hair. It calms him down.

I love all of my children more than I could have ever imagined possible. Each one of them bring something special and different into my life and I do thank God every day for choosing me to be their mommy. I am so blessed.

I just can't believe my BABY is FOUR!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

What I've been doing...

Quick little play by play of the last week...

Went to the gym every. morning. I have been doing 1 1/2 hours of cardio every morning. And before you say it, I KNOW that lifting weights burns more fat than cardio. BUT at this point, I am happy with the results I am getting from Cardio alone, because I also know that muscle WEIGHS more than fat and I am not willing to gain any poundage just yet. Thanks for the concern, though. My motivation for going? I am reading a book, and I read the first two by the same author in the few weeks prior to this one. It is 'Such a Pretty Fat' by Jen Lancaster. I am so into this book that I tell myself that I can only read it on the elliptical. So, every morning I hop up and practically sprint to the gym. Except that I am in the car. Not sprinting. You get my drift. If you love snarky and just plain HILARIOUS, you too will pick up her books. Read them in order. Too funny!
Also, CRazyMama hosted a Giveaway a week or so ago, and I won! I love winning! I got the lotion a few days ago, and can I tell you I just LOVE it??!! So, Piper from Moonvine Organics...if you are reading this, THANK You! I do adore this lotion, and I love it for my children as well. Great on the eczema. Thanks again, Julie, for hosting this!
Funny thing about the giveaway. I have won a couple of giveaways lately from soe favorite bloggy friends. Each one emailed me and said, "I swear I didn't cheat..you won fair and square" or something along those lines. So either, I am super rad and they love me to bits, or I think I am super rad and all-deserving of winning contests, and they caught onto that! Either way, Whoo hoo...I love winning. The other contest I forgot to blog about. Thank YOU Cecily for the amazon gift card.
And one more thing on the home front. My MIL bought ME (ok, the kids, but I play it most) a WII. Dude, I love it! Just L-O-V-E it! Golf and bowling are my faves. Haven't bought any games besides the sports one it came with, but I am very content with those! I can beat anyone in this house at bowling, and I am getting better at golf, but Zac is a wee bit better. Don't tell him I said that.
SO, that is what has been happenin' over in these parts. I will really really try to post more and Comment more. This year end of school is crazy for me!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all my Bloggy Friends! I adore you all, I really do!!


Before I was a Mom:
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.



Before I was a Mom:
I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.



Before I was a Mom:
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give
shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.



Before I was a Mom:
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop
the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.



Before I was a Mom:
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important
and happy.



Before I was a Mom:
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to
make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the
wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.


Have a wonderful day!!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

I know it's been a while....

So, here are my excuses (ALL TRUE) as to why I haven't been around.

I have been SO busy. I went on a retreat last weekend and my husband went on one too (separately), so for a week I was cleaning my house (if you have kids, then you know why it took me a WEEK) since my Mother-in-law was coming to stay with the kids. Also, I have gone back to the gym regularly. And...in the past 3 weeks, I have lost 10 pounds! Looks like this exercise thing works! I am trying to work out 5 days a week. And when I get home, I am pumped and don't want to sit down and look at a computer. But I wanted to check in. I will try to do so more often in the mornings. I will also be commenting, too. Don't give up on me just yet!

Also, if you haven't already seen, Crazymamaof6 is hosting a giveaway for Moonvine Organics. Hop on over and enter!!

Have a wonderful day!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

TT # 27 - 13 Rejected Hallmark Greetings


Thirteen Rejected Hallmark Greetings


1. So your daughter's a hooker,
and it spoiled your day...
Look at the bright side,
she's a really good lay.

2. How could two people as beautiful as you ...
(inside card)
Have such an ugly baby?

3. My tire was thumping....
I thought it was flat....
when I looked at the tire....
I noticed your cat... Sorry

4. You had your bladder removed
and you're on the mends....
here's a bouquet of flowers
and a box of Depends.

5. Happy Birthday, Uncle Dad!
(Available only in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia)

6. I must admit,
You brought religion into my life ...
(inside card)
I never believed in Hell
Until I met you.

7. When we were together,
You said you'd die for me ...
(inside card)
Now that we've broken up,
I think it's time
To keep your promise.

8. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy ...
(inside card)
Did you ever find out who the father was?

9. You are such a good friend!
If we were on a sinking ship
And there was only one life jacket ...
(inside card)
I'd miss you terribly

10. Happy Vasectomy!
Hope you feel zippy!
'Cause when I had mine
I got real snippy.

11. Heard your wife left you...
How upset you must be...
But don't fret about it ....
She moved in with me

12. Congratulations on your promotion.
Before you go ...
(inside card)
Will you take the knife from my back?
You'll probably need it again.

13. Congratulations on your wedding day!
(inside card)
Guess you didn't tell this one that you have genital herpes.





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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Here's the deal...

I have been a very bad blogger friend. I realize this. I apologize. Recently, I realized that since August, I have gained 20 lbs. Most of you don't know, but two years ago, I began my weight loss journey. I started eating right and exercising in May 2006, and by December, I had lost 55 lbs. Well, now, I found 20 of them and I am very upset by this. So I have decided to do something. I joined Weight Watchers and I am back at the gym 3+ days a week. Not the 5 days I was doing before, but life is much busier these days. So, wish me luck. I have 50+ lbs to lose!

Just for fun, I stole this from The FABULOUS Jenn at Enjoying the Ride.

1. How old will you be in 3 years? 35...ouch. 2. Do you think you'll be married by then? I would assume so, yes.
3. What do you look forward to most in the next 2 months? losing weight and fitting into my shorts from last year!
4. Who was the last person you called? Doug (our friend/Zac's co-worker)
5. Have you ever played a team sport? Softball, soccer and cheerleading in Jr. High/High School
6. Who was the last person to text you? Doug (It was American Idol night!)
7. Who was the last person you hugged? Kendall
8. What were you doing at midnight last night? Sleeping
9. Parents separated/divorced/married? married to each other for 38 years! Wowza!
10. Last time you saw your dad? Gosh, I don't even know. Christmas??
11. What happened at 9:00 a.m. today? I lost my crystal ball, so I can't tell ya!
12. How many states have you visited? Geez, I'm supposed to COUNT and think at 6 am? I think not. Probably like 10 or so.
13. If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be? Disneyland with my family-I love that place.
14. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet? socks. Not a foot fan.
15. Are you a social person? Yes, I am, most of the time. Unless I am in a group where I don't know most people, then I am quiet. Not shy in the least, though.
16. What was the last thing you drank? water
17. Favorite ice cream? chocolate malted crunch from Rite Aid.
18. What is your favorite dessert? Key Lime Cheesecake is pretty darn good!
19. Whats your favorite color? Purple, purple, purple!
20. What Jelly do you put on your PBJ? razzleberry.
21. Do you like coffee? yes, I do, but I prefer Chai tea if I am having caffeine.
22. How many glasses of water a day do you drink on average? about 120 oz of water a day. So, divide that by 8...
23. What do you drink in the morning? water or Chai tea.
24. Would you rather kiss someone with or without a tongue ring? I have never kissed anyone with a tongue ring, but I think it would be very interesting!
25. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed? Yes, I do.
26. Do you know how to play poker? I think so. I can never remember though.
27. Whats so good about Fridays? The Weekend!
28. Any plans to visit the green monkeys on GoofyAuctions.com? No, no desire, thanks.
29. Do you eat out or at home more often? home
30. How big is your TV? it's pretty small. Like 25 inches.
31. Ever stolen a street sign? No, I have not.
32. Do you keep a piggy bank? I don't, but Zac has a ginormous pickle jar he keeps change in.
34. Have you ever been in an ambulance? no
35. Do you prefer the ocean or a pool? Pool, the ocean scares me.
36. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat? I am not picky.
38. What is your favorite thing to spend money on? kids clothes.
39. Do you wear any jewelry 24/7? My wedding set.
40. Do you speak any other language? I can remember a bit of Spanish from m y years in HS, but I couldn't carry on a convo.
41. Can you roll your tongue? yes.
42. Who is the funniest person you know? My Zac is hilarious.
43. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? Nope. Who needs one when you have an (almost) 4 year old snuggling with you??
44. What is the main ring tone on your phone? It was the "Office" theme, but I had to change it, because I never heard it. I just always thought the radio was playing the Office music. So, it's the Nostalgic ring tone.
45. Do you still have clothes from when you were little? Nope.
46. What is the color of your bedroom wall? blue paneling
47. Do you shut off the water when you brush your teeth? I don't think I do.
48. Are you crushing on someone right now? Just my husband!
49. Do you currently hate someone? No way! I ain't no hater!
50. Why do you take surveys? What else am I gonna do at 6 am?

Thursday, April 17, 2008

TT # 26 - 13 Expressions for the Stressful Days

Because I have been stressin' lately, I thought this was appropriate. We DID get a truck. I will post about it as soon as I get some pics of it.


13 Expressions for Stressful Days


1. Don't bother me. I'm living happily ever after.
2. This isn't an office. It's Hell with fluorescent lighting.
3. I refuse to star in your psychodrama.
4. And which dwarf are you?
5. Therapy is expensive, poppin' bubble wrap is cheap! You choose.
6. And your crybaby whiny-assed opinion would be...?
7. I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood for 30 years.
8. Are these your eyeballs? I found them in my cleavage.
9. I'm not your type. I'm not inflatable.
10. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality.
11. How many times do I have to flush before you go away?
12. Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it?
13. Gene Police!!! Get out of the pool!!



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!