25cent cokes and popcorn Thursday

How is any sane woman supposed to be on a "15lb challenge" with free popcorn and cheap cokes??? uggghhh, this week has not been easy- I've been tempted at every corner and sadly am not passing very many temptations up {{oops}}. But, I am trying...and I feel better, even if the scale is lieing to me ;-).

And then there's work...good ol' RRD- wouldn't be so bad if I could teleport back in time to the days before corporate take over aka take a job that once was 3 steps and turn it into a 8 pages-of-steps issue...in short, its exhausting! I do love my job, don't get me wrong, I really do. I have EXCELLENT management, a few good friendships gained, and seemly room to grow. [[not to mention a all so fabulous office in London...you know, just in case ;-) ]]

In all RRD has been a blessing- but more and more these days I see people moaning and droning around the office and there's just not that good ol spirit anymore- which I really miss! P and I were watching an episode of "The Office" the other night ((Pretty much a ritual in our nightly routine))

and there was a part where their shooting a commercial for their plant and trying to come up with ideas, and one guy says "when people hear I work for Dunder Mifflin they assume we seel mufflers....or muffins"...lol Maybe it's just funnier to me because I feel so much like I can relate- but instead of getting calls about yummy muffins or broke down cars I'm instead getting calls asking for an appointment with their Gyno. or to pick up an Rx for their "painful itching"...seriously, we get some V-E-R-Y interesting people calling on a daily basis up here!!

Tonight I have a vendor bowling night- I'm actually really excited- it's for one of our top vendors and were all really good friends! I haven't seriously bowled since I was about 10, and the only other time I've been since I sent the ball hurdling backwards towards P not one time, not twice but THREE times... sorry babe...promise it was a total mistake!

So, yea...not exactly the best bowler out there- but their will be good food, good drinks (yea) and great company which makes these all worth going to! I'm hoping it's not too too late of a night though, since I do have work still in the a.m.

Today was B's school pics- I can't wait to see how they turned out!! I even decided to do one of both kids, because its been ages since the last set were done! I put her in the most ADORABLE baby blue and white striped polo dress (a STEAL for only 4$ at Once-Upon-A-Child) <-- Seriously if you have kids, you have GOT to go there... it's insane not to at least TRY.

Well, guess that is all for now- back to the grind!!!

Blog-Funk

I feel like I sat down to write this/a post 100x's since September 1st, and here it is October 12th!!! geezeee...anyways, a lot has gone on since August, and the beginning of school- John-Mark's first school fundraiser, Copeland spirit shop and tumbling classes, field trips to the Aquarium for Columbus day (So lucky!) and so on!

September was PACKED with tons of fun, from Jess's birthday dinner at Johnny C's to Sarah's sweet 16 and Haleys fun party at home- our family is one gigantic birthday fiesta during the month of September! Here are some pics my beautifully talented friend Amanda G. did of my little sis and her friends before the party- she is an AMAZING photographer and by the grace of god* I found a break in her busy schedule to sneak in some family photo time of my own coming up in November (I can't WAIT).

Stunning, aren't they?

John-Mark has been one VERY lucky kindergartner- almost every Friday since the first week of school he has had lunch dates with Granny or myself!! He loves Friday's lunch days, and you can always tell how much he looks forward to them each week! Here are a couple pics from when Granny brought Bailee to surprise brother at school (she loves her bubba!).

This past Friday, I read to John-Mark's class, and wow, what an experience! I don't know if I could have the...errr...courage* to try and corral 18 5 year old every day {{Wheweeeey}}, but I did love watching them pay such close attention to my every word wondering what could possibly happen next in my story! I read about five different books in between "we love your hair Mrs.Krys" and "Are you in school too Mrs. Krys" and then it happened- Clifford the BIG (apparently scary) red dog barged into the class and scared the every loving day lights out of the kids. lol I know that shouldn't be funny, but the things the kids said should of been taped!! One girl grabbed her friend and screamed "That's just like the scary rat at Chuck E. Cheeseeeee" lol I can't wait to have the opportunity to do that again soon!!

Goodbye Ms.Roberston, Hello Mrs.Basham!

Wow...one week in and already JM is in for a world of change! I got a call from the Principal of Copeland today informing me that JM's sweet, kind teacher Ms.Robertson would be leaving to teach at another school in the district due to higher numbers of schoolers than expected! I was devastated, I remember this happening to me once in 4th grade and it really just stunk!!

When JM got home today, I let him know the situation and tried to ease him into the realization that as of tomorrow his class will change, his teacher will change and unfortunately so will some if not most of his classmates! He took it really well, and even said they got to go visit with her today and learn some about her class! Tomorrow is the day of the "big move" so I guess we will see then what all the hype is about! Tonight is Open House and we will actually get to meet her tonight too which may help him adjust!

I've signed up to volunteer reading to the class on my Friday's off and doing other odd end projects for her as she needs. I wish I could be as involved as my mom was, when I was younger but unfortunately my schedule interfere some. :) I have a feeling I'll be blinking my eyes and it will be Christmas already and then wake up the next day to summer vacation!! P and I are hoping to take the kids somewhere big this year, maybe even to Cali to visit my family (which I know my grandparents would LOVE). Until then its save-save-saveee and plan-plan-plannn. 2 things I'm pretty good at, maybe we could take a cruise instead!? ;0)

1st day of Kindergarden!

Today was John-Mark's 1st day of kindergarten...1st year of big boy school, and first year in a completely different school than B! I was so0o0o nervous in the days leading up to this- thinking of what he would feel like, what B would feel like and how emotional the whole process would be.

Just like any August day in Houston it was 1234756689 degrees with about 100% humidity. It was HOTT...did I mention that JM wanted to W-A-L-K to school?!? Yea, hot!

Anyways, as hectic as it was, it went very smoothly! We blended in well with the swarms of kids eager to start their 1st days and parents eager to get back into their normal routines! We got to the school in perfect time and got to walk him all the way to his class! (we had meet the teacher the night before, so we already knew what a sweet woman Ms.Roberston was!)

JM got settled in, put his supplies away and sat smiling at all of his new friends! I can't wait for the weeks to go on to see how he adjusts to everything!




The rest of the day, P and I took B on her special "Girls day"...shopping at the mall, piggie back riding through the parking lot and lots and lots of giggles and of course cookies! Ha! One more week til September! Waho0o

Raising the future...

I bumped* into a blast from the past yesterday, and upon chatting it up and discussing the MANY years it's been since we last spoke, he happened to say something that kind of made me giggle a little... "s0, what else is going on with you...besides raising the future".

I mean really, have you ever thought about it that way? I know daily I struggle to make sure I'm raising my children to be polite, respectful, well mannered children but I never stop to think the impact my raising now will have on their future. To be honest with the way things go around my house (AKA 10000 miles per hr) I hardly have time to stop and daydream about what the days will be like when the kids are full grown! I try to be the best Mom I can be, everyday so that when the day comes SEVERAL SEVERAL S E V E R A L years from now that my children are raising children of their own, they feel like they have learned all the good stuff from me!

It's bizarre to imagine but even the smallest things today can shape and mold their young minds and ultimately design their future. That one small trip to the space center could send my son on a path of aeronautical engineering, or a pony ride for B's birthday can make her want to be a vet or trainer or just someone who enjoys a game of polo now and again! lol you never know, strange...huh? It really makes you think about the day to day- the hustle and bustle of life and how you handle things.

Which got me thinking even more- I know how young I was when I had JM, but I look at friends of mine today, or on TV that just could not even handle a baby NOW let alone five years ago!! People have always said that having a baby makes you grown up, but it doesn't- you have to be the one to make the self conscious effort to want to grow up and be a good parent to your child! I see so many young moms and dads that really are just not 'right for the job' in so many ways! Living with your parents still and depending on them to raise your now, what six year old child is absurd!?! Working at the 7/11 because its easy even though you know you don't make enough money to take care of your child, is NOT being a good parent. When I think about being a mom, for me it was such a bitter sweet thing. Yes, I missed out on things like Prom, and being a freshman in College, and late night parties at frat houses, but I gained three amazing beautiful children, a respect for myself that I wouldn't of got living day to day pay check to pay check just to have money for beer, and the opportunity to raise our future! :D I feel so lucky, and so blessed that I took the selfless road and decided to be a Mom, and not just have the title.

You have to be willing to give it all, and then 10% above and beyond that! If there were anything today I could instill in my children it would be this- a great work ethic, a true and pure love for God, and a open, helping heart. I want my children to BE the future, not just part of it! I want them to make their mark, and leave behind memories and legacies they can be proud of- that I an be proud of knowing I had a hand in creating that future! I know my kids are only three and five, but every day that passes they grown and learn and progress into their ever expanding futures- so, you can never be too ready!

My advice for any new parent, or mommy of the future is to be selfless- give your all + your 10% extra, take a leap of faith and struggle when you have to! Instill great values and morals in our youth to ensure that we all, they all have the future they deserve!

End of an Era

So this has been me latley at work- with all this new conversion stuff going on it's been leaving my desk full and my brain stretched to it's means! But, there is an end in sight! I can now see the corners of my desk, take a minute of my time to walk the plant for a diet coke and start to breath a little easier! I never thought I'de say having my job outsourced would be a good thing, but new opportunities are sure to present them selves even in the most bizarre situations! PATIENCE it what I have to practice, which for anyone that knows me is pretty near impossible!

For now I'm taking the Mary-poppins-ish route, and delighting in knowing that in just a few short weeks there will be no more vendor calls for payment, no more researching long lost checks or filing copious amounts of unnecessary paperwork! Ahhh just to type that out makes my shoulders feel lighter- I know Bob (boss man) will take care of me, he always does- and somehow someway will create an amazing job from scratch for me that i will love...er- learn to love! ;)

This weekend I plan on "escaping" with the kids for splashing around in the pool, visiting with friends and family and maybe even venturing out to Chuck-E-Cheese (since we do have about 100 tokens left over from out last 4hr visit!!!!) Something small, yet still very appreciated by them right now! I love that about the age their still at- amazed and pleased with the small things. I don't remember if I've written about our new complex yet, but they have a fabulous resort style pool with a splash pad, putt putt golf, sand volleyball AND an amazing park- did I mention I love it here? We'll on any day it's not raining or still muddy from the rain, I take the kids out to run around and get their sillies out before dinner and bed! They love it, and I love that it's right there at our finger tips! No trip- no fees- just F-U-N fun!

What fun places around Houston do you go to, that are family friendly, and don't cost an arm and a leg?

Before I'm 30..

Reading through blogs the other day, I stumbled upon a "before I turn 30" bucket list of sorts. I thought it was a great idea to get the things you want to do/have done/ see etc. out on paper for one, if your like me so you won't forget- and two to post it on your blog and make it seem more "real" or important to follow through. So in short, I have started working on my mini-bucket list, and it goes a little something like this...

-Take my kids tent camping for 4th of July
-Make close to, if not at least 10k more than I do now
-Run a half marathon
-Work out regularly at least three times a week
-Go to college/trade-school/work-program to further my education
-Buy a Cannon camera
-Take a romantic vacation on a beautiful beach
-Take my kids to CA to visit my long lost family- FINALLY
-Buy a new car- probably not new,new, but new to me ;-)
-Get B into dance lessons
-Take at least 2 different dance classes- like hip-hop and jazz.
-Travel to Europe- preferably London, Spain, Italy, Germany and France
-Buy a home
-Rent a boat and cruse around the lake tubing, water skiing and enjoying time with the kids
-Go to NOLA with an amazing group of friends
-Explore Austin...in its entirety
-Visit Misty Mac and her ever expanding brood of testosterone fueled boys
-Feel like I am in my career, v.s at my job
-Buy myself the Michael Kors gold watch I've been taunting myself with
-Spend as much time with Owen as K&T will possibly let me
-Take TONS of family pi cutes- formal and silly
-Lose weight, tone up and feel sexy in a bikini
-Take B on once a month "mommy and me" tea dates consisting of tea, lunch, mani;s, pedi's and gossip
-Finally have my braces off and all dental surgeries in my past!!!
-Meet new people, enjoy old friends and learn new things
-Take a family cruise!!!
-Take a mommy and P Cruise! ;-)
-Put more money into my 401k
-Put JM in Soccer and B in Dance ASAP and for as longs as THEY want- not me!
-Have a holiday where my ENTIRE family comes and not just one or the other.


For now,that is all I have...well, that I can think of at the moment. So, what's on your bucket list?