More Color

I did some tie-dye stuff when Mason was born inspired by a friend who did some for her son.  Here are some new ones that I will give to my sister and her two best friends that are all expecting babies.  Its really fun to see how they turn out because you never know until you unwrap them.  I am so happy with how these turned out.  I hope they are too.

Colorful Day

Poster painting.

My very colorful cake.

Positive Note

I finally got a nice note from Christian's teacher.  She is seeing some improvement and she thanked us for the flag!  I think this is a huge step forward.

Memories

Okay, I know this is kind of silly but I'm doing it anyway.  This picture was taken before we got married.  We were young and skinny.  I cut my hair short because Dominic likes short hair.  I hated it but I am considering cutting it short again.  I need to loose more weight before I even consider doing it though.  My face is too round at this point for such short hair.

I can't believe I was ever so small.  Those jeans were my absolute FAVORITE jeans!  I know that I will never look like that again.  I have three beautiful kids to thank for that :)  I just wonder what I will look like when I get to my goal.  

I'm going to be candid.  I was really tired of being the biggest woman in a room of people.  I felt embarrassed for Dominic to be married to me although he has never made me feel like he was embarrassed.  I want to be healthy more than anything.  Being thinner and buying normal sized clothes is just an extra, a great bonus.  It takes time and I am perfectly okay with that.  When I get there, we are going to take another photo together.  We will be 10 years older, he will be bald and I might have short hair again.  However, the best part is that we will be together.

100th Post

Yes, this is my 100th post on my blog.  Okay, I know its not that exciting, its just life.  So yesterday was a pretty great day.  I had Sarah, the babysitter, come over at 11:30 and I had a waxing appointment at noon.  I mailed a package to Dominic and bought some Forever Stamps since the price is going up AGAIN!  I grabbed some lunch.  Quiznos has these cute little Sammies that my sister introduced me to.  I LOVE the veggie one, so good.  Try them if you haven't yet.  After lunch I went to Kohls and picked up a new pair of shoes, some shorts for Mason and a couple other things.  Then it was time to get back home.

I also stopped off at Lowes to order the cabinet doors for the kitchen.  It should take about 3-4 weeks to get them in.  I'm realizing at this point that I will not have the kitchen done by the time that Dominic gets home.  By the way, Dominic managed to find out about the kitchen as he does ALL of my surprises.  He logged onto our snapfish account and saw the album of pictures.  Figures!  He never mentioned it until one day I realized that he probably saw them.  I asked and he said yes.  He said that it will still be a surprise because he doesn't know exactly what I'm doing and by the time he gets home it will be 7 months since he's seen the kitchen anyway.  I was disappointed but oh well.  Nothing I can do about it now.

Yesterday was a gorgeous 80-something degrees.  Today its supposed to snow.  Welcome to Texas in March!

Dominic called last night.  We talked a lot about how much we miss each other and started making plans for when he gets back.  He wants to have some people over and he definitely wants to cook.  He wants tacos, fajitas and BBQ.  The boys are missing tacos.  Maybe I will make some this weekend for them.  We still have a bunch of tamales to eat too.

I made the reservations for the Vegas part of our vacation this week.  We are going to stay in a spa suite at the Luxor!  I cannot wait!  Its going to be so great!

Update on TAKS

Yesterday I got the official results of the TAKS test that Christian took.  I found out that this portion of the test was for reading and the math TAKS will be at the end of April.  Christian answered 35 of 36 questions correctly.  He scored a 2502 on the scale.  Standard is 2100 and Commended Performance is 2400.  Again, I am so proud!

I emailed Dominic and told him to call when he could so that Christian could tell him the news.  He called that evening and spoke to both of the boys.  Dominic was very proud of Christian as well.  

Yesterday Mr. Page spoke about Christian's Flat Stanley and the flag also.  I asked him if that made him feel special, he said yes.

The little boys and I went to Walmart today.  We needed a few groceries.  It figures that when we are almost done and almost to the front of the store, Ayden has to pee.  I prefer to take him to the family bathroom where I can leave everything in the cart including Mason and just watch Ayden from the door.  Otherwise I have to take Mason and the diaper bag out to go into the bathroom with Ayden to supervise and help...one handed.  The family bathroom is just plain easier however its at the back of the store, figures.

So proud!

I just picked up Christian from school and he gave me such great news I almost cried!

Christian took to school his Flat Stanley scrapbook, American flag and certificate stating where the flag was flown.  Dominic flew the flag on two missions with him in honor of Christian's class. It was Dominic's intent that Mrs. Hill keep and hang the flag in the classroom however we sort of expected another misunderstanding, somehow.  Thank goodness that didn't happen.   The first thing Christian told me when he got in the car is that Mr. Page (the principal) might talk about the flag in tomorrow's morning announcements to the whole school!  How awesome is that?  Christian is SO excited!

The second bit of news that I almost cried about is that Christian only missed ONE (yes, you read that right) question on the TAKS test!!!!!!!  If I could have fallen out of the car I would have.  I am SO PROUD of him.  What an amazing accomplishment!  He is so proud of himself and was so giddy and excited to tell me.  What a smart kid we have :)  Yeah, Christian!

I can't wait for Dominic to call so Christian can tell him the exciting news!

Quiet Weekend

Well the weekend was fairly uneventful.  We didn't do much.  Saturday we went to Target for a couple things.  We got out of there as fast as possible since Ayden wasn't behaving himself and Mason needed a nap.  Sunday we went out to take back some movies, get milk and a newspaper.  That's it!  I organized the laundry since I have SO much to do today.  Every laundry basket is full and we've used about every towel we own either for showers and baths or sopping up water from the leaking washing machine.

The repair man came this morning and fixed the problem.   Ninety-four dollars, two visits and 30 minutes later the washer is fixed and I started a load before he even got out of the driveway.

I will start making calls today to get some estimates on lawn mowing.  I am no stranger to mowing a lawn.  My sister and I used to have to mow the lawn when we were young.  I mowed the lawn once since Dominic and I have been married.  He was gone for training in Germany and we got a warning notice on our door when we lived in base housing.  I HAD to mow the lawn and couldn't wait for him to get back.  I did and had no problems but if Dominic had it his way he wouldn't let anyone mow his lawn, including me.  I'm not sure why that is exactly.  I guess he thinks that no one will do as good of a job as he can.  Anyhow, I have offered many times to mow and he won't let me.  That's not why I will hire someone.  The reason I have to hire someone is because I have a 1 year old that needs constant attention.  I wouldn't be able to mow while he naps either because then Ayden would be in the house alone for an extended period of time.  He's too young to be left unattended.  So we'll see what happens.

Time to go switch laundry around!

Back to Normal

Well we are getting back to the routine. We woke up early and drove Kara and Julio 2 hours to the airport. Its always a long drive because we turn right around and drive back 2 hours. Thank goodness for the DVD player in the car. It keeps the boys from slugging each other which seems to be a new thing in our house.  I need to stay on top of that!

Julio called and said that they got home safe and were on their way home from the airport.

It has been a very busy week but we had a great time.  It was nice to have a break of the normal schedule.  

I spent some time trying to clean up a bit and get the house back to normal.  I have a ton of laundry to do since the washing machine is still broken.  I can use it if I want to sop up water from the floor.  I might have to do one load to be sure Christian has school clothes for Monday.  The repair man is bringing the parts to fix it Monday morning...FINALLY!  If anyone was wondering if the SHAM WOW really works, it does.  I bought them because of the leaking washing machine :)

We got a box from Dominic on Tuesday.  It had pictures and Flat Stanley.  I made a scrapbook for Christian to take to school with him.  There were lots of pictures with Flat Stanley.  Dominic also flew an American Flag with him in honor of Christian's 3rd grade class, so he will be able to take that to present to his teacher on Monday.  

I really missed Dominic this week.  I didn't get to spend much time on the computer chatting with him via email like I have been.  We made it beyond the half-way point now.  Dominic says its downhill from here.  He tells me that he is ready to come home now and that makes me feel sad.  I know in the beginning that he missed us but he was happy to be there and doing his job.  Now he just wants to be done so he can come home to be with us.  He knows that he's missing so much of the boys and I know that makes us both sad.  I can't wait to see him!

Busy week

Kara and Julio

Christian with the flamingos.

A sloth sleeping in a tree.

It has been quite a busy week but we've had a great time.  We went to Dallas on Tuesday and visited the Dallas World Aquarium.  That was really fun.  It made for a long day but we enjoyed it.  We came home to a corned beef and cabbage meal.  Delish!  

Yesterday we took Julio to Bahama Bucks.  They have the best snow cones EVER!  Every time someone comes to visit us we take them there.  Julio wasn't disappointed :)

Today we are just hanging out at home.  Kara and Mason are taking naps and everyone else is playing quietly or watching tv.  Later we are going to go to the store for a few things.  We will take Kara and Julio to the airport tomorrow morning.

Christian had a doctors appointment yesterday.  The doc increased the dosage a little bit.  We'll see how he does with that.

All is well

Hi all!  Just a quick note.

Kara and Julio got in okay.  It was a long drive home from the airport because we had to stop several times.

Yesterday we ran a few errands and picked up a few groceries.  Today we went to the park to feed the ducks.  Julio took some pictures of the boys.  Then we went to dinner.  Kara and I worked on the filling for the tamales.

Tomorrow is Ayden's birthday party.  Unfortunately it doesn't look we have any friends coming.  We are going to go to the indoor inflatable jumping place then come home for dinner.  I'm looking forward to it.  We will make brownie sundaes for dessert since Ayden isn't very big on cake.

Dominic called yesterday.  He sounded good.  He's not sleeping as much with his new job though.  His emails today sounded like he was terribly bored.  He was doing some online shopping.  He said he got some books for the boys and he found a watch that he wanted.  I swear!  He has been through at least 10 watches since we got married, I am on my third.  He likes shiny things :)

Tomorrow is the big day!

Have I mentioned how excited I am that my sister and her boyfriend Julio are coming to visit?  They get here tomorrow.  I have been looking forward to this.  My sister is alway so helpful with the boys.  She's not afraid of changing diapers, getting them dressed or giving them a bath.  She just does it and I love that.  Kara comes to visit us every Spring Break and this time she's bringing her boyfriend Julio.  He is a great guy and is so good with the boys.  They love him!  Its going to be a great week and I can't wait to pick them up tomorrow.

I need to do laundry but can't until I get the washer fixed.  I suppose I could take our sheets to the laundry mat then bring them home to dry them but its raining today and that doesn't sound fun.  I'll wait :)

Yesterday was Ayden's 4th birthday.  We didn't do a whole lot because we are going to celebrate his birthday on Monday.  I asked Ayden what he wanted for dinner.  He said "pizza".  He loves himself some pizza that boy.  So we ordered pizza and wings for Christian.  Christian loves wings.  Then on the way home from Sylvan we picked up 4 little ice cream cupcakes from a new ice cream shop that just opened called Maggie Moos.  We sang to Ayden and he sang to himself which was cute.  Then I let him open two presents.  We will save the rest for Monday.  I had a talk with Ayden about how when little boys turn 4 they have to get dressed by themselves and can't have chocolate milk at bedtime anymore (I know, bad mommy).  So we'll see how that goes.  He was a little upset that he didn't get his chocolate milk at bedtime but I gave him some at dinner instead.  It wasn't a tantrum so that was good.  Its time for him to start dressing himself.  He knows how to do it, he just doesn't want to.

Good Day!

Today was a nice day and productive too.

I got some nice emails from Dominic.

I went to Market Street to get some produce.  Market Street is normally packed at all hours during the day so taking any number of kids there is stressful.  I decided to go this morning and it was great.  I normally do our grocery shopping at Walmart but Market Street has much better produce.  I got some apples, avocados, zucchini, yellow squash, red potatoes, cilantro and cabbage.

I got a very nice card from my in-laws.  

We supposedly closed on mom's house today although we never heard any word about it which I find odd.

Mason took a great nap.  Ayden played quietly.

We went to Walmart for more shopping and to stock up for our guests.  The boys did great!

We picked up Christian from school.  I spoke to my friend for a while.  I made it to 40 lbs lost finally!  Seems like those last 3 lbs killed me.  I still have 66 lbs to go.

The only bad news is that our washing machine needs work and the only time I could schedule was Friday morning...the same day our guests arrive.  That will make for a very busy day but hopefully it will work out okay.

It was a nice day.  I have no complaints.

Scrapbooking

Okay, I am not a scrapbooker.  I could do it if I had to but I don't have a whole room dedicated to scrapbooking or anything of the sort.

Christian's class has a scrapbook and over the course of the school year kids can take it home for a week and add a page.  We had it over the weekend and it turned out nice.  We went to the craft store to get a few supplies.  Christian picked his Thomas collection as the theme.  No problem!  We took a few pictures and made some copies of old ones.  I think it turned out pretty nice and it was a fun project for Christian and I to do together.

A Blur

This week was a complete blur.  Wednesday was just as crazy as Monday and Tuesday put together.  I wanted to go to Sam's Club to stock up on a few things.  I LOVE that store!  After shopping I had planned on vacuum sealing all of the items that I picked up and just relaxing.  That was most definitely not the case.  I got a phone call from my sister in the middle of vacuum sealing the chicken breasts.  I had to get online and retrieve some documents that had to be filled out, signed, notarized, scanned, emailed AND overnighted all on Wednesday.  I had a window of time to get it all done because the legal office on base closes at 4:30 and Christian has to be at Sylvan at 4:30.  That meant that I had to get the papers notarized while Christian was at school and be back in time to pick him up at 3 pm.  I didn't eat anything (and I mean NOTHING) until 2 o'clock.  Not good.  I counted.  I got Ayden and Mason in and out of the car 16 times!!!!  

By the way, the documents were regarding the sale of my moms house.  We close on Tuesday!  Its very exciting because the house sold so fast.  I think that says so much for the work that my dad and Uncle did to it.  Part of my sister and I are sad.  Mom didn't want to leave her house and she lived her entire adult life there.  Kara and I have some really wonderful memories there along with many years of horrible ones.  I am choosing to think of the fond memories for now.  I hope that mom is proud of what we have done.  Its time to close a chapter.

This weekend is going to be all work.  My sister and her boyfriend Julio are coming to visit next week.  The boys and I are very excited.  They will be here for Spring Break.  I have lots to do to get ready for our guests.  My sister is going to teach me how to make homemade tamales.  I have wanted to learn for many years but have always been too afraid to try.  I ordered a tamale steamer and it will be here next week.  I am so excited!  I can't wait to make them!  Anyone have any tips?

Busy Tuesday

Does it never end?  I knew I had a big day ahead of me.  I got all the boys up, fed and dressed.  We took Christian to school for the big TAKS test day.

We came home and I hoped that I could get Mason to take a good morning nap.  That never happened.  We had lots of chores to do.  I loaded up the car with bags of my oversized clothes to donate.  I used to hang onto everything because I thought I might have to wear them again.  Not this time.  We dropped off my bags of clothes at the Goodwill shed then took our down comforter to the dry cleaner.  Mason fell asleep in the car 5 minutes before our appointment at Sylvan.  He doesn't stay asleep when I get him out of the car so that was it for his nap.  Then we had to drive out to the base to get Mason shots, pick up Christian's meds and take our friend Zach a few things that Dominic sent for him.  It was nice to visit with Zach.  We hadn't seen him since Christmas Eve.  Mason fell asleep in the car before we even got off the base.  We drove home and parked in the driveway.  I opened the car windows and sat on the deck while Mason slept in the car.  We only had 20 minutes until it was time to get Christian from school.  I knew that if I took Mason out of the car he would wake up.  My plan worked.  He stayed asleep until we got back in the car to get Christian.

We picked up Christian then we took my car for the second inspection (it passed this time).  The only thing that we didn't get done from my list for the day was to mail a package to Dominic.  I will do that today.  I do have several things to do today but not as much as yesterday.

I was very tired last night and had really strange dreams.  I don't feel like I slept well at all.  I wish I could take a nap.  Mason started with a runny nose yesterday morning and I started to feel sick last night.  I have a headache this morning and feel kind of sick but not horrible.  Its only going to get worse before it gets better unfortunately.

Busy Monday

Last week I took my car for an oil change and inspection.  It didn't pass the inspection because the emergency brake was broken.  At 9:30 this morning I realized that I was supposed to have my car at the dealership for service work first thing.  I forgot!  I showered, dressed, grabbed the boys and got to the dealership.  I decided that since my car is only 3K miles away from the end of the warranty I better go ahead and get it in for some work.  I thought it needed new shocks or struts.  Every time I go over a speed bump or thru a dip in the road I hear ??sounds??  Soooo, I got to the shop and then got a ride back home.  Keep in mind that I had to get the kids out of the car, put Mason in the stroller while I unbuckled his car seat, grabbed the diaper bag, car seat and went inside to wait for a ride.  Thank goodness Ayden carried his own seat.  Thennnnn, I had to get the seats buckled into the courtesy shuttle, buckle Ayden, buckle Mason, fold the stroller and get in the car Aaaallllll the while the driver stands by watching.  Did it really look like I didn't need help?  Seriously!  He drives us home then I proceed to get everything and everyone out of the car and in the house.  I'm exhausted just thinking about it again.

So Cameron at the service department suggested several things that I should do to my car that were due.  Those four things added up to over $500 and that wasn't even including the struts and brake issue.  Dominic is gone this week, no contact, and I couldn't ask him questions.  So I called my dad.  He saved the day!  

By the end of the day my car was ready to pick up and we had to go thru the whole car seat process again.  They did transmission service, a coolant flush, fixed the brake issue and the front end issue.  I managed to get out of there after giving them a HUGE chunk of change however I did have a coupon!  I saved it for just the right time.  I saved $67 from my service bill with that coupon.  I got the oil changed last week so now I just have to go re-do the inspection and my car should be good to go for a while.

Tomorrow I have a meeting at Sylvan.  The hours that we pre-paid are over so I think we will stop.  Christian has an A in math and has made major improvements.  The TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test is tomorrow.  These tests are big business here and there seems to be quite a bit of pressure on the kids to do well.  They prepare for months to take this test.  This test also determines whether the child will move on to the next grade.  Christian will do great.

Too bad I can't just relax tomorrow.