Just a few more thoughts...

Oops!  Forgot two more thoughts for my previous post...

1.  I love Wednesday nights.  Matt and I always plan a little "date night"...meaning we put the kids to bed a little early and snuggle up to watch The Middle and Modern Family.  Loooove those shows!  Love sharing them with my guy even more...

2.  Does ANYONE out there watch The Real Housewives of Orange County?!!!  Can we PUH-LEASE talk about the last episode where Vicki requests that Tamra write "friendship vows" to recite to her during a ceremony on the beach?!  Oh. My. Word.  The whole episode had me scratching my head and wondering if Vicki had officially lost all of her marbles and thought Tamra was Don or what....craziness.

(To my good friends out there...I love you...from the bottom of my heart I do...but if I ever request that you recite a friendship vow to me during a beach ceremony you have my permission to send me straight to the nut house).

A Whole Lotta RANDOM!

It's been a busy week and my mind has been swirling with all kinds of things....here are just a few...

1.  I've decided I turn a bit psycho when packing for a trip.  I'm a pretty organized person but it takes on a whole new level when we are packing.  For a family vacation I start my list a month in advance, begin packing a week in advance, and usually have everything that I can by the door and ready to go the day before we head out.  On top of that I also turn into a pack rat shopper, buying EVERYTHING we could possibly need before we head out the door (as if they don't have a grocery stores and drug stores in Florida).  It's a bit Kate Gosselin-ish I must admit (and you know it's bad if I'm comparing myself to that nut case....(yikes!  Did I just say that?!!)

2.  I'm on a mission to find cropped boyfriend jeans.  Cute ones that look like this...

Just for the record...they don't exist.  ANYWHERE.  (Maybe it's because I don't look like Jennifer Aniston...for my sake just go along with it and make be believe it's because they don't exist).

3.  Have you ever gone to a make-up counter and you think what they did to you looks worse than when you started...but you don't have the nerve to tell them that and so you say, "I LOVE IT!!!"

Do you ever buy the worthless product just so the sales lady doesn't feel bad?

ummm...ya...me neither.

4.  The other day I was SUPER tired and I told the kiddies I was going to just lay down on the couch and rest for a little bit.  They thought  I was asleep (which I wasn't) and I overheard Eva say to Jaden, "How about we pick up the whole house and surprise Mommy when she wakes  up!!!!"

Awww...melt my heart.

Jaden's response?

"How about I close my eyes...YOU clean it...and surprise ME!"

(Seriously...I can't make this stuff up people).

5.  I'm obsessed with Zulily.  I'm not kidding when I say I check it every day and I've already bought Christmas presents for my kids as well as other family members.  Yes, you have to sign in to become a member but it's free, easy,  and the deals are WORTH it!  Again...here's the link...

http://www.zulily.com/invite/happyhousewife

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!!!!

Past my prime for this...

I went tanning last night (thought I'd get a little color before an upcoming vacation).  I use sunless tanner in the winter so It's the first time in YEARS (and years and years) that I have tanned in a tanning bed.  So much has changed and I felt quite clueless....to the obvious enjoyment of the pre-teen girl helping me out.  After looking at me with a deer-in-the-headlights glare for awhile after I announced I haven't tanned in years she went on to tell me about the various beds, various lotions, various packages, various enhancers, etc. that I would most definitely need if I was going to be engaging in this process.  Seriously.

After she informed me I was going to have to use the wimpiest bed they have available and even with the wimpy bed she was only going to let me tan half the time she pointed me to the direction of my tanning room.

I started getting myself all settled (which took a bit because I could not remember even which direction I was suppose to lay in the darn thing) and before I knew what was happening it turned on (on it's own these days!) 

OH.  MY.  WORD.

Were tanning beds always that bright?!  (yes, I realize my eyes were suppose to be closed...the whole "turning on" thing caught me off guard as I was still trying to figure out if I use to put a towel under my tush or not while laying in it).  Anyway, I felt like I was staring directly into the sun and my hands instinctively flew up to my face to block the 5 million amp bulbs glaring at me. 

It was bright. 

And hot. 

On top of that, I layed down and my body automatically morphed into this ridiculously odd position.  What the heck!!!?!  Then it dawned on me...Ahhhh yes...this is the position I use to lay in tanning beds back in the day so I didn't get tan lines that were visible with my cheerleading outfit on!!!

Yes, you read that correctly friends.  My body automatically morphed into tanning cheerleader mode and it's been about...well...let's just say it's been a looooooooog time (to say the least).

I straightened myself out and laid down as a respectable adult.

After it was over I got out and walked past all the 13-17 year olds waiting in line and came to the conclusion I may just be waaay too old for this.

However, I may have to go ONE more time just to prove to the preteen chick that was helping me that I can hold my own (well...that....and I really do need a little color before the vacation)....

"Don't take life to seriously...you'll never get out alive!"

--Albert Einstein

Fun with Friends!

My neighbor, Kelly,  recently invited a fabulous group of ladies to an an event that benefits children with cancer...those of you that know me know that it's a cause near and dear to my heart!!  This is the second year I've attended this event and this time Kelly hooked us up in style...just the ladies (no husbands this year) and a limo!

What a bunch of beauties...

 My sis and I...

 The event had a silent auction - which I loooooove - and it's always fun to see what everyone wins!  I won Notre Dame tickets and then quickly realized we would be gone the day of the game!  Lucky for me I had some guys that were more than willing to buy them off of me!  Ha!!  My sis won a gift certificate to one of our favorite stores...

 I had decided to scrunch up my normally straight hair for the evening...apparently it was a little TOO scrunched because the ladies kept telling me I was rockin' an 80's vibe!  Here are my neighbors and I (with their lame attempts to get their hair as 80's as mine)!! 

 1 limo + a few fun females + 1 auction win of tequila and margarita mix = UPSIDE DOWN MARGARITAS in the limo!!

 The evening ended with cocktails and dancing!

A fun evening with the ladies and money raised for a GREAT cause!!  Thanks Kelly!

"So just live, make mistakes and have wonderful times, but never second guess who you are, where you have been, and most importantly where you are going..."

--Sex and the City

She shoots....she SCORES!

I have a little girl that is head over heels in love with sports....pretty much any kind of sport.  If it involves a ball she's game.

I'll be honest in saying I never in my wildest dreams imagined myself raising a little girl that loves sports.  For those of you that know me I'm a bit of a girly girl...and my atheltic skills are not what I consider one of my strong points....at all. 

Eva's love of sports has challenged me and I love that!  Eva doesn't realize it but as she is learning so am I!  I listen at her practices and find myself asking Matt more questions about how the game is played and the rules involved.  It's important to me that if my daughter wants me to play one-on-one basketball with her (and she often does) that I can do it!  I want to share in my daughter's passion for athletics and I want her to know that I always support her. 

Eva recently participated in a program called Upward.  It's a nationwide program and if you have little ones I would consider looking it up in your area!  I know that Upward has many different programs (basketball, soccer, cheerleading) and it's all faith-based which I love!  Eva just completed the Upward basketball program and I can NOT say enough great things about it.

Every single game starts out with both teams, refs, and coaches circling together hand-in-hand for a moment of prayer...this was such a strong message to give those children about sportsmanship and values.  I really appreciated this part!

 My little girl rockin' some defense...gotta love it...especially considering she was the only girl on her team and she never let it stop her on intimidate her!

 GO EVA!  As I said earlier, she didn't let the boys intimidate her...she often scored an average of about 5 baskets a game (although they did not keep score).

 Another favorite...(and I'm fully aware she will eventually outgrow this)...she would often wave to me as she was running down the court!  Aww, melt my heart little girl!

Eva's Upward season concluded this weekend with an award ceremony.  The kids jammed to a little live Christian music and listened to a former NFL player talk about his relationship with Christ and how his ability in sports improved because he learned to put God first.  It ended with each child receiving an Upward basketball!  We are so proud of our little ball player!

"A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals."

--Larry Bird

BARGAIN ALERT!! BARGAIN ALERT!!!

I want to start this post by letting you know that I am by no means being asked by this company to endorse them...I simply love this place and wanted to share! 

Oh. My. Word.

If you are a girl like me that loves a bargain then I found a website FOR YOU!!!

Zulily is a website that provides daily deals steals for moms, babies, and kiddos...I mean seriously up to 70% off of things!
 
Every day you get a little email from them that tells you what the steals of the day are.  I check it every day and I've been amazed at how many adorable things I've found....Kids clothing, adult clothing, toys, books, Easter stuff, the list could go on and on...and all at UNREAL prices!
 
As many of you know I'm a girl that jumps the gun on Christmas shopping and you better believe I've already started my shopping using this site!  I've picked up some CUTIE things for a great price...a price I'll never find around Christmas time!!  
 
Sooo...I encourage you to check it out today!  Buy something for your little ones, buy some gifts or Christmas, or better yet buy something for YOURSELF!!  Just click below...
 

http://www.zulily.com/invite/happyhousewife 

HAPPY SHOPPING FRIENDS!!!!

In an instant...

Matt and I had a lunch date today...something that is a bit unusual for us and something I was really looking forward to.  I drove down a road that I often drive down and dropped the kiddies off at a friends house, and within a few minutes I was back on that same road going to pick up Matt.

As I turned back onto that road literally seconds in front of me one of the most horrible accidents I have ever seen took place.

Seconds....seconds...seconds....

Minutes before I had been in that exact spot with both of my children in the car with me....and seconds after it took place I was in that exact spot again, but this time alone.

I was the second on the scene. 

Three cars.

One completely upside down and badly damaged.

Seeing a car like that is horrible...it's something you should never see and my mind instinctively didn't want to look at it...I found my eyes squinting and darting away from it.

My reactions were not what I expected them to be...I stopped my vehicle.  I joined others that rushed onto the scene to make sure everyone that was alright.  I found some that seemed to be in shock and some minor cuts (I was too far away from the upside down vehicle and others were over by it).  I made sure someone had called 911.

And then my mind kept telling me to leave. 

Leave.

I had not actually witnessed the accident take place.  I would be no help to emergency crews.  Honestly my vehicle is pretty big and I was afraid I would be in the way.

Leave.

Leave.

pray.  pray.  pray.

After I pulled away I started crying.  What the hell was I doing?!  I was second on the scene of a major accident.  I needed to be there to help.  I have an emergency kit in my car that may have helped with some of the minor injuries until emergency crews arrived.  What if someone was still trapped in the overturned vehicle??!

I pulled into Matt's place of employment and sat shaking and teary eyed in my car.

pray.  pray.  pray.

I did what I knew I could do...I prayed. 

pray.  pray.  pray.

Later that day I called my friend Stacey.  I told her about everything that had happened and about how disappointed I was with myself for my reactions. 

Stacey listened and then said, "Jamie, were you called to pray?"

Yes.

She continued, "Jamie, God could have put you in that exact situation at the exact time that he did not because he expected you to help physically....but because He knows you...and He knows that you will pray....and that may be more important than anything else you could have done in that moment."

As I sit here typing this I am still shaking a bit.  I keep checking the news channels and websites for any updates on the accident...and I keep praying.

"I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go."

--Abraham Lincoln

P.S.  Thanks Stacey...love you girl.

An Unexpected Trip...

This past weekend we had an unexpected trip!!  Matt had a business trip planned but ended up getting stranded in the Minneapolis airport because his final destination was in the middle of a blizzard!  After 10 hours at the airport he called and said, "I have good news and bad news...the good news is that I'm heading home because I can't get into my final destination...the bad news is that I can't even get a flight home until late tomorrow night."

A few minutes later he called and said, "There IS a flight into Chicago....would you and the kids mind meeting me up there?!

Ummm.....OK!!!!!!!!!  (he didn't have to ask twice!)

The next day the kiddies and I packed our bags and headed out for a little road trip to get daddy!!  Eva and Jaden love Chicago as much as Matt and I do!  They were excited to see the city!  On top of that, it was the weekend of St. Patricks Day so when we drove over the bridge on Michigan we were able to see the green river....tooooo fun! 

We enjoyed a little time in the city and dined at one of our favorite restaurants...Grand Luxe!  The kiddies always get Wikki Stix there and this time Eva made glasses out of hers....

She wore them the whole time we ate and also while we walked around downtown! That girl cracks me up!

This little guy just soaks the city in...love it.

"The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway."

--Henry Boye

Fun Times...

Eva's class recently had a "Donuts for Dads" day.  Unfortunately it was a day that Matt was going to be out of town...however, we've never let something like that stop us before!  We find a way to make it all work!

Soooo...Matt went into her class a day early and brought our special homemade chocolate chip cookies in for everyone (which Eva helped bake)!  Matt visited with the class and Eva presented him with a special card.  Matt is such an amazing dad and I love that he made this such a high priority.   Eva loved that he had his own special day....and I loved her teacher for allowing us to work around the schedule a bit! 

On the day of the event I was the lucky girl that got to fill in for dad!  Eva was adorable...she was excited that both of us got to be part of this special day!   On the day I was going in I asked her what I should wear (I have such fun memories of my parents letting me help pick out their clothes when they would come into my school for something special).  Eva insisted we dress like twins!  I loved it, but it was a little bit of a challenge.  After walking between her closet and my closet about 20 times I had it all figured out...black stretch pants, jean skirts, and black sweaters.  Then my favorite part...

Thanks to our little girl Matt and I BOTH had a wonderful time at Donuts for Dads!!!! 

"To us, family means putting your arms around eachother and being there."

--Barbara Bush

We'll giggle about it....someday.

This morning was one of those mornings that ripped at my heart strings...but I also tucked it away in my mind knowing darn well one day we were gonna have a good giggle fest over it.

Let me explain...

On the way to school Eva made a very poor choice...she lied.  Our children know that we have no tolerance for lying and the consequences are pretty steep.  Lately when Eva does something she knows is wrong she becomes very sad and very cuddly.

That's exactly what happened this morning.

She had herself worked up into a fit crying and saying she didn't want to go to school, she just wanted to stay home and cuddle.  This continued as we were pulling into the school and the entire time we were making our way through the drop-off line.  I couldn't get her calmed down.  She said she didn't want to get out of the car...she didn't want to go to school...she just wanted to be with Jaden and I.

Seriously, I love that little girl...but we were in a pickle.  She needed to go to school!

I took a deep breath, gave her a big hug, and said I would drive around the parking lot so she could pull herself together.  So I drove around and as I felt she was OK I pulled back into the drop off line (I'm sure the man directing traffic wondered if I'd lost it).  Eva seemed alright.  She gave Jaden and I kisses and hugs and got out of the car.  I always wait to wave to her and make sure she gets in the school OK.  As I sat there today I watched her walk half way up the walk way...and then COMPLETELY lose it.

Poor girl was standing there in her pigtails and sobbing...right in the middle of the walk way with children walking in just staring at her. 

I rolled down the window and told her to walk up to the school and that I was going to park and walk her in.  I pulled up and parked the car...and then looked down at myself. 

Oh my.

I was in mismatched sweats (with big stains on the front)...my hair was completely unbrushed....I had not a stitch of make-up on...and my teeth weren't even brushed.  I was planning on dropped Eva off and going straight home, so to say I was looking rough would be a complete understatement. 

I did what any woman does and tried to "fix" my hair a little bit and rubbed my teeth with my finger.  I'm not sure exactly what I thought I was going to do...there was no helping at this point.

I got out of the car and opened the back door to get Jaden out.  We were both in bad shape.  He was still in his jammies with a bad case of bed head.

On top of that he was wearing his Crocs....and it was snowing out.

Lovely.

Regardless, I pulled myself together and walked up to the school (of course running into people I know in the process - why DOES that happen?!).  We walked in together with Eva and made it to her locker.  I held Jaden on my hip and helped Eva get her book bag situated and herself all calmed down.  As we were doing this I noticed other students walking by as and looking at us.

We were quite a sight.

After Eva was calmed down I (with Jaden still on my hip) walked her to her classroom door.  She kissed me goodbye and I reminded her to give Jaden and hug and kiss too.  She reached up to kiss Jaden and stopped in her tracks.

"What's THAT??!!!"

I looked at Jaden's face. 

He had a long line of thick green snot running all the way from his nose to his ear!

Ahhhh....lovely.

I doubt I'm getting any awards for parent of the year after today - Ha! - but I know we'll all giggle about it someday. 

Lent.

Lent is right around the corner.  It's always kind of an exciting time for me...all that lent stands for means so much, as well the realization that spring is here!! 

I was raised Catholic so as a child I always remember lent being a pretty big deal...and I vividly remember deciding what I was going to give up.  This year I decided that Eva and Jaden are old enough to start understanding lent and old enough to give something up too. 

At first Eva decided to give up broccoli and Jaden decided to give up potatoes...I had to explain to them that the idea of lent is to give up something that we enjoy.  To spend that time focused on the sacrifices Jesus made for us.  After some more talking I think they were starting to understand it.  As I write this Eva has decided she's going to give up peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (her absolute FAVORITE) and Jaden is still undecided (his attempts to give up onions - which he doesn't really like anyway - for lent were met with disapproval from his mama...Ha!)

As for me, I'll be giving up Facebook again.  I did it last year too.  It's difficult because I use Facebook to keep in contact with a lot of my friends.  That being said, it felt good to go a bit "unplugged" for awhile and focus back on some other things.  I'm also giving up my cell phone (while driving).  I don't ever text and drive...but I do dial the phone and talk on it while driving.  Honestly, when I sit and watch how many drivers are talking on cell phones or just completely distracted by other things it kinda scares me.  A lot is riding on those four wheels you are steering...I'm just not willing to sacrifice the lives of my children for a 30 second phone call!!

Sooo..if you are friends with me on Facebook you'll need to contact me via email in the next few weeks.  If you talk with me on my cell just know I won't be answering if I'm driving!  In the meantime I'm going to go talk to my son about giving up gum or his favorite cereal for lent...not potatoes and onions!!!!  Ha!

Happy Spring Friends!

It stopped me in my tracks...

As I was unloading the dishwasher today something actually made me stop dead in my tracks.  No, I didn't see any moldy food or critters in there (thank goodness).  The thing that made me stop dead in my tracks was this....

Yep...cups.

As I was unloading the dishwasher I was pulling out cup after cup after cup.  My first thought was, "We sure go use a lot of cups!!!"  Then I thought, "Are Eva and Jaden wasting them?!  Are they using them once and sticking them in there?"

Then my mind went to this...

I remember when I would pull out bottle after bottle after bottle...

I remember when I would pull out sippy cup after sippy cup after sippy cup....

and now we are on plastic kids cups.

To quote Ferris Bueller (yes, I realize I am dating myself here)....

"Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in awhile...you could miss it."  

Note:  I could get much deeper on this subject...I'm totally guilty of not living in the moment enough and experiencing the incredible guilt that goes along with it.  However,  today I'm just not feelin' a deep post is what I want to be writing.  It's beautiful in our neck of the woods...the sun is shining and I think part of my "live in the moment" attitude today is going to include a walk outside.   I'm thinkin' a glass of wine sounds pretty darn good too!  Cheers everyone.