We just got back from vacation. It was my first real vacation since my wedding. We've gone away for a weekend here and there but not a real vacation for years! My best friend got married at the Grand Canyon. Now let me preface this with while the Grand Canyon is supposed to be amazing and all it wasn't at the top of my list of places to see. I would rather go some where tropical, with a beach or very cool mountains (maybe east or west coast)
So because I love my best friend so much I decided to go where ever she wanted to get married. And she chose the Grand Canyon. So we rented a house in Flagstaff. The house was amazing, while the decor needed a bit of updating the layout was great! There were 8 of us staying there. We all got our own rooms and gave us a break from each of us if we needed it. Everyone knew the bride and groom but didn't know hardly anyone else. Overall I think there were 18 of us out there.
I got to meet and hang out with some of the most amazing people. We had an absolute blast. We spent the day in Sedona, just walking around and exploring. It was great! Jason and I went on a jeep 4x4 tour and learned a ton about the area. It was a lot of fun.
The day of the wedding was great. The girls got their hair and makeup done, let me tell you we were gorgeous! After we got ready and left for the 2 hour drive to the Grand Canyon we had some time to kill and enjoyed the trip up there.
Of course there was some drama before the ceremony. I told the bride that there is going to be something that happens that will make a great story for the future generations. Well, sure enough, there is now a story to be told. At the time I reminded the bride that this was her story and she informed me that "I don't like stories." with a very somber face. I told her she would like it tomorrow.
Well, now the bride and groom are husband and wife and the pictures are taken and we are all having dinner. We hung out and talked and drank the night away. Over all the day was amazing and I would love to do it again!
The newlywed couple left the next morning for their honeymoon cruise and left the rest of us to our own devices. Jason and I went to Out of Africa animal park. We had a blast there too. There was a great white Bengal tiger that puts on a show with her 'friends' (humans who are willing to get into a cage with her). She splashed and hunted the blow up toys. It was a blast to watch her.
After we got back, Jason, Ariel, Mike and I went to dinner at Salsa Brava in Flagstaff. It was featured on Diner's Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network. It was amazing! Best Margarita I've ever had, best food and the company was amazing! We later went to the Lowell Observatory and looked at the moon and Saturn. Kind of neat. However the most entertaining part of the night was after I downloaded the Fat Booth application for my phone. It was a blast. You take a picture of someones face, then let it do it's magic and behold, you are fat! It may not sound so interesting when you are sober but let me tell you that after a few drinks it is hilarious!
After a late evening with a ton of laughter it was time for us to go home. I was incredibly happy to see my girls. I missed them a ton! It was great to cuddle with them!
Now it's back to regular old life with all that it offers. Changing diapers, feeding, cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, and all that goes along with it.
I guess the point of all this rambling is that even if it takes you another 5 years before your next vacation. Make sure that you do everything you to have the best time of your life. That is what vacation is for. Go see something that you've never seen before and make it memorable!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Time's a wastin'
I don't even know what to write about today but I realize that now that I'm back to work and don't have many hours of the day to sit and surf the web I need to make time for my blog. I am gone for about 10+ hours a day, haven't been home until after 10:30 most nights so far and I just need to figure out how to run my life with the 3 beautiful children that I have and work at the same time. Oh, did I mention that I would also like to take a shower every few days at least? I figured that since I already had 2 kids I would just float right into life with 3. Well, I lied to myself. It's not as easy as I led myself to believe it would be. I have really good kids but there is just so much that needs to be done. So this is what I have decided.
#1 Shower whenever you are able. There may not be another chance for a while.
#2 Let the kids that are able pick out their own clothes. It saves me a few minutes to get something else done and they get to learn how to make decisions that they have to live with for the rest of the day. Who cares if the red plaid is matched with the greens stripes. They are going to daycare, nobody cares what they are wearing.
#3 Sometimes it really is easier to eat fast food than bring a lunch. Don't sweat it when there isn't any leftovers to take. You didn't fail.
#4 As long as your children are fed and kept warm they are fine. Sometimes reading a story will get bumped for taking a shower. Don't worry about it. There is more time for stories later, also there is more time to shower later (well maybe not but you can skip this occasionally)
#5 Long hair is great, there is little you have to do to get ready and when you don't have time to spend on it you can throw it into a ponytail and go. Same goes for your children, long hair just needs to be combed and washed regularly.
#6 Let your husband do the dishes, laundry, vacuuming. Even if you don't like how he does it at least it got done.
#7 Macaroni and cheese and hot dogs is perfectly acceptable for dinner. And the children love it.
OK, those are my new rules to live by. I'm going to remember that life keeps going regardless of what you have going on.
Candice's wedding is fast approaching. Two weeks from Friday is the Bachelorette party of the century! Pure Romance party to start the evening with good food and drinks. Then on to Brit's Pub to partake of the Royal Wedding Reception. Should be an absolute blast. It will be EPIC!
Three weeks from this Friday is the wedding in Arizona at the Grand Canyon. Our flight leaves on Wednesday and we return on Sunday. This is FIVE days of only adults. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle being away from my children for that long as I haven't ever been separated for that long. Oh, and I'm nursing Alex so I get to pump all week to keep up the supply. I do have quite the pile of frozen milk in the freezer for while we are gone though.
I'm not sure those of you who don't have kids realize how much stuff I have to pack for these 5 days with Grandma. There's the normal stuff like clothes, underwear and that sort. Then there is blankets, stroller, carrier, extra shoes, pillows, formula, milk, bottles, diapers, and more that I can't even think of. I'm going to do my best to drop all of this off the day before we leave and then just drop off the stuff that we can't live without for a night, like pillows and blankets. What a trip we are taking!
I plan to drop the girls off at daycare that morning and then finish packing for myself. I don't even remember when my flight leaves so I don't know how early this morning is going to be! Oh, well it will be a great vacation and probably the last one for quite a while. Once I get home from this I have nothing on the books for months. I plan to take 3 days off to get my tubes tied in June and then I have nothing besides birthday parties from here to the end of time.
So I'm hoping to survive the next 3 weeks! Wish me luck!!!
#1 Shower whenever you are able. There may not be another chance for a while.
#2 Let the kids that are able pick out their own clothes. It saves me a few minutes to get something else done and they get to learn how to make decisions that they have to live with for the rest of the day. Who cares if the red plaid is matched with the greens stripes. They are going to daycare, nobody cares what they are wearing.
#3 Sometimes it really is easier to eat fast food than bring a lunch. Don't sweat it when there isn't any leftovers to take. You didn't fail.
#4 As long as your children are fed and kept warm they are fine. Sometimes reading a story will get bumped for taking a shower. Don't worry about it. There is more time for stories later, also there is more time to shower later (well maybe not but you can skip this occasionally)
#5 Long hair is great, there is little you have to do to get ready and when you don't have time to spend on it you can throw it into a ponytail and go. Same goes for your children, long hair just needs to be combed and washed regularly.
#6 Let your husband do the dishes, laundry, vacuuming. Even if you don't like how he does it at least it got done.
#7 Macaroni and cheese and hot dogs is perfectly acceptable for dinner. And the children love it.
OK, those are my new rules to live by. I'm going to remember that life keeps going regardless of what you have going on.
Candice's wedding is fast approaching. Two weeks from Friday is the Bachelorette party of the century! Pure Romance party to start the evening with good food and drinks. Then on to Brit's Pub to partake of the Royal Wedding Reception. Should be an absolute blast. It will be EPIC!
Three weeks from this Friday is the wedding in Arizona at the Grand Canyon. Our flight leaves on Wednesday and we return on Sunday. This is FIVE days of only adults. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle being away from my children for that long as I haven't ever been separated for that long. Oh, and I'm nursing Alex so I get to pump all week to keep up the supply. I do have quite the pile of frozen milk in the freezer for while we are gone though.
I'm not sure those of you who don't have kids realize how much stuff I have to pack for these 5 days with Grandma. There's the normal stuff like clothes, underwear and that sort. Then there is blankets, stroller, carrier, extra shoes, pillows, formula, milk, bottles, diapers, and more that I can't even think of. I'm going to do my best to drop all of this off the day before we leave and then just drop off the stuff that we can't live without for a night, like pillows and blankets. What a trip we are taking!
I plan to drop the girls off at daycare that morning and then finish packing for myself. I don't even remember when my flight leaves so I don't know how early this morning is going to be! Oh, well it will be a great vacation and probably the last one for quite a while. Once I get home from this I have nothing on the books for months. I plan to take 3 days off to get my tubes tied in June and then I have nothing besides birthday parties from here to the end of time.
So I'm hoping to survive the next 3 weeks! Wish me luck!!!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Leave of Absence...
First off let me apologize for my lack of attention recently. Things were a bit hectic and are just starting to get back into a routine. I started back to work this week. I've been moved to the Lead Generator position within my store. Let me just tell you that I have spent $10,000's on my design education and I am a KICK ASS kitchen and bath designer for Home Depot. So because I was on LOA for so long they had to fill my position and so there wasn't a designer opening for me. So they decide to put me into the Lead Generator position. While I'm glad that I have a job and all this particular job sucks!!! I want absolutely nothing to do with it. Basically it means that I will wander the store asking every customer that I talk to if we can install anything for them. Can we build you a shed to put your new lawn mower into? Does that sound fun? Not even a little bit.
My supervisor was trying to 'sell' me on this new job. Telling me that it is really quite rewarding and that I will truly start to enjoy it once I know more about it. I then asked him if there was any aspect of design to it, even a little bit? And he says no. So I tell him that it wont be fulfilling to me. I will do it and do it to the best of my abilities because that is how I roll but I wont enjoy it. I will be counting the minutes until I can get out of this job. I feel bad for those that don't have jobs and that should mean that I'm just grateful but it still sucks. I don't want to hate what I do just to pay my bills. I'm praying that another opportunity will show up soon!
I've just been a bit down since having to go to work at all so I'm just on the pitty pot right now. So basically you should ignore me until I get over my slump.
I guess everyone has a down time. I'm going through one right now. I will be better in a few days. These things never last long but they sure do suck while they are here.
Do you ever notice that it's an ever expanding list of things that upset you though and then you realize that when you are upset about something you realize that you are upset about being upset. That is what makes me the most mad actually. I hate being a downer and so I hate being that way. I should go to the gym to try to increase my endorphins. That might work?
Today is my day off from work and I need to go grocery shopping. We are out of bread, milk, and almost everything else. We will be spending a ton of money on groceries. Don't you wish groceries weren't such a waste of money? You work hard to earn money to buy the groceries that feed your family and then a few hours later they get pooped out. I think that with a family of 5 my grocery bill is just going to go up and up until they all move out. I've got to get better at only going once a month. That is a huge savings! Then during the month I only go a few times to replenish milk and bread. Keeps the bill down quite a bit!
Anyway I should stop complaining. Life sucks at times but it always gets better! No matter what the sun will shine again! So on that note...
Go find some sunshine!!!
My supervisor was trying to 'sell' me on this new job. Telling me that it is really quite rewarding and that I will truly start to enjoy it once I know more about it. I then asked him if there was any aspect of design to it, even a little bit? And he says no. So I tell him that it wont be fulfilling to me. I will do it and do it to the best of my abilities because that is how I roll but I wont enjoy it. I will be counting the minutes until I can get out of this job. I feel bad for those that don't have jobs and that should mean that I'm just grateful but it still sucks. I don't want to hate what I do just to pay my bills. I'm praying that another opportunity will show up soon!
I've just been a bit down since having to go to work at all so I'm just on the pitty pot right now. So basically you should ignore me until I get over my slump.
I guess everyone has a down time. I'm going through one right now. I will be better in a few days. These things never last long but they sure do suck while they are here.
Do you ever notice that it's an ever expanding list of things that upset you though and then you realize that when you are upset about something you realize that you are upset about being upset. That is what makes me the most mad actually. I hate being a downer and so I hate being that way. I should go to the gym to try to increase my endorphins. That might work?
Today is my day off from work and I need to go grocery shopping. We are out of bread, milk, and almost everything else. We will be spending a ton of money on groceries. Don't you wish groceries weren't such a waste of money? You work hard to earn money to buy the groceries that feed your family and then a few hours later they get pooped out. I think that with a family of 5 my grocery bill is just going to go up and up until they all move out. I've got to get better at only going once a month. That is a huge savings! Then during the month I only go a few times to replenish milk and bread. Keeps the bill down quite a bit!
Anyway I should stop complaining. Life sucks at times but it always gets better! No matter what the sun will shine again! So on that note...
Go find some sunshine!!!
Friday, March 25, 2011
I have special powers... you can too!!!
I've decided that I have special powers. Yep, super human style powers. I have 'gut feelings'. Yep. Every vehicle that I have purchased has 'spoken' to me before I bought it.
My house spoke to me from a short sentence in a newspaper. I read the description (literally only about 15 words) and I knew without a doubt in my heart that it was my house. When I drove into the drive way for the first time it was like I was coming home. I KNEW that this was my home and that no matter what happen I would own it. I was home.
Jason read me a description of our current van. I told him to go buy it. We had been shopping for a new van for a few years and nothing had worked out. We hadn't found the right one yet. Within 2 seconds of hearing about this van I told him to go up, drive it, once he ascertained that it was mechanically sound to sign the papers. Not only was it supposed to be our van because it works out perfectly but it also lowered our payment too.
This happens whenever something is suppose to happen. I've learned that God gives you what you need, when you need it. If you listen to your gut you will realize that it's God telling you what you are supposed to do. It is a giant waving flag that tells you, "DO IT!!! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE YOURS!!!" It might be as simple as what shirt to buy, what to have for dinner, or what job to apply for. He will direct you to the right path if you let him. If it feels right, truly and absolutely right, then follow your instincts. It will rarely ever lead you wrong.
Word of advice, if you are under the influence of any mood altering drug, DO NOT trust this 'gut feeling'. It is wrong. God doesn't want you to cheat on your spouse because the hottest guy/girl you've ever seen wants to sleep with you. It is not a sign! God doesn't want you to jump of a roof because it sounds like a really good idea. "Yes, that couch will absorb your fall." No it wont. You will end up with broken bones.
So with this public service message, please stop and thank God for all that you have. If you've listened to your gut instinct and it was the right thing for you, it wasn't your stellar instincts, it was God. Thank Him. He deserves it.
My house spoke to me from a short sentence in a newspaper. I read the description (literally only about 15 words) and I knew without a doubt in my heart that it was my house. When I drove into the drive way for the first time it was like I was coming home. I KNEW that this was my home and that no matter what happen I would own it. I was home.
Jason read me a description of our current van. I told him to go buy it. We had been shopping for a new van for a few years and nothing had worked out. We hadn't found the right one yet. Within 2 seconds of hearing about this van I told him to go up, drive it, once he ascertained that it was mechanically sound to sign the papers. Not only was it supposed to be our van because it works out perfectly but it also lowered our payment too.
This happens whenever something is suppose to happen. I've learned that God gives you what you need, when you need it. If you listen to your gut you will realize that it's God telling you what you are supposed to do. It is a giant waving flag that tells you, "DO IT!!! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE YOURS!!!" It might be as simple as what shirt to buy, what to have for dinner, or what job to apply for. He will direct you to the right path if you let him. If it feels right, truly and absolutely right, then follow your instincts. It will rarely ever lead you wrong.
Word of advice, if you are under the influence of any mood altering drug, DO NOT trust this 'gut feeling'. It is wrong. God doesn't want you to cheat on your spouse because the hottest guy/girl you've ever seen wants to sleep with you. It is not a sign! God doesn't want you to jump of a roof because it sounds like a really good idea. "Yes, that couch will absorb your fall." No it wont. You will end up with broken bones.
So with this public service message, please stop and thank God for all that you have. If you've listened to your gut instinct and it was the right thing for you, it wasn't your stellar instincts, it was God. Thank Him. He deserves it.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Well, the baptism went well. The service was good. Let me tell you what sitting in the front of the church is troubling for me. I have 3 small kids. They don't sit nicely and listen to the service. Nope, they get the activity books and color, draw, fight, drive cars around the pews. We are entertaining to watch when you aren't me. I feel that when we are in the front of the church everyone is watching us instead of listening to the sermon.
So the actual baptism went well. Except for one little glitch. They light a candle, the hand it to the sponsor. Sponsor has to hold it for a few minutes while the pastor talks some more... picture this now... Justin is standing there holding a lit candle for a few minutes. What does wax do as it melts? Drips. Right onto Justin's hand. Brave man that he is, he doesn't even flinch. Not a single change in his facial expression. What a brave, brave man. I applaud him. I would have flinched at the very least.
So we go back to our seats and Abby has to potty. So Jason takes her to the bathroom, has to walk down the center aisle, in front of everyone. 3 steps into the processional she looses her shoe, Daddy doesn't realize this for 3 more steps. Now church is laughing at us. Not being mean, just laughing.
5 minutes later, Abby now has to poop. So I'm feeding Alex and so Jason can't get out of the pew... Grandma Sig takes her this time. Again we are the entertainment in church. I love hearing kids during the service because it shows the life and vitality of the church. To me a church without young children and families feels like a dying church. Who's going to keep coming when the older generation dies? So a crying baby is a good thing for me. I just prefer that if it's going to be my child doing the crying it is in the back of the church.
We came home and had a great lunch with the family. Alex got some really cute gifts and the older kids had fun opening the presents. All in all it was a great day. Now I have a few weeks left before going back to work with nothing to do but enjoy the remaining time left.
So the actual baptism went well. Except for one little glitch. They light a candle, the hand it to the sponsor. Sponsor has to hold it for a few minutes while the pastor talks some more... picture this now... Justin is standing there holding a lit candle for a few minutes. What does wax do as it melts? Drips. Right onto Justin's hand. Brave man that he is, he doesn't even flinch. Not a single change in his facial expression. What a brave, brave man. I applaud him. I would have flinched at the very least.
So we go back to our seats and Abby has to potty. So Jason takes her to the bathroom, has to walk down the center aisle, in front of everyone. 3 steps into the processional she looses her shoe, Daddy doesn't realize this for 3 more steps. Now church is laughing at us. Not being mean, just laughing.
5 minutes later, Abby now has to poop. So I'm feeding Alex and so Jason can't get out of the pew... Grandma Sig takes her this time. Again we are the entertainment in church. I love hearing kids during the service because it shows the life and vitality of the church. To me a church without young children and families feels like a dying church. Who's going to keep coming when the older generation dies? So a crying baby is a good thing for me. I just prefer that if it's going to be my child doing the crying it is in the back of the church.
We came home and had a great lunch with the family. Alex got some really cute gifts and the older kids had fun opening the presents. All in all it was a great day. Now I have a few weeks left before going back to work with nothing to do but enjoy the remaining time left.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Shelfari
Shelfari is a website that allows you to organize the books you've read, plan to read and are currently reading. It shows you all the information regarding each book, you can choose editions and pretty much anything that you want to see. I started using it 2 years ago and since then I have read almost 300 books and plan to read about 50 currently. I find that it is very easy to add books to my to be read shelf and then not always get to them. But if I ever get stumped when I want to read something new then I can always look at what I thought sounded good in the past. It really helps me keep track of my reading. I like to know what books I've read so that I don't try to read them again. I have a tendency to forget that I read it and try to read it again. Oops...
Tomorrow is Alex's baptism. Today I'm supposed to be cleaning and cooking. So far I'm putzing online because Jason is holding Alex and I CAN! I have to go to Walmart to get the meat and cheese trays, the cake and a few of the last minute purchases. I decided to let Walmart do the most of the work for me. This way I only need to make a few salads. And another cake.
For those of that don't know I idolize Paula Deen and her desserts. I have yet to make anything from her recipes that isn't AMAZING! So for tomorrow I plan to make German Chocolate Gooey Cake. Yep, doesn't that sound amazing? I also made Homemade Kit Kat Bars, yes, from Paula Deen too.
So I suggest that you go to her website and pick out one of her amazing desserts and make it! Plan on using butter though, real butter too. It's her favorite ingredient!
Tomorrow is Alex's baptism. Today I'm supposed to be cleaning and cooking. So far I'm putzing online because Jason is holding Alex and I CAN! I have to go to Walmart to get the meat and cheese trays, the cake and a few of the last minute purchases. I decided to let Walmart do the most of the work for me. This way I only need to make a few salads. And another cake.
For those of that don't know I idolize Paula Deen and her desserts. I have yet to make anything from her recipes that isn't AMAZING! So for tomorrow I plan to make German Chocolate Gooey Cake. Yep, doesn't that sound amazing? I also made Homemade Kit Kat Bars, yes, from Paula Deen too.
So I suggest that you go to her website and pick out one of her amazing desserts and make it! Plan on using butter though, real butter too. It's her favorite ingredient!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)