Why my Monday rocked...

Today was not my typical, average, must-make-it-through-the-day Monday.  Today I had an extra spring in my step and here are a few little reasons why:

Jack's therapist came out to talk to me after his appointment this morning and told me that Jack FINALLY had a full on hour long conversation with him.  He said Jack's communication was at least 10 times what it usually is!  Yes!  Breaking down barriers....slowly!

I picked Olivia up from her sleepover at my parents house and she went on and on about the Shark Tank that her and Ninny built out of Lego's and that she got to sleep in bed with Ninny while Papa had to sleep on the couch.  And that she didn't get the normal one bedtime story (that I typically do) she read at least three stories.  And she got eggs AND bacon for breakfast.  Grandparent's houses are so much cooler than home.

I got an email from my brother who is on a mission in Brazil.  He always knows how to make me grin.

I got to go and eat lunch with my first grader.  Along with 5 other first grade classes.  These little conversations that I overhear them having make me chuckle.  I was the table hero because I helped open everyone's milk and helped some with their capri sun straws.  It doesn't take much to impress a group of 6 and 7 year olds!

I took my puppy on a nice long walk in the SUNSHINE and he's finally getting the hang of leash training.  Right now, he's crashed at my feet.  I wore him out, he wore me out.  It's the beginning of a nice long friendship.

I went to the mailbox and saw a letter from my best friend Shawna.  A hand written card.  A very rare thing to get in the mail now a days.  A just because letter.  She said she was just thinking of me and wanted to make sure that I knew that she loved me to the moon and back.  Then she reminded me that we owe ourselves a trip to Cabo, a trip we pinky swore on and signed a binding contract for about 14 years ago.  A trip we must go on before we turn 40.  That seemed so old back then, but in reality, it'll be here before we know it.  I think I have the best friends and know the best people in the whole wide world.

Now, I'm enjoying a bowl of left over white chicken chili with lots of cilantro.  My favorite left over. Ever.  And I just heard the dryer buzz.  3 loads done today.  BAM!

It's been a great day so far and it's only 2:46.

These little moments are the small little moments that make my life so amazing.  I am blessed.

Happy Monday everyone!

Back on the Blogging wagon...

I have a very dear friend who sent me this email last week...

This was just the thing I needed to get me motivated to get back on the blogging wagon.  

"Hello, my name is Tiffany Howard and I have a problem with procrastination." The first step is admitting you have a problem, right?

Thanks Nancy, I'm so glad I have at least one fan and one friend to keep me honest!  :)  This post is dedicated to you.  he he!  I love you Nancy!

I can't believe it's been close to TWO months since I've posted anything, I think it's the longest I've ever gone between posts.  I really did have the best of intentions to get a blog post done in February, the month of love, a nice tribute to all the 'loves' in my life. Yeah, that didn't happen. I feel like my busy life just keeps getting busier and I'm not quite sure why. Dan keeps telling me that I need to learn how to start saying "No!" to people every now and then.  It is a painful thing for me to do. But I do still find time to FB and watch my favorite reality TV shows at night, so maybe I just need some lessons on how to manage my time more wisely.  I tried blogging last night and either the site was having issues or my computer didn't want to cooperate, so I gave up and thought I'd try again today.  But anywho, today is Monday, my typical cleaning, bill paying, laundry, 'house keeping', catch-up-from-the-weekend-fun, type day.  I just dropped Liv off at Kindergarten and while I typically get a few loads of laundry and dishes done during this time, I am skipping it for an hour or so and sitting down to blog.  Just blog.  No distractions.

I have a camera app on my phone that I typically always use whenever I take pictures.  Only problem with this is that I didn't save any of my pictures on my computer and when I tried downloading them last night, everything disappeared.  I lost so many adorable pictures, which makes me oh so sad.  So, this post will be minus the 'typical' avalanche of photos because of this very reason.  *sniff - sniff*

Since it's still the beginning of March and still close to February, I figure I can still get away with posting a few tid-bits of the things that I've loved over the past couple of months.  This should be a very random and unorganized post.  But hey, that's indicative of my life as of late anyway.  

One thing I love...I have health insurance.  I don't, however, love that my insurance stinks until my deductible is met, but that's besides the point. I'm not sure if I'd say it is ironic or lucky, or a little of both, but I haven't been insured for years, and I also haven't been sick in years.  I mean it. The only sickness I've had is a few colds here and there, but I haven't been 'Really' sick in years, I haven't even had the flu, even when my whole family got it, I was somehow immune.  In years past,  I used to get strep at least a couple of times a year.  When I wasn't insured, I never got it.  I used to get pneumonia every few years.  I never got that either.  But the minute I finally get insurance, I've been like a walking sick-o.  Currently I am recovering from an annoying sty in my eye.  Yeah, it was real attractive.  I've been to the doctor more this past month and a half, than I have in like 6 years combined.  Blood work, ultrasounds, more blood work, physicals, 'lady doctor', more blood work, pharmacy visits and a scope scheduled for this Friday. What in the world?  Isn't it ironic?  I just hope I'm getting it all out of the way for the year.

I also love the new member of our family, Doug.  He is just such a fun part of our home now.  All the kids love him, but I think Olivia especially loves him.  She spends the most time with him since the boys are at school all day, they just adore each other.  I took him on a nice long walk/jog the other day and we both loved it.  We both crashed on the carpet when we got home, obviously I'm out of shape.  It will be nice when it's sunny and warm and we can go out more often without freezing our petunia's off.  I love that the groundhog said Spring is on it's way.  I'm ready for longer, warmer days. I am also ready to shed my 'fluffy winter coat' that I always seem to get each year.

Daylight saving time is less than a week away....YIPPEE!!!

Doug is a water dog.  He loves baths.  And apparently even loves to hop into the bathtub with Olivia. Yuck! We have to lock him out of the bathroom when anyone is bathing or showering.  

We LOVE snow days!  They are few and far between here in Boise, so we enjoyed it! 

I love that Jack was able to have 2 play-dates here at home with a couple kids from school and was invited to a classmate's birthday party all in the same month!  While this typically isn't a big deal to most kids, this is a big deal for Jack who can feel left out at times when his brother and sister are always invited to go places with friends.  This also makes him and I very happy.  I love to watch him interact with his friends, he even busted out the Just Dance Kids Wii game with one friend and I peeked over the stairs and secretly spied on them dancing their little hearts out.  It was ADORABLE!  I work in his class every week and get watch him interact in there, but it is different when he's comfortable in his surroundings and can 'show off' all his fun toys with a buddy.  Jack is a really a good and loyal friend.  

Olivia's class is focusing on the letter W this month and part of her homework assignment was to think of three Wishes that she would want to come true and draw pictures.  Her first wish was that she could have  a sister.  *like a dagger to the heart*  I wish I could grant that wish for her.  Instead, I scheduled a 'mom and daughter' date day.  We had manicures and pedicures and a delicious lunch and just enjoyed spending some good quality time together.  There is one bonus for just having one girl, we are best buds.  There's no competition needed when there's only one daughter, right?  At least that's what I keep telling myself.  It is always nice having a whole morning and afternoon of 6 year old conversations with no distractions.  I learned about all the new Kindergarten drama and which One Direction singer was the cutest and best.  I love my girl.

Olivia also loves her gymnastics, although we've taken a little break from this for a couple of months until they find a new instructor.  I wasn't pleased with the last guy, as he just had mostly 'play' time on the trampoline and Olivia wants to go so that she can learn new skills.  I may sign her up for mini cheerleading next, we've been to a lot of basketball games lately and she just LOVES watching those cheerleaders.  Plus, it would be pretty cute watching her cheer.  

My brother-in-law is the high school BBall coach and let KJ sit on the bench for the game.  

He felt pretty cool. 

Olivia has also had a date with the tooth fairy!  She finally lost that front tooth that has been dead for all these years.  I don't like how quickly she is growing and changing, but she looks pretty darn cute with that gap in her teeth.  

While we're on the subject of teeth, February was Dental Health month.  Being married to a dentist keeps me aware of this fact, as I would have probably never known this important bit of information.  ;)  So, seeing as it was Dental Health month, I arranged to have Dan's office come and speak to 7 different classes at the school about the importance of keeping our mouths healthy and clean!  

The girls were good sports and taught the kids how to properly brush, floss, and what kinds of foods help keep their pearly whites clean and healthy!  My kids always think it's fun to have someone they know come in and talk to their class.  

Speaking of girls I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, I love my nieces.  All 6 (almost 7) of them.  I was able to have special alone time with 2 of them recently.  I flew down to Vegas to help my sister with little Bella.  She was having a hard time with a few little health issues and so I was grateful for the opportunity to go and meet my new niece as well as help out a little, although I mostly just snuggled on the couch with her and stared at her cute face.  She is an absolute DOLL!  She stole my heart the very moment I held her in my arms.  She is a little cuddle bug and fit just perfectly in the fold of my arm.  Her and I had extra special bonding moments and we were able to have 3 slumber parties!  I loved getting the opportunity to feed/change/burp her during the night while my sister and Bro-In-Law could play 'catch up' on some much needed sleep.  It's been so many years since I've had to be on 'night' duty, and it is tiring, but oh so worth it!  I did not want the weekend to end.

My sister Brittany also let little Lucy Lu fly up with my dad and stay for just about a week.  I only got her to all to myself for one short day, but I was so grateful for that day!  She is such a fun, adorable, lively little girl!  I took her to a bounce house and loved watching her slide and bounce and run around.  Her little legs were adorable trying to run and jump.  Too cute.  Then we had lunch.  Well, I had lunch, she's not a big eater.  ;)  She did love her strawberry lemonade though.  It was fun doing the whole nap routine too.  We had a nice walk around the neighborhood.  I just loved listening to her sweet voice. She's the sweetest little snuggler, would give me hugs on demand without hesitation.  I did not want this day to end either!

Wouldn't it be nice if all my family, on both sides, all over the country, could all live in one town together?!?!  That would be my version of heaven.

And, of course, I can't write about all this love stuff without talking about Valentine's day!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this holiday.  Cupid came and left us some goodies during the night. 

Dan surprised me with tickets to see Jackson Browne perform in Reno.  He was so sweet and figured out babysitting, hotel, everything ahead of time.  It was such a thoughtful gift.  It was a much needed little weekend get-a-way trip.  Our hotel was fantastic, we found our new favorite pizza place and it was really nice to hear some Jackson Browne acoustic classics.  Yes, I realize I'm too young to love Jackson Browne, but I do.  Hey, I've always been told I have an old soul.  I love those old acoustic songs.  Thanks to Dan for a fantastic, unexpected, mini-trip.  I think I have a pretty great Valentine.

Our trip to Reno, delicious food, fun concert, and a drive up to Virginia City where it feels as if you've stepped back in time.  

So much fun! 

One of the perks of being a stay at home mom is that I get the chance help at all the school parties. KJ asked if he could skip school on Valentine's Day.  He's not in to the whole 'love' thing.  He gets all flustered and embarrassed and he thinks it's the worst Holiday ever.  I'd like it to stay that way for about the next 10 years or so.  :)  

 KJ is also loving Scouts.  Dan is now one of his Scout leaders, so he's pretty excited about that!  We had the Blue and Gold banquet last week and he got some fun new awards.  

 He wanted to make a sports themed cake this year.  The other kiddos also wanted to get in on the decorating action. 

 And....my time is up for today, as usual, it flew by.  I need more time in my day.  The kiddos are home from school and the chaos has begun.  

Time to go make some dinner and crack the homework whip...