Me and the Gang...

I just turned 33 years old. My thoughts.....

1. Growing older doesn't bother me...in fact - bring it on! What DOES bother me is the fact the older I get, the faster time seems to fly. I don't like it! I remember when I was 15. The day after my 15th birthday I was ALMOST 16 - those 364 days until my 16th birthday occurred were the longest of my life! Doesn't work that way anymore!!!

2. The older I get, the more that I realize I KNOW NOTHING! I remember when I was 18 ( let alone 25) and thought that I'd pretty much figured life out... well almost, but I realize now that it was supposed to be that way - it's how i made it through those years! :) Now, I'm humble enough to realize that I'm fairly clueless and just doing my best to figure it out along the way!

3. I like where I am. I have no desire to turn back the clock and do it over again.

4. I want to slow down this year and savor life a little bit more. I love this quote:

Here are some pics from the big day:

I'm taking this picture as i'm lounging on the couch while Mark is hard at work making my birthday dinner! He is quite the chef! He made "to die for" bbq chicken that he placed on a bed of fettuccini. He served it with steamed vegi's and yummy parmesan cheese bread! SOOOOO good. He even served it on my plate for me! He worked really hard. He coordinated it so that it was all done at the same time!!! :)

Mark made me a lemon cake with cream cheese frosting! So cute!

He then thought it would be funny to make a mess out of my face! :) Em decided to take a lick of that oh so yummy frosting!

Another year down....

Well, It's late and Mark just ran off to another fire! Thank goodness, it's only 6 miles away, but apparently it's pretty bad and involves 2 houses! So sad. It's been another busy day, but was nice to have Mark home for dinner with the kids.

Jessa began her 2nd session of dance tonight. She decided to show me her new routine and there was Mark mimicking ever move. She caught on and proceeded to teach her dad her dance routine. We laughed so hard! It was pretty funny. I wish that I had a picture!

During dinner, Garrett and I had the following conversation:

GT: Mom, you always loved me except when I was three.

Me: Why didn't I love you when you were three?

GT: Cuz when I was three, you would always sit me on a chair!

I then had to explain that I love him always and no matter what - even when I had to wash his mouth out with soap...I still loved him! :) Little bugger!!!

I came across this cute picture of the kids from Christmas - They're pretty cute!

Surprise!!!

Yes, I am alive...:) and happy and well! Don't quite know where to start, but I figure that I've got to start somewhere! Here are some of my ohhhh so random thoughts 3 weeks into the new year:

1. I have a new addiction..I LOVE to exercise! I've been getting up at 5:15 ever morning to go the gym and as exhausted as I am the majority of the time, I can't seem to get enough. I look forward to the next morning the minute I get home and I've decided that I am really enjoying this new stage in my life.

2. I have known Mark for 13 years and still miss him during the day when he is gone, still get giddy thinking about him and I am so blessed that he is mine...enough said!

3. I wish that I was more patient.

4. It is time to register GT for kindergarten and I am so sad...

5. Hannah Montana is pretty cool. :)

6. Jordan is very brave.

7. It's soooo time for bed!

My new walls...

It seems like I've been trying to get this project done for months now! I'M FINISHED!!!

I have never liked public restrooms...

We've been out running quite a few errands this week as it is that "special" time of year! Emily is now obsessed with public restrooms. She loves lining the toilets with toilet paper. She needs to be in the stall all by herself - preferably with me on the other side of the bathroom. I peek in and she is sitting there prim and proper looking around as if each stall is a magical and wondrous place. She loves to flush the toilet and each time she does it, she claps her hands with all of the energy of her little 2 year old body and giggles and giggles and giggles! She loves washing her hands and it's an especially good restroom when they have a hand blower! OH MY! I still don't like public restrooms!

My little dancing girl...

Jessica is had her hip-hop recital Friday night! She loves to dance and I love the way she sings or counts to the beat while she dances! It was so much fun to watch her!

Jessica and her friend Maddi.

Well, I'm having a bit of a "early-life crisis" (cuz I'm definitely not "mid-life" yet!)!! You'd think this would be a happy and momentous occasion in my life. I should be out having a party, going on a shopping spree, having a diet pepsi/chocolate binge - but instead I'm ready to cry...You see my baby has potty trained herself! I know - I've decided I'm probably crazy - but what this means is my children are growing up! I realize that's that whole point of this little ride I'm on called "motherhood" but I still don't have to like it! They are sweet, innocent, and light up my life and I never want it to end...but the clock just keeps tickin! This is the 1st time in 11 years that we have been diaper free! Kinda amazing isn't it???

I do have to say - we're not TOTALLY diaper free yet..she refuses to wear underwear! So, we wear a completely dry diaper every day...she wakes up in the morning dry - stays dry - wakes up from a nap dry, etc...Silly little girl!