Sunday, January 31, 2010

Celebration Weekend





Ryan's party got canceled because of the weather, but you know us, that doesn't stop us from having a fun-filled time of celebration. On Ryan's birthday we went to Marbles and then, had cupcakes later on that night with some pizza. Saturday was suppose to be a party day, but instead, we had a snow party. Jessica, AJ, and Ryan came over for a bit, we ate the food, let Ryan and Jalen have cake, and just hung out. Each year Ryan's celebrations never come as expected.. We never expected he'd decide to make an entrance in Kohl's, then take forever to show up. We never expected his first birthday party to get canceled because of snow, now what's for next year?!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Snow Day!




It's a snow day here at our house. Jalen was so excited to see it start falling last night and he didn't go to bed until 1 o'clock. He woke up ready to go. We got all bundled up, gloves on (yes, I got gloves on, Jalen!), and our sled ready. We got outside played around, took our sled down the hills, and played in the snow covered leaves for 10 minutes before Jalen decided he was dirty and needed to come inside. I was a little upset. I wanted to play, but I should have known how he was.. My little clean freak! :)

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

It's hard to believe you are a year old right now. This is so hard to believe. Where does time go? You're a blessing in our lives and a joy to see grow up. We love you very much and have a Happy Birthday!!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Thankful Tuesday!

I can't believe tomorrow is going to be Ryan's birthday. Where in the hect does time go? Where did a year go? But, I guess, who can believe Jalen is turning 4 this year? WOW! I just wonder where all this time goes..

* I am thankful I was able to go to church this week. What a powerful sermon and made me realize it is okay to forgive, and even to forgive yourself sometimes...
* I am thankful I've had a great week with Jalen. Last week we were able to go to the park 3 days in a row and I can't wait to do it more. It was so much fun to see him out there playing and running around.
* I am so thankful Jessica was able to register Jalen for preschool next year. He's going to go Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It seems to me that no one in his preschool class this year is going to go into Monday, Wednesday, Friday, but he went into this year with knowing no one, so I know he'll meet new people and I'm doing the right thing...
* I am thankful I started school back up because that means I'm one step closer to finishing! Yay!
* I am thankful that my Mom is coming this week (even if it is for just a day..)
* I am thankful Lindsay's ultrasound went well and I'm going to be a Auntie to a wonderful little boy or girl, whichever it may be, and I can spoil another and see how blessed I am...

Thank you God for everything and giving me another day..

Monday, January 25, 2010

Not Me! Monday

I have been really lazy about blogging lately. It seems like everyday we've been into something and haven't really had time to sit down and think... Well, it's another Monday. Another start to a new week. Not Me Monday! started over with MckMama at www.mckmama.com, so if you want to check out what she has to say about it.. Until then, here ya go...

I did not say I refused to clean Jalen up when he woke up and said he peed in the bed. I did not wait until Nicholas got up to do it. Nope, I always jump to get up to clean him up even when he did pee on me! Ugh...

I did not say that I GUESS I would get up with Jalen in the morning since NO ONE else was going to get up.. Nope, not me. I always am eager to start a new day bright and early in the morning.

I did not wait to do all my laundry until Jalen and I were out of clothes to wear. Nope, our clothes are always pressed and ready to go for the next day!

I did not go grocery shopping with Nicholas, then leave right before we had to put them in the car to go get my hair done! Nope, I didn't take a hour for myself, who does that!?

Well, as you can see with any week, I'm not perfect :) Happy Monday and here's to a new week...

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Such a Messer...



Ryan is a little messer and loves to come visit.. He can walk everywhere now and destroy anything. Trust me, he'll find the littlest piece of something and put it in his mouth before you even realize!!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

I'm Gonna Miss This...

She was staring out that window, of that SUV
Complaining, saying I can't wait to turn 18
She said I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules
Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said I was just like you

-Chorus-
You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These Are Some Good Times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by
He tells her It's a nice place
She says It'll do for now
Starts talking about babies and buying a house
Daddy shakes his head and says Baby, just slow down

-Chorus-
You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These Are Some Good Times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater
Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'
One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin'
She keeps apologizin'
He says They don't bother me.
I've got 2 babies of my own.
One's 36, one's 23.
Huh, it's hard to believe, but ...

-Chorus-
You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These Are Some Good Times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this
You're gonna miss this
Yeah, you're gonna miss this
Everyday there are times where I get frustrated and I am sure I react or do not act in the way that I should with Jalen or even in other situations. I was reading something the other day and it really made me realize that one day I'm gonna miss this. I'm gonna miss when Jalen throws himself on the floor or when he asks for me to lay with him to go night-night. I'm gonna miss these moments when he comes walking in the door from school and really all I want to know is that he atleast went and I get the cold shoulder and hear his room door slam.

I'm sure I'll have my moments, but even today, I really tried to take a step back and remember I'm gonna miss this one day and when that one day comes, I don't want to say to myself I wish I would've done this just one more time or I know I should've held you one more time that night you were letting me.

Though this relates to parenting a lot, I think it also relates to a lot of other things in life - relationships, work, and life in general.. Sometimes it makes you take a step back and realize one day all this is going to be over and you're going to miss these days...

Little Man..

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Sanitation Grade ??

We never said what our sanitation grade was when we cooked together... <3

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Monkey Joes and Blows!

The other day, Nicholas and I were both off, so we decided to do something fun.. We took Jalen to Monkey Joe's and he had a blast. At first, he is always hesitant and wants me or him to do everything with him, then he warms up and is gone with the wind. He's climbing and bouncing and sliding (sometimes in ways he shouldn't slide). It's amazing because I remember the first time he went and we had to help him up everything and almost break your back to throw him over the humps to the slides. He's so cute and it is so fun to watch him smile and enjoy the simplest things.


and after it was all done, he got a little car sick from all the bouncin' and pouncin'...

Monday, January 11, 2010

Meal Idea #2 - Bagel Bites

Since we are all in this economy crunch together, I stole this meal idea, as well. Jessica and AJ had some going-old bagels one night and decided to make their own bagel bites. We stole the idea and it is so easy and yummy!!

Just take some of the mini-bagels and split them in half. Lay them on a tray (I line it in foil b/c I hate dishes!). Take some pizza sauce and spread it around the bagel. Tip: Get a jar with a lid, not the can, and leave the extra in the fridge b/c you won't use a ton. It is an easy snack or meal to prepare for the kids! I did this for Jalen when I didn't feel like cooking, but knew he couldn't eat anymore noodles or quesadillas!)

Next, throw some of your favorite toppings on. We just use pepperonis. Then, top with cheese and broil until the cheese is melted and slightly brown.

They are so mmm, mmm good!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Meal Idea #1 - Meatball Subs!

A good couple of months ago, my Dad made Jalen and I meatball subs. They were delicious and the other day I bought a bag of frozen meatballs for New Years, but Jessica made some so I didn't use them. So, since we're on a budget and I'm really trying hard to not eat out, I stole my Dad's idea!

For about 40 minutes I simmered the frozen meatballs with a jar of pizza sauce on the stove. After about 40 minutes I turned the heat up and made sure they were cooked all the way through. In the mean time, I cut open some sub rolls from the HT bakery and toasted them on broil.

Once they were all done cooking, I pulled the toasted subs out, placed some meatballs and sauce in them. Then, I threw some mozzarella cheese on top and broiled them until the cheese was melted. They were so tasty! (even Jalen ate them!)

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Thankful Tuesday.. Oops Thursday!

Well, as always, I am very thankful for my family and the ones I get to be around daily. We are very blessed and I wish people really looked around and saw how blessed they are...

* I am thankful for Jalen. I know I seem to say this every week, but he really is the reason I keep going when days are hard. He always pulls me through when I see that little smile or 'Mommy, it's ok!' Sometimes I wonder how a 3 year old can pull you through and I'm 21 years old and can't pull myself through some days.. Whew, I am so lucky God blessed me with him.
* I am thankful I was able to go to church with my Dad last Saturday. It was nice to have someone to go with and plus, I think he really enjoyed it.. This Saturday I will see if Jalen will go with me or not.. I'd love for him to like going, plus it is only a hour!
* I am thankful that I have heat! It is so cold outside and can't imagine my house without heat. Oh what we take for granted! I love my mear 70 degree house and especially when I'm snuggly sound in my bed...
* I'm thankful Jalen's first week of preschool went somewhat smooth. On Tuesday I had to work so I couldn't take him. Nicholas said he did well. Cried a little bit, but nothing too terrible. Today I took him and I had Ry. He did okay. He cried and the whole 'Mommy, I need you...' and broke my heart, but he did well. He calmed right down and brought me home a beautiful snowman and snowflake!!
* I am thankful for a new year of new beginnings! This year is going to be exciting and I am looking forward to it. I can't wait until August :)

I'm blessed and thankful...

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Year

Every time a new year sneaks up on us, everyone is always talking about what their new year's resolution is. This year I really laughed at the idea that people make new year's resolutions. How many times do you hear someone say that their resolution is to go to the gym 5 days a week? By February 1st, the gym is empty. Seriously?? If you didn't go at all and then all of a sudden you decide to go 5 days a week... really?? Last night we were watching one of the shows and someone asked the girl what her new year's resolution was. She said 'to give back more.' Really? Why are you going to say it? Just do it! From all of this, I feel like people say they are going to something new to make the new year better, but never stick with it. Why? I don't know. Maybe too far fetched or too far out of their norm.

This new year I'm not making a 'resolution' or what ever they call it, but rather taking my beliefs one step further. I don't want to change my current mindset completely, but yet, expand them. This year I want to grow closer to God. He's been there for me so many times and honestly, I realized this not too long ago. He was always there and helped me through situations, but it wasn't until I found myself really between a rock and a hard place that I knew He was the one keeping me going. I want to continue to grow closer to my family. I want to learn more about my relationship and work on it. I want to get together more with my family. I want to go closer to my beliefs rather than further away from them.

I hope 2010 is a year of new beginnings, growth, and happiness. I hope it allows me to become a better person. I hope 2010 is not a far-fetched year full of resolutions that never happen.

Here's to 2010....