It's Friday Already?!

Wow! Where did the week go? I did write down my goals for the week, but never shared them - oops! Here they are:

Run 1 mile 2x this week - Funny story. I did this yesterday...in the back yard while the kids were playing. No, we don't have a track, but it works. I found out, thanks to the MapMyRun app, that running around the perimeter 25 times equals a mile. LOL Hey, whatever works, right? I'm running tomorrow morning, too.

Get up at 6 am to have me time - Love this! Mornings are my favorite. I read some of my books that I'm almost done with (Life of Pi, Rediscover Catholicism, and the Bible - but that one is never actually done). I know, reading 3 books at the same time is crazy. But sometimes, I have the kindle in my car and the other somewhere else in the house. It works for me. And, 6 am is so nice, that I am thinking of moving it up to 5:30 next week. Maybe I can get 2 cups of coffee in!

1 hour reading time with the boys - Again, sound crazy, but it is not all done in one shot. With a 2.5 yr old and a 1 yr old, that is impossible. But, before nap and before bed we read about 4-5 books together. They pick them out of the baskets and we just go until they know they are done - so about 30 minutes here and there.

That's really all the goals for this week. We are winding down from Alex's party so I didn't want to take them out anywhere. Alex got a bunch of great things that they both love playing with that I have actually been able to watch ALL of the Today Show! They just play and play and play and then ASK for nap time. It's pretty awesome. :)

Alex having lunch while wait for Andrew to get out of school.

Alex had his well baby check up yesterday, and all I have to say is WOW.  The child got 3 shots and a finger prick for the iron test. Normally, one would cry/scream bloody murder, right? Oh no. Not our linebacker-to-be. NOT EVEN A PEEP. He just looked at the nurse like, "Who do you think you are?" The nurse was amazed. I was amazed. Even Andrew was amazed. He looked at Alex then at me and said, "Alex not cry mama. Big boy!" Yes, baby, he is a big boy. Seriously, he is a big boy. He's in the 98% percentile for everything.

Another reason for the lack of posts... We've been playing outside a lot this week, too. Gotta love having a fabulous backyard!

Golfer in training. He is actually pretty good. :)

Motherhood is a Vocation #CleverHaiti #spon

 This Mother's Day, I'm working with Clever Girls in support of Macy's Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the "trade, not aid" program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake.

What is Macy’s Heart of Haiti? Heart of Haiti is a “Trade, Not Aid” initiative launched by artist and social entrepreneur, Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and Macy’s. Already, Heart of Haiti has led to employment of 750 artists in Haiti, providing financial benefits for an estimated 8,500 people in the country.
Each item is a one-of-a-kind design and handmade by a Haitian master artisan from raw materials such as recycled oil drums, wrought iron, papier-mâché and stone. The collection features more than 40 home decor items including quilts, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry and paintings and is made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums and local gommier wood.  
Heart of Haiti products are available online at Macy’s.com.

What do you picture when your hear about motherhood? Stay at home moms? Working moms? What do you think about this role in the family?

When I was younger, I never thought I would be a mom. Seriously. I grew up with 5 brothers - and I am the oldest. I know... But, no. Just because I had brothers didn't mean no one got into my makeup. Ha! Ok, that is another story (for, say...an engagement party? lol). I looked at what my mom dealt with day after day and was all like, "Um, no thanks."

Well, now, here I am with two kids who I would not trade for anything. I would do everything for them. If they wanted the moon and a star each, I would find a way to get it to them - no matter what! I look back and realize that motherhood is a vocation. It is what you have been called to do. My mother knew from when she was little that she always wanted to be a mother. I remember mom telling me that she wanted 12 kids. Well, she got to 6. I would say that is a "job" well done!

 My big family!

She was always there for any of us for anything. It didn't matter to her if she had to go to 4 schools to drop off things that were left behind that were so-called "important" to us. It seemed to me that whatever we thought was important to us, it was always important to here. Oh, she definitely had her days (as do all moms) where she nearly pulled out her hair because we "just wouldn't stop" or whatever. Even though, at the time, that is what I remembered - slowly that all seemed to fade away as I grew older. She did everything for us and I think that the 2 out of the 6 that have moved out have taken that for granted. My oldest younger brother (did that confuse you? lol He's 22...and still learning) and I had some crazy obsessions (he loved Pokemon and I was into Sailor Moon - omg the embarrassment that I am admitting that to the world), but mom used that to help us reach certain goals in school. "You make good grades this quarter, we will go to the card shop." Can you even picture the hanging of my head right now as I am remember how I jumped for joy when I got to open my brand new pack of foiled Sailor Moon cards WHILE I watched the show!? Oh, goodness...

Looking back on those years, I wish I had been a little nicer to Mom. She had 6 of us to take care of and she did an amazing job, especially on the days where the door to my bedroom slammed to the point of shaking the house. I think that is the day Dad decided the door wouldn't be an issue anymore...he took my door! Took it OFF THE HINGES and put it in the garage. That still annoys me... But, now we just all laugh at it and wonder if one or both of my boys will do that - or is it just a girl thing?

Anyway, Mom, I thank you so much for "putting up" with me. I thank you for becoming one of my best friends today. And, I thank you for showing me how to be the best mom I can be no matter how hard the day turns out. I love you mom!!

Mom and I

Thank you to Macy's Heart of Haiti for sponsoring my participation in this “Share Your Heart" promotion. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Alex's 1st Birthday {Party Pics}

Wow! This weekend was FABULOUS! A wonderful afternoon was share by a large handful of friends and family - we thank everyone for coming out to celebrate with us! Here are some pictures of the extravaganza!

 Welcome to our home! Love my party wreath! Just a TON of curly ribbons pinned on to a foam wreath form. Easy peasy!

 The spread! Hot dogs, chips/salsa, cheddar bunnies (ha! had to keep my bunny theme!), apple sauce for the kids, Easter candies, almonds, cupcakes, carrot lollipop, etc. Good stuff!

The was Andrew's idea - he said the table needed to party, too. LOL Love him! Yes, Andy! 

He was right, though. This was THE party table!

 And how cute are these two?! Alex is making sure everyone knows that "B" is HIS friend! Love it!

This is my mama! And, that pose is how I always remember her from back in the day when I was little! HA! Can you totally see that she is saying, "Don't you do that" (or something similar) to one of my brothers! Love you, Mom!

Ok, we had the most random, disorganized "Egg Hunt" in the history of egg hunts. See, we have no trees...meaning there are really no places to hide the eggs. You remember the egg hunt we had on Easter, right? Well, same thing. Eggs every where! LOL Eh, the kids all loved getting the candy - including my brothers! 

Opening presents after having fun outside! I think this was definitely the highlight for Alex! He loved peeking in the bag and I know his Daddy loved helping him!

Once more, a huge thank you to my family who drove the 4 hours to hang out with us for the day and to all the friends who came to celebrate with us! We love you all and are so happy to have you in our lives!

Happy 1st birthday, Alex! We hope you had a great year!!

My Little Big Boy: Alex is 1!

Wait, what?! Alex is a 1 year old! WOW! That year went by crazy fast. Last April, he was just a brand new baby. But this April, he's a walking, almost running, toddler!

Isn't he a cutie? ;)

But, again, this year is a little different. Instead of me having to wake him up, he is the little rooster of the house. Here is the birthday boy on the morning of his day!

Up bright and early!

Enjoying some birthday pancakes - aka pancakes with sprinkle on top lol

He got to open the presents from his family before Daddy left for work. Here he is opening a present from Andrew - he picked it out himself, too!! 

 2 happy brothers Alex love his markers and Andrew loves that Alex likes it. :)

 Opening his present from all of us. Leap Frog Fridge Phonics :) Really great toy, but omg what an obnoxious song. LOL 

 After Jason headed to work, we got silly with decorations.

 They loved the crepe paper "door" and ran through it over and over and OVER again!

 The "door" lasted a good while. But then one snapped off and it got crazy LOL. Andrew covered Alex up in the paper and...

 He decided to swing wildly about - too funny! I love how you can still see him smiling through the paper in the 2nd pic. Very cool. 

 Aside from the sillies, I did get some decorations up for the party :)

Mantle: Our birthday banner from Target that I used at Andrew's 2nd birthday. And, mason jars filled with floral sprays and decorated styrofoam Easter eggs. I only bought those eggs (Hobby Lobby). I had everything else in the closet of doom aka the office/playroom closet

I had saved the cute crate from the Melissa and Doug band set and bought some faux grass. Threw in the rest of the styrofoam eggs and done :)

Andrew's last minute basket for school found at CVS ;) Filled that with the rest of the grass and bunch of super cute carrot lollipops from the Dollar Store!

Once my two little monkeys were down for a nap, it was time to get the cupcakes going. I got that new Duncan Hines frosting creations in Bubblegum and Orange Cream. But, really, it was an extremely subtle taste. So, I am not sure I would use it again. But the colors were JUST RIGHT for him - the colors of Pat the Bunny :) That's where this party got started - on Alex's love for "Baby Bunny" aka Pat the Bunny.

 Of course, even though this wasn't party day, we had a mini celebration after dinner (ok, you're right...this is like a whole day of mini celebrations lol) And, yes, his cupcake is bigger - I made a jumbo size for Alex.

 Which he loved...

Can't you tell!? It's upside down and 3/4 gone! LOL

Happy 1st Birthday, Alex!

Daddy, Mommy and Andrew love you so much!

 XOXO

PS. Stayed tuned for the party pics!

Wordless Wednesday

So that's how you get the rest of the popsicle! LOL

Easter 2012

Hope you have your sweet tea in hand - there are a lot of pictures!

 Andrew's (left) and Alex's (right) Easter baskets that I put together for them (the part 2 that I never posted lol). Andrew got a coloring book, Max Bunny, bug catching kit, M&Ms, jelly beans, and Rosary with prayer book. Alex has almost the same items, only with a different Pat the Bunny (he has another one he takes everywhere), a bunny book (which is hiding) and different items that are better for his age for catching bugs.

 Here they are after Easter Sunday Mass finding their baskets.

Checking out their goodies

Eye spy....lol

 Smiles and "thank yous" from our sweet little men :)

Calling all bugs

Had to share this - how cute are these Jelly Belly boxes I found at Books-a-Million?! Love them!

Alex finds his first Easter egg with some help from Daddy!

Andrew is LOVING it this year! He was all about finding those eggs!

Getting some "help" from his big brother lol

Found another one!

TONS of eggs!

And so much fun!! We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!!