one of the best days of my life...

I can honestly say this was one of the best days of my life.  

Started with being able to sleep in (at least 6:30 is sleeping in at our home).  Received homemade presents in bed than I stood in the living room with my eyes closed as Griffin opened up the blinds to reveal a hammock.  I have been wanting one for a long time; my wish was finally granted.

I squealed with delight and jumped up and down, giving kisses to all three of my men.

Next on the list was a very yummy breakfast made by hubby.  

The weather was perfect for a trip out to Semiahmoo to play in the sand.  Nothing makes me happier than having my toes in the warm sand, looking out at the water and playing with the boys.  As Randy and I sat there, I could feel the stress melting away from both of us.  At one point Randy turned to me and said "this is as relaxing as Hawaii",  I have to totally agree.

Lunch was frozen yogurt.  Sitting in the sun, eating red velvet, cheesecake and chocolate flavored yogurt topped with cheesecake and brownie bits, and a thin layer of hot fudge was worth every calorie I was spooning into my mouth.

The afternoon ended with C and I snuggling in the hammock reading and laughing while Randy took G to the soccer game at Civic Field.  

I ended the evening with a short run while G rode his bike.  

My heart is happy.  My soul is happy.  I am truly happy at this very moment.

trying to release the sugar...

I think I have consumed more sugar in the past 48 hours than I have in 4 months.

After an afternoon on the couch; time spent reading, watching movies and eating cookies, we decided to head out for a walk.  We went to one of our regular spots - down by the water.  The rain had stopped but the wind was still there.

We made it to the touch tank before Carson decided it was time turn around.  We left Tommy, Randy and Griffin to finish the walk while the little guy and I went back to the car.

This picture was our attempt to act silly.  Thank goodness Anthony's was closed; no one to witness our silly faces.

We drove over to the park, met up with the three boys and played on the playground before the wind drove us back into the car.

It has been once of the best, most relaxing Christmas day's in a long time.  I am a bit excited to crawl into bed (new sheets) and start reading a new book (Mary, its one from your favorite author - I will let you know how I like).

Off to fill my belly with more cookies - soon the sugar will be gone and the withdrawals will start.  Wish me luck.  

best movie ever ...

don't forget to smile...

We can forget to smile this time of year.  It's a bit crazy out there with all the people shopping and on the roads (or parking lot ~ wow they are full).  But if you smile the stress can melt away.

Be happy!

On a different note, i have started writing my "hawaii bucket list".  It will be small but very doable.  I am looking forward to marking each item off my list.  Making this list has put a smile on my face today.  It's the simple things that make me happy.

what does one eat....

What does one eat for dinner after a full day of work and than a few hours of shopping with two active boys in tow?  Cookies!!!!!  And not just any cookies, but the best cherry cheese cake cookies I have ever had.

I have a pretty strong rule not to eat fruit in my food.  I have never liked the taste of it unless it's fesh strawberries on top of brownies.

Last  night I went to a cookie exchange with my book club buddies.  One of my dear friends made these heavily creations.  She put a lot of work in, and even though my first reaction was "i think i will skip them" I caved and had half of one, and than another, and almost went for a 3rd.

Oh lord.  They are perfection.  Not a bad way to end a long day; my feet up, a cup of tea in my hand a mouthful of cookies and my computer.  Life is oh so sweet.

do you smell that???

This afternoon feels like warm cookies.

Don't tell my book club but i made a small batch of cookies to eat today.  Carson did a great job adding all the ingredients to the bowl.

He is now pouting in the corner because his cookie is hot and he wants a cold one.  Griffin is more than happy to eat his "warm" cookie.

G is now off to clean his bathroom.  Makes my chores a bit easier.

I think i will go put my foot up and enjoy the snack (also, don't tell my running buddies, I may skip the gym tonight).

my camel and i...

Today was Carson's Christmas program at school.  I won the award for the worst mother by not having my photo card in the camera.   Took a few iPhone pictures so at least I have something to remember today by.

Carson, the Camel, did great.  He sung his little heart out and once he spotted daddy and I in the audience, he relaxed and put a smile on his face.

After the show, the two of us headed to Starbucks for a little treat.  Love spending time with him.

Tonight, I finally made a dinner that everyone loved.  Its no secret that I do not like cooking.  I found a recipe that look easy and yummy ~ boy was I right.  Thank you Pinterest for making me feel like a domestic goddess tonight.

I'm good....

If you need anything hidden, just ask me, because I'm that good.
In November I hid some ornaments for the boys, as of right now I cannot find them. I have looked all over the house,in the garage, and now I'm afraid I may have thrown them away.
The elf on the shelf is pretty upset,he wanted to give them to the boys.
Wish me luck, day number 3 trying to locate them.

gobble, gobble....

Today is Thanksgiving.

My kitchen is clean, my turkey was moist and yummy.  The cookies are frosted. The movies are ready to go.  Our thankful board is getting full.

I have many, many things to be thankful for.  The most important ones are the three very special people that are sitting around me right now.

This is my favorite holiday, not sure why, mashed potatoes could have something to do with it.  Thanksgiving now has a different feeling than it did when I was a kid.

I miss spending this season with my family; wish we could all be together but that does not happen. Thank you mom and dad for giving me such wonderful memories of Thanksgiving.  I miss waking up to the smell of turkey cooking.  I miss sitting at the dinning room table with my family eating off the blue and white dishes.  I miss the rolls rising  on the kitchen table (and Brittney poking them with her finger).  I miss a house full of people laughing and talking.  I miss the comfort of having EVERYONE I love withins arms reach.

As a parent, I want to make this time of year fun for my kids.  I am trying to start new traditions that they will carry on to their families they will build when they grow up.

I am content, I am happy, I am thankful for everything God has blessed me with.

My most thankful gift of all today, Carson is feeling better.  We had a little scare this afternoon with his skin; we got him all fixed up and he is now happy.

Happy gobble, gobble day!!!!

almost there....

After a few frustrating days trying to make my Christmas cards, I think I am ready to place the order.  I almost walked away a few times, but I can't stand the thought of not sending them out.

My fingers are crossed all works when I hit the order button.

christmas movies....

So far these are the Christmas movies I have watched this month:

Elf
Fred Claus
Christmas Vacation
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
The Holiday
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Here are a few that I hope to watch over the next few days

Frosty the Snowman
Serendipity (ok, it takes place during Xmas therefore it is a Xmas movie)
The Little Drummer Boy
A Christmas Story
The Polar Express

What movies are on your list???

never again (i hope)...

Made the mistake of going to the mall today to pick out the boy's Christmas outfits.  Oh my, that is one busy place.  Makes me very happy that I am doing 99.9% of my shopping on line this year.

thanksgiving recap...

Yesterday was a great day.  We celebrated Griffin's birthday with Randy's family.  Our plans changed at the last minute; instead of heading south to Randy's brothers house, we had the gang over to our house. 

Shopping the day before Thanksgiving is not ideal but they had a lot of fresh turkey's left so I was happy.  The meal turned out pretty darn well, I didn't forget anything and even made fresh cranberries (so yummy) and green bean casserole for my brother in law.

It was the 1st holiday without Linda and I felt we were all in good spirits.  Even Gregg had a smile on his face and was joking around. 

The holidays are a bit hard for me: in the past I don't get to spend them with my family.  But that is starting to change.  I can't wait for Christmas, I get to celebrate with my oldest brother (this will be the 2nd year in a row)!!!!  So excited that we are spending more time together - one more thing to be thankful for.

I am now off to the gym - I didn't stuff myself yesterday but 2 cupcakes is not helping the waistline any.

so many reasons to be thankful...

I know all to well that life can change in a moment.  Even when life seems stressful and unbearable, i have to step back and realize I am darn lucky to be where I am and that it can change tomorrow.  Instead of looking at what I wish I could change, I am going to look at the great things I have at this moment.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and it is the perfect day to think about what you are thankful for.  Here is a small portion of my list in no particular order:

- Each day I wake up, its another day that I am here.
- The best "little" family I have - my three boys - can not describe how grateful I am for them.
- Two amazing brothers; I cherish the childhood memories we have together and look forward to the new memories we will have as adults.
-  My friends; they are my extended family and each one brings me so much joy.
-  As silly as it sounds I am thankful for my camera.  It has shown me new ways to view my world.
-  Parents, both mine and Randy's.  We may have lost Linda but she is still inspiring Griffin, he has a hunger for art and that is all her.  Their support and help has helped Randy and I over the past several years.

I have many, many more things to be thankful for but I have to go get my turkey ready for tomorrow so I can't list the rest but I will be thinking of each and every one of them tomorrow as I am surrounded by family and lots of yummy food.

forgot the pictures...

How could I have forgotten the pictures from mothers day.

can everyday be mothers day????...

To day rocked in a very big way. Here is a recap of my day:

- Boys slept in till 7:00 ~ I was so pumped to get to sleep so late.
- G had a wii party for me; food lined up on the counter and I was able to play first.
- Randy made me heart shaped pancakes for b'fast.
- Headed over to Randy's Grandma's for a visit.
- Off to Sonic Burger for lunch - O.M.G. it was soooo good. Still full.
- Out to Semiahmo (spelling???) for play time in the sand.
- Home to read my book in the sun while Randy washed my car.
- Some housework (you can never get away from it).
- Relax time.

I could not have asked for a better way to celebrate my being a mommy. Thanks to my wonderful hubby and amazing boys I feel like a princess.

my perfect sunday...

After years of asking Randy finally took us back to see the tulips. What a perfect way to end a wonderful Easter weekend. It was very breezy out which made Carson a very unhappy camper. Live and learn buddy, we are going to have fun even if you don't want to.

time to say goodbye....

Tonight the Easter Bunny comes. Tonight the Easter Bunny will be taking Carson's favorite things away, his binky's. There will be tears and I fear I will be the one to shed most of them.

The EB took Griffin's away 4 years ago and I was happy to see them be gone. Carson is my baby, and it will break my heart when he asks for them; when I go to kiss him good night and not see them in his mouth. When I go to check in on him before I go to bed and not see one in each hand.

It's a sad, sad day in my little world.

things we love, by Mary S....

http://theschweigerts4.blogspot.com/

This is my friend Mary's blog (link above). I am blessed to have meet her last year and I am happy to be able to call her my friend. She posted the following on her blog; I love this idea and I have put a list that I hope to add to, on the side of my blog; will you take the challenge too:

Everywhere I look reminds me that we are less than 1 month away from the most loveliest holiday~Valentines Day! And I'm not talking about all the flowers, cards, chocolates, fun little heart shaped candies, and jewelry...but the "things we LOVE about life" and sometimes don't realize until we literally stop and smell the flowers.

I challenge you to rediscover "your little things" and to take the time to reflect on how much you "LOVE about life". I will also do this and post them to the sideline of my blog to remind me of what life and LOVE is all about!

Thanks Mary, for reminding me what the sweet things in life are.

after the fun...

i am sitting here looking at carson and uncle tommy playing on the living room floor. i had a little nap, my tummy is full of randy's grandpa's yummy cookies. there are toys everywhere but i could not be better. today was a great day, full of memories and fun times. the fun may be "over" but i am still enjoying my day.