I hope that everybody had a wonderful and safe 4th of July. We kept our’s pretty low key this year. We didn’t have a big family get together, we didn’t do a BBQ, but we did enjoy the day with our kids and my husband’s brother, Rocky.
We went to Ashland and enjoyed all the delicious food and craft booths. I was kinda bummed that I didn’t set up a Wildtree booth there, but honestly I don’t think I would have last…. it was HOT!
We headed over to the church to watch the fireworks, and I must say I was disappointed. When you come from a big city where the fireworks are amazing to a small town where the fireworks look like a 5 year old is setting them off you get kinda bummed.
I took a moment yesterday to reflect what this day really means, and I know that a lot of us take what we have for granted. We have the luxury of being free, being able to choose what religion we want to be a part of, who we want for our president, what laws will go into effect. I know our country is a MESS right now, but “I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.”
I think my highlight of the whole day was watching Ella play in the petting farm ~ she LOVED the animals!
This is Garibay Soups 3rd makeover. I have to say that this is my favorite so far. Pink and black are by far my most FAVORITE colors together, and my blog is a reflection of me.
It’s Friday and I’m picking up my Friday Favorites ~
I picked up Tweeting again and am LOVING it! I even got my mom, sister, husband and best friend & cousin to join in with me. It’s fun having us all be connected since we’re all away from each other. The internet is a great way to stay connect ~ I always wonder how the world worked w/out it.
Ella now tells me if she has to go poop!!! If she has an accident in her pants she’ll run to me with her big eyes and say, “Mama! Poop in pants!” ~ I hope to have her in undies for her 2nd birthday, but I’m not pushing it.
We had a relaxing week! We have been running like crazy lately, and this was the first week in a while that I stayed home a lot and started to get back into some of my routines.
I may have found a solution to my bloody nose problem! I know I didn’t talk about it on here, but I have been waking up with bloody noses and finally went to a doctor and I am taking benedryl at night and IT’S WORKING! I actually can breathe and feel SO much better.
And sadly, but thankfully this was such a layed back week that I really don’t have any more favorites to talk about. So, this just might have been the most boring post you’ve ever read on my blog 🙂 Hope you at least enjoy the new makeover 😉
She’s talking in sentences now. She’s been doing this for a while, but they’re becoming more and more clearer. My favorite so far, “Mama! Pee-pee RIGHT NOW!” Yeah, that much fun to hear. She’s still rolling her eyes at me… I’ve really gotta catch that one on video, because it definitely is classic. She’s not as into the whole potty training thing as she was before, but this is my fault. I haven’t been on her and need to try harder.
She’s had a horrible cold, which I believe has become bronchitis – poor baby girl. But she’s just as active as ever. Her cough is heart wrenching though.
She really looks up to her brother. Anytime Jayden does anything…. like riding his bike outside…. she’s right there to cheer him on. She claps and says, “YAY, JJ! Good job, JJ!” Her eyes are lit up anytime he comes around and it’s probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I love the relationship these two have with eachother, and I hope that their closeness carries on for the rest of their lives. What they have is special…. not all siblings have that strong of a connection. The patience that Jayden has with her is astounding.
JAYDEN UPDATE:
My little man only has a couple more weeks of school left. How in the world is it possible that my baby boy is going to be going into the second grade? How is my little baby growing up? I can’t even call him my baby anymore, because he’s growing into a little young man, and that’s so hard. I love the person that he is becoming and I admire him for his manners, the respect he holds for people, and the love he holds in his heart for his family. We are his everything, and I couldn’t ask for anything more than him. God blessed us with the most special little soul, and I hold so much gratitude in my heart.
My picky little guy is now “trying” new foods. This is huge. Jayden has always only eaten the same things over and over again and never given new foods a try. Well, I made a chart with 25 squares and told him every time he tries something new he’ll get a sticker and once he fills up the whole chart he gets to pick out a video game….. it’s working!! Jayden ate asparagus last night. Shocking… and he didn’t throw it up! Lovely, huh?
His current activities out of school are baseball, piano and Karate. The piano is still going amazing as ever. It’s definitely something that he just has a gift for. Baseball is almost ever, and it’s been an enjoyable season. He likes it a lot better this year than last year, but I still feel like soccer is a much better sport for him. I don’t think he really cares for Karate, but we feel like it is really important that he sticks with it.
So, there’s my brag on my 2 precious babies…even though one of them really isn’t a baby anymore *sigh*
Mother’s Day…. HEAVEN! I absolutely love being at the coast. It’s gorgeous, peaceful, and it’s a place I’d honestly like to see myself living at one day. I don’t know, it may happen… it may not. That’s the beauty of life. The only thing truly stopping me from packing up and picking my new home is the fact that there’s no Home Depot on the Oregon coast…. and Home Depot is a necessity in our life, because that is our source of health insurance… cardiac baby MUST have health insurance.
We camped literally right in front of the beach. We were in my Grandma’s RV and I’d sit in the passenger seat and watch the whales blow the water up and flip their tails (or fins… whatever) out of the water. It was absolutely amazing to me!! I can’t believe how close those whales actually get to the shore! What a great experience!!
So, here’s a picture of the view from the RV
Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures with my Grandma, but she was there. It was a nice little get away for us all… much needed! We really don’t live too far away from the coast, but we rarely go… usually just once a year. I want to start going more often. I want to take advantage of the beauty that’s just around the corner. I’d LOVE to take a trip up 101 for a couple of weeks and get to see all of the Oregon coast… it’s just so beautiful.
Of course I have a few pictures to show. I’m not going to overwhelm my blog with a million pictures, but these are a few of my favorites
I haven’t talked much about her, but this is our love Sophie…. I actually love her – shocking! I know, I know, she looks like a pit, but she’s NOT! She’s an Olde English Bulldog 🙂
Jayden FINALLY got to make smores, which is something this kid has been wanting to do for a REALLY long time. Jayden picked out a little chest for me, I’m thinking I might be keeping things he makes me in it. It’s special, because he had to get it for me…. there was no talking him out of it, and that’s the best!
I’m so thankful to be a mom, and I’m thankful to have 2 of the most special little souls I’ve ever encountered. I love my life, I love my children, and I love my husband…. I’m forever grateful for the way things have turned out for me.
Yesterday I was so busy I forgot to post my Friday Favorites!!! This is what’s scary… every day we wake up loving our life (well, I do) and appreciating the day and it seems like such an important day for some reason. Well, at the end of the week you sit down to think about the best parts of your week, because you didn’t write them down ~ and you can’t.
I bought a new posturpedic computer chair that I’ve fallen in love with
On Monday my husband and I accomplished the world in our home ~ we finished projects that we’ve been working on for a while now. We’re still on our organization mission, and are almost completed with the house….. then we move back into the garage.
Ella has still been doing pretty well on her potty training, but still has her accidents – but announces them right away with an, “UH OH!!!! PEEEEEEEEEEE PEE!” Her cuteness kills me I tell you.
I finally found an assistant that won’t break the bank! My little sister, Alyssa, came over on Friday and helped me out by cleaning my bathrooms and other things around the house. I decided that I’ll be paying her to come over once a week for 4 hours to clean the bathrooms (my most hated job) and then work on projects for my work for me… if needed.
We bought Sophie a new crate because her small one was just plain out too small for her. I’m actually really beginning to love her. I never realized it until just recently. Last night we went to my Grandma’s hotel room and she met her dogs for the first time and dang she’s so cute!!! However, she did pee on my sister in the car on the way home LOL
Jayden got his yellow belt at Karate!!!! I’m so proud of my little man!
So, next week I’ll try to do my Friday Favorites with some pictures from the week.
Do you ever wake up in the morning happy to be awake early? Happy to be alive? Looking forward to all of the days activities…. even if it’s just about getting housework done? This has been me for the past couple of days. It’s weird.
I get excited when I wake up and can’t wait to start living. I’ve been more enjoyable to be around, not complaining and nagging, or getting frustrated with my husband and children.
I’ve been trying to stay positive and look at the wonderful things about my life. I don’t focus on what I don’t have, I’ve been focusing on what I do have. Ella might be a pill (like at church today) but it’s okay, because she’s here…. alive. She could be dead. Yes, quite morbid, but she did almost die as a newborn and instead of getting all stressed out, I am starting to appreciate the fact that I do have a toddler here with me to throw a fit. Her fits can be like music to my ears, because it could be like Mya. I never got to hear her throw a fit, or laugh, or have her pull my hair. I have gotten to the point where I understand why she’s gone. I have accepted it. She died so Ella could be here. In my heart I know that we will all be together one day. One day I will get to meet Mya and I will thank her for allowing me to have Ella in my life. Without Mya dying there would be no Ella. That is my positive outlook on losing Mya. It took me a long time to get there, but I’m there. I’m at peace.
I often times get overwhelmed with all of the tasks that I have to complete. Well, instead of letting these tasks overwhelm me I’m trying to be thankful for the fact that I am able to stay home and have these tasks. I could be working out of my home and not be able to see my children until 5:30pm at night. Thankfully, I spend every waking moment with Ella and with Jayden when he’s out of school. I am thankful for that. I am thankful that I put my mind to being able to become a work at home mom and I did it. I want to be here for my children. I want to be the one who raises them, and I cannot express how much gratitude I have.
Being thankful isn’t something that is so easily done. You have to actually think about these things and realize the many tiny, little things in life that you don’t realize are so wonderful. The fact that I have running water, food ALWAYS on my table, a husband that is my best friend, and children who are loving and a son that has more respect than I’ve ever seen in a boy. These little things about life make me smile and feel overwhelmed with thanks.
When you feel like your life is out of control and there’s a million reasons why you hate your life, you should stop and make a list of all the things you love about your life, the things you’re thankful for…. even the small things. Focus on those things, and make your life what you want it to be…. paint your own picture. That is what I have been doing and I’m very thankful for it all.
Jayden finally made it to the dentist for the first time and did AMAZING! My 7 year old doesn’t even have a cavity. I’m so proud of him 🙂 I highly believe that this is because I never let him go to bed with a bottle or anything to suck on, but it might just be because he’s a super star brusher.
My superstar husband helped me to start clearing out the clutter out of our garage. We have one section completed and a shelving thing in its place. I love organization, even though I suck at it, and am glad we’re on an organizing mission. He also cleared off our old kitchen table and carried upstairs so that it can serve as a return on my desk. I LOVE IT!!! We were actually going to spend money on a new desk and now I really have no reason. I can even use my table as my sewing area…. THANKS WONDERFUL HUSBAND!!
Ella has begun potty training and to my shock and surprise is doing amazing with it! My little girl isn’t even 2 and is telling me when she needs to go potty and even held up on a 2 1/2 hour outing of the house!! WTG, Ella!!
We got to bring in my husband 28th year with him. Thursday was his birthday and we got to go as a family to dinner. Amazing thing is – we got together when he was 18. We’ve last almost 10 years together and 5 years of marriage. I love him. Here’s to another year of his life that will be spent with ME!!
Jayden tested for another belt in Karate. He got called on in Karate class to give a Code of Ethics and he said, “I will forget my mistakes and concentrate on the future.” That made me proud. He makes me proud. I sure was blessed with a special little boy. I can’t wait until we find out if he earned his belt!! I think he did a great job.
That pretty much sums up my favorite things of this week. I love my life. I know sometimes I can complain and get overwhelmed and discouraged, but at the end of the day….I love my life, and I’m so thankful for it and the many blessings that are poured on my family. I’m excited for the next week to come and to talk about my favorite things.
The potty training with Ella has amazingly been going pretty well. She tells me when she has to pee pee and we go running to her little toilet. I did not expect this AT ALL. I expected her to not understand the concept ~ she’s not even 2!
Today was one of those days where you actually stop for a brief second and wonder why you’re doing it. Why you’re in the spot you’re in. I run and run and run. I have a full time job at home that does not involve the kids. I barely keep up the house the way it should be kept up because if I’m not working I’m going to one of the kids’ activities…. or taking the dog to puppy training…. EVERY SINGLE DAY THERE’S FRICKEN SOMETHING!
I need a vacation from it all. I visioned myself on a beach with nobody…. guess what, I envisioned a margarita with tequila in it too! Just sitting there on the beach, letting the burning sensation run down my throat and hearing nothing but the waves. But, I’d get a headache, curse myself for drinking when I quit when Gino got baptized (except for the slip up of wine with my friend who’s reading this… hehe) and start missing my chaos. That’s the weird thing about it all. Somedays you just want to scream, but if it all went away and you were left without it, you’d be even more miserable than you were with it.
Ella is officially being potty trained. It’s adorable I must say. She’s doing quite well too… shockingly.
Today however, she told me that she had to go potty, so I take her in there and she just sits on her potty and smiles, then says she’s done… didn’t do anything. So she gets up squats on my rug and pees. I giggled, because boy oh boy…. I can’t believe I’m potty training my baby girl.
I love her. I love absolutely everything about her. I love her temper, her smile, her kisses, her hugs, her love, how she snuggles, and her sweet, sweet soul.
My baby is being potty trained, and next blink she’ll be starting kindergarten.
