Palm Springs

It's Sunday and very late. I can't sleep. I have so many thoughts running through my head, all good and exciting, but unfortunately keeping me up. I needed to unwind so I took a few moments to download some photos from a few weeks ago when we went to Palm Springs with the family. It was a tough weekend, as we mourned the loss of my uncles amazing mother, but yet also celebrated my parent’s 34th wedding anniversary. Lots of emotions and memories I will remember always.

Darin and the kids enjoying the spa

Sisters

Me and my sis

My amazing parents

Another First

Boys will be boys!! Aaron's first black eye, courtesy of baseball!!

Day 1 - not so bad in color, but the swelling was horrible

Day 2 - Swelling down a lot, but now a lot more color

Day 7 - Color starting to fade and swelling all gone.

PS - I can say he is probably a little sad because he loved telling the story of how he got his black eye. As some of you may know Aaron is not my attention driven son, but I can say he was very proud to tell the story. Such a trooper!!

Last Minute Vacation

Friday afternoon Darin and I decided to look into going somewhere and we ended up in San Diego and Sea World with the kids. It was an absolute blast. I have A LOT of friends who rant and rave about travel and how much they love it. I too, love it but just got used to not going that often. Often meaning every 3-5 years. I now see why they continue to take trips even it they are weekend little trips, it is great to get away. Financially we were never able to afford trips like this and would need to save far in advance. Now things are better and it feels wonderful. Here are some great moments from this weekend.

Just arriving

Sting ray petting area. They were afraid at first and like everything else, once they see how easy and safe you can't keep them out of the water. :)

My little water lover

Kids doing what they do best...climb

This huge sea turtle climbed up on the sand while we were watching and the kids were in ahhhh.

I surprised the kids and bought some fish to feed the seals. I asked darin to distribute them amoung the kids and I was going to go across and take pictures. So he passed out one to each kid and then kept the remaining 5 for himself. Someday I will learn to remind my husband that the fun is for the kids and not always him.. :)

Here he is feeding the seals the fish. He kept telling the kids watch, watch me feed the seals and they kept saying no.. I want to do it. 

Friday Skate Night!!

Last Friday I took all five kids (my three and my 22 month old niece and 6 year old nephew) to the skating rink for the school fundraiser. It hasn’t changed a bit since the last time I went, 22 years ago. Yikes writing/saying that out loud makes me feel old. They had a blast. I even had to put on the skates to help Aaron around the first few times and it was like I had been doing it every month. I have to admit, it was so much fun. Next time I won’t be bringing the little ones so I could skate the entire time with the kids. But wait I don’t want to be one of those parents that their kids are don't want them to skate with them... so I will have to be creative and make it fun for all.

I just love to see the excitement in the kid’s eyes and this was a great day!!

Big kids all ready to go

Little one's wanting to go, but not this time. Sorry

True Joy

Love seeing this smile!

Abby turns 3

Happy 3rd Birthday Abby....

Sucker and camera for her birthday, what else would a three year old want!!

Flashback Friday - Welcome Abby

Three years ago tomorrow, Abby entered our world. Pregnancy was good with her, I was a little nauseous for the first three months, but the remaining time went well. I gained an appropriate amount of weight and enjoyed the pregnancy. Delivery day was another story. Since this was my third pregnancy and my last pregnancy ended with a 9 lbs + baby the dr. decided if she did not come by her due date we would induce. I was induced on my due date, 2/27/07 and since I was induced with my second I thought I knew what to expect. Get to the hospital early, get some fluids, drugs, epidural, sleep through contractions, and push three times after about 4-5 hours. Not Abby… get to the hospital early, get fluids, get drugs, get epidural…epidural…epidural…. Epidural doesn’t work like it did the last two times. Pain, lots of pain. I can’t sleep like I previously did with the other deliveries. Now I know how lucky I am to have had pretty easy deliveries the last two times and know many women choose to not use drugs or don’t have the option, so to them I salute, that is a lot of pain. Way to go!!




This should have been a sign for me. Abby was going to do things a little different then her siblings and she continues that trait to this day.  So finally 7 hours later it is time to push, but the Dr. was not there. So I had to breathe through contractors for about 45 min and it was NOT fun. So finally the Dr. arrived and two pushes later our 8 lbs 1 oz little girl was here.



She has been an amazing addition to our family and love the joy she brings to people around her!!



How did three years pass so quickly?

Whatever Wednesday

I love this day... it allows me to be me. A woman with lots going on, but not always the most articulate on how to tell my story. Here I get to write bullets and they do not have to go with one another, they do not have to go in order. I can jump around and know today's the day for me. So let’s begin!!




1. Our new puppy needs to get neutered. Called the vet and it is going to cost over $200.00. Yikes did not see that one coming.

2. My oldest needs glasses and normally it would not be that big of deal, except I was dropped from vision coverage because my previous employer changed their plan at open enrollment and I was not informed to enroll in the new program. So that is taking time to resolve. Time in which I do not have so we will be buying glasses and frames for her not using the insurance.

3. We have baseball practice tonight from 4-5 and then soccer from 6-7:30 and then a Xowii meeting from 7:30-9. Busy, but wouldn't change it for all the money in the world.

4. I am walking in the mornings with my youngest and the puppy. Not really that big of a deal except Abby once we leave never wants to go back home. We are out for 45 min and she cries when we turn the corner back on our street.

5. Life... Darin and I have lost some extended family members, fellow co-workers family members and distant friends this past week and really reminded us how precious life is and not take for granted what we have today!!

6. I will be meeting an old friend tomorrow for a walk on the beach. How great life is to be able to reconnect with old friends and walk on the beach in mid February. I am so blessed to have what I have.

7. Ash Wednesday is today. What does that mean to you? Share with me if you will be giving up something for the next 40 days.