A Wild Pair

I'll start off by saying that I am such a plane Jane when it comes to clothes. I try really hard to spruce up my wardrobe but mostly find my comfort in solid T's, hoodies, and yoga pants, that is when I am not wearing solid colored scrubs to work. I feel like such a rebel when I wear funky patterned socks with my scrubs....haha! I know, I am pathetic and I will get to the point now.....
Last week, the inside heel on one of my solid black, nicely worn in Dansko clogs broke (yes, I wear those silly nurses clogs....and not only to work). I tried for a few days to keep wearing them but it got to the point where it actually was painful.
Anyhow, I knew that if I took them back to Nordstrom, I could replace them. My first intention was to exchange them for another solid black pair but, being that I am trying to venture out of my comfort zone...I decided that I should order a funky pair like some of the nurses that I work with. I kept going back and forth with getting another black pair but, after almost an hour in Nordstrom I finally picked a  blue/black marbled pair and went with it. Not very funky but definitely a step in the right direction.

My size was not in stock so I had to place an order and wait for them to be shipped. Ughhh!
I don't usually order shoes online but being that I had already seen them in person and tried on another pair in my size at the store, what could go wrong???!


After three days of checking the mail...they came!

OH NO!!!! What is this?! So, NOT what I ordered! Is this a true sign that I need to be more adventurous? Can my personality pull these off? I tried them on.....nope, not liking them at all.

Back to Nordstrom they go and back to basic black I go! :(

A Thankful Moment

There are days when you just know that it is a good day, when your family is healthy, your friends make you laugh, and you have a warmth in your heart. Yeah, I know that i sound pretty cheesy but I am living in this moment.....and I must brag, for just a moment.
At this time: my family is healthy and happy, I have a beautiful home, wonderful neighbors, I am loving my job, my patients are loving me and I was offered a day shift position at work. Only a nurse that has worked 12 hour night shifts can truly appreciate this. It is a wonderful opportunity and it's my time.
ahhh, that's it now it's time to enjoy the rest of my day with my happy little family. ;)

No meat, no problem

Over the years of celebrating the Lenten season, I have found ways to be creative with Friday night dinners.
At first, the thought of not eating meat was crazy.....how was I supposed to make dinner without meat? let alone all meals of the day and keep my kids satisfied.
But, I think I have mastered it.
My kids have remembered not to eat meat all on their own and they look forward to some creative but, very common meals such as pancakes, vegetable lasagna, and shrimp kabobs.
One of our favorite Friday night dinners is plain ole' cheese pizza. Although, pizza is already a Friday night tradition it is nice to see my family happily give up pepperoni and sausage. The kids have even picked it off their pizza at school.
Pinterest has been wonderful this year with helping me plan some of these meals that it has become a regular Friday occurrence.

Something that I thought was so difficult has become a great experience.

Thirty Five

Today I turn 35!
I wanted to forget that it was my birthday. At this crazy time of year, when starting New Years resolutions and doing our taxes, it’s easy to forget but, sadly I was reminded when I rolled out of bed with a sore back and tension headache.
So, I did what any other ‘feeling old’ person would do…I put on a cute outfit (which included heels) and went out for the day. Ok, so it was just to the grocery store but, regardless, it was out! And I looked cute! I had to make sure to get a bottle of wine and some Motrin for my now throbbing feet.
Throughout the day, I did what I always do on my birthday…..talked to mom, got a haircut, bought something for myself, and tried to relax. And, I did.
It made me look back at the last few years of my life that have been such a roller coaster ride. My last big birthday was when I turned thirty. I had just moved to Texas and flew home (to Florida) to spend the big 3-0 with my family and some really good friends because I remember being homesick. I was new to Texas and although adjusting well, I didn’t know many people.
WOW! How things have changed in five short years:
Since then I have adjusted to Texas weather, learned to like boots and talk slow, became a fan of sweet iced tea, met some really nice people, became an RN, started my youngest in school, and finally found a nice neighborhood to really make this my happy home.
So, as I accept this age gracefully, I look at another year of accomplishments, blessed with new and exciting things. I’m happy to be 35 and I’m in good company too: Rachel McAdams, Reese Witherspoon, and Ryan Reynolds are all here with me ;)

Today was a good day, Happy Birthday to ME!

I'm Pinned

I consider myself to be crafty. I am a whiz at sewing, I can paint, scrapbook, photograph, I make cards and paper crafts, I cook, bake, decorate and design......yep, I'm one crafty mom.

But, there are times when I just lose that creative juice inside of me and I sit in my craft room and am truly stumped! I don't like those moments at all. This is not supposed to happen to a crafty person, right? Well, it does! and with my busy schedule lately, I have these crazy un-crafty moments, more and more.

Well, I have a feeling things may be a little different from now on.....thanks to Pinterest.

Pinterest is my inspiration, when mine is lost. When I want to relax or enjoy some me time, I turn on my computer or pick up my phone and navigate my way to Pinterest. I browse boards to see what random people from across the world are pinning. I go through my own boards to feel inspired and see what things have caught my eye in past months.

I have boards for every aspect of my life- recipes, decorating, holiday and gift ideas, art projects to try with my littles, and even an entire board dedicated to outfits. One day I hope to have my home entirely remodeled like the pins I have on Pinterest.

I think that Pinterest will help me not lose my creative brain the next time I am pregnant. Hopefully, the boards that I have worked so hard to create will inspire me and keep my crafty mom side working despite what my busy life brings.

Time after time....

I have what I think could be considered an “obsessive personality.” I know it, I recognize it and….I it. It’s what brings out spontaneity in me, what drives me to push myself beyond the norm, it’s what gets me out of the rut that we all fall into. It’s why I started and continued house projects. It’s why I write and blog. It’s why I scrapbook. Why my house is so organized. And more importantly why I am the mother that I have become. Ever since having kids, I find time slips through my fingers faster than it ever did. 
I love and appreciate all the relationships in my life but I admit, I’m not always present to those around me. Maybe it’s part of my personality to ponder, reflect and contemplate about life. Sometimes I forget that everyday life has its own richness of taste, feel and touch. When I let myself be in touch with my kids, is when I see their imagination taking them to far-off places. They’re writing plays with their friends, talking with each other about what they’re wearing, how they’re getting to school, family vacations, and what spend their allowances on. Through plenty of trial and error, I discovered something to be managed through choosing the right priorities for myself and my family….TIME.

Time is such a valuable gift. What we do with it is a gift to those around us. When one parent works 12 hour shifts and each kid has their own activities, time together can be an issue. But, I have not let that be an excuse. I have to say that thru all these stressful months of nursing school, moving, and soccer schedules, we have managed to have dinner together every evening. I’m grateful for my family and for the time I can spend with our kids now when they’re still young. Like many wise women tell me, they’re this young only once. Treasure these moments.
 My family and spiritual life are my highest priorities. I still have dreams and aspirations, and sometimes they take me to far-off places, taking more time than I’d like. Thankfully, the people in my everyday life keep me grounded.

Hello: My Name is ROOM MOM

Tonight was meet the teacher night at the elementary school and I must have been in a deep fog from lack of sleep or something because before I knew what I was doing…..I was trying on PTA t-shirts, signing up for parties, and writing out a check…..to volunteer my free time ALL year long!

It hit me when I was discussing cookie dough sales with anther PTA mom, that I must have been suffering from temporary insanity. It’s going to be comical to watch myself juggle working full time, taking my kids to practice, cooking dinner from scratch, helping with homework, and keeping my house clean & organized….and what about all the ME time I have been looking forward to all summer???
Oh, crap!

Senioritis

I’m sitting here, in my last weeks of nursing school.......studying those last few chapters and having a really hard time concentrating.With graduation right around the corner, I almost wish I felt more excited about it but really, I am so over it!This must be what senioritis feels like. The senioritis that I thought I would never have.I still have so many chapters to cover but, right now all I want to do is sit and read a book or watch a good movie.Well, I actually am watching a movie while typing this, and trying to study- which probably isn’t the best combination.I think my brain has officially checked out…..

Friendship

I went out today to find a friend, but could not find one
So the next day, I went out to BE a friend, and friends were everywhere!
~author unknown

Some other beginnings end......

The first day of school for me, is one of the most exciting days of the year, especially as a child. There's was always a breezy excitement in the air. There’s a smell that I can’t quite pinpoint, I think it’s a mix of pink erasers, sharpened pencils, and new backpacks, that used to hit all my senses and made it that much more exciting.  
It sounds cheesy, but I actually got very nostalgic. That excitement came rushing back as I was pulling out my last syllabus of nursing school. I've waited a long time for this day. From this point on it’s the final count down.
This is itl…..the end of the nursing school road. Best of luck to everyone this semester, whether it’s your first or last – we’re all on this road together.
 

Snow worth it

Weird, unacceptable things have been happening around here as of late Monday evening. After the big ice storm, schools shut down for four days. By Friday at noon, I was getting a little stir crazy.

As I pondered thru the house I couldn’t come up with any good reasons to leave the house.

The refrigerator was full of enough groceries to last thru the weekend and the news keeps showing cars stranded on the side of the road but, I wanted to get out just for a moment. Just to get a change of scenery. But, still no good reason to leave the house until…..I went to make some coffee and noticed that I was out. Now, THAT is a good reason to get out.

So, instead of fighting the crowds at the grocery store for instant coffee grounds I decided to venture out for a venti anything. I was ready to drive up to a window and let someone wait on me for a change, especially a Starbucks!

But, when I finally made it there…..I was shocked to find that they were closed! And I could not believe it.

I sat there for a moment, wondering if I should attempt another Starbucks (there is one just down the road) but I decided not to. I almost hit the grocery store when I looked over and saw the really full parking lot. Nope, I don’t do busy grocery stores. It’s one of the few things have little patience for. Instead I just headed back home. Empty handed. BIG SIGH!

As I headed down the street (at 15 mph), I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful everything looked. The sparkling sheets of white snow and the laughter of kids sledding and playing in surrounding neighborhoods filled my view and I couldn’t help but smile, especially when I reached in my purse and found a package of Starbucks VIA instant coffee……ahhh, it what worth getting out.

they're falling all over

After a month in our neighborhood, we've come to the conclusion that you either have to learn to love the leaves each fall, or you'll go absolutely crazy trying to get rid of them. We live in an older neighborhood, with tons of mature trees all around us--a wonderful thing in the summer when you want to sit on your shaded front porch and sip lemonade, but not such a wonderful thing come this time of the year when you have to wade through piles of leaves to get to your front door.

All you have to do in our neighborhood to find the houses with kids is drive along the streets during November. The houses with kids in them always have front yards covered by the enormous eruptions of strangely shaped leaf piles that look like messy molehills. There might be an odd bicycle or scooter left in the middle of the leaves, or Ethan's soccer ball perched on the biggest pile and you can usually can find a rake or two somewhere in the mix.
When you have kids it's easy to make fun out of the leaves. We've learned to take a no stress approach, and while we'll rake and load the leaves to the curb, we've conditioned ourselves not to mind when five minutes later one child has scattered the same neat pile of leaves in every direction. And every time the front door opens and the wind blows in a stray handful of leaves across the wood floor in the entryway, I'll just go with the flow.
For now, though, we'll just let them fall, and fall, and fall.

Fall is finally here

Oh happy day, so glad it’s Friday! I took a brisk walk this morning to clear the cobwebs after dropping my kids off at school. This fall day could not be any more lovely, with bright blue skies, a gentle breeze, and turning leaves rustling in the trees. I plan to spend most of this weekend outdoors enjoying this autumn weather.

We took advantage of the warm day to get the leaves off of the driveway and walk and back into the yard… Hoping that they can be mowed instead of raked and bagged, we worked hard to spread the leaves around the yard as much as possible. The sad thing is there are still a lot of leaves in the trees!

Moving Along

Four years ago my husband, kids, and I left Florida for the suburbs. But it took four years of living here to scope out the perfect neighborhood.

The moment I drove up the driveway of this cozy home, I was charmed. This house is nine years old and the families that owned this house before us had a dog, a cat, raised children here and gave it lots of love. But, it desperately needed some attention, my husband and I knew it was a diamond in the rough and a house we could be happy in for the next chapter of our life.  We made an offer the same day we walked through and thus embarked on plans to remodel.

Three weeks later, we started the renovation and last week we moved out of the rental and into the house.  The contractor probably could have used another three to four weeks before I brought my three kids and all of our belongings into the house.  On moving day we only had one fully functional bathroom, about 75% of the light fixtures installed, and several other random projects still to be completed.  However, the lease was up at the rental and we decided to move, finished or not, rather than pay for another months rent.  

Every time someone asks me how I like the new house, I just smile and have to admit that I do love it, although I can’t wait to get rid of the smell of fresh paint! I don't complain about the dust or the unpacked boxes that I can’t seem to make time for. And I don't mention the three to four workmen I spend my days with from 8:30am to 5pm.    

You see, having several people who come in and out of my house every day has it's benefits.  Seriously. Not knowing who is going to show up at what time of day forces me to get up early in the morning before my children wake up and take a shower.  Before I leave to drop off the kids at school I do a sweep of the house and make sure all the randomly strewn pajama tops, legos, stuffed animals and books are picked up and out of the way.  I'm not usually bothered by a little dust, but we live in a construction site and I find myself picking up the vacuum much more often than usual.  My house has not been this clean and organized in a long time.

But the biggest benefit of having a houseful of plumbers and electricians has been quite unexpected. I've had to find other ways to deal with the sibling smack-down that seems to always happen when we're late for school and no one has combed their hair yet or they can't find their homework.  

Honestly, it's been a wake up call for me.  I can solve problems without yelling and guess what?  When I am not so quick to anger, the tantrums don't last as long and arguments actually get resolved faster. While surrounded by power drills, hammers and chaos all day my family has become calmer.  Hopefully we can maintain the peace after all the knobs have been put on the cabinets and all the rooms are finally put together.

 

To Those Who Wait......

The foreclosure is officially back on the market! Whew!!!!

As most of you know, I have been literally stalking my dream house since June. A house that just happens to be listed way below market value, in a great neighborhood, full of kids, with a large front porch, and a huge back yard. It's a foreclosure so these things take a while.

Well, last week, after months of waiting for it, the bank finally listed the house and we made our offer. And, so did someone else!!! Someone who offered more than we did and the bank accepted their offer. I was mortified!!!! Our hopes were ALL in that ONE house, the one that we have been waiting for all this time. We have our new carpet, kitchen cabinets, and counter tops picked out. The kids have already chosen their rooms and décor. This was heart breaking.

For the next five days, we sadly began looking at other homes on the market and of course nothing compared. Our marriage was challenged for sure. I wanted a big kitchen, Mike wanted a media room, I wanted a big yard, Mike wanted a pool. It was frustrating. Very frustrating.

But, after much aggravation and no new place to call home, I received a wonderful phone call. The first offer to the bank fell thru and the house was ours if we wanted it. Do I still want it?! What? The last time I answered YES that fast was when Michael proposed. Patience truly is a virtue and I believe that if something is meant to be, it will be. Our prayers were definitely answered.

I can’t wait to get moved in and make this our home.

Truly A Pampered Chef

Today has sure been a rough one! I don't understand why Thursdays have to be so crazy. Yes, all the kids have overlapping soccer practice on Thursday evenings but between two parents, we can sure juggle it. Somehow Thursdays have become my domesticated day as well. The whole house needs to be spotless and all the laundry needs to be washed and folded. I have to have the kids packed for practice and all uniforms for Saturday games have to be clean and ready to go. I sure need a little help on Thurdays and am not afraid to admit it.

Now with that being said, I want to share this great recipe that the pampered chef has introduced me to. I bought the deep dish baker last year and my family has had many meals prepared by this awesome stone baking dish. It works like a crock pot but you can use it in the microwave and have home cooked meals in less than half an hour, including prep time. I love it!!!!

It’s the Easy Tortellini Toss made with cheese tortellini, spinach, and ham. Yes, spinach!!!! And my kids always ask for seconds. Tonights Thursday dinner was delicious, fast, and not picked up from a drive thru window. It's the little things on Thursday evenings that really help!!!

For The Love of Shoes

I am completely addicted to clogs. I always have been. Since, I got my first pair, in tenth grade when I was about 16-years old. I’ll never forget those clogs: soft black leather with black wooden soles. I wore them with everything!!!

I’ve owned at least one pair of clogs at all times since that first pair, whether they were Dansko, Berkinstock, or Anywears (you have to remember I’m in the health care field so, comfort is a priority).

But my addiction has been taken to a new level… recently, while I was working, one of our doctors came in wearing her normal ‘surgical colored’ scrubs and as came around the nurses station my eyes were drawn to her green python Dansko clogs. They looked spunky and fun, and she said they made her feel happy! From that moment, my nicely broken in black Dansko’s seemed so dull and boring. Comfortable, yes. Fun, no.

I decided that I needed to go see what was available. So, my next trip to the mall including browsing Nordstrom to see what clogs they had. I found a pair (well, two) that I must have. I just must.

As I shop, I rationalize why I must have them. My feet feel great in them, this is a must. Fall is rolling around and the temperature will be dropping, and I must put my flip-flops away. I must have them!!!!…..in ‘leopard.’ With rolled-up jeans and a slouchy sweater? Yep, sheer perfection.
And the ones in ‘claret’ to wear during the colder winter months are fun and festive, this is a definite must have.
SOLD!
How cute, these will fit right in with my ever-growing clog collection.

s(NO)w fun

Today was the third time it snowed this month. The snow gives us good reason to bundle up as a family to watch a movie, turn on the fireplace, and have hot drinks. I love this time of year. Although the cold and snow is nice, personally, I miss living in Florida. I miss being able to wear flip flops all year, wearing only a light jacket over a t-shirt, and not having to warm the car in the morning. I tortured myself and looked up their weather today...high of 66, low of 55. I could really use some of that right now.
Don't get me wrong, I love having seasons but I don't like the cold! If the wind hits you just right, it stings. Not to mention the layers of clothes I have to put on and the pile of cold wet clothes that get piled by the door as the kids come in and out. I would much rather take a hot and humid summer day over this!
But my kids love it. The minute they see a fresh snowfall, they bundle up and head outside. I've appointed myself the official hot chocolate maker which is an indoor job.

Here are some photos of today.......

Merry Mommy

My kids have been home from school for a week now. I've personally loved the chance to sleep in and be lazy in the morning. It's nice not having to get up and get the kids ready for school. And the kids have been great so far. Almost every morning, they've left little surprises for me to find! Once they left a gallon of milk out on the table. Another day, they left all the couch cushions scattered throughout the house. They've left a roll of toilet paper unwound across the bathroom floor and a dozen plates with melted cheese on them sitting on the counter. They left me a snow boot sitting on the kitchen floor and every single toy they got for Christmas on the family room floor.
It's a toss-up as to which is worse - cleaning up the messes or getting up early.
But, today was different.
Today, when I got up, I stumbled into the kitchen to make some coffee and when I rubbed my eyes to focus, there I found it....NO mess. Just three little children palying video games and coloring with each other. For a minute, I thought I might be in the wrong house but instead I grabbed my cup of coffee, and counted blessings.
My kids are great!!!

Fa la la la la

Christmas is almost here, and like most people I have a lot off stuff to do and I'm not close to finishing it yet.

My kids are going to be shocked when they grow up and find that it's not a "thing" to wait until the middle of the night on Christmas Eve to wrap gifts. I may have grown a few extra white hairs over the past few days!!!!

I have a little bit less to do since my parents are not going to be able to make it this year, but Ethan's gift still hasn't arrived and I need to stock my pantry. The kids have been home, on winter break, eating all day.
So, I still have to go to the grocery and get a few odds and ends today. I found it hard to run my errands today when the weather is was so gorgeous! It was 70 degrees and I couldn't help but force the kids to play outside while I supervise with my large glass of tea. So that is what happened, no grocery, no errands, nothing just a lazy day. It was perfect, except tomorrow will be a crazy day ;(