All Boy Bliss

Have I ever mentioned how much I adore being a mom to all boys? I never dreamed it would be so fun! My entire life B.B. (before babies) I dreamed of having girls. I would imagine going to ballet recital’s, tea parties, playing with Barbie’s, and buying loads of frilly pink clothes. That is a world I’m familiar with and assumed I would continue with a few little mini-Brooke’s. When Gabriel was born, that was my first taste of the land of lad’s and I haven’t left since. Gabriel, Grant, and Garrett are 100% male in every sense of personality and otherwise; and that means laughing at all bodily noises, making up silly songs about armpits or underwear, and giggling incessantly every time the word “butt” is uttered!:) This is my life. For the rest of my life. I’m sure as time goes on it will also include picking up sweaty gym socks and making weekly runs to Sam’s Club to keep up with the appetite of 3 teenage boys. As much as it differs from my original “plan” of raising a dainty, feminine girl, I could never imagine being happier. This is who I was meant to be in life; an all-boy mom. God knew better than me what our family needed… what I needed.
Last night when we were playing Star Wars and launching a coup against the Dark Side, it really hit me how much I love being the only girl in the house and the mother of 3 adventurous males. So often I second-guess my ability to raise my children, especially since they are boys and, well, I’m not. Grant said “I catapulted the Storm Trooper into the abyss” and I thought, “Wow, what a great vocabulary and creativity for a 2 year old”! Although I’m sure he heard that from me or Gabe at some point, I was still proud!:) The point is, each day they do something that cracks me up or makes my heart melt. To have your little one tell you “mommy you are beautiful” is better than any beauty pageant or prize I could win. I admit I have made my share of mistakes in raising boys too. A few months ago Gabriel wanted doughnuts for breakfast several days in a row. After Jim and I said no, and he asked “why” I said “because it will make our butts big if we eat like that all the time, it’s not healthy”. It made Gabe laugh and evidently stuck with him. Whenever we see someone with a little junk in the trunk one of the boys will say “LOOK MA, THEY ATE TOO MANY DOUGHNUTS”! Oh great. Lesson learned. That one came back to bite me in the you-know-where.:)

Eureka!

Now we're talkin'! I've been looking for a can't miss, giant calendar to get organized and this is the ticket!! The new Pottery Barn catalog came in the mail yesterday and it's listed for $179 (pricey). I'll have to save up but it's worth it. With Gabriel in school I've realized my organization must get better and that is my New Year's "goal". Now I just need to find a spot for it!

Sales Galore

If you got a gift card for Christmas now is the time to capitalize on it! I'm seeing super sales just about everwhere. Gap is having a big blowout and even though a lot is already picked over, you can still snag a few great bargains. I love this Polar Bear shirt for Garrett but they are already out of his size. Land's End and Old Navy are also offering deep discounts. Time to stock up! Oh wait, never mind...we are still broke from Christmas.:)

Back in the Saddle

It was soooo nice to have a long weekend! Back to work though, at least for a few days. Hope you had a blessed, wonderful Christmas! Now that the day has passed and the memory settled I think it could've been one of the best ever! At least from a gift and health standpoint. The boys had been sick but recovered enough to enjoy the day and it felt so great to be in our new home and host dinner for everyone. Jim got me the book "A Hand to Guide Me" by Denzel Washington and the new Taylor Hicks cd. He also hit a home run in the clothes department! My man has taste!:) He bought me some outfits and I was impressed. The boys and I also focused on wardrobe for him too. Now that he has a real office he likes to dress up more but he's a good old' boy and had a closet full of flannel mostly. That's fine with me but you need some variety too.:) He loves Ralph Lauren Polo and he'll be set for a little while. The boys were blessed with lots of gifts (thanks to Santa and Grammie)! They've been having a blast ever since and Gabe's Nintendo DS is a major hit! I love playing Super Mario Brothers!! It's so much fun, poor Gabe is going to have to share his game with daddy and mommy! Lol.:)

Last night I ran 3.5 miles at the Y. I told myself I would start training for the half marathon in January. For some reason I just don't have a threshold for anything more than 4 miles. I just get bored and tired and want to quit. Once I get past that hump I'm sure I can do it, I just need to stay committed. It's still hard to find the time I need and not feel overly guilty about training. To be honest, I think that's my biggest issue. When I'm on the treadmill for 35 minutes my mind is drifting to the boys and feeling bad for leaving them in the child watch area. Garrett has been VERY clingy lately and has a difficult time with anyone other than me. He's been teething and sick so naturally he wants his mommy.:) Last night I was just overcome with guilt for being apart from him and weighing my reasons for working out. Why? What is so important about running when I could be with my kids? I'm not overweight, I'm in somewhat good shape, what is the point? I know I set a goal and I want to acheive it but I need to decide if it's the right time. Anyway, that's my mindset lately. Better get going, enjoy the last full week of 2006!

Merry Christmas!!

I just have a quick minute to update and wanted to show these cute photos!
Christmas day is winding down and we are all pooped! Gabriel was thrilled to see the Nintendo DS he asked for. I think Santa had to pull some strings to get that one, but it was all worth it! The boys also got a new Jeep (pic. below) it has a real radio and gets in 95.5 The Fish! How fun, they can listen to mommy while they are on the road. Lol.:) We had such an amazing day and now now we are all stuffed and tired!:) Jim gave me a gorgeous pair of diamond earrings, I was shocked. I'm not really a jewlery person so I've been skimping by on the few pairs of Target earrings I've had for the past few years. He finally decided to get me one nice pair and they are really incredible!! I bought him some gift certificates and small items. We decided not to get the treadmill this year. Maybe at some point but after weighing all the options we'll just stick with the YMCA for the time being. Anyway, we are off to watch "Cars" and take a nap! Merry Christmas!!

Weekend at Great Wolf

We just returned from Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky and it was better than I could have imagined! They do such a good job of making it magical and the kids loved every minute of it. It's a water park with a rustic lodge theme and right now it's decked out like the North Pole. Last year we went around this time and decided we would make it a yearly tradition. We swam, visited with Santa, heard a local choir sing Christmas carols and even watched it snow in the lobby! My mom came along which was a huge help too. It was so neat to watch Garrett splash in the little kiddie pool, he is getting so big! Last year when we went I was pregnant and wobbling around and now he's here and discovering the water on his own! Gabriel is getting great at swimming by himself and Grant is just content to jump in and out over, and over, and over again! Lol.:) It was probably a 10 out of 10 and a perfect way to lead up to Christmas. On the way there we turned up the Christmas music and all sang our guts out, you can't buy memories like that!:)

I think we are pretty much set with presents except for one big item. Gabriel decided he wanted a certain video game device and recently added it to his list. Actually he mentioned it a while ago but I blew it off because he didn't even know WHAT it was! He heard his buddy talking about it and decided he wanted one too. Now he's been talking about it non-stop and has asked Santa for it, wrote it on his list, etc. Jim and I discussed it and decided to go ahead and get it for him (it's designed for kids so we think he would use it). So last night we tried to buy it only to discover they are sold out EVERYWHERE. I had no idea this was such an in-demand item?! Jim ended up waking up super early and leaving out hotel to stand in line for the store to open this morning (they were getting a shipment overnight). He was competing with people who had camped out and didn't get in fast enough. How did we all of a sudden become sucked into the marketing frenzy?! Jim is a competitor though so now this has made him want it even more! Yikes. I don't see how we'll manage to find one of these things a week before Christmas but, you never know! Stay tuned. To be continued.....:)

Kid in a Candy Store

I'm having so much fun anticipating Christmas! We've been so busy but it's the GOOD kind of busy, doing fun things.:) Yesterday my mom and I enjoyed a day at the spa and it was phenomenal! Nicole Jefferies Salon and Spa is one of my favorite places and my mom and I had such a great girlie day together! Jim's mom was also in town and we did lots of shopping and fun family stuff. I didn't want her to go! I think I'm pretty much done with my Christmas shopping and now I remember why I always wait until the last minute to buy gifts. I am so bad at delayed gratification and I want everyone to see what I bought them NOW!:) I get so excited about the things I found I just want them to open everything right away. Jim and I weren't going to get much for each other but we ended up going a bit overboard (at least I did anyway). It makes me happy to get things for him though because he usually falls by the wayside. He's such a low-maintenance guy and never asks for much so I wanted to give him a little extra TLC this season.

Gabriel, Grant and Garrett have been extra sweet so they ensure a spot on the "nice" list. Garrett has no clue of course but the other two boys discuss the elves, and Santa daily! I know we have a good balance though because they are well aware that it's Jesus' birthday and the true meaning of Christmas. I think that's the balance, we have fun but they also understand the big picture. The boys don't know it yet, but we have something planned for this weekend that I am so excited about! I'll definatley post pictures afterwards but I'm keeping it under wraps until then!

Trainer Bob!

We had so much fun with Bob Harper from "The Biggest Loser". I have followed every season and LOVE the show (and him)! He's trying to raise awareness and and education about the prevention of type 2 diabetes, but he also dished about the BL finale! I can't wait to watch next week, supposdley Erik has lost 180+ pounds total and will hardly be recognizable. It's so inspirational to see the transformation! Speaking of which, I have a window to exercise so I better take it!

An Investment or Dust Collector?

So here is the question of the day, are treadmills and home fitness equipment WORTH the expense? I would really like to know before unloading money on one.:) I've wanted a treadmill for the last several years but never say anything because I know it would be a major purchase (for us) and I'm not sure if it would be worth it. You always hear stories about people buying fitness equipment, using it for a few months and then letting it collect dust! I've had my eye on the Bowflex Treadclimber and would love to get one but they are just obnoxiously expensive. They are so cool though, it's like a mix between a cross-trainer (Precor) and treadmill. I saw an informercial about a year ago and was instantly mesmerized! Lol. When the weather is warm I run outside, but during the winter it's tough to find time to workout. We go to the YMCA but it's such an ordeal to pack up 3 little kids and hike up there, put them in the child watch area, etc. It sounds like I'm whining, but it would just be so much easier to walk downstairs in the basement, fire up the treadclimber, and let the kids play while we workout! Anyway, I have it on my list and told Santa I understand if he can't deliver such a big-ticket gift. I also posted this question on the forum and I'll be curious to read the input. What is a girl to do?!

My New Baby

Noooooooo I'm not pregnant again!:) This is another kind of baby, and I'm so proud this new bundle of joy is here! Lol:) It's not that dramatic really, I'm just excited to finally get the Mom Squad forum off the ground! It's a really neat tool for ladies with common ground to share thoughts and opinions, and questions about anything on your mind! Forget MySpace...this is the way to go! Lol.:) So please check it out. You have to register to be a member but it's super easy, fast, and free! It's not that I need yet ANOTHER thing to do online but this is a labor of love and something I hope will really create new bonds for a lot of ladies. If you've never been to a forum before it might take a few minutes to figure it out but it's very easy to navigate once you get the hang of it. Check it out here:http://forums.delphiforums.com/themomsquad/start.

Weighty Issues

I'm annoyed at the scale. I never used to weigh myself but we bought the dumb thing a few months ago and I've learned to despise it. Why do I do that to myself?! I should just avoid it all together. I'm trying to lose 10 pounds and it's just not happening. I know I want to lose the weight but it's not enough to truly bother me and motivate me enough DO it I guess. Friday we are having trainer Bob Harper, from The Biggest Loser in studio. I lovvve Bob!:) I can't wait to pick his brain and get a few insights on how to get back in shape. By the way, if you want to speak with Bob, he's going to answer questions around 7:10 so give us a call!

The fam. is doing great. Garrett's first tooth is in and he looks positivley adorable. He is such a happy baby and I can't get enough of it! I live for making him giggle and I never want to forget how priceless this stage is. Grant is still stuck in the pull-up stage and it's a work in progress. He's such a funny guy though, definatley charsimatic! Jim and I always imagine what he will be when he grows up (not that I am rushing it) but he's such a brilliant little boy and I love to just sit back and watch him go.:) Gabriel is really at the stage where he is soaking up everything about Christmas. He LOVES the fact he was named after the angel Gabriel and it's so cute to hear his face light up when he hears a song, or story about it. Jim's birthday was Monday (31) and we went on a date over the weekend to celebrate. I think that's it!! It's harder to update now with our ongoing hectic pace. If we are this busy now, how will I manage with 3 boys in school and sports?! One step at a time right?

The Mother Load.....Literally!

EBay is the best.:) I just sold a few of my maternity outfits and really hit the jackpot! I know it's a great category to sell because I've scoped out that section for about 2 years (up until I had Garrett). I spent way to much time researching good brands and trying to get a deal, and now it's paid off! I always gripe about the high price of maternity clothes but in some cases it can be an investment. NOM (Naissance on Melrose) is my favorite and I had ordered a bunch of stuff from them much to Jim's chagrin at the time.:) I told him it we would get about half the amount back though...and we really did! It took me this long to part with those things but now I'll have a bit more spending money for Christmas and besides, they would just be sitting in a box anyway. I still haven't brought myself to get rid of everything yet.

It has been a busy week, Jim has been gone for 6 whole days for a conference in Denver! I was a little nervous about flying solo with the boys for so long but it's actually been great. We miss Jim of course but the week went fast and the boys have been really well behaved. He'll be back today though, yippee!