New Tunes Tuesday

What else could go with my newest blog entry than this?? A little motivation to what I'm listening to in the gym!!  I've finally turned into what my husband has always wanted...a country girl! ( I mean, I am from TEXAS!)  I can't wait for this new cd by Luke Bryan...LOVE IT!!

♥U.D.S.♥

    Well...it has been a while since I have updated.  And lets just say that my little family has been keeping busy.  I'm finally down to counting the weeks until my husband's return.  And I must say that this deployment has flown by rather quickly.  The only problem is...now my weeks seem to be dragging.  So of course, that means that I try to keep the kids occupied, and try to stay out of the house.  The weather has been helping.  The sun and the heat are finally out...and we've been keeping busy at the beach and the pool.  I will update with pictures soon.

    On another note, I recently started up on my 5 week of Insanity.  The results are good, and the first day of my second month workout was rather 'KICK ASS!'  It is no longer a 40 minute workout, but now an hour long workout.  And it is crazy...INSANE.  I've finally reached my ULTIMATE GOAL.  And I can finally put on blast some of my numbers.  I will say that 3 1/2 years ago I started my journey of working out.  I started at the weight of 189.  I mean it just sneaks up on you, after having a couple of kids, and being out of work for a few years...you tend to lose yourself.  Everything revolves around being a mommy and wifey.  Everyone's needs and wants on the list always seem to come before your own.  So its only natural that I put myself last. With the help of my honey, and some of his NAVY PRT exercises I began a rigorous workout.  I began a new diet, and dropped out all my sugar drinks and stuck to just water.  And I began to run.  My first run was only one lap around the track, but through all the shin splints and soreness, I stuck through it.  It has take a few years, but I'm proud to say that I'm in the best shape of my life.  When once I could barely run a lap around the track, I'm now running 5-7 miles a day. 

    Throughout this journey, I've set small goals.  And every time I would reach that goal, I would just make up a new one.  And, well, my ultimate goal was to weigh in at 115.  And, this past week, I finally reached it!  I have NEVER been this tiny.  And I  NEVER thought that I would get into a size 3/4, but I did.  And now I'm just dedicated to staying healthy and helping others who need advice. 

    Although I am smaller in size, I have never changed inside.  I'm still me.  My little sister and I joke about me having the 'ugly duckling syndrome'...and if you ever saw the movie SHALLOW HAL, you know what we're talking about.  But in other words...it basically means that I was born an 'ugly duckling'. ( I mean I was always told I was cute), but in the end the 'ugly duckling' turns into a beautiful swan.  And because I was a timid tomboy, I never thought I was 'hot stuff'.  So I never had the attitude that many of the 'snobby', 'young', 'always beautiful', 'I can eat anything and everything and never gain a pound' girls tend to have.  I'm still me!

    So my advice to anyone out there that is starting on a new weight loss journey:  Stick to it, take it slow, and go one day at a time.  Don't get discouraged when you don't see the results you want in a week.  Don't EVER believe the magazine ads, and late night infomercials that have you thinking you can lose 30lbs in 2 weeks.  It has taken me over 3 years, and I'm still sticking to it.  If you take your time, you will learn to love the workout routine, and it will become part of your lifestyle.  And, please, stay true to yourself.  Instead of making others feel bad about themselves, give helpful hints...encourage other women and just be YOU. 

                                  



One Happy Mama

   Since the other half has been away for some months now, I've found myself making events just a tad bit grander than usual.  And, of course, it didn't stop me from making my only son's 8th birthday another grand event to mark off the calendar. 
    My mother's day weekend started off on Friday night.  I, along with my good friend Katie, attended the halfway party for my husband's command.  Of course it is a little more than halfway through, but nonetheless, it was a momentous occasion.  I finally got to meet up with some girls whom were merely facebook friends, but so much fun in person.  And in the ballroom filled with mainly well dressed women, we were able to spend the night without the kids, and let loose, as us full time mommies so seldom get to do.  There was great food, great music, and GREAT drinks.  But the most anticipated moment of the night was when we were able to watch the video sent to us as a gift from our loved ones overseas.  Just getting the slightest glimpse of the man I love...sent my heart on a flutter.  The night ended, and the kids and I spent the night in the beautiful hotel.

   Saturday marked another occasion off the calendar.  My son's 8th birthday bash.  We had planned for a backyard camp out for weeks.  And 4 little guys made the party complete!  The boys enjoyed 'Galactic Pizza', 'Cheezy Sabers'-(Cheeto Puffs), 'Yoda Soda'-(Lime sherbert/lime soda), and of course cake and my very own 'Jedi ice cream sandwiches'.

Then the boys enjoyed the little Jedi lounge I made for them in the garage.  It was a 'boys only' club which included more snacks, and of course every boys favorite...Wii entertainment!

When the sun finally went down, I broke out the glow in the dark sabers and necklaces...which very quickly became the discs from the current movie Tron.  (Boys and their imaginations!)  They began battling and calling themselves 'gamers' and 'users'.

    I thought the night would finally come to an end around 10, when I had tucked all the little guys into the tent...but, boy, was I wrong!

I think my backdoor opened every 2 minutes with complaints about noises, rain, tsunamis, and acrobatic strangers who just might of jumped the fence to ruin the guy's night.  So the night actually ended around midnight, when two of the 5 boys slept in the living room.

   And, of course, my Mother's day began at exactly 6am.  The boys had all made it back into the house, and they were ready for some warm breakfast.  So I served up 5 plates of scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast...and one bowl of rice crispy cereal.  Then after much begging, the boys finally got their party bags.  Which they loved, and I just had to take a pic of the funny items they had in their bags.

  And one by one each boy left our home, to return back to their mothers and celebrate another occasion..Mother's day.  And because the day was cloudy and rainy, we, as a family, decided to hit up the much anticipated movie THOR.  And the little guy and I couldn't hold in all the excitement the summer line up of previews brought us. Because we knew that we would finally be able to enjoy them with the other man of the house.
   And my weekend ended early Sunday evening.  I was pooped! I got a surprise gift made by the little man in his art class, and a beautiful card.  And we all fell asleep on the living room couches.   And as I type here on a Monday night...both of my kids are sleeping in a tent.  They just had to give it one more good use before I take it down in the morning...who knows, I just might go join them after a quick workout.<3

Couldn't Resist!!

   In honor of my girlish mood lately...I heard this song for the first time the other night...and both my little girl and I couldn't resist moving our body to this latest Beyonce tune!!  Typical Beyonce...Love It!!

♥ I Love Being A Girl...

   

     Well...after a long, almost two weeks, of INSANE workouts (including my regular running routine), I was a bit exhausted and ready to get my pretty on! And, together, my little girl and I decided to get our first pedicures.  I must say, that I have just recently found my 'Inner Girl' mode, and I do believe that I owe it all to my little diva.  She is more of a girly girl than I have ever been.  I have no idea where she gets it from, because as far as I can remember...I have always been tough as nails.  And for the three years that I had with my son, alone, i was just so use to telling him to 'toughen up' and 'shake it off'.  But the day that I had my little girl...things changed.  I had always hated the color pink, but since I was living with my two favorite guys...I was just so ready to bust out of the red and black stage and color my walls tickled pink.  I was finally so glad to even the field out with my new bundle of joy.  She is the best shopping buddy, and she has a great taste in fashion.  I can always trust her opinion in the dressing room...because it is true...little kids will always tell you the truth.  So I take full advantage of this, because I know that sooner or later the teen years will creep up on me, and I dread the day that she will no longer want my opinion or say in any matter.

    And now that she is a little bigger, I can easily take her out for girl outings...which I have been making a little more often.  My husband asked me today..."why are you trying to get all dolled up?",  "What is the occasion?"   The occasion is simply...celebrating my womanhood with my little girl!  What else reason can I give.  So no matter how crazy I think she looks when she walks down the stairs in full makeup and princess attire. Or how funny she sounds when she asks her coach "Where did you get your shoes?...I love them." when she goes up to bat...I am so proud and blessed to have a little girl of my own.  One, who no matter what I like, or think, already has a mind of her own at the age of 4.  It just proves to me that she will be a strong minded little lady.  I just hope that this all doesn't come back to nip me in the butt when she hits 16! <3

Sappy Memories...

    I'm feeling a little nostalgic tonight...(*note to my future kids: If your girlfriend/boyfriend in high school says they want to pass on prom because it is overrated...TAKE THEM TO PROM ANYWAY!!)

(Insert Head Here:)

   

    Another Disney movie has been scratched off the list.  And because the mister has been gone for quite a while, my weekends consist of kid movies.  And this weeks pick was no different.  Although I thought my children would opt for the new 3D cartoon movie, they shocked me when they said they wanted to see the new Disney movie 'PROM'.  It came as a shock because both of my kids are still in single digits of age.  Of course my baby girl wanted to see it the most.  She is my 'little diva', and she is really into fashion.  And her face glowed when she saw the dresses the teens were wearing in this movie.  Sometimes I believe she is growing a little faster in her head than in her body.  And I never thought my tough manly son would ever want to see a chick flick.  But it was the first time that he said he wanted Adrianna to pick the movie!  The movie was cute, and girly but it had me thinking of my high school sweetheart...the mister!

    And I wasn't thinking about missing him...I was thinking more about the insane reason he never took me to prom.  Of course we began getting a little closer around spring time of our junior year.  And although we both had feelings for each other, he had already asked another girl to the prom.  So, as tough and nonchalant as I was, I just brushed it off my shoulder and waited until he called me after prom...which he did.  And because the girl was from a different school, I didn't have to worry about running into her after the occasion.  And the crazy part was...our first outside date, the first time he was introduced to my mother, was on this very day.  The day I went around town, running errands, and helping him get ready for an occasion that I would never get to experience with him.  But, I must say, it was one of my favorite days with him.

   The following year we were still a couple.  And we were SENIORS!  And at the beginning of the year, I just knew that we would make this prom better than the previous year.  But the talk of prom was very little.  It seemed that most of our friends were not even attending.  And when the time came, he looked at me and said..."do you really want to go?"  And at that point it didn't seem that exciting.  It was a little expensive, and we always had more fun cuddling at home.  So, we decided to pass on the prom, and eat in.  I never really minded.  Nothing new really happened.  But it wasn't until my little girl started asking questions about prom, that I really started regretting the whole situation.

    It started with a simple question..."Mom, when you were little...did you go to prom?"  I, then, decided to bust out the old photos.  And my favorite picture of the mister when we were teens was his prom picture. (The solo one...that is.)  He looked so handsome and well put in his suit.  And my daughter's eyes gleamed when she saw her daddy dressed so nicely in front of the starry, cloudy canvas background.  Then I decided to tell her that he didn't take me to the prom.  "Awww...why didn't he take you to prom?" she said with her lip all puckered pink.  "Because he took another blond girl instead!"  I said with disgust.  "Well if I ever see her...I'm gonna pull her hair out!" she exclaimed waving her tiny little rounded fist in the air.  She always seems to put a smile on my face...because she seems to grow more and more like me everyday!

   Afterwards, she looks to me and says, "when I get bigger, we can go to prom together."  And at that point I smile and grab my tiny tape recorder and say...."Can you repeat those words one more time, straight into the microphone?!?" <3

Happy Friday Tunes!

   I'm still going strong with the new workout, and I'm still keeping up with the running.  So far so good.  And I'm seeing some results already!!  Love this workout.  Anyways, I feel the need to post another song I'm running to in the gym.  Love this song...all her songs seem to be such a motivation.  Happy Friday!<3

Holy Shiznit!!

    This INSANITY thing ain't no joke!!  I have just finished only my first day.  And it is only a fit test DVD for day one, but boy, I'm beat!  I decided to run four miles outside in 85 degree weather today, because as I do want a new workout routine, I don't want to lose my running skills.  But I must say I'm sweating terribly right now.  I hope to stick to this strenuous routine for the next 60-some days.  And I'm hoping by the end of this...I see some results!

First Day Fit Test Results:

• Switch Kicks:120 kicks
• Power Jacks: 53 jacks
• Power Knees: 93 knees
• Power Jumps: 38 jumps
• Globe Jumps: 11 jumps
• Suicide Jumps: 19 jumps
• Push-Up Jacks: 30
• Lower Plank Obliques: 53

 My least favorites were all the damn jumps, but my favorites had to be the push-up jacks and the lower plank obliques.  Tomorrow night starts another INSANE DVD for 40 minutes.  I hope I last!<3

Great Spring Break!

   Well...its Monday.  And I must say I'm probably the only one alive loving this day of the week.  Although it has been a great spring break, and we have done plenty as a family, I'm just ready to send my kid back to school and get back into routine!

    I made sure that spring break was filled with plenty of activities to keep my kids busy.  We enjoyed watching two movies during this break.  I took my son to a movie of his choice...SCREAM 4.  (Can you believe that I was actually 12/13 when the first movie came out?) But this was his choice, and I must say that I will not be buying the DVD.  Then later during a rainy/story day, we enjoyed the movie RIO.  This movie was a must see...it was filled with great music and comedy.  We love going to the movies, and we especially like to see the previews to movies that we plan on taking daddy to when he returns.

    Also, my good girlfriend had the idea to take the kids to the fire station.  I had some thoughts that it might be a little boring, but I was completely wrong.  It was exciting.  We got our own personal tour of the fire station, and firetrucks.  These firefighters seem to love getting little ones in the station to teach them all kinds of things.  Needless to say we had a great time, I would totally recommend a tour to any family.  Big thanks to Melissa and all the firefighters in Fire station 4!

    We ended our spring break on Easter Sunday!  We invited our buddies Kate and Braden over for some Easter lunch and of course an Easter egg hunt in the backyard.  We enjoyed plenty of food...thanks to Chef Kate, and tons of candy.  I am so grateful to have a great friend to keep me company while my hubby is gone.  And, of course, I plan on returning the favor when her hubby deploys soon. <3

   

   We have been slacking in the reading department...due in large part to my loving interest in Water for Elephants.  But I do plan on getting back to our books tonight.  As well as all of that I plan on making all of my remaining nights INSANE...with my INSANITY workouts.  Can't wait!

I'm Baaaack!

    I am so do for a blog update.  My computer was sick with a virus, so I had to bust out the wallet to pay for an 'antibiotic' to get my baby up and running again.  I feel as though this computer is another child I must pay for each year!
    On the upside, I'm excited to report that I am now extremely excited for the next months to come.  We've got a lot planned to get these months to fly by quickly.  And we have already made plans for a great summer when we are finally reunited with our hero.

    We attended a Children's Easter party, thrown by our command, a few weeks ago.  Although the day was wet and gloomy, the kids and I managed to make the best of it.  We enjoyed a day filled with food, pony rides, and our favorite....bowling.

    I have also been looking for a new exercise plan to get me toned for summer.  And I'm proud to say that Monday I will officially be going INSANE!  A friend of mine let me borrow the 60 day challenge...INSANITY!  And, although people may think this sounds crazy....I'm so excited to get to it.  I have grown to love working out...and may have even become a little obsessed.  So I will keep you updated on my progress.

   Our spring break is almost over.  But I have managed to keep the kids busy with activities and play dates!  Luckily the weather is really good.  And on the rain days we managed to catch a few new movies at the theater.  I have also got around to finishing a verrry good book.  And now I just have to find a friend to drag to the movie. 

 I am so glad to be up and running on this computer again, and look forward to logging more memories of this current deployment. <3

UGH!!

As of now, I'm going a little nuts with this dag gum computer!!  It seems to be having many problems, and I've already dished out cash for a cleaning by my security computer company...but nothing seems to be working.  So I will be M.I.A. for awhile.  And will try to post if I can get this computer working again.

Not So Great Friday!

Basically...with all that is going on in Capitol Hill right now...this picture explains, pretty much, what all of us 'military folk' are thinking at this very moment.  So along with this picture I decided that this song would fit perfect with my usual Friday tunes.

Double Post: Song Challenge

    So I've finally decided to give into this song challenge.  What the heck?  Just another way to countdown the days I guess.  So big thanks to the sister for sending me this challenge.

    Day 1: My Favorite Song: 'Clumsy' (Fergie)

                I just love this song! It always seems to get me in a good mood, and the little background beat reminds me of my older sister's hot pink keyboard she got for Christmas when we were younger.  We always loved to press the button just to hear the beat.  And, of course, the first verse is exactly how I felt when I met the Mister!<3

            

Counting Down the Days!

   Well, its getting close to that halfway point on my calendar which is taped to the front of our refrigerator door.  And I must say that it came by pretty quickly.  When my little sister came to visit us, it made the time go by extra fast.  But now, it only seems that the next months will go by slower, since I have nothing really to look forward to, besides the 'Big Day'.  Of course, I will continue on with my regular busy routine, to keep the kids moving forward with me, but the anticipation is finally catching up to me.  And I'm so ready to make this family whole once again. 
    I've been lucky enough to communicate with my hubby at least once a day, so its odd to say that most times we really have nothing to talk about.  And lately we have been making plans for his return home.  I'm sooo happy to say that, by the looks of it, we may be making that much wanted visit to Disney World again!  I think I'm happier than the kids, but how else should we celebrate his return than in the happiest place on Earth!?
    So, now instead of counting down the days for his return...I should start counting down the days til Disney...maybe that will make the 'Big Day' come sooner than expected. <3

A Very Happy Friday!

   Well after yesterday, I feel so good today.  Its Friday, and I love the weekends because my kids and I always have a great time together.  Tonight we plan on going to 'cosmic bowling'.  The kids have only been to the bowling alley during the day, so I thought I'd surprise them with a little glow in the dark bowling.  The sad part about today is that it is STILL raining!  I really hope it clears up in time for our rescheduled opening day events tomorrow.  Both Gavin's games were cancelled due to the weather, and I know he is just itching to play.  So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I must get out of the door early today to get some much needed grocery shopping done before the 'payday' crowd rolls in.  So I leave you a happy tune, that I just heard, and LOVE.  I'm not a big fan of J.Lo...but I must say this song reminds me of the parties my parents use to have when we were stationed in Panama.  Enjoy and have a great weekend!<3

When It Rains...It Pours.

  Well its raining here, again, like the third day in a row.  And I've been somewhat frustrated with having to stay indoors and look at the rain run down my windowpane.  On top of this 'cabin fever' I've been experiencing, my other half and I have had our first deployment argument.  It only took us 3 months to finally reach this point. 
  It came to me at a surprise, since lately all we have been doing is sending millions of 'I love you's' and 'miss you's', and talking  more intimately then usual. (It happens when you are apart for this long.)
But I must say that, it was me that initiated the argument, and it only boiled my blood more, when I couldn't actually 'Yell' at him, but had to send all of my frustrations to him in texts!  And, of course, it only added more fuel to the fire when the delayed texts were coming into my phone, and were beginning to make no sense at all.
   So that's when I decided to step away from the phone for a few minutes to collect my thoughts.  And I began looking through the computer for some much needed rainy day images.  And it had me thinking of a rainy day oil painting that use to hang in the hallway of my childhood home.  I don't have the picture of it, but I can remember the painting so vividly.  And I sat here for a few minutes trying to think of a way to ask my mother if I could have it.  But the painting has rain falling from the sky, and what I can remember a number of little girls dressed in pastel raincoats, and matching umbrellas.  And I do believe that they all had smiles on their faces.
    So with that image in my mind, I took a few breathes, and felt a calm flow through my veins.  And at that moment my phone rang.  Of course, it was the Mister.  Needless to say, he was a little flustered, and confused.  But what caught my ear, was that he was more worried about satisfying my feelings, and getting me into my 'happy place'.  Of course, I was already over what had worked me up, but just hearing his voice, and getting whatever off of my chest tranquilized my mood even more. 
   But, even more, his words..."Don't stop loving me" went through my heart like a dagger.  I had never heard him say this before.  It made me realize that, even though he is on the other side of the world, that he would think or even be concerned that I would just 'stop loving him' over something so minuscule, and no more than a miscommunication error.  And those words, alone, dropped the whole argument.  I was done.  Did I really want him thinking irrationally during this, already difficult separation?
   So, with a few I'm sorries and I love yous we ended the phone call.  And a few texts later, we are back to our lovey dovey communications.  And ironically the rain has stopped...but it doesn't look like it will be going away anytime soon.  But as long as my tiny dilemmas have some resolution...I'm good.  Now as I sit here typing, I look to my kitchen, and hope that this rainy, cloudy, windy day might blow some good fortune along my way.........Like maybe... Mary Poppins?  I can sure use a 'spoon full of sugar' right about now. <3

*!@# My Kids Say!

    On my sister's flight back to Texas, she texted me about a man she saw on one of her flights.  She said that the guy had a rat tail, but it was really bushy and looked more like a squirrel's tail.  Well this gave me a little chuckle.  So after I had a laugh the kids asked what was so funny.  So I let them know what my sister had texted me.  Gavin laughed, because he thinks anything my little sis says is sooo hilarious, but Adrianna just had a questioned look in her eye.  Then she replies...."Well...he probably eats too many nuts!" 
    She just knows how to brighten my day!! <3

Opening Day Bust!

    Well, so much for opening day!  Right now, I would be enjoying a much anticipated day at the ball fields with my little sluggers, but the weather just so happened to rain on my parade!!  We were up and at 'em at 7 AM.  And I was rushing them to get in all their gear.  I had even spent a day making Gavin's team poster for their opening day charades!  But now we are stuck in the house on another gloomy, rainy day.  After rushing the kids and getting them looking like the all stars they are, we received the call that opening day was cancelled until next weekend.  Of course this made the kids bummed, but that didn't stop me from taking these few pics for their daddy.  And of course my kids are still smiling.  So I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the weather is better on Monday and Wednesday...so I can get some action shots of my Yankees!!

♥ Happy Friday ♥

    Well this is a little uncommon of me to post... but this jam had us running around and dancing all around the living room today.  I woke up a little late, and did not even remember to turn on the radio today.  But my daughter made it a priority to turn on her morning cartoons.  And low and behold, this song came on during the cartoon break.  We've heard it before, but we absolutely can't keep our feet still when we hear it!  And not to mention we love every single word in the song, and who doesn't love The Roots!!  Enjoy your weekend. <3

♥Just A Little Sick♥

     I always seemed to be in such a rush to move out of my childhood home, and run free in the field of flowers known as life.  But as I've grown into an adult and started a family of my own, I'm having some remorse of how quickly that time came to be.

     As a navy brat, I never really had just one childhood home.  My father's career choice had us moving to a new state and home about every 4 years.  But that really doesn't make it anymore or less of a home to me.  Because Home of course is where your family is.  Now, as a Navy wife, we find ourselves stationed at a duty station that is very familiar to me.  Because I spent a significant part of my life growing up here.  And yet, every now and then on my drive home from the gym, I find myself turning left on Inlet Avenue.  Just to take a drive down memory lane.  Of course my family is no longer living in this home, but I just like to see what the new homeowners have done with the place I use to call home.  And I'm shocked to know that they've turned a once nice red brick house into an odd white brick home.  (But that's just my opinion.)  And my kids, who are in the back seat just love to ask questions about my childhood, and they stare out the window as if passing by an exhibit in a museum.

     So here I sit, on this gloomy, cold, rainy day just reminiscing about past memories I shared with my brother and sisters.  Some good and some bad, but nonetheless great memories that I cherish everyday.  And I find myself homesick.  Yes, me, a wife, mother, adult and yet still very homesick.  What I would do  just to sit back and enjoy another warm meal made by my mother.  Or dance to a tejano tune with my father.  And yes maybe even share a few laughs with my sisters and brother, of whom I was so set on leaving behind as a free 18 year old 'TEENAGER'.  My father warned me of this feeling.  But of course, as a young teenager, I always brushed that aside and told him otherwise.  Ugh.  Tonta. 
     Knowing my feelings now makes me only want to give my children memorable moments to share as a family, so that one day they can feel the same way.  And of course they will always know that, although the road trip may be a little long, and stuffy it will always lead to the same place...HOME. <3

   
   

Ahhh...My Favorite Season Has Finally Arrived!

    Some of my all time favorite memories have included a ball and a bat...Thanks dad!

      And no, its not Spring!  It is BASEBALL season.  Baseball season was instilled in me as a little girl by my actively competitive ball playing father.  As a child I always was really tough, and always wanted to be better than the boys.  And for my first year of ball playing I was the only girl on my baseball team, and probably the only girl in the league.  And since then, I have loved the sport.

      Years later I continued to play the sport.  But by this time, society added an all girl sport of softball.  And, of course, that became my life.  One of my fondest memories was watching Team USA on TV with my father.  At that time, I had my heart set on one day playing on Team USA with my all time favorite softball player, Lisa Fernandez.  I practiced hard, and took the game seriously when all the other girls were just there to check out the boys on the baseball field next to us.

      During the off season of my junior year of high school, I met a boy that shared as much interest in the sport as I did.  In fact our first conversation was about baseball.  And we also just so happened to be pitchers for our high school teams.  As time went by, we attended each other's games, and always had constructive criticism to give one another.  Soon after that we were signing each other's initials and jersey numbers on each other's pitching hands.  And although my father never mentioned it to me...I'm pretty sure that he was beginning to see his slugger daughter slowly turning into something that every dad dreaded...a young woman.

 

      Eleven years later, me, along with that same baseball boy, are still together.  And we still share the same interest...playing ball. This will also be the 4th year our son is playing the sport.  As parents we never really pressure our children into playing a certain sport.  But, lets just say, we are so ecstatic with how he has grown to love the sport.  He is very much like his father.  He is only 8 years old, and yet he practices how he plays everyday.  He is the first kid at the field, and the last one off the field.  He hates when other kids goof around at practice, and he is the first one to give his younger sister pointers during her t-ball practice.  I only wish his father could be here to see how much difference a year makes.  It seems like only yesterday he was rolling around the dirt field after his father's Navy Hospital championship game.  And I always thought he liked being at the field because of the running around, and snack eating.  But I'm beginning to believe that he was silently watching what joy it brought his father.  And then I think of myself as a child again.  And the feeling I got when my father's face lit up as I rounded third to get home.  I guess it does run in the blood. <3

   

♥Little Update♥

   Just wanted to pop in to say that we are currently enjoying a great visit with my sister.  She came to visit us all the way from Texas, and we are out enjoying the sun while it lasts.  I will be back when I find a free minute to update the blog soon!! <3

Week'End' Literature

    Read this book you must! (in my Yoda voice)  Well as usual we ended our weekend with some great books.  And We finally finished our 'Strange Case of the Origami Yoda'.  It was a great read for my little boy.  And at the end of the book are directions on how to fold your own Yoda.  It took me a while to make it...but with a few tweaks, this is how he came out!

I had to do all the folding, because Gavin was LOST.  But he colored and decorated him.

All in all, a great read for any little boy, or any Yoda fans.

Now if only I can keep him from sneaking it to school!<3

Tomorrow we will begin a new book I picked up at Barnes and Nobles this weekend.  And we will be reading it as a family.

Since my boy says he's not interested in 'FAIRY TALES'...I thought that this would change his mind!  Can't wait. <3

♥Happy Friday!♥

    I love Fridays!! Who doesn't?  But Fridays, for me, allow me to scratch threw another week on the calendar!  And to be honest, these weeks have been going by rather fast.  And looking at the calendar today makes me happy, because my little sister will be visiting in 8 days.  We can't wait!  But for now I'm tagging along a song that both my son and I love.  He is a big Linkin Park fan, and this is the song that I have on the ipod that I usually save for my last mile in the gym.  It gives me the little adrenaline rush I need to finish my mileage off strong.  This weekend we plan on seeing a free movie on the base for our ship's families.  And possibly a surprise stop at the bowling alley Sunday.  Have a great weekend. <3

Thrifty Thursday Finds

     Okay.  I have found that I am turning in to my mother more and more each day.  I have become obsessed with DIY projects, and also very obsessed with Thrift Stores!!  Although my husband, would not like to join me on these escapades...I'm totally planning on bringing him on these trips with me when he returns.  I think as I've grown, that my taste in decor has changed.  I'm totally in love with shabby chic/country cottage right now.  And I will never pass up a perfectly priced antique.  On these days I wish my mother was here to join me.  ( I MISS TEXAS.)  I made a few trips to some local thrift stores just to see what I could find.  Although I didn't see any big ticket items...I did pick up a few things.  And Adrianna found some items as well.

I'm in love with these jars I got for $3.00 together.  I've been seeing them in many of my favorite home magazines.  And I've been trying to add plenty to organize our pantry and make things a little more accessible for my little monsters.  I will be adding chalk board labels when I receive them in the mail!

Adrianna has been growing A LOT!  And I've been noticing that she is too tall for her old baby doll stroller.  So I was surprised when she found this doll stroller at the thrift store for only $3.00.  And it was just the right size for her tall frame, now she doesn't need to hunch over like Quasimodo when she is taking out her dolls for a walk.  But I think she enjoyed taking 'Papi' for a walk more.

And she also couldn't pass up this Barbie cruiser for $.99.  She said she needed a vehicle for her boys (who don't like to ride in her hot pink barbie convertible)!

All in all, an okay day at the thrift store.

Still on my List:

• entry bench (for shoes)
• antique dresser (in need of makeover)
• cubbies (for everyday organization)
• Old frames/mirrors
• and more jars (for my kitchen)