Sad day...

Alyssa is getting older. (Duh)Of course getting older means maturing and learning new things. Last night she lost a tooth, she proudly brought it downstairs to Jeff and me and announced that we could just give her the $5 and skip the whole tooth fairy deal. I knew it was coming, especially after she found all her baby teeth that I had in a box at the top of my closet. (Yes people, I kept them)
I swore once she began to question these things I would sit her down and tell her the truth. She has questioned Santa a lot in the last few months. Each time we are at strange places and I didn't want the place where I crushed those wonderful thoughts of a jolly man in a big red suit bringing all the gifts that she desired to be at a Wal-Mart. So, this morning I tried, I really did. When we were talking about the tooth fairy I asked her if she had any other things she wanted to ask us about. I know Santa is real she said...I could tell by the smirk on her face she was trying to convince herself he was. It was my time to jump in...Break the news...let her down gently. "He sure is!" I exclaimed.
Of course Jeff was no help...
Wonder how much longer I can go.

Random Updates

I'm always full of random thoughts.

* Gabriella had her one year well check yesterday. She weighs 18 pounds (same as Brandon at that age) and is 32 inches long.
We had a little bit of drama (ok, a lot of drama) with the shots. Actually the entire exam produced a lot of crying from my otherwise happy baby. The doctor said she could tell Ella stays home. Her stranger anxiety is "severe". Other than being small for her age, we got a clean bill of health.

* Wrestling is in full swing. Brandon loves every minute of it. I have to admit the busy schedule my kids keep do make the weekdays pass a lot faster. He's learning a lot of new moves and actually has a partner to wrestle with that is his size.
GV is no joke, as I remember from my high school days they were always very competitive...nothing has changed.

* Alyssa is working on a piece for her school newspaper now. About a month ago we got a new principal so Alyssa and one of her friends interviewed her. Her article should be in the next paper...I'll let you know how that goes.
Dance is going well too. One of her instructors (Mr. Jim) gives $$ to whoever can get down the steps the best in each class. Alyssa has been rewarded a few times. She's got some fancy foot work.

Nothing new really with Jeff and me. We're both just trying to keep a float with all the extra activities and work. It's been a crazy couple of weeks and it will only get crazier as tournaments start and Nutcracker rehearsals start to pick up.

Schedules....

I like schedules. Ask anybody who knows me...I like to plan things out and when my plans fall apart...well, I tend to be a little crabby. (Shut up, Jeff)
I do realize with kids plans and schedules don't always go together in the same sentence...but we still try.
The other night I was looking at the family calendar. We keep appointments, PTA events and meetings, church functions, play dates, wrestling practices, tournament dates, football practices and games, dance lessons and rehearsal schedules...well, let's just say we use the calendar for everything. It is nuts! My kids have officially taken over.
So...just in case you care. I present you a day in the life of me!

6am: Wake up....
I stumble in and wake up the kids. Alyssa usually wakes with no issue. Brandon, well...he takes some work getting up.

7:30 the time between 6 and 7:30 is all a blur. Somehow during this time the kids get up and get dressed. I always set out the next day’s clothes the night before. I find it really cuts down on last minute "my pants I NEED today are dirty" issues. They eat breakfast and brush teeth. I throw myself together and out the door we go.

7:35 drop the kids off

7:40 STARBUCKS. I have tried to cut this part out of my mornings...but darn it, it's hard!

8:00 I'm usually still at Starbucks chatting with the workers. I glance at the clock...shoot I'm supposed to be at work at 8.

8:30 I arrive at work. The boss is still not here...I'm safe!

Noon: I field a call from Jeff regarding Gabriella and lunch choices or something funny she has done.

2:30: another call from Jeff. This time to update me on the kids’ school day.

4:30 another call from Jeff...have I seen Brandon's wrestling shoe? Did I know I paired the wrong socks together, what time am I leaving?

5:00 Leave work...drive to Boulder City to pick up Alyssa

5:45 pick up Alyssa...darn traffic!

6:15 we're home.

6:16 I start cleaning. Breakfast dishes are still on the table and its' trash night. Jeff is at football or wrestling with Brandon so I know I have a minute to run the vacuum, pick up the toys, unload the dish washer and start dinner.

6:20 Jeff is home and that means so is Gabriella

6:25 fold some clothes. Wonder if the clothes I folded and put in the basket could wait just one more day to be put away.
Gabriella unloads the said clothes on the floor...better just put them away

6:30 dinner is cooking, dogs have been fed. I glance at homework and make a quick PTA phone call.

6:45 we eat...

7:00 I pile the dirty dishes in the sink, pop some popcorn for Alyssa and take Gabriella up for a bath. Wonder if she really needs one tonight...is the partials of food in her hair really noticeable?
YUP...off we go.

7:10 bath time. Why is toothpaste smeared all over the counter in the kids’ bathroom again and who keeps balling up toilet paper and sticking them down the drain?! And why?

7:30 Gabriella is in bed! Jeff leaves to pick up Brandon...

8:30 Brandon is home. I haven’t seen him since I rushed him off to school this morning. I love on him and listen to his stories.

9:00 ideally everyone is in bed now...

9:10 BRANDON GO TO BED!

9:15 Alyssa remembers she needs her pink dance shorts for tomorrow and they are buried at the bottom on the clothes hamper. Off to do laundry for me.

Between 9-10 I fold another load of laundry, load the dishes in the dishwasher from dinner, make lunches for the next day, check homework, and call my mom, swiffer the floor...

10-10:30 wake Jeff up for work.

10:30- Jeff leaves and I am a free woman..

Some days I do the dance run and Jeff does the wrestling run. On these days I will be gone from 7:30am-8pm! Nuts...

Ok...so not that you all really care about my days :)

Party Time

We celebrated Gabriella's birthday today with a small party. I'm a little bummed at my lack of pictures but I was busy...
She had a great time and got some cool new toys and clothes. She loved her cake and wasted no time digging in. I still can't believe my baby is one!

I'm going to be an Aunt again!

well, not really...so relax mom!

My best friend from back in high school is pregnant and we found out today that she's having a GIRL!!
Madalyn Isabel is due in March! Congrats Jessica and Kevin! We love you guys and are SO excited!

Team GV

This picture was taken at the first practice. Look closely, on the far side of the picture (by the coaches papers) you'll see my monster "taking a knee"


Yesterday was Brandon's first wrestling practice at Green Valley. It was also the first time that daddy had to leave the practice and not help out. We were both a little worried about how he would do...but it turns out he did great! In fact, the coaches were so impressed he was invited back to wrestle with the "experienced" kids on Tuesdays. I'm so proud of my little guy and I can't wait to see him in action at the first tournament. (mark your calendars it's December 8th)
Go team GV!!

Happy Birthday Gabriella

Our beautiful little Gabriella will be one tomorrow. I can't believe how fast this year has gone.
She is such a blessing to our family and we love her more than words could express. Happy Birthday baby Jane!

Oh this boy...

This was from last Friday. Brandon's class sang a few songs at one of the assembly's. He is my handful!

Pictures

Conversation with Alyssa

Last night when we were driving home from dance I had an interesting conversation with Alyssa.
It went a little something like this...

A: Mom, how do you know when God is trying to direct you?

(In my house we talk a lot about living life like God wants us to. How he guides us and directs us along this journey of life)

M: It will just feel right. We always have options in life, sometimes some seem better or more fun than others, but we have to take the time and pray about it. God answers even though it's not always what we want to hear. Why?

A: I'm not sure where I want to go to college.

M: you have some time before you have to worry about that

A: Did you pick daddy?

M: HUH, I thought we were talking about college...

A: She laughs

M: I did pick daddy, but only after God brought him to me.

A: me too?

M: Yup, God brought you both into my life.

Then as I continued to drive home I thought more about it.
After high school I was in my prime. I had so many options.
When I found out I was pregnant I followed my heart and did what I knew was right for me...regardless of what anyone else felt. Looking back now I realize that was God guiding me. At the time the path was less appealing but I chose to listen and am so glad that I did.
I hope Alyssa will always do the same.

Happy Birthday to me...

In honor of my 30th birthday I thought I would be a little self centered and do a post with 30 facts all about me!

1. I love Starbucks. Carmel lite fraps are my favorite. The girls at "my" Starbucks know me by name.

2. I love to shop

3. I love horses. When I was little I had a miniature horse named Sparky. I loved him so much! We had to sell him when we moved here. :(

4. I love God! Should have been my #1

5. I don't have very many friends, but I like it that way. I would rather have a few great friends that I trust and that get me than a lot of friends that don't.

6. My favorite food is a good steak and baked potato and of course my mother-in-laws pancit! mmmmmmmmm

7. My husband has the ability to make me madder than a hornet one second and melt my heart the next.

8. I have three amazing kids...I would love to have more. I have always wanted to adopt. I'm not sure that will ever happen but I trust that God will guide me in the direction that he knows is right for us.

9. I love watching my daughter dance. I wish I could dance like her!

10. My favorite flower is a Sunflower

11. I have two older sisters. I'm incredibly close to both of them!

12. If I could be anything (besides a stay at home mom) it would be an OBGYN.

13. In high school my nick name was "Bonita"...we were so lame.

14. My son was born at the same time I was...7:47 am

15. I like arts and crafts though I never have any time to do them.

16. I have a weak spot for Brandon. I have denied this many times...but something about that little guy just makes me weak.

17. One of my favorite things at the moment is when Gabriella says "mama"

18. When my hubby looks in my eyes I still get butterflies

19. I love romance movies. Nothing is better than a movie that can make me cry!

20. I hate laundry but apparently it loves me as it is always waiting around for me.

21. I like Coach purses

22. My guilty pleasure is The Hills on MTV

23. I like watching UFC, my favorite fighter is Forrest Griffin :)

24. I have always wanted to serve a mission in Mexico with my church but I'm afraid to leave my kids.

25. I like Christian music. My favorite artists are Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns and Kutless

26. I have to talk to my mom at least one time everyday.

27. I like taking pictures of my kids

28. I can't relax if my house is a mess...
I rarely get to relax :)

29. I'm on the board of the PTA. I have been since Alyssa was in first grade. By the time Gabriella will be done I will have served for 16 consecutive years!

30. I'm a night owl

That's it. I realize I'm a pretty boring person...
if you are still reading this...than thanks! :)