5 Question Friday

Thank God it is Friday again (although I have to work tomorrow). If you wanna link up, head on over to Mama M.

1. If you had $1,000 to donate to a charity, which would you choose? I would donate it to the lymphoma society. My grandma lost her battle to this cancer so I would love to help in any way I can.

2. Snow days: Do you welcome them happily or are they a pain in your butt? I live in Central Texas so if we actually had a snow day, it would be a big deal. I would welcome them happily if I could also stay home from work so I could play with my kids in the snow.

3. What talent did you wish you had and why? I wish I could sew. My mom does some awesome work and I can't make a thing.

4. Are you a news, politics or celebrity gossip junkie? I'm a celebrity gossip junkie, I'm not going to lie. That was my mail reason for originally getting a twitter account.

5. What is your favorite "cocktail"? (Are you a beer person, a kiddie cocktail junkie, or perhaps your more the "Cosmo" kind?! Anything flies...doesn't hafta be alcoholic!)

Before I had my last child, I loved malibu rum punches. Now, I'm in heaven with a glass or two of Moscato wine. Yummy!

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

The Versatile Blogger

Two awards in one weekend!!! The blog Gods have smiled upon me. Ha! My award came from Faster Than Forever.... That can only mean one thing....people are actually reading this damn thing.

Here are the rules for this one:

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post

Tell us 7 things about yourself

Award 15 recently discovered new bloggers

Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received the award

7 things about myself:

1. I apparently can do fine on little sleep. After taking care of the family, dinner, some laundry and a little tv time I turn to the computer for at least an hour or so and then lay down and watch some tv by myself. 6-7 hours is a good night.
2. My friends mean as much to me as my family does...that's just how I am.
3. I am a VERY honest person. When I was younger people took it as I was bitchy. Now that I'm older people like this quality. If they want an honest answer (and not someone to just agree with them) they know they can count on me.
4. My kids are number 1. I will do any and everything for them.
5. I like to help other people get organized, but have a hard time doing it myself.
6. I love the color turquoise.
7. I get down on myself alot more than people think. But I don't think anyone should be down with me so I just smile.

Now, to give this award out:

1. LindseyMae just started her blog last week. I like her blog, but I might be a bit partial (she's my cousin).
2. Paige over at Mommyof5. I praise any woman that can handle 5 kids. I really praise them when 4 of them are boys!
3. And So It Goes.... has a sweet little blog as well. Our babies are very close in age so I like to see what she is going through with her little one.
4. Mommy A. over at Being Veruca. She blogs about her kiddos, the struggles with breastfeeding and work. Love it
5. Mynx over at Dribble.... has a gem of a blog herself...check her out!
6. Me and Mr. C. is one of the cutest blogs ever. She does some what of a photo essay for the day. It's about her, and her hubby...and the cute little chubby boy.

I know that is only 6 and not 15! It's late and I'm sleepy (and it is my blog and I can change the rules, lol). Congrats to everyone!

The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award

I know, I'm behind on my posts. Friday the wonderful Amber LaShell over at Amber LaShell Rants gave me this sweet ass award! I was so excited! This is my first blog award!

The Rules for this award are....List 5 guilty pleasures and then pass the award on to 3 other people. Simple enough.

1. I love photography! I can find a reason to bring my camera to anything. I will photograph just about anything.
2. I love Little Ceasar's crazy bread....this is a bad, bad thing.
3. So You Think You Can Dance! Sorry, but if this show is one...you cannot get ahold of me.
4. Scrapbooking. Even though I haven't had time to do this in months, I love it and find it relaxing.
5. My blog....I have to check it at the very least once a day... If something happens to a fellow blogger, I need to know.

And now the Award goes to.....

1. Medical School Mama. I think her blog is so cute!
2. Canadian Blogger Girl. I love her blog as well. She has some crazy neighbors and I love following their tragedy of a life as parents.
3. Mama M. over at My Little Life. I like seeing her photos and funny stories about raising children.

And there it is! Thank you again Amber, you are awesome.

Fat Tuesday

I know I'm late, I don't care. I have a million posts in my head that I need to catch up on but I've been busy. It happens deal with it!

I wasn't looking forward to my Fat Tuesday post anyways. I gained 2 effin pounds. What the hell? I've been watching what I eat. Eating smaller portions. Eating more salads. I even did cardio.

I won't be discouraged though. I'm sticking with this. I want a cute body again. I almost forgot what it looked like so I want to see it again.

I hope everyone else did good this week!

One Year Old!

Just a quick post! My baby turned one today!!!! We did a photo shoot this morning. Turned out great. The party is tomorrow. I'll update soon! Enjoy the photos!!!

5 Question Friday

Another week down! It's Friday! That means it is that time again. Feel free to link up with Mama M. 1. Where did you meet your spouse and did you instantly know it was love?

Like Mama M. it is a romantic love story. We also met at a bar on my 21st b-day. We talked all night, danced and even kissed. But, the boy was to shy to ask for my number so two weeks went by before he saw me again. The really sad part about that, our dads worked together so he could have totally gotten my number if he wanted to. 11 years later and I love him more and more every day! 2. What is your favorite room in your house? The kitchen. It really is the "gathering place". When we have parties, I would have to say we are in there alot....maybe we just like to eat, i don't know.

3. Can you wiggle your ears? Not voluntarily. I notice my ears do move when I chew....I try to keep my hair down to distract from that.

4. What is your evening ritual? I get home and start dinner and play with the baby in the process. I try and talk to the other two kids, but Devon is usually playing his ds and Alexys (teenager) is usually in her room or on the computer. We eat dinner. I clean up the kitchen and then give the baby a bath and then a bottle. I then chill on the couch for a little while and then I get in a little computer time before calling it a night.

5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

Very minimum....4 hours...but I'm still cranky on just 4 hours but I can at least function.

BFF material

It's crazy how when you get older your "friendships" are so different then when you were younger. Remember in school? You had one BFF that you told EVERYTHING to! I've noticed as I've gotten older that it is harder to have just one person to everything to. I have several "best" friends but I don't think I talk to any one of them about everything. I do have one that I talk about almost everything.

What I have noticed more than anything....some of my friendships are very one sided. Some friends realize you are a great friend but only want to be "bffs" when it fits their lifestyle at the moment. They are the selfish friend. You rarely call them if anything important happens to you but they ALWAYS call you when something major happens to them. (Damn being a good listener right?) These also happen to be the people that are really just not bff material. Never have been and probably never will be.

I consider myself lucky that I have several ladies that I feel close to. But I also wonder some time.... Do anyone one of these ladies know the real me? And does anyone think of me as a close or "bff"?

But no matter what the case is, my friends do know some important things about me as a friend. I will always listen to you when you need someone to just be there. Also, I will always be honest (not always a good thing). When people ask for my opinion, I give it to them..honestly. I don't tell people what they want to here. Really? Who does that help anyways? I always say what I personally think. Does that mean that they are wrong if they don't agree? No.

There really wasn't much point to this post. But I do think that ladies think about this from time to time.

Fat Tuesday

So today I weighed myself! I only lost .2 pounds. I'm not discouraged though. Saturday I started doing the Just Dance on the Wii. What a great cardio workout! I've done it everyday since then. I think that, combined with eating a lot better and I'll start to see some progress.

How are you doing?

My Weekend

I had a really nice weekend!

Friday night I stayed home with my boys. When they went to bed I organized a few things around the house.

Saturday my daughter watched the boys for a little while. I was able to get some errands done, without children.

When I got home I got the baby and met up with a friend!

We went for a drive and took all these pictures. It was so much fun!

Later that night, I watched a friend's daughters.

We played Just Dance on the Wii and danced our asses off!

Honestly, I haven't had that much fun in awhile.

Sunday was a chill day. I was pretty lazy most of the morning.

Then I took Alexys and a friend to the mall and then when they were done....

We came home and played Just Dance again! Let me just point out that I totally schooled my daughter! IT WAS AWESOME!!! There wasn't a song she could beat me at!

How was your weekend?

5 Question Friday

Here we are again! Link up with Mama M. if you are interested.

1. What movie could you watch over and over again and not get tired of? Grease and Footloose. I know it is sad but they have been my all time favorite movies since I can remember. 2. What's your biggest pet peeve right now? I think I have a few but they are dumb. I hate hearing teeth on forks. I hate when my photos are out of order. There are many more but I don't wanna embarrass myself. 3. If you had to describe your best friend in five words or less, what would you say? I have a few best friends, but the one I have in mind.... loud, caring, spontaneous, joyful and heartfelt 4. If you did not have to worry about money or go to school what would you do for a living? Photography all the way! 5. What is your one "splurge" item, that you will always buy, no matter the cost?

I don't like to wear cheap tennis shoes. I prefer Nike! I'm a snob like that.

200!

This is my 200th post! When I started blogging this past summer I didn't know where I was going with it. I started just to get things out of my head. I didn't know how long I would keep it up. And I really didn't think people would read it, especially people that didn't know me in real life.

I have learned things about myself through my own blog. Learned things about life and other peoples views though blogs I read.

Feel free to "like" me on facebook. The button is to the left. And/or follow me on twitter.

I would also like to thank my blog friends that have helped pimp my blog a little. I see the traffic coming in from their blog and I am very grateful!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!

It just hit me

Yesterday Devon, my 10 year old, was left home alone for the first time. His sister left the house at 4 and i called him at 4:30 and 5. I was probably more stressed about it then him. I text Alexys and said "you have only been gone an hour and I've already checked on him twice". She laughed at me and I responded with "damn you kids for growing up". And she said "at least you still have Blake". I didn't respond. That comment didn't feel right. As I was driving home it hit me.

I'm an emotional person, I know this and have accepted this. I cry watching the biggest loser because I get so happy for them when they lose 5 pounds and tell their sad story.

So, like I said, it hit me. Like out of no where I started sobbing. I was even like "WTF is wrong with me".

Alexys will be 18 this summer and then she will possibly move out the next summer after high school. She has grown up before my eyes. I met her when she was 6.

Devon is staying home now by himself. In a year and a half he will be in middle school.

I remember when I was younger time seemed to drag. You couldn't wait for school to be over and then the summers flew by. I felt like I was in school forever! Why is it when you are a parent the time always flies by? I feel like just the other day I was giving birth to Blake and he will be a year next Saturday.

I'm proud of all my kids and their accomplishments, don't get me wrong. But I also miss when they were little and liked to be cuddled. I will admit, Devon is still young enough that he likes to snuggle when he is sleepy. Alexys and I send random sweet texts to one another saying how greatful we are for one another. And Blake is just a baby....and I soak that up as much as I can.

Snail Mail

Summer over at B is for... had a great idea. Remember when you were little and had a pen pal? Well, why do you have to be little to have one? Wouldn't it be wonderful to check the mail and get something that wasn't a bill?

If you are anything like me, you have random cards and/or stationary stashed away somewhere.

So, do you want to be pen pals?

If so, just email me your address at jessica9530@sbcglobal.net.

We could write about random stuff, exchange recipes, photo techniques, advice on children...anything!

This will be fun!

My weekend!

I had a very good weekend! Friday my first born turned 10! I was honestly more excited about this whole double digit birthday then he was. We went to McDonalds with a few other family members and ate and played in the playland. Then we came home and did cake and he opened our gift, Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. Guess what we played the rest of the night?

On Saturday we did Devon's birthday party with his friends at the skating ring. It was a lot of fun. He even said it was the best birthday....ever!

On our way home we stopped so all the guys could get a haircut. Blake got his first haircut and he did great. I feel like the new look "cut all the baby off" so I've thought about asking for all the hair back. But the day was going to come. Now he looks more like his brother and father.

Sunday was a lazy day and it was amazing. Alexys and I played Wii for about an hour or so and then I did some laundry. Robert and I went to the store for dinner stuff and then I came back and went through a box in the closet, slowly trying to organize.

This weekend he will be at the deer lease so I'm hoping to get a lot of things organized, we will see.

Fat Tuesday

Go me! I lost 2 pounds this week (which is extra surprising since it is that time of the month)! Hubby and I have been trying to eat better. We eat a salad with every meal so that we don't eat as much other stuff. Portion control is key and something I've always struggled with. When I like it, I want a lot of it! I still have these dreams of getting back on the treadmill. Currently the treadmill is in the garage and it has been around 40-50 degrees. I think it is to cold to get my fat ass on the treadmill right now. I do try and play an active Wii game or just dance around the house with the baby (he weighs almost 25 pounds).

So, go me! 2 pounds is a start, and I'll take what I get! Hope everyone else is doing well also.

10 years old!

photo via

My oldest son, Devon, turned 10 today! Double digits baby! That's a pretty big deal. Tonight we will be dining at McDonald's and playing in the play yard. Afterwards, we will go back to the house for a super yummy ice cream cake and so he can open his gift from us! It's a Wii game he's been asking for, we will probably play that the rest of the night.

Saturday is the party! Devon has decided that this year he wanted a skate party, so that's what we are doing. I hope he enjoys himself. 10 is a big deal, at least to this momma it is.

5 Question Friday

It's time again, Friday! Link up with Mama M. and join the fun. 1. What is your current favorite book, and why?

Currently, I love the Taste of Home cookbooks. I know it is dumb...especially since I haven't cooked out of one of them yet, but I love them anyways.

2. Do you go to the dentist regularly?

Yes! Every 6 months, no exceptions.

3. What is your worst memory from High School?

I think I have a few from every year. One of them, my Senior year. Two of my friends decided I was a "bitch". I call it honesty, but whatev.

4. What do you hope to be remembered for in your life?

That I am a great mother and friend!

5. Are you superstitious or do you have any superstitions?

I have a few but I think it is random when I stick with them. I'm a random person like that anyways I guess.

We are getting even closer

I bought this journal for my daughter (for the newbies, she actually my step) for Christmas. I didn't know if she would think it was dumb or not. Keep in mind she is 17! But she actually really liked the idea. The mother fills out the left pages and the daughter the right. It asks questions like what's your favorite food or memory together. There is free space to ask random question. There is even a page to draw your dream outfit.

We have been doing the journal back and forth for about a week now. We love it! I already feel like I'm getting to know her on a different level. Just an idea for all you moms out there.

Now if they would just make one for sons and mothers I would have it made!

Yesterday was a sad day

I don't know if any of you remember this post. It was about a fellow coworker becoming pregnant, finally. Well, I'm sad to say yesterday she lost the baby. I can't even imagine what she is going through. When I heard the news, while driving to work, I started crying like crazy and had to pull over.

I've always been a believer of "everything happens for a reason"....but that doesn't keep you from wondering what that reason is.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. It will be a long road to get through this I'm sure.

Fat Tuesday

Go Figure! I'm a day late! I've been busy at work and unable to blog. I gained weight this week. I would like to blame it on my awesome New Year's Eve party, but I cannot. It is from pure ole laziness! I still have yet to start the treadmill. The only plus, hubby has decided he wants to lose weight as well! So for now on we have decided to have a salad with our dinner so we don't eat as much. We will see how long this lasts.

Old T.V. Shows

Remember when you where younger some of the shows you would watch?

I remember watching TV Land and OLD shows where on. Like Laugh In, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Tyler Moore, Rhoda, the list goes on. Now you turn on TV Land and you see Roseanne, The Nanny and Three's Company. That makes me feel OLD.