Always there...

I really don't say too much about Anthony, but I should. He is really and truly always there when I need him. I had a not so great weekend and what arrived at work today? A beautiful bouquet of flowers!!!! To top it off... the note was even sweeter! I won't say everything he wrote, but he did say that he "can't wait to marry me." Amidst my anger and frustration, entangled with lack of sleep... I couldn't have been that pleasant. But there he was. By my side. Picking me up when I was feeling down. For that, my love, you simply are the best and I cannot wait to marry you, too!
p.s. MAJOR BROWNIE POINTS!!!!

Putting myself on BLAST!!!

When I was pregnant with Abby (who is 21 months old), my belly was HUGE!!! Everyone thought I was having twins or a 20lb. baby. These pictures were taken in about a week before Valentines day. Abby was born March 15... so yes folks... I got bigger. I did have Diabetes with both of my girls, but this is abnormal, right? I put this on my blog for 2 reasons:

#1. I need to get a wedding dress and can't put it off any longer... I need motivation from ALL angles. Maybe if I can look at the havoc pregnancy put on strictly my belly, I can do a few more sit-ups, run a bit more, etc. Seriously, I carried ALL my weight in my belly and I still am - BOOO!

#2. When my kids are older I can archive this and say "see what you did to your mama?"

I will probably regret this, but I can find the humor in it and I have never had any vanity issues... maybe just a couple other ones;).

p.s. Abby was 7lbs. 10 oz. and 22 1/2 inches(tall, but not big:0)

p.p.s. Don please refrain from commenting or saving these pictures to blast me in a different way later.

Anyone Awake?

Seriously... I feel like sometimes I cannot get a break. Abby has been crying for almost 2 1/2 hours now. I have tried everything. This seems to happen almost every Sunday night. Every Monday morning I drag myself to work and all I can think about all day long is when can I sleep. She is currently back in her crib... still crying. I think she has been more sick than not in her young life span. She still has a cold that is weeks old and I don't know if that is what is bothering her. She doesn't have a fever. She pooped and ate fine all day today. I even didn't watch the end of a juicy Dateline because I had a feeling I was going to have a bad night and I am. Anthony is at work... so no relief there. To top it off, I am supposed to leave my house early tomorrow because some jerk broke into my car and shattered my window and bent my window frame and I need to bring it in to get fixed and still try to get to work on time. So, what would have been a good 41/2 days off, has turned into my car getting broke into(while taking the kids on a hike at the El Darado Nature Center), my purse and wallet stollen, and a baby that is STILL crying.
p.s. Kim's car was broken into also. they made out with her purse and camera(no wallet, thank god) merry christmas you jerk!!!!

Christmas Traditions:

I have tried to post video the last couple of days... but you all know how that goes. So, thanks for all the suggestions... our tradition is going to be as follows:

This will be a Christmas Eve "thing".
We (I) will make homemade lasagna(I may back-track on making my own noodles;)).
We will listen to Christmas music.
We are going to make homemade ice cream with an old bucket my family has had for years... we used to bring it camping and make it - so good!
We are going to make Spritz cookies and decorate them. I am going to decorate the wagon and take the girls out to bring cookies to our neighbors - I bought some tins and tissue paper - so cute!
When we get back they will open one present - Christmas p.j.'s:)
We will then sit back and watch It's a Wonderful Life - or something else that may be more kids friendly, sip on hot chocolate, and eat the ice cream.
Just before they go to bed we will put out Santa's milk and cookies!

I am so excited to start a new tradition for our family. I am so lucky to be able to spend the holidays filled with so much love. I can't wait to see the girls open their gifts and enjoy the spirit of the season!

***I am considering making home churned butter and home made eggnog... but we will see:)

Suggestions

I am going to start a new tradition this year. I want to do a Christmas Eve tradition for our family that focuses on the the true meaning of Christmas. I have never been a "religious" person, so that makes it confusing. I don't want to be that family who goes to Church for Christmas and Easter. I do want to focus on the idea that Christmas is a time for family. It is about giving from your heart to make people feel special. I know, it is about getting, too. Does anyone have a family tradition that you can share? I am open for any ideas! So far I have decided that I will make homemade Lasagna(even the noodles:)) and in the girls and I will make cookies for Santa. I thought about letting them open one small gift... but then that seams to stray from my point. HELP!

Candylane in Buena Park

Last weekend we took the kids to Candylane in Buena Park. It was a cute Christmas festival with Santa, snow, a petting zoo and bounce houses. I would say that it was a lot of fun, but to be honest, it was terrible. I am not going to say much about it, but my little Abby has been more than a handful lately. She screams, cries, and bows her back. All she wants is me or to run and it has been so stressful and gives me so much anxiety. I personally believe she is punishing me for being a working mom.

The rest of the kids had a great time.

Taylor and Ruby throwing fake snow.

My kids stayed out of the petting zoo and just watched. Trevor went in for a couple minutes and then wanted out.

I love this picture... Trev and T.T. on the sled run!

Abby HATED Santa and Ruby was incredibly bashful. She just sat next to him and told him she wanted a doll house for Christmas.

We got our tree on Saturday night and kept Ruby up a bit too late to decorate. Bean was asleep, but the look on her face in the morning was priceless. She kept saying WOW Mama!

The beginning of the video is a little long, but it is worth the wait. It's Ruby and Taylor going down the slope:)

Happy Birthday Kim!!

Every year I am so surpised at how quickly our birthdays come and go. I have been very fortunate to now have spent more birthdays than not throughout or long and wonderful friendship. We have had so many different phases in our life... through our crazy highschool (boyfriend and sports years), through the critical college years when most friends go their separate ways... we stayed true friends, through living on the beach in an appartment that I will never forget, through your beautiful wedding, and now to our life with kids. You have been a constant rock in my life and for one really crazy time in my life I will always be eternally grateful because I believe you(and my other girls Ang and Kel) saved me.

Here are just a few reasons why you mean the world to me:
1. With every ounce in your body, you define the meaning of friendship.
2. You have always been honest, even when the truth can hurt.
3. Your an amazing daughter and help me remember to be a better one to my parents.
4. You are always up for an adventure, with or without kids.
5. You always find the positive side to any situation.
6. You are incredibly passionate and undoubtedly one of the most compassionate people I know.
7. Whenever I need you, you have always been there... whether to crash at your house or cry on your shoulder.
8. You, like Kelly, are fiercly loyal.
9. You have that certain endearing quality that draws people to you.
10. You love unconditionally with all your heart.

Kim... I love you more than you know and I truley mean it when I say I don't know what I would do without you. Your an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, niece, AND I AM LUCKY TO CALL YOU FRIEND! Happy Birthday and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Piant & Abby

Last night I had Kim and the kids over for spaghetti and a paint project. I always second guess letting Abby do the projects and crafts and this is why:

She had paint all over her hands, arms, belly, hair, and kept putting the brush in her mouth. As much as we tried, I could not get the blue off.

T.T. painting her Christmas tree ornament.

The man of the house:)

Just getting started.

It's already Friday and time for another busy weekend. Sunday is Kim's 29th birthday ;) so we are going to brunch to celebrate!!!!! I can't wait. We used to go almost every other month and have not been in forever!

Family & Friends

We started the long weekend off right... ordered B.J's (including pizookies) and had Kim, Kelly and the kids over. They were all great and every day seems to getting so much more fun. I said it out loud, so I have already jinxed myself, but Ruby and Trevor are getting along so much better... don't get me wrong... they just have a love-hate relationship:) Ruby is slowly starting to "toughen up" and Trevor is a little more gentle with her. It has never been that bad, but we (Kim and I) hate having to discipline them when they should be having fun. This is usually what comes out of my my when we are all together: "Ruby... don't start something you can't finish or Ruby... toughen up!" Lately our adventures have been so much fun because we are not yelling at them all the time:) Even Abby is catching on and has been so good. T.T.: you are an angel and I don't care if I am biased:).

Abby finished her portion and moved on to mooch off of T.T.'s.

Thanksgiving Day. I have so much to be thankful for this year that to try and convey seems impossible. To sum it up, I am most thankful for all of my family and friends. This has been an amazing year for me and I truly feel lucky and blessed. This is my Dad and Anthony carving the 2 turkeys we cooked. Bean was waiting patiently for her grub!

My camera is on the brink... A and Ruby eating the yummy food.

Friday we all went to Huntington Central Park. We told the kids if they fell in the water, they are on their on:)

Feeding the ducks.

The Park Bench Cafe has great food and a large field. It had to be the best lunch we have had in a long time. While we sat and chatted (Kim, Kelly, and I) the kids ran around chasing each other. Abby stayed in her stroller for the majority of the time and was REALLY good about it. When the food came, we just yelled for them. They came, ate, and went and played some more.

I love you and your rascally doo!

Burning off some energy.

I love this one... Trevor and his Rarrrrr, as he calls it:)

Friday night I got to watch T.T. so Kim could take Trevor to the football game. I decided we would have a girly night and started it off right with a milk and cookies tea party.

After we had a nail polish party. They are so cute how they sit so still while you put it on(not Abby... she's not tame enough for polish yet... it would end up in her mouth)

Next, we had a make-up party. They both insisted on applying it themselves, but kept putting the eye shadow on their foreheads. For Ruby, make-up is serious business. Seriously, who is this child and where did she come from?

Oh look... it's my little angel:) I fixed her shadow for her.

We ended the night in our bed to watch: Cinderella, of coarse!

The rest of the weekend was just as busy. Saturday we went to the El Dorado Nature Center and then to Kim's to eat some Turkey and watch the OU game. Saturday night my girls were up half the night... Abby has a yeast infection and Ruby... well, I think she is converting to her old ways. I was so exhausted from lack of sleep. They were both up for good at 5:30. I woke Anthony up at7:00 and told him I needed help. I felt like I was run over by a train. I needed to get some sleep to drive out to Angie's for our play date. I woke up at 8:15 and realized I couldn't make it. Sorry Ang... let's make it up. Poor Ruby was asking me ALL DAY when she was going to see you. My mom, bless her heart, let me bring the kids over at 10:45am. I got to sleep for another couple hours. When I woke up I felt worse!!! I thought... what the heck is going on with my body. I put the kids down for their naps around 2:00pm and slept for another 2 hours! I have never been so exhausted in my life. When I woke up I felt like a new woman. Is it possible to feel really sick when you are simply exhausted? I felt so much better that Anthony and I walked to Outback and had a nice dinner. Ruby was up at 3:45am. I finally got back to sleep(after her in our bed, then milk, then in her bed) My sweet Bean slept until 7:00. I think if I was a stay at home Mom I would have to re-evaluate going on so many adventures:) but it sure is a lot of fun.

Movies and Parks

Friday was Ruby's Thanksgiving Feast at school. All week we were practicing her songs. Their performance was in the chapel at 11:00. When she walked out with her class onto the stage I teared up at the sight of her. Anthony and I sat and held hands, watching our first born daughter grow up just a little bit more that day. Overall they all did a great job. In the video below they are singing Jesus Loves me! I love you too and you will always be my baby girl!

The pastor handed out "special" bubbles to all the kids. Ruby could sit for hours blowing these things.

Saturday morning I took the girls to the Nature Center. I love it there! Then Kim had the idea to take the older kids to the movies. This was Ruby's first time at the movies. We saw Bolt and it actually was pretty good, although I think Pixar movies tend to cater to adults more than kids sometimes. They were really good until about half way through. Then they got ants in their pants. Both Ruby and Trevor said they didn't like it. Actually, Ruby told Anthony when we got home that it "wasn't even good". Oh, well. It was cute to try a new adventure.

Saturday night we had our last Bunco of the year. We had a lot of people cancel at the last minute, so I brought my mom. It was so cute to watch her play and we all had so much fun. My mom was the biggest loser, so she won her 20 bucks back!

Abby is obsessed with eating, chewing on, spraying, etc. the baby detangler. I hope that it is non-toxic because she seems to always be able to find it and put it in her mouth. She has a royal fit when I take it away from her. I have a feeling that sharing is going to be a hard concept for her.

Sunday morning I decided to go on a different adventure and took the kids to Huntington Central Park. My parents used to take us when we were kids and I have very fond memories. The ducks and chipmunks there are insane. As soon as you walk up, they come right up to you and start quaking. They were jumping on Ruby and ripping the bread out of her hands. Abby, in the meantime, was busy trying to capture one. She was running and diving at them. She barely caught one and was laughing until I got her off.

I really enjoyed spending the morning there. Amidst all the chaos of city life, I really admire those who put in the effort to set aside and care for these beautiful parks and nature centers. I admit that I let my kids watch way too much t.v. and I am not proud of it. When we are out in nature I feel like a better parent. We explore. We pick up leaves and sticks. We stop and smell the flowers.

To top off my busy weekend... I went and saw Twilight last night!!!! I seriously just finished reading it at 2:30 yesterday. I was really against going because my general rule is to not be out 2 nights in a row... I miss my girls too much and I want to be the one to put them to bed and kiss them good night. Then, my mom actually convinced me to go. Other than the movie theater being 100 degrees, the show was great. All the teenagers screamed when Edward first made his appearance. I could here teens saying OMG he's so sexy and all other kinds of giggles and sighs. After we went to dinner and I got to catch up with Paige... you look amazing btw!!! Pregnancy suits you!

Below is my girlie singing... so cute and I am so glad she actually sang!!! Yah Ruby!!!

How Come?

1. The price of gas is currently $2.17 and no one talks about it?
2. The week before "my time of the month" I can eat ungodly amounts of snacks?
3. I love Taco Bell hot sauce so much?
4. People are decorating for Christmas and Thanksgiving hasn't happened yet?
5. Little kids cannot dress up like Pilgrims and Indians any more? (seriously, if you disagree with me on this one, refrain from commenting.) This one really gets under my skin. The principal that I heard "explaining" why kids cannot do it, also said that it is a new trend(currently being applied at this principals school) to no longer give kids detention because it hurts their self esteem!!! I'm not kidding, if you agree with the principal: DO NOT COMMENT!
6. Anthony are not rocket scientists and when we tried to buy the house we live in 2 years ago - were pre-qualified - and saw what our house payments were going to be - and decided NOT to buy because we know simple math and could not afford it... yet everyone is getting bailed out and still living in nice homes that were way out of their price range?
7. We reward people who are stupid and make poor decisions?
8. Stupid people are home owners we are not?
9. Every time I dress the kids up in "nice" clothes, they are filthy before we ever get to whatever event we are going to?
10. It is not 4:00 yet?

Hope everyone has a good weekend!!!!!

Abby Ramblings

Nothing exciting, nothing new. I just didn't want to go into the weekend on a sour note, so:

Abbyisms:

Abby baby rambles more than any baby I can recall. It is so cute because she can have the longest conversation, and you'd never know what she was saying. I am slowly deciphering her little sayings. She says a few things clear enough that anyone would understand: momma, nana, dadda, yes, no, hi, oh no, oh shoot, what's that. Moving on to the others (I'll translate)

one, two, three : ah, two, eee

see you later : eee ooo ater

there she is : eh eee is

She can sing(not words, but it sounds like da da ta ta): twinkle twinkle little star, abcd's, ring around the rosie's, row row row your boat, wheel's on the bus.

It is funny to say, but she is officially a bully. The good(or bad) part of it is: she only bullies Ruby(for now). When she sees Taylor she hugs her and loves her. I don't think I have ever seen her hit either Trevor or Taylor. She torments the crap out of Ruby. Last night she took a full sippy cup and banged Ruby on her forehead right between the eyes! She didn't know I was standing there and when I yelled "ABBY", she threw the cup and put her face in the carpet. Meanwhile, Ruby is balling saying "why did she do that?" I actually put Abby in time-out. She just looked at me like "what the heck is going on". Later I caught her trying to pull Ruby's hair(which she does regularly). How can a 19 month old be a bully? I hate to say it, but it kind of makes me laugh. At least later in live Ruby will have someone to stick up for her... and then she will be thankful:)

Sick of Sick!

If I have to clean up puke one more time I am just going to grab my keys and walk out of the house. At least I am feeling better. This week we are 3 out of 4 sick in our house with the flu. I am going on my THIRD week in a row with what seems to be some mutating strain of illness... from hand-foot-mouth to colds to the flu. I guess this is a sign of things to come. The smell of Lysol is now making me nauseous. I don't want to give 2 to 3 baths a night. I don't want to get up every hour to get water, clean puke, get a cool rag. I don't want to hear the kids crying. I don't want to clean. I don't want to cook dinner. OK, it's somewhat out of my system. Now that I have vented I can hopefully move on and have a good day:) Hope you all do, too!:)

Zoo's, the Nature Center, and Puke!

On Saturday we met Kim and Angie and all the kids at the Santa Ana Zoo. It was a gorgeous day! Abby was a bit of a handful... but I couldn't love her more. She brings so much joy to my life! All she wants is to get out of the stroller. If I let her out, she runs as far away as possible. What do you do?:)

As usual, we tried to get a group photo. There was NO WAY that I was going to get Abby to just sit there. Ruby fell off twice. She didn't get hurt, but is certainly scared her... my delicate little flower:)

Look at these handsome blondies! Future lady killers for sure.

Miss Aubrey... you make me smile every time I see you!

On Sunday Kim and I took the kids to the Nature Center for the two mile walk. This time Ruby walked about half of it. There is two lakes and several streams. Kim was pointing out all the turtles and ducks.

This was a highlight of my weekend. To preface, I always thought I would only have boys. I am not and have never been a girly-girl. I don't like doing my hair or putting on make-up. I am 33 years old and finally brought myself into Macy's to actually buy make-up: foundation and powder. The older I get, the more I realize that I NEED it. It was a bit embarrassing being helped by a 19-something year old. I just walked up to the Clinique (sp?) counter and told her I have never worn foundation or powder... can you help? Back to the story. Ruby is SUCH a girly-girl. I think in the back of my mind I just thought I could toughen her up and get her to like sports. I had an epiphany yesterday... not only am I going to embrace this girliness of hers... I love it about her! So, after putting Bean down for a nap, I pulled out all the stops. I put on her dress from Jessica's wedding. I painted her nails. Put lip gloss on her. I let her wear my heals. I even put EYESHADOW on her!!! She ran around the front yard like a fairy. Twirling around, picking flowers, singing songs. She was so happy!

Watch out America's Next Top Model! She was rocking my heals way better than I do!

I Love this picture. There is something so sweet about it!

On to the low part of the weekend. As I was getting ready to go to bed last night at 10:30, I heard Abby crying. Not a whiny cry... a hurry up and get me cry!!! I went in her room and she had thrown up all over herself, all over the crib, even all over the bumper. Anthony took all the bedding off. I cleaned up Abby and got her into some fresh p.j.'s. Anthony slept on the couch so I could take Abby to bed with me. We got into bed before midnight. At 1:30am I woke up to Abby throwing up on me, all over our bed(sheets, pillows, comforter), and all over herself. I got up, woke up Anthony, started another bath. Got Abby clean and myself changed and clean. Anthony took our bed apart. I don't know what time it was that we all got back to sleep. I do know that Abby was up just after 5:00. She threw up twice this morning. So, four pairs of pajama's and lots of dirty linens later... and WAY TOO MUCH laundry to do... I am going on my 3rd Monday in a row with a mind changing lack of sleep due to sick kids. Anthony called in sick to stay home with her. I just got off the phone with him and she has been perfect all day. I thought she might have the flu, but she has no fever or any other symptoms. Maybe it was just something she ate... I hope. It was so sad to see her so pathetic. She never just lays on the couch... my sweet little girly! Hopefully it is out of her system now! Hopefully Anthony will do all the puke laundry and get MAJOR brownie points!

Moving on

Ok, I was going to have a Dear Christy post (from emily comment) but I will try to move forward. It is interesting though... just because you disagree with my political beliefs you accuse me of being intoxicated... or were you accusing Don? Either way, I still have love for you:) Ok... now I am moving on. Both the girls are over their sicknesses and things are back to normal... for now. It is amazing to see how quickly children pick up on Christmas. Last year Ruby enjoyed Christmas, but didn't really get the concept. This year everything she sees she tells me she wants for Christmas. The sweet part is that she is always talking about getting other people presents. Last night she said the following list: Mom... I want a doll house for Christmas. I want to get Abby baby toys, you toe polish, daddy some shaving things, nana some toe polish, Trevor a Spiderman thing, Taylor a doll, papa a flashlight, and Grammy some toe polish. What's with the toe polish? She said she wanted some, too.

Here are some pictures from Halloween. I made Abby an Indian costume, but she went incredible Hulk style when I tried to put it on her.

Imagine that? I was looking for her at Shannon's house and she was in the tub playing with toys.

Kyla and Ruby on the swings.

My Bean!

Papa and his girls.

Don't look to closely at her bangs. Maybe I should actually pay for a haircut next time:)

Dear Don:

For anyone who missed my point, let me clarify a few things. First, I did not vote for Obama and I did vote for McCain. I think Obama has a very week, flip-flopping foreign policy that spells trouble. I strongly disagree with his economic policy. His entire campaign he said that he would only increase taxes on those who make more than 250,000.00 a year. Both you and I know that in this day and age, that is really not that much money. Having said that, now Vice President Elect Biden as early as last week said the figure will more likely be 125,000.00. Apparently that fell on deaf ears... but I heard it loud and clear. So, for most people I know... you will be paying more taxes. Why? To fund free health care. Now, this is a totally different debate entirely. Let's just say I am very against this. Anthony works in the medical field and is very informed about this issue and he is very against it. I am not going to debate immigration because that is the one main area that I disagreed with both candidates. What did not say is that we, as a country, are educated voters. I said that we, as a country, are a great nation because we give fundamental rights such as voting(and I could also argue the definition of fundamental because a lot of people think everything is a "fundamental" right). What I was saying was that hopefully everyone can stop complaining about everything they think is so bad about our country. Debating about why people voted the way they did is futile. You and I both know why we voted the way we did and the reasons why people voted for Obama, at this point, doesn't really matter. In closing, I will say that I hope more than anything that Obama proves me wrong... I just don't thimk that is going to happen.

Proud to be an American!

Since Paige gave me my soapbox back...

I must say that I am glad the election is over. Everyone that knows me, knows how I voted. I don't need or want anyone to agree with my political views. I am not going to debate why I think McCain would be a better president. This year in particular I am really surprised at all the mean spirited, ugly actions of people whose only fuel is that they disagree with your political views. I know it happens on both sides of the aisle... so let's just move on. I have always believed that we live in a great nation, founded on the focus of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I am proud of how far we have come along in our short history as a nation. It was not that long ago that discrimination was legal. It was not that long ago that women could not vote. It was not that long ago - yesterday - that we were considered a nation of hate. A nation of injustice. A nation of intolerance. A nation of arrogance. But today... with one presidential election... we have changed the international view of our country. There was international coverage on television last night with people all over the world rejoicing for our country. Rejoicing for our choice. Admiring the freedoms and rights we so easily take for granted. I am proud that I live in a country that has proven time and time again that the American Dream is alive and well. It always has been... always will. I am proud that in such a small span of time our country went from legal discrimination to electing a black president. It proves a whole lot... not only to other countries... but to ourselves. Now can everyone open there eyes and see what I have always seen? We are a great country. There is nothing arrogant about saying that. With one presidential election perhaps everyone will realize the reality of living in our great country... anything is possible, anything is achievable... it just takes a lot of hard work, strong ethic, and a belief in yourself. If you don't believe me, just ask Barack Obama.

Don't have pictures, but...

I did get WAY more sleep last night. I actually went home early to take a nap and that was my saving grace. I was up on Sunday because now Abby is sick. She doesn't have what Ruby had... just a cold. But, this time change hasn't been that good so far, either. Abby is not the type to wake up in the middle of the night unless she is sick, and when she wakes up, she just wants to play. She doesn't like to be rocked or swayed. She loves to cuddle/play. By the time I got her back to sleep it was after 3:00am in our bed. I just fell asleep and Ruby woke up. I got Ruby back to sleep, crawled back into bed, closed my eyes... just to be woken up by Ruby again saying she wanted to lay with us, too - I think she was jealous;). Needless to say, she woke up Abby and we all got out of bed officially at 5:00am. And NO Ang, I am definitely NOT pregnant. I can't even imagine the thought let alone the energy needed for that kind of thing. I thought you loved me Ang! Don't curse me! I will post some pictures later... Halloween was fun. Shannon had a great party for the kids... Thanks Shan! And, since I have been up since 5:15, I had enough time to get everyone ready and get out the door in time to Vote, pick up a fresh diet coke from 7-eleven, and get to work at 8:03... yes I could have not gotten the diet coke and been to work on time but TRUST ME... I need it to function:) Happy Voting Day... everyone Vote! I would go on a political rant right now,but Paige has my soapbox:)

Again, too tired.

I was so happy that both girls were asleep at 7:40 last night. I thought: I am going to get a juicy night sleep. Since I have pretty much been awake since 1:00am I can tell you that I am surprised I can even type. I am so tired I am nauseous and would pay 500 dollars to stay in a roach motel if it meant I could put on the air conditioner, close the blinds, and sleep.

My not so little Jumping Bean

With Ruby being sick and me being tired, Abby is a ray of sunshine in our house. She constantly makes me laugh. She is so silly and so funny. She LOVES to jump and run. She will jump off of anything and instead of battling her to stay down, I sit back and laugh and enjoy her adventurous spirit. She can be too adventurous at times and it seems like she can almost run faster than I can. I'll say "on your marks, get set, GO!" and she runs around laughing hysterically. I love to catch her and tell how happy she makes me! She is a mischievous one to boot. My mom called me at work laughing and started by saying "I don't know if I should tell you this, but..." I ask what the heck did Abby do? She said she couldn't find her so she went searching around the house. She finally hears her humming twinkle twinkle little star and laughing in the master bathroom. She goes in to find her STANDING IN THE TOILET... flushing it and laughing as all the water swirls around her feet! I know it is disgusting, but you just have to laugh. Ruby is feeling better, but is still pathetic. All she wants is her mamma... all I want is for her to be better. I love my girlies!

Is Abby a bad influence or a good influence on Ruby? I couldn't find them and then I heard Ruby yell "here we are mamma"! (yes, they are inside the dryer)

Too Tired!

We are all Mom's so you are all going to read this and say "so what"! Having said that, I am still going to vent. Tuesday night Ruby never slept more than an hour at a time after 11:00pm, so yesterday I was already tired. I worked 8-4. Got home at 4:30. Run in the house and put in a load of laundry and pull out what I am cooking for dinner all the while on the phone to direct tv - another issue entirely! I run next door to get the girls and Ruby is totally pathetic and Abby is full of energy. As we are walking home, Abby wants to stay outside and run around(which we usually do). Ruby is crying to go inside and lay on the couch. We go inside and Abby has a fit. I get them in and settled. Ruby hasn't really eaten since Saturday and now she is complaining her tummy hurts. I figure good ole' chicken soup will probably do the trick. I actually got her to eat a small bowl - yeah! I finish feeding the girls and begin cooking our dinner, change a load of laundry, and do some dishes. Anthony gets home just before 6. I tell him to go ahead and eat... I have to go to the 99 cent store to get some treats for Ruby's class party on Friday. I take both the girls - that place is awesome b.t.w. I call Anthony on the way home to start the girls bath. Get home, unload, give the girls a bath. Get them out, get them in their p.j.'s and put on Aladdin so I can do a few chores. I switch the laundry over, fold the dry load, put them away. I get out the girls outfits for today. I FINALLY sit down to eat around 8:00. I clean up the kitchen mess and go play with the girls. I get Abby to bed just before 9:00 and tell Ruby she can lay on the couch since she is having such a difficult time sleeping. Anthony leaves at 9:00 for his 9:30pm basketball game. I clean the living room and move on to making lunches for today. I finish around 10:00. I fold the last load of laundry. I realize it is 10:30. I was going to take a shower to save morning time, but I am too tired and decide to watch the end of the Biggest Loser. Anthony gets home at 10:45. I crash into bed at 11:00. At 3:00am Ruby crawled in bed with us. She flops around like a fish out of water. Anthony is quietly snoring, not even noticing this fish between us. Around 4:15 I can't handle it anymore and sneak into the living room. I fall back asleep just before 4:30. At 4:44 Ruby is laying on top of me saying her ear and throat hurts. I get up, give her Motrin and tell her she has to go lay in her OWN bed. Around 5:45 I end up just laying in bed with her. She is sound asleep within 5 minutes. I wait until 6:00 and sneak out. I go to bed and Anthony is now snoring loudly. I decide to go lay on the couch. Now it is 6:15 and I decide I should just get in the shower. I turn on the tv and then fall back asleep!!! I wake up at 7:15 frantic! I have 15 minutes to get out of the house! Both the girls are asleep. I hop in the shower - kick myself for not taking one the night before - and scramble to get ready. At 7:30 both girls are up and I feel horrible that I have to run out. I wake up Anthony, give him a quick run down, bring Abby to my Mom's (she has a major melt down when I leave the house). I tell Anthony to get Ruby dressed and bring her to my mom's in a bit. I walk to my Mom's, drop off Abby... apologize she is still in her jammies, give her kisses and race to work to arrive at 8:04pm. Sleep deprivation is the devil. Don't military people use it as a torturing device? I must say that the last 45 minutes of sleep saved me and will get me through the day. I am - just like ever other mom - TIRED!

Recent Fun... and not so fun.

Last weekend we brought the kids to the LA Zoo. All in all, it was a success. We used our Entertainment book coupons, so it was well worth the 12 bucks!

These two are going to have the worst/best Love/Hate relationship for the rest of their life!

The gang!

Don't you just love Taylors bow? I need to figure out how to make them.

Last Wednesday Kim and I met Ang at Halloween Disney. We collectively agreed to only take the older kids, even though we all felt horrible leaving the little ones at home. I am glad we did, though... I was exhausted by the time I got home at 10:40pm!

The Cowgirl and the Pirate.

Brady was Mr. Incredible and he was SO cute!

This past Sunday we took the kids to the Nature Center. We did the 2 mile hike and the kids loved it. Trevor walked/ran the ENTIRE 2 miles. Ruby walked about .2 miles:) That's my girl! In another year Abby will be able to keep up with Trevor... as for now she is too side-tracked trying to eat dirt, leaves, and sticks.

I LOVE this picture and LOVE these kids even more.

Don't they look sweet?

After the hike we crossed over to El Dorado Park to eat lunch and take a train ride.

Following the leader...:)

So, the not so fun part... Ruby has Hand-Foot-Mouth disease. It is so sad and she has been so pathetic. She really hasn't eaten since last Saturday. She has all these open sores in her mouth and I feel terrible for her. The crazy thing is... she had it when Abby was 3 weeks old. The doctor told us that it was in the chicken pox family and that once you get it, you can't get it again! So, when I brought her in yesterday, she just said it is very rare to get it twice and that it appears that this one is a particularly strong strain... because of how bad she has it. I called her school to let them know and the coordinator said that there have been quite a few kids out in the last few weeks with similar symptoms... the joys of pre-school. To top it off, we had recently had a lot of success with her sleeping issues and all it takes is a sickness to come around and change everything. Last night she was up and crying about every hour... so I hopped in bed with her and if it gave me ten more minutes of sleep, it was well worth giving in! Kim - I'll keep my fingers crossed that your kids don't get it!