And just when I complain about the weather

today is BEAUTIFUL! 80s, sunny, perfect. I just spent the last 2 hours napping outside. It was fantastic. And, a little sun for HAWAII! I could have stayed out there all afternoon if I didn't have things to accomplish before work tonight.

This weekend I'm off and.....thunderstorms.

::le sigh::

I NEED the warm weather back

NEED it! It's been cool (50s/60s) for over a week and rainy most of that time as well. I'm off tomorrow and Sunday night and...chance of rain. Grr.

It was pretty nice yesterday, cool but sunny.

I miss seeing Avery in her cute little summer outfits. :(

Play dates

Avery loves play dates with her friend "Manna" (Mya). I took the camera along this time.





And they like to kiss. I'm SO using this picture to my advantage when she's older!

Out foxed by a toddler

I KNOW she's ready for the big girl potty and has been for some time.

I ask throughout the day, "Avery do you need your diaper changed". Which is always answered with a "no" or a "yep". No reply means there is poop, she doesn't enjoy having her butt wiped. She will also bring me a diaper in a very CHANGE ME WOMAN manner. She sits on the potty when I go to the bathroom.

The other day she sat on the potty in the living room and watched Yo Gabba Gabba and brushed her teeth (a favorite past time of hers). I sat beside her and we clapped and sang with YGG and laughed. After all that time, NO RESULTS.....grrrrrr. Put a diaper on her, poop. Avery: 98749283741039875938, Mommy: 0. She still hasn't even gone pee pee in the potty yet. She'll sit and sit and sit and stand up and pee on the floor.

Awesome sauce.

My toddler is incredibly stubborn. I guess since I'm not really pushing it I shouldn't be that surprised. But COME ON ALREADY the little ::ahem:: angel can freaking tell me when she needs a diaper change.

Funk

I've been in a funk. A eat-a-quart-of-ice-cream kind of funk. Have I eaten ice cream? Not a single bite.

Today I took out my aggressions IN THE YARD. Mexican jumping beans, who is this girl!

Let's start with yesterday, I trimmed one of the trees in my back yard that is reaching over my fence. There is still a long way to go back there. My can was full so it has to wait.

Today I planted a pot garden! Tomatoes, strawberries, hot peppers, mint. Oh my! My neighbor gave me starts from various flowers that I have in a pail waiting to be planted, I can't decide where I want them. I think the ones I have now will go around the mailbox. She said she has tons more for me when I'm ready for them in the back yard. One of my tomatoes is in one of those weird/cool topsy turvy things. I wonder if it's going to work! My strawberries already have little tiny berries growing.

And the most shocking? I started my own COMPOST BIN! I know, I know. It was super simple and I think it will be great on my "garden".

Fixed the car seat, cleaned out the car, etc. A productive day for me!

But, I did eat one tiny Dove chocolate. Shhhh!

Oh oh oh!!!! Look what I did!!!

Original:

Cute right? A little dark, a little blue.



EDITED!

I warmed it up and tinted it more magenta. Not perfect by a long shot but SOOO much better!



I LOVE learning new stuff. I know, that makes me really nerdy. I embrace my nerd and challenge you to do the same!

i heart faces - smile

I am adding this picture to the "i heart faces" weekly challenge. What is "i heart faces"? Click the button on your right and enjoy. :) This weeks challenge was about smiles, I think it only fitting.



(Click on it to make bigger.)

Who is this cutie? My friend Melissa's neighbor.

Weekend getaways

can be quite refreshing can't they?

Avery and I packed up and headed north to my hometown for the weekend. She did very well on the 4 hour drive. We visited family/friends and had a nice time just getting away from day to day life.

I got horrible pics of Avery at both great-grandparents house and a decent one at the lake. I'm pretty sure I was having brain difficulties.

Toddler diaper changing should be an olympic sport

No seriously. There's been more than one occasion that one or both of us come up a little breathless and damp in the pits.

Take tonight for example. It all began with screaming and flailing. So I assume my normal foot on each arm pose (imagine that will ya) and attempt to grab both feet/weapons with one hand and wipe/powder/new diaper with the other. Oh good, the fit has escalated to stiff as a board. Well, at least she isn't trying to kick me in the face anymore. But I just.....can't....get....the.....legs.....apart to pull up the diaper. So I pry them apart and she assumes a pose much like a frog on their back, all the while my feet are still pinning her down. Diapers up, almost done. Ah, the flailing is back. Oh, oh, oh wait! Diaper is wiggled off. Back to square one.

After much panting and wrestling and screaming the diaper is on and both tabs are somewhat secure. Stand child up and let her run around without pants. I'm not feeling that brave this diaper change. Awe, isn't that cute. One butt cheek is sticking out. Do I even attempt to fix it or pray she doesn't have a poop this time?

There's this brilliant girl I know

that does hair. Like BUH-RILLIANT. She did my hair in high school. She can make MY hair look amazing. That's a task in itself, she does it with ease. After high school we both moved away from that small town, and to this day, I haven't met a single person as gifted with hair.

Imagine my delight when she started doing segments on her blog with HAIR TIPS!! I asked her for advice for the current state of my hair. BAM! Genius.

Go check her out, you won't be sorry.

Apparently we love picnics around here

Wish List Wednesday

Phoenix. I NEED Phoenix.

Wanna play along? Click that button and it will take you to the host blog of Wish List Wednesday. What's on your list?

Here's the deal

Remember that change I've been talking about?

Let's spell it out, shall we?!

I'm not happy with my job. I'll clarify, I'm not happy working night shift. I know, shocker right? I said before: I feel like I'm sitting back and watching life pass me by. Not ok. The fact remains that I NEED the extra pay I get working night shift at my current job. My financial situation wasn't stellar prior to getting pregnant, due in part to my divorce. Then I had Avery and moved and didn't work for 3 months. You get the picture. I would love to find a day shift job, something less stress and home by dinner every evening. Weekends and holidays off sounds divine as well. The weirdest thing: I always wanted a high stress job. Something I could jump in and get my hands dirty. The more critical, the better. Now that I've had Avery I don't care as much about that. In fact a low key job sounds delightful. I have enough stress in my life at home, I don't need it at my job too.

So, here's what I've had in the works.

Let me preface this. I've always wanted to travel. Travel nursing has always sparked my interest. I was with my ex-husband since high school and we were married right out of college. Built a house, settled down. Got divorced, got pregnant, moved closer to family. These are all reasons I felt traveling wouldn't work for me.

I've decided to look into the opportunity to do an assignment in Phoenix. I know, I know PHOENIX. Like ACROSS THE UNITED FREAKING STATES! The pay for travel nurses is....wow. My bestie lives in Phoenix. Win win right? I feel like this will be an opportunity to get my feet wet so to speak in travel nursing. Will I like it? Will I want to continue doing it? Will I just want to do an assignment and come home? I don't know. I just don't know. I'm leaving that part of it as a big "?".

Here's the way I look at it. 1. This will give me an opportunity to pay off some debt, giving me the opportunity to find a "normal" job. 2. I will have the chance to see my best friend and spend time with her and her daughter. 3. I've been desperately in need of a change. 4. If this is meant to happen, it will.

I've filled out applications, I've talked to recruiters. I have a few ducks I need to get in a row before we can talk placements and contracts. I'm working on it. I don't feel nervous, I'm excited for the possibilities and strangely at peace with it. Will this happen? I really hope so, but again if it's meant to happen it will.

I have NEVER done anything like this before in my life. I am a planner. So I really thought that planning a summer in Phoenix in itself would make me nervous let alone leaving what happens after that as a "what if".

For now I'm just trying to be patient and see what life has in store for us.

I've been keeping a dirty little secret

Well, a couple of them. I'm not ready to let one out of the bag just yet. Actually, this one hasn't been intentional. It only just happened.



Avery and I are packing our bags and heading to......wait for it.....HAWAII!! We leave in FOUR WEEKS! It wasn't even anything I've been considering or tossing around. "Do you want to go to Hawaii and see your sister?" And the next day BAM ticket booked. Just like that. I did toss it around for a bit. Should I spend the money? How on earth am I going to entertain Avery on that long of a flight. But you know what, I'm going to see my sister, nearly my whole family is. And when will I ever get to go again for this cheap?! Money shouldn't be holding me back from seeing my sister before she deploys. So, it's a done deal. I've been collecting little things to entertain Avery on the plane. Books, crayons, paper, a full season of Yo Gabba Gabba on the iPod Touch, snacks, and etch a sketch, etc. And since we're already experienced in plane travel I know what was helpful and what wasn't and I know to PACK LIGHT!

So, the Hawaii diet was effective the moment the words "Do you want to go to Hawaii and see your sister" registered in my head. I'm down 10lbs since I started this new chapter, oh 23 days ago. I'd LOVE to lose 10-15 more before we jump on that plane. Is it possible? Will you help me? I need tips/motivation/words of encouragement. Keep me on track. Because four weeks from today I will have my toes in the sand and a cold, fruity drink in my hand.

Because you can't eat lunch without your "pearls"

She has refused to take them off at home for the last 2 days. She knows that naptime and bedtime they go on top of the dresser. The things kids do...

Thanks for the new look Becca!

how cute my new blog is! I mean really really really cute!

Thanks to my e-friend, Becca, over at The Paro Post for a complete overhaul and making it look fab! Head over to her blog and check out the pics of the cutest little family EVER! She's a work at home mom with a small design business. This girl is TALENTED! I love her invitations! Go check them out and keep her in mind for all your needs! I actually have been thinking about some personalized thank you notes. Becca can you do that? Wait, duh, of course you can. I'll keep that one in mind. Who doesn't love a hand written thank you note right?

So here's what you have to do. Well you don't HAVE to, but would you pretty please? Puh-LEEEEEASE?!?! See over there ::looks to the left:: where it says "followers"? You do, great. Are you on that list? YOU AREN'T!!!?!?!?! And why not? Could you add yourself to that list? I would love to see how many people are ACTUALLY reading this blog. Many many many people tell me about reading my blog or comment on Facebook, but over here, no love. :( Oh, just one more thing. Could you please click on these -------------------------------------------------------------->
They are the top mommy and top baby blogs. Just click and it counts as a vote. Come back and do so often. :) (Oh, go ahead and vote for Becca too on her blog, cuz she's super awesome.) THANKS!! You guys are the BEST!

Oh, see that pretty button on the top? Grab that and put it in your blog! Do you follow me and I don't follow you? Let me know! I love to read new blogs.

Yup you're in the right place

This is still my blog. Look how cute it is!! I just want to sit and look at it. I'll write a post tonight after the babe is in bed about the super cool mom that did this for me and her super cool website.

Smoochies!

Under Construction

I "know" this fab girl who is a genius with blog layouts and cards and the like. She's working her magic right now, but don't worry I'll link you to her beautiful blog and shop after the transformation.

<3

You know what's weird?

I used to give the side-eye to those moms in the grocery store playing silly games with their kids, looking disheveled. I didn't know why they thought it was ok to make a fool of themselves in public. Ah, young naive child was I.

This morning while in three different stores we played peek-a-boo, itsy bitsy spider, we talked to each other on our phones, clapped, blew raspberries, I was fed soggy goldfish (a staple in this house), counted one, three, two a hundred times, and gave kisses. Now I get it. I would jump up and down on one foot wearing a party hat if it kept my child happy and quiet in the store. And disheveled? Got it. I didn't even BRUSH MY HAIR this morning after my shower. Just straight back into a messy ponytail before I left the house. No make-up. Yoga pants. At least I remembered to brush my teeth. Pretty sure I remembered deodorant too. ::sniff sniff:: Or I didn't. Meh, can't win 'em all.

These are a few of my favorite things.........

Sunny days
Picnic lunches
Little girls in sun dresses
Music
Barefoot
Taking pictures
Ice cold grapes









We grabbed a blanket, lunch, the camera, and the iPod and headed outside for lunch today. Avery LOVED it! She didn't want to go inside. In fact, we spent most of the day outside today. She loves being outside. Everyday "mahmee, otside?" It really is just as adorable as it sounds.

Dear Horizon Dairy,

I think I found the cutest model EVA!!



We've been soaking up the sun ALL day today! <3

::slides in breathless and a little cranky::

I survived!

I don't like working nights. I don't like working three night in a row. Sadly, the alternative is only having one or two days off before going back in. It's an evil little trade-off.

And since I haven't slept since 4pm YESTERDAY minus a 2 hour nap, it's bedtime for me.

How dense am I?!

I was sitting in the bathroom tonight watching Avery "swim" in the bathtub and thought maybe MAYBE we were working on a molar. She would only eat soft foods today, chewing on things, etc. Remember the pic I posted oh, yesterday was it?

Tonight she was sitting on my lap after her bath and after I tamed the 'fro. I stuck my finger in her mouth and SHUT THE FRONT DOOR THERE'S A MOLAR IN THERE!! No WONDER she was still so grumpy and acting like she was teething after tooth #8 came in last week. We got #7, #8, #9 BAM BAM BAM all within 3 weeks-ish. Oh plus did I mention Avery was sick in that time too? Poor little bebe. After some more feeling around I think #10, the same molar on the other side, isn't far off. At least with the sickies gone she's back to sleeping all night.

HOUSTON WE HAVE A MOLAR!

I have a girl crush

I love reading other peoples blogs. Is it because of the personal glimpse into other peoples lives? Is it knowing maybe everyone is just a teensy bit crazy? The majority of the blogs I read are about children around Avery's age or single parents. Things I relate to.

But one in particular I LOVE to read. Meet Blair. A lovely southern lady. Her writing style and brutal honesty makes me feel like we could sit out on the porch with a glass of tea and chat for hours. She's doing a giveaway right now for a $50 gift card. I headed over to browse the site and fell in love with a beautiful necklace. I would want the heart charm to instead have an "A". It sums things up beautifully. The two most important things to me my faith and my family. I think this one is absolutely stunning as well.

Head over and take a peek around. Odds are you will find something you love as well.

Do you think maybe

just MAYBE we might have more teeth on the way? I'm hoping that since once JUST broke the surface that it's still because of that. We need a break!

I'm a To Do Lister...

it gets me through my day. It's not always written down, in fact it rarely is. I love mentally checking something off my list. It's the "Type A" in me.

You know what else I love? Office supplies. Yup, office supplies. Paper and pens and folders oh my! Buying school supplies was always my favorite part of back to school time. Odd, I know.

Recently my to do lists have started to grow quite large, due mostly to the changes I'm looking into. And you know what, it makes me giddy. Office supply giddy, to do list giddy, excitement giddy, unknown giddy, ORGANIZATIONAL GIDDY!

Perhaps my mother should have stopped us from chewing on the window sills when we were younger instead of singing Billy Ray Cirus. Oh, yes you did mother I know you're denying it right now. Folks be not mistaken, my mother, the rock listener was once a devout country music fan. WE KNOW YOU KNOW ALL THE WORDS TO ACHY BREAKY HEART!!!!! She always did love a man with a mullet.

So I've decided

that a change is needed. For myself, for Avery.

I'm not exactly sure what that change is going to be yet. It might be a small change. It might be a shake up our whole world change. I'm excited for the possibilities. I've decided to seek out further information.

What it breaks down to is that I'm not happy with where my life is at the moment. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful. I'm grateful for my entire family, my home, my job. But something just isn't right. I'm exhausted. I can't shake the feeling that I spend most of my time sitting back and watching life pass us by. This isn't ok. I feel like I miss so much because I'm either asleep while the rest of the world is up, up while the rest of the world is asleep, or in a semi-conscious state. It's time to start living life on purpose.

I don't have a time line. I don't have a definite plan. But, I have had this nagging thought in the back of my head for some time. Maybe there's a reason for that.

Vague enough for you?

Pssst....MOM!!

Remember this?

It's sold! But who would buy such a beautiful strap? This person must have amazing taste.

::snicker::

And a blessed day to you...

Happy Resurrection Day everyone!

Let us not forget, Easter isn't about bunnies and chocolate. It's much MUCH bigger than that!

Speaking of Easter I tried to get some pics yesterday of Avery in her Easter outfit. Big.fat.fail. She was grouchy, I was grouchy, yo gabba gabba was on, she was snotty, she wouldn't hold still (nothing new), etc etc. It seems like I was doomed from the start. When I got the pics on my computer a lot of them looked too blue. It was odd, I've never had that happen before.



I didn't even attempt to edit any of them. But, at least you can see her outfit. She's adorable, if I do say so myself.

So, what are your plans for this Easter? Church? Time with family? Egg hunts? Whatever your day has in store, I hope you take a moment to reflect on the magnitude of this day.

Sunday's comin

And thank the Lord it is!

Isn't it ironic?

Two years ago today I met Avery's dad. Jokes on me.

It's like raaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiinnnnnn on your wedding day, a freeeeeeeeee ride when you already paid. It's the goooooooooooooood advise that you just didn't take.

Good eh? ::eye roll:: I like to flex the golden pipes from time to time.