Easter Pics

We had a great Easter this year. Saturday morning took all the kids, and a few extras, to the egg hut in the neighborhood. Abby had spent the night, and then Mason and his cousin came along too. Abby finally just got her own toothbrush at our house, next thing she’ll have her own drawer of clothes! Lol Later, we went to church for an early afternoon service, and then over to cousin’s for dinner, good food, and good times. Easter morning we woke up to find Easter baskets and search for all the eggs the Easter Bunny had left. Then decided to head to Moberly to see my family. Got to see lots of people I hadn’t seen in forever, it was lots of fun. Got home at a decent hour and off to bed. Beautiful weather, great food, just all around good Easter.

This was the first year that I have really dressed the kids up for Easter and I LOVED it. The boys, well, I mean all you have to do is look at the pictures to understand. And Mackenzie looked like a lady. She wore Grandma Lively’s pearls, and had on high heals – OMG – just precious. We don’t make a half bad looking family if I do say so myself!

And this is why I can’t say I’m done with having kids….I mean, we are so GOOD at it, look at these beautiful creations!

Dreaming in Superhero

This morning Turner walks out to me and says, “Mom do you know what I had a dream about last night, that I was a superhero and I was swinging the bad guy around over my head and throwing them.  Urghhh, wanna see my big muscles?!!”  So cute, I wish I dreamt in superhero, don’t you!

 

And this from the boy who stuck a jelly bean up his nose a week ago, and had mommy on the phone with the doctor afterhours.  Luckily, he was able to blow it out.  Of course if he can swing bad guys over his head, what is blowing out a little jelly bean!

 

Turner, you are never a dull moment my child.  Your enthusiasm and passion for life is unmatched.  I love your spirit.  It keeps me alive and on my toes.  You make me a better parent and a better person by showing me that fear is only a limiting factor in life.  So I hope you continue throughout life with your superhero mentality and take on the world as your playground…..just be careful so you don’t give mommy too many heart attacks!

Lessons learned

Well, I found out today that I didn’t get the job.  I had a moment of shock, followed by a minute of sadness – and now I’m over it.  No time to dwell, that would be pointless, time to move on to plan B (and C and D and E and F!).  So what have I learned from this experience….

1. I suck at not being in control of a situation.  It challenges me to the core.  But maybe that was the lesson I was supposed to get here.  Because in all the challenges we’ve faced, I become more and more at peace with knowing that things happen for a reason.  The good, bad, and ugly!  It is all a part of a plan much greater than a measly little plan I could think of in my head.  So this job didn’t happen, oh well.  Clearly it wasn’t meant to be, and it just means that there is something better around the corner.  
2. That I have a wonderful and supportive group of co-workers, family and friends that really do believe in me – thanks guys. 
3. That I have a wonderful husband that always helps keep things in perspective and points out that we will be OK no matter what is thrown our way.
4. That I’ve taught my kids to roll with the punches and adjust to any situation to keep seeing the bright side.

 

There are definitely positives to me not getting the job:

1. I will be able to finish my degree here in June, which will be much easier than trying to work it all out remotely.  And Aaron will be done in July. – 2 Masters, woo whooo!!
2. We will be here for the birth of two wonderful baby boys entering our lives this year – First our little “nephew” Carson, and another old friends’ baby boy.  I can’t wait to snuggle up to these guys and be the best darn “pseudo-aunt” around!
3. It is almost camping season, and back yard BBQ season, and we have the best neighbors and friends for all of that.
4. I’ll hopefully be able to follow through with my doctors to finally resolve this stomach issue (after having another attack this week, I’m ready to be done with it – whatever it is)
5. I have a freshly painted house.

 

Don’t worry, I’m not letting go of any dreams.  We don’t let things get in our way; we’ll just find another road to get there.  Wherever “there” happens to be…

 

Thanks for your support. 

Patience is a Virtue

Patience is a virtue…..that I don’t have!!  Can I just tell you that it is KILLING me, and Aaron, not to have heard about the job yet.  It has been 3 weeks and 2 days since I was in Connecticut, but seems like a lifetime ago.  This week is when a decision was planned to be made.  I guess I was just hoping I’d hear first thing Monday morning.  I still have faith that I got it, keeping my fingers crossed.  It is even killing Mackenzie….today she comes in to the bathroom and says

“Mommy, now where are we moving again”

Me-“Connecticut hopefully” 

Her – “I wish they’d hurry up and tell you, I’m crossing my fingers” (and proceeds to make a cross in front of her)! 

She is really excited about it.  The other day she comes up to me and says

“Mommy do you know what I’ll love the most about us moving”

me – “what”

her – “that every single thing we do will be like a big adventure together”

me – “do you know what I love the most about it – that you have kind of attitude towards it to”

 

Man, I hope she never loses that.  Treating the unknown as not scary, just a new adventure!  So no worries, I will post here as soon as I know something.  I am still confident and really excited, but also know deep down that if it doesn’t work out, it is because there is something better around the corner for us.  Not that that will make it less disappointing if I don’t get it, but will help soften the fall. 

Denise – We could really use a little extra help on this one if you could put in a good word with the Big Guy himself!!!

 

Now everyone….please keep your fingers crossed!!!!!!

 

 

Happy Birthday Sweetheart

(this is her in my "mini-me" outfit, had to get it since it had the scarf)

happy birthday to my sweet sweet little girl. Yesterday was loads of fun. Started out with a waffle breakfast. Then me and all the kids headed to the dentist. Poor Mackenzie has a cavity and was soooo upset about it. But i assured her it is more my fault than hers, so not to worry. I ended up having to stay home with Turner with a fever, but took the opportunity to clean clean clean in preparation for the ten or so 6 year olds to destroy it tomorrow! After we got home from picking Kenz up at school and Austin from the babysitter, Pop and Terry showed up. For dinner we had "cheesy chicken" - Mackenzie's choice. For her dessert - Banana splits - and boy were they YUMMY! In fact, Mackenzie got to build her own and couldn't even finish it. Gotta love it when ice cream is too much that a kid throws in the towel on it! For presents she got new earrings, clothes, My Little Petshop pets, Miley Cyrus CD, and Hannah Montana themed T-shirt, socks and lip gloss....see a pattern here.

After dessert, Kenz and I decided to work off some of that banana split, and turned up the music to her new CD and danced the night away. That is a moment I'll take with me for years to come...danced all over her room, up on the bed...we were rocking out!

It makes me so sad to see time moving so quickly. I told her that if we were moving we could just skip her birthday this year and she could be five for another year, because no one would know she was supposed to be 6 yet...she didn't buy it. I just know that she is 6 going on 16.

Showing off her new earrings. She got all dressed up when she got home in this dress her best friend handed down to her the other day. See here she looks all cute and sweet - like a 6 year old

And here is the 16 shot - all sassed out in her hip outfit, HM sunglasses on, and talking on the cell phone, all propped up on the chair. It was like having a glimpse into the future.

Showing off her Hannah Montana shirt. Listening to her new AM/FM radio that she was dancing all over the house too.

And our token family shot on the birthday.

As she was going to bed, I asked if she had a good birthday...she said yes. Asked her if it was the best one ever...she said yes! A few minutes later I went in to check on her, and she was sleeping with her earphones in listening to her new CD. Man, can anyone figure out how to bottle up an age and keep it forever, because it is just magical and so much fun!!

We can't wait to post on the big birthday party/sleepover tomorrow. I think the girls (and mom and dad) are going to have a BLAST!

Connecticut

My dream home!

When some people dream of their perfect place, they dream of the country, desert, florida, or California. I've always dreamt of this place, I just didn't know where it was exactly. But now I do.... Oh pretty pretty please let this job work out. The job seems perfect too, so much opportunity and growth. Everything seems so perfect, maybe too perfect! I'm trying to keep myself grounded, but I'm on cloud nine. We should know by the end of the month!

So much since the last post

Wow, just can't believe how much is going on.... So since the last post - Aaron and I both had our birthdays. Welcome to the 30s sweatheart. For Aaron's 30th, we had a semi-surprise dinner for him. Had a great time out with friends, and ended the night at the boat winning some dough on the craps table. Last night for mine, we went to dinner with some wonderful friends. We've been kid free this weekend with the kids at Grandpy's house, and have supposed to have been getting a lot of school stuff done...but we've been a little preoccupied. Now for those details..........

Most people know we have been looking for opportunities to move out of the St. Louis area and thinking we would like to get up to the North East. So last weekend I had found a job online (internal) and applied for it. Went to work on Monday not thinking too much about it. I know how long these things take right. Well, on a side note, I got a call on my way out of work that Turner had just gotten sick. By the time I picked him up and got home Mackenzie had joined in the fun. Then later that night Aaron and I both joined. It was one of the worst nights of our life in and out of the bathroom. So Tuesday we all stayed home. I think it was Wednesday when I called in to work to check my voice mails and had a call to set up a phone interview. ended up having that Thursday afternoon. It went GREAT. The hiring manager had said that she would be making a decision on Monday or Tuesday about who they would be bringing out for on-site interviews, but then Friday morning she replied that they had already decided to bring me out. Sooooo I have travel arrangements to be in New London Connecticut on February the 8th for an interview!!! It is all so crazy and happening so fast, but that is the way we do things, so it fits. We are trying not to get overexcited, I know I don't have the job yet, but everything is just fitting in to place. There is a possibility that me and the boys could be in Connecticut in April, with Aaron and Kenz coming as soon as school was done. (Of course I still don't know if I could leave my little girl behind, she may just have to cut Kindergarten a little short). So, keep your fingers crossed for us. We are so excited and feel that this would be such a wonderful experience for our family.