Back on the bloggin' wagon

Ok, I'm back after a very long absence. I can't exactly say why...maybe it's a combination of vacation, vacation recovery, husband sickness, self sickness, and Eve Rene sickness, antibiotics....you get the picture.

So in the last month I managed to turn 28 years old. I guess I'm doing pretty good to already be on child #3 by 28. I always said I wanted to have all my kids by 30, so I just might accomplish that goal!! I just need to get back on this dissertation bandwagon too so I can finish school. It's sooooo hard with these two kids to muster up the motivation to lock myself in the bedroom or work on super boring literature review stuff after the kids go to bed when I am already exhausted from the day and this pregnancy.

Jesse's job hunt continues. So frustrating. It's a very long waiting game just to hear back from places. So far only one return call from a potential employer which culminated in a good interview, but no job offer. I don't get it because my husband is well qualified to do a number of jobs, but either the jobs aren't available due to hiring freeze or he never gets contacted. Mind you, he has followed up with each place numerous occasions with the "You'll get a call if you qualify" or "Don't call us, we'll call you" routine. So let me just get this out.....

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Ok, back to my birthday. It was nice. Just family, food, and chocolate lasagna!! Mmmmm.... Here is a list of the goods I got:

Birthday breakfast from the hubby
My 1st Vera Bradley purse from Jesse (the diaper bag does not constitute a purse)
Hollister perfume so I can smell like Katy
Lots of cash & checks (Thanks Mom, Nanny, Granny, & JuJu)
Birthday dinner & visit from JuJu
Avon perfume (Abssynthe)
Cool sweaters from Mom
Some makeup
A Book from Maurie & Opher with some Soccer Mom family stickers for the Van ;o)
A card from Sterling
3 more Vera Bradley purses plus a matching wallet purchased post b-day with b-day $$$$
Dress from Target for $6.25 plus a lovely brown cardigan also purchased with b-day $$$$
Some chocolate covered Starbucks coffee beans from Sherry. Made my Sunday morning!

I think I covered everything. If I left anything out, sorry!! I loved everything. Thanks for all the b-day wishes too.

Oh, cute little story: While Jesse and I were on our date night this last Sat, my mom got out one of my old ballet outfits and Eve LOVED it!! She was dancing around my parent's house like a loon. She wanted to dance the "NeNe" dance several times (this song the Wiggles sing and dance to, don't ask why she calls it the NeNe dance). Anyway, they said they got pics and I will post them when I get them. I guess I always envisioned that if I had a daughter, she would dress up in my old ballet suits....it's just weird that it's happening already. Strange how life flies by and how what brings you happiness changes also. When my kids are happy, I'm happy. They have helped me learn to laugh at so many things I didn't even realize could be funny.

So now that my family and I are done hacking up the green goblins, I hope to post on here more often. Stay tuned ;o)

Laundry day

Yes, my days are full of fun and exciting things like doing loads of laundry consisting of mounds of mini-me apparel, attempting to keep up with a potty training 2 year old, feeding a semi-capable of feeding herself on her own 2 year old as well as a not capable of even holding his bottle 6 month old, cleaning up toys about 20 times a day, washing loads of bottles, sippy cups, child's utensils, bowls, etc..., and much, much more. (and the excitement mounts...)

Today we are catching up on laundry since we are visiting Jesse's family this weekend. I'm looking forward to making a cheesecake while we're up there in celebration of Jessica's (my sister-in-law) birthday. Mmmmmmm.....cheesecake. And it's looking like this weekend won't be a total washout as I had expected. At least Sunday looks good.

I am really excited about YAMS tonight. Our Young Adult Ministry (hence YAMS) has grown and even developed a nice little core of people who faithfully attend each week. Last summer's attempt at YAMS was quite discouraging since people are in and out due to vacations and such, but this year, we have had quite a few new faces pop up. If we had everyone who comes to YAM show up at once, no doubt we'd have about 20 people there plus about 10-12 kids. Crazy. We almost need a childcare worker to come look after the kids....make that two childcare workers....or three!! haha. But seriously, if we continue to grow, we will have to look into that. For real.

Anyway, not much going on around here. I am excited to announce that I will be getting some student loan fundage this year so hopefully that will help buy Jesse and I some time until he gets a steady job. Please pray that it happens soon!! It seems like every place is either on some sort of hiring freeze or is taking forever to get in contact with Jesse. The whole process is just so disheartening and frustrating and enough to make you wanna pull your hair out and scream.

But we won't do that. We'll just pray ;o)

Proud mommy moment

Today at the YMCA I had one of those moments when you realize that all the hard work you've been doing to teach your child something vital have paid off. As Jesse and I rounded the corner toward the childcare area at the Y to pick up the chillins we heard Miss Eve whining and almost in tears. There were two workers consulting each other on the issue and one said to the other "She said she has to go poo poo on the potty, but she's in a diaper so I'm not sure what to do." I gladly swiped her up and went to the bathroom which was locked. We had to wait about a minute for a family to finish and Eve was so antsy to go potty.



When we finally got her on the potty, she was so relieved and did her business. Her tears instantly turned into a smile as she proudly said "I went poo poo on the potty, I want yummies (gummy snacks) for poo poo on the potty!!" I was so happy that

a) Eve asked to go on the potty in a place she doesn't usually ask to go and

b) She clearly did not want to go on herself.



I was a proud mommy!! We have been working so hard with her. And come to think of it, we haven't had a poopy accident in several weeks. She's definitely on her way to big girl undies.



Oh, and I'm also proud of myself for getting off my bum and getting myself to the YMCA. It has been a long two months without getting my cardio on, but then again.....I wouldn't expect anyone to get their cardio on while feeling nauseated and exhausted all the time. Anyway, I'm BAAAACK!! And I'm gonna stick with it this pregnancy.....hopefully.

And today I got to hang out with some pretty cool gals and a gaggle of children!! Oh my!! It was fun and exhausting. I got home and was determined to get both the kids down for a nap. So after threatening a spanking, Eve napped for about 2 hours....she was very tired and obviously needed a little "motivation" for sleep. David went down with no trouble and then I put myself down for a much needed nap. It was so nice until David woke up about an hour later while I was in a deep sleep. Nothing like stomping up the stairs in a zombie-like state....wait a minute....that's what life is like with a newborn. Oh no!! I've got another one coming soon!! Eeeeeeeeeeek!!! Lord help me!

My funny kids.....and what's wrong with this picture game ;o)

Eve decided that she is into kitty wearing lately. She put "Yeow" in her shirt and carried him around in her belly. She would make a very cute pregnant toddler, don't you think?


Eve posing like mommy does for her weekly prego pic. This girl is too funny sometimes.



And what's wrong with this picture?? (Scroll down)




























(not for the weak of stomach)


























(Have you figured it out yet?)



















Yeah, that was fun to clean up!! Poop is like the hazing of motherhood. When will it be over???

Chocolate Eclaire cake take two...

I now embark into the kitchen to make the infamous Chocolate Eclaire cake. This time using INSTANT pudding mix instead of cook and serve which obviously does not thicken when not....well....ummmm COOKED!!

On a side note, my head is killing me and this Tylenol junk is making me mad. It doesn't work! Maybe making something yummy will make it all go away!

Jewelry making binge....

So I realized I never posted pics of the necklace/earring sets I made for my mom and Julie on Mother's Day. Well, the top was for my mom, and the bottom was for Julie (Jesse's mom). I just bought a bunch of beads and jewelry making supplies online so I can make a bunch of children's necklace and bracelet sets to sell at the MOPS fall yard sale as well as on Etsy if I have an excess. I'm super excited about making a profit on something I like to do.

And I have a SUPER cute marketing gimmick for the jewelry too!! I'm not telling, but after I make one, I will do the big reveal and let you in on my copyrighted (not really...but if you copy me I will hunt you down and....well I won't break that commandment) prototype. Yay!! Well, the hubby has put a limit on my computer time. I am really on the computer a bit too much. I should cut back a bit. Maybe not....

Say cheese!!.....or else you go to time out

The picture turned out so well despite numerous bribes of "yummies" (gummy snacks) and threats of time out for misbehaving. They were taken at Portrait Innovations. A great place if you're on a budget and just want one pose because they always have a huge $9.99 package of one pose. Well, we got a bit more, but well worth it!

Anyway, tonight is date night. Something inexpensive for dinner and a movie on a gift card. Gotta be thrifty with entertainment!

Ok, gotta go get the chillin's stuff ready for Nanny and Poppy's house tonight....Enjoy the pics!