I love that Tyler is very pleased with choking me. I wouldn't blame him sometimes:)

And just for good measure, another one of the little guy.

I wish...

...I had something marvelous to blog about. I feel like typing, I really love to do it. Just when I really want to I never have anything to blog about. Hmm. I'm thinking. Still thinking. Nope, nothin'.

Ten minutes later...

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. We all know those are a couple of my favorite things. Except I hate the rain and would enjoy plucking the whiskers off the kittens. Just kidding, I only hate full grown cats who scowl and plan my demise. Anyway, I guess those things aren't my favorite even though Julie Andrews thinks so.

Ok, so my favorite things. I say a lot of things are my favorite. Of course my husband and my kids are my favorite people, and I love Diet Coke, Milky Way bars, riding bikes, camping and being lazy. But I really, truly love musicals. In fact, I love bursting out into song very much. I love to sing loud. Sometimes I sound good, sometimes I just sound plain ridiculous. I've dreamed of being a singer, a silly thing really. It will never come true and even if it did I would never sell out to what the world would want me to be anyway. So I'll stick to Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Barbara Streisand duets. If you've never heard me and my sister or Hillary bust out our duets in the car then you are truly missing out. There's nothing louder, more ear piercing than three ladies trying to live up to the legends themselves. We, sadly, fall very, very short. But it doesn't matter. It's wonderful, magnificent. To sum it up, I love music and I wouldn't mind if my world suddenly turned into a world of spontaneous musical numbers.

So when the dog bites and the bee stings, shoot the dog and stab yourself with an epi pen. Then make up a musical number about it and dance the night away. Or take a nap. Or go to jail for shooting a dog.

Ten On Tuesday....Late

1. Since I don't have a gym or diet buddy, myfitnesspal.com has been a lifesaver for me. Sometimes Tyler helps me stay on track but he mostly lures me away with his peanut butter m&m's, ha. I track what I eat and all my excersize online and it seems to be working for me.

2. We watched Julie and Julia last night. I'm glad I saw it but I didn't love it. Julia Child's voice is very annoying!

3. Our office is looking for a robot who will cater to my every want and need someone to assist me during tax season. It would be Monday through Friday, 10-4 (hours may increase as the deadline approaches) during March and April. The pay is $11 per hour since it's a temp job. If any of you know of someone reliable, flexible and interested in short term work please let me know. Krista, I know you have a lot of college friends so let me know if you hear of someone!

4. I love that I practically just posted an ad on my blog. What is this, Craigslist?

5. We carved pumpkins this weekend. The kids helped clean off the seeds to bake them. Cole still hates touching the pulp which is totally hilarious to watch! Tyler made chipotle flavored seeds and garlic ones. They were fantastic!

6. Cole and Kayley switched beds. Cole's on the top now and he's loving it! I feel like he's so much bigger now. I'm pretty sure we've reached the point of no return on having more kids. I'm choosing to be content though. Starting over would be such a huge deal for us now that Cole is almost five. Three months until Kayley is 7 (eek!) and Cole is 5!

7. I'm so happy that the Stachurski's will be in California so soon! I'm probably the most excited about being around when the baby is born!

8. Two months until Christmas!!

9. Kayley wants to be an astronaut and Cole wants to be Batman for haloween. I'm still not a lover of the day but will always be a lover of the candy.

10. I'm glad we got Kayley's inhaler because she woke up sick and wheezy this morning. Remember when Kayley was a baby and we called her wheezer?

Photobooth

Steve posted a bunch of photobooth pictures on Facebook yesterday. I couldn't find any of the the ones of just Tyler and I but I did find one of us with Krista and some random little guy. He was a cute kid!

I'm feeling weird today. Perhaps it's the starvation mode I have entered because of my extreme calorie reduction. Or maybe it's because I've been grinding my teeth so much my teeth are being pushed up into my brain. Or maybe it's because I'm allergic to the adhesive on band aids and I'm all red and itchy around my stitches. Or maybe it's because work has been so slow that I want to pull my hair out. Or maybe it's because there is nothing grammatically correct about beginning a sentence with or.

Whatever. It doesn't matter. Right, Kim?

So I've been dreaming and here it is:

Krista, Kim, Hillary, Joanna, Lindsay and I all end up on a cul de sac somewhere up North. We all love Jesus and go to church. We watch each others kids (or my kids can watch theirs, ha), play bunco on Friday nights (poker when we're feeling wild) and take pictures of us taking shots with sippy cups sitting next to us on the table. Our husbands can go on camping trips, talk about brewing their own beer and go hunting and fishing with our boys. We have pot luck night every Tuesday and we force the men to watch Glee with us. When it snows we help shovel each others' driveway and when it's scorching we can all jump in my pool and sip margaritas and have lemonade for the kids. We all go to the same gym and are all our goal weight no matter what junk food we consume. There's a house on the beach in California where us girls go a few times a year to get away. We reflect on our teenage years: youth camps, toilet papering houses, eating at Snapper Jacks, watching kids at church, consuming McD's ice cream, working but not paying any rent, leg ballet, getting way to consumed with boys and buying and wearing clothing and accessories that were very ugly.

Hey, a girl can dream, right? I'm not complaining about my life, I love it. I just wish someday, somehow my friends could be less than a plane ride away. You know how sometimes people end up not staying in touch with friends as time goes on? I just don't see that happening with us. In fact, as time goes on, I seem to like them even more. So here's a tear for you guys tonight. Now I'm sucking it up and going to bed.

Happy Girl

Kayley called me right after school yesterday and told me that she and five other kids from first grade (including Brianna) were picked for the craziest hair style! They got to go up on stage and said their name and who did their hair! Of course, Kayley was the only one who said her dad did her hair!

Ten On Tuesday

1. Wow, Tuesday comes so quickly.

2. We had a garage sale last weekend and made a good chunk of change. It took people a while to start coming (it was really misty in the early morning) but around 9 things started picking up. I've never done so little work and made so much money at one of our sales before.

3. Driving to port hueneme to do a huge shopping trip is totally worth it. The prices are low, plus I can still use coupons.

4. It's red ribbon week at school. As Kayley describes it, "it's where we learn to not to drugs or sonething." Today is crazy hair day because you would be crazy in the head to do drugs. I wish I could take the credit for this hair style but I have to give it all to Tyler.

5. I miss being at home with my kids.

6. 26 days until the ball! Here's a sneak peek of the dress:

I know it looks brown in the picture but it's black. It hugs my curves at the top and then flares out past the hips. Mermaid is the style I think.

7. Krista and I saw The Social Network on Saturday. It was ok, I suppose. I just don't really love the guy who created Facebook. Of course, who knows if his character was even portrayed truthfully.

8. It's a drink hot chocolate and snuggle up on the couch kind of day. I had hot chocolate but it's hard to snuggle up in my swivel chair:)

9. When I went to my Grandpa's house last week I saw a picture of Grandma Eve up on the wall and it made my heart ache. I miss her.

10. I don't know why ten is so hard for me!

Monday Madness

Ok, well there's nothing really crazy about today I just thought it was a catchy title.

My boss is on vacation for two weeks. My supervisor is always here before me and she still isn't here at 8:45. I bet everyone will wear jeans today, too. Not me, I'm just that dedicated to my job. Now that the deadline for extensions has passed that means more thumb twidling, solitaire playing, nail filing and Glee watching on the clock. Jk.

I made a couple of resolutions for myself and so far they have been a success! One of them is to lose two pounds a week until the ball. The dress I'm wearing is a bit snug. I can fit into it but I can't really sit comfortably. So, I started back on track last Monday and met my goal for the week! If I lose what I want to lose I will have met my goal for 135 pounds.

It's time for the sweet nectar, the sustanance, the joy of my early morning: COFFEE!!

Ten On Thursday

1. I thought I would throw ya'll a curveball and do ten on Thursday, too.

2. Tomorrow is the tax deadline for people who filed extensions. We're having pizza for lunch in the office!

3. I'm not loving the story line in Glee right now but I still do love the music. Love, love, love it!

4. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night, threw up and went back to sleep. I woke up this morning fine and dandy. Weird.

5. Today was picture day for Cole man. He's such a cute kid. I'm excited to see the pictures!

6. I love the way my kids pray these days. Their prayers go on forever, thanking God for everyone on the planet and asking Him to help them make right choices. I have to record one sometime, it's wonderful. Tuesday night Kayley asked God to help her pick out the best pumpkin at the pumkin patch.

7. A coworker gave me a sample of Kim Kardashian perfume. I now smell like a giant rose.

8. My excision went well. I have five stitches. It's uncomfortable but not unbearable.

9. I cannot keep fishy crackers in the house. I love them too much.

10. I love that most of my close friends now have blogs. It's fun being able to see what's going on in everyone's world!

Ten On Tuesday

1. Today the doc will be removing another chunk of flesh.

2. One month until the ball.

3. 5 days and counting!!

4. I referred Krista to Saticoy Self Storage and they're sending me $25!

5. I went back to the gym last night and worked my buns off. The good news is that I'm not as sore as I thought I would be. The bad news is that I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open while I type this.

6. Tyler put a soccer mom sticker on my car. I have a love/hate relationship with that term.

7. When I give Kayley her vitamin in the morning she holds it in her mouth for a long time. I've caught her with it in her mouth after 30 minutes once.

8. We did a huge cleaning of our room on Sunday. Everything was pulled out of the closet and a lot of it is going to be sold at our garage sale next week. It's nice to have space again! Tyler is a good motivator because I wouldn't have done it otherwise.

9. I want to take the kids to the library soon. I wish I had more time to do those kinds of things.

10. I've got nothing for ten.

Rachel & Steve's Wedding

The wedding was wonderful! Rachel was beautiful, the ceremony was very short and sweet and we had fun hangin' out and dancing. I stole Krista's pictures because I didn't take any.

Rachel (all the way at the end), Angela, Becca, Krista, Michelle, Me and Klara getting pampered! And that was only half of the girls.

Happy toes!

All ready! Megan did an amazing job on my hair. Almost two hours plus 50 bobby pins equals a great up do.

We took turns holding Rachel's dress while she walked around.

Rachel and her dad. So sweet.

I love our little family:)

I like this one better!

They had a photo booth to take pictures and paste them in a guest book. It was down for a while and the kids really wanted a picture before they left. So here's what they chose for props:

I think my favorite part was when we were doing a Persian dance with the whole bridal party. Steve's family is awesome (Rachel's too!) and I love that some of them were able to come from overseas.

Now I only wish I were in Costa Rica sleeping in and drinking margaritas, too!

Today Is The Day!

Today is the day Rachel and Steve are getting married! Yesterday we got pedicures, cut flowers, made bouquets and got things ready for the wedding. I have three bouquets in my fridge. Two of them have already lost flowers so a little surgery needs to be done. The wedding rehearsal was last Sunday but the dinner was last night. It was fun! Then Megan put my hair in curlers. It's quite a funny sight to see but my hair won't hold curl for that long otherwise. And in case you were wondering, I did not sleep very well with them in. The price I pay for curly whirlys.

Thanks to my great mommy, my dress is all hemmed and I managed to lose a couple of pounds in the last few days to be more comfortable in it. Bananas and water have been my best friend.

Today will be kind of crazy. I have to go to Megan's to get my hair done, then home to do my makeup, then to the ranch to keep Rachel from trying to do everything her self, then pictures at 2:30, wedding at 4 and then it's party time!!!

God IS Faithful

So I've been thinking about my little spurt of irritation the other day. I hardly ever blog about something in the heat of the moment and perhaps I was unkind. I talked to Megan for a bit the other day and I've been praying about it and here's the verse that the Lord gave me:

Romans 3:3-4

What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? 4Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”

This has come as such an encouragement to me. For a moment there I let my anger get in the way of how I really feel. Just because people don't believe that God is in control and that he is faithful to complete the work he began doesn't mean it isn't true! God is sovereign no matter what people think. And it's my job to hold tight to Him, knowing that what He is doing is good though there will be many who oppose it.

John 10:10 says "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I want the full life God has for me, even if it's painful journey to get there!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

Ten On Tuesday

1. I love this weather. I also love the selection of coats at Target. I'm thinking of getting myself a couple new ones this fall.

2. Three cheers for Hillary joining the blogging world!

3. I took Cole to the doctor this morning. He has lots of fluid in both ears and an infection in one. He never acts sick. He always eats, always drinks and always sleeps when he's sick. It's great but hard to tell that he's actually sick sometimes.

I love our new pediatrician! I have physicals scheduled for both kids and they'll probably get their flu shots then, too. I wasn't going to do flu shots this year. I don't think it's necessary for everyone and I probably won't get one myself but I'm still considering getting them for the kids. Tyler gets a load of everything from the Marines anyway whether he likes it or not!

4. Last night Tyler and I went to Snapper Jacks for dinner. We decided that, since we went there right after our wedding and it was the first thing I ate after having both kids, it should become a tradition. And a tasty one at that. After tacos we got a pizookie from BJ's. An anniversary pizookie, anazookie or pizookary. We all know I love combining words. Anyway, it was a great, simple way of remembering our special day.

5. Next week at this time I will have eight stitches in my back.

6. Our reservations have been made for the ball. I'm very excited.

7. There was no one to run the rehearsal for Rachel and Steve on Sunday so I took charge. Try getting 22 bridesmaids and groomsman, 2 flower girls, a ring bearer and 3 ushers to do what they're supposed to do. It's not easy! I have considered wedding planning as a career and I would really enjoy it! Someday when I can afford to do what I want to do I might give it a go. I wouldn't even mind doing it for free.

8. Wednesdays are crazy so I think I'm going to get stuff ready tonight to throw in the crock pot in the morning. As much as I love soccer I will be happy when it's over.

9. I have been a gym slacker. There's no time, especially when I work until 5 and I don't get home until nearly 6! I think I might have to start getting up at 5am to exercise before work. Yuck.

10. It's cold outside and they have the air conditioning on inside. If I worked with a bunch of women this would never happen. :)

Seven Years

Seven years ago I married Tyler. He was 20, I was 19 and we were all kinds of crazy in love. I'm happy that the man I've known since I was 11 and been kissin' on since I was 15 is still my man. I thank God for bringing us together and together we will be until we're old and gray.

Happy Anniversary, Babe!

Busy, busy, busy

Well good morning little toddler upstairs who has been pounding on the floor for the past hour. You're a cutie but I don't particularly care for you at this hour!

Cole and I took Hillary to the airport on Friday. It was sad to see her go:( We took the 1 there and back. It was an amazing drive since it was such a pretty day! We met Tyler and another guy from the Marines at Coffee Bean in Santa Monica. They were headed to LAX to pick someone up and I was headed home so it worked out. Swervy-mc-swerves-a-lot almost killed us on the way back, too. LA is no bueno. Plus, my palms get all sweaty when I drive there.

Kayley had a hard time at her soccer game yesterday. Her little lungs are struggling so I think it's time for a new inhaler. She still hasn't had an asthma attack, not even close, but I want to be prepared just in case. I also think Cole has an ear infection. He can't hear as well and says "what? what?" all day. Three cheers for a trip to the doc! Speaking of which, I need to find a new pediatrician.

After Tyler got home last night we took the kids to see Despicable Me. I loved it! The little minion guys are so funny! Great movie.

Tyler is going on his 7th day straight of work and won't have a break until Saturday. The kids will be with my parents for a while today so I can go to the wedding rehearsal. It's a much needed break for me! Less than a week and it's party time and I'm very excited!!

Happy Sunday! I'm looking forward to a great week!