Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving didn't really go as planned. I got sick with the flu and strep throat. I had been down and out all week. We were going to do Thanksgiving with a friend but didn't want to give them the "sickness" so we made due with what we had and made a great meal. We went to Walmart that morning to get our last items. I wanted to apologize to everyone working there and explain that I had been sick. I felt like such a loser of a woman for shopping Thanksgiving morning.

Ryan and I worked on dinner. Aidan set our table for us and both the kids made name plates for everyone. We had a great yummy turkey, Las Vegas potatoes, rolls, and broccoli salad. So other than the rolls and turkey we were pretty non tradish. Oh we did have Martinellis and toasted to everyone we could think of. Even though I was sick I think the day turned out pretty okay. It was relaxing and at our own pace. I tried to make it fun for the kids so they would know it was special too. For their dessert we made turkey oreos. FABULOUS!
We took naps, watched some movies, and even a little football slipped in and of course we watched the Macy's Parade. So all in all it was a good day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lacey's prayer

Lacey's prayer for her sick mommy:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Bless this day. Bless that we will be safe. Bless that mommy will feel better tomorrow. Bless that the Holy Ghost will come back to her heart. Bless the Holy Ghost. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen

My Quirks

Tagged:
1. I hate stuff being put on the dashboard of a car while you are driving around. I don't like seeing it there nor do I like it sliding from one side to the other while you turn corners. I hate stuff on the floor of the car too that will slide around and make noises as you drive. So if you put your mail on the dash of the car and then opened a can of tennis balls and then drove me all over town I would seriously lose my mind.

2. I can't stand it when the microwave clock reads the remaining unused seconds from the timer instead of the clock.

3. I sleep with the sleeve of a sweatshirt over my eyes every night to make it pitch black so I can fall asleep faster. I keep the same sweatshirt under my pillow. I love it so much. I don't like to wear those sleeping mask things because in case of an emergency I don't think I could rip it off fast enough. I feel like I would get all entangled in the elastic. So don't suggest any eye masks cause I love my sweatshirt.

4. I'm married to a pilot and am terrified when I fly. Imagine being scared of what your spouse does for a living. I'm not afraid for him but I am terrified when I am flying.

5. I dry off from the shower in the exact same way every time.

6. I love teeny bopper movies. One of my favs is John Tucker Must Die and can I say yes, I watch The Hills. Can't explain the love.

I tag Ashly, Alexis, and Nathalie.

Here are the rules.1. Link the person(s) who tagged you. 2. Mention the rules on your blog. 3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours. 4. Tag some fellow bloggers by linking them. 5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged.Can't wait to see what is goofy about YOU!!!!

Crawlin' and Cruisin'

Cassidy is officially on the go. She cruises all over. Her favorite destination? the bathroom. When she sees the door open she b-lines it to get in the door. Not sure what the infatuation is. It is fun to see her explore around and especially show up all the sudden at my feet.

Who wants to be me?

My Weekend Away

My uncle passed away last weekend after suffering from an unknown illness. I was sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts were mostly with my dad who had lost his first sibling. It is a different stage of life now and that always brings on new thoughts and feelings. When I found out when the funeral was going to be and that it was being held in Utah, Ryan and I made arrangements that I could be there. Ryan was a great support and was willing to let me go a couple of days early to have some "away" time.

I flew out of Cincinnati Thursday afternoon. I strangely walked through security by myself. It is amazing how easy it is when you don't have three carry-ons, a stroller, a car seat, 6 pairs of shoes, 4 jackets, one blanket and a diaper bag. It was a breeze compared to what I was used to doing with the kids. I sadly didn't get in first class but was happy to make it on the plane. Ironically enough, my cousin, his wife and five kids and my aunt (the wife to my uncle who had passed) were on my flight. What a small world. I sadly was seated next to a "dirty old man" (he called himself that. I am just agreeing with him). He was totally wasted and continued to drink on the flight. I tried to be nice and talk to him in the beginning but I soon realized he wouldn't stop talking and I wasn't about to let this guy ruin my peaceful flight without my kids. So I put on my headphones and ignored him. Rude I know. But this opportunity doesn't come too often.

I had a great time with my parents. I slept in the first morning and then laid in bed for an hour reading a book. I NEVER GET TO DO THAT! Friday, I was able to go to a craft fair with my mom, aunt and cousin. It was so fun. My mom and I had a blast together and she spoiled me rotten. Again, can I reiterate how nice it was not to be pushing a stroller, finding snacks, appeasing begging and silencing whining. It was just me. ME!

The funeral was Saturday. My two brothers were there and also my sister. We saw so many cousins we hadn't seen in years. Everyone referenced me as "oh you are cute little Tiffany". I thought I had grown up but oh well, I guess I will always be that little girl to most of them. It was great to hear stories about my uncle. You can't help but reflect on your life as you hear the memories of a life that has been completed. What can I do better or what do I want to be known for? What do I want my kids to learn from me? Or what do I want them remembering me doing? So many things to ponder and think about. So many.

I am so grateful to Ryan for taking care of the kids. It was so nice to be just me for a couple of days. I missed them a lot and realized so much of who I am is being their mom. I love that. I was so happy to see them again and got great big hugs from all of them. Especially Ryan!

The Bus stop ritual

I don't like getting up at 6:30 a.m. to get Aidan ready for school. Rushing around crazy getting him showered and dressed, fed, signing all the papers that need to go back to the teacher that day, and a lunch made for him. Rushing out the door in hopes to make the bus. Then walking down around the corner in the cold and sometimes rain. Not fun. I hate doing this.

But then the bus stop ritual begins. It is the same every time. When the bus comes, Aidan takes my hand and walks me across the street to where the bus is. He stops. Turns and gives me a big hug and a kiss. He then gets on the bus and I go to the other side of the street (as told to do by Aidan) to give my last waves. For the next few minutes he waves four times then shows the I love you sign then waves again. He repeats this even until the bus pulls away giving his last desperate waves and I love you signs. I in turn am doing the exact thing back to him. I love this part of my day. I love it so much. It is always sad for me to have him go but this is our way of departing and letting each other know we love each other and we will miss each other while we are a part. I love it! So waking up early and rushing around is so worth it when I get to share this bus stop moment with Aidan.

Fall in Kentucky

Totally pulling a Rachael

Phone books

The new phonebooks are here! The new phonebooks are here!

(Have you seen The Jerk?)

Purse Party

For Lacey's friend party I decided to have Purse Party. I saw a purse cake in a magazine and I knew it had to be done. I had kind of given up on making the kids cakes when I had a horrible experience trying to do a Dora cake. This looked simple enough so I went with it. I was so excited for the party, probably more so than Lacey.



We had all the girls bring their favorite purses and did all purse things. We had purse coloring pages, we decorated new little purses, and played purse games and got purse prizes(like lipgloss a brush and a compact) and ate a purse cake. I think I thought the party was WAY cooler than the girls did. Oh well, I think they had fun. I have lots of pictures from the party, thanks to my professional photographer, Alexis, but I felt I needed to get parent's permission to post them. So I just picked a few of Miss Lacey.

Isn't the cake so dang cute? This is how we felt when we had to cut it up.



Somehow the party ended with some of little girls either chasing the neighbor boy outside or doing my hair and makeup. What fun!

Finally Four!

Happy Birthday Lacey girl! Finally four. We are so happy Lacey is in our family. She makes us laugh and smile, scream and shout, dance and sing, and play and primp. We love the personality she has even when it tests our limits. She is generous, caring, determined and feminine. I sure love watching her learn and grow. She has a strong spirit that will be a power to the world someday.

We enjoyed the day with her by eating cake and ice cream and opening presents.

Weekend of Celebration

Now that Halloween is over the celebration of Lacey's birthday has begun. My in-laws came out for the occasion and we had a blast playing together. We started off shopping for some presents at Toys-R-Us and then headed to McDonalds for some lunch. After that we went bowling and then more shopping at Target. Lacey had the whole day planned out. When I asked her if we could have some rest time she said, "No boring things today and resting is boring." Well, the princess spoke so there was no rest time planned for.

Bowling was fun. Ryan beat us all though and in so doing won the honor of choosing a movie of his choice at Target. Of course, he picked Iron Man.

About 8:30 tonight I saw my neighbor and her 24 year old son walk across the street towards our house. I was a little concerned as to why they were coming over because they never do. They had just finished up her son's birthday party and had a whole bunch of mylar balloons from it. She had remembered from last year when I borrowed her big blow up birthday cake for the front yard that it was Lacey's birthday tomorrow. She wanted to know if we wanted the birthday balloons. Isn't that the sweetest thing? I couldn't believe she remembered. So Lacey has a whole slew of balloons for her birthday.