A Challenging Month

For the past month, J and I have been battling j at bedtime...we took the side off of her crib in early Sept. and she did AWESOME for a couple of weeks...then all of the sudden, she decided she did not want to stay in her bed...we tried a couple different things, which did not work...then decided to sit in the hallway to keep her in bed...after a while, this got old...she would eventually sleep on the floor in her room and wind up in our room so then we decided that "screw it" let her cry and let her begin to fall asleep on the floor. So now our routine is read stories and make a bed for her on her floor. Of course she can't stay in her room, she has to have her head in the hallway so she can see out the door. Drives me nuts. Oh well...then about 2 in the morning she wakes up and sleeps on the floor in our room. We are doing our best to avoid letting her sleep in our bed...she does from time to time of course...what child doesn't. It's been very frustrating for us because up until this point, she had been such a great sleeper and the bedtime routine went smooth. We are still keeping a routine (I think), but the outcome is different than before....For me, the worst part is missing out on some time with my husband...especially on Saturday night, which is our movie night....guess that's what kids to do us!!!

Good night all!

Five Years

J and I have made it 5 years...the time sure does go by fast. Friday we went to Lincoln and met J's parents for dinner and they took j for the weekend! We spent the rest of the weekend there just enjoying the time together. We checked into our hotel that night and the desk attendant gave our our keys (isn't funny we still call them keys when they are actually cards?), anyway, we headed to room 301 and I tried the key 3 times and finally we heard a woman yelling from the room, "you got the wrong room." So we headed back to the front desk and got a second room key and headed to the new room and went in...it was hot in there so J headed over to turn on the AC.....well that didn't work....the man at the desk came up to try and fix it...nope, didn't work....so we went to our 3rd room for the night...finally, it worked!!! No problems....whew....and we got a couple of waters and microwave popcorn...exciting right...well when we got the bill Sunday, there was about $20 knocked off the bill for each night....not too bad for going through a little bit of hassle....it was actually pretty funny....of course we didn't have to chase a 2 y.o. around during all of this, so I'm sure that's why it wasn't too much of a deal for us. So on Saturday, we did A LOT of shopping....I bought myself some new clothes and we got j a table and chair set for Christmas....We then met J's brother and wife for dinner that night and enjoyed visiting with each other. Sunday we met up again with J's parents for lunch for our "pick-up!" j was so sad to be leaving Nana, but we were very excited to see her! Overall, it was a great weekend, but was glad to be back home.

Not Sure

I just want to sleep...I'm about ready to cry....aaaarrrggg.

I cannot sleep....I couldn't get comfortable and J is snoring...so here I am at midnight typing all of my woes....most likely will be rambing in this post.

This is at least the 4th night in a row that I've struggled with sleeping. I'm really not sure why, but it's starting to piss me off....we spend $1400 on a stupid sleep number bed that is not helping me right now....I really have no idea why I just started crying....maybe it's because I want to sleep so bad and I can't...or it could be those damn hormones again...why do I seem to get them so frequently...I mean I know we all have hormones, but why why why.

Ok, better now, maybe I can sleep now

It's been awhile....

Wow, it's really been a long time since I have posted anything....the first of July...that's a long time....let's see, what have we been up to.

Joe started his new job as Technology Specialist with the school district, or "geek squad!" I think this job really fits him a lot better than teaching and I think he really likes it.

J and j both had birthdays....I cannot believe my baby is 2! Where does the time go???? I wish I knew. We spend their birthdays in York....j got some baby dolls for her birthday, as she loves taking care of here babies....except, for some reason, she would rather have their clothes off....silly girl. I really can't think that we did much else in July...I just can't remember! Oh yeah, we went to the county fair...j like the carasel the best....I really have no idea how to spell that!

August has been busy...doing something every weekend....the first weekend we headed to Stanberry to the annual church carnival that I grew up with. j LOVED it...it was a rather hot evening, so we didn't stay too long, but it was fun to see all the old games I used to play. I do remember turtle races, but they don't have that anymore...to bad, that would have been fun watching j watch them.

We again headed to York last weekend for J's grandma 80th birthday party....j was a busy girl!!! Finally about 3:30, I decided to take j for a ride in the car to get her to sleep....it took less then five minutes!!! I don't know why it took until 3:30 to figure that out! Those trips to York are always quick trips and I don't like packing for one night, but I'm glad we only stay for one night....I love being home on Sundays to recoup form those trips....I know it's only one night, but I just get worn out!

Tomorrow night is my 15 year class reunion, again where does the time go? j is going to spend the night at my brothers, so we are childless tomorrow night...whoo hooo!!!

Next weekend, a group of my co-workers are going to Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun....they have a special that military and public safety workers get in free, and Dept. of Corrections employees count!!! Yeah...I have never been to Oceans of Fun. I just hope the weather cooperates.

A while back I had mentioned that I was reading The 5 Love Languages....well I finished it and J read it too, which I was very grateful for...I actually couldn't believe that he did....anyway, it has been good for us, and we are both working at making things better....not that they were bad, just challenging for a while....it's still a work in progress, and I know will always be...I forget that part from time to time. We are planning a weekend trip in Lincoln for our anniversary and sending j to Nana's. Can't wait.

Off for now....

Oh Frustrated

Oh I am frustrated with potty training....I need patience and to know when is the right time....it's hit and miss...frankly she doesn't give a tiny rat's ass if she get M&M's....so I guess it's not the right time, huh? Then J and I don't agree about it either....I really wish she didn't show an interest in it a month ago. I know there will be setbacks and when we are frustrated she is going to be the same way...I know this isn't that exciting of a post and noboby probably cares about my "potty troubles" but for some reason I am very frustrated with j right now and I'm hoping that by writing this down, it will help....seems to be. I can remember at different times in the past two years with trying to change something or do something different, she was resistant, and I got frustrated as hell, but when it was time it happened....damn, she is a strongwilled child....good quality to have, but at 2?????? God help me raise this child....love her dearly, but man she is fiesty!

More Pics

I really don't know how to move the pictures around and write around the so here ya go! Pics of the zoo, swimming at hotel and her bday party.

Happy 3rd of July

We really don't have big plans for the 4th of July....later today we are going to the movies to see Public Enemies...I'm really looking foward to it...not sure if we will go out to dinner or not. Tomorrow I am headed to Stanberry to enjoy the parade with my mom and maybe play a game or two in the park...nothing to exciting....I'm not even sure if we will watch fireworks tomorrow night. I guess it depends on the weather.

Last week, my little family went to Omaha for a couple of days. We headed up last Thursday and let j run around in the room for a bit (she needed it after the long car ride.) Then we headed to the mall for a bit of shopping and to the kiddie play area. j loved it...she did not want to leave....so much that she head butted me when I picked her up to go! I love my daughter! That night we headed to the hotel swimming pool, which was great as it went from 8" to 3 ft. and had a toddler slide and an intermediate slide....j loved being in the water....about 1 minute after I said to J "I wonder if j will throw up after all the chlorine water she has drank" she did!!! Tons of fun with that little one, I tell ya....the best part was informing the other father and daughter that were playing at the other end....oddly enough, another little boy threw up at the top of the bigger slide....well then it was time to go back up to the room and clean up (after I informed the hotel staff and apologized to them). We let j sleep with us in bed (we never do that at home) and it was just horrible....she slept sideways, stood up, moved all around....I don't think any of us slept very good that night. Friday, it was off to the zoo. I was HUMID! At least it was overcast sky so the sun wasn't blaring down on us...we enjoyed our time there and saw lots of animals. We also rode the "skyfari" which I was a bit nervous about because I was terrified that j would wiggle around, but she held on tight!!! I would say it was a 10-15 minute ride from one end of the zoo to another. Once we left, j fell asleep within 5 minutes of leaving! She was TIRED! I slept sooooooo good that night.

Saturday we recouped and got ready for her birthday party in Stanberry on Sunday....she had a great time and loved all her presents, especially the 3 Wheeler that Grandma got her. I made her a hot air balloon cake with Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster in the basket! All she cared about was eating it....she didn't care what it looked like.

Joe started his new job on Wednesday....so far so good.

So I ordered the book today....looking foward to starting it....I HATE these moods that I go through....I really wish I could get it leveled out....writing it down really does help though....

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Good Days & Bad Days

I have my good days and bad days....I have a lot to say and don't know if I will get it all out in this one sitting because I might start crying...most likely I will be rambling with whatever thoughts hit me at the time, with no particular order. So if things don't make sense, sorry.

I've written before that I am struggling, and still am.....I really don't know what my deal is...at this point I cannot decide if I've changed or if J's changed or if both of us have. I'm sure the changes we've encountered have a lot to do with j and I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. I get so pissed at my husband sometimes....there are days when I just don't think I'm important to him at all....the last couple of weeks have been good, then BAM I get pissed about something....and I can't shake it....it usually lasts about 2 days then I'm over it....but during that time, all I can think about is what he is or isn't doing. I really want to take this time and just complain about him, but I realize that won't do any good....I cannot change him, no matter how much I want to....a good friend of mine suggested I read a book...I think it's called "the five love languages" or something like that...I still haven't got the book, but I am certainly one step closer, as there is no way I can do another 50 years like this (yes, I'm going to live to at leat 83!). I get tired of taking most of the initiative in this relationship, but again, I know I can't change him....so I need to make a decision and follow through

A while back, I had made a comment about a 2nd child and J tells me that he's not sure if our marriage could survive another baby....at first I was very angry and stayed that way most of the day. By the time, nighttime came around I had decided that at least he cares about our marriage ....but now am really struggling because I don't know what I want...I do not want j to be an only child, but really don't know what would happen to "us" if another baby came around.....I can't figure out if I want another one or if I want another one because I don't want j to be an only child.....

Sometimes, I just don't feel like a very good mom....I get so impatient sometimes and it totally shows. I don't know how to remainn calm at times...sometimes I'm good at it, and sometimes I'm not. I love her dearly, but sometimes I get so irritated...then there's times when I step back and realize that she is almost 2 and she's doing the things she is supposed to do....how the hell did my mom make it with six kids....sure does make me want to apologize to her!!!!!!

Well, it's a couple days later and it's been a couple of good days....so hence the good and bad days....I don't think it should be like this...but am not sure what to do....ARG....

Thanks for listening...

BTW, it really does help to write it down and let it out....I need to do this more often.

Moving Foward

Things have improved the Alley house. Sometimes, I just struggle so much with everything that I have mentioned earlier. Me and J had a long talk which always makes thing better, but sometimes I wish it didn't have to get to that part, not that I don't like clearing the air, but we need to work of making it happen sooner.

We had a date Friday night which was wonderful. We took j to my sisters and we went out to dinner and watched Angels and Demons. The book was better...the book is always better, but it was nice to get away for a few hours and reconnect.....we tell ourselves we need to do that more often and time moves foward and we get busy and we lose sight of things. Maybe not this time.....maybe

'Nother Day

I'm really struggling here....I cannot decide if I'm being selfish, have too high of expectations, if it's horomones, or if it's not me at all....I don't know what my deal is lately....actually I know what part of it is....it's the whole appreciation thing. I WANT to know that I am....so here's the deal, I really cannot complain about what he doesn't do because he does do chores around the house and I do appreciate it and I tell him. I've read in those magazines that they want to be appreciated so I try to do my best to say "thank you" for different things. But I also want the same thing in return and I don't see that I get it....like I've said before he's not much of a verbal kind of guy, but I wouldn't think that "thank you" would be very hard to say. That's why I've tried to focus on my grateful list, but I've done a shit job with that too. I dunno, maybe my expectations are too high. I can't help but think it's not entirely me.....we've had these discussions before and it usually goes back to the same. So I get mad when I don't feel appreciated, then I just ignore him, and that usually makes things worse. I wish I knew the secrets to making a great marriage...and I really hate to say this, but things have changed since j was born and I knew they would, but not quite like this.....he's a really good dad, but sometimes I feel like he's forgotten about me...again, why I've tried to pay attention to those things to be grateful for and what he does through his actions....again not doing a good job with that.....I really do love him very much......I really wish I could get past this

Thanks for listening....

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Ok, I'm going to focus on the actions.

1. Breakfast of biscuits and gravy
2. Mother's Day Card he bought that is recordable and hearing j say "love you" in the card
3. Flowers that I was not expecting at all
4. Puts the sheets on the bed and makes it without me

On another note, we went to my mom's tonight and there was a burrow in the front yard with 5 adorable baby bunnies in it! I couldn't believe it. j loved them and wanted to "hold it" with all of them.

Have a great night

So much to say

Where to begin....well last weekend we had our garage sale. Several people from work joined in so it was pretty big....I would say it was successful.....with our money, we put it toward lawn care and a new grill. We still have bushes to buy and plant (which I am not looking forward to, I hate yard work), but it will all be worth it in the end. We are SLOWLY improving the look outside....nothing too drastic, just needed some lovin'

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of shopping ALL BY MYSELF. I took j to my mom's and spent the day in St. Joe. It was great and I loved every minute of it. I bought myself a couple pair of sandals and a couple shirts....I really just enjoyed not being rushed and enjoying the day.

So, I have more to say....I've really been struggling lately with my life....the challenges that have come along with being a wife and mom are certainly not what I expected. I can get so mad at myself sometimes for being impatient with J and j. I really don't know how to explain what I have been feeling the last month or so....there are have so many ups and downs....I don't know why I just can't let some things go.....J says to lower my expectations and it will be easier....I'm sure he's right to some extent, and there are things I just need to "let go." I think the hardest part is not feeling like I am appreciated....I know J loves me and shows me in his own way, but I really wish I could hear those words, like "your a good mom" or "thanks for doing that, I appreciate it." It really does bother me, and we've talked about it before, and it doesn't change....he's just not a verbal person like that. So lately, I've been trying to focus on the non-verbal messages that he gives me. And I know that actions speak louder than words. I've read in magazines that a mom has to take care of herself and take time for herself, and put herself first because no one else will. It simply amazes me how much a mom is worth. I never could have imagined. OK, thanks for letting me say what I needed to say.....

Just an update

I was rather surprised when I was checking out my blog that I had a new follower. Needless to say, I was very excited about that. I feel like I've evolved! Anyway, thank you Tracey for thinking that I am interesting enough to follow.

Life really hasn't been any busier than before, I've just been lazy and haven't wanted to spend the time on the computer other than to check my email and facebook. I guess I have been keeping a little busier on weekdays, as I have decided to join the community center. I have been going to Zumba classes 2 days a week and walking two other days. I'm actually a little bit bummed that the girl who teaches the class is going home for the summer so I will have to wait until this fall to continue. There are only 2 classes left, and even though I don't like exercise, it is much better since several of my co-workers also go to the class. We really do have a good time there. I'm hoping to go to water aerobics this summer. I've never done those before so that should be interesting. I am trying new forms of exercise since I just don't like it, and if it doesn't feel like exercise, I'll do much better.....it's like tricking myself!

A few weeks ago, I had a blast from the past....I went to Molly's! Those same co-workers and I decided to go out on a Friday night....and the bonus was it was $5 all you could drink! Wow, remember those days in college. I really did have a good time. Even got out on the dance floor a few times. But I was ready to come home by 11.....

I have also been busy getting things together for our garage sale that we are going to have this weekend. We really don't have a whole lot of stuff, so a couple other people are joinin me in this adventure....I am just hoping to make enough money to pay for things for the lawn and landscaping. And to get rid of some stuff.....we have finally decided to pull out the bushes that are dying and plant some new bushes and flowers.

j has started her new day care and I think she really likes it....she gets to go outside everyday, which I am grateful for, as J and I aren't really outdoorsy kind of people, so she gets a ton of outside time there. Of course she comes home very dirty, but she LOVES it. She continues to have tons of energy....where do kids get it??? She is really starting to repeat things she hears, which is quite the treat at times. Oh, speaking of day care, she did learn something there I am not happy about....."shut up." I know she was only repeating what she heard, but she said, "mommy, shut up" the other night in the car going to Wal-Mart. I have to admit, it was cute and funny and she really didn't understand what she said. With that being said, I am not looking forward to the other things she is going to bring home from daycare....oh well, not much I can do about it!

A new kind of sticker

So j has really been into stickers lately....she likes to put them on her shirt. She has discovered a new kind of sticker and everytime she goes into our bathroom she wants to get a sticker and put it on her shirt!

A First

Part of my job at work is to pass along to offender's when a loved one has died. I HATE that part. I've never been very good at knowing what to say in these circumstances. This past week I had a call on Monday from a parole officer on the street and was informed that the father of an offender had passed away after an accident, so it was completely unexpected. The family wanted to be the ones to tell him; however that could only happen on a visit and we only have visits on SAT/SUN. So, on Wednesday morning, the family decided that the offender needed to know because he was going to get the local newspaper the next day and an acticle would be in it. So, Wednesday afternoon, I called the offender into my office and called "mom" so she could tell him over the phone. Once he heard, he went hysterical.....started screaming and yelling, stood up with the phone in his hand....now my office isn't very big so when he started screaming I knew I needed help because I had no idea what this guy might do....I stood up and attempted to go out the door to get help but realized this guy was in my way and there is no way I'm getting by him. Thank goodness I carry a radio and called over the radio for the officer to report to my office "NOW." I remember saying that on the radio....Lots of staff members showed up at my door.....that's pretty typcial, when a call for help has been made, custody comes running. Now I thought I was rather calm when I called for help on the radio. Apparently not, after talking with some other people who heard my call told me I sounded "frantic." Well I was! I've never had to make a call for help like that before. I've dealt with offenders when they are pissed off or angry, but not like this when the anger is understandable. So that was my excitment this week.

Hush Little Baby

So I just uploaded a photo and do not like it at all....I RARELY get pictures of me and j because J never takes pics......so I'm the one taking pictures, therefore, I am never in them.

Anyway, I thought I would write about the song I sing to j at bedtime...I've been wanting to write it down and this would be a good way to do it so I can remember when she is 10 and she can laugh at the lyrics I made up....I'll sure you will laugh to....

Here we go.....

Hush little baby, don't say a word, mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird don't sing, mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring.

If that diamond ring don't shine, mama's gonna buy you a porcupine.
If that porcupine don't poke, mama's gonna by you a Diet Coke.

If that Diet Coke don't fizz, mama's gonna buy you a friend named Liz.
If that friend named Liz isn't nice, mama's gonna buy you a bag of ice.

If that bag of ice does melt, mama's gonna buy you a leather belt.
If that leather belt does break, mama's gonna bake you a chocolate cake.

If that chocolate cake is dry, mama's gonna buy you McDonald's fries.
If those fries have too much salt, mama's gonna buy you a Wendy's malt.

That's it so far.....Once I get there I get stuck, because I don't know what a malt can do besides melt, and I already used that one with the ice....so if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to pass along.


Also, I'm very excited about this contest I have entered. I'm hoping that I win a fabulous cookbook from Auntie D. I'm positive it will have TONS of recipes that would be great to check out.

I think that is all for now.

Stressed Out

So, I'm hoping that by writing about this it will help me get it out and be less stressed about it...not counting on it though.

This morning, I took j to day care and received information that she was going to be closed a couple of days in March and 4 days in April. She is getting married and going on a honeymoon....I understand, but here's my frustration. In the beginning, she had told us that she would have a back up for days when she needed off...Fine, I can deal with that, however, that is no longer the case....I'm very irritated about it all. So now we are looking for child care AGAIN! I hate it.....we went to a place this afternoon and my fear is that our current day care lady will find out....and we will tell her, but not quite yet....I hate being at the mercy of day care people....we have to have it, but it's such a bitch to find it. I didn't like the place today just because there are so many kids, but it's reliable because it is a center....of course we thought that about the first place we had j in....and wish that would of worked out. I'm just very stressed about it right now....in the end, everything works out, but I hate going through the process...I wish I was better at handling stess....

Maybe I better re-read the things I am grateful for....this morning, I walked in on my co-worker who lost her daughter last fall, who was crying....it is Tuesday and they found her on a Tuesday....I can't even imagine, so maybe I just need to remember what to be thankful for and this isn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.

OK, things will work out and I know that, it just might be a challenging process.

Painted Toes

So, last night I was painting my toenails in prepartion for sandal season (This weather has me anxious) and j decided her had to be painted to. She sat down next to me and pointed to her toes. I happily obliged. Lately she has really been into wanting to do what I do when it comes to getting ready....I have to put lotion on her cheeks, deodorant in her armpits as she is point to them and a touch of lipstick for the final product. What a girl!

Grateful

1. I'm grateful to be alive.



2. I'm grateful for a beautiful daughter that makes me laugh, gives me hugs and kisses and is a very good child. I'm still wondering if I'm doing this whole mom thing right, and still can't believe I am actually a "mom."



3. I'm grateful for my husband who has helped create "my family."



4. I'm grateful to have a job in these times.



5. I'm grateful that my family is healthy.



6. I'm grateful that our dog and j get along so good.



7. I'm grateful that winter is almost over!



8. I'm grateful that I get to sleep until 6:15 am on weekdays.



9. I'm grateful that I have wonderful friends, even though I don't see them that often.....I always enjoy when I get together with each of them and have lunch, shop or go to movies and catch up.



I don't know why this was so difficult for me, but it was....I wanted to come up with 10 and I couldn't....and as I look back over it, I think a couple of them are superficial. I've been thinking a lot about my life/relationships after reading Auntie D's blogs and Rae Rae's....especially the Love Dare....that would be very challenging for me right now...so I thought I would try my own thing to help my relationships with myself and others, and the grateful list was my way of starting. It also helps me to know that others struggle with the same things I do in these relationships. Thank you

Winter blues

It's another cold winter day. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I have the winter blues. I'm tired of this crap. I blame my lack of energy on the cold weather. I've had a hard time getting motivated for anything. UGH. The spring like days that we've had this past month were great, but I wanted MORE! I am really looking foward to being outside and playing with j. I also like it when the sun is shining when I have to get out of bed to go to work. It's so much easier then.

We haven't done much this weekend. Watched Burn After Reading last night and wasn't very impressed. I believe j has had the most energy out of all of us.

One exciting thing though, is that a couple of weeks ago, my nephew Zach signed his letter of intent (is that what it is called??) to play football at Northwest. He got a little bit of a scholarship. I think he's pretty excited about the opportunity. I hope everything works out for him.

Have a great week.

Feb 16

So, I'm sitting at the kitchen table watching j put a pea on her fork and then eat it. She's not very good with forks/spoons yet, but sometimes it's funny to watch.

The weekend is over and back to work tomorrow. It was good though...Friday, I finished up some cleaning. j went to daycare again, and I ended up taking a relaxing bath. It was WONDERFUL. Of course, I had guilt about it, but nonetheless, I did enjoy it.

Saturday, J's parents were here and watched j while we went to St. Joe. We went to see Gran Torino, which if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it! I thought it was a great movie. We then went out to eat. Everywhere we went, there was an hour wait, so we ended up at the Ground Round. It wasn't too bad...I was a bit skeptical at first, but it turned out pretty decent.

I thought about your party this weekend D and am hoping that your business takes off. Plus, I love all the purses you show on your blog. You are so crafty! I would love to be like that, but I'm the type to start things and not finish them. I'm really bad about that, but I love the planning part of, the follow through, not so good at.

Oh, so here's something funny for you. Saturday night J noticed that j's shoes were two different sizes! The thing about is that she has had these shoes since October! How did I never notice? The funny part is she would always take off the right shoe (the bigger one) and we would always wonder why! Now we know. So I'm thinking that since it's just a few more months until summer, I'll just keep her in those shoes, it's worked for 5 months, what's a couple more! However, we are still hanging on to the glimmer of hope that another girl at day care has the same shoes and she just came home with the wrong ones. I'm really not counting it, because I do recall when I strap on the shoes, the velcro on one seemed to go farther than the other....hmm, you would have thought that would have given me the first clue. Nope, never even thought to look! Oh well. Crazy mom move on my part.

Have a great week.

One day over

Oh, I'm so bummed that the first day of my five days off is over....I spent the entire day cleaning and running errands. I'm so glad I got most of the house cleaned. I know nobody will probably even notice, but it feels like such an accomplishment. I still need to clean and organize the other bedroom and I will do that tomorrow. But I'm going to sleep as long as Jae will let me. I'll take her to day care again, so I can get done faster.

I'm looking foward to Grey's Anatamy tonight! Anxious to see what happens.....

Whew

Oh last week was busy...J has been teaching classes again on Monday nights, so Monday was busy. Tuesday and Thursday I worked late and Wednesday night, we had a surprise "Grandma" shower for a co-worker of mine. She was totally shocked and it was a good time. Friday night, J went to happy hour, so every night I did not want to do anything. So glad last week is over.

The weekend seemed just as busy. Saturday, we went to Liberty to our old neighbor's 2 yr. old's birthday party. We stopped and shopped for a new computer and bought a new laptop. Our desktop was on it's last leg. I love the new computer....it's so much faster. Yesterday, we headed to York for the day. J's sister just had a new baby on Thursday, and so we went to visit. I feel like we have been in the car all weekend. j did really good though. It was just the last 1/2 hour of the ride there and back that she got crabby....but it was so sweet because on the way home, as long as I was holding her hand, she was fine...LOVED IT!

J is off again tonight teaching...so I'm sitting here watching the Bachelor and trying to catch you all up with us.

I'm hoping this week is much calmer....I have to work late again tomorrow, but then I'm off work Thursday through Monday!!! I can't wait. Thursday, I am cleaning the house. I'm actually starting to look forward to it. To me, it's such a good feeling once all the work is done and the house is clean and organized. Joe's parents are planning on coming in on Saturday and staying to Sunday....I think J and I are going on a date Saturday....woo hoo!

OK, I think that's it for today!

j's 18 mo. picture

Sunday Jan. 18

Good evening....So J was reading the blog and said that since there were two J's in my life, I needed to do a better job at distinguishing between the two. So there is going to be J and j. We'll see how well I do with remembering.

We got j's 18 month pictures taken today...when I look at them, I cannot believe how much she has grown....I was even able to put a bow in her hair!! Very excited about that. We got them taken at Wal-Mart, it's very convenient (I don't know how to spell that), but I'm not all that impressed....I think we will check out JCP for 2 yr. pics....I really liked Portrait Innovations, but since JCP is closer we will go there next.

I've been thinking about sharing more on this blog, more personal stuff, but am not sure if I am ready to do that yet....we'll see...sometimes, though, I think my posts are "nothing too exciting" but have also decided that it will be fun to look back on it over the months and see what I had to say!

Almost time to head to the living room to watch Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters!

Have a great Monday (hope you all have it off!)

BURRRR, it's cold

So this past weekend, I bought a new robe....J calls it my housecoat...oh my...so yeah, I think it is. It's red and fleece and only comes to my knee's AND I love it...I wear it at night when I am cold....I look in the mirror, and man, I look like a frumpy old lady, especially after my shower and am not wearing any make-up and my hair looks bad! It's my favorite new thing!

On another note, I had to work late tonight and got home about 6. By the time I got home, J was giving J a bath and I went in to say hello. I ate some dinner and by the time I was done, J was done with her bath and got pj's on and started yelling "mommy, mommy, mommy" and ran toward me! What a great night.

I'm getting her 18 mo. pictures taken on Sunday and cannot decide what she should wear....wow, is she that old? I cannot believe it. I'm anxious to visually see the changes from her year pictures.

Off for now.....

Monday

So I thought I was going to write for a little bit, then I changed my mind and decided to have a pity party for myself....just one of those nights, I guess. Have some different things on my mind. I will get over it, as usual, but just feel like being bummed for a while.....

Shan...glad we got together Sat....I'm looking foward to the pedicures!

Our Friday Night

So tonight, J, J, and I headed to LaBonita for dinner. We frequent the place quite a bit on Friday nights, then head to Wal-mart for our grocery shopping. Exciting nights, I know. Anyway, we were at the resturant and J decided she wanted to try the salsa. She got a chip and started dipping away....she thought it was good....and went back for more.....then she looked at me with the funniest look on her face, as if to say, "how dare you let me try this?" It was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time.....she started coughing....I'm sure because it was too spicy for her....then she handed me her chip. But what really topped the cake was the adult size burp that came out of her mouth. I think daddy laughed for five minutes! What a night....

Oh My

So I just figured out what the heck my blog address is. You would think that since my husband is a computer teacher, I would know more, but I don't.

Rach, I might be in the same boat as you....not sure how well I will actually use the blog....I am VERY new to this. I have good intentions, but we will see.

I named this "A Laugh a Day" because I have discovered that J makes me laugh everyday and it's definitely more than one laugh a day, but anyway, that's why the name.

Now, I'm going to attempt to send out the address....

We'll see....

The next attempt

Ok, so on this attempt, I'm going to try and figure out how to send out the address to my blog...