Prom Night

Hubby and I were able to go on an unexpected date tonight. After we put the boys to bed we headed out for some shopping and coffee while Grandma stayed with the kiddos. It was very fun and relaxing and I am happy to report that Gap Outlet has all of the winter items that the regular stores are currently shipping away! I got tons of stuff for super great prices and now Mommy is happy!

During our shopping spree, we were chatting as I looked through one of my favorite stores-BCBG and pretended that I could 1)afford any of the items or 2)actually have a place to wear such fancy clothes. There isn't much need for a formal dress when your day consists of taxi-ing and chicken nugget cooking. Just then, Hubby tells me that very soon I will need such an ensemble. Apparently, each year his medical school has a formal and he said it is much like Prom. WELL now! When is this event? Oh yeah, February! Thanks for the weight notice! :) It is good to have a goal, and this event is perfect to get back on track after all of the holiday goodies. Another reason I am super excited about this event is I never attended a single formal in High School. Back then, I didn't care about those things and never really liked anyone at school so it seemed unnecessary. Now as a 30 year old, I am a little sad I didn't enjoy those times and I guess this is my chance to have my first prom.

Prom Goal #1:
Lose a few pounds!

Prom Goal #2:
Find the perfect dress.

Prom Goal #3:
Don't get pregnant. :)


Wish me luck on my prom preparation!

For the LOVE!!

Christmas Eve my brother asked me to go shopping with him for my gift. *Ahem* I will excuse this procrastination as he is a single guy and has no idea what I would want, but really, 4 pm on the EVE of the holiday?

We go to the only store I even know exists, Target. I was so excited to look around and actually put things into my cart that I liked. You know me, I look but never purchase. Here is my For the LOVE moment...

There were a few sweatshirts and a couple of long-sleeved T's, but 80% of the items were SUMMER clothes! It was December 24th and I am walking racks of swimsuits. WHAT is going on here? Have we forgotten what state we live in? We have MONTHS of winter left. I barely even made it to Target in the first place due to the massive blizzard-ish weather and yet my choices were bikinis or tanks. I walked away with nothing and Jarrod promised to take me shopping later this week.

Tonight Hubby and I took our sweet boys shopping and every store I browsed I was hit with the same problem. They are removing all winter items and replacing it with summer and swim gear.

So once again, when I have money, I can't find a thing to spend it on.

FOR THE LOVE!!!!

Old.

You know you are getting old, when sledding does you in.

9:00 on a Sunday night, I lie in bed trying to negotiate with my bladder to do a top notch job so that I don't have to move a single muscle to walk to the bathroom.

Negotiations failed.

Off to find some Icy Hot and remember the days of my youth.

Best time of the year!

Yesterday was officially the best Christmas we have ever had!

Highlights:

* Asher could open his own presents!
* Izzy finally understood all about Christmas and everything leading up to it was so exciting!
* Izzy was so sincerely thankful for every gift after he opened them.
* Ashers big smiles all day long.
* Seeing my two boys play like loving brothers and sharing all of their new toys.
* Yummy, yummy food.
* A super duper white Christmas.
* No stress. Calm day at home, opposed to running around trying to cram every side of the family into 2 days.
* Hubby surprised me with the sweetest and most creative note in my stocking and 2 tickets to the John Mayer concert!!!!!!! LOVE HIM!
* Game night. We love to play games and holidays are such a great excuse to sit down and have some good laughs.
* Traditions. Even though we live with my parents, it is so nice to be able to make our own traditions as a family of 4. We made a gingerbread house and a birthday cake for Jesus and the boys bought gifts for each other.
* I will never ever forget the look on Izzy's face when he woke us up at 6:30 a.m. to tell us "I TOLD YOU! There are presents everywhere!"
* Izzy sang a 6 minute rendition of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. He couldn't quite remember the ending so he just wrapped the song with and if you ever saw him...over and over. So cute.
* Is there anything better than a holiday nap especially when you are snowed in? I think not.
* All of the guys in the family got "hillbilly' teeth in their stockings. Good lesson in dental care.
* Hubby and I put an entire train table together that had to have 3,495 pieces...and we still love each other.
* Izzy gave his first gift to Hubby and I that he made at school. He made his own wrapping paper by stamping hearts and gingerbread men and a card that said in his cute little writing Happy Holidays, Israel. Inside was a calendar with a picture of him dressed as a cowboy sitting on a real saddle. *tears* Sweetest thing ever.

This year was magical. The kids are the perfect ages and everything is sweet and exciting. I thought my heart might explode yesterday. The house was oozing with love and it was exactly what a Christmas at home should be like.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

God Bless!

Head butts and flash backs...

My little sweet Asher is also a bruiser. He is 30 pounds and thinks it is hilarious to jump on your guts when you aren't paying attention. Last week, Izzy and I watched a movie and we were laying on our bellies on the ground when all of the sudden I thought I had died. Turns out, a tiny Sumo wrestler had snuck over and body slammed me on my back knocking all of the wind out of me. Of course both boys found it to be the most hilarious thing ever. I laughed too...when I was able to breathe again.

Today, I got a head butt to the jaw. He didn't do it in a mean way, but sometimes when he wants to snuggle, but doesn't want a kiss he will put his head on your face, this just happened when I wasn't paying attention...and it was fast! As soon as it happened, I freaked, I couldn't help it. Something so simple and unintentional could RUIN MY LIFE!

In October of 2006, a simple dental cleaning turned into an emergency surgery situation. After High School, my dentist found a tiny spot on my jaw. After a specialist reviewed the x-rays, I was told it wasn't worth messing with it, and to have it checked during my routine cleanings. Cut to 2006, when they did just that. Only, the x-rays showed the tumor had grown from smaller than a pencil eraser to the entire right side of my jaw, from joint to the opposite side of my chin. It was pushing my jaw bone out and the bone was paper thin. Exact words of my oral surgeon were if I had eaten something like an olive, my jaw could have exploded and there isn't a surgery that can fix that. Within 5 days, I had a biopsy and had to prepare my family and my little 15 month old Izzy for my life saving surgery. The surgeon had to open my jaw, clean all of the tumor out while another surgeon simultaneously did a bone graph from my hip to replace the bone the tumor had dissolved. This was a very scary time for me, having a little one at home and hearing the Doctors tell me that I needed to write letters to my family, because any type of oral surgery is the quickest way to infection and death. If everything went well, I needed to prepare to be on bed rest and a fluid diet for at least 2 months which as a Mom you know is nearly impossible. He told me that if I were to get an infection, it could be uncontrollable and it could eventually ruin all of the work done during surgery and literally kill me. Surgery was a huge success. I believe it was a 7 hour surgery, and my poor Doc worked harder than ever to save me as I made him promise I would see my family again. Well, of course, it doesn't end there because I ended up getting the most horrific infection ever. Every single day for 9 months, I went into the oral surgeons office to get my jaw reopened, cleaned, medicated, and gauzed. It was torture. Thinking about the pain, literally brings tears to my eyes. To that point, I had never even had a cavity before so going from almost no dental care to daily dental work was like my worst nightmare. We changed medications constantly to keep up with the ever-changing infection. At the end, I was almost put on a IV antibiotic daily for 2 hours. That was my last chance to beat the infection. I was mentally, emotionally and physically worn out. I was so sick of getting work done and medications and not being able to enjoy something as simple as eating a soft food. My family, friends and church rallied in prayer and my miracle happened. The week before I was to be sent for the daily hospital antibiotics, during my daily visit the Doctor found that the infection was completely gone. Day before...still in effect. That day nothing! It was amazing! He couldn't believe it and after everything...I almost couldn't either. It was such a relief. I continued visits, but not as frequently as we waited for my open wound to heal. Finally, it had healed enough and I was declared well! I can't really remember much of that year that doesn't revolve around appointments, medications, crying and pain. But, I do remember, all of the faith of my friends and family. My awesome brother for quitting his job to care for my son full-time while I healed. The most loving husband you could ever imagine as he worked full-time, attended school and took care of a very sick wife and baby on his off hours. My dear friend Amanda helped with Izzy during every single visit for 6 months. The people in my circle are amazing. I couldn't have gotten through such a grueling year without them.

My life returned to a new normal fairly quickly. I have to be very careful with my jaw of course, and my worst fear is to get into a car accident and be hit with an air bag. I will never be able to eat a caramel apple or a big juicy steak. Not to mention, I feel like a 100 year-old woman in the winter with my arthritis like symptoms, but eh, small sacrifices to see your babies grow up.

So when my little Sumo decided to snuggle a little too hard today, I had a flash back. What life used to be like, and how I need to be ultra-careful to avoid that happening again. I am amazed at all of the work God has done in my life. The last 5 years have been more than my mind can understand, but God has been my provision, my healer and restoration. I am so grateful to have my health, so that I can enjoy my little boys every single day. I am just hoping I can train my little Asher to be a little softer with his snuggles, otherwise, I am going to have to buy some headgear.

Izzy's Quote of the Day

This morning Papa, Grandma and Izzy went to breakfast and then shopping at Sam's Club. Like everyone who enters Sam's, he is completely fascinated by everything they have there. Izzy was having an especially "on" day because my parents came home with a plethora of stories...but I will just share a couple.

While looking through the electronics section, he told my Dad, "Papa, do you know you have a TV in your bedroom, Mommy and Daddy have a TV in their bedroom and I am the only one who does NOT have a TV in my bedroom? So, come with me, because I know exactly what I want!" He then proceeded to show Papa a very nice flat screen TV.

Papa let him pick out a toy (of course, 6 days from Christmas...)and while he was playing with his new set of Cars he told me that he wanted to buy me a ring and his Papa wouldn't let him. I said, "Oh Izzy that is so thoughtful, but you don't have to buy Mommy anything for Christmas, but I appreciate that you were thinking of me." Izzy: "But, Mommy I HAVE to buy you a ring, because I want to marry you really bad!" *tears*

Then I hear the story from my Dad...

He took my Dad to the Jewelry counter and told him he had to pick out a ring for me for Christmas because he is going to marry me. Dad told him that he can't marry me because I am already married to Daddy and you can only be married to one person...unless you live in Utah! (LOL! You have to know my Dad...he has to get a one-liner in everywhere!) So Izzy was very upset and said, "Well, then he is just going to have to find someone else!!!" So sweet!

At home today, we were all playing with Izzy new toy and Asher was only wearing a long-sleeved onesie. Papa said, "Ashie where are your pants?" Izzy said, "Hey you look like all the single ladies!" (Beyonce) Then proceeded to stand up and do the dance!

Oh my, it has been a very fun day around here.

Bigger and Bigger.

Today my little Asher is 18 months old!

I can't believe how fast time has passed. It seems like I should still be swaddling him, but instead, I am chasing him down. That little bugger is fast! He is so much fun and he makes everyday so joyful.

Yesterday, we took some pictures by the Christmas tree and drank some hot cocoa. Well, Asher didn't, but he enjoyed his sippy with water. I was able to get a few cute pictures, but Asher was easily distracted and I quickly remembered how stubborn that little one is. He has beautiful eyes and he has this new look that tells you he has a devious plan and it is the complete opposite of whatever you would like him to do. It is nearly impossible to resist. I had already decided I would be happy with whatever pictures I was able to get, instead of being frustrated I didn't capture the perfect moment. No matter what pictures I get of my kids, they are still cute because it is them. I gave them both a big marshmallow for being such good sports. It was Ashers first and he was instantly in love.

Today is also Izzy's first snow day from school. He was thrilled to see snow and find out what you do exactly on a snow day. I told him we would come up with something fun and different and so we have decided to have a safari. I got out his walkie-talkies and all of his stuffed animals. We will hide them around the house and he can page me when he finds something. Asher will have fun just following us around. I think after lunch, we will have some more hot cocoa and snuggle up to a movie. After that we need a sweet treat to celebrate our lovey's big day.

I am off to a safari...pray my little animals aren't too wild!

UPDATE:

The safari was a huge success! I told Izzy to go to his costume chest and find whatever he thought he would need on a safari. He came back with his Terminator (looks like a soldier) costume on, walkie-talkies, binoculars, and camera in hand! I told him to sit on the stairs patiently with all of his equipment and proceeded to hide all of his stuffed animals around the house. He gave me a walkie-talkie and I gave him clues like: "What kind of food does a monkey like to eat?" He screamed "Bananas!" and took off to the fruit basket in the kitchen where he found a little stuffed elephant. He was squealing with excitement each time we played. Then I took a few turns looking for the animals and his clues were surprisingly excellent! Asher had a plastic toy walkie-talkie and he just ran around and pretended along with us. Towards the end, I started the timer and he had to find all of the animals in a certain amount of time, which he thought was so exciting. We played safari over and over and over and over and over again. We had so much fun today using our imaginations. We will definitely go on a safari again soon!

Mommy's Favorite Things!

For anyone looking for a last minute Christmas gift, I have an idea for you.

Asher received the Parents Tugboat for his 1st birthday this summer and it was a hit!
I always wanted to get this for Izzy when he was a baby and just never got around to it and now I really wish I had.

Both boys play with this toy every single day while they are in their bubble bath and sometimes Asher even tries to sneak it out of the tub. Today, I put it in his room and he spent the entire morning fishing and putting the Captain in the life preserver.

One fish is a fingernail brush, one is a comb, the lid to the boat has a mirror inside and you know how little ones love to look at themselves! Best of all, all of the toys fit inside the tugboat for fast and easy clean up. (And it is less than $20 at Target!)

Izzy loves this toy just as much as Asher and luckily there are so many pieces they don't spend their time fighting over it. It makes bath time super fun and a breeze for Mommy. They are so busy fishing and saving the Captain, they don't notice how clean I have gotten their little bodies in the mean time!

When I grow up...

Do you ever try to guess what your kids are going to be when they grow up? I think about it all of the time.

Israel is compassionate, creative, sensitive, communicative and loves all things science and art. I always picture him as a Veterinarian who is the lead singer in a band on the side. If he could, he would rescue every animal and lady bug (every other bug he is scared of) and bring them home. When looking through toy magazines he always begs for the science toys, microscopes, lab experiments, doctor sets. You can often find Izzy on pbskids.org learning about nature and science projects. The other day, I found him playing a game on the site that taught him about momentum and he had to build his own roller coaster and it wouldn't work until he got the track angles just perfect. 4 years old! He has such focus when it comes to tasks like that and I am so happy that he finds that type of thing interesting. I hope it means he will always love to learn and do well in school.

My little Asher, I picture him as an Engineer or an Architect. He has a much more serious side and loves to figure things out. He is very technical and loves all things electronic. He has already figured out how to work a dvd player, remotes, Izzy's alarm clock and CD player. He is equally obsessed with music, so I picture him as the drummer in Izzy's band. If music is playing, he immediately runs to find the drumsticks and he can't control himself he has to dance. He loves to color and draw and would read all day if you let him.

The boys are so different, but have so many similarities at the same time. It is so fun to think about their futures and all that they can accomplish.

If you ask Izzy right now what he is going to be when he grows up his answer is to be a Daddy and a professional Baseball player. No matter what they decide, I am going to be so proud of them.

Perfect Day

We had the most perfect day today and after the last couple of weeks with Emo Izzy, it was much needed. Izzy slept in, which almost never happens, but showered, dressed and ate breakfast quickly and without complaint. That right there is amazing in itself for a 4 year old. After school we had lunch, he decorated the Christmas tree with Grandma, played with Ash very nicely, and we practiced writing his name and numbers and played school. We baked a spice cake and then it was off to nap. He woke up happy as a clam and snuggled with me for about 20 minutes and then all of the sudden said, "OH I forgot something!" Proceeded to grab my bedroom trashcan and every other trash can in the house and emptied them in the garage. He even picked out the soda cans and crushed and recycled them! If that wasn't enough, he cleaned his dishes, swept the kitchen floor, wiped the counters and cleaned his room. Right? I know! He was like Super-Preschooler today!!!

He had the best disposition all day and was so loving and thoughtful. This is the Izzy I am used to. I don't love him because he does chores or is so helpful, but I really appreciate what a hard worker he is. He loves to help and feel accomplished. The best thing about today was his attitude, he did everything with cheer and the best thing is he did every single thing on his own without being asked. I truly enjoyed his company today. We had so much fun doing just normal every day things, but he was a joy to be around.

We can't forget about Asher. He is a complete crack-up. I could just tape him all day and be rich. The kid doesn't say a word, but his facial expressions says it all. He spent today just following us around and copying whatever we did. If Izzy was sweeping, Asher had the mini vac. If he saw Izzy working on something he was right by his side ready to assist. I have found a new way to keep Asher very happy. He LOVES to color! I put him in his highchair with a handful of crayons and paper and he is set. 17 months, there isn't much of an attention-span on any one thing. Coloring however kept his focus for at least 30 minutes.

Today was pretty much a perfect day. A happy family at home, helping each other and enjoying every minute.

4

Please tell me this is just a phase. My 4 year old has turned into a hot mess of emotions in the last month. Most stories are told through tears and jumbled words, just to find out it was really nothing to begin with. Yesterday, he decided he was never going back to school again after a boy in his class laughed at him when his Lego Robots head fell off. It took me 2 hours to get to the bottom of that hysteria. Today went perfectly and all crises were adverted. Who knows what tomorrow will hold? Maybe I will grab the wrong cup or his brother will walk into his bedroom or God forbid, I put the wrong Max and Ruby on, and once again I will have to decode another mass of emotional verbage.

This week, Mommy is feeling very drained. I am trying my very best to be patient and compassionate to the struggles of a 4 year old, but my usually balanced, happy boy has taken a (hopefully brief) vacation and Emo Izzy is subbing for a while. Not sure if this is a normal 4 year old phase..but it would sure make me feel better if it was.

I am calling this phase the "Frustrated 4's". Izzy never experienced the "normal" 2 and 3 year old things like tantrums and aggression and I knew eventually we would hit a rough patch. I just didn't expect teenage-like emotional drama so early.


This tired Mommy is praying the balance returns soon and I am open to suggestions until then!

My own fault.

I have two wonderful kiddos who go to bed without a fight every single night at 7:00 sharp. One would think that I would be a very well rested Mommy, but I am not. I have no excuse really, it is all my fault. I am not a morning person, but I force myself to be because Izzy's magic number is 7. Up and at 'em with a song at 7 am like a little birdie. Asher is more like me...he likes to sleep to a more reasonable hour. Side note: If someone would make some flipping diapers that lasted like 15 hours that would help him sleep to his desired time that would be fantastic! Back to me, I tend to stay up late for no reason. I chat online with friends, I watch my recorded shows, sometimes I even get a girls night out. No matter what I am doing, I can't seem to fall asleep before 1 am. Last night, for instance, I had a play date until 7 and then got the kids to bed. My mom and I went shopping and then home for a movie, which ended at midnight. Did I go right to bed? Nope, I watched a little TV, got online, and then tossed and turned until 4. Just when I fell into a deep sleep it is time to wake up and get Izzy ready for school. Every day I think to myself, I am going to go to bed at 11 no matter what tonight and then the hour comes and I can't force myself to rest.

Tonight I am exhausted, I have a horrible headache and my jaw hurts. I had a super long day and yet, here I am blogging instead of sleeping.

If only I was as strict about my bedtime as I am with my kids, I would be a much happier and well rested Mommy.