Time scrumptiously wasted...

I've been studying my booteh off non stop these past few weeks and I really cannot afford to make time for much else. Adding two kids, a demanding sister, extra curricular activities, and hopefully a little bit of a social life to the mix is rather challenging. Not to mention being the lonely little housewife makes for some super sleepy days. Thus the reason I settle for many nights standing in front of the microwave. Tonight I decided I wanted some real food. After scrambling to do errands in the two hours Mikaylah was at tutoring I felt the need to try my hand at a new dish I've been drooling for, for quite some time. It turned out much easier than I thought it would and a whole lot faster!!! My whole wheat lemon pasta with spinach and roasted asparagus was altogether delectable. I would offer leftovers, but there are none! And this is an extreme rarity when Erik's not home and we have no guests. I may even attempt a new recipe.......in a week or so!!!

You're a failure!!!

Okay not really but I wanted to share something with you guys.

"Learn to Fail or Fail to Learn"

I can't remember who said it off hand but its true, especially for relationships. Remember, it is healthy to fight when you can grow from it. Anyone who says they don't fight or argue in their relationship isn't growing. You can't possibly learn when you don't make mistakes. So bask in the glory of knowing you are learning about your partner when you make them mad or vice versa. I do, we're nearly eight years strong and I look forward to our next fight!!! LoL.....

When it rains...it pours!!!

Well, I'm still trying to catch my breathe from yesterday's events. I didn't want to wake up at 5:30 but my truck alarm kept beep-beeping off and on and thunder and lightning was giving Texas the best of its torrent. There was a disgusting amount of water pounding down on us and to make matters worse the electricity was no match for this storm. So I lay there trying to fall back asleep while the house buzzed off then back on, forget sleeping, I was up. Every morning is a chore in itself trying to get the kids out the door on time. Those little poops act like their life is soooo hard!!!
We're finally out the door and I'm dropping them off at school when my phone comes to life, I'm only expecting Erik to call this early, but its Angela and she is frantic. Her doggy, Chloe that she is technically dog sitting, has run off and they've been searching for her for nearly 2 hours. On our way there, Darrylynne and I are trying our best to look through the rain to hopefully see a little doggy wandering around town to no avail. Luckily as soon as I get to Angela's house I see relief written all over her face along with mascara running down her cheeks. She tells me she just got off the phone with the vet and Chloe is safe!!! YaY....I could tell she was a complete mess thinking she might never see this little puppy she's grown so attached to. I don't know how she will ever give her back when the time comes. I'm just glad that I brushed my teeth before I sped over there otherwise my hug may have been quite uncomfortable.
After I drop Austin off at school I decide there is no way I'm going to spend this yucky morning at the gym, I settle for some coffee and early morning shopping instead. Starbucks' white chocolate mocha usually soothes me to my bones, but this cup wouldn't even come close to doing the trick. I bought Darrylynne a hot cocoa and before the cashier was able to hand my card back the cocoa was splattered all over my windshield, window, dashboard, passenger seat and door, and floor. What a disgusting, putrid mess. The cashier felt sorry for me when I gave him an exasperated look and handed me a towel, "You can have that" he says. I spent a good 30 minutes in the Starbucks parking lot discovering new nooks and crannies I never would have if the cocoa hadn't led me to them. Retail therapy was a MUST at this point.
I bought some new kitchen utensils; Erik is quite the chef when he's home, but he sure can F-up some kitchen tools!!! Then I bought the kids a few things just for doing good at school and Darrylynne bought some clothes along with all the supplies to clean my truck!
I seriously don't have time to be scrubbing my truck with a toothbrush, but it had to be done. It's going to be an extremely long month with Darrylynne here and I want so much to give up on my school but I'm only 2.5 semesters away from graduating I won't allow myself to. Thank the good Lord Erik says I can't give up either otherwise I'd be singing quite a different tune right now!!! What's worse is all this is coming while trying to coordinate our upcoming move. Whoever said a woman's work is never done was absolutely right!!!
On a happier note, well more shocking note I should say, Mikaylah is turning into the little lady. She has been bugging us about her hairy legs lately. She hasn't worn shorts for a good few months now, winter not included, and Erik and I were starting to come to terms with having to let her grow up. Ugh!!! So guess who's shaving their legs now??? Yup...thing #1, oh man, what next...I don't want anymore...STOP THE INSANITY!!!

Disgusted, Enraged and So happy that I chose to get a higher education!

As you know Erik and I have been dealing with a very unsettling situation for..hhmmm....EVER now. These past couple of weeks things have started to unravel and with that grace and maturity is lost to a certain female. How is it that God thinks it is okay for certain people to have children and then to treat them like a little bargaining tool for money out of spite. Then on the other hand you have wonderful people, like my friends Angela and Pat, who have been trying for so long to have a little baby and are finding it so difficult.
I despise immature girls who think it is okay to blatantly attack a 10 year old girl who has nothing to do with anything in her jealous rage. How dare anyone insult my husband's intelligence by deeming words too worthy to be his own. Its called college, enroll yourself sweetie, and while you're at it pick up a dictionary, oh and learn to spell.
Yes, I take comfort in knowing I can tear a person down with just my quip, however I find it quite revolting that when my astute hubster (yeah, its still me ;-)) threatens someone so much with mere intellect she finds she has to prey on a child in her pathetic attempt to get the better of us. This just goes to show that not all women are born with gifts such as a thought process, poise, and most of all respect for themselves. I pity the children that are subjected to be raised by her and I pity her for letting her jealousy of my daughter's life cloud her ever elusive competence.

How was school???

Daily conversation between Nikelis and I:

Nikelis: Hi Mommy!

Mommy: Hi Poop!!! How was school?

Nikelis: Boring....

Mommy: Nice, what did you learn?

Nikelis: Nothing.

Mommy: (rolling my eyes and mouthing the word "nothing" in unison with Nikelis' reply)

I'm so glad I send him to school!!! Hahahahaha....oh the joy's of Motherhood, life's definitely amusing!!!

Why does that have to happen?

"Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want."

Randy Pausch

So many times in life we find ourselves dissapointed; things don't always go our way. More often than not when things don't turn out the way we intend we think, "why". I believe that everything happens for a reason and we gain so much, even if its just humility, when we don't get what we want. Its hard to find the silver lining at the time, but eventually goals are met even if they have to be tweaked a little.

Smile

tho'your heart is aching,

Smile

Even though it's breaking,

When there are clouds in the sky-

You'll get by,

If you

Smile through your fear and sorrow,

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun
come shining through-

For you.

Light up your face with gladness,

Hide ev'ry trace of sadness,

Altho' a tear may be ever so near,

That's the time you must keep on trying,

Smile-

What's the use of crying,

You'll find that life is still worthwhile,

If you just smile.

- Charlie Chaplin

Going bananas!!!

While we were in Hawaii Annie made Erik an apparently stupendous banana cream pie. He's been gushing about it nonstop since then. And since then, he's been asking me to make it. Ummm...I don't like following someone as good of a cook as Annie because I'm always afraid I'll really fudge it up. Well, to cease the nagging there was only one option: make the darn pie. So we found all the ingredients apart from the crust. I had no idea a nilla wafer crust would be so elusive, but what do I know right. After getting some much needed instructions from my AnnieBanannie and the wonderful internet I applied my new found knowledge and had a go at this crust making business. I forgot that while we lived in Hawaii my neighbor never returned my rolling pin, not to worry, I made do without it. I can't believe the crust actually came out semi alright, Erik thinks I have a gift, he's biased so his thoughts don't completely count...lol. Well, the time came to serve it up and what's the verdict you ask? I don't want to say...only kidding, I don't eat bananas so I have to trust the taste buds of Erik, Nick, and Addy who were all too eager to be my guinea pigs!!! They all concurred that it was awesome, but the real reason I believed them was the seconds they devoured and plates they licked clean. And I mean literally licked!!! Yes....I made a keeper!!!! Lesson learned: when making your own pie crust, spray the pie pan before laying out the crust. Presentation was rather hard work since I was barely able get it out of the pan...at least the gorilla was happy!!!

Spontaneous fulfillment...

Monday morning came much too early, lucky for me Erik woke up with the kids and he came back to bed once they were finally at school. We had every intention of going to the gym, but at the last minute we opted for a long bike ride. After our invigorating ride Erik got a wild hair up his bum and decided he HAD to take Nikelis camping. So he rushed around town getting all the necessities two boys would need for a spur of the moment camping trip. Just before it was time to pick Kaylah up from school I found myself waking up in the truck at Loyd park out in Grand Prairie. Nikelis was beside himself and couldn't say bye to me fast enough so they could set up camp and go fishing like men do. Meanwhile Erik is begging me to come back with Kaylah for dinner and smores, I'm so tired I tell him yes to make him stop talking, not thinking that I would be fuming just a short 30 minutes from then because he thought the house keys would be better left in his pocket rather than with me. Errr....at least he kept the dog and I was able to go home and sleep for a few hours. At around 7 Mikaylah and I make our way back to the campsite with lots of goodies in tow. We arrive to find that Nikelis has caught his very first fishie, its a carp or a perch or something like that. I sat in amusement as Nikelis showed Mikaylah the ropes of camping, telling her all the rules Daddy previously laid out and letting her have access to his super high tree climbing experience. Nick and Addy came to bring Erik some beer, thanks....lol. We all sat around the fire that Erik and Nikelis made in true boy scout style and roasted marshmallows for disgustingly yummy smores. Erik tried to tell the kids spooky stories, but he either messed up the punchline or used such weak voice tones they weren't buying it. I saved the night by telling them one story that made them so afraid to fall asleep in the tent by themselves...muahahahaha.... We weren't prepared for Mikaylah and I to spend the night so needless to say, we all had the longest, most uncomfortable night of our lives. It didn't help that at 3 in the morning Stryker woke us up with his barking. We soon realized he broke his leash and came back with the stench of a disgruntled skunk all over him. Yeah, most disgusting!!! Erik decided it would be warmer if we started the fire again and slept outside, so we did. When we finally woke up and broke down camp we made our way back to the lake to try our hand at fishing again, with no luck. Nikelis had a great time chasing Kaylah and I with worms, though, the poopface. We were able to snap a few pictures while the kids took turns casting the worm with barely a bite and I even got to lay out Daisy style! Tuesday ended with a nice dinner at Babe's Chicken with Angela, Pat, and Austin and another bath for Stryker which proved useless. He still stinks to the high heavens.

Today we finally made it to the gym and planned to go food shopping. Nothing after the gym worked out as planned. I ended up doing schoolwork and Erik practiced T-ball with Nikelis. All was fine right up until Erik and Nikelis came back in the house with blood dripping down Nikelis' lip. I was highly peeved which put Erik on the defensive, not a great middle of our day. Nikelis recovered quite quickly, I guess I was more hurt than he was and Erik and I reconciled, lucky for him. We had absolutely no clue what we wanted for dinner but we made a trip up to the oriental store for watercress and saw lumpia wrappers. Lumpia it was. I have never made it before so I was a little nervous. Despite my apprehension it came out rather scrumptious. And now we are relaxing on our couch, with the occasional Dancing with the Stars reanactment (which isn't graceful at all) while getting caught up on all the mindless television we've been neglecting. Nikelis is supposed to be sleeping but instead he is lying on the couch arguing with Erik about whose turn it is to massage Mommy's feet...ahhhh this is the life!!! LoL......

Its a time of celebration!!!

Whew, we have been running around ragged these past few days, with so much yet nothing at all to do.

This weekend has definitely been a highlight, especially for the Mikookerbutts!!! She has been attending Sunday school since August for one specific reason: to prepare for what was about to come. Saturday we spent the better part of the evening and pretty much all night at church. It was for great cause though. As the vigil commenced the entire church was engulfed in darkness, the only light came from the congregation entering one by one with their brightly lit candles. Once we were all seated with Oma, uncle Billy and his friend, uncle Stefan, and auntie Addy and uncle Nick, the lights came on and everyone was transfixed on the shimmering pool filled with the sacred water at the front of the altar. After a few readings Mikaylah was escorted up by her soon to be Godparents, Nick and Addy, along with nearly 45 other people and their Godparents. She was presented to the community and dunked in the pool three times. She stepped out of the pool clean of her parents' sins, now responsible for her own. Our little girl committed herself to God and was brimming with pride, as were we. She was then ushered off to a back room where she hurriedly changed into her communion gown. She looked just like a princess with her sopping wet hair and delicate dress and I know she felt like one. The anticipation was written all over her face as Addy escorted her back to Nick where they waited to be brought back to the altar to receive the first eucharist and take from the Lord's table for the very first time. It was such a memorable ceremony and I am so glad that we were finally able to take this journey, the three hours in the pews were definitely worth all this!!!

After saying goodbye to everyone at the church we went to IHOP to celebrate; its Kaylah's fave. I really wasn't that hungry and Nikelis was passed out, give me a break it was nearly midnight!!! However that didn't stop Erik and Mikaylah from chowing down...

Sunday was Easter and we woke up bright and early so that we could attend early mass. Things didn't quite work out as planned and we ended up cooking for our dinner at Stefan and Tracy's. We also decorated our Easter eggs!!! We had fun fighting over the one egg dunker we had while trying not to break our eggs. We ended up catching the late service where Mikaylah was excited to stand in line so she could take the bread and wine. What a big girl!!! Then we met up with the rest of the fambam at Stefan's where we had quite the spread. Stefan spent all night making a muy delicioso brisket. I was very skeptical at first because I haven't really tasted Stefan's cooking, but he did a pretty good job I must admit. I made a green bean casserole with fresh green beans, which is much better than canned, the ever favorite potato crab salad, and Erik got us some ribs from Dickey's. We let him have the holiday off since he is the one usually doing the cooking ;-). We made a mini egg hunt for the kiddos and it was so funny watching them run right past the most obvious ones. We didn't have any outrageous moments just a nice relaxing time with the family, which we needed so very much. I was absolutely in heaven when Tracy's momma served up her homemade strawberry pie, though. That was simply the best way to end such a fun filled, easy going day.

Thank goodness for babysitters!!!

We've been faced with quite a few life altering situations these past couple of years and I honestly think we've been able to handle them pretty well. Coming out of this last deployment mine and Erik's views have changed quite a bit. For instance I struggled so much with the decision to leave the kiddos and escape to Hawaii with Erik just a little bit ago. Now that Erik has been here for almost a month, time alone seems to be a candy dangling in front of us on a string that is just out of our grasp. As cliche and generic as it sounds, Hawaii gave us a new outlook on life and on our future. Being together in Texas has solidified quite a few of the conclusions we've reached before and it has also raised different perspectives. This past week we were hit with a ton of bricks and I was considerably devasted for a few hours. I realized that some of the things I thought were real might not be. I know, I'm being dramatic but within a few hours it appears our past resolutions may have been a bit skewed. And now we are heading in different directions with some new ideas, which is scary yet invigorating. The new challenges will be accompanied with another huge move and another shift in our lives, making it highly stressful. I know it won't be impossible, but I cannot wait to see our future efforts start to see results. I guess only time will tell how long we have to wait for that.
Last night our super awesome babysitter, Jessica, and her bestie, Ashley, were available to come over so Erik and I could reclaim our sanity. For a few moments in our hectic lives Erik and I were able to be adults with Nick and Addy and just be our regular goofy selves. What was supposed to be a night of a few drinks, a movie, and who knows what turned into endless laughter, drinks and incredible fun, not to mention a completely new connection between Erik and I that I wasn't able to appreciate till last night. I'll confess, it came about a bit haphazardly, but it came nonetheless and I'm grateful for it. This morning when I opened my eyes to see Erik sleeping next to me I melted. This wonderful, strong, loving, incredible person usually has a rough exterior that vanished last night. He was vulnerable, uncertain, and insecure. I doubt anyone would have recognized him, his composure slipped away in just a few quick seconds right before he was able to regain himself. In those moments I was aware of how much two people need eachother. This is a need that not everyone knows. The vast majority of people will never know what we, as a military family, have thrust upon us. And then how it feels to be turned into a statistic whether we survive it or not. Lucky for us, we will and always have survived it. 7 years we've been battling life's craziness together and 15 months takes a major toll on our hearts. But thank the good Lord for blessing us with babysitters and irreplaceable friends that let us corrupt them at work so our hearts are able to reconnect when we're are hit with another blow. Our one of a kind love has far surpassed every tiny little thought I used to think love was. This is simply an unbelievably extraordinary life we've created and the best is truly yet to come!!!

I LOVE EMINEM!!!

Click the link....it's so funny!!!

Eminem's 'We Made You' Video Takes Aim At Celebs - News Story Music, Celebrity, Artist News MTV News
For those of you that don't know I'm so addicted to Eminem and have been waiting for him to release another song!!! I'm so happy, this just made my very exhausting morning.......enjoy!!!!
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Things to think about...

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

2.. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

Good friends are like stars........ You don't always see them, But you know they are always there.

"Whenever God Closes One Door He Always Opens Another, Even Though Sometimes It's Hell in the Hallway"

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here than a whole truck load when I'm gone.

Happiness keeps You Sweet, Trials keep You Strong, Sorrows keep You Human, Failures keeps You Humble, Success keeps You Glowing, But Only God keeps You Going!!!

Thanks Nette...I love you!!!

Can you see air?

All too often we take for granted the very little things that happen everyday that mean more than any picture can capture...these are some of those moments that make my heart soar!!!

1. Waking up next to Erik for the past 7 years
2. The scent of my kids
3. Feeling the first rays of the sun warm my skin
4. Erik's fingers running through my hair
5. Calling my friends at 3am because I had a bad dream
6. Smiling at a stranger and they smile back
7. Trying to answer difficult questions the kids come up with...like: can you see air?
8. Watching my babies smile for no reason at all
9. The smell of dinner cooking
10. Listening to Erik's heartbeat when he sleeps
11. Drawing in the morning dew on car windows
12. Feeling the wind push my hand as I drive
13. Getting lost in a song
14. The smell of freshly cut grass
15. Comforting my scared baby
16. Falling asleep in Erik's arms

Everyday is a blessing, optimism is a choice. I chose happiness a long time ago...I'm fortunate to be able to share it with others.

Shhh....its supposed to be a secret!!!

We kept it from her right up till the start of the party!!!Our little girl turned 10!!! It's a family thing...she gave Erik kisses afterwards for getting her!!!Our Princess on Princess!!!The little boy did it all by himself...he's getting so big too!!!I got to ride with all the kiddies!!!

Daddy and Daughter get a ride all to themselves!!!

We had so much fun with cousins: Alyssa and Kaylin and Mikaylah's friends: Destiny and Yndis and their families, and also with uncle Nick, auntie Addy and uncle Stefan and auntie Tracy. It was a memorable party for all!!!After their ride they got to help desaddle and brush their horsies!!!We couldn't have picked a better way to celebrate Mikaylah's 10th birthday, although I think she knew she would be around animals. She had the biggest smile all day long and that's all that matters. She didn't even finish her cake...which NEVER happens!!! I am so glad we did this, the bad thing is this birthday will overshadow a few of the next ones. Our family and friends who were able to join us definitely helped to make this even more special, so thank you. And thank you to everyone who sent presents from afar. She absolutely loves all of it, even though she still only gets to stare at them!!! The best part about the whole day is that all four of us, including Erik were together, what a lucky treat!!!

It's all just a blur........

He's a gorgeous beast of a man!!!

This is one sexy piece of muscle!!!

Fast & Furious 3 made my heart palpatate!!! I think I needa change my pannies!!! Hahaha...jk ;-)

Beware of the Garbage Trucks!!!

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you.

A Decade of Life...A Lifetime of Promise

Once upon a time, ten years ago, a young girl gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl anyone had ever seen. Okay so she was wrinkly and had a huge bump on her head, but still she was the most gorgeous thing I'd ever seen. I was 16, what did I know, everyone kept telling me how hard life was going to become and how my world would to be turned upside down. Forget about a normal teen life, I was now the mother of Mikaylah and her needs came before anything else I wanted or thought I wanted. They were absolutely right, for the most part anyway. Everything did seem to be different from the day before, but once I had her things also became normal. It was a bit trying having to raise a little baby while graduating from high school, but I did it, and I must say I did it pretty well. I can't deny that I did have help, for the first couple of years her biological father, who doesn't realize how lucky he is, made a meek effort to be involved in my princess' life, and I also lived with family, making life much more manageable for the both of us. However, what everyone failed to tell me was how a heart could actually drown from being so in love with this tiny little person. When I brought her home I was so determined not to fail that I don't think I let the emotion set in at first. But after a couple of weeks of having her home it all sank in; this was my little baby, I made crazy choices in my silly little life that allowed me to have something so special and so precious. Admiration and pride grew with every new milestone she reached and eventually she was running up to me telling me that she loved me. My little doll, as she was referred to quite a bit, grew into a little girl.

For a little while I thought that it would be her and I forever and I think I was okay with that. But as always, fate changed that and I met Erik. I don't think he had the slightest clue that Mikaylah would win his heart in just a matter of months. And now she fills all our lives with neverending pinch-me moments. More often than not I find myself reminiscing about all the smiles she causes and feeling of fear that arises when I think of anything awful happening to her. 10 years I've been blessed with being her mommy and every year I have the same thoughts: can she truly be ours, can this really be our reality. Yesterday we all played hooky and as we sat at Veterans Park tears came to my eyes knowing that in a few short years she'll be driving and then graduating high school...and, well doing all the things that young women do when they leave the safety of their home in search of their own lives. Thankfully those thoughts were interrupted by laughter and the reminder that she is still only 10 and those years can wait.

I am amazed at the life in Mikaylah's eyes, the love in her heart, and the knowledge she shows. The beauty she possesses doesn't come just from her outward appearance, she finds things in people that sometimes others do not. She wants to make sure everyone feels like they belong when they are with her. Don't get me wrong, she can't seem to keep her room clean and thinks she needs more than she really does, but that is what makes her ordinary while she can't help but be extraordinary in this world. I don't know what Erik and I did to deserve to have her as our daughter but whatever it was, thank God. My only hope is that Erik and I are doing the right thing as her parents and that she will grow to be just as incredible as a woman. People tell me all the time how great she is and no matter what I tell them, I completely and 100% agree, she is the absolute greatest daughter anyone could ever dream of having. I don'think I'm worthy of having her call me mommy, but I wouldn't give it up for anything in this world.