Riley "Graduates"

Yesterday was Riley's PreK celebration (although they still have one more week of school). She was so excited practicing her poem and what she was going to say when it was her turn to get her "degree". She woke up so early asking me is it time to go get my degree. I told her the sun wasn't even up yet to go back to bed and I would let her know when. Well needless to say I couldn't go back to sleep so I got up and about 20 min later she comes down the stairs fully dressed and so excited. I took Reese and Johnny met us at the school, so happy he got to take the day off of work for this. They recited a poem and did some songs and dances. Then it was time for the degrees. They all sat while their teacher called their names one by one they went up to the front received their certificate and stated what they liked best about PreK. I was a little worried because Riley can be really shy but she walked right up there and said "the best thing about PreK is that we get to do crafts". I was so proud of her. Every year she breaks a little more out of her shell. Then it was outside for fun and games. The kids got to decorate cookies, make sand art, jump in a bounce house, blow bubbles, spin art, and so many other things. Reese got to participate as well so it was very eventful. After the party we took Riley to Steak and Shake (her choice) for a celebratory lunch. It wasn't long in the car that they both fell asleep.

I can't believe that in two short months I will send her off to Kindergarten. I am not the type of mom who cries at this sort of event, but instead I get so excited for her. Its going to be a great adventure for her and she is so ready for it!!!

Reese is TWO!!!

I can't believe that my sweet baby girl is now 2. We had a small party at my mother in law's neighborhood playground. The playground is awesome with so many structures for all age groups. There is also a sand volleyball court and a basketball court. The theme was of coarse Mickey Mouse and the kids ate pizza, played, and of coarse ate cake. Reese got a sandbox from my parent's and tons of sand toys, so we let Reese and the kids use some of the toys on the volleyball court. It was funny the kids played more in the sand then on the playground. Even thought it was super windy the party was a success.

April 5th is actually Reese's birthday falling on Tuesday this year. I didn't have to work and it was Johnny and Riley's spring break so we decided to have a family day for her. We went to Chuck E. Cheese which she loved. The girls played for over and hour winning a ton of tickets and getting candy which was all Reese really cared about. We then decided to go to California Pizza Kitchen for lunch. It was so nice to have a great long lunch. Johnny's mom and grandma actually came as well. When all was said and done Reese passed out. She slept for a couple of hours:)

Everything went well and she had such a great time. I am so blessed to have her in my life and I love her so much:)

Day of Answers!

This Thursday I will be going to the doctor to hopefully get the answers that I am so in dire need for. After having Reese I have been spotting for the past two years. My original OBGYN has just changed my pill...Seven pills in two years. I have a ton of cervical issues and my doctor by using the pill was trying to "capture" my period. Um, not working sir. I finally got into to see a female OBGYN in my practice and she took the time to listen to me and to my frustration. She thinks that I might have fibroids or polyps in my uterus. They are going to do a sonogram and then blow my uterus up with water to get a good look. If there is nothing wrong she said then it might be an issue of my estrogen level being too low. It's a mystery but she said that she will do her best to figure out what is causing me to have all these problems. I am just so thankful that she is taking the time to help me out. I have been struggling for two years with this. Its not fun and I'm 31 (still young in my eyes). So, Thursday is the day and I couldn't be happier to have my mom with me to be there for me. She has been to the doctor with me the past couple of visits and has been a huge supporter of what I decide to do. I just can't wait to get in there and see what is going on:)

It seems to me that everywhere I turn someone is preggers...and all due this August...I guess Thanksgiving was a busy time for a lot of people:). Its fun to see the difference in people who are pregnant depending on if its the first or third. My neighbor and friend is pregnant with her third. She has two older boys 6 and 4 and we do believe its a girl. Her main concern is to get the boys to Disney World fast because she doesn't think they will ever afford a trip once the third comes around. Funny that that is what she is thinking about. Riley's pre K teacher is also due in August. She is young only 24 but so excited. I picked Ry up from school one day and as she was putting her in the car she looked at me and smiled and said she had her first doctor's appointment and did I want to see the picture, of coarse I wanted to. She is so cute because she is bursting with excitement and I love to hear all she has to say about it. There have been so many women at the gym who have said oh that they are having a baby when checking their older ones into the child center. Just a woman today heard me say something to Reese and she told me that is what they are planning on naming their soon to be baby girl.

So, then comes the question to me "are you done or are you going to have a third?" I would like to have another one simply just to hold a baby. I miss that so much. Reese went from infant to little kid in what seemed like a nano second. Then Riley going and getting her Pre K graduation pics taken, it makes me sad. But, I am damaged goods literally and have been advised not to get pregnant. I have so many issues that my doctor is still trying to figure out what to do with me. I am about to see if there is a specialist of some sort that maybe able to help me without having to go under the knife. It stinks, but yet I am greatful for the two lives that I had a hand in bringing into this world and the pure joy that they bring. It does make me a little jealous to hear other people announce they are pregnant however, I did not enjoy being pregnant so I guess that is a good thing for me not to try. It stinks for my good friend Chelsea who does want another one because it seemed after everytime I had a kid she got pregnant and this would be after her trying for several months beforehand. I have already appologized to her!!!

I just wanted to write about this how it seems you know once you get married people ask you when you are having kids. Then you have your first one and they ask you when you are having your second its an endless cycle...I have been asked several times if I had thought about having another one and it stinks to have to tell your situation because it is literally out of my hands. I know there are several people out there that couldn't even have one so therefore I am lucky and I have started to watch how I ask the whole babies question to people I know. I just can't wait to meet these babies so that I can hold them!!!!

December

This month is full of excitement. It always starts off with a bang because its Riley birthday month. She turned 5 this year on December 2nd. I took a cookie cake for her class so they could celebrate her bday with her. We had a birthday party at Miss Mamie's cupcakes on the Marietta Square. All the kids were able to come and enjoyed decorating their cupcakes and drinking apple juice out of water goblets. She insisted that all the kids wear their Sunday best:) I was so excited how it turned out. Then of coarse starts the Christmas season. Johnny and Ry for the past few years have gone tree shopping..usually the Sunday after her birthday. They went this year and picked the best tree I think we have ever had..thanks to Big John's!!! After they get the tree and Johnny hooks it into the stand its our tradition that Riley and I decorate it. Its always fun decorating a tree with a child because they want to stick all the ornaments on one branch and you can always tell how tall they are because the ornaments go as far as they can reach and below:)

Christmas was great this year because Riley understood in great detail what Christmas was truely about...not about us but about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! She was so excited about celebrating his birthday.

On Christmas Eve my mother in law came over and we started opening presents with her.The kids were so excited about all their new toys and pj's. It was a great start to what was to come. The kids spread their reindeer food over the lawn, Riley said good bye to her elf "Bonnie", and it was off to bed to await Santa's arrival.

Riley came and got me up bright and early Saturday morning and as she came down the stairs she spotted something that took her breath away. The BARBIE DREAMHOUSE!!!! She was so excited and started playing right away not even noticing what was under the tree. She said I guess Santa thought Reese and I were really good this year. Once Reese was up we started opening presents. She was so excited she got her American girl doll...the one that looks like her and some outfits for it and other toys. Reese did good as well racking up Mickey and Minnie toys...her favorite. We then as a family sang "Happy Birthday to Jesus". Oh my husband was equally good to me this year as well...he bought me the colored nook, my new running shoes (marathon training starts Jan 1) and new soccer shoes. I was surprised by the shoes since I had my last pair stollen and was happy just playing in my tennis shoes. I bought him a document camera to use in his classroom...I hope he finds it usefull.

Then it was off in the snow to my parent's house. Where the kids had even more gifts. My mom made Riley a bed for her doll and its so beautiful and very pink and girly so much like Riley herself. Reese got the dancing star Mickey and was so excited and couldn't stop dancing. We hung out there until Reese woke up from her nap and drove home admiring the snow that was falling.

It was def. a long day as the kids slept in pretty late on Sunday but as soon as everyone was awake I bundled them up and took them outside to go sleding. My neighbor and good friend has two boys and sleds so with my two girls the four of them had a blast...and even took turns going down with Reese in their laps. The day was spent playing with friends and exploring everything that they had received.

I hope that everyone had a great holiday and was able to take a break from the busy lives that we all lead and enjoy good company and reflect on how wonderful life is, and how we wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for him:)

Thanksgiving!!!

Thanksgiving this year went too fast. We spent it at my mom's house and everyone that came brought two dishes. There was just enough food for everyone to enjoy and hardly any leftovers, this is what my mom was striving for because they were leaving for Ohio the next day. My friend Kim, her husband, and four kids tagged along this year with us and Johnny's mom. It was fun just to hangout and talk while the guys watched football. I made a great Fresh Apple Cake from the Southern Living mag. It turned out so good, everyone liked it!!! I might have to make it again. Once we got home and got the kids to bed I got ready to venture out to the mall. Northpoint in Alpharetta opened at midnight and I wanted to go and get Reese some Mickey Mouse stuff from the Disney Store. She loves Mickey Mouse or Hot Dog as she calls him. I got down to the mall around 10:45 and struck up some good conversations with the people around me. Once the mall opened it was funny to watch the people run to the stores that they were hoping to find some good deals. I was in and out in little over an hour. I got everything I wanted and even strolled around the mall. Not all the stores were opened but hey it made for a good time. I then went to Toys R Us...so glad I didn't need anything from there..the line was ridiculous. So, I started back for home and then decided that I couldn't sleep so I might as well hangout with the other people in line at Target. It was 1:45 and Target didn't open until 4. When I left the weather was fine but as I waited I could feel the temp drop and drop. I wasn't dressed all that warm and it wasn't fun sitting on the cold concrete. However, this nice guys standing next to me held my spot for me so that I could go down to the QT to go to the bathroom. Upon my return I found Johnny's huge coaching jacket that basically engulfs my whole body. Well once in, I made my rounds and finished the girls shopping and a few other gifts as well. I got a ton of stuff for 125 bucks. I went home at 6 got three hours of sleep and went out again this time for a quick trip to Hallmark. Riley's bday is coming up and I try to get her bday shopping done as well. Although, this year I already bought her bday gift early as did Santa get her Christmas gift early...an Amerian girl doll....so excited to see her face. Anyways it was all good and fun but now I am paying the price because I have a persistant sore throat. The nurse at the min. clinic said its from my immune system shutting down...all I can think of is lack of sleep starting with black friday. Not sure if I would ever do that again:)

A brief update

So much has happened since I last posted something. My husband celebrated his 34th bday and I my 31st. Our bdays are actually 10 days apart. Johnny is gearing up for this semester to be over at Blessed Trinity and I think even though at times its challenging he is actually really liking it there. Let's hope anyways. Riley is doing great in PreK she loves her school and her new friends that she has made. We are actually planning her 5th bday party as of right now. It is going to be tea party/cupcake party at Miss Mamie's cupcakes on the square in Marietta. She is wanting all the kids to get dressed up. So hopefully it will turn out the way that she wants it to. She finished up her soccer season and really enjoyed herself this time around she even score 5 goals this season. It was such a huge difference from last time. We were so proud of her. Reese is so funny! She is such a dare devil wanting to do whatever the big kids are doing. You should see her try to do a cartwheel. She talks up a storm and also loves to play soccer. She has a wicked left foot:) I am thinking of putting her in school next year just because she loves to go to Ry's and sits down waiting for Ms.Catherine (Riley's teacher)to start teaching. We haven't gotten off the bottle yet and I am doomed for that. She drinks juice out of a sippie cup and milk out of a bottle. I told her that we are going to donate them to Santa. Let's hope that it goes over smoothly. I have recently starting nannying again. This time though for a family that lives only like 2 min away from my neighborhood. Its part time for 2 1/2 year old twins. They are great kids and play really well with Reese. I love that they don't mind Riley and Reese being there. Even though Riley is only there for a short time. Its funny because I was referred by a friend of mine who is the children's preschool teacher. I went and met the mom and come to find out they both (husband and wife) played basketball at N. Ga. where I played soccer. We know a lot of mutual people. It goes to show how small this world really is. But, I was rewarded the job and hopefully I can do this for awhile. Well I guess that is it for an update on whats been going on with us. I know I probably missed out on a ton of stuff...this is the abridge version:)