Favorite Things Friday

This week I'm linking up with Lindsey, The Bargain Blonde for a few of my favorite things.  This week, I'm listing a few of my favorite new finds and a return of my favorite show for Season 2! 

Thanks to my August Birchbox, I'm absolutely in love with this eyelash gel! 

This stuff is amazing....seriously.  My lashes have never looked longer and it's smudge proof!

Another new favorite I found recently is Organix Shampoo and Conditioner.  This stuff is great. 

Lastly, my favorite show came back this week!!  I LOVE Impractical Jokers and I'm so happy their back!

Do you watch Impractical Jokers?  If so, who's your favorite?

2 years today Super Pax-man

Two years ago today, my 7 week old, 7 lb 3oz baby boy had open heart surgery to repair 2 holes in his heart (ASD/VSD).  We are so thankful and so grateful every day for our precious baby boy.  Thanks to God, Dr. Vricella, and the wonderful surgeons and Doctors and Johns Hopkins, our now 2 year old little man is doing great.  He is healthy, he is happy, and he is amazing. 

Post surgery, in the PICU

WE LOVE YOU SUPER PAX-MAN.


***  On another note, I am excited to share some more good news.  I have decided to become a blogger for Compassion International.  As you may (or may not know), I am currently sponsoring an adorable 5 year old boy from Ethopia.  These children need help and I am so excited to share their information with you!  Stay tuned in September to learn more. 

Operation Big Boy Bed

Saturday night, we converted Paxton's crib into a toddler bed.  Believe me, we would have waited until he was at least 3 (unless he was climbing out of the crib); however started this week, he started napping at preschool and sleeping on a cot.  We tried this on vacation and it didn't go well so we thought we would get him used to it at home. 
I have to say, the first night went better than expected.  He was excited about his bed.

By 9pm, he was out.

The only problem we had was that he fell out of bed at midnight.  We left him on the floor, but then he rolled into the ottoman and woke up at 3am.  He was a little confused and upset, but he went back to bed.  When he woke up, he came into our room to wake us up.  Overall....not too bad. 

The next 2 nights were similar, he fell out of bed, rolled into something or under the bed and woke up crying. 

Last night, went slightly better...we put a noodle under his mattress so that it's harder to roll out.  He made it until 5:15am.  Then, I heard his little feet running to the find me as I was getting ready for work.  

Unfortunately, the problem we have now, is that he is leaking through his diaper by morning and that is waking him up. 

Any suggestions????

Weekend Recap

We had a lot going on this weekend!  It started Thursday night with a preseason Raven's Game.

Friday night, our church had a fundraiser at Baysox Stadium.  We had great seats right behind 3rd base. 

Thankfully, they also had a kid's play area! 

Mia also had some rainbow ice cream and the mascot, Louie got some great hugs.

Saturday morning, I got some great cuddle time with my cuties.

Mia also had a play date with her BFF, Ella

It was a great weekend.  What did you do this weekend?

Fallen, Week 2

Week 2 of reviewing Fallen by Lauren Kate. 

This weeks question is:

How well do you think LK captured the experience of starting a new school?

 

I have never changed schools so I really cannot relate.  The only experience I have is when I started college.  I think LK did capture the experience of starting a new school though.  You could tell Luce was nervous and not sure who to trust.  I think most people can definitely relate to her.

What are your first impressions of Luce?

Upon first impression, I like Luce.  I feel sorry for her.  I think something happened that she doesn't understand or remember and she is misunderstood by her family.  I'm not sure yet what happened with Trever or how she doesn't remember, but it's clear (at least I feel like it is so far) that she didn't mean for Trever to get hurt and she really did care about him.  I think she feels guilty even though she is innocent. 

I can't wait to read everyones thoughts on this!

Show and Tell: Happily Ever After

1. Are you married? If so when did you get married, and tell us about your special day. If not? How would you describe your dream wedding?

I am married.  We got married on September 30^th, 2006.  The long version of our wedding story will be posted on September 30^th; however, long story short….our car was stolen on the morning of our wedding by a 15 year old non English speaking, pot smoking, boy who got off with a slap on the wrist.  Side note:  car contained wedding bands, centerpieces, wedding favors, cake topper, guest book (framed picture), luggage, passports, video camera, --everything except my dress and his tux.  This was NOT our dream wedding; however, with the help of friends and family, we managed to make it fun and full of love. 

2.  Show us some wedding pictures. Either yours or of some that you love.

These are pictures from our wedding.  This was me before the ceremony with 2 of my bridesmaids.  Amanda is on the left and my maid of honor, Renee is on the right. 

This is us after walking back down the aisle after getting married.  So incredibly happy to see Chris  after an emotionally draining day!

We used Chris's 98 year old Grandmother's old 60 something Caddy as our ride. 

Lastly, this is us after the wedding.

2.  How about the engagement? Tell us your story. If not engaged, what's your dream proposal?

Chris proposed to me at midnight on New Years 2005/2006.  He did it in his parent’s sunroom in front of his family.  I was happy that his brother knew and was able to get pictures, but I do not like being the center of attention.  It was sweet though and perfect.

3.  Show  us your wedding rings or an engagement photo! If not engaged/married ... show us your "dream" ring.

I wanted a princess cut stone in an antique looking setting; however, my husband hates that look.  So.....he bought a ring that he loved.  I love that he took the time to pick something out that he really loves and that I would love as well. 

4.  Tell us why you think marriage doesn't work out for so many? What can we do to make things last   

I think sometimes people rush into marriage just because they want a wedding (this coming from someone who got engaged 6 months after dating and married 9 months after that).  I think you have to have a solid friendship first.  Chris and I had been close friends for 5 years before we started dating and I think that helped a lot.  We also have the same views on life, money, and religion (for the most part).  I think it is really helpful to talk about your expectations and what you want out of life before you walk down the aisle. 

 We delayed our honeymoon for 2 days while we got new passports, but here is a picture of us in Jamaica.  Note...I am wearing one of Amanda's dresses as my luggage and all of my cute clothes were stolen :(.  On the plus side....my friends have great taste and we wear the same size! 

Tangled in Emotions

Mia's 4th birthday party is 2 weeks away.  I'm writing this post in hopes that it will help me to get excited and inspired to make it extra special for her. You see....I struggle with her birthday.  Yes, it is a wonderful day...a day to celebrate my beautiful amazing and smart little girl, but it is also the anniversary of her twin brother's passing (or delivery as he was stillborn).  Every year, I find it so hard to find a place where I don't feel guilty for celebrating and I don't feel guilty for being sad.  Is there a happy medium?  If so, I have not found it. 

With that said, I'm going to show you some of the ideas I found via pinterest for her party. 

I ordered these adorable invitations from Kristen at Little Laws Prints. 

I haven't decided on food yet, but I love these paint brush inspired rice crispy treats!

Although the party is at the park, I have a couple of crafts planned.

I love the idea of kids decorating their own lantern.  I bought markers and adhesive jewels.

I also bought materials to make pascal blow-outs.

Lastly, I purchased 5x7 canvases and some paint for each kid as a party favor.  I had to come up with something gender neutral as there will be boys and girls there.

If you have any great party planning ideas you'd be willing to share, please do!!  I desperately need food ideas (the party will be outside so nothing that needs to be refridgerated) and I'm always up for decorating ideas as well. 
Have a great weekend!



Dallas, Part 2 (the Aquarium and the Children's museum)

The Dallas Aquarium was awesome!  The animals were amazing to see.  I especially loved the monkeys and penguins!  The kids loved them too! 

We tried to watch the sharks eat, but my kids were more interested in running around.   Oh well...maybe next time. 

We also visited the Dallas Childrens Museum.  This is perfect for children of any age!  We had so much fun!

We walked through the shark exhibit first.  Next, the boys and Chris went to the Imax while the kids and I played in the Magic school bus exhibit.

They really loved the weather map (above) dinosaur dig (below).

Lastly, we played in the childrens area.  The kids had such a great time!

I definitely recommend it if you are ever in Dallas!

Night Terrors and Bed Wetting

Ha...somedays I feel this way, but not last night!

Chris and I got very little sleep last night.  Mia has been having night terrors.  She has them 2-3 times a month and they are so upsetting.  I did a little research on Web MD and apparently 1-6% of children experience night terrors. 
Last night, Mia woke up at midnight screaming.  She was inconsolable.  She was kicking us and thrashing around her bed.  She would scream for me and then scream for Chris.  It was obvious that she could not hear us as we were trying to calm her down.  It was so disturbing.
We held here, rubbed her back, and tried to sooth her for about 20 minutes while she screamed.  Finally, she woke up.  She had no idea what had happened, only that I was holding her. 
She then wanted to sleep in our room.  After an experience like that....how could we say no?  She scared us! 
Three a.m. this morning, I wake up, laying in a pool of pee.  Ugh....Good Morning to me, right?  We had to stripe the sheets, change her,  and make the bed.  My the time we finished and I fell back to sleep, it was 5am and my alarm clock was going off. 
I think its going to be a rough day. 
How was your night?

Fallen, Week 1

 

It is no secret that I love to read.  I will read just about anything and I always finish what I start--which is sometimes really disappointing.  That being said, I was excited about joining Rosie's book club.  This month, the book is Fallen by Lauren Kate.  I had never heard of this book and probably would not have chosen it as I tend to stay away from sci fi type books; however, I decided to give it a shot.

So, on to this week's question.....

 

What was your reaction to the prologue? Did it successfully whet your appetite for more?

 

This works out well since I have only read the prologue!  My first thought was...what is this about....ghosts?  Vampires?  I did really like the attaction between the 2 characters (names unknown so far).  I'm curious as to why they can't be together.  It seems as if they are reliving this moment over and over (kind of like Groundhog day)  Side note...I hated Groundhog day so really hoping I'm wrong!!  I'm also wondering...did she disappear?  The last sentence left me hanging.  I'm anxious to see where this leads and learn more about the characters (and hopefully give them names). 

 

Have you read Fallen?  What did you think?

Dallas recap, Part 1

**Paxton's Cardiology appointment was rescheduled for September 7th

Last week, we spent 7 days in Dallas, TX visiting my sister in law, brother in law, and their 3 boys.  We did too much to just have one post.  We visited the aqurium, Shenaniganz (laser tag, bowling, go carts, bounce houses), the Childrens Museum, had a date night, and spent time at their AMAZING new house.  This post will be an overview of our trip.  I'll have a seperate post on our date night, the aqurium, and the Children's Museum.

The kids were amazing on the flight.  Mia had some problems with her ears at landing, but that is because she had an ear infection. 

Once we landed, our first stop was to visit the local urgent care.  Turns out, Chris and I had strep, Mia and Paxton both had an ear infection and pink eye.  How pathetic does his eye look.

We made the best of it though and went to the children's museum that afternoon (post coming later this week). 
Saturday, we spent the day at the Rockwall Harbor. 

We also made some yummy s'mores!

Sunday, we spent the day by the pool and Chris and I had our date that night (post coming later this week).

Monday, we went to the aqurium (post coming later) and Tuesday, we went to Shenaniganz.  Shenaniganz has laser tag, a bowling alley, go carts, bounce houses, an archade, and mini golf.  Perfect for every age.  The kids loved it!

We spent the rest of the week hanging out, riding scooters. dressing up, painting our nails and just relaxing. 

Mia and Aunt Jannie

Cowboy Paxton loves his boots.  Guess what he's gonna be for Halloween??

Of course, no trip is without tantrums!

But overall, the kids were great.  I'll leave you with one last picture.  Melt my heart.  I love my 2 boys.