Dec 23rd~ New Name

New name.
Let's meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?

It would be Diana...pronounced in Spanish...Dee Anna. Does that make sense? When I left college and began working it got switched to Diana like...Princess Diana. I answer to anything but Diana (Dee~Anna) is who I am. That is what my family calls me, my close friends, my husband and myself. I think it became a pain to correct or repeat when I was on the phone so I would just say Diana and make it easier. And it has been about 5 years now that it became an "issue" so it is hard to have people switch ...usually they think it is something, a phase, I am going through.

Oh well! That would be the name.

Dec. 17th -22nd.....catching up

So I have been out of pocket for a while. Let do the catch up game.

December 17 – Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)

I thought I was very independent and self sufficient. This year I learned that as great as those qualities may be I need people. I need help and there is no shame in that. I also learned that I expect too much from people. I know that seems impossible but I do. I learned that my support system is amazing and I would not be who I am without them.

December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)

Next year ( not too far away). I want to try to find some sort of balance that works for me. I am going to be a 1st time parent and just want to be good for her. I want to find the joys in the little things and less stress in the everyday stuff. I want to be able to truly see the amazing "stuff" happening in front of me and not in retrospect. I want to enjoy as it happens.

As far as trying new things. I think parenthood will play a big role in that.

December 19 – Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allan)

My brother. My younger, amazing brother. If you know anything about us.... we are true optimistic pessimists. We always seem to be on opposite ends. And when I was at my most pessimist side he gave me the world's greatest advice. Given he quoted a movie but none the less...great advice. " I am the captain of my fate...the master of my soul."

I couldn't let a few people change that. I needed to be reminded of that. He told me who I was and how much I could let things effect me or I could feel the pain for as long as I needed and then let go because of who I was. He helped me heal.

December 20 – Beyond Avoidance. What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickell)

I will have to get back to you on this one.

December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?) (Author: Jenny Blake)

Wow. That is a while. I don't know. I will be 35. Have a 5 year old. I would be married for 8 years. I don't know. It doesn't seem possible to know what will be. Or what should I say to myself.

I guess I would say this:

Love like it will never hurt, enjoy the moments, make memories, never stop dreaming, strive to be the best of you and expect no less, remain strong but be willing to be weak when you need others, remember where you started and always look forward...dance with your best friend...

December 22 – Travel How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Author: Tara Hunt)

I took a anniversary trip to Fredricksburg. Loved every minute of it. We also went to New Orleans for my graduation. Next year I would love to travel to see my brother and my aunts and uncles. I would love to have them meet my little family.

Dec. 16th~ Friendship

Friendship.
How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

This one is hard to answer. This year I was let down by a group of friends. But on the upside I was lifted up by a completely different group. And that is where I am going to focus on. I was talking to my mom this weekend and telling her how blessed I have been. I truly believe in the fact that God puts people in your life for a reason. I have made some really amazing friends this year that lifted me up when I was most let down by the group of friends that I thought loved me the most. They embraced me, supported me, helped me, were excited for me and most importantly loved me.

A few examples of what they did for me this year: Threw/hosted/attended my baby shower(s), helped put up a decal in my little one's room, took the day off of work to go to garage sales, let me cry, vent, and be angry, kept up on my appointments, called/texted/emailed me to see how I was doing, and so many other things that made me understand what a friend can do for you.

God gradually put people in my life throughout this past year. And I am so grateful for that. These new friends few like they have been there the entire time. I am blessed, truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to have such an amazing (favorite word) group of friends all walk in to my life this past year. And I only hope that we continue to walk with each other.

So the new found perspective on the world because of these friendship should be summarized as this: Life is sweet because of those you let in.....and these friends have helped me see the beauty in the even the saddest moments.

TO MY FRIENDS: May you always know how much you are loved by me and may we continue to lift each other up and walk with each other through all the ups and downs life will bring.

December 15 – 5 Minutes

December 15 – 5 Minutes

Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)

Jamie missing his flight to Ecuador and the breakfast afterwards.

Alayna & Nadia first day in the world.

Fredricksburg.

Fancy Nancy & Rene

New Orleans, Drew Brees, my graduation,

Dad playing slots in the casino for the first time

Mom's little eyes when she saw the Mississippi River

JD's face when I showed him the pregnancy test results and when heard the heartbeat for the first time.

Rafa when we announced we were pregnant.

They kids swimming class.

Aly & Katie's recital

Matthew body slamming a bully in his class.

Mikki not wanting me in her rancho.

My showers.

Texas game.

Putting up the decal in the nursery.

Scratch off tickets.

There is too much. I loved it all.

December 14 – Appreciate

December 14 – Appreciate
What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

Family. That is a short and sweet answer. This year I turned down my dream job because I was not ready to let go of the relationship my sisters and I had created in the last few years. My youngest brother, confidant, and best friend joined the Peace Corp. His departure has been hard for me. I am so proud of him and everything he does but I miss his face. That sounds weird but I miss seeing his eyes wrinkle up when he is having a blast and the hand gestures when he is upset. This year my nephew, my brother's son, had a stint in the hospital with a tumor. My brothers are so different and so amazing in their own ways. Each of them loves me in such a different way. They are not word guys...more on the action side. One is expecting his first just like me and it has been so interesting to see how our relationship has become so different because we are entering a new phase of life together. Then there is my oldest brother who is getting married. And something about that has made him more of a equal than my older brother. And then there are my parents. Maybe it is because I turned the big 3-0 this year or because I am about to be a parent myself but I don't think I have ever appreciated them more than I have this year. They have been everything to me and my husband this year. They have said the most amazing things to me at the most random moments. I realize I am leaving out so many family members but each of them I love so much.

Then there is the family I married into. My in laws are amazing (my favorite word for 2010). They have done it all this year. From assisting in laying a beautiful hardwood floor in my home to driving across the state to attend my graduation to buying my baby's crib. They support and love me like a daughter and I couldn't be happier about it. I truly hit the in-law lottery when I married their son. And that family doesn't end with them but they are just an example of the blessings I have appreciated this year.

So to summarize this year. Life is too precious. The whole world might let you down and sometimes so will family but they are always there doing their best to support and love you in a way no one else can.

Dec 13 – Action

December 13 – Action
When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)

This next year I want to be more organized. Which I understand may be near impossible because my life is going to drastically change because of my new little one. But that is the reason for me wanting that. Not for control but for more time with her. I don't want to be so overwhelmed by life that I miss the moments.

I want to be that parent who enjoys it all and is not so overwhelmed and busy to appreciate my little one. I also want to enjoy my husband. I don't have plans to make all this happen. But I do believe in mind over matter. So lets see how well this works out.

December 12 – Body Integration

December 12 – Body Integration

This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)

Hmmm.... This is a odd question. I am making up my own on this one. Last night, my little one made the craziest move my body had ever felt. My stomach seriously looked like a conehead. Do you remember the coneheads? It was the oddest yet the most amazing thing to witness. She needed room to stretch and she did. My body was no obstacle for her. I still can't get over that I have a life within me. That is an amazing feeling.

Dec. 11th~ Things

December 11 –11 Things
What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

Hmm.....11 things....that seems like a lot. 1.)Procrastination. How to get rid of that? I am constantly working on organizing myself to help eliminate this issue. Hopefully, this will give me more time for my new little family 2.) My Neon. I need to get rid of my old car. It will clear my driveway and maybe add a few bucks in my pocket 3.) Lily. My brother in law's dog. She needs to go back home. Three dogs is too much with a new baby on the way 4.) My carpet. Hopefully this will help eliminate some of the strange odor in our guest room and allergies. 5.) Mortgage payment. For obvious reasons. More money into our savings. 6.) Extra weight. It would be nice to fit back into my clothes again after the baby. 7.) I don't need Stress. But reality check it comes with the territory.

Okay that is my list. I may continue to add but all that my little brain can do. Since I am still behind on the last few days.

Dec. 10th~ Wisdom

Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

The wisest thing I did this year? Hmmm. I think I became more open to the idea of needing people. Let me explain. The last few years I have cocooned myself into a select few people that I hang out with and was friends with. I relied heavily on this group. This last year I realized that is not me at all. I have never been so closed off before. I do not believe I was aware of this. Or that I was making a conscience choice to change it . I think it began with one small moment that open the flood gates. The great part about this it I have made some truly great friends this year. Friends that I can not imagine not being in my life.

It is quite strange for me to realize this. I believe God knows who He puts in your path for great reasons. And He placed these amazing people in my life because I needed to be reminded of how loved I truly am for being me. I was let down this year by my little "circle" but because I was surrounded by these new friends I realized that....1) Life is too short to hold grudges 2). That when you least expected it you are blessed with so much 3). And that friends are not those who have known you the longest but those you love you for who you are and who walk with you through the biggest changes in your life.

So, the wisdom I learned this year. Surround yourself with people that love you and be open to those who God has put in your path.

December 9 – Party Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)

Party? I had several baby showers. I mean a lot of showers. Each one was different and so much fun. The best part of it was not gifts but the excitement I felt when I walked in. My first one in my husband's hometown was full of women who were so extremely excited. I seriously was overwhelmed with all the love I was shown by them. They showered me with gifts, advice, food, hugs and kisses...all because of this little bundle I was expecting and they had yet to meet. It is hard to explain the feeling of being surrounded by people who are so excited for you and your little one. It is so surreal, the feeling of truly being loved.

Dec. 8th~ Beautifully Different

December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)

I like this question but it is still very difficult to answer. It sounds a boastful. What makes me different? I am an optimistic pessimist. I think I get it from my mother. I always want to see the good in people and situations. Yet I feel it is important to feel what is going on at the moment and not sugar coat anything even when it is a little more painful than I would like. I think that I am loving...sometimes more than others think I should be. But love is so important. And I think with being loving I am accepting of others.

Now for the pessimistic part of myself. I can be very obsessive......well I would say passionate would be a better word to describe me. I can get on an issue and not let it go for a while. But I think that actually has to do with the loving part of me.

I love to laugh at the chaos of life. I call it like I see it (sometimes I buffer or filter). I love to make fun of the absolute silliness of people that they do not see in themselves. I poke fun at life and sometimes it makes the awful appear funny. I think laughter is a way to deal.

So passionate, loving and enjoying the crazy. That is me!!

REVERB 10

Okay, so my dear friend, Elizabeth has been faithfully committed to participating in Reverb 10. Which in turn has caused me to reflect on the prompts as well. So, I thought I would participate too. Let's see how it goes. I am going to do a synopsis of the last 7 days that I have missed. Here it goes.

December 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)

Whirlwind. That would be my word. I choose this word because it has gone by so fast and I can't believe it. So much happened, changed, and been revealed to me that I am not sure where time went.

For 2011, I would choose the word, bountiful. I want my year to be described as full. Full of love, family, challenges, blessings, time, positive energy. I realize that this might lead to chaos but even in the chaos I want to see beauty.

December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)

I stress myself out with time. I do not use time to its' best ability. I waste time when I shouldn't and I rush it when I should enjoy it. Can I change this? I think so. I think I can become better organized that the minor things in life don't become so overwhelming and take away time from me to enjoy writing again.

December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

I am not into retreats. I feel like I have been there, done that, got a t shirt kinda thing about retreats. Not that they do not have merit. I just feel that personally I am somewhere different. I attended a retreat in April of this year and had a moment that I have yet to figure out. The weekend was great. I meet so many wonderful women and had a good time. It was the last morning and we sat in a circle, holding hands with the people next to us. I believe there was either music or a prayer going on or possibly both. I was holding my friend Nancy's hand. I could not focus. I kept hearing a voice, my voice saying, "Touch is healing...tell her that healing beings with touch." I know it sounds weird. I didn't hear this booming voice, I heard my own telling me that my new friend needed to hear those words. No idea why but I needed to tell her. Forget what was going on, prayer or no prayer. When we finally let go....I told my friend those words. And she knew what they meant. It was powerful. That day I learned that my voice (God's voice) speaks to me all the time but I often times put it on mute. Anyways this moment was big for me because I needed to be reminded that "my inner voice" is valid and I needed to give it more credit and listen more to it.

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)-

I don't know if I can take complete credit for this. I am expecting and wonder has definitely been a part of my life since May of this year when I learned we were pregnant. Hearing a heartbeat that is not your own but within you causes wonder beyond belief. I am constantly in awe (& wonder) of this little person inside of me. And the fact that my body has adjusted to this little person, making room for her, her movement to sound (particularly her daddy's voice), this is just to name a few.

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

I am still working on this. I think I am pretty good a letting go of things and people (which is scary) to begin with. I try not to hold on to too much.

December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

The last thing I made was hair bows. I made several hair bows for my nieces. I would like to learn to make little dresses......which is weird because I don't like dresses but I would like to make my little one a dress. I would also like to make some aprons, curtains, scarves, just tons of crafty project that I would give as gifts. But I definitely need more time.

December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)

I mentioned early that I had attended a retreat back in April. Well, that is where I found community. Interestingly enough! These wonderful and amazing women have been such a support for me throughout my pregnancy. I did not expect that at all. They have been excited when I was terrified. They have showered me with love when I have been at rock bottom. They have shown me that even though they only met me in April that love knows no time constraint. You can truly love someone and have only begun to get to know them. I felt the loss of some sense of friendship this year and these women have lifted me up. They have surrounded me with such amazing love. They showed me that I am loved by so many people and that is where my focus should be not on my expectations of others.
I would like to continue with this church community and possibly become more involved in various opportunities offered through this community.

Hostess Gifts

So my friends hosted a shower for me and I made some hostess gifts. It was very simple and reasonable to make. Here are a few pictures of the final product.
I made Brown Sugar Scrub, tied cute ribbon I had, attached a bath scrubby, and made a label. Below you can read the label.I thought they turned out super cute and was something that could be used by my hostess. And I just noticed the typo....oh well lesson learned. Opps!

Without Further Ado....

Here is the finished product......
There are no baseboards yet. It is still a work in progress. But enough delay.

This is the entry way.



This is the view from the dining room.




This is the view in the living room.




This is the kitchen minus the frigde.


Okay. I know I could do a better job posting but I just thought I really just needed to get it done. Please excuse the mess in the background. But I do really love my floors and my casita.
A big thank you to my hubby for agreeing to take on the challenge and my father in law for jumping right in and making the dream of a wood floor come true.

A story

I started this post so long ago........and just wanted to share the story in pictures ....enjoy!

164 days of chaos = amazing floors

Okay, so April 29, 2010. I came home to this. My furniture was being moved to begin the tearing out of tile.


Everything had been moved and stored. And on April 30th I came home to this. The dust of tile being destroyed by my wonderful husband.

This was the beginning of the chaos. It was only suppose to take a few weeks. Little did we know how much work it really was.

From a pile of wood in the garage.

To a beautiful gym floor. Yes, it is an old gym floor that was pulled out and recycled. So the 3-point line and free throw lines are still on the floor. It is really neat to see. Excuse the awful pictures (this is all I had on my computer).

Below is the dining room. If you look carefully you can see the lines of the old floor.

This is my father-in-law finishing the last part of the floor. I really don't know what we would do without him. We are indebted to him for life. (This is not the only project he has taken on with us).

The floor has now been completely installed. It took 164 days from start to finish. One hundred sixty four days of moving furniture, tearing out of tile, laying of sub floors, pulling of old nails, and the unending work of installing these beautiful maple hardwood floors. One hundred sixty four days of chaos, chaos with an intent, a small idea and dream come true.

And in approximately in 12 days they will be refinished to a beautiful English chestnut color and will look amazing.

Keep posted for more photos of the finished product. I can't wait!!!

Alayna......

This is Alayna's first day to eat cereal....

Actually her first day was 2 weeks ago but I am finally posting it.

She is getting so big.....Just thought you would like to see her.



Here is the first time in a high chair......Not exactly a happy camper.


Here is the first spoonful of cereal......
What is this?
Noooooo! I don't want to!!
Let's give it another shot.....(after getting my bottle).
Hey, where are you going? This stuff is good.
What? A girl can change her mind.

Glasses......a Milestone Moment

So guess who joined the club of glass-wearing cuties? None other than my oldest niece, Katie. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I visited her.


She is the type that is super quiet and doesn't say much but you could tell that she likes them. Which is great for kid to like something that makes you different.

Here are a few pictures of her in her glasses.


Doesn't she look like a big girl? And so much like her mama?

Things I have bought the little one.....

So as paranoid as I normally am. I have yet to buy BGR (baby girl ramos) anything that is of importance. You know like a crib or bedding. No, not I. I have bought her stuff that makes me happy and hopefully will make her happy too. Here are a few pictures of that randomness that I have purchased in the last 6 1/2 months.

Her first dog..... Isn't he adorable?

Some soft blocks she can play with and not hurt herself. They make noise in their own unique way. The red one jingles. The blue one rings. The yellow one quacks. And the green one shakes. They also have the color written on them in several languages, including Spanish. Pretty exciting.

Her first phone.

Wooden building blocks. She can learn her alphabet and build towers. A multipurpose kind of toy, what more do you want?



Then there is that frame that I found for $5. Yes, I said five dollars. And to seal the deal, it is that ABC's with the Sesame Street gang. The same guys I grew up watching.


And if you know anything about my father-in-law you know his love for turtles. So BGR has to have a turtle of her own. Presenting her own little turtle.



Then there is the colorful wooden stacker that sways. A good learning tool for colors. See I was thinking of a purpose for it.


This next one is not finished yet. I am going to have to paint it and make it hers. I haven't thought of the color scheme yet but it should be fun putting it together.


And last but not least, one of my favorites, the drumming bear push toy. He claps his when you push him. I realize that in the future I might regret this purchase but who could resist this cuteness.

So what have I learned about myself in this process. That I like old stuff, classic toys, and particularly wooden toys. Something about them makes me think of my toys I grew up with. I love the new amazing toys that are available for kids nowadays but I like the stuff that makes me think of my childhood. And in a way I want my little one to play with the stuff I know and remember so well. I want her to be full of imagination and creativity. But most importantly I want her to have fun, to truly enjoy her childhood.

My homework assignment.....

This is going to be a quick post.

I am taking a Continuing Education class in photography. I have had two classes so far and each week we have an assignment to turn in a picture. So last class (1st assignment) I had to turn in a picture. This is my picture. Tell me what you think.


It was an accident and I just kept taking the shot until I had at least one to choose from. My teacher like it and I was a little proud. Now I have to work on next week's assignment, composition.

I just want to be able to take good pictures of my kiddo and family. So let the learning begin. The really great part of this class is that I have a great friend who sits next to me. So that is awesome and makes the 2 1/2 hours not seem like an eternity.

Just thought I would share my first homework assignment. Await for next week's homework post.

LoVe Ya'

I need a Fix!!

Okay so the title is a little crazy but I discovered something last night. I teach a CCD class on Wednesday nights. For those who don't know what a CCD class is (totally understandable). Its' original name was the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. It was an association established in the 1500s for the purpose of providing religious education. Nowadays CCD is the religious teaching program of the Catholic Church.

So anyways onto my fix. After my class last night I realized that I should have been a teacher. But because everyone in my family seemed to be a teacher, I needed to be different. So that was my choice and I realized my last semester in college that my choice was not who I was. But there was no turning back. And I don't think I would have enjoyed teaching everyday as much as I enjoy my Wednesday night 7th grade class. So this is my fix, my way of feeding that need or want to teach.

I am really wild and sometimes wonder if I am getting anything across, if their minds are running or are they just thinking this lady is crazy and I want to go home. Who knows, but for the next several weeks they will be a part of the fix I need to fulfill some inner part of me who always wanted to be a teacher. The things we do to torture children.

This is another part of my need for balance. My once a week fix keeps me balanced with the need of teaching fulfilled and the rest of the time fulfilled with many other random things.

Especially For Jamie....pictures of the future......

So I realize it has been a long time since I have blogged but trying to just balance lately. So tomorrow is a big day and I know I have not posted any pictures for you. But here are some from about 3 -4 weeks ago. So a lot has changed and there is still so much more to come.

And I am not tech savy so I decided to snap pictures of pictures. I will learn that later. I love you and miss you bunches.

Here are some pictures of the future.........




So this is a normal picture and what most people get to see but I also got some 3d ones. You can really see the features.



This one here you can really see a baby. But the next one is my favorite. Look at his/her feet. Isn't that amazing?
I miss you little brother and can't believe I am going through an adventure without you here. I miss you tremendously and hope you know how much you are thought of, prayed for and sometimes even laughed at. I love you but most importantly all 3 of us love you more than you will ever know. Take care and await tomorrow's news!!!

I had a dream.......

Yes, I had a dream.........not like MLK's but that would be a great dream. Anyways, I had a dream the other night that I vividly remember. I had figured out what I thought it was saying. And yesterday, I saw my beautiful friend Bridget and she really broke my dream down.

See Bridget studied and continuously studies Dream work. So let me tell you my dream and see if you can figure out what it means.

I am at my mom's house (I guess I should say my parents' house). And I am looking out the back of the house through a corner window (that does not exist) and I am standing next to my brother Mando. Through this window is a slight hill that I can see people working on the farm. I tell my brother there is suppose to be a storm coming. And he calmly says, "No, I don't think so." And as he turns I see a funnel cloud begin to form and slowly touch ground. Everyone comes running inside and we all go under the beds. And as I am hearing and feeling the storm I am thinking. I am thinking that my mom's house is a cinder block house. If this tornado hits it it is going to tear it down or it is going to bypass it but it is not going to lift it up and toss it around. So I know it is just the wind and I need to get out from under the bed. And as I do, I wake up.

Interesting, huh? I have been having a lot of strange dreams lately. Mostly I blame it on the hormones but I think some have meaning. When I shared my dream with Bridget it was so great to hear that dreams truly do mean something and our unconsciousness is speaking to us. And in a very special way God is speaking through our dreams to us.

She asked me to describe my brother. And I could only use the words like steady, strong, caring, calm, quiet and a leader. And she asked about the window, I told her it really doesn't exist at my mom's house. She asked if how I woke up, how did I feel? I told her that is didn't scare me I woke up and went back to bed with ease.

She assured me that the storm in my dreams was definitely my future child. And that children do bring change and sometimes it will feel like a tornado. But that my brother represented the calm, strong, caring, quiet leader inside of me that was beginning to emerge with this change. The corner window was very likely two different sides coming together....my motherly side and that crazy side of me (my interpretation). And all the little workers in the field was my unconscience working out all the little details for me. But the best part was that the dream was my mother's house. The house that represented the strong foundation I had be given by her love and example.

I just wanted to share this dream of mine....it was peaceful, hopeful and exciting.

Yes I know

Yes, I am fully aware that there has been a tremendous lack of commitment to this blog lately. And I have no excuse but I do have reasons.
Let's see if you are understanding enough.

1. I have been tired and napping a lot lately.
2. This whole tired thing has left no energy to workout, so now there are a few additional pounds to deal with.
3. I have thrown up a few times and I hate throwing up.
4. I have had to go the the doctor a few time within the last few months.
5. I can't stand the smell of cooking meat so no home cooked meals for the hubby.

All to let you know that we are expecting a little one. Yes I am a little late. I realize this should have been breaking news. But choosing between writing on my blog and taking a nap. I choose taking a nap.

I promise to post pictures soon to document the whole experience. Until laters!!

It's been a while

Okay so it has been a while......let just say life has happened and I am just trying to keep up.

I am really excited about this weekend. My sister and brother-in-law asked the hubby and me to baptize their little one. How exciting is that? Me and hubby God-parents. We are super stoked. I will post pics of the event after this weekend. Okay so that is my brief update of life......but expect more this upcoming week (hint).

Quick update....

So we got a quote on the installation of the floors and to say the least our jaws dropped. And after much contemplation we decided this was going to be a major DIY project. This also meant that we would be taking our time on the installation. In other words, I will have to continue living w/out my living room and dining area for a while.

But last night there was a glimmer of hope. The same guys that we got a quote from called back with a better offer. Although it was a better offer I am still planning to get some more quotes. And we are still considering installation on our own. Now the reason I have faith in the DIY installation is not just for the savings but because my brother just recently installed hardwood and is willing to teach my hubby the process. So with that in mind, it has brought the confidence level up a bit.

So with this new lower quote we might be able to not only save but have someone with a little more experience refinishing the floor. There is hope and possibilities.

Spring Time for Kids

This is for my little brother ..... I thought you would enjoy a little laugh.


The girls dance recital








And one finally one of the handsome boy....





Enjoy Little brother.........have a great week......LOVE YOU!!

Progress

This is just going to be a quick post on the progress of my flooring project. When I got home for lunch yesterday this is what I came home to.

(Everything was cleared out.)

(This is all my furniture jammed into our formal dining room.)

(And we still had some room for stuff.)

And when I got home for lunch today this was what I found.

This is our good friend, Fred, helping us taking out the nails.

So this weekend should be fun. There is going to be demolition, dust, and lots of work. But I think it is going to be worth it. We are going to be able to look at our house and know we did it (at least the majority of it on our own). This is going to be some serious sweat equity and a labor of love.

Birthday Wishes....

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday.

She is an amazing and beautiful woman. You know how everyone has those horror stories about their mother-in laws, not me. I really hit the jackpot. She treats me like a daughter. Just like my mom. She worries about me, calls me and checks up on us. And she is so supportive of me, even though I am not blood. I think every little thing I have done she has been there for it.

So a big shout out to my "mom". Wishing her a wonderful day!!