New Year, New Start

I love when the New Year rolls around. No matter what you may have or may not have done in the previous year. We get a free do-over every 12 months. Yes I'm aware that we can't change the past but we can change the future.

I've learned early not to set up resolutions because I won't follow through. Who really does? What I try to do is improve my life from year to year all together. I want to look back and see a difference, a change, something that has better me and my family's life.

This year I've decided that I am going take care of my house, my body, and my spirit. It's not a resolution but improvements I'd like to make starting today and by this time next year, I'm sure I'll see changes.

I love to run. I like how it makes me feel and I like to challenge myself to see if I can run further and further. I had started training to run a half marathon, but somewhere along the way I got lost. I let all kind of things distract me and veer me off course. No more.

In 2009, I will see all tasks (of importance) to the very end. Now, with that said, let's talk about what I did for New Year's Eve and what I've been spending the first day of 2009 doing.

Loungin' last night and Grandmas:

More Loungin'


Lael waking up at noon after going to bed after 2am.


We went to my MIL and hung out with her and a few family members. It was very quiet and low key. The girls got to run around and play and we just drank daiquiri's and watched girly movies.

At one point, we were so caught up into our movie that we lost track of time until we hear the kids counting down in the basement. I looked at my phone and it was 12:01. Oops! Oh well, I ran down and kissed my babies and made phone calls! Man I'm getting old!

We got home today before 3pm and I decided my first act of 2009 would be playing with my girls.

We whipped out our new favorite toy, Dance Revolution but guess what daddy walks in the door with?

High School Musical 3 Dance Pad for the girls. So now they have a newer favorite toy.





So when I think about it, I'm knocking down two birds with one stone. Spending time with my kids and working out! Oh you didn't know, dancing IS a workout!

I am excited about this being a new year and hope you all have big plans for this year. I know I do and I plan to come up with fun, exciting ideas for my blog as well!

Happy New Year's!!

The Other Special Lady In My Life

Meet D. This is my adorable stepdaughter. In a few hours she will be 7. How cool would it be to have a birthday on New Years Eve? She will have tons of fun with that later.


She had never had a sleepover at our house before so I decided she was overdue for one.


I had already bought the type of cake she wanted but what I found out this morning is that she wanted a "special" cake. One that I am not capable of making. So what do I do to get this lovely cake in my possession?


I call and whine to my friend who made these for Lael and her son's 5th birthday party a few months ago. Isn't she talented and extra sweet for making this at literally THE LAST MINUTE. Thanks Dusty she loved it, and that's putting it lightly.


I finally found Dance Revolution for XBOX 360 today and had to get it so the girls could dance their little hearts out. And they did. For about 3 hours. Yeah, big hit.


Afterwards, they watched Hannah Montana and ate TONS of popcorn and giggled, and giggled some more.


They then put on a PJ fashion show. That in itself made my night. D was very happy and thanked me many times. They are still awake now and I am plotting the different ways I can knock them out. Sleeping Pills, NyQuil, Hypnotizing, just kidding. But I do have to get up and work tomorrow, and while I'll only be working half a day, I can already tell I will be tired from lack of sleep.

I feel no remorse for my husband who will have to feed them breakfast and deal with them after a night of sleep.

Happy Birthday D. I love you hunnie!

Oh and I couldn't post without leaving yall a snap of my baby. This is her "serious" pose during the fashion show. Yeah, I know. A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E.

Praying for Stellan....Bless the MckFamily

There's tons of things I could blog about tonight. But the fact is none of that matters right now because all day and night I have been tracking the progress of MckMama's baby Stellan.

He is very sick right now and my heart goes out to him and his family. If you have spare time, stop by her blog and leave kind words and if you really want to help, throw in an extra prayer for their family. They could really use one right now.

I'm off to bed for now but am hoping his health increases overnight. Pray, pray, pray.

Not Me! Monday

I did not leave work way earlier than I was supposed to on Monday and Tuesday. Hey there was really nothing to do.

I did not give into Lael (with help) after hearing this: "Mom, I really need to cut some paper, I promise not to cut myself, I promise, not even a little piece, not even my hand I promise." She did keep her promise. Thank goodness.

I did not play Dance Revolution with my friend, looking like and idiot, but have so much fun I didn't care. Nope not me.

I did not bang myself in the head with a door in a rush to get presents out of the closet. I'm not a klutz like that.

I did not almost cry when my husband told me our car needed a part and I would not be able to go to my moms for Christmas. If this happened my daddy would come pick up me and Lael and we would spend the night.

I did not get awaken at 4am by daddy the next morning to have him drop me and baby off because they had to work. Who would get up that early the day after Christmas.

I did not get a little sad because there wasn't anything under the tree for me but then giggle to myself when I realized my present was around my neck and I was taking pictures with it. Silly me, or not me.

I did not almost have a heart attack when I read baby Stellan was in the hospital. Once again, I am not, I repeat not, obsessed with blog friends kids.

I did not buy myself a pair of tennis shoes and walk around pretending they were a Christmas present. They are really cute though!

I am not planning a slumber party for D for Tuesday night. Who has kids over on a weeknight?

I am not in disbelief about the fact that said child will be 7 on New Year's Eve. She is growing before my very eyes.

I did not have better Not Me's but kept forgetting to draft them so had to come up with these at that last minute. Oh well! Your turn, last time to get thing off your chest before the New Year!!

Christmas 2008 Part 2 and The Aftermath

The sucky part about being a split family is that we have to share holidays. Last year we had D for Christmas so this year was her moms turn. While it's nice to have time with just Lael, during the holidays it doesn't feel right without the whole family.

Tonight I had to pick up D but made sure I brought out her presents from Santa. Because of course Santa has both of her addresses and brings toys to both places...of course, didn't yall know that.

So when we got back this is what she saw, plus a few more things I had forgot about and gave her later.






There were no complaints from this little girl, she was very happy. Who wouldn't be if they got 2 Christmas' every year!


Here is what was left over from her.....but I get to send most of her stuff home with her. The problem is what to do about this:


I thought I did good by getting rid of stuff before the holiday. Apparently I didn't know Santa would be quite so good to my little one. Was she really that nice this year??


Looking at them enjoy themselves reminds me that it was all worth it! My rock stars never get old to me.
I wonder if they will grow out of toys between now and next Christmas?
Probably not.

Photo Story....Our Christmas 2008

This Christmas has been a blast as usual. Even more so because I've had great friends to share it with. I've been having so much fun that I have gotten so behind in blogging so I decided to talk about my last few days in picture form!

Enjoy and I hope you had as much fun as me and mine did.

Here is a photo of me playing Dance Revolution at my girls house the day before Christmas Eve! What fun that was!


On Christmas Eve me and my girl took the kids to the National Harbor to see Santa and friends on the water! It was cold but really cool!






After our fun on the water we headed home and cooked. My girl had friends over for dinner and games. How beautiful was the table setup! Go girl!




We stayed pretty late but once we got home we put out cookies and milk for Santa.

Santa then came and brought many things for a special little girl! Look at all that stuff!

I'm not really sure if she like her digital camera....what yall think? Ok maybe she did...a little.





She has been wearing this around her neck all day every day. She took a picture of me taking a picture of her.


Later we went to my mom's and spent the night with them. While she didn't get these drums this Christmas she still had a blast!

Her expression sums up the holiday!

At Least She Knows The English Part....Mostly

This is what I've been listening to ALL MORNING! Hope yall have a blessed holiday.

Merry Christmas...from the bottom of my heart!