Made a mama proud!

If my little guys ended up on CNN rockin' out like this, I would have tears in my eyes! A friend posted this on a myspace bulletin, and I thought I'd share ... love it!!


You can vote however you like ....

Say What ?!?

Yes, this is really my Starbucks order. I always have to speak slowly, make sure they have their pen ready, and repeat at least 3 times to make sure they get it right. Let me tell ya ... it is worth all the fuss to enjoy my cup o' relaxation! Aaaaaaahh!! Ready for it? Don't worry, you won't be quizzed! Grande, Non-fat, Green Tea Latte, no melon, extra matcha (6 scoops), add protein, add energy, served 100 degrees (I enjoy it warm, not scalding!).
So there you have it ... if you ever offer to pick me up a Starbucks, you have been warned! Ha!
What do you order?

Please vote.

We all have our own opinions and views. That is one of the most beautiful freedoms that we have as Americans. I have refrained from posting anything political on my blog, simply because I do not follow politics. I do, however, follow my morals and values. I find some things more important than politics. I hold strong, Christian values. My views on abortion, same-sex marriage and even capital punishment, are pretty conservative. This makes me a Republican. Love me. Hate me. Agree or disagree. I am voting for McCain and Palin. I strongly believe that both McCain and Palin will lead this country in the direction it needs to be.
The following is a video clip my friend, Angie, posted on her blog. This issue I feel strongly about, and Obama's views scare me. I honestly felt sick after hearing what he had to say.

I may not be able to argue a political debate, but I follow my heart. Please vote this coming Tuesday, November 4th.

Where there's a will ...

... I will find a way!! I didn't have the heart to send Maddox to his preschool Halloween party in a costume that didn't fit him. I offered to get him a new costume at the store, but he insisted that he wear his Tom & Jerry costume. He is very proud of his pick this year, so I wanted to make sure he got the most out of it.
If you remember from my previous post, Maddox outgrew the bottom half of his costume (I bought it online a few months back). The pant legs were way too short, and the suit hugged in the crotch area. Very uncomfortable looking! He wouldn't have been able to wear anything under his costume, so layering for trick-or-treating was out of the question.
Looking for a fix, I decided to cut off the bottom half and make the suit a hoodie. I pulled out the sewing machine and finished the hem. Now my little man can rock his costume and stay warm in sweatpants that actually fit! A challenging costume this has become (attaching Jerry and alterations), but anything for my little man!!

Tag ... I'm it!

Yay!! I love stuff like this!!
WSU Laura tagged me for this fun post. It's called Fourth of Fourth. Take your 4th picture from your 4th picture folder, write about it and tag 4 more people.


This is my nephew, Luke and my youngest, Sean. This picture was taken at our family's beach house Memorial Day weekend of this year. These two little guys are 6 weeks apart and love hanging out together. They look amused to be taking pictures in the morning, huh? LOL!

I now tag ...

Babies, Belly Laughs and Bare Feet

More, More, More

JenWebb702

Sean and Lynsee

Have Fun!! :o)

Sweatin' to the Oldies ... (an update)

Well, not quite oldies ... more like Old School. Ha, ha! Tonight's workout went well ... I busted out a couple miles on the eliptical (spell check says I spelled that wrong?), then baked in the sauna for a good 10 minutes - and I never took my sweatshirt off! Oh yes, just imagine how cute I looked. All sweaty and red-faced. I am surprised no one asked if I needed any oxygen. But hey ... I needed to get a good sweat on. I rocked it!
I'll tell you one thing - I don't know how people worked out before mp3 players! I have an iPod Nano and I updated it before hitting the gym tonight. Without Snoop Dogg, T.I., Britney Spears and The Pussycat Dolls, I would just sit on the floor and watch people do their thing. Seriously! Working out is so boring!
I did have a good night though, and am looking forward to getting into a groove. Anyone have any tips on how to actually enjoy the gym? What does your workout routine consist of?

Today's the day....

My iPod is updated and I am meeting my hubby at the gym tonight! It is finally time to get back into the swing of things ... time to get off my lazy butt and do something to firm it up!! LOL!! Hopefully I can get back into a routine of getting to the gym 3 days a week. The boys love the daycare there, so I know they will be pumped to go, but I just hope I can find the excitement and enthusiasm to keep the momentum going. Wish me luck! :o)

Acceptance Speech!!

I am absolutely thrilled! I just received my very first award from the very sweet WSU Laura. Thank you so much! This is a very exciting moment in my little blogging life ... I feel so special!! I have loved getting to know my new friend through her blog and am blessed for all the friendships that have come from this great blogging community!

To share the love, I would like to pass this award to ...

Warren Update

Photos, Fingerprints, Crayons and Coffee

A Girl Named Timi

Multi-Slacking Mamalicious

Aww Man!

Sometimes planning ahead doesn't actually work in your favor.

I decided today to get the boys in their costumes for some fun pictures outside. I got Maddox's costume online a few months ago. He has been into Tom and Jerry for a little while, so I found a Tom suit and searched eBay for a stuffed Jerry to attach (they don't come together in one costume). When Tom arrived, he just fit. My gut said to return it for the next size up, but I figured my little man wasn't going to grow that much within a few months. Ha! We now have to scrunch up the pant legs to his knees to prevent the high-water look, and the poor kid can't wear any clothes under his costume, as the suit already rides up under his crotch! Quite a funny sight, but so sad. Maddox is a trooper though - he smiles and just tells me how much he loves it, and he was highly impressed with my sewing skills in attaching Jerry to his shoulder.

As for Sean ... he loves turtles. Last year, he loved giraffes and made a very cute one for Halloween. About 6 months ago, he became fond of turtles. When we were on our vacation last month, I got him a little stuffed turtle, who Sean affectionately named Turtle Pie. So what better costume for Sean this year than an adorable little turtle. I found his suit at Children's Place and he loves dancing around in it!
So the moral of my story ... buy your costumes in a store where exchanges can be made quickly and easily. And if buying months in advance, thinking you are getting ahead of the game, be sure to buy a size up, so your kiddo doesn't look like a ragamuffin!

Can't Wait!!

Remember the post I did about the adorable site where I got my fall layout?

For The Love of Fall

My homemade chili ... one problem - I don't measure when I cook! I'll tell you what's in it, but my little Italian gramma, who taught me most of the recipes I make, never measures ingredients. LOL! If you have any questions, I will be happy to try to answer them. This chili is pretty mild. My little guys even love it!


Brown ground beef or ground turkey (for this particular pot, I used 2 packages of ground turkey and one package of ground beef - yes, 3 packages total) in a large pot with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and worcestershire sauce. Being Italian, I use quite a bit of the garlic powder, but use amounts as you see fit. Cook thoroughly and drain excess fat and oil.


Return meat to pot. Add 2 large cans (29 ounces each) of tomato sauce and 1 large can (30 ounces) of chili beans (do not drain beans, use the entire can). Stir together until completely mixed. If sauce is too thin, add tomato paste or puree until desired thickness. Bring chili to a slight boil.


Add a couple packets of my now not-so-secret ingredient, Mild Taco Bell sauce to desired taste. If you don't have some of these floating around in your fridge, you can add your favorite hot sauce or salsa. Stir well and simmer. The longer you simmer, the better the chili. Serve with shredded cheese, chopped onions, saltine crackers, french bread, tortillas, whatever you desire! Perfect for those crisp fall days and can be made in big batches for entertaining! This recipe fed 6 people with leftovers for the next day (which is when the chili tastes even better!!). Enjoy!

Hello Out There!!

Okay people ... I am absolutely thrilled that you check out my blog. Maybe you just stumbled upon it, maybe you are a casual lurker, maybe you visit 17 times a day. Regardless of who you are, I want to hear from you!!
Since I have added my tracker, I have noticed lots of new viewers. How exciting!! I love meeting new friends and I love reading new blogs. Let's be honest, comments make the blog world go 'round and I absolutely adore each comment I receive! It is no fun blogging to yourself. You want to know that people are interested and that you aren't boring them to sleep!! So please leave as many comments as you would like. They make me happy! :o)

Lots of love!!

Skinny What?!?

I'll admit it ... I have been LAZY for months. My hubby has repeatedly asked when I am going to get back to using that expensive gym membership I begged him for last year. Sigh. I lost my mojo ... not that I had a whole lot of it, but for a good 3 months, I was at the gym at least twice a week.

You are all laughing now, huh?

A couple months ago, I was passing through Barnes and Noble and a display caught my eye ... a book that was calling to me! Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. The front statement was the reason I immediately made the book mine: A no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous!
The choir was singing in my head ... aaaaaaah!! The kick-start motivation I needed to get my butt back in gear! Now I know you are all probably rolling your eyes right now ... why would I need to worry about my weight when I am already in a size 0? Reality is that even skinny people need to keep it all in check. When I gain weight (even if it is just a few pounds), it shows! And my weaker area is my stomach due to having my beautiful boys. I love those two to death, but man! I gained 85 pounds between the 2 pregnancies (and thankfully lost all of it), but anytime I gain a couple pounds, my gut thinks I am preggo again. Those size zeros aren't looking so hot when I can't get them buttoned! I have a small frame and I'm proud of it, but this girl has got to keep it all in check. Don't hate.

So back to the book ... basically it was all about becoming a vegan! Say what?!? This Italian girl ain't going to give up meat or dairy! No where on the outside covers does it show this hidden agenda. The personality of the book is entertaining - these women tell it like it is. They are smart-asses and made me laugh with their humor (if you are offended by obscene language, then please do not get this book!), but there are other ways to lose weight, live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy eating meat and dairy. I won't lie ... the chapter discussing animal slaughterhouses brought me to tears. I love animals and the reality of what happens in the slaughterhouses is horrific, but I will not give up meat.
This book had some good ideas and some great information on changing eating habits and looking at different perspectives. Websites, food definitions, sample menus, and guides to making lifestyle changes are all found in this book. A straight-up, no-bull reality of changing your thought process and getting your lazy butt in gear! Now if only it wasn't all about going vegan ....

It's that time again ...

... to start thinking about your holiday cards!! I am absolutely thrilled with mine this year, and I owe it all to my friend, Angie, who designed my adorable greetings!! Check out her site to see her line of incredibly cute holiday cards she created herself. Get your order in and pass along her info to all your friends and family!!

So Tempting ...

Not too long ago, my friend Angie posted on a Trash The Dress session she sat in on, and I was intrigued. Never had I heard of these photography sessions, but the idea of putting on my wedding gown once again and having beautiful and fun pictures taken with my man on a beach or some other gorgeous location, sounds like fun! As of now, my wedding dress and veil are 'preserved' in a cardboard box and sits on a top shelf in my closet. The idea of actually 'trashing' this dress isn't what I have in mind. My grandma (who I have been close to my entire life) took me to try on dresses during my engagement, and bought me this beautiful gown that I fell in love with. There is that sentimental value, but I am a mom to 2 boys. The idea of saving it for a future daughter is out of the question (I am done having babies), so why not have another opportunity to enjoy my dress? Maybe I can convince my hubby to do a session with me in the next few years. Our 10 year anniversary, maybe? Afterall, I can always have the dress dry-cleaned again and preserved back into its box. What do you think? Has anyone ever done this?



Note: pictures were found through an image search on Yahoo.

More Blogs of Interest

Added a few more blogs to my list that I check out every day ... my bff has a site for her family, Sean and Lynsee are friends of ours, and a fun blog I check in on each day cuz I love her personality! Check them out if you have time ... have a great day!!

Priceless

My assests have been frozen!

Apparently, money doesn't grow on trees. (Sigh.)
After recently looking over our finances, the hubby has pulled in the reins and has put me on a budget. A very tight budget. It is time to start paying down what we owe and be a little more conscious with our spending habits. (Sniff, sniff.) The economy sucks right now, so no more shopping for a while. I have never cherished spare change as much as I have the last couple weeks! I am loving laundry days now ... finding coins in pockets and hoping they add up to a Grande, Non-fat, Green Tea Latte with no melon, extra matcha, add protein AND energy.
I'm really not complaining. It's a bummer being this tight, but my life is awesome! Our family is very well taken care of, we have a beautiful home, a kitchen full of food, the bills are paid every month, we have closets full of clothes, our oldest son goes to an amazing little preschool thanks to Nana and Papa, and we are all healthy and happy. So I can't go to Target every week anymore, and we can't eat out as much for a while (which is actually a good thing), but we are blessed and we are content.

Sharing the Love ...

My wonderful friend Jennifer found this awesome site where you can get adorable layouts for your blog. I was so jealous of her layout, that I went as far as asking her if I could copy it for my blog (she, of course, was happy to allow it, because she is that sweet of a girl!!), but LeeLou had added a few new layouts and I found one of my own!
These custom layouts are absolutely free, just be sure to link LeeLou's site on your blog to give her credit. I added a button on the bottom of the page to link to this oh-so-cute site! Check it out!!

A new affair ... **Updated**

Okay girls - anyone out there addicted to Lipstick Jungle? I saw about 20 minutes of this week's show, and now I am playing catch-up on the internet! I am excited that Season 2 has just begun - I can add the show to my DVR list and not miss any more episodes as I watch Season 1 online. How come no one has brought this show to my attention sooner?!? I am loving it!! Wednesdays at 10pm on NBC.
** I am now all caught up and can't wait until next week's new episode ... so exciting!! **

Kudos

A very special thank you to all my wonderful friends who came over today to celebrate my little guy's 2nd birthday!! It was such a fun afternoon, and Sean loved all the extra attention!! His actual birthday is next Friday, but today was a no-school day, so we thought it would be great to get all the kids together.
My house cleaning was a success last night and I was thrilled to have prepared all the food, including the 2 dozen cupcakes baked and frosted, by bedtime! Another YAY! for me.

What am I up to on this Thursday night?

Cleaning House!!! I am having a playdate birthday party tomorrow for my soon-to-be 2 year old, so I am hustling trying to get my house spic and span!! Like most, I have a very critical eye when it comes to entertaining at our house. I usually always have the house picked up, but when an event comes up, I am almost to the point of re-painting dirty walls! Too bad that would be such a big project, or it would happen quite frequently around here. Scrubbing the handprints and washing down the woodwork will just have to do for tonight ... I'll leave the painting for another day!
On a funner note, I got my hair done yesterday!! Isn't it great getting a fresh new look? I basically just had it dyed and trimmed, but I only do this twice a year, so YAY for me!!
Hope everyone has a great night ... what are you doing?

I.Am.In.Love...

...With the new camera my hubby got for me!! I have had a Canon Power Shot SD900 for a while, and the last 6 months I have been disappointed with blurred pictures. So frustrating!! So, for our upcoming vacation, we purchased a Sony Cybershot point and shoot to take with us. Out of 200 pictures, I captured 6 good shots that I love. SIX!!! The Sony does not allow for night photography, and it simply wasn't worth the money spent. Discussing my frustrations with Tim, we decided it was time for me to enter into the world of DSLRs. Scary (these cameras are big and spendy), but so exciting!! I have been so envious of my friends, Angie and Emily, who always take amazing pictures with their DSLRs.
To my surprise, my hubby came home yesterday with my very own, oh-so-yummy, Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi - what a guy!! I did a little photo shoot with my boys today in between rain showers and I am absolutely thrilled with my new camera!! I haven't even read through the manual yet, but the basic settings already have me squealing with joy!! Check out my mini shoot ... more to come!! (P.S. The slide show was created in a large format for our family website, so pictures may seem cut-off due to not having enough room here on my blog.)

It's the humidity!!

MY HAIR + HUMIDITY =

Oh yes, my hair does not hold up when it is out of it's element! Weekends at the beach, vacations to So Cal, Orlando ... anywhere there is moisture in the air, my hair will curl and frizz! Keep in mind that my hair does not hold any curl - I once got a perm and it fell out in 2 days!! I am absolutely thrilled to be getting my hair done on Wednesday. It is long overdue, and don't worry ... no perms here! LOL!! Just a cut and color - check back soon for pics!!
And didn't you love this episode of Friends? Ha, ha!!

Home Sweet Home!!

We are back from our sunny vacation in Southern California. Disney Land, Sea World, San Diego Zoo, and Palm Desert - all wrapped up in one week! We always have such a great time on our trips, but I absolutely love getting home, sleeping in my own bed, using full size hygiene products, and being back in my own little routine.
The weather was HOT ... in the 90's and 100's for the most part, so it was nice to have one last week of summer. At one point in our trip, we were in search a floaty pool toy for Sean and went to 3 different stores in Palm Desert. Apparently, pool toys are seasonal in the desert just like the rest of the world. It was 106 degrees outside!! We finally stopped in at a sports store and they had a great selection of water stuff. Whew!
I'll post some pics soon ... just wanted to stop in and reconnect with all my readers (yes, all three of you)!! It is great being home again and having my trusty computer in my lap. Oh, and 2-ply toilet paper! Can anyone tell me why spendy resorts can't chip in for better quality t.p.? LOL! I'm off to get my little man to preschool - have a great day!!