New Year's Resolutions 2007

I'm really tired of looking at my last stupid post, so I thought I'd better write something new. I was thinking (not for very long) about my New Year's resolutions for 2007. Last year I had a friend who said that new year's resolutions were silly. Why do people find the need to come up with these ideas at the beginning of a new year? I disagree! At the beginning of '06 I really needed a renewal. It was an overwhelming feeling. Now, did I keep my resolutions? not entirely But making them made me feel better. teehee For example, I wanted to walk every morning (from 7 to 7:45 to be exact). Did I do it? No, but I did walk downstairs to get my tired butt some coffee. And I walked up and down the stairs probably 4 more times getting the kids ready for the morning. But I did start going to the aerobics class they offer at church. (Watching me do hip hop aerobics is pretty funny, but I think I'm stronger than I've been in a long time!) Another resolution was that I wanted to learn how to sew. Did I learn? No. Anyone want to volunteer to teach me? I wanted to read three classics, and I only read one but I did start going to the Book Club at church and have read some amazing books. Journaling was one resolution that I did accomplish. Wow! 2006 was a banner year. There were a few others that I won't list, but I can add all those that I didn't accomplish to 07's list. I think I just need to tweak them a little and I'll get there... maybe. I do look at this new year with some apprehension. We will see lots of changes this year with close friends moving away(to Vienna and Virginia) and Mackenzie starting kindegarten(to homeschool or not to homeschool) and Ethan starting nursery school(God help his teacher) and me going to work at his school (oh! you're Ethan's mommy!) and Matt getting a new job(in SoFla or beyond). My prayer for 2007 is that we would be still and know where God is leading us.

Spike and Twisted Braid

Before

Alright. I feel I must come clean. While I was in the Home Depot today, my dad filled my kids in
on my "other side". My alter ego. My deep dark past. What is it, you ask? Give me a break! Does this look like a girl with a dark past? The answer is no. But my dad felt the need to let Kenzie and Ethan think their mom was in an all girl rock band called Twisted Braid. I played bass guitar. My nickname was Spike and I wore leather pants and black lipstick. So on our way home from dropping off my dad, we were listening to one of my U2 cds and Mackenzie asks me, "Mommy, are they singing about you?" What in the world did my dad tell them? Maybe he should be writing on my blog because he's obviously the creative one.

After

O Baby

My niece is absolutely adorable! I think I might have gotten pregnant just looking at her. Me and the kids took a day trip up to see them yesterday. It was the first day we got to see her and love on her since she got out of the hospital. She reminded me so much of Mackenzie when she was that small. She's like a newborn but half the size. So cute! As soon as we walked in the door Kristen went in and got her. She sat Mackenzie on the couch and she got to hold Olivia until I got really anxious and wanted to hold her more! Ethan really could've cared less. All he wanted to do was....pose for pictures on Uncle Mike's ATV! (and play with all the baby toys) Uncle Mike convinced me to let them go on a little ride on the all terrain vehicle. *He went really slow on the dirt lot next door. It was just like a pony ride, except it was yellow and black, had 4 wheels and could go 50 mph. We stayed until the late afternoon and headed out. We'll be back up there for Christmas, and my mom, Mackenzie and I will have to fight over who will hold her the longest. There's no question in my mind that it's going to be me. If you're not first you're last.

HO HO HO/OYE OYE OYE

We took a trip to the Aventura Mall yesterday and saw Santa. The last time I took the kids to see Santa Ethan wouldn't go near him. When I finally convinced him that it was okay, he cried every time he looked at Santa because his face would get buried in his big white REAL beard. Although Ethan was a little hesitant he got up in his lap along with Mackenzie and they told him what they wanted. Being a cheapo, I asked if I could take a picture with my own camera ($14 for a picture with an old man? no way!). They said I could if I stood behind the fence. So I did and the pictures turned out decent. Thankfully, Santa didn't need to take a fan break nor did he snap at the kids for jumping on him. We made it just in time because just after us a BIG group of Head Start kids came and we quickly made our way out to look at all the other beautiful decorations. They have this unbelievable model train village, and Ethan was speechless. (Those of you who know Ethan well know that doesn't happen very often.) Our trip to Aventura always ends with a visit to Zsa Zsa because she works in the medical offices across the street. All in all, our day was a good one. Why oye oye oye? Matt says that's what a latino Santa would say.

Ethan's Diary - December 11, 2006

Why? Why do they make me eat this nasty concoction? Tortilla, chicken, and cheese!? That is so disgusting, but mommy says it's so good. She is so wrong! They've caught onto my trick. I really thought I had them fooled. When I tell them I have to barf they tell me I don't. Even when I gag they don't flinch. What is this world coming to when a boy like myself has to eat a meal like this? It is an outrage!

Girl's Night Out

Mackenzie and I had a chance to go see my cousin Emily perform in The Nutcracker this afternoon. It was held at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami Beach, so we made the trek there and had a wonderful time! My cousin has performed in The Nutcracker a dozen or more times through her ballet studio, and she is an awesome ballerina. It amazes me to watch her dance on her toes. She really wanted Mackenzie to join her studio. Kenzie got a big kick out of watching the little ones up on the stage. She thought the prima ballerina was beautiful. Her first experience with the ballet was a successful one. I think I can get her to go to another one, although she may have to fight with her daddy to get a seat. (He likes the music, ok?)

Mackenzie and Emily after the show. This is Bella Dancerella come to life!
Mackenzie, Emily, and Jessica (She loved being with the ballerinas!)

A Weekend with Mickey

Here are some pictures from our weekend with Mickey!

Friday:

The Wilderness Lodge had gorgeous, very rustic holiday decorations. Another family was kind enough to take our picture while we were in the lobby. Notice Ethan's "backpack". It was his leash. We got some interesting looks that night at the park. But it worked! Here we were on our way to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. That afternoon we had some time to kill so we went in the heated pool. There was a neat waterslide that Mackenzie loved, and she met a little girl her age named Rachel. They played alot, and Ethan tried to catch the mallard ducks that swam in the pool with us.

What an unbelievable fireworks display! This was a special one that they do only for the Very Merry Christmas party. I have never been very fond of fireworks because of the noise, but these were beautiful. Disney knows how to throw a Christmas party! Not only was there a cool fireworks display, but they made it snow on Main Street, they gave away REALLY good cookies and hot cocoa, and there was a great Christmas parade (which we missed because we were so excited about not waiting AT ALL to get on rides!) We rode the haunted mansion, small world, space mt., the race cars, pirates of the caribbean, mickey's philharmonic, peter pan and the teacups. The kids loved all of them (except space mt. which was a mommy and daddy ride.)

Surprisingly, Ethan was the one who was scared of the noisy fireworks. (Like Mother like son.)So I gave him my Santa hat to put over his ears and it worked for him! He watched them and even was brave enough to lift it off his ears.

Saturday:

The Wilderness Lodge was gorgeous! It is modeled after a lodge from the Pacific Northwest. Lots of big logs (it's really like a big Lincoln Log model!), totem poles, and Indian motifs. There was even a geyser that went off every hour on the hour. Absolutely beautiful! I wanted to live there, but all good things must come to an end. :( We ended the evening with a sleigh ride through the woods. Our Clydesdale horse, Fritz, took us for a moonlit ride, and it was a nice time.
We didn't spend a whole lot of time at the Magic Kingdom because they were filming part of the Christmas Parade with Regis and Kelly. It was kind of madhouse. But we did get a picture in front of the castle before we left. Not bad! We went back that evening for a couple of hours before the park closed and got to ride on some more rides. Bye bye Mickey!

Sunday:

We got to see lots of characters at our breakfast at the Grand Floridian Resort. Alice in Wonderland, Pooh Bear, Tigger, and the Mad Hatter.
I chose the Grand Floridian to have breakfast at because I knew the Christmas decorations would be unbelievable. This is the tree in the middle of the lobby-huge as you can see! I took a picture of Mackenzie next to an ornament that was as big as her!
Another big attraction at the Grand Floridian at Christmas time is the gi-normous gingerbread house that is really made of gingerbread and all the decorations are edible. They sell sweets out of the house as well. It was really pretty.

We were a pretty quiet bunch on the way home. I love the Christmas season with all the fun holiday happenings, but it doesn't seem like anything will be able to top the weekend we had. It was a great time!

Gary and the Wedding Crashers

Ethan loved licking the frosting off all of his cookies!
The kids helped decorate the Christmas tree Friday afternoon.
The next Tiger Woods?
We crashed a wedding to look at this beautiful Christmas

lights display at a local park.

We enjoyed decorating cookies with Grandma and Great Grandma

Rosie on Thanksgiving morning.

Kenzie's pet snake, Gary

It's still November, so I'm not too late posting my Thanksgiving trip pictures! This week has been a crazy one filled with nothing much. Getting unpacked from one trip to turn around and get packed for another one hasn't been a barrel of fun, but we are packing for DISNEY WORLD! Yay!! So I won't complain anymore. tee hee We had a lovely time in Tallahassee with Matt's family. The kids had a blast playing outside. They were outside from sun up to sun down. Mackenzie found a temporary pet snake that she affectionately named Gary, and Ethan ran around in circles trying to catch butterflies. Friday night we went to a local city park where they have a beautiful Christmas lights display every year. There was a wedding reception in progress, but we went in anyway. We really weren't conspicuous with two loud children screaming at the lights and a 90 year, wheelchair-bound grandma followed by 4 adults. No, I don't think anyone noticed us. Just so you know, we did let Gary go back home. *No animals were harmed in the filming of this project.*

The turkeys are waiting for takeoff.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We thought we were leaving tonight, but Matt is not home from work yet... so we will leave before the buttcrack of dawn. At least there's a 24 hour Starbucks around the corner here.
On a different note, Olivia is home!!! She went home today, and Mommy and Daddy are very nervous first time parents. She is doing well, and we are all very thankful that she is home. Hopefully we will get a chance to see her on our way home on Saturday. Have a great holiday and eat lots of turkey!

So cute!!!

I am smitten! I met my new baby niece today, and she is precious. She is in the NICU, but she is doing so well. She loves to take her milk from the bottle, and she's up to taking 20 cc's. She was under the bili lights today having a little tanning session, but other than that, she doesn't have any issues! Praise the Lord!!! She literally looks like one of Mackenzie's baby dolls. She is so perfectly formed and looks just like her daddy. She has lots of black hair, and she makes lots of funny faces. Just like Mackenzie was, she does not like to be messed with. She gets very upset and turns red. She was awake for awhile when we were there. Mackenzie was so excited to see her. My sister and Mike were really anxious to see Mackenzie's face when she saw Livi for the first time. They were not disappointed because Mackenzie's face lit up. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to go into the NICU but I got lots of window time. My grandma came with us on the road trip and she did get to hold her. Ay dios mio, que linda! We made it back ok and I can't wait to see her again. Please pray that she will be able to come home this week. My sister is really upset tonight because she has to leave O behind tomorrow. As I was printing a picture of her tonight, I thought of Psalm 139:13-14. Olivia was wonderfully made! p.s.-Matt is definitely in trouble!!

Whataday

In Tallahassee there is a little burger joint called Whataburger-well yesterday I had whataday. And so did my sister! Never did she think on Sunday that this week would hold her daughter's birthday. Olivia was born at 2:38 a.m. in Melbourne Regional Hospital. The neonatologist told her that she would stay in the hospital for a week to ten days. I haven't heard anymore about her-weight, length, condition. I am anxious to know but I know that everyone is still sleeping up there. For me, yesterday was just one of those days where nothing seems to go right. But today is another day, and I pray it is a better one. If not, I will probably end up gaining 10 pounds from all the "nervous eating". Mackenzie and I are planning on driving up to see mommy and baby tomorrow, so I will post some pictures of Olivia this weekend.

Thankful

M & E crack me up. We got some hand-me-downs for Mackenzie, and she had fun going through them and trying stuff on. (Like someone told me recently, God's economy is awesome.) When she got her hands on the black chunky heeled Hello Kitty boots she was in little girl heaven! Ethan, of course, wanted to wear the fuzzy pink Barbie boots. Much to Matt's chagrin, I gave in and let him. As I stood in the kitchen making dinner and heard the continuous clunk clunk clunking of the boots and saw how excited she was, I felt so thankful for these vibrant children! I also got a little teary eyed seeing her run around in the sweet little hanky dress that I've seen her best friend wear on numerous occasions, but that's another subject for another post. We are so thankful for our family and friends! We love you.

New looks

You like the new look? I was inspired to change my blog because it seems I am surrounded by impending new looks. Not really. But one that is really big right now. It is now 10 minutes into the FSU vs. Wake Forest game, and my dear husband decided to make a bet with a coworker over the outcome of the game. As many of you college football fans and Nole lovers/haters know, we stink! So, what did dearest Matt bet? Let's just say, you may need to wear your sunglasses when you're near him outside because the glare will be intense..... I am so hoping that I don't have to post of picture of this on this beautiful updated blog, but on the other hand, I could have lots of fun with it too!

Getting Ready for Olivia Norton John

Auntie's bump

Emily, Auntie, Kenzie and me

My family and I got together to throw Kristen and her li'l Olive a shower. It was a small group of us, but we had a nice time. Olivia Rachel is due New Year's Eve. We are so excited to see her! I am especially anxious to hold her. Maybe that will cure my baby fever...

.

Fall Fun

Our freshly carved jack 0' lantern

Was Zsa Zsa and Pops' house built on an ancient Indian burial ground?

Kenzie helping me make caramel apples. Yummy!

Mackenzie and her classmates are ready for Halloween.
As the kids get older I keep having more and more fun! I feel like an 85 year old woman saying this, but I do feel like a kid again when I see K & E so excited. This is just a hodge podge of pictures from our weekend and today's Halloween party at school. Enjoy! How does the witch keep her hair in place? scare spray

Early Tricks-or-Treats

Today we got an early start on our trick or treating. We simply don't get quite enough candy every Halloween-haha! A shopping center in Cooper City has a trick or treating event where each store passes out candy and they have a raffle for prizes. There's also a costume contest. We didn't see the little stripper boy this year, but we did see some singing divas, lots of pirates me matey, and even more pretty princesses. There were even a few dressed up doggies. We met up with a couple of our neighbors and had a great time. Why couldn't the pirate get in to see the movie? Because it was rated argggg. Happy Halloween! Now where are the kids' candy bags? It's time for mommy and daddy to raid them....

We have made it a birthday tradition each year to take Mackenzie to the pumpkin patch to pick a birthday pumpkin. This year Zsa Zsa and Pops came with us. It was great fun picking out a birthday pumpkin!

5 years ago today...

Isn't that how every mother starts their stories about their children's birthdays? Gosh, five years ago if I'd thought about Mackenzie being five years old, I'm sure it seemed like light years away! I took out her first picture today to look at-wow! Thinking back on that day there are so many emotions tied into her birth. I had to write it all down months later. I thought it would be therapeutic, and mostly it was. I am so grateful that God has grown this little preemie into an intelligent, beautiful, big five year old! She's come a long way from that li'l furry red baby. :)

Fun with Wevi

Wevi? Wevi who? That's Levi in Ethonics. We spent the day with Levi and had a great time! Everyone played nicely (i.e. Ethan didn't hit anyone), and, of course, my kids were in kiddy heaven being at the Hunter's house. When we first ran outside to play, Ethan and Mackenzie were running back and forth from the trampoline to the swings to the trikes to the sandbox, not really sure what they wanted to play with first. We enjoyed playing Cariboo, and Levi kicked Ethan's butt in a game of chess. Mackenzie discovered Abby's dress up clothes. Wow! We had a fashion show with those. By the end of the afternoon, about 10 minutes before Mary came home, Levi curled up on the couch with his b squared (binky and blanket) and fell asleep. Ethan did the same on the way home. We were all tuckered out from a great day with Wevi!

What's a pajama party?

Mackenzie found out what a "pajama party" was when Abby came to spend the night on Friday. It was her first official slumber party, and she had a blast! Here's a list of the happenings:
*dress up with lots of bling
*painting flower pot pumpkins
*pizza, pizza
*playing at the park
*trading pajamas for the night
*watching a movie in a tent
*eating lots and lots and lots (candy, popcorn, ice cream -oh my!)
* bedtime and lots of giggles after lights out
*waking up before dawn (5:55 to be exact)
*playing Chutes and Ladders under the bed (?)
*pumpkin patch fun and searching for the biggest pumpkin
*more fun on the playground and being chased around by the big dragon (aka Matt)
Abby was a joy to have over, and Mackenzie was sad to see her go. Her first pajama party was definitely a memorable event!