It's Ugly Outside!!

Today is New Year's Eve.  And I couldn't ask for a better day...it's 9:30am and still foggy and very damp outside!  My perfect morning!

Gracie had a friend spend the night last night, and after getting out of bed three times last night, one of which, she managed to crawl into bed with me, I finally convinced her to sleep in the SAME room with her guest!  Aye!  Gracie acted like a slumber party rookie!  I was planning on making them homemade donuts for breakfast, but I'm just too lazy!  So, now I have to convince them that toast is sooo delicious and sounds really good!  Maybe with butter and sugar .

Tomorrow Mike and I are planning to spend the entire day at home.  I am making our "Thanksgiving" dinner!  I really wanted to stay home on Thanksgiving and make our own meal, but we appeased the in-laws and went over there instead.  So, I get to make mine on New Years!

I need to get some chores done and run to the grocery store.  And I have managed to talk the girls into cinnamon and sugar toast while typing this, so I guess I should get up and make them their breakfast!   

The What's Next

Christmas is over, and most years I have the "After Christmas Blues".  You know what I'm talking about, right?  The day after Christmas you're sad because the day you've planned for, shopped for, anticipated, and looked forward to is gone, until next year.  For some reason, this year I am glad Christmas is over.  It was a wonderful day, a fabulous holiday, but no "blues" this year!  I'll really be glad when Mike lets me take down all the Christmas decorations - they really clutter up my house!  

So, thank you to everyone that made this holiday so wonderful!!  Now we look forward to a Happy New Year!

The What

Merry Christmas to Me!

Merry Christmas!  Today has been such a wonderful day, the best Christmas day I can remember!  Mike and I were, of course, short on money this year, so we didn't buy each other anything, instead we spent everything we could on Gracie and Jacob, and family.  This is the first Christmas we haven't spoiled each other with expensive gifts, but we didn't even miss them!  We knew the kids would be happy with their gifts, so we were excited!

So excited, in fact, that I felt like a little kid anticipating Christmas morning!  I didn't sleep very well last night.  I woke up every two hours hoping it was time to get up!  Finally at 6:30 I was awake for good.  The only problem?..No one else was awake!  Mike, Gracie, and Jacob were all sound asleep!  I snuggled in with Tootsie for awhile, until I couldn't stand the anticipation anymore.  I managed to wake Mike up and explained my plan:

I really wanted Gracie to be the first one awake and see the christmas tree with all the presents piled under it.  We don't put any presents under the tree until "Santa comes" on Christmas Eve.  So, on Christmas morning it's quite a shock to Gracie!  Well, Gracie wasn't cooperating - of course the ONE morning I WANT her to wake up early, she doesn't!  Any other morning she's standing two inches from my face, using her Jedi mind powers to wake me up with her stare, WAY before I am ready to get out of bed.  Not today!  

Finally Jacob woke up at 7:15, but like a perfect little boy (again, he never does this when I want to sleep in), he lays in bed and QUIETLY talks to himself.  Since Gracie and Jacob share a room I thought for sure he would wake her up any minute.  Nope.  Thirty more minutes pass, and still more snoring from Gracie!  

Mike and I finally devised a plan.  I crawled out of bed and tiptoed into the kitchen to start the coffee and "turn on" the fireplace.  Then I snuck into the kids' bedroom to let Jacob see me, which I new would make him cry if I didn't pick him up right away!  Then I ran back to my bedroom and jumped into bed to pretend I was asleep!  Nope.  Jacob just continued to talk to himself.  What the heck??  

I crawled out of bed again and stood at the door to the kids' room and threw pillows, aiming for Gracie's head.  On the fourth try I nailed her!  She opened her eyes and before she could see me I dashed to my bedroom and jumped back in bed!  YES!! It worked!  I couldn't help laughing hysterically (as quietly as I could) at Gracie's face when I hit her in the head with a pillow!  Can you imagine being so peacefully asleep you don't even remember it's Christmas!...Then being ripped out of your sound sleep so rudely? Gracie woke up and started to tell Jacob "It's Christmas morning Jakie!"  She ran into the living room and saw all the presents under the tree, just like I wanted!  She ran back to tell Jacob about all the presents and that Santa came!  Then she came to wake up Mike and I!  Man...that was hard work!  And how funny, Gracie never said anything about how she was woken up!

Anyway, we had a great time watching the kids open their presents.  Jacob actually opened all his own gifts without much help!  

We played for awhile and then went to Mike's parents' house down the street.  His mom made THE BOMB breakfast.  As tradition mandates, she made bagels with cream cheese and onions, with cured salmon!  She "cooks" the salmon in vodka and dill for a few days - so it's still kind of raw, but oh so delicious!  Mike's younger brother, Chris, and his girlfriend Linda, where here from Missouri, and I had a really nice time visiting with them!  Mike's parents usually go way overboard in the present department, but this year was perfect!  They only gave two presents to Mike and I, and they were very practical, which was nice.  It was lovely!  

We came home after opening presents there to enjoy the beautiful storm from our warm, cozy living room.  

Now, we are home after having dinner at my parent's house.  My Dad read the story about Jesus' birth right before dinner, and it was nice to slow down and acknowledge the real reason we celebrate. 

I am listening to Gracie and Jacob enjoy their new toys....a perfect way to end the most wonderful Christmas!  Happy Birthday Jesus.

When's it Mommy's turn?

I'm pooped!  Jacob is sick and Gracie is needy as always!  Poor Jake has the worst cold he's ever had.  His little eyes are red and teary, he has a nasty cough, and a non-stop runny nose.  He just wants to be held and loved, but Gracie insists she is just as sick and needs the same!  That is, until her little friend, Ariel, gets home from school and suddenly, miraculously, Gracie isn't sick at all!  So between laundry, constantly picking up the house (if I don't it doesn't take long to get out of control), tending to a sick little guy, and obeying my daughter's constant demands, I need a nap!  

There is a positive today!  Since we are house bound, Gracie and I are making sugar cookies to decorate and have had Christmas movies on all day.  So, I have made sure to bring a little of the Christmas spirit into my heart, which seems extra hard this year for some reason!

Conversation tonight between my 4 year old Gracie (who thinks she's 16) and me:

"Mommy, Momma."

"Hmm Gracie?"

"Mommy, I have a secret for you."

"You do? Okay, tell me, I like secrets."

"Um, tonight, um, I don't know why, but when we were playing "Mom and Dad", I didn't ask him to, but I was Gavin's Mom, and Gavin kissed me."

"He did?  Where?  On the cheek?!"

"No."

"Where?...Show me!"

Gracie leans in quickly and pecks me on the lips.

She leans back to study my face, trying to predict what my reaction will be.  Her face is concerned and serious.

"Gracie!  You got your fist kiss and you're only four?  Gavin loves you!"

"But I didn't ask him to!"

"But no more kissing boys until you're married, got it?"

"Got it Momma.  I don't know why he did that."

"He just loves you, I guess.  You're friends!"

"Yeah."

A mother's work is never done....

Tomorrow at 6:00am Mike and I will load the kids into the car and head for The Happiest Place on Earth!  We are going to Disneyland for my 30th birthday!  I am really excited for Gracie, because she is tall enough to ride ALL the rides!!  I hope she doesn't get freaked out on the first ride and the day is ruined for her.  We have all been looking forward to our little trip and I think we will have a blast!

With that said, today will be a busy day.  I have a list of errands I need to run, and of course, a house to clean!  Let's see.....

1.  Babysit my nephew, Petie, in the morning.

2.  Appointment at DMV at 11:30 to renew my license (Yeah!! New picture!! My current picture             was taken 2 weeks after Gracie was born and it's T-R-A-G-I-C!).

3.  Get the oil changed in the car.

4. Wash and vaccuum the car.

5.  Go by the bank to deposit my paycheck.

6.  Go to the grocery store to buy snacks for the kids to eat in Disneyland.

7.  Put gas in the car.

8.  Pack stuff for the kids.

9.  Clean house.

I am a little worried about the fog tomorrow morning - and when we are coming home late (we're making the trip in one day).  So, pray for our safety!  I'm kind of tempted to spend the night tomorrow by Disneyland and come home late morning.  Wouldn't it be scary to get to Bakersfield and have crazy thick fog until we got home?  We'd be stuck!  I hope I can talk Mike into the idea.  

Christmas Parade!

              

Tonight was the Christmas parade in Exeter.  Gracie rode on a float from her dance class.  She, of course, was he cutest little thing on there!  My Grandparents, sister, niece, nephew, Dad, Brother, husband (of course) were all there to cheer her on!  It was such a cute little parade!  It was a great way to start the weekend!

What a memorable anniversary

The shortest anniversary, anyway.  We had a 30 minute dinner and spent $70 to celebrate 8 years of marriage.   Quite a memory.

Ahhhh, Saturday!

I am looking forward to a great day today!  Mike told me last night he would let me sleep in, and he actually followed through!  He promises me this every weekend, but I end up dragging my butt out of bed when Jacob wakes up at 6:00am!!  Not today!...I took full advantage of my husband and slept in until 9:08!  Ahhhh, it was wonderful!  Good start to the weekend.

Jacob has his first haircut appointment today!  He's been called a girl four times within the last 2 weeks, so I'm excited for him to look like my precious little boy again!  I will post pictures later today!

I also get to go shopping...ALL BY MYSELF!  I think I'm going to go to one of those skanky, teeny-bopper clothing stores and see if I can buy myself a new outfit!  Hopefully they have sizes bigger than zero. 

Wednesday is Mike and I's 8 year wedding anniversary!  So, I am looking forward to going out for an extra-romantic dinner.  We have such busy lives (well, he does anyway), and we go in opposite directions during the week.  Most days we don't see each other until 9:00 at night.  Our anniversary comes at a good time...we can both slow down for a night and realize how blessed we are and how much we love and appreciate each other! 

Something else I'm excited about!!.....I made an appointment with a plastic surgeon for a consultation in December.  My stomach is a little stretched out from two pregnancies...a little more than most, and I'm quite self-conscious about it, so I am excited to see if I can get it taken care of!  It won't be until June of next year, but I have some things I need to work on before I'm ready for surgery.  But it's the first step!!  

It's going to be a good weekend..and I've been looking forward to it all week!

I don't really have anything exciting to blog about today, which is obvious by what I am about to share:  

On Thursdays I don't have to work at my job that gives me a paycheck, instead I work at home, at my job that pays me with hugs and snuggles!  It's a nice break in the workweek and allows me to catch up on laundry...oh!..and spend some quality time with Gracie and Jacob.  

Anyway, on said day, around lunchtime, I was nursing Jacob in the recliner when Gracie suddenly hops off the couch where we were watching Barefoot Contessa (my favorite cooking program) and happily exclaims that she will make her own lunch today!!  It wasn't a question, it was a statement!  "Oh........Okay?" I say, looking at her rather skeptically.  Need I remind my readers that her second given name is Messy Bessy, and as I have just finished cleaning the house,

 I am not that thrilled to have my hard work so quickly undone.  But she informed me in four year old - know it all - fashion, that she will make herself a sandwich, and my job will just be to tell her what order stuff goes on.  I couldn't deny her attempt at independence, so I gave her my blessing....besides, it meant I didn't have to get up!  She did a pretty good job, I thought.  Her menu included a mayonnaise sandwich that had a little bit of turkey, cheese and salami, avacado, and Hot Cheetos.   As always, her eyes are much bigger than her stomach, but don't worry, like a good mom, I made her sit there until she ate it all!  Just kidding...but she did have the leftovers for snack later.  How exciting was that?!?!

Halloween

Halloween was pretty uneventful at the Wallace house, thankfully.  Halloween is not one of my favorite "holidays".  Growing up, I was not allowed to participate in Halloween traditions because my parents were pretty adamant about it being "Satan's Holiday".   So, I'm not sure I can relate to the excitement it holds for Gracie now.  Oh well, it's just another reason to take pictures of my cute kids!

We did dress up as a family.  Mike and I hadn't planned on it, but he decided on the way home from work to surprise Gracie.  He stopped at Target and bought a Darth Vadar costume. Notice how the kids are looking at him, they're not quite sure why Darth has taken Daddy's place in our family picture!

 I had a Little Red Riding Hood costume in the garage I had bought for a Halloween party Mike and I went to a couple of years ago, "pre-kids".     Good thing the material was stretchy!....I think I've gained about 15 pounds since then!  Little Red Riding Hood liked the muffins she was bringing little 'ol Granny...a little too much!

Gracie dressed up as Hannah Montana..notice the wig?  She had worn it a couple of times prior to last night, and when it was time to dress up for "reals" it was way crazy!  It's like Barbie hair...there's NO combing it!

Jacob was our sad little tiger.  He had a hard time...Mike, I mean, Darth Vadar, scared the poo out of him.  Jacob much preferred the pretty lady in the red cape! By the end of the night, he did finally get used to Darth, and wouldn't cry every time he looked at him. Needless to say, Jacob spent the night in our bed, so he wouldn't have any nightmares (wink-wink!).  

We didn't have as many trick-or-treaters as we thought, so we have a lot of candy left over.  We just need to make sure Little Red Riding Hood doesn't sneak any, because I don't think that material will stretch much more!

Age Appropriate Foods for Dinner

May I offer some very useful information I learned today?  

It is not a good idea to feed couscous to a four year old girl whose nickname is Messy Bessy, and a one year old boy, just learning to feed himself.  It does not have a happy ending for Mom.  Sorry, no pictures...I couldn't believe the mess, and just stood there stunned for about five minutes.  By the time I came to, the one year old was begging to be saved from his mess in his highchair and Messy Bessy was asking for more - which I promptly answered "NO!".   I had to send them both to their room so I could get my bearings and decide where to begin the cleanup.  I did have to laugh though; as I watched the one year old walk down the hallway, there was a trail of couscous falling out of his pant leg.   Aaah, dinnertime....remember, it's one of my favorite times of the day!

Gracie's preschool went to the local pumpkin patch last week.  Jacob and I cheauffeured and tagged along.  It was fun watching her run around the ENTIRE pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin!  She finally found one and Jacob got booted out of the stroller for the pumpkin to have the seat of honor!   We went on a hay ride, toured the corn maze, and all in all, had a great morning!  

The Mean Reds

Do you ever have days when you're afraid of the world and what it has in store for you?   I'm not just talking about having a little trepidation, I'm talking anxiety, fear, looking-over-your-shoulder type of days.  Yesterday was like that for me.  In one of my favorite movies, Breakfast At Tiffany's, Holly Golightly explains it as having "the mean reds.  You're scared, but you don't know what you're scared of."  Maybe the cause was everyone talking about the gloom-and-doom with the economy and loosing jobs, or fear I am going to make another huge mistake at work (see previous blog) as we are preparing an expensive estimate for a customer.  I couldn't really put my finger on what was causing my anxiety yesterday, but hopefully a good night's sleep was the cure.  

Girls do crazy things!

Gracie and I had fun together the other day by putting makeup on each other.  I think she needs to consider a different career.  Admittedly these aren't the best pictures of me, but sometimes you have to take one for the team.  Jacob narrowly escaped being subjected to our craziness - he just wouldn't hold still!

Fall Festival

Today was a great day!  Last night Gracie had two little friends spend the night - which was a blast.  We decorated little pumpkins with glitter, and ate pizza and ice cream.  We woke up early this morning to get ready for the Fall Festival Parade in Exeter.  Gracie was so excited because she was riding on a float for her dance company in the parade.  She was so stinkin' cute!  Even though it was really cold in the morning we all had fun.  These are pictures of her on the float.  The two little girls to the right are Ariel and Alli - her slumber party friends.

   

Happy Birthday Jacob!

My Little Pudge turns one-year old today! How fast time has flown! It's a bittersweat day - Since Jacob is the last child we are having, I'm sad he is no longer a "baby", but, a part of me is glad he is becoming a little more independent. He started walking last Tuesday, and looks like a baby chimpanzee. I love his hugs he offers so generously, and how he walks to you with arms outstretched ready for love. Everyday he does something new that makes me laugh! He is such a good boy, and ALWAYS has a smile for you. He loves his sister and is constantly offering her hugs and "kisses". He doesn't really say any words yet, except "mama", but he does have his own language of grunts.

He is my love. I am so grateful God has blessed us with Jacob and lets us take care of His baby. Precious Little Pudge.

Yesterday I had a pretty crummy day.  I, along with help of co-workers, made a costly mistake at work,  which will probably cost about $2,300 to rectify...OUCH!  There was also drama with family members, an infection in my boob from nursing (too much information, yes, but I'm trying to "paint a picture" for you), and to top it all off, grouchy kids!  By the grace of God and lots of prayer, I made it through the day.  Well, this morning I was listening to the news on the radio as Gracie, Jake, and I were driving to preschool, and had to say a prayer of thanks that I didn't have this lady's "bad day"!  Here's the quick story:

A mother of two elementary school children, brought a dead bat to school for "show and tell".  She let the students in her children's kindergarden and fifth grade classes touch the bat and examine it a little bit.   It turns out they discovered the bat had rabies!!  So now, every child that came in contact with the bat had to get a series of rabies vaccination shots.  They were estimating this would cost $150,000!  The school's insurance was only going to cover $70,000!  Oops!   I bet this mother had a headache by the end of her bad day.  So did I, but at least mine didn't involve angry parents (well, maybe one, because my Dad is my boss), and an $80,000 mistake.

Thankfully, today was a much better day, even though I didn't realize I had my pants on backwards until lunch time.  

Boring Monday

Not much to write about today.  It's Monday, need I say more?  Our alarm didn't go off this morning, so once again, it's "see how fast we can rush out the door!"  After taking Gracie to preschool, Jacob and I went to work, which was almost uneventful.  I made tostadas for dinner, which the kids and I thought were pretty delicious, but of  course, my "other half" came home and found something to dislike...pet peeve...I'm sure you'll hear more about that later.  Okay, maybe now....

So, I come home from a full day at work, unloaded kids and all the crap that goes along with that (usually three trips from the truck to the house), checked the mail, sorted out the bills, and started dinner.  Now, making dinner is not my most favorite part of the day - I hate cooking.  I have a crabby Jacob whining at my feet while I'm at the stove, Gracie yelling at me from the other room to do something for her, and ten things needing to get done at the same time.  What point am I trying to make here?.....Making dinner is not an easy OR fun task.  So, when the husband comes home and finds something to complain about, AND refuses to eat it, it's like a serious party foul!  At least PRETEND you're grateful and eat the dumb dinner with a smile on your face!  Oh, and don't forget to thank me for it, darn it.

Yes....I do feel better now, just had to get that off my chest.  I'd be more irritated at him, but he shaves his head for me.  That, and because he made killer hamburgers last night. 

So much for Monday.  It's crazy how fast the days seem to go by.  I'm grateful for every one of them, dinner and all!

A Good Start to Sunday

Last night I woke up at 1:00 am and couldn't fall back to sleep (which happens quite frequently), so I got out of bed and watched Sleepless in Seattle in the living room. At about 2:00 am I heard little footsteps in the hallway and Gracie popped around the corner with wide eyes and a smile.  She crawled up in the chair with me and we watched the rest of Sleepless in Seattle together.  She said she would be ready to go back to bed "after the words come up", referring to the credits.  We crawled in my bed, me between Mike and Gracie.  It was so nice to snuggle her.  Usually Jacob is in this coveted place.  I realized how much I miss my little girl.  Before Jacob was born, Grace was my world!  I'm sorry to admit, but she gets the brunt of my impatience now, something I'm constantly praying for help with.  It was nice to let Gracie sleep in bliss in our bed once again.

On another note, Mike offered to let me do something for myself this morning before we have company over this afternoon.  Now, I know I don't have any place to complain about mistreatment and being overworked, but with Mike gone six and sometimes seven evenings during the week, I will admit I get a little overwhelmed come the weekend.   It seems the weight of the world is on my shoulders most of the week, with work, cleaning house, paying bills, making dinner, giving baths, the fight to get kids in bed, and countless other worries. So, I am looking forward to having some solitary time at my favorite Starbucks, enjoying a Hazelnut Mocha and playing Scrabble on my cell phone!  I will be able to sit there without interruption and miss my family!  The only thing that would make it better is if my best friend was able to veg with me!

Chaper 1

I have decided to join the blogging world!  I avidly read many of my friends blogs, and very much enjoy reading about what is going on in their busy lives, so I thought I should do the same.  I don't enjoy talking on the phone, and seem to be too busy to hang out much, so blogs are a great way to stay up to date with each other's worlds!  And since my BFF moved to Fresno, it will be a convenient way to "keep in touch"!