Holy cow I'm behind!!

Lazy Sunday

Uncle Ryan playing with the boys

Pojo's Fun!

Tonia, the one responsible for my Zumba obsession!

Part of the reason behind taking a break from doing workshops was so that I would have more time to do stuff like this...um, yeah! Going to have to rededicate my efforts to doing this much more often!

Thursday, February 17th... Not a big, eventful day by any stretch of the imagination. The boys had swim lessons, and Zach was anything but cooperative and progressive. He kept saying 'I can't' and would flat out refuse to do pretty much anything coach Amber asked of him. One of his off days again. It's really frustrating when you know, and he knows that he CAN do something, he just chooses not to even try. Oh well, there's always next week right?!? Got the rest of the stuff ready for Friday's workshop...the last scrapbook page workshop for awhile. Can't wait until I can scrap for myself again!!

Friday, February 18th... Preschool again today. I love my mornings with my boys however. This morning they were particularly into the cat. They decided that she was cold and they needed to warm her up with a blanket. It made for a cute picture. It's the little things in life that matter, right!?! Had my last scrapbook page workshop. It was a big sigh of relief to know that I was done with them after this one! I'll still be scrapping, still be going to workshops, still getting to hang with the girls...but I don't have to be the one to create, prep and teach the workshops anymore! WOOHOOOOOO!!!!! Decided that I'll create the 20 page workshop pages for my own use with the time I have at the Scrap n play day here at the house tomorrow... first time since August that I'm working on stuff just for my own pleasure! This is what scrapping is all about!!

Saturday, February 19th... AWESOME day! Started the day off right, Krispy Kreme donuts with the boys! The boys headed out to the movie theater to see Megamind, compliments of Mike Conklin. Since Grandma and Grandpa had also bought a house through him, they went too. The boys were excited to not only see Megamind again, but to see a movie at the theater with the grandparents!! It was a day full of scrapbooking for me with the girls! Got the bulk of the 20 page workshop pages done! Had to take a break to help Terrie with her workshop pages from Friday night since she wasn't able to make it to the workshop. And helped Michelle with her banner project since she wasn't going to make it to the workhshop on Wednesday. And another big break for some kick butt breadsticks and pizza from Papa John's! Cannot get enough of their breadsticks!!! It's a good thing that black light zumba also happened to be that evening!!! And OMG, it was a total blast! Everyone was glowing! Indi sported a fabulous blue wig, Tonia had on glow in the dark eyelashes and my favorite were the handprints on her boob and butt that glowed in the dark!! Juliann had a great glowstick necklace, made up of several smaller bracelets, that really rocked in the black lights! And everyone that came raised over $1000 for the Strong Kids campaign at the YMCA. Love my zumba family of friends, and zumba...it was a great event!!!

Sunday, February 20th... Decided that I needed to attempt another run today. After Maire had worked on the muscles in my chest, and my diaphragm I was very hopeful that I would actually be able to breathe this time...and VOILA, I was!!! Maire is a miracle worker!! I got my time back down to a 13 1/2 minute mile...not where I was before surgery, but much closer than the previous attempt!! I still had to stop and walk a couple of brief stints, but there was much more running than walking, and that felt really good!! Finished off a great Sunday with a movie with the hubster since he didn't have to work in the morning. We watched 'I Love you Man'...very funny!! I finished making the pages for the 20 page workshop. I'm always leary of movies like that, and feel like it's 2 hours of my life that have been totally wasted when I don't like the movie, so I decided to scrapbook throughout the movie! And instead of wasting time, I got the 20 pages finished, and enjoyed the movie! 2 birds, 1 stone!!

Monday, February 21st... President's Day... Decided that today was the day to go couch shopping. We had our list of places to go, route planned. First stop of the day, Mor furniture. It's where we found Casey's big comfy chair & ottoman. And as hard as it is to believe it, it's where we found the sectional that we wanted! First stop, c'est fini!! They had to order some of the pieces, so it will be delivered on the 5th of March...WOOHOOO!!!! Now to borrow Mike's or the inlaws truck to haul the old stuff off to the dump! ; ) On the way to Mor the boys of course noticed that we were driving past Pojo's. I told them that it's really too bad that Pojo's didn't sell couches or it would be the best of both worlds, and promised to take them there someday in the near future! After buying the couch in less than an hour, we decided to stop at Pojo's on the way home! Fun was had by all!! I think the new favorite for the boys is the Homer Simpson game because they got to beat up the bad guys with dad! The first runner up for favorite for Zach would have to be the motorcycles that he gets to 'ride'! The crotch rockets were like magnets, and he like metal! Unfortunately for me, he's going to be like Uncle Mike and like those darn things! Anyways, it was a great family bonding kind of day! LOVE those 3 day weekends!!

Tuesday, February 22nd... Started off the day on the wrong foot! The darn cat woke me up twice in the middle of the night because of her snoring! Seriously, who in the world would've ever thought a cat could snore loud enough to wake me from my slumber... bad news for the kittay is that it's time for a DIET! Dropped Casey's car off at the shop for an oil change, and treated myself to a skinny Starbucks coffee and coffee cake on the way home! We're eating breakfast and Lucas asks if they can play the wii while I shower before I take them to Grandma's. Since they had just seen Grandma at the movie on Saturday, and went to church with her on Sunday, I hadn't even asked if she wanted to see them for a couple of hours on Tuesday. But Lucas informed me that 'it's Tuesday mom, that means we go to Grandma's', so I had him call and ask if they could go play! : ) Love that he loves his grandparents so much, and that it's reciprocated!! I got to come home and do some scrapbooking!! When the boys got home it was like Christmas morning. I had cleaned up the scrap room, and brought up two empty boxes, that I was planning to break down and throw in the recycle bin...they were immediately hijacked by the boys, and have yet to see that recycle bin... I guess the whole re-use concept is more important since they are thoroughly enjoying them! And it gave me a great photo shoot for the day! I didn't think the day could get much better...but it did! It was Limelight Zumba night, and my friend Jeny joined me! She loved it! And it was fun to have another friend to join the family! Topped the night off with some Biggest Loser and Parenthood...love those shows!!

Wednesday, February 23rd... Another preschool day! While at home with Zach he followed me into the bathroom, and after observing me sitting there for a moment he asked me why girls don't have weiners. I told him that it's because we were made that way. He thought about it for a second, and then told me that it's ok, because he's going to make a weiner for me! : ) I love how the most random stuff comes out of their mouths. I would seriously like to be inside their brains, just for a few hours, to observe what they're thinking. I can only imagine!!! The boys are in another intense obsession with coloring with markers phase! I took a picture of the dishwasher, covered in their artwork! Yes, that's right, I said the dishwasher. The refrigerator is too full, so they've moved on to hanging their masterpieces on my dishwasher!! And as soon as they are finished coloring something, that's the next thing they do...hang it up! I wonder if too much confidence, and too big of an ego is a bad thing...or if there is even such a thing with kids that age. They're pretty proud of their efforts! And of course I can only think to myself...ding, ding, here comes the shit mobile! I like the pages that have stuff predrawn on it, that they just have to color in, because I'm terrible at deciphering their scribbles!! LAST workshop was conducted! I'm in that, can't say I'm going to miss this phase currently! Huge relief to be done with it! Moving forward!!!!!

Thursday, February 24th... Might have previously mentioned how much I love my mornings with my little men. They are so bright eyed and bushy tailed, and so eager! This morning brought out their nuturing side. I had to get a picture of them babysitting for Fuzzy and BoBe, they had them swaddled up in a blanket, napping on the couch after breakfast! I'm glad that if nothing else, they are learning to be nuturing males! I want more than anything to teach my boys to be compassionate, nuturing, respectful men...guess I'm doing something right! Swim lessons were AWESOME today! I told Zach that I didn't want to hear the words 'I can't' or 'I don't want to' come from his mouth, or there would be no wii tonight. He did everything Coach Amber or Coach Shannon asked, and he was amazing!!!!! Lucas totally rocked at swimming through the rings, holding his breath so well! And he's able to float on his tummy by himself now! So proud of their efforts today!! The only bad thing about today...had to head back to work after almost 2 weeks off! Vacation doesn't give my attitude about that place any kind of a makeover, it just further convinces me how badly I'd like to retire! Worked with a new to me tech, Sarah. She was a kick in the pants! Too bad our day started off really rough, we got our butts kicked until about 7 o'clock! Good news for business though! Oh, I decided that after having emailed Dr Young my postop pics on Sunday, and not having heard from him yet that I should call and see if they got the email. BAD NEWS... they never got the pics! So now there are pics of my boobs floating around in cyber space...the ONLY good thing is that my head is not in the pics!! I confirmed the email address, and resent the pics, and they actually received them this time!

Friday, February 25th... Started off the morning with another kindergarten readiness class at Summerwind with Lucas. They focused on math for the assessment today, and did the eye test that is part of the registration process. He did awesome! His friend Jeffrey was able to join the class today. He'd be so excited if they both got into the magnet program, fingers still crossed... as well as everything else that's capable of being crossed! Switched shifts at work so I could go to the program with Lucas, so it was another very uneventful day.

Saturday, February 26th... It was a Zumba kind of morning! I cannot believe how many people showed up for it, again this Saturday. Renee was teaching for Crystal, and still sooooooo many people. It was fun, but I work so much harder when Crystal is teaching. Zumba is a high energy kind of thing, but she brings soooo much more energy than a lot of the other instructors. So for whatever reason, I push myself much harder in her class! Anyways, I hurried home afterwards, had some lunch, grabbed the boys and headed for the car wash... along with everyone else and their dog! Holy crap...the line was amazingly long! But the car was soooo stinking dirty that I had to wait it out! I still swear that a clean car drives better than a dirty one, but the hubby thinks I'm crazy when I say that! Home to shower, and off to a jewelry party! It was fun, and I bought myself a new bracelet! Trying to girly up my wardrobe, and think that adding some jewelry to the everyday stuff is a great place to start! ; ) Met the boys and Ryan at Casa Mexico for some dinner! Oh how I love that place...but oh how I hate the scale the next day! The boys were ecstatic to see Uncle Ryan! They go into super hyper/spaz mode when he comes over! I heard him at one point ask them if he looks like a jungle gym! Cute picture of them tackling him! Finished the night off with a nice bubble bath and some scrapbooking! That's what I'm talking 'bout!!

Sunday, February 27th... Today was a lazy Sunday, but I'm trying not to feel too guilty. A nice restful, relaxing day is in order every now and again! Casey even indulged in a little cat nap this afternoon while the boys were playing the wii and I was tackling the laundry. Got the grocery shopping done, most of the laundry, blog posts caught up... even made strawberry shortcake for dessert! Enjoyed the day with my boys! Now to prepare for the week...another busy one! Just noticed that tomorrow is the last day of February, where in the heck have 2 months gone, I'm quite sure that Christmas was just yesterday! Oh well, good thing I have this as some sort of journal to remember the day to day grind of the past couple of months. Until tomorrow....

Change is in the air!

Admiring Zach's new Mario Brothers shirt

Can you feel it? We had a beautiful 64 degree, mostly sunny day yesterday, albeit a little on the windy side...and we wake up to freezing cold, with snow, hail and rain all in one day's time! Must live in Idaho! Could not seriously believe that those darn weather guys got it right for once!

Monday was an awesome Valentine's Day! Started the day off right with a little retail therapy at Kohl's...had to have a new tank top that will hopefully glow in the black lights Saturday night at Black Light Zumba! Then I was off to a massage with Maire! Found out that the reason I felt like I couldn't breathe on Sunday when I was trying to run was likely a combination of the increased weight on my chest, that I'm not yet used to, and the fact that all the muscles/tendons and such are super tight in my chest/diaphragm area. Glad it wasn't all in my head, and I'm hopeful that having her massage the area not only helped release some of that tension, but that it will get the lymph system working well again. She also worked on my tightness/soreness in my armpits where the incisions are, particularly my right armpit, to help improve my range of motion with that arm. It was truly heavenly!

Stopped off at the liquor store to buy some banana liquer for the Banana's foster white chocolate fondue that I was making for dessert. HP ruined lunch out with the hubby, by not only scheduling a meeting from 11-noon, but running way late, with him not arriving home until 12:45!!! Oh well, at least we got to enjoy a lunch without interruptions from the kiddos! ; )

Dan came over and cleaned the carpets, and sucked out the dryer vent! I made the brownies, got the Valentine's packages ready for Casey and the boys, got the crock pot chicken enchiladas going, and got the slurry for the fondue prepped. Then I changed into the zumba wear, and off to Target for a few last minute items, changed cars with Casey, and got to enjoy an hour of ZUMBA! I was so happy, for my Crystal was there for the last half! I'm really liking Loretta too! She's easy to follow, just not as high energy as Crystal!

Home to a house that smelled wonderful from the crockpot creation! We opened our valentine's gifts! The boys loved their new shirts, games for their Mobi and Tag systems, and their new Lightning McQueen coloring books & markers. Casey got a pair of Family Guy boxers, a CTMH photo album that I'm using to store all of his cigar bands and his beer bottle labels that he likes to keep, and a Star Wars t shirt. I got some new fuzzy socks (he must've been feeling guilty for leaving my awesome purple pair behind in Salt Lake), and an awesome new set of jammies from Pajama Gram (the hubby doesn't like to shop in the actual store, he'd rather do it online...which is a-ok with me). Broke out the fondue pot and warmed up the fondue slurry and chocolate...didn't let it heat up enough to cook the alcohol off at first...good thing the boys didn't eat much of it! Lucas claimed that it was super duper yummy for his bananas and marshmallows. Zach said his tummy hurt, so he only had a couple of bananas and brownie bites before he was done. Which left Casey and I to finish it off! It may not have been as good as what we'd had a couple weeks ago at the Melting Pot...but it was delish!!!!!

We finished off the final season of 24! I can't believe it's over for good now!!!! There are rumors that they're going to do a movie, but nothing for sure. I wish they'd just miraculously start it up again...sigh!!! Why is it that once you find a show that you really like, they get rid of it? Lost and 24 are just two of my examples.

Tuesday, the boys got to go hang out with Grandma and Grandpa for a couple of hours. I got to have my allergy shots, make a Costco run, and have lunch out with the hubby (haha HP, you didn't foil us 2 days in a row) before picking them up. Yesterday was a pretty low key kind of day though!

Today brought preschool, and Zach wanting to come right home and play Super Mario Brothers while Lucas was at school! In between 2 loads of laundry we managed some time to play. Zach told me that I rule the world! Funny kid! He was so stinking excited that I was able to help him play through a level though, I was waiting for him to pee his pants! : ) I must admit, I was impressed with my Mario skills too!!!

I was a multi tasking fool this afternoon....posting pics to the boys' webpages, laundry, cleaning up my gigantic mess of crap in the office, so that Casey can actually tell there is a desk in there again! I feel guilty though, the pics I posted were from December...so pathetic I tell you what! I've just been so busy since the surgery between work, scrapbook business and the usual daily grind that stuff like that keeps getting pushed aside. The wheels are really a turning in my head about all of that...we shall see what the coming weeks bring, but more than likely I'm going to keep my consultant status active, just for the discount, rather than for the profit! I cannot seriously tell you the last time that I had time to scrap that was just for me, for my own personal use! Doesn't happen anymore! I totally didn't realize all of the time and effort, let alone cost, that went into getting stuff ready for the workshops, creating new things, sending out newsletters, updating the CTMH website, etc, etc, etc.... I'm really sad to say it, but I really think I gave it a good run, but I'd rather be the attendee at the workshops and just hang with the girls again, than be the one doing all the behind the scenes stuff and teaching the workshops. I feel like I'm letting everyone down (especially my regulars), but hopeful that they'll understand. I'm now in the stage where I'm debating between making a big announcement, or just letting things sort of fizzle out. Thus, change is in the air for more than one reason today!

We bought a new cookbook while we were in Salt Lake, it's a Rachel Ray book, called something like Look + Cook. It's got big pictures with every recipe, and that's totally how Casey and I decide to try something new is based upon a picture. We tried the Cobb Pasta Toss tonight...out of this world AWESOME!!!! Case isn't real good about telling me what he thinks about new stuff, I think he's afraid he'll hurt my feelings, when really he won't! But if he asks me to make something again, or if he has more than one helping of something then I can rest, assured that he likes it. Tonight's dish was a 2 helping kind of dish! And oh so filling!!! He even requested that I keep the leftovers for lunches the rest of this week!! WIN, WIN for both of us!

Anyways, no pic again today....just too much going on to slow down and grab the camera! Until tomorrow!

Gaga for Gaga

I tried running for the first time today since surgery...no bueno! I even downloaded Lady Gaga's new single, Born this Way...which is amazing...but even though my mind was saying goooooo, my body was saying HELL NO! I pushed, but boy oh boy...it's amazing how much surgery set me back this time. I've had a hiatus with my running before, even for a couple of months, but it didn't set me back this badly!! I truly feel as if I'm starting over at square one this time around. I'm even contemplating just doing the 10k in May rather than trying to squeeze in enough training time to do a half marathon. We'll have to wait and see...and of course, that will drive me absolutely insane! Zumba will be good for me, to help increase my cardio tolerance and endurance.

Speaking of zumba, another no bueno...unable to go Tuesday or Thursday this week, as previously planned. Casey has poker on Thursday, and I had something come up on Tuesday. So I'm going to sneak in an extra session tomorrow at the Y since the boys will be at daycare, and I have the evening off. It'll be my valentine's present to myself!! ; )

The boys got in another park play day...at Demeyer park today. They love that park! Lucas was super cute too...chasing the girls all over! Even though last week after my scrapping event he told his dad he was cleaning the house because the girls were over and they have germs!! They are excited about valentine's day tomorrow! They picked out which Phineas and Ferb valentine their friends at preschool and daycare get. Zach only wanted his friends Jake and Lizzy to get one. Lucas picked out the Isabella valentine's for the girls in his class, and the big valentine's for his best buddies, Dylan and Cole. It's fun to see how they think at this age!

Made a trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond today, after the grocery store...our awesome purchase...a fondue set! I LOVED the bananas foster chocolate fondue so much at the Melting Pot a couple weeks ago, that I had to try and duplicate it! Found a recipe online, tomorrow will tell the tale! I'm making brownies for the fondue, so I figure I'll need to run AND do zumba tomorrow to even come close to breaking even for the day! My picture of the day is of the fondue box, because I'm beyond words excited about using it tomorrow!

Until tomorrow...

Fabulous Saturday indeed!

Kicked off the morning with a peaceful, restful night of sleep! No more puking from Zach...hallelujah!! But since I wasn't sure how long this bug was going to last, I decided to have him stay home with Dad while I took Lucas for the makeup swim lesson at the Boise, 'big pool', location. I was gawking at the construction, and missed the Orchard exit. Lucas told me that 'it's too bad Zach is sick, because Dad would've remembered'! Just because Dad has better short term memory, and can stay on task better while driving...whatever...cut mom some slack little man...I thought he was being a little harsh! He did fabulous at swim lessons though. I love that kid, even though he says the darnedest things!

I came home and changed into my wonderful zumba wear! My first time utilizing my new Y membership....WOOOOOHOOOO!! I knew that Crystal wouldn't be there today, and I had fun, but it's soooo not the same!! Loretta and Renee did a good job! And it was funny because I was Renee's twin...we had the exact same tanktop and zumba pants, even black sports bras!! I had so much fun chatting with my friends before, during, and after! They really perk up my spirits, as does the work out. I didn't get as good a workout in today though, it's really hard to put a ton of energy into the workout when you cannot follow new people well at all...really detest feeling like a newbie! Oh well...glad that I went!!

As I was getting ready to head out for zumba my husband decided that he too is ready for some new couches! MUSIC to my ears I tell you what! We did some couch shopping in Utah, and when he saw the price tags on the stuff that I liked, he was pretty much in the no new couches for awhile frame of mind! Not that I can blame him...but I've seriously had them since 1998...it's time dude!

I downloaded the new Lady gaga, Born this Way song! OH YEAH baby!!! Definitely going in the running/workout playlist...right up front!!! LOVE it, and so does Lucas! : ) Keith and Pete got the new beta out for their list making iphone app, so I have something new to play with on my iphone...another big WOOHOOO for the day!!!!

Today was a gorgeous 61 degrees, sunny, but windy. Zach hadn't puked again all morning, so we took the boys to the park this afternoon. We did our best to run all of their nervous, cooped up in the house because it's been too cold and crappy to play outside, energy out of them! Our neighbor was walking her dog, so they got to play with Bozley...they adore that dog! My pic of the day is of the boys playing on the slide...I call it slide bowling...Zach is the bowling ball at the top of the slide, and Lucas is the pin, climbing up the slide as the ball is rolling down the slide! They were fun! We chased and played our hearts out! Zach is finally climbing and wanting to do everything on his own...I'm loving it, other than his no fear personality!!

We topped off a wonderful day with dinner at Vina! Normally not really worth a mention on here, but Casey's fortune cookie was HILARIOUS! It said, 'put up with small annoyances to gain great results'. We have 2 small annoyances that visit us regularly, one is named Lucas, the other Zach!: ) We're just trying to figure out what the great results are! Kidding of course, but it did provide us with a good chuckle!!!

If you haven't already wasted your time watching the movie Burn After Reading, DON'T!!! Case and I watched it after the boys went to bed tonight. I love Brad Pitt and John Malkovich...but that movie is TERRIBLE! Thank goodness I was busy catching up on posts on here, so I don't feel like I wasted 2 hours of my life that I can never get back...but if I hadn't been doing something productive that's how I would've felt!!! Until tomorrow...

Butt kicking busy day!

I should've taken a pic of my white chocolate mocha from Starbucks, or my cinnamon swirl coffee cake. They are a fantastic start for my early work days. Especially after a particularly restless night...but I didn't take my camera to work. So no pic of the day again today.

Work was quite busy, so the day flew by!! I stopped at Albertson's to pick up some garlic bread for dinner, and ran into a friend I hadn't seen for a long while. So I was glad I stopped!! As I arrived home, I had another pleasant surprise...the wonderful Fed Ex guys had managed to get my CTMH order to me one day earlier than scheduled! And that meant I was able to get the stuff to my ladies today, instead of next week! Good Friday afterall, for the most part!!

An uneventful evening, other than Zach being his usual stubborn self at dinner. He told us that his tummy hurt, but we thought he was just trying to get out of eating his spaghetti. He seemed fine all evening. But about 9:30 Casey came upstairs to see if I was making 'all that noise'...unfortunately it wasn't me at all...it was Zach, and he had puked all over himself, his bed, his 'friends', and his club foot shoes...ugh! Cleaned up, bed changed, bowl in place, monitor turned up really loud. Repeat process in less than one hour...the worst part...he didn't hit the bowl, and he didn't say anything AGAIN...I don't get it! Thank goodness I had the monitor turned on, and thought I heard something weird. Since that was the 2nd time in just a few minutes that he had puked and not said anything, I broke out the Zofran ODT because I was in no mood to repeat the process ALL night long! And then I got annoyed, because he had missed swim lessons 2 weeks before that because he was puking...and Saturday morning was the make up...not for Zach!

Saturday's post to follow!

Back to work...super blah

Thursday was pretty much uneventful. We had swim lessons in the morning, and I had to return to work. I've decided that having 8 days off in a row is pure torture...because it makes me that much less likely to want to go back to work! It's like having a vacation, but not really!

I did better at work on Thursday than I had the previous week. Standing on my feet for 8 hours wasn't as trying, and I was able to reach a little higher, and do a little more without assistance from my coworkers. I did however, wear one of my new, expensive Victoria's secret bras...big mistake to wear it for 13 hours the first time! But seriously, who would've thought that I'd have to break in a wireless bra, a little bit at a time! The girls were oh so sore, and so uncomfortable when I got home Thursday night. I changed back to my grandma bra before bed, and slept terribly that night. And vowed to wear a sports bra to work the next day rather than my pretty new bras! What we women won't go through to feel sexy...have I mentioned that I'm pleased with the results, but still not to the point where I can say it's worth all the pain, suffering, and cost yet! ; ) I know I'll be singing a different tune in a few months, or a year from now...or at least I'm very hopeful that I will be!!!

Anyways, no pic of the day for today...my bad! Friday's post is up next...

Middle of the week blah

Lucas and his jenga block roller coaster with '7 jumps'

Zach being Zach

Wednesday was nothing too exciting. Lucas started off the day telling me at breakfast, 'Mom, I think I'm pretty sure I'm smarter than a 5th grader'. The things that come out of his mouth, the most random things, the funniest things. Before he left for school he grabbed the Jenga blocks, and built a 'roller coaster with 7 jumps'. I got a pic of the proud architect and his beautiful project, it shall serve as my pic of the day. And I couldn't resist a super cute pic of Zach attack as well, so he gets a pic of the day too.

It was share day for Lucas at preschool. He took his Mobi after much deliberation. He had a great time showing his friends the different games, and everything it could do. Although his friend brought in an older brother's cell phone, and that seemed to take the cake for the day.

We met the in laws at the escrow place late in the afternoon, and refinanced our house, with them as the 'bank' for our loan now. They paid off our loan with the bank, and we will now essentially be paying them every month. It's a win, win for both of us. They have a guaranteed income every month, and we saved more in interest...we refinanced for 4% interest...that kicks some serious butt!!!!!! We joined them at Goodwood for dinner. It's cute to see how much the boys love spending time with their grandparents.

We received an email from Lucas' preschool about enrolling them for preschool next year. We've decided that we're going to hold Zach back an extra year, so we don't have a need for preschool next year. However, it set the wheels in motion about deciding what daycare to use for the boys once kindergarten starts in the fall. We don't want to have to drive clear across town for daycare, especially on the days that I'm working, because they won't be able to help shuttle Lucas to or from kindergarten. Soooo, I started calling around to see what kind of rates I'd be looking at for daycare, 2 days a week, and if they shuttled kids to kindergarten. HOLY CRAP!!!! Daycare is freaking expensive. I was reconvinced of grandma's value in having watched the boys for 4 years, and letting us avoid daycare. And still she watches them one day a week. I was also reconvinced that Conndra is giving us a hell of a deal for daycare one day a week, with cheap drop in rates. So now the dilemma...be inconvenienced 1 or 2 days a week and continue to drive across town, so that we aren't spending an arm and a couple of legs on daycare....or, spend a crapload of money on daycare for the convenience. UGHHHHHH!!!!

Back in a few minutes with Thursdays post.

Two words...VICTORIA'S SECRET

Tuesday was the glorious 3 week post op mark!! That means no more grandma bra, and restrictions are lifted, activity is now as tolerated...clear for take off to zumba my little heart out and start exercising again!

To kick off the celebration I started with lunch at Cafe Ole with my friend, Denice! She is 6 months post op, so it was fun talking boobs with someone that's been there done that, lived to tell the tale, and now thinks it was verrrrry worth it! After lunch we walked over to the mall...for some exciting stuff!!!!! We both got fitted at Victoria's secret, and it was fun to see that even though I got almost 100 cc's more than she did, we're the same size! ; ) We tried on several different bras, and then had fun selecting some fun colors! And of course we had to stop at Macy's and peruse the lingerie selection on our way back to our cars! It's so fun to wear stuff like that now, and have it fit like it's supposed to, and not feel the need to be wearing a bra underneath it!!!!! The fun has only just begun!

The day just continued to get better because Tuesday means ZUMBA! And I've really been missing my ZUMBA! I have made some really cool friends through ZUMBA, and they are not only fun, but like chicken soup for my soul. Denice had offered up some advice, and recommended wearing 2 sports bras under my zumba tanktop...and thank goodness I listened! I was oh so sore when I got home. I had to tone it down, and even then, the girls were uber sore!!!!!! After some ice and some ibuprofen, and sleeping with a pillow they were a little better the next morning! I did get to use my new heart rate monitor...burned almost 500 calories, and that was holding back! Cannot wait to see what I can pull off when I can finally go full blast again!!

I've decided that I'm watching too much Biggest Loser. I had a dream that Bob had a contest and I won. He became my personal trainer at the West Y for a whole week. It was so fun, and all of my friends took the opportunity to train with us. Have no idea where that came from, but it was amusing, and very vivid!!

My pic of the day is of me in my zumba wear...an after pic to compare with a post from last month of me in my zumba wear. Keep in mind that I'm wearing two sports bras, so I'm still a little constricted in this pic...only a matter of time until I can just wear one! Back with Wednesday's post in a minute!!

Only 1 more day!!!!!

Poor, sick hubby! The kitty will help you feel better!

Elena and I at her baby shower

The hubster and I at the Melting Pot for date night!

I got to be a big, independent girl this morning! I got to go grocery shopping all by myself again!!! (Well, without adult supervision and assistance!) I haven't been able to lift more than 5 lbs for the past almost 3 weeks, and reaching stuff on the top shelves has been a problem too, so the hubster has had to accompany me to the grocery store several times! But I did it this morning...a gallon of milk, a 12 pack of pop, the 6 pack of Sunny D that they moved to the top shelf...NO PROBLEMO! It did take me several extra trips to unload the groceries from the car, but a little extra calorie burn doesn't hurt either! : )

And after the weekend that I had...out to eat for lunch and dinner on Friday, cake at a baby shower, cake at a birthday party, dinner out at the Melting Pot on Saturday, and Superbowl Sunday...it's a damn good thing that I'm cleared for take off with exercise as of tomorrow!!!!!!! I'm beyond ecstatic!!! I've gained 5 pounds since surgery...mostly in the last week...so it's time to take it off!! I do realize that 2 pounds of that was shoved under my pec muscles, and won't be coming off, but I'd like to take it off elsewhere!! Let the training for the half marathon commence! Woo freaking hoo!!!!

I had an AWESOME weekend, but it was so busy that I haven't had a chance to post about it! Friday was my new catalog celebration! I got all of the projects that I wanted to get done in time for it done...I was proud of my efforts 28 scrapbook pages, and one banner project complete, in less than 2 weeks...all during my postop days of excessive limitations! Thank goodness I could still scrap though! The party was fun, looking forward to the workshops with the girls, and all of the good times this catalog will bring! I need to start my countdown to convention in Disneyland!

Saturday morning was Elena's baby shower! She's sooooo ready for this to be done and over with, and for her sake and how miserable that little Lexi has made her, I hope Lexi makes her grand entrance sooner than 3 weeks! I got a cute pic of Elena and I from the shower, so that can count as one picture of the day that I'm missing! We scrapbooked pages for Lexi's baby book, chatted and had some super yummy cake. Then we dashed off to the next party!

Cooper's birthday party was a blast! It was at Tumbletime, which the boys miss dearly...but for the sake of my sanity, I had to cut something out of the mix this winter! They had pizza and veggies (or chips and veggies in Zach's case, since the child is strange and does NOT do pizza). And then they played their little hearts out in the gym, which also had a bounce house up. And then they got to 'watch' Cooper open her presents! That was hilarious!! She's a lil tornado opening those presents, and the kids kept shoving their gifts in her face, she didn't know what to do with herself! She is adorable though!

Came home with the boys, found out that the hubby was definitely sick, but didn't want to cancel date night. So as soon as the babysitters arrived, we were off to the Melting Pot! HEAVEN!!! We had the spinach and artichoke cheese fondue to start. Then our salads. I had the caesar, and it had pine nuts on it...YUMMMMMM! Next the meat course, which they refer to as the 'proteins', which my husband thinks is VERY strange. And Casey started feeling really crappy, so he didn't really get to enjoy his favorite part! The shrimp and the new york strip steak were the best! I managed to try one tiny bite of the duck...NOT a fan! For dessert we went with the banana's foster white chocolate...Oh Em GEEEEEE, almost orgasmic! I've decided that next time I'm skipping everything else, and going straight to the chocolate, and perhaps having 2 or 3 pots of that! : ) What the hell, if you're gonna go big, ya might as well go REALLY big!!! Got a cute pic of us at the restaurant, which can serve as another pic of the day!

Yesterday was a very anti-climactic Superbowl for us. We normally have a big party, and I normally make enough food for a small army. But with Casey being sick, me being postop and having such a big 2 days before we opted not to do a party. We were going to have Ryan over, but didn't want him to get sick, so we didn't do anything at all, besides watch the game...and since we didn't really care about either the Packers or the Steelers, we mostly watched the commercials! It just felt weird all day though, not spending the morning in the kitchen preparing stuff for the big game, and not having a house full of peeps! Oh well!

Case stayed home from work today...he hardly ever misses work, so you know he feels terrible. But Chloe is doing her best to cheer him up and make him feel better. I got a pick of her sleeping on dad that was too cute to resist! It shall serve as my pic of the day for today.

The boys got their hair cut this afternoon! The lady asks Lucas where he got those gorgeous eyes, and he told her he was born that way! : ) He's so polite when talking to her, it was cracking me up to listen to their conversation! Anyways, I finally got November and December pics uploaded to Snapfish. I need to get January loaded. Then I need to put December and January pics on the webpage. And I have at least 10 other things, including the lovely laundry that really should get done today, so I really should get off the puter. Until tomorrow....

Groundhog day

Lucas posing with Phil, the groundhog!

Started the day off teaching Lucas and Zach about Groundhog day. Zach has no idea what I'm talking about, but is highly amused because it involves a groundhog named Phil. Lucas is just excited for warmer weather so he can play outside all the time, and start going to Uncle Mike's pool again (even though we never made it, not even one single time, last summer). Glad that little fella didn't see his shadow...highly suspicious that it really means spring will show up any faster than last year! ; ) They obviously talked about Groundhog day at preschool today, since Lucas colored, cut out and glued a groundhog together. My pic of the day is of Phil and Lucas! Both are too cute for words!

Cute Lucas moment, number 1 million (at least)...he asks me at breakfast this morning if Papa Ron is really old, or if he just looks that way. I asked why he thinks that Papa looks old and he tells me it's because he's bald! I told him that unfortunately some people lose their hair faster than others, and Papa chooses to shave off what little he has left! And that he is actually one year younger than Grandpa, so no, he isn't really old! ; ) The things that come from the mouths of babes!!!!!

I'm feeling better, it's obvious! The boys are requesting tickle sessions and mom time like crazy these last couple of days! I LOVE to hear their little laughs, especially the ones where they're laughing so hard that no sound is coming out! They are chicken soup for my soul most days!!

Lucas had his teeth cleaning today! NO cavities again, so he got to pick out a treasure from the treasure chest. He really wanted a plastic slinky, but since it 'doesn't really work', he opted for a rubber ball. And of course the sugar free sucker...that is conveniently shaped like a tooth! He cracked me up as he was eating his sucker...he told me that he gave it a 'serious cavity' and that the tooth sucker was going to need a root canal! ; ) The kid is a gigantic sponge, you tell him something once, and he'll never forget it (unless it's some sort of rule, like not to hit or boss his brother)!!! Zach had his whole day made by the fact that he got to be a big boy and go for a ride in the dentist's chair. He had the mirror in his mouth, and found out that he also has 20 teeth...just like his big brother! No cavities for him either, so he got a treasure too. And his first official teeth cleaning is just 6 months away...lord help the hygenist! : )

Another good day in our house! The boys were soooo good today! Mom got lots of stuff done, and I'm now about 90% ready for the party on Friday! I just finished a banner that I decorated for Valentine's day...pretty stinking cute, if I do say so myself!! Ooh, and even though we don't get to do Mystique for our date night Saturday, I made reservations for the Melting Pot today! We were talking tonight at dinner, it's been at least 6 years since we have done that! If only more days could be as good as today...the little things that just make me smile and feel good at the end of the day! Until tomorrow!!

Survived going back to work

First day back at work was yesterday, topped it off with another 8 hours today! Wowzers...glad that I have 8 days off to regain my energy before I have to do it again!! In anticipation of a rough time yesterday, I decided to jump start my day with a massage. My back, my hips and my shoulders are a mess from sleeping on my back for the past 2 weeks. She had to take it 'easy' on me though because it seriously hurt in a couple of spots, and even though I had huge knots she had to back off. I'll go back in 2 weeks instead of waiting 4, and see if we can't get rid of those knots! She also mentioned lymph massage to help my surgery area!! After the massage I got to enjoy lunch with the hubster at Taco del Mar...I LOVE their 320 calorie burrito. It's huge and filling, yet not too hard on the calorie budget! Took Casey back to work, to do the car switcheroo...ended up doing the car seat switcheroo instead because I seriously could not get his car into reverse! I even tried using both hands, gave up and called Casey...what do ya do besides laugh hysterically at yourself?!?

Oh, and we can't forget the other important lesson that was learned yesterday! We have date night coming up Saturday night. New dress, new shoes...and a strong desire to wear a real bra and ditch the grandma one for a few hours. I didn't have time without children to make it over to Victoria's Secret to spend my gift card and get fitted officially, so I decided to stop in at Target and get a cheap one. Apparently the number 34 and the letter D are not naturally occurring! They had like 3 bras in the entire store that size, and 2 of them were so fugly that I could not bring myself to consider either of them. I settled on the 3rd, and quickly understood why Victoria's Secret is so incredibly popular! And then thanked my in laws for the gift certificate in my head again, since they're not cheap either!

I am missing zumba and my zumba friends like mad right now! I was tempted to go and watch tonight, just so I could see everyone! But I knew that there was zero chance that I could just sit and watch...so I made myself stay home! I've been scrapbooking a lot these last 2 weeks, getting ready for my party Friday night...thus, I've been listening to my ipod a lot lately...it's making me crave exercise! Only 7 more days, and then I'm clear to exercise...can I make it? Who in the world would have ever expected me to miss exercise???? I'm missing that post exercise 'I can conquer the world' feeling...the ability to pig out and burn off those extra calories...pushing myself to do it. Looking forward to conquering my training for the half marathon in May. It will be here before I know it, so I've got to stay on top of that schedule!

I've been slacking in the picture of the day department again...hoping that since recovery is going well, I'll be able to get back on track with all of this! Until tomorrow...