The Real Life of a Mom With 2 Kids

9.10.2009

Labor Day Weekend

So our Labor Day weekend was pretty uneventful – and when I think of Labor Day, I think of the last weekend to have a BBQ with lots of friends and/or family and just hanging out. You know, the real last weekend of the summer type of thing. Well, that did not happen for us. Long story short – Brad got called out to work at 2pm on Saturday and we didn’t see him again until 3pm on Monday! He worked 49.5 hours straight. I’m so glad that my sister, her boyfriend, and my niece came up on Sunday – because I probably would have gone insane. That was the only thing that saved me that weekend. The kids didn’t sleep well – which usually always happens to me, and I was pretty much at the end of my rope. And I know there are plenty of moms out there that do this exact same thing and even some yet, that have way worse than I do – but it’s hard just the same. And for those moms out there that don’t know what it’s like to have your hubby away – the ones that their husbands come home every night at the same time and leave the same time every morning, with no overtime, etc. Cut us moms a little slack, it’s hard work, and call us to make sure that we’re doing ok, and if there is a little stress to our voices – tell us to come on over! It really makes a difference. So this is my shout out to all those single moms out there and to the ones who do this type of thing all the time – YOU’RE AWESOME AND YOU DESERVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!! Keep up the good work.

My 30th Birthday

So for my birthday, I really wanted to visit my friend Ashlee in Seattle. I thought it would be fun to have a girl’s weekend, and go shopping and just girly stuff. I left Friday around noon and got to her house in Bellingham around 3:30. Because Brad and I had to reschedule our anniversary trip – I was actually gone two weekends in a row from the kids! After I got there we chatted for a while and then headed off to get spa pedicures. Oh, so nice and Ashlee even treated me – I felt like a princess!! After that we got dinner and went back to her house to watch a movie. Then on Saturday we left for the outlet malls in Tulalip – it was like heaven opening their gates – pure bliss!! 110 stores, a Banana Republic outlet, a Coach outlet – anything that you could dream of was there. Brad told me to spend some money for my birthday, being that it was my 30^th and that I don’t normally spend money on myself – it is always going towards the kids. So all in all, I got 12 different pieces – lots of sweaters, shirts and a great pair of jeans! I can’t wait to go back!!!! Then we headed on down to Seattle, checked into our hotel downtown and got ready for dinner. Because surprisingly enough we shopped for over 4.5 hours – hard to believe, I know J We ate at PF Changs for dinner, and I had never been there before, so that was a great treat. Yummy! Then on Sunday we walked around at Pike Place market and around downtown and then it was time for me to leave. It was a great weekend.

And I have to add this part, because I haven’t really been able to complain about it to anyone – so I will do that here. On my actual birthday – I got a lot of people wishing me happy birthday – which was great and my dad and sister (and you, Jill) sent me a card – but other than that, no one really did anything for me. Well, I shouldn’t say that – Brad took me out to dinner, and yes, that does count for something. But he didn’t get me a card, and didn’t get me a cake (which is what I had really wanted, because I LOVE cake). And my own mother didn’t even get my card to me in time, and on top of that my mother in law forgot my birthday. My 30^th birthday – I mean, yeah it’s a birthday and most years that’s what I think – but it was my 30^th! That’s a milestone, if you ask me. My sister in law didn’t call and no card from her either – I guess it was just a little disappointing to think that the people that are the closest to me didn’t even bother to do anything. So it’s a really good thing that I did go to Seattle!

My pretty pink toes after the pedicures!

Dinner at PF Changs.

Walking around Pike Place Market.

Our Anniversary Trip

Brad and I were finally able to go on our anniversary trip to Coeur d’Alene on the 22^nd of August. It was so much fun and a much needed vacation. This is the first time that we’d ever been on a trip without the kids since before they were born. And now that I’m thinking about it, we never really took a vacation since our honeymoon – so it was only fitting to go back to Coeur d’Alene for our trip!

We dropped the kids off with Brad’s parents on Saturday morning (which that’s an entirely different story in itself) and left for Spokane, which was our first stop. It was so great to be back in Spokane (for those of you who don’t know, I lived there for 2 ½ years while I was going to nursing school). We stopped by Riverfront park and walked around – which is where Brad proposed to me and ate lunch while we were there.

Then, it was off to Coeur d’Alene. We got there at about 3pm and we checked into our room at the Resort – pure beauty!! When we made reservations, we were able to get a spa package and a dinner cruise package. So right after we arrived, it was time for our spa services. We both decided to have the hot stone massage done – and if you are ever thinking about doing this, I highly recommend it! It was so relaxing and I could have gone for another hour! When we got back to our room they had champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us because they knew it was for our anniversary – sweet! After that we got ready for dinner and ate at a Mexican restaurant. We were so exhausted from the night before (the kids didn’t sleep well), driving and being completely relaxed from the massage – we ended up heading to bed at 9:30.

Sunday, we were supposed to rent jet skis and lay out by the lake – but of course, the weather didn’t cooperate and it was really windy and the water was super choppy. So we had to change our plans a little. We walked around the pier on the lake, and ended up going to a movie – The Ti.me Tra.veler’s Wife – it was awesome. Then that night, we went on our dinner cruise – and I would suggest that to anyone as well! Overall, we had a great time – wishing that we would have stayed just one more night. But it was great to reconnect again and have some alone time!

This is the resort and this stupid picture won't post the correct way - this is like the 5th time I've tried to load this picture - so there it is!

The view of the lake

Our dinner cruise

8.15.2009

It's Only Been a Month

I haven't been very good about blogging lately. It's been almost a month since my last post - does that sound like an addict in recovery or what? We've just had a really busy summer and I don't have as much time as I used to for blogging. But here is where you can catch up :)

Last time I posted anything was after Josh's first summer camp. Since then we had a family reunion to go to - which the kids loved even though they got very, very dirty. And I have no pictures to show from that - sad, yes, I know. Josh had his 2nd summer camp - which was a summer campout theme and we went up to Boulder Cave (yes, again). Brad's grandpa (his mom's dad) passed away on the 14th (he was 91 years old), so there was a graveside service for him that we (well Brad did and then the kids and I went afterwards) attended. We had to reschedule our anniversary trip due to that, and I only mention that because now we're going next weekend - I'm so excited. Oh, what else - Brad and I had our 6 year anniversary on the 2nd of August. Josh stayed a couple of nights and Grandma and Grandpa's house. We've been heading up to different campsites up in the woods just for the day for picnics and cooling off in the river. And then we just got done with Josh's 3rd summer camp - which was swimming themed. And now we're up to speed.

Here are some things that are happening in the coming weeks: Brad and I are taking our anniversary trip to Coeur d'Alene next weekend, I'm going to Seattle to visit my friend Ashlee for my birthday the following weekend, and Josh starts school on the 14th of September. Yikes, that sounds like a lot!

Here are some pictures taken over the last month. Hopefully I won't get this far behind again!! To all of you reading this and that blog - please leave comments and keep blogging yourselves because it helps me to do the same! Thanks.

Josh's class