Fantabulous Weekend Recap!

I love when God makes everything fall into place--even when somewhat trivial things workout.  While some might find it silly to attribute what I'm about to write to divine intervention, I firmly believe God is a part of our every move even if we do have free will.  Therefore, I thank God for my wonderful weekend!

So...  Friday, I took a half-day in order to take Kailee to the doctor and be able to get to a get-together by 5.  When I got home. Brady told me that he was taking the kids to Ennis to spend time with the grandparents.  My husband wanted to give me the gift of time to myself without the responsibility of taking care of the kids.  That's a pretty awesome gift!  So kudos and thanks to you, Brady (even though I know he has NEVER read our blog and likely won't see this)!

Now, this sounds great anyway, but wait, it gets better.  At dinner with the girls, none other than one of my BFFs, Shannon surprises us all by showing up all the way from Waco!  Translation: Houseguest (haha, funny since her last name is Guest).  Even with the kids home, she would have a place to sleep at my casa but without the kids, it meant we could stay up late--woohoo, we made it until 10pm!--sleep in (yeah that didn't really happen) and then go to brunch with all the girls!  While yes, all of this could happen with the kids, it would have made the logistics a little more difficult and would have made it a lot less fun for me having to entertain 2 kids at Cafe Brazil on Saturday morning while trying to socialize with my friends.  I was even able  to catch a movie with my friend Kalea (not to be confused with my toddler Kailee) before picking up the kids.  That certainly would not have happened had the kids been around because Brady had to work on Saturday.

I almost cried at the culmination of these 24 hours, not because I was sad but because it was exactly what I needed.  What a great gift!  On a side note, you know you are a mom when you miss your kids even while totally taking advantage of the fact that they are not in your care.  I needed the time, but I could not wait to see my babies!

The rest of the weekend has been fun too.  I ate some great seafood at Flying Fish in Addison on Saturday night and got to enjoy another great week of Sunday school this morning.  Today we briefly talked about what people consider miracles and how some people ignore the little things and don't consider them miracles.  That is why I thank God for the weekend.  To some, it may not seem a miracle, but to me everything working out as it did was a miracle.  I'll take all the little miracles I can get!

Kailee's 18 month stats

Let me begin by saying that Kailee must really not want to get her 15 month nor her 18 month shots.  We have had to reschedule her 15 month appointment 3 times and today marks reschedule #4.  As she was checked out, we learned she has Sinusitis and an ear infection.  Translation: no shots today!  So we've rescheduled once again for February 10th for an ear check and shots.

On a positive note, our little girl is growing nicely.  She weighs in at 21.5 pounds (10th percentile) and is 31.25 inches (38th percentile).  She's still small on weight but I have been thinking she seemed to be getting taller.  She's not the shortest in her class anymore.

Kailee will officially be 18 months on Sunday and I CANNOT believe how fast time is flying by.  Seems like yesterday she was an itty-bitty baby.

L-J's Review of Something Borrowed

I was looking for some fun, fast chick-lit and this book delivered.  It was fast-paced, entertaining and fun.  I loved all the supporting characters, especially Ethan in England and Hillary.  My only complaint is how it all came together rather quickly at the end.  I also feel like it left the reader hanging, wanting more.  Perhaps that was the author's intention as I'm fairly certain Something Blue is a sequel.

The main thing I can say about this book is that it's one of those where you just love the supporting characters.  I loved them more than I loved the main character.  The main character was kind of blah.  Don't get me wrong, I rooted for Rachel throughout, but she was blah nevertheless.

I look forward to seeing this book brought to life in the movies this spring/summer.  I am curious to see how Kate Hudson pulls off the role of Darcy though I DEFINITELY agree with the choice of Ginnifer Goodwin as Rachel.  My only reservations about Kate Hudson is that she is absolutely adorable and such a lovable character is all of her movies.  We'll see if she can pull off the girl we all hate.

L-J's Review of Barbara Walter's Audition

Barbara Walter's is such a fascinating human being.  I have been listening to her Monday afternoon radio program off and on for a few years now and used to watch 20/20 on Friday nights after TGIF at my great-grandparents' house.


Before beginning to read the memoir, I read a review in which the critic basically said it was a name-dropping extravaganza. Well, hello! She's been in news-casting FOREVER. That's half the reason for reading her autobiography; at least it was half of why I read it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though she often went off on tangents and some parts seemed to be random ramblings of memories.  I did not mind it because I feel it's how I remember things in my life.


Overall, it was a fascinating read.  I'm a fan!

L-J's Review of Mini-Shopaholic

While it was not my favorite of the shopaholic books--nothing tops the first one of course--I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Some of the funniest moments of the series happen in this book--like everyone performing at the baptism to make the priest have to wait for Luke to arrive.  I just love Becky and all her antics.  It was a fun fast read.

Based on the way it ended, I'm hoping there will be a continuation of the series.  If so, I certainly will read it!

L-J's review of Notorious Royal Marriages: A Juicy Journey Through Nine Centuries of Dynasty, Destiny, and Desire

This book, Notorious Royal Marriages: A Juicy Journey Through Nine Centuries of Dynasty, Destiny, and Desire, is a non-fictional look at various European Royal marriages throughout history.  It was a fun, engaging read and is something I'd recommend to anyone interested in what can only be called royal gossip.  As an avid fan of current celebrity gossip, of course I'm also obsessed with historical gossip.

My only complaint is that my own fault.  I have already read much on Henry the VIII and his 6 wives, thus making those 6 chapters a little boring for me.  

After reading this book, I discovered a trilogy of movies about one of the couples included, Franz Josef I of Austria and his wife Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sissi).  All three of the movies can be found on Netflix instant play right now.  I already have watched the first 2.  Unsurprisingly, the relationship between the two is much more loving and romantic in the movie than in the historical accounts, but I'm enjoying it nonetheless.

I realize this is not an in-depth review but I will say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, could not wait for a chance to continue reading it, and now plan to read another book by the same author: Royal Affairs: A Lusty Romp Through the Extramarital Adventures That Rocked the British Monarchy.

                                                  

L-J's Book review of Pretty Little Liars

I stumbled upon a fun TV series last summer called Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family and it became my immediate guilty pleasure.  I was intrigued from the beginning and when I discovered it was based on a book series, of course I had to read them.

I have read all 8 books and highly recommend them.  They are suspenseful, enticing, intriguing, delicious, and satisfying.  You wouldn't think a series (other than maybe Harry Potter or Twilight) could successfully linger on for 8 books but this one does.  Each book is different but keeps you wanting more.  The surprising twists and turns kept me going for weeks.  I could not put these books down once I started one.  

The TV series follows the books somewhat though with many changes.  I like some of the changes but do not understand some of the others.  Regardless, I cannot stop watching the show.  It's pretty awesome.

Another insulin pump convo with Gavin

Gavin and I had another conversation about my insulin pump yesterday.  It went something like this:

Gavin: Mommy, did you take your medicine?  The one that keeps you from dying?

Me: Yes I am still taking it.

Gavin: Why did you take it off?  Remember when you took it off a long time ago?  I told you not to.

Me: Sweetie, that was when I had to change out the insulin cartridge.

Gavin: Are you going to die?

Me: No, Baby!  I promise I will take my medicine so I can stay here with you.  You don't need to worry.  I promise you!

Gavin: Good.

Poor Gavin!  I don't want him to be worrying about this so young.  I always worried that something was going to happen to my mom and/or Dean.  I used to have to get "one more hug" over and over again before I'd leave or let them leave.  I did not overcome that issue until I was an adult.  I don't want Gavin to be inhibited by fear like I always was.

Where a song can take you...

It's funny how hearing a song can take you back to a moment or time period in your life.  For example...

Madonna's Like a Prayer takes me back to figure skating at Plaza of the Americas around the age of 6.

Bryan Adam's Everything I do (I do it for you) takes me back to riding around in a babysitter's car (Erin) with Sarah Kirby.

Celine Dion and Alannis Morisette take me back to middle school.

I swear,  Boyz II Men songs, and a lot of Green Day songs take me back to Camp Sweeney dances every summer.

Pretty much anything by *NSYNC or BSB takes me back to high school and early college.

Nelly's Hot in Herre and Ludacris's What's yo fantasy take me back to college.

Usher's Yeah takes me back to the summer before I met Brady

Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway takes me back to when Brady and I first got together.  It was playing on the radio when Brady was driving on our first date.

Ciara's Oh takes me back to the summer Brady and I spent in Vermont...

Nick Lachey's What's left of me takes me back to when Gavin was a baby (it was played all the time that summer, if I remember correctly).

Flo Rida's Low and Jordan Sparks's No air take me back to the spring of house hunting and moving

There are many more I could reference.  It's so crazy how you can hear a song and it just transports you back in time.  I love it!

Gavin's reaction to Mommy's insulin pump

This morning, Gavin saw me changing out my insulin pump cartridge and we had this conversation:

Gavin: Mommy!!!! I don't want that medicine.
Me: It's not for you, baby.  It's for me, don't worry.
Gavin: Why are you taking that?
Me: Well, Mommy has to have her insulin for her diabetes or else she would die.
Gavin: And then when you get better you can stop?
Me: No, diabetes doesn't go away. I have to take it forever or else I would die. Cousin Sydney has to take insulin like Mommy too.
Gavin: But why did God make you have it?
Me: I don't know but I'm sure he has his reasons.
Gavin: God!!! Why did you make Mommy have this????
Me: Gavin, don't be mad at God.  I know he has his reasons.
Gavin: Mommy, it's okay to be mad about it.

Later he told me that only girls get diabetes (because he recognized a pattern that Mommy and Sydney are girls).  He also got worried about catching it.  Thanks to help from my mom, he felt better when I explained that some people develop diabetes like some people have to have glasses.  It's not something you can catch from someone.

I had pretty much sheltered him from my diabetes but perhaps now is the time to involve him more so he can  understand.  I pray everyday that neither of my children develop diabetes.  I don't wish the this on anyone.  Not that it's a bad thing to live with--I don't remember not having diabetes--but I pray my kids have healthy, blessed lives.  There certainly are worse things to live with.

The things kids learn from each other...

I am sure Gavin has taught his friends good and bad things but it always amuses me when he picks up things from others.  I recognize the things we say of course, but always ask where he learned something that I know we don't really say.

Today after school I heard him saying "Holy Guacamole."  I asked him where he got that saying and he said his friend Ethan said it first.  I think he was worried he'd get in trouble for saying it (already at 4, he is VERY aware that there are good words and bad words).  I thought it was adorable and now will try to say that instead of my usual "Holy crap." (or worse).

After this conversation he said, "Do you want to know what word we learned today at school?  Oooh-la-la!"  He was so proud to tell me.  I'm not too sure how glad Daddy is that he likes to say that, but I think it's pretty darn cute.  See, Mom, I'm working on my language too :).

Christmas 2010!

So I realized I haven't had time to share our Christmas experience...  Well, it was a busy one!  Brady had to work Christmas Eve (hence all the photos I took while waiting for him to arrive at my parents).  The highlight of the presents for Kailee was a pink shopping cart (which both kids now fight over).  For Gavin, I don't even remember what was his big present of the evening.  For me, it was a Barnes & Noble Nook!  I was SHOCKED!  I had told my mom months ago that I did not want one (because I read using the Barnes & Noble App on my iPhone).  Recently though, I had been thinking I kinda wanted one but had not said anything to my mom.  Apparently, Dean really pushed for her to get it for me and I'm so glad he did!  I also got a lot of B&N gift cards to download lots of books!  So fun!  I've already read a book and will likely finish another before going back to work on Monday.  Here's a pic from Christmas Eve:

After celebrating at my mom's, we went home to "wait/prepare" for Santa's visit to our house.   Look at what a nice job Santa did:

Christmas morning was fun of course!  Here are the kids with their gifts:

After celebrating at our house, my parents and Gran went home to get ready for Aunt Ann and Uncle Lloyd's celebration.  We were able to stop by and at least see everyone on our way to Brandy, Brady's sister's house.  At our final celebration, we played a fun pass the present game and I luckily ended up with a $50 Starbucks Gift Card (Thanks, Brandy!!!!) which I've already begun to enjoy! :)  Before leaving for the night, we did capture one decent family pic on Christmas (Thanks Lithia for taking a bunch despite Gavin's lack of enthusiasm for it).  This year I'll be more diligent about getting pics of our little family unit!  Here's the one we got: