I know, I know, I've been dormant for over a month. We have been a very busy family and forgive me now for not posting any photos this go 'round. Although I haven't taken many, I do have a few cute pics to add to the blog one of these days.
So let me catch everyone up. In January, I celebrated my 36th year on this earth. I truly feel blessed with all the things that God has provided me thus far in my life. A wonderful husband, three healthy boys, the best mom and sis that anyone could ask for, and a long list of friends that I never imagined I'd have. My dear friend Kara drove through torrential rain to spend the day with me and for that I am so grateful. We enjoyed a day of wine tasting and relaxation, combined with quite a few laughs. Words cannot express just how lucky I feel to have this crazy girl in my life. She certainly brings out the best in me!
The following week provided an opportunity for me to interview for a promotion. I have struggled with the decision to "grow" for the past few years, especially now that our family is complete. It's a topic that brings many arguments and grief between Jim and I as a promotion would most certainly mean relocation. After battling the decision for several months, I breached the subject with Jim, and we both agreed that if I was offered the position we would move. Wow! This was a big step for us. Although I was not offered the position, it was a great opportunity to brush up on my interviewing skills and to spread my wings. In the end I am satisfied with where we are at in our lives and am grateful to have such a wonderful and supportive husband.
On Saturday the 6th we joined my friend Stephanie and her husband John for the annual Crab Feed at the fair grounds. OMG - it was literally all you can eat crab legs and they were mighty yummy. In addition, we enjoyed wine and hot fudge sundaes for dessert. It's always fun to spend time with friends....especially ones that make you laugh hysterically and forgive you for any faults you might have.
Superbowl Sunday brought a house full of friends. We were joined by Phillip and Kim, along with Eric and John from the fire station, to watch the big game. In addition, we planned a last minute sleepover with our friends Paul and Kara and their two boys Eli and Noah so they joined us for the game as well. We all ate way too much food and after several attempts, I failed at convincing either of the ladies to join me at the gym....so I went solo. The boys absolutely enjoyed their evening with Eli and Noah and they all slept on the floor "camp out style" in their room. It's so funny. Eli and Noah AND Joshua and Dominic talk about each other all the time. Anytime I mention going to Bakersfield the boys want to tag along to go to Eli and Noah's house. It's funny how "Kara" to me is "Eli and Noah's mom" to my boys. It's like we lose our identities when we have friends with kids who are friends with ours. (I hope that makes sense). We all certainly enjoy the Haushalter family and look forward to visits with them whenever we get the opportunity.
February 8 marked our 8 year Wedding Anniversary. It is still hard for me to believe that what began on April 19, 1998 with a fate meeting at the Holiday Inn Select would turn into a lifelong journey with the most wonderful husband I could ever imagine having....and to boot we have three beautiful little boys to share this adventure with. How truly blessed I am. Jim and I enjoyed a nice lunch and some one on one time, but truth be told we were both preparing for the life changing event that would occur the following day.
I questioned whether or not to post the following event to my blog, but it is a part of me; a decision that I have been debating since my teens in one way or another; one that Jim has supported. Many of you may already know this, but my sister and I were two and a half months premature. Back in 1974, medical standards aren't what they are today so it was a rarity that we were afforded enough care to survive. Pattie had a hole in her heart and I had underdeveloped lungs. We both were rushed into emergency surgery to correct these deficiencies. God bless the surgeons that were able to give us life but, unfortunately, she and I have carried visible scars our entire lives; mine much more visible and image impacting than hers. In addition, after giving birth to three beautiful little (er, big) boys, my body was far from what it was before. I've spent the last five months diligently working out, cutting calories, and living in the mind set that I wanted my pre-baby body back, and after getting there in weight and clothing size standards, the appearance standards I imagined were not there. In fact, they were almost worse than before I started. So, enter the life changing event that I entered into on February 9; exactly one week ago; cosmetic surgery.
Although I won't share all the details, I am very pleased with the results....and will be even more pleased once all the swelling disappears and wounds heal. My hope is that this "cosmetic" approach will correct not what others see, but what I see in myself. Confidence and satisfaction in myself is the goal I am/was seeking. Enough said.
This past Saturday brought another visitor to our house; Mickey Nana! There's only one person that my boys are excited to see and talk about every single day and it just so happens that she is the most important woman in my life; my mom. Thank you mom for entertaining the boys for the day and taking the burden off of me. They enjoyed playing at the park and their jaunt through the cemetery, as I'm sure you did as well. We all love you so much.
So it's now February 17, my first day back to work after 11 days off, and despite the myriad of tasks and projects on my list, I am looking forward to normalcy again. Thank you to all my friends an family who have helped out in the past week and more. I love you all and feel so blessed to have you.
