Mommy Makeover Day

It was Mommy Makeover Day at Avery's school. I went into this not having the first idea what this would bring, but SURE that Avery wanted me there. I made arrangements to be gone from work and headed out. The event was from 1:30-2:00 which is funny to me because it takes me 50 minutes to drive there - 30 minutes for the makeover - and 50 minutes back to work. Nevertheless, I laughed and went. Avery was so excited that I was going to get to come.

As I pulled into Avery's school, I was amazed at the number of cars. I love that his school has a high percentage of parent participation. They are able to do some cool things with the kids because of this. As a working mom (and dad, for that matter), we don't get to do EVERYTHING we'd like to do at the school. We have to pick and choose the events that we attend. For example, today is Field Day. We can't do it ... Friday, is "Ranger Science" - we can't do that either. Not this time. But a week from Friday is Popsicles with Pop. Don will be there. Events with a specific parent focus, we never miss.

I got my visitor sticker and headed to Avery's classroom. He was SO happy to see me. He is so proud of his classroom and his area. He's always eager to show me all of the things he's done. On each table, there was a platter filled with lotions, barettes, hair-ties, mirrors ... all the things you need to be beautiful. We were told to bring our own make-up, so I had my full bag with me!

Avery started by brushing my hair. He was so gentle. He talked about how his combing made my hair look very pretty.


Next, he rubbed lotion on my arms.


After that, he put make-up on me. He did amazingly well. I, being the adventurous mom that I am, even let Avery attempt to put mascara on me. He got all but one big glob on my eyelashes. No one could believe that I was brave enough to let him even try to put a stick near my eye!

After the make-up it was time for hair accessories, Avery loved putting the accessories in. I left with a scrunchie in the back of my hair, a head band, and 4 barrettes.



As the picture above was taken, he was giving me a shoulder massage. Avery is my compassionate child, he loves doing things for other people. Look at how proud he is rubbing my shoulders. Can't you just see it on his face? Ohhhhhh ... he's such a sweetheart.

The day ended with a song about Mother's from the whole class.


We love mothers, we love mothers,
Yes, we do! Yes, we do!
Mother's are for hugging,
and they are for kissing.
We love moms!
We love moms!

There was one child who didn't have a mom come to Mommy Makeover. My heart broke for him. He was so incredibly sad. A teacher from another class came in and asked him to make her over, but you could tell he really didn't want too. I felt so bad for him.

We have really tried to let Avery know "why" we can't come to everything, but if it is a special event just for Mom's and Dad's - you better believe we'll be there.

I had such a good time with "just" Avery. Rarely do we get time to ourselves. He was so proud of how he had done me up. I was amazed at the mom's who ran to the bathroom to wash everything off, or quickly took out their clips as they ran out the door.

Not me. I came back to work just like I was. Didn't change a thing. Not even the glob of mascara on my face. Because in the life of one 5 year old boy today, I was the most beautiful mom in the world.

HBD Don and A List of Character

Happy Birthday, Don!
First of all, I'll have to say that I can't believe you are 40. If you're 40, then I have to be ... well, let's not even talk about that! ... Happy Birthday to the best husband in the world - my best friend, my soulmate, the person that takes care of me - keeps me safe, makes me laugh, and shares every up and down in my life. You are the best and I love you unconditionally ... Happy Birthday!

I read this list today and thought it spoke to the person that I strive to be everyday. And, moreover, it spoke to the kind of people that I want to surround myself with.

I want to be a person ...

Who cannot be bought;
Whose word is their bond;
Who puts character above wealth;
Who possesses opinions and a will;
Who is larger than my vocation;
Who does not hesitate to take chances;
Who will not lose my individuality in a crowd;
Who will be as honest in small things as in great things;
Who will not make compromise with wrong;
Whose ambition is not confined to my own selfish desires;
Who will not say I do it “because everybody else does it;”
Who is true to my friends through good report and evil report, in adversity as well as prosperity;
Who does not believe that shrewdness, cunning, and hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success;
Who is not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular;
Who can say “no” with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says “yes.”


Till next time!

Lucky Me

For some reason tonight, I've had on my mind how incredibly lucky I am to have my sweet little family.

Don is such an incredible husband. I can't even begin to name all of the wonderful things he does for us. His sacrifice is far beyond the call of husbandly duty - and all so that we can have and do fun, fun things and live the life that we always wanted. He is honest when I need it and comforting when I need it. He is my very best friend, my true love, and an example for me every day.

Avery ... sweet little Avery. He is such a compassionate child. He is kind and gentle, sweet and calm ... He is a light in my life. His personality is so much like mine as a child, I can identify with his tendencies and love him for his goodness. He is a little boy who loves to play with trucks and who has developed a love for the show "Dirty Jobs." He wants to be a train engineer, an ice truck driver, a monorail driver, and a drummer. I can't wait to see what he will become, but whatever it is, he will do it well. That's just Avery.

Piper is, well, I just laugh when I think about Piper. She is demanding and bossy, is obsessive about brushing her teeth and washing her hands, loves to dress up and talk about her boyfriend (Evan) - she is the perfect little girl and I love every inch of her. She is everything that I ever wanted to be but was too shy or too intimidated. She is my little best friend, as she rarely lives my side. She will be a blessing to many people and I can't wait to see all that she does.

I am so incredibly thankful and grateful for such a great family. I guess Valentine's Day has me considering these things. Looking at Don, Avery and Piper makes me appreciate all that God has done for me and how he has brought me through the fire and out safely on the other side!

My Valentines wish for every friend is that you will find the same love for the people in your life. If you don't have them in your life now - search until you find them. It is SO worth it ...

Happy Valentines Week :)

New Year's Resolution(s)

(1) Lose weight ... Laugh if you will. I vow to shed the 20 pounds that have found me since the birth of my first child. I'm down 3 already. Don is down 10. We've adapted a healthy eating lifestyle, not a diet ... because we all know that a "diet" is a death sentence, right? I can do it, and I am giving myself until mid-April to do so!!!

(2) Take care of me. I simply don't. Rarely do I do anything for myself. That needs to change. I'll be a better person. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter ... I just do things for others and then at the end of the day when I'm too exhausted to do anything else - I remember me.

(3) Be a better (more consistent) blogger. Writing cures the soul. I write as "a job" so I rarely write for enjoyment or for therapy! Kind-of like the painter whose house needs painting!

That's it. Not too overwhelming, no sense writing the ones I've already broken in the last 15 days!!!

Yeah to my husband for negotiating the Blue Devils move to Pro-Mark. Awesome job. Very very very cool :)

Lots of lots-ofs

First things first - we leave for Disney in 13 days. I apologize with the continuous countdown, but you only have to endure it for the next two weeks. Then, that will be quickly replaced with the hundreds of photos. See ... it gets better!!! It is a definite toss-up to see who at my house is most excited. Don is beside himself with planning which is a complete change for me who usually has to dominate all things that do with scheduling. I am completely OCD + when it comes to controlling agendas. However, I have had no time to do this and he has taken control beautifully :) Avery and Piper (thanks to YouTube) know every detail about every ride, every attraction, every parade. They have watched hours upon hours of videos with their dad preparing. I have watched none fearing that it will ruin the first-time experience for me. (I've been there before, but Avery was 6 weeks old and I have no memory of it at all. I can remember riding "It's a Small World" and that really is the only memory I have. Blame it on postpartum!)

Thanksgiving is Thursday - we are staying at our place. I'm cooking all the works and we plan to just eat and be merry all day. We're going to start with homemade pumpkin bread for breakfast while we watch the Macy's parade - then just lounge all day. Well, everyone else will lounge while I cook. Don has been out of town a lot lately, so I'm looking forward to all of us being in one house!

Winter season is starting up soon. Don's working with two groups and I'm working with one. Fun times ahead :) I can't wait to get started ... taking a year off was a good move for me. And, teaching with Drew Farmer - how much more fun could that be?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS!!!

My Birthday

Today's my 34th birthday ... I really don't know where the time has gone. It certainly does fly by, and it's seeming to get faster each year :)

Today, the first words I heard were a whisper of "Happy birthday, Mom" from little Avery. What a sweet little child, and sweet little words to wake up too!

I don't think I've ever been really materialistic. I'm a pretty low-maintenance type of girl, but I've always loved getting a birthday present. Who doesn't, I guess? But, I can honestly say, that since the birth of my kids. Anything from them is more present than money could ever buy. Avery's words this morning were worth gold to me! "I love you" words from them are diamonds. Their sweet smiles and the sound of their laughter is more precious than rubies.

I am rich ... the richest 34 year old you'll ever see.