P365 - 2014- Day 334 - We're going to Disney World!

P365 - 2014- Day 334 - We're going to Disney World!

Tonight was the BIG REVEAL.  My Wonderful Husband and I planned this trip in July and have kept it a secret since then.  We wanted to give the kids a little time to get ready and be a part of the packing so tonight was the night.  I wrapped up our magical bands.... in four layers of boxes.... and stuffed the present under the tree earlier today and waited.  The Bear was the first one to notice the box but still we made them wait.  Then the conversation at dinner turned to the box.  What was in it?  Can they open it?  And the guessing and silliness began.  After some guesses and lots of excitement we let them open the present....slowly...to prolong the suspense.  :-)  Their reaction was priceless when they saw the bands.  Disney? We're going to Disney?!  Yes, we are.  We're going to Disney World! :-))

P365 - 2014 - Day 333 - date night xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 333 - date night xo

With three kids sleeping over  at friends' houses, My Wonderful Husband and I got a much deserved (and rare) night out just the two of us.  After dropping everyone off, we went to see The Monkingjay and then went to the Old Causeway for dinner.  Love this guy and so happy to have had a date night.  xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 332 - my scrapbook tree

P365 - 2014 - Day 332 - my scrapbook tree

We never put up our tree this early but for one thing I have been in the spirit and for another it's easier to put up an artificial tree earlier with no fear of it drying out before Christmas.  That right there is what you call a "silver lining". :-)  I have been busy "pinning" Christmas ideas on Pinterest for the past month at least and while I couldn't make all of the decoration changes that I wanted to make (because I am a creature of habit that has a hard time changing things that have memories and meaning... and because changing everything all at once would send a red flag to our credit card company ;-))  I did, however, manage to make a few small changes that gave the tree and the house a bit of a different look.  My neighbor gave me this great burlap tree skirt that she made and I exchanged my usual ribbons for a garland of burlap.  I kept the angel (The Boy is also a creature of habit and has known no other tree topper so requested that she stay) but I still would love a starfish tree topper.....  Some new ornaments this year include a beautiful blue "glass float" ornament that I found and three chalkboard ornaments that the kids were able to write messages on.  We spent a couple of hours going through the ornaments, remembering who made them or where we got them....that is my favorite part of Christmas.  I think I said it before... but a friend of mine described her tree as a "scrapbook" and I love that analogy.  While a beautiful tree of similar themed ornaments looks lovely in pictures (and I am certain that I pinned a few), I wouldn't trade my scrapbook tree for all of the beautiful ornaments in the world.  My tree tells a story....of two people who fell in love and started a family... of the places we have been, the families we came from. Our tree is full of our children's hand prints and faces - they are literally growing on our tree with every passing year.  Our tree is full of memories and I cherish each and every one.  xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 331 - Happy Thanksgiving

P365 - 2014 - Day 331 - Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving 

2014 

xoxo

P365 - 2014 - Day 330 - lights

P365 - 2014 - Day 330 - lights

I love Christmas lights.  I think everything looks better with sparkly lights.  So I was super happy when I drove home from my hair appointment to see the lights on on the island.  I love that I live somewhere that has anchors lit up for Christmas! :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 329 - sweet treats

P365 - 2014 - Day 329 - sweet treats

Some sweet treats were delivered today from near and far to cheer up the patient. :-)  First our neighbor brought My Wonderful Husband some yummy oatmeal cookies and then we got a delivery sent from my sister in law and brother in law - a "Get Whale Soon" cookie bouquet.  Whether friends and family have sent food or good wishes, we feel pretty lucky to have so many people that care.  xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 328 - my first year on "lights duty"

P365 - 2014 - Day 328 - my first year on "lights duty"

Decorating is my sanity....it makes me happy and I can get lost in it.  I can shift things in the house and create a new look...  Sometimes I picture something and have to just start moving things around.  My Wonderful Husband has gotten use to my decorating over the years and has learned to not question me much.  Normally he is my manual labor.  He hangs, I direct.  He does the heavy lift, I supervise.  I am the "idea man", he gets roped into carrying out my plans. ;-)  Since he was injured "on the job", he has been spared my weekend of decorating.  I enlisted the kids' help to bring stuff up and down from under the house.  My weekend of Christmas decorating turned into a Monday of continued decorating.....because it makes me happy and keeps me sane and after the events of the other day I was in need of sanity and Christmas cheer:-)  Now normally the lights are My Wonderful Husband's job, but since he is down the use of one hand and I was in full on decorating mode, I went outside and got to work.  Not to shabby for my first year on "lights duty".

P365 - 2014 - Day 327 - Fall soccer season is over

P365 - 2014 - Day 327 - Fall soccer season is over

The day has finally come... the Fall soccer season is over.  The Princess and her team had a two day tournament this weekend to wrap things up.  They finished third in their flight - MOSA National 2.  The Bear and his team played their last EDP league game, winning 4-2 and clinched first place in their division.  The Boy was actually done last Sunday after his two day tournament.  They finished the season in first place for their flight - MOSA National 2.   With these very cold temperatures the past few weeks, it has been quite chilly sitting on the sidelines so my toes are pretty happy that the season has come to an end....even though I love to watch my kids play.  :-)  An additional bonus is that my porch won't be littered with dirty cleats for awhile....until Spring soccer.  Bring on indoor soccer! :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 326 - beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

P365 - 2014 - Day 326 - beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... even though it isn't Thanksgiving yet.  I never decorate this early but given the week we had, I thought some Christmas cheer was in order.  So after The Princess' soccer tournament this morning I came back and got to work cleaning and decorating.  I really do love Christmas and decorating just makes me happy.

P365 - 2014 - Day 325 - He's home!

P365 - 2014 - Day 325 - He's home!

He's home!  It was a rough 24 hours...a day I would care to not ever relive but it is over and My Wonderful Husband is home.  The surgeon did an amazing job but he does have quite a bit of damage.  He has some healing to do but he came to the right place for that.  There is lots of love therapy coming his way while we have home for the next two months.  He's ours until the start of the spring semester.  It's onine courses from now on and then winter break to get him back in shape. xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 324 - the world turned upside down

P365 - 2014 - Day 324 - the world turned upside down

Day one of being home for break started off normal.... My Wonderful Husband got work done, I went to the gym before heading out to deliver fundraiser wreathes.  While I was gone, he got started on completing the trim in the house.  When I got back, things were looking good - the trim was just about done.  So I grabbed myself a yogurt before getting ready to get the kids off the bus.  That's about the moment when the world turned upside down.  My Wonderful Husband yelled once and then shouted - "I need to go to the hospital right now - please get me a bag full of ice."  In a blur of nerves and adrenaline I grabbed a bag of ice, grabbed my keys, and we jumped in the car and rushed to the emergency room.  He was using a circular saw and it slipped.  Just like that.  It slipped and the world turned upside down.  I got him to the emergency room where they ushered him right past triage and into a bed where they quickly examined and assessed the situation and told us that he would be rushed into surgery immediately.  I believe in the power of angels - I have first hand experienced the difference that angels have made.  This time was no different.  There was an angel certainly holding back the blade of that saw from doing the ultimate damage that I thought had happened at first.  There were angels carrying my car to the emergency room as I sped and swerved through traffic and got there in record time without being pulled over and, if I recall, without hitting one red light on Rt 72.  And there was an angel or two or three or more.... when they told us that the hand specialist was actually on call and would be able to do surgery immediately.  Believe what you want... but I choose to believe that there were angels with us.  They can't stop the bad things from happening.... but they can do their best to make it go smoother.  I am certain they had their work cut our for them in that operating room.  The good thing is that there are angels right here in the flesh as well.  Friends that took our kids, got their homework done, fed them, and kept them safe until I could get back home, family and friends that checked in, sat with me, called, sent texts, and kept me sane through the hours of waiting.  There were the nurses and doctors at the hospital... they were quick and efficient and mostly, kind.  There was the surgeon who I am so thankful was on call - she did an amazing job and was able to save My Wonderful Husband's finger.  Thank you angels.

P365 - 2014 - Day 323 - a much needed Wednesday night dinner together

P365 - 2014 - Day 323 - a much needed Wednesday night dinner together

Some weeks feel longer than others....usually the days that My Wonderful Husband is away for work tend to fly because we are all busy.  But this week, even though we all had more than enough to keep us busy, the three days seemed like three times that amount.  So when he came home from work and The Boy came home from basketball practice, we all sat down to a much needed Wednesday night dinner together.  Ahh...welcome to Thanksgiving break! xo

P365 - 2014 - Day 322 - Washington DC

P365 - 2014 - Day 322 - Washington DC

I love when My Wonderful Husband sends me pictures of the day.  It was a cold and blustery day Tuesday when he took his students into Washington DC.  They toured the International Spy Museum (that is an actually thing...not a punch line to a joke) and then the Capitol.  He didn't get in the picture - instead he took a photo of his students in front of the Capitol.

P365 - 2014 - Day 321 - my two "officers"

P365 - 2014 - Day 321 - my two "officers"

Today was the installation ceremony for the LBI School Student Council.  I am [so glad that the kids' school gives them the opportunity to learn about student government and I am super proud of my two "officers" - The Bear is The President and The Princess is the Secretary.  I am so proud of them for running for office and taking advantage of all of the opportunities their school offers them.  I see big, great things in their futures!! xoxo

P365 - 2014 - Day 320 - friends and soccer

P365 - 2014 - Day 320 - friends and soccer

It was another cold day of soccer.  This time The Princess had her last game of the MOSA season and The Boy had his second day at the MAPS Fall tournament.  (it didn't feel very fall-like with frigid temperatures and even some sleet!)  My Wonderful Husband and I went in two directions - me with The Boy and him with The Princess but when we came together I noticed that the thought behind our photos were similar.... The Princess and her bestie hugging after a tough loss and The Boy and his two best buds who all play up front together and have become quite a force.  :-)  It may have been cold but friends and soccer warm my heart. :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 319 - chock full

P365 - 2014 - Day 319 - chock full

Fall soccer seems to be lasting a long time this year..... This weekend is chock full of games and important ones at that!  Yesterday The Princess' team won which means their next game tomorrow decides their first place standing in MOSA National One.  Today we went in two different directions - The Bear and I went to his game two hours away - his team won putting them one step closer to a first place finish in EDP - MAPS Elite North.  My Wonderful Husband took The Boy and his friend and teammate to their MAPS Fall Challenge Tournament at McGuire Air Force Base.  This is The Boy's teams' first MAPS tournament and even though they lost their two games today they played great and really fought!  Tomorrow My Wonderful Husband and I will swap and go in two directions again - I will take The Boy to the second day of his tournament while My Wonderful Husband takes The Princess to her last game of the season!

P365 - 2014 - Day 318 - fun night

P365 - 2014 - Day 318 - fun night

A fun night for a good cause!!  I "gambled a little" with friends and tried to win at the auction while My Wonderful worked as a volunteer bartender for the night.   I won a bottle of wine and a gift card to Surf Taco.  It was a great time supporting the Long Beach Island Schools and PTA!  Unfortunately we missed The Princess' soccer game - but we were getting updates the whole time and cheered her team's win when we heard!

P365 - 2014- Day 317 - nearing the end

P365 - 2014  - Day 317 - nearing the end

We are nearing the end of Fall soccer.... the nights are dark and cold for practices.  Shorts and t-shirts have been traded for training pants, jackets, and hats.   Instead of beautiful sunsets and rainbows, there were snowflakes.... I love my soccer players and enjoy watching them play.  But with temperatures dipping down into the 30's, I am looking forward to these last few games and tournaments so we can get inside for the winter. :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 316 - "lunch in"

P365 - 2014 - Day 316 - "lunch in"

With My Wonderful Husband working from home this week, we decided to have a "lunch in" instead of a lunch out.   I was so excited to have sushi since it has been awhile that I ordered more than I could eat. So for two days in a row I was able to "lunch in" on delicious sushi and I enjoyed every.single.bite.  Yum

P365 - 2014 - Day 315 -a gateway wreath

P365 - 2014 - Day 315 - a gateway wreath

I have been itching to decorate for Christmas.  I never decorate this early but being back in our home, I really want to get festive.  But I am such a creature of habit and have a habit of feeling bad for "things" that actually don't have feelings.... like Thanksgiving.  Poor, poor Thanksgiving.  The forgotten holiday.  Honestly not one of my favorites but nonetheless I feel bad for it.  Jammed between a holiday full of candy and costumes and a month long extravaganza of decorations - a season if you will.  There in the middle lies poor Thanksgiving with nothing to offer but brown and turkey and full bellies.  So for now I didn't decorate for Christmas just yet.... except for this berry wreath.... it's a gateway wreath just waiting for the go ahead from the turkey.

P365 - 2014 - Day 314 - I actually don't hate Mondays

P365 - 2014 - Day 314 - I actually don't hate Mondays

I actually don't hate Mondays.  Mondays are the one day of the week this fall that there are no soccer practices.  There is time for dinner that isn't rushed and shoveled.  There is time to relax  There is time to get homework done.  The only thing that could make Mondays better would be to have My Wonderful Husband home from work.... So this particular Monday was down right perfect.  My Wonderful Husband worked from home today, I made a yummy new recipe for dinner, the kids got a jump start on the week's homework, and we all had time to relax.  The Boy even took the time after his shower to "style" his hair. ;-) (and he even let me take his picture....)

P365 - 2014 - Day 313 - back in the swing of things

P365 - 2014 - Day 313 - back in the swing of things

Fall Break has come to an end....while it was nice to have a break from rushing, homework, and making lunches, I am actually glad to get back in the swing of things.  I like routine... and with no trip planned this week, I was running out of entertainment.  That can only mean one thing - it's time to go back to school. :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 312 - visit

P365 - 2014 - Day 312 - visit

It was a nice visit with family today.  Good food, conversation, a walk on the beach, and lots of laughs.

P365 - 2014 - Day 311 - finally finished

P365 - 2014 - Day 311 - finally finished

The stairwell is finally finished.  Just in time for our company to arrive.... We work best under pressure apparently. :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 310 - almost finished

P365 - 2014 - Day 310 - almost finished

It's been awhile since I talked about the house saga...you know that project that was "no big deal" and would take "a couple months"?  Yeah, that one.  I am not going to rehash it all... it's all been said and frankly I have moved on from my anger and frustration.  We have a home, three healthy kids, we're blessed beyond measure and if this whole thing taught me anything it was to not sweat the small stuff.  As it turns out, paint is the small stuff.  My Wonderful Husband got most of the painting done quite some time ago, but the stairwell was a project that he just didn't have time to tackle in between work and kids sports.  If you know me....you know that it is a great accomplishment that I have patiently waited for this job to get done.  I finally started ignoring the wall up the stairs as I walked up there.  It's amazing how one can do that. ;-)  I had full confidence that My Wonderful Husband would get this done when he had time. It was the last hold over... the last reminder of this "no big deal" project.  So I was super excited when he told me that he was going to get it done when he got home from work this week.  With a rainy day and no soccer practices, it was the perfect day to get it done and paint over the memory of the house renovation from he%$.  It's almost done, one coat finished, then the railing to go and it already looks great!  I'll talk to him about bead board another day I guess....... ;-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 309 - "Mom - 3, Fall Break - 0"

P365 - 2014 - Day 309 -  "Mom -3, Fall Break - 0"

Another day of Fall break - the boys were still at their friends' house after a sleepover and The Princess and her friend were still here after a sleepover.  With just the girls in the house, I got a ton of cleaning and redecorating done.   Once everyone was back to the respective homes, I even got "Thank yous" from the kids for fun sleepovers and a fun day after..... I would say that after today it is "Mom -3, Fall Break -0".... ;-)  With a rainy day at home coming up, I hope I can keep my status around here...:-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 308 - Sahara Sams

P365 - 2014 - Day 308 - Sahara Sams

We may not be escaping to someplace warmer this week off from school.  But this Mom is two for two planning fun days for the kids.  (yes that Mom of the Year medal was surely be on the way... ;-))  Today's "week off from school activity to keep the kids busy" was a trip to Sahara Sams - an indoor water park - with friends.  They had a blast!  Afterward this group had dinner together before some of the boys headed off to soccer practice.  But the day doesn't end there... we are actually headed into "Three for Three" category with The Bear and The Boy sleeping over with friends and The Princess having a friend sleep over here.  It was about dividing and conquering to ensure that mom of the year medal. ;)

P365 - 2014 - Day 307 - my crew

P365 - 2014 - Day 307 - my crew

It was the first day of Fall Break and while we don't have big plans to escape the current cold for a warmer destination and My Wonderful Husband still has to work, the kids and I started the week with a movie.  We all got some laughs watching Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  It was a nice first day of break with my crew.

P365 - 2014 - Day 306 - The Littlest Leonard does.not.mess.around

P365 - 2014 - Day 306 - The Littlest Leonard does.not.mess.around

Today was supposed to be a day with three games and two parents in two directions.  I was supposed to miss The Boy's last game because I had to get two other kids to their games.  However, after the torrential rain yesterday, our home fields were closed which cancelled two of the scheduled games we had leaving just The Boy's last game at Jackson this afternoon.  It was freezing and windy and I was wrapped in a blanket and still shivering but I got to see The Boy and his team win against Jackson to clinch second place.  Now we just need to wait for a few more game outcomes to see if they got first place!  Super proud of my little bull!! Watch out world... The Littlest Leonard does.not.mess.around.  ;-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 305 - Thankful Basket

P365 - 2014 - Day 305 - Thankful Basket

While I try to be thankful every day of the year and encourage my kids to be thankful every day of the year, each November I make a greater effort to give thanks.  This year, we have a "Thankful Basket".... the object is to write down at least one "Thankful Thought" (or more) each day and drop it in the basket.  I hope to see this basket overflowing with thanks by Thanksgiving.  We will take time that day to read each of the "Thankful Thoughts" from the basket.  Bring on the holiday season! :-)