Tickeled Pink!!!

The shower for Isabelle went wonderful!!! There was just the right amount of people where you felt like you got to spend time and talk with everyone (of course there is never enough time!) The food was delicious, the view was gorgeous and best of all Belle was showered with tons of wonderful gifts and lots of pink! Here are some pics from the great day!

Mom, Ashley and I

Kylena, Me and Ashley (they are both preggers with baby girls, can't wait!!!)

The Amazing Diaper cake that a lady from my mom's school made, it was one of the best I have ever seen!

My favorite cake! I LOVE my new cake place, I want a reason to go have them make cakes every weekend!

Mother to be at 32 weeks!

Ashley and I (she was wearing heels, I was wearing flats! haha)

Mom, Aunt Fran, Ashley, Amanda and I

Fun but busy weekend! I was SO tired this morning I could barely wake up! Back to work today :)

18 Months

Dear Ann Mason,

 Words cannot express the way I love you, the way I cherish having a daughter, the way you have changed my life and want to make me a better mother and woman. It is hard for me to believe that my baby is 18 months old, it just seems so surreal when I look at your long legs and hear your sweet words that your growing up so fast.

You are in the 78% for height! ha! You are already wearing 24 months and will shortly be in 2T, that amazes me. You grow out of clothes at the speed of light. I still love shopping for you and "dressing you up" even though you much prefer a diaper with Palmer's hot wheels underwear over it!!! That is your favorite thing right now is wearing your brother's clothes and shoes and he thinks it is hilarious!

I knew you were a fighter, a trooper and independent but it became very evident to me just how much so, when you had your tonsils out 2 weeks ago. It didn't phase you, you kept right on trucking with little or no whining and little or no side effects! We are in big trouble when you get older! ha! Daddy keeps on saying we have something major on our hands with you but we just aren't quite sure what we are in for. You are fire and ice! You are sweet as pie and as rough as a trucker :) and I love both sides!

Your hair is growing at the speed of light and I can actually pull it half up, put it in pigtails and keep bows in it! You are beautiful, everything about you is perfect and your smile and belly laughs lights up my world. You know what you want and you aren't scared to let us know, I like that about a girl, always be strong and go after what you want in this world!

Now that you are sleeping thru the night! heehee You go to bed with a smile and you wake up with a smile, it is amazing and refreshing. On most mornings when I don't want to wake up just seeing you wake up so happy makes me grateful to get to wake up that day and do my job as a mother, as a professional and as a wife. I have worried so much about going back to work and how it will affect you and your brother and it has bothered me so much but I also want to be role model for you, I want to show you strength and grace thru my actions and I want to show you that it is important to do what you love or to make sacrifices without sacrificing yourself or the others around you.

Probably the most favorite thing about you growing up is still watching you with your brother. You are night and he is day but as they say opposites attract. You all have a bond that I see grow each day, one that I hope will always stay strong no matter what may happen in life because family will always be the ones standing with you no matter what! You all are hilarious and laugh at each other constantly and it is the very best part of my days. Today I picked you all up from school and all of the other kids were playing on the playground and you two were over in the corner talking and playing and it melted my heart. He will always look out for you and you for him!

You are amazing, funny, determined, aggressive (when you want something), a cuddler and just a magnetic personality. You are talking non-stop and can repeat most everything I say. I love the sound of your voice and I love hearing your brother and you talk even if it is in your own language.

I am so blessed to have two incredible children and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us because I know it will be something grand! Happy 18 months sweet girl! I love you , Mommy

Working 9-5...

Sorry for the lack of blogging. This working really 8-4 business is keeping me busy! I must say the anxiousness leading up to this change was much worse than the actual change itself as it seems is usually the case! The kids are still a little weeping in the morning although Palmer didn't cry at ALL this morning! And actually yelled across the room to me, "Look Mom, I am not crying" this morning... he told me he  just cries cause he needs an extra hug and a kiss! So I made sure to give him plenty and spend a few extra minutes getting him adjusted before rushing off and I think it worked.

Life is busy but good! I actually feel like I get more done working full time cause I don't have the excuse of "I will do it tomorrow since I am off" the laundry is getting done, dishes done, etc... let me just say this is only my 4th day back! haha So we shall see...

I have a lot of exciting things coming up! This weekend is filled with showers for Belle (my soon to be newest niece) and I just can't wait to post pics of everything, I am really excited to have a pink weekend!~

Also my big 3-0 is quickly approaching!! YIKES! I think I am on the 12 day countdown so I have a lot of fun things planned for that. It still hasn't hit me that I am anywhere near 30 though and it scares me just a little! I think I realized this when I was in the baby pool yesterday and Palmer and I were screaming "Marco/Polo" and acting like fools and the other parents were sunbathing around the edge! Or when my husband was playing "bridge" with his legs where he would lift them and let our kids go under the bridge and the next thing you know there was a Congo line of kids going under the "bridge" aka Tex's legs as we got some funny stares from parents! Oh well, I would rather be the fun parents, right? haha

Ann Mason also turned 18 months which ripped my heart in two, I love this stage but I can't believe my baby can be that old! Oh by the way Palmer has requested not one but two brothers but he would like them to be not babies but older, so if you know any willing older "brothers" to come play send them on over! haha

We are busy and in full swing and I should have some fun stuff and pictures soon!!!

First Day of School and Work!

Today was the day! The kids and I started back to school/work full time! I have been saying so many prayers just to remove my anxiety about starting full time and for the kids to really thrive and develop at school. It was a little bumpy this morning which is to be expected, the 6 am alarm was a shock to every one's system :) The kids were pretty sad when I dropped them off to say the least but I think once we all get into a routine things will get a lot better!!

I must say I have the BEST husband. Our time together has been sparse with this recovery process and for the first time in about 2 weeks Palmer slept in his own bed and we FINALLY got some time together to just sit and talk and watch TV and it was SO great! We need that for ourselves and our sanity.

When we went to bed last night a piece of scrapbook paper was laying on my pillow and I tried desperately to scan it in because it was so cute but this is what it said in Tex's handwriting...

Mom, We wanted to let you know that you don't have to worry about us, we are so excited about going back to school. We love learning about new and exciting things. We will watch out for one another so you don't have to worry about us. We love you so much, hope your day is as fun as ours. Love, Ann Mason and Palmer

(with this picture attached)

First Day Back to School

08/18/2010

I just bawled my eyes out, he dressed the kids all up and put on their backpacks and they posed for the camera and then they went to walgreens to print out the picture! I asked Palmer today if this was his first day of school picture and he said, "No, mom dad made us take fake pictures!" I just laughed he is always SO honest!

I have an awesome husband and two beautiful healthy children that I love more than anything in this world and I know this transition will be hard but we can make it thru!!

My sweet, sweet babies had surgery today and they did great! Well, as great as can be expected for tonsillectomies and ear tubes. We got here at 7:00 am and by 8:00 Ann Mason had her "goofy" juice and let me tell you I knew that little one was wild but she was having a ball!! She was giggling and throwing her hands up you couldn't help but laugh... Of course the ever serious Palmer got his "goofy" juice and just kept asking me why he felt funny and was so serious, I love how different they are it cracks me up!

The hardest part was when both of them woke up from anesthesia within 30 minutes of each other. Thanks goodness for Aunt Ashley she was such a life saver today and I am SO grateful for her. Tex and I were running the halls of the hospital trying our best to be with both of our babies and the same time.

Annie came out of anesthesia just fine and wanting food of all things! She is a fighter and a pistol and other than being fussy this little fireball has been great! She gets upset when her meds wear off but who wouldn't. I am so proud of her!! She is so strong and independent even at 17 months, I love it ( I know I probably won't when she is 15! ha!)

This guy on the other hand takes after his mom in almost every way including throwing up profusely after coming out of anesthesia. We finally got some phenegran in him and some ice cream and were able to get his first dose of Tylenol with codeine down about 6 tonight!!!

I came back to the hospital after getting Palmer settled to spend the night with Ann Mason, I have to admit this makes me anxious. I am sitting here in the hospital room and Ann Mason is sleeping and I am uneasy. I don't like being here but I am SO thankful that it is just for one night and that my kids are healthy and that we are blessed with good health for today. My mind wonders to all of the kids that don't get to go home tomorrow or for a long time and I just can't imagine.... I know I will say an extra prayer tonight for the kids and parents that this hospital has become their second home and they don't have the luxury of a surgery and discharge and then just some healing from home that includes ice cream and popsicles. It makes me grateful. I will keep you all updated on the tonsillectomy twins journey! I am hoping for lots of rest tomorrow. I am at the point of exhaustion but can't fall asleep, don't you hate that?

Sexy, Sassy and Sixty

We threw my mother in law a surprise 60th birthday party this past weekend! It was SO much fun, she was so excited and so surprised it was so fun to watch her feel like a princess! She has some amazing women friends in her life that have been friends with her for over 20 years and that is so awesome! We had a great time and lots of laughs. She got some great gifts, we ate great food and celebrated a great women who has touched so many lives!

Kathy looking like she has died and gone to heaven over the perfect cardigan :)

So surprised and emotional! Love it, we knew she would cry! :)

Kathy (mil), Tricia (sil) and me, they have been there so much for Tex and I and we are SO grateful for their unconditional love and continous support!

All of the amazing women with the birthday princess! This pic is such a keeper, I just love it! I know Kathy will have many pages to fill in her scrapbook! We love you Mamaw!

Deep Thoughts

We went to the ENT today and the kiddos are scheduled for their surgeries this Tuesday. They are both getting their adenoids removed, tonsils removed and tubes in their ears. I have to admit, I am scared, overwhelmed, nervous and relieved that after we make it thru this they will feel SO much better!

I have had some amazing "God Moments" lately and I have found myself surrounded with a new support group that I am both blessed with and uncomfortable with. For so long I have thought I could tackle everything on my own and I am learning each day that it is OK to ask for help, something that doesn't come very easily for me AT ALL!

I am also starting back to work full time in 2 weeks and that scares me and feels me with guilt that comes with being a mom. The past couple of weeks have sometimes felt suffocating, my anxiety has been heightened and I find myself in my head a lot of days trying to "plan" out each step and I have to rely on God and know that if I ask him HE will take care of me and my family.

I do realize that tonsils and going back to work full time are a walk in the park compared to stories I hear on a daily basis and for that I am so very grateful, but it is still hard and that is ok. I don't have to be a rock all of the time and when I crumble (like I did today) it is OK!!

Please say a prayer for the kiddos and Tex and I that they do ok with the surgeries and that we have the strength to be the best caretakers that we can :)

Blessed!

I am so blessed that I got to stare at this in the morning and relax on a beautiful lake!

I am so blessed that I stayed up till 2 am laughing with these gals!

I am so blessed that Erin came into my life 2 years ago at the exact time I needed her!

I am so blessed to try new things even though I look scared to death! haha!! I really was having fun!

I feel so blessed to have met so many great friends!

What an awesome weekened, I never knew I would  know friends like this....