| Saturday at the crack of morning! |
So it was great- we have a new babysitter. Her name is Hayley and she came over for her first 'official' time babysitting Makena. I was home for most of the night and lets just say that I could see she is a great sitter. She played with Makena, kept her busy, followed directions AND even started the dishwasher. I'm really glad I think we've found a wonderful babysitter.
I spent most of the night cleaning the house and picking up and just having some 'me' time here at the house. THEN at 10pm, I called Laura and begged her to go to the casino with me (it's about 10 minutes from our homes) We went, and it was GREAT! We were only there for an hour- which was perfect because I walked out w/ $248. I made 150% of what I started with. Last time she went she played slots. This time I showed her how to play roulette. She doubled her money too. We had a great time. I am excited to go back again soon.
We have PJ's family coming in today from Omaha. He turns 30 tomorrow! I can hardly wait to see my neice and nephew. I haven't seen Ella for ... years! It's been a long- time. And I've never even met Evan and he's 2.5!
It's 7:15am and PJ was nice enough to not wake me up when he left this morning at 6am (considering that I was up until 2am last night)... but I am up- today there WILL be a nap!
It's sunny and clear skies today. I couldn't ask for better weather with family coming in.
Lots of pictures this week.
xo M |
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| TOTAL DEVASTATION |
As is things couldn't be worse (totally overly dramatic here)
Starbucks has DISCONTINUED their Artisian Cheese Quiche! WHAT THE??!! Okay, nowhere did I ever feel so good eating 300+ calories, 23g of fat and enjoyed every single morsel and bite without (or very little) guilt. This morning I NEEDED it, and to my dismay - it's officially discontinued.
DAMN THEM!
I guess I'm going to have to learn to make cheese quiche on my own. Does anyone have a good recipe? I'm soooo- not a good cook.
Hope your Friday is starting off better than mine :)
xo- M
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| From the mouth of Makena |
This morning I was doing Makena's hair. She doesn't like it to be brushed *ugh*- so today instead of fighting over it, I was putting it in one single braid. This was the response
"Mommy, I don't like it in a braid. I look like an indian"
I told her indian's aren't the only ones that wear braids and that somewhere in her geniology she had indian ancestors. But, she didn't care- she still didn't like her braid.
It reminded me of another comment she made about a vest that she sometimes wears.
She's beginning to have a real opinion of her own!Labels: From the mouth of Makena |
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| I love summer! |
Last year, when I was a stay at home mom, we were lucky to be able to go boating regularly with my family. My parents have a beautiful boat that sleeps 8 and it's so much fun when the weather is nice. Here are some of my favorite pictures from last year.
This is my crazy daughter- haha
Early one morning, with the fog lifting and the sun coming out, my dad and Makena began to fish. They caught this baby octopus. It was pretty cool.
Then... later that day we caught a Dog fish/shark. It was about 3 feet long.
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| Birthday Photos |
Sidney, Morrigan, Bekah, Shyla & Makena all enjoyed a wonderful time at Makena's birthday party. It was small, and manageable. Makena gets overwhelmed (as do both PJ & I) in large groups of people, especially a bunch of kids. I told Makena that she could invite 5 friends over for her party. It was perfect and most importantly the girls had a wonderful time.
Playing Pin The Tail On The Donkey
 Goofy Girls!
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| Patio update |
Okay- so here are some recent photos... literally taken minutes ago. Currently- the patio is finished, but the backyard is left in shambles after it was mutilated from the original excavation and then left to fend for itself while we (PJ) completed 'The Great Wall of Stoural'. It kills me, the yard is in terrible shape, but I continue to remind myself... it will be better soon, it will be better soon. Patience - patience.
So today, my dad came up and is leveling out the yard. PJ is busy w/ work so dad is helping out(Can I hear a YAY for my dad!?). What a trooper. He had a long drive up after a long day at work. He is leveling out and grading the yard after all the excavating that was done for the patio.  
You can see where we intend for our patio furniture to go. PJ has to take our table back. When he and Marc opened up the box for the table top, the marble was broken :(. Which is why you don't see the patio table and umbrella in the photo.
By the end of the week, I intend to have potted plants on the patio. It is coming along nicely!
If you look closely here... the retaining wall now needs to be fixed... oops. Dad 'bumped' into it w/ the bobcat machine. 
Labels: Patio |
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| Sunday- a day of rest.... not. |
Okay, so ALL parties are DONE (for now). What a CrAzY week! I have LOTS to post-
First, the patio is COMPLETE!... kind of. We still have LOTS to do to finish off the project, but the patio is poured and sealed, the wall is up and the dirt still needs to be moved (photos later).
With the patio, comes new patio furniture. I found a set, that was reasonably inexpensive. PJ went shopping, and well... lets just say, does marble sound frugal? He had the truck, so picked up what he chose. 6 person table, chairs, umbrella and another area for the firepit w/ 4 more chairs. PJ won on picking out the patio set. It's nice, don't get me wrong- I've just been pinching pennies lately.
Makena had a wonderful time with her friends. Even at 5 & 6 years old, they were all excited and a couple blew out her candles before she got to. :( We relit them 2x's THEN K-Kai got to blow them out! YAYYY. Lots of great goodies for this little one.
Sunday I prepared for Makena's family party much as my mom did whenever we had guests over while growing up. I freaked out! Everything HAD to be perfect! Clean the carpets... wash the windows, clean the bathrooms.... blah blah blah. Of course, PJ was in the garage putting the patio furniture together. We were all working to get things done and finally when people came over- it was great. The weather held up, though it was breezy. Makena had a brief moment of being shy- it was crazy. She didn't want everyone to watch her open her presents. And before that she didn't like her hair (diva?). All in all- the weekend was great!
Next weekend PJ's family will be here from Omaha. They are all staying with us. We haven't seen them for quite sometime so it will be great family time. I'll post photos tonight.
xo-M
It's almost done. |
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| Yes, it's official |
It's FRIDDDAYYYYYY! Yayyyy- it seems like the week has gone a little bit slow. I wonder if it has anything to do with my lack of sleep lately!?! Quite possibly. Makena has been restless at night, and of course she comes to me when that happens.
Take for instance, last night she was so overly tired from being at her friend's house yesterday that I snuggled up in bed with her so she would go to sleep right away. If we let her fall asleep in our room she sleeps faster. Not sure if it's the comfort of mom and dad's bed or that the room is darker. Either way- she crashed out early, not before telling me that touching her bangs hurt her bump on her head or that she was itchy all over. Nearing melt down we snuggled.
Then, at some weird time in the night she got up and complained that her splinter hurt. This was the first I heard about it. I tried to get her to brush it off until the morning.... nope. As luck would have it, the splinter needed immediate removal at 1:30/2ish in the morning. GREAT- we'll have to put the lights on, this means I might actually wake up. - into the bathroom, grab the tweezers, back to Makena's room, on w/ the BRIGHT light, thankfully the splinter was easy, teeny tiny and not one of those 'invisible ones' that you can't find, but can feel. And done.
Back to bed.
Around 4:30- Makena is back in our room, trying to climb into bed. Helllewwwww- aren't you six now?! Okay- finnnee. At this point, I've given up. She says she's cold and wants to snuggle.
So now I've ranted on about our night last night. Sorry it wasn't more exciting.
I am much more awake this morning though, than I have been all week. I FINALLY feel like I got some REM sleep last night- which is the good stuff. Thanks to a good ol bottle of Mike's Hard Lemonade before bed. Bad sleep, all week. Last night- real rest.
Tonight, Makena is having Sidney over for a sleepover. This will be Makena's first official sleepover. Well, she's had Morrigan over- but her parents had to come get her in the night, so we'll see how this goes today. Hopefully, as I expect fine. Sid seems like she'd do good sleeping over at someone else's house.
Makena's 'kid' birthday party is tomorrow. YAYY! and family on Sunday. It's a big weekend.
Hope everyone has a good weekend. Check back often for new photos- updated at least once daily.
xoxox- M |
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| Wednesday |
In true form, I'm running behind on posting today. Makena's b-day was FAN-FREAKIN-TABULOUS! I'll post more on that later today. Hopefully my dad will send some photos since we used his camera.
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| Reflections.... |
Ohhh, who would've guessed- today is a day of reflections on the past 6 years. I sit here and type in the last 12 hours Makena will be 5 yrs old. She's officially more than half way to 10 and one year closer to 18. Unless you're a parent, you likely wouldn't understand.
5 years ago, I was a swollen, water retaining heffer. My face was huge, my hands and legs were swollen and I looked like I had cankles. I was not one of those cute little women that only have a basketball belly. I was a house. Mostly because I am only 5'1" and when you're that short, there is nowhere for it to go but out!
The story of Makena... Makena was dreamed of for 2.5yrs before she was conceived. She was quite a little miracle for us and I truly believe if we don't ever have more, that will be okay. We both feel lucky enough that we have her, and she's wonderful. I had an easy pregnancy, I only threw up like three times. I had severe adversion to anything BBQ and was quite a snot with my hormone changes. Geesh- I lived to sleep and never understood 'Bone Tired' until I was truly pregnant. Most of the weight I gained was at the back end of my pregnancy, after 6 months along. Then out of nowhere I gained 8lbs in a week. I was horrified. Luckily it was at the very end of my pregancy. I gained a total of 23lbs and it was all in my wrists and ankles! You could push on my legs and it would leave indentions. It was pretty funny (though not at the time).
My huge pregancy moment, was at the very end- in the last month. PJ had to go to Virginia for work and we didn't expect him to be around for Makena's birth. I was huge, and uncomfortable and my clothes no longer fit. I was miserable. Not to mention it was like 90 degrees out and my a/c went out that last month. I was home on my own and I had nothing to wear. I wore something hideous to work and was exhausted. I sat at my desk and just started to cry. It made no sense to buy maternity clothes as I was about to have Makena but nothing fit, and I had to borrow sandals because my feet were so huge they wouldn't fit in anything anymore. I cried and cried. Looking back... pretty funny, at the time, not so much :)
My parents flew out for my planned c-section (Makena was frank breach). They were there, mom was in the OR. It was great! They even video taped it. I cherish it forever. Though most of it was hazy and I don't remember lots that happened in days surrounding her birth- I remember recovering pretty quickly and thank God most of the weight I had was all water and was gone in the first 6 weeks (ahhh- to be 23 again!)
The birth of Makena was the best day of my life. There are other wonderful days (like our wedding day and renewing our vows and Iraq homecomings) but I think mom's in general will agree that the birth of their own child was wonderful. I remember feeling sad though too- we held a special bond and I was the first to really truly hold her and grow her and feel her move. I used to play with her and push on her head and arms and butt while she was in my belly. Those were good days.
These are great days now. She is growing up, reading, spelling and so independent. She's still so gently and caring and wants to please everyone. She has her own opinions and ideas and is so creative. She's learning to follow directions and be pro-active in helping rather than being asked all the time. She's listening, she's absorbing and standing up for herself. She is funny and has a wonderful sense of humor and gets a kick out of making up knock-knock jokes. She is Makena, our little girl, who by physical characteristics is little... but she is truly an old soul.
Songs of importance, that will take us back in time... Thank You by Dido- this was on during my c-section exactly when they delivered her.
Drops of Jupiter was on the radio right after they told PJ that Makena was born.
Happy Birthday Boots!Labels: Holidays |
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| Happy Reading |
Saw this and couldn't help but share--- GROSS
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/Default.aspx?id=4096586 |
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| Friday--- ugg |
Okay, so last night, Makena was sick. It was terrible. PJ and I went to bed around 10/10:30. Around 11:30 Makena was up. Whining and complaining. I went into her room (because PJ has a built in "doesn't-hear-anything-in-the-middle-of-the-night-sensor") and she was running a temp :( Poor Kena-Kai. Gave her some Ibuprofen, it usually kicks it. Of course, not... that would be too easy. Went to bed after putting a cool cloth on her head. About an hour later she came in and asked to go to the bathroom. (A habit from school). The rest of the night was pretty much like that. Sometime around 2 or so I took her temp and she was hovering at 103. I pulled out the Tylenol Cough/Cold/Flu- Have some more meds... a fresh cool cloth, fresh cup of water and tucked her in after cracking her window for some cool air. About an hour later she was having such a hard time, I told her to come into our room. I was dying for sleep knowing I needed to get into work in the morning, but at the same time feeling badly for Makena.
See all week I've had this cold that started with a sore throat, then a cough and it's settled in my chest. I've been pretty much fine- and managed not to miss work over it. I know her throat has been bothering her, so I'm guessing she's a day or two behind me with her cold. Luckily PJ hasn't caught it yet.
Well, after she slept in bed, it was like this... PJ (always hogging the bottom of the bed because he thinks my legs are so short that he can stretch diaganoly across the bed (RIGHHHHT)) Then Makena- as hot as an oven 103, with a cool cloth on her head whining in her sleep. PJ huffing and puffing in his sleep (probably irritated at the lack of bed space) and me... holding on to the very edge for dear life. WTF?
I wake up sometime when the sun is starting to light the sky (4:30ish) and feeling like I never went to bed at all- with a soaking wet shirt (Makena's cloth ended up on me) and she's a sweaty mess and PJ hogging the pillows. At this point I'm contemplating jumping out the window and ending it all (just kidding). I move Makena's limp body to her room, grab a towel and put it over where she was sleeping cause she soaked the bed between her sweat and the washcloth. The alarm goes off two hours later. I get ready and let Makena sleep in before we head off to a part day at work.
THEN- to make the day even MORE aggrivating (as if I am not grumpy enough from the lack of sleep) we were supposed to have our concrete poured today AGAIN. BUT the weather hasn't been coorperating. Of course, at 1:30 I make the call to our contractor and tell him to be safe and not pour today. Makena and I wake up around 6pm, and not ONE drop of rain has fallen SINCE I canceled the concrete pour. DAMN IT! I would have LOVED to have the patio finished, but alas - Washington weather has made the call 3 times now. I have chosen the wrong thing. We could've had the concrete poured but all three times I said no and the weather ended up being nice. We settled on Tuesday or Wednesday next week, it's supposed to be 70 degrees and 80 on Wed. Keep fingers crossed.
Okay- I'm wide awake after having a 4 hour nap this afternoon, I feel like painting -... hmmmmm |
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| Too funny not to share |
This is part of my sick humor. I found this on photobucket.com
It reminds me of a funny story that happened to PJ once. You should ask him about it. LOL
This is even funnier.
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| RUNNING |
Tomorrow is Laura's and my 5K run. We're excited. It'll be our first, so no laughing okay?! LOL. It's supposed to be raining and gross tomorrow (note to self, don't wear a white t-shirt). We'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Wish me luck! |
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| Two new things.... |
Well, Makena is set for Kindergarten (round 2) for the fall! If you remember last fall we attempted Kindergarten at the school my mom taught at. Makena had just turned 5. She had fun and was really learning a lot and probably would've stayed in Kindergarten *if* we hadn't moved. The school district that we moved to has a weird schedule (M, W every other F) and were already on sentence structure when we arrived. Makena needs consistency and a full day Kindergarten- so we put her back in Pre-K and she's flourished since then. She's definately prepared for school in the fall and is mature enough for the program now. Ahhh- how our little girl is growing up (segway to the next 'thing')
Every morning I have drilled Makena on what to do when she wakes up and it worked! This morning she came into our room and wanted me to get her some jeans because she was already getting dressed. I didn't have to ask her to get dressed, she was doing it on her own! I'm so impressed. She made her bed and took care of the cat as well.
Last week she started pouring her own milk. She drinks Organic Whole Milk and we buy only the 1/2 gallons at a time. So she's just big enough physically to do it now. This morning I taught her how to make her own oatmeal! She eats it almost everyday. She loves LOVES LOVES Oatmeal, and at 5yrs old calls it 'Oyt-meal'. I don't correct her because I think it's so stinkin' cute.Labels: Makena |
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| Bug Killer! |
Okay, on the way to work this morning, I saw that a mosquito of some sort was in the truck and flew in front of my face. All I was thinking was, I hate mosquitoes and west-nile. (I know I'm a dork!). So it lands on the passenger visor. I throw my arm up there and kill it.
Makena gasps... and says "Did you just kill THAT bug?!"
"Um- yes, I didn't want to get bitten"
"Well, mommy how would you like it if you were that bug and I did that to YOU!?"
And just when I didn't think she was ever listening to me when I spoke.... alas, she does! LOL. |
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| Wine Facts |
Subject: Interesting Wine Fact
In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of Poop.
However, we do not run that risk when drinking wine (or rum, whiskey, beer or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.
Remember:
Water = Poop
Wine = Health
Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit. There's no need to thank me for this valuable information; I'm doing it as a public service.
You are welcome!!!!!!!! |
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| The end is near... |
FINALLY- we're nearing the end of our on going patio project. PJ is able to work on the backyard usually only 1 or 2 (if we're lucky) days a week. It's a constant work in progress but we're almost finished!! Jordan called us to tell us that he had an opening for this coming Tuesday!! That means today is the LAST day that PJ has to finish up his portion of the back patio. He has one more wall to build.
So, bright and early we got up and went to the crack house We call it that because we can't get enough, and we're pretty much addicted. Picked up 25 more retaining wall bricks (at 65lbs each) and brought them home. PJ just took off to the rock store to get some more rock. Once he is back I can head back to the rock store and pick up some bark for the yard. Last night around 9pm, when it was still light out I was out weeding the front yard and getting ready for some bark. I think it will help the yard tremendously.
Anyways, that is our plan for today.
Yesterday, was Marathon Cooking Day. Yes, major grocery shopping and I cooked for the next two weeks. As many of you know, I don't cook. So- once every 2-3 weeks I will buy enough food for 14 meals or so and cook all day. It was good to get that done and now I have our menu for the next couple of weeks. YAY!
Enough for now, I have to start a load of laundry (I don't think the end will ever be near for that!)
Cheers- Mary
WEATHER IN SEATTLE: We're expecting 80degrees today, and I don't see a cloud in sight! It's already 72 and it's barely after 10am- I'm guessing it's going to break 80!Labels: Sunday Update |
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posted by 2Kais at 
