Everything is better in a Fort

Monday Camden, Owen and I made a huge fort in the living room. We had such a great time playing in it. Even better, we had a special surprise when a friend dropped by Great Harvest bread and jam. (Thanks Kristen) It was still warm and so yummy. So we got to have a wonderful snack in our fort. I have so much fun playing with the boys. I have made the decision that I am going to enjoy my children more and play...not just run around cleaning up after them. The house looks the same at the end of the day anyways...

Super Star Mystery Bash

As I was told by one attendee... "Lizzie's party last year was so awesome. So what are we doing this year, how are you going to top last year? How?" Thank you for the pressure Miss Messina. I think I topped it. I honestly think the girls had a wonderful time. I sure did.
This year for Lizzie's party, we opted for a Mystery Party. I have always wanted to host one of these and since I do feel the pressure of needing to one up last year, I decided this might be the way. We had so much fun. I made sure that all of the characters matched the personalities or likes of the girls. And each girl optimized their character. As did I Host/Detective Sun Dried Tomato. I said last year the Lizzie's friends are just amazing and again they were this year. The all seem to have so much fun together, and are so sweet to one another. She is one very lucky little lady.
I am sorry for the no picture thing, I lost my camera Saturday night, just to find it on Sunday morning when I wasn't looking.

Week Recap

Sunday - Big blowout at Aaron's Birthday Party.
Monday - The aftermath of the blowout at Aaron's party, Khloe cried all day long.
Tuesday - Still dealing with crap from Sunday, had a withdrawal from my account that was supposed to have been cancelled, got totally taken advantage of by someone, and Khloe cried all day. Forgot the extra glove for baseball practice, was late, had the equipment in the back of the burb and so Lane yelled at me. (Made an amazing dinner)
Wednesday - Lizzie's Bday. Got the house picked up. Thought the day was going well, facebooked about the day before to a friend thinking only she could see it and it posted to the public. Heather nicely figured out how to get it down. Khloe cried all morning, but cheered up after her nap. Got a little boy who doesn't want to leave mom's side to finally get ready for school, dropped him off thought to go get a pick me up at Saxby's, looked saw Camden was unbuckled, stopped buckled him in and the proceeded through a one way in the parking lot and got hit. Liz to dance, finished birthday cake. Don't think Liz liked her presents... Crashed depressed on the couch snuggling with husband.
TODAY- Got up made lunches for Lizzie, Lane and Hayden. Breakfast for Camden. Showered, came downstairs to see Camden had eaten Hayden's lunch... Made a second lunch for Hayden. Special Sunshine pancakes for Owen. Phone's out, Internet is on the blink... Got Jonas Brothers tickets... two days before the general public, and they kinda suck, but we got them... and it is only 11 am -
This week has got to get better.

12

My Lizzie turned twelve yesterday. It is so hard to think she is that old. She is beautiful and sweet and sassy. She reminds me a lot of my sister when she was a kid only Carey was a clean freak and Liz takes after me in this aspect. She is still as stubborn as the day we had her. It is crazy to think of all the problems and the NICU stay and how she has grown with no signs of any problems.

Lizzie is smart, sometimes too smart. She learned very early in school to do just what she needed to do to get her "A" and that is all she does. I have tried to explain how important taking the extra steps to do her best are, I think she is starting to understand that. Lizzie is strong. She knows right from wrong and as far as I know is staying on the right path.

Lizzie loves to dance and sing. She would like to try the whole acting thing but I am too scared to let her. (look at Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears) She keeps asking so who knows if I will give in. She is so tall and beautiful. She has been approached so many times, we just haven't done it.

Lizzie is amazing. She will do what you ask. She will complain alot right now but she is beginning to understand the true meaning of a family and the importance of a strong one.

We love our Lizzie. Happy Birthday.

Retrospection

Those who know me well, know I had a pretty messed up childhood. My brother, sister and I were extremely close while growing up and are lucky enough to have continued to have a great relationship to this day. I hope my children will have the same bond that the three of us have... Only I don't want them to have to (nor do I think they will) bond under the same circumstances.
Just recently, I had really thought I had come to grips with my childhood. I understand a little more about myself and why I have some of the feelings I do. As well I understand why I acted in ways that I did. Tonight I found myself back feeling as if I were the six year old who couldn't fix it all. The feelings of helplessness and desperation are so overwhelming and hurtful. I don't know if I am as over my childhood as I thought I was. I do know that tonight made me want to be the best mother and wife I can be so my children will never have to feel the pain I do.

The Next Stage Continues to Roll On

It hit a few months back that Lane and I were onto a new stage in our lives. Our kids are growing up which is allowing us to create a new lifestyle. This was evident last month when I went on an amazing overnight business trip to Southern California with him. (can't wait to go again.) Last week Cammers turned 3. Today we signed him up for T ball.
It is official, we have no more babies in this family. Pictures will be posted soon.

My Baby is 3

I can't believe my baby is 3. Camden turned 3 on Monday. He is the funniest child on the planet. He has never been a "baby." I would imagine that is because he has two older brothers he has to keep up with. Camers has no fear... he will try anything. climb up or jump off what ever is around. The past few weeks Camden has been a do it himself kinda guy. He will get his own water, his own snacks and he dresses himself regularly. Which often means his shoes are on the wrong feet.
Camden loves to be read to. Our family has been reading the Captain Underpants Series. Camden sits with us and is completely attentive to the story. He also loves to read to you. After you read him a book, he will then "read" it to you. He loves his hot dogs and his favorite color right now is Yellow, which really suits his happy personality. Camden can play with his cars for hours. I love to listen to his cars talk to one another. His favorite movies are Cars and HSM... He loves to sing the HSM songs with Lizzie.
Don't get me wrong, he is not perfect. He is very strong and will punch your lights out to get what he wants if he feels he needs to. He is stubborn as all heck. Which is probably why he beat such great odds to be born. I can't say just how much I love this little guy. He warms my heart with his twinkling eyes and crooked smile. And it melts when he tells me "yous my best friend" or "I's luz you." I luz him too.

Owen's Pirate Party

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday to Owen

Today my little guy turns 5. What a big year he has had. I am excited to say he has not been poked, prodded or tested since last May! Since working with his two speech therapists, he is making remarkable progress. He now talks all the time. He speaks in whole sentences now. Yes, he does speak Owenese or Yoda speak... His sentence structure isn't always right but you can usually get his drift.
Owen is still in the Early Childhood Class with Mrs. Pez (Perez) at Wolff. He has great friends in his class as well as some real cuties from church. He is still in love with Paige, but he loves to argue with another little girl from primary. Owen loves his new primary teacher Sister Truman and he is so lucky to have someone who loves him as much as she does.
Owen is very into his Star Wars. He plays it on Wii and with his action figures. About a month ago I found a great Star Wars shirt and got it for him and he now wears it all the time. Last week he wore it 3 days in a row, this week we are already on day two. He is so cute, he hangs it up every night so he can wear it again, so I sneak in and wash it and rehang it up. Today his school speech therapist mentioned to his teacher that he wore the outfit yesterday too, she nicely explained that it's his favorite.
He loves the Captain Underpants Series. We read them as a family and he absolutely loves to sit and listen and laugh at all the little boy potty humor. He is extremely smart. Kinda off he is so smart. He knows all his letters and sounds and is starting to put them together to read.
Owen loves to ride his bike and play baseball. He starts a new season of "coach pitch" in a week. Hopefully we will have the same great team as we have for a while. He loves "Troy" from High School Musical but if you ask him who he looks like he'll tell you Nick Jonas.
We have been so blessed to have him in our lives. He is so special. Our old primary chorister used to love to watch him because he sits and takes it all in. He is wise beyond his years and is an amazing little man. I can't wait to see what the future brings for him. Nothing will hold him back, he will accomplish anything he puts his mind to.

Another Year Older

As another birthday has come and gone, I have contemplated what life lessons I have learned in my 33rd year. The lesson that keeps coming to mind is home is where your heart should be centered.
We have been through so much this past year both good and bad but through it all, our family is becoming stronger and stronger. I strive on building a haven for my children. I want my home to be a place of refuge from the world. It may be cluttered, disorganized and loud at times, but it is the place where we live, laugh and love. I feel so blessed to be at home with my beautiful little children. I am blessed to have a part time job to pick up when I need also. I try to not take for granted the wonderful time I get to spend with each of them and am always trying to think of new creative things to do to strengthen our bond.
The other main lesson I have learned this year is how lucky I am to have Lane as my husband. I am so lucky to have the relationship I have with him. I am amazed to think it has been almost 13 years of marriage. I am so lucky to have a man who loves me for the imperfect person that I am. And I love him for the silly man that he is. I had the epiphany in November just how absolutely lucky I am. It was then that I rethought my relationship and re devoted myself to his happiness, and my own.
Overall it has been a wonderful and eye opening year. I just wonder what will happen between now and 35.(argh)

New Number

In our quest to rid ourselves of Cox Communications, Lane and I have changed phone services (and are going to save a bundle) Our new number is 702-609-9596
Thanks all.