And the count down begins....

Sooo, I can't believe we are already coming up on the end of June! Where has all of this time gone to? We have 16 days until we close on our house and become home owners again. I have been soooo excited I just want to jump out of my skin!! There has been a lot going on in my life these past 6 months that seem like just a blink of an eye. We sold our beloved house in Abilene, we moved to Las Vegas and have been surviving in this apartment. A lot of strong women that I hold very dear to my heart are pregnant and have been popping out babies or will be giving birth within the next few months. It must be the year of babies!!! And NO, I am not one of the women who are pregnant. As much as I have had baby fever lately, I am content with my two munchkins for the time being.

I have finally made up my mind to go back to school and finish my RN. I have struggled with this decision because I know it is not going to be easy. With both kids, a husband with such a crazy schedule and a possible deployment looming in our life I know it will be a struggle. I have made this decision because I can't just sit around while he is gone and wait for him to come home. I will go insane! So I am starting to get all of my transcripts together and I plan on meeting with a counselor sometime in the next few weeks to see if there are any classes that I need to update before being accepted into the program. If all goes well I hope to start in January 2011 and Graduate in December 2011 then take and PASS my National Boards in January or February to become a Registered Nurse. It has always been a dream of mine that got interrupted when I got married and started having kiddos. So I'm going to force myself to get back on track and fulfill one of my major dreams. I've already married the man of my dreams, and we have created two wonderfully, amazing children. Well, now the baby factory will be shut down for the next two years. I want a year to finish my degree and a year of working before we have anymore kids. I figure the Abby Monster will be 3 or 4 when she becomes a big sister. Hopefully by then one if not both of my sisters will be hitched by then and hopefully have a baby or two. Who knows. So, sorry for the rant, I just had to get that out.
So, back to the house. We close in 16 days, July 9. Then the restoration of the property will begin. Wood floors will replace the carpet and tile that is downstairs and the carpet will remain upstairs. We don't know who went in and cleaned the house after we found out someone was squatting in it, but it looks great and we appreciated the surprise greatly! We are taking everything out from the back yard and a leaning tree that was planted too close to the foundation and roof line from the front yard and starting from scratch. I am hoping that we can just reseed the yard instead of laying down sod. We will have kid and pet friendly plants and shrubs in the yard so that I won't have to worry about the kids getting poked by the dangerous plants back there now, or worry about the several leaning trees falling or pulling down the concrete wall in the backyard. I will cherish the sound of Charlie and the kids running around in the backyard and the smell of BBQ on the grill. Can you tell I'm anxious?!?!?!? Adding to the new yard and wood floors we will be painting just about the entire inside of the house. Right now the entire house is one plain beige color which I can't stand. We never painted our last house, except for the bed rooms, and I will NOT put up with that again. Color will grace the walls through-out this beautiful house. And no, we will not be painting all of this ourselves, I am looking into hiring a painter and letting his crew do all the work.
This past weekend my sister-in-law came into town with a small group of her friends for her bachelorette party. I never had one so I was going to live vicariously thru her. I can now say, I AM TOO OLD TO BE DOING ALL OF THAT!! Saturday Night is when all of the festivities were and it took me 3 days to recover from it! Our first stop of the night was Dicks Last Resort. Rude waiters, obscene sayings on large paper hats and ok food kicked off our evening. Then we headed back to the hotel to get the real party started. Chippendale's was the first stop of the night. 4th row from the front and dead center with great music, dance routines and who can forget the amazing hard bodies of the men of Chippendale? After we cooled off from our hot flashes we took a quick cab ride over to the Palms to hit up Moon, Ghost Bar, Playboy Club and Rain VIP Style! We made it back to Aria around 4:30 in the morning. I haven't done that in ages and my body definately felt it for the next few days. I hope all the ladies had a great time and are looking forward to Pete and Carolyn's wedding in October in Austin.
Well, I think this blog has gone on long enough. I hope all my friends who read this are doing well know that once everything is settled in the house...PLEASE COME OUT AND VISIT!!! WE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE EVERYONE!

Until Next Time My Friends...

Memorial Day...

First off, let me say thank you to the men and women of this great nation that have paid the ultimate price and made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can continue to live in a free world. I hope everyone who has enjoyed a bar-b-que, a day off from work and extra time with their loved ones has taken a moment to remember the meaning behind memorial day.

Now onto some news....we have finally started to get things together for the house. All the utilities are turned on this week and we start the process of inspection and appraisal. I am hoping that we can close before the 4th of July and enjoy a cook out in our new house. Unfortunately we went over there a few weeks ago to show my mother-in-law the house when she was in town, and we found out that someone had been squatting at the house. So now we plan on ripping up the carpets and hopefully putting hardwood floors downstairs and upstairs will be carpet again. The whole place was just disgusting and I felt like someone just violated where our family was going to live. It's just a feeling that i can't really describe. So once we close on the house the locks are getting changed that first day. We signed our last lease on the apartment today for only 2 months. I am planning on us being out of here by August 22. This way we have time to take up the carpets, paint and put the new floors down. I am hoping to get it all done within 3 weeks. I am starting to get more and more excited.
Don't really have much more to talk about right now. So I hope this finds everyone well!

Until Next Time...

The Excitement Is Killing Me!!!

I think I am starting a trend of blogging only like once or twice a month. I'll try to keep people more current, I promise. (although I don't know how many people read this thing anyways). So to catch everyone up to speed. We finally heard back from the bank and the sellers on the house that we put an offer on back on March 12. We finally have a house!!! And if you ask me, I think it is the best one that we looked at/put an offer on. I'll post pictures once all the paperwork is signed and we start to get everything underway :-) Now I'm getting even more excited and anxious to get out of this apartment! And tonight was even more exciting. We found and bought our fridge, washer and dryer tonight. I can't wait to get them into the house and start enjoying them!!
I have finally finished taking my course on IV certification. I am now certified to draw blood and start IV lines and do IV therapy on patients. Sooo excited!! Its just another step in my career. Hopefully the next major step will be to go back to school and finish my RN!!
In the soccer world my team finally won their first game last week. It only took us 7 weeks, and with only 3 games left I think it came in the nick of time. Hopefully we can win the last few games and call it a great season. We have all had a great time and gotten out and expanded our lungs this season. I've met a bunch of great people and can't wait for next season.
The headaches have not gotten any better. I actually think that with the physical therapy they have gotten worse! I have a follow up with my neurologist in 2 weeks so we shall see what he says. I think the thyroid medication has finally kicked in. I haven't felt as tired as I used to. I feel like I have gained back some energy. Now if only there was something to do about these darn headaches!
I don't think there's much else to fill people in on. Hope everyone is doing well!

Until Next Time My Friends...

Finally Some Answers...

So a lot of my close friends and family know that I was diagnosed with chronic migraines over a year ago. I started seeing a neurologist shortly after I had Abbigail so that we could start to figure out a way to manage my headaches and for me to actually be pain/headache free day to day. I didn't really like my neurologist because all he ever did was put me on medications and I felt like he really didn't listen to my concerns. He never even did a CT scan. Now that we have moved I have finally started seeing a new neurologist and I absolutely love him! He listens to my concerns, explains the course of treatment that we are going to try and has actually given me an answer or at least an idea of what is causing my headaches. I had a CT scan done as soon as I saw my new PCM here and he thought it was unusual that I never had one. My neurologist thinks my headaches are caused from the muscles in the back of my neck and shoulders being extremely tight. So I am starting physical therapy this week and have been on some muscle relaxers at night to try to help that out. He also put me on some meds for when I start to get my severe headaches, and it actually does the job and gives me some relief.
Another issue has come to light in the last week. I had some blood work done back in February and I finally was able to get my results. Turns out I have low thyroid levels. I don't know how long they have been low, but it does explain a lot of symptoms I have been having lately. So now I am also on medication for that which should help me feel better hopefully soon. Hopefully my next doctors appt will be some good news!

On a happier note, I finally got a temporary license from the state so that I can start working. I already have a job, just have to get them a few more pieces of info and then I can start working :-) But first I gotta find a daycare for the kiddos. Just another thing to add to my to do list! The next 4 days will be the last night shift for the hubby for the next 2 months...Thank Goodness!! This next week is gonna be a busy one. I am finally getting my IV certification done which should be interesting. 2 days of class study and practice and then a 10 hour clinical at a hospital in order to get my certification. I am also starting my physical therapy and will hopefully get some results on some new blood work. We are still waiting to hear back on our house. It is the same one we put an offer on over a month ago. I hate how long it is taking the back to get back to us, but I am trying to be patient because I REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE THIS HOUSE! Hopefully we will hear some good news in the next week or so.

Our Easter was pretty uneventful. Put together some baskets for the kids, baked some bunny and egg little cakes to decorate. Unfortunately I was the only one who decorated them and they ended up hitting the garbage this weekend. Oh well! We didn't do an easter egg hunt, maybe next year. Here are some pics to enjoy :-)

Thomas and Abby enjoying their baskets. Abby is constantly just walking around the apartment carrying her basket. It is too cute!



Abby checking out her "little people" giant eggs! She loves them! (And I Love Her Outfit!)


We also ended up taking the kids to the fair last weekend. Boy did we get fried!! But at least the weather wasen't too bad and the kiddos behaved for the most part. I was only able to snap a few pictures towards the end of the trip and unfortunately this was the only was that was decent...Oh well, we have the memories and the kids had a good time. That's all that matters right?




I hope this blog finds everyone well. I guess I'm going to try and get some sleep...gym again in the morning with the hubby!!

Until Next Time My Friends....

As The World Turns....

I know it has been a little while since I last posted. I've been in kinda a funk and a daze. And today seems no different, my eyes are open but my brain continues to hit the snooze button. On March 12 my family lost the matriarch of this family. My Grandmother passed away just about 9 weeks after her youngest son, my uncle Greg, passed away. My grandmother always did things her way. She decided where she wanted to spend her time and energy. She devoted her life to taking care of her oldest son, Tommy, to the church and to her family. She was a trained opera soprano, a Navy wife, the woman in the pew at church with the booming amazing voice and a woman who was always wearing heels, ALWAYS! After Tommy passed away in 1991 she devoted her life to taking care of Greg who was a Type 1 Diabetic. My Grandmother created a holiday just for her Grandkids, called Granddaughters Day (although we frequently included my cousin Nick :) ) and she always made some kind of special treat, her cupcakes were always AMAZING! We would decorate the light that hung over the dining room table with streamers and balloons and would dress up in dresses and dance around to music for hours on end. As I got older she wasn't always around because she was occupied with Greg or with church events, but she was always on my mind, especially during special events that she was not present at. She was not at my high school graduation, my wedding or graduation from Nursing School. She did not meet my son until he was about 18 months and unfortunately she never got to hold her great-granddaughter. She only saw her in pictures and once on web cam. In the last few years she dealt with her own failing health. My Grandfather was always there to take care of her. After Greg passed away it seemed like she lost the will to live and her health seemed to rapidly decline. My grandmother always did things on her terms and her way. On March 12 she went home to be with the Lord and see her two beloved sons again. She is buried next to Greg who is buried next to Tommy. She has left behind a sister, a husband of 61 years, 3 sons, a daughter, 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. I never thought it would be as difficult as it was to say goodbye to her, but I know she is looking down and watching over all of us.
RIP Grandma...You Will Be Missed!


Abby Looking For The Duck In Great-Poppops Hand



There's That Duck Noise Again!

Abby And Great-Grandpa Meeting For The First Time...Match Made In Heaven!
I stayed in Florida for a week after the funeral to spend some time with my family and see some old friends. It had been almost a year since I had gone back to Florida. Last time we were there we visited with a lot of my husbands family, so this time around I needed to see a lot of my own family and friends. I saw my best friend Toes and finally got to meet her boyfriend. She went to Downtown Disney with the kids but got rained out shortly after we arrived :-( I still think we all had a good time though! My mom and dad relished in the time they got to spend with their grandkids. Mom and I were able to go out for Mani/Pedis while dad watched the kids (even though I put them down for naps before we left). That was so relaxing and I enjoyed spending time with my mom. We also took the kids to Lion Country Safari. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that place. Especially when they keep adding things to the park. The kids enjoyed the water park and slept all the way home!

Abby Walking Around The Water Park With Some Attitude While Thomas Has Control Of The Water Cannon...LOL!!



Thomas On The Carousel And Abby Staring At The Flamingos. She ♥ed Them!

In With The Larakeets. Mom And Thomas Holding The Nector Waiting For A Few To Come Over. Abby Was Able To Pet One Finally!

I was also able to visit with one of my oldest friends and her mom. It was SOOOOO Good to see Katie and her mom, MAMA MIMI. It has been about 5 years since I have seen them. They finally got to meet the kiddos. We all had lunch at a pizza place in Coral Springs that is popular with the sports community and afterwards we went back to Mimi's house for a movie and toys!! Katie is expecting her first baby in August (SOO EXCITED!!) so I was helping her out with some tips and even made her change a diaper, LOL, that was so much fun! I hope we don't let 5 years go by again without a visit old friend!

Getting back to Vegas was no easy task. Unfortunately we missed our first flight on Monday by a few minutes and were stuck in Orlando until the next morning. So I made the most of the situation we had once we were settled into a hotel room for the night. I was able to go on a nice long walk with the kiddos in search of supplies for the following morning and dinner. Thank goodness our hotel was around a lot of restaurants and things. After finding milk, pop tarts and a small pack of diapers for Abby we were off to find some grub for dinner. I wasn't about to go for fast food again, the stomach couldn't handle it. We came across a cracker barrel about 1 1/2 blocks from the hotel. Yum, Thomas ate really well, Abby enjoyed some chicken and dumplings as well as carrots and applesauce and green beans and their amazing biscuits. We had a nice, windy walk back to the hotel were it was bath and early bed time for a 4am wake up in order to catch the shuttle back to the airport. We got back to Las Vegas yesterday around 11am Vegas time, which is a 3 hour difference from what our bodies had accustomed to in Florida. I have to say it is good to be back to the apartment and see my hubby and Charlie dog. Florida will always have a special place in my life.

Until Next Time My Friends...

Maybe I Don't Want A House....

Well we found out yesterday that the house we had an offer in on we didn't get. This is why I am HATING dealing with the bank owned properties. Unfortunately the market out here is mostly bank owned or short sale properties. So today we saw two other house that are short sale. Unfortunately there is nothing Short about the sales of these houses. It can take almost 4-5 months to close on these houses, sometimes longer :-( Maybe we aren't ment to own a house out here. I am totally DONE looking at houses. The two that we looked at today were both ok. The one that we might potentially put on off in on only had like one big great room, no separate formal dining room or anything that I could make into a play area for the kids. Our last house was the same way and I want to have to deal with the kids toys all over the place again. I guess we are still on the hunt. If we don't find something by the end of this month, maybe next month, I'm going to seriously look into renting. I just can't take this anymore!!
On another note, I might be hauling me and my kiddos out to Florida in the next week or two. Unfortunately my grandma is not doing well. We knew this was coming, but it still does not make it any easier. I just have to remember to think of the good times I had with her while I was growing up. I've seen pictures of her lately and that is not the way I want to remember her. Even though she has not been part of my adult life and she has continually let me down since high school, she is still my grandma and always will be.
Well, time to get the kiddos down for bed and spend some quality time with the hubby. Thanks to him I was able to go out last night for a girls night out with some of the ladies from his office. That was definitely the best time I have had so far being out here, and I definitely needed it. We went to a tapas restaurant call Firefly down off the strip, then went to Vanity inside the Hard Rock Hotel. I can't wait for more GNO's to come!!!
I hope this find everyone well!!
Until Next Time My Friends....

It's Been A While...

So it has been a while since I last blogged...sorry, we've been busy...Continuing on with our house hunt, we saw a really great house on the 20th of February and decided to put in an offer. We were told that it could take 2-15 days to hear back a response on our offer, so we are still waiting :-( I really loved this house and know that it would be great for our family; I'm keeping my fingers and toes and eyes and everything crossed!!
Valentines Day was kinda eventful around here because Abby started walking! And it wasen't long in the day till she figured out she could walk right up to the table, and grab what ever was in her reach. In this case, it was a cookie with red frosting that she immediately started eating. Too bad her brother was right there and started yelling "Abby has a cookie!Abby has a cookie!" When we tried to take it away she promptly started crying, I just didn't want to get red frosting everywhere. So off to her high chair she went to enjoy her stolen goodie....Abby and her stolen cookieThe plate of cookies with one missing that her brother also took some bites out of!

We didn't do anything for our anniversary this year, kinda just like another day of the month. Kyle ended up coming home from work late and I haden't really been in the best of moods. Oh well.
We got a box from Grandma Mary in Florida in the middle of the month. Thomas had a great time opening up the box with all the different colors of tissue paper that were packed inside. The kids got some great clothes from Grandma Mary and we can't wait to see her again! Hopefully soon....LOVE YOU MOM!!

Abby's birthday didn't really start off that great. She had a doctors appointment and that turned into spending over 2 hours at the MTF. First she was upset my the exam and being poked and prodded by a new doctor. Then she had to have blood drawn and then 5 shots. My poor baby slept for 3 1/2 hours and was out before we even got home (the MTF is just down the street from the apartment). After she woke up she was a much happier campier.

On the way home from the doctors office


After her nap, happy girl!


Walking around with her new sippy cup

The birthday girl and her dinner, real spaghetti and meat sauce with mushrooms and whole milk with a flaky biscuit....yum!!

Abby's birthday cupcake cake


This was the end result....straight to the tub for this princess!!
Abby's stats for her one year checkup were 22.8 lbs and 2ft 7.5 inches long....she is a tall little girl!

I was finally able to go and get my CT Scan done today. Go figure that as soon as I lay down on the table and they position me, the machine goes out. They ended up having to reboot their system and then it took forever for it to come back online. They were about to reschedule my scan when it finally came back up. THANK GOODNESS!!! Kyle was able to leave work early for me today so that I could get it done. Love You Hunny!!!
I got an e-mail on Monday inviting me to join a co-ed team for the adult league that I signed up for. I am soooo excited. Our first game is on March 14. I'll keep ya updated!
That's about all I can think of for now. Hope everyone is doing well.

Until Next Time....