Addicted to Pinterest!

I have a new addiction -- well it's actually not so new -- it's been about 7 or 8 months for me but is just really catching on now -- it's called Pinterest!  If you have never heard of Pinterest or have but aren't familiar with it, just think of it as a virtual bulletin board.  In the real world, when we find something we like - a picture, an idea, a project, we would "pin" it to our bulletin board.  Pinterst is just that but in the virtual world.  People from all over, publish links to the millions and millions of things found on the internet.  On Pinterest, these items are known as "Pins".  So when you see the thumbnail picture of an item, you can repin it to your virtual pin board and reference it later.  You can create as many boards as you like and categorize them however you like.  I have about 8-10 Boards and around 1800 pins.  So if I ever decide to get around to creating something I have seen on Pinterest, I go to the Board I want and search all my pins until I find the one little thumbnail picture that I want.  I click the picture and it takes me directly to the link on the internet where this item can be found. It's amazing and sooooo addicting!  I have the app on my iphone and get on Pinterest a few times a day searching for new pins.  I love to be creative.  The only problem is you get all these pins and think "one day I will make that" but in reality not sure you could ever get through them all.  So, my sister and Aunt and I decided to have a Pinterest Craft Day once a month!  We pick a date and a project and get together to CREATE!!  We got together last Sunday and each of us decided to make a wreath.  Liz and my Aunt made their's out of this deco mesh material -- they came out really cool!  Liz did one for St. Pat's Day and Aunt Debbie did hers for Easter.  I will definitely have to try that one next time.  I made an Easter wreath.  For my project, I actually took ideas from a few different projects and put them together.  This is what I came up with!

A fluffy Easter Bunny wreath!  (Sorry it's sideways, I tried to turn it around).  I used wreath forms and wrapped boas around each.  I added a little bow tie with eggs on it and added the ears from these silver sticks.  I have a few more embellishments to add -- I want to do a fluffy tail and I have some glittery eggs and a "Happy Easter" sign to attach!  Overall, I think its cute!  Not my favorite but it was a lot of fun getting together and crafting with two of my favorite people!!  Can't wait for our next Pinterest Crafting Day!!  So fun!

Meet Molly

Meet Molly!!  After losing Maggie (our 14 year old German Shepherd) in September, we felt like our home/family was missing something.  We missed Maggie terribly and started talking about getting another dog!  We started looking around Christmas thinking it would be a great gift for the kids.  But nothing panned out.  Then, I saw Molly and knew immediately that she was the one and that I wanted her!!  We believe that Maggie had a hand in helping us find her!! 

Molly was added to the Morgan family on December 28, 2011.  She was born on November 1, 2011 and is a Shepherd mix.  We rescued her or in an essence, she rescued us!!  Since we got Molly, she has doubled in size!  Her legs are getting long and her ears are close to standing on their own.  She is all puppy -- loves to chew on everything especially shoes, earbuds for Olivia's iPod, paper -- anything she can get her little paws on!!  This week, we introduced Molly to Frosty Paws!  If you have never heard of these, it's basically ice cream for dogs and is even found in the ice cream isle at the store!  She absolutely loved it!!  However that doesn't surprise me!  Molly LOVES to eat!  She acts like we never feed her LOL!!  She is pretty well potty-trained but still has accidents.  She takes Olivia to the bus every day and loves it!  When Molly and Jimmy walk home from the bus stop, Molly grabs the leash in her mouth and "walks" Jimmy home!!  This is the cutest thing you have ever seen!  She is not a fan of car rides but does real well if taken for one.  I love coming home and getting a huge greeting from her!  If you have never experienced a pet welcoming you home, it's pretty awesome!!  Almost as good as when you come home to your kiddos -- however on most days, my kiddos barely muster a "hello, Mom" when I come home, LOL!!  We love you Molly!!!

Transition

I guess you can say that for the past year, I have been transitioning.  I have been on a journey that I would not wish on anyone yet, it is my life.  Over the last several years, I have been asking God to bring peace into my life.  I have begun to realize that I am the only one who can give me that peace.  Each day is a struggle and some days my head just feels like it is going to explode but I just keep telling myself that it will all be OK.  I truly believe that eventually, all will be OK.  I have learned so much over the last year and I am so grateful for the experiences that have brought me to the place I am today.  I still have a long way to go but I feel that things are finally turning around and that the peace I have been searching for is within my reach.

I am not only trying to transition my mind and soul but also my body.  For too long, I have lived in a body that I did not treat well.  I made a promise to myself that come my 40th birthday this year, I would be FIT and FABULOUS!!   I started going to the Y and tried doing things on my own.  Of course, I am not good with that and that did not bring me any success.  A friend of mine posted on Facebook about going to a trainer -- I checked into it and thought really hard about it.  However, the cost was a little steep.  Well, with Jimmy working at Outback now as a Server, the money wasn't as big of an issue as before so I took the plunge one day and signed up for a free week trial.  I knew after the 1st night that it was exactly what I was looking for.  I completed my first week trial and signed up officially on Wednesday night.  On Saturday, I will incorporate the food changes and my new transition will begin.  I still have a long way to go mentally with the changes I want to make to my body but I think I can do this.  I have had to give myself a pep talk about this journey...since I am going on a cruise in April, I had to tell myself that it is OK that my body won't be perfect and quit worrying that I was going to be an embarrassment to my Mom.  This is my journey.  This is about ME and doing what is best for me (something I have never been done before).  I am going to give it my all and am hoping for once and for all to concur this demon and transition myself into someone I LOVE!! 

First Day of School 2011

Yesterday, August 16th marked the first day of 7th grade for Alex and 1st grade for Olivia.  Last Thursday, Olivia got to meet her teacher and take her supplies up to school.  I am really excited about the teacher Olivia got this year.  I think she will do great.  Olivia is at a new school this year but she can't be more excited.  Last year, Olivia went to Truman due to Crestwood not having any openings for full day Kindergarten.  So this year she is at Crestwood, the school within our boundaries.  Alex gets to go to the new middle school - Truman.  They turned the Truman Elementary into a Truman Middle School so now there are 2 middle schools.  His friends are going to Truman too so he is pretty happy.  Monday, we got to walk the halls of Truman MS so he could find out where his classes are.  This is very important to Alex. He has a hard time just going with the flow.  He has to know specifics about what he has to do, what's expected of him, etc.  He gets very nervous if he has to do something that isn't prepared for.  We saw Lori while we were there and she told him what hallways had what numbers so I know that helped him as well.  I am so happy that we get to see Lori again this year.  I loved having her so closely connected with the kids. 

So Monday night, the kids took their showers and went to bed real easy.  Alex said he wasn't ready to go back to school but I secretly think he was excited to be with his friends and not hanging out at home so much during the day.  Olivia was beyond ecstatic and couldn't wait.  I could believe how easy they went to bed and than on top of it, both of them woke up so easily!  I was pinching myself thinking how could this get any better.  There was no yelling, no running around last minute, it was perfect. 

Since Alex was the first one up and out the door - really, school starts at 7:40 am - who is functioning this early?  Here are his obligatory first day of school pics:

Seriously, where did the time go?  I keep thinking of my baby boy on his first day of preschool at Sacred Heart Villa.  He was 3.  I remember holding him with tears streaming down my face as I was saying good-bye.  The lady there asked me if this was my first time leaving him and through the tears I said "no, he's been in daycare since he was 3 months old."  LOL!  I laugh at this now but I am sure she thought I was a whacko.  Ok, so sue me, I get emotional when it comes to my kids.  So here he is, looking so grown up.  I love this kid so much!!  He is such a great kid.  He does really well in school and really does love to learn.  Here's to a great year buddy!

After Alex was out the door, I started getting myself ready for work and then woke Olivia up.  She got herself dressed and ready to go.  When we went downstairs, I had packed her lunch in her "old" lunchbox.  She didn't like that and wanted to use her new lunchbox from Aunt Debbie.  So we had to transfer everything.  No biggie but this "new" lunchbox is so big!!  This is the first year Olivia will be riding the school bus.  Last year since she went to a school outside of our boundary, we had to take and pick her up every day.  (Thanks to Lori for all the times she brought Olivia home!)  So Olivia was beyond excited to be riding the bus.  She wanted to ride the bus there and then have me meet her there to walk her to her classroom.  So I was happy to oblige.  Here are Olivia's first day pics:

Now here are her pics getting on the school bus!!  Seriously!!  She is too little, my heart was screaming.  But I knew in my mind this was only the beginning to letting her grow up.  She has the nicest bus driver too which just makes it a little more easy on me. 

She went right on up and took a seat and promptly gave me a smile and a wave!  I was seriously fighting the tears at this point.  I walked back to my car and drove up to school to wait for her to arrive.  Finally her bus got there and she got off and ran right up to me!  We quickly walked to her room and she walked right in...and forgot all about me!  LOL!!  She is my fearless one.  She doesn't get nervous to try something new and unfamiliar. She went right in and took her seat.  I tried to get her attention to say goodbye but realized this was what I wanted...for her to feel safe and happy.  So I left. 

I thought about the both of them all day.  Alex knew he could count on Lori if he needed help so I was ok there.  I prayed all morning that Olivia would have a good day.  She had 3 months to acquire some bad habits. LOL!  I left work early so that I could meet Olivia's bus.  As soon as I saw that bus, my heart just leapt with joy!  She quickly got off and said she had a great day!!  As a treat, I took the kids to Lion's Choice for their dip cones.  If you have never had a Lion's Choice dip cone, I suggest you run right now and get one.  They are so good and so cheap!! 

So overall, both kids had fantastic first days!  I really do love the Lindbergh School District. So here's to a great year for kiddos!! 

Girl's Night!

Last Friday night, Alex spent the night at his friend's.  Whenever it's just me and Liv she wants to have a Girl's Night.  We always try to find something fun to do on Girl's Night.  Right before I left for home that day, I had gotten an email from Groupon reminding me to go use my Groupon for Baked Goods Pottery.  It's a place close to home where we can go and paint pottery.  Olivia is all about anything that has to do with crafting.  So this was a perfect Girl's Night. 

We arrived at Baked Goods Pottery and browsed their many shelves for something to paint.  At first, I was just going to let Olivia paint and I would watch but she wanted me to paint too.  So she found a butterfly and I found the letter O.  The girl explained all about the different paints to use and we got our table and started painting. 

This was so much fun!!  Olivia had a blast painting her butterfly.  And she did a great job too. 

So intense!  Then she spotted the aprons and wanted to put one on.

Here is her butterfly with a face.

And her finished butterfly!  Such a great job!

Here is my "O" for Olivia.  I painted it in an orange - her favorite color!

And my finished "O"!

We had to leave them there for them to put in the kiln.  We get to go back in 10 days and pick them up.  I cannot wait to see what they look like!  Olivia is so ready to go back and paint again.  She asked me on both Sunday and Monday if we could go back to paint.  We picked up a mug so that Alex could paint the next time too and Olivia picked out a tiny telephone.  I am so looking forward to going back there.  I have so many ideas.  I love crafting!  If you are interested in painting pottery, I highly recommend this place.  The girl there was so nice.  She showed Olivia the kiln and what the pieces look like before they go into the kiln.  The butterfly and the "o" only came to $17 but my groupon was for $25 so she helped me pick out another item so that I could get the most out of my groupon.  That was so sweet.  The Groupon was only $10 but I got $25 worth of pottery.  Such a great deal and so fun!  Definitely will be a great idea when it's cold outside but the kids are bored. 

Summer

Summer Vacation started on May 31st and today marks the 2nd day of the new school year!  This summer flew by!  I tried to keep myself and the kids busy as much as possible this summer and I think I did a pretty good job of it. 

In June, Alex attended Band Camp the entire month of June - but only in the mornings.  Olivia attended Pom Pon Camp for a week and then was entertained by cousin Angela or cousin Lori the rest of the time.  During the month of June, we had Graduation parties, Birthday parties and a wedding out of town.  Plus I got to go see Kiss Me Kate with Lori at the Muny.  Fun times.

July seemed to have less to do but seemed to go by the fastest.  The only camp the kids did this month was Swim Camp and it was only an hour and a half for one week. But they both had a great time.  This is one camp we will definitely do again.  We went to Little Rock over Fourth of July weekend.  We went to see Jimmy during that visit as well.  It was so good for Olivia and Alex to see him.  We have all missed him terribly.  I got to see 3 Muny shows this month and let me say they were HOT!!  Olivia and I went to see The Little Mermaid and sat in the free seats.  That was fun but a very long wait for her.  However she loved the play.  Then my Mom got us really awesome seats up front for Singin' in the Rain.  This is Alex's favorite musical.  The smile on my boy's face brought sheer joy to me the entire night.  I loved it.  This was a great show as well.  We did have to use our ice packs and frozen wash cloths for this show.  It was a hot one!  Then I got to go see Little Shop of Horrors with Liz and Amanda.  At first I was really indifferent about seeing the show but I am so glad I went.  It was such a fun show!!  So glad I got to experience that one.  The other highlights of July were the birthday's - Olivia's 7th, my 39th and Mom's 59th.  Good times celebrating with the family.

August arrived quickly and the next thing I know, it was time for the kids to go back to school.  We went to the drive-in last Saturday.  It was fun and such a gorgeous evening.  Of course, I am not good with directions and went the wrong way coming back from IL so it took about 15 minutes longer than it should have.  Ugh!  August is also marking an end and a beginning for me.  I am leaving Armstrong Teasdale and going to Wind Capital Group to be a corporate paralegal for them.  I am excited about this opportunity.  It also came at such a great time in my life.  I happened so quickly too that it was like it was meant to be.  I start WCG on 8/29. 

Overall, it's been a great summer! I think we will miss the pool the most of all.  Thanks to my good friend Aimee for the pool membership she gave to us.  We utilized that sucker quite a bit.  The kids loved it.  Olivia turned into a little fish and was even brave enough to jump off the high dive and low dive.  Such great memories we have of the summer of 2011. 

Birthday Party

Last night my favorite band played at Failoni's so Deb Do organized a little birthday party for me! I had no idea she was doing this. I planned on going to see the band play but I didn't know she invited a bunch of people and had a cake for me - a Grandma Glo cake!! YUM!!

My day was crappy -- work is slow again and money is tight as usual. So I really wasn't feeling the evening plans. Liz and Bryan picked me up so I didn't have to drive and Liz said my cousin and his girlfriend weren't coming. So I was a little bummed. But, as soon as we walked in, I was greeted by my favorite drummer saying "Hi Birthday Girl!" over the microphone. My mood lifted! The music was flowing and I had just ordered my drink of choice - 7 and 7. Deb Do always spoils me and got me an awesome necklace, earrings and bracelet set. I love it!! As we were listening to the band, my Sunshine (Gayle) walked in and surprised me!! Then Marc and Whitnie came and Kyle and Lacey! The cousin Susie came! She tricked me since on Facebook she said she was going to be watching Project Runway. It was so great to see everyone!!

Of course, Dan had left 3 cowbells on the table and I had to play the cowbells. I did so gracefully and got Liz to join me. Deb Do did it for a little bit as well. So fun!! Then they brought the cake out for me and Samantha! Deb Do kept putting candles on it!! UGH!! Stop with all the candles!! They sang us Happy Birthday and we consumed cake! YUM!!

We listened to the band play until the stopped at 10pm. Had a blast singing and dancing with my family!! We are such a fun group!!

So once again, I had a great celebration of my 39th year!! I celebrated me and was just overwhelmed by all the love! Such great memories!!

Thanks so much to my Moon aka: Deb Do, Soul Sister and mfatiacmbf! for making me feel so special!! It was an awesome night!!