I'm back

So last night I finally got internet set up at my house. Unfortunately I can't blog at work, so now I will try to catch up with my blog at home. The last few months have been the most insane of my life! It's all a blur but I did manage to get moved into and set up in the new house. I LOVE it and can't wait for the spring so we can get out, play in the park and meet the neighborhood kids. I also started a new job clerking for Harry Ness and I love that too. It's really busy and all new stuff (family law), but we're having a lot of fun and I'm learning a lot.

In a nutshell, I'm a much happier person than I have been in a long, long time.

Right now we're knee deep in girl scout cookies and big boy underwear. Hughie is really doing great with the potty training and demands his "prisasee" (privacy) in the toilet. There has never been a tinier or cuter butt adorned with the spiderman cartoon. However, the terrible twos have arrived for Hughie. Heaven forbid I get a gogurt out of the fridge that he planned to get or take his jacket out of locker at school. "I DO IT!!!" And lots of temper tantrums and tears. Fun, fun!

Georgia has been great. She's so sweet and caring. She and Hughie bicker a lot, but she also spends a lot of time caring for Hughie and making sure he's ok. She's doing wonderfully with numbers and counting, and her reading improves every day.

My only complaint right now is this freaking snow. I have some crazy cabin fever and can't wait for spring!! Bring on the warm and the flowers.

Twi-hard

Ok, so last night I'm talking with my long lost college roomie Steffy (Happy Birthday!) and she tells me that she checks my blog every morning to see if I've updated. So now the pressure is on! Just kidding, but I need to get better about updating. Life has been crazy, as most of you know. I bought a new house a few weeks ago and I have been busy lining up a painter, picking out flooring and carpet and new kitchen cabinets. Because this is the THIRD time I'm doing this, I'm pretty decisive about my choices. It's been much easier this time around!

So the painting starts next week and then I'll get the flooring installed. I'm hoping to use the last two weeks in December to get most everything moved from the Lancaster house to the new house. And, no, the Lancaster house hasn't sold yet. So everyone say a little prayer for me on that one!

And because I didn't think my life was crazy enough, I got a new job. I will be clerking for Judge Elect Ness, starting January 4. I love clerking and need to go back to work full time, so this is a good fit for me right now. I'm actually really excited about it!!

So, about that Twi-hard reference. I was sitting in Georgia's bed earler this week reading her a book and she points to her wall and says, "look!" And I see that she has a picture of Edward and Jacob TAPED TO THE WALL. She says, "they are SOOOOOO cute Mommy!" I ask, "which one do you like better?" "Both!" she replies. Oh Georgia/Bella, it's a tough decision, but I'm on team Jacob. THIS CHILD IS FIVE YEARS OLD AND ALREADY BOY CRAZY. I am so in for it.

Hughie is the same sweet, goofy clown he's always been. He asked me if he could drive his race car bed to the new house! I think if I loved my kids any more my heart would burst.

And note to my dear friend Paige. When you invite me over to your house, make me a fabulous gourmet meal, share your wine and sweet loving self, you do NOT write ME a thank you note. I know I'm fabulous and all, but seriously? You are just the sweetest person alive and I love you. I love all you girls out there, you know who you are (and Bil)!!!!!

U.S. Navy Seal Museum

We just got back from the U.S. Navy Seal Museum which is about 1/2 a mile from our place in Florida. They had a special Navy Seal demonstration today, complete with Blackhawks and firearms. We got to meet Admiral Olson, Commander of ALL U.S. Special Forces and we got to hear a great speech by Captain Phillips, the Captain whose ship was boarded by Somalian pirates and was ultimately rescued by Navy Seals. He was an absolute riot, with a wicked Boston accent and a great sense of humor; a hero in the truest sense of the word. Hughie loved the action and Mommy loved the Navy Seals. ;)

Halloween

I cannot believe it's November. October seems to have passed in the blink of an eye!!! And I'm so sad because it's my favorite month of the year. Screw you Mother Nature and all of your RAIN!!

We had lots of fun attending different Halloween events. The kids were with Daddy for trick-or-treating, so I didn't get to do that this year, but I did buy a new house!! I'd been looking casually for a few months just to get a feel for some different neighborhoods, etc. And then a few weeks ago the perfect house went up for sale. It's a rancher that's about 2 minutes from my parents, in a great neighborhood and right around the corner from a really nice park. We're closing in a few weeks and then I'm going to spruce up the kitchen, paint and put in some new carpet. I'm hoping we're moved in by the new year. Now if I could just sell my house in Lancaster . . .

We've had a bit of a rough weekend. Mimi fell while taking Hughie down some steps. She sacrificed herself for Hughie and went down hard on her face. She smashed up her glasses and cracked her head. She's fine now, just sore and looks a lot like Rocky at the end of Rocky IV. Just in time for our trip to Florida!! And Dale is in surgery as I write. He's getting a new knee, so a prayer for him will be appreciated as well.

And just so everyone can be REALLY jealous, I'm heading to Maui when we get back from Florida. I've never been there, but I've heard it is GORGEOUS and I'm excited to have some down time and to see Keoni. And this will be the first time I get to show off the new girls in a bathing suit! ;)

An Ugly Fall Weekend

It's always a bummer this time of year when it rains all weekend. There are so many fun things to do outside! Georgia had a really cool Girl Scout field trip planned, complete with hayride and spple cider, but it was cancelled. However, we managed to have a really nice, relaxing weekend despite the yucky weather. We carved pumkins to make jack-o-lanterns(I will post photos eventually), roasted the seeds, made Halloween cupcakes, made chicken veggie soup and we roasted marshmallows. And living in a house with an indoor pool makes life much easier, as well! We've gone swimming at least every other day the past couple of weeks. And when I say "swimming," I mean that then kids are in the pool burning theior manic enegery and Mommy is relaxing in the hot tub. I'm finally at a place after 5 years where both of my kids can swim without me holding on to them. Hughie's in a swim vest, but he gets around really well. He's a strong little swimmer!

We're heading down to Florida in a few weeks to greet Josh's beautiful new Brazilian bride as she enters the States. The kids are very excited to see Uncle Josh. They ask about him constantly! And I have a feeling they will love Patricia too, as long as they're not too jealous. ;)

And I'm finally going to post some pics that Emily took when she was here visiting me a few weeks ago. We had such an amazing time and she is such an amazing talent behind a camera. Enjoy!

Friends and Laughter

I spent a lot of time over the past two weeks connecting with close girlfriends. My best friend from high school, Emily, came in with her daughter, Kennady, for a 10 day trip. We had a blast just hanging out, swimming in the pool, eating Maple Donuts and taking lots of pictures. Emily has recently become a professional photographer (self taught) and has an amazing ability to take beautiful photographs. Georgia was a particularly willing model and did quite well with her photoshoots. She's a total ham, not sure where that comes from!!

While Em was here we spent time with our friends Lauren, Angie, Jodi, Paige and Ashley. We had some amazing lasagna at Lauren's house thanks to her fabulous husband Larry (for whom Hughie developed a particular affinity). We had some tasty Mexican food with Angie and Jodi, sans children, while my beloved Keoni graciously babysat Hughie, Georgia and Kennady. And, of course, Paige did not disappoint with her scrumptious gourmet brunch on Sunday. Throughout the week I was constantly reminded why Emily is so special to me and will always be able to make me laugh.

After Emily left, I immediately headed to Philly to meet up wtih Kara. We drove up to Hoboken, NJ to meet Betsy, Bree and Susan for a girls' weekend (aka, Susan's bachelorette party take two). We had so much fun and laughed until we all cried. I think my sides are still sore. Laughter really is the best medicine!!!!

And I pretty much blew off Bogie's birthday. She turned 34 last week and then went off to Ohio to visit Beth without me. I promise to make it up to her with lots of love and tortilla soup!!!!!!!!


Each of the women mentioned in this post have made a considerable effort in supporting me through the past year. They've held me hand, dried my tears, listened and advised without judgment. I am so amazingly blessed to have these people in my life. However, I have to take a lot of credit for surrounding myself with such fabulousness. Love you all more than words.

Daisies

Last night was Georgia's first Girl Scout meeting. I'd been trying to think of a good activity for Georgia that wasn't ballet (she hated dance lessons) or a sport (she's not very competitive yet) and thought that she would love Girl Scouts. She is now officially a Daisy! I need to go out and get the official vest for her patches and then she'll be ready. Her troop has 10 girls and last night they did an art project and then had brownies and punch. Georgia was in heaven. So when it comes time to buy Girl Scout cookies, you know who to call!!