A few videos of Mady

Christmas in July

Well, every year since we've been married I have DREADED Christmas time. Spending all that extra money for gifts for kids,family and each other. With all our other bills still needing to be paid we barely make it to the end of Dec. I spend most of my time worrying other than enjoying. So, this year I said to DH that as soon as we got back from our TX trip we'd start buying a little at a time gifts for the kids and family. We made a list w/ ideas for each person we needed to get gifts for. It has really helped plus we get to bargain shop now for gifts. We've already bought a few gifts for July. We won't buy anymore til Aug. It has been such a relief and now I can't wait til its Christmas!! Matthew is a little harder to shop for. Most of his items are more expensive. It has been easier shopping for Mady since she doesn't have any preferences yet. I've got a few ideas for Matt that I know he'll love and that are outside what he usually wants/thinks about (mostly Club Penguin or Spongebob). I'll update w/ next months buys :)

Promise to my husband

Thank you Ken for rearranging the den last weekend :) I like this set up way more than the other two set ups before :/ I promise you DH I WILL NOT ask you to rearrange THAT room again!




Yes, yes the room is a bit of a mess and I (Ken) need to hang up a few more pictures...

Deep In the Heart of Texas

Where to begin? Well, first off Mady was WONDERFUL on both flights. I was really scared to fly with her this year. Last year I just wore her in my sling and no problem but we hit some really scary turbulence on our way to Dallas. After that I swore I wouldn't fly again but ummm living 1780 miles away is just impossible to go and come especially for family emergencies. So, I sucked it up and flew to Laredo. She slept pretty much the entire two flights AND we were turbulence free!! I get so nervous when I fly that I don't eat til I get to my destination so from 4am til about 1 I didn't eat. Soooo when I arrived in Ldo I was STARVING!!! It was wonderful being picked up by my mom and sister. We went to H-E-B so I could buy supplies before heading home. It never really feels like I left Laredo when I go back once year. Yea a few places had opened or closed since my last visit but everything still pretty much looks the same. It was great that my dad got home early too. We all went out to eat and Mady was a monster...ok not really she just sat the whole time in the booth and played w/ my sister's water. Mady really took to my parent's home...a little too well. I thought she'd behave the first two days and just be shy. Nope she declared it hers and was loud as ever. The boys arrived that Sunday and I felt so much more at ease having them there. I'm cheesy but I really hate to be away from Ken. Our visit was so short. It seems like I blinked my eyes and we were back in MD. It was great getting to see my MIL and SIL. We went to Sea World for the day and had a great time. Before we knew it we were leaving them and coming back to Ldo for a few more days. I hope that we soon move back. I miss TX so bad :(

Back to normal...

I know this isn't the greatest picture but its both my kids eating lunch and watching t.v. I don't even remember what they were watching. Since Matt is there then I guess Nickelodeon...he doesn't care for her baby shows haha. This evening my wonderful husband rearranged the den so now the t.v. and couches are all turned around. I'll post a pic up soon of the new room...of course I still have yet to post TX pics. Sorry :(

Mommy and Mady

I miss my son and I am so happy he is returning tomorrow morning. I've enjoyed my time with Madelyn but its not the same when a child is missing. He is really so HELPFUL and maybe I've taken that for granted and I shouldn't. He is one of the few people who has so much patience with her and can keep her occupied for hours...which is GOD sent because its tough cooking a meal while you have a toddler crying and tugging at your side. Not to mention DH is at work. Will update w/ TX pics soon :)

How much did each of these items cost me?

Would you believe nothing? Yup each item was absolutely free and they are all in perfect condition. These items were either from Freecycle (an online group...its like a large free garage sale) or were left out to be taken to a landfill. Now, I am not poor just a little more conscious (thank you Barbie C.) of what is trash and what just needs a newer home. There are plenty of items I won't get just because its free (sorry I'm just not "there" yet). It is sad to see so many people throw items out just because they don't want it anymore or they couldn't sell it. Everyone now a days is trying to save some $$ so why not donate? I have put plenty of my own items on freecycle and they have been taken. I just don't feel like putting in the time and effort to sale it so giving it away is easier and gives me back my space a lot quicker.

Items I have received from Freecycle: Willam Sonoma cookie cutters (I saw them at their store to only get them in mint condition from a little old lady on freecycle), a working freezer, a working printer (for my son), Step 2 slide (someone's kid just outgrew it), an ab cruncher (we haven't put it together since we first got),a baby gate (Lord knows I need to babygate my whole house),a toddler seat you connect to a regular chair and four hard cover cookbooks.
Items I found that were left homeless and needed a little TLC: a step 2 red kids plastic toy chest (unsure if I'll keep it but its washed...it wasn't even that dirty) and a light blue wooden shelf that I put in my son's room.
Sorry for any run on sentences,misspellings or mis use of punctuations. I'll come back and edit later. I've just been typing like a mad woman just trying to get this post done with. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for any unwanted items...they may just be in need of some TLC.