I didn't know I had a newborn again.......

Oh, this week has been tough to say the least. I feel almost as if I have a newborn with colic! Jentri started mild coughing on Monday, and has progressively gotten worse to coughing, deeply, all day. Then came yesterday when I picked her up and got the "she has a low temp, and hasn't felt good all day, and seems to be wheezing" from her caretaker. REALLY WOMAN? You wait until 5:30 in the evening to tell me this? Couldn't have made a courtesy call at 3 when the clinic was still open and let me get this stuff nipped! Gee thanks. I love pacing around like a mad woman, knowing that my only option is the Emergency Room. Clinic will be closed Good Friday as well. Oh great, even better!

Sheesh! As you can tell, it was not pleasant at my household last night. Freaking out over my child being sick, worried about missing a day of school to drive all over kingdom come to find my child a Dr, and how in the hell will we ever make it through tonight if we are already wheezing.

Good thing my Dr. gives me extras. I started the steroid, started the breathing machine, and we were all set. Jentri was snoozing, seemed to be in a deep sleep, and about an hour later, it ALL CAME CRASHING DOWN. From 10:30, until 2:30 I was up walking the floor, rocking, sitting up trying to hold her straight up so she could sleep/breathe and nothing was working. Motrin/cough medicine/Tylenol/ more honey cough medicineMotrin/ vicks vaor rubTylenol/Breathing treatment/honey cough medicine/ etc. etc. etc.

NOTHING worked I tell you. The breathing treatment did help with the wheezing, but I was in pure exhausting by 2:30. Then when that alarm came beeping at 5:40, I seriously wanted to throw it into the wall.

Luckily, my friends have my Doctor's cell number, and out of pure desperation, I sent him that text at 6:30. I immediately got the response- I'll call you in medicine! The sigh of relief could not have been any bigger.

There is no worse feeling that your child being sick, and you as a parent being completely helpless as to what to do. I am in pure gratitude that the Doctor was so willing and accomodating to fill such a huge request, after hours. (It was very hard to contact him, thus being me a teacher and can't stand to deal with my job AFTER hours; so I know Doctors have to feel the same!)

So, I've got the medicine, we are packed and ready, and the countdown is on to get to Lolli's and Nana's.

Let the EASTER weekend begin!

Also--- here are some pics from their parties this morning! My babies are growing up!

My current favorite recipe....

Have you ever loved something of someones so much, you almost felt guilty of asking for their recipe? Ever felt like they might for once say "No, it's a secret!", or just that "They might think I want to be like them feeling..... Yup! That's me when it comes to these cookies. Growing up, I was blessed with those famous "Myers" girls on my sporting teams. Their moms were always so fabulous at giving us sweet treats to root us on and cheer us up! Sometimes, they made these wonderful, melt in your mouth, m&m cookies. Sometimes, they even used purple and yellow m&m's. I know--makes one feel special right? Anyways, years and years passed and now that I have kids, I keep thinking- Ok- who could I ask for this recipe? Of course there are a bazillion online that I could use, but who wants to be a guinea pig? Well, I guess I am because low and behold, I never did have the nerve to ask for the recipe. HOWEVER, I did some research (I spend alot of time googling) and found this recipe on Damn Delicious! Ok, is it just me, or is it when you see someone who has a blog called "Damn Delicious" , you get a sense that this person might just really know their food? So, I jumped right into the kitchen, and I haven't looked back since! OMG- they are the best! I have also found that the less you bake them- the better they are. Just let them cool, on the baking pan, and they turn out amazing! So, if you ever wanted a tried and true, wonderful M&M cookie recipe that is a fave at my house, then look no more...... (If you know how to credit Damn Delicious for this recipe- then please do so!)

 

In a mixing bowl prepare 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup shortening. Combine in bowl with 1/2 cup sugar and 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed. Beat until light and fluffy. One at a time, add 2 eggs to the mixture. Then add 2 tsp of Vanilla. Once that is mixed up, add 2 1/4 cups of flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp of salt. Mix until all combined. (For sure- you have to stick your finger in it and lick it off- yeah! It's THAT good!) Then, the original recipe says 1 cup of m&m's. However, I say do whatever your mood wants. If you want more cookie, less chocolate- add less- and the opposite is an option too. I bake mine for no more than 8 minutes, just when they get that baked look on the outside, I take them out and set them on a hot pad to cool to room temperature. I then transfer them onto a cooling rack until they are completely held into shape and can stack in a tupperware container. ENJOY!

My New Best Friend!

I've wondered, for over 6 months, how to get those luscious wavy curls that you see all the celebrities showing off. Well, I did know that it was extensions that was helping them first off. But then I saw other friends on facebook sporting these wavy curls. Honey- you don't get those from a regular curling iron. So, I asked my stylist- and she taught me how to use my straightener, but all that reaching and turning my straightener in and then out, then in and then out, then seeing smoke come off my hair and smelling like the forest was burning, I decided it was time for more research. I finally just asked a high school girl, (yes, a HIGH SCHOOL GIRL) how she got those gorgeous waves and she goes "a curling wand".... In my mind I'm thinking "say what?" But, I googled and saw these cone looking things and thought- Let's give it a try. But, the money savvy Dave Ramsey conscience kicked in and said "what if you don't like it?" So, I went to Sally's and bought the CHEAPEST one they had. I then told myself, if I love it, then I'll splurge on the real deal. So...... Here is what I started out with....

It's a "plugged in" travel size curling wand. I actually left it in the sack for two weeks, too scared to try it. Then, I pulled it out...and well..the rest is just history!I use it all the time, every day, and have never had a hair style to last me more than one day....I can wand it one day, the wave is still there the next, and the 3rd day it still makes an awesome side pulled pony tail with waves coming out.

So this weekend, I ventured to the city and finally bought a "real" wand, the kind that has no cheat on it and you have to wear a glove and wrap every curl around yourself..... I went back and forth on which brand to get and what size of barrel to get.... but I went to Ulta and let the ladies take control. And, I know you are probably wondering how much I love it, and yet I can't answer. I haven't taken it out of the box. Ok, so things scare me at first. I have to mentally talk myself into things. And, there's just something strange to me about wearing a glove to curl my hair!?!?

So, if you too are looking for those beautiful waves, look no more and get yourself a wand! It's TOTALLY worth it!

Trendy Trailer strikes again!

Ok, there is this lady, who goes around, from twon to town with this fabulous pickup and nice trailer. Inside the trailer, is a boutique. Yup, that's right. A full blown boutique- dressing room and ALL! It's fabulous!!! The past 3 times she has been through, my girlfriends and I have somehow found our way there during our conference period. Hmm, wonder how that happened? I fell in love with this top- and the lady asked for my picture for facebook. Say what!? Ok, whatever. Take it as a compliment! So, here is my new top that I purchased..... and below are the other 2 that I ended up purchasing as well!!! Trendy Trailer....you may just have blown my budget!

 I actually wore this top today. Paired it with some hot pink tights and some big purple dangly earrings. GORGE! (Lots of compliments this morning!


Then the last one, I was kind of on the fence, then my girlfriends talked me into wearing a cute brown belt in the middle, with my mint colored skinny jeans, or even some tights and WALA!

So what about you? Have you bought anything trendy lately?

Annual Couples Weekend 2013....another success!!!! For some of you wondering, Jeremy and I, since having kids have always struggled finding time for "us". We love our children more than life itself, however, with two itty bitties, it can get quite hectic, crazy, chaotic, stressful, etc. To the point that sometimes, you even forget that you're married because you are in such a routine. Yup, it's sad. So- 4 years ago, after having Jaylee we were at a family gathering- and our cousins hit us up to stay overnight  in the stockyards, go out without kids, etc. Well, we made it our goal from that night on, that we were all much deserving of ONE NIGHT away from kids and so we would make this an annual trip. Thus being said, 4 years later, and we are still going strong!

I love this weekend. I actually look forward to it the minute this years is over. Is that bad? We spent this year in Bricktown, Oklahoma City. We shopped the outlet malls, a few of our regulars "target, hobby lobby, etc" and ate some amazing food at the cheesecake factory. Many of you will die when I tell you what I love the most there....and I do get made fun of it... but who cares! I know what I Like and I like what I know! So, now then. What do I love most at the cheesecake factory..... meatloaf! Yup, that's right! Meatloaf! It's just amazing, enough said! Delinda and I also shared one amazingly delicious piece of Reese's Peanut Butter cheesecake (I had never tried this flavor) My favorite flavor so far is the Red Velvet Cheesecake.... but I'm going back for Nascar weekend and am anxious to try another one! What about you, do you have a favorite cheesecake factory flavor!?

After our girls day out, we checked into the hotel while the boys were already in bricktown, touring all the bars there were. I think after counting all the bars there, they only missed on 2. So, you can well imagine how my husband returned to my room as I was getting ready for our night out....well....actually.... I was late getting ready...once I got my room key....and opened my door..... here is a picture of what awaited me....

It's ok to be jealous, I'd be too. This thing took 25-30 minutes just to fill. It was honestly a small feeling of heaven soaking in that thing. Now, as most of you are probably thinking "we all know what those tubs are for"..... let me clarify. The whole reason in getting this suite..... I live in the trailer, with a huge tub, that would be oh so wonderful, if I didn't have a TEN GALLON WATER HEATER that cannot fill it up. Since moving in, I have yet to have a HOT BATH and just get to soak! When I do get to take a bath, it only barely covers the tops of my legs, and leaves my top half freezing. How is that for enjoyable? Far from it! So...... my husband told me to splurge and just to prune myself in that tub. And let me tell you, that's JUST what I did. Instead of being ready at 5:30, I sat in the tub until 6:30, just enjoying the depth, the endless hot water, and just the quiet time, all alone. Ok, my phone was nearby and I read my newspaper, ok well facebook, and might have played a few rounds on my new favorite game Song Pop (please download the app, I'd LOVE to play you, I'm not very good though!)

After I withered away in pure wrinkles, I finally managed to make myself get out, and get ready for the night. I would have made my bf Megan proud with how long it took me to get ready.....
I really really loved my outfit that night. Although it was quite chilly, I didn't care. It was worth it. I had on some new Grace LA jeans with blinged out pockets, my corral boots I got from my inlaws for christmas and this new top, undershirt from Three Strand Threads in Canadian. (My new favorite store). When I saw this top, I would have NEVER bought it. But the lady got me to try it on, and I LOVED the way it fell! I love the vintagy look, the soft, comfy material, and I even love the bold purple underneath. I would have never put that combo together, but with some big circle purple rhinestone earings, with gold detail (yes, gold might just be my new accessory!) I thought it turned out rather cute!

Anyways, after dining at Toby Keith's Bar and Grill (who cares Mickey Mantle?) and then onto Hooter's for some more appetizers/beverages, we ended up at the Wormy Dog, jamming out, and having so much fun to our dear Stephenville buddy, Reckless Kelly. (Reckless was  a regular, almost weekly performer in Stephenville when we were in college.) So, it was definitely an amazing night. I actually decided to let loose, and enjoy myself and maybe get a little crazy myself..... then again, maybe not. Those details remain on couples weekend!

Next stop for Couples Weekend 2014---- someone metioned....VEGAS!?!?! Eek!

Sometimes....

Days like today make you wish you were that irresponsible, worthless, careless individual who didn't have a conscience! Grr!

Just to fill you in on the drama- 5th ANNUAL Couples Weekend, is this coming weekend. I have planned, reserved, and have everything lined out. Hotel rooms....check! Tickets...check! Table at concert....check! Places to go/eat......check! Babysitter lined up a month ago....check!

All this was too good to be true, I knew it was. Here came along a change in the babysitter issue. I could go on and on but I'll keep my comments to myself.

However- here's my deal- why is it that I feel SO guilty for asking anyone to keep my children ONE WEEKEND out of the 52 that there are in a year. Are we not DESERVING/ALLOWED/ETC one night away from our children? I shouldn't feel so guilty asking to keep my kids one night out of the year. This is really eating me up. Why do I always feel like I'm bugging someone, bothering someone, putting someone in a bind, etc.

On the other hand- here is why I started out my post with such irresponsible ranting. I have known people who CONSTANTLY and CONSISTENTLY dump their kids off on anyone and everyone in sight. They are constantly going, doing, etc. and never thinking twice about it.

So, can I/We not get just a LITTLE credit for being responsible, mature, grown adults? Upon pondering the last time that EITHER of my children have stayed at, let's just use grandparents as an example, house..... ONE YEAR ago, this month, they stayed at my mom's house- and at that- only ONE child stayed, as the other was at the other grandparents. Which was in turn, the last time that one of my children have stayed, OVER THE NIGHT, at someone's house.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but should I be feeling guilty and wanting to cancel this entire weekend beacuse I feel like I'm bothering someone? OR- do you think that it's good for couples of children to get away, occasionally, and have a dinner without crying, spilling, screaming, messes, etc.?

Well.....

Ok, maybe not! Whew! Well, actually, what the bad news was in fact will still be bad news in the future, yet just not right now.
I still have a little more time......

Until then..... I'll make the best of it!

Punch!

Bam! Feels like someone just kicked me smack in the stomach! I hate when this happens in life. No matter how prepared you are for something, and dread that day coming, it comes; regardless! That day happened today. I sat here, trying to be happy on one end. Then on the other end, just bawled my eyes out after that phone call. I don't understand why God puts us through trials such as these- but I know there is a purpose. Why can't something so good last forever? Just as soon as you get "comfortable" with something, it seems as though it gets rips right out from underneath us.

So- please pray my friends. God will get me out of this "pit" and I'll be ok. Time heals all wounds.