A New Page

So yada, yada I haven't blogged forever, moving on.

I am sooo not an Oprah fan but for use of a better term, I have had a serious aha moment, that I have to write down so I don't forget it. Recently I had a amazing experience with my son Brody, who is one of the coolest people I know, this kid sets goals and acheives them all the time and I have no idea how is he so great! Well last year he decided he wanted to do the Ragnar Relay Race and I was a little aprehensive,...big race, my little boy, not enough sleep and he loves his sleep. But I said okay, he paid the dues and off we went. We were so lucky to have him on a team that was incredible such great role models for my boy (and little did I know ME!) I just wanted to freeze time and never forget the lessons he was learning. He pushed himself harder and faster and longer and it was amazing and yes I cried.

But in the middle of this experience was the beginning of my aha moment, at the end the second leg for our van, one of the best people I know started her run, she was nervous, and I could tell a little worried and really nothing phazes this girl, so I was a little concerned for her. This run was hard and long and dark and uphill. But she told us to go get some dinner and then come get her and we could go to the place where we would sleep. (such a rockstar) So we did, as we made out way back to her as I was driving up, up, up the hill that she was running, I began to be worried for her and just couldn't imagine how she could be doing this when we finally reached her almost to the checkpoint I might add, I felt this huge sigh of relief seeing her running, with what looked like vigor and enthusiasm. I couldn't believe it! I rolled down the window to ask her how she was and if she needed anything and her reply was NO I'M AWESOME!! said with the most joy and passion I have ever heard. I remember thinking I never want to forget the joy I heard in her voice, she wasn't being boastful or saying she this awesome person, she was absolutely filled with awesomeness!! I loved it,

After pondering that for a few days I started to realize what an impact it was having on me, And I started to ask myself some questions that needed asking. Do I have anything in my life that I do for myself that brings me that much joy? I have joy watching my children succeed and my husband but do I have anything like that, I wanted to be able to feel that.
There are many things I used to love to do, that I have left by the wayside and put others first as I should do being a mom, but the season of tiny ones is gone and why I am still crazy busy running them here and there, the time has come for me to find my passion and my joy.

So after a very long, tearful, amazing discussion with my husband, we decided with some changes to our lifestyle that for now I would quit my job and take care of things that I need to, to find my joy. The list is long but I have such peace in my decision, and even though it is so hard to leave a job I love dearly I know I need to do this for my family, my hubby and for me. I need to look in the mirror and be proud of what I see, and I am so grateful to people who inspire my every day and a husband that truly loves me and supports me. I couldn't ask for anything more. Really long post sorry if you endured it and finally a pic from the race and my boy with pure joy on his face.

neener, neener....

For very long time(island talk) I have read blogs where people talk about these amazing vacas they take (over and over again I might add) to sunny locals with beautiful beaches. I would be green with envy wondering if it would ever happen to me. Well guess what it is!!! And I am going to blog away!! Especially when this is what occured today!

So for you jealousy pleasure (or mine) I will be going here. And yeah that is a real picture Cozumel Mexico.

And here Montego Bay Jamaica (can't ya just here the beach boys?)

And finally here Georgetown Grand Cayman. uh huh! Can't wait, can't wait. So excited. And so grateful to my sweet Mother in law for taking all her kids and their spouses on this fabuloso cruise!!!

Heavy Things

All righty we are just going to ignore the fact I haven't blogged in like forever because I like the island of denile, it is pretty here and they know my name. And I am going to blog about something trivial and menial.

Do you have just have things that are dumb about you? I like heavy things (considering my current size, this statement makes me laugh and is hilarious to me) I know it seems weird but I do. Heavy glasses, silver ware, dishes, jewelry. So when a certain birthday hit upon me like a ton of bricks (heavy pun intended) I was thrilled when the hubster, listened to me when I had said about a year ago ever so gently handing him the tag off a piece of jewelry I had bought from an dear old friend of mine, saying "If you want to buy me a gift go here" I know subtle. Well he listened (shocking) Not that he listened just that I say a lot of crap and he managed to pick up some of the good stuff I said. This lovely along with 5 other charms it came with was delivered to me on my birthday. And made me soooo happy and giggly. And one of the charms in particular is heavy so it beautifully keeps straight and doesn't go ring around the rosy around my neck (which drives me nuts). Anyway just thought I'd share my love of this stuff. Her stuff is cool, hip, bohemian, and so different which are my favorite things. BTW I was not paid for this advestisement (but I'd like to be :)) Go to that pretty orange sticker on the side over there for all the goods. Kelly Annie Jewelry Rocks !! Oh and so does my hubby!

I am failing

Having one of those days, I am having a day when I feel like I am failing at everything, Mom, wife, Friend, daughter, sister, human. Blah, blah is all I got. I have the feeling there is a giant elephant and not only cannot I not take a bite I can't even see around the other side of it. It is not helping that as of tomorrow I will officially have a teenager (why in the name of suess does that have to happen??) I hate my kids growing up for the record, hate it, alot. Especially when I look at pictures like this one

I did NOT give him permission to grow up, or get hugged by girls (except me) or to suddenly think I am lame. NO NO NO!

Okay temper tantrum over I am going to have a time out I will be back when I am not so grumpy! Have a great weekend.

Guess where I got to go??

So I have the best mom ever!! She took me somewhere I could never dream of going especially in this economy but it was so worth it. Here's a clue,
Yeah that's right Lion King baby!! It was truly amazing, I am a big baby when it comes to live theatre no matter the show I cry a little (or a lot) depending on the show at the beginning and this one I was so weepy the whole time it was truly amazing! If you get the chance, GO!! My best joke of the night... was for these guys. I think they work at Jamba Juice on their days off. Haha I am hilarious I know!!

It was awesome plus as my buddy said Simba is a hottie!!

Thanks mom!! Love you so much!!

Also I have to share this pic he lost two teeth in two days and couldn't be cuter, have mercy!!

Too Funny not to share

I usually don't share many stories from my work but this one was too good not to. So I am doing the first week of school schpeel (sp?) and I have an instrument simailiar to the one above that I use as a attention getter or a quiet down class tool. So last year all my classes voted and we named him Bob, I drew a face on him and when the class gets too loud Bob shakes his head in protest. So as I am explaining this a little girl raises her hand and says this....
'Mrs. Bankhead, Bob is funny because he kinda looks like my Uncle Bob except without the nuts... yeah go ahead and try and keep a straight face in front of your class. I dare Ya!!" Sorry sick sense of humor but ya gotta laugh!

A small interruption..

Just a question for you blends (yeah I stole that term), Do you ever have people who are in your life whether you want them to be or not, that make you feel well, yucky about yourself. And then you go around analyzing for the better part of your day, is it them or is it you just being paranoid. I have someone like that for me, they make me feel inferior and horrible about myself but do they really or is it just me?? My bet is it is just me, but there is some pretty stiff evidence that is them a little too. Sorry just wondering if anyone out there feels the same way, maybe I just needed a rant. We now return you to your scheduled programming.

This is one of my favorite quotes and current mantra
"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission"
Elenor Roosevelt
hmmmmm.......

Gotta go back.....

Well it's here that time for books, teachers and dirty looks. But this year was not as fun for some reason, letting my oldest venture into the depths of Jr High was particularly awful for me at least he was fine! But here they go!! We had a school clothes fashion show an idea I snagged from Nie Nie, packed up the packs, John did his dad thing, we had a Jr. High talk to Brodyman about standing up for what's right and off they went.

Seriously my youngest is killing me with sweetness in this pic!
The pic on the porch a tradition!

This is all he gave me I wasn't allowed to get out of the car, I had to take this sitting in the driver's seat while he walked away....its hard to drive with tears in your eyes....just so you know.

These are the things that stick in my mind and hurt my heart.

The elemetary ones, at least I get to see them a little.

First day of school for this girl is like Christmas, seriously..

Porter in his English classroom!

The boys are back in town!!!! I couldn't ask for better friends for my kid!!

Have a happy school year!!

Coming out of the Closet (heehee)

Just kidding!! But really I worked on this closet for ever!! And it was a labor of love, but what lies beyond the mysterious black curtain (don't worry I have since steamed it) you shall see now when my darling lulu asked for a black, white and lime green room, I was really excited buy I knew I would get bored and so would she if we painted the room green so this was a comprimise.
Isn't it awesome? In the pictures it looks more yellow than the green that it is but hopefully you get the idea.

On top of three of the polka dots which I used a mixing bowl to paint on individually uh yeah last time I do that I had the hubster cut me out some circles of scrap wood (free!) and got some pull from hobby lobby (2.50) and made some hangers for bathrobe, backpack, scarves etc.

They happen to be her initials

I love how it turned out even though it is a small closet we have tried to make the most of it. Pardon the stool in the closet I had just finished!

I loved this because unlike most of the things I do that I steal ideas this one was all me!! Happy Friday all!!

What are you watching??

This is a really dumb trivial post but I have found some really new great shows this summer that are decent now I can't tell you when they are on because I tivo everything but I might be able to tell you what channel they are on....maybe. Plus I need any suggestions, of your faves, Keep in mind I don't watch Bachelor/ette, survivor(don't tell my dear friend Neleh ;), big brother, but I have become a recent fan of biggest loser.
Anyway here they are:
1. Top Chef- I have watched this for a long time but it is still one of my faves plus I have a big monster chef crush on this guy I know its weird but its my weird. BRAVO
2. Covert Affairs-Have you seen this show, it is soo much fun its like Bourne Idenity for girls, plus if you were a fan of Ugly Betty you will love seeing Henry, cute and awesome and blind!! Yeah Love it!! USA
3. Flashpoint-This show rocks! It is kinda cheesy but so good and really intense and so sweet in some spots, this is a double winner because me and my hubby love it together. CBS
4. Rizzoli and Isles- This one is good, it hasn't gotten great yet but it is good and its better than watching CSI reruns. TNT
5. Burn Notice-My hubster has liked this one longer than I have I finally gave it a chance and tried to think of it more than just a show about a girl who loves guns show (which is what drew him in) and it is pretty funny and a fun show, great characters and a good time. USA
Again totally trivial and dumb but a little fun once in a while doesn't hurt!

One Proud Mama

That's right I said proud!! That's okay once in awhile right?? Well my Brodyman. Set a goal, worked hard and accomplished it! He really took to bike riding this summer when he did in cycling merit badge for scouts, well while I was training for my new scout calling I happen to see this bike ride up in Bear Lake called Bike the Bear where they ride around the lake for a 50 mile bike ride but because this is the 100 year of scouting and for a special badge (which they didn't get btw) they could do the lake ride twice so he wanted to do that. He got up for weeks at 6:00 am and would go on 10,15 or 25 mile bike rides to train and last Saturday he did and my very sweet nephew did it with him so he wouldn't have to ride alone (sooo grateful!) and he did it, he wanted to quit along the way but we told him we knew he could do it and so he just kept going! So Proud of him and all he accomplished and what he learned along the way!! Here is some fun pics of the day!! Getting ready to go soo tough!

Coming in from the 50, check out the traffic yeah I was a nervous wreck!
The last aid station that was open, his Dad and I became the roaming aid station after that.
90 down 10 to go and still smiling!!

The final stretch!!

If you can't tell that says 100!!! So awesome!!

Time to reflect

I realized I haven't posted anything about the loverely trip we got to take this summer, it was awesome!! We don't travel much (not that I don't like to, just don't get to much) So when we do, I try my best to make it FABULOUS!! Anyway we went to Zions National Park, Route 66 (the most important part for Porter) and San Diego and had tons of fun. Here are some of my favorite pics from the trip.

Porter and Daddy in the pool at Uncle Doug's house so nice!!

Kids hiking in Zions, and this is where we learned to read signs more carefully! Little more of a hike than we were planning on.

Porter and his ultimate find, we happen to think this looks exactly like Stanley from Cars, huge find! He was so happy!

I asked all the kids to do this but Catie really took to it, the first thing we do when we go to a coastal town is find the beach it was lovely!

This was like the mother ship was calling Brody and Porter home, they were in heaven and I really liked it too, amazing talented people live there.

Right before we left I was doing some famiy history and discovered that my great, great grandparents were buried in Chula Vista, Cali so my hubster humored me and drove me around to find the cemetary and it was so cool, plus I found another relative that the records had buried in the wrong place so cool!

Finally (for this post) was the Midway museum aircraft carrier I didn't expect to love this as much as I did but it was sooo cool, one of the highlights for me. Maybe some more pics later, much more to the trip but to many pictures make me crazy!

Ok so here it is

The only reason I am doing this post is so I can link here and be with the cool kids, I love this blog, everything about it, her humor, her style and I have a serious dog crush on Maximus. (You seriously need to read all the posts regarding him. But this is the blog where I recieved the inspiration for the tree in my daughter's room, that redo to follow soon! Anyway I wanted to do something cool enough to link on her show and share day so, I tried but I am not sure if I succeeded. Here it is: I had an old table my great grandfather gave to me years ago and I did a very sorry yet fitting for my furniture at the time redo and when I got bored (which is easy) I put in the kids playroom(dungeon) to do puzzles on. Well I really needed a end table in my living room so I decided to bring it up and see what I could do, here is the before:

Gross

Please don't judge me:

Obviously that no food in the playroom rule is not being followed, shocker!

Here it is primed :

And here it is painted red velvet red!! Loved it, but I do have brown faux leather couches so I decided I wanted just a little bit more so.......

I added a dark walnut glaze just to give a little hint or brown and make it go better with the room

There it is to see the really cool links to some awesome stuff go to Just a Girl button on my side bar. She never dissapoints!! Happy Friday!

Because I am a dork

and it took me a week to write a shout out post please scroll down to see a post I wrote and some of my favorite go getters!!

A video for Sunday

I love, love, love this song, I wish I could have it in my heart all the time. Happy Sunday!!

Had an awesome day

with my momma and little girl, went to the Artisan Fair and the quilt store. Sported my new sassy hairdo (really sassy! hehe) Then came home to a beautiful, wonderful smelling rainstorm. So I ordered my kids outside(only two of them listened) and demanded that they play in the rain while I grabbed my camera and shot some of my favorite pictures ever!! Please summer never end......