All Tuckered Out

So my dad bought Jamie these cowboy boots when he was about Gavin's age. Beautiful, shiny black cowboy boots. We had them hidden away and when Gavin found them, they were his. Doesn't matter what he's wearing, he wants those boots on. In his shorts, even in just his underwear, that kid is a true cowboy at heart. And the other thing that goes with this lovely ensemble is his mitten. Only one. Michael Jackson style. Which is frightening but he's too little to know Michael Jackson is scary. I have to literally wait until he's asleep to get this mitten
off of him. And yes we have back-ups. I have to say, boys are the funniest creatures. Sure, I was a tomboy but that's not the same as being an actual boy.
OK so I am fiending a creative night. I have been itching to crop but it's been crazy busy the last couple of weeks so I haven't gotten a darn thing done. So finally I'll get some creative time tomorrow night at Remember When with Corinne. I soooo need this.
On that note, if you haven't done something creative for YOU lately, take some time for yourself, pull out those artsy supplies and whip up something pretty. I don't know about you but that definitely relaxes me and being with my gals makes it even better. Have a great weekend!

What a Week!

It's been crazy around here and I haven't had time to post but here I am! Vinnie left on Saturday to go to DisneyWorld with Ben. Now I totally trust Ben but regardless, I am a nervous wreck whenever he takes Vinnie far away. And of course, he takes off and Sunday I'm flicking past CNN and what do I see? A freakin' tropical storm barrelling towards Orlando. Where my child is. 13 or not, he's still my child. Needless to say I've been on the phone with him several times a day to make sure he's ok. And I won't wrest until he's home safely. Which isn't for another 5 days. UGH! Isn't it fun being a parent? Actually, it's a blast. I don't mind the continual worrying, praying, holding my breath everytime they trip, slip or fall. It was funny because I was talking to someone I met the other day and he asked, what's your job? And I pointed to the boys. That's my job. To take care of them. To make sure they are fed, clothed, bathed (OK relatively clean and not smelly) and loved every single second of their lives. And I love love LOVE my job. It doesn't pay in money but in MOMENTS. The moments when I hear my sweet Jamie exclaiming, 'I'm getting bigger!' or when Kieran can sit there and tell me a story that completely cracks him up. Gavin starting to actually form words we understand. And Vinnie proudly giving me his baseball pictures and seeing the shadow of moustache on my growing son. It's the best and most rewarding job in the world.
OK so I found this on another blog but it's a cool challenge. Copy, paste & add your own answers. Love it!! Have a great day!!


I AM: a happy mom & wife
I WANT: good health and happiness for family and friends.
I HAVE: a very full, busy life with 4 boys (5 if you count Jim)that keep me running
I WISH: to find the perfect house in the perfect location for our little family to settle
I HATE: rude people, reality TV (Is it reality???)
I MISS: VINNIE!
I HEAR: my loud ass AlienWare Harddrive and Kie playing XBox
I WONDER: what my life will be like in a year
I REGRET: Not pursuing a career in law enforcement
I AM NOT: Tired for once!!
I DANCE: with the kids all the time
I SING: only to my kids.
I CRY: when I am alone & frustrated
I AM NOT ALWAYS: As strong as my friends think
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: Scrapbooks and food (my passions!)
I WRITE: Cheesy romance novels that will never get published
I CONFUSE: Jim a lot because I talk too fast
I NEED: to work out, relax, spend more quality time with the kids, not let little things bug me
I SHOULD: go to church more often
I START: new projects all the time and have a hard time finishing them.
I FINISH: my important projects

Simply Adorable

This is my friend Corinne's daughter Grace & my sweet Jamie at his 6th birthday party. They've only met each other twice before but as soon as she arrived Jamie was stuck to her like glue. She is just the sweetest thing and has the tiniest little voice. She is 100% girl and I love it.
We had a great time and the best part was that my brother was actually here for a birthday party. Being in the Army and gone a lot he has missed almost every birthday so we were so excited to have him here. Seeing pictures just isn't the same as being here to celebrate. We had planned on going to the local kid's amusement park, Pixieland, for the party but 2 days before the news was saying it was going to rain. A few last minute adjustments and we ended up here at our house and the kids had a blast playing in the backyard. It turned out perfect.
9 days left before school is out and the kids are free for the summer. Jamie has summer school for a month starting the end of June but that's only for a few hours a day. But for the most part, we'll be relaxing and enjoying the sun. Vinnie leaves Saturday morning for Florida with Ben. He hasn't flown since 9/11 and I know he's scared even though he doesn't say so. Hopefully the excitement of spending a week at DisneyWorld will ease his mind. I, on the other had, will be missing him like crazy. It doesn't matter that he's 13 and that his dad and I are getting along great. I'm a mom, I worry. That's my job.
Going to get some cleaning done so my house is in order before I go to baseball tonight. Last game of the season already and Vinnie has the scrapes and bruises to show it. Thankfully there's still the major league season so I won't be totally deprived of baseball. GO YANKS!! Woohoo!

Look out Roger Clemens!

That's my boy. #1. The first of 5 and ain't he something? 13 years old and full of confidence and talent. His whole life is ahead of him. I can't believe how quickly he grew up. People always tell you how fast they grow up but you never really believe them until one day you wake up and that baby you held just a few years ago is now as tall as you and growing a moustache. Scary. He is an incredible kid though. Awesome big brother and I love that he has the confidence I didn't have as a kid.
So we are at the end of another school year. Very exciting. Vinnie will be going to 8th grade, Jamie to first and Kieran to kindergarten kicking and screaming. This kid does not want to go to school. I think it's a little separation anxiety combined with not knowing what to expect. But we have until the end of August to prepare him.
Gavin is just the talking fool now. He is becoming quite the character, doing little dances and stunts to make us laugh. The latest is copying Bruce Lee with judo chops. They truly are like little sponges.
Looking forward to a trip to Berkeley with the girls. We're going to hit Scrapbook Territory for their anniversary sale and go see Nicole at her new job. Fun stuff and I definitely need some girl time. And tonight a last minute photo shoot to get me back on track. It's been 3 weeks and that's just too long.
Enjoy your weekend and get out in that beautiful sunny weather!!