Livvy woke up sick this morning....luckily, we had a doctor's appointment today for her one year check-up and so we were able to knock out two birds with one stone. We spent most of the morning before her appointment on the couch reading books and channel surfing (you know Livvy is sick when she doen's move for hours, usually she is just too busy to snuggle).
While surfing, I came across Suze Orman on "The View". I usually don't like "The View"; I find it annoying because they talk over each other so much, but of course, I had to watch! I love Suze Orman! She is so financial savvy! What she says just makes sense, its almost as if you find yourself saying "duh", I should have known that! And she is so frank and upfront and tells it just how it is, I love that. I always learn something from her!
Today she was talking about the current oil and housing market crisis and different ways that everyone can make it through this tough time. Her biggest piece of advice, and the thing I loved the most, was this: "Stop living like you have money if you don't!" (This is not a direct quote...but you get the gist) She said to stop putting things on credit cards and taking out loans so you can live a life that you can't afford. She said that if there is ever a time to live within your means, this is it! She also said there is only one thing that should go on a credit card because its the only thing you cannot live without: Groceries (Notice she did not say eating out...crap!:))
Great advice....so cut up those credit cards? If it weren't for those dang sky miles.....
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Olivia's Feast!
Livvy turned one on Sunday!! I cannot believe how fast the past year has come and gone. We had a little birthday celebration with our family, and Livvy loved all the attention. She did get a little shy when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her, but she loved her cake and went to town once she got the "ok" from mom and dad to dive in.
Opening her gifts in the morning:
Opening her gifts in the morning:
Her new pool:
Livvy and her cake
I made two cakes, a flower for Livvy to dig into, and a butterfly for everyone else to eat. Well, as we sat down to decorate them, Kirk and I found out very quickly that its not as easy as it looks. I gave up on frosting the sides of the flower because it was way too crumbly. I thought it looked better just to leave it as it was. I keep telling myself that the cake isn't the only thing that matters on her first birthday, is it?:)
Singing "Happy Birthday"
Digging in
Tuckered out and reading with Grandma
Olivia,
I want you to know how much I love you! You are truly a miracle in my life for many reasons and I hope you always realize how much you mean to both me and your dad. This past year since you joined our family has been unforgettable, and we have enjoyed every minute of it (yes, all the ups AND the downs). I hope that you always continue to smile and laugh because you brighten the day of all those around you. I also hope that you will reach for the stars, and always be able to realize your dreams. You truly can be whatever you want to be! Thank-you for the joy you are in my life and the joy your bring to our family.
I love you,
Mom
P.S. Please don't grow up too fast, I fear for the day when you are "too old" to give me kisses and snuggle.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
A good cry!
Do you ever feel like you just need a good cry and then you can move on? Well, I just finished one, and I feel somewhat better. At least better enough to get up and move on. I think it makes me feel better because while I cry and think about whatever is making those tears flow, it allows me to ponder, problem solve and encourage myself. A little self boost if you know what I mean.
Today, I'm not really sure where the tears are coming from. There is nothing major to cry about, just a little of this and a little of that. Maybe the littleness of this and that are turning into something big...who knows?
But while crying, I was able to have a little chat with myself, it went a little something like this:
"Mis, its all going to be ok. You will soon have your own house and be out of the basement so you can enjoy the sunshine all day and Livvy will have a bigger space to roam. How can you make it go faster? You probably can't, but it will be ok. Just think, the end is in sight...how far away no one knows, but Kirk is putting his all into it, and as a "one man show", he is doing great. Give him some credit. And don't forget to be grateful, you are blessed to have a place to stay!"
Ok, next: "Why is Livvy being so naughty today, and why is my disciplining not working? They say it can take up to 100 tries before they understand....can I make it that long? What can I do different?"
"Who knows! You are new at this, now give yourself some credit. You are giving it your all, at some point, this will have to be enough. There is always room for improvement, but keep plugging away at it....."
Ok, next: "This new budget bites, its going to be so hard for me to stick to....I hate money" :)
Ok, next: "I think I need a big fat chocolate doughnut and a Diet Coke!"
"Oh why, oh why, am I an emotional eater? Resist the urge!"
"Now, get up and enjoy the quiet you have while Livvy is asleep, you just had a good run, a good cry and some scrapbooking seems to be in order. You haven't seen your craft table for a few weeks....find it, use it and enjoy it!
"LOVE YOU!"
So off to the scrapbook table I go! I think I will skip the chocolate doughnut but maybe give in to the Diet Coke. :)
Today, I'm not really sure where the tears are coming from. There is nothing major to cry about, just a little of this and a little of that. Maybe the littleness of this and that are turning into something big...who knows?
But while crying, I was able to have a little chat with myself, it went a little something like this:
"Mis, its all going to be ok. You will soon have your own house and be out of the basement so you can enjoy the sunshine all day and Livvy will have a bigger space to roam. How can you make it go faster? You probably can't, but it will be ok. Just think, the end is in sight...how far away no one knows, but Kirk is putting his all into it, and as a "one man show", he is doing great. Give him some credit. And don't forget to be grateful, you are blessed to have a place to stay!"
Ok, next: "Why is Livvy being so naughty today, and why is my disciplining not working? They say it can take up to 100 tries before they understand....can I make it that long? What can I do different?"
"Who knows! You are new at this, now give yourself some credit. You are giving it your all, at some point, this will have to be enough. There is always room for improvement, but keep plugging away at it....."
Ok, next: "This new budget bites, its going to be so hard for me to stick to....I hate money" :)
Ok, next: "I think I need a big fat chocolate doughnut and a Diet Coke!"
"Oh why, oh why, am I an emotional eater? Resist the urge!"
"Now, get up and enjoy the quiet you have while Livvy is asleep, you just had a good run, a good cry and some scrapbooking seems to be in order. You haven't seen your craft table for a few weeks....find it, use it and enjoy it!
"LOVE YOU!"
So off to the scrapbook table I go! I think I will skip the chocolate doughnut but maybe give in to the Diet Coke. :)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
I lost 23 pounds this week all because.....
LIVVY STARTED WALKING!!!!!
GO LIVVY!
And that is 23 less pounds I have to lug around!
Livvy has been "practicing " her walking skills since Mother's Day, and has been so determined to do it. She is constantly up and down, a step here and a few there. If you try to help her she will just brush your hands away as if to say "I can do it"....until she needs them that is, which really isn't that often. She is still a little wobbly, and sometimes starts to walk a little faster than her body will balance, but she is doing really well!
What am I going to do now? Can my baby really be walking?
Welcome to a whole new world!
Livvy has been "practicing " her walking skills since Mother's Day, and has been so determined to do it. She is constantly up and down, a step here and a few there. If you try to help her she will just brush your hands away as if to say "I can do it"....until she needs them that is, which really isn't that often. She is still a little wobbly, and sometimes starts to walk a little faster than her body will balance, but she is doing really well!
What am I going to do now? Can my baby really be walking?
Welcome to a whole new world!
Parma, Idaho
What, you don't know where that is? No worries, most don't, and neither did I until my sister Ali moved there with her husband to be a "farmer" a few years ago. And now, we love it...its such a peaceful, quiet place!
This past weekend I went with my parents to visit my sister, Ali, and watch my niece's dance recital. We had a great time. Livvy was an angel on both the trip there and back; 6 hours in a carseat cannot be fun! :)
We went "into town" to do a little shopping in Boise (Parma is about 45 minutes outside of Boise), relaxed, swam, and played with the kids. We also went to the dance recital and celebrated K's "special night". K is 4 and can really "shake her booty". She performed three dances for her recital but my favorite was to a song called "Fabulous"; and fabulous she was. I laughed through this entire dance, she was going wild. Her teacher puts her at the front of the class so the rest of the girls can see her. Too cute!
Livvy loved the recital as well. I was really worried about keeping her occupied for 2 hours and being able to actually watch the recital and enjoy it a little, but once it started there was no more worries. Livvy stood on my lap and danced almost the entire time. The rest of the time, she sat in my lap, with her eyes glued to the stage, while either clapping her hands or tapping her leg. She loves music...and little kids!
Livvy also really enjoyed playing with her cousins, even though at times I think she felt a little overwhelmed. Wouldn't you be too if you had 5 "moms" telling you what to do? She also got a little jealous when her mom was holding or playing with one of the other kids. What are we going to do when a second one comes?
It was fun to get away, even if it was to a town of less than 500 people :) Don't quote me on that, there might be more, but you know a town is small when there is no McDonald's!
Thanks Al and D for a wonderful weekend, when can we come again?
This past weekend I went with my parents to visit my sister, Ali, and watch my niece's dance recital. We had a great time. Livvy was an angel on both the trip there and back; 6 hours in a carseat cannot be fun! :)
We went "into town" to do a little shopping in Boise (Parma is about 45 minutes outside of Boise), relaxed, swam, and played with the kids. We also went to the dance recital and celebrated K's "special night". K is 4 and can really "shake her booty". She performed three dances for her recital but my favorite was to a song called "Fabulous"; and fabulous she was. I laughed through this entire dance, she was going wild. Her teacher puts her at the front of the class so the rest of the girls can see her. Too cute!
Livvy loved the recital as well. I was really worried about keeping her occupied for 2 hours and being able to actually watch the recital and enjoy it a little, but once it started there was no more worries. Livvy stood on my lap and danced almost the entire time. The rest of the time, she sat in my lap, with her eyes glued to the stage, while either clapping her hands or tapping her leg. She loves music...and little kids!
Livvy also really enjoyed playing with her cousins, even though at times I think she felt a little overwhelmed. Wouldn't you be too if you had 5 "moms" telling you what to do? She also got a little jealous when her mom was holding or playing with one of the other kids. What are we going to do when a second one comes?
It was fun to get away, even if it was to a town of less than 500 people :) Don't quote me on that, there might be more, but you know a town is small when there is no McDonald's!
Thanks Al and D for a wonderful weekend, when can we come again?
Sunday, May 11, 2008
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