Vacation Fun...

Ahhhh, we're back home. We spent the week in Cancun, Mexico. Our first time visiting there. It's beautiful. We went on an all-inclusive package, a first for us too. Let me tell you if you have kids, well this is the way to go. There was an endless supply of food and so many options. My kids never went hungry, and we didn't have to carry our wallets. Even at the pool they had an open buffet all day long. The weather was very nice, and my boys quickly made friends with the other kids at the pool. Hubby and I did a lot of relaxing by the pool with fruity drinks. A couple of evenings we took the local bus and went into the downtown shopping area, and we felt safe the entire time. The buses were mostly filled with tourists. A few snapshots of our week.

the breathtaking water

the beach

the pool area at our hotel

the nightly torture

my boy by the girl in the red bikini

my guys enjoying the moonlit ocean

one of the restaurants in our hotel where we mostly ate

(we had a choice of 8)

my very own bird print

the pool area at our hotel

my boys

the massage hut at our hotel

A view of the hotel plaza area at night, I took this photo from

the second floor, this was part of the Solaris Hotels.

Happy Easter and Taking a Break...

Ok, can I just say that I am completely wiped out right about now. Yes, it started early this morning when my adopted family showed up to finish their work on the project. Yawn....bright and early, in fact I opened the door in my pj's. Sooooo, after scaring them with that site, ha that woke them up didn't it that's what they get for waking me up! My hectic day began. I ran around getting the boys haircuts and returning a stack of clothes that I bought my angel (devil) son and he did not like ONE thing - UGH....I could scream. So, I dragged him to the store so he could pick out his own (dang) clothes for vacation. Lord get me to the beach!

On top of that, the guys finished up the project around 1pm, so then I had to come home and CLEAN, yes hubby and I cleaned every part of the house because it was covered with a fine dusting of wood that the guys sanded off of the columns. Then....I had to pack the suitcases, and tomorrow is Easter sooooooo of course the baskets had to get made....and so that brings me to the nice part of the story.....

When my kids were toddlers my sister told me of a woman she worked with that used to put out bunny prints in a trail and her children would have to follow them to find their baskets. And I knew that I had to start this magical tradition for my own boys....and so it began. I knew I'd be running like a nut today getting ready for our trip and all....but I HAD to do this for them...they expect it.....and I overheard one of my boys tell the other that he couldn't wait for the Easter bunny to leave his prints......awe....how could I not. So, yes as TIRED as I am....the bunny has arrived to deliver their baskets...and he has left his trail...that my boys will follow in the morning when they awake. I started it right outside their bedroom door...as they are sound asleep.....sssshhhhh

Happy Easter everyone! I'll post more pictures of the project once the painter comes in and does his thing next week, and the final step to the project is new carpeting in the room. I'll be back with you all next weekend! Hope everyone has a blessed day tomorrow.

The baskets are their first baskets I made them when they were just

infants....and I use the same basket every year.

Happy Easter!

Spring Project Progress - DAY 2

Ok, somebody slap me hard! HOW CAN I HAVE DOUBTED THIS???????? Well, having said that, can you tell that I am just THRILLED with the project. This is Larry and his son Brian, my new adopted family members! YES, I asked them if I could adopt them - I would feed them well I assured them! They are not going to finish today, as you can see they are working hard and oh giving it just so much CARE and attention. Do you think it's because I told them Oprah reads my blog? ssssshhhhhhhhhh

And to you Mr. UGLY WALL - Goodbye, DON'T EVER COME BACK! Nope, don't miss you one bit, sorry.

Yes, they've taken over the garage. I don't care.

Is this just beautiful or what?

Oh where have you been all my life Larry and Brian?

I think I'm in love...

First Spring Project

Sooo....the projects on the house begin for the year. When we moved into the house we knew we didn't care for this wall...it limited the space in the eating area of the kitchen, and it was awkward...still is. Hubby and I have gone on and on...shall we get rid of it, change it, move it...what? So....we've decided to get rid of it to open up the space. I anticipate it is going to be a nice improvement...but I must admit I won't be sure until the project is done. So, here are pictures of the ugly wall, the paneling is already pulled off, and the project is to begin today. I will post pictures as the project progresses this week, they hope to be done in two days, as they are building a column for the support beam. And, I'm going to be very busy as we leave for Spring Break vacation on Easter morning. CAN'T wait! More to follow on that as well. Hope everyone is having a great week! A few pictures of the before project.

Happy St. Paddy's Day and Awards...

Thank you sweet Marcela from Siempre en Alguin Lugar from Argentina for this special award. If you don't know Marcela, she is one of the sweetest gals in blogland, with her uplifting quotes, and charming personality. Hugs to you Marcela!

I'd like to pass this award on to one of my new friends. John-Michael who I would like you to meet if you don't already have the pleasure. I read his posts daily for inspiration and well to fill my soul with his beautiful words and poetry. If you haven't visited John-Michal's blog, I must say you are truly missing out.

Wishing you all a great week!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY ALL!!!

Happy Birthday Mr. "A"

Today is my baby's birthday - he turns 9! Has it been 9 years already? I can't believe it, he's so tall and slender, just like his daddy. He has a heart of GOLD and is warm, tender, loving, and a temper that would rock this planet! And he is curious and funny, and has the most imaginative little mind. The other day he asked me "Mom, who is Bloody Mary? - Is she sisters with Mary, the mother of Jesus"? Dare I tell this child that no it's a mixed drink? I could hardly contain myself. I could go on and on, like when he went on a field trip with his kindergarten class to the pumpkin patch, and came home with a "WHITE" pumpkin - ha! Or when he was so angry at his daddy because he didn't put money in every single Salvation Army tin we passed during Christmas shopping, because he insisted that those people needed this money daddy...it's not fair they need help, and then rushed in the door and scoured his drawers for any change and loose bills he could find! That's my boy, who finds beauty in things that are different, and he always routes for the underdog, part of what makes him the special person that he is. He is truly an angel among us, and we adore this beautiful boy!

Happy Birthday Mr. "A"!

6 (TEN) Word Memoir...

I was tagged by Nan at On My Porch to play the fun game of the 6 WORD MEMOIR........ Here are the meme rules: 1. Write your own six word memoir 2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere4. Tag five more blogs with links 5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

BUT of course I had to change mine to TEN words not six, because that is just the kind of gal I am! I also will not tag anyone as I'm not sure who has been tagged. So here is my 10 Word Memoir...

We are judged by our actions, not by our intentions...

Thought provoking right? I keep this in the back of my mind...and refer to it often - so I thought I'd share with my blogger friends.

If you have not met Nan, head on over to her blog, she has such a warm and charming blog, and she is a complete sweetheart!

Moments to Treasure....

Morning friends! So...I thought I would share two things that happened yesterday with my boys. I keep telling myself that I have to keep a log of these moments...

My 8-year-old son had taken his shower. When he was done I went into the bathroom to help him put lotion on his legs that have been dry from the winter weather. As I was rubbing the lotion on his legs he says "Thank you mom for taking such good care of me all of my life, I love you" - Ah...I responded, "You are welcome my angel, mommy loves you more than you could ever know." He says, "Mom, no offense but there is someone who loves me more than you" - I looked up at him, still rubbing lotion on his legs, with a puzzled look on my face. He says, "Jesus mom.... he loves me more than you." Yes my angel Jesus loves us more than anything. Aaaaahhhhh what a touching moment that I never want to forget. Ever.

Ok, and on to my other son....

I was in my bedroom watching tv, sitting at the edge of my bed. My 10-year old comes in to fill me in on his day at school. He starts by telling me that a girl in his class wrote him a note that asked "Do you like me? - circle yes, no, or maybe" - my son circled "maybe" - HA too cute. So he says that later on in the day, she passes another note to him, obviously she was not satisfied with his response. The note read "Do you like me, circle yes or no....notice the "maybe" is no longer an option - HA!!! So, my son circled "yes" - I then responded....really? I thought you like "M" - not the girl who wrote the note. He says, "I do like "M" mom, but she doesn't like me....then he paused for a moment and says....well.....she does like me, she just doesn't know it!" Oh my word...did my son say that? Oh daddy will be proud! I laughed so hard and hugged and squeezed him. The things kids say! I just had to share these two wonderful moments. Boy, I am so blessed aren't I?!

Wishing you all a wonderful day. Off to get ready for work now!

P.S. - I hope not many teachers read my blog, I don't do well with punctuation marks as you can see...requires too much "thinking." :)

Spring Fever...

I have spring fever! I can feel it in my bones..... Ahhh this morning I came downstairs and the kitchen was sooo bright, sunshine was beaming through the french doors...and so that was my clue that spring is near. Since I was up early I thought I'd take down the snowflakes from the front window...and well I finally put my wooden snowman to bed....he was soooo tired! And so, we sit and wait, with anticipation - hurry spring, we're ready!

aaahhhh and the biggest clue...the basketball my boys left

on the lawn as they wait for the schoolbus....yes it's near

Please hurry!

6 Word Memoir....

Nan over at On My Porch tagged me to play the fun game of the 6 WORD MEMOIR........ Here are the meme rules: 1. Write your own six word memoir 2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like 3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere4. Tag five more blogs with links 5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play! MY 6 WORD MEMOIR IS : You get what you pay for......