Thank You, Bunnies, and Umbrellas

Random Title for a Random Post...

I first really want to say "Thank You" for all of the amazing comments from my post on Tragedy and Hope. It was really scary to hit 'publish' on that post and send it out there for everyone to read. It does feel good to share my story and hopefully help someone in the process. Chris actually couldn't believe that I wrote about it. He came home and said how proud he was of me, and he couldn't believe how far I have come since I met him. We actually met 2 months after my accident, so you can imagine the state I was in. He spent almost an entire year talking, listening, and wiping tears. I don't know of any 24 year old guy who would have done that. Most I think would run for the hills!! I love you Chris!

You are probably wondering about the bunnies and umbrellas part of the post...well it is a long story. But, we went out to dinner and drinks with friends on Saturday night to celebrate Chris's birthday. It just so happened to be raining...hence the umbrella. I'm not sure why Chris kept opening it at the bar, but he did. Much to my embarrassment. There was also a crazy bunny and the mad hatter at the bar. Weird, but true! Well, Chris and the boys got a big kick out of this and had to go up and talk to them. Of course! It was a fun night, and we have made so many wonderful friends here. It is just amazing!

Some of the boys...Chris, his brother Shawn, Mike and Ben

Chris and I

The umbrella incident, don't ask!! But it happened more than once!

Rick and Chris thinking that something was really funny!

Cali and I at dinner

Ben and Erin

Some of the girls...Sarah, me and Ang

That crazy Rabbit...see I wasn't kidding!!

Apparently the mad hatter is a cool guy?!?

Gotta love it!

Chris, Cali and Rick

Fun times, but we can seriously only handle it once a year!!

Tragedy and Hope

I haven't written about this yet, well because it is just hard to put into words. I didn't know how much there would be to say about the whole thing really, seven years later. But, it seems that although the years seem to pass and life goes on memories of this day permiate me. Without going into extreme detail, I was the driver in a pedestrian accident. He walked out inbetween two parked cars, not in a crosswalk at 9 at night. He was walking with a friend who saw me and stopped, and he didn't. He lived for 5 days, and then passed away. Even writing this here feels like another persons life, another persons tragedy. But, its not, it is mine to bear. I spent many years dealing with this and working through the range of greif and emotions that comes with experiencing a trama such as this. It doesn't matter how many police officers, parents, or friends tell you that it was an accident. You are still alive and they aren't. Its that complicated and really that simple. For a very long time I lived in a state of being paralized. But, a counselor told me that I had a choice. I could live and move on with my life, or I could die that day too and give up. I know that part of my heart didn't survive that day. I was never quite the same afterward, friends found me difficult and different. Who wouldn't be? There were the ones that have stuck with me through all of this. They have seen my tremendous growth in the past few years. Meeting Chris and having Bradley has healed a huge hole that might not have ever been filled. But, even though I have gotten stronger and moved on. Today is a day that can bring me to my knees. I guess this is a difficult day just to get out of bed, still this many years later. I don't have a lot of people talk to me or ask me about it anymore. I think they all want to believe that I am healed and I have moved on with my life. That's fine, but I haven't. This is a part of me, and I think of him and his family all of the time, especially today and on Monday. Well, I can't believe that I am going to publish this, but I am. I will send it out there for everyone to pick apart. But, this blog is about me and my family. This is me...strong, broken, weak, healed, hurt, fixed, happy, mourning...all rolled into one.

A Do Over Day

Do you ever feel like you need to just go back to bed, and start your day all over again?
I definitely had one of those days today.

Not for any one big reason, just something didn't go right all day long...

I overslept (a little, even though Chris woke me up)
Bradley was grumpy
Bradley didn't want to stop watching Curious George to get dressed
Bradley fights me on ever step of getting dressed
Bradley didn't want to go to school
Mommy is now grumpy and doesn't want to go to school or work either!!!
We make it to school....late
I make it to work....late
Bradley doesn't take a nap for the second day in a row
My ipod is almost out of batteries, and I just realize this as I am about to teach class
I stumble through class after a week of being sick and not moving at all
Hubby fixes a yummy dinner (this is where the day gets better)
Bradley went to bed REALLY early


There was a spot of redemtion...my ipod did make it through the hour long class, and I learned an important lesson about charging it up beforehand!!

The picture above was taken yesterday after Bradley decided he didn't want to nap. We went for a walk in the neighborhood, and he fell dead asleep in the stroller. He was a BEAR when he woke up, but for the moment of the picture he was so sweet!

I hope tomorrow is smoother!

Where In The World Have You Been?

I feel like I have fallen off the face of the earth...I have been seriously ill since last Wednesday night. Poor Chris has now taken care of Bradley and I, as this terrible stomach bug makes its way through every person in our home. Since Chris and I have been dating/married I have never been that sick. I spent most of Wednesday night in the fetal position on the bathroom floor, wishing that I could just have a drink of water.

Now five days later and six pounds lighter, I am finally feeling so much better! It was really beautiful out on Sunday, and we opened the windows in the house. I just wanted all of the winter germs to vacate the premisis. I am ready for winter to officially end (which I think it did on Friday), and spring to come! We were supposed to spend the weekend with Kim and Adam visiting the DC Zoo and visiting. All of that got canceled, which I was so sad about. Hopefully we can make it up there this month!

I was feeling so much better on Sunday so we spent a lot of time outside. We went down to the creek behind the house and looked for frogs (there weren't any, I am happy about that!). I took a bunch of pictures of Bradley playing outside yesterday. I am still working on learning more about my camera. It just has so many settings/choices. Most often I just set it on automatic and snap away.

I have spent most of today catching up on all of my missed housework and trying to take it easy. We have an exciting week coming up, it is Chris's birthday on Friday and my Mom's birthday on Saturday. It should be fun, we have something planned for both nights.

Happy Monday!

I Know, I Keep Talking About It!!

Everyone is finally feeling better over here! That little stomach bug really wiped Bradley out. We put him to bed on Wednesday night at 7pm and he slept until 12:30pm on Thursday. That is over 17 hours. The cleaners were at the house, making tons of noise and the little man slept through the whole thing. I thought he would be up for the rest of the day, and once I got him a little applesauce he fell right back asleep on the couch. It was crazy! He is definitely back to his normal self today.

We had a few plans for the weekend that we had to cancel due to Bradley's little bug. So, we spent most of the rainy weekend huddled up at home doing odd and end things around the house. I learned a few new songs for my step class this week, and worked out on our elliptical. Sidenote: I happened to watch Jon and Kate Plus 8 both days while working out, and I love that show!! I don't know how they do it!

For the past few weeks I have been meaning to do a post of all of the new cards that I have made recently. I just haven't gotten around to taking the pictures:) Here are some of my favorites! (I don't really like how the lighting turned out in the pictures. I took them on our bar in the basement.)

Here is the little Valentine's Card we did at the last stamp club in February.

I love this new rooster stamp, it is so cute!

This is the paper box that I put together for stamp club this week. I love it!

I made this card a while ago for stamp club, but I don't think I ever shared it.

It is a gift card holder.

I have a big project coming up, to make all of the invitations to my best friend's baby shower next month! I already have some ideas, I just need to get to work!

I haven't ever listed it on my blog, but I do have a website where you can purchase all of the stamps, paper and accessories here. It will get shipped right to your house! I am thinking it would be neat to take orders for cards and stuff, I just don't know how to get something like that started? Any suggestions?




Happy Monday!

ATWT ~ Toilet Paper Thief

Caught in the act!!

Maybe if I hide my face she won't know it is me??

Oh well, I better fess up and get it over with!!



Earlier this week I wrote about Bradley wanting to pee on the potty ALL the time. It started with our snow days, and being stuck in the house. Well, he just pulled down his little pants and diaper and told me that he was going to the potty in the middle of the day. I just went with it, and he has been doing really well at home. I put him in Thomas underwear for the first time, and he loved it! Of course I caught him pulling down all of the toilet paper out of the bathroom. My little boy is growing up!

We haven't done anything with the potty since he got sick, but hopefully we can try again once we are all feeling better!

Dad of the Year Award Goes To...

Chris is really an amazing husband and father. We had a really rough day yesterday! I dropped Bradley off at school, he was his normal little self; talking and laughing. After being a work for about a half an hour I got a phone call from his preschool. Bradley had thrown up twice at school! I felt so horrible, I rushed over to school and brought him home. We snuggled on the couch, watched TV, and just relaxed. After taking a nap he was seeming much better. He didn't have too much of a fever and hadn't gotten sick since. I gave him some saltines and a few ounces of pedialite.

Chris got home, and I headed off to teach body step. Chris and I both weren't feeling 100%, but it was too late for me to call in sick. After class my Dad and I went to "Jesus Christ Superstar" the Broadway show playing in our town. When I got home at 10 pm, Chris met me in the garage telling me to be really quiet. Bradley was finally asleep on the couch. He then told me that Bradley had thrown up every HALF an HOUR until I got home. (over 10 times!) He had taken care of him, changed the sheets on the couch and even put down some garbage bags. What an amazing Daddy!! Bradley was finally asleep for about 45 minutes and it seemed like he was doing better.

He is still pretty sick today, his fever is raging. I have him snuggled up on the couch watching 'Madagascar' and drinking little sips of water. These two men in my life make me so happy, even when they aren't feeling well. Thank you Chris for being you!! Bradley says thank you too!

Life is Crazy...Crazy Good

So, I have been horrible about commenting on my favorite blogs. I have been peaking at them and reading them in quick snippets, but not my usual bloggy love. I guess life is just really full right now, and I am trying to find the time for everything. I wanted to put up a quick post and talk about what we are up too, which seems to be a little bit of everything!

I got to teach three Body Step classes last week, with Saturday being the first time totally solo. Saturday went great, I have very few mistakes and I felt so empowered after class! What a high! The gym called me today at the last minute to see if I could sub, and Chris happened to be home. I taught again tonight, and I wasn't on my game. I didn't have any time to review everything and I felt rusty for the first song, but then things came together. I don't think the participants even noticed, but I did. I can be so hard on myself, and I just need to have fun with the experience! I am teaching again tomorrow and Wednesday afternoon. I guess the more I get in there and do it the better I will get.

The house is officially on the market and that has been good too! There have been a few showings and I am feeling hopeful about the whole process. Chris has told me to keep my cool...I can get a little over excited about this kind of stuff. Keeping our fingers crossed!

My Dad and I are going to see 'Jesus Christ Superstar' tomorrow night at the local arena. I am really excited for the show, it should be fun! Chris bought me tickets to all of the Broadway shows that were coming to our area this year. It has been such a fun gift!

I want to do a post this week about potty training, and get advice from all of you great moms out there. Bradley decided last week with the snow that he wanted to pee pee on the potty during the day. I just went with it, and he has been able to keep dry for a while if we are at home. I'm just not sure how to continue with preschool, work, life, etc in the middle of all of this. More to come on that subject this week....(I snapped a hilarious photo of Bradley in his undies with the entire roll of toilet paper pulled out)

My darling sister told me about this amazing website: http://www.paperbackswap.com/ It is so fun! You list books that you would like to 'swap' or get rid of. Then they match your books up with members looking for them. For every book you mail out you get 1 credit. That credit will get YOU a book that you want. It is great for people like me!! I love to read and have a TON of paper back books at home. I have already mailed out 6 books, and I get two credits for listing 10 books to start. So, I will have a bunch of books coming my way!

With all of this warm weather, I officially need to change my header. I need some time to sit down and get it done. I have a few ideas, but just haven't had the chance.

My best friend Kristin (I miss you!) told me about this great cookbook, "William Sonoma's Slow Cooker Cookbook." Chris LOVES pulled pork sandwiches, and they have an amazing recipe for pulled pork. I am sometimes afraid of cooking in the crock pot. I have had a few recipes that just turned out yucky and mushy in my crock pot. But, this was excellent and Chris was already talking about eating the leftovers tomorrow. I will post the recipe when I get a chance!!

Happy Monday! So I just changed my header and background, I still need to work on my side tabs. YAY spring!

I Ripped Off the Band Aid!

I know it is a weird metaphor, but my girlfriend that is an aerobics teacher told me that teaching your first class is just like ripping off a band aid. You just have to get that first class over with and then it can only get better! She is so right! Yesterday I team taught with a friend my first Body Step class!!!!! I don't know if you remember, but I got my certification at the end of the summer...well, I started working again in the schools and just didn't do much with it. Then there was an opening at a local gym, and I figured I better get moving! I didn't want to lose my certification or anything like that! So for the past week I have been doing a crash course in body step, since I haven't looked at anything in months.

Yesterday went really well, and I am so pumped to do it again! I am going to team teach tomorrow afternoon and then I will be solo for a Saturday morning class. The one thing I forgot was how extremely winded you get when you are exercising and yelling. I was definitely sweating and dripping by the end. I am so motivated to continue doing it and learn more material. What a blast!



In other news I am in love with Scott MacIntyre from this season of American Idol. He is their first blind contestant, and he is amazing! I am just so inspired listening to him sing. I hope he makes it through to the next round tonight. We'll have to wait and see!

Happy Wednesday!!

I Thought I Should Change My Header...

All last week my header really started to bug me! I was thinking it was time to change from the winter header to something a little more springy...is that a word?? But, this weekend proved me wrong! We woke up on Monday morning to the whole neighborhood blanketed in snow. It was absolutely beautiful! Really it is the first big snow we have had since we moved into this house, and I loved it! It was also Bradley's first real snow he has ever seen.

This is a shot of the road in front of our house...gorgeous!

Daddy taking Bradley on a sleigh ride

Snow cuteness, I can't stand it!!!

At some point Bradley pulled out all of his balls, and attempted to kick the soccer ball around in the snow. I guess he thought it wouldn't be any different!

We had to work hard to compact the snow for sledding. It was so fluffy that the sled just got stuck at first. Once we got it going though Bradley loved it!

I definitely feel like I have had my fill of snow between Sunday and Monday. Sunday after our friends headed home from an awesome weekend we headed south to pick up Bradley from Grandma's house. The drive down we hit a little bit of sleet, but really nothing was sticking to the road. Well, after lunch at Grandma's and Bradley's three hour nap we came home a little later than we excepted and the storm was raging!!! It took us over 5 hours to get home, when it is usually a little over 2 hours. We passed 5 or 6 wrecks that blocked the roads, and over 20 cars in ditches. It was the scariest drive to say the least. Unfortunately we had the dogs at home, so we had to come back. We are home and safe, but I was worried the whole trip. What a weekend! Schools are now going back today, so hopefully the rest of the week will be back to normal again. Winters last snow, bring on spring!!+