Habitual offender

We are creatures of habit, always have been and always will. So I want to know what you do every single day. Saturday, Tuesday or in the middle of a sick and deathly tired drone. Do you stop for coffee at the same spot every morning? Drive the same way to work? Or maybe it's as simple as double checking the bathroom light. There is something and maybe a couple things. I want to know!

Every day I...

1. Pee as soon as I wake up. I can be deathly ill and not able to form words and I will get up to pee, even if I don't have to.

2. I have to shower every day, if for some unforeseen circumstance prohibits me from doing so I am off for at least 3 days. I can't get right again. 

3. I tell Superman and E I love them. E may be driving me bonkers, walking too slow and not listening but I do it anyways because in that day and moment she may drive me nuts, but I still love her. Same with Superman, he may be at the top of my 'areyouserioulsykiddingmerightnow' list but he still gets an I love you. I even make sure to throw it out there after an argument. It's true and people need to hear it. 

4. The music gets turned on as soon as my butt hits the seat in my car. I don't care if I'm driving around the block, I must have the noise. 

Your turn! 

Happy Monday and I hope your Thanksgiving was delightful. Also it is December I am welcoming lights, carols, trees and presents. Go!

Love,

Jess

Thank you!

He signed the dotted line.

He did not get called to do so, nobody told him he had to.

He enlisted voluntarily.

He may be 18, he may be 34,but he did so just the same.

He is single, he left only his parents at home.

He has a wonderful wife of 7 years and 3 beautiful children back home.

He is proud of where he's from, with a passion for his country.

Months of training.

Months of deployments.

He's getting shot at, sleeping little to none and always looking around the corner.

He's missing home cooked meals and his own bed.

 

Here's to those men.

They miss...

birthdays,

weddings,

saying goodbye,

saying hello,

laughs,

tears,

bbqs,

graduations,

dance recitals,

anniversaries,

hugs and kisses.

 

They sacrifice their time so that their family and country is safe.

They are the blood sweat and tears of this nation.

They are the breath that makes our flag fly.

 

 

On the calendar we only recognize our military once a year, but to their family and friends they are every day in our thoughts and prayers.  Whether they are home or away they are being thought of and worried about. We wait for the knock on the door and the next phone call.

 

Regardless of branch, time served, job title, or rank our military is appreciated, respected and honored by all.

 

Your to do list today: Thank a veteran.

 

Love,

 

Jess

 

P.S. I am not just thanking our military men but our military women also :-)

What I want to be when I grow up.

The age old question...

What do you want to be when you grow up?  I can remember wanting to be so many things throughout my child hood; princess, vet, horse trainer, florist, architect, accountant, and a writer. Here I am, none of them, an insurance agent. I have cuddled with the idea of going back to school a few times, but I don't want a job that bad to spend 4 years learning how to do it, then head off to an internship to spend 2 more years learning how to do it in the real world. I'm good at what I do, I (for the most part) enjoy the work and it's decent enough pay with good advancement potential. So career wise, I think I'm good, but my job doesn't define me. I am much more than a financial contribution to our home, and am more importantly a wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister and a me.

So without further ado... I want to be the greatest version of me.

Be Silly....

I want to be bring smiles and laughter to all that surround me. There should never be a dull moment and I'm usually pretty good about keeping things light and fun. I am a social butterfly that loves to be in a huge crowd of people talking entirely too loud but not caring because at that point in time the funny life story is the only thing that matters. I love seeing joy on other peoples face and if a blond moment, story or conversation with me can do that, then come on over.

Be Kind...

Triple chances come from this girl. Superman sometimes says that I am too nice to people, and he is right, sometimes I put other people before me when they have no reason to be. I will bend over backwards for a person and not expect a thing in return. Yes, it's good to not always expect a pay back and that's what friends, family and neighbors are for, but I have been known to let people walk over me and that has got to stop. Maybe I am a little too kind, but then I don't ever want to snip at someone when maybe they are having the worst day of their life and I could be that one sparkle in their day.

Be Honest...

Learning that before you can be honest with others you have to be honest with yourself was a hard lesson to learn for me. I am a people pleaser and a couple years ago it came around full circle to bite me in the ass. I let myself get so caught up in everyone else's feeling, emotions and personal gains that I forgot about myself. I was not happy with me which meant I couldn't be happy with anyone. Taking a step back and looking at myself in the mirror, checking out what I wanted, learning what made me happy was the best thing I have ever done. I know what I want out of life, love, friendships and myself. I know who I am, where I want to be and who I want to tag along. I am honest with myself and it makes it easy to be honest to everyone that I surround myself with.

 

Me; I am important, strong, confident inside and out, smart, loved and happy. I am my future and by being the best me I can be, I will be able to be the best wife, mother, friend, daughter and sister to those I love. I deserve me at my best and so do they.

 

So now I am asking you...What do you want to be when you grow up?

 

Love,

 

Jess

 

P.S. Enjoy your weekend!

House chore babble

Laundry!

I am the worst laundry doer of all time, just ask Superman. I hate hate folding and putting away. If you walked into my house you would witness the madness. The dog's towels are on the extra dresser, E's clothes are on top of her toy box, mine are still in the basket in my room and there is a load of blankets in the dryer. The accumulation started on Sunday so not too horribly bad but I just hate hate hate it. Did I already mention that?

What is the one chore you despise? Favorite?

I love cleaning my bathroom :-)

I hope your terrorist Tuesday fairs well!

Love,

Jessie

When you dress your best you feel your best.

I have absolutely no style or fashion sense. None. If I'm in a dress I feel awkward and I'd live in my flip flops if I could. Everyone has a go to outfit, favorite shirt, or a pair of jeans that they feel invincible in, so what are yours?

Ribbed tanks are my go to top of choice, but I wear two. I have nice arms and shoulders, they are high cut enough that my boobs don't fall out but tight enough that they show nicely. The two instead of one is because it makes me feel more put together, it holds my stomach in :-)

Jeans and my worn out with huge holes ones to be exact. My butt looks nice and I don't have to show off my legs! Winner winner.

Shoes are a toss up. 95% of the time I will throw on flip flops and that's where I'm at but every once in a while I have to put my Ariats on. A little back home probably but it's a comfort wear, kinda like a favorite blankie I guess.

If I could wear my hair in a ponytail every single day of my life I would. I look better with my hair pin straight and down but it's no hassle when it's all twisted and pulled back and out of my way.

Makeup done and wearing the above mentioned I feel unstoppable. I will go anywhere and everywhere and act like a rock star. I work it and I guess comfy makes me feel sexy :-)

I hope everyone had a fantabulous weekend and enjoyed their first weekend of thanks! To all of you that are hanging C-word lights like my neighbors please hit yourself with a frying pan for me. FFS people....

Love,

Jess

November is a time for THANKS!

I am a huge believer in leaving the dreaded C word holiday in the month it was made for, December, so until the clock strikes 12/1/2013 I do not want to hear a word of it. MMMkkkay? Good. Now that we are all on the same page, here are 5 things that you should/need to do this November.

1. Cuddle. Do a lot of cuddling and do it so much that your kids, spouse and fur children won't come near you in fear of being cuddle again. Scare them with hugs. Did you know it's a proven fact that cuddling releases oxytocin, reduces stress and depression, makes you feel sexier and improves communication? DO IT!

2. Breath. Take in everything and anything you can that has to do with fall. Embrace the colors and the chills and only close your eyes when it's so breathtaking that you can't handle it anymore.

3. Love. Love your family, friends and neighbors. Remember what Thanksgiving is actually about and do everything in your power to remind the people that mean the world to you that they mean the world to you. Also love yourself.

4. Eat. Diets be damned grab as many pies and cookies and mashed potatoes loaded with gravy and cream and butter and EAT! Invite friends over and make them eat with you. Try new recipes so that you get to eat new things too!

5. Calm yourself. Holidays are stressful when they are really supposed to be a time to stop and enjoy all that you have in your life. Before the dreaded C word shows up take some time for yourself. Go for a walk, to the spa, hide in a corner with a book, do whatever gives you peace.

Have a wonderful weekend and a wonderful month ahead!

Love,

Jess

Montana

I'm back after a long hiatus but that's ok because I've been taking care of me and my family. Hopefully as the days get shorter and the nights a little colder I'll spend a little more time on the blog.

When I was on the plane ride back to NC after spending the weekend in MT in August I started jotting down some of the things that I miss most about the state I grew up in. So enjoy a little MT lovin on your Monday morning.

Big Sky- I don't care where you are from or where you have been I dare you to compete. The blue is crisp and clear, with a color unmatched my any Crayola. The clouds, if any, are light and fluffy and almost transparent. They look like what I'm imagining heaven feels like. At night the stars are like a million little diamonds, placed perfectly. They catch your dreams and steal your tears.

The smells- With every season comes it own signature scent. The spring is serene, the rain making things crisp, and when the sun begins to shine you can smell new growth as the plants begin to push out of the ground. Summer is spring smells turned up. The flowers are in full bloom, the corn is releasing pure sugar into the air and the dirt heats up. Fall is my favorite. The leaves send out a musky damp smell that crackles at dusk when the air drops and smoke from the chimneys fill the air. Winter is hard and the cold air is almost senseless until it's about to snow. The sky parts, the angels sprinkle snow and before it falls an unexplained feeling; you know what is about to happen, it's a sweet smell, like sugar only cold, but light and airy. Even if it's mid January and it's been snowing for a couple months, you will find any true Montanan stop and take in a deep breath, because it's magical every time. 

Pace of life-I always hated how slow it could be. Days when things were so dead and no one moved. Where on holidays only select gas stations were open. After moving to a rat race I have learned to appreciate it. Life is about living every moment and enjoying as much of it as you can. A day in the garden is a day well spent even if you have no hard evident to prove it. Holidays full of a dysfunctional family is the best around.

The people- As harsh as it can be sometimes their honesty enlightens me. They know who they are, what morals and values are and they aren't afraid to speak their piece. Family comes first and a hard days work to support it. They don't need a lot and will give a neighbor what they need even if they have nothing to give back in return. You are guaranteed a handshake or wave and always a first name hello.

A back road- As cliche and country song it sounds it is true. A long drive down a back road gives you everything about Montana at once. The smells, the sights, the people and life. You get time to think, ask all the questions and pray for the answers. Something about all the noise the night makes and how it's still so quiet it calms you, lets every bad day fade away and pushes aside any fear of the future.

Love,

Jess

Another year a few more life lessons.

Ok ok crap friend award. I'm a day late but I wanted it to be perfect :-)

September 6 was painful for two mothers but I am oh so very grateful.

These two ladies are beautiful, powerful, strong and courageous. They let me believe in true friendship and show me that distance is no boundary.

So without further ado, a wonderful and happy birthday (a blog day late) to Sam and Sabrina! In honor of their vaginal escape I asked them to share with me three things that they have learned in this last year and how it will contribute to their future. They are oddly similar ;-) I guess great minds think alike.

Sabrina (left) and Sam (right) when I was in MT last month!

Sam, my best friend and my backbone for the last 9 years. There is not a thing that I have went through that she hasn't been there for.  She's an amazing single mom to an almost birthday twin to E and is finally following her dream!

#1- "I learned my birthday isn't fun without my bestie! Future means birthday road trips!!

#2- "When you actually follow your dreams it makes you happy! I plan to be happy from now on, so (a) happy future!"

#3- "I've learned when you can tell someone is your true friend and not to waste time on temporary ones. This means I'm set for my future with the besties I have beside me right now!"

Sabrina's (left) birthday from last year! Sam is on the right :-)

Sabrina and I became instant friends almost 3 years ago. She is the image of Superwoman and does a dang good job wrangling her 3 little munchkins.

#1- "I've learned to not sweat the small things and not letting 'myself' get stressed about the things I can't control."

#2- "I don't need a lot of friends. I just need a few that will always be there. I am not always worried about making people like me.

#3- "Life will happen whether you want it to or not. I can't be mad about things I cannot change. I have control over situations, but things in life just happen and I've learned to just be OK with it.

I am so lucky to have these wonderful ladies in my life and couldn't be more proud to be their friend!

Love you both to pieces!!

Jess

And the long weekend ends...

Labor day is the end of summer, the last weekend to bust out the grill, float around the pool and slip on your sandals. If your kids haven't already they shortly will be stepping on the bus so they can return with enormous piles of homework that you so joyfully get to help them with. E has had homework from day one and even a project that was sent over for the weekend. Granted it's just going over the alphabet which she has known for 3 years but still. She is pretty annoyed at this point with not learning anything new, so hopefully soon they start upping the curriculum.

Happy end of summer. Get ready for scarves and boots and all that jazz. I will still be in flip flops and tank tops because well, welcome to my world.

Love,

Jess

Monday/Blahday

I absolutely hate the weekend before Superman goes on a camp out. I feel like I'm trying to scramble to fit in as much fun family time as possible while he tries to not use his feet. I realize about halfway through a day of dragging him around what he needs and what I want are two totally different things and that I'm the one that needs to make the compromise. I really do love and miss that man while he's gone.

I want 3 cookies, a bag of skittles and a coke.

Tomorrow is Day 1 of the Ultimate Kindergarten adventure for Miss E, she's now getting excited and so am I! I do not think I will cry, but then again I'm a weird crier.

Happy Monday!

Jess

FFFFFFFRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIday.

It's Friday!

It's the (pretty much) the weekend!

There is absolutely nothing special about this blog except for those two things above. 

My wishes for this weekend are simple: fun and family.

Random photos from mission "Pickup E" below.

(Because we were sad?)

Riding with her cousin (far left) and bff (middle)! Papa and grandma's house rocks :-)

I hope all of you enjoy your weekend! 

Love,

Jess

Terrorist Tuesday

Ahhh the wonders of the wrist slicing Tuesday. When I get to that place in my life when working everyday isn't a requirement Tuesday will be my mid week day off. I will do nothing but sit around the house and watch movies while eating ridiculous amounts of junk food.

I have homemade, super chunky, extra cinnamony applesauce. It's making me dream of fall. Normally I wouldn't wish away summer, but here in the south it sucks. It's too hot and humid to do anything except get burnt at the swimming pool so at least in the fall you can go to the zoo or park or bbqs and not want to die. Also Starbucks will be serving up their wonderfully fabulous Pumpkin Spice Latte starting the first week of September! Ahhhh I can't wait.

Tonight will be full of back to school shopping. As excited as I was for it I'm now not. It seems so tedious. 2 boxes of small crayons and 2 boxes of large crayons and super special notebooks. Maybe High school will be easier, a ton of pens and some notebooks and a $500 calculator.

Love,

Jess

A pretty darn good Wednesday

I am sparing everyone the awful details from my trip. The good ones however will be revealed tomorrow with pictures. All in all I have E back at home and everything fits perfectly like it should. All is well in the super house.

Today is a "chilly" summer day in the south. The breeze is blowing, it's 76 degrees and humidity is only at 61%. I have the window in my office open and I'm loving it. I can't wait for fall to get here.

I am still so exhausted from our trip and I don't know if I will ever catch up. E is having way too much fun being home and doesn't want to go to sleep and the pup thinks that it's also cool to want to stay up until late hours. I love them both too much to be too harsh so I go along with it. This weekend is already jam packed with bbqs and shopping and chores to even think about a nap. Maybe next year.

Alright lovies, I will hopefully be back tomorrow with some trip details.

Love,

Jess

Wed-nes-day

I still have to sound out Wednesday when I spell it. Maybe because I don't pronounce it correctly? "Wensday" I'm going to start listening to people say it and see what I come up with. Pie graphs here we come!

This week has been bittersweet for me. I am loving the week alone with Superman and all the us time we get to have. Eating what and when we want, or not at all. Cuddling on the couch watching NOT cartoons. Going to bed when we feel like it and not having to worry about putting kids to bed. On the other hand I am beyond ready to have E home and back where things should be.

Ok, seriously this girl needs to get back to work and getting things finished and put together before I leave. Any bets on how many calls I get while I'm away?

Love,

Jess

Terrorist Tuesday

I am still catching up on sleep from this weekend. 24 straight hours in a car with a puppy and 2 kids and Superman is enough to exhaust ya.

Does it ever get easier when you pay bills? It seems like a kidney punch every time I hit the submit button or sign my name. Hate. 

Leaving early on Friday and then being gone this Friday and Monday makes work that much more busy. I'm trying to tie up loose ends and get people content until I come back so I don't have to deal with angry emails or phone calls while up in MT. 

Just a little fun fact? I'm listening to summer hits of the 2k :-) It's making me happy because it is filled with Eminem. 

Love, 

Jess

Is it Friday night or Saturday morning?

I'm sitting in a parking lot in the D.C. airport.  Its also 3:45 a.m. Whoever thought this was a great idea was wrong. I'm tired. I stink and I need a shower. I'm attaching a picture of Duke while visiting the monuments at midnight.  I will hopefully be coherent enough tomorrow to post an explanation.

Love,

Jessie

Friendlies

Today is National Friendship Day!

Do you have a friend? Best friend?

I love my friends. Yes, yes I do! I got lucky with mine. I was talking with a friend here in the NC and she was surprised that my friends from MT still called me. Well duh! Why wouldn't they? I guess distance doesn't always do friendships justice. I hate not seeing my friends like I used to, but life happens. I definitely don't see them as much as I used to in high school and there are some from high school that I don't speak with anymore. True friendships last through distance and time, but if they don't I don't get discouraged by it. I learned a lot from some people that I don't have a relationship with anymore. People are brought into our lives for a reason. They either help us or teach us to help ourselves. 9 days and counting until I get to see a couple pretty ladies that I haven't seen since March and hopefully a couple more that I haven't seen since October!

Hazelnut is not my cup of coffee,

Jess

Terrorist Tuesday

I despise some people. If you look around Pinterest there are a lot of funnies regarding hitting people with cars and showing up at doorsteps with a shovel. I could never kill someone or even seriously injure them, but if I could physically shake someone until they realized just how dumb they are I would. Unfortunately I can't so I will sit here and steam and complain.

In other world of Jess news... I am starving and can't leave because the receptionist went home sick. Superman was supposed to be bringing me lunch if he got off early enough but as it's almost two I don't think that will be happening. Maybe I can find a Chobani in the back of the fridge....

I believe that is all I have to say for the moment.

Waiting for 5 o'clock,

Jess

Can I borrow your printer cable?

I woke up late. The dog needed a bath because he decided to pee on himself in the middle of the night.  It was way too humid to do my hair. I broke my pinky toe nail and my heels are killing me. I spilled DD on my new shirt. 

Is it too late for a redo?! Shit. If tomorrow follows suite and is worse than Monday like Tuesdays normally are then I promise you I will be trying to hang myself from the fluorescent light with a printer cable.

What top coat nail polish do you all use? Apparently I'm doing something wrong because my nails chip within a day or two. And that's even with good nail polish. 

Love,

Jess

Friday!

Friday Five Duke edition!

(2 months older on the left!)

Two months ago we welcomed this little fart whistle into our home. We love him to pieces and so I figured since it's Friday and there is a Friday Five trend I would dedicate it to him.

1.  Puppy eyes will make you forget poop on your floor and chewed up flip flops but only until your foot touches one.

2. Whoever said boxers have the best personalities was correct! I have never known a dog with so many facial expressions and just like a kid he has one for naughty, nice, sneaky, goofy and sleepy. I'm really good at picking out the sneaky/naughty combo.

3.  Owning a puppy is harder than having a newborn I'm pretty sure. 

4. I used to make fun of the crazy pet parents. They call their pet their child, let them sleep in the bed with them,  cook them special meals/buy them special food, and pick them up presents whenever they go to the pet store. Well I am now joining the club and I am seeing that the 'crazy' was really just love. Fur children are just that, your kids with a lot of fuzz.

5. No matter who comes home or visits Duke gets the first physical hello. How can you resist though when the clumsy, floppy ear, big brown eyed furball comes running at you with nothing but happiness when you walk in the door? His little face can sure turn a day around. 

Just an extra.... I think he's a momma's boy but don't tell Superman ;-)

Love,

Jess

Hey! It's Thursday!

We have had Beer-margs!

In honor of the office manager's birthday we went next door to the Mexican restaurant. Shhhh don't tell the boss man ;-)

It's of course cloudy and rainyish today and I really want a night with a couple hours by the pool. 

My hair stayed straight today! Woohoo! I always wondered before moving down here why there were so many hair products and who in their right mind would spend that much on them. Well now I know. Unless you wish to look like a poodle it's necessary.

Did mention lately how awesome Superman is? No? Ok here goes...he just is. He called me to tell me what he had going on at work, he very well could have sent a text but knows I like myself a call :-) Love him.

Excuse the mess of !! and ?? and broken sentences, please reference the picture above.

Love,

Jess 

Terrorist Tuesday

My socks say Wednesday and my brain wishes it was Saturday.  I have a blender bottle full of iced coffee, a pink rockstar, and pasta salad. My hair is a disaster today which means I look like a rabid poodle.

Royal baby? Yay it's healthy. Do we really need to dwell over if he's going to an actual school or if he'll be allowed to have friends? Pretty sure that's Mama Kate's decision. Drop it.

I'm tired of the racial bullshit that's been going around. ALL races need to drop it. Are we all humans? Yes? Ok, then we're equal, boom, discussion ends.

I am ready for E to come home! I'm also ready for her to start K, not because I want her to grow up any faster but she's been ready for a year and I'm probably just as excited as she is. If it wasn't for the fact that I want her to experience school shopping I probably would have done it already. Crazy momma right here.

Good day all!

Love,

Jess

Weekend Eve

I hope you all have amazing weekend plans!

Today I am confronted with a gigantic stack of papers that need to sifted through and sorted out and dealt with. Can I not and say I did? Good thing DD pulled through for me this morning.

I'm out of Pandora skips already this morning and the Beibs is on. My ears are bleeding.

Meaningless office babble. Do you prefer BIC or Sharpie highlighters? Personally I like an assortment of both, I like the Sharpie yellow better but I enjoy the thin point on the BIC.

Hair day tomorrow! Finally not going to look like I'm trying to join the crowd in this ombre epidemic.  I miss my bff for many reasons but this is definitely one of them. It was an amazing 2 hours of girl time and a lot of bleach and foils. Soon bff, soon.

I will now get back to work. May Mother Nature cool her PMS hot flash rage and cool down a little because if you are near me you are currently experiencing triple digits and atrocious humidity.

Love,

Jess

Facebook is not your clothesline!

There are some days when opening up social media disgusts me. Facebook is brilliant and I love being able to still "see" and interact with my friends and family from all the way over here but some people use it as a diary. It's like the beauty shop of the 60s.  Gossip is everywhere and FB posts just fuel the fire, which whatever be catty and be 15 and "OMG she toooootally cheated on him last night!" and then we'll hear about how much they love each other in 24 minutes. What really gets me is the relationship issues that people post. I have finally defriended the major culprits because it's just a huge disgrace.

Look back at your great grandparents and grandparents and in my case parents. Everybody thinks that the relationship is perfect. Is it because they are fake in public? No. It is because when they had a problem in their relationship they dealt with it at home and maybe, just maybe, asked one friend, over coffee, what to do.  There was none of this using FB as a clothes line bullshit.

Every relationship, I don't care how in love or compatible or meant for each other the couple is, will have it's rough patches. There will be disagreements, nights when he goes one way and she goes the other, tears and beers and phone calls to best friends, but there is no way that anyone should know what your relationship is going through unless they are the one on the other end of the phone call. If you really love your partner, care about them and want the best for them and the relationship you two are sharing then you owe them the respect and decency to keep these parts of your "us" behind closed doors. Also it would save my forehead from the palm of my hand the next time something ridiculous like this is posted :-)

In all other news I have 24 days until I get my E back! Also need to look at planning a weekend getaway for Superman and I, we could definitely use a lot of sand, sun and umbrella drinks.

Love,

Jess

Tuesday suck...major

Do you ever wake up and think "Work can wait a day and I can pretend that I'm no home so I won't have to deal with the housework and then I'll just go get lost in my thoughts somewhere"? If you haven't ever done this then you aren't human so please go back and try again.

This puppy is soo darn cute but I will never ever get a puppy again. Nope.

Work was grrr last night and I was stuck here until 530.

I miss alone time with the Superman. Which is probably why I spent too much time hitting the snooze button for snuggles this morning.

Late snuggles plus the gas light coming on in the car meant 7 minutes of tardiness on my part.

I devoured lunch at 9 am and I'm still hungry but this fat girl needs to slow down her caloric intake especially since running and working out and what not is not happening because I'm lazy.

I would like to read a book but it sounds like too much work, refer back to lazy.

Back to work and side eyeing the 50 yr old man that just asked if he could be put on his mothers policy.....

Love,
Jess

Imprints of amazing people

I have encountered a lot of great people already in my life and hopefully my luck streak continues. My previous job up in MT wasn't just a paycheck, they were my second family. I started when I was pregnant with E, they have been there from the beginning of all my mess. They still mean a lot to me and ya I like my job here but it's not the same working without them.

As I posted yesterday Friday was my birthday and I took the day off to head to VA. I came into work yesterday to a ton of voice mails and emails and sticky notes, 2 of which were absolutely perfect and the reason for this post.

In true Bob fashion she called with the rest of the office to wish me happy birthday and my voicemail starts out with "Jessie how dare you not be in the office today!" and then proceeds to wish me happy birthday. Some people may take offense but if she called and was all sweet and not a smart ass then I would think she was ill and I would be concerned. She really is me just 20 years older :-)

My office mom/second mom sent me an email that reminded me just how lucky I am to have her in my life. She never had to be anything more than my boss Monday through Friday 8-5 but instead she gave me advice and hugs when I needed them, she housed and fed me, and she is one of my favorite women. She has been through her ups and downs and she still loves unconditionally and sends out extra chances even after people have done her wrong but will put her foot down when she needs. Proof that being nice isn't always a bad thing and she is always putting everyone else first. As a woman she knows her strengths and her weaknesses and doesn't hide from her feelings. This is a snippet of what her email to me read "Sounds like you are happy and that is what we always wished for you!!"..."Keep in touch with me and take care of
yourself-you are way too valuable to not be happy! Love, your second Mom!". I am truly blessed and lucky to have such an amazing woman in my life.

In true Tuesday fashion today does not look promising. Good thing DD pulled through for me.

Love,

Jess

Birthdays, departures and coffee dates

Friday I turned the big 2-4. I spent the day with my wonderful daughter, parents and brother at the beach. Simple and not too bad for an old lady birthday. The drive home was delightful as it downpoured for 60 miles which caused 40mph on the interstate and motion sicknes that sent me straight to bed when I finally reached home.

Saturday was a jumble of whatever thrown on top of an awkward redneck baseball game.

Yesterday was rough. Miss E is in Big Sky country for 40 days with her father. She didn't want to leave, I didn't want her to leave but here we are and August can not come soon enough. I just hope she has fun, at least that will make it a little easier on me.

Last night I wanted out of the house, so my wonderful husband says "Do you want to just go have coffee, you said you'd go have coffee back when we first met and we never have." So Superman and I went and had coffee and then took the long way home. 19 months later and he's still just as sweet and romantic as day one.

I hope all of you are lucky  like me and will only be working 3 days this week!

Love,

Jess

22 years ago...

Two planets collided, the dinosaurs came back to life and there was a massive meteor shower. Ok no not really but my little brother was born and that's pretty much the same thing. He was little and scrawny and I just remember holding him first. I wanted him to be named baby brother and being two I probably thought he would be able to play with me as soon as he got home. 19 years ago we were having a Lion King birthday party with family and friends and this year we will be killing little umbrellas on the beach! Growing up sucks and I know I wish I could go back to wheel barrow rides and balloons again but we made some pretty good memories. So hugs and a couple pinches to my little brother who is now old and married and stuff. He's playing on a ship today because he is headed out to float on waters in a couple weeks but I'm sure my wonderful sister in law will spoil him tonight.

So happy birthday baby brother and many many more!

Love,

Jess

Dad style

With Father's Day this weekend here are some great things that I have take from my dad.

I will always be a daddy's girl. Rain or shine I always have been. I guess when they say a girls first love is her dad it rang true for me. I love that man.

Thanks to my daddy, a garage floor and an 80's boom box I learned how to dance and laugh and work on cars.

I know that a paycheck won't fall into your lap and even if you hate your job you do it well until something  else stable comes along. Supporting yourself, keeping food on the table and bills paid comes before your own pleasure of not sitting on the beach all day because that's really what you want to do.

My dad is a social butterfly through and through and if he doesn't know someone where we are (which is highly unlikely) then he will make conversation with them until he does. I was a very shy youngin but he rubbed off on me after a while. Everyone deserves a chance to be heard, if you think they are a scumbag after then so be it but they at least deserve to speak their piece.

Go hug your daddy. Send him a card. Pick up the phone. Or shoot him a little prayer.

Love,

Jess

Because I said so

There really is no reason for this picture other than I met the friggen Cookie Monster!

E isn't a fan of giant stuffed things so even Cookie was a bit intimidating but I couldn't wait to hop next to him! Big Bird on the other hand not so much.

Just because I haven't complained about this in a while... I need to run. I'm slow and slow and slow. I do kick some butt at ab stuff though! If I can keep up with Superman sometimes even a little I call it a win.

I am on the hunt for a new Galaxy case, I'm picky and indecisive and get bored within 2 seconds. I also need to find the screen protector that I had...wah wah wah it died and was my fav.

I'm on a DD kick. Donuts probably don't help my donut but it's my glimmer in the morning after cleaning up dog poop and finding damn spiders ALL OVER THE PLACE. Another reason to not permanently reside in the south.

Well I do believe that is all for today. I think there are a couple work related adventures I can do and then home for a cake and some bowling with my favorite 7 yr old! Yes you heard it here folks the mini super has turned 7. Balloons all around. 

Love,

Jess

98 degrees

No not the band!

It's hot out, welcome to the south. Now I will give all of you a friendly reminder...
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR KIDS OR PETS IN THE CAR!
If I could take every single person that fried a kid or dog because they were too lazy to take them inside with them or take them home first and put them in a black box on black top for an hour I would. Windows cracked don't work. Don't be a dummy.

In all other news. This girl right here is craving a huge City Brew coffee, actually two, one hot and one cold and then a cookie and a french toast bagel. I need some City Brew in my life. If you are back home in the 406 please stop by and drink one for me.

I have jumped onto the Candy Crush bandwagon. Am I wrong or is it just like Bejeweled? It is slightly addicting though.

Alright my lovelies, I should be working so I will get back to that. Have a wonderful day of the hump and hopefully I fill you full of memories tomorrow!

Love,

Jess

You know it's a Monday when....

I'm usually a Tuesday hater but today I am joining the rest of the world and I'm despising Monday.

Thanks to the ultimate pooping boxer combined with the Katy Perry (hot then cold) husband and me not being able to get comfortable there was little to no sleep happening in our room and I really could have used that sleep.

My hair is a wreck and I'm wearing the most comfy work attire I could find.

Chobani and water just isn't cutting it and a donut and coffee sound pretty darn amazing right now.

Superman hasn't texted me in an hour so I'm assuming that he also decided to bail on his morning jog and curled up in his Army issued man cave instead to catch a couple Zzzz's. I'm happy and jealous all at the same time.

Now I shall work. Bugging people about turning things in just sounds like an awesome work day!

Love,

Jess

The lost generation on a Thursday

Hardworking, husbandly, and fatherly men used to be the norm. You were looked down upon if you did not put in an honest days work to support your family. Not only did these men have the skills to fix anything with a screwdriver and their bare hands they knew how to live life. Accomplishments were a happy healthy home and great friends. The sweetest smell was 5 a.m., nothing was more pure than a newborn and a kiss to their wife was ritual.  These lost men come with stories of real and will give an honest word. Call it old fashioned or raised a little to "ranch" but there are some things men have let slip through the cracks. The lost generation worked because it was their part in the world, they made their kids learn manners and do chores so they could grow up disciplined with a respect for elders and authority, they loved a woman and only one woman and treated her like his best friend.

One of my favorite things they knew how to do was raise a young man. Being the youngin' that I am it's rare to run across men my age that have the old school values, but I was privileged enough to find one and now get to spend the rest of my life with him.  It's even sweeter on the heart when you are able to speak with and hear the stories of the "old generation" man who made your man the way he is. With every word Superman's grandpa spoke I understood why Superman was hard, calm, thorough, loving and full of spirit. I may not have gotten a childhood of stories from him but the ones I did get will stay with me forever. He was one of the last of the greatest and left himself in the man in my life.

Love,

Jess

Hey-O!

Holy what a whirlwind! Everything is happening at once and my stress levels are skyrocketing along with my blood pressure (no lie the dang thing is too high and a follow up appt has been set).

The mini-supers are headed our way this weekend! I am overjoyed and can't wait to see them but our poor little house is going to be full to the brim, new puppy and two kids. I'm in for it.

With a three day weekend right in front of my nose I am thinking about all the things I want to do.

1) Sleep in. Even if Duke (new puppy) lets me sleep until 6 I will be one happy camper.
2) Break out the bikini. Yikes! The pool is staring at me every time I walk onto the balcony.
3) Spend some quality girl time with Miss E. Pedicures look promising.
4) Drink some rum. This will probably happen tonight after the kid and puppy are in bed.
5) Snuggle with Superman. Things have been draining lately and a good snuggle is in order.

Happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Love,

Jess

A heartfelt resurface.

I don't blog a lot, which was my original intent. I wanted to be that blogger that had Monday through Sunday covered and didn't even miss a day when sick or there was a death in the family. My life isn't as full of all the great wisdom I thought it was, heck what was I thinking, I'm just finishing up my 23rd year. Ya I've been through a little more than the average 23 year old, but then maybe I haven't. This new lifestyle has humbled me. It's not me against the world, it's me finding my place in the world. I've put a couple major pieces together already and the future looks promising. So hold on while I brag a little about the wonderful in my life.

The wonderful E, she's got attitude and pizazz and a mind full of ideas and perception on her little world. She's not the perfect child, she will scream in public and I have heard the word "no" often lately but she's mine. I may have helped along her picky eating and I let her get away with extra bedtime hugs when she tells me she loves me. I created her and now I am guiding her through life. Being a parent is a full time, all in and whole hearted job. I cherish every moment easy and difficult.

My great husband, or as you all know him, Superman. He is the picture of bad ass. My best friend and biggest support, the dream guy that I had been picturing for years.  We argue over where we are going to dinner and get irritated when I get us lost :-/ Every morning I wake up I smile and every night when I lay my head on the pillow I feel safe.  I have found my other half and I am so happy that I get to go through the rest of my life with him as my partner in crime.

So, I wish all of you not to learn from me, but to be inspired by the beauty in your own world. Have a wonderful weekend and go enjoy your family and friends.

Love,
Jess

Random Tuesday nothingness.....

I am eating golden Oreos and drinking Coke.

Today is Tuesday which means it is the worse day of the week. Why Tuesdays are the suck is beyond me, but I can never love a Tuesday.

Tonight will be couch cuddles with Superman and our favorite together movie.

Have a fabulous rest of your day and hopefully this weekend speeds by for my Montana friends and their snow and cold! I will send you some warm weather this summer when the humidity and heat make me want to die.

Love,

Jess

Mom judging

Making friends is part of life. You start in daycare or preschool while playing with blocks and learning how to share. Kindergarten brings a whole new ball game and you start again. Any time you have to move schools or end up in a different homeroom without your bestie you find a new friend. Once you grow up you hold on to the ones you have and find new one through friends or at work, but being a parent throws a whole new loophole in the equation.

Once you become a parent you immediately start judging every other parent and their kids and how the do things. Everybody says they won't do it and nobody wants it to affect their new friendships but it does. Kids all get along great, except for that evil little one that picks on everyone (judging), so that is not the road bump. Moms are the worst I think, we are constantly judging the other mom who is letting her kid have a binki at the age of 3, is still in diapers at 4, side-eyeing the mom who has the 6 year old screaming for candy in the middle of the store and the 12 yr old's mother that let her walk out of the house dressed like that. We look towards our co-parent and give snide remarks about the situation... HYPOCRITES!

I have always been judged, single mom at the age of 18? Yep, every other mother and their dog has judged me for that one, so you would think I wouldn't judge another, but I do it anyways. It's not because I believe I am the perfect parent, because I am far from perfect. I think it's because we all have our own idea on how kids should be raised and how they should act and in turn it's hard for us to accept someone else's opinion on such a big matter.

So when a mom is trying to befriend another mom it gets tough, we may not agree with how we parent or how each others kids act, it's one of the first things we notice in each other and that can make or break which road our relationship takes. If you have the same discipline and parenting ideas you know that you can go somewhere with them and if a kid gets out of line this other mom isn't going to hide in the corner while you put your kid in time out and take away everything except bread and water(not that harsh I promise) for the next week. I'm not saying you can't be friends with other parents that have different ideas its just harder initially to look past the major part of both of your lives.

Mom judging is on my list of things to fix about myself. Now being a military spouse it's even more imperative to forget all the little things and just be friends.

Happy Friday!

Love,

Jess

365 days

A year ago today I watched the love of my life walk away towards our today. It hurt and I cried, I was scared so I shook, but after it all I smiled because he is my happy.

March 26th 2012 was the opening of a whole new world for both of us. We both thought we knew what to expect and didn't think it would be too bad. Looking back I wish this kind of thing had a prep course or at least an instruction manual. Military life has been an experience and even when I curse it sometimes I love where we are. Things may not always be the easiest but every life has it's own hurdles and these are ours. I have met some great people as has he. We are getting to experience the east coast and south over the course of a year plus instead of trying to cram everything into a week long vacation. I am bound and determined to enjoy and love a glass of sweet tea and I am embracing the humidity and heat that is about to knock me on my ass.

More importantly I have learned a lot about myself. I am not as independent as I believed I was. Single motherhood is hard and it takes strength, but this requires a different strength. I have had to learn to let him walk out the door knowing I won't hear from him until he comes back. I have learned to be patient and flexible. Things with the Army can change at any point and time, and just when you plan for one thing be prepared for "Plan F" to come into effect....or do you?

Some days I look back behind me at the spot that I came from and it exhausts me to see how much my life has changed, yet I wouldn't have it any other way. This is a wonderful adventure for our family and the pride and accomplishment that I get to see on Superman's face is priceless.

Happy 1 year Anniversary!

Jess

Stow away!

This little catnip infused kitty toy was sitting on my seat. How he managed to get there I do not know...

Happy Friday!

Love,

Jess

Commuter fury

If you are driving from 7:30-9 a.m. please note that you are in rush hour traffic. That means drive  like the rest of us that had to drag their kid out of the house forgot to put mascara on and must stop for coffee before working with the public all day long or schedule your business for noon. This also applies to those kind souls that are driving from 4-6 p.m. unless you want to take my kid to dance or baseball, or would like to have dinner made for my family, get out of the way. It's not Sunday drive time. Good day!

Happy Spring!

Jess

All the way!

Military life is hectic but as a spouse you make the best of it and enjoy the little things. Those little things are even better when you have someone to share them with. Which is why the voice mail I got from J this morning was hilarious. "How are you supposed to respond to 'All the Way!'" ?

When going into a military installation you are required to present id to the gate guys (this is not their proper title I apologize). Apparently at her other installation it was "Welcome to Ft. Wainwright have a good day." Which is easy to respond to as it's an open ended statement. So when we pull up to the gate and get an "All the Way". I give them an awkward thank you with a smile and drive off. What else can you say to that? Some of them do the "Thank you Ma'am have a good day" which I appreciate, but I'm assuming since we are home of the Airborne it's in their 'what to say' book?

I guess it's just another unanswered question in the military world.

Love,

Jess

Smell memories

It's quiet here tonight. The fan is whirring overhead and the thunder is rolling in the distance. What I wouldn't give to be sitting in the sand watching it roll in off the water. As long as it brings that wonderful smell. Rain against the ocean is neck to neck with fresh cut alfalfa as the sun begins to set. Pure smells that brings back only good memories. I am going to have to find a farm near so I can borrow their field at sunset, great thing is back home they would come sit with you and just be quiet next to you because in a moment that perfect there is no need for words.

What is your favorite smell memory?

Love,

Jess

How I do Saturday nights.

Cheers to all of you with fist fulls of green beer!

 

I however am sitting alone watching The Rise of the Guardians. E and I watched it the other night but I liked it enough and missed some parts so I decided it would be a perfect Saturday night affair.

 

My house is a disaster once again. I swear that it was spotless on Wednesday and here we are and it's a wreck. Remember the story of the shoemaker and the elves? The little guys sneak in during the night swift like the Tooth Fairy and make some poor man a pair of shoes. Now give me them but I would like them to do the dishes. That's all I ask, just the dishes. I'll take care of everything else. Oh wait, no, I would like the garbage taken out as well.

 

Mess aside E and I had a pretty darn good day! Superman sighting and then some damage to the credit card all with the windows down as we hit 81 degrees today!

 

Goodnight to all the stay at homers like me and don't drive to all of you indulging in green beer!

 

Love,

 

Jess

Boredom

When you tell someone that you have a husband and kids they automatically assume that your life is boring. Yes, we don't spend 20 of our 48 hours a weekend at the bar, heck, we barely spend 20 hours a year without the kids! Bed time is at 8 and we never stay in bed past 830 in the morning.  However our very laid back lifestyle doesn't mean that something isn't always happening. I post a lot of E-isms as 5yr olds say some very very funny things, but tonight you are going to get a Superman-ism.

Our conversation went like this....

Me: (about him heading back to work)Well I don't want you to get in trouble.

Him: Nah. I'm like a ninja.

Me: Ninja? You are amazing.

Him: I move in the shadows. Quiet like a breeze.

Me: Swift like a tiger?

Him: Swift like Taylor.

Me: Dude she's annoying as **** and sounds like a goat being battle axed.

Then we went on to discuss Paleo.

See old and married with kids is not all as uneventful as you'd think.

In other weekend news. E and I spent a very long but funtastic day with our friends. We trekked to the kids museum and ran around crazy chasing 4 kids all under the age of 6, then while everyone was tired and starving, because of course we didn't stop for lunch, I get us lost. A suburban full of starving crappy people with a gas gage hanging on empty and we are lost. Perfect. After scaring the front desk at a hospital for directions (phones suck in the boonies) we find a gas station and restaurant. Food, end of drive home, let the kids play for a couple more hours and boom, day is over.

Exhausting and eventful yes? Never underestimate a boring lifestyle :-)

Love,

Jess

E is the big 5!

I woke up to a 5 year old! Yes, you heard me correctly, 5. I cannot believe that it has already been that long. I remember seeing her little face for the first time, holding her all attached to monitors and then finally be able to take her home. Spending day in and day out with her, watching her learn and grow and develop into the wonderful little person she is today.

We went from milestones of rolling over to her spelling "communicate" on the way home from school. She's full of stories and imagination, which means there is never a dull moment in our house. I can't think of a day that I don't love her a little bit more than the next. Now I'm not saying we don't have our trying moments because we do, but as she grows and learns so do I. I am far from perfect as a person and a mom, but E has taught me so much and we may struggle and butt heads but it's all part of our wonderful little life.

I love her to pieces and am looking forward to everything else we have to go through together. Kindergarten in the fall, then best friends and fights, awkward wardrobe changes and funky hair cuts before we have to deal with boyfriends(I'm so giving Superman the green light on this one), ACTs and off to college or traveling Europe or whatever she decides to do.

Bring on many more smiles, tears, hugs and bed time struggles!

Love,

Jess

Throwback weekend

Have I mentioned before that I am one lucky girl?

Superman knows just how to make a weekend perfect. We made all of the right stops, watched our favorite us movie and laughed more than we have in a long time.

I guess this lifestyle has taught me a lot more than I thought it would. I have learned to appreciate every second. Noticed that big things are really the little things and that missing someone is just apart of loving them.

So as an adventurous week begins I do so with an open mind and a full heart.

Love,

Jess

Seriously?

Let me preface this by saying I'm an AWFUL driver.

I drive by a high school and elementary school every morning.  There is a ton of traffic and kids are everywhere. There is a nice middle aged lady who runs the cross walk at the main entrance, rain or shine this lady is out there. I have now witnessed not once but twice this lady and a couple kids almost get run over. Seriously? Everyone learns that you let pedestrians cross especially with a guard and in front of a school and when they are 10 years old!! Better yet the last lady side eyed the crossing guard after she almost hit them. Wow.

Also people don't know that is a school bus is stopped and picking up kids the flashing stop sign on the side means stop, not go around.

That is all.

Love,
Jessie

MegaStuf Friday

A pregnancy inspired post.

MegaStuf Oreos and CAH fried pickles. I am only taking blame for one of these beauties and CAH will take the rest.

As we all know Superman is the king of triple stacking double stuffs, so imagine my surprise when I found MegaStufs in the cookie aisle.  I introduced them first to a fellow coworker who will be having her son Kason in March!  She loved Oreos as is and well lets just say Kason loves megastufs more :-)

So tonight while we are out to eat at CAH I get this wonderful picture and a text reading "new blog...megastuf Friday". I of course had to send her the picture of the pickles I had demolished as retaliation.  This preggo loves her pickles and sweet tea about as equally as Oreos so it was a low blow but it had to be done as one does not fling around pictures of Oreos with no comeback.

So my friends welcome to MegaStuf Friday! 

The preggo would also like to complain about "hot spots". She despises her hot spots.

Love,

Jess

Wow me Wednesday

I am always intrigued by the things my daughter says. Not only is she very intelligent but she asks things that I would expect a 7 year old to ask. There is never a dull moment with her which brings me to why she is the highlight of the post.

At drop off for preschool this morning I got pulled aside by the teacher because yesterday E was according to her "just not E". Apparently my nonconfrontational child yelled at a classmate accompanied by not listening to instruction all day long. Super!  Just when I thought at least one of our three was going to not have a bad week reality hit with "They're kids! Welcome to parenthood! "

This is why there are single children.

Love,

Jess

Terrorist Tuesday

Thanks to last week and my Galaxy naming my post I have decided to keep it! Nobody likes Tuesday and nobody likes terrorism so it seems fitting.

I did have my coffee today but I think the new little barista only put two shots in instead of three.

Wine and two chocolate chip cookies after pizza for dinner equals a successful old lady Mardi Gras :-)

Superman's boobs are looking very nice today.

Love,
Jess

Retaliation

Last night Superman decided he needed some Xbox accessory after we had been out and about all afternoon. He begged and whined and did the pouty lip and puppy dog eye thing so I caved and retrieved. I did decide that since I had to drive past the wine store and there was a bottle that I had been eyeing and hadn't tried yet so I took a small detour into the parking lot. It was a grand decision!

A long yet lazy weekend behind me and I am headed into another week. Hopefully a successful one at that!

Love,

Jess

Terrific Tuesday

I lied Tuesday is never terrific. Just to point out how awful it is... my Galaxy wants to type terrorist instead of terrific.  Terrorist Tuesday it is!

I have coffee and a hit list already on hand. Yes I may be a little crabby but I'm sure my moodiness will increase as I encounter more stupid people throughout today.

Survival mode begins.

Jess

At 15....

Fall Out Boy came on the radio and all I could do was laugh at myself. Going through my pop punk rock rebel phase at the time was awesome. I wore too much eyeliner, too many bracelets and too many hoodies. Life was happy but sad and dreams were huge. I dated drummers and wrote poems.

Yes you may now laugh....

Jess

Oooo Superman....

So as I am putting laundry away I notice Superman's panty drawer is slowly growing. As a panty hoarder myself I can only hope that my obsession is rubbing off on him. He will give me the side eye and probably get a little angry because I am discussing undergarments over the interwebs again but eh I can handle him, after all I am just very proud and slightly braggy! And his panty drawer is only folded because I did it, usually he is my neat freak everything folded and in perfect order man but nope! Unfolded drawers! Eeeekkk! My unorganized and fly off the handle self is joyous as he becomes a little more unorganized with me :-)

Please do not place me in hoarder status like the crazies on tv with 9000 toasters and newspapers from 20 years ago. As much as Superman seems to think, I just have a problem of throwing things (mostly unimportant papers) in a corner until it finally drives me nuts and I go through them, and mind you the stack never gets more than a couple weeks old. No biggy. Now panties I do tend to buy a lot of for no apparent reason........ Do they have a 12 step program for that? Wait, nevermind, I don't want to stop.

It really is the little things in a relationship that make ya happy,

Jess

Do you tweet?

What is with this little blue bird? Or instagram with all the fuzzy pictures? Call me crazy but I haven't been able to get into them.

I created a Twitter account but lost interest in a few minutes because I'm really not concerned about how many smoothies Selena Gomez drinks a day or if Peyton Manning got new shoes.

As far as Instagram goes, well it's way ahead of me. Haven't we spent millions on these phones that can take crisp, clear gorgeous pictures?  Why ruin that by making it foggy? Do you become a photographer that way? Please someone enlighten me.

That is all,

Jess

Ooooo Monday....

E hates Superman being away just as much as I do, so she went to bed tonight with his blanket and is using a blender bottle as a water cup. She also made a little Army brat friend at school, so cute because they were comparing their men :-)

It's just past 8 and I'm ready for bed. Snoozes sound amazing.

I need to start running again, so it's either wait for Superman or find a jogging stroller and push an almost 5 year old around.....ugh.

It's only monday and I'm ready for the week to be over. That probably means I'm in for the long haul. Crossing fingers it goes by fast.

Goodnight,

Jess

I am the winner! Well kinda...

Greatest daughter in law ever here! I just magically called on Superman's mother's birthday. I knew it was close to my littlest brother's birthday so I was really calling to ask :-) I am magical, now she knows that I will be late on her card, but last year things were a little different on her birthday so this is my first real one and I believe I get a free pass.

Yesterday I did get somebodies birthday right. Kane turns 17 on the 19th. He's the baby and now he's almost all grown up, he's taller than me, has had a steady girlfriend for over a year now and has a job and truck and all that teenage boy jazz. It makes me proud but he's a pretty darn good guy, but sad because he will always be the little 3lb thing laying in the incubator at the hospital to me. So in his big boy card I sent him some moola, you know your little brother is grown up when you have to write "P.S. This is NOT beer money" after the "Love you".

I am now off to drink some Captain while watching the cat attack a spot on the wall and watch a sports movie.

Happy weekend!

Jess

So what do I do?

I have ranted and raved about helicopter parents before but something was brought up the other night at a preschool meeting for E that just made me shake my head and want to throw something.

Preschool is prekindergarten, your kids are supposed to get used to hand raising, quiet working, independence and structure. The teachers are there to make sure that your child knows what they need to know before they head onto the big school of elementary. While in the meeting we were given a rough schedule of their day to day and that there would be a couple field trips scheduled for the spring. Helicopter parent of the year was appalled that while learning about family pets a trip to Petsmart might happened so that the kids can learn about what pet might be a fit for their family. Why? Well because what if while on this field trip somebody kidnapped her kid? WTmF seriously lady? Go along with as a chaperon and hold your child's hand the whole time, or trust the teachers when they say that they will take extra teachers along if they cannot get the proper amount of parent volunteers. Heck maybe you better lock your child to your leg as you head off to the grocery store tonight so your child doesn't get snatched out from under you nose. I swear.

This lovely helicopter mom was also concerned that if it kept getting "cold" at 50 degrees that her child should not be outside in that kind of weather, "it is too low for any one's child to be out in". Once again she got a mouth drop and a weird look from this mom. Too cold at 50? I get that it's the south and I get that these people like their 80 degree days, but back home a snowsuit is a requirement in winter because unless it is below zero with windchill the kids go outside. People and kids survive up there every day!

Call me crazy if you agree but people need to start letting their kids be kids. We owe them the opportunity to experience life, not be saran wrapped in a bubble suit for their entire life because something might just happen to them.

A night with too many cookies and the cats.

Love,
Jess