M.I.A...AGAIN!!

Well...the lack of blogging is NOT due to lack of blog worthy material! Busy having fun!  Last week was jammed packed as we wrapped up the school year for Madi!  Woohoo, we have a 5th grader on our hands!!  2 field trips, awards day and a birthday party all shoved into 1 week....let alone we were getting ready for our beach trip!  All the mean while we had our normal day in day out activities going on...oh and I failed to mention that Will had pink eye!  Trying to hold down a toddler to place eye drops is like trying to catch a greased pig! I took the day off Friday and went to awards day with Madi and then headed to the mall.  I desperately needed a bathing suit and a couple pair of shorts.  I seriously could write a post on that trip alone, but I'll just touch on the highlights! As most of you know, I had gastric bypass about a year and a half ago and one might think that shopping would be easier.....that is NOT the case!  I always thought that I would be able to walk into any store I wanted and purchase any article of clothing....NOPE.  For one, I'm not as young as I used to be!  And while I'm still in my thirties ( that hurts a little bit to say!) I've had two kids and THINGS just ain't the same!I While out on Friday, I went in this one store that looks SO cute!  I've passed by many times and it's just not big enough to push a big honking stroller in with a kicking and screaming kid yelling NO,NO,NO.  So I was by myself and ventured in!  The clothes look REALLY cute on the rack, it's when you enter the dressing room that things begin to CHANGE.  I think(I know) these materials were made for young girls who have NOT pushed out watermelons or had their insides turned upside down. It goes from one extreme to the next...like from tent to spandex or vice versa. I totally don't get this whole spandex or elastic band around all these dresses.  I tried on what appeared to be a cute dress but when I pulled it down to where it wouldn't show my rear, I felt like my whole top half was hanging out.  i seriously contemplated asking the YOUNG sales associate if it was missing a snap or button....at that point, I realized that I had become my mother and I was going to overcome this experience.  I ripped that dress off, put my clothes on, walked out of the dressing room, handed over those clothes and walked out with a smile on my face.  Cause I'm OK that I can't wear those clothes and I'm thrilled that I have lumps and bumps because my children are so worth it!  I have to say...and yes it was a miracle, but the bathing suit shopping went just fine.  I guess that's because they separate the "juniors" from the "elders"!  We are officially at the beach and I couldn't be more relaxed and thrilled! We are getting some much needed R&R!! I'll be back soon with a big ole' beach post!  Till then my toes are in the sand and I'm LOVING every minute of it! Hugs-Kyla
PS-  Can't believe I almost forgot to mention....  Last Sunday, our sweet Madi made her public profession of faith and accepted Jesus Christ into her heart!  Greg and I are so proud of her!  Madi has grown so much here lately and she is growing into a beautiful young lady!  We are so happy that she has a tremendous LOVE for JESUS and she teaches us more and more everyday. She'll be baptized in the next couple of weeks!  Have a wonderful memorial day and GOD BLESS those who sacrifice their life for our freedom.

dad and katie baby!

me & my honey and our view for the week!

dad & sandra!

katie and Robbie ( mal's boyfriend's little boy)

fish!!

M.I.A!!!

I know, I know!!  Where does the time go? Life is busy and I LOVE it! We are wrapping up school projects and gearing up for vacation! This past weekend did not disappoint, as we had lots of things going on!  I took the day off Friday to help out at Madi's school with Field Day.  I had been wishing for warmer weather and well be careful what you wish for...it was HOT!  They had the usual games along with a bounce house, snow cones, nachos, and popcorn!  I think Madi had 9 snow cones...they were a huge hit! Greg was with us too and by the time we got home that afternoon, we were exhausted...I think the heat got to us! Madi was invited to a birthday party/sleepover that evening and Greg and I had plans to go out with my dad and step mom for our 10th Anniversary!!  Yes, 10 YEARS!!  I can't believe it! Greg and I dated forever before we got married so it seems like I've been with him forever! We've had good days and bad days...like everybody else! We've been through alot, we've grown and there is no one else in this world that I'd rather spend my life with.  I LOVE him more now than the day we got married....and I didn't think that was possible! No one told me how much work a marriage takes or if they did it went in one ear and out the other :-) Like my grandma told me once: Marriage is alot of give and take; it's more fun to take than to give!!  I hope one day we are like a sweet elderly couple I saw walking around at Madi's field day holding hands ( this was my friend Liz's grandparents) they were so cute!!  So, we dropped Madi off at the party and went out to a nice dinner at Metro 8 steakhouse in Durham.  It was WONDERFUL and I highly recommend.  Everything was good!  We thought about taking pictures of our food AFTER our plates were empty!!  We did manage to snap a few photos of us though! We had SO much fun talking with my dad and Sandra...we hardly ever get "adult" conversation and dinner together!!  It was great!!  We had reservations for 6:45 and the next time I looked down at my watch, it was  around 9:15!!  I couldn't believe it!  Thanks Dad and Sandra for a WONDERFUL evening!! Saturday was kind of low key, Will wasn't feeling on top of the world and Madi was TIRED from being up all night at the sleepover! We just hung out and went out to eat for an early dinner at another one of my favs Toreros!  The fish taco's are ridiculously good! We came home and hit the hay early to gear up for Mother's day!  My sweet Madi woke me up to breakfast in bed!!  It was amazing!  She fixed me my favorite: toast with mascarpone cheese topped with fresh berries and drizzled with honey!  YOU MUST TRY THIS! I snapped a picture after Will and I had eaten half of it!  In fact I think Will thought it was his birthday!!  He keep saying "bite, bite"! and "ohhh"!!  It was very funny!  Sunday we went to church and then had lunch at my dad and Sandra's.  My mom came as well as my grandparents, aunts, cousins,etc..  It was great seeing everyone!  We then hosted Greg's mom, step dad, GG, and uncle over for dinner that evening!  I cheated and fixed a Costco lasagna with salad and threw a pan of brownies in the oven while everyone was eating!  Needless to say we were pooped that night!  It was a great weekend!  Madi has 8 days left of school and then we're off the the beach for a week!  I can hardly wait!  So that's a wrap, We had a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY,MOTHER'S DAY fun filled time!! Enjoy your week!!  Till next time-Kyla
Ps-Sorry for the photo quality...all of these were taken on my phone!

the only picture I could get of me and Will!

my sweet girl!

I look TIRED!!

Madi and her Grandma!

GG!!

Will and my grandad!

My sweet Mama!!

MMMMM!!!

                                                          

My Dad (Mike), Step mom (Sandra), Greg and I!

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

-- Confucius

The sun is out today...whohoooo!!  The past few days, I have been in a funk...I think it's the weather!  I've taken zero pictures because quite frankly the batteries in my camera died and I haven't replaced them ;-)  One of those days...weeks!  However, when the sun blinded me this morning as I drove Madi to school, I couldn't help but smile.  The warmth radiated through the van..we kicked up the radio and everyone was smiling! I think God knew last night that I HAD to get out of the house.  The rain stopped and we went for a walk.  On the first lap around the block, we took Buddy.  I think he's out of shape...he was huffing and puffing and wanted to stop every 2 minutes.  We took him back to the house and went again b/c we couldn't get enough of the outdoors.  It was so peaceful and refreshing!  We hadn't been back at the house for 2 minutes and the bottom fell out!  It was still raining when I fell asleep last night!  I was thanking God that we had a reprieve long enough to get out of the house and enjoy!  Will didn't understand why on earth we did not stop at the park and I tried to explain to him that it was very wet and we couldn't play...that went over real well!!  Looking back I wished I would have just let him play...who cares if he got wet...next time we'll play in the water. Life's too short not to let your hair down and have a little (lot) of fun. get messy! I'm off to exercise the dog b/c the sun is shining bright.  This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!  Hugs-kyla

family traditions

Last night, Greg and I were talking about our favorite hymns.  I have no clue how we got off talking about this??  Greg was saying that he loves some of the older songs like "Victory in Jesus".  I knew Madi was in the room but didn't think she was paying attention to us until she said " I like that song Family traditions"!  I started dying laughing!  I was like honey...that one is NOT in the hymnal!  As in family traditions by Hank Williams,Jr.!  Oh my...where did I go wrong?  Happy Friday...were off to create some "family traditions" and not the kind Hank sings about!  Keepin it real! kyla

I'm dreaming of a beach morning (not a white christmas) where waves are crashing cross the sand...where the shells are glistning and children playing and sipping cold __________ in my hand!!  I'll let you fill in the blank!  Oh my...this chilly weather has me wanting the BEACH so bad!!  We are going for a week the end of the month and it can't get here fast enough...I think too b/c school will be over!!  Did I mention that I'm tired of projects and homework?? I truly think I could be a great professional beach bum....that's how much I LOVE IT!  I'm so thankful that my kids and hubby love it just as much as I do.  I still like to build sand castles and look for shells....something about it is theraputic!  OK...I guess I have to stop dreaming and get back to the real life :-)  Here are a few random pics I promised!

I don't think she knows she's digging in manure!

exploring the woods!

Maybe Will is FINALLY getting

the point that you walk in the rows, NOT where we planted seeds!

Buddy is saying: mama, if I close my eyes

and smile will you please throw the ball with me??

MAMA..why can't we just go on one more

little walk??

He would rather play in water than eat when he's

hungry!

cupcakes i made for a friend this week!

HEY YOU! STOP TAKING MY PICTURE!