The Perfect Morning

There's something to be said about random days off.  As I sit outside for the second morning in a row, listening to the new John Mayer album (which I highly recommend...and only $11 on iTunes), drinking a fattening vanilla caramel latte (which I'll work off at the gym in an hour from now), I just can't help but have an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. Life is good. I think I overload myself with worrying about all the wrong things, so often. I think I oftentimes worry about things that will (eventually) all fall into place on their own, if I could would just step out of the way.

I had another Mom moment this morning after I dropped off the kids at school. You know that feeling that you get when your morning goes perfectly? The feeling that you are so adored by your own children that nothing else matters? Both of the kids were in great moods this morning. Lilly didn't complain about the outfit I had picked out for her (this is a rarity so it must be noted), Anderson got dressed in less than 20 minutes (another rarity around here!), and there was only one minor argument between the two of them that was squashed in 10 seconds! As I dropped them off to their respective classroom doors this morning, they both turned around to tell me they loved me an extra time! It's the little things.

Reading in 2012

After JM and I broke up, I found myself with a lot of extra free time and started reading a lot again. Here's a quick list of the books I've read so far this year...

On my cruise, I wanted something easy and "light" since I just really needed to be in a "happy" place! I read Chelsea Handler's Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea. It's one of her first books, and it was the perfect beach read!

Then on my way home from my cruise, I had an extremely long layover in the Ft.Lauderdale airport. I picked up a Nicholas Sparks (puke) book, The Rescue. I've never been a Nicholas Sparks lover, mostly because I'm a cynic and his books make me want to throw something. As appealing as it sounds to have a handsome rugged man come to my rescue, it isn't real life. Anyway, it was an easy read and got me through my layover in the airport. 

After that, my cousin convinced me to jump on the bandwagon and quickly read The Hunger Games trilogy. And I had to read the first one quickly, before the movie came out! So I read the three of them. And I LOVED them!! 

So I had read five books in like two months, so I needed another quick, light, fluffy read. So a friend at work, who loves celebrity gossip even more than I do (xoxo Tess!), told me about the Taylor Armstrong book. Taylor is known as the victim of her husband's outrageous abuse from the hit show Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. After her husband's suicide, Taylor wrote about the abuse that she had experienced over the years. Although the book was depressing (because of what this woman had been through), I can't help but admit that I felt dumber after reading it. It was pretty poorly written, but again, the message was strong and good for her for getting "it" out there. 

Then I was on an autobiography kick for a minute and decided to read up on the hunky Rob Lowe. My brother had read the book already and mentioned it was a good, easy read. So I read it. Although I didn't know much about Rob Lowe (and wasn't into all the hype of the rat pack or whatever they were called!), the book was good. I really liked his stories and it was interesting to see into another side of a celebrity's life, other than what we read in the trashy magazines! 

I am currently reading the third book in the 50 Shades of Grey triology. To say that I love these books would be an understatement. Yes, it's a dirrrrrrrrrty story, but the story line behind it is good! It's been so entertaining to hear other women comment on the book. It's nice to know I'm not the only girl holding out for a Christian Grey kinda fella (minus the shackles and whips, of course!). And did I hear it's going to be a movie? Ummmm, isn't that called porn?? Just sayin'!

There you have it....my book list since February! I've LOVED relaxing with a good book! The warmer temperatures are making it even easier to enjoy sitting outside, curled up with a book!

Andersonisms (Volume 2)

Anderson is the funny one in our family. Lilly and I are the drama queens, and Anderson is the funny one. Bless his heart. Here's a rundown of the latest Andersonisms.

1) The Thinks


Me: Don't even think about it.
Anderson: I can't control my thinks!

a day later at breakfast....
Anderson: Remember when I said that I can't stop my thinks?
Me: Yeah, what does that mean? Did you hear it somewhere or did you make it up?
Anderson: I learned it in my mind when I was one years old.
Me: Oh really?
Anderson: Yeah, remember when I was one years old and I was in school? I learned it there.

2) The Woodpecker


On the way to school yesterday Anderson noticed a tree that had recently been cut down. 
Anderson: Whoa, I didn't know trees could be chopped down! Mom did you ever see a tree chopped down in your life?
Me: Yeah, I think so. That's how we get wood.
Anderson: Oh yeah, I knew that. Because a woodpecker does it. He pecks and pecks until the tree comes down into wood.
Me: Yep, that's exactly how it happens.
Lilly rolls her eyes. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLY JANE!

Yesterday was Lilly's 6th birthday! This is a very exciting birthday because "now I'll have to use two hands when someone asks me how old I am!" I agree, a very big deal! We had a small little party at our house! It was a super hot afternoon, perfect for playing outside on the new swing set (thanks Nana) and in the new sandbox (thanks Uncle A and Uncle G). It was the perfect party and I think Lills had a great time! Here are some pictures of the day!

the Birthday Girl

Blake, Chloe, Lilly, Ava, and Anderson

Mother's Day 2012

I apologize for my lack of posts lately, but I've been extremely busy with the new role at work, too busy having fun with the kids after work (new swing set and perfect weather), and just living a very boring life to have anything newsworthy to blog about. But...I had to share my Mother's Day 2012 with you!

Lilly's kindergarten class had a Mother's Day Tea a couple weeks ago! As a person who doesn't really "dig" socializing with other parents, I was dreading going to the tea, to be quite honest. Of course I wanted to be there for Lills and I wanted to share the morning with her, but...those things can be awkward, no? But of course I went...and I'm SOOO glad that I did. I was greeted by my precious little lady and a handmade tye died corsage, which I proudly wore! Her teacher had set up different stations for us to work through, including one where we could make a necklace with her fingerprint, one to pet live chicks that the class had been "growing" (as Lilly referred to it), a puzzle and game area, and multiple other ones. My favorite station was reading books that Lilly had written. The one titled "My Mother's Day Book" was my favorite because it's so funny (hilarious actually) to see how she perceives me! It goes a little something like this: 

Page one: a pic of me

Lilly said, "Sorry about your big hands. I'm terrible at hands!" Personally, I love them ! 

Page two: fill in the blanks about me

My mom is 31 years old. 

My mom is 31 feet tall. 

Her favorite food is mackin cheese.

Her favorite tv show is 16 in praginit.

Her favorite thing to do is spind time by her self.

This is the part of the Mother's Day Tea that I turned bright red!!! I don't watch 16 and Pregnant (at least not with my children, I SWEAR!!)! And although I love my alone time, it's not my most FAVORITE thing to do! My poor children!!!! I had to just laugh about it though!! Her teacher and I were talking on the way out to the playground, both laughing hysterically about what she had written. Mrs. Summers said "I tell Lilly all the time that her mommy and I should hang out because we're exactly the same!!" 

I'm so glad that I was able to spend a few hours in Lilly's classroom with her! I honestly think I had even more fun than she did! It's so nice to see her in a different environment than what I normally do. She seems so grown up. I cannot believe our first year of "real" school is almost over. I'm so proud of my little girl! She's just perfect to me!

 

It's All Coming Up Gretchen!

I walked into my office today to see a gorgeous bouquet of flowers on my desk from an anonymous friend. The card read "Just because you're you." I later found out who the flowers were from and I am absolutely flattered! It makes me realize that there are people out there reading my blog and who are going through life with me, even if from afar. 

I got a text from a friend late last night saying that he had read my blog and had really connected to the post titled "Delays". He thanked me for reminding him that God still loves us no matter our faults. He said that he appreciates my honesty in my blogs (no matter how "ugly" they may seem). It just made me feel really great to know that my words...my heavy-on-my-heart words are reaching someone else. 

It's been a rough start to this year, but I really see things taking a major turn towards greatness. I am happy again. I feel like me again. Yes I still miss JM. It feels good to see the big picture again...to not let the rainy days overshadow everything else wonderful around me. Maybe it's just the season, but I honestly feel like my world is coming up all Gretchen. It feels AMAZING. 

My beautiful flowers!

The Ugly Truth

No one likes a complainer. No one likes to read about someone constantly bitching about her life. I get it. For those of you who side on those two opinions, you should skip this post!

For those of you still reading...let's talk about the truth...even if it's not fair. Let's chat about it, want to?

I'm friends with my most of my ex-boyfriends. For me, I see it like this: I spent months with you. During those months I would like to believe that we REALLY enjoyed each other's company. Although I've only been in love a couple times, I can honestly say that I gave it my all during those relationships, so it shouldn't be a huge surprise that I want to remain friends. And for my ex's, this doesn't seem to be an issue...However, I'm now realizing that there are ulterior motives, sometimes. You all know what I'm talking about.. I'm realizing that my ex's aren't friends with me because I'm just THAT awesome that they can't part ways with me. As with most past relationships, there's that level of comfort that you just can't trade in for someone new. You feel those comforting feelings with an ex. You feel that security. That familiarity. That trust. You get to talk about the ugliest things of your day, and your ex-bf will still talk to you again the next day! You get to answer the door in jammie pants because he knows all your looks and this won't disgust him. You get to just be YOU, and not have to worry about what he's thinking. Sadly, these unrealistic friendships end. There will be a day he finds a pretty girl (who doesn't answer the door in her jammies). A day when he can have meaningless "relations" without the baggage from the past, that inevitably creeps in with an ex. A day he can call someone else on his two hour drive home from work, and not have to hear about your work drama or hear stories about which of your kids has green snot hanging in his/her mouth. I get it. That's part of the moving on and growing apart. It's a sad reality, but it happens.

Let's talk about another bitter truth...in continuing with the ex-boyfriend debacle. Am I the only one who feels slightly jaded about the fact that oftentimes the "bad guy" gets to move on first? Right, I realize I just put that in print. I'm just saying...my ex was HORRIBLE to me (yes, my own fault for staying in the relationship for too long, but we have kids together so that was my excuse) and yet he's coming out smelling like roses now. Why is it that I feel like I'm being punished?! I know I know, dramatic much? But seriously, while we're being honest (and clearly we are, right?), am I the only one who feels cheated by this harsh reality? Because if we really looked at the reason I'm single and he's not, I'd say I have a lot more on my plate and that I'm a lunatic because of all of it. And not to be the most shallow girl in the world, but why is it that our (please tell me I'm not the only one) ex seems to always find someone skinnier and prettier?!!

Ya'll, I'm sorry. I promise I'll be back to normal tomorrow.

But....it did feel damn healthy to get that all out.