Papa Would Be So Proud

Future Prom Date

One night last week, Eric and I were talking about our homecoming/prom experiences in high school.  I told him that if I could, I would do it all over.  For some odd reason, I now have a desire to get all dolled up with a fancy dress, hairstyled hair, professional makeup, jewelry and high heels.  I thought about throwing a fancy party for my 30th birthday but I have a feeling it's going to cost too much to rent some place out and cater food for my friends and family.  Wouldn't it be cute to see Gavin in a tuxedo?!  Anyhow, back to my conversation with my husband.

We then thought about Eric teaching at a high school and being able to attend prom again!  He said we could volunteer as chaperones and that would be our do-over prom.  I thought that was the best idea ever!  All the more to see Eric complete his schooling, riiiiiight?!  In the meantime, I'll wait patiently to attend a fancy event where I can get all dressed up.  :) 

Old Friends

This past Saturday afternoon, I had the privilege of having lunch with some old friends.  They're actually sisters, Katie and Rebecca, and their mom joined us as well.  We went to Sweet Sage and ate some really delicious food.  Like always, I cleaned my plate up!  We had wonderful conversations and got caught up on recent events.  It was a nice, relaxing time with good friends. 

Me with Rebecca and Katie



Exhaustion

It's weird because as exhausted as I am, I actually feel wonderful!  Maybe it's because I've been working out in the mornings.  Maybe it's because Gavin has been so well-behaved this past weekend.  Maybe it's because Gavin has been sleeping so well lately.  Maybe it's because Eric and I have figured out how to have "us" time without a babysitter. 

Either way, things are going well.  Friday night, we took Gavin to the beach after work.  There were so many schools of sting ray swimming close to shore!  I forgot my camera but it was pretty amazing.  Gavin was definitely entertaining some old folks during their sunset dinner.  It takes him awhile to get used to the sand and water but after that, he's difficult to control! 

Speaking of difficult to control, Saturday night we had dinner with our pastor, Joe, his wife, Christine and their two kids. His son, Tyler, is about 9 months older than Gavin. These two were so adorable together! Gavin calls him "Ty-ty". We all ate at Five Guys and as soon as the boys were done eating, they were jumping up and down and copying everything the other one was doing. Then we packed it up (which Gavin was not happy about; he kept crying, "Tyyyy-Tyyyy") and headed a couple blocks over to Yogurt Mountain for some frozen yogurt. Their youngest, Lauren, just turned one and she was going to experience her first ice cream. It's amazing because when Tyler turned one, they had invited us then to witness his first ice cream experience. So we definitely felt honored with their second child as well. Lauren wasn't feeling well and she even looked tired so we're not sure if she enjoyed it or not. But the boys....oh the boys! Here are some pictures Christine took.

At the end of our visit, these two boys gave each other the biggest, sweetest hug!  What a great time....not so much for adult conversation though.  :)

Sunday was probably my most favorite day of this past weekend.  This may sound mean but it was because I was by myself and I got SO much done!  Eric had rehearsal in Brandon.  Gavin was with my dad.  And I had a garage to tackle.  I spent about 2-3 hours cleaning out our garage.  I arranged furniture, grouped tools together, lifted up a heavy Christmas tree, threw out a ton of trash (no exaggeration!), and even had time to clean out the back porch.  I also squeezed in an hour work out (even though 2-3 hours was probably enough).  I picked up Gavin, started laundry, gave him a bath, snuggled for a little bit then he was out like a light.  Eric came home and we did our "us" time of playing Rummy 10,000 and watching Chopped All-Stars.  We were both so exhausted that I think we forgot to say Goodnight to each other. 

Oh Happy Refreshed Monday!!!  Treat me good.....

Understanding a Toddler

We've been looking up articles online about whining toddlers.  Yes, our 22-month year old has already begun the Terrible Two's!  We realize that he cannot communicate exactly what he wants/needs so he gets frustrated just as much as we do.  For the most part, we get on his level and calmly ask him what he wants.  He usually points and then motions his "come here" hand and says, "I take.  I take."  But if we grab the wrong item, he throws a huge hissy fit.  Some books tell you to just walk away when he gets really cranky.  Well, what happens when he is running after you screaming his head off?!  Most of the time, he just wants to be held.  Other times, he will say as many food items as he can remember (bread, banana, cracker, milk, etc) to indicate that he's hungry.  Some times, he wants what we have.  But we're doing our best to understand our little toddler boy.   

This week, bedtime has not been as consistent like we have been before.  Most of it is because we've had some visitors.  We had some friends over for dinner Tuesday night and Gavin didn't go to bed till 9:00.  Last night, Dylan was over and Gavin didn't go to bed till 8:15.  Tonight, we're meeting up with Gavin's friend, Ben, at the park so I know for a fact he's not going to bed early tonight.  We roll with the punches and hope that the next week (or even day) we'll do better.

  

One Thing At A Time

For the past week, I feel like I've been juggling with one hand while running around in circles. 

The Bad Things:
Almost a month ago, I had a party with some girlfriends.  It was like a Tupperware/Mary Kay kinda party.  My girlfriends and I made orders and we still have yet to receive our products.  I literally spent all week last week calling our consultant; texting her as well as emailing her and I never got a response.  Should I even mention that she was over an hour late to the party?!  I felt defeated last Friday especially since she took our money.  I called corporate and they told me what I would need to do and that it would take up to 2 weeks investigation.  This was bad news for me on top of already feeling defeated.

I didn't lose any weight this week.  I also didn't push myself hard enough this weekend either.  It doesn't help when your husband decides to make cupcakes with homemade icing and bacon bits on top!  Sounds nasty but it was oh so delicious. 

We haven't sold our couch yet.  There was a couple that came by yesterday afternoon.  They said "Yes" and that they would just need to call some friends with trucks to load it up!  Well, when they got home, they did the smart thing (unlike us) and measured where it would go.  It was too big.  They called us and said they would have to decline. 

The Good Things:
I spoke with my party consultant's business partner today and she's going to figure out where our stuff is.  She also said that she would drive over to the consultant's house, get our stuff and ship it herself (overnight it on Wednesday).  She was so apologetic and so sweet and said, "Listen Brooke, now that you have my number, please call me directly if you have any other concerns."  A huge weight was lifted there.

This week for P90X is mostly all cardio work.  I'm also hoping to pick it up at least two times a day....if Gavin allows me to workout in the morning.

We have another possible buyer coming this Sunday to look at our couch.  They actually called when the first people said they would take it.  We told them, "If this falls through, then we'll definitely give you a call."  And since it fell through, we obviously gave them a call. :)

The last good AWESOME thing that happened is my sister-in-law cleaned out her closet!!!  That means I have new-to-me clothes!  I can't tell you how excited I was to go through her pile(s).  I was SO bummed because we don't wear the same size shoe and she had a bunch to go through and also some of her pants were a little short.  But I got a lot of tops! :)

Ok....here are some pictures of my family.

Still wanting nothing to do with Cousin Baylor.  :( 

NOT a Neat Freak

I'm one to say that I'm proud for not being a neat freak.  I prefer to call myself a hide-the-mess kinda woman.  Depending on your level of closeness with me, you will either see my house a complete diaster area or somewhat tidy.....never spotlessly clean. 

When I got home after work yesterday, Eric's first words to me were, "Don't be mad but the place is a mess."  And what a mess it was!  All I have to say is that I'm glad Eric is not a stay-at-home daddy. :)  Soon after observing the damage, Eric had to go to rehearsal and Gavin managed to create another mess at the dinner table.  Thankfully he went to sleep pretty easily but unfortunately I was not in the cleaning hide-the-mess mood.  So I relaxed and watched tv.

Then I started thinking about all the neat freaks I do know.  I had to giggle because 1. they don't have children yet or children that can walk.  2. I'm thankful for not having to be THAT perfect.  Yes, I enjoy a clean house every now and then but being full-time employed, having a creative toddler boy, having a husband that constantly cooks and owning a shedding cat makes it difficult to keep up with the chores.  So I would choose an untidy house any day of the week than trade them in for a clean house. :)

    

P90X Update

Today is Day 45 and I already completed my workout about an hour ago.  This week I've been trying to workout in the mornings so Eric and I have time to spend together in the evenings.  Lately we've been playing an ongoing game of Rummy 10,000.  Whoever gets to 10,000 points first, wins.  So far I'm in the lead with 1,880 and Eric trailing with 1,500 something.  Yeah....we got a long way to go. :)

But my workouts are going great!  I feel stronger, thinner and healthier.  I know I've reached one of my goals already and that was to keep up with "the kids" on the dvds.  Even on the Ab Ripper X dvd, I'm able to keep up with them (except for the oblique v-ups).  Thankfully, I still have my trusty accountability partner pushing me every step of the way.  For instance, I didn't workout last night and then I got a text from Brandi around 9:30 p.m. asking, "How'd your day go?"  Instantly I said to Eric, "I HAVE to workout!"  And I did....at 10:00 p.m.!  Brandi and I have already made a date to go bathing suit shopping after our competition.  We're half way there!

These next two days may be rough for Eric so keep him in your prayers.  Our nanny will be in training today and tomorrow so that means Eric will take care of Gavin for a full 8 hours....by himself.  Then after I get home, he will have rehearsals from 6 to 11 p.m.  I just hope Gavin will cooperate like a good little boy should. :) 

No Nap Weekend

When I know my son didn't nap that day, I fear for the evening that lies ahead.  However, this weekend Gavin did amazingly well without having a nap!  Saturday was go-go-go.  We woke up, ate breakfast then headed over to Dylan's football game.  Gavin was such a good boy sitting on the sidelines while Dylan scored touchdowns and pulled flags off his opponents.  Gavin got upset a couple times when Dylan came in for a waterbreak and then had to leave to play again.  After the game, we went home and ate lunch.  He was so playful that I didn't want to interrupt it for a nap.  So I skipped it.

Then around 2:00 p.m. we walked across the street to the Seminole Pow Wow Festival.  We met up with Heather, Dylan and their friends.  It was absolutely beautiful out and we all soaked up some sun.  Gavin had so much fun eating snow cones and funnel cake and dancing with the boys!  We stayed for about two hours because Eric and I had a dinner date with a couple from our church.  Heather kept Gavin for us as we went to dinner.  We got home around 8:20 and then we all went back to the festival to watch the fireworks.  Gavin actually fell asleep during the loud booms.  I guess that's what a no-nap day will do to ya. 

Sunday, we woke up, got ready for church and hit the road.  I got to hear another amazing message by Pastor Joe.  Have I told you how much I LOVE the Old Testament PJoe style?!  Love, love, love it!  After church we went home (ok, Gavin got maybe a 15-minute nap on the car ride).  All afternoon, we played, watched Finding Nemo (a couple times), played with our neighbor's dog, watched the fish tank and did a butt-load of laundry. 

Such a fun day!  Then it was 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.....bedtime.  I thought this was going to be a difficult task; putting Gavin to sleep while there was still light outside.  Thankfully, no-nap day wore him out to the point of no return.  He was asleep within minutes!  And he stayed that way for 12 hours straight.  Pretty darn good for the first night of Daylight Savings Time! 

I know I skipped Friday night so here it is....

Friday Night after Joto's Pizza!

Plane!

Youtube Videos

As most of you know, I post a lot of my videos from youtube to this blog.  Most of them (if not all of them) are of Gavin.  I LOVE capturing those moving moments that a still camera shot cannot give you. 

But I have one video on my account that is not of Gavin.  In fact, no one we personally know is in this video...except my husband's voice.  The amazing thing is that it has over 4,200 hits; 10 comments and 14 thumbs up....and 2 thumbs down.  I don't know why I'm so amazed at this.  I think it's because it's only a 10 second video and it was viewed SO many times!  Check it out and turn up your volume....

Lost

Normally, this word "lost" contains some negative vibes.  I'm lost, I need directions.  I lost my wallet which has my check card.  I lost my keys to my car.  I'm a lost soul.  I've lost my mind! 

But today, I'm putting a positive twist on the word "lost".  I've lost pounds AND inches!  Thanks to P90X and my friend, Brandi, for keeping me accountable, I'm actually starting to see results.  I've lost an inch off my chest, an inch and a half off my waist, an inch off my hips, a half an inch off my thighs and a half an inch off my arms.  Not to mention that I lost a couple pounds as well.  I feel great and Eric can even notice a difference.  I think Brandi and I are neck in neck as far as our measurements go.  It's been wonderful texting her everyday to see how she's doing and reporting on how I'm doing.  Now we have less than two months to go.....I'm so excited to reach the end.

P.S.  I HATE PUSH-UPS!!!

The view of our walk Saturday night....

March, Really?!

Don't know about you, but can you believe we're in March already?  That means in two weeks, we switch the clocks ahead.  That means it is going to get hotter in Florida....I can feel it already.  That means we may have to mow our yard again.  That means Eric will start working again.  That means in two months, our little boy will be 2 years old.  WHAT?! 

I am constantly looking at Gavin's baby pictures.  He was so tiny, then chubby and now almost a little man.  Part of me wants him to grow up faster.  For instance, I would like to start potty training him; I would like him to sleep in a toddler bed; I would like him to speak in sentences.  Then there's the other part of me that wants him to stay little forever.  For instance, I miss his baby fat cuteness; I miss rocking him to sleep; I miss him staying put in one area.  But he's growing at his own pace and he amazes me every day.

So far, March has brought us nothing but sickness.  Eric and I both had a 24 hour stomach bug of some sort.  I'll put it delicately:  we had to take turns using the bathroom.  Yes, we have a second bathroom but 1. it was too far away 2. we still have yet to clean it from our plumbing issues.  Which by the way, praise the Lord we got our plumbing fixed before this sickness hit us!  My sickness was so bad that I actually lost 4 pounds enduring it.  Gavin is alright.  He had his vomit explosion Sunday afternoon.  Now, he's not sleeping very well and we're up at all hours of the night.  So pray for us as we're healing and trying to rest as much as we can.  No pictures or videos to post this time but hopefully we get some out to you soon.

Take care and stay healthy!

Our Sitting Room

I don't really have good "Before" pictures because it changed so much. But this is the closest one I could find....

And here is our new Sitting room!

Now I know you probably think we're crazy for getting white couches.  But frankly, the slip cover cost almost as much as the couch.  Plus, it's washable and we can just bleach out the stains.  We're really not that worried at all.  So....there you have it!  Once again, if you know anyone looking for a huge sectional couch, send them our way!  It comes with a 7 year warranty.

Last Minute Day Off

Last night, Eric had the idea of me taking off from work today so we could spend it together.  As it was a brilliant plan, I didn't know if it would go over well with my boss....being it so last minute.  So I called her cell phone and told her our ideal plan.  Thankfully and blessed, she said ok and immediately we acted like little, giddy children.  Our day off was more planned than you think.

This morning, we left at 8:30 to drop off Gavin at Daycare.  Then we traded my car with my dad's truck.  We went to Golden Bear for breakfast then we headed to Tampa.  We could not believe the traffic at 10:30!  Aren't people supposed to be at work?!  About 20 minutes of traffic in Tampa, we reached our destination....IKEA!

Yes, this was our third trip to IKEA this year but this time was different....we had a truck!  No joke, we literally spent 4 hours walking, looking, shopping, buying and loading.  PHEW!  We had a blast and we actually agreed on the decor of our sitting room.  I used to call it our back room but now that we bought a sofa and a chair, it is now our sitting room.  :)  It's gonna look nice and hopefully will remain that way.  Anyhow, after we left IKEA, we hit traffic again at 3:30.  So by the time we got home, I had to trade cars and pick up Gavin.  Our "day" was gone before we knew it....but like I said, we had a blast! 

I will take pictures once our furniture is up and lookin' nice.  We were able to put some things together tonight.  Also, we're trying to sell our Snoop-Dogg couch in the main living room.  It's sad, I know, but it has been our enemy when it comes to decorating that room.  We put it on Craigslist and we're hoping it sells soon.  :(  Good night and sleep tight!

Hide Me!

When I workout with my P90X dvds, I enjoy the comfort of my own home.  Knowing that I can wear as little as possible and not feel looked down upon by body builders.  So, before I pop in that dvd, I close the blinds in the front living room and even the back living room (because I KNOW the neighbors behind us can see me.)  Then I grab my bottle of water and hit the ground hard!

Well, I get a call today from my wonderful, ambitious husband.  "Hey Sweetie, do you want go to get curtains tonight?"  Not knowing the whole story, I said, "Maybe.  Do we HAVE to get them tonight because we don't necessarily agree on the decor?"  My daring, crafty husband then says, "Well, I tore down the blinds in the front living room already."  Hmmm....looks like we're getting curtains tonight!

Complete Honesty

I love the friends that tell you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  For instance, the comments about my blog's new look were brutally honest and I loved it!  I think it's easier to say honest comments through text than it is face to face.  But once you find those friends who are directly straight up with you, don't let them go! 

In my life, I have friends with all different kinds of honesty.  I have the kind that say, "Things are going good but I'm not going into detail."  The kind that say, "I am really depressed and here's what's going on."  And even the kind that say, "Brooke, what were you thinking?!"  When you find friends that are openly honest with you, you will have a tendancy to trust them more on a deeper level and maybe even seek their opinions and advice.  I'm hoping to be that kind of friend to others.  If I think you're doing something wrong or against God's will, I hope I can lovingly correct you.  If you're down in the dumps, I hope I can encourage you, not with false hope but with God's Truth.  And if you're baby is ugly, I will most likely say they're absolutely beautiful because God's creation is beautiful. :)

Oh Crap!

Two nights ago, our bathroom plumbing got clogged.  There was black sludge filling the tub while the toilet wasn't running.  Eric spent most of Wednesday night trying to fix it with our snake but did not succeed.  So Thursday morning, I rushed over to my dad's house to take a shower before work.  Thursday afternoon, Eric attempted to fix it again but with chemicals.  By the time I got home from work, it was still clogged.  Thankfully, we had dinner at Mema's house for Heather's birthday so we were able to use her bathroom.  :)  This morning, I skipped the shower and freshened up using the sink.  It's amazing the things we take for granted.  So, after the attempts Eric made, he finally decided to suck it up and call a plumber.  The guy showed up at 10:50 a.m. and left around 11:20 a.m.  Can't believe how quickly he fixed it.  Obviously he had the proper tools.  After I paid, what seemed like a reasonable price, I saw the nastiness that was left behind.  I was going to stay and clean but it was so digusting that I chose to go back to work instead.  I'm just thankful we're done with all that crap....well almost.  Anyone want to join us for a cleaning party tonight?!         

Exodus

Pastor Joe started a new sermon series a couple weeks ago.  We're going through the book of Exodus.  I cannot express how much I enjoy my pastor's sermons on Old Testament!  My heart just melted when we went through Genesis (which takes years to accomplish!)  And now that we're in Exodus, my hand wants to write down every word I hear because it's THAT good!  Thankfully, our church's website has a feature that allows you to listento previous sermons from the pulpit. 

If you go to Gulf Coast Fellowship's website you'll see a list of sermons.  My favorite non-Exodus topic was January 23rd about friendships.  SO GOOD that I got a little emotional!  Then at the top of the page, you'll see the actual Exodus sermons.  This past week's was phenomenal!  It was about God distrubing our comfort zone in order to achieve the greatest blessings He has to offer.  Sometimes we just settle for less than what God intends for us.  Just listen to the sermon and download the outline to follow along.  It's definitely worth a listen! :)  One thing Pastor Joe said was, "No time is wasted when you're with God."  AMEN!

New Look

I'm testing to see if my blog's "new look" will either make me happy or just flat out annoy me.  What do you think?