Gay protest signs

A friend shared this with me after we had chuckled over a gay protest sign we saw. Mucho love to my friends who this means a lot to!

Sleep

I really love sleep.  A good sleep that consists of 8+ hours.  The only problem is that I cannot recall the most recent 8+ hour stretch I had.  Yes, we were camping last week with no kids.  However I did not sleep through a single night, whether that was from having to get up to pee or the frequent nighttime storms we had.  The key issue at home is the boy child.  Who usually gets up at least 1-2, sometimes 3, times a night.  To sleep.  With. Me.

And sometimes I am too tired to even care and he sleeps with me.  Oh my, I am doing the unforgivable aren't I?  I'm letting my child sleep in my bed with me.  It is what I have to do sometimes to simply get some sleep.  But it's getting old.

What is older is the fact that the boy child takes FOREVER to actually fall asleep when he goes to bed.  Sometimes it's over two hours we are dealing with him.  We are trying to get him back into a routine, but it's been a struggle since he's been such a shit.  He can walk over to you sitting next to the doorway, but then says his ankle hurts or his legs are broken and cannot get in bed.  This just after he crawled out and walked over.  sigh.  Not to mention the hubby and I have some differing POV's on things and handle things differently at times.  That sure helps a lot.  Not.

I'm struggling with what to do.  And I need time to get some other things done at night as well as actually catching some Zzzzz's.  Any sleep/bedtime tips to share?

August AWEsomenesses

• Camping - okay, well maybe not camping itself, but being child free for several days with little responsibility.
• The shower I took when I got home.  Nothing like a shower after a camping trip.
• iPhone 4.  Yep, it arrived yesterday and I'm LOVING it!!
• First house payment due.  Yes, I am celebrating this. ;)

That's the tops for the month so far.  I'm feeling a bit in the dumps today so I figured I'd do a quick AWEsome post.

Stripper Sheep

Yes, these are poor animals at the local fair this week.  And we couldn't help but take a photo.  Because. This. Is. Hilarious!  Dontcha think?  First, we spotted a lovely fella in a glorious purple outfit and then spotted the animal print and it was all over.   Here we are at the fair, on the lookout for offenders who shouldn't be there, and we come across these beauties.  And let's just say our minds immediately stepped off the curb into the gutter.  How could it not?  Sheep with leotards?  It was the highlight of our night!

My newest drooltastic thing

Welcome to the Disney Dream, Disney Cruise Line's newest ship.  And I have the opportunity to sail on this beauty in about 5 months.  Talk about saving my pennies!

2010 Promise Walk - Wausau

I'm about two months behind, but finally sharing some highlights and photos from the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia that was in early June.  We about doubled the number of participants and met the goal of $3700 with fantastic support.  We had awesome raffle prizes and entertainment again.  I had more preeclampsia survivors than I anticipated, which while I'm not excited they had to experience it, I'm happy they joined us.

Here are some photo highlights...

 

The above photos were taken by my buddy Seth.  I have more taken by another friend and will have to add some of those later as they are on the other computer.

ETA:  a couple more photos....

Someone fun to read

If you were not reading Christie over at Baby Tea Leaves before, be sure to check out her new blog Average Moms Wear Capes!  She's quite the read and she has a cool giveaway for those who like to run/jog/walk...check it out!

Yes, I am still alive

Hello blog-land!  Life has been a whirlwind, but we are in the new house and frantically (okay, maybe not frantically) trying to unpack.  And I have realized this last week that I miss this, I miss writing.  For a very, very long time I have.  Great, now I am speaking like Yoda.  (Not that there is anything wrong with that.)

Anywho, I have lots of ideas that have been bubbling in my brain this last week and I have pledged to myself to take a few minutes each day to write.  That may not translate into a daily post, but I'm hoping once I get back into the spirit of things, I will be around much more often and able to visit others.

Much bloggy love to everyone, I miss you!

Panic Spectrum

Most people that know me IRL are aware that in most instances of my life I am a planner.  Yes, one of those Type A planners who has to have almost everything spelled out ahead of time.   If I don't, the panic sets in.  At the moment, the panic train has made a stop at our home and I am being whipped around on that sucker. 

We close on the house this coming Friday.  And because I still have 5-6 days where "something" could happen, I am in slight panic.  Not to mention that we have less than two weeks to move and packing, while commenced, still needs some work.  We want to paint the kid's rooms this weekend and now I only have a sitter for one day and am on the search for the other.  (sigh.  It never ends.)  We still don't know if we are going to rent a truck to move or not (longer story).  I figured buying a house was stressful, but I didn't truly comprehend just how much. 

My day job has been spectacular.  Not.  (wow, haven't used that phrase in forever)  I'm trying to finish up a report on an offender for the courts and have it completed tomorrow.  Now, I will own the fact that I did some major procrastination with this report and it's totally coming back to bite me in the ass now.  Awesome.   The panic for work is coming in with two court hearings in the next week or so.  I will have to most likely testify at both, something that I have yet to do.  Even more awesomeness.  The one is on Friday in the morning and we close on the house in the afternoon, nothing like ruining my day.  :)   There are days when I love what I do, but some days are just hard.  We deal with difficult and emotional situations.  I try not to bring it home, but there are days when I rides home in my back pocket with me and sneaks up when I have a free minute or attempt to fall asleep. 

Did I mention that we have packing to do?  And guess where my husband is right now.  In bed, completely sick and hung over.   I don't care to say much beyond that as I'm trying to not be  a negative nelly in this post, but failing miserably it seems.

On the positive.....got to see some terrific fireworks last evening with my kiddos.  I made a difficult decision eariler this week and fretted about it, but ultimately said no and did what was best for me.  I am trying to reign in the chaos that is our life this summer and this decision was part of that.  And best of all, this week we'll have the keys to our house!!!

Time Flies

It's been over an entire month since I blogged.  Wow.  Here is a quick synopsis of June...

• Promise Walk for Preeclampsia---very successful.  Photos & post coming soon.
• Busy at the day job.  
• Getting Disney clients ready to head on vacation in approximately 45 days.  Most are during the free dining offer.
• Camping.  Let's just call that trip a "series of unfortunate events" and leave it at that.
• Packing, cleaning, and general stress due to the fact that we are.......

BUYING A HOUSE!!!!!

The week of the walk we looked at a house we had liked online and within days had put an offer in on it.  Right now we are set to close on July 16th, barring any issues.  And yes, it's me, so there are issues.   I'll post on that coming up too.

Hope everyone had a fantastic June.

Brewing

Something big is brewing....I'm hoping to have a good announcement soon!

Birthdays

I need to give a big shout out to my kidlets as they BOTH celebrated birthdays this month!!! 

Promise Walk for Preeclampsia

So, you may have noticed that lovely little box in the upper right corner of my blog?  No, well, here's the plug for it.  I will be hosting the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia again this year and, as always, am asking for your support.  I'd love it if you all could attend, but I know that's not possible.  (But how cool would that be?)  It's looking like a great deal of fun and we've got some AWEsome raffle items for those that could make it.

Here is the short version about why this is important to me:  I developed severe preeclampsia (HELLP Syndrome) with my first pregnancy and delivered just over 5 weeks early.  Our little guppy Aweighed 4lbs and spent just over two weeks in the hospital.  Fast forward 3 years and P was born at 37 weeks after I managed gestational hypertension for 5 weeks, he weighed 5lbs 6oz and came home with us.  Here is a quick highlight of our family's moments.

You read here, you know that preeclampsia changed my life.  I've shared stories of families who were not as fortunate as us and who lost loved ones.  Many of my preeclampsia sisters are fellow bloggers and there is a bond there that is different from any other.  We each know what it's like to face down that ugly preeclampsia monster.

So in honor of my babies and all the other preeclampsia babies out there, including those angel babies, please consider donating today by visiting the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.  You can donate to our team or make a general donation.  Even $5 helps make a difference.

Love to you all,
Denise

Sometimes words fail me

My dearest A,

You are such a bright shining star in our lives.  We have been through so much with you in your 7 years, and I can only imagine what's in store in the upcoming years.

You are special, unique, and amazing.  And there are times that words fail me when I want to describe the very essence of you.  Because you truly are that special.

We have "official" news on you.  Something that we already pretty much knew, but it helped to have someone with that PhD behind their name confirm it.  And much to my relief, no diagnosis of bipolar or related disorder.  The doctor told us yesterday these words, "You have a highly intelligent little girl.  Who happens to be a perfectionist.  And has anxiety."

Like I said, we already knew that.  But this gives us direction.  Direction on what to do to help you, how to help us while we help you.  My major goal as a parent is to assist you and your brother be the best "you" you can be.  Quirks and all.  Dr. M made the comment that you are too smart for your own good, and that is so true.  You are very curious and that sometimes leads you to gain knowledge of something that you fail to fully comprehend and then you become anxious.  And it's okay.  We're here to help you.  You have anxiety.  You are often fearful and worried and many times it's about things that we do not understand.  I promise to do better when helping you, to listen fully, to console you when you need it, and to encourage you to make mistakes and celebrate your quirks.

I love you, worries and all.

Love mom

Letters to Juliet

I went to see this film this evening with a friend.  It's a complete chick flick (totally predictable of course), but a decent movie nonetheless.  It made me think about what I would write to Juliet, and ultimately of romance and love.  Yes, chick flicks may be corny and sappy.  But I think they also give that *romance* that one craves.  Yes, I said craves.  I am not an overly sappy person, but viewing this film made me realize how much I want, need, and like to be romanced.  I want the door held open for me, notes of appreciation or love left for discovery, to have that hand rest upon my back or neck.  Small surprises that demonstrate you are thinking of the one you love. 

Being in love is an adventure.  I think it wanes and grows as it moves along.   You have to nourish it, cherish it, and celebrate it.  When life is chaotic and crazy, or let's be honest...if you have children, romance may fail to flourish continuously.  At times, you may have to find your way back to one another or measure if that love is actually worth fighting for. 

I wish you all love.  A love that caresses you and embraces you.  A love that manages to traverse the bumpy road of life and when the ride slows down, that love is still there and strong.


Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.  ~Lao Tzu