My New Favorite Picture

My 31st Birthday

Yesterday I turned 31. I remember this time last year and how miserable I was at the thought of turning 30. For some reason I felt like 30 was a major milestone in my life. Now, a year later, I'm wondering why a simple birthday took me on a major emotional roller coaster.

The last year has been a year of transition. I moved into a new office at work. I moved into a different position with a new set of managers and a new set of direct reports. At times I was nervous about my decision to stay with the company and take on this new role, but I've been very pleasantly surprised at my success.

In the past year my youngest son Ellis turned 2. I'm not sure if any other mothers out there would agree with me or not, but I think after the 2nd birthday it gets so much easier. I feel like I can breathe again - that I'm not suffocated by the constant needs of a baby and small toddler. I joke with some of friends that after the 2nd birthday I feel like I can be myself again. It's easier to manage the motherly guilt when I spend time by myself or out with my husband.

Other small changes have taken place for me also. Owen started first grade and for the first time as a parent I've had to deal with spelling tests and homework and science projects. We started (and are close to finishing) our kitchen remodel. This project has been a major blessing. I am enjoying spending time at home cooking. And I'm enjoying spending time with friends and family more than I can put into words.

I feel that I am very blessed and am truly thankful for everything and everyone I have in my life.

My birthday celebrations actually started Thursday night. After work I got my haircut and then met my sister Penny for a sushi dinner. It's very rare for just the two of us to get out my ourselves so I cherish our time together.

I woke up yesterday morning to the sound of the boys talking to each other in bed. I love that they get along so well and enjoy each others company. The boys had hidden flowers in their closet for me. I love flowers! Ed got me an alarm clock (mine broke) and a pair of earrings. The earrings were quite a surprise because I had asked him not to buy me anything.

I took the day off work so after dropping Owen off at school Ed, Ellis, and I went and had some breakfast. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day so I never miss an excuse to go out for eggs and biscuits and gravy. After breakfast I spent the rest of the day by myself out shopping. It was so nice to be able to be out by myself, taking my time and buying whatever I wanted. After a few hours of shopping I went and got a manicure, pedicure, eyebrow wax and massage. It was pure heaven and the perfect way to end my "me" day.

For dinner Ed picked up BBQ from my favorite local joint. After the boys went to bed we watched some episodes of  "How I Met Your Mother" on Netflix and had a few beers. It was a perfect day.

Tonight Ed and I are going out to a fancy dinner for my formal birthday celebration.

I don't know why I ever fear birthdays. There is nothing wrong with getting older. Over the years getting older has brought me such wonderful things - a husband, two beautiful children, a nice cozy house, and some amazing friends and family.

Life is good. I'm looking forward to what 2011, and my 31st year, have in store for me.

My New Favorite Game

My boys have created the most random new game that the whole family is enjoying. It's pretty much baseball played with a golf club and a football. Being stuck inside the house all of last week while we were waiting for the ice to thaw forced us to come up with some creative ways to get out some energy. Ellis loves both football and golf, so he thought he would combine the two with the help of his brother. Owen enjoys posing for the camera almost as much as he likes playing the game, but he's a good sport!

These boys are such a joy. They really do bring such great laughter to our lives. We are pleased beyond belief!

My Snow Day # 2

Ever since the first flake of snow started falling Ed has been talking about wanting to go sledding down our street. He finally convinced Owen to go with him last night right before it got dark. They made one run by themselves and then Owen took the long trip by himself while Ellis and I watched.

This morning I woke up extra early and after exchanging emails with the other mangers in my office at 6:24AM we decided it just wasn't possible to open the office again today. I sent some emails, made some phone calls, got logged onto my work computer remotely (isn't technology amazing) and did a little bit of work. Then it was time for a break.

I was cleaning out from underneath my bed and came across an empty wrapping paper holder. I decided to cut the tube in half and gave each of the boys a "sword". We had lots of fun playing dueling pirates. I always seemed to be the one that ended up on the floor with my arm cut off but the boys had a good time.

[Notice the two toned floor in the new kitchen. Replacing/ refinishing the floor is the next project on our list. It's never ending.]

We also spent time drawing pictures, making puppets, playing puzzles, and "hunting" for deer. About 11AM Ed took Owen back up to our local neighborhood park to meet some friends for more sledding. Ellis took a nap and I got a little more work done. Once Ed and Owen got back we decided  to take our chances and made the one mile journey to Fox Brother BBQ for lunch.After lunch I worked until the stock market closed and then decided to call it a day.

After two days of being stuck inside the house with the kids I'm exhausted. I really hope that I can make it into the office tomorrow. I've cleaned the entire house out of boredom. We've play board games, trains, potato heads, and dress up. We all are ready to get back to our normal life. Owen is out of school again tomorrow and I'm not sure what the road situation will look like in the morning for us. The temps are suppose to get much lower over night so our compute in the morning might still be pretty rough. Most of the roads are pure ice.

Atlanta is not equipped for this type of weather. It almost makes me wish I was living in Ohio, almost...

My Snow Day

Last night we had an epic snow fall in Atlanta. In the last eight years we've never had a winter storm this severe. The entire city has been paralyzed. Here's a picture of our little home freshly dusted with snow.

At our house we had at least four inches. Here's a shot of the snow piling up on the back deck.

This morning the birds didn't seem to know how to react to the snow. They had eaten all of the bird seed we had put out for them before the storm arrived. It was strange because it was as if they could sense the approaching storm.

My Little Sister

I've had a rough first week of 2011. First I got the news that my older sister Penny was offered (and accepted) a job in South America. She'll be teaching fourth grade beginning next fall for at least two years. While I know this is an amazing opportunity for her I will miss her dearly. I love that she has a relationship with my boys. We see her several times a week and my kids adore their aunt. AND, she's my best friend. It's awful to think about her leaving.

The same day I got the good/ bad news about my sister Penny's job offer I also got a very troubling call from my younger sister Paige. Paige called to inform me that she had a miscarriage. She was 17 weeks pregnant. She and her fiancée are devastated. My sister has had a rough time. She's made some bad decisions but she was finally at the point where she was on the right path. She was finally going to be able to be the mother that she always wanted to be. But that's been taken away from her so unexpectedly... I grieve for the loss of my nephew (it was a boy) and I grieve for my sister's loss. I pray that she is strong enough to make it though this.

I want to think that people are only faced with situations that God knows they can handle. I feel like my sister has been through so much. She doesn't deserve this pain and suffering.

My New Year

Happy New Year's

Ed and I spent New Year's Eve at home this year. We picked up lots of appetizer's from Trader Joe's and some beer and spent a quite night at home together. I can't think of anything I would have rather been doing. This morning Ellis got into the bed with us and we all snuggled up together and watched Toy Story 2. It's been a wonderful holiday so far.

Owen wanted to spend the weekend with my parents at their lake house. While I miss him when he is gone I love that he gets to spend so much time with his grandparents and cousins. I spoke to him last night and asked him if he was having a good time. He answered with an enthusiastic, "YES"! He said he had spent the day playing outside and riding his bike. That sounds like a perfect day for a six year old boy.

That's all. Nothing exciting going on around here. Just taking it easy and enjoying this time with my family!Ha