It's been awhile...I know!

Yes I know it's been almost a month. What can I say--we've been busy, as I know everyone is! Truthfully there hasn't been a whole lot to report since Jozie's birthday...

I did finish my managerial economics class--got a B+. It's not the A that I was hoping for, but I'm happy with it! Next up...data & decisions (a.k.a. statistics--ugh). Is it obvious that I'm trying to get all the heinous classes out of the way? My goal is to graduate December 2012, so keep your fingers crossed!

Chris has spent half the summer at his dad's. He has a new half-brother--so that tallies up to two step-sisters, two half-brothers and one half-sister (Jozie). Kinda like the Partridge family out there in Illinois (one of my dear friends gave me that one--and you know who you are!) ;-)

He also started 6th grade academy this week, where he and his future classmates meet at school for a few hours a day to get acclimated to the school and meet new friends. I certainly hope that he likes it enough to stay here! Cross your fingers for that too, please! Regardless, Jozie sure thinks her big brother is cool...so cool, in fact, that she loves to imitate him, as you can see from the photo above!

Jozie has been doing very well with potty training! At her sitter's, if she poops in her diaper, she gets sent to the corner. Well, sometimes she'll poop on-the-sly and put herself in the corner before the sitter even knows about it! And as far as going potty where there isn't a Dora potty seat? Forget it! If it's a regular toilet, it's getting no action from her!

And finally, Damon's lawn care/landscaping business is going very well. He's staying really busy, which is awesome! He really loves it! And I reluctantly admit, the man is way tanner than I am. I just keep telling myself that if I could stand hanging out in the hot sun all day, I'd be tanner than he is!

That's about all I have for now...not very exciting, I know! But it's a post, right? You have to give me that! ;-)

Guess who's two?!

Yes, our little Ms. Jozie turned two on July 4th! It's pretty hard to believe. And let me just say that...while I love her to pieces...she is catapulting into the "terrible twos"! Her favorite word is NO, even if she doesn't mean it. And when she thinks she means it, she changes her mind after she realizes what she's NOT going to get! It's quite entertaining!

This was a crazy busy weekend. I had Thursday and Friday off because Jozie's sitter, my friend Teresa, took a much-needed vacation of her own! Friday we all went to Ankeny (Des Moines) for Damon's cousin's wedding. All of Damon's family--from Alaska to Colorado to Iowa--were there, and it was great to see everyone. We were sad to learn that Damon's other cousin, Karrie, and her husband Brandon, are moving to Alaska, but we wish them the best of luck in their big move and hope they visit alot!

So the rehearsal dinner was Friday night and the wedding was Saturday night, then bright and early we were getting up Sunday morning for Jozie's big party with Damon's side of the family. She got a TON of awesome gifts--clothes, books, money, a sprinkler and bubble mower...the list goes on and she loves everything!

We went to Lezlee & Ryan's (D's sis & bro-in-law) to hang and watch fireworks Sunday night, but all of the fireworks around the DM area were canceled so we did our own--sparklers and snakes! The kids had fun so that's all that mattered! This morning (Monday) we woke up totally worn out from the busy--and FUN--weekend and headed back home.

I'd like to give a special thanks to Bombo...D's aunt Marcia's goddaughter. They both came down from Alaska and Bombo, who is 12 years old, had the best time playing with Jozie and her cousins Chase and Carter. She was a lifesaver this weekend! And if she ever disappeared from the kids' site, they were chanting "where's Bombo?!" They loved her!

We plan to give Jozie another birthday party at my Dad and Margaret's house after they get home from traveling. We are all anxious to see them--it's been several weeks! They have alot of great pictures from their trip so we are anxious to see them. Not to mention, it's an excuse to see my niece's precious little baby girl, Callie! We can't wait!

And finally, God bless Rockwell Collins--the best employer in the world--for giving us Monday AND Tuesday off for the 4th of July holiday! This will give me some extra time to study for my managerial economics test Tuesday night, which I am NOT looking forward to...but will force myself to study for and not be tempted to lay in the sun and get a tan...so I better get an A! Wish me luck!

OK that's all for now...I haven't posted in quite awhile--I know--and I have a few dear friends who keep reminding me! ;-) So I will do my best to keep it up! Thanks for checking in with us! Love ya!!!!!

Getting in the groove...

So the weekend came and went, and I realized that I hadn't posted anything to the blog yet. My bad! So I'm using my lunch break to do it. Actually what I'm really doing is procrastinating...I have a test tomorrow night in managerial economics and was planning on studying during lunch...but this is way more fun. ;-) Today's post is all about my kids...

Chris: 11 years old going on 20...I kid you not. He is an awesome kid, but puberty hit our house way early...earlier than I had ever anticipated, nor prepared myself for. He just finished up 5th grade and is already talking about getting a tattoo when he's 18! This is also apparently the age for a tween boy to start fantasizing about...wait for it...it's not what you think it is, trust me...getting his lip pierced! To say the least, I immediately put the kabosh on that idea...ear piercing is negotiable, but not until he's at least 13. (In hopes that by then he will have moved onto wanting something else, God help me!)

As for extracurricular activities, Chris is heavy into skateboarding and music (guitar and drums). He is a genius in school and I'm not kidding...no sarcasm intended! He's an extremely smart and creative kid, and we're very proud!

Jozie: Jozie will turn two on the 4th of July. Yes that's right--we couldn't have timed that better! And she is going to love us for that when she gets older and realizes that she will always have that day off! No school, no work...not to mention the parties and fireworks in her honor! ;-)

Man it's true what they say about the terrible twos! Jozie is a joy and a blessing, don't get me wrong, but when she doesn't get her way you better plug your ears and run for cover, because she's comin' after you! It really puzzles me as to who she gets her attitude from...I don't have a clue. ;-)

She's been potty training too and doing pretty well! I'm not sure which she enjoys more though--sitting on the Dora seat like a big girl, having us applaud and do high fives after each success, or washing her hands afterwards. The girl is obsessed with clean hands! Is this a sign of OCD? I'm a little concerned... ;-)

Jokes aside, I couldn't ask for two more amazing kids!

And so it begins...

After much deliberation, I've decided to bag my Facebook page and start a blog. This in no way means that I think my life is so incredibly interesting that people will want to read about it, but a girl can dream, right?...

So who am I? I'm a 30-something--OK OK, so I'm pushing 40--so what?! Anyway, I'm a 30-something wife, mother of two, part-time MBA student and full-time employee. It would be an understatement to say that life is a little hectic, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

I've been married to my wonderful (not to mention patient and tolerant) husband Damon since 2006. Together we raise our nearly-two-year-old daughter, Jozie, and my 11-year-old son, Chris.

I'm not sure why I'm telling you all of this because if you're reading my blog you should already know all about me. If you don't know me, then you're learning something new today!

So that's it for my intro... I will try to post ground-breaking news and amazing pictures at least weekly for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for visiting--come back soon! ;-)