Questions running through my head...

I have had two different questions stuck in my head the past couple of days.  

First one: Do you get a Christmas bonus?

I thought that everyone in the world got Christmas bonuses but it turns out that some companies just don't offer them anymore.  Which I find very sad.  We have always done Christmas bonuses for our employees.  They work their butts off and they deserve to be rewarded.  We even have clients who send us Christmas bonuses, which I find completely endearing.  It makes us feel so appreciated!  

Second one:  Do you buy birthday presents for your kids friends or do you just give cash?

I used to be the cool mom who went out and bought cool presents.  Now I'm the mom who runs to the ATM and gives cash.  Is one better than the other?  I really don't know.  But I hope that I don't suck because I'm the money giving mom....

So, what do you think?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Family Pictures 2011

Is there such thing as being too happy?

I've been accused of being too happy.  A LOT. Especially in the last several months.

I'm sure that most of you have figured out that I've recently (for lack of a better word) "divorced" several members of my family.  Why?  Because I got tired of being used and then discarded like trash.  Especially when the person who treated THEM like garbage deemed them fit to be back in her life, thus making me and my family unnecessary in their lives.  I have literally rescued them from abuse, being homeless, ya know, major crazy things like that and then POOF!  I'd get the big F-U from them and they're done with me (of course, only until they needed something.  Than I was wonderful again.)  I did this for YEARS and YEARS and I finally decided a few months ago that my kids and my husband should come first.  So I stopped the rescue mission.  Cold turkey.

So there's the back story to the "too happy" thing.  Said family members like to say that I'm too happy.  As in, I'm faking it. But in reality, I'm a happy person.  A smile through the tears, glass is half full, everything happens for a reason, kind of girl.  I guess that fact that I've made peace with my decision to cut them out of my life bothers them.  But to have my happiness used against me, frankly, it bugs the hell out of me!

I came across a quote on Pinterest that sums it all up "There is a difference in giving up, and knowing when you've had enough."  And I have had ENOUGH.  Crap, I'd had enough 5 years ago.  I don't miss the drama. I don't miss the backstabbing.  And I don't miss getting my heart ripped out again and again.

So, here's the deal. I love my hubby so much that it's ridiculous.  The word soul mate would fit in here, but I find that cheesy.  We just understand each other and love each other.  Every time Allan calls me (since he's in ground school, see posts below) he tells me how much he misses me, how much he loves me, how he can't wait to see me.  Seriously, who doesn't want to be loved and adored like that?  I know that I enjoy it and appreciate it to no end.  So that shouldn't make me happy?!  Because it does.

My kids are amazing.  They entertain me, ALL THE TIME .  They say funny things, they tell me funny stories, they are just the best little humans around.  So I shouldn't be happy about that either?  That I've given birth to two of the most incredible people alive?  It thrills me to pieces.

Also, I believe that happiness is a choice.  I choose to be happy.  I DON'T choose to wallow in pity, sadness and heartache.  And believe me, I've had my fair share to wallow in these past few years.  I choose to rise up and be the person who God intended me to be.

So, answer me this:
Have you ever given up on someone because they suck you dry emotionally?
Do you think that you can be too happy?

Well, I'm going to bed to sleep off this moment.  Here's to a HAPPY week!!!

Semi-Single Mom...

So, Allan is gone for ground school.  And I'm running the business, taking care of the kiddos and well, I'm not cooking or cleaning because, frankly, I just don't have the time nor do I give a crap right now.  By 4:00, I'm exhausted!  I've had a headache all week and I'm just a miserable 'ol beeeeotch.

I really need a new perspective.  I'm determined to get into the Christmas spirit though.  It will happen. Eventually.  RIGHT?!

I'm so grateful for all my wonderful friends and family who are always making sure that we're doing OK.  I knew that I had the best friends in the world but you have even outdone yourselves lately.  And I love and adore you for it!

OK, thanks for listening.  I really do feel better now....

Well, maybe it IS broken...

Yup, yet again I will not be up for that "Mother of the Year" award.  Because Carson broke his wrist and I didn't take him to the dr. for 2 days.  But, in my defense, it wasn't swollen, bruised nor were there any protruding bones sticking out of his skin.  Also, he is the one who climbed that fence after being specifically told not to!  Anyhow, I digress.  Carson broke his wrist on Saturday and he got his cast on today.  He is one tough cookie!  No whining or crying for this guy, he was all smiles!  And to choose a soccer print cast?  Talk about one proud mama.

Time to spill the beans...

Well, it's going to get around eventually, so I'd better share our good news!

Allan has gotten a job at Skywest Airlines as a pilot!!!

We are thrilled with this new venture, it's been our goal for the past 11 years.  Allan got his commercial pilot license right before September 11th, 2001.  So needless to say, we knew he wouldn't be getting a job anytime soon after that tragedy.  So instead, we focused on our lawn maintenance business, putting all our efforts into growing it into a successful business.  And it did.  It grew and grew and we eventually added the landscape side to our business too.  But our goal was for him to fly, always.

I am so proud of Allan, he never gave up.  How many people do you know who would wait 11 years to reach their goal?  I'm so grateful that he's the kind of man who never gives up.  He is the best example for our sons, who will always know that they can do whatever they want, as long as they keep trying and NEVER give up.

So what will happen to our lawn care/landscape business (better known as Desert Sun Landscape)?  Well, since I'm so bossy, I'll be running it while Allan is out of town.  We built this business from the ground up together and I'm happy to step in and run it.  We also have amazing employees, we are so lucky to have such dedicated men.  Who are willing to deal with me ;)

So, there's the latest and greatest that's happening in our world.  LIFE IS GOOD!!!  Isn't it amazing how you can have the worst months of your life where everything goes wrong and then BAM!!!  Everything goes right! That's why I try to keep my happy face on, because things will eventually go right...

Exactly.

Truths

1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.

13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. “Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this – ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? **** it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn’t answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

20. I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.

21. Sometimes, I’ll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text.

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?

29. There’s no worse feeling than that millisecond you’re sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.

31. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey – but I’d bet my *** everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

***SMILING AND NODDING YOUR HEAD, AREN'T YOU?!***

Gonna try something new.

Lately, my life has been TOUGH (I want to say sh*t but my mom reads my blog...)

My heart was shattered (not by my hubby or my boys) into teeny, tiny pieces.  I guess it's been a slow process actually.  I should say that it's been getting chipped away, piece by piece, over the past year and a half.  Needless to say, if it hadn't been for my husband and kids to pick up those pieces, and put me back together, I don't know how I would have survived it.  Also, I've had some amazing friends and family who have let me whine endlessly about it.

So today, as I was pondering all the crap that is my life these days, I've decided that I'M SO OVER IT!!!  Instead of letting these people repeatedly hurt me, I'm done. Finished. Bye. Gone. See ya.

I'm now focusing on the people who have made me feel loved, happy and safe and at peace.  Because those are the people that matter.

Not the energy suckers.  You know, the ones up for the Emmy for the MOST DRAMATIC PERSON IN MY LIFE.  Because those people don't matter.  There's a saying that I love.  "Don't make someone in your life an priority, when you're only an option in theirs."  (Or something like that.  You get the gist of it, right?)  All I've done is revolve my life around people who use me as an option.  Only calling me when they want something, need something or to b*tch about how horrible their life is.  Well, I'm not their therapist (and trust me, they all need one) getting paid to deal with their life choices.  Suck it up and deal with it.  I've had to, so why the hell haven't you?!  Anyway, I digress....

I'm a wife.  I'm a mom. I'm a friend.  And those are the people who get my focus now.  Peace and happiness are what my life is going to be focused on.  Because you have to make yourself happy in order to be happy, right?

I'd also like to thank all the music on my iPod. ;) Music is my therapy, it always has been.  Because sometimes you've just gotta sing at the top of your lungs to make you feel better.  Well, it works for me...

And Allan.  The man who held me as I sobbed.  Told me that everything would be OK.  When he was hurting just as much as I was.  He is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.  I shudder to think where I'd be without that man.  I love you. Forever.

My kids.  My sunshine on a cloudy day.  They can always make me laugh.  They love me, even when I'm angry robot mom.  They tell me often (and without coaxing) that I'm the best/coolest/nicest mom in the world. There are no words to how much these people mean to me.  They are my world.

My mom.  Who just listens when I need to vent.  No judgement from her, just love and understanding.  I know that I'm a good mom because I had a good mom.  I love you mom.

My dad.  He always let me know how proud he is of us.  This is something that we don't hear from the flip side and it means the world to us.  Because every kid needs to feel pride radiate from their dad.  I love you dad.

My friends.  The ones who love me no matter what.  The ones who will understand what this post is all about.  Thank you. You'll never know how much your friendship has meant to me.  I know you'll know who you are when you read this.

And now, some awesome quotes that have made me smile, cry, or laugh out loud like a crazy lady :)

***I'm sorry about the potty words, but those have been flying out of my mouth like the wizard of oz monkeys lately.  Perhaps some day I will clean up my mouth, but I'm not gonna lie.  It probably won't happen any time soon...***

And I thought his ears were broken. Turns out that he WAS actually listening!

Bullies.

I really don't like them.

At all.

So, as a mom, I've delivered LOTS of lectures on bullies.  Such gems as:

~If I ever catch you bullying any one, you will live in your room for the rest of your life.
~Mean people suck.  Don't be mean.

AND, the one he probably hears the most often:
~If someone is every bullying your friend, you stand up for them.  If you get in trouble, it's OK.  I have  your back.

Caleb came home from school the other day and told me that 3 boys were picking on his friend and he stood up for him.  Said friend is one of those super sweet kids that just lets things roll off his back.  But Caleb was annoyed that these kids would even pick on him because (Caleb's words) "He's nice and these boys were just being mean because they could."  Well, it turns out that I know this friends mom (of course I do, between Allan and I, we know everyone...) and I told her what happened.  Because I would want to know, wouldn't you?  And then I would want to hunt those punks down and put the hurt on them.  (Does that make me a bully?  Don't mess with mama bear!!!)

Skip forward to today. I get a phone call from the school counselor.  He tells me what an amazing kid I have and that he can tell he has good parents for teaching their son such an important thing!  So I'm totally tearing up, trying not to cry, as this man is telling me what a wonderful kid I have.  As I said on Facebook today "My cup runneth over."  He was so impressed because the anti-bullying assembly is next week and Caleb did this on his own, with no other encouragement other than his conscience.  By this time, I'd gotten rid of the lump in my throat and could muster a "thank you" to all his praise. Turns out the mom called the school and mentioned that Caleb stepped in to stop the little punks (she probably said it nicer than that, she's nicer than I am)

When I picked Caleb up from school, he told me that the counselor called him in, praised him for about 30 minutes and gave him several rewards.  Also, all the teachers were high fiving him all day and telling him what a great kid he is!  He got his name announced over the intercom for stopping a bully.  I asked him if his friends made fun of him and he said "No, they didn't really say anything." (Typical boys!!!)  I asked him if he was embarrassed and he said no.  Then he said the thing that brought the tears back again. "I'm just trying to make our last name respectable again." (Those who know us, knows what this means)

So, excuse the brag-filled post.  But I want him to be able to read this story to his kids someday and teach them to stand up for what is right.

First day of school 2011

Well, it happened.  Both of my kids are gone all day long to school.  It makes me so sad!  I feel lonely.  Stupid, huh?  But I'm sure I'll get used to it.  And then I'm sure I'll love it.  RIGHT??!!

They were both so excited.  Caleb is at an intermediate school, which means he now has 6 different teachers and has to change classes and EVERYTHING!  He wouldn't even let me take him to school on the first day! I get it, your a big kid.  But REALLY?!  Needless to say, I cried after he left.

Carson started 1st grade and all I got was a BYE MOM!  No tears, no nothing!  At least he let me take him to school.  And then I went home and cried again.

I don't know how these people have gotten so big but I really wish they'd knock it off!  Next thing I know, I'll be sending them to college...