A cure for insomnia?

A lot of you know that I have had a horrible time sleeping for the past 4 or 5 months.  I’m lucky if most nights I get 4 or 5 hours of sleep.  I have tried everything I know and nothing has worked. 

My sister-in-law, Julie, and I were talking earlier this week and I was telling her about my sleepless nights and how crazy one can become without sleep.  She told me about an “app” that I could get on my ipad that plays relaxing sounds like waves crashing, rain coming down, or crickets chirping.  After we got of the phone I found the “apps” she was talking about and for the past 4 nights I have actually almost got a full nights sleep.  Oh, how I wish I would’ve talked to her sooner.  I’m still not sleeping through the night but each time I wake up I start the sounds over and I don’t have nearly the difficult time falling back to sleep that I was having.

Thank You Julie and thank you Apple for a wonderful piece of technology.  Hurray for SLEEP!!!

Bakin’ Cakes and Painting

I decided for this weekend’s activity Noelle and I would bake and since I learned my lesson the last time we baked I decided we would make individual cakes that she could decorate herself.

Here is her finished project!

Then today we did some painting.  Yesterday she woke up wanting to make pictures for Auntie Julie and “baby Tyler” that she could put in the mailbox.  So, I took her to Michaels and bought paintbrushes since I forgot to buy them when I bought the paints. 

I think she asked me 50 times yesterday when we were going to do our painting for Auntie Julie and “baby Tyler” but I had chores to get done before we could sit down and paint and then we ran out of time.  So, I promised her that we would paint first thing this morning.  Sometimes I wish I could relax a little more and not care if the house was clean or the laundry was done.  I really need to work on that instead of saying when I’m done or just a minute.  In the end though our pictures were painted and she is really excited to put her pictures in the mailbox.

It’s been another successful weekend with our crafts, baking, reading, coloring, cleaning, and laundry done.  Another plus….everyone has slept in their own beds!!  Hurray for us and a schedule!

Another Magical Machine

Kelly got an ipad for Christmas and after playing with it I was totally jealous of her new toy.   Most of you know how much I love getting a new gadget. My laptop finally bit the dust in November and had been debating whether or not I needed to replace it or whether I just wanted to replace it. I wasn’t sure whether spending the money right after buying a house was a smart thing to do since I have a perfectly fine desktop.  But I loved sitting on the couch and playing on the laptop while watching TV. I know it sounds really lazy but it’s the truth.

I’ve made a tradition out of buying a new “toy” for myself each year once I get my tax return back.  It’s a gift from my imaginary husband, A.I.  I always buy it online so I can have a special gift delivered to my house. It’s silly but fun.   

So, I started looking around the internet trying to find a good deal on a laptop and decided that it was more practical to purchase a laptop rather than the ipad and much cheaper. I found an HP with these beautiful flowers on it.  It was just to pretty to pass up and it was in the price range I wanted to spend.

How cute is she???  I had no idea that my family was going to help me purchase the ipad (which I find to be the most amazing piece of technology) for my birthday. I love new gadgets and I love technology. 

I would say I’m a pretty happy camper with my new laptop and ipad!!!   

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

How cute are these little angels??

Noelle loved that the leprechauns came to Auntie’s house and turned the milk in her cereal green.

National Aunt’s Day

I LOVE being an Aunt.  I love that I have had the opportunity to spend quality time with both my nephews and nieces.  I love that I have a special relationship with each of them.  I love that I have a brother and sister and their spouses that have allowed me to have that special relationship with their kids. 

Each of them have such a unique personality that I love.

Thomas is a very caring little boy that doesn’t want anyone to be sad or sick.  He’s the first one that will run up and give you a big hug.  He is smart and he is a good big brother.

I don’t see Tyler nearly as often as I would like and I cherish each time that I have gotten to spend time with him.  Since I don’t see him as often I am surprised and amazed at how smart he is. He is silly and imaginative. He reminds me so much of Troy!

Noelle, WOW!! She is the funniest little girl.  She has such an imagination and she tries so hard to be a good Mommy to her babies.  I can’t believe how much like me she is.  Sometimes I think that there is no way that she could be Kelly’s little girl.  She can make me nuts and laugh all at the same time. 

Karly is a fighter.  Since the day she was born she has shown her strength and determination.  She is the sweetest of all of them and loves to be loved.  She is happy and has one of the best smiles around.  Just being around her can bring a smile to anyone's face. 

When I got home from work and saw these cute pictures that were drawn for me on Auntie’s day it brought tears to my eyes and the ice cream that was left was fantastic to.  It was so unexpected and I think that's what made it so special. 

  I’m pretty lucky to have such special little kids in my life.  I love you Thomas, Tyler, Noelle and Karly!!!

Date night with Thomas

I love my date nights with Thomas! Now that he has gotten older and is busy with all of extra activities we don’t get as many opportunities to go on our dates.  However a couple of weekends ago he got to come and spend the weekend.  We had a great time putting together his Lego Kingdoms that he got for Christmas.

 

And we watched Alvin and the Chipmunks and Toy Story 3 for the 50th time. 

 

I don’t care how many times we watch the same movie because I know one day he’s going to rather spend time with his friends than hang out with his Auntie. At this point I’ll take whatever I can get. 

Another Birthday

I think once you get a certain age birthdays just aren't as exciting as they used to be.  This year for some reason has been more difficult than all the rest but I have such a great family that never ceases to amaze me.  They always make me feel so loved and appreciated and this year was no different. 

I had a wonderful dinner with my Mom, Chris, Kelly Dave in the kids a few days before my birthday.  Kelly made these amazing cupcakes with homemade marshmallow frosting.  It even had a princess candle. 

Then the day before my birthday we had a fabulous dinner at my Dad’s house where we also celebrated Dave’s birthday (it was the week before). 

I also got some fantastic gifts.  One of which may have changed my life.

    I can’t believe it either this little gem is amazing!

I’m still amazed each day at all that I can do with it.  It has definitely brought me a happiness that I can’t put into words.  What a fantastic birthday!!