Angels and Creeps

We interrupt this Sunday's in the City edition to bring you this breaking news.....

Okay so I am out on an excursion today to get some pics of the (fading) snow covered hills here in the area and how, in light of the snow on the mountain tops, there are wild lupins growing just down the street. When all of a sudden this creep decides to follow me....

I'm not kidding you, it freaked me out so bad that I came home (I know, like an idiot) But dang I didn't know what else to do, I was creeped out, and I jumped out of my car and took his pic!

Anyone know him? Or his car? Or his licence plate? If you do, Tell the creep just because he drives a Benz, does NOT mean he has any class at all!!! And he had the nerve to drive by again...slow....and then he saw the Hubs and he was gone!

Have no fear, I do work at an establishment that I will be finding out his name and address!!!

And now...back to our regularily scheduled Sunday in My City....

So okay I didn't get the pics of the snow or the lupins....next week....so in the mean time...feast your eyes on what we see on Sundays!

Sunday's in my City are spent looking at Angels

Both of My Angels....sharing Brother moments at the park

How can you resist that face??

And don't forget to come back tomorrow to enter my very first giveaway!!!!

My Little Miracles

One of my least favorite things

So you always see the posts that say "A few of my favorite things" and they are always fun. I love to see the little trinkets people have at their house, or hear about fun little stories of places they go or things they see.

But let me just share with you my least favorite thing....

BARFING

I thought it was bad enough when I had that great wonderful "Mommy Moment" when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Christopher and found Thomas awake in the morning covered in barf...he actually SLEPT in puke at least half the night....Didn't that nominate me for mother of the year award! And I cried and cried and cried.

Then it was bad when Thomas decided to drink a whole bottle of milk, wait 5 minutes, turn to me and proceed to barf all over me....a whole 8 ounces of milk...right down the front of my shirt, in my hair, all over the chair and carpet....mmmm LOVE that smell! And I couldn't get rid of it for days!!

All that...I can handle....I will stand the smell of barf, I will stand being barfed on, I even laughed one time when Thomas barfed on me because he was about 2 months old and what was I thinking feeding the kid and then bouncing him up and down and then turned him upside down? Yeah he threw up his lunch all over me and laughed...so I did too!! But OMG when I am the barfee....uggh!

I once again fell prey to the 24 hour stomach flu that seemed to have started with Christopher, to Thomas, to the Hubs, to the day care lady and then finally to me!

Now if I would have known this was coming, I certainly would NOT have had Chopped BBQ chicken salad...you know with black beans and corn...yeah, I was barfing those little suckers up a whole 24 hours later! I couldn't even smell food without running to the sink or toliet to barf. Another Mommy Moment....making your boys pancakes in the morning and between making them and serving them you lean over into the sink and barf! NICE!

So needless to say after laying on the bathroom floor praying for someone to shoot me in the face, it would have been less painful, I am finally over this little bout of the 24 hour stomach flu!

Let's hope no one else falls prey to this evilness!

My Little Miracles

Advice by example

Everyone has read that poem "When you thought I wasn't looking" right?
I can't put my finger on just 1 piece of advice that I have gotten that stood out above the rest. I think all the advice that I have taken over the years has been in observation and also the way I was treated.

One of the most important and most valuable pieces of advice I have learned not only from personal experience but also just life in general...
Life is short....live each day to the fullest!
Don't hold bitterness and hatred in your heart, it's not worth it!
Don't let people rent space in your head for free.
Remember to always tell the people you care about just how much you love them because here today...gone tomorrow, you just never know.

Maintain your sense of humor....because dang, without it, especially raising kids, you. will. go. insane! Laughing at yourself keeps you young!

Learn to be humble, it will send you so much further in life.

Maintain your faith. There is a difference between being religious and being spiritual. And just because I don't like what's happened in my life doesn't mean that God did it to be malicious. There is a lesson in everything! And not everything comes in MY time. As much as I would have loved to been a 20 something new mom, I am so glad I wasn't. I didn't have Thomas until I was 34!

Patience is imperative in all aspects of life, especially dealing with a toddler!

Be yourself...Don't compromise who you are inside for anyone!

And lastly, no matter what ever happens in life, I can get through anything as long as I have my boys and my family. My Boys complete me and my family has always supported me and they help define who I am today!

Brought to you by another fun filled exciting week at MamaKats!

My Little Miracles

'Stache anyone?

Everyone remember these from last week's WW?

Well.....here is my adorable Thomas with his 'stache on

Daddy said Mommy put it on upside down....opps...what do I know, I don't have a 'stache

And Thomas didn't seem to care one way or another....

But the minute I got all the pics I wanted, and he said Cheese enough times....

He wanted that sucker OFF!!! We got Christopher one as well....but he has a runny nose due to his 1st year molars coming in, and eww who likes snot on their 'stache? So we'll wait to get pics of him with his!!

Head on over to Angie's to see more WW pics....

My Little Miracles

Heros

Just sitting here watching the news after reading a lot of Sunday in My City and so the local news comes on and it talks about a crime that was "almost" committed in Simi Valley.

Now Simi Valley is one of THE safest communities in the area, which is probably why it went from a sleepy little town that no one really knew was there to this big city...or it could be because the 118 now goes through to the 23 which connects to the 101 but whatever.

Anyhow...Basically what happened....a woman left her child in the car while she ran into the local 7-11 and some strange man tried to steal her car. Okay first of all, she not only left her child in the car, that is not what I am finding fault with but she left it running and UNLOCKED!

So she chased after the car, hung on, got thrown off and then got the strange man to jump out and run. And SHE is the hero??????

Okay tell me....how is SHE the hero here? Because she left her child in the car while she ran in to get what? Milk? Smokes? Beer? Does it matter what she went in there for? She left the keys in the ignition, with the car RUNNING and the doors UNLOCKED!!

Now I'm not judging, I have left my kids in the car in my mom's driveway while I ran in to get something. I have even left my oldest in the car, he was sleeping, and I ran up to the ATM, not more than 5 steps from my car door. I did NOT leave the car running, I did NOT leave the keys in the ignition and I did LOCK the door.

So what's your take? When is it okay to leave the kids in the car and what, in any sense of the word HERO, does that woman fit?

My Little Miracles

Nothing but Blue Skies....

Here comes the sun.....Here comes the sun and I say, it's all right....



Although we are drying out down here in So. Cal....and it's nothing but blue skies.....



It is still COLD!!!! So my happy little guy cuddled up on his couch with his home made blanket and Moo....

And Petey the cat cuddled up on Thomas' couch with Thomas' blanket and Piggie!

Sure do miss that typical So. Cal weather!

Head on over to Unknown Mami's to see the rest of the citys!

My Little Miracles

Home - A Definition

HOME: (n) A place where one lives; a residence. The physical structure within which one lives, such as a house or apartment. A dwelling place together with the family or social unit that occupies it; a household.

These are just a few definitions of the word "Home". And there are a few sayings as to what people consider home. "Home is where you hang your hat" Or how about "Home is where the heart is".

MY Definition: Home: (n) what is known and loved.

So with that in mind, how many homes have I had....2, my childhood home where I lived for 20 years. Yep that is right, the same house, 20 years, lots of memories, lots of pain, lots of love and lots of fun. I always wanted to move when I was a kid, even if it were just down the street. I wanted to live in a two story, I wanted something different. And now...I'm lucky to have lived in only one house. I was born in that house. Okay well not IN it, but my mom and dad bought it when she was 9 months pregnant with me...so they brought me home to it, how's that? And I grew up there. I knew every last inch of that house, my whole life was in that house. Everything I ever knew and loved...wrapped up in and around that house.

When my mom finally sold it, I was away at school, and was heartbroken. Although it was mere months before the big Northridge earthquake which damaged the house in ways that should have just leveled it. I knew it was time for Mom to move on. My brother and I were both out of the house so to speak, so why keep it?

And the good thing about a home....the memories you make there....you take them with you when you go. So a "house" is not a home. Home...what is known and loved. You can find a "home" in someone's heart. You can find "home" with family. You can find a "home" no matter where you go.

My 2nd home?...is where I am at now...with my dream, my sons and the hubs. Everything I know and love...my family. My mom lives 6 miles down the road. My friends...just up the road. And my whole life is wrapped up in them. Where they go, I go....and where we go...so does "Home". So no matter where we are...here, in a house....or in a cardboard box under the freeway...that is where my home is.

So although I started out in So. Cal, lived in San Francisco for 5 years, Ventura for 2 years, Missouri for 2 years, and Michigan for 6 years...I knew I would always come back to where my home is...Not only So. Cal....but Home: what is known and loved....where is your home?

Brought to you by Mama Kat, head on over to her place for more fun!

My Little Miracles

Mustache anyone?

So I went to the grocery store this evening and saw this....I couldn't resist taking a pic of it.
I kept thinking....when I was a kid, it was all about the gumballs or piece of candy that we could get with our nickel or penny and for a quarter you could get a whopping sweat tart thingie. And then they came out with the super balls and OMG if you didn't have one in every color you just were no one....

But now......


...Now you can be someone, you and all your friends can now go incognito with mustaches....for only a quarter.

So in honor of my friend Alicia I had to post this....as well as let her know that now...it can be just this easy to be Cheesy!! =)

And for all other things Wordfull on a Wednesday....head on over to Angies!

My Little Miracles

Fashion by Thomas

Welcome to another eidtion of "Fashion by Thomas" To see another Fashion by Thomas....see this post. I am telling you, the kid has a knack for this stuff. (Even if the hubs is gonna kill me for this post!)

So Thomas decided that this pair of dad's boxers is now a shirt....He put his head though one of the leg holes and one arm through the other....his other arm when through where the button is.

Now tell me, how perfect? I think I need one for myself don't you?

So at this point I was laughing so hard and telling him it wasn't a shirt it was underware, and it goes on like shorts.....he said OHHHHHHHH

Like all of a sudden he just GOT IT.

So he did get it put on right....but only gave me one shot of his adorable little butt! And on the butt it has a pic of a duck and it says Butt Quack! hahaha

And this is yet another fashion by Thomas....I know, don't hate! The kid just has the talent!

My Little Miracles

Sunday's and Sickness

Sunday's in my city bring friends over to play and eat pizza!!!
Despite the rain, which cancelled our outing and picnic in the park, didn't much matter....we had pizza and fun in the house.

So after everyone loved the pizza, it was time to have discussion as to what was best to watch on TV....ELMO or the football game! Can you guess what won out? (and check it...a GIRL with the remote!!!)

Then it was time for fun in the kitchen....who could score by running past a growling mommy into the family room!!

And as always there is always time for hugs!!

I know Christopher was mysteriously absent.....nope, he wasn't taking the pics....he decided to barf all over his crib and himself at the end of his nap, and when daddy picked him up he barfed all over him as well. So we kept him away from everyone else. We think it had to do with all the grapes he ate for the 1st time. He loved them, so Thomas kept feeding them to him....umm yeah....WRONG! No more grapes for that little guy!!

Want to see what happens in everyone else's city? Head on over to Unknown Mami's!

My Little Miracles

Don't you just love the Bomb squad

So this is what it looked like in our neck of the woods today.

Had a client come in and say "did you hear what happened across the street?"
Nope....I didn't, what happened?
A shooting and a robbery!!
SERIOUSLY? WOW that's odd for our neck of the woods. But hey with the way the economy is these days I wouldn't doubt it. So we all go running out there to see what's brewing....

A LOT of cops that is for sure.....they shut down the streets for at least a mile radius.
Of course the cops aren't saying a word, except we needed to go back inside and stay there.

FABULOUS!

And then we see this little guy come wandering out....the little bomb detector dude as we were calling him.

He was cute....and he did his job. Made sure we were all safe from some unidentified and suspicious package left at the bank next to the 7-11.

And all was well again! That's the most excitement we've had in our neck of the woods in a long time....and I think we're all set!!

My Little Miracles

Text Me All Your Troubles

You know what’s really ticking me off these days….aside from Stupidty? And that is a whole ‘nother post!

I am a working mom….I know the nerve of me working outside the home.
I go to work every day. I have a work ethic like you won’t believe. I go to work every day….when I don’t go to work I am worried about the impact it has on my co-workers. I really hope that I can raise my boys to have that same work ethic. Now don’t get me wrong….if you are sick….like fever, barfing, achy and all that flu like junk….STAY AT HOME. I so don’t need your germs. But a sniffley nose??? A stuffy nose? Seriously? And you are going to call in sick to work??? (que the eyeroll) WOW! And who gets to pick up your slack….Yep that would be me!

Grab a tissue take some dayquil and get your butt into work....do your job, it's what we pay you for. If my boys have to go to daycare when they are teething and they can be happy and play all day....you can make it into work with a tissue!

So why is it that I have to pick up after everyone else’s slack? I am not a manager…and last I checked I certainly don’t get paid as much as they do.

Oh yeah and I try to keep up with the latest things…I know the songs, I know the fashions, I read the mags and watch the shows….I even know the lingo….you have to keep up with kids to get along in this world….

So one more thing...never…EVER, is it okay, in a professional setting, to TEXT your manager to tell them you are not coming in, that you are calling in sick and that your nose apparently is all stuffed up. I don’t care how old you are….when you work for the local surf shop, selling hoodies and flip flops you might get away with that…but in the real world….it. does. Not. Cut. it!

Grow up, realize this is a professional job, one in which you say you so desperately need...if you want to play...go back to the mall!

And now onto a letter to the first person who broke my heart….
Dear Josh,
YOU SUCK!!!
~Erin~
The works right?? I mean short and sweet and to the point.

So now that I've rented a space in my head out to the mall rat that works with me FOR FREE and told my 1st boyfriend he sucks for ever breaking my heart....I feel better, don't you?

All this and more is brought to you by MamaKat so head on over there to check out the rest.

My Little Miracles

Midlife Crisis

Ahh the lovely midlife crisis. I have been witnessing a lot of these lately with friends and coworkers and such. And isn’t it interesting how men have to go out and get a new car….a sports car, something fast and dangerous! Something that makes them think they are now more attractive to a 20 something female.

Now all the females I’ve witnessed…..SOOOOO different. A girl here at work, married to a gentleman who is at least 20 years her senior. She has started letting her grey hair show through, considering her husband is all grey. And she has just started with her new wardrobe…..something you would see on a college campus. And let me tell you how hot that looks on a woman with graying hair and wrinkles!

I’ve seen others who just need a vacation, some fun in the sun, some pampering and then back to the old grindstone!

I know another girl, started hanging out at the local watering holes….why? Because she is a single mom and she’s 42 and the men seem to find her attractive and interesting (as she says). Because THAT is the kind of guy you want to find a deep meaningful relationship with!

Ohh how about a tattoo….that makes for a good mid life crisis cure right? A big gaudy tat is just the thing to make you feel young again!

How about some botox? Some wrinkle remover paste….plastic surgery? A boob lift, a butt lift, a tummy tuck, or maybe just some eyelash grower. And affair with some young stud?

Bungee jumping? Or better yet, wait for it……..sky diving???? Knew someone who did it when she was 30 and she had an epiphany and within a few months after she cheated on her husband, left him, married the other guy and had kids and now she lives happily ever after!

What’s your midlife crisis cure?
I, on the other hand, just want to eat healthy and lose 30 lbs! =) Ohhh maybe it’s not a mid life crisis, just a new years resolution?? That’s what I’ll call it, then I don’t feel so....midlife! =)

My Little Miracles

Firesky

This was just at sunset this past weekend, and it was the perfect picture! Normally you see skies like this is the desert, or in the summertime in Michigan. Looks just like the sky is on fire, and with the shioluette of the pine trees....I couldn't resist!

The colors are amazing! And since Angie Brought it up....it's one of the reasons I Love living in Southern California!


Head on over to Angie's to see more WW pics

My Little Miracles

Paranoia Part II

So back in December I wrote a little post titled "Paranoia"

And so today I am going to add to that...

Each time Christopher wheezes just the slightest little bit, my first thought it to run him over to the doctor, I do NOT want to relive what happend this time last year. Thomas, on the other hand, has been a walking nightmare in his terrible twos these days and I'm tempted to run him to a therapist, or myself to a padded room....just playin'

So I have tried really hard to be that relaxed parent who isn't going to see a little snot running from her child's nose and run them off to the doctor. And each time my child has problems with his asthma and his airway, I try not to stress.

I am trying NOT to create a hypochondriac! I know exactly what the doc is going to do. It's more steroids and use the nebulizer if you are having difficulties with his breathing, call me if you need anything. It's kind of like take two of these and call me in the morning.

I remember as a kid you NEVER went to the doc, at least we never did. For yearly checkups and shots and that was IT, unless you broke a bone or were on the verge of death you just didn't go to the doctor. Which is why I HATE 7-up or sprite or gingerale....because instead of going to the doctor it was all about the home remedies....oh upset stomach, try warm, defizzed 7-up....YUCK, it's not very good cold let alone warm and with no bubbles in it. Barfing? Try gingerale and jello. I barfed red jello once and everyone panicked! Oh and what about Pepto? Just because it's pink and taste like bubble gum does not immediately make kids want to guzzle it down!

So now the big question, you think my paranoia over Christopher's possibly simple conditions will turn him into a hypochondriac? I sure hope not, because I'm not a 7-up and pepto type of mom!!

My Little Miracles

The power of smell.....

Time for another episode of "Kids say the Darnest things"

Let me set the scene.....

Christopher was awake from his nap already, sitting on the floor drinking some milk, and grunting away, attempting to fill his diaper.

Thomas gets up from his nap and comes out looking at me,

Mommy: Hi buddy, how did you sleep?"

Thomas: good"

Mommy: as soon as your brother fills his diaper we'll go to the store okay?

Thomas: (looking at Christopher) Poop Brother

Thomas: Just squeeze him

Mommy: Just squeeze him and he'll poop?

Thomas: Yep (at which time he attempted to go over and squeeze Christopher's stomach)

Sometime later, I made him a snack, and he's sitting at the table eatting his snack and Christpher wanders in and goes to the table, stands up next to Thomas to see what he has to eat and if he can grab any of it.

At which time Thomas says "Brother STINKS"

Well, the sense of smell is a powerful thing!

My Little Miracles

Let's NOT do the Hokey Pokey

Another fun filled week over at Kat's, I haven't participated in a couple of weeks...busy I guess...*shrug* anyway....on with the show....

You know, I kinda like me....maybe not my looks....I'm the girl that has a "great personality". I'm funny....at least I think so, I slay myself all the time! =)

I'm not the prettiest girl in any sense of the word.....but I'm fun, I make people laugh, I'm honest, and I am loyal and dedicated to my friends, and fiercely protective of my family! I will defend my family and friends with my life and hope they would do the same....but if I could....

(I hate my weight, but dang who doesn't right?)

But I just had surgery on my face due to cancer cells back in August....it's healed...not nicely in my opinion....because you can still see it!!! Everyone else says "It looks great" or "It's turning out nicely" But they are my friends and family and they kind of Have to say that! But hey Thank God for Photoshop huh? But I would like for someone to come up with a fantastic "cure" for scars.....wouldn't that be nice? (Hey they did it in "The Craft" , why not for me too? Anyone into Witchcraft and want to call the corners with me? Just playin)

I go back next week to the surgeon, I know he needs to take more out, let's hope while he's in there he can make it look good? Ahh well.....a girl can dream can't she?

And while dreaming, let's hope I do not EVER run across that red shag carpet puppet named Elmo who has a book "Hokey Pokey Elmo" Because I made the mistake of "singing" the book to Thomas...and now if he brings it to you and you don't sing it....it's all over! And now....that stupid book haunts me.....I can't bring myself to throw it out, that would be like book abuse or something. Maybe I can give it to Christopher so he can rip it apart and then I wouldn't feel so bad for throwing it out???

Now that you are done reading all about the wonderful reasons I love myself and hate doing the hokey pokey with Elmo....head on over the Kat's newly redecorated place and see what everyone else is up to!

My Little Miracles

Wordful Wednesday

So speaking of the Devil wearing Huggies.... This is my little devil....while he was being his little angel self at Grandma's house, he did disappear into her garage and when he was located, he had a stool and a pot....and he told Grandma is was a potty....he was standing on the stool, and attempting to pull down his pants to sit on the "potty". Well it is a pot right? (Sorry for the blurry pic, it was a quick cell phone shot)

Well let's just say that it's a good thing they got to him before he attempted to sit on that pot....but he did indeed "Poop on the big boy potty". And he asks all the time now....could it be that he's finally going to be the Devil wearing underoos and not the Devil wearing Huggies?

Head on over to Angie's for more Wordful Wednesday pics

My Little Miracles

The Devil Wears Huggies

I think we have the devil living right in our own home....yep and he wears Huggies!!!

My adorable 2 1/2 year old....is not so adorable these days.

Grandma went to take him to school today.....he cried hysterically, like he's never acted before, so Grandma dropped Christopher who was a big boy and stayed at day care and Thomas went to have a day at Grandmas....he played, he ate, he went to the park, he napped (a little) and he had a great fun time. I mean playing at Grandma's and at the park is WAY better than going to preschool and learning the letter "I" and the color white right?

Yeah he was a perfect little angel for Grandma....he comes home and I think he lost his little mind. LITERALLY!!

Starts out with crying, then goes into drestructo mode, throwing toys, slapping at the wall in his time out corner, when that doesn't get your attention then Screaming...little short bursts of blood curdeling screams. Just short and quick, enough to get your attention and want to pull your hair out.

So time out corner turned into time outs in his room, first in his crib, where he just jumps on the mattress, and then they turned into time outs in his room. Good thing he doesn't think to get into the closet and get toys, he just hates to be in his room with the door closed alone while he is in trouble. Not that it made for a better mood....this continued on ALL. NIGHT!

Oh I sure hope he either a.) starts feeling better or b.) get over this little independence kick he's on....I'm pulling out way too much hair! Life's too short to deal with a devil in huggies!

My Little Miracles