Snowed In 2011

(FYI- I was planning on putting pictures in order to tell my story of the week, but babies ate dinner too fast.. lol.. and I don't have time for the extra work. So you can read the story first, and see pictures that follow the timeline after!!)

Being in Lawrenceville, Georgia, born and raised and still here, in is rare we get snow. If we are lucky around February to March we might have a few flurries right before Spring kicks in, but that is usually it. I remember when I was pregnant with Aaliyah, in late March, one weekend it was 70 deg. we all pulled out our flip flops ready for Spring, and the next weekend we had 2 inch in snow and ice everywhere! lol GA weather has always been a little 'off'. But this year the 'off' weather started out a little early. Christmas we got snow? Yes, Christmas night we got s a little snow! Almost never heard of in Georgia. I had never remembered ever having snow in December! And it is only January and we are seeing temps in the teens and snow? Kind of scary, but still we must make the best out of the worst, right?

When ever the weather man mentions snow, us Georgians first reaction is, "psst, yeah right" Then when the weather men get serious and say "GEORGIA you ARE getting 4-10 inches!" We freak the heck out. The day of, there will be lines to the gas stations around the block. The grocery stores will sell out of every gallon of milk, loaf of bread, and carton of eggs. lol. It is just what we do. Well this year was no exception.

Through out the 1st week of Jan, I remember hearing them say Ga has a 'chance' of seeing some snow towards the beginning of the next week. I was one of the ones to say "Psst yeah right". Well then the weekend came around and they really started talking about accumulations, and inches of snow, followed by rain, and freezing temperatures. While I still was thinking "psst" about the snow part, I did know rain + freezing temps is never a good thing. So I decided to go ahead and go grocery shopping. THANK GOD. I just bought my normal stuff for the week, maybe a few extras, but definitely didn't go nuts like some. Kind of wished later that I had!

Sunday January 9th, my mother and I headed out to clean the 2 credit unions that we clean every weekend. It was about 5pm when we left. While we both agreed it was FREEZING cold outside, we both also agreed that we saw no signs of snow and was beginning to think those weather guys were really full of it. We did our cleaning and finished up about 8:30, and headed home. The entire ride home we conversated on how we really hoped to get snow, but doubted it would be as 'bad' as they say it was going to be. BOY oh BOY, were we wrong. We pulled up to my house about 8:45. I noticed it was maybe starting to sprinkle a little. We walked in, my aunt was over keeping kids for me. We talked for a few min and then my mom and aunt got ready to leave. That is when it started to snow. 9pm Jan 9th, 2011. I, still being skeptical, figured it would probably turn to rain soon, or stop. So I closed up door, got babies down to bed, and big girls ready for bed. About 9:30 I looked outside. HOLY CRAP. In 30 min it had already snowed at least an inch, and was coming down HARD. It was beautiful! The prettiest scene ever! So I got big girls back up out of bed, we threw on our jackets and went out side to snap some pics and play!!! I wanted to get before and after pics. I think I did a pretty good job!

This was just the beginning. After girls went to bed. I stayed up in the living room, by 10pm we had 2 1/2 inches. I was beginning to worry about Michael. He works night shift so he wouldn't have been coming home till 5 am. Who knows how bad it would be then! I also had to convince him we had snow. LOL. He was working inside, I assume where he couldn't see outside. The whole time I was texting him about what was going on, and the almost 3 inch of snow.. he thought I was exaggerating, and believed none of it. Got to love him. He knows me well. But this time I was for real. I measured it!!!

I put my fireplace dvd on, lit a candle, and fixed some apple cider and watched it snow. Beautiful. So relaxing a peaceful. I was hoping to stay awake until I knew Michael was on his way home. That didn't work out so well. BUT I wasn't TOO worried, the man is from Michigan, and drives a 4 wheel drive truck. He would be/ and WAS just fine. He even stopped at Walmart trying to find the girls better snow gloves!

DAY 1-

When I woke up the next morning, it was SOOO Beautiful. Michael said it has snowed all night and there were 6-7 inches. I jumped out of bed like it was Christmas morning and I was 6 again! lol Ran the the front door. WOW. It was a sight. EVERYTHING was white. So clean and beautiful =o) I couldn't wait for girls to get up and see it too! And when they did their reactions were nothing less than expected. They were in shock!

I made a big home made breakfast! (Usually I don't get to cook big bfast anymore, girls in school and stuff)

Pancakes, bacon, and eggs! We ate and then pulled out ALL our gloves, scarfs, and hats. Put together some 'snow' outfits and went out to enjoy! The enjoyment didn't last TOO long, it was too cold!! Our cheeks and noses were frozen. We walked a little bit and snapped some pictures and went right back inside! But we did go back out later to play again. This time Michael joined us. lol. with a 4 wheel drive truck, rope, plastic container, ice and children, you have no idea the fun you can create! I left Michael to this one. He thought he was going to have to work, but ended up not having to. So I stayed in with the babies and started cooking a big dinner. (got to take advantage of him being home for dinner!!) I cooked a big honey glazed ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. I figured the ham would be perfect for the next couple days for sandwiches and stuff! And it was! Dinner was delish! After dinner around 5ish we decided it was time for babies to play in the snow for their first time!!! IT TAKES FOREVER GETTING BABIES READY IN 3 LAYERS OF CLOTHES AND JACKETS. Then if you aren't moving in time when they are ready they get hot and irritated in the house. lol.

They didn't know what to think at first. Maggie stood there pretty happy. Madison screamed. lol. She didn't like it at all.

Michael thought it would be better idea to put them on the trampoline covered in snow with the net around it so they could play! They did! And loved it! Eating snow balls was their favorite thing to do!! Madison did get a little fussy again, so she went inside with Dad, and I stayed with Maggie and big girls. They had a blast. Maggie wasn't too happy when it was time to go inside. She is definitely a snow baby. We warmed everyone up, got in PJ's and enjoyed watching some movies and staying up late, knowing we weren't going anywhere the next day either!

DAY 2-

No school, obviously. but during night the snow developed a layer of ice on top of it. Which makes for alot of fun watching a dog trying to go outside to potty. lol. Poor Newman. Not so much fun for those who were attempting to go to work driving on 3 inch of ice and snow! I left the news on most of the morning, until I was just plain tired of hearing about it.

I made another big home made breakfast/brunch (we slept in a little!!). This time Belgian waffles (with my new waffle maker! thx Di!!), and fried ham!

Yum yum.

We went out to play again, and again. And by now I am starting to wish the snow away. Every time you go outside and come back in, there is another load of clothes to be washed, shoes to be dried, and floors to dry. NO FUN.

I spent alot of the day cleaning house and doing those little things you don't have time to normally do! But it seemed like most of the day was filled with washing clothes and cooking, putting up clothes, and cooking, fixing drinks, snacks, putting on movies, pulling out games, cleaning up games, sweeping, vacuuming, coloring, cooking, cooking, and more cooking. 6 people in a house can eat alot! lol 3 meals, and at least 2 snacks a day. On just day 2 I felt like a live in maid!

DAY 3-

Kill me now. No school, again. Not that I expected them to make my kids find a way to school in ice and snow. But it was really disappointing to know that our county/state is SO un-prepared for snow. This being the 3rd day of no one going to school and no one working. Nothing is open, and the places that are open might as well be closed because they are sold out of everything! I had now missed 2 days work. When I don't work, I don't get paid (pooo!) Michael was off again. The biggest upside to this was getting to spend family time together. No one really drove anyone nuts. We made it work. We played, and played and played. Outside and Inside. We did manicures, pedicures, makeovers, played dress up, cooked, and baked cookies. Cabin fever was on the breaking point.

DAY 4-

Michael had to go to work. =o( and had to work a 18hr day! The trucks finally made it there and were waiting to be unloaded. He works for a food distribution center. SO the food had to be put up and orders HAD to go to out. It took him about 2 hours to get there. Normally takes 30min.

The girls and I continued what we had been doing. Playing, eating, watching movies. Teaching babies to sing! lol

GOING CRAZY. Starting to run out of food, and needing to desperately get out of the house!!

DAY 5-

Seriously is it over YET?? No school. No work for me. Work opened for dinner, first time that week, but I don't work nights, SO no work at all for me that whole week! =o( I finally made it to the store. Roads were starting to melt due to some traffic on them, finally!!! Starting to look like it is finally almost done! No more playing outside. Snow is now brown and no longer as fun as it was before! My house is spotless from all the cleaning all week long, and I am truly just bored at this point.

It is OVER! The weekend is here, the ice is melted, the snow is slowly going away! We are going to the mall! lol. And we did! And it was great! We SURVIVED!

And I learned a few things...

1. You can never know for sure you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, until you are snowed in together for a week, and get along PERFECT. =o) Score!

2. As much as I love my kids, and enjoy spending time with them, there is only SO much you can do to keep them occupied and happy. At some point they just do not shut up talking and images of duck tape start floating in your head. lol. I have alot of work to do before Summer gets here!

3. As much as I love visiting Michigan (where Michael is from), I could NEVER live some where where it snows ALL winter. I love snow. For like a day or two. That is all.

4. I will never wish for snow again.

5. Thank god for Facebook.

Where is the snow mommy?

9pm- it begins!

Big girls excited!!

My car, before...

Newman checking out the 'white stuff'!

Back porch, before...

My car, morning after!!

Back yard.. after!

Looking down my street!

Mailbox, pretty in white!

Girls 1st time outside to play in the snow!! Brrrrrr!

Babies wondering what the white stuff is!!

Snow Angels!!

Michael knows how to have fun!

Mommy is having no part of it! lol



Maggie LOVES it!!

Real Snow Angels!!

Trying to walk in snow, lol =o) Needed Daddy's help!

Aaliyah being silly!!

Abby is a snow girl! She loves it, and NEVER complains of being cold!



YUMMY- Snowballs!!



We made homemade snow ice cream! Yummy =o)

Last day of playing in the snow..

We survived the SNOW!! Now if only the Falcons did.

CHRISTMAS '10!

So I figure better late than never! And since it is almost middle of January and we are snowed in, I should probably do my Christmas blog! =o)

Christmas this year was awesome! It was very relaxing and non-stressful! Which I know most of you reading might be thinking stressful?? Unfortunately Christmas had become a holiday when you go broke, stress about what you want to buy, then finding it, hitting sales, and doing last minute shopping! Well this year was so mostly none of that! I started shopping in October, a lot of Ebay and early sales at Target! Target just may have been my favorite place to shop this year. They had great sales EVERY week! Ebay is still on top of the list though. I had a few items I couldn't get to the right stores for good sales, and then they were sold out! So I found those things brand new on ebay, all with FREE shipping! =o) What is better than that! Shop from home, for free! Plus I ended up saving money on ebay, which left my budget bigger! Woo hoo, always a plus!!
Every Christmas Eve, we spend it at my sister Kathleen's house. She is married with a daughter who is 11! It became a tradition years ago and we have stuck to it even now! I love it! I don't get to see my sister so much during the year, b/c we both have such busy lives! So this is always a guaranteed visit! She cooks dinner and we exchange presents between the kids! This is actually the 1st year Michael got to join us! Normally he has to work Christmas Eve :( But luckily this year it all fell on his off days! That meant a lot to me, b/c I always like having Michael with me, I hate going places with all the kids without him. Usually b/c he has to work. I feel guilty having a good time while he is slaving away at work! So that made it extra special to have him there this year! Dinner was delicious as usual! And kids enjoyed their gifts, as usual!


There was a moment when I could have taken Abigail out back and beat her (just a figure of speech! wouldn't actually do it) Abigail has this problem with always wanting to the be the best, and have the most. At some point while opening gifts she had convinced herself Aaliyah had gotten 1 more gift than she had. (which she did NOT) SO OF COURSE she had to ask. I hate that she is like that. I know she is spoiled and has ALWAYS been, and I know she is only a child. But I wish she would be more understanding of the true meaning. Makes me feel like a bad mommy! We talk about it all the time. I tell the story of Christmas ALL the time. I explain how we give gifts to show love to one another and it doesn't matter what you get or how much that we should be appreciative of what we have, and pray for those who have less. BUT Somehow she doesn't seem to get it. But I am determined to teach her. I like that I am able to get my kids nice things, but I do not like that it teaches them the gimme gimme gimme attitude! That is actually one of my goals this year. To make my kids earn things, instead of giving them everything!! Well I went WAY off subject! Anyhoo, Christmas Eve was a success as always! Girls got changed into their new pj's and slippers (SO funny, I bought my niece pj's and slippers, and they got my girls the same!!) we took a few photos, but Maggie was getting sleepy and did not cooperate! But I have to share them anyway!



And so Santa and Mrs. Claus get to work!
Mrs. Claus was not so smart in one department. WRAPPING! I did not remember to wrap anything! I had to do it ALL on Christmas Eve! Was up to 3 am, wrapping and putting things together with Michael. But it was 'kinda' fun. Just exhausting!
This year the girls had small list, seeing that they have just about everything under the sun already! But they did NOT have a game system. At first they wanted a Wii, but I kind of talked them into not asking for one, b/c Abby also wanted a Nintendo DSi, and Aaliyah wanted a Leapster Explorer. I thought a Wii would be TOO much. I want them to appreciate what they have, and too many big items like that would be spoiling them sour! I did really good finding DSi on sale at Target for $109..or $119? idk.. lol I forget, but I know it was one of those. Which is really good, bc they retail normally for $169. I also found a great deal on Leapster at Kmart. $54.99 which was the lowest price I had seen anywhere! With both of those they also got cases for them, cases for games, extra pens, decals, and 2 games a piece! That is what SANTA brought them =o) (Oh yeah and Santa *cough*nana*cough* also got them a 13ft x 10ft TENT. It fits 2 queen size mattresses in it! And Mommy was super excited about this *sarcastic* except it is December and cold outside, and everyday I hear about wanting to put the tent up!!! lol whew, ok back to subject) Mom and Dad got them lots of goodies, including everything on their list (dang it, like usual, they get everything they ask for!)! Plus pj's, and clothes!
The babies were quite easy! Seeing that they are only 1, they did not have a wish list for me. Mommy knew what they wanted! We bought them 2 activity learning tables. Which I also got a superb deal on! Found at K-mart, got both for like $50, and they are originally like $39 a piece! They also got a variety of toys and clothes, and baby books!
Christmas morning, Abigail and Aaliyah woke up about 8:30 and came creeping into the living room (Michael and I slept on couch in case anyone tried to peek) They were very excited to see Santa's gifts, and I let them open one gift each while waiting for babies to get up.



I didn't want to wake them up, b/c I didn't want them to be ill all day! They ended up waking up about 9:15! Actually ended up perfect b/c girls had time to open their games and get them set up before babies woke up and were into everything!! The best part of Christmas is definitely the smiles on their faces!

!!

And on mine! Michael and I originally were not going to exchange gifts, BUT he changed his mind last min. I got him the set of cologne he had been wanting, and a gift card for his xbox live, and a bag full of all his favorite candy! Anyone who knows Michael, knows he loves candy more than a child!
And he got me a HP Photosmart printer! So I can print off all of own pictures!! Last year he bought me a new camera, so this was just perfect!


After all the fun of opening gifts and cleaning up mess, we relaxed a little while, ate breakfast, and got ready to go to Nana's.
Anyone who knows my mother, knows she does WAY too much for Christmas! Going to her house is like waking up to Santa all over again! WHICH is ANOTHER reason my kids are SO spoiled!!
I will not list ALL of their gifts, but her main ones are worth the list! Abigail got the Green Machine, which is a bike, hard to describe see pic below!, Aaliyah a mp3 player, and the babies a radio flyer wagon with canopy! FUN! We always stay and eat Christmas dinner with my mom! This year was no different. And it was delish!! Then after visiting awhile we packed it all up, in 2 trips, and headed home!




While I was exhausted, and the babies desperately needed a nap, the big girls other grandparents wanted to see them too! So I took everyone home, Aaliyah started feeling ill again (we ALL had flu week before Christmas, and lele was still getting over it I guess) She wanted to take a nap too. SO I took Abby over to see her Papa and Nana, I usually stay and visit, but I def didn't feel comfortable with their father there (of whom I had not spoken to since July at this time) SO I left her there a hour or so to spend some time with them and I came back to get the rest of stuff organized! My house looked like Toys-r-us itself. There was so much stuff everywhere. While I was SO happy, everyone had a great day, I also couldn't help but think of all of the little children in the world who don't get anything on Christmas. As I looked around the 100 presents scattered on the floor and packed in boxes and bags, I know my kids could never appreciate these things as much as another child who doesn't have anything could. SO another goal for this year is to do the adopt a child for Christmas from Salvation Army. I want to buy for at least 2 kids other than my own, and then every year try to do another and another. =o)
So after picking Abby back up, and their huge shipment of toys, boots, and clothes from Nana and Papa, we headed back home before roads got bad. Because yes. this Christmas it SNOWED! We went home, snuggled up on couch with everyone, watched it snow, and watched movies! Till we all were in bed at an early hour! Such an exhausting day! But a great one!!! =o)
Hope you guys ALL had Merry Christmas's too!

Oooooh yeah, did I mention I am still nicotine free?? 62 days to be exact!! The urge and want has FINALLY gone away! And the thought of one makes me want to puke! I am so proud of myself!

Thanksgiving Day!

This year was the most relaxing Thanksgiving I have had in a while!
Michael and I originally were planning on going to North Carolina to spend T-day with his family. But everyone ended up not in NC, so we decided to stay home as well. Typically I have ALWAYS had Thanksgiving dinner at my moms house, THEN we go over to the older girls Grandparents house, THEN to the tree lighting, and THEN home. And quite frankly the thought of doing all of that running around, packing up pack-n-play, high chairs, baby's food, clothes and the other half of the house I have to take with me when we go anywhere, made me exhausted, before it even happened!
So we decided this year we were going to stay home all day, and I was going to cook my very first Thanksgiving dinner all by myself!
As you probably remember, I was very nervous about everything coming together correctly. I had a busy week before hand, and didn't feel very prepared.
Well as usual, all that worry for nothing! Dinner was a SUCCESS =o)
The night before I worked with my mom, got home at just about 10pm, and Abby and I went to work on cleaning and cutting the collard greens!

She was up till almost midnight helping! She loved it! I did too, not only was it extra help for me, it was nice getting to cook with my oldest daughter! Especially such an important meal. Gave me even more to be thankful for!




After I sent her off to bed I was up till about 3am! I got all the greens going, the cookies baked, the pumpkin and sweet potato pie cooked, and most of the prep for the rest of dinner!
Thanksgiving morning we woke about 8am. We decided to do dinner @ 4 so babies could have a good nap while I cooked, and we wouldn't be too rushed. It worked out pretty perfect! While I was in kitchen making all the delish side items (mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, dressing (cheated- my mom made that for me), mac & cheese, greens, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and dinner rolls) Michael and Orlando (his cousin) fried the turkey and hens! YUMMY!



We invited his cousin and wife, and 6 children to come down and eat with us! (the only live a few house down the street!) They brought a ham and dessert! So we had tons of food, and TONS of hungry bellys waiting on it!


Everything was delicious! Couldn't have been better! I was SO proud of me! and Thankful for everyone who helped out too!
After dinner we had to continue tradition. Ever since I can remember we have always gone to the lighting of the tree in downtown Lawrenceville. Michael decided to stay home with the babies, I didn't think they would enjoy sitting in a stroller the whole time, and they were starting to get ill. Plus Michael has never been a big 'fan' of going. lol. Men. So we just met my Mother, Sister and niece there!


It worked out perfect! We got there right in time to start singing and then the tree lit! It just so happened where we were standing, when it was time for Santa to come we had the best spot! We were right on the top step of where he walks up to. I told the girls to get right on the rail so no one could get in front of them.
When Santa came, he walked like a foot in front of the girls, and he reached out and touched Aaliyah's chin and said "Hey there hun"!! The girls were SO excited!!!
The tree was beautiful, as usual! We walked around the square a little, before heading home for dessert!

It was a fabulous day!! Even though I didn't get to spend alot of time with my extended families, and even my mother, sister, aunt, and so forth. I still feel like it was worth doing dinner at the house. Plus, I AM THE ONE WITH 4 KIDS, I think I deserve the right for people to come over to my house and see us, instead up driving around to everyone else's house while they are sitting arond relaxing, you know what I mean?? lol.
We will probably do the same for christmas too!

Challenged Week- need to vent!

Let me just begin by saying, I have been nicotine free for 10 days now! woot woot! I tried the patch for 2 days, and got really sick on them, so I went cold turkey! With that being said, I will say this. I would not have wanted to live with me this past week! lol. I feel so bad for Michael. I haven't been the best wife (even though technically I am not a wife, ACTUALLY technically I AM a wife, legally I am not, yeah there we go i like that!)
On top of quitting smoking, and dieting, I started pmsing, ALL within a week of each other! I don't normally admit fault very well. But this time I am more than willing to admit it! I have been SO snappy. Everything bothers me, nothing is clean enough, no one listens to me, no one helps me do anything, no one appreciates what I AM doing, blah blah blah. Not that all of that is true. But that is how I felt ALL week.
This pic was them being silly, but I am sure it is how they felt about me too LOL)

One awesome thing this week did happen! We took the girls to the Christmas wonderland at the Fair Grounds. It was awesome! The lights were beautiful! The girls got to ride a pony, feed sheep, jump in bouncy houses, see santa, roast marshmallows, and have hot chocolate! It was so much fun!!

This weekend was pretty awesome too! Friday I got my nails done, did some Christmas shopping, exchanged some jeans I had bought for a size SMALLER (7lbs down!), took girls to the mall, then we all went to dinner! Score! Saturday was Abigail's party with her cheerleaders at Stars and Strikes. My mom kept M&M so Michael, Me, and Aaliyah could go with her. It was alot of fun, and they both had a blast!

Then the girls spent the night at my Moms fo some much needed Nana time! Michael and I went ahead and took on grocery shopping for Thanksgiving. Seeing that I am going to be SUPER busy this week, I had no idea when I would be able to shop! I am so glad it is over with now. $102.53 on nothing but stuff for Turkey day! Jeeezus. And I still had to by groceries for the rest of the normal week too! Next week will ALL be leftovers! lol

This week is going to be such a challenge. I hope I can hold up, without losing my mind or becoming 'bitchy' again. To start with, while at the nail shop on Friday I learned that my children don't have school AT ALL this week. Not the traditional off Wed, Thurs and Fri for Thanksgiving. This week they get the WHOLE week off. Which is all good and gravy for them, BUT I made my work schedule for Mon-Wed!! And as you probably know, Michael works nights. He doesn't get home until sometimes 4-5am. Then on days I work he gets up with babies all day when girls are in school. Well now he is going to have all 4 home everyday! Eeeeks!
I have worked out for the big girls to spend 1 day with my aunt, and 1 day with a friend. But that still means alot more running around for me!
On top of ALL of that. We decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year at our home! Which I am really excited about! I have a great menu planned! But I am a little concerned about having everything ready on time to eat! Seeing that I am working Mon-Wed, plus Wed night, I am not going to have much time to do any pre-cooking. AND I am completely OCD about my house being spotless when people are coming over. So I HOPE everyone KEEPS it clean during the week. I am not going to have time to clean the whole house AGAIN. But I have faith in myself. I can do this =o) As long as the food is served and the family is happy, I will be happy!!
We are having some of Michael's family over so I will be feeding 5-6 adults and 8 kids. Here is my menu- Tell me if this sounds yummy to you! =o)

Meat:
Fried 20lb Turkey (Michael's job)
Baked Hens

Sides: (all completely HOMEMADE, by me!)
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Stuffing
Dressing
Collards
Mac&Cheese
Cranberry Sauce (ok-that is canned)
Dinner rolls

Desserts:
Pumpkin Pie
Sweet Potato Pie
Aut-YUM Leaves (for kids)

So tonight, I am going to do as much laundry as I can, finish up cleaning as much as I can, then BREATHE, drink a cup of cider (BTW, warm apple cider is my new addiction.. it's much tastier than a cigarette!) and get ready for a crazy, fun-filled, family-filled WEEK ahead!

I hope everyone of you have a great week, and a fabulous Thanksgiving =o)

This year I am thankful for such an amazing family, who make me smile daily!!


I had to add this adorable picture of Maggie snoozing away. Lol. What a peaceful life babies have. =o) I am so thankful to have 4 beautiful precious angels I call daughters!

26th birthday, and start of NEW Megan!

So, November 8th, I celebrated, kind of celebrated my 26th birthday. This year I already has mixed feelings about my birthday, and the day of proved me right. TWENTY-SIX.. seems so close to 30!! I knew it was going to be the start of the not so young feeling years, and I was right!
The night before, at midnight. I went outside and smoked a cigarette. yeah yeah yeah I know!! Not a smart thing to be doing. And after the 2nd puff I wanted to cry! I have NO idea why. But this birthday also started the beginning of change for me. I guess that alone is a little depressing. (Explanation coming)
SO anyway. I had to work the day of my birthday. Work was surprisingly EXTRA awesome. I made almost $30 more than normal. Plus I got to do a wine tasting, take a shot, and drink a glass of wine before going home, SCORE! lol.
When I got home, my mom had made me a cake and it was at my house! We were going out to dinner, so we did gifts and cake with the kids first before they had to go to bed. Michael had taken the girls shopping for me. They decided they wanted to get me a red picture frame, and put a picture of "my babies" in it. So he went and had a collage made with a picture of him, Abby, Lele, Maggie, Madison, and Newman! It is super cute!! He got me a pretty candle holder that hangs on the wall, and money to go shopping for boots, and jeans that I desperately needed! So I was very proud of them all, they know what mommy likes!
My mom and sis came over (to watch girls while we went to dinner) My sis got me a beautiful statue of two sisters, with the phrase "Sisters by chance, Friends by choice!" Love it! It is SO TRUE! My momma got me the first box of Nicotine patches (will explain in a minute) some yummy bath wash and lotion, and this awesome dvd that turns your tv into a fireplace! (She also chipped in for me getting my hair cut and colored the day before!)
Michael took me to Papadeax! I love that place, dinner was delicious, service was kind of sucky, but still, it was very nice, and delicious!!
SO yeah again, about the change thing. I have had my 'secret' addiction, forever! Smoking. I know it is SO bad, and nasty. But honestly I had been smoking off and on since I was like 16. I was supposed to have quit when I was 25, but that didn't last very long. All my friends smoke, so I was always tempted when I was with them. my strength gave in, and before long I was still smoking at least 1-2 a day. Honestly it was my getaway. When I got annoyed, I smoked, bored, I smoked, drove in car (without kids) I smoked. At night when all the kids went to sleep, first thing I did was smoke a cig! Even though I didn't even enjoy it anymore, I just needed that everyday. My body depended on it. I know it is probably ALL in my head, BUT if I didn't have that ONE a day, I turn into a total bitch. BUT me and myself had a little talk. I decided this year, being 26, it was time to kick the habit completely, lose 30lbs, get a new hair style (check!) and work on me a little. Since having the twins, my life has pretty much been consumed of nothing but kids kids kids, michael michael michael, house work x10, and everything else. I was always put on a back burner. And quite frankly, even though I have never been happier in life, I was not happy with myself. After losing my first 6lbs, I realized I can do anything I put my mind to and so I AM! I have 4 beautiful girls to live for, and let's be honest, smoking for almost 10 years, is nothing but fatal. I was once told that in order for my lungs to start healing from the damage done, I needed to be QUIT for a year, for every year I smoked. THEN once you hit 40 your chances of issues, and cancers jumps up in percentages. SO being 26, I need a good 10 years to heal my lungs up, to have 4 extra years before 40! That to me is reason enough to kick the habit.
So I have been procrastinating wearing the patch. Today is actually the first day I put in on. And honestly, I HATE IT. It leaves a horrible taste in my mouth, my eyes feel heavy, my head feels spinny. Almost as if I had just smoked a joint, or had 4 shots! 10 yrs ago I would love this feeling, nowadays I DO NOT! BUT I am going to stay strong and get through it. I don't want to be a smoker. I don't like setting an example that like to my children. And I am just ready to say goodbye to it for good! But I know this is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done! I am already feeling the stress of it. If I can get through a solid week, I think I will be OK. But as of right now, this sucks so bad! Michael is not a smoker, and hates me smoking, so he is a good support team to have at home. Now if I can just talk all my girl friends into quitting too, I will be good! lol
So while I was not ready to turn 26, I am ready to get back in shape, get healthier, and move on to the new me! So when 30 does come around, I will personally already be where I need to be, physically anyway!

(sorry no pics this time!)

Halloween FUN!

This past weekend was excellent!!
It started Saturday. We had a football game @noon in Dacula. Poor Black Knights got beat by ONE point. Therefore, NO more football =o( Actually who am I kidding :) :) :) :) I am SO looking forward to having my Saturdays free!! it's been rough getting up early and getting 6 people ready EVERY Saturday morning for the last 3 months! Even though I am happy about it, it was still sad knowing that was the last game for this year, UNTIL next year! (When I will have TWO cheerleaders, and TWO football games every Saturday, and TWO TWO year olds!! WOO HOOooo)<-total sarcasm on that one BTW!


















SO ANYWAY- After the game I took girls to the Fall Festival in downtown Lawrenceville. Michael took the babies home for a nap. I knew they would be TOO sleepy to skip naptime! Plus there isn't a whole lot to do for babies who can't walk!

Yeah it was a total rip off, and a waste of 20 minutes to walk around it. Actually not a TOTAL waste, I got some coupons and FREE samples. But as far as the kids go, nothing fun to do but jump in jumpy house for 10 mins. SO we ditched it, and drove a little further down the road to The Avenues festival. Much better!! They had a marshmellow roasting station, face painting (which we didn't get to do),pony rides, necklace making, digging for gold, ringing a rope over horse head, balloon making, lots of candy, GOOD coupons and MORE! The girls enjoyed it MUCH better than the 1st stop. Plus we stopped by Gary's Bistro (my job) and said hello to a few folks! It was a success!

Saturday night we were thinking about taking the girls to go trick or treating at the mall, but then I decided they will get plent on Halloween night, and I would rather stay home and get some stuff done. We ended up grilling out som bbq chicken legs, frying some wings, made homemade mac&chs, and green beans!! It was nice making a big dinner for everyone! Since I have been working during the week, and Michael goes to work soon after I get off, it has been a while that we have all been home for a big dinner together! I highly enjoyed the time with family!I love these guys!! Well my one guy and four gals!

SO HALLOWEEN was Sunday! The girls were so excited all day, they painted their baby pumpkins, again, then decided to carve them, and ended up just ripping them open and playing with the guts! Mean while I made a big brunch, pumpkin pancakes! I cut the butter into triangle shapes for the eyes,and used syrup for the mouth! They were super cute and delish, and NO didn't take a picture!! (crap!) Didn't think about it at the time =o(

Unfortunately Michael had to work Sunday night, so he couldn't do halloween fun with us, but he was there in spirit! And I got lots of pics for him!! We started getting into gear about 6pm. Abigail was a punk rockstar! Aaliyah was an Angel! Maggie and Madison were baby lions!!




I got a GREAT deal on costumes. Babies lions costumes came from Sam's, for $9. Aaliyah's angel costume came from Ebay $2 + $5 ship= $7! And Abby put together her costume with her clothes she already had. I bought her red/glitter haispray, black lipstick and black nail polish, and red gloves=$8! SCORE. =o) Kids were VERY happy with their costumes, so Mommy was too!

I couldn't believe how awesome kids did! Babies sat quetly in their stroller the WHOLE time! Never moved, cried or nothing! lol I thought they were going to fall asleep, but didn't. They were just trying to figure out what the heck was going on! Big girls were awesome too! No one got lost, no one fell and got hurt, everyone got TONS of candy!



Total the night was WIN WIN WIN!!

So NOW that Halloween is over, next up MY BIRTHDAY! November 8th! 1 week and counting! Then Thanksgiving (going to North Carolina to be with Michael's family!) and then Christmas!

I am actually Christmas shopping for the first time tomorrow! Woo Hoo!!

Hope everyone else had a AWESOME weekend like we did! Family time is the best time!