I almost forgot.

I am not a blogger. In fact, I wonder why I even have one.  I rarely make attempts at documenting what our happenings are but then I have these really random moments of thinking, hey, I should probably write this down.  Moments are easily forgotten and unless I write them here I might not remember them. Ever.

The other day I was driving home from 7-11 and against my better judgement got a vanilla pepsi (they didn't have Rootbeer)...I took one swig and dry heaved.  It immediately reminded me of college and the countless shots of cheap vanilla vodka chased with pepsi and the shoulder shudder after. It still makes my mouth water.... Anyway not that this is a noteworthy memory of profound self-reflection, but I did learn,  and I did eventually decide alcohol every other day of the week was not for me.  The reason I mention this is because as insignificant as this is it happened, it's funny now, and really I don't want my blog just to be about how amazing I am at motherhood, or how many fun things we do as a family, but about real moments. Good and bad. This is me/us.


This finally happened! Hooray! I was so happy that he decided to walk and that Jordan got to see and understand the significance.  Here's to one chapter closed and another one in the making.... he is still deciding what to do next, and we may be the eternal students but I'm looking forward to change, even if it's small.

And this one.  He is growing up.  He has settled into a good place at school, and he is learning so much it amazes me.  The homework is intense but it gives us some good one on one time that I really appreciate. It's a little scary to see him become more independent from me and see him come into his own a little more each day but he makes me so proud to be a mommy and I can't wait to see him soar.

As for me, I'll try to stay away from all things vanilla and will continue to make failed attempts at being domestic.  My house is cleaned a lot less than I'd like to admit and that's ok because at least I know I shared time with the ones I love, and that's really what it's all about. 

November

It's funny how time seems to speed up the instant October arrives.  I can't believe it is December 2nd..... Well, November you weren't too awful, and yet I dread you every year. 

When you work in retail, or the service industry in Dj's case, you will know for certain you will be working the holidays. Moreover you know that Thanksgiving is not a holiday of family, feasting, and festivities, but chaos, annoyance, and disgust rather. Thanksgiving in Vegas is non-existent, especially when most of your clientele is foreigners. So needless to say, we did not get to go see our families, nor did we do anything festive.  Dj woke up feeling slightly under the weather on Thanksgiving and so we opted out of waiting in line at a restaurant but stayed at home and had #instantThanksgiving.  Literally.  I went to the store about 10am, knowing full well we had about 5 hours until Dj had to be to work.  So yes, it was instant. Everything.  And you know what?! It still tasted pretty good, so to all you naysayers of instant stuffing, potatoes, and rolls.... hmph.

The day before Thanksgiving we I got to go to Jordan's classroom and watched a play about the first feast.  Jordan spoke all his lines perfectly and then we got to go eat Thanksgiving lunch.  After that was the most exciting part of the day.  The Turkey Bowl.  They sent home flyers the week before asking about father participation, I mentioned it to Dj and of course he was in.  It was a flag football game so I was certain it wouldn't be that serious.  While we were waiting in line to eat I had asked Jordan's teacher, Mrs. Ellenwood, how serious the game was.  Her eyes got big and she said "oh, it's serious.  In the past we've had broken collar bones, dislocation knees, elbows, torn ACL's..."  I was thinking oh great, a bunch of former athletes proving their manhood.  Well,  it was actually really fun, only one injury, and the Kindergarten/1st grade dads came out with the win! Whooooo!!!

And this is how the boys watched most of the game.....

It was really quite fun and I'm looking forward to next years Turkey Bowl.

I know I'm always such a pessimist during November, and I really try not to be bitter and cynical. So in honor of a day of thanks I'd really like to show some love to those that I love.  To all my family, and to my friends that are just like family.  I love you.  You make crappy days easier, and easy days exciting.  I am grateful for each and every one of you and without I would be a messy, blubbering idiot.  You teach me how to be a better mother, wife, and friend.  You remind me it's ok to loose my cool in the candy isle at Target, or that washing the same load of laundry all week is in most cases "normal".  You give me advice when I am overwhelmed, and help me laugh when I really feel like crying.  And to the past 10 years of remembrance. Thank you.  Thank you for reminding me everyday the man my father was and the love he has for me, and continues to show me through lessons he knew I would someday use. 

Dalley Family circa 1983. How amazing is this picture.  I especially love that my sisters hair looks like her cabbage patch!

And to these two modest men... I love you both so much and am more than thankful to call you mine.  

 

A Few Things

After 30 very long, very emotional days at Montessouri we decided to switch schools.  The school was great it just wasn't the right fit for Jordan so he is now at Merryhill Elementary.  So far, so good.  And the transition went easier than I had anticipated.  He has a small class, only 13 kids and his teacher is very structured. Exactly what he needs. 

 Also, I cut off Jordan's mohawk.  It was killing me.  I kept prepping him and when we got to the barber he refused to let it go.  But once they started I asked him if it was ok and he said yes.  So they did it quickly.  Before they were finished he looked in the mirror and had a complete meltdown.  Who knew a five year old was that attached to their hair.  Maybe we need to switch it up a little more so it isn't so traumatic. 

 

I think it turned out nicely. :)

 

We are very slowly counting down the days until Graduation.  Dj has a slight case of senioritis but can you blame him?  5 weeks left of the semester.  I am very proud.  It's been a loooong ride but he is one step closer to his goal.  Ok, well one step closer to three more years of school, but we try not to look at it that way.  And yes. That's a picture of a Glee Graduation... what?

 

 

Hmmm well I thought I had more interesting things to write about.  Guess not. Wow.  Or maybe it's because its 7 am and I am now thinking I want to go back to bed.  







October

Only 11 days left of the month, but I have been meaning to write for the past 19 days and as with most things in my life, I don't quite get it done.  But it's getting done now, right?!

I have really been missing a real fall season.  There is little, if any, evidence of the changing of the seasons here in the desert but  I have stocked up on every pseudo fall spray for my home so at least one of my senses is satisfied.  We are going to UT next weekend for my nephews farewell and I am hoping that fall will hang on just a week longer and not become winter, but who am I kidding? How many Halloweens did it snow while I was growing up? Uhm, almost everyone. 

Aside from the very obvious October happenings there are a few things I have also always associated the month of October with.  1) Breastcancer awareness and 2) Down syndrome awareness and I think about them most often during these few weeks.

In August of 1986 my mom was diagnosed with breastcancer.  Up until that point she had been in multiple times and had 5 seperate lumps removed, but by the 6th biopsy she knew something was different that time.  And she was right.  She was laying in the hospital bed after the most recent biopsy when she overheard the Dr. give his apologies to my dad about the diagnosis and when he came in the room to tell her she hit him with her purse.  Yes, her purse.  My oldest sister Kim was 16 at the time and was also there when the bomb was dropped.  As you can imagine, my mom would tell you it was one of the worst days of her life, falling just short of the days my oldest brother was also diagnosed and died just 8 years earlier of neruoblastoma (brain tumor).  She was pissed, and refused to let her children 16, 13, 10 and 3 become motherless.  She began intensive chemo, interuppted briefly by radiation, and had multipe exploritory surgeries.  I am not certain of the entire story, and this is just from my own recollection after hearing the events maybe a dozen times in my life but I know that 17 of her 24  lymph nodes were malignant.  Translation: she was going to die.  Well, that was over 20 years ago that she fought like hell to be here.  

 Good thing my sisters don't read this blog because they would be pissed I posted this, and I know I look hot, I had given birth only a few weeks before.

There are no words for the amount of love and respect I have for her.  Do we always see eye to eye? No. And we have certainly had heated words repeatedly in my lifetime, but I can not wrap my head around her determination.  She is stuff inspirational best sellers are written about. She has had more than her share of heartache in this life, and if it's as they really say once you die, she deserves only to be in Heaven. She has earned it.  

I think I will write about my sweet Aunt Susie who saw the world a little differently with a little different DNA another day, because this is already lengthy and there are a few questions I'd like to ask my mom first, but there have been great examples of love in my life and Susie holds a special spot right under my heart. 

Until then.... Happy Halloween! 

I just can't.

I really need to stop. Stop watching reality T.V. for two reasons (okay 3): A: 9 times out of 10 I'm watching trashy, train wreck types of shows ( I can't help it, I get sucked in to their mindless hot-mess lives B: Time waster and  C: I cry. Yes, cry!  I cry watching the singers trying to make it, the dancers telling stories with their movements, the fashion designers creating amazing garments inspired by their stories, and individuals struggling to get the bodies they want.  Seriously, when did I become so damn emotional? It's too much, I'm reeling it in. Taking a break...... as soon as I see the winner of SYTYCD..... and X-Factor....and Glee Project.... ok I'll stop with the trashy stuff. Swear.

The weather has cooled off and it's been so nice.  I love my lazy days at the pool in the stifling desert heat but getting to actually enjoy the outdoors without dying of thirst or sweating your ass off is even better. The only downside, bugs. They also seem to enjoy the cooler weather, and it's ridiculous.  At night the rocks outside our house look like they are moving.... yes, I may get slight enjoyment out of drowning them with bug killer, but it makes me nervous to wake up and come downstairs in the morning to see what has crawled in during the night. So far just the ush... roaches, crickets, occasional spiders... but last week it was this:

I nearly lost my mind. In case you can't tell from my amazing photography skills, it's a praying mantis. I absolutely hate the whole species. In my midst of terror Jordan asked me "why did God make those mommy? my answer, "to torture me" was that wrong to say? It was honest.  Why, WHY does it need to be at my door, posted up with its bug eyes looking straight at me, knowing full well any rapid movement will send me into a blind terror and may just cause me to slam the door and lock it while my child is still outside. Like I said "may".

Another plus to cooler weather, Dj splurged for a grill. One for cooking, that is. We're still deciding on our mouthpieces.... Anyway it's a plus for both of us.  He's gets his man-with-a-grill on and I do less dishes. Word. Funny story: after we had purchased said grill we had forgotten one item from the store so I agreed to go back out and get it while Danny and Sugar set up shop. I went to Walgreens which is like right around the corner, and not just in Vegas geography terms, less than a mile. (ok google says 1.3 but that's because it's not just a straight shot.) I was gone probably 30 minutes... I'm easily distracted and I have a weakness for nail polish, cooking magazines, and the "as seen on tv" isle. So I finally remembered 3 magazines in while I was there, grabbed the item and bounced.  When I returned back home I walked in the house and Jordan was running laps from the kitchen to the living room wearing oven mitts on each hand yelling "Fire! Fire!"  I look through the sliding glass door and Daniel has the grill fired up, literally.  That thing was spewing flames from the sides and the top, and the lid was on!!! I seriously doubled over in laughter. Why? Because I TOLD HIM that he was using way too much lighter fluid. HA.  I know I'm no grill master, but really, I do know a little something about some things.  Lesson learned? Listen to your wifey.  That is all. 

One last thing. I saw 6 Christmas Trees in full decor at Kohls last night, right next to the Halloween costumes. I was slightly disturbed, uhmmm.... I myself actually like Thanksgiving, I felt bad it got the shaft.  Also, I remember one time when I was little I was shopping with my Dad and I had made the comment about the early presence of Christmas decorations.  He said, "pretty soon it will be out all year long." well Mr. D, you were on to something. 

One last, last, thing.  I'm so sick of political adds I could gouge my own eyes out.  Phew. Ok I'm done.

It's weird.

Why is it that I have 7 hours of uninterrupted me time, a list as long as your arm of things to do and all I can concentrate on is the clock and watch the minutes pass slowly until I can pick up my boy?  Funny how it seems like there are never enough hours in the day, yet when you have them it is a slow and painful process watching the clock tick slowly. I need a hobby.

Kindergarten.

Wow. Kindergarten. Yes, I cried on the first day. And yes, we laid out the first-day-of-school-outfit the night before. And yes, we took our blanket on the car ride with us on the first day just for a little bit more comfort.  And yes, we/I survived.  I can't believe this boy is in Kindergarten.

The first week was a little rough. I think more than anything Jordan sensed my apprehension and sadness with the big change and maybe we had to do the "peel and run" technique everyday, but today, today he said to me, "Mommy hurry, I wanna get to school so I can play with the Legos.  You are taking forever."  And that was all it took for me to relax just a little bit more and not anticipate the whole drive there if I was going to leave him staring out the window with his sad little brown eyes.  Today was better.  He is loving his new school more and more, and even though I really wanted him to only go 1/2 day, this full day thing has been okay, so far I am loving Springstone Montessouri, and I am grateful that we live somewhere that has more than one option for education. And with that said, I'm going to get my eyebrows waxed. ha!



 

Confession: Punisments and Priorities

"Next time you dish out punishments over speakerphone, think about who's actually being punished. Me or him!"

That's the message I sent my husband this evening after he had verbally disciplined our son on the drive home via speakerphone (no movie/leapster/computer) after having a less than stellar first day at his new school.  And by that I mean, completely unacceptable, resulting in not one but two incident reports and a conference with the teacher. 

I kept thinking to myself :

"Is this really how his school years are going to be?"

And then I took a strool down memory lane. Reminded myself that it was just the "first day jitters," and that Jordan has never done well with change/transition.

Case in point #1.

After being potty trained Jordan had to move up a class at daycare.  His first day in his new environment he managed to push over a bookcase and hit a little girl in the nose and then the very next day pulled the fire alarm. 

Case in point #2

Again, after growing out of his daycare class he had to transition yet again to a new teacher and new kids.  The first day he dumped water onto someones lunch and smacked some else across the face.

I don't tell these stories to get sympathy, empathy, or pity but to be honest.  Be real.  Is this a first of many visits for us to the office, probably.  Do I hope and pray it's not, absolutely.  Am I the only one that has these moments. No. I have honestly come to realize that the way I parent is not the way you may parent or even the way I was parented (word?) but I know my son, and I know what works for him, what makes him tick, and what way he may react.  
I try really hard not to be the mom at the park scanning the playground with accusing eyes wondering who's child is running wild banshee style screaming, flicking woodchips and nearly grazing everyone with a flailing appendage as he makes his way to the slide. I've been there. I know the looks, and I've gotten the stares.  There is a fine line between aggression and play with Jordan and we teeter it quite often but I do know deep down at the core right next to his heart is my sweet boy.  The sweet little boy who asks to hold my hand before falling asleep at night, and the boy who tells me repeatedly that he loves me, he has a sincere little soul and he may not translate his sweet side effortlessly but with a little patience (and even a few punishments) he is a genuine, tenderhearted boy.  

So tonight while we are on "punishment" I'll soak up these last little moments of his innocence and remind myself what my parenting priorities are: love, respect, and honesty.  Oh, and we'll write apology letters. ;)

 

Not Happening

In case you were wondering, we've been savoring these last few weeks of summer. Trying desperately to spend more time at the pool, park, splash pad, Pump-it-Up, movies, pretty much anything that doesn't keep us at home on the couch. (except for that one weekend where I managed to watch the ENTIRE season of New Girl.... what?)  I have been feeling guilty as of late because Jordan starts Kindergarten in a few weeks and I have been working more... but I am hoping to make up for it in these last few days of summer. Which is why I haven't been feelin' the blog lately.  I do have a few fun things that need some love like our trip to Disneyland and our week in UT and maybe I'll get to it. And maybe not.

In the meantime let me just say I can not believe he is going to Kindergarten.  It's a weird feeling.  When you have a child at home you feel like your freedom is limited because it's always something....they aren't quite old enough to go places, or see certain things, and yet now I feel like I have even less freedom having a child in school. We can't just take a week and go visit family unless it's a scheduled holiday, and no more staying in our pajamas past lunch, or staying up until midnight and sleeping in the next day. I guess I don't do well with change, or maybe that it tears at my heartstrings that these moments are fleeting.

Fifteenth of June

Five years ago I woke up to pee, for the millionth time, took one step towards the bathroom and my water broke.  Like a scene from a movie it happened, sounding like I threw a pitcher of water on the carpet, hitting the floor heavy waking up Dj.  I didn't move for a few seconds and he shot straight up, looked at me and said,


 "What was that?!"
"Uhmmm, pretty sure my water just broke"
"Ok, I'll grab the bag"

I immediately went and sat on the toilet, which I knew wasn't the smartest thing to do, but I mean really, what do you do when you can't stop leaking?!? I wasn't nervous, I never panicked, I was calm and so excited.  Today was the day.  The day I would meet the little body inside me, tumbling around when I was trying to sleep. The little person I had bonded with before I even met, the one who changed my life the night I peed on the ClearBlue Easy, read those 8 little letters, and handed it to DJ.  We had both been living a very single Vegas lifestyle, and I never, in a million years thought I would put the carriage before the horse, well.... when you play with fire.... anyway motherhood was always in my plans, and when it came to me in the less conventional form, I just rolled with it.


My water broke just before 7am on Thursday morning, and Jordan was pulled from my body 17 hours later via C-section, weighing 9lbs. 2 oz, 19 3/4 inches.  I had a complicated delivery, and not to bore/offend you with the details because it was complicated, but the best part was that it was just the three of us, me, Danny, and the new one we were waiting to meet.  My family had been the first on the list of calls on the way to the hospital each willing to rearrange their schedules and drive down but honestly some of the best moments between Dj and myself were spent alone in that hospital room, uninterrupted just taking it in. I will always be grateful for that time. 

Jordan Andrew Sugar-Ray Reece.  My best-friend.  You have truly taught me the ability to love, to be loved, and to give.  I know we started out backwards, and honestly some days I wasn't sure I could be the mother you deserved but thank you for choosing me, accepting me, trusting me.....  You have taught me so much in these 5 short years, I can't imagine a life without you.  I have not always made the best decisions, Lord knows I learn the hard way, but you- you are thee best decision I have ever made. Thank you for giving me the title I am most proud of, mother.  You continue to amaze me, and I have loved (almost) every day seeing you grow, learn, and mold into your own person.  You make me laugh, embarrass me on the regular, and remind me to be a better person daily.  I look forward to seeing the man you will become and hope you will always share your life with me.  I am your biggest fan, your very own cheerleader, and I promise to always love you even when you feel like I don't.  Sometimes life will be hard, people will not always be nice, and you will make a few mistakes along the way, but just remember there is nothing you can't share with me.  And always remember, above all else, I love you and I want nothing more for you in this life than happiness and love.

We are back.

Back from the hap-hap-happiest place on earth or the loudest, depending on the mood of your child.... it's about a 50/50. Especially when you have older cousins.... We did have a blast though, and managed to survive 10 hrs in a car with a high kid to parent ratio.  More on Disneyland later.... I'm too lazy to upload my photos. 


I am mostly excited for a girls weekend.  Nothing crazy, no big plans, just a little girl time, with a few of my favorite people.... yay! 


And maybe just one photo from our trip.... Good times.

Before We Go....

Before we go to CA for the week just a couple of moments this week that made us happy.

A Graduation! Hooray! Even Grandma got to come! :)

They were even able to catch a game of T-ball on Saturday.  Also Dj's mom had a birthday!

I made an attempt at decorating, not quite what I had envision, but she liked it, success. 

We are leaving tomorrow for a week with the whole fam bam.  Well, most of us anyway.  Unfortunately Dj has to take care of business and has school, so we are riding in my sisters car. 5 kids, 3 adults, no DVD player.  Hmmm.... do people really travel without them anymore?!?  I didn't think so. Wish us luck. 

The Way I See It. Mommas & Motherhood.

A few days late, because I couldn't find the pictures I needed.... :(

 

On a serious note I'd like to really take the time to express the love and appreciation for my mom. What kicked off the inspiration and gratitude was this:

That made me think of my oldest brother Shaun.

As Jordan laid on that table fighting his panic and sobbing tears of confusion I felt so helpless.  I wanted to scoop him up and run out of that office so fast. We were both crying.  It was only a 10 minute, minor procedure for his front two teeth that I knew would not effect him later. There would be no long term effects to his overall health,  he would leave there still the same healthy, happy ( groggy), smart, funny, curious kid.  Yet it was awful. I realize more and more that I am such a wimp!

I could not help but think of my own mom in that moment who had to watch Shaun endure a long, painful bout with cancer.  He was only 4 1/2 when he was diagnosed and 9 when he died.  I did not know him, yet we as a family still learn from him, and in an odd way I am so grateful for all that he was able to teach in his 9 short years.  I am humbled even more for the tremendous courage and strength my mom had then and now.  She has had her fair share of heartache, illness, and trauma to deal with and always comes out the other side better for it.

Growing up I was such a brat!  I'd like to think it was a normal amount of arguing and teenage loathing, but looking back it was probably a little worse than that. There have been many times in my 4  years of motherhood I have thought "man, I wish I knew then what I know now" or "my mom was right" but who hasn't, right?  I feel my own situation in particular, I am so overwhelmed by the big picture of this thing I call life, and who I call family.  Without getting into the semantics (is that the right word?) and statistics of adoption because that is an entirely other post, it is mind-bottling (yes, mind-bottling) when I think about that fact that out of all the babies in the world it was this family, in this country, that loved me. Until I became a mother I took that knowledge for granted. I am not a religious person, at least not at this point in my life, but it is by the grace of God that I am exactly where I am. Destiny or fate? I couldn't tell you, but somehow she ended up with me.

The one who fought and loved me before she knew me, who braved her fear of flying for the very first time in her life to welcome me into this world under crude circumstance. Love. Powerful love. The same kind of love she has for each of her children and grandchildren.  The love that protected Shaun when he could not protect himself and the kind of love I witnessed when I was 15 and walked into the ICU to see my dad and there she was, on his bed, right beside him holding his hand caught between IV's, chest tubes, and the ventilator.  Remarkable love. I was only 3 when she had cancer, I honestly do not remember her being sick, but I know that she refused to surrender. I am certain there were days she just wanted to succumb to the pain, but the pain of leaving 4 young children without her was more heartache than any physical pain she faced.  Fighting love. 

I am learning everyday what motherhood is.  Is it great everyday? No, some days it brings me to tears, it's hard.   I am grateful to be part of the club, grateful for the many examples of motherhood I have in my life. My own mother, my sisters, my in laws, and my friends.  All at different places in their motherhood journey, yet all wanting the same thing for their children. Happiness and Love. 

Do you remember?

As a parent sometimes I find myself asking that question.   Do you remember? And while we all know we would not give up our kids for anything, because really, where would we be and who would we be without them.... I sometimes like to pour salt into that wound of  yesteryear(s), and think...


Remember when Friday nights meant something? And not just the end of a work week, but the excitement of two whole days of social conventions? We all know Sunday was still a day of rest, ok recovery, who are we kidding here? But not a shakedown of all the household chores and duties we neglect during the week, because come 9'oclock we can barely keep our eyes open and can already hear the sound of our alarm.


Remember when shopping was a leisure activity? Not a mad dash around the perimeters of the store, sweating, wishing the shirt that you just spotted in your peripheral vision had been in that path 'cause dammit it looks cute and it might even fit around your flabby stomach. Funny how shopping at the mall, and shopping at Target are now one in the same, and don't even get me started on a solo shopping trip to the grocery store.... and without a list.That's as rare as finding a unicorn on sale at the pet store.


And do you remember when sleep wasn't a commodity? When sleep was the last priority on our list, by design,  and now you could fall asleep on the toilet instantly and be startled awake when you feel yourself falling but know that that five minutes just gave you your second wind. 


Sometimes I think it's good that we remember our glory days.  I think they give us a good laugh, a good lets-go-down-memory-lane conversation, but even more than that, a good perspective on this journey we call parenthood.  While we all have different experiences, I think in the long run we become more relatable to our kids.  We know the heartaches, and the triumphs, and we try and teach our kids where we went wrong and help them make better decisions for themselves. And I retract my earlier statement. These moments, the moments right here, they are our glory days.

A Full Confession.

My house is dirty. And not the "you have a four year old" kind of dirty. Dur.Tee. I have yesterdays dishes piled in the sink, (which I probably won't do tonight either) a load of laundry I forgot about and now is sour, the garbage can is overflowing, reasearch papers spread out across the table and two of the chairs from my English final last night, and I just noticed an avocado that rolled off the counter and is wedged between the fridge and the wall. Seriously? What. The. Hell.  But what I really can't quite understand is, we all left the house at 8 o'clock this morning, and Jordan and I didn't return until after 7 pm.  So really, how does my house get like this??? We aren't even here!!!
Another confession, Jordan fell asleep on the way home, without eating dinner, or getting a bath / brushing his teeth, his feet are dirty from wearing flip flips, his knees look like he's been crawling through a coal mine, and his blanket smells like stale french fries and burnt toast. Sigh. 
Only 3 more days of school and then I get a break.  And really I better have the mother of all shakedowns in this B because CPS might come knocking on my door. I'll be glad when one of us finally finishes school, because seriously we never see each other. Our Conversation just fifteen minutes ago.


Me : "How's work, babe?"

DJ:  "Eh. Pretty shitty."

"Oh, I'm sorry"

" Eh. Whaddya do? What's bubba doin?"

"Sleepin, are you off yet?"

"No."

"Okay, I'm goin to bed. See ya tomorrow."

"Actually I'll see you Saturday, I'm leaving early in the morning to go to the library, and then I work at 5."

"Oh, Okay. See you Saturday. Wait, I have to work Saturday remember? You have to take Jordan to his Tball game at nine then drop him off at McCalls because I won't be off until 5. You work at 4 right?"

"Oh yeah, Sunday then...."

"Ok, See you Sunday"

DJ "Wait I am going to the library after work Sunday until at least 10."

"Well, I'll probably be in bed by the time you get home. So I'll see you Monday morning."

Yes, this is our lives. :(   It's all gonna be worth it right?!?  That's what I keep telling myself anyway.
And that my friends is why my house is filthy, and also why I ate a personal size frozen pizza for dinner, and why I am leaving the dishes in the sink until tomorrow.  Thank you and goodnight.

What the tuck?!

Every time I drive by the billboard that says this it cracks me up.  It's an advertisement for a new gay club here in LV (shocking I know) and it seriously makes me laugh every time.  If I was a better driver I would attempt to multitask and take a picture 'cause I know you would laugh too. Pretty clever advertising.  Anyway, I have to admit, sometimes I use swear words. And it feels good.... and I caught myself saying this the other day (What the tuck?) and it was funny. Until it wasn't.  *Enter stage left. Jordan Reece* You catch my drift? So now I've got to find another non-swear, swear word. What do you say when you're mad? Do you use four letter words too?  Hi, my name is Tasha Reece and I have a compulsive problem reciting four letter words. 


Another thing that made me laugh today. Jordan. He has some pretty good one liners.  Except for today, he told me I wasn't very smart.  Ouch! That may be true. :( Some days we are lucky to make it through the day.  For instance: Jordan goes to preschool just a few houses up at Mrs. McCalls (aka mis. mercall). The subdivision that we live in is a community of tri-plexes, they all look the same, each building is a different number but there is a 101, 102, and 103 on each one. Well when you are tired, sometimes you knock on the wrong door with your four year old who's wearing his over-sized Transformers backpack and make the neighbors mad.  Whoops.  Sorry, dude in your stinky underwear, and beer belly. I promise I won't make that mistake again. Swear.  I was actually more upset. I think he paid me back this morning at 5 am when his car alarm was going off for 20 minutes.... I could be wrong. 

Tomorrow we have another nail biting Tball game.  Actually, it's more like herding cats... not cows, cats.  I know the kids have fun playing in the dirt. I mean, hitting the ball and sliding into bases.  Go Transformers!

Easter. Cousins. Easter.

Well, our house has returned to it's normalcy, and by that I mean it's semi-clean.  We are missing our cousins so very much but next time we see them will be when we are on our way to Disneyland!!! DBJ. Don't you think the Easter Bunny needs to hop on back and clean up the candy wrappers and annoying shredded grass?! I mean, really.

The weather wasn't all that great on Thursday when they arrived, in fact it was COLD! Luckily it redeemed itself on Friday and kept the wind away.  The kids were dying to swim, knowing it wasn't warm enough, we loaded them in the wagon and went for a walk to see how cold the water in the pool really was. Not cold enough apparently.

 Saturday we opted to hit up Town Square and their Hop and Shop. It was busy, and by busy I mean annoyingly (is that a word?) crowded.  The egg hunt was free but you had to register so we got up at what felt like the crack of dawn, okay, like 7am, and stood in this long ass line all in the name of childhood memories.  You know how kids get so excited that they get tunnel vision?! And really who can blame them, but adults become equally as oblivious as their child and will trample a person and entirely disregard any manners.  We watched as two ladies screamed at one another.....something about cutting in line.  I have to admit it was kind of funny because one of the ladies had on a mask, ya know like the dentist wears, so for a split second it looked like the other lady was in fact crazy. Obviously she had some sort of health condition (which is not funny) but I guess that doesn't give you a free pass to cut in line!  Two hours later their age category was up for the hunt, it was over in less than 30 seconds but they didn't manage to get a few eggs, and they were extra generous with the candy when we turned in out eggs!! I think next year we'll try the helicopter egg drop.
Only two occasions seem to get me to church, Easter, and Christmas. (I promised my sister I would try better, she's worried about our eternal salvation or something... ) our weekend ended after lunch and they were soon on their way home, back to God's country. :(

 

 "....cause we're the three best friends that anyone could have...."

Side note: Jordan's only been to Baptist church services, he was less than impressed with the "listen and learn" technique. I would feel jipt  too. No band? No standing and clapping? Pst. He kept saying "get me out of here", made me laugh because I was feeling the same way.  Sorry mom. Not that it needs a shout-out, and I laugh and joke it off but I do want to clarify. I am religious, I do believe in a God, and the power of prayer. It's all the blurry words in-between that I choose not to include in my life, and not out of guilt, or embarrassment, but through life experience having holier than thou members, and church leaders (not that there aren't amazingly good ones)....sorry, tmi.

I hope your Easter was as fabulous and fun as ours!

29 things.

I'd like to think I have grown and matured over the last lifetime, 10, 5 years and in making this list I see that I have not. But, here are 29 things you may or may not know, laugh, (or love) about me. In no particular order:


1. I always read the last chapter of a book before I read it in it's entirety. The last sentence of a novel is either good or bad, and if it's bad (in my eyes) I won't waste my time reading it.


2. I hate any drink with pulp. Nothing fresh squeezed for me, I will gag and it may come out my nose.

3. My nick name was Taco, bestowed upon me by my dad, it later turned in to Taco Burrito, and now it's just Tac.

4. I like to cook.

5. I am 100% terrified of throwing up. I mean in an overly anxious, hypochondriac kind of way.... what if I aspirate and die?!

6.  I love Indiana Jones movies. I own all of them! 

7. I hate milk.

8.  Until recently I consistently used the term "outer body experience" Dj corrected me.  Thanks babe.


9. At one time I had 10 body piercings. mostly on my ears don't pass out.


10. I have a tattoo, and EVERY time my mom sees it she acts like it's new information to her.... really, every.time.


11. I love to fish! Start to finish. Baiting, cleaning, cooking, and eating. 


12. The last scary movie I saw was the Grudge. Yes, it came out in 2004. I just can't. 


13. When I was little I wanted to be a Marine Biologist, and then I learned about phytoplankton. 


14.  I was in a Rascal Flatts music video on LV BLVD. (okay, I was in the crowd while they filmed, sadly never in the edited version.)

15. I've been in the back of a cop car, and not as a prank. some of you may remember this night.

16.  I want to learn Spanish.

17.  I truly, madly, deeply love my family! Who doesn't?!

18.  I love coffee.

19.  I play the piano.

20.  My birthmark is on my face. Just like my handsome little man.

21.  I waited tables at Cheesecake Factory... one time i had the worst guests in America and I dipped all their silverware and glasses in the dirty dishwasher in the kitchen. (mild compared to some)And if you've worked in a restaurant you know how disgusting that water is. Moral of the story: Be nice to your SERVER!!!!

22.  I have never broken a bone! Hallelujah!   


23.  I love music, and most often prefer country, with hip hop a close second.


24.  My favorite book as a child: James and the Giant Peach


25. I used to be a STRICT poultritarian, I think I'm going to go back, maybe add fish....


26.  I love the smell of sunscreen! 


27.  I love Roscoe's! Who knew chicken and waffles could be so delicious together!

28. I eat Ketchup on sandwiches.

29.  Sometimes I miss the snow! Crazy talk, I know.

Hooray!

Don't you just love when your family comes to visit? Cousins reunite and play until their last. waking. breath. The love shared between cousins is intense, they love hard and play hard. Jokes are funnier, days last longer, and the imagination is endless. We heart cousins.  Tomorrow we are off to Pump it Up.  Now it only this wind would go back to Cedar tomorrow might just be a perfect day! And as promised, What's trending at the Reece residence:

LemiShine. Have you heard of this? My SIL shared this little beauty with me....I know I am probably slow on uptake with this one but when you rent you know the appliance standards are cheap. My dishes looked like I dipped them in chalk, needless to say this has made them sparkle.  Honestly, best 5 bucks I spend. Found at Wal-mart.

Diigo. My favorite internet tool invented. ever. It's like Pinterest, but better. YES! BETTER! My biggest annoyance with Pinterest is that everyone can see what you like, pin, repin, blah, blah, blah.  I don't need errone all in my business, hence the private blog, hence the small facebook "friends" list. With diigo you can search the internet and save images, websites, highlight, bookmark, add sticky notes all into your own organized "Library".  Awesome.  Again, another well spent $5.  It's free to sign up and free for basics.

I'm sure you've seen it, but in case you haven't.... click here.  Enough said.

Again, I know I'm a little slow on the uptake with this one too but I am in love with this album.  I do not consider myself a Beyonce fan, she's had some good booty shakers, and unless you live under a rock she is in steady rotation on the radio so knowing her music is inevitible. But this one, oh it's good.  Right up there in my top 10, possibly top five, giving 21 a run for it's money and that girl (Adele) can SANG.

And last but certainly not least #HappyEndings.  This is hands down the funniest show on T.V. right now. If you haven't watched it, please you'll laugh your pants off. And if you don't then CLEARLY you have no sense of humor.  (or maybe mine is just twisted) 

And then it hits you.

I would like to think I am a very non-emotional person.Ok, that's a lie. I use to cry every time I watched Oprah and Extreme Makeover Home Edition, but that's a happy cry and I can flip that switch anytime. Not that I lack emotions, but I like to keep them in check. At all times. Not just any emotions, but deep, sorrow, and heartache for my dad.  For some reason I have been lacking at keeping them at bay.  The past few days I have cried like a baby at the drop of a hat.  I guess the everyday activities and obligations make it harder for these emotions to surface. But today, well, they are right on the surface.  Have you ever been in the store and through tear filled eyes asked the employee where something was?  That was me today... at Michaels, when the employee asked me if I was ok, I couldn't even keep it together, I had to abandon my full shopping cart and barely made it out before the tears started rolling down my cheeks. Yup. A mess. Everytime I've been in the car the past few days and actually have a moment to myself, (cause let's be honest, with kids sometimes that's the only place it happens in the day) my chin starts to quiver.  I turn up the radio and try to sing but my beautiful voice starts to crack and then I feel my throat get tight and then it hits me.  BAM. I just want 5 minutes, just to talk to him, to hear his voice, and to look into his gentle eyes. I miss that so much.  It's hard to loose a loved one. And I know I'm not the first, or the last person in the world that his will happen to but today, today it's overwhelming and I just want to rewind the past 9 years and be able to see him.  Yes, I do believe I will see him again, but sometimes that makes it worse.... knowing I have to live my entire life before that happens.  It super sucks. I think it's silly that I'm even blogging about this but I feel like if I place it into the blogosphere and dust my thoughts off, so to speak,  I might be able to get it together.  Plus, it's my blog. So there. He makes it sting a little less though.....

Switching gears. My mom, sister, and girls are coming to Sin City on Thursday and it can't come soon enough. We have a "cousin countdown" hanging on our fridge and man, it's been torture for Jordan only getting to rip away one number at a time.  We have lots of fun stuff planned and are looking foward to making fun Easter memories.

Also, in case I didn't mention earlier (oh, I didn't tell you? Denial), I turned 29. Twenty nine. What? Where did time go??? This is how I wanted to feel turning 29: excited.  This is how I actually felt: nothing.  That's not true, I felt unaccomplished, anxious, and chubby.  More of the latter to be honest. I know we as women put a lot of pressure on ourself about the way we look.... the older I get the less concerned I am about what people think, but really when I see pictures of myself I just wanna gag. Egh.  I am going to make a conscious, extended effort to fix all three! Wish me luck! BTW did you notice I blogged twice in one week already?!? Record.

Sorry it's blurry, you think a tourist would have taking pictures down.... huh.

 Coming up next: what's trending in the Reece Casa.

 

Popcorn and Poptarts

That is what Jordan fed himself for breakfast this morning. I honestly didn't have the energy to fight with him about it. Mom of the year. Tomorrows Monday, we'll try again.

Waiting to skype with cousins,we heart skype,  most people would be embarrassed to show themselves looking in such stellar condition.... however I have no shame letting you see me with messy hair, smeared makeup, and uneven eyebrows.  And I just noticed how lazy my lazy eye really is. Yikes!

School has been hectic lately! (as I procrastinate....) I made it through mid-terms, and through Dj's as well! Yay, me! I am loving the warm weather and we spend as much time as possible outside. Speaking of school, I have completely stressed myself out with this whole public/private school situation for Jordan. Nevada public school system is an embarrassment. Being that Jordan is a summer birthday I contemplated about waiting and sending him next year, but honestly, waiting wouldn't benefit him at all. He's ready, and as hard as it is to admit, I am too. (gulp) My baby is growing up. I still think he is this big, and needs me every waking moment.

Easter 2009

Jordan also started Tball a few weeks ago.  It has been fun, and his little team is so cute.  Their baseball skills are getting better each week.... if we can just work on the attention spans it will be all good.  Mr. Macho, a.k.a. Danny, has been so excited.  I can't blame him, I would be super pumped if the situation were reversed and we had a daughter and she was starting dance. Remember this guy Well sometimes he takes over, and I already know it's gonna end ugly one day.  I by no means condone parent vs parent conflict, but I find it's inevitible.  While some may read this and think "I would never, my husband would never...(clutch the pearls)" I say to you, never say never.

Ok, Back to homework. Someday I will finish the five posts I have yet to publish....  Peace out, Reece out.