Cruise Fun!

So I opened up my blog this morning and figured it was time for an update. lets see how long this takes, as I am at work...I will write as I have time.....Here it goes...

Cruise: Wow - it was awesome! James and I had such a great time! Sunday when we finally got on the ship (after saying goodbye to our little angel) it was raining. BOO Not a great way to start a cruise, but luckily it didn't last long! We left Galveston around 4 that afternoon and the fun began! It was 2 days at sea on our way to Jamaica. We spent most of our days on the top deck laying out, soaking up the sun. The weather was amazing! The guys played ping pong mostly all day, while the girls sat and pretended to watch as we sipped our drinks!
The casino was also a lot of fun! James and I spent our nights here!! We did lose some money (not too bad for 2 people and 7 days) We won some too! I put $10 into a nickle machine and one $150 on my first spin!! I was so excited so I took my winnings and bought a watch in the gift shop that I had been looking at since the first day! I LOVE it so much!!!

Playing Roulette - It is my new favorite game!!!LOVE my watch!

Jamaica: It was so fun! Totally not what I expected though! It was kinda slummish. The drive to the resort we decided to stay the day at was kinda icky! The houses were on sides of mountains and were basically falling down. It wasn't much to look at. We found out later that Jamaica does not use mortgages...they have to build their houses as they have the money to do so - that is why everything looks so bad. Sandals was amazing though! Our first taste of white sand and blue water! We stayed the day there! Swim up pool bar, pretty beaches! We did some snorkeling and kyacking (sp?)! It was James' first time in the ocean, and he loved it! The staff was really nice and we had a great time. I wasn't ready to get back on the boat after only a few hours of Jamaica! Once we got on the boat, James and I slipped away from the group and watched the sunset together - it is something I will never forget! It was such a great experience!

Beaches don't look like this in Galveston!
Still in JamaicaIt was awesome!

Grand Caymen: A lot of fun. We were informed that the waters were too shallow for the ship to sail up to the shore so we had to get off the big ship onto a little boat in the middle of the Ocean. I was a bit scared to tell the truth, but it turned out okay! In Caymen we did a shore snorkel excursion! It was a lot of fun! We walked down the coast and jumped right in! The fish were HUGE and hung around b/c people were feeding them! We snorkeled for about an hour - I was so worn out! Swimming in the ocean is hard work! (not to mention, I had to keep a close eye on James most of the time.....he isn't the best swimmer) After that we went to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville! We had such a great time there, even though we spent WAY more than we planned on lunch and a few drinks. Their $1 is our $1.25 so it was very expensive!

Our Ship in the background
My Margarita @ Margaritaville

Cozumel: It was okay - I had been here before so It wasn't too new to me. We got a taxi into town and did a little big of shopping for Cori. I wanted to get her something from each place. That went well. After that, we went to San Fransisco Beach. It was so pretty! It was a public beach so it was free...but of course they have people running around offering you drinks! (Nothing is ever free) We got to go out on these big inflatable things in the ocean and play! Slides, trampolines, rock climes! I was WORN OUT again after all this climbing in the ocean! It was tons of fun though. Somehow I ended up getting motion sickness and had to leave early! We headed back to the ship but still had about an hour to spare before we had to get on the ship so we stopped at Fat Tuesdays to have some chips and salsa and a few drinks! They had loud music and it was a lot of fun!!

I could do this everyday!
Our VERY naughty Waiter!
Our ship in the background!

Headed home: By this time I was really missing Cori! I was ready to be home! The last day at sea was not that great! The weather was bad and the ocean was choppy! It made for a rocky ship! THANKFULLY I did not get sick, and neither did James!

Odd and Ends: Elegant nights were fun! Its not that often that we get to dress up and have dinner together!

We had SO MUCH fun with our friends on board with us!!! I couldn't have picked better friends to spend a week with!!!

I was so happy to get home to Cori!! Here she is - My little Jamaican Baby!

I can not wait to go on another vacation again! It was VERY needed!!! This short blog doesn't even come close to showing what an experience the cruise was! I didn't upload too many pictures b/c mostly everyone who reads this blog can see my pictures I posted on my FB, if you want to see more, email me!!!

Much love,
xoxo

What should I do?

So as you know, James and I are going on Vacation next week. I have gotten paperwork notarized saying that we are allowing temporary guardianship to the grandparents while we are away. That way they can make any decisions for Cori while we are gone. I just thought about this today and now I've kinda freaked myself out....what if something happens to the both of us while we are away?!? Who would we want to raise our daughter? Should I put this in writing?!? James and I have never really discussed this - but now I think its something we should do. God forbid anything happen to us, but I'd really hate for my family to have to go through any type of court ruling over who gets to raise my child if James and I are unable. I wish this would have come to me sooner. I do not feel this is a decision that can be made lightly, or in 2 days. There is just so much to consider. I called and mentioned this to James - b/c if we are going to put something in writing, I need to get it typed up and notarized as well before we leave. He was taken back by me bringing this up and said he would need to think about it and call me back. I don't blame him. I did just spring it on him out of nowhere. I just wonder now if we can come to an agreement on who we would find fit and able to raise our child and instill the values in her that we would have. Also who would she feel comfortable with and fit into their family as if she was their own...someone who could take her in, keep her safe and teach her right from wrong and love her as if she was their child. My goodness - just writing this makes me feel so emotional. I would never want Cori to feel scared or out of place, but I can't help but think that if something happened to the both of us that there would be no avoiding those feelings for her. I am very thankful that we have such a big family (both on James' side and my side) and I can not think of anyone that would turn Cori down, or not welcome her into their home with open arms. There are so many people that I would trust with Cori which is wonderful! We just have to look at it from all angles and decide who would be the perfect match for Cori....

Going a lil' nutty!

I'm in a great mood - nothing in particular to blog about, I just had it opened so I figured I'd put something down.

I'm stressed! Cruise in 5 days -- shopping is done but packing is not even close! Not only do I have to pack for myself, I'm pretty sure I'll end up packing for James, and not to mention, Cori. How do you pack for 7 days?!? I'm going to end up taking my entire closet/bathroom and 1/2 my bedroom!

It makes me so sad to pack for Cori. I have already packed her one bag, for her 3 days with her Nannie - that wasn't too bad, a few outfits, pj's, diapers, wipes and a cup. She can find things to play with there and she'll eat almost anything. I have to pack her a separate bag for the entire week of daycare, so my mom will only have to take her and pick her up and not have to worry about getting a bag ready for her everyday. Diapers, wipes, extra clothes, cups, snacks, blanket and of course the stupid check ($180). Packing for my mom will be easy. All Cori will need are clothes. My mom pretty much has everything I have at my house and she always buys diapers and wipes to keep there too. I've told Cori a few times that we are going to be gone for a week and I promise we will come back. She probably doesn't understand what I'm saying but I want her to know, just in case. I know she will be in good care but I'm just worried she'll stress out looking for "momma and daddy" and not being able to find us. I wish there was a way I could bypass the goodbyes to Cori - I hope I can let her go.

Packing for us on the other hand is not going to be fun! I plan to spend Saturday doing all the laundry (after I go get a pedicure!!) so anything we would want to take will be clean. We are only allowed to take suitcases that measure 24x16 which are TINY if you ask me! We will probably have to take 2 each. Poor James...the only luggage we own are cutsey ones that I have bought over time. One is HOT PINK, the other is Pink with lime green polka dots with a big bow attached, another that is brown with blue polkadots with a big bow attached and then a plain black one! Oh well, he'll manage!

I'm stressed trying to get organized at work so whoever is at my desk trying to get things done while I'm gone can find things they need easily. I have never been away from work this long...I'm actually pretty nervous to leave! I know when I come back there will be a lot to go through, put away, catch up on, fix and just get back in order....I know it will be fine...but I'm worried, especially since I wont be able to answer my phone to help if needed.

Ally and Beaux are staying with Mikki (SIL) for the week. I hope they don't drive her nuts, or tear up her blinds at her house! She knows Ally kills blinds so hopefully she'll take my advise and raise them just enough for her to see out, and she should be fine. Beaux is such a homebody and gets a little nervous. I hope having Miss Independent, knows everything (Ally) with him, he'll feel safe and secure. I would never separate them. I think Beaux would have a meltdown.

I have all our travel documents printed and ready to go! I just can't wait for 4pm on Sunday for our ship to depart! When that time comes...it wont matter if we forgot to pack something, or we are leaving our child for a week, or work is gonna be a mess when I return, or the dogs are chewing someones blinds -- there will be nothing I will be able to do about it and for 7 days I can (hopefully) have no worries and enjoy my vacation with my wonderful husband and great friends and allow myself to have an awesome time! I have no doubt that I'll come back with great stories/pictures of our adventure!

Now that I read over this, this is more like a pep talk/reminder list to myself =)

Easter

So my little precious had her 2nd Easter! She had so much fun! We had my family over to eat a late lunch outside! The weather was perfect! Memaw was in town - its always great to have Memaw around!! She's just too cute!

My child that will not smile for pictures!

I put the ears on her and she said "Noooo momma"

See, I told you she was cute!

Miss Thang in the yard hunting eggs!

She was just too cute when she was hunting her eggs. The first time I walked around and hid her eggs. She did excellent finding them and putting them in her bucket. She then started walking around and throwing eggs out of the bucket, just to walk around and pick them back up - she did this a few times!


I am so proud of my little girl! I never imagined that you could love someone so much! She is growing up so quickly and it makes me a little sad but so excited to watch her learn and grow and become a little person, rather than a baby! She talkes SO much and will mimic anything you say! Most of her words come out sounding really close to what they should sound like except one...she can not say Jimmy - she says Nema. Jimmy is our friend (Cori's boyfriend). She loves him!! He & Alexis lives accross the street and she always looks over there with her little hands out and says "Nema?" Good thing he loves her back! Cori is now 17 months old! She goes potty on the toilet and has now for about 2 months. She isn't able to tell us yet, so I just put her on there a few times each day and she always goes. Last night she went poo poo for the first time! Usually I put her on the potty, she goes and then wants up - well last night she kept pushing and some poo poo came out! I was so excited and so was she! I made a big deal about it, cheering and clapping and we even left it in the toilet so daddy and yaya could see! They clapped and cheered too! Her face was so happy as she clapped with us! Then she waved and said "bye bye" as she flushed! It was a proud moment! =) Who know poo could be so exciting?!?

So 9 days until we leave for our cruise! I'm so excited and nervous all at the same time! I am going to miss Cori so much! I know she will be fine, but obviously this is the longest I will have ever been away from her! She will stay in her normal routine, for the most part, going to daycare everyday like usual. She will stay the first part of the week with my mom and dad and then she will be going with James' mom for the last 3 days! It will be like a mini vacation for her. I just hope she doesn't feel home sick or sad that James and I are not around. I know that I get homesick so easy and I hate the feeling - so hopefully she's too young to feel that way! I have so much still to do to get us ready! James and I have never been on a vacation like this together, so I'm really looking forward to it! There is a group of 10 friends (5 couples) going so I know we will have a blast!

weight loss update: I have lost almost 20lbs! I feel great, but still have a little ways to go! I'm down to 165 and bought new jeans the other night, size 6!!! I was shocked! I got off track for a few weeks (a few weeks back) but I'm glad to be back on track! It feels good! I think I want to lose 20-30 more lbs - It may take a while, but I can do it - or at least that's what I keep telling myself! I just really need to lose my "muffin top". My legs and butt is where I'm losing most of my weight, but my upper body, mostly my stomach and love handles, just will not go away! I can tell in my neck and face that I've lost too! So that's good!

Work and everything else is going good. I'm in such a great place in my life! I wish I could drag this time out a little longer!

XOXO

SICK AND TIRED

So on facebook today a friend brought up some things about Obama and this new healthcare bill - I can't comment too much on that b/c I don't have all the information on it, yet. From what I've heard, it doesnt sound good though. Anyway, someone commented back on his post about how she has 3 kids, doesn't work and will take her kid to the ER for tylenol and then "worry about the bill later" she also said that she is on welfare and accepts food stamps and has no shame in it. Her excuse was "its hard to find a job and pay for daycare for 3 kids" well here was my response to her post...it was a bit rude but its how I felt! I am so worked up over it now, and I don't even know who this girl is! I will add too that I looked through her pictures on her FB account and every single one of them was of her out drinking....can't afford to buy your kids milk and bread but you can afford to go out and party??

My response:
I hate working, I hate getting up 5 DAYS A WEEK to go to work and staying there 9-10 hours each day! I hate it. BUT, I do it b/c I have to. B/c I have myself and a family to take care of. I am SICK of going to work every day, even when my child or myself is sick just to pay my taxes in and get nothing in return. I pay my own health insurance, I pay for my own groceries and pay for daycare for my daughter (among all other living expenses) and there are people out there that don't work, party and drink on the weekends and take MY HARD EARNED TAX MONEY to support their family! There are jobs out there! It may not be the nicest, best job you would want, but there are jobs out there!!!!! If you have no shame in accepting food stamps, why have shame in flipping burgers at McDonald's? Its a job!

Sometimes I think about just giving up - having a few more kids, (we have stopped at 1 b/c we can't afford anymore) quit my job and take advantage of the benefits everyone else is getting - except in my position, I wouldn't be getting anything for free (like everyone else) I would only get what I already paid in........

I understand the point that women want to stay home with their children, trust me, I'd love to do it. But I wouldn't do it if my family couldn't afford it. I woudln't do it if it took going on welfare or getting food stamps...my pride is just too high for that! I'd rather work hard for the things I have and be proud!



Those are a small bit of my feelings on the whole issue. I didn't even bring up the fact that everyday I drive down a road with government owned housing and the cars in the driveway are WAY nicer than anything I could ever afford (Or even my parents could afford)! It just doesn't add up to me! I am so proud of myself and what I have become. Yes, it has A LOT do do with how I was raised and what I was pushed to do as I was growing up, and I am VERY fortunate and thankful for my upbringing and especially my parents. I push myself now everyday! I want to be proud that I OWN my house and my cars and everything I have! I don't need help to get the things I want. If I have to work harder for extra/leisure, then that's what I do! I don't rely on anyone else to pick up the tab on my life! I do not consider myself to be better than anyone and I understand some people aren't as fortunate as I was/am but I feel like there are a lot of people that don't try the least bit and that frustrates me SO much! I just think if people did more for themselves they would feel better about things and have a better outlook on life!

I can't believe this person I don't even know has got me so upset, but I don't think it is her personally its the whole group. I have had these feelings for a long time, and only the people closest to me have heard my views on it, but its time to put it down on paper. I'm tired of feeling like I should sensor what I say (at least to this topic) to avoid hurting someones feelings.

On a side note: If I can only teach my children the value of earning things on your own and working for the things you have and want, and taking care of yourself and your family and the responsibilities that you have willingly taken on (like my parents did for my brother and I) my job as a parent will be successful!

GOOD LORD, I NEED MY VACATION TO COME SOONER THAN LATER!! =)

Weekly Update!

So last Thursday (3/18) we saw the Black Eyed Peas at the Houston Rodeo! They were awesome!!!!!! They put on a great show and everyone was up in their seats screaming and dancing! I had so much fun! Friday wasn't too bad at work...just another long quiet Friday!

Allie, Bridget, Kristy & Me at the Carnival!

Fergie Ferg!!!!!

Friday - I don't think we did much Friday night...I can't remember!

Saturday we woke up and went to buy some patio furniture! Its been long overdue! We found a good deal on Craigslist, but unfortunately we had to drive to Katy, in the pouring rain to get it. Poor James was soaked by the time he got it all loaded into the truck. Its nice to have it though!! Cori got car sick on the way home (again) and threw up all over herself as we turned down our street....she has done this a few times.....I'm SICK of cleaning the dang carseat! I guess she's going to be like me when I was little! greeeeeeeeat!

So Saturday afternoon I went and got my 1st tattoo! It was Alexis' idea b/c she wanted one for her birthday and wanted me to go with. I have always wanted one so I said what the heck! It didn't hurt near as bad as I had imagined! I really like it, but its hard to get used to seeing it. I have had so many henna tattoos and now when I look at this one, I keep looking down thinking it is going to be gone like the hennas! Anyway, here is a picture!

Its not done yet. I think eventually I'll add some color to it, and maybe a few smaller stars! It is on my right foot, and I love it! here is a picture of what Alexis got, she made my tattoo look like a loser!! =) her's is on her right rib cage/side! I really like it, she does too! I think she is gonna do some more pink on hers though! This picture kinda makes it look bigger than it is.


Sunday: A friend of mine is going to school to learn massages, facials, waxing and other fun stuff! She needed practice on her facials so she invited Bridget and myself to come and get a facial. It was my first facial and it was amazing!!!!! She is really good at it! She is starting on her massage therapy this week in school and said when she gets done with this section, we can come over so she can practice again! I can't wait!

Tuesday was Alexis' 24th Birthday!! Happy Birthday to Alexis! We went and ate at Chuys and it was delicious! I got a new app on my phone that takes funny pictures, so here we are at dinner!
me, James, Alexis and Jimmy!

Ebay?

So I found this - seems like a GREAT deal....has a lot more than what Best Buy was offering for the same price and a backpack.....ooooo. I gotta get out of this mood! I get an idea and I want it NOWWW!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CANON-REBEL-T1i-500D-SLR-Camera-4-Lens-16GB-PRO-KIT_W0QQitemZ200452961378QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item2eabed7462