I Hope She Never Breaks Out

Of this thing...

Today has been one of those days... and it is Taylor that is on my last nerve not Thomas if you can believe it. Well, actually if you have spent much time with my darling daughter (most of you have not had the pleasure) she is totally HIGH MAINTENANCE!! Everything is "Mine!" or "Up!" or "No!" But imagine all of those words with some serious attitude.

I took the kids and met my mom to do a little retail therapy and it never fails, one is an angel (OK maybe angel is a little bit of a stretch) and the other is showing their horns. Today it was Taylor. I had hopes of more than two stores, but once we hit a certain amount of outbursts you just give up.

With much hesitation on my part we decided to try lunch with Sarah and her girls. It has been since before the holidays that we have had our weekly lunch dates.

It goes something like this...

We order a pizza
The kids run wild in the kid area of the pizza place
We TRY to have adult conversation
We eat
We yell
...and we leave.
Wait 7 days and repeat above process!!

It was only minutes after we got home that Taylor was down for a nap and Thomas was told to quietly watch Noggin ("It's like preschool on TV") or he too would be napping. After a good 2 hours I heard my little Taylor making noise.

I took my camera in hopes to get a good, bed-head picture. As I clicked away I thought to myself...I fear the day she breaks out this jail. Things just don't seem as easy with her as they did with Thomas.

LONG day!!

I really cannot believe I am still functioning at this point. I have been awake since 4am this morning and it is almost 7. I am running on my mom back up generator. The "I have to be up because they are" generator. Besides working almost nine hours I did accomplish a few other things today though, so not a day wasted that is FOR SURE.

I finally got all of the clothes that no longer fit Taylor listed on craigslist. I have had great success with selling my kids' clothes on both ebay and craigslist, but craigslist I don't have to mess with shipping and that is WONDERFUL. Hopefully a few SAHMs will find my listings tomorrow and I will have them sold soon.

I finally tended to my VERY neglected etsy site. Since back when I did my sale in October I have been on a hiatus when it comes to hair clips. I am back on though. I listed 4 new sets.

Just a sneak peek!!

I am telling you I am feeling very motivated lately. I hope it lasts and lasts!!

Lastly I gave the kids a bath because at this point it was the only thing I could think of to contain them and... cross your fingers... wind them down. But who am I kidding, Thomas is running around as I type. I swear I would be a millionaire if I could bottle his energy and sell it on the black market.

I took a few pics during bath time and then of course played around on photoshop for my 10 of 365 today!! :( No 9 of 365 because well honestly I didn't even pick up my camera yesterday) and my dear hubby wouldn't get off the computer.

So there it is... my day!! I think I am going to pop some popcorn and read my book 'til I fall asleep.

It is only about 10 hours before my day starts all over.

Feeling Inspired

I am hoping it is more than just a phase, all of this inspiration I have been getting. Maybe it is the promise I made to myself to make the most of the year (years) to come.

I installed my photoshop and have been playing around with it every night. I am trying very hard not to let it scare me away. It is easy to see how that could happen once you open the program. Anyway, I have learned a tiny bit, but feel really good with that.

Leave it to my mom to point out that my photography blog cannot be ALL about my kids. I know that, trust me! It is just so hard to think of other things when they are in your face all day long. Plus when other people photograph food and such, it looks so good...when I do it looks ridiculous. I will get over it I promise.

My sister sent me to a blog last night that I can say I am totally obsessed with now. The Pioneer Woman... have you heard of this lady?? Neither had I, but she is WONDERFUL. Her blog has just about everything, but she has a section devoted to photography (tips and tricks). She writes in a way that is very easy to understand. I read until my eyes hurt last night and I will be back on tonight after I put the kids to bed.

Come hell or high water I am going to learn how to do something besides be a mom and a wife and work at SAFEWAY! Not that I am complaining about the first two, but well you either know what I mean or you don't.

I DISPISE being sick

Okay I know that everyone dislikes being sick, but having toddlers and being sick are a BAD combination. I am usually running low on patience anyways, so add not feeling well to the equation and "MOMMY not so NICE!"

Needless to say I am blogging quick before I head to bed. My little ones are already tucked in and sleeping sound.

You may have noticed on my sidebar I added a link to my new blog. I started a STRICTLY photography blog, one photo for each day of the year. My goal is to pick my camera up as much as possible and hopefully start learning how to use it (better). My hubby bought me adobe photoshop 8 for Christmas, so I really need to focus on learning. No more excuses. Making sure I have something new to show you all each day will keep me motivated. Plus it makes me actually have to put some effort into coming up with new, fun things to photograph. Although please beware, my kids are the focus of most of my days, so they will often be the subjects.

Resolutions ???

OK I must start off by saying that I am not a huge fan of making New Year's resolutions because undoubtedly by mid-January I have already broken them, but this year I am going to try.

2010 is a big year for me as I am turning the big 3-0 on March 11Th. Anyone that knows me can attest to the fact that I am not a huge fan of getting older. With that said though, I have decided to embrace this next birthday and the decade to come. I have learned over the last few years that life is way to short to not live every day to the fullest. I look at my kids and wonder everyday where the time has gone?

My mom, sister and many others have laughed at me and my "Plans". I always say "I need a plan!" I planned that I wanted to be married and done having kids by the age of 30 and well... I stuck to my plan. I have gone back and forth for a while about the idea to have more kids and decided the other day that I am OFFICIALLY done. I want to spend the next decade (and the rest of my life for that matter) enjoying my family and friends.

My resolutions for 2010 are a little broader, but much bigger in the long run.

Happy New Year everyone!!!

A Wonderful Holiday!!

Christmas 2009 was wonderful as all the years past. We went to my moms on Christmas Eve for a nice afternoon/evening of fun, friends, family and of course YUMMY food!! The kids were wound up from the time they work up that morning in great anticipation for Santa Claus.



I had to work like always, so I enjoyed the evening until around 5:30 when I headed out. Tom was left in charge of putting the kids in their Christmas pj's and taking a picture. I am proud to say he did just as he was asked. And they even look like they like each other...bonus!!



After I worked until 10:45...YUCK I thought I would be home by 10. We got everything ready for the next morning. I think I was more excited than the kids. I couldn't wait to see their little faces. At a little after midnight Thomas came in our room and informed us that Santa had already come. Don't worry we did not get up at this time. We made him lay down with us and surprisingly he slept until 6:45 when I got up.



Thomas went into Taylor's room, woke her up and told her that Santa brought her a new princess bike. It was very cute. They both loved their presents!!





After we opened all of our gifts from each other (among lots of other things mommy got Adobe photoshop 8) we headed to my parents for more gifts and a yummy breakfast. As usual my parents went overboard and we all got lots of great gifts. The kids both got new bikes and that pretty much kept them occupied all morning long.








It was a wonderful Christmas and we all have lots to be grateful for. At bedtime we had two tired kids and one pooped out mommy! As I look out my office right now I keep hoping and wishing it would all magically clean and organize itself.

I hope all of my friends and family had a wonderful day also. And now on to 2010!!

Naughty or Nice??

We took the kids to see Santa tonight and what an ordeal that is with two toddlers. And what a cash cow that is for whoever gets that money.

I am happy to report that the Santa at our mall was the best I've seen and he was even jolly. No BAD SANTA for us. And my kids...made me proud. They both got right up on his lap and smiled for the camera. Taylor started to get a little unsure after she sat there for a few minutes, but no tears. It probably helped that I told Thomas if he didn't sit on Santa's lap and tell him what he wanted there was a good chance he would skip our house on Christmas Eve. I know, mean mom!!!

Anyway, I would say that this good behavior puts both my kids back on the nice list. When you are 4 and 1, it only takes little things to get you on the nice list.

Wrinkle free...

So this is probably the most random post, but I have to touch on the subject. First I will say that I know I am not old, BUT I am getting older and over the last few weeks I have been looking in the mirror and not liking what I see.

I feel like I have all of these wrinkles on my face that I never realized were there.

WHAT DO I DO?????

I think it is time to start using some sort of cream or something. I keep looking at the picture I posted of Thomas and I, and frankly I like it less each time. It is no secret I do not enjoy getting older, for many reasons but now I have just added one to the list.

I will be 30 in 3 months and I would like to enjoy this coming decade of my life without gaining anymore wrinkles.

HELP ME my followers!!

Just a quick note

I cannot believe that Christmas is next Friday!!! I thought I was totally ready and now I feel as though I am not. Oh well, once I hit the post office today I am not going to worry any further.

We are taking the kids to see Santa Claus tonight. I have prepared myself for the worst and am hoping for the best. If I am correct then I suspect Thomas will freak out and Taylor will follow suit. I will end up paying for a picture that only makes me laugh. But I guess one of the true joys of Christmas is these moments, so bring it on.

I thought I would share the photo my mom took last year when we took the kids to see Santa. Both kids were a little unsure, but there were NO tears and I was good with that.



Happy Monday and don't forget there are only 11 days til Christmas!!

I wonder...

If my neighbors can hear me yelling at my kids???

I know that it is not the most endearing quality (my yelling), but trust me it does not always start out as yelling.

I ask nicely: "Can you please start picking up your toys?"

This is usually followed by blatant ignoring, continuing right on with whatever it is they are doing at that moment.

I ask nicely again: (A little more annoyed though) "Thomas can you please start picking up your toys? I have already asked you once."

If I am even acknowledged at this point I feel like I am actually making progress. Unfortunately I can not begin to tell you how many more times I have to ask before things get done.

I end up yelling every time.

I do not want to yell. In fact it makes my head hurt to yell and that only makes me more mad, so I would prefer not to yell.

But seriously...

Cold, but dry!!

Day two of our trip we spent at Seaworld and although it was very cold it was dry and sunny.

Again though, Thomas was not sure that he wanted to be at Seaworld and it took some convincing on our parts. He finally warmed when he saw the dolphins.





We saw all of the shows and after all was said and done I think he really had a good time. I know I did. It was two and a half days of laughs. Moments that although I am still cracking up just thinking about them, I am not sure you would appreciate them as we do. So I will just share more photos.

Note to self...

Avoid planning trips that depend on good weather in months that there is any chance of bad weather.

A few months ago I planned a trip to San Diego for Thomas' 4th birthday. After many changes to our plans we set our trip to include the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld. Two full days of fun just for him...well and mommy, as I had never been either.

A few days before we left we found out that the storm of the season would be hitting the day we arrived. I tried to pray it away, but NO luck. My best friend Sandi met Thomas and I there and picked us up from the airport. I cannot begin to describe the rain. It was horrible and I lived in rain almost my entire life.

Needless to say the zoo was not an option. I did not fly to San Diego to sit in a hotel room though, so we decided to be total tourists and go see the USS Midway. After much hesitation on Thomas' part we finally convinced him to board and he loved it.






We laughed most of the day because each time we thought the rain might stop it got worse. We really couldn't do anything but laugh. We would have like to see the actual flight deck with all of the planes, but the wind was blowing so hard that we could barely stand up.

Just hilarious!!

My "Star of the Show"

On Friday afternoon Thomas' preschool had their Holiday show. It was our first of many events like this I am sure and let me just tell you that Thomas did not disappoint.

I do not know anyone that would dispute that Thomas is the friendliest kid around. Once he knows your name he is your best friend. He is not shy at all and except for the fear he will never understand the concept of "don't talk to strangers" it is wonderful. Anyway, he walked out on stage and immediately started scanning the very large crowd of parents. Almost instantly he found us and just shouted out "Hi mommy! Hi Papa!" With this big grin and his hand waving.

It was absolutely no surprise to me or any of the other parents from Thomas' class that he did this. He is always making everyone laugh. His class sang "5 Little Ducks" and they were adorable and of course you could totally hear Thomas over the other kids.

Can you just see that he has spotted us!!

1461 days ago...

At this very moment, I was sitting on my couch, in my townhouse, trying to breathe between contractions. I started having contractions with Thomas very early in the morning, but after making a trip to the hospital I was sent home because I wasn't dilated enough.

After a very long day hoping and praying things would move along, I went back to the hospital. Surprisingly enough I remember quite a bit from that day. It was the day I was going to give birth to my baby boy.



And at 1:55am on December 7, 2005 Thomas Bluett Moore III was born. He had a head full of hair, plump little lips and his daddy's toes. One of the best days of my life was the day he was born.

Happy 4th Birthday Thomas!!

I did not abandon my blog

I have absolutely no clue how many people actually follow my blog, but don't worry I have not abandoned my blog. I (we) have just been busy lately. Well at least I feel like I have been. I can honestly say that I have barely been on the computer at all since I got home from Seattle.

Anyways, I will forewarn you now that this particular post has no pics as I am having a camera CRISIS at this very moment. To long to explain, but let me tell you that I need it fixed... YESTERDAY.

Thomas has his preschool holiday show today and I am afraid I will be the bad mom with NO pics to share. Please cross your fingers that I figure it out in T minus 2 hours.

I will just give you a quick list of what has been going on and that way my big long paragraphs won't scare you off

1: Thanksgiving was good. Very quiet and normal. I worked, my mom did all of the cooking, we ate and that was that.

2: My dad was elk hunting for Thanksgiving (just like every year) and I am happy to report that he was successful. I will post a pic or two if he ever sends them to me.

3: Black Friday shopping was a success and I would say I am 90% done shopping and 80% wrapped.

4: Christmas decorations are all up and the kids are being WAY better than I expected in regards to leaving them all alone.

5: Thomas is turning 4 on Monday!! WOW (Enough said) I am taking him to San Diego for three days and cannot wait. I think it will be just what we both need (even if the rain follows us)

I will stop now and check in later once I figure out my camera issue.