Things I love

I love how happy a donut hole makes my daughter Reese.

I love how confident my son Parker gets when he puts on his work boots, he becomes an invinsible little man.

I love fall (especially after a very hot summer).

I love my new laptop (fast, fast, fast).

I love that my husband has a true best friend in Dan D. I love that he is teaching him all he loves about hunting. 

I love football season and  Friday night bonfires at our house.

I love brand new fall TV shows.

I love that I learned to drive our riding lawn mower and can now help take care of the lawn.

I love that our first pass at a garden was very fruitful - sunflowers, pumpkins, peppers, squash.

I love that I have a blog and that I can write down whatever is on my mind. 

Happy Fall! 

July flies by.....

July is always so fun and so busy.  And this year SO HOT.  We have been enjoying boat rides (oh, I love being on the blue, blue water that we are so close by).   My old (not old),  but dear friend Rachael comes home every July for the whole month.  I love catching up with her and her children and sitting by her parents pool.  Reese is going to be a great swimmer, Parker is still pretty timid around the water. 

My mother in law - the other Jenny Atkinson and my sister in law Stephanie and my nephews Cooper and Carson came to visit for 5 days.   We had fun, fun, fun.  We celebrated Reese's 3rd birthday, went to the beach and splash pad, played in the pool and with the slip and slide in the back yard.    4 kids in the house was loud and the big boys gained up on the little ones - but that is what kids do!! 

REESE'S 3RD BIRTHDAY CAKE

I haven't read much this month.  I did thumb thru the very first issue of the Oprah magazine when I was cleaning up a pile of stuff and an article I read really struck a cord.   It was about Jackie O and how she sometimes had a bad rap because she didn't talk much.  But in all reality, it wasn't because she was unsocial or a bitch, it was because she had a skill that many of us - especially me - don't have.   And that is the skill of listening.  I have always known that one of my flaws is that I interrupt and don't listen without cutting in with my opinion or thoughts.  So, I am trying to be more Jackie O like.  I am trying to listen and not talk as much.  I will keep you posted.    And I guess I need to get to the library!!

Studying

How come I could read 24 hours a day for pleasure about any topic under the sun, but when I have to read and learn something to be able to pass an exam, I have no interest at all?   I hate taking tests, so I hate studying.    I have to obtain my PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification by the end of the year and I have the biggest mental block when it comes to sitting down and studying.    I try highlighting and note cards and taking notes....nothing works.    I have to do get it done though,  it will help me get future raises and promotions.  I will keep you posted.

I would much rather help Parker with his summer homework!  I love watching him and Reese learn!   

Burp Bubbles

Well last night was a parenting milestone.  I leave bathtub scene for 30 seconds to retrieve Parker and Reese's pjs, only to return to the bathroom to Reese coughing, choking and gagging.  Panic stricken, I ask Parker what happened as Reese is crying hysterically and I am trying to wrap her up in a towel.  She apparently squirted out the whole bottle of shampoo and then fill bottle with water and then squirted it in her mouth.    I could tell it burned and I was just waiting for a huge bubble to come out of her everytime she let out an enormous belch!  We have her some milk and calmed her down, she had a raspy voice for about an hour.  Poor girl.  Note to self: do not leave bathroom. 

Travel and Jason Bateman

I don't always remember my dreams, but for some reason I had a dream with Jason Bateman in it last night.  Nothing scandelous, just him on the backseat of the car that I was in and we were on the way to the airport - he just caught a ride with us!   I do think he is amazingly handsome and love his movies - just not sure how he popped into my slumber last night?   

Speaking of heading to the airport....  For the last year I have been receiving Travel & Leisure magazine( free with some air miles I traded in or would have lost them).  At first I thought it was an obnoxious travel mag for the rich and famous.   But, over time I have really enjoyed getting a glimpse into regions around the globe and I have decided that if I ever get unlimited money handed to me, I think that I really would like to travel the globe and eat the food and see how the locals live.    I have never really had a yearning to travel abroad, but this magazine as seduced me.   I know that I likely will never be able to do a world tour, so I will have to reduce my dream to a more narrow scope..... it will absolutely have to be someplace with AWESOME food and weather that is not to hot and not to cold!    

I am anxious to start discovering everything in the U.S first with my husband and children, so I need to get a travel magazine that is just for the U.S. and all this country has to offer.    Maybe we can go on a BBQ tour!  (more on BBQ later)!

Have a great day all of you wunderlusts! 

Turning 40

This month I turned 40.  I have to admit that from the minute I turned 39, I thought about turning 40.   I never got depressed or anything; just more reflective.  I made a few goals that I wanted to meet (amazingly, most of them I did) and I looked back at all the different phases of my 40 years.   As cliche' as it may sound I have a very strong feeling that things will only get better and I look forward to the next 40 years and the adventures they will bring.  

Now on to the fun stuff - can you say SURPRISE?   My wonderful husband pulled off the parties of all parties to celebrate my birthday.   My mom picked me up for lunch and the movies with my 2 sister in laws and when she pulled in the yard to drop me off I was greeted by over 100 family and friends - big white tents, a band, a barn full of food, kids running around everywhere, and coolers of drinks.    It was an amazing party with friends old and new and family old and new.   I felt truly blessed to be surrounded by so much love and fun.    Aaron (husband) recruited my mom and sister in laws and great friend Tiff to help with all the planning and execution of the party from a souvenior can coozy for each guest , a pinata for the kids, food, banner, etc.  I owe each of them a huge thank you and will probably spend the next 40 years trying to show them how grateful I am. 

One of the gifts I received for my 40th birthday was gift card to Amazon - one of my favorite stores - especially for books.  So, I ordered and received 2 books that I thought would be perfect for the summer. 
I am a huge follower of the blogger The Pioneer Woman.   She wrote a book about how she want from big city life to marrying a cowboy and living on a ranch.  She has amazing recipes, taste and sense of humor.  I am a huge fan.   Well the book arrived on Sat. and I finished it Sunday night!!  Yeah, I am a fan.    The second book is also a based on something I have been a huge fan of for years - Sex and the City.  I have seen every episode and both movies and read the book it was all based on.   Candace Bushnell the author has started a series of books that are prequels to the Sex and the City story.   So, I am now reading Summer and the City  - part of the Carrie Diaries.    I haven't thru it as fast, but it is definitely a great summer read. 

Flying Pool

It has been very hot here the last few days, it seems as though we went from snow to rain to 90 degrees.  So, on Sunday I went to Kmart (the closest store in these parts) and got a plastic pool for the kiddies.  It is exactly what a 2.5 yr. old and 5yr. old need - because they don't swim - they just hop in and out!   More sand and grass ends up in this pool than water - but they love it and I love hearing them laugh. 
Last night after cooling off after dinner - I emptied the pool and left it upside down up against the sandbox - this morning it is in our neighbors backyard.    That must have been some wind last night - I would have loved to see the pool flying thru the air. 

On a seperate note, I lacking creativity in the "what to have for dinner" department.  Parker had a 5 yr Dr. appt. this week - so I (admits with shame), brought home with me a few summer magazines, that had grilling /summer recipes on the cover.  Maybe that will give me some inspiration.   I love reading and looking at cookbooks, but the excecution is where I fail.