Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Dad turned the big 5-2 today. It is really unsettling to me. I know that my parents are getting older, but I've always thought of my parents as being so young! And 52 sounds so old! It is another thing that makes me really wish Tyler and I were already pregnant - I want my parents to be able to spend as much time with my children as possible! I think I have, without a doubt, the greatest parents in the world, and I want my kids to be super old and gray before anything happens to their Grammie and Grandpa :)

Anyway, birthdays are pretty laid back in my family. Dinner at the house, usually on the grill, presents, and cake. This year, I offered to make the cake, since I am starting to get really into cake decorating.

First of all, I really need to work on my photography skills! These do not look nearly as pretty as they did in real life!

But I made Dad his favorite - German chocolate cake with pecan coconut icing. I sprinkled the top with ivory and gold sprinkles, and put 8 ivory icing roses on top. I also put sugar pearls around the bottom edge.

For the vocal members of our family that hate coconut (*cough* Aunt Ronda *cough*) I made a strawberry cake with buttercream icing, and made fondant flowers to go on top.

I love love love spending time with my parents, and am incredibly grateful for the bond I share with them. I'm a huge Daddy's girl - not in the spoiled princess way - although Daddy promises that if he were richer, I would be - but in the, I've always been treated as an equal, he's one of my best friends kind of way. Erin's pregnancy is really taking a toll on me. I'm so happy for her, but its also heartbreaking for me to hear everyone talking about it. I was convinced I was poker faced, but Dad pulled me outside the first chance he got, to talk to me and let me cry it out. I love him for always being there to just listen. I haven't had an opportunity to tell anyone what's really bothering me, and he grabbed me at a time when I really needed the most to talk. He's always been a rockstar at that.

My parents live about 45 minutes away, and I know that is so much closer than many families, I really hate them being that far away. Life gets crazy, and I'd love to be able to see them at least once a week. I keep praying for them to move out closer to me, and I think one day they will - hopefully sooner rather than later :)

Anyway, happy birthday, dad. I feel really awful for not calling you earlier in the day, and I'm really sorry for that, but I am so glad that I got to spend the evening with you.

PS - I fully expect you to spend the next 50 birthdays with us, so don't go getting any other ideas ;)

Thank god for happy hours

Donna, my next door neighbor, is quickly climbing the ranks to being one of my favorite people ever. She's funny, sarcastic, intelligent, thoughtful, has a GORGEOUS daughter, and my husband likes both her and her husband, Michael. Win win win!

Everytime I chat with here, I am SO thankful we moved in next door to each other. She's the complete opposite of me, and my exact same, all in one. Its funny, because she's 10 years older than me, but I never really notice, and I don't think she does either. There is birth age, and then there is life age, and for that, I feel like we are pretty close :)

Anyway, her family is off to the beach this weekend, but she has to work tomorrow, so she had a night free - no husband, kid, or dog. Duh, that means happy hour!

My fab husband drove us to a local beer and wing joint. I think both of us intended on getting dinner and a few drinks, but we were actually there a few hours (yikes!). I particularly love spending time with her, because she is really good at putting things in perspective. While I especially love when she agrees with me (ha!), I also love when she is able to show me another side of things. It helps that our husbands are pretty much the same person!

It was a typical pretty girl night - attentive male waiter, free pink drinks - everything to be expected of being a hot housewife in suburbia ;) I may or may not have gotten a bit tipsy and gushy, and begged her to come to church more often so she can be my unborn children's godmother. Thank goodness for cute husbands who also pick up tipsy wives :)

And we took an obligatory tipsy housewife picture:

WW: They really sleep like this

Wordless Wednesday

I'm in hell right now

Utter hell.

Last night, Tyler got home from work and discovered that Holly had gotten sick a dozen times. He was concerned about her, but Kimchi hurt her foot and was limping, so we spent the night babying Kimchi. Holly was acting really weird all night, and I was getting really worried about her by bedtime. Tyler went to take a shower, and the girls and I climbed in bed, Holly on my lap.

All of the sudden, she let out a scream - it was unlike anything I've ever heard, closer to human than animal. Tyler and I didn't have to talk, we had grabbed her and ran to the car, pulling out of the driveway less than a minute later. I'm holding her and trying to google how to get to the emergency vet hospital on my phone - all the while crying hysterically because Holly is still screaming. Her pain is so clear - her body is contorting in weird ways, and I'm convinced that something has ruptured or burst inside of her, and she's dying in my arms. Tyler is running every red light, and getting into other traffic lanes to cut off slow cars.

It takes us what feels like 9 years to get to the hospital, and they're so busy that they are turning people away. Of course, now Holly chooses to be quiet, so we don't get priority over other sick animals. Tyler is pacing and going crazy, and I'm just sitting there holding her and crying. We both are expecting the worst. Finally, when Holly starts screaming again, they usher her back. It takes almost two hours for someone to come back and talk to us. Tyler has gone and filled my gas tank, gone and bought us drinks, and finally is just sitting outside on the curb - because in the waiting room, we can still hear her screaming all the way from the back.

They finally do X-rays, and see spots in her intestines - it isn't clear that its an actual object, so they are really unsure what the problem is. They admit her in overnight, and we go home, complete wrecks.

We didn't sleep a wink, and I was up at 6am to call and check on her. They said she is still miserable, won't eat, and is going to be taken over to the surgical center next door for an ultrasound and consult with the surgeon. As soon as the doctor is in, I can rush over to go see her.

My poor baby - needing lots of thoughts and prayers right now.

Life is better with dogs

They do this for hours. I could watch them for hours.

WW: New door wreath

Wordless Wednesday

Beach pictures

I didn't get many pictures this week, but here is what I do have!

Alex and Parker playing with ghost crabs -

Parker is so excited about his crab!

Tyler and I on our date night -

Princess Holly and I on the deck -

My fabulous family -

My equally fabulous original family -

We're back!

Tyler and I came back from the beach last night. Tyler is really not a beach person, and we wanted to beat some of the beach traffic, so it seemed easiest to leave a day early.

It was a very full week. I love love love getting to spend that much quality time with my parents, and it was really nice sitting out on the deck after dinner chatting with them. Then they would go to bed and I'd stay up late with Tyler and the boys playing beer pong, pool, or going for "beer walks" along the beach. Holly in particular LOVED these walks. She was absolutely fascinated by ghost crabs, and had a ball chasing them in the moonlight!

We did learn big news this week, as well. My younger sister Erin, the newlywed, is pregnant. It was a bit of a bomb, and particularly upsetting because I did not hear it first from her. My cousin brought it up, assuming I knew. Then I found out that Tyler knew already from my other sister. Erin is the first person I go to for things like this, so it hurt that not only did she feel she couldn't come to me, but she told others in the family first.

I am very happy for her, but it is still very hard to not be judgemental. I'm not exactly the "keep my mouth shut" kinda girl, and I really want to offer her advice and information, but she is not interested. She hadn't made a doctor's appointment, wasn't on prenatal vitamins, didn't know she shouldn't get in a hottub...it was difficult for me to cover the incredulity in my voice as casual conversation.

Pregnancy is something I've been obsessive about for years. I've read "What to Expect when You're Expecting" three times. I read 24 Mommy blogs, and read through several boards on the Bump daily. I have my complete budget worked out for when we conceive, and know every daycare price in my city. My family jokes about my OCD lists, did they really thing motherhood would be any different? (Yes, I'm a bit of a freak).

I also have to admit that I'm jealous. It is frustrating. I feel like I've done everything "right" in my life - met my husband 10 years ago. Went to school and got an amazing career. Supported Tyler as he continues to excel in his career. We lived together for years, and bought a single family home - quite possibly our forever home. We've had dogs for almost 4 years, and religiously budget every dollar - planning what goes to savings, home renovations, groceries, etc. We want our child to have the very best care and upbringing. For this, in addition to being the oldest, it never crossed my mind that Erin would get pregnant first. Especially since she and her husband both work in a restaurant, and she often complains of money being an issue. I figured they'd get on their feet, and spend time getting to know each other - they've really only been offically together 10 months. And as much as I begged my sister to go to counseling, she refused.

On top of everything, she's a bit miserable to be around right now. When she doesn't feel well, to put it politely, no one else does either. Yeah - after one week, we all really are excited about the next 9 months!

I wish her nothing but a happy and healthy pregnancy - and since she is happy, I'm happy for her. But as protective big sister, I do hope that everything works out well!

And, since this was such a downer post, I leave you with a picture of my sweet babies in the car on the way home -

Mentally checked out...

I leave for the beach in 2 days, 20 hours and 30 minutes.

I am down with work in 2 days, 4 hours and 15 minutes.

I can't concentrate on ANYTHING - I am so ready to hit the road for the glorious Outer Banks!!

This is our house:

Tyler and I will be going with my parents, my youngest sister, my youngest sister and her husband and son, my aunt, and my two cousins. Not to mention 3 dogs and a cat!

Happy 4th!

I love the 4th of July. I love the casual feel of grilling out and keg beer, games of cornhole and beer pong, hanging out with your neighbors and seeing everyone dressed patriotically. I love the one neighbor that put little American flags on each and every one of his fence posts, and the sudden surge in large flags hung beside front doors. Even if not everyone takes time to appreciate the incredible event that is Independence Day, all that red, white and blue certainly

helps me be thankful to live in this great country, and thank God for all those who sacrificed so much so that I can be an American.

Our neighborhood had a block party, and when we block party, we go ALL out. I think they said that all in all, there were close to 200 kids there. Waterslides and karaoke, tons of food and drinks, and a fireworks show that would have put most parks in Northern Virginia to shame. I love getting to know my neighbors better, and had some close friends come to spend the day with us as well.

In addition to other things, I volunteered to bring cupcakes. I wasn't quite sure what to make, until I saw this post on Bakerella's blog, featuring these:

If you don't stalk her blog, you need to start now. I can't wait to start making some of her amazing goodies. Anyway, this Father's Day treat translated perfectly for the 4th of July!

I did make a few changes. Instead of green icing for lettuce, I tinted shredded coconut green - just added some to a ziplock baggie, added a few drops of food coloring, and shake shake shake!

I was nervous about the taste of sesame seeds on top, but used my friends for a trial run, and they preferred the sesame seeds over the white sprinkles, plus they looked much better!

So here are my burgers:

I wish I'd taken some close ups, but the cuteness factor is still visible :) But what good are burgers without a side of fries?!

Sugar cookies, to be more specific. Tyler helped me make the vellum fry bags, and I just love how they turned out!

I was so busy having fun, that I didn't take any pictures, but Tyler did manage to snap this one of Malia and I - not the best, but such a wonderful day. Hope you all had a safe and happy 4th!

Victoria, you sneaky girl!

I ordered a new bikini and a few essentials online through Victoria's Secret's website this morning. My total came to $99.49. I tried to do a search for coupon codes, and couldn't find anything that worked - so with the 3rd business day shipping, my total came to $127.54.

Then, I realized that they are running a deal for free shipping when you spend $100, so I added a $3 pair of panties to my "shopping bag" and went to check out.

Sure enough - my new total of $103.48 actually saved my money - with my final total being $117.04 - cheaper, and more items.

Funny how that works.

For anyone else interested, use coupon code VS100SHIP