Friday Love

I hold my head down in shame at neglecting my blog this week.
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Ok, head's back up. ;) Getting over that one real fast!

I really feel the whole "TGIF!" thing today. Not that this week was incredibly crazy, but I am exhausted and feeling pregnant-full-force, with every quick step I have to take and each time I need to bend over.
I don't know how women who have so many kids do it...I plan to ask my mom, but she doesn't always remember the tougher moments (or claims not to;).

I am thankful for some things this week, though, and thought a "Friday Love" post was in order.

-First, barley cooked in chicken broth. Seriously. I think it's so good. I just finished off the leftovers from last night. I want more. I'm thinking I need to buy the Sam's Club size of quick-cooking barley.

-2 weeks from TODAY is Pat's graduation. He will officially have his MBA. I am so incredibly proud of him, so excited. It's surreal. Let's see if I can make it through the ceremony w/o crying.

-I'm loving our tree being up. Our living room is so cozy now.

-I love the good friends that randomly call, e-mail, tweet, etc. It's so uplifting. Really.

-I love my new maternity clothes.
-I also love the variety in postpartum girdles I'm researching. Go ahead & ask yourself...the answer is "Heck Yes!". I'm hoping to get one & wear it right away.

-I love that tonight I'm not cooking dinner. The boys will have pizza w/ the sitter, and Pat & I have his work's Christmas dinner at a Japanese steakhouse. I hope the food is good, but seriously, I don't have to cook. I don't have to prepare my own plate. I don't have to clean up. Voila! Good dinner, already.

With the sitter coming in a few hours, I should get busy straightening up this house.
I hope your Friday is starting off well!

TGIF!

Friday! Woo--hoo! And the Friday before Thanksgiving, no less.

I've had a productive day so far (at 10:57am), and it feels good. Let's hope I stay this way.
My day so far:
-Drove Pat to work, Aidan to school
-grocery shopping
-Brennan snack
-Exercised, doing the 2 mile WATP
-Booked a sitter for TWO days!
-Ordered a delicious Dutch Apple Pie from our local orchard to bring on Thanksgiving (Pat will make the pumpkin pies)
-Laundry started
-Snacking now & about to play w/ Brennan

I love productive days!

I'm most excited about getting in some exercise. I've really gotten out of shape, and pregnancy is no excuse. I'm trying to get BACK into shape before this baby is born. I have roughly 14 weeks.
I also started to write down a food journal again. Not that I'm counting calories, but I've been bad about eating fruits/veggies.

Tonight we have some family fun ahead of us: it's the FEATHER PARTY!
We went last year and it was a great time. Aidan loved hanging out w/ all of his school friends.
I'm working from 5:40-7:40 tonight, then I'll get to enjoy it. We'll be going as a family & eating a delicious dinner there of hot turkey sandwiches. I love our parish/school!

So it's a good-feeling Friday. :)
I hope you're having a great one, too!

TGIF...so glad it's finally here

Phew, it's been a busy, stressful week.
I'm making this a TGIF-here's some good that happened post. I need to, because the way I've felt the last 2 days, it was all seeming bad. I know that can't be the case.

Getting the bad out & over with:
We bought this house nearly 2 years ago now. Prior to living here, we rented a townhouse about a mile away.
The former landlord is being a total jackass, and over a year later, randomly showed up AT MY DOOR, without call, notice or anything, and simply said in an arrogant tone, "you still owe me $400!".
No, sir, we contested those charges and you never took further action.
He retained our full security deposit, plus is demanding an additional $400. Now I know we didn't leave the place in perfect condition, but we don't trash places, either. He is an ass, and to wait this long, why?! I assume he's short on money or something. (he's waited over a year to pursue his absurd charges)
So Pat has met with a lawyer and even the lawyer said the landlord shouldn't have even kept the full security deposit, etc. No way are we paying.
However, after I told Mr. Jackass to leave my property that day he showed up, he must have gotten ticked. Wednesday we get a letter in the mail from his lawyer stating the money needs to be received in 10 days, or they will take us to court. Sure, over $400.
Oh my goodness, I so don't need this right now. And unfortunately, after $1200 in unexpected plumbing expenses, our money tree is just bare right now. Perfect timing, right?
UGH! I especially don't need this stress while pregnant. It's torn me up the last 2 days.

So, the bad, I'm setting it aside for now (send up a prayer for us!) and hoping it resolves to our favor.

There HAS to be some good, right?
-I  helped prep for our parish rummage sale 2 nights this week. It was nice to get out among adults, as well as...the real perk...I got to do some early bird shopping. I found mostly clothes for Brennan (a few brand new from Gymboree), but also 2 baseballs (1 Mudhens!), and some books in excellent condition for Aidan (A to Z Mysteries). Also a Kneeling Santa figure and 2 wooden Nutcrackers. I probably purchased a value of nearly $90, and what did I pay? $12! Score!

-Aidan's final soccer practice. I love watching him play, but we're all ready for the season to end. And it was a COLD practice! His last game is tomorrow. Can't wait!

-MOPS: Brennan & I went for the 2nd time. Brennan had a blast. I'm so glad. I enjoyed it, too. We made a pumpkin craft and it was fun. Plus I had more adult conversation!

(it's gotten a little beaten up since Wed, but cute nonetheless)

-Yesterday the boys & I did a handprint-bat craft. They love arts & crafts, and Brennan was so excited we waited to do this one with Aidan. It's adorable how much they adore each other.

The bats on our front door, under Brennan's handprint wreath

-Aidan's first big Science project was due-so glad it's over with! They had to choose an animal & write a report on it, then do a poster board of their animal. Aidan's was about 7 pages long (hand-written), and he chose the giraffe. Did you know giraffes have FOUR stomachs? And can grow to 18 feet tall? Amazing. You're welcome. ;)

I've been emotional and bummed, but there has clearly been some good.
I feel like I'm holding my breath until we're fully done with Mr. Jackass, but hopefully it will resolve outside of court. And before I enter my 3rd trimester.

TGIF!

TGIF! Movie Chat, One Week Countdown & More

TGIF!

How was your week? 

Mine has been pretty productive, I'm happy to say. Stayed on top of the house, bought a new fridge, ate more vegetables...not a bad ending to April. 

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Tomorrow begins my final week of my 20's. I'll be 30 one week from tomorrow. Ah! I'm looking forward to my 30's, though. I'm one of the only people I know to say that, but it's true. My 20's have been very eventful & fun, but I have high expectations for my 30's. :) 

Here is to my last week being 29! Counting down...

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Movie Recommendation: Facing the Giants. We watched this last weekend, and it was a great movie. I highly recommend it. It seriously impacted our life. For the better.

It's produced by the same people behind Fireproof. Though we enjoyed Facing the Giants a tad more, I'd say. 

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Shoes! I need some summer flats and sandals. I've eyed this pair up:

What do you think? I'm going cheap(er) for now. Speaking of shoes, I'd love a pedicure. Anyone wanna join me?

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This weekend Patrick will be studying for his 2 finals next week. I am so proud of him. After these 2 classes, he'll have only 3 left until he's finished with his MBA. Only 3 classes left!!! 

I am so excited. So proud of him. It's been a long road, and he's almost to the end. I am excited to see the possibilities his Masters will open up for him.

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It's a gorgeous day here. Sunny, not too humid, and the high is supposed to hit 81. The pollen here is pretty bad, but aside from the sneezing, it's gorgeous outside. :) Brennan & I will enjoy a walk soon. 

What are your weekend plans? 

TGIF! 1st in 2010

Oh, Friday. I'm so glad you're here. Welcome! Please be a good one for us. :)

How was your week?

I actually had a pretty decent week, thank the Lord.
I'll dish out the not-so-good first, but the coolest thing is how much more GOOD I have.

Not-so-good:

• I've had a cough/cold all week that's just draining me. 
• Our fridge is junk and there may be another problem.
• Patrick started classes back this week.
• I gained weight.
• Lady friends-do you find yourselves to be bottomless pits right before your monthly annoyance begins? Oh my goodness, my appetite could have matched any food challenge & won. Every stinking month. 

The Good:

• Aidan has a long weekend! No school today or Monday. :) We're playing some serious Uno later, and maybe watching the Tinkerbell Pirate movie.
• I've teamed up w/ Andrea and started the shred again. 
• We paid off our car! Woo-hoo! If we follow Dave Ramsey's plan strictly, this means we may very well never have a monthly car payment again. Just a car purchase. Wow. I love that we're changing our boys' future (financially) like this. Lessons learned & practiced!
• We stuck to our menu plan.
• Did more organizing
• Started a Google Doc with a list of items for our first garage sale in the spring. Any garage sale tips? Leave them in my comments, please! 
• Aidan's first report card comes next week. 
• I kicked butt w/ following my Motivated Moms planner this week. My house thanks me.
• Brennan napped the other day. It was heavenly. I was able to work out & get a ton of cleaning done, plus watch a CSI episode. It was a good day.

When I list like this, I really see that despite my negativity, I am blessed. Especially when I see the reports on Haiti. Boy do we need to pray for the people of Haiti! 

This weekend isn't anything fancy. Tomorrow my in-laws are coming down, taking Aidan on his "date" with Grandma. She gave him a Kohl's giftcard for Christmas, and they're going shopping tomorrow. He is excited to buy new shirts to wear on school Jeans Days. (so cute)

TGIF! What are your plans?

TGIF! Feather Party Time

We made it through another week!

We're officially at the end of November already. How did that happen?!

I'm ready for this weekend. Not just because it's the weekend, but because last weekend was so rough. Aidan and Brennan were waking incredibly early, and we barely saw Pat all weekend. He had a test he was studying for for his Tuesday night class, and he had to work on a presentation for his Monday night class. Understandably so, his attention needed to go to those things and not us, but we missed him and it was hard. Thank God we're one step closer to the end of this semester!

I'm also welcoming this weekend because it's finally time to do the hard-core cleaning to prepare for my parents coming to stay with us for Thanksgiving! I am so excited to see them. I saw them last in August, which is better than most years, but I am excited to have them to my home for Thanksgiving for a change.

My in-laws are being so kind, too, and meeting us to take the boys for the day while we do much needed work around the house, finish some shopping, and maybe even catch an hour-long date with each other.

The week, over all, wasn't so bad.

Patrick's presentation went very well, Aidan stayed on green all week in school, Brennan finally started sleeping to a normal time again, and we bought almost everything needed for turkey-day. Plus I started the shred again, and that always feel good. Well, sore, but good. ;)

We also gained some positive news about our finances. Nothing major, but every penny counts. I look forward to the day when we can call up Dave Ramsey and yell "WE'RE DEBT FREE!!!" It will happen. And it will happen probably within 5 years, God willing. I can not wait.

So we're ending this week in a fun way: we're going to our parish/school Feather Party! (ha! yeah right they're exclusive to Detroit)
It should be quite fun. I know Aidan will have a blast, with the raffles and kids' games. I heard there will even be adult beverages and raffles for a free turkey, maybe even other adult-aimed things.
The adult beverages I'll be passing on, since I'm working the 2nd shift.

Feather Party tonight, a free (meaning study-free day for hubby) tomorrow, and just a few days away from my parents arriving...
TGIF!

TGIF

The weekend is here! YES!
And a long one, at that. ;)

Weekly recap
Good:
-Stuck to our planned meals
-I went back to Weight Watchers
-Did a lot of cleaning around the house
-Patrick started grad classes
-Aidan got his hair cut
-We received our Stranger Safety DVD in the mail
-Aidan memorized our phone number
-Found out my niece is getting glasses

Not-s0-Good:
-Brennan is cutting more teeth
-Brennan has really started throwing temper tantrums
-I raised my voice to my boys :(
-I was late in buying family birthday cards
-Brennan slept poorly
-It was my last full week with Aidan before he begins his educational career. :(
-I didn't take many pictures of my cuties.
-The news overflowing with blurps about the DNC

Weekend Plans-->
Declutter and clean the backyard toys, bedroom closets and utility closets.
Go for a family bike ride on Labor Day
Grill out
Do some shopping
Patrick works his limo job
Go to Mass
Get boys to bed early tonight, have an at-home date w/ my hubby (hubby hubby hubby, Sue! ;)

How was your week? What are your weekend plans?