Day 35 A Mondayish Tuesday

Today was a Tuesday but it started off feeling like a Monday!
After I took Monkey to school I came home, laid Monster down (Who was still asleep) took a deep breathe and called Time Warner's customer service. Surprisingly, I was only on the phone with them 20 minutes and actually got my issue solved! Now look, I'm finally able to use my wifi and not have to be hard wired on a laptop!

Speaking of my computer, for my birthday I asked my sister to make me some cute vinyl stickers with her Circut machine to decorate it up. Since I had a little "me" time, I finally was able to put then on! What do you think? I'd really like to add an S to it too, I think!

Before we left to get Monkey from school, I took a few photos of Monster in the backyard to show off his "new" UT jersey his Aunt K got him... This is my favorite one:

We got Monkey from school, I talked to his teacher a bit, then we came home and they played outside, inside, and next door! Now Monkey is asleep, Monster is sitting in the living room with his Daddy, and I'm about to finish this post, put on my PJs, and curl up with a good book!
Don't forget about the offer to get your own watermark made for photos. I have a TON of fonts installed on my computer so it will be fun for me to use them up :) You can find all the info you'll need HERE.
Oh! And P.S. I updated our "About Us" page too... If you'd like to read it, you can find it Here!

Life's "Storms"

Those of you who read this blog on a normal basis know of my many heath issues. I have suffered from Migraine headaches since I was 12 years old.... Since Monster was born I've had sever back issues and hypersensitive nerves, and my knees have been bad for as long as I can remember. Now to top off all of that, I find my self sometimes sinking into little black clouds.
It's not really a depression, because I know how to "knock it off" and it doesn't really effect my outlook on life or the way that I act to others, it's like a thunderstorm that only I can see or hear.
I tend to have these "storms" when the pain is at it's worse... When I'm on day 4 of the same migraine, or when my back hurts so bad I don't want to leave my bed, but know that I have to get Monkey to school, or days when I make huge plans and suddenly someone is throwing up.
I've found that taking a "time out" helps. I go into my room, pick up my Bible, or whatever book I happen to be reading at the time, and read a chapter or two. Sometimes I even take my favorite candy or soda with me. Those few minutes of quiet usually clear my head and allow my to look at the situation and make the best of it. 
This morning I find myself getting over one of those storms. We got some bad news on Wednesday that shook me to the core. I'm not going to post it here, because the Hubby is a private person and I don't want to offend him. The worst of it is over, but its going to make some changes happen... One of which is new hours for my husband's job. He won't be home before the boys bedtimes anymore. We are once again on the search for a new place of employment for him. He hasn't lost his job, but the racism and drama are out of hand and he needs to get out. 
I sometimes find myself going, not again and wondering what the plan is in all of this, but then I remember that God tells us to put our faith in Him and NOT try to be the one in charge. 
So this morning, I gave it all to him, and you know what? All I see is the sun. Not a cloud in sight ;)

Our 4 day weekend :) (Days 31 - 34)

Friday (Day 31) was Field Trip day! The Hubby had the day off so he stayed home with Monster and Monkey and I (and the rest of the 1st grade from his school) enjoyed a hot, but nice, day at the Zoo!

Saturday (Day 32) was a lazy day around the house... I got up early and ran a few kid free, but with the dog, errands and then did nothing the rest of the day.

(Yes, this photo is from the zoo, but I didn't take any photos on Saturday, so I thought I'd share this one because I LOVE the way the photo and the edits came out!)
Sunday (Day 33) after Church found us at my parents house for the day. My Dad made a HUGE and amazing meal that we all enjoyed a bunch, Monkey got some time in on Scrambler, and Monster played until he passed out!

Monday (Day 34) is today... Memorial Day. I posted this about it on Facebook this morning:

"Yesterday in our Church service, our pastor asked anyone who had someone they know be KIA (in any war) to stand. I was one of 10 people. It was a sobering moment that brought tears to my eyes.
Memorial Day is hard for me. I hate the song TAPS. I hate seeing all the headstones and flags when I drive past the cemetery. I hate when I see them prepping a funeral for someone my age or younger. But then again there is pride. I'm proud of their love and sacrifice. I'm proud of our freedom and our country. I'm proud to stand in the Silent Ranks and I know I will support our troops until that moment that I am called home.
Think of the fallen today. Say a prayer for them before you enjoy your BBQ. Think of all the ones not home with their families today, be they deployed, or stationed elsewhere in the world. May God bless our troops always."

Memorial Day really is hard for me. I've never lost a family member to war (At least not that I know of) but the Hubby and I have lost friends and it hits a litttle close to home for me.

We spent the day as a family playing outside, putting some ribs and steaks on the grill, and having fun on the slip n slide.  

Day 28, 29, & 30 :)

Finally, finally we've reached the end of this 30 day photo challenge... And I can say it will probably be a LONG time before I do another one. I thought it would make it easier, but in all honesty, I take so many photos but I don't always think about if I was supposed to shot something specific.
Anyway...
Day 28 - Transportation

Technically, it's not something to provide transportation, but it is a glass lighthouse, so it helps ships, right? hehe ;)
Day 29 - Trees.
Again, another one that's not quite on the prompt, but cardinals normally live in trees!

Day 30 - Family
Now this one is on the money... ;)

My family before Church. (Please don't mind that Monster isn't wearing shoes, we forgot them in the car so he didn't get them on until after the photos were taken!)

New Watermark

I made myself a new watermark today :) It's simple and easy and might just be the last one I ever make! (Ok, anyone who knows me knows that probably isn't true! lol)
This is how it looks on it's own:

And this is how it looks on a photo!

What do you think? I like it ;) But next time it might be a different color then white... 
Would you like your own watermark to use on your photos? I'd love to make you one. All you have to do is:
* Let me know if there is a graphic you'd like it to have (I will do my best to find something, but if I can't find it with a transparent background I won't be able to use it.) 
* What would you like it to say? Do you hold a copywrite and want the symbol? Do you want your personal name, or the name of your blog? ect.
* Is there a color you'd like?
* Do you want it faded like mine, or normal color?

 Just leave a comment here and either an email address to send it to when it's finished or if it's okay to post it here in this post and I'll get them done as soon as I can! :)
Edited (5/29) to add Here are two more that I have done.. A different one for myself and one for my friend L.S. who commented here asking for one :)

Days 17 - 27

** Warning, heavy photo post to follow **
Sorry I've been neglecting my blog so much these last 10 days... It seems my external hard drive was knocked off the desk were it has been sitting for over a year... And now all it does when I turn it on is beep at me. Does anyone out there in blog land know if/where I can get it fixed???
Ok, so off we go :)
Day 17 - Was supposed to be Bokah, I changed it to Lightning :)

Believe it or not, this photo was taken at about 10:30 at night. The lightning was so bright and so often it made it look like the middle of the day :)
Day 18 - Eyes (Well, there are eyes in the photo!)

I have no idea why she decided that Monster's suitcase made a nice bed, but she did... So I took advantage of the cuteness!
Day 19 - Summertime

I took this photo on Mother's Day of a flower growing up through the steps at my parent's porch. 
Day 20 - Water

One of my GAs getting baptized!!!
Day 21 - Closeup

My tongue after eating a bunch of Chewy Lemonhead candies!!!
Day 22 - Landscape

Monkey took this photo of the wildflowers growing in my parent's back field.
Day 23 - Black & White

My Mom or Brother took this photo of Monster and I on my birthday!!
Day 24 - Love

I choose to use this one for Love because it was taken on my birthday. My sister drove down from Austin, my brother and Mom used a vacation day, and we spent the day at the Outlets in San Marcos. It was awesome :)
Day 25 - Supposed to be Citrus, I changed it to someone I haven't posted about in awhile

I decided to post this one... Not because I like the way the edits came out, because I kinda don't, but because I haven't posted a photo of Monkey in awhile!
Day 26 - Favorite Color

Yep, she's cute, but the photo is kinda pink which is one of my favorite colors. Double win? Yes, I think so ;)
Day 27 - Your Weakness

You're probably wondering why this photo?? One of my weaknesses is having my toes painted. They must have polish on them at all times. Funky polish too, no french tips, no neutral colors, brights, glitters, metallics, designs, or a combo of them all! I went with my cousin J.F. to get a pedi on Saturday and really enjoyed my bright greenish teal toes with flowers!!

Day 16 - Mason Jar

So, I always have snacks in my purse.... And I know what you're thinking "Of course you do, you're a mom." And you're right. I am a Mom, but the snacks in my purse are for me! (lol) {I carry a "go bag" with diapers, wipes, change of clothing, and snacks for the boys! It stays in the back seat or trunk of the car at all times, unless it is inside to get a refill!}
Today's prompt was Mason Jar. It's funny that I bought 2 this morning before I looked at the prompt, but I digress...
As I said, I carry snacks in my purse, but I have issues with the theater boxes of candy "leaking" (for lack of a better term) so I decided to start carrying my Chewy Lemonhead and Friends candy like this:

And another thing I've done with a jar is to make a piggy bank for Monster because he didn't have one!

Another idea I want to do, but haven't yet is this one from Pintrest:

Source

And this one too! I really Love this idea, and think it would look really neat in my parents kitchen!

Source

And I have a few other ideas on my Pintrest board: Mason Jar Love

Teacher Appreciation Week 2012

This week is teacher appreciation week. I can't remember if I blogged about it last year when we did it for Monkey's kinder teacher, I'll have to look, but this is the post for his 1st grade teacher :)
Monday:

It's a Paul Frank magnetic notepad. Next to her desk, she has several metal file cabinets, so she can hang this there for quick access!
Tag reads: It's no "monkey" business. We're glad you're our teacher!
Tuesday:

Lifesaver Mints... Because everyone should keep mints on hand... You never know when they will come in handy!
Tag reads: We "mint" to say thanks for a great year!
Wednesday:

Monster Trail mix. Monkey's teacher this year is a diabetic. She has to have a snack each afternoon, so I figured something like this she could just grab a handful or two at a time when needed!

Tag reads: We're "nuts" about Ms T*******
Thursday:

Cherry Vanilla Scentsy Room Spray. There are 21 kids in Monkey's class, and out of them, only 5 are boys. Needless to say by the end of the afternoon, it doesn't always smell good in her classroom... And this will help with that!
Tag Reads: We're "cherry" glad to have an awesome teacher... you!
Friday:

The card is blank inside so that Monkey and I can write personal messages to his teacher and of course the gift is a $10 Chick-Fil-A gift card. I figure you can't go wrong with food, right!? 

Day 11 - 15 (Ugh)

So yeah, I'm behind again.... Now I'm starting to remember why I don't do these challenges! lol... But it's now 1/2 way done, and then we go back to our normal everyday blogging... (Well, maybe not everyday, but we'll see!) 
Day 11 - Silhouette
Ok, I'm gonna be honest, I had NO idea how to do this one... So I didn't., Instead you get 2 photos for the Action on Day 15! ;)
Day 12 - Sun Flare
For some reason, when I was adding my watermark, I noticed you can't really see the sunflare as much as you could when I took the photo, but it's still pretty neat, I think!

Day 13 - Childhood
When I think of my childhood, I think of all the fun I had with 2 simple thing... A plain sheet of paper and some crayons!

Day 14 - Someone you love
This one isn't really a prompt that needed a lot of thought... Except who all I should put in the photo. In the end I decided to do one of just the Hubby and our sons. I think this one came out really funny! Those silly little men of mine! ;)

Day 15 - Action
I was in my room getting the laundry together and I kept hearing some screams from the living room... Screams of laughter and I come out to find the boys racing trucks through the room.... So here are the 2 action shots for today!

 

And now we are once again caught up... For now anyway! I'm trying to decide... Should I finish up this challenge or just stop it since I keep getting behind.... We will see... But for now, I'm off to finish dinner, we're having Fish Sandwiches for dinner tonight. What are you having?

When did this happen???

Ok, I'm starting this with a question:
When did it NOT become ok for Mom's to need a break once and while too??? Why are we made to feel guilty when we need a time out? How can a Mom/Wife do her job as said Mom & Wife when she is so downtrodden and crushed? If one feels horrible inside, how are they supposed to uplift and encourage others?
I read a blog written by my sweet friend A.D. (Who, by the way, has a MUCH better way with words then I do) just a few minutes ago. I realized 2 sentences in that she and I are in the same "season" (for lack of a better term). We are both stressed out and feeling as though something is wrong/missing.
She and I are both dealing with some heath stuff and other situations that have us a bit stressed not to mention strung out...
Unluckily, the Army made said sweet friend PCS to Kentucky and she is no longer close to me. When we lived at Fort Hood, she and I used to enjoy a few trips to Starbucks. It was great for both of us, because I could vent and share what I was going through and she the same. We were able to encourage each other.... I miss her so much!!!
I guess what I need to do is find someone like A.D. here, but there is only one of her! ;)
However, I'm getting off topic. My point of this blog was this:
I am sick and tired of Mom's being made to feel as though they are failing when they need a break once and awhile. I am tired of not being able to get anyone to understand that even a Mom needs to sneak away once and while. (And No, running to the grocery store and/or other errands for the family do not count.)
Want to make a Mom enjoy the best Mother's Day gift EVER? Give her a day. A day where she doesn't have to take care of any one single thing, unless she chooses too! Don't ask her to get you a drink, don't make her make food, ect. Just let her be a person for a day. Not a mom! 
Ok, I'm done with my ramblings that probably don't make a bit of sense.... I think I'm going off to bed now that Monkey & Monster are both asleep....

Day 8, 9, & 10

Ugh! I'm behind..... Again!
Day 8 - Sunset

I took this just after we got back from Monkey's program at school. I just LOVE sunsets!!!
Day 9 - Fresh Fruit

Ok, I'll admit, I struggled with this one.... I actually forgot about it, so I had to just snap a quick shot of the only fresh fruit I had on hand... An old apple! ;)
Day 10 - Animal

It's our sweet little Mina! 

OH! The poll is closed, and ya'll decided I needed to stick with the nicknames. It's kind of a pain in the butt, so I might go back to real first names, but we'll see....
P.S. Come back Monday! <3 I might have a little surprise! ;)

Day 7 - High Angle

So I had to stop and think a bit about today's prompt. Should it be something high above me, or should my camera be high? I decided in the end, it was easier for my camera to be at the high angle! 

In case you were wondering how I managed to take this photo, I have a shed in the backyard... I put the camera in the corner and used the self timer.
See my little photo bomber in the background? Yep, he's a fart, but he's a cutie, so he gets away with it! ;)

Landa Park

Friday was supposed to be a boring day. We were supposed to get up, go get the oil changed in the car, maybe get Monster's toddler bed from storage, and run another errand or two...
I called my parents to ask a question and discovered they were also going to get an oil change. We made plans to meet there so they could help me keep the kids entertained... But then my Mom discovered we hadn't eaten. We meet for lunch at a Mexican food place down the road (which was pretty good, actually.) On the way there, my parents hatched a plan to surprise the boys!
After we left lunch, we went across the street to the bread store and got some goodies! :) I love that place!!! We then got our oil changes, went to Sonic for Happy Hour, and then headed to New Braunfels to Landa Park. We used to go to that place all the time when we were kids, but it's been awhile since I've been there. I think Monkey was about Monster's age last time we were there. We found a great place in the shade to park and walked down to feed the ducks!

We spotted something in the river that I have never in all my years of going to the park saw...

A river otter or nuteria rat! He was so cute and followed us down the river for a long time. He was even eating bread straight from the boys hands!
After awhile Monster spotted the train and he and Monkey begged Grandma if they could ride it... So we walked up to the station and bought tickets! I didn't realize it at the time, but it was Monster's first train ride!!

Monkey had asked why the water was so clear and cold and we were explaining that it was spring fed and he wanted to see where it began, so we walked to the beginning of the springs where I took this photo of my parents & their grandsons!

And then the boys and I walked down to the actual start of the springs, and I had Mom take this photo of us!

After we left there, we walked over to the wading pool and let the boys play for a bit. It was really cold, but they had a BLAST! After that we headed home, but it was a wonderful day!! <3