Catching Up - Part 2 - The Sombrero

After the book signing, we decided to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant. Abby was already in birthday mode since she knew we'd be having her "family party" later on that evening. As soon as we walked into Mexico, she said, "Mommy, I want to wear the sombrero for my birthday. Tell them, Mommy, okay?"

I was surprised. "You want them to sing to you and let you wear the sombrero? Are you sure?"

"Yes, Mom!" Abby says almost as if she's annoyed that I am asking such a question. "It is my BIRTHDAY."

"You are right, baby girl. It is."

After three more reminders from Abby throughout our meal, and two requests to the waiter, they finally brought out the sombrero and some yummy fried ice cream. The waitress dabbed Abby's nose with a chocolate covered spoon as they sang to her.



Of course, Noah wanted to dig in too, and Abby was nice enough to share with her little brother. Thank goodness!

Catching Up - Part 1 - The Book Signing

Wow! I have some MAJOR catching up to do. Between the book signing, substitute teaching, celebrating Abby's birthday, getting ready for our move, and trying to maintain my sanity, the past two weeks have been a bit of whirlwind.

And I have the pictures to prove it!

So instead of doing one ridiculously long blog post, I'm going to break it down. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, right?


Saturday, May 2nd - The big day! My table was set up right the front of the store. You couldn't miss me. :) I had a little Mother's day craft for the kids to do - tissue papers flowers, just the right size for a wrist corsage. The kids could also make cards for their moms. Quite a few people stopped by, and I signed/sold 15 books! Of course, most of those were purchased by family and friends...







Thanks for coming you guys! It meant the world to me.
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5/15 - Since this has been more like a "Photostory" week, I thought I'd link this post. Feel free to check out PART 2 and PART 3 too!
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Tomorrow is the BIG day!!!

My very first book signing for my essay "Welcome Home" (featured in none other than A Cup of Comfort for New Mothers is tomorrow at our local Barnes and Noble just in time for Mother's Day. The timing of it is pretty neat since it will be five years exactly from this coming Mother's Day that I brought Abby home from the hospital. In fact, that's where my Cup of Comfort story begins...

“So they’re going to let us take her home now?”

I can still remember the look on his face and the angst in his voice when my husband asked me this question. We had just signed a pile of discharge papers and were preparing to leave the shelter of the maternity wing, where we had been guided through everything from breastfeeding to diaper changes.

“I guess so,” I answered him with a nervous smile, as I gingerly placed the baby in her infant carrier and adjusted the straps to fit snugly around her. She looked so tiny in the giant car seat.

By hospital standards, we were ready to venture out into the cosmic world of parenthood on our own. We anxiously waited for an orderly to come in with a wheelchair and courteously push me out to the car, but after several minutes, there was still no one in sight. I finally assumed the wheelchair scenario was only something you see in the movies. Instead, my husband and I walked along the empty hallway and through the labor-and-delivery doors, infant seat securely in hand. Both excitement and apprehension followed us down the elevator and into the parking lot. I eased myself into the backseat as my husband carefully snapped our baby’s carrier into its silver base. Then he proceeded to drive at least ten miles under the speed limit the entire way home. As brand new parents, it’s safe to say we were feeling a bit under-qualified to take on the huge responsibility buckled in next to me.

Of course, if you want to read the rest (along with fifty other sincere, heartfelt, and humorous stories), you'll have to go on out and get the book. :)

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I think I struck a chord...

I posted this as my facebook status when I got home from a trip to the grocery store with both kids the other day:

Kelli is....never taking Noah to the grocery store again.
(Comments followed within minutes and even into the next day.)

Mandy: I feel your pain...I'd rather live off grass and leaves with no food in the house than take any of the kids...

Anitra: I do as well... I was the person with THAT child the other day. I wanted to leave Ayn at the store.

Jamey: I'd rather eat GLASS! Ditto to all the above...

Melissa: LOL! I wonder how many of us have the same threaten conversation with our kids before entering the store??

Melissa: Kelli--that conversation is similar to the one I have right before dance class!

Sonya: LOL ya'lls comments are really funny. I'm taking notes for the future.

Jamey: before entering the store... IN the store... after we LEAVE the store... all of the above.... lol =)

Rebecca: So glad I'm not the only one. How many boxes of food have been open on the way through the store in an effort to stall a screaming scene (by child or mother)?

Jamey: Waaaaay too many... Too many to count!

Jennifer: I can really relate to that one Rebecca. Hurry...pop a sucker in his mouth!

Kelli: My sentiments exactly...

I wish....

I wish I was writing this post about our fabulous new job offer, but we still haven't heard anything. These companies sure like to take their time.

In the meantime, we are still preparing for our move. We found a nice family to rent our house starting June 1st. (I feel like there was some divine intervention with that. We are so grateful.)I'm selling off most of my baby stuff, trying to clean out the attic and make a little extra cash. I haven't decided if I want to part with the crib yet. I'm 99.9999% sure we are done, I'm just feeling sentimental, I guess.

I'm trying to sell my beloved dining room table and chairs since wherever we go, I doubt we'll have a dining room. We're planning to rent either a small house or apartment for at least six months...and we could use the money.
Anyone interested??? :)

Pat did start a so-called"survival job" a couple weeks ago, and I've been substitute teaching when I can, along with teaching dance a couple times a week so at least that's something.

I know there are so many people in similar situations. I guess that's why I decided to post this. I've been hesitant to do so since I usually try to keep my blog more upbeat. Still amidst all of this, I am trying to focus on the positive, and I am hopeful that Pat will get an offer really soon.

Some days are just easier than others.

But who knows? We could get a call on Monday and everything will change for the better.

We're hoping and praying!

Until then, I'm grateful I've got my cute kiddos to help keep my mind off of things.
They are always up to something...
especially this little guy.



Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue.

I gotta tell ya, I am not feeling very virtuous. More like anxious, stressed, and experiencing heart palpitations every time I see Pat's number come up on my phone, hoping that he has some good news! I know he's feeling it too.

As those Heinz ketchup commercials used to day, "Good things come to those who wait." So if that's the case, then this job offer is going to be SPECTACULAR!!!!

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Maybe tomorrow will be the day!

Cock-a-doodle-do!

I'm laying in bed this morning, half awake. The kids are sprawled out between us. (This is kind of becoming a habit. I think we need a king size bed.)I am trying my darndest to fall back to sleep and take advantage of the fact that everyone else is still zonked out.

After laying there for about ten minutes, trying to fight off anxiety inducing thoughts (we haven't heard anything yet), I start to doze off a little. Then all of a sudden...

"Cock-a-doodle-do!"

Noah is sitting up with this big grin on his face, "Cock-a-doodle-do!" he crows again.

We're awake!

Pat and I are cracking up. Abby is giggling too. Where does he pick up this stuff? I still can't recall any cartoons he's seen lately that have had a rooster crowing at the crack of dawn. And we obviously don't live on a farm.

"Noah!" I laugh. "Are you a rooster?"

"No, Mama," he says, very matter of fact. "I a chicken! COCK-A-DOODLE-DO!!!"

He's such a funny kid. I sure do love those kiddos.