Day 9 - my last night

It was an wonderful busy day! I started by taking my mom to the grocery store. I kind of chuckled to myself, as I was watching her toodle on her merry way throughout the store, that a few years ago this was her taking Grandma Bert to the grocery store for an outing of the day. She did quite well. She is walking on her own really well, but did great holding onto the cart going around the store. She was ready to go home afterward. She said that she has been walking around the house to try and build up her energy again and then when it starts to cool down at night she will go out back and walk around the back yard (she takes some laps). She is still not feeling 100% secure on her feet so she doesn't like to go out front to walk. Which I am glad in case she falls - that would start a whole new set of problems. I am glad she knows her lmits, but at the same time is trying everyday to stretch those limits!
After taking mom out I had some last minute preparations for my MOM's group pokeno party. My MOMs group hasn't been able to get together for a long time and we decided to just amke it happen this month. Since my house was free AND CLEAN I decided to host. Typically, we get together for Bunco, but I wanted to play Pokeno. I sent out the invites and the theme of the Pokeno night was "Be There or Be SQAURE" so everyone was supposed to bring something square as a prize. I didn't get pictures of all the great gifts, but we had a really neat picture frame, a beautiful square serving dish, a Josh Grobin CD, a square jar with some square chocolates inside and a box of wine! So great! I won a round and won this little "beauty"! (NOT) I will be regifting this to TJ! :-)

Some photos of the DIVAS MOM's group.

Kelly and Harmony~
Harmoney & Monica (who was such a trooper...she had just flown in from London the night before and was very jet lagged!) Thanks Monica for coming!
Regina and her friend Lynette~

Brenda, Karen, Monica, and me~
My "something square" food presentation. Tried to find something sqaure for all the food to go on.

Day 7 & 8

Day 7 - Tuesday - Not much to report. Pretty much a normal day (except no kids to taxi around, be a maid for, or a referee to their fights). I took mom out shopping briefly then we had lunch and she went home to nap while I went to work. I worked the rest of the day until atleast 9:00 trying to get caught up. Crazy I know, but I am behind...thus the whole reason why I asked my boyz to take a trip without me so I could catch up! Feeling better about that. A little bit closer to feeling like I have a handle on my work load.

Day 8 - Wednesday - I went to work over at the Urgent Care. I knew I needed to get up early and get over to the Urgent Care becuase my last remaining free days are LIMITED! So I rolled out of bed at 7:45. Not bad, but not what I was hoping for. I had to leave the Urgent Care by 1:15 so I could get back to Mesa for a very important appointment...get my gray colored!!!!! :-) Anyways, you all will be happy to know I made it and now I don't look like a zebra anymore! YAY!! Then after my hair I had yet another important appointment! A MASSAGE! Matthew's school had a silent auction back in April and TJ "won/bought" me a massage that comes to your home! How luxurious!!!! It was pretty cool!

After my massage, Amy came over and we went to Phoenix to join the staff at Arcadia Urgent Care to say "so long for now" to EJ. We shared a couple of drinks and then Amy and I raced to the airport to try and surprise Steph, Ben & Morgan at the airport coming home from Japan. They had a long travel day so I knew they would be tired, but thought we could give them a ride home. Turns out Delta out sourced their flight to Alaska Airlines so we missed them! They got a taxi and home they went! Such a bummer, but it's the thought that counts, right???? No big deal, am just glad they are home and if I am lucky, I will be able to go and see Eclipse with Steph and Morgan tomorrow! OOOOHHH This just gets better and better! :-)

Until later....

Day 3-6

Days 3-5 I really can't excite anyone about my "Me Time". It was boring to most and LUXURIOUS to me. I practically did NOTHING. I slept in until around 8 (or later some days). I went shopping with my friend, Monica, Friday night. We went to Scottsdale Fashion Square. That was a fun time. I used to work at that mall and besides some of the stores changing, the mall really hadn't changed throughout the years. It still is a place to walk around after a nice dinner or a "meat market" for the single crowd. It is quite the place to people watch. Ranks up there with the airport.

Saturday, my high point was brunch with my mom at IHOP. Fun huh! Was for me because I could eat breakfast foods all day if I could and was for my mom as she is feeling better and wanted to get out of the house for a bit. Then we went back to her house and I noticed her water heater was leaking so we worked on getting that fixed. She had an expensive day on Saturday!

4th of July was another day that I stayed inside the majority of the day. Cleaned the refrigerator and did some laundry. See I told you...boring! But on the bright side I have a clean fridge and clean clothes! Ha ha

It was an eventful day for Luke as he had his 1st ER visit. He hit his head while in Ohio and ended up with staples. I was really bummed that I wasn't there with him for this momentous occasion, but everything ended up alright in the end. TJ did a bang up job! (can you believe they handled everything without mom? Crazy that they can manage without me, right?)

Here is a picture taken of Luke's head after the staples.

After the ER visit, Luke took a little nap and then they were off to a 4th of July carnival. Again, proof that Dad did a terrific job! Know I now he can do these things so no excuses, right?

Today, I went to work for a few hours and then after a brief hello to my mom I decided to go and see a movie. I wasn't in the mood to sit at home. I actually thought about seeing Eclipse again (I know I am obsessed) but, am hoping that I will be able to see it with Steph and Morgan when they come home from Japan. I went and saw Knight and Day with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. It was terrific. Just what I needed. I laughed a ton! They were great together in the movie. Very entertaining! Two thumbs up!

Now I am off to bed! I am actually setting my alarm for the morning because I am taking some friends to the airport so they can go get out of the heat. They are going to visit family in Alaska! I think they will actually be COLD. They say it is in the 50's and 60's during the day which is like our winters!

Having a nice time, but missing my boyz! It is very quiet....and CLEAN in my house! I am getting a little weirded out about that. I haven't had to yell at anyone in many days so either that will make me more patient when they return or I will have saved 9 days worth and BLOW! I am a little nervous to find out...poor boys. They have no idea what they are in store upon their return! :-)

Until later...

Day 2

I woke up at 6:05 am and rolled right over and fell back asleep. Woke up at 7:25 am. YAY! That was terrific! I had to FORCE myself out of bed to get in the shower to get ready to start the day! I just wanted to lay in bed and watch movies ALL DAY. I did end up going to work.

After work I went to get my well overdue pedi! You know that you need one when your heels start getting snagged on the couch. Poor technician had to pull out the sandblaster. Ha Ha Really not that bad, but Feeling a little patriotic so got a little design on my toes.

Stopped by Mom's house after my toes. She was doing well. Stopped by the pet store to try and get some fish food that I wouldn't have to touch. I told the boys I would feed the fish, but the smell of the food makes me want to gag so I was hoping I could find some that I didn't have to touch. I was surprised that there were as many types of fish food to choose from as chocolate.

Anyways, a mostly uneventful day.

Until later...

"Me Time" - Day 1

I feel a little like Doogie Howser, but I thought I would journal my time while my "boyz" are gone. It was a nice relaxing day. Didn't seem any different; just like if they were our fishing or something. I did enjoy the quiet time. I watched a couple shows that I had DVR'd. I did find myself RUSHING through some of them as I was afraid they would come home in the middle of the show or something and I wouldn't be able to finish it! Guess what!? That didn't happen! Ha Ha

As I was getting ready to go out on my date with Edward, I cranked up my ipod and sang to all of my GLEE songs that TJ really doesn't care for. I wasn't too bad, I guess, but I am not auditioning anytime soon! :-) Even though I would be the best Gleek EVER!!!

Went to see Eclipse with my sister Amy and my friend Brenda. It was AWESOME!!!!
Scott went to Jared (aka: Burger King drive-thru) and bought Amy and I these Edward rings! Aren't they just one-of-a-kind? Anyways, super sweet of him! I will treasure it forever...until my heart stops beating!!!! (you'll understand that one if you have read the books or seen the movie!)

As I was dropping Amy off at home after the movie, it hit me! I didn't have anyone at home to tuck into bed (because they are rarely asleep early when TJ has them) nor anyone to check on before I went to bed. I was a little sad! But, then I got over it and thought...I am not setting my alarm tomorrow morning! I wonder what time I will wake up! I am sure it will be odd in the morning when I get up and won't have to rush around getting little ones dressed and out the door.

Not a bad 1st day!

Until later!

Kid Pitch...oh my!!!!

Matthew is playing kid pitch baseball this year. YIKES! It is so much fun to watch these boys each year. Every year they get better and better. This year Matthew is trying out catching and pitching. Can you believe that???? Matthew looks so big to me, then I see him in the catching gear and he looks like my little guy again!
Baseball was TJ's favorite sport growing up so it is really hard that he cannot coach Matthew at baseball. He is just too busy during the spring to coach. He is going to sign Luke up for tee-ball this summer...that is a fun time! There are usually more parents than kids on the field since they are just learning at that age.
Here are some videos of Matthew playing ball...some are a little long, but want his Grandma Casey to see him play!

Matthew catching....

Casey at the bat...

Matthew got a hit!!!!

I have some of him pitching, but I need to go to bed. I will try and get those up tomorrow.

A little funny

The other night I went to pick up Matthew and Luke at my Mom's. Matthew is on Spring Break and Luke's sitter took the week off so she could spend Spring Break with her kids. I asked this girl in our neighborhood if she would help me out during Spring Break. She watches the boys all day and then takes them over to my Mom's around 4ish so she gets a break and then Mom doesn't have them all day. Anyways, the other night I went to get them and Matt said to me "Mom, Miss Nicole's car is so cool. She has these really cool windows! There is this handle that you have to turn around and around to get the window to go down or when you want to roll it up!" I said WOW! That IS so cool! I just didn't have it in my heart to tell him that I grew up with cars that had those. It was just so cute!

Mocha Lite

Since I gave up my diet pop (You know you are from the midwest if you call it pop..."the others" call it soda) I need my caffeine FIX. I am not a huge coffee drinker, but I sometimes will stop by Circle K and get a coffee...well...I think you can still call it coffee. I fill the cup about 1/2 full of coffee and then put 2 splenda packets in it, add some french vanilla creamer and fill the rest with hot chocolate! Doesn't that sound yummy and fattening! I can only do those once in a while. I do love Starbucks frappuccino's (especially the peppermint one during the holidays) which again kind of adds the calories to my daily intake (NOW DO YOU SEE WHY I LOVE DIET POP???? ZERO CALORIES!!!!!) Anyways, I was working late last night and was going through withdrawals of not having caffeine so I went and grabbed a Mocha Lite Frappuccino (only 100 calories which is 100 calories MORE THAN my Diet pop!). I have learned that this is not a good thing! I am so immune to the caffeine in the pop that I can drink it anytime of the day. Coffee...not so much! I couldn't fall asleep last night! I finally went to bed at 1:15ish and played suduku (which usually helps put me to sleep) and I think I finally faded shortly after. However, had to get up at 5:45 (I was supposed to get up at 5:45) because the boys had a dentist appointment at 7:00. Needless to say I am really tired today! Lesson learned! However, drinking water before bed only makes me have to pee 15 times during the night. Again, a problem I don't have with my Diet pop! :-) Spoken like a true addict, huh! I will make it! Even if it kills me!!!! Being the positive person that I am I will quit complaining soon! However, I just wanted to share my wisdom with you all so you will not have to endure a sleepless night as I did! My public service announcement is done!

A Little Spring Update!!!

We have had some rain lately. Just a little drizzle in this picture, but have been having troubles getting Luke excited about going to the sitter in the morning. To get him out of the car without some HUGE ordeal I said "Let's use the umbrella" He thought that was pretty cool.

This child has grown so fast! He stands just slightly below Matt's shoulders. The pants he had one were slightly big for him this fall and now they are getting a little "high waters" Ha ha ... I crack myself up!!!! :-) Same with the jacket. We sometimes call him "Lil Bill" because my Mom swears that he is my Dad reincarnated. We'll see???

We had a little neighborhood block party for Valentine's Day and this was my little sweet! I think he got more ON him than IN him.


Where is Matt you ask? Matt is hard to hold down these days. He is only 8, but has the social requirements of a teenager!!! He answers the phone now. He calls people too. He will take the phone and search through the caller ID to find who he is trying to call. Crazy I know. But just in case you are wondering...girls are still gross and he says he will NEVER get married. He hates weddings because the people have to kiss!

He is LOVING basketball these days. We are at the end of flag football so time to move to the next sport. He watches Sportscenter! I am not joking! Not that TJ isn't into sports, but I would have expected this more from one of Scott's spawn (makes you think doesn't it! ) Ha ha Again..I crack myself up!

This Lenten Season

Matthew is in RE (Religious Education) and has a fantastic teacher! He comes home from class and wants to know what "sacrifice" we are going to give up for Lent this year. Last year, I did nothing and Matthew gave up his favorite, chocolate milk. This year, well...thought it was time to actually give something up. Matthew has given up ice cream (really not that big of a deal for him. It's not like he had it everyday), but who am I to tell him what he should "sacrifice". TJ, well his lenten journey is to give up over indulgence. He is a very extreme person. His explanation is long and thought out so I won't even go into the details on that one. If you would like to discuss with him his "sacrifice" e-mail him at tj@udallcaseycpa.com . What did I give up? The most extroidinary sacrifice one could give up, well next to giving up one's life for us, Diet Coke/Diet Dr. Pepper! Yes, this is true. I did it and I am going on 5 days clean. Hi! My name is Jennifer and I am Diet Coke/Diet Dr. Pepper Addict!!!! Haven't really had any problems until today! Thought if I shared my heroic venture it would make me feel better, but I must say...I WANT A DIET DR PEPPER!!!!! :-)

I'm Back in the saddle again!

I am gearing up for another busy tax season. Need to start posting again so I can keep up with everyone. Trying to get some pictures uploaded tonight from our trip to Disneyland, Christmas, & Matt's 8th birthday party.

But for now here are some of the Chistmas card picture rejects. What? You didn't get our Christmas card? That's odd? I will take that up with the post office! :-)


This just makes me smile...or laugh hysterically!

It just seemed weird to have our Christmas picture in a sleigh when it was 80 degrees outside.
This is just one of the many funny pictures in my "2009 Memories"...
I made Pluto get down next to Luke because we paid for his dinner and the little S _ _ _...I mean scoot (as my Mom calls him) fell asleep at the very beginning of dinner! I want to show him this when he is older! :-)


This was last Easter. The boys had the flu. They had gotten a movie from their Grandma Casey for Christmas and I can rarely get them to sit still. They didn't move. In fact shortly after this picture they fell asleep. Bummer of an Easter for us! :-(

This was taken in Florida on our summer vacation to Disney World. I will look at this picture and remember what it felt like that week when it hits 115 degrees here in AZ. I LOVE the Dry Heat!

Squirrel...

One of the few family pictures we have. LOVE Luke's shirt! Isn't it funny!

Showing off our Cardinal pride!!! (And my LOVE for Kurt Warner!!!!!) For some weird reason TJ wanted that stuffed reindeer in the photo. Things that make you go hummmm?

And my #1 reject....

Need I say more? I guess it doesn't look so bad when I preview, but TJ's eyes look like they are going to pop out. It probably isn't that funny to everyone since you can't see it close up. It reminded me of his "military picture." I wish I had a copy of that to share so you all could laugh with me.

TJ's Birthday Gift

I have once again waited until the last moment to work on his gift. I find it so hard to buy for him since he can NEVER wait to get something that he wants. Therefore, I usually try and make something for him. This year I decided to take the boys pictures holding the letters that spell out DAD. I was having such a hard time deciding between black & white photos or color ones. I finally went down and asked him which ones he liked.

This what he ended up choosing:

Matt's was easy. We just had to decide which cheesy smile to use. I had to take several of Luke because you never know how they will turn out since he doesn't sit for more than 1/10th of a milisecond (I really don't know how long that is, but it adds humor to my story).

Anyways, this is one of Luke's that I/we liked also:

These are the black and white pictures that we chose and also a different one with the "A"

I think he will enjoy the gift. When I thought of doing it I wanted to have it for home, but then I thought he might like it at his office so I guess I can use these other pictures for that.

Surprise!

I finally decided to sit down and update my blog! Can you believe it? I haven't even checked other blogs because I know I am so far behind that I will never catch up...so I am just going to start fresh!

Matthew started school this past week. He is now in 2nd grade. He has enjoyed it so far, but they didn't have any homework last week....it will be coming this week though. I am glad to have him back in school so we can get back on to a routine. I find it hard during the summer when there are no routines. We are looking forward to a great new year for him.

Here is Matthew on his 1st day of 2nd grade...

And here was Matthew on his 1st day of 1st grade...They do grow up too fast, don't they? sniff! sniff!

Our Day Off!!????

Sundays are our only day off these days. The last month or so TJ has been taking Matthew to some spring training games. The Cleveland Indians (one of TJ's favorites) started playing spring training here in AZ...not usually a good time for a CPA to go watch games. However, he wanted to spend his day off going to see the Indians play. I couldn't say no. He even took Luke to a game one Sunday. He has asked me to go before, but I have passed because this is the day that I get my laundry caught up (well kind of-it truly never is done), clean house (at least pick up) go grocery shopping (I have my MOMMY helping me with this...she has been cooking me dinners once in a while. I have her pick up the boys then I come home from work and she feeds us. Then I (try) and help her clean her kitchen). Anyhoo, I decided that I should do the "good wifely" thing and compromise ONCE so I said I would go today since they were playing the Cubs here in Mesa. Soon after I agreed to go (and he bought tickets) I realized I needed to have a den meeting for March and this Sunday was the only free day. So we went to the game-left at the end of the 6th inning and then came home to have a den meeting. We are preparing for the boys to participate in a cub mobile race. So everyone got to have a turn at riding the cub mobile. Luke was patient for a while then started to get a little ticked when he wasn't getting a chance ( I have 10 Tiger cubs in my den). Finally he had his chance and he was happy again. He is such a drama "queen"!!!! I don't know where he gets that! I just pout - so must be TJ! :-)

TJ and Matt go super early to try and get autographs. Today he got Johnny Peralta's autograph.

The Sports nuts!LOOK! A picture with me and my 2 boyz! This might be a collectors picture! These are very rare!

How cute is this??? This is Matt's hat. He won't wear his own hat, but he will wear Matt's. I think he does it because he knows it bugs Matt. Do you really think that he thinks like that at 2?

How do you like Matt's pit crew?

After dinner Luke and I got in the jacuzzi! It was so relaxing! (but still need that massage!)

So we had a GREAT day off - had some beautiful weather and now I am getting ready for bed to start the work week again! But, only 16 days left (and counting!)

Penguin Day

Matthew's class has been learning about penguins. The first graders had a program for parents to come and see what they have been learning and they had a little program at the end. It was so cute. One of his friends dressed up in his black pants and a white dress shirt and a little black bow tie. It was so cute. I had forgotten my camera, but my friend Brenda had hers! YEA!!!! It was a fun time and so cute to watch them waddle like penguins. They had a BLAST having their parents in their classroom too.

PS- I am still alive, but very tired and am really ready for April 15th to be here!!!! I need to get better at hiding it because Matthew keeps asking if I am "STRESSED". I just tell him that STRESSED is DESSERTS spelled backwards so lets go get a treat! Thank goodness that tax season is almost over! I give in way to easy these days. I am not up for the fight! :-)

Only 24 more days!!!!

Luke

I sat here for what seemed like 5 minutes trying to come up with a title for this post. I really couldn't come up with a good one. Yesterday, Chad, Amanda, her sister Bri, and Brynn, invited Matthew to go to the Wildlife zoo with them. I was working so I thought it would be a lot of fun for him to go. And to be fair, Amanda did offer to take Luke, but I laughed and said "No way" would I let them do that. He is a handful! Little did I know.

Last night when they were dropping Matthew off, we were downstairs chatting and Luke went up stairs. I didn't think anything of it. I thought he was looking for his "blue" (his blankie) because I knew he was tired and ready for bed. He had been up there for a while so I started up stairs and just as I turned the corner up - Luke jumped up and started to run away...he left behind an open container of bag balm. Most of you reading this will know what it is and those that don't...well it is the midwest's version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding's windex, our cure for cuts, burns, etc and it is in a way like vasaline. Anyways, I found him in my bathroom with bag balm in his hair and some in his ears. I am so thankful that he didn't get any in the carpet! For the next hour Amanda and I tried to wash it out. I used his baby shampoo...it didn't work. I used Matthew's shampoo...that didn't work. I tried TJ's shampoo...nope didn't work either. Then I tried my shampoo (it had to work! You should see all the product I put in my hair daily)...Nope didn't work. Then we tried our dish soap....it helped a little, but ultimately I knew what was going to happen when TJ got home.






YUP! Luke got shaved! I don't have a current picture of Luke with his new do, but have this video that I will try to post here. In the meantime...enjoy these pictures. I guess this is just the beginning of my "toddler" years with him! God help me! Please pray for Luke's survival!

I know he looks innocent, but those are the ones that you MUST keep your eyes on!