Do I always have to have a title?

I get tired of coming up with creative little titles for these oh so pointless blogs so this one shall remain titleless - well, sort of.

Today is our 6th Anniversary. Hooray! Although I have to say celebrating an anniversary on a Monday when my system has been down all day at work (slooooooow day) does not seem like much of a celebration. My husband is super sweet though. Let me preface this by saying he is not a "flowers" kind of guy. I think he gave me flowers once when we were dating like 9 years ago. haha! He just thinks it's pointless to give flowers when they will die in like 5 days and I have to say I kind of see his point. But the girly side of me does think it would be nice to get flowers every now and then. Well he called me today at work and said, "I'm so pissed!"... well hello to you too! He said he called and ordered me flowers at 10 this morning and they guaranteed they would be at my work by 4:00. Well after talking to me a few times throughout the day he realized I had not gotten the flowers yet so he called to check the status and they said they wouldn't even be able to deliver before 5:00. So needless to say he was so upset he got a refund and said nevermind. The fact that he put the effort into it though when I know how pointless he thinks it is just because he knew it would make me happy - made me happy. He even wrote down the product number and told me to go look at them online. They were beautiful and I said thank you for the virtual flowers! :) When I found out they were almost $100 I said THANK GOD you got a refund. haha! I'm such a low maintenance wife. That is absolutely ridiculous and I really do feel for the husbands who feel obligated to buy their wives flowers every anniversary/birthday/mother's day... whenever! I told my hubby to feel free and drive by Wal Mart or Kroger next time he has a hankerin to buy me some flowers. :) That's my story for today. Here is a picture of them - yes I am sharing my virtual flowers with all of you - but the necklace around the vase is MINE! :)

I am super duper nervous about my ear surgery coming up - it's in a week and a half and I can't believe it's so close. Prayers are much appreciated!

Garrison... is that you? Workout or Hell?

This blog is mostly about Garrison...

Garrison was so cute this morning. He work his western shirt, his jeans, and his cowboy boots. He was such a sweet little thing and then we got in the car and he said, "Mommy I'm not going to cry today because of donuts". (Because the other morning he SCREAMED and threw a fit at daycare when I brought 2 donuts instead of the normal 3 that we take once or twice a week for his breakfast - I only had 4 left though and wanted him to be able to take them twice this week.) So I said, "Well that's good baby" knowing where this was going. And he said in his sweet angelic voice, "Do I have donuts today Mommy?" Me: "No bubba, we are having donuts tomorrow! Today we have a snack bar and a banana." One second I'm looking into this innocent little face and the next thing I know I hear this ear piercing SCREAM - scared me to death. I said, "Did you bite your lip?" Becuase it looked like he did and he goes "NO MOMMY!" (I'm typing that really hard as if to emphasize how he said it.) So he went from sweet little boy to psycho child in 2 seconds flat... amazing. But he cried it off and was sweet again by the time we got to school. I swear I'm exhausted by 8 AM most mornings. :)

And yesterday when I picked him up from daycare the teacher gave me that look. You know the look I'm talking about if you're a mom and your kid did something bad and the teacher has to tell you about it. So I was all prepared. I'm really not just saying this but Garrison is one of the most well behaved and well liked kids at school so it's truly rare that he gets in trouble. Apparently he went to timeout for showing his food to his friends at snack time. Well instead of sitting patiently and quietly in time out he started kicking the cabinet and eventually broke it off its hinges... really??? Really Garrison??? I was so disappointed in him. (That always gets him way more than being mad so I guess that's a good thing.) I made him apologize to his teacher, the office staff, and then have a talk with daddy and me both. Then I made him tell my mom and dad since we dropped by their house last night. I wanted him to realize that was not okay. When I was talking to him in the car about it I said, "That makes mommy so sad Garrison" and my eyes started watering (PMS - I'm really not that emotional) and I put my sunglasses back on. He said, "I'm sorry mommy." He looked at me with this agonizing frowny face and said, "Take your sunglasses off mommy. Let me see your eyes." And I did and they were dry by then. He just smiled like he was so happy that I was better. Awwww... how can they be so awful one minute and so ridiculously sweet and cute the next? That's just the day in the life of a a mommy to a three year old.

I did a cardio ball workout on Sunday that my boss recommended. She said to make sure I did the 30 minute and not 50 minute workout. The DVD menu was not clear and just said Workout and Express Workout as my options. Well there was also a 10 minute workout so I figured that was the Express one. So I started up and let's just say this was Hell and the sweedish beautiful fit instructor was Satan herself. After about 10 minutes in she said, "Okay, great warm up everyone. Now let's get started on the workout." I was literally yelling at the tv... "WARM UP??? THAT WAS THE FREAKN' WARM UP??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" Well just then my oh so sensitive and witty husband walks through and asks what I'm doing yelling at the tv. So I keep going... 25 minutes in I was DONE. (Apparently I was doing the 50 minute workout.) I sat down and fast forwarded through the rest to see what other kinds of torture this lady had in mind and my husband walks back through with another smart ass remark about me "working out" (AKA watching tv). I told him I would LOVE to see him do that workout and he walked out without another word. HA! Anyways, point of my story is I consider myself to be in decent shape (cardiovascularly) as I have been (with exeption of this week due to being so sore I can barely walk) going to the gym every morning and doing about 40 min of cardio. But it wasn't the cardio that got me in this dvd. This woman was CRAZY! Squatting, lunging, squatting, lunging... did I mention squatting and lunging? I seriously could barely walk for a few days. I couldn't sit on the toilet without pain. And when I would go to sit on the couch I had to literally jump and fall back into it as to avoid putting any kind of strain on my leg muscles. Pathetic I know. And maybe I am crazy but I will try, try again!

Jewels*

Garrison, 2 lbs closer to SKINNY, Otosclerosis

Garrison cracks me up. I had this as my status earlier for those of you who do not like repeat stories. I had this as my status earlier for those of you who do not like repeat stories... haha! Thought I'd get you one last time before you skip on to the next paragraph. I like to tell Garrison that he's handsome. I don't tell him all the time - wouldn't want him to have a huge head to go along with his lanky 3 year old body, but I try to make it a point to boost him up every once in a while and let's face it people - he's pretty cute! ;)

When I used to get him dressed he would sometimes say, "Am I handsome mommy?" Well that has turned into, "I'm handsome mommy!" And this morning it was, "I'm very very handsome mommy! I'm very very very very handome mommy!".... really? Just like a man. You try and stroke the ego a bit and the head gets so big it almost explodes. Ay yay yay! It was pretty cute though. Now if he's telling me that at 15 I might have to give him an ego deflation. So then we get in the car and say our morning prayers on our way to school. In the middle of the prayer he said, "Mommy I love Jesus. I want to hug Jesus. I want to kiss Jesus." How sweet is that? I try to explain to him that Jesus is in his heart and always with him so he can "hug" him whenever he wants. He seemed to be content with that answer!

I have been eating really healthy (pretty much following Weight Watchers pont system) since Monday. I'm actually super proud of myself because I LOVE FOOD! :) I think my husband has actually tried to throw me off track a few times but I've stuck to my guns. He hates a salad and water kind of girl but his choices are (1) skinny salad and water wife or (3) fat burger and fries wife. In 4 days I've lost 2 lbs. I'm so excited! I'm one of those super impatient people when it comes to seeing results so that gives me the motivation I need to really stick with this. I will swear by the theory that the only way to lose weight and keep it off is to eat right and exercise. It really is true!

I am finally blogging about my otosclerosis. I've made several comments about how I can't hear very well and lots of funny stories to go along with that. I started noticing (actually my coworkers did) that I could not hear very well about 3 years ago. If someone talked to me over my cubicle I couldn't hear what they were saying and had to walk around to talk to them. The hearing got gradually worse over time. For a while I didn't notice it because I was in an outside sales job selling Medicare insurance to old people. Loved the job and LOVE how loud old people talk! Music to my ears! :) Anyways, after going to one "specialist" (if he really deserves that title) he told me I had Meniere's Disease. Basically this guy told me in a very casual way that if I chose to have more children I would go completely deaf... oh and there was no cure! Needless to say I left that appointment in tears. After taking my very wise mom's advise (moms really are always right!) I got a second opinion. This doctor decided to do a cat scan and told me I do not have Meniere's but I have Otosclerosis. (Hope I did that link thingy right... haha!) Bad news - I will probably one day go completely deaf. Good news - I can prevent that and possibly fix the hearing I've lost by having surgery. Bad news - There is a very small chance I could go completely deaf from the surgery. Good news - I have faith that it will go well! Effects of having this on me: Garrett tells me every night the tv is at max volume already when I ask him to turn it up, I have become an EXCELLENT lip reader, I get frustrated easily when I have to say "what" so many times a day I lose count, my son has even told me, "you can't hear me mommy!", and I basically do a lot of nodding and smiling until someone stares blankly at me and I say... "I'm sorry, what?" because I realize they were asking me a question. HAHA!

So, my surgery is scheduled for March 4th. I've been reading some discussion boards about people who have experienced this and the surgery. Some... not so positive, but that's my own fault for reading on the internet. I am nervous but also excited that I could possibly hear again. I am affected in both ears which is rare so I will have one ear done in March and have to wait at least 6 months to have the other done. I'll keep you all updated.

Jewels*

New Start

I have been eating healthy for a while now (okay, I can't lie - I just started yesterday) and I feel so much better in general plus of course I'm hoping it leads to some much needed weight loss. I still have some toddler weight on me (I hate it when women say baby fat when their kids are over the age of a year) that I need to shed. I told my husband last night that I was starting to eat healthy just so he was aware. Then he calls me today and asks if I want to go eat at Babe's with him for lunch. WHY would he do that to me? Does he WANT a fat wife? Grrrr.... If you have never been to Babe's you are absolutely missing out. It's pretty much grease with a little chicken - haha. It's family style so they bring all the veggies out whether you want them or not and then you pick from 6 meats. The meat picking is never a hard choice... I'll take some gravy with the chicken fried steak please. No you didn't get that wrong - when I get CFS it usually has so much gravy you can't even see the CFS. I told myself though that this time I would be good. For the record though going to Babe's hungry is like sending a soldier who has been in Iraq for a year to the strip club and telling him to sit back in the corner with a blindfold on - dirty example I know. ANYWAYS, we went and I ordered water (my first good move seeing as how I always order coke) and then I opted for the roasted chicken, and THEN I completely ignored the buttery moist savory biscuits and creamy melt in your mouth mashed potatoes with gravy and I chose salad, green beans and a little corn for my sides. I was so proud! My husband was pretty much in shock I think. I started wondering if he was trying ot break me. haha! Again, does he WANT a fat wife? By the way I think I should have been a menu writer if there is such an occupation. So... after getting many tips and much motivation from my boss at work I am well on my way to a healthy (and hopefully skinnier) lifestyle. Wish me luck!

Nothing else new with life except to tell you that we are doing our taxes tonight. Woo freakn' hoo... I can hardly wait for the accountant's jokes to come pouring out. No offense to any of you accountants out there but I have never encountered more boring individuals than while preparing our taxes. My only saving grace will be coming home and hopefully watching the recorded Office and Bachelor tonight.

Jewels*

Kisses, Snot Pot, Mommy's Medicine?, Marriage - right age?

We had a great time this weekend with my sister Kristin and Chris and the boys. Will is PRECIOUS! He gives kisses by leaning his head down and putting it on you. He did this to me so many times this weekend and it made me feel so good since he didn't used to be the most affectionate kiddo. I absolutely love my nephews and Garrison of course loves his cousins. Him and Will are so cute to watch. By the way we are trying to break Garrison of the habit of calling Will "Baby Will" which is what we've called him since he was born (my fault). My brother-in-law Chris pointed out that it will be pretty funny when they are in college and Garrison says Hey Baby Will... haha! Good point and we are trying SO hard to break him of that now.

So I went to the doc Friday and apparently I have rhinitus (too lazy to look up correct spelling right now). So instead of antibiotics I was told to buy a "nasal irrigation kit". Really?! So I went to Walgreen's and bought this watering can looking thing with packets of sinus wash. You mix this packet with lukewarm water and literally put the tip of the "kettle" into a nostril and lean your head the other way and the water drains out of your other nostril. It's by far the weirdest thing I've ever done. Chris dubbed it the "snot pot". It is awful and I hate it but I have to admit that it works like a charm. I hope I don't have to use the snot pot much longer. And pretty sure I won't be taking that to work. How cute would that be? I'd be in the kitchen doing my snot pot over the sink and the fed ex guy would come in and I'd do a little wave as snot is running out of my nostrils. Awesome...

I went with my best friend the other day to her final dress fitting for her wedding gown. I had to take ... OKAY... sorry for the interruption (as if you know I was just interrupted) but that scared the beJesus out of me. I'm home with Garrison (who is in bed) because Garrett is at a Superbowl party. I just heard this noise and it scared me a little so I looked up and I see Garrison walking toward me. Let me just say he NEVER comes out of his room. He might stay awake and get out of bed but never comes out of his room. This has just led me a whole new set of fears. I am not an overprotecting mom by any means but all I can think of is locks locks lock. Higher up on the front door, on the garage door, on the back door, and most importantly on our bedroom door - yikes! Okay, now where was I? ..... oh yes, so I had to take Garrison with me to the bridal store. If you've ever been to a bridal store you know that they can be a bit uppity at times. So we're in the dressing room and Garrison was being so patient - as patient as a 3 year old can be - and apparently he was going through my purse. All of a sudden he held up my tampon and I said, "Baby, that's mommy's medicine. Put it back." This is what I call it because if you have kids you know that they will repeat EVERYTHING you say and I don't want him saying "tampon" in the middle of a restaurant or Wal Mart. Anyways, he held it up and said as LOUD as he possibly could... "You stick this up your butt?!" Natalie busted out laughing and I didn't even know what to say. First of all, of course he says "bo bo" EVERY other time he refers to bottom and this one time he had to say BUTT to make it that much more offensive. If you don't understand what he meant he calls a girls' private a bo bo because to him it looks like a butt. And I don't think three is the appropriate age for me to explain the difference to him. And for the record I don't ever do that in front of him but I think he saw me do it once and was probably traumatized. So there you have it. Everyone in Alfred Angelo probably looks at me as the freak mom who's kid knows what a tampon is or thinks I do weird things with mine... ugh! The joys of being a mom.

I said it in my last blog but my parents are about to celebrate their 30th Anniversary. Amazing! We took them to Maggiano's Sat night and I gathered tons of pics and my sister put together an awesome DVD and book for them. It was really great and they loved it! Great weekend! I'm sure I've said this before but my parents have always taught me that the key to marriage is communication. I agree and to that I want to add humor. I've also said this before but marriage IS HARD! It's not easy. It's so so so worth it though. In the beginning Garrett and I fought a lot even though we had dated for four years before we were married. We learned to communicate though and we also laughed more than we fought. We laugh daily with or at each other and it's what keeps things fun! Garrison loves to laugh and have a good time and I know it's because of what he sees in us. I hope that we can learn to be as good of examples to our kids as my parents were to both of us (since Garrett and I practically grew up together). That's something else I wanted to mention. (By the way, if you are still reading this you are either really bored or oddly find my life interesting in some way.) A lot of women I meet say that they think girls should wait until their 30s and some have said 40s to get married. They say that they didn't really know themselves until that stage of their lives. I am not judging and I am certainly not saying my opinion is right. But to back my theory up all of the people who have told me that have been divorced at least once. I agree that women (and men) change throughout life and will continue to change. I think we learn from our experiences and we grow from them. But I hardly think that there is a "magic age" to marriage. Was 19 young for me to get married? Definitely. Would it have been any easier if I would have waited? I can say without a doubt it would not have been. It drives me crazy how people blame their "first divorce" on the fact that they were "just too young". Again, I'm not judging, but just saying I do not understand that concept. For me at least God has used our "low points" as huge learning experiences for us. It has been these times that have made our marriage what it is today and what it will continue to be. I don't really have a point to this except if you are single and reading this don't put an age on when you will be married. You might pass up on someone or something really wonderful!

I wish I had some pics of this weekend to post but of course I forgot my camera. So I will post some when Kristin sends them to me.

Love,
Jewels*