the case of the missing post.

So, I have no idea how it happened or where it went but a post that was published earlier today has completely vanished, I guess it just got up and walked away. Where in the world did it go?!? As far as I know it has been here most of the day- my hubby read it. Hmmm, so puzzling...Oh well, I wonder if anyone else using blogger has had such a thing happened to them... Anyway, since I have you here, reading, I thought I would at least share a picture to make it worth your while. This picture, literally makes my heart swell. It's beautiful. They're beautiful. My newest favorite, that's for sure.

(click to enlarge, if you wish)

music love.

sweetness.

Camera was in tow today

(you're completely surprised, I know! ha)

as we ventured outside

for some afternoon play-

of Lo's choice.

I was so happy when I started browsing thru them.

These are all him...no begging, no coaxing, just him being him.

I just had to share his sweetness.

That face...my, my, my.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

a SuperMOM.

I want to be a supermom.
I want to be the momma who
throws the ball around in the backyard,
sings into a wooden spoon with the music blaring,
and uses funny voices when telling stories.
I want to be the momma that dances around the room acting silly because it’s so darn fun.
I want to be the momma whose not afraid to make messes,
get my hands dirty,
be afraid to create a bit of chaos
for the sole purpose of having fun with my kiddo.
I want to say yes when he asks me to
go outside and swing,
jump on the trampoline,
race cars,
build sandcastles,
roll in the grass,
pretend play,
throw the ball back and forth for hours,
play hide and seek, because it’s his favorite.
watch his shows (even when my favorites are on).
I want to let him stay up late for that extra time together.

I want to be the momma who knows what’s important
to move on from the things that don’t matter.
I want to praise him,
encourage him,
build him up.
I want to make everyday count-
I want to make countless memories.
I want to know that the little things make a huge difference
Give millions and millions of hugs and kisses.
I want to teach him how to be a great man,
with great character.
I want to find the perfect balance-
between being a mom and friend.

When he grows up-
I want him to have the fondest memories of his childhood-
I hope that he will tell his sweet babies about his momma’s...
after school treats-
the fridge that was always covered with his best artwork-
my perfect throw (from years of practice, of course)
that he always knew how truly important and perfect he is-
and that there wasn’t a day that went by that that he didn’t hear…
I love you (at least a bazillion times).

Being a mom, a great mom, a super-mom…
is my life’s goal…
my hearts desire.

{Momma.Ratzzi: 10 Spot}

(10) Spot.

1. Weight-loss update: 18lbs gone (and counting). Hurray! I couldn’t be more excited about my progress. We started at the beginning of February…I think that’s pretty darn good for three months.

2. Hates this time of year…ONLY because all our shows end. Well, they ended last week for the most part and because we were at the beach we are catching up this week. I’m most excited about the Supernatural finale, but the most sad because I LOVE watching new episodes. I keep putting it off because I know when I watch it that’s all- that’s it, for MONTHS. At least it’s not over forever, so I have something to look forward to in the fall. On a positive note- I got every season for Christmas so I gotta get the hubby caught up.

3. I got the hubster an AWESOME fathers day gift, I am SO excited about it. I hope he loves it as much as I do, lol!!

4. My kid amazes me. More everyday. Every morning I wake up and there is something new to discover about him. My heart just swells with pride (literally, I can feel it in my chest). For instance, he is SO polite and I’m like when did he learn this?! I don’t remember me being so sweet, so smart…so young (maybe I wasn't, lol). He says things like, “thank you!” every time you help him, do something for him, etc... “I’m sorry” when he does something that he immediately knows could have hurt you or wasn’t nice. “Please!” when he asks you to do something for him. “Yes ma’am, Yes sir, etc…” I mean I know they do this- especially if it’s what you teach them to do, but at 2 ½ ?! I guess I just assumed that their little minds were too busy exploring and imagining to be concerned with the simplistic(s) of being polite. It just makes me really proud knowing that we are raising such a great kid. Not only am over the moon proud of him, but I am really proud of his daddy and myself- It’s our life goal to be the best parents to him and to raise him to be an amazing man of great character.

5. I’m thinking it’s about time for some cupcake baking. As part of my mother’s day gift I got this awesome book with about a bazillion recipes of some delicious looking cupcakes. I have been thru the book a couple times and am ready to dive in and give one a try. I bake them, then usually have one bite to taste test them before giving them out to anybody and everybody…poor hubby, he usually only gets one (the one where the icing didn’t set right, the least pretty one- lol), bless his heart.

6. My mind is already racing trying to figure out when and where our next vacation will be, crazy?!? maybe, it’s just how I’m made up. Actually, that a complete lie- I started thinking about the next one while on the last one. Luckily, I have a hubby who is just as crazy as I am about going on a holiday. A couple things have been thrown out there- I just don’t know what will happen. We’re early planners- so I’m sure we’ll begin to figure it out sooner than later. If once a year we go somewhere we haven’t been and then the beach for sheer love and tradition of it, I’m thinking that would make for a great year. Anything or any place extra would be simply delightful. This year, so far, we have been to Las Vegas, Charleston and Myrtle Beach…so, as the famous Lo say’s… “What’s next?!?” (Better start saving our pennies now!)

7. I’m pretty thankful that the end of the world did in fact NOT happen (I thought that it was a LOAD of BS myself, but what do I know, right?! Now, of course, it was a mis-calculation and the end of the world will now happen in five months...whatever!). Although, I know where I’m going when I go, I’m not ready to go! Plain and Simple. There are people that will say, “I’m eagerly awaiting the day when I can leave this world!”- and that kinda leaves me questioning myself because, well, I am not!! Does that make me less of a person?!? Honestly, I don’t think so. I just feel differently about the subject. I have a lot of living left to do; I have a lot left to see, to experience.

8. I am a bit behind on my Project Life book. With everything that has been happening I haven’t had the time to get caught up. The past couple of days I have had a bit of time but have been a little under the weather and simply didn’t feel like it…Here’s hoping soon, because I am SUPER eager and it’s weighing on my mind. I hate being behind.

9. I have SO many movies to make (another thing weighing on my mind!). I am new to this whole movie making thing, (I love to learn new things). For a person that KNOWS how to make them it takes a great deal of time, I can only imagine how long it will take me only half way knowing what I’m doing, therefore, I keep putting it off. I am excited about getting them made- but am so far behind that I have NO idea where to begin- ughers.

10. I feel like we have so much to do…the more I sit here and write this entry the more things I think about that need to be done, good lord, I have worked myself into a frenzy. On top of those small matters listed above, we have to get our car fixed (from the hail damage), we need to clean our car out (with vacations it has become a mess), we need to get more mulch for in front of our house (it was completely washed away with the bad storms we have had recently) - in addition to that the grass needs to be cut, weeds need to be pulled- and the outdoor list continues. We need to clean the inside of our house ( I cleaned before vacation but then we come home, we’re here for a couple days and it looks as if a tornado has touched down or something…ok, maybe not THAT bad). Holy smokes, I’m off to make a checklist (it’s how I roll) so that we can get some of this stuff conquered, wish me luck.

a trip fit for three.

You're probably thinking that the worst blogger award should go to yours truly, but surely there is someone out there that is worse than me...ok, maybe not. I have a good excuse for my absense and that is simply life in all it craziness, not to mention our recent trips and choosing to spend my time more productively, with the ones I love. Good enough excuse?!? I think so.

We just got back yesterday from a spectacular family beach trip. The three of us had an absolute care free, blast! We packed so much fun into our time there- there wasn't a night that as soon as my head hit the pillow that a deep slumber quickly followed. The morning would come and we would hit the sand running. The weather was beautiful, just perfect. We played, soaked up the sun and each other, shopped, enjoyed some great food, discovered and did new things.

It was a must to hit the beach the second we go in the hotel room- we splashed and played until the hunger pains hit- we got cleaned up and headed to our favorite beach pizza place- Ultimate California Pizza...YUM! It was delicious...the kiddo was obviously starved because he ate more than me. (It's kinda hard to believe that little body can put away 2-3 pieces of pizza!)

We started everyday out with a trip to the beach to play- when we were finished there we would head to one of the 23 water park attractions at our hotel. The favorite was, of course, the kiddie part- they had an awesome submarine that he thought was THE coolest to drive (see pictures above). The water-slide, on the other hand was not a hit it only took one time of it throwing water all over the place (up in his face) for him to realize that, yea, it was fun...but not for him. The lazy rivers, although not lazy for us, because to the kiddo they were the "racing" pool- was among the highlights of his trip.

We got cleaned up and headed out to Broadway at the Beach, a favorite and MUST do when at the M.B. Most importantly are the dinosaure(n)s they have there. I know we spent thirty minutes- maybe longer- watching him ride them, run around them naming their body parts, laughing-giggling... and what's a good beach trip without picking their noses and giving the t-rex a root canal?!?He built an awesome one of a kind monster truck while at Broadway- (it's just like build a bear except for it's more fun for the boys). He picked out the body, he monster'd it up, he picked out the RED wheels, the monster truck tires, put it together, then decked it out with some awesome "gitchow (cars)" stickers. It's the most awesome monster truck I've ever seen...and LOADS of fun making it.We road the carousel, drove boats on water, a motorcycle that did tricks, and a car that not only was super fast but had a horn, oh yea. Momma made her one beach purchase. A too cute caricature made of my boy, I LOVE LOVE LOVE stuff like that- it's too stinkin' cute. I am SO happy with the way it turned out. We spent some more time on the sand and in the pools. We went to the grand opening of the SkyWheel Myrtle Beach. We were the first ones in line, the first ones to ride- that's just awesome in itself. It's a "luxury" (if you will) ferris wheel- glass gondola's that are climate controlled (meaning they have heat and air). There are only 26 of them in the world and this is the first of it's kind in the U.S. You are 200ft in the air when you reach the top and can see for miles on a pretty day (which it was). I must admit that due to my severe fear of heights my palms were sweaty and I could barely move, but I was not letting that fear stop me from experiencing something so cool and I am so glad that I did. It was really really great. We played some putt-putt at dark and got caught in the rain. I'm pretty sure the kiddo won, he's like a putt-putt champ.

On Saturday Lo was transformed into a real life pirate (mustache, tattoo, eye patch, vest...the whole nine). Setting sail on the sea gypsy in search of a hidden treasure. Shortly after setting sail we hit a bump in the water, after discovering that it was a message in a bottle from pirate pete leading us one step closer to the hidden treasure. They quickly hoisted the battle flag and fought the ugliest bad pirate that ever did exist with the ships water cannons (also at times the kiddo used as a telescope- too cute). After fighting the pirate, Lo discovered a bag that held the keys to the hidden treasure. "X" marks the spot, they found the treasure, hidden down deep in the water. It took all their little muscles to pull it up, using their keys to open the chest loads of goodies were discovered. Mission complete...we sipped on some of pirate petes grogg while partying pirate style! (Lo is quite good at limbo.) Arrggghhhh, we had a blast, it was so much fun!!

What trip would be complete without a "date" night. We got all spiffy and headed out for some oceanfront dining. I can't put to words how blessed I feel to be surrounded by such handsome/beautiful guys that love me so!

And we took pictures....LOTS and LOTS of pictures, of course. What did you expect from a Momma.Ratzzi?!? :)

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PICTURE! IT'S PERFECT!!

and how could I forget...we found lots of "shiny stones" a.k.a sea shells.

their prom.

this weekend was a crazy hectic- to say the least.

this weekend was prom-

(for my brother and sister).

between:

a cookout,

the getting ready,

the bazillion pictures,

an after prom party

andddd

topping it off with a majorly bad headache

I was exhausted.

It was totally worth it though-

just look at how beautiful they were...

(and yes that includes the boys too.)

the giving gift.

to my darling boy. the best thing that has ever happened to me. i'm so happy to be your momma. thanks for choosing me. (if you're anything like me you'll squall the entire song. im such a sap when it comes to my baby.)

happy mothers day 2011.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

the charleston getaway.

Let me first say that it has taken me an unreasonable amount of time to share this post, so long that my hubby said to me today, "somebody needs to write a new blog entry!" (he is an avid follower :))- obviously, I am a bit behind if he is reminding me. This week, thus far, has just been crazy. For the most part- I must admit, in my mind, due to the fact that I am such a planner (like an OCD planner) it has been racing a mile a minute thinking and processing the rest of the week, of which I am excited about- but not so much the part where I will be away from the hubs for two and a half days- I imagine our re-joining to be something out of a movie, "oh, darling...I've missed you so, I was lost without you by my side, so on and so forth....you get the point. Ok, ok- maybe not that dramatic, but it has to be said that we don't like being away from each other, don't and won't make it a habit, but I guess sometimes life calls for it.

Moving along to what this entry is actually about, our trip to Charleston...was nothing short of great. It was such a nice time away and the weather was just as we had expected, beautiful- the forcast didn't let us down. We hit the road Friday after he got off work full speed ahead. We made it there in decent timing (ten-ish), checked in and didn't hardly make it in the door of our room when Lo was asking to go to the pool. So, the guys quickly got changed and we made our way to the pool. Just like we had suspected the water was freezing, but that didn't stop him from putting his toes in and splashing around. At one point he got brave enough as to step down to the second step- well, when the water rose above the nether-region he couldn't make it back to that top step quick enough (it made me giggle!). It didn't take too long for him to be "freezing"- so we made our way back to the room to snuggle and get warm. By this time, he was so worn out- but still pressing on strong- hungry as well- momma and daddy second that hunger and decided to order a pizza to be delivered. We decided to try a new place that the lady at the hotel suggested and oh my gah, I am SO glad we did. The pizza was amazing, although was only able to enjoy one slice before becoming stuffed, but oh how I wished I could have eaten more, it was oh.so.good.

The next day we headed to the beach (folly), per Lo, plus we always go, it's a tradition. We went totally unprepared for how pretty it was going to be. I expected the water to be a bit chilly and honestly unable to play in- well, it was the exact opposite. It was just perfect, so warm, so playable (is that even a word?!?). So, it had to be done, off came the kiddo's shorts and he played in his diaper (exactly what I despised and swore never to do as a momma, but wth right?! I was not going to be the gal that stood in between that boy and the blast he was about to have) and when the smiles and laughter filled that beachy air that became the very last thing on my mind- I soaked up that joy like that diaper soaked up all the water that it would hold until falling off. Yes, off came the diaper and in that moment the beach became a nudist beach. That little butt running all of the beach, free as a....jay bird (I think that's pretty fitting, don't you!?) ranks high on the cutest things I have ever seen. Of course, the camera was out and in full working order, but y'all don't get to see those- those are for my safe keeping and possible black mail or a form of torture one of these tomorrows. (Will I be THAT mom, really?!?! Who knows- I must admit that I have done a hand full of things I swore I would never do, those things that would make me THAT mom!!). After getting sand in places that were, well- I'm for certain not pleasant to endure, we made our way back to the room to clean up and...well, out. :)

After freshening up, we headed out to downtown where we would enjoy one of our favorite places (the big swings), all the history, the market, dinner and a lemon italian ice for momma (my fave) that was so delicious. After dinner, we were feeling the pace of the day and decided to head back and enjoy our room and each other. After a few seconds of being in the car, literally, Lo fell into a sweet sleep. Right by our hotel we spotted an sign for a water front pier we decided to check it out. So glad that we did, there was the cutest playground (designed like the bridge) that he enjoyed for a minute and then we walked out on the pier a ways where I was able to snap some beautiful sunset pictures of the bridge and waterway.

We had the best time- I just love life's moments, big and small. I am so thankful for the time I am given to soak up my guys, I just love em'.

Here's a few (just a few) pictures of our time there, including the one up top.