Mommy Musings

We're home!!  Skip and I landed safely in Newark early yesterday morning, after what was one of the best vacations I've ever been on.  We laughed, talked, cried, drove, ate too much, and danced the night away.  Skip and I managed to find the perfect balance of spending time with our friends and family, and taking time for just ourselves. And while we missed the girls, it was so amazing to sit and enjoy each of our meals, and of course, sleep in!! I'll be back next week with a full recap of our trip to Cali once I get over my jet lag and readjust to life on the East Coast!

Time for the final week of May with Nikki for 30 miles in 30 days!! I don't even need to break down this week by day because in the past week, I worked out a big fat 0 times.  Nothing...nada...not even an ab workouts.  Though I was on vacation for most of it;-) {and ignore the fact that people I went on vacation with were actually working out} Weekly total: 0 Monthly total: 39.1 I am really disappointed with this month.  I was really hoping to at least get back to 50, but oh well.  Not every month can be great.  Here's to a mile-filled June!! Hope you've all logging lots of miles this month!  Go link up with Nikki and boast your stats!

I am so excited to be spending the day in Malibu today witnessing the marriage of my oldest cousin and his fiance.   Almost 11 years ago to the day, I sat in the hot beating sun and my cousin's West Point graduation.  President Bush was the speaker that day.  He spoke of the current war in Afghanistan, and the pending war in Iraq.  A war these men and women would be spearheading. I looked out over the cadets, tears in my eyes, wondering who would come home and who would not.  Who would get to live a long full life?  Who would get married, have kids, and grow old with the one they loved? Sadly, I know that not everyone from that class came home.  Not everyone will get to live out their dreams. But today...today I get to watch my cousin live out his.  And for that I am blessed.

I feel so blessed to be spending this Memorial Day with my husband, cousin, and several other friends who are decorated military Veterans.  But while I'm thanking God that these boys came home to me, I will be remembering all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we can be free.  Today and every day, I remember you... Photo taken from Google.com Photo taken from Google.com

Seven months ago, New Jersey and New York were devastated by Hurricane Sandy.  A whole town was engulfed in flames, houses and boardwalks destroyed, lives lost.  But one thing Jersey doesn't do is sit around and cry and ask others to help us.  No, Jersey got up, dusted itself off and began to rebuild.  We {and by we I mean others, since I didn't actually help with the rebuilding...I mean my shed is still in pieces in the back yard} cleaned up, tore down, and built back up again.  All while in the midst of of the the coldest, longest, winters ever.  But we, along with our Governor Christ Christie were determined to rebuild the Jersey shore.  And you know what?  We did.  No, not completely, but this weekend most of the shore towns are open for business.  Unfortunately the weather is totally crappy and cold, so I'm not sure how much business is being done, but still, they're open. I have always been proud of my state, proud to say I'm from...

Skip and I are leaving tomorrow {on a jet plane!} for California.  My cousin is getting married on Tuesday and I could not be more excited to celebrate his special day with him. But if I'm being honest with you all.  I'm freakin' out a little.  I've never been away from the girls for this long....and I've never been this far away from them.  You know, a whole plane ride away...like thousands of miles away. I'm not worried about them...my parents are watching them here.  So I know they'll be safe, happy, and very well taken care of.  They'll miss me, though I hope not too much .  They love my parents and I'm happy for all of them to have this special time together.  But don't worry, I'm leaving them little presents to open every day we're gone,  just in case . And I really am excited, thrilled to be taking this time away with Skip.  We haven't been on a vacation alone together since we went to Paris together...in 2008... when I was 1...

Today would have been Braddock's fifth birthday.  I still miss my poor sweet boy all the time.  Here he is on his birthday last year.  If I had known it was his last I would have spoiled him a little more...bought him a few more toys....made him a special dinner.  I never thought he wouldn't live to see his fifth birthday. I know he's just a dog, but I still miss him every day. Hope you're having a birthday party in heaven Mr. B.

Time for another week with Nikki for 30 miles in 30 days!! Thursday May 16 - 2 mile run Friday - 2 mile walk Saturday - Nothing Sunday - Ripped in 30 level 2 {no miles} Monday - Pushup and ab workouts {no miles} Tuesday - Pushup and ab workouts {no miles} Wednesday - 3.1 mile run Weekly total: 7.1 miles Monthly total: 39.1 I'm really disappointed with my total this week, but what can you do.  I've been sick, suffering from bad allergies and have had a lot on my plate.  I just have not been making workouts a priority.  And unfortunately I know it's not going to get better this next week since we'll be away for most of it.  I hope you've all been doing much better than I have! Hope you're all logging lots of miles so far this month!  Go link up with Nikki and boast your stats!

- I'm tired and cranky and it's not even 9:00 am yet...this does not bode well for the rest of the day - I have more to do than time to do it in the next few days.  But instead of being productive I'm sitting here writing this worthless post. - My bestie brought over some extra cannoli cake she had the other day.  I may or may not be eating icing off it with a spoon right now. - That along with the fact that I pretty much haven't worked out in a week means I'm not quite as bikini ready as I'd like before CA. - Good thing it's only going to be about 65* while we're there, so I won't actually need a bikini anyway - I'm totally embarrassed by the amount of clothes sitting on my bed waiting to be put away.  But I can no longer see a giant spider that was in my room this morning, so that room is quarantine till further notice;-) - My overall level of crankiness is way less than it could be though because of the warm weather.  As long as it's above...

I am so so saddened by the terrible destruction and loss of life suffered by those in Moore, OK.  So many people lost loved ones.  Even more lost everything .  One of these is my friend from the blog world Heather .  Heather's house was totally destroyed in the tornado yesterday.  She has two young twin girls.  Thankfully they are all fine and are able to stay with her parents.  But everything they own is gone. Thanks to the amazing hearts of two sweet ladies, a PayPal account has been set up to help Heather and her family with their most immediate needs and concerns.  The Paypal sends the money directly to her, so you know every cent will help.  If you feel the desire to donate, please just click the link below. But most of all, we all need to pray for all of those affected by the storm.  I pray that they find more survivors than victims.  I pray they are all able to rebuild as soon as possible. Our hearts are with your Oklahoma....

I just love reading about "A Day in the Life" posts of other people, so I decided to one of my own.  I have to say while it was a little tough remembering to constantly take pictures, it was so fun to document the entire day.  I definitely want to do this a little more often {not for the blog but more to remember what I did with the girls} A Day in the Life of Mommy Mandy - Friday May 17, 2013 I have about 4 alarms that go off between 6:00 and 6:30.  I really love the snooze button. Get the girls dressed. Give them some milk and breakfast. Drink lots of coffee. Get myself dressed. Ignore Charlie's tantrum over the bagel I gave her for breakfast. Get the girls loaded up and take Emmy to school. {They hold hands every morning now... I melt .} Charlie and I head to CVS to pick up some things for our trip to CA next week. Come home and pay bills since it's payday! Take a whole bunch of pictures of Charlie because she looks ridiculously adorable with her hair in a baby bu...