Mommy Musings

So we left off yesterday with me attempting to slide down the stairs because of the intense pain in my foot.  I managed to get myself to the couch, where I sat in tears until Skip came home around 11:00 pm.  Seriously, I've had two kids, but this was some of the most intense pain I'd ever felt. It was no good. Under my direction, Skip finished setting up all the gifts and eating the Santa cookies.  We were all ready for the big man to pay us a visit! The next morning, dressed in our matching Christmas jammies, we all came downstairs at 6:00 am. {Skip had snagged my crutches from the attic, so I was better off than the night before}. The girls were absolutely amazed by all their gifts, and there is truly nothing more magical than seeing their little faces light up.  It was a picture-perfect morning. Skip ran out and grabbed some bagels for lunch for us, while I sadly had to cancel plans with a friend. I knew that wrangle two littles while on crutches wasn't the best i...

I'd like to say that this was the most wonderful, magical Christmas ever.  I had spent most of December focusing on the little things, and not letting myself get swept up in the stress of the holiday.  I wanted to just enjoy it. And for the most part I did.  Truly.  Even though life kept trying to throw things my way to derail our plans. First off, Skip had to work all of Christmas week....including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was hard on the girls, who kept crying to me and asking why their dad couldn't have a normal job like everyone else:( So I was determined to make it as fun for them as possible. We made lots of cookies and treats together {which is really the best part I think} and they delivered them to our neighbors on Christmas Eve morning. My family came over for a huge feast on Christmas Eve and lots of present opening.  Despite the glass dish breaking in the oven and filling my downstairs with smoke, we had a fabulous time. Sufficiently sugar...

What life looks like when Skip gets home after working 56 out of 80 hours and not seeing the girls for 3 1/2 days straight. These are the moments we cling to when he's gone!

I complained on Facebook before about the mess our day is turning into.  Our front door won't open from the outside.  Skip's car has been under recall for almost a month, though Toyota refuses to hurry up the process and get it fixed.  Meanwhile, we are not allowed to have anyone other than the driver in the car.  Which we were dealing with until there was a problem with my car starting today.  Plus I'm waiting on some news for a career move that I fear is only going to set me back to square one. So I had cake for lunch. In the grand scheme of things, these are not really major problems.  Skip's car will get fixed eventually.  He was able to take off to get mine fixed today.  We already bought a new door handle and dead bolt, so I'll figure out how to put those on later.  We've already had offers from some of my best friends for help. Tomorrow it'll all be smoothed over. But I'm choosing  to focus on these little problems today, because ...

It seems like Skip is always working on the Fourth of July.  In the past 11 Independence days we've spent together, he's been off for less than half.  But this year {the one I will deem the year Skip has been home for almost all holidays!} his squad was actually scheduled off....Saturday AND Sunday!!  Wahoo!! Now while most people in NJ flock to the beaches, we prefer to stay away.  Mainly because our town and surrounding areas suddenly become almost deserted, and I enjoy driving around without a ridiculous amount of traffic far too much.  So we just decided to have a relaxing weekend. The weather could't quite seem to make up its mind, so it rained on and off all morning on Saturday.  So we just hung around in the house.  I managed to sneak in a run in between the raindrops, but that was about it.  It brightened in the afternoon, and we took the girls to the park. When we got home, we ate some hotdogs and ribs that Skip grilled for us.  Afte...

#weseeyou Thinking of our NYPD family as they lay Brian Moore to rest today. #bluelivesmatter

Last night was a special night that I'll hold dear to me forever.  I had the opportunity to attend a speaking event with Taya Kyle....widow of American Sniper Chris Kyle.  To say I was excited was a complete understatement.  Taya has given a voice to military wives, in a way that was never done before.  Her story is all of our story.  I wanted to stand up in the middle of American Sniper and yell, "Yes!  Thank you. I have said those exact things.  Finally I'm not alone." I loved her additions to American Sniper, and I was looking forward to reading an entire book of her own words. I got there as soon as the doors opened and was lucky enough to get a front row seat.  I read about a third of the book while I waited, in awe of the grace and strength she showed throughout the book.  At 7:00 she came in, and with tears in her eyes, graciously received the standing ovation we gave her.  The co-author of the book, Jim DeFelice was there as well...

I'd really like to get back to regular blogging and sharing parts of our lives.  So what better way to jump back in than with a little Easter recap! We kicked off the festivities on Saturday with the town egg hunt.  We'd never gone before, so I was excited to see what it was all about.  Before we left Emmy grabbed some plastic eggs for her and Charlie to pose with in some pictures...that's my girl! OMG.  I had no idea how vicious egg hunts can be.  All the eggs on the ground were gone in about 3 seconds.  And that included the few randoms that Emmy spotted, but PARENTS snagged up before she could grab them.  Fantastic.  Love the people in my town. Thankfully they had a whole box of extra eggs, so the girls were able to grab a few.  We then waited online to see the Easter Bunny.  I'd never taken them before because 1. he's creepy and 2. I hate how Easter is becoming like Christmas.  But the guy was right there, so I figured why not. ...