I'd like to thank....

The academy jk

I'd like to thank...

Mimosas for putting me to bed at 4pm on Saturday.

RockStars for getting me through the weekend and week

My sinuses for making my life miserable and causing me to have surgery blah

Pinterest for letting me hoard all the shit I'm never going to make or cook.  That's kind of a lie, I make some of it

The Voice for coming back and completing my life.  Now if only it was on 7 days a week.  P.S. check out James David Carter on YouTube from the Voice.  I have been YouTube stalking him for awhile now and when he announced he was on the Voice I was so excited!

My child for running away from home and giving me 5 heart attacks (he was safe luckily)

My sister for watching the kids while I work a shit ton of hours this week, what was I thinking?

Anyone else have something that gets them through their week?  I may start doing this every week!

Being a Mom

This post has been brewing for a couple weeks but I couldn't figure out what to do with it...

It started when I had several friends talk about how glad they were that they didn't have kids, especially when school started.  I understand all the reasons to not have kids but then I think back to the last 11 years and don't know what I would have done without Marcus.

I've made a million mistakes, who hasn't?  But I always tried to be the best mom I could be.  Yes I went out a lot, I was young but I always made sure to tuck him into bed before I left.  Then I got pregnant a second time and was so excited.  It was almost like I could start over and take back all the things I did wrong the first time.  Not that I would change Marcus for anything, except maybe his cleaning skills haha jk

Anyway here is a list (because it's always about lists) of the best parts of being a mom:

* That kid gave me a reason to be.  He came at a time when I really hated life and when he came along I knew I had to live the best life for him, and give him everything I could (without spoiling him of course)

* You always have someone to tease.  WHAT?! I'm mean like that;)

* When they are old enough you can make them do things for you like.....Hey can you get me a beer out of the fridge? Thanks! I'm joking but when they get older it is nice that they can do things for themselves

* You get to watch them go from a baby that can't sit up let alone crawl to a teenager that talks back.  I know it doesn't sound like much fun but being there while they are learning to walk and talk is one of the best parts of being a mom.  You get to watch them develop their own sense of humor and personality.  Sometimes they get their sense of humor from you and you are either proud or scared haha

* You get to clean up a lot of messes you didn't make. 

You do but honestly I don't mind it.  I bitch and moan about it but when there are no kids around I'm bored and miss those messes.

* This e-card cracks me up and I know people that don't have kids think this is true but it's not.  That's what a babysitter is for duh.  I have had lots of fun in the last 11 years, either with or without Marcus


* Babies-that is all.  They may scream, cry, poop and eat every two hours but seriously they are perfect little creatures.  If only they stayed that way forever

*Toddlers- I don't understand why they are so cute but then we have to deal with the terrible two's or torturous three's (that's what I called them).  This is when they are learning so much and it's so adorable to watch them repeat everything you say, even if it is bad words

*  You become a kid again.  There is nothing better than a swing and a slide with or without your kids.  They just give you a reason to forget everything and play.

* Toy shopping.  Come on  you know it's a blast to see all the fun things they come up with for kids these days!

* Last but not least you always have someone that loves you unconditionally and you love them the same.  There is no other love like it.

I'm sure I forgot a million things.  What's your favorite part of being a parent? Not being a parent? Or are someday looking forward to?

Yolo #4

This is my final Yolo post. I am so glad I am done with events for a little while.  I am definitely feeling my age.  I am also tired of eating crap and drinking.  Never EVER thought I would say that.  I am cutting out all sugar and crap starting today and I've never been more excited.  I thought about doing a full on sugar detox again but I don't have it in me so I am creating my own version haha  More on that later!

 Santana!  This was my birthday present from my dad.  I've always wanted to see Santana in concert.  He is my favorite of all time and didn't disappoint me one little bit.  Except maybe that he opened for Rod Stewart.  First of all such a weird combination and second of all in my eyes Rod Stewart should have been the opener.  Maybe I'm a little biased who knows?!  The only thing that makes me sad is that I broke my phone that night so I don't have any pictures of Santana or the videos I took.  That just means I have to go see him again!

My aunt and dad

Me and my aunt

My dad's best friend, my sister and me

All of us

I'm a daddy's girl for sure

 

My mom, sister and I all have birthdays within 12 days.  It's a pain some years but we decided to take an overnight trip to the mountains and gamble.  We didn't gamble hardly at all but we ate crab legs, drank and danced the night away!

 

 

 

Nicole bought us concert tickets for my birthday.  This concert was like a throw back to high school.  T.I., T-Pain, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Ja Rule, DJ Quik, and Twista.

 

I've always been a big Twista fan and they announced if you bought his new CD he would autograph it and take a picture with you.  I was there!

 

My sister happened to be there so we met up and took some selfies!

Nicole is madly in love with T.I. so she had to have him on her chest!

Ja Rule...besides T.I. he was the best

T-Pain

T.I.....so pretty

 

My honey took me to the melting pot for my birthday.  It was our first time and it was fun. 

Every year I celebrate with two of my karaoke friends that all have birthdays within 5 days of me.  What's up with this time of year?  People were busy making babies at Christmas time!

 

Anyone else looking forward to fall?  I'm ready!



31

*Apparently I forgot to publish this on Monday. ..oops


Today I turn 31.  When I was 16 I thought 31 was ancient.  Although some days physically I feel ancient, mentally I am loving being  in my 30's. 

I was looking at some old pictures of me sober and not so sober and couldn't believe what a difference it was from then until now.  Not in the way that I look but in the way that I felt.

When I was in my 20's I was so nervous, shy and uncomfortable in my own skin....unless I was drunk.  When I had a couple drinks I was confident, talked to everyone and was never ever nervous about anything.  I didn't love myself, or even like myself.  I didn't even realize there was a difference until now.
 But I sure had fun in my 20's....

7 months pregnant!  We did this as a joke and people were freaking out haha

My boyfriend Lee Brice

But....in my 30's...yes I am only a year in but I've learned to be happy with myself.  Of course I'm always trying to improve but I no longer feel like I have to impress anyone.  I say what I think and could care less who takes offense to it. I am comfortable in my own skin and love myself.  It also makes it easier for me to love other people and be better in relationships.  Funny how that happens! I can also go to concerts and other events without drinking.  Don't get me wrong I enjoy it ALOT but I have found that I don't need it. 

What are some things you love about your 30's or if you aren't there yet, things you look forward to?

Things worth paying for...

As we get older I think that we learn there are some things in life that we really have to pay good money for. I am a cheap ass, no really.  I hate spending money on anything.  As I've gotten older I have started spending money on myself more and noticed I no longer want cheap shampoo or cheap shoes.  I have figured out that when you spend more money on certain things they last longer and you don't have to buy them as often....duh

Here are some things I splurge on:

Shoes-I used to try and find the cheapest tennis shoes possible but now I pay for good ones.  I need the support and comfort...don't we all?

Shoe insoles- Recently I learned I have arthritis in my feet.  I went to the good feet store.  Ever been there? My advice DON'T!  They were trying to charge me 780 dollars for 3 USED insoles wtf?!  Anyway I found something similar on amazon for 35.  If they work I will be paying for more in the future!

Shampoo and Conditioner- As a couponer I usually get these free or really cheap but it's always brands like Herbal Essences and Pantene pro-v.  I went to a salon and they convinced me to buy some Regis shampoo and I will never EVER go back.

Mattress- I've always looked for really great deals on mattresses and usually end up with crap ones.  I don't sleep well or at all sometimes and kick myself for not spending the money on a really good one.  Anyone can a mattress they can't live without?  This is my next big spend.

Phone cases-  After my last incident I decided spending 50 dollars on a phone case to protect it is worth it.  It hurt but it will save me more money in the long run.


What do you splurge on?  What are your favorite tennis shoes? shampoo and conditioner?

Yolo #3

 

I am so glad the summer is almost over!  Not because I'm ready for that white stuff but because I'm exhausted.  I have had a blast this summer and it's still not over.  I still have 2 more concerts in the next two weeks, a gambling trip, and my birthday.  So much fun but I'm ready to relax and lay on my couch.  For some reason with being busy I am managing to read a lot, not sure how that's happening but I love it!  I will do a post about what I've been reading.  Also I haven't had the motivation to blog but I have a ton of post ideas, hopefully I can get those going! 

 

First Up:

 

 

 

 

ZZ Ward

Oh Red Rocks you are so beautiful!

Amos Lee

 

This man can SING!  He's amazing!  Like a modern day Otis Redding which makes my heart happy!

 

My boyfriend got me 2 bouquets, balloons and a card for our 6 month anniversary.  Yes 6 months, we are cheesy...don't judge

 

My best friend Nicole decided she wanted a 13 going on 31 birthday party...mustache themed.  She loves mustaches so we made the party happen in my back yard!

 

Our friends Amber, Adam and their brand new baby complete with mustaches of course!

Nicole being silly!

 

 

We are creepy!

 

Her cool cake.  I free handed the mustache and her mom did it with the frosting because she has cake decorating skills and I do not

 

Jumping castle with my sister and niece in it!

 

Picture on the left is from her 26th birthday and the one on the right is from her 31st.  We don't look much older lol

 

The Rockies decided to retire Todd Helton's number.  I bought these tickets in January because I was so excited about it!

 

Nicole and I decided to pregame with some margaritas and chips and salsa.  I had to go light because I HAD to have a hot dog at the game, it's a must!

 

Nicole, Steve, Dorlene, Kevin and Terry.

We got goofy!

 

 

 

 

My baby started 6th grade:( Middle school next year, then after that he will probably get married and have kids.  That's how fast time is going...sad

 

We went to the lake again to jet ski.  This time Marcus' Dad, his wife, daughter and their friend came.  That picture is weird for a couple reasons.  I'm not supposed to be that good of friends with my son's step mom am I?  I just love her.  Second I just posted a picture of me in a bikini and don't regret it hmm...

 

 

I have been cooking my way through this cookbook and let me tell you EVERY recipe I have made so far is amazing, especially anything you bake.  I made chocolate swirled banana bread, lemon raspberry muffins and pumpkin waffles.  They are all delicious!! 

 

Life without cell phones

I went to the Santana/Rod Stewart concert last week and broke my phone.  (We will get to the weird of that concert in my next Yolo post)  I was a dancing fool and my *cough* *cough* 500 dollar phone was in my back pocket, slid out and the screen smashed on the concrete.  Ouch!  I had an LG and apparently when you break the screen of those they never work again.  I wish someone had told me that geez.  Anyway I could see that I had a million messages,emails and phone calls but couldn't get in my phone.  My alarm went off and I couldn't get it to stop so it went off every 5 minutes until I just threw it away.

I was without a phone for 16 hours and I thought I was going to die.  No actually I didn't.  I was relieved.  I didn't have to respond to anyone, I didn't check my facebook or instagram 5 million times or pinterest.  I didn't have to make sure I had my phone with me all day long you know...just in case. I didn't keep checking it just in case I didn't hear it. I didn't feel tied to a device.  Then I kept thinking when did I get so ridiculously addicted to this thing?

Then I started remembering back when there weren't cell phones.  What a simple life that was.

We had to get ahold of people with a home phone.  We didn't have Facebook to know what people are up to.  If you wanted to know what someone was doing you would go to their house or call them at home.  You didn't need Facebook to tell you anything.  If you didn't know, you just didn't know. 

I don't know about you but I LOVE text messaging.  Love it.  I absolutely hate talking on the phone so when they came out with texting I was in Heaven.  The problem is it's so lazy and impersonal.  What did we do before? Oh that's right wrote letters or notes.  That was so much more fun don't you think?

From now on I am making a better effort to stay off my phone and live in the moment.  It's so easy to spend hours on it not really paying attention to anything around but I want to live my life rather than watch everyone else's.

What's something you miss about pre-cell phone life??