Any suggestions?

This week has felt like 2 weeks in one. I'm exhausted as I sit and type...but I almost feel like the "purge" is necessary.

I had a light bulb moment this week while sitting in my parents jacuzzi talking to one of my favorite people....my Aunt Ann. I think every girl should have a woman in their life like my Auntie Ann. I love having her for visits...or even visiting her (although I've only gotten to do that twice)...but she has always made me feel like what I thought or had to say was important. She makes you feel like you are the only one in the room when you're having a conversation...and I must say that she's always made me feel like I was a "princess"...although she would probably hate that analogy.

Anyway...Tuesday night after the kids went to bed, I went to my parents house to visit with Ann and June. Since my parents got the jacuzzi...I've been pregnant...so this was the first time I could get in (with no kids) and enjoy it...at the temperature it was meant to be enjoyed at. I'm hooked...I wish I had one at my house, I would get in every night. It would probably help cure my insomnia...all I wanted to do was sleep when I got out (after 2 hours!).

As we talked, I told her about how much I vacuum...for those of you who didn't know I had an addiction...instead of heroin, it's vacuuming. I vacuum at least twice a day...sometimes more. The floor gets dirty from the kids and I playing, eating, or just walking from outside to inside. Light bulb moment...I don't know why I didn't realize this before...but I see it now. Vacuuming is my stress release...my drug of choice. For that 5 or 10 minutes during the day, I can drown the noise of the children by running the vacuum and focus on something else. I don't have to think about anything but the floor...and she's right, it does soothe me. I usually will vacuum while the younger two are sleeping and I can send Tucker to his room for "quiet time" and I'll usually vacuum again after I've put them to bed.

Great...now I need to know how I can transform my vacuuming addiction into a working out addiction...any suggestions?

Happy Birthday Taylor

Taylor is 2!!! We had her birthday party at the Riverchase Galleria's Carousel. Here are some pics from the party...

Taylor loves to ride the "horsies"...can't you tell?!

Okay, who doesn't love a cake from Edgar's?
Definitely NOT Taylor!

Tucker was shooting his gun at everyone from the carousel...hope you didn't get hit!

(L-R: Cameron, Tucker, Taylor and Cade)
Taylor and "her boys" helping her open her Princess Car!

I decided to have her party at the carousel because it has become one of her favorite things to do. During the summer, I would take the kids up there to eat McDonalds and ride the carousel. I kept it small this year...just her friends and immediate family...but it was hard to keep all the kids contained in one area. I will definitely not do it again. Too much of a headache! Thank you to everyone who came...we appreciate it! Sorry mom and dad couldn't come...we'll throw our own when dad gets out of the hospital...don't worry dad...we'll get another cake!

Dad is still in the hospital...but the doctor is now saying he might get to come home Friday (we are all keeping our fingers crossed!) I think if they keep him in there any longer, they'll have to admit him into the psych ward...almost 3 weeks being couped up in the hospital (especially Shelby Baptist Medical Center) will do that to you! Hang in there dad...we love you!

Oh...Tucker wanted me to make him an Indian headdress...so I did. Then, of course, Taylor wanted one. Then we painted their faces and made tomahawks...here is a pic from that...it was too cute not to add!