Not exactly how I pictured it

So this weekend was Matt and I's big weekend "stay-cation." We both had really been looking forward to this weekend and it started out great!

I met my parents on Friday afternoon in Salisbury to drop Mady off. She was thrilled to go with her Nana and Pop Pop. She ran to each of them so excited. It made my heart so happy. I said a quick goodbye (more for my sake) and headed back home. I had a whole 9 hours by myself until the hubby got home from work. So I decided a pedicure sounded great and it felt great. Then I had a hair appointment a little later. It was a nice day of pampering. It was so nice to not have any other responsibilities for a few hours but soon enough I was missing my Madelyn. So of course I called my mom about a hundred times to see how she was doing. She was having a blast...of course!

Saturday...Oh Saturday. Matt took off from work and so we had the whole day to do whatever we wanted. So we headed to Dunkin' to get some breakfast and then to the beach for a little while. It was so nice to just talk and relax and enjoy reading our books. I can't remember the last time we did that...pre-mady most likely. Anyways, we were there for about an hour and half and decided to head back and shower and get some lunch at little Mexican restaurant. This is where we went wrong. We ate lunch and then went to a book store and thrift store. We were having such a nice time and truly just enjoying our time together.

All of sudden I felt horrible. Stomach pains/cramps. Running to the bath room (TMI?...oh well!) and the night went down hill from there. I was up most of the night feeling horrible and yup, I cried. My poor husband. We kind of just hung out the rest of the night, catching up on the Wire.

Sunday morning came and now the hubby felt horrible too. Great! So we both are down and out. We woke up at 8:15! That is so late for us. We got ready and went to great some breakfast. Bad Idea. Back to the house we go to get sick again. Awesome! After that though we were feeling much better so we decided to head to Colonial Williamsburg, which is about an hour away, and walk around.

Silly Hubby

It only took about 15 tries to get one decent picture

Good Lord it was HOT! We walked around for about an hour and then we were both sweating our butts off and figured we would find the outlet shops that were about 15 minutes away. Well once we got there we found out that they lost power so none of the stores were open. No fun. We were both hungry at this point and had felt fine for a few hours. My parents gave us a outback gift card for our anniversary so we headed there. Bad Idea for the hubby. He hardly ate his food and ended up getting sick before we left. So I had to drive home! Ugh. I hate driving and its all highway. In traffic. But I got us home safely while the hubby slept in the car.

We both took a 2 hour nap when we got home. We needed it. We both woke up feeling a whole lot better!  We kind of just hung out the rest of the night. Watched movie. Talked. It was nice honestly.

What a weekend! Not exactly what we had planned. I don't know if we got a stomach bug or whether it was from the Mexican food we had or what. But I know it was horrible!

I am so thankful for the time I did get to spend with Matt this weekend. We both needed it. Even if it was not exactly how I pictured it....because no matter what happens I love spending my life and all the craziness that it is with my favorite person in this whole world.

Thursday's Thoughts

*I am still having those mixed emotions I talked about the other day regarding this weekend. Mady was being so cute today, sitting on my lap cuddling with me and I cried. Yup, I cried because she is my best buddy and I just love her to pieces. However, I am so beyond excited for this weekend but Matt still has to work tomorrow so after I drop her off with my parents I have from about 1 pm to 9:30 pm with nothing to do! Um...I can't remember when the last time that happened...hmmm....no I really can't.

*BUT! I am getting my hair highlighted!!!! I found a living social deal last week for a partial highlight for $45 dollars and then I got 10 dollars off so its $35!!! That is a steal plus the living social deal was with a salon that had been recommended to me already so double steal! I miss my blonde-ish days!

*It is supposed to be hot here this weekend. Like 97-99 degrees. yuck. I really don't like heat like that. I am glad Mady will be at my parents and able to swim in their little pool that they got for her. Hopefully it will tire her out and she will sleep past 5:45 for my parents. Haha!

*I just re-read my last 3 statements and I use ! alot. I need to tone that down. =)

*I told Matt that over the next 2 1/2 days we have together that I want to go to the mall just to walk around and actually look and take our time. I miss doing that. We are always in a rush with Mady because girlfriend does not like her stroller anymore. She wants to "wak" everywhere.

*This whole moving situation is just crazy right now. I'll tell you more about when I can. Lots of different stuff going on.

*Mady and I have been going outside and "culuring" (coloring) with side walk chalk. But if you know Mady at all that lasts about 2 minutes and then she wants to go exploring. She likes to throw the chalk in the grass so she has to go and get it. It makes me laugh every time. She is a smart little lady.

Exhibit A

*Mady's hair is out of control. Most days I do my best to tame it. It is so curly but wavy but kind of straight. I don't even know what to say about it. Some days it looks decent and other days is it a disaster. I have kind of given up. Anyone have any good tips for curly hair?! I am at a loss.

*I think I might take Mady to get some waterice after her nap. She just gets so excited and it makes me get so excited. Plus it is just so stinkin hot out!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day! =) 

Mixed Emotions

Mady is currently napping at 9:40 in the morning. Her usual nap time isn't until usually 11:30-12. Why then is she sleeping at 9:40 in the morning? Because my lovely daughter decided 4:45 was a decent time to wake up and talk and yell for me until I got her out of her crib at 5:30. It's only 9:40 and I feel like I should be eating lunch right now. Anyways...

Right now I am dealing with all kinds of emotions about Mady and our upcoming weekend away. To say she has been difficult lately is a huge, ginormous understatement. Some days I just feel completely defeated as a mom. I just don't know what to do to get her to listen to me or obey what I am saying etc. We have tried and stuck with time outs and a little smack on her butt. I know I need to give it time to work but seriously some days I am at my wits end. I just cry while she is crying in time out and trying to get me to cuddle with her while she is being punished. (She is one smart little girl...I have to give her that)

So, this weekend she is going to her Nana and Pop Pop's for a few days so me and the hubby have a chance to celebrate our anniversary and honestly we need this time.

But I know I will miss her. Sure a few hours without her, no big deal but 3 days....

It makes me sad. I know I'll miss her more than I can honestly tell you. We are buddies all day, every day. But I know both of us (meaning Mady and I) need a little break, change of routine from each other.

She will be thrilled to be with my mom and dad. Last time we left them to go home she cried and had a huge meltdown. So I am not worried about that one bit.

But I want to be able to enjoy my time with Matt and not constantly "worry" about her, or think about her. I don't even know if that is possible and honestly it sounds mean what I am saying but its truly how I feel. But Matt needs my full attention. I don't want to constantly say "let's call and check on Mady", "I wonder what Mady is doing", "I miss Mady." Our marriage is so important to me and my husband is so important to me and I want him to feel that from me this weekend.

I know she will be fine and she will be spoiled and have a fantastic time. She mostly likely won't be too concerned I am not there.

I will see her on Monday, hopefully feeling refreshed and re-energized in both the wife and mom department. Because the good Lord knows I need it. =)

I have a mixed bags of emotions about this weekend and leaving my buddy and spending much needed quality time with Matt.

This mom and wife business is no joke! It is so exciting and awesome while at the same time draining and difficult.

Here to hoping for a fantastic weekend for all of us!

Full

I feel like I haven't been on here in forever. Not too much to write about. Just the everyday stuff.

*Warning....long post/lots of pictures!*

But this weekend has made my heart feel so full. It was a low key weekend for us. Something we totally needed. We didn't have too much going on besides church and community group. It was a good weekend.

Mady and Mommy before church

 Sunday, as always we head to church. This particular Sunday at church was unusual. I saw Mady's number come up on the screen during the service. Of course we are sitting in the middle of the isle so I am "excuse me" "thank you"-ing my way out of the row. In my head I'm like "What in the world" "Mady is always so excited to go to Sunday School", "I hope she is ok"...all in about 3 seconds all of that is going through my brain. I get to the door that leads to the nursery and one of the workers is waiting for me...I kind of start to run towards her. Millions of things running through my mind. She looks so upset and turns to me and says "My daughter bit your daughter" Okkkk. She literally was so upset and I kept reassuring her it is fine. It happens. So, I go in to see if Mady is ok and she is. BUT man that girl got her good!

It is kind of a crappy picture but it was so red! My poor baby

Thankfully she didn't break the skin. Mady just wanted me to stay and cuddle for a little while after that which was fine by me. So I sang songs with her and listened to a bible story. Finally, I was able to sneak out. Poor hubby was getting concerned in the service because I was gone for about 25 minutes.

Funny thing is- The little girl that bit Mady...could be Mady's twin. Red Hair. Crazy, stubborn, strong willed personality.

So it was an interesting church day.  We had community group later that evening where we were having a BBQ so I brought a fruit salad. Yum! And yes I used a star cookie cutter for the watemelon.

Yummo!

The rest of the day was spent just relaxing, watching Madagascar (or Roar in Goob language), reading books, playing, and helping daddy with his push ups.

Oh and getting ice cream per the Nana. She said Mady needed a very special treat because of her "traumatic" experience. So of course we spoiled our little girl.

Mady and Mommy's ice cream

Stealing Daddy's milkshake

"Here ya go Dada"

"Don't think about touching my ice cream"

Today there was nothing on our calender to do! So off to the beach we went. My Madelyn is a water baby through and through. Totally sits in the ocean, lets the waves crash over her, says "nummy" to the salt water in her mouth, have to literally carry her away from the water. We were there for about an hour and Mady was in the ocean for 45 minutes of it.

Rare moment playing in the sand

She loves the water

Hangin' out

She is crazy!

It was such a fun morning that of course ended in a melt down because we had to leave. We all got baths and showers when we got back and planned to head out to lunch at a little Mexican place down the road but Mady was so tired so she went down for an early nap and hubby and I got chicka fila! and just talked. It was so nice.

We've spent the rest of the day running errands, hanging out, and eating a yummy dinner!

I am so thankful I get to spend my days with two of the best people a girl could ask for.

Now I am off to get my butt kicked in scrabble by the hubby!

Happy Monday!!!!! =)

Nothing in particular

This is just another random post on another random day. =)

*We found a new place to live! I cannot tell you how relieved I/we feel. We were looking for a 6 month lease and all the places that weren't ghetto were too expensive. I'm talking like 1,200 a month expensive...for a 2 bedroom apartment. Um. no thank you. But today we were driving around and we totally found the place. It's nothing too exciting but they have a pool, 2 play ground, a community center and it is a nicer part of Virginia Beach. Plus it is totally within our price range! Tomorrow we have to go hand in our check and paper work so I am praying nobody comes in between now and then and steals it from us.

*Matt and I are both truly praying that 6 months from August we will be back in NJ or closer to NJ. Praying like really hard!!!

*I really hate getting the mail. I hate opening bills or getting a piece of mail that causes me anxiety. I like to get it usually while the hubby is home so he can talk me out of my crazy anxiety. I know I'm crazy.

*I am dreading packing all this crap up. For.real. Anyone wanna help?!

*I put a jacket I had bought Mady for the fall on her the other day to see how big it was. She didn't want to take it off.

Mady watching George in her jacket.

*Our kitchen table is falling apart. We only have 2 chairs left because the other 2 broke. And another one is about to go. I really just want to chuck the whole thing in the trash. Can't wait until we can get a new set!

*I'm really hoping Mady decides she wants to take a 3 hour nap today. It is around 95 degrees here today and we are kind of stuck inside because they still don't have the pool open and its too hot to be outside. It takes so much to entertain her until her bedtime at 730. Running errands...not today. I am usually sweating my butt off trying to get her in and out of the car and buckle her in and push the cart. Too hot for all that crap today.

*I know I am going to miss her immensely but I cannot wait until next weekend when Mady is staying with Nana and Pop Pop for a few days. Matt and I get 2 1/2 days just for us. SO EXCITED!

Well time to be productive or just sit here and read blogs for awhile. We'll see.

xoxo!

Life is just hard sometimes

These past few months have been hard. Difficult. Frustrating. Lots of tears. Struggles.

To be completely honest I never pictured being 25, a mom to an 19 month old, still living in apartments, away from family, and not completely settled.

I hate it.

I get jealous of everyone buying houses and decorating and establishing their roots.

I want that so badly.

But it is just not our time right now.

I need to be ok with that.

It's just hard.

We are moving out of our current, crappy apartment on August 1st-ish. We are attempting to get a lease for 6 month and then hopefully move back closer to NJ or NJ.

It's not the plan I wanted. But...I have to be ok with it. It really is what is best.

Life can just be so hard sometimes.

But....the Lord has us in his hands. I need to remember this daily. His plan is better than our plan. His timing is perfect.

Trusting the Lord in all of this. It's all I can honestly do.

Surprise!

Matt and I decided to head to Jersey this weekend. One...to surprise my dad for Father's Day. Success! Two...Matt had some stuff he had to do on Monday. Win-Win situation!

Since we knew we were heading to Jersey on Sunday. We celebrated Matt a little early on Saturday. We attempted to go to lunch at one of his favorite Mexican restaurants around here but they didn't open until 12! Matt has to leave for work around then so it didn't work out. =(

Mady and I got him a picture frame with one of my favorite pictures of the two of them and an I-tunes gift card.

He is a wonderful daddy to Madelyn. I am so lucky that she has such a positive and encouraging  father in her life. He deserves so much more than we could give him! 

The picture frame we got him and flowers that he got me "just because"

Back to our weekend in Jersey...We got there around 1pm on Sunday afternoon. I had called my mom when they were getting out of church to say we were about an hour away. She totally played it off on the phone, asked how church was for us, what our plans were for the day...all while I am laughing.

Anyways, we get there and totally surprised him. A few tears were shed. If someone else cries...I usually cry too. =)

We stayed with Matt's mom just because it was easier and she had more room. Plus, it was fun to spend more time than we usually do with her. AND...she has a cat. O.M.G. Mady is obsessed with the "kittttyyyy." She would follow it everywhere it went. She asked if it would like a "nack or juce" (snack/juice). I lost it when she asked the cat that. There were tears coming down my face because I was laughing so hard.

Mady talking to the Kitty

Telling daddy to "try" (meaning she wants him to pet the cat)

She even attempted to pick the cat up. Poor cat. She was so good to Mady.

After lunch, we went back to my parents house and celebrated Father's Day for my dad and Matt. Here are some pictures of the night.

First thing Mady does is go for the Tupperware cabinet.

Nana and the Mady

Hubby and Wifey

The Pop Pop and The Mady

Catching bubbles

Bubbles

Daddy with his favorite little girl

Watching TV with Uncle "T"

It was a super fun night and Mady went to bed way late. But in typical Mady fashion, she was up at 5:15! Trish (Matt's Mom) gets up early too so she came and got her for us and we got to sleep in!!!! We slept until 6:45...how sad...that's sleeping in. We were SO excited! Thank you Mom Mom!

We spent the day (Monday) searching for the kitty again, shopping with Nana, eating yummy food, looking for bunnies, and playing in the dirt and rocks.

Enjoying the chilly morning with mom mom

She never looks at the camera. Best I could do

Silly girl

Picking up sticks

Off to find the bunnies

Found a baby bunny!

 It was again, as always, such a fun weekend.

When do we move back......!?!?!?!?!