"I can't believe it's not a dream!"

Those were the exact words that came out of Kyan's mouth after his party was all said and done!  He kept repeating it over and over and over again!  It was adorable and let me know just how much he loved his day {you will see in a little bit why, if you don't already know}!

Started off with some close friends {a few he has grown up with, a few from school, & cousins} playing in the backyard!  This year we kept it very low key and I will have to say that it was the least stressed I have ever been at any of my children's birthday parties EVER!  Everyone had fun playing with the bikes, scooters, 4 wheeler, football, and wagon in the backyard!  The kids were all old enough to keep themselves entertained, so much adult visiting time was had!  We had pizza for dinner!

 Once we lost light, the kids came inside to sing "Happy Birthday" to Kyan.  I knew exactly what he wished for when he was blowing out his candles, but little did he know it was about to come true!

After we all ate chocolate chocolate cupcakes {homemade of course, requested from the birthday boy, no store bought cupcakes for him} he opened presents!  His Bey Blade collection went from two to 12 in a matter of minutes - no joke!  Not a single blade was repeated either, how lucky is that?

We did save the best for last however...

Kyan has been told for the last few weeks that he has to be 8 to get a hamster.  All of the books and stores recommend at least that age before becoming an owner, so I was trying to buy time.  However, I am admitting that I am a sucker and when I started to ask Kyan about other things he wanted for presents, he asked if he could celebrate his birthday in the summer, because maybe he would be closer to 8 and could get the hamster then?  He also brought up the fact that he plays T for Teen games and he doesn't get in trouble, even though that is breaking the rules, sooooooo......how could I argue?  Plus, in Kyan's defense, he is very responsible and if any 7 year old could take care of a hamster, it is him! 

We wrapped {I should say his Auntie Kiki wrapped} all of the stuff that goes along with the hamster separately and he continued to figure out that he was one step closer to getting what he wished for.  When he opened the cage, it had a note that said it was for a future furry friend, and at that point, he was confused.  So I clarified that he now had all of the stuff for when he turned 8 and he could get a hamster then!  He very sweetly said okay, but you could just tell that wasn't sitting right.  

Auntie Kiki {the one who hunted down for the perfect hamster for him earlier in the week} was the one that was the actually giver of the hamster.  She called him over and asked if he could help her with the back of her shirt.  Of course he did and in it was hiding his new hamster {big thank you to Auntie Rae for capturing his reaction to seeing his hamster for the first time}!

 It is safe to say that he is completely smitten with her {as is his sister, who thinks that she is both of theirs}.

 Meet our new hamster, I am sure it won't be the last post about her either, she is pretty cute!  She is so good when you hold her, but seems to sit the most still with Kyan.  She loves her veggies, climbing in her cage, and getting exercise!  She also knows her name already and comes right to the part of the cage that opens/closes when you talk to her, letting you know that you can get her out to hold her!

Glad to make your dreams come true sweet 7 year old!

I really BIG love you!

PS - if you are wondering...Picnik is closing {I am so sad, I love how user friendly they are} so I am trying to find some sort of program that still does collages as well as Picnik did {they took away that feature for some reason before they close in April}.  I do my editing in Photoshop, so I am not terribly worried about that part, but the collages, I am...I take way too many pictures and want to put them all up, but my posts would be way too long, so that is my solution for picture overload!  Tonight I used Kizoa and I really liked it!  To be able to download the pictures onto your computer, you do have to pay for the premium package, and I clearly did, so I am hoping that I get what I need from it. From what I did above, I think it might not be that bad.  I have to quit crying over Picnik and move on!  This might be my solution!

And just like that, he is 7.

Seriously, where did the time go?  Just the other day I was anticipating his birth and now he is already seven?!   I remember struggling with birthday number four and it seems as if this birthday might just put me over the edge!  I am not ready for him to be seven.  It is one step closer to becoming 10...then 16...then...gwah, he will not get bigger, I need to freeze time!   Just need to find the remote with the pause button first.

Kyan has one of the biggest hearts I know and is just the sweetest little thing.  It isn't uncommon for him to come home from school with little I LOVE YOU MOMMY notes tucked safely inside his folder, or sweet Post-It notes stuck to my night table telling me the fun things he likes to do with me or the reasons why he loves me.  The best is when out of nowhere I get the, "I love you mommy" straight from his mouth.  Kyan is the best son and big brother this mama could ask for! 

I asked him about his favorite things, you know, as a 7 year old:

Color:  Blue

Toy:  Bey Blades

Fruit:  Bananas

TV Show:  Dude, What Would Happen

Lunch:  Panda Express' Orange Chicken {he eats adult meals now, throws it down like it is nothing}

Outfit:  New Pink Mouse shirt {feels like one of the big boys in this shirt...thank you Creels}

Game:  Skyrim

Snack:  Gushers {squeezes most of the juice into his mouth before he pops the rest in, gross!}

Book:  All of them! {he really does love reading everything} 

Animal:  Bears

Song:  Give It Away by the Red Hot Chili Peppers {Has always calls it Take It Away, so cute}

Best Friend{s}:  Jax & Ryan

Cereal:  Mini Wheats

Outside Play:  Riding my skateboard

Drink:  Diet Coke {don't ask, both kids are obsessed about drinking it right now?!}

Thing to take to bed:  Bear & Blanket {they look rough, lemme tell ya, but he can't live without 'em}

Breakfast: Pop Tarts

Sport:  Football

What do you want to be when you grow up?  Football Player

What is one thing you hope you get for your birthday this year?  A Hamster

I am going to ask him the same questions as long as he will let me, think it will be fun to see how his answers change over the years!

 

Really BIG love you birthday boy!

Valentine's Day Wreath: RE-POST!

As I was hanging up my Valentine's Day Wreath this weekend, I thought that it would be fitting to re-post the most viewed link on my blog to date {that has happened to get quite a few pins lately as well...did I tell you how much I love Pinterest?!} since we are nearing Valentine's Day and all working on our decorating!

This heart shaped wreath was very simple to do, it just took many nights of cutting and rolling those pretty felt flowers before I could put it all together!

Want to make your own?  Click here to take you to the original post where I give you the step-by-step tutorial!

 

 PS-Can't wait to show you some other projects I have been working on:  Lola's quilt (just need to finish the edges, but have to hand cut all of it, so hoping to find the time soon), Kyan's Cardinal's blanket (he is snuggling with it already, need to take good pictures), & Celeste's duvet cover (a knock-off from pottery barn, making progress)!  I have been sewing my little heart out, working with so many different types of fabric, and loving it!

Dinosaurs & Football

Kyan has been counting down the days until today!  It was special for two reasons, the first being that today was field trip day with daddy!  They went to the Dinosaur Museum in Mesa.  Daddy's only insructions were to take pictures for me {since it was his turn to go, I went with Lola} and he did a great job capturing their day together!  Kyan reminded him in the morning for me and I didn't leave the house without begging for a few text messages later on with pictures of my boy!  While I did not get them as they were happening {you know, technology issues}, I did get them emailed to me tonight before I posted!

 When I came home from work, Kyan was so excited to tell me about his field trip and to show me all of his goodies, especially his new mini T-Rex stuffed animal and his gold that he panned for!  Glad he and daddy got to have such a special day together!

The second reason today marked such a super awesome day for Kyan was because it was his first football game playing on a new team and in a new league!  They were supposed to play last Saturday, but with the opposing team's coach out of town, it was rescheduled for tonight!  He has another one this Saturday!

He has improved a lot from last year and continues to mainly play quarterback while on offense.  His coach always talks about how well he throws the ball {even though they don't throw much in games yet}.

Sometimes the only thing that will keep her busy is to take goofy pictures of her.  It was so cold tonight and it kept her distracted for just a few minutes, so I guess whatever works...right?!

Back to the action...

The last touchdown of the game belonged to Kyan and he was so proud of himself!

 The final score was 14 to 24, with the Slugs {our team name} on top!

 A great way to end Kyan's perfect day!

Really BIG love you Kyan {I am freaking out that you are going to be 7 in just eight days where did the time go my sweet baby boy!?!?!}.

She is MY Sunshine!

Here is the face that I got when I asked Lola to sing You Are My Sunshine for the camera.
She was so excited to sing.  We love this song.  Grandma Julie especially loves this song and sings it with her all the time.  So do I.  Grandma, this is especially for you!

Then right before we recorded, I had her get all her sillies out!  

Goofy girl!

Go time.  Enjoy.  I know she loved to sing it for you.

Thanks for listening!  She wanted me to tell you that she would be happy to sign autographs {she can write her name you know}!

Lola is My sunshine for sure!  She keeps me on my toes.  She is full of spunk {and lots of sparkle, just check her fingernails and toes}.  Girlfriend is only quiet when she is asleep, otherwise she talks nonstop.  She knows it too, she even asks if she talks too much!?  As much as I want her to be quiet sometimes, I hope she always talks to me.  She is a little girl who knows exactly what she wants and just how to sweet talk her way into it - that or cry until she thinks she is going to get her way.  She is full of energy and life and will capture your heart from the second that you lay eyes on her!  I am so lucky that she is mine!

Hello 2012!

I had intended on writing one of those fancy posts that so many bloggers do, featuring highlights from the year, but as I sat down to read about what we did or what I created this past year, I couldn't pick favorites to feature.  Each post is really special in its very own way.   I had forgotten so many things that happened this year {like one year ago today our pipes were frozen when we woke up!  Today it was 81 degrees...crazy huh?!} and it made me set one goal for this blog - 

 GET IT PRINTED!     

I am going to print it off by the year so that the kids and I will be able to look through all of our memories on paper, not just the internet!  That would be a total of four books I need to make this year!  Any suggestions on going about this or easy programs to use, please let me know!  

A few more goals that I would like to achieve this year:

~remember everyone's birthday and get a card in the mail the week prior.  Ask my mother if I will be able to do this and she will tell you, "Ain't gonna happen!" and she is probably right.  But I swear I have good intentions and a project that I have in mind to keep me on track.  Maybe my focus should be on completing the project to remember everyone's birthdays first?!  

~finish my creative space.  This is the biggest work in progress ever and one I will probably always be adding to, but there are quite a few things that I would like to get finished in there to make it more organized and pretty!

~collage of frames/mirrors in Lola's room.  Also, hang the yarn balls that my Aunt Heidi made for my cousin Hannah's wedding reception, along with create and hang quite a few other things I have pinned in her room.

~finish the record room for Chad.  By doing this, it will return the game room to just that, the game room/playroom.

~laugh a lot more with my kids and take time to really just be with them in the moment.  {This started today watching the Justin Beiber movie, then splashing around in the pool, then 4 wheeling, then lunch, then park, then more 4 wheeling, then snuggled up in bed watching Big Foot eating ice cream sundaes - it was a perfect day!  No pictures {I really need a smaller camera to carry around}, though I have a million in my head.  Just being there and being with each other.

~date night once a month.  I am lucky enough to have wonderful babysitters that love my kids and would jump at the chance to watch them {plus, I pay really good}!  Even if it is a quick bite to eat with just the hubs I am going to cherish that alone time.

~go to the dentist.  It has been awhile.

~lose 20 pounds by summer.  Who doesn't want to look good by then?

Whew!  I am ready and hoping that because I put myself on blast with some of them, I will hold myself more accountable {I already know that the whole birthday thing is thrown out the window though, because tomorrow is Candis' birthday and no card is in the mail...ugggghhhhh}.

Just like last year, we spent the evening at the Casillas' house ringing in the new year!  Good food {lots of it was from our supper club recipe files} good games and good friends, it was a wonderful way to spend the last day of 2011 {although I wish I felt better, my stomach felt the worst it has since the surgery}.  We left about 20 minutes until midnight, Lola crashed almost as soon as I buckled her in her seat, but Kyan made it until 12!  He was so excited and kept thanking us for letting him stay up so late!  We watched the countdown at home on the couch, Lola asleep in my arms.  Kissed and cheers each other to a new year when Lady Gaga dropped the ball.  It was perfect.

We had a wonderful 2011 and look forward to 2012 and all that it may bring! 

Surgery Update

Just a little update on my surgery today.

I checked in at 8am to get started with everything for a surgery that was scheduled at 9:30am.
Surgery began a little after 10am, they were waiting on instruments to be cleaned I think{?!}, very important to have clean tools!
The gown they gave me to wear was a warming gown that blew me up like the Michelin Man, but it kept me so, so warm!  Way better than those warming blankets that they used to use.
Both of my nurses were wonderful, even though my pre-op nurse had to stick me twice, my veins did NOT want to pop out for some reason today!  Finally my left hand came through for me!  Although I am pretty sure that both hands with have large bruises on them tomorrow!  Oh well, small price I had to pay I guess.
My doctor {his name is Dr. Phil, crazy huh?!  Feels kinda weird to say it, but when I booked my first appointment with him, that is what they called him, not by his last name, Harmon} came to talk to me before we went in and put my mind at ease.  He assured me that what I was having done was a piece of cake and that I would be fine.  Since having babies, I have a new OB/GYN.  I loved Dr. Misty, but and while I still go to her practice, she has moved on to bigger and better things, and I am so happy for her.  When I called the office to let them know I was having issues, I got Dr. Phil!  He has been awesome and I am lucky to have found such a caring office to go to with such great doctors!
The anesthesiologist was awesome too.  Not gonna lie, this is what I was worried about most.  Well, kind of.  I wasn't worried about going to sleep - that was a great feeling...I was worried about the waking up part and puking.  The first time I had have anesthesia I puked my brains out {TMI, I know} and I did not want it to happen again.  It hasn't happened since {I have had 3 other surgeries since then that I have had to go to sleep for, this one was my fifth} and I am happy to report that I didn't puke today or cry {'cause that happens too} when I came back to the real world!
I was able to dress myself afterwards and walk out on my own two feet!  The kids and hubby have been so good to me while I have been recovering.

So what exactly did I have done?  If you click on the link below it explains things way better than I could ever do!  
Hysteroscopy / D&C / Polypectomy

Once they got in there and saw the polyp{s}, they went ahead with the Polypectomy.  It is most likely the cause for my crazy bleeding that will hopefully stop with it being removed.  They will send it for testing, but usually the polyps are benign. 

I have been on couch rest all day today and plan to do the same for the next couple of days.  I am just a little sore and crampy feeling but on the road to recovery!!!