Simple life

        Tonight after cooking dinner for the first time in seriously almost a week we decided some ice cream sounded good. Since the girls and I spent all day in the house we were all happy to get for a little bit. Jazi was begging to wear her rain boots of course cause it had rained all day.. she had a pair of shorts and a tank top on. Real cute look on her.. but I am sure I would get some crazy looks if I thought I could wear that out. Of course she has a major love for ice cream but the main thing about our 30min out of the house was her getting to jump in water puddles. As she is doing this I am snapping a few pictures.. I am thinking to myself what a simple life. I wish I could see a water puddle sometimes and just go jump in it and splash water all over me with out any worries, not really.. but the joy that this brought to her made me smile. So maybe we should smile more about the simple things in life and look at our life's like a three year old looks at a water puddle with rain boots on!

Branson

   This past weekend we took a mini vacation to Branson as a family of four. It was a little interesting with a 10month old and a 3yr old. We probably couldn't of been in the car any longer than 3 hours.. thank goodness for dvd players in cars! We left on Friday after lunch, took us about 3 hours to get there. We were able to check in our room and had 30 min. to spare before the dixie stamped. Jazi of course was just thrilled to see as she calls them the yehaws! It was a very cute show of course the girls started to get a little restless towards the end. But all in all Friday was a good day. Jazi told us on the way back to the room "I had a good day" Just loved hearing her say this. 

           Saturday we had lunch and did some shopping which is of course is interesting with two little girls who don't know the true meaning of shopping quiet yet :) Since my birthday was a few days prior to this I was lucky to get to go to the Coach outlet, which by the way I was crazy for always paying full price for before. After a long day of dragging the girls around and the hubby, we went back to the room so they could nap. They all three took a little nap while mommy snook away for a little while. All four of us being in the same room was a little trying at times. So that is why it was a short vacation, not sure we could of all survived a week. That evening we went to the fish house which was a restaurant on the the river next to the bass pro shop. Jazi loved getting to see the fish, well she was pretty scared of the fish tank we sat next to at dinner. She has become quiet the chicken lately telling me she is scared of everything. But at the pass pro shop she liked the fish there and the bambi's. We walked the Branson landing which is super nice by the way.. cute little water show that Jazi and Juliana enjoyed. Oh I did forget to mention as we passed the go cart track on the way to eat she said I wanna go there. And on the way back it was closed so we told her we promised we would go tomorrow. I didn't think she would really ride to be honest. 

     Sunday morning we got up and packed and got ready to check out of the room. As we are doing this Jazi keeps saying "I like my room". I think she had a fun time staying in the room. So as we promised we headed to the go cart tracks first. We asked her if she wanted to ride and of course she said YES. So her and daddy rode the bumper boats first.. she thought she was going to get to swim. She did enjoy that. But not as much as the go carts. I thought Jas would have to go slow because she would be a little scared. Wrong.. she loved it. I could tell each time they passed me by the look on her face she was having a blast. That is when I knew it wouldn't matter where we went for vacation she will always have fun. We then took her to the disney store and few others that we had missed on sat. she picked a bambi out of all the princess stuff she hasn't put him down since. We headed back home after lunch and both the girls slept most of the way. 

      I feel very lucky to be able to treat our girls to this vacation. This is something we dont do often but something we need to make a habit out of.  Jason isn't far out from being deployed once again.. so I am glad we got to do a small get away before all the chaos begins. I am looking forward to a vacation for me and him when he gets back :) 

spending time with momma while Jazi got to  ride

Just look at that face! 

Birthday

  Today is my Birthday.. I am now 26.  It really is amazing how time flies. I love where my life is right now.. I hope 10 yrs from now I can say the same thing. Actually I hope I can always say that on every single birthday. Birthdays have always been a big deal to me.. not sure if it becuase you can say look I made it another year.. or because you can reflect back on the past year and smile. I love birthdays.. I want to always make them a big deal for my girls as well.
   I am thankful for many good friends this birthday I have very sweet people in my life. Jas invited our friends to dinner without me knowing tonight it was a very sweet idea :) Glad they came and kept us company at dinner.
    We are taking a trip to Branson this weekend so I am excited to get some birthday shopping in :) This will also be our first mini vacation with the four of us.. so wish us a little luck!  Happy March 14th :)

Past time

   Is it already MARCH? Really.. these past three months have flown by. I love the month of March, not just because it is my birthday month. The weather is always nice and its a taste of spring. I cant believe I havent blogged since Feb.19th!! Wow.. I will blame that on Jason being gone two weeks and throwing us off our routine. It was a crazy two weeks.. the end of the second week we went to stay with my mom. So that helped passed time while we were waiting on Jason to get home. Like always we had to pack up right back up the very next weekend after he got home to go back for drill.
   Wouldn't you know my girls got the crud.. I thought maybe pink eye? Never seen it before so was unsure so I spent $20 for the doctor to tell me that Juliana had a cold. Gotta love walk in clinics. So now it has ran its course and guess who was next in line me. I guess I cant complain I dodge the stomach bug twice. So I would rather have the crud. However I feel like my head is about to explode. Maybe its just because I am getting older that now my allergies are here. O did I mention my birthday is this month :) I like birthdays not sure why.. but I make them a deal. We are going to Branson the weekend of my Birthday. I am excited cause this will be a good excuse to get away with shopping. And Jason will just have to stand and pretend to be happy about shopping since its my birthday!
   Just in case I haven't already said this.. Juliana is pulling up and standing on anything she can get her hands on. Also she cut another tooth last week. I just cant seem to keep up with all these milestones. Jazi is still as wild as ever.. she keeps Jason and laughing a lot these days with her wild imagination. I love my girls so much couldn't imagine things without either of them. I said the other day to Jason I forgot what is was like before we had Juliana.. she just fits right into our life. I am sure one day baby #3 will to :) haha.. just seeing if Jason is paying attention. For the record he doesn't want anymore. But I do catch a few hints about maybe one day trying for a boy lol. But in the mean time I am enjoying the two of them growing up way to fast.
    Well I am just rambling trying to catch you all up.. I feel like I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. So no plans for these McKinley girls this weekend just some RR.  New pictures soon!!!
 

still learning

  This week has been a challenge but I have learned a few things about myself. First I am stronger than I give my self credit for. Me and the girls have our routine and are ok here. However I hate being home with out my husband being here. The house is so quiet. I miss the company after I put the girls to bed. So needless to say I could never willingly be away from him. No matter where that means he has to go.  I always say pick your partner wisely, not someone you can just parent with. Because when its all said and done the kids grow up and leave you. And then its just you and him. So for now we put all of our focus on the girls cause eventually they will leave us..So Jason and I will have our time again soon.
  Something else about me, I hate asking for others help. No matter what that may be. Juliana caught a small stomach bug and of course my pedilayte was expired go figure. I usually stock up pretty well on stuff so I don't have to take both the girls to get something small. But I sucked it up and called a neighbor to bring me some. This is something I hate doing I don't even like having to ask Jason to do anything. I guess I am a control freak.
   So this has been a interesting week for us, we have had a fun week with just me and the girls. Stayed busy to keep from missing daddy to much. So all in all.. its been a good test. I am strong and have to remember that when I want to break down. Also that I truly love my husband and hate being away from him. I am proud of myself for picking such a good partner in life. And I need to tell myself its ok to ask sometimes.. especially for pedialyte cause you kid is sick that is ok. I would do that for a friend in a second.  I am truly lucky to have these great people around me.
 
 

Honesty

   Honesty is the best policy right?  But the real question is are you truly honest when someone ask you something? I guess through the years I have found myself as maybe being to honest. Honesty is viewed in different opinions .. some people are brutally honest and it can comes off as rude. But the truth is if you ask me if those jeans look good on I am going to tell you what I think. Or if your mad about something I may think its ridiculous. So I would say I am someone good to go shopping with, or call when your mad at your husband.
       But when should you bit your tongue and not say things? Sometimes I have a hard time figuring that one out. Peoples views are all so different. And in fact I was faced with a conversation looking back I might should of just bit my tongue and agreeded. But that isn't who I am. And I am proud to say that I have found who I am and happy with that. It may come off offensive because I am confidant. Not with looks I don't think any women is fully satisfied with there body. I feel confidence comes from being happy with who you are as whole. I love who I am.. Wife, Mom, and friend. These things sum up where my confidence comes from.
      But the Honest truth of it all.. we don't really know where everyone else story begins. I feel I don't put much expectations on people because that just leads to dissapointment. I know I have had my far share of that in my life. But when it comes to honesty I want it.. I want my friends to be able to call me and be brutally honest. And I am the friend to call if you want the truth. I may stumble on it to decided if someone can handle that and at times I cant either. But in the end isn't that what we all want to hear the Honest truth.  This goes much deeper than they way a pair of jeans fit.
  So be careful we do teach our kids honesty is the best policy, but some where along the way we loose that policy. Just some thoughts..
 

Loss of Energy

  Someone took my energy and they need to return it asap. I have not been feeling like myself these past few days. I am exhausted from really nothing.. I feel like I have not been getting enough sleep. I wake up and feel ok but then an hour later feel like I have no energy. I have had a few mild headaches all day... that nothing seems to make them go away. I miss myself. I am use to being a busy body and always on the go,  so maybe its finally taking its toll on me. I guess that is my reasoning for not blogging recently. So I guess if I cant find my energy soon, I may resort to vitamins or something healthy like that :)
     

    So I will catch you up on last week. Last monday we had gymnastics, which Jazi is loving her new big girl class but prob not as much as mommy since I get to sit on the side lines and watch! After that we took a quick trip to vb since Jas had to work in NWA. He wants the girls close since he is gonna be gone a lot this year. We were back here in Conway by tues. just in time for play date on wed. Which I couldn't surivive with out playdates. I know I say it a lot but play dates keep me sane. Thur. Jazi has school which I couldn't love more.. Gives me some one on one time with Juliana and the house :). Friday was a fun day, me and the girls loaded up and went to the discovery museum with a big play group. We were there most of the day Jazi loved it. We packed a lunch and had lunch there with the other moms. Jazi got to play with one of her best friends from school. We walked next door to the game and fish, where they had fish and baby alligators. At first Jazi was a little scared but in the end she didn't want to leave. By the time we got in the car it was after 2. After a small panic attack trying to get myself out of the bad part of little rock we were safe on our way home. With to very sleepy babies, who sleep the entire way back to conway. When we got home we walked across the street to see the one week old baby kittens since we promised Jazi, and wouldn't you know that is all she talked about after our fun day in little rock. Who knew it would cost absolutely nothing to please her :)
   
   The weekend came and went pretty fast.. we didn't do much except have some friend over for the super bowl. So after I am typing this all no wonder I have been exhausted. Maybe I need a VACATION! Oo wait I did book our hotel for Branson in March, which is loooong over due. Seeings how our last get away was over a year ago. So in the mean time if you don't hear much from me just know I am trying to catch up on everything since I have been so tired with a constant headache. I will find my self agin.. maybe after a nap today :)