Day# 76

Today I am thankful for getting to spend this wonderful day with my monkey :)  We ended up having quite a bit of fun today at the St Patty's Parade in CR!!!!  We ran into Shannon (SV hehe) and she helped get Logan a TON of beaded necklaces to make up for the lack of parade candy we got (I guess I'm a meany cuz I wouldn't let him stand in, literally, the middle of the street in the way just for candy!) :)

Today I smiled just listening to Logan go on while we waited for the parade to start :)  It just amazes me the things that boy thinks about and talks about and how much logic there is behind all of his thoughts, he is smart WAY beyond his years and makes me feel that much more excited to be his Mommy and get to see what lies in store for this little man :)  I love you Monkey Meat!!!!

Day# 75

Today I was thankful for a day at home :)  Me and Logan got to spend the whole day in our jammies hangin' out at home :D  We got a bunch of stuff done around the house...the dishes are done, laundry is done, house picked up including cleaning the breezeway from the winter, the toy room and the computer room, the 3 rooms that are too cold to deal with in the winter :)  So my house is now back to the way is supposed to be :)  I even got my screens almost completely cleaned so I can make some more prints soon :)  Yay!  I can't wait to finally get the pillowcases done for our bedroom so I can hopefully get it in some sort of designed order :)

I smiled today when I bid on my very first item on ebay :D  I decided to bid on a diy shirt that says "vegan" on it!  Fingers crossed I will officially have my very first vegan shirt come tomorrow :)  It feel kind of weird in some way though.  I guess I don't feel quite so funny wanting a shirt like that since I've been doing the vegan thing for a year and a half now, but I guess in one aspect I almost feel like stuff like that is pushing your own views on others (I know I over-think things).  Yes I choose to be vegan, and love telling those who ask about it, but by no means do I want people to think I am trying to make EVERYONE choose my lifestyle.  It's a choice that I ran into that I choose to try out and it stuck, but I also understand that it's not for everyone.  There were quite a few shirts and items that I saw for sale that, for the clever factor were funny, but we quite rude if you ask me and are down right mean and that is not even close to what I am trying to go for.  But I am excited to make it known that yes I choose to be vegan and try and do my little part to get the word out about veganism to those I am around :)

Day# 74

Today I am thankful/happy to say that I actually got off my bum and started exercising again! :)  Who knew that me of all people would ever be excited to excercise let alone RUN!!  Yes, I said RUN!  Not only that, but I did some yoga this morning as well! Woohoo! Now if I can just keep it up!!!  As Bryan and I were talking about it, I made a plan as to how to get a run in everyday, so now it's just a matter of doing it!!!!!  I'm optimistic still LOL

Today I smiled because, you guessed it, I RAN!!!!  It's been almost a year since I last went for a run so I'm super excited about this!!!  I was expecting to run a mile right off the bat since that's what I was able to last do, but I didn't stop and think about how long it had been since I last ran and how long it took me to get to that point, so I am quasi excited to say I ran about a 1/2 mile out of the whole mile, so I am going to be optimistic and say that that isn't too bad since I haven't done such a thing for so very long :)  Only can get better from that :D

Day# 73

I am VERY thankful for living in a HOUSE in the COUNTRY today!  It was so nice outside today that Logan and I decided to "play" outside this afternoon!  I was able to get almost 2 1/2 flower beds weeded and de-leafed and put down some mulch (well what little mulch I had), now just gotta figure out when Paul's gets their shipment of cocoa mulch so I can get some more!  I'm hoping to get atleast the one finished up so we can figure out what all we need to do to get it ready to become our strawberry patch :)  Me and Logan are so excited for strawberries, its gonna suck not having any this year!  Oh how I love the outdoors when it's not Antarctica!!!!

I smiled today watching Logan outside :)  It usually takes him a bit to warm up to it and he seems to get bored pretty fast outside, but that middle is awesome!  Watching him run around and "shoot the bad guys" and play with his giant legos :D  Today he told me he wanted to plant some acorns, when I asked him what you got from acorns his reply was, "Squirrels!"  Oh he cracks me up :D  Then he showed me exactly where he wants to plant his acorn tree.....right in the middle of the litte bit of backyard we have :) LOL

Day# 72

So today I am thankful for my car running correctly again!  I was so excited to go to the store cuz I got to spend some much needed quality time with my little japanese beetle!  Oh how I missed it! hehe

Today I smiled because I was able to get all of my laundry COMPLETELY done and put away!  No more hanging everything up to dry around the house for this girl! :)  Altho I didn't mind not having a dryer, I forgot how nice it was to not look like a laundry mat on laundry day!

Day# 71

Today I am thankful for our friends :)  Living in the middle of nowhere, especially in the winter, we don't have people over very often.  When we do I love it!!!  I love having people visit and hang out and eat with us!  I can't wait till it gets nicer out so we can start having people over for fires!  Our fire pit is gonna be a hoppin' place this year if it kills me! LOL  It's so nice and relaxing to be able to be at home with family and friends hanging out and laughing! :)

Today I smiled watching Baby Keagan smiling when Logan would come over to ask me something, it was just too cute!  I know, where's the camera when these things happen, well I was too busy getting my baby fix :D

Day# 70

I am thankful that Bryan is pretty sure he figured out what is wrong with the civic :)  I enjoy our truck and how I can haul with it, but I do not enjoy the amount of gas it takes to get anywhere!  I can't wait to be able to get to drive my japanese beetle once again :)

I smiled today because I got to sit and watch one of my favorite movies from when I was a little one, Wildcats!  Not only that, but Logan sat down and watched it with me too :) (until he fell asleep)  I forgot how cheesy but great that movie is!  I'm glad I remembered to hit the record button at the beginning :)

Day# 69

I had a nice relaxing morning :)  I got the house cleaned up, my photos turned in for class, then got to spend the afternoon with my Monkey Meat :)  Can't ask for much more of a good day :)

I smiled today when I realized I have all of my online class work done till after spring break!  A few less things the I actually HAVE to make sure get done for a whole week :)

Day# 68

Today didn't start of the greatest, but it turned around this afternoon!  I was told (with no negotiation allowed) to GO SHOPPING!  Those who know me very well know that there are certain items that I just can't bring myself to splurge on, and after losing 50 lbs, it was due time to buy some of these items!!!!  So off I went to Victoria's Secret....It took me a while, I had to text Bryan a few times cuz  just couldn't bring myself to spending that much!  Sometimes I forget that I do have my spoiled moments still :)  Thank you babe! :)

I smiled today getting to spend a truely nice, quiet, relaxing evening at home with my 2 favorite boys!  It doesn't seem to happen enough anymore, so I try to enjoy the moments when I can (sometimes easier said than done!) :)

Day# 67

What am I thankful for today you ask?!  Well I am thankful for finally finding THE lady to do my hair I think!  Juliet, YOU RAWK!!!!  I am so excited about my new haircut (photo to follow!)  It was nice to get out of the house and have a "girly" afternoon and hang out with someone as rawkin' as Juliet! :)

I smiled today because I was able to get almost all of my project for my graphic design class done in 1 class period! (we have Friday to work on it as well) :)  I was pretty overwhelmed and nervous at the beginning, but I ended the evening with only like 15-20 min left to finish up on Friday! YAY ME!!!!!

Day# 66

Today I am grateful for having atleast a couple of vegan restaurants in this area!  I got to have lunch with the bestest Mommies a girl could ask for and got to share some yummy vegan goodies with them! (see my other blog for more if you wanna know :) )  It was so nice to get out!

I smiled today after Bryan and Ashely were able to get the truck unlocked :)  I was nervous I was gonna have to call the locksmith and totally throw off our Tuesday morning, but they were able to get it open!  Me and Logan got to play with Charlie for a little bit too!  It was so cute watching her and Logan chase Chloe around the house and listen to Charlie squeal everytime she found the cat again!  For as poopy as the evening started, it turned out not quite so bad I spose (besides now needing to get a new back window section for the truck but oh well) :D

Day# 65

Today I am thankful for my creativity (Lemme point out how odd it feels to be tooting my own horn for once!)  Logan and I decided to run into town and let Bryan rest a bit without us causing a racket and I was able to pick up some stuff to make a couple more blankets!!!!  So far I've only gotten our PB & J blankey done, but by the end of the week, we will also have a St Patrick's Day blankey as well!  Then we are ready to take SP pictures :D YAY!!!!

What made me smile today you ask?  Well getting to hang out with my Mommies and play a couple rounds of Mario Something-or-other on the Wii with them and Logan, it was nice for a change (don't tell Logan I had too much fun playing videogames! hehe)

Day# 64

So today was an unexpected lazy day (well a lazy day in my terms lol) :)  Logan was being his cough-ing self and after a bit of picking up and waiting for our favorite Dorf to show up, Bryan started getting sick and slept in the chair all day :(  So I got to rummage around the house and get odds and ends done......so today I am thankful for my handyWOman-ness!!!! heheh  I was able to take the basement door off the frame and take it to the basement to store, I made another curtain for my kitchen and then had to swap out one of the curtain rods so I could hang it on my entry door :)  My kitchen is starting to look kinda cute :)  Can't wait for the rest of the house to have some sort of order to it (I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that doesn't think it does already lol)

Today I smiled getting to sit and watch Pixar Shorts with my favorite boys: Logan, Dorf, and Bryan (well Bryan in body not spirit) :)  We had been waiting for them to replay it on tv since Mommy ACCIDENTLY deleted it off the DVR so that made for a good day :)  Not only that but everytime it came back on from a commercial, Logan decided the place to be for watching it was on my lap!  I never get voluntary lap sitting anymore :D  So all in all even tho it was a family sick day, it was kinda relaxing to just be home (altho tip for anyone having a family sick day:  make sure you have toilet paper!  No fun being sick and not having any for bathroom issues and to be able to blow a runny nose, esp when there are 3 runny noses!)

Day# 63

Today I was thankful for the rain!  At this point, if it's raining that means it's not freezing cold outside!  I'll take any warmth I can get at this point!  Bring on the nice weather! :)

I smiled today getting to snuggle with my monkey meat after we got our errands ran :)  I love my snuggle time whenever I can sneak some in :)

day# 62

Today I was thankful for the research paper I had done last semester :). Because of it, I was able to book right through my concept paper I had to finish up today! I even already had some quotes wrote down to use! :). Without that, I don't know what I would have done!

Logan made me smile this evening watching him and his classmates sing at Lakeview's kindergarten music concert! I started tearing up listening to the song they sang about their mommies :) I was the bestest song I've ever heard hehe :D

Day# 61

So I was finally able to get back to help Heather move the last of her big stuff :)  I'm am thankful for having such a good friend that happens to have little ones Logans age that he calls good friends too :)  It's so nice to get together and let the boys play and get to chat it up!  We may not do it very often because of our busy schedules, but when we do I enjoy it very much :)

I smiled today watching all 3 boys be so helpful carrying stuff to the car/truck to move!  At first they were kind of reluctant but once we got them to carry a couple tubs down and they were hooked! :) They were actually fighting over who was gonna carry what and Logan and David tried to sneak out of the apartment (on the third floor) to take the boys' bikes downstairs by themselves!  Luckily they didn't get more than 2 feet in the living room LOL!  No matter what it is that we are doing, no matter how boring or minute, the 5 of us always seem to find a way to make it entertaining :)

Happy March (aka Day# 60)

Today I am thankful for being able to stay at home with my monkey when he is sick and not feel like I'm screwing over someone I work with!  I never in a million years thought I would EVER be able to do this (and I know that it won't last forever) so I am grateful everyday for this chance while Logan is still little enough to be able to help him at school and at home to learn and ejoy life to it's fullest (well, we are still working the kinks out!)

Today I smiled becuase I got to use the Macs in class again (I know, who gets this excited about doing school work on a computer right?)  I'm just amazed how differently things are on Macs but how easy it still is :)  I'm so glad that it isn't very hard cuz I'm so technilogically challenged I don't know if I could be figuring out how to do the same program 2 different ways and not know how to use it to begin with!  My head wouldn't like that too much! :) lol

Day# 59

Today I was thankful for fuzzy blankies and children's tylenol!  Poor Monkey Meat was sick today :(  But we stayed home (I only went to one of my classes today) and snuggled in the recliner under the fuzzy blanket and solon spartans blanket and took a long nap!  I was so cozy I even fell asleep with him :)  I may not be a big fan of needing meds....me and Bryan both seem to be like that!  But when Logan feels that poopy I don't feel bad giving him tylenol :)  Hopefully he feels better tomorrow!

I smiled today when I picked Logan up from Gramma's house after my class was over.  I had told him that I would only be gone for like 3 cartoons since I didn't know if he'd be able to see a clock in the room he was in.  When I came back and went upstairs, he looked at me and said, "You were wrong, it was 4 shows!"  Oh how he cracks me up with his technicalities!  He is way to smart for his own good sometimes! :)

Day# 58

I am thankful days that me and Logan get to spend together and just get things done as we get things done.  It seems like we are constantly rushing around trying to get things done before we are late.  So when we get a chance to just get around to things as we choose, it's always a nice feeling! :)

I smiled today when I got to help my friend Heather move some stuff to her new place!  I am so glad we got a truck so that I am able to help move people rather than people helping me with their truck!  Hopefully it doesn't get crappier outside so that I can make it to help her finish up tomorrow :)  I can't wait till we have our paint party at her new house!

day# 57

I was thankful for suppers with family today! It was so nice to see the Mathers and let Logan get to hang out with Uncle John :) They have so much fun together, I love it! :)

I smiled today after I finished my new island in the kitchen! I always tell Bryan that eventually I will use all the things I save, and this was a prime example! It's so nice having the little bit of more counter space :) Once I get used to it in there that is! :)

day# 56

Today I am thankful for getting to learn how to begin using a Mac! I always thought that a mac would be so hard and overwhelming, but really they aren't! They are actually a little easier to use in some aspects and I'm glad I have the opportunity to figure this out! :)

I smiled a lot as I was learning to use the Macs! Even the boring stuff was fun for me cuz I'm a nerd hehe :)

day# 55

Today I am thankful for days that I get to have a moment to enjoy going to school and being able to be at home and take care of things I need to get done around the house! It was so nice not having to rush around at night frantically trying to get the laundry done! Awww what a feeling!

I smiled today once my house was back in order from me slacking this week! It's so enjoyable being home when it's clean :)

Day# 54

Today I was thankful for my drawing class!  We worked on gesture drawing again today, but somehow it must have been a little bit different than before because I really enjoyed it today!  I even kinda like the gesture drawings I did (which doesn't happen very often) :)  I've noticed that I have gotten my love of everything artist back (oh how I missed it!) lately!  I am able to look beyond everything around me and see more of the artistic beauty in things, I'm in aww at things almost constantly again!  Something my professor said a few weeks ago caught me as interesting so I wrote it down, after looking at it again, I see what he means more than I did intially:

"To be an artist, you must be amazed by the world around you like you did when you were 6 months old.  Before you began naming things."

I think that statement is SO true.  How amazing would even a tree be if we went back to a time before we knew that it was a tree and just looked at them for the beauty they pocess?

Tonight I smiled just for the simple fact that it was the first night since we have been back from Omaha that we actually got to stay home!  It was so nice to know we aren't rushing around for a few hours!

Day# 53

Today I was thankful for being back at school, cuz I'm a nerd like that!  Until I got back into class, I knew that I'd have issues getting back into the swing of things, so I was glad to go to class tonight!

Today I smiled on the way to Grammas house while me and Logan sang Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds! :)  I love sharing some of my favorite things with Logan and The Beatles happens to be one of those things :D  I just love listening to him secretly singing along word for word to his favorite Beatle's songs :)  My little hippy boy (shhhh don't tell Bryan lol)

Day# 52

Today I am thankful for being home!  I loved this weekend in Omaha, and couldn't have asked for better hosts (thank you DJ and Sara you guys are the best!), but I'm by no means a big city girl, so I am happy to be in my boring, middle-of-nowhere home again to be back at the grindstone!

What put a smile on my face today you ask?  MY LOGAN!!!!!  I missed him oh so much while we were gone, but I knew that he would have much more fun with the Grammas than had he went with us!  I couldn't quit staring at him for the first hour I was just so happy!  I love having grown-up time every so often, but I couldn't live without my Monkey Meat! :)

Day# 51

Today was the day!!!!!

I am thankful for being able to share today's tattoo adventure with Bryan, DJ, and Sara!  I have been waiting for almost 10 years to get to be able to share this day with Bryan, I'm so glad we finally got to!

We stopped and grabbed some of the yummiest spaghetti for lunch on our way and then spent an awesome 5 hours at Black Squirrel Tattoo!  It was so much fun and I am now the proud owner of the bestest sacred heart tattoo EVER! Thank you so much Mel, you rawk!!!!  Everyone walked away with some super sweet ink!  Hopefully we can do it again sometime (soon if I had my way lol)!!!!

My AWESOME sacred heart tattoo!  She did such a good job and was such a trooper dealing with my cover up issue!  She even did it so that if I decide down the road I want to add to it, I can with ease (I've already decided that if I do I'm totally doing something in greyscale so the heart still pops!)

Bryan officially has a tattoo!  Matt did such an super sweet job!  I can't stop staring at it when I see it even in photos, although photos don't do it justice! :)

Well as seen from above the whole day was a GIANT smile!  And to end the day we ate at Upstream!  They even had vegan choices (marked with "vegan" in the menu even)!  Their black bean burger was so yummy!  When I told the waitress that was what I wanted she even asked if I was vegan to let me know the mashed potatoes had butter in them (they sounded too good not to cheat a little), she even came back to let me know that the chef had said that he was going to put my burger on beer bread since their buns weren't vegan!!!!!  Why can't more places be like that!  I will definitely be going back there! :)

DAY# 50!!!

Wow I made it to day 50!  (ok so I haven't actually posted everyday, but I've been keeping up on paper atleast :)  and I have eventually posted them haha)

I am thankful rawkin family members (like how I totally claimed stake on Bryan's family LOL)!  I had a blast today hanging out with DJ and Sara and Bryan!  Oh and Maddox, Chico, and Diego! :) We went to the mall so Bryan could go get a hairs cut and we got to roam a bit and do some shopping (who knew that I would find clothes at Pac Sun that I would like?  Guess I should start going in that store LOL)
We went to see the Muay Thai fights tonight and that was super cool!  I kinda wanna look into learning it just for the training aspect (the first sight of blood and I was over actually doing it seriously)!  I'm a lover not a fighter so I could never actually do it for anything more than to get into better shape!  but Damn those folks from Mid America are in mighty fine shape, you never see ladies with 6 packs around here!!!!!

Today I smiled a lot just looking at everything and taking it all in!  Seeing all of the old buildings and just the way Omaha functions is just so neat to take in!  And the fights were just so interesting, I cringed a lot when the people got in a good kick or hit, but it was so intriguing watching these folks willingly get into the ring to match their fighting skills against another's.  I have even more respect for these people than I already did!  Can't wait to watch DJ!!!!

Day# 49

And we're off!!!!!!!!

I am thankful for me and Bryan's schedule to FINALLY allow us another weekend away together (it only took 2/3 years for it to happen!)  I wish we had the time and money to do it more often, but I guess this way I can appreciate it more when it happens :)

I was almost giddy all day!  Class seemed to take forever, but at noon it was off to get on the road!  I smiled first cuz we got a free upgrade on our car cuz they couldn't find our charger!  Oh btw, anyone wanna buy me a Chrysler 300?????? hehe

(I totally forgot to take a picture of our car like I had planned :( )

We got to Omaha just in time for supper and to stop by and me th tattooists so it worked out perfect!  I can't wait till Sunday :D

Day# 48

Today I am thankful for having the wonderful landlord that we have :)  Not only has he came and pulled Bryan out of the ditch during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, but he let me into the church next door so I could take some really neat photos for my photography class!  All he asked for in return was a copy of the photos for them to keep with the church!  I may not be all that religous (and have recently learned that I am fairly intrigued by Eastern religions), but I have always found old churches beautiful, I can't wait for this summer so the sun is out (since I don't think it will anytime soon!) so I can get some rawkin' pics of the stained glass windows :)

Today I a giant smile because I was able to not only get all my class work done for the weekend, but I got the house completely cleaned up AND me and Logan's clothes packed!  Omaha here we come! (oh and Grama Kim here Logan comes! lol)  Getting a bit more nervous, but I am SO very excited for a weekend aways with Bryan! :D

Day# 47

I was thankful for my tufo this evening :)  Tofu is one of those things that many people have misconceptions of, hey, I even did just a few years ago!  I don't know what I'd do without it now!  I love me some tofu every few days (I even figured out how to cook it up to make it taste like I made a fried egg sandwich :)

So since I could easily have all 365 days worth of smiles revolve around Logan, which I'd be ok with but that makes it way too easy!  So I've decided to try and keep my monkey contained to once or twice a week, since this is supposed to help me see the good in my life, and I already know he's the bestest :D

So today I smiled after I was able to get the laundry done before we go on our road trip this weekend!  I even went in the basement after dark to do it :)  Oh how I'm so proud of myself (well it helped my nerves knowing that Bryan was just a scream away hehe)  So now I can check 1 more thing off the list of stuff I'd dread coming home to do!

Day# 46

So today I am thankful for my night class being cancelled.  I know that that isn't all that positive of a thing to be thankful for but I was very thankful.  I was also thankful for my heating pad today :)  My tum wasn't doing so hot and my trusty heating pad always seems to do the trick :)

I smiled today cuz I got to go hang out with my fav cousin for a little bit this evening for some awesome retail therapy!  Although I wasn't able to get the shirt I really wanted, it was a nice relaxing couple of hours :)

Day# 45

Happy Valentine's Day!  Today I am thankful for all of you that I call my friends and family!  I love you all to the moon and back and back again!  I wouldn't be who I am without you all and your friendly nudges :)

I smiled quite a bit today!  I got to go to Logan's class Valentine's party!  I had so much fun and was so happy I got to share it with him :)

Day# 44

Today I am thankful mommy and me days with my monkey :)  I just can't get enough of my little man and cherish this opportunity I have while he is still little and wants to hang out with Mommy!

Just watching Logan running around with Chloe today made me giggle!  It is so much fun to watch them interact, it just cracks me up!

Day# 43

I am thankful having friends over to the house!  And having the opportunity to play around with the hobbies I enjoy!  Nate and Katie and Keagan came over and I got to have a little "photo shoot" with my bean!  We took a bunch of cute photos for his 3 months :)  I had so much fun!  I can't wait till I get the chance to do another one (I'm trying to talk Logan into letting me play around with get shots of him but it's up in the air still!) :)

We also got to have some yummy grilled food for supper!  The boys had some of the prettiest steaks I've seen in a long time (I won't eat it, but I understand that others do and I still see some meat that is "prettier" than other meats!) and I got have some of my delicious grilled veggies in olive oil and coconut milk!  It was so yummy I ate the whole packet myself!!!!

I smiled today the biggest smile when I actually knew what the heck Nate was talking about when we were talking about computers and files and whatnot!  I know I know, kinda silly but I've NEVER understood what Nate is talking about, so today I felt like I was actually making progress in class.  Nothing like the first time you actually get to use the knowledge you are learning and knowing you aren't learning it just for no reason :D

Day# 42

I'm thankful for the ingenius ideas I get sometimes (wow does it feel weird to toot my own horn!)!  They don't happen as often as I'd like them to, but when they do, I'm so grateful because a lot of times it also saves me some moola!!!!  Gotta love it!

What put a smile on my face today?  My monkey meat of course (surprise, surprise!)  I was finally able to get the pictures of my meat printed and I AM IN LOVE!!!!!  I can't wait to get them up in my kitchen tomorrow!  I just couldn't stop staring at them!

Day# 41

I am thankful for huhot tonight!  LOL  I love eating at that place so much!  It's one of the few places where all 3 of us can find something good to eat AND I don't have to cook any of it!  :) Yummy peanut sauce too!  I wish I could figure out how to make it at home so I could eat it all of the time! lol

I giggled tonight listening to Logan carrying on about how the last time we went to Huhot their "grill" (actually the fryer) was broken and he didn't get his chicken strips till we were almost done eating!  I just kept picturing me going back in time 25 years and sitting there listening to a little Bryan! LMAO it just cracked me up!

Day# 40

I am thankful for being able to volunteer at Logan's school!  When I got there to help this afternoon, I was given some of the cutest little valentines EVER (besides the things that Logan makes :) )!  I felt so good knowing that the few minutes every other day that I go and "play" is actually helping and appreciated.

I laughed at Logan tonight a lot!  Just sitting back and watching him run around and playing and just forgetting about the worries of the day.....it's the best thing around!

Day# 39

So today I am thankful for having days where I can stay at home and get my work done without having to rush!  Ok, so I didn't really get a lot done, but I did get a paper written and started getting ideas for Logan's birthday party (I know, who starts planning a going-to-be 6 year olds birthday party 3 months in advance....well, this lady!)!  I am SOOOO super excited for his party, I love trying to come up with the most cleverest parties and goodies EVER!  I'm totally working on being THAT mom! LMAO  I have found so many fun ideas, I'm just afraid it's going to be too much!  Really, is it necessary to want to have 3-4 different kinds of cupcakes and still have a cake at a 6 year olds birthday?! Probably not, but when would I ever be able to use these ideas again?  Besides, no party is ever big enough for my little man (until I have to tell Bryan what my plans entail that is!)!!!!  I think I may have to go look for the paper I need for the Happy Birthday banner tomorrow cuz I'm so excited!!!!

Today I smiled when Logan asked me how many more days til winter was over!  It was so funny listening to  him explain that he doesn't like winter, he likes snow.  The jist I got from his explaination was that we just needed snow around Christmas.....exactly how I feel!  He keeps me on my toes everyday and I wouldn't have it any other way! :)

Day# 38

Today I am thankful for my health back! lol I felt so odd missing class on Friday and I am so glad to get back to class and get going again! :)  Makes me feel 100% better in itself!

Today I smiled when I actually won a game of pool!  I'm no where near a good pool player so the few times I ever win I get so excited!  LOL  I know, pretty lame, but hey, It's the little things in life that make me happy :D

Day# 37

Today I am thankful for McDonald's FINALLY getting oatmeal!  Now I don't ahve to starve when Logan wants pancakes from McDs in the mornings on Sundays!  And it even tastes pretty darn good :)

Today was a day full of smiles!  Today was Logan's Science Fair! :D  He was such a proud little man showing off his project to our band of Logan supporters!!!!  He had fun running around with his friends seeing all the other projects too.  It was bittersweet letting him go run with his friends, he's growing so big so fast!

Day# 36

Today I was thankful for now being a 2 vehicle family!!!!  It has been quite a few years since we have had a 2nd car, because we haven't really needed one!  I've already forgotten about it a couple of times! lol  It makes it so much easier to schedule things and Bryan is happy that he doesn't have to be me AND Logan's chauffer on Fridays anymore :) hehe

Today I smile after the hairdresser was done with my hair!  It turned out awesome!  I never would have thought about combining purple and orange stripes but it looks great :)  guess I found my new hair dresser :) YAY!!!!!

Day# 35

Today I am thankful for the ability to do NOTHING when I need to have a sick day!  I was so thankful Bryan was off today so that I could stay in bed and get feeling better but Logan was still taken care of!  I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have that!

I smiled a lot this evening!  After school, I was feeling a bit better, still pretty weak, but better.  By that time Bryan wasn't feeling well, so me and Logan spent the evening lounging in our room watching cartoons, reading library books, and playing board games!  Made for a good end to a yucky couple of days :)

Smile of the Day

So I've decided to try something (keep in mind I don't even know if it'll work the way I want it to!)  I would enjoy getting a bunch of pictures of everyone smiling added :)  since that is pretty much the point of this blog :D  So if you would wanna send me pic of smiles, that would rawk and I'll add them as soon as I can :) 
Thanks all!

Day #34

I am thankful for our landlord and all the plowdrivers in our area!  If it wasn't for them, there is no way me and Logan coulda went anywhere (and I was in dire need of leaving the house for a few!)  We were able to run to get Valentine's printed and got to go to Gramma Kim's house and help make Valentine's cookies!  It was so much fun!

I smiled the entire time Logan was cutting out cookies!  He is so entertaining to watch when he into what he is doing!  He loves baking with his Gramma :)

Day #33

Thankful for snow days (just as long as there aren't too many of them!) got the house picked up, and laundry done, just have to finish putting clothes away and vaccuum tomorrow! I also got my chapter read for friday :) I think maybe me and logan will work on taking pictures for my photo class tomorrow :)

I smiled tonite watching Logan play in the snow for a bit, he was digging at the snow like a little puppy dog! Pictures to come (maybe I'll do that tomorrow lol)

Day #32

I am thankful for having a "job" that i don't lose money when there is a snow day, or a snow night in this case! I was getting a little concerned about driving to cr for my class at 5 so I was super happy when they said Kwood was closing at 1 so I didn't have to worry about it anymore! Guess my theory on all of us living in a bubble was a little off!

I smiled today a lot! Had an old friend remind me of some sweet memories which is always nice to hear! Can't wait to share some more old memories one of these days!

Day #31

I am thankful for ME time! It was so nice to go play pool with the girls tonite! I forget sometimes how it feels to get away for a few hours!

I giggled tonite when my mom was pretty sure I was gonna get kidnapped and waited till my pool game with a few guys from the bar was done before she left :) hehe

Day #30

I am thankful for girls weekends not just nights today! I had so much fun helping Tori and Cassie find clothes to try on I coulda done it all day :)

I smiled today because of my chance to pretend to be Rachel Zoe lol! and thanks to my mom, I still have the hat and shades to do it again! I think I had more fun picking clothes out for the sisters than going shoppin just for me :) I can't wait to do it again!!!!

 

 

Day #29

I'm thankful for awesome girls' nights! They seem to get better and better! We had such a blast at the winery! Many stories I never woulda thought would come out of a winery thats for sure! Who woulda thought that I'd get stared at by the male dancer more than I stared at them LMAO oh good times! And so many more to cherish!

I smiled pretty much all day again too many examples to share in this little box! Michelle cracked us up at Fuddruckers thinking she won a bouncy ball, throwing in onto the floor, just to find out it was a piece of gum! Anyone interested in more of our adventure? LOL barrels of fun when the 5 of us get together!

Day #28

I'm thankful for living where I do, not only is my son able to go to a rawkn school that's small enuf for him to learn but not too small to have to deal with all the petty crap (as much lol), but we live close enuf to things to be able to get our errands ran easily :) I love it!

Today Logan was cracking me up, my little demon child lmao! As we were walking to the car in coralville him and bryan were talking about going to VGE, when all of the sudden, mid sentence, logan belts out the most god awful sounding "etc" I think I've ever heard! He sounded like a demon! Omg it cracked me up so he did it all the way to the car! I can only imagine the looks and thoughts we were getting: small child talking like the devil and his mom laughing her bum off and dad trying to pretend he doesn't know us! Lmao oh good times!

Day #27

Today I was thankful for a nice, fun, relaxing day with B! We don't often get those kind of days and it's nice when they happen every so often :)

Today I smiled from our good deals at Old Navy! We were able to get 3 tanks, a pair of yoga pants, a long sleeve shirt for me, a fleece and a stocking cap for B, and like 4 shirts for Logan (including a Nebraska L/S shirt that rawks) all for $40!!!!! Not too bad for us! lol

Day #26

Today I was thankful for peanut butter! I'm not sure how I could live without my daily dose of peanut butter :) Between that and onions! LMAO

I smiled today after I found a couple to stores that are pretty sweet in Mt Vernon! Im glad to see them rawkin it in a small town esp since it's near me :) hehe

Day #25

I'm thankful for wonderful family that helps take care of little man! Not sure what I would do without all the Grammas that are around here! Miss Sally was exstatic when i called and said he'd be over not only yesterday afternoon but saturday and get to SPEND THE NIGHT! It's the first sleepover at Gramma Sally's! And the Zellar grammas rawk! Not only did they watch Logan last night while I was at class too, they had a sleepover so I didn't have to be late for class this am since he has a late start! I'd be screwed without you all!

I smiled today when I took my very first picture with my camera! I apparently understand megapixels and whatnot even less than I thought! Wholey cow are these pictures CLEAR as all get out! I bout dropped my camera it was so clear! No worries I didn't tho! lol I can't wait to take some more pictures with it!

Day #24

I'm so very thankful for being financially able to have my child think that just cuz you get a check, you have money to buy all the fun things you want :) By no means do I want Logan to go through life with that theory (which I learned quite quickly on my own), but I'm glad to know that as chaotic and crazy as our family has been in the past 5 1/2 years, we have been able to allow Logan to have those little splurges (and sometimes big ones)!

Today, as I'm sure everyone in ear shot figured out, I smiled because of many things...I was able to get my Comp I homework done for the week already, came home to some money :), and was even able to find the camera I WANTED in Cedar Rapids so I didn't have to wait for it to come in the mail and possibly be damaged by mishandling or sitting out in the weather! All in all, a pretty good day I'd say :) Scared to see what I'll have to deal with tomorrow!

Oh and I smiled a big one when I found out I made the deans list too!

 

Day #23

I was thankful for lazy days today! I know I don't get them very often and there are others that get them even less than I do! I can't imagine getting to have lazy days all the time, I wouldn't appreciate them if I did!

I smiled a lot today again while Logan and I finished up painting his project! I had so much fun helping Logan "color" his sunshine and then putting it all together to see how it turned out! My baby is AMAZINGLY creative and talented :) I can't wait to see what's in store for him in the future! :)

 

 

Day #22

Today I was thankful for not having to drive! Don't get me wrong, I love being able to get where I need to go, but man do I enjoy not having to be the one that has to drive there all the time! Poor Bryan got roped into driving yet again!

Today I was super happy helping / watching Logan work on his science project! He didn't need much help other than to hold stuff while he painted and it turn out so neat! He is so excited to show everyone at school!

 

Day #21

Today I am thankful for unexpected Vegan snacks that me and Logan can share :) As Logan was eating his scooby snax we FINALLY found at the store, I noticed that they are vegan YAY! So of course even tho I was stuffed from my pb veggie yumminess (with coconut milk I forgot I had lol) Logan insisted I have a scooby snack with him!

Today I smiled a couple times for very materialistic reasons (I have my moments) at 3 am I got an email that I AM actually getting my taxes next Friday!!!! and around 230 this afternoon I got an email saying that my FA check was sent out today!!!! which means I MAY be able to have my camera before next weekend after all :D Which makes me super happy!

Day #20

I am thankful for warm weather! Days like today make me thankful for all those warm days even if it's rainy! I can't wait to finally have another warm day!

Today I smiled after I got done with my taxes! Hopefully I can get them next Friday (riiiiiiight!) I can't wait to get some odds and ends done that I've been waiting for :D

Day #19

I'm thankful that it is tax time! lol I have my taxes started enuf to get a big smile on my face but still waiting for an email to let me get my FA paperwork then I'll be able to finish it up! In instances like these, it pays to be a poor single mom! Can't wait to finish it up so I'm that much closer to my tattoo (the one splurge outta my taxes)!!!!!

I smiled today after my egg was done this am!  I'm still on cloud 9 from that little egg! hehe

 

Oh and to quickly mention my good dead today to pat myself on the back: As I was leaving LV from dropping Logan off this AM, one of the boys in his class slipped right inside the door and smacked his nose on the floor (omg my eyes started to water for him!), you could tell he tried to hold it back but couldn't. So while the 2 guys stood on the other side of the common area and did nothing, I took him to Mrs. S and then off to the Nurse :) I'll have to be sure to ask Mrs.S how he's doing tomorrow AM :)

Day #18

Im thankful for my nerdiness! Without it I never would have made it thru class tonite.  An hour and a half all about the different printing methods used in graphic productions! But due to my nerdiness, I LOVED it! I'm getting more and more excited about it ALL!

It made me smile today seeing how excited Logan got when he remembered he got to go hang out with Gma Sally while I was at class! They miss eachother so much I wish they could see eachother more, but I'd feel bad dropping him off for no reason, guess I should cherish the opportuinity to do that while I can!

Day #17

Today I am thankful for avacado peelers! I finally got around to eating my slimcado (yes a SLIMcado), and not a day to soon! My avacado peeler made it so much easier to get the yumminess into my bowl for some yummy "guacamole"!!!!!! It was so yummy....avacado, chopped onions, garlic salt, cumin, chili powder :)

Today I smiled because I got to have a nice relaxing day! Me and Logan watched a documentary on death row inmates' last supper, a documentary on different religions' views on God vs Satan, got my homework done for my ATAW classes for the week, and got some more research done about Hinduism :) Can't ask for much more :)

Day #16

Today I am thankful for my Japanese Beetle (as Logan and I sometimes call it)! I sometimes forget how much I take for granted being able to hop in the car and go somewhere! I am so lucky to have a nice reliable car as I do.....I ♥ you "little Honda that could" :)

 

Today was just one big smile! Logan and I got to hang out with some of the bestest people in the world as well as the bestest puppy in the world (it's so nice to see Dax not limping quite so much! I can't wait till she is all better and can play outside when it's nice out) I enjoy our Sundays together :) May have to try and make this a regular occurance....oh wait, it pretty much is LOL

Day #15

I was thankful for the supportive people in my life that hlep me have a reason to continue to think I could make money off the things I love to do! I have a new resergence of excitement about screenprinting now :)

I smiled today a lot because of how thoughtly Logan was today.....he came up randomly while we were out and out of the blue would give me a hug and look up and smile :) I ♥ my Monkey Meat so! :)

Day #14

I'm thankful today for days I don't have to drive :) Bryan drove me to school today and the boys picked me up! It's kinda nice every so often to get chauffered around :)

Today I will be smiling when I get the last 12 Team Have Scents Will ...Travel shirts done. I was very nervous with school and everything I would be running much more behind with these but I'm gonna be able to get them all printed today! :) I feel so much better about this :) and it sounds like I may have some more orders coming in for random shirts so anyone interested lemme know, if they all come about I may be busy for a bit :D I love getting paid for something I love to do even if its just a few bucks :) a few bucks helps pay the bills :D

 

Oh and I'm smiling cuz for the past 14 days aka 2 weeks I have actually kept up with my resolution of writing these :D My whole thought was maybe it would make me a calmer less stressed out being, well I still have my moments but I do feel like I've been able to keep my cool in situations that I normally wouldn't so that's a plus right? I'm so happy for all the things that have been happening and the people I have met in the past 2 weeks, I hope to keep it up for the next 50 weeks :D

 

Day #13

Today I am thankful for the technology that allows me to be able to do my homework and classes at home :) Without it I wouldn't be able to keep up with everything I choose to do in my life! I'm so very fortunate for each and everything and everyone in my life!

Today I smiled because I figured out, ON MY OWN, how to do additional details in my power point program :) I can now not only make a power point, but I can also do the fun stuff of getting my text and pictures to enter the screen in cool ways :D (yes, I know that isn't very hard, but not having a clue and figuriong it out is a big deal to me :) )

Day #12

Im thankful for FINALLY deciding to kinda come outta my shell during class and starting to meet some pretty cool peeps! It helps that there are a handful of us that not only have atleast 2 classes together, but we had class together last semester too! There is one lady who is in all 3 of my classes this semester and I learned she also have kids (one is around Logan's age she said)! Makes classes that much more fun! :)

I smiled today cuz by 6pm I had supper done, we all had eaten, I got the Team Scentsy shirt screen a step farther (should get it done tomorrow)  and was already working on graphic communication chapter notes :) Gotta love when that happens :)

Day #11

I am thankful for all of my knowledgeable friends on FB today! Because of you all, I believe I may have found THE camera I'm going to get!!!! I can't wait to be able to order it and not know how the heck to use it :D Can't wait to play! ... Hurry FA check Hurry!!!!

My smile today was from a joke I heard on a replay of a Bob and Tom bit this eveing on my way back from class! Here's the jist:
A magician starts working on a cruise ship, every night the captains sits front row with his parrot. The parrot eventually learns the magician's routine and calls out all of the "magic" in his tricks. One night as the magician is sleeping, the ship hits an iceburg and sinks. He wakes up on a piece of driftwood with the parrot, they don't talk for a few days. Then finally the parrot turns to the magician and says "ok, where'd you put the ship?!" OMG I thought I was gonna wreck on the interstate!!!

Day #10

I'm so VERY thankful for my WONDERFUL opportunity to go back to school for something that I have loved for so very long :) It felt so good to be back at it (yeah I know, I'm a nerd like that) today. I'm so excited to see what fun stuff I ...learn this semester! After 10 years of trying, I FINALLY have a semester doing things that pertain to Graphic Design! YAY! I'm super excited about my photography class and my advertising class :) I'm intrigued for tomorrow night to see what my Survey of Graphic Communications class is all about! Thank you to everyone who has made it possible for me to embark on this crazy adventure....especially Bryan for putting up with no-job Shannon (I like to think I make up for it by having the house clean, laundry done, and supper ready most days for him when he gets home :) ), and for my mommies for helping with the Logan Monster!

Today I smiled a lot. Why? Cuz I was at school (hehe I told you I was a nerd like that!) I am just so excited to finally get to learn more about things I am so very interested in I can't say it enough!

Day #9

I am thankful for my Tech savvy friends and family!  With some major assistance from the Zellar house, My Mommy, My other Mommy, Carole and Andy, I was able to clean up my computer and know what I have to do to be able to do it myself next time :)  I don't know what I'd do without them :)  Oh, I know, not have room on my computer to install Photoshop (did I mention, I'm super excited about this Digital Photography class LOL).

I had a lot of fun today!  Lots of smiles had by all!  Me and Logan spent the day with the Zellars, playing pool and having some yummy fried pickles :)  The part that made me giggle the most, ok well there was 2 I suppose:  the 1st...while trying to shoot the most ridiculous shot for the way I shoot, I had 1 set of toes on the floor and the other leg on the table and crazy laying on the table, right after I shot, Andy decided my bum needed a penny!  LMAO hehe
2nd was a total Logan funny!  Logan pointed to Andy's pool que and said, "Look, that one is really short, is that yours, Mommy?"  Oh too funny little boy!

Day #8

I'm thankful for my new found (well for the past year) determination and discipline.  I was excited to find out last night at a friend's house, that unlike what I had assumed, I had lost a bit more over the holidays :)  Down to 109, which makes me 3 lbs away from a total weight loss of 50 lbs!

I smiled a lot today, I got to have to baby fixes with my 2 favorite babies :)  I got to hang our with Keagan in the morning / afternoon and then I got to hang out with my bestie, Dom (he was born on my birthday :) ) in the afternoon / evening!  Logan got to play with James at his 4th birthday party as well, so it was a wonderful day :)  Oh and Katie and Nate found me the CUTEST shirt EVER!  Thank you again you guys :)

Day #7

I'm thankful for sunny days and fun scarves (especially when they are only $4) :)  Found a navy blue one like the magenta ones I have and a fun one that is 1/3 teal, 1/3 '60s green, and 1/3 white & purple striped :)

One of the things that made me smile today was finding a new pair of sunglasses that I actually like and that don't fall off my face!  They were only $5 (hehe)!  Yes, very materialistic, but hopefully that will help cut down on the headaches I've been getting on sunny days :)  So I was excited!

Day #6

I'm thankful for having an amazingly curious child who loves to learn, so that I have the blessing to be able to help him learn :)  I made up some flash cards for teh 100 words they are using in Kindergarten and we practiced them and his rhyming words :)

This also brings up what made me smile :)  Listening to my little "baby" READING made me smile from ear to ear!  I'm so proud of my Monkey Meat :)  He is growing up so fast! 

I was laying on the floor playing with our bunny, Stewie, after the PTO meeting tonight and Logan came and laid down with me, I told him he was my little baby and he looked at me and said, "Mommy, I'm 5, I'm not a baby!"  Why must he be so right!

Day #5

I am thankful for the ability to have enough quiet time that I am able to do random things for my family, it was having the day to make Logan some rhyming flip books!  It took all day and I still have to get some rings to put all 25 together, but they turned out pretty cool!

Today Logan came up to me and asked if I had recorded Blue's Clues for him, when I told him yes, he ran at me and gave me a HUGE hug and said "Thank you!"  I <3 my polite little man :D

Day #4

Today I am thankful for my other Mommy - Michelle!  I'm finally up to being a first grader as far as Michelle goes, but she has brought so much to our family, so much happiness, and gave me the bestest 2 sisters a girl could ask for :)  Me and Logan would be lost without her in our lives everyday!

I had 2 things that made me smile:
First off both cats FINALLY went a day without pooping on the floor YAY!!  Let's see if we can make it 2 days in a row for everyone's sake :)
I also had the chance to snuggle with my Monkey without even having to ask :)  He seems to be getting bigger and thinks it's not quite as cool to do that, but after we got our jammies on, he hopped up in the chair with me and Cloe and we snuggled under his Solon Spartans Blanket and we watched Trigun together :D

Day #3

Today I am thankful for my Mommy :)  She has done and still does so much for me and Logan, I could never thank her enough for it all!  I have been truely blessed to have her for my Mommy :)  I love you, Mommy :) 

One of the things that put a smile on my face was waking up and getting ready to wake Logan up for school today.  I had gotten used to sleeping in a bit and, fuzzy eyed, I walked into Logan's room...I found him laying on his comforter like a little caterpiller all wrapped up in its caccoon (well his head was sticking out though) :)  He was so freakin' adorable it took all I had to wake him up and bug his rest...When I did try to wake him up and unwrap him I realized he was literally completely wrapped up, I couldn't find the end...I so wish I had gotten a picture of it!  I'm sure I'll get another chance to do it knowing my Monkey! :)  Always a good way to start the day :)

Day #2

I am thankful for my Bryan!  Although we don't often show it, I can't imagine what it would be like without him!  He does so much for me and Monkey Meat everyday to allow us to do the things we do and asks for little in return.  I often take him for granted, hopefully I can work on that this year too! 

Today, as with most days, Logan made me smile!  Watching him run around protecting me from all of the "bad guys" in our house while I took down the Christmas decorations!  You'd think that we'd be running out of bad guys after a year and a half, but Logan the Protector is on the job :)

Day #1

I'm so very thankful for the love of my life...Logan :)  I can't imagine where I would be with out him in my life, and as much as I enjoyed a couple quiet nights at home, I was so happy to have him home this morning.  I couldn't stop looking at him and hugging him, I'm sure I was bugging him like no other :) 

I had lots of happy moments today :)  Had a houseful of family, which always makes me happy!  I got to cook and bake for my houseful of family :)  I got to play with my 'Lita bug :)  and now I'm relaxing with my 2 most very favorite boys in the whole wide world :D  So, all in all the whole day made me smile :) 

Logan also told me this morning that from now on he was going to be nice and not say no when we asked him to help us, which also put a big smile on my face :)