terrible twos are terrible for....

ME. HOLY COW. Ever since Julian turned two years old, I feel like I'm about to lose my mind every single day. I know everyone says, " it's terrible twos, they all go through it" but do they really go through what my son is making me go through right now?! First of all, love my child to death but for some reason he REFUSES i mean REFUSES to even try on his costume. As you all know Halloween is in exactly a week and it's not looking good for trick or treating this year. Huge bummer since his dad was deployed last year and missed out on it. Second of all, he refuses to ride in his car seat and has to sit in the drivers seat to "drive the mum" he calls cars, mums for some reason i dont know lol SOOOO after fighting him for ten minutes today to get him in his car seat, the second we walk into the store, he's running out of it refusing to even walk around. AHHHHH I'm telling you, I'm losing it over here. I hope these terrible twos are all out of his system soon because.....we're pregnant with baby number 2!! yup, we found out in July and we are so excited!! I am 17 weeks 3 days along today and we find out the sex in November. Along with the new baby due in April, we're about to experience a lot of changes in the next few months. We finally get to live in a house on base next month, husband might be deploying for the holidays :(, finding out the sex of the baby AND looks like we're getting out of the military! yay! Even through these tough times with my crazy son, there's a lot to look forward to and I am so blessed with this life I live.

Until next time..

Leslie

Just now noticed the new layout...

WOW I guess it's pretty obvious that I haven't been much of a blogger lately. I come on here and things are completely different! I have definitely been slacking :/

Let's see...What's new since last time I wrote on here??  It was about a month ago and we just got done celebrating Easter. Time has been flying by and I can't believe that my little baby is almost TWO. AHH!! he is definitely going through the terrible two's as well. This momma is tired and hates going anywhere in public now. HA. That's all the negative I have to say about his age right now. Now, the positive :) He is talking a ton, has almost all of his teeth, has crazy balance and runs EVERYWHERE. He is my pride and joy and I am again so thankful that I get to experience every jump, bite (yeah he's going through a biting stage right now) and kiss from my precious baby BIG boy!

I feel like we're staying busy but honestly, not really. I have my occasional playdates or parties but other than that, we stay home a lot. Speaking of home, we go to OKC next week. It's been since February so I'm a little excited for the food and shopping :) Oklahoma City is just a stopping point though. We will be on our way to Jamesport, Missouri to visit Tony's Grandmother and Grandfather. They haven't seen Julian since he was only 2 months old, so I'm excited to show this little monster off! Please pray for us and the car ride there. As most of you know, Julian hates to sit still so this trip will test everybody's patience.

Big decisions are needing to be made in the near future. This summer marks Tony's 5 year mark in the military and we are SOOO lost with what we want to do. On top of that decision, we're talking baby number 2. Yes I know I ALWAYS go back and forth about another baby but I refuse to have my next baby anywhere but here!! So be on the look out for some exciting news this summer... hopefully :)

May is almost half way over and I have a feeling this will be a fantastic summer! Can't wait to see what the next few months hold for me and my precious family :)

Now here's some recent pics!

                                                            He says "cheeeese"

                                                         first date night in a LONG time :)

Definitely not Computer Savvy

I think I just spent 45 minutes trying to figure out how to change up my blog. I'm definitely...special HA! Well, I was going to put pictures up of Julian's FIRST easter egg hunt today but of course my husband doesn't know where the chord is for the camera. figures. Anyway, Julian had a blast and I'll put up the pictures tomorrow hopefully.

Can't believe spring is here and tomorrow is Easter! So excited for another easter egg hunt for Julian, dying eggs, taking lots of pictures and going to church to celebrate the reason for the season. Easter is such a special holiday for me and I always want Julian to know why we celebrate it, besides all the candy and eggs!! Jesus is risen! Praise the Lord. Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for us :)

Lets see what else has been going on lately...? Julian is growing like a weed, definitely experiencing the terrible twos and trying to spend as much time outside before it gets crazy hot! Tony is on swing shift right now which is 3pm-11pm. It's not too bad. We get to spend time with him during the day and lucky him gets to join me for all my errands in the morning ;)  I've been wanting to start a workout program for awhile now and have heard so much about Couchto5k and although, I hate running, I HAVE to get rid of this belly! Hopefully I'll start it soon and see results :)

I'm off to bed to get some rest for our busy day tomorrow :)

-Leslie

It's a crazy beautiful life

Where to start?! Things have been crazy, but in a good way, lately! I am excited to say that we are now the new owners of the new iPad! I gotta admit, I was against this thing at first but now I love it and I'm actually blogging on it right now :) so in love! We also made another big purchase this weekend and it was a second car!!!! You have no idea how excited I am about this! We have been a one car family for a year and I am thankful that we are able to add this addition to our family! Thank you Lord for all of these blessings. We have come such a long way and I am thankful for everything we have :)

Now on to my son. I know I brag a bunch but he is my pride and joy:)he is 18 months old and such a mamas boy! SO smart and learns so many things everyday. He has no idea how much I love him and how I'm so thankful that I get to be home for every milestone, every tear and every kiss <3 he completes me. As I was sitting on the couch with him today watching his Mickey mouse clubhouse, I just sit and stare at this little man. He really isn't a baby anymore! Understands so much of what we say to him and he knows how to reply back. He runs all over the place, doesn't want mommys help and is just so independent. How did I get so lucky?! Can't wait to give this little man a sibling ;)

Allergies are out of control lately! All I wanted to do today was sleep and that is pretty much impossible with a toddler. I don't know if I'll survive my next pregnancy HA! Anyway, all of my shows for the evening are over and it's time for this mommy to go to bed.

- Leslie

Overwhelmed maybe??

Tony started work and everything is back to normal. Well, not everything. Lately I've been feeling like something is missing. What am I doing with my life? Yes, I know raising a child is a full time job but I know that I can do more than that! Lately, we have been talking about some major changes in our future. Overwhelming and scary changes that might require both of us to work. Perfect timing right? Tony and I were talking about how I feel today and we think that school is what I need. I need something that will challenge me every day and give me some type of balance in my life. Tomorrow will be dedicated to finding a school and figuring out what exactly I want to do! I am so ready for this next chapter in my life and I want to be able to provide for my family when I need to :)

Speaking of future plans, the million dollar question lately is "So when are you guys having another baby?" I can't even tell you how many times we get asked that!! My son just turned 18 months and the idea of another baby has been on my mind quite a bit. The age difference would be exactly what we want but would another baby work into the mix of all the upcoming crazy changes?! SO many things to think about and try to figure out. I am probably the biggest worry wart but I need to let go and let God take control of things. He has a plan for us and I can't wait to see what that is!

I better get off of here before Tony gets home (dumb swing shift!) but I was in the "blogging" mood and it always helps writing out how you feel :)

My thoughts

The weather is cold and rainy and I just felt the need to blog about my thoughts the past week :) As a lot of you know, I'm a stay at home mom to a little 1 year old boy and I love it and feel so blessed that we are financially stable for this. I look forward to being with him during all his milestones but man, I need a hobby or a job. Every day is the same thing over and over and over again. Is it wrong for me to feel like I'm just wasting my life away? I know being a mother is a full time job but I don't go to school (don't have the desire) and I just don't do much. I'm starting to wonder if I just need to find a hobby or get more involved with other stay at home moms or possibly get a part time job?! Ahh so many thoughts have been running through my head and I'm just not happy at the moment. I don't really know what to do and I just need to pray to God to point me in the right direction.

Busy month!

Whew! I feel like I finally have time to sit down and write about the past month. Well, Tony FINALLY got home the end of January and we were very happy to have him back! He came home on a Monday and we left for our cruise on Saturday. I was stressed that he wouldn't be back in time for our vacation but he barely was! Our cruise was everything we thought it would be! We had to say goodbye to our little boy for 8 days which was the hardest thing I've had to do so far. Yes, I bawled like a baby more than once!! He stayed with my parents and didn't even seem to miss us one bit. He is growing up so fast and is so independent. Anyway back to the cruise! We went on a 7 day cruise and stopped in Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Mexico. Probably one of the longest weeks of my life! I loved being on vacation with my husband, which happened to be our first one EVER since we've been together, but motion sickness was awful. The boat was beautiful, there was always something to do and the food was amazing but my body just couldn't get used to the swaying. All three of the stops were amazing. Beaches were beautiful, the weather was perfect and we definitely got some sun ;) The vacation came to an end on Sunday and we were beyond excited to see Julian. We got in OKC around 8:30 that evening and got plenty of hugs and kisses from him. We are now back in Abilene and it feels good to be home! It's so nice to stay home and have somebody here to talk to and spend time with! We were so busy that week Tony got home that we finally get to relax together and spend time as a family. This past month has been amazing and I have so much to be thankful for! I can't wait to see what the next few months have in store for us :)

                                             we drank...

                                            and drank....

                                             whats a vacation without some fruity drinks?!

                                                So happy and in love <3

I see the light at the end of the tunnel!!

WHEW this deployment is almost over and I am so relieved!! I must say though, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Yes, spending almost all the holidays apart my other half was hard but we look forward to catching up when he gets back :) Speaking of holidays, today is probably my favorite one ;) My love is 24 years old today!!! Happy birthday Tony. SO thankful for this day. without you, my life wouldn't be complete. We are so lucky to have you in our lives!!

The next month is going to be crazy busy and I'm ready! Tony gets home soon, our cruise is SOON and hopefully visiting friends in Austin will be VERY SOON! So much to look forward to and I can't wait for the family time. With my cruise coming up in less than a month, I have been trying to get into shape. AHH. Working out is definitely not my favorite thing. As you all know, I  had Julian a while ago and this baby flab on my tummy just isn't going away. I don't know if a bikini will be in my future any time soon and this is so hard for me. I know I sound so pathetic but I miss my pre baby body!! I did Active 2 yesterday and OH.MY.GOSH. it hurts to wash my hair in the shower! Beauty is pain I guess right??

We've been in Abilene for about a week and a half now and things are going pretty smooth. It's been nice to catch up with my friends and for Julian to be around other kids his age! Since being back home, my baby fever is getting ridiculous. Three of my friends, yes THREE just had babies within the last 2 months and I'm going crazy seeing all of their little faces and cuddling with them. It makes you realize that time goes by so quick and to not take anything for granted. Julian's 15 month check up was yesterday and it went well. Since Tony's been gone, Julian was fighting ear infections one after another and it was to the point where tubes were the next option. Yesterday, the doctor walks in and he actually thought Julian got tubes because we haven't seen him in awhile. LOL it was actually only 2 months since we've been in, which is normal but he was so used to seeing us like every week! anyway, Julian is gaining weight very well which is a huge relief. He jumped from the 10 percentile to the 25 percentile! Weighs 22 lbs 11 oz and is 32 inches tall which is 75 percentile! We are so happy to hear that he is right on track and no ear infections this time around!!

Hoping the next couple of weeks go by quick! To all my friends that just said goodbye to their loved ones, You will be in my prayers and time will go by fast. Just know, I am always here! Friends are support. Love you guys!

New Year= New me!

So it is officially 2012. Wow! Another year is here and I am ready to kick butt and set some new goals for myself. I know that everybody makes their New Years Resolutions every year. Well this year, I'm actually going to set some AND follow through with it!

Back in November 2009, my love asked me to marry him and about a month after we were engaged, we found out we were pregnant so all of my wedding plans got pushed to the side and we decided to get married at the courthouse instead for multiple reasons. Ever since then I can't help but want to plan a wedding SO bad. Don't get me wrong, I still love the way I got married and that I had a beautiful baby boy a little sooner than expected but every girl dreams of planning a wedding!! Now that I'm officially addicted to pinterest, it hasn't really helped my obsession ;) My goal for this year is to HOPEFULLY make this dream come true within the next few years and get a general idea of when (NOT IF) this wedding will happen! It's a little overwhelming considering all the factors that play into this. 1. When are we having our second child? 2. Do we want to wait until we're done having kids to have our wedding? 3. Is this going to feel like a wedding and be everything I want it to be even though we got married 2 years ago?! This year, I want to get this all figured and set a date, even if it won't be for a few years. I just NEED to have some hope that a wedding will be in our future!

Okay my next goal for this year. Doing something for myself! Okay so that sounds a little selfish, but being a mom and a wife, you sometimes forget about yourself in the midst of all the duties! Whether it's getting an amazing work out plan (which is a MUST) or maybe taking a little vacation with some girl friends, getting a spray tan, maybe a new wardrobe? ANYTHING. I need goals to set, dreams to come true! I love being a mom, it's the best job in the world but....Is there something else out there that i would love to do?! Is it school or a new job or a business to get into?? I want to set high goals for myself to see what I'm capable of!

My last goal- Being the best Leslie that i can be. I want to better myself as a person. Be a better wife, mom, sister,daughter, friend and Christian. This past year has been such a roller coaster with moving, learning things about marriage and motherhood everyday, and finding a church. I say almost every week "I want to find a church, I want to be involved!" but I never seem to go through with it. This year, I will find a church where we can be involved as a family and grow spiritually. I grew up surrounded by an amazing church family and want that desperately for my growing family!!

With a new year here, I am excited to see these goals met, relationships grow and changes made! We are so fortunate to live another day and I want to make the most of this wonderful life that God has blessed me with! Happy New year to every one and live life to the fullest!!