Smile

Just Smile

Dear Aiden....

Dear Aiden,

I meant to write to you after we had our parent teacher conference with your teacher. There was so much I wanted to tell you. So much I wanted to write down so I wouldn't forget. I wanted to document how advanced you were in your kindergarten class. I wanted to jot down that you were one of the 15 kindergarten students that was moved up to a higher level reading class!! Your daddy and I are so proud of you. Mrs. Nottingham spoke so highly of you. Basically what I got out of it was that you are a genius. Must have been all the fish oil I took while I was pregnant with you! Not really. I mean I did take it with you to help your little brain develop, but you are just a smart kid.

Now that I chatted with you about that. Something special happened tonight. I was tucking you in and Jax asked for a bedtime story. I told a quick one and said goodnight. You started crying hysterically! I ignored you ONLY because you have been throwing so many fits tonight I knew you were just tired and needing to sleep. After 2 short minutes I came in to see what you were fussin about.

And with the sweetest brown eyes you said, "mom I wanted to read YOU a book." I about collapsed in your bed, put my arms around you and said, "Aiden......I would LOVE for you to read to me"

We have been working at your site words and trying to get you to read to us as much as you can but you never want to or else your brothers are bothering you to much and you cant concentrate.

This time was different. Jax sat up with the biggest smile and watched you read a book. It was The Wheels On The Bus. Now, I know you KNOW the song but you were reading every single word and pointing to each one while you spoke it. It was beautiful. It was amazing. It brought tears to my eyes.

After you were done reading the book I started pointing to random words and you read every single one of them. I wanted to check to make sure you were really reading and not just memorizing.

Aiden James, I am SO proud of you. I can't believe how big you are getting. You are growing up to fast. Please just slow down a little. Your mamma is having a hard time that you are quickly becoming a little man.

Love Always and Forever,

Your Mamma

Put me in a StRaIgHtJaCkEt!

Put me in a straitjacket because I am starting to think I'm losing my mind.

My life is busy. It is hectic. I don't have the patience of a saint or the thriftiness to be called frugal. We don't make six figures and we don't have college educations. We have had our hiccups that's for sure. Every single bit of common sense says I am dumb and irresponsible to think about whats on my mind. My head knows this. The problem is my head and my heart have never been on the same page. Or even in the same book for that matter. The often conflict with another and play this tug o war. Even if one side wins the other side is left feeling sad and defeated.

So why am I losing my mind?

Because of this-

Pregnancy, Labor, Newborns, the crying...it all makes me lose my mind and get all giddy. I dont have a  peace about being "done" I have no desire to take the birth control my Dr gave me (nor do I want to get pregnant right now) but one day I do. One day I want to add another baby to our family.

I desire a 4th baby more than anything in the world. More than the "body improvements" I want to get done. More than having my dream wedding and vow renewal. More than going on an exotic vacation. I want to add a brother or sister more than me getting my hair done every 6 weeks or treating myself to starbucks.

If I were told right now our 4th would be another boy............I want that boy!

It doesn't help being on Facebook right now where EVERYONE seems to be pregnant, has a newborn, or is about to pop. I am so overjoyed for all my friends and family. (speaking of shout out to my Sis-In-Law, Christal who just announced they are expecing #2!!!) I love seeing all the belly pictures and hearing about who's being admitted in the hospital. I love the suspense of finding out who is having what! I wish I could rub each of your belly's and hold all of your newborns!

I should clear up I don't want a newborn cause its a newborn. I want another CHILD. I love watching them grow. Some women will keep having babies because the like having BABIES. Yeah, honestly I can pass on the baby phase. I just love the fact that there is one more person that God is allowing you to raise for an amount of time. I do however love being in labor. Weird. I know. That I think is the only part I get jealous of other people. When I hear they are in labor I think to myself, "ahhh man...I WANNA BE IN LABOR!"  Anyhow, totally rambling. Just thought I would throw that out there.

I don't think a 4th is gonna happen for us. I pray so hard my heart changes. Until then, all y'all keep on keep on and popping out those adorable babies!

Reflection time..

Blogging works wonders in more than one way.

Tonight was a tuff one with the kids. No naps all day. Fighting, kicking and screaming all afternoon. Messy house, no time to cook dinner and then throw in mother nature for me and you have a recipe for disaster. Oh yeah..today was tuff.

Needless to say I put the wild animals boys down at 6:30 tonight. A record for me. I mopped the floor then sat down to have some "me" computer time. Escape to the make believe world artistic design and catching up on all my cyber friends day. Then I started to miss my boys. The same boys that almost brought me to tears just minutes before.

But they are MY boys. My babies that I was able to carry in my tummy. My boys that I could call my own. At the end of the day, no matter how horrific they might be. No matter how many times they will embarrass me at the store because of throwing fits, no matter how many times Jax says, "Mom, don't talk to me right now"..they are MY boys. Always and forever. I will be their mamma. I will love them through their acts of disobedience and I will guide them with loving hands.

So I sit here at 8:30 pm. Reflecting. I didn't send the kids to bed with a bedtime story tonight. I simply tucked them in kissed them goodnight and told them.."Sleep good. Tomorrow will be a better day. I love you."


A few shots from today and yesterday. Kids dumping all the stuff out of baby's closet so they can hang on the bar. My (self diagnosed) broken toe. Aiden playing checkers with Nana. Dinner being thrown on the table while Aiden is screaming at me he wants grapes. Then screaming at me to stop taking pictures. And tonight..I decided to bring the outdoor rug and put it under our table for a pop of color. Ahh, the little things in life.

Skye What?

Exciting things are happening at SKYE. What is Skye might you ask? If you live in the West Valley you more than likely have driven past the massive building and asked yourself what goes on in there. Perhaps you want to walk in the doors but you are afraid of the unknown. Located in Peoria, Arizona right off the 101 at Bell Rd it is easily accessible from Scottsdale and Phoenix.

Skye offers excellent live entertainment, exquisite dining, and is a host for a number of events from weddings to company parties.

Where else in the West Valley can you watch a tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel and feast on a 28oz USDA PRIME bone in Rib Eye? 28 ounces of PRIME meat people!!

So weather your in the mood for a live rock show, dining in our Raymond's Steakhouse, enjoying a bubbling martini in our Blu Lunge, or taking advantage of our one of a kind happy hour Skye is exactly the kind of place you want to be. The premiere spot for the West Valley.

I mentioned changes. We are excited to announce the launch of our new menu.

"The team at SKYE have been working diligently to bring the Valley our brand of
Steakhouse Comfort Cuisine. Taking familiar dishes, putting our own spin on them
and delivering them to our guest with the highest standards of culinary execution and
hospitality is our mission. We are offering Prime Steaks, high quality seafood and
chicken dishes, accompanied by flavorful sides, salads and a wide array of starters.

In our show room knows as The Platinum Room, we offer a variety of dishes like Bacon
Wrapped Dates, Chicken Pesto Sliders and Steak Tender Medallions, all under $20.
In our steakhouse known as Raymond’s, we offer our selection of Prime steaks, Salmon
Saffron Picatta, Herb Roasted Chicken along with spectacular starters such as our famous
Seafood Tower. Our Raymond’s Steakhouse menu is also available to any of our guests
in The Platinum Room.

We are excited to share our food, hospitality and concerts with all of our guests.
In the coming months, we will feature many promotions as well as a Chef’s feature page
where we will further explore our passion for inspired and perfectly executed hospitality
and food.
Please join us and enjoy!"

 Chef Ephraim Gallor

Skye is offering a free dessert to anyone who calls  623-334-0010 and makes reservations through the weekend. Please mention *SWEET BLOG* when making reservations.

Come give us a try, I promise you wont be disappointed.