This Old Gray Mare, She Ain't What She Used To Be!

Broke my legs in this weekend!  It's been a long winter, walked or jogged from time to time on random nice days.  This weekend however, back to business!  I am in no way an athlete, nor have I ever really desired to be.  Since becoming a mom, I have learned that I have to channel my inner athlete to keep up with these active kids.  Especially Ty.  Ask him, and he'll tell you, he's faster than me!  Sad but true.  Speed is not one of my strengths, but hey didn't the tortoise win the race?  Anyways, I am closing this chapter entitled "My 20's" and entering "My 30's" in just 5 short months.  Good lord, what was the point of this post? Oh yeah, my body is starting to remind me that I am getting older!  And my gray hairs are also a constant reminder as they stare at me in the mirror every day.  I am now officially in the "resistant gray" category of the hair coloring box!   For some of you reading this, you're laughing b/c you're older than me & you think I'm crazy, and for some others you're laughing b/c you're younger than me and are telling yourself you won't go through this!!  Ha!  The past 3 days, these kids have put me through the ringer!  Horribly painful Funny story:  Ty kept challenging me to sprints this weekend ( remember he's faster than me ).  One race in particular, he cuts me off, I trip over him, and we both tumble head over heals about 10 feet.  Are you picturing how that looked?  Hopefully the neighbors were not watching!  The moral of this post is, well I'm not exactly sure, but I keep telling myself that I will always do my best to keep up with these kids, entertain them in a fun way, even if it means making a complete ass fool out of myself!  Being a 1 income family, (these days isn't easy) we have to find creative ways as a family to  have fun, and stay active without spending money every time we leave the house.  It may not be glamorous or fancy, but we hope it results in well rounded, humble kids that look back and love the time their parents took to show them some fun =)

Here's our weekend in photos:

Carsen Mae playing Godzilla Dora Doll House

Sweet baby girl, gazing out the window =)

Seela & Kaydee during the baby shower we attended

Shannon & I with our pretty little girls at the baby shower.

Kaydee playing pin the princess on the castle, Kaydee took the prize! At Mylee's 3rd Birthday party.

Mylee's 3rd Birthday cake, I didn't eat any but Kaydee said it was yummy!  It was a chocolate chip castle cake!

Carsen loves her daddy, winding down the busy weekend relaxing on the couch =)

I just realized there I didn't take a single picture of Ty all weekend.  Horrible!  Sorry buddy, you don't stay in one spot long enough to snap a pic =)

Aprroved! + The Confessional!

for the love of,

Well, we've succeeded!  We passed the back ground check, the reference checks and finally the home inspection.  I began to get a sense of what it might be like to adopt a child!  Wow, that was a trip!  Harlo is officially being adopted by the Votaw Family!  She is being spayed & micro chipped and then middle of next week we're bringing our pretty girl home! 

• She is allowed in the city of Topeka.  Restrictions apply ( which we will follow )
• Our home owners insurance will not pay for a claim made based on damages if the dog were to ever cause any.
• She will be micro-chipped & registered to US!  Hooray!

Patting myself on the back for going through the steps and adopting this dog the right way, for the right reasons!  Here are some pics of her during our visit today.  She was super excited to be out of her kennel and playing with people!  She is a very smart girl!  Lots of sloppy kisses =)

My 2 blogger friends, Molly and Kelly  partake in this Friday blog post.  Today, Friday March 11th, I have 2 things to confess.

1. I confess that I am STILL using the same hair dryer that I've had since I was 19.  Yes, that's 10 years people!  To make matters worse, it sometimes gives off sparks and is sure to catch my hair on fire one of these days.  Time for an upgrade, I just can't bring myself to pay for a new one!!  This one has been so good to me =)
2. I confess that I cried this morning.  1 year & 1 month after giving birth to Carsen I have officially lost all of my baby weight & finally fit in to my FAVORITE favorite favorite pair of jeans from the Buckle.  I also confess that I had one hell of a muffin top after I got these suckers buttoned, but I got 'em up, got 'em buttoned and would have jumped for joy if not for the fear of splitting them clear down the rear!  So, I cried =)  I love celebrating the little victories!



Do you stereotype?

Think about it.  I consider myself a very understanding person, accepting of others.  I am, however, guilty of judging people, things & places to quickly.  It's easy to do, and opportunities can be passed up, people can be overlooked and situations can go to waste based on stereotyping, being judgemental & assuming things to quickly.  The reason I ask, specifically, Tuesday.... I took the kids on a surprise trip to the Helping Hands Humane Society to look at dogs.  It was all very overwhelming, I have a huge heart and it was breaking to see so many good dogs in need of homes.  The kids were freaked out by the smell, and the noise.  Especially Carsen, so we didn't stay long.  While we were there, there was one dog in particular that caught my eye.  She was one of the only ones not barking her head off.  She was quiet, petite and very calm.  She just sat there at her gate gazing up at me.  I bent down & talked puppy talk to her for a minute before leaving.  Distracted by Carsens repeated vomitting the entire way home, I had little time to process anything from our mini tour.  During dinner ( oh my I'm rambling aren't I? ) I was telling Chris about going, oh by the way I didn't tell him I was in the market for a dog (ha!).  He gave me that look, he knows when I have my mind set on something he has little chance of talking me out of it.  Thinking back to this sweet little pup, I got very emotional.  We logged on to the HHHS website to look her up.  Wait for it.... here it comes.... prepare to judge stereotype & assume..... she's an American Pit Bull Terrier.  That didn't even ring a bell!  I'm oblivious and somewhat stupid not educated when it comes to breeds of animals.  I knew at that moment that it was going to take more than my big blue eyes and long batting eye lashes to get Chris to come around to the idea.  I called asap the next morning and I knew that phone call would make or break this idea.  These are things I found out:

• The dog is pure bread ( confirmed via blood test )
• The shelter has just aquired the proper certification to adopt out this breed
• The dog is young
• The dog was a stray
• The dog has passed ( with flying colors ) extensive evaluation for behaivor & disposition
• The dog is calm, quiet and has never shown aggression while at the shelter
• This dog will be the very first American Pit Bull Terrier to qualify for adoption via the HHHS
• The adoption process is very intense, extensive & VERY picky! The shelter doesn't handle it, they contract a local pit bull rescue organization that has tons of experience.

All of these things seemed so positive.  Chris still had his reservations, he too was guilty of stereotyping.  You tend to only hear & remember the bad.  Not often the good.  I went that next day & filled out the application.  It took me 45 minutes to get through it.  Chris & I had to pass a back ground check, we had to list references.  We have to pass a home inspection!!  Yes, a home inspection!  It suddenly became a matter of if WE were good enough for the dog, not if the dog was good enough for us!  They warned us that bad bad people in this society aquire these dogs for very bad things.  They have to make sure we are good people, with good intentions.  I'm a fighter, this dog is special, this dog is worth fighting for.  This dog doesn't deserve the stereotype & judgement of the horror stories.  Anyways, this story is gone on WAY too long, if any of you are even still reading it!  Thank you!  I need your encouragement, understanding & faith.  I am determined to prove a better standard for this dog.  Someone, to remain nameless, said "You guys are not pitt bull people."  What does that mean?  Again, another stereotype.  Hell, she could have been ANY other breed, I don't care what breed she is or isn't.  She will be loved, raised right & for that I pray.  Oh, and we've already named her.  Ty was a little pissed that I veto'd his vote for the name Harold.  Sorry buddy.  We are naming her Harlo, if we are lucky enough to pass all this crap and be accepted.  Are we good enough people to deserve her?  Chris is on board now, after my constant research of good things.  If everything happens for a reason, I guess we're about to find out.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

My good friend Molly often participates in 'What I'm Loving Wednesday', so this week I'm jumping in!  I'm loving several things this week, the weather is NOT one of them for sure!  Mr. Golden Sun... where did you go?

• I'm loving my new couch!  I'd be loving it even more if I could find material or pillows that I was satisfied with.  I want white, reds & yellow/oranges.  Bring on the suggestions!

• I'm loving this fabric softener!  The smell is addicting, and when it fills the house it definately makes doing laundry more enjoyable.

• I'm loving this website http://www.4momsathome.com/ .  They have everything from meal ideas, decorating ideas, organization tips & SO much more!  Take some time to explore it, whether you're a stay at home mama or not!
• I'm loving that instead of me reading to Ty every night, he reads to me now!  I'm so proud of him, he has made such progress since starting Kindergarten and he is constantly challenging himself to read harder books!  You go boy!  Mama is so proud =)
• I'm loving THIS book!  I've had it for a couple years.  When I'm having a bad day, I pull it out and get inspiration and inner strength.  It is a must read for all faith based moms.  Great stories, from real mamas!

• I'm loving that today marks 5 weeks until vacation!  The excitement is building, as we research online for fun new things to do & explore!  This will be Carsens first vacation, our first vacation as a family of 5!  The kids are most excited to spend some time with their nana, and go to Sea World.  It will be their 3rd trip to Sea World, but they are just as excited as the very first time! 

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Go to church and get some ashes on those foreheads!  Lent has begun!

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother."
-- Lin Yutang

Fat Tuesday!

Fat Tuesday: Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday.

Being the good little catholic girl, oh hush, that I am.... I'll take advantage of this day of indulgence!  Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.  This year I've decided, instead of refraining from meat on Fridays only, I am giving up meat ( beef specifically ) for the entire duration of Lent!  Here in the Votaw house, we LOVE our meat!  I cook meals consisting of beef at least 3 or 4 times a week.  This will be quite the challenge, but I am up for it!  I've acquired some recipes, beef free, that will assist in my journey!

I am NEVER impulsive, never ever.  If I can't talk myself out of something, especially costly things, there is always someone close who serves as the voice of reason.  Yesterday, no voice of reason!  So today, I'm heading to fill out adoption papers on a sweet little girl we met at the shelter yesterday.  This little cutie pie was about the only dog NOT barking it's head off as we toured the place.  Coming home, I expected Chris to call me crazy and completely cut off my idea ( especially since adoption fees went up to $150 )!  But, he actually agreed!  He must be looking to score ( literally ) some brownie points, ha!  Anyways, fingers crossed, if we bring her home pics will be on my next post!

Have a great day!

Jamie

A little of this, a little of that...

Monday, you come around WAY to quickly for me!  I love great weekends, and ours this past was right up there with the best!  It was a busy weekend, but in a fun stress free sort of way =)

The good news?  Ty got a drum set!  The bad news?  Ty got a drum set!  A huge, actual real life drum set.  Kaydee has shown some impressive skill on it over the weekend!  Go girl!  Ty loves it, daddy loves it, now if he can find a way to sound proof the garage... mommy will love it just the same!

Out with the old, and in with the new:  Sold our couch Saturday, less than 24 hrs after listing the darn thing on Craigslist.  Brought our new couch in on Sunday!  Love it!  Now, in need of some color in that room.  Checking in to a new lamp shade, possible new curtains & pillows.  I need color! 

Laughed may a$s off Saturday night at the Jeff Dunham Show!  The show got off to a late start, but it was a very enjoyable evening sitting cozy laughing with my hubs!  Thanks oh brother-in-law for those tickets for Christmas!  Loved it!

Yesterday was my besties 30th birthday!!  Surprised her at Buffalo Wild Wings, and I made her favorite chocolate mint cupcakes!  I'm the last one in our group to turn 30, thank goodness!  Reflecting on my 20's, I can see how my life has grown, changed and I can't wait to use that knowledge to make my 30's GREAT!  Happy Birthday Maegy!!  You know I would have been committed long ago if I didn't have you to keep me from going off the deep end!  I love you girl!

Ok, so I have a new favorite show.  I'm such a sap, it's probably not in my best interest to watch it but I can't resist!  'Coming Home', 9:00 on Sundays on Lifetime.  Very emotional to see these families that do without their husbands, sons, brothers etc. for months & years at a time!  I will no longer complain that my husband has to work 11 hrs a day.  These families go through something I'm not sure I could handle.  I guess you get used to it when you don't have a choice, but God Bless them for sacrificing what we take for granted every single day.  Loved every minute of it, even the minutes I was sobbing like a baby!

Have a great week all!  My week is busy.  PTO stuff and planing the school carnival is going to keep me busy for a while =)  Once my living room is done I'll post pics.  If I can ever manage to go pick out fabric without having an overwhelming sense of anxiety =)

Jamie

Things that make me laugh!!

Tagging a blog post from my good friend Molly!  Click her name to read what makes her laugh, continue reading here to see what makes me laugh!

In our "group" or social circle, I am the joker, comic, mood lifter, laugh bringer, funny one that some people really depend on when they're having a bad day.  But who or what do I depend on when I'm the one having the bad day? 

I get a huge laugh out of baby toots!  Yes, those random, stinky little farts that come from the littlest person in our house!  Call me cruel or down right dirty, but that is one thing that will make me laugh every single time!  Especially first thing in the morning.  So innocent =)  Mommy  loves you Carsen!

Watching my big 2 play Just Dance 2 or playing charades.  They love it when Chris & I make up words or phrases for them to act out.  They can get so creative or take something in a completely different direction than what we expected.  One of our favorite family games around here!

2 television shows I can always count on to make me laugh, are Friends & The New Adventures of Old Christine.  Both are now in syndication, but even the re-runs get me every time!

Movies I can count on?  Old School, The Hangover & The Break-Up.  My favorite type of movies are comedies so these 3 are among a big list for me!  I'd rather laugh than cry or try and keep up with a suspense thriller!

Laughing is such a big part of my life and our house.  Laughter can get me through some of the roughest of moments.  I've heard that laughter is the best medicine, and that proves true for me a lot!

Laughing is on our agenda big time tomorrow night!  We have tickets to see my husbands favorite comic, Jeff Dunham at the expo center.  Driving to Legends for dinner first, love date nights =)  Have a great weekend!!