Wishing on Stars

As I was tweeting yesterday about having to get motivated to finish my chores and I used the hashtag #wishIwererich it made me think about the spin cycle this week about wishes. And it made me think about my greedy wishes and my non-greedy wishes. So this is going to be a two-part blog about my greedy wishes and my non-greedy wishes!

Part 1: Greedy wishes

My greedy wishes are all about me and money because in my make believe world money solves all problems! I wish I had more money and could buy a bigger house. And with that extra money I would have a maid to clean up my bigger house. I would also have a chef who would make me whatever I wanted to eat whenever I wanted to eat. The bigger house would also include a super-awesome gym so I wouldn’t have to leave my house to exercise. It would also include a trainer to help me get a super-sleek figure. I also wouldn’t have to work or if I did then it would only be when I wanted to. That way I could travel to anywhere I want to go.

And because that is all just a wish and will never happen (or at least all happen at once!) the real wish that could actually happen is I want to take a trip across the United States and watch a baseball game in all of the baseball stadiums across America. I think that would be pretty awesome!

Ok…now onto Part 2: Non-greedy wish

My non-greedy wish is all about my kids. I wish that they can grow up to become upstanding citizens. I don’t care if they make a lot of money or become the President but I want them to reach all of their dreams. Right now Leo wants to be a firefighter. While that is not my ideal profession for him (too dangerous!) if that’s what he wants to be then I hope he gets his dream. He has also said he wants to be a “worker.” In his eyes workers are the construction workers. Again…while this is not my dream profession for him (long hours, hard work, not a lot of pay) if that’s what will make him happy so be it!

I also wish my kids could grow up in a world where I don’t have to worry about them walking to their friend’s house or to school. I wish that I also don’t have to worry about them being lured into the wrong crowd or end up doing something that could jeopardize their future dreams. What I really wish for is for them to be happy and healthy and to live the life they want to!

So there’s my wish. I know we’re not supposed to say them out loud or they might not come true but maybe if I say them enough then they will! I’m a backwards thinker here! Go visit Jen and see all the other wishes that all the other spinners have put out there. And maybe all our wishes will come true!

RTT: Seriously June--you're over already

I know June is not technically over yet but it's already the 21st. That is nuts! And Stacy is still holding down the random fort so at least we have somewhere to gather for our weekly Tuesday musings.

I went to Wal-Mart on Sunday (I know...what was I thinking) and I thought that it would not be very crowded because it was during church hours but boy was I wrong. That place was hopping. But the thing of it was I kept (literally) bumping in to the same people the whole time Leo and I were shopping. It was very random. But I got my weekly grocery shopping done and I even picked up a few little outfits for the bebe and some pajamas for Leo. And that's why I go to Wal-Mart.

I had been doing bi-weekly grocery shopping because we get paid every two weeks and I wanted to make sure we had enough groceries to last for that two week period but I have found that it is very difficult to know what I am going to be in the mood to eat almost 2 weeks out. We did really well there for awhile but then I fell off the cooking bandwagon. So I made a weekly menu and only 3 bigger meals and then leftovers and smaller meals (think bean and cheese nachos) on the other nights. And I'm ok with that.

Also, being pregnant has really thrown and wrench in my meal planning because half the time I'm not hungry at all and just want something to nibble on but know I need to feed my family and the other nights I'm all...GIVE ME FOOD. And of course those are the nights I get off the latest and don't want to have worked all day and then come home and make huge meals for me to be the only one into. But it's whatever.

And final thing about food...you know when I said I got a really simple recipe for a chicken and rice dinner? Well I wasn't kidding about the easy. I pre-made the chicken and soup-y base before I went to work on Saturday and then set out the exact amount of rice that needed to be put in before it baked (I wasn't sure what would happen to the rice if it sat in the soup mixture all day in the fridge) and had him toss it in the oven an hour before I got home from work. And it turned out AMAZING. And everyone liked it. So double bonus!

My sister-in-law and I are having a garage sale this Thursday-Saturday at their house and I am so excited about it. I know that sounds really strange but I think it will be fun! And I don't have a ton of stuff to sell but hopefully I'll make between $100 and $150. I think I have enough to make that. But even if I only make a little bit it will be nice to be off work for a few days and hang out and chat with her and my brother during the sale!

Leo is getting so freaking big! My mom and I took him for his first "long" bike ride while my dad and hubby went golfing for Father's Day. We went over to a local store that was right by a very large sidewalk and we walked and he rode his bike for almost 30 minutes. I was pretty impressed. The only thing we need to teach him (and he needs to listen to us about) is not putting his feet on the ground to brake. Not only is he going to tear up his *brand new* shoes but he could hurt his legs if the pedals rub against them. Oh well. I guess he'll just have to wear his old shoes from now on.

I don't remember if I've blogged about this but I have joined a bowling league. I'm on it with my cousin, my mom and one of my mom's friend. Since my dad has recently started working at the bowling alley *cough, cushy retirement job, cough* they had a Sunday night bowling league that needed another team so we joined. It has been so much fun! I'm not great but we have a lot of fun. I think my average is around 110. Oh well. Hopefully I'll get better as the season progresses!

I'm getting kind of annoyed by mother nature. Anytime that I have free time and I am planning on going swimming at my parents house it rains that day or the day before. I'm a very baby-ish swimmer and want my water to feel like bathwater so if it's not 85-90 degrees I'm not to keen on swimming. My mom said the water has been nice after you've been exercising or working in the yard but that's not what I'll have been doing. I'm ridiculous about it i know but I have only swam only 1 time this whole June. Booo!

Enough random from me! Don't forget to visit Stacy and the other randomers.

Baby Update: 20 weeks

So it’s been almost a month since I’ve done a baby update. Whoops! I have been soooo exhausted and it seems like it takes everything I have just to make it through my day and deal with the household and mommy duties when I come home. Gosh I love working 40+ hours a week and still having to come home and deal with stuff at home. I guess I need to get reacquainted with the feeling of exhaustion because it will only get worse once a new baby is here!

Sorry the picture is kind of blurry...it is an original Leo so you never know what you're gonna get!

How far along: 20 weeks! Halfway there! Holy cow!

Baby Size: A banana

Weight Gain: 10 pounds. Not too shabby.

Maternity Clothes: Still rocking them! I have picked up a few more dresses and will likely pick up a few more. I haven’t seen many pairs of maternity shorts that I like and/or are in my budget. I refuse to pay $30 for a pair of shorts I will only wear for 3 months.

Sleep: I still sleep through the night but if I am woke up by the hubby, dog or Leo then I will have to go use the restroom. And I have reverted back to baby sleep mode. On days that I am able I will get up early (usually to go to work or because Leo gets up) and then a nap sounds really good around 10. I can sleep for an hour or 2 and then get up and make my way through the rest of my day. Unfortunately those days are few and far between. But the days I get to do that I’m a happy camper!

Best Moments: Just seeing how Leo interacts with my belly and talks to his baby brother through my stomach is so cute.

Movements: He moves a lot when I lay down on my back in bed. And then of course there are the occasional movements during the day.

Cravings: Chicken wings and sweets are what I’ve been craving. We’ve hit up Buffalo Wild Wings twice in the past week and I swear I could have eaten it more than that! Also, sweets. I want pie, cookies and ice cream. Pretty much everything. I’ve done pretty well and not splurged on what I really wants. But I will try to satisfy the sweet tooth every now and then.

Looking forward to: Seeing what this little boy will look like. I was thinking about that the other day and it was the funniest thing because all I can picture is another Leo. He is so much a combination of me and the hubby so I can’t imagine another one looking any different. It just makes me really antsy to see what he is going to look like. If he’s going to have as much hair as his brother has, if he’s going to be as dark-complected like his dad and if he’s going to be as cute as me. Haha!

Symptoms: I haven’t had many physical symptoms lately. But the hormones are wreaking havoc on my complexion (again). I thought it was over but my face has severely broken out again. And Saturday morning I started crying because I had to go to work and my boys got to stay home and play. Ridiculous.

Stretch marks: Nothing new to report. Thank goodness!

Happy Father's Day!

To the best dad to me and my brother! Of course he's an even better grandpa to Leo and Chloe and Hayden! (here at Leo's 2nd Christmas!)

And to my brother who is an awesome dad to his kids along with a great uncle to Leo!

And of course to the bestest dad (and dad to be)! My hubby! You're the best dad for Leo! You are the yin to my yang. And when I have to be bad cop (because I'm always bad cop!) you revel in getting to be good cop! I love you dearly!

And of course to all the other dad's out there. You make all the little girl's feel like princesses and the little boys think they can make it the NBA, NFL, MLB or all of the above!

RTT: The Rebel Continues

Another Tuesday another Random. I'm still following Stacy and her sign while we wait for Keely to come back. But after this long I'm kinda wondering if Stacy is going to be our new fearless leader. But don't tell her!

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I attended my first yoga class last night. I have done a few yoga tapes and done some on the Wii but never taken an actual class. It was interesting to say the least. I don't know if I did everything correctly and I definitely was not sweating when I left but I did feel pretty stretched out. I guess that's what is supposed to happen. Who knows.
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I've heard a few commercials lately with Alec Baldwin in them. What's up with that? I'm not sure I understand his reasoning to do commercials. One was a radio commercial for Bonefish Grill and the other was a series of commercials for I think Capital One credit cards. It's just really odd. He's hilarious on 30 Rock and I guess when I see actors doing commercials not for a cause just makes me think they need money. And maybe that's the case. But if that were I would think that Baldwin wouldn't be quitting 30 Rock. Oh well. I guess if it was me making the money for a 30 second commercial spot then I probably wouldn't be judging other for making commercials!
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We cleaned up our living room this weekend and I went through Leo's toys to get them ready for the garage sale we are having next weekend. And even though I only cleared out a laundry basket full it feels like a lot more is gone. And it makes our living room look a lot less full.
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I have not felt like cooking lately. But I have been wanting chicken and rice so I got a new recipe from a co-worker and I'm looking forward to making it on Thursday.
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I'm drawing a blank on where to go from here (as I have been lately when it comes to blogging) so I'm going to end right now. But don't forget to visit Stacy and the other randomers and enjoy your Tuesday!

WILW

Woo hoo! I'm go psyched it's Wednesday. I don't have to work this weekend and I have a lot of stuff going on on Sunday so I'm glad there are only a few days between now and then! Check out Jamie and see what everyone is loving this week!

**I'm loving that we found out what we were having yesterday! It's a....BOY! It may not be what I was hoping for but I am super happy that everything looked good and that the baby is growing healthily inside! There are too many people out there that either can't get pregnant or have trouble going full-term with a baby to be upset about something so small as gender. So the good news is we will have a happy, healthy baby boy!**

**I'm also loving that our garage sale was after we found out the sex. Because now instead of having gotten rid of the 4 (yes 4) crates full of Leo's old clothes. That will definitely save a lot of money for us in the long run!**

**I'm also loving that we found out so I can go shopping for sweet little baby clothes. Because baby clothes are so darn cute!**

**Ok...enough about baby stuff. I'm really loving that my birthday week has gone so awesomely so far! Tonight we had dinner at my parents house. I requested hamburgers and bratwurst as the main course and homemade apple pie for dessert. And my parents came through and it was soooo delicous! And I didn't have to cook or clean up so that was a plus!**

**I'm also loving that after I got the Kindle and was afraid that I wouldn't be able to get very many books because of the cost my familia came through and got me Amazon gift cards for my birthday presents! Woot woot!**

**I'm loving that Leo is big enough to do manly things with his dad! Tonight we (finally) brought home our fire pit and wood that my parents got us for Christmas. And my boys put it together. It was so cute watching them work as a team. Obviously Leo didn't do a lot to help but he was so proud just being able to help his daddy!**

**And finally I'm loving that Leo is staying the night with his grandparents and he is excited to do things with both of them. He will go fishing with grandpa probably Friday night and then grandma will take him somewhere fun Saturday afternoon. And he'll enjoy both equally even if he shows more love to his grandpa! And it will give me and the hubby the chance to maybe go see a movie since we didn't get to last weekend. We'll see though!**

Ok. That's all we got. Don't forget to click over to see what all everyone else is loving!

RTT: Birthday week and Toddler Tantrums

Another week of rebel randoming courtesy of Stacy!

It's my birthday week. Especially since my birthday was on a Sunday I feel like I get the whole week for my birthday. I think that's fair. Most of the time the weeks (or even days) are not about me so I'm dubbing this Kendra's birthday week. And even when I typed this I had trumpets in my head blaring da-da-da-duh. Apparently I think very highly of my week!
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And like I said yesterday I got a Kindle for my birthday. While this probably wouldn't have been atop my birthday list it's still a pretty awesome gift and I'm very thankful to have gotten one. The whole thing that I have a problem wrapping my head around is that I normally check out books from the library. For free. So I will have to ration myself to only 1 book per month unless there is a super-awesome deal for a free or extraordinarily cheap book.
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Do any of you have 3 or 4 year old toddlers? If not...do you want one? He's usually a very sweet boy but sometimes, whoo-ee. He can get pretty mouthy and full of attitude. I'm not sure if we're just on the downhill of the toddler roller coaster or what but goodness. Leo has been rotten. And mainly just for me. He will pretty well listen to his dad but there are even sometimes when he won't listen to him either. And so it has been a rough few weeks. And because my stupid pregnancy hormones are ruling my roost we have been fighting like cats and dogs. And I'm done with it. I'm done with my bad attitude and I'm done with his. So if you wnt a small child (or once had one) who has gone through something similar let me know what you did to remedy the situation!
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I made sloppy joes for dinner tonight and they were delicious. I think that sloppy joes may be one of my favorite meals. And it's so simple. I think if I were to make a list of my favorite meals they would be in this order:
1) Grilled BBQ chicken with corn on the cob and baked potatoes
2) Breakfast for dinner including: french toast, bacon and eggs
3) Sloppy joes
Mmmmm. Now I'm hungry just thinking about all that food!
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I bought a bikini and I am so excited to rock it. And by rock it I mean wear it only in the company of my immediate family or a few stray family members that won't judge! I needed a new swimsuit anyways and I usually only swim at my parents pool in their backyard so I thought why not. Along with the fact that I wouldn't know the first thing about buying a 1-piece suit for a pregnant belly. And they were on sale super cheap at Old Navy. Gosh I love that store!
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Leo has been into Star Wars lately and I feel so out of the loop. I've seen them all and know who most of the main characters are but I'm not an afficionado. So when he asks me who such and such is or when I make the mistake of calling a storm trooper a droid I am just looked at with a look that says, oh silly mom. You know nothing. And he's right. I don't. And I'm ok with that. But maybe I should watch them again.
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I was looking at a photo gallery of Johnny Depp today and it had pictures of him from his movies and it made me want to have a Johnny Depp marathon. Not only is he extremely good looking (he's #1 on my list, just FYI) but his movies are so good. So the next time I have a few days off with nothing to do then I am so having one. So in other words, once I'm on maternity leave I am so having one!
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Ok. That's all I have for today. Don't forget to visit Stacy to see the other random.

Memoir Monday: Birthday weekend

Another weekend has come and gone. Working weekends always go that much faster but this one was a whirlwind but I had so much fun! It seems that all my weekends lately have been whirlwinds though.

Friday night our local city's festival was starting Friday and they have a kick-off parade and fireworks show so my mom and I took Leo. We left around 5:15 and didn't get home until almost 11. It was pretty warm but not bad. We were sweaty for awhile but then after we started walking around after the parade we cooled off. And the fireworks were pretty good too. All in all a pretty nice evening.

Saturday I worked all day but after work my mom had told me that a family friend who recently had a baby was back in town visiting her parents and they were having a reception for her (and the baby). Her baby had to have open heart surgery and so it was really relieving that they were able to come from the hospital with a healthy(ish) baby. He is beautiful and has a head full of hair! I was only going to go for awhile and we got there at 7 and I didn't get home until after 9:30. Again...we had a really nice time and it was wonderful to see and old friend and her baby!

And finally...Sunday was my BIRTHDAY! The big 2-7! It's so weird being so close to 30. I don't feel old but just weird! But I had a pretty awesome day. We got up and just hung around the house for the morning and then for lunch we went out to a restaurant that we had never taken Leo to. He actually liked it and behaved the ENTIRE time. It was a birthday miracle! Then we hit up Best Buy because I got a Kindle for my birthday so we got a Kindle cover and book light. So that's pretty awesome. And then we went to Old Navy and I got a new bathing suit, 2 dresses and a pair of flip flops. Later Sunday night I started my bowling league. That's right. I'm in a bowling league. With my mom and one of my cousins. And we were (not) awesome. But we did have a lot of fun! It's a Sunday night league and it goes through August. So hopefully before the end of the league I will have a super-awesome average!

Whew. That was a very busy weekend but so much fun! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Rabbit Stew

Here's a question for the class...

What happens when a giant rabbit tries to jump through a diamond in a chain link fence?

Anybody? Anybody? Bueller?

Well let me tell you. It gets stuck. And then it dies. And then as a homeowner we had to clean it up. And when a rabbit is in full-on rigor mortise (sp?) it makes it even more difficult. So here we have the hubby on one side with a shovel trying to lift one end and I'm on the other side of the fence pulling the legs (apparently this rabbit didn't have a lucky rabbit leg) (what? Too soon?!) from the other trying to free it from it's literal death grip. It was awful. But the rabbit is now in our trash can to sit for a week because, of course, our trash was picked up this morning.

Ahhhh...the joys of being a home owner. And then as I'm sitting here typing this (after multiple hand-washings) the hubby asks if I'm blogging about this. DUH! It's blogging gold!

WILW

Hi hi! It's Wednesday. Thankfully! We are home safe and sound from vacation and back in the working grind. Go see what everyone else is loving this week. I'm sure it's all rainbows and unicorns! Again...I'm still recuperating from vacation (seeing that I'm writing this post and the previous post at the same time) so we will bullet point it up.

• I'm loving that this upcoming Sunday is my birthday. I think we're (the hubby and I) are going to try to find a sitter so we can go see Pirates of the Caribbean.
  
• I'm loving that since we got home from vacation around 5 on Tuesday I have had time to blog. And that my laundry was all done and I unpacked really quickly so it gave me time to relax.
  
• I'm loving that we are going to get back in the grind and back on a schedule because my child needs it. He was less than perfect this weekend and I think it was the lack of schedule. The sad thing is he's 4 so I would think he would be more capable of realigning his day.
  
• Even though Leo was not the angel I would have liked I still loved that we (as a family) got to spend 4 whole days together. It was very nice!
• I also loved that I got to see my aunt and uncle and cousins that live out of town 3 of the 4 days that we were in Kansas City. LOVE!
• I'm loving that I hit up the Dollar Store (or one of those) and got a sweet water bottle and a pair of nail polish both for just a dollar. And the nail polish is awesome!

Even though I posted this picture yesterday I'm still loving it. Me and my boys spending quality time together!