It's Labor Day, which for most people means a long weekend with family and/or friends. For us, holiday weekends can be the opposite. Scott is often working extra hours and it feels like any other day only with no mail! And today, I'm really wishing there was mail because I'm expecting a package. Oh well!

One thing different about today is that I'm trying to pack. It's really not that hard when you're only packing for yourself! That's right, I'm leaving Scott and the kids behind and taking off with my best friend to one of our favorite places in the world, LAS VEGAS! I really do love it there. First of all, it's hot hot hot! Second of all, the hotels are all so diversely themed that I feel like I've left the country only without the hassle of getting a passport, jet lag, currency exchange, or a long flight! (two hours in a plane is two hours too many, I hate flying).

Scott has so graciously volunteered to stay home with the kids, which is also going to be a trip for him! HaHa! This will be the first time he's spent more than a day with both kids on his own! I was sure to get all the laundry done, clean the house, and set out clothes for Coco all in hopes that this will be a fun week for him. If not, I might not ever get away again! :)

I can't wait for the trip and I know it's going to be SO much fun, but I know I will miss my little munchkins something fierce! I will look forward to talking to Gavin on the phone, and hearing from Scott about what new things Coco is up to!

This kind of a trip is good for me on so many fronts and I couldn't be more excited! I really can't wait to see what Scott thinks of four days of Daddy Day Care 24 hours a day! He'll be GREAT!

A day in the life...

The last two days are the kinds of days that make me question what kind of mother I am. I find myself praying for strength just to make it through the day. Here I am at the end of another day and my prayer was answered...I made it, but do I really want to wake up and do it again tomorrow? Sure! Why not? Tomorrow is a new day, a new start, and the potential to be the first day out our latest funk. Here's to tomorrow!

The last few days have been interesting. Coco finally cut one of her top teeth. By this time Gavin had 7 teeth. Coco has a total of three. Poor thing has been a wreck now for a couple of days. I'm hoping this is what her part of the funk has been.

On a more positive note, Coco did pee in the toilet today! Now before you get all crazy on me...I am NOT potty training a one year old. I was getting her ready for her bath when I noticed the diaper she had been wearing for hours was dry. I just held her up on the potty and she went! She looked down and kind of looked confused but after being showered with praises she knew she had done something good! It was pretty cute.

Gavin, probably not liking all of the attention Coco was getting for that little stunt, decided to just let it go and pee all over the floor in front of me! Thanks a lot buddy!

On a more positive note for Gav, he did ride his bike today for three miles! He started out a little squirrelly but he pulled it together and made it the whole way! It really is one of the funniest things to see such a young kid riding a two wheeler like that! Today the trail was not difficult enough for him so he decided to spend his time weaving on and off the trail just like the big kids he saw last time we were there. I love that kid and his sense of adventure!

My kids keep me on my toes and I'm thankful! There really never is a dull moment in this home! And for that I praise the Lord!

One year later...

Wow!!!! I decided to check my blog today...not sure why. I guess I was inspired by my sister-in-law Kate. The difference between her blog and mine though is that she is updating us all from Australia while I am updating you from, well, my kitchen.

As I look back over my last four posts, my only four posts, I realize that so much has changed! I am now the mother of a 3 1/2 year old and a 1 year old. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last year, watching both my children grow and change, but I am way more excited for the years to come. I've learned that I love the toddler years. I would rather take on the attitudes, tantrums, food aversions, and stubbornness any day over the breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and blowouts that come with an infant.

We celebrated Coco's first birthday with a piggy party. I believe she is one of few who has enough hair on their first birthday to wear pig tails and so I wanted to celebrate that! She has more hair than I can manage to get into a "hair-do" on any given day and the personality to match! I love this girl!

I'm so thankful for both my kids and for the opportunity to stay home and watch them grow everyday. I am going to try to do a better job of jotting down a little something here and there to help me remember this next year...because if it's anything like the last, it will go by in the blink of an eye.