Pickin' Berries

My sister invited us to Sunshine Farms with her and the girls to pick strawberries.  Phoenix isn't a big fan of strawberries, nor are Jason and I.  However, I still thought it'd be a fun way to spend the day.

We met at her house at what was suppose to be a 9:00 departure, but I should've known better with 5 girls!  We finally hit the road-along with the 5 sippy cups and sunscreen she left on the back of her car :).  Abbie and LuLu rode in our car.  We had fun times talking and singing loudly!  It definitely made the hour ride seem a lot shorter!

We exited and stopped to buy some peaches.  Now, those I LOVE!  It was a cute little place that sold just about anything.  We then hopped back in the car for what seemed like forever.  We finally spotted the strawberry fields.  Phoenix was super excited.  Little did he know it was a million degrees outside and he was about to be in for some seriously hard labor!

We picked and picked and picked some more.  His basket slowly filled up and he kept on like he was being paid to fill it.  It was so cute.  He even refused to let me carry his basket for him.  Regardless of how heavy it got or how much he was struggling.  Mr. Independent.

It was a fun-filled day that left one little boy napping before we even made it back to the interstate :).  Maybe next time, we'll try picking watermelons.  Phoenix loves those :)!

Life's Little Reminders

Yesterday, we went over to Phoenix's Godfather's house for a last-day-of-school-year party with all of our friends.  I love that all of our kids are as close as my girlfriends and I.  I was super excited because Phoenix LOVES playing with all of his friends and he loves his "Aunts" just as much!  I was looking forward to him having a Blast while I finally got some good "catch-up" time with my girls.  We even convinced Dada to come over after work!

We get there and everyone was playing, laughing, eating.What fun!  They have 2 cats-Lola (LuLu) and Jack (????) and a dog named Sammie (Sam).  I don't think we've been over to their house since the Big Halloween Party back in October.  Phoenix immediately went over and started playing with Lola.  "Hi cat, hi cat" he kept repeating as he pet her.  It was way too cute!  Sam, who was outside when we arrived, made his way into the house.  Phoenix immediately runs over to him, "Hi Dixie, hi Dixie."  The tears immediately came.  My heart broke into pieces hearing my son remember Dixie.  Sammie looks a lot like Dixie, just a whole lot more active and a bunch of pounds lighter, so I totally got it.  I'd get the tears dried up and Phoenix would start playing with "Dixie" all over again.  It was a nasty, nasty cycle that just kept throwing daggers straight to my heart.  

We kept telling Phoenix the dog's name is Sam, but it didn't seem to matter in his eyes.  All he saw was Dixie.  My poor buddy :(.  We somehow managed to keep Jason, Phoenix and Sam away from each other in fears of what it might do to Jason's heart.  The few times Phoenix would call him Dixie after Jason arrived, Sam was usually sleeping, so Phoenix would say, "Shh-finger over mouth-, Dixie sleeping."  Fortunately the kid knows how to whisper because I'm sure Jason would've picked up on it at that point.  

We ended up staying WAAAAY past Phoenix's bedtime (like 10:15) but it was totally worth it.  Phoenix, myself, and Jason all had a blast and are totally looking forward to more get togethers now that summers here. 

 My heart hurt for the loss of our dog, but grew even greater with love for my son and his sweet innocence.  

Even Phoenix will let you know.  Dixie may be gone from our daily lives, but she is never gone from our hearts.  

Last Family Photo 1.4.13

The Best One to Date

Yesterday was by far the BEST Mother's Day ever.  Seriously, my two boys made it ALL about me.  Never have I felt soo spoiled in my life.  It was wonderful.

The morning started out with none other than my regular from Starbucks.  I swear, it tasted twice as good just for the fact that I wasn't the one who went to get it :).  We then laid in bed together just playing with Phoenix.  We finally convinced ourselves to get up.

So out of bed we got and straight to the car we went.  No showers, no getting dressed, just up and left out for a fabulous breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  It was perfect.  Our waitress was beyond wonderful and Phoenix behaved perfectly the entire meal.  Oh-he also ate a TON!!!! Jason and I were amazed at how much food he put down.  And it wasn't even a kids meal :).

We then came back home to shower and get dressed.  Once that was handled, we packed our bags and loaded the car for a fun day at Homestead Hollow.  We went last year during November and we had a blast.  I was truly looking forward to spending great quality family time together while allowing Phoenix to be outdoors and just wonder around looking at everything.  The crowd was just right and the weather was beyond perfection.  We walked, shopped and ate for hours.  Anything we felt like eating or buying or browsing, we did.  Absolutely NO stress or care in the world.  God must've been on our side too because the day seemed to pass as slowly as sand in an hour glass.  For that, I will be forever grateful.  All 3 of us had the best day we've had in a long time.  And for that reason alone, my Mother's Day was beyond BLESSED.

However, it didn't end there!  We came home and Phoenix took a nap.  So of course, Jason and I did too :).  Then Jason got up and ran to the grocery store for me.  I stayed in bed!  Upon returning, Phoenix and I were outside playing in the yard.  We then headed in for dinner.  Dinner that I didn't have to go buy nor cook.  Boy was it nice.  After dinner we just lounged around for a bit.  Around 8:00 I decided I needed, yes NEEDED, a piece of cheesecake.  I thought for sure my Mother's Day had ended and I'd be headed to Cheesecake Factory for myself.  But no-my wonderful Jason surprised me and went and got me cheesecake and chocolate cake from there.  We all 3 shared a delicious piece of cake before Phoenix headed to bed.  A sweet ending to a perfect day.

I seriously wanted to stay up all night just to take advantage.  However, I'm thankful I didn't seeing that Phoenix was up 4 different times throughout the night.  Man will Jason and I be glad when this stinkin' sinus infection clears up.  I am Blessed beyond words to live the life I do.  My boys are my world and I thank God for them every day.

I Lost 100 LBs!!!!

Well, not literally.  But emotionally and mentally I have.  Although I had high hopes for my new job, I must inform you guys-it has sadly come to an end.

I was really left no other choice but to quit.  Its been a loooong time coming.  Ha--I've only been working 1 month but it seems like since day 1, me quitting has come up daily.  I tried to put it off as long as possible, still having little (but at least some) hope that it could work.  However, Jason and Phoenix didn't feel the same thing.

So, about an hour ago I went and spoke to my boss.  He's wonderful and I think part of me felt the worst for him-like I was letting him down or something.  He is fabulous to work for and does anything and everything to try and make your situation the best it can be.  So, needless to say, I was totally freaked out about this.  But I put my big girl panties on and had the talk.  To no surprise, he was 100% supportive of my decision-genuinely.  He asked me to at least consider coming back in December, when Phoenix is a bit older and Luna will be 3 months (you have to be that age to be in the infant room).  Of course I'll consider it.  I'm delighted he's willing to take me back.  Truly shows what a great boss man he really is.

I enjoyed the people I worked with.  Most of the kids brought a smile to my face.  But seeing the tears in my sons eyes even before walking thru the doors and seeing how much added stress it was putting on Jason it was just totally not worth it.  I knew in my heart it was what needed to be done-and I told myself before taking the job I'd only do it if it worked for my family.

Sadly, they were suffering.  It had to go.  Chapter over.

1 going on 3

If you are to ask Phoenix how old he is, he'll respond with 3!  Does he not know his Mama is trying to slow down time, not speed it up????  Besides, whats the big deal about 3??? Its not like you can drive a car, vote, or even drink alcohol.  Slow it down buddy.  Maybe its because he knows I'm not planning anything exciting for his birthday this year, so he just wants to skip it :).  Who knows.

He turned 22 months last week.  Seriously, just one more month before the kid is 2???? My heart grows sad just thinking about it.  He is quite the character these days and so I'm constantly having to remind myself that he isn't even 2 yet.  Its crazy how grown up I think he is, when all I really want is for him to be a baby.  It makes no sense at all.

A few of my favorite things at the moment:

• bess you (when you sneeze)
• Allah (when you cough)
• I miss you
• how he now tells me what he wants for breakfast (its usually eggs, cereal, oatmeal, muffins, waffles, or pancakes)
• oooh gosh
• woooah nelly
• mama sad or mama cry (whenever I act sad) and follows up with a big hug and kiss
• no cry baby
• how he cleans up one thing before moving on to another
• how well he follows directions
• unn kle daaanny
• how he is constantly asking for a "prize" and knows when he sees candy its a "prize"
• how when we pass by starbucks he says, "Off eee"
• and when we drive by Doodles he says, "i cream"
• he recognizes our street and says hoome whenever we turn on it
• and the post office-saying, "Mama right back" as soon as we turn in
• how he refers to Dada as Jason now
• how he says his name (neenix or occasionally we get phoenix) and recognizes himself in his baby pictures
• how he asks to sing Alleluia and The Our Father at night 
• his rendition of Happy Birthday and his love for singing it repeatedly and reblowing the candles out
• how he has changed our last name to Wang
• and the spelling of his name to Pyox
• his love for aminals :)

Again, the list could go on and on-no doubts.  It never fails that I forget everything I want to type when I finally sit down to actually blog.  Go figure.

We are finally getting over this awful sinus infection.  It has taken a long 2 weeks, a lot of sleepless nights, napless days and uneaten meals-but we have definitely made progress.  I say "getting over" rather loosely, as we are finally eating a bit more but still struggling with our sleep.  He is soo exhausted but can't seem to get comfortable.  Poor Phoenix was pathetic for a while, but he was a trooper the whole time.  I am soo proud of him.

He is still not liking the working thing very much.  I am trying really hard to not give up just yet.  We took last week off since he was sick, so we'll see how this week goes.  I might just be jobless again real soon but if thats what makes my baby happy, then I'm totally okay with it.