Daddy's Girl

Today my dad came home with a small excavator to clear out the gravel that currently resides in our car park next to the house. We are going to clear out a section and fill it in with cement so that when the snow arrives {grumbles slightly under breath} my mom and I can use the snow blower to clear it out rather than shoveling. It will save us a lot of time and energy. Well, being the amazing daughter that I am I offered to get down and dirty and do whatever I could to help out. If you know me from childhood, you'll know that I LOVE to help my dad with projects. I'll never turn down an opportunity to take something apart with him, or help him build something. I joke that I'm the son my dad never had.

Anyways, so he would scoop up gravel and clay, then I would go in behind him and shovel out the shtuff that spilled over. Most of the time, whenever a project is happening, whether it be in a group for church, friends, or just Dom, if I offer to help, the automatic reaction is "no".

After all, I'm a 25 year old girl from the city. What could I possibly have to contribute? What people don't realize is that I watch. And I learn. And I am incredibly logical and intelligent. And I have some wicked good ideas.

Example: as my dad was digging the crap out of the car park, he was trying to figure out how close he was to the edge of the blacktop.....my suggestion was to use the pressure washer to wash away said crap from the edge in order to get a clear view of it.

Brilliant.



I rock.

Not only was I delighted to see that my dad agreed that it was a great idea, but he {brace yourselves} asked me to get the pressure washer out of the garage....

Why, do you ask, is this such a big deal?? I'll tell you. My dad is a man like any other. his tools are his toys. Don't touch.

He's not crazy about it, I mean, he's not going to chase you into the house with a power saw if you get too close to something, but as any man, he's protective over his "things". I respect this 1000%, as any woman should. If I need to use the drill or a hammer, then that's fine, but if I need the snow blower, or table saw, or air pressure hose, then I ask him and HE is the one to do the doing if you know what I mean.

I felt like a kid when he said to grab the washer. I'm not exaggerating. I was thrilled. I tried to hide my smile as I wheeled that sucker out and screwed the hose into it. I swear to you the Heavens opened and God smiled at me. Not only did I feel great that he listened to my idea and liked it in the first place, but he let me touch his power washer!!!!

Chances are I'm taking this way further than it needs to be. He'll probably talk to me when he reads this and tell me a such a dork to think that he doesn't have so much care about his personal tools, but even so, that doesn't mean it wasn't freaking AWESOME.

I love my daddy. And I love that he listens to me and that even now, at 25, I can still assist in projects with him just like I did when I was 5.

Look-a-Like meters

So Dominick and I are constantly arguing over who the kids look more like. Now I have a final answer. MyHeritage.com has a fun thing that tells you which parent a child looks more like. No arguing now!!


MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Free family tree - Vintage photographs



MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph



MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

so he got one out of three, but only by a smidge!! Overall the kids are pretty evenly combined. {but more of me}

Guest Blogger

This week's featured blogger is my friend Laurie. I first "met" her almost three years ago on Baby Gaga when we were both pregnant and in the same Due Date group. She is an incredible lady and mom, and I am so glad to feature her. Read on and get to know her a little, then be sure to check out her blog about becoming healthier and happier.

{Simply Laurie}

1. What are you loving about life right now? Seeing my son grow into a full blown little boy, going for runs in the morning with my son, and spending some quiet time in the evenings with my hubby.

2. Who is your biggest idol or role model? My parents, God, and Jillian Michaels.

3. Where was your favorite vacation spot? Aruba

4. Are you a parent, and if yes, what is the greatest thing about it? Yes, and the greatest thing is seeing the joy in my son's eyes and hearing his laugh.

5. Who is your favorite actor or actress? Reese Witherspoon

6. What is currently playing on your iPod or in your CD player? Black Eyed Peas

7. What kind of books do you like to read? Books that better yourself as a person or that are about strength =).

8. What is your favorite adult beverage? Malibu Bay Breeze

9. What did you want to be when you were a kid? An Artist

10. What is your biggest phobia? dieing

11. What was your first job? a waitress at a country club

12. What is your biggest dream? to buy a house with a big yard for my son and watch him grow up, to become a fitness instructor of some type now and/or complete a triathalon =)

13. What inspires you? my family

14. How do you like running your own business? i LOVE it. i can do things on my own time since I am a SAHM and get things done when my son naps or has some down time.

15. How has your life changed after losing so much weight? I have a lot more energy most of the time, I run around a lot more with my son, I feel better and my self esteem is getting a lot better.

16. If you could give my readers one piece of advice in life, what would it be? live your life and be grateful for EACH and EVERYDAY God gives you. fight for what you want, understand you have more strength than you know, and love how you want to be loved ♥. 

If you would like to be a guest blogger, leave your email address in a comment and I will contact you!! I would love to get to know you better!!

Kindergarten Accomplished...Bus Accomplished

Yesterday was Tay's first day of Kindergarten. She was so excited when she woke up even though it was only 6:30. The night before I helped her pack her backpack and put together her lunch and she laid out her clothes for the morning, so there was very little to do once she was dressed. I planned it that way so that I could take plenty of pictures but that didn't end up working out. After feeding the baby and getting the chiddles cereal, I was scrambling for time. {as usual}

Once we got to the school Tay put her backpack on her class line and stood next to me. I was surprised that she became so apprehensive. Thank goodness her teacher Mrs. Graham came over and gave her hug, then urged us to say our goodbyes. I could tell Tay still wasn't sure what to think, but she still grabbed Beth's hand and followed her out to the play yard. I was so proud of her!!

As I drove by on my way home, I saw her playing with another little girl and that's when i lost it. I was so proud to have kept my eyes dry while there with her, but once in my car, the water works came full forced.

I just can't believe how far she's come since she was that roly-poly baby that laughed like a billy goat.

She fell asleep on the way home, and when asked how it was, she said it was boring!! I imagine she'll change her mind when it's not just getting to know everyone and everything.

Today was her first time riding on a bus. Last night when we were talking about it I asked her if she would like for me to follow behind in the car and meet her at school, but she said "it's okay, mommy, I can handle it." So this morning {after a battle just to get her out of bed} she got so excited she couldn't sit still. We drove down the to bottom of the mountain and when the buses drove up, she squealed and flew out of the car, forgetting her backpack! She was totally fine until we got to the steps of the bus and she asked me "are you sure you don't want to follow me, mommy?"

I reassured her that she would be fine, and she was! Her friend Faith showed up and by the time the buses drove off, she didn't even wave goodbye because she was having fun with some other girls. {deep down I was sobbing inside}

It's going to be a long day today, waking up at 6 am and not getting home until 4 pm, but hopefully that means she'll go to bed at a decent time. Even though she "goes" to bed at 8, she usually doesn't fall asleep until 10-ish. I figure after a week or two of the 6-4 schedule her body will be crying for more rest. We'll see.


For now, I just fill up my days by cleaning {nearly nonstop, which is scary if you know me} and playing with Vin. Not bad, I suppose, but it's gonna take a while to get used to Tay not being here.

her super-cool backpack

playing with Oz before we go

the whole ensemble

with Mrs. Graham

at her class line

Guest blogger!

Today's guest blogger is my friend Alysha from The Tarr Pit. I have never met her in person, but I knew her husband way back in the day, and she has always been super helpful to me. I call her my blogging guru. She is an amazing mom, a woman of God, and downright one of the sweetest people I've crossed paths with. Be sure to check out her blog after reading more about her here. It'll be worth the click, I promise!!

1. What are you loving about life right now?

I am loving the fact that the Lord has blessed us with another child! Besides the fact that im tired 24-7 chasing a toddler around and growing this life inside me, i couldnt be more thrilled for baby #2 to get here in March.

2. Who is your biggest idol or role model?

God. He is everything to me and everything i strive to be. :)

3. Where was your favorite vacation spot?

Big Bear Lake. That is where we went on our honeymoon and i would love to take the kids there someday. Just so much to do on the lake, the mountains, the water park and the hiking!! Options are endless :)

4. Are you a parent, and if yes, what is the greatest thing about it?

The best thing about being a parent is that no matter how hard the day, no matter how many poopy diapers or hair pulling screams, in the end, they love you unconditionally, and really, there is no love like a love between a mother and child. :)

5. Who is your favorite actor or actress?

Easy, Gerard butler... i mean come on?? ;) And Jennifer Aniston. I am a die hard Friends fan. haha

6. What is currently playing on your iPod or in your CD player?

wow nothing. I am just not a music person. I listen to country in the car if i can but its usually just kids tunes for Dawson.

7. What kind of books do you like to read?

I try to read the Bible daily and other than that I really dont have a lot of time to read. haha

8. What is your favorite adult beverage?
The best "adult drink" i have ever had was a "Tropical Paradise" down in Mexico. I still have no idea what was in it. But other than that, a tall glass of Sparkling wine with the hubs always helps me unwind.... when im not pregnant haha

9. What did you want to be when you were a kid?

I have always wanted to be a teacher. And technically I am, whenever I am done being a stay at home mom... which hopefully wont be for many many many years :)

10. What is your biggest phobia?

Spiders and going underwater. Weird I know but i dont even put my face under the water in the shower. I just hate the feeling of not being able to breathe.

11. What was your first job?

I was a bus girl at a small italian restaurant. The boss was a jerk and I ended up quitting after two months. Then my second job i was a cart girl and grocery bagger. LOVED that job for the next 3 years.

12. What is your biggest dream?

To be the best child of God, wife and mother that I can be. Other than that, everything else will just fall into place.

13. What inspires you?

A day outside in God's creation. Inspires me to love, to dream, to soak up everything that this world is.

14. If you could give my readers one piece of advice in life, what would it be?

Dont let blogging consume you. Do it for yourself. Dont do it to be "big" or to make money. Do it because you love to write and you love to share your story. Doing anything but that wont be real and it wont be worthwhile. 

If you would like to be a guest blogger, even if you don't follow me or know who I am, I would be excited to have you!! Just leave your email address in a comment and I'll send you the questionnaire.