Happy Thanksgiving {2011}

As  it has been for the past seven years, Thanksgiving was a busy day. Unlike the last few years, it was actually relatively calm and I didn't feel rushed trying to squeeze all the family in. That is one of the main things that I am thankful for this year.

We started out with Kel's side of the family. Nana and Papa (thankfully) made the drive to us this year from Bakersfield. They arrived bearing gifts. New clothes for the boys and donuts for all. We then made our way over to Hometown Buffet and met Kel's sisters and brother in law for brunch. The boys loved it! C actually told me "No" to pineapple and "Yes, lope!" to cantaloupe. Choosing their own desserts and the 4 2 Icees each that Kel gave them was just the icing on the top.

After brunch, Nana wanted to go to our favorite park to take pictures. This is where most of the pictures of the day will be from as I forgot my memory card during brunch, my batteries ran out at the park, and I left my camera at home when we went to my parents. Oh well, at least I have a few from the beginning of the day. C and D did not really want to take pictures though (who could blame them with me as their mother) so the majority of the time was spent at the playground trying to burn off their sugar high from the Icees.

And running up and down the hills.

Of course, being the person I am, I attempted to get a family picture with my boys.

And one (or two) pictures with Nana.

After the park, we went to my parents house for dinner. I love my parents' cooking. Especially the green beans, mashed potatoes, and my mom's fruit salad. After dinner, Aunt R and Aunt K convinced C to do some laps to work off some of the turkey he ate that day. I think he did twelve laps before he and D turned my parents' living room into their very own WWE fighting ring. (Aunt R, if you read this, can you PLEASE send me any pictures/video that you took?). We ended the night with the annual Clark Holiday Poker tournament. Which, surprisingly, I took third place!

Wordless Wednesday

Thankful Tuesday

Today I'm thankful for my partner in crime. And for the ten years that we've had together. And the two boys that we have together (but that's a whole different post).  And I'm grateful that after all that we've been through, you are still the one I fall asleep next to at night and wake up to in the morning. At least when we aren't kicked out of our bed by C and D.

I love you.

" We are all a little weird and

Life's a little weird,

And when we find someone whose

Weirdness is compatible with ours,

We join up with them and fall in

Mutual weirdness and call it Love."

~Dr. Seuss

Fruits of our Labor

Remember when I mentioned that the boys and I started a garden back in April? Well our thumbs have stayed green and we are now proud owners of two different bell pepper plants, banana peppers, jalapeño (?) peppers, and tomatoes. Not to mention the surprise crop of squash that the previous owner must have planted.

Kel did a lot to maintain everything.

D did his part. Sometimes.

But I'd like to attribute the majority of our success to this little guy.

I know I've mention before, but C loves to be outside and in the dirt. Adding water in the mix is just the cherry on top.

Would anyone like some squash or red jalapeño peppers?

Still the One

Today is a very special day for me. Well, Kel and me.

You see, nine years ago we became "official" for the third and last time after a fun filled day at Six Flags Magic Mountain. We met in 2001 when I started working at McDonalds. I was 16, he was 18 and I didn't notice him since my high school crush was also working with us. But I remember meeting him like it was yesterday. It was Friday payday and he came running in the side door searching for his check. Sweaty, smelly, and dirty from just playing basketball with his friends, all I could think of was "what a great smile". I was in drive thru handing out the food and drinks, s we were able to talk a little in between orders. Aside from the typical "Hi I haven't seen you before" and the "yea I just started" , I don't remember what we talked about. But I must have made an impression because when Ice Age came out, he wrangled an invitation and managed to snag a seat next to me and hold my hand.

Ice Age holds a special place in my heart.

Nine years and two kids later, and we are still going strong. Yes we have had our problems, yes we have thought about throwing in the towel one or two times, and yes we've each made mistakes. But we Capricorns are a stubborn lot and we love each other too much to quit. Every time I think of "our song", I think of Shania Twains "Still the One."

For any who are curious, yes we have plans on getting married. At this point there is no date set, and I don't even have a ring or the proposal that goes with it. But the intentions are there. On both sides. As Kel says, when he finally pops the question, it'll be that much more of a surprise because he'll do it when I least expect it.

Besides, I love him.

With or without the ring. With or without the paper legally binding us together.

It doesn't mean that I'm giving up on changing my last name. It just means that I'm trying to just let go of the small stuff and enjoy what I have, in this moment.

We could be the next Goldie and Kurt. Right?

"Ain't nothin' better, We beat the odds together. I'm glad we didn't listen, Look at what we would be missin'. They said, "I bet they'll never make it".  

But just look at us holding on, We're still together still going strong.
(You're still the one) You're still the one I run to. The one that I belong to.  

You're still the one I want for life.
(You're still the one) You're still the one that I love. The only one I dream of. 

You're still the one I kiss good night.
You're still the one "

While Daddy's away, Mommy and the Boys will play

Over the last week and a half, Kel was sent to Westminster for his new job training. While it was fun for him (big suite, quiet time, and no responsibilities aside from his classes) it was a little hard for me. Since we are down to one car at the moment, and obviously Kel needed to take it with him, the boys and I were stuck at home for the majority of the time. We did get a little break when my aunt let me borrow her car to go visit Nana in Bakersfield, but that's a whole post in and of itself.

 

So we stayed around the house for the most part. Played in the backyard, had relay races in the house, wrestling on Mommy's bed, coloring , play fights between Ronald McDonald and Wolverine (Ronald won), and any other game that the boys could think of. We took walks in the morning, with one leading us to the donut store, and just tried to enjoy ourselves while Kel was gone. Even if it meant doing a few things that we normally weren't allowed to do.

 

Alone

May 2 was a horrible day.

Kel got laid off.

He worked for a mortgage company as a Document Control Specialist. I'm not sure what the details of his job were, but he enjoyed it, it paid the bills, and it was less than two miles away from home. It also got me a few new friends who , although I've never hung out with them outside the few times me and the boys visited Kel at work, have made some great women to talk to. Heckling Kel was just an added bonus.

May 2 sucked, for lack of a better term.

Being home with the boys means that we've relied on one income since November. It hasn't always been easy, and Christmas was none existent,  but we made it work. And we have been happy.

May 2 was stressful.

Lucky for us, Kel's buddy B had a job waiting for him. Doing something that I never, in a million years, would have guessed Kel would be doing. Kel is now working as a stand in on Hell's Kitchen.  I laugh because Kel has an aversion to anything related to Hollywood. I've stopped buying US Weekly, OK! Magazine, and In Touch as I've become tired with taunting that Kel does every time he sees me read one (love you Babe). So Kel's doing ... what ever it is a stand in does... and again the bills are being paid. There's only one glitch in this plan.

Kel works twelve hours. In Culver City. At night. So in addition to the twelve hours of actual work, he has around two to three hours of driving time.

Which leaves me alone with the boys and feeling like a single mom. Hence the title of the post.

I have so much more respect for those women who are actually single moms. I know that I look forward to the short intervals during the week that Kel has to take over child duty so I can catch my breath.

The boys and I have finally gotten a pretty good routine going. During the day Kel catches up on his sleep. Which means that the boys and I are on our own. Which really isn't any different than when he worked his  eight to five job, so it's only our night routine that has really changed. Kel usually works at 6 or 7, so he only has an hour or two to play with the boys in the backyard before he has to leave.

Once Kel is gone, it's dinner by 6

Shower by 7

And in bed by 8.

Only to start the same routine the next day. It's lonely by myself at night, but I'm planning on getting a few craft projects started. Hopefully some DIY projects to fix up the house. Any suggestions or tips are welcome!