It's the 31st Anniversary of my birth.

Wow. It feels like we've been in a whirlwind the last few weeks. I can barely remember what went on the past 2 weekends. We'll skip last Friday because lets face it, I really don't remember that. Last Saturday Ryan went and played Ultimate Frisbee and me and Ben went on a play-date with his buds from the old daycare. We met at a park, it was quite chilly... but that didn't stop them from having a good time. We had a little bit of lunch and a small cupcake and they were off!
Sunday we celebrated Ben's birthday with our friends & Nana and Poppy and we had fun. Me, Ashley and Ryan made Elmo cupcakes for Ben since he loves him so much. We didn't ask for gifts so he just played with the two other little girls that came and pigged out on a cupcake and then was wired for a couple more hours that night! I guess that's from not having treats very often!Monday & Tuesday were both spent with a very good friends of mine, Heath Charter and his wife Emily and their 3 little ones. They needed to get away from the chill in Virginia and decided to come to GA and it was SOOOOOOOO fun to see them! I don't think we've seen each since they got married, which I guess was right around 6-7 year ago. We even lost touch for a little while, and just about a year ago were able to find each other through Facebook and reacquaint ourselves with them. Me and Ben took a half day from work and school Monday and went to the zoo with the Charters (weather was PERFECT!), this was Ben's first time back to the zoo since we went last February when he wasn't quite a year- so the concept of animals as living things now is totally different to him. He knows the names of a lot of the animals, so to actually see one in person in real life was I think a strange event for him. The elephants scared the crap out of him, including the teeny...tiny... statue of one I wanted to take a picture of him by did. BUT he still talked a lot about it after we left them! He saw the Pandas, the Komodo Dragon, lots of snakes and turtles, an Orangutan, kangaroos, sheep (at the petting zoo that he wouldn't DARE get near) and played a lot on the playground. He went down the twisty slide A LOT!!That night we got Ryan and met up with them at their hotel pool and Ryan and Ben went swimming (Indoor pool). Ben had a blast. He was even brave enough to jump off the side to daddy! He kept calling it a bath! Tuesday they came for dinner and we did a little shopping (!) and then they were off. It was so fun to spend time with them and we hope we can do it soon. Hopefully we can make a trip up their way soon!I feel like we had other stuff going on the rest of the week... just us being busy I guess and then this weekend (last night) we dropped Ben off and Nana & Poppy's for the night (the whole night!) and went to the Vortex for burgers with the Terry's, the Burkes, Geoff, Brandy, Clint and Jake. (Somehow I'm missing Jacob in this collage...) Afterward some of us went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D. It was SOOOO good... but I've always had a secret love for that story and movie. I've always loved it... so I really enjoyed this one too. I hope they make another. Or... maybe not. Hmmm, something to think about. Anyway we got home pretty late went to sleep and slept in this morning and then went and got Ben. Then my dear lovely Ashley made me (and the rest of us) dinner and a birthday cake and everything was SO delicious! I am very grateful to her for that. This week she and I are going to see John Mayer in concert, scored free tickets from work again! YIPPEE! Hopefully things will settle down a bit, but March always tends to be a little maniacal.
Both my mom and my brother Greg had surgery this past Friday. Both seem to be doing fine. My brother Greg especially is adjusting to the change, I'll have to get permission first before I write a post about it- but I really want to, because it's been quite an upset for our family. My cousin in South Africa is quite ill, Ryan's sister Kelly is also having surgery this next week... we just feel very weighed down with stress and worry about our loved ones and their health. We have been praying fervently and appreciate any additional prayers on their behalf.
We are still in the midst of getting Ben's social security theft all figured out... haven't really heard much from ANYONE, I guess that's what happens. I had a Scentsy party at Ashley's house yesterday and did REALLY well thank goodness. (Another thing to add to the list of what we've been up to...) Anyway, I'd better get to bed. It's now WAY past my bedtime, stupid Daylight Savings... but Spring is just around the corner. Trees are starting to bloom and the earth is coming to life again! YAY!

I am a mother of a 2 year old.

It's Ben's birthday!!!! Happy Birthday my little dude! I wanted to remember what we did on your actual birthday since the celebration festivities wont be until the weekend. Let's see... today so far we woke up late. Mommy took the day off and stayed home with you, and Daddy called and woke Mommy up thank goodness, because you didn't make a peep! You had a waffle and some yogurt and watched Sesame Street on Mommy's bed while she got ready to go out for the day. Then after that we got your dressed in your handsome button-up shirt Uncle Clint got you for your birthday LAST YEAR (hee, hee) and jeans and cool shoes. It snowed yesterday, so it's COLD outside. We put your jacket on and then we drove to the Police Station in Roswell, where we filed a police report because some mean and dishonest person took your Social Security number and used it fraudulently. The police men that helped us were VERY nice, told you "Happy Birthday stud" and gave you high 5's! You saw a lot "fodder" (your word for fire, which any vehicle with lights on it is a fodder) or Police Cars while we were there and pointed them all out to momma. THEN we drove to the KinderCare where you used to stay during the day for about a year and a half while mommy worked. You were a little bit cautious of it there, you knew you recognized it but weren't sure why. Miss Shemia, the center director, held you for a little while and took you to one of your old teachers, but for some reason that really upset you and you began to cry and wanted to come back to momma. We saw some more of your old teachers and friends and the fish in the fish tank and then left and went to Mommy's work to say hi. Mommy's coworker Janice really wanted to see you, so we stopped in for just about 5 mins. Everyone told you how handsome you were and told you Happy Birthday and asked how old you are... you're one popular dude! You were VERY shy with some people, but very friendly with others. Your cheeks were bright red and you were starting to get pretty worn out from all that socializing! After we left there, you and Mommy went to head home and you put your hood on from your jacket and then you fell asleep in the car. It's nap time now...You're asleep on your tummy in the crib. A few hours later... After your nap you woke up, and very slowly I might add. You didn't eat any lunch for some reason- well just sweet potatoes, and then we had to leave. We went to your well child check up and you've grown so much! You even got to stand on the big boy scale today! You're now in the 25th Percentile, still pretty small for your age, but you're growing up! Doctor Greenwald said you're in good shape and told mommy lots of new things that you get to do now because you're in big boy status! You had only ONE shot and you did SO good. It hurt and you cried, but you got a sticker AND a Bugs Bunny band-aid. After the doctors you and mommy went home and you ate a snack and then you and mommy hung out by the front door for a little while and took silly pictures of your tongues. Daddy came home not to soon after that! You were SO excited to see him, so was Ally! We all ate dinner together, Taco Bake, and then we did an iChat with Grandma and Grandpa in St. George, UT and even though they live all the way across the country- you got to open a gift from them!!! SO COOL! You got MORE CARS! And cool ones too! You LOVE them already. You carried them around with you for the rest of the night. Mommy and daddy gave you a couple presents too, and because mommy was ill-prepared your gifts were wrapped in wedding wrapping paper, but you didn't care! Hey, at least they were wrapped kid! Daddy got you a tractor and mommy got you Elmo in Grouchland! You and daddy watched a little of it before bath time. Daddy gave you a bath and then we got you ready for bed. Man, you were POOPED by then- you basically put all of your new toys away and walked to your crib and started to climb in to go to sleep. Before you did that though we called and left a message for Aunt Clau who has the same birthday as you and sang to her! After prayers you fell fast asleep and quickly. What a fun and BUSY day! Your birthday celebrations this weekend will be lots of fun too, and the weather should be great!Here you are saying "CHEESE!" and literally cheesing it up! You're a silly monster.

Mommy and Daddy LOVE you Doodlebug. You are our sunshine in life. Never stop smiling and spreading love and happiness to those around you. I will miss your baby years, but look forward to seeing you grow in to a wonderful strong spirited boy that will become an incredible man one day.
Love- Momma and Daddy

Don't Forget to Lick the Spoon!

Check out Ashley and my new Recipe/Foodie Blog called "Don't Forget to Lick the Spoon"! This is going to be fun! There's only one post, but we'll be loading it up soon I'm sure! (There's a link to the left also for you to check back frequently, or become a follower!)