Random Facts about Cupcake

Hey y'all!

I came to the realization that people read this blog.  I even found out Wednesday night that PEOPLE I KNOW read this blog. (Hi y'all!) WOW.  I know you don't have to, but you do. I can't see who you are but to know that people actually come here, actually read it, and actually see what I have to say... It's an eye opener!

I use this space as my outlet.  For everything.  Not only do I use it for weight loss accountability, but to also talk about my life. Its my journal so to speak. Thank you for reading and tolerating me. Thank you for not blasting me if I drive you crazy, thank you for your support and positivity.

For those of you that I don't actually know, haven't met, or may be new in my life, I thought I'd do a post about random fact about me that you may or may not know. I love to know new things about new people, and it occurred to me, you may want to know too. So, here goes!

1. I am a mom to two wonderful little boys.

Ayden (8) 

and Remington (7).

2. I date the most wonderful man (Darrell)  I've ever met and I wouldn't trade him for anything.
This man brought me back from some darkness that I can't even explain.  He helped me walk away from relationships that I didn't need and has brought so much joy to my life. I love you honey.

3. I am an only child, the youngest child, and the oldest child... which also makes me an only child.
My mom and dad split when I was very young.  I was their only child, and was treated as so until they each found another partner. My dad, Tracey, married Kathy and she had two daughters already.  Dondi and Stephanie. Both are 2-4 years older than me.  My mother, Connie, married Ron shortly thereafter and he had a son, Brian who is about 3 years younger than me.  They then had Todd (17) and Desaree (16). I also have a "brother", Brent,  who's not really my brother, but IS Brain's half brother, but that has been raised in the family our whole lives.  He's 9 months older than me. It's a big-ol screwed up family, but it's mine. :)

4. I have 4 nephews, 1 niece and one on the way.
My oldest sister has Adam Bill, JR.

My next older sister has David & Justin

My "brother" Brent has a son and a daughter, with one on the way. I love ALL these crazy kiddos. Every last one of them.

5. I made the hardest decision of my life back in March. My oldest son went to live with his dad, Zack in Colorado. We don't know for how long. We don't know how any of this will turn out.  I know I miss him, but as his mother, I have to do what is best for him and his brother and it's not about me. You can read more about that, here.

6. I'm THAT mom.
Remington plays baseball.

We play at least twice a week and I've made all but one game this year I think.  He's a slugger, he's a third baseman, and he loves the game.  Until something doesn't go his way.  Then he's huffy. I'm the mom that is always cheering, always letting the kids know where the "play" is, and I'll be the first one to tell that coach to pull my kid and put him in the outfield if he's not playing his part. I will ride your ass to perform better, and it's not just cause you're my kid. It's because it's YOUR team.  YOU have to help THEM win. It's not just about you.  They count on you as much as you do them and you should always give 100% plus more. I'm not afraid to call you out... or anyone else for that fact.  I'm a baseball mom. I've grown up on or around the field for 20 years and it looks like I've got at least 10 more.

6. I plan parties
I LOVE to have an event to plan for.  I start months in advance.I decorate weeks in advance (if I can) and I try to use local businesses to make things work, as much as I can. I've done mostly birthday parties, but I've also planned 3 weddings (all mine, lol), a graduation party, and love details of other peoples events.

7. I met Darrell, THROUGH my ex-husband.
AWKWARD! Yeah, tell me about it.  They worked together, we met though their job. We all hung out. And then my relationship ended.  Its so hard to tell the story without being judged, and I honestly avoid that question as much as possible. Darrell was my support group during my divorce, and NO, it's not like that. He even told me to go back a time or two.  He tried to be a much of a middle man as he could.  We were TRULY friends before we became boyfriend/girlfriend. I wouldn't change it if I had to though. :)

8. I'm EXTREMELY modest.
So modest that it bothers me to talk about being modest. I don't do naked, I don't talk about naked, I don't like to talk about sex, I don't even like TV sexual encounters. It all makes me SO uncomfortable. My face turns bright red and you can automatically tell that I'm no longer at ease.  I don't even like to do naked in the comfort of my very own home... by myself, let alone in front of Darrell. I'm hoping that as I come more comfortable in my own skin, that I become more comfortable around him and myself. One day. Baby steps.  Putting my weigh-in and progress pictures on here is one step... my spray tan parties are the next. LOL

9. I'm a licensed Cosmetologist.
I took cosmetology school while I was a junior and senior in high school, missed my baccalaureate to test my state boards, and received my certification letter in the mail, the same day as my high school graduation. :) I don't "do" hair and nails in a shop.  I do haircuts in my kitchen, I paint my own toes, but I go get my hair did... I get a new set of nails... I don't take care of my face. lol. All those things I learned... they're in the back of my head. I just don't always do it myself.

10. My bestest-best friend lives in Austin.
Meagan has three beautiful little boys and an amazingly smart hubby and we DO NOT get to see each other often enough. We became friends when I asked her if her name was MAY-gan or MEG-en.  BIG difference. I needed to know. We've been together (pretty much) ever since. I was her MOH in her wedding she was there for the birth of my children. She loves me and I love her. She is the one that knows ME. And still loves me for it. We know secrets, we don't always like the same things (Dr. Who?), but we always come back to each other.  We both visit her moms house when she's in town, sleep in the same bed, drink, laugh and stay up entirely too late. And you ought to hear the gossip. LOL She gives the best hugs and the best gifts. She's my Meagan. I couldn't exist without her.
10a. My other Bestie- Suzan, I just found out is moving away from me next month. :( More on that subject later. Love you lady.

Well, there you have it... 10 random fact about this Heavy Cupcake.  I hope you learned something new. I hope you come back.  And if you ever want to know more... Just ask. :)

A Super 7th Birthday!

Hey y'all! I just wanted to drop in with an update on Remington's Super 7th Birthday party we did this past Sunday.  Geeze! I can't believe my baby is 7... Where has the time gone?!

This boy right here is super sweet and he loves all things Superman. I try to go all out for birthdays, just becuase every kid needs to feel like their birthdays are special.  My kids are lucky enough that their birthdays fall during the school year, so most of the time, they have school kids that get to attend. We invite all the family and I try to go all out... That being said, party prep started FRIDAY & Saturday night...

And then got finished up on Sunday!

Kitchen

Dining Room

Cake Table

Cake... thank God we didn't have the debacle like last time

Cake & Cupcakes

Chocolate covered, cheesecake stuffed strawberries

Kryptonite Krispies & Chocolate dipped pretzles

Living Room

More living room

Cupcake stand in Kitchen

I love doing big parties.. I'm a planner, and I love to constantly have a house full of people. Always.  I love to cook, bake, decorate.... so what better way than with a party!  One day I'll be able to do that full time... One day! :-)

The party got started, the boy opened his presents

 

And blew out the candles...

And a great time was had by all!

my nephew in his Clark Kent glasses

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REMINGTON!!!

A Monday Morning of "I don't want to"

I hate time change... Can't we all just get along? Leave stuff alone, already. Really. I love having more daylight, but my kids hate going to bed while the sun is still up.  And hate getting up when its still dark.  Just stop. MMMMKAY?

I woke up late. I'm not sure if it was just me (I'm sure it was) or if my FitBit failed... no vibrations this morning.  I didn't wake until 7:00.  Jumping out of bed at a mad dash is NOT how I want to start a day, and it usually means I have a headache within 30 minutes of the abruptly waking. DING, DING.  The pain is on!

Today is also a lot harder for me because I'm finally facing a cold hard fact that I've been avoiding for 2 weeks.  My oldest son, Ayden is leaving to live with his dad on Sunday.

I love this boy with all my heart and it pains me so much to let him go. But if any of you have read my blog previously, or follow me on Facebook, you know that he and I have had problems. Ayden is a very smart, beautiful young man, but he's also very strong willed and angry right now.  I'm not sure about what, as he won't talk to me, but he's just not happy. His dad and I made the decision two weeks ago that he needed to move in with Zack. I'm not happy about it, but I have to put the well being and health of all involved, first. Ayden's anger is causing problems for him, me and his little brother Remington as well.  I can't place Remington in a bad situation. I want nothing more than for Ayden to be that happy little boy that he used to be. And this is what we're trying next, to make that happiness appear.

Please send happy thoughts and prayers for strength for this Momma who is, quite frankly, a blubbering mess since yesterday.  I have 6 days left with this boy, and most of those days will be spent at work and school. He has come to terms with leaving, this momma has not, and his little brother just doesn't quite get it. It's going to be hard on all of us.

That's all I've got for now folks... Tomorrow I hope to bring you some info on the new challenge I've signed up for with Adie of Four Fit Sisters that starts on Monday. Hope your day is as pretty as it is here... I also hope you're feeling good enough to enjoy it.

Christmas is DONE...

Kinda.  Not really.  We still have two more. :-/
However, what we've done so far has been wonderful. Tuesday after work I went back up to Granny Morgan's for a Mexican lunch since I got off early.  I went and got the boys and proceeded to attend Christmas at my step-dad's moms home.  We normally just do gifts, but this year we did dinner as well.
And apparently I didn't upload those photos yet... :-/ bummer.
Wednesday morning we woke up and opened Santa presents and our presents to each other.  The boys racked up, Ayden was thoughtful and got me and Darrell gifts, and Darrell was more than good to me. After hanging out a bit, we threw on our jackets over our PJ's and went to my Aunt Jamie's for Breakfast Burritos. One more Christmas tradition we like to have. My camera died, so I don't have photos of breakfast.
Or of the Jones Family Christmas Christmas evening. Oh well, I was there.... that's about as good as it's gonna get! I DO however have family photos that we took! and let me say... this photo that my google account made pretty much sums it up.  Out of 12 photos... I've got two that if I can mash them together, will work.

I swear, at one point in this photo, you can see me say "STOP!" lol And you can see the door beginning to open!

my pick for favorite

I got this awesome new shirt from my honey...

LOVE IT!

We've still got my step moms family Christmas this Saturday in Lincoln, Arkansas.  And on January 11th, we'll finally get to have our family Christmas with my Dad.  Now, we just have to figure out when we can make it towards Jonesboro to see Darrell's family.
How did your Christmas turn out?

Five on Friday!

I'm digging the linkups that I've been seeing lately, so... I'm doing another. This one is with Darci over at The Good Life blog... Here's her linkup... Have a gander!

Today is a Five on Friday where you're supposed to talk about 5 good things that happened (are happening) this week... I'll see how many I can come up with!

1. It's Friday.  I woke up NEEDING Friday. So glad it's finally here, although, the weekends are never long enough.

2. I found these.

Thanks to Kiki La Rue and their Instagram post, I found out that these bad boys exist! That's 32oz if Rice Krispies, right there.  I will officially be the coolest mom on Christmas morning. EVER.

3. These. Oh. My. Gawd.

These moccasins from Old Navy are A-Freaking-Mazing! I have an online shopping problem, and Sunday morning I woke at 4am and placed another order.  Apparently I ordered these slippers too.  They have the softest inside, but a hard bottom so that you can wear them outside if you need to.  They came in, and I didn't think I'd like them... and that they were too small.  I put these things on without socks though, and they fit like a glove. I purchased 4 more pair today. WHAAAA???

4. It's my moms birthday. She turned 50 last year, so she doesn't get a big party or anything this year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

and 5. My honey got a job! It's not much right now, but its a job.  And I'm so proud of him for not thinking anything is beneath him, even though he's WAY over qualified.  Hoping he gets in some good hours before January.  We have more bills due, and even though he won't get his first paycheck until the 31st of this month, we're grateful.

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Finish the Sentence... Christmas Edition!

This is officially my first link up... and I'm not real sure that I'm doing it right, or that I'm even allowed, but here it is! If anyone reads this and would like to do the same, click go on over to Holly's page and follow the instructions! 

1. My favorite Christmas was....

When I was little, I used to wait restlessly on Santa to come! One year, my sister and I woke around 3 in the morning, but knew better than to wake our parents.  We decided to play Nintendo until everyone got up... somewhere around 5, my dad comes trotting down the hallway, in his tighty-whiteys and yelled at my sister and I, "If I hear that thing go "whoop, whoop" one more time, I'm going to "whoop, whoop" all over your ass!"  Needless to say, we went back to bed and didn't wake again until around 10!

2. The worst Christmas I had...

I'm not sure I've ever had one.  Holidays were always hard for me because I had divorced parents that had remarried. There were always so many people to see, lots of people I didn't get to see, and lots of time spent making everyone else happy.

3. That one gift that made me scratch my head and say, "Hmmmm" was...

A bible from my grandmother, with my name spelt completely wrong.  And she thought it was right. 

4. One year I....

Received a fur (ish) vest from a grandmother... Absolutely hideous.  It had four or five kinds of fur, and it just wasn't me.  My mother re gifted it and it was done.
The very next year, I received the exact same vest from a "secret sister" at church... MIND. BLOWN.

5. I think the worst gift to give is....

Nothing. If I have nothing to purchase for a person, they at least get a card. Something homemade. Something. Anything.

6. At Christmastime I typically....

Freak out... I'm always worried about everyone but me. I've got to learn to loosen up.

7. Typically, family Christmas....

Is CRAZY.  So many people, so many families, so much running. 

8. If I could change one thing about the Holiday season....

It would last longer.  Each holiday should be at least two days long.  Some of us need more than a day to make it everywhere, others need the second day to recuperate from the one day!

9. It is so hard to buy for....

My honey.  Always. No matter who he is! (Luckily there has only been two)

10. My favorite Christmas tradition is...

Opening presents in my OWN home ON Christmas morning. I purchased my first home last year and it was SOOOO nice to wake up and let my kids open their presents in their very own house and then not have to load them up immediately to move to the next place. 

11. Santa, baby, bring me...

YOGA GEAR! I've became addicted to yoga this year. I need my very own mat and video, so that I can give my sisters back.   A subscription to Yogaglo.com would be handy too! :-)

Sugar...

So it’s been a busy couple of weeks… and I fallen off my “get healthy” kick. :-/

First up… Halloween. I don’t have a damn picture of my boys dressed up. I don’t know what I was thinking, other than apparently I wasn’t. They went to Trunk or Treat at the church with my grandparents. They had a good time, brought home loads of candy and toys and ate hot dogs galore. I stayed home and handed out candy for the first time ever. Our first Halloween in our first home.

Second, Ayden’s birthday celebrations. We started on Sunday they 3^rd with a joint party for him and my cousins 18^th Birthday. Good food, good company and a good time had by all.  

Then of course he had to have cupcakes ON his birthday at school

and El Celaya for dinner that night.  Friday night I let him have a sleepover. It’s a general good rule of thumb that only 50% of people you invite to events show up.  So, I let him invite all 9 boys in his class.  All. But. ONE. Showed up. Seriously. 

Two cars to get everyone to the house, 6 pizzas, 3 Gallons of Kool-Aid, 4 bags of Popcorn (and a popcorn fight), 5 Movies, 12 biscuits, and two packages of Bacon and sausage later, I’m still alive! Most of the boys are to!

Saturday was cleanup and party prep time for his actual birthday party that counted. I proceeded to make the cookie dough that I forgot needed to sit over night, and 6 hours later, still had to add about 4 cups of flour to it to make cookies that, well, looked like cookies.

 

 My little brother and sister went to pick up the cake I had ordered a couple of weeks back.  O.M.G. I've never seen such an ugly cake as I have this one.  It was so bad that I was in tears... Don't believe me? Look!

Yeah, that's NOT what it's supposed to look like.  And because I'm trying to move past that whole meltdown... I'm not even gonna go into the story.  I'll just say that my cousin Tanya saved the day, last minute, and done an amazing job.  I don't know what I'd do without her... SERIOUSLY!

After the party was all over with, I had help with cleanup, and we crashed. Crashed hard.  Like, i didn't even want to make my boys take a shower cause it would mean I'd have to move to tell them that. lol Anyway, it's all over now.  Thank goodness... And I don't have any more (planned) partying to do until April when we start all over with Remington's birthday. 

However, in all of the middle of this, we got some bad news.  My honey lost his job.  It wasn't even over anything that made sense, but it's happened, and we're working on accepting it.  I hate that it happened right here in the middle of Ayden's birthday week, and right as the holidays are coming. We also had a trip planned to Branson that we won't be able to take now either. It was stupid.  And I hate it so much for him.  We were just getting on our feet after him moving in, and he was ahead on his bills (thankfully), and he LOVED that job. :( Finally off for the two major holidays, and now... nothing. He'll find something else soon.  And in the mean time, we're working on figuring out how to tell everyone. We decided to wait until after the birthday celebrations, as we didn't want that overshadowing Ayden's big days, not to mention, it's easier to tell one person at a time, than to be bombarded with everyone all at once. 

Keep us in your thoughts as we look for him another job and as I try to get back on the bandwagon...