Fritz's (The Train Place)

After what should have been a "sleeping in" morning and wasn't. We were all delerious. We waited for Sarah to retrieve Austin. I tried like heck to pawn Dalton as well but the offer was refused. :) I had the slows as if I had drank the night before. We rolled in at 2am and since Dalton and Austin had slept the ENTIRE ride home they felt they were well enough rested...Me, not so much lots of pep just no step! About 11am Russ mentioned wanting to go down to Fritz's. (huge sigh) Of course after Sarah had mentioned earlier of taking Austin there tonight. So slowly but surely we got around and headed out. Right before the lunch crowd hit. Thank you!!!At Fritz's you order your meal by the phone at your booth, put on your goofy conductor hat (not a must) then a train delivers your food. Pretty awesome for any child to experience and we adults seem to find the pleasure as well. Dalton is still talking about the train place and the orange and the red one and the yellow one.....good lord kid go to sleep!!! :)

Hey good looking....nice sweatshirt!!!

The Star

A Picture that Russ took. This illuminated star hangs over the hall where the Dallas Cowboys run onto the field as a team. You can't tell me that doesn't create the best Team Spirit ever!

Dallas Cowboys NEW Stadium

Sis and Russ surprised Mom by arranging tickets to take a tour of the NEW Cowboys Stadium.

This event took place on Friday morning the 27th. They headed out at 7am heading towards Dallas and then arrived back home at around 6pm. Long day for everyone. Sis and I had Dalton and Austin and to be honest we were just plain lazy! It was much needed sister in law time and man did we spend it. Not like we planned too but it still was good. We talked and laughed while sitting in our jammies bra less with our boobs hanging to our stomach but who the heck was gonna care? The cows?? We cleaned, made a pot of ham and bean soup then sat on the porch watching Dalton and Austin kick the football around. It was 67 and sunny that day. The Dallas Cowboys Stadium

The TV that you see is as large as 40,000 52in TVs put together. If you don't believe me Google it~ I had to. I didn't believe what they were saying either. The pictures do this TV no justice. It hangs from 20 yard line to 20 yard line. The Yankees are soon to get one as well.

They toured suites, cheerleader/player locker rooms, Jerry Jones quarters etc.

Russ got to experience something great. The specs alone on this stadium are just amazing. We will be going again so that we(I) can really see. Plus the ticket price for standing room only for a actual game is ONLY 29.00 and we can so stand just to watch the grin on Russell's face the rest of the year!!!

Texas and Turkey Day

The drive never gets easier. I keep hoping it does and to my dismay it doesn't. TEN hours this time! I only have patience for so long and 10 hours was above and beyond my ability to be patient! We headed out at 1pm on Wednesday afternoon. Russ had been up since 1am already, put in a full day of work and now with no shut eye, we filled the gas tank and the tires, grabbed the boys and headed South. Rolling into Texas at almost 12:30am. Dalton with minimal shut eye, being lost in Oklahoma, two stops for food, four movies, switching seats with Austin twice and not enough drugs in the world to keep me sane.... Of course the WHOLE family was still awake, awaiting our arrival. Dalton immediately took to Uncle Ryan as he always has....So we said our hellos and then our goodnights. Until morning.....
Daddy and Dalton on one of the scooters. Its pure entertainment down there for the boys to ride on the scooters.

Russ cutting the turkey that Ryan had smoked. The food was already prepared for the days feast thanks to the help of Mom and Sister the day prior. We ate lunch at noon and then football took over the rest of the day. Not joking!!! Cowboys played the Oakland Raiders and then the Longhorns played A&M that night. The front room stayed lit up with people, lights and chairs everywhere as they watched football. By the way Ryan taught Dalton to say "Go Aggies"

We ate on the left overs for 2 days straight. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Mom had made all of our favorite desserts as well. Thank you Texas family for making it another memorable holiday!

Honestly: Only A Portion Of The Atcheson's

Brandon, Mallory, Mike and Mary (The Host's) My cousin Michael is missing in the pictureBrandon and Mallory are ENGAGED
Emily and Lexi. Lexi is my youngest first cousin on this side of the family!

(Cj's girlfriend) CJ, Lily, Chad, Emily and John

Emily and John (Senior K-State Linebacker)

Tim, Shauna, Tammy, Brandon and all of thier monkeys!

Mallory and Lauren

Cam, Sarah, Ron, Kathy, Ronnie and Jessica

Lily, Mal, and Lauren

Laurie and Lexie

Tammy, Mary, Kathy and Lex

Brother and Mom

Grandma's friend, Grandma, and Mary's Mom

Whewwwww....and like I said its just a portion......

Anxiously Waiting

Is it time yet? Are we there yet?

We are closer then last march but we aren't close enough to tomorrow yet! I was just texting Russ about how excited I am just to get on the road with him. I know we have the two boys and that Austin falls asleep way before Dalton but one of many things that Russ and I have in common is the love for driving in cars together. We drive aimlessly around town on Saturdays and Sundays after we get coffee. We venture down roads we have never seen just to peer into old houses that are vacant. We listen to the radio (retro country) and sometimes a whiny toddler who so far isn't a fan of our goofy nonsense car riding. Surely the DVD players will be yet another blessing this trip and don't forget the Benedryl that I slip in. (hehe)

Lots to do tonight in order to be sane and get on the road at a decent time tomorrow!

I Used To Be A Scrooge...

I remember not even 4 years ago I was the biggest scrooge ever! Christmas music drove me 100% insane. My mom and sister and their baking I annoyed me and I would never participate. All of that was before I got pregnant. Dalton was born in December and weighing in at 9.1oz at birth you can imagine my short 5'2 body plump as a snowman attempting to decorate my tree. It was the first year I even cared to decorate a tree. I got the decorations from my sister. I remember it was to miserable for me to sleep so at 4am I decided to head downstairs and decorate OUR tree. It was the first time I began to LOVE Christmas as an adult. I started crying to Christmas songs on the radio. I melted at the sight of snow and kids making snow angels! I loved the sights, lights and most of all the Starbucks Holiday drinks!! :)
I traditionally now get together with my mom and sister and WE bake. I typically supply two rounds of coffee and then taste test everything. Its a good memory and tradition, even if I did start late in the game!
One thing however that I WILL NOT do is participate in "Black Friday" sales at the stores! I am sorry, but people walking behind me or too close to me is a huge panic attack waiting to happen. No thank you!
What changed my way ways? Maybe age? Maybe motherhood? Knowing what Christmas is really about. Being mature enough to know I don't NEED anything, and everything I WANT is in my house asleep right now, or down the street, or in MO, or Tonganoxie or 2 hours away or in Texas! Family and Friends, Health and Happiness
This post really came about because of my husband! He is kind of being a scrooge and in his defense he is right. In a way we have all lost the sight/meaning of Thanksgiving. Why on earth God put the two major family related holidays so close together is beyond me but he did and we cant change it. Russ gets peeved at those that put up trees and decorations, lights and then actually turn the lights on before Thanksgiving is here or even close to over! He has an opinion about everything but I can respect this one. :) I thought even as of yesterday that Thanksgiving is only about stuffed belly's, naps and then pumpkin pie. Now, I know its more. Its the anticipation to see family 600 miles away and having a car and gas money to get there. Its good conversation and lots of hugging. Its time for pictures and time for prayers. Its memory building before gift sharing.....

Happy Holidays Everyone! Hugs and Kisses! Goodnight!

Busy Week Ahead

We (or I) have so much to do!! (((SIGH))) We(the hubby helped a ton) have revamped all the bedrooms and now must do laundry and pack to prepare for a Thanksgiving in Texas. We are leaving on Wednesday ASAP! Its gonna be a short stay and we've got a lot to fit in.
Well after a night of catching up on the blog(there are 3 new posts) I think I am gonna call it a night~ PS: I might as well admit its a BLESSING not having a Facebook account! I have no clue what anyone is doing.....really not a clue.

Thankful today for: My big, happy, beautiful, fully potty trained, almost three years old, baby boy asleep in his not so baby but, big boy bed. My husband that is special and amazing to me in ways that are indescribable. Money to go to Texas saved/stashed in a firebox. Family, Laughter, but most of all for the Hugs and Kisses!

Goodnight!

Lets Just Say FAMILY OVERLOAD!

This weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving on my Moms side. The Atcheson's! She is 1 of 7 siblings. So needless to say I have thought all along that I have like 20 plus first cousins(because I always remember total chaos) and in all reality I have like 13 or so 1st cousins who all have spouses or bf/gf's and then most of us have at least 2 kids of our own, plus all of my Aunts and Uncles so we can just say HOLY HECK its a full house! (PS: Minus Ashley and Ian, they had his family's Turkey Time today)
For being a full house though..we get the opportunity to take a breather on my Uncle Mike and Aunt Mary's patio and well here's the view! What you cant see is their pool below the deck, lets just say the house is beautiful and its really the only one that fits EVERYONE.

Tony Romo....I mean Russ...who is telling me I am Number 1 by the way!

Dalton loved the view big time! He was telling all sorts of stories about the fish in the lake.

The newly weds my cousin Sarah and her husband Cam

Dalton and Russ watching Uncle Mike carve the ham

Still watching....

Too ornery...Dalton and Christine, my brother's girlfriend

Patiently waiting! Love his eyes!

Bubba's big boy bed that Aunt Dessy gave him! With SPIDER MAN SHEETS by the way!! He loves it! It sets real low to the ground so we attempted a night with no railing. He went down like a champ not a peep and then Russ and I hear a THUD at 4am. I dashed in their just to find him already back in bed covered up and he tells me that he "falled out his bed and jumped back in, and not his head"...Oh lord help me! Yes, I agree the stuffed animals look ridiculous but he loves them so whatever works right? I just hope its not an inkling into his future of women!!! LMAO!

Dalton reading a book in his room while Daddy is putting the bed together!

Dalton chilling why we REVAMPED all the rooms. You will get a tour when they are ALL complete. We have a ways to go yet! I technically have two more weeks to get Austin's done and and OUR room still needs some pizazz. :) (Again do you see the school of animals?) Its so cute, he is MY only so whatever!!!

It's The LITTLE Things

It's His.........Toes, that make me giggle!

It's His....Eyes, that melt my heart!

It's His.....Ornery Laugh, that makes me WHOLE

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS!

A Party Pic

My cousin Sarah sent this photo to me by email. Taken at her wedding back in September. I didn't like it at first and after analyzing it a little more I think we look Super Smokin Hot. Does that classify me as a MILF? Heck, I think so. I got about 50 more lbs to go to be an All Star MILF but in due time peeps. I'm down 9lbs so far. Just gonna keep on truckin.

How's It Goin?

Well....lets just say ITS GOIN!


The hubby and I as well as both boys are counting down the days until next Wed the 25th. We will be headin South for turkey this year. All the way to Texas. Hubby's hometown of course!

Work is crazy busy as people are attempting to use up all the rest of this years dental benefits. Use them or lose them! Hey, it's work right? I am not complaining or stressing one bit over my four day work weeks trust me. I realize I am spoiled!

As most of you know I have in a sense stepped out for awhile to do some therapy as far as boundary setting, when to say yes or no etc? I also was on a very high dosage of my ADHD meds and in all actuality it was the wrong dosage for sure! I turned mean and irritable and emotional etc. Anyhoots went back to my Dr. on Tuesday evening and I AM GLORIOUS! To say the least! I feel back to my norm. Amazing what a 10mg difference can do to your brain!

I also as most of you already know deleted my Facebook. There is such a thing as a web addiction or a social networking addiction and by god I had it! So after much thought in a heartbeat it was gone and I have to admit I am not going back. Russ was on his page last night and I happen to glance at someone's status and instant rage took over. I told Russ holy lord that is why I don't NEED a page! I was getting way more wrapped up with others than I needed to be. It was time to say goodbye! It feels amazing!


Things I have completed through my live and learn process lately.
*Its ok to say exactly what you feel or you are feeling on the inside to your spouse...he wont think you are truly crazy, like you thought he would!
*Pictures speak 1000 words, memories don't talk!
*I don't need to know everything about everyone. Never thought I would be but, I am fine being in the dark so to speak.

Its a slow process, but its getting easier! Know that I am just as happy, giggly and cute. I am actually down 8lbs!

Updates to come this weekend for sure, there will be changes in the Wood house!

Letting Go...

What exactly does "Letting Go" mean? Anyone? Because I feel I have to let go of many things in order to keep moving forward.
This weekend was a complete downer. Sometimes I have those and it's relatively when I hang on to a lot of things all week or month long and then get a chance to sit and ponder them. I have been doing a bunch of self help reading and googling to find other ways to handle stress or to let go of things I cannot control. Trust me the reading does and has help/ed. It has also taught me all about boundaries. When to care and how not to. When to speak and what to say when I chose to. When to listen and how to learn. I know for a fact I have come a long way in just a few weeks, problem is, I have turned aggressive instead of passive and my tearful emotions are on high alert.
Backing up so you might understand me better. I am on some meds as well for ADHD and Insomnia(created by fears and anxiety). I am not scared of telling anyone this nor have I ever been diagnosed as crazy, just to clarify.!I wear my heart on my sleeve and its never been guarded.....Until Now!
I have to, again have to let go of things. I have to let go of my past, my present and my future. Let me explain...
My Past: I wasted the years from when I graduated high school (2000) until about the day that I met Russ. I don't mean that I regret all of the memories but I would like to destroy more than most of them and relive the ones I actually miss, which would be with my girlfriends not my ex's. If you know me you know that I am very good at forgetting minor events or details. I have a smart phone and I have to set alarms to remind me that I have to mail a bill. :) I however hold on tight to the really good times annnnd the really bad times. I have a hard time gripping reality most of the time.
My Present: With the reality concept, I have a difficult time wanting things that wont be or going places I wont go. I know Hannah Montana says "Life is what you make it"..but I feel stuck. No doubt my head is always high and I have a smile on my face but that's because I am that good at letting things set on the back burner....until the smoke detectors are going off.
I am having a hard time accepting the views of others issues and our friendships, plus my own personal heart break, jealousy, and fears.
My Future: Nobody can tell me exactly what my tomorrow brings. I can read and inspire myself to the end and it doesn't promise me anything. I do live in the moment, I always have! Sometimes it has got me in trouble and sometimes it just works out. However, I am certain that if I live to be old, I will most likely still be employed. Life is short and I spare nothing! I have few great friends and I treasure all the time I get with them. Would I like to pack up and head out with my family to a place I have never been to start fresh in a sense? Sure, who wouldn't? Why not? I think about it a lot and I consider it more than never...We are doing nothing but getting older and like I said before tomorrow is never promised.
So to MY future. I will work harder on letting my past be the past and quit letting it hold me accountable for everything. I will learn how to deal with my present decisions in a positive, powerful way regardless of mine or others choices. I will try not to feel remorse or regret. As I have to do for ME and My loved ones.
This is my solid ramble, remember this is after all MY journal!

Trip to Cindy Lu's

It was a much needed getaway. I know I am acting as if we took a road trip but really she was 5 minutes away. Only because she was at her Mom and Dads. She lives about an hour and 10min away now.(which is way better then Idaho and St. Louis, her hubby is in the Airforce) Finding the time to hop in the car has always just seemed like a pain in the booty, but after today I think Bubba would love these boys in his life and not to mention that their Daddy is a Texas Fan, now really whats not to like? Cindy Lu and and I go way back to kindergarten. Man do we have some stories. Ohhh those were the good times in my world! Anyhoots...so Lu called today and I decided why the heck not so I cleaned up Bubba and we went over there. The whole 5 minutes there I am prepping Dalton for his friends. I tell him their names are Casey and Austin...he says Casen and Austin? He never really would get it and I just laughed. So we arrive and I just walk in there is no knocking once you have known a family for so long right?? So we head into the kitchen and oooopppps! I forgot to mention they are identical TWINS..Dalton looked at me like what the heck Mom? It was funny! Austin on the left and Casey on the right (I have to admit Austin is my favorite twin. He just loved me as a baby and totally loves me now)
Nothing ornary about Casey...... always on a mission

This is after they woke up. Sleepy heads plus they havent seen me in a year and are most likely thinking who the heck are you?

This is General Lee, the beast of a dog the Cindy Lu travels with. The dog came before the boys and so the dog stays plus General puts the fear of god into anyone and he might be the biggest teddy bear!

Dalton Photos Continued