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Have a nice Memorial Day weekend, y'all!

Sleeping in Hell - A post comprised mostly of pictures *Click on photos to enlarge and view captions

We always knew that at some point we'd need to change sleeping arrangements. For the most part the twins have enjoyed sleeping in the same room. Now that they're seven and quickly growing and changing we figured it was approaching that time.


So this is where we began on a cold and rainy Sunday




When hubby suggested we paint, I was overjoyed. I was suprised that he was that ambitious. If you know my hubby, you know he is excellent at home projects but generally hates doing them. Recognizing a moment to be seized, I quickly sent the Mr. and my son,B to go get some blue paint (the original color the hubby suggested). Just before they left, the Mr. joked (as if it were the most ridiculous notion ever) about how B wanted his room to be red and orange. Ha! I scoffed. Wouldn't that be something!? (read: hideous and no way in hell- no pun intended)


They came home with red and orange paint anyway.

And began designing






I wasn't getting it at this "during" stage


Then there was this:




Which even though it wasn't even close to my first choice of paint jobs/colors/designs has made a little boy very happy.

And it ain't hurtin anybody. So stop judging!

*Ahem*

Next week, we turn a little girls room in to a diva rockstar palace.

Lawd help me.

An ode to the twins

If I put my elbow at my side and extended my forearm forward, my hand rested right on my 36 week pregnant belly.

It was Mother's Day and I woke up at 6:00 a.m.

Realizing I had no gift for my mother,against doctors advice, I waddled down two flights of stairs, out of my house, hoisted myself into my car and drove to a nearby store for a card and flowers.

Moving was quite the challenge as I was carrying nearly 12 lbs of matter in my belly but I was determined to find just the right card. In hindsight I was really lucky that my water didn't break in that Albertsons.

I'll never forget the moment when my water broke. I'd been home from the store maybe an hour or two when it happened. I heard a pop and then I felt it. I couldn't stop it. It seemed to go on forever. I freaked as we tried to cram my mom, my twin sister and my stepdaughters who were all at my house on that day into our van. Since no one had actually had breakfast my stepdaughters who were just 8 and 10 at the time were trying to grab food. I remember rushing everyone.

I , just wanted to be at the hospital. It was scary and bizarre because my "water" continued to be released all the way to the hospital. Frankly, I wondered what my little ones were surviving in.

Once at the hospital everything happened so fast, the contractions started like clockwork. Nurses and doctors were rushing around me in triage checking monitors asking me questions, telling me to breathe.

About 30 minutes and a spinal block later at 12:38 and 12:40 p.m. I'd meet them.

And my life would change forever.

That was seven years ago today.

Every day I know my son and daughter my life is enriched. They're bright, witty, sensitive and compassionate. They're cuter than words can say and changing by leaps and bounds with each passing day. Just thinking about them makes me smile.

Happy Birthday, my loves. You mean the world to me.

I'd rather be snoring...

So yeah, it's Monday and I feel like I haven't gotten an ounce of sleep. Ever. At any point during my 37 years.

Alright so maybe I'm exaggerating. But we celebrated the twins upcoming birthday with not one but two parties. One Friday evening and one Saturday. Sunday was a day filled with a bit of gambling, a bit of marveling at how many old women with oxygen tanks gamble, a bit of eating and a whole lot of celebrating with my mom for mother's day. I am exhausted.

Oh and did I mention that crab mac and cheese I had out at the casino is totally rebelling on me now. Yeah it's not pretty.

So tell me, what did you do this weekend ?

Celebrating Moms - Mother's Day Giveaway

First of all, forgive me if I ramble as I was up with a sick child and by sick I mean the worst kind, vomiting, half the night. I'm existing on less than 4 hours of sleep. But that's what I do.
Motherhood isn't always pretty, but I've said it once and I'll say it again. It is the most important job I will ever do. And frankly, it's my favorite. My children continue to amaze me daily with their growth and innocence. Their budding senses of humor, their sweetness and compassion. The love I have for them is immeasurable.

And much of that I owe to my own mother. She showed me how to be a good mom. Now that I'm an adult I feel fortunate to be able to call her my mother and one of my best friends. I make a habit of letting her know how important she is to me regularly.

I hope you all do the same for that special woman in your lives.

The Promotion:

With Mother's Day approaching, what better way to celebrate that special woman than by taking her out for a nice meal.

Buffets's Inc (All Ryan's, Fire Mountain Grill, Old Country Buffet, HomeTown Buffet, Granny's Buffet and Country buffet restaurant locations across the country) wants to help you do that with the two-day "We Celebrate Moms" Mother's Day tribute at all restaurants. The promotion offers a chance to win pampering prizes for mom – ranging from restaurant gift cards to spa gift certificates to a luxurious cruise. This is their way of saying thanks and celebrating the woman at the heart of everyone's family.

When: Sunday, May 9 and Monday, May 10

Who: Any mom who dines at a Buffets, Inc. restaurant is eligible

How: Moms visiting any Buffets, Inc. restaurant on May 9 or 10 will receive a card containing a unique entry code. By entering the code at the www.wecelebratemoms.comwebsite, guests will learn whether they are a lucky instant winner. Everyone who participates will win a certificate for a Buy One, Get One Free (“BOGO”) meal at a Buffets, Inc. restaurant.

The Giveaway:

And Buffets Inc has graciously allowed me to offer two lucky readers "Be Our Guest" passes good for one complimentary breakfast, lunch or dinner at a Buffet's inc restaurant.

Simply leave a comment telling me how you'll celebrate that special woman in your life by 11:59 p.m. PST May 6th. Two winners will be chosen at random from all comments.

*Giveaway courtesy of Buffets Inc. I will receive one Be our Guest Card. No other compensation was received for this post