39

July 24th was my 39th birthday and it was an awesome day! The night before, I was watching an Oprah behind the scene's. The one where all the stars came to show their love. Oprah talked about being open to receiving the love and embracing it. She said some other things that really made me think. And I had an Ah-Ha moment. Every year on birthday, I would tell people that "it's just another day". Then it hit me! The message I was really relaying was that I was not worthy of your love. I was not open to receiving your love -- even one day out of the year. This has been my issue for many years. The feeling of unworthiness. Why do I have this? I am not sure. This is something I will work on. So I decided right then and there, that no more would I call my birthday "just another day". What does that say to my parents who gave me life? What kind of example does that set for Alex and Olivia? I would be devastated to hear my children say their birthday is "just another day".

So I woke up that morning with a smile on my face and open to receiving the love. Facebook is a wonderful thing sometimes -- I think I received around 70-80 "Happy Birthday's" -- that was awesome! 70-80 people took a few minutes out of their day to wish me a Happy Birthday. Yes, I am open to receiving their love. Thanks to all! Not to mention the texts and phone calls I received.

The kids and I got ready for a day at the pool with my friend Aimee and her daughter Samantha. Olivia and Samantha are the same age and always have a great time. We haven't gotten to spend much time at the pool together so this was a perfect opportunity. However, Alex ended up getting burnt and I got burnt in a few spots. But we had an amazing afternoon! So thankful for such a great friend. Aimee and I have been friends since college. We lost touch a few times but have since been close for about 7 years now. She has been an amazing friend throughout everything going on in my life in the past year! I am so thankful for her!!

After swimming we went right over to my Mom and Dad's for dinner. They made homemade chicken and dumplings - the dumpling were my favorite (Biquick dumplings). Whenever I was younger and my Mom would make chicken and dumplings she always made the Bisquick dumplings. I just can't have chicken and dumplings with the noodle-type dumplings...so not my fav. So they made the dumplings I prefer. We had a great salad and then my all-time favorite dessert -- bread pudding! I know, I know, I am weird. Everyone I told what we had for dessert turned up their nose and said "blech". I don't know what it is about bread pudding but I would choose that over cake any day.

Then my parents surprised me with a ton of groceries. It was exactly what I needed. Plus, my Dad filled my gas tank up! To someone else, these might be trivial gifts, but these were things that just made my day! Everything was perfect and I was open to receiving it all. I kinda like being open to receiving the love...I felt like I got more out of life and the day by being open.

So despite being away from my husband, spending the first day of my 39th year with my kids, a great friend and my parents was the best birthday I have had in a long time!! Here's to hoping that means my year with be amazing! There are lots of things to look forward to and new memories to forge!

So Happy 39th Birthday to Me!

38th year comes to a close

I am in the last few days of my 38th year. Good riddance I say - 38 was not a necessarily happy time. The good highlights were moving to Crestwood, kids going to Lindbergh, and the addition of new family members, just to name a few. I know I have a ton of blessings and I try and count them every day but here's a toast to hoping that my 39th year is nothing like my 38th.

I am actually looking forward to my 40's. My goal is to be Fit, Fab and Forty by my birthday next year! I believe I can do it. I cannot wait for the cruise my Mom is taking me and my sister on for our birthdays next year!! So that is included in my Fit Fab and Forty -- I need to get healthy. I will be the oldest "child" going and I want to represent! LOL!

So toast with me to the last year of my 30's! TOAST!

It wasn't meant to be!

I got the dreaded email from Nestle today informing me that I am no longer considered for the position. I don't know what it is with this company. I have tried twice to get in there and each time to no avail. I didn't even get called for an interview this time. I guess it wasn't meant to be. I don't think I will try again if this company is hiring. I have 14 years legal experience in both a corporate and law firm setting but keep getting passed over...

I know I didn't need the job but really would have loved to go corporate again and what better company than Nestle. Every employee there loves it.

So bummed...but I am still thankful for the job I do have.

Goings On

We are in the second week of the New Year. I have been sick for the last week...yuck! So I really haven't been able to work on some of my New Year's Resolutions yet. However, I have been reading a new book - a new series -- The Alchemyst, the life of Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott. This is a teen series, but I really love to read teen books along with the other genres I love. Remember the mention of Nicholas Flamel in Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone? That's what really interested me about it. Now, this book has really sucked me in. I am almost finished with the first book. Alex really wanted to read the book too so we got him a copy from the library so we don't have to share the book. Can't wait to talk to him about. (I have always dreamed of us discussing books. - sorry, books are a passion.)

We are heading to Little Rock this weekend to celebrate Christmas with the Morgan's and to celebrate my niece Katie's birthday. I am really looking forward to spending some time with my inlaws. We always have such a great time together - we love to play games or card games and the kids love playing together. Usually, the day we leave is a big tussle with Olivia. She hates saying good-bye. We haven't been to Little Rock in almost a year. So glad to be going. Plus, the weather is always warmer there. I will have to drive the whole trip since we are leaving in the morning after Jimmy gets home from working midnight to nine a.m. - ugh. I don't mind the stretch of Missouri and usually end up driving until we reach West Memphis - but the trip after West Memphis is a snore. Nothing around but trees. You end up saying over and over "Are we there yet?" because everything looks the same for the next 2 hours! UGH!!

Tomorrow will be a busy day...shopping and getting everyone packed and ready to go. But it will be worth it. I am off work and taking Alex to the doctor in the morning for his foot. Then I can do all my running. Cannot wait to find my brother-in-law some Mizzou stuff for his Christmas gift. I do it because he hates Mizzou. So I love to kid him about it. Can't wait to put the Mizzou tiger tail on the back of his car. ;) Fun times!

Phone Interview

So this morning I had a phone interview for a position with Nestle Purina. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I get called back to interview face-to face. We will see. They seem like a really great company to work for. I interviewed with them for the same position I am applying for now but didn't get it. Small world though, my brother's best friends wife did. She is the one who told me they were hiring again and I should submit my resume.

I hate doing interviews though. I always think of better replies to questions AFTER the interview. I really doubted myself when I got off the phone. Trying to stay positive. I would love to get back into the corporate world again!

Keep your fingers crossed for me and say a little prayer. I am keeping the faith and thinking that if this time it's meant to be, it will be.

2011

Happy New Year!! I am so glad to see the Year 2010 end. Even though this year has brought happiness to my life - kids went to Disney World, the birth of my nephew Brady, being Brady's GodMother, the birth of Hannah, being Hannah's GodMother, finding a new house and getting the kids into the Lindbergh School District and both of them loving it, as well as me - I also had a lot of heartbreak this year. I found out who my friends were and you know what, I found out I also have a pretty strong support system. For this, I am eternally grateful!

We rang in the New Year with our good friends the Morton's. Aimee and I went to college together at SMSU - or I should say the only year I went to SMS. ;) We have remained friends for over 20 years! The really good things is that our husbands are also good friends. We love getting together with the Morton's. It is always a good time and New Year's Eve was a blast.

I usually don't make new year's resolutions but I do kinda make a small list in my head of some possible things I would like to accomplish this year. But then, I came across this and thought, yes, this is what I want my year to be about!

This year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and the speak it again

Howard Hunter

I have a feeling 2011 will be a great year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Finkelman

One day last week, Olivia started calling Alex "Finkelman". It was the funniest thing ever. And anyone who knows me, knows that I love, love, love nicknames! Just ask my brother - Weismoo! (He's going to kill me for that! LOL!!) At first Alex wasn't too happy with his sister calling him that. He kept saying "Finkelman is not my name!" Then I laughed about it and it helped ease the sibling issue!

So last night when we were getting the kids ready for bed, Olivia called Jimmy "Finkelman". I laughed so hard!! I had to explain to him that Olivia called Alex "Finkelman" and just how finny it was. So then I started calling Olivia "Finkelman" and she would call me "Finkelman". So fun!! You really can't help but to laugh when you say the word "Finkelman"! Makes me giggle every time!!

Go ahead try it!! Or maybe you just need to hear Olivia say it! It's a riot!!