Is May really half way over ALREADY???

In case you haven't noticed, I seem to have a running theme here...Take a look back at the last few months and you can see that life is freakin' nutz!!! How can it possibly be almost summertime already? Didn't we just send out Christmas cards? (Oh yeah, ours were New Year's cards..)... Now school is over in 4 short weeks....Didn't we just have 10 inches of snow on the ground?... Now it is 80+ degrees and the humidity is creeping in...

So I guess we have been super busy running this rat race that is called life. I am most definitely ready for a slow down as are most of you. Work is insane (I could say many more choice words BUT, who knows who might read this ;) ) Let's just say 6 missing bodies equals way too much workload on the remaining poor souls, and with government....NOTHING happens fast....maybe we will have at least one new hire in the upcoming weeks, I am not holding my breath or anything! Plus every time I turn around an instrument has issues and needs repair, etc. Not to mention meetings, playing with blood, extra responsibilities, etc. Oh yeah, did I mention-no raise AND of course parking is going up, insurance is going up.....Gotta love it!!! :) Don't get me wrong, just like I said before I am thankful too...Really I am...

Hmmm... I wonder if this is all explains why my visit to the neurologist last week ended with a betablocker Rx in hand to help control my horrible DAILY headaches. She seems to think that I have classic symptoms of serious stress and or depression (???) and that these will help alleviate the pressure in my brain's blood vessels. I think I will go with the stress option. When she was asking me all of the questions and stress came up as a possibility I thought, well let's see- I am working at a crazy busy job full-time, and I am a mommy to a wonderful 19 month old (umm, toddlers?!?!..) not to mention all of my other responsibilities- attempt to keep a clean house, food in the fridge and our bellies, be a good wife, daughter, etc. Well you get the picture- I can see that possibility at the moment! So far the medicine has worked great but don't think I didn't mention this to my boss ;) And I hope to try to control the other aspects some on my own. If only I could find a few more hours in the day to take care of me ;)

Ahem.... I think that is enough venting for now... on to bigger and better things :)

We got to spend the first weekend of the month visiting with Dad during his recovery and the rest of our family in Fredericksburg. Todd helped his mom move into her own townhouse which is really nice. I know she is excited about this new journey in her life and we are happy for her! Kellen is growing like a weed, well a heck of a lot more than that! He is a big boy but so stinkin' cute or so his Aunt Heather thinks! Lucas is really starting to check him out and seriously protested me holding him, he does not like to share his mommy- how do you break that? I guess time.... I fixed some yummy Brunswick stew for Dad and John in hopes that they wouldn't have to cook to much throughout the week. ;)

Mother's Day weekend was fantastic!!! I was off for 4 1/2 days straight!!! It was a mental health break that was so deserved. I decorated cakes, played with Lucas LOTS, cleaned, did laundry( I actually saw the bottom of the laundry basket-that is SO very rare in our house...), got beautiful azaleas and hydrangeas for around the deck and got them planted!!! Not to mention Saturday Kristi and I went shopping and then we all went out for a yummy dinner to celebrate Mother's Day with his mom. Todd did a great job spoiling me too :) He and Lucas took me out for breakfast, then we headed over to Ed's Nursery and Pole Green Produce to get my plants and spent the afternoon together at home relaxing and planting the bushes. Even Lucas helped! Todd fixed a scrumptious supper of seafood, and yummy banana pudding for dessert :) He capped it off by doing complete daddy duty that evening and allowing me to get some much needed R&R. I am so thankful for my fantastic family and feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to be a mommy ;) Thanks guys!!

A special message to my mommy:

We love you and miss you so much each and every day. Mother's Day is bittersweet for me. On one hand I am so blessed to be a mom, and I thank God for that amazing blessing everyday. On the other hand I don't have you here to celebrate these everyday joys with and honor. Thank you for being the best mommy and role model in my life. There are days that I get upset at the fact that you aren't here and are missing so much of this wonderful life, sharing so much with you, and seeing you be a great grandma to Lucas and Justin, but-I try to remind myself that you are still here in spirit and watching over us and all that we do. We are blessed to have you as our angel looking down from heaven. I am so thankful for the 28 years we did have together in this world and know that one day we will see each other again. Happy Mother's Day- I love you!!!

"All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my Mother"

I love these days when you can see the suns rays poking through. One of my closet friends and I always say that these are our loved ones in heaven looking down on us. I love to snap these pictures whenever I get a chance. I took these pictures when we were in Fredericksburg(yes, that is the mess that is Route 3) visiting Dad after he came home from the hospital. We know you are there mom! :)