It's not called the Smith lane for nothing...

I have been recently reminded that I haven't blogged in awhile!! Truth be told, Dallas hasn't been going to HIS bed and following his schedule the last couple of weeks. That means I usually fall asleep with him in our bed, and throw "Korie time" out the window. We leave for our cruise Sunday and I figured I'd have to start back over after Dallas sleeping with my parents for a week. Anyway, it's been crazy and hectic, nothing different for us...That's how we like it, but busy for sure. I've been getting things ready for the cruise as well as for Dallas staying home with his Mimi & Umpy! I've been making schedules and time charts to make a week in my shoes easier on my mom & dad!! They only raised one, and three can be quite the adjustment. However, the girls are so helpful and understanding. They will all be fine, but I will miss Dallas like CRAZY! He's only spent the night away from me once in over 2 years! I will call daily to hear his sweet voice :) Lance and I need this time and will definitely enjoy ourselves. Our first Will is complete and needs to be signed...that was weird, but definitely necessary. I can't imagine something happening and Dallas having to go to my in-laws!! Yikes, double punishment! Shannon encouraged me to complete it before traveling for 7 days without our kids. I'm glad I did, they ask in-detail questions people don't want to think about, but honestly need to. Ramble, ramble, ramble...this is what happens when you don't blog for awhile, I have too much to say! I do want to mention the horrific things happen too often. The Boston bombing and the fertilizer plant explosion in West, TX just reminds me how precious life is. We need to be grateful for everyday we wake up, and make the most of everyday! Cherish those around us and uplift one another! I am still blessed to stay home with Dallas during the day and be here when the girls get home from school! Memories are being made everyday :) I am living the good life!!! I have 2 of the best friends I could ask for, and family who loves me unconditionally. I have 3 children who think I hung the moon and a husband who works hard for us and makes me proud! I have learned SO much in my short 28 (almost 29) years! Especially the last 7.5!!! Yet, there is so much more to learn in this short life we live. I am receptive and open! I learn more from my kids than anything or anywhere!! Children are amazing and truly a gift from God! I love my life and couldn't be more thankful!

My weekend in a nutshell

"My weekend in a nutshell?!?" What does that even mean?? How can I gather my weekend and put it inside of a nutshell? What kind of nut do I look for?? Lol, just being goofy! We had a terrific weekend!!

FRIDAY: Shannon, Presley, Dallas and I went shopping for a little bit at Firewheel! We hit Old Navy, returned shoes to Foot Locker and stopped in Crazy 8. I'll have to admit, Crazy 8 is growing on me. It's just below Gymboree who is also owned by the higher end Janie & Jack. Although, I'm so cheap, I really only buy if its a clearance deal...same at Gymboree. We also picked up Destiny's birthday cookie cake from the Nestlé cookie store! Shannon made sure to rush me, seeing as how we had a house full of girls waiting on us! I try to always set the table up for birthdays the morning of a party! That way the girls have something to look forward to and be excited about during school. Destiny's menu requests consisted of: sweet tea, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Sprite, my pimento cheese sandwiches, egg rolls, chicken wings, her grandma Cindy's deviled eggs, taqui's, and a cookie cake for her 14th birthday. She made her own invites for her friends, and called the adults in hopes they wouldn't be busy. She planned her birthday party in January but waited until the weekend before to finalize her details and set a date to have her party! I can't believe she is 14 now!! CRAZY!! Time flies! I also can't even begin to fathom teaching her to drive next year. She has a lot of maturing to do! :) I also can't believe the nerve of these mouthy teenagers these days! I just pray my girls won't act that way in someone else's home they are a guest in! Sleepover went fine, half left on time...the others were picked up at 9:30am, which is pretty far from 7:30am! Destiny wanted to go to her grandparents so she asked her friends to leave at 7:30 AM! Yikes!

SATURDAY: The Poe's, Arielle, Dallas and myself went to the Parks Mall in Arlington to do a little shopping. We had a fun day and spent too much money! That was our first long day trip without the stroller! Thankfully Presley let us use her storage basket for my wallet & phone! Of course I had to carry him the majority of the day! I was prepared for it, but I did assume he would walk more than he did. Instead of meeting Lance for dinner, he ended up getting a tattoo. We decided to stay the night with John & Shannon so we wouldn't be bored at home! We got extra play time with Miss Presley, and Dallas loves playing with Tucker and Mattie. Shannon read her baby girl a story and John and Dallas watched cartoons in their bed. After some play time, Dallas and I went to the guest bedroom where we chit-chatted for about 20 minutes. He is so smart and snuggly at night! He took a nap on the way home therefor I was in for a long night!

SUNDAY: We got up and headed in to see Miss Presley! She was cooing and smiling! I ended up putting her to sleep for a little nap while her mommy & daddy got ready! You already know we pulled through Starbucks on our way out of Forney! :) Lance met us at Costco as we were picking a few things up. We headed home and Shannon helped me organize our kitchen cabinets and drawers! Presley was such a good baby all weekend. She is so happy and a pleasure to be around!! We made burgers and my parents joined with homemade fries!! It was a yummy dinner, although I held out on a bun with my burger AND I chose not to eat fries! It's all about my choices, and I'm doing better!! I am down 10 pounds now and I want to continue on my weight loss journey! Our cruise is at the end of this month, I couldn't be more excited! All in all, we had a terrific weekend!! We truly are blessed with amazing friends and family! Dallas is now asleep, girls are in bed relaxing and I've got a hot bubble bath calling my name! Time for some R&R for this mama!! Thank you Lord for blessing us with so much, forgive our sins and continue to watch over my family and friends, AMEN!!

Blogging for sanity...

Oh my goodness, I haven't blogged for a small stretch over the weekend and feel like I have so much to get off my chest! I truly think it helps "writing things down." Few words quoted from my Mother! She always recommends "making a list" or jotting things to help clear your mind. So here I lay next to a sleeping toddler, typing away like a crack head. I took my emerge this morning and I feel so amped up I can hardly focus enough to type one letter at a time! Lol, so don't be surprised if this blog has my thoughts all over the place! I really had planned on running while Dallas napped, but he is kinda whiney and I figured I'd just pat his back and comfort him to sleep. His head seems warm and i didn't want to drag him around in the stroller for a selfish jog. He is becoming very strong willed and confusing. I often wonder, what am I doing wrong? What am i doing right? Am I supposed to do this or that?! Everyone is going to judge one way or another so I do what I feel is right in my heart. Anyway, having a toddler and trying to please them, yet teach them is a pretty tough battle. I love this kid to death and will parent him the best I can. He is too young to reason with and tantrums come a lot easier these days! He is so smart and independent that I find myself learning how to be more open to letting him do things the way I want...consequently I need to try to compromise more frequently and give him better choices. What this means is, I've got to get creative people! :) My body has more energy, and now my mind is feeling more energetic too! I am slowly organizing closets and drawer throughout our house. I feel OVER-cluttered, and who doesn't love opening an "everything has its place cabinet?" I am staying ahead of our laundry and trying to remember to put things where they go. With 5 people, laundry is never ending and seems like it goes on forever and ever! Dishes are a daily duty, but occasionally I request the help of my two sweet girls. They are open to helping out around the house (usually with very little rolling of the eyes and attitude)! They can be great helpers!! 😉 It's just hard to ask them to do chores sometimes...I'd rather hear them running, laughing and playing after a full day of school work and rules from teachers. Chores don't normally come with those qualities!! Hee hee! Therefor, they may be a little spoiled in that department. All I ask is the trash/recycling be taken out daily and keep their room picked up. They are pretty responsible and CAN be well mannered!! 😜 All-in-all, I am one proud Mama!! I love my kiddos with all my heart, and hope to express that to them, at least enough where they feel an unconditional love from their parents! It's a good thing this blog is for me to look back on one day, because I'm sure it's pretty boring to others! Haha, anyway...I've got to cut this blog short. Dallas is in a deep slumber and I'd like to eat and work out a little before my little guy wakes! Soon the girls will come home from school and I will busy, busy once again! Love my life, thank you Jesus for blessing our family in so many ways!!!!

Picture of Dallas is attached merely as a sweet little picture of him, as well as a small preview of my next post 'My weekend in a nut shell'

It's ONLY Thursday?!?

I have been super duper busy today... you'd think time would fly by, how is it only Thursday?!? Some exciting highlights from today include:

*Arielle waking up to her own alarm, seeing as how I turned mine off & fell back to sleep!!
*Receiving my $1,200 Just Between Friends check!
*Getting some great clearance deals with an additional 20% off at Old Navy!
*Completing my shopping list for Destiny's birthday party!
*Getting a much needed hair cut from Miss Laura!
*Dallas being a good boy while taking care of our errands!
*Mimi & Umpy coming by for a late night visit with the Smith family!
*Eating pizza & soda for dinner!
*Dallas falling asleep in like 5 minutes! (Guess that's what happens when you skip nap time!)

It was a wonderful day, and I am so thankful to be Alive...healthy and happy!!! Tomorrow is Friday, and I look forward to a busy morning followed by hanging out with family & friends that evening! MIL will be here at our casa for Destiny's bday, may need to stock up on wine ;-)

Wednesday, hump day

I have been a busy, busy girl! Preparation for Miss Destiny's 14th birthday is in full effect! Yesterday consisted of my Mom and I shopping together for a little bit! Robby watched the kiddos for us to enjoy some mother/daughter time :) The girls have been taking the STAAR test all week! They have been surprisingly cool, calm and collected. I'm pretty sure Arielle was more stressed over the mock testing a couple of weeks ago, than the actual test! I am so proud of our girls! They are hard working, smart, sincere, caring, compassionate and beautiful inside and out! We have come a long way and they mean so much to me! I value the relationships we have worked hard to have and look forward to being close for as long as they'll let me! Tonight, the girls and I did a hot EVOO/raw egg mask treatment on our hair! I thoroughly enjoy spending quality time with those two! They are so inquisitive and willing to try new things! I truly admire that about them, because I don't recall being that way as a child!! Totally jumping to something exciting...I have lost 8 pounds and I am continuing to work on ME!!! I have worked out on my own twice this week in our office up front. I turn on old school rap thanks to Pandora and complete my own version of insanity. I have been making healthier food choices and been pretty consistent with my working out. Amber gave me some samples of an energy drink called Emerge from Max Muscle. I really like it, but I only take half the dosage...It pumps you up and gives you enough energy to do it all! I plan to drop by Max Muscle in the next couple of days to buy some :) I am looking forward to Miss Laura coming over tomorrow with little Bella to cut my hair! It's stringy and needs a miracle. And who doesn't enjoy a little girl time and letting babies play?!? So sleepy, and have to be up early tomorrow! Nighty-night blogging world! :) Thank you Jesus for all that we have, we are blessed beyond measure! Amen!!