Just stopping in to say hello before I head out for the day. Last night was sooooo much fun! From what I remember I crawled into bed at 4:00am. I remember thinking about posting a blog when I came home but it seemed like too much work to drag myself up from out of my cozy bed so I decided not to, or rather I fell asleep before I could. lol My sister did such a great job of putting everything together. We had food, games, gifts, etc at her house and then the limousine took us out barhopping.

We had way too much fun and at the last bar we ended up at, I was able to listen to the band that will be playing at the wedding. They were incredible, I really enjoyed listening to them and they played a great selection of songs, from classic rock style music to Pink. Brittany is going to be so excited! They sing one of her favorite songs and I was talking to the lead singer (this beautiful girl with an amazing voice) and she said Brittany could get up there and sing with them during the wedding reception. Isn't that so cool? We must have danced all night, I am so tired. I think I had one too many shots of this, but thankfully I don't get hangovers. It's a good thing too because we are taking the kids to the fair this afternoon. I'd better get running, I still have to buy Father's Day cards! I am always oh so prepared! hehe I hope you all have a great day! ~Hugs~

PS Eden and Liz, I'll email you an unedited version of my nite out as soon as I recover! lol

Has anyone else heard this cd? I saw her on Jay Leno and I really liked the song she sang (Complicated), now I keep hearing it on the radio. She kinda reminds me of Alanis. Anyway, just thought I would share. lol I am on my way to Media Play to pick it up as well as this. I figured I could use some new music for our bar hopping tonight. There are a few people going with who, I have a feeling, wouldn't enjoy Eminem. lol

If I don't get to post again before I head out tonight for my wild, bachelorette party, have a great night. I wish you all could join me, but don't worry I'll have a shot (or two) just for you. hehe

I took Brittany to her acting workshop this morning and relaxed in the park while Danielle played. Anthony was at day care because I have prepaid it and I have so much stuff to do, it's nice to have a break. Anyway, I was enjoying the sun, I slipped off my sandals and was squishing my toes in the wet sand, wet because it rained last night not because some gross kid peed in the sand! lol

Anyway, as I was waiting Danielle made a little friend with this cute little girl. We have seen her before with an older woman and I had assumed that the woman was her grandmother. The woman started talking to me and as we talked I found out that the little girl is her foster daughter, she is the foster mother to two girls the little girl in the park who is about 6, and another girl who just turned 12 who is in the same workshop as Brittany. The 12 year old has never had a birthday party in her entire life! Her birthday was last week and her foster mom is throwing her a huge birthday party tomorrow on their farm complete with hay rides for her friends. She said the girl was really excited about the whole thing until she got a call from her real mom who said she wasn't going to the party after all. I'm telling you, my heart was breaking!!!

There are some days when I think of all the things I want that I don't have or all things I want to do that we can't afford and I realize how silly all of these things are in the huge scheme of things. This woman and her husband are incredibly giving people, they do so much for the community and give so much to children who through no fault of their own have been given so little. She has had the little girl who is 6 since she was four and when she got her she couldn't even talk! The love she has for these children was so obvious to see. It's too bad there aren't more people out there like her! I am looking forward to talking to her again on Monday, I would really like to know her better.

Well, I'm off to drop Brittany off at her best friend's house for a sleepover. The fun, simple joys of summer. :-) I don't think my children realize how fortunate they are, I guess that is why they are so fortunate, because they have never known anything other than two parents and an entire family that love and adore them. My prayers are definitely with those two little girls, I just hope they are able to stay where they are for as long as possible.

I talked to my dad yesterday and he said Michelle and the kids will be able to make it to the wedding! I am so happy, I felt so bad for the kids because I know they were really looking forward to visiting. Now, let's just see if I can talk them into taking a kitty home with them. lol My dad said Katie (my new stepsister who is 9) really wants a cat but my dad is afraid Tigger (his other son, part pit bull but a big baby pup) will hurt it. I think Tigger will be fine as long as my dad is the one to introduce the kitten to him, but I can see his concern. Oh well, I'm not sure if my North Dakota small town kitties would be able to handle the big city life of California. lol

Went shopping yesterday for something new to wear to my bachelorette party tomorrow night. I found a cute pair of hip hugger jeans. I really wanted capris but I have, lets say curvy hips, and the ones that fit my hips were way too big around my legs. They looked stupid. My mom said I could have them altered but I didn't feel like going to yet another fitting! lol So today I am off to shop for shoes, I always wear tennies (when I'm not barefoot which I usually am), I have three kids, I don't have time to be chasing after them in cute little sandals! Okay, I will admit that I'm just not a big fashion person. Give me a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and I am perfectly content! I hate dressing up and my idea of style is NOT something you would find in Vogue! lol It drives my mom insane who is always dressed in the latest style and looks as if she just walked off a runway complete with perfect manicure and high heels. You should see us a shop together it is not a pretty sight! hehe

Anyway, I do want to look good for my party, my wonderful sister has put a lot of time and effort into it! She is so wonderful!! Although she has pointed out that as my maid of honor and as my personal attendant she is carrying out two wedding duties which entitles her to two "thank you" gifts. She also "casually" mentioned that she spent over $300 on my wedding gift which of course is a not so subtle hint that I had better get her something nice! lol I love my sister she is always oh so honest! hehe

And my little brother is the absolute best. I was in tears yesterday when I heard about his last conversation with my mom. He told her that if my dad didn't come through helping out with the wedding he would pay for as much as he could because according to him he has a lot of money saved up and nowhere to spend it considering he is living on his ship right now. I couldn't believe he would offer something like that, well I guess I can because he is just that way, but still. We of course won't have to take him up on his offer, but the fact that he would offer is so sweet. I am feeling so very loved right now. :-) My family is all so wonderful! sorry for the sappy stuff but I had to share. hehe

Sorry for the long post today, I am feeling very chatty due to the fact that I have had way too much caffeine! I am going to put my energy to good use and get some laundry done before I head to town. Have a great day! :-)

Good morning, I am off to take Brittany to her acting workshop. It is only an hour so it is kind of a pain in the ass to get up, get everyone ready and drive into town. Oh well, at least there is a park close by to hang out in while we wait. One of Brittany's wires on her braces came loose last night so after the class we are on our way to the orthodontist to get it fixed. I have decided to not go on any more job interviews until after the wedding. It will give me more time with the girls before they head to California to visit their dad, and I will have more time to finish up wedding stuff. Not to mention you can't really start a new job and ask for time off a month later to go on a honeymoon. We aren't going on a long honeymoon, we can't afford that, but we are going to drive up to Minneapolis and then to Wisconsin. We aren't leaving right after the wedding because my dad and Gilly will be here and I won't see them again for awhile. Gilly will be shipped out to the Middle East shortly after that for about 9 months. :-( Anyway, after everyone leaves and Jorge picks up the girls, my mom will take Anthony and John and I will enjoy a 4 day weekend. No kids, no work, no limos.........OMG what in the world will we talk about?! ROFL Have a great day and thanks Aimee for the blinkee...... I love it. :-)

Okay Eden and Liz, I got the rest of my stuff today to start working on my project. I have looked at it a few times and keep putting it aside. I think I am intimidated by this whole thing. On top of that I am just not feeling motivated to do much of anything today. The kids are playing outside and the kitties are all snoozing. What a lazy day to sit at the computer and not do much of anything. I would really enjoy it too.......if I didn't feel so damn guilty! lol

The kittens are all doing well. At first I thought there were three and then there was a fourth one and when Marshall came home he said there were five. There are two that seem to be all black, two calico cats and one black/white one. The kids were of course very excited. Anthony thought there was a mouse in there! lol

I talked to my dad tonight. He said he is sending money on Friday to help with wedding expenses. I didn't ask how much so I guess we'll wait and see. He also said that Michelle (my new stepmom) and the kids might not be able to make it out here (for the wedding). There is a new job that she can't pass up, so if she gets it he will be coming out alone. I mostly feel bad for her kids, they were really excited to visit and they both had parts in the wedding. I don't have any problem filling in their parts, I just wanted them to be a part of it too. It's kinda cool having a new little brother and sister. Oh well, I guess we'll see what happens. I am getting tired, I guess I should head to bed. :-) *Nite*

OMG...........Mittens just had her kittens!!!!!!!!!!! I think I mentioned that I thought she she might be having kittens but I was in denial so I didn't want to think about it much! lol I was sitting here checking email when I heard little tiny meows. She has them hidden in the back of the laundry room. It is dark in there so I can't see how many she had. She is keeping them close and purring like crazy, I think she is very proud of herself! :-) I'll keep you updated. :-)

Thanks for all of the positive thoughts guys! :-) I got a $25.00 tip last night plus the casino gives a package worth $15.00 plus my wages. It's going to be nice not to be broke. lol Although I did buy the kids cute little gifts from the gift shop, and then a book to read cause I was bored, and something to eat, two bottles of water because it was extremely hot and muggy, and I played and lost $10.00 worth of nickels in the slot machine..... lol let's just hope I broke even!

Working on some graphics today, wishing while we were working on the house yesterday we would have put the air conditioner in, drinking ice water, dreaming of snow and trying not to think about the million and one things I have to do before the wedding!

Well, I thought that by stalling on getting my tuxedo, it would give me a little time before I had to start driving. My mom, who knows me better than anyone had different ideas! I got fitted for a tux on Friday and should have it sometime next week. Tonight I am driving along with her to the casino to get the feel for what I have to do (and so that I don't get lost on my first trip up there! lol). I don't have to drive tonight, so I'm not nervous, but by next weekend I guess I'll be an official chauffeur! lol

We moved our bedroom around today. Wow, we have a lot of shit! Marshall is going through the DVD's because the kids have a lovely habit of watching them and not putting them away properly. He is not too happy right now. :-P I know of two little girls who won't be watching movies for awhile.

Well, I guess I've got to run. Marshall is telling me to get ready. *Nite*