Happy Tuesday!

I had Miguel's today.  To say it's a happy Tuesday would be an understatement. 

Of course there have been a few things that I could have done without.  Like the fact that I can no longer change the color on my fun post title fonts so I got rid of them.  Until I can find another way to change them that is.

How do you like my new look?  Is it spooky?  Not too spooky though right?  Like you are shivering in your boots just looking at my background kinda spooky....no?  Just wanted to make sure.

Guess what I did today?  I forgot that it was school picture day.  Whoops!  I know, I'm now one of those mothers.  But Riley gets to make up for it tomorrow.  You know, I filled out my form with the picture package that I wanted and everything, and then just happened to not look at the date of the pictures.

In case you were wondering, I'm still entering myself for the mother of the year award.  Because we at least turned in our homework.  It might have been a day late.  I think I'm a tad bit too honest on this blog huh?  Maybe I should start sugar coating things. 

But that wouldn't be as much fun now would it?

Riley loves doing her homework.  The first day she took some home, we went to blows.  Not really blows, I don't want to scare you anymore than I have with my new background.  We just had words.

I'm learning how to be a teacher okay.  It's hard work this parenting stuff, I tell you.  I'm working on my patience as we speak.

Look at that girl with a #2 pencil in her hand working on her A's.  This is day 2 of homework.  We were much happier that day.  And we listened to Mommy's instructions.  Which made Mommy very happy.

I got some new actions for photoshop.  And I love them.  Of course, I'm still learning what I like and as I go back through these pictures, I don't love them all as much as I did the first time.  Like in the above pic, Riley looks kinda washed out, but I do like the bokeh.

I'll play more.  I did that one photo shoot and I wanted to play with my new actions before I tried them out on editing the photo shoot pictures.

My new actions are really cool, because they came with an option to make my own actions.  Look out, I'm going to learn how to do that next.

Because it's fun, and it's my new hobby.  You know what's funny?  I was so bummed about not doing a photography business like 5 days ago.  And since then, I couldn't be more relieved.  It's funny how things work out the way they are supposed to.  Well, funny isn't exactly the right word. 

I prayed about it.  A lot.  And I didn't really like the answer I got at first.  It made me mad.  But, only 5 days later, I'm so realizing what a mistake it would have been.  Not the right time at all.

That's why I stopped doing the cakes, because of how much time it took away from everything else that I loved.  Like my kids for one.

Oh and cooking.  Which by the way, I baked last night, you know, just for the fun of it.  I made 2 loaves of pumpkin bread, that melts in your mouth.

Don't worry, I'll be sharing the recipe.  But that is for another post.

I know this post is kind of all over the place and you are probably wondering why these pictures are so random.  Like, why is there a picture of a beer in the middle of this post with no explanation as to why it's on here?

I was wondering the same thing.  Don't worry, you are not alone.

I just kinda wanted to chat with you, you know, like have a one sided conversation with my computer.  It's fun that way, but sometimes it gets lonely.

Well, not that lonely.  I wanted to let you know, those that read my blog that don't have a blog or a blog that you keep up with...if you wanted to make sure that you don't miss anything, I put a really cool gadget on the left hand side of my blog.  Put your email address in that baby.  You will get my post updates via email.  My Grandma loves it.  Don't you Grandma?  :)

It says follow by email with a white box.  Use it, and push submit.  Not with your finger though, with your mouse.  I should have said click submit.

I told you, I'm learning how to be a teacher.

So by the time Madi is in school, I'll be pro.

Well, not really pro, just better then what I am now.  And what I am now ain't purty.

And by purty, I mean like Flynn Ryder.  Like when I asked Madi if she thought Flynn Ryder was cute.  And she said, "Yep, he's purty.  Mmmm.  Hmmmm."

I concur Madi.  He's my cartoon crush.

Madi is funny.  She is our little comedian.  I need to start writing down the stuff that she says, because it's hilarious.

So, that's all.  And don't forget to subscribe.  If you do, I'll make sure that I make my posts more enjoyable.  You know, with like humor and stuff.  And I'll keep the honesty stuff going, because you know you like it.

Rush...out!  (You know, like Seacrest out?  I have a confusing last name and just wanted to make sure you understood.  Kapeesh?)

Happy Tuesday!

It's About Time

I'm feeling a little down.

I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with me.  Honestly.  I'm one of those people that go, go, go.  I have a hard time stopping.  Even to read a book, or take a walk, or breath.  I don't take baths (well for 2 reasons, I can't relax, I just think about everything I could be getting done, and it gets really HOT in there :), I don't nap (maybe once and a while but there are so many other things I could be doing), I don't do any me things.  I feel guilty if Tim watches the kids so that I can go shopping.  I feel guilty  about so many things that I shouldn't.  And this is the truth.  I have a few issues.

I stopped doing cakes because they were making me crazy.  I think I cried over the past 10 orders because something just went wrong, or I was dealing with a temperamental client, or I'd get impatient with the kids because they'd be trying their hardest to get into my frosting.

With taking less orders and then eventually (I have 3 orders left, possible 4) being done, I've had a lot of extra time.  I didn't rest.  The first week I didn't have an order, I tore my house apart to organize it.   Top to bottom.  You'd think I would have sat on the couch with bon bons and a bottle of wine with my feet up.

What is wrong with me?  I don't expect you to answer or comment, well because you can't.  But, I'm just trying to figure it out.  Because since the cakes, I've had time to really pick up my camera and take some pictures.  And I love it.  Love it.  I'm passionate about it. 

I've learned more and just want to keep learning.  It's so much fun, and challenging.  Boy is it challenging.  There are ah hah moments all the time.

But I've posted many of my pictures on Facebook, just to share with family and friends.  And I've had quite a few people tell me I should do it professionally.  Tim has been pushing me to do it for months and months now.  He thinks I'm awesome (and I'm never going to tell him otherwise ;).  So I thought about it, and thought about it.  And decided to do it.

I offered 6 free shoots to get a portfolio going and I had enough within 10 minutes.  Of course everyone loves something free so I can't assume they all think I'm amazing, lol)

And by the way.  Do I think I'm great?  No.  Do I think I'm an amazing photographer?  Absolutely not.  Do I know everything there is to know about starting a photography business?  Uh, no, no, no.  Do I have all the right equipment to start up this business?  Not at all.

What I do know is that I can capture the moment.  I do have an artistic quality that grows with each time I snap.  I do know that I love it.  I do know that there are so many people telling me how awesome my stuff is and how they've been pushing me into it.

Guess what I didn't factor in?  Childcare.  How am I possibly going to find someone that will come watch the kids for me when I want to shoot in the best light?  It ain't noon people.  You all know that.  And it's weekends.

It's not like the cake business when I could do everything from home.  This is out on location.  Unless of course I was rolling in cash and could build a studio from the ground up in my teeny tiny backyard.

So now I'm kind of sad.  I was really, really looking forward to it.  I will probably still do these shoots for people but that's if my Mom wants to watch the kids.  I can't even ask her to watch the kids that much.  That's a little much.  And I think it's selfish on my part.

I think I need to force myself to take a breather.  Start enjoying those walks, and pick up a good book.  Do crafts with the kids and not look at the clock thinking why is this taking so long, I have work to do.  My kids are getting so big.  And I feel like I haven't been the best Mom.  I feel like I've been selfish.  By doing so much, I feel like I took valuable time away from them.  Why am I just now figuring this out?

I don't want to feel like I'm missing out.  I want to take a break from everything.  And just be a Mom.  Oh and work my real job, you know the one that pays me?  And not stress out about anything.

I asked Tim why I can't just take a break.  Why did I jump into something else before I'm even done with the first thing?  Why can't I just rest? 

I decided I'll try to do something as a hobby for once.  I don't have to make everything into a profession right?  I think I will though, one day.  When my kids start to dislike me tremendously and I'm no longer the best thing ever.  When I'm not Mommy anymore.  When I'm just 'Mom' and my kids would rather be out playing with their friends then sitting in the kitchen coloring with Mommy.

Then I'll pick it back up and start that business.  I want to.  And by then, I'll have awesome equipment, and tons of locations to choose from.  And in the meantime, I'll do some stuff for friends and family, to keep a portfolio going.  But no advertising.  Until my kids hate my guts.

Until then, I'll be a Princess with my girls, and we'll paint our toes.  And make cookies.  And watch movies.  And make memories.

Because that is what life is all about.  That is what makes life so special, and beautiful.
It's about time.

My Birthday Festivities

Yes you heard me correctly!  I said festivities...as in plural!

If you know me, you know that I've never been one to really celebrate my own birthday.  In most cases over the past 5 years, 3 of those, I've actually forgotten it was my birthday until around 11:00 am.

Yeah, that is bad.

But this year was totally different, I really didn't have a chance to forget my birthday!  I celebrated for about a week.

I thought it would be hard to celebrate so many times, but in reality I could get used to it!  I know some people....here...here...and here...that have no problem celebrating their birthdays for a week, or even a month.  They know how to do it!

Monday night, I went out with my team and I have no pictures of that.  But boy, was it fun!

Thursday was my actual birthday.  Nothing outrageous happened but my Mom and Grandma came over to keep me company until Tim got home.  We had dinner and Golden Spoon, and watched an episode of David Tutera...the venue in this particular wedding that he did, I have actually delivered a cake to.  I thought that was pretty cool!

We made what I thought was a 2 point drink...



Boy was I wrong!  The next day my Mom found out that they were 4 points a piece!  Apparently gin is no longer 2 points a jigger.  But it was my birthday!

Next up...the Mr's gift.

Tim came home on Tuesday I think it was and told me that we needed to talk.  See, I handle the finances so he never knows how much he can spend on me for special occasions, and I'm that girl that says, I don't need anything...let's save up for a patio cover.

Well, I'm glad that I let Tim do something for me because on Friday evening, he surprised me with a night away at Pechanga Resort and Casino.

 And they upgraded us to a Suite!  It was the prettiest hotel room I've ever stayed in.  I could actually live there.  Except for if you pick up a beverage out of the refrigerator and don't put it back in 5 seconds you get charged.  That could get pretty pricey.



Basically you walk in and to the left is a gorgeous kitchen then the sitting room, and dining.  To the right you can enter the bathroom, which leads through a door to a bigger bathroom complete with a sink area, gorgeous shower, separate tub, and a vanity.  Which, I was very vain and sat at that vanity to do my makeup and hair. 

And of course to toast myself with a little bubbly.

While I was getting ready, Tim called down to the Concierge to ask about the restaurants.  We decided on the Italian restaurant and honestly I can't tell you when I've ever had a better pasta.  It was so amazing!



Self portrait of us at dinner.

After dinner, we headed back up to our room to drop off our leftovers and preceded back downstairs to try our hand at gambling.

Let's just say that Tim was able to blow $60.00 in less than five minutes.

So we headed to the bar, had a few beers and just basically reconnected.  It was so nice to be away from our kids for a night, I think it's so important to go away with just your husband every once and a while. 

Well, I kept Mr. Rush up way past his bedtime and we checked out of our room at exactly 11:00 am.  You know, after we slept till 10:00, and I sat at that vanity again for hair and makeup!

Can you tell that he's tired?

After we left the hotel, we headed over to Yard House for lunch.  We had both never been.

The food is outstanding, and if you like to try different kinds of beer, the selection is unbelievable. 

When Tim first told me we were going away for the evening, I thought we were either going Wine Tasting or to Pechanga.  We ended up doing both, kind of!

He took me to a little winery that we had been to when Riley was just like six months old.  I loved this winery.  We had gone on a Saturday, they had live music and even a little dancing.  It was so fun to sit and people watch!

So we took the drive.

And were surprised to see that they had done some improvements, and changed the entrance.

There are no pictures of the inside because as me and the Mr. got out of the car, it began to sleet.  Yes, we were sleeted on.  So I forgot my camera and made a run for it!

After our glass of wine, it was time to go back home because my Mom had prepared an amazingly yummy dinner for me!  While watching my beast children I might add!

And she set the table!  Talk about super woman!

We had such a great evening at my Mom's, one of the best times ever I think, at least top 5...wouldn't you say Mom?

And thank you so much to my Mom, without her, we wouldn't have been able to act like crazy kids again!

So, there you have it.  My birthday was definitely a success.  And did I mention that I am now 29?  It's my last year before I turn the big 3-0!

The Resolution Post

It's January 2, 2011.  My first time writing that...2011.

One more year until the end of the world.  Just kidding...

Last year, I posted about not having a resolution, because of how tired I was.  I think I'm still that tired but I've had some time off of my crazy life that I came up with a few things. 

I thought I'd recap what went on last year but in a nutshell, Riley started preschool in January, we all turned a year older, Madi started going to daycare once a week, I did way too many cakes to count (which stopped me from blogging from June-August), and we did a few improvements to the house.

Exciting, I know.

I'm afraid to actually write down these goals of mine because I really want to accomplish them and I'm afraid that I won't stick to it.

Should I just jump right in?

Okay, here it is.

• Getting Healthy.  This includes working out (running/Insanity videos) at least 3-4 times a week, and eating better.  I want to make the time to do my lists and grocery shopping every week so that I have the ingredients necessary to eat healthier.  I'm not going to weigh myself like crazy.  I'm not going to put a number on how many pounds I want to lose.  I think if I just eat healthier and work out, I'll see the changes I want to see.  I'm not going to starve myself and I'm not going to tell myself not to eat that cookie if I really want it.  If overall my diet has changed, and my running starts showing results, everything in moderation is okay.
• Patience.  I need it.  I used to have it.  Unfortunately, I lost it somewhere around the time that I gave birth to Riley.  With all that pushing, I must have pushed my patience out of my body along with a seven pound four ounce baby.  My goal is to try not to take on so much that I run out of patience on a daily basis.  Riley has even told me once or twice that I need to have more patience.  Thanks oh wise one.  Way to rub it in.
• Find a church that we love. That we look forward to going to every Sunday. I desperately want my kids in a Sunday school, and I want a better relationship with my God.
• Get my bonus room done and all the other projects around the house that have been started but never finished.  If we end up having enough money to do the backyard completely, that's on the list too.  I'd at least like to have a patio cover and our hill planted, with some nice outdoor furniture, and maybe a fire pit, and maybe a jacuzzi...;)
• More date nights with the hubby.  I'm going to have to find a babysitter.  Sean is leaving for law school and my Mom, unfortunately for me, has a life that gets in the way of my needs.  How rude right? ;)  (You know I'm joking Mom, you help me out a TON!!  And I am so grateful for it!)  But I need some time with my Tim.  We need some time together.
• Getting better organized.  I'm not bad, but I'm not good.  I'm somewhere in between. 
• Say no, even if it means people get mad at me.  If it is going to make me crazy, I'm not going to do it.  Period.

I could probably list a million other things that I need to work on, but there is always next year for those! 

I'm going to believe that this year will be better than last year and maybe it will be.  I think it will be.

Happy New Year to you and yours.

Cheers to 2011!

Shout It Out

My friend Becky rocks the house.  I could probably end this post right now with just those words and you'd get the picture.  She is such a sweet girl and we've been friends since high school.  I recently made her reception cake and when her and Sam came for their tasting we started talking about photography.  Becky was very into photography when we were in high school.  I actually sat as her "model" a few times, hahah.  Imagine that, me sitting as a model....I know, I know, it's super funny...wipe your tears away so that you can read the rest of this!

She also went to college to study photography.  Now she's a cop...go figure!  Anyway, we started talking about the camera, she and Sam also have a Nikon and they were trying to explain to me aperture and shutter speed, etc.  I've read up about it many times before...I read about the aperture, I get it.  Then I read about the shutter speed, I get that too, not to mention the ISO settings.  Then, you have to actually adjust your camera and I'm like a complete idiot.  Like der, der, der...idiot.

So, we came to the conclusion that I would pay Becky and Sam in cake and champagne for lessons.  My Mom is supposed to be taking them too but her life is too crazy at the moment.  Our first meeting was on Tuesday.  Becky came by herself and she brought her bag of tricks.  She let me use a few of her lenses since mine is broken.  I will be ordering the 18-55 mm that I dropped months ago today on Amazon.  Which is another thing...I actually learned what the 18-55 mm means, hahaha!  Ah, such a tool I am when it comes to the camera.

Guess what other lens she let me play with....her 35 mm.  OMG, I am in love with that lens!!!!  It will definitely be the next lens I buy.  It's perfect for me, it will be great on my cakes, for the girls, and for cooking, not to mention many other things.  It's awesome.  I learned so many different things and I can't wait to get my 18-55 mm in the mail so that I can actually start applying what I've learned. 

Becky is sending me links galore on photography and the cool thing is that now, I'm actually getting it.  Then, I tried telling my Mom everything that I learned and it made me get it more!  I'm so excited.  It is fun to actually know that if I want to take my camera off of auto to get a shot that I want, I can get it.  It might take me twenty minutes to get the setting that I want, but at least I know how to do it now!  And all it's costing me is cake, lol, and champagne!

It's cool stuff this camera thing...but very addicting.  Especially when you start playing with different lenses.  I better get my bonus room done before I try buying any lenses.  I don't really have the time to take this on as a hobby.

Thank you so much Becky!!  I can't wait to learn more!  You are a great teacher and I hope to become a decent student.  It'll be fun next time when Sam can join us and possibly my Mom!

Life

Well, it finally happened.  My life has taken over my life.  Blogging has become a thing of the past.  I really don't know how often I'll be updating.  When I do update, it will probably be these long boring posts that will only be important to me.  Madi just turned 18 months on the 19th and I've been dying to post about it.  She is the cutest little thing and is doing so much right now.  I always feel like when I'm having a bad day, all I have to do is look at her sweet little face and everything will be okay.  She's like a bottle of happiness all the time.  And Riley, on her good, nondramatic days (this is a rarity), is also a great medication.

Between cakes (the night job), kids getting in the way of my day job (it's harder than you think to work from home with your kids on top of you, sometimes I wish I had like two days at the office away from my kids), and all the other day to day activities, I'm exhausted.  A good exhausted, but exhausted.  I have no interest in blogging right now.  None.  Plus there is so much going on in the world right now that my day to day activities just seem so insignificant.  I've been looking at the big picture, what really matters in life.  I've had some conversations with people, and the things that are going on regarding our government has been making me sick.  Sick to my stomach.  Our future is so screwed unless someone can rally and do something about it.  Not trying to turn this here blog into a political one but I have to say it.  And what happened to the presence of God in our country?  All I know is that I still have Him, my family still has Him, and through Him, we can get through anything.  Even if some people are trying to take Him out of everything, along with turning our country into crap.

So, aside from all of that craziness, I've been spending more time with my family than cleaning my house, or blogging, or taking pictures.  I have had some really good conversations with my husband, and my Mom, and especially my Dad.  That man is such a good influence on me.  I think he is where I get my work ethic from, hardest worker I know, and my husband isn't far behind.  The pride that they both take in their work is something to look up to. 

I wasn't really sure where this post was going to go.  Basically I was just going to say that I'm probably not going to be blogging very much anymore, and then post pics from Disneyland.  Or maybe Easter, because I'm that far behind.  I'm canceling my blog that was going to offer backgrounds.  I have like 20 backgrounds that I never put on that blog because no time to work out the kinks of a blog box.  I love designing backgrounds but I can't do everything.  My biz is taking up all of the time that I had for blogging.  I guess I'll just make backgrounds for myself, that is what got me into it in the first place.  Extending my pixels to fit bigger pics meant no backgrounds available, and I loooove backgrounds!!  That's the prettiest thing about the blogs!

I have a feeling that I've been doing a bit of rambling so I'll get to some pictures of Disneyland.  We've gone two weekends in a row and I think, I think Mickey has been taking all of my money.  Mickey or that girlfriend of his Minnie.

These pics are from last weekend, this weekend, I didn't even charge my battery and it died after the 4th picture that I took.  Oh well, I was happy about it.


This face should say it all...

I think Minnie is her favorite of the two mice, but I could be wrong...

Riley is so into the rides right now.  We go from the cars, to the tea cups (with Mommy), Dumbo (with Daddy), Peter Pan, the carousel, and back to the tea cups.  We tried to do Pirates today but because of technical difficulties, we decided to just have some icecream instead.

Oh yeah, and Madison was there too, but she usually makes faces like this...

Not so cute, but so Madison!

Hopefully I'll be blogging more than I think because it really is fun and when I bind this bad boy I want it to be interesting and not just a bunch of pictures.  I hope everyone had a great weekend and I hope to visit all of your blogs soon.

Oh yeah, and on a side note, thank God for these handy little babies...

I would be replacing my lens if I didn't have this guy protecting it.  I'm not going to name names, but my husband dropped my camera today when we were getting in the car to come home from Disneyland.  Total accident and thank the Lord that it landed on the lens.  I'd rather replace the lens then the body.  The lens is okay for now, it is a little roughed up but should work fine.  My poor baby.  I had to pry the lens protector from the lens itself.  Fun stuff, really.

I'm so Cool!!!

Not really, but it would be really cool if I was cool, like really cool. Until I am really cool though (which I am sure is going to happen for me over the next couple of months, I can feel it), I think I'm just going to pretend to be cool and post about how cool I am. If you've actually read this far into my post then by now, you are probably saying to yourself, wow, this girl is really not cool.

But I feel cool because my new friend Nikki over at My Fantabulous Wonderful Life (such a cute name right?) nominated me for the Honest Scrap Award. Woo Hoo!! I'm so excited! Thanks Nikki!!

With this award I get to nominate ten other great bloggers and the "best" part is you get to read honest bits of info about me. I'll wait while you go and grab your snack and beverage. This is going to be really entertaining. I "promise".


Ahem, let's begin...

1. I have a weakness for hamburgers. Whenever I decide that it's not a cooking night, usually my hubby will pick up something fast for us. Being the good wife that I am, wait, these are honest tidbits of info right? Okay, let me rephrase, being the so-so wife that I am, I always let the hubby pick the place. On the inside, while he's deciding, I wish and hope and pray, okay scratch the pray (maybe I'm not cut out for this honest scrap award, already I'm seeing how much I fib on a daily basis) I don't pray, God has better things to do then listen to my prayers for a fast food burger. So, back to it, I wish and hope that he says some joint where I can order a burger. Seriously, it's my favorite food. Aside from steak, and pasta....

2. My daily outfit consists of jeans and an old volleyball t-shirt, preferably one of my old college vb shirts instead of high school. I don't want people thinking that I'm still living in the past. That would be so uncool of me. Daily outfit continued - tennies, and hair in a pony with no makeup. This is where that so-so of a wife makes an appearance. My husband says he likes this look, he's so good to me. I know he's lying.

3. I love boardgames. I can't wait until my kids are old enough so that I can bore them with family nights filled with boardgames and pizza. I can see their happy faces now...

4. My bonus room is a mess 98% of the time. It only gets cleaned for company. Rephrase, company that is not my family. It's filled with toys, such a waste of good square footage.

5. I love home improvements and doing them ourselves. I mean, having my husband do them, just kidding, I do a lot of painting and other things. Right now I'm saving up my penny's for granite counter tops. I've already nominated my hubby to rip out our tile counter tops to save around $200.00. He loves me. I know he does. Somewhere deep down inside.

6. I did not plan either one of my children. They are the only two oops that my husband and I have had. Both of those oops have ended up in children. I sure hope there is not another oops in my future. I need to be good and ready this time for another addition.

7. I'm ready to open up a bakery before I have another oops. I want one so bad, a bakery that is, not an oops. The question is where and when. But, I'm ready and am so excited for when that day might happen.

8. I let my kids brawl it out when they fight sometimes. I know that they are only 3 and 1 but they are very surprisingly evenly matched. And they are both girls. And, I'm just a bad parent, or a so-so one. I haven't decided yet. I'll let you know when I do.

9. I'm so glad that I paid for the scotch guard deal on my sectional. Do you want to know some of the things I've gotten out of that fabric? Marker, chocolate, beer, blood (we are starting to sound like a disgusting family huh? Let me explain, the blood was my blood, I had a blister on my heel and had no idea that it was as bad as it was. I have a high pain tolerance, which is cool, but my couch suffered. Anyway, I've also gotten out greasy finger prints (the small kind not the adult kind), and this morning I just got purple crayon out of it. Thanks Riley. You made my day.

10. I do a lot. For those of you that know me, many of you think it's too much. I beg to differ. I think it's a good thing. I'm a hard worker. Do you want to know what suffers the most? This can be our dirty little secret. Laundry. This is my most dreaded chore. I haven't been caught up on my laundry in months. Whose laundry suffers the most? Yep you guessed it mine. My kids always have clean clothes and the hubby does too. Maybe that's why my daily outfit is jeans and a vb t-shirt. I don't know. I'll catch up one day, when I hire a housekeeper.


So there you have it, my ten "honest" bits of information. No really, it is all honest, I think. I hope I didn't bore you. My main goal was to make you think that I am cool. Did it work?

Now on to my nominees...

Drum roll, I have so many readers (fib, fib, fib) I know you are all at the edge of your seats to see who I've picked. I love all of the blogs that I follow and wish I could pick you all!!

1. My World and Welcome to It
2. Jersey Girl
3. lowercase letters
4. It's a Sweet Life
5. Life in the Hass House
6. The Martin Family
7. Leo's Tale
8. Gammy's Coop
9. Seizing my Day
10. Really are you Serious


Can't wait to see what you post guys! And thanks again Nikki! This was so much fun!

I'm a Lappy!

Okay, I made that word up.  I'm calling myself a lappy now, because..........drum roll...................

I got my laptop!!!  Yay!!!  Ah, isn't she a beauty???

Bye bye annoying, freezing at every second computer.  The lappy has replaced you.  Well, not entirely, I will still work on the old lady, but no more blogging, picture editing, background making, emailing, etc.  She's strictly a boring old work computer.  The lappy is my newest best friend.  I can see a nice, stressless life for the two of us.  It's, I think, a match made in heaven.  I almost went with a Mac.  Does anyone out there have one of those bad boys?  I seriously considered it, and then decided that I just wasn't ready for that much awesomeness.  This lappy that I ended up with is actually pretty sweet, aside from the Mac, it's the best way to go for my needs.  Of course I still need a router for my wireless, but I've played a game of spider solitaire on it already and I won.  That's a good sign. ;)

 I can't wait to really start using this new friend.  Hopefully this means I'll be putting more backgrounds together for the new blog.  So, feel free to congratulate me on my newest purchase.  I work hard for this stuff you know...

Oh yeah, and feel free to call yourself a lappy as well if you have a laptop.  I thought maybe we could start a club.

Things I'm Looking Forward to...

I realize I have not posted anything in about a week.  I hate coming to my blog and seeing such an old post just hanging out collecting dust.  So, I figured I'd at least post something.  I haven't taken any pictures lately because I've been really busy (shocker).  So, this might be boring for you, but for me, it's very encouraging.

I have a lot to look forward to.

1. I'm looking forward to having all my money saved for a new laptop.  Working, and playing on the same computer is putting a toll on my old dell.  First off, let me just say, that my experience with a dell computer, um, sucks.  I've had this old girl for about 6 years, 2 of which it laid lazy like in storage.  But, it sucks.  I am about $250.00 away from getting the laptop that I want.  It's an hp.  Would love a mac, but right now, I don't exactly have $1500.00 for a laptop.  Plus with kids, I could just see the dang thing hitting the floor, as careful as I may be.  Those kids are tricky.  They even pile pillows up as step stools.  Sneaky beasts.
2. This brings me to my next one.  With a new computer to play on, I can get my new blog up and running.  I'm wanting to offer backgrounds.  Why?  Why would a person who works full time and does cakes and cookies on the side with two beasts, three including her hubby, want to throw another thing on her plate?  (have you gotten sick of me saying how much I do?  Because if you are, suck it up, it reminds me of how much I accomplish on a day to day basis, it does wonders for my self esteem, and when my kids get to the age where they say, I can't do it, I can show them this in our bound blog and say yes you can, suck it up you little wuss, your old Mom did it once...)  Anyway, with that said, the new blog is called Kristi Rush Designs, I'm leaving it open like that in case I decide I want to design anything else.  I can always switch over.  I've only done a total of like six backgrounds so far, but I'm loving it.  HTML codes, I heart you.  I realize I'm an amateur, but this stuff rocks, it's so much fun.
3. Purchasing Photoshop.  I'm using a free program right now to actually put my backgrounds together that freezes up all the time.  Photoshop will be nice for background purposes and personal.  Can't wait.
4. I'm looking forward to Riley finally realizing that when she goes potty, she can wipe herself right there on the toilet.  She does not have to take the end of the roll and pull it until there is a string of toilet paper coming out of the bathroom, down the hall, and into my bedroom/her bedroom/down the stairs, until she wipes herself.
5. When Riley stops screaming from her bedroom because the stuffed animal that Tim bought her for V Day has it's elephant ears all wrong.  Why elephant ears flopping back instead of forward bothers a three year old so much beats me.  Which brings me to my next one...
6. When the hubby finally realizes that I've packed away 3/4 of Riley's stuffed animals because we have too many.  Um, at this point, I'd rather him by them candy, lots of candy...
7. When Stacy and Bella come to visit.  Some time after April 15th, for obvious reasons...
8. I'm looking forward to noonish tomorrow.  That's when Anna said she'd be over to drop off our CD of our shoot with her.  That girl is awesome, I've seen so much that she has done that I finally said, "That's it, no more JC Penny."  I'll post some pictures hopefully tomorrow.
9. Ending this post.  I've already used too many words and not enough pictures.  So I'll leave you with a collage that Anna emailed me, she took these at the Irvine Park Railroad, great place, we will be back to just hang out.

Somebody Loves Me...

I feel so special.

Genn over at Life in the Hass House nominated me for a Beautiful Blogger Award.

Here she is...

Unfortunately, it doesn't mean that I'm really like a beautiful, gorgeous, very attractive person that blogs.  It means that someone thinks that my blog is beautiful.  Which is still pretty dang cool!

So, now, my first  job is to list seven random things about myself.  I feel weird doing this, and don't know if I can come up with seven things, but, you never know when you start to write.  So in no particular order, I'm going to list the seven.

Ahem.

1. 
   
   I, Kristi Rush, am a closet Brittany Spears fan.  Yes, you read that correctly.  I love her.  I am a slave for her.  Seriously.  Should I say anything else about this one?  Or just leave it at that?  I feel like I'm being judged already.
2. 
   
   I lived in Kentucky for four years of my life.  Why?  Because I received a full ride scholarship to play Division 1 volleyball at the University of Kentucky.  I like this one.  Very proud of this random fact about me.  I love volleyball, and I still do.  It's one of the sports that I hope my kids decide to play.  It's a great sport, and I miss it.  Before I start to reminisce about this one, I think my safest bet would be to go onto number...
3. 
   
   I long for the day that I get to ride in the car part of the shopping cart at the grocery store while my children do the shopping for me, and push me around.  I want to be the one driving, eating my cookie from the bakery, and throwing fits when that person that is buying food to feed me runs out of M&Ms.  Yeah, that's right.  It will happen.  I promise.
4. 
   
   I have my belly button pierced.  Back when I went on spring break in college, I almost got a tattoo.  I really wanted one.  I wanted to design it myself though, and didn't have enough time between partying, laying out on the beach, and talking to hunky, hunky, boymen to come up with something that I loved.  So, I settled for the piercing.  Today, it does not house a cute little glitzy belly ring.  I wish I had never gotten it, pregnancy does gorgeous things to ones body, does it not?  It's only purpose these days, I'm afraid, is to remind me of all the stupid, really cool and the best idea in the world moments I had when I was younger.  Ah, the good ole days...
5. 
   
   I'm a wizard.  I have magic.  Or, used to have magic.  When I was between the ages of 3 and 4, I had a very large amount of magic, that I conveniently pulled from my chin area.  It started with the memory game.  My family loved to play the memory game.  My Mom would get it all ready for us and we'd start the game, and every time (well probably not every time, but enough times to consider myself really magical and of wizard status) it was my turn, I'd get a match.  No cards would have been turned over, it was the beginning of the game.  I'd sit back and rub my chin with my hand, and say, "I'm going to use my magic."  I'd rub my chin for a little while longer, and kid you not, pull up a matching set of cards.  Talk about gifted right?  There were many other situations where I'd use my magic, and it always pulled through.
6. 
   
   Stacy, my older sister, stole my magic.  I no longer have it.  She does.  About six years ago, I learned of this devastating news.  For a few years, I had been trying to use my magic with no luck.   One Christmas, the year of 2003, Stacy finally told me what happened.  She stole it.  She stole my magic.  She's always wanted my magic, and I guess I let my guard down thinking I was always going to have my magic, and that's when she stole it.  Ripped it right from under my chin.  I have major plans of how I'm going to get it back, but I can't discuss it on here, because she looks on my blog.  I'm coming for you Stacy.
7. 
   
   Wow, the last random fact already?  I had too much fun with this, who knew?  Okay, I hate toys.  Hate them.  Hate them.  Hate them.  And, I hate them.  They are like little bombs.  A child's toy is no longer, like, a teddy bear, or, a Barbie doll and her Barbie friends.  It's more like, a complete kitchen with food, dishes, utensils, napkins, baskets, salt and pepper shakers, and soy sauce.  Or maybe something like, a doll house, with beds, people, dogs, a pull apart sofa, bookcase, rocking chair, food for the kitchen, and plants for the garden.  And let's not forget the babydolls that come with a stroller, crib, car seat, bottle, bib, and paci.  Come on.  Can these toys be anymore explosive?  I find hot dogs in my bed.  Crayons in the laundry.  A complete puzzle scattered in the bathroom.  Ew.  I hate toys.  Enough said.

So there you have it, my seven random thoughts.  I do have one more that I'd like to throw out there because I feel like I cheated and number 5 and 6 should probably be together.  Okay, my number 8, is I love hamburgers.  All kinds of hamburgers.  Love them.  Love. them.  Oh no, one more.  My dream job would be to be a comedian on SNL.  Yes, I realize that you have to be really, really funny to have that job.  I'm not really, really funny, but man, that would be such a fun job!  I promise I'm done now.

So now, the hardest part of this blogger award is...

Giving it back out to seven people.  I can't get anyone I know to even try to blog, and when they do try, their hearts are not really in it.  It's sad really, they don't know what they are missing out on.

I don't even know seven people that blog on a continuous basis, but, to those of you that do blog, and have beautiful blogs that I love to visit almost daily, I give you this...

My World and Welcome To It

The Way We Are

The Martin Family (Jaymi, I think you already got one, but it wouldn't hurt to get two right?)

Photography by Angela

Your Sugar Rush (Is it bad to give it to yourself?  I don't really care, her cakes are pretty cool)

Happy Dancing

So there you have it.  Thanks again Genn for thinking that my blog is beautiful.  This was very fun!!

About That.

New Year's Resolution.

Don't have one.
Not going to have one.
I don't really care this next year if I have one or not.
Not going to pressure myself.
Not going to make myself worry about one more thing than I have to.
Seriously, I don't have the time to worry.

I'm tired.
This whole last year is now making me feel drained.
Cakes.
Cookies.
Orders (1-4 a week)
Ten months of this year has been spent not sleeping, seriously.
Working full time - for the folks, from home while watching the rug rats.
Cleaning my house.
Making my family breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Playing with my kids (I like this one.)
Making sure we have everything we need (not want)
Being a wife (btw, this list is in no particular order)
Making sure our bills get paid.
Mothering (this includes, as you all know, diapering, potty training, scolding, loving, kisses, hugs, screaming, crying, not sleeping ever, much coffee drinking, a few more nights than you'd like to admit of having a glass of wine, or two, wondering if you are ever going to, shower, go potty, or cook alone ever again, bedtime routines, story telling, time outs...)

I'm tired. 
I could barely wake up this morning.
My kids don't listen when I say just five more minutes.
I'm tired

2009 was a good year.
A tiring year, but a good one.
We moved into our first house.
Made it a home.
Had many visitors.
Tim and I both still have our jobs.
Our kids are healthy.
We have things that we need.
We have things that we want.
We still love each other (I think, at least I know it's one sided.  I love the Mr. at least, I'll have to ask him how he feels tonight.)

But, I'm still tired.
So, 2010, just come on over.
I have no expectations, just faith.
No resolutions, just faith that I'll do the best that I can.
That's all I can do right now.
No extra.
My extra is already filled.
If there were 5 more hours in a day, I'd throw out a resolution.
But there is not.
So.
That.
Is.
That.

To those of you that have your resolutions (which is all of America) good luck with those.  I will not be joining you.

Random Thoughts for the Day

I have to post this weekend but there is much to do first, so here are some random thoughts for the day:

1. 
   
   Love this rain.  I have my windows open and the heater on.
2. My house is a disaster area.
3. 
   
   I have no food and just ate cereal for lunch and finished the rest of the milk.  Oh boy, that's never good.
4. Went to Disneyland last night to see the "snow" will post pictures tonight...hopefully.
5. Tim put up our Christmas lights and they look awesome!
6. Still need to buy presents for six people, but I know what I'm getting.
7. 
   
   Have to plan a day for a family Christmas dinner, Christmas lunch, night at festival of the lights, date with the hubster, and have to go pick up Riley's birthday present that should be ready now.
8. 
   
   I have lots of presents that need to be wrapped and placed perfectly under my great tree that is sporting a really cute new skirt, will post pictures later.
9. Love this rain.  I'm working with the lights on.
10. 
    
    Would really love a Chai tea, no water, non fat from Starbucks, if you are making a run, I'll take a grande hot please.
11. 
    
    I hate Walmart, but love it at the same time.  Only love it at midnight, or at ten in the morning, when there is nobody there.
12. Still love Target more.
13. 
    
    Got the girls' trees up and "decorated" in their rooms, they look so cute, will post pictures later.
14. Love this rain, it sounds and smells wonderful.
15. 
    
    I need to go around blogland to check out what's new with all of you, but first I have to work, and do a lot of things.
16. 
    
    I just want to lay on my couch with jammies and a blanket, with a fire, and a Christmas movie.  Oh yeah, and with that grande, hot, non fat, no water Chai that one of you will be bringing shortly over to my house, thanks in advance by the way.

Just a look at the bonus room, imagine what the rest of the house looks like.  My downstairs isn't that bad, but Christmas threw up in my guest room and the upstairs is a nightmare.

Happy Monday!!

Confession

Okay, this has gone on long enough.

I'm finally ready to confess. 

I, Kristi Rush, have been taking advantage of the time change. 

It started November 1st, and it still has not stopped.  I think I might have a problem.  It gets dark, my girls go to bed.  Sometimes if they go down for a late nap, around 3:00 pm, they sleep on through till the morning.  What time do they wake up you ask?  Well, no matter what, Riley wakes up with the sun, except for last Sunday, that was a fluke.  Madison, sleeps till 8:30 am no matter what.

Am I bad Mom for doing this?  Am I bad Mom for putting my kids down so early?  I've tried to wait longer to put them down, but it doesn't work.  If Riley goes to bed later, she still wakes up with the sun.  If Madison goes to bed later, she still wakes up at 8:30.  I put them to bed tonight at 4:45, they are still sleeping and will continue to sleep until the morning. 

Is it bad that I am enjoying my alone time at night?  Are there any other Mom's out there that are doing this same exact thing?  Or am I the only one?  Am I alone in this?

I don't care if I'm all alone in this.  It feels right.  It feels so right.  I've been waiting for kids that sleep and now I finally have it.  So, I am, I am going to take advantage of these dark days.  You can judge me, or you can join me.

This is my confession.

Curious....

Hello all fellow bloggers...

I'm curious.  Tonight, I've toyed around with making my own background.  Since I've gone big, like a lot of you other bloggers, I've realized that it's time I learn how to make my own backgrounds.  I've figured out how to do it, but when it comes to putting it on my blog, it is not big enough.  In order to get it big enough, I have to upgrade with an online site, like photobucket, to get my background the size that it needs to be.  My questions to you are, has anyone;

1. Purchased the upgrade to find out that it actually works, or...
2. Found another way to make it work that does not cost any money???

I really want to start making my own backgrounds and any info that you can give me would totally help.  Thanks guys!!!

TGIF

Two nights before Tim's parents went home, they took us all out to dinner to Fridays, it was very yummy, or at least some of it was. It was kind of late when we went so that means that Riley was tired and not very thrilled to be out. We sat in a high backed booth so Tim and I, at one point, let Riley stand between us. I know, bad parenting right? Well, this is where it gets good, Riley decided she wanted to stand on me facing me. This all happened so fast. She bent down towards me and I thought to myself, how cute, she's giving me a kiss. So, of course, I puckered my lips in anticipation of a kiss that I didn't even have to ask for, and Riley then spit her milk into my mouth. Let me repeat, she then spit her milk INTO my mouth. Yum. It sprayed all over me and Riley just thought it was hilarious. I guess it serves me right, taking her out so late!!!




The little stinker herself


Nana and Grandad


The Roommates


Us


As if it's not bad enough that I leak milk all over myself on a daily basis, here I am, but no use crying over spit milk right? Did I mention that Tim couldn't stop laughing? He was thinking we missed out on America's Funniest Home Videos.