my summer "vacation"= my summer "staycation"

While reading other blogs, browsing facebook, and just chatting with people in general it really boggles my mind at how many people have been able to take a vacation this summer and it's turning me into debbie downer.

Chad and I don't make a lot of money and we cannot financially afford a vacation--or even for him to take off time from work (since he works 6 days a week, it's very difficult). Although I should be used to not vacationing by now, it really dampens my mood whenever I hear others talking about excursions they've gone and done. I feel like I have to put on my pretend happy face and ask questions as I watch their faces light up like the heavens opened and Jesus personally blessed them (yeah, that's really what it looks like from my perspective).

Our personal bills are out of control right now... which is the major problem for us to even be able to save money. Sometimes I feel like when we do save that something always comes up and we have to us most of our savings on random events. Our car bill for Chad alone is almost $400, his school loan is $300, the list just goes on and on... and people ask why we're still living with my parents! Chad and I have made a lot of other sacrifices, such as no personal shopping, no eating out, and no starbucks runs (that is KILLING ME)! :X

Although I could get a job, when I did have one I was only bringing home $300/mo working PT and more "work baggage" and stress than any of us needed. Plus, my grades were suffering at school (since I am a full-time student) and after working for almost 2 years plus being FT at school... I pretty much wore myself out and am still in the recovery phase during that time of my life. I feel like I am complaining but sometimes I just wish something could be stable in our life enough so that we could go out of town and enjoy ourselves. I realized a few days ago that I haven't left our side of town in over 6 months... and that concerned me. If anyone is in the same boat feel free to comment and let it out! I want to know that we're sane and not alone!

summer time is now my favorite time

Now that my daughter is older, she is really showing me how to enjoy the hot heat here (it was 103 degrees yesterday) and I am able to enjoy myself more and get creative with things we can do in the heat.

I'm not gonna lie, I am not a huge fan of the heat and try to be outside the least amount of time possible if it's over 90 degrees. My daughter apparently did not get these genes because she could be sweating with a red face and the second that I tell her that we're going back inside she has a complete meltdown. I try to take advantage of the early morning time to let her play outside and we have "breaks" for water and snack inside to help cool everyone down. I have also become a total sunscreen nazi and find myself slathering it on 20 minutes before we do anything. My boyfriend, daughter, and I all tan very easily (which is nice) but when I notice the color of our legs compared to our stomachs... it makes me uneasy about how much sun we're taking in.

How do you protect your kids from the sun? My daughter REFUSES to wear hats or sunglasses (she just rips them off). Any advice is helpful! Also, what kind of pool safety do you practice with your toddler or older children? Did you do swimming lessons? I bought my daughter a vest but the neighborhood pool has a "beach incline" going in so I swim with her and just let her hang out with me. I had another woman approach me and ask me if I wanted her to wear a vest... which I thought was rude. She wasn't even watching her daughter so I guess I understand why she asked me.

Let me know what you do for summer fun with your kids! Hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend an got to relax for the holiday. :)

oh em gee... this giveaway will make you pee your pants!

WOW this would definitely help out our family, especially in time for summer. Madelyn spends most of her time outdoors and it would definitely be a godsend to have this for her. We spend a lot of time at parks as well as there are NEVER any kids there... what a shame, sometimes I think "We might as well stay home!"

I just entered into this contest, check it out for yourself!
Here's the post from One Bored Mommy:
http://oneboredmommy.blogspot.com/2011/05/by-far-biggest-giveaway-ive-ever.html

This is brought on by Kid's Creations who makes some pretty awesome swing sets, so check them out as well:
http://www.kidscreations.com/

Girls can wear blue (and green), too!

The last few months have been really busy for me. Picking up more shifts at work, finals for 3 classes, and Madelyn is now about 8 months old! The realities of adulthood and life have fully set in at this point and I am no longer having a nervous breakdown. Okay, I never really had one but I am no longer suffering from New-Mommy-Hood. People ask me how I do it all but honestly after a few months you really just get used to it. I am pretty proud of myself for accomplishing what I have and it's given me a lot of confidence to push myself further than I thought I could.

The holidays brought on a new meaning this year... not getting many gifts sucks (NOT gonna lie) but I think I was more excited about Maddy's gifts than her! She'd rather play with a box anyway...

Two of the COOLEST gifts she got were both handmade. One by my fabulous AND NEWLY ENGAGED sister, Alyssa. Here's a crappy cell phone picture because I can't find my camera (sue me). She hand-sewed this book with lots of little buttons, ribbons, and other things Maddy loves to play with! It was SUCH a cute, great idea so I had to share it!







The second gift Chad's little bro Jared made. He drew pictures and screen-printed them onto different colored onesies! SO. FREAKIN. CUTE. I don't care if Maddy looks like a boy in blue, I think that people need to realize girls can wear that color as well!!



Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday spending time with your family and friends. Now I gotta go work off all the cookies and cakes I have been secretly consuming late at night... ;)

work+school+baby= my crazy life

Recently I have become a Starbucks employee! Oh excuse me, a partner. ;)

Most of you probably know that this was definitely my night home. After Madelyn would go to bed, Chad and I would go over there and do homework, play Magic (can you say, nerd?!), read, and make new friends. This job is totally what I was hoping for and all of my co-workers are rad. And now I have money to spend on clothes for Maddy and myself!

Speaking of Maddy... she turned 6 months last week!


I can't believe it. It's so crazy how time has passed and that her first birthday is not that far away. Yep, already thinking of what we're going to do as well. She's the most adventurous, talkative, and sweet little girl and totally captures everyone's heart wherever we take her. I am so proud to be her Mommy!

And speaking of being a MOMMY- my life is just out of control right now. Although I love being busy, I am d-e-a-d tired! I've never been so tired in my life! I wouldn't change any of it though. My classes are taking up a lot of my free time, especially since it is getting towards the end of the semester. I have two research papers that are both 6 pages due at the end of this month- EEP! I've made some REALLY cool stuff in my graphic design class and I am really proud of myself. My portfolio is going to be extremely varied, which is what I was hoping to achieve. Here's some examples of my work:





So if you or anyone else you know would like a logo, layout, anything made I'd be more than happy to do it for FREE! Have a great week, everyone!