Christmas Tree Adventures

WAYYY back in October Brian and I went to a silent auction with my family benefiting the North Gwinnett Schools Foundation. When I was teaching I wrote a grant for $500 in books for my classroom. I was awarded this money which is raised through this yearly silent auction. We went to the auction and came across "An Old Fashioned Christmas." Included in this prize was a tree that you cut down yourself at Bottom's Tree Farm, a car pass for the Nights of Lights, 2 gift certificates for family portraits, and a honey baked ham! We had our house decorated the first week of December the only thing missing was our live tree we had to go and cut down. It was Dec 15th before we had the time and the kids were well enough and the rain had subsided so we could get out and cut down our tree. Logan loved it. He helped Brian get saw the tree while Austin toddled around. My parents came to take pictures. It was a fun afternoon. We had warm apple cider, ate popcorn, and saw the farm animals while we were there. It was a neat experience. However I am a Frasier fir kind of girl. I do not like the long needles. We have a lot of heavy ornaments which made it very difficult to decorate the tree this year. Because the only trees available at a Georgia tree farm are the kind with thin branches and long needles. By Jan 2 I had it with the tree and it could not be taken down fast enough. WAYYY back in October Brian and I went to a silent acution with my family benefiting the North Gwinnett Schools Foundation.  When I was teaching I wrote a grant for $500 in books for my classroom.  I was awarded this money which is raised through this yearly silent auction.  We went to the auction and came across "An Old Fashiond Christmas."  Included in this prize was a tree that you cut down yourself at Bottom's Tree Farm, a car pass for the Nights of Lights, 2 gift certificates for family portraits, and a honey baked ham!  We had our house decorated the first week of December the only thing missing was our live tree we had to go and cut down.  It was Dec 15th before we had the time and the kids were well enough and the rain had subsided so we could get out and cut down our tree.  Logan loved it.  He helped Brian get saw the tree while Austin toddled around.  My parents came to take pictures.  It was a fun afternoon.  We had warm apple cider, ate popcorn, and saw the farm animals while we were there.  It was a neat experience.  However I am a frasier fir kind of girl.  I do not like the long needles.  We have a lot of heavy ornaments which made it very difficult to decorate the tree this year.  Because the only trees available at a Georgia tree farm are the kind with thin branches and long needles.  By Jan 2 I had it with the tree and it could not be taken down fast enough.

Sickness & Snowstorm both of 2010!

Oh has it been an extremely loooong week in our home. Monday we could tell Austin wasn't feeling 100% he was fussy and seemed to have a cold. So Monday afternoon, following one of resolutions I cooked homemade Baked Potato Soup. We had 5 grain bread to dip in it! Every calorie I ate during that meal was worth it. By Tuesday we suspected it to be a little more than just a cold so when Austin's fevered spiked to 103 Wednesday am we headed to the peds. office. He has pneumonia and a double ear infection. I get his prescriptions filled, get the kids’ home and fed, bath, books, and bed before 8. Thinking it was all going to be ok, I woke up Thursday am to a different story, Logan was very sick. However when I say I woke up I mean from the 2 hours I was able to sleep while taking care of Austin. Logan woke up and by mid day had a 103 temp. He wouldn't eat just wanted to rest. We were preparing for the big snow to hit, so Brian went to the grocery store not because we are crazy thinking we have to stock up, he went because we think everyone else is crazy and the shelves would be cleaned out. He came back we had dinner and then Logan's temp was back up and he began to throw up. Let’s just say it was a long night. We just sat on the couch watching the football game, taking turns giving baths, changing sheets, changing clothes, getting drinks, giving medicine until 2 when we couldn't take it and all went to bed. I did sleep for a few hours and work up and changed Austin and put him back to bed for a few more hours. I then feel into one of those deep sleeps that you should not fall into at 7am when you have to be up at 9am for a pediatrician appt 20 minutes away and the roads are iced over. Brian and I changed, dressed, fed the kids changed ourselves...did we brush our teeth - not so sure, but we made it to the appointment. Logan has a double ear infection and a virus. So we will be in the house all weekend. I cleaned our house today from top to bottom disinfecting anything that could be touched. So as quickly as the snow came and went, I hope is the case for the babies being ill. We are ready for it to GO!

Brothers

I have a lot of brothers.  I remember crying each time I heard that one of them were going to be a boy.  I sooo wanted a sister.  HA - all those baby boys prepared me to be a rockin (if I don't say so myself) mommy to my own two baby boys!  I never had a sister, but I have super sister in laws and secretly I LOVED/LOVE being the only girl - it has its perks! 

Its a long story about how we became siblings and at this point in life none of that story matters.  The only thing that matters is that they are all (all 5 of them) my brothers.  I grew up living with Ryan, Michael, and Kevin.  They are the three I often talk about in my blogs.  Its not that I forgot or don't care about my other two brothers its just the way things were.  No blame, just the famous "it is what it is."  But I hate that.  Brett and Justin have grown up and have become amazing young men.  I remember them as babies in their diapers.  Brett would call Justin "justy" he (brett) was a skinny, tough little thing.  Justin was a chunk, I look at Logan sometimes and see Justin.  They loved their dog Molson (or Molsey as Brett called him), loved to play outside, were very much "all boy."  I miss them both more than they will ever know.  I made Brett an ABC book when he was born, I was like 6 or 7.  It makes me sad but also happy that I have those memories of them being little.  

We don't know each other like I know my other siblings, but they are thought of often and nothing can break a sibling bond - no time or distance.  You know I am an adult now, I have children of my own, so I can make plans to see them and one of these days that is just what I will do.  When I was 12 I couldn't afford or have the ability to do that, but at almost 29, its time.  Love you boys - all 5 of you!  

Check out my brother Justin - http://www.youtube.com/user/mullen3#p/a/f/0/jGxOFFyvaOE

It's Been a MONTH!

Happy 2010! I can not believe I have not posted in an entire month...Well actually I can. It has been a crazy, busy, changing, exciting month. I will have an entire post with pictures and Christmas details coming soon, but I didn't want another day to pass and another post to slip by. So I have 31 minutes before it is Jan 3! I guess since it is January 2, I will start with my New Years Resolutions - which by the way I NEVER make. I just find it very strange that people take a New Year to state how they will better their bodies, their relationships, their lives; so I NEVER make a resolutions. I have always just tried to be a better person all around each year and not focused on a particular thing to change or make better. HOWEVER, 2009 has been a doozy of a year, so I decided to write down a few things (ok 7) that I would like to see progress made. I will share, since if you walked into our kitchen and over to the fridge you would find these 7 things written in RED marker on a piece of paper!


Meg's 2010 Resolutions (oh and by the way, who cares if you say twenty ten or two thousand and ten - really is that important enough to have a discussion about? - ok I digress back to my resolutions)
1. Get Logan out of our bed permanently and sleeping contently in his room
2. Lear to use sewing machine (my parents gave me a Brother Computerized Sewing Machine with basic Monogramming function! I am locating lessons as we speak. I love to look at it and have big plans for it!
3. Spend less time cleaning and more time playing. As a Stay Home Mom, I too often get caught up in the house work and take for granted my babies being with me. Not any more. Just today I spent 2 hours building a railroad track and playing trains - that is my happiness.
4. Cook well balanced dinners 4 out of the 7 nights and sit down as a family to eat these dinners - again too often I am home alone with the kids and so easily put them in their highchairs for dinner and clean up the kitchen while they eat - NO MAS!
5. Laundry - fold it as it comes out of the dryer, instead of piling up on my bedroom floor and having to rewash or de-wrinkle after it has sat there for several days.
6. Workout at least 3 days each week - not to lose weight just to be healthy.
7. Organize, hang, and put in albums all the pictures (thousands) that are located in my Creative Memories photo software on my computer. Well that is the 7 seven things I hope to accomplish. All very achievable and healthy "resolutions."


So since I am back tracking, it might be easier for me to go back and work from my last post about the pub closing. I will flat out say it...that weekend and two weeks following SUCKED. It was very difficult emotionally, physically, and financially on all of us. Brian took each day in stride the way Brian always does, find the positive. I on the other hand had one too many meltdowns. I kind of closed myself off to friends and to anyone mentioning that they wanted to help. Family on the other hand is hard to escape. When I didn't want to get dressed, my mom was at my door. When I wanted to stay in bed, my babies needed to be cared for, and when I wanted to quit, my husband reminded me that things like this happen all the time and for a reason. It is life and this one thing wasn’t going to ruin our beautiful life. Plus when the going got tough we had to keep on going because Christmas was coming whether we were in the spirit or not! However having two sweet boys quickly snapped us into the spirit. So the pub closed, Brian spent the last open weekend working hard and the days following he had to keep working, restaurants don't close themselves!


During that time I decorated and prepared our home for Christmas. I can't wait to share the pictures of our 10 foot live Christmas tree that we cut down. Logan thought that was VERY cool. He even helped with the cutting! I went to my first ever Tacky Sweater Christmas party and came in 2nd! I shopped several times with the boys, we visited Santa, shopped some more on my own, wrapped, listened to more Christmas music than ever - I needed the extra lift! I made cookies and candy, more shopping, more wrapping, and then it was the week of Christmas. One gift that we were given prior to the holiday was Brian getting a new job. He was offered several things before the pub closed, some of which he might pursue down the road, but he knew he could not work so he took a general manager's position at The Brew House downtown. Not his ideal job, but something to keep him busy and our bills paid until other jobs pan out. I am proud of him as always and love him for all the things he does for our family and how hard he consistently works.


Well it is 11:59, I am glad I wrote this before another day slipped by! I will post about Christmas within the next few days; it was a very magical time, two boys who loved everything about the holiday made it that way! Oh and after Christmas, I got sick with an extreme sinus infection and pink eye - in both eyes! However I was better and rang in the New Year with my family and kissed my boys and husband at midnight as we begin another year together, a year full of new beginnings, new dreams, and more wonderful memories.


Happy 2010 Everyone!

LL Update

Well, I didn't want to have to post this. I really actually never really believed I would have to post this, but I do. Loafing Leprechaun will be closing. My husband did a wonderful job and did everything in his power to keep LL running for as long as it did. Truth be told, the economy really stinks. Around 2,000 other Gwinnett county businesses will not reopen in 2010, one being LL. We are sad but know that something else is out there for us. Thank you for all the support we will keep you posted on new Harris ventures!
This weekend at Loafing Leprechaun Brian has planned a BIG party for December 5th. If you are in town and are able to please stop in!

Loafing Leprechaun

Dear Family and Friends and anyone who reads this blog,

We have endured some tough economic times, so much so that we may have to close our doors in December. This is an extremely difficult time for our family and our employees and their families. We have devised a plan that we hope will bring more and more people through the doors during the next few weeks. If we were to generate enough money, we may be able to continue operating. With that being said, we need your help. We need you to pass the word along to your family, friends, co-workers, coaches, supermarkets, stores you frequent etc. Let them know that this great establishment may be closing and we need support from the community now more than ever! We are offering 20% off food purchases during the Thanksgiving weekend (the flier for this is attached). Print some off, put it in your office, meeting rooms, workrooms, restrooms - anywhere that people will see it! If you have a neighborhood or work newsletter that will be going out this week or before Thanksgiving, please mention the Loafing Leprechaun. We have a facebook fan page with another coupon on there. So if you have a facebook page, PLEASE look up the Loafing Leprechaun and become a fan (again tell your friends and family to become a fan). I will be posting any events or news on what is happening with the pub on this page. We have faith that our small business can make it if we get the support from the community.

On behalf of Brian, his employees and myself we thank you.

***Since this is a blog and not an email here is the coupon feel free to print it off and use it during the holiday weekend and let your family and friends have one also!
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Bring this coupon to Loafing Leprechaun Restaurant and Irish Pub and receive 20% off food purchase.
Valid Nov. 25-29
Excludes alcohol

Loafing Leprechaun Restaurant and Irish Pub
6320 Sugarloaf Pkwy
Duluth, Georgia
678.218.0800
Located in the Holiday Inn Parking lot, next to the Gwinnett Center

We will be OPEN Thanksgiving from 4pm-2am! If you have guests in town bring them by for an after dinner pint! Gladiator’s fans come on in after the game!
Going Shopping on Black Friday? Come by for a bite to eat and a drink! We will be open at 11am that day!
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Their Day

Today was all about Logan and Austin. We were up early, had breakfast, got dressed and were out the door by 9am - a huge accomplishment since I have one child (that will remain nameless that would rather stay in his pjs all day). However as soon as we got in the car Logan started saying "I want my house." That was until I told him that we were on our way to the library to get books and to go to story time. This was my first story time with both boys. Oh it was crazy. As soon as I had one sitting listening the other would get up. So I was up, down, up, down, until I broke out the snacks! Then it was time to dance and clap and blow bubbles - so much for the snacks. I thought for sure I was going to have to buy a new cd player for library. Austin would not stop going up to and pushing the buttons. He would look back at me because he knew it was wrong! We checked out 20 books - 17 that Logan "had to have" and 3 magazines for me. So cheap - I love magazines so I spend $5 like it is nothing on one. No more, cut backs = no $5 magazine. Well HELLO to me, I can borrow the current edition to all my fav magazines from the library! After we left the library we went to McDonalds to grab lunch and took it to the park. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work also. I was going back and forth pushing swings, and catching babies, and running after someone the entire time! However I knew that would wear them out. We hadn't even pulled out of the park and Austin was asleep.
I wish I did more stuff like this - like everyday. It just isn't realistic. Does that make me a bad mom? I feel guilty that I don't more - HA! The GUILT. I felt guilty when I worked, I thought staying home meant no guilt. Not so much. When your home yes you are there to see and hear everything. I however spend WAAAAY too much time cleaning, sorting, washing, folding laundry, making breakast, making snack, making lunch, nap time, making snack, making dinner and before I know it we are eating dinner, then its bath time, story time, and bed time. A whole day gone. I try to remind myself daily to hold the babies longer than a second or two and to get down on the floor to play even for a few minutes here and there. That is why today was sooo special. I wasn't home to worry about the dishes, the laundry, the cooking and cleaning. I was enjoying 100% just being a mom to my kids. Next Friday we have MOPS but I sure would love to make this a weekly thing. Anything could change and I could end up back at work. I shouldn't take these days so much for granted.

Oh at dinner tonight (a shout out to Mike who is 22 today - we went to Bucca to celebrate) Austin ate some cake - well more like stuffed his little face with cake and icing. He had it everywhere. Logan says "Oh, No baby what happened?" Then he picked up a napkin wiped the baby's face off and says "ok, you all better." I LOVE that boy!

Logan Says...

He talks ALL DAY LONG and thank goodness, sometimes he is the only person I will have a converstaion with all day long - HA! Here are a few of the things he said recently that I had to write down.

Me: "Logan I love you."
Logan: "I love you too mommy."

Logan to Austin: "Baby you want to play with the toys? Come on baby lets go play with the toys."

Me to Logan: "Logan you are cute."
Logan to me: "I not cute, I Logan!"

Leaving Kroger to come home, just pulling out of the parking lot Logan says to me, "Hey are we there yet?" He repeated to say that every mile I drove!

Logan to Brian: "Daddy, mommy crazy!" - HMMM wonder where he learned that!

Everything is "Logan do it" but he says Wogan instead of Logan!

If he wants something he will crinkle his nose and say "you go get it" followed by "NOW." Don't love that so much but still had to write it!

Yes he repeats everything. I said that something was stupid, an hour later my mom was leaving and he said "Mimi you go to your house, thats stupid."

There is more, so I will post as they come to me.

Oh and he loves his PJS and to pick out his own clothes; so he picks out pjs to wear. Brian says he gets that from seeing me in sweats and pjs so often. AHHH the life of a stay home mom! Love that pj wearing, talking nonstop boy!

Comparing

I am talking about my kids - of course! I don't think about it until I actually do it. However I have been comparing them since Austin was born. I would say, oh Logan was bigger, Logan wore this, Logan never wore that, Austin smiled before Logan, Austin eats better than Logan, Logan slept with me - but not Austin. Austin is more laid back, Logan was more into TV, Austin gets into everything, Logan seemed more in tune with people, ETC. Well this list goes on and on, from their pooping to their playing. I have been known to obsess about how Logan reached a certain milestone before Austin has. Just two weeks ago I was saying to a friend, "I am worried about Austin. At one Logan was saying several words and Austin only says mama and sometimes dada." Of course my wise friend reminded me that ALL babies are different, all babies do things at different times, all babies will reach their milestones when they are good and ready. However me being me I still worried. That was until Friday. I was sitting on the floor coloring with Logan and Austin toddles over. Well I just figured he was coming over to see what we were doing or to put a crayon in his mouth. I reminded myself that Logan wouldn't hold a crayon or even try to color until he was 18 months or older so surely Austin wasn't going to sit and color. Boy was I wrong. My sweet baby boy sat down next to me, picked up an orange crayon and began to color on the paper with the biggest smile on his face, reminding me that I can't compare my boys and I need to stop. They are two different babies that will grow into two different boys. They will have different wants, different needs, different likes, different dislikes and that everything they accomplish and do will be different from the other but just as wonderful.

Happy Halloween from Woody & Buzz Light Year

OHHHH I love me some Halloween! It is by far my favorite holiday! For one, Brian and I had our first date on Halloween 8 years ago to a Haunted House! I love the relaxed, fun, creative, dress-up, candied filled holiday sooo much! Logan was Woody and Austin was Buzz - Enjoy the show or as my cowboy, Woody would say "Giddy Up" and if my Buzz could talk "to infinity and beyond!" Oh we have gone Toy Story crazy over in the Harris house!