61 Days of Summer

Every year since I started my job in the school system, I've been at Cheerleading camps, working extra summer hours for the Guidance office, and doing other things for other people. I spent last summer in a sleepy daze, frantically running a baby back and forth to grandma's or the babysitters so that I could do Cheer stuff. Of course that didn't take all of my summer, but it's so hard to start and stop a summer break- breaks should be continuous! So this summer it's going to be about me, getting my life and home in order, and most importantly, spending time with Claire before the new baby gets here. I will focus on keeping positive and wonderful people in my life and I'm going to get involved in new things. I'm really excited to see what this summer will bring, since I've never really had one before. I've been a little stressed lately and I'm not being very good to my body (eating crummy foods), which means I'm not being good to my baby. I can't wait to go to the Farmer's market this summer and get fresh fruits and veggies to make yummy meals with. I can't wait to have time to make meals! It's like I'm starting this whole new life! I plan on organizing the crap out of my home so that when the new baby comes, we will have minimal organizational issues!

Side note of what I have learned about life this past year: No one will care the most about you except for you. You have to take care of yourself, because no one will take care of you! I've also learned to say NO! My MIL always says to get your "No" card out. She's really wise!

I'm Back!

After almost three months of packing, moving, and unpacking, I'm glad to say I'm back. I've been reading everyone's posts even though I haven't posted. So here's what's been going on.

The whole family packed up and moved during Spring Break, which was the first full week in April. Packing was the worst! I found out I was a few weeks pregnant and I was so nauseas! All I did was lay around as Jeff frantically shoved things into boxes. On moving day I was so worthless! We spent that week trying to unpack things, but my garage is still full of stuff! Sad thing is, I don't really miss the stuff that's packed away in the garage- this tells me I need to play the donate game!

I'm 12 weeks along and this pregnancy has been tough! I remember being tired and hungry with Claire, but I am exhausted, nauseas, and cranky with this baby! I'm so excited to find out what it is that I've scheduled an ultra sound right at my 16th week! So I should know on June 11 what baby number two is. Everyone keeps asking what I want and after working in a school, I would have to say that I agree with the cliche. I just want a happy, healthy baby. On one hand I'd love a boy (mostly because I've convinced myself that I'd be done once I had a boy); but I'm a firm believer that a girl should always have a sister. So I could go with either.

I'm dreaming of the days this summer when I can lounge around with Claire and work on some much needed crafting/decorating time! I'll post a before and after of the house. You won't believe what brand new hardwoods and some paint would do to a home!!

Love it!!

THE LUSSIERS ARE MOVING!!

In December I sat my husband down and talked about our quality of life. We have such a wonderful family, but we don't get to spend time with anyone because we are too busy driving around the world. I'm driving about an hour and half in the morning and again in the afternoon to drop off and pick up Claire. I love that she is with both her Grandmothers and I'd continue to drive around the world if I have to. As we talked about the driving situation, I also talked about how much I want to live in a swim and tennis community. You may have read in my earlier blogs about Legacy Park; well, after lots of house visits, we settled on a home in Lullwater.


It's a 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath home. The fifth bedroom is in the finished basement. We are on a small culdesac that is within walking distance to one of the small parks!! Claire loves the new park and she loves playing there.

The house isn't all roses and butterflies, it does need work. The entire interior of the house needs to be painted along with all new flooring. It will need a new deck, light fixtures, and some landscaping. We have a home inspection on friday and I'm excited to see what the results will be.

It is a great house and feels like my home (not that this home doesn't feel like mine, I just spend a good 3 hours in the car and I only sleep here). I can't wait to fix it up and invite everyone over to my house!

Also, if you click on the legacy park link and look at their events, there is something to do every weekend!!! I'm so excited!!!

February LoVe

So I know there are moments in any relationship where you get annoyed by something they do or even angry over something that doesn't make sense. Today, I was driving to Carrollton and I realized that my husband was really wonderful today. He's really wonderful most days, but it really sunk in today. He got up, went to church with us, was wonderful when Claire cried at Church, accompanied me to the grocery store, and took care of Claire while I tended to sorority things. He really is wonderful. Sometimes we get so fixated on the little things (like forgetting to take out the trash or watching the game). It's not about the little things, but about the big things- like really being there for me today and especially for his little girl. I've got a great guy who is also a wonderful daddy!!

The Golden Rule

Do you remember the golden rule? Treat others the way you want to be treated. The golden rule has lost its shine over the years. Now the rule is: treat others in such a way that you get what you want.
Always remember to be nice to others. I know I haven't always been the best at this, but it is something that we all have to work on.

On another note, I am eating dinner with some gorgeous gals this Saturday night! Claire is also spending her first day in Sunday school, pray for us!!

Sweet face!

Look at this sweet face!! She hates bows, but she let me put this one in for a few minutes. Then she ripped it out and threw it at the dog.

I love spending time with my family. I love how my little girl has learned to talk more and play more. She amazes me every day!

On a different note, I'm sure we've all heard about the Winter Storm of 2011. When I first heard about this, I was sure that it would be nothing. I thought it might snow, then the roads would be fine the next day. Monday's school has been cancelled and so has Tuesday. What I realize is that this will probably eat into post planning or February vacation. Also, we have next monday off for MLK. So here's my new motto for 2011: Don't go to school! Let's just have storm after holiday after vacation! It would be awesome!!

Day two of no cable

Still going strong! Actually, I didn't miss it today. Jeff and I ran errands this morning and then we played with Claire. While she napped, we worked in our basement. We cleaned out the rubble from the bathroom, swept out the patio underneath our deck and I did all the laundry and dishes! It's actually sick how clean my house is! I do love not being tied to the dvr or plastered to MTV.

So new years eve is tomorrow and we are actually doing something! One of my resolutions is to do more things and to not use my baby as an excuse not do to anything. Sometimes I feel so guilty because I'm working all the time that when people ask us to do something, I feel like I have to stay at home with Claire- even when she's sleeping and not able to interact with me. Tomorrow night we are taking Claire to my moms house and putting her to sleep there. Then we are going to a friend's house where he is having a Clue themed party. We all have to dress up as a character and we are solving the murder! I swear it's not as lame as I just described it. There will be bartenders and yummy food! I'm so excited! Happy almost new years, y'all!!

No cable? Are you guys crazy?!

No, we are serious! We have officially shut our cable off. We do have a HD antenna that picks up the basic channels. Sick thing is, it picks up better reception than our box! We have a dvr like system plugged into our computer so we can dvr our shows we want to watch.

We are doing this for two reasons. The first reason is that we watch too much garbage- mainly me with MTV and jeff with sports. We stopped paying attention to each other and eating at the dinner table. So this is our effort for at least three months to see if we can survive and maybe even re do our basement with our free time!
Second, we pay about $160 a month for cable and Internet!! That is crazy!! So that will be $160 more dollars a month in our pockets to save or spend on our family!
I won't lie, I was a little grouchy tonight because I wanted to watch a new show on MTV. Instead, I took a bath, read a glamour magazine, and organized my iPhone.
Pray for our family! We are embarking on a new adventure.

ARG!! I've got the bug!

No the cold bug, but the I want to be a stay at home mom/ decorator bug! Here are the really cool things that Claire has been up to: She now says, good dog, no, mama, daddy, duck, turtle, all done, more, eat, belly button, nose, eye, ear, and a few more words. She knows some things in Korean too, like her eyes, nose, ear, mouth, etc. My mom speaks to her in Korean and the rest of us talk to her in English. She loves watching TV- sometime too much and we limit it to only a few shows. She loves to jump, build with her blocks, hug and kiss on dolls, pat the dog, run, and be a sweet loving girl to her mom and dad! Today I took her to one of my favorite antique places and she did really well. I was a nervous wreck that she would cry, pitch a fit, and I'd be "that mom." But she sang and ate cheerios while I looked at over priced old crap!! It's Tuesday now and we only have a few more days together. I plan on soaking up as much as I can before going back to work next week. My mom was really cute today, in Korean she looked at Claire and said,"You're so happy this week, but next Monday you'll be sad for a few minutes and then we can play." Claire smiled and pinched my mom's cheeks! I know every parent thinks their kid is great, but Claire is hilarious! She doesn't fear anything, loves people, and is always ready to play! She is so sweet, sassy, and fun. She knows when she is in trouble and will hide, run away, or be so stinking cute that you can't help but laugh. It doesn't matter how crazy it gets at work, or how tired and annoyed I am, she is always ready to entertain and loves to be loved! Claire is such a sweetheart! I'd love to stay at home with her and have some side gig where I decorate (with other people's money).

Sigh... I just love spending my days with her! They go by so fast!

Only a few things on my mind...

And no, it's not Georgia! But it is moving to somewhere else in Georgia! We are looking to get closer to our parents (the Kennesaw/Acworth area). We have fallen in love with Legacy Park! I just read their HOA Newsletter and there is so much to do there! They have someone who is in charge of activities: soccer, T ball, tennis, running programs, and more! Then there is someone who does educational things: book readings for children, educational programs, meet and greet with local school administration. L.O.V.E. I can't wait! We are looking to move late this year (October-December ish). So we have to get our house ready to rent! We are going to be putting in new carpets, re-doing the basement, giving everything a fresh coat of paint!

I am really excited to see what's going to be in our future in 2011!

Merry Christmas!!

So what did Santa bring Claire???
A trampoline, tent, dolls, Fancy Nancy books, magnetic alphabet to put on refrigerator, balls, a doodle thingy, and much more!!!

I love Christmas! So does Claire! After we started the unwrapping process, she tore into the presents!!

I have one more week to milk with my little girl and I'm going to soak up every minute of it!!!

LOVE!

Let the break begin!!!

I'm so thankful for the break! Working at a school definitely has it's perks and these next two weeks will be worth all the other not so fun things we counselors have to deal with!

Claire has been so much fun! She says so many words now and is really funny. She called Maddux a "turtle," and the other day she knew she was doing something she should do, so when I went to say something to her, she immediately pointed at her nose and said "nose." Of course I had to laugh. My very favorite person who I used to work with, Gayle, once said, "If it makes me laugh, then you're not in trouble!" One should never live by those words, but it's so true sometimes!

My goal for this break is to detox! I'm detoxing from the sweets that everyone gave me at school, I'm detoxing the clutter that's in my house, and detoxing lots of other things!!

I can't wait to re-organize my life!!!!!!!! I LOVE WINTER BREAK!!

Here's the best part...
I get ANOTHER week off in February!!

Catching Up!

The Lussier family has been busy! Here's a recap of the month's events:
1. Cheerleading is finally over! My girls went to state for competition and our football team lost in the quarter finals this past week. So now I do the HAPPY dance after school! Today was my first non-cheerleading day and I loved getting Claire at a decent time. I came home and we had a dance party, then we grilled chicken and zuccini. Love!
2. Claire is a talker! She is absolutely funny! The things she says are adorable and she can't quite say certain words, but she's really trying!
3. We bought a trampoline and we all jump on it! It's really too much fun and I forget how high I could jump!
4. Thanksgiving was a blast! I made something from scratch- who knew I could do that.

Now it's on to Christmas festivities and I am going to soak up life with my sweet girl!

P.S.- Picture with Santa= epic failure!

MY FAV!!! Who doesn't love holiday photo cards?

Yes, I do love the holiday season! I used to think photo cards were lame, but that's before I had a family with a very cute little girl! Now all I want to do is send photo cards out to everyone! Finding the right photo card takes a lot of patience and some detective work. I've ordered from several sights and even from ETSY where someone makes a card for me. If you haven't tried shutterfly, I highly suggest you stop what you are doing immediately and spend at least an hour perusing through their holiday photo card selection. You will not be disappointed! Hundreds of cards, and there's no way you can just pick one. They have cute ones, but what I love are the preppy sophisticated cards- especially with monograms!!!! I'm very impressed by their selection and I want to show you a few of the cards that I absolutely love!



I love this card because of the monogram and the black and white photos! Very classy!


http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/initially-chic-green-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93476
Need I say more!?!?! I'd decorate my home in this print and of course, the monogram!!


http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/cool-gray-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93476
Very modern and clean!


http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/peace-and-joy-holiday-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93476
Love this one!

And finally, a fun one!

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/snowtastic-snowflakes-christmas-5x7-folded-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93476

And remember, shutterfly also does other things too!
Gift tags- http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/snowtastic-snowflakes-christmas-5x7-folded-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93476
Invitations for holiday parties- http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations
And of course, the link to the Christmas Cards! http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

Can't pick just one, but you should try anyway!!!

Just another frazzled Monday!

So I started the day late, hitting every red light, exhausted from a crappy night of sleep, etc. You name it, I felt it! I worked hard today crossing off my to do list at work, then I went on to cheer. I braved traffic to pick up my baby, who is teething and cranky, only to go through two baby CDs in the car to make her happy. When we got home, it was so late- almost her bed time. I warmed up some milk, changed her into her PJs and we layed in my bed with all the lights and sounds off. I hummed (off tune) in her ear while she drank herself to sleep. Then she snored right next to me. Quite possibly the sweetest moment I've had yet! I picked her up- still asleep, took her to her bed- still asleep, and layed her down- still fast asleep. And at the end of the day, the little things are all that matters. The great conversation I had with my BFF EClare on the phone today, the sweet facebook comment from my old co-worker Lynn, and my mom giving me a bushel of apples (along with always hooking me up with yummy food). After placing my baby in her bed, I drew a hot bath, read my Women's Health magazine, and sipped on a yummy Merlot until my hubby came home. No matter how frazzled I am, I always have the little things to look forward to!

Bye bye October!

Can you believe it's almost November? Before I wish away October, let me tell you more about what our family has been doing! This has been such a crazy month because we are in the height of cheerleading season! I'm either at practice, at a football game, or at a competition. When I'm not doing those things, I'm trying to be a mommy and to do somethings around my house. My house/decorating has seriously taken a hit! I did choose a wall color for my "fireplace room." I'm feeling the itch to be creative, but I've had NO TIME to do so. So here's what I'm thinking: I want the behr color toffee crunch on my walls, two slip cover chairs, and this fun storage bench to go along the window for Claire's toys. I want a dresser that I can refinish myself, then I want to number my drawers. This is going to house all family play items (board games, blankets, etc). Here are some pictures of what I want!

Falling for Fall!

Wow! September was exhausting and fun! I'm very thankful for this new Cobb County Calendar as it allowed a week for fun in the sun! St. George Island is gorgeous, but I really thought it was going to be busy like Destin. I was so wrong. I think we left twice to go to Apalachicola to get groceries and supplies, but other than that we just stayed at our beautiful beach house! I have to say I learned so much about myself and I really needed a week off from the craziness at work. The best part was that I got to be a mommy for one whole week! No cheerleading, schedules to be changed, nothing! It was just Claire and me! Every morning we would wake up and we were greeted with the sunrise. Then it was a dip in the pool or a walk on the beach. Followed by more beach activities. When the babies slept, the parents did nothing and it was amazing! Era slept for 3 whole hours (Lucky!) and Claire would sleep about an hour and half. We had oysters, shrimp, fish, yummy food, great company! I was so sad to go. I'm thinking about another trip in February... maybe somewhere it snows?! I feel refreshed and now it's on to October (A.K.A.- the month of cheerleading). Soon cheerleading will be over and I'll get to pick Claire up after school and be a mommy again! Love her and I love my family!

CONGRATS!!!!

Hello all!! I'd like to tell you about our friends Emily and Kurtis. Jeff and Kurtis have known each other for many years and they are really good friends. Kurtis is funny, smart, and knows a lot about sports. Sometimes I think he should have his own show because he knows WAAAAY too much! Kurtis met a girl named Emily. Now, if you know me, then you know that ALMOST EVERY best friend I've ever had is named Emily- in fact, it's my default name. I love Emilys and when I met this particular Emily, I felt the same way! She is creative, sarcastic (but sweet), and generally wonderful! I love spending time with her and I try not to be dorky and ask her to teach me how to do things- she is really freaking creative!
Kurtis and Emily got married on Sept 1st and they had a reception/party last friday. Unfortunately I couldn't go because I had cheerleading, but I can't wait to be friends with her for years to come- I'm secretly hoping they move really close to us. So cheers to Emily and Kurtis- two really great people!! :o)

Is fall falling??

When Claire goes to my mom's house in the morning, I'm leaving around 6:30am. It is so stinking dark and chilly!! Makes me super excited about fall!! I see a few orange leaves on the ground and I can't help but think about football, brunswick stew, and crisp, cool air!! Can you believe that Claire was that small (picture above) and now she is sassy, funny, and running!?! I can't believe it either! She is way too funny!

I'm smack dab in the middle of cheerleading season, but nothing is better than coming home from a long, hard day at the office/cheerleading to see my sweet girl and to get a big, fat kiss!! She is little Miss Independent and she wants to climb, run, etc on everything! For any new moms out there, enjoy every moment. I remember I would almost wish away Claire's baby time because I couldn't wait for her to hit her next milestone. Now I wish I would have made the most of every day.

Now to change the subject- I'm getting the decorating itch back! Jeff and I have talked about really doing some landscaping this fall because my yard looks crazy! Stupid weeds suck! I want to also redo my porch and to put some better porch furniture out there. So excited! Time to make a new wreath!

Until next time... :o)

SUPER MOM

Everyone has their own worries, problems, etc. So this is not my complain session, but rather one main question: How in the world do women do it? How do we- wash the clothes, pack the bags, pack the lunches, drive everywhere, work full time, make the family/hubby happy, and be good at all of it. I have this problem where my expectations for my life are unrealistic. I currently work full time as a counselor for a high school, which I absolutely love, and I'm also the Varsity Football and Varsity Competition coach. I say that I coach, but my cheer moms really do most of it. I'm thankful for them because I wouldn't be able to survive! I do have this day dream where I get to leave work at 3:45- like everyone else- and I go pick up Claire and we have a great afternoon together. After football season, I'll be able to do this! If anyone has the magical lottery numbers or happen to know how to get rich quick, it'd be much appreciated!!!