My New Mouse

So, I got a new mouse at work. I had known for quite some time that my mouse needed to be replaced. It was really sluggish and I was always clicking on the wrong thing because of the slow response time. Finally, I mentioned it to my boss.

Yesterday my boss got me a new mouse AND a new mouse pad to boot! I cannot believe I waited all this time for a $12 mouse! What a difference! I am not even kidding you, it makes me smile every time I click. I keep wanting to tell my co-workers how awesome my mouse is when they walk by my desk. I am writing a blog about it, for heaven's sake... perhaps I am a wee bit over-excited, but anyway.

I started thinking about how long it takes for the "new" to wear off. I remember when I got my previous vehicle. It was a Jeep Grand Cherokee and it was a hand-me-down from my in-laws at the time. We really needed more reliable transportation for our family and we ended up agreeing to make payments to them for the jeep. I haven't been spoiled in the vehicle department, so things like automatic windows, seat adjusters, leather interior, a digital compass... things like that totally rocked my world, even though the vehicle was almost 10 years old, I was SO thankful for it. I remember driving down the road and thinking to myself, "Don't let the new wear off of this too quick, Kelly. Soak in all the wonderful things about this jeep that you are enjoying so much." Days go by, then months, and before you know it, all those awesome features become completely taken for granted.

We all do this, right? It can be anything. Houses, cars, your ipod, your relationship... Things that were once totally magical suddenly are yesterday's news. I am trying to keep this in mind as I live my day to day life. I don't want to start expecting the little nice things that people do for me rather than appreciating them for what they are.

There's my two cents for today. Did I mention how amazing my new mouse is?

My Daybook

My Daybook, an idea I took from Jana at Pilgrimsteps and that I will tag my sister to complete as well...

I am wearing: A black sleeveless shirt and a blue skirt with black flowers because, I don't know, it's only going to get up to 87 DEGREES TODAY! It's November, enough with the 80's already!

I am reading: I am trying really hard to read Twilight because I feel obligated to the 12 year old girl that I once was. I am sure she would have loved it and would be obsessively cutting out pictures of Robert Pattinson, etc.

I am hearing: Excited voices of co-workers sharing stories and someone listening to (gasp) Pearl Jam in the other room. Love it!

I am learning: How to live. I still have a lot to learn.

I am thankful: For so much! I have an amazing life. I love my boys and I love the family we are creating together with Mike and Seth. I love my mom and my sister and the rest of my extended family too. I have a great job. I am extremely lucky and I know it.

I am hoping: To live life to the fullest. I am hoping for things to get even better.

I am creating: A home where my family knows that they are loved.

And I cried...

Life is hectic. Every day we are up early to start the cycle of kids going to school, working at the office, cooking, cleaning, laundry, homework, bills, and bedtime routines... It goes on and on, just to start over again the next day. I get overwhelmed sometimes, even though I know that most of the pressure on me comes from myself.

Last night my boys were behaving badly. Nothing terrible, just kids being kids. I was trying to put a good meal on the table at a decent time. I had to put both the boys in time out while I was cooking and I was just feeling frazzled. The stress of the day was admittedly getting to me and I sincerely wanted to burst. Later, I sat down on the couch, which I hardly ever do. Cody looked over at me and said, "I am SO happy, mama." I said, "I am glad Cody. Why are you happy?" He answered, "Because I love you."

And I cried. Because my heart was full and I was sorry that I don't enjoy every moment that they are little and that I can hold them in my arms. He just wanted me to sit on the couch with them. It's just dinner. It's just laundry. None of it matters if I don't enjoy my loved ones. And I do love them so much.

I Love My Sister

So, my sister tagged me today. I think she may be the only one that actually reads my blog, so I am going to definitely going to play along.

You are supposed to pick the fourth file in your photo files and then pick the fourth photo. Here goes:


This is the fourth photo from the fourth file on my computer where I spend most of my time:


This is from a trip that my honey and I took to Jerome, Arizona with his son back in February of '08. It was just a day trip and my boys were with their dad that weekend. I took this picture of the Hotel Connor because it made me think of my own little Conner. There was a band playing in the Spirit Room and I snuck glimpses of the people rocking out as we walked past the window.

This is the fourth photo from the photos saved on my camera phone.




It is my little guys standing in the front yard right before we headed to the bus stop the day before yesterday. The weather is so gorgeous right now in the mornings. It reminds me that Arizona really is a lovely place to live during the winter, spring, and fall. I took this picture to send to my sister Regan, because she is so great at sending me photos almost daily of her amazing Griffin. It makes me feel like they are not so far away, after all, and I appreciate that because I miss that little Golding family something terrible!

I love you Regan!

My Two Sons

Here are the proofs from my sons' kindergarten school photos. It cost me 71.50 for each of their photo packages. Is it just me or does that seem a bit EXCESSIVE? Anyway, the pictures are cute and I chose two poses for each of my boys. Can you guess which ones?




They are so different, but they are also very alike. For example, last week Conner spent a long time discussing camels with me before bed. I don't know where the sudden interest in camels came from, but OK. Anyway, I told him it was time to stop talking about camels and go to sleep and I said, "I love you Conner." Some time passed and he did not answer me. Finally he said, "Mom, I love you too." Pause "But I really love camels too."

Then this week, I was laying there with Cody, waiting for both of the boys to fall asleep and I told them I love them, as always. Conner replied quickly with an, "I love you too Mommy." Finally Cody said, "I love you mom, but I really love cars."

I need to teach them that no woman wants to hear a "but" after "I love you."

Conversations with God

So, I picked up the boys on Sunday after spending the weekend "camping" with their paternal grandparents and their father. I asked them what they did during the weekend and they both said they had gone fishing. I asked if they caught any fish, to which Cody told me that Conner did indeed catch a fish. I asked Conner to tell me about the fish, watching both of them in the rear view mirror as we drove home.

Conner - I caught a big one, Mom.

Me - Oh yeah, what did you do with it?

Conner - Well, it died. It was on the ground and then a crab came and ate it's eyeballs out.

Me (trying not to gag) - Oh, that's not good...

Conner - Yeah, I'm going to tell God.

Long, dramatic pause...

Conner (looking up to the sky) - God? A lobster ate my fish's eyeballs out and that is NOT nice.

Another pause...

Conner - And, I have the hiccups!

And God replied - I will get working on that right away...

Just kidding.

What's next? Ostrich Burgers?

So, it seems to me that every time that my boyfriend is feeling grumpy with me he brings something home from the store that is unusual and wants to cook for himself. This has happened 3 times now, so I am really starting to think my theory is correct.

I should tell you that I am a vegetarian, however I do cook meat for my boyfriend and our sons. I cook hamburger, chicken, steaks, bacon, fish sticks... I also do most of the cooking for the family and I do the majority of the grocery buying.

The first time it happened he brought home some sort of lamb thing. I didn't even come near it. Why would anyone want to eat a LAMB of all things? As in, Mary had a little... Come on. The next time it happened, he showed up with a giant whole chicken. And then last night, he came home with a big rack of ribs. These purchases are always joined with several cans of pork and beans and other random supplies (canned beets, anyone?).

What is next? Ostrich patties? Buffalo burgers? No, I got it. Cow tongue. I have tried asking about my observation, but he insists it is completely coincidental.