Amazing Friends

It's true. I have amazing friends. It is important to know that I don't love the overuse of the word 'blessed' because I have always thought that it sounded a bit condesending or something. Or maybe that I feel like it is a jinx. Like if I say I am blessed by something then I will soon become unblessed. But isn't it the same as saying lucky, just more spiritual? Or maybe it just makes me feel uncomfortable. Or like I want to roll my eyes when people are all- I am soooo blessed. Like please. Wait 6 months and tell me this again. ugh.

But anyway- I'm going to just come out and say it. I feel blessed that I have amazing friends. (I pray this has not just jinxed me. In fact I just knocked on wood. 3X. Because you must when knocking on wood, or it doesn't count) I have amazing friends from childhood, I have amazing friends from Junior High and High School, awesome friends from college, from places I have worked, reconnections from people via social media, from living here 7 years ago, and now I have met some super amazing friends since moving back. (if you feel left out because your stage of friendship did not make this list above- please don't. You are awesome, too.)

Now I'm a mom of two. And I primarily stay at home with them. And this was a new adventure for me when I moved here. At first I like to say I dated women when I joined a mom's group to get involved and find friends. WOWSERS. EXHAUSTING.  I was getting ready after being up with Bridge, getting kids ready, nursing, cleaning up pooh explosions, rumaging through boxes to find a sippy cup since my place was not unpacked yet, trying to find something that would fit over my thighs and fat rolls. Going to parks I had no idea where they were located, or people's houses, and having Bridge pooh explode over there, and not having enough wipes to clean it up (this actually one time happened 2x at the same person's house) OMG- just thinking back to this nonsense is giving me hives. But like dating often does- it paid off. I met a lot of great women- and I am happy I dated, and now found girlfriends. Because totes-  dating makes one tired. But yeah- my friends...

The little ones all playing together- stealing shoes and such


They rock. We help with each others kids in restrooms and in public places, we offer to take care of them when we have to do things like go to the DMV (which I just experienced today) We hold them when they are upset, and have playdates with themes and food, and dinner. We are meeting each other husbands. We have mom's night outs- (the new GNO, MNO) and we are all pretty laid back and like to get out of the house and have fun. And that's just it- I feel blessed. There are three of us that have organically formed a little group. I feel like if I wasn't a part of this group of wonderful ladies I would look at them and be jealous like where's my fun group of ladies?!?!. Actually I would see moms and kids at restaurants gabbing away when I first moved here and was dating and I was sad- because it's more fun with good friends. And we are still getting to know each other more and more, but it's great.  My kids are happier too that I have pretty much stopped dating since they know the other kids, and it's not so random all the time. They too are making friendships.


Miss Liz reading to the kiddos

Nora and Aleah at dance together



Picnicing with Avery

I have met other friends too here who I feel close with. So it's just been awesome. I ran into one today at Deanna Rose Farm (ironically her name is also Deanna, though I'm pretty sure she is not associated with the farm) and she also has a daughter Bridget's age, and she is cool as hell and I am all- wow- I have fantastical friends. (again, this post is not to not include my other awesome friends I met here- I can see how blogging can get tricky...)

So that's it. I feel blessed and lucky and whatever else to be in this stage of my life with so many close friends. High Five to everyone near and far. Mwah- love, Lindsey

Flashback Tuesday Afternoon!

The most fun thing ever is when people come to visit. Well- I love to travel to far away places, too- BUT visitors to a new place (or an old place you once lived and now live again) is supes fun. SIDEBAR-Sometimes I don't get the point fast enough. I recommend skimming over my weirdness to get to the point faster if you so desire. Sometimes I even drive myself nuts because my getting to the point can take like 10 minutes. I am told that this has been the case since I was talking. Believe it or not, my mom tells me I was a late talker, but then once I started I NEVER stopped. Not even for a $10 bribe that was offered to me in the past- I did not ever make it 10 minutes. And probably still couldn't!  And the only thing I ever got into trouble at school was for talking too much. Except my first grade year when the teachers hated me and I always got in trouble. Okay okay, That is all for this sidebar. Ah-hem- where was I, ah yes, And the other awesome greatest thing is to see my kids way excited ESPECIALLY when cousins come! Running around + giggling kiddos + staying up late + junk food = Lots 'o' fun memories.

Molly, Wiz and the gang came to KC over Easter 2012. Woot!

Pearly and Bean

Attempting a cousin pic

Easter Morning

Finding eggs is so much fun. This was Bridgey's first Easter, and last first holiday of the year!

Excited for their loot

A very girly bedtime story!

Anyone is welcome anytime! We promise store bought cinnamon rolls (Traders Joes are the best!) Dunkin' Donuts coffee, Costco pizza and perhaps one home cooked meal. Plus we welcome any game players~ cards, board games etc. at any moment. I miss staying up late late and playing games. You shall receive one room and one bathroom- and we have a basement, too. "Thank you for your consideration."~ Katniss E.

$500 Tip~ Paying it Forward

I often cry while watching The Today Show. When I was pregnant I was a wreck watching the show. Anything to do with a kid especially made the tears flow (well that still does) but really really when I was preg it was bad news bears. Today they had a segment on a 30-year-old, Aaron, who passed away suddenly, but the only thing he requested when he died was for his family to leave a random server a $500 tip. And not a server at a fancy pants restaurant, just a pizza place or something. The man who passed on was a server, and always wanted to do this for someone.

The brother videotaped the tip transaction and of course, it went viral. Now people have been sending money and they have randomly delivered a $500 tip several times.  Here is the video:

http://aaroncollins.org/?p=20

Just a little diddy- it's on my to-do list to pay it forward more often and get involved. I want to show my kids the world is not just about getting things and materialistic stuff- but being a good person and doing unselfish things for people. I recently read that money CAN buy you happiness- but it depends on how you use it.
#1. On experiences not things
#2. On other people, not yourself

Better go- my kids are throwing crayons. Well that's just Bridge naturally. :)

Looking Forward to Christmas

Yeah yeah yeah, it's not even Fall yet and I have Christmas on the brain. I love Christmas with kids. I am starting to collect tons of fun Christmas stuff, and this year I am so excited because I have Christmas trees for the kids rooms. I am way stoked to add more plush singing snowmen to my collection (because really those should be allowed year round. Who doesn't love a good snowmen jig every once and again?) It is such a fun time of the year. We are doing Elf on a Shelf (ours is Heather) and Nora has mentioned her this past year several times. So I am thinking this year she will really get in the spirit and it will be super fun. And we can make memories like this- because one year- this happened:

It was Nora's second Christmas and she wrapped herself in the tree skirt as we were putting up the tree. She's hilar.

And of course we get to make the annual weirdo Burke Christmas card. Here's a fun one from the past. Last year came with mixed reviews. I was tired, people. :) We are working on a knock your socks off one for this year. We shall see! Maybe it will be something like this- giant baby in a santa hat coming to a town near you. Watch out boyzzzzz.

So yeah- Christmas. Excited. I have my Xmas fund going and am collecting $5 gift cards from Target with purchases. I started couponing a little bit more heavily- love the site totallytarget.com. If you love Target and saving money- try out her blog.

One more pic to put you in the Santa spirit! How early is too early for a Christmas tree? 

Nora's first visit with Santa- she loooooved him!

Flashback Monday Night!

Since I was recapping summer, I ran across some earlier pics from Bridget's first trip to California in September 2011. Here they are!

Big sis Bean

Budge face

She really is super cute when she was happy :)



OMG- why am I including this? So glad I found zumba and shed the baby weight- though the bod still will never be the super same *sigh*

 I love having two girls. I always thought I would have a son, but was given the girlies and can't imagine life any other way. You just know what you know, ya know?



Reina and Bean- Palm Springs



Aw- little Bridge. Don't worry, I wasn't driving with the buckle undone!

Summer 2012 Recap

Since I'm a bit behind on the blogging scene, I am going to do a recap from time to time and perhaps some flashbacks. Thinking like Flashback Friday or some kind of theme. Anyway- getting ahead of myself. Summer recap is the theme. We had fun on a weekend trip to Branson, stops in Lawrence, hanging out, and a very fun trip to California/Disneyland! A couple of pics. While I love summer, I am excited for Fall.

  

Silly Bean Pod





Like meeting a celebrity- Bean with Belle





Ready for the ride!



Omaha

Okay- so my blogging didn't get off the the stellar start I was hoping for. Now I'm 31, and my frenzied mind is starting to go cray cray that I am doing cool stuff, but forgetting what I'm doing as I get older and my mind gets muddier. People will mention a trip or something I took and I'm all- omg- totally forgot that one.

Anyway- I'm trying to document my life and not put so much emphasis that my blog has to have some kind of dynamic angle. It's just going to be me talking about what we are doing and probs a little of this and a little of that here and there.

So this weekend my cool sister and her hubs were on their way back from a trip in Jackson Hole. Since she is going to be super busy with school this sememster, we were both freaking out that we wouldn't see each other for awhile. We decided to meet in Omaha on their trek back East for the weekend. Kick ass! We got a suite hotel at the Element and went to the zoo for the day. Here's us at the butterfly garden- a very cool part of the zoo.



Butterflies were everywhere flying above your head. Some even land on you- if you are one lucky ducky!




This bear was like right above our heads. Literally I think it could jump to the fence if he wanted too. I started to get a bit freakazoid about it.



We had an awesome time and I am soooooooooooooo glad we were able to make this weekend work. In fact, we figured out that since we moved to KC last year, my sis and I have seen each other for 11 visits. That's a lot of visits considering we are 8 hours away :) Love!!! High five and put it in the bag bump bump Little Lils.



One more pic to sum up this post. My baby is getting so big! Notice the marks on her face? She's so busy and silly and almost fell down stairs- luckily I caught her on the way down- oooooooooooh Bridge!