Michael Wayne Alexander.
I am so, beyond comprehension, blessed that God put this sweet man in my life. Blessed that God CHOSE us for each other. It may have taken me a few years to notice Michael there but I know that it was all part of God's timing.
Right before Michael and I started dating I started to convince myself that this fairytale version of my future husband I had in my head was unrealistic. I started to believe that I needed to lower my expectations and my standards to something more "real life". I started to think that maybe I was being too picky and that if I ever wanted to find someone to spend my life with I would need to just accept someone and make it work. I had been through every dating nightmare you can imagine, no really... ask my family. I started to think that my "unrealistic" expectations were to blame. I know now that it wasn't that. I know now that God was preparing mine and Michael's hearts for each other.
Michael and I have "known" each other since we were little. Our dads are friends and as a lot of people know, both my dad and Michael play drums. Michael says it was my dad who first inspired him, that he remembers watching my dad play when he was younger. That's something I really hold dear. Starting some time in high school Michael and I started keeping in contact. I would say for the last 10 years we have "spoken" at least every 6 months. That's something very few people know, because it wasn't really a big deal at the time. When it started it was IM's and MySpace messages, we would talk for a few days and that would be it. As we got older it turned into text messages, one of us would randomly text the other to see how they were and after a few texts it would stop. We laugh because Michael says my responses always went something like: "Oh hey, just hanging out with my boyfriend who I'm in love with that I love very much, and we're in love" (obviously someone likes to exaggerate a little) and I say Michael's texts every 6 months started with "Hey guys its Michael I had to get a new number again, this is the last time I promise!" (Michaels friends, am I right?)
It's funny that after all that time and all of those empty conversations that this whole relationship would start with a text message. It was no different then any other of our texts at first. I remember getting on Facebook and seeing that Ryan had posted something about the band being on tour. I knew they were on tour, I had seen pictures in my newsfeed that he and Michael were tagged in and I remember Michael posting things about how excited he was. I cant remember what it even was that Ryan posted but for some reason it made me text Michael: "How's Tour". Only this time the conversation didn't stop...
To this day, the conversation hasn't stopped.
Michaels first night home from tour he came over. He got to my house at about 11 and we stayed up ALL NIGHT talking. I went to work from 8-5 and as tired as we were, he came over the second night and we did the same thing. We stayed up all night, the conversation just kept going. When the sun would come up, he would leave and I would get ready and go to work, 20oz Red Bull in hand. We both say that we knew on that second night that we would be together forever.
I can't explain it, I can't tell you how I knew. I just did. But I also knew that I didn't have to give up my fairytale husband and my "unrealistic" expectations. The truth is we have good days AND bad days, we know that neither of us is perfect but we are perfect for each other and we are willing to fight for this and work through anything that comes our way. That simple truth in itself makes the good days FAR outnumber the bad.
Michael is all of the things that I need AND want. He is the most loyal person I have ever met in my entire life, I know without a doubt that he always has our best interest at heart. He is so genuine and open, there is no "reading into" him, what you see is who he is. He has such a huge heart and is so giving. From stopping to help random people on the side of the road change a tire, to generously tipping or donating when he can he really loves to give and help. He is an amazing provider and head of household for Landon and I, we needed that. He loves Landon unconditionally and as if he were his own. He understood that from day one I came with a ready-made family and he has accepted that and stepped up to the challenge amazingly. Raising children is HARD WORK and it takes a REAL man to raise another mans child like his own. His faith and growing relationship with Christ is encouraging and inspiring to me.
I wish there was a way to tell all the girls/women out there who are dating that this real love exists. That you don't have to settle! That you can't change a man who doesn't want to be changed. That you know in your heart how you should be treated and if you aren't being treated that way then it isn't right, it isn't the love that's meant for you. That you won't find the love you deserve, drunk in a club in a dress that's probably a size too small. I know, I HAVE BEEN THERE. I am speaking from experience when I say you might find temporary companionship but not the respect you deserve. Michael RESPECTS me. He loves me without the makeup and cute outfit. He loves the purest, most vulnerable, open version of myself and he never judges. You also can't force love because of money, security, etc. You'll never be happy that way.
You must love a man as a whole, for who he is now and what he wants to become.
Michael,
Thank you for loving me and my child unconditionally. Thank you for being the man that God intended you to be. Thank you for taking leadership in this family. Thank you for wanting and valuing this relationship more than anything else on the planet. Thank you for being my best friend and loving me for the person I am today. Thank you for making me laugh until I cry and thank you for always continuing our conversation. Please know that I understand how blessed I am to have you and promise to never take advantage of that. I promise to appreciate you and all that you are for the rest of my life.
To infinity & beyond,
The future Mrs. Alexander (:
12.29.2013
New Years resolution.
So my New Years resolution this year is a little different then usual. I'm not vowing to lose weight or quit dr pepper. I'm aiming for something that will really affect my day to day life permanently and help me to be a happier person.
This year my New Years resolution is to stop caring so much what other people think of me. To stop trying to be friends with people who clearly don't want to be friends with me. To let the past stay in the past and always look forward.
This year I was so blessed to get a new best friend. Michael has been such a blessing in mine and Landon's lives in so many ways. One of those ways is he brought a new group of friends into my life. A group of friends that functions like a family and not like a high school clique.
It's always been hard for me to let go of old friends but sometimes that's just what you need. To let the past stay in the past. If people don't care enough about you to try and be in your life then why should you worry and stress about trying to remain theirs? I feel like I always thought I knew what friendship was about. Seeing Michael's relationships with his friends has shown me that I really had no clue and has also made me realize, sadly, that I have had very few REAL friends over the course of my life. It has also made me super grateful for the for the friends he has brought into my life.
I hope this change in my life will help me be a happier, fuller person and that I will stop letting my feelings get hurt as much.
What's your resolution?
This year my New Years resolution is to stop caring so much what other people think of me. To stop trying to be friends with people who clearly don't want to be friends with me. To let the past stay in the past and always look forward.
This year I was so blessed to get a new best friend. Michael has been such a blessing in mine and Landon's lives in so many ways. One of those ways is he brought a new group of friends into my life. A group of friends that functions like a family and not like a high school clique.
It's always been hard for me to let go of old friends but sometimes that's just what you need. To let the past stay in the past. If people don't care enough about you to try and be in your life then why should you worry and stress about trying to remain theirs? I feel like I always thought I knew what friendship was about. Seeing Michael's relationships with his friends has shown me that I really had no clue and has also made me realize, sadly, that I have had very few REAL friends over the course of my life. It has also made me super grateful for the for the friends he has brought into my life.
I hope this change in my life will help me be a happier, fuller person and that I will stop letting my feelings get hurt as much.
What's your resolution?
1.21.2013
I have a dream...
Politics aside, today is a pretty amazing day.
I have so many feelings about this subject so I am going to try my best to organize the clutter in my head the best that I can.
Wow... Our country has come so far, we as people have come so far. A LOT of us still have far to go and we aren't quite where we should be but... we have a black president.
I am so proud to say that I live in a country where a person who once had to use seperate bathroom and sit in the back of the bus can now run for and even become our president.
Did I vote for him? No. But it had nothing to do with his skin color, after all he bleeds the same as I do.
Racism has always been something that truely HURT my heart. That someone should be treated less or devalued because their skin has a different mix of pigments and whatever else it is that makes skin different colors, has never made sense to me. Hair is different colors... skin is different colors. We are all people.
I can't imagine what it was like to live back in that time. Back when people were punished for their genetic make up.
50 years ago a bold man made a bold speech that started to change the course of history. I would give anything to see his face today, to talk to him and ask him how it makes him feel after all this time to see a black man RUNNING our country.
Politics aside.. the previous 4 years aside... the next 4 years aside. Something that so many people never ever thought would happen has happened. Today I am so proud of our country. I am afraid for our country, but I am proud of it the same.
I have so many feelings about this subject so I am going to try my best to organize the clutter in my head the best that I can.
Wow... Our country has come so far, we as people have come so far. A LOT of us still have far to go and we aren't quite where we should be but... we have a black president.
I am so proud to say that I live in a country where a person who once had to use seperate bathroom and sit in the back of the bus can now run for and even become our president.
Did I vote for him? No. But it had nothing to do with his skin color, after all he bleeds the same as I do.
Racism has always been something that truely HURT my heart. That someone should be treated less or devalued because their skin has a different mix of pigments and whatever else it is that makes skin different colors, has never made sense to me. Hair is different colors... skin is different colors. We are all people.
I can't imagine what it was like to live back in that time. Back when people were punished for their genetic make up.
50 years ago a bold man made a bold speech that started to change the course of history. I would give anything to see his face today, to talk to him and ask him how it makes him feel after all this time to see a black man RUNNING our country.
Politics aside.. the previous 4 years aside... the next 4 years aside. Something that so many people never ever thought would happen has happened. Today I am so proud of our country. I am afraid for our country, but I am proud of it the same.
10.30.2012
am I broken?
@#^%^&^%$%&^%&#$%@#&#
pretty much sums up the current state of activity going on inside my noggin.
Soooo I was supposed to run a 5k 2 weekends ago, remember that?
yeah, me too... how could I ever forget staying up until midnight working on my tutu that would have completed my totally awesome Wonder Woman costume. To run in. Cause I'm a bad ass.
Welp, didn't happen folks... I woke up bright and early Saturday morning with a fever and a head cold and my body told me I wasn't going anywhere but bed. At the time I was super bummed but the next few days reminded me that only God sees the biggest picture and even though I may not always like the road He pushes me down... HE knows what is best for me.
Monday October 22, 2012
I go to the doctor.
I NEVERRRRR go to the doctor.
like ever (Taylor Swift style).
I went to the doctor for one particular non life threatening relatively minor thing and come out of my appointment in.... i don't even know what. I felt dazed, heavy, kind of like I wasn't actually present in my own life. Like I was watching in from outside, weird i know.
I've never had any health issues... My medical record probably reads something like:
birth
cold
cold
ER visit to remove nose ring (yeahhhhh don't ask)
cold
gave birth
prettyyyyyyyyy simple stuff. and now this...
I get an EKG, I have to get labs, then I go get a chest Xray, then I'm scheduled for a ECHO (heart ultrasound), and I need to get a heart monitor put on.
Marfan syndrome is a disorder of the connective tissue. Connective tissue holds all parts of the body together and helps control how the body grows. Because connective tissue is found throughout the body, Marfan syndrome features can occur in many different parts of the body.
This is NOT what I have been diagnosed with yet... but it IS what my Doctor thinks I have. I had my ECHO yesterday and as soon as she reads it she will let me know if I have this or not. If I do have this, it's not a death sentence... I can live a pretty normal life. I just have to go to the cardiologist regularly as my aortic valve could rip at any time & I would be at a high risk for aneurysms. No more running tho.
pretty much sums up the current state of activity going on inside my noggin.
Soooo I was supposed to run a 5k 2 weekends ago, remember that?
yeah, me too... how could I ever forget staying up until midnight working on my tutu that would have completed my totally awesome Wonder Woman costume. To run in. Cause I'm a bad ass.
Welp, didn't happen folks... I woke up bright and early Saturday morning with a fever and a head cold and my body told me I wasn't going anywhere but bed. At the time I was super bummed but the next few days reminded me that only God sees the biggest picture and even though I may not always like the road He pushes me down... HE knows what is best for me.
Monday October 22, 2012
I go to the doctor.
I NEVERRRRR go to the doctor.
like ever (Taylor Swift style).
I went to the doctor for one particular non life threatening relatively minor thing and come out of my appointment in.... i don't even know what. I felt dazed, heavy, kind of like I wasn't actually present in my own life. Like I was watching in from outside, weird i know.
I've never had any health issues... My medical record probably reads something like:
birth
cold
cold
ER visit to remove nose ring (yeahhhhh don't ask)
cold
gave birth
prettyyyyyyyyy simple stuff. and now this...
I get an EKG, I have to get labs, then I go get a chest Xray, then I'm scheduled for a ECHO (heart ultrasound), and I need to get a heart monitor put on.
Marfan syndrome is a disorder of the connective tissue. Connective tissue holds all parts of the body together and helps control how the body grows. Because connective tissue is found throughout the body, Marfan syndrome features can occur in many different parts of the body.
Marfan syndrome features are most often found in the heart, blood vessels, bones, joints, and eyes. Sometimes the lungs and skin are also affected. Marfan syndrome does not affect intelligence.
About 1 in 5,000 people have Marfan syndrome. This includes men and women of all races and ethnic groups.
What are the features of Marfan syndrome?Because connective tissue is found throughout the entire body, the disorder manifests itself in many body systems. The most common features are:
- Tall stature - affected people are usually, but not always, taller than other people in their family
- Arms, legs, fingers and toes are disproportionately long, as compared to the trunk
- Loose-jointedness
- Indented or protruding chest bone
- Scoliosis
- Flat feet
- Nearsighteness
- Dislocated lens
There is no cure. People with Marfan syndrome are at risk of aortic enlargement. Without proper management, i.e., drug therapy and lifestyle modifications, the aorta (the large blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart) is prone to enlarge and could dissect (tear) or rupture. An aortic rupture is usually fatal.
I feel so uncomfortable asking for prayers for myself, so I will ask for prayers for Landon. He needs his Momma.
With Love,
Leia & Landon
P.S. totally gonna be rockin' the weird blue jelly heart monitor on my birthday next week. par-tay.
Rockin It... Like a boss.
10.17.2012
"you suck at life"
Weird Wednesday Randomness
This post is not going to make sense as a WHOLE to a lot of you, but to a few of you random parts will make absolute perfect sense. Consider yourself lucky (:
This post is totally stupid and pointless and if you don't understand you'll think I'm an idiot... but if you do, I'll have made you smile... or laugh. you're welcome. i love you.
ONE
Firstly, If you have a child that you don't take care of, don't help financially, and don't make an active effort to see... you suck at life. (period).
TWO
"how's the married life?"
"It's great, she's never around"
Love you for that. No really, Love you.
THREE
I am running my first 5k on Saturday, whoop whoop! Not exactly as I originally planned because someone decided that they didn't want to see their child this weekend and therefore mommy will be running with a jogging stroller full of cute cuddly Landon awesomeness. He will get to play in the fun kiddie after-race festivities and I get to keep my little boo all weekend. Win Win my friend... you only THOUGHT you were punishing me.
P.S. letting me keep my child on your weekend will never be a punishment, so keep on punishing bruh.
FOUR
There's a snake in my boot.
FIVE
I have a birthday coming up in 3 weeks. Kinda cool, just sayin... in case you were wanting to get me a fab watch or something. hint. hint.
SIX
Sooooo this happened....
& then this happened....
EIGHT
I am the proud cousin of a brand spankin' new baby boy. He's kinda perfect. He is already a rockstar. I'm super in love. We clearly have amazing genes in this fam. real talk.
NINE
"will you dance with me"
"ummm, no"
"why not"
::points at hands::
"If he's got an M on his hands, he's too young for you bro"
TEN
Is it CHRISTMAS yet?!
With love,
Leia & Landon
This post is not going to make sense as a WHOLE to a lot of you, but to a few of you random parts will make absolute perfect sense. Consider yourself lucky (:
This post is totally stupid and pointless and if you don't understand you'll think I'm an idiot... but if you do, I'll have made you smile... or laugh. you're welcome. i love you.
ONE
Firstly, If you have a child that you don't take care of, don't help financially, and don't make an active effort to see... you suck at life. (period).
TWO
"how's the married life?"
"It's great, she's never around"
Love you for that. No really, Love you.
THREE
I am running my first 5k on Saturday, whoop whoop! Not exactly as I originally planned because someone decided that they didn't want to see their child this weekend and therefore mommy will be running with a jogging stroller full of cute cuddly Landon awesomeness. He will get to play in the fun kiddie after-race festivities and I get to keep my little boo all weekend. Win Win my friend... you only THOUGHT you were punishing me.
P.S. letting me keep my child on your weekend will never be a punishment, so keep on punishing bruh.
FOUR
There's a snake in my boot.
FIVE
I have a birthday coming up in 3 weeks. Kinda cool, just sayin... in case you were wanting to get me a fab watch or something. hint. hint.
SIX
Sooooo this happened....
& this happened....
& then this happened....
SEVEN
"I can't even handle you right now"
EIGHT
I am the proud cousin of a brand spankin' new baby boy. He's kinda perfect. He is already a rockstar. I'm super in love. We clearly have amazing genes in this fam. real talk.
NINE
"will you dance with me"
"ummm, no"
"why not"
::points at hands::
"If he's got an M on his hands, he's too young for you bro"
TEN
Is it CHRISTMAS yet?!
With love,
Leia & Landon
10.03.2012
Tie Dye For!
2.5 weeks...
TWO AND A HALF WEEKS
In a VERY short 2 1/2 weeks I will be running my first evahhhhh 5k. I've never ran more than a mile consecutively in my LIFEEEE. It should be noted that it was pure hell. 8th grade torture.
I'm starting to wonder if I am really going to be able to run the whole thing. I mean I CAN walk if I just can't do it any more... they aren't going to set me on fire or anything. I just WANT to run the whole thing. I do what I want....
I have also picked my next race and am trying to get a team together! Its the Color Me Rad 5K in Austin, TX and it is going to be TOTALLY RAD! You wear ALL white and by the end of the run you are totally tie-dyed from your head to your feet. Fun. Stellar amounts of FUN. We have 4 people SO FAR (I know all of you are going to join us!) and our team name is TIE-DYE FOR, super clever... Im aware (:
Please Note: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RUN THIS RACE. Walkers are totes welcome... but the bottom line is this. You have these color packs that you get to throw and its WAY more fun to peg your friends with color bombs then it is to tie-dye perfect strangers. duh.
The race is December 8th so you have plenty of time to let the fun marinate in your brain. do it. It'll be to tie-dye for!
Our life has been SO BUSY lately. With trips to Austin on the weekends and work and school and lifeeeeeeeee. Cray.
I HAVE NOT BEEN FOLLOWING MY TRAINING PLAN. Fail. I am gonna have to get busy in the next few weeks or look like a total foolface on race day. serious face.
With Love,
Leia & Landon
P.S. In case I haven't convinced you yet....
P.S. In case I haven't convinced you yet....
9.21.2012
It's not you, It's me...
I clearly have blog commitment issues, my bad yo.
I haven't posted in a hot minute because last week was a little on the cray-cray side.
Last Friday after I posted my Friday Photo Dump I got a text from my friend Claire. While I haven't actually "hung out" with Claire in about 3 years (she moved to Lubbock for school & I made a human being, big stuff ya know) we're the kind of friends that can pick up right where we left off like we saw each other yesterday.
So the text says "did you hear about David."
One of those moments your heart sinks and you instantly know something bad has happened...
I walked out of my office and called her
"hello"
"whats wrong"
"David was in a really bad car accident last night"
While the blog-o-sphere is not the place for all the details of my feelings for this sweet man, I will say this... David Estrada is VERY high on the list of my favorite people in the universe.
The rest of the conversation was basically along the lines of her telling me he was alive & could potentially end up paralyzed. We made plans to go to the hospital to see him and then I had to go back to my desk and pretend to think about my job while getting updates from his sweet mother. Saying I prayed a lot that afternoon doesn't even cover it, I was literally hands-clasped-head-down talking to God at my desk. I never got mad, or asked why. I knew David wouldn't, his love for God is unwavering and I knew no matter what ended up happening he would never get mad... he would never ask why.
Saturday morning I got up early and headed to Austin. I met up with Claire and we went and bought David some (super manly) sunflowers and a silly card, grabbed some hot lunch for his parents, and headed to the hospital. We were both so nervous. I don't think you can ever really prepare yourself for seeing someone you love so much in a neck brace and hooked up to all kinds of machines in a hospital. My stomach was in knots all morning and I was running off pure nervous energy. At this point he had already been through surgery and had two vertebrae in his neck fused together. They said if his neck was to have slipped ONE MILLIMETER more... he would have been paralyzed, but it was a little easier going in to see him knowing the surgery was successful and that he was on the downhill side of this whole mess.
When we went in he was in really good spirits (thanks pain meds!) & that made it a lot easier. There were jokes and forehead kisses exchanged (his hands were bothering him so he couldn't hug us). My mommy instincts kicked in pretty hard and I wanted to do everything for him but knew I couldn't, that was the hardest. We spent about an hour with him and then another hour in the lobby talking to his mom while family went to see him. His mom amazed me through this whole thing! She was being so strong & resilient for David.
I spent a few more hours at the hospital Sunday Morning & he was moved to a different floor where he didn't have to be hooked up to so many machines and the nurses didn't check on him as often. He has since been moved to a Rehab facility and is doing really great. Since it's Landon's weekend with his daddy, (insert sad face here) I am planning on staying the weekend in Austin again. I'll go see David and catch up with an old friend... chill mode.
For all of you that saw my posts on Facebook & prayed for my sweet friend, thank you... from the bottom of my heart!
In other newsssssssss......
WE GOT A PUPPY!
He is a 5 month old Pomeranian named Hurley & he is PERFECT for our little family. He and Landon are such BFF's already.
With Love,
Leia & Landon
I haven't posted in a hot minute because last week was a little on the cray-cray side.
Last Friday after I posted my Friday Photo Dump I got a text from my friend Claire. While I haven't actually "hung out" with Claire in about 3 years (she moved to Lubbock for school & I made a human being, big stuff ya know) we're the kind of friends that can pick up right where we left off like we saw each other yesterday.
So the text says "did you hear about David."
One of those moments your heart sinks and you instantly know something bad has happened...
I walked out of my office and called her
"hello"
"whats wrong"
"David was in a really bad car accident last night"
While the blog-o-sphere is not the place for all the details of my feelings for this sweet man, I will say this... David Estrada is VERY high on the list of my favorite people in the universe.
The rest of the conversation was basically along the lines of her telling me he was alive & could potentially end up paralyzed. We made plans to go to the hospital to see him and then I had to go back to my desk and pretend to think about my job while getting updates from his sweet mother. Saying I prayed a lot that afternoon doesn't even cover it, I was literally hands-clasped-head-down talking to God at my desk. I never got mad, or asked why. I knew David wouldn't, his love for God is unwavering and I knew no matter what ended up happening he would never get mad... he would never ask why.
Saturday morning I got up early and headed to Austin. I met up with Claire and we went and bought David some (super manly) sunflowers and a silly card, grabbed some hot lunch for his parents, and headed to the hospital. We were both so nervous. I don't think you can ever really prepare yourself for seeing someone you love so much in a neck brace and hooked up to all kinds of machines in a hospital. My stomach was in knots all morning and I was running off pure nervous energy. At this point he had already been through surgery and had two vertebrae in his neck fused together. They said if his neck was to have slipped ONE MILLIMETER more... he would have been paralyzed, but it was a little easier going in to see him knowing the surgery was successful and that he was on the downhill side of this whole mess.
When we went in he was in really good spirits (thanks pain meds!) & that made it a lot easier. There were jokes and forehead kisses exchanged (his hands were bothering him so he couldn't hug us). My mommy instincts kicked in pretty hard and I wanted to do everything for him but knew I couldn't, that was the hardest. We spent about an hour with him and then another hour in the lobby talking to his mom while family went to see him. His mom amazed me through this whole thing! She was being so strong & resilient for David.
I spent a few more hours at the hospital Sunday Morning & he was moved to a different floor where he didn't have to be hooked up to so many machines and the nurses didn't check on him as often. He has since been moved to a Rehab facility and is doing really great. Since it's Landon's weekend with his daddy, (insert sad face here) I am planning on staying the weekend in Austin again. I'll go see David and catch up with an old friend... chill mode.
For all of you that saw my posts on Facebook & prayed for my sweet friend, thank you... from the bottom of my heart!
In other newsssssssss......
WE GOT A PUPPY!
He is a 5 month old Pomeranian named Hurley & he is PERFECT for our little family. He and Landon are such BFF's already.
With Love,
Leia & Landon
9.14.2012
Friday Photo Dump v.2
The "big boy" slide... he went down like, ohhhh 200 times
Climbing up for more! Little L doesn't want Mommys help anymore ):
Hydration. It's kinda important...
First day of school excitement! (Or mommy just gave me gummy snacks excitement)
first-thing-in-the-morning-half-asleep smiles & a booger trying to escape... dude.
The Soy Chai Latte. My favorite drink. Year 'round. Tastes like Christmas. Try it.
This VENTI latte however decided it did not want to be put into my stomach and instead took a dive for my lap. Oh ya, did I mention this happened AT WORK. Cue the sippy cup jokes...
Totes made up for it by bringing pineapple upside down cupcakes to work today. bam.
It's Friday, Friday, Gotta get down on Friday!
This song pops into my head EVERY Friday, I hate it but its always there waiting for me... & now it's stuck in your head. You're Welcome.
A BOY?!
Tonight I'm having a much needed mommys-night-out! Dinner & drinks & music with friends... and a boy. I know, I know, I keep saying I'm giving up on stinky boys but what am I supposed to do when a SUPER cute nurse tells me he wants to hang out? say no? Pshhhhhhhhhh, you clearly don't know me.
Get on my level.
The Great Food Day Drama
Here is a little side note on courtesy & manners... in case ya mamma didn't learn ya none. If you ever happen to work in an office setting and your spectacular co-workers decide they want to have a potluck/food day, participate. Bring something or donate a few dolla dolla bills yo. If you don't participate... DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT go start making yourself a plate at 10am before anyone else. Ummm, rude. People who did participate are now not eating because there isn't enough food left and then people are forced to give you the stink-eye... no bueno.
The Great Food Day Drama
Here is a little side note on courtesy & manners... in case ya mamma didn't learn ya none. If you ever happen to work in an office setting and your spectacular co-workers decide they want to have a potluck/food day, participate. Bring something or donate a few dolla dolla bills yo. If you don't participate... DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT go start making yourself a plate at 10am before anyone else. Ummm, rude. People who did participate are now not eating because there isn't enough food left and then people are forced to give you the stink-eye... no bueno.
With Love,
Leia & Landon
9.11.2012
It's never too late, to change your life.
Anyone who has been reading my blog recently knows I decided to make a little change in my life, and some of you are wondering why? why now? why running?
The truth is I don't really know WHY. I just know I want to do it.
There are a few little stepping stones that lead me to running... like, I'm a single mom. Umm, any single momma's ever tried to go to the gym? (P.S. small town, no fancy smancy daycare centers at our gyms) It's just not practical for ME. Get a sitter to go work out? Silly.
Then there's that whole thing with the really-cute-guy-who-sent-me-flowers-and-ended-up-douchey who GAVE ME a jogging stroller (you know they say people come into your life for a reason, maybe I was supposed to get a little heart hurt so I could get a jogging stroller and start running. glass half full. hello?).
I also have a few friends that run & one in particular who has been blogging about her new love of running. It was inspiring. It made me want to run (almost) immediately so that I could love something that much.
But mainly... I want something for me. On August 21st, 2010 I became a Momma, and since that day my whole little world has revolved around my sweet Little L. I spend 24 hours a day in Mommy mode. I love it, I think I'm good at it, It makes me feel so fulfilled. I wouldn't trade a second of that time, but at only 24 years old I find myself wanting something for me. Is that selfish? Running just seems like the logical answer. Out there it'll just be me, no labels. Of course I can never totally escape mommy mode because I instantly think what a good role model I will be for a healthy lifestyle & how I can't wait for him to get big enough to run 5k's with me. Geez we will be cute.
& finally, lets face it... runners are BAD ASS(period)
^then there's that^
& we all know I LOVE me some Dr. Seuss...
So there's that... guess it kinda sounds like I do know the answer to "why running?" huh?
On another running related note, It's on my bucket list to run a (lot of) marathon (s). 26.2 miles. YES.
So the whole plan is I'm gradually building up to that, I already announced my first race will be the CASA Superhero 5k. I fully plan on dressing up & It's for a good cause....
The Superhero CASA 5K Series is a series of walk/run family events held throughout Texas. All proceeds benefit local CASA programs and volunteers. CASA volunteers win their superhero status by advocating for the best interests of abused or neglected children in foster care.
So check out the website because they have events all over Texas, & If you want to do the Waco event you officially have Wonder Woman (me) as a running buddy. Pretty legit. Just sayin'
Now for the most EXCITING part of this post.... drumroll please....
I have picked my first half-marathon!!!!
In March I will be running (with Christine & hopefully Tam) ZOOMA in Austin! Seriously, check out their website. It sounds like SO much fun! We are going to make a girls weekend out of it and I'm super stoaked. Since it's in March it gives me plenty of time to run more races and build myself up to a half! I never in my life imagined I would (or would WANT TO) run 13.1 miles and now I can't freaking wait!
run. laugh. celebrate.
Imagine a powerful sea of women on the move–encouraging fellow runners, creating unforgettable moments, and celebrating personal running triumphs. Picture a post-race party and expo all wrapped up in one memorable “after-party expo” where these strong goal-oriented women come together for well-deserved celebration. This is the Muscle Milk Light ZOOMA Women’s Race Series.
So if anyone would like to go with us, we would LOVE to have you! It's going to be super fun, I can't wait to experience crossing the finish line after 13.1 miles! I know I'm going to be SO proud of myself for pushing myself further and harder than ever before!
With love,
Just silly Leia
P.S. Tamara, I'm pretty sure I'm on track (haha) to becoming a "straight up runner junkie" too (:
9.10.2012
Dear Monday,
Dear Monday, you will forever be remembered as the day I started this running journey I'm on. That's right official 5k training starts TODAY!
Dear annoying dog, although you are huge and hairy and kind of mean looking, you are not a werewolf and therefore are not required to howl at the moon at 2am...
Dear Little L, geez louise kid, you are a freakin' rockstar! Today you started a new "school" and you were such a big boy about it. In fact, you have been a rockstar about all the changes in our life recently (& there have been a lot). I'm so blessed to have such a go-with-the-flow kid. Thanks for being a morning person, when mommy is not. Thanks for being so freakin' adorable. Thanks for being my little dude. -Love Big L
Dear dating life, You currently suck... and I'm growing to hate your awkwardness and string of let-downs. You are turning into a blog series in the making... happening.
Dear weekend. you're kinda lazy... I'm thinking you should put in a request to work an extra day of the week... as in permanent 3 day weekend. I mean the week is 5 days and you're just 2, slacker.
Dear workday, please. end. quickly. I can't wait to pick up little L and see how his first day went, I can't wait to go run tonight, I can't wait to clean my kitchen... oh wait, that's a fib. I'm a fibber, ignore that last one.
Dear first patient of the morning, your optimism and faith in God in light of your circumstances really touched my heart. You served as a reminder of God's unfailing love for me. Thank you for the blessing that you were to me today. You will certainly be in my prayers.
With love,
Leia & Landon
Dear annoying dog, although you are huge and hairy and kind of mean looking, you are not a werewolf and therefore are not required to howl at the moon at 2am...
Dear Little L, geez louise kid, you are a freakin' rockstar! Today you started a new "school" and you were such a big boy about it. In fact, you have been a rockstar about all the changes in our life recently (& there have been a lot). I'm so blessed to have such a go-with-the-flow kid. Thanks for being a morning person, when mommy is not. Thanks for being so freakin' adorable. Thanks for being my little dude. -Love Big L
Dear dating life, You currently suck... and I'm growing to hate your awkwardness and string of let-downs. You are turning into a blog series in the making... happening.
Dear weekend. you're kinda lazy... I'm thinking you should put in a request to work an extra day of the week... as in permanent 3 day weekend. I mean the week is 5 days and you're just 2, slacker.
Dear workday, please. end. quickly. I can't wait to pick up little L and see how his first day went, I can't wait to go run tonight, I can't wait to clean my kitchen... oh wait, that's a fib. I'm a fibber, ignore that last one.
Dear first patient of the morning, your optimism and faith in God in light of your circumstances really touched my heart. You served as a reminder of God's unfailing love for me. Thank you for the blessing that you were to me today. You will certainly be in my prayers.
With love,
Leia & Landon
9.09.2012
When did THAT happen?
I'm sorry, this is a super sappy momma post. At least I warned ya...
When did this tiny little jelly bean, resting safe inside momma's tummy...
When did that happen?!
Tomorrow is Landon's first day at First Church Preschool, and Momma is feeling a little sappy. For most of the first year of his life I was blessed to spend every day with him, and since then he has mostly been in in-home care. He has gone to one other "daycare" but this one is completely different, they are actually going to teach him things and he will be going to chapel. Like, what!? I guess it's time for Momma to start seeing this little boy the way the rest of the world does... as a...(gulp) kid (insert crying mother here).
He is still such a baby in my heart, and I know he is only two but it's starting to hit me like...
HE IS TWO! HALF-WAY-TO-THIRTY-MOM-STOP-KISSING-ME-SO-MUCH TWO!
Not fair, so not fair.
Time FLIES when your having fun. And that my friends, is the truth.
With love,
Leia & Landon
When did this tiny little jelly bean, resting safe inside momma's tummy...
Become this little toot...
When did that happen?!
Tomorrow is Landon's first day at First Church Preschool, and Momma is feeling a little sappy. For most of the first year of his life I was blessed to spend every day with him, and since then he has mostly been in in-home care. He has gone to one other "daycare" but this one is completely different, they are actually going to teach him things and he will be going to chapel. Like, what!? I guess it's time for Momma to start seeing this little boy the way the rest of the world does... as a...(gulp) kid (insert crying mother here).
He is still such a baby in my heart, and I know he is only two but it's starting to hit me like...
HE IS TWO! HALF-WAY-TO-THIRTY-MOM-STOP-KISSING-ME-SO-MUCH TWO!
Not fair, so not fair.
Time FLIES when your having fun. And that my friends, is the truth.
With love,
Leia & Landon
9.07.2012
Notice something different?
WELCOME TO THE NEW IMPROVED
sunny side up!
This place needed a reconstruct, badly.
& so it happened.
& so I'm in love with it.
I was so on the verge of paying someone to design a new blog for me. Then I woke up from la la land, remembered I'm blogging on a notepad budget & got to work. Several tutorials and a few hours later, I'm SUPER pleased w/ myself.
I got the background pattern FO FREE over @ The Cutest Blog on the Block. Their stuff if pretty presh. They also have lots of great tutorials!
You may now return to your normally scheduled programming.
With love,
Just silly Leia
(my next project is one of those cute signatures, presh.)
Friday Photo Dump v.1
Friday Photo Dump:
Momma & Landon after our very first 5k training sesh (9/6/12)!
Little boo in the fort his super stellar momma made him
1 part boy + 1 part indoor fort = this precious face!
Watching Cars in the Car... maybe he thought it was 3D? Maybe he is just THAT cool?
Don't let that golden color fool you, that's an apple in that ketchup, and he ate them all that way.
This wall will exist in my dining room as of next weekend
& one for nostalgia... fresh new baby-ness
Weekly Wants:
If you've been keeping up with my life, you'll know I'm trying something new & this list will make more sense.
(1)
Running Shoes
If I'm going to get serious about this, my sophomore year (high school, yes.) kicks aren't going to cut it anymore.
(2)
Hair STUFF
I'm getting ready for my walk/run yesterday and I realize I have no hair ties or head bands... WHAT?! What kind of woman am I? I've bought bazillions of hair ties in my life and I seriously can't find one hidden in an old purse or the bottom back corner of my vanity, really?
(3)
This outfit.
For the Superhero 5k. Sweet. Yes. Happening.
(4)
Water
This is more of a goal than a want, I NEED to start drinking more water. Goodbye Dr. Pepper ):
With Love,
Just silly Leia
P.S. Runners... what do you eat? Before/After training? Before/After a race?
9.06.2012
Perhaps, I've lost my mind...
Please sit down. On the edge of your seat though... you know, with anticipation and all....
HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
I have decided to become.... a runner.
There will now be a brief intermission to allow those of you who know me personally time to pick yourselves up off the floor and stop laughing so hard you can't read this...
Oh, you can breathe again? Great!
This has been something I've been secretly wanting to try for a long time. People who run LOVE it. So, I'm going to go for it! Thankfully I have a friend who is as psychotic as I am & who was super stoaked about this idea. So now I have a running buddy. We already have a training schedule calendar printed out & in SIX WEEKS we are planning on running the Superhero 5k in Waco! The training plan we found online is 5 weeks, so we are just adding an extra week for good measure.
The goal at this point is just to finish the run, as I have no idea what a fast time/slow time is for one of these things. I do however know one thing... even if I am dead last, if (WHEN) I finish... Im going to be so proud of myself!
So really now, lets get down to the dirt. Im terrified. But in like a good way? Makes sense, totally makes sense.
I can't wait to start running regularly and going to all kinds of neat races, and making all kinds of new running friends, and running for all kinds of great causes. Don't runners just seem so cool? They do, they totally do.
Not to mention getting my fitness onnnnn, hayyyyyyy girllllll!
So here is to the longggggggg road ahead!
With love,
Just silly Leia
9.02.2012
The Potty Chronicles. Part III of IV
Nothing Eventful.
Today was DAY 2 of potty training weekend and I am here to report... nothing eventful.
He still happily sits on the potty every time the music plays and I didn't have to clean up near as much pee off the floor. However, there has been no pee-in-toilet action as of yet. I am not discouraged! I feel like people are waiting around for me to pull my hair out or cry, that will not be happening. This is merely an experiment... if it works, righteous.
I think if nothing else it will have served as a great opening to further potty training and it has shown me that he is comfortable with the potty, which is a little relieving after some of the my-toddler-has-toiletphobia stories I've been told!
Tomorrow is the last day, while I am hoping for at least a little pee-in-toilet action I will not be disappointed if it still doesn't happen.
With Love,
Leia & Landon
9.01.2012
The Potty Chronicles. Part II of IV
(Did anyone even notice my toilet has a stash?!)
Today was DAY 1 of the potty training weekend, and as typical with a 2 year old and all kinds of life happening outside our house, it didn't go quite as planned.
Last night I downloaded Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO and set that as the alarm on my phone. I set up the snooze to go off every 20 min, and we adopted the song as our POTTY rock anthem! Landon loved it! Every time it started playing we would dance to the bathroom and then sit on the potty. Not ONCE did he ever fuss about sitting on the potty, I was a proud momma.
I always made sure his sippy cup was FULL and that it was near him at all times, I wanted him to pee ALOT today. I kinda figure the way this whole thing works is that your putting them on the toilet so much that eventually they are going to pee in the potty if they mean to or not. So I figured loading him full of fluids increased our odds. He ended up not going in the toilet at all this morning (but I fully expected that) and he peed on the floor 6 times (and I fully expected that). I had already rolled up all the rugs in the house and bought a JUMBO thing of Clorox wipes for just that purpose. I'm letting the kid walk around without a diaper for 3 days, I fully plan on cleaning up LOTS of pee.
I would like to take a moment to pay respects to the first two casualties of potty training weekend. They gave up their clean, dry stuffing for the greater good. Thank you for your service.
After a tiny nap we had a baby shower to go to, I took our potty seat just in case he asked to go and I even took him twice, but I didn't push him to go on a schedule and I had him in a diaper. That ended up being a good decision as over-stimulation and sweets had him on the verge of a meltdown all afternoon. After the shower my parents wanted to go to dinner and then we went shopping. ::Surprise, Surprise:: Landon got all kinds of new clothes. Every time my parents celebrate anything, Landon gets new stuff. Papaw's birthday, Landon gets toys. Nonna & Papaw's anniversary, Landon gets clothes.
Based on the fact that we had fun this morning and Landon is obviously comfortable with sitting on the toilet, I would count DAY 1 as a SUCCESS.
I'm actually really super stoaked to wake up tomorrow and clean up more pee, no really. I am! Hopefully we will have at least one amazing potty story to tell!
With Love,
Leia & Landon.
8.31.2012
The Potty Chronicles: Part I of IV
dun, dun, dun....
Anyone ever heard of the 72 hour potty training boot-camp method. (what? boot-camp? no way... only a crazy person would put a toddler through boot-camp. sheesh.)
If you haven't, Google it. Seriously, its real and has worked for a lot of people. Hopefully in part IV I will be telling you that we are now proudly one of that lot-of-people.
So basically what will happen is mommy might go crazy starting tomorrow morning when Landon wakes up the diaper comes off, hopefully (if it works) never to return again! For the next 3 days I will have an alarm set on my phone. Every 15 min the first day, 20 the second, 30 the third. When it goes off Landon will sit on the potty and eventually he will (hopefully) start to use it. They (who the heck is they?!) say if you stick with it, your baby will be completely potty trained in 3 days. I figure even if it doesn't work it'll be a good start.
Plus how cool would it be if it did work?!
We are taking the 3 day potty challenge! Wish us (mommy) luck (patience)!
With Love,
Leia & Landon
That whole motherhood thing....
::This blog post is dedicated to my dear friend Rachel Anderson, who raises her 3 precious boys in a very different way then I raise my sweet little... and I still think she's super mom.::
This has been writing itself in my head, and heart, for quite a while. So here goes...
Women are SO mean to each other... ridiculously mean to each other. ALL women. But this particular post isn't about all women, its specifically about women-with-children.
Motherhood is HARD! Don't for a second let anyone tell you differently, it may be easier for some then others but it's still HARD. How can it not be? When you're a mother your responsible for another persons life (kinda a big deal, just sayin'). You're responsible for the person that they ultimately become! The decisions and choices and chances to totally SCREW UP are huge!
So let's take it back a little. Mommy's, please take a look at several of your closest friends. People you love, adore, trust, get stupid face wasted with (or not, i won't judge)... those people. Think about how they were raised. Was it exactly the same as you? No. It wasn't, even if it was similar it wasn't exactly the same... so why are we so shocked that we all raise our kids differently?
More importantly, who are we to say "I'm crunchy & you're silky and therefore you're not raising your children the right way". If you're like me the first time you read that you said "say whaaaa?!" Crunchy moms? Silky moms? When did we start becoming parfait choices?! Why can't we each just raise our kids the way we see fit. As long as women are loving and taking care of their children, who are we to judge if a mother ::gasp:: doesn't vaccinate, or ::faint:: had her son circumcised... don't even get me started on breastfeeding, that is an entire post in itself.
If you're a mother that makes EDUCATED decisions for your child's life, you will not feel judged by me! I have a friend who has made some decisions in her children's lives that differ from my own. She doesn't vaccinate, and she chose to have her 3rd son not circumcised. She posts articles and comments on her facebook page explaining why she made these decisions and I personally respect her more for it. I vaccinate, and Landon was circ and I still read EVERY article my friend posts. She loves her boys, she takes fantastic care of them, and she educates herself fully before she makes any decision regarding their lives. To me, that's an incredible mom! Why should i feel the need to judge her, or "hate on her". It's her duty as a mother to make the important decisions and she is doing just that.
I'm not saying we all have to sit around and sing kumbaya together but sheesh ladies... being a mommy is hard enough without other mommy's telling you you're not doing it right. So lets stop "hatin'" on each other and start patting each other on the back.
Spread the love!
I double dog dare you to pick at least one other mother and tell her what a fantastic job she's doing, do it.
With Love,
Just Leia
This has been writing itself in my head, and heart, for quite a while. So here goes...
Women are SO mean to each other... ridiculously mean to each other. ALL women. But this particular post isn't about all women, its specifically about women-with-children.
Motherhood is HARD! Don't for a second let anyone tell you differently, it may be easier for some then others but it's still HARD. How can it not be? When you're a mother your responsible for another persons life (kinda a big deal, just sayin'). You're responsible for the person that they ultimately become! The decisions and choices and chances to totally SCREW UP are huge!
So let's take it back a little. Mommy's, please take a look at several of your closest friends. People you love, adore, trust, get stupid face wasted with (or not, i won't judge)... those people. Think about how they were raised. Was it exactly the same as you? No. It wasn't, even if it was similar it wasn't exactly the same... so why are we so shocked that we all raise our kids differently?
More importantly, who are we to say "I'm crunchy & you're silky and therefore you're not raising your children the right way". If you're like me the first time you read that you said "say whaaaa?!" Crunchy moms? Silky moms? When did we start becoming parfait choices?! Why can't we each just raise our kids the way we see fit. As long as women are loving and taking care of their children, who are we to judge if a mother ::gasp:: doesn't vaccinate, or ::faint:: had her son circumcised... don't even get me started on breastfeeding, that is an entire post in itself.
If you're a mother that makes EDUCATED decisions for your child's life, you will not feel judged by me! I have a friend who has made some decisions in her children's lives that differ from my own. She doesn't vaccinate, and she chose to have her 3rd son not circumcised. She posts articles and comments on her facebook page explaining why she made these decisions and I personally respect her more for it. I vaccinate, and Landon was circ and I still read EVERY article my friend posts. She loves her boys, she takes fantastic care of them, and she educates herself fully before she makes any decision regarding their lives. To me, that's an incredible mom! Why should i feel the need to judge her, or "hate on her". It's her duty as a mother to make the important decisions and she is doing just that.
I'm not saying we all have to sit around and sing kumbaya together but sheesh ladies... being a mommy is hard enough without other mommy's telling you you're not doing it right. So lets stop "hatin'" on each other and start patting each other on the back.
Spread the love!
I double dog dare you to pick at least one other mother and tell her what a fantastic job she's doing, do it.
With Love,
Just Leia
8.07.2012
ekkkkkkkkkkk.
spiders.
s.p.i.d.e.r.s
tiny teeny little 8 legged creepy crawly spin down from your ceiling and stare at you spiders.
ehk.
I love our little house. I do! I love the high ceilings and the big windows on every wall. I love the hardwood floors and the big rooms. Love it. But it has all of those features specifically because it is an older house. You know what else older houses have? Spiders... not big scary bite you and then your arm falls off spiders, but teeny, in every corner gives you the heebie jeebies spiders.
Now lets be clear. I hate (read: am terrified of) spiders and my hatred (read: fear) does not discriminate between different types. I hate (read: run from) them all.
This little gem was vacant for quite awhile before I stumbled upon it, and so when i moved in there were these little teeniney spiders everywhere! Now I've swept them all out but they are still seen lurking in certain corners or crevices. Enough so to make me nearly jump out of bed every time my sheet moves. For I am so certain that one of these teensy little... meanies is crawling up my leg or something. ^&#(*@yuck@$^^*#.
All that aside, I LOVE the house. I have so many projects and ideas for it. We are having Landon's birthday here in 2 weeks and I wish I could get EVERYTHING done and painted and built and landscaped and crafted and designed and hung (gasp) before then. Hahaha, yeah right. For now I have to be content with the finished version of this house that lives in my imagination!
Landon LOVES the house... the layout allows him to run laps through every room and he has so much fun listening to his feet stomp on the hard floors. Occasionally he can be found in the middle of his room just jumping and stomping. Ahh, the little things.
Yesterday I started school... that's right, a few years from now when I'm standing in front of a class of elementary students I can remember yesterday as the start of my future. No more excuses and no more waiting for someone to come into my life and rescue me. I'm not a damsel in distress. I'm a strong woman who is taking her life into her own hands (finally).
That being said... It's time for me to get to some classwork!
With Love,
Leia & Landon
p.s. i think I'm not totally back in the blogging zone. I feel like my posts are not as witty and informative as they used to be. Hopefully Ill get my groove back soon!
s.p.i.d.e.r.s
tiny teeny little 8 legged creepy crawly spin down from your ceiling and stare at you spiders.
ehk.
I love our little house. I do! I love the high ceilings and the big windows on every wall. I love the hardwood floors and the big rooms. Love it. But it has all of those features specifically because it is an older house. You know what else older houses have? Spiders... not big scary bite you and then your arm falls off spiders, but teeny, in every corner gives you the heebie jeebies spiders.
Now lets be clear. I hate (read: am terrified of) spiders and my hatred (read: fear) does not discriminate between different types. I hate (read: run from) them all.
This little gem was vacant for quite awhile before I stumbled upon it, and so when i moved in there were these little teeniney spiders everywhere! Now I've swept them all out but they are still seen lurking in certain corners or crevices. Enough so to make me nearly jump out of bed every time my sheet moves. For I am so certain that one of these teensy little... meanies is crawling up my leg or something. ^&#(*@yuck@$^^*#.
All that aside, I LOVE the house. I have so many projects and ideas for it. We are having Landon's birthday here in 2 weeks and I wish I could get EVERYTHING done and painted and built and landscaped and crafted and designed and hung (gasp) before then. Hahaha, yeah right. For now I have to be content with the finished version of this house that lives in my imagination!
Landon LOVES the house... the layout allows him to run laps through every room and he has so much fun listening to his feet stomp on the hard floors. Occasionally he can be found in the middle of his room just jumping and stomping. Ahh, the little things.
Yesterday I started school... that's right, a few years from now when I'm standing in front of a class of elementary students I can remember yesterday as the start of my future. No more excuses and no more waiting for someone to come into my life and rescue me. I'm not a damsel in distress. I'm a strong woman who is taking her life into her own hands (finally).
That being said... It's time for me to get to some classwork!
With Love,
Leia & Landon
p.s. i think I'm not totally back in the blogging zone. I feel like my posts are not as witty and informative as they used to be. Hopefully Ill get my groove back soon!
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