Under Construction

I am taking a brief blogging hiatus to change up my blog. I look forward to the new, refreshed look! I should resume posting within the next couple of days. Happy blogging!

Happy Veterans Day!

Thank you to all our service men and women who have given their lives to fight for our country, lifestyle and most importantly, our freedom. Thank you to all of the service men and women who continue to fight the fight and risk their lives every day in the name of the United States and its' citizens. A special thanks to my grandpa, daddy, uncles and brother, among the many, who served in wars, which has allowed Liam and I to lead a life of freedom, with its many blessings. I hope we all remember the sacrifices they made and continue to make and never take advantage of the things we have that other countries do not. What does Veterans day mean to you? I hope not another excuse for a day off.

I promised before and after pictures of the filing cabinet/paperwork organization projects, but I spaced on the before! I did shoot a few of the after, I apologize for the darkness, I didn't finish until late!

Still don't like the way it's divided, but it works for now
This is my new *important, look at me, must do* area (Just made that name up, can you tell). White board has to-do-list for the day and grocery list, corkboard holds unpaid bills (yikes), important business cards and coupons. My calendar is to the right, it's obviously a 2011 one, oh well.


Today I had a job interview for part-time retail and I am really excited. I will share where if I get the position! Should know more next week. I guess you could sort of consider it a down-grade from the jobs I have held lately, but I have worked here in the past and it was my favorite job. I know it may seem silly to some of you, but this really is a little light at the end of my tunnel (I hope). Sometimes we get so far down and we have to crawl out of the pit in little baby steps. It would be perfect for my lifestyle and what I need right now, so please pray and for those who don't, send positive thoughts my way to get the job! Thank you!! I think my next big project for this weekend is getting my closet/clothes organized and putting the warmer clothes in the front. I love going through my closet, its like shopping. :-D I will leave you with a few shots of my loves:
She sees into my soul... at least directly into my bowl of food
Will work for food (meaning will work diligently at grabbing things off your face I want in my mouth)
Mean muggin'But I can be adorable tooAnd perplexedEnough posing, I just want to eat the tag

Happy Veterans Day and Happy Blogging!

Random Mumblings

The past two days I have spent braving the mess that is my bills/filing cabinet. Who ever said having kids is expensive was sure right! I am really lucky to have parents who help me get through "rough patches" in my life. I guess I can't blame all of my debt on Liam, but anyway you look a it, its not pretty. I cleared everything out into piles and called to verify amounts and what exactly was owed. It wasn't as scary as I thought. One of my goals this week is to reorganize my filing cabinet and get everything in its proper place, so I know exactly what and who I owe and have already paid. Organizing is a pain in my butt, but it sure does make your life easier and you aren't letting it pile up on your mind. And with being a SAHM and going through a custody battle I don't need anymore weighing on my mind than I already have! I would love to hear your ideas for organizing bills/important papers! I hate that we have to keep so many records for taxes! I will post before and afters of that mess within the week. Wish me happy sorting!

On to other topics......

Does anyone else feel like we as a society are really pushing Christmas this year? Let me just say, I love Christmas. It is my favorite holiday, by far. I cannot wait to spend the first Christmas with my little bean, but its early November! I don't understand why I am already being bombarded with Christmas commercials and displays and its not even close to Thanksgiving! This year is going to be a tight Christmas for me. Liam and I will probably only do Christmas pictures and cards. Lame-o, I know, but unfortunately there aren't many free gifts. I might do cookies or fudge too. Mostly because I want to eat it. Not like that is going to help my weight loss in any way. BTW, yes I am aware I haven't posted any Mandatory Measurement Monday blogs, I am such a slacker. I did weigh myself this morning and its still the same. If you see what I have been eating, you'd be surprised. Thank God for breastfeeding, but I don't have much longer to take advantage of that.

Anyway, speaking of eating, Liam used his highchair for the first time the other day! I really think he loves having his own chair at the table and a place to eat his food (and play with it). I know I am bias, but I can't get over how stinkin' cute he is.

I am waiting so patiently Mommy.

Now I can make a mess!

Have a great (and organized) day!

About Me

As I have been getting more followers, I think I should take some time and share who I am and what I bring to this blogging world! My life is far from perfect and I know some may judge, but if you don't like me, you don't have to continue reading. I don't judge you. Walk a mile in my shoes.



1. I am legally married to Joel. He is my best friend, but we have been separated for a couple of years.
2. After our separation, I started dating a close friend from childhood, Ben, and I got pregnant (Liam).
3. Ben treated me terribly during our relationship, so I left.
4. I am a single mother to my little boy Liam and my puppy, Fawna.
5. I am unemployed and a SAHM.
6. I am a student.
7. I live in an apartment in Phoenix Arizona.
8. I love Mexican food, sushi and pasta.
9. I love reading.
10. I enjoy blogs about fashion, home decor and raising children.
11. I am honest, outspoken and opinionated.
12. I dislike politics and think politicians are shady.
13. I have 1 step brother and 1 step sister who are blood in my eyes.
14. I have 3 nieces and 2 nephews that I adore.
15. I rarely drink caffeinated drinks and dislike coffee.
16. I was a choir kid and love to sing. I miss performing everyday.
17. I love sports and my teams are Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks.
18. I have designer tastes on a Goodwill budget. I am constantly looking for a deal.
19. My favorite season is Fall.
20. I love anything girly.

Those are just a few things about me. If you have anything you want to know about me, feel free to ask! What's great about this post is I am no longer afraid to discuss anything openly. No more self editing when I post. This is me, take it or leave it! My advice would be to never be ashamed of who you are or the life you lead! You should live without regrets and take everything as a learning experience. We are all here to make mistakes and grow. I would love to hear your stories and how you deal with the tribulations in your own lives!

Thanksgiving Mantel/Baby Biscuit

Look, two days in a row...I told you I would start blogging more again! I am forcing Liam and myself to stay in and relax this Sunday! I have already had to restrain from going to Target and its only noon. Liam and I have been on the go constantly the past two weeks and we just need some time to stay at home and be lazy relaxed! As I mentioned yesterday, last night we went to the AZ State Competition for Division II bands and he did great! I wanted to get some more pictures, but we didn't get to stay as long as I had planned. I think the past two weeks have really taken its toll on Liam and he was pooped out.

Here's what we got:
Liam and Joel
Cousin David and Liam
Cousin Katie and Liam

He is so blessed to have such an awesome family. Family is the most important thing anyone can have and we've got the craziest cream of the crop ♥.

I also changed my mantel from Halloween to Fall/Thanksgiving last week, but just took pictures. It is a lot more simple than the Halloween, but I like it. I can't wait to switch it to Christmas anyway.

White pumpkin left over from Halloween, pumpkins and pinecones from Walmart $5.
One mini fall girl represents Mommy. Walmart $1.
One mini fall guy represents Liam. Walmart $1.
Mr. Turkey Guy. Marshalls $6 this season.
We call him "Fall Guy". Got him at Michaels on sale a couple seasons ago.

And other exciting news about my bean, Liam ate a banana biscuit today! Grandma bought them for him a couple of days ago, but he kept gagging and wasn't quite ready for it yet. Today, he did great! What a difference a couple of days can make. Babies grow way too fast! Here are some adorable pictures of him stuffing his face :-).



The rest of the day I have to do laundry and just hang out. Have a great Sunday!

Liam's 6 Month Photoshoot and Misc.

So I lied. I haven't really blogged a lot like I promised.... So I guess this is a bit of a catch up including Liam's 6 month pictures. My little boy is a growing machine. He can sit up by himself for extended periods of time now. He can also reach for people he wants and it melts my heart when he always wants his mommy ♥♥.

He is also eating solid foods regularly now and has tried:

Rice Cereal

Oatmeal with bananas

Squash

Green Beans

Pears

Carrots

Bananas

Peaches

Because of this, I finally got a highchair for him. I debated between the space saver one or a full size one, but settled on a duo one from Target, which will work as both! Once I get it together and get my cute monkey in it, I'll take pics, but here is a stock one in the mean time.


I haven't taken Liam to his 6 month dr appt yet, so I am not sure of his stats. He seems to be getting really long, but not gaining too terribly much...I hope anyway. Some of his 3-6 month clothes still fit, but he is mostly in 6-9 now and size 2-3 shoes. My baby also has TWO teeth now!! They seemed to just pop out overnight. But since they discontinued the Hyland's Teething Tablets, we have been using a lot more of the gel. I have to go get ready for my little cousin's band competition, so I'll leave you with some of his 6 month pictures (the rest are on my Facebook)and I'll post more later.











Photos by Ciara D'Anella Photography

Halloween Weekend

First of all, I would like to apologize for the lack of blogging the past week. I don't know where I have been. I promise to get back on the ball. Anyway, for Halloween this year (Liam's 1st!) we spent time out and about with our family, carved pumpkins, and dressed up and went "trick or treating". Although, apparently the people in Liam's father's neighborbood are BAHHUMBUG! When I was a kid, the neighborhood was always swarming and almost everyone handed out candy. My mom thinks its because no one has any money to buy candy. How depressing is that?? They sell candy at the dollar store! What a sad world we live in. Anyway, here are some of the pictures:

At the Phoenix Zoo 10/30/10
The family
Halloween 10/31/10





Carved pumpkins



We had a fantastic first Halloween! I loved my little cow, he was by far the cutest!