Just a mom- I'll probably get slapped for this...

But I can take a hit so here it goes. It may be that I have had a crazy month, it may be that I'm tired,no exhausted. But it's probably because I'm sick and tired of snide remarks. And I enjoy an honest blog.

I work. Three days a week. 21 hours a week, not including lunch and commute. So really I get paid for 21 hours of work a week. And then I pay my babysitter. I don't work for fun. I don't work for entertainment. I work for my family. When Caleb started his new job he didn't get insurance for 90 days. So I went back to work FULL time. Because I was raised by hard-working republican parents who installed a good work ethic in me. And because I understand that when you get "state" aid it is coming straight from the hard working AMERICAN citizens. So I sucked it up and went to work. Now, I am fortunate enough to have an amazing job that allowed me to go part time.

Because why do I have to chose? Why do I have to pick from being a mom or being a career woman? Men don't have to choose. Why can't I have a little bit of both. Well, I am blessed. And I do. And I thank God everyday in my prayers for this blessing.

It doesn't make it a hobby though. It is NOT an escape from the occasional monotony of being a stay at home mom. It is work. And it is hard. So please do not come up to me and say:"oh how nice for you" or "wow, that's great you get a little 'me' time". Because I am so sick of it. And because it simply is not true. And since I'm already on a roll, don't tell me how busy you are. Because you are have WAY more time that a full time working gal, WAY WAY more time than a full-time working mama, and WAY more time than a part-time working mom, like me.

So when people say "JUST" a mom. It's because it's true. You are J-U-S-T a mom. And I think that is wonderful. You can dedicate all your time and energy to your family. It is hard I'm sure. But beautiful. And some days I envy that so much I could turn green. But then I look at my life, and my family, and the choices we are making and I am PROUD. And excited. So don't take that away from me. And don't let anyone take it away from you.

'Till we meet again Kenneth "Pa"

Last night my Pa passed away in his sleep. He has not been doing well for awhile now and I was fortunate enough to be able to see him last week. I love my Pa. We have a very special bond and in his biography he wrote "I have always felt we have had a very special relationship. It's like we share a secret." I knew this day was coming. I was able to say goodbye. And yet my heart feels broken. I will miss you Pa. I hope you will be watching over me and Porter. I will miss the Kenneth to my Porter Kenneth. I look forward to when we will be together again and share more secrets.

Party -Part One

These are some of my favorite pictures from Porter's birthday party. He was so cute and fun. Don't worry all you party peeps your pictures are coming next!

Tomorrow...Your only a day away

I land at 11:52 pm tonight. We will drive to my sisters to sleep. Wake up at 5, take my pre-race shower. Eat something. Probably a piece of bread. Say a massive prayer. Drive to SLC and run 13.1 miles. Or crawl. It's been an exhausting week. A good one. But I'm bone tired and my emotions are on over drive. Somehow, someway I am going to have to pull it together and run my little heart out. Only I hope heart doesn't give out. Wish me luck....

Oh Joy the Birthday BOY!

Sunday April 3rd Porter turned ONE! He is a big boy now. We had his party on Saturday and were so grateful for the beautiful weather. It snowed on Sunday, just like it did the day he was born. I am so excited for my ONE year old. I'm also so excited that nursing is over and my body is fully mine now! If my nursing bra wasn't so amazing I would burn it as a sign of liberation. I have so many adorable pictures to post. Just not now. I hope to get to them today... but it might not happen. Porter and I are flying to LAX tonight (late) to go see my Grandpa who isn't doing well. It will be a bittersweet trip but it's my spring break so really the best time for me to go. Don't worry I will be back Friday (midnight) in time to run my half marathon on Sat! Oh dear...

A joke is a joke...and this one was on you.

We did not actually buy that "house" under ground. It was an April's Fools joke. I love holiday's. All of them. Especially this one. I thought you would know I would NEVER buy that. I thought you would know I have little desire to buy a house in UTAH. I thought you would know that I would talk to you before we considered buying a house. The "you" in here is mainly my mom. BUT lets not forget all of you that called, emailed, texted me about my new house. I had a lot of fun that day. I would call it a successful April Fools day.

We did it!!!

People having being asking us why we don't buy a house if we are going to be staying here for awhile. And we started thinking about how much money we would save and how fun it would be to have a real place of our own. So we started looking, and working with a realtor, and when we had enough to make an offer we did. I was terrified. BUT we got it!!! It has been a trying and brain racking time for sure. I never knew buying a house could be so complicated. But I am so proud of us and our new little home! We can't wait to fix it up! Who wants to come visit????