to have and to code...

To Have and To Code (A Witch Central Romance) is the newest edition to my favorite community of witches by one of my all time favorite authors, Debora Geary!  I was so excited and happy when this popped up in my email on Thursday evening.  We were heading out of town on Friday and the whole time I was getting stuff put together on Thursday night all I kept thinking about is how much I wanted to stop doing it all and sit down with this book. I ended up starting it about midnight on Friday morning and read for a little while.  Then finished it on our 5 hour drive to St. Louis Friday night.  It was amazing, sweet, funny, thoughtful...an all around fabulous book.

I love the fact that Geary is going back and telling the story of some of our favorite witch couples.  How fitting that she starts with Nell and Daniel.  If you have read the other books, you know that these are the parents of Aervyn (and if you haven't read the books...why have you not read the books??  Get on it NOW!)  The Witch Central series tells us that Daniel was the first non-witch to hack his way into the witches only level of  Realm.  To Have and To Code tells us the rest of the story.  Daniel is a man with immense talent but is sort of wandering, not having a real purpose, sure he is working and doing some good things with troubled kids, but he is still just drifting about with no real sense of home and purpose.  When he hacks his way into Realm he unknowingly changes his life forever.  Nell is a driven, focused woman.  Her life is Realm and her family and her best friend Sammy.  Nell's life is in a bit of an upheaval with the pending wedding and move of her best friend when Daniel hacks into her game and her heart.

Nell and Daniel's story is a roller coaster ride of emotions (much like any relationship), and I'm so glad that Geary has let us come along for the ride. 

I know I say this every time I write a review, but these are seriously some of my favorite books of all time.  I love everything about these books, except for the fact that they seem to be over too soon.

Happy reading everyone!!

**While I was gifted a copy of this book...these opinions are mine and mine alone.**

sugar rush...

For those of you who don't check out the other pages of my blog, here are some cakes I've made recently.  I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out.  I'm no professional, but I'm getting better! :)

My Little Pony Carousel cake for my co-worker's daughter's 3rd birthday.  I had a little damage in transit but I was able to repair it fairly well, and if the 3 year old's squeals were any indication...she loved it! :)

Brianna's 7th birthday cake.  I need to work a bit on my drawing skills, but not too bad for having moved the day before and whipping this up the morning of the party!

i shall now reveal what has been consuming my life...

Our new home...I'm in love...and happy...but very very tired.  :)  Enjoy the pics of our new home...we have a little way to go...but we've got a good start!

the one where i pretend i didn't just abandon my blog for a month...

My dear pretty (and handsome) readers, I promise I haven't forgotten about you...life has been sort of...hectic.  What with moving and starting school and visitors we've had just a little bit going on.  I've been meaning to post some house pictures, but just realized I haven't taken any and can't now because the kids are sleeping and my kitchen is a mess...so you'll just have to wait patiently for those.  Maybe by this weekend I'll have that done...after I get a couple of projects done for Bryce's room.  But for now, here is an update. 

We are moved and have a good deal unpacked.  That isn't to say we don't still have a lot left to unpack...because we do...A LOT.  But, we've done without most of the stuff for the last year and a half, so really...how important can it be? We are settling into a routine and the kids love it here.  They spend their nights playing with the kids in the neighborhood riding bikes, running laughing...things kids are supposed to do.  I bet most weeknights our TV doesn't get turned on...I LOVE it.  I love that the kids are playing outside (and begging to go out most times) and I even love that we have kids in and out of our house almost every night.  This place truly feels like home.  My heart is happy.  And now that we are on the other side (and are living to tell about it), it was so totally worth every sleepless night, every fight, every tear, every penny...I have never felt so much that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.  That isn't to say everything has been sunshine and roses, but the good far outweighs the bad and I am thankful and feel very blessed.

Brianna started 1st grade last Monday.  She seems to be happy although she doesn't tell us much about school.  Can't get the kid to stop talking most of the time but get one word answers when you ask her about her day.  Go figure!  Here is her obligatory 1st day of school picture.

Bryce started preschool today.  He was so excited and had a great day.  So great in fact he fell asleep about 2 minutes after Bob picked him up and slept for 2 1/2 hours.  He apparently didn't sleep at nap time and no nap and full day preschool will take a lot out of a kid.

I just got back from a walk so it is time  for this girl to take a shower and head to bed.  I'll be back soon with a tour of the house...I promise!

to my sweet girl on her seventh birthday...

Dear Brianna,
Well, I'm a little late on this, but I still have a bit of time before your birthday is over, so here goes nothing.  I've had such a hard time writing this birthday post, I've written and rewritten it dozens of times, I just cannot seem to find the right words to tell you what is in my heart.  How do you explain how your heart is so full and happy seeing the independent strong young lady your baby girl is becoming all the while your heart is breaking because the more independent and strong you get, the less you need me.  I look at you and I am amazed...amazed at the person you've become and the wonderful things I know will come for you.  I wish so much I could help you avoid heartache and pain...believe me I've made some mistakes that I would love to help you avoid, BUT I know in my heart you are so much like me that even if I tell you the answers and give you advice to help you avoid the hurt and heartache, you will still have to go off on your own, just to make sure I'm telling you the truth.  Sort of like telling someone something is hot and they inevitably have to touch it just to make sure it really is hot.  As much as it may frustrate me that you have to take the hard road to figure it out on your own, it also makes me immensely proud that you want to pave your own way and not take the easy way out...that you want to lead and not always follow.  The day you were born you took a piece of my heart with you...everything you feel...I feel.  Your hurt is my hurt, your joy is my joy, your tears are mine.  I hope life always brings you more laughter than tears and joy than hurt, but during the times of hurt and tears...always remember the hard times always make the good that much sweeter.  You are my life, my love and will always be my baby girl.

This quote always makes me think of you and your brother...

"No one else will ever know the strength of my love for you.  After all, you're the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside."

Happy seventh birthday my sweet Brianna, I love you more than you can possibly know.

Love always,
mama

late night ramblings...

Apparently the only ways to get me to post regularly is to give me a book that I really love and dangle the reward of another great book in front of me if I post a review about it...or...to have 1 million things running through my head and no ability to shut them off so I can go to sleep.  Tonight it is the latter.  Since I'm not thinking super clearly tonight I think bullet points are in order, unless you'd like to read this entire post as one long run-on sentence.

• We are on track (at least as far as I know) to close on our house on the 31st of this month.  THIS MONTH people!!  It will be the longest/shortest month ever.
• By the time we move out, the kids and I will have been at my parents for almost an entire year.
• My parents are saints.
• I fall more in love with our house every time I step foot into it.  (and I LOVED it from just the pictures online).
• As much as I love it, I am at this point still trying not to get too attached...things have had a way of falling apart for the last 2ish years...so I'm being cautiously optimistic.
• I know many will read the above comment and think that I am negative, but really...I'm just trying to protect myself a little from heartbreak...it has been a very long road.
• I am itching to get into the house and do stuff (it is empty right now), my patience is now practically non-existent.
• I realize my last couple of bullets are completely contradictory.
• My pinterest board for the house is completely out of control right now.  I think I could craft 24 hours a day until our closing and still not do all the stuff I want to do.
• Who knew that finding bedding that Bob and I both like (and doesn't cost as much as the house) would be so hard?
• Do you know that Walmart sells a shower curtain that can range from $199.99-$512.00?
• If you are paying $512 for a shower curtain...why are you shopping at Walmart?
• I have a hard time paying $20 for a shower curtain...it is a piece of fabric that gets wet...seriously...why should that cost me that much money?
• We have a spreadsheet of stuff we need for the house, complete with links to things we like and prices.  We are nerds.
• If you haven't guessed by now...the house is consuming my life.
• Although I'm never entirely happy with my baking exploits...I feel it is fairly safe to say I've made some kick ass cakes this month.
• I made one tonight for a co-worker...angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream frosting that I decorated with raspberries, blueberries and almond slices and made them look like flowers. 
• I made one a few weeks ago that was yellow cake with raspberry chocolate ganache and chocolate glaze frosting, garnished with fresh raspberries.
• I'll post pictures of said cakes soon.
• I'm so excited to make Brianna's birthday cake in my new kitchen!
• The kitchen is my favorite part of the whole house, it sealed the deal for me.
• I will now stop talking about the house.
• I had about 12,000 more things to say...but I've forgotten them all. 
• I guess that is a sign it is time to stop rambling.

Thanks as always for checking in, things are bound to be a little crazy for the next few weeks, but I'll try to pop back in just to let you know I'm still alive! Hope everyone has a great week and a happy and safe Fourth of July!!

another installment of my favorite witches...

I'm starting to think Debora Geary has some magical powers herself, since it seems that every time I need a break from reality and a really really good book to get lost in an email from her pops up in my inbox!  This past weekend was no exception.  I may have sounded like a 10 year old girl at a Justin Bieber concert when I saw that book arrive in my inbox on Friday morning!  Darn that little thing called work.  I managed to find enough time over the weekend to get lost in my favorite witch community, it was just the break this tired mama needed.  Anyway, enough of my rambling...onto the book review.

A Nomadic Witch takes us back to Nova Scotia where the lovable but hard-headed and somewhat grumpy Marcus was biding his time, trying to get back to his solitary life and away from the meddling witching community, when suddenly a message from a suspicious stranger turns Marcus's and the entire community world upside down.  Throughout the book you get a glimpse into why Marcus is the way he is and how one tiny girl with lavender eyes can rock him to his core and help him to start living again after forty-three years.

Another fantastic book by Geary, I don't think I have to tell you  after all this time that I'm a huge fan.  Seriously, why haven't you read this series yet??  My only suggestion...make sure you get all of the available books at once, because once you start you aren't going to want to stop. 

**disclosure:  While I did receive this book from the author, the opinions are all my own.**

god bless the usa...

I know I'm a few days late in posting this, but things have been a little hectic actually since today is officially Memorial Day...I'm right on time.  Here is my little man paying tribute to all those who have served and are serving our country.  I couldn't say it better myself.  No words are ever enough to thank you for what you have done and continue to do for us.  Thoughts and prayers are always with your and your families.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

thirty-two...

Before the day is out I want to write a birthday post to my very best friend and the love of my life.  I don't know how to put into words how much I love this man and how much I have missed him.  I've been sort of disconnected these last months and I think sometimes he doesn't think I miss him at all, but the truth is...if I actually  let in how much I miss him, how much it hurts not to see him everyday, I don't know that I could pull myself together enough to make it through the day.  He has always been my biggest fan and my strength, and even though these last few months have been hard I know that we have always been on the same side, fighting for what is best for our family.  We may not always agree, but we are always there for each other.  I love you more than you can possibly imagine.  Here's to many, many, many more birthdays TOGETHER.  Miss you and love you!!

ramblings of a cluttered mind...

Oh goodness, I don't even know where to start.  Our house is under contract.  Did I tell you that blogland??  I am so overwhelmed with life that I don't even know if I wrote  a post about that.  So, yes...we are under contract, have gotten through the inspection and the appraisal was last week.  May 14th seems to be the magic date, but we haven't heard anything official yet.  Our house...our home...is packed up.  Pretty much everything we own is boxed up sitting in our garage ready to be loaded into a big truck and driven away from our very first home.  I'm such a mixed bag of emotions.  So happy that my family will be together again, sad that we are leaving the place we became a family and the only home my kids have ever known, scared because there are still so many unknowns, angry because of the stupid housing market, excited because of this great new chapter in our lives and peace because somehow in the middle of all of the turmoil...it just feels right.  For the last 9 months while we have been living separately I feel like I've had to keep everything together, to put on a happy face, to suppress most everything I was actually feeling so that I could just make it through.  Now, with the light at the end of the tunnel peeking through, it is like I'm feeling 9 months worth of emotions all at the same time.  Today a feed from a blog that I read popped up in my inbox.  It was centered around this "Be still and know that I am God".  I need this right now.  Stillness.  I need to focus on the peace that I feel knowing in my heart, this is right where my family needs to be.  While I adore that little house in Streamwood, it is just a house, because home is wherever we are together.  There are lots of memories there, but there are lots more to be made...it is just the beginning.

monday smiles...

witches in flight...

The third and final (boo hoo) installment of the Witches on Parole series landed in my inbox early last week.   I don't know what it is about these books (I think Geary puts a magic spell on them or something) but I'm like a child when I find out a new one is headed my way.  I will stay up until all hours of the night, ignoring pretty much everything else until I finish it.  There is a wonderful magic about this series and these characters...I swear I would love to live in this place and have these characters be my neighbors!  Anyway, on to the book review...

Elsie and Lizard's time with witchlight is quickly drawing to a close.  They have discovered parts of themselves they never new existed and found a sense of belonging and love they never knew they were missing.  Both Lizard and Elsie have a large hurdle they need to overcome and with the help of the witching community and each other they are sure to accomplish it.

I cannot say enough about this series.  In my 25+ years of reading, I can honestly say Geary's books are some of my absolute favorites.  How many more ways can I say this...GO READ THIS SERIES!!!

anyone still reading....

Wow...I really have nothing to say about the unintentional hiatus I've been on.  Life is crazy.  To give you an example of how little time I have these days.  I opened my google reader for the first time in quite a while and saw that I had about 700 unread blog posts (that was about a week ago...so we're probably nearing 850-900 by now).  I quickly closed it because that is pretty darn overwhelming.  I have probably 15-20 shows on the dvr that I haven't had time to watch...and people...I LOVE TV.  There is just not enough hours in the day.  Anyway, I know lame excuse for not being around...but that is all I've got.
Ha!  I even started writing this days ago and just got back to it.  I have so much to say...but have the hardest time coming up with the words that don't make me sound like the whiny cry-baby I am and the constant need to defend myself and the way I feel. 

In short, things are hard and crappy around here lately.  The house is still unsold and is now priced so ridiculously low it makes me physically sick to think about it.  But, if it means we can all live together that is what we have to do, because the only thing harder than not being able to sell this house is not being able to be together.  We're giving the house until the end of June and if it hasn't sold, we're going to pull it from the market and look for a renter. 

I feel like one part of our life is in a holding pattern while the other parts of it are moving at the speed of light.  I want us to have a normal life again, not just weekends together.  I miss parenting as part of a team, I miss cooking meals for my family in my own kitchen and I miss curling up next to Bob to watch a movie or play cards or just talk.  It is hard. I try to put on my brave face and go about my days like nothing bothers me, because I have to for the kids, but inside...I'm a wreck.  Sometimes I fall apart, but mostly I keep in on the inside because if I completely fall apart I'm not sure how long it will take to put myself back together.  I truly feel like it will all be worth it, but right now...it is just so damn hard. 

OK, pity party over.  Onto something else...

Brianna learned to ride her bike without training wheels!  I'm so proud of her and more importantly she is so proud of herself.  The look of sheer joy on her face when she "got it" was the best thing I've ever seen.  On another note, we had her parent teacher conferences tonight and her teacher said she is really a model student and we should be so proud of her, and we really are.  She is doing so well in school and loves it at Aquin (a big part of the reason it feels so right  to be living here).  I'm so ridiculously proud of this kid, she is pretty amazing.

Bryce is...Bryce.  He is sweet and funny and too smart for his own good.  His teacher also said he was a wonderful kid to have in class although she did say she has to be careful about changing the schedule if she already told the class they'd be doing something because Bryce will call her out and tell her that she said they were going to do something else if she changes her plans on them.  She said he knows things that some of her older kids don't know and she is amazed at how well he does with puzzles.  He is a good kid and we're so very proud of him...I just really wish he wouldn't use up his allotted listening for the day at school so he could listen a little better at home! :)

As for me, I've had a couple of great weekends with some wonderful friends (much needed) and I'm still really enjoying work (other than feeling like there isn't enough time to do everything I need to do). 

Bob just got back from a conference at Disney World and is here spending the week with us.  (yay!)  He is busy (as always) with work and I think is tired of the quiet empty house.  We love having him here and the kids are over the moon now that daddy is under the same roof. 

I think that about does it.  I really want/need to share more about this amazing conference I went to a couple of weeks ago, but I'm too tired to do it tonight.  I promise I'll be back, I forget how therapeutic it is for me to write, even if no one reads it or if it doesn't make any sense to anyone but me.  :)

Thanks as always for checking in on us. Much love to you all!

keeping my promise...

A real update!  I know you're all shocked, but it was bound to happen sooner or later, right?  So, where to even start...I guess at my last post I had just gotten my new job.  I've been there for 2 months now and I can truly say that I love it!  It just fits for me, the people are great the job is interesting and I am very very happy.  Bryce is adjusting to daycare.  He still has days where he cries and he's afraid I'm not coming to pick him up, but he adores his teacher and he is always pretty excited about the things they do each day.  Brianna still loves school and we just got her very first report card.  We are so happy and proud of how she is doing in school it is so reassuring to see her thriving here.  Bob is still busy at work and comes to visit (or we go back to IL) about every other weekend. 

The house still hasn't sold, which stinks.  We are closing in on a whole year that it has been on the market.  It is frustrating to say the least.  I'm just soo soo ready to have my family back together again.  In the last month I have really fought the urge to pack the kids up and head back to Illinois.  If I didn't love my job so much I probably would have.  It is just so hard and I'm tired of seeing the kids sad, I'm tired to trying to keep everything together and trying to be OK. I'm not OK, I miss Bob...I miss our family just being together and I hate saying goodbye more than we say anything else. 

BUT, I know this won't last forever (even if it feels like it will) and I am constantly reminded of why we are doing this.  Seeing Brianna playing with Kelsey (my cousin and best friend since birth's daughter) doing exactly the same things we did as girls makes my heart happy and makes me certain the decisions we're making are the right ones. 

However, if anyone wants to know what they can get me for my birthday...an offer on our house would be the perfect gift! :)

Time for bed...5:30 will come too early in the morning! 

(Thanks Grandma for always checking up on us...I'll try to give you something to read more often!  Love you!!)

i know i owe you an update, but first....

A book review!  (Grandma I promise to come back and write again soon!)

I received Witches Under Way by Debora Geary a week ago.  Believe me it didn't take me a week to read it, this is just the first chance I've had to write a review.  Witches Under Way is the sequel to Witches on Parole Unlocked, a spin off (of sorts) of the Modern Witch series.  I may or may not squeal with delight every single time Debora's name appears in my inbox.  I truly have loved every single one of these books, and she always leaves me itching for the next installment.  Anyway, enough rambling...on to the review!

 Witches Under Way finds us once again catching up with Elsie and Lizard, both of whom are working through their personal baggage on their way to becoming the kind of women and witches they were meant to be.   Lizard is becoming quite the realtor-in-training, but shows her true passion when she begins taking poetry classes at the local college.  Elsie is slowly trying to recapture some of the childhood she never even knew she missed, and all of our favorite witches are there to help them along the way.  To the shock of everyone, even themselves, Elsie and Lizard have formed a bond and are becoming each others biggest supporter, while at the same time being the one to help push the other to do things they didn't know they could.

I'll admit, I was sad when I got to the last page of this book, I couldn't believe it was over so quickly and I wanted to see what happened next in the lives of Elsie and Lizard.  I cannot wait to see how their story ends (however, I will hate to see it end at all). 

Another wonderful book by Geary.  This entire series is a must read in this girl's opinion!

a reckless witch...

I received the third installment of the Modern Witch series by Debora Geary the day after Thanksgiving.  And while I normally devour this series in one sitting moments after receiving it, this time I was in the middle of another book and Christmas shopping.  Then, I started a new job so my reading time was drastically cut.  All of this to say, I would have read this in one sitting if I could have.  This was hands down my favorite one of the series so far.  I love seeing how the characters grow and change throughout the books. 

We once again get to catch up with all of our favorite witches and are introduced to a new witch Sierra.  She has been separated from the witching community for  her entire life and has now found her way back to them.  As the other witches get to know Sierra they discover she is a very powerful witch, so much so that even Sierra herself doesn't realize the magnitude of her power.  The downside to all of this is that Sierra's mother was a very reckless witch and didn't teach Sierra the safeguards necessary to protect those around her from her magic.  As the community tries to teach Sierra about being safe while using her magic they all learn a necessary lesson about finding a balance between safety and being free.

I think A Reckless Witch spoke to me so much because as a mom, I am constantly trying to find the balance of letting my kids be free to be who they are and to have fun, all the while trying to teach them to be safe and responsible and trying to protect them from things that can cause them harm.

Can I say again how much I LOVED this book?  Oh yeah, it is my blog...so I can.  I LOVED this book! I don't know what else to say other than go get yourself this series and read these books, this series just keeps getting better!

three on the third...

Three...it is such a small number, but today it seems so big.  Three means being able to do stuff yourself, carrying on conversations, being a big boy.  You are not my little baby anymore...I mean I will still totally refer to you as my baby, but you are my little boy now and there is no going back.  It wasn't great timing that I started a new job right before your birthday, but when you came in the office today wrapped your arms around me and said "mommy, I missed you soo much!" my heart ached because you and me little man, we've been together since the beginning and now there are so many changes coming our way.  I never realized how much I would miss your hugs, kisses and laughter throughout the day.  I know that this is a great change for both of us, but I know it is just another sign that you are growing up and I'm not quite ready for that yet.  You, little man, have my heart in the palm of your hand.  As much as you can push my buttons, you also know that your smile, laugh and a hug and kiss go a long way to making mama feel better.  Everyday you grow I get a glimpse into the man you will one day become.  A sweet, kind, loving man who knows just when to be a goofball and just what to say to have everyone eating out of the palm of your hand.  You, baby boy are one amazing kid, you never cease to amaze me with the things that come out of your mouth or the looks you give me when I'm trying to get you to do something that I want you to do.  You are way too smart for your own good.  Thank you for giving me a glimpse of the baby you were every now and then when you cuddle up in my lap or snuggle beside me while you sleep, it helps me hold onto my baby for just a little while longer.  To everyone else three may be a small number, but to me, right now, it is much too big.
Happy happy 3rd birthday monkey boy!  I love you more than you could possibly imagine!
Love always,
mama

so i'm a couple behind...

Sorry I've been MIA for the last couple days.  I've been busy...getting a job!  Yes, on Thursday I'll be re-entering the land of the employed full time for the first time in 3 years.  I'm excited and nervous and a little sad.  Excited because adult interaction and another income...YAY!  Nervous because I have to get up and get dressed everyday..no more days of being in yoga pants and t-shirts...boo! And sad because tomorrow is my last day at home with the kids.  This will be the first time that Bryce has been taken care of by anyone but me on a regular full-time basis.  I will miss being at home with him and Brianna, but it is certainly time for me to get back out there.  We're running around trying to figure out daycare, as the place we thought he would go doesn't have any openings now.  There is a daycare right next door to my work so we are checking that out on Thursday night and if all goes well he will be starting there on Monday.  Cross your fingers!  Brianna is super excited about starting the latchkey program at Aquin where she will go before and after school.  Mostly because she'll get to play with her friends longer in the afternoon.  I know it will definitely be an adjustment for all of us but I'm really hoping it goes as smooth as possible.  Besides the craziness of starting a job and finding daycare...Bryce's birthday is on Saturday and we're having a little party...so I have to get all of that ready as well.  There is just not enough time this week!  But I know we'll get through it and it'll all be OK.  I'm looking forward to this new exciting chapter in my life...now if only we could sell that darn house!  Hopefully this job is the first of many good things happening to our family!  Much love, blogland!  Thanks for continuing to come back to read my ramblings...it means more to me than you know!

finding our normal...

Today was such a great day.  We played games, napped, and watched movies together.  It isn't often anymore that we are able to enjoy days like this...where it is just the four of us.  Amongst all the family fun I cooked twice and did laundry.  It was such an ordinary normal day...but it was wonderful today.  It didn't feel ordinary or normal.  It felt special and rare.  Maybe this is one of the lessons I have to learn during this whole process.  Being together is such a blessing, I need to cherish this time we have together, even if some of it is spent doing laundry and cooking.  I spent my day feeling appreciative, loved and very very blessed.  It was a good day.

black friday...

(OK so I'm cheating a little bit and actually writing this on Saturday. )

Did you spend Black Friday shopping?  I sure did, but I did it from the comfort of a chair in my pjs.  I made quite the little dent in my shopping list yesterday and I found some great deals and saved a bunch of money and I didn't have to stand in line once!  I stuck to my budget, got what I wanted and am pretty happy with my progress.  I even got our Christmas cards ordered yesterday and they are in my grimy little hands ready for me to get addressed and mailed.  I just make so much more progress on my shopping when I do it from my computer, as I said before it is easier to stay within my budget and I can jump around to find the best deals without driving all over town.  Plus I'm giving the UPS guy job security right? :)  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family and/or friends!