Shake it

If you do not own an Xbox and kinect and I seriously suggest you go get one! I have loved playing kinect and mainly Dance Central with the kids. It's a great work out on top of it all.

Networking

I met with Linda Sollars a career coach and founder of creatingpurpose.com in my journey in finding a job, I am amazed at all the new stuff I learned. I had no idea there was so much I wasn't doing or was doing on my resume that was pretty outdated. At least three years outdated, which is the last time I was in the paid workforce.

I was pretty nervous walking in, and I felt GREAT when I left. I really feel like I have the tools to find the perfect company and position for me and my family. I am so excited to really get out there and show everything I have to offer.

First thing is Linda let me know to remove my address from my resume. She said in today's day and age so much is on the internet it's better for safety to remove it or only list your city/state.

She also told me about www.andrewhudsonsjobslist.com, let me tell you, this site has some great jobs listed and it has worked better for me than some other job sites that seem to have a lot of junk jobs listed with the great jobs. It has been a wonderful resource, I would check it out if you are looking for a job.

She also brought up using www.linkedin.com for networking. I have a LinkedIn account and have for years but I was not using it to its' full potential at all.

You are able to follow companies and get updates when they list new jobs or post a new article, you can search for great jobs, you are able to join groups in your area or your field which is a great way to network and get yourself noticed. So if you don't have a LinkedIn account I highly suggest getting one and if you do make sure your profile is up to date and you are joining groups.

For interviews she hit the nail on the head by saying most interviewers are going to ask you to tell them something about yourself and Linda suggested having the top things you would want them to know about you, and not your skills- they know your skills, they have your resume but about YOU.

And of course I had my BIG question that I have gotten so many different answers to is, "Do I put down homemaker/daycare provider on my resume?"

Linda says YES!

Any parent who stays home knows it's hard work and you have amazing skills working in the home. She suggested using www.onetonline.org for ideas on how to list your skills on your resume.

My last piece of advice and what I walked away with is NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! The average job gets 250-300 applicants, your resume is much more likely to be viewed if you know someone who can pass your resume along and recommend you to the hiring manager.

Well, I am excited about this journey and I really feel like I have much better tools to find a great position for me. I'll keep you updated on how it goes and the interviews I get.

Rain, rain go away

It finally did! It has been raining for two days and snowed down by my dad's house! So when I woke up this morning to the sun shining in I was extremely happy.

Just a little sunshine puts me in the best mood

Get me a job

I saw that title on www.momslikeme.com and jumped on it. I didn't know much to start, just that 9News was working on a segment about those of us looking for a career. I know a lot of moms that are in my position and feel like they are stuck and confused on how to really showcase their strengths.

I have been applying for jobs for a few months now and the only responses I have received so far have been rejection letters. I'm upbeat, work great with people, have sales experience....why can't I land an interview??

One of my biggest questions has always been if I should list my homemaker job on my resume. When you really look at it I have learned a lot in my job as mom.

My time management skills are superb, I manage a rather tight monthly budget, do all the cleaning, laundry, cooking, etc and I don't think I have earned any sick days over the last 3 years. But how do I showcase this on a resume to employers?

I also know I am facing challenges, nothing new, life is full of them but I have a really good feeling that I'm taking a step in the right direction.

J-O-B

There has never been a question that after having my boys I would return to the workforce. The only question was when and that when is hopefully now.

Mothers all over the US are guilted- we are guilted if we want to stay home, guilted if we want to go to work, just guilted. I think it might be in the mom job description.

Zach and I decided way back in 2008 that I would stay home with Jameson for the first year, then we decided to have little Mr. Dominic so we decided I'd stay home with him for about the first year too. I have never doubted that I would return to work, I enjoy going to work. I like getting up, having my coffee, getting ready for the day, and heading out.

So I am starting my journey you could call it. Finding a job, finding a career and a company I would fit well with is a journey.

I'm really excited about it. I love my kids and have really cherished the time I have been able to be home with them but I am so really excited about finding a job I love and all the perks that come with it.

Oh Jameson

My baby boy turned 3 this week! I can clearly remember when I found out I was pregnant with him, when I found he was a he, and when he was born.....I can not believe he is already 3!

Jameson looks just like his daddy, he's always been very expressive, and he is so smart. As a baby you could just look at him and his whole face would light up with the biggest toothless grin you have ever seen.

Now as a toddler he is still very expressive- he is normally always smiling, saying "I love you" and asking you to say "thank you" so he can tell you "you're welcome"

And when he is mad, trust me you will know that too!

I've said before that you think you will remember ever sweet moment, every cute thing your son or daughter does or say, but you don't. Memories fade. So to help me remember I want to list out all the sweet things about my baby boy....ok, so I'm sure I'll forget to list some but I can do more posts :0)

• He loves to watch Dora and Astro Boy, he will lay on the floor with his face in hands with his little feet kicking back and forth. It looks so cute!
• He still loves to get into bed with mom. Then of course he takes up most of the bed.
• Briana got him a glove and baseball for his birthday and he is a pretty good catch and has a great throwing arm.
• He adores playing with "the boys"
• He could play Dance Central on kinect for hours and is pretty darn good.
• He thinks trains are awesome and loves to play with them or point them out as we are driving.
• He can count to 20 but doesn't seem too concerned to learn his ABC's
• He is pretty anal about getting his clothes dirty or wet, and wants to change as soon as they are dirty.
• He has always had an obsession with shoes.

Of course there is so much more, but as my baby turns 3 I want to remember as much as I can and cherish this age with him, because trust me, it will be over before you know it.

#11 Go green at the St. Patrick's Day parade

On Saturday, March 12th we packed up and headed out to the St. Patrick's Day parade. Luckily the weather was perfect, maybe a little chilly but sunny. We drove downtown and found a parking garage pretty close to the parade for $5 bucks and ended up parking on the very top.

First we walked down close to Coors field and the start of the parade route and got a pretty good spot. Briana had made a "Bead Me" poster for BJ, Howie, and Erica from 105.9 so we wanted to make sure her sign could be seen so she would get her beads. And she did get her beads and so did Jameson so all was well.

Jameson was more interested in the fire trucks than anything going on with the parade so we watched for about an hour and headed out to find a place to eat.

We walked down Market until we found delectable egg and decided that sounded good- we were right, it was amazing. I love that place and I love breakfast food.

When we got back to our car we looked over the side of the building and found we had a perfect view of the parade going by. We sat on top of the building for another half an hour or so and watched more of the parade. I was amazed that we were the only people up there cause the view was totally perfect.

I'm pretty excited to keep crossing more off of my bucket list!

#100 Donate hair to lock of love

I did it! I had been growing out my hair, first just because I was too lazy to cut it but once it hit a certain length I decided to let it keep growing so I could donate to locks of love. I normally like to keep my hair longer but I can't think of a better reason to rock a short new 'do.

It felt great to chop off 11 inches, L.O.L only needs 10 inches but I gave one extra just cause. My whole head feels quite a bit lighter and I really like the cut!

My sister in law, Bayli, did it for me and I think she did an awesome job!

Dearest Briana;

I have changed so much since having you, I think I'm a better person now. A better person because of you. I always thought being a parent meant teaching your children things. Teaching them manners, how to read, tie their shoes, cook eggs.....but you taught me that children teach their parents more than we can ever teach them.

While I taught you manners, you taught me to laugh at messes.

While I taught you to read, you taught me to make up stories as I go.

While I taught you how to tie your shoes, you taught me to have patience.

While I taught you to cook eggs, you taught me that life is filled with the simplest pleasures.

You have such a big heart, care deeply for other people and you've taught me to care more for others. To have compassion and empathy when I may not understand where someone else is coming from.

I'm so proud of you and I love you!

Love forever and always,

Mom

#97 Try a new top rated restaurant

I have went out to Encore on Colfax last night with my brother, Amber (his girlfriend), Zach, and some great friends- Jake & Jamia, Jessica & Greg, and Zach & Sarah.

It was really good and the company was great!

I had the trout for my entree and

it was good but a little dry, luckily my chocolate mousse made up for it.

We went for 5280,

which is a two week period in Denver where a to

n of restaurants do a three course meal for two for $52.80. It's a great way some of Denver's top restaurants.

He's off!

Dominic really has this crawling thing down now. He looks cute scooting across the floor.....and of course it is just in time for us to be packing.

The little things

I've posted before about Baby Maddie and today I was reading her mom's blog and saw this in the comments:

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

Wow! What powerful and true words. They really hit home. You think you will remember every moment of your child(ren)'s life. But you don't.

Time fades memories.

That's why I take pictures. Lots of pictures. And I mean a lot of pictures.

Today I went with my mom, Jameson, Dominic, Alyssa (niece), and Xavier (nephew) to the Denver Diner. It wasn't anything special, just a lunch date while the car got worked on but it's a little thing that really is the big things.

The kids were really good and enjoyed looking out the window- Xavier and Jameson would point out each bus or big truck that went by and were just giggling with each other. Alyssa got up to dance and got embarrassed because someone caught her.

It was just nice. Being with my mom is nice. She flies back to Ohio Saturday after being here a month and I am going to miss her.

Oh and this morning I blew bubbles with the boys. Dominic loved the bubbles. It was adorable watching him try to catch them and look confused on where they had gone.

It really is the little things. No one is promised a tomorrow, so laugh a lot, dance a lot, love a lot, live a lot, and dammit.....take pictures

He crawled

Dominic took off crawling, well a sorta crawl. One leg was being used to push the rest of him but he was moving pretty quick.

The cutest part was that he made it half way across the living room, suddenly stopped, must have thought he was stuck, so he starting crying.

Don't worry, I rescued him

Jameson the babysitter

I like to ask Jameson for his help with Dominic because he gets so happy each time he makes his brother smile and it warms my heart.

So yesterday the boys were in my room and I stepped into the bathroom, I asked Jameson if he could please watch Dominic.

I heard Jameson start saying, "Ba ba ba ba"

So I peek in and he is laying on the floor right in front of Dominic telling him, "Ba ba ba ba" and tickling his belly. Dominic was smiling so big at his big brother and Jameson's face was lit up!

I ♥ my boys!

Lessons from the smallest places

A friend on facebook linked this blog:

http://kandjstaats.blogspot.com/

And I went to check out. Through my tears I read about baby Maddie, who at 4 months old passed away at the babysitters house on February 17th. It is heartbreaking. Parents should not have to pick out a casket for their babies.

This morning started kinda rough. Jameson has a cold and Dominic seems to have a very mild version of the same cold so sleep has been scarce in this household. Then Jameson woke up in a bad mood, he was demanding breakfast but not wanting me to cook it, not wanting his brother to make any noise.....sigh, just rough.

But then I read about baby Maddie and this morning is no longer rough. It's a memory, a cherished memory of my sweet baby boys driving me crazy.

I know other mothers who have lost their babies and they are all in my prayers today. I know that today is Maddie's funeral and as a mother I couldn't imagine if that was how I would spend my day, so I'll take the whining, take the crying, take missing my shower, take being behind on dishes and laundry, take not being able to go out, and take as little sleep as I have to because I know I'm blessed.

That's something a little bay girl I never met taught me today.

Rest in peace, baby Maddie.

It's 2:30am, what are you doing?

I am awake. Wide awake.

Jameson has a bit of a cough and it woke him tonight, Dominic decided he would not be left out of this early morning party so here we sit.

Dominic playing on the floor, Jameson eating grapes, and mommy blogging. It's hopping in the Hendrix house.

Even though nights like these are hard and I get sleepy and at times frustrated, I cherish this chaos. I see the beauty in the chaos.

I look at Briana and she is so grown up now, her time as a little toddler feels like it was so long ago and it went by way too fast. I remember listening to her learn to sing her ABC's, how excited she got when she first learned to ride her bike, and how she looked when she first walked into kindergarten. And it feels so long ago.

I know that one day, before I am ready, my boys will be grown. Sleeping through the night, not wanting mommy snuggles as often....grown.

And my sweet Briana will be turning 16 way before I am ready. Then heading off to college way before I am ready.

I'm tired, I need to shower, my dishes are always backed up, and laundry is never ending but I still wish I could slow time just a little bit so I can hold onto my babies before they are no longer babies.

Milestones

Dominic crawled!

Well, sorta.

He got one hand in front of him, then the second, then moved one knee.

It's a process and he's starting to get it! I can't believe how fast all of my babies are growing up.

*sniff, sniff*

Pink Eye

I'm pretty bummed I have not crossed anything off my list yet, but we have been doin' stuff. So it all evens out. We have been to the zoo twice in the last two weeks but I have not had any dippin dots yet. In time, in time.

Anyways- poor little Dominic has pink eye. Not sure how he got it but his little eye is all red and goopy. Yes, goopy is now a word.

We have the drops for him and he luckily he doesn't throw a fit when I put them in.

We've also booked Jameson's 3rd birthday party! Woo hoo! Party! But I can't believe my first born son is almost 3!

I've got it!

My official #100 is to hike a 14er. I live in Colorado and want to experience it more and what better way than to hike a 14er?!

When I blog about it I'll number it 101 though.

I suffer from mom brain

Wow! I already have my extra-because-of-my-oops on my first list. So now I still need to come up with one more.

I've got it and I know it's not on my list......drum roll please............

Ok, I lied. I don't have it yet, but I will. And soon. Very soon.

Oops

So on my list of 100 things I did one twice- go to another country. I am adding another one

~ Have Zach teach me how to juggle

1. Visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
2. Take the kids to Cave of the Winds
3. Walk the beach at sunset
4. Go hiking in the Rocky Mountains
5. Go whitewater rafting
6. Have a GNO at Canvas and Cocktails
7. Try my hand at fishing
8. Take Briana to check out the Stanley Hotel
9. Tailgate at a Denver Broncos game
10. Go snowboarding
11. Go green at the St. Patrick's Day parade
12. Get zombified at the Zombie Crawl downtown
13. Take my picture next to a palm tree
14. Go camping
15. See the Aspen's changing
16. Watch 4th of July fireworks over Lake Dillon
17. Take a tour of Celestial Seasonings in Boulder
18. Take a dip in the hot springs
19. Try a pole dancing class
20. Try Rocky Mountain oysters
21. Finally go to the Colorado Renaissance Festival
22. Go to the Dragon boat races
23. Jump off a boat into a lake or river
24. Go to the Winter X Games in Aspen
25. Do a zipline
26. Drink a green beer
27. Go to a Solara wine tasting
28. Try a dessert from Bar D Desserts
29. Go water skiing
30. Take a ride on the Rio Grande railroad
31. Eat dippin' dots at the Denver zoo
32. Take a shot of Patron with Zach
33. Join a softball team
34. Go horseback riding
35. Watch a movie at Red Rocks
36. Listen to the bands play down the street
37. Take out a paddle boat
38. Go watch the hot air balloons in Colorado Springs
39. Go to the movies with Zach
40. Try my hand at kayaking
41. Go picnic at 7 Falls
42. Take a photography class
43. Visit another country
44. Visit the museum with the kids
45. Take a pottery class
46. Go to a Mammoth game
47. Take Briana rock climbing
48. Take a tour of Coors field
49. Dress up for Halloween
50. Pay for someone's order behind me in the drive thru
51. Go to the Wild Animal Sanctuary
52. Rent a bike downtown and ride around
53. Take mine and the kids picture with Blue Bear downtown
54. Go visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park
55. Take the train up to Pikes Peak
56. Take the kids to the Dinosaur Resource Center
57. Go to the Ghost Town Museum
58. Go have dinner at the Iron Springs Chateau Melodrama Dinner Theater
59. Finally go see the Royal Gorge Bridge
60. Go eat at White Fence Farms
61. Check out the Manitou Cliff Dwellings
62. Go to a college football game
63. Take the kids to Disney on Ice
64. Find and join a church
65. Make pasta from scratch
66. Check out the Snowmass Mardi Gras Parade
67. Go to the Red Rocks Indian Art Show
68. Go to the Gunnison River Festival
69. Check out the Brighton Parade of Lights
70. Go to the Castle Rock Winefest
71. Go ice skating
72. Check out a car show
73. Learn how to make a chocolate lava cake
74. Have a laugh at Comedy Works
75. Go to a dueling piano bar
76. Visit another country
77. Play volleyball (or some other sport) in the park with friends
78. Sign up to read stories to kids in the hospital
79. Raise money for a good cause
80. Sing karaoke
81. Take a dance class
82. Go on a roadtrip without knowing where I am going in advance
83. Read 5 books
84. Go snorkeling
85. Have Zach teach me how to juggle
86. Organize a park picnic/BBQ with a bunch of friends
87. Take the kids swimming at the Cherry Creek Reservoir
88. Ride a roller coaster
89. Go down a big water slide
90. Plant a tree in memory of everyone I've lost
91. Get a new tattoo with Zach
92. Visit the Mother Cabrini shrine
93. Go see a local artist exhibit
94. Re-stain Briana's dresser
95. Hike to Hanging Lake
96. Go on the Boulder Ice Cream tour
97. Try a new top rated restaurant
98. Have a drink on a roof top bar
99. Go to a Rockies game
100. Donate hair to lock of love

2011-2012 Bucket List

I came across a 2011 Colorado bucket list and it has inspired me to make my own bucket list. I'm going to do a list of 100 things I'd like to do by December 31st, 2012. Having young kids I think I need a bit longer than a year.

I think it should be fun to see all I have done over the year and challenge myself to try some new stuff as well.

I plan on having the list done by Saturday and posted.

An open love letter

Well maybe not totally open.

I got married on July 11th but I would have to say we are not your average newlyweds. We have two kids- one was mine coming into the relationship but we had a son together. And I think as any parent knows, having a child is hard on a relationship. It teaches you so much about the other person.

We also left great jobs we loved and moved across the country to Ohio. When we got there we didn't get the jobs we thought we would, we didn't like it like we thought we would, and then we found out we were having a baby.

But when I stood up on the 11th and promised to Zach that I will fight for this relationship, I meant it.

Started 7/28/200911

I never thought I would be married and I never thought it would be like this. I am happy, extremely happy.....annoying happy I am sure.

So this is my form of an open love letter, something to look on when the road gets tough, when life starts to get to be too much, when kids are screaming and I haven't had time to get in the shower. I am happy. This is worth fighting for. This is worth everything.

**I just found this, and had forgotten about it but am now going to post it. Zach and I have added another baby to our family and I'm still extremely happy. Our life isn't perfect for everyone and the road gets rocky and money is tight but it's perfect for me. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

My wonderful daughter

A lot of people say they have great kids and I shout it from the rooftops. My daughter is amazing. She turned 12 almost a month ago and I'm amazed at how much she's grown and changed. Where did my baby go?

Even as a 2 year old Bri was always laid back, listened so well and shared like a pro. She was truly a blessing, my angel.

She is in 6th grade now and getting straight A's, which makes me so proud. I never got good grades and always struggled in school, Briana is involved and really enjoys getting good grades. I'm more proud than words can express. She's simply amazing.

Bri is in band this year, playing the alto sax. She has her first solo coming up this month, I can't wait to go watch!

She tried out for the school play and wants to try out for more.....so proud!

I see wonderful things in her future because she's well.....simply amazing.

It's 2011

I've been struggling with my weight since I had my son, Jameson and when I got pregnant with Dominic I have 35lbs to lose. As of today I have 15 to go! So as this new year comes in I have new resolutions.

1. Lose this last 15lbs and get back into my size 8 jeans (currently size 10-12 depending on the brand)

2. Be a better housewife. I struggle with this a lot, I enjoy being home with my boys but I don't enjoy cleaning the house or doing laundry. It seems so effortless for some moms but not me, I have to put lots of effort into keeping this place halfway decent.

3. PLAY MORE! I want to laugh more, enjoy life more, just play more. I want to play with my kids outside more, splash in the pool more, blow more bubbles, join a softball team.....just play more.

These are all very important to me and I know they are things I can keep up with. I know this going to be a great year!

Looky looky

It's 2011 and I'm failing at my blog again. New years brings new resolutions and one of mine is to keep up on this more.

Well, today is going to be Dominic's birth story. I finally have space again and it feels oh so good.

On Monday I just felt crappy, nothing I could pin point but just off. I was 37w4d pregnant. We did all our 4th of July stuff but missed fireworks because of rain, luckily we had gone the night before to see some.

I told Mary Lou, my mother in law, I just didn't feel so hot, just kinda off and she guessed I would go into labor soon. I woke up around midnight with cramping, but I had been having that on and off for a while so I brushed it off. But it was strong enough I couldn't get back to sleep so I got up for a bit.

I noticed they were coming every few minutes so we called Mary Lou to come on over. She got here around 2:30 and we were off to the hospital. I asked Zach before we left, "Do you think this is it?"

He simply answered, "No, not yet."

He was wrong.

I was 4cm dilated and contracting every 4 minutes when we got there. By 8am I was 5cm and still contracting every 3-4 minutes. I could feel them but they weren't painful so I just talked to Zach.

Then it hit me.....we are having another baby. Today. I kept hoping that Jameson would be a good big brother and I would fall into being a mom of three with ease. But I was nervous. I was also nervous because I didn't want an epidural.

I didn't have an epidural with Briana and it hurt like hell so I had one with Jameson and I hated the feeling of it.

I couldn't feel or move my legs and just didn't like it. So no epidural it was.

My water broke at 9:25ish and the fun really began. Zach made sure to ask if I wanted epidural at least 3 times. Goof, but he was worried seeing me like that, he'd rather I felt nothing. I like to feel my body change with each contraction, even if it hurt.

At 9:45ish I called in the nurse, the pain was so intense I wanted something to take the edge off in my IV. She checked me and I was 7cm. She went to go ask the doctor about my IV options and at 9:50 I told Zach to get someone in there NOW!

It was time to push.

The nurse rushed in and sure enough I was ready and my body was taking over. There is no "not pushing" when it's time, your body knows what to do and it does it. The doctor rushed in just as Dominic was crowning and my beautiful baby boy was born at 9:58am. He weighed 7lbs 1oz and was 19.5 inches long, perfect. Sheer perfection.

Poor little rushed out of the birth canal so fast his little face was bruised but he was still perfect. And now, almost 6 months later, he's still sheer perfection.

He also has a pretty awesome big brother, but more on that later.