Queen of the City of Stubbornville

My mom was always the tough love kind of mom. Her mothering style focused on teaching independence. From an early age, I had chores that most mothers don't even consider handing out until the pre-teen years. For example, at the age of three, I had a long fight with her about the unfairness of having to re-hang my clothes after my one year old brother pulled them down. What's that you say??? - A three year old hanging clothes? Yep! That was about the same age that I was given the responsibility of making my own lunch. I did fine, but you should have seen some of the crazy condiment creations my brothers made for themselves.

While growing up, I thought that people had kids so they wouldn't have to do so much house work. As I have gotten older, I have come to realize that her method was probably a lot harder than just doing everything by herself at least when we were little. It takes a great amount of stubbornness on her part to raise her oldest three the way she did. That is probably why she was not the same with the youngest 2 kids; we wore her out.

I have a strong feeling that if I would have popped out kids in my early 20s, I would have been a lot like she was with us. Back then, I had the fiery stubbornness that is required. However, my personality has changed with age. My brothers always comment that they want to know what happened to the strong willed sister they knew. I guess life has taught me that there are many different ways to approach life and I have learned to let many things go.

I still think independence is important for kids, but it is not the main focus of my mothering. Actually, I am much more laid back and probably more affectionate (the goofy mushy kind) than I would have been. My mothering skills are closer to what my mom was with her youngest, Paige, although I am not quite that laid back.

Despite that, I have been lucky enough to get a daughter who is chalk full of fiery stubbornness. With a little guidance, she'll be just as independent as I was. I guess my point is that in my family the Queen of Stubbornness seems to relinquish the crown around the age of 30. It always gets passed to the oldest daughter and isn't something that has to be taught.

Tags: stubborn, independent

Real American?

Tuesday, I brought Lexi to the office dressed in jeans. Two of the girls (one from Puerto Rico and one from Nicaragua) mentioned that she looks like a real American. I laughed and said, "She is." I know they meant she is an all American/jean wearing type girl.

That brought me back to something I think about often. Why do people refer to Caucasian Americans as "Americans" and others by their ancestral origins? There are Cuban Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Mexican Americans, even Native Americans, and many others.

I don't really mind all the distinctions, because I think people naturally want to categorize things. If it isn't origins or race it is by sex, age group, fashion tendencies, hair color, etc. The problem for me is referring to Caucasians as Americans. The US should be all about integrating all the different types of people. When we say Americans, we should mean everyone who is a US citizen. If we are talking about Caucasians, we can call them European Americans or something. I guess I just feel weird about it.

Tags: nationality, American

Tropical Storm Dud

Ernesto turned out to be a dud, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It was more like our regular afternoon thunderstorms. Weak Hurricanes and Tropical Storms still hurt the real estate market. I thought it had started to pick up after a very slow July. To be honest, our landscaping has not fully recovered from last year's storms. I certainly don't want anything to discourage potential buyers, so the dud wasn't all bad. (**Sidetrack/ Update Time: our agent said everyone who has come to see it, loves our house. The problems are the market and finding buyers that can qualify for that amount.)

Unfortunately, because Ernesto fizzled too much, the storm did not turn out the way I wanted. My whole joy of tropical storms and hurricanes centers on bonus time off. This dud meant only 2 half days off instead of one full day. It is better than no time off, but it is one of those cases, when two halves don't equal a whole. I still had to go in twice.

It wasn't bad for everyone, Lexi got to enjoy her first storm because daycare was closed. She spent the half day yesterday with me at the office and she is spending today at home with Steve (he has a WHOLE day off). I like my job, but I like having a day off even more.

Blah, blah, blah...the point is Ernesto could have been better (for me).

Tags: Tropical Storm Ernesto

Ernesto Everything

Life in South Florida has become all about Ernesto. Yesterday, we went to Target to look for a play mat for Lexi. The store was packed by crazed Hurricane shoppers and all the bottles of water were already gone. We needed to go grocery shopping, but did not want to wrestle people for basic items. Steve suggested that we go to the ghetto grocery store. Since it is the closest one to our house, we did. You wouldn't believe what a pleasant shopping experience we had (considering the storm). There was even plenty of water. I think we will be going there from now on whenever a cone is aimed at us.

Now, we are just going about our daily activities and watching the cone. Wednesday is looking like a good day to stay in bed and hang out at the house. I am hoping Ernesto goes up the coastline staying just east of Florida and west of the Bahamas. Of course, it has to continue looking like it is coming here to get a day off. So - that is my hurricane wish for the week.

Tags: Tropical Storm Ernesto, Hurricanes

Sacred Times & Friday Gripes

I have come to believe that people who schedule business meetings on Fridays or any kind of meetings after 4 pm during the week are purely evil. It is Friday and I should be able to wear jeans like everyone else, but NO I had to attend a meeting. It is a monthly meeting so there really is no need for it to be on Fridays.

I have to attend another similar type monthly meeting on the third Tuesday of the month and guess what time it is scheduled for. Yep, it is at 4pm in downtown Miami and it never starts on time. That means that I am stuck driving back in the worst traffic ever. I guess I should just be happy that I don't have a Friday meeting at 4pm in downtown Miami.

Enough complaints, the work week is almost over, so time to start feeling great. HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Tags: Casual Friday, Meetings

Using Body Language

In every company I have worked for, there was always one female employee that seemed to flirt with the boss. By flirting, I mean that these chicks stand too close, act overly interested, strike seductive posses, giggle instead of laugh even at dumb jokes, and generally go overboard when asked to perform a task. I highly doubt the ones I have been around were having an affair with the boss. Their behavior is simply used to get what they want (attention, more money, better office supplies, etc.). The funny thing is that it does work on some level and they get a little farther than they would based on their intelligence or work ability, but they don't have many friends. Whenever I observe one of these interactions, I often wonder why the guys fall for it and what in the chick's past/childhood makes her think that this is the method for getting what she wants.

Tags: body language, work

In Honor of Beef Gravy and Family

Prior to meeting the in-laws, Steve and I tried to give each other a preview of what to expect. I showed him a home video from my mom's wedding (2001). He thought my brothers were high (especially the middle one) on something, but that is just typical Mormon hyper activity that happens at gatherings. I think it comes trying to get attention in a big family, but I'm not an expert on the topic.

Steve warned me by telling me the nicknames his friends had for his family members. His brother was called Goob or Boog backwards, which is short for booger. His dad's nickname was Happy. The strangest one was his mom's. They called her Beef Gravy. He doesn't remember how that one got started other than she made it a lot. The funny thing is that all of those nicknames fit.

When you get sick, like we are, you tend to miss your mom and think about how she used to take care of you. Unfortunately, we can't turn to our mothers to help us get better. My mom lives in California and his mom recently passed away. Since I can still call mine (until she flies out on Thursday), I get advice and sympathy over the phone. I feel sorry for Steve because he isn't able to do that any more.

To help him feel a little of that motherly kindness, we are having beef stew for dinner. This little attempt will not be quite the same. It is the Banquet Crock Pot in a Bag version not the homemade way she used to do it. Besides the fact, that I don't really care for beef stew, I look and feel like I have been hit by a truck. Thank you Banquet for helping with the warm fuzzy hubby family feelings. We will all be better in no time.

Tags: beef gravy, nicknames

Down for the Count

Over the weekend, we spiraled into a black hole of darkness (bronchitis) and I am trying to imagine the light again. When it comes to being sick, Steve is a bit of a hypochondriac who runs right to the doctor at the first sign of illness. I, on the other hand, tend to hold off until I am too weak to drag myself there.

Unfortunately, Lexi and I are suffering from bronchitis, while Steve started antibiotics right away. I know that isn't fair to Lexi. This is something I definitely need to change that about myself. This time though, I blame a lot of it on the weekend. She seemed to be getting better on Thursday and Friday. Saturday was a whole different story. Why does it always happen on the weekend? I don't think Lexi stopped coughing Saturday night, which means that I was up the whole night. Sunday, she was fussier than ever and had chest congestion so we took her to Urgent Care. On Monday, I made a doctor appointment and found out I had it too.

Now, we have a kitchen full of antibiotics. I get the fun task of fighting Lexi every 6 hours to force the elixirs down (three different kinds).

Tags: illness, Urgent Care, bronchitis, elixirs

Disney Mystery Revealed

From time to time, there is often a debate about a Disney Character. That character is Goofy. Some people say he is a dog, but others disagree because Pluto is a dog. It is strange to have one dog that acts like a goofy person and one that acts like a dog together. However, Disney is all about strange things. Lets face it, their number one character of all time is Mickey Mouse (talking mouse) and second in popularity is his best friend Donald the Duck (ok, so he just gibbers). Moving on to the point...

Last weekend, I had the Disney channel on while I was cleaning and Lexi was playing in the family room. During the new Mickey Mouse Club House show, the mystery was revealed. They were looking for Donald's pet chicken (strange idea). He had traded it to a giant for magic beans, which became a bean stock. Of course, Mickey, Goofy and Donald climbed it. When they were sneaking around the giant's house & farm, he woke up. He said, "Fee Fie Fo Fum, I smell the blood of a mouse, duck and dog." See, there you have it. Goofy is just an evolved dog.

I wonder if Walt Disney would have wanted this revealed in such a non-dramatic way. Too late now.

Tags: Disney, Pluto, Dog, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck

Battle Hymn of the Cockroach

Long before I was born and long after I am dead, there will be one species ruling middle earth. I hereby declare that it will be the cockroach. How do I know? In high school, I pondered about their existence while one tried to hold me captive in my bedroom in Katy, Texas.

This is not the first time I had encountered their malicious ways, oh no. Around the age of 10, I had a bedroom in Melbourne, Florida where one introduced me to their wicked sense of humors. It happened one night when the lights went out. I could hear the wings of a single cockroach brushing against various things in the room. This was no ordinary one as it had developed flying skills.

...But it was in Katy, Texas that I realized that they are a highly intelligent species, but have only one priority/goal in life and that is to strike fear in the hearts of human beings everywhere. Imagine what you could accomplish having an incredibly high IQ and only one purpose in life.

However, there is only one way to end their reign and that is to stop letting them get the one thing they want - humans to fear them. As my part to the world, I vow to battle any cockroach I see including the one I just killed. By the way, I think the ones in Miami have either lower IQs or are wimps. It is just too easy to scare them off.

Tags: Battle Hymn, cockroach, IQ, fear

Thursday & Tagged By Anna

It is Thursday and nothing special is going on. Actually, illness is all around me. Steve has now joined Lexi in the not so happy cold with runny nose club. Personally, I am trying to avoid it. I didn't get to have a night to myself last night. As soon as Lexi fell asleep (8:30pm), Steve walked through the door like a zombie. While he was taking a shower, I made soup & a grilled cheese sandwich for him. Come to think of it, I did get the night to myself. Around midnight, Steve was snoring and making so much noise that I decided to go sleep in the guest bedroom.

Here is the very lovely Tag from Anna:

Start 10 sentences with the word, I LOVE...

1. I love...Lexi. I started off with the easiest one.

2. I love...my husband, Steve. I love talking to him, laughing with him, the way he helps with household chores, the way he is overprotective of Lexi and me, the fact that he is more sentimental than I am, and that he is great at apologizing.

3. I love...my nieces and nephews. They are wild and crazy and fun and it doesn't even bother me that they are a little bratty.

4. I love...Thanksgiving. It is a four day weekend with friends, family, and good food. What is there not to love about it? I have lots of fond memories of this holiday.

5. I love...Traveling. I simply can't get enough of it.

6. I love...talking on the phone during a long evening commute. Yes - I talk on the phone and drive (if you call crawling towards home driving).

7. I love...driving over the MacArthur Causeway and seeing the crystal blue water, the cruise ships on the right, and the mansions on the left.

8. I love...little areas like City Place, where you can eat dinner and stroll around afterward. I like less commercialized places better, but I can't think of one off the top of my head.

9. I love...Katy, Texas. The people are so nice, the cost of living is cheap, I have a lot of friends there, there are 2 major airports within an hour (important see #5), there are all the advantages to big city living, etc. I could go on...

10. I love...the Caribbean. I have been thinking about how life is so laid back there.

I guess I'll tag Paige & Issy. **& Mish**

Tags: love, tag

Party for One

After I put Lexi to bed tonight, I will actually have some time to myself because Steve has to work until 10 or 11pm. It has been so long that I don't even know what to do. Should I try to catch up on sleep? Should I watch one of the many movies a co-worker lent me several weeks ago? Should I take a long bath and relax? Should I catch up on phone calls to friends? The options are endless. One thing is for sure; I will not be doing housework or cooking. After another day of juggling a sick baby at work, I am looking forward to a break. Steve will be having loads of fun (yeah right), so why shouldn't I?

Tags: working late, husband, home alone

How Did My Life Become Routine?

Becoming a working mom has taught me the importance of schedules, although I still don't like them. My day consists of:

5:30 am: Wake up to Lexi's hungry cries, make bottle & feed her

5:45 am: Finish feeding Lexi & put her back in bed (most days, she'll go back to sleep). Start making breakfast & lunch for Steve (See, I can be extra nice).

6:00 am: Steve leaves & I hop in the shower & get ready

6:30 am: Start packing the diaper bag and the car with Lexi's stuff for the day & a few things for me.

6:45am: Get Lexi up, dress her, lock up & set the house alarm, and put Lexi in the car

7:00 am: Prepare for crappy commute

7:45 am: Arrive at daycare & drop Lexi off (when traffic is semi-normal)

8:00 am: Arrive at work & eat a snack for breakfast

12:30 pm: Lunch break - eat something quick & go to daycare to visit Lexi

1:15 pm: Drive back to work

5:30 pm: Shut down computer & head back to daycare

5:50 pm: Pick up Lexi from day care

6:30 pm: Arrive back at home, take Lexi inside & unpack car

7:00 pm: Start dinner and a load of laundry, Steve gets home from work most nights (sometimes later)

7:30 pm: Feed Lexi cereal & veg/fruit

8:00 pm: Eat Dinner with Steve

8:30 pm: Give Lexi a bath & put her in bed

9:00 pm: Start cleaning the house, fold laundry

9:30 pm: Get ready for bed

10:00 pm: Go to bed

Twice during the night, wake up to whimpers. I go in Lexi's room and put her pacifier in her mouth, so she'll go right back to sleep.

Sounds too rigid for someone like me, but it does vary a little. Like today, I woke up at 5am and started cleaning the house because our realtor made an appointment to show it. Another big change today is that Lexi is ill (daycare diseases). She will spend the day with me at work.

Suddenly, I am really loving the weekend more than ever for the chance to be a little spontaneous.

Tags: routine, schedules

Let the Games Begin

When you live in my house in Miami, you come to realize that there are only 2 seasons in the year, Football season & non-Football season. It is also clear that Football season has begun. This is a time when Steve ensures that the television is stuck on ESPN all week. He listens to talk radio and reads the newspaper like a drug addict looking for a fix. The home games that he attends are big events. He plans for days. His friends have the traditional tailgate party and an additional after game bbq. They are like psycho Red Sox fans. It is a good thing that I like sports and I am sure that Lexi will too. To be honest, she has no choice.

Tags: Miami Dolphins, Sports, Fans, Football

Happy Friday!

Lexi isn't the only one that is excited about it being Friday. I am looking forward to an uneventful weekend. I just wish Steve didn't have to work tomorrow. Plus, I am not too thrilled about organizing my house again. I guess we can't have fun all the time, but it is certainly nice to try.

Diagnosis Brain Cloud

The other day, I caught about 2 minutes of that movie Joe Versus the Volcano on HBO. It was just long enough to see that he had been diagnosed with a brain cloud. Even though it was completely fake, I have come to realize that I have it, but mine is caused by severe sleep deprivation (coming up on a year). How else would you describe foggy thinking, memory loss, lack of my normal drive for life, no concentration skills, being ridiculously unorganized, and a general disinterest in things I normally like? I guess I could blame it on being a blonde that just became ADD, but I have a new diagnosis that is more suitable...brain cloud.

Tags: Joe Versus the Volcano, HBO, Brain Cloud, tired

An Interesting MeMe

I got this Meme off of Misha's blog:

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?

No, I can't even imagine what that is like.

2. Do you close your eyes on roller coasters?

Nope

3. When's the last time you've been sledding?

Probably winter 1995/1996 while attending BYU

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?

Some nights right after my crazy sleeping husband whacks me in the head, I think sleeping alone would be nice.

5. Do you believe in ghosts?

Sure

6. Do you consider yourself creative?

In some areas

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?

I didn't watch any of the trial or get sucked up in it, but I tend to think he is guilty.

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?

as a Friend??? - Jennifer Aniston (get it?)
for interesting dinner conversation - Angelina Jolie

9. Do you stay friends with your exes?

Most of them for a while anyway. I have never been dumped, but I have always been a polite dumper. No ill feelings, but time goes on.

10. Do you know how to play poker?

No, I totally suck at it.

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?

Yep, several times for workaholic deadlines

12. What's your favorite commercial?

Unfortunately, I don't remember things like this - Probably one of the Superbowl ones.

13. What are you allergic to?

Cat hair (after several days of being around one my eyes itch).

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around do you run red lights?

I live in Miami, everyone runs read lights day or night. There is no other way to make left turns. As far as nobody being around, that NEVER happens here. There is always traffic.

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?

It's a secret. Just kidding - nothing comes to mind.

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?

Not a fan of either, but I'd rather see the Red Sox win just to spite the Yankees & their ridiculous payroll.

17. Have you ever been Ice Skating?

Yeah, several times. It is fun, but I am not good at it.

18. How often do you remember your dreams?

I dream every night & if I think about it when I wake up, I can remember. Usually, I just get busy with other things & forget.

19. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?

I laugh a lot, but rarely cry even out of joy.

20. Can you name 5 songs by The Beatles?

Yellow Submarine
When I'm 64
Sgt Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band
Eleanor Rigby
Nowhere Man

21. What's the one thing on your mind now?

My baby is dosing off to sleep and I wish I could.

22. Do you know who Ghetto-ass barbie is?

No - lil Kim?

23. Do you always wear your seat belt?

Yes, when I'm driving
Not always, when I am sitting in the backseat even though I know I should

24. What cell service do you use?

MetroPCS: extremely cheap local one that I think is best for teenagers, but hey it's cheap & has unlimited minutes.


25. Do you like sushi?

Sushi is ok, but I prefer California rolls.


26. Have you ever narrowly avoided a fatal accident?

Where do I start...MANY, MANY, MANY I can think of 5 times during the summer after my senior year in high school.

27. What do you wear to bed?

Comfy pjs

28. Been caught stealing?

It has been a LONG time. I guess not even when I was 5. I admitted taking candy to my mom & she dragged me back to the store to confess & apologize.


29. What shoe size do you have?

6.5 to 7

30. Do you truly hate anyone?

I can think of 2 people that I dislike immensely, but that is about as far as it goes.


31. Classic Rock or Rap?

Classic Rock - goes along with the ugly big bangs of my younger years

32. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be?

The whole idea of sleeping with someone because their famous or rich doesn't appeal to me.

33. Favorite Song?

Just like commercials, I can never think of one off the top of my head. It depends on what I just heard.

34. Have you ever sang in front of the mirror?

Oh sure, who hasn't?

35. What food do you find disgusting?

Most reptiles & pork

36. Do you sing in the shower?

No (in the car)


37. Did you ever play, "I'll show you mine, if you show me yours"?

No! With who??? My childhood friends were girls & I definitely wouldn't have done that with my brothers!

38. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?

Sure in a playful way, just like I know they make fun of me.


39. Have you ever stood up for someone you hardly knew?

Definitely, I can't keep quiet if I completely disagree with something.


40. Have you ever been punched in the face?

Joking or by accident, not in a serious fight.

Finally an Acronym that Fits

Yesterday, I received a fax from a county department. I won't list which department, but I will say that when it comes to idiotic ideas, they take the cake. The latest one is the acronym of their new division - B.A.D. Can you believe that they actually put the acronym on their fax? You could if you lived here.

Harder on Me

This morning, I sadly handed my sweet little baby over to strangers. It is something that I have been dreading since we started trying to have kids. I was half depressed half trying to force myself into denial all weekend over the situation. My sorrow intensified as I was sitting in the parking lot of the daycare. I did NOT want to take her in. I sat in the backseat of the car moving at snail speed and looking for ways to prolong the inevitable.

When I finally took her inside, I could tell she was going to love it there. She was so thrilled by the other children. She studied them intently and seemed to fit right in. I was so relieved. Later when I called to check on her, they told me she cried a little but was fine. At 11am, when I went to pick her up, I saw a very happy little Lexi playing on the floor with a couple of other cute babies. She was as delighted as ever, which will make tomorrow much easier on me (very thoughtful right?).

Tags: daycare, first day, sad

Last Night in Miami for Paige

Friday night, we decided to take Paige to Bahama Breeze. She had never been there and it is definitely one of our favorite chain restaurants. They have the best appetizers. We usually order coconut shrimp and island onion rings, which basically filled us up. For dinner, I had Jerk Chicken Pasta. Steve had Mahi Mahi. Lexi had imported bananas (we brought Gerber). I can't even remember what Paige had, probably because Lexi was using me as a jungle gym throughout dinner. I took bites between wrestling matches. We all had a good time though.

Tags: Bahama Breeze, Jerk Chicken, Coconut Shrimp

Blogging's Addictive Nature

Non-bloggers don't have any idea that blogging is completely addictive. At first, I didn't think it would be either. In fact, I almost quit several months into it. Now, I can't even imagine living without blogs. I have several blogs, my old one (ArtemisGaia), this one (Freckle Face Girl), a design test site one, one for Lexi, and an anonymous one that I rarely post on. You may be wondering why one person would have all of these sites. I can't say other than it is addictive.

What's that you say? You don't believe me? It is a simple truth. My sister, Paige, has more blogs than I do and she is on MySpace. I only have links to 3 of them. She has Queen Pegness, Wize Up McPaige, and Purring Towards Perfection (a new one for her cat). Ok, so I have to take the blame for the last one. I mentioned the idea to her because I am now addicted to designing sites and I wanted to do a new one. I know she is crazy about her cat, so she would go for it.

Ok so, I have only mentioned my sister & me. It is not just a family trait. There are other addicts out there too... and some will admit it.

Why am I confessing about this addiction now (besides the fact that it has gotten worse)? One of my old friends from my teenage years has started her own blog, The Murphy 6. Actually, she has dabbled in blogging before. She just hasn't gotten past the stage where the addiction kicks in. I am so happy she is trying again. If I could, I would get most of my real world friends addicted. They live all over the place and this just seems like the best way to keep in touch. So, to all my friends who secretly lurk and occasionally send me e-mails, please jump into the fun! ...Because as bloggers know, part of the addiction involves reading other blogs. I'll even help you with your own unique design (please feed my growing addiction).

By the way, I completely blame cousin Emily for my craziness (at least when it comes to blogging).

Tags: blog addict, blog designs

Miami Gringa Spin

Lately, news about Miami is all about celebrations of Castro's failing health (some think he is dead). To be honest, before I moved to Miami I knew very little about Cuba. Sure, I had heard about the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis, but not really in detail. History classes usually run out of time before modern history is explored. I basically knew that Castro was communist and a horrible leader and consequently there were many refugees who had escaped to Miami.

Since moving here, I have heard detailed personal accounts of friends and co-workers. What they or their families have been through is heart wrenching. One of my favorite co-workers was arrested at the age of 19 simply for being anti-Castro. He spent over 20 years in jail being tortured and beaten before being sent to the US in the 80s. His horrible physical scars are not nearly as deep as his sad stories, but he continues to smile and make me laugh. Even today, he told me that he cannot wait for that SOB to die, but not with the kind of anger most would be feeling in his shoes.

I can't pretend to be an expert on the subject or to even write about why his death will be a good thing. I do know that he must be completely evil. How else could a leader, who was listed as a billionaire in Forbes magazine last year, oversee a country where the necessities in life like soap and toilet paper are hard to come by?

Tags: Miami Gringa, Fidel Castro

Whirlwind Weekend

Before the blessing at the church

Lexi with her Granddad George & Grandma Margie

Lexi posing with her cousins (Kaylie, Zak, Amon & Miriam)

Steve's birthday UM Hurricane shirt in Seminole Territory

Lexi & Miriam

Miriam, Lexi, Kaylie, Zak, & 2nd cousin Regan

This long weekend was a whirlwind of activities from Steve's 39th birthday to Lexi's blessing and of course loads of family time, which you can never have too much of. On our way up to Tallahassee, Steve called his dad and found out he really wanted to go. We weren't far from his house, so we stopped off and picked him up. It was good for him to get out of the house and be around other people. I was surprised to find out that in his 40 years of living in Florida he had never been to the capital.

We stayed at my Aunt Sue's house, which is amazing. They own 40 acres about 20 miles east of Tallahassee. They designed and built a big Key West style house on a lake. We had Steve's birthday party there. I ordered bbq from a local restaurant and a cake with a picture of Lexi and Steve on it. It was also a mini-family reunion.

I enjoyed the weekend, but I wish we could have spent more time with my brother's kids. That is always my favorite part of being around family. Lexi got a chance to see her cousins and actually be with kids. At first, she was a bit put off by their in-your-face & hyper ways, but she warmed up quickly. All in all, it was a great trip for all of us.

Tags: Tallahassee, Mormon, Blessing, Nieces, Nephews