A Little G.T.L. Without the T

In case you might be hiding under a rock and have not been in touch with the main stream (useless but just can't resist) entertainment media, my title may just be throwing you off a little. So allow me to explain.

GTL is the marketing sensation from our friends at MTV and it all went down at the Jersey Shore. It may be so 2009 but it is here to stay for at least another fist pumping season. The G is for Gym, the T is for Tanning and the L is for a term that we have to do a little to often - Laundry.

Today I found myself experiencing a little G.T.L. without the situations. Recently I switched gyms to a one a little closer to home, well and to be honest it was a little (much) cheaper. Today was my first day to actually have my membership card swiped in 45 days, not that I am counting or anything.

Truth be told, my credit card statement actually reminded me that, maybe I might want to check it out, since I am paying for it after all. The scale also reminded me that I was hurting his back and I needed to stepped off. Since Mr. Honest Scale showed me what I didn't want to see, I did his back a favor and put him back under the bathroom sink upstairs far far far away from my kitchen pantry.

My new gym is a little different from my last to say the least. The dudes look a little something like this...

and the women a little more like this...



When the techno song came on during spin class, I was betting money that at any minute that the dude next to me was going to jump off of his bike with his gold chain, sleeveless t-shirt, slick back hair and start giving the class a little fist pumping action. Unfortunately, he didn't but there is always Thursday's class.

As for the T (tanning), well that membership expired in 1999 when I came to my senses and realized that I could spend my tanning money on the finer things in a college,like cheap wine and late night Whataburger. On a side note, now that my glory days in college are behind me I am pleased to announce that I have moved on to more sophisticated types of wine that do not come in packs of four or boxes, that my metabolism can no longer handle late night Whataburger runs and last but not least I now understand the benefits of using sunscreen.

After all, I do not want to look like this in the next ten years.



And for the L, well it is still sitting at the bottom of my washing machine just waiting to be washed.

Maybe I will just make it a G kind of day.

Just a Swingin'

When we purchased our new home we were overjoyed with the gift of space within and outside of our home.

Yesterday, after the hubby aka my lawn boy finished mowing the grass, Cookie and I waited patiently to join him outside. One of the unexpected blessings we received from the former owner was a swing set.

As Cookie and I were swinging, the Hubby joined in on the fun as well. You could say that we were a picture perfect swinging family. As Cookie and I went up and down, the hubby went higher and higher and laughed as he felt the butterflies build in his stomach.

While swinging He said, "Honey, this is exactly what God wanted me to do this evening. He wanted me to skip the weed eating and take the time to enjoy the simple things in life like the thrill of seeing how high I can go."

As the evening progressed, I thought more and more about the hubby's statement. The more I thought about it the more I realized that sometimes life is really like a swing ride: Sometimes we have to push back and forth hard to see how high we can really get, just to have to eventually come down again, but no matter what between the ups and downs and back and fourths we will always have the ground beneath our feet.

This weekend if you get a chance to take the time to go for a swing, you will be glad you did!

Yo Daddy

Daddy, Pappaw, Papa Ken, Uncle Chris, Uncle John, Uncle Dave, Granddaddy and Jim we hope that you are having a safe and wonderful Father's Day! We love you all so much!

Mixed Emotions

The Ch Ch CHANGES, have been running wild around the Cook household. From the new house, to Moo sleeping through the night. We seem to be on the never ending change roller coaster. Not that it is a bad thing, but [yes, there is always a but]when it comes to the girls they seem to be those stop you in your tracks types of changes.

Today marked the first day in the three year old room for Cookie. Yes, I said it correctly...three. Today she also entered into her new classroom with a bag full of panties. She is officially committing herself to the, "Mom shouldn't have to wipe my bum any longer" club. Okay, though I am the President of this said club, I am proud to announce that she is now a card carrying member.



As for Moo, I think I might just have to take her to Break Check and see if they can install some additional breaks. She is growing up way to quickly. First it bottles now it is one step from walking, sippy cups and table foods! Before I know it she will be in the one year old room and we will officially be out of the nursery business.



When did my babies start growing up so quickly? Did it happen last year while I was in KS or maybe this past month while in LA? The bottom line it seemed to happen overnight!

As a working Rookie Mom, [and just like any other working mom] I am tasked with work-life balance. Every working mom can relate when I say, the question of should I constantly linger. The Should I stay home, should I look for less travel, should I _______?

Whatever the blank maybe I might never know, but I do know one thing at the end of the day, I am blessed. I am blessed with two beautiful kids, a wonderful husband, a great career and most of all a solid friend and family support system.

The system I need to help me realize that with all these ch ch changes I can continue to juggle this thing they call work-life balance one diaper at a time.

Besides, if my unscripted life was so easy I wouldn't have things to blog about! So until I win the lottery or find the perfect answer to my should I question [no particular order of course], I will continue to post about this crazy thing they call work-life balance.

I Am In Trouble

This is what happens when Mommy steps away for a few minutes...




...Needless to say I am in trouble, given the simple fact that Moo isn't even one yet and she is the one making sure that the chair is nice and steady for her sister.

FACES

After a couple of weeks and a business trip in between, the boxes are unpacked and we are back to bloggin' baby!

Since I was on such a roll undoing boxes, I thought it was time to undo my camera as well. I only had 819 to upload.

So as a pat on the back to myself for pressing a button and finally uploading my pictures, I now would like to share the many faces of my kiddos.

The Angel...



The Devil...



Of course the above faces go back and forth.


Last but not least, Daddy's Girls...



816 to Go...but I am sure I will spare you a few.