Our weekend.

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Originally uploaded by karenandcj.

Well it's been a great weekend. I can't believe it's Tuesday tomorrow. My mum - "Omi" - has been here since Friday night. We've been doing a lot of socializing, gardening and shopping. What more could anyone ask for? CJ's been getting hot and sweaty building the fence (va va voom!!!! ;-))It's looking good. I can't wait to see teh final product. I think it'll make a huge difference to our yard.

So, Omi, Kenzie and I went flower shopping today. We bought a bunch of perennials. I am trying to be less anal with my gardening and plant things that look more like an old English garden (rather than petunias all in a row).

I am all about roses this year. With CJ's help we planted 4 new rose bushes out front, and moved 6 more that we had in the backyard out to teh front. I think they'll do great in their new location. I absolutely LOVE gardening.

I am also really impressed with Kenzie. When we were buying flowers today she pointed to a geranium and said "geranium". awwwww How'd she get to be so smart! :)

Well that's it for now. I've posted some pics below.

Feeding the ducks

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Originally uploaded by karenandcj.

We went to feed the ducks today. Kenzie was a bit cranky, but she enjoyed throwing rocks.

Birthbath again

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Originally uploaded by karenandcj.

Here's another picture of Kenzie getting the bath ready for the birds.

birdbath

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Originally uploaded by karenandcj.

Kenzie had fun putting "water" in our new birdbath.

The weekend

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Originally uploaded by karenandcj.

I can't wait. I have taken off Tuesday and Wednesday next week (& Monday is a holiday) so I have a 5 day weekend coming up! The weather has been absolutely gorgeous lately and it's supposed to continue through the weekend.

Mum is arriving tonight for a 10 day visit. That will be nice. I hope she doesn't drive me crazy - we either get along really well or she drives me batty. I will try to be patient.

Tomorrow I will be going to home Depot with CJ to purchase the fence supplies. We decided to go with a wooden fence (rather than vinyl). I love the look of wood. I think it'll look great when it's done - plus, I love to watch CJ do manly physical things (ha ha)!

I am looking forward to doing some gardening, drinking margaritas and just hanging out with mum and the kids. (I love saying "the kids"...)

Next Friday my sister is arriving with her boyfriend, Chris. I am looking forward to seeing her. Unfortunately they are only staying for 2 days - far too short of a visit in my opinion. Kenzie adores Andrea and I bet she will be thrilled to see her next week and very sad when Andrea leaves.

Oh yah... and my Dad is coming too. I think he is coming primarily to meet my sister's new boyfriend (I have a feeling she'll be engaged by the end of the year), but he is also coming for Sebastian's baptism. I hope it's not too stressful since mum and dad haven't spoken too much since their separation about 6 (?) years ago.

Okay, that's enough rambling from me.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend. Have fun and be safe.

- K

CJ's Phone camera

Often, when CJ takes the kids out for adventures, he'll take some pictures with his phone and email them to me at work. I can't tell you how much I love this. It just makes me soooo happy knowing that they are out there having fun. These are some pics he just sent to me (excuse the "phone-quality" pictures).

He took the kiddos to a park today with a farm. After they looked at the animals they had a picnic.

I am sitting at my desk now (just having some lunch) and I feel so good about being here because i don't have a single worry about how my family is doing. I know they are healthy (well relatively - i.e. CJ's shingles) and happy.

That is all.



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Originally uploaded by karenandcj.


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A boy and his bear!

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Originally uploaded by karenandcj.

too cute.

Job decision!!

I made my decision and feel great. This has been weighing on my mind heavily. I finally decided that there was no point in working if my job was "just a job" (well aside from the whole "need to make money" issue, that is).

I have decided to stay with my firm. I have an opportunity to make my job exciting and rewarding. I just need to overcome my shyness and fear of business development. I know I have the talent and expertise to be a partner in this firm. I just need to jump in at the deep end and do it and stop hiding behind others who are not any smarter than me but just less inhibited. I need to stop worrying about failure and just try. Additionally, when i talked to the partner in this office (who is also a good friend), we had a good heart to heart and i laid everything on the line. He said that he would work out ways to make my job more flexible and also would look into subsidizing part of my family's health insurance costs. So that is a plus.

SO...... I have decided to stay with my current firm but to change the way I approach my job. It will no longer be "just a job" but instead an opportunity to learn things, have fun, meet new people and grow professionally.

At least that is the plan.

I told my client today that I was retracting my application. I felt SO BAD doing that. She looked so upset and stressed. But she said she completely understood my reasons (financial and future opportunities). She mentioned that she was going to try to get more funding to extend my current contract so I can keep working with her. So that would be good, since I enjoy working with her and I enjoy the project. So there you have it!

Wish me luck.

funny kids

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Originally uploaded by karenandcj.

Took this picture this morning - it cracks me up.

going to work

Every day when I go to work I kiss the family goodbye and then head out the door. There is something about Kenzie's kisses that is just so darn adorable. She scrunches up her lips like she is being a fish and give me a full-on lip plant!

Then, more often than not, as I pull out of the driveway, I look towards the living room window and see my best-friend-husband-aka-kitchen-boy, holding our very dramatic-yet-oh-so-cute son, and our little attitude-ridden-Kenzie-Boo (not to be confused with "little poo", but that's another story) as they stand by the couch and wave goodbye and give me the "I love you sign". It warms my heart every day.


As for the little poo story...

The other day K was giving us a bit too much "attitude"... CJ, muttered "Stop being such a poo"... to which she responded "I'M NOT A POO... I'M KENZIE BOO! I'M NOT A POO... I'M KENZIE BOO! I'M NOT A POO... I'M KENZIE BOO! I'M NOT A POO... I'M KENZIE BOO! I'M NOT A POO... I'M KENZIE BOO! I'M NOT A POO... I'M KENZIE BOO!"

over and over and over and over... It was very hard not to laugh at that.

Sebastian

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Originally uploaded by karenandcj.

I just LOVE this picture. I actually submitted it for a photo contest. Every time I look at it I just want to kisss his cheeks.

I think he's the cutest kid. Then again, I may be biased.

Job indecision

I am so torn about what to do job-wise. I need to make up m mind soon. Do I want "just a job" with no stress, lots of security but no challenge? or do I want a job that is challenging, stressful but also very rewarding - with a lot more potential to make the big bucks?

I know that 5 years ago it wouldn't even have been a question - I would have gone for the latter - i.e. my current position. But now I am not so sure.

shingles

CJ went to see the doctor this morning because he had a painful rash on his neck. He was diagnosed with shingles... WTF???? When he gets sick, he gets sick. Two years ago he got meningitis... now this, I feel so bad for him. I hope that Sebastian doesn't get chickenpox. That would suck.

On a happier note. Kenzie, Sebastian and I went to visit Jenniferlyn and Ben this morning. Kenzie was REALLY clingy at first. I don't get it. By the end though she was happy and playing and having a good time. She is such a good sharer. She makes me proud! SEbastian LOVED Greg. It was cute. Everytime Greg walked by Sebastian would give him a big smile. They are both sleeping now! YAY. Here are some pictures from this morning.

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Originally uploaded by karenandcj.

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my husband...

... can trim the smallest finger nails
... can cook a fabulous mushroom stroganoff
... can remove splinters from toddler's feet without making them hurt
... play's the guitar like a rockstar
... likes to vacuum
... looks great when he mows the lawn
... can complete the NY Times crossword puzzle
... has awesome legs
... cries
... makes the best BBQ chicken
... gives a great massage
... is the kindest person I know
... is funny
... makes sock puppets
... doesn't need an occasion to buy a present for someone
... is loyal
... makes the strongest coffee sludge I've ever tasted
... will eat any leftover if it's rolled up in a wrap
... is the most wonderful dad
... drinks pressed garlic cloves in his juice
... chooses the most interesting outfits for our children to wear
... is protective
... will help a friend in need (at 3:00 am when it's pouring rain) without a single grumble
... is so smart he came up with his own language
... will pick up a beetle to show to our daughter
... makes me laugh, and laugh and laugh
... gives the most incredible hugs
... looks really good with platinum hair
... Tivo's the doodlebops

.... IS MY BEST FRIEND

Maybe I will blog

I've been thinking lately that it might be fun to blog. I think i will give it a try. Right now I don't have time since I am preparing for a big meeting where I have to impress clients and act all professional, but i am excited to add a blog entry later today. Don't know why I even wrote this... sorry. If this post is any indication, I can tell this is going to be one hell of an exciting blog... ha ha ha!