Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I'm a big girl now, peeps!  Not that I wasn't before, but now it's totally official.  

After months years of trying, I am finally about to embark on a new professional opportunity!

YAY!!!  (says the big girl)

It's a weird feeling.  I have been in my current position for just about 4 1/2 years now- learning and growing and meeting fabulous people along the way.  I have been the veteran, the expert, the go-to girl for so long... it is tough to imagine beginning that process again.

But alas, the time has finally come for me to spread my power-suited wings and (try to) fly.  

I promise not to poop on anyone's head while I'm soaring on the highs of newness and possibility! 

In other news, I am on Instagram now and my obsession with taking and posting pictures of my children (and admittedly myself) has reached an all time high, or low... depending on how you look at it.  I'm a perpetual optimist, so to me, it's fine.  Completely fine. 

My inclination to quit Facebook cold turkey has only deepened and seems more appealing than ever now that I have Instie to depend on.  

It's a tough call to make though because I am addicted to Facebook.  I might need to seek out a therapist before making any drastic and life-altering decisions regarding my online presence.

In other news, the fam is doing well.  My hubby is still better than yours, sorry.  

Can't you just be happy for me?!  ;)

My 4-year old boy is still the most amazing kid I know and I don't foresee that changing.   Latest Liam-ism "Mommy LOOK!  I crushed my salad! And now I'm going to crush my spaghetti!"

Oh you crushed them, did you!?!?!

He also told me the other day "I am certainly not done with my potatoes."  

The kid kills me.

My other (wonderful) baby boy turns 1 in about 2 weeks.  That's really as much mention as I want to give that topic because I puke in my mouth every time I think about it.

 

Oh, here's something FUN!  I was at the Raven's game on Sunday and saw this little number up close and personal.  Hilarious!!!

 

Streaker on the field does the lawnmower

All in all, things are looking up 'round here.  I had a really rough Spring/Summer for reasons I am still uncovering.  Another topic another post.  I don't want to ruin the sarcastic tone I've got going on here today.

I disappeared off the radar for a while, but I fully intend on setting realistic blogging goals, and sticking to them as best I can.  Hopefully, one day, this will ease my transition into the small percentage of the population who isn't on Facebook.  :)

Have a great week, world.  I am glad to be back!

Go smile at a few rando's today!  Make 'em think!

Kindly~

Meghan

Friday's Letters 8.0

Dear Baby Jesus- THANK GOODNESS IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!!

Dear Chest-wrenching Cough that I Have had all Week- You're bags are packed.  I left them by the front door.  I called a cab.  You can leave anytime now.  Nice knowin' ya.

Dear Liam and Collin-  What say you two conveniently decide to sleep in until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning?  NO?  How about 8:30?  8:00?  Fine.  7:30, and that's my final answer.

PS- I love you both IMMENSELY. 

Dear Broccoli- I love you.  You look like a tree, you're a platform for spicy ranch, and you help a sista out.  I could go on and on, but I think those reasons alone prove my case that you're the best veggie alive.

Dear Maria-  Thank you for making me the most delicious coffee every morning (Hazelnut Iced Coffee, to be specific).  You are very important to me.

Dear Bed-  Thank you for housing me and my sick, pitiful self for the first 3 days of the week.  I probably could have left your side a few times, but you just wouldn't let me.

Dear Grilled Cheese-  Ima eaaatttt youuuuuuuu!!!!!

via

Dear Current Job-  I am worth WAY more than you make of me.  You know what that means, don't you?  I don't know when, or how, or where, but I will be finding a replacement for you.  The main thing is that now, I know WHY.

Dear Family-  Thank you for always supporting me.  Each and every one of you play a significant role in my life, my happiness, and my sanity.  I promise to always honor you.

Dear Friends-  As I said in my last post, Happy Friday!  

Linking up for Friday's Letters with Ashley and a ton of other amazing bloggers!  

As always, go peep her blog.  She's great!

Until next time....

Kindly~

Meghan

Superhero School

With the help of some great people, including my Super Mom, Liam had one heck of a birthday party last weekend.  Here are some of the sweet, silly, beautiful moments:

Looking forward to getting back to posting soon.

Kindly~

Meghan

Relentless

What is the one thing in your life that you will stop at nothing to get/be/do?  

That one thing that you will never stop striving to have.  

That one thing that would fulfill a part of your soul that nothing else could.  

That one thing you stay up and think about at night.

 That one thing that you talk to yourself about.

That one thing for me is my degree.

It may sounds silly, but it is totally true and I'll tell you why:

I graduated from high school in 2000 (yep, I'm almost AM the big three zero).  

And what year is it again... 2012?  

I went straight to college and lasted (not even) a full semester.  It was a confusing experience, and one I am not extremely proud of.  Sure, I didn't do what I set out to do, and blah blah blah.  But what mattered to me in the years to follow was that I let down some of the people that supported me.  It was a horrible feeling, and one that I was not equipped to handle on an emotionally mature level at that point in my life.

So what did I do?
I rebelled.  I partied, and I partied hard. (something I did almost none of in grade school).
I came out of the proverbial cage like a bat out of hell, and I avoided responsibility like the plague.

For almost four years I worked in and out of ordinary restaurants, had a few near death experiences, drank WAY too much, and gave my parents a few extra (thousand) gray hairs.

Finally, in 2004, tired of running myself ragged and having nothing to show for it, I made a serious decision to go back to school.  With the help of my family, I stared at a community college where I would spend the next two years busting my ass before transferring to a university with a 3.8 GPA.  Yeah... I was serious about  it this time.

After 3 successful semesters at George Mason University, Bren and I found out we were expecting a baby.   Needless to say, this put an immediate halt on the ol' education.  I took two full semesters off of school.  I cannot tell you how upset I was about having to stop taking classes.  I was thrilled about having a baby, but depressed about the changes it was going to force me to make.  (I have to laugh at that now... "changes."  Yeah... a baby changes EVERYTHING). I swore that I would go back as soon as I could.  Bren promised to do everything in his power to help me do so.

About 3 months after I had Liam, I landed a full time gig at George Mason University (how convenient you say!), and began taking classes again soon after.  Luckily for me, GMU offers its employees tuition benefits.  This allowed me to take 2 courses per semester (which was all I could handle anyway having a newborn at home and all...). 

 Four years and two kids later (Liam and Collin), here I am: On the cusp of my last semester.  About to graduate in about 7 months.  Working full time.  Planning crazy birthday parties last minute.  Trying to do this blogging thing (which I love and wish I had more time and energy for).  

I cannot begin to tell you what getting my degree signifies for me.  

Strength.  Support.  Faith.  Determination.  Focus.  Creativity.  Passion.  Hope.  Drive.  Comfort.  Relief.  Relentlessness.    

Most of all, I know, that if I can do THIS... I can do anything.

Never give up on that one thing.  It will be yours sooner than you expect!

Kindly~

Meghan

 

Friday's Letters 7.0

Dear blog- Please forgive me for neglecting you all week.  I can't believe I haven't done a single post.  It's not that I didn't WANT to.  You'll just have to trust me on that one.  I'm hoping you and I get to spend more time together next week.

Dear fellow bloggers- Has this ever happened to you?  I have been so busy this week that not only have I had a limited amount of free time, but in that free time, I haven't been able to come up with anything interesting to write about.  I'd call it "writer's block," or better yet "blogger's block," but it is so much more than that.  "Thinker's block," possibly.  How do you combat this if and when it has ever affected you?  I don't want to fall of the face of the blogosphere every time I have a stressful week.  Any and all suggestions would be welcome and appreciated.

Dear Hub- OMG.  All I wanted to do was curl up next to you this morning and not move.  You are so comfy.  I'm sorry I fell back asleep when you went down to make our coffee.  And thank you for sending me a text ("Get up.") to wake me back up.  It worked. 

Dear Liam- First soccer lesson this weekend!!!  Aren't you so very excited?  If not, I'm excited enough for the both of us!  I promise you'll have fun Bubs.  I can't wait to see how well you do!

Dear Collin- I see dat wittle toooof poppin' through doze wittle gumz!  I'm rootin' for ya, Monkey!

Dear 80 degree weather that is on its way- Everything is better when you're here.  Everything.  Never leave me.

Dear Mom- It was so nice spending time with you and AK last weekend.  Thank you for everything: the pictures, the lunch, the dress, the company.  I had such a good time!  You're the best!  I love you!

Dear Bri and Alex- Can't wait for a little girl time with you tonight!!!  Such a treat!  Let's pretend like there's no one else in the bar but us! 

Dear Friends- Have a wonderful weekend!  Make it just what you need.  Whatever that may be!

Linking up with Ashley from Adventures of Newlyweds!!  Every Friday, yo.  Every single Friday.  ;)  If you haven't yet, check her out!!!

Kindly~

Meghan

P.S.- Here are some pictures from the week:

Friday's Letters 6.0

Dear HOT 99.5's Kane Show- 

Thank you and DJ Dirty Elbows for kickin' it old school on the Weekend Rollout this morning.  In particular, thank you for playing Motown Philly.  
"Could it really happen, or do dreams just fade awaaayyy, yeah."  
Took me back!  And it made for a pretty awesome car-dancing session, as well.

Tell me this didn't just make your morning

Dear Lady with the "Baby on Board- Stay Back" Sticker on her car-  

I wonder, is that sticker a warning for other drivers, or perhaps a reminder for yourself that you shouldn't be texting while weaving in and out of traffic at 70 mph without using your blinker?   
News Flash:  You're the one driving like a maniac.

Dear Invisible Children-

Thank you for my Kony 2012 package.  It came in the mail yesterday, and I was so happy to finally see it.  I already put on my bracelet (and gave the second one to a co-worker/friend), and I can't wait to start Covering the Night.

Makin' him famous

Kinda stylish?

Dear Liam and Collin-

I don't want a day to go by without you knowing how amazing you BOTH are.  

It's just incredible to be your mother, and I am looking forward to all the years ahead of us.  

(Another Liam quote: "I'll never let go of you."  Me: "You'll never let go of me?  Why?"  Liam: "Because I love you.")

Special moments

 Dear Hub-

Let's play hooky from work again soon?  Circle yes or no.

I adore you.

Dear Roasted Veggie Cous Cous-

You've got me wrapped around your tasty little finger.  I think hub is getting suspicious.  I'll meet you at the fridge at midnight.  I'll be the one wearing pajamas with bed-head and drool streaming down her chin.  HOT!

My edible lover

Dear Friends-

If you read my post from a couple days ago, I hope that you know that I was coming from a really gentle and sincere place.  One of fairness and love.  I'm struggling with the thought that I may have offended someone with my opinion.  But when it comes down to it, I have to stand firmly by my beliefs.  Again, if I offended anyone, please accept my apology.

Have a very happy weekend, y'all.

Linking up with Ashley for Friday's Letters!  Click on the button and link up too!

Kindly~

Meghan

Last Minute Party Planner

So Liam's birthday party is three weeks away (less than), and I have been tossed/shoved into the role of "party-planner."  Not that I mind planning parties...

About 2 months ago, a deal came through on Living Social that I could not resist:  A voucher for half off of a themed birthday party through the local company Oogles and Googles.  I did a little bit of research on it, including reading some reviews, and it seemed like a GREAT deal- $150 for 2 hours of party activities designed around a chosen theme (costumes included), a coordinated birthday cake, and customized invitations and thank-you cards.  In my area, you can't book a Chuck-E-Cheese party for less that $300.  

So I bought the voucher, thinking it was the perfect scenario.  

I was in contact with the woman who plans these parties, and she seemed to be really competent.  She took all of my information, asked important questions, gave honest answers, and told me she would have my invitations to me within 2-3 weeks so I could get them out to Liam's guests as soon as possible.

It's been 6 weeks, and guess who doesn't have the invitations that were promised to her?  THIS GIRL!

So I have reached out to her and asked for told her I would not rest until I got my money back.  I was nice enough about it, but at the same time, I'm not letting go of that money, honey.  

As of today, I still have not heard back from her.  

Needless to say, I DO NOT recommend this company.  What a shame.

Money aside, (and trust me lady, I'm coming to get ya), I still have a birthday party to plan.  In less than 3 weeks.  With a budget MINUS $150.  Which means one thing... it's time to DIY.

The theme is a "Superhero" party, so my initial thought was to have the kids make masks and capes.  But the more I consider that, I think it would take too long. 

So instead, they will be making their own masks, and I will be making a personalized cape for each kid before the party.

Pinterest via Apartment Therapy

How CUTE is this idea?

I definitely have my work cut out for me, but I am always up for a creative challenge.  

Any other ideas for a Superhero party for 4-year-olds?  Games?  Activities?  Food?

Any insight would be awesome!

Happy Tuesday, Friends!

Kindly~

Meghan

Constant Liam

He is in the 90^th percentile for his height and the 75^th percentile for weight; a big boy!!  He's hoping that will help him make it big time in pro football someday (any team but the Steelers), but he knows that it is just as impressive (and necessary) to be smart, too.

Just a wittle baby

He is the best dancer on this side of the Mississippi, and he has a great instinct for music.  His singing voice is awesome, and even if he doesn’t quite know all the words to a song, he still gives it his all. 

I so admire his enthusiasm and passion.

Gerber Baby

He has very strong muscles… biceps, calves, abs... and he knows how to show them off too. 

 Soon, he’ll be so strong that he’ll be winning wrestling matches against his Daddy on a regular basis, while I sit by and cheer/laugh/peemypants.  He's funny too (hysterical, actually), and he loves to be the center of attention.

Being goofy with Dad

His head must be holding one of the biggest brains ever to exist.  That’s how smart he is!  And let me tell you a little secret: He’s only going to get smarter….

He can count to 100 and he’s already learning how to read.

Luckiest Momma on Earth

But those are just the basics to this guy.  Oh yes, he is far more dynamic than his muscles and good looks.  His gifts are felt... not seen.

He sees beauty in people and places.

Handsome Boy

He is kind to those who need kindness, as if he can smell their sadness.

He loves to make people feel good… just because.

Angel Face

He remembers to consider how people feel, 

and he has the uncanny ability to put himself in other people’s shoes.  

He shows sympathy, and he has empathy pumping through his veins… innately.

BIG smiles!!!

He KNOWS himself, and what’s even cooler is that he loves himself, 

genuinely.

And this rubs off on those around him. 

I hope he keeps that… there’s no reason to ever let that go.

Loving life!

He’s a dreamer, and he’s not afraid to dream big.  

He knows what fairness is, and not only does he give it freely and equally, 

but he expects it in return... because he knows he deserves it.

Amazing

He is the BEST brother in the whole world.  

He cherishes his family and friends, and knows what a true relationship looks like.

Holding his baby brother for the first time

He exudes pure joy and patience for and to everyone he knows.

 He’s a lover boy. 

He is pure brilliance.

Loving on Collin

He is my son.

I could not be more proud of him, and I love everything about him.

This is constant Liam

Constant Liam-

  

I could never have imagined that my son would be my greatest teacher.  

I never thought it was possible to have so much love for one person.

But it is more than possible… it is my reality. 

You have taught me forgiveness, 

honesty, gentleness, 

humility, 

simplicity, sincerity,

and so much more.

You continue to teach me daily.

  Thank you for unknowingly 

setting such an amazing example for me.

I fully believe you are a living angel, 

and when I look at you, 

when I hold your hand, 

when I hug and kiss you, 

I hope you feel fully loved.

Because my dear, you are.

Stay steady, Constant Liam.  

Happy Birthday!!!

I love you-

Mommy