Hello...I'm Back!!!!

Well I just looked at the date of my last post and that was Oct 7..... what the heck have I been doing? Honestly, there are some nights I say "I'm going to write on the blog... and then I get on facebook or email....and I GET LAZY and don't do it. Sorry for all of you who I entertain through this for the short hiatus but I'm back!

Sports has come to an end for a month or so.....Its nice to have a break....but at the same time its fun to always see friends on a biweekly or triweekly basis at practice or at games. (In other words...my social life has quieted down) well.... not really but its just not as busy. I'm thankful for that. Both boys had very fun soccer seasons and they each enjoyed playing. Trent's team was very talented so they were fun to watch. They won every game so of course it was fun.

Drew had a great coach this year... (ha... his coach was me) My team did great. By the end of the season coach Jen needed a break ... and a few cosmopolitan martini's.

The hyperness of the 12 boys was in full force most of the time and I tried my best to not let them drive me nuts. All in all we all had fun. That's what counts.

The kids are doing awesome. Report Cards came home Friday and good god...they both got awesome grades and comments. Darren and I were more than pleased and happy that our kids are happy, healthy, and behaving well in school. (We were worried that the divorce might make them act out in school.... thankfully they are well mannered and thriving) (We must be good parents...we're trying) (:

Trent and Drew with My Brother #26 for His Bday

I have enjoyed spending lots of time with my girlfriends lately.... They all make me laugh, smile, and enjoy life. Its weird how fast time flies and how an hour and a half over coffee a month reconnects you with what is going on with everyone. I love my girlfriends!!!!!

My love life is fantastic... I feel so fulfilled and loved every day by a man that would do anything for me or anything for my kids. It's an awesome feeling that I have never felt before. He is truly the greatest guy (the nicest by far) and someone I know that when I am old and 80 (well..lets hope he's alive at 93) will be right next to me taking care of me and anything I need.

We just ended a great weekend of just being together experiencing life just wandering around southern california doing this and that... but the most important is just being together. I love the time we spend together and I am so happy!!!!!!

My Girlfriend.....

My girlfriend .... you know who you are and I rarely single anyone out but today its all about you.
I met you close to 5 years ago and I have been thankful for your friendship ever since. My life has had its ups and downs as has yours and we have shared good times and bad..and sad.
You have always kept things real with me and that's what I love about you. When I have my head screwed on only half way I know it because you can always openly tell me I do. You can shed light on things I am dealing with or going through and I can always see your point because you have my best interest in your heart as well as my kids (Gosh, you are smart). You are such a giver and rarely a taker. (: Even if you need me to be your counselor for the evening over a few glasses of red wine.
I know when I am at my low point I can pick up the phone and call you and you will listen and make me laugh or smile. I know you never feel like you will solve my problems but you offer your advice with a take it or leave it attitude. (I seem to always "take it" because you are a lot of times right)
I will never stop loving our friendship because it has always had the "real" factor that is so hard to find. I love you unconditionally as my friend and admire the wife that you are to your husband, the mother you are to your kids, as well as simply just the woman you are, and should I add the paper seller that you are soon to become.
You have never needed or wanted the spotlight but I wanted to let you know that you are a "bright" spot in my life. Thank you for your constant love, support, phone calls, booze nights, lunches, coffee mornings, dinners, ....you name it. (Constant friendship.)
Thank you the most for keeping it real. (and thank you for the lucille's tonight)
You are one of my best friends and I love you.
Hugs always,
J

What a Weekend......

This was an action packed non-stop weekend as they all are when it's my weekend with the kids. Friday night baseball, Sushi take out, bed. Saturday gets here. Out of the house early. Soccer game number 1. Soccer game number 2. Team party. Go home. Get ready. LA County Fair. I will stop there for right now. ( and I only have 2 kids.... )

Temio and I decided a few weeks ago we wanted to take the kids to the fair and we just never had time. So here we are the last weekend of the fair and we say "we better go" The kids love it and we really like it so let's just go. Well we got there in the evening and lets just say everyone in LA County was there as well. We played carnival games, ate, watched pig races, ate, walked around, ate.....I think you get the picture. $300 later it was a successful night. The kids fell asleep in the car before we were out of the parking lot. Here are some pictures of our fun time.

The Three Amigos

Drew was so excited to try to win prizes

The $20 whale

Sunday ended the weekend with flag football, church, winter baseball and a nice dinner at home.

Trent got his first chance on the pitching mound today and needless to say he struck out his very first batter. He walked a few after that but needless to say the smile on that kids face tonight was one that I will never forget. He could have cared less about the walking of the batters. The fact that he struck one guy out right now is the highlight of his 7 year old life. I made brownies to celebrate. He didn't stop smiling all night.

After the kids went to bed early the football game was still on and Temio all of a sudden was barrelled over on the couch. (this is within about 3 minutes..Did i poison him with dinner?) I freaked out and he said he thought maybe he had appendicitis. All of these thoughts were racing through my head......what if it bursts? what if he starts throwing up? what if he passes out? I didn't know what the heck to think. I'm not good with medical issues AT ALL!!!! He told me to leave him alone because I was asking him 20 questions and I went upstairs and almost lost it. Since the beginning of our relationship I instantly fell in love with him. Of course we have our issues, pasts, and outside responsibilities aside from each other but tonight for the first time I realized that I have never loved anyone or cared for anyone like I care for him in my entire life. This man treats me better than I have ever been treated (aside from my daddy ) He would walk to the end of the earth to hug me or kiss me or to just be with me. The way he is with my kids warms my heart. He has shown Trent and Drew how to treat a woman and how to love a woman. I thank him for that. As I type this blog tears are flowing down my face because he is at the hospital and he went alone because he didn't want me to leave the kids. He truly has a heart of gold and I thank God for him everyday. My life is better because he is in it.

I love you Temio.

Night Night
J

Hey...I am back.

OMG. Its been two weeks since I have posted anything? I guess I haven't been doing anything too exciting. Actually, with kids everything is so exciting. haha

I just have to clarify one thing to all of you who are talking about me around the water cooler. My "temio" is the same person as Art. His real name is "Artemio". Get it? I know a lot of you thought I had some new boy toy.... nope. Same person.

Anyways, just wanted to get that out there.

Everything is going good with me. My kids are healthy and happy, I am getting my head on straight and moving on in my new life (Hallelujah), Work is picking up (thank the L0rd), Temio is such an awesome blessing to me ( he's the nicest guy I have ever met...those of you who know him..know this) and the months just keep flying by. I can't believe it's October. The kids are already talking about Santa Claus. I feel like Santa Claus just came (:

Over the last few weeks I have had a few (as Oprah says) Ah Hah moments. One in particular is one that I realize about all of the regrets I have about my marriage failing. You feel like an absolute piece of crap when you get divorced. I never realized the "true" stigma on divorce until it happened to me. It's horrible. I wonder if the pain ever really goes away? At the end of the day though I have realized I deserve the best and I won't settle for anything but the best. I deserve to be treated with love and respect. I deserve to be heard. I deserve to be HAPPY.
At the end of the day I want to share my life with someone that loves me and respects me. I don't think that's too much to ask...... ( I am making myself sound so low maintenance...haha. We know that isn't the case)

I am in a place right now where my kids smile, they laugh, they are doing great in school, having fun playing sports, meeeting new friends, and I know they miss their mom and dad being in one place but have adapted better than I could ever have imagined. I miss them when they aren't with me but that is just now something I need to not focus on (or try not to) That is what eats me up inside. It's painful wondering what your kids are doing? Wondering what they ate for dinner? or even wondering if they did their homework? As time goes by I am coping and adjusting. As my friends who are divorced tell me..... "As time goes by everything gets better"
I'm hopeful for that. As each day passes my faith is pushing me through.

Tonight was soccer practice so I am tired. Poor Drew was crying when he didn't get player of the game. I guess that just goes along with having your mom as your coach.... He will get it sooner or later.

Hugs!
Jen Temio and I in San Fran ( i know i look pregnant...i'm not)

Recovering from this Weekend...

This weekend kicked off soccer, flag football, and winter baseball. It was action packed to say the least. It was action packed and I didn't even have the kids this weekend.... I guess I am really in for it this weekend cuz I was exhausted today.

With all of the sports I managed to still attend a 30th birthday party (which was AMAZING to say the least) It was a white party and was unbelievable! Thanks Nick and Sherrey!

Sherrey the Birthday Girl

Nick the Birthday Boy

This weekend also marked a first for me..... My first pole dance.... haha. It was funny. I didn't realize how hard it is to do. Here is a picture of my debut...

I think I need to keep my day job selling uniforms. My pole dancing wasn't too impressive.

I have a busy week ahead of me. The kids, sports, work, and the list continues. Never enough time in the day I tell ya. From the time I pick the kids up until the time their little heads hit the pillow there is not a dull moment. I realize they are hyper and at times drive me crazy but its the times that they arent with me that I miss all of that day to day chaos. I love my time with them and wish I saw them everyday.

It makes me want to cry every Monday after a weekend that I don't see my kids because when I go to pick them up they run to me like they haven't seen me for a year. Today Drew as soon as I pulled up ran for the gate to give me a hug.... Trent right behind him..... what can I say.. DIVORCE SUCKS!

I'm off to organize my closet and start throwing stuff away!! I HATE CLUTTER!

hugs!

J

Crazy Life

So the daily grind is over, back to school night done, Trent and Drew to hitting practice with Darren (its his day), and now I am sitting on the couch trying to find some relaxation watching Kourtney and Khloe take Miami. The funny part of this episode is that Kourtney is going on a date with some random guy. My thoughts right now OMG! That could be me!



I feel like in the last few months my divorce is hitting me hard like a ton of bricks. Everyone keeps telling me let time pass and things will get easier. Well, its not easier only seeing my kids 50% of the time. IT SUCKS! I always thought I could do it all as a married wife and it was easy for me (well..not easy but co-parenting is a lot less stressful than single parenting). Anyways it is what it is. The kids have been communicating more about Darren and I, and it is very therapeutic talking and communicating with them about our lives. I want them to be happy and healthy. That is my main objective as their mom. The more they communicate the more I realize they are comfortable with opening up. So happy for that.



Since I'm often alone a lot of the time, I joined a divorce group (yes... I joined a divorce group- I thought it couldn't hurt).... needless to say I think it is more of a meet up and see if anyone wants to hook up if you know what I mean. No thanks...not interested in that. I would rather be alone than by picked up by some weirdo I have never met. (Yes..I have issues going out with people I dont know - I have always been like that (no blind dates ever for me)





Well I just thought I would catch you all up in this thing we call life...

hugs

J

A New School Year! 2009

Today was the first day of School. Trent is now in 1st grade and Drew started Kindergarten. I can't believe they are both school age now. Where did the time go? Why when they were babies did I want them to grow up so fast?

Drew woke up and was excited as ever. He had to remind me the night before that he didn't know how to tie his shoes. He got dressed immediately, brushed his teeth soon after and even let me spike his hair. I told him one of the school rules is to have good grooming. Of course he asked me what grooming is? I simply told him you have to comb your hair (it is never this easy in the morning) got his socks and shoes on. He was ready. He looked like a little kindergarten stud! Darren and I were proud of him. He is such a sweet little boy.

Trent woke up shortly after Drew. He ran into my room and of course was not happy with the outfit I picked out. (He is the little girl I never had) I decided to let him choose his outfit and then life was easier. Trent has the drill down. Get dressed, brush your teeth, get your shoes on, and out the door. I think he was more excited for my parents to come over in the morning and then walking to school.

We took some pictures with Ian (Drew's best friend, our little neighbor) and walked down to Country Springs to meet Darren. The kids were excited to see him and be at school. I took some more pictures and said goodbye to Trent at his classroom since Darren was going to spend the morning in 1st grade. It went this quick. Bye mom. (Hug). He was a first grader!

It was now time for me to have my last first day of kindergarten. We walked over to Drew's classroom. He put his backpack away and the principal walked by. He met the principal and I told him "Drew, I hope you are never in her office" - she corrected me by saying "Drew, good boys and girls come to my office too" oops. I think she thought I was scaring him. Oh well. He better never be in her office (:

We had a good morning in Kindergarten. There are 18 boys in his class and 8 girls. Can you say hyperactivity! OMG! I could never be a kinder teacher! God Bless those teachers! So much to handle.
Drew sat in the back corner on a purple square listening and participating like the good little boy he is. We did centers together and read books. He even read me a book that I think he memorized back in preschool. I was impressed.
I know he will enjoy school. When we were walking to find the office we ran into a little boy... it was Trent. Drew was so excited to see his brother at school. It was really special seeing how much Drew looks up to his big brother. I will never forget that moment. They had each other.

It was time to say goodbye and Darren and I walked Drew over to fun club (daycare) and said goodbye. He was such a big boy now. He didn't need his mom or dad. He wanted to go play with Ian and his new friends.

I walked back home from the school so happy I have such great little boys who really are a joy I am so fortunate that they are healthy and thriving as little boys should.

I picked them up this afternoon and they didn't want to go home. Drew told me he had a great day and that he didn't need to go see the principal (this was a great start) Trent had his first long school day so exhaustion had kicked in.

We had a nice dinner to end the school day with some ribs (one of the kids favorite) and as if it wasn't an emotional day enough, Drew turns to me and says so sweetly, "Mommy, I wish you and daddy weren't divorced" This of course broke my heart in a million pieces.
I pray to God that great things are in our future.
J

Trent Turns 7!

It is hard to believe that 7 years ago Trent was born. I remember back on that day being big as a house and getting ready to be cut open. To everyone's suprise Trent ended up being a preemie weighing in at 5 lbs 13 ounces with jet black hair like his dad. He quickly gained weight and was a "normal" chubby baby. Now he is a 7 year old blonde stud (who resembles me very much so)

We had a "camp out" slumber party with 11 little boys. What a night that was. The kids didn't end up sleeping outside. They were worried about bugs. It was a fun night with a lot of sugar!

We ended the party in the morning with donuts and a baseball game in the cul-de-sac. Trent had a great birthday!