Spending time together...

We were supposed to go to a Memorial Day cook-out yesterday, but Pat decided we just needed to stay home and spend some time together. He and Savannah slept in late and then we ran some errands before coming home and finally retiring in the back yard.
Since I posted the video of Savannah dancing, I'll just post some of my favorite pictures of our evening out.

Dancing Savannah

This is a video Pat took of Savannah this weekend dancing to music on her favorite Sirius channel, The Escape. She's hilarious as she dances around, stumbles a few times and even tries to do a few splits.
It's a long video, but worth it if you want to see her twirl and then fall over in exhaustion at the end. The video ends abruptly because Pat made me edit out the ending where I'm screaming that she has a large ant crawling up her leg.
He forgets that I was born in the world of fire ants... and when I see an ant, I instantly think they're going to bite!

Houston, we have liftoff...

Savannah FINALLY used the potty tonight! It has only taken 18 months to convince her to use the potty.
This morning I sat her on the toilet in our bathroom and she wouldn't go, but tonight she told me she wanted to use the potty and she sat down on it.
A few minutes later she told me she peed and I looked inside to find a good amount of the yellow stuff in the potty.
Woo Hoo!

UPDATE: Savannah seems to have mastered the first part of potty training... remembering when she has to go #1. I eagerly await the completion of her training!

A last-minute reprieve...

Like a death row inmate waiting for a call from the Supreme Court, Pat got an email today asking him to stay at the newspaper another month while they worked out kinks in their new system. He wasn't expecting it, but we're glad it came.
He agreed to stay and now we'll both have another month to find jobs.
I know he's not jumping up and down with excitement to be staying on at the paper, but he and I both know that it's better to have someone in the house working than both of us looking around at each other and wringing our hands wondering when another job was going to come.

Blog Hop Friday

This is the first week I'm participating in the Blog Hop Friday and I hope to meet great people out there talking about their lives in the blog-o-sphere.
If this is your first visit to my blog I welcome you. This is where I share my thoughts and feelings with family and friends and where I hope you'll stop by and visit from time to time.
If you're coming back to my blog than I thank you for stopping by again.
Sharon:)

Thankful Thursday...

Wow, this probably could not have come at a better time as this has not been the best week for me. We've got a lot of emotional things going on that I won't get into on the blog, but it's made for a lot of conversations between Hubby and I about how to handle things and what to do.
We also found out that Pat's job will probably end next week and although I know it's the best thing because he needs to concentrate on finding something new, it's also scary for someone who likes to have things planned out well ahead.
So, here are the things I'm thankful for:

1. My wonderful husband who has sacrificed his own happiness for the last two and a half years to take care of our family. He's been unhappy for a long time at his job and as the end nears I'm hopeful he or I one will find jobs that will make us happy.
I'm also thankful for how much he loves me as I think that love is really rare and I'm very lucky to have it.

2. I'm thankful for my two children, Savannah and Julius.
There are moments they make me laugh and moments they make me cry, but God blessed me with these children and I will fight to the death for them.

3. I'm thankful for my family and even if we don't always agree, I hope they respect and trust my decisions. Sometimes the right choices are not always the easiest ones, but I have to believe there is a better day of understanding ahead.

4. I'm thankful for the freelance work I've been able to do this week... it's nice to have contributed a little to the Fitzgerald Family coffers this month.

The end of the road....

Yesterday Pat found out that his job at the newspaper would more than likely come to an end next week. Although I'm scared of what the future is going to bring for our little family, I'm eager for the stress of this job to be behind him and start looking forward towards the future.
We don't know where the job search will lead us and if he or I or both of us will have to return to work, but we'll face that when we get there.
Right now, we'll just spend the next few days waiting to see when his last day and preparing to say goodbye to the night shift (at least for a little while!).
If anyone knows of a great job in central Virginia please pass it along... and if we can't find one here, we might be packing our backs and moving to where the job is.

Julius' 15-month check-up...

I took Julius in yesterday to get his 15-month check-up and he weighed in at 30.2 lbs. (in the 97th percentile) and measured in at 33 inches (in the 90th percentile for children his age).
He is a big boy!
When Dr. Mayo walked in the room, Julius had climbed into a seat and was sitting up like a big boy! He entertained her throughout our visit and she said he was looking great and she wasn't concerned over the fact he looks like he's already 2!
He's such a sweet boy (although he's already starting to have temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way or gets frustrated) and I wish all of you could meet him as he would give you a big smile and a hug!

I WON some PIRATE BOOTY!

Thanks to Cindy at Little Yaya's (http://littleyayasandblessed.blogspot.com), my family will soon be enjoying a treasure chest filled with various types of Pirate's booty.
Cindi described these snacks as "all natural leaving out the artificial flavoring, colors, man-made chemicals, preservatives, or any ingredient that is synthetic and not derived from natural sources."
Please stop by her blog (click on the button above) and check out some of the other great contests she has going on over there.

Follow Me Back Tuesday...

Here is another Follow Me Back Tuesday. Please click on the link to visit the sponsors and link to the list!
If you're stopping by to visit my blog for the first time, I want to say hello and that I hope you come back and visit from time to time.
Sharon:)

After the rain...

We were finally able to play outside today after four days of steady rainfall... while the rain has been good for our little garden, it's has made both children really antsy.
The children and I spent about an hour and a half outside this afternoon and they had a blast running around and playing. It's just amazing to see how fast Julius can run and he tried to sneak into the front yard, but Mama caught him. It's still hard for me to believe he's already 15 months old... time is flying by so fast!
Like the old country song says, "Mama knows, Mama knows. Sometimes I think she's got a window to my soul."

Random Dozen...

I thought this would be a fun exercise to do today as my mind wonders over things I can't change.

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch? I would have to say it's my lasagna... I know all of the ingredients by heart and can put it together in a snap... although it still takes an hour to cook in the oven.



2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.) These days it's usually one of the kids... I can sometimes get away with leaving one of them with Pat when he's at home, but I rarely get to go anywhere alone.

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting? My in-laws house in Virginia Beach



4. Share one factoid of your family's history. My Grandma once employed a black maid who helped take care of my mother and the house where they lived. I just finished reading "The Help" and it's amazing to me that my mother had some of these experiences.


5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I .... used to live for the chance to write about someone else's life.



6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be? I would love a year's supply of income so we could take our time and look for a job that we could turn into a career.




7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is .... I love way too much reality television. My husband swears I couldn't survive without the Amazing Race and Survivor... and part of me thinks he might be right.



8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy? I would probably buy something for my children.





9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is watching my children. They usually each have moments in the day where they make me laugh... even if they're not trying to.

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal? Make healthier eating choices and get in some exercise.



11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else? Call someone up and let them know I love them and am thinking about them.


12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon? Getting together with the other Moms at book club next week to talk about "The Help." It's a great book!

Follow Me Back Tuesday...

This is a great way to check out more blogs and find new followers... if you're visiting my blog for the first time, I hope you'll find something entertaining and come back and read about our little family of four.

Mommy and Me Monday...

I pulled out an oldie, but goody... the first official picture of me and my babies. There are times when I forget how lucky I am to be their Mama as they are two precious, wonderful children.

Fitzgerald Square Foot Garden - Day 1

Instead of planting a garden directly in the ground, we constructed (Pat actually did most of the construction) a 4x4 wooden box to plant our garden in. This concept is called a square-foot garden and is meant for people who want to grow a garden in a small space.
After Pat hammered the wood together he and Savannah lined the bottom with newspaper and we filled it with Miracle Grow soil and we started a planting.
Our little garden (which has 16 spots) has corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, cantaloupes and watermelon. I also have a few okra plants and lettuce and spinach seeds that I need to find a space to plant in the yard later in the week.
I promise to keep you updated on out our project comes along... if we have veggies this summer it will be well worth the effort. Wish us luck!

My Mother's Day gift...

I'm sorry to say it's taken me a week to post my Mother's Day gift. It's not because I'm ungrateful, but we've had two sick kids in the house this week and I've been working on a freelance story and looking for work.
Pat's job has held on, but we know it's just a few more weeks before his job at the newspaper will end. I'm really hopeful one of us will be well on our way to finding another job by that time.
Anyway, here are a few pictures of my Mother's Day gift. Those of you who have read my blog for a while might remember that I promised myself I would plant a garden once the snow finally melted from around our house.
Pat is holding me to that promise as he and the children gave me a few things to help me get started... the final picture is where on the side of the house I plan to plant my garden.
We've had a lot of rain here this week (and more expected in the days to come) so I haven't been able to get started yet... I hope I can get started today!

Follow Friday...

I'm very late getting this up, but since it's been a crazy week around here I forgive myself and promise to check out a few blogs tonight and say hello.

New family picnic...

Last night Pat took Savannah to the new family picnic at her school in Charlottesville. She was so excited to go to a picnic at school... she would be totally happy if they started the new school year next week as she's ready to go (although I think she's expecting to ride the bus!).
Julius and I stayed home because Julius has been battling a cold and I didn't want him outside in the elements. I did hate to miss meeting all of the other families because this is an annual event hosted by the current families to welcome the new families into the small community.
Pat said the group was filled with older parents and I'm excited to hear that... since Pat and I started out baby making late in the game it's nice to compare notes with others our own age.
Savannah met a new friend, Madison, and they seemed to hit it off fairly well... according to Pat. He refused to take the camera so I don't have any pictures to share... therefore I'll just post one of Savannah that I took in the last week.
We're excited about the days ahead and so glad Savannah is excited to go to school...

Mommy and Me Monday...

Here are a couple of test shots from Saturday... see, my girl can smile!

Julius time with Grammy and Papa...

While Savannah was napping on Saturday, Julius had some time to be the center of attention for his grandparents. He had a blast going from one of them to the other and Pat and I enjoyed watching all three of them have a great time.

Mother's Day in Virginia Beach...

We drove down to Virgina Beach last night to spend Mother's Day with my in-laws.
I have to admit that I hit the jackpot in the In-Laws Lotto as I love Pat's parents as if they were my own.
We went out for our usual "Shopping With Grammy" adventure, a favorite pastime of Savannah's and something she asked to do every time we visit. Even when we don't have anything specific to shop for, Savannah like getting out with Grammy (and Mama, Daddy and Julius) for a little time at the mall.
We usually focus so much on the children or Pat that I never pick out anything for myself... so day, I got to do a little shopping for myself and I enjoyed finding a few new items to wear this summer. I didn't enjoy waiting in line 20 minutes to try some of the clothes on, but I digress.
Here are a few pictures from our afternoon before and after our shipping adventure. I figure no one (including me) wants to see photos of me modeling my new clothes... so here are my cute kids instead!

Lessons my Mama taught me...

1. My Mama taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.. I just finished cleaning."

2. My Mama taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet.."

3. My Mama taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My Mama taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My Mama taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My Mama taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My Mama taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My Mama taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My Mama taught me about CONTORTIONIST.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My Mama taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My Mama taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a bomb hit it."

12. My Mama taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My Mama taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.."

14. My Mama taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"

15.. My Mama taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My Mama taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My Mama taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My Mama taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My Mama taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My Mama taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My Mama taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My Mama taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My Mama taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My Mama taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite:

25. My Mama taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

Friday Follow #3...

I can't believe it's Follow Friday again... seems like the weeks go by faster and faster the older we get!
I just wanted to say hello to all of you visiting my blog for the first time and wish all of you mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters a very Happy Mother's Day!
Don't forget to remember all of the special women in your life this weekend and every day!

The importance of a card...

I love to give and receive cards.
Whether it's a thank you note or a card for a birthday or special occasion, I enjoy acknowledging people by sending them a little reminder they are on my mind. I certainly love to look in the mailbox and see that someone has send me a little piece of mail to let me know they were thinking of me, Pat or the children.
I'm not sure when I started my love of cards, but for a long time I kept every card ever sent to me. Those boxes have been purged over the years as moves have forced me to downsize, but I've kept those cards most important to me.
I started sending out cards as soon as I had my own money and I still try to remember special days or send little notes of thanks when someone does something nice for us.
Yesterday I received a beautiful Mother's Day card from Mom and Dad Fitzgerald (to those new to the blog they are my wonderful in-laws). Although we'll actually be with them on Mother's Day, it made me feel so special to have a card in the mail beforehand.
I think Mom has a master calendar with everyone's birthdays and anniversaries on it because she rarely fails to remember all of our special days. I don't know if she realizes how much her efforts mean to the recepients, but I know how much it means to all of us in this house.
The card reminded me to post a little tidbit on my blog to thank them and remind those of you who are reading this to get out and get that special card for the women in your life. You never know when that card can change the outlook of a day or make a difference to the recipient.

Before I was a Mom...

This is a poem I got today and I wanted to share it with you... along with a few of the photos attached with it.
Happy Mother's Day to each of you women out there who are Mamas, sisters, grandmothers, aunts and just good friends.
Sharon:)


Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.


Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom

Send this to someone who you think is an awesome Mom.
May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life