Birdie & Bubbies

Bad Bad Blogger

2011-04-25T09:25:00.003-05:00

I am a bad, bad blogger!! I realized today that it has been forever since I've even come to this site! I could list out all my excuses, but really, just haven't had the time! Work has been NUTS for the past few months and is finally settling down! So now on to the real reason to blog...the kiddos!!

Both kids are playing soccer this season for the city league! Madison's team, in their 3rd year together, they are phenominal!! They kick some serious @$$!!! It's so great to watch them finally "click" as a team! It also helps to have a absolutely fantastic coach!! He is so patient with them and teaches them skills that they are supposed to strive for each week in the games! Madison has quite fancy footwork! And then there is Austin. So Austin's favorite color = ORANGE. So I am registering him and have to put in the comments section, please put my son on the "orange team". Well we got on the Flying Sharks, green & black! To appease him we bought ALL orange practice gear, orange shorts, orange socks, and orange/black/silver cleats!! He was happy with the "wear orange to practice, and green to games" theory we came up with! But his games are more like the comedy hour than actual soccer! But he is totally loving it!! Our Saturdays are packed with SOCCER SOCCER and more SOCCER!! We are loving it and very proud of them both!!

This was Easter weekend, and boy what a weekend we had!! Friday night we had the Brown family over for dinner, my mom & stepdad, my brother & his preggo wife, my sister & her new boyfriend, and my cousin Billy & his wife Kate from St Louis. We grilled out burgers & dogs and just had a good time visiting and playing! Saturday was spent cooking, brisket in the marinade for the day, nutter butter banana pudding, and the bunny cake!! Saturday evening Jeremy went to the Rangers game with my family and I stayed home to finish cooking and be with the kiddos!

So this week celebrates a milestone for Jeremy & I...our 10 year wedding anniversary is Thursday 4/28!! And my gifts...

Introducing Chuck & Taylor!!! My precious babies!! We adopted them from the Ft Worth Humane Society, they are brother & sister, 4-5 weeks old, and a little over 4lbs each!! We are all totally IN LOVE with them!! They made for a wonderful Easter weekend and joined in all the festivities!!

I promise to try to keep posting!!!

I realize it's been too long, I'm a BAD blogger!!

2010-10-29T10:37:00.002-05:00

This has been a bittersweet week for me,

my precious baby girl is 6 years old!!!

I cannot believe it!!

October 27th, 2004 I met you for the very 1st time my sweet girl, and now here we are 6 years later and you have become an incredible little person!

You are such a fun girl, ready to rock out whenever the mood hits you!
Sometimes so sweet and gentle, and 5 min later wrestling in the floor with Daddy!
You love your friends with loyalty and devotion, Evan is still your very best friend on the planet, and has been since you were 6 months old!!
You love to be as a family, just us 4, in fact recently you said it was the perfect family!
I love how you can be so independent, yet still need to snuggle sometimes with Mommy!
I love how you ask every day if it's time to watch "Dancing with the Stars"!
I love your enjoyment of soccer, and watching you find something you are good at and truly enjoy!
I love going to our very first parent/teacher conference and hearing how smart you are, and a great helper to your teacher!
I love how sweet you are to Austin and the true love & devotion I see you show him every day! (I even love playing referree to what I'm sure is the beginning of many years of sibling arguments!)
I love watching your pure joy & excitement over receiving a gift or getting a "surprise"!
I love your active imagination and how you can play on your own for hours, all the while sounding like you have a room full of friends!

There are so many things I love about you Madison Lee, I could go on and on forever! I love you forever my beautiful 6 year old!!

The next step...

2010-03-15T15:59:00.003-05:00

I don't have many blog readers, and I'm pretty sure I have already told all of you. But sometimes it helps me to type it all out.

I will be having surgery again, April 8th. This one is what they call "micro-surgery" by a highly specialized doctor. They will go in, using PART of my existing scar and take out these pesky nodes. I know have 5 malignant nodes, and a "spot" in my thyroid bed (the place where my thyroid USED to be). I have been told that I can consider this "chronic disease", THANKS A LOT DR. This time though, there may be some positive to come out of this! As some of you know, I have a muscle on the right side of my neck, the one that runs from your clavical to under your jaw. Big bad, major muscle! And mine, almost to the point of a spasm, PERMENATELY since my 1st surgery! REDIC! Well said special dr, thinks she can FIX IT! O.M.G. And if thats not enough to make the surgery worth it, on Friday I have an appointment with a special plastic surgeon to see if he can reduce some of this scar tissue!! So while I do NOT want another surgery, this might end up being a GOOD THING for me! It's one night in the hospital for observation, so not too long away from my babies!!

I pray that the dr's know what they are doing, that they are able to give me some relief, and that maybe I can be that one that is NOT chronic!

Don't forget, CHECK YOUR NECK people!
Love to you all

Madison HEARTS Taylor Swift

2010-03-12T14:01:00.002-06:00

We have been on the eternal search for Taylor Swift tickets! I was online the minute they went on sale, and still there an hour later even though the show sold out in 2 minutes, 2 MINUTES! WTF!!! So in the last few weeks I have called every radio station in this city trying desperately to WIN these dam tickets! All the while, Maddie in the back seat cheering me on! Then about a week ago we had a full on melt down! "You didn't get me Taylor Swift tickets, I am going to miss the show!!!" She was devastated!! As a mother it broke my heart! Something she wanted but I could not fulfill! So Daddy to the rescue, he comes up with a PLAN! He tells Madison when we got home last night that he was at the gas station yesterday and saw Taylor Swifts tour bus, and he went and talked to her. He told her to call Madison Hoffman! So, with the help of Aunt Ashley, Madison received a personal phone call from "Taylor Swift" last night! This was the longest I have ever seen her talk on the phone! All the while pacing around our kitchen table (exactly like Jeremy does when he is on the phone), eyes wide, and HUGE grin on her face!! She is completely OVER THE MOON! And was off to tell ALL her friends at school today that Taylor Swift called her! (She also told her she could sing ON STAGE w/her next time she was in town, GREAT!!) So I will be becoming a Taylor Swift fan so as to maybe have a better shot at tickets next time she swings through Texas!! My little girl is growing up...too fast!!

It's Official - I am a soccer Mom!

2010-03-08T07:54:00.002-06:00

So it's obviously been a WHILE since I posted! I need to catch up! So this week will be dedicated to that! 1st things 1st...Madison is now playing city league soccer! It is the cutest thing EVER! This past Saturday was her best game so far! She scored 3 GOALS!! She was so excited, and so were we! (Now no one is counting that she scored 2 goals for her team, and 1 for the other!!)

Austin thinks he is on the team as well!
Team Pictures!

My little soccer STAR!!

Christmas 2009

2010-01-02T14:03:00.002-06:00

Like most of you I'm sure your living room looked much like mine on Christmas morning....

Santa, is NUTS! It's OFFICIAL!

Christmas Eve @ Gramma & Pappaw Hoffman's

Christmas Eve day, the beggining of the SNOW!

In their Christmas Jammies, ready for SANTA!!

We had a fabulous holiday filled with family and friends,

and more toys than a Toys R Us store!

We were truly blessed this 2009,

I hope we continue that into 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEARS ALL!!

Snuggie?

2009-12-21T15:01:00.002-06:00

My dad thought it would be funny to buy JEREMY a Longhorn Snuggie for Christmas! Jeremy also thought this was a great present! However, Austin had a different plan! He pronounced it his FOOTBALL BLANK, and intends to sleep with it forever!

Round 2 of the PG Christmas Program...

2009-12-21T15:00:00.002-06:00

Madison is a MUCH better performer (if you can see her from behind the giant 3yr old that kept standing up in front of her!!) She LOVES to perform! Her class sang 4 songs, this one you can see her the best! And I'm sure you don't want to sit through all 4 songs! LOL!! Enjoy!

After much anticipation...

2009-12-21T14:55:00.003-06:00

What do you get when you put a class of 2 yr olds on stage in front of 100 parents/grandparents/staff? You get ONLY the teachers singing!! LOL!!

Next up...Madison's Performance!

1 Year Ago Today

2009-12-17T08:02:00.002-06:00

1 year ago today...

I had a scar-free neck
I was terrified by that ugly C word
I was headed into what would become a 9 hour surgery
I began this crazy, and LONG process
I was scared, sad, and so many other emotions

WE MADE IT!!

2009-12-08T09:25:00.002-06:00

WE MADE IT! The kids and I took off for sunny (overcast & humid) Miami on Thursday for my brother's wedding and their 1st beach experience! As you can see from the MANY pictures I posted yesterday, they had a fabulous time! We started off Thursday evening heading to the beach w/the kiddos, we heard the weather wasn't going to be great so we wanted to be sure they got some beach time! Madison LOVED the water! It was a tad too COLD for Austin! He prefered the SAND! Friday morning we were up and off to the beach again, we even had some sun peek out for part of our day! Pa-Pa went with us, and Pa-Pa and Maddie had a fabulous time out in that not so warm water! We built sand castles, and buried Maddie in the sand. It was a all together great time! Friday night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The kids did great! Dinner was AWESOME! Hats off to Ortanique on the Mile in Coral Gables! If you get the chance to go, the food was fantastic! (SO WERE THE MARGARITAS!) Saturday brought another busy day, we shopped at Lincoln Road Mall, and had some awesome pizza at Pizza Rustica. It was drizzly, and SO HUMID! Back to the hotel for a non-nap, and getting ready for the wedding! With a slight delay the kids did awesome in their roles as flower girl & ring bearer! Maddie took great pleasure in the dropping of her purple rose petals! Austin walked right with her until about half way down the aisle when he spotted Biddy and took off running! But even that was met with laughter and provided some entertainment! Austin went to sleep during the 1st hymn, a true BLESSING! As the wedding was lovely. We followed it with pictures, then the reception. Note: Please do not provide children in wedding clothes with pasta with RED sauce for dinner! HOT MESS! We made it through dinner then took off back to the hotel. Mommy was tired of refereeing the silverware sword fighting! LOL!! Sunday took us to visit the Jungle Island in Miami. It's a pretty cool place and was easy to do in just a few hours before we had to get to the airport. The kids had a blast here! They saw lots of animals, even a LIGER! The airplane ride home was OK. Austin slept the 1st 2 hours which was AWESOME! But then...he woke up, refreshed and raring to GO! Luckily the people sitting around us appreciated a laughing/chatty child. I guess that is much better than a screaming one! All in all it was a good trip! But Mommy will NOT be traveling by plane with both children, without DADDY, anytime soon!

Miami/Bobby's Wedding

2009-12-07T15:30:00.001-06:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-30T14:04:00.004-06:00

Pictures like these cannot be completely "wordless"!

Austin trying on his TUX for my brother's wedding this weekend!

Can you think of a good caption for my little "Chippen Dale Dancer"????

I tell you, I may be a bit impartial, but this boy sure is C.U.T.E.!!!

Christmas Decorating

2009-11-30T10:53:00.003-06:00

Oh what fun it is to decorate the new Hoffman house tonight, HEY!!

We actually decorated over the weekend but I thought that was fun! LOL!!

We are having a BLAST decorating our new house for Christmas!!

TREE UP, DECORATED = CHECK!

Hoffman Claus Land = CHECK

What is a girl to do who no longer has to give up her only "dining" table to Hoffman Claus Land?

For the 1st time in 6 YEARS, I HAVE A DINING TABLE for this holiday season!

And am just now noticing that I have NOTHING to put ON IT!!

NO CENTERPIECE, NO FESTIVE PLACEMATS,

WHAT IS A GIRL TO DO????

So I'm asking you, my crafty friends, got any ideas for cheap/easy/fabulous table decor??

What do you get...

2009-11-30T10:49:00.003-06:00

I'm a little behind...but about 3 weeks ago, we get home from school one night, and Madison tells me she would like to draw a picture of her WHOLE FAMILY! Well those of you that know us, know that that is no easy task! She told me she would need a REALLY BIG piece of paper! So I pulled out our roll of butcher paper, crayons, and away she went! What I captured with a angled above my head shot is not even the whole picture! When she was done she told me who each person was and had me write their name next to them! Now if only I could find a frame big enough!!

Get the picture!!??!! LOL!!

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-30T09:08:00.003-06:00

Another great turkey day for the Hoffman's! We made our 1st stop out in Sunnyvale at Pappaw & Gramma Hoffman's! Pappaw is known for his fabulous koi pond he built in his backyard! The kids had a great time and even an adventure with their cousin Colby!

Next stop Granny Bell & Grandad Harvey's house (Jeremy's mom & step-dad)! Aunt Jordan was brave and tried to make a gingerbread train with all 4 kids! Not an easy task! LOL!! We had a wonderful dinner there and the kids always love to be with their cousins and play!

Jeremy with both his sisters!

I hope everyone had a GREAT thanksgiving! Next post, our Christmas decorating!!

thankful

2009-11-24T08:11:00.002-06:00

As we prepare to give thanks, I wanted to share what I am thankful for this year. In light of my personal health issues, I have so much to be thankful for.

I am thankful for my wonderful husband! Who knew when I met you almost 15 years ago that I would still be with you now! That doesn't happen often and I am so very thankful that it did for us! You are truly my very best friend, and the best husband anyone could ask for!

I am thankful for my beautiful, fun, spunky daughter! Madison is truly a joy! While I may get tired of the non-stop chatter, and the never ending question asking, you are a pure joy! I am thankful as I watch her turn into this wonderful, caring little person! She loves with fierce loyalty, she cares about others, she loves to play, she loves to "help" with things, she takes great care in being a big sister! She is an amazing little girl!

I am thankful for my wild, rambunctious, loving son! Austin is wonderful little boy! It has been amazing raising both a daughter and a son, watching them grow and change is a wonderful gift! Austin is 100% BOY! But at the same time, he gives the best hugs and kisses! He knows when to be sweet and when to be his rough little self! I love to watch the pure joy on his face when he discovers something new, or spots his daddy when we get home from school, or goes to get Maddie from her class!

I am thankful for my very large, and wonderful family! There are too many of you to go into each individually, that would be one LARGE blog! But I love all of you! Without your support and love I most certainly would not be where I am today!

I am thankful for my new wonderful house! Jeremy and I talk a lot about how now we cannot wait to get home! Those of you that know us well, know we are true home-bodies, even more so now!

With that I say HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! May all of you have a wonderful day! (And if you want to go Black Friday shopping...Niki & I are planning our TRIP!!)

5 Years with Madison Lee

2009-10-26T17:52:00.007-05:00

To My Sweet Madison Lee,

Happy 5th Birthday my baby girl!

I have truly enjoyed watching you grow & learn over the last 5 years!

I cannot wait to see what the next 5 bring!

We have watched you pass all your milestones with flying colors,

you are amazing and sweet, a true joy to be around!

You care about others, you are fiercly loyal to your friends!

You are smart, and funny, and wacky!

You are a wonderful girl and we love you very much!

Now a look back...

On the day you were born, such a sweet face! You were such a

great baby from the very beginning!

Madison's 1st Birthday, you did NOT like the cake! ;-)

Your 2nd Birthday, at a local park! It was lots of fun with family & friends!

Madison's 3rd Birthday at the Little Gym! It was Scooby Doo Theme!

(And you had that left-over black eye from a shopping cart incident!)

At your 4th Birthday party, we shared a party with your very best friend, Evan!

It was a Halloween Costume party!

Happy 5th Birthday my beautiful girl!

Madison's 5th Birthday Party

2009-10-26T17:44:00.003-05:00

Madison's 5th birthday is tomorrow, 10/27! My baby girl will be 5yrs old! Where has the time gone? And who is this magnificent little girl before me?

Our 1st official birthday party in the new house was quite a success! Madison was so excited to show all of her friends her new house & "playground" she couldn't wait for the party to begin! We all had a great time!

Let the WAITING begin

2009-10-21T13:48:00.002-05:00

I met with the new surgeon yesterday. She was GREAT! As much as I truly adore my ENT surgeon that did my 1st major surgery, I wish I had this doctor from the beginning. She was cool as a cucumber, not afraid of my massive scar and even more massive history. She was collected and very well educated, she explained things in a way that I completely understood, she even drew pictures! That being said, it would have been nice if my other doctor had sent her all of my medical records BEFORE I arrived so that we would not be wasting her precious time, or mine for that matter. But I guess when you collectively have a TEAM of doctors they can't be bothered with exchanging paper! Seriously, that's another rant for another time though.

Now we will wait. As I have learned, having multiple doctors, means having multiple answers, and having the diagnosis change. This doctor, without reviewing my complete medical records, says her 1st diagnosis is to hold off on surgery at this point. To that you say, but you have cancer!! This I know. But apparently due to the size of these 3 lymph nodes (less than 1cm each), and the massive amount of scar tissue that I obviously have in my neck, she would prefer to wait. We will monitor their size every 6 months. At some point they will have to come out, but not now. When they go back into someones neck for a "reoccurance" (which I kept correcting her b/c mine is NOT a reoccurance!!) they do a procedure called "plucking" so much for crazy medical terminology, it is exactly what it sounds like. They simply go in and pluck out whatever lymph nodes that are diseased, and any others in that same chain of nodes. Well, that is a little more difficult to do if the lymph nodes are less than 1cm in size, and if you have significant scar tissue, they won't be able to see them. So now we wait. I'm not sure what is worse, walking around knowing that there is cancer inside me, or having another surgery? I think I'd rather have the surgery and get it over with. But that is my opinion and my opinion doesn't count for much in this aspect of my life. I am under the control of doctors, I now have 5, 6 if you count my OB/GYN (who just about cried at the sight of my scar, i absolutely adore him!!) The new surgeon said I fit the bill for Pappillary Thyroid Cancer to a T, young woman, mid 20's-early 30's. It also occurs to me that that bill also fits most of my friends!!! I do not wish this disease on anyone, so that I say CHECK YOUR NECK! You know your body better than anybody!! A great resource is www.checkyourneck.com!!

Now my next post probably won't be until after Madison's birthday party this Saturday, a much more FUN topic!!! I can't believe I'm about to have a 5yr old!! (WHO CAN READ!!!!) Yes, I am a proud Mommy!!

I took the easy way out!

2009-10-13T08:28:00.002-05:00

The kids have been BEGGING for their halloween pumpkins. But what does a Mommy do with a almost 5 yr old and a 2 yr old, they cannot "carve" pumpkins, nor to they enjoy WATCHING Mommy carve a pumpkin. Last year Madison painted hers, well who wants to let a 2yr old loose with paint, I would have green walls! So this year we took the easy way out! We bought this little kit from Wal-Mart for $3.50, it included the plastic pieces for 4 different pumpkin looks! As Austin would say "TA-DA" here are our pumpkin Kitty & pupkin Puppy! They now live on our front porch! We still have the makings for a pumpkin Piggy and another Doggy!

On a side note, for those of you that are interested. I'm passing along my JCPenney discount for this weekend only!!

Below is a link that will allow you to print a shopping pass to receive 20% off. This is the opportunity for me to share my 20% discount for one day in stores, Sunday, October 18th, and two days online, Sunday, October 18th and Monday, October 19th. This coupon can be used in the store, the internet, or catalog shopping. If you shop in the store, you will need to print the coupon, if you shop via JCP.com, you will have to put in the coupon code when you check out, and if you shop via the catalog you will have to give the customer service representative the coupon code when you call your order in. Happy Shopping!!! The holidays are just around the corner…

http://jcpenneyem.com/a/hBKzXHTAlU$WKB7vGJ-AoBYROfr/coupon-0

And if you are wondering, Home Goods has put out their Christmas decorations!! O.M.G.

Not Me Monday - The Good Version

2009-10-12T15:19:00.003-05:00

What if I was good today...What if I was so good that everyone went on their merry way this morning with fresh homemade pumpkin pie bread for breakfast (with a drinkable yogurt for the kids)!What if I put Madison's favorite outfit in her dance bag so she would be excited when it was time to dress for the day!What if I packed clean nap stuff and put it in each child's cubby 1st thing this morning, rather than doing it tonight when there is more time!What if I remembered to bring a new package of pull-ups to school for Austin, and they only had to remind me 1 time!What if I even got to work an extra 10 minutes early!What if I already had dinner planned, all parts of it purchased, and ready to make when I get home! What if I already posted a new post this morning, complete with pictures! In an effort to sometimes seem like I am pulling it off, today I actually DID!!Then I got to work...UGH!!

Gonna be a LONG one!!

2009-10-12T08:16:00.005-05:00

First of all I would like to say a big HUGE THANK YOU to Anne for my new header!! LOVE IT!!

And now for our BIG REVEAL!!! It's Extreme Bathtub Makeover - Hoffman Edition!!

BEFORE...SO BLAH

AFTER!!! MOMMA GOT A NEW BIG GIRL TUB!!!

And my little people needed to test it out!!

Can you see the size of that tub??? WHAAA HOOO!!!

I managed to sneak in 2 tubs yesterday!! LOL!! Doesn't take much to make me happy!!

And for those of your who enjoy crafts, I would like to highly suggest you go to Calloway's Nursery and take one of their classes! These things sell for $40-$70 each! But you can take the class and make it yourself for like $25!! If I do say so myself it's a pretty cute centerpiece!! And don't tell anybody, it was SUPER EASY!!

(And yes those are REAL pumpkins, even the funky grey one!)

HAPPY MONDAY!!

Well...

2009-10-08T16:18:00.002-05:00

I'm not really sure how to start this post. I hate to be Debbie Downer and all. But we found out yesterday that my cancer is not gone. This is not "new", this is not a 2nd round, this is some leftover that was missed in the 1st surgery. A month or so ago I went for a ultrasound of my neck because, for those of you that have seen me, I still carry a lot of fluid under my chin/neck area. We did the ultrasound to see if they could tell why. In that ultrasound they discovered 2 lymph nodes that looked "suspicious". There's that dam word again. So they sent me to a specialist to get a ultrasound-guided biopsy, not fun. Yesterday, Jeremy & I met with my endocrinologist to go over the results. What they discovered was more tumor cells in 3 lymph nodes in my right neck. Now on to what I am viewing as the positive part. #1 - There is surgery involved, but never again will it be as big a surgery as the 1st. This one is called a micro-surgery, with a special surgeon. #2 - They can use my last incision, but the new one will be MUCH smaller! #3 - Micro-surgery results in only 1 night of hospital stay for observation!! #4 - There will be more radioactive iodine, but this time my new endo says NO to the locking me in a hospital room making me crazy, but more check in to a hotel. This time I will not have to spend 2 weeks off of my thyroid meds, which was really what made me nuts, but I will have some thyroglobulin shots (which will cost my insurance company a fortune but I do NOT care!) then I will have the RAI (radioactive iodine) and go hide out in a hotel for 5-7 days. I will have to be on that dreadfully AWFUL low-iodine diet again, but that is just par for the course.

I'm not really upset. At this point I'm not really sure WHAT I AM. I'm viewing this as leftover from the 1st surgery, NOT a reoccurance. That is helping. I will update as more information is given. I go to see the new surgeon on the 20th to get my PLAN.

WHEW!

2009-10-05T09:21:00.002-05:00

We made it, we are still breathing, and everything is MOVED! Things are beginning to take shape at the new house! We are waiting on internet installation, which has been a royal PAIN! Let me tell you about Grande Communication, apparently we have moved to the black hole of internet where Grande is the ONLY company that services our neighborhood. So far I am less than impressed! More on that later I am sure.

But on to bigger and more FUN things! I have been a busy little bee for the last 5 days! Kitchen = DONE, kids bath = DONE, living room/master/kids rooms = in progress! LOL!! I've begun hanging pictures which always makes things more FUN! But now I am quickly realizing that bigger house means MORE stuff is "NEEDED"!! LOL!! I find that all my things that FILLED the old house to the brim, now merely scatter around the new house! But I'm working it! I've hung some pictures (if you've been to my house you know that I LOVE pictures!!) we've been to IKEA, that was dangerous! Madison needs shelves, desperately, we took advantage of all the built-ins she had at the old house, now it's very clear that she has too many "babies" and more crap than 1 kid needs! Austin's room is taking shape nicely, if you can manuever around all the cars/balls/toys to do anything in there! He's really enjoying the new house! We took this moment to transition Austin into the "big boy bed" again and he took to that like a champ! He goes right down every night about 830 with no issues (KNOCK ON WOOD!!) They played on the new "playground" all morning Saturday, it was great! Madison is scared at night and doesn't want to sleep in her bed! UGH!! So we're working on that! So far we are truly LOVING the new house! The drive in to work today for the 1st time, while long, was not too bad!

House-warming party will be coming soon, probably early November, by the time we get settled!

Happy Monday!

I am in L.O.V.E!!!

2009-09-24T12:24:00.002-05:00

Oh HomeGoods, you sneaky little store! You've been sitting at the corner of MacArthur & 635 for some time now! I have driven past you on numerous occasions! I have never allowed myself to enter! UNTIL, TODAY!!!

And I would just like to say O.M.G!!!! You were filled with all kinds of wonderful finds! And the very best part...CHEAP!!! WHAAAA HOOOOO!!! I just bought a huge, beautiful, glass hurricane, can you guess how much it was??? $12!!! Can you say SCORE!!!! I realize it is silly to be this excited about a store! But seriously!

Now everyone run off to their website to find the closest location to you and go immediately!!

Oh Sweet Husband

2009-09-23T09:57:00.003-05:00

This post is in honor of my sweet husband! (Who BTW does not read this blog!!)

Packing:
Jeremy- "Honey, I will help you pack today! I'll go pull the rest of the pictures from the wall and put them on our bed."
Anna - "How about you put them on the kitchen table, it's easier to wrap/pack them from there."
Jeremy - "Ok sure!"
Goes around the house pulling pictures off the wall, pulling out the nails and putting them in a cup, placing everything on the kitchen table. Takes the stuff from the top of the china hutch that I couldn't reach. All the while I am in Madison's room...the black hole of all the world! I manage to wreck shop in there! I pack the remaining things on her shelves. I clean up the "bucket shelf" and reorganize her toys so they will be easier to pack/move at the last minute. I go through her closet and pull out items that are too small to give to the women's shelter. Rockin out to my IPOD and cleaning away!

So someone tell me why said items are STILL sitting on our dining table? The ONLY "table" in the house to which we must be able to EAT!

Anna - "Honey, why did you not wrap and pack that stuff?"

Jeremy - "I'm not good at that part."

SERIOUSLY!

Change, is it good or bad?

2009-09-18T07:50:00.002-05:00

For some people, they LOVE change! Change it all! I am NOT one of those people. I do not like change. For whatever reason. And as I sit everything is changing!

Yesterday it hit me like a ton of bricks! I went and visited our new day care yesterday. Now don't take this the wrong way, it was a nice school, and I being the over protective parent that I am would never send my children someplace I wasn't comfortable with, not for ANY reason. But I am so focused on what I am losing by leaving the Peanut Gallery, that I cannot see all of the good in the new place. The new director probably thinks I am completely C.R.A.Z.Y! We toured the school, all decorated in their latest theme of "Comic Book Characters", straight with Bugs Bunny's Rabbit Hole, and a full size Incredible Hulk on the wall that Austin will LOVE! We went to her office to talk about their policies and so on, and what did I do, I sat there and CRIED! My 1st meeting with this woman and I am CRYING! WTH is wrong with ME! Am I completely NUTS? I'm in a perfectly normal day care, with excellent teaching philosophy, with highlights on theatrics and performing, PERFECT for Madison! And I am CRYING! Again, I do not like change. The Peanut Gallery has been a HUGE part of my life for the better part of the last 15 years. I worked there myself, many years ago, but from that I still knew most of the teachers when we started Madison there about 5 years ago. I trust them COMPLETELY, with the most important people I know! I trust that they love my children, they protect them, they educate them, and most of all they genuinely CARE about their well-being. I KNOW THAT, without a doubt 100%! I know that because I know THEM so WELL! And no matter what I do, I don't have that at a new school. You can't recreate that level of trust. So I tell myself, I know this change will cause some emotional discomfort to my kids, but in the long run I think they will like it, but is it worth it? Is it worth the financial savings, is it worth the convenience, is it worth it?

In all my craziness I am sending in Biddy for her review of the new school too! Just to be sure that it is just my own fear of change that is driving my current opinions and observations. We are talking about the 2 most important people in my universe after all! I want to be 100% sure this is the right place for us! This day care that "accidentally got into show business" as they call themselves. They are loosely montessori based, they have "performance" class daily, they are active in The Colony city events, our beloved Ms Cheri the traveling dance instructor teaches there as well. My boss's grandson has gone there his whole 6yrs of life, and she loves it! I'm pumping myself up here people! :-) And they do offer cameras that I can watch from my desk all day if I so chose!

Packing.

2009-09-16T07:59:00.002-05:00

Where do you begin with a house you've been in for the last 5.5 years. The house where you lived through 2 pregnancies, 2 new babies, 2 toddlers, and TONS of other life changing moments. This house is some what of a constant for me. I lived there myself when I was 4 years old, same as Madison. That was a time of change for me, since that was my mom's 1st house post my dad. It was just me & her. That house was always so cute & small and I always wanted to live there some day. Then almost 5 years ago, I got pregnant. It was an obvious move for us, our soon to be family of 3. My parents had maintained the house as a rental, and at the time my grandfather was living there. So we moved. And now more than 5 years later we will leave. This house has it's faults. But at the same time holds a very special place in my heart for all the special moments we've had there. It's time to move on, to move up, to move bigger. Our family is bigger, the new larger space much more condusive for our family! And so we pack. and pack. and pack.

I started with the linen closet, only leaving out a change of sheets for everyone, and towels for the kids baths. Then I started taking all my precious pictures off the walls. Then I unloaded the "fluff" from the tops of my kitchen cabinets & fridge. I unloaded my china hutch with the assistance of my mother, for hopes that none of my mom & dad's beautiful china would get broken in the move. Jeremy was out of town last weekend while I began the packing process. It gave me time for reflection. And time to remember no matter how exciting the move, I still HATE to pack! Madison however, is THRILLED with the idea of "packing"! But still thinks she should open the boxes back up and take her things OUT! We packed most of the stuff under her cabinets in her room. Of course we couldn't have picked a busier time of year for our family to move. Our September & October are always ACTION PACKED!

This weekend's packing project - finish the walls, Madison shelves, declutter the desk.

I would like to thank Stacie & my step-dad for all of the wonderful BOXES and packing materials that are making this move so much easier!!

Because McKMama Did It...

2009-09-11T14:00:00.002-05:00

So must I...here are some of the things I've said around the house in the last few days...

You cannot BODYSLAM your sister.

Did you hit a friend today? Hitting is not nice. Timeout is not fun. It's not nice to hit your friends.

Punching is only for Daddy NOT school!

Why are you watching TV at 4AM?

If you pack all of your toys what will you play with? If you take them back out of the box thats not really "packing" sweetie.

No someone will not just move into our new house because it's empty. It has our name on it so they can't do that.

Daddy is very strong but he cannot just pick up the house and move it. We will pack our things and then move the boxes.

That was fun! Now who else has some?

Future Country Star

2009-09-07T20:42:00.003-05:00

Introducing Madison as Taylor Swift!

Future Pop Star

2009-09-07T20:22:00.003-05:00

Introducing Madison as Jordin Sparks...it's a Battlefield people! And note the little backup singer!! LOL!!

Please pay no attention to the mess in the background!

MOVIN' ON UP!!!

2009-09-03T07:52:00.002-05:00

IT HAS FINALLY HAPPENED!! A few posts ago, in my pity party, I was complaining about these people and their ridiculous idea of what their house was worth. Well we took a step back. We made a few moves to get us in a better financial situation (I got a new car!) Anne - your advice was GREAT and just what I needed! I let it go that maybe that wasn't the right house for us, we could just keep looking, but not until we both felt comfortable with the financial aspect. And then WHAM! It's like all things aligned exactly as they needed to be, the interest rates started dropping, we got an appraiser to come back with a little better picture of this house that we loved, we traded in my gas-guzzling 4Runner for a more economical Civic, and then we made an offer and held our breath...

AND THEY ACCEPTED IT!!!!!

So if anybody has any boxes, the Hoffman's are moving to Little Elm!!!! WHOOOOO HOOOO!!! We're hoping to take the kids to see the new house this weekend, and surprise them with the ALREADY EXISTING swing set in the backyard! (I mean how perfect can a house be!!) I feel like things are finally looking up for us! We're hopeful to close by the end of the month!

Talk About Getting Older

2009-08-20T08:29:00.002-05:00

As most of you know I have a "blended" family. I have 4 younger siblings, 2 on each side of things. And I would like to point out that my younger siblings are making me WAY too old this year!!

1st of all, my baby sister, Megan, turned 18 on Aug 10th.

Today, my youngest brother, Matt, turns 21.

Next up, Lauren, my sister on my mom's side, she turns 21 end of Oct.

And then comes Dec, and my brother, Bobby on my mom's side, is getting MARRIED!

SERIOUSLY PEOPLE, can we break this up a little bit! I could CRY!

In a Holding Pattern of Sorts

2009-08-19T08:13:00.002-05:00

I feel like I am in a holding pattern, in many aspects right now. I thought maybe writing it all out would make me feel better.

I'm tired of being TIRED. This crazy post-cancer, post-thyroid removal process of getting the medicine right to make you feel like a normal person is the most ridiculous, frustrating process I have ever had the "pleasure" of participating in. Doctors do not listen. They do not seem to care that you feel like crap MOST of the time. They do not care that your neck still feels weird, it's not necessarily "pain", but it is NOT a good feeling. It's pressure, it's tightness, it's uncomfortable, it's ANNOYING. And yes I realize that I am only 8 months post surgery, but COME ON. Being someone that has never had any sort of major surgery/illness this is just too much. Am I glad that the cancer is gone, well DUH, but the aftermath is a hard pill to swallow.

House-hunting is not as "fun" as I always imagined it would be. Find a house that you like, CHECK. Have stupid sellers that think their house is worth WAY more than others in similar size/area, CHECK. Now back to the drawing board. All while trying to find a GOOD, quality, wonderful, and CHEAPER day care to put the kids in. House-hunting on a budget, while looking for a good day care, a good school district, and a larger house that we can all 4 be comfortable in = H-A-R-D. My poor step-dad is stuck with us (he's our realtor) and all our picky preferences, but hey it's our FIRST HOUSE! We want this and that and that.

I really need to win the lottery.

I am having a pitty party.

Austin is 2!!!!

2009-08-04T14:19:00.002-05:00

Saturday was Austin's 2nd birthday! The rain held off long enough for a little par-tay at the house! A "splash & sand" bash of sorts! He was SO HAPPY that his girlfriend, Avery, came to his house he could hardly contain himself! Here are some quick shots from the day!

Austin - SPLASHING!!My "sand-pail" cake! YES I MADE IT!! ;-)
Austin "blowing" out the candles

Opening gifts
And the morning after...

My sweet baby is 2, I cannot believe it! He's healthy, happy, and hilarious! He loves his sister, he loves to "fight" daddy, he still lets me rock him in the rocking chair (sometimes), he eats anything you put in front of him, he likes to wear pullups (but not for the purpose of using the potty), he loves to go to school, he likes to swim (FIM as he says) whether its in a pool or the bathtub, he loves all things boy - balls, cars, tooting, he loves to watch "Lightening Queen"! He is such a good natured happy boy! For all of that I am thankful!

Happy Birthday My Sweet Son!

PRAY FOR STELLAN

2009-07-27T10:31:00.002-05:00

For those of you who are or are not following...Baby Stellan has taken a turn for the worse! McKMama could use every prayer she can get!!!

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2009/07/monday-morning-update.html

I cannot imagine being in this position! For that I shead tears for the pain this mommy is going through! What a helpless place to be in. I will go home tonight and hug my little ones a little tighter and a little longer! And we will all say some prayers for Stellan and his family!

What I Love About My 23 Month Old

2009-07-13T15:05:00.002-05:00

Yes I said it, Austin is 23 months old, which means in less than 1 month my baby will be 2 years old! How can this be? Where has the time gone? I haven't done this in a while so I thought I would write a post on the things I love the most about my precious son!

I love how much he loves his MOMMY! Oh yeah not to proud to say it, my Austin is definitely a MOMMA'S BOY!! He wraps his little arms around my neck and SQUEEZES in the best hugs! He gives the sweetest little kisses, and LOVES to snuggle with me! I'm sure my days are numbered...

I love how he loves to explore! Whether in the backyard, in his room, or pretty much anywhere, he loves to cruise around looking for trouble!

I love how he LOVES the water! He can just about swim on his own! While at the Rosemeade Rainforest he would walk backwards on the side of the pool (the 10in deep pool) the run, kick one leg back and JUMP in the pool! As if to try to reproduce a canon ball he'd seen! Then laughing hysterically go do it AGAIN, and AGAIN, and AGAIN!!

I love how he loves all things BOY! Balls, cars, planes, trains!

I love his new imitation of UFC fighting! Ok at some point I am probably NOT going to enjoy this, but for now it's VERY cute! He insists to take his shirt & shoes off, and posts up with his little fists in the air! Telling Daddy "I FIGHT!!!" and charging him!

I love his sudden OPINIONS on things! He is suddenly obsessed with Apple Juice and thinks it's the ONLY thing he should be drinking! (which of course it's NOT) He decided he needed E-go (Diego) pull-ups and insists to wear them all the time! And insisted on getting the Thomas the Train potty seat for the potty that he REFUSES to sit on! (Ok I know I shouldn't buy things based on a 2yr old, but come on people I am TIRED of DIAPERS!! A girl can dream!)

Hope all of you are enjoying your summer as much as we are!

2009-07-01T08:38:00.001-05:00

Another Busy Summer

2009-06-17T12:56:00.002-05:00

Hello kids it's me, yes it's been a WHILE! OOPS!! Our June has been a busy one and I'll update with pics soon I promise! We revamped the backyard, and WOW! My wonderful hubby really pulled it off! I got a new grill for Mother's Day, now all of you that are thinking "Mother's Day = Grill = OH HELL NO" not for ME!! I love to grill so this was a fantastic surprise! With that new grill, Jeremy & Pa-Pa (my stepdad Bob) built the kids a 8X8 foot sandbox! Then Daddy went out and got a gazeebo to put over said sandbox to shade my little babies while playing in their pit o'sand! With that gazeebo I got a table/chair/umbrella set!! WHOO HOO! Then came grass on what is left of our little backyard and wa-la a new transformation! We absolutely LOVE it!! It opens up a new avenue for us to hangout and the kiddos to play and we've done lots of it since it was complete. If you've got a free night let us know we're always up for visitors!! We even have a new hose set up to hose off the pit o'sand when the kiddos are all sanded up!!

And if you are looking for recipes/ideas for your own cookout...let me know!!

We just got back from a trip to Austin to see my dad & family, it's always nice to go to the lake for a couple days! Madison enjoyed the boat and the chilly waters of Lake Austin! And Mommy even had to jump in to get her when she let go of the boat (to grab a wandering styrofoam cup passing by) and the current started taking her away! She of course thought all of this was hysterical! Silly girl! Austin spent his time going "up stairs", which could be said for going upstairs, or going back down, and making sure all the dogs were doing what they were supposed to be doing! Madison always enjoys her time with her "Big Daddy" and runs him ragged! All in all a nice little weekend getaway.

As we prepare for Father's Day I'll get my new pics together and update you all soon!

What Happens...

2009-05-25T12:57:00.002-05:00

What happens when you mix a Daddy & a Grandpa (Pa-Pa Brown), some wood, some brakets, and a truck load of sand? Why you get our new 8X8 sandpit in the backyard!! WHOO HOO! The kids have had a GREAT weekend playing in the new sandbox! Soon our backyard will be a great place for all to hang out!

These pics are from their very 1st playtime in the sandbox. As this was literally Austin's VERY 1st sandbox experience, he was walking around saying "OH DIRTY!!" and would NOT sit for anything! Not a problem anymore! He now LOVES the sandbox and making *aka DISTROYING sandcastles!

Maddie's New Haircut

2009-05-25T12:38:00.005-05:00

So I'm a week late...he he...times are busy for the Hoffman's! But introducing, with a fabulously cute short hair cut...Miss Madison!!

Yes she has a Christmas tree sticker on her nose, who doesn't play with Christmas stickers in MAY!

Madison is very thrilled with her new swing haircut! She is blessed with that thick gorgeous hair that makes grown women jealous! So this haircut turned out SUPER cute and SO EASY to deal with every day!

Here it is...What You've All Been Waiting For...

2009-05-11T19:39:00.003-05:00

What a wonderful Mother's Day gift I did receive, but a little birdie dancing for ME!!

Madison's dance recital just happened to fall on Mother's Day this year (wouldn't have been MY 1st choice, but hey!) This is her ballet, I didn't record the tap, but I hope you enjoy! Nothing like a group of precious girls dancing away!

I'll post pics to follow

Not Me Monday

2009-05-04T11:26:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Let's see, where to begin...

I absolutely did not start a new (bribery) reward system with Madison using Quarters for good behavior and helping out around the house, after having this conversation with another Mom at soccer practice! (I thought it was such a brillant idea I jumped right on that bandwagon!)

I did not pull the sheets off my big king size bed and allow my small children to jump & wrestle wildly in the new clean sheets, while me & my friend Robyn flew the sheets up & down!

I did not drag Madison all around Old Navy shopping for Mommy, and all the while telling her if she was very good we could go to her section! She did not then talk me into a dress & an outfit for her, along with matching flip flops (and OH Mommy Austin needs some flip flops too!!)

I did not patiently wait for my hubby to leave yesterday morning to go pick up the kids (sleepover w/grandma), so that I could go to the grocery store A-L-O-N-E!!!

I did not wait until the absolute last minute to wake Austin up this morning, dress him half asleep, and take off to school.

Ok that's all the Not Me's I have for now...although my list could grow throughout the day! LOL!! ENJOY!!

Introducing...

2009-04-30T07:59:00.002-05:00

Let me 1st start by saying this is a Mommy approved Haircut! I fought it at 1st, but decided my sweet son would indeed be quite hot this summer under all his beautiful curls. So the whole family went up to the barber shop. Now, before I get the Grandma beat down, yes this is a mohawk, however without gel it simply looks like a little boy short cut. But with the gel he is quite a COOL DUDE!! Check out my baby boy and his summer mohawk!

Corn On the Cob...

2009-04-30T07:54:00.002-05:00

Enough Said.

How Blessed

2009-04-22T12:51:00.003-05:00

I just want to say, as I've been following McKMama's blog, and now began on Kayleigh's blog, I am so blessed to have healthy children. These 2 families are going through so much! If you haven't been reading click the links to the right and you too will fall in love. They need all the prayers they can get for these 2 precious children. It brings tears to my eyes every day to read of their struggles, and really makes me thankful for my own 2 healthy children.

Hoppy Easter From the Hoffman's

2009-04-13T19:45:00.004-05:00

We spent our Easter this year at Granny Bell's house with the cousins! As you can see Madison & Austin had a great time! We hunted eggs, and ate a fabulous lunch! We even got all 4 kids to sit still long enough for a couple great pics (please disregard Austin's bag of Goldfish!)

We hope everyone had a GREAT Easter just like us!!

Oh What a Good Sleep

2009-04-10T09:01:00.001-05:00

When it came to bedtime last night it was pure R-E-L-I-E-F! Around 815pm Austin started getting tired so in he went! We put him in the crib and I think he was just as relieved as we were! It took all of 5 min for him to pass out with his little hiney in the air! Almost like, "OH HERE YOU ARE MY BED!!" There was no excitement of being able to get up himself, no joy to run around the room, no trying to sleep with Mommy or Maddie, just him in his little crib! And we even let him keep the Cars sheets on! LOL!!

Temporary Insanity

2009-04-09T08:10:00.002-05:00

We are going to call this latest attempt at "the big boy bed" officially TEMPORARY INSANITY! Big boy bed will be no more by 5pm today, as Daddy will be putting the crib rails back ON! Last weekend when Austin commando'd out of the crib, there were 2 discussions happening. Mommy - we need to lower that crib to the lowest setting. Daddy - We'll just turn it into the toddler bed. Daddy has now admitted the flaws in this project and will be fixing it TODAY!! While the 1st night was a success, since then...not so much! Night #2 ended with Austin in bed with us, Night #3 ended with Austin in bed with Maddie, and Night #4 a combo of all of the above. So at 10pm last night when Daddy was getting kicked in the back by Austin, he said "OK rails are going back up TOMORROW!!"

I knew it was too soon for him. But Jeremy was so sure it was the right thing to do, I let this decision go with Daddy. Oh well, live & learn! No more freedom for Mr. Austin, the jail is coming back! LOL!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-09T08:07:00.001-05:00

Yes I know it's Thursday...oops...forgot to hit POST!! LOL

What I Love About My 4 1/2 Year Old!

2009-04-07T09:50:00.002-05:00

What I LOVE about my 4 and a half year old:

I love how she is very much a Daddy's Girl! Daddy can do EVERYTHING according to Maddie!
I love how amazingly smart she is! This child amazes me on a daily basis with incredible things she knows!
I love how remarkable her memory is! Take her one place one time, and she will remember it FOREVER!
I love how she adores her baby brother! She is wonderful at helping him with things and looking after him! (When he's not trying to attack her and pull her hair!)
I love how social she is! She loves to talk (she came by it honestly) and will talk with anyone that will listen!
I love her story-telling skills! She can tell a great story, whether it's from something that happened at school, or her latest weekend adventure!
I love to watch her discover her family! She will tell you all about her 10 cousins, and don't forget "All My Uncles"!
I love how independant she is! She will play alone in her room for hours, and it will sound like a village is in there with her!

How I love this little girl, active, observant, defiant, explosive, fun, truly special, and all rolled into one!

Austin's Big Boy Bed #2

2009-04-07T09:44:00.002-05:00

Here are the pics I promised! As you can see he is very pleased with our current set up! He was so proud and excited to show off his big boy bed to anyone that was willing! However night #2...a little trickier than the 1st! Oh well, we're still working out the bedtime routine w/the new bed so maybe tonight will be better! Of course don't ask me at 130AM when he's kicking me in the back! LOL!!

Life As We Know It = OVER!

2009-04-06T08:57:00.002-05:00

So yesterday afternoon, my sweet little boy gets sleepy around 4pm (yes too late for a nap, but we went with it), Daddy goes and puts him in the crib for a little rest. About 10 minutes later I hear "MOMMY" followed by pounding on a door. I go by Madison's door, not her she's in the living room. IT'S AUSTIN! Little Mr Mischeif has CLIMBED OUT OF THE CRIB and is now pounding on the door yelling for Mommy or Daddy! SERIOUSLY!!

With that Daddy lowered the bed and transformed it into the toddler bed, so as to stop this child from climbing out and seriously hurting himself on the way down! But now he is FREE! Free to roam whenever he pleases! There is no "jail" to contain him and his mischeiveous ways! Life as we know it...OVER!

All that being said, he did really great last night, his 1st night in the big boy bed! He was quite pleased with the "Cars" bedding that I put on the big boy bed, complete with a big boy pillow with a giant Lightning McQueen on it! Daddy wasn't used to this new process so he simply put him in the bed like we used to with the crib and walked out. Not 5 min later...banging on the door "DADDY!!" I went in and read a couple books and patted him to sleep. Only took about 10-15 min to get him down. Hopefully every night will continue to be this easy!

Pictures to follow...

What I Love About My 19 Month Old

2009-03-18T07:59:00.002-05:00

I haven't done one of these in a while. My little Austin is growing and changing so much these days. There are so many things I love about this age!

I love when he asks, with the most inquizative little expression on his face, "Wha-doin Ma?"
I love that he is now mostly calling me "MA"
I love that his vocabulary has EXPLODED and he can tell you anything he wants, from a Banana, to Yogurt! I can't even tell you how many words he has now!
I love how he tries to sing along with Madison in the car, everything from Barney to Taylor Swift!
I love how he cannot wear socks without putting on shoes! They do go together!
I love how when we pull into the garage he tenses up and gets SO EXCITED anticipating Daddy running out to meet us! And the look of shear LOVE that spreads over his entire face when he sees him!
I love how he now close-mouthed kisses and even makes the "MUAH" sound when he kisses you!
I love how he loves to be outside! Any excuse to be outside will do, even taking out the trash! Little does he know some day he will HATE that chore!
I love how he LOVES to DANCE! He will rock out with the best of them, to any music he hears! TV Commercials, TV show theme songs (Thank you Big Bang Theory for the great opening song!), Rap Music on MTVJAMS, very OLD country in the car with Daddy, ANYTHING with a beat he is good to go!
I love how he shortens the names of his favorite things! His favorite blanket = "Blank", his favorite jacket = "Jack"

This little guy has stolen my heart! With his sweet little face and his charming disposition! He is such an easy kid and a true joy to be around!

A Sunday Afternoon

2009-03-12T07:53:00.002-05:00

3 Kids Off to the Park to Play!!

Ride Em Cowboy!

Strike a Pose Maddie!

Still needs a little help from Daddy...sometimes! :-)

He already likes his caps backwards...scary! LOL!!

So we had a nice afternoon at the park, playing and enjoying the warm (while cloudy) afternoon!

New Adventure

2009-03-06T12:29:00.002-06:00

For those of you that don't know I recently decided to become a Homemade Gourmet Consultant (you know, in my spare time!) I've been using their products for years and I love them! You add the fresh ingredients, and their mixes do the rest! I decided to add a blog dedicated to HG in association with my HG website, www.homemadegourmet.com/annahoffman! I'm going to use this other blog to update you all on favorite recipes, and anything else HG! So check it out! I'll be posting my most favorite (and Hoffman modified) HG recipe on there later today!

http://mommashg.blogspot.com/

THANKS!

Austin got a HAIRCUT!!

2009-03-05T08:48:00.002-06:00

Where, OH Where has my little boy gone??? And WHO took his CURLS????

He still has a few in the back! But my how he looks like a real "Big Boy" with his new haircut! Yesterday Daddy took Austin to his hair place for a haircut! When Mommy showed up there he was in Daddy's lap, wearing a Spiderman cape, and they were cutting away! OH I could have CRIED, but he looks so great!!

So Sweet...

2009-03-01T15:13:00.002-06:00

When they are asleep...

Sometimes you come home from school and pass out on the couch! It's hard work to be 19 months old!

And sometimes you play until you can play no more!

So Very Blessed

2009-02-17T14:51:00.002-06:00

I MADE IT! I made it through the isolation, through the glow-in-the-dark radioactivity, through the separation from my family, I am THROUGH!! For all intensive purposes I am DONE with Thyroid Cancer, and the horrible treatment. I have a full body scan on Feb 27th just to make sure there is no more cancer. (But if you ask my hot-dog surgeon he would tell you he got it all in my surgery!) So keeping my fingers crossed, but I am happy to say I'm DONE!

That being said, I have to take a moment to say THANK YOU to my most wonderful husband in the entire world! Without his love and support I would never have made it through all of this. Without knowing that he was at home taking care of my babies, it wouldn't have been as "easy" to be away. He was truly amazing through everything! I came home to a clean house, laundry done, kids had been bathed and in their routine! He only had to use the grandparents for Sunday morning - mid-day for some well deserved play time of paintball for a friends b-day. I was VERY IMPRESSED! He even learned a little about cooking and with a little supervision, made sloppy joes last night! (for those of you that are familiar with my hubby and his non-cooking habits, this is an event all on it's own!) He only fed them lunchables for dinner 1 time, and that was at Madison's request! In all our many years together, it is now that I see just how much I love him, and he loves me. It is complete and unconditional, he is my one true love! So at this Valentine's season I am so very thankful to have him in my life!

Austin is in LOVE just in time for Valentine's!!

2009-02-04T08:36:00.002-06:00

What do you do when your little boy LOVES his 1st little "girlfriend"? Austin LOVES his friend Avery (A-VY, when Austin says it)! And I have to say she is the cutest little thing! Here they are eating pizza & fruit at the Superbowl/B-day party we went to last weekend! Austin walks around the house calling for AAAA-VVVVYYYY, as if she is going to come running to see him! When he is waking up on a school day and doesn't really want to get out of bed "Do you want to go see Avery?" works like a charm! And yesterday at school in the late afternoon when Miss Avery was not feeling well (small fever), she was laying down resting and he laid down beside her and petted her hair trying to make her all better! (he didn't pull it which is the LOVE he shows me & Maddie all the time!!)

Miss. Madison

2009-01-30T09:06:00.003-06:00

Here is our little princess all dressed up in her new Valentine's Day gear for a day of FUN with Granny Bell!

To start your day off with a smile, here is a video of Madison singing her song about the planets. They are learning about OUTER SPACE at school right now and she is loving it! She is constantly getting in a rocket ship to fly into Outer Space to see the stars and the planets!

ENJOY!!

(And yes she is STANDING on Daddy for this performance!)

It's Official

2009-01-26T08:11:00.002-06:00

I will "check in" for my RAI (radioactive iodine) treatment on Monday, Feb 9th at Plano Presby. I'll stay 3-4 days in isolation for the treatment. Today is my 1st day off of my thyroid meds, wish me luck! Since the premiss for the RAI treatment is that thyroid cancer is attracted to iodine, so anywhere there are still cancer cells it will soak up that RAI and kill the cancer. SO I have to go off the thyroid meds, so there are no traces of synthetic thyroid in my body for the RAI to waste it's magic powers on! But I'm told you pretty much "bottom out" so I'm not really looking forward to the next 2 weeks!

Bringing my camera in the office tomorrow, got some videos for you all to see! Much more FUN than me and all my medical drama! ;-)

Hope all is well and Happy Monday!
Love, Anna

It's been a while so I think I must...

2009-01-20T13:11:00.002-06:00

It's been a while since I've blogged, no real reason really, just nothing blog-worthy going on right now.

Yesterday was one of those days, everybody has them, it was just BAD! I could not shake my bad mood all day! Today is shaping up to be a better day! I got to watch the inauguration of our 44th president via MSNBC.COM (had to fight the firewalls at the office to find a site that was "approved"). He is such an eloquent speaker, I enjoyed watching. This is probably the 1st election that I have even remotely been interested in. I'm just not that into politics. Nothing in particular really, I believe in giving my vote to the best man/woman candidate, not necessarily a "party" so to speak. And now I sit, with the rest of the country to see if this man can help us! Let's all hope & pray that he can! These past few weeks, as I have watched my friends and co-workers get laid off has been rough. It's hard to come to work every day not knowing what the day will bring, and who will be left standing when it is over. Luckily I have not been touched by this recession and am hoping that I continue to stay in a safe position.

On the cancer tip...I heard from the endocrinologist office this morning. Looks like I will go into the hospital in about 2 weeks for my Radioactive Iodine (RAI) treatment. I will stay in the hospital (in isolation no less) for 3-4 days. I'm now told that once I am released from the hospital I will still need to stay away from my family for another few days (not sure how long yet) to protect them from my glow-in-the-dark-radioactive-self! She was like "You can't share a bed with anyone, and no hugging or kissing", well how am I going to explain that to my loving children! Best to stay away, for their safety, but most definitely NOT my sanity! I do not do well being away from them, so this part will most definitely be DIFFICULT! We go sit down the with DR on Tuesday so I will know more details at that time. I'm hoping I'm allowed to bring stuff with me to the hospital b/c if I can have my IPOD/LAPTOP/CELL PHONE I will be a MUCH happier camper, even though I use the word "happy" very loosely in this situation. My next 2 weeks will be rough as I have to go off the thyroid meds I am currently taking, this will cause me to quote un-quote "bottom out". Everyone reacts differently so there is no way to know how much I will be affected. It apparently will make me very tired and moody (GREAT that's what I need with a 4yr old and a 17 month old!) To find comedy in all of this is hard, but I am trying. In fact on my 1st appt with this DR, when he asked me "So how long have you been feeling tired?" I was like "Are you serious? I have 2 children under the age of 4, I've been tired for well...4 yrs!" Who asks questions like that...SERIOUSLY!

Found another great site for Thyroid Cancer information...www.checkyourneck.com, other than having a really cute name, they have some great information!

I'll get off my soapbox now, I know you all have better things to do than read my whining. But I wanted to keep everyone in the loop on what's next in my world.

Ode To My Little "BIG" Boy

2009-01-06T17:14:00.007-06:00

Has anyone seen my BABY? Austin is turning into such a "big boy" right before my very eyes! (And yes I realize he's in desparate need of a haircut!) He is 100% BOY! He loves all things boy...

He loves TRUCKS... He loves TOOLS...

He loves FOOT-BALL, both on TV and in his little hands!

He loves his "Sissy", which he is actually starting to say!

He loves to YELL for "DAD-DAY!!"

He loves to EAT! And will eat ANYTHING!

My precious youngest child getting so big! TEAR! He is so wonderful a child, easy to put to sleep, easy to feed, always just relaxing and taking it all in (or tearing it all part as the case may be!) His vocabulary is growing by leaps & bounds! Just this morning while eating his breakfast and watching the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse he proclaimed loud & proud "O'TOODLES" at just the right part! (Yes he might be watching too much TV!)

Each child is special in their own way, so different, yet so the same! It is such a joy to watch them grow and change into their own individual wonderful little people!

Increasing Awareness

2009-01-06T07:56:00.004-06:00

If you've been reading my blog then you already know I am currently battling Papillary Thyroid Cancer, even though the Dr's assure me they got all the cancer during my surgery, I still consider this a battle, as I still have my treatments to go.

In an effort to increase awareness about the #1 Cancer in the US I am including some information for you, my friends & family, who like me, probably never even gave Thyroid Cancer a 2nd thought! I would not wish going through this on anyone!

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer. Thyroid cancer is a cancerous tumor or growth located within the thyroid gland.
Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that has increased in incidence rates over the past several years. There are expected to be 11% more new cases in 2008 than in 2007 in the United States.
The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 37,340 new cases of thyroid cancer in the U.S. in 2008. Of these new cases, about 28,410 will occur in women and about 8,930 will occur in men. About 1,590 people (910 women and 680 men) will die of thyroid cancer in 2008.
Many patients, especially in the early stages of thyroid cancer, do not experience symptoms. However, as the cancer develops, symptoms can include a lump or nodule in the front of the neck, hoarseness or difficulty speaking, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and pain in the throat or neck.
There are several types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and variants.
Papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas are referred to as well-differentiated thyroid cancer and account for 80–90% of all thyroid cancers. Variants include tall cell, insular, columnar, and Hurthle cell. Their treatment and management are similar. If detected early, most papillary and follicular thyroid cancer can be treated successfully.

80% of all Thyroid Cancer cases occur in women under the age of 40

If you would like to learn more about Thyroid Cancer and what you can do to help, please log on to http://www.thyca.org/

My advice to everyone is pay attention to your body, if you don't feel something is right, see your doctor! Be honest and let them know what's going on! Had I not insisted that something was wrong, I wouldn't have known about the cancer!

Love to all,

Anna

Not Me Monday

2009-01-05T10:15:00.002-06:00

It's truly a "Not Me Monday", more in the fact that I just don't feel like ME! This surgery stuff is for the birds and I have truly reached that point where I just want to feel GOOD again! I hate to be a whiner and complainer but SERIOUSLY! I need some R-E-L-I-E-F! I came back into the office today for the 1st time since my surgery, and it's not the funnest thing ever. I don't know that I will make it a full day, but hey I could use a nap before the kiddos get home anyway!

I did not let Austin eat his pancakes in our bed (again) this morning, even though it drives Jeremy NUTS! Who wants to deal w/a whiny 17 month old at 6am over pancakes and sitting at the table...NOT ME!

I did not attempt 2 times to take my morning pills, and then walk out the door and completely forget them, only to have to turn around in the street and go back to the house to fetch them. Then I did not forget to grab the bottle of "Aleve", not that it is aleving ANYTHING, and have to stop at CVS on my way and grab a bottle for my desk!

I did not have Jeremy get the kids all buckled into the car and start their movie (YES a movie is necessary at 7am, on the 5 min ride to school!), and totally forget nap stuff for both kids. Had to run back in the house while Jeremy sat w/the kiddos and back bags of pillows, blankets, etc.

And I am not sitting here contimplating just how long is appropriate to STAY at the office for my 1st day back before SPEEDING home to take a NAP!

Hoffman Kids Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T21:08:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas To ALL!!

2008-12-26T11:00:00.002-06:00

Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday! I'm hoping to get pictures uploaded later today and do a proper post, but wanted to send you all my happy holiday wishes!

Love, Anna

Home Sweet Home

2008-12-22T15:08:00.002-06:00

I am HOME! YEAH! Sore, and tired, but HOME! I got home yesterday afternoon! The kids came home after doing christmas w/the cousins around 7pm. Austin won't let me out of his sight, and threw a full on fit when we left him at school this morning, poor baby!

But my precious Maddie has gone and turned into a big girl on me. She didn't buy the "Mommy's at work" story she was told on Wed night when I didn't come home. She was ok with that reply until Friday, when I talked to her on the phone and she said "Mom you are at work?" and I said "Yes", and she said "Then let me talk to your work friends!" So then on Saturday she would not talk to me on the phone at all she was mad b/c she told Jeremy I was not at work. So Saturday night Jeremy told her that I had a big boo-boo. She immediately came to the phone, said "Momma you have a big boo-boo?" and I said yes I do, but Dr. Rohn is taking good care of me. She said she liked Dr. Rohn (he did her tubes & her tonsilectomy so she knows him and really likes him), but that she would take care of me when I got home. She immediately said "Mommy I am coming to see you in one second!" turned from the phone and yelled to Jeremy, "Daddy you take me to see Momma now!", to that he told her they could come in the morning (Sunday) to see me. So Sunday morning they came up to the hospital, I wrapped my neck in a scarf so she wouldn't be scared by my incision (which is HUGE!) and she was happy to see me! She took a basket of flowers for her own and we enjoyed our little visit! So when the kids got home last night, I also had the scarf on again, she said "Momma why do you have that scarf on?" I told her I didn't want to scare her with my boo-boo. She said "Momma I am not scared, you take that scarf off now!" I took it off and let her take a look, I said "Maddie does this scare you?" She said "NO Momma! I am not scared!" My precious baby is so loving and caring she doesn't care that it kind of looks like someone took my head off and put it back on! But I am home and happy to be here! Recooperating and being w/my family is the best medicine I could get!

Love to you all!
Anna

I'm OK

2008-12-20T12:07:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to send a little note and let everyone know I am OK. I mean hospital is NO fun, and being away from my babies is NO fun, but I am hanging in. After almost 8 hrs of surgery they think they got it all so that is good! I'm tired, and sore, but OK. Thanks again for all the prayers and well wishes...I think they are working! :-)

Much love,
Anna

The Christmas Elf Puppy

2008-12-16T10:44:00.003-06:00

I think I've mentioned this before but wanted to give you all a better look! I borrowed this idea from a friends blog...Thanks Jill! But at the beginning of December, a gift was delivered to us from Santa, it was the Christmas Elf Puppy (Santa could not for the life of him find an actual ELF)! Every night when Madison & Austin go to sleep the Elf Puppy goes back to the North Pole and reports to Santa if they have been good! Then when they get up we have to search the house for him and find where he has landed! This is a FUN game, and even Austin participates! He has landed in the Christmas tree, in each kids room, in my room, in the middle of Hoffman Claus Land, he's been all over the house! I think this is the beginning of a tradition in the Hoffman house!

Welcome to Hoffman Claus Land

2008-12-12T08:51:00.003-06:00

Yes I know a new record 3 posts in one day! But my days are so crazy right now, I didn't know when I would have the chance again...
Welcome to HOFFMAN CLAUS LAND! This is Jeremy's production every year, and every year it grows bigger & bigger, and takes over my whole table!

Mommy's Little Helper

2008-12-12T08:47:00.002-06:00

Can you guess what Austin is helping with???

You got it! My precious son loves to "help" these days! Especially unloading the bottled water into the fridge!

A Moment for Me

2008-12-08T14:43:00.002-06:00

I felt it important to keep this from the blogging world until my family had all been informed. Since most of you already know about the latest happenings in the Hoffman family I thought it important to put it all down here as well, even though I typically use this blog for the more happy things going on in our world. For the sake of being honest and really blogging about what is going on, well this fits the bill.

To begin, as Jeremy tells me I have too, it is 100% curable! But I have thyroid cancer. Yes that big looming "C" word that is so scary in and of itself! I am told if you have to get cancer this would be the "best" one to get. That being said we go into phase 1 next Wednesday, December 17th. I will have surgery beginning @ 11am, surgery will last 5-6 hours. They will remove my thyroid in it's entirety, and all of the lymph nodes from the right side of my neck, as the cancer is there as well. They have 2 nodes that they are suspicious of on the left side that they will inspect once they get in there and decide from there if they will also remove the left side too. I have to stay in the hospital 3-4 days, which sucks! I am not looking forward to being away from my family, but I know I have to get this cancer out of me!

Words cannot express how much all of your well wishes and sweet thoughts have meant to me & Jeremy! I truly cannot imagine having a greater group of friends & family! I am truly blessed to have each and every one of you in my life! I should have my laptop with me in the hospital so I will try to update the blog and let everyone know what is going on. And you can always email me!

I love you all
Anna

PS - I'm going to follow this post w/some much happier ones!

Obsessions

2008-12-02T09:49:00.002-06:00

At Meghan's request I am following her lead and listing out our "Obsessions"!!

Madison's Obsessions:

Hannah "Tanna"! Madison is obsessed with all things Hannah Montana! She doesn't care for the actual TV show (still not into actual PEOPLE shows), but she loves all the clothes, toys, dolls, all the "stuff"!!
Singing! Madison LOVES to SING! She memorizes songs from the radio & my IPOD! She can rock out with the best of them! Her faves right now are Taylor Swift "Love Story", and Pink "So What"
Easy Mac! Yes I know this has to be the worst thing in the world for a kid, but she LOVES her Easy Mac! Of course she calls it "Warm Macaroni & Cheese", as opposed to all that COLD mac & cheese she eats! LOL! I'm not sure how she came up with that, but when I make real homemade mac & cheese she does not like it! Only the powdered cheese for her! UGH!
Juice Boxes! There is a certain thril to be able to open the fridge & take out a juice for yourself! (Even if you still need a grown up to put in the straw!) Madison loves any kind of juice box, Capri Sun...any of them!
Schedules! Madison is a girl after my own heart! She has to know what is coming next in her little world! She is most definately a "planner"!! Every night before bed she has to ask "What is today on the 1st number?" Which in plain language is "What day is it tomorrow & what will I do?" There are a variety of answers and I won't bore you with all of that back & forth with a 4yr old jazz!

Austin's Obsessions:

FOOTBALL! My son is completely obsessed with all things football! He watches it on TV with Daddy! He likes to throw/carry them everywhere! He loves to point out FOOTBALL everywhere!
SISTER! Austin absolutely adores his sister! As long as he can be with/see Madison he is a happy boy! He wants to be in her room, he wants to play with her no matter what she's doing!
Christmas Tree! Austin is obsessed with our Christmas tree! (see previous posted dedicated to his latest obsession!)
Race Cars! There must be something in the male DNA that teaches them to make race car sounds and "Vroom-Vroom!" everywhere and on every imaginable surface! Austin loves to race his cars, whether it's on the floor or on the wall!
EATING! I finally have my good eater! Austin will eat/try ANYTHING! He loves to EAT! He is obsessed with food! He insists on eating a "snack" of some sort right when he walks in the door at night (typical man!) then will eat again whenever dinner is ready and we are eating! He really likes to "share" and eat with Mommy & Daddy!

MY Obsessions:

KISSES!! I love love love kissing those sweet cheeks!! My kids were blessed with the fabulous cheeks that are just perfect for kissing on!!
My New IPOD! Thank you Santa for giving me my Christmas a little early!!
PICTURES!! As you can tell, I, like Meghan, LOVE to take pictures of my kids!!
Observing the kids in action! I am obsessed with watching them as they grow and change into these wonderful little people! I love to hear every day what Madison did at school and how her day was! And funny part is all while she is telling me, Austin is chattering away like he is telling me too! I love to listen to Austin as he discovers new words every day, and watch as he sees something new to explore/attack!
EBay! My latest obsession comes with selling stuff on EBay! Might not have anything left by the time I'm done!! LOL!!

HAPPY TUESDAY EVERYONE!!

There. Now that I've been tagged, I'll tag the following to tell us about your obesessions:

Anneyarbs79 (Mom to Olivia, Luke, & Morgan), and 3jones (Mom to Cooper)

Austin Meets the Christmas Tree!!

2008-11-30T10:49:00.001-06:00

At last Christmas season is finally here! We were so excited and ready we put the tree up on Saturday...in stages between Austin's naps! But OH by dark it was up and lit and he was a HAPPY BOY!! Now for the next month and some change what you will hear multiple times DAILY in our house is NO TOUCH AUSTIN! He is completely totally FACINATED by the tree! And the "STAR", "BALLS", and "FOOT-BALL" on the tree! Yes we do have a Longhorn section on the tree...I know none of you are shocked! But in that one section is an ornament like a foot-ball with the longhorn symbol on it! Well that one ornament is a source of constant torment for my precious son who, like Daddy, LOVES FOOT-BALL!! 2 of his many words these days are foot-ball & touch-down!! SAD REALLY!

Santa has left one of his helpers at our house! We have a Christmas Puppy Elf (can you believe after 3 stores you cannot just find a plain old ELF!) that is watching over Madison & Austin! He reports back to the North Pole every night once they are sleeping to let Santa know if they are being a good little boy & girl! Then in the morning when we get up the Puppy Elf is in a new location and we have to find him! This morning he was on the mantel! Madison is loving this little edition to our holiday fun! I'll post some pics of them with the puppy elf later! Stole this idea from a friend in another blog! Thought it would be big fun since Madison actualy GETS the idea of Santa this year!

Hope you all have a wonderful week! Happy Monday!

Happy Turkey Day!!

2008-11-30T10:38:00.006-06:00

HAPPY TURKEY DAY to all our family & friends!!
So here are the kiddos ready to head out for our day of festivities, those of you with multiple children will understand, Austin refused to give up his binky, and Maddie was just in a silly mood and continued to try to "pose" for the camera! So this was the best we could pull off! Maddie wanted everyone to see her cute turkeys we made to put in the window, and our indian feathers! BIG FUN!

1st stop the Sharps to visit w/John & Susan, and Uncle Josh!
Then later in the afternoon we headed over to Great Aunt Gerry & Great Uncle Cotton's house for a big family Thanksgiving! Every one had a blast and the food was fantastic!! Everyone pitched in this year which was fun!

Then it was back home to get ready for Daddy's big game...as you can see below he had a little cheerleader helping him out!! HOOK EM!!

We hope everyone had a great turkey day!!

Love, Anna, Jeremy, Madison, & Austin

Stone Soup Day

2008-11-19T13:34:00.005-06:00

Today was Stone Soup Day at the day care! So I took an extra hour lunch to go eat lunch with Madison (couldn't let Austin see me b/c he doesn't quite understand "I have to go back to work!") And we learned this morning there would be a little mini-recital with her dance teacher!! Since we didn't get much notice most of the girls are without their dance gear, but you can still see how fabulously cute they were!! Their teacher got them each a little skirt to wear which they had fun with! This is a little dance they learned in just 3 weeks!! Impressive for this age group! They are preparing for their annual spring recital in May. So enjoy Madison's cute little tap dance!! (I really hope I posted this right...my 1st video attempt!!)

The Story of Stone Soup (done every year at the day care for the last 20+ years!)

Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day a wandering soldier came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.
"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "Better keep moving on."
"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.
By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the soldier sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their skepticism.
"Ahh," the soldier said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."
Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Capital!" cried the soldier. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."
The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the soldier a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell and traveled on the next day. The moral is that by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.

IT HAPPENED!!!!

2008-11-18T09:11:00.002-06:00

For the very 1st time this morning Austin proclaimed when Madison arrived into my room, "MADDIE!!!" loud and proud!! Madison was so happy, she got a big cheesy grin on her face! She has been trying for MONTHS to get him to say her name, repeating it to him s-l-o-w-l-y every day in the car..."Say M-A-DDIE" and to that he would always laugh & grin at her. Austin truly adores his sister, and she him. It's sibling bonding at it's finest, and I am going to enjoy every minute because I know before long it will be yelling & arguing, and all that other lovely stuff that siblings do to torment eachother! But my baby is increasing his words every day and it's fabulous! Before our very eyes he is turning into such a big boy! So congratulations to Madison for doing such a fine teaching job with her baby brother!

Soccer with Birdie!

2008-11-12T09:06:00.002-06:00

Madison is finishing up with a program called SoccerTots, it's pretty much like soccer practice, but she loves it! She goes with a few of her friends from day care every Saturday. Her final practice is this Saturday for this session. We'll probably sign up again in the spring to prepare because she'll be old enough to start in the city soccer league next fall! She has really enjoyed it and is actually pretty speedy! Sorry the pics aren't all that great, the lighting is horrible on the fields.

Austin is in LOVE!

2008-11-11T08:48:00.002-06:00

First of all a BIG Thank You to Steve & Alexandra Staudt! I know you couldn't have known it at the time, but the so very soft & fuzzy airplane blanket you bought for Austin is his absolute FAVORITE thing EVER!! He loves to wrap it around his face and smell it! It is so funny I had to include some shots of him with his lovey! He must have it to go to sleep at night, and whenever the mood hits him during the day he will go pull it from his crib and wrap it around his head and lay down on the closest surface he can find...floor/chair/sister...whatever! Too funny!

The smelling of the blanket!

The Wrap & Roll!

EXHAUSTED!

2008-11-07T09:26:00.005-06:00

This has been one of those weeks in my house...let's see where to begin...
So I go to work Tuesday, just my normal every day routine, kids to school, me to work and so on. Then at 230pm my cell phone rings, caller ID shows the day care...the dreaded call. Austin's in the office with 103 temp! LOVELY! So I race out of the office and to the school, and then to his pediatrician's office, only for him to say "It's a virus, just has to run it's course!" GREAT! So we go home. Now he is getting some of his big teeth, but 103...a little too HIGH for teeth. But I actually spend the next 2 days enjoying my 15 month old son, one on one! Because other than the fever, he's in a great mood (but anyone that knows him knows that he almost always is!) he had a few cranky moments when he was tired, but other than that...enjoyable! With sister gone to school though he was confronted with something new...boredom! So he was on me all day both days to find things to entertain him! We colored, we watched Backyardigans, we played with the megablocks (well we dumped & picked up multiple times), we had snacks, and I did major cleaning while he was napping, so all in all it was a pretty not too bad illness time! Yesterday we got out of the house for a bit to run a couple errands, Austin's favorites...to GO, and to PEOPLE WATCH!!

So last night I watch my Grey's Anatomy, and prepare to go back to work today. Then it happens...everything falls apart! Austin gets up at 12AM like ready to party! It takes me 1.5 hrs to get him back to sleep. Then at 4AM Jeremy yells at me from the bathroom to get up he's coughing up blood (he had a tonsillectomy last Thursday!) So I bolt out of a dead sleep and he is flipping b/c he's bleeding. I run to the neighbors house and beat on their door until they wake up so they can come sit w/my sleeping children until my Mom can get from Denton to my house. (I had called her too!) So we bee-line it to Trinity ER. He had blown the stiches from his left side. Lovely! So here I am at work, Jeremy is in the ER (or being transfered back to Plano Presby where his ENT is), the kids are at school, and I am about to fall asleep on my desk! UGH!! And no I am not a bad Momma for leaving him there, the bleeding had already stopped, and remember I just missed 2 days w/Austin. I do feel bad for him having to stay alone, but it could not be helped. SO needless to say I am just hoping to get some rest this weekend!

Hoffman Halloween 2008!

2008-11-03T12:23:00.006-06:00

Happy Halloween to ALL!!
This year awarded us with many opportunities to wear our Halloween costumes! So 1st we had Maddie's birthday party (Austin was far too busy to put his on!) but Maddie wore her's after much negotiations! Then we had Annual Halloween Parade & Party in the morning on Wed the 29th at the kids day care! (Austin wore a last minute backup costume so as not to dirty up his real one for the evening festivities!) That same night we had the Annual "Fall Festival" at the day care and it was a BLAST!

Mommy & Austin @ the Fall Festival

The "Big Bad Wolf" at the pumpkin roll!

Pa-Pa & Biddy helped us by decorating their trunk for the "Trunk or Treating" and the trunk decorating contest (WHICH WE WON!!) Welcome to Grandma's House!!

Cooper & Madison @ the Fall Festival with their fish they won as prizes and who now live in Pappaw's pond (WINK WINK!)

Madison...bobbing for pumpkins...kind of!

Austin in his backup farmer costume with Madison as Little Red Riding Hood...ready for the school Halloween parade & parties!

Hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween!!

Madison is 4 years old!

2008-11-03T11:00:00.005-06:00

What can I say...I still cannot believe that my baby girl is 4 years old! Madison turned 4 on October 27th. We had her party on the 25th (Daddy's b-day). We ended up doing a joint party this year with Madison's very best friend Evan, from school! So together with Evan's parents we hosted a Halloween Birthday Costume Party!!

The kids had a BLAST! We had 2 bounce houses, decorated "pumpkins", cracked open a pinata, decorated Trick or Treating Buckets, ate pizza, and had cupcakes! Even the adults had FUN!! So another year and another birthday party success!

10 Things I love about my 4 year old...(Thanks Meghan!)
1. I love how much she loves her baby brother
2. I love how observant she is...what 4 year old knows when you steal your hubbys shirts!
3. I love how excited she gets over "surprises"
4. I love that when I put her to bed at night I know that at the very least I'll see her 10 more times!
5. I love that she loves to be outside! Riding her bike, taking walks, going to the park
6. I love her little chatterbox talk! (OK maybe LOVE is not really the right word...sometimes I want to jump out the closest window because it is truly NONSTOP!)
7. I love how petite she is, but that her size never stops her from anything!
8. I love how every night I can depend on her asking "What day is today on the 1st number?" which means what is tomorrow and what will I do?
9. I love how much she enjoys school and thrives on learning!
10. I love how snuggly she is! She LOVES to snuggle...morning or night!

So maybe it's been a while...OOOPS!!

2008-10-13T15:45:00.003-05:00

So I realize this has been FOREVER! But you know...happens! For a quick recap...we had a fantastic summer! Jeremy & I hit Playa Del Carmen with friends in July, Austin turned 1 year old on August 1st, Maddie started Soccer in September...and it's just been a BUSY year so far! Plus I turned the big 3-0...really who is counting? In the same weekend...Jeremy went to Cleveland with the boys for the annual Cowboys trip, and I went to NYC with my girlfriends for my b-day! SO FUN! Then just last weekend we had an impromptu-belated birthday for me at Zen in Austin Ranch (A BIG Thank you to Lindsay & Andrea for putting that together!) We had a BLAST!!

UP NEXT FOR THE HOFFMAN'S:

We have the Dallas Susan G Komen Race for the Cure on this Saturday Oct 18th!

We are preparing for Madison's 4th birthday...WOW 4 already! We are having a joint b-day bash this year with her very best friend, Evan! And who wouldn't decide it was a good idea to host a full blown costume halloween birthday party for 4 year olds...not me! LOL!! Jeremy will have his b-day the same day as Maddie's party...the things Daddy's do for their little girls!

PRESENTLY:

Jeremy is still relishing in the VICTORY over OU this past weekend...and the fact that Texas is now ranked numero UNO!!

Austin is walking/running EVERYWHERE! Popping up with a new word every day it seems! WOW where did my little baby boy go! (You might see him walking around with a bowl on his head...but whatever makes him HAPPY!!)

Madison is playing soccer every Saturday at noon at SoccerTots off of Hebron. She loves it and is in class with 3 of her friends from school! She is also attending dance classes again, and computer class (ask her about your CPU!!)

OK So I promise to try this time to keep this updated! (I did say TRY right??!!)

Anna

New to the Blogging World...

2008-01-21T14:02:00.000-06:00

Good Afternoon ALL!!

The Hoffman's have joined the blogging world!! Sounded like fun! Not sure if I am quite "technical" enough but we will see!

Let's see what have we been up too...

Madison went back to dance class today after a holiday vacation for the teacher. She is doing a combination ballet/tap class. The teacher comes to her school and does it every Monday. Madison LOVES to dance, and according to her teacher is doing very well!

Austin is working on his 1st set of teeth, those 2 pesky bottom teeth have yet to show their little selves! He is drooling and chewing on everything. He has discovered his feet, which if you remove his socks he thinks it is the funnest thing EVER! He rolls around on his back with his feet in his hands (trying to get a foot in his mouth). He loves to pretend he can walk, with Daddy's help! And sister can ALWAYS make him laugh!

We went on Saturday for family pictures, and Austin's 1st professional pics (we are slackers...Madison had 2 sets by the time she was his age!) I guess that's what happens with baby #2! But they are the cutest pictures EVER!! I'm going to attempt to put some on here...well I was...but the studio locked them...DAMMIT! Once I get them in 2-3 weeks I will have to scan some! The picture up top, is Mr Austin after his 1st haircut!! Hard to believe at 5.5 months he needed one, but it was EVERYWHERE! He did really good, just had to hold his head still b/c he kept trying to watch Sister while she bopped around all over the salon.