New Year.

Yet another year has completely flown by.
I've been a little MIA lately...this past year has not been much for writing for me. Not that there isn't much to write about, I just haven't made the time. (Tsk, tsk, tsk.)

Monday, the kid and I return to school (and work). These last two weeks have been very enjoyable and also a bit boring at times. I'm actually looking forward to going back to work. You get back into the rhythm of working and then you get time off and it's not what you expect... But I shouldn't complain, I've gotten more than most have. :)

Christmas and New Year's was spent here at home, just the three of us. I love our little family holidays - no drama, no entertaining, no worries.


NYE started with dinner at the Bonefish Grill, thanks in part to my two lovely bosses who handed me a gift card a few weeks ago. I love that restaurant - their food is absolutely delicious! I had the Filet Mignon with a side of White Truffle Mac & Cheese - Oh..My...God! Divine!
We came back home to the Gigi's Cupcakes I had waiting for us and to watch the NYE specials on TV and enjoy some fresh Piña Coladas and Champagne. All in all, a good night bringing in the New Year. A very different and calm night compared to last year in Italy. :)

My Facebook post.

As far as New Year's resolutions go, I never really make them. But I have made a promise to myself and my family: I'm just not going to allow others' negativity, affect me. I am going to continue to live my life, happy. With those that want to be included in our life. And even though I never received the apologies I would have liked, I'm moving past it. I will make an effort to talk to these people and just move forward with all our lives.
As much as I've been hurt, or pushed aside, I will do what is right and just let it all go. Life is short. It's pointless to live with hate or hurt. So if you're still mad at me for whatever reason or if we haven't spoken in years...
It's done.

I thought it was over and then it came
back at 3 in the morning at 102°.

We had a little issue with the kid being sick for most of the first week at home. He ran a fever for the first few days, no other symptoms really. (I learned his 6 year molars were breaking skin when I was helping him floss, so I'm assuming that was the culprit.)
The second day it got a little too high for me so I had to throw him in the tub - he was not happy.
Christmas morning did not start off great but I got his fever down quickly and by the afternoon, he was all better. And then just
like it came on, it was gone.
It's always so strange when the kid gets sick (not sure I can even call this being "sick.") I'm thankful he has a strong immune system because I rarely have to deal with these circumstances.
This is the first time he's had an issue since last April.



For Christmas Eve dinner I made some traditional Pork Carnitas with a side of green beans and spanish rice (of course). We broke out the new dinnerware and the kid used his Snoopy Christmas Plate - as he does every year thanks to my best friend, Koren. :)
We pulled out the sofa bed and watched Christmas movies the rest of the night. <3
Our perfect family Christmas.

There's nothing like spending Christmas at home but like I always do, I miss my family and friends.
I have a new nephew to meet, hopefully one day soon.
Koren and I need to plan another trip or visit.
Mike and Mike need to make appearances as well. ;)
Or I need to make a trip over to them to also visit my favorite Savannah Trio.

2015 looks promising for all of us. Our marriage continues to grow. Our son is happy and healthy.
We look forward to all else God has in store for us.

Let's play Catch Up!

So here's the skinny.... (Does anyone even say that anymore?)

Today's been a day of packing and cleaning - So much fun. And Sex and the City episodes.
Last night was spent cleaning my oven; My weekends are amazing guys! LOL

We have our new apartment in Columbus, GA. Erick came home Memorial weekend to pack a few things to take with him. We move officially, at the end of the month.
Yes, it is annoying to have to move, AGAIN, but I'm hoping this one will be it for a while. :) (Unless Italy calls)

My last day of work is the 20th. All of my babies have moved up and we've had 4 new ones enter. I'm just left with my bub, William and my squishy, Ava. I'm really going to miss them but I'm so thankful I've gained a friendship with their parents. I can keep in touch with all of them.

C.J. will be attending North Columbus Elementary in the fall. I can't believe we've hit the elementary years...
We've missed deadlines for private school, so we're thinking kinder at the public school for this year and then private next.

I'm planning on making a trip to Columbus on the 24th to spend a couple days before our big move, and get to see the city beforehand. So far I hear good things from Erick.

Don't have much else going on...same ol', same ol'. It's work, home, dishes, laundry, cleaning, and packing. :) It's glamorous, I know.

Hello!

Wow! I hadn't realized how long it's been since I was last on here!
Things have been pretty non-stop..
Between work, C.J. and Erick, my day is jam-packed. :)
I'm at home today because unfortunately I came down with the flu earlier this week. I'm doing much better, on my last 2 days of Tamiflu. Only dealing with a cough and some congestion.

My toe is there….
I had an appointment yesterday for another check up and now I need an MRI. Doc still doesn't like the way my toe is healing. There is still a lot of bruising and I cannot step on it without having pain.
The one good thing is that it is mobile again.
Still can't go run (which I am really not happy about) but maybe in a few weeks.
I had a couple other check ups yesterday but I'll get into those another day.

Work is work. Things have been a little upside down since my injury and other work related issues. But hopefully come Tuesday (we're off on Monday - YAY!) things will start to be in order again.
My babies are getting so big!! They are ALL mobile now.
I have walkers, crawlers, and rollers :) There is never a boring day.

My boys are great! C.J. is still growing and being his silly self. :)
He's been participating in gymnastics for the last month and is having a ball! He loves the tumbling and the trampolines.
We start soccer again at the end of the month as well. We're all excited!

Erick is helping out so much at home - thank God for him. I don't know how we could've gone through these last few weeks without him.
He's waiting to hear back from some jobs too but he's been great at home! Fixing our old stuff and getting new things together. <3
The 3 of us are spending all our time together which makes me super happy.
Life is the same :) for the most part, and I'm loving it.

♫ These are a few of my favorite things... ♫

My Boys. <3 (All 4 of them.) ;)  I honestly do not know where I would be without these guys.
Hand written letters in the mail - A wonderful and warming surprise to find one of these when I open that mailbox.
Pedicures
Family photos - Year round and on special occasions. I need to think about where I want us to do our photos this year and when!
Reading - I LOVE BOOKS!
Crossword puzzles
Running - My escape. Doesn't matter how tired, pissed off, or sick I am, a run can fix it anything.
Blogging
The Sutliff's - My favorite family of three. I love them more than anything. Phone calls, texts, photos, cards, gifts, and trips are always something to look forward to.
WINE
Acting - My passion, my dream.
Traveling
Coffee - It completes me. And yes, this includes Starbucks. Hello my name is Laura and I am an addict.
Dance
Cupcakes
Champagne - Mimosas in the morning or bubbly at night, one of my favorite drinks.
Movies - Horror
The Truex's
Music - Goo Goo Dolls, 311
SHOES (I own about 60 pairs, I think.)
Potatoes - Fried, Mashed, Whipped or Baked
Soccer - It makes me so happy the kid is so into it as well.
My LiL Sis - I love my sister so much! We didn't always have the best relationship but nothing can break our bond now. <3
FRIENDS
Sex and the City
Will & Grace
C.J.'s GodMother and my favorite cousin, Monica.
The Thompson's

I need a job...

We've only been in Georgia a few weeks now but I've been actively searching for employment since before we left Texas and still....nothing.
Not even a phone call for an interview.
I know I shouldn't be inpatient and things will fall into place on their own.
God is waiting for the right opportunity.
I'm just hoping to get some news soon.
C.J. is going to be heading to school soon and I've just reached the point where I'm ready to return to the workforce as well.
I've filled about 50 applications and sent my resumé to countless companies as well - I pray someone finds me. :)

Heading back....for a little bit.

Today is my last day in Italy. Tomorrow begins our 24 hour long journey back to the States. :)
Our flight out of San Vito is at 2:30pm; we arrive in Milan to connect to Paris, at 6:00pm. We will spend the night in Paris as our flight is not until 10am, Saturday. Our flight to Houston will be 10 hours....ugh...
But I am excited! It's hard to believe, I've been out of the country for 9 months now...Wow!
I can't wait to see all my family and as many friends as I can. I am thrilled to meet the new baby boys in the family. I will be so happy to see all my brothers and sisters - it's been a while.
Our first week will be spent in Houston as C.J. has his 4 year check up and I also have doctors' appointments.
I am excited and a little nervous about our cruise too. (On the 19th we head out of Galveston with Erick's parents for a 5 day cruise to Cozumel.) It will be the first time for EVERYBODY. I am hoping we all handle it well, especially C.J.
After we get back we will be in Brownsville for a couple of weeks and then head up to Austin the second week in February to visit my older brother and his family.
We want to make trips out to Florida and South Carolina too but we will see.
This will be a nonstop visit..
So much to do, so many people to see.
We have plans to return to Italy in April but it may be sooner, it all depends on the work. Right now we are just playing it by ear.

I have packing to finish :)

I appreciate good thoughts for our trip.

See you all soon!!
xoxo

On the edge of Apple

Well, the time has come. I am in desperate need of a new cell phone.

Blackberry Curve 8530

This is my current phone. I have loved every Blackberry I have ever owned since I started buying them in 2009. I have upgraded twice in the last three years. You can always hear me tell everyone, proudly, "I love my Blackberry." So it was only natural for me to start looking into a newer model. I love its' small compacted shape, I love my keypad, I LOVE my Blackberry Messenger! "Crackberry" is an understatement. My current phone has taken quite a beating this time around - not really sure why - so it really is an urgency to get a new phone.

IPhone 4S

According to my husband, (and my friend Kassie), I need to get with the times. LOL! Kassie says it is time to move on. All I ever here from Erick is how much he loves his new phone. Of course, everyone knows what this is, the IPhone. He recently purchased one a couple of months ago and is completely enamored of it. He is always bragging about all the things it can do, what it comes with, and how I would greatly benefit from it. His favorite phrase, "Well, if you had an IPhone..." :) Kassie says, "It will change my life."

So needless-to-say, I have definitely been looking into the idea and thinking it over. I have been hearing mostly good statements about this phone, yet I am still not sure if I am ready to part with my Blackberry. I have never been crazy about touch screens though...

Yet with upcoming changes, one thing I am certain of, my Blackberry will not work at all in Japan. Which is another reason Erick has been talking to me about the IPhone. His IPhone works perfectly in Japan, there is no disturbance what so ever and it is because of certain apps he has on the phone. I want to be able to stay in touch with everyone, so the logical choice would be to move on to the IPhone.

I'm going this weekend to look at phones....looks like I may be joining the Apple Clan soon enough, we shall see.

Is it just me...?

Why do I feel with certain family members or friends that I am always going out of my way to be considerate to them and they always let me down when I need them.
With certain friends, I feel like I am the better friend to them than they are to me. I always find myself having to send the first text or make the first phone call. Even send a card...Friendship is about sharing;  Sharing opinions, dreams, fears, hopes... It is meant to engage conversations. We are supposed to cherish our memories but of course make new ones along the way. We should have a mutual understanding of how much love we have for one another and how much we care.
"Friendships don't magically last 40 years...you have to invest in them."  (S&TC, S5E3)
Then when it comes to some family members, I literally have no words at times. It's like, do they not hear the words that come out of their mouths?? We should respect each other and share joys. We shouldn't hope for love and support, it should already be there. Above anyone else, family should be number one. Actions do speak louder than words, yet when we do not think about what we are saying, those words can cut deeper than a global chef knife. That's how it's been with me, my family always comes first. I have some friends I consider family so they follow a super-close second.
"Family means putting your arms around each other and being there." (Barbara Bush)
I am trying to live my life well. I am trying to teach my child to be a good, caring person. But then there's instances that occur where sometimes I just think, "Why bother?"

Here we go again...

So I just got back from dropping Erick off at the airport...he is on his way to Japan for 91 days. He asked me to be strong - right now I'm a total mess. C.J. has already asked for him three times since we've been home.
I hate these days...I was hoping for a change this year but yet here we go again, starting off this year exactly like last.
I understand this is his job and he loves it and I am super supportive of that. I want him to be doing something he truly loves and enjoys. I am just tired of this. I am tired of all this back-and-forth crap, I am tired of having to try and keep it together for C.J. who asks for him everyday and wants to know, "Where's Daddy?"
I am sure it is just as difficult for Erick to be away - it's just an adjustment for us constantly. We have to deal with him being gone and he has to deal with being away from us. Difficult times right now.
91 days...Seems like a life time.
I know we will get through this as we have every other time, still doesn't mean I can't or shouldn't be bummed about our circumstances.
You would think it would get easier each time he has to be gone, but it's not. Seems just as trying as the very first time I saw him off to Italy.
All I can really say is thank God for Skype! If it wasn't for this wonderful little contraption, we would not get to speak or "see" eachother face-to-face on a daily basis. C.J. knows he can use this now and even tells me, "I'll get the microphone Mommy." :) Sweet boy.  And of course he will ask when he can talk to his Daddy too.
Be strong...we'll get through this

I AM that person!

I realized something about myself a couple of days ago... I AM that person!
I will get upset and cut people out when they are cruel to people I know and love. Very cliché, I know... But I am going to pick a side, especially if you are someone I have met through a friend or family member.
When instances like these occur you can truly find who your true friends are and who are the most important people in your life.
It made me think of a Will & Grace episode where Jack McFarland says, "I know you're new here, and, um, we don't want you to think we're really cliquey and don't let anyone in our little group, but, um, well, we're really cliquey and we don't want anyone in our little group."
This by far is not true of me. I've learned to be accepting of new people over the years. I want to meet new people and share in their lives and experiences. In fact, I welcome it.
What I do not appreciate is when they display petti- / spiteful- ness to those dear to me.
I AM that person - in when you are mean to them, I will not be mean to you but I no longer have the need or the desire to speak or communicate with said person.
I made my decision years ago to cut all filth and negativity from my life. And if this includes certain people as well - so be it.
It actually makes me laugh to think about this.
I do not hate nor do I hold grudges. I just know when it is time to let people go. You wish them well, hope they find what they are looking for, and know that they are no longer your concern. The End.