Blah, Blah, Blah....grumble, grumble, grumble

Really, I have NO reason to grumble and NO reason to feel so blah, blah, blah....but I do.  I have a hundred and one different blog ideas swarming around in my head....but no time to actually sit here and get them all completed, with pictures.  For example, I need to tell all about Owen's 1st birthday party (and how it is true that "when it rains, it pours").  I quickly learned it is much quicker to take down decorations than to put them up!!  Owen's 1st birthday blogging is on the top of my list.....so, all these others will have to wait even longer!   I could blog about my 30th birthday....yes, 30 years old.  I would like to reflect on my first 30 years and my goals for the next 30...but, again, no time for that today.   I have lots to say about travel.  I want to do a little blogging about where I've been and where I hope to go.  Share a few of my favorite places with all of you.  Speaking of travel, I have LOTS to say about our weekend away - the Inn at Palmetto Bluff - AMAZING!  Loved it, loved it, loved it!!  Favorite parts - kayaking, biking, and the shower....wish I could have the cottage bathroom transferred to my own house!  I think I was meant to be a travel agent so I could spend my days sending people away to wonderful vacations....and try them out myself occasionally!

For now, I'm stealing from a few other blogs with this idea.  I've got so many different thoughts running through my head right now that I'm just going to share the next 10 things that pop into my crazy brain.....hopefully, I'll get these 10 out of the way and be prepared to move along to the above mentioned topics in the very near future!

1)  I'm exhausted!  I've had several days off of work over the past two weeks (3 days out of 8).  Other than the fabulous NP I work with, no one really "covers" for me when I'm gone.  So, when I return, I begin to hate my job.  This is where the grumble, grumble, grumble comes in this week.  I have PLENTY to do on a normal day to keep me beyond busy...and, after all I am dealing with people and chronic illness here, so, it is important to stay up-to-date.  Very difficult to do when starting from the bottom of the pile.....for the 3rd week in a row.  Most of us are excited to have a break on the 4th.  I am already full of anxiety because Monday is the WORST day for me to be off....so, Monday will be crammed into Tuesday.  Did I mention I have TWO clinic days next week instead of my usual one and an important meeting.........grumble, grumble, grumble!

2) Today, I want to run screaming from my job and be a full time stay at home mom.  Let me rephrase, earlier today, I wanted to do that.....after taking Payton and Owen out to eat dinner, I have actually decided I want to work up to 18 hours each day.  Payton was TERRIBLE!  Any ideas on how to make him keep his butt in his seat while we are eating....and that whining.....sheesh!

3)  Owen is starting to walk - while holding onto furniture, walking behind toys, standing (hands free) for a few seconds at a time.

4) Owen is climbing stairs...at record time!  Where are those baby gates?

5) Owen eats like crazy!  He loves to eat....everything....but especially watermelon.

6) I'm excited to have friends coming into town for the 4th. It should be an interesting weekend.  Kade and his friend (who we've never met) are coming down Friday night.  Kade has earned the unfortunate place of being somewhat like a brother to me....he was Chad's friend first, but, now I can't seem to remember a time without him in my (our) life...and, to Payton and Owen he is of course "Uncle Kade."  He's brave to bring a new person around so quickly....but, if she's able to deal with him, she can surely deal with us!!  Amy, Eric and baby Brady are coming down Friday morning.  Brady is 6 weeks old.  I think this will be their first road trip.  I'm excited to have all of them - and anxious at the same time.  I know this will be a little stressful for the Hoots family, or at least for Amy.  I remember our first trip with Payton (which was to Chapel Hill for CJ and Leslie's wedding).  Payton was 5 weeks old.  I was still trying to figure out how to feed, pump, function on 2-3 hours of sleep, etc.  After our first trip, I learned it wasn't so bad....and, we stayed on the road more than we were home after that for that first year!  I'm also a little anxious to have my 2 crazy kids and still keep it together enough to be a good host for everyone.  Of course, these are a few of our best friends and, no matter how the weekend goes, it will all work out.  We're are just really looking forward to seeing everyone and having some good quality time together....and a few good laughs for sure!!

7)  We have a lady who comes to clean our house every 2 weeks (sometimes only once per month).  She will be coming tomorrow.  This is a relief because the house will be nice and clean for our guests.  However, it takes me over an hour to get the house close to ready for her to clean.  And, as soon as we get home tomorrow, the clutter will be all over again....at least it smells clean.  If it weren't for the help cleaning, I would seriously go crazy.

8) My days are too crazy.  I only get to see my kids about 2 - 3 hours each day.  Thirty minutes is spent getting dinner ready.  Thirty minutes is spent getting them ready for bed.  I have very little quality time with them and that is really starting to wear on me.  On top of not having enough time with my kids, I have NO time to exercise and that is really starting to bother me.  I tried exercising at 9:30 or 10:00 at night for about 2 weeks but that kept me from sleeping at night.....blah, blah, blah, grumble, grumble, grumble.

9) We have a big trip coming up soon.....I can't wait!  Hopefully break from work and extra time with my family will be just what I need to get me out of my funk!

10)  We have two fall trips planned - one fall trip planned with my parents to go to the mountains and ride the Great Smoky Mountains train.  Happy 60th Dad (almost a year late!!).  We have another planned with our friends to Bald Head Island in an awesome oceanfront beach house.  These will be two great trips...full of quality time with the hubby, the kids, family and friends.  I can't wait!

Ok...back to the grind....bills, house prep, and hopefully bed soon!