Xmas Presents

Thank you to everyone who gave us presents. I wasn't sure who gave Alex the Thomas the Train blanket, but that was really cute and he loves watching TV with it. And.. so fitting cause I'm going to do his bday party in Thomas.

I don't know about you all, but I'm glad that Xmas is over. We had a wonderful time, but the preparation is just so much and our house always gets destroyed in the process.. And... we don't eat properly through the whole thing, which gets expensive. So, now begins the cleaning of the house, organizing all the stuff, putting the xmas stuff back in the garage, etc.

We have some other projects planned for this week that Chris is off. Today is a fun day. No work yet.. I'm having breakfast with a friend I haven't seen in a long time and when I get home, Chris is going golfing (in the fog) and then to hang with co-workers for happy hour courtesy of one of the bosses. I think while he does that, I'll take the kids to have the car aligned. the alignment is so off that if I let go of the wheel for 1 second, the car will change lanes (not exaggerating). It made for a very tiring trip to Fresno and Hanford. My left arm is sore. So, even though we are broke, it has to be fixed.

We are also going to move everything out of our bedroom and paint the walls and clean the carpets. Next weekend. We're going to take the kids to my moms and hopefully get the project done fast. We'll see how it goes. We don't even know what color we want. All we know is that we want to go lighter.

well, I'm rambling, so I'm going to go get ready for my breakfast. Have a wonderful day, family. I put pictures on Fb, but I can put some here later.

Alex is Funny

Two stories:

Today we were cleaning the backyard of dead leaves, etc. I found a worm and we were looking at it. (I had gloves of course and alex wouldn't touch it)

Me: Alex, where does the worm live?

Alex: In the dirt.

Me: What does the worm eat?

Alex (With a very cute smile and adorable eyes...says)

"Not Roni Mac Cheese."

Chris and I died laughing.

Story two:

I was putting some left over food away and Alex said, "mama, put tape on it"

It took me a minute but he wanted me to put plastic wrap on it. :) That's funny!

More Funny Quotes

Scene set up:

Alex is in bed "talking" to Chris before bedtime. He wants to "talk" now because "praying" means he has to go to sleep. I'm in the living room on the couch.

Chris: Lacey, Alex has a question for you.

Lacey: What's up Alex?

Alex: Mama, you have a weenie?

Lacey: No, I don't have a weenie. :)

Alex: Mama, you have a butt?

Lacey: Yes, Alex mama have a butt.

Alex: Mama, I have weenie. I have a butt too.. ... Mama!, dada have a BIG weenie!

Lacey (Giggling): Yes, Alex, dada have a big weenie. Now, good night. I love you.

Chris: Just grinning.

toooooo funny!

Funny Quote From Alex

so Alex and Lauren are in the tub last night and Alex says with lots of pointing, "mama have little nose, baby runnin have little nose, alex have little nose, dada have big nose!"

LOL gotta love it!

Mother Bear

I wasn't sure if I should put this on Outrage or my own blog, but here it is.

I had my first official "Mother Bear" moment Sat. night in the parking lot going to a free (lightspeed) Condor Game. In short, an elderly man and woman (yes, elderly) decided that they would park their car right next to us while we were tying to unload sleeping children. Mind you there were about 100 other parking spaces on that level. But it wasn't really their decision to park there that made me mad; it was that she got out of the car, yelled at me to hurry up all the while he continued to back into the space where my stroller was laying in the spot and thus almost running over my stroller because he wanted me to hurry.. Let's just say they picked the wrong day and the wrong mommy to mess with.

Let me say first in my defense I didn't know they wanted to park there cause they were backing in and I wasn't sure WHAT they were doing. At the moment that she yelled at me to hurry up with my kids something inside me SNAPPED and I was not Lacey, mostly sweet :), always leveled headed, always considerate of others, will do anything for anyone, Lacey.... I turned into, if I had a gun I would shoot you, if I was in my car I'd run you over, get out of my way, don't speak to me that way (even if you have white hair), don't rush me and my kids, lunatic!

I think the first thing I yelled (and I mean yelled, the whole 2nd floor of parking, turned to watch the scene), "there are 100 other f**king other parking spots!". she then called me a b***h and I responded, still yelling, "wouldn't you be a b***h if someone was trying to run your children over?" She at some point also said I was being out of control and I responded (in a low, loud, devilish roar), "you don't know what out of control is!". Followed be, "lady you need to walk away from me right now!" and they finally did.

Now you may be wondering where the kids and Chris are at this point. Chris had Alex and wasn't saying a word and Lauren was in my arms where I was trying to put her sweater on, but shaking so hard from anger that I almost dropped her. Chris finally said, "honey, you are in the right, but you need to stop." Which was probably the smartest thing he could have said to me. Because had he not chosen his words very carefully, I could have very quickly turned on him. The LAST thing in the world he could have done was taken their side.

So I then had him to move our car away from them and we tried to gather ourselves and proceeded to the game where we tried to have a good time and then we left just before it was over because the kids were at their tired limit.

I felt compelled to leave an apology note and did so saying, "I'm sorry for yelling at you. It was not my intention to hurt you. Please forgive me, Lacey"

Then talking to Chris finally about the situation, his take was that "yes they were terribly rude to the point of being dangerous. They were crowding you so they could get to the game." Now with his take, I wanted to take my note back. They didn't deserve it, AT ALL. but he wouldn't go back, so that's were it ends with them.

The next morning at Church, of course the topic has to be all about God's Mercy and how Mercy is not Mercy at all until it is granted towards someone completely UNDESERVING. My reaction is, "UGH! ARE YOU KIDDING ME GOD????" Which of course, He is not. So, I listen to the message, I completely understand that God is speaking directly to me and I have to take a bid sigh and forgive those two completely undeserving people who were so rude to me and almost hurt my children. I will not apologize for defending my kids safety but I will try to handle it differently next time. I do feel terrible about f-bombing her twice (chris was counting :) and I never talk to people that way, but when it comes to your kids, there's just something inside of you that comes out that causes you do anything to protect them.

I also am not happy that they (Alex in particular) witnessed me tearing into this woman. I don't want him to think that behavior is okay, so for that, I will also have to really think next time about the words I use and the way I handle things.

What a crazy weekend we had..

And in other news. I have a job interview with Costco today at 2:30 pm.. If I thought our life was crazy now..... just wait.. He'll work days and I'll work nights. It's going to be tough. but it's what we have to do to get out of debt and then get ahead. Pray for me that we get it. :)

Here we Go!

I know that today isn't our anniversary, but we're leaving and I wanted to post some pictures before we left. So, here we are 10 years ago (almost) on our wedding day. We're leaving for New Orleans in about 30 minutes (Chris still asleep) and we're hoping for a most wonderful trip.

We are very fortunate to even have this change to go. Somehow God brought us just enough money (we're budgeted down to the estimated penny), we have great sets of parents willing to help keep the kids for a week and we have somehow made it 10 ye

ars without killing each other. It's a good day.

I've always thought it was God was crazy to take two completely different people and stick them together and then say, here, be married, be on the same page, get along, make kids, pay bills, live together under the same roof, oh, and be happy. It's a crazy concept that it could work. Does He have a crazy sense of humor or does He really h

ave that much faith in us? I guess that where He comes in and where we rely on Him. Well, my point is that Chris and I are very opposite and have been down a long road (that went very fast by the way) and have somehow made it to ten years. And as a result we know, trust, rely on and love each other more than anyone else. We balance each other out in so many way. Like I think more than most couples.

I really love that God chose to wait so long to give us kids. We had 7 crazy years to figure out our relationship, to get jobs secured, to make fun memories and to grow close. Now we're into a new chapter with our children and loving every minute of it. (except the tantrums) :)

I guess long blog short, I feel very blessed to have married Chris and know that a million years ago God thought we would be a good idea.

Thank you family for helping us have time together. Please kiss our kids a 1000 times each day for us and make sure they know even though we're "working" we

love love love them.

We're off. Pray for safe fights and a safe & fun trip.

Wow

Ever since I started keeping up with Facebook, I've totally neglected my blog.. Sorry blog, sorry family.

There's not much to say other than I'm completely going crazy with stuff to do before our trip.. The problem is that the second we return we have a bridal show to do. I'm "re-inventing" myself and my business and that it taking sooooo much work, money I don't have and time which I also don't have with two kids that don't understand the logic of work. Not to mention Chris had to go to Chicago, we cut up all of our credit cards (bad timing) and the s**t is hitting the fan as far as money goes. The details are exhausting, so I'll spare the details, but I believe that God is saying, "you don't need credit cards, you need an imagination, get creative and have faith". I know He provides, He always does. Like for instance. Larry (my gardener-soon to be ex-gardener) pulled up and said I owed him for last month. I TOTALLY forgot. Probably cause I didn't have his $50. Just then the mailman walked up and handed me my mail. I saw a card for my bday. I said, "well, Larry, you might just get paid today after-all". It was a check for $50 from Grannie. Thanks Grannie for paying for my yard for a month. Larry is going to now get laid off.. :( It's not good. I know he's struggling too. We all are.

Unrelated note: Sally's stomach is making so many noises I can't concentrate on what I'm trying to complain about. Kind of worries me that she's going to have bowel issues all over my house or something. UGH.

Anyway, enough madness. I have to get back to work and it's almost 1 am.. more ugh!

Chris' Cheerleaders

Chris has a new softball team this year called "Grindhouse" which I think is a type of Movie Genre like that movie Sin City, maybe the Kill Bill movies.. We're not really sure, but also we don't really care. Misty designed some very cute shirts. I got the art work from her and made shirts for the kids.. VERY CUTE!!! So here is Chris' cheerleading squad. :) Please note that there are stitch lines on the skull to look like a baseball and the bones are actually baseball bats.. Very witty Misty (Chris' co-worker).

Memorial Guest Book

My good friends dad died two days ago. She had asked me to help her make a book to give to him that had photos that she had taken of his land new Lone Pine. It was to be a gift, but with his sudden passing, she decided to turn the book into a Memorial Guest Book. I thought it was a great idea. To showcase the land that he loved so much and to show those attending the Memorial a large part of what he thought was special and beautiful. She did a great job on the photography end of it and I designed the book. Here it is. http://www.laceysphotography.com/albumshowcase/zuccogb/

I have Twins

Lauren has a friend that she talks to every once in a while. (usually when I'm folding clothes) :)

Chuck E Cheese

Well, just in case you didn't see these on Facebook, I put them here also. There aren't as many here though. Facebook has more cuz it's easier and faster to upload them there. but anyhow. We had a fun play date with McKenna and my bride/friend, Davina. This is her niece who is also 2 years old.

I ran into my old manager which was funny. Yes, I worked at Chuck E Cheese about 15 years ago for 2 months.. The longest two months of my life.. I painfully recall: ding ding ding, the smell of stinky feet, kids puking pizza almost every shift, and driving home at 1 am to Teh. barely remembering the drive I was so tired. And now Alex knows about Chuck E Cheese and will now be asking to go there every time we drive by. What was I thinking??? :) Anyway, we did have fun. Alex LOVES air hockey. But who doesn't? It's my favorite. But really I like to play Chris and get down and dirty. Then comes the shoulder pain for 3 days. Good times!

Kid Fun

Here are the kids taking a bath. Very cute.

We've started getting these magazines in the mail advertising Halloween costumes for kids. Alex could seriously look at them for an hour. They are great! He also decided to climb into Lauren's toy to read his book while we sat on the grass.

Alex Alex Alex

Sometimes I wonder how stubborn can he really be? We had two very terrible episodes yesterday and then him again with Chris last night. He's got to be the most stubborn child I've ever known. I know that most reading this will not believe me because on the whole "out in the world" he's pretty good and delightful to be around. But at home with us, he has these moments where there's nothing that will get through to him. I feel like I'm fighting with a teenagers. He's beyond the terrible twos.

Chris and I are both so tired today. My only saving grace is that he's at day care today. and probably being really good.. We'll see how tonight goes... and Please don't say this is normal, it really won't make me feel any better. and then there's Lauren and her teething.. that's all I have to say about that.. TEETHING I hate it..

I'm happy and thankful to God to have my children, but I'm also happy to have had my tubes tied at two.

Lake Casitas or Bust

So, the plan was to go to Gita's, visit, sleep, wake up and go to the Water Park at Lake Casitas. I've been trying to go to a water park for 3 years now. I've tried everyone. No on wants to go, there's always some excuse as to why they can't go. Usually it's money. Fine... Maybe it's just me and I have some sort of strange obsession with water parks, but any hoo.. SO, Alex got sick with a fever and he slept on Gita's couch all day watching Finding Nemo, baseball, the PGA and various other things while dozing off and trying to feel better.

When he finally felt well enough for us to go home he demanded that we go to the beach. So when we were in Oak View the weather was a beautiful guessing 85 degrees. When we got to Ventura it was like 55 degrees. Seriously crazy cold. We told him it was cold, even rolled down the windows to prove that it was cold. He wasn't having any of it. So, hence the photos... the lack of preparation in clothing attire for the children and the very cold poses. End the car when we left, he said he was happy. So, yeah, our sick boy was happy. Good enough for us. :)

Reservations

yeah! We got reservations for New Orleans. We may have paid more for our plane tickets, but we got 5 nights for FREE.. Yes, I said FREE... With Chris' points from all of his traveling, we were able to cash in. Yeah!!

My cute 6 Month Old and a crazy boy.

Lauren just looked really cute today, is all.. But she started the morning out with a ton of green poop that was completely stuck to her. So off for a quick bath in the sink. Alex liked the bubbles. who doesn't? She's very cute in the sink too.. and yes, he has no bottoms on. We are potty training and he's doing great as long as he has nothing on.. The second he puts on under ware or a pull up, it's all over. And he has also pooped in the back yard twice this week. (and once on the living room floor). But 3 other times in the bathroom, in the toilet.. so there's progress. My goal is to have him pretty much done by the time Miss Vikki is done with her vacation and he goes back to day care.

A day in the neighborhood

We went for a bike ride to water park for a free day of entertainment. We're very poor these days. So on the bikes and off we went. Lunch packed and sun-block.

Lauren is very cute in her ladybug bathing suit. And Ales LOVES his turtle shorts.

Daddy's Finally Home!

Here is the very nice sign that Alex and I colored. Lauren was too sleepy for the home coming. But asleep or not, people still want to touch her in the airport. :) Welcome Home DADA!! "airplane done dada? big airplane done dada? work done dada?" over and over again. very sad!

He had to wear the necklace that he made at Mrs. Vikki's. He's been saving it all week.

so now begins my new status of chopped liver.. or in reality, more than chopped liver.. Chopped liver covered in dog pee and covered with bugs.. I'm not allowed to hold his hand crossing the street, change his diapers, get his juice, buckle his sea tbelt, and pretty much anything else that daddy can do that I've been doing for the last 2 weeks. It's like an unwanted vacation from mommy hood. It's okay for some things, and not okay for others. Oh well. I asked for a break and well, here it is.

Welcome home dada!

Catching Up The Blog

We got to swim at the Marty's yesterday. That was fun. Thanks guys. Lauren did soooo good and loved being in the water. The pics of them in the grass are in our front yard with their new kiddy pool which they loved and had a great time just hanging out in the yard. Lauren is sitting up now and doing a great job at it.


Here's more of Alex's black eye. Each day it gets a little worse and now it's in the getting better stage. He gets really shy when people ask him about it. It's cute.

He's not really sad right here.. His mouth is full of food and so he looks sad, but is just being silly.

We are all missing daddy and are just trying to pass the time until he comes home. Yeah for Friday. :) I hope he doesn't miss his flight because I plan to take the kids to the airport at 9:30 at night to get him.. Alex loves seeing him get off the airplane. Hurry home, daddy.!!!

Poor Alex

So you know when there's that moment when you should have left somewhere and you left 30 seconds too late? :) Yeah, that's what happened. We left 30 seconds too late. Alex was playing with Grandpa and fell off the couch and hit his eye on the edge of the coffee table. HARD.. Poor Alex. And poor grandma & grandpa. They feel bad, but really they don't have to. These things happen and are going to happen again.. But yeah, Alex was crying and it swelled very quickly and this is what it looks like this morning. So, he gets to stay home today from day care and we're going to do something fun with water. Like a kid pool or something.

I love the way he turns his head for the picture. :) I asked him this morning, "what happened to your eye?" he said, "quying, grandpas house".. right now he's saying, "oh no, alex quying last night" .. when did he learn "last night"??? He's vocab. is getting out of control.. :)