REALLY Dancing Backwards in High Heels

For the past month I have really lived up to the title of my blog.  Work is crazy hectic with ending a year and beginning a new one, then there are the normal monthly projects that have to be completed. 

With almost being in this position for a year more and new responsibiliy has been put on my plate, and basically I run the office (really, I do, so it seems). 

Seriously.

It doesn't seem there is a day that goes by that someone can't do their job without my help. 

If you don't already know I work for a social services agency.  I am an Administrative and Intake worker.  Which means I do clerical work along with screening and pulling inquiries on new and exsiting cases.  Each title ties together, hand in hand.  I also prepare our Board Meeting Packages along with the Director.

But because I'm one of the first people the customers see, every other worker comes to me with questions.

So I do A LOT of running around! 

My day starts at 6:30am. with my first and best fulltime job, mommy and wife.  I rush rush rush to get to work, stay completely busy all day to the point my head spins, then I go home to be mommy and wife again.  By 8:30pm I can be just me.  And relax, or try to if there isn't clothes to wash and fold, a kitchen to clean up, floor to vacuum. 


And I can't forget trying to be the best wife I can be.  I want/need to make time for him.  He deserves my attention too.


I live Kenny Chesney's song "Dancing Backwards in High Heels" most every day.  And I know I'm not the only wife/mom who feels like this but this is my experience. 

I'm exhausted.  I need a vacation.

Holt Christmas and New Years

Christmas time is always a hectic time for our family.  We have both sides pulling us in all directions and all we want to do is stay home and let them come visit us haha!  We love all the time we get to spend with family, but with a 2 year old it can be a little much.

This year are gatherings were shortened.  We had one the weekend before Christmas with my husband's side of the family at his aunt's house.  That is always a standing invite, the Sunday before Christmas.  Sometimes Jeffrey is working so he can't make it but I make sure I take Peyton and go. 

On Christmas Eve we are invited to so many things and I feel the pressure to go to all (and was planning on it this year until one very stubborn little girl wanted to have an off day).  Jeffrey worked Christmas Eve but I was invited to go to his MaMaw's house, his other Aunt and Uncle's house and then my family at my Aunt's house.  Three got shortened to one and we just went to my family's gathering (since we had already spent time with one side of his family and the other has a gathering after Christmas). 

It was a good night and Peyton got to play with her cousin Skylar.

And open presents.

She just loves Skylar!

Everyone missed Jeffrey since he worked but a good time was had by all.  Me and Peyton went home early, got tucked in bed, read Twas the Night Before Christmas and waited for Santa to come.

I helped Santa get the toys in the house but it just wasn't as fun without Daddy.
Christmas night Peyton decided to have a bad dream and ended up in the bed with me, which was nice since that never happens and I loved snuggling.  Jeffrey wanted to be home when she first saw all her gifts from Santa so we had to shut up in Mommy's room watching Toy Story until he got home.  It was worth it though for both of us to get to see the look on her face.  She was so excited she just laid in the floor rolling around at one point lol!

This Christmas we invited both of our parents over to our house.  We wanted to be able to stay home all day Christmas day so Peyton could play and possibly get a good nap.  Well we got to stay home but it ended up turning into the Grizwalds!  My dad's whole side of the family ended up coming from Richmond and I hosted my first every holiday meal with Christmas lunch, which included Jeffrey's parents and Grandmother.  I was a bit overwhelmed and stressed at the impromptu event but it turned out nice. 
We opened presents from the Grandparents and by 4pm everyone had gone home.  So we did get a little of that stress free Christmas and Peyton did get that nap (she was worn out!).
The Tuesday after Christmas we went to my in-laws for another Christmas meal and opening more presents.  We had another great time and boy were we spoiled rotten by both sides of the family!!!  We are so blessed to have so many people who love us and go above and beyond for our little Ladybug.

New Years Eve we changed it up too and stayed home...just the three of us.  And it was great!  We played with Peyton, put her to bed, then spent the night together sipping on Champagne.  I do believe we will be doing that again next year!
So to sum it up our holidays were wonderful and hoping you and yours had a great season too!!  Here's to a fantastic new year, hoping to bring more love and laughter and happiness.  We know the blessings will be bountiful!!
*I'm posting a couple pictures at the end of Peyton seeing Santa at Christmas Town, Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  We started the tradition this year to go every year with our best friends Alex & Sarah, to take Peyton (and their future and our future kids) to see Santa...it is such an awesome place when they transform the park :)*

The Homestead and My Birthday

Last Friday (Jan. 6) I took off work, for my 28th birthday - damn almost 30, and headed to Hot Springs, VA to The Homestead - a spa and resort, with my husband and best friends Sarah and Alex.  Four hour road trip with them...knew it would be interesting and fun, and I was not let down. 

That started off the weekend of constant laughter resulting in my abs hurting even two days after (nice workout - seriously). 

We arrived at 5:30pm right at the end of registration.  We were going to The Homestead for a Virginia Association of Fairs conference.  It was a great excuse to tag along with the 3 of them who are on Southampton County's Fair Board and have a cheep weekend at a place we could hardly afford otherwise.  Walking through the front door I thought I should have brought my hoop skirt and petticoat.  It is a magnificent place that still looks like the time it was built, 1766 (and no Sarah that is not the address lol!).  Upon pulling up to the door we learned of the free valet service for the car and free bellman services to get our bags out of the car and deliver to our rooms.  All we had to do was check in!  And tip the gentlemen of course.  I have never been to a place so fancy. 

We went to our room changed clothes and met everyone from drinks at one of the suits where one of the vendors were set up.  FREE drinks I may add ;)  After social hours hour we went to dinner at one of the local restaurants on the main street of this little town.  I was surprised by birthday cake and song.  We then went back for more drink and socializing with friends.

Saturday we explored the resort and found that the ice skating we wanted to do (on the outdoor rink) we free for VAF guest - another check in the awesome box. Not only was that event free but lift tickets for skiing were as well - score!

Saturday night we went to the showcase of artists performing.  It was a wonderful variety of talent and a lot of fun.  We met Cooter (mechanic on Dukes of Hazard) who now has his own band and is the lead singer.  There was also a country act there called Redhead Express.  They are a group of redheaded sisters who are phenomenal!  Each one sings and plays an instrument.  They will be recording soon and are touring now in Florida.  If you get a chance to look them up on Facebook, do. 

The night ended with the regular hilarity and good drunk times we always have together.  Those stories are probably better left unpublished!

Sunday we came home to our beautiful little girl who we missed so much and watched some football. 

My birthday was definitely a success!!!

*I have been waiting to post this with pictures but I didn't take any with a camera other than my phone, and really haven't had the time to upload.  So here it is nontheless!*

Best Friends

Best friends, girl friends, BFFs...whatever you call them, every girl needs at least one.  Well I am lucky enough to have 2 (that aren't included in blood family - Jamie Lynn and Jennifer are classified as family BFFs in my book but they have to love me because we are family lol).  Sarah Davis (Gray), Shades of Gray, and Ashley Johnson (Fowler), Keeper of the Cheerios.  I put their married names in parentheses because they will always be their maiden names to me, as I know I will be Kay Pulley to them...or Kay Marie ;).

I count on these girls for everything.  They are my go to when I need a sholder to cry on, to vent, share a laugh, or just a random text from my random self about something off the wall.  I've been through ups and downs with both of them but in the end each of them remain my best friends. 

I'm posting this because sometimes we don't take the time to thank our friends, we may say on Facebook or Twitter "I have the best family and friends ever!" or something to that affect, but we don't take the time to really thank them for being a friend.  For having our backs.  For telling us when we are wrong.  For praising us on accomplishments.  For being crazy together. 

Well right now...the beginning of 2012, I would like to tell you ladies Thank You and I love you, and in the words of the Golden Girls "Thank you for being a friend!"

Side Note: My husband Jeffrey is also my best friend but he doesn't fall into the classification of a girlfriend ;)

I'm just...a Mommy

So here it goes, me having an opinion.  Something that I have discovered lately is moms classifying themselves and "boy mommys" or "girl mommys".  I REALY do not like this!!!

Why as mothers do we have to put ourselves into groups?  In my opinion there is already so much division in the world, why add to it?

What I hear and read is how boys and girls are so different and being mommys to them is different as well.  Yes, I believe that is true...but in the baby and toddler and even the elementary years I don't believe things are that different. 

I see people say, in blogs and on Twitter, that their little boy has done this or that and they act like it is only little boys that do those things...well I hate to tell you my 2 year old little girl does the same things haha!  Or that their little girl does something and it must be a girl thing, but mine doesn't do that.  Or that little girls give all their love to Daddy and Mommy's get the best love from little boys.  Well I beg to differ on that too.  My little girl is a Mommy's girl.  She loves her Daddy but Mommy is it in her eyes right now.  I get the same kisses and hugs and feel just as much love come from my daughter as "boy mommys" get from their sons.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I will not be lumped into the division...I am just a Mommy!