You know that saying....

"it takes a village"?

Its true, or at least in my opinion. I have a great network of friends and family who all play a HUMUNGO role in Laney and Alie's life. I decided a few weeks ago, that a small "village" is happily helping me raise my girlies and I think they are that much luckier for it (as am I). At Cirucci's and Brian's wedding, there were so many helping hands there to help Laney and Alison. I was able to be a full engaged bridesmaid, even while being in Philly without Carl for a few days. Laney, Alie and Camp Laura would head off on adventures, or just chat. Big shares his cell phone. Just Brian (my wedding rockstar) danced the night away with my Alie. Auntie Wen ensures that everyone is sleeping well and is always available to lend an extra set of hands or to offer a comfy lap. Sure, my girls go to school and talk about their parents and their crazy friends, but what a way to grow up!

Dear Real Simple,

I would really LOVE to be the winner of your current giveaway. Not only would I absolutely love the beautiful Sherpani luggage (that I have secretly been wanting for quite a while), but I have already started my container store wish list. While browsing the container store website, I began envisioning these items in my home, really helping Carl and I keep on top of everything.

I'm not sure how you choose your winners, but it would be really wonderful if you could choose me.

Love,

Haley

Relaxation

Ahhhh...I need some solid relaxation time. Cirucci and Bri's wedding was SO MUCH FUN! My girlies did SO well, I am so proud of them.

Now that the wedding is over, I'm ready for some down time, but at the same time, we're ready to get moving on our home improvements. I just ordered a brand new runner for the upstairs hallway (we've had the same one since we moved into our apartment 6 years ago). I'm so excited to get it in the mail. Unfortunately, World Market says I will have to wait until June. No fun! I also ordered some fun vinyl stickies for above our beds (the whole fam). I'm pretty excited for those too since Laney and Alie don't have headboards and Carl and have been struggling with what to put above ours. Finally, to de-stress (especially since Carl lost his job yet again) I ordered some bath stuff from me bath! I'm most excited to get that stuff in the mail also.

The first of the kitchen guys came yesterday too. That makes me super excited for the kitchen remodel. He's drawing a design of our new kitchen and we'll go to his shop to pick out countertops, cabinets, flooring, etc. We have another guy coming next Tuesday.

I have been bugging Carl about the family room and office. Hopefully he'll be up for those projects soon. In the meantime, we also need to give appliances some thought...

Motivated to blog...

today i am motivated to blog about everything that i have been doing recently. a little self centered i know, but i have just felt so busy and i'm feeling a bit proud of myself for getting it all done. it is tough work to be a good mother, wife and friend while working a full time job. plus, for some reason, i have this stubborn desire to do it all myself. i am so lucky to have carl to help me out with the kiddos.

i did enjoy my week "off" (off in the evenings except for one night) two weeks ago. it was great to be home. i get so excited to travel, that i forget how much i love being boring with my family. that weekend, right before i left for boston, i made laney's rehearsal dinner dress (too cute if i do say so myself) and my rehearsal dinner dress (which i won't be wearing afterall because it is supposed to be warmer than i planned). then, at 10 on sunday night, i decided i needed to make myself a new "i'm exploring boston" purse. the purse was perfect...the fabric springy, the pattern large enough for me to fit everything i would need during my train ride. i was pleased with my finished project...can you tell, i'm obsessed with sewing?

on the train ride to boston, i read a whole book, granted the train ride was 7 hours. i was super busy with work while in boston, but i did get to explore the city a bit. i loved it! i want to go back with carl for some further exploration. after returning to balti, i slept. a lot. april wore me out. three overnight trips in one month, all for national fairs would be enough to wear even 22 year old florida haley out.

friday evening, carl, the girls and i weeded and planted (a backyard project that currently looks terrible because our grass is struggling and we need mulch...a project for post cirucci/myers wedding). saturday, we headed to the football scrimage. lots of fun for the kiddos. we had lunch out and enjoyed the incredibly hot weather! that evening, i headed to cirucci's for dinner to help her with her guest bags for the hotel and her placecards. we worked on wedding things well into the night (well into 2am), but i'm so glad i was able to help her out.

sunday brought the o's game. TOO HOT!!! yay for the o's sweep of the sox though. i also made cake for brian's man shower i was hosting at work on monday. monday night, i relaxed and more importantly, went to bed. i was exhausted from my weekend. that brings us to last night, when i sewed the snaps onto laney's dress, finished alie's dress (except for the hem) and made cirucci's garter. tonight, i have to hem alie's dress, finish the garter and hopefully put snaps on the girlies pjs that i've been promising for a month. we also need to pack and i need to pick up my dress from the tailors. sheesh! busy busy.

The wedding is approaching

Cirucci's wedding is this week! The girls and I had our haircut yesterday...much needed for all three of us! I am almost finished Alie's dress. Laney's is finished. Thursday morning we begin the festivities by picking up Auntie Wen at the airport and heading up to Philly. I can't wait!