Cheers to the Weekend

What a glorious weekend!!  A couple of friends and I finally got to get away for the weekend.  It was supposed to be only girls but our friend Ross ended up going away with us, cause he needed a weekend away too.  So heres what went down.
Friday afternoon Heather and I drove to Coralville to pick up Kim from work and then we headed to Bettendorf.  Our other friends Whitney and Ross followed us up there.  We decided not to go to far from home just incase.  We stayed at the Isle in Bettendorf and it was fantastic!  First we went out to eat at Blue Cat Brewery and it was amazing!  I cant say enough good things about that place.  So yummy!  Next we went to The Establishment theater to watch Dueling pianos.  If you have never seen it I really recommend it.  These guys were so entertaining and sounded awesome singing and playing.  We met a really nice guy there named George but everybody called him Big G.  He finally got up on stage and sang with the piano men and was the best singer I have heard live in a long time.  He was working the door for the guys so the piano people knew him and had him sing a couple more songs with them.  He rocked.  We tried to get him to go hang out with us after the show but he said he had to get home because he works and does after prom shows for high schools and had two to do on Saturday.  After that we went to a strip club.  Yes thats right, we went to a strip club.  Granted we were only there for a half hour it was quite interesting and hilarious all at the same time.  While we were waiting outside for a cab there was a little bar next to the strip club and we decided to get a drink there.  Kind of took us by surprise to learn it was a gay bar but it was another interesting twist to our little weekend getaway.  By the time we got back to the hotel it was close to 4am and this mama isnt used to staying up that late!  So bed was perfect.

Big George and us girls.  He rocks!

Saturday Whit and Ross left to head back to Burg cause they had prior engagments.  Kim, Heather and I just toured the city and went to a couple of garage sales, shopping at Burlington Coat factory and then out to a movie, American Reunion.  HILARIOUS!  I think I almost peed my pants 3 times.  Go see it, its well worth the money.  Then we just went and hung out at the hotel/casino the rest of the night. It was so much fun.  Everything was great.  The food the whole weekend rocked my socks and for once I didnt have to cut something up for someone.
I am how ever so happy to be home.  Nothing like a weekend away to make you appreciate your life.  I may not have slept the best on vacation but I felt like I had so much stress and other crap lifted off me by going away for the weekend.  Thanks to my awesome husband for allowing me to get away for the weekend and keeping the kids by himself.  I am so happy that I have a great husband!  I did miss my kids and my hubby more then I thought!  lol.

Are you a bully? Have you ever thought about it? Or were you a bully? Last night I was watching Cyberbully and I couldnt help but think of all the different kinds/types of bullies. Was I bullied in school? Yes. In elementary school I was teased and bullied because my parents smoked. There was one kid that would just make fun of my mom and dad and then tell me I stunk all the time. It seriously hurt my feelings and I still carry that around with me to this day. In high school it got a little bit better but I was still an outcast because I was fat. I remember all the cool girls giving me their disapproving looks as i ate my lunch or as I changed in the locker room at school. When I was in school, bullying was around but was not focused on by masses of people. Im so glad that in todays world we are now finally taking bullying seriously.

I look at my life back then and think to myself, "Stef, you made it through it. Its all over now". But in reality it isnt. I have children who will be bullyed for some reason or another. Both of my children have a speech delay. I recently over heard a girl that Izzi dances with say to Izzi, 'Dont talk to me, you talk funny". Of course this didn't bother Izzi because she doesnt know the difference right now. But it sure bothered me. I bawled and bawled and bawled. I just wanted to go up to the little girl and say oh yea, well dont look at her because you wear glasses! But I didnt. I realized that this little girl who hurt my feelings was the daughter of another girl who wasnt so nice to me in High School. When I told my husband about the incident he said that the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. Hes right. My kids are going to get made fun of for having allergies and skin problems and it just kills me. But I know that my girls will get through it. I will make sure of it. Im so glad that schools are taking bullying seriously. It makes me feel way better about sending my kids to school. Hopefully the cyber bullying will also come to an end soon. As a parent, I will make sure IM looking into what my kids are doing on the internet, I will make sure that my kids are educated about all different sorts of people and how we are all different but the same and that NO ONE deserves to be bullied or made fun of. I will pay attention to my kids and their relationships with other kids. And you can bet your ass if my kids are ever bullying someone I will do something about it. I will not turn my head like so many other peoples parents did/do.

There are so many different types of bullying. I just pray that parents step up to the plate and put a stop to it. You are the biggest influence in your childs life. So stop the bullying. Stop the hate.

Bully- someone who is so miserable in their own lives that they cant stand to see you happy, so they put their misery on you.

Busy Saturday!

First off, how many of you feel like we get cheated on the weekend? I feel like if we had a 3 day weekends instead of two, more people in the world would be much happier. So theres my bright idea of the day!

Our weekend was a pretty busy one. On Saturday My brother and SIL invited us up to their house in Cedar Rapids for a BBQ. People in attendence were, Mom, Dad, Cam, Jared, Beth, Grandma Sauter, Grandma & Grandpa Faas, Tweet, the girls and myself. I am pleased to announce that for once my girls were very well behaved!! I havent been able to go somewhere with them and actually get to enjoy myself at the same time. So kudos to my girls! There was a lot of yummy food. Everyone brought something. Of course I got to bring my famous Taco Salad that Cameron request I bring everytime. But its a hit and theres never any left so I guess I should take that as a compliment. Mom brought Hashbrown Casserole (always a hit) Jared and Beth did the meats and a taco dip. My Gma Faas made deviled eggs and some sort of cream cheese wrap with a meat and that was delicious!! Gma Sauter brought desserts, Rhubarb Pie and Carmel Apple Pie. I am trying to cut back on the sweets myself, but Tweet had the Rhubarb and said it was AWESOME! I think my favorite part of the day was watching my 80+ year old Grandfather interact with my children. The girls love Gpa Faas and I do too, Im just glad that my girls will get to know him. I am very family oriented so im hoping to pass that on to my children. I love all my grandparents and appreciate them more then they will ever know!

Izzi, Great Grandpa Faas, Sami and Jared. Hanging out

Great Grandpa Faas and Sami

Great Grandpa and the girls playing "This Piggy"

Izzi and Aunt Beth playing Angry Birds

After Beth and Jareds BBQ, Izzi and I had to head over to North English to a birthday party. When I was pregnant with Izzi I was very lucky to be pregnant with some of my good friends. So the birthday Party we went to was for Christy. Christys mom (Megan) and I have been good friends for a long time. Since high school. It was a blast. Christy got a trampoline from her mom and dad for her bday and all the kids jumped and had a blast on it. We didnt get to stay very long because I had to meet up with 2 other friends to go to Riverside for Mals free bday dinner.

Heather, Malory and I went to Riverside for the buffet. I wasnt too impressed by the buffet this time round but I wasnt that hungry either. I was disapointed because our waiter or whatever he was, wasnt very attentive. I could understand if he was busy but it wasnt busy in there at all. After we left we decided to gamble a bit. I should never be allowed to gamble. Im horrible at it and I never win and it always puts me in a bad mood! After Heather won (she always wins!) we started our journey home. It was a scary drive home, being all crazy outside and such. But we made it.

I was pooped after my busy saturday and was supposed to go up to the bar for the band but opted to stay home with my hubby and girls. It was fun sitting with the girls and listening to the storm roll in and then back out. Well I suppose I will stop rambling for now. Im getting ready to go with Mom to a craft show in IC. Hoping to find some good stuff!!!

Thankful

Well yesterday I woke up and I wasnt feeling the best. But unfortantly when you are a SAHM during the day its hard to get to feeling better when theres kids involved. But I do want to give my girls some credit. While I was throwing up in the bathroom Izzi, my 5 year old was trying to hlep me out by holding my hair. Yes it was a sweet gesture, but Izzi gets sick when she sees someone else getting sick. So while I was throwing up, Izzi was gagging. I told her to just leave and play with her sister because that would help mommy more. And she did and it did help. Now I dont know about you other moms out there but when I lay down on the couch I must have a sign that lights up above my head that says "Lay with Mom." Because I havent laid alone on my couch for a very very long time. Sami thinks that when I lay down she needs to lay down with me. When she does she doesnt stop squirming which makes my stomach hurt even more. But once Tweeter got home it was better. He took the girls away from me and I was able to go to the bathroom in peace and even lay down just to rest for awhile.

But I want to thank some people. My dad for going out and getting me sprite (even though I asked for 7up, its the thought that counts :) And Heather one of my best friends for going and getting me 7up and crackers. My stomach hurt but it was also super hungry! So I ate crackers and 7up. I am very blessed to have people in my life that will run me stuff when Im not feeling well.

Now today. Izzi goes to school at noon and Papa Scott is going to go come and get Sami and they are going back to Papas to hang out for the day. I love my dad. He doesnt even hesitate to tell me no. I think it could be that he loves my girls so very much and loves spending the one on one time with them. But I am super thankful that he works 12 hour shifts 3 or 4 days a week and then has the other days off. But while the girls are away this mom will not play! This mom will be taking a nap, to hopefully get rid of the rest of the yuckiness Im feeling. I do have to work tonight. Thankfully its not until 10pm!

Have a great Friday the 13th, Everybody!

Clearing the air.

So, I just wanted to clear one thing up from my previous blog. When I said that my mom and biological Dad got divorced and it was the best thing ever, I wasnt saying it to sound mean. If my mom and Tony never would have gotten divorced I wouldnt have the following things, 1. Scott my amazing dad 2. Jared, Cameron, Peter, Sander and Tucker. So thats why I am happy they got divorced. Its not because I hate my Erwin side or anything like that. Because of Tony I have my wonderful Grandma Barb, who is the funniest and strongest woman I know. I also wouldnt have my Aunts and Uncles who I love with my whole heart. But the main reason Im thankful for Tony is because he gave me a cousin/sister/best friend.

My Jeni. I have grown up with Jeni my whole life and I have always considered her to be more then just my cousin. She is the one that is always by my side and tells me not to cry over Tony (Tony and I no longer talk because of certain people in his life). I always know that Jeni is on my side and will kick someones ass in a second if they hurt me or even make me cry. Shes my sister. My best friend. My nobody. She is the only one I exchange "I love yous" with on a regular basis. So just to clear it up for anybody who was confused, I do love my Erwin side but I am very very happy that my parents marriage didnt work out.

Why wouldnt ya?

My Daughter, Izzi

Daughter, Sami

My Amazing, wonderful parents, Scott and Jacki

My brother Casey and his family - George

My brothers Tucker, Peter and Sander visiting at My Aunt Cathys

Tucker at Adventureland

My brother Cameron and Jared at Camerons High School Graduation.

So I decided that I am going to start blogging. It seems like all the cool kids are doing it so why wouldnt I? Where to start, where to start... I guess I can just tell you more about myself in this post so if I ever refer to different people you can somewhat have a clue who Im talking about. Well Im Stefani. I was born on March 3rd to Jacki and Tony Erwin. When I was under a year old my mother and biological dad got divorced (best thing ever!) and my mom married my dad, Scott Carder. I refer to Scott as my dad and my biological dad as Tony. My mom and Tony also had a child before me, Casey. Casey is my only 'full" blood brother. My mom and dad had 2 more boys Jared, and Cameron. Tony and his 4th wife had 2 boys Peter and Sander. Peter and Sander live in The Netherlands and I never get to see them. Then Tony and his 5th wife, Anne had one son named Tucker. Confusing I know! I have 6 brothers. Casey is married to Louise and lives in Louiseanna with his 4 kids, Serena, Casey, Tea and George. Jared is married to Beth and they live in Cedar Rapids. They have no kids yet but Im secertly hoping it will happen soon. Cam lives in Iowa City and goes to The U of I (GO HAWKEYES!!!). Dont ask me what hes going to school for because I can never get an answer out of him. Cam dates a really nice girl named Nikki. She is so good for him. Like I said I dont get to see Peter and Sander so I dont really know too much about them :( I did get to see them 2 Octobers ago. It was very emotional! Then theres Tucker. Tucker is 11 and is in school. Hes ornry. But I love it when he comes and spends the weekend with us.

I am and will always be a mamas girl. My husband jokes about if anything ever happened to my mom he might have to lock me up cause I would go crazy. This is true. The most important people in my life are my daughters, husband and mom. They mean the world to me. I am very very close with my family. Sometimes I would rather hang out with them then anybody!

I married James on March 13th 2004 in Las Vegas in front of our family and friends. It was a perfect day, well besides the fact that the groom and best man accidently switched tuxes. Then after a year of trying to have a baby we finally got pregnant at the beginning of 2006. Isabella Eve *Izzi* was born on October 11th and my life has never been the same. Which is AWESOME! We decided to make Izzi a sister and had her baby sister Samantha Ann *Sami* on June 15th 2009. I never knew it was possible to love someone so much that it literally hurts sometimes. I hate when they are in pain, which for Sami has been pretty constant lately. Sami is allergic to EVERYTHING, well at least I swear. milk, eggs, peanuts, tree pollen, dust mites, and the list goes on. Izzi is my dancing queen and drama queen and Sami is my wild child tomboy! My life is great!

Well I suppose, thats the end to my first blog. Hope you enjoyed and come back for more!