It's Time to Catch Up with the McCoy Family

I have been back to work for 4 days now since I had 11 days off in a row. You'd think that during that time I would have posted something new everyday; but let me tell you, I barely cleaned while I had all that time off! I spent most of my time doing the most important thing I could think of - playing and using every waking moment to be with my kids! I did do a bit of cleaning, but not a whole lot - and I DO NOT feel one bit bad about it..... I figure that when I die, I am not going to wish I had spent more time cleaning; I'm going to wish I had spent more time with those who were important to me. So there it is!

We had an absolutely wonderful holiday season. It was exciting for several reasons. First, Chase lost his first tooth on Christmas Eve. What a lucky ducky; the tooth fairy and santa claus both on the same night!

Christmas Eve is always spent at my Mom & Step-dad's house, which is really fun because we each open one present, the kids get new jammies, and we have an awesome dinner! Plus it's a fun time to get dressed up.

Christmas Morning is always at our house. We have decided that since we're the ones with the little kids, everyone else should come to us! It's much easier that way. Our kids got so much stuff this year, as always. Marcus and I tried to cut down on the number of gifts - but the Grandmas and Grandpas sure didn't!!!!!

Here's Madelyn's best present, which she was quick to share with Chase.

It was a fun Christmas. Tomorrow I will post some pics from our trip up to Monterey!

Today I am 28...How did I get here so fast?

I woke up today as a 28-year old woman. I don't think I quite understand. Wasn't I just 17? I looked around and realized that I have a husband, two kids, and a dog. Where did they come from? My life must be in warp speed. There is just no other way to explain what is happening to me.

What a crazy feeling! But I love everyone blazing quick moment that flies by me. This life is more than I could have ever imagined in my wildest dreams. To be so lucky as to have an insanely wonderful husband that would make other wives drool by the way he treats me, a little boy who's smart as a whip, a little girl that is the apple of my eye, and the true "man's best friend" for our dog, what more could I ask for. God might just laugh in my face if I make any such requests!

I have had the absolute best birthday a 28-year old woman could possibly have. I found out today just how many people really, truly care about me. There are more than I thought - honestly!

I woke up this morning to little post-it notes all over the house with sweet nothings on them from my husband, since he had gotten up early to go to the gym. What a way to start the day, hey ladies???? I got two voicemails this morning with Happy Birthday being sung to me; one from my Dad, and the other from my friend, Karen who sang it first in English and then in Spanish! How cool is that?

I feel like an adult for real now. I have had all of the responsibilities for years - I think I just was refusing to actually call myself a grown-up; but here I am, almost 30, and I can honestly say that I am ready now. I am looking forward to the next year, and I hope it's as fantastic as the last few!

I did do one thing last night as a 27-year old, that was a bit risky. I decided to make both pancakes and syrup completely from scratch, and it was delicious! Here are some pics!