*Memorial day with family*

In times of sadness, cheer make come back by spending time with loved ones...

I wanted to make Memorial Day special so we had my mom and brother Andrew over for a cook out and fireworks, in honor of my brother Mikie who was killed March 26 in CA.

Mikie loved fireworks and being that he lived in AZ for the past couple years, he was unable to enjoy them out there (prohibited due to the heat).

So we ate, celebrated and had a great time reminiscing about memories of him...

Here's what we had to eat...

Grilled burgers and hot dogs, chips n dips, italian pasta salad, veggie pizza, red white and blue strawberries, cherry cheesecake...yum!

My oldest and youngest having fun with sparklers.

Andrew stuffing his face, lol!

Gavin and I being silly:)

Sweet cheeks and I before fireworks started:)

Hubz and I... kiss kiss ♥

Isn't he cute?!

Momma and I... glad we were able to make her smile ♥

More fireworks...

Kinda cheesy we had to light them off while it was still light out but it was a school night :)

The kids loved running thru the smoke from the colored smoke balls, lol!

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Thanks for visiting!

Noelle ♥

I Confess...

I'm trying something new today...

I'm confessing my "sins" with Mamarazzi and her Friday Confessional...

I Confess...

I had a WEAK moment the other day... kids at work were driving me nuuuts so at lunch I ate...

A Burger, Fries then stopped at DQ for a oh-so-yummy German Chocolate Brownie Blizzard!

I know CALL me FAT A$$ right now, just say it!!

Hey don't tell me you haven't splurged before! :)

I Confess...

I fibbed to my hubby this week...

He questioned a new Zumba outfit I had on... "So when did ya get that?"

My response..."Oh Maria gave it to me, it didn't fit her anymore"

Wanna know who Maria is?

(Walmart...spent $20 for the top and yoga capris TOTAL.... didn't feel like getting reamed for spending $ when I just NEEDED a new workout outfit... ;)

I Confess...

I was offered a NEW job...

and I TOOK IT!

Im switching from Early Head Start (babies and teen moms) to Head Start (preschool)

and... getting a $2 an hour PAY RAISE and the best part... SUMMERS OFF to bask in the sun and chill with my babies:) S-C-O-R-E

(Guess my honesty and hard work paid off!!!)

**This was a fun post today.. thanks Mamarazzi! **

Head on over to Dandelion Wishes to read more Confessions!

Noelle ♥

a new name

I've been blogging for almost 3 years and I think its time for a new blog name...

Since Im struggling with so many things in my life, I wanted a name that would help me to be a little more positive and remember that ALL in my life isn't bad. A lot of times, it seems as if NOTHING goes right... but not everyday is horrible.

So my NEW blog name is:

Think.Happy.Thoughts

My url will stay the same though.

What do you think??

Noelle ♥

To Swim or Not to Swim

Well if you are anything like me...

you know summer is near and are in PANIC mode about wearing a SWIMSUIT!

Gaaaaah!

Even though I've lost 53 lbs and many inches... I still have the evil "stretchmarks" of motherhood, uuuugly veins and well, yea I admit it... the C word!

(Cellulite)

I am always on the look for a swimsuit that will try to flatter this nightmare of a body!

I like Tankini's- the 2 piece suits with a tank-top and usually a skirted bottom...

I found a new site online called Loop 18- its a branch of Lane Bryant and it carries suits for Junior plus sizes- I'm not a Junior at 32 years old but don't care for the styles that Lane Bryant carry for women...

Here's a couple I think are cute:

Love this plaid top but the brown skirt looks too boring with it...

This ones super cute!

I also like a top that has some support for the "girls"... if ya know what I mean!

(Gravity is NOT my friend!)

I also came across a site called Hapari and helloooo... cute suits for all sizes!!

This ones my fave...

 Love the colors, pattern and that the top is longer too!!

Check out these sites and maybe you can find a cute suit too:)

Noelle ♥

Longing for summer lazy days...

Anyone else longing for a day at the beach?

I sure am!

Its been a looong 5 months into 2011... many rough times.

I wanna soak up the sun, squish sand in my toes, splash my kiddos and get a golden tan!

How about you?

Is there anything you are longing to do?

Noelle ♥

Mothers Day ♥

Hope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day:)

Mine was lovely; went to a snazzy brunch with my momma Lori!

Here we are in our spring dresses...

It was nice to eat and chat together; we talked a lot about my brother Mikie that passed away but I think it helps us that we can lean on each other ♥

A poem for you mom...

A Sonnet for My Incomparable Mother
I often contemplate my childhood, Mom.
I am a mother now, and so I know
Hard work is mixed together with the fun;
You learned that when you raised me long ago. I think of all the things you gave to me:
Sacrifice, devotion, love and tears,
Your heart, your mind, your energy and soul--
All these you spent on me throughout the years. You loved me with a never-failing love
You gave me strength and sweet security,
And then you did the hardest thing of all:
You let me separate and set me free. Every day, I try my best to be
A mother like the mom you were to me. By Joanna Fuchs ...........................

My sweet hubby surprised me with this...

A warm bubble bath in the morning with my fave scent soap- coconut and he threw rose petals in :)

He truly is the BEST!!

He also got me a gift certificate for a pedicure and one for zumba classes!

Me and hubz...

He's adorable:)

I'll be back later this week to post pics of Gage's 4th birthday party; I'm hoping to get a nice Spring giveaway together too for my sweet blog friends!

Hugs to you ♥

Noelle

Under Construction

Hi friends...

Getting ready for a blogging makeover, looking for something cheerful...

any suggestions?

Be back soon:)

Noelle ♥