72 hours of stateside living

What I have done for the last 72 hours back in the states-

1- Starbucks drive thru

2- Target

3-TJ MAXX/ Nordstroms Rack

4-Sephora (spent a ridiculous amount of $$$$)

5-Nordstroms (another pot of gold was spent here)

6-Macys/ other random stores in the mall
7-lunch out/ dinner out (yes I ate beef on all occasions) Chris suggested I get a beer and shepherds pie to remind me of England I kindly declined his suggestion)

8- watched tivoed shows (office, Gossip Girl, Brothers/Sisters)

9- repeat list ( I have hit Starbucks twice daily)

10- drove everywhere parked in spots that are HUGE and loved being back at the right side!!

Oh I also spent some quality time with family- off to Big D tomorrow to get my tex mex fix and hopefully some warm weather will melt the ice that for some reason caused a snow day in Frisco:)

Holiday Grab Bag

Last day of school and we are on winter break! I feel like its first semester in college- sort of not sure if you love it or don't want to go back. I admit I had a rude awakening with college - visited my sister at school while she was senior living off campus and then ended up in an all girls dorm with sister J (should not have been a shocker since I was at a catholic university) and a roommate who was more interested in campus rosary readings than trying out fake ids. To be perfectly fair she probably was shocked that all I did was try to get into bars and have my sister buy booze for me on the weekend. Anyway that's how I kind of feel about England so far.( minus the alcohol/bar part)

Have a handful of good friends (the kind that know I am crazy and still love me- and that I could call to check on me in the morning after I watch Saw 5 while home alone) Chris has asked me a zillion times if I am going to cry when I have to leave USA soil. I can't say for sure- I am going to be in Dallas and Michigan. I know I am going to get a little teary when I see my house ( which I can't go in) since we have renters and when I meet my sister's new addition little Danny. We have a split decision in our house- Casey wants to get the heck out of here- CJ sees suitcases and thinks we are moving and not coming back (yes we know we have to save for retirement, college, and now therapy). To be honest I will probably be too busy shopping, eating out, and going to ever strip mall from MI to TX. Oh and sharing magic memories with family and friends (I was starting to seem a little materialistic:)

I do hope like college that in the end I am crying and someone is pushing me on a plane because I don't want to leave. Only time will tell- not sure how much blogging will occur but put family, inlaws, and travel on transatlantic flight with toddlers and I would expect some more blog therapy sessions:)

Wishing everyone near and far the love of the holiday season! In this somewhat depressing climate (economy, war, etc) it's hard to see joy, peace, love but they are out there. So enjoy!

The 20 min Angel

Casey woke up this morning not happy in fact in an awful mood. Not a big deal except for the fact that today was her nativity play at school and with her class having been decimated by chicken pox (30 kids in the nursery school 12 with chicken pox) our little angel needed to participate. First thing out of her mouth was "I don't want to be an angel I want to be Cinderella." It didn't help that she has 4 Cinderellas dresses in close vicinity to her bed .( pretty much all her classmates got her a Cinderella dress or princess apparel). So her mood continued throughout breakfast only when she a few classmates did she stop being a grumposaurus. The play was super cute- kids stood there shell shocked I think one girl said a line and the rest just stared into the audience. Casey did participate in the Christmas carols-(sidenote she actually sang the British ones like "Christmas pudding" better than the American ones." Other random notes- I was stopped by at least 6 or 7 parents who were so touched we gave them a Christmas photo card. No one here does the picture cards so they thought it was such a novelty. I think they found it deeply personal that we shared a photo with them (don't want to break their hearts that 120 other families have the same card:) CJ's class has their Christmas dinner- some 3 course extravaganza- say a little prayer that our little boy remembers to use his fork instead of his spoon:) Lastly as a constant reminder to us parents its sometimes the little things that matter most. Casey liked her vanity set but a classmate gave her a tiny jewelry box with a spinning ballerina and she has been playing with that non stop.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

Okay so today my baby girl is 3!. She awoke at 7:30 this morning to a fully decked out vanity set in her room. Chris and I had to cave on it because she told basically everyone she met that she wanted a vanity set. We held firm on no makeup just a pink sparkly brush and some hello kitty lip balm. First thing out of her lips was "Oh no- I told santa to bring me this .Oh I forgot he's gonna bring presents to Nana's house so I get 2 vanity sets!" (not quite right little lady)

Well- we are so proud of our Casey Jane. We love the fact that every MDO or preschool program has labeled her as "spirited" (for those non parents readers out there that is code for pain in the booty). Chris and I (although we wrestle with it) know that UNBREAKABLE (e.g blue track suit) spirit will take you far in life. We are picturing you as a sassy tough DA or a sassy tough actress that plays a DA on Law & Order. I love the fact that you insist on wearing a skirt with your soccer jersey but still are a little spitfire on the field. We are starting to see what an empathetic little girl you are- just recently Casey was given some princess stickers but wouldn't take one until she made sure all her classmates got one. You are so popular without even caring/trying. At your brother' s dicso you had at least 3 (7 year olds) trying to dance with you- one even gave you a candy bar which you took and then said " I don't like boys." Since coming to England- you and your brother have become quite a team. You still fight but I am starting to see how close you both are to each other.
3 years has flown by but I still remember Dec 7, 2005 in a hospital In Highland Park, IL during a snowstorm (got to love chicago)you came into out lives and we are so blessed to have you !

A Star is Born

Okay - I realize I am 100% biased but CJ stole the show at the christmas nativity play today. Yes we had kleenex and yes we used it. My little boy did his mama and daddy proud (even Casey screamed "that's my brother!")

Dear Santa

Dear Santa-
I know most 30 something year olds don't write you but since I have heard enough about disney princesses, planet heroes, and ben 10 for a lifetime I decided to write.
I have a few items that don't need to be purchased just shipped and moved to England- our king bed-the queen is not working out we need more space so when we inevitably have 2 adults and 2 kids in the bed we are not on top of each other. (BTW our queen barely made it up the stairs so please find a way to get the king through the door frame.) Our movers forgot our flannel sheets and warmer bedding and its freezing here so bring that as well (alternatively just ship some TEXAS sun our way)

I miss my tv shows; I hate falling behind on useless pop culture- (yes I watched the britney interview and yes she still needs serious therapy). No need in sending sports- we have seen enough of the IRISH football this year. I have some good friends here but could you transport monthly some family and friends my way who will in turn act as mules and bring me some much needed USA contraband supplies (US diet coke formula, salsa that doesn't taste like ketchup, fluoridated water,chick fil-a, and some clothes from Nordstroms). Lastly I would like some UGGS (i have to cave on this ) as it is freezing waiting for these kids to line up at school.

Thank you Santa- I have been a good girl most of the year (except in aug when I was stuck in a 2 bedroom run down temporary apt housing, unable to drive, with no friends, and no BABYSITTER, and a husband who repeated a zillion times "this is going to be an adventure").

Love

MARINA

PS- I would also like world peace and a better economy and every child to find a forever family!