Google

I google. I mean, everything.  If its on mind mind I hop the computer and write it in that infamous little bar.  I usually get an answer.  Google, I love you. You're full of information. Eat it, Bing.

Here are some things I have recently googled:

Does Kayne West have kids?

Is there really going to be a movie based on Avril Lavigne's Sk8er Boi song?

How to bake zucchini

Cheerleading apparel jobs

Kidco baby gates

Where is the next season of the Real World going to be?

Jessica Simpson Weight Watchers

Fine motor skills toddlers

Bible study- Mckinney, Frisco, Allen

Paul Ryan

What are some of the things you've googled lately?

Heart felt shout out 2

This weeks heart felt shout out goes to Brandi Kaufmann.  Brandi Kaufmann and I have way more in common now then I'm sure she ever thought we would.  You, see Brandi didn't like me at first. At all.  She thought I was loud and obnoxious, which I am but I am also other things.  We were introduced by our friend Misty (a shout out for another week).  It took Mrs. Kaufmann to warm up to me.  When I got to know her I thought she had it all.  She was already married and had been for 4 years, she could cook, her house was clean, she had all her pictures organized on her computer, she had a big comfy bed, and her laundry was always hanging in their laundry room. She and her husband, Andrew, also known as Krusty, always had a project they were working on.  Texturing walls, building who knows what.  They also liked to have the latest technology.  We would be up for hours playing Dance Dance Revolution.  They had DVD'S that weren't even out in the theater yet and good cable.  While Brandi was pregnant with her first baby, Aiden, she got into making these fleece blankets that were tied in knots all the way around the edges.  She made one for my Molly girl.

 She is smart and so fun once you get to know her.  She's an excellent wife and mom.  She's a runner and a Sugarland lover.  She cares for other people.  She loves to watch tennis.  She has to "shake it off" when she's had too much to drink.  She has the longest leg you have ever seen.  She was one of my only friends to come visit me in Colorado.  She likes her hair to be dark in the winter and lighter it in the summer.  She always regrets getting her hair cut short. She cooks with deer meat and likes to pretend its cow.  She is trustworthy.  She is so easy to be friends with.  Don't you feel like you want to be her friend now too?

I met her when I was at a crossroads in my life.  I was failing classes and making poor decisions.  She encouraged me to be better...I envied her life!  I will forever be grateful for her friendship.  It has been so cool watching our friendship strengthen as I've gotten married and had kids.  I will always make time for her.  It's an unlikely friendship, but goodness, I'm so thankful for that Brandi Kaufmann!

Brandi, Krusty, Aiden, and Evan at Mark's birthday party a few weeks ago.

Bloom where you're planted

This is one piece of my own advice that I have actually followed. We've moved around a lot since we've been married and I have managed to walk away from every place with friends and something I miss about the area.  Let's take a stroll to Colorado.

Colorado will always be special to me because it is where we called home right after our Honeymoon. I had my first big girl job there. Mark was conceived and born in Grand Junction, Colorado.  What I miss: bible study and mops there, my crazy bunco girls, a little bit of the snow, the mountains, living less than a mile from a Chipolte (sad, I know), midget wrestling, Chili dog our Australian Shepherd (who we had to put down in CO because he started biting people), getting to see Mike ALL THE TIME, Moab, Utah, concerts, and nights in downtown.  All this to say, when we got transferred to Shreveport, I was not complaining.  I hated being so far from family, especially after Mark the shark was born. We moved to Shreveport in March of 2011.

I for real thought I had struck gold when we moved Shreveport and I am hesitant to admit when we were transferred back to Dallas I was almost sad.  I blossomed in Shreveport.  What I miss, the people, ugh, you know who you are.  I miss my friends there every day.  I had such a sweet group of mom friends and non-mom friends too! I miss Junior League, Gymboree, MOPS, Mother's Day Out at Broadmoor, Mike living so close to the office (without traveling), playdates, Pumpkin Shine on Line, the Boardwalk, the Casino's, Herby K's, the people Mike worked with, our babysitter, Bunco, our neighbors (in each neighborhood), our new house that we bought and then had to rent out 4 1/2 months later, Norris Ferry road, Cush's Market, Swim lessons, being 3 hours away from our parents.  There is nothing negative I have to say about Shreveport.  I loved everything about living there and sadly I still miss it.  Even though Mckinney is (hopefully) our permanent residency, Shreveport will always be considered my second home.

Mckinney, TEXAS! The #2 ranked place to live!  Ever since I went to college I had hopes that one day I'd be able to raise my family in the town I grew up in.  I couldn't ask for anything more. Seriously. I'm trying to "bloom" here as well.  I'm not in school, or home from college...I'm now living in the place I grew up as a wife and mom.  So even thought this place is so familiar to me, I am still in need of friends, activities, and groups to be a part of. One of the neatest things about being back is that I have gotten to reconnect with people that I went to elm/mid/high school with and friends I went to college with.  Another perk of living here is all the stuff to do! It's not "let's go to the mall", its "what mall should we go to?"...you get the picture. So many family things to do, so many churches, mops groups, bible studies, junior leagues, splash parks, places to shop and to eat.  How lucky do I feel that I am so close to anything I could ever ever need? Pretty lucky or should I say blessed?!  The best part about this living in Mac town is being right here with our families.  Our parents are going to get to have such a special relationship with our kids because we are right here.  Mike and I have already seen the benefits of this based on the amount of date nights we've gotten since we've been home.

I hope I'm planted for now
Bloom where you're planted.  You may not be in your ideal situation but there is good in all places.

Stay positive- KPOP

Asthma and Rambles

On Thursday night Mark could not  get settled, he had a horrible cough.  When he woke up Friday I noticed he was wheezing and taking short breaths.  If you've known me for any length of time you know how bad I've struggled with my asthma. Breathing treatments, countless inhalors, steroids, and trips to the hospital were very common in my childhood and it has been one of the fears I have for my own kids.  I took Mark to go see sweet Dr. Starnes, again. She gave him a breathing treatment and prescribed him some meds to help with his cough and his upper respitory gunk.  She told us to give him breathing treatments every 4 hours, well, by the time we got home he was wheezing AGAIN. Gave him a treatment and I didn't see any improvement and its not like you can tell a 2 year old to be still so they can breath.  I could wait to give him another treatment so I did...and still no improvement.  I got into panic mode and called the doctor who sent us to Children's Medical City Plano.  There he got yet another breathing treatment and steroids and the doctor told us we would probably stay overnight.  NIGHTMARE.  Mark took a nap with me in the hospital bed with him and slept for an hour.  They came in to check his breathing every 15 minutes.  When he woke up his chest and lungs were all clear and he was breathing like a little champion!  The doctor informed us they he most likely has allergy induced asthma and said that most kids grow out of it. Music to my ears. We got to go home too!  I HOPE HOPE HOPE he grows out of it. Little peach. I know you moms can totally relate when I say that it is pure torture seeing your child sick or in any kind of pain. Its awful but he's better now and is back to his maniac self.

We finally have a closing date on the new Popino family dwelling space. I am pee my pants excited!  I hope Mr. Popino is ready to let me shop for the new digs.  First item to be purchased, something super classy like a Coors Light sign for the entry way...and also a new fridge. September 14th please hurry because my mother just put a coaster under the coke I'm drinking. Special.

I made breakfast sandwiches on Saturday, we stalked the new house, and went to Mckinney trades day.  I haven't been in years but boy did we find some treasures!  Nothing purchased but I saw a few things I'd like to get for the game room, a kids sized picnic table, swoon. Mike and I got a date night last night and we shared it with our friends! We went to Cyclone Aniya's for some margs and fajitas then headed over to Dodies to watch the pre-season game.  We had a darn good time, it was a much needed night out!

Mike is headed to Midland this week, Mark's church camp is over and Mother's day out doesn't start until September 4th so we are free birds.  We will hit up the gym and hopefully schedule a few playdates...SOOO let me know if you want to hang, the forecast looks super appealing!

Stay positive- KPOP

Nap Time, Doctors visits/haircuts, and Randall

I look forward to nap time.  The time of day where I hopefully can put both kids to sleep at the same time (at least for an hour).  Usually during this time I tell myself that I'm going to do something super productive like clean, do laundry, or get dinner ready. This rarely happens. Depending on the amount of sleep I've gotten, I either...take a nap, look at Pinterest projects that I will never do, do some unnecessary snacking, Facebook, watch episodes of the Real World online (so Mike won't make fun of me for still watching it and being almost 30), and think about all the productive things I should be doing.  I love you nap time, even though I could make better use of you.

Mark Popino LOVES many things, such as waving to strangers, shoving his sisters paci in her mouth, dogs, swimming, cake, screaming contests (I always win, amateur).  There are two things Mark Popino hates...hair cuts and doctors offices. Witness exhibit a:

It is tragic every time we go get his little hair cut, that is always why I wait until he looks like Joe Dirt to go get it done.  Also, this morning we went to go see sweet Dr. Starnes for Mark's two year check-up. Um, no. I had to carry him back there and as soon as the doctor came in he picked up his shoes, pointed to the door and said "bye-bye" he wasn't having any of it.  All this to say, I hate making Mark do things that I know are best for him. Sweet little nugget will get to make those decisions someday.  But for now, I am happy to make them for him. My baby boy.

Lastly, I'd like to give a heart felt shout out to my friend Amelia "Randall" Freeman who I met my freshman year of college and we have been making bad decisions together since 2002.  Since we have moved back Randall (Amelia) and I have gotten to meet once a week for a girls lunch!  This typically includes mexican food and a skinny margarita!  We reminisce about old boyfriends, college parties, and regretful experiences...that we wouldn't trade for anything.  I've told told her that she's more like a sister than a friend.  We can fight and not talk for a while and still pick right back up like nothing ever happened. Aren't we grateful for people like that?  I can't wait to watch her become a wife and mother because she will rock at that just like she has done as a kindergarten teacher!  What am I going to do when you go back to work? I guess I'll have to sit at Chuy's and talk to myself!

Me and Amelia in the fall of 2008!  I must upload my college pics...then I'll have so much more to blog about.

Stay Positive- KPOP

Weekend happenings

Hello! Was everyone's weekend just dandy? Ours def. was. Mike came home!  We got our family portraits taken. Thanks Narci D Photography!  We swam...A LOT.  We checked up on our new house and watched a hot air balloon land.  We admired how cute our babies are and celebrated my mother-in-laws birthday! Picture recap starts now...

I cannot wait to call this place home (Hopefully, in 5 weeks)!!  Even though we are super thankful for Sassy and Puff Daddy Rother for letting us shack it up with them in the meantime.

Look at that peach of a babe. He loved watching the "boon"! He is now fighting a nap in the next room.

And here is our future prom queen working the camera like a champ. LOVE. HER.

Grandma turned the big two nickels!!!! Doesn't look a day over 21! We love her so much.

Stay positive- KPOP

Nerves and Diet

Since becoming a mom I have turned into a nervous ninny.  I am constantly worried about the safety of my children.  When Molly has been asleep for longer than I feel, I dart in the room to make sure she's still breathing. Before unloading Mark somewhere, my palms sweat just thinking about him darting in front of a car.  These thoughts flood me sometimes at night when I can't sleep. Its then and many other times I have to pray so hard to get those thoughts out of my noggin.  I want to enjoy being a mom and SAVOR every moment of Mark and Molly. Especially when they are this little...they will never be this little again.  More often than not the good Lord will ease my fear in the moment and I can picture in my mind Mark and Molly thriving as adults. One can only get so lucky!  I know disappointment and heartbreak will come but for now I can be nothing but thankful for God's continual safety of my kids. They are precious to my heart! Ok, that just got deep. Didn't mean to get all emo on y'all, I just could help myself!

On a lighter note, I so wish there was a diet that consisted of bread, butter, jelly, and the entire pastry display at Panera.  If there is one out there and I'm missing something please let me know ASAP.  I took spin on Monday and worked out with a trainer on Tuesday. Wednesday I bought some new clothes. Nothing like a little shopping to boost your confidence a little. I've got a long way to go but I'm taking it day by day and at each meal making a conscious effort to eat well. Why is it so easy to gain but not as easy to lose? Is lap-band the answer? Now, I'm being dramatic.

Thanks so much for reading my midnight rambles! Side notes- Big thanks to Mrs. Biggs and Lan Reed John for introducing me to Honey Boo Boo, who now has her own show on TLC and if you're in the dumps...Honey Boo Boo and family are sure to make you smile.

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/here-comes-honey-boo-boo

Stay positive (even though its not always easy)-KPOP

Blogging woes and treats

I was rereading my blogs, all two of them, and I am so disappointed in myself.  I never went back and read what I wrote prior to posting. UGH, the misspelled words and the way things were written made me cringe.  I did after all go to college.  I mean, it took me a while to graduate, but shoot, at least I did!  From now on I vow to reread prior to posting.

Also, last blog I added a picture. WOAH. Big step for me.  Now, all I need to do is figure out how to follow people because some of my most loved homies blog too. I also want to figure out how to have a cute background and link up my twitter. Now hiring: FREE TUTOR

My week started out on a simply delightful note.  It was such a treat. Last night I got to go out to eat with my mom, my aunt Suzanne, and my cousins, Beth and Becca.  We went to Tillman's Roadhouse in the business arts district in South Dallas.  Not only was the atmosphere so hip almost too hip for my Kohl's clothed self but the food y'all was awesome and the dessert...dang. MAPLE FLAVORED MARSHMALLOWS for s'mores you got to roast at your table. I will be taking Michael Popino back so he can sink his teeth into their chicken fried steak, which is actually a filet. OMG.

We have a couple of playdates on the ol' agenda this week, I'd like to make some banana bread, work out 4 times, and get rid of this adult acne that is driving me nuts.

Stay positive- KPOP

MARK

This post is going to be freakishly easy to write.  I can go on and on about my kids because I truly do think they're fantastic in every sense of the word.  This one is going to be about our first born, Mark.

Mike and I knew we always were going to have kids, multiple kids.  It was October of 2009 and we were on our way home from Cabo San Lucas and we were having the "kids" discussion.  We had been married for a year and a half and we both agreed that after our next vacation in 2010 we would "try".  I was excited knowing that "trying" was in our near future.  I was pregnant 3 weeks later.  HA!  Now, here is fact, I didn't know I was pregnant with him until February. How is this possible you ask? Well, I wasn't sick I was never nauseous and the birth control I was on made me not have a period.  I had gained maybe 5 pounds and at the time I was working out with a trainer.  Mike and I joke now because he thought I wasn't taken my personal training sessions seriously!

So there we were sitting in the Ale House in Grand Junction, Colorado and all of a sudden I got this uncontrolled need to hurl but I couldn't. I thought to myself, what if I'm pregnant? Could it be? Mike told me not to waste our money on pregnancy tests.  On my way back to my super exciting job at Enterprise Rent-A-Car I picked up a couple of tests and took one in the bathroom at my office. Before I could even pull my pants back up there was a very clear PLUS sign staring right back at me. Holy crap. No freaking way. I told my boss I had an emergency and left work and met Mike who was in disbelief.  He made me take another one right on front of him but that wasn't good enough. We went to the doctor that afternoon that confirmed it. We were indeed with child!

That was on a Friday and our sonogram was scheduled for Tuesday. Tuesday rolls around and we are guessing how far along we were.  I said, "I bet I'm 6 weeks".  Mike said he was going out on a limb and guessed 9 week. So we get back to the ultrasound room not knowing what to expect.  The lady puts some gel on my stomach...then the camera thingy...DAMN GINA, there was a full on baby in there! Head, arms, legs, every thing! Mike and I couldn't speak it was just so shocking, I was 14 weeks a long and OH, by the way...I see a pecker! So pregnant, 14 weeks along, and a boy. So there Mike and I were...A thousand miles a way form both our families expecting our first baby boy!

He was born on August 2nd.  4:54am, 7LBS 10oz, 21 1/2 inches long.  With dark hair and blue eyes. Mark James Popino turned out to be the greatest gift we could have ever received. Mike and I loved him instantly and he has continued to fill up our love tank daily (Like that OC housewives reference?).

He is smart, and loud.  Such a little lover and snuggler when he wants to be.  He loves to swim, take baths, and naps.  He's not a good eater even though we try so hard.  He loves sweets and coke. When he is scared he always calls for Mike, not me. He's obsessed with dogs and likes to watch videos on his iPad of the wiggles.  He loves to go to mother's day out and insists on carrying his backpack and lunch box himself.  He can concentrate when he is working diligently on a puzzle or stringing beads. He's silly too...likes to act like he's going to get you or try to scare you.  I look at him and I love him so much I just want to squeeze his little guts. Shine on Mark James, 2 looks good on you.

ME

Hello and welcome to my first blog post! Here are 25 things you need to know about me if we are going to be blogging friends.

1.) I've never felt more confident than as I do as a wife and mom.

2.) I'm a wanna be blogger, instagamer, tweeter, and pinterester.

3.) My kids think I'm hilarious. They are my constant audience.

4.) I can tell you useless information about a lot of celebrities.

5.) I don't do good grammar, I'm a terrible speller, and I'm not good with punctuation either.!?,

6.) I'm the only one in my family without the initials of MJP.

7.) Going anywhere ALONE is a luxury.

8.) I'm a fan of audiobooks.

9.) I have a love/hate relationship with the scale.  Mostly hate...I'm working on this.

10.) The Wonder Years is the best TV show of all time.

11.) I've lived in 3 states and five houses in the 4 years I've been married.

12.) I'm 5'1

13.) Hayden Panettiere is my girl crush. She's 5'1 too. (see #4)

14.) Mike (my baby daddy) and I try to go on vacation alone once a year. We like to act like we don't have kids!

15.) Reality TV show junkie, if its tacky, I'm watching it.

16.) Mark "the shark" Popino and Molly Jean "the butter bean" Popino are seriously the coolest kids I've ever met.

17.) I wish I was in bible study.

18.) I hope I never have to go back to work.  I aspire to one day being PTO president at my kids' school.

19.) Not sure if I want anymore kids, ask me tomorrow and my answer might be different.

20.) We are building a house that was supposed to be done in two weeks and will now be done in the middle of September. In the meantime, we are living with my parents. JOY

21.) I love my friends and fellow moms.

23.) The most exciting part of sporting events to me is the outfit I get to wear to the game, tailgating, and the cheerleaders.

22.) I wish I was more crafty than I am.

23.) I met my husband in 2003 at a party. I told him my name was Britney Spears...he didn't believe me.

24. I used to only have one volume: LOUD...until I had kids, that nap.

25.) I am the self proclaimed eternal optimist. Not saying that I don't have bad days..its just most of my days are good. Real good!

Feel like you've known me for years? I'm just getting started! This is going to be fun.