Holiday Planning

I want to start making plans for the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years always seem to just sneak up on me. We are thinking Christmas is going to be a holiday at home. We have not had a Christmas in our own home since we got married so this is going to be a special Christmas. We always move every winter so we're typically in a hotel or at a family members home for Christmas. Now I'm not sure if we're going to go somewhere for any of the other holidays or no. I'm pretty sure New Years will be spent at home.

The big thing for me is I've never hosted a Christmas for family. I guess that's a given since we've never had a Christmas in our own home together. We are hoping that family will come spend Christmas with us. So I'm going to make or buy some Christmas invitations and send them out to family in hopes that we can spend Christmas together with family. This is an attempt to bring family out to visit and celebrate Christmas together. Honestly, I want it to work out and everyone come together but I have my doubts.

Now to find a place that has cute Christmas cards or that can make some for me. Except instead of a "Merry Christmas" I want something that is more an invitation. Anyone ever done this before? I need some ideas. I'm sure since it's only September, I can make something or have something made but I haven't a clue where to start.

But I plan to decorate all around the house, inside and out. I haven't had a year where I could deck out the house. I think this year is going to be it! (Hopefully, you never can tell with the Army!) LOL

I'm losing my mind.

It feels like there is so much going on all the time. I cloth diaper so I'm constantly doing laundry. Jayson is in school so I gotta remember to make his lunch every night. There are daily chores, taking Jayson to and from school. Eli naps twice most days. I do diaper parties and individual consultations. I'm trying to make friends and I am attempting to run a play group. I can't remember anything and to top it all off, I switched from a blackberry to an HTC Evo. I know that sounds silly and minute but it has made me feel so lost. I still haven't figured out how to run my EVO the way I could my blackberry. The calendar works differently so I don't get the same type of notices that I used to. Once I get used to it I'm sure everything will start running smoothly again.

I'm trying to keep myself busy but it feels like I can't remember anything lately. So if you are reading this and I've accidentally stood you up or forgotten about our date, please forgive me I have mommy mush brain lately! I have a lot going on in my head and I need some place to put it. I'm going to start blogging more again to keep my thoughts in order. I hope this helps! (Plus learning how to use my new smart phone ugh!) LOL

Miracle Mile 3-mile Breast Cancer Walk

I will be participating in this years Miracle Mile 3-mile Breast Cancer Walk here in Augusta, GA. The Miracle Mile Walk is a three-mile fun walk to raise money to fight breast cancer. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from the Miracle Mile Walk will provide breast cancer care, including free mammograms to the underserved.

Last year, the Breast Health Center at University Hospital served more than 13,000 women and facilitated the diagnosis of 265 new cases of breast cancer.

It will take place on October 16th and I'm taking donations towards the cause prior to the race.

Jay and I are trying to raise $300 before the walk. We are just starting so our donations are low. We have only $20 right now. So any little bit helps! If you want to donate as little as a dollar, we'll take it! Please email me to let me know if you would like to make a donation!
traci@diaperparties.com or contact me on facebook @traci orzeck

Thanks to you all!

We are a different family than most.

I know I haven't posted in a while but I'm a little down right now and I needed to let it out.  Both my  parents and Jay's parents have split up. My mom works random crazy hours, my dad and I don't speak. My mother-in-law is retired and my father-in-law still works full time. For some reason, no one on either side of our families can find the time (or money, or enter excuse here) to visit. I am not trying to blast our business but I'm feeling down about this and this is my outlet. I understand that my mom and father in law are working, but I don't have to like that they don't visit.

Being a military family, you learn right away that family is your best support system during trying times. I, on the other hand, have learned differently. I have learned that family causes unnecessary stress, anger and sadness. I feel like they don't understand my situation or sympathize with me. My support system has become Annie. When I'm angry, sad, happy or depressed, she is the one I share with (besides my husband, of course). Hearing about all my other friends/acquaintances having family in town lately, just makes me sad that my family, especially my kids don't have those same connections/bonds.

I was fortunate enough to have my grandparents down at the beginning of July. That was a nice treat. But in the 4+ years that my husband and I have been married that was the 3rd time anyone in the family has visited us that didn't require me to give birth to a child. Sometimes it's nice to have family visit. To know that you are loved and supported in the life you have made for yourself and children. Lately, I don't feel like I have that.

So what ever it is that is keeping them away, be it work, bills, or just a difference in opinion, it hurts and my children are missing out on vital parts of life.