Congratulations!

Yesterday, amid all the hustle and bustle of a typical Wednesday, a tiny baby entered the world.

So as I was driving to the hospital, I drove down 6th Street, saw a father grab his toddler by the back of the arm, lift him into the air and slam him down on the ground, and I pulled over and did something I NEVER thought I'd do: I screamed at him. I told him not to touch that little boy like that, that that was child abuse and he didn't deserve that. Yep, right there pulled over on the side of a busy street, with the door to the used baby crap store wide open in front of God and everyone it just came out.

And that man, with his size 4XL shirt and chains and pants down to his knees looked at me with the meanest glare I've ever seen and yelled back, "this is MY son!" started with the expletives and then, rather than being embarrassed, or mad at her abusive husband, his pregnant wife turned and started screaming back at me too. So when they began walking toward me and I saw cars starting to line up behind me, I decided it was time to leave.

So I was shaken. Stupid move? Maybe. Should I have said anything? I don't know...I'm starting to wonder whether I was out of line. But I have never felt as compelled to lash out at a complete stranger as I did then, and I'm glad I did.

I then proceeded to head to the hospital and see my new niece, Cassie and welcome her to the crazy life of being a Lira. And things were better. Everything always seems better with a new baby. Congrats Joshie-poo and April!

The Great Outdoors

Here are some more pictures of us camping with my family. We don't get to do this as often as they do because of our crazy schedules, but it is so much fun! This summer ended too fast!!

Opening Up

So I think I'll open this blog up to the ol' family and some of our friends. Something I feel compelled to do as this is probably the best way to keep in touch with everyone and update them on the ever-changing shenanigans of our life.

So to start, here are some pictures of our trip to Colorado this summer. Yep, this is my family; they drive me crazy and I love them dearly. Life is good.

Our Version of Girls Gone Wild

Good Day

Today was a good day. I woke up earlier than usual (though not quite as early as I've been striving for) and got the girls up and ready and to school on time, then made it to work before 8 o'clock! This is a BIG deal for me, and started the day off well.

The afternoon drug on, but a trip to the vet for the newest member of the family (Sis, the chihuahua) allowed me to leave a bit early, and then practice was canceled so that freed up the evening for my second job; At Home.

I'll probably post more on this later, but during our conference call tonight I was recognized for doing so well during my first two weeks and having top sales! It made me so happy and for those of you who are interested, please ask!! I would love to share with you how awesome this group of people are and how welcome they make you feel, how easy it is to be a part of, and how much they help you own your own business and bring in money while meeting so many new friends.

I want to call my best friend and beg her to be a part of this with me, but I don't want to sound like I'm soliciting so I'll see if she (or anyone else) takes the bait! Now, if I can just figure out how to make it home from an hour's drive away after a meeting that ends at noon on Saturday and make it back to coach Calyn's soccer game at 1:00, get Phoenix from her 10:00 soccer scrimmage to her 12:00 softball double header and see some of Jordan's football game I'll be set!!

I'm Baaaaaack!

So, the blog lived, then died, then its heart began to beat again, followed shortly by another flat-line. This is exactly why I named this baby 'The Greatest of Intentions' - because my intentions are always great; I just usually have a lack of follow through.

So because I just talked to one of the greatest gals in the whole world about what has been going on in her life, I thought I'd get back to trying to let everyone in on what goes on in mine.

And that includes a LOT of things: kids (total being 4 now!!), sports (total being 8 going on consecutively now!!), jobs (two, which are both going great), pets (two dogs, two lizards, 13+ fish, and whatever new bug or small animal comes along the way-currently one very hungry caterpillar and one potential butterfly, and a weird egg case made by a spider: I think!), humanitarian efforts (currently two that are slow-movers, but efforts nonetheless), and one very great, great guy whom despite all of this, still keeps running with me and together we have been able to create a great life with each other.

So this past summer, through all the trips to baseball and softball games (ours and the kids') we managed to take a nice vacation to Colorado (pics to come later) and spend some days hanging at the pool. The next thing I knew, the boys were off to school again (entering 6th and 7th grade) and my little babies were headed back to preschool and 2nd grade! How did I ever get to the point where I am 28 years old and leading this life?! But you know, I wouldn't change a minute of it.

So yesterday, after football practice, AHA calls, going to get 12 inches of Phoenix's hair cut off, and grabbing my little nephew to hang out for awhile, we were able to enjoy the evening with some great friends swimming in their pool, playing poker, and staying up till the wee hours of the morning, which is why I have some time to sit here and write this post while everyone else is still sleeping in.

So, here's to this blog; may it grow and prosper and give you all a little extra reading material every now and then.