Love You. Hate You.

I have a love / hate relationship with many things. (And come to think of it, people as well.)

One most recent relationship is working from home. I used to loathe working from home when I had roommates. Now that I live alone, it is much easier and enjoyable. I am trying to figure out my schedule for the next few months so that Lawton and I are on the same page, and I am really not sure how often I want to work from home. Lets do some Pros and Cons.

Pros:
I can sleep in an extra hour. I get to work in my pajamas. I can do my hair throughout the day and let it air dry. I don't have to put on make-up or shoes. I don't have obnoxious realtors in my ear. I don't smell Chinese, Mexican or fast food throughout the day. I don't have to deal with Lawton (in person). I can do laundry, watch tv (or dvd's since I don't have cable), listen (and sing!) to MY music as loud as I want, or clean in the midst of my day. I can cook or prepare my lunch and not worry about having salad dressing or silverware. I can light candles. I save $2 by not crossing over to Cape Coral. I save gas (and consequently, the world). I can workout on my lunch break (just throwing it out there...).

Cons:
I find myself on facebook far too much. I don't feel as "together" when I am not dressed. I don't have access to every file I may need. I can't print (although this isn't a HUGE deal but can be super annoying). I do laundry, or clean in the midst of my day, which distracts me. People seem to think that when I 'work from home' that means I have the day off and can babysit or go to lunch/coffee/hangout (mostly because I do those things...). I'm not as motivated. When I work from home I don't usually go outside all day... which leaves me feeling sad when its already too late. I am a slave to my phone.

I am really not sure if I figured anything out through that. Regardless, I had to put it out there...

Sorry I haven't returned your call.

My blog is like a friend of mine I haven't talked to in awhile. I keep thinking, I have to blog about this, I have to update! I wanna put this picture up! Its like my friend that keeps calling me and I am too busy to talk or return her call... I am just going to do a simple update in the form of a list.

-I love, love, love living alone. This was the greatest choice ever. I love the independence of it... how it allows me to be selfish... and its like my little escape. Not to mention is my ongoing project- I feel like I am at Target or Bed, Bath and Beyond every day buying something new!
-I am going to be a bridesmaid! And so it begins, one of my best friends just got engaged last Friday night. Tiffany and I have been friends since high school- I used to drive her to school every day Junior year (because she is 6 months younger than me). She has a daughter who is almost one (ahh!), Keegan. Keegan and I get to spend a lot of time together since I am one of Tiff's friends that can actually take care of children (thanks Maria). Keegan is my "pseudo niece" and only pseudo so I don't take anything away from my dear Kyla (I am a tiny bit partial)... but I am Aunt LeLe to her. I am the only local bridesmaid of Tiff's, so I know it is going to be some serious work, lots of fun, and great practice!
- Women's Crew is now at my house. My Monday night "bible study"/girls night in is now held at my house. There have been some changes within leadership and I am so pumped for the future of the group. I love being hospitable, albeit I allow myself to get way too stressed out.
- Accurate Insurance is a constant struggle. I haven't prayed enough about this... but we have gone through so many set backs, sometimes I get discouraged and wonder if this is truly what I should be doing. And other times, I think, these are just little hills, show perseverance Alicia and it will be so worth it in the future. Either way, it is hard.
- Outback is okay. I love working like 1 night a week. But I rarely work that seldom- its usually 2 or 3 times a week. I know I am there for a reason, and I know its good for me to be around so many non-believers... I just get sick of working 60 hour weeks. Not to mention hearing language and talk about things that make my skin crawl.
- Maria has started yet another business. She know has a photography biz, shameless plug, www.mariaglassford.com and I am hopefully going to be able to help her with it! It would be awesome to work with my sister in something like this that could be on the side and so fun!
- My babies keep growing, and I am not happy about it. Jonah is so big and he understands things... Carter is still the coolest kid around (and has been dubbed this by our entire church pretty much)... Kyla is such an adorable princess with quite the attitude and a love for boys (my girl!)... Kevin has a love for teaching- or telling you about things if you give him the opportunity, he will go on and on forever... Sean is such a loving boy, he's naive, caring and generous. As much as I hate to see them getting older, I can't wait to see the people they become. (And again, I can't imagine the love I will have for my own children, thinking of the LOVE I have for these five...)
- I am blessed beyond words. I was going to say with my friends and family, but realized I am blessed all around. I have the most amazing girlfriends, sister and Lawton. They are all so unique and different, I can't imagine them not in my life.
- I am loving my relationship with my mother and can't wait for season to end. My Mom and I are getting along great, and I really feel like she is becoming a friend... not as paranoid as before (or at least doesn't express it) and truly interested in learning more about me- in depths. I can't wait for season to end so my Dad isn't so busy and we can gallivant around on sunny summer days and go to lunch... I love the freedom he has during the summer.
- I am taking 4 trips this summer. Ahhhh! I will talk about this more later, but I am going to Wisconsin, Virginia, Haiti and New York City! (And most likely weekend visits to Ft. Lauderdale and Venice)
- I am starting to focus on my habits... eating habits, exercise habits, cleaning habits, hygienic habits, working habits... and try to get my life to a place where I am content and at peace.
- I know more than I give myself credit for. It's amazing to me the verses and lessons that pop into my head when I am going through something or am searching for advice for a friend. I am at a place where God or the Word is the first thing I turn to when I am hurting or confused. Still working on this... but its great to look back at 5 months ago when I knew where nothing was in the Bible!
- Renee is really moving. I think. But probably won't know for another month. This has been a roller coaster ride in itself... God finally spoke to her and her husband this past week. That was HUGE answered prayer- Praise the Lord!

That's all I have for now. But there is more to come my dear friend, I've got a lot on my mind...

From the mouth of a 5 year old.

Hanging out with my niece Kyla is always hilarious. She has quite the personality and is so much like me, I just have to share the funny things she does (and sometimes embarrassing)!
This weekend we were leaving church, I saw a friend of mine, said hello and proceeded to walk the kids to the car with Maria. I was saying goodbye and the friend of mine was standing like 4 cars away from us. Kyla kept yelling at him about his pink shirt (she's feisty... just like me), then turns to me and says, "LeLe, do you want to marry him?" and before I can even respond, a light goes off in her ever-working head and she says, "I found a guy for you!" Like this was her accomplishment. (Granted, I do tell her to find LeLe a husband...) She then tells me to just go over and ask him. Okay Ky. I'll get right on that.

This evening, Kyla and I were playing memory. Somehow we got on the topic of her wanting a sister. She kept saying it wasn't fair that Ellie, her friend, had 2 sisters and she didn't have any. It wasn't fair that she has to have only brothers that are mean to her (as if sisters are not mean. ha, if she only knew). So then I decided to bring up that maybe one day she could have a sister and she quickly responded that Mommy is not going to have anymore babies. I told her maybe she would change her mind and that we could pray about it. She said okay, go ahead (okay... now works, I guess).
Me: Dear God, thank you for this day, thank you for my beautiful family and the time we are able to spend together. Lord, you know I love Sean, Kevin, Kyla, Carter and Jonah
Kyla (interjecting): BUT!
Me (getting to the point): but... Kyla and I would really love for you to give her a sister. God, I pray that, if its your will, you would place it in Maria and Kirts heart to have another baby and to give Kyla a sister so that she can enjoy a relationship like Maria and I have. It's in your name we pray, Amen.
Kyla (sure of herself): So...what did God say?
Me (laughing): Well, we will just have to wait and see... but it may take a long time to answer our prayers... but he will.
Kyla (sighs): Okay.

There are a lot of these interviews with children rolling around and since I do not have kids, I interviewed Kyla. Here are the questions and answers. Hilarious.

1. What is something lele always says to you? i love you.
2. What makes lele happy? when i run to her when she comes to pick me up
3. What makes lele sad? boppa doesnt give her hugs
4. How does lele do to make you laugh? tickles me
5. What did lele like to do as a child? play with my mom
6. How old is lele? I dont know. "Guess", (me). 16.
7. How tall is lele? 8 feet.
8. What is leles favorite thing to watch on TV? Football.
9. What does lele do when you're not around? she plays with herself.
10. If lele becomes famous, what will it be for? making someone happy
11. What is lele really good at? Playing soccer.
12. What is lele not very good at? football and baseball.
13. What does lele do for her job? types paper
14. What is your leles favorite food? chinese
15. What makes you proud of lele? when i jump to you
16. If lele was a cartoon character, who would she be? Cinderella
17. What do you and lele do together? Play the wii
18. How are you and lele the same? Were twins
19. How are you and lele different? God just makes us different.
20. How do you know lele loves you? Because you have a loving heart.
21. What does lele like most about mommy? because theyre sisters and are twins with the same outfit on.
22. Where is lele's favorite place to go? Busch Gardens and Disney
23. When is lele going to get married? When shes a big, big, big person and she finds somebody.
24. Who is going to be lele's husband? Anakin.
25. If you could do anything with Lele what would it be? Play football with her in my grass.