A Day in the Life of Ernie

Break Time

2011-04-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

Holy cow! It's been quite a few days since I've written on here!

I must be honest, I am SUPER busy and think I'll take a break from bloggin. I love it, but it's hard to find the time right now. Perhaps some time I'll pick it up again, but for right now, Ernie is gonna take a bow and exit stage right!

Easter Goodness

2011-04-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

a good one, eh!?

the last egg to be found :)

Miss Mol

serious hunting

Easter afternoon at Granny & Grampa's

hi Mike :)

some football antics goin on before Easter dinner

what boys do!

Mouse had her first dance debut at church, she did great! So precious...

As you can see, a wonderful Easter Sunday was had by all. A great weekend all the way around. The clothesline goin in is nearly complete, we just need some more line and clothespins, not to mention DRY weather so I can get dryin' our clothes out there. I can't hardly wait! Reminds me of Auntie Jane's line :) Erk went all out with pullies (sp?) and 4 lines.

Tonight Jack had baseball practice. He did great - was pitched to 4 times and hit the ball in the first 3-4 pitches every time! He was geeked, great job dude!

Lots

2011-04-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

Lots of great pictures today but not lots of time right now to post them! I'm pooped! Hoping you had a nice Easter as well. More in the mornin!

Aren't I Smart?!

2011-04-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

So in the past 24 hours... I've been pulled over, Bean has crapped in the house, we've had 2 playdates and Erk has been rear ended. Whew...

Last night at this time, I was drivin' on home from a meeting. On my way home and talking to Erk, I thought there was a cop behind me. I even told Erk that and then realized it wasn't. A bit further up the same stretch of road I commented to Erk that there was a cop behind me (in the other lane) but I wasn't speeding. I was going 51 mph. Erk says, "yeah, but you do have a headlight out," to which I laughed and told him I'd be home in a few. Sure shootin' I hang up that dang phone and see red and blue flashes behind me. "He must have gotten a call" went thru my mind the first second, until I realized, "nope, he's pulling me over!"

There I sat with a bright-as-the-sun spot light reflecting off my side mirror right into my eyeballs waiting for him to walk up to my window. He approached the window and asked for my license, registration, etc. I opened the glove box and handed him the papers along with my license and leaned back over where the light was dead on blinding and asked "can I ask why I got pulled over?" He replied, "you have a burned out headlight," while reading my info. REALLY? Then he says, "I'll let you off with a warning tonight." WHEW. I honestly can't believe they will actually pull you over for that, but that's beside the point. Our insurance premiums just went up due to my... ah-hem... speeding ticket in Illinois last summer. So I was grateful, no ticky no washy. Yikes.

So I get home. Laughing and shaking my head at that one. Bean hasn't been feeling well for a few days but no huge deal. Until I get up to help Molly in the night (she has Croup and the cough comes right thru the ceiling, poor baby) to get her some water. I felt something wet underfoot but figured it was a drip from the dishes prior that evening, wiped it on the kitchen rug in the dark and headed up with the lil' pink cup for Mol. While upstairs I see the light coming up the stairs. Erk was up and had the kitchen light on. Wow, that was nice, he heard Mol coughin too and was coming to lend a hand? (See, he has sleep apnea which means a mask at night which means he doesn't hear squat when the kids are up). I come on down the stairs and round the corner thinking there is coffee spilled on the kitchen floor. Oh no. No coffee. Diarrhea. Bean's craps all over the floor. Erk is about to gag and I tell him "I'll take care of it." So I did, mind over matter, just as Dad has taught me. :) Strange, Bean has never done anything like this. Is she losing it for real? Now she can't control her bowels? Poor Bean. I'm gonna have to take her to the vet. What if something is seriously wrong. She's been our baby for 10 years... and the thoughts ran one into the other on and on.

A bit later, I heard her get up from the chair she sleeps in and jumped outta bed to let her out. She gladly went out in the night, taking care of business. I gave her a few minutes, then stepped onto the porch in the stillness of the night waiting for her. She must have heard the door cause she came without me calling her name. Hopped back in her chair, me back in bed. I thought I heard her again, but between bringing Molly medicine and the thoughts of what the vet might say, I couldn't lift my head off the pillow. Fast forward to this morning and walking into the kitchen to find it AGAIN. Sweet...

So when it came time to leave for our first playdate today, I put Bean dog in the mudroom. For those of you who know her, like really know the damage she has done, this animal can't handle being contained. I quickly coaxed her into the mudroom, then headed straight out the front door and locked it. I couldn't stand the thought of hearing her go all INSANE. Our first playdate was a surprise. I'd been messin' with the boys so they had no idea where we were headed til we got off the exit. Chuck E Cheese baby! It's been a few years since we've been there, and they were so excited, Jack screamed! It was fun, we hung with some friends from school and enjoyed the tokens and tickets for a few hours. Thank you Nanny for watchin Miss Molly, the Croupster, so we didn't spread her wealth to the other kids there!

On home we came to find Bean had crapped in the mudroom but that she hadn't escaped. I had visions of her waiting for us when we got home, sitting on the porch or in the neighbors 'back 40. She can open the back door, she has in the past. She can open anything she puts her mind to, she's crazy in the head. But she didn't. She did a little damage to the inside door, but nothing near what history brought from sucha situation!

Come 3 o'clock, 2 boys from school came on over, cute as can be. They are brothers, so sweet and respectful. The kids all played for a few hours, mostly outside. It was rainy and cold, but they didn't mind. I did. Just when Molly wanted to play out there too. I didn't really want to play out there but didn't feel right having these boys out there all alone, not to mention Mouse. So I sat in a wooden straight back chair in the garage, hood up on my winter coat, hands tucked in between my thighs, freezin my arse off to keep an eye on things. The boys were all rosy cheeked running with sticks playing tag and hide-and-seek. They'd have it no other way ;)

Once the boys were picked up and I was browning meat for burritos, I see a text from Erk. "Just got rearended." HUH? So I called him. Sure enough, some dude clipped him pretty good. Erk's head is still sore, but he keeps saying he's alright. The dude got him good enough that the impact made an accordian out of his white car, probably totalled. The investigator in me could tell it was a white car from the marks on Erk's bumper. Aren't I smart!?! HA! Erk's car faired pretty well but it's a little dorked in the back. He said the trunk still opens ok but it's a bit off. I'm glad he's alright (let's hope he is being honest) and that he made it home safe and sound.

So now here I sit in bed, telling you way more than you probably care to hear (or read) but hey, this is me :) I hope you had a good day today. And I'm hoping for a much less eventful sleepy time tonight!

The Past Few

2011-04-19T18:10:00.000-07:00

Our Saturday started off with waking up to Auntie Meg being here! She got in late Friday night and stayed with us. A special treat! Once we were all up and around, we headed to Nanny and Papa's to "help" put the dock in. Ok... we just watched Papa and UJ put the dock in.
Mike found some tall rain boots and slid them on when he thought no one was looking (I saw him). He snuck up on the men folk standing there talking.
From there (where we had lunch and a nice visit while Dad and UJ got the feeling back in their legs), we headed north to hang with some good friends. Our trailer has been parked up there all winter long. If you could hear what goes on in my brain, you would have heard the song, "Reunited and it feels so good..." when I saw the trailer. We opted to bring Bean along, and as you can see, she was delighted. Even offered to drive.
The roads up there were lovely. I can't believe we didn't get swallowed whole. We could have all turned into bobble heads! But we made it. And enjoyed our time tremendously :)

2011-04-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

We woke up to snow on the ground Sunday mornin! Crazy. Just one week ago on Sunday it was in the 80's! Weird.

Not far from the cabin, we had to stop for fresh made donuts. Mmmm. Erk opted for plain since the kids woulda made a mess... plain or not, they were DELISH!

While Erk was in the store, I snapped this of my grubby arse. YIKES, there is Ernie first thing in the morning! Same outfit as the day before, wore it to bed and woke up to keep it goin. I think my clothes could have walked away on their own if given the chance.
La la la, we were on the road when Erk took a deep sigh and hit the brakes. I'm so glad he saw it! I didn't! He got out and moved it best he could. It was a heavy sucker. Heard on the news that in that same area a woman was killed by a falling tree on her truck as she drove by. Scary!

Burrito

2011-04-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

A busy, crazy, fun-filled weekend followed by a busy day yesterday! I'll post some pix later, off to church for mom's group. WHEW! I'm thinking Miss Crabby Pants (not me, Mouse) will definitely need a nap today.

Ohh, one quick cute note, I was conked last night and Erk woke me up to say Molly was calling for me. So I half asleep clunk up the stairs to find her crying in the dark hallway. "I need a kleeeenex!" she cried. So I grabbed one out of Mikie's room and wiped her nose. I helped her get back in bed and all wrapped up. A side note, when the kids have dirty sheets and they are still in the wash, the kids "camp out" with blankets folded over like sleepin bags. Well, Molly and I started a different phrase to describe it, she likes to be "wrapped like a burrito." So I wrapped her up like a burrito, kissed her forehead and half awake found my way back down the stairs and into bed. As I'm drifting back off to sleep, I hear the long, moaning sounding cry from upstairs again. So I toss back the sheets and head up. She's in bed this time, and quivers with her precious 3 year old voice, "I can't find the sour cream."

TODAY

2011-04-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

WE DID IT! It came off without a hitch :) Well if you don't factor in my redness on my face, but it wasn't too bad. I was red before we even entered the news station, I felt it creep up my chest and neck to my face. It was like my own little heater :)

I picked Shawna up and we headed that way, weren't exactly sure where the station was but found it. We prayed together in the truck before heading in. We were placed in a conference room for what seemed like an eternity! Then two dudes came in with mics and "packs" to snap to the back of our pants. We had to feed the mics up our shirts so the cords wouldn't show, but I saw on the program mine kinda peeked out. Oh well. Then they whisked us onto the tv show set! It was a commercial break and we chatted with the host for a moment (she recognized Shawna cause they have kids at the same school) and then we were "LIVE!"

I had this strong desire to clear my throat, but kept myself to a minimum as the host read thru some Top 5 at 5 items. Then they shifted gears to us and what we do. I felt like I took over the conversation and didn't mean to talk over Shawna but now having watched it 3 times, I didn't. We did pretty equal talking! What an experience! WOW! I still can't believe it!

Perhaps our next stop will be the Today Show :)

Jittery!

2011-04-14T16:16:00.000-07:00

I'm honestly having to try really hard not to poop my pants. I get distracted, but then the thought comes up again about being on TV and I'm in knots! WHEW! I know we'll do just fine, I'm just like butterfly CITY! It's like this heat comes over me and my stomach starts flopping around and my mind races... Please pray for us, that we'll just be ourselves and that our nerves won't be too obvious.

I've got the outfit I'll wear all figured out, finally. I got all of the pieces a few days ago, new jeans and black top, new earrings and cute red wedge heels. I thought it came together nicely :) Until I tried walking in the shoes more than just trying them on. Walked from the kitchen into the den at home and realized I couldn't keep those darn red heels on. They kept slipping off my heel. I texted Meg for help! I was gonna get some inserts for them (or in my fashion, get some double sided tape goin') but then gave it some more thought. I am already much taller than Shawna, and add in heels? I'm gonna look like a freaken giant! So I changed my thoughts to flats. Headed to Payless first, then Shoe Carnival, then Kohls and ended up at Target. I was unsuccessful at all of those places, returned the red ones to Target and thought I'd look around. Even tried on a size smaller of the red heels just in case but they were too small. Ended up finding some strappy black shoes I can wear that aren't too dressy and go with the funky sorta look I'm going for. Best thing is they are FLAT! So now if Shawna will wear heels, we'll only be like 4 inches apart ;)

Anywho, so I got home after all that running today only to realize the cute new jeans? Too long for flat shoes. As in clean the floor too long. So back to Target I just went tonight to swap them for Regular instead of Long size. And that my friends... is how the outfit came together :) I know you were wondering!

With that, Shawna is due here any minute to discuss what we'll discuss tomorrow :) Remind me not to take an Excedrin Migraine right before we go on cause I did about an hour ago and I'm jittery, shaky right now!

Melted

2011-04-13T09:25:00.001-07:00

I had the fun opportunity to be in Jack's class this morning to read with the kids. What a hoot! Jack always reads with me first, he's so sweet. Speaking of his sweetness, last night Erk went to pick the kids up from Granny and Grampa's house. On their way home, Erk said something like, "isn't that a pretty sunset?" To which Jack responded, "not as pretty as Mom." Not knowing that, I went out to greet them when they got home and Jack ran up the 3 porch steps and wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me tight. Then he told me what he had said. SO SWEET, melts a Momma's heart :) Anywho, back to being at school... so I'm down to the last little girl to read with, who's name happens to be Mollee, and the boy's old DK teacher stops in the hall to chat. She heard from Mikie (she said he's telling everyone!) about me being on the "news" on Friday. So we chuckled about that and she mentioned the PTO. I just saw this morning in the boys backpacks a note about how 3 of the 4 members of the PTO are stepping down. Anywho, Tena told me that she and the current Vice President were talking about it and my name came up! HOW FUNNY! I was flattered and dumbfounded and tickled. That was so sweet that they'd think of me. Do I wanna do it? I'm not sure! As I left school and signed out in the office I asked the ladies if there is a write-up I can read for what is involved in the "job." The one lady in the office has always come across as I'm wasting her time. She gave me tude as I asked her about the PTO. Fortunately the other office lady chimed in and gave me a hand in what I was looking for. The phone numbers of the current board. So we'll see... I'm not sure if I'll do it or not, but I sure was flattered that they thought of me :)

Ice Cream Drive-Thru

2011-04-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

the other night we had an ice cream drive-thru at the kitchen window. the choice was an ice cream sundae with freshly baked brownies. mom took the orders and daddy served it up at the "next window."

mouse helping me make the brownies

More Sunday Evening

2011-04-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

Boys playing football, Bean adding her squeeky toy to the mix (thanks Ma! ;)

want it, Bean?

enjoyin the ice cream drive-thru

TV!

2011-04-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

I'm excited nervous shocked sucking my gut in what do I wear amazed that we will be on tv this FRIDAY!!! After some persistance, not annoying, but emails here and there to contact different local newsies, we finally got our break! On a new show that airs weeknights from 5-6pm! What amazing exposure this will be for us two lil stay at home momma's (well, technically Shawna works at school now so she's a workin' lady). Can you believe it!??!??!

Ernie of green GABLED

2011-04-10T13:01:00.001-07:00

Well the weather outside is... AMAZING!! Just came in from pricing some garage sale stuff. WOW, I love this weather! I know it won't be here forever, so we appreciate days like this :) It's been a really nice weekend. Yesterday both boys had t-ball/baseball practice, so Erk took Jack (and Molly went with them) and I took Mikie. He and I decided to go a little early so we could play catch. Mike grabbed the baseball bat too so we went into a field nearby the baseball diamond (there were girls practicing so we didn't wanna be in the way) and Mikie hit a few of my pitches. I kept covering my face with my hands, afraid he was gonna break my nose! An old school fear of mine... softball/bat/hitting my face, flashbacks! After Mike's practice I told him he and I would go get a hot fudge sundae. I called Erk on our way home to see what they were doing and they were heading home too. I told him our plan and he said we were on speaker so everyone heard the plan! So we'd better go thru the drive-thru and get 5 hot fudge sundaes :) So we did. We sat on the front porch steps and enjoyed... Ohh, I wanted to tell you, slowly but surely we are learning more tidbits about our house. I discovered last week where the original basement walls were, so now when we sit at the table and eat, I tease the kids "I'd be sitting outside." Apparently the outside laundry room wall was the back of the house, all the way across. But at some point they added on to our kitchen area (to give the house plumbing), and the mudroom/bathroom. From some research online to find out what type of house this is, I found it was built as a "Gabled-Ell". Most likely the front room of our house (which is now our den, was our dining room) was the kitchen. COOL, eh!? Perhaps you aren't as interested, but I find it intriguing! I hear Bean barking at some poor bikers. Her bark is sounding slower, more "I'm trying to scare you but I'm 70 years old" sorta sound. She just doesn't have that agile, take off like a bullet sorta run in her anymore. We play catch and after 3 tosses of the ball, she won't drop the darn thing out of her mouth cause truth be told, she doesn't really want you to throw it again. Then she'd have to chase it.

First Ballet

2011-04-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

Mousie trying on a costume before the ballet! I love this picture! Jack getting a tattoo Nanny and Mol colorin before the show

Molly and Maya ended up with the same tattoo. Cute lil buddies :)

Today was the first real ballet experience we've ever had. Sure I took ballet in 2nd grade and Molly just finished her 6 week class, but this was a whole new ballgame. The liturgical dance leader at church (who was also Molly's ballet teacher) asked if any of the girls would like to go see the local ballet put on a children's program.

So, a few weeks ago, I asked the boys (separately of course) if they had any interest in going. First I talked to Jack, "sure, sounds cool..." shrug of the shoulders and half smile. I went upstairs to ask Mikie while he was playing in his room and his response (which kinda surprised me actually) was "Nope, I'd rather hang with Papa." And so that's how the ticket purchases shook out :) We called Nanny and she was pleased to join us!

Come this morning, Mike was still glad he wasn't going and Jack was trying to convince Mike that he was gonna miss out (and I believe convincing himself that it'd be worth it). And it was. Truly, Jack even said when I asked if he had rather gone or not gone, he said "have gone, that was fun!"

Anywho, once we got there, they had fun stuff around for the kids, like costumes to try on and tattoos and coloring. Then we lined up (fortunately Miss Jennifer knew that we'd better be ready when the doors opened) and got in the 2nd row. The show opened and it was really cool. Granted in those leotards you can see an awful lot (if you get my drift)! Ohh and Molly yelled out twice, "where's Nemo!?"

Overall, I feel we got some culture today and Molly sure looks cute in roses intertwined around her head :)

2011-04-07T12:33:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the curtain to open! After the ballet Molly, Jack, Nanny and I went to have some lunch. Mouse was a tad on the grumpster side, but she came thru it. Jack and Nanny talked solar system books and bargain bookstore ideas :)

This Old House

2011-04-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, so we met a few road blocks. That's ok. We're gonna keep diggin... For the longest time I've wanted to research our house. When was it actually built? They told us 1900, but is that accurate? We have reason to believe otherwise. How many families have lived here? We know an old woman died on our front porch, but who was she? How big was the original house? What rooms were added on later?

(if Jack would just zip up his sweatshirt he'd probably be warmer :)

With Spring Break this week I thought this would be the perfect time to start to find answers. The kids and I headed to the bank to get cash in case we needed it for making copies and on over to the Township Hall. Nice people in there, but they couldn't help us with squat. They confirmed the "1900" year, but that's because that's the only record they have. There were 3 people in the office and a dude in the back chimed in and said it's because "any house built before 1940 doesn't really have the paperwork to say when it was actually built so many homes that vintage are a guessed year." And the chick sitting in the back chimed in and said it's "because there weren't many building permits back then to keep track." Interesting facts indeed. So I asked where we could go from there and was told to check the Census records. That's something we'll look into later.

From there we headed over to the town Historical Society to see what we could find. We parked and took a little stroll near the dam, freezing our butts off only to find that they are "Closed for the Winter, See you in the Spring!" Last I checked, technically it is Spring! Oh well, back to the truck and on home we came. Not before snapping a picture of this place, the color scheme we'd like to paint our house, perhaps this summer!? Wouldn't that be cute! We'd be adding to the history of coolness to this house :)

"Sticky Forrest" Trail

2011-04-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

Jack rearin' and ready to go Mouse bringing her pink scooter on down (and Bean, of course can't miss being nutso)

And he's off!

we were in our back 40, even though it's just one acre :) Isn't that a cute farmhouse?

there goes Mikie!

showin the last leg of the trail

ready to go it again

"Sticky" Somethin'

2011-04-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

Good evening! So far Molly has come down to say her cheek hurt, Mike has come down twice, the first time to see what time I'll come up and check on him and the second to get a puke bowl for his supposed stomach ache. In the middle of those visits we hear a thud and cry start, Jack was headed down the stairs to tell us he's too hot to sleep. He's ok, slipped on the freshly cleaned carpet on the steps was all. Why is bedtime not stickin' tonight?! The freshly cleaned carpeting came this morning from the professionals. We had to call 'em in after the puke incident night before last. Picture if you will, me totally conked and thinking I'm dreaming, talking out loud, only for Erk to wake up and say "what's goin on?" in a confused voice, waking me up from my dream. Only it wasn't a dream, Jack was standing there in the pitch dark telling me he puked. I startled awake and sat up to head upstairs with him. Rounded the floor and stepped in something wet at the bottom of the stairs. So on went the upstairs hall light. Yep, it was puke. I limped with my toes pointing to the ceiling into the kitchen for paper towel. Grabbed the whole roll figuring I'd need it. And a plastic garbage bag too. Wiped up the puke on the laminate floor and saw it was also on the bottom 2 stairs in a trickle effect. Wiped that up best I could at 12:35am half awake and continued on to find my treasure. Not quite to the top of the steps I am greeted with even more. Step 10, 11 and 12 caught supper too. Wiped those with my nifty paper towel and continued around the corner where it was almost laid out snake like down the long hallway. I could mentally picture him covering his mouth, trying to keep it in but seeping out (sorry for the visual, I'm just sayin'). Wipe, wipe, wipe, and into Jack's room where I thought we'd be done. The couple of stairs and hallway were only crumbs compared to what was waiting for me in there. Poor Jack, in the shadows asked me if I was mad. "Of course I'm not mad, buddy! I'm just not really with it, cleaning up puke." The cleanup in his room took the longest with a lot of stepping on paper towels and dabbing. Knowing they had had pizza for dinner and not really being able to see if I was doing a decent job cleaning it up or not, when the morning came we decided a carpet cleaner would be best. And it was, the carpets have never looked so good up there! And this isn't the first time we've had them cleaned. Nice to feel fluffy and clean under our feet... And today was met with some fun for the boys especially. Both of their baseball practices got cancelled due to weather but they, along with Daddy's help with the chain saw, started to make their bike trail that's been talked about for months. Thru the "sticky forrest", leading down into the "tall grass" and around and up our side yard. Just after dinner they wanted me to come see it, so I headed out with Erk's coat on to see what they'd done. We walked the trail, with the exception of Molly and Jack, Molly was lagging behind carrying her pink scooter thinking that would work as her ride down the trail. Once she made it to where we were waiting to watch Jack, she set the scooter down and around the corner he came (on Mike's bike cause his brakes aren't working so well). Around and into the tall grass where he met a small tree that took him out. Then it was Mike's turn, down he came, around into the tall grass where he tipped over. They walked us up and around to show me the trail, how fun it'll be once they have their path all worn down.

T-Ball

2011-03-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

Jack passin the time

2011-03-31T17:31:00.000-07:00

runnin away! Papa and Jack (Nanny was there too!)

I love this pic of bro and sis watching Mikie practice

Sprinkler Effect

2011-03-31T16:49:00.001-07:00

Even with waking up ornery today, the Lord provided for me in a big way! The kids were with Nanny and Papa today so I got to fly some things solo. I got to enjoy a nice lunch with my wonderful friend Phyllis. We always share many laughs and walk down memory lane. Great times! Then I got to see Lindsey and her little dude Greyson. It was great to catch up and visit over hot chocolate. After that I came on home to work on some bizz stuff, watched GH, ate some leftovers and headed out to see Mikie's first t-ball practice of the season. He's SO FUNNY. He surely showed his compassionate side tonight going over to see if he could help another boy who was crying. Running to pick-up baseballs so the coach wouldn't have to. He's a good boy :) I had a riot running around the playground chasing Jack after being asked 14 times to play tag :) He's quick! Certainly has me beat. My moves to slither from getting tagged aren't as sharp as they once were. I ain't as good as I once was... I truly enjoyed his laughter as I ran after him! Just giddy, I loved it! Miss Molly had to pee (of course, one of my biggest fears being porta pottys). So we ventured on over only to find the JON was locked. "Oh darn!" I thought in my own mind laughing at my own joke, til I realized that didn't change the fact that she had to go. So I had the brilliant idea to hang on to her while she leaned back in a sitting position. I forgot to figure in the "sprinkler effect" us ladies have and got some pee on my Uggs as well as her undies and pants that were at her knees. Good thing I had a change of clothes in the truck parked not too far away!

Meet ZOE

2011-03-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

Zoe was a big hit for the kids :) Even with Papa putting her in Jack's face!

wondering what she'll pull next!

i'm lovin' my new colorful earrings

Em and Mousie

Molly loves Emily, even with some shyness, she wants to hang with Em. It's SO cute!

Some digital scrapbook pages to share

2011-03-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

look how young Jack is!

i love this new kit i got, cute papers or what!?

Jack's Album

2011-03-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

Just this past week, Erk had 170 of my digital scrapbook pages printed for me, all for Jack's album. It sure is fun to look back on him and how much he's grown! WOW! Pages from 2007 - current, it was fun piecing them all together in the order they need to go in for his album. I can't wait to do the same for Mike and Mousie once I get organized. Good thing I know someone who prints pages, otherwise this would be quite costly! :) Church was nice this morning, followed by Little Caesars pizza (I ate too much). The kids are doing quiet time right now, although it's more like LOUD time, but that's ok. They are playing together and no one is yelling or mad. Bean is zonked on the couch and Erk is dinkin' around. In a bit, we'll go over so Jack and Mikie can meet Nan and Pa's pup, Zoe, before they head back home tomorrow. Have a wonderful evening!

2011-03-26T06:16:00.000-07:00

you can see how much HELP my helpers were :) hehehee - I finally had to cut Molly off from decorating the cupcakes cause the sprinkles were highly concentrated on her creations!

Whewee! The kids each have a bouncie ball and they are all bouncing them right at this moment! Erk is about to take the boys out for a haircut. A bit later it's school carnival time! I'll be one of the 2 ladies running the cake walk from 11a - 1p. The kids and I spent some time at school yesterday afternoon helping to set up. They had fun running the halls while us moms taped down the cake walk/pop toss lines and set out prizes. It sure is fun to be a part of the carnival this year behind the scenes. And the mom at school who set this whole thing up!? HUGE kudos Celene!

CUPCAKE FUNNY: I stood there looking over the cupcakes yesterday afternoon with a reoccurring thought running thru my mind... how am I going to transport all of these things!? Brilliant, I went out in the garage and grabbed a big board. Loaded up 9 containers of cupcakes in the kitchen and headed out. Well, the heading out didn't go so smooth. You see, with an old house you don't have very wide doorways. And when the board is full of cupcakes, you can't tilt it. So my first obstacle was getting from the kitchen to the den. The board was the exact width of the doorway, so I had to move my hands just so to support the board as well as balance the goodies on top. Once thru that doorway, I looked ahead to my next. The front door? I'm not sure. NOPE. So I had to take 9 pans out to the porch and set them outside, bring the board out and replace them all on top. It fit nicely into the truck and made for a good ride over to school, but then we barely fit into the school doors! Whew! I was sweatin' it. At least now this morning with batch #2, aka the other 1/2 of the cupcakes, I won't load them up until they are all on the porch!

2011-03-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

disaster transport? :) I remember Erk and Jack went on that ride 400 times when we took the boys to Cedar Point a few summers back!

Hey, the baker gets to enjoy too, right!?
At Mikie's program, Granny, Nanny and Papa with the kids

Look at this dude! Isn't he hilarious!?

Old Ladies and YES

2011-03-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

This morning was a little bit different than the usual Thursday morning. Mikie had a follow-up ear check from his month ago eardrum rupture, so even though I made his lunch & made sure he had his backpack packed, Mike didn't have the rush this morning cause his appointment was at 9:30a.

Jack did his thing, got himself all situated and ready for school. When we realized his boots were left at school I told him I'd just take him this morning. So that gave him some extra time. I'm realizing that those few extra minutes can be deceiving :) As the time frame was closing in, we felt the rush. I asked Jack if his snowpants were in his backpack and he said they were. I was trying to get Mike to get his socks on and coat so he'd be all ready (it's "pajama day" at school so Mike was in his flame pj bottoms and a t-shirt).

Jack headed out the front door and Molly went out on the porch to grab her coat. As I'm doing a final inventory I see Jack's snowpants on the chair. I yell to him to come back in. I threw some 'tude his way for not being honest, for just answering me with what he thought I wanted to hear, not really hearing the question. He looked shocked, completely unintentional, he thought they were packed in there, assuming I had done it. So he quickly packed up his snowpants and gave me a long face and headed out again. As Molly was coming back inside the door, it shut on her legs and she toppled over. There she lay. Jack standing right there by the door just watching her. So I got after him again for not helping her. "No matter what the situation, you always help someone up!" So he did.

I was ready at that point (it should be noted that running late can be a quick ticket to TICKED OFF ERNIE) to kick some rear end. But I reigned myself back in and took a deep breath, knowing I'd say something I shouldn't and probably pound my "point" into the ground. So I encouraged the kids to get in the truck, looked at Bean with a "can you believe it?" face and we headed out.

Since a few minutes had passed, I had the opportunity to use a different voice. A much more encouraging tone and not angry, to explain where I was coming from. So while staring at Mike in the rear view, I told the kids this...

"To all 3 of you, when you see someone who has fallen, help them up. If you saw an old woman laying on the sidewalk cause she just slipped on the ice, you wouldn't leave her there cause it wasn't your fault. You'd help, right? This is the same case, be it you shut the door on Molly or not, you help her up. Always. And... make this your mission, when you say yes, make sure you know what you're saying it for. Don't just say yes, but when you say it, you mean it." As we made the turn into town, I followed it all up by saying this,

"Always help the old lady and let your yes mean YES!" I went from looking at Mike in the rear view to Jack and saw him smile.

After we dropped Jack at school, we headed to the dollar store to get some cupcake holders. The school carnival is Saturday and we've got a lot of cupcakes to make and transport for the cakewalk. When we pulled in, we saw that they didn't open for another 15 minutes. Mike didn't wanna wait, he would rather sit at the doctor's office. I made an executive and we sat there in the warm truck and waited. We saw an old woman walk up to the door at 8:59a and start knocking repeatedly on the glass door. We sat there watching her in shock... how RUDE! So we gave it a few minutes and saw the old woman finally let in at 9am (I'm sure she felt it was the longest minute of her life). No cupcake holders, but we did get some decorations for the cupcakes, ohh and each of the kids a ball.

On over to the doctor's office where Mike and Molly wanted to bring their new balls in. I figured why not, and gave Mike the warning "but you can't get too carried away." Bounce, bounce, bounce, under the lady reading the magazine in peace's chair his ball went. Then he wanted to play catch, etc. Molly just sat there holding hers, fearing it would roll away. We got called on back and Mikie's ear check showed that he still has 2 infected ears, so a double ear infection for him! The doc asked Mike what the deal was with the ball :) I had him check Molly's ears too and she has a bad one and fluid in the other. What the BEAK!?! So he wrote up 2 scripts and as we were leaving I mentioned Mike's Spring Concert to the doc. I told him, while looking over and grinning at Mikie, that "Mike was the only one out of 50 or 60 kids who wore sunglasses." Mikie quickly corrected me by saying, "No, there are 14 kids in the DK class, 21 in my class and 19 in the A class, so that's a total of... 54. There were 54 kids, Mom." I looked over at the doc and he looked at me, almost shocked. As a proud momma, I quickly said, "both boys are really good at math!" He smiled and shook his head.

Mikie

2011-03-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

CLICK on this one to make it bigger, you have to check out Mike's tongue out and see his music teacher in the lower left corner cracking up at him!

Ok ladies and gents... I have some pictures on my camera that I haven't uploaded yet. These were sent to me by a mom in Mikie's class, the title of the email "Mike cracks me up." Yes he does. He is SO RARE!

He was the only one who wore sunglasses out of all of the 3 classes combined in the Spring Concert last night, afterall he had to be a cool zebra playing whatever that is he's playing. He is so full of joy and doesn't give a crap what anyone else thinks. I love it! :)

Burrito

2011-03-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

Jack drew this at inside recess today :) It's the solar system (along with him and a boy in his class getting too close to the sun).

Had a funny incident today. Well, a short series of them. Molly and I laid down for a short nap. Wrapped ourselves up into a "burrito" with the blanket and conked until my phone rang. I wasn't in my right mind so I answered and quickly tried to hang up. Then the alarm went off on my phone and I startled awake and sat up. I wrapped sleeping Molly back up (more like a taco this time) and went to wait by the storm door to watch for the bus.

As 3:50p approached I headed outside in my short sleeved shirt. Wouldn't you know I saw the bus thru the trees and realized she wasn't slowing down. Sure enough, the bus BLEW by at 60 mph. I waved my cold arms in the wind but she never saw me. Argh. Again? Really?

So I looked down and saw Bean's ball sitting there and kicked it in frustration. Wouldn't you know it went straight towards the road and she darted after it and I screamed her name at the top of my lungs to stop just inches from a truck going 60 mph. WHEW. So Bean and I headed on the porch to wait for the boy's bus to come back. This time while we waited I put my coat on :)

They eventually meandered back and had to get off the bus on the "wrong" side of the road. I get so nervous when they do, cause cars don't always stop. But all was well and soon we are headed to Mikie's spring program at school. Well that's the plan. With the freezing rain, it may not be on?! I hope to have some cute pictures to share tomorrow!

Broken

2011-03-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

Hola! I'm feeling irritated that Molly just broke my bracelet I made at church with the mom's group. And Mikie has been crazy all afternoon, bonking heads and running and jumping. I wish it wasn't colder outside again, they need some fresh air! I could crack out the snow gear again ;) Heck, Jack doesn't care, he got off the bus in his short sleeved shirt. I just need to send 'em all out!

Today has been a download new music for my iPod/not do much else day. Well I did a buncha stuff for our bizz this morning, so that's gotta count for something!? I hope you've had a good one!

Ohh, and you should have driven by on Saturday morning... you woulda seen me in my bathrobe hanging out the upstairs front window with Erk coming at me with a boxspring up a ladder! My heart was pounding, I thought for sure he was going to lose his balance and fall. It was high up! It took about 2 1/2 minutes to get the window out to prep for the boxspring (gotta love an old house where it won't fit up the staircase) and it took 2 HOURS to put the window back in! At times Erk was hanging out the window while I held the window up over his head. It was stressin' me out and I totally lost my patience! Every small argument amongst the kids was exaggerated and I was getting so frustrated! Erk just maintained his cool... WHEW! We finally got the window back in place and wa-la, Molly has the real boxspring under her mattress instead of the not-quite-long-enough-thin-mattress we snagged from the trailer that imitated a boxspring for months!

Punky Mikie

2011-03-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

if you ever wonder where Jack could possibly be, look no further :) this is definitely this boy's passion!

There are pretzel sticks scattered all around my feet. Yep, they broke out the snacks. Molly never finishes her bowl of cereal in the morning cause it "gets soggy" and then she is starving around 9:30a, do you have this too?

I just grocery shopped online, that was convenient! Mike isn't feeling the greatest so he stayed home today. It seems someone is sick all the freakin time here! SHEESH! Last night when the kids got home from Nanny and Papa's, it was clear Mike didn't feel good. He almost puked over at their house. This morning he has a sore throat (which we can tell by his talking) and he's just lookin' punky. Somehow he still manages to pick on his little sis and get her riled up! I've had to talk to him more than once about that today. Asking him to tone it down!! Sheesh!

So with the meal planning, grocery list making, counting boxes of cake mixes and frosting cans that are now a knocked down tower all over the table (for upcoming cakes for the school carnival), recipe books strewn all over, Mikie's school folder open and books flung all around and the sounds of "Franklin" on tv in the other room... sitting here is where you'll find me!

Hi Smiley Guy!

2011-03-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

Mousie and I had the pleasure of visiting with Auntie Jill and baby Aiden yesterday afternoon! It was awesome :) Aiden is so precious, sucha happy boy! It was great to see you Auntie Jill and catch up. Wish we didn't live so far apart!

Today I got to help in Jack's class with "Just Right Books" with the kids. It's so fun getting to know these kids. They each have their own personality and it comes out in their reading. I was realizing that these years in the classroom are gonna go fast. The older they get, the less Mom's they need. So I'm glad I can do it. Jack didn't want me to embarrass him when I went to leave and I even commented to him "I can tell you're really gonna miss me" but I know he likes me being there too. He just gets too cool for a few minutes ;)And now? I've sent Mike and Molly outside a few times. They need to play and get that fresh air but seem to need me to tell them how! WEIRDOS!

Eery

2011-03-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

Last night at bedtime brought a surprise... Jack standing in our doorway holding his left ear. "What's going on buddy?" turned into him climbing into bed in the middle of Erk and I and taking some nasty flavored medicine. An ear ache. As if this poor kid needs anything else wrong with him after 4 weeks of fighting off crap.

So this morning when it was 7:20am and I still hadn't heard a thing from the usual early riser, I figured he was staying home from school today. Again. He has missed so much school in recent weeks, I feel they know the second they see my number on the phone at school that Jack is out sick today. Sure enough, he came lugging down the steps with his pillow and a few of his stuffed animals in tow and laid on the couch. After calling school to say he'd be out, I called the doc. For me as well. I've been putting it off for a week now, but this cough is still lingering so bad I knew it was time for me to get checked too.

Come 10:05am, we were headed out the door. Jack has an ear infection. And I was prescribed some meds to help with my lingering-ness. Off to lunch we went (Taco Bell, it's been a long time!) and I knew that Jack was alright for school. So we stopped home a minute, grabbed his coat (yes, he thinks it's summer all year) and off to school we headed. He paused a little at the thought of it, but I saw that smile as we walked down the hall at school. That glad-to-be-there-silly-grin he had on his face :) So we got him settled in and went to drop off the prescriptions.

Once we got home, I asked Mike and Mouse to take some quiet time. I have the washer and dryer running, was pulling dirty sheets off beds, doing the usual duties when I see Mike climbed into our bed. And Molly is laying on the couch. Huh? What is this noise right now? Silence!? It's eery (good word for today) and sweet at the same time...

i don't want it BEAN!

2011-03-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

"here Mom"
"did you see the ball? well, here, you want it?"

"there you go, want it?"

i swear she smiles! what a NUT!

Just having a relaxing Sunday afternoon. I took a short snooze with Molly up in her bed (first time ever) and it's not quite as comfy as ours, but it felt good to take a nap. I feel like there is still some serious sleep needed to come back from this week plus flu bug that's had me down. It's craziness! The cough gives me a headache, my head is still fuzzy and food still doesn't sound so good. Although Erk has a roast in the oven that is smellin' mighty fine! It's been over a week since anything smelled so good :)

90 Percent

2011-03-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hello and howdy doody. I've been on hiatus but back now. I'm getting there health wise, still not over this flu bug but I'd say I'm at 90%. That surely knocked me down and out!!

Right now Bean is hogging the couch, Jack and Erk are playing Madden football, Mikie is having fun with magnets and Molly is obsessed with the little "owies" she got on her knees earlier while she was outside. The big dillema being we only had one bandade left. But she chose the worst of the two (neither was really anything) and we stuck it on there.

Looking forward to the weekend!

Yuck

2011-03-07T07:07:00.000-08:00

Sights and sounds are distorted. I'm warm one minute and have the chills the next. My body just can't lay down anymore cause every muscle is sore. I can get up and around for a minute or two but then need to sit down. I have had a pounding headache. I've even used ice on my right eye cause that seemed to help.

I have the flu.

3 Questions for Bean

2011-03-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

Maybe I am bais (is that how you spell that?) but this dog CRACKS ME UP!

LONG time out

2011-03-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

Auntie Meg and Uncle Tony will be seeing this soon, but this here is Mike's thank you for last weekend, CUTE handwriting and artwork, isn't it?

And here is the CURRENT SCENE here at home:

Jack woke up feeling like poop. So he's on the couch doing what sick kids do...

I got up from my seat and Bean thought that was her que...

Molly hasn't been listening so well today. So this was her second time out. Too bad she fell asleep! HA! This is one of the longest time outs she's ever had!

Ballerina School :)

2011-03-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here watching an old episode of Friends. What a funny show - timeless :)

Just relaxing at home - kiddos are at Nanny and Papa's house for the afternoon and the peace and quiet is wonderful. I got this snuggy-wannabe thing that looks really dumb but I love it. Here I sit all wrapped up in it, not wanting to move an inch.

I wanted to show you some recent scrapbook pages - these are from a website called Just So Scrappy - love their goodies!

Our Trip to Chicago

2011-02-28T12:29:00.001-08:00

We had a GREAT time in Chicago this past weekend :) Can't wait to go back sometime soon! Here are some pix from our trip -

2011-02-28T12:26:00.000-08:00

picked up some shades before we left town, knowing that would help with my headaches!

tolls!
ice cream late at night :)

Molly checkin out the traffic outside of Auntie Meg and Uncle Tony's place :)

2011-02-28T12:20:00.000-08:00

silly boys
looking thru Auntie Meg's collection of keychains that say "Megan"

2011-02-28T12:17:00.000-08:00

us :)
Mike cornering Maria the kitty in the closet (Molly and Mike took a special liking to Maria... Molly was crying when we left Chicago and a huge part was her missing Auntie Meg (so sweet!) the other was she said she missed Maria!

Just chillin' - lookin at old pictures and Jack and Uncle Tony playing LEGO Star Wars

2011-02-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

we've never really experienced alleys before this weekend, pretty neato
on our way out of Chi-town (do they call it that?)

a highlight of the weekend was the freaking mirror. long story, but this is how it stayed on the best (and Meg, it didn't move at all - nice job!)

Fortunately on the way home we had a lot of this :) We ended up making 3 stops, the first for some lunch (and the area was shaky so we didn't get outta the truck). Then for a potty break, only to get in the truck and ramp it back onto the expressway and Molly tells me she has to poop! So another quick stop, then on home...

everyone knows it's WINDY

2011-02-26T06:29:00.001-08:00

Hello from the WINDY CITY! It's not so much windy today, as snowy. Some snow fell overnight, just a smidge. We got here safe and sound yesterday, the kids did great! We stopped on the way for a milkshake at McD's to stretch our legs and take a pee break. No other stops, everyone did well.

We did get caught in traffic (probably not by Chicago's standards, but definately mine). Thanks to Shawna for letting us borrow their GPS, "Maggie" helped us thru it. Her "in 1.5 miles, stay left" was helpful when I was 4 lanes over to the left. It was when she commanded, "in .5 miles, stay right." That's when "SH&#" came out of my mouth and I got a lil stressed. But... we got here. We first went to Meg's office to check it out. SO cool to see where she is everyday, met some co-workers. The kids and I walked down the block to a few shops while Auntie Meg got a few more things done at work, then we all headed out. WOW does Meg do a TON of walking around town!

From there we got a tour of the area and picked up Tony from the train stop. Then off to the grocery store for some basics and on home. This place is so nice, so cozy! We feel right home :) We had some pizza, watched Popeye the Sailor Man and then called it a night. Jack and I slept head to head on the L-shaped couch, Mike and Molly slept on cots.

I woke up in the night to see Molly zonked with her head at the opposite end of her bed, no covers, snoring. Mikie was sleeping like a log and Jack for some reason just couldn't sleep. He was awake about 3 hours in the night, at one point crying that he wanted to go home :( He just couldn't sleep! So we chatted and I told him to try to relax and eventually he conked out. Only to have all 3 awake by 5am-ish local time! Crazy kids!

So now we are just hanging out, Uncle Tony and the boys are playing LEGO Star Wars and Mousie is shadowing everything Auntie Meg does :) Mouse loves the kitty, Maria. She wants to go see her every two seconds!

It's a BOY!

2011-02-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling the need for a massage or something, not that I've ever had one. I'm all worked up and just want to chill out...

The kids and I are headed to Chicago tomorrow, I can't wait! Trouble is the kids can't stop fighting/nagging/irritating each other until they get a reaction. It stresses me out to think of driving all that way with them doing that the e-n-t-i-r-e time. In the past several days, I've pulled them aside to talk about their behavior, I've talked to them as a group, I've asked their goals/intentions towards each other, I've pulled the car over to explain (surprisingly calmly) that they need to QUIT IT.

So we got home from the doctor's office this morning and it kept on. We went to see the doc cause Mikie has had a dripping right ear since last Saturday. He had an ear ache last Friday night/Saturday morning, short lived, but it hurt. So I thought in addition to Tylenol, we'd try some hydrogen peroxide in the ear. I swear it wasn't even 1/4 cap full and it gurgled, fizzed, bubbled up for a while. He stood there with his left cheek in my hand for several minutes while the peroxide did it's duty. Well, ever since then his ear has been constantly dripping. At first I thought, WOW, how much HP did I put in there? But after 5 days and Googling it? Yep, it was time to see the doc.

SURE enough, Mike has a ruptured eardrum. The kid has an amazing tolerance for pain.

When my ear "exploded" - it was the most excruciating pain I've ever experienced. Right up there with childbirth. As a matter of fact, when mine finally ruptured and blood was coming out of my ear, I thought maybe it was a boy... that a baby had just forced it's way through my ear canal. So when I hear Mike has a ruptured eardrum, I sort of feel like a wuss. So I like to say "well, my eardrum exploded and landed me in the ER..." but maybe Mike's was just as painful? Either way. He's a tough kid. Now if he'd just quick picking on Molly and ticking Jack off with his craziness, we'd be all set ;)

Anywho, from the doc's office, we headed to the body shop to see about getting our passenger side mirror fixed. A few years back a mailbox jumped out and hit the mirror and ever since it's been dorked. So we went to see and if we wanna pay $313 we can get it fixed. I settled for a few strips of duct tape and we'll see how it fairs on our roadtrip tomorrow.

From there the library and then pickup a prescription and on home. It was once we got home... I still had my coat on and I had HAD it. I mean had it. I started yelling. Seems when I get to that point, I have no control over the words, they just shooting out before I know what I'm saying. I told the boys that with this behavior I can't imagine driving 4 hours in the truck and they need to cut it out. That I'd like to have a peaceful, relaxing weekend with Auntie Meg, and with this going on, alls I'll be doing is running interference! On and on... I think they finally heard me. They quietly went upstairs and a few minutes later I was presented with this...
(Mom me and Mike are sorry for being crazy. I wrote this in orange because I thought it would be a good idea.) Jack

SNOW DAY (a.g.a.i.n.)

2011-02-22T05:47:00.000-08:00

Today is another snow day. This one wasn't a huge surprise, yet wondered when I woke up this morning what we'll do today? Sitting around, watching tv, playing video games just isn't going to cut it. So...

We need groceries bad. I could sit here and order the groceries online, but we need a change in scenery. So we're gonna load up in the truck and head out soon (hoping all goes well with all 3 :) It's been a while)! We'll come on home, unload, eat lunch and then we saw an invite to join some friends at a movie this afternoon, so we are gonna do that. A much better way to spend a snow day!

Sure had fun catching up with Phyllis and Don last night :) Ohh, Molly has my coupons out! Off I go!

Poker Faces

2011-02-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

The other night we played "21." It's a card game the kids are getting a handle on and hey, it helps with math skills. So... I thought it would be fun to teach the kids what "poker face" means. You can imagine we had a lot of laughs! Mikie just plain couldn't pull it off, he was so goofy! Jack worked on it and did pretty well, although if he had a winning hand, he had a hard time not opening his eyes WIDE and smiling. I asked Molly to give me the look like she had the "best cards in the world" and she gave me this face. She's gettin' it! HA!

The pic of all 3 is them giving me their poker faces collectively. We have some work to do ;)

Silly Recent Pix

2011-02-20T07:02:00.000-08:00

the excited non-stop jumper
you better watch out! future state trooper? :)

this was the most amazing sunset a few nights back, the light coming in the windows was pink, it was awesome!

War

2011-02-18T08:10:00.001-08:00

Mike, Molly and I just had a full on Nerf gun war. Mike and I were hiding behind doors and door frames (Molly was out in the open). He has some good tactical moves (like blockading his bedroom door as I went to enter).

I met my final demise when shot and critically wounded in the stomach with an orange foam Velcro bullet. The pain didn't come until Mikie tossed his gun in victory and it nailed me on the chin!

Showoff

2011-02-17T08:32:00.001-08:00

Chloe-moe is here and Bean is being a turd! Not that it's outta the ordinary that Bean is weird, she's just acting like a "this is my house!" showoff!

I woke up in the night to take a leak at 4am and as always only opened one eye so I wouldn't wake all the way up. I looked over at the clock and it was a red blur. Hmm. Sure enough, when I got up for the day this morning, my eye was goopy, snotty and red. Pink eye!

Jack is back to school today so that's a good thing. So far, no call from school. I told him if he really felt puny, don't hesitate to call. He must be doin alright :)

Molly has told me a few times that she doesn't feel good so I just told her that she and I will take a little nap. She all of a sudden is feeling better!?

I hope you have a good day, whatever you are doing. Praying for safe travels for the folks!

Recoup/Regroup

2011-02-15T06:22:00.001-08:00

I need to get in the shower! Here I sit, checking out what's goin on in the world.

Jack is still home today. I'm thinking he's definitely on the road to feeling better. Yesterday wasn't a "recoup/regroup" day for him as I thought it would be. He conked yesterday morning on our bed and gradually thru the afternoon started to feel better. But today he seems to be getting closer to back to a normal routine. I sure have enjoyed having him home though, he's sucha old man. So smart and growing up TOO quick!

Bean is cashed out on the couch and Molly keeps sneaking granola bars we made yesterday. I see you Molly!

Well, I'd better get movin. Hoping to go meet baby Greyson today! Lindsey had a Valentine's baby! 7 lbs 11 oz, 20 inches long. She said he's so petite! She's been waiting for forever it seems for him to come, the longest drawn out last few weeks in a pregnancy ever. Well, if it was 3 1/2 years ago, perhaps that would have been considered the longest last 2 weeks :) I never thought Molly would come either ;)

2011-02-13T11:38:00.001-08:00

*UPDATE* - Erk just found my camera! YIPEE! It was in a plastic bag in the laundry room with some clothes. NO IDEA how it got there!

WEIRD

2011-02-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

Now I've done it... I lost my camera! Where the beak is it? I think I may have forgotten it at school for Mikie's Valentine's Party on Friday. Huh. Not cool. I've searched high and low. Where you are buddy?

The kids are doing quiet time and here I sit. Erk is cleaning and straightening up this and that. I took some Excedrin Migraine this morning cause yep, you guessed it, another day another headache and man, sometimes it makes me downright shaky! With the caffeine and all, I was jittery in church! I still feel that way. WEIRD! Thinking I'll call the doc this week to see about a prescription to take daily for headaches. I'm getting pretty tired of having them. I go about my day and sometimes say to myself, is this really a headache? I give it time, and yep, it is. I just don't like taking something if I don't have to. I mixed it up a bit this week and took Aleve instead of Excedrin and it helped too. Ahh well :)

Hoping to find my camera and enjoy the rest of this peaceful afternoon. Hope you have a great Sunday!

99%

2011-02-11T10:03:00.000-08:00

Well... not well. Hot water heater...

The dude just left. With our hot water heater. Not the old one, but the new one that was supposed to go in today. Nope. Ain't gonna happen! Old farmhouse! Apparently first we need an electrician to come hook up a box in our basement, then we can be "up to code." We had no idea we weren't! So, we'll see when we can actually take a shower and run the washer or do dishes at the same time :)

Jack is home sick today, poor dude. I got a call yesterday afternoon from his teacher that he had cried twice at school and had his head laying on the desk. So Molly and I went to pick him up and had the office call down to Mikie's room that Jack wouldn't be on the bus on the way home. Once we got home, Jack tossed his cookies and had a fever. He's handled it all really well and even told me this morning while he was warm that he felt "99%." I believe that more now, he's doing well. I called in some reinforcements last night cause Mol had her ballerina class this morning. So Mom took her and then the girlies went out to lunch and to Target. Pretty soon Jack is gonna go hang with Papa (and Nanny and Molly when they get back) while I scoot to Mikie's Valentine's Day party. A bummer Jack is missin his today!

I had to laugh as I watched Mikie stumble through the snowbanks in our front yard to wait for the bus this morning. He had the supplies with him for Jack's party, as well as his. In case I couldn't make the party today. So here he was, a white plastic grocery sack with 4 rolls of toilet paper and 3 boxes of heart shaped brownies. I chuckled as I watching him, mainly because I was trusting him not to drop the stuff or sit on it or tackle it or roll around in the snow forgetting about it. He did it though, as far as I know. I told him right before he headed out, "Mike, think of it as if you have GLASS in your backpack." That line was for the cool valentine's the boys and I made that I didn't wanna have wrecked either. So much PRESSURE for a 6 year old!

Well, we are off. I hope you have a good afternoon!

A Few of My Favorite Things

2011-02-09T16:12:00.000-08:00

Now this is how I love to spend a morning with the kids!
arts & crafts and cardmakin'!

Mike's special card he made for Papa today - "I HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER PAPA!'

of course the M&M's can only help, right? Feel better soon Papa!

FebrWEARY

2011-02-09T05:39:00.000-08:00

I need to take a shower (sniff sniff under the pits, WHEW!) but I can't quite yet. The washer is running. I have to wait a bit til I have some hot water. Friday morning we're getting a new hot water heater so maybe then I can wash clothes and myself at once!

I'm feeling better than I was yesterday. Definitely something about the month of February that just bites. It's a blahh month if you ask me. Right in the dead of winter. But now that I realize I can't change it or take February off the calendar? I'm cool with it :) I know that my series of headaches doesn't help my 'tude either. I woke up with the same one that put me to bed early last night. So some Excedrin is in my near future.

Yesterday our mom's group was trying to think of ways we can help Cristine and her husband (who lost part of his right hand). We are kicking around a fund raiser. So that would be a really cool thing to do! Maybe get some local businesses involved and do a raffle? We aren't sure yet, but something to help.

Well, I hear the washer stopped, so I'll give it a few and get rid of these stinky pits. I hope you all have a good day!

BLAHHHHHHHHHHH

2011-02-08T06:13:00.001-08:00

I think it just boils down to the FEBRUARY BLAHHHHHHHHHHHHHS!

This month is never my fav out of the year. It's cold. It's white. It's cold. It's just February. I'm ready for warmer weather, for not having to put the coats and snowpants and gloves and hats in the dryer cause they are all frozen together.

As much as I love to wear my Uggs and wool socks, I'm ready to wear flip flops. You with me!?

"Ballerina School" Debut

2011-02-06T14:15:00.000-08:00

Molly's the one in pink :)

HandY

2011-02-06T13:56:00.000-08:00

So... it's been a crazy few days - and that's why I haven't written. I actually haven't even turned on my laptop for 2 days, that has got to be some sorta record :)

Friday was Molly's ballet debut and it was ADORABLE! She is so freakin cute. She did well, not sure that ballet will be her "thing" but who can resist smiling from ear to ear watching a bunch of 3-4-5 year old girls learning ballet? CUTE.

Saturday we had Andy and Lindsey over for dinner which was fun - Erk "smoked" some pork and it was delish!

Today we had church and then got home and ate lunch. I went to lay down for a nap when I got the call from a lady at church. One of the girls in our mom's group was on her way to the hospital. Her husband just had a terrible accident and may have "lost his hand." I got outta bed and told Erk and grabbed my coat to head for downtown. I called Lindsey to tell her and she asked if I was already too far to come back to pick her up. I wasn't so I turned around at the corner and we headed for the ER to see Cristine, ohh my word.

Sure enough, he was cleaning a saw (while it was running) at his business and somehow cut off 2 1/2 of his fingers and part of his hand. PLEASE pray for their family. They have 3 little kids (I just held her twin baby girls for an hour in nursery this morning!) and no insurance. So many questions and fears and what lies ahead. Wow, my heart goes out to them, and I can't imagine the pain!!!!!

A Blog

2011-02-04T06:30:00.001-08:00

This is my 901st post!? WOW! Now that's a blog!

Molly is getting ready for her ballerina class, it starts in a little bit. Today we get to observe, so it'll be a great photo op! Erk took the day off so it's nice to have him around home today. Mikie doesn't have school, so Jack is the only one back to a normal routine today after the 2 snow days. Crazy!

Hopin' you have a good day!

SNOW DAY!

2011-02-02T07:12:00.000-08:00

Molly wasn't too sure about the deep snow. She hardly wanted to come off the front porch! She finally took to it, but came in pretty soon after.

Mikie likes it!

Jack likes it too!

2011-02-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

in TYPICAL Bean fashion, Molly came to tell me she didn't like the cold air coming in... "Bean dog opened the back door." Thanks Bean!

Not likin' it so much at first

She doesn't mind it ONE bit!

My feet after trapsing thru a little

I'm grumpy today. No doubt about it. I woke up feeling grumpy and haven't been able to shake it yet. I took 2 Tylenol PM last night and still didn't sleep all that sound. So once I fell asleep (later this am) I wasn't ready to get up. And have the chaos. Not that it was any more than a typical morning, I just wasn't in the mood. And I'm still not. Trying my best to get rid of this ornery/on edge/kick someone's butt/leave me alone mood I'm in. I really am!

Ohh, it DID

2011-02-02T05:44:00.000-08:00

So YES, it did snow... a LOT. And the boys are now playing the Star Wars video game. They just finished up a football game on Madden 10. That'll be the kinda day it is!

We'll get out there later and see if I can snap some fun pix... the boys mentioned making our entire family in snowmen. We'll see!

musTURD

2011-02-01T13:45:00.000-08:00

It's much anticipated, been talked about for days, but will it happen? The big "blizzard" they've been predicting. Hmmm, hard to say. But the snow is starting to fall so maybe there is something to it. I just hope and pray Lindsey doesn't go into labor YET while her hubby is out snowplowing!

Mol and I had our mom's group today. For a few minutes, one of the nursery helpers had to step out to make a phone call so I filled in. So cute, picture 3 little girls, 2 of them twins that just had their first birthday, the other 10 months old, all lined up in high chairs for a snack. SO CUTE! After that, Molly and I splurged and went out to lunch at a sitdown restaurant. I must say, she was rather ornery today, with a "tude" all her own. We sat down and she turned around and said, "look at those frickin' girls!"

I couldn't help but laugh and be shocked at the same time. I told her that wasn't nice to say. She just had an edge all during lunch, that and had two potty breaks. Ohh and the funniest thing happened. After one run to the restroom, we sat back down and she happily announced to me "I just farted."

I smiled and said "that's fine, but you should say excuse me."

She kept with that look of "gas concentration" and kept saying she was farting. All the while I'm hearing it. I was like "MOLLY?!!"

Until I realized the guy in the kitchen right behind our booth was squeezing all he could out of a yellow plastic mustard container! LOL! It could not have been timed better! HA!

PLAY

2011-01-31T13:00:00.000-08:00

Maya putting Molly's boots on for her
Molly tryin on Maya's pretty shoes

cute!

I took them both by surprise with my camera!

playing together in Mol's room

Today Molly had her first official playdate. Maya. She's 3 just like Molly. They had so much fun playing, and the cake topper was that Mike met his match. Maya wasn't sure about him at first, she was shy. But then she came out of her shell and started "giving it back" to Mike. She has his number big time! So fun to watch their little minds and voices, their laughter and play. And guess what? Molly got invited for a playdate at Maya's house next Monday :)

PSYCHO

2011-01-29T10:58:00.000-08:00

this is where we're at!

Hello! Coming to you live from a "resort" in the middle of nowhere! Shawna and I are here to digital scrapbook for the weekend. We've been looking forward to this since last July when we paid for it with our business funds :)

I must say, it's interesting... Mainly our sleeping quarters. Umm, I am 99% sure the movie "Psycho" was filmed in our room. Seriously. It's major creepy. The shower stall was one I wished I had flip flops along to use. Yep. But today we've gotten into our grooves with the scrapbooking part and have already talked about coming back next year. But cutting out the "Sunshine" sleeping quarters (which are more like "Deliverance"). We'll see if there is a hotel close. I'm thinking we passed one on our way in.

So here we sit, scrapbooking on our laptops. We are the only 2 in the entire room and I'd say there are 50 women here. You wouldn't believe the supplies, paper, cutters, special lights, containers, file cabinets and bags these ladies have! Everyone here was given a 6 foot table. Let's just say, I moved over to Shawna's table so we could chat, here we both sit at a 6 foot table, the lady across from us took over my table with all of her "gear." WOW!

This mornin

2011-01-27T05:48:00.000-08:00

It wasn't until I just walked down the mailbox looking like this that I laughed at myself...

The morning was filled with

- being woken up too early, kids running the halls (namely Mike and Molly)
- twice going upstairs to tell Mike and Molly to get BACK IN BED
- Jack feeling sick, but is he too sick for school or just wanting to stay home?
- reminding Mike 4 times to get pants on = frustrated MOM
- giving the boys a ride to school

So naturally I didn't take the time to shower. I suppose I could have squeezed one in, but I didn't. So I took them to school in my pj's, robe over top with my winter coat over top of that. I threw a hat on so as to not embarrass the boys. I guess I shoulda realized it when Jack wouldn't kiss my cheek when I dropped them off at school! :)

Tonight

2011-01-25T18:13:00.000-08:00

Putting the kids to bed tonight was like most any night. Molly got out of bed repeatedly to get more water or see what I was talking to the boys about or for some cute-made-up-3-year-old-reason. Mikie waits patiently in the dark in his room pondering what makes the world go 'round. Jack and I have a new thing of me tickling him for a while using a funny accent, cracking both him and I up. But tonight? Jack wanted me to lay down by him... after I said goodnight to everyone else.

At first I told him how I had some things to do and that it was time for bed. Then I got hit with the thought, how often do I get to do this? It isn't something he asks every night. He was just looking for that extra time. Just me and him. So I acted reluctant and told him I'd be back, all the while smiling at him. Went and prayed with Mike (he prayed tonight, it was so sweet),

"Dear Lord, thank you for all that you did for us today. Please, uh please help us all to have a good day tomorrow and please help Jack to be on green at school so he can get to 10 days green. And ummm, Amen."

Then put Molly in bed (for the fourth time) and head down the narrow hall to Jack's room. He was waiting, even scooted over so there was room for me. I plopped down next to him, laying on my stomach and he wanted to talk.

"Hmmmm, what to talk about..." he said, looking up at the ceiling.

Then he smiled and began telling me all about his day. From what he had for breakfast to what conversations he'd had throughout the day to what his "word wall words" were to recess and playing football to coming home and having tacos to playing Daddy at Madden 11. I just lay there listening. So precious. Special time just me and him.

Odds and Ends

2011-01-25T12:38:00.000-08:00

the delightful cinnamon roll erk and i shared up north
yesterday we went to sign molly up for preschool for the fall. i can't believe it! but she's pretty excited!

huh... goggles and oven mits...

uhh bean, last i checked you were a dog, not a cat?

Sleepy Lady

2011-01-25T12:29:00.000-08:00

I'm freakin tired. And I have a huge zit on the side of my neck. Is it bedtime? Can you say PMS?

Mousie and I have been going quite a bit today - we took the boys to school, then back home to make my grocery list, off to church for mom's group, then stopped at Subway to split a foot long, then grocery shopping, then home to unload and put it all away. When is Bean going to learn how to unload the truck for me? That's the least she can do! :)

So now that I'm sitting I don't wanna get up. Jack and Mikie will be getting off the bus soon. I have to be outside for that so I guess I'll have to get up.

If you've wondered why I haven't posted many pictures lately, well, it's cause I'm feeling like my camera kinda bites. And I haven't taken many pix. I'll see what I can come up with though for ya.

Have you watched "Gold Rush" yet? Great show. Erk and I taped it over the weekend and watched it last night. Pretty neato, although it makes Erk wanna move to Alaska :)

Feelin'

2011-01-24T14:23:00.001-08:00

How often do we feel like "there's no food in the house!" But then look and realize we have plenty. I just made a pretty nice meal considering we need to get groceries.

Some fun that got a 'brewin today here is a playdate next Monday for Miss Molly. A precious little girl from church, Maya. She shares my birthday, although she's 30 years younger. She'll come for a few hours to play! Molly can't wait! And she won't have to worry about legs being torn off Barbie or Barbie stripped naked (like she does when Mike plays).

Molly told me earlier when Mike was taking the clothes off Barbie, "That doesn't make me feel good. Mike makes me crabby!"

2 Things

2011-01-23T12:50:00.000-08:00

Hey all! I'm sitting here waiting for 2 things.

For the digital scrapbook kits I just got online to upload to my laptop and for the kids to get home! We've missed them this weekend! It'll be great to have them home. They are watching the beginning of the football game with Papa, then at half time they'll meander home. Can't wait to see their precious faces! And you are right, Nan Loo, we are VERY fortunate to have them so close to be an amazing help!

Lots of snow up north this weekend - which was a nice thing for the "boys" with their outdoor activities. Shawna and I certainly enjoyed vegging out on the couch and recliner digital scrapbooking these past few days. It's been so long since either of us has scrapbooked so it took some time to get back in the groove. Fun stuff though, how cool to have our business, our friendship and our hobby all piled into one!

So many people in need of prayer - please lift them up, taking time right now to pray!

Fireplace

2011-01-21T18:40:00.000-08:00

Good evening! Sitting right next to the fireplace here at our "condo" and even though I'm warm and have rosey cheeks, I'm not willing to move from this spot! Erk just went in our room to read and Jay and Shawna are watching tv. Looking forward to tomorrow and more scrapbooking! Thanks to our home watchers and Nanny and Papa for keeping Jack, Mike and Molly entertained for the weekend!

The B-I-B-L-E

2011-01-19T15:18:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's sideways, but so cute of Miss Molly singing in the car...

Blood and Bus

2011-01-19T11:56:00.000-08:00

A couple of things that have happened in the past few days I forgot to mention:

#1 : BEAN'S BLOODY EAR
Erk took Bean dog out to the "state game" area at the end of our road a few days back for a little snowshoeing. They got back a little sooner than expected. I was folding clothes and Erk called to me from the front door, asking if I could "come here." So I did and saw a bloody Bean head! I didn't freak, but asked what happened!? Erk figures she caught her ear on a pricker bush or something, but she only was cut on her ear. From the looks of it (and the blood everywhere) I figured there had to be more damage. We contemplated the vet, but thought we'd get her washed up first to see what we were dealing with. I took hold of her choke chain and brought her into the bathroom. Erk went out to his car to wipe down the backseat that could have very easily been a crime scene. So while in the bathroom with Bean, I decided to take my jeans off. They were my good ones, naturally I didn't wanna get blood all over 'em. So I'm in the tub with Bean in my socks, undies and shirt. Mike opens the door and Molly is there to peek too, wondering what the heck I'm doing! Anywho, I get Bean all rinsed off and have Mike find me a gauze packet and some masking tape (which doubles as Jack's football holder on his dresser). I get the ear all wrapped up and let Bean loose, only for her to shake her head and body off, reopening the wound. Blood everywhere. Even on poor little Molly who had just sat on the potty chair. She had blood all over her face and arm and the toilet was covered. Mol was freaked! Got her all cleaned up and Bean cleaned off again. I called Lindsey to see what she thought and bless her heart, she came over right away with some saave to take a look at the ear. It was just a surface wound (tell that to our front porch and the snow bank outside with blood spatters). Each time Bean would shake her head, she bled. This went on for quite a bit, but each time got less and less. Eventually it stopped and her "elephant ear" as Nanny Loo called it, is doin just fine.

#2: BUS BLEW BY
Yesterday at normal time my phone rang the reminder and I headed to the front door to watch for the boys to get off the bus. 3:50pm came and I was on the front porch waiting. Vrooooooom by the bus went. Flew right on past our house going 55 MPH. Uhhh. I stood there shocked. I called my dad and asked, "what the hell just happened here?" Molly was napping so I couldn't go chase it. There I stood. Called Erk and left a voicemail. Waited. Walked to the end of the driveway and looked side to side as if my looking would make the bus suddenly appear. Decided to call 411 to get the info for the schools transportation building. Just as the number was being recalled to me by the computerized information voice, the bus appeared over the hill. And sure enough, at 3:58pm the boys got dropped off, on the wrong (scary) side of the street. Nervous they'd get hit and getting them into our yard, the bus driver slides open her window and apologizes, saying she doesn't know what she was thinking. Umm yeah, me either.

Chicken Strips

2011-01-18T14:32:00.000-08:00

I was just able to have a really cool talk with Jack.

Tonight we are having manicotti for dinner. Not a favorite of Jack's, or Erk's for that matter. But something different. And Mike and I happen to like it. Molly, I'm not sure. Anywho, Jack isn't happy. He also isn't happy that his video game got interrupted by him and Mike fighting so I had them turn it off. Then he went to his room to find that Mike had taken apart his LEGO ship to put LEGOS in the "estimation jar" for school. Three pretty big blows to the little man.

So we talked about these things, singled them out as what was bothering him. I told him I understood, and I do. And it's ok to be disappointed or frustrated.

Then the cool discussion... I talked to him about how life isn't always "chicken strips." (Those of you who eaten out with Jack know that is what he always orders). It isn't always gonna be chicken strips. Sometimes life throws manicotti at you. Something new or different or not what you would want if it was up to you. Will he try it? He may like it.

I told him how this mom's group at church, at first I went cause I felt it was the thing I should do. I took a bite. Once I took that bite I realized I kinda liked it. I took a little more, chewed on a little more and realized it's great! I've been so blessed by it. Had I not taken that first bite, I wouldn't feel the encouragement and new friendships and growth I do today as a result of it. He looked at me with a big smile. He got it.

Now let's see if he'll try the manicotti...

Z's

2011-01-18T10:28:00.000-08:00

Molly showing me her moves the other day :)

The county truck has gone by our house probably 3 times in the last hour! They are getting the road pre-prepped for the weather I think. Well, and there is quite a bit of snow out there now they are trying to sand/salt.

What a nice morning. The boys had a 2 hour delay and honestly, I had a hard time getting out of bed. I had a headache and just wanted to catch a few more Z's. But the kids were up and ready to tackle the day and Erk was outta here early to head to work. So I dragged my sorry butt outta bed and it's been a good day.

Phone calls started to trickle in just after 8am about our mom's group and whether we should go as planned or delay it. I figured since I was the only one with a conflict (kids old enough to be in school) we'd go for it. Made a few calls, there were enough of us that were gonna be there that we made it work. Picked up Lindsey and Hunter on the way and the boys didn't mind being in the nursery for 45 minutes til it was time to run them to school. Well, maybe Jack minded, but he lived to tell the story :)

We had an amazing speaker today, she's come twice now. WOW. This lady tells it like it is, no frills. The first time she spoke to our group we all left with makeup run down our faces and crying. Not in a bad way, but in a way that she touched our hearts and truly wants to teach and help us raise Godly children. Pretty awesome stuff, and quite the responsibility! No tears fell today, but equally good conversation. What a cool lady. She's got her crap together!

So afterwards, Mol and I dropped Lindsey and Hunter off at home and we came home for some "butter and jelly" as Molly calls it. We chatted for quite some time and colored, and now she is up doing quiet time. Felt good to shift my focus on her while we were sitting here, rather than picking up my phone or opening my laptop. It's good to have reminders sometimes that these types of things can wait. And there is no reason I need to text back right away. Listening to Molly talk about hot air balloons and "where are the fricking deer?" are too priceless to miss!

Happy Monday!

2011-01-17T07:06:00.000-08:00

The dryer is clanking around something with a zipper. Molly is singing upstairs. Mike is making engine noises while flying around with a Lego ship he just made. I'm staring at dirty dishes. Happy Monday!

s-t-r-a-n-g-e

2011-01-15T17:24:00.001-08:00

Jack snuck outta bed (per his and Daddy's plan) to come watch the Packers vs. Falcons game. It's hilarious how big of football fans our boys are, and I must admit, I have become too! I find pro football very entertaining. WEIRD I know!

A great day today - Molly got to spend the night special at Granny and Grampa's house last night and got dropped off this morning. When she got here with Granny, Nanny and Papa were here. Papa helped carry the VERY heavy desk upstairs into Jack's bedroom. Since we are clearing what used to be "the office", we are finding places for the furniture in there. During all of that craziness, Jack, Mike, Molly and I headed out to pick up Jack's friend Jared for a "playdate." (I must say, "playdate" sounds like kind of a gay word. You know what I mean :) Erk stuck here at home to come up with a plan-stan for the office area. Heck, for the laundry room too. How fun is it to have house projects again? To know we are staying put in this here ol' house and to look forward to what it will become. Amazing to feel the peace knowing this is where we'll be.

Anywho, we picked up Jared (and I got to meet his brand new baby sister Lauren, what a cutie) and headed out to lunch. The kids had hotdogs and all and I had a nice salad. From there we headed to the gymnastics place around the corner for some open gym. On our way I saw I missed a call from Mike's friend's mom who hadn't called me back about today's playdate. So I called her back and we detoured to pick up Lucas. What a nut. Then we headed for open gym and the kids ran/jumped/balanced their little hearts out. We came back here for the kids to play and that's when Lucas started to bug me. The kid cracks me up, but seeing him for a long amount of time made me realize what a strange little man he is.

Erk and I kept looking at each other like "weirdo!" The kids played upstairs for a bit, begged to play a video game, chased each other, made Molly feel bad (kicked her out of her bedroom) and Mike got ticked a few times. By 4:00p, I was done. All set. I had called Lucas' mom to come get 'em between 4-4:30p, and she got here right at 4:30p. That was a loooooong 1/2 hour. Anywho, Lucas left and Jared was still here a bit. He could have hung out longer, what a nice, respectful little dude. Once he left our evening consisted of nachos in the oven, football and more football. And now? Here Bean sits next to me like she owns the place (she kinda does), Jack is barely keeping his eyeballs open although he's acting like he can sit here the whole game and Erk is flipping thru the channels during commercials.

Nighty night!

Ballerina School

2011-01-14T12:04:00.001-08:00

Did you know my dog is CRAZY! She's whining at me non-stop to give her attention, simply, well, because she's crazy. I can't talk on the phone without her whining or barking at me. I can't sit down while Molly is sleeping and type this cause she doesn't want me to. WOW. What a nutjob!

Molly and I laid down a bit ago and we both conked. I woke up to the sound of her breathing. So precious. I lay there thinking of what a gift she is, all of our kids are, that God has given us. Thankful for the gift of breath.

I wanted to show ya some pix from this morning. Molly had her first "ballerina school." She's been excited about this for weeks and today it finally came. This morning at 6:21am I was woken with her little step-step-step up to the side of our bed in the dark, where she whispered, "Mom? Is today my first ballerina school?"

The class is only 1/2 hour. And the outfit we got, the "right kinda ballet slippers" and class itself should be l-o-n-g-e-r due to what we paid, but none the less, she was lovin' every minute. Our added bonus today? Hunter was with us. His momma had a 3-hour sugar test (she's getting closer, baby boy #2 is due in a few weeks). He's a busy little man and oh so entertaining!

Molly felt the need to keep Hunter contained :)
All ready to go (and a little nervous, I was surprised she put the ol' thumb in)

Molly headed to class with her 6 classmates - ohh, grabbing Hunter to keep him corralled

Off she goes! Us mom's stayed in a room across the hall

Same Ol'

2011-01-13T13:38:00.000-08:00

Mousie and I didn't venture out today and I gotta tell ya, I got bored. I'm not sure if she did, but I was. Isn't that terrible? Not that I always need things to do, just that sometimes day to day same ol' same ol' can get, well, boring.

The washer and dryer were running, dishes drying and we played Barbies. Molly told me she was Santa and I sat on her lap and told her what I want next year for Christmas. Then she was a scary nurse (in Mike's old Halloween costume) and she checked my broken leg. Still yet, bored. At one point, I fell asleep face down on her bed for 1/2 hour. Bean did too :)

I hope you've had a good one! I see it's snowing out there. Ground venison is browning for a mexican dish for supper (not sure what yet) and the kids are all chillin out. Off I go!

Some recent pictures

2011-01-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

When I came around the corner this morning, I could see on the trees in our side yard that the sunrise must be really pretty. So I walked out the front door and spotted it. Yep, very pretty!

A woman busy at work.

Cute Picky sleepin'

Crocodile

2011-01-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

I have to tell ya, I'm feeling pretty blessed that so many of you read this here blog. I have been asked by 3 people today "what the beak?" is up with not updating my blog. And I've got to say, that makes me smile. I'm glad you check in with what's going on with us and enjoy this. I know I sure do :)

Things are going well - been a busy few days. Not any more busy than usual, but I've been trying to be more concious of how much time I'm spending on my laptop - I'm trying to play more. This morning I played Barbies with Molly and Legos with Mikie. Last night the kids and I played Twister and Mouse Trap. With it came the best sound, good ol' fashioned belly laughs! Just make the plastic dude from Mouse Trap puke into the bucket that the silver marble is supposed to go into - guaranteed Jack laughing his butt off and Mike soon to follow!

Last night when I was saying goodnight to Jack, his light was off, so only the light shining in his room from the hallway light. I was on my knees beside his bed, he was all covered up laying on his stomach facing me.

He said to me, "Mom, remember when your hair was short like mine?"
I said, "yep."
He says, "I like it longer."
I replied with a squint of the eyes and a turn of the head, "is that your way of telling me you think it looks nice?"
Jack said, "That's my way of telling you I love you and I think you're pretty."

CROCODILE tears streamed down my face.

Slippin and Slidin'

2011-01-07T17:50:00.001-08:00

Some winter fun :) Cracked me up that Mol insisted on wearing her shades!

HILARIOUS!

2011-01-07T15:05:00.000-08:00

So funny, I just had to drop what I was doing (getting ready to do dinner dishes) and share these:

We got talking at dinner about Erk's and my past. How we dated back in high school, how Daddy broke up with me a few times (he was sucha commitment phobe). Erk told the boys that he used to get "homesick for Mommy," and someday the boys will feel that way about a girl. Jack then responds that maybe it'll be a boy for him. Erk and I tell him, "you don't know what you're talking about buddy," and he said, "I guess I don't... hey, this is the first time I didn't know what I was talking about!"

During the discussion, Erk mentioned that during the college years, Mommy went from a girl to a woman and turned into "hot." With the dinner clearing and Jack's conversation, we didn't notice Mike had left the kitchen. Two seconds later, in runs Mike with a Barbie doll and asks Erk, "Dad, did Mommy look like this?"

HILARIOUS!

Snow Day?

2011-01-06T13:33:00.001-08:00

Well the weather outside is... pretty :) Molly and I just came in and the boys were soon to follow. Did a little sledding out there in the side yard. Molly's poor hands were freezin so we got some hot chocolate going. I took some laundry upstairs to put away and hear Mike yelling for me. He wanted me to watch him ride (standing up) down the hill on the orange sled. So I opened a side window for a good view. He did it! Stood most of the way! Then Jack goes to get the sled and inadvertently kicks Mike right across the left side of his face. OOPS. Mike cried but pulled it together quick and both boys headed in to add their snowgear to the dryer. Fortunately the cold helped it not hurt too bad on Mikie's face. He's a tough guy.

Hot chocolate is gone and Cheezits are out. Had dinner going all day in the crockpot so the house smells gooooood. I wonder how long it will take Erk to get home tonight? With all the snow and slow drivers... Weather says 1-5 inches today and more tomorrow. Snow day anyone?

This Old House

2011-01-05T10:14:00.000-08:00

Erk was busy last weekend :) On New Years Eve we gained a walkway (a huge hole in the wall) from our laundry room into the office. Soon enough, the laundry room will also be Erk's and my walk-in closet. And the office will become our master bath. Fun to be working on this old house again!

Twister

2011-01-05T09:58:00.000-08:00

a family game of Twister on New Years Day :)

Uhh, Bean?

Hey all! Some funny pictures from a few days ago. I'm relaxin' at home, Mike and Mouse are at Nanny and Papa's and Jack is at school. Pretty soon Shawna and I are gonna meet up to talk some bizz :) I hope you have a good day - so far so good here!

No Potty Breaks

2011-01-04T05:45:00.000-08:00

Bean has been barking at me to open the door. I've ignored her. So she just walked past me and nudged at my nightstand, watching to see if it would tip over. Now she is back to the front door. I think she really needs to go out.

The boys are both at school today! Jack adjusted as best he could yesterday, had a good day. He was nervous and ahead of time, not really looking forward to it. But he came home on "green" all day :) Today it was Mikie... "Mike get your gloves on, Mike, your snowpants, Mike, have you brushed your teeth?" And there sat Jack 10 minutes before the bus came all dressed with snow gear and ready to go. So funny how different!

Mol and I are headed to church before long for our mom's group. Looking forward to being back, it's been a few weeks!

Erk and I got a chance to celebrate our anniversary last night while the kids were with Granny and Grampa. We did chinese (really bad food at this buffet, YUCK! I still have a gut bomb this morning) and then a movie, Little Fockers. I must admit, it didn't get me laughing like the other 2 did!? But really nice to have some time with just me and Erk. Good time to talk and reconnect without needing extra napkins for a spilled drink and saving moola on just 2 movie tickets instead of 5. Not to mention not needing popcorn and candy for everyone, ohh and we could sit in the very top of the theater without any potty breaks :)

1.1.11

2011-01-01T14:19:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year :) Here are some digital scrapbook pages I made at the end of each month - 365 pictures, a picture a day! I have no idea why they are different sized pages? WEIRD (kinda like me) :)

2011-01-01T14:14:00.000-08:00

2011-01-01T14:04:00.000-08:00

Leave me alone

2010-12-28T18:56:00.001-08:00

So how we doin? I'm doing pretty darn good I must say. Earlier I was in a hormonal state of "leave me alone" and feeling overwhelmed. Laundry, dishes, toys all over, the task of taking down the Christmas tree was at hand, but all is better now. Amazing what some sitting down with my hubby and kids can do to relax me (it sure did tonight). Then nearly beating Erk at the Madden video game helped improve the 'tude, only to lose by 4 points. Well played my friend, well played...

And now? I'm trying to get into reading, not something that really comes natural to me, but I think I'd like it if I finished just one book from front to back in my lifetime. And I mean something other than the kids books :)

If I?

2010-12-27T08:26:00.000-08:00

If I decided to write a book, would you buy it? :) I am kinda honestly thinking about it!

On the first day of Christmas...

2010-12-25T16:38:00.000-08:00

Mousie sharing the love with Granny
can't wait to open presents at Granny and Grampa's!
all three kids "playing candy canes"
Here are some pix from the past few days :)

2010-12-25T16:30:00.000-08:00

Molly's precious new hat from Granny (ohh and she had just applied her new "lipstick" hence the lip look)

Molly with her new afghan (Granny made them for all 3 kids!!!)

Christmas Eve Program

2010-12-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

Last night was the program at church - Mike was a shephard and Molly a sheep

Mike yuckin' it up with a fellow shepard

Cute! Inside our santuary pictures are nearly impossible, it's so dark, so these are all ya get to see. But just so you know, Mikie was in rare form and did well with his 2 lines he had memorized. I had a few people tell me "too bad Mike doesn't have any personality!" HA!

Christmas Morning

2010-12-25T16:28:00.000-08:00

Who's taking the picture!?
ok, so who goes first? it was Jack this year, oldest to youngest

umm Bean? that's Molly's rubber duckie, not yours

they call me greasy gal! tender moment with Picky :)

what Mom?

Mike and Daddy huggin

who knew princess undies and Hello Kitty were about all she wanted!

the first picture of Christmas morning!