Mary tagged me...

The rules are to go to your 6th pic folder and upload your 6th pic on to your blog and tell a story about it.

This was in Ft.Walton Beach, Florida, where my Grandpa lived...the best place ever! This is Liam, Aurora, and my niece Autumn. We were on the bay side of the Gulf of Mexico, it's one of THE places I have to visit every day I'm there and where I went all the time as a little girl with my family. It's called Choctawhatchee Bay and it's right across HWY 98. If you want to play in the waves though you drive across the HWY to the Gulf Side, but at the time of this pic Carys was only 1 and she didn't like the big waves. The bay side is quiet, calm, and so clear.

Behind the picture...the kids had a HUGE hole in the white sand filled with hermit crabs and Carys loved it.

Brian was there also, and we did invite my Grandpa to go but he and my mom were running errands, post office, legion, etc.

I'm always really happy when I'm there so this was a good day.

This is a time for celebration?

Don't get me wrong I love the holidays, but this year it's different. This year when my kids ask me what I want I tell them I want my Grandpa back. It's the only honest thing I can say. Not long ago when Brian and I were tucking Liam in he said "Mom, is Grandpa John dead forever?" I said "yes, Grandpa John is in Heaven forever." Then Liam goes on to say "Grandpa John isn't supposed to be dead yet." and I being the honest person I am said "I know dammit, he's not."

That's how I feel, I feel like he's still in Florida, I'm going to visit him this summer with my family like I always do. He's going to laugh at us when we say we're going to the beach and ask if he's coming with. He's going to be smoking his pipe in his red flannel or yellow polo (depending on the weather) out on his porch every morning I get up. He's going to creep around the house at 6 a.m. trying not to wake anyone up. He's going to take us to the waffle house to eat breakfast and on our last day there he's going to take us to the Crab Trap to eat supper. He's going to keep replacing the towel my kids knock off of his beautiful coffee table and he's going to be there to hug and kiss goodnight every night we're there. He's going to be there in Florida because that's where he's supposed to be. And this Christmas I'll get a card with a long letter in it like always from my favorite and only Grandpa. I'll print off a ton of pictures of my family to mail to him also with a very long letter eagerly talking about visiting over the summer.

That of course is not going to happen, but I feel like it should. I don't feel like it's right. Something isn't right about the holidays this year. I hurt for my mom and my Uncle who lost their Dad, I hurt for all of us who lost a Grandpa, I hurt for the great-grandchildren who lost their Great-Grandpa. I feel selfish and hurt for me.

I have so many fond memories to look back on, but some days they're not fond they just make me sad. I'm thankful I have a pipe of his to smell, I'm thankful I have his favorite red flannel to wear, I'm thankful for all the memories, but I'm still angry that he's not here.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Am I ready?

It's now the dreaded Labor day weekend! I hate this weekend because it's my last lazy days with my children before we all go back to school and work:( How sad! I feel close to tears thinking about how I have to leave my kids to go back to work. I do love my job though and once I get back in the swing of things all will be well. I have to say again I really really love my job but after your home for 3 months it is really hard to just wake up one day and start your work schedule all over again.

Aurora and I went to her open house tonight and met the new principal and her new teacher for the year. Her teacher has such a beautiful spirit about her and Aurora instantly is clicking with her I'm so excited to see them click. Aurora asked her some great questions like "what is your favorite subject to teach kids?" her teacher said "art and science" which are Aurora's favorites:)

I asked the kids what their favorite part of the summer was and Liam's was playing outside and playing football outside with his family. Aurora's was being at home and spending time with her family. Carys' said something I didn't quite understand but I know she loved having us all home with her everyday! My favorite part was waking up and not having to go anywhere in particular just able to do what ever I wanted with my kids. I'd love to hear from some of you about your favorite parts of summer since I'm extremely negative towards winter I have to soak up all the summer memories I can:)

Funny of the day!

And the funniest comment of the day award goes to (drum roll) Mary!

Mary: "That's a pretty ring, is it new?"
Me: "No it's not new it's my Mother's ring"
Mary: "Oh, why isn't she wearing it?"
Me: (laughing) "It's not my mom's ring it's my mother's ring, ya know with all my children's birth stones"
Mary: (laughing) "I was wondering why you called her your "mother" and not your "mom""

This is why we love Mary, because even though that was actually a quite easy mistake to make she makes it cute and endearing when other people could just make that comment annoying! You make me smile Mary:) What a great friendship we have!

Liam

Liam's special day is today and he is loving it! This morning when he woke up I asked him if he felt older and he said "yes, I'm 4 now!" He's such an awesome kid we can't help but love him with every fiber of us!

Yesterday we took him to the science museum to see the Star Wars exhibit and he had a blast. His favorite thing was looking at all of the costumes and riding on this hovercraft thing.

Today he's out with Brian having some "daddy and me" time at the movie theater watching that new Star Wars cartoon movie that came out. Tonight we'll have some cake and open presents which is his most eagerly awaited activity:) I can't believe God blessed us with him four years ago today...how amazing.

It's a bittersweet day for me as I always get a little sad on my babies birthdays. I love the birthdays because I know how special it is that God has blessed us with another healthy year with our children but then I get sad during them because it seems like Liam was just a chubby little baby a minute ago...what happened to the time?

Aurora's great day!

We went to the church today to pick up Aurora's open house info and she got the teacher she wanted, yahoooo! Not only did she get the teacher she wanted but ALL her friends are in the same class...she's beyond excited to start 4th grade and I couldn't be happier for her. I hope she doesn't get in too much trouble from gabbing:) Just last night when I was tucking her in and we were having our nightly gossip session she mentioned that she really wanted Mrs.Fleming as a teacher and she really wanted her friends in her class and I told her "both teachers are great and have good things about them, God knows what teacher you need in your life and what teacher needs you so don't be too dissapointed if God leads you to the other teacher." She agreed and understood, but she got the teacher that she really clicks with so I'm pumped for her! We love love love St.Andrew's school and all the teachers there are great so either way would've been another great year of Christian Education for us.

Also on a side note Liam is almost 4 on Aug.20th!!!!!!! I'll definitely fill everyone in on how his special day went.

Things not to do...

Don't scrape popcorn ceilings after you're already moved in...

Do scrape popcorn ceilings before you've moved in...


That was THE messiest job I've ever done in my life and trust me growing up on a farm I've been covered in manure, mud, blood, cement, sweat, and other messy things. Popcorn ceilings take the cake but wow, it already looks a thousand times better!

Sisters

My mom sent this to me and my sister. It's true and thought I would share it!

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,

drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As

they talked about life, about marriage, about the

responsibilities of life and the obligations of

adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her

glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance

upon her daughter



'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling

the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll

be more important as you get older. No matter how

much you love your husband, no matter how much you

love the children you may have, you are still going

to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now

and then; do things with them.'



'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...

your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other

women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women

always do.'



What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman

thought. Haven't I just gotten married?

Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a

married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely

my husband and the family we may start will be all I

need to make my life worthwhile!'


But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact

with her Sisters and made more women friends each

year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,

she gradually came to understand that her Mom really

knew what she was talking about. As time and nature

work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,

Sisters are the mainstays of her life.


After more than 50 years of living in this world,

here is what I've learned:


THIS SAYS IT ALL:



Time passes.

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up.

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors.

Careers end.

BUT.........


Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how

many miles are

between you. A girl friend is never farther away

than needing her can reach.


When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you

have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life

will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,

praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on

your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the

valley's end.


Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk

beside you...Or come in and carry you out.



Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,

daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,

Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended

family, all bless our life!


The world wouldn't be the same without women, and

neither would I. When we began this adventure called

womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or

sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we

would need each other.


Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on

to all the women who help make your life meaningful.

I just did. Short and very sweet:

Big Lake

The kids and I finally checked off Big Lake on our things to do this summer! We were there for around 2 hours yesterday and they really enjoyed it. When I used to go with just Aurora we'd spend all day there. It's a bit different now with Carys being so young she was ready to go in 2 hours and actually told me she wanted to go home.

Aurora was bummed that she didn't have an older kid to swim to the deep end with but she still had fun with her younger siblings. Big Lake is always a good time...if they don't have chiggers:)

Up next is Minehaha Falls, Science Museum (Star Wars exhibit), and Como Zoo. I'm pretty sure I can get that all in before school starts.

I have to admit I've been over doing it at work and going in wayyyyy more than I should. Usually I go in Fridays when Brian gets home early or I'll go in late at night to get things done and I really would rather be home enjoying my family more before school starts. I'm going to have to quit going in so much and enjoy these last weeks of summer I'm so sad it's almost over! I HATE cold weather and it seems it's not too far away.

I'd post pictures of our trips but I still have to get a digital camera that actually takes decent pictures. That's on my "to do list"!

What's in a name?

I love unique names! My kids Aurora, Liam, and Carys were all chosen for their uniqueness, not like people don't have these names but needless to say I never have to write down last names on any of their things. I love being able to send notes to my daughter's school and say "I'll be picking up Aurora today" and that's it :)

I know a ton of people pick names because of the meaning also. I didn't really care so much about the meaning since who made up the meanings in the first place? Where did they come from? It seems that every website has a different meaning or different books have different meanings to all the same names. Like Julie means "soft haired and youthful"...what! While I do admit I have really soft hair what does that mean? Is that some kind of double entendre I'm sure it is. Maybe? I am pretty youthful since everyone that doesn't know me mistakes me for being 18 or I get "what, you have 3 kids? You look like you're still in highschool" just what every grown woman wants to hear NOT! And I also get to play like I'm a child every day at work which keeps me feeling young:) But what I really think my name should mean is "blunt and laid back" I think that suits me better. Now, don't get me wrong because I really think that the names we are given do fit all of us in different ways, but it is fun to look at the different meanings behind the names!

Aurora means "Roman Goddess of the dawn", but Aurora never even sees the dawn (not a morning person) I think it should mean "dramatic, stubborn, smart, and loving" in her case.

Liam means "unwavering protector or helmeted" what does helmeted mean? I think for my Liam it should mean "gentle, thoughtful, funny, and extremely caring" I can see him as being very protective of his sisters and family so I suppose his name fits him a little better than Aurora's.

Carys means "Loved one" and of course that fits her to a tee since she's very loved, but that could fit any of my kids. Carys would be more fit to mean "screamer, brute, silly, cuddly, and messy" in her case.

My husband Brian means "strong" that actually does fit him. His name could mean "mr.laughs alot" since he laughs at everything!!!!!! We both actually laugh at mostly everything but him more so than me.

We chose all their middle names from family members. Aurora has my Mom's middle name (Roselee), Liam has Brian's name and Carys has my Dad's and Brian's grandma's name meshed together (Rhea-Lou). I love to use families names in some way since that's what my family does.

I'd love to know what your name means and what you think it should mean to better fit you or if it actually does fit you? Or what your children's names mean. So let me know!

Countdown to Grad school

I'm officially registered for two courses at St.Mary's University! Theories of Personality and Developmental Psychology. Both of which sound extremely fun to me:) I'll go twice a week on Mon. and Thur. evenings for about 2 1/2 months then I'll get a little break and start over again. It should take me about 3 years and then I don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

It'll be hard for me to not be able to tuck the kids in or be with them at supper time twice a week since my family is the biggest thing in my life. We're always together as a family unless we're working, but otherwise if Brian and I go out to eat the kids come with us, if we go to a movie the kids come with us, if we go grocery shopping the kids come with us, etc. That's how we like it. I'm not going to get home until late in the evening so I'm interested in seeing how I do with getting my homework done and getting up to go to work in the morning. I'm sure I'll be amazing ;) That's just a joke but I know I'll get the swing of it again.

Well for now I'm just marveling in the fact that it's almost August, how sick! Hope everyone is enjoying their summer before it's gone:) By the way does anyone know if Big Lake is all clear of chiggers?

Aurora's 9?!

Alright, so I've been SUPER busy with work and hiring a new teacher, organizing, getting ready to welcome back all 76 students in the fall! I've also been busy writing a proposal and a budget proposal so that we can add on 4 more classes next school year adding 56 more kids to our awesome preschool which is much needed in the community. So usually when I'm at my computer I'm doing that stuff. But today I decided to play with my blog and check up on others:)

Aurora's 9 now! Oh man, where does the time go? She's beautiful, head strong, but sensitive, and she definitely has an opinion. All great qualities if you ask me. Brian and I took her to Nick Universe for her birthday and brought Liam along she just loved it. We all had such a great time. After that we all went to Olive Garden in Maple Grove and met family there to celebrate with her and eat some disgusting Italian food yuck! I had breadsticks though and those were quite good. We finished the fun day up at our house with some cheese cake, chocolate cake, icecream, and presents. Aurora was smiles all day:)

My kids and I have definitely been enjoying the summer. It's been very calm and stress free at our house. We're outside all the time except for rest time which is when Care-Bear takes a nap, Liam rests, and Aurora is forced to read! (What an awful mom I am) Aurora and I made a list of things we wanted to do as a family over our summer break and we have yet to go to Big Lake beach which is high on her list of things to do. I'm committed to making it there with the kids this week! We also want to go to Minehaha Falls, Science Museum, o.k. I guess I should go because this is the second time that our tornado sirens are going off so down to the basement we go!

Tagged!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Tagged!

The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then go to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. What was I doing ten years ago? I passed my driver's license exam and was able to drive all over by myself! I was working at Holiday in Onamia and hated it but there was literally like 2 places to work if you grew up in Onamia...Hills or Holiday that's it.

2. Five things on my to do list for today: Wake up, make a new pitcher of Iced Tea, go for a walk with the kids, wait for Lori to come and paint a pirate ship on Liam's wall, and type up some papers for work...So far all of those are completed what a great relaxing summer day:)

3. Snacks I enjoy: Plain Old Dutch potato chips with HOT salsa.

4. Things I would do if I was a billionaire: Pay off all of my friends, parents, families houses and pay off their old debt and buy them all new cars, donate over a million to my daughter's awesome Catholic school St.Andrews because the staff there rock and love the kids at that school, donate to St.Jude's which we give to at Christmas time which is actually Aurora's good cause because she picked that charity, donate to UNICEF, travel around the world with my family, finally go to Hawaii with my family, buy a house in Ft.Walton, FL next to my grandpas, I'd keep giving the money away to good causes until I had enough to retire on and of course enough to pass on an inheritance to my kids, nieces, nephews, their kids so on and so on. I'd definitely want to set up a college scholarship in my children's names to go to single mother's trying to pay their way through school. It's hard I've been there but it's all worth it at the end. My passion is working with children so I'd keep teaching. I also hope the money wouldn't change me in a bad way but with my blunt family I don't see how that's possible, we're all so blunt to eachother and keep eachother grounded:)

5. Places I have lived: FL,MN (Sadly I have lived in MN for way too long:(, why did I have to marry a MN'sotan?)

6. People I want to know more about, ie meaning TAG! YOU'RE IT! My sister (she doesn't have a blog...bummer)

philismom.blogspot.com, frangipanisaremyfavouriteflowers.blogspot.com, sammyboyandhannah.blogspot.com, jablonskiphotography.blogspot.com,

Summer time

It's amazing how I see less and less posts from every one during these beautiful summer months. Who wants to be on the computer typing! Well I have some free time since Carys is sleeping beautifully after her tormenting Dr.'s app. this morning, Liam is nursing a scrape on his knee that he got outside while running through the sprinklers and Aurora is nursing some splinters. So here I am with some tired, hurt, worn out kids and time to type:)

So update, Carys is officially 2. We went to the Minnesota Zoo and had a great time! We hardly ever go there because it's pretty spendy, but the kids love to go to the zoo and we've been to Como a ton. We went all out and brought a picnic lunch, rode the monorail, and went to the gift shop where all the kids got to pick out something it was really fun and a treat for everybody we were there for 4 hours.

Aurora will be 9 in about a week and for her birthday we're going to the Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America and out to eat at the Olive Garden afterward. Of course Carys won't be going to the Nick Universe because she's too young to ride the rides so she'll get to do something else with Grandma and meet us up at Olive Garden later.

Liam will be 4 in August. Do you see the trend? All summer babies June, July, and August. I'm so envious of their summer bdays' I hate my winter one! Well I'm posting some pics from the zoo enjoy this hot hot day I love it!

Carys is going to be 2!!!!!

On Saturday we will celebrate my Care-Bear's birthday! How crazy, I can't believe that the year has gone by so fast. She went from barely talking and hardly walking at the end of June last year to constantly talking and running, jumping, swinging, rolling down hills, and so much more. We'll thank God for giving Carys such great days up to now and pray for many more. Right now we're planning to go to the zoo because Carys loves animals! We went to my parent's farm today and it was so much fun to watch Carys laugh and laugh as the horse took grass and hay from her hand. She thought that was the funniest thing and it put a smile on my face and every one else:) I haven't even picked out a cake for her :S oh my! We're not really doing a party with extended family just a fun day with us and who ever wants to stop over that night or the next definitely can. I have to go pick out some presents for my little chica which isn't hard considering she LOVES every thing right now. So far I have a princess toy cd player and a princess shovel for her and I'll pick out a few more things, but simple is best I don't want to go crazy with gifts for a 2yr. old who would love a box of rocks. Really she would...she plays with the rocks outside all day!

oh yeah Happy Father's day to my Dad who's the best in my eyes! And also to my husband who's a fantastic father to our 3 gifts from God. Also, to my Grandpa! What great men I have in my life I could go on and on:)

Employment Opportunity

I'm not sure if anyone who reads my post is interested, but I know people who read my post are family and friends of either mine or Mary's so...if anyone loves to teach and is qualified as a preschool teacher or maybe you have someone awesome in mind who loves God and is full of faith check out my preschool's blog for info on how to apply. It's a FT preschool job with summers off and they would have almost the best boss ever since the best boss ever was mine and she moved on to a school that needed her help, but I mean I am the next best thing to that ;) My school's blog is cornerstonechristianpreschool.blogspot.com

I have been busy :s

I know I have a super old post, but it is for a good reason. I have been busy on the computer doing other things and I have to keep myself away from the blog business or I don't get any work done. I get sucked in to reading blog after blog after blog and you know how it goes. I've been scanning my little butt off to get all of my preschools curriculum on to flash-drives so it is an easy resource to use and not a pain in the butt to look through stacks of old curriculum out in our storage shed. I've also been using my extra time to start on 9 months of new curriculum for the up-coming school year. Yes, even though it's my summer break I'm still working:) It's fun work though and I really get in to it that's why I haven't been posting. Plus,....I got promoted at my job so I'm VERY pumped and blessed to get that opportunity. Yahooooo!!

Graduate school or bust!

I feel as excited to start graduate school as I would be to hit up Vegas! I'll be registering in a couple days for School Counseling! How exciting! At the same time I feel nervous and rushed at it all. For the most part I was looking forward to being a lazy bum with my kids all summer, but now I might have a couple courses to take and then what? I'm good at managing my time so I'm sure I'll be fine and I can always do my work at night when the kids go to bed, that is after all how I earned my B.S. degree. And these first courses are online so that helps.

Oh well, I have to do it because it's been my goal ever since I was that pregnant teenager that I'm sure so many people thought would go no where. I never set goals for those people I set goals high for me because I felt I had a purpose when ever I was on my way to school or received my grades at the end of the semester I always felt like "yeah, that's right this single mom can work, raise a child, and get good grades in college!" What's too hard for me? Nothing. Actually I just love school so much I love to learn new things and meet new people and I feel like I'm setting a good example for my kids. If they dare tell me school is too hard and they can't manage all of their homework, blah blah boy do I have stories for them that will make the ashamed of even complaining:)

Now all I have to do is pray for God's guidance through school and work and family to find that happy balance again that I haven't used in almost a year since that's how long I've been on "vacation" from school.

Vote for Missy!

www.5minutesformom.com/3364/mothers-day-photo-finalists/

Missy is a great photographer and has such a gift from God whom she also has a great relationship with! Please click on the link and vote for her and she could win some $ for that huge family of hers:) Her picture is titled Bill, Miss, and brood.

Best nanny ever!

Most people don't get the pleasure of having a nanny, but I fortunately have the best one ever! Better than Super Nanny, she's Batman Nanny which is what Liam calls her.

First of all I tried staying home with my kids and it was great, but I do love teaching so much and it allows me so much time with my kids. I get to wake up with them, get them all dressed, eat breakfast together, and drop my oldest one off at school and then I'm home before she even gets off the bus. I have a ton of days off through the year, Easter break, Christmas break, all summer off, nights, weekends, and if my kids are sick no problem I get to stay home with no hesitations!

But one of my conditions of going back to work was to let the kids be able to stay home with someone great like a family member or friend and with the grace of God right when I was looking for a nanny Mary was available and looking for a part time nanny job so that she could be with Phili. God always makes things work out, He always knows what is best for you. I prayed and prayed about going back to work and worried about the guilt I would feel leaving my babies at home while I went to work, but I know God wanted me to teach. I get to teach about Him every day and spread the word about Jesus and all his friends. I knew that if it worked out finding a nanny it was meant to be and if not then I would not be working and try to stay home a bit longer with my kids I had to have faith in it all.

I knew after the perfect timing with Mary that God had answered my questions. Mary is if you don't know my best friend, we didn't grow up together, we haven't known each other long, and I thought she was wayyyyy toooo pretty when I first met her! But we clicked instantly about 6 years ago and have been there for each other ever since through babies, weddings, ups, downs, and gossip sessions about our husbands:) She loves my kids and is very protective of them. I know they're safe with her and I know they have fun with her. I am always happy to see her in the morning and wish I could skip work just to visit with her all day and play with our kids. She is always in a great happy mood and is WONDERFUL with children. My kids love her, Phili and Richie and they're always happy to see them, well...except for Carys she's usually mad the first 2 minutes I have to leave and gets over it quickly;)

This is what my kids said about Mary when I asked them this tonight, "why do you love Mary?"

Aurora: Because of her personality, she's funny, she likes to play with us, she's good with kids, she lets us eat a lot, and I love her mostly because she's just a great wonderful person.

Liam: Because she has hairy arms, she gives me cereal, she gives me fruit roll ups, she gave me a candy bar, and she spins me around like this (moving arms really fast).

Carys: Can't tell me, but she does say Mary!

Thanks for all you do Mary we love you!

And countdown to the new Indiana Jones movie begins!

May 22nd you better not make plans the new Indiana Jones is out and Harrison is looking better than ever! My family is so there!

ABC's

A: Attached or Single? Very Attached

B: Best Friend? Brian and Mary

C: Cake or Pie? Well...I don't really like either, but if I have to pick it would be chocolate cake

D: Day of Choice? Friday, it's family fun night!

E: Essential Item? Wipes

F: Favorite Color? Purple

G: Gummy Bears or Worms? Bears

H: Hometown? Onamia

I: Indulgence? Chocolate and pedicures

J: January or July? July

K: Kids? Aurora, Liam, and Carys

L: Life isn’t complete without? Jesus & family (Agreed!)

M: Marriage date? 5-28-05? I think

N: Number of brothers and sisters? 1 sister 2 brothers

O: Oranges or apples? Yuck, neither I choose peaches or berries

P: Phobias and fears? I have a fear that bad things will happen to my kids if I'm not around

Q: Quote? This is not a rated G quote so if you don't like curse words avert your eyes "yippee ki yay motherfucker!" -Bruce Willis in Die Hard as John McClane the sexiest man on earth

R: Reason to smile? Funny kids, healthy kids, husband, friends, faith, & family

S: Season of choice? Summer

T: Tag three people? Tag you're it to anyone who hasn't done it yet.

U: Unknown fact about me? I talk like a sailor well I should say I talk like an Army Ranger because that's where I learned it from, thanks Dad ;) I'm great at censoring myself until I'm around my parents and siblings. And I think Giant Squids are very interesting!

V: Vegetable? Broccoli & cauliflower with melted cheese or ranch dressing I suppose that takes away the purpose of having a vegetable.

W: Worst habit? Bad language

X: X-ray or Ultrasound? what? What kind of lame question is this? Broken bone or baby is that what it means?

Y: Your favorite food? Mexican

Z: Zodiac sign? O.k. people enough with "I'm not into astrology" we all know what our birth sign is unless we've been under a rock and even though "I'm not in to astrology" I still know I am an Aquarius come on! ;)

Carys said her first full sentence!!!!!!!!!

O.K. my daughter Carys is not quite 2 and although she does talk she doesn't talk in full sentences yet. She usually speaks in two word sentences or just says one word at a time, but the other day when she was sick she came up and laid by me on the couch and patted me and said "this is your boob" I said what? and then she said it again! I can't believe her first full sentence was that! And why? Maybe she had fond flashbacks of being nursed haha I'm not sure but it was pretty funny. I guess she's just really impressed by my small rack:)

Scroll down and check out some of Brian's 100 things!

GRE tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my GRE if you don't know what that is it's a graduate readiness exam that most universities need before they accept you in to a graduate program. I don't feel like taking this test, I think it's a bogus test that society thinks they need to determine whether someone is "capable" enough to go to school, take some notes, and write some papers. Well you'd think they'd just be able to look at your GPA to do that, right? Not to mention this test is $150 and if you reschedule it they add another $50 on to the price. Like college isn't enough money they have to add all these stupid exams for you to pay for, oh my goodness can you tell I don't want to take this test:)

Brian's 100 things continued

I'm typing these for Brian, so basically I get to say what I want and he'll never know since he's a very sloooowwwww reader;) He is really telling me what to say though! kind of...

3. Scratches his back on doorways (like a bear? This is not an attractive quality)
4. Farts every morning (I know ladies hold yourselves back I know you want more of this sexy man;) )
5. Slow reader
6. Loves his job
7. Got in trouble with the law for throwing pumpkins at mailboxes when he was a teenager
8. Doesn't like that he's a slow reader
9. Easy going
10. Bad public speaker
11. Bad speaker in general
12. Firefighter
13. Obsessed with video and sound quality
14. Loves movies
15. Won't watch good movies on a little t.v.
16. Reading Lord of the Rings
17. Handwriting worse than our 8 yr. olds
18. Horrible typer
19. Hates mushrooms
20. Loves jalapeños
21. Likes history
22. Likes Astronomy
23. Can't let go of childhood toys
24. Hates to paint (but never has to do it because thankfully he has me to)
25. Loves video games
26. Hates entertainment news shows
27. Listens to talk radio
28. Misses his truck...until he goes to the gas station
29. Broke arm 100ft. from the chair lift while skiing (2nd day of ski trip)
30. Had blonde highlights for a summer
31. Wife hated it
32. Loves pizza
33. My wife and I do not exchange presents
34. Not thoughtful
35. Respectful
36. Loves Star Wars
37. Proposed to wife after 2 1/2 months
38. Hair is thinning
39. Great at fixing things
40. Married to a beautiful woman (o.k. he told me to write that..he's so creative isn't he? What other man says that about his wife ;) )
41. Has 3 wonderful kids
42. Does not know how to do laundry
43. But can fold them!
44. Loves the show "How I met your Mother"
45. Obsessed with the show Smallville (LAME)
46. Forces the kids to watch it
47. Likes to mow the lawn
48. Hates it when accidentally weed whips frogs and snakes
49. Flooding the hockey rinks overnight in December gets old
50. Love to snow plow
51. Excited to bring family to the new Indiana Jones
52. Excited for Star Wars exhibit at the science museum
53. Love Chipotle
54. Always orders the same thing at every restaurant even at the Vineyard it's always a bacon cheeseburger booooo!
55. Iced tea rocks because my wife got me addicted to it
56. Wife doesn't let me drink soda
57. Use to smoke
58. quit 4 years ago before Liam was born
59. Still have a cigar for special occasions
60. Coors Light is favorite beer
61. I like coffee
62. Wife never makes it so I don't have it much
63. I like bonfires
64. Never been outside the U.S.A.
65. Met wife at a bonfire
66. I watch Lord of the Rings trilogy twice a year every year
67. I like animals, but I don't want any
68. Clean driving record
69. Operate any kind of machinery
70. Worked 40 hours a week at his family's shop during the summer when 12

Heeyyyy

Brian was accepted for the Fire Department! I'm so happy for him. Being on 2 departments will be hard at times, but he loves it and he likes to be busy.

Brian's 100 things coming soon...

I told Brian he should do a 100 things because they're so interesting to read, but he told me he can't think of anything. Then, last night when we were in bed he came up with 2:) I bet he'll keep adding more soon.

1. Runs in to doorways on a daily basis
2. Slips/falls while going up or down the stairs

My 100 things

O.k. I've been tagged to do this... Let's see how I do!

1. I love my kids
2. I love my husband
3. I love my life
4. I love my job
5. I loathe mushrooms
6. I play piano and gave lessons when I was a single mom
7. I was a single mom for 4 1/2 years
8. I had my daughter when I was 17 1/2
9. I graduated from highschool when I was 17
10. I enrolled in college and started full time when I was 17
11. I started renting my very own low-income apartment with my daughter Aurora on my 18th birthday.
12. I love being independent
    
13. I'm very laid back, but also very crazy with my family in a fun way
14. I am a clean freak I clean every night that means sweep, vacuum, mop, dishes, dust, every night.
15. Lilacs are my favorite flower
    
16. My favorite color is purple
17. I love the Vikings even when they lose
18. I love football
19. I have a Mercedes 190E and I adore it
20. My husband is caring, loving, respectful, and kind (to everyone), and has faith in God which is why I love him so much.
21. I'm very loud like my Dad
22. I love the military and if I didn't have so many kids I would be in Officer's training some where.
23. I found Jesus or he found me when I became pregnant with my daughter. I grew up having that faith but it truly became more important when I had Aurora.
24. I don't like adult feet accidentally touching me it freaks me out
25. If I weren't married to Brian I would be living in Florida by my Grandpa
26. If Brian "goes before me" (you know what I mean) I'll hightail it to Florida so fast I'll have to have my things shipped to me.
27. I'm a worry wart with my children
    
28. I don't let my children open their upstairs windows because I'm afraid they'll fall out and die that's how much I worry...
29. Sunny days brighten my spirits and quicken my step
30. Long cloudy winter days really test my patience and strength I feel I can barely make it out of bed.
31. I love to cook
32. I hate to bake
33. I bake chocolate chip cookies almost weekly for my children and husband and they're pretty darn good
34. The kids always help me with the cookies ALWAYS because they enjoy it so much
35. I don't like ice cream, popsicles, or anything along those lines
36. I love brownies
37. I love movies all kinds
38. My family has a weekly "family fun night" held on Friday nights and we love it it's all about us
39. My Uncle Johnny taught me chess
40. I can kick my husband's butt at chess usually...
41. I always win Scrabble against Brian because he can't spell:)
42. Brian always beats me at Lord of the Rings Trivia
43. I beat Brian at Friends Trivia and I'll take anyone on and win I know everything about Friends..I really could use some competition anyone?
44. I'm in Love with Bruce Willis
45. I'm in Love with John Wayne (yes, I know he's dead)
46. If we would've had another boy after Liam his name would've been Everett
47. I picked out Carys' middle name the night I was in labor and Brian hated it I told him I didn't care what he thought about the name I'm the pregnant one!
48. Brian loves loves loves her middle name now:)
49. It's Rhea-Lou after her great grandma and my dad:) And it's unique, meaningful, and beautiful.
50. I never found out about my children's sex when I was pregnant I just knew
51. I painted Carys' room purple and told Brian when we were at the hospital that we're going to have a girl
    
52. He said he kind of figured I felt that way when I painted the room purple :)
53. I'm a quick typer
54. I love going for walks
55. I never had my babies on time
56. I've been induced every time
57. I'm not sure what direction I'll take now that I'm graduated
58. I'm stubborn
59. I hate admitting I'm wrong to my husband but it doesn't bother me other wise haha don't you hate that!
60. I have a great friend Mary and we crack each other up and we're honest with each other!
61. I don't have any regrets not so far, they make us who we are
62. I love horses
    
63. I want to move somewhere that I can have 2 horses
    
64. I love rabbits
65. I have this frog thing, I can't resist a cute thing with frogs on it. I love frog decorations
66. Brian hates frogs so I've down sized my collection
    
67. I can't go to bed without checking on my kids
    
68. If I miss their bedtime for a work function I feel really awful
69. I love chocolate
70. I hate pasta and Italian food
    
71. Seafood is scrumptious!
72. I love naps
73. I love it when it's really hot, 80 and above is my kind of weather and I live for those days
74. Don't get mad but after 3 kids I'm still a size 0 or 2 in some jeans, but a 0 at anthropologie
75. I love to eat
    
76. Chipotle had me hooked years and years ago they have great burritos
77. I would love to eat Mexican more, but my kids can't handle too spicy yet and that's how I love it.
78. I chose my job for 3 reasons
79. I love to teach
80. It allows me a TON of time at home with my family
81. It's Christian based teaching
82. My graduating class was 30-40 and I thought that was normal
83. I love who I am
84. I'm a confident person
85. I'm VERY hard to shock or surprise I think I was born with out that "button" so when people tell me things they think I'm not interested, but I am I promise.
86. I don't like fake people or really fake happy people
87. I don't ever wear lipstick
88. During the summer I wear mascara and it's awesome not to worry about anything else
89. During the winter I wear mascara and loose mineral translucent powder because I think foundation makes people look orange and creepy
90. I love road trips to Florida we always drive cross country, much better than a plane.
91. Thunderstorms are AWESOME!!!!!!
92. My kids make me laugh and smile
    
93. My kids make me grumble things under my breath and grit my teeth
94. I'm not a restaurant my kids eat what I make or don't eat
    
95. I'm BLUNT very BLUNT I'm told this all the time by people. Why mess around just tell it how it is right? I guess my Dad is blunt too.
96. My Mom is the perfect Mom
97. My Dad is the perfect Dad
98. I love my siblings
99. I'm proud of what I've accomplished
100. It took me 7 years to graduate from college with a B.S., but I have over 120 credits!!!!!
     
101. I'm a rebel too:) So here's my 101
     

Yahoo for Brian!!!!!!!!!

I was having a really great day today and then it took a turn:( One of those days where it keeps getting worse. I had a great day at work it was a lot of fun today but then I got home and anyway not so good until Brian came home and told me Elk River fire department called him back and want an interview. He scored really high on the exams so I'm sooooo excited for him! His interview is this coming Monday in the evening and I'm sure after that interview it will be a week or so before we find out for sure but I feel good about it and if it's not meant to be it's not meant to be right?

Also, I give the children's sermon this Sunday at the church I work at:) I'm looking forward to it I love to talk to crowds of people. I always feel at peace about it especially when it's close to my heart and Jesus is as close to my heart as you can get so it's not to hard to talk about him!

Cute prayers:)

I haven't posted in a while. My weekend was great Saturday was awesome because we were able to all be outside for most of the day it was beautiful. We went for a walk around the block and Liam discovered worms. When he saw one he said "ewww grosss!" when we asked him why he thought worms were gross he said "because they'll kill me!" when we told him that worms wouldn't kill him he replied "well they're crazy silly!". He's so silly I love him to pieces.

Last night when we prayed with Liam he did his "moon" prayer this is what we call it when we say this prayer "I see the moon and the moon sees me, God bless the moon and God bless me". Except I let Liam make up his own version so sometimes it's the moon, but sometimes he says it to the grass, the gator, the car, the sandbox, the gate, the houses, the neighbors, basically anything he can see out his window:) Last night he saw a bird and wanted to say it to the bird, but he was upset because the bird wouldn't look at him when he was saying it but he ended up saying it anyway like this "I see the bird and the bird sees me, God bless the bird and God bless me....Mom the bird isn't looking at me it's still not looking at me I want to see if it's cute or not:)" LOL!

The same night Liam said that prayer Aurora said this one "God thank you for this day, please watch over the children in Africa, all of the soldiers, and all of the seals in the world, but not so much the sharks Lord because they kill the seals. And please make Amy and Joe not move so Emma can still be my neighbor. Amen" I love my children's prayers how much cuter can you get they're so innocent and beautiful in their words. So trusting and full of faith even at this young age. When I ask Liam where Jesus is he touches his neck...he's trying to show you his heart but close enough it's soooo cute:)

Brian's big day :)

Brian is testing right now to get on to Elk River's fire department! He's already on a fire department but he would love to be on two because he enjoys it so much. He has to take a written exam and some physical tests. If he scores well on those which I'm sure he will he'll be asked back for an interview. He wants it so bad!

Oh yeah, I also invited like 9 girls over for a sleepover for Aurora to have a party. What in the world was I thinking? I'm not sure how many are actually going to be able to make it but I'm sure I'll have my work cut out for me. Mary thinks it will be fun to come and do their hair I think it would be fun to cancel the whole thing...;) No, no I'm sure it will be fun and Aurora's super excited and what's better than seeing your kids excited for something? Say "yes" as often as you can, save the "no's" for when they matter. I said "yes" to her party but now I have to figure out how Carys is going to sleep through their noise hmmm.....

Oh I ache!

Why why do we have to put up with that stinking time of the month! My whole body aches, my head hurts, my eyes are sensitive to light like I've turned in to a vampire over night, and I am so moody! Not bad moody but it seems like everything is making me soooo sentimental today. I also can't fill this void called the stomach I swear I have eaten everything in my house and I'm still hungry. I know aunt flo is just about to arrive because my lower back feels like somebody took a knife to it and left it there. My husband doesn't understand. He does a great job at being supportive but they just don't get how annoying this all is. I wonder what my friend Mary's husband would say about period pain since he compared child birth to a leg cramp haha! My husband Brian tries to compare my period to his "stomach ache". PUH-LEEEEASE!

My kids love Alvin and the Chipmunks!

We love the chipmunks over here! We have seen all the old cartoons and I grew up with their record, yes my mom and dad had a record player and so did us kids. So the new movie came out today and we just watched it, the kids loved it and it is so cute:) Who doesn't like chipmunk voices anyway? They rock! So if anyone is thinking about buying it or renting it go do it. Oh, and I also had to buy Labyrinth today, to anyone who's seen it you know how funny David Bowie's package is throughout the movie, but you have to admit the movie is really good. And if you haven't seen it you have to go out and rent it just to see David Bowie at least;)

What a great weekend!

This weekend was a blast. I was able to finish painting my hallway one bathroom and finish decorating Aurora's room yay! Saturday night my parents came over to watch the kids so Brian and I could attend the firefighters appreciation dinner/dance. It was a lot of fun this year, there was karaoke, a D.J., games, and awesome food. If you don't know already prime rib is my favorite food in the whole wide world and that's what they served, SCORE! They also had free tap beer which Brian appreciated very much me on the other hand just had water and Dr.Pepper all night since I was driving. I tried to get Brian to dance more but unfortunately he hates dancing. He did dance with me a little bit though! While we were out having fun the kids had a blast with grandma and grandpa they love it when they come over to babysit them. Today was just a lazy day for us as it is my last official day of spring break and I go back to work tomorrow. Brian had a house burn that he went to today so he didn't get home until about 2:00 but we're looking forward to a peaceful and lazy night together. So that was our weekend we hope everyone else had a great weekend and enjoyed the mild weather!

Does anyone else?

I've had some very serious questions come up from time to time in my head and thought now would be a great time to ask since I have a blog. When ever I make chocolate chip cookies which is a ton since my kids and husband devour them on a daily basis I always wonder "does anyone else like chocolate chip cookies with out the chocolate chips?" This is strange because I don't like chocolate chips in my cookies but I love them outside of my cookies. I freeze them and eat them as a snack. I put the least amount of chocolate chips in my cookies as I can get away with because I think they spoil the cookie. So I really want to know am I the only one?

Also, my son Liam loves theme songs not songs with words, but theme songs...original compositions made for movies. For example he knows the Superman theme song, Indiana Jones theme song, Pirates of the Caribbean theme, Star Wars theme, Space Balls theme, and so much more, now I know they don't have words but he can sing (hum or sing dadadada to the tune) of all of them with out the movie if you just ask. And no he does not watch movies or t.v. a ton he's only allowed t.v. time at certain times of the day for short periods, like when Carys takes a nap he's allowed to watch something. It's amazing that he memorizes them and then instead of wanting to watch the movie he just wants you to keep rewinding it so he can listen to the song over and over again. He does love the movie too and will watch it if you just tell him you're not going to rewind it. Are there any other 3 year olds out there obsessed with theme songs or is it just mine? And what does this mean? I wonder if he'll be a composer when he grows up how exciting! So I just need to know because ya know how we all have our "weird" thing I think this might be Liam's. It is pretty cool though maybe he'll compose a song to me someday haha!

Easter was very yummy this year!

Good ham, good green bean casserole, good rolls, fruit, party potatoes, cinnamon rolls, and great candy! The kids loved finding their Easter baskets, I hide them and give them a piece of paper with clues on it. Over all very nice I just wish we could've gotten outside for our Easter egg hunt, but it was too gross. :( The best part is I have 7 more days at home with my kids before I go back to work! And can you believe it Liam is still asleep and it's 9:46 a.m. my time. He usually has to wake up by 7:00 because I like to see them, get them dressed, and make them breakfast before I leave for work. I'm sure he needs all the sleep he can get he's a growing boy now. I hope every one had a great Easter:)

Spring/Easter Break Day 1

My first day of "break" was filled with work, but fun fulfilling work if that makes sense to any one who loves to get things done like me. First I just laid on the couch with Carys for about an hour and we watched mickey mouse and then some of the Today show which I love. It was great to snuggle with her and not have to worry about going in to work. She's such a love bug some times. Next it was off to getting things accomplished; we all painted Aurora's room together except for Carys because by the time we had it ready to paint it was time for her nap, but Liam and Aurora helped paint and they did a fantastic job at it! If you don't know what Aurora's room looked like it was adorable with different shades of pink made in to a checker pattern but that was four years ago and through those four years some how it ended up looking like a graffiti hang out spot...I wonder how that happened;) So she picked out a lovely shade of brown with some fun things that can stick to the wall I'll post a picture when it's complete.

Project #2 hang closet shelves. After moving our bedroom downstairs two years ago my husband finally put up our closet shelves yahoooooo! Which meant I was able to clean and organize some more which I actually enjoy doing.

Last project of the day: I stained my bathroom trim so that Brian can finally get it nailed to the wall.

So that was it. That's what my whole family worked on today. Not very exciting to other people but I am sure every one knows how great it feels to check things off your "to do" list.

America-Home of the Brave, Land that I Love

Aurora wrote a great essay on patriotism. Her school posted it on their website. For any family members or friends wanting to read it you can go to www.saint-andrew.net and click on school on the top bar, once at school click on web pages which is on the left hand side of the screen, once at web pages click on student work page which is at the bottom and that's it you're there. They have a few essays up from grade 3 and Aurora is one of them. Congratulations Aurora!

Oh, and just to let you know right after we watched "I am Legend" last night which wasn't too scary, but it was a little bit for me:) Brian was paged in to work, so he had to leave me after midnight and didn't get home until 2:00! I almost slept with Aurora, but I held it together and watched the food network and played on here until he came home. Thank goodness that movie wasn't scarier I don't think I could've kept my imagination at bay with Brian gone. Next time I'm not renting a scary movie if he's on call I've learned my lesson. I swear I return to little girl status after watching those things. Haha you know turning off the light and running as fast as you can to the bed and then jumping so no scary monsters grab your feet! Or not daring to go to the bathroom with the door closed because some thing might be in there like one of those mutated people from "I am Legend" just waiting behind the towel bar or in the shower to jump out at you. Haha o.k. I'm really not that bad, but you can see where my creative imaginative side would get me in trouble.

Aurora's great day!

O.k. I'm finally getting ready to see the movie "I am Legend" Brian and I rented it tonight. I don't know why I do it, but I always get scary movies and then I can't sleep or have Brian leave my side for like a week. I'm a big scaredy cat! I hope it's as good as I think it will be.

Also I have to share news about Aurora. She had her class Mass today and all went well. She's a fantastic reader and read today in front of the congregation. She also got to act out a script while Father Glenn read the story of Judas betraying Jesus. It was very cute:) I love it that she has the confidence to do that in front of a ton of people. Some kids are so shy but not Aurora. She likes to act shy some times but when push comes to shove she really has a great strength in her. As she gets older I hope it shines through more and more. If you don't know Aurora she has very strong feelings toward almost every thing. She truly wears her heart on her sleeve she feels every thing about 100x more than every one else does. If somebody hurts her feelings they really hurt them, if she's feeling sad she's feeling really sad, if she's feeling happy she's really happy, if she's laughing she's really laughing hard. So it's really great that she can get up and do what she does with out being nervous, it's a great gift.

Say what?

My daughter Carys has a new talent. We've known this for a couple weeks but it is too cute not to share. She can point to her butt and say "poop" "poop butt" and how wonderful is that you ask? Well it's fantastic because not only can she talk the talk but she can walk the walk and actually back up her words with proof! Proof that yes, Carys has pooped hooray! If you don't have kids this means that she is almost ready for potty training. Once she can acknowledge and tell adults when she needs to go to the bathroom or when she has that means she's really close. It's been a long time since I haven't needed to buy diapers around here and while I don't want to rush my children in to growing up it's really exciting when they start to hit new milestones. Even though she's my third one I'm as exited as I was for when Aurora was ready. It's the simple things that count at our house. Besides the whole potty training thing she's also really cute when she says it:)

Blogging?????NO WAY!

Never in a million years did I think I would have a blog. It all seemed like a lot of work and a lot of time spent on the computer and who has time for that? When ever I go any where near the parameter of the computer or the phone my kids suddenly need me more than they've ever needed me before. My best friend Mary explained just how easy it was and if she can do it I know I can do it ;) I mean that with love. So here I am making time for myself blogging and I actually enjoy it! It will be my new alone time how great a feeling to have something new and fun to try. And I'll finally have some where great to post all those funny, stressful, humbling, heart melting, fist wrenching, preposterous things that my kids say and do.