The Red Door

You just never know...

2010-08-12T11:06:00.003-04:00

This is my Grandpa. This is a picture from the baby's baptism in July. He was sitting right behind me, now he sits in a hospital bed. Grandpa has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Stage 4, diabetes and a heart valve that needs some work. He had his first round of chemo and second round is this Saturday. My sister's wedding is Saturday. I feel a little torn, he will be having a horrible day while we are busy celebrating. But then I also know that Grandpa has a sense of humor and he would want everyone at the wedding to be having a good time. He has always been there. This is just a reminder to myself to look around, see the people that might be sitting behind me and show appreciation for them, because you just never know...

Florida 2010

2010-07-09T10:51:00.000-04:00

2010 Update

2010-07-08T19:00:00.002-04:00

I'm halfway into 2010 and so I figure it's time to update, here's the latest...
WE HAVE ANOTHER LITTLE GIRL IN THE FAMILY!!! She was born in January, she's healthy, she's beautiful, she smiles and laughs at her sisters. Now the only problem is, my blog is outdated, I am no longer living with 4 in and out the Red Door- we are now jiving with 5, never on time!!

Happy Halloween!!

2009-10-09T12:14:00.001-04:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Newest Update

2009-07-02T11:50:00.002-04:00

I have not updated in awhile because I have been falling asleep. And because I have been waiting till this week. We are expecting again! I am over 12 weeks now! Whoa!! We had a 6 week ultrasound and saw the heartbeat of the little bean. Then at 11 weeks we were able to hear the hearbeat, a good healthy 150 beats per minute. I am measuring well and so far everything seems to be progressing very nicely! The due date is January 9th, I couldn't ask for anything else for Christmas than a healthy happy baby! Please keep us in your prayers that the baby will continue to grow and be healthy! Time to make lunch, tuck some little ones in bed for naptime and take a snooze myself. Wow am I sleepy this time around! Hope everyone is doing well. I promise to update more often now!

Cute quote from a 4 year old

2009-07-02T11:48:00.003-04:00

-when asked how she got so smart...
"I think I know everything that I know!"
Nice one Annie! Love it!

Pack Rat!

2009-06-04T14:49:00.004-04:00

In my fury of cleaning bedrooms, I spoke under my breathe. It wasn't intentional. I didn't mean to be a name caller, but I called Molly a Pack Rat. This is what I found...Maybe I should go explain to her what a Pack Rat means!!

Annie's 4th Birthday!

2009-05-20T08:56:00.005-04:00

It's amazing how in a few years so much can change. It seems like yesterday that we were living in Chicago, expecting, with great anticipation, our third child! Actually when I think about it, time seemed to crawl when I was pregnant and waiting for her. Ever since then time has flown by way too quickly! Speaking of time, here's a funny story about our little Annie and the time that she flew into the world...

We were going about our normal schedule for a Wednesday morning. We went to our regular playdate at a friends house, chit chatted with everyone, I felt wonderful. Nothing was out of the ordinary that morning. I took the kids home to grab a few things, kill a bit of time. Not in a rush, it was just a calm, easy going day- time was on our side! I loaded up the minivan and left for my regular Doctor's appt. I pulled into a parking spot, turned the car off, looked to my side and just then my Hubby pulled into the next spot. He was still in the Navy, so he was in uniform and driving our big Dodge Ram Quad Cab... he looked good! We are early for the appt and stop to look at flowers, play with the automatic door, push the buttons on the elevator, were wasting time! Once in the Dr. office, the kids are behaving awesomely- people actually commented on how well behaved they were being. Molly was holding the door for people, Lolo was saying Hi to everyone that looked at her. Then it's our turn. We all head back to the room- well because it's just the four of us and we still fit in a small room altogether! The Doctor measures, weighs, listens, everything looks great! I mentioned that my lower back has seen better days. My children LOVE to sit on my siatic nerve, which causes a lot of back pain. He wasn't going to check, but at the last minute, because of what I was describing with my back, he decides to check. The kids were busy playing, not paying any attention to me, so they just stayed in the room. Good thing because I needed my Husband there for what the Doctor said next... "Wanna have a baby today?"
"What!!!"
I was dialated to a 6, pretty far along in my effacement. He said to go home grab my things and meet him at the hospital. I think I was in shock! (Let me clarify that Baby #2- Lolo, was a very FAST delivery in which they were ready to send me home and I said No- Good thing because she was born within the half hour!) So you would think I would be freaking out now...nope! I drove the kids home, called my girlfriend from the playdate to try and locate the Mom who was going to babysit my kids while I was in the hospital. Can't find her. Call my Mom, who jumped in the car with my Dad and SIL and drove from Michigan. We went home, ate lunch together, I eventually went and got some things together and said, well, we should probably get going. Got ahold of the babysitter at last, dropped the kids off, sat and chit chatted and eventually got in the car for the trip to the hospital. But wait... I was giving birth in a civilian hospital this time and they actually have DVD players, so why not stop at Blockbuster- right?! Hubby and I walked all around, picked out about 5 movies, went to pay and realized we didn't have our card with us. We had not resigned up since moving to Chicago, so they were going to make us redo everything. All of a sudden, at this moment, is when I realized that I was CALM, but Hubby was not. He was nervous. He looked at the checkout lady, set the movies down, told her she could "keep" her movies and walked out! Whoa... wait a minute, we took the time to pick out the movies and now we are leaving without any!! I waddled my way out to the truck, climbed in and looked at Hubby, who just simply said, "if you want the movies that bad, I will come back for them later- you're having a baby today and need to be in a hospital." Ok, now I was nervous! It was 3 blocks to the hospital, I blinked and we were there. I'm still thinking that time is on my side. We walk in, the receptionist points us in the direction we need to go. I start walking, Hubby tells her that I am having a baby and they all think I need a wheelchair. Yeah, that's ok, I still feel fine, don't know what the fuss is about! I walked up to the birthing unit, they were ready for me. My own room!!! This is a five star hotel compared to where I had given birth before! I get all prepped, brr it's cold, a bit breezy in the gown! I curled my hair, waited for the Doctor to come in. The nurse told me I should be in the bed, not curling my hair- gotta look good in those first pics right?! I requested an epidural, having gone through Baby #2 without one, I decided that it would be nice to enjoy the birth of the baby. My parents and SIL walk in the room...from Michigan! They made it in time! The epidural was now in, the Doctor came in to check things out. I told him... I told everyone, that as soon as they broke my water, that Baby would be born. I told 'em and they should have listened! The Doctor broke my water and walked out. Not even five minutes later and I am IN pain, with an epidural! I paged the nurse, who told me that I was fine, there couldn't have been any change that fast. I demanded that she check me, sure enough I was ready to go. She paged the Doctor, who came in with a bit of disbelief, but checked anyways. "Nurse, we are having a baby now!" The Nurse ignores the Doctor, who turns to her very seriously and says it again with a bit more urgency. The Doctor then informs me that the Baby is crowning... as if I didn't know!! The Doctor tells me to stop pushing...I'm not! And then, we meet for the very first time, our little Annie! Another Girl and we couldn't be any happier! Our little Annie, who knew what she wanted on the day of her birth and has known what she wants ever since. Annie, you were born with a little red mark on the side of your nose. The Doctor said it was probably from the birth being so quick and that it would go away. Today you still have that little mark and I love it! It is a reminder to me of the day that we met you. The day that we were Blessed to have you in our lives! You are my Sunshine- Happy Birthday!

I suppose I should update...

2009-05-05T14:15:00.003-04:00

Since my last post was rather somber and sad and that's just not the person that I am, I figured I need to update everyone with a bit of happy cheer!! So what's been going on around here...

- a huge St. Patty's Day party at our house

- awesome 2 week vacation in Florida!!

- purchased new SLR camera and finished first photography class

-Molly and Lolo performed sign language to a song in the Talent Show

- Molly selected as dancer of the month

- Molly selected to assist a Senator plant a tree at the school for Earth Day

- a new niece welcomed to the family

- a new nephew welcomed to the family

- surprise bday party for BIL a success

- bully at school dealt with and situation slowly getting better

- Lolo's art selected for the Art Award night

- spring soccer season started

- news of another niece or nephew in the family this October

- ripped front porch apart and replacing support and flooring

- all clothes organized into bins by size and season (anyone with lots of children can relate to why this is on my list!)

- date night

- cleaned up the whole yard including the tree fort and we are allowing the kids to play in it this year. They were too young before and this summer we decided that they are ready for it. We will have a paint party with friends over to paint the inside and hopefully I'll be able to make some Hawaiian curtains as well. That is our theme- Hawaiian, since the two oldest girls were born there. Sorry Annie, I can't build ya the Sear's tower in honor of Chicago.

-Ok, ok, so this is enough for now. I know I am missing stuff, especially Florida details, but that is a post on it's own. Overall, everyone is doing well, keeping busy and getting back into the swing of things. I apologize for not visiting everyone and keeping up to date. I have a huge list of projects for this family and for this house, so I will have plenty of things to report in the future. Hope everyone is doing well!

February 20, 2009

2009-02-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

This is the day I will remember forever as the day our Angel went to Heaven. I have to believe that there is a place in Heaven for even the tiniest of babies. I have a very heavy heart right now. I am looking at the world through a blur of tears. As I try and stay strong for my girls, I also find myself falling right back down into the sobs of loss. I am very fortunate to have amazing family and friends around me. My Husband has been my Strength, with each embrace we both grow closer and stronger. I know that with time we will get through this and maybe even see a reason to God's Plan, but for now I miss our little Angel.

NEWS FLASH- READ ALL ABOUT IT!

2009-01-17T15:56:00.002-05:00

Due

September

2009

We have made announcements to immediate family, so now it is safe to let it all out and tell the world... and it feels Great!

With each child we have tried to come up with a creative way to tell our families. Here's what we have done, add your stories too!

Molly: We lived out of town, so when we came home for Thanksgiving we brought an "early Christmas gift" we wrapped a Christmas tree ornament and on the ornament was the announcement. It was fun to watch the expressions as the gift was opened.

Lolo: We found out when we were living in Hawaii and we weren't planning on being home for quite some time. So we got a tshirt for Molly and on it was written..."I'm gonna be a big sister" We then took a picture of the three of us in our Hawaiian hammock and sent it on email, calling each family as we sent them. Remember this was when digital cameras and sending on emails was still pretty new, so it was really cool! It was fun to make the phone call and hear the reactions!

Annie: We brought pumpkins to the grandparents houses with the kids' names on them and a little "baby" pumpkin with a number 3 on it. We put them on the front porch for everyone to see. The neat thing was that when the pumpkin was rotten my FIL threw it in his backyard and the following summer soon after Annie was born, pumpkins were growing in his yard...they started taking over his garden!

Dels: We had the whole family over for Hubby's Birthday. I hid an extra gift in the pile and as he was opening his gifts, he pulled out a back scratcher and after commenting on it's usefullness laid it out on the table. Everyone looked at it and saw the writting..."We got the itch...Baby #4 due in September!" Then the uproars!

Baby #5: Last night while we were at a family party, we pulled out a bottle of nonalcoholic wine. We had printed off our own wine labels that read, "Cheers to all the little ones!" Then another row with all the cousin's initials, ours being MLAD5... everyone caught on quickly! On the reverse side was another label with the cousin's name and the due date...just in case they didn't catch onto the front side. For my side of the family, the label read..." Cheers to the little ones! Baby #5 due in September" we told my parents that we brought them a bottle of wine for their wine party they happen to be attending tonight.

And there you have it, all of our announcements!

Please feel free to add your own stories,

who knows maybe we steal one for next time...wink wink!

Dels First Time in the Snow

2009-01-16T10:05:00.003-05:00

Does this remind you of the Christmas Movie? The little boy who can't put his arms down?

We had one night without the freezing wind. Hubby was outside clearing the driveway, the older two kids were building a snow fort. Annie was driving me crazy so I bundled her up and sent her outside too. Then it was just me and a crying Dels. I think she was crying out of boredom, nobody to entertain her but boring ole Mom- How early they learn! So I bundled myself up and then little Dels and she could hardly stand! She tried walking, her legs spread apart in a very wide stance and she actually managed to take a few steps. Out we go into the frozen tundra. Up the driveway, down the driveway, turn, twirl, zig zag. Annie yelling, "Faster Mom, Faster!" Molly grabs the other sled and pulls Lolo around and around... then we race! Wow, no matter what I never win! Then Hubby goes up on the roof to clear it off and I yell out to the kids, "Look, it's Santa!" "MooooM, that's not Santa, duh it's just Dad!" As if- she sure told me! In all of the chaos of racing, snow flying, giggles and cheers- I was warm! My heart was melting as fast as the snowflakes that drifted onto Dels eyelash. Watching her blink them away, I had a moment of pure happiness, complete thankfullness and simple joy for my big family...

Then we went inside and I was left with the cold wet mound of snow pants, boots, hats, mittens, coats, scarfs and the snap back to the reality of my life with a big family! Hot chocolate made, pajamas on, books read, all heads on pillows and life is good! We are Blessed!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T09:44:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas From My Family To Your Family!

Annie's Haircut

2008-11-29T22:21:00.002-05:00

Before: After:
I took the oldest two girls to church this morning, because we volunteered to help with the Angel Tree. When we were done I surprised them with a trip to the hair salon. Normally my SIL will cut their hair, so this was the first time that either of them has sat in a salon chair with all the mirrors. They were pretty excited! We did a bit of boring grocery shopping, stopped at Pizza Hut for some Book It pizzas and headed home. When we got home Annie was a bit bummed that she didn't get a hair cut too. So after bribing her with eating her lunch all gone, I got the scissors out and started working on her hair. My intentions were to go about shoulder length, but she had some pretty tricky curls in the back and I ended up going shorter than planned.
Her response... "But Mom, I want my hair like Daddy's!"
I guess it wasn't too short after all!
I put a little bow in the front and she has been smiling since.

All of my girls have short hair now... well Molly's is at her shoulders, but that is short compared to what it used to be! Someday they will all look at pictures and ask me why?
My answer... it's SO much easier! Molly used to complain, whine, and repeat "Ow" whenever the hairbrush would leave the bathroom. Multiply that by a few more girls and getting ready to go anywhere was not very enjoyable. Now they can all brush their own hair and be ready to go. More important that that, they all wanted shorter hair. So if they ever look back at pictures and question my logics... it's right here in writting.

To My Girls,
You all asked for shorter hair, you pointed to where you wanted it cut at and I simply paid for it all (I'm a bit more guilty with Annie, I was holding the scissors) It's not my fault if you are reading this 10 years from now and laugh at pictures of yourselves...I didn't do it, you did- Although I do think it is really REALLY CUTE!
Love ya, Mom

If Obama wants a Goldendoodle, he just might end up with a Poodle!

2008-10-25T22:52:00.008-04:00

This is Bailey our Goldendoodle Puppy (10 months old) I hear the new President Elect is considering a Goldendoodle for his girls. Very good choice, she's a great dog...if only she didn't love to dig! Here's Bailey's story...Suddenly one day when trying to brush the dog, I realized that she was getting matted hair. I brushed, clipped, brushed, clipped and brushed some more, but it seemed hopeless. So I called the groomers, it was time to pay the buck and get some help. So... What happens when you take a Goldendoodle puppy in to the groomers and repeatedly say over and over-

"I like the shaggy dog look, I do NOT want a poodle cut?"

My Hubby picked the dog up from the groomers, this is what he told me. "The lady was talking all about Bailey and how she did while being cleaned up, meanwhile this white dog was wandering around the store- I just figured it was the store dog. So then she asks me what I think about Bailey and I look around to see her. The lady points to the white dog and I had to ask her if the white dog was Bailey! It looks nothing like her, I can't believe it's the same dog!"

When he walked in the front door with Bailey, the kids were a bit hesitant to approach her. Maybe they thought we traded her in for a dog that doesn't dig! Ha! They want to know how long it takes for the hair to grow back.

The groomer informed me that one possible reason that her hair was so matted was because she was neutered, was under meds and after that happens they start to loose their puppy hair and their adult hair comes in... at the same time as a winter coat coming in...Yikes!

On a positive note: it's much easier to wipe her feet off when she comes inside. I feel like she is always looking at me though, I've never seen her eyes before!

(No offense to anyone who has a poodle, knows a poodle, likes the poodle cut or cuts the poodle cut.)

It's happening already

2008-10-24T10:33:00.003-04:00

I know I haven't posted in awhile, so it probably isn't healthy to start off by venting, but I feel this is important. It's been in the headlines (No not politics) Girls and their self image issues. Molly is 7 and she completely stunned me. While getting ready for gymnastics, she was very upset because her leotard didn't have a skirt. At first I thought she was upset because Lolo's outfit had a skirt and hers did not. I finally got it out of her... the reason she wanted a skirt on her leotard??? "My legs are too fat right here!" Pointing at her thighs.

I was shocked, sad and a bit disappointed...in myself. Why would she think she is fat there? It can't possibly have anything to do with my own self insecurities. I'll just blame it on school, yeah someone at school must have taught her this, not me- right?! TV, it had to be on tv...

My Hubby and I have both been trying to watch what we eat and loose a few extra pounds here and there. It has been open conversation in our house. We have always talked about healthy food, vitamins and how they help make you strong and healthy. I even went as far as to tell them that "Yes, you should eat the crust on your sandwich, that's where all the vitamins are!" (I'm sure there are vitamins in the crust, it's not a complete fib) My children have so graciously pointed out that my tummy is still big, even though there isn't a baby in there- thanks girls! With so much focus on loosing weight being shoved down our throats today, did I really expect to not have this happen in my house? I have 4 girls after all, it was bound to come up. So what do I do about it?

I have decided that we are no longer going to discuss loosing weight in the house. We are going to focus on living healthy lives. That's it. I will continue to monitor what shows they watch, but I fully know that I can't possibly shield them from everything forever and would like them to know the difference between what media and society say are beautiful and what is actually healthy and beautiful.

I recently went to a seminar that addressed this and many other important issues in parenting. The speaker was Marybeth Hicks. She authored a book called 'Bringing up Geeks' and while I haven't read the book yet (that requires time to sit down) I highly recommend her and the topics that she speaks on. If you have the opportunity to hear her speak, get a babysitter and make it a date night- she's great!

What are we teaching our children and how can we make it better?

Can't keep this to myself

2008-10-23T14:59:00.002-04:00

You have to go check out this blog. Bridget just had her 5th child, yet she finds time to create the most beautiful things. From quilts to baby booties- you have to check it out! Take note of her Etsy store...Yeah she has time to open a store... she is amazing!

Me on the other hand, I have been a Bad bad blogger. I apologize to all my blog friends for not visiting and commenting. What have I been doing? Organizing. I look around my house and see the chaos and wonder what I have been organizing. I am sure there is some corner of this house that is organized, I just need to find it. I have been ripping through closets, drawers, dressers, rooms and the shed. I have moved furniture and rugs around. Donated all kinds of clothes and toys. Yet as I look around here, I am convincing myself that all that organizing was only Round 1. Beware of Round 2, I will be even more stealthy with toy removal. I will be more aggressive with the dust bunnies. Darn it- I want progress. I want something to show for my hard work and right now I just see clutter. Looks like I better get back to it. Round 2- ready or not here I come!

One Year Celebration!

2008-09-16T09:51:00.005-04:00

Dels,

This is your Mom with a simple request...SLOW DOWN!! This past year has gone by way too fast. I feel like I blinked and you went from a cuddly nursing baby to a smiling crawling happy toddler. Augh...Toddler... you can't be a toddler yet! Slow down! I guess all the signs of toddlerhood are here, ready to walk, eating by yourself, waving, playing peek a boo...but I'm not ready! Yes I look forward to seeing what kind of little girl you will be, the fashion princess like Lolo, or the bug watcher like Molly, or maybe the loving comedian like Annie. As of right now I am predicting that you will be someone who is adventurous. Someone who wants to be involved in everything, who does everything with a smile. I can hang you upside down and you smile. You are a giggler. The simplest things make you happy, a newspaper will give you the giggles for a good 15 minutes! You are happy and you make everyone around you happy. Thank you for bringing this into my life and into our family. Slow down kiddo, sit and cuddle with me, smile at me and know you are loved. Happy Birthday Dels! I love you! -Mom

What's 10 Inches?

2008-08-28T13:45:00.003-04:00

Before

After

We finally did it!

We donated our hair to Locks of Love. This has been over a year in the making and last Friday was the big day! My SIL, the girls' Aunt A cut our hair for us. Here's what got it all started...

One day when we were out for a walk we passed a family, the kids were all smiling and saying hello to all of them, it was a heartwarming moment to watch my children be so sweet. In the back of the group the father was pushing a wheelchair with their daughter who was disabled. Her head was propped up, she was looking to the sky with a smile on her face. My children stopped smiling and just stared. They weren't walking anymore and as the father passed by their eyes followed the wheelchair. I know this is a normal response for young children who are curious, but at that moment my heart sank. I realized that I have not been teaching my children enough about other people's lives. As I shooed them down the sidewalk, we stopped in the grass and sat. We talked about that little girl in the wheelchair. We talked about manners and staring. We talked about being thankful for our health. It was a pretty indepth conversation full of questions, some that I didn't have the answers to. That night at dinner we went around the table and we each said something that we were thankful for. The responses were heartbreaking.

After we ate, I opened up the newspaper to check a time for something and I saw a picture of a little girl who had donated her hair to Locks of Love. Perfect! This was a great opportunity to teach the kids. I showed them the picture, explained why she would cut her hair to give it to someone else? What was a wig? Why some kids have to wear wigs? Why they have to take medicines that help them, but make them sick? Sat dumbfounded searching for a response when asked why God would allow these children to get sick? The questions were tough, but they were learning, I was learning. After talking for awhile, sweet Lolo with tears in her eyes looks at me, grabs her ponytail and says, "I have lots of hair, they can have mine!" To my surprise Molly agreed as well. They were ready to get the scissors and donate at that moment. So we got out the measuring tape. Unless they went for a pixie cut, they didn't have long enough hair. They decided that night that they were going to grow out their hair. To show my support, I agreed to join them.

And there you have it- over a year ago we had this conversation, but to this day and always, we will remember it!

Summertime Kids' Parade

2008-08-01T07:21:00.003-04:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. This week is our Festival week, full of fun activities for the kids and grown kids alike. These pictures were from the Kids' Parade.

Tomorrow is our Big Parade and since our house is only one house off the Parade Route, we throw a HUGE party. Needless to say I haven't been blogging because I have been weeding, cleaning, planning...pretty much in that order. We serve Pulled Pork BBQ sandwiches- I bought 100+ hopefully this will be enough. We have a Keg of Oberon and a pony keg of Molson. The Party has gotten so big that we now have "sponsors" My Dad and his best friend Goof have graciously sponsored the big keg. We have tables, chairs and tents being offered. The "POP" (aka Soda- it's Pop around here) was donated by my In-laws, as well as an unbelievable cheesecake that looks like an American Flag- YUM!

My Mom has been an unbelievable help. She has been here daily helping me out. She went shopping with me yesterday and helped me heave 10- 2o pound bags of ice. She made curtains for my kitchen- that look awesome! She has been bringing supplies, helping with the planning and best of all...she's making 2 Veggie Pizzas...my favorite! My Dad- my rented handyman who works for Oreo's- came and fixed a bunch of stuff around the house. My fence and gate needed fixing. My handrail coming down the backsteps was pretty much pulled out of the wall. And my dishwasher that is a whole nother story in itself, is now screwed back into the cupboards. He took the day off today and will be busy washing yard chairs with me later today. My Mother In Law, Father In Law and Sister in Law have been here babysitting and helping me out hugely. It is so much easier to shop for 10 big bags of ice, 75 cans of Pop, 24 bottles of water, 100+ hamburg buns, paper towels, napkins, plates, silverware, cups...when you don't have a cart full of children! THANK YOU! My Hubby has been having back spasms and was not walking too well the beginning of this week. My Sister In Law ran over to babysit so that I could take him to the hospital. He is on medication now, walking- slowly, but he's moving much better. I am thankful for her coming over, because I don't know how I would have pushed the wheelchair and the stroller at the same time! Overall, I could not have done any of this by myself and I appreciate them all so much. SO with a huge list yet to get done, WHY AM I BLOGGING? Because my Dad still checks it daily and pesters me about not posting more often. This is for you Dad! This is my way of saying Thanks to all of my HELP! Family and Friends is what it is all about- Thank You for showing me that.

With that said...

IT'S PARTYTIME!!

Dinner Tonight

2008-07-25T20:59:00.002-04:00

4 Point Salsa Chicken
Contributed By: ambernobles
Weight Watchers

Ingredients
4 Skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (I used
Chicken tenders - 3 tenders and 3 points per serving)
4 teaspoons Taco seasoning mix
1 cup Salsa (hot or mild, to your taste)
1 cup Shredded Cheddar cheese (I use Kraft 2% low fat)

Light sour cream for garnish (optional)

Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Place chicken breasts in 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle taco seasoning on both sides of chicken. Pour the salsa all over the breasts. Bake at 375 degrees F about 25 - 30 minutes or until chicken is tender and juicy and juices run clear.
Sprinkle the cheese on the breasts evenly and bake another 5 minutes or so until melted and bubbly.

Serve with fat free sour cream as a garnish if desired.

I used the medium salsa, it was a tad spicy, but with a dab of sour cream the kids still loved it. Threw some rice into the rice cooker. Some broccoli on the stovetop and dinner was served. Hubby ate the leftover salsa from the chicken on top of his rice, then scooped with a few tortilla chips.
Hope you enjoy!

It's All Good

2008-07-16T08:45:00.006-04:00

This is what Summer is ALL About!

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. We have been at the Beach, at Vacation Bible School, Up North, Visiting Grandma, Having a 7th Bday Party for Molly, Hanging out with Friends from Chicago and their 5 Children (YUP... 9 children under the age of 10...and only ONE boy!)

Ok and One Last Final Comment... Today is my last day to claim my 20's- Yikes!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Happy Men

2008-06-23T06:45:00.000-04:00

Home Again...

2008-06-22T16:07:00.002-04:00

I've been up north at the lake...veggin! I'm back now and about to tackle Vacation Bible School, the Kindergarten room this week. Wish me luck. I will fill you in with details as I unpack and regain sanity. Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Weekend Wedding

2008-06-09T22:09:00.005-04:00

Well, it's official...

All the Good Guys Are Taken!

This is the last brother to get married (on my Hubby's side)

I now have 2 Sisters and 10 Sister in Laws!!

It was a beautiful outdoor wedding. It was quite warm and at the beginning of the ceremony I took the kids over to a tree to sit in the shade. I forgot to grab my camera and therefore I don't have any pictures of the ceremony. It was beautiful though. Set in a park, tall green lush trees all around with a small steady creek flowing behind. As we were being seated, as the bride was walking down the aisle, it snowed... little cotton fuzz fell from the tree gently blowing, making it look like a beautiful snowfall. After the I Do's, we all headed back up the hill to the pavilion. We all sat around picnic tables, the toasts were said, the food gobbled, the beer drank, the first dance, the Mom/Son Irish song danced to...then my girls took over the dance floor! They were twirling, jumping, swinging and giggling. Annie was having so much fun, that she never once complained of her feet hurting her, it wasn't until I put her in the car and took her shoes off that I saw the blisters all the way around her ankles! I gave her some crocs and she thanked me all the way home, telling me that her crocs no hurt my feet! It was a wonderfully beautiful day.

We Love You!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Fire under my @$$

2008-06-05T23:03:00.003-04:00

I've been motivated. I don't know if it is spring, the joy of getting outside. I don't know if it is the pictures of our Florida vacation. I don't know if it is the time alone to walk the puppy. I don't know why, but for some reason I am sick of hearing my own excuses and finally willing to do something about it. Bailey has been at our house for 2 weeks. For 2 weeks now I have tried to sneak out at night and take her for a walk. It doesn't always work out, life gets in the way, but I'm trying. I always liked walking, but felt strange walking alone, so I would take a child or two along. Now that I am working on training the puppy, the children have stayed home and I am getting some much needed alone time. Tonight is night 2 that I have stepped up the walk into a run. A RUN!! This is huge for me. I haven't ran in a long LONG time. I was heaving, chugging, finding my groove, but once I found it I was there. It actually helped running with the dog, she pulled me when I was needing a tug and I tugged her at the end when she was ready to stop and I needed to push on. We walked a bit further tonight, then ran a bit further tonight. I feel very proud at this moment and wanted to share. I'll report back on how sore I am tomorrow! Off to the showers. Good night!

Lolo Gets Carried Away

2008-06-04T07:44:00.005-04:00

Standing at the patio door~ "Mom, Mom, Mom... there was something grey in your garden!"

Making breakfast in the kitchen~ "Oh yeah, what did it look like?"

"I don't know, it was grey."

"Was it a squirrel?"

"I dunno, maybe a squirrel, maybe it was a bunny!!"

Walking over to patio door~ "Where was it at?"

"Well... you can't see it now."

"Bummer, let me know next time you see it and we'll figure out what it was." ~walking back to kitchen.

"Sorry Mom, guess I got carried away."

"What do you mean you got carried away?"

"Ya know, like really Really excited!~~~ Carried Away!" ~shrugs at me with the look of DUH MOM and walks away.

What happens when a 5 year old learns the meaning of a new phrase? She looks for a reason to use it! Was there ever really a mysterious grey thing in the garden? Who knows! Is she really proud of the fact that she used 'carried away' in a sentence...Thrilled!

Random Post with Questions to Answer! Reply! Reply! Reply! Reply, Reply!

2008-05-29T09:24:00.004-04:00

So I have all these really great pictures I want to share. I really Really want to share. They are from Memorial Day. My Hubby got back in uniform and walked in the Parade with his Dad to honor those before us. (I just have to add that he looked pretty darn good in his uniform!! Wink Wink!) I have all these great pictures from the day and I can't share. Why? There is this thing I have to worry about... Security. In the background of the pics, it clearly gives away where we live. On the cover (hat) of my FIL's uniform is says where we live. Then there is the museum sign, the street corner, every picture I look at there is something in it that gives it away. I know a few of you know where we live and thanks for not giving it away. After all my job as Mom is to protect my family, give them a safe, loving and secure place to grow up. So since the Memorial Day pictures were out of the question, I thought I would share a few of Bailey and her newest trick. She loves the frisbee! It is the kind that has the hole in the middle. She picks it up and runs with it, it flips over her head now looking like a halo and then her ears flop over the top of the frisbee. SO where is my great picture of this? My darn camera has a delay and she runs way too fast, I can't get a good pic. Strike two on my picture sharing. SO I promise I will keep trying to get that pic, but right now she is passed out sleeping at my feet. Have I mentioned just how good she is!! We've had our share of accidents, but we are all learning and it is getting better. She hates the crate, goes nuts! I am told to keep trying she will learn, be patient, she'll get used to it, but WOW does she hate it and WOW can she bark loud when in it! Funny how different she can be in there. She is a very calm, loving, sweet puppy, but when you put her in there...WOWSERS, she goes crazy! She bumped her head so hard that it actually was bleeding. We are rethinking this whole crate training idea. If only I could figure out a safe way to leave her when we aren't home.

Few questions for everyone:
1. How concerned are you about internet safety?
2. What do you do about it?
3. What kind of camera do you all have that takes all these wonderful pictures I always see?
4. Anyone have a spare that they would like to send this way? :)
5. Any ideas on crate training?
6. How do you leave your dog home alone?
7. How do you teach your dog to stop barking? She only does this when left alone.
8. How do you teach your dog to RETURN the frisbee?

The Upside of having a puppy... loosing weight!! Yeah you read that right! Yippeee!! I am so excited. I have really been trying to lower my food intake and get outside more...it's finally paying off! Bailey and I walked for almost an hour and a half two nights ago, it was great to get out. The Downside...wearing the wrong shoes and having killer blisters!

I know this is a random post, going in many directions, it's probably the large cup of coffee I just finished, but reply, reply reply, fill me in on some pointers!

Have a good one everyone!

My Guest Blogger

2008-05-23T14:39:00.008-04:00

HELLO!

I'd like to say Hello to all of the Girlymom readers out there. You don't know me, but I am the newest Girlymom Family Member- Yes another girl in the house! If you don't mind, I am going to take a minute to boast about myself a bit. I have golden blond hair, it's unbelievably soft, a tad curly, a bit frizzy, but it suits me well. As of today my favorite color to accessorize with is red. I love kids and you know what, they LOVE me...in fact EVERYONE LOVES ME! That sounds conceided I know, but it's the truth. I am really friendly with everyone, but still a little unsure of this Girlymom household. They actually expect ME to let THEM get beauty sleep, HA- there's too much going on to sleep. I am about 4 months old, a little homesick, a little unsure, but so far life is good here. I think I just might get spoiled in this house. Well, I am told it is time to go take in the rays, get some exercise and learn all about my new family. It's great to meet you. Since I am so cute, I am sure there will be plenty more pictures soon, so stay tuned!

Paws~

Bailey

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~This is is Bailey~

our 4 month Goldendoodle puppy who has joined the family. Enjoy!

Hmmm....I Wonder Who it Could Be?

2008-05-22T11:23:00.001-04:00

Guest Blogger Tomorrow...

Stay Tuned!

Pictures from the Weekend

2008-05-19T13:20:00.006-04:00

The ONLY thing Annie wanted for her Birthday was CANDLES. My MIL makes the Bday cakes and she put 36 candles on the cake, one for every month we have had to enjoy Annie.

She was very happy blowing them all out.

What happens to a 3 year old when the last candles are blown out by her older sisters?
Daddy relit a few just for her. There's that smile again!
Molly being silly!

Practice candles- breakfast cinnamon roll, birthday crown, pajamas and candles... she was a Happy Girl!

Out of the mouth of a 3 year old...the first gift she opened was a groovy girl doll..."I No Like It!" Reaches for next gift. She's not a snob, it's just her favorite thing to say lately. That's always fun. Ha! She was happy with the Dora Doll and it hasn't stopped talking yet!

We walked down to the Kite Festival at the beach this weekend. Here are a few random pics of my crew! It was a beautiful day and definately windy enough...brrr!

~36 Months~

2008-05-18T22:18:00.003-04:00

How do I Thank You Annie for all of the smiles, hugs and giggles that you bring to my life?

You are one of the silliest little girls that I know. "Look at Me Mom, Look Me!"

Sweet Annie, I have been looking at you.

I have been adoring you.

I have been loving you.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

2 Kindergarteners Around Here and Some Puppy Thoughts Outloud

2008-05-16T07:18:00.006-04:00

How did Lolo go from this...

To This?

She is growing up way too fast. As of Wednesday I now have 2 Kindergarteners in this house. Lolo graduated from preschool *sigh* She is now a Kindergartener...and thrilled. (Molly is still in school, so technically still a Kindergartener)
"Mom, stop telling me that it is my last day of preschool, it makes me sad."
Makes her sad, What about me? Someday she will realize how she is breaking my heart. She is growing up way too fast and I am not ready. I am not ready to put her on the bus in the fall, she's just too little! Looks like I have all summer to get used to the idea, but till then I can pout and not like it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is my decision about the puppy?

Look what we brought home...

Don't get any crazy ideas...This is Bo, he's my brother's dog and we are borrowing him...for a night. He goes home today, but I have to say I just might miss him. Ok, Ok, he came home with us late last night, it's not like we really bonded. Although when he was sleeping at my feet last night (while I was watching LOST- c'mon...any LOST fans?) Bo settled into a deep sleep and then it happened...he relaxed a bit too much, he made himself right at home and I discovered my "million dollar invention idea"~Doggie GasX! Holy Moly can he clear the room...so yeah maybe we did bond, I was feeling a bit too close to him at that moment. (I can hear my brother laughing loudly right now...seriously it's not funny, his stench hurts!) Hubby has been out of town for the past few days and I have to say it felt good to have Bo here last night. Sure he was a bit unsettled being in a new place. He heard every noise, he followed the kids around looking for them. It was nice. I have to say that I think I just might miss his stinky self when he goes back home today. *sigh* See...I'm still undecided.

Here's the rest of the story. Before Hubby and I had children we knew we wanted a dog. We had it all picked out, a golden retriever named Bailey- Yes Hubby is Irish and we love the Bailey's Irish Cream. We never got our Bailey because we moved alot. Hubby was deployed alot and I was pregnant ALOT. We didn't think it made sense to get a dog in Hawaii when I had little babies to care for alone. We didn't want to travel/fly with a dog, so we waited. We moved to Chicago. This was the closest Naval location to home in Michigan. After being across an ocean we wanted to get back home as much as possible. We did alot of roadtrips back and forth between Chicago and home. I still wanted the dog, but with all the travel and Hubby still working such long hours...we got a cat. We were able to leave the cat or take the cat along. He was small, portable and we love him. So this brings us to today. We left the Navy life. We are settled into a house back home. Hubby still works long hours, but I don't ever see that changing, it's just a part of who he is and what he has to do. So, why am I trying to talk myself out of my Bailey? I can reason with the logical...we want to redo the foundation on our house...someday. Yeah it isn't going to be anytime soon, let's get realistic about that idea. It isn't like you can just wake up one day and say this is it, I have endless amounts of cash, I am going to lift my house and redo the foundation. Ha! That would be nice!

(anyone with extra cash that has this urge to lift a house, feel free to contact me...we can work something out)

I could be waiting a very Very long time before the foundation happens, do I really want to wait that long for Bailey? So while I ponder this puppy idea, while I see Annie run back and forth through the living room giggling at Bo, I will wish you all a very Happy Aloha Friday and hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

FlipFlop

2008-05-14T16:50:00.002-04:00

This is Me... A FlipFlop.

Just when I think I have made my mind up about something, of course I rethink it all and change my mind. It doesn't matter what it is, I flipflop my way through it. This puppy business, I am a mess, Yes, No, Yes, No. I have my pros and I have my cons, I am a list person. As of right now the cons list is higher. BUT then I come home from picking up Lolo from her last day of preschool and walk in the door thinking- Ya know it would be nice to come home to someone happy to see me. I grew up with a dog. I had my own little white dog when I was a little girl. Loved it to pieces. Tisha and I went everywhere together. We rode bikes, she sat in the doll stroller, the wagon, we ran all over the neighborhood. (Remember when kids were allowed to run all over the neighborhood???) The little voice in my head that says this puppy thing is a phase, the kids will get bored with it, they will forget...is also screaming at me... remember Tisha, remember how much you loved that dog. Is it the right time? Well seriously...is it ever? Is there ever a perfect time to get a puppy. If I thought like that then I doubt I would have started having a family so early. Do you see it? It's happening again...I'm leaning toward yes. Oh how I wish I was a person who knew all the answers, but then again is life really truly interesting if you know what you are going to do and when you are going to do it? Maybe this flipflop life is perfect for me, it keeps me thinking, it keeps me guessing. So as for the puppy...I have 3 more weeks before they can go home with anyone. I have 3 more weeks to decide. AND I have 3 more weeks of sweet, annoying, honest obsessive begging from the kids. At least the toy room has been clean... they really want a puppy!

What the Kids are Begging for...

2008-05-13T12:19:00.000-04:00

So Beautiful!

2008-05-12T08:59:00.004-04:00

Mother's Day Morning I wake up to nurse Dels, Annie wakes up and crawls across me to get to Hubby. I hear a noise on the steps, get up to check and I see Lolo coming upstairs with a tray...with grape juice. I jump back in bed so I don't ruin the surprise and tell Hubby it would be wise to assist her. I am served my juice and poptart- Yum! Hubby takes the youngest two downstairs, Lolo disappears, I am alone and it's quiet. I close my eyes and enjoy the peace. I am next instructed to keep my eyes shut.

Hmmmm.... wonder what they are up to? Look who made Mom Beautiful!

Do you think they had a tad bit of fun jazzing me up?

After I was made beautiful we all came downstairs for some cinnamon rolls (and COFFEE)

It was a Beautiful start to my Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to you all!

WW~Wishing I Was Here!

2008-05-07T09:31:00.000-04:00

The words to go with the pictures...

2008-05-06T07:53:00.003-04:00

My FIL is home from the hospital. He is resting, recovering and ready to be back to his busy body self. After the dance recital we took the oldest two children to the hospital to visit him...in their dance costumes. They were so happy, giggly and uplifting. It was perfect.

The Graduation Party went really well. We did the mad dash house clean up, lawn mowed, glasses rinsed, serving platters out, coolers filled. It was great! For that split moment before people showed up...my house was clean. Everything put away, bathroom looked untouched, towels clean, beds made. It's just proof that it can be done and should be done more often...Ha!

The dance recital was wonderful! I'm just going to be the proud Mama for a minute so stick with me and listen to me brag and boast. Ok~ my children were the ones that the whole group watched. They knew their stuff. They had their dance steps memorized. They performed them beautifully and were very proud of themselves. From beginning to end they were performers, from walking out to the end curtsy. Molly with her toothless grin, Lolo with her skinny little self. They were happy and loving it and I was the proud Mom on the edge of my seat clapping loudly, even a few Hoot Hoots. Not only was I proud of my dancers, but my audience was amazing as well. The seats were the fold up kind like in a movie theater. Little Annie sat in one by herself, looking teeny tiny, but determined to sit alone. She sat there quietly with her legs crossed and her hands folded on her lap and watched. She was so patient, so quiet, so fascinated and just plain perfect. As if that was not enough I turn to the other side and see my Hubby who is rocking Dels in the carseat...asleep. Can we freeze time? For this little blip of time, everything was calm, everyone was happy. I didn't want to blink. *sigh* It was perfect.

Then there was Monday...back to reality. Annie pees on the freshly cleaned rug and her clothes, can't be one or the other, it has to be both. Beds are all messy, crumbs all over the floor. I change Dels diaper and lay her on the floor to roll around. I ran upstairs to grab some warmer clothes, run back down and start to change her...she's wet. Not her diaper, her diaper is dry. One tab came undone, the diaper slid to the side...just far enough and she peed. *sigh* So that rug is wet, those clothes soaked. A little while later and I am holding Dels on my chest, we are looking into each others faces, smiling, making faces, giggling...then she spits up...on my chin, down my neck, into my shirt... did I really expect perfect to last? Ha! But you know what, to me this is perfect. I am a Mom to 4 wonderful children, I am needed, wanted, hugged, spit up on, peed on and loved. When I was sitting there covered in spit up, wondering how I was going to move...I reminded myself that I am going to miss this someday. Not today, but someday. Until then I will try my best to live each and everyday enjoying it all and taking it all in.
The not so perfect and the perfect.

Check out their recital pictures below...

I Hope You Dance!

2008-05-06T07:48:00.001-04:00

Spare Time

2008-05-03T09:44:00.002-04:00

At least the kids have spare time!

Poor Jakey, he's not thrilled to be dressed up in doll clothes, but he wasn't running away either. He loves the attention. I don't have much time to post lately, but I had to share these pics and a quick update/prayer request. My FIL went into the hospital last night with double pnemonia. He is doing well, but he is the backbone to everything around here, so the world is topsy turvy. My SIL J graduates from College today. I will have to dedicate another post to her later this week. She is having a graduation party tomorrow and because of the topsy turvyness, we volunteered to host the party at our house. See, I knew I was on a spring cleaning binge for a reason. Needless to say, we have dance recitals today, soccer games and a party to prepare.

Stay tuned for more updates as they come, some recital pictures too.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

LoTs Of ChAnGeS HeRe!

2008-04-28T09:24:00.007-04:00

SOMETHING IS MISSING...

Molly was playing with my brother's dog, who bumped her just right and knocked out the left tooth (looking at her) on Saturday night. The right tooth dangled all day yesterday and finally right before dinner, we sat together and while cheering her on, she tried to pull it out, turned it around backwards, laughed, cried, and then when she tried ONE MORE TIME and it was out! She was so happy. The Tooth Fairy has been very busy and is now broke! Molly wrote the Tooth Fairy a letter each night. The first one asking if the dog can have a treat for helping. The second letter asking if her sister Lolo could get something too, since she is so SAD that she isn't loosing any teeth yet. Somehow this sweetness is working out in their favor and not the Tooth Fairies who is now handing out extra money for sweetness!

Molly's Art

Just before our trip, Molly was awarded with an Art Award. She was very happy, excited and proud. It was nice to have an event that was all about just her. Aw- look at the smile with teeth!

Dels Rolls

While we were in Florida, little Dels learned how to roll both directions. She now plays on the floor rolling all over the place. I am not sure that I am ready for these days yet. I still enjoy setting her down and having her be in the same spot when I turn back around. Yikes, I better get my running shoes ready!

Annie Loves Her Music

Since our Florida Trip, Annie LOVES to listen to music. She loves her headphones, bobs her head to the music, swings her hips. She's a dancin girl!

Since we are talking about dance, guess what we have coming up this weekend?

Here's a preview...

Lolo started soccer too!

I just don't have a picture of her yet. She has been asking and asking. So I told her that when she is 5 she can play. On the morning of her Bday (Feb) the first thing she asks me...Can she play 5 year old soccer now? Well the signups are for fall and spring, it was kinda midseason. So I found an indoor rec dept. soccer class that she could join. So now she gets to run around and be a shark or a minnow and it is all hers. She's happy.

Thank you to everyone for the well wishes and kind words about my Grandpa. The funeral was very nice. It was great to see people that I have always heard about, but never knew...all the older Great Aunt's and Uncle's and such. My sister and her family came back in again from Missouri, so more play time with my nephew- who is so stinkin cute. I will have to share some pics of him soon too. My brother bought a new car, well a new car to him, it is a used VW Passat. He has been talking about a new car for over a year. He has been shopping, saving, comparing prices and finally went shopping with my Dad to find THE car. He brought it home last Tuesday. While we were at the funeral on Friday, somebody smashed his rear window. Aw...c'mon~ can you believe that? They think it might have been related to Senior Skip day...but how inconsiderate. Needless to say he was pretty bummed. On happier news, my Uncle from Virginia drove up, so we were able to spend some time with him. My Mom hosted a bunch of family Saturday night and it was a good time. There are promises of family reunions for this summer and I am told that I am helping to plan it. I guess because we always have such awesome parties (tootin my horn here) that I am now a party plannin girl! Sounds fun to me.

I told ya lots has changed here, lots going on. In the next few weeks, we have a dance recital, talent show, bridal shower, wedding, soccer, and of course all the end of year stuff too. Oh and birthday parties. Oh and our Anniversary. When's Mother's Day? There's always something right...that's what makes life interesting. Have a great Monday!

Kinda a Strange Post

2008-04-22T11:23:00.003-04:00

I wasn't sure I would sit and write today. I don't have the time, I have a huge mess around here, but then I thought about all the wonderful people I have met through my blog and their lives. Do any of us really have the time? No...we make the time. So I am sitting here waiting on the washing machine, with 5 minutes before I have to make lunch sandwiches and I just want to say I am sorry and thank you.

First I am sorry to all the wonderful people who stop by here and leave comments, as I have been very neglectful in responding to your blogs as well. I would like to make a promise to visit and comment more often, but I won't. I know that as spring arrives, as it gets nicer outside, I will be busier than ever and wanting to be outside and enjoying the wind in my face. Ideally I would be able to juggle having kids with bubbles, chalk, scraped knees, bumps and bruises and my wireless laptop on my lap...but as of today I have not been declared Superwoman. So I would like to say Thank You to all of you who haven't given up on me, who still stop and visit, even to just say Hello. Please know that I appreciate it more than you know. I will be offline again for a few days. I am not sure how long, but my Grandfather just passed away last night and there will be quite a bit of activity going on. I would like to make the time to sit and blog, to come up with some clever, funny, uplifting thing to share. Instead I leave you with this strange post. I am off to celebrate the life of a 95 year young man, who is finally at peace. Peace be with You as well.

OK~ I goofed, his Birthday is tomorrow and he turns 92. I thought 95 wasn't right and after talking to my Mom, we determined He will be 92 tomorrow. Oops!

A Dolphin Story

2008-04-21T09:23:00.004-04:00

Ok, I am finally getting around to sharing a vacation story...no speedos involved. Growing up my family started going to Ft. Myers Beach for spring break. Everytime we went we stayed in a tiny cottage up on stilts...right on the water. It was simple, it was cozy, but we didn't care, we loved it and it was perfect. I am NOT a morning person. I have never enjoyed opening my eyes and turning on the brain first thing in the morning. I am usually in a cloud for at least the first hour. With that said, it was different in Florida. I don't know if it was because we were all sleeping on top of each other, or if it was just the pure excitement of being there. Whatever it was, I was happy to get up and get going. I also have this love of dolphins, so it was a good thing I could get my tush out of bed because the dolphins came by early for breakfast. On to my story...

This trip to Florida was my first time back in 9 years, my first time bringing my Hubby and children. I was so excited to share all the memories with my family. It was bittersweet seeing the tables turn, it was no longer me riding in my parents car, it was me being the Mom with my own car full of anxious children. Yes my whole family was there, all my siblings and then those brave enough to join our family too. We rented a duplex, both sides of it. We had 2 kitchens, 2 baths, 2 washers/dryers, 2 living rooms, 4 bedrooms, 2 decks...we had space.

Our first two mornings, I was up, I was ready, I was watching...it was Extremely windy...no dolphins. I was incredibly bummed. Here I have been telling stories about dolphins everywhere and now they are nowhere to be found. On the third morning I got up and walked out onto one deck thinking everyone on the other side of the house was still asleep. I had the baby and we sat outside watching the waves. I look over to the other deck and see my Dad- Ha someone else is up. He goes back inside and I go through the house to the deck on his side. My parents are both up and talking about how nice it is outside, I tell them I am going outside to sit because "I will not be sleeping when those darn dolphins finally come around for breakfast!" We go sit out on the deck and just take it all in. Eventually the rest of the gang wakes up and we start breakfast. As we are sitting outside eating breakfast, someone comments on how strange it is that we haven't seen a single dolphin. My children are sitting around with their mouths full of cereal and I decide to take this matter into my own hands. I turn to the water and call out "Dolphins, Dolphins...Where Are You?" Then I start making clicking noises. Yup I clicked my best dolphin impersonation...can you picture it? Call out again..."Dolphins!! Dolphins!!" Well, I kid you not, it wasn't even 2 minutes later we are back to eating breakfast and talking and I look over the rail towards the water...and there they were. They were right in front of us. They weren't down the beach, they weren't down by the pier...where did they come from? They popped up right in front of us. Hubby and I grabbed Molly, Lolo and Annie and ran to the water. The dolphins were in front of us for a short while, but were moving their way down the beach. I turn to Molly and tell her if she wants to see them more we are going to have to walk fast down the beach. To which she replies...

"Mom, why don't you just call them again?"

ARE YOU READY FOR IT?

2008-04-17T08:19:00.005-04:00

You all remember my Dad? I posted this picture in the past. Everyone commented on what a handsome, good looking Dad I had...yeah thanks for those comments...it gave him a very large head and even though he is happily married he was disappointed with no phone numbers...Ha!

So here's how the story goes...
My Dad and my Sister C were discussing the high tides/low tides. Sister C so smartly informed my Dad that the moon had more to do with the Tide changes than the sun. My Dad disagreed and said it was the sun that played the bigger part in creating the tides. So they made a bet...

If my dad was right it was a $5 loss. If Sister C was right...Here it comes... He had to walk to the Pier and Back in a Speedo!!! Hee hee hee... guess what?? It's the Moon!! Gotta love internet, we were able to snatch some wireless from a nearby hotel and look it up...AND prove him wrong.

My other Sister K and her Hubby Drill Sergeant went out shopping the next morning and actually found Speedos in the store...Why? Seriously why would a hip downtown store be carrying these in stock is beyond me, getting past that idea, they bought it...in bright RED! They also bought MATCHING yellow Corona suits for ALL the guys. That's a whole nother story though.

My Dad has a great sense of humor, but he is never wrong. So the whole family was after him about this one. Needless to say his sense of adventure, sense of humor and maybe lack of self pride won over and he put it on. Now I must warn you...he tans very fast...he's been wearing his long bathing suit all week... there are areas that are NOT tan...that's what made the whole thing so funny!! He put it on and he went walking...with all of us following, laughing and of course video taping!! He got quite a response because it was a weekend and a crowded beach... BUT he did it and he stood proud with a smile ALL THE WAY TO THE PIER...DOWN THE PIER...AND BACK! Picture it...Papa walking the beach with his children in tow...laughing... I mean supporting him and laughing...5 guys walking behind him in matching YELLOW Corona bathing suits... My Mom about to fall over in embarrassment, yet still video taping and explaining to the crowds that he lost a bet to his daughter, the crowds finding this very amusing and spreading the word...it was a great moment in time!

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED...

CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

DAD~ ALTHOUGH I HAVE SEEN WAY MORE OF YOU THAN I EVER WANTED TO...I ALSO SAW ANOTHER SIDE OF YOU THAT I ADMIRE AS WELL...YOU HAVE AN AMAZING SENSE OF HUMOR...A BET IS A BET AND YOU DID IT, YOU ACTUALLY DID IT...I GIVE YOU SO MUCH CREDIT AND ADMIRATION...HOLY COW...YOU ACTUALLY DID IT!

Thanks for the memories...I think!

My disclaimer...no offense to anyone who likes, admires, or wears speedos.

To each their own~ whatever ya wanna wear...just don't sit by me.

50 Today

2008-04-15T22:00:00.002-04:00

Today is my Mom's Birthday.
I haven't put together a Tribute to her yet for a few reasons, one being I didn't have all the pictures on my computer yet, another being that I am at a loss of words. I have sat down and tried to write a Tribute to my Mom since starting this blog. Each time I start I end up deleting it...thinking it just isn't enough, not quite right. As I sat down this morning to write about my Mom, I grew frustrated. Why is it so hard to creatively write about my Mom? Why?

It is now almost 10pm. I took the kids over to my Mom's for pie tonight. And you know what I did? I gave her a card that I have been saving for about a year now. I gave her the card, wrote a little ditty inside, from me to her...all about having 4 children and truly appreciating and admiring her more and more everyday. That I am thankful for the friendship that we have. You know what she did? She smiled then she laughed...then she told me I already gave her that card! I knew it was a good card, I mean it had to be if I gave it to her twice...but how did I not know that? With the kids running around giggling, my Mom holding her 2nd really cool card and chuckling, it hit me. I don't need to write some big elaborate letter to my Mom. She gets it, she knows how much I love her without a single word. We have this connection that only those really close can possibly have. I can look at her and know what her eyes mean, what mood she is in. I can be explaining something and she knows what I mean. We call each other constantly, with some of the dumbest, simplest things~ usually answering the phone with a "Miss me already?" or "Me Again" and sometimes it simply "What now?" We have moved on from the teen years of Mom being "so uncool" to the grownup years of raising a glass of Captain and Coke. We agree and we agree to disagree. We can say what wants to be heard and then also we can be very blunt and honest as well. In high school, when I had trouble with friends, my Mom told me that friends would come and go, friends would be nice one day and turn on you the next, but family was different. Your family is always your family, no matter what. At the time I didn't truly get this. My friends were my life, my sisters were younger and we were at different stages of our lives. I get it now. I know what she was telling me and I have experienced it firsthand. BUT, there was one thing she never explained to me when telling me this. I never expected my best friends to be IN my family. I didn't expect that my Mom would be my Best Friend. I am grateful to have grown older, to figure it out and finally after all these years I will FINALLY admit it...

Mom You Were Right!

HaPpY 50th BiRtHdAy MoM!

On a side note... when leaving my parents house tonight, my Dad asked if I would be kind when sharing pictures of the Speedo scenario...Ha ha ha...Yeah right! Pay backs!!

To my Mom's request...Yes I will post a picture of Dad in his regular swim suit as well, so everyone doesn't think you married a Nut. But watch out, because the Speedo shots will blind ya! I'll bet you are all just so anxious to see these pics and know what the big fuss is about...

maybe tomorrow!

Plugged Back In

2008-04-14T09:03:00.003-04:00

I did it, I unplugged...Why?

BECAUSE I WAS ON VACATION!!

I took off the shoes and wiggled my toes in the sand,

sat with the breeze in my hair and the sun on my face.

It was wonderful!

I am back, I am plugged back in...I have so much to share.

But first I have to get back into the everyday life.

Kids to school, lunches ate...where are my keys?

I have tons of pictures, which I need to snag from my dad's computer.

I have lots of great stories, some including dolphins, kids, family and

Papa's speedo!!

Stay tuned for that story...it's a good one!

I am back, I am plugged in and once I get a bit more organized,

I will throw together some new posts! Stay tuned...

Unplugging for Spring Break

2008-04-02T07:06:00.003-04:00

As you all can tell, my life revolves around my family. Lolo has started her spring break and is home with me along with Annie and Dels. Molly is the one who has been sick and just yesterday went back to school. (High temp, cough, no appetite~ watch out, it's going around) Anyways, getting to the point... I have been online quite a bit, I love to read your blogs and I love being able to share a glimpse of our lives in my own blog. BUT~ I have decided that for spring break, I will be spending it with my family, my children who tug for my attention. I only have one chance in my life to mold and create wonderful children and with everyone out of school, this is my chance.

Of course I do have to mention the video. I saw this on the Today Show. At first I was listening with only one ear, but later on in the interview it really caught my attention. Part of me listens to these ladies and says "Well, who the heck buys all the technology toys for the kids?" OR "If you don't like seeing your children plugged in to all these gadgets, why not change that?" So listen to the video and give me your opinion.
Are you too plugged in?
Are your children?
At what age do you think tech gadgets are appropriate?
Do you allow tv/other gadgets in their bedroom?
Do you limit time spent plugged in?
Time spent plopped down in front of the tv?
What are some positives/negatives of tech on your life?
Just a few idea questions, now tell me what you think.

For now, I am turning off the cartoons...Goodbye Dora! I am turning off the morning shows. I am unplugging the computer *sigh and a tear*

Watch out kids, you are in for an overdose of MOMTIME!

BUT I WILL BE BACK!

April Fools Jokes

2008-03-31T09:18:00.001-04:00

I ran across this and just had to share a few fun ideas. This week is a crazy hectic busy week, so please pardon my absence. I will try my best to post and to keep up and comment, but between a sick child and hectic schedule...well, I'll do my best.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Big Foot

Submitted by Deanna C.

We crumpled up newspaper and stuffed it into the toes of Dad's shoes. He couldn't figure out why they were suddenly too small!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rising Pancakes

Submitted by Gina L.
My two daughters, who love pancakes, took quick-acting dry yeast and added it to the box of pancake mix. Then, on April Fools' day, they begged for pancakes for breakfast. When I made them, we had the biggest pancakes I had ever seen! I couldn't figure out what was going on until they busted up laughing!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Autocorrect Madness

Submitted by Deanna M.
In Microsoft Word, use the Autocorrect feature to "correct" a commonly used word such as "the" by automatically inserting "April Fools'!" It will drive them mad!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chip in the Teapot

Submitted by Lorelei A.
I took the largest potato chip I could find and carefully placed it inside my mom's favorite china teapot. If your mom is like mine, she will be very upset with you -- until you show her the potato chip. Be sure to say "April Fools'!" with a very big smile and a hug, as she has just been traumatized.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Instant Carrots

Submitted by Karen M.
The kids and I planted a vegetable garden. They were most excited about growing carrots.
That night, I ran to the grocery store, bought carrots with the tops on them, and planted them when I got home. When the kids got up the next morning and went outside to look at their garden, they were thrilled that their carrots had grown so fast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Falling Balls

Submitted by Kathy O.
My son and I gathered all the balls in the house and filled the kitchen cupboards with them. When my husband opened one of the doors, he received a shower, while my son and I got a good laugh (and a lot of balls to pick up)!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endless Lint

Submitted by Sterling B.

I placed a spool of white thread in an inside suit coat pocket and threaded it through my coat lapel to make it look like lint. Friends who saw it pulled on it. It kept coming out until they realized it was an April Fools' joke.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Puppy Switcheroo
Submitted by Sue I.

We had an adult yellow lab. After the kids went to bed, we borrowed the neighbors' yellow lab puppy and gave them our dog for the day. When the kids woke up, they couldn't figure out why their dog had shrunk. Our neighbors' kids were also surprised at how much their puppy had grown overnight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arctic Cereal

Submitted by Melissa O.
The night before April Fools' day, pour milk over half a bowl of cereal and put it in the freezer.
In the morning, add a covering of more cereal and milk. Call your child to breakfast and watch him try to eat it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rapping Mom

Submitted by Donna H.
I hate rap music, but my two teenage sons love it, so I decided to pull a little prank on them. When riding in mom's car, we listen to mom's music, which means no rap.Riding home from having dinner out, I popped in a tape of a famous rap artist and started rapping along. Their mouths dropped open, and at the same time they said, "Mom, are you okay?"

Found these fun ideas Here.

Teddy Bear Night

2008-03-28T08:43:00.003-04:00

We had a teddy bear night at preschool last night. Everyone brought a teddy bear. Everyone played teddy bear games, puzzles, made art projects and read teddy bear books. Lolo enjoyed showing off her school and being the leader of our little teddy bear parade.

Overall it was a fun time!

Have a wonderful weekend!

I'm Not Ready!

2008-03-27T07:38:00.006-04:00

I have a large "sponge" that is about 3 inches thick, it is contoured to fit a baby. I put this into the kitchen sink and add some nice warm water. I get out the J&J baby soap, the wash cloth, a clean diaper, clean clothes and a towel. I am ready. Dels is ready. I change the dirty diaper and carry VERY quickly a bare baby to the kitchen sink. I set her in the sink, just like I have done hundreds of times since bringing her home from the hospital.

Wait a minute...I'm not ready!

I can't lay her down in the sink anymore. I have to sit her down in the sink. When did she learn how to SIT? Yeah Yeah, she does it all the time on the floor with toys, but she's not old enough to be doing this in the bath~ right?! I sigh, my baby, my teeny tiny baby is growing up too fast. She is sitting in the sink. She is reaching for the faucet. She is giggling at the bubbles. She is splashing in the water. She surprises herself with a splash in the face, looks up at me with these big blue bright eyes and Smiles! I lean her back to rinse her hair, WHAT?? I can't even get her to fit head to tush anymore? Not only is she sitting in the sink, but now she is too tall for the sink too!

My heart can't take this!

We have a HUGE sink, how is it that she doesn't fit?

Maybe if I lay her back at an angle...nope too tall for that too.

*Sigh*

After her bath, I cuddle her up in her towel, dry her off, tickle a few pudges and get her dressed. I ask fashion trendy Lolo to grab me a hat, since it is still chilly here. Well, you can see the pictures and the hat that she chose~ the hat fits, it used to cover her eyes...now it fits!

*Sigh*

What have I learned from this bath?

That my oldest baby can't even fit her feet in the sink.

That my second baby wants to bathe by herself now.

That my third baby desperately needs a bath...

runny nose and wiping sideways with the sleeve...it's not pretty.

My fourth and teeny tiny baby, well~ she's still my baby, but I better not blink because today she might be sitting in the sink and wearing the too big hat, but tomorrow she will be throwing that graduation hat up in the air and running out my Red Door!

Wait a minute... I'm not ready!

~Not Left Out~

2008-03-26T08:19:00.002-04:00

In this house, Not Left Out means more than one thing. On Easter Day, the girls all dressed in their cute dresses. I am shooting pictures of the oldest three, Baby Dels was eating some baby food with Daddy. I stole her midmeal for a few pictures, but by the time I added her in the picture, the oldest three didn't want to sit still OR smile anymore~ they just wanted candy. SO because I didn't want to leave Baby Dels out of the Easter pictures, because I wanted pictures of her in her cute dress too and because she was happy, smiling and making her new funny face~ here are some pictures of her in her Easter dress...Not Left Out~

AND because I decided I needed some time away from being Mommy, I signed up for a beading class. I invited some Sister in Laws and we went out for a Girls' Night of beading. It was great. We sat with no children, a glass of wine and some great giggles and conversation. I highly recommend it AND look at the bracelet I made...
Very beachy, just in time for my Spring Break trip. I have been playing with beads and jewelry for awhile now on my own. I could handle the basics, I can throw a pair of earrings together, but it sure was nice to go to a class, get out of the house and interact with others and learn how to make this correctly, ask questions to a person~ not Google. I am planning some more classes, so I will keep you updated on my progress. My longterm goal is to learn how to make jewelry well enough that I can do this on the side, something that is mine, something that doesn't sing the alphabet, Old McDonald had a Farm, or require diapers. Don't get me wrong, I love caring for the children, I love that I can stay home with them, I would not Dream of raising them any other way, BUT it has been almost 7 years now of me being home, washing laundry, doing dishes, vacuuming floors, changing diapers and when it comes to those Holiday Parties and people ask me that question, the one I dread..."What do you do?" I have a hard time keeping my smile and saying Oh so Kindly..."I have 4 children under the age of 7, what the HECK do you think I do ALL day...eat bon bons, watch Oprah, blog, sleep in, drink wine with my feet up on the table." Ok, so sometimes I wish I could say that but I don't, I bite my tongue and simply reply that I stay home with the children. The conversation usually ends there, I have no work to discuss, no career, no college alumni status to boast about, and they don't want to hear about the boogers I found on the wall, the number of blocks the 3 year old stacked or how many times the baby nursed. On any given day this doesn't bother me, Holiday Work Parties, I cringe. I dread the question. I wish I ran into other mothers like me at these functions, but I don't.

AND then when I get home I am reminded that I have it way better than anyone...I'll bet they aren't sitting at their computers right now trying to type while having Strawberry Shortcake flavored pink sparkly lip gloss applied ALL over their lips. When I started writing this, I was thinking I would say I took the beading class to not feel left out from the adult world. To not feel left out from a "normal" conversation. Boo hoo to me. But you know what, I just realized something, maybe it's the scent of the strawberry lip gloss taking over my brain, but isn't that what it is about? The fact that my daughter didn't want me to feel left out. Everyone else in the house has this Beautiful lip gloss on, she didn't want me to be left out. Forget the Holiday party question, forget the insecurities that come with not finishing college, I have it great. I have an amazing family and I wouldn't trade that for any "I Love Me" wall full of accomplishments. My "I Love Me" wall is scattered across the fridge. Maybe I am not the one Left Out after All.

The Concept of Frozen

2008-03-25T08:43:00.000-04:00

Lolo wants to try something new.

She does not understand the concept of frozen.

She wants frozen Cheerios.

So she puts them in a small cup...

And puts them in the fridge.

Hmmm... I wonder how they'll taste~

maybe like cold Cheerios?

On another note:

They sit next to another cup she has placed in the fridge.

Her orange juice...that's gone.

Yep, she puts empty cups back in the fridge,

it's her way around dishes.

She is also known to put her clean laundry...

in the dirty laundry hamper.

I see a pattern.

Love ya Lolo!

What is Easter to 4 Little Girls?

2008-03-24T13:42:00.009-04:00

After Easter Mass, I jumped out of the car at home "to make lunch" while everyone else went for a ride to go see Lake Michigan. Can you believe it? They missed the Easter Bunny!

Have I mentioned before that I absolutely love all this pink? The dresses, the curls, the tights and shoes, the baskets, the smiles. I loved how many times I would see one of the older girls give an egg to a smaller child. The excitement of opening an egg to see what was inside. Comparing baskets, trading goodies, the conversations, the sharing, the love.

While we were in church I bent down and asked Molly why Easter was such a special day? While I expected to hear something about eggs, candy and rabbits, I was surprised with her response...
"Jesus, he loves us Mom. Today is a day about Him."

It truly is a great day!

An Easter Lily~

2008-03-22T21:55:00.004-04:00

May it be a day of happiness, love, memories, friends and family.

Playing Tricks

2008-03-20T11:31:00.006-04:00

After just finishing ravioli I scoot my chair back a tad from the table. We are just sitting and talking, the youngest still eating. We are talking about our day, our week, what is yet to come. I tell Hubby that I need some money for upcoming days events, $4 for dance cd's and $1 for Molly's "dollar days" at school. A Fundraiser that they pay $1 to be involved in, this weeks theme is dress like a book character. Since I gave him my cash and never saw the change, I was digging into his wallet this time to get the $5. He forks up the ones and sets them on the table in front of me. Meanwhile Molly comes and sits on my lap facing me. She picks up a $1 leaving the other $4 on the table. She wads the $1 into a ball, closes her hand around it and puts both hands behind her back. She proceeds with the magic trick of guessing which hand the $1 is in. Of course I guess the wrong one...she then very stealthily takes the hand with the $1 and puts in up to my ear...and presto magic, somehow a $1 appears out of my ear! Ha ha ha, hee hee hee...I am SO amazed! When she finished laughing she asks me if that was a good trick.

"Yeah Molly, that was a great trick, but I ReaLLy want to know how you made the $4 disappear from the table?"

"Huh" She turns around and the $4 is gone. She looks on the table, under the table, under the plate, napkin, cup, up my sleeve, attempts to lift my shirt...uh no, not there. She is searching all over, I am fighting back the giggle inside. As she is on the floor looking under the table, she looks back up at me...quite seriously and says...

"Did I really do it?"

"Hmmm I don't know, I hope you remember what magic words you used because we need that $4 for dance."

She proceeds with some sort of albra ca dabra and amazingly the $4 reappears back on the table. By now she is thinking she is pretty cool!

I just hate to crush her, so I don't, but then...

"Lolo, come check this out, I can do magic for REAL!"

Uh oh, I'm in trouble, more eyes watching this time.

So we repeat through the process, Lolo completely sees what I am doing and as she is about to blurt it out and reveal my stealthiness, I wink at her. She gets it. She's with me now. Ha ha ha, this is so much fun! We continue this scene for a good ten minutes. Molly is catching on to the fact that I had the money, but she can't seem to figure out where. (I tucked it under my leg) So she starts searching me, as she is I move the money under my arm, stand up and start to walk away. She is frustrated now...where could it be? I shrug my shoulders and say "Don't know, you did the magic" as I shrug the money falls to the floor. She is amazed. She still thinks she is a REAL magician. I let her believe.

A few hours later she's getting ready for bed.

"Mom, I know that I didn't REALLY do magic, you had it the whole time...right?!"

Shrug, kiss, hug, good night.

I had to walk out, I had to let her believe.

I had to go downstairs to let out the giggle.

Ok, OK I take it back...

2008-03-20T09:05:00.005-04:00

I LOVE THE BOWLING LEAGUE NIGHT!!

Alright, let me explain. So at the end of summer when I was hugely pregnant, my Hubby was approached by my brother to join the bowling league along with my dad. Seeing this as a chance to spend some time with them, he said yes.

Little side note: My dad grew up with a bowling ball attached to his hand. He's had 8 perfect 300 games...so far. My brother grew up very sick and bowling was a sport he was able to participate in, so he has been bowling since he was old enough for the Kids' League, the high school team, works at the bowling alley, basically lives there. My Hubby took up bowling 7 years ago when I was pregnant with Molly, he decided to give it a try. Was never on a league. Got away from bowling due to being deployed and just life... back to my story...

So bowling league starts. No big deal, it's one night a week for a few hours. I gawked at paying $15 every week, something I had not budgeted in, but we could swing it. THEN I found out that the league was 30 WEEKS long!! Ok, so I was thinking maybe 10 weeks...30 that's a LONG league, but ok it's started and what the heck at least Hubby is enjoying it and has some time away. THEN it turned into a total guys league, buy a beer for those who bought for you...you get the idea. Ugh, more cash slidding out the door. A bowling card game based on how you bowl. Oh great they started another game, just put in $1 to the pot- you just might get a chance to win lots! Ha, yeah right...that's what I thought. What a great ploy to get more cash out of my wallet. As you can tell I was beginning to get suspicious of this bowling league and just how much it was costing. To Hubby's defense, he gave up beer for Lent, so that cost was sliced. He only played the $1 game not the others, so no big deal really. This is where I eat my words...

Hubby went to bowling last night, kiss and out the door. When he walks back in he stinks like a bowling alley ash tray so I am not all that inclined to get cozy. I say hi, quick stinky peck on the cheek, I never even bothered to get up...I was blogging and his return home meant that I had to look away from the computer and listen to how his night was. So I shut the computer, look up and he hands me a piece of paper that looks like a receipt. It has random numbers written on it. It has his handwritting on it. I have no freakin clue what it means. My first inclination was oh great this is a bill of some sort. What the heck does he owe this much money for? How in the world am I going to pay that? My thoughts are flying though my head. The kids don't need to eat right, I mean if I don't buy food, then I can pay this. Hmmmm...
He starts explaining. First he tells me who was there~ dad, brother, grandpa, uncle...huh, wow grandpa and uncle drove pretty far just to watch bowling...why? They all grew up bowling, so this really is a family affair. I don't get it. Anyways. I hear about the lane conditions, I hear the scores...it sounds Greek to me. I don't know what their averages are, I don't even understand how Handicaps work. And now that I have admitted that, I can expect a lesson tonight from my dad when I go over there today...Hi dad! Finally Hubby is standing there explaining this game. He put $1 in the pot, had to get a strike in certain frames in all three games. AND HE DID. So I am still sitting there trying to sort it all out, what exactly does this all mean? Why is he so excited? Then it hits me...this isn't a bill... he WON this amount...WOOOHOOO!! I almost drop the computer, jump up and without noticing the stinky smoke stench I grab Hubby and give him a huge hug. I can't believe that he won. I can't believe that he got strikes in the frames that he needed to. He is practically jumping up and down happy, telling me all about the last game, when in the 9th frame he had to get a strike...and he did...and then the next frame, after he had already won the money, after he didn't have the pressure, the nerves...he got a gutter ball! How funny! So yes...I take it back...I love the bowling league...all $506 of it!

What would you do with an unexpected $500 dollars?

As a side note:
I know some of you are much more bible smart than I am...so please share if you know it. There is a verse that goes a bit like this...Ask and you shall receive.
We have quite a few expenses coming our way and it is something I have pondered, worried, planned, prayed over. Just goes to show that God does provide- thankfully!

Wordless Wednesday Tells a Story

2008-03-19T09:09:00.003-04:00

These pictures tell a story.

A story of bravery, honor, trust, love, dedication, service, loyalty...family!

This is a man with 22 honorable years of Naval Service.

We are so proud to call you a friend!

Enjoy your retirement years...

Best Buds aren't just for little kids!

This is my Hubby with Old Salty Sailor.

The guy on far right is an astronaut, pretty cool huh!

Ok, back to my story...

So Hubby and Salty Sailor were deployed to the Middle East in 2003. Not sure how good your memory is, but I remember like it was yesterday. This deployment was supposed to be a 6 month "cruise" I am pregnant with baby #2...long story short, the ship didn't return when expected. They were on their way back to Hawaii, made it as far as Australia and were turned back around (New Year's Eve got the call) They turn around, return to the Middle East...the war begins. The baby is born. My mom at my side, I call my sister, who emails my Hubby, who just happens to check email before going to bed and miraculaously enough the email actually went through, something that doesn't always happen too easily. Hubby finds out he has a new daughter, runs and tells Salty Sailor. Congrats all around. Salty Sailor calls his wife, wakes her up at 3am to get the number to the hospital. Hubby calls the hospital, baby is still crying, not even weighed yet and we were able to share in one of the most precious moments together...over the phone...on separate sides of the world. So yes I have a huge soft spot in my heart for Salty Sailor and his family...they made this moment possible.

Congratulations on your amazing accomplishments and best of luck with the new job!

Dels Baptism

2008-03-17T14:01:00.006-04:00

Simply put~ Beautiful!

Dels was beautiful. She was happy, smiling, eating her dress, calm, sweet, precious the whole day. When it came time to pour the water over her head, she was calm. She had this look on her face that is hard to explain, all I can say is peace, calm, still, happy. She was leaned back, my hand under her head, Daddy's hand under mine. The Godparent's hands on our shoulders and surrounded by family and friends on all sides. The priest beside me, tells me to lower her head down to the water, lower, lower, the child was definitely head below feet, but she didn't mind. She laid back calm in her parents hands, surrounded by family~ Calm.

Our newest cousin was also baptised, so this was an extra special day for the whole family. As I watched the water pour over her head, I couldn't help but think ahead. Think of the school events, church events, the birthday parties, the Easter Egg hunts, the trick or treating, the trips up the the lake, the days at the beach, the first dates and the graduations that these cousins are going to experience together. That alone almost sent me into tears.

In all there were 11 babies baptised~ one family had triplets!

I just love this shot and had to share it. ~Dels Godparents~
The cousins sitting together up front. The two littlest ones kept shushing each other and giggling. Annie had the urge to run, she kept going back and forth from the church pew to the front, running back and forth. Being her mom, I was trying to get her attention and get her to sit still, but then later realized this was pointless, she wasn't going to sit still, and it didn't seem to be bothering anyone else but me. And to think she did all this running...in her sister's shoes! Oops.

Dels looks a but groggy here.
Fourth time around and we are getting pretty good at this parenting thing...maybe! Notice in the picture that the mob of people behind us are all to the right...yeah that was the side we were given to sit on...just shows you how much family we had~ we are blessed!

This was a very special day!

We love you Dels.

Everyone's Irish on St. Patty's Day!

2008-03-17T13:38:00.000-04:00

Party Prayer

2008-03-17T13:33:00.003-04:00

My dad tried to take a picture all the way around the circle, but that is like trying to take a picture of ants...they don't hold still! Anyways, this was the prayer that started off the meal. We had a houseful~ ok, that's an understatement...it was crowded, but everyone had a great time, there was more than plenty of food, snacks, drinks, desserts and out of the 5 briskets of corned beef that Hubby made, there was only one helping left! It is so much fun to get everyone together and can you believe we had an Aunt and cousin drive all the way from Cincinnati (6hours) to join in all the weekend festivities! They are true Irish!

Weekend Plans

2008-03-14T08:42:00.009-04:00

This weekend is jammed packed. We are attending The Blarney Blast at church, it will be a night of food, friends and Irish music and can we say...NO CHILDREN!!! Yeah, a babysitter~ I can't wait! Well, I guess I can seeing as it is tonight and I only have all day today to clean up around here. My house looks like a tool chest, a painter's easel, a mess. I have my running shoes on, had my first cup of coffee, kids eating breakfast~ I am ready to run around and clean this place up. Kinda. I mean who actually is ready to clean.

Who looks forward to that? Ugh!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday is our Annual St. Patrick's Day Party! You can be sure I will have my camera out~ last year I found Guiness up the wall! Not sure how that happened, but it was a busy crazy night. We are going to have quite a few children, so I have cleaned out the toys and I am putting extra seating in the toyroom so that the room will be more inviting to some of the parents to supervise. The nice thing is that the toyroom has nasty carpet that I could care less about, so if there are spills~ I don't care! I will get some pictures up as soon as I can. I wish all of you could join us~ Now that would be a fun party!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sent out email invites to the family and attached this picture. Why? Because the invites were kinda last minute and I wrote the email from Dels point of view...she hijacked the computer since her mom couldn't seem to find the time to send out invites. It turned out cute~she signed it... *Professional Party Girl*

Sunday is Dels baptism. I am really looking forward to it because it is such a special day. All of the girls have worn the same baptism outfit and it is one of those things that I look forward to each and everytime. Putting on the outfit, taking pictures and gloating over the baby A.L.L. D.A.Y!! The pouring of the water on her forehead and the look of amazement on her face...I just cherish this. The newest cousin, born in December is also being baptised. The girls both have the same middle name, are being baptised together...I am just picturing them growing up together and that this is just the beginning of all the fun things they will do together! We are having a little party afterwards, with some food, fun, cousins and cake. So I will sign off for now, try and check in between it all and wish everyone a wonderful weekend and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I just loved this and had to pass it on to all of you...

~An Irish Blessing to you all~

Too loud!

2008-03-13T15:19:00.003-04:00

I was vacuuming today.

The kids thought it was too loud for precious little Dels' ears~

~so they got her a hat...

It must have been a magic hat~

~or the vacuum wasn't too loud~

~either way, she fell asleep so sweetly.

~Ta Da~The Reveal~

2008-03-13T15:15:00.001-04:00

What do you think?

The girls love it! They now have their place, their spot, their room. To answer a few questions,
~No I didn't get the paint off the floor. We decided to just get the rest done and worry about that another day. The majority of the paint is under the bed anyways and we are looking for a rug, so problem solved...no more paint!
~Yes I painted the polka dots, each and every one of them. I used cookie cutters for the two smaller sizes. For the big circles I traces the top to a bowl and then painted it by hand. I am not a talented painter~ so don't look too close!
~With 4 children...I got it done during naps, during their tv time, during breakfast, lunch, dinner, basically anytime I could find that I wasn't needed at their side I was upstairs getting something done, little by little. My mom came over and watched the kids last Thursday and Friday. Saturday morning they were busy playing, baby in exersaucer...me getting a good workout up and down the steps. In the end it was a lot of work, but it's done. Now I am finishing the toyroom and the backsteps, still not happy with the color on the steps, but it will do for now. Anymore questions?

This room was supposed to be Molly's new room. When we moved her in here by herself, she freaked and convinced Lolo to move in with her. I agreed to it. Now that the room is done, Molly is now trying to convince Lolo out of it...good luck in your endeavors Molly! Lolo isn't going anywhere- anytime soon! Although little Annie has a big room to herself, with her little toddler bed and 2 empty twin beds. How she managed to get this deal? I am still trying to figure that one out! Dels has her own room too~ go figure! Hmmm
She likes it, she really likes it!

Delirious!

2008-03-12T21:47:00.002-04:00

I just sat down.

I can't remember the last time I sat down.

I am sitting down alone.

The house is quiet.

Everyone is in bed.

Hubby is at the store.

Dishes are still on the table.

I sat down anyways.

My feet are tingly.

My hands are achy.

My head is spinning.

I can't even think straight.

I think I might be delirious.

I have cleaned.

I have organized.

I have called.

I have planned.

I have painted.

I have scraped.

I have taped.

I have scrubbed.

I have purged.

I have rearranged.

I have driven.

I have fed.

I have bathed.

I have wiped.

I have double-checked.

I have made lists.

I have gave commands.

I have stopped.

I have sat down.

I have gone delirious.

Me, my week.

Me, wondering.

Me, wondering why I have done this to my week.

Me, Delirious.

Side Projects...

2008-03-11T09:09:00.000-04:00

This is the back door/pantry area that leads into the toyroom. Yesterday I got a second coat of paint rolled on the walls. Later that night, Hubby was trimming it out again and stepped back looking at it...it was 2 different colors. We ran out of paint and had it matched at Home Depot...because they were open on a Sunday night. Needless to say, they don't match and it looks bad...starting over today *sigh* So another run to the paint store, it's starting to feel like home there! I did get a third coat of paint on the back steps, so I will have to post an updated picture of them because this picture is the first paint that in the dim light of the steps...it looks pink! So another day, more projects, I miss my blogging time, I miss catching up on all my new friends, but I will get this done and I will be back!!

Trying Pictures Again...

2008-03-11T09:03:00.000-04:00

Where Have I Been You Ask?

2008-03-10T09:56:00.004-04:00

~I am here~ I am tired, I am sore, but I am here!~

~I have been painting~

***************In Progress***************

This is the pillow for the bedding that is going in this room. I have more polka dots to do~ I have been told by a few little girls that the room 'NEEDS' more!

I started off by taking out all the drywall screws every 2 feet, patching holes and cracks, sanding that all down...what a mess! My mom came over and helped me clean that all up. Then she repainted the woodwork white. I ran kids in all directions, pick up~ drop off, get more paint. Then she went and ran her errands, picked up from preschool and I painted the ceiling... gotta love naptime! We took a "break" for dinner and then I plugged in a movie for our Friday Night Movie Night. As much as I wanted to sit down and veg, put my feet up and watch the movie~ I got up and started taping and painting the walls blue. My parents surprised me and showed up in paint clothes to help out...I guess all my hints and invites to paint were pretty obvious! I trimmed, my dad rolled, my mom got one heck of a good tush workout by running up and down the steps to check on children, pacify baby, wipe toddlers tush... At the end of the night, we all crashed on the couch and "watched" Ice Age.

**************************************

So why haven't I been on the computer blogging? My Hubby was in Florida for his best Navy friends retirement. He was asked to do the opening and closing prayers. So he left Thursday night and came back on Saturday afternoon. He was quite surprised with the progress that we made while he was gone and I guess motivated to get more projects done. Again I think my hinting was pretty obvious. So we spent yesterday doing more work. He taped off, trimmed the back entryway/toyroom. This is the room that had the roof leak, so it was already a mess with the stuff thrown to one side. While he did this, I scraped the backsteps of the LAYERS of paint and junk and then cleaned them up and got a good first coat of fresh paint on them. While that dried I rolled what Hubby was trimming, we traded off entertaining the children. Molly got sick Friday, no temp, but she was throwing up and not eating a thing. She is feeling better today and going to eat me out of the house! That a great thing though~ I have a hard time seeing a child not hungry! So today is a second coat of paint, on the toyroom walls, steps and hopefully polka dots. If I can get the polka dots done then we can start moving things back into that room. *sigh* So I am off the computer for a bit longer and back to the paint brush. As tired as I am, I am also very energized and excited to finally be getting some of these projects done.

It feels great!

Blogger isn't letting me add more pictures, so more to follow...

Don't Worry~ Be Happy!

2008-03-06T12:41:00.002-05:00

I am the first to say...
~I AM NOT PERFECT~
~and I LOVE IT!
This is for ALL MOMS!

Girls Room Repaint~ Before~

2008-03-05T09:20:00.004-05:00

The battery is recharged and I finally got around to taking some pictures. I have no idea why the previous owners put a drywall screw in the walls and ceilings about every 2 feet in every direction, but it has made patching holes a lot of fun...can you feel the sarcasm? Ugh. I have taped over them and put one coat over the tape. Today I will do the second coat, and then let that dry and get out a big sponge to smooth it all out. I have a lot to do before tomorrow. My mom is coming to help with the painting, we are going to paint all day and then have a LOST party at night~ oh and breakfast, get kids to school, lunches, dance class, dinner...

~ ya know life happens!

Does anyone know what to use to get paint off the floor? Again, I have no clue what the previous owners did?!!! Hello~ is it that hard to put down a drop cloth if you are going to paint like a preschooler? For crying out loud...who does this?

It will be a few days, but hopefully I will be able to start moving things back into the room by the beginning of next week. I only tell you this to keep me honest and motivated.

Wish me luck!

************************************************************

~Temporary Living Quarters~

Entertaining Dels

2008-03-04T08:12:00.009-05:00

I just want to close my eyes. Just 5 more minutes~ Please! Every single child is awake and all I want to do is close my eyes. The oldest two are playing in their rooms, Annie is "reading" the books in her room and Dels is in her crib gooing to herself, I am just laying in bed listening~ ok it's more of a half listening/half sleeping. Dels squeaks, Annie runs in announcing that Dels is crying and runs to her rescue. She can't reach the pacifier so she just starts entertaining Dels instead. "Old MmmDonald had a farm, EIEIO, with a moo moo here and moo moo here, Old MmmmDonald had a farm EIEIO~ with a moo moo here and a moo moo here, EIEIO!" It's an interesting verse, Dels is enjoying it. Upon hearing this Lolo comes running to join the sing a long party. "No, no no, Annie you forgot a part..."
Both together: "Old McDonald had a farm EIEIO, and on this farm he has a cow, EIEIO, with a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo there a moo everywhere a moo moo....."

As the verse carries on, Annie's words start to slur, she is trying to keep up with her sister, she wants to sing the song too~ eventually she gives up on this "correct" version and goes back to her mooing here and mooing here version.

In walks Molly, she just jumps in on Lolo's verse then speeds a head with the moo moo's so she can pick the next animal...a horse, then a pig, then a sheep, then a giraffe?

I am still laying in bed listening, eyes shut, just listening. Why would she pick a giraffe? The child is in Kindergarten, doesn't she know what animals are on a farm? Ok, so this should be interesting, exactly what does a giraffe say anyways?

And it goes a bit like this...
Annie: "Moo moo here and a moo moo here, here a moo here a moo, everywhere a moo moo"
Lolo: "Old McDonald had a farm, EIEIO, and on this farm there was a ??? Giraffe???" stops singing and is very confused.
Molly: "Old McDonald had a farm, EIEIO, and on this farm there was a GIRAFFE, EIEIO, with a whatever it says here and a whatever it says there, here a whatever it says there a whatever it says, Old McDonald had a farm EIEIO!"
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
"Molly, there aren't giraffe's on a farm!"
"I know that, I was just having fun!"
"Moo moo here and a moo moo here!"
"But we were singing a song about a farm, you have to say a farm animal!"
"Says who, I can say a giraffe!"
"But we are singing a song to Dels, so she won't cry and you are going to confuse her!"
"Old McDonald had a farm, EIEIO and on this farm there was a Rainbow, EIEIO"
"Moo moo here and a moo moo here, EIEIO"
"Uhhhh~ Old McDonald had a farm, EIEIO, and on this farm there was a HORSE, EIEIO"
All together now.
I am laying with my eyes shut, listening...
I can see the frustration in Lolo's eyes.
I can see the 'Oh Yeah, I'll show you' on Molly's face.
I can see the confusion on Annie's face and her shrugging her shoulders at her sisters.
And I can see Dels completely entertained and smiling at it all.
And I still have my eyes shut.

Charging Batteries

2008-03-03T13:42:00.003-05:00

I had all the intentions of sitting down this morning with some new pictures to share. I grabbed the camera and went to the room of choice that is next in line to be painted, open it up, turn it on, damn...dead battery! So you are all going to have to sit and wait with me while the battery charges! I promise pictures though, because that keeps me honest and motivated...

I have been bit by the remodel bug. I have my list out, I have my paint swatches, I have the tape to repair the holes...I'm ready! Now I just need paint. We host an Annual St. Patrick's Day Party here at the house, this is year #4. It's a great time, we have a lot of fun with planning it and with hosting it. Everyone brings something, wears green, drinks green...you get the idea! Our party is on the 15th...I have a lot of work to do before then, so if my posts are a tad shorter you know why~ I'm painting something, somewhere!

~Molly and Lolo's new bedroom is the project of the day~

Pictures to follow...

FrOzEn CrAzY DaD!

2008-02-29T08:49:00.008-05:00

This is my dad. He's CrAzY! This is his bike. He's CrAzY about his bike!

He has taken a ride on this bike at least once a month ALL YEAR ROUND since he bought the bike. This CrAzY nut of a father rode his bike last weekend in freezing temperatures~ not just around the block, nah that would be too wimpy, he went miles...miles and miles.

And he Froze.

Why?

Because we Challenged him.

Because we teased him about February being a record month for snow and ice...

was that going to keep him grounded?

Because he couldn't possibly let a little ice on the road stop him.

Because he's CrAzY!

He's my dad.

And because he needed proof that he is CrAZy... my mom - the much wiser of the two, was out with the camera and ran back inside to the nice WARM fireplace...

shaking her head at the CrAzY man that she married!

Now you know where I get it from.

My question is...

Dad if you were going to make me suffer through buying chaps with ya...

why didn't you wear them?

Hi Mom and Dad~ Love ya!

The Babysitters aka The Aunties!

2008-02-28T07:38:00.002-05:00

It's a Dry Day...Inside Anyways!

2008-02-27T08:23:00.006-05:00

So the leak wasn't as bad as it could have been and it has stopped dripping. Unfortunately it was right over my sisters DVD player she lent us since she moved and didn't take it with her. (C~ I owe ya) Yeah I picked it up and water ran out but.... I did get the dvd we rented out of it! See there is an upside to everything (right Kellan?) Hubby went up on the roof and shoveled it all off. The ice was pretty thick on the edge and the sun has been out lately, which made perfect conditions for some melting of snow, but not enough to melt the ice... a pool of water on the roof! So the corner of that room is cleared out, the garbage can underneath just in case and we will work on fixing the real actual problem when we have more time and the ice melts a bit more so we can actually get to it. Just a few pictures to show everyone that the house is still standing. Unfortunately it isn't another sunny day...nope that would mean spring...we have more snow! Ugh. I walked around the house looking outside~ I wanted to take a picture of the snow and then shrugged and thought~ Nah, they all know what it looks like and it just didn't seem quite as pretty today when all I want to see right now is grass!

The reason this isn't being fixed today...not because of laziness, nope~ a funeral. A second cousin of mine passed away on Monday. It was expected, but it hasn't hit me yet. I didn't really know him very well, but I know his children~ mostly his daughter and siblings. His daughter is my age, has a son about the same age as my oldest and I cannot imagine what she is going through right now. They weren't very close, not your typical happy father daughter relationship, but it still has to hurt. Tonight is the visitation, a night to hug and console, a night to dab the tears, a night to say good bye...to an alcoholic. A man who was 48 years old, a man that for as long as I can remember has had a stench on his breathe, but a man nonetheless. I pray that my memories of this man, my second cousin will not be of the lifestyle he lived, but of the man that he was, a son, a brother, a father.

**********************************************************

Ok and when I was rereading this I realized just how depressing it was and since that is not me...or the mood I am in I just had to add this...

YES!!!!

Dels FINALLY slept ALL night!

Just don't let her know how excited this makes me...Shhhh!

~All Wet~ But Not at the Beach~

2008-02-26T10:20:00.006-05:00

You know it's not good when the kids are in the toy room and yelling,

but you know it's REALLY not good when they are yelling...

MOoomM!

THERE'S A LEAK IN THE CEILING~

~IT'S ALL WET IN HERE!

Where I would rather be right now...

Needless to say...I'll see ya all tomorrow.

What Works~ Tag Alongs

2008-02-25T09:34:00.005-05:00

These are a few things that I attach to my diaper bag. Things that I use often, find handy and wanted to share. What do you attach to you when you go out...what can't you leave without?

Burt's Bees~Look at the very bottom of this picture, that is a lip balm clip...yup lip balm that clips to your bag. I always know where it is, the kids always know where it is, therefore...they actually use it. Especially this time of year, I am always putting lip balm on myself and the kids. Actually before they go out to play I am slathering this on their lips, cheeks, nose...they love it! :) I love the lip balm and I love that it has a clip to keep it handy.

Bag-It~ I found these at Target and I use them all the time. They are little trash bags that are scented. The strap loops around and attaches to anything. I have this on the side of my diaper bag. They are great for those dirty diapers, messy spills, dirty clothes...anything the kids can throw your way. When I am sitting in the car waiting for someone I grab a bag and clean out the trash in the car (stop laughing mom~ she knows my car is NEVER clean!) Not for lack of trying though. These are handy. I checked out their website and they had some neat products~ I don't know much about the company, so I can't say yeah or neah.

Purell Carrier~ I found these are Target as well, but I want to say I have seen them at Meijers and Walgreen's as well...most likely in the checkout aisle. I love it because it is always available. When the little hands around me are looking pretty germy...petting zoos, grocery stores, public bathrooms, bounce world, doctor's office...this is always hanging there ready to be used. I don't have to dig for it in the bag, it's right there.

So there you have it, my favorite things that I have just hanging around. If you have any favorites...please share!

JuSt CaLL mE DeSsErT!

2008-02-22T09:48:00.001-05:00

What Works? Swiffer

2008-02-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have the Swiffer Wet Jet. I bought this when I lived in a house full of linoleum and thought it worked really well on that floor. Now I live in a house will all old wood floors~ it works ok. I have the wood floor cleaner for it, but it seems to leave a film. I don't know if that is from the previous cleaning solution on the floor or the floor itself. I was hoping for better results though. It is handy, it's much easier than the old mop and bucket, but I want my shine!

Who am I kidding, I just want a floor without crumbs!

On another Swiffer note, has anyone tried the Swiffer Dusters and what do you think?

It Works~ See...

2008-02-21T08:31:00.005-05:00

As you can see from this list~ our house was empty. I have failed to venture out into the frozen tundra and tackle the grocery store. We haven't been starving, but the meal time selection has been limited and I need options because I am not that creative when it comes to cooking. I think I am more of a mood cook, what I am in the mood for and that includes prep time and cleanup. I have been working on this list. I used the Meals Matter site I posted a little while back. I selected some recipes that looked easy without a ton of ingredients and that the kids would enjoy as well. This website is great. I have been playing with it and I hope that I can be disciplined enough to stick with it. As of right now I have all meals planned through next week Wednesday!! I have NEVER done this before. Usually I stock the pantry and fridge with the basics, then stand there at 4 pm wondering what I can come up with. On top of having meals planned, I sat down with the grocery sale ad~ circled the things that I would need for my recipes. Cut out the coupons that my mom always brings over here and I never end up clipping before the expiration date...yeah I sat down and cut them out~ Imagine that! I ended up having a ton of coupons for things on sale...double bonus! So in the end this is how I did...remember my house was empty, we are talking wipes, diapers, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry soap~ you name it and the bottle was upside down with one last drip. Here's what my list looks like. Isn't it great~ yeah it's in order by the aisles in the store~ how cool is that! I didn't do it, the website did. I'm telling you it's great! Below is a picture of my receipt~ exciting huh, yeah but do you see that, I saved $21.65 in coupons~ Another $60.54 just on the sale items~ and then another $2.00 for I don't know what...do the math... that is a Total of $ 84.19 Yes my grand total spent on groceries was over $200, but I will not have to buy these things for a LONG LONG time, so hopefully if I can stick with this, I will only be doing smaller trips for awhile. So I know this is a bunch of boring grocery talk, but this was a New Year's Resolution of mine... and I am actually doing it! That and I wanted to share with everyone that the Meals Matter site really is great, so if you didn't check it out before, head on over there and give it a try. I'll share some of my recipes for dinners this week on my other blog...if your interested.

Ok, so I can't leave this as a boring grocery post, here's a fun story that I am sure all of you diaper toting mothers can appreciate. On my way out of the store yesterday, I am ON TIME. I have to go pick up Lolo from preschool and I am EARLY. Then I hit the parking lot and was instantly tardy. Have you ever tried to push an overflowing cart through snow, slush and ice? I am pushing with all my might, then I hit an ice chunk, you know those chunks that collect behind your car wheel? I can't see where I am going AND push the cart! So I run into it and all of a sudden Ugh, I am stopped. I kick the ice chunk out of the way and start pulling on the cart...I made it two inches! Seriously! Some kind man sees me struggling and comes over to help, I have never been more grateful! I mean yes I am a strong capable MOM, but ya know it was nice to have some help. So he is pushing and I am pulling and we make it about one car length. Thankfully I am the third car...I got a kick ass spot and was all giddy about it...normally I am the person that parks way out and walks, but this day I took the spot. Anyways, we are almost to car #2 and then THUG we hit something and Ugh to another stop. EVERYTHING falls off the cart and lands all over the place. The man looks at me and laughs~ Ha~ as if it's funny, does he not realize I am LATE now! Ok, so it's not the end of the world, pick it all up and proceed right? Here's the fun part... the diaper box fell off the bottom of the cart and slid UNDERNEATH car #4!!!! Yeah it slid right past my car and went under the next car. So here is me, LATE, on my hands and knees in the parking lot, going under someone elses car, trying to reach the box. I can't go home without diapers and besides they are the most expensive thing on my list. Go Go Gadget Arms... The one time I am thankful to have really really long arms~ I reach the box, load the car, race out of the parking lot. And pulling out of the retirement home is a lady (whom I am sure is very nice, but I didn't think of her that way) going 15MPH! Ok, God I get it! You want me to slow down, you want me to arrive safely. You want me to stop and smell the flowers, I mean freeze in the icey snow, but same thing. I get it...just not right now~ I have a preschooler to pick up and preschoolers don't understand LATE. I followed slow nice lady ALL the way to the school. Pull into the parking lot and the kids were outside playing in the snow. My Lolo is the last one to be picked up. I am getting out of the car feeling Guilty, How do you explain diapers under a car to a preschooler? Here it goes... "Lolo I am SO sorry I am late, Guess what happened..." "Mom, why are you here already? I want to play in the snow some more, why do you have to come so fast?" Ha! And I thought this was going to be hard, who knew I was actually EARLY!

Our Cat

2008-02-20T07:56:00.003-05:00

DOG DIARY
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with my people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

CAT DIARY
Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hashor some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. Ihad hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due tothe power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it tomy advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow - but this time at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.. .. . . for now. . .

Hope you got a good chuckle~ this was from another email I received...I take no credit.

~Bursting my Crafty Bubble~ Did you Know that Mother Theresa lives Here?~

2008-02-19T07:22:00.003-05:00

I was surprised with how many of you asked about what our countdown to Lent was all about. It has been a tad busy here lately and I am finally getting around to posting what we did. I was floating high on all of your comments about how crafty I am, because quite honestly...I'm NOT! I have help from the children, I let them be the creative ones and I just guide them along, in other words, I fold the paper and clean up the mess~ See I just bursted my Crafty Bubble! So here it is~ Lent is for Love. Everday they color in a heart. Molly thought Valentine's Day was on the 9th, so she colored hearts all over it, only to find out nope it's the 14th, so draw a BIG arrow to the 14th and draw more hearts~ I call it personalization! OH and obviously we are behind...
This is Lolo's white cross that she made. After coloring in a Heart on the countdown, they each take out a purple paper (Lent color) and write down something they are either thankful for or something that they would like to pray for. Then they stick it on their cross. Lolo is my child that LOVES to pray and pray about everything, I swear she is the next Mother Theresa~ I'll get into more detail below...
This is Molly's chart... she does what she has to, but isn't the on the knees praying child, her list is short and sweet and then she's done. Obviously she hasn't been keeping up and I need to send a gentle reminder her way... This is the whole set up. The black envelopes (another Lent color) is what they made to hold their purple papers, then they decorated them all pirty and butiful with sparkly glitter paint~ Aren't they gorgeous! I should have taken a close up picture of them, because I know you all want one of these amazing works of Art for your house~ I can just tell you are envious! :)
And on a separate note, I had questions about my job charts. This is our Florida Goals Job Chart. It contains Extra things around here that the kids can do to earn a bit of spending money while on our trip. It does NOT include their expected job chart that they do everyday. I stopped printing that one simply because they know what is on it and what they have to do. We've been doing it long enough that they don't need the visual chart in front of them. I just ask them if they have done it and away they go. The expected job chart consists of... get dressed, make bed, brush teeth, brush hair and eat breakfast. Why is eat breakfast on the list? They were so slow at breakfast that I was constantly nagging them to eat, as soon as I put it on the chart they wanted to have the check in the box and if they didn't eat nicely they didn't get it. Simply put~ it was an easy check and a huge Bummer if they missed out. I also put brush hair on the list simply because there was so much whining when I go to do their hair for the day. Now if there are tangles and whining it isn't my fault and they can't complain to me. Next time they better try harder to get the knots, then it won't hurt. Don't think I'm a big meany, I use the spray conditioner and I am gentle, I just have one child who overexaggerates the amount of PAIN I put her through and the tears fall instantly. I can get the brush out and she will whine and complain. It was so bad that Annie would pick up the hair brush and instead of calling it a brush, she called it Owie Owie! C'mon, that's pathetic!

So on this Extra job chart, I have listed... Books, Bedroom, Table, Laundry, Toyroom, Toy pickup, Jakey, Coat Hooks. Oh and I forgot to put Saturday and Sunday on the chart, so they are just written underneath. We hang this chart on the fridge with the red pen so it is always there. Now let me explain this list, I am not breaking child labor laws here, they aren't in charge of doing the laundry or anything. This is a list of things that they can do if they would like to in order to earn money, but I will not nag to get these things done, it all has to be on their terms, without being asked. Reading books on their own or to each other, picking up their bedroom without being asked, setting or clearing the table without being asked, putting away their own laundry without being asked, picking up the toyroom, picking up toys around the house, feeding the cat without being asked, cleaning up the hats, coats, mittens, boots...without being asked. Notice that Lolo got 5 in a row on Sunday, this brings me to my Mother Theresa story...

So we went to Chuck E. Cheese's on Friday for her Bday, had lots of leftover tokens, but had to leave in order to make it back home for cake and ice cream with the family. Hubby promised we would go back after church, so we did. While we were at Chuck E. Cheese's, the kids had a blast. They really enjoyed collecting all the tickets and watching their stash grow. I was feeding the baby, so Hubby went and cashed in the tickets for some loot. The kids all ran back to the table to show off their treasures. As we are putting coats on to go, Lolo realizes she still has a few tickets in her pocket. She tells her dad, who tells her that is isn't enough to get a prize, maybe she should give them to that little girl over there who is eating with her family, then she could add them to her tickets and get a prize..."wouldn't that make her happy?"

Lolo: "No dad, I don't think she needs them. I know who I want to give them to. A boy, I think he would be really happy if he could have a prize."

Searching all over for the boy... she finds him and runs over to give him the tickets. Much to my surprise, she ran right up to a man... he turned around and I knew. I knew what she was thinking. I knew that she has the sweetest, most caring heart. This man was a dad. This man was standing next to a game. This dad was standing next to his son on the game and waiting. He was waiting for the game to end. As it ended, he bent over to show his son the tickets, who smiled a gigantic smile. The dad said thank you to my Lolo, who skipped happily back to us~ very Proud. The dad then bent over and scooped up his son to help him stand. He then wiped the drool off his son's face, stood behind him holding him up~ supporting him in all the ways a father can support a son. He was there for him, supporting him. The son was just as tall as the dad. I had watched them together while the kids were out playing. This dad walked all through the games supporting his son, helping him in and out of seats. Enjoying the excitement on his face when he saw a game with a noise. I cannot explain their relationship, only to say that he supported him...

And my little girl saw that, out of everyone in the building she chose him, she brought another joyous smile to his face and to the face of the dad supporting him.

I hugged her and cried.

She got lots of extra marks on her chart...

My Silly Valentine's~ Love with Stickers!

2008-02-18T08:14:00.005-05:00

So we have been busy since Valentine's Day, but I couldn't pass up sharing a few more pictures. First thing in the morning and this is what my children are up to...

Molly and her helper...
I don't know what to say...
Lolo wants to play too,

but isn't as committed as her big sister!
This child is in a goofy mood~

she is the family clown after all...

I wonder who did this to the baby?

Yup, you guessed it...Annie is SOOO Goofy!

So this was my Valentine's Day morning~

Isn't Valentine's Day about showing your love to each other? I guess in the mind of a 2 year old you show affection through stickers!

ONE WHOLE HAND!!!

2008-02-15T09:27:00.006-05:00

Today Lolo turns 5! It feels like yesterady we were celebrating Birthday #4~ where did that year go? My little sweetheart, the one who started out screaming and ended up gentle, kind, caring and genuinely sweet. This has been a big year for her. She has started indoor soccer, had her first dance recital, grew about a foot and a half taller, "graduated" from her speech classes, started ballet AND tap, and left her mom's side by starting preschool. She has always been my little helper, whenever I am not feeling well, she always "nurses" me back to health, constantly asking if I need anything, if I'm hungry, bringing me water. This little girl who screamed at me at birth has brought so many smiles to my face. She is always giggly and silly, never stops talking, walks everywhere with a dance step and a huge smile! AND her eyes...my goodness the child can get whatever she wants when she bats those eyes. She loves her family. She is so compassionate about people's feelings and gets truly hurt deep down inside if in anyway she has hurt someone or done anything even a smidgen wrong. She is a girly girl, wearing dresses everyday, up until just recently when she started to experiment with pants. She always told me she couldn't wear pants because they were too bunchy! Now her tights aren't fitting right, but that's ok because they don't stay on long anyways, she is always changing her outfit! She loves dressup, makeup, nail polish, playing hair salon. She is the peace keeper between her sisters. She tries to keep up with Molly, but will gladly sit and play a kiddy game with Annie and then you turn around and she is goo goo talking to Dels. She loves everyone and everyone loves her. Lolo, I cannot believe that you are 5. I cannot believe that another year as gone by. I cannot believe that I am lucky enough to have you in my life. I cannot believe that you are... ONE WHOLE HAND!!

I love you sweetie~ Happy Birthday!

*******************************************************************************

"Lolo, Why can't you be my little baby anymore, look at how tall you are getting!"

"Because Mom, I am growing."

"How do I get you to stop growing?"

"Shrink water!"

"What's shrink water?"

"It's water that you drink that is mixed with magic and it has a little water can and you can sprinkle it on anything you want to shrink."

~~~~~Oh, if only that were true, then I could eat all the ice cream I truly wanted!~~~~~

********************************************************************************

Amazed

2008-02-14T06:51:00.001-05:00

To my Valentine~
The day we danced to this has been and always will be the best day of my life. We have been through a lot since that day... Maryland, Rhode Island, pregnancy #1~ (that is a line!) Hawaii, Baby #1~ (the joys of becoming a parent) 9/11, deployments, long work hours, Baby #2~ (the joys of colic) more deployments, Chicago, more long work hours, Baby #3~ (the joys of being together) the transition from military to civilian, living with the inlaws, buying our first house, starting a new job, commuting, deaths of beloved family members, restoring old house, Baby #4~ (the joys of having little girls) and in between there we somehow always manage to find time for each other. It hasn't always been sunshine and roses, but if it is what we need to do in order to make OUR dreams come true~ I am with you, I am here for you and I will always be willing to dance to this tune with you. Thank You for choosing me to be your dance partner on that very special day.

I am forever Amazed by you!
Happy Valentine's Day!

~Helpful Tips~

2008-02-13T08:21:00.005-05:00

This is a helpful tip list that I received in an email. There were some interesting things that I never knew, so I had to share it with everyone. I take no credit...

Also, if I had more time I would fix the spacing...why is it that when you type it and preview it, then post it...it never looks the same~ Ugh.

1. Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little
'stringy things' off of it. That's how the primates do it.

2. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave
them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

3. Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh
much longer and not mold!

4. Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating.

5. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

6. Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the
grease away from the meat while cooking.

7. To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls
of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

8. For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in
double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty
frosting.

9. Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic
and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

10. Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simple
chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place
them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream.

--- and still more ---
1. Reheat Pizza Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of
the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

2. Easy Deviled Eggs Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash
till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep
mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into
egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

3. Expanding Frosting When you buy a container of cake frosting from the
store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

4. Reheating Refrigerated Bread To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins
that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The
increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

5. Newspaper Weeds Away Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients
in your soil. Wet newspapers put layers around the plants overlapping as
you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some
gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

6. Broken Glass Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small
shards of glass you can't see easily.

7. No More Mosquitoes Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep
the mosquitoes away.

8. Squirrel Away! To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle
your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant
and the squirrels won't come near it.

9. Flexible Vacuum To get something out of a heat register or under the
fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It
can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

10. Reducing Static Cling Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and
you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that
cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and -- ta da! -- static is gone.

11. Measuring Cups Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

12. Foggy Windshield? Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser
and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the
eraser! Works better than a cloth!

13. Reopening Envelope If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside , just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

14. Conditioner Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...

15. Goodbye Fruit Flies To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

16. Get Rid of Ants Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

17. INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink, ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well,...the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free -- that nice fragrance too, you know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box, all this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to catch fire & potentially burn you house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (& to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out & wash it with hot soapy water & an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!?! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I'd share! Note: I went to my dryer & tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water & a nylon brush & I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it the water ran right thru the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!

Last night was the Father Daughter Dance. We had an Auntie over to do an updo, enjoyed a meal with family, took lots of pictures, Daddy gave his little girl flowers, a little lipstick case (chapstick with glitter) and a heart necklace~ a real necklace, not a baby one! And then out the door they went for a fun night of square dancing! Yes, we can square dance in Michigan~ it's not just a Texas thing!! (Kellan) :) As they walked out the door, my heart was breaking~ she gave me a glimpse of the next few years, to cherish this little girl, because before I blink, it won't be her daddy she is walking out the door with...someone get me a tissue!

2008-02-12T08:20:00.001-05:00

In Awe of the Awards

2008-02-11T07:43:00.000-05:00

Oh how I love the Bloggy Bling! I realize that by posting this today there is NO Way to compete with the Thank You's of the Grammy's, so just know that from the bottom of my Heart,

I appreciate the recognition!

A Huge Thank You to Laskigal~ Go visit her and wish her well, she recently got remarried for the second time! Ok, I have to clarify...remarried to her Hubby for the second time~ there that sounds better. She's an English teacher, I don't know why she likes reading my mumbled writtings?! If you are an American Idol fan, she's your gal, she does a highlight recap and keeps me up to date on all the latest and greatest. I need all the help I can get!

There are no rules with this award . . . it is just to pass it on to someone who has warmed my heart...

Passing this on to...

Lizzy~ What can you say about Lizzy? She's always there for ya~ she can rip her jeans and hold her own! She has a sense of humor that just cracks me up and then she turns around with her very sensitive caring side. I feel like I have known her forever!
Steph~ She is a working mom of 2 and I don't know how she does it! She always has something interesting to say and she is having a blog makeover, so keep checking her out to see how snazzy she looks!
Maria~ She is another Mommy of Four, but hers are a tad older than mine, so it is always fun to see what they are up to and what I have to look forward to. It can get kinda stinky over there, go see what I mean...scroll down a bit and you'll KNOW what I'm talking about...
Kate~ Kate has 4 children as well, has been stuck in the snow and under the weather, but somehow she makes it through it all. She has some really cute Brookie pictures up right now~ go see this little angel!

I just want to say a HUGE thank you to Onthegomom! She has a really good blogroll and she thought of me. She is a busy busy Mom who has a lot going on, a daughter dancer, a son who's growing up way too fast and....well, just go check her out!

Passing this on to...

Kathryn~ Just look at her smile...it is so contagious! She has 3 adorable boys~ I go there to visit a little blue after being surrounded by pink here! Her youngest just turned a bittersweet 1 and she has some precious pictures of the year. Watch out, she's a dedicated Packers Fan!
Cecily R~ She has 3 very photogenic children~ go check out her pictures, they each tell a story. Speaking of stories, make sure to read her sweatpants story~ it's a good chuckle! Thanks for the giggle C~

Hallie~ Ok, if you want a mix of emotions go visit this sassy gal! She will have you laughing and then crying with the change of a sentence. She's one of those girls that you think you grew up with, she always comments with the sweetest, funniest, off thw wall things. Always friendly and supportive~ and she does all of this knowing her son has orders to deploy, don't know how ya do it Hallie, hats off to ya!
Chelle~ This is one motivating Mom~ she has music that touches my heart, stories that make me laugh and pictures that are just adorable. She has a link to a giveaway right now so make sure you go check her out and sign up!

Thank you to everyone for thinking about me, visiting me, humoring me, commenting to me.

If I only had the words to truly tell you how much I appreciate it!

Scooter In or Out?

2008-02-10T00:58:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who lets her children ride their scooters inside.

No, not this kind...

It is more like this...

Here's the thing, it is an old historic house with hardwood floors. Am I too much of a scrooge to think that this is too much? Do you let your children ride their scooters, skates, blades, bikes inside? I was just wondering what everyone else thought. Fill me in with the poll to the left. Thanks!

TGIF

2008-02-08T08:54:00.000-05:00

I am so happy it is Friday. This week has been exhausting. My children went to school on Monday~ that's it. I have been an entertainer, referee, cook, laundry mat, maid, teacher, dishwasher, organizer and butt wiper~ oh wait, that defines M-O-M! We've actually been having a lot of fun together, but you can tell they are getting stir crazy and bored. A few things to keep them busy:

I started a countdown to Easter. They each made an envelope and put 40 "tickets" in it. The ticket is just a piece of purple paper cut into a rectangle. Then they each made a cross on each ticket. Everyday they take out a ticket, write down what they would like to pray about that day and we stick it on the cross. They have enjoyed this and I think it helps remind them that Easter isn't just about a bunny.
A countdown chain to our Florida trip. This actually was an idea to just keep them busy and get them to stop asking me if we are going tomorrow, the next day or the day after that. They simply cut strips of paper and glued them all together. It's pretty long~ we aren't going till April :)
I made a chart of "extra" jobs that they can do. Anytime they do one of these jobs, their initial goes into the box. At the end of the week I will count up the initials and they can earn some spending money for the Florida trip. And because they are clueless about what they can spend their precious pennies on, we spent some time online together looking up Florida trinkets. "Mom, why do you have to buy seashells if you can find them on the beach?" "Just cuz, now go clean something!" Ha ha :) Oh and this chart does NOT include the job chart they do everyday anyways, those have no cash value, they are just expected. Don't want ya to think they are getting paid for brushing their teeth or making their beds! :)
What have you been up to?
What jobs do you expect of your children, and what are your extras?
Do you do anything special for Easter?
Anybody else traveling for Spring Break?

~~~Make sure to keep reading~~~2 Posts Today!~~~

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

What Works? Scotchgard

2008-02-08T08:30:00.000-05:00

My dining room chairs have cloth seats. Can we say cloth seat, small children... not a good idea. I have recovered the seats a few times. My latest attempt I decided to try Scotchgarding them. It was too easy, just spray, let dry and you're done. I was a bit skeptical that it would actually protect against some of the things the kids can spill, but so far it has held up great. A glass of milk wiped right up, no staining, no spots, it was an eye opener. So then I got to thinking, can I Scotchgard my whole house? Scotchgard answered that question for me...

101 Ways to Use Scotchgard

Remember if you have posted anything to let me know~ I will link to you.

I started a list of participants to the left~ go check them out!

What Works?

2008-02-07T08:53:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, but I get really disappointed when I try something new and it doesn't work like I was hoping. I am in no way an official product review specialist (is that a job classification?) but these are a few of my favorites. These are all things I have tried and been really happy with. We are all busy moms (or dads) so let's help each other out, add some of your favorites to the list. If I have something listed that you use, tell me what you think about it. I would love to get some input...

I really like Aveeno's Positively Radiant Moisturizer. It has the SPF built right in so I don't have to worry about those dangerous sunrays that are going to give me those nasty wrinkles we all try and avoid. This is lightweight, nongreasy and not outragiously priced. You can find it pretty much anywhere and it usually goes on sale quite often. Love it!

I have long thick hair that has a mind of it's own...it just wants to party like it's in the 80's! I have tried many different products and this Matrix Shampoo and Conditioner brings my hair back into this century. I can usually wash my hair every other day simply because it is not greasy~ this is a huge time saver for me. I only have to use a very small amount, which means that it lasts forever, I don't need to be putting it on my grocery list constantly. This is sold in salons, but we also have it in our local grocery store~ Meijers. Love it!

I have recently switched to Crest Pro-Health toothpaste. It leaves my mouth feeling dentist fresh and I mean that, it really makes my mouth feel clean. I buy the mint flavor, we tried the cinnamon and didn't care for it much. The only thing I don't like about this product is the packaging. It has a flip top and if you don't close it tight, it leaks out and leaves drips on the counter. As you know I have children...they don't close it~ the top is all gloppy and is hard to close because of the glop. So I find that I am cleaning off the glop so I can close it tightly. I didn't say that they close it, I don't think that will ever happen. So I recommend it, but ya gotta close it. Liking it!

My mom introduced me to this product. Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish~ and I thank her! I use this on my sink, dishwasher, trash can, the little bar on the island that is stainless. This sprays on, wipes off and doesn't leave streaks. It doesn't spray messy and isn't smelly. Again found this in Meijers and at a great price. Love it!

Note to self: Add more stainless steel to the kitchen.

If you use any of these, share your thoughts. If you love something else~ PLEASE SHARE!

Have a great day!

Others who are Sharing:

Chelle'

Mari

~Molly Cleans Her Ears to Hear God~ ~Lolo and her Rice Bowl~

2008-02-06T08:15:00.000-05:00

I shared this story with a few of you, but felt it was sweet enough to repeat as today is Ash Wednesday. This is a long post today, but it is heartfelt.

A while back, my oldest was about to get into something naughty, from the other room I said softly, "remember God is watching you" and left it at that. Later that night she came up to me and questioned this. So we had a long discussion about how God can see everyone and everything. Then she asked me how I knew what she was doing. My reply..."because God told me." Now I know this is not totally true, I mean I didn't have a conversation at that naughty moment with God and he said "watch out for that oldest one, she's gonna be in trouble" but I wanted her to know that He is there, He is watching and even in those times that I am not there to watch over her, she needs to do the right thing (I'm praying this will carry on to the teen years) so anyways, it has been awhile since then and just last night she asked me,

"Mom, how do you hear God when he talks to you?"

"In my heart"

"How?"

"I listen, I pray, and I hear him"

"But I don't hear him mom"

"Listen harder and ask him to talk to you, sometimes he tells us things and we are too busy to hear him."

Few more questions and we are done...Later that night as she is saying her prayers...

"Dear God, my mom used an ear thing to clean my ears, I hope I can hear you better now."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, it was so hearfelt and sweet. If only it was that easy to hear God.

The compassion of children is an eye opener, it's amazing, gracious, honest and genuine. My Lolo learned about an orphanage at school on Monday. They have the option of taking home a bowl (piggy bank) to collect change for a cause. We did not take one, simply because on Sunday we received a Rice Bowl from church and we are working on that first. We are standing in the hallway at school and she has something to tell me that is very urgent, very important. I bend down and listen. My dear sweet child has tears in her eyes. She is crying for the children who don't have Mommy's and Daddy's or even Nana's and Papa's. She is telling me all about the children with no homes so they go and live together and the place that they live, the "orfage" is broken and not nice and nobody has money and they can't fix it and sometimes they don't have food because they don't have money and we can give them money mom, we have money mom, we can help them, I can give them my money mom because I have plenty and I have a house and I can share my money mom. *Hugging, crying* It wasn't until I promised her that we would talk about it more at home, that I would show her the Rice Bowl that we received from church~ then and only then did the tears slow down, the voice return to normal and her breathing slow back down again. We zipped our coats, got into our car, drove down our nice streets and into our warm home. I took out the Rice Bowl, she ran upstairs and returned with her piggy bank. The sweet child dumped ALL of it into the Rice Bowl, then looks over at her Nana~ who knew, she knew what was on Lolo's mind, got her purse out and dumped all of hers into the Rice Bowl. Because of my dear sweet Lolo, we have filled our Rice Bowl and will be taking home the piggy bank from school today to fill that as well...because we can...because we have plenty and because Lolo cares enough to make it happen.

~~~~~~~~~~2 POSTS TODAY~~~~~~~~~~

Just a dash of Ash Wednesday

2008-02-06T07:31:00.000-05:00

To help your child focus on the Prayer aspect of our Lenten observation and devotions, make a family mosaic cross. Two types of crosses can be made:

* Fun Foam Cross - Using art foam, cut out a basic cross shape for the background. Then, using other colors of art foam (available at any craft or discount store), cut smaller pieces of "mosaic" and apply them to the cross background to create an overall mosaic effect. A fun variation of this project might be to make the cross background, and then apply small "mosaic" tiles when the child is observed being helpful, loving, or of service around the home. Can your child fill the cross with love "tiles" by the end of Lent?

* Crayon "Stained Glass" Cross - Have your child cut two identical cross shapes from waxed paper. Using old or broken crayons and a dull kitchen knife, scrape the crayons to create shavings of various colors. Spread the crayons on one of the pieces of waxed paper in a desired pattern. Then place the second waxed paper cross over the top of the first cross and the shavings. An adult should complete the following step: Using a warm iron, press the two pieces of waxed paper together. Find a sunny spot to hang your creation and remember to offer a prayer of love and thanksgiving each time you lay eyes on your beautiful cross.

A Few Things...

2008-02-05T07:16:00.000-05:00

I have to Share a Secret... I found THIS website and it is amazing. I know I shared the Kraft Website previously. (here and here) This site is much better, in my opinion of course. You can search for recipes with many search options, save to a cookbook, save to a grocery list, organize your grocery list by the grocery store aisles, add and subtract from your list. It has a nutrition section for healthy eating with interactive tools, a fitness planner, a teen section and a calcium quiz. Basically it has everything. It does require you to sign up to save all of your info, but it is worth it! Go check it out and enjoy!

BookMooch is a community for exchanging used books. I have not had a chance to dive in to this site, but it sounds really great. If someone else has any experience with this, I am looking for any input~ good or bad.

Here's a few pictures from Hubby's Birthday. We had a wonderful time! We had some family join us for dinner and a Coldstone Creamery Cake! Thank you for all the well wishes, it was very thoughtful of everyone to stop by and wish my guy some Birthday wishes!

Not to leave ya on a sad note, but a really good friend of mine had surgery yesterday~ please remember her in your prayers today~ she has 5 children at home waiting for her to get better.

Happy Birthday Hubby!

2008-02-04T09:34:00.001-05:00

PrIceLesS tHinGs I lOvE abOuT mY GiRlS

2008-02-01T09:08:00.000-05:00

The Bling!

The Baby Chubs!

The Picture Taking Ability?!!

The Imagination and the Dreams!

The Creativity!
The Simple Things!
She's not alone anymore~ watch out here they come...

~The joys of being sisters~ the stories they share~ the memories they are creating~

PrIceLesS!!!

Crazy Working Mom's Fruit Roll Ups

2008-02-01T05:37:00.000-05:00

Go over to her blog, when I was there this morning there was still one more prize for the taking.... Crazy Working Mom! Oh and she has a wee bit of an announcement too! Ok~ with that said, I WON, I WON, I WON!!! Yeah I am excited and yeah I know it's fruit roll ups, not diamonds or the lottery, but ya know I never win anything, so this is awesome!

100 Things Challenge~ Ready for More?

2008-01-31T10:31:00.001-05:00

#27 Moon Sand~ So we started off really well, nice and neat play~ everyone getting along, sharing, very creative and lots of fun...Lolo having a great time~ notice still in the pj's for the PJ Party I was NOT invited to...
Annie catching a piece of the action~ "Look Mom!"...
Oh Wait, where did Molly go? Hmmm...
Caught ya! Ha, she thinks she can get away from me and my camara!...
Molly's creation~6 Year Old Art...
Annie's Uh...Creation? 2 Year Old Art...
What was left for Me?!!
Lolo lost interest and played with the baby, in the meantime these two got into mischief and walked through ALL the moon sand making the house look like a colorful sandy beach! Yeah that's why they are sitting on the table, only way to guarantee they wouldn't walk through it again...Who's idea was this Challenge anyways? Oh yeah~ the crazy one having to clean it all up! :) Well, it was fun, it is cleaned up and it's another memory in their minds.
#82 Tickle a Baby!

We really got Dels laughing~ it is so fun to hear her giggle!

#38 Try a new fruit~ Ok, so it wasn't me trying the new fruit and yes it is an apple, which they eat almost daily, but it was new to her and it was bigger than she was and I just had to count it.

Before...

After...
#33 A differet flavor ice cream~ Ok, so this was pure pleasure to me! I absolutely love ice cream and will Challenge anyone to this one any day, or twice a day, or all day~ alright I confess this is a regular meal for me! Love it!!! That's it for today~ We are working on a few more so stay tuned!
Have a wonderful day! :)

Blog Bling

2008-01-30T12:23:00.000-05:00

Oh- this just seems so appropriate with Valentine's Day right around the corner. I love this award~ THANK YOU to OHmommy from Classy Chaos for passing this on to me. Everyone go check her out~ she is one sweet gal who always has something entertaining to write about. Thanks OHmommy! :)
I would like to pass this award on to: Lizzy ~ Christina ~Hallie ~Kate ~ This is a great bunch of boggin ladies, go check them all out because they will surely put a smile on your face! Congrats!

And as if that wasn't enough, Kimmy from Tales of a Blender Kimmy awarded me with a wee bit more blog bling! Watch out, before you know it I will need a pimp and an entourage, because you know...I'm just that cool! Ha. Thank you to Kimmy~ I haven't known her for very long, but I like her, I really like her. She makes me laugh, I always leave her blog with a smile. Thanks Kimmy! And now the rules... it seems by accepting this award I now have the daunting task of giving it to 10 other bloggers...10 really, only 10~ C'mon, this is tough...

Dayna ~ Laskigal ~ Amy ~ Happy Days ~ Mary ~ Valarie ~ Linds ~ Bridget ~ Kellan ~ Steph ~

Ok, so that is enough link practice for today, thank you for my awards, Congrats to those receiving the awards...I'm off to a nap~ yeah right as if the kids would even let me shut my eyes for 2 seconds...Annie always pinches my nose and says...Honk Honk Mommy! Yeah they are predictable like that! Have a wonderful day! :)

100 Things Challenge

2008-01-30T09:58:00.000-05:00

#14) Let me tell ya- this is a funny FUNNY Knock Knock Joke Book- in the eyes of the children! This is actually a book I had growing up and it is fun to hear them giggle at the things I thought was funny when I was their age.

So we took on the coloring Challenge #23 and since it is a snow day here due to the BLIZZARD outside, the girls decided to have a PJ Party today. They showered up this morning and then came down in their pj's, I must have missed that memo because I actually showered and got dressed. If I had known it was PJ Party day I wouldn't have bothered.

Molly and Annie drew pictures too, but my battery died on the camera, so while that is charging we are going to go dry hair, and then think of what our next Challenge will be- I'm thinking moon sand sounds like fun. Since it is a BLIZZARD outside, I will have to control my urge to go do snow angels and all the other snowy challenge ideas.

To all of you who are joining us with this Challenge...I thank you! I will link to your page once I see the posts up or just stop back and let me know. AND to those of you who are on the edge about joining...C'mon!!!! It's not that bad, there is a list of 100 things, surely you can find a few to participate in. I'm not asking you to walk naked down a hall- they are pretty simple :) So till the battery is charged...go enjoy life, smile, giggle and be silly!