In My Own Little Corner

Halfway done!

2012-02-02T13:28:00.002-05:00

For some reason the Proud Mommy Moments picture linky thing isn't working for me! But you can visit Kmama at the Daily Dribbles to join in the fun!

My proud mommy moment revolves around Z-man!

First his report card!

We are half way through the year!

How did that happen?

He got straight A's!!!

He is a smart little cookie! He does try hard and never argues with me about homework and tries to learn more by asking me unprovoked questions (both about school and church)

My 2nd Proud Mommy Moment from Z-man does revolve around church.

On the way to faith formation he was questioning me about communion. Asking if it is hard to receive the body and blood of Jesus. I guess he has noticed that there are words exchanged between the Eucharistic Minister and us when we go up to receive.

Then after faith formation he started asking me about the rosary (I was organizing them in the office area that evening while he was in class) I explained to him that you say a prayer at each bead. He asked me if I could teach it to him.

I love that he has God in his heart!

I am also very proud of Little-b's report card. He did very well the first half of the year in pre-school. But there aren't "grades" just if he is doing good or needs a little improvement. His speech teacher also commented that he is doing wonderfully in speech and that he does try really hard and it is making a big difference. She doesn't seem to think he will need speech in Kindergarten, but we will see!

That is my Proud Mommy Moment of the week!

What were yours?

I am a mutant

2012-02-01T17:14:00.000-05:00

Is it better to know or not know?

It was recently suggested that my siblings and I get some genetic testing done after my sisters recent bilateral pulmonary embolism. (that is a technical term for blood clots in both lungs.) She was very blessed that it all ended up the way it did. Blood clots are deadly and very serious.

I had my testing done and was fortunate enough to be negative for the Factor V mutation.

However, I was diagnosed as "Compound Heterozygeous MTHFR"

Meaning I have two mutations in different locations on the same gene.

What does that mean?

Well it depends on who you ask apparently.

Some doctors don't believe it makes much of a difference. Others disagree.

Here is a bunch of technical information on the MTHFR gene (Chromosome 1) from wikipedia if you are interested.

Basically it states that Compound Heterozygotes "does its job a bit less well than the normal MTHFR."

Okay... what does that mean???

There is more information on this site about it. It is a little more "readable" to the common person who wasn't trained in genetics.

"The two common MTHFR gene mutations occur at specific locations called “positions” along the gene. The one we generally test for is located at position 677. At this location, one amino acid base pair is different, in that Cytosine is replaced by Thymine. This mutation is thus called C677T. Another mutation we test for occurs at position 1298. At this location, Adenine is replaced by Cytosine and is therefore called A1298C."

"MTHFR mutations are common. The mutations can be “heterozygous” meaning they occur only on one strand or “allele” of the chromosome, or they can be “homozygous”, occurring on both alleles. The frequency of a heterozygous C677T mutation is common, occurring in about 35% of the population. The homozygous C677T mutation is about 5-10% of the population. A mutation in A1298T is more common but is generally less problematic. The homozygous variety of A1298T occurs in 9% of the population. Another mutation involves both the C677T and the A1298T alleles. This is a “compound heterozygous” condition that occurs in approximately 17% of the population."

Now what does that mean in my life?

Currently it doesn't mean a whole lot. But it does explain my recurrent miscarriages.

You can read about those HERE, in My Struggle With Fertility.

The MTHFR mutation can cause recurrent pregnancy loss by causing a clot between the placenta and the uterine wall.

Since we are done having children it will not affect any kind of treatment for that. (Some recommend injections of Lovenox during pregnancy and also an added dose of folate since MTHFR tends to interfer with folate production.)

I went to the hematologist a couple weeks ago to discuss with him how to proceed with this new and exciting information. He did some additional testing on me and it all came back normal - so it seems my only "issue" is the MTHFR mutation. Which is good news.

He put me on a daily regimen of B-complex vitamin and a baby aspirin.

MTHFR can be a cause of early cardiovascular disease and also clotting issues.

He said that a lot of physicians do not treat compound heterozygeous MTHFR with any kind of treatment plan, but he believes in the vitamins and baby asprin and in fact his own brother and sister in law have it and he has them doing the same treatment. (Hey - if the doctor has his own family doing it I'm not gonna argue.)

But all of this new information started me wondering.

Is all this technology that is available that tells us that we could have problems a good thing or a bad thing?

To me, I believe it is a good thing. Now I know what I can do to help myself. When my boys are old enough I will tell them that they have a 50% chance of this genetic mutation and they can decide for themselves if they want to be tested. (My hematologist said that since they are boys that they really won't have to get tested until they are in their 40's when their cardiovascular risk will rise.) However for the female members of my family it is more of an issue - and also for those ones with the Factor V it is really an issue, due to the use of birth control and other hormonal medications.

If a baby aspirin and some vitamins will help me ward off a clot or a heart attack then I am all for it. I want to be here as long as the good Lord allows to me to watch my boys grow up!

Would you want to know if you had a genetic mutation?

Picture My Life - Week 4

2012-01-30T06:42:00.003-05:00

Wow - the last full week of January.

Already.

I have a feeling this year is going to fly by!

We did not have a very exciting week here. It was sort of the same old thing, but that is My Life, and I love when it is the same old thing!

Let's see... what picture do I have to share with ya'll?

Monday

My husband coming home from work (caught by our youngest)

Tuesday

A nice fire going in the fireplace

Wednesday

Z-man reading to his little brother

Friday

My cousin came over to cut my hair - my hair went to 3" long, all over.. it is super short!
You can see a before here.

She brought her 6 month old daughter with her and Little B just loved her!!

Picture My Life - Week 3

2012-01-23T06:49:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Week 3!!

Monday was Martin Luther King Jr day - so no school. Apparently the boys got a hold of my camera and were taking pictures of themselves and eachother. Love it!

I think it is funny that Z-man is innocently flipping the bird.
(I am in the background ironing)

Is this Little b's Popeye imitation?

Tuesday brought life back to normal. Z-man was back in school. I had Baby G and we made some cookies!

Wednesday I took a little trip to see the Hematologist. (Nothing major - just turns out I have one of the DNA mutations that my sister has that can cause clotting disorders)

Thursday it stated snowing! (And we had a very giggly Baby G in the car while waiting at the bus stop - Little b had him belly laughing really hard by singing a strange version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

I love the way it looks when you take pictures of snow in the dark!

Friday the boys were off school again - so it was another "jammie day" (They even wore them when we went to my moms so they could make homemade icecream.) They made an elaborate train track going from my living room and winding throughout my kitchen.

Someday I will miss having little boys under my feet all day.

Little b - always the comedian.

Saturday - we got the first significant snowfall of the season! We ended up with 7 inches or so where we live. The boys had a blast in it. They were out there for 3 hours and I had to make them come in to warm up for lunch. Then after lunch they were back out! Hubby was happy because he got to use his snowplow on his quad for the first time.

It was their idea to shovel the walkway - and who am I to stop them?

First snowman at the new house (Bob the Snowman)
Don't mind the ugly shed in the background it is on our have to replace someday list!

Saturday night we had a birthday party to go to for my God-daughter

Sunday - the boys played some more in the snow, since it will be gone tomorrow, we are expecting a high of 51 tomorrow (WHAT??!!??) Other than that it was just a relaxing, church going, waiting on everyone kind of day - typical day in my paradise!

What did your week look like?

Antler Curtain Tie Backs

2012-01-20T10:52:00.001-05:00

Last week I pinned on pinterest the antler curtain tie backs that I made for my boys bedroom. It got a lot of repins so I thought I would share it with ya'll

Hubby was against my tie backs at the time because he was afraid the boys would poke their eyes out on them (but they haven't lost one yet)

But me being me I went ahead and made them anyway!

I was looking on ebay for antlers (I wasn't luck enough to find one in the woods - I looked - we did find a deer skull though and that was pretty cool looking) I told my brother about my idea and he must have mentioned it to a guy he worked with because he texted me one day that a guy at work was going to throw away 5 sets of antlers! Woo Hoo!

There wasn't much information on the web about how to go about making them. So I kind of did my own thing.

They already had holes in the end where they were attached to the mounts so I had to improvise a bit.

I bought L brackets and used superglue inside the hole and on the outside and put the L bracket against the outside and screwed the screw into the hole as best as I could. (If they hadn't already had holes in them I could have just screwed the L bracket right onto the antler)

After it was dry I had to put plugs into my drywall and then screwed the L brackets right into the wall.

They are sturdy and high enough so the kids don't lose an eye.

This would be great for a cabin (huntin camp) or a man cave too!

Picture My Life - Week 2

2012-01-16T06:16:00.005-05:00

Welcome to Week 2 of Picture My Life!

Monday morning it was back to school! I had a happy little first grader and a preschooler hiding from the camera!

After I picked Little B up from preschool we had a little lunch date (he wanted hot dogs from Target - but that wasn't my idea of the best lunch place, so we went to an area hot dog shoppe which I love - he loved it too - a hot dog and a chocolate shake!)

Tuesday's are always a crazy day. Z has school of course, I watch my nephew, Baby G, then after Z gets home from school we drop off Little B and Baby G at my sisters then go to Faith Formation. After Faith Formation we have to do dinner then homework. Needless to say I am exhausted by 8 pm!

Add into all that my sudden urge on Tuesday to make Pepperoni Rolls. I never made them before, but the breadmaker did a great job mixing the dough, so it was super easy! (They didn't last too long in our house either, so they must have been good!)

Wednesday we had a quiet day. I caught the boys sitting with their heads through the railing watching tv before school.

Then after school I caught them sitting on the same chair playing computer games together. They are buddies!

Thursday - another Baby G day - he asked me for some nuggets, I got them for him and a minute later looked over at him on the couch and he was sound asleep. (He is getting so big!)

Friday I had a dinner at my church for my volunteer work. I went alone (it was for volunteers only - they had invited over 600 volunteers and had about 250 come!) It was a really nice evening. Wine and cheese then a pasta dinner provided by a local restaurant.

Saturday morning was a pretty morning. A little bit of snow back on the ground and a pretty sunrise. I love this old tree on the edge of our field. (This is the view from my bedroom window)

Sunday we took the boys ice skating. They did great! They had not been ice skating since lessons last spring - Z didn't have any troubles, but Little B was a little fearful of falling and not as eager to go on his own as his big brother!

This week is going to be a little different - the boys are off on Monday (today) for Martin Luther King Jr day and then off again on Friday (Act 80 - since the 9 weeks ends on Thursday) I am thinking we might try to go ice skating again on Friday, we will see what it brings though!

What did your week look like?

Picture My Life - Week 1

2012-01-09T07:37:00.000-05:00

This is going to be my little week in review, Photo style!

I was going to try to post these on Friday's but I came down with a horrible bout of the stomach flu Thursday night so was not able to get it done! So now my new goal is on Mondays!! Ya'll can join in if you would like!

I know I won't be able to do a 365 - I know I wouldn't keep up with it, so I am going to do a weekly post in photos with happenings in our daily life! I might not have a picture from everyday, but hopefully from most of them!

New Years
Only my husband and I were awake (and not looking very photo opp ready) So here is a picture of Madison - she looks like "What are you doing???)

Monday - SNOW!!!! Finally! The boys were so excited they were finding any little bit they could to try to pack it into their snowball maker

Tuesday - Back to the grind - the boys being silly waiting for school bus to come.

The deer must have known it was safe to come out now that Wayne went back to work (view from my office window)

Wednesday brought a sick boy home from preschool - the 8 hour stomach bug that seems to be going around

Thursday - after a long day at school

Friday I had my own little nurse taking care of me all day while I laid in misery on the couch. He brought me water or coke with ice whenever I asked and didn't cause me trouble all day long! He does love his mama even though he is always saying he is "Daddys boy"

It has been a strange winter here in western PA - snow at the beginning of the week and 50 degrees on a Saturday afternoon brought baseball in the yard with dad!

What did your week look like?

Boys will be boys

2012-01-05T07:02:00.001-05:00

Every year we try to take a family photos in front of the Christmas tree.

One with just the four of us and also one at my parents house with my parents and brothers, sisters, and cousins.

There is a theme between both pictures this year!

Here is the one with the four of us

And the one with the whole family

Do you see the thing that is the same in both the pictures?

Sigh.

If I could get that kid to keep his hand out of his pants it will be a small miracle!

Friends

2012-01-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

What is a friend?

I recently read a book that has me thinking a lot about the subject.

In the book they talked a lot about best friends, I am not sure on the best part, to me, best means ONE. Who says there is just one?

To me, a friend is someone you can talk to anything about, who won't judge you. Someone who will also talk to you about anything.

A friend is someone who as soon as something happens you can't wait to tell them and to share it with.

A friend is someone who is different than you. A compliment to your personality, but also has the ability to be a mirror, to make you see yourself. To really see yourself.

A friend can be honest with you. They can tell you when you look bad, have food stuck in your teeth, or if you upset them they will confront you on it.

A friend can make you laugh or let you cry.

You don't have to talk everyday, but there has to be an effort made to keep the relationship going. Just like a marriage a friendship needs to be nurtured and cared for. You can't just assume the friend will always be there just waiting around for you. If you don't show you care they will think you don't anymore.

Friendships are hard to make and sometimes even harder to keep.

Soccer Ornament

2011-12-19T13:36:00.000-05:00

Every year I get the kids an ornament to hang on the tree.

I try to get it based on what interests they had that year.

This year I found a cute little snowman that had a baseball design on the bottom section for Little b.

For Z I wanted to get one that was similar but a soccer ball instead of baseball.

Do you think I could find one anywhere?

No, of course not.

So I searched online for how to make one myself. There were a couple results, but not exactly what I had in mind. So I made up my own.

I took 2 white glass ornament balls (I used the same size because I am cheap and didn't want to buy 2 boxes to make one snowman)

I printed out a soccer ball template and cut out the black parts.

I put this template on one of the balls and used a permanent marker to trace and color in the black parts onto the ball.

For the head I used the other ball and put a carrot nose I had cut out of felt and then used black puffy paints for the eyes and mouth.

I spray painted the silver hook at the top red to make it more resemble a hat.

I hot glued the bottom ball to the top one and then wrapped a red ribbon around as a scarf.

What do you think?

Turkey Bowl 2011

2011-11-19T21:07:00.000-05:00

I volunteered to help out at my son's preschool Thanksgiving Feast on Monday.

The kids will enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with turkey, applesauce that they made in the classroom, corn, bread, and milk.

After the feast we will have a craft of making styrofoam turkey card holders and then the fun begins!

I was in charge of the game.

The teacher mentioned maybe hot potato to me... but I had my own idea...

Turkey Bowl 2011!

I took the boys plastic bowling set and hot glued construction paper feather cutouts to the back and googly eyes to the "head"

As soon as I had them done my boys couldn't wait to try them out! I hope they are as big of a hit in the preschool classroom (pretty sure that won't be a problem!)

The nice part about the plastic bowling pins and hot glue... when you are done it all peels right off!

Get ready to meet your match Mr. Turkey!

Beautiful

2011-11-10T09:12:00.000-05:00

Joining Kmama today for a Proud Mommy Moment!

I could probably join in this Meme every week... if I remembered to do so... or if I was actually on the blog world often enough... But I am joining in today for a Z-man Proud Mommy Moment.

Z-man is such a sweet little 6 year old. He honestly has such a big heart and is so loving and caring, it doesn't surprise me that he inspired me to join in!

This past Sunday I woke up to him beside my bed at 6:30 am (okay, it was supposed to be 7:30, but since we turned clocks back it was 6:30 and I was up with a sick Little B in the middle of the night, so I was tired)

Z-man says in a whisper "Mom. Wake up. I have to show you something beautiful."

Me: " Z, I really don't care if there is snow on the ground, Mommy is tired, want to lay with me for a couple minutes?"

He crawls in and cuddles next to me - then proceeds to walk his toy bug all over me...

Yeah... not going to get anymore rest, so after a few minutes I say "Okay, Z, Mama's getting up."

We get out of bed and start to walk out the door.

"But Mooommmm I have to show you something beautiful."

Can't you show me out in the living room?

"No, you need to look out your window."

Okay, let's have a peek buddy.

We walk over to the window and look through little cracks in the blinds and he was right.

We saw the most beautiful sunrise coming up through the field with some bare trees shadowed in its brilliance.

"Isn't it beautiful Mommy??"

Yes. It is. Thank you for sharing it with me sweetheart.

I love that he notices and appreciates things like a beautiful sunrise. He is a very special boy.

What is your Proud Mommy Moment of the week?

Update

2011-11-03T11:01:00.001-04:00

First of all, thank you for all the prayers and concerns.

My sister is doing better. She was released from the hospital earlier this week.

What put her in?

She had bilateral pulmonary embolisms.

In human terms that means she had blood clots in both lungs.

She still has a long road of recovery ahead but is happy to be home and she is getting stronger everyday.

Prayers Please

2011-10-28T10:10:00.002-04:00

My sister was hospitalized last night.

I don't want to go into details, but it is a serious condition.

If you could send prayers her way it would be greatly appreciated.

Attitude change

2011-10-26T09:41:00.000-04:00

I have been talking about Madison a lot lately and all her problems. The last week it seemed to get a lot worse.

She was acting funny with my husband. She wouldn't go to him, she would put her tail between her legs and her ears back, like she was scared if he tried to pet her.

Then she started with the kids. If they went towards her and tried to pet her (or if they accidently stepped on her - since she likes to lay right beside the couch and they don't look when they get down and they don't get down gently... they are 5 and 6 yr old boys!) she would give one of those little warning snips. She never actually connected with them just snapped a little.

The final straw came last week when I was petting her (I am her favorite person in the world) She was cowering from me... what?! Then I was petting her ear and it happened. She cried out.

I knew immediately I had to call the vet the next day. So I did. But they did not have any openings that day and put me in for the following day.

I took her into be examined (we love our vet, she is so passionate with animals and does not lecture owners, which I love) The vet first looked at the ear that wasn't hurting and said it was fine. Then she looked at the other one and said "Ohhh... poor girl" there was a lot of junk in her ear - But then as the dr was cleaning it away we noticed something a little more interesting than just a typical ear infection...

She was bitten.

It was a definite bite mark on the top part of her ear and the cartilage area that connect to the cheek.

Now, the day before she cried out for me she had gotten loose. She got through our fence and who knows what she was up to in the woods behind our house. So I have no idea what bite her. It could have been another dog (my neighbors don't tie theirs up and I've talked before how Madison isn't a huge fan of anything on 4 legs) It could have been a raccoon or some other animal in the woods. Really it could have been anything.

That wasn't the end of Madison's problems however.

The doctor continued to examine her - since it has been ongoing that she has been a bit more temperamental with the kids.

It was her knees. The doctor actually cringed when she was bending Madison's knees and almost had tears in her eyes.

She said that Madison pretty much has no buffer left between her joints. The only thing that could possibly be done at this point would be total knee replacements. (Which is not in our dog budget) She thinks that her knee pain is the cause of Madison's lack of tolerance for the kids coming near her.

To my surprise I started getting tears in my eyes. I know that her knees are bad, they have been since she was just a puppy. But to think they've gotten that much worse in just a year. Well, it made me realize that Madison really doesn't have that many good years left. At least ones that she can walk comfortably. Her knees are probably going to be the demise of her.

She recommended keeping the kids away from the dog (at least the little kids that don't really know, or remember, to be careful) and a pain killer to help her handle the pain. She also recommended the Glucosamine Chondroitin and Fish Oil supplements to give her a little support.

So right now, Madison is taking an antibiotic and pain killer in the am. And then her bladder medication (Proin) Glucosamine, Fish Oil, and antibiotic in the evening.

She is on more meds then anyone else in the house. But I guess since she is 8 years in dog years, that makes her what 56 in human years - she is the oldest one in the house.

She has been on the medications for a week now and how is she doing?

Well, the pain medications are making her think she is a puppy. She is running like crazy and playing with toys again (something she hasn't done in a really long time - maybe 2 years) I don't know if that is good or not. I mean I want her pain to go away, but I want her to take it easy so she doesn't really hurt herself either.

Guess you can't keep a good dog down.

It is just about that time

2011-10-22T15:26:00.000-04:00

62 days

Oh yes... I did...

There are only 60 days left until the big man flies.

Now is the time to start thinking about how I am going to prepare. Who I need to buy for, how many Christmas Card I need to send out...

Every year we create a homemade photo Christmas card to send out to friends and family.

I have used several different companies to make them and they were always okay until I made them last year using Shutterfly.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I was amazed at the quality of Shutterfly's Photo Christmas Cards

The cards had an amazing quality.

My husbands friends even asked where we got the cards because they noticed the difference from our (and everyone elses) normal holiday cards.

And Shutterfly isn't only wonderful for their Christmas Cards.

Ohhhhh Nooooo

They also do my favorite thing ever!

PHOTOBOOKS!!!!

I create a photobook (or two) for every year. I never get pictures printed - unless I need to send one in with one of the kids for a school project - so a yearly photobook is right up my alley! You can customize them exactly how you want them. Which is fantastic. Other online photo companies don't let you move the text where you want it. There is a certain layout for a 4 picture page and if you don't want the text underneath the pictures... too bad... not the case with Shutterfly - you can put that text just where you want! How great is that?!?

Shutterfly has an endless supply of items. It is not just limited to Christmas cards, Photo books, you can make your own greeting card or buy home decor items such as a fleece blanket with a special picture on it. Or wall decals! How cool would it be to put a lifesize decal of your kid on their bedroom wall? So much better than a professional athlete in my opinion!

I belong.

2011-10-13T08:22:00.001-04:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about how I don't seem to be needed anymore by a friend. She has become closer with her relatives and I have taken 2nd (maybe 10th? who knows) seat. Not that I am upset that she has kindled a different relationship. I have just been feeling left out.

But today I am not going to go on and on about that. At least not anymore than I just did.

I have decided to make it more positive.

I belong with my husband.
We are coming up on our 9 year anniversary and our love is continuing to grow, and we are blessed to have eachother. I love him.

(As you can tell the boys weren't too excited to have to stay still for a quick picture)

I belong with my boys.
    I don't think I need an explanation there - I love spending time with my 2 crazy boys and doing fun things with them. We went to the pumpkin farm last weekend, we are going to a local kids amusement park this weekend. I am with my kids a lot but always look forward to hanging out with them and doing fun things!

I belong with my parents.
I belong with my brothers and sisters.
    I am truly blessed with a very close family. We hang out a lot. If we don't see eachother in a month we are finding a reason to hang out. Random fish fries or "Let's meet at moms and get pizza" It is wonderful to be so close. I pray that my kids have this kind of relationship with eachother (and hubby and I) when they grow up.
    Funny story - a couple weeks ago at my nephews 2nd birthday party my mom exclaimed "Oh! All my kids are here! Lets' take a picture!" We all burst into laughter and my sister replied "Yea... cuz we are never all together..." (heavy on the sarcasm) My mom didn't understand what we were saying at first but then she even laughed at the fact that we are together ALL the time!

I belong with my extended family.
I am super close with my extended family as well. I am the 2nd oldest of twenty-some-odd grandkids and about a dozen great-grandkids. But we still all see each other at least several times a year (other than major holidays) and I hang out with my cousin and her little boy occasionally as well!

I belong to my church.
I love the church we belong to. It is a huge congregation, but it is so fulfilling that it is wonderful to be there. I also started helping at Faith Formation. It is nice to get a little more involved in the church.

I am truly blessed and thank God for all the blessings in my life. I am trying not to dwell on what I've lost, but look to what I have.

Getting old

2011-10-05T07:30:00.000-04:00

It is always a difficult thing.

Getting older.

Not only is it hard for us, but it is hard for us to watch our beloved pets age.

Madison, aka Mad Dog, is 8 1/2 years old.

We have been making comments for a while now that she is getting old.

She has had trouble going up stairs off and on for a couple years. Mostly it happens in the wintertime, last winter my husband actually had to carry her up the stairs several times. But sometimes just at the end of a normal day you can see her struggling with steps. (Good thing in our new home she won't really have to go up steps if she can't.)

Last year she developed a bladder problem. She leaks. She would be just lying on the hardwood and you would look and see a puddle by her tush. She always has been excellent at holding her bladder and not going in the house, but she is no longer there. We did take her to the vet for this last year and it was not an infection or anything - they gave us some medication that is supposed to help with this and I try to remember to give it to her twice a day, but sometimes forget.

She is beginning to get defiant. Or stubborn. Or just doesn't give a damn what the rules are anymore - mostly when we are not home.

If a door was even slightly shut before she would not try to open it. Now if it isn't latched, she will get in.

She has not been allowed on our bed since she was a pup. Now, if we have not latched our bedroom door shut (see above issue) then we find dog hair on our bed.

And the other night it wasn't just dog hair.... I went to go to bed after a long day and started to pull the covers back and slide my feet underneath when they touched something wet. Yup. She had her bladder issue on my bed. (And on my side to boot!) So then I had to strip the bed and clean up - it went through the comforter, both sheets and my mattress pad. That meant I had to clean the mattress too. Ugh.

I try to remember that when she is gone how much we will miss her ~~so I don't kill her~~ My cousins dog isn't well right now - she is only 6 - and it isn't sounding too promising. So I keep reminding myself of how heart broken she is. I remind myself how much Little b love love loooovvveeessss his dog. Which isn't hard because he hugs and loves her up every day. I remember my days of sadness after my miscarriages. She knew. She just knew and had such sadness in her eyes and just layed by me for the longest time.

I know she isn't dying or close to dying. (Heck, she will probably live until she is 20) But she is getting older. And it is sad to watch your family members age.

Just as I was finding my groove

2011-09-22T09:39:00.000-04:00

Just as I was beginning to find my groove of being a stay-at-home mom with our new bus drop off and pick up and preschool drop off and pick up 3 days a week schedule it seems like it is going to be changing.

There is no certainty yet, but my manager emailed me today asking my availability. She had contacted me a couple weeks ago asking if I would be available to work on Friday's for several hours - which I had already talked to her about the possibility of just working after I get Z on the bus and until I have to pick Little b up from preschool. My mom would do preschool drop off for me.

Now it sounds like she might be looking for a bit more.

They had a lab tech quit (which is what my actual degree is in) so they are looking for someone to fill in for that once in a while.

I told her what time I get Z on the bus and what time I would have to pick Little b up from preschool and get Z off the bus. So I would basically be available from 9 am til 2:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. (How is that for being particular?)

Part of me is excited to get back into the workforce. I like being around adults and feeling like I am contributing to my family's finances (although I technically already do, since I babysit 3 days a week now - somehow it doesn't seem like that really counts. I can't explain why. Actually I can, but don't want to get into it)

The other part of me was enjoying the time I have at home. I was enjoying it just being me and Little b a couple days a week. I was enjoying having time at home to clean up and make things like homemade noodles and homemade spaghetti sauce.

But if my manager can work around my schedule, how do I say no to that?

I mean, yes, technically I could. But we could use the extra money for a gazillion things. There are only 93 days until Christmas. We are re-doing a bathroom in our home. We would like to finish the basement. And the list goes on and on and on... as it does for everyone.

So, if she can make a postion for me utilizing my crazy hours. I will be heading back to work.

Welcome!

2011-09-06T14:01:00.000-04:00

We are home.

Our new house felt like home from the moment we stepped through the door.

It is at the very end of a private lane and there about 50 wooded acres that border our property beyond that. We own 7 acres, so the boys will be in their glory exploring the woods. (A little concern on Mama's part on what they will be doing in the woods when they get older....but ignorance is bliss, right? )

Of our 7 acres, about 5 are wooded - the other 2 are cleared, the house (obviously sits in the clearing)

The view from our driveway - with the front yard on the right side of the picture

We have a nice little firepit in the backyard and have already enjoyed a couple fires and S'mores

My view from my kitchen window:
(Yes, the swing was here when we bought the house - and I LOVE it!)

We have a little bit of a walk to the bus stop - about 3/10 of a mile. It is mostly level (except the slope on our driveway) so it isn't bad - but there won't be any mad dash's to the bus! Little b likes to take the kids' quad out to the busstop in the afternoon to pick his brother up.
(The ride home)

I still have to find a place to hang my porch swing. Our deck off the house is not covered (yet...) so that is not an option. The front porch would be nice, but there aren't beams big enough in the roof over it to hold the swing. My idea...

I would love my husband to build me a pergola to put in the yard and put the swing underneath and maybe put some grapevines to grow up it. (Might attract too many bees though... )

We will be having our first party on Saturday to celebrate Little b's 5th birthday!

Welcome to my new little corner. As I put on facebook last week "I <3 my new home!"

Summer Fun For Everyone

2011-08-08T09:09:00.000-04:00

Summer has just flown by.... again... as it seems to do every year.

We have had another busy summer. We were able to get 3 camping weekends in, which the kids absolutely love, and more parties and ~~free babysitting~~ play dates than you can imagine!

When Shell mentioned that she was having a Summer Fun Link-Up and that there were going to be fabulous prizes from Ubisoft ... I knew it was the perfect time to poke my head out from hiding (and take a couple minutes from the insanity of trying to buy a house) to join in on the fun and to share what we have been busy doing!

Join Shell and Link up your Summer Fun for a chance to win prizes from Ubisoft.

Our first camping trip this summer at Lake Berlin in Ohio (our favorite camping ground!)
Silly Little b posing in the lake with his brother Z-man!

What a catch! Lots of fishing and swimming in the lake!

My kids first trip to a baseball game! They made it til the 7th inning stretch and then were ready to go (Hubby and I weren't - it was a fantastic game!! But we made it home in time to watch the last inning and a half on tv)

Summer Fun isn't just for the kids!

At my grandma's 70th birthday party my cousin and sister and I did a little ~~after indulging a little~~ impromptu dance that we used to do as kids to "Jimmy Jimmy" by Madonna

Our final camping trip... Just this past weekend....

Now it is time to start winding down and get ready for school to start...

But not before we celebrate my 34th birthday on Friday! Summer isn't over until my birthday is past - it's the rules!!!

My Dissappearing Act

2011-07-20T07:08:00.004-04:00

Today I am Pouring My Heart Out with Shell @ Things I Can't Say

I've enjoyed blogging.

I've made some close friends doing so.

But it takes up too much of my time. I haven't had the time to post much of anything lately. I blame it partially on not having my "own" house and partially because it is summer. Heck, I haven't even been able to make it to many blogs to actually read on a regular occurrence.

The fact is that I don't really miss it all that much.

I do miss the interaction with my readers and the writers of the blogs I follow but I don't miss some of the drama that unfolds and how I feel left out (my own weirdness shining through) of things, I don't feel like I am a good blogger, amongst other reasons.

Therefore I will not be around much anymore.

I tried just making my blog private. But still didn't really post anything. So for now I am keeping it public but am probably not going to be posting much.

I know summer is always crazy busy with the boys home, but I don't see it changing much once the school year starts since I will still be watching my nephew.

So... that is where I am... Still here.... Lovin life .... Working on getting a new home to call "My Little Corner" ... and having fun with my hubs and the kiddos!

If you ever want to contact me.... wiggysgirl1026 (at) gmail (dot) com

Lots of Love!!

I would say I hope you don't miss me, but that is a lie... we all want to be missed in life... right?

10 years gone in 10 seconds

2011-06-30T20:10:00.000-04:00

Today I am hanging out with the cool kids

Linking up with Kmama over at The Daily Dribbles for Proud Mommy Moments

Although mine is a notsomuch proud mommy moment...

I mentioned a while ago in a small sip of PYHO about an terrifying episode that we had with our kiddos

Well - here is what actually happened that day.

I will set the scene... My kids are over at my parents house (who live about 10 houses down from my Gaga's where we are currently living) They live on a dead end street - at the very end of it - in a very safe neighborhood.

I drive over (yes... I realize it is just 10 houses down - but we were going to run to the pretzel store to get pretzels for Beerfest that night) So, I drive over and park my car in the "rocky driveway" - gravel - the other driveway is paved, but is in the process of being re-done.

I go and find the kiddo's - they were sweeping my dad's garage (for fun of course) So I run in the house to grab a piece of mail and their bag. I am literally in there for maybe 2 minutes? Then we heard a noise.

My sister asks "What was that noise?"

I listened.... then said "It kind of sounds like dad's leaf blower"

So I go out to the garage and call their names.

They don't answer.

I look in - they aren't there...

I hear the noise again.

I go into the front yard and make it just around the corner of the house in time to see my car backing out of the driveway FULL SPEED.

Gravel is flying

I am running

And Yelling

SSSSTTTTOOOOPPPPPPP!!!!!!

Of course I don't make it to the car in time (and what could have I done if I had?)

It wrecks right into the little hillside that is directly across from my parents "rocky driveway"

(Now... remember I said about the paved one where I usually park.... If I had been there they would have went right into the neighbors house)

I get to the car - swing open the door - grab Little b out by his arm - jump in and throw the car in park.

He hurries up and gets into the back

Both boys are laughing.

Laughing???

Yes, laughing.

They thought it was great.

Until they saw the look on my face and the look on my parents faces.

I tried to spank him - but literally had no strength in me what-so-ever.

I re-parked the car.

Pulled him into the house and gave him a lecture like he has never had before.

While I was talking to Little b, my mom was talking to Z-man.

(Z-man was in the back seat - Little b was the "driver" his head barely came to the steering wheel when he had his foot on the pedals)

Z claimed that he yelled at B to stop and "tried to jump in front to put it in park" (Thank God he didn't - he would have either dropped my transmission or put it into drive and then would have went right back down the driveway into my dad's truck - and they could have been seriously hurt then)

I was shocked that a 4 year old knew how to start my car and how to put it in gear.

I have a "rice burner" as my husband calls it - a Nissan Altima - it is a push button start. The key has to be in the car (not in the dash, just in the car) and it was in my purse. You push on the brake and push the start button to start it. Then he must have hit the gas a couple times (which is the noises I heard which I thought were a leaf blower) Then he would have had to put his foot back on the brake and pulled the shifter into reverse. Then gassed it again to drive.

That was the day I lost 10 years of my life in 10 seconds.

Not So Proud Mommy - and I am partially to blame...

Live and learn though.

I never leave my purse in the car anymore.

Ever.

Every happy home has a framework of support and a foundation of love

2011-06-27T07:33:00.000-04:00

Several years ago my grandmother had my sister and I make some plates with a picture of the way her house used to look with the old spring house in front of it for her kids for Christmas one year.

"Every happy home has a framework of support and a foundation of love"

So we did - but didn't think to make her one too. She has been hinting to my sister that she would like one.

When we moved into her house I came across the original photograph and was going to make her one. Then I saw a groupon deal for a canvas photo place and thought that would be perfect!

Let me tell you - I was not dissappointed - not by a long shot.

I was amazed at the quality of the customer service and the final product!

The picture does not do it justice!

Here is a comparison picture of the size they had to start with (lower left corner) and how big they made it

My grandmother was speechless. She loved it.

I had also came across 2 old keyhole covers that were laying in a pile of rubble where a shed had stood. They were from the house years and years ago.

I cleaned them up a little bit and simply put it on the wall by the front door and framed it.

I wish I had come across the skeleton keys that would have gone with them, but did not. Maybe I will find some in an antique shop one of these days to hang next to it.

These were my presents to my Gaga for her 75th birthday!

Friday Fragments

2011-06-24T14:12:00.000-04:00

Is it time for school to be back in session?

No?

*sigh*

Last weekend we had fun though

We went camping

We rode bikes

We fished

We swam in the lake

We had tons of fun.

Next camping trip is mid July

Can't wait!

Tuesday was my grandma's 75th birthday

The grandma that we are currently living with

We celebrated by having grilled steak and shrimp, potatoes, fresh green beans and homemade apple pie that I made that morning.

We gave her her present - a photo to canvas that I had made by cafepress - it was fanastic!! It was an old picture of her home with the springhouse in front of it. She was speechless when she opened it!

Tomorrow is her birthday party at my moms house!

Tomorrow is also Little b's last T-ball game

And we are looking at a house with 7 acres for the 2nd time (imagine how much trouble 2 boys will be able to find on 7 acres!)

Sunday we are going to visit my husband's parents

Gonna be a busy weekend!

Not Mushy Mushrooms - Garden Mushrooms

2011-06-23T15:19:00.000-04:00

We made mushrooms!

My brother's mother in law (did you keep up with that?) invited us over on a warm day to make concrete mushrooms!

It was a little labor intensive - but turned out so cute - and the kids had so much fun!

First you take containers full of sand and dig out a hole. Then you take a bowl and smoosh (yes technical term) it into the hole to make a nice round shape.

Then you put your decorative touches into the bottom and sides of the shape Face Down! Gems, Rocks, Shells, anything you can think of!

Then you mix your concrete (hard work!) Then take the concrete by cupfuls and fill up your hole of sand (mushroom cap.) Place an empty container ontop of concrete so there is a little indentation for them to go. Write your name on the concrete so you know for years to come who's is who's and what year you made!

You also have to make a stem!

Take the same cup you were using to fill up the cap and fill it up with concrete and let it set up.

Then you Slip - N - Slide to cool down!

The mushrooms after they are dry:

The view from the top of them

Fathers Day Crafts 2011

2011-06-16T11:49:00.000-04:00

We are crafting for Fathers Day 2011!

We focused on handprint crafts this year.

The first thing we made was a canvas for Dad to hang in his office (or in the house, whichever he prefers)

I took a blank canvas I bought at the craft store then painted the background a simple blue color.

I traced the kids hands onto cardboard first.

Then printed out pictures from this years sports (Z played soccer and Little b played T-ball)

I cut out the pictures of them playing into the kids hand print shapes.

I glued the pictures onto the canvas and then used Modge Podge to seal them over.

Ta Da!!

The next craft we used the handprints for was a T-shirt

I took a plain T-shirt and washed it first

Then took fabric paint pens - used the same cardboard handprint cutouts and traced them on the T-shirt

Added eyes to make them look like fish.

I added "A Couple of Keepers!" and a hook and fishing line to the T-shirt.

Then I let the kids decorate their fish.

Ta Da!!!

The boys also got their dad a Pirates baseball t-shirt to go with their creations!

Sick and tired of him being sick and tired

2011-06-15T09:05:00.000-04:00

We are taking Little b to the rheumatologist today

He is still getting sick a lot.

A lot of fevers.

A lot of pain behind his left knee.

A lot of just general not feeling good (and not looking good - his eyes tell it all)

I just wish he was well.

For his sake and for ours.

Rockin the Bump with Shell

2011-06-13T10:06:00.000-04:00

When Shell announced her

I was all for it!

I loved showing my baby bump! I took tons of belly pics during my pregnancys! Loved loved loved being pregnant and would do it in a heartbeat if I didn't have to deal with newborns anymore (Yup.. I don't love that newborn stage - horrible aren't I?)

With my first - My first belly picture. It was while we were on a cruise.

And at the end of the pregnancy

With my second - on vacation

And at the end

A small sip

2011-06-01T07:45:00.000-04:00

I am not quite ready to pour the whole glass of wine on this one (although more than one glass was drank after the experience) but here is a small sip

I had a terrifying experience this past weekend that involved my 4 year old (little b) and my car.

It took 10 years off of my life in less than 10 seconds.

I am not quite ready to divulge the entire story yet because even writing this much makes me shaky and upset.

Will I survive their teenage years?

I shouldn't have expected anything less

2011-05-31T07:21:00.000-04:00

I thought it wasn't happening anymore.

I thought since the remodeling projects were done that he was gone.

But I guess I was wrong.

He is still here.

Strange things are happening.

We are living with my grandma in her house that was built in 1900. I have always heard about Fred but never experienced him.

I've heard about him walking around upstairs when no one else was home.

I've heard about electronic devices - like the radio - coming on all by themselves.

I've heard the story about my uncles friend who was visiting one day and made a comment about not believing .... then the sliding glass door starting rattling hard even though there was no wind that day.

The stories go on and on and on...

But I didn't think he was active since my grandparents had their kitchen remodeled. Now, I am not so sure.

When we moved our stuff in, we brought our camping stuff with us. We put most of it on a shelf in the walkway between the garage and the basement. We went down one morning and it was all pushed onto the floor. And the bottom box was pretty heavy, and stable on the shelf. How did that happen?

I've been waking up often around 2 or 2:25 am either feeling a presence in the room or with a pounding heartbeat and a feeling of fright. I also had the feeling one night like something kept touching me. I felt something on my neck and brushed it away, then felt like something was pushing on my leg. What was that?

My parents and I were sitting in the tv room chatting before dinner one evening and all of the sudden my grandma's desktop computer monitor just came on. No one had turned the computer on that day and no one did anything to make the monitor come on. Strange...

After coming home from a dinner out another evening my laptop - which I had turned off when we left - was on. Yes, maybe I just thought I turned it off.... but we have a weather.com desktop that pops up automatically when the computer starts up and then I always close - and it was up... Ooookkkaaayyyy....

And finally a couple nights in the middle of the night (my husband says it was around the 2:00 hour) our dog would just start barking like crazy. She typically does not bark like that if there is not a reason. And another night my grandma's dog did the same thing. Hearing your dogs bark fiercely in the middle of the night is frightening in itself!

Strange part is I am okay with living in a house that has a ghost. I am okay with him (or her) turning on electrical stuff. I just really don't like being woken up in the middle of the night and do not want to be touched. Leave me alone and I am cool with you!

Below is an old picture of my grandma's house. In the foreground you see a stone building - it was their spring house that they got their water from. The house was built in 1900. I am having this picture put onto canvas as a gift to my grandma for her upcoming 75th birthday!

Do you have any ghost stories?

Moving on

2011-05-20T21:26:00.000-04:00

It has been a crazy couple weeks.

Life always seems a little crazy with a pre-schooler and a kindergartner but it has been a little more insane over the last 2 weeks.

We moved out of our home last weekend and got settled into my grandma's house. Our dog is getting along very well (a very welcome surprise!) The boys are adjusting well, already calling it their home - which is awesome!

Today was the close of the sale of our house. It went well, considering there were some last minute issues that came up, but we were able to work through them and the close happened and we are officially homeless. Hopefully something will come on the market soon and we won't be imposing on my grandma for too long! My Gaga is a wonderful lady and we are getting along perfectly. I think she is enjoying having some kids in the house and having people to eat dinner with. I can't imagine how lonely she is living here alone since my grandpap died several years ago. Not saying she won't be happy to have her house to herself again once we are gone, but she knows it isn't forever that we will be here. So we are enjoying eachother while we are together. And my boys are getting to know Gaga better!

This past week has been a little more insane. In between running Z to afternoon kindergarten every day- which is now a 20 min drive one way - and then picking him up 3 hours later and doing the same commute, and little B to preschool 2 days a week in the morning, we have had illnesses to deal with.

Little b had cold symptoms on Monday - 2 days after ending his 2nd course of antibiotics - then on Tuesday afternoon he started with really bad asthma symptoms. We tried doing his puffer a couple times and that did not seem to even touch it. So we were going to give him the nebulizer treatment - but guess what.... the nebulizer is somewhere in storage... for some odd reason I thought since they changed his albuterol to an inhaler I wouldn't need the nebulizer for a month or so (dumb, dumb, dumb)

Luckily my husbands sister had an extra one that isn't in the best shape, but it works - so he went over there Tuesday evening to borrow it. It did seem to help some, but Little b was not getting full recovery even from that. He would start coughing and wheezing within a couple hours of a treatment. We did that all night long. Every 3 hours he would start coughing and by the time we got to the 4 hr mark we would be giving him the next treatment.

So Wednesday I took him to the dr. And they had to give him another nebulizer treatment there (even though he had one just 2 hours before) The dr said that he was whistling pretty bad. They also gave us a steroid for him to take for 5 days. After he is done with the steroid we start him on a maintenance asthma medication. The dr made the comment also that he should not be getting this many sinus problems that lead to other kinds of infections so often - my point exactly! So hopefully the maintenance medication helps with this since the 2 courses of antibiotics did not do the trick.

We go back tomorrow for an asthma check. He isn't perfect - but he is definitely improved. He is still coughing and still sounds pretty congested and really cranky (I am thinking that is from the steroid) The last time he needed a steroid for his asthma he was pretty much 100% better by the next day. This time it just isn't getting kicked out.

Nothing worse than laying with your child and listening to them struggle to breath.

Asthma sucks.

Beautiful

2011-05-10T07:52:00.000-04:00

You have to see the wedding gown my sister in law made for her niece's wedding.

It is fabulous.

She is the most amazing seamstress I know. She made my children's baptismal gowns and made my nephews using my moms wedding gown.

She does the designs herself and the results are always breathtaking.

LeeAnn Marie Photography

Taking it with me

2011-05-04T07:06:00.000-04:00

I have said it before. I am going to miss my house.

I never thought I would be attached to a house. I wouldn't say that I am overly attached, but I am having feelings of nostalgia.

This was our first house as a married couple, we got our first puppy here (as evident as the chewed hardwood on the first step - Madison left her little mark on the house) , brought both our babies home here, watched them grow and blossom into wonderful little boys.

I remember Z-man getting his head stuck in the railing when he was about 18 months old. Little b was only 2 months old and I had to figure out how to remove his head from the railing while he was screaming hysterically.

I remember watching them both scale the outside of the steps and leap Superman style onto the couch in the living room (don't panic - it is only a 4 foot height)

I remember the panic I felt the day that I lost them. They were in the yard riding their John Deere... suddenly I didn't hear it anymore. My first and only panic attack. I thought for sure they went wandering into the woods down to the creek, but had no clue where to start my search.

I think about all the different places in the house that we have had our Christmas tree. Where the Easter Bunny has hidden baskets.

Teaching the boys to ride their bikes without training wheels in the front yard.

Watching my husband play catch with the boys from the kitchen window as I washed dishes. Or on the days they weren't out there, watching the deer or turkey wander through the yard looking for their own dinner.
So...

I am taking a piece of my house with me.

Okay, maybe not a piece of the actual house... well, I guess I could... I do have extra bricks in the backyard from when we bricked in a doorway.... hmmm...

But I am taking cuttings from my pussy willow tree. I cut them when the blooms had started and have had them rooting in some water. I am going to plant them at our new home (wherever that may be!) I am also taking cuttings of my forsythia bush to do the same.

Hopefully the roots take and my plan works! If it does, and if we ever move again I may have to continue the tradition and keep pieces of our home with me.

A little reminder of the roots I've laid down.

Busy, Busy, Busy....

2011-04-29T07:11:00.001-04:00

It is time for another edition of Friday Fragments with Mrs. 4444

No surprise I haven't been around a whole lot, I am sure. With the close of the sale of our house 3 weeks away - but I haven't been busy packing... yet....

I am not allowed to start really packing yet. I tend to get a little carried away with it. I am one of those "pack your suitcase 3 weeks before vacation then have to keep getting things out of it" kind of people. I have shown great restraint to this point. The kids still have some toys not packed and we still have pictures on the walls...

But....

After Saturday.... It is free reign!

What is Saturday you ask?

Zach's 6th birthday party!!!

He officially turns SIX years old today - how did that happen?!?

He is so sweet though. He always tells me he will always be my little boy and still cuddles with me like crazy!! Words can't say how blessed I am to have my little Zachery!

And I have been driving myself crazy with my little Benny Boy.

He hasn't been well for a long time. Not horrible sick - but not well. A whole list of symptoms that come and go erratically. So I took him to the doctor on Monday to discuss all the things that are going on to see if we can figure things out.

We are starting with a week course of antibiotics to see if there is possibly a sinusitis going on - we are on day 5 today and I have not noticed any improvement yet. So I am guessing I will be calling on Monday and saying that wasn't the cause.

I've been trying to keep a daily diary of what he is actually eating (which isn't much. For example: Wednesday he had Chocolate Milk, 1/2 hot dog, and 6 bites of spaghetti all day. And this wasn't a one bad day thing. This has been pretty much the amount that he has been eating everyday.) He is in the <5% for his weight - which isn't a huge deal in itself, I was always a tiny person (until I hit 30, now my waistline and butt seem to be expanding LOL) But in the past 9 months he has only gained ONE pound. Now in my mind a typical 4 yr old should put on more weight than 1 lb in 9 months.

So my mind has been a little preoccupied with Benny's issues.

So that is the fragmented version of what is going on In My Little Corner!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Amazing Grace

2011-04-22T22:52:00.000-04:00

I have the sweetest 5 year old.

On Good Friday we went to 1pm service as a family. It was long - an hour and a half - the kids hung in there well and participated and payed attention as much as a 4 and 5 year old can.

After the service I mentioned that I was planning on going to the Tenebrae service that evening. I jokingly said "Who wants to go with me?!?!"

Ben replied NOT ME!!! My husband (jokingly) NOT ME!!

Zach "I will go with you Mama. It is nice to have someone to go to church with. I like to go with you and sit in the first two seats"

So sweet.

But I figured he would change his mind before 7 pm.

At 6:45 I asked him if he still wanted to go with me. He said he did. So we both got ready and left shortly after.

On the way we discussed his upcoming 6th birthday and how nice it is to go to church together, just me and him (his words)

The Tenebrea service consisted of songs, a reading, gospel, homily, the veneration of the cross and finally the breaking of the Easter candle and the church ending in complete silence and darkness. It was a beautiful service. They allowed people to go to the alter and pick up a piece of the candle to take. Zach got a little piece and came back as happy as a lamb.

We left the church and on the drive home he says to me. "I love God." I said "I love God too" He then asked me if everyone loves God.

I tried to explain that not everyone loves God, some people do not believe. I asked him if he remembered from the Living Stations of the Cross (that we had attended a couple weeks ago for faith formation) that people did not believe that Jesus was who he really was and thought he was just saying that he was God's son. He said Yes, he remembered. I said "Well, those people made Jesus die because of that, right? They did not believe in him. They hung him on the cross and while he was up there he asked God, his father, to Forgive them for they know not what they do."

He replied "But he did not stay there, right? 3 days later he rose"

How my heart leaped with joy - he is paying so much attention and building his faith!

I said "He did rise from the dead. But he was no longer like us. He had changed. And now he is with God in heaven, so that even if we die, we might not be here on Earth anymore, but we will be alive in heaven with God and Jesus."

He says "Well. It is going to be a LONG time before I die because I am a 5 year old"

It truly blesses my heart that my boys are attentive to church (after the living stations Ben had asked me a lot of questions about the stations and was very interested in that.) It is the best Easter gift I could ever receive.

A house we adore

2011-04-19T08:12:00.000-04:00

I am in love.

So is my husband.

Yes, we are in love with eachother - but we have found a house that we absolutely adore.

It is out in a country setting with a farm in the back yard (a grain farm - so no worries about smells of cow manure polluting the kitchen)

It has 2 1/2 acres.

We love the way the home is set up. Not too big. Not too small. Master bedroom with great closets and a great master bath.

It has a 3 car detached garage. It is in a good school district.

The garage is not finished - there are no garage doors or man door on it (maybe ran into financing issues?) The house has some unfinished things as well. (No attic access door - but there is a cut out.

But (there is always a but) it is above our price range. We went to look at it on Sunday (there was on open house) to get it out of our minds - figured there had to be something we hated about it and we could cross it off our lists. But No. We fell even more in love.

If it were closer to my parents and sister I would still be able to watch my nephew and we *might* be able to make it work. But without me working it would be no way. (We are approved for the sale price, but don't feel comfortable having a monthly payment that high.)

Sigh.

Anyone have $30,000 they want to give me?

One More Day

2011-04-15T22:02:00.000-04:00

It has been a long couple days.

Lots of tears, too many hugs to count. Relatives I haven't seen in decades. (Funerals and weddings...)

One more day to go.

Funeral is tomorrow. We have to be at the funeral home at 9 am for a prayer service then to the church, then to the cemetary then back to the church hall for the wake.

I was asked to do a reading at the church service. I am praying for the strength to make it through.

Flowers

2011-04-12T21:24:00.000-04:00

How do you go about picking out a flower arrangement for an 18 yr old's funeral?

I am sitting here looking at arrangement after arrangement - trying to figure out what is a nice arrangement for me to send to my God-daughters viewing this week. When I was looking at my cut forsythia arrangement that I have on my mantel I was thinking something youthful and free like that would be good. But there isn't much like that offered. I am going to have to call the flower shop and see what they can do.

Image from google

I also do not want to spend a ton on an arrangement (not because I am cheap) but because we are taking up a collection in my immediate family to give to my cousin to help with funeral expenses. And I would honestly rather give them my money than put it into flowers that are only going to be around for 3 days. (And why are flowers so darn expensive?!?!)

I do not know how my cousins are managing. How they are getting through the process of planning their middle daughter's funeral. I seriously can not imagine.

I know I have been hugging my boys a little tighter and telling them how much they mean to me a little more often than usual (which typically happens a gazillion times a day anyway LOL) It is just making me remember to stop and love my loved ones, let them know that they are loved and not to take this precious life for granted - which is so easily done.

Sorry for all the downbeat posts - but this is all that is currently on my mind.

A Tragedy

2011-04-11T08:10:00.000-04:00

Yesterday there was a car accident.

My 18 year old cousin (and Goddaughter) was killed. Her 16 year old sister was driving and is in serious condition. (There were also 2 other guys in the car with them - one died and the other is also in serious condition)

Apparently they were driving down the interstate and she swerved to avoid some debris on the road and lost control.

Please say a prayer for the soul of my cousin, for the family to be able to get through this time of tragedy and for my 16 year old cousin who was driving. Also I pray for the family of the other man who passed away and the 3rd family who's loved one is in serious condition.

Accident News Report

Me, Myself and I ???

2011-04-06T06:20:00.001-04:00

"... I have boundary issues with men. Or maybe that's not fair to say. To have issues with boundaries, one must have boundaries in the first place, right? But I disappear into the person I love. I am the permeable membrane. If I love you, you can have everything. You can have my time, my devotion, my ass, my money, my family, my dog, my dog's money, my dog's time - everything. If I love you, I will carry for you all your pain, I will assume for you all your debts (in every definition of the word), I will protect you from your own insecurity, I will project upon you all sorts of good qualities that you have never actually cultivated in yourself and I will buy Christmas presents for your entire family. I will give you the sun and the rain, and if they are not available, I will give you a sun check and a rain check. I will give you all this and more, until I get so exhausted and depleted that the only way I can recover my energy is by becoming infatuated with someone else." (Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert)

Yup.

That is me.

I have always been that person.

Remember the part in Runaway Bride when Richard Gere's character points out to Julia Robert's that she doesn't even know how she likes eggs?

Okay, so maybe I never went that far... but... to dissappear into the one I love.

Yup.

That is me.

Boring is good

2011-04-05T21:23:00.000-04:00

I always say "Boring is good"

As in when I say that my life is boring. Because when it isn't boring, there is usually something not good happening.

For the most part life has been boring lately (hence why I have not blogged a whole lot, not much to say) - besides who wants to hear over and over about the drama in negotiating the sale of our home (which is pretty much done - just waiting for the appraisal and then we will close on our sale May 20) and the lack of homes on the market, so it is looking more and more likely that we will be taking up residence with a relative for a bit. Hopefully not too long - we have to be where we want to be by mid-August for the school year!

My Gaga was really sick last week. Really sick. Like can't hold even a drop of water down sick. We were beginning to think they were going to have to hospitalize her, but her doctor prescribed some medication and that seemed to do the trick. Was it the flu - or was it food poisioning? They ordered some tests, so when she gets those results I guess we will know (after the fact...) Hopefully she continues to get stronger and back on her feet.

My sister had a little problem that I am not going to go into detail about. It is not my place to talk about her personal life on my blog. But it was a very difficult time.

And now Little B is sick - again. He had several days of diarrhea and a couple episodes of vomiting. That seemed to have resolved and then he started with headaches and low grade fevers yesterday. After 24 hours of ibuprofen he still had trouble when I put him to bed last night. I am hopeful that this morning brings a better day for him. (Both boys have had a cold for the past week - so I don't know if it is the cold developing into something else? If he doesn't get better in a day or so I will make the call to the dr.)

And this weather is just clazy. It was 70 degrees on Monday - the afternoon brought thunderstorms with torrential downpours. Woke up Tuesday morning and it was a whopping 38 degrees... brrrrr.... snowflakes flying all day long. It is supposed to get a little nicer by Saturday. Which is good since Z-man has his first soccer game Saturday (haven't had a practice, they've all been canceled b/c of the weather - so it should be interesting considering he has never played soccer before!) Little B's first T-ball practice got canceled this week too! We need some spring weather so these kids can play these sports I payed for - and so I don't have to freeze my tush off watching them (yes, it is more about me!)

Anyone else think "Boring is good"? Or do you like having more excitement in your life (maybe not the kind I described here - who in their right mind would want that?!?)

Home is where the heart is

2011-03-30T15:48:00.000-04:00

It's not a house.

It is our home.

And has been for almost 8 years.

And in 7 weeks we will be leaving it.

This is hard for me. I have had mixed feelings every time we talked about possibly selling it.

We have done a lot here.

It was our first home we bought as husband and wife. We have had 2 children here. Got baby rooms all ready. Paced the floors with non-sleeping infants at night. I still know every floor board that creeks.

We did a lot of structural fix ups too. The bathrooms. Not to mention the best remodel of the house. My awesome kitchen.

Now the contract is signed.

We will be moving out and on at the end of May.

I should be happy.

Our house sold quickly and without much work (accidentally listed fsbo.com then within a week had an offer from the first person who saw it this go round) So it was "meant to be" right? I didn't have the worries that so many other people I know who's houses sit on the market for a long time.

If we had a house that we were interested in buying I might feel ecstatic at this adventure. But there is not anything in our price range that has caught our attention (and we are looking in a LOT of areas!!)

We have family we can stay with until we find our home. But that just isn't the same. I worry that will be hard on us - even though my family is very loving and caring - you just never know.

Something will come up I am sure. But right now I am nervous as I am looking at the last page we have to sign to finalize our last agreement (after a long negotiation.)

I know we will make our next house our home and create many more family memories. But my baby memories will always be on South Chapel Drive.

Home is where the heart is.

No "Martha's" in our family

2011-03-28T09:27:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was our Girls day!

We had tons of fun again! I am loving getting together with my Gaga, my mom and my sisters. We are doing it once a month and it is working out great!

Yesterday we got together and made chocolates for Easter and homemade Peeps - now Martha made it look super easy.... Yea... notsomuch...

Making the marshmallow wasn't bad - but piping it into shapes???

We ended up with some that resembled something - others that well.... let's just say we have a lot of Spring Worms and some 2 - 4 headed things...

Not Me

2011-03-16T06:11:00.001-04:00

This is not me.

I do not get stressed.

I do not lose sleep.

I am easy going.

I roll with the punches.

So... what the heck is going on now?

I am completely stressed about our probable move. (I am considering it probable until all the papers are signed)

I am stressed that we will not find a house - even though we have had sincere offers from several family members that we could live with them temporarily. The fact that there is not much on the market right now is not helping this. (Seriously in my township there are only 3 houses listed +/- $75,000 of our selling price - yes each way!)

I am sympathy-stressed (is that such a thing?) Hubby is really feeling the majority of the stress and I feel bad for him.

I am stressed wondering if we should put an offer in on a house that has everything that we are looking for but needs a new septic system - we could have the money from the sale of our current home to pay for it, but do I want the stress involved with that?

I know that God will lead us down the right path, but why am I not using that knowledge to de-stress myself??

I am not accustomed to feeling this way and it is seriously driving me insane.

Excuse Me... I am going to go Pour My Heart Out and into a glass of Shiraz...

Today is the anniversary of my IRL BFF Shell's Pour Your Heart Out Meme! Join in the fun or head over and tell her congratulations!

Should it stay or Should it go

2011-03-14T10:08:00.002-04:00

If it stays it could be trouble.... If it goes it could be double...

So you gotta let me know...

Yes, reaching back to 1981 - The Clash - gotta love it.

But the question remains. A question I have a feeling I will be asking myself many times with our probable move coming up.

Would it make sense to try to move our wood swing sets or too difficult?

You can get a brand new one for under $1,000 these days. Probably with more stuff than ours has now (I can't believe some of the things some of them offer!)

And our kids love love LOVE their wooden swing set. The one we have now we got used from my SIL - so it is old - wouldn't it be awesome for them to have a new fancy one?

Should we keep holding onto things like some college textbooks?

What about that wedding china that we have only used a couple times?
(It's been in the attic for seven years now - due to no space for it in my current kitchen/dining area)
Will I ever really use it?

I have a feeling I will be throwing a lot of things away - or giving a lot to Goodwill. Or pawing it off on family and friends... Who wants a Jalepeno decorated platter? Anyone? Anyone?

*birds chirping*

I really wish I knew right now if the whole sale was a sure thing because I would totally be packing already.

That's the way I roll people. I am a planner - One of those annoying "I pack 3 weeks ahead for vacation" and then have to keep taking stuff out of my suitcase people.

So it's killing me not knowing what we are taking or leaving (will a 25 yr old single chick be mad if we leave her a wooden swing set?)

Under Snow and Under Contract

2011-03-11T08:53:00.001-05:00

We went from Spring back to Winter overnight.

2 inches of RAIN yesterday and then woke up to 2 inches of SNOW this morning. (We are to get a couple more inches today I do believe)

At least it was the "heavy" pretty snow that clings to trees.

Hopefully this is the last time we are enjoying it's beauty.

It might be the last time we are enjoying this scene from my back porch.

Our house is officially Under Contract

Pending home inspection.

If our home pass that without anything major - we will be moving out in 69 days.

Without any prospects of a new house to buy.

Needless to say we are just a little stressed out.

But... as I said before.... God will Provide....

I keep reminding myself that everyday.

Especially since Lent has begun.

My resolution this year is to put my trust into the Lord.

I am reading the daily scripture and saying my rosary everyday.

Confession.... On Ash Wednesday we had my parents over for dinner and I had a glass of wine...

Little bit tipsy after that...

After they left I started saying my rosary...

Eyes kept shutting and mind kept wandering.

I had to keep bringing myself back to it...

But I did get the whole thing said without completely falling asleep.

I told Wayne...

"You know that gospel when Jesus takes the disciples to the mountain and he goes off to pray and they keep falling asleep?"

Yea.... that would totally be me.

As much as I would want to stay awake and as hard as I would try...

I know I would be snoring away.

My Lord, My God... Save Me.

For the love of ice

2011-03-07T07:21:00.000-05:00

The boys started ice skating lessons on Friday. It was so funny to watch 30 little kids - under the age of 6 - skating/walking/falling all over the ice !

My kids did pretty well. This is not their first time skating. We have taken them a couple times this year (and usually a couple times every year) But we want them to learn how to skate well, so we decided to try lessons and see if that helps give them the confidence they need. The program lasts 8 weeks and will be every Friday at 10 am.

My kids were marked for Tots 1 - which is the entry level for the program. They had 3 groups out there dependent upon skill level. Well, Zach saw that the 2nd group had already ditched their walkers so he just started heading over to that group, it was so funny. Benny saw his brother go over to group 2 and it took him a little bit longer to get over to his brother - but he was bound and determined and he got there!

They did things like practice marching on the ice, falling and getting back up unassisted, then they got out some rings and tossed them all over the ice. The kids had to make their way to a ring, bend down to pick it up and then take it back to the holder. I was very happy with how well Zach did with this. Ben did not do quite as well, but he will get it.

After the ring game they were given plastic hockey sticks and pucks and there were a couple little nets. My boys LOVED that! They were so excited to "play hockey". They each got a puck into the net and then it looked like Ben was trying to play defense against another kid.

I forgot to take my camera - realized that as soon as we got there. Bummer. I did take some pictures with my cell, but they aren't great - but I am sharing them anyway!!

Another Showing....

2011-03-04T06:52:00.001-05:00

Linking up today with Mrs. 4444's for Friday Fragments!

We have someone looking at the house tomorrow - yes, our house.

We didn't technically re-list our house. I contacted fsbo to see how I would go about making our listing reactive, and they did it for me. And because I am too lazy to email them back and say we were not quite ready to list yet.... it is staying listed.

We don't get too many hits on that site, so I am not overly concerned about it!

Plus I can be in control and say we are not leaving until after the school year is over. So we have time.

Sounds like a good thing... with me wanting that "dream house" right?!

Wrong.

Dream house went contingent less than a week on the market.

Wasn't meant to be.

There are only 4 houses listed around the price range of our house in our township....

So there is a slight chance it might sell from under us.

But... God will provide right?

Granted - He may provide me a cardboard box.... but He will provide....

Since I had to go and clean my house for this showing I packed away all the snow stuff...

You know what that means....

We will get another huge snowfall.

I apologize to all my Western PA friends.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

No Slip Grip

2011-03-02T19:19:00.000-05:00

Have you heard the bzz?

About the Barely There No Slip Fit bra?

I was lucky enough to get one from BzzAgent to try and bzz about and I have to tell you - I was skeptical. I didn't really think I would like the bra....

But I do! I really do.

I mean, it isn't perfect. I am small chested (nice way to say I have no boobs) so the cup size isn't perfect on me, but it has a nice form so it looks like I have a little more than I actually do.

I love the no slip grip though! The straps do not move at all, the band does not move either! Even when I am exercising!

The only thing that would make it a little better in my opinion is a little bit of padding to help me out a bit - or to offer a "Barely A" option?

Catching the waves

2011-03-02T08:10:00.000-05:00

Before parenthood I had visions.

I thought I knew what life was going to be like (didn't we all?) Part of my vision was me being barefoot and pregnant.

Yes, I did actually tell people that in high school. I never aspired to be some high faluting corporate type. I knew community college was for me and it would be okay if that is all I did (which is what happened.)

The barefoot and pregnant thing didn't happen until many years after high school, but I think I glamorized motherhood. My mom was so good at it I thought it was easy.

HA!

Now my boys are only 5 (2 months shy of 6) and 4. So I am sure I haven't even experienced a small percentage of what the years are to bring, but one thing I am sure of is....

If I don't have to catch Little b's puke in my hands ever again in my life I would be a happy person.

Seriously.

I think I have caught more waves of puke coming from that kid than *insert surfer name here* has caught actual waves.

If Little b would run around too much, he would start coughing and then puke.

If Little b gets really upset, crying about something - injury or whatnot - he starts coughing and then pukes.

If Little b says his beddly hurts - get him to nearest sink/garbage can/toilet because he is probably going to puke.

It seemed like it was getting better since they put him on singulair for his asthma, but Tuesday after school he fell and hurt his hand. Which started his crying. But that all ended fine.

20 minutes later (no longer crying mind you) I am putting him into his car seat - he typically does this himself but was still needing comforted - and right after I buckled him in... the throat noises started.

Crap.

I held out my hands in a bowl form in front of his mouth. He puked. I caught it.

He puked again. My hands were full.

I tell him "Wait one minute" turn towards the yard and throw the puke into my parents front yard and come back to catch more.

Which he kept nicely in his stomach until I was back to catch it....

Sigh...

Luckily my mom had walked out with me because my nephew fell asleep in her arms and I was taking him with me. So she ran back in the house to grab a towel. By the time she came back he was done and I was getting him unbuckled.

We went back into the house, changed his pants and grabbed a bucket for the trip home, just in case.

He was fine the rest of the day. Fell asleep on the way home, took a little nap and woke up hungry.

What causes these episodes?

Is it the asthma?

I have no idea... but I wish I was done catching waves.

streched out

2011-02-28T06:40:00.000-05:00

I was 8 months pregnant.

And Huge.

I had gained almost 1/2 my pre-pregnancy body weight.

I was getting out of the shower one morning before work and commented to my husband how surprised I was that I did not have any stretch marks! I was thrilled!!

Then as I was exiting the bathroom in my birthday suit I hear...

"Uhhhh... Hon????"

"Yes?"

"Ummmm... you have stretch marks all over your ass."

WHAT?!?!?

How is that possible?!?

I ran into the spare bedroom to try to twist myself into a position to see for myself (Not an easy feat in my condition!) And then my mouth hung open.

I was shocked! How is it that you could not have one stretch mark on your stomach but have an ass full of them? What did my stomach pull all the skin from my tush to compensate for my enormous stomach?

I was sad.

Don't get me wrong. If I had a choice between the two, I suppose I would choose stretch marks on my ass vs. my belly. After all - more people see my belly than my ass (not many more, but still more)

Last fall at work one of the physicians I work with - who was about 7 months pg at the time - commented about how she did not have any stretch marks.

I blurted out "Did you check your butt?"

Then I turned 8 shades of red (I had only recently started working with them)

She said Noooo.... And I began to explain how I didn't think I had any until my husband pointed out that I had them all over mine.

I don't know if she went home (or into the bathroom) to check - she never said - and I wasn't about to ask!

The question of the day is...

Did you get stretch marks?

Does anything really work on the scarring that stretch marks leave?

Should we go for it ... again...

2011-02-23T08:58:00.000-05:00

I found the house I want.

I haven't even looked at it in person. Just the photo's on the real estates website.

It is a little bit above our price range, but we could afford it.
It is closer to my family.
It has more property than we have now (but not the hunting property my husband wants.... someday dear... someday...)
From the pictures I love the look of the house, the open floor plan, the beautiful large deck in the back, the road that it is on....

But my house isn't on the market.

We just refinanced.

Should I tease myself and make an appt to see it?

Should we stay where we are and fix things up to be closer to what we want - addition of a living room and an a 2 story addition of bedroom space and garage - lots of money to do that.

Our current home is only 10 min from hubby's work. This "dream" house is more like 30 minutes

Our current home is close to everything (within 5 min) The "dream" house would be more like a 15 min drive (not bad still)

Our current school district is ranked a lot higher than the other houses' school district. (But we've talked about doing Catholic school after elementary school)

If it were totally up to me we would be re-listed for sale by owner and I would be packing. But I have to wait for hubby to be on board before we take the leap.

I hate major decisions.

I'm So done...

2011-02-22T08:30:00.000-05:00

Getting Fit!!

2011-02-21T07:57:00.000-05:00

I've made the decision to do it.

I have started exercising.

No big deal - you may think...

But I have never really exercised before. Sure I had to take gym class in high school - but I tended to sign up for things like walking... yes it was truly an option. All you had to do was walk around the track. It did not matter how fast or how many times. Other than that... no exercising for me... I hated that word. It was not in my vocabulary.

I have a pouch. A post baby pouch. But the problem is that my youngest "baby" is 4 years old (but currently acting like he is 2) I was going to call it a Muffiin Top - but it doesn't go the whole way around. And I tried claiming to my sister that it was my uterus... but she didn't buy it. Whatever it is, it annoys me.

I looked back at my baby belly pictures from when I was pregnant with #2 and it is true my belly is about where it was at 12 wks...

My Belly Now

And at 12 weeks Pregnant...
It actually looks tighter here!

When I was young I always wondered why my mom was doing a salad only diet and doing her aerobic exercises like crazy because to me she looked great! Now I understand. As you age and your body begins to morph it can be difficult. So you try to do anything you can to bring that back.

I am not going to go crazy. I am not dieting (although my diet could use a little morph as well... we eat a lot of fried foods...) But I am exercising.

I have a walking (yes back to the walking) video that I am trying to do daily. It has the options of 1, 2, 3 or 4 miles. The 1 and 2 miles are a breeze. But the 3 and 4... phew! You have to incorporate other steps into the walk - like side steps, kick backs and even arm work.

I also am trying to do my pilates video a couple times a week. I am hoping that will tone up my pouch as well.

Wish me luck!!
(If you want to keep track of my progress there is a link to my Get Fit! page at the bottom)

Free Speech... or Something Criminal?

2011-02-16T10:12:00.000-05:00

I just read an article that a PA teacher (the state in which I reside) was suspended for the material she wrote in her blog.

"A high school English teacher in suburban Philadelphia who was suspended for a profanity-laced blog in which she called her young charges "disengaged, lazy whiners" is driving a sensation by daring to ask: Why are today's students unmotivated — and what's wrong with calling them out?"

By PATRICK WALTERS Associated Press The Associated Press

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 6:58 AM EST

Here is the full article:
PA Teacher Strikes Nerve with "lazy whiners" blog

So where is the line between your job and your personal life.

Can't you complain about things anymore?

I personally do not think what she did was wrong. She did not use any names, or identify herself or the school in her blog. - And she probably is right... it seems these days a lot of teenagers do not know how to be respectful and how to actually work anymore.

What do you think?

Ever Wonder What You Did?

2011-02-16T07:04:00.000-05:00

I have a friend IRL that seems to be avoiding me lately.

I am not sure why.

I don't know if they are just busy with their family lives right now, or if I did something to piss them off.

I've called and left messages too many times to count now.

I've emailed and no response.

Not much else I can do at this point, so I guess I will have to keep trying and maybe someday they will want to reconnect.

I am not a confrontational person, so I am not going to just ask if they are pissed at me.

I may or may not ever know what happened during these times....

Has this ever happened to you? What did you do?

24 hours.... really??

2011-02-15T13:20:00.001-05:00

Is it possible that a lipstick can actually stay on all day?

I love lipstick, I just hate applying it over and over again. Actually - I don't apply it over and over again. It is usually a one application deal and then I am done. I don't have time to fret over little things like that... But without it my lips look like little shrunken chapped prunes... but the color of well... nothing. My lips have no natural color to them at all. They are horrible.

Then I found Maybelline's SuperStay 24 hour lipstick.... Too good to be true?

You are soon to find out... I did apply lip gloss and/or chap-stick through the day to keep my lips moist as they tend to dry out very quick and easy.

10 am Monday .... Right after lipstick application... The color is Always Heather - in case you are wondering.

It looks brighter in person than it does in this picture - so I hope you will be able to get the actual results in pictures. (Looks like I could use a tooth whitener though... geesh! Too much coffee these days?? Going upstairs right now to use some baking soda on those supposed to be pearly whites)

12:30 pm - after exercising, bathing the boys, and lunch.

7 pm - after helping at Z's Kindergarten Valentine Day party all afternoon and after eating (Shrimp Fra Diavolo) dinner
Losing a bit on intensity, but it is definitely still there and looking good.

10 pm.... Goodnight... A little bit there still, just looks like a light tint now...

ps I don't do make-up removal or anything so what you see for the next picture is the real am me .... be prepared!

9:30 am Tuesday ... Nothing left ...

24 hrs? I don't think so....

But I will definitely give it 12 hours... maybe even a little longer - I didn't wake up in the middle of the night to see what my lips looked like - and trust me you don't want that picture... even worse than the am one w/o any makeup! LOL

I was not compensated for this post - I just really like the lipstick that much that I had to share it!!

I don't usually do this....

2011-02-13T17:43:00.000-05:00

But I am going to tell you all about a giveaway I recently won!

I won it over at Life with the Dietrich's.

What was it?

A free vinyl decal from an etsy (I heart etsy!!!) shop.

The shop's name is VerdigrisDye, and let me tell you - Annie was beyond wonderful to work with!   Right now her etsy shop is going under "major renovation" but she will be re-opening soon with a Grand Opening Sale... keep your eyes out!

There wasn't anything in the shop at that time that I thought fit my life so I asked her to do a custom decal. One for my boys. Monster Trucks.

And boy, oh boy, did she not only comply but did an outstanding job!!!

It is really quality vinyl and stuck to my ~~bumpy~~ textured walls really well.

The decals arrived in the mail a couple weeks ago, but I did not get them up til now - only because I thought it was going to require me to go to the hardware store to get some plexi-glass to put it on because of the stupid walls.

Well, we went to Lowe's and the wonderful man cut it for me there. Got it home and didn't you know I had him cut it the wrong size. Damn.

So I just tried to apply to the walls and it actually stuck!!!

I let the kids pick where they wanted them to be applied and Z picked by his bed and B picked under the window.

They are SO happy with their Monster Trucks!!

Thanks Katie for hosting the giveaway and Annie - a HUGE Thanks to you for a great product!!

We Love Trucks!

2011-02-11T07:44:00.000-05:00

Valentines Day is all about Love.

When we got the letter from school that we had to send in decorated boxes for the Valentines Day party I was looking forward to it.

Does that make me strange?
Oh well, just add it to the list of things that do.

I started thinking that I would just get some Valentine Day wrapping paper, wrap up a shoe box and send it in ... but then thought... we could make this fun!

So I asked Z what he would like his box to be. Being the exciting 5 yr old that he is he shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't care.

LOL

So I said "Oooo... we could make this box into Spongebob - put a heart in his hand and the opening at the top. That would be cool."

His response? A very unenthusiastic "Nah..."

Well, what would you like to make my dear?

I dunno....

How about if we poked holes all through it and put tissue paper in them to look like flowers?

My husband shots me a look like I just suggested he would wear a dress and high heels.

Guess that is a no.

How about if we make it into... A Truck?

YEA!!!!

Okay.... here we go...

I took a large box (yes, Fruit by the Foot... I bought it in bulk for Halloween for the Allergy Kids)
For the cab, I used part of a shoebox and cut and folded it to resemble a cab. On the sides I used other cardboard just to fill in the sides. (I thought about making them actual working doors, but figured... this is Kindergarten I don' t need to get *that* into it.)

Make sure you cut out a hole for the Valentines to go in!

For wheels I used the leftover styrofoam that I had used for our Advent wreath. I took a cup and pressed it into the top and then cut out the rough shape with a butter knife. I painted them black and am going to add a little bit of brown on the rough edges to look like mud.

Z wanted his truck blue, so I used blue wrapping paper and spray adhesive.

Once it is all covered - DECORATE!
We used glitter glue, candy hearts, foam letter stickers and black felt for the windows and windshield

And Ta Da!
It looks more like a delivery truck - he had orginally said a Monster truck - I didn't guarantee anything - and he was quite pleased with the finished product!

When he decided to put Love on the back I thought "Awww... how cute... Brake for Love" and then he said it is for "Stop Loving" Boys.... LOL

My obsession begins

2011-02-07T07:23:00.000-05:00

I made my dyes.

The dyes I use to create my pysanky.

What? You don't know what pysanky are?

Pysanky are Ukranian Easter Eggs.

I've seen it argued that they are not really "Ukranian" but more of an Eastern European art. I have always known them as Ukranian easter eggs and even Wikipedia agrees (and who could argue with that!?) "The word pysanka refers specifically to an egg decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs, and is not a generic term for any egg decorated using wax resist."

To make pysanky you need
Eggs - You can use any egg. I've done Chicken, Goose, Phesant, and Emu (with a color removing technique)

Bees wax - black wax or yellow
Dyes - they are chemical dyes, not just food coloring
Kiska (stylus) - these are the tools that you use to "write" your design on the egg
Candle

Take your white RAW room temperature egg, and using your kiska that has been filled with the beeswax and heated over the candle, you start drawing on your egg the sections you want to keep white.

Then you put the egg into yellow (or your lightest color) After about 15 min you take it out and draw on the now yellow egg with the kiska where you want to keep it yellow... and so forth until you get to your darkest color.

(This egg has been in yellow and blue and red, now coming out of the red dye looks like this)

Then your use your candle to gently heat the eggshell to melt the beeswax and wipe it off with a cloth. Once all the beeswax is removed you can see your design.

You can then varnish the egg to protect the coloring from the light and to strengthen the shell.

I used a cardboard box, with one end cut out for my varnishing area - I used the cut out portion and put 3 nails into it - and an old tealight holder - to use to hold my eggs while spray varnishing

Poke a small hole in the eggshell and blow out the egg or leave it be. It will eventually all evaporate (have to be careful though - if they aren't completely evaporated and break.... woooo wheeeee)

What is really disappointing is when you are almost done with your egg and you break it. That happened once so far this year (and I am now 3 eggs in) I was using a syringe to blow air into the egg to get the contents to come out and put a little too much air in and crrrrraaaacccckkk.... damn. Toss it in the garbage and start over...

My problem in here lies that I've made my dye. Now all I am going to want to do for the next 3 months is make eggs.

I get obsessed.
It is all I will want to do.
Sit in front of a glowing candle with the addicting smell of the beeswax melting in my kiska.

I have not done any pysanky in years. Mainly because of the kids. I did not feel permanent dyes and candles and hot metal were good ideas around the little ones - and didn't have a room I could lock it all away in.

So I am excited.
But weary.
I don't want to go all OCD over it. And I know that is the risk we take.

As does my husband. As soon as he saw my dyes out he said "Oh no.... the obsession begins." How right he is.

But the finished product is well worth it.

Here We Go Steelers!

2011-02-06T10:51:00.000-05:00

A bit of beauty before the storm

2011-02-02T07:56:00.000-05:00

Rain, turning to freezing rain then snow is in the forecast by this afternoon....

But what a beautiful thing God gave us looking out our front picture window this morning.

It was actually a full rainbow, but I couldn't get it all in one picture since it went almost the entire length of our road.

(Looks like the snowman is looking at it!)

Whoooo Lives In A Pineapple Under The Sea?

2011-01-24T06:30:00.002-05:00

My boys are obsessed with Spongebob.

Seriously they watch a lot of Spongebob every day (mom fail!)

So when they saw the commercial on Nick Jr. with the lady and the kids making Moose and Zee pillows and asked if we could make them. I thought... we could make pillows, but I don't want Moose and Zee pillows... so I asked them...

Would you like to make a Spongebob pillow?

They screamed with delight... that was 3 weeks ago...

In the meantime I started thinking - I have two boys - I can't just make one Spongebob pillow but didn't want two Spongebob's hanging around... then the light switch turned on... Patrick Star!!!

Friday while Z-man was in school Little b and I went to Joann Fabrics and the dollar store.

I had no pattern. I had no clue how big I was going to end up making these pillows, so I decided to get 2 yards of pink flannel (it was 50% off) for Patrick and 1 yard each yellow and brown for Mr. Squarepants.

I was able to score a package of felt pieces at the dollar store - for a dollar. I figured I could use those for the eyes and Patricks' pants and Spongebob's socks and shoes and tie.

When Z-man got home from school Little b was all excited telling him what we got at the store... stuff to make Spongebob and Patrick! So of course, my little crafter wanted to make them right away.

I decided to start with Patrick Star. I laid out the pink fabric and got several pieces of paper and taped them together. Z and I worked on a "pattern" for Patrick - it took a couple times, but we were finally able to come up with an acceptable star shape.

I let Z do a lot of the work. He helped come up with the shape, he cut out the "pattern" and then after I traced it onto the pink he cut out the fabric. He did a really good job and was having so much fun with it!

Z and b both cut out the shapes for Patricks pants and helped me with the fabric glue to glue them on. (This was pretty much the only time Little b was interested in helping - notice his shirt?)

After we got his pants all prepared and the pink cut out and all pinned together I sewed him together and then both boys helped me stuff him. It took a couple hours to make Patrick on Friday night but they really enjoyed it and loved the final product.

When Patrick was done we started working on Spongebob.

It was getting close to bedtime, so I only worked on Spongebob's arms and legs while Z slept, because I knew he would want to help and since these were a little more difficult to do I figured I would just get it out of the way. I traced Little b's hands before he went to bed and used that minus the pinky finger as a pattern for Spongebob's hands and just free handed the shoes and estimated arm and leg length and made those tubes and stuffed them and sewed all together.

First thing Saturday morning Z comes into the bedroom and asks Can we work on Spongebob?!?

Uhhh... Not until Mama has had her coffee.... An hour later he and I were back to it.

Now, since he is rectangles and squares I didn't think he would be too hard to make. So I cut out the yellow for his head (curvy on the top and sides, since he is a sponge) and then used one of my husbands old t-shirts for the white shirt Spongebob wears, then cut out the brown fabric for his pants.

I sewed the three colors together and then sewed the front and back together. Then I remembered... Damn... He is squared... I can't just stuff him... Now I had to remember (and do a google search) on how to square off fabric. I've done it before when I was making placemat purses. As soon as I saw the seams together and sew the triangle it all came back to me.

After we got him all sewed together I had to sew his arms and legs on in the spaces I actually remembered to leave open. Then we glued on his eyes, nose, mouth, and tie. We stuffed him up, sewed up the last hole and he was good to go!

But wait a minute.... something does not look right with Spongebob. I wasn't loving his mouth, but that wasn't it....

Then it clicked... Eyelashes!!!

MUCH better!!!

So for $5 in fabric, $2.50 for polyfill (it was 1/2 off as well!) and a little bit of time we have two pillows that totally out rock pillow pets and the Spongebob pillow that you can buy! And we had so much fun making them together. Another memory created!!

Dreamin of Spring

2011-01-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

It is cold here.

Seriously. This weekend it was frigid.

Sub-zero temps and that wasn't even counting the windchills!

Brrrrr.....

Since it is so cold and we are currently under about 8 inches of snow or so I can't do a complete review about my CSN product that I ended up getting.

I told you about how I loved their modern dining room furniture and while new dining room furniture is totally still on my 2011 wish list... it just isn't feasable at this time.

What I did get however my children are going to absolutely LOVE once spring has sprung....

This Swing-n-Slide outrigger swing!

Oh yea.... they are going to Love It!!

We were hesitant to get rid of our old swingset because they liked the swing that was similar to this one so much and the new wooden set did not have one.

Now they will!!

CSN totally saved the day with this find!!

Rebound

2011-01-19T08:16:00.000-05:00

Wikipedia defines rebound (dating)as a short period of time following a particularly painful break-up.

It also has a definition of:

Rebound effect, the tendency of a symptom to return when a medication is discontinued or is no longer effective.

Now it seems like these 2 definitions could mean the same thing if you look at a relationship. And it explains a lot about mine. The reasons for some of my indiscretions (see Rebound Effect)

When concerns to my husband about the possibility of a loved one being a rebound love he kind of laughed.

I already told you about The Whirlwind that occurred when I broke off my engagement and then started dating my now husband.

What I didn't tell you was that he was only 3 months ahead of me on doing pretty much the exact same thing.

He had dated and was engaged to a girl for a long time. Only to the discern of his parents called it off and moved out of their home into an apartment.

What I didn't know until recently (getting past romantic history out of my husband is like trying to talk to a tree - he doesn't like to talk about people in our past and doesn't like to divulge details about the girls in his past) anyway... what I didn't know until recently was when his break-up occurred.

After he told me about his conversation with SIL I asked him, "When did you break up with so-and-so?"

He said he didn't know.

My response: "What?! You don't know?! I mean, I can understand not knowing an exact date - I am not even sure when the exact date was that I broke off my engagement - but you don't even know the month?"

Him: "Well, it was summer and it was around a holiday."

Me: "Oookkkaaayyyy.... um... 4th of July?"

Him: "No. It wasn't early summer"

Me: "Well, there really aren't a whole lot of summer holidays..."

Him: "I just remember having a long weekend off of work."

Me: "Labor Day? Could it have been over Labor Day weekend?"

Him: "Probably was labor day. All I remember is that I stayed at my friends apartment that weekend."

Sigh

It is seriously like playing 20 questions to get one simple little answer that really has no relevance. Which always makes me wonder why didn't he just answer the question in the first place?

Anyway....

So he broke off an engagement with a girl he had been with for a long time in September. I did the same in December and then we were immediately dating and then engaged 4 months later.

The next time you worry that a loved one might be a rebound love or if you concerned that you are...

It doesn't always lead to disaster.

My husband and I are happily married living proof!

Blognonymous

2011-01-14T06:00:00.005-05:00

"I am participating in The Daily Dribbles and Domestically Challenged Blognonymous Blog Hop. The post above is not my own post. I'm hosting a post for someone else, and in turn, someone else is also hosting a post of mine, all anonymously. Click through the links below to view all the bloggers and posts in Blognonymous."
Title: You Shouldn't Want That

Have you ever wanted something that you knew you shouldn't want, but at the time it was oh so cool? You know, like when you were a kid you just had to break your ankle so you could be cool with those crutches? You wanted to have people sign that cast and tell about the horror story on how you were playing an awesome game of football/softball/soccer when out of no where you were blindsided by an opponent and *BAM* you were on the ground as you made that game winning touchdown/homerun/goal.

What about glasses? You know you thought they were oh so chic and wanted a pair. In fact, you would try on all of the old people reading glasses at the drugstore just to ask your mom and sibling a thousand times about "Do these look good on me?"even though you couldn't clearly see their faces through the prescriptions.

There was even a time you probably wanted braces or a retainer and used paperclips bent to the shape of your teeth. You would put it in your mouth and savor that dirty metal sensation so people would think you had a retainer, because you made them look so real. Seriously, braces and retainers are hot when you're eight.

Each time you'd vocalize your desire to have one of these glorious contraptions your mother would look at you with horror. Are you really her child? Did you really just say that? She would tell you in her most motherly of voices "Darling, you shouldn't want that." Ok, it was probably more of a "What in the world?? You shouldn't want that! Don't say things like that. You'll jinx yourself."

And she's right.

As time goes on and you experience more and more you slowly but surely get each of those things you pined after. You get that cast, but instead of being a game clinching superstar moment, you were a clutz that fell down the stairs because you couldn't see the steps. Which leads you to getting those awesome glasses you wanted so badly. Except, instead of trying on those really old person chic glasses your mom sticks you with a pair of Steve Urkel glasses with huge red plastic rims. So now, you're walking around with raw armpits, a sweaty smelly cast, and glasses that make you look like you came out of a really cheesy kids seventies movie. Yes, you're living the life you always dreamed.

Then as if to show you that you were wishing for horrible things your mom finally takes you to the dentist and there it is...that final nail on your popularity coffin of your tweens and teens....you get braces for all of middle school and high school.

Yes, there are so often things we want as kids and adults that we really shouldn't want. I really shouldn't want that boob job, but looking at the bee stings on my chest...it seems pretty nice. You really shouldn't want that next drink, but....it's been a long day. We really shouldn't want that new pair of shoes, but....a girl's gotta live!

What I really really shouldn't want is that next piece of chocolate cake, but...I'll deal with the Thunder Thighs later. Just like I dealt with my Steve Urkel glasses and chaffed armpits.

It's a hairy situation

2011-01-13T06:09:00.000-05:00

I hate my hair.

Check that.

I actually like my hair. I like the curls. I like that it is different than everyone else's that I know.

What I don't like about curly hair is trying to find a frickin style that works.

Works, without much effort that is.

I've had my hair many different lengths throughout the years. It hasn't been really long since I was a freshman in high school - but it was once upon a time.

I got it cut super short one time - in hopes that it would look like Meg Ryan's hair in City of Angels

That is Meg Ryan by the way... not me... bwahahahaha

I honestly think my cut was shorter than that - at least I remember it that way because now looking back it doesn't look that short to me...

Anyway....

I need a good haircut that works for me. The last time I got it cut I mentioned that I was trying to let it grow but now I was rethinking that, so they basically didn't do anything to my top layer, just trimmed up my bottom ones. But I hate it.

I feel like it is drab and just hangs there. I can't get a couple days out of styling it once (which is a MUST since I hate my hair pulled back!)

When it is shorter they style stays in and I can actually not do my hair for 2 days and it looks like I pretty much just did it.

My sister thinks I should get a cut like this lady in the Kohls commercial... but I am not so sure... it looks like it would take me more than 10 minutes to style it.

So... I went and got a hair cut yesterday...
And I am very happy!!

Here is a before (kind of... there aren't many pictures of me and this is the most recent I could find)

And here is my after!

And it isn't only my hair that I have issues with.

Little b's gives me a run for my money.

He has gone from Buzz cut to a Who (who lives in who-ville) to Shag-a-rific

He has a funny little cowlick that just wants to stand up no matter what I do. If it is buzzed - it is somehow still standing up, if it is medium... he looks like a Who ... I was hoping letting it get a little longer would give it some weight... but he has super fine hair, so it doesn't really co-operate no matter what.

And Z's has that nice widow's peak and a wonderful cowlick to work with too - but at least his hair is thicker than his brothers and will actually lay down...

Why do hairstyles have to be so darn difficult?!?!

I smell the smelly smell of something that smells smelly

2011-01-11T06:08:00.001-05:00

Friday Fragments

2011-01-07T11:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another addition of Friday Fragments.
The day that you get to live in my mind and see how it jumps around from subject to subject without a care.

Can you say ADD anyone???

I am ordering Chinese for dinner at lunch today.
Why at lunch? You ask
Well, because it is a lot cheaper at lunch and just as good heated up.
And it is basically for my 5 year old since he has been asking for Chinese for a week now.
(Yes ... I am that cheap...)

Cleaned out the refrigerator this morning.
Seriously how does a fridge get that gross?

Yesterday I went to a furniture store with my sister and the 3 kids (my 2 and her baby) and a salesperson says to me "I bet you have a ton of energy around 9 o'clock at night." I laughed and said "OH... Yea..."

Then I realized after I got home that he only made that comment to me... not my put together business dressed sister...

I mentioned it to my husband and he told me that I look like I should be on "What Not to Wear"

Nice.

Something Fun

2011-01-06T21:10:00.000-05:00

Kmama @ The Daily Dribbles - whom I love! - is co-hosting a fun little carnival soon.

Join in the fun! All the details are HERE

Welcome to 2011

2011-01-05T13:05:00.000-05:00

Are you embracing 2011?

Or are you still stuck in the 80's?

As great as we all know the 80's were - I think it is time to update! I know I am going to be!

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from modern dining room furniture to cute cookware to chic lighting pieces!

Our current dining room table could use some help. We got it used from my sister because it fit better in our space than our last one. But it is not very sturdy. Mr thinks he is going to fall right off of the chairs when he leans back.

I LOVE this set from CSN

It would look great with my dark brown roman shades and the dark brown accents in my cabinets!

Definitely going on my wish list for 2011 - stay tuned for a CSN review coming soon!

What are you updating in 2011 - how can CSN help you become modern?

The Whirlwind

2011-01-05T08:26:00.000-05:00

I had posted before about The BreakUp - now I am going to tell you about the whirlwind that followed. And why my mom thought I had completely lost my mind, but it all worked out for the best.

I confessed in that post that I was not being loyal to my ex. I wish I could say that it was only once and that I would go back and change it all if I could. But I wouldn't. Well, I wouldn't change some things... others.... yea, I would probably change those. Let's just say I made some really bad decisions and did things that I should not have done. My relationship with my now husband started while my relationship with my ex was fading. I couldn't tell you when our first date was because we were hanging out so much while I was still engaged.

As soon as I broke off the engagement Mr. and I started seeing each other more. It wasn't long before we knew that God had brought us together for a reason.

We were meant to be together. Forever.

I met his parents - which was a huge step for Mr. Privacy himself (Yeah, I am sure it kills him knowing about my blog and knowing how much crap I put on here) It was actually an amusing meeting - we met at church then after Mass went to dinner. He told me on the way that if his dad teased me it was only because he liked me... well, guess what? Dad didn't tease me... not once LOL I guess he was lectured by mom on the way over about his teasing and to not do it!

We dated for about 4 months and then got engaged. (Keep in mind I had just broken off an engagement a month prior to us "dating")

When we got engaged both of us knew we did not want a long engagement. We had both gone that route and it didn't work. We knew we loved each other and wanted to spend out lives together.

So we planned our wedding for just over 6 months later.

When I told my parents of my engagement they were happy for me but in shock.

Seriously... did their daughter just break off a 2 year engagement with a guy she dated for 7 years then get engaged to another man 5 months later - and plan to marry him in 6 months???

I am surprised they did not try to send me to the psycho ward.

Happy ( ??? ) New Year

2011-01-01T20:06:00.000-05:00

When I think New Years I never think "Happy"

Why is that you ask?

Oh, you didn't ask? Hmmm... I swear I thought I heard you ask... must be those little people living in my head again...

Well, Little People In My Head...

When I think New Years I have 2 particular things that stand out in my head - and they weren't so good as far as New Years go.

The first bad New Years was 1999-2000.

   I never really got into New Years but the guy I was dating and his family were always soooo into it that I thought for some reason this would be a good year to try to start to be.
   Well, right at the stroke of midnight he got down on his knees and proposed - in front of all our families and some friends.
    Damn. Now how does a girl ever say NO in front of all those people? Not that I would have. I mean, I should have - but probably wouldn't have had the cojones to do so. (Thank God I later got the cojones to Call It Off )
    So - every year as the ball is dropping and a New Year is ringing in I think Wow... it has been X amount of years since that happened, since it is so easy to count the years.

The second bad New Years was on January 1, 2004.
   It was the day my grandfather took his last breaths.
   I was sitting next to him when it happened.
   He suffered for a long time and he no longer had to suffer but got to rejoice in the glory of God, so it was really a blessing. So difficult for all the family and loved ones.

These are some of the reasons why I think New Years? No reason to go out and party and drink in my opinion. I am just as happy staying home in my jammies with my loving husband and boys next to me.

Maybe I need to go out and have some fun and create some better memories of New Years, but until then... those are my thoughts when I think New Years.

Top Ten Desires for 2011

2011-01-01T09:54:00.001-05:00

Now I would hope that you know me well enough by now to know this isn't a Miss USA contender "I would want World Peace" kind of post - even though yea... World Peace would be great and all... but there are way too many smackweeds out there for that to even begin to happen.

No, I am being materialistic... which is kind of funny because I am not a person who normally asks for a whole lot or wants what other people have. But there are some things I want in the New Year.

1. New living room curtains.
My current ones are ones that my aunt was getting rid of and I decided to take and hang up - because my other ones were also hand me downs and I was tired of them.
What I have:(while I like them they kind of remind me of "grandma" curtains)

What I think I want: (Image from JcPenney.com)

2. New living room furniture.
I have to admit - the set we have now has been great. We bought it when we moved in (almost 8 yrs ago) and has stood the test of time - and the test of 2 kids - who I let eat and drink on. It is totally washable and the back cushions didn't get all misshapen, even though they are not attached. But I am ready for a new set. I am thinking just a love seat, ottomon, and 2 chairs since our living room is smaller. Leather, please.
Like this loveseat from CSNstores

3. New living room flooring.
       I am thinking hardwood to match the kitchen. Get rid of the yucky carpet that can not stay clean (2 kids and a dog.... what do you expect... I never wanted the carpet - it was hubby's idea - now I want to go back to hardwood. Seriously, it would be so much easier.)

4. New bedroom furniture.
     Also bought new when we got our house 8 yrs ago. Honestly we decided on the set we got because of price. I never really loved it. But the price was right. Well, the dressers aren't the best - drawers tend to fall apart and the headboard... well, I don't really care for it. So I would like a new set.

5. The deck made into a 2nd living room (and a new deck put on the house)
      Does that constitute as one thing or 2?
      If we are staying in this house we need a little bit more room... we are kind of cramped as it is now. But I don't want anything huge, just a little more living space would be nice.

6. Fresh coat of paint on the walls of the living room, hallway and 2 of the bedrooms.

7. Driveway expanded and repaired.

8. A firepit area down in the lower section of the yard.
   Like this with a fireplace at the other end. (Insert woods into the back ground of the picture and a sloped hillside behind the seating....

Wouldn't that be awesome?

I guess I could also put "a new roof" on my list - but that is more something we just need - not really something I want...

So if we win Powerball or MegaMillions you know what I am getting... or you can just scratch this whole list and I am sure we will build a custom home on many acres with everything we want... then I don't have to worry about this little house anymore! (I can always dream, right?)

Happy 2011 Everyone!

2010

2010-12-31T10:11:00.000-05:00

What to say about 2010?

My first year blogging - well, technically not even a whole year. I started in February - mostly because I wanted to be able to comment on posts and figured I would just get some thoughts out of my head.

Well, we had a great year. I really have no major complaints about anything that happened this year.

There were some bumps along the way - but we were not on a roller coaster ride or any major downfalls.

I am counting our blessings.

We were all healthy - no major illness - no deaths in our immediate families.

No job layoffs.

The boys are doing great at school - granted we are having a couple bumps with Little b crying at pre-school and Z having trouble with the kid on the school bus and speech therapy.

But all in all - nothing to complain about.

I have a loving husband and 2 wonderful, loving boys.

How could I want anything more?

I'm a human of course I want more!

(You will find out what I want tomorrow!)

I doubt I will be making it til Midnight since I was up with a sick kid last night for a couple hours so I will now wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Christmas in our little corner

2010-12-28T22:05:00.000-05:00

We had a fantastic Christmas.

Not really surprising with 4 and 5 yr old's.

The whole thing was great - no family drama, no kid meltdowns.

Christmas Eve we got ready for church, we put out Santa's cookies, we hung up our stockings and took our yearly picture in front of the tree. (It is always late when we get back on Christmas Eve, so we have to do the cookies and stockings early in the day)

This picture cracks me up because Z looks like a little business man adjusting his tie

Christmas Eve we went to 4 o'clock mass which was jam packed. (Seriously, our church holds 1,500 people - we got there 40 minutes before mass was to start and it was already standing room only!!) Luckily right before mass was going to start someone sitting in a pew right in front of where we were standing had their family scooch in so that my husband and I could have a seat each with a kid on our laps - good thing we don't have more than 2 kids!

Christmas Eve we always celebrate with my family. My mom makes a surf and turf dinner and afterward we do a family gift exchange. My siblings and spouses (and significant other) all pick names in a grab bag - but we buy a gift - or 2 - for each kid (there are only 5 all together right now)

My mom explaining something to 3 of the grandkids -

my kids insisted on jammies as soon as we got to my moms

Z was so excited over EVERY present he opened!

He was so excited that he got a skeleton you could rebuild

It was probably his #1 thing he wanted

My dad put all the grandkids into his rain barrell we got him

As predicted - I didn't sleep much. Actually I had trouble sleeping both the 23rd to the 24th and on Christmas Eve... sigh... I woke up at 5 am on Christmas morning and had to make myself go back to sleep. I finally gave up around 6:30 and went downstairs, put on the coffee and got the camcorder ready. I drank coffee and read Decision Points - George W Bush's memoir while I waited for the rest of the house to awaken.

The kids finally stirred around 7:30 - and they came down the steps half asleep asking "Did Santa come?" and then looked under the tree. Little B started clapping right away and Z-man said "Wow! Look at all the presents!" (Santa went a little overboard...)

They had a great morning opening presents and playing. Then it was off to my Gaga's for a quick visit before we had to be at my sister-in-law's for Christmas dinner with my husbands family.

We had a nice visit there as well. The kids had a gift exchange and the adults do a white elephant exchange. 3 of my husbands brothers (and their families) live out of state, so there are about 10 kids missing from the cousins picture.

I thought the boys looked so cute sitting next to each other in their Pittsburgh jerseys'

The kids are really enjoying the Wii and not giving me too hard of a time when I say it is time to turn it off (Little b is a gaming addict.... already...) They are also having fun playing with the rest of the toys - but it seems like their little grabber toy and pillow pets are favorites, with the Mega Crane, monster trucks and board games coming in a close second.

We are really blessed to have had such a wonderful year and I am grateful that we were able to "spoil" the kids. They are both really good boys. They are kind, caring and loving. They are not perfect, they are kids, but I am proud of who they are and how they behave.

Now what do I do with all this crap?

2010-12-27T08:14:00.000-05:00

Christmas always brings me to the realization of how small our house is.

I love our home. I do. But when it comes to toy storage... there is really no good answer in our house.

I have tried going the "toy room" route with the 3rd bedroom that we only use as a closet for hubby and a crib room for Baby G. So it is kind of multi-purpose room... Even with the toy room route we have over spill. I have a shelf in the living room and some toys in the basement.

But my kids don't like going upstairs to play without me.

They prefer to be right under my feet. At. All. Times.

I need to find a better solution.

I was talking with the hubs last night asking if we could use the old well room in the basement (it's a finished basement - I am not throwing them in the dungeon or anything) and build some nice deep shelves in there that can hold the containers that most of them are in. The room is a decent size, so we could put some of the larger toys in there too - like the Mega Crane that they got from Santa and love.

We have to be careful because the water line comes into the room and we can't block access to that.

But there is light in there. The boys would be able to access it themselves and get their own toys out. (I will just have to teach them to actually clean up after themselves)

It is worth a shot. Even if they don't clean up after themselves at least I have somewhere to throw all their stuff when we have company coming over.

Have you found any great toy storage solutions that actually work???

Breaking our antisocial ways

2010-12-24T10:05:00.000-05:00

Hubby and I don't do a whole lot.

We don't usually go out with friends. We actually do not really have any friends we hang out with. My husbands friends from high school and college have kind of all dissipated because of busy lives or a multitude of other reasons. I never really kept touch with anyone I went to high school or college with - then reconnected with Shell, which was great, but since she moved we can't really hang out anymore.

So we tend to hang out with family rather than friends. Which is great in it's own way. I have a fantastic family and we have a lot of laughs and fun when we are all together. My husband also has a couple brothers he is really close to and we hang out with them once in a while too.

So when my husband texted me from work and said that the one guy he works with and plays hockey with is having a holiday gathering with all of their friends and some family at a local restaurant/bar and invited us I was a bit surprised he wanted to go. So I lined up my sister to watch the boys and we went out.

To a bar.

Without any kids.

Without any family.

Basically only knowing the 2 people who invited us.

Totally unlike us.

But we had fun.

We hung out with 2 couples we didn't know. One who only lives 5 min from us and have 2 kids also. We had a lot of laughs and really enjoyed ourselves.

It made me realize though that I am not a very confident person.

I used to be. In high school and college I was very confident. I could and would talk to anyone easily. Not so much anymore. And I hate it. I wish I was funnier or more stylish or exhuted this persona that people would want to contact me after first meeting me to become friends.

But I have become more of a wallflower. A little quiet, a listener. I am not a drinker so I don't "have a few" and loosen up and get louder. I just giggle at everyone else who is getting a little crazy.

I suppose in order to start making friends and try to develop friendships with people that I meet I should actually try and pick up the phone and make a phone call and not really think Why would they really want to hang out with me.

Maybe after the holidays I will do it.

Maybe I will call the hostess - who is truly a wonderful, fun woman who I've known for several years but haven't really developed a friendship with.

I might have a New Years Resolution in the making.

Getting hard to contain my excitement!

2010-12-23T19:26:00.000-05:00

Christmas is only 2 days away - really only 1, since all the festivities will start for us after 4 pm mass Christmas eve!

My kids are super excited (go figure...lol) and my husband has already started teasing me asking if I was going to be the first one up this year anxiously awaiting everyone else to wake up... Yup, I can pretty much guarantee it!

Tuesday we had Little b's Christmas program at preschool. He did so good singing his songs and making the motions! I had it hard because I was the only adult there for b with Z-man and Baby G with me. I videotaped while Z-man took pictures for me. One of the other dads commented how impressed he was with me because while videotaping I swooped down picked up Baby G without ever taking my eyes off the stage or without stopping the camera LOL I am a mom... I multitask..

Little b is in the top row right in the middle - the little blond "Who"

Yesterday was Z-man's Winter party at Kindergarten. The kids had a lot of fun playing Toss the Snowball and Pin the nose on the Snowman and making the Snowflake Tree ornament and having the snack. I was the party coordinator, so I was a little stressed, but it all went perfectly!

Z-man is the blond in the red shirt on the left hand side

I have gotten my ornament of the year made. I went with the birds nests with the quote. I also tried to do another ornament craft with my kids, but it didn't turn out so great. Oh well!

I gave Z-man's Faith Formation teachers each a gift card and since I decided at last minute I did not have anything to put it in, I made something. I took the top to a Coke 12 pack box and cut it out, folded in half and hot glued using the handle section as the part where the gift card would show. I decopauged a poinsetta napkin onto it and finished off the edges with some fancy ribbon that I had.

I am almost sad that Christmas is almost here because I have been really enjoying all the excitement in my boys' when they talk about Baby Jesus and Christmas. I know it will all be over before I know it and then the long drawn out winter begins.

Merry Christmas to all of you!!

Little Star

2010-12-14T20:39:00.000-05:00

My kids and I love to read books together.

We read a minimum of 5 everyday. And now my kindergartener is bringing home books from school that he reads to me.

So when the chance arose to review a book about Christmas for kids I was all over it!

We received "Little Star" by Anthony DeStefano.

"Little Star" reminded me of The Little Engine That Could. He was a small, lonely star who no one thought much of him. But he knew to stay alert to the coming of the King and when he believed it was happening he shined with all his power. And was given the biggest reward.

The illustrations were done by Mark Elliott and were beautiful. You can see the wonder in the little boys eyes looking up at his Christmas tree star. The illustrations of the blessed family were beautifully done as well.

My 4 and 5 year olds both enjoyed the book and with Christmas nearing we have read it many times. It is nice to have books that reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

My Dissappearing Act

2010-12-05T07:47:00.000-05:00

Ala Ka Zoom!

**Poof**

I have not been able to get online a lot lately. I haven't been able to post any new and exciting (ha ha) blog posts nor have I been able to comment a lot on yours. For that I apologize. I am sure there are a ton of great posts I've missed.

Last week my great uncle passed away. He lost his battle with prostate and rectal cancer which eventually overtook his body. Thankfully he did not suffer long. So last week it was the funeral home and funeral to attend. (His wife is my Gaga's sister)

I took my boys out shopping Friday evening to get dad something for Christmas. We went to 3 different stores in search of the perfect presents and then it was a stop at the grocery store so I could get the ingredients for what I have lovingly renamed Girls Day out.... Girls Labor Day LOL

While we were out my sisters friend called and left a message asking if I would be interested in watching her 6 mo old daughter a day or two a week for a little while.

Would I?

Do I want to?

I really like my 2 days a week that I am baby-free.

I get a lot done on those days.

Do I want to give them up?

I pondered it. And then pondered it some more.

The extra ciz-ash would be great (especially so close to Christmas!) But what is ~~my sanity~~ my days off worth?

In the end I decided that Yes, I would do it. It is only temporary. The extra cash will be great - I told my husband that I am just going to put it aside and save it for a new laptop. If there is a plan for the money then hopefully we won't touch it and will be able to save it for that plan!

The mom was so happy when I called her and told her I could do it. (Her MIL usually has Baby Girl but has been sick - in and out of hospitals sick - so hasn't been able to do it and they can't get her into daycare yet)

Of course the babys are in different car seats. Baby G is forward facing and Baby Girl is still in a carrier rear facing - so I told hubby that I am just going to install her base into his truck and leave Baby G's seat in my car and we will just have to swap vehicles 2 days a week. (I think I need something with 3 rows seating - and not for my kids! LOL)

So... I will have an extra kid here 5 days a week.

That means my free computer time has drastically dropped and by the time I get my kids tucked in for the night I am usually too tired to do anything.

You will have to give me a Go To Jail card for the time being.

I will try to get to your blogs as much as possible.

Please don't forget me in the meantime.

December enters in white

2010-12-01T07:36:00.000-05:00

According to my 5 year old...

"It's a Miracle!"

The Snowflakes Were Hung

2010-11-29T18:12:00.000-05:00

By The Window With Care

In hopes that outsides they don't dare...

Who am I kidding?! Of course it will snow here. And I have to admit... It does look pretty - from my nice warm living room. My kids are hoping for feet and feet of snow like last winter.. Me? I will be happy with 1 - 2 inches. That is plenty!

My beautiful niece spent the day with us over the weekend and I brought out the crafts in order to give her a break from playing with my boys ...

We took foam snowflakes I had bought at Michaels and decorated them with glitter (had to wait for my husband to leave for church before I brought out the glitter... he is a glitter grinch... especially 2 days before hunting season LOL)

After they were dry we took fishing line and hung them up in my front window.

I had some extra so I put them on the windows in my kitchen as well.

My little Z-man is my decorator! He was ~~bothering~~ asking me everyday if we could put the decorations up... so he was thrilled to help as soon as I did! He always has an idea where things should go. Sometimes they are good ideas... sometimes not so much... But he usually takes my re-direction well. I can guarantee that a lot of the items will be moved - most likely daily - until Christmas. The only things that are hands off are my manger and my houses... other than that I am a pretty easy going mom!

I love getting out my decorations and remembering who gave me items and who made some of them. My sister made this slate painting and she quilted this runner

Welcome to Christmas In My Little Corner...

My cabinet drawers with the decorative glass front section

Not only did he steal my Santa hat out of my cabinet...

He took my jingle bells off one of my doors...

and decorated himself!

Cheap.. Cheap.. Cheap...

2010-11-23T19:46:00.000-05:00

He is gone.

2010-11-21T19:48:00.000-05:00

My parent's dog, Daz, passed away today.

One day before his cardiologist appt.

Thank you for all of your prayers.

Now the healing process begins.

Were there doctors in the barn?

2010-11-20T22:04:00.000-05:00

I've been discussing the true meaning of Christmas with my boys a lot lately.

I tell them that we have Christmas to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

I have been trying to focus on this a lot since we are being bombarded everywhere we go by presents and toys and all the glitz and glamour of Christmas. (Which I will admit, I totally love.... because Jesus does deserve all the glitz! He totally rocks! ) But my kids are young. They will get caught up in the whole present thing and unless we keep telling them why we have Christmas they will just think it is a cool holiday when they get stuff.

On our way home from church Z-man asks me "Why was Jesus born in a barn?"

I replied "Well, there was no room at the inn - which is kind of like a hotel - so Mary and Joseph had to go stay in the barn and that is when baby Jesus came out of Mary's belly."

Little B "Were there doctors there?"

Me "No, no doctors were there."

Z-man "Well, if there were no doctors there then how did he get out of her belly?"

Me "You don't really need to have a doctor to have a baby come out of your belly. Not too long ago people never had babies in hospitals."

Z-man "How does a baby come out if there isn't a doctor?"

Me - smiling and stifling my giggles - "Ladies bodies are made to have babies and you don't really need a doctor for it."

At this point hubby decides to start rocking out the stereo... guess he wasn't ready for me to go into any more details with the boys...

But at least I know they are listening to me and remembering that Jesus was born in a stable.

It is amazing to me how at 5 yrs old Z shows such interest in church and God and asks questions and wants to know what is going on. (He also asked me "What was that circle thing you ate?") He sings the songs he knows and responds periodically during church for the things he knows - Alleluia, Our Father... he blesses himself with the holy water when we arrive and leave and is starting to understand why he does it. He stands, sits and kneels at the right times and although I can tell he doesn't pay 100% attention - he is doing pretty well I think!

Ornaments

2010-11-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

I love making ornaments.

I know, you are probably getting overwhelmed seeing homemade ornaments everywhere right now.

But I am still going to show you mine.

I make them every year and give them to family and friends.

I think last year was the first year I missed.

It wasn't because I didn't try. It was because I got fed up with my craft and abandoned it.
(I got a box full of gourds in my attic to prove it) I may come back to it at a future date.

Here are some of my ornaments of Christmas past.

Paper Towel Cardboard Roll cut into strips, spray painted and glued together and then glittered!

A glass ornament that I etched snowflakes on (can you see it in the middle?) and then sprinkled glitter on the inside of.

A snowman lightbulb

Another snowman - he is a clear bulb 3/4 full of faux snow

Have you made any awesome ornaments?

Fur Babies

2010-11-17T09:56:00.000-05:00

Why do humans do this to themselves?

Seriously...

Why do we take animals into our homes, make them part of our families only to have to endure the heartache at a later date?

My parents have a King German Shepard. His name is Daz and he could use some prayers.

He is only 7 years old and started getting cold like symptoms last week. Then the last couple days he got really bad. Coughing a lot, trouble breathing, not eating... My parents had an appt for the vet Monday but my moms car wasn't working so they had to postpone to Tuesday evening.

The vet said that it is his heart.

He has some sort of arrhythmia going on and needs to see a cardiologist. He told them that they don't have to get in immediately but he wouldn't make it past two weeks. Daz' condition is critical.

Now, you have to understand the relationship my dad has with his dog. We tease my dad about it all the time. Daz follows him everywhere. If my dad isn't home Daz is moping around (or usually just sleeping in my parents bedroom) until Dad gets home. He follows him around when my dad is mowing the grass. They have this connection that is undeniable.

(My poor dad, between the explosion at work, his recent cancer diagnosis, and now this... the man needs a break!!)

He is a really nice dog. He is very gentle with kids (mine and my siblings kids have climbed all over the poor dog!) He thinks he is a kid himself - and that sometimes gets him in trouble (has a tendency to not wait his turn around kids and they go tumbling... oops!) But he is a gentle giant. He would never hurt one of them on purpose.

If you could please say a quick prayer that the vet cardiologist doesn't cost too much or even better for a miracle for Daz I would appreciate it.

But the question remains... why do we torture ourselves?

Awesome!

2010-11-15T11:08:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I hit the stores.

I didn't have my kids so I was able to go to any store I wanted and take as much time as I wanted...

Well, I had until 1:00 anyway...

I first stopped at Goodwill to get rid of old toys that they no longer played with - and then went inside to see if they had anything worth picking up - they did!

I got 4 Christmas books for the boys (including one very cool Mater Saves Christmas for my Cars lovin 4 yr old) and a dress shirt for the 4 yr old. All for $7.00!

Then I went to the dreaded Toys R Us...

I seriously hate that store.

But I went there with a purpose.

They had sent out a coupon for bikes. And hubby and I decided to get Little b one for Christmas since he was quickly outgrowing his.

What bike did we get? Nothing other than Lightening McQueen of course!!

Regularly $79.99 - on sale for $69.99 - then I had a 25% off coupon.... so $53 for the bike.

My boys also wanted the Mega Crane

Regularly $49.99 - on sale for $39.99

Then I had a $10 off $100 purchase coupon so I went and found 2 little stocking stuffers for $5 each to put me over $100.

I also had a $10 gift card from a previous Toys R Us purchase.

Breakdown:
(approx - I don't feel like digging out my reciept!)
Bike: $53.00 after 25% off coupon
Crane: $40.00
2 stuffers $10.00

$103.00
Minus $10 off puchase coupon
Minus $10 gift card....

I got all of the items for a grand total of $88 (after taxes) !!!!

Woo Hoo!!!!

Did He Really Just Say That?

2010-11-14T21:19:00.000-05:00

I am just going to start by saying I love my gyne.

I do.

Not in a weird sort of "Oh My God... I loooovveee him"

More like "He helped me through my miscarriage trials and without him I wouldn't have my two lovely little boys" kind of love.

But... I must say... He can be an odd man. He talks non-stop.... I think it is to put people at ease... but geesh!

My appt's with him always start with him telling me how beautiful I look (yea... sitting here half naked with a piece of paper draped across my lap... mmm.... hmmmm...)

My first appt with him - ever - he tells me

"You would be the perfect person to use to teach residents on how to do an exam... you can feel everything so easily"

One appt early on in the miscarriage trials - before we knew what the problems were - he bluntly put it.

"Well, first we have to check your husband to see if he has any swimmers and if they can do the deed"

Another appt at the end:

"Well, Angie, it seems like you are just perfect. You look great, I don't expect that we will have any problems with the PAP results, Your breasts feel perfect. You are just wonderful."

(really... did he just say my breast felt perfect?!?)

My latest appt he asked me if I still used NuvaRing (which I loved - if anyone is out there looking for a good easy birth control method) I told him no, that hubby got a v and his response?

"Oh that is wonderful!!"
(I must have had a really confused face as he went on to explain...)
"I just quit delivering babies. We made that decision at the same time! What a wonderful thing!"

Uhhh... oookkkaaayyyy...

An odd man, to say the least, but I don't know about you, but I kind of expect that from a gyne...

At least I get a laugh out of my (not-so-yearly) exam.

Friday Fragmented Kind of Day

2010-11-12T08:01:00.002-05:00

After all the house selling stuff last year...

I think we are now staying

At least for a little while.

We just met with a lady last week about refinancing.

After refinancing we can save over $300 a month on our mortgage!!

And our APR wasn't even *that* high before!

Our new APR will be 4.25%

At least I got some kind of good change from the current administration...

We are considering adding on the back of the house.

Converting our covered porch into a decent sized living room.

(Our current one makes you feel like you are in a coffin with all the toys and kids everywhere)

On a different note...

TONIGHT WE ARE KID FREE!

They are sleeping over Nana & Clazy Pap Paps!

I think hubby and I are going to dinner - but that is probably about it...

It is hunting season you know, and he has to be up at 4:45 tomorrow morning...

I am having another Girls Day Out with my Gaga, mom, and sisters on Sunday!

This time we are making Nut Horns & Pumpkin Rolls!

We are trying to do something like this monthly.

My mom suggested that maybe next month (or January) we just go out to lunch instead of cooking/baking LOL

Christmas shopping has made major progress!

I only have a few people left on my list

Not counting the kiddo's.

I did get a good start done on them though!

I am looking for ideas for my Ornament of the Year.

I think I might go with Birds Nest idea I saw on Just Because I am Me

Have you made any Christmas Tree Ornaments? What were they?

Happy Friday to All!!

Vote Please!

2010-11-11T07:24:00.000-05:00

One of my friends submitted a picture into a kodak gallery facebook contest!

The winner gets $1,000!

Please take a minute to go to your facebook account and vote for them!

Waiting For Spring Training

Teachers & Tears

2010-11-10T21:39:00.000-05:00

Oh, what a day.

We had our parent/teacher conference today with Z-man's Kindergarten teacher.

I've been in pretty close contact with her since the beginning of the school year. I love her. I think she is a fantastic teacher and love the close contact she has with the parents.

The first time I talked with Mrs. K was less than 2 weeks into the school year and she called me because she was having some concerns about Z's ability to listen to and follow a string of instructions. (You can read more about that here )

Since then I have had emails back and forth both of us updating on his progress at home and at school. Z is very ~~slow~~ methodical about doing things. Even eating takes. him. for. ev. er. And he is easily distracted (but he is only 5 yrs old .... and he is a boy... it happens. - not that I am making excuses for my lil man)

During out last phone conversation about a month or so ago she made a comment about his speech. She wasn't sure if it was because he is very soft spoken or if he had trouble forming some words correctly, but she has difficulty understanding him from time to time.

Now, I have lived with the kid for 5+ years and I even have sometimes making out words periodically. (And it seems that Little b is following right in his brothers footsteps here) I told her that yes, he does have some issues with speaking correctly such as replacing l for r as in tluck and clazy. But one other thing that I had noticed was that he has begun substituting the word "re" in the beginning of some words.

Words such as vacation (recation) or instruction (restruction)

So she suggested getting a speech eval. Which we did - and he failed the initial kindergarten screen, so we are waiting for the full evaluation to still be done.

Today at the conference we didn't really learn anything new. Other than he can't rhyme. And seriously - he does not get the whole rhyming thing. I was reading to him The Cat In The Hat and Green Eggs and Ham tonight and he was not doing too great picking out those easy rhyming words.

I wanted to mention to her also the trouble he is having with one kid on the bus. (More on that later.) The bus driver I believe is aware of it and I know it is her territory - but wanted to see if Mrs. K had any advice on what we should tell Z to do.

I kind of worried that he will end up getting bullied. He would seriously be an easy target for it.

All in all, not a bad conference. We found out the areas we have to work on and we will. That is what school is for, right?

And then the tears....

Nothing to do with the conference.

Tonight was his first night of Faith Formation at church. (What we called CCD back in "the day")

We have been going to this church for over a year - but finally just joined - hence why he is starting late.

So, I pick him up from the bus stop at 4:15 and give him a box of Vanilla cookies to munch on on the way to the church.
Walking into the building Z totally has the brakes on. I am pretty much pulling him into the building.

We walked into the classroom and I introduced myself and Z-man to the teacher assistant (teacher was not there yet) and then introduce Z and start to say goodbye to him and he gets this look on his face that you would have thought I was leaving him in the hands of Satan himself and not these nice ladies. I tell him I will be back in an hour to get him and he is clinging to me.

One boy in the class asks him to sit next to him. No go.

Then I pulled him aside and told him that I will be right back. He will be fine. (Then one big tear falls out of the corner of his sweet eye)

Another little boy comes over and introduces himself and Z still isn't having it.

I finally just pull him away and tell him "You have to do this. I will be back. I love you." And start to walk out of the classroom. He followed me to the doorway and stood in the doorway.

Stay there buddy. I will be back.

Then in the hallway Little b starts sobbing - I mean shoulders bouncing up and down crying because his brother was upset.

So then on the way home I am explaining to Little b that Z was just upset because it was something new, but he will be okay. He will have fun!

Sigh.

Mama needs a drink.

The efforts involved in getting the perfect Christmas picture!

2010-11-09T23:13:00.000-05:00

I have had fun through the last 5 years trying to get the perfect picture of my kids for my Christmas Cards.

Let me tell you - it is impossible with one kid - undo able with 2! (I can't even imagine if I had to get more than 2 kids to cooperate! Actually I can, we just tried to get a picture of my mom and dad's 5 grandkids all together a couple weekends ago... Thank goodness for Photoshop!)

This year I thought I would use Shutterfly to help me in my endeavor.

I had thought about getting a cute picture from one of our family camping trips of the 2 boys playing in the water or one of them just playing together in the yard or even one of them wrestling in the house.

But then came up with an idea...

What if I create a "blast from the past" card? (I think a Reject card would be fun too! I have plenty of those!!)

I love folded cards!

I have not done our yearly photo shoot this year (and will have to get on that soon!) Hence the Insert 2010 Picture Here quickly done Christmas tree - I never claimed to be an artist...

Inside I put pictures ranging from 2004 (kid-less) to 2009

How awesome is that going to be?!

I love the endless choices of Christmas cards that Shutterfly offers! Many different choices in the number of photos you want on a card to font type and size to wording! You customize the card to fit YOU! How great is that?!

One of my other favorite things to do for Christmas presents is to make photo gifts! I've made Wall Calenders in the past for my mom with pictures of all her kids and grand kids.

And you have to check this out.. you can make your own Christmas Gift Tags too!! No more writing To and From 300 times on those horrible self stick dollar store tags! (with the itty bitty writing space!)

And right now Shutterfly is having an awesome promotion going on...

Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly, follow the link http://bit.ly/sfly2010

What did I tell you... Awesome! Who couldn't use something free this time of the year?!

There is a chill in the air

2010-11-08T09:14:00.000-05:00

You know it is November when there is an unmistakable chill in the air, this morning it was 27 degrees out when we woke up .... brrrr....

My boys are ready for Thanksgiving! They have been making turkeys and cornucopia's (I didn't even know they knew what a cornucopia was!) with craft items and have been telling me what they are thankful for.

Yesterday they ~~talked me into~~ asked me if we could make a pumpkin pie - as they were ~~following me with~~ carrying my sugar pumpkins around the house.

So I finally gave in and we made a complete from scratch pumpkin pie. (I used this recipe from allrecipes.com)

I had them take out all the seeds first and then we baked the pumpkins on a piece of aluminum foil that I sprayed with cooking spray at 325 for an hour.

While that was in the oven, we started our dough. Now, I have made pie crust many times from scratch, but of course I messed it up this time. I only put in 1/2 the amt of shortening and didn't realize until I was having trouble with it coming together after I added the water - oops! It turned out okay, but wasn't as nice and flakey as normal. Darn.

After we pulled the pumpkin out of the oven and let them cool just a bit until they were able to be handled, I then took all the flesh out of the pumpkin and put it into my little tupperware machine to puree. (The boys had a lot of fun with that!)

It pureed beautifully - and they 2 pumpkins I used provided enough for the pumpkin pie and for 2 pumpkin rolls that I will be making for Girls Day Out next Sunday.

We mixed all the ingredients together and poured it into the partially baked shells. And baked.

I do not have a deep dish pie pan (going on my Christmas list - along with a pastry blender!) So we made 2 thin pumpkin pies.

It tasted delish!

I wish I had the deep dish because I think it would have made it so much better - you would have gotten a nice big bite of pumpkin instead of a baby sized one - but hey, this way I can eat ~~the whole pie~~ a couple pieces and not think twice.

I love that my boys love to be in the kitchen and bake stuff with me. Last week it was peanut butter cup brownies, then the pies, this week I think we will be doing some banana bread for my husband.

What is your favorite thing to bake this time of the year?

A man's mind boy sized

2010-11-05T08:24:00.000-04:00

My 4 yr old, Little b, has been coming off with some comments that are more manly than 4 yr old boy...

"My love boobies" (while picking up my bra in my bedroom - all starry eyed)

Don't know where he got this - his dad certainly isn't a boob man... he married me after all - and I am not well endowed...

"Hey Woman! Get me some Cocoa." Then smacked me on the butt.

(yes, he said that to me... because his dad will jokingly call me "woman" My reply to Little b... You don't call your Mom "woman" especially when you are asking for something - but I have to admit it made me laugh)

I put on DWTS for a minute the other night and he looked up from his book his dad was reading to them and said "Oooooo.... Hot Woman!"

Last but not least...

At the circus he leans over to me and whispers "Why is that man wearing woman's clothes?"

He was talking about one of the high wire acrobats that had on a sequin outfit. I just laughed.

I am thinking this little guy has Too Much Testosterone!! God love me....

What are some crazy things your kids have said?