A LITTLE LESS RUSHING; A LITTLE MORE READING

I got brave this morning. I belong to an online group of Mom's who have adopted like we have and they meet from time to time to have play-group's for the kids. I've been wanting to take the kids to a play-group for awhile but there haven't been any that were close enough I felt like we could swing it.

This morning I read my email about 10:30 a.m. and noticed they were having a play-group a couple of miles from us just before noon. I decided we had time to make it though I knew it would be a sprint. Sure enough, the minute I started getting the kids ready I hit the resistance--the meltdowns, the tantrums, the "I wanna do this, not this!" I knew that would happen because they usually go down for a nap right after lunch but I wanted to brave it anyway. I soldiered on.

We got there about 25 minutes late and found a family we thought was probably with the group. They were, kind of. Turns out, I had read the email wrong and the play-group is tomorrow. GAH! The family we met couldn't go tomorrow so they decided to take their kids today, luckily for us. So Carly and Jon had fun playing with their kids.

But, I guess we will try it all again tomorrow. Crazy Mama! :/

HARD DAY

My Dad's sister in law died today. His brother Frank's wife, Sue, had been sick for some time and lost her battle this morning. It's a sad day for their family. Losing people you love and are close to is never easy no matter how prepared you think you are.

Jonathon and I are still sick. It's one of those "no fun" colds, where the coughing hurts and the throat isn't just red, it's really, really sore, too. Poor Jono has pink eye on top of his cold, too. He is just miserable. Carly is flirting with the cold. I sure hope she doesn't come down with the whole thing.

Well, more later.

THE ICKY SICKIES

It has not been a great couple of days. Jon has pink eye and a bad cold. Poor little guy is miserable. I have a sore throat and a cold and am feeling fairly miserable myself. And Carly has just enough of a cold to be uncomfortable and whiny. The rest of the family seems to be holding up for right now. Thank goodness. Rob even cooked dinner tonight. What a guy! I am so blessed!

WHO IS HOLDING SPRING HOSTAGE??

Grandma and Grandpa got back from Idaho this afternoon without any problem. It was a quick trip. They had a good time but are really exhausted.

Jonathon and I both have the Gomboo (sore throat, coughing, etc.) only I think Jonathon also has Pink Eye as well. Poor guy. Hopefully we can get rid of it quickly.

Looks like we have another storm warning for tomorrow. Yay :(. They say 5-8 inches in the valleys. Aaaarrrggghhh!! Someone tell me Spring is right around the corner?! Please!

Hey, if you're holding Spring hostage, it's time to let it go! The rest of us need our turn!!

CONGRATULATIONS CAITLIN!

Grandma and Grandpa are in Idaho for a couple of days visiting Sarah's family. Sarah's daughter Caitlin was in a pageant tonight and won a $600 Scholarship for College! Congrats Cait! Sorry we weren't able to be there but we heard you did really well! We are very excited for you!

This is a picture of Caitlin holding Jonathon when he was really little. It was one of the first pics I found. Just thought I would add one so you could see who I was talking about! She's a bit more grown up these days--a very lovely young lady! :)

ROB'S VERY FUN DAY!

It's going to be an interesting day tomorrow. Rob is having a couple of tests. He starts out in the morning with Colonoscopy and ends the day with a sleep study. I'm thinking he might be a little moody. I know I would be. I'll let you know how it all comes out. :) Hee! hee! hee!

MORE FAMILY PICTURES

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING

We woke up to snow again this morning. Not too much. Probably an inch or more but by noon it had all melted away. The winds were the surprising thing. They brought in the cold and then the snow and nearly blew us away. By this morning they had stopped blowing though. I was very glad because it was such a cold wind.

Carly saw the snow and immediately asked me to make some Snow Ice Cream for her. She was sad when I told her there wasn't enough snow to do it. That's a fun thing I've done with her this Winter when we've had a big snow. We like making Snow Ice Cream together. I remember making it with my sisters when I was a child and it's a fun memory.

A quick update on Grandpa and Grandma--Grandma's shot in her hip (where she has bursitis) has finally started working! Yay! They are having her continue with physical therapy on it for a few more weeks but she is feeling much better now that the pain is gone.

Grandpa is having quite a bit of pain in his right shoulder. That is the shoulder he hasn't had surgery on yet. He has even started to talk out loud about the possibility of having that shoulder replaced--possibly in September. However, if you say I told you, I'll deny it. Lol!

That's about it from here. Hope you and yours are well.

FROM BABY TO BOY

Jono is growing up. In just the past week I have seen so many changes in him. It's mostly the things that he pays attention, notices or cares about. I used to be able to switch the TV from cartoons to news without any problem if Carly left the room. He wouldn't even notice. That is until last week when he started turning, giving me a horrible scowl, followed by the "turn it back" howl. OK, OK I get it no news for mom.

The other thing is that he gets his feelers hurt so easily. If you tell him "No" he gets a pout on his face. If you leave and go somewhere and don't take him his whole world falls apart. The worst one happened yesterday when Rob ran Julie and Carly somewhere. Rob, Julie and Carly head for the door; so Jono does too--but they tell him "No" and then leave without him. Oh my goodness, his little heart was broken. He stood at the door looking out and crying with the saddest look on his face. It took me a several minutes to cheer him up.

And then, there are the TANTRUMS . . . this morning he had something he wasn't supposed to have and Julie took it away from him. He immediately threw the bottle he had in his hand and then threw himself on the floor and started crying.

I wonder if there is a baby hormone or something similar moving around in our little kids system's around the age of the terrible two's? It would be interesting to know if there's something going on that's comparable to what teens go through when their hormones go wild and they release their moodiness all over their parental units. Hmmmmmm? Just something to think about. In the meantime, Jonathon is having mood swings. Lol! But he's no longer just a little baby. He has his own thoughts, opinions and plans! Go Jonathon, go!

CAN'T WAIT TILL SPRING IS REALLY HERE!

I know, I know Monday is the officially the first day of Spring but that doesn't mean spring weather is yet. Today, we invited a little bit of Spring and Summer inside even though it was still chilly outside. We barbecued chicken for dinner. I say "We." I mean, Rob. He is the master barbecuer in our house! We had the yummiest dinner and it really made me yearn for the weather that usually comes with along using the barbecue!

The kids are really active now. They are so big and want to do so much. They are restless in the house and can't wait till they can play outside in the sunshine! Me either!

Hope you have a sunny, warm, yummy week!

I'M IN LOVE WITH THIS GUY

NOT VERY NICE YOU GIRLY SCOUTS

So, I'm into my diet 4 weeks now and I've done pretty well. I've lost ten pounds but I still want to lose another 3-5 pounds. I think I will just feel more comfortable in my clothes.

Anyway, I've hit that darned plateau! So, even though I've been really good all week I've only lost .2 lbs. (Yes, that was point two pounds.) I've been trying to walk at least a mile or two on my treadmill 3-4 times a week. That's about all I can get in with chasin' my kidlings around. I decided to kick it up a notch today to see if I can move off this plateau and I did five miles!

So, as I'm doing my exercise and staying on my diet the doorbell rings. I run to get it and who, no, rather what is at the door? My gorgeous looking order of Girl Scout Cookies! Hmmmmmmmmm. What to do? What to do?

Oh C'mon! I'm not that weak! I took them to our storage room and left them there. Out of site, out of mind--Right? Then, I went back to my treadmill and finished all five miles! Yay for me! (Sure hope I don't do any sleep eating tonight! Lol!)

FAMILY PORTRAIT

We had family pictures taken in August and I am just now getting around to getting some of the digital ones ordered so I can show them to you. We have the best photographer. She is so talented. Thanks Lori!

MY LITTLE HYPOCHONDRIAC

Turns out Carly liked the dentist so much she's been telling me her teeth hurt. When I ask her why her teeth hurt she tells me "I got to go to the Dentist mom; I got to!"

I've told her several times that she has an appointment in two weeks to see the dentist and that solves it for her momentarily. However, she comes back later and says "Mom, my teeth don't feel good. I need to go to the dentist. Can you take me?"

Never a dull moment with my little girl! As Rosanne Rosannadanna said: "It's always something!"

OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Wow, today was gorgeous! The sun was shining and it actually felt warm out. It got up into the sixties before the day was over.

This morning I had an appointment at my dentist's office to get my teeth cleaned. I decided to take Carly with me to watch since she has her first dental appointment two weeks from now. I thought it would be good for her to see what was going to happen so she wouldn't be scared when it's her turn.

It actually turned out to be a good idea. The hygenist was great with her and the dentist was too. He gave her a ride up and down in the chair. Plus, he funny-he's a real comedian. Then on the way out they let her pick a prize. She was on cloud nine! She can't wait to go back! Plus, she has brushed her teeth five or six times today! Lol!

Way to go, dental team! Way to go!

GREAT PROGRESS!

Grandpa went for a checkup today with his shoulder surgeon. The doctor thought he was doing great! We love good news like that! I helped him do some of his home PT this morning before he left for his appointment. I was really surprised and impressed at how far he could move his arm above and behind his head without pain. He could never have done that before the surgery. He even had me pull it up farther than he could raise it himself and hold it there to stretch it. I am amazed at the progress he's made.

Wedding plans are moving forward. Lots to do. Little time. Lots of scurrying about. Lol! It's all good.

It's warming up here! Yay! Hopefully, we are done with snow for the year! I'm ready for some SUNSHINE! I'll bet you are too!

Well, better get this Momma to bed. More later

JOKES ON ME

We got up this morning and got all ready for church. It was a nice day outside and the kids were all dressed early and looked really cute. We were just doing a few final things (checking the diaper bag, getting jackets, etc.) before we walked out the door. Then Grandma came upstairs and mentioned it being Daylight Savings today. OOPSY! Yep, we had already missed our main church meeting. I couldn't believe it! I hadn't heard a single word about Daylight Savings. That has never happened to me before. Just a little embarrassing! Oh well, what ya gonna do?! Lol!

BIG WEEKEND, BIG SURPRISE

We spent a good portion of the weekend with our daughter Sara and her fiance, Stephen wedding planning. Actually, truth be told, we ran around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to be as productive as possible with the few hours we had them in town. You see, we found out when they arrived last night that they had decided on a wedding date. Yay, a date!

Drumroll please . . . . . and the date is . . . APRIL 30th!

WHAT?!! LEAPING LIZARDS BATMAN! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! Barely 7 weeks till the day and not one thing is done yet. AAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Wait here for a moment while the parents faint. Deep breaths, nice and slow. O.K., better now. We can make this happen. We'll get it done. We may not sleep between now and then but we will have a wedding on the 30th of April.

The best news is that by the end of today we had knocked a couple of the heavy items off our list. We found THE DRESS and we locked down the location! Whew! (Yah baby. That's what I'm talkin' about. Lol!) Still, got tons left to do, but feeling a little better now that we got a couple biggies off the list!

Wish us luck! Oh to be young and impetuous! :}

SOMETIMES . . .

I don't understand old adages and sayings until I actually experience them. My latest: "A mother's work is never done." That never used to make much sense to me until recently. I'm starting to get it now that I spend my days chasing a couple of toddlers, trying to pick up after them and keep up with them. (Not to mention having a busy teenager.) I realize Mom's spend the whole day running and rescuing so that at night when we have tucked our little angels in bed we can finally try to accomplish the work we intended to do all day. I'm guessing that's why it's nearly 2:00 a.m. and I'm still on the job! WILL SOMEONE PLEASE PUT ME TO BED! LOL!

BRAVO GRANDPA!

Grandpa had his one year appointment with the surgeon who performed his knee surgery today. The surgeon was really pleased with Grandpa's progress. He thinks he has done exceptionally well! It seems kind of strange to think it's only been a year since he first had surgery. It seems forever ago. I mean, we are old hands at this now--having been through both knee and shoulder surgeries, not to mention two rounds of physical therapy. I can hear Grandpa now saying, "We who?" Ha ha ha! And he would be right! He has done all the hard work! Great job, Grandpa! One more shoulder to go! Hee, hee, hee!

MORE WHAT?!

Last night we got about four or five inches of snow. It started in late afternoon and just kept coming. None of us even knew it was going to snow and the next thing we knew we were knee deep in it! Lol!

Grandma had a physical therapy appointment this morning for the bursitis in her hip. Hopefully, that will do some good. The shot helped a little but not fully.

Took the little ones in for their 18 month and 3 year old check-ups today. I decided to schedule them back to back and just get them done. Just me and them. I am a crazy woman! On top of that Jonathon needed four shots and Carly, two. That went over really big! NOT! (Maybe next time I'll be smarter!)
We'll see.

So, tonight I've had two ouchy, cranky kids. Oh well, this too shall pass. Things are good.

I'M A PIE!

Grandma told Carly she was a sweetie pie and Carly looked at her quizzically and said; "I'm a pie?" After a few minutes she decided she liked the idea and they talked about what kind of pie she wanted to be. She decided she was a chocolate pie. She came up to me tonight and said; "Mommy, I'm a pie! I'm a chocolate pie!" I said; "Oh wow, you are my most favorite pie!" And she is! Lol!

BEAN FATIGUE

Julie and I have been on a diet for a little over a week now, although it seems like two. Mom refers to it as our "Nuts and Berry's" diet and that really isn't too far from the truth unfortunately. Actually, it's not quite that bad. It's the "Eat to Live" diet. It's mostly fruits and vegetables, a few grains here and there (very few), a few nuts and all the beans you can eat. Lol! You really don't ever have an excuse to be hungry because you can eat all the fruits, veggies and beans you want. It doesn't however, keep you from having an excuse to be cranky!

This past week I have made burgers out of beans and veggies, meatless chil with beans, meatless taco soup with beans, vegan bean dip for veggies, great northern beans and even meatless sloppy joes with beans. I'm not sure I even need to tell you I have BEAN FATIGUE! Crimenently Lizzie! How do you Vegans do it? Gah! There has to be more to life than this--wait, there is more to life than this! I can't wait til I am off this diet! Hopefully, just one more week!

Julie and I talked about taking a one day break today and starting again tomorrow. She was craving Cheetos and I was craving homemade Chocolate Chip cookies--but we talked each other out of it. Probably a good thing. Just a few more pounds to go before I am comfortably at my pre-Thanksgiving weight! Yep, just shedding the five I gained at TG and the five I gained during Christmas! I didn't even try to have willpower this year and now I'm paying for it! Anyone for some Beansketti? Just kidding! Can't have pasta on this diet! Ha!

SATURDAY

This morning I had my niece and nephew over. Carly and Jono loved having company to play with. Their Dad had a funeral to go to so we watched them for him. Kaden, the older of the two had a basketball game so we all went and watched him play. Unfortunately, his team lost. Afterwards, we took everyone out to eat (McDonalds with a playland) so they ended up being happy campers.

Everyone got a nice afternoon nap and then we spent the rest of the day playing catch-up and planning for Sunday, getting groceries, etc. Not too much excitement here!

Grandma's hip is still hurting even with the shot. It has helped a little but not much. We are still hoping it will kick in more than it has. She is going to start physical therapy on it next week.

Jono still has a cold and some respiratory gunk going on but I think he is doing a bit better, too.

The rest of us are just hanging in there. Take care, N.

SICK BABY, TIRED MOMMY

Poor Jono hasn't been feeling well today. He was up during the night last night a few times for a total of about four hours. He vomited and had a small temperature and a tummy ache. He just whimpered and cried when his tummy would hurt. I felt so bad for him. There wasn't much I could do but just hold him and comfort him. I was able to rock him back to sleep a couple of times but it was clear he really didn't feel good. So, it's been a long day for him and a tiring one for me. I do think by evening Jonathon was feeling a bit better. He for sure had more energy than he did this morning.

Grandpa had his last physical therapy appointment today. They are really proud of how well he has done! He will continue working on his movements on equipment we have here at home but he doesn't have to do anything official anymore. Although, now that he's done, Grandma starts her PT! We are just rotating the sick and injured at this house! C'mon over (if you dare!) Lol!

Well, not much else going on tonight. More later. N.

MY HUBBY'S HOME

Rob had a long week. I know it only turned Friday today! But he spent the first part of his week in CA at a training and the second part in Colorado fixing things. So, he's had four flights in four days and way too little sleep. I'm so glad to have him home safely and all the kids are glad to see him, too. We miss him when he's gone. Love you Honey!

TODAY

Took the little ones over to play with some of their friends today for a few hours and had lunch with their mom while they all had fun. Then we came home and did naps.

Made a pot of chili and just spent the evening hanging out with the family. Nothing really eventful happened today. I guess that can be a good thing.

Oh so much to do and so little motivation. I need a good kick in the can! Either that or my motivation gene needs a new battery! Wish that were possible. Maybe a good night's sleep will recharge it. We'll see. Night all!

MORE CARLY

I wish the lighting had turned out better on these but I still think they are pretty cute.