Just another day

This week has been busy.  My hubby's bro and sister in law came into town for a few days.  We had so much fun seeing them and having Uncle "B" rowdy up my boys right before bedtime.  We all love them and had a great time having them here.

As most of you know, my mom is getting married.  I am planning and decorating and am grateful to have a friend helping me.  Last night we got so much done and I feel like I just finished a big report for school or something.  Feels good to have it all down on paper--seeing how it turns out may be a different story.  But I think it will be really nice.

Today during co-op for the boys, I took Abby for a quick shopping trip.  I found her a cute dress for the wedding and found Carter a nice suit.  I was SO excited to find them, only to get home and find out that the suite coat doesn't match the pants!  I'm really hoping I can return it and get a good set.  Carter tried it on and looked like G-Q smooth!  I bought the boys matching ties, too.  I really enjoy finding cute stuff for my kids, at real stores.  By real stores, I mean most of my shopping for the kids is done at Once Upon a Child, garage sales, or hand-me-downs.  Don't let me fool you though, I'm all about finding a good sale at a "real" store.  End of the season sales are great :)

And now we're home.  I'm enjoying the sound of Abby making noises at the flowers and rocks in a bowl I have on the table.  She keeps making sounds, and then whispering to each item.  Wonder what she is saying.  She's probably explaining why her face is getting red for a moment and then quickly back to normal color--then back to red.  Thank goodness those rocks and flowers can't smell, because I know what she's doing.  I'm off to get the diaper and wipes....

Say What?

Today was a fun, interesting day. I took Abby to the eye doctor, which went well. Then I had arranged to have my mother-in-law watch the two littles, while I took Brandon to the Art Museum. I was a bit sceptical after what happened last week when I took the youngest two. I thought Brandon would love it, but wasn't for sure and I didn't want to have any bad memories resurface from last week. It was that bad.
Brandon and I had a great time learning and laughing together! We played in the kids area, did the Egypt Live Forever tour, and then went to look at the art displayed in the different rooms. Last week we didn't even make it through the Egypt tour--therefore nothing past that part. But it was a blessing in disguise. Let me explain.
As we enter the first room Brandon and I are looking at the art work on the walls. Brandon was very excited to see the hanging art, as one of his favorite movies is with a character that goes to an art museum. Now HE was actually at one looking at the artwork. When low and behold Brandon comes along a picture and says, "Hey mom, look at this one." It wasn't like an excited,"Hey mom, look at this one!" Is was more like an uncertain, "Hey mom, look at this one." I turn to see a picture of a nude women looking into a mirror that was really 3-D like. It was not the art I was expecting to see---or wanted to see!!! We had a good teaching moment about "art" and nudity. So I unintentionally introduced my 6 year old to porn today. So that was quite awkward. Then we leave that room and come across some sculptures. He was very interested in the sculptures.....until we came upon one he didn't understand. Why wouldn't my 6 year old not know what a naked torso of a man down to his private looked like! One that was missing arms and had only one half leg. I had to explain that one. He had a smirk when I said, "They do the nude stuff with the women and men." As soon as we walked away from that odd sculpture--we see a whole naked man sculpture. Come on!! So we would skip the rooms when we saw nudity. Brandon was pretty funny and when he looked in one he said, "Oh mom, you don't want to go into this one!" Crazy that even at 6 year old, they know somethings not right when people show their private parts. Next time I'll know to bring a blindfold :)
Other then that section, we had a total blast. I LOVE spending time with my family. It's really fun to want to hang out with your kids. And I feel so blessed to have them in my life. And Neal's alright too :)

Beautiful day!

Today was beautiful!  70 degrees!!!--that's what I'm talkin 'bout.  We went on a family bike ride tonight and it was SO fun.  Except-Carter has to get out of training wheels--when he tries to go up hills the little wheels just spin and spin--he gets so frustrated and I feel so bad for him.  For Brandon's upcoming birthday, I took him to get a new bike today.  He LOVED that.  He loved being able to take it for a test spin and that a friend was our salesman and taught Brandon all about the bike.  Brandon has been on cloud 9 all day.  (Just wait till his actual birthday--we'll see how excited he is then when we don't get him anything else.)

It's so refreshing to spend time outside and to see neighbors out in about.

Go Green!

You're probably thinking this title entry is for St. Patty's Day, but it's not.  I've been teaching the kidos about going green lately.  Today we took a trip to one of the "Go Green" adventures in Groveport.  We learned how to save the planet :) and then met a sweet frog-who freaked Abby out.  I thought he was a cute little thang and the boys loved it.  Then we went nature searching, hoping to catch a frog or two in our nets.  No such luck-a bit too cold today.  We had a great time.  And--instead of seeing a nasty looking duck, geese, turkey(see other entry) we saw two beautiful swans!!  They were friendly too-not like those annoying geese and ducks you see all over.  In fact-I must be going through a bird phobia because I have been having dreams about the ugly geese around here lately.  My last dream, I was running them all over with my car and was even hauling through ponds to destroy them--I'd say I have issues :)

Now Neal's pulling in with dinner and then we'll enjoy our FHE :)  Can't wait.  Talk to ya'll later.  Hope everyone has a great week!

Go Buckeyes!

Don't know if you had a chance to check out the Big 10 tournament games today--but OSU won:)  YEAH!!  (I love college b-ball)  Neal took Brandon and they had a great time.  I was jealous.  Instead, I decided to take my 4 yr old and 2 yr old to an Art Museum.  What in the world was I thinking?!  The first half hour was cool, but then once we weren't in the kid section anymore, it was quite the adventure.  There is nothing like taking your hands on learners, who touch everything and can't even sit through a 2 minute family prayer, to a museum.  Ok-some can, but not mine.  Talk about pulling my hair out.  I went with 2 other sweet mothers and their obedient 4 yr olds.  So-that made me feel like mother of the year when my kids are acting crazy and everyone else is enjoying spending the day with their kids.  Oh well, we have good days and normal days.  Today was a normal one :) ha!

After the museum, I decided that we were going to get some pizza and then watch the game at home.  Great decision!  I GPS'd where the nearest Pizza Hut was, drove all the way there in ghetto land to find out it wasn't there anymore!  So I try another one--not there either.  Not adding up to a relaxing afternoon of pizza and the game.  So I finally drive to the one I know (semi-close to the house)  The pizza turned out fabulous and I can't tell you how many pieces I indulged in--bring it on!!  (my hubby hates Pizza Hut, so I get it whenever he's away) :)

So a close game, turned into a big W for the Buckeyes and I felt refreshed.  Just what I needed.  I was able to spend a great afternoon with my 2 littles and then guess what!!?  My 4 year old asks if we can go back to the museum.  WHAT!!  I'll save that trip for dad.  

Everyone stay healthy

Today started with my oldest, Brandon, running a fever that started late last night.  His temp was 103.8 under the arm!  I talked to the doctor and he told me that he has seen a lot of virus going around.  That you just need to do all you can to keep the fever down and ride it out.  So if your little ones have a fever and no other symptoms, you may just have one of these viruses.  Brandon's temp would spike, then go down, then spike.  I'm not a doctor, but that's what mine said-so this might save you a unnecessary trip to the doctors office.  (i had called and left a message for the dr. and then i decided to just make an appt.--right before I called to schedule the appt. my doctor called back)  So many of you have had sick littles, or have been sick yourself.  I hope you are feeling better.  This one day nice, next day crappy weather doesn't help either.  My healthy kids were dying to go out and play today.  Just too cold.  And we had two school activities planned today and we were all pretty bummed not to have been able to go.  This staying inside stuff is awful!  I REALLY hope Brandon feels better in the morning so we can go to co-op.  We missed last week because Carter had this virus and both boys had croup--not going to co-op made both boys sad.  So they (and me) are really hoping we can go tomorrow.

Alright--I'm going to bed after watching the depressing news.

Oh-BTW, I did post pictures of the ugly duck, geese, turkey bird I saw yesterday at the pond.  It's on my fb page.  Check it out--it is a site!!

Great days ahead

Today was so beautiful!  It was warm and very sunny--which means Spring is on it's way, right???  Not in Ohio!  Tomorrow we are suppose to see a 40 degree difference then today's temp.  Go figure.  But I am holding on that we will see brighter days soon.

And for today--we enjoyed it!  I took the kids to a near-by pond and we unloaded some old bread.  We had a great time.  Carter enjoyed chasing the geese and Brandon explored around the pond looking for the geese that weren't getting any.  Abby threw bread and then would hang on to me like the ducks and geese might try her too.  The geese swarmed us like we were celebrities or something.  I mean, real red carpet treatment--wouldn't leave us alone.

After sharing bread with the ducks, we went on a nice walk and checked out the nature.  Fun stuff.  Then tonight--we grilled out.  I LOVE the smell of the grill and having the window and doors open.  I'm really looking forward to spring, I'm telling ya!  

And--the best part of the day--I finally worked out!!  I know--most of you do this and you are my heroes.  It takes all that I have to get up early so I can work out.  I actually did it today.  Isn't it funny that once you work out you feel like 10 lbs lighter.  Then once you eat your first cookie after the workout you feel 10 lbs heavier?  I hope I feel good tomorrow and can get my tail out of bed.  Sure would like to feel good again today.  

Hope everyone is doing well.  You are wonderful ladies.  Thanks for welcoming back into the blog world.

Fun on Mondays

I'm not a big fan of starting Mondays, but I love Monday nights!!!  They are my favorite night of the week.  It's the night of the week when the whole family is together-it's called Family Home Evening(FHE).  When dad gets home, the fun starts.  We let the phone go unanswered, the tv./electronics are off, and we are ready for some great times together.  We pray, sing songs, have a nice spiritual lesson (which we take turns doing) and then of course snacks and games.  I just have to say, there is NOTHING like having children teach you.  Last week my sons, Brandon and Carter, team taught about blessings.  Carter held up pictures, while Brandon taught us what was happening in the pictures.  Brandon had picked out the pictures by himself.  (We have a blue filing folder/book that has pictures and stories from the Scriptures.)  I sat and watched and thought how pleased our Heavenly Father must be when tiny families meet together and share what life is really about, especially with so much "wrong" going on in the world.  I am grateful for my family and love them so much.  

Tonight we learned about Helamen's 2000 warriors and my hubby and the children all paid a nice tribute to me as a mom.  (Maybe they felt they had to since the 2000 warriors mothers were the bomb!)  It's so awesome hearing your kids say, "I want to share my testimony, that mom is the boss".  hee hee :)  just kidding.

We just finished making banana muffins for our snack.  They smell wonderful and I'm so ready to stuff my cheeks.  There goes the timer---peace out!!

Why am I awake?

Hey friends!  I'm awake and it's almost the next day--it's midnight baby:)  I'm about to start howlin at the moon.

The fam is feeling better.  Everyone stayed home from church--except me.  I actually got to go and learn for once :)  No kids to split up, no husband to wake up.  It was very nice.

I made a dope dinner tonight-roast, mashed potatoes, corn, peas, and bread.  The kids didn't eat so well, but Neal ate like a champ and that made me so happy.  It's hard to eat when your sick and the kids haven't eaten well in a few days.

I've been spending most of the afternoon uploading pics to facebook.  I'm posting a lot of old school photos when I use to work with the youth at church.  It's fun.  I really miss that calling!!!!!!!!!!!!  I love working with the youth and they have the best leaders.  Some of you are still their leaders and I am so jealous!!  You have the best callings ever :)

So now that I've gone through a lot of pics, my eyes are all blurry.  But--I have to pay tribute to the blog baby.  I'm getting back into the groove.  Tomorrow's task--change this boring background!!  (thanks for the email Andrea.--I guess I won't have to add the racey backgrounds I ran into online :)...)  Night all--I'm off to beddy booskie.

I'm back....

Today started with me working my tail off by sterilizing everything in site.  All the boys-Neal, Brandon and Carter are all sick.  They all have fevers, aces, and the boys have croup.  It's been pretty miserable around here, needless to say--lots of whining and mom getting cabin fever.  I was thrilled to go to my friends baby shower today to get away.  So after I washed everything in site and did all the Cinderella chores, I got everyone down for naps and then went to the shower.  I enjoyed talking with friends and just being out of the house--(is that wrong? :)  My friends urged me to get back into the blog world, so here's my attempt--(thanks Kelly and Amanda :0)  

Here's a recap of what I've been doing since my last post in November of 2008!--

Let's see--does anyone remember the McDonald's commercial a few years back when they had all different types of people saying at the same time, while moving there head from side to side, "Get up, Go to work, Go home, Go to bed."  They repeat it over and over in a monotone voice and then after a few times of saying that, they get excited and in the mist of saying the repeated phrase they say, "Go to McDonald's,"--"Go to bed."---Well that's about what I've been doing the past months and year.  Groundhogs day :)  

But I wouldn't have it any other way.  I absolutely LOVE my life.  I'm a stay at home mom, work part time with the handicap, homeschooling, WIFE!!!  What more could I ask for?!

I truly feel blessed to have such a wonderful hubby and three lovely kids.  I am thankful for all of you that read and comment on my blog and facebook.  It is so nice to go through life with fun people like you.  We can all vent, share, love, and be "us" together--thanks to all of you!  So I'm back into the blog world--so watch for more posts to come.  (and I will change my background as soon as Lisa or Kristin can show me how again :)