Catch up

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but I am quite a slacker these days. I have been up to my eyeballs in summer and not taken the chance to sit down and blog. Shame on me. I have been thoroughly enjoying NOT getting up at 6:30 a.m. In fact I should get up earlier than I am. Maybe next week. I have been very good about getting my exercise. It is so much fun to do with three little girls heckling me the entire time. This morning I was down on my elliptical machine with Roo (formerly known as my baby) telling me to get off because it was her turn the entire time. As soon as I was done, she wanted nothing to do with it. Go figure. Little stinker. So far summer has been good. Rainy, but good. The fighting amongst the natives is at a minimum most of the time. We have Movie Monday, library Weds. and they and trying to fit as many friends in between that as they can.



Roo started swim lessons this last week and it will be quite an adventure. Their poor teacher has three little stinkers in this class that do not want to do anything....including Roo. I do a lot of coaxing and a little bit of threatening. She is now much less afraid of the water and I am hoping by the end of lessons she will actually put her head under. She is cracking me up by randomly plugging her nose and sinking just up to her eyes in slow motion. I was glad I took my video camera the first day to catch her in action. Her sisters are feeling quite ripped off that they don't get lessons but have come along and cheered her on. They are such good big sisters.



Tues. night I had my card swap meeting. (can you hear the hallelujah choir in the background?) As always it was awesome. Cute cards, great time to wind down. I am loving it. I forgot to take a pic of my card before I gave them away. It wasn't my favorite card, so I didn't make one for myself. The project was a lot of fun. We made Father's Day card with clear scraps. It is this really cool clear plastic stuff you can cut on your cricut and then we colored it and it makes a very cute, quick card. Did I mention I just love to go to swap nights?

Now we need to figure out what to do for Hubby for Father's Day. He is so very hard to figure out when it comes to what he needs. Last year he wanted to go to Vegas and eat at a buffet for Father's day. Since that wasn't something we could do at the time, the girls and I made our own buffet and called it the "Lost Wages" buffet. I would love to do it again, but church is at 9 and in order to get that all done I would have to get up WAY too early. I will have to figure something else out. I will have plenty of help because the girls like to spoil their daddy.

Maybe I will take the time to play today. I haven't even taken time to do anything fun. Maybe I will just sit back and enjoy not having anything much to do.

Silence

There is one thing I treasure in the middle of the day that I never even thought of before I had children. It is to sit in my house with silence surrounding me. No tv, no radio, just the sounds of the birds outside and the kitchen fan that is always running. I dropped the children off to spend the week-end at grandma's for the cousin slumber party and am now sitting at home thinking about all the things I could be doing. (it should not involve time on the computer, but it is way past time that I catch up my blog). I have not had much quiet at our house since school got out a week ago. My baby is not happy that her life has been interrupted and she has spent a good part of summer break so far "lelling" at her sisters for all the things she thinks they should, or should not be doing. They don't want to watch "her size" on tv and she doesn't like "thier size." They think they need to spend time alone in their rooms. She doesn't think that is very fair. They want to have their friends over and she wants to be involved in every possible second of what they are doing. It is a hard job being the baby, just ask her.

Anyway, since I haven't posted since before school got out I need to catch up just a bit. We had the end of school awards assembly. B just happened to get the Hope of America award. This is a big honor. It is sponsored by the local Kiwanis club. One girl and boy in each 6th grade class get this award. I asked B if she was surprised and she said, no. Humility is not her strong point. The qualifications are that the student must demonstrate leadership, ethical and moral character and outstanding academic accomplishment. B said she realized as they read the award, she fit all those catagories. I can't argue with her but the though that she and her blonde brain are the hope of America scares me just a little bit. I am proud of her for being a good girl and hope she continues on her course, blondeness and all.

M&M came home the last day of school broken hearted. She does this every year, and every year I forget until she comes in the house sobbing. She is going to miss her teacher. I think this year is especially bad. She had an amazing teacher that M&M loves. The fact that she will still see her next year doesn't matter to her. It just won't be the same. She's is right about that, but we all have to move on, it's part of life.

Now I get to wait for my dear hubby to come home. I hope he is not as late as he thinks he is going to be. On the other hand, if he is, I can get some stamping done and maybe have something to post. I do know that I am going to savor every bit of quiet until I go pick up the girls tomorrow.

Happy Anniversary/Memorial day week-end

Friday was Hubby and I's anniversary. It was a good one. We weren't lacking for adventure though. Thurs. afternoon the pump to the well went out. No water. Not a drizzle. So we were very glad we had made reservations for our anniversary and were headed out of town to a hotel with running water. Since we did not know how long we were going to be out of water, I ran to the laundra-mat before we left town. 6 loads of laundry in a little over an hour. That felt good. Major accomplishment. If it weren't so creepy there, I might consider doing that more often.

Friday afternoon we left our waterless abode and headed north. Dropped the girls off at grandma and pa's house and enjoyed the sweet silence. No one griping they were bored. No screaming because someone is doing something someone else didn't like. Just a nice quiet ride. The hotel was beautiful. First thing I did upon arrival was turn every faucet on and flush the toilet, just because I could. That should not have been the first thing on my mind, but the fact I could shower or bath anytime I wanted was very exciting. I definately wanted to stay one....or twelve more nights please. It was the perfect place to spend our anniversary.

Saturday we decided on a whim to go see if we could get a massage. This is way out of our comfort zone. I didn't think Nate would actually go through with it. When we made the appt. he made it VERY clear that he did not want the male massage therapist. He had visions of Seinfeld going through his head. Silly boy. I wasn't sure I wanted someone named Ben that up close and personal with me either, but we went for it anyway. It was a very wise move. I couldn't believe an hour had actually passed. Ben is very good at his job. I am thinking that needs to be a regular date night activity. Nate enjoyed it so much he asked the girl that worked on him if she was married. Very funny dear.

Time to go pick the girls up always rolls around way too fast. I love my girls, but I also love having a little break from them. Especially when I get to spend time alone with my hubby. The fact that when we got home there was still no water didn't help much. Thanks mom for doing the girl's laundry. I am not quite so far behind now.

As of today all is well. The water is back, they finished up about 15 minutes before we got home from church. I swear I have never been so thirsty, or needed to use the bathroom more than when we didn't have water. I have always been very good at wanting things I know I cannot have.

Today we are spending some time at home catching up. We need to go visit the cemetary, but don't look forward to that task. It is very daunting and it is still hard. It is a day to reflect those who have gone before us to a better place. Especially those who have given thier lives for the freedom we enjoy. Hope you take a moment to remember those in your lives who have gone before you too.

Now it is back to school tomorrow to finish up the year of school. Only three more days. That is a very good thing.

Happy Mother's Day

To all those Mother's out there in the trenches I wish you Happy Mother's Day. This is a day of reflection for me. I think about my Mom and all the things she has taught me to do. She has helped shape me into the person I have become. I am so thankful for the great example that she has set for me. I hope I can be an example for my girls so they want to grow up and be Mom's too. I also have to give a shout our to my Mother-in-law. Without her, I would not have my hubby dear and who knows where I would be without him. I am in-debted to her for raising a son who spoils me rotten and is an amazing Dad.

Today in church we had several Mom's speak about mother-hood. I admire every woman who spoke today and think they did a great job. I will do well if I use them as examples. It makes me feel good to know this is a journey we, as mother's, take together. No one is perfect, no one has perfect children. We all have our ups and downs. I had to laugh as one of my friends reminded me of the first time one of her children lost their lunch all over the carpet and she realized she was now the mom and she had to clean it up. I am so glad I am done with dirty diapers, and only have one more kiddo left to help learn to ride a bike. I love the little every day things my kids do to let me know they need me.....and I know I need them.

Motherhood is definately a privelidge and a great adventure and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It isn't easy, and sometimes it is the hardest thing I have ever done. But no matter what these girlies throw at me, I am glad I am thier mom.

Blessed

It has been one of "those" weeks at our house. One that I just want to sit in a corner and cry....perferably with a diet pepsi in one hand and some form of chocolate, or another diet pepsi in the other. I have shed more than a few tears (no, I was not it a corner, but I wanted to be) and now it is time to move on and just be thankful for all the things I have been blessed with. I even have a few examples...

This is a picture of my baby's latest form of tantrum.
She sure showed me. She gets mad, tells me off a little, or a lot depending on the mood and then puts her little self right to bed. She thinks it is a punishment to me, and by golly I will suck it up and take that punishment. It gives me a few moments of quiet which I will gladly accept.

I got to go to my stamp group Tues. night and it was amazing as always. I havent' taken a picture to show the treasures I got, but I will. I always feel better after our meeting. I should pay my sister-in-law who invited me go.....the therapy is good and I feel like I can conquer just a little bit more after I have spent some time playing.

My class supplies didn't show up in time for my class on Weds. morning. Yes, it is a blessing. My Monday and Tues (up until Tues night's meeting of course) were pretty rotten, and I couldn't have handled a class Weds. morning. By the time I got my supplies Weds. afternoon and I threw the kits together the world was looking better and it gave me something else to think about. Plus, I got my new paper in my order and love it. New scrapbook paper always makes me happy, even if I have enough to last probably the rest of my life.

My girls piano teacher picked up their gold cups they earned from festival. She rocks. I didn't know if we were going to get them or not. She has only been their piano teacher for a few months. Our previous teacher got them to festival, but has quit teaching piano due to other opportunities that have come up. We miss her, and wish her well, but it has been a positive change and the girls are loving the new teacher too. It made my day when she emailed me and told me she had their cups. It was just a very thoughtful thing to do.

I have had a great time with my classes the last two days. I have such good friends who are so patient with me. I hope I can return the kindness to them when they need it.

My biggest blessing is my sweet hubby. I do not think I would be able to acomplish the things I do without his love and support. He is always watching out for others and serving them even when it isn't necessary. He is a great example to me. He is an amazing Dad and I really hope that he knows how much I love him. (and no dear, it has nothing to do with the Mother's Day present you let me order myself)

Every once in a while I need to just take a step back and be thankful for what I have and it makes everything else just a little easier.

Hot Lava

Tonight we decided to take the girls and head on down to Lave Hot Springs, or as the girls refer to it "hot lava". I forget that is not what it's real name is. I don't know why but it always intrigues me to sit and watch people at Hot Lava. LOTS of women wearing bikini's that probably shouldn't be, girls who are wearing board shorts and t-shirts, who could probably get away with a bikini, but I applaud their modesty. The teen's running around trying to get noticed. The mom's like me doing what ever they can not to get noticed, which is really hard to do when I hang with a 3 year old that stalks other children. (long story) I am always glad I am a woman when we go anywhere that swimwear is required. Thank goodness we didn't see any speedo's tonight. I always get a kick out of the girls when they see a guy in a speedo. I don't care how good looking you are.....no one looks good in one of those. And I would love to not know exactally what you are packin' if ya know what I mean. There is not a lot of variety in men's swimwear, and I am really glad to get to be a little bit more covered up.

Makes me think back to when my Dad used to take us swimming at the local watering hole. He would settle in on the beach in his jeans, button down the front long sleeve shirt, boots and then he would put his hat on his face and take a nap. There was no missing where he was. We just looked for the guy that was way overdressed for the beach. Back then I didn't even realize that he never came in with us. Now I am wondering what he would have done if we would have drowned.....or if he would have slept through the whole thing. All I know is we were just happy to be there and there is no way I would ever, ever let my kids get in that water. Ewwww.

But tonight was a good break. The girls watched a movie on the way there and back, and were ready to go to bed when we got home. I just hope I can pry their tired little selves out of bed at the crack of dawn to go to church. No matter how hard it is, Hot Lava was definately worth it.

Happy B-day M & M

10 years ago today, right at this moment, I was in the hospital getting ready to welcome daughter number 2 into the world. I had just spent the evening before watching the news as the Columbine trajedy unfolded wondering what was going to become of my little ones in this world of ours. I was telling her just yesterday what Columbine is, and what happened there. I have always been thankful for a little bit of joy during the aftermath of such a terrible thing.

M & M hasn't changed much since she came into the world. She has always known what she wanted, and usually figures out a way to get it. When she was little people told me she should be the new gerber baby, or go to hollywood. She is definately dramatic enough to do that, but like her father, she does not like people telling her what to do. I don't know if hollywood could handle her or not.

I am proud of M and the person she has become in these short 10 years. At home she is a little trouble maker, always pushing buttons. (thus the reason for the large age gap between her and the baby) Away from home she is a sweet girl who is very aware of those around her. She tries to do what she thinks is right and spends a lot of time by herself because she is not willing to change her values to go along with the crowd. She is a great example to others. I feel like the luckiest mom in the world to have such a beautiful 10 year old today.

On the downside, that means I have 2 children in the "double digits" and means I am getting older. I do not like to be reminded of that fact even thought the image in the mirror is a constant reminder. The grey hair I try to hide, the wrinkles, and all the other loverly things that happen as we get older. I am thankful for my health, and my family.

Anyway.....we are going to enjoy the evening taking her to eat anywhere her heart desires and then home to watch Bigget Loser, her favorite show. And since it is her birthday, she will probably get to stay up and watch the whole thing. Then we will have to brace ourselves for her party with her friends over the week-end.

So M & M, have a great day and know your mom loves you and thinks you are fabulous.