a house full of insanity

I feel pretty!!!

2012-01-25T18:29:00.000-08:00

Okay if you are wondering, yes we are still working on the construction that is our house. Disarray is the word of the day around here. We did get the foyer painted this weekend and that was a HUGE undertaking, especially when my husband and I have to work together. Let's just say we bickered. I did keep telling him I can't read your mind... and he still would just assume I knew what he was thinking. He thought I was kidding when I told him to tell me every little step. UGH... men. But we got it done. It wasn't pretty at some points when I was precariously hanging onto the ladder, which was stretched maybe a tad little too far over the banister, to trim the ceiling. Teamwork, ugly teamwork, but teamwork nonetheless. I couldn't have done it by myself that is for sure. {Our living room -- crammed with all the stuff from the foyer, closet, bathroom, and dining room)

On Monday night I got my hair done by a beginner stylist. I suggest never doing this. Her training has only been what mommy has taught her and her only clients thus far have been her dolls. (poor barbie) Tugging, twisting, coloring (I chose blue AND purple) and 30 minutes later ......

..... I was ready to go grocery shopping. Maybe not, but it had kept Rosie entertained for a while. Taking much much patience and willpower, I successfully made it through my entire appointment with out getting up and walking away. She was not keen on advice how to do my hair because I did not have a "hair certificate." Green construction paper with crayon markings scribbled on it and her signature (which she is getting really good at in cursive) apparently accounts as a "hair certificate". She had thought of everything. I had tried to avoid her doing my hair by telling her I only let certified people work on my hair. No such luck when she came up with the flimsy green "certificate".

I don't know where I got these girly girls from, but mommy rarely leaves the house with makeup ON. Both my older girls were begging for makeup from Santa this year and Santa delivered for Rosie. Uncle Neil came through for Gigi, who got her first makeup set complete with press on nails. She was in heaven!! So Tuesday we got out her OWN makeup bag and had a little mani - pedi.

When we had her nails all done and her hair all fancy, she commented that because she looked so pretty today that we should go out for lunch. How can I argue with that?? So we went out for lunch. Her request was any place with mac and cheese, so we chose Chili's. The food was scrumptious and the girls did SOOOO good. Gigi was entertained by a game thingy at the table (it was actually hard to get her attention to even talk to her mommy) and Lil Miss was content coloring. They are just so grown up!

{She's a righty!}
On Wednesday we conquered another battle... baths. Lil Miss recently has not enjoyed bath time. We kick and scream and cry when even close to the tub. This usually is followed by quickly getting her hair wet and wiping down really fast and getting her out. Last night I was a mean mommy and made her stay in the tub awhile (holding on to her and managing to keep her from clawing her way out) and miraculously after about 5 minutes she actually started to play. YEAH!!! One thing to note is that she hates running water. If the faucet is on she freaks. So we filled the tub and kept her out until the water was in and that seems to be a tad better. She wasn't all crazy about the bathtub and never once sat down in the water but it is a baby step in the right direction. This happened all of a sudden. She used to love the water and baths and then about 3/ 4 months ago she wigged out and wanted nothing to do with it. I hope this is a start to a more calming bath experience from now on. Now we can all feel pretty and clean!!!

He's HOME!!!

2012-01-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

Daddy is home.
There were lots of hugs.
Lots of catching up on sleep.
But he is home and life is back to normal.
{eating lunch in the car waiting for daddy's plane to land!}
The girls and I went to pick daddy up from the airport. He could have drove and parked at the airport, but I thought it would be good if the kids and I all last Sunday dropped him off to see the airport and see where he was going. SO, Friday morning me and the girls went to pick him up. This was also the morning it decided to have a snow storm, a beautiful large snow flake falling at just the right density to be absolutely breathtaking if you weren't having to drive in it. The girls and I swung through the panera drive thru and headed to the airport. We had ordered a sandwich for daddy too just in case he was hungry, and was mommy right? One of the first things he said after getting in the car, after saying hi and that he missed us, was that he was starving. Picture this wife whipping out a hot bacon Tuscan chicken sandwich and being the wife of the year. YEAH! A large Pepsi was also sitting there for him to enjoy. Nate went through a little temperature shock going from 90* in Sao Paulo to 9* in the Quad Cities.

{Daddy's plane landed!!!}

It wasn't 5 minutes that he was home before he was lacing up his boots to snow plow the driveway and sidewalk. Gigi didn't want him to leave so she bundled up and went out with him. She was a BIG helper.

Lil Miss and mommy stayed inside where it was warm.

Daddy returned just in time for a nice snow storm and at least 5 inches of snow.

{Gigi making a path through the grass}

{I was amazed out well she scooped the snow. It was the most perfect fluffy snow!!!}

{making up for lost time cuddling with daddy -- fuzzy picture from my iphone but so cute I couldn't pass it up!}
The two older kids couldn't wait to get home from school to hug daddy. On our way home from school, Bubba had big plans to ask daddy to play pig outside. I was the barer of bad news reminding him that the driveway was covered in snow and it would be impossible to bounce a basketball outside today. Mean mommy! The rest of the night we just cuddled in the basement relaxed. Daddy was so tired that he was talking and doesn't even remember. It was an early night for all of us.

{this is NOT fun... painting a foyer, UGH!}
Nate didn't rest up much getting into the projects around the house right away. Currently we are in the middle of painting the foyer before he installs the wood floor. We made a pack last night that all other projects we will higher professionals for. We are so over the home projects!!!

{got the supplies...not the motivation!}

{Lil miss now has her own doo rag to match her sisters, the girls didn't want to leave her out. She pulls it off quite nicely. The girls where these to bed to keep their hair nice overnight and to not touch the cotton pillowslips that dry out their hair. }

Yesterday we took a break to watch Bubba play basketball and see Rosie cheer at a 1st grade basketball game. They did a little half time show and cheered on the sidelines for the second half of the game. She did great and was all bubbly with energy like a cheerleader should be. This is new territory for mommy since I was a basketball girl, not a cheerleader kind of girl. She loves it though!!

Therapy to help a Traumatized Brain

2012-01-19T16:56:00.000-08:00

The brain is a fascinating thing. I could never be in the medical field because blood and pain freak me out, but I am fascinated by the brain and how it works. People have amnesia and lose their memories or even selective amnesia -- I couldn't imagine living life with a black hole where memories should be. And then there are those who have such a bad traumatic past who wish they had selective amnesia. My daughter is one of those. Our three oldest had a pretty rough childhood before they came into our family. They lost two major caretakers who had raised them, both leaving suddenly. So much loss has touched their little lives and especially our oldest Rosie, who has memories of it all. I can't imagine being in her place losing everything you loved and being placed in someone else's care. Someone who looks different, talks different, smells different, and that person whisks you away to a house that is strange and not "home". She had a right to feel unsafe and scared. But now after three years her brain is still in self preservation mode. She is just trying to survive the only way she knows how and that comes out as defiance and disruptive behavior to any passer by. But it really is the only way she knows how to express herself. As a mother you just want to protect them and take their pain away but for her we need to address these issues or things aren't gonig to get any better. Its no secret for those of us who know us personally that Rosie and I's relationship has its ups and downs. I just can't make her happy. She knew how to push my buttons and I didn't have the tools or knowledge on how to help "us". There are many a nights I go to bed crying thinking that I don't know what to do. I perceived this behavior as a defiant attitude put towards me and that it was all behavioral. While she was lashing out at me and stomping her feet and slamming doors, I was fearful for the girl she was becoming. I would give her things to help, but that didn't help. I would give her attention, but that was only temporary until I helped Gigi tie her shoe and Rosie would be upset again. So many times she would get me to my breaking point and I would find myself yelling at her... hating every word that was coming out of my mouth. And for those of you who judge.... I never thought I would be that mom. I can't for the life of me remember my mom yelling at me that's not how I was raised and there I was standing in front of my daughter yelling regretting it with every word spoken. Overwhelmed and knowing that our little battle back and forth was going no where, I called for help.... healing for both of us is on its way!

This past weekend Rosie and I went back to our adoption agency to go through a little bit of "therapy" to help start to heal her brain. All that behavior, the hoarding of food, the lashing out, the failure to communicate (are you singing Guns and Roses in your head now?) it was the only way she knew how to survive and communicate. Her survival skills before coming into our lives had taught her what she needed to survive. Now that she has us her brain hasn't learned how to let someone else take care of her and depend on a mom and dad. Her brain defiantly needs to heal and she needs to learn how to express herself especially when she is "deregulated" (nervous, anxious, scared, mad, etc.). When she gets anxious it comes out in anger or hurtful words in which I had perceived as behavioural issues and likely addressed accordingly by lecturing her (to no avail) or putting her in timeout or punishing her by taking things/privileges away. My parenting is just what I had learned from my childhood, remembering how I was parented or witnessing how my brother and sister in law raised their children. Parenting is something that you just acquire from watching people do it "right" or watching people do it "wrong". Those who you see doing it wrong you make a mental note not to do that! But every child is different. I had no clue growing up and watching someone parent being childless myself, it was easy to make a comment like "can you believe what she is doing?" or "Can't they quiet their child?" or my favorite "Can you believe her mom let her go out in that?" I take responsibility for spreading my "parenting wisdom" a few times before I had kids. I was so naive. You have no clue the history/relationship/style in which that other parent is making their family work...... okay sorry for the rant. So learning alot of knowledge about the traumatized brain from our GREAT adoption agency director was so enlightening. It was so encouraging and overwhelming at the same time. Rosie received a "toolbox" of items that she can use to help regulate and work through problems she has. My biggest concern now is using these tools in a healing way and having the time to really give Rosie the attention she needs. Sadly her brain isn't going to heal overnight and I am still learning alot and need to realize everyday that Rosie is just trying to survive with the skills that she has. It is my goal now to give her new skills to handle situations so that she can be happy.

I know this blog is a little more personal than I planned it, but I just felt the need to put my thoughts out there. If anyone can learn what to do or what not to do than I have served a purpose. Parenting is not easy. You can't read a book and get all the answers, trust me I have read hundreds of books and that has never solved the problem. It is hard to admit that things aren't perfect behind the scenes, but it is so much more important for my kids to be safe, than what other people think. Every mothers wish is that their children feel safe and loved. I have modified this wish to ask for the gift of my daughter's healing. I don't want her past to define her, I want the past to make her stronger. This may take time, years maybe, but I am doing my best to help her and will do anything for her. I think when you are waiting to adopt you don't anticipate some of the battles you have to go through. When you give birth and that percious pink bundle is placed in yoru arms you feel that they are a piece of you instantly. For me and Rosie that "moment" wasn't right away. It took her 13 days to even say the word "mom" and even then I don't think she totally understood what that meant. 46 days in from our placement I remember when she hugged me for the first time without me asking for a hug and that was a priceless moment. God placed her in my life and she has been one of my biggest blessings I only hope that I can give her what she needs.

I learned so much and I don't think we even touched the surface of her traumatized brain, but I will keep working and researching until I am blue in the face to make my daughter happy. A mother's love is stronger than anything and I plan on showing Rosie that!!! I may have been doing it all wrong before, but now I can change and be the mommy that she needs.
I hope to write more about Rosie's tools and share more about the traumatized brain,but let me see how these things go. We have been using some of the regulatory techniques for 5 days now and I see improvement.. but this is going to be a long process. It's amazing how easy it is to traumatize a brain but how long it will take to heal. The good news is that it can heal.

Shortbreads, Tag A Longs, and Samoas

2012-01-18T18:44:00.000-08:00

Oh yes I know they aren't called Samoas anymore they are called caramel melt something or other but they will always be samoas in my heart. We are selling Girl Scout Cookies! I say this with mustered enthusiasm since I love that my daughter is doing something that she loves (Daisys) but I HATE with a passion selling things. Rosie has 100 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to sell... 100. For a first year Daisy who hasn't done this before (and her mom who will have to help her through this every step of the way) this is a daunting task. I have tried to use the reasoning with Nate that your daughter is in Girl Scouts because she wants to be like you because you were in boy scouts... but he doesn't seem to buy it. He also has great experience of selling door to door with selling popcorn all those years through cub scouts, boy scouts and eagle scouts... that is alot of know how on how to sell door to door. Mommy has no experience. I grew up living in the country where our closest neighbors were not right next door where you could walk your little red wagon to sell some goodies. I had to do some mileage with that little red wagon if I wanted to sell something. So my mother let us sell to relatives and that was that. {I am writing this blog so my husband who reads this will feel sorry for his wife and come to my rescue and be the Cookie Selling Machine at our house} Our little girl is excited though. She took her first order via Skype tonight and she is stoked. We haven't even gotten the cookies yet and she wants to call everyone we know. Her type A extroverted personality will come in handy later in life, but this mommy is not excited going door to door to sell cookies. I am even nervous to stand at the road while she goes ring the doorbell. I am such a coward!! :-) My big motivation though is that her troop has set a goal of selling 100 boxes each and I really want her to achieve her goal and not have mommy and daddy buy the last 50 boxes. That would not be good for our new year diets!! So wish us luck on this endeavor and I will keep you posted on how this goes. I feel like she has 19 boxes sold already, that is about 20% so we are a 1/4 of the way there. (I have checked my math and think that I am accurate on this statement. :-) In addition to selling door to door not being my forte, math isn't either! LOL) So Girl Scouts Unite and let the cookie temptations begin.

Lots of willpower will be needed in the next month and 1/2 to stay away from the samoas.......

Occupado

2012-01-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

I am still chuckling. You know there are just some things that kids say that are so darn cute!! Tonight we were skyping daddy (YEAH) and each of the kids had a turn talking to him. We learned from the previous nights that if everyone is in the same room trying to talk to daddy on the computer that daddy can't hear a word. So one at a time they came in to say Hi. At the end all three girls were on my lap saying their goodbyes
Me: "We will see you in two more days, you look very tired I will let you go. Lil Miss only wants to be held right now so I need to go find something to keep her occupied because she wants the computer and my phone and she can't play with those."
Rosie: "Mom why are you talking about the bathroom?
Me: "Huh? What do you mean?" (I was clearly stumped to what she meant... I am sure I was looking at her with a horribly weird confused look -- one I am trying to replicate to the computer right now for no apparent reason... yes, yes I am Lame!)
Rosie: Occupied means someone is using the bathroom and she isn't in the bathroom."
Me : (stifling a giggle) "Honey, Yes it does mean that someone is in the bathroom BUT it also means to keep someone busy, like your baby sister."
Rosie: "Oh, we use that word at school when someone is using the restroom and we have to wait."
Daddy -- laughing from Brazil -- "Yes honey you are actually correct it does mean someone is in the bathroom." (for those of you who know Nate well -- he DID use the word ACTUALLY -- on side note our oldest daughter has taken to overuse the word TECHNICALLY to correct us as well. Like father, Like Daughter)
Me: " That is one I need to write down!"

Oh the joys of a child's brain and the craziness of the English language where a word has multiple meanings. The has definitely put a smile on my face after a kind of blah Wednesday. Happy Wednesday everyone!!! LOL

It's true, you make our day better

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Me and the kids are coping.
Wii games.
Lots of UNO games.
Popcorn for supper.
Many books to read.
20 minutes in the snow.
1 hour warming up after being in the snow.
Endless amount of coloring.
Mommy getting work done..... ZERO.
Missing daddy tons!

{Daddy and Me time}

Daddy has been gone for less than 48 hours but he is truly missed. We got to skype him last night and you could immediately see that Rosie was affected. She didn't want to come close and was quiet for a long time after we got off the computer. For a girl who has seen so much loss in such a young life she doesn't like when either Nate or I are gone for a long time. As much as she says it out loud that Dad will be back in 5 days, that doesn't mean her brain comprehends that he isn't gone for good... or that he didn't leave her for good. So by using skype and seeing Dad that is HUGE. So we tried to stay busy to not think about that too much. Before Nate left he showed the kids on a map where he was going and how long it was going to take. They got to see him pack his bags and we all drove him to the airport on Sunday. I had big plans to get lots of things done this week while he was gone, but I fogot it is alot harder when you are the only grown up in a house full of kids who need supervision. So I am lowering my expectations of what I can get done and focusing on not losing my mind! ;-) With expectations lowered I actually feel good about how the house looks (considering) and the few tasks I have been able to accomplish like completely cleaning the bathrooms from top to bottom, to organizing the girls bedroom closets. Woohoo!!!

The girls were outside playing on Sunday as soon as we got back from dropping Daddy off at the airport. Bubba after looking outside decided to stay inside where it was warm. The girls were jumping off the deck into the snow making all kinds of acrobatic moves. It was quite entertaining! When you have lots of padding and snow to break your fall it is amazing how free you can feel falling.
{making snow angels}

{hanging out with friends} On Friday night we got to see some friends for dinner. Being a Stay at Home Mom brings new meaning to seeing friends on the weekends. It is so appreciative when I get to see friends and have adult conversations and NOT argue over who is touching who, or who got more milk in their cup. The older kids stayed entertained with tic tac toe, so it truly was a pleasant night! Lil Miss and Olivia are only a few months apart so it will be fun for them to grow up with close friends like that.

After cleaning Rosie's room last week... it seems like I could do that everyday the way that girl can destroy a room, and we found some things she forgot she had. The big jar of beads was unearthed and they got busy making jewelry. The kids were adorned with bracelets, necklaces, rings, and anklets. Quite the look!

{the happy dance}
Mommy even joined in the wii playing over the weekend. This is Bubba and Gigi's happy dance after beating mommy. Video games are daddy's forte NOT mommy's.

Yesterday we made homemade pizza rolls, an idea I found on pinterest. They were awesome and the kids loved them. Next time I will have to make two batches though because we ran out of them way to fast. Nothing could be easier with pillsbury cresent rolls, turkey pepperoni, and 1/2 a mozzarella stick cheese. This is going to be a go to recipe espeically since it took only 12 minutes to make! YEAH! Got to love that!!
{new game of hide and seek}
Lil Miss is into the game of Hide and Seek. I will catch her peering around furniture to find me until I notice her and then the game starts. Also another game is stealing mommy's phone. This has become a new hobby of hers.

MOM: "Lil Miss, what are you doing? Is that my phone?"

"you mean this silly old thing? I think you are confused, this is MINE." Our little girl has learned the word MINE. Along with Momma, Dada, Dodger, baba (bottle) she now says MINE!

"I think you better go find something else to go use Momma because I ain't giving this back!!! Try to take it away from this adorable face." Yes yes she was mocking me and until she figured out how to delete my apps it was hers. Then came the tears..... Then it was on to tease another member of the household.

{Lil Miss and Dodger are becoming more of friends... here they are sharing food or maybe dodger was just taking it out of her hand.. not sure which!}

Dodger is the source of Lil Miss's attention alot. She has recently started to pet him. This is strongly encouraged by me because her other ways of playing with him involved sitting on him, pulling his tail or trying to touch his eyeballs. Fun games I am sure, but Dodger probley prefers petting as well! So as you can see we are surviving with out Daddy here... but it sure is easier with him here giving me a hand. Hurry back soon!!

Old Man Winter has come...

2012-01-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

The kids and I have been enjoying this unusually warm January we have been having. I think all of the Quad Cities have! Yesterday when I was dropping the kids off at school there were many kids who didn't even have coats on and one of the dads picking up his kid had shorts on! Unbelievable!! But of course my kids went to school with their winter coats on and we made sure their gloves and hats were in their backpack. Yes, I am one of those moms, over protective and no fun. {Cruising in Bubba's new rip rider, and yes that is a snow white dress she is wearing. We are often found with a Tiana or Snow White Dressed little girl running errands or playing outside. Is it really worse than some of the outfits mom's put their kids in?? :-) }
Although the kids have been sad about the inability to make even one snow angel this year or no snowflakes to mash together in a snowball, they have been getting their vitamin D outdoors in the sunshine up until now.

{Bubba is determined to learn his rip stick}
Dedication is one term Bubba understands. He gets in a groove and from then on no one can convince him to do anything else. Before Christmas it was basketball, basketball, basketball. When it was warm enough he was out there shooting baskets and playing pig with whoever will play. Now it is the new rip stick he got from Christmas. Everyday he gets on it (okay he hasn't mastered getting on it yet, so he tries) and dreams of ripsticking (is that a word?). Along with this is the failure to understand that it will take a long time, maybe months, to figure this thing out. Mommy trying to show him how to do it is also out of the question. I tried while holding onto Rosetta and let's just say we hope there is not a youtube video showing how poorly I did! He catches onto other things so fast that it is very hard for him to understand why he can't get this. He gets extremely frustrated. It takes alot of patience to tell him to just practice and he will get better and better. The January weather has helped him be able to get out on it because once the winter really hits the rip stick will have to be put up for awhile.

So yesterday the kids jumped into the van after school talking about getting their snow pants out for tommorrow and being ready for the snow. Looking at the thermometer in the van reading 52* I was a bit skeptical but agreed to the kids that "yes, if it snows I will pack up your snow pants and boots to take to school to play in the snow." All the while thinking in my head that they are crazy! Because it was such a beautiful day and to keep the house clean until daddy got home (so that he would see that I DID do something today!) I surprised the kids by driving to the park to play. I was not the only parent who had this idea. The place was packed with screaming kids and parents enjoying a little sunshine. {Rosie helping push Lil Miss on the swing}

{did I mention screaming kids? I meant my kids were screaming ;-) }

{Can you tell we were having a good time?}

{Lil miss spent most of the time in the swing soaking it all in.. when I put her down to play she kept taking off for a large black lab that was on a leash}

{faster, bubba!!!}

My kids have become such great swingers... it was only yesterday that I would have to rush between three kids on swings to keep all of them equal or we would have a fit. Many days of "push me mommy!" "No, push me mommy!" "Mom, Bubba is higher than me, push me now!" Great workout for mommy! I really can appreciate the power of them pushing themselves now.

{making a birthday sign for daddy!!!}

{Lil miss got in on the action}

{time out to play with the puppy.... she instantly starts giggling as soon as he comes near}

{Not sure if she is a lefty or a righty... so we use both hands!}

{she wanted to draw on herself more than the paper... hence the no pants rule while coloring}

Last night was Daddy's birthday. I had the camera out to take pictures of Daddy blowing out the candles and opening up his gifts... but Daddy said NO PICTURES! So sadly we will not have a photo collage of our birthday celebration last night. Daddy was not feeling good at all with cold chills and overall yucky feeling so I did not get him angry by picking up my Nikon and clicking a few shots. We did enjoy a wonderfully delicious ice cream cake from Coldstone and pretty much relaxed all night. Daddy was wrapped in a blanket on the couch looking pretty miserable. We hope he gets better soon before he has to travel next week out!!

Then this morning (didn't mommy look foolish) we woke up to SNOW!!! Finally our winter wonderland that we have been waiting for. It wasn't more than 2 minutes that Rosie was out of bed before she saw the snow and then the whole house was up. I have never seen my kids (mostly Rosie who doddles in the morning taking ever minute of our get ready time to prepare for school -- while still forgetting stuff, like her glasses this morning!) move so fast through getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, hair, and all the regular morning rituals so that they would have enough time before school to play. If only they could move this fast everyday without mommy nagging them... that would be bliss!!

{Lil miss was not so sure about joining in on the snow fun... she took one step out into the wind and snow and hightailed it back into the garage where it was a little warmer}

They had 15 minutes to play outside before we had to head off to school. Mommy was chilled to the bone and I was only outside about 2 minutes to capture a few shots. I believe Lil Miss has wind burn on her cheeks from walking outside to the van. It was COLD!! The snow is still falling as I write the blog this morning.

{waiting patiently for her warm water}

The best thing about playing outside in the snow is the HOT CHOCOLATE!!

Moments after this shot she had jumped off the deck to only land on her back and start making snow angels. My back yard is covered in snow angels... I am not complaining! ;-)

{yummy hot cocoa}

{the aftermath of playing out in the snow}

{I think this girl only wanted to play out in the snow to GET the hot cocoa!}

SO now we are sitting in the warm house with the fireplace on all nice and toasty. I hope you find some warm place to relax today too!!!

Birthday Boy

2012-01-11T06:35:00.003-08:00

Piglet: "How do you spell love?"

Pooh: "You don't spell it, you feel it."

Happy Birthday to My Husband who makes me FEEL loved everyday. I hope your day is relaxing.

Our Kitchen Reveal

2012-01-10T18:29:00.000-08:00

Before Pictures...These are the pictures taken when we bought the house. I would post pictures of before we demolished the kitchen to make way for the counter tops and flooring but these are definitely more dramatic in the transformation!! And I it is extremely rare for my house to look this polished and clean, especially the kitchen where everyone's clutter seems to die.
Sorry for the dog in the picture but he is just a camera hog! This is definitely more my style. We did have our first catastrophe on the tile though, a glass bit the dust. Lil Miss is now tall enough to reach the top of the table and pulled on the placemat. The glass met its end. I am sure that won't be the last time something falls and breaks. We are still working on cleaning up all the trim so that is quite up yet, and with Nate's trip out of the country next week it won't be finished for a little while. BUT at least I have my kitchen back and it is a kitchen to be proud of. Move over Rachael Ray .... Here I come.

{before shot}
The inspector told us there were tons of holes in the walls when they left and he was right. I am a minimalist compared to the homeowner before me!

I think one of the most drastic of changes is replacing that hideously big light fixture they had in the middle of the kitchen. Taking that down instantly made the kitchen seem so much bigger and brighter without the fluorescent bulbs!! I am also so in love with my new sink! The previous sink could not fit even my littlest stock pot under the faucet. Now I can scrub my pizza pans without difficulty. YEAH!!
I always liked to cook, but now you can't get me to leave the kitchen. This week alone we had some great meals (is I do say so myself! LOL). We had cream cheese chicken, spinach feta cheese potato salad, enchiladas, spaghetti and that is only the beginning. I also have a little bit of my grandma with me in the kitchen helping me. One of my prize possessions is my Grandma's punch bowl. Nate has been trying to convince me to pack it away so it doesn't get broken but I just love it so much. Also just because it is packed away in a closet somewhere doesn't mean it won't get broken. I never remember my grandma ever using this punch bowl, but I vividly remember its place in the built in china cabinet in her dining room. I think of her every time I grab a clementine out of the bowl. It just a few short weeks she will turn 105!! Can you believe it! She is only one hundred years and 2 weeks older than Gigi. Thanks Grandma Aggie for letting me have the punch bowl, I love it!!!
So for those of you who haven't been to the house yet to visit, a bit of a virtual tour of our improved kitchen. Oh and I forgot to mention the best part.... the new pantry Nate put in. I am kitchen heaven!!! Now my bulk buying doesn't have to sit in racks in the garage.

Kitchen "Aide"

2012-01-09T18:01:00.000-08:00

It's a new year and the Schulte's are ready for it. The beginning few days of the 2012 started with us being really cozy with one another as we started yet another home project! Before the bags were unpacked and all the toys were put away from Christmas the crow bar came out and Nate started demolition. For over a week I went without a kitchen floor, stove, washer/dryer, kitchen table, AND my sanity!

{She loves the noise makers.... go figure!}
So we brought in the New year with a Bang... literally!!! Nate has incorporated alot of help in the form of three little helpers. Rosie is getting quite well at using a dust pan, Bubba is a pro at the tape measure, and Gigi was good at hauling things downstairs as they are needed for mommy to cook a "semi" homemade supper in the microwave. On January 3rd the kitchen floor started to take form. Knowing our limit, we acquired the help of Lowe's for the tile floor. I think this was a wise decision so weren't living in chaos for 4 weeks instead of 4 days!! I know Nate and I have a hard time asking for too much help and we like to do things for ourselves (except paint walls right, pam and bill?) but hiring a kitchen "aide" was not a bad idea for something we have never done. Oh yes we could have googled all the videos on how to lay a tile floor, but I like having a professional doing things right! Especially since I spend most of my time in the kitchen and really enjoy a level floor!! LOL

On Nate's request I took lots of pictures as they installed the floor. I sent Nate updates throughout the day. The two little girls were sequestered in the basement for the 4 days. We found crafts, UNO, hide and seek and puzzles to keep us busy.

{The end of the 2nd day}

{the end of the third day... coming together}

{Here comes the grout}

The finished project was a floor a girl could love!!! It is such an improvement from the way it was before!!! I could not wait to fill the kitchen with stuff to see it come all together.

A new picture graces the wall in the kitchen now, it was a great find with my sisters and mom after Christmas. Fits Perfectly, Thanks Girls!!

Lil Miss wanted to be out in the action, after a few days she got tired of being put in the office only to watch what was going on and not be in on the fun.

So when she finally was let out of her "cage" she was as in love with the floor as mommy was!! I see alot of playing in the kitchen as mommy gets supper on. She just loves her little people and has just started more of imaginative play as opposed to just putting things in her mouth. It is just amazing to see how they develop. The other kids are excited to have the Kitchen back too!! No more breakfast downstairs at the bar. It so much more cozy as we sit in the inviting room slurping our spaghetti and reliving the days events. Although not all the construction is done, it is a great accomplishment to have this one room back. The construction gets put on hold until Nate gets back from Brazil and then (crossing my fingers tightly) it won't take too much to put the hardwood floor down in the dining room, foyer, and 1/2 bath. I have been warned sternly by my husband to not create any more projects for a LONG time. We will see!! wink wink

We had a Holly Jolly Christmas!!

2012-01-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

Oh yes we had a Holly Jolly Christmas. We headed back to Ohio for the Holidays and enjoyed the time with our families and friends. Lil Miss was all Naughty around at Grandma's House... getting into everything, literally.

Here she was while we were getting ready to pack stepping into daddy's shoes. She was all proud the she got them on her feet!

Our babies were so adorable for Christmas. Of course mommy had us all color coordinating for pictures, so we ALL looked good. LOL

{The Family}

Here is the Schulte Clan. We have gotten much larger of the past few years and going to add to that by at least one more this year. No not us.. Hahaha ... Jeff and Ash are having baby number 3. I know I have lots of pink stuff if this one comes out girl!!

{The two babies -- Jack and Lil Miss}

Grandma pam cuddling on the two littlest.

The kids all looked so cute in their Christmas best. That was until they were sent downstairs and were all sweaty and disheveled. At least they were having a good time. Josh got a nerf gun from Uncle Neil and him and Bubba had to try it out. Jack and Lil Miss were content playing in the wrapping paper and boxes.

These two look really ornery. I see lots of mischief in their future.

Bubba was styling in his new Chuck Taylors. They have been his footwear of choice since getting them. They apparently go with sweatpants, dresspants, jeans and even pajamas!!!

Lauren received knitted socks for her new American Girl Doll from Grandma Pam. Grandma Pam had made a pair for Rosie and her doll for her birthday. They are warm -- at least that is what Rosie says.

Gigi got spoiled by her Godfather Neil... makeup, a Dora purse filled with candy, and a puppy!!! Thank goodness it isn't a real puppy, but it is annoying all the same as it goes off with a sneeze every one in awhile just to let us know it is there!

Grandpa Bill got a SNUGGIE!! woohoo!!!! Grandma Pam got a matching one as well. They are going to be toasty as they watch movies this winter, or Uncle Neil has plans to use them when he is around. The puppy she gets to take care of with shots, blowing it's nose, and carting it around in its little bag. She is in Heaven!

Uncle Jeff got his teasing in on Bubba. We spent Christmas Eve at Nate's Parents celebrating the holidays and then went to Grandma Judy's to wait for Santa to come. We set out the milk and cookies and Grandma Pam sent us some carrots to give to the reindeer. We tucked in the kids and said good night... and waited for the screaming and excitement of Christmas Morning.

Christmas morning, Bubba was the first one up and he didn't want to wake mommy and daddy up so he sat outside our bedroom door til I walked out with Lil Miss and then he scared me to DEATH!! His other two sisters woke up soon after and by 8 am they were counting how many presents each got and speculating to what was in each brightly colored package!!

They were all smiles, except for Lil Miss who was so tired by the time daddy took a shower, and we had our coffee, and all got settled to open gifts. She only lasted a short time that morning but we got her in a few pictures so it will be all good. Some day when she is older she won't know she slept through most of Christmas morning.

Bubba's happy dance for Santa finding us!!! This was even before he opened his gifts!!!

Last year Lil Miss had no idea what was going on... this year she is starting to catch on, even if the paper is more exciting than the actual gift.

Both Gigi and Lil Miss got tutus for dress up from Santa.

This boy was ear to ear smiles... his first gift he opened was a DSI that he had been praying for since last Christmas.. so everything else was icing on the cake.

{Lil Miss's tutu and accessories}

Rosie got a robe and slippers, High School Musical 3 the movie, High School musical 3 the game and Makeup!! She is already for girl spa days!!

As soon as Lil Miss saw Rosie's Robe she was on top of it... it became her new blanket that morning. We couldn't get it away from her until we layed her down in the pack n play.

Daddy even received a gift under the tree..... Pinochle scores from the day before. I think Kathy and I won that game... if I remember!!

After opening Santa gifts that morning, we had the Blankemeyer side for Christmas at Grandma Judy's. The room was covered in bits of tape, crumbled bits of paper... and pieces of toys to be lost in the shuffle.

These two munchkins were up to no good!! Lil Miss actually wore a dress that I wore when I was little. My sister Kathy made this dress for me, but I don't remember it being that short on me. Lil Miss's ruffles all showed on her tights.

Lincoln was infatuated with Gigi's tea set from Brookey. They were going from room to room having tea parties.

Mommy spent alot of the time trying to keep these two out of trouble.... with not much success.

While in Ohio we got to spend a little time outside. Unfortunately we didn't get to use all the snow gear mommy trudged the whole way to Ohio, then left in Ohio, which needed to be shipped back to Iowa... UGH! But the weather was quite pleasant and the kids made a game of helping Grandma pick up sticks.

Everybody pitched in, even Lil Miss.

They were so proud of their pile of sticks. Kathy they are still waiting on their pennies for each stick they picked up!! LOL I think we disqualified any of them from winning when we aught them stealing from Grandma Judy's pile.

Lil Miss had enough.... time for nap time.

Mommy had to test out Bubba's new rip rider. I am a little to big for it ... I know, but so much fun! Someone had to show him how to do it. Daddy couldn't fit his legs into it.

And of course there was lots and lots of pumpkin pie. Lots of calories were consumed on our holiday trip thanks to pumpkin pie. It's a good thing we have to wait another year to get this much pumpkin pie at once.

Lil Miss getting instructions on how to use the new Kindle Fire that Grandma Pam got the grandkids so they don't touch her Ipad.

The boys were able to fit a few minutes of video time in.... daddy has to remember who recieved the DSI for chirstmas. :-)

Lots of toys were played with... legos, yahtzee, puzzles, books, ripsticks (still at the trying to stand up them phase), blocks, and little people. Let's hope in the packing mommy left a few of the toys at Grandma Judy's house because we don't need all of that here!

The ride back to Iowa was uneventful and everyone just crashed as soon as they got in the car.
And the Luggage and Chrstams gifts exploded in my Dining room!!!
Now for a while we will have to be content on talking to the family on the phone during the winter since we don't have any trips planned back home for awhile. It was a great Christmas and I wished we didn't coem back, because as soon as we stepped into the door nate started ripping up the flooring and starting yet another project. So more on that later. Happy New year to everyone!!!

Chirstmas. Home. Family.

2011-12-18T16:41:00.000-08:00

Today we had our family chirstmas, Mommy and Daddy gave our presents to the kids and to each other. It was only a few gifts but it meant something to us to give something special to them. Each of the kids got a project to do with daddy, such as making a treasure chest or bug barn, whre they will get to hammer, nail, glue and paint all with Daddy. He is looking forward to this. He does really enjoy spending time with each of them alone, just like I do to... and this way they get to be outside and work with daddy and his tools. {we tried this picture a few times... then mommy gave up!}
This morning we started with church and when we got back the kids couldn't wait to open the presents under the tree. (This little gift opening saves us from hauling a few less gifts back to Ohio for the holidays. Lil Miss was a Dead Man Walking when we got back from church so we had her open her gifts first then she went off to bed while the other kids hooted and hollered while opening the rest. We tried a kid picture in front of the tree... but that was a disaster. I think they were too wound up on sugar -- oh wait we hadn't made cookies yet, I don't know what was in them maybe to much excitement but they couldn't sit still! Rosie was going from the chair to the couch bouncing on furniture literally!

{where do I start?}

{Lil Miss took her time opening her gifts} {it's what I always wanted!!!!}

{the kids got me and wrapped like a tootsie roll, a garden apron AND it has Komen on it!}

{our John Deere girl}
{proud owner of a new craftsmen hammer}

{a gift from Bubba to mommy!! I love!!!} {doing the happy dance}

{the moment he realizes what is in the box!!}I told Nate to be ready with the camera when Bubba opened his third and final box... I was right. Daddy captured the moment he saw what it was... a Green Bay Packers Jersey and not just any Packer's Player... A.J. Hawk a Buckeye alum.

{a VERY HAPPY BOY}

{Rosie gave Daddy a gingerbread man she made in art class}

{our little puzzle maker}

{mommy's little helper}
After opening gifts, Rosie and Daddy headed out to run a few errands and get lunch and Bubba and I started the Cookie Making Marathon. We cranked up the Christmas tunes and put on the aprons and got to work.

{this picture should have video -- because he was jamming out to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer!!}

Cookie Making marathon -- just a few of the ingredients.

{Posing in his new jersey!!}
The cookie making came to a halt when the dishwasher started to leak water everywhere ... so I will continue that tommorrow. We did get to sneak in the making of a gingerbread house before going to bed tonight. Check out our handy work. Daddy wants proper tools next year and gave me lots of advice with what doesn't work... thanks for the help honey. So I think next year he is in charge of the gingerbred making project. Mommy was more worried about the decorating not so much the construction. Lil miss even got into the project by warming up the icing for me by playing with it!! See the whole family was involved!! The three older kids were the general laborers, mommy was the decorating supervisor, Lil Miss was concrete mixer, and Daddy was the Foreman shouting directions from the sidelines but not wanting to get his fingers dirty!! We work like a well oiled machine. LOL Oh the memories.... it was a great day. Can't wait to scrapbook it!!! :-)

I really like being sung to!

2011-12-18T05:26:00.000-08:00

I am a happy girl. I am so proud to be mommy to my four little blessings. This week they have shown me extraordinary things. It was the last week for the three oldest swimming lessons. They have grown so much in their first session of swimming lessons. Each one has grown more confident in the water, our little Gigi was scared to get her eyes wet but yet the second class she was going completely underwater. Such a proud mommy!!!

The UPS man has visited our house a couple times this week -- some people's gifts have landed on our door step -- and I always love to get the bright orange packages on our porch. Our Shutterfly Christmas cards came this week, oh I know I am usually one of the first ones to get them out but our pictures didn't get back until thanksgiving. I excitedly opened the orange box to see how they turned out and they didn't disappoint. The best part isn't stuffing the envelopes and addressing the envelopes and putting stamps on and putting them in mail. The BEST part is getting Christmas cards in return. {Christmas cards... luckily I have a little girl who likes to like envelopes!} It's the one time a year I really am like a little girl running to the mailbox to see who's card will be there today. Unlike after Christmas when all we get is bills in the mail... it's definitely not as exciting!

{a few of our cards}
{engrossed in sesame street}
In the morning as we get ready for school I hear the soft strains to sesame street in the background... its a cult. My girls are instantly sucked into the tv... and mommy has 5 minutes before they get bored to comb her hair and put deodorant on. That's about it before my "mommy" time is over.

{card sharks in the making}
Occasionally I come home to a picture perfect picture. Tuesday night was one of those nights. I walked into the house to a battle of UNO, a very intense game I must say. Daddy is pretty cutthroat, he couldn't end without a win!

{Riley and Gigi}
It was all dress up on Friday as we watched a friends daughter. Gigi was so excited to have someone to play with while her older brother and sister were at school. So much more fun than just hanging out with mom.

On Friday the kids had their winter arts program at school. They had been giving us "preview" concerts at home but to see them up on stage was so cute. Their were sooo many parents and grandparents there in the crowd and you could see every child as soon as they walked on stage looking for their mom or dad. I felt so helpless in the back of the room in the dark with three other girls, literally ALL on my lap, and not being able to get the attention of Rosie and Bubba up on stage. But when the lights came on after each of the performances the sight was priceless as Bubba caught sight of Gigi on Daddy's shoulders, or the smile that spread across Rosie's face when she saw me and Daddy in the back. I would have been heart broken if they would have thought we weren't there. As obsessive as I am we have videos of all the performances and as soon as I have time I will post a few. I come to the realization that when my kids grow up they are going to be overwhelmed at all the videos, photos, and art work their mommy took and kept to capture their childhood and keep it close to my heart.

{Hip Hop reindeer}

{All smiles for her recital}
On Saturday was Rosie's big day for her cheerleading/tumbling recital. For mommy it was a LONG day for a 2/3 hour recital just to see Rosie cheer in the LAST song of the recital. What we do for our daughters! Nate was relieved that Bubba had his last basketball game at the same time so that he had a way out. ;-) Good thing mommy caught it all on tape.

The program was through the YMCA, such a great organization and easy for the girls to get there feet wet in something new to see if they like it without paying an arm and a leg!!!

Sitting patiently for her big sister to grace the stage was Gigi. She was such a good girl sitting through all that time of watching little girls up on stage muddle through renditions of Barbie Girl, but my girl loved every minute of it. She sat at the edge of her seat clutching the program asking when Rosie was going on. The highlight was when "Colors of the Wind" came on (from Pocahontas, you Disney novices) and her eyes lit up and she almost screamed the words from her seat. This is a movie she has watched at least 100 times in the car. It never fails if you ask her what movie she wants to watch that she will answer with Pocahantas.

{Rosie and her flowers from Daddy}

We came home with Roses in Rosie's room. She was ecstatic and Daddy was number one in her book.

{Uh.... I didn't do this seriously mom!}

While mommy is slightly distracted, folding laundry or addressing Christmas cards this is what happens. It is a never ending cycle and you would be amazed at what a mess this little girl can create.

I blame my new found love of pinterest for many of the insane Christmas gifts I made. The most elaborate being the 12 days of Christmas for the teachers. Mommy and the kids have spent a few nights putting together the poems and items that have gone with every gift. They are everything from popcorn, dry erase markers, clipboards, chewing gum, and apples. I tried to have the kids do it as a secret santa so the teacher didn't know who it was from everyday... but that did not last even one day. They can't keep a secret at all. The next 4 days are all ready and sitting in a row down stairs to go to their star teachers who have really helped my children in the last 4 month learn alot. The kids get to share in mommy's love of giving. Love it!!! Only 7 more days to Christmas ..... I can hardly wait!!!

if you just believe

2011-12-12T07:06:00.000-08:00

Have I said I love this time of year yet? :-) I have really been enjoying the holidays. The reason behind not blogging as frequently lately isn't because of the amount of things I have to get done... all my Christmas shopping is done, decorations are up, Christmas cards are all addressed (as of 30 minutes ago ) but I have been really enjoying my time lately. Can you believe last week mommy had 3, count them 3, nights out!!! I can hardly believe it. On Sunday night, a friend invited me to a women's dessert gala, Monday night was a girl's night out with the Quad City Moms blog that I have grown to love, and Thursday night was rest for mommy while I got my hair colored and cut. I feel so refreshed and pampered by this week. Not to mention we also had a birthday to celebrate... Bubba turned 6!!!! My children are growing up way too fast. Why does it feel like I am not aging and they are? I think I am still 29!! ;-) Tuesday morning was also St. Nick's Day. Now growing up we didn't really celebrate this German tradition but Nate did. So of course we celebrate it!! It's like Halloween -- mommy never did the whole dress up thing for Halloween growing up so now I am making up for it by going all out for Halloween. St. Nick has gotten less elaborate over the last 3 years. The first year St Nick stuffed so much in the stocking that there wasn't an inch of space left. They were showered with small toys, pjs, books, coloring books, socks, everything St Nickolas could find to fit in the stocking. Then last year St Nick put the brakes on it a little bit with of course their Christmas pjs and a few things with a little air left in each stocking. But this year I think he really found his sweet spot. Each kid got the cutest Christmas pjs, toothbrushes, candy cane and one other item. The stockings were even light enough to be hung after being filled.... I cannot always say that was the case. {buddies}
Mommy is a freak when it comes to pictures and the Christmas pjs are a perfect way to have that perfectly coordinated picture Christmas morning with the matching pjs. How many more years can I make that work? I am thinking mommy is going to be really sad one of these years because the kid's aren't going to think it's cool to like their brother and sisters anymore. Tears will be shed I am sure... by me of course. More signs that they are growing up way too fast.
For Bubba's big 5 birthday we made his favorite pizza. The kids got to pitch in helping and everyone got to put their own toppings on their OWN pizzas. Mommy got "infinity" stars for this one. That is out of a 5 point system that we have been using. "Infinity" stars is the highest points any meal can be given! I think mommy scored big on this one.
Most of the mushrooms were eaten out of the can before they went on the pizzas... and sorry daddy but Lil Miss likes the mushrooms!! Just like her momma!

Bubba couldn't wait for the pizzas to come out of the oven.

Our Bubba isn't a big cake fan. In fact, for school treats we brought doughnuts and orange juice instead of cupcakes. So for a birthday treat we took him to Coldstone Creamery for the first time. We usually hit up Whitey's for Ice Cream, but thought we would try someplace new for Bubba's big day. They loved watching their gummy bears, sprinkles, white chocolate chips be mixed in their ice cream. Ewww... yes I know, but they were all smiles eating their mint ice cream with gummy bears. Makes my stomach turn. Lil Miss is also a fan of ice cream, she was not happy when we came to the end of the cup. An ice cream addict just like daddy.
Birthday gifts were an attempt at putting the fun in education. Lame, I think not. He got a Darth Vader Alarm Clock (practical because it has him getting up without mommy being the bearer of bad news and he can learn to tell time) and a start on his own library. The girls and I picked out 7 books just for him. He got Star Wars books, a Kung Fu Panda chapter book, books about ninjas, and more. He was excited and that's what we needed in this household. I was waiting for him to be excited to read. Now when I ask him to get a book to read he can't wait to hear the next chapter. I am so glad, this mommy was wondering if he cared if he ever learned to read. He does have an older sister who would be glad to everything for him that reading was pretty much an option. :-) So I know it sounds like a lame birthday gift... but my man was all smiles. It helps that 1 book was "How to be a Jedi"

Other than eating cakes, desserts, and ice cream last week (i don't really even want to see the scale this week) we had a pretty normal week. Lil Miss was as ornery as ever. Her new thing is stealing people's hats and taking off around the house. We call her the "hat snatcher". Also Lil Miss learned how to give kisses this week and trying to put her own shoes on. Bubba is not too excited about these sloppy baby kisses from his sister.... mommy ooooos and aahhhhs.

Bubba is really coming in to his own on Tae Kwon Do. If you can see his little head behind the punching bag, he was really kicking hard on his blind side kicks. During sparring this week, I got my first look at him putting what he has been learning to practice. it was so cute with the two little boys trying to fight each other. My little man even made the other boy cry -- which is frowned upon but as his mother I was secretly saying "look at my little man go!"

Daddy found some quiet time this weekend. He might even be so relaxed in this picture he fell asleep. LOL

And of course I found time this weekend to bake and cook. I have really started to LOVE to cook. Any excuse to try a new recipe is okay in my book. I tried a recipe of pinterest, oreo cheesecake minis. They got 5 stars for Nate!! WooHoo!! Gigi was all hands in helping so she could swipe all the broken ones. My kind of girl!

I think I will be making these again this week to freeze for Christmas, time to stock pile for the holidays back in Ohio.

I am really trying this year to make Christmas about Jesus. We read stories about Jesus and talk about the manger and Jesus's birth many times throughout the day. My advent wreath is getting its first use this year. I made it many moons ago but the initial candles I bought with it had never been burnt. I know shame on me. but now every Sunday we light the candles talk say a little story about the advent wreath, talk about scripture and talk about the birth of Christ again. It's music to mommy's ears when I hear it even being talked about on a daily basis. Without mommy prodding I am hearing the kids talk about Jesus and the wise men -- or the fancy kings Rosie likes to call them. I think not really being stressed about the holidays has really helped and we have got to enjoy it. This week I also had the kids go through all the toys and pull out toys we don't play with anymore and give them to kids who don't have toys or as much as we do. The kids were able to fill a big garbage bag. I was very proud of them. Santa better put them on the nice list!

the stockings are hung

2011-12-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

How I love to get all the Christmas decorations out and decorate a new house. it was fun to figure out where we would put everything throughout the house. Of course a few new items had to be purchased too!!! {stockings all hung by the chimney with care} {Christmas village}
The kids (even lily too) helped us put the village up. It is high enough that the little miss can't destroy it!!

{Our Traditional Christmas Tree}

{our downstairs kid tree} A super girly tree... I love it!!! Last year this was in the girls room, but to make things fair we put it downstairs this year.

Tiki, our elf on the shelf showed up last week. He has been hiding all over the house getting into mischief. I love the look on the kids face in the morning when they notice he is missing and when they find him again. I just want to bottle up the magic!!!

{our advent wreath}
We light the appropriate candles at supper every Sunday. It is a great time to reiterate the meaning of Christmas.
{did I mention I love decorating my mantels?}

Yesterday we took off to go see SANTA!!! We headed to the Family Museum a place the kids always love. The three oldest kids sat very quietly as they were read How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The reader was very animated and had a great voice for the Grinch.

Gigi was super tentative up on the big guy's lap. She happened to be the first one so my little shy girl was scared. I don't think she said a single word while she was up there.

Rosie was ALL smiles... she asked for her two front teeth of course!!!

Bubba was a listening intently to Santa as he told our man about being good to his sisters. Bubba asked for a DS and a candy cane. Fortunately for us he got a candy cane after stepping off Santa's sleigh... 1 down!

{Santa and Lil Miss}
Lil Miss's experience with Santa was so precious. She was looking up into his friendly face and after a few seconds she put on the charm and gave him one of those smiles and put her head on his shoulder.... it was sooo darn cute! Little ornery gril is trying to get off the naughty list!!

Gigi trying to dance with the polar bears.

I just love this picture. Bubba just hanging out with his daddy.

{our little boy!}

I love this time of year... seeing the lights all up outside, hearing Christmas music everywhere, and seeing family and friends so often at Christmas parties. I feel so happy this year. I have so much to be thankful for, I haven't anything to complain about. With almost all my shopping done I haven't been irritated by long lines, or grouchy people at check out lines.... I've just been so cheery. And now I haven't been sneaking into the liquor cabinet before I go shopping. I literally don't let it get to me. my advice to you is to remember the meaning of Christmas and don't get stressed this time of year, enjoy every minute of it because before we now it 2012 will be here!

2011-12-05T07:02:00.000-08:00

Okay how is it already December? I don't know where the time has gone. The weather has become chilly and we are bundled up in our warm winter jackets. We have the fire lit almost everyday to make it warm and toasty in the house. I have started to stockpile hot chocolate for that inevitable first day of snow and the first day of playing in it! Thanksgiving has come and gone in a blur. We were back in Ohio two weekends in a row. It was great to see family and spend time with them and eat wonderful food. (I have gained back my weight in sweets and mashed potatoes and of course mom's stuffing. YIKES!)
We hadn't been back to Ohio since August and my how Lil Miss had changed. She is know running and as ornery as ever. Grandma had to be on her toes when she watched her for two days while I was back in Iowa. The week of Thanksgiving we had the great privilege of bringing Nate's niece Megan back with us. She was such a help, helping me make sweets for thanksgiving and put the tree up while the two little girls were away. It was blast spoiling her. On Monday we got alot of things done on my to do list so Monday Night we went swimming at the pool with the kids to play.

{decorating a tree for Rosie}
We got our house all decorated up with lights and greenery. It looks like a winter wonderland, the front porch looks just how I always wanted my front porch to look. I love it. (more picture to come)

{sugar cookies}
Me and Megan were also busy making lots of goodies.... sugar cookies, white chocolate pretzels, pretzel rolos, and peppermint cookies.

{peppermint fudge cookies with peppermint icing -- didn't know megan was a peppermint nut!}
And then Tuesday morning after we dropped the kids off at school Megan and I had a girls day. We went and had massages (thanks to Uncle Nate) and then were off to the mall! To end the day we stopped off at a nail salon and Megan had her first pedicure. Boy to Aunt Lynn's feet need it!!

{pedicures....nice!}

{apple pie, yum}
Then we headed back to Ohio for some turkey and thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble!!

{let the games begin!}

While in Ohio for thanksgiving instead of black friday shopping we went bowling. I think hours of laughter compared to hours of standing in line was a good trade off! {cousins}
{Like Father, Like Son}
It was fierce competition on the bowling lanes. I think Uncle Neil took the trophy home though.
Rosie got spoiled of course. She has so many cute outfits to wear now... that's a good thing because she grows so fast!!

{Aunt Kathy and Lil Miss}

{best buds}
The trip was to short and we were back in the van again headed for Buckeye Country. Thanksgiving was a great time with family and the kids had a blast playing with the cousins!!! I think ALOT of pumpkin pie was consumed. Gigi was even waking up in the morning and asking for pumpkin pie for breakfast. Thanks to Dad and Uncle Nate and Grandma Pam ... we are going into detox on pumpkin pie until Christmas. ;-)
{yummmm.... pumpkin pie!!!}

{ride the horsey}
The cousins all gang'd up on Uncle Neil to play. it was all fun and games til someone fell off!

{ready for the game}

Of course Thanksgiving saturday we were dressed in our scarlet and grey to cheer on the bucks. It was a disappointment but we have hope for next year.

{this boy just got something to do the whole ride home}
{in a big tractor}
This week we got back into the swing of all the normal activities. Me and the Girls met Daddy for Lunch down by the John Deere Pavilion and saw the big combine made out of food cans. It is amazing.
{the cans will be donated to a local food bank}

{a Combine of cans}
Lil Miss had fun playing in the tractor tire!! I do really love doing things like this with the girls. When I feel like I have the house some what in order I can really enjoy a day out making the girls smile with things as simple as looking at tractors and combines.

{a typical day with the girls}
{bundle up}
Oh and the biggest news of the week is that Rosie turned 7!!!!!! How can that be? She was only 4 yesterday, wasn't she? We celebrated on Tuesday with a cake and singing Happy Birthday. On Friday we let her invite two girls over to have fun after school. She has such great friends and they played and played until their moms picked them up. The did craft time in the basement and for 3 7year olds glitter must be the thing because my carpet now shines!!!
Happy Birthday Rosie!!! One of the girls brought over silly string(who would do such a thing?) and the swing set was a rainbow of color. Thanks to mother nature who washed all the silly string away yesterday! Yeah! Well, this mommy needs to get ready for a day with Santa. more December fun soon.

{ He just saw his picture in the mirror}

Our boy got a haircut .... thanks to Dad we have a mohawk. He rocked it for a few weeks.

{I pity the fool} After being around his uncles and Grandpa Bill he came down ready for school with all his sports medals. Ugh the influence of those Schulte boys! Enjoy the pictures!!

Little Girl in the Big City

2011-11-15T05:14:00.000-08:00

Chicago -- what an amazing city! I love Chicago and after numerous times there I still find new things to do. It was a long awaited trip by our daughter, who since we mentioned it, has not stopped asking we are going to go. After Lil Miss's birthday we asked Rosie what she wanted for birthday. Coincidentally the American Girl Catalog came in the mail at about this time. Thanks to Uncle Dale for spoiling our little girl with her very own American Girl Doll..... the girl wanted everything in the catalog the roller skates for the doll, a cheerleading outfit, a winter coat so Bella doesn't get cold.... it went on and on. I suggested "someday" we should go to the American Girl Store in Chicago.... and that "someday" became instantly her birthday present. She was clearly warned that if we went to the store that was her present and she wouldn't get any gifts from her mommy and daddy for her birthday. he was well aware and STILL wanted to go without a doubt. So mommy started to plan a girls getaway to the Big City. With the holidays just around the corner and every weekend being booked with parties, Christmas activities, and singing carols... we decided to go last weekend before we got to busy. Rosie was counting down the day for weeks..... so excited!

{YMCA}
On Friday, I picked the kids up from school and had our bags packed ready to go. Mommy gassed up the truck and we were out the door! I had planned the trip so we could do as much as possible for as little as possible. To save money we spent our first night near Naperville, IL outside of Chicago. This was convenient because Naperville is close to a mall and IKEA. Yeah for mommy!!! For dinner I let our little girl choose and she wanted milkshakes... so Johnny Rockets is was! Rosie loved the restaurant..... she got to put music in the jukebox and was dancing in her seat. The waiters tried to get her to dance with them but she was too shy. It was a good supper of milkshakes, fries, and burgers. After dinner we headed to the hotel to swim. I think as excited Rosie was to go to the American Girl Store she was AS excited to go swimming.

{Fish out of water}

Rosie was the only swimmer in the pool and was practicing all the things she has been learning in swimming lessons. Mommy sat in the hottub and enjoyed the relaxing time. As hard as it was for her to do, Rosie finally fell asleep that night. When she woke up it was TIME!

Bella slept in her bed and was already in the morning to spend the day in the city. {The 3 of us} It took about 40 minutes to get into the city, and Mommy parked at a parking garage extremely close to the Water Tower Place where if you ask you could get validated for at the American Girl Store. SCORE -- mommy was doing great at saving money.... until I walk into this.....
{the holy grail}
The American Girl Store, if you haven't stepped into this place before, is 2 stories of little girl madness. The first floor has an American Girl Bookstore, which I think Rosie could have spent all day in there, it also has a photo studio to get your picture taken (mommy saved money by taking our own shots), a gallery of the history of American Girl with the Girls in All their outfits and Books..... and that is just the first floor. As we traveled up the escalator..... Rosie's eyes lit up!! It was every thing imaginable for your doll. Tennis outfits, pajamas, outfits for Christmas, everyday outfits, boots, ice skates, and even earrings for your doll. Yes, you can get your doll's ears pierced at the salon. WOW! We headed to the salon to get Bella's hair done, one of the many splurges of the day. :-) {we had to look at everything!!!}
The doll hair salon is just a miniature boutique. We had to pick out what style we wanted in Bella'a hair and get our appointment time. Crazy, I know! Our appointment time was for 11:00am which was an hour and 15 minutes later which I thought was plenty of time we might get bored.... NOT! We ended up being in this one store for over 2 hours! We looked at everything, some things 2 or 3 times. Rosie was given some money to get an outfit all by herself and Mommy and Daddy were going to get her a few things for her birthday as well. She had fun picking out just what she wanted. She really wanted a swimsuit outfit, so that is what she spent her money on. She must be a bargain shopper like her mom because her purchase included a package which was 2 outfits in 1! WooHoo! After making our purchases, we headed back up to the salon to see Bella get her hair done.

{Doll Hair salon}
Rosie was in heaven. She learned how to take care of her doll and got to pick out the colors of ribbons for Bella's hair.

The whole process is done slick. There were so many girls there running around and mother's trying to keep track of their girls, but the salon worked really smoothly and was really neat. When we were done, we were both starving so we put our bags on our shoulders and headed out to the city to find a fun place to eat. Rosie got to pick supper the night before, so mommy got to pick where we ate for lunch. I picked a cute little place a couple blocks away and it smelled so yummy as we walked in the door.

{a girl in heaven}

{Lunch}
On the kid's menu was fancy kid's drinks... and what do you know Rosetta's Roman Holiday! Of course that is what our girl had to get.

{Our fancy Kid's menu}

{Rosetta's Roman Holiday Drink}

{Bella's new hairdo}
And Bella got a seat at the table... this lasted until lunch on Sunday when daddy told her the doll isn't real and isn't going to sit at the table anymore. :-( What a party pooper. We shared a wood fired pizza and some bread and dipping oil. Teaching Rosie the finer things in life was priceless. I am so thankful what god has given us and that I get to pass things on to my daughter is an amazing blessing. We enjoyed our lunch and having a comfortable seat to rest our feet. After our tummies were full we headed back out on to the streets and to do more shopping. At this point Rosie was getting a little tired so after a few stores we happened upon the Hershey Store. Yum Yum! After getting a few souvenirs for the family at home and paying for chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolates, we walked over to the park across the street and sat sipping our drinks. As we were sitting there we saw horse drawn carriages trot by ... on impulse I asked Rosie if she would like a ride and picking up our drinks we hopped in.

{On a chocolate High!}
What a priceless moment!!! I have never taken a carriage ride... I had always dreamed of taking a carriage ride with Nate in Chicago with a blanket and Christmas lights... or in NYC in Central Park.... but this was even better (sorry Nate :-) I got to experience this carriage ride with my oldest daughter.

{mommy and daughter -- I Love this pic!}
We got to see the skyscrapers, the lake, and the oldest fire station in Chicago. As we sipped on our hot chocolates it was a picture perfect scene.

{oldest firehouse in Chicago}
I decided to leave Chicago on a high note... before someone got too tired and we headed to the truck. Before we were out of the Parking Garage ... Rosie was OUT!

{the lovely park we ate our chocolate chip cookies}

{she won't remember the ride home... because she just slept the WHOLE way!}

When we got home, she couldn't wait to show all her goodies to her brother and sisters and give them their gifts that we got them. She wasted no time putting her new pjs on and Bella's matching set. We had a wonderful time and I only hope she remembers the trip. It was fun to spend time with her and spoil her just a little. Can't wait for my next trip to Chicago... next time more Mommy shopping!!!!

This Veterans day

2011-11-11T04:33:00.000-08:00

Today on this Veterans day, 11.11.11 I would like to take time to thank the many veterans from our armed forces that served our country or are serving here at home or a far. Thank you for your service and dedication to protect our country. And thank you especially to my father-in-law Bill who served in Vietnam, we love you very much and are so proud of your service!!! {my father in law during Vietnam}
I am very thankful for those that dedicate their lives to protecting this country and I often take for granted the freedoms I have here in the United States that some people in other countries are still struggling to have to this day! Take time to thank the vets in your family today.

2 Weeks til Thanksgiving!

2011-11-09T08:42:00.001-08:00

{our thankful tree}
As Charlie Brown's Christmas song is playing in the background I write this blog. "Christmas Time is Here" I do want to make sure I don't forget a very important holiday before Christmas and no it isn't my birthday *wink* its thanksgiving. I am always trying to find something new and special to do with the kids almost everyday. I scower pinterest and other blog favorites to find new things. And something I found is a thanksgiving tree. It's a fun learning activity and cute holiday decoration. SCORE! Gigi was practicing her scissor skills on something other than her hair and tracing the leaves she pulled off my house plant. (I told her we were going to make leaves for our tree and she came to me with a handful of my heuchera leaves -- "like these, Mom?") After being pulled off the plant, I guess they made good stencils. Oh, well.

{the supplies for our project}

{tracing with alot of focus}

{Li Miss kept busy during the project having her first taste of oreos}

People on facebook have been posting what they are thankful for on their status everyday up to thanksgiving. I thought I would consolidate mine on the blog. The first thing I am thankful for and utterly blessed beyond belief is to have my wonderful husband. This man is my best friend and knows me better than I know myself. Last Tuesday night as I was running out the door to bring bubba to Tae Kwon Do & just catching my breath from running the girls home from swimming lessons, and making sure everyone's bellys were full not to mention make sure homework was completed and put away in their folders to go back to school -- Nate stops me and asks if I would want to call a babysitter for the weekend and go out on a date. I was stopped suddenly in my tracks. I think I had to check if my shoes made blackies on the kitchen floor. "Really?" I respond and before he could answer me back I am dialing the babysitter's number. We were both in need of some one on one time. We get so busy and we don't always get to talk like we want to and staying up lately to talk hasn't been an option because one of us are usually passed out soon after the kids bed time. So a date night was music to my ears. We were only out from 6 - 8:30 and spent the last hour at Toys R Us buying Christmas gifts, but it was "Us" time. That time is very rare with four little kids running under our feet constantly. Literally, I think I tripped head over heels over Gigi this morning as I was rushing everyone out the door to school. I had a basket full of dirty clothes in my hands and I am sure it was a sight as I fell (it felt like slow motion) flat on face in the foyer. I have such a wonderful husband that when I sent him to the store yesterday to pick up brown rice and pork sausage, he comes home with flowers. So sweet!! I know I don't tell him enough but he is amazing and I am one lucky girl!! So I am eternally thankful that the Lord put him in my life.

{the first leaf on our thankful tree}

{my flowers from my husband -- cyclamen}
{Gigi's first leaf}

I asked what Gigi is thankful for ... and after much deliberation and asking what that means.... she said she was thankful for Hugs. I love the mind of a child. Describing what "thankful" means we talked about things that God put in our lives that we are so glad he did, things we don't want to live without. I told her my first leaf is Daddy. She said Hugs... she likes hugs. Don't you just love her! She likes mommy hugs, daddy hugs, sissy hugs, and puppy hugs. Heart warming!!! And that brings me to the second thing I am thankful for is my children. I couldn't imagine life without any of them. They have brought meaning to my life and I waited my whole life to be a mom and while not ever day is exactly as I had planned, I wouldn't trade the day for the world. The kids have a piece of my heart and I ache when they ache. This week all of them have been sick and when they can't sleep, mommy can't sleep because I am running through my head if there is anything I can do to make them feel better. They make our life so much more colorful. Can a girl be this blessed?? Another thing I am thankful for is my family. Both my immediate family and my husband's family are the most kind and thoughtful people you could ever meet. The way they have supported Nate and I the last 2 years is beyond amazing and we are a stronger family because of them. We miss you all and can't wait to spend time at the holidays with you.

So there is 3 of my thankful leaves... the next 7 are as follows:

4) my friends -- we have some amazing friends who have become like family

5) my new town -- I really am thankful to have moved to a place where it is so convenient to get to anywhere... and a little closer to "home." Because "home" will always be where my mom is.

6) Starbucks -- I know this is so artificial, but where would I be without Starbucks somedays? On the couch exhausted beyond belief is where!

7) my iPhone -- this is my connection to the outside world. My grip to adult conversation even if it is through texting. I resisted against the iPhone a long time just because Nate was obsessed with it, but now I see why.

8) my puppies -- Dodger and Archie, my first babies. They always know when I need a cuddle and the kids have fallen so deeply in love with each of them. I was so distraught when we couldn't find Archie before Lil Miss's party but luckily our neighbor had found him and heard me outside shouting for his name. Lord help me when anything happens to either of them.

9) the YMCA -- this has become my home away from home. I have been going there at least 3 days a week to work out and the kids take their swimming lessons there, tae kwon do, cheerleading, and drum class and just Tuesday night I took my first Zumba class. What Fun!!! We spend alot of time at our local YMCA.

10) my crafting nook -- I am so thankful to have an area where I can keep my mountains of crafting supplies and that they are at my finger tips for a quick project like the thankful tree. It makes me a happier mommy when I get to have a outlet for my creative side!

Well, that is 10 of the thankful leaves for this month.... more to come. Now I am off to listen to some beautiful music provided by Gigi. She just loves to peck away at the ivory keys. Me and Lil Miss are in for a concert... be jealous!

2011-11-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

{a view from our backyard today!!}

The Candy Bowl is slowly dwindling, the Kit Kats have disappeared, the pumpkins are rotting waiting to be placed in the garbage can for collection this week, and the costume have been hung with all the other dress up clothes to be played with on days we need an all-out Star Wars Battle. Halloween is over and now we all are ready thinking of the holidays. It is an EXPRESS train to the end of the year. *Gasp* It always goes by in such a blur -- a glimpse of sparkle and parties & quick catch ups with people you wish you saw more but often don't. It's my favorite time of year and lasts only a brief moment. I have already started to listen to Christmas music, personally I don't think it is played enough. Actually Holly Jolly Christmas is playing in the background right now. Who can't smile when they hear sleigh bells in the background and a familiar Bing Crosby tune on the radio? Certainly not me!! I have the perfect place for our tree already scoped out and just need a go ahead from the "boss" to put it up. I wasn't the first one this year to put up the tree. On Oct 29th I got a text from one of friends with a picture of her tree all up with the lights on. She beat the Christmas Queen!

****spoiler alert -- do not read on is you believe in Santa Claus, Tooth Fairies, Easter Bunny or Unicorns! **** Santa has begun his Christmas shopping. He made a budget with Mrs. Claus and they are really trying with all their might to keep it in check. It is incredibly hard not to get sucked in to "keeping up with the Joneses". You talk to other Mrs. Clauses and discover what their kids are getting kids are getting and just don't want to be a scrooge, but you also don't want the kids spoiled beyond belief either! If they get everything they ever wanted then they never learn things like working for something, being patient, & the important rule of just because you "want it" doesn't mean you "need it!"

I grew up with so many things, for Christmases were amazing and we got great gifts from Santa. We were so blessed and privileged to receive the blessings we did. I think the first year we had Christmas with the kids we went WAY overboard. I think Santa tried to make up for the years he wasn't able to shower the kids with gifts at Christmas. It was amazing the very first Christmas with the kids. The had no clue what to expect. I remember that Christmas morning the kids were sleeping in to 9:30 and Nate's older brother couldn't stand it and had to go wake them up! They had no clue what was waiting for them under the tree. The amazement in their little eyes at the bounty Santa had brought them was priceless!!! The following year they had expectations what Santa was going to bring and we had to live up to them. Now they have this sense of entitlement and I am struggling with how do I teach them the power of hard work and not getting everything on a silver platter. But also am torn because I love to spoil them rotten and getting a squeal of delight out of them when they get something they were wishing for. The dilemmas of being a Mom. I am taking the Forgetting the Joneses Holiday Challenge at mommysavers.com. Trying to keep all my holiday spending in check. I think I have already made an impact on how i spend over this time of the year. Check it out!

So this year we are trying to stick with a budget and simplifying our lives. Listening to Judy Garland singing "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and spending time with one another is all we need. Sitting reading a book with my kids is so much rewarding them having them burying their heads in the DS or becoming zombies in front of the Wii. So now that my budget is set and lists have been made, I am ready to shop and then be done and start enjoying my holidays. Their can't be enough nights in front of the fire reading the Night before Christmas. Because as soon as it starts.... the holidays are over!
{the snow has started here..... I hear the salt truck! }

Attack of the Sugar Monsters

2011-10-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

Episode 2011

Attack of the Sugar Monsters

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

In a time of unrest because the sun is going down and it is

time for trick or treat, the natives are getting restless. {our star wars clan} Oh yes we are nerds and dressed our children all up in star wars costumes. Just to clarify it started with Bubba wanting to be Darth Vader. He started requesting Darth Vader back in August. Then when Rosie was asked what she wanted to be, she wanted to be a girl Jedi. So my thoughts are if two kids are going to be Star Wars characters, they might as well ALL be Star Wars characters. To clarify I am the nerd NOT Nate, which will be hard to believe I am sure. ;-) Rosie started off as Ashoka (a real girl Jedi) she has this crazy headpiece and red skin. But the costume I ordered off the Internet came in way too big, so after sending it back I decided Queen Amidala would just wield a light saber. I know, I know not true to character but it made everyone happy! Beth was able to bring the boys costumes too so we were able to see the boys in their cute outfits as well. If I would have been more well prepared I should have gotten them Star Wars costumes as well. I could see Luke skywalker and R2-D2 costumes in the future!!

{Lincoln and Mason} This is Lincoln's "cheese" face. He was trying a little to hard... but sooo cute!

{queen amidala} Some people thought she was a storm trooper but I think she pulled off the white jump suit really good!!!

{Princess Leia}
{Yoda}
"Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size do you?" Lil Miss was obviously Yoda even though she got called shrek a few times. And apparently a baby in a Yoda costume needs to be a boy. Because the kids kept correcting all the people that said... "look at that little by dressed up as Yoda!"

We tried to get a nice group picture ... but Lincoln wasn't feeling it. The giraffe is adorable though. Now that I think about it, I could have transformed the giraffe into Jar Jar Binks... okay now I have been watching WAY too much Star Wars... I need an intervention.
The weather was chilly but not raining so I think it was a great Halloween night!!!

Everyone we passed loved Princess Leia's hair! And Yes, it is a wig, her hair isn't quite long enough to pull this off yet.

{me and yoda}

We had to interrupt trick or treating to play out a battle.
This is before scarfing into the sugar.... candy monster is going to have to get some of that candy and hide it for safe keeping!!! Oh wait... i think the candy monster is here now and is hungry for some snickers..... uh oh.

Birthday Bash!!!

2011-10-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

So it was Lil Miss's Birthday week. On Tuesday night, we celebrated it as a family. We even had grandma Pam skype in on the cake eating and gift opening. Lil Miss loved every minute of attention. We also went to the dr this week and got her 12 month checkup (more on that in a later post) but we started her on milk and the last couple weeks we have been working with a sippy cup. :-( All these milestones make her grow u so fast. She's not a little baby anymore, we now have a toddler! Yikes!!

{big milestone drinking milk.... she is a big fan of cow's milk} She is taking to a pro on drinking out of a sippy. She is such a big girl and has just started to get upset when people eat food in front of her. Before she didn't seem to mind, but I have a hard time giving a snack to Gigi if Lil Miss sees me.

{jack o lantern pizza} Birthday Dinner was provided by Papa Murphy's, their jack o lantern pizza. The kids loved it!!

Baby girl was all ready for the cake portion of the evening. We sang happy Birthday and the kids helped her blow out her candle and then without even saying "may I" she dug right it. She truly enjoyed the icing... not even sure she got any cake. :-)
{I think she likes it!} This face says it all. She can't believe her mommy is letting her do this. Daddy on the other hand was freakin out! It's all good because the carpet is being replaced soon! Yeah!

{first gift she is opening} The gift portion of the evening lulled a little because a one year old opening gifts, well takes a while. Bubba was really patient with his sister while her sisters were shouting in the background... what is it! what is it! Hurry up!!
Grandma Pam got her a baby and a stroller! She is a whiz at pushing baby around the living room.

{loving her new chair and ottoman} She has her own little space now in the basement. She relaxes with daddy and puts her feet up. On Wednesday, the kides and I got ready for the counter tops to be installed. Nate had spent the weekend tearing out the existing counter tops and getting everything ready. It was 4 LONG days with no kitchen sink, counter tops, pretty no Kitchen. The kids loved eating out or getting take out but Mommy wanted to be able to wash bottles out and not have her house a mess.
{what are they doing in there?} Lil Miss was intrigued at what they were doing in the kitchen.
{My fabulous countertops} Tada!! Here is the final product. Now if you squint your eyes you can imagine tile floors installed soon, right? okay that is a project to be done too. but I have to take it one step at a time. This is a VAST improvement from what was there previously.

{breaking the board} Some other excitement from the week was that Bubba broke his first board at Tae Kwon Do. It was so cute to watch this little guys kick with all their might.

{Rosie before school} Rosie is still growing like a weed too. She has been looking so grown up these days, I need to check her height and see just how much she has grown because before too long she is going to be passing mommy.

On Friday, the kids didn't have school and Daddy stayed home to get the house in order for the big birthday bash/ football party. The countertops were installed Wednesday, the sink got FINALLY put together right on Thursday night, so that didn't leave mommy a whole lot of time to get the kitchen and house in order. But with every one's help we got everything in tip top shape. My sister, brother in law and mom were even here for the festivities of the weekend. I was so excited for the two babies only 7 days apart to have a joint birthday party. It was really picture perfect. {making birthday cupcakes on my new countertops!!!} After the cleaning was done, I got to do my favorite things...get decorations put together and cook! I even got to prepare the food on my new counter tops. I am in love with my kitchen.

{my little helper, cooking the hamburger for chili} We prepped all the ingredients for Saturday.... sandwiches and munchies for lunch and chili and cornbread for supper. We had alot done on friday so saturday morning we got to spend a little time playing with my nephews and catching up. It takes a while for my nephew Lincoln to warm up, but by the middle of the day I had him playing peek a boo in the club house and jumping in the bounce house. he makes me smile! he has grown up so much in the last 2 years, I can remember his first birthday party and making his cake for him to enjoy. I don't think he had as much fun then as the two little ones did on Saturday.

I HAD to make a few fun things to make the house look birthday party ready. I saw a balloon wreath on pinterest that I wanted to make so I got the supplies and the kids help me put it together. Even Lil Miss tried to help by blowing up the balloons. She was trying to imitate her siblings. The balloon was covered in baby slobber. still adorable though...
{finished product} I think it came out as nice as the original. It was so simple and I am going to reuse it for all the kids birthdays. Hanging it on the kids doors on their birthdays to surprise them when they wake up.

{working on decorations for party} I also made a 12 month garland with pictures of both babies each month in the last year.... this I plan on turning into a quickly album for each of them as a keepsake.

It was a cute accessory.

{Birthday Kids all cute in their matching outfits}

I think the older kids were more excited on Saturday. Rosie kept talking about her friends from ottumwa that were coming up for the party, Bubba talked about the chili (he eats it by the bowl full!) and gigi was interested when we were serving cake. The kids each had a birthday cake, so it was double the fun. We sang Happy Birthday to the babies, and then they dug in. {mason digging into the cake} He was a little tentative about how to start, but was a pro by the end. Lil Miss on the other hand had done this a few days ago, so she knew the process. Stick your finger the Icing and lick, lick, lick.

{she looks content}

{yum yum yum}

{the aftermath of Mason's cake}

{Lil Miss's cake after being eaten}

{Mr. Mason} This little boy is ready to run, literally. He is running circles around our little girl. But he needs a thing or two about going down stairs from Lil Miss. After all the sugar from the cake and icing the two babies went down for a looooong nap or went into a sugar coma.

{birthday girl was all smiles!!}
{opening gifts} Of course, she was spoiled rotten once again!

{baby races} They chased each other and the dogs. Mason especially liked chasing the puppies around the house. Looks like he wants a puppy for chirstmas Beth! ;-) They played nicely together. To bad we don't live closer to one another so they could play like this more often.

{little playmates} Even Lincoln was playing nicely (most of the time). Lil Miss doesn't know what its like to share because she is given everything on a silver platter by her siblings. She needs to have toys taken away from her more often.

{playing in the colored rice} All the little kids playing in Lil Miss's new colore rice box. This will be a fun winter activity to keep Lil Miss and Gigi busy over the winter when there is snow on the ground.

Licoln had a blast playing in the rice. I made the rainbow rice for Lil Miss this week. It was as simple as taking long grain rice (bulk) and adding 3 T of rubbing alcohol and 3 T of food coloring. The kids helped me before and after school and we were done. They helped me mix the colors in the bag.

Here is the green rice getting spread out on the cookie sheet to dry. It was dry in a couple of hours. I just layed it flat on the cookie sheet in the sun and before you knew it, a project was done.

Rainbow rice!!! It was pretty all seperate, but that only lasted a few seconds...... but I like the confetti look too!
{does it get any more precious than this? I think not}Daddy already knows he is going to be in trouble with this look that he gets from her!!!

{bubba and lincoln } Before my family left on sunday we were able to play somemore and the boys got into a light saber fight. bubba had an unfair advantage standing up!

{tears to go home} Lincoln was all tears sunday afternoon. Unfortunately these tears aren't because he is leaving but because mom and dad went outside to load the van without him. Someday there will be tears when he leaves Aunt Lynnie's house.... but not this weekend. We miss you guys already. And thanks to all our friends who made it out on saturday. You made a special day even more special. It was fun to see our friends here and from Ottumwa. We missed you all and can't wait to see you again soon.

We have a One Year Old!!

2011-10-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

Gosh, I can't believe our little girl is 1!!! It seems like yesterday that I was in the hospital giving birth to our precious miracle. It seems like only yesterday that I learned out I was pregnant with our little girl. I remember the moment I discovered I was pregnant. It was 18 months ago, that I was having a rough time trying to make it through a day. Rosie and I were constantly butting heads, she was a tough bugger to crack to fully open up to me. It took months and months, no years, for us to have we have now. At that point she had a great relationship with Nate, but didn't want to get near me. Constantly said she hated me and i didn't know how to handle it that my daughter didn't love me. I want' feeling myself, something wasn't right with my body. I felt awful all the time and it was like flu. I felt quesy in the morning and soooo utterly exhausted by 2 o clock in the afternoon AND talk about emotional. 9 months before that I would have instantly thought I was pregnant, but that didn't cross my mind instantly in this case. It took about 4 weeks for me to finally think in my head maybe I should take a pregnancy test. I didn't tell Nate, because of course this was absurd, i mean we had tried to get pregnant FOREVER and it never worked out. So I had a left over pregnancy test under the sink and after I dropped Rosie off at preschool I took a test. 3 minutes of by and there is two pink lines. I go through shock, and then severe terror. I am already at my wits end and have more than I can handle and NOW I get pregnant. Is this real? I immediately call Nate at work and tell him the good/bad news. At this point it hasn't sunk in. I am riding a roller coaster of emotions. But after talking and calming down over a few days it settles in that I am really pregnant. AND then the fear of losing the pregnancy sinks in. UGH... it's amazing that I even survived the 9 months. We and so many fears..... are we going to be able to carry this baby full term? are the other kids going to be negatively affected by a baby? if we lose the baby and tell the kids how will losing one more thing going to feel to them? how can we add one more child to our family and share the love? It was a crazy 9 months but in the end we had a miracle and GOD had a plan in store for us. No one could believe that this story of our life actually happened but it DID!!! AND LIL MISS came into our lives. The kids couldn't love her anymore and they adjusted amazingly well to having a little sister. We have been blessed beyond belief. I feel like I don't deserve all the wondrous things that the Lord has bestowed on me, but I am utterly grateful. I wouldn't change lives with anyone in the world.
And now that lil baby girl is ONE! I can't believe it. She has grown amazingly in the last 12 months... she is walking, has 8 sharp teeth, in 12 - 18 months clothing, she says dada, momma, bubba, baba (bottle) and is getting quite a personality. She completes our family and we love her.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!

Here's to many more years of making our life sparkle!!

Play Dates, Tooth Fairies, and Tae Kwon Do

2011-10-19T08:54:00.001-07:00

We've been busy. Mommy is putting more and more miles on the van getting kids from here to there. A Couple weeks ago we had Nate's brother and family come and visit us. It was fun having family here and showing them around the house that we call home now. The kids were super excited to get to play with their cousins and have them spend the night. We celebrated our nieces birthday while they were here and just enjoyed time with them. It makes us glad we are a few hours closer to family with the move that family can visit a little easier. {Nate took forever lighting the candles.... it was quite funny, Dale the fireman had to get in on the action to get them all lit!}

I can't believe this girl is 11. I remember when she was born!! She is now such a beautiful lady and I am very proud to call her my niece. Rosie just LOVES hanging out with Megan, she is pretty much her Idol. LOL

In other eventful news, Rosie lost another tooth. This year she is defiantly going to be able to sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"!! Because there is a wide gap on the top. Her speech is slightly different as she figures out how to talk and eat without those very important teeth. The tooth fairy visited and brought $1.00 -- she was quite excited and has plans to add it to her coin purse to the money she is saving to get something "really cool, mom!"

Family time and snuggling was on the agenda for this past weekend. Nate got the fireplaces running in the house and we have been enjoying sitting in front of the fire and just relaxing. After church on Sunday, Nate had the coffee pot programmed so that when we walked in the door our coffee was ready. It was heavenly, thanks honey! The kids got some books and puzzles out (little monster was taking a nap) and we just chilled for a while. Rosie is becoming an excellent reader it is amazing how far she has come!

I got a few things done around the house. I promised a picture of my finished canvas for my foyer and this is what it became. A first "Lynn" piece of art. {my boy in his Tae Kwon Do uniform}

Little girl has big hopes of playing with the big kids. At the Y when I go into child watch the ladies tell me they have to put her in a walker for her safety because she tries to play with the big kids and they aren't so nice to our little girl. Gigi has told me that "The kids don't like when my sister tries to talk their toys." So lil miss is banished to a walker until she learns to ask politely for a toy and not just take. The problem is at our house she is waited on hand and foot by her big siblings and she doesn't know about kids taking her toys away, not yet.

Her has been my regular morning routine.... get up, try to get kids ready and out the door, go workout at Y, run errands, and on really special days treat myself to a Starbucks. Oh what a day! Don't mind the stack of books on my nightstand that I am trying to read when I am not trying to do everything else. Eventually they will get read, maybe in front of the fireplace one of these evenings.

A typical morning for Gigi includes some fun time while lil miss naps. She has been so eager to play with daddy's ipad. I jump in the shower after the workout and Gigi plays a few games. Our kids are spoiled!!!

Here are my new running shoes, I am so excited because the pumas I was using made my feet numb after running about 10 minutes. Now I don't lose feeling in my toes, YEAH!! Looking good while you workout makes it easier to go to the gym and get in front of everyone and workout. Next on the agenda is to get some cute gym clothes... but for now tshirts and Capri jogging pants will do, I refuse to get more clothes in this size and am determined to lose the weight. A struggle but am trying. It is funny to hear the kids ask if this is healthy or tell their friend that is mommy's diet cereal. Maybe if I lose this gut, my son will stop asking if I am having another baby. :-( LOL I think it would put daddy over the edge if that happened! LOL

Lil girl has fallen in love with the "Sing Off" like the rest of us. She gets her snack and sits in her Bumbo and watched the action.

{this girl is just in love with her new room}

{Gigi at the zoo on a playdate}
This week, me and the kids are trying to find any excuse to be out of the house. It is hard to do anything with no kitchen countertops and kitchen sink. All get installed on Wednesday! Can't wait. So lots of activities out of the house are planned.

Today we met up with friend and her girls at the Family Museum and took a music class (alot of hopping around and singing) The girls had a blast. Gigi knew all the songs and even Lil Miss was shaking her booty.

I tried and tried to get a video of it, but of course when i urn the video feature on she doesn't do it. But Lil Miss is officially walking more than she is crawling. Right before her 1 year birthday she is a walker! Yippee!!!

Gigi liked driving the old car..... She did tell me that she had to turn some music on in the car before she started driving. Priorities, right?!? We have been getting lots of groceries at the store to stock up for our party this weekend. The girls have been big helpers. Gigi holds the grocery list and checks things off that I put in the cart (sometimes things I didn't get) so I have to double check the list everytime and Lil Miss has started to pull things off of the shelves when i get the cart a little too close to an aisle. it is great to get to the checkout and see 6 boxes of elbow macaroni in the cart, I now my little swipper has been at work!! We have had a few minutes here and there to even get our pumpkins done for the year. This year because of the kitchen renovation i didn't want to bother carving pumpkins so I used good old Martha Stewart for inspiration. We glittered pumpkins instead. They turned out soooo cute!! {supplies for pumpkins}
{here is our work in process}

Mommy sprayed the adhesive and the kids glittered. There was glitter all over but I think of it as pretty dust! Mommy had sparkles all over when I went to the salon to get my hair cut.

Happy Fall!!!! Here is the Front Entrance all decorate for the holidays!!!

It feels like home to me....

2011-10-19T05:50:00.000-07:00

I feels like home to me, It feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back to where I belong..
Okay now that I have that song in my head. :-)
I promised Nate a long time ago when I started the blog that I wouldn't put music on the site so that when you type in the website name and the website loads... loud blaring music comes through the speakers. I don't blame him, I often look (or snoop) at other people's blogs and when that music, which is unexpected, starts playing I instantly leap for the knob to turn the music off. I couldn't imagine being at work and some music I would pick, such as Ingrid Michaelson or The Fray or better yet a rockin Bon Jovi song blares through the computer. I snicker at the thought. maybe I should add some music. Just Kidding honey! But that can't stop me from singing music in my head or blasting music while I write. :-)
The last couple of days this has really felt like home. I don't feel like we are doing tons of projects and waking up in the morning it doesn't feel like I am somewhere else. The dust is accumulating, the toys have spilled out into every room, I find kid's socks everywhere (not kidding, yesterday I found one tucked in between couch cushions) Yep it's our house. We have definitely taken ownership. There is enough "Lynn touches" to make it feel like home. {daddy working in the kitchen}

The kitchen has had the most transformation and it is far from finished. The two things we compromised when buying this house was the kitchen (got smaller) and the garage (didn't get bigger!). So right away we started brainstorming what we could do to make the kitchen fit all my stuff! It was suggested by my sister Kathy, to get rid of a few things (yes ironic, I think so! LOL) but I truly use everything I own. The things I don't use (like the bread maker -- against Nate's wishes) I get rid of, but the things I use such as pancake griddle, crockpot, baking dishes, etc. I need near me. Not down in the basement. We discussed knocking down walls, tearing out cabinets, re-working the entire kitchen, and we finally settled on tearing out one set of cabinets and putting in a pantry. This seemed like the least expensive and least amount of construction. I don't know how I would endure a couple months of construction! You would have to commit me.
Here is the kitchen now without the new countertops that are coming a week from today! YEAH!!! Take a good look because this might be the last time the island isn't piled high with mail, homework, snack wrappers, shoes, and of course socks (they are everywhere!).
{eat in -- before}
The kitchen was not ME when we bought the house. It really needed updated. As cute and modern as the rest of the house was, the kitchen just didn't flow right. And on the wall with the refrigerator was a desk and top cabinets, but I needed more cabinets. Hence, the pantry.

I changed the curtains dramatically. The rest of the kitchen is pretty neutral so i decided to go all out with the curtains with a pattern. I was looking for a print with the aqua and red in it that I have accented in the kitchen. I couldn't find a cool geometric print so I went with this floral -- hopefully not country like Nate thinks. I love it.
This bowl I fell in love with at TJ Maxx. It so went with the rest of my colors and I fell head over heals. A great find!!!

{ The ugly red painted had to go..... after much elbow grease they went away!} .

Do you see how many holes were in our walls? This was just the kitchen, but there were holes in every wall of the house!

{half bath}

The half bath is located right beside the kitchen. I originally had a cool chilled wine color picked out (a deep purple) It was intense but Nate said "No" very strictly. I was totally shot down. So I quickly picked a different color as Nate was headed out the door... and here is the end result. Now I have to admit as it was going on the wall, I hated it. It looked like I had butchered something in there. But after putting the fixtures back up and put my touches back up, I like it. Not love, but going to live with. ;-) I don't want to paint anymore.

I made these frames from some Ikea picture frames, scrapbook paper, and letters from Hobby Lobby. I like that it is just something different and isn't a whole bunch more pics of the family like I have posted everywhere in the house. LOL

{basketball hoop -- an after school favorite}

I don't know what I would do if we didn't have this basketball hoop. The kids are so entertained by shooting hoops and playing pig after school. It gives me a few minutes to get supper on the table. All in all the house is ours. Not just beacause we pay the mortage, but because it is "US". All my little things that I have created ..... the things nate rolls his eyes at.... that makes it "OURS".

{I took a folding chair from our stash and painted it hot pink for Rosie's room. It turned out great and the look on her face was priceless. I painted it while she was at school and she walked in the garage and said "oh my gosh mom! how did you know I wanted a pink chair?" A mother always knows! 'wink wink'
I finally added some personality to the girls room and put up these shelves all by myself!! Giving myself a pat on the back for this. Between putting up shelves and using the drill all by myself this week... I am superwoman. LOL

This wall in the foyer was bothering me. It had a few holes of course, and we weren't going to paint ... remember previous comment... I am done painting. So I had to create something to fill the spot.

Here is a creation I am working on.... final pictures up on the wall to come later! All of these things get the creative bug out of me and make the house a home. I love it and feel comfortable and settled, sorry to bore you with more pictures of the house, but it is alot of work and we are proud of what we have done!!

2011-10-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

Is there just something someone can say to make you upset? To me those words are "babysitter or friend". To fill you in, yesterday I was at the YMCA and the girls and I were leaving and Gigi ran ahead and held the door for me. {interpreted means-- pressed the handicap button} Mommy was loaded down with a gym bag, diaper bag, Lil miss, and Lil Miss's elephant blanket..... REALLY had my hands full. A woman walking out in front of me turns to Gigi and tells her to "oh.. wait for your friend....or babysitter." Seriously. Of course I fire back immediately "I am her mom!" and as if on cue Gigi says "come on, Mom!"

I didn't really know how insecure I am of the fact that the kids obviously don't look like me and therefore random strangers don't automatically think the kids are "ours". At the beginning, I was always thinking that way. I was constantly trying to explain to teachers, grocery store clerks, women at the playground.... " oh my husband and I adopted" because I could see the uncertainty in people's eyes or the wondering. But now its different because the kids couldn't be anymore "ours". It's not just a signed piece of paper, they are our son and daughters. I couldn't imagine life without any of them. So, I don't even think twice when bringing them to karate and dropping my boy off. I don't feel the need to explain at all. But one (or three) little words like "friend or babysitter" can make me mad. Most moms would never feel this because when you are walking your child down the street everyone assumes that the little girl holding your hand is yours. But for us who adopt a different nationality, or race than our own it is not assumed that the beautiful child is yours. We are first assumed to be a babysitter or friend. UGH! Maybe I should have taken it as a compliment that I don't look old enough to have a child that is 4.... because I am only 21. {that is how old Bubba thinks mommy is! ;-) } But I don't think that was the way she was thinking. I just wish it didn't bother me so much. It took awhile to feel like a "real" mom, and I just wish everyone saw me as that.

We still get moments when we are sitting at a restaurant and a stranger will come up to our table and say "where are these children from?" or "did you adopt from Haiti?" seriously that has happened to us. We will be in the middle of eating dinner and have to explain (in front of the children by the way) the whole story of how we became a family. Now I love to tell the story and tell Gigi almost every week while she is looking at the photo album, but to just tell a curious on looker is annoying. The funniest conversation I ever had was a lady at the mall asked me

"where are the kids from?"

I said "from Des Moines"

"No, where are they from?"

"...from Des Moines" (said with a slight eyebrow raise)

"No, I mean where are they adopted from?"

"They are adopted domestically and they are from right here. We did not go across seas to adopt they were right in our backyard. We were very lucky."

Seriously after that conversation I was like... get the point lady. Not the nicest of me I know. So now after writing this journal entry I feel guilty for getting so upset at the lady from the Y. I wish I would have said "this beautiful girl is my daughter" with a smile and not got snippy like I did. Well, next time I will. I am so glad my therapist (my journal) helped me through this.and let me get this all off my chest. Just send me a bill!

Missing Daddy

2011-10-12T08:19:00.001-07:00

It is a dreary Wednesday morning... blah! The girls and I had errands on the agenda this morning but who wants to go out in this stuff? So I cleaned a little and then found an excuse to sit at the computer just a little bit while lil miss sleeps. Gigi is watching "Super Why" one of her favorite shows and it is about Rapunzel so she is enthralled! Daddy left for a recruiting trip yesterday so we have been coping at night without him around. It makes mommy's job so much tougher. The kids really miss him while he is gone. On Sunday Gigi was wearing her "My heart belongs to Daddy" shirt and said I want to wear this everyday. (this is not far from the truth!) I asked her why, and she replied because daddy is working or sleeping and I don't get to see him very much and I love him! awwww... by the way I was busting out laughing because he had just slept in that morning and I always give him a hard time for sleeping in on the weekend. On Monday night Daddy left to get his haircut and when he left you would think he was leaving for a year... here are the girls sad to see daddy go....

{priceless!}

I am so happy daddy caught this moment on camera because there are so many things mommy misses! It is crazy after school and getting crazier. We have gotten into a good routine after school getting into more activities is making our schedule messier. Bubba started martial arts last night. It went Great! He was all smiles and told us all about the round kicks and front kicks and how he is not supposed to fight with his sisters... but can with his dad at home! :-) He has to learn to count in Korean and learn the tenets of TaeKwonDo. I think he will really like to learn marital arts.
Gigi is just content hanging out with mommy at home. I signed her up for swimming lessons so she will be starting that in a few weeks. In the mean time she will be reading to the dogs on a daily basis.

Lil miss is growing like a weed. I can't wait to go for her 12 month check up to see how much she has grown!!

She is eating more and more big kid food and I think I have bought my last baby food. WooHoo! While in her high chair she insists she is fed until taken out of high chair. She will just keep piling it in. My little moo cow!

{what me!}
While downloading my camera pics to the computer I noticed that I have about 40 pictures taken by gigi random pics around the house. She caught mommy typing away on the computer.

Well, I hear the thunder... I just might keep my sweats on this morning and keep plugging away on my to do list. I think I crossed off about 5 things this morning.. let's see how many more I can get done before the older kids get home. Here's to hoping!!

Sing off wannabees

2011-10-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

My children are just the biggest fans of "the sing off" (mommy is too!)
The kids have watched this week's episode I believe at least 3 times. Tonight they wanted to watch that instead of a movie for family movie time. They are just nuts..... here they are showing their moves!

a tisket, a tasket, let's use the picnic basket

2011-10-06T08:08:00.001-07:00

If you are living in the Midwest right now... I hope you are enjoying this weather and making the most of it. It is Absolutely Gorgeous out!! We have the windows open, the a/c off, flip flops back out.... I cannot believe it is October?!? So needless to say the dust rag has been put up and "fun" mom is here. "Fun" mom is the mom who plays PIG with the kids in the driveway, who sits in the yard and picks blades of grass, who draws massive pictures on the driveway with chalk and doesn't obsess about how dirty the house it. That is "fun" mom. Not to be mistaken for "mom on a mission" who would like to get something done without being interrupted, or "mean mom" who just won't let them do anything... said in a very whiney voice. ;-) Being outside has been a must for this wonderful weather and we have been taking full advantage of this rather warm fall weather.

Yesterday was a perfect day. I really mean it. It is one of those day where everything falls right and goes as planned. Mommy can't ask for much more. I had a play date with a Quad City Moms Group and then we stopped off at Target to get a few things for a picnic and spent the rest day at the park. Lovely!!! I just happened to grab my camera bag and decided to take Lil Miss's 12 month pictures while I was at it!! Here is the view from laying on our picnic blanket!

{picnic lunch! the cupcake is all Gigi's!! }
Our menu at the picnic was as follows:

Gigi -- lunchable, frosted cupcake (reminder not to go by the bakery at the grocery store with her!! ) and strawberry milk to wash it all down

Mom -- buffalo chicken wrap, apple, and diet dr. pepper
Lil Miss -- a little bit of this and little bit of that -- seriously she is at the stage of eating all big kid food and not the baby food I pack her anymore. She enjoyed frosting off the cupcake, crackers, bits of chicken, and puffs and Formula to wash it all down!

{beautiful... there are no other words}

This two girls have a bond. It is amazing to see them interact and how Gigi takes care of her little sister. At night, I listen to them through the baby monitor to Gigi singing in her bed to put her little sister to bed... twinkle, twinkle, little star. So sweet! In the morning when they wake up Gigi gets toys for lily to play with. They are the perfect roommates and best of friends.
The park we visited had an added bonus in that it had a duck pond! Gigi could sit forever watching the ducks swim by. She kept trying to coax them closer to her! I fell in love with this park. I actually called Daddy when we were leaving and told him that "I found my dream park". It has everything a mommy and amateur photographer could wish for. A duck pond, fountain, playground, stone bridge, big grassy lawn (reminds me of the oval at Ohio State), just everyplace in the park is beautiful. It was the first day in along time that I wasn't checking my phone every 5/10 minutes. I just enjoyed the time with my girls and enjoyed the experience.

{ here ducky, ducky!!}

How can you not love this? My only wish was that I wish daddy and the other kids could have been there to enjoy it with us.

Can't get enough of my girls shoes! last week they all got a new pair of kicks!!

{Gigi's shoes}
Gigi is gaga over her new shoes. We wear a dress everyday to match the shoes. She gets lots of compliments which only makes her smile brighter and twirl around a little more! What a diva!!

And then we got lily smiling for a few photos. I made a deal with Daddy a week ago. I have been looking around for a photographer around here for Lil Miss's 1 year pics and instead of having someone take them... Mommy could spend more money on an outfit and instead of spending more on one outfit... I bought all the girls new shoes!! I think it is a steal! ;-) So hence the new shoes... now only if I can get them in mommy's size! :-)

{both my girls were angels and so photogenic}
The pictures aren't as good as they would be if I had a photographer with better lighting and someone to help get the girls smiling at me. But, I think they will look just fine on my wall. It really helps that they just have gorgeous smiles!

{this girl has really grown up}

She is my girl who looks to look at pictures for hours. She will go in the living room and pull out a photo album and just glance at all the pictures. We got out her "baby' book and her face has just changed so much in the last 2 1/2 years. Really... she has grown up and looks more and more like big sister.

{lil miss and her lamb friend}

I needed daddy there to capture her ornery smile.... she gave me her cute look... but she gives daddy her "I'm going to give you gray hair" look.

I love LOVE this book. I love you through and through is such a cute book and I treasure when I get to sit down and read it to the kids.

{this picture is my absolutely favorite!}

Lil miss fell asleep in her stroller! an exciting day out on the town wore her out!!

fingers need I say more... {sisterly love}
I am definitely feeling more like home her in the quad cities. This week was the first week I felt relaxed and settled and we have been able to discover more around town. I still truly miss all my friends back in Ottumwa, but the family time her in the quad cities is wonderful!! Daddy even gets to enjoy us more with a little better schedule now. Makes mommy happy!!!

{sidewalk art}

{homework time}

A ritual everyday after school, we get our homework done. Rosie has been working exceptionally hard on school work and is very smart. She reads more and more everyday. Rosie has adjusted to moving very well, her favorite part of the new house is her own room. She has her own crafting tools in her room and is in a phase of making snowflakes. There is bits and pieces of construction paper ALL over the house. We have a pile of snowflakes in her room from all her hard work. We have enough snowflakes we can make it "snow" in the house! But I guess she gets it from mom and soon we can be crafting together! Some kids just can't handle all the excitement and drop from exhaustion. And her is miss ornery with her new discovery of mommy's kitchen cabinets. On daddy's list of things to do... put child locks on the cabinets. She loves the Tupperware drawer and I think I have organized a couple dozen times and then it has been unorganized. Oh well... the joys of motherhood!

Fa Fa Fall!!

2011-10-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

This weekend had lots of family time. On Friday night and Saturday morning Nate and I got some work done and put up a new over head light in the kitchen. It is sooooo much better than the previous hideous fluorescent light that was up. Nate also put up some new storage in the garage.... organization must be wearing off on him because he has all these ideas how to make his tools more organized! Makes mommy happy!!!! :-) Saturday afternoon mom had her first volunteer opportunity at the kids school for their school festival. I sold raffle tickets and had a great chat with a mother of one of Rosie's classmates. It was a great way to meet people! Yeah! Daddy brought the kids to the festival at the end of my shift and they got to play all kinds of games, fill up on sugar, see classmates, and have loads of fun. Somehow mommy and daddy left the festival with pounding headaches... go figure! That night daddy went to a birthday party for one of our friends and mommy stayed home, put the kids in bed, and crashed herself. I was tired!!!
Sunday morning the kids were up at the crack of dawn. We had all the baths done, breakfast ate, kids all dressed up, and in the car by church at 9! Now this is an amazing task!! With daddy's help this was possible! { On our way to the pumpkin patch}
The weather was so beautiful on Sunday, that we just had to enjoy it. So we called our friends and decided to meet at the pumpkin patch.

Not far away we found a cute pumpkin patch that was just waiting for 4 crazy kids to run through its fields searching for just the right pumpkins. Daddy was in charge pushing the cart through the field... the girls were in charge of steering! YIKES!

{Can he get any cuter?}

There were lots of cats at the pumpkin farm.... gigi liked playing with them. She said we should take one home. NOT! I told her the kitty would not get along with dodger and Archie. And that is the truth... no telling what dodger would do to a poor little kitty. It wouldn't know what hit it!

{reverse of roles on steering and pushing... not sure what scenario was better?}

I love fall. It is so beautiful with the leaves changing colors, piles of leaves on the ground, layering of clothes, pumpkins, fall decorations.... and an excuse to eat caramel apples!!! It is just the most wonderful time of year to spend with family and do so many things that are a family tradition. the goats were a big hit too! Until daddy wanted to feed gigi to them. :-)

Baby Olivia was picture perfect at the pumpkin patch!

Lil Miss found just the right pumpkin. It was almost as tall as her! Gigi was a big helper trying to keep her little sis from crawling in the dirt.

{the kids were all smiles}

All in all we packed the van with 105 lbs. of pumpkin! Now that sounds like alot but that is only 6 big pumpkins for carving and 6 small white pumpkins for decorations. That would have cost me an arm and a leg at the grocery store but here it was 1/2 that price. Good to Daddy's ears! :-)
After the pumpkin patch we took a drive. The weather was amazing and we couldn't have asked for a better day. There are so many awesome sites in this new city we live in. Driving over the Mississippi almost everyday is just surreal. The Bridge is just beautiful. I love discovering these new sites and sharing them with the kids. They love crossing the bridge and seeing the water.

We have lived here just a month and it is feeling more and more like home. The house everyday seems to have less and less on floor and countertops and more and more in its rightful place. Just tonight I finally sat down with Rosie and went thorugh her room and put things away on her desk and found places for her books and made a spot for everything so she knows where to put it. She only needs her canopy put up.... (hardware is purchased and canopy is stting on end of bed, just waiting for daddy to finish this one) and a shelf and hook put up and we are done with her room. Bubba's room was finished today too. I put up some drapes and that is that! I feel so accomplished and I can't always say that. I even have got to have some great time with the kids too! I taught the kids how to play PIG this weekend so we have gotten in a few games everyday after school. That really makes my day when I can put the dust rag down and pick up some sidewalk chalk and scribble the ABC's on the driveway. Now, I don't do that everytime they ask.. shame on me... but a few days I do and I am happier for it. The dusting can wait!

So as for my fallwish list we can check off pumpkin patch on the list. 7 more on my Fall Bucket List to Go!!!

1. bonfire with smores

2. apple picking

3. Photoshoot in a big pile of leaves (thinking about hopping into our neighbor's pile in the front yard... is that inconsiderate?)

4. bake a pie.... ohhhhhh how I can't wait to make a pie. Will it fit in my diet though?

5. Go on a Hay Ride

6. Go on a walk and collect pretty colored leaves that have fallen to the ground

7. Decorate pumpkins

Can't wait to check off more on my bucket list!!!

Hello October

2011-10-03T06:28:00.000-07:00

Wow - It is October, a beautiful time of the year. Last night, for the first time in a long time, I journaled. It's great to be back to pen and paper. I started this new blog to start this newness I feel inside. A restart of sorts. The old blog catolouged our journey to becoming parents. As it is an exciting story, the journey to become parents is over and now we are just trying to be parents! Struggling along everyday with parenting struggles from trying to get our 4 year old to NOT pee her pants at night, to dealing with young boy love in our first grader. {yep can you believe it we have to worry about this at 6 years old!! Yikes}

We started the Far and Away blog on July 28th, 2008. At that point in my life (it seems like an eternity ago) I was extremely sad, depressed, asking why all the time, and looking for a break in the clouds in my life. My husband and I had been trying to get pregnant for 4 years and after countless tests, 3 IVF cycles, 3 miscarriages, and 2 D & C's we were both exhausted. The blog started a month after we put pen to paper and officially made the decision to adopt... that in its self was a HUGE thing for me. We had exhausted all other avenues of concieveing a baby on our own and I finally gave into going down the adoption path. It was very hard giving up the dream of having a baby that looked like me or my husband. To never have a stranger come up and say "she has your nose." Somewhere back in my mind I always thought we would adopt, but maybe after having a few of our own. But only God knows the plan that was instore for us. I couldn't imagine our life any other way.

Since that moment -- we have adopted 3 children (all from the same family, domesitically) and miracously had a little baby girl the "old fashoined" way too! My how things have changed. And it is easy for me to sit here now and say everything worked out the way it was supposed to, but tell that to the Lynn 3 1/2 years ago.... NO WAY. I would have shut down and felt sorry for myself and been mad at everyone around me that was saying everything will be okay. My husband, God bless him, did the best he could to make me feel loved unconditionally no matter what happened. And he was the one to first talk about adoption. I was unreceptive at first, but once I started really looking into it... I was hooked.

Life went from just the two of us to a house full of noise. Everyday is exciting and challenging with our 4 little munchikins running around, but I wouldn't change my life for anything. I am the luckiest person in the world. And so.... (quite a long explaniation to why) I have started to create a new blog. Also an added bonus is that eventually I will delete the far and away blog so that when sometimes I goofed up and put the kids names on the blog by accident those won't be there anymore. My husband's be weary of everyone's attitude will be calmed. He won't be nervous of people creeping on the web trying to google our kids names. So from now on they will be Rosie, Bubba, Gigi, and Lil Miss -- their nicknames around the house.

I hope you continue to stick around the blog and follow what is going on around in our household. Don't think for a second that now that the adoption process is over that our life got any less crazy. It is completely the opposite. The last 3 months have been filled with moving to a new home, starting school, learning a new area, and random thoughts and actions of 4 VERY rambunctious children.

For those of you who would like.. please follow the blog (on the right hand side of the blog) so I know someone out there in the big world of the web... someone is listening to me. I have made a pledge to myself to make sure I journal more things that are happening in our life. From adoption know hows, to parenting dos or dont's, to crafting, to pouring out my heart and soul just to make myself feel better that is why the blog was created. I can't gaurantee that there won't be spelling mistakes or bad mommy moments, but it is my life. Here is the start of my next journey.... a house full of insanity!

And yes, to my brother kurt, anyone can start a blog.... look I have two now! LOL