Our Week 2.6

These two are so funny. I swear the cat thinks Babycakes is a kitten sometimes.

Little Man turned 7 1/2 this week. We celebrated with 1/2 of a cake, gifts, and fun. I don't know where the time goes. I've decided I just want to keep both boys little forever.

Babycakes now thinks he need to wake up at 6:45. Momma is not so fond of mornings after being up with him at 11, 12, 1, 1:30, 2:15, 3, 4, 5, 5:15, 6, and 6:45.

I call this one his sassy-pants face. I swear this kid has so much attitude already. He just can't hold it all in.

Welcome to the World

Welcome to the world little one!
Born August 19th
8 lbs 6 oz
21 1/2 inches
Absolutely perfect

Vacation

It seems that summer is flying by already, and I feel like we've done nothing! But when I really think about it, I realize that Little Man has had the chance to do quite a few things this summer already. And we still have two months to go. (Though I can't believe it's only two more months and that baby #2 will be arriving before summer comes to an end.)

A few weeks ago, we took a little 6-hour road trip. Surprisingly, the car ride went amazingly well. Little Man only asked if we were "there yet" 42 times, hubby only got us lost 3 times, and we only narrowly missed getting hit by another car twice. The number of times my seat was kicked was too high to count though, and the fact that it was followed by a smaller kick inside my belly almost every time made my hubby giggle. I wasn't nearly as amused.

Once we were there we spent a week doing fun things. The boys went kayaking, while I enjoyed a good book and a cup of hot cocoa on the house porch. My son (thankfully) arrived back in one piece, and though covered in fishy smelling mud and shivering, he was so excited to tell me about his adventure.
We went to the beach. The first beach outing Little Man can actually remember. He had a blast collecting shells and taunting the ocean.
We visited an amazing dinosaur park, call the Dinosaur Place. Life-sized dinos, an erupting volcano, miles to walk, and a playground, easily equals every little boy's dream.
We spent another afternoon exploring a castle and it's grounds. Surprisingly, Little Man loved going through the castle and declared he needs "popcorn" lights (lights within stained glass globes) for his room too.
And we went to an aquarium. Little Man still wants to be a zoologist one day, so he was so excited to get up close and personal with a beluga whale, feed a sting ray, and pet a shark. Momma was a little freaked out when it felt like the sting ray was going to ram my hand to get his food, but I survived with a smile on my face.
Getting time away, and the chance to focus on fun for a whole week was so nice. By the end of the week, Little Man and I were both excited to sleep in our own beds again though. But by the next day he was asking when we could go back to the "vacation house" again.

Wordless Wednesday: 1980s

(Me & my sister...in my great-grandma's wigs)

(Porch fishing...Arm floaties & toy guns required.)

(So sad that Polaroids are no longer available.)

Secret Messages

Little Man has become more and more confident in his writing skills lately. In turn, I've been finding messages left behind every where.

A few nights ago, I picked up a magnetic poetry set at a consignment sale for $2. Which apparently is a really good deal, since almost everywhere online is sold out of it, and Amazon is quoting their price at $162! (Seriously?!)

Every since it arrived in our house, the number of messages has increased even more. Though, I'm never sure what they explaination will be to go along with them. After finding the "mother boy and father happy together" message, I commented how sweet it was to Little Man. Who explained, it's supposed to say "need to be" happy together. You and me are, but daddy and I don't get along so much.

Apparently, getting those two to get along better is still a work in progress. They are just too much alike, constantly butting heads. Both are stubborn and have no concept of compromising. Drives me crazy.

Our Easter

I've mentioned before that I'm not a fan of big family get-togethers. I love my family. I love seeing them all. But put them all under one roof for more than 10 minutes, and the tension starts brewing.

So while I was annoyed to be working on Easter morning, I was relieved to do the big family hoopla on Saturday, and get it out of the way. It gave me all of Sunday afternoon to relax.

Well, relax, and fly kites, and hunt for imaginary dragons, and go a little crazy.The little one spent the afternoon running around, trying to crash kites. Which is apparently more fun than flying them. And he tried to learn to whistle with grass. Which was a big flop for him. He was so jealous of mommy's skills.
But we had lots of fun. It was one of the best holidays we've had in a long time. There was no rushing around, no dressing up, no stress.

My Little Farmer

After parent-teacher conferences last night, we had to rush off to grandma's house to help with the milking. Grandpa recently had surgery on his shoulder and isn't supposed to be doing too much work on his own. Though he's as stubborn as always and not listening.
Little Man was excited to help out in the barn. He was in charge of playing with Anabelle, the goat kid who was just moved to the barn. From my parent's kitchen. She has made quite the impression at Little Man's school. Staying in grandma's class during the day, and even visiting Little Man's kindergarten class. He was on cloud 9 the day that he "had the best show and tell. Ever."

Christmas Chaos

This weekend felt like a never-ending Christmas.

We started Thursday, having Christmas with the in-laws. Little Man was so excited about with the new bike they brought him, as well as the one they brought for mommy and daddy to share. Seeing as how mommy hasn't ridden a bike in over 15 years, it may be a very interesting gift.


Christmas morning was filled with excitement, a flurry of wrapping paper, and lots of coffee.
Christmas #3 at my parents was even more eventful, with 3 kids age 6 and under, plus a whole slew of adults.
Our Christmas events finally ended after two trips to great-grandparents' houses and a visit from my sister. So after a total of 6 (6!?!) mini-celebrations, we are trying to recover from the madness.
My house looks like Santa's sack exploded. There are toys needing new homes, new clothes I need to squeeze into closets, and pots and pans waiting to replace my pathetic 8 year old, scratched and dented Dollar Store set. But I'm exhausted just thinking about it and ready for a nap.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and has rested up from all the excitement!

Wordless Wednesday: Partying It Up

Remembering 9/11

*Republished from 9/11/2008*

I've been contemplating how to start this post all morning. There's so much I have to say, but I don't have the powerful words I've read in so many other remembrances, just my story, and that of my family.

9/11 still makes me nervous, even seven years later. My heart seems to beat a little faster and tears seem to come just a little easier. As I'm making lunch today, Little GM yells out that the tv went black. His only concern was that he was missing Diego. My first thought today, however, flies to much more serious reasons why the cartoons suddenly stopped blaring. Luckily, after a bit of investigation, I find the cable guy outside on a ladder repairing one thing or another.

Seven years ago, I was only 16, I was trying to get ahead on my college education, so I was attending a local university in the mornings, then returning to high school in the afternoon. On the morning of the attack, I was in speech class when someone announced that a plane had hit the first tower. No one really knew what to think, an accident we had assumed. At that point, terrorism was not on the forefront in our minds.

As we finally were able to see the news, we learned that the situation was much worse than we had imagined. I finally snuck out of class to return a call to my mom, she was listening to the news at her school and trying to keep a group of fifth graders busy, while silently scared to pieces.

As I got to my car to leave campus, I found myself faced with a dead battery. The tears started coming. I was so scared, and now stuck with no way to get home. I sat in the grass and said a silent prayer for all those in the buildings while I waited for my dad to pick me up.

* * * *

On 9/11 in an entirely different place on Earth, the man who would become my hubby was serving our country in the USMC. He doesn't talk much about what happened that day or what would come in the months and years that followed. He was dropped onto the front line of our fight against terrorism. He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

The hubby and I weren't married at that point, we vaguely knew each other from high school. He has this life I will never really know, and has lived more, and seen more than I ever will. When he talks about his former life as a Marine, he tells stories of getting into trouble with his buddies, the people he met, and the lands he saw. He tells about sleeping in one hole or another, the views from mountain peaks, trudging through god-forsaken lands. The stories are vague, and they are only told late at night.

However little I know about the life he lived before me, I will always be proud of him, and all of the other men and women who fight for our freedom every day.

Halfway to Each Other Review

All week long I’ve been day dreaming about faraway places. A little of that could be because I was immersed in the pages of Halfway to Each Other, a true story of family life by Susan Pohlman.

Halfway to Each Other follows Susan and Tim Pohlman, who had been married for 18 years. With two kids, work, and a home, they were on the verge of divorce. At the end of a business trip in Italy, they plan to come home to finalize the divorce and break the news to their family. But before leaving, Tim brought up a new idea. What if they leased an apartment in Italy for a year instead?

So instead of going home to end things for good, they changed everything. They sold their car, sold their home, and gave up everything they had once known. They slowed down their lives, they reconnected as a family.

Halfway to Each Other is an amazing story that answers the question of what if? for one family. It answers the question of what’s possible when you give up what you know for a new adventure. And it answers the question of how something so unthinkable can be the perfect solution.

As a mom, some days I want nothing more than an absolutely simple life. Susan and Tim plunged themselves right into that lifestyle. They gave up the fast-paced, non-stop way of life. They gave up electronics, a personal car, and fast food. They learned a new way of living, and the way Susan describes it in Halfway to Each Other makes readers feel like they are along for the ride, even if it gets a little bumpy at times.

Halfway to Each Other will be released September 2009, and I definitely recommend checking it out.

Trip Nowhere

My parents are planning a trip to Scotland in the spring. My sister recently got home from a trip to Poland. And the furthest I've been in months is Walmart, 20 minutes down the road.

Once in awhile, I look at my life and see how boring people must think it is. Some days, I have absolutely nothing to say. Some days, the only trip I take is to the mailbox. And some days, the most intelligent conversation I hold is with a 5 year old.

I find myself being jealous every now and then. I dream of faraway places, things I've never seen. I look through photos of places I've never been and people I've never met. And it just makes me wonder. The what-ifs creep in.

But then someone yells down the stairs, "Momma, momma, momma! I need you!" And all those questions disappear as fast as they appeared. It's amazing how someone so small can make everything else seem so right.

Small Talk Six: All About Dad

Today’s topic for Small Talk Six is “6 things you think the father of your children deserve to have.” You can answer this with a list of 6 words, 6 phrases, 6 sentences, 6 paragraphs, 6 photos, 6 videos, etc . . .

So here goes:

1. A healthy relationship with his son, and plenty of time to maintain it.2. A wife who loves him-most days at least.
3. A job he enjoys (or at least doesn't hate).

4. The chance to relax every now and then.

5. A home cooked meal a few nights a week, even if he has to help cook it.

6. Hugs and kisses from the little one and me.

Mommy Confessions #4

It's that time again, time to confess something that's weighing on my mind.

I confess...I really don't want to go to work when my son starts school this year. Hubby wants me to start working more this summer, since his schedule would allow me to pick up extra hours, and he hopes I will find a full time job in the fall.

I don't. I want to be at home to send my son off to school. I want to be waiting when he comes home. What if he's sick and needs to stay home? What if he has something special at school and wants me to come? What if he just needs me?

I want to be there.

My thoughts are, if we can afford it, why not? I have never been the get out there and get ahead kind of girl. I'm perfectly content to be mom. I would so much rather be at home than sitting in an office somewhere.

Are you confessing anything this week?

House Rules

Lately I've been thinking a little more about house rules. Maybe it's because the little one's been extra grumpy (or maybe because the big one has been grumbly too). But, we've been reassessing and trying to find out what works better for us.
After almost 5 years,you'd think we would have figured this out already. But it seems like a never-ending process. Trying to find routine and rules that fit our needs.

As it is, our rules are pretty simple:

• Respect one another (No hitting, punching, kicking, backtalk, etc)
• Respect the house (Pick up after yourself, don't break things)
• Listen & do as you're asked (Works much better in theory)

Maybe it's because I grew up without a lot of rules, but it's been tough for me to know how to set them. But I also know the house runs so much smoother with them in place.

Do you have set house rules? How do you make sure the house runs smoothly?

Because Some People Don't have to Work

Yall may remember that I hate family dinners.

Now, I love my family. I love spending time with them, and see them all at least once a week.

But add the extended family into the picture, throw in a holiday, and things get miserable. People are cranky, little one's get restless, and the whole experience exhausts me. Every time.

Memorial Day was no different. Oh no, my family doesn't reserve catty comments for major holidays.

So what was it this time?

Well, I guess some people don't have to work.

Thanks, grandma. The problem with her condescending comment is that I do work part-time. And when she asks, I clean her house to help her out. But yes, the other days of the week, I spend my time sitting at home doing absolutely nothing. I never clean the house, I never cook dinner, I never do laundry, I never take care of my kid. I do nothing.

*And I promise, last rant of the week.

My Dad

I got a call that my dad was in the hospital this morning.

Growing up, my dad was always the strong one. He was never sick. He never got hurt.

But in the last year, he's been in the hospital more than ever before. Back in winter, he had heart surgery. And now they think his appendix burst, and they are removing it this morning.
All weekend long, he complained that his side hurt. But, he continued to work on the farm, take care of the animals, and play with the kiddos. He could barely stand without doubling over, but he kept moving. This morning, the pain became unbearable.

We'll take any prayers or good thoughts that you can send our way. Because of the blood thinners, and other meds he's on, surgery has it's complication. Please keep him in your prayers.

To be honest

I miss being pregnant.
I miss feeling the kicks.
I miss having a baby in the house.
I'll even go as far to say, I miss the diapers and bottles, and everything that goes along with the baby stage.They grow way too fast.
And it seems like overnight they go from baby to boy.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! Hope it's filled with fun, smiles, and lots of hugs! Some chocolate or a bubble bath would be nice too.

Small Talk Six: My Momma

Small Talk Six is all about momma's this week. They want to know 6 ways you are like or unlike your mom.

Our Similarities:
#1. Looks: Everyone who knows my mom would recognize me as her daughter. I constantly get asked if I'm her daughter, or people say I just have to be one of her girls.

#2. Personality: We both are the quiet type until something or someone gets us riled up. Then we always have a comeback for just about any situation.

#3. Interests: My mom and I share so many of the same interests. From baking to reading to watching the same tv shows. We love the same music too.

#4. Life in general: We both had kids and were married by 18, and we both went back to college and graduated. It seems that I'm following in her shoes, and I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

Our Differences:
#5. Open door policy: This is one point where we are totally different. She would welcome anyone at anytime. But, if you're coming to my house, you better call first and warn me, or I might just leave you standing on the porch.

#6. Cooking: My mom is a great cook. She is the only one who can make a meatloaf I actually enjoy. I burn grilled cheese and mess up frozen pizza. This is why hubby does the cooking.

Are you and your mom alike or complete opposites?