Something funny

We have been shopping for protect gear for J the last few days. Caleb really likes it. He asks for a helmet every time we go the football store. We had been shopping for shoulder pads and trying to get the right fit. When my little Caleb walks up with protective cups (you know the ones that protect the male anatomy) on his little shoulders. This caught me by surprise and I started giggling. I leaned in to his ear and whispered what the cups were used to for. He pulled them off of his shoulder and placed one in the correct location with a questioning grin. He really brightened up that shopping trip.

More shopping adventures...
Shopping for Helmets We went to the good store. The one where they fit the helmets to your child's head. Well I guess everyone in town had the day off and was there trying to buy helmets for their child, too. We found the helmets but there were so many people and not enough fitters. I decided to go and find a couple of other items that we needed and then come back. We came back and still could not get anyone to help(frustrating). So I asked someone to call an associate to help fit a helmet for my boy and he said he would be there in just a minute. Well 15 min. pass and I am still waiting but I can see that guy is swamped with replacing face masks. I think this must only happen to me. I am always the nice lady who waits and waits my turn, just like in school. I think I am a lush because the salesmen always seemed to find everyone else who needed help but me. SO I heard a sweet guy on the other isle fitting a tiny little guy for a helmet and listened (hoping by now to figure out how to fit the helmet myself). He was so good he was whipping helmets on and off kids in two seconds flat. He finally had a minute and did my little sweetie. He was good and so I asked lots of questions and can now professionally fit a helmet for my child and any other child in the isle. By the time it was over we had spent a hour and a half in the store and most of it waiting. I guess I am just a lush, I worked retail. I know how hard it is when the store is swamped. I try to be nice but sometimes being nice stinks.

Did somebody say FOOTBALL?

Yep, it is that time of year again. My oldest son has asked to play for the past few years but I made him wait till the fifth grade. I guess I made him wait till fifth grade so he would be big enough to understand, and take the rigors of football. I watched my fabulous stepson, Cody, go through what at times felt like torcher. But he survived and managed to do well. So it is very hard to send your little one out to be pounded upon. I like the drills and agility training its the Tackling that I don't care for. I love watching it on TV or at local High School games but seeing your little person out there being pounded left and right, makes me worry.

We had a pre season party and we got to meet the team. It turns out that Jake is the only one from his school on the team. But he did play two seasons with one of the boy's on a soccer team.

It was fun to be social and chat with the other parents on the team. The kids played on a giant slip n slide, Jupiter Jump and Zip line. The food was all, Yum. The team is well organized. Everyone I met was so sweet! Practices start tonight and are four nights a week. So that should keep us busy. I have to say that I am excited for the season to start.

GO SILVER!!

I hope all is well at your house.

What kind of soul are you?

You Are a Dreaming Soul

Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this world So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all... But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you. Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses. Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others. Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life. Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

If you do this let me know what kind of soul you are :-)

This turned out to be pretty accurate. Unfortunately, I am a dreamer and I don't tend to follow through. I enjoy dreamin' and so what if I don't ever make a million doing it at least I am happy.

Says I am compat. with Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul. Don't know what a newborn soul is but I absolutely LOVE newborn babies.

Thursday Thirteen

I started a TT last Thursday and finished it today. But now it is posting in chronological order so my TT list is about three posts down. I could not figure out how to move it up, if you know how to do this please give me a hand. Thanks and Happy Thursday!

Thursday Thirteen

This week I think I will do thirteen things from around the house that I love other than my husband and children. Thanks PJ!



1. My Kitchen Aide Mixer - I got the one with the 6 quart bowl so I can make triple batches of cookies in one bowl.

2. Electrasol Dish Tabs - I love the tab, no mess.

3. My Kirby Vacuum - my Kirby was a Christmas gift about two years ago, The best vacuum ever

4. Downy - the April Fresh Scent. It reminds me of my childhood and love how soft the towels are.

5. Bread Maker - Just handy

6. Cooking Themometer with handy oven probe.

7. Surround Sound - I put it in for my DH for Fathers Day and it really makes a difference.

8. Digital Camera- it has changed the way I take pictures, Love it.

9. Steamer - My sister gave it to me for Christmas and it is awesome. It makes it easy for me to keep every one's clothes wrinkle free and it is so fast.

10. Glade Apple Cinnamon anything - I love their candles and plug-ins. I am just an apple fresh girl.

11. Mona Vie - it is a juice, that gives you the nutrient and vitamins of 5 fruits in 1/4 cup serving. It is yummy and makes me feel energized.

12. Tins - you know like cracker tins or cookie tins. I collect them and place them in the kitchen above the cabinets. When was growing up my Nanny had old tins that she would paint and use for containers. I just love things that make me nostalgic.

13. My Mattress - It rocks. We got it a year and a half ago but I love climbing into bed every night! It is a Lady Americana King size with the Memory Foam topper. I even day dream of going to bed because of that mattress.

From my list I gather that I spent alot of time in the kitchen. You would think I'd be a better cook. ;-)

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

A day at the sprinkler park.

Good Mail!!

I received my first good mail last week from Tori:) She sent some really cute cards. Then just a couple of days ago I got a card with M & M's (My favorite candy) from Chellie. Yesterday I received an adorable card and recipes from JenniBoo. Thanks SO much. I had no idea how nice it could be to have good mail in you mailbox. It makes going to the mailbox so exciting. I have not been able to decide what to send but you all have got my creative juices flowing. Thanks again you all ROCK!!!

If you want to sign up for Good Mail check out Just Pretend Your Interested. I think she has a couple of openings left.

Summer has Arrived

Thank goodness! The first half of the summer was rainy and cool. But this week has been awesome!!! We have been to the pool and the water park. It has been actually hot, like 96 degrees. Yahoo!! I didn't realize how much the weather has been affecting Ethan until this week. I thought that he was just be moody but it turns out he was just having rainy day blues. He came up to me yesterday and had expressed that he was feeling good and was happy that it was finally feeling like summer. I agreed. Until now E never wanted to leave the house. He just wanted to stay home and play video games but now he is excited to go anywhere except shopping. So I am grateful for the summer, heat, awesome kids and friends.

The Moaning Meme

The Moaning Meme

I've been tagged! Oooh a meme! I've been tagged by Mom not Mum with a meme originating from The Freelance Cynic and this one's about my groanings. Affectionately called:

The Moaning Meme
4 things that should go into room 101 and be removed from the face of the earth.

Mosquito's They drive me nuts.

Wife Swap or any other reality TV

Baby bottle pop suckers - they make the biggest mess.

Tattoos-I just don't think that they are very pretty, the artwork is always amazing I just think it should be displayed on a canvas. (Sorry to all who have tattoos, my husband has one)

3 things people do that make you want to shake them violently.

Parents that are oblivious to what terrible parents they are.

Anyone who uses excuses to not reach their full potential.

Pushy people in the grocery store.

2 things you find yourself moaning about.

The summer is just to short!!

The sink never being empty.

1 thing the above answers tell you about yourself.

I am judgemental and whinny.

RULES:Link to the original meme at freelancecynic.com so people know what it's all about!

Be as honest as possible, This is about letting people get to know the real you!

Try not to insult anyone - unless they really deserve it or are very, very ugly!

Post these rules at the end of every meme!

Today I'm tagging:

T*R*B

Living in Spin Cycle

Beehive Academy

Bre Bre

Rockin' with the Burrs

Run a way baby!

My little Makenna has been running out the garage door and then down the street. The first time she did it I caught her immediately. I had her sit in time out and that usually takes care of any misbehavior's. The next time my DH was watching her and started looking for her. Oh I left out that she has a partner in crime - our silver lab Shelby. It works like this. She opens garage door for what ever reason and Shelby darts out, the little angel then chases the dumb dog. Anyway my husband could not find the angel or the dumb dog any where so he knew to go out front and begin looking. He saw the dumb dog 4 houses up next to the busy street in our neighborhood and then he saw a nice lady with our little angel walking down our street. What a relief! Unfortunately, last night when I was grilling burgers I had gone in the house to wash my hands and notice the garage door was open. I quickly yelled for every on to look for the little angel and the dumb dog but they were missing. I ran outside towards the busy street and had my oldest son go up the street the other direction. No sign of angel or dumb dumb. At this point I am praying and running and listening to the spirit. I did not get any terrible feelings so I knew everything would be OK. But I am still getting ready to ask neighbors to help me look. (We have great neighbors) When my Lovely daughter said she heard her scream. SO we look in the direction of scream unable to pin point we call for dumb dog. The not so dumb dog comes when she is called. Then the little angel comes toddling right behind stark naked. They were "only" two houses down. This time I sat her in time out and grouched at her a long time. I am installing new lock on garage door TODAY.. This is so embarrassing. I am a good mom. I love my little ones more than life itself and would do anything for them. I have never had any trouble with runaways before. I did loose my littlest son in Mervin's for about 10 min I almost lost it that day. I hope the lock takes care of it.

I hope your having a good day!!

The movies and Baby girl..

This past week for a summer time fun activity I thought that I would try to take all of the kids including my 2 1/2 year old to the movies. This was going to be her first movie. We decided to go and see Ratatouille a film that is almost 2 hours. We picked the earliest showing so hopefully it would not be swamped with viewers, unfortunately wall to wall viewers. SO here are some handy hints when taking a two year old to movie.

1. Arrive at least 20 minutes early - So you can choose where you want to sit and have plenty of time to get everyone to use the bathroom.

2. Sit in the back row or at least as far back as you can - That way when she or he starts to complain to much you have an easy and fast way out. We sat second from the front.

3. Bring your own snacks - I don't like to break the rules and I know the sign says "no outside food or drinks" but I think this is more of a guide line than a rule. Bring your big purse and fill it with at least 5 different snacks. It saves you a ton of money and gives your little angel something to be busy with.

4. Go a head and buy a drink - it cost a bundle to, so you have to time it right. You get the drink when the movie is about half over. That way the drink can entertain for a few minutes and when empty open the lid and let em' play with the ice.

5. Flashlight - find the smallest flash light possible and let them hold it. I think the ones on key chains work great. This gives them their own little light. Hopefully good for 20 min.

6. Time it right - Pick a showing that is not nap time. My daughter is transitioning out of naps. However, she still gets tired some day and cranky so try for a time slot that is not when they would take a late nap.

7. Change - If you are going to the lobby be prepared. It is a game room at our theater and so my daughter was constantly playing on them and wanting a penny. She did not realize the machines required money and was content playing the demo. Unfortunately, she watched a couple of really cute boys playing the crane game and figured out that they need a penny or two. I like to play video game so I plopped her in my lap and we raced a few laps. This was fun until my $1.50 worth of change ran out. She complained.

8. Movie choice - try if at all possible to go to a movie that is just over an hour long so you don't have to spend a hour in the lobby with the grumpy angel.

9. Try bringing a small blanket - I didn't try this one but I think it might have helped.

The best advice is if at all possible give it a year - the other children did really well at three years old but 2 is just 2 young for my little angel.

This was the first movie I have been to in . . . . I think about 5 -6 years. It was fun to go with the kids but what an adventure.

Thursday Thirteen

Thursday so thirteen things ..hmmm... it is harder than I thought to come up with a new thirteen idea but how about being done having babies.

1. The bra's you buy don't have easy access flaps any more.

2. You get rid of all your maternity clothes and some of your regular clothes that look like maternity clothes.

3. You actually work hard to loose the "baby" weight - I gain at least 60 pounds every time I am pregnant. So it was hard to motivate myself to exercise and loose weight when the force was against me.

4. Now that you have lost the weight you realize just what pregnancy has done to your body. Things are definitely different some bigger and some smaller.

5. You enjoy knowing this is the last time I have to potty train.

6. You get to sleep again, all night with no interruptions.

7. This is your last time to make it through the terrible two's.

8. You are happy to give away your baby things to a deserving friend or family member. And you don't have that 'what if' feeling.

9. You start to realize what life is like with out a toddler or infant. no diaper bag! It has been along time for me I guess I have had an infant or toddler for the past 10 years.

10. You start thinking of more permanent forms of birth control. Sorry Honey.

11. You don't have to go in to the baby section at Walmart when you shop for groceries. I find myself passing through, old habits are hard to break.

12. You start planning things for yourself and remembering yourself. When I have very small children I live for them. I devote my life to their happiness and safety. I am an old pro now. So I have not had much time for me. But now I realize in about three years all of my children will be in school. I will have time for me again. SO I plan for the future.

13. You cherish EVERYTHING!! The last everything, it is the last baby and so you cherish the tantrums, but don't give in. You enjoy the little one that falls asleep in your lap. You try to etch the details of their little hands in to memory. You are sad, too! Truly bitter sweet.


I love having babies and will miss it terribly but my season is over. I can feel it when I pray and I know that the Lord has a plan for me and my family. I am grateful to know that my family is complete. I just miss the little ones.

But I know lots of people who are still working on their families so I can hold their babies.

Studebaker memories...

I come from a long line of Studebaker lovers. When I was a little girl I remember riding with my great grandma in her Studebaker. I sat up front in the middle right next to her. I was small and could not see out of the windows so I spent most of my time watch a little plastic mouse swing on her key chain. Everything in the car was classic 1950's design. The nobs silver and shiny some were silver with black caps. The steering wheel was huge and when ever I had the chance I would climb in the wheel and sit. I was driving that old Studie with my feet dangling. The car was atleast 15 years old then and had a musty smell but I loved riding with my Nanny. She drove that car until she wasn't able to drive any more. Then my aunt drove it and I am not sure where it is now but that car was my first Studebaker dream.

As a teenager my brother was bitten by the Studebaker bug. His first car was a Studie. He spent hours repairing and repairing that car. It was what we rode to school in for at least a year or two. I got to tell ya if you want to have a car worth talking about get a 1950 anything. Everyone will ask what year is that?

I am not sure why Studebaker's where on my mind today but it was fun remembering!

P.S. The picture is a Studebaker Lark the same car that my Nanny drove, in black just like hers.

The "Zone"

I have started running and it is starting to get easier. I have done lots lately to stay in shape but running for a mile strait is difficult. I still get winded and have to walk part but I can run 3/4 of the mile strait so I am almost to the mile mark. The last time I ran I was in the "Zone". You know when you are driving home from church or work and you realize that you are almost home and you don't remember driving the last 5 miles. You were in the "zone". I had that experience when I was running. I had run about two blocks and before I knew it I was at the half mile mark and I was feeling great. I hope that means my body is adjusting to the riggers of running and giving me break. Ya hoo! By the way girl in picture not me, she is much to thin! ;-)

Great family time..

Yesterday was a great day. We spent the day with my husbands Aunt and Uncles with all of their children and grand children. We swam in the pool and grilled burgers and hot dogs. His Aunt and cousins are amazing cooks so everything was delicious. I have been wanting pie lately so I made a Coconut Cream Pie. It was so good! I usually bake the crust but my oven is not working so swell but for a stove top pie, Yumm!!!

The kids lit fireworks and played the whole day. I took a pinata that we made. I have a really hard time predicting the break ability of a pinata. You want the pinata to last long enough that everyone gets a turn to hit it but not so long that you spend hours waiting for it to break. This one was OK , everyone had two turns batting until finally the rope broke through the top. Then we just dumped it.

Sorry no pictures, forgot to take the camera. :-(

Happy Independence Day

It is my hope this day is that everyone:

Is safe!

Has watermelon!

Takes time to remember what it is we are celebrating!

That those who continue to battle, know that we honor them as well!

Is able to escape the rain!

Has a loved one to share it with!

May God bless you all, Happy 4th!!!

Rain Rain and more Rain.... Yep it is raining, again. Last Thursday the kids started finding worms crawling across the living room carpet. This was a mystery because we have never seen worms in the house. These were big night crawlers, too. Friday I was sitting next to a floor vent talking to my oldest, when the AC kicked on and I heard a drippy sound. I quickly whipped the vent cover off and sure enough water was in the vent. I called my dad and consulted with my husband on what to do. They suggested that we use a shop vac, which I had to borrow. But I ended up vacuuming out 140 gallons of water from my floor vent, Yuck! The water was surprisingly clean except for a few rocks, a hand full of Lego's and a Barbie shoe. The rain has just soaked the round to depths I could not have imagined. So when we have an extra $3000 dollars we will fill in all of our floor vents and have them mounted in the ceiling. The bad news is that as I sit here, I can hear the vent dripping again.

Good deal alert: I found a gallon size freezer bag of Polly Pocket stuff at a garage sale Saturday and it was only $3. My lovely daughters have been playing Polly non stop since I brought it home! I love garage sales.