Just got back from taking Henry to his first day back at school. All I have to say is I HATE SNOW!!!!!! It seems like it has been snowing since Christmas. In fact we got a lot of snow on New Years Eve and the city never came out to plow. Since then it has been snowing pretty much continually and they haven't been keeping up. My street is still a mess. Plus I got a parking ticket last week because I was too busy in the bathroom throwing up and then taking care of two puking children to get out and move my car to the other side of the street for the city's damn alternate parking. Yes, $40 spent so I could spend three days in the bathroom!

Gavin is now 11 weeks old. He is full of smiles but has a fierce temper already. He is still not sleeping well. Ugh.

This Sunday my brother, Peter, is coming up to have a late Christmas with us. My lovely sister-in-law Ashley is coming as well. I can't wait to see them, especially Pete. I miss him so much. we have always been really close and since I no longer have a cell phone we don't talk as frequently. We used to text message multiple times a day. I miss that.

Irene hamming it up for the camera. She wants her picture taken every time I pull out the camera.

Pity Party...Table for One...

I am having a massive pity party today. I admit it. And right now everything sucks. IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay...feels better. Here are some pictures of the kids taken while we were still really sick. Even then we managed a smile...even if it was a fake one ;)

Hey 2010...What did you bring me?

SNOW!!!!




It has been snowing here like crazy. I hate snow. HATE IT!!!! Since my husband is on the road I am the only one here to clean up this white sh...stuff. We have a snow blower which helps but as soon as I go outside Gavin starts screaming and I have to come back in. I sooooooo need a man or woman to come spend ten or so minutes a day snow blowing a path for me. Henry's school starts again tomorrow and that is going to make getting the snow moved even harder.
As I said in the earlier post, we've been sick here since Christmas. The house is a huge mess and laundry is taking over. I am trying to catch up but it feels like a losing battle. Having all this snow is really making me feel depressed. I almost hate to talk to my husband on the phone because I just want to cry when I talk to him. I am feeling overwelhmed.
I am trying to keep things in perspective...my problems are small. My friend (since high school) and fellow blogger was on the flight Christmas Day with the terrorist. She was seated 8 rows away and saw everything. Since then she and her husband have done interviews about what they saw. They are speaking out about the things that are being hushed up. Now some people are attacking them and calling them liars (among other not so nice things). These people almost lost their lives! I am glad you are still with us Lori!

Hey There, 2010!

Where to start with this first post of the new year? This house has been filled with sick people since Christmas. It started Saturday night (the 26th) with me and my mom. Then the kids got it. I still have a cold and the kids are starting to feel better but we are still having an occasional vomiting. Of course this means I have a TON of extra laundry to do each day.
Christmas was a wonderful time. My dad came up on the 24th. We just had a relaxed and great time. Since I am still feeling a bit "under the weather" I am just going to post some pictures.

A Very Merry Christmas To You!

I know that New Year's Eve is the more appropriate time to look back over the year and reflect on life. However I am taking time now to look back over 2009. The biggest part of this year would, of course, be Gavin. Since I got pregnant in January and had him in late October he has filled the entire year in one form or another. This will be his first Christmas and to me he is my greatest gift.

The last six months have also been filled with Mark's unemployment. While it was extremely stressful and he has only been employed a month now it did give us time as a family. We spent almost every day in August at the beach. Our town has a beautiful beach and of course it was free entertainment. Since I was very pregnant during that time there was no way I would have been able to handle two toddlers and all our gear alone. The kids had so much fun playing in the water, digging holes, and rolling in the sand. I have a lot of great pictures from those days. At night after the kids were put to bed, Mark and I would sit on the couch and watch TV (I got him hooked on Madmen). I would usually get a foot rub and shoulder rub too. Almost every afternoon I would get a nap. What a joy when in the last trimester of pregnancy!

Henry started preschool this year. There were months when I did not think we'd be able to pay the tuition but my mother would go without in order to pay for him each month. He loves school and I am surprised at the joy it actually brings me. Not just the getting him out of the house for a bit but rather the songs he sings and the counting and letter recognition. He even knows some prayers and offers to pray for me.

Irene turned two this year and her vocabulary has exploded. I am amazed at her understanding and ability to put together thoughts. We had a fun birthday party for her at the Potter Park Zoo.

This year has also brought me some awesome friends. I've mentioned a couple of special ones in an earlier post but I forgot to mention Jennifer. She sent me tons of kind thoughts and prayers all summer and fall. I think she even left a gift for Gavin on my front door while I was in the hospital. There was a beautiful card with the gift but it was unsigned. I am thankful for her friendship as well as for Ann's and Shannon's. And while on the topic of friends, old and new...I have been fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of some wonderful women and men through the blogger world. What a blast I have each day reading all of your blogs! Plus some of you read my little blog and leave me such wonderful comments. Thank you all.

Yesterday my brother Pete told me that he would not be able to come here for Christmas. He got Saturday off of work and his wife wants him to join her in Virginia. She was planning to drive there to see her family. I would have loved for her to join us here. Without Pete coming my dad was left without a ride. My dad drives a little, sporty BMW that does not like freezing rain or snow. We are suppose to get both for Christmas. I was very disappointed. I wallowed in my disappointment for a bit before moving on. My dad called me tonight to say that he is going to drive his little car up here anyway and if it snows and blows he'll just stay longer. He is packing extra clothes just in case. I am happy!

As for our Christmas...I have been worried during the last six months that we might not have anything for the children. I handmade gifts for the rest of the family but I didn't know what I would do for the kids. Luckily we managed to scrap together a small amount of money and get the kids a couple of gifts that they really wanted. Henry is big into Transformers this year. Irene loves baby dolls. Even Gavin will be getting a few things. I even managed to get Mark a small gift.

Each night before I go to bed I read one passage out of the book A Cup of Comfort, Devotional for Mothers. It has a page for each day and is a short story from a mother about life, motherhood, and God. Tonight as I read December 24Th's it seemed to speak of our life currently and how even though we don't have a lot of gifts for the children we can still give them a happy, memorable day. So in closing I am sharing the passage with you.

Dec. 24Th

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned to get along happily whether I have much or little.
-Philippians 4:11

The Surprise
Christmas was coming and it looked as though it was going to be a bit skimpy. We bought a few small gifts. Then the children and I baked, sewed, and drew pictures to give. Things were about ready when my mother, who was very creative with a small amount of money, arrived on Christmas Eve carrying a big box.
The children were up early the next morning, waiting with anticipation. It was time to open presents. To my great surprise, when we got to their Grandma's gift, nothing was in that big, beautiful box.
The children looked in it again, and Grandma smiled. "Invisible rabbits," she said. She stroked one of the pretend rabbits. "Oh, oh, there it goes," she exclaimed as she ran after it. Immediately the children were caught up in the excitement. It was all they needed.
I doubt they remember anything else they received-or didn't receive- that year.

Our needs and others' needs are not always what we think they are.

-Hilah C. Wagner

Merry Christmas to you all and may God bless you!

The 12 Pains of Christmas

When I was younger my parents had a tape of twisted Christmas carols. My favorite was the 12 pains of Christmas. Found this version on youtube. Enjoy!

Christmas...Straight No Chaser

Anyone that has been on Iowa Grassland's blog recently will recognise this video of the group Straight No Chaser. Enjoy!

Today I did not make it to MOPS. I still have not gotten the whole time management with three kids down. I will make it to the group's cookie exchange tonight though. I have lots of cookies packaged up!

My dad and my younger brother Pete will be coming for Christmas. I am thrilled. I just wish Pete's wife Ashley was coming too. I haven't seen her since the week Gavin was born. She and Pete surprised me with a visit when I was feeling all post-partum depressed. I even cried a bit while they were here...embarrassing! I am happy to report that I am feeling better now :) I did invite another person to Christmas this year. He is related to us through marriage and actually sees my mom the most but we've kept in touch a bit. He recently lost his parents and when talking with him the other day I invited him to join our group on Christmas if he had nothing else to do. Growing up we used to have a big family gathering and I miss that so much. My grandma (mom's mom) would have us at her house. We'd go to church Christmas Eve then to grandma's for dinner and opening gifts from the family. The next day in the afternoon we'd be back there for leftovers. I think our family group would be around 14 people, sometimes more, sometimes less. Of course that was when we all got along (more or less) and we all lived in one town. Now I wish my kids could have the same type of family gathering for holidays. That is why I loved Thanksgiving this year... lots of family together! So I am pleased to have my dad and Pete joining us and if anyone else can come then great, the more the merrier!!
Has anyone ever heard of an Elf on a Shelf? I heard mention of it the other day and I think it might be some way of getting your children to behave around Christmas. He sits on your shelf and reports any bad doings to Santa. Am I right? I really think we could use one in this house!

Edited to add...I need an Elf for dogs too. My lab has eaten four Christmas ornaments this year. She picked my favorite ones too. Last year she never touched the tree. What's up with this?