Summer break is over!!!

And I know I haven't posted much. I'm still spending way too much time on my parening boards and facebook. That darn Farkle!!! So in any case, I really don't feel as much *need* to blog. But then again just tonight I was looking for a picture that I knew I posted on here (to figure out which file it was in on my computer) and I browsed through the entire history of my blog. I may not have frequent entries and a few large gaps, but it dates back a few YEARS now. The most amazing and bittersweet of everything is looking at the pics of my kids and how big they are now. Man. WHERE does the time go!?! I'm going to be saying that for the next 40-50 years aren't I? It is neat to go back and read all the little things I mention about them and stories I tell. So heck...somehow I need to blog. Plus I think I can get to blogger from work and pretty much all the other sites I visit are blocked. Maybe I should try to blog on my breaks at work...you know if I'm not already behind on charting.

So I cannot believe this summer is officially over. Elise starts school Tuesday. We have the long weekend left and then school. Crazy. She will be a first grader. We had her orientation today and visited her classroom and saw who her teacher would be. She is excited and doesn't appear nervous at all, like psht...piece of CAKE mom!

The past couple of weeks I've literally been trying to cram in as much activity and trips to parks and stuff as I can. It will be SO weird to have Elise in school all day, everyday. Last year was just 1/2 days. Poor Kaedon is going to be a little lost without her. I'm hoping to do a little bit of preschool homeschooling with him, but he doesn't seem to be interested. Hmmm....we'll see how it goes. The boy just NEEDS to learn some basic respect/listening/following direction skills or I'm going to go nuts. He still is TERRIFIED to poop on the potty for some reason. I mean literally shakes and screams and acts horrified it will hurt him. We are working on that. I forced him to sit there despite the trauma a few nights ago and he finally went on the pot. He'd been holding it for two days or more cause he'd been in underwear.

On the pooping note, we've still had bad constipation issues with Elise resulting in more UTI's and FINALLY got our long awaited (SIX MONTH WAIT) to a pediatric GI....for of COURSE the very first day of school. I will have to get her early, which will be quite hectic, but what do you do? It just irks me though. I really hope she doesn't have major issues this year at school and I'm stressed about what they are going to want me to give her. Ugh.

So as not to leave on that "crappy" note (heehee) I will post some pics from the summer (for some reason they are looking grainy and pixelated to me here):




Tired out after a long day on "vacation" at the water park.


Swimming in Lake Michigan at sunset!


Lake Michigan Sunset (@Kirk Park)



Getting ready to go fishing!


Dancing at the local botanical gardens and sculpture park!

Evidently I've reached the limit on posted pictures for my post cause it won't let me add more. I haven't done much with my Photoblog either, but I think some changes are soon to come!!

Spring Break! Here and Gone!!

Too bad I was too lazy, worn out and broke to do much with the kids this past week! And it was cold till about Thursday. Poor kids only got two days with sunshine. But anywho...

Last weekend I had Saturday night off work which almost NEVER happens, so I went to a concert with my sisters. I'm not sure if I'm up to admitting who it was though, LOL. Wanna take any guesses for fun?? It was so fun to just go out, be a little crazy and hang with my sisters. We haven't been out ALL together for something FUN in a LONG time!!

Then the next morning I got up early and headed to an all day seminar for Nature Photography given by a really neat and pretty renouwn couple in the photography business. It was really informative, a TON of information to process. The things that cracked me up though were the casual way they'd throw in little tips of shooting in the Galapagos Islands or Africa. You know, cause I get there all the time for nature shots. But at least I know what $1,000+ (some as much as $7,000)lenses, tripods and other equipment I might need.

We didn't do anything big and fantastic over DD's break from school, which I feel a little bad about, but summer break will be here soon anyway right? We did make it down to see my sister & brother in law who just had a baby last Thursday. I took about 300 pictures that I have yet to sort and process and upload somewhere for her to see. Maybe I will post some on my Photoblog when I get done.

So here I am back at work this weekend, working an extra night (Easter) which kinda sucks, but I'll get an extra day off next weekend and get another Saturday off!! Rock on! I'm kinda liking this every other weekend of three in a row, than just one shift the next week. I've been trying to see if there's a way to do this every month. Gotta run, work calls!

Where to begin....?

Well, its likely that most people who read my blog (the one or two of you) already know about Mike, but just in case you don't I will fill you in. Shortly after my last post it was determined that Mike's cancer was too far gone for the stem cell transplant and they planned to send him home on hospice Friday March 6th. God had other plans however, and he suddenly passed away on Thursday the 5th. My sisters and I tried to get down to Ohio to see him, but did not make it in time, but were still very thankful we went. The funeral was the following weekend (just this past weekend) so the next week was spent making funeral arrangements and spending hours on sorting, scanning, printing, and arranging pictures for the many picture boards we did. It was actually quite therapeutic and actually left me feeling good to spend that time with my family. We were able to laugh & cry (and drink wine) together. I think Mike was up there smiling down on us. I was at my parents house everyday that week and then the "visitation" was on Friday and funeral on Saturday. Thankfully DH was able to take time off work. His boss was fantastic and overly gracious about everything which was very nice. Those 8 days went by in a blur and I barely saw my kids. Its just good to be back on a regular schedule this week.

I have however been thinking about all my time on the computer and the time that I am not with my kids. I have 3 boards that I post on regularly (Birth boards and a local parenting board), Facebook and my blog (two blogs technically). I cannot shake the overwhelming fear that someday I will loose one of my own children early to some catastrophe (or cancer). I think of all the time now when I tell them "just a minute" so I can read one more blog, or check facebook one more time or reply to one more post. I spend A LOT of time on the computer each day when I should be cherishing my own kids. SO....just when I felt like I was maybe getting in a blogging grove a month ago, I might fall out of it. I'm not sure. I just know I want to walk away from the computer more to read more books and play more games with my kids. Cause quite frankly I just don't know how long God will leave them here.

My little girl is SIX today!!!

I've waited all night to post this at the time she was born. On Jan 30th 2003, my little girl was born at 1:50am. She was 6lbs 11oz and wide awake and healthy. It was such an amazing and wonderful feeling. Six years later I continue to be amazed at how much she grows and changes each day. The last year especially she has gotten so tall and her face so much more mature looking. She is amazingly beautiful, and I don't just say that because I'm biased. She has such a good heart as well. Even thought she sometimes struggles with difficult emotions for me to deal with as a mom, underneath I know most times she just wants more attention and to be reassured she is well loved. She is always excited to have "Girl Time" with me even if its only a few moments a day. Elise is into your pretty typical "girly" things right now; loves to have her nails painted, play with dolls and stuffed animals, etc...

At school she is thriving. I am floored, seriously in awe of how much she has learned and grown academically the past few months. She's gone from sounding out letters to truly reading. Its an amazing thing to hear her read aloud. It also really makes it hit home how fast she is growing up and changing. Its scary (for me). I feel like up to now she has been fairly safely under my wing, but she is starting to get brave and fly farther from home, experiencing more of the world and other people. I understand just a wee little bit of how veteran moms claim the worrying when they are truly little ones, is the easy part. Worrying when they are away or about how the "outside" world and people may affect them (or hurt them), is worse.

Well, I could ramble on about how guilty I feel that she has to go to a babysitter tonight (Friday) because both DH and I work, but it should be fine and we will celebrate earlier in the day and then on Sat too!! So I'm not gonna cry about it! Instead I'll post links to the cute things I bought her for her birthday presents.

I couldn't resist this PERFECT one:


And then this too (both are by Melissa & Doug):


And then this guitar. It was supposed to be a Christmas present, but the kids will each get one as a Birthday present instead.


I hope she will feel special and have a great day!! And I will try to pretend that I'm not old enough to have a SIX year old. :)

OMG I have a blog...

I nearly forgot! Ok, ok, I didn't forget. I just never get around to updating and blogging on a regular basis. I think I'm just intimidated by all the "cool" blogs out there and feel lame to just come here and ramble about my ho-hum, nothing interesting days. That and I just lack the energy. When the kids are finally in bed, I'm usually on the couch, under a blanket zoning out to stupid television shows.

Lets see, whats new. A little over a week ago now, I took a road trip with my Dad and step-mom to see my step-brother Mike while he was in the hospital for 3.25 days getting his chemo. It was good to see him and spend time with the family. My sisters were there for one whole day too but then they ditched me (long story but they had to get back home). So all of Sunday and Monday, including the trip home I kinda felt like I was 12yrs old again, stuck hanging out with my parents with no hope of getting away. I should've used some of that time just sitting around the hospital room to blog, but my own laptop was not working so I was just borrowing my parents for quick FB and email checks. There was a good amount of driving back seat riding involved and I swear I had jet-lag like symptoms even though it was all car travel within the same time zone. I was hoping for a tad bit more vacation like fun included in my rare time away from the kids, but it turned out to be just pretty straightforward hotel-to-hospital-back to-hotel time. No stops for ANYTHING, not even a wine cooler. Sheesh!! But it was good, don't get me wrong.

It was AWESOME to see Mike doing so well and in relatively good health. He'll be going to Cleveland Clinic soon for stem-cell transplants and will need a LOT of prayers and good vibes to get through all this.

The kids are fantabulous. Tomorrow E has her very first school program. She is the *farmers wife* and her line is: "I suppose a Turnip souffle would bake up nicely". For the most part each kid has one line and I think they will sing a few songs and it will all be followed by cookies and juice. Fun times. I'm sure I'll have pics. I can't wait.

I think KJ got constipated last week for the first time in his life becuase I am SO.FREAKING.SICK of him crapping in his diaper. So...I MADE him go half nekkid cause I knew he had to poop....but he would.not.poop. He would beg and cry for a diaper. Its quite the ordeal. Evidently he had a huge blowout Saturday at the babysitters. Bwaahaahaa. Oops. I do feel bad actually. So we are onto another week of potty training madness. I'll keep ya posted.

Coniferous Erecti1e Dy$function...

This is a condition in which the coniferous has trouble staying "up", and suffers a loss of function. This disease/dysfunction may cause others around it to exhibit symptoms such as involuntary fits of laughter, swearing, and sweating. It has also been know to cause rashes of the arms and hands. Although the tree is not erect, it may still emit a clear sticky substance that may stain or cause irritation to others around it. With proper planning and attention, this condition can usually be avoided, however it is sometimes more prevalent when coexisting with cats and small children, and sometimes dumb men.







Whew, all done! And actually I added more garland and overall was happier with how it looked after the second "decorating" party with the kids. We pretty much had to start over. *rolls eyes*. Lets hope the stupid thing doesn't fall again!!!


Stay tuned for lots o' random tree and ornament pics and pics of the kidlets...I think I'll post them on my Photoblog.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

So last night (Sunday) was the only afternoon/night of the week that DH would be home at the same time to take the kids out to get a tree. We did the whole fake vs. real debate again. For a few years we borrowed a gorgeous fake one from a good friend that took out of state contract jobs and wasn't using it. It was so full and real looking we were spoiled. Our kids want to know why Uncle Josh took "our" tree. Heehee...I had to rub this in to him. Last year we got a real one from a little corner lot set-up and it was cheap, but seriously, totally dead. Sooo....this year we went to a Tree Farm and cut our own down. I should say John did. I mostly stood around with the kids freezing, telling him to hurry up before the placed closed and we all froze to death. I learned that it took 12 YEARS to grow my tree. Hokey petes....I didn't realize it took that long. I guess other types take a little less time, like 6-7 years. But I will stop balking at forking out $40 for a good tree now. It smells wonderful too! And my dear hubby had a stoke of genious for getting the tree in the house...made possible by our new windows that actually open. Our picture window now can actually slide open. I was tickled to get the tree in without a trail of needles all the way though the house. So here are some pics of the tree picking and home bringing process.







Again you can see I did a lot of hard work to help with the tree....

John bought these obnoxiously huge LED lights (he didn't realize how big they were) for the tree. They look a little oversized, but they give a cool light show so its not all bad. We did more decorating today and I will have to take pics of the final product soon after we add tinsel and the angel.

Oh and a bonus pic of the "Sculptures" KJ drew/made for me a couple of weeks ago while I was at work and DH was in charge:



And finally I leave you with the only pic I've taken in the last three months where both kid are actually looking at the camera (and getting along).

Holiday time!

All the holidays, so much fun (and perhaps confusion).

So tonight we went yet again, to our favorite little (actually NOT so little) place in town. The Gardens/Sculpture park I keep talking about. I feel like I need to just live there. My kids ask to go ALL the time and its just the best place. I've decided I really need to volunteer there so I feel like I can give back a little bit of everything the place does for our family. Maybe when KJ is finally in school or when DH gets a daytime shift and less crazy schedule. Or maybe in the summers when the kids are old enough to help out with projects there too. We'll see.

ANYway....Tonight was a special night of tree lighting...they have 40 trees/displays representing 40 different countries and cultures. They also had roaming Dickens Carolers, crafts for the kids to make and Santa Clause! I didn't even initially realize until a few days ago that Santa would be there. Last year we went closer to Christmas to see Santa....I believe the last day Santa would be there and it was wall-to-wall people and a LONG line to see Santa. Tonight was much more laid back, Santa was roaming around chatting with the kids- on a few different occasions. After the last time KJ was done chatting off the ear of his new found friend, he stated "You know, I really like his Halloween costume". It was SO freaking funny. My MIL took a little video of him and E talking to Santa, so I will have to get it from her and post it. Unfortunately we missed that last costume comment on video though.

I guess having just had Halloween not that long ago, planning for Thanksgiving and then adding Christmas celebrations into the mix is a little confusing for a 2.5yr old. LOL!!

We also met an adorable little girl and her mom there and I actually exchanged email/#'s with the mom before we left. The girl was a little older than KJ but both my kids loved her. KJ spent a good part of the night following her around and vice versa. Before we left KJ asked if he could give her a hug and then after he hugged her asked if he could give her a KISS! Heehee!! Uh-oh! At least he asked I guess, although we refrained on this first date/meet-up! ;)

Need good thoughts and prayers...

My step-brother Mike celebrated his 22nd birthday on Thurday while he was in the hospital admitted with Pneumonia. On Friday he was diagnosed with Lymphoma and needed to have drains placed to both his lung and one to the sac around his heart. Evidently he had some chest pains and an u/s showed fluid around his heart. It was actually the cells in that fluid that were telling of his diagnosis. In the next day or two we should find out what type of lymphoma and he will most likely begin treatment (chemo) right away. Of course everyone is in a bit of shock at the moment. I seriously had my bags packed and was/am ready to head down there (he lives about 5 hrs away) if it looked like I could be of any use gathering and decifering medical jargon for my parents. For now I am waiting. Perhaps when we learn more. Maybe I'll start website just for him to keep friends and family updated. We'll see. It just sucks to be an ICU nurse and have a family member *in* ICU and not be there. The whole thing just sucks.....beyond words or emotion. Any good thoughts for Mike would be appreciated.