Happy Birthday Little Man

11-29-2007, 6:00 a.m. : Lineman drives me into town for my scheduled C-Section at 8:00.
6:30 - we walk into the hospital and go to a room where I will be getting prepped for the surgery.
6:55 - nurses swamp me with needles and questions and this and that. Apparently my doctor and the anesthiesialogist decided the previous night during a hockey game that they should do the surgery at 7:00 and not 8:00. Hmmmmm... no one told me... or the nurses. Totally fine though because my doc is awesome and I didn't have to sit around for an hour worrying.
7:45 - Beautiful baby boy arrives. THREE boys now!
What a wonderful day, I'll never forget.

Happy 1st Birthday Little Man!

Thankful..... for Fifteen

Happy Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for and this day is another reminder for me to not take things for granted. I am truly thankful for so many, many things. But today, I am thankful for a fantastic 15 years of being married to my best friend.

I'm thankful I get to see little moments like these.

I'm thankful he teaches our boys just what every boy wants to learn.

I'm thankful for his incredible smile and his infectious laugh.

I'm thankful he enjoys pushing the kids down the hill on their sleds. Over and over again.

I'm thankful he knows how to take advantage of little moments.

I'm thankful he has a sensitive side.

I'm thankful he can fix just about anything.

I'm thankful he is willing to teach his kids something new.

I'm thankful he has an adventurous side.

I'm thankful for the love he shows to our children.

I'm thankful he likes to see his kids having a fun time.

I'm thankful he learned the art of being a bucking bronco.

I'm thankful he is an incredibly hard worker who has an immense desire to not only provide for his family but to ensure that his children grow up knowing how important it is to have a good work ethic.

I am really thankful for the days he lets me sleep in. Wink wink. Hint hint. I couldn't think of a better anniversary gift. The gift of sleeping in!

Thanks for 15 great years.

Answer to yesterdays question

Of course the blind man justs aks for the sunglasses.

Now don't tell me you didn't put your hands up in little circles around your eyes. I know you did!

Okay, at least I know I did when Lineman told me. I'm pretty gullible that way!

Question for you

A mute man goes into a store to buy himself a toothbrush. Since he is mute and unable to speak he gestures with his hands the motions of brushing his teeth. The clerk assists him with getting a toothbrush.

Moments later a blind man walks in to buy himself a pair of sunglasses. How does he let the clerk know that he wants sunglasses?

MmmmMmmmm Milk

I poured my middle boy a glass of milk last night at dinner. I realized I had given him Little Man's milk, whole milk. I said it would be fine and he could just drink that instead of what we all drink, 1% milk. My middle boy insisted that he did NOT like the taste of it and would NOT drink it.

Okay, I said. I took his glass of milk to the sink and with my back to him I pretended to dump his milk into the sink. Then I pretended to fill his glass with 1% milk.

I took the glass of whole milk over to him. He took a drink, smacked his lips and said.....

Mmmmmm, tastes just right!

52 Weeks - Do I Dare????

This is bold of me. This is daring of me. Pictures of...... pictures of...... of...... me. So here is what I am thinking. Just thinking at this point. I saw this done on another blog (sorry I don't remember where) and I was thinking of trying it myself. What this mom had done was to take a picture of her and one of her children every week for a full year. She made a very valid point. We as moms are always behind the camera taking pictures of our kids or whatever. We aren't comfortable in front of the camera. Our children are bound to grow up with no idea of what we looked like when they were little.

So here is what I am thinking of doing. Starting in the first week of January my post would be called 1 of 52 and then so on. However, I really need some accountability. That's where this blog comes in. If I tell you all I'm going to do it, then I had better do it. Right?

And here is what else I am asking. I think you, yes YOU, should do it too! Yeah, I really do. There are lots of ways to do this. Use a tripod. Use a timer. Use another kid to take a picture (my 4 year old took my picture the other day). Ask a stranger to take your picture. Just GET IN THE PICTURE.

Have I inspired you yet? You have 6 weeks to get used to the idea. It can be your New Years resolution as well as mine. We can all do it together.

Who thinks I'm crazy? Who thinks it's a good idea? Who wants to join me?

Tank You Momma

*A post not for the queasy*

The eyes I was looking at late last night sure did not resemble these eyes below... It was a rough night to say the least. He had gotten sick last night without me knowing it.... or him for that matter. Confused? The two older boys have a way of sleeping VERY hard. The older one sleepwalks all the time and the middle boy talks in his sleep all the time, loudly too!

I guess that's sort of what happened last night. He had gotten sick in bed and unfortunately he was sleep-puking (sorry for the made up, gross term). When I went in to check on him I felt absolutely awful for him as he lay there asleep. I started to strip his bedding while he began to wake up. I convinced him to take a shower where he got sick once again. I got the bedding changed and then helped him out of the shower.

Then he says to me "Thank you, Momma. Thank you, Momma". These little words meant so much to me to hear. When he was two and a half (and I was hugely pregnant with the middle boy) he had been sick. He walked around the house not knowing what to do. I did the best nursing I could do and then this little, caring, sick boy says to me "Tank you, Momma, tank you, tank you Momma, I love you". This boy is something else. I'll try to remember that when he's a teenager

I crawled back into bed only to not be able to fall asleep. I hate when that happens.

Please excuse me now, I must do more laundry....

O-R-E-O

What happens when a neighbor girl comes to visit and brings a dessert for after lunch? What happens if I have to briefly talk with an inspector? Then what happens if I ask two four year olds to briefly watch the Little Man while I talk with the inspector?

This is what happens..........

We are talking about three minutes... that's all the time it took for this kid to find a bag of Oreos and dive in. When I ran back to where he was the carpet was covered in black blotches all over.

Oh boy did he ever enjoy those Oreos.

I figured I might as well let him finish up the last Oreo he had gotten into. He needs the practice for his upcoming birthday! The messier the better!

Joy in my heart

Watching Lineman last night with the kids I was reminded again what family is all about. All of the boys, yes all four of them, were on the couch together. I felt like a fly on the wall, in a good way. Able to watch from a distance and take in the memories being made. It was nothing grand but it was time just spent together. They were on the couch reading a comic book. Laughing together. Being together. Then it turned into the common rough housing and tickling and wrestling. Ahhh, joy in my heart.

This morning the older boys put on some warm clothes and went searching for their sleds. Lineman went out and was pushing them down the coulees. Ahhhh, joy in my heart. I could watch them interact all day.

Bad Mom of the Day Award

The phone rang at 6:18 this morning. It was the school district calling. They have an automated computer calling system that alerts parents in case of emergency. The message said that school was still in session but there would be no rural buses operating today.

I called Lineman at 6:48. I said there were no rural buses today. He said it was cool our oldest boy would get to stay home. I told him there was school, just no rural buses. Lineman told me to just keep the boy home.

I'm too stubborn though.

I called a neighbor to see if she was driving her daughter in. She was and offered to take our son with her.

She picked him up and called me when she made it to town so I knew they had arrived safely. Safely? We only had about two inches of snow so I didn't think it was really a safety issue. Apparently I was wrong. The roads into town were all icy and it took them nearly three times as long to get to school.

Bad Mom of the day award for sure.

It continues... Now the wind is blowing (yeah, go figure, the wind is blowing here). So what does the wind blowing mean? Well, let me tell you. It turns into a ground blizzard every time. So what does that mean? I am suppose to pick up the boy since there are no rural buses. Do I really want to drive in with a ground blizzard? There is a good chance he will have to stay in town and sleep over at a friends house.

Bad Mom of the day award for sure.

We could all be home together, baking cookies, playing games and having fun. All warm and safe inside our cozy home. But no, I am too stubborn.

Bad Mom of the day award for sure.

Golfing with Gramma

When my mom was here a few weeks ago we got a sitter for the Little Man and took the older boys with us to go golfing. When we arrived at the first golf course the four of us walked in to pay and the guy said no one under 8 could be out on the course. Talk about a major bummer. How old was Tiger Woods when he started golfing? We were very disappointed to be treated like that. Especially since it was a horribly windy and cold day and there was ... uh... NO ONE on the course. Oh well, moving on. We went to another golf course and my mom went in by herself and said we needed two golf carts because she had her grandsons with her. They never asked their ages and we never offered either. So off we went!!! As soon as we got away from the buildings we let each of the boys drive. WATCH OUT! These kids are crazy. You would think riding motorcycles would give them an edge to driving these... um.... yeah, not really. They were crazy, of course that is probably what they were trying to do.

You like their nice clothes? It was pretty cold and windy (it's always windy) so they boys are wearing our vests and coats.

I love seeing these three happy people!

Despite the wind and cold it was such a fun day, with fun kids and a fun loving Gramma.

Hand over the quarter

Ohhhhhhh yuuuuuum. Mom, can I have a quarter? Pleeeeeeeease? Just one piece of candy? Brothers, can you give me a quarter? Please? Just one piece of candy?

This life is rough. Boy cannot live on milk forever. Maybe if I hit it just right some candy will fall out. Man, it's not working. What can I do?

Oohh, I think one moved. They are all going to fall out onto the floor. Then I will be rich, rich I tell you. Rich with candy! I won't nap. I'll be up all night. This will be great.

Beautiful Ladies

I had an absolutely fantastic time with my last photo shoot. It was with three generations of women and girls. What a privilege that they chose me for their photo shoot.

Click on the picture to see more

from this photo shoot

I have so many favorites from this session, however, this one ranks as one of my top favorites. Her daughters expression behind her skirt and the beauty of her own pregnancy just takes my breath away.

I enjoyed photograhing them all so much, thanks again ladies.

Lowe's Build and Grow

On Saturday I ran the kids into town just to go to Lowe's. They have the kids workshops that I have been wanting to get them to for quite some time. We saw they would be making a Jimmie Johnson Semi Truck so of course it was a perfect first workshop. We were worried about making it in time so I drove slightly over the speed limit on the way to town... only slighty, really. Okay, maybe not. Please don't tell. The kids took to it immediately! I had planned on helping the kids. However, I guess they have spent enough time in their dad's shop that they really didn't need any help.

While we were there a friend of our oldest boy showed up for the workshop. They all had a blast! In addition to the semi and the car they built, they also got a Lowe's apron and nametag, safety goggles, a #48 patch, and a certificate. And the price? ......... Free! How about that!

Denied... and some other stuff

The wind has finally calmed. Not without leaving a mark before it left. All in all we had damage on the house and garage siding as well as the house, garage and shed roofs. Hey, but everything is standing, including us!

And because of the wind, I was denied. Denied a hot shower. Not once. Not twice. But THREE times I was denied a hot shower. That said I'm getting pretty good at lighting the pilot on the water heater.

It's been a pretty busy week again. I'm in the middle of going through two photoshoots which has been really fun.

I misplaced my phone this morning. We looked and looked and couldn't find it. I told the kids to go to the neighbors and have her call me so I could locate the phone. She wasn't home. I told them to ride their bikes up to our other neighbors. Nothing like a 1/2 mile bike ride for a kid in 38 degree weather. Please, no one report me! The kids did bring back peanut butter cookies. Maybe I should send them up there more often! *thanks for the yummy cookies*

We managed to get to Lowes just in time for a fun project today. Pictures coming tomorrow. Make it a great day.

Wonderful Weather

I just love Wyoming's peaceful, soothing weather. What with it's ever gentle breezes. Days where the wind is just a whisper across the prairies. The quietest of breezes that barely turn the tall grasses into a moving sea. Breezes that brush across your face in such a gentle way as to just alert you to it's ever quiet presence.

SSSCREEEEEEEEEEEECCHHHHHH!!
Someone wake me UP!

Yeah, our weather is absolutely NONE of those things. The wind blew all night and should continue through today and into Friday. That probably isn't going to do our garage any favors. The garage we built with our own bare hands. The siding is coming off at a pretty good rate. Somehow I don't see me putting it up by myself so unfortunately we will most likely have to hire someone to repair the damage.

.

When I went in to check on the boys this morning the middle boy was awake just laying there. He looked up and me with a pitiful look and said "Mom, why does the wind have to blow so hard?" I feel so bad for the kids, their side of the house catches the majority of the wind.

Back in my bedroom I can hear the wind being picked up on the baby monitor.

.

Well, just a day at a time. And although we may not have siding on the garage in a few more hours, at least the garage is not likely to blow away.... yet...

.

And until then, someone turn the wind off!!!!

On Voting and Long Lines

I was one of the millions of people who cast their vote yesterday. I understand there were extremely long lines for some people and that they had to wait at their polling locations for a long time to cast their vote. Well, I guess it wasn't that way at every polling location......

This is where I cast my vote, a country church a few miles from where we live. When I arrived there were these 6 vehicles already there. Three belonged to the women working the polls. Two of them were the Sheriff and an older gentleman just having coffee. And the last remaining car was ... wait for it.... an actual voter!

My time consisted of:

Waiting for them to located my name in their book: 15 seconds

Saying hi to the Sheriff: 30 seconds

Sheriff visiting with my middle boy: 1 minute 30 seconds

Casting my vote: 2 minutes

Getting stickers for me and my two punks: 30 seconds

Telling everyone to have a great day: 15 seconds

Total Time = 6 minutes

I may have to look up the words "Waiting in line" in the dictionary. There sure won't be a picture of my polling place next to it!

Well, that was rude of me!

Remember this picture? I never did tell you what I was doing with all that stuff. Well, a few did guess it correctly, we were making caterpillars.

As Pioneer Woman would say, here are the cast of characters:

Potting mix, grass seed, pantyhose, colorful hair ties, googlie eyes, pipe cleaners and a big bucket.

Throw some potting mix into your bucket. Be very precise with your measuring here. Just kidding, throw in there what looks like a good amount to fill the amount of pantyhose you will be using. For our project we were using two pantyhose.

Now add your grass seed. Don't be stingy here. Do you want a fuzzy, furry caterpillar or one that looks like it is already balding? We probably used about 3/4 cup of seed. Again, be very precise in your measuring. Okay, kidding again.

Have the kids get their hands dirty and mix it all up. Hey, did you notice there is actually a "girl" in our house? Amazing huh? It's our neighbor, I watch her on Fridays. I'm going to have to talk to her mom about her clothes. If she is going to be here I think she should be covered in pink from head to toe, don't ya think? Where else am I going to get my pink? Okay, now it's time to start filling the pantyhose. Looky there, it's starting to look like something. More like a worm than a caterpillar, better fill it up good. Also, hindsight on our caterpillars, the grass grows through better if the pantyhose is filled tightly. So either buy the smallest pair or don't let the kids stretch them out before you fill them, or the easiest way is just to fill it as full as you can.

Hey, it really is looking like something!

Add your colorful hair ties to give the caterpillar some life! Then glue on some googlie eyes. Take a bit of pipe cleaner and wrap it around a pencil to make it curl for the antenna. Cut a tiny hole in the pantyhose to stick the antenna in.
Make little trays out of foil that is at least two thicknesses. Curl up the sides to keep the water in. Now time for water! Most of the water is going to run off the caterpillar at first. "Like water on a ducks back". That's our saying here for not letting problems get to you, just let them roll of your back. Anyway, the water will stay in the tray if you made some good edges to it. The kids then spent time with a spoon just spooning the water back on top of the caterpillar. They loved it and I loved that it really took them some time to do that step.

Now keep it in a sunny window and keep it moist then ..... wait....... wait.......... wait.........

TADA!!! Our caterpillar. And this guy looks like he's ready for a hair cut already. Have fun with the project. Its a great teaching opportunity for the kids.