Scared

I admit it, I'm scared. The wind tonight is the worst it has ever been here. We have reason to believe the wind has gusted to 90 mph or more here. We are thinking the sustained wind is in the 70's. Lineman went out to the garage and said the walls are moving at least 6 inches. A full grown man can barely stand or walk outside. The wind picked up my log swing and threw it against the house and broke it. We are having major roof issues. I don't know about the siding yet. The whole house is shaking. The floor is shaking. My computer monitor is shaking.

The power is flickering now. Hopefully we'll make it into the morning okay. What a way to bring in the new year.

The Way of Love

I'll appologize in advance to any readers who may have already seen these on my other blogs.

I am really enjoying photographing still life. It's pretty relaxing and I don't have to chase kids around with an amazingly fast shutter speed. I was working on shadows and I love the way the rings create their own heart shaped shadow. Do you have a favorite?

Static Electricity & Wind

I was playing with the Little Man yesterday morning. I had a blanket over his head and was playing peek-a-boo with him. He was loving it. That's when I noticed something more than his laughter and giggles. Something more than his smile.

And that is some serious static electricity! He was having so much fun.

Okay, Okay, I know his hair is a little long, what can you do? It will see scissors one of these days.

On another note our oldest boy was in tears today. As was I.... almost. Lineman had the two older boys outside having them help with moving things around, just getting ready for the move, etc. Well they noticed the oldest boy was not with them. The looked inside, checked the bathroom, looked in the garage. NOTHING. No where to be seen. After ten minutes we still couldn't find him. I put on a coat and headed out to help look for him. I was VERY scared about where he could be. It just didn't make any sense. He had just disappeared.

Finally Lineman found him and walked him back to the house. The boy was about half a mile away. He had been chasing a piece of paper that was being carried away by the wind. The wind kept taking the paper and he kept chasing it. He was in tears as he was trying to get the paper. When he got back to the house his face was all covered with red spots from crying so hard.

Sitting at the table minutes later and enjoying some freshly made vanilla pudding he says to us "I love the wind. I think everyone should love the wind." Yeah, we all love it son, we all love it.

"back" to sleep

My Mother in Law left a comment about how she liked the dad with the big nose in Baby Blues. As I was reading my new comic book I came across this strip. I think she'll like it. And hopefully you will too! Click on the picture to make it bigger.

How to spend an afternoon

Lineman enjoys taking a Sunday afternoon nap once in awhile. When a boy will join him that's even better. It took only minor convincing for the middle boy to cuddle with Lineman. It didn't take long and they were both zonked out. I love how Lineman threw his hat over our boy, probably makes him feel just like his daddy.

I loaded up the Little Man with some Tylenol and he is finally napping. Last night was just horrible with him.

Our oldest boy is a reader so that's what he's doing. Awfully convenient he is reading my new book. Lineman asked what I wanted for Christmas and I told him I wanted a Baby Blues comic book. Of course after peace, love, an end of war and all the family time we could squeeze in. After that I wanted Baby Blues.

How lucky was I that I got two Baby Blues books. Woooo Hooooo lots of reading for me! My mom was laughing at me the other day. We were both in a recliner reading while the Little Man was napping. I was reading Baby Blues while she was reading a 12,158 page book that she had to bring in on a dolly. Well, it's a big book, let's just say that. She was trying to read but I guess I was making it a little hard on her. I would read and then bust out laughing. More silence followed by more laughter. More silence and yet more laughter. Then I would have to read the comic strip aloud so she would know why I was laughing so hard. Boy it's going to take her a long time to get through her book if she keeps reading next to me!

I'm still here!

It has been pretty busy here as you can imagine. Lineman is home and Gramma is visiting. On top of that I have still been very busy with the move.

I have to say that even in spite of huge changes coming our way Lineman's company is doing all they can do to help us. Actually, they have other people helping us but help is help, right. I have been in contact with numerous people regarding selling our house and everything that entails. Seems like I'm trying to wrap my head around something move related every few hours.

Also, on a good note..... our counter offer on a few acres in our new town was just accepted. As I said before we will build so I will still need to go up there and find a place to rent. I suppose we could always pitch a tent up there. Who cares if its negative 31? That's nothing a 12 month old can't handle.

Speaking of a 12 month old.......

Bear attack! Bear attack! I'll let those bears attack me any day.

Just a quick update for now, I didn't forget I have a blog to update, I promise, I'll be back!

When it's cold outside....

You make your own fun indoors!

Gramma set up a pillow jump for the kids. It started with one pillow they had to jump over, then a pillow was added after each jump. Then it escalated from there! My oldest going for a jump over four pillows.

The middle boy couldn't quite clear four pillows but he sure had fun giving it a try. They would slide to a stop at the end. It's amazing that they didn't ram into the wall and put a hole in it.

The games continually were changing. Now we went vertical with the pillows, four high was no problem for the oldest boy.

And then we switched the game up again.......

It turned into "Superman".

So if the winter blues have your kids stuck inside during the cold, cold weather, set up some pillows and let them have at it. Set up an obstacle course, have a pillow fight (yes, that happened too), be creative and burn some of that energy.

Busy, Busy...

Not too much to post today, so maybe just a quick update......

My mom did arrive yesterday and the kids are just having a ton of fun with her here! She loves to be with them and they quickly abandon me in favor of her.

I seem to have caught a cold. Huge Bummer! I felt it coming on yesterday and it seems to have hit me like a Mac Truck today. My mom let me sleep in a little late which I do think helped. I usually never get headaches and managed to get quite a whopper in the middle of the night. Thankfully I still have meds left over from my C-Section so I took a few of those this morning. That knocked the headache out so I was thankful. Now just to get rid of the cold.....

Little Man slept horrible last night. He seems to have a cold and is probably getting some molars in as well. He still has a good attitude during the day which I am thankful for.

The middle boy also has a cold. Do I sound like a broken record? Do I sound like a broken record? Do I sound like a broken record? Scccccrreeeeeeeaaach - Phew, that was close.

I am REALLY REALLY hoping that Gramma doesn't catch it, that would not be a very nice Christmas gift, not very thoughtful of us to share that.

And the big happening of the day....... drumroll please........ two Realtors are coming to the house today. Yippee. They had better hurry too because the house is decently clean and picked up. You all know that is not easily accomplished with kids running around the house. I had better sign off, the first one is due to be here 10 minutes from now.

Ta ta for now! Stay warm where ever you are.

Would you just get here already!

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting. Would you just get here already!

My mom? No, not my mom. Though she is driving to my house as I write this. She is coming down for Christmas. She had a bad start with weather up in Montana but she is now in front of the front that is moving down.

Lineman? No, but he will be flying in very soon. And we are soooooo excited for his arrival. However, that's not what this post is about.

Would you just get here already!!!!!!!!!!

Got ya stumped?

The storm! I wish it was here already! Why, you ask? Well maybe you didn't ask but this is my blog and I can pretend that you were about to ask me.

Another cold front is blowing in. The key word in that last sentence: BLOWING. The wind is just horrible again today. I took the trash out and nearly got blown down. In fact the wind is so bad and horribly loud I hear it coming through the baby monitor there above. I have no idea how Little Man is still sleeping in his room.

As soon as the storm arrives it will be cold and snowy. However, once it arrives that means that the wind will finally die down. So give me the snow. Give me the cold. Just turn off the wind.

Two things I learned last night

I began working on two teachers gifts last night for our oldest son. The main portion of the gift consists of a 4-pack of Starbucks Frappuccino. However, you need to empty two of the bottles. What else to do but drink the Frappacino?

Lesson learned #1: I actually like Frappuccino. I don't drink coffee so I was quite surprised learning I liked the Frap.

Lesson learned #2: You should not start drinking a Frappuccino at 9:00 P.M.......

AHA!!!! There is the culprit. A practically empty glass of Frappuccino! Ugh! I should have known better!

This is the beginning of my project. Look at me being all crafty again. Oh it's been awhile since scrapbook paper has seen the light of day in this house.

Since I had that Frappuccino why not make some chocolate pretzel rods? It was about this point that I look at the ingredients listed on the Starbucks Frappuccino bottle. Hmmmm.... it says brewed Starbucks coffee. I guess I should have know that but honestly I didn't. Who knew it was full strength coffee? Not me. I'm very naive that way.

Well, since I was up anyway I thought I would make a batch of Puppy Chow.

Ahhhh, and there are the finished projects. I was really happy with the way they turned out. The bottles of Frap that I emptied I cleaned out and refilled with M&M's and Puppy Chow. Added a little raffia, some candy canes, a few pretzel rods, the teachers innitials and wa-la, two teachers gifts.

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But then.... As I get ready to finally turn in for the night I see this on my bed......

Arrrrrrg, I hate it when that happens! And there is a huge pile of shirts on top of the pillows. Unfolded shirts. I must admit I threw it all on top of the dresser or on the floor. Hey, it can always wait, right?

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I obviously didn't get much sleep last night but I was pleased with the way they turned out.

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Now I'm having some more Frappuccino this morning to wake me up. A little ironic, don't ya think?

My Little Sweetie

Boy did I hear it from Lineman about not getting a post done yesterday. Is it just me or is anyone else just a tad busy right now?

I did a little mini photoshoot with our Little Man a few days ago. He certainly is my little sweetie!

12 Days of Christmas

It's MONDAY! Time for a smile. I remember this from last year and I thought I had better get it put up on my blog for this Christmas. Talk about talent these guys have. Enjoy

12 Days of Christmas...

I don't understand why....

For those that have been reading my blog for awhile you will remember that just as school was letting out for summer a mother that I played adult soccer with took her own life. She left behind a husband and three wonderful children. I had played soccer with both the husband and the wife. My son played soccer with one of their kids. I knew the children from working at the school. It was a tough day for many, the pain the family experienced I can't even begin to imagine.

Several days ago I heard that another girl from our soccer team was missing. I read in today's newspaper that she had been found in the mountains. She was 21 years old. She too decided that life was too hard and she took her own life. She was so nice, so talented, so smart. I can only begin to imagine how her parents are feeling. The pain must be nearly unbearable for them.

The young girl also had two friends take their own lives recently. I don't understand how this can keep continuing, turning into a type of domino effect. When does a person finally say "This is enough. Enough loss. Enough heartache. Enough pain for those that are left behind. I will not cause this kind of pain for my loved ones. I will not do what they just did to me. Enough."

By taking their own lives and ending their temporary pain, they have given a huge burden of pain to those that are left behind. No parent should have to deal with this kind of pain. Children need their mommies. When does it stop?

I don't think I can express my feelings very well, so I will just leave it simple, that my thoughts and prayers are with these families and loved ones.

Time to Say Good Night

I have been enjoying listening to Andrea Bocelli lately. What a voice he has! I found this on YouTube and thought it was pretty neat. Now, I think Lineman sings very well, but I wouldn't mind Andrea Bocelli singing me to sleep once. I hope you enjoy.

Ten Pounds, Eight Ounces

It's a bouncing baby boy!

Had you going. Actually it is a boy with a full backpack.

Our oldest son's school is doing a food drive again this year. The kids are asked to bring in a can or two to contribute to the food drive for those in need. Since we are in the process of moving it looks like a win-win situation! I started going through the pantry and just started grabbing left and right. I put away the glass jars for fear of what his backpack would look like by the time he got to school.

All in all I put 10 cans in his backpack, totalling 10 pounds, 8 ounces. Hey, that's only 14 ounces more than he weighed. (The math on that is 9 pounds 10 ounces, yup...).

I wonder if I could have gotten any more in that backpack.

Maybe I'll shoot for 20 pounds on Monday!

The Christmas Sweater

A friend gave me this book and it was a very good read. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, put your feet up, sit by the fire and open up this book. It is a quick read with many great messages. I know I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks so much Emily. Now I will pass it on to Lineman, he has been looking forward to reading it for quite some time.

Would chocolate help?

I usually handle stress pretty good. Most of the time. However, this is the first time I have encountered this particular stress: Trying to move, during Christmas and the New Year. I have been told that moving is one of the most stressful things a person can do. Closely following that is a new baby or pregnancy. Hmmmm, No I am NOT pregnant, but I do have a little one.

Little Man is still sick. I feel so bad for him. Okay, let's face it. I feel bad for me too. Sorry, I said it out loud, but what can I do. He is so clingy, though I do like clingy since in a house full of boys it's mostly just wrestling around here. He is soooo clingy though. I can't get a single thing done around here. I know, I know, that's not a bad thing. But I did choose to stay awake until midnight last night so I could get some cleaning done. Doesn't everyone clean late into the night?

I have even taken him into the bathroom with me. I feel bad to hear his pitiful cry so it's just easier to take him everywhere with me.

Not that his cry is really loud, it's just the opposite. He has completely lost his voice and so crying sounds something like a muffled duck quaking. Don't ask. I can barely hear him crying on the monitor during the night because he can't make very much noise. The wheezing seems to be getting worse though. When I went to the doctor on Sunday he said the croup usually clears in three days. Well, we are now on day FIVE.

With all of this stress would chocolate help?

Oh, and back to the moving stress. We do have help from his company for relocating but I have to make choices as to what I think is the best choice for our family and situation. I spoke with someone Monday who recommended I choose Choice #1. She couldn't answer all of my questions so she referred me to someone else. That person called today from DC and said she would strongly recommend Choice #2 in our situation. Problem is Lineman already filled out the paperwork for Choice #1. Ugh. You know I'm not good at making decisions. So I finally make a decision and it might be the wrong one. Apparently this is a lesson in faith for me.

With all of this stress would chocolate help?

We are also trying to put in an offer on a small piece of property in the town we will move to. It seems that the price is now higher than what it was originally. Hmmm, that's awfully convenient, isn't it? The realtor kept asking if we wanted one of the houses she showed us. Hmmm, incidentally it was the most expensive house they had. I told her it was not in our price range but she wanted to show it anyway. When I told her we were going to put an offer in on the land she was trying to pursuade me to put an offer in on that house. Hmmmm, maybe I should get her hearing aids for a Christmas present. There really isn't much for real estate there so I think she needs a good sale and a little acreage probably isn't what she would like to sell right now.

So, I keep thinking. With all of this stress, would chocolate help?

I don't have any chocolate in the house right now so I guess I will just have to adore these little cheeks for now.

Larsen's Photoshoot

A few weeks ago I did a photoshoot for this wonderful family. Thank you so much for the opportunity. We will miss your family greatly when we move.

Click here to see more from this photoshoot.

Practicing

Well, I did it to myself, didn't I? Saying that I would be in a picture a week for 52 weeks. I thought I better get used to the idea and start practicing now. While we were at my mom's house over Thanksgiving she was nice enough to snap a few pictures of me and Lineman. I don't know if I should have let my mom use my camera though. She was getting pretty comfortable with it. I may have to find a good hiding spot for it =)

WALKING! And the croup

One year and one week and he is officially WALKING! He started walking last night like a pro. I think he must have been practicing in the midle of the night. How else do you explain him just taking off? He can even get up by himself and then take off. Those little arms in the air are just priceless.

So now that he is walking what does that mean for me? Will he be running with his brothers soon? Will he be running marathons? Will he be running with the bulls? I think I'll just freeze this little moment in time for a little bit and enjoy the "get up and fall" that goes with learning to walk.

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On another note, poor Little Man, I feel so bad for him. He has the croup and feels just awful. He was really struggling to breath this afternoon so I took him into the walk in clinic. Turns out he also has the common cold to go with his croup. I was worried about his breathing mostly. The other stuff a mom can always take care of.

Doesn't he just look too sad. He is pretty clingy tonight. I'll take clingy.

I'm just saying.....

If you remember yesterday's post I mentioned how the antelope were taking classes at school. Well, Lineman left a comment on that entry. Here it is, word for word:

Grooaann! Do you all see what I have to live with here??? How about, "how to look both ways before crossing the highway 101" or "beat the bullet 101" or "Vehicles really are faster than us 101"

This morning he called to tell me that he hit a deer. Coincidence? I think not.

Of Snow and Antelope

We got about two days of snow here. It had to be the prettiest snow I've seen in a long time. It was really interesting, something it's been years since I've seen. What you ask? It was snow falling down from the sky. Really, it was falling straight down. It didn't even go sideways at all. I told the boys to look at the snow falling straight down as we may never see that here again. In fact, I had to inform the boys that snow doesn't always come from the sky sideways. That's all they've ever known.

It has been cold too. It dipped to Minus 2 degrees here. I took the kids to swimming lessons and they had a hard time swimming through the large chunks of ice. However, when they got tired those same blocks of ice acted as little life preservers. So that really worked out well when the hypothermia set in. They really do take swim lessons, but I confess, they are indoor and it is incredible hot in the building. However, they threw their wet swim trunks in the back of the Suburban and after one quick stop the swim trunks were frozen solid. Oooo, imagine trying to put those back on.

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We had a herd of about 60-70 antelope come through yesterday. They came through our place and stopped at the bus stop.....

Have your cake & wear it too

With our traveling and looking at our soon to be new town, and looking at property... we never did have an official birthday for our Little Man. Not that you really need one at ONE, but still, I wanted him to have the opportunity to smear cake everywhere if he wanted to. We did have a wonderful birthday lunch at Olive Garden and he had a cake (it was all Gramma and I could do to share it). They sang to him at Olive Garden and I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures. At least I had the neighbors over on Tuesday night for a late birthday celebration.

Aaaawwwwwwww, don't be shy Little Man. oo, oo, oo.... cake. Want some?

Hmmm, this isn't half bad. I think I could get into this.

Open up wide and shove in some cake!

All in all he really didn't get too messy. I was disappointed but not that disappointed. It's still hard to believe he is a year old, my middle boy starts school next year and the oldest is engaged. -- Just making sure your listening.