Dexter

Our dog, Dexter, died yesterday afternoon.

Dexter came to live with Ryan and I the winter of 1997 when he was a puppy.

He is deeply missed.

Update

The laundry is mostly done.

House picked up. Just once.

All dishes washed.

No Vacuuming.

No Mopping.

The shopping finished and put away.

Cookies made. And yummy.

Showered and brushed, before noon.

I've got a good feeling....

I'm staying home today. (and all of God's people said: AMEN).

Usually on my day off, I have a million things I need to do,

and two million things I want to do.

And none of them get done.

But today, I feel GOOD.

The big kids are off to school with a healthy breakfast in their tummy. More importantly, we were at the carpool on time. It's a miracle Maryhelen.

Bea and Jack are up, and happily watching "Winnie the Pooh". Please don't judge me...a girl has to get some stuff done sometimes.

So, this is the list for today:

Laundry. (mostly done.)

Pick up house. (at least once.)

Vacuum.

Mop kitchen.

Wash dishes.

Minor Shopping.

Make cookies for club riot tonight.

OH, shower and brush my teeth.

I'll let you know how I did.

Big Boy Pants

I thought tonight I would share some pictures of Jack. It has been so long since his last post.

I think he looks so grown up in these big boy pants. Could you not just eat up his little cheeks?

Every time I get out the camera to take his picture she jumps in.

Seriously.



Thanks Poulin family for the outfit...the hat is even cuter!

Favorite Photo Subject Part 2

Here are some more of the photos Elle took of Jack in the same two minutes as his last portrait session.

At least these are not up his nose.

But, I shouldn't complain, at least it wasn't my nose.

Even though she woke him up in the process,

She didn't wake me up...

All of the kids love the digital camera...

Will this summer at camp,

Elle's obvious obbsession.

Just wait until I post some of Bea's handiwork...

After his head shots, she moved on to his sweet little feet.

Isn't digital fun?

I even deleted some....

Bath time

This baby of ours is changing so quickly. You would think that this would not come as such a surprise to me, baby number four and all. But boy oh boy, has this 10 weeks just flown by. Jack is smiling and cooing at us when we talk to him. He really lights up when the other kids interact with him.

Bath time is his favorite.

He loves the water. Or being naked. I'm not sure. He can be crying, or just fussy, but the second we put him in the water, he calms right down and smiles. It melts your heart.

Sugar Booger. Never one to miss a good photo op.

Crazy Cows

Do you remember a couple of weeks ago when it was to cold for man or beast?

Well, not THESE beast.

They like to be outside.

Even at night when the temps were in the negative.

Ryan had to lock them inside to keep warm.

Crazy Cows.

I bet in July they'll want to be inside.

This is what happened when they realized I was taking their picture.

In my pajamas.

Crazy Woman.

It's Been A Busy Few Days....

After several days of not accomplishing anything... I got some projects completed. The family calendar is copied, bound and mailed. Ten good months is better than nuthin'.

Jackson's birth announcements are finally mailed.... Didn't Elizabeth over at Portraits by Kimberly do a FABULOUS job? I just love the way they turned out. Kimberly's photos were too hard to choose from. As always.

Sugar Booger came home. Boy did we miss her!

We watched my nephew Wesley play basketball. That's him, on the free throw line. Totally swished it. I have a hard time believing that he is fourteen already. (he thinks I'm old. hee hee)

Great Aunt Fern came to see us. And so did Grandpa & Grandma, Uncle Reyn & Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Larry & Aunt Pam. We had a great dinner with my cousin, Lee and his wife, Josie. I'm willing to call her my cousin too... Thanks for the delicious shrimp!

Elle made all of us Valentine bags. She filled them with candy she found around the house. Too funny. We got the kids an electric pencil sharpener. The arguments we have at homework time about pencils are unbelievable.

Ryan purchased these for me. LG front load washer and dryer in the prettiest shade of blue.

Jack turned two months! He is 13lbs, 4 oz. and 23 3/4" inches long.

He coos, and smiles when we talk to him. He just loves it when the other kids talk to him. And bath time is his favorite. He is filling out so nicely. His cheeks are full and his thighs are getting rolls!

My niece, Miss Lena had her second birthday. I've been scoping out the shoes for her... or maybe a tutu... Just kidding Kasey!

And my nephew, Hunter turned four. Or five. He's not sure. Being an Auntie is the best!

Carnival

Every year at the end of Catholic Schools Week, our little school has a carnival.

It is a chaotic mass of hyped-up kids, games, pizza, face painting, soda, tattoos, a "diva room" and a junk food walk??

The kids L.O.V.E love it.

Oh, did I mention colored spray for their HAIR???

Will refused to be photographed. He had "diva room" remorse.

Favorite Photo Subject

Elle has decided to try her hand at photography. Jack is her only subject. He has had several portrait sessions. This one made me laugh when I downloaded them on the computer. I'll post some of the other ones later...

Thanks for the comfy blanket Kirker family!

She's Off!

To Nana's....




Mom offered to have Bea for the week to help alleviate my stress level. (In the hopes that my headache will be gone by the time she gets back).

She left this afternoon with some good friends of my parents, and we will meet them this coming weekend to pick her up.

Elle and Will were both very upset and jealous.

As for Jack....

Well, after all her loving,

I think this is his opinion!

It'll be good for her 3rd child personality to be the center of attention for awhile.... we miss her already.

thanks for the outfit Tate!

I'm Still Ill

Nice photo huh? Bea took this several weeks ago, but it is how I feel today.

I still have my headache.

Tuesday evening Ryan took me to the hospital for a CT scan, Sinus scan and some blood work. Everything came back normal. The Three medications my Dr. has me on are taking the edge off the pain, but I will probably feel like this until the muscle in my neck starts to feel better.

Last night after vomiting, I slept pretty good. I feel slightly better this morning. Hopefully I am turning the corner.....

Happy Birthday!

To my baby brother.

Who used to suck his two middle fingers.
Who took over on my snuggle blanket.
Who's horse left a scar on my leg.

Who fell asleep in the bath tub.

Who I had to share a bed with on vacation.

Who played babies with me.

Who had black fish in 50 different containers all around his room.

Who came to see me in Florida.

Who fathered my Beautiful niece, Lena. (with some help from his lovely wife...)

I Hate Being Sick

Stupid saying isn't it? I've never heard anyone say that they liked it.

I got the most horrible headache last Sunday. Thanks to Tracy's magic elbow, and Susan the massage therapist I did get some relief for a brief period.

Since I still had the headache today, I went to the Doctor.

She prescribed some pain killers. Oddly enough they make my hands warm and my nose cold.

I am just thankful that tonight I actually feel like I can function enough to maintain my children and house.

and it needs maintenance.