My Ugly New Shoes...

I got caught up in the giving of it all on the website....

Sunday Night, The Week in Review...

Several things happened this week, things I've been waiting forever for it seems.

My new laptop came in!  She is so pretty, and I cannot wait to put her to use!

I got a new camera!  Kimberly at Portraits by Kimberly set me up with a Canon 20d.  My two lenses came in the mail on Wednesday.  Not that I know what to do with either of them, but Kim has promised to show me!

Ryan and I headed to St. Louis Friday afternoon to meet my parents and collect our little people.  We had a nice time chatting with each other in the car~ T. keep our big kids for us, so we had the time to ourselves.  I started reading "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman.  I can only read for so long in the car before I start to get sick.... but we got a few chapters in.

We had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's in Effingham Illinois.  I was so excited to find salad greens, spinach and edamame on the salad bar!  Not to mention the square white plates.  Every thing taste better on square plates.

We got to the western side of St. Louis about 11pm, and slept for a couple of hours before the rest of our party showed up.  I'm pretty sure we were more excited to see them,  than them us!  Poor Jackson, I think he was a little confused.  He wanted Ryan and I, and kept hugging us, and kept going back in forth between us. When we turned the light off to go to sleep, (both kids in our bed) he got up to find "Nana" no less than four times.

We got home Saturday afternoon in time to get cleaned up and join some friends for a fundraiser for the kids school.  Our team: "No if's, and's or butt's"  totally rocked out "Trivia Night", winning the first two rounds, tying the third, and coming in third overall after ten rounds.  I cannot claim any credit, besides having smart friends!

Today after church, we hung out here at home, the kids were happy to be here, and with each other.  A nice, relaxing day.

Tomorrow I have to take both little people to the Doctor.  Well visits.  Jackson's 2 year. Two months late, I know. And Isabelle's Kindergarten physical. Kindergarten physical.  Crazy.

We have a busy week, back to the carpool, preschool, work, homework, laundry, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping,  Wednesday night church, 4-H meeting, kindergarten round up, the library, and unfortunately, a visit to the funeral home, and possibly one to the hospital.

Glad my people are all at home... but man, the mess!

Grandpa Greats!

This Morning, Elizabeth told me my hair looked like my grandmothers. Her "Grandma Great".  (Because it was all messy, and not snow white I'm sure.)   I miss her.  Even though we had her for a very long time, and I am glad her suffering is over, I still wish I could go to her house and have her teach me how to knit.  And show me how to make her vegetable soup. Oh, and her "Chicken Pot Pie" ~  Comfort food at it's best.

Messing around on my blog in all the blog "drafts" I've started, I came across this photo:

My other grandparents.

Clint and Opal. 

Both are in their 80's.  Don't they look fantastic??

I think this was taken almost a year ago.  I need to call them and go visit.  I would love grandma to show me how to make her pie crust.....

My Books. I Miss Them.

When I still lived at home, I read all of Jeanette Oke's books.  I loved each and every one.  I gave Elizabeth the first three of the "Love" series for Christmas.  She's not very cracked up about them.  Can't get over the language I guess.  I think she was a little impressed when I read all three in four days...  When I finished the third, I decided I wanted to finish the series, so I went into the garage and dug through all of my book boxes looking for the other five books.  Guess what? I don't have them.

I borrowed them from our local library and breezed through them like no body's business.  I love that story.

While digging through the boxes, I did pull out a few:

It's Dad's.  I need to read it so I can return it.

Same way with this one.

I pulled this out, thinking it may motivate me in a positive way.  No luck so far.

This one? we desperately need.  It works.  When you follow the rules.  But, like every other parenting book, tip or advice I've ever read or received, It doesn't matter what discipline you use, what works is consistency.

This was on my Aunt Tawn's "must read" list.

And this is the one book my cousin Jennifer said she could read over and over and over.

My mom gave me this, and after reading it, I've decided I don't have near the clutter she thinks I do.

My girl, Beth knew I was looking for a good read, so she lent me her last two favorites:

Since Jackson decided to put both of them in the bath, I've purchased new ones for Beth, and added the swollen ones to my own collection.

I also updated my reading list on the computer.  One of the little jobs I've got done while my little people are gone!

My, How Time Flies

I realized yesterday when I got this little photo on my phone:

 

That I have not got near all the things I had hoped to accomplish while my little people were gone. 

I've been too busy playing Elizabeth's dsi, (it's addicting.)

and catching up on my dvr.  Like The Bachelor.  Can you believe he let her go? She was my favorite!

And reading.  I've read 5 books so far.  And taken two baths, and I'm headed there for my third now.  We did take the kids to see the "Green Hornet" on Sunday.  Not appropriate for their age.  Should have read the fine print.  I have not made a real meal either.  Elizabeth has done a little cooking, and we've been working on the things in the fridge.

I did get motivated yesterday, and finished the laundry and took care of this annoying little pile.  I may get more done this week, I may not.  I'm going to enjoy the last few days of my vacation... starting with that bubble bath.

Poor Little Princess

I got a message yesterday afternoon from my mom telling me that Isabelle had gone to her cousin Lena's for a sleep over Friday night and threw up on Saturday morning, and "what should we do?"

Oh my.

After a conversation with my sister-in-law, she sent me this photo:

Two little girls snuggled up with a sheep, watching movies.

I'm sure Aunt Kasey is taking better care of her than her own mother~ and I bet having that sheep in the house is a MUCH better mood booster than anything I could have come up with!

Thanks Kasey, I owe you one!

Cleanin' Corn

Ryan woke me up at 8:30 this morning and asked me "Want to help me make some money today?"

Sure.

The job?

To clean this dirty corn.
A local elevator was going to throw it away, but we are cleaning it to sell and feed to some feeder beef we have.

My job?  Watch the chute, and keep the auger busy.

When the chute gets "clogged" dig out the big pieces and toss them to the side.  Gross.  I'll spare you the gory details.

Elizabeth's job was to keep the dirt shoveled out from under the twirly thing.  William's? to keep the corn moving down the truck bed.  After burying himself up to his chest, I made him stay out of the truck. (insert eye roll and head shake...)

Ryan picked up four loads today, and hopes to get some more tomorrow.  Woo Hoo!  Free corn!

To Hair or Not, That is the Question...

I hate(d) my hair.  Hated it.

It was long and fuzzy.  It made me feel frumpy.

We were so busy the summer of 2009, that I missed several hair appointments.  It was still what I would consider "manageable" for quite a while.  When it got long enough that I no longer liked it, I decided that I should let it grow long enough to donate to Locks of Love.   Here we are, two years later.  Two Years. (ok, maybe 22 months.)


I never like the way it looked long, and frankly, never really put any time into it.  Call me lazy, I like to sleep.  I ended up wearing it three ways basically:

The front pulled back in a barrette.

The front pulled back in a clip.

The easiest? All of it up in a clip.  The bummer? I was always losing the clips.

Finally, after measuring multiple times,  my hair was the required 10" for donation.

Last night, after my shower, I put it in two braids, and Elizabeth cut it OFF!  (she thought she was entitled after I cut hers)

My two little pony tails, measuring just over 10"
Elizabeth was so funny. Holding the scissors, and getting ready to cut, she said: "I'm afraid I'm going to mess it up."  "Oh, honey" I said, "Don't worry about that, I have a hair appointment tomorrow!"

My new, very short cut!
If I ever want it to look like this again, I'm going to have to buy a straight iron...



After posting these photos, I realized three things:
1.  I need to show the kids how to use the camera.
2.  I need to wear some makeup.
3.  Kimberly really does make me look my best!

Farm Tours

One day last week after Ryan left a very distraught Jackson in the house so he could do chores, I decided to take Jackson on one of his very favorite things.  A farm tour.  The only thing that would have made it better was if we took the gator instead of the van, but baby, it was cold out side!

We checked on the heifers.  A very curious bunch of teenage girls.  And pregnant.  every single one.

And rebellious.  They've pushed on the fence so much, we've had to put up a make shift gate so they don't just walk out.

Who? What? Huh? Us? No! We weren't pushing on the fence.

The horses in their warm winter coats were mildly interested, until they realized we had no hay.

The working girls.

Working hard to eat enough energy to make milk for us.

And this guy? yeah.  His job? a little more pleasure than work if you ask me...

Our chubby little piggies greeted us with plenty of grunts and snorts, but also became quickly uninterested when they realized we had no milk for them.

Our farm.

We would be more than happy to give you a tour ... stop by anytime!

WINNER!

The Sticky Sweet Winner is.....





Number 5!

Jangle... email me your address and I'll get them shipped asap!

Valentines, Honey do's and photos of my clutter...

We've had a fun, busy and productive last few days.

My Parents came on Saturday and left early this morning.  It was Grandparents Day at school for the big kids on Monday, and it was Isabelle and Jackson's turn for a visit to Arkansas.  We all are enjoying a very quiet house tonight!

We made chocolate suckers for our Valentines on Sunday, and hung around the house.  Jackson had a very low grade fever since Thursday, and not only did we not want to spread whatever he had, we wanted to make sure he was well enough to go with Nana and Papa!

Dad also needed to get started on my "Honey Do" list.  I'm going to take this moment to say that I have the best parents ever.  Ever.

First item on the list?  These rods on the beam between the kitchen and dining room.  After I get some S hooks, I'll show you just what they are for....  Please note all the naked walls.  I'm working on that too.

He installed a light over my laundry room sink.  I need to tack up the cord, but other than that, it really lights up that little corner!

These shelves in our furnace room were top priority.  They will hold all the stuff I don't need.  I cannot wait to get it all organized.  And, if we run out of beds, we have four extra bunks in the basement!

Shelves and hooks in the garage.  Just the right height for all of the little people.  We made sure!  Even Jackson had to reach to see how high to mount the hooks.  Do you ever think about how some things will change your life?  I'm sure these shelves and hooks are sure to change my life.  I love the quote: "A place for everything, and everything in it's place".  I'll let you know how it's working out.  I have high expectations.

What do I have on my "to do" list while the littlest people are gone?  Lots! (hopefully more regular blogging - according to Brooke.  although she wondered if I would have any subject matter...)

First, this nagging little pile on the computer desk.  Drives me crazy.

And this big pile in the basement.  It happens to be boxes from my craft room in the old house.  Mostly scrap booking supplies - not eggs.  Hopefully it will all be nice and neat before they get home.  I'm kind of excited to work on it really.  I miss my stuff!!


Tonight I picked up the kids from school and took William for a much needed haircut.  He wants to wear it "long" now, and spends a little bit of time on it each morning.  His Dad and I would just like to see his ears.  And eyes.  I took a nice long bubble bath, un-interuppted I might add, and Elizabeth made us some yummy vegetables for dinner.

She was pretty pleased to be able to "toss" the veggies in the air without them falling out of the skillet!

I made Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies for church tomorrow night, and now I think I'll go read, or watch some "grown-up" tv. ( I missed the Bachelor last night) and for sure going to enjoy sleeping in my bed with only one man tonight!

A Sticky Sweet GIVEAWAY!

Remember these?

Cinnamon Rolls from Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead?

Guess what?  THEY SHIP!!

So, on this very special day, I will ship two dozen cinnamon rolls to one lucky winner!

If you would like to be entered to win, leave a comment on your feelings about this day.  Do you love Valentine's day? Hate it? Think it's a "Hallmark" holiday? Or, tell me your favorite Valentine gift, or Valentine memory.  Good or bad.  Did you get a trash can? Do you and your sweetheart plan a romantic evening?  Order pizza and watch movies?   What is Valentines to you?


Don't wait!  I'll draw a winner Tuesday evening!

Silly Day. Silly Kids.

Do you ever have one of  "those days"? Where everything is a little "off", and nothing really gets done?  Yeah.  We have them.  About once a week.

Silly kids.  Couldn't hold still long enough for a photo.

One of their favorite games.  "House"  Isabelle tells Jackson who he is, and what he's supposed to do.  It goes something like this: "Jackson."  "You be the kid."  "Take a nap."  Works great, until he decides he doesn't want to do what she says anymore.

The only thing I got done?

Painting their little toesies.