The Case for Blogging Daily

I should blog EVERY day...because when I wait a few days - entirely too much content and it overwhelms me. I'll post pictures - they tell a better story anyway. Here's the weekend recap:

Friday night we received a last-minute invitation to grill out with acquaintances. Not caring we wouldn't know anyone else there - we went...because it was a beautiful night and because I needed to get out of the house and because I didn't want to cook. The kids had fun - Bailey found a group of girls to pal around with, Lauren found made an instant friend ("He's my BEST Friend")

and Grant just smiled in the stroller - til he was tired and then he just closed his eyes (have I mentioned how I LOVE this boy?!) They started a fire in the fire pit - Lauren kept trying to get a little too close for my comfort

and then we left to take Bailey to a sleepover. (I swear - hardly ever see her anymore - sniff, sniff). Then once the kids were in bed, Mark & I watched this movie. Good...but scary. A little to Saw-like in parts for me.

Saturday was a day filled with running errands, a few dumb garage sales (someone had a really worn out Casey's travel mug marked $2 - whatever), playing outside and enjoying the nice weather. Bailey babysat Saturday night. (Maybe I should rent her room out).

Sunday was amazing. PERFECT weather! We were church-skippers but really enjoyed relaxing and spending time together as a family. We sipped coffee, read the paper - a nice time.

But the relaxing ended by 10 a.m. when we decided to tackle some yard work. Lauren was a big helper! She really loves "helping."

We've had a flower bed in the back yard since we moved in...it had perennials in it and a little picket fence/chicken wire around it. It has been completely neglected for over 3 years. Yesterday I tackled it. Mark took the fence/chicken wire down so we can now actually SEE what's in there (thanks, honey!). Unfortunately, now that I could see what was in there - wasn't a pretty sight. Dandelions, Creeping Charlie and the Brown-eyed Susans had taken over the bed. So....lots of weed pulling and now it is all cleaned up (I'll take a picture once I move a couple plants around)....but here is the before: (nightmare!) I can't wait to show you how empty it is now that there are no weeds in there! I also moved the gazing ball - looks so much better in its new home. =-)

My parents stopped over to bring me some Lily bulbs they had for me - so I planted them and then we grilled out with them. They had fun enjoying the kids - and Grandma brought an AWESOME bubble machine.

8 hours later on Sunday we called it quits in the yard. Today - SORE! Sad to be old and out of shape - hate that. But that kind of work is so gratifying....you're exhausted in the end - but you can SEE the fruits of your labor.

Ok - now we're off to the races on Monday - estimates for windows, siding repair, deck, front porch.....just the things we think might make the home more attractive when we decide to try to sell it again.

Grant's PEACHY KeenSpringtime Fun at the Park

Sitting Up and Playing

Last night was Bailey's final 7th grade chorus concert. Her teacher asked if I would help out before-hand to corral the kids, etc. I hate that job! Basically I just hung out with a couple other parents and tried to make sure they all sat in their seats. The could talk - but they were supposed to stay sitting in their rows as if they were on the risers. Well....they are 7th graders...and they are incapable of sitting still apparently. There was lots of texting (you know - to the person right across the table from you) and picture-taking on the phones...there was a lot of dancing (not part of the concert), a lot of hair flipping, a lot of group bathroom trips and a lot of interesting outfits. I guess this is the age where you figure out your style. Some kids have a lot of figuring out left to do (I hope!).

Anyway - back to the kid police...I HATE confronting other people's kids! Especially when some of them just look at you and then continue doing whatever they were doing before. And then there are the glances from my daughter - half embarrassed, half checking to see if I'm looking....ugh. Miserable.

Finally it was time for the kids to line up (30 minutes later). As one of the other parents put it...."there's 30 minutes I'll never get back." ha!

The concert was nice - I actually enjoyed it. Looking around at all of the 7th grade kids - my daughter included - I just can't believe how much they've grown in the last few years - and how much farther they still have to go.

Toto.....We Aren't In Mother's Day Anymore

So yesterday was the perfect Mother's Day. Loved it! But this morning Grant had a fussy night - was up a lot (I let him cry awhile and he fell asleep again every time), I was cold, Lauren was up before 6 a.m. and had her first time-out by 6:23 a.m.

But enough about that....let's talk about my WONDERFUL day yesterday!

I woke to a freshly poured cup of coffee - one sweet & low and creamer...just the way I like it and a slice of wonderful cinnamon/buttery goodness coffee cake. Then the kids and Mark brought in the homemade cards (love that!)

and GIFTS! (Hey - I just wanted everyone to be nice to me on Mother's Day...but gifts are fine too). There are only 2 cards...because Bailey wasn't finished yet - still isn't. Read: hasn't started. Oh well - her mood was pleasant all day...what more could I ask for?!

Here's what I got! A portable speaker system thingy for my iPod! Now I can take it outside with me while I'm planting flowers, watching the kids, grilling - whatever! Love it! I also got a cotton nightshirt (very cute) and a gift card for more shopping. (I love that Mother's Day is BEFORE Father's Day, don't you?)

Then we got ready for church. I took Lauren to Grandma's house instead of the nursery so they could have some fun together. Mark & I led the songs for the 9:30 worship service and then Mark had to stay to play at the 10:30 service too. So after the first service the kids and I headed over to my Mom's to give her a Mother's Day present and to spend some time w/her. (hanging double impatiens basket was her gift). I THINK I got a picture of the kids with me (probably not though - when do we EVER get a picture with our kids...not even on Mother's Day!). I DID get a picture with my mom...but it is on her camera...so we'll have to wait til she emails them to me.

After Grandma time we headed back home. This is where Mark grilled cheeseburgers for lunch (I didn't cook the night before either - so now this is THREE meals where I didn't have to cook...at all. LOVE THAT!).

After lunch the kids took a nap (and so did I! Woo-hoo!) See how this is framing up to be THE PERFECT Mother's Day?! After nap, I headed outside to finish planting flowers.

When Lauren woke up she "helped" me plant something in the back flower bed. She was amazed at all of the "beautiful yellow flowers!" (umm...yeah...need to weed out there...darn dandelions). I'm really excited about my flower beds this year. Finally - the teeny little perennials I bought three years ago are taking off. You can see I didn't plan out the placement of things too well - but oh well - green and blooming and GORGEOUS! This is the south bed...I have several others but I'll show those to you another day.

Still full from lunch, Mark started making dinner. (Not lifting a finger count: FOUR MEALS!) Dinner that consisted of completely unhealthy but DEEEEEE-Licious high-carb wonderfulness. Here's the recipes and the pics. First - Creamy Biscuit Chicken Second pic - Cheesy Potato Casserole (the way to my heart)

I didn't do laundry. I didn't cook. I didn't change many diapers. Instead I opened gifts, received hugs and kisses and heart-warming cards, took a nap, ate wonderful meals and loved life.

Thank you, Mark! Thank you, kids!

Mother's Day 2009 Countdown? 364 days.

Saying Thank You

2008 Overweight Mommy Swimwear Dilemma/Poll

Ok - so swimwear is a mandatory, despite how much i HATE baring my upper arms and thighs in public. I need to be able to get in the water with the kids - it's just something I can't escape. So, I want something that doesn't make me look like an 80-yr-old at swim aerobics at the "Y" yet covers the most unattractive pieces of my body...as many as possible anyway. I need it to mask my stomach as much as possible - hold in the ladies and cover up the upper thighs. This is probably impossible in anything that resembles fashionable anyway. So here is what I've found so far. Please leave a comment and vote for your favorite. Realize if I get NO comments on this post I will be extremely sad - might eat brownies.....therein worsening the already depressing swimsuit situation. Don't be an enabler.....COMMENT!

Wow - I've been MIA on the blog-front lately! So much going on! Here's the recap:

Last Sunday: Grandpa's birthday! Oh how my kids love Grandpa! My Mom is in Kentucky watching Wyatt while my brother and his wife are in San Diego, so Grandpa celebrated his birthday with us! Look what my Mom got him!

Mark set it up for him Sunday night and we all had a BLAST playing with it. By Monday morning I had sore muscles from fake tennis. How sad is that? Lauren loves her Grandpa - but she thinks all birthdays are HER birthdays...look how tempted she is here:

Here's a shot of all the kids with their Grandpa:

Monday I went to the dreaded Wally World for groceries and we had Financial Peace University in the evening. This week's lesson was about how to find a bargain (of all the things Dave Ramsey teaches - this is NOT an area where he can teach me something new - ha).

Tuesday we played outside a lot - GORGEOUS day! Bailey had a track meet and we had a home improvement guy come to look a few things over and give us estimates. Big on the list is a front porch area. Our front steps are pulling away and it just needs fixed. Our home is a 1950-something (I think) very FLAT FRONT home...and it desperately needs some dimension. SO....since the front steps need to be replaced anyway....here is my vision:

And here's what it currently looks like:

Obviously we aren't going to have such a fancy door and probably not as many beautiful details - but the first picture is the IDEAL...and then we go from there. We don't have an estimate yet...but I'm guessing it'll be a lot higher than I imagine it should be. Hopefully it comes in affordable though so I can say - BEGONE UGLY AWNING! Hello beautiful porch entry! (note: please notice the tulips on the right - beauitful in-person...and purchased VERY inexpensively at Aldi last year....yeah, Aldi!)

I also made a quick run to the mall/Target for another tower fan because I REFUSE to turn the air on in May...at least in early May. =-) Anyway - The Children's Place is just steps from Target...and they had a killer sale online (only 6-9 months sizes left) - so I thought I'd see if the actual store was having a good sale too. Well....not really..but I was able to score these cute shoes for only $6.50! You can't really tell from the picture - but they are very sparkly! I got these for Grant at Target - but they were actually clearance in the store...so cute with an orange tee today!

And then here we are at Wednesday. Sigh. Today I don't have any really big plans - more playing outside...more laundry..yada yada yada. However - With all the nice weather...it has me thinking about summer...and how I'm going to have to find a non-maternity swimsuit (EEEEEEEEEEEK!). I hate that...but the kids should be able to go to the pool...so Mom has to suck it up (and in - big time) and wear a suit. So I'll be hunting online for options today - will post a few and hope you all weigh in on the best one for me. (yeah - I'm talking to you two people that read).

Have a great day - go enjoy the Spring weather!!

Garage Sale Friday...

The weather has NOT been cooperative this Spring, so I have only had the opportunity to go to a few garage sales so far. Today I heard of a neighborhood garage sale (30+ homes) in a nice neighborhood. I loaded up the kids and headed out even though the sky looked very promising for rain. I only stopped at a couple of sales and unfortunately didn't find ANY clothes for the kids. This is always my goal - good clothes for NEXT season. Zippo, zilch today. I did however spend approximately $10 on stuff we absolutely did not need.

In this picture - from left to right:

1. A cool wire meshy basket thingy. I think I"m going to decorate it with ribbon or a tag or something and maybe it will hold the day's mail? Other ideas being accepted. 50 cents. (i wish they had more of these - i love it)

2. A Fisher Price Makeup compact thingy. You open it up to find a mirror attached to the lid. It has an applicator for eye shadows that aren't real, a comb (already missing - probably in the van) and a perfume bottle. It was a buck - and Lauren loves it.

3. A Fisher Price tackle box. Finally a place to house Lauren's play tools! Maybe even her doctor "kick" - one dollar.

4. Hey! It's Franklin! He talks. - $2

And finally - something I absolutely could NOT resist....a vintage Little People airport garage! I LOVED this toy when I was little! This came with several cars, a few wooden Little People - painted (probably lead paint)...the gas pump, the tow truck, the lift for the cars so you can fix them. LOVE IT! It needs a lot of cleaning - a lot...but for five bucks? worth it to me anyway. I looked up how much they were going for on ebay....not much. =-( Oh well - guess I'll just HAVE to play with it.

I haven't posted in a couple days because I've been DROWNING in laundry. I did not meet my goal of all laundry done before Mark came home from Boston. I think this is a sign that we have too many clothes - so I'm now sorting what to keep and what to sell at my upcoming garage sale. Lauren is also in a defiant stage - she simply answers "no" or "unh-uh" when you tell her to do something. So lovely to have one of THOSE kids....again. Thank God Bailey grew out of it...it gives me hope.

Speaking of Bailey - she has her 7th grade "social" tonight after school. Basically it is a dance and there are refreshments...but they don't call it a dance for some reason. Then she'll be spending the night at a friend's house.

Grant is the only one not giving me trouble these days. I love that boy.

I'm hoping to get outside to a couple garage sales today...before the rain comes again. Garage saling w/2 kids is not fun....but it must be done.