I'm so far behind! There's been so much going on and I haven't written about ANY of it. First of all....have I mentioned we are getting a puppy? Friends and family think we are insane. Don't they know I arrived at insanity months and months ago? This is not a new thing! We'll be picking up "Maggie" in less than two weeks. She's an apricot cockapoo...and she's CUTE! I plan to use the bell method - here's hoping it works well...and fast!

Here's a picture of Maggie:

Also less than two weeks to go before my Grandparents and aunt & uncle come to visit for Easter. This will be the first time they've been to our new home and that means I have A LOT to do. Last week I painted the dining room. I had a subtle gray/blue in mind...but it turned out a much brighter blue. I think I'm going to like it ok, but for many days it was a love/hate relationship. =-) Anyway - at least it is painted - done and done! But now the neutral builder paint in the formal living room looks very pink somehow...so I guess I'm going to have to paint that sooner than I thought too. ugh...so much to do. Here's how the dining room turned out: I had recently recovered my seat cushions in a darker sage green...and I REALLY don't want to have to recover them again, so i'm trying to find a way to pull in sage green in other places so it looks like the seats SHOULD be green. ha. i'm not sure i'm going to be able to pull it all off. i'd love to find a rug for under the table that has blues and greens in it...something maybe a little contemporary but not too wild?

Mark had minor surgery on tendons in his forearm on Friday and his birthday was Saturday. Lauren helped me bake and decorate a cake. She really loves helping out in the kitchen! I'll post pictures of the lame-o looking cake and of the b-day boy later.

BIG to-do list for tomorrow. i hope I can get to it all!!!

It's FREE movie Wednesday at Redbox! Your code for today is: GTL456

I put the kids down for a nap a few minutes ago and was just starting to relax myself for a minute when I heard a suspicious noise from upstairs. This is NEVER a good sign. So I went up to investigate. Noone in Bailey's room - shwew (former episodes involving hairspray, nail polish and makeup when her room has been tampered). Moving on to the laundry room (another former crime scene involving fabric softener) - nothing. Now on to my room...nothing at first glance. Dare I open the door to the master bath? I must. There I find one VERY naughty 3-yr-old smearing THIS and THIS all over her legs and hands.

I hope she lathered her back end up with some "firming cream" too....because she's going to need it! Future MK consultant? Or a naughty 3-yr-old.....you be the judge.

It's FREE Redbox WEDNESDAY!!! What? You didn't know you could get a free rental each and every Wednesday from Redbox? You can! All you need is the magic code...and here it is because you know how I like to share the news about freebies and good deals. Redbox code for Wednesday, March 11, 2009: Today's code for a free night's rental* is: JBG123

Now..this is only "free" if you return it by 9 p.m. tomorrow night. If you are like me, this "free" rental will cost you anywhere between $2 and $5.

So go get your free movie!

LAUREN!!!!!!!!!!

Me: Lauren, please keep taking everything away from your brother. He wants to play to - now let him play with something!

Lauren: Grant? You can play with my shoes if you want

Such a generous little girl.

I can't believe I haven't posted about Valentine's Day yet! It was just so surprising and so amazing that I'm afraid whatever I say about it just won't do it justice. (Which is also why I still haven't put together our wedding album). Ok...so for now I'm just going to reveal ONE of the Valentine's Day surprises I received and then tell you about our evening last night. Valentine's Day surprise #1: Bailey & I have FLOOR SEATS to THIS in June! Row 24 (I think). WOW! More on the crazy - I - absolutely-don't-deserve-this Valentine's Day later. Now...last night:

Mark & I were invited to a surprise 40th birthday party for one of his co-workers/friends. I have met this guy once before - but certainly didn't KNOW him. So I was sort of dreading the evening...a room full of people I didn't know - ugh. But I was very pleasantly surprised!

We gathered HERE where we were greeted with a glass of champagne. (See? Already a good night!) The evening was surprising and highly enjoyable. The chef gave us little lessons and a demonstration at each course (there were 4), educated us on each wine (a different wine with each course) and taught us how to make the dessert. So fun!

Here was the menu:


First Course:

Risotto alla Milanese
Saffron Risotta Garnished with Shaved Parmesan
Wine - Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc


Second Course:
Seared Scallop atop a Cauliflower Puree with Carmelized Shallot Sauce and Chive Oil
Wine - Maison Faivelely Joseph Faively Bourgogne Rouge


Third Course:
Filet Mignon on Potato Gratin (the potato thing was out of this world!) with Truffle & Wild Mushroom Crepe, Garlic Sauteed Brocolini and a Red Wine Reduction
Wine - St. Mary's Bell's & Whistles, blend of Cabernet, Shiraz, Cab Franc and Merlot (This wine - Yuck, by the way)


Finale:
Banana Tarte Tatin with Frozen Hot Butter Rum Sauce
Wine - Scagliola Moscato d'Ast (YUMMMMMM!)


A fun experience with new friends. I really should get out more...I always DO enjoy it.

I don't know who "Craig" is...but I'm sure glad he has that list! I've gotten some amazing things for next to nothing on it and had a very enjoyable time looking through a lot of horrid things to find my treasures. I thought I'd post a few that made me laugh today. I'm posting the actual title or heading to the ad, followed by the picture. Accurate descriptions? You be the judge. LOL. My own comments are in parentheses.

Classy End Table (you know right off the bat this is going to be a good laugh. "Classy"...oooo..I can't wait to open this picture...)

V-Day Gift! Weight Watchers Cookbooks plus extras $20 (are they KIDDING? If Mark every bought me a WW anything for Valentine's Day I'd be so angry (AND hurt!))

Horse Touch Lamp (Sho-nuff!)

Shabby Sheik Sofa (No, I am NOT kidding...this is how they spelled it. The photo isn't too bad...but I was picturing something more like this:)

Oh there's so much more...but I'm going to stop....for tonight. =-)

A Little Springtime

Oh, MAN is the weather great this weekend! A little slice of temporary springtime to brighten moods and medicate sun-deprived hearts. Isn't it just amazing what a little sun and moderate temps will do for a person? And boy did we need a little pick-me-up around here. The kids have been sick since early January. I took them both for an ear re-check yesterday to learn that they still both have ear infections. Grant is on his third round of antibiotics. Doc said if this doesn't clear it up we'll be looking at a visit to an ENT. Great. Just great. In the meantime, it's more antibiotics for both kids and Grant gets two nebulizer treatments a day.

I hate winter.

Even though they haven't been feeling healthy, I let them go out and play today (ears covered though). Man are we loving our new neighborhood. It seems when the temperature hit 50 and above....everyone comes out of hiding and into the cul-du-sac. yea! Friday night I looked out and Bailey was playing catch with THREE other girls her age! Right in the middle of the cul-du-sac. Then Mark took Lauren out and she played with her new neighbor friend who is just a year older than Lauren. They had a ball zipping around in Madison's Barbie jeep. Mark had a good time chattin' it up with the other Dads while the girls played. Grant & I stayed inside Friday night and watched from the window. Oh it just brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart to watch that stuff! This really is a dream come true...our new home...a neighborhood where the kids can play safely and we can enjoy our neighbors. sigh...we are truly blessed. It was a hard road to get here though. It seemed unattainable at times. And today we learned the difficult guy that we bought this house from.....fraud charges. It doesn't affect us...but a sad, sad story of what can happen when you let greed into your life.

Today I took all the kids out. Grant had fun trompin' around and riding trikes with HIS new neighbor friend, Zoe. I got to meet the neighbors again and hope to develop relationships with some or all of them later.

Mark is having fun (trust me...it's fun for him even if he complains) cleaning out the garage. He's mounting bikes on the wall, sorting, cleaning, hanging rakes and brooms...creating his man-zone.

Now I know there was significant snow melt and all, but our back yard seems to really have a swamp problem....do you think we'll have to call the sod guy back in the spring to regrade? Or is it just like this because the sod hasn't really "taken" yet? Anyone have any experience on this subject?

Ah....I wish it were really spring and not just a teaser....but I'll take it and enjoy it just the same.

We made the best of Super Bowl Sunday this year. Although I had hoped to have a party - or at least have a few friends over to watch the game with us (read: eat, drink, & watch commercials), we were still sick around here. Determined to not let the never-ending sicknesses stop us from having a good time, I made the best of it.

I picked up 3D glasses at our local grocery store, made chili and taco dip and did my very best to create a fun environment for us. Of course once the game started the kids started to melt down (what IS it about 5 o'clock until bedtime?!). A pair of 3D glasses was ripped in half before kick-off and the noisest toys we own became the favorites as we were trying to listent to the game. (sigh).

I wasn't THAT into the game, since MY TEAM wasn't in the Bowl this year, but I did have an interest in Kurt Warner. A seemingly good man (far too many of these around these days) with Iowa roots. I'll root for him. Of course that was probably a curse - sorry, Kurt.

Anyway, the game was getting good when I realized I hadn't bathed the kids in....well....not going to admit how long. So as not to miss anything, I threw them in the kitchen sink. (thank you open floor plan!) Not a horrible idea for Grant...but poor Lauren had her knees up to her ears in there. But hey - she was cleaned and I didn't miss a play. Good thing I didn't take them up to the tub because Grant would have missed this Cardinals touchdown!

In other news, I continue to struggle with what to do with our gazillion windows...all naked. I'm overwhelmed by their bareness and so I just don't make any decisions. I HAVE to get on that...soon.

I picked up a good bargain this week though for the family room. You KNOW how a good bargain excites me. How much do you love Craig's List? If you haven't bought or sold on there yet...get going! It's AWESOME! You have to weed through a bunch of junk...but the diamond is always in there somewhere. I got a really cute but not perfect side table for $10. PERFECT for next to the couch. And I'm currently waiting to hear back if my offer was accepted on this really faux wicker set that I'd like for my front porch.

This week is sort of back to normal around here (FINALLY), although filled with doctor appointments (ear re-checks, dentist, the dreaded annual exam for me, etc.). I'll be so glad when we don't have to administer meds, schlep everyone to the doctor, etc.

Speaking of medicine, Monday I took Lauren's antibiotic out of the fridge and it fell on the floor, breaking the cap. I stuck it back in the fridge on a high shelf. Later that morning I found a bib stuck behind something in the bathroom...it had bright pink stains on it. I questioned Lauren (always start w/Lauren) - asked her what the pink was. She admitted "medicine." I pulled her aside and asked her if she drank any. She said no. I told her it was very important to tell me the trutch...how dangerous it would be if she drank it, etc. She said it spilled. I ran to the fridge and sure 'nuff...there was a little pink sticky matter on the floor of the fridge and a small bit on the floor in front of the fridge. I scolded her about getting into things, being sneaky, the dangers of touching medicine, etc. THEN...a couple hours later..she starts vomiting....pink. She did this several times. I called the pediatrician who told me to call Poison Control. Based on the info we DID know (a lot of unknowns though), they determined she had consumed enough to warrant the ER...but since a couple hours had passed and since she had vomited...they instead said to call the pediatrician back and let them know they recommended kidney function tests.

I had my annual exam scheduled, and you know how long it takes to get in if you have to reschedule, so Mark took Lauren in for the blood draw. I'm happy to say that her blood work came back ok. (NOW I can wring her little neck for being sneaky, lying to me and taking yet another year or two off of my life). We do have to wait to restart antibiotics though...since they don't know for sure how much her system absorbed before vomiting. So right now we're praying the ear infections and urinary tract infection just goes away before they check her on Friday. If not, here we go with antibiotics again.

Enough drama for '09 already!

The book I'm almost finished reading:

The book I'm reading next:

This week I finally put my Christmas gift to use. There are over 245 recipes to choose from, many of them on the gourmet side of things. Since I'm more of a church cookbook kind of chef, I wasn't sure how this was going to go. After searching through the recipes, I settled on Souvlaki. Souvlaki is basically a Greek version of a fajita. It involves lamb meat, a cucumber/yougurt sauce, seasonings and pita bread. I purchased the ingredients and began meal prep. The program has a hands-free feature that recognizes your voice so when you complete a step you can just say "continue" or "next" and it takes you to the next step. Handy, since I had garlic, lamb, etc. all over my hands. You can either read the instructions on the screen or listen to the voice instruct you.

I soon realized that this feature is intended for a quiet cooking environment. If you are at all familiar with my life, you'll know I do NOT have a quiet anything in this house. Picking up the whining, crying, screaming, playing noises from the kids, the personal trainer chef kept saying "What's that?" "Come Again?" ha!

I enjoyed the instructional video on how to cut a clove of garlic, loved the photos that assured me I was doing things correctly and found great satisfaction in serving a meal I would have never otherwise prepared. The best part? Everyone over the age of 3 loved it! Now...what should I try this week?

Well, you can see how well I'm getting things done. I really should listen to my own advice! It has been over a week since I've posted. In that week we've had two sick kids, traveled to Illinois to see my aunts/uncles/grandparents/cousins/etc, found beyond AWESOME clearance sales at JC Penney, signed Lauren up for preschool next year, survived an arctic blast and too many days trapped inside the house. I have well over a hundred pictures to upload, sort and file - but first I need to move a bunch of older pictures to CD and archive them on Picasa.

This week involves mor Dr. appointments for the kids, lots of laundry, the beginning phase of planning my sister's bridal shower, a show choir competition, search for a babysitter for Friday night, meal planning, grocery shopping, tackling the unpacking/organization of the basement, book club, dance class and many more things I will either forget to do or won't have time or energy to accomplish. So it goes.

I received THIS for Christmas and hope to pick one recipe to make this week. It's a little more gourmet than we are used to, but I'm thinking one recipe every week or two should be a doable adventure. I think we're going to start with modified California Rolls. (yea - toddlers outta love that one - NOT).

Ok - have to get busy with the to-do list. Pictures and better posts coming soon!

The snow melted last week only to have Mother Nature dump about 6 more inches overnight Friday. It's beautiful if the only thing you have to do is sit by the fire and read a book. Bundling and loading up two small kids in this weather is the opposite of fun. However, today the sun was bright and the temps tolerable, so we made the best of it. After church, Lauren and I bundled up and played in the snow. We took advantage of life on the cul-de-sac and went sledding down the driveway and into the street.

She had so much fun! She climbed the "mountain" made by the snow plow, tasted snow (NOT my recommendation) and made several snow angels.
Even Bailey took a turn on the sled before enjoying an afternoon of R&R at Grandma & Grandpa's house.
Lauren enjoyed showing off her snow angel skills to Grandma & Grandpa and then finished up her snow fun with a nice mug of hot chocolate complete with marshmallows.

I'm glad I was able to enjoy the snow today with my girls. More snow on its way tomorrow and then the arctic freeze blows in. Bring on spring!

DONE is often better than perfect.

That's my new motto/resolution anyway. The desire for perfection keeps me from a lot of things. It has kept me from this blog for quite some time now. I had so much to say - but didn't have the time to say it the "right way" - or post the pictures in the right way, etc.....so what happened? It didn't get done.

I wanted to do the Project 365 thing this year - where you do something each day of the year? Well - I wanted to take a stab at a photo a day again. Like I ATTEMPTED in 2007 here (trendsetter and didn't even know it - ha!)...but I haven't, because I want to have the PERFECT layout - and I can't find it....so it isn't happening.

I have thousands of pictures to scrapbook and catalog....but I haven't...because - you guessed it.

So today I realized that DONE has GOT to be better than perfect. So here goes. I'm blogging a very imperfect post. I'm going to start my new "Phlog" (like that term? Part photos/part blog? I invented it....I love making up words, btw). I am going to make up for not taking the perfect pictures Jan 1 - 9 by taking a few extras next week. It isn't going to be perfect...but it is going to be done.

Voila! My cupcake masterpiece is complete! I will say though that this is a wonderful idea if you are making SIX...not 60. Sheesh - I spent HOURS on these little guys! I had a great time with the girls though - which made it all worthwhile. It is rare anymore that I have really good moments with Bailey. I know it is normal - the teen years (sigh).....so I relish any and all good memories during these tumultuous years as she finds her way to adulthood. She's a good kid - don't get me wrong....I am just having a VERY hard time letting go - becoming less-important in her life (or at least outwardly so). I know this sounds selfish - but it is a very hard adjustment for me. For so long it was just she and I...and even though she still needs me - I know this to be true - it feels like she doesn't....and I'm having a hard time finding my place - knowing what my Mom role is supposed to look like right now. Ok - sheesh - must have needed a little talk-therapy there for a sec - cuz I truly just meant to post my awesome Santa cupcakes and that's it. Oops.

SNOW DAY!!!!!

Yea for snow days! Although the "storm" wasn't quite as awesome as super-dee-duper mega doppler-ologists predicted....it was sufficient for keeping us all home today. (It is before Noon...I'm still happy about this...check back around 3 to see if I'm still glad the house is full).

I stayed in my flannel PJs until at least 10 a.m., drank lots of coffee, played around on Facebook awhile and finally decided to shower. While getting dressed I heard loud noises outside. What could it be? A plow? Construction equipment? No! Not one, but TWO of our new neighbors clearing our driveway AND sidewalks! AWESOME!!! I (heart) this new neighborhood and my neighbors!

So I thought I would show my gratitude with some holiday baking. Lauren was all set to "help" me and I was quite excited too. HOWEVER...one potty "accident" and several disobedient moments later...I'm baking alone. (Hey - hurts me more than her, right?). Now...on to the recipes. Turns out I have no butter, no frosting, no white cake mix (for the super-cool Santa cupcakes I was going to try), no appropriately-colored cupcake liners....totally unprepared (per usual).

So I'm going to venture outside to find the nearest grocery-type store so I can try to get this thank you gesture accomplished today. Why do I think my luck isn't going to improve. Stay tuned for pics of my baking genius later today.

I know I've posted Bailey singing this song once before - but is it me...or does it keep getting better? (sorry....Mom pride). Here she is....at the ripe ole age of 13...singing her solo before the show choir concert (hence the sparkly dress). Also noteworthy - my Mom made Lauren a dress out of the same material because she was SOOOO jealous of Bailey's fancy dress. She wore it to the concert last night. So cute, right? Well...for about 15 minutes...and then NAUGHTY!!! I ended up giving her a tube of Mary Kay lip gloss since the pen/paper/snack/camera/etc. wasn't working to keep my little heathen quiet and in her seat for the rest of the concert. It shut her up for about 10-15 minutes....lip gloss on her cheeks, her eyebrows, her eyelids, eyelashes, nose, etc. I didn't care....she was quiet and not publicly disobedient for a few minutes. shwew. Ok - on to the video...then scroll down for pics of my sparkly dress girls.

I have "FOLLOWERS!" =-) Thanks, you TWO (you must be bored)...that's right...that's one more than a single person "following" me on here. ha! Does that mean I have a responsibility to write something intelligent? funny? entertaining? Probably - but I didn't gain two whoppin' "followers" by doing any of those things, so why start now, right?

Ok - now where was I....besides moving, unpacking, not blogging, blah, blah, blah. Oh, yes! Anniversary! Last week (12/4) Mark & I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. Four years - wow. Sometimes it feels like so much more (in a good, familiar way) and sometimes I can hardly believe how fast that time has gone! I remember a lot about our wedding day...maybe because it was one of the greatest days of my life and maybe also because I spent 9+ months living and breathing every intricate detail of the day's events. Mostly the former.

In case you weren't aware, the 4th wedding anniversary is the fruit/flower anniversary. The modern version is appliance. When I read that I was worried Mark would too....and he'd think, "Appliance? Well we've certainly got THAT more than covered this year, now don't we?" And of course he DID see that...and of course he DID think that...but being the awesome husband he is, he skipped ahead to the flower part anyway.

It was a busy week leading up to the anniversary - what - with the MOVE and all...and I almost forgot...so I knew for sure he almost (read: he did) forget. Ok...he didn't forget (whatever)...But the great thing about forgetting....making up for that fact is always a bonus. =-) I ordered a chocolate-covered fruit bouquet to be delivered to Mark at work. (photo note - he'd already eaten some of this...so it doesn't look as full as it did upon delivery)A little on the cheesy side....a lot on the totally over-priced, what a rip-off side....but hey...I got the fruit part in there...AND it was edible...win-win. I almost made a reservation for dinner for us...but thought I'd leave that one up to Mark.

So....after work, Mark arranged for my Mom to come watch the kids and off we went to dinner HERE. And waiting on our table for me...was THIS:

WOW! Talk about AWESOME! 5 red roses...one for each year of our marriage and one for the year ahead. LOTS of "Dude, you rock" looks from other men in the restaurant and several actual comments, including this one on our way out..."You're the MAN!" ha! I didn't mind the envious stares from the ladies in the restaurant either, I must say.

I honestly don't need a fancy dinner or even the flowers (but hey - LOVE that..just said I don't NEED it). I was just happy for time alone with my husband (NO KIDS!!! NO INTERRUPTIONS except someone asking me if I'd like more wine).....time to have an actual adult conversation and time to celebrate our marriage. I am sooooo blessed to be married to this man. I really need to show him that more throughout the year - and not just on our anniversary. He changed my life. I can't wait to celebrate many more years together.

We are all moved in to our new home! I promise I will take pictures soon...but I'd rather you come and visit us! If I show you on the blog - then you might not come.....

Anyway, we still have many, MANY more boxes to unpack, but we're in. We've successfully closed on the old house and have begun to settle in to our new address. We still feel like we're on vacation and might have to leave soon....or that the real owners will find us here and tell us to get out - ha. It is just such a dream - I take that back - I couldn't have even DREAMED of this house.

Lauren and Bailey are THRILLED with their new rooms and Grant is enjoying walking all over the place - exploring new cupboards to empty, new stairs to climb (and it seems he's even faster at it here). I'm figuring out all of our new appliances and working like a mad woman to get the garage organized enough so we can fit our vehicles inside it!

We enjoyed our first Thanksgiving in the new house (I have a picture - but it is on another camera - and I'm lazy - so I'll add it later - check back!). Despite my declaration that the kitchen would be closed during move-in week, I had a weak moment and bought a Turkey. The meal was simple - but the smell of turkey filled our home Thanksgiving day and we enjoyed a nice meal together in our formal dining room (who'd a-thunk?!)

Well - everyone but Lauren enjoyed the meal...she only ate a croissant and declared the rest "not her favorite." Ugh - that girl.

I skipped Black Friday - too tired. But I did try to get a nice picture of the kids for Christmas cards. They were dressed in browns and I had them sit in front of the fireplace under their stockings. But do you think....for one second I could get all 3 of them to look at the camera with their eyes OPEN and a decent expression on their face at the same time? 40+ pictures...and not ONE! And then Lauren started squirming and acting goofy and Grant started fussing because he wanted down....all the boy wants in life is down or up....and maybe food....that's it! Ugh - a do-over this weekend.

Saturday we ventured out to a tree farm to choose our first real Christmas tree. The weather was perfect - a little brisk - but great Christmas tree shopping weather. Lauren and Grant were surprised to see that Santa had made a special visit there. Lauren was VERY excited to see the jolly old soul, but Grant...not so much. Lauren told him that she'd be getting lots of toys....from HIM! (hate to break it to her about the "lots" part - ha). She said she wanted a guitar....just like Daddy. SWEET!

We settled on an 8-ft. Scotch Pine...and I LOVE IT! It is a beautiful tree...and you honestly have to touch it to know that it is real....it's that good! Pictures of it lit-up and decorated coming soon.

Sunday Mother Nature decided it was time for a dose of winter - and the snow fell. Before the wind picked up, Lauren & I played outside and built a snowman. Well, I built it while she wandered around in the snow, made snow angels and "shoveled."

Already we are making wonderful new memories in our new home. We are so thankful for this gift....and remember every day what a blessing it is.

All of this is dampered though by bad news in our family. We are praying for Nancy & Bill....because sometimes all you can do is pray. God knows what they are going through - and He knows exactly what they need. I'm praying He brings that to them quickly....and I'm praying they know how very much they are loved. I hate cancer.