Two of my favorite people in the paper!

One of the newspapers in the next town over did a feature story about our hometown and used this picture.  I love it!

A fun little game of 20 questions.

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?
No, I am not so much of an animal person.  I wish I was because my hubby wants a dog.  If I could find a nice little dog that wasn't yelpy and didn't shed, I would consider it.  I hear they make great vacuum cleaners!  :-)

2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?
Hmmm....that is a really hard one.  I would say a cure for cancer.  I hate cancer.  It sucks big time.

3. What would you do with a billion dollars?
Hmmm....college educations for my boys to start.

4. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
Sleep, sleep, sleep.

5. What is your bedtime routine, with your kids?
Read books, brush teeth and off to bed.  Pretty simple really!

6. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your significant other?
Well, he would say in a gas station.

7. What kind of books do you read?
Mysteries, the more twisted, the more I love them!


8. How do you see yourself in 10 years?
Back to work.  I have no idea what though!

9. What’s your fear?
Failing as a mom.

10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?
No.  I have NO desire to travel to outer space and I really like to eat.

11. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Wish I was still asleep!  :-)  And then pray that I can have a few minutes to myself before anyone else needs anything.

12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?
I will probably get in trouble for saying this and it is very selfish, but I would like him not be in the National Guard anymore.  Sorry.  :-(

13. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I have no idea what my name even is.  All I have heard for the last couple of years is "MOM!"

14. If you had to choose between six months of sun or six months of rain, what would you choose?
I like rain.  I guess I am kind of a Debby Downer.

15. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
Kit Kats. 

16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?
I like to talk and apparently some people like to listen to my rambling.

17. Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?
Sweet.

18. What items are in your purse right now?
I don't really use a purse.  I carry a gigantic diaper bag.  It is full of all of the essentials of course.  Diapers, wipes, spare clothes, Tide stick, snacks, bottles, etc etc etc.


19. If you had to choose between vacationing at the beach or in the mountains where would you go?
Mountains.  I love the cold.

20. What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn’t?
Embarrassing confession - - Teen Mom.  I am addicted.  I usually end up yelling at the TV, so I don't even know why I waste my time, but I do!  :-)

My first blog award! How fun!

Alison @ One Lucky Monkey gave me this fun award on her blog. 

Here are the rules:
1. Thank and link back to the person who send you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact the bloggers you picked and let them know about the award

 

Thanks Alison!  I love your blog and you little girl is the cutest!!  I totally admire your perseverance in finishing a half marathon so close after having her!  Way to go!!


1.  I wish I was better at working out.  Alison @ One Lucky Monkey ran a half marathon very soon after giving birth to her daughter.  She has motivated me.  I will not be running a half marathon, but I do need to get up and get moving more often.


2.  When I retire, I want to buy a super comfy chair and turn one of the boys' rooms into a reading room.  I love reading.


3.  I wish Diet 7-Up was good for you.


4.  I absolutely love finding bargains.  I am addicted to consignment shops and coupons.


5.  I am slightly addicted to EBay.  I rarely buy anything on there, but I love to browse.


6.  My hubby and I are addicted to being frugal.  We are slightly ridiculous about it at times.


7.  Goober is one of the funniest people I know.  I think I may need to get out more.


OK, I am passing on this award to:


Jenn @ A day in the life
Mrs. Smoke @ Dear Deployment
Ashley @ Every Life Has A Story
Julie @ Here's to you, girls

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

I think infertility sucks.  Although I have not personally had fertility issues, so many people I know have.  I don't understand why some seemingly not good parents can keep popping kids out left and right and not really want them, yet so many great people can not.  It sucks, that's all there is to it.  It sucks.

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

I have no idea what picture to use for this one, but I wish I was more spontaneous.  It is very hard to be spontaneous when you have kids.  :-)

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

I am working ahead.  I must be an overachiever, huh?  No really, I just wanted to get ahead on this because I want to finish it.  I rarely finish anything and I am going to finish this 30 day thing!  :-)

I will spare you the details of my "former" life, including a name and pictures, :-)  that will maybe be explained in a post when I am having one of those girly, feel sorry for myself kind of days, so I will just simply put this.  I wish I could forget what it feels like to have a broken heart and even worse, broken trust.  :(

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Maine

Why I Married My Spouse

I am desperate for a topic to write about, so I googled, "blog ideas."  How lame is that?  I am SOOOO bored this afternoon.  Both boys are sleeping and I am so bored that I actually entertained the idea of waking them up so I had something to do.  Most days I can find something to keep myself busy while they are sleeping, like cleaning or laundry, but I really just don't feel like doing that today.  So maybe I'm lazy, not bored.  Anyway, I found a few topics that I thought would be fun, so here is one of them.  I will write a few more of the ideas in the coming days.

So, why did I marry my hubby?

1.  He is hilarious.  He is the type of person that doesn't talk very much, but when he does, it usually makes me laugh, or roll my eyes because it is something strange.

2.  He is a great cook.  Granted he doesn't cook very often (I am kind of a kitchen nazi, I do not like when people mess up my kitchen), when I do let go of the reins, he does an awesome job.

3.  He is kind of anal about having a clean house like I am.  We both hate unneccessary clutter.  I am a little worse than he, but it balances out nicely.

4.  He is very frugal.  I love that most times, sometimes it does drive me insane though.  He is so responsible.  :-)

5.  He just gets me.  I know everyone says that about someone, but he really does.

6.  He is an awesome dad.  OK, I didn't know this when I married him, but I just had a hunch.

7.  He is handsome.  I love that he always has his shirt tucked in and would never leave the house looking like a homeless person.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I like it that he dresses nicely.  I also love that he wears a tie quite often. 

8.  He has a great family.  Seriously, his family is wonderful, no complaints there at all.

9.  He is a hard worker.  He grew up on a farm and his parents taught him a great work ethic.  He is so dedicated to his work and the kids he works with.

10.  I could go on and on, but I will just shut up now.

I am so in the dark

I like to think I am pretty aware of what is going on around me, but maybe I'm not.  I have decided to not use our names in the blog anymore.  I am sure this is just me being a paranoid crazy person, but it makes me feel better, so for those of you that have read already and know their names, I hope you aren't crazy!  :-)  From here on out, here are the names we will be using:

My oldest son will be called Goober.  His uncle gave him this name and it fits.

My younger son will be called Monkey.  I'm not sure why, but I have been calling him monkey since the day he was born.

I am tired and obviously delirious

Before you read this, be forewarned, I have not been sleeping well at all lately.  I am very tired and delirious today.  While being up late at night, I always have the most random strange thoughts, so guess what?  Yep, I am going to share some of them with you.  You are so lucky to have found my blog.

• I pity the poor young lady that marries my oldest son.  While being up all night a few weeks ago because he was sick, he actually started crying pitifully and said, "mommy, me shirt not on my tummy."  Yes, I had to pull his shirt down because it was not covering his belly.  He is going to drive some woman completely insane someday when he is sick.  So pitiful.

•  I hate it when people ask me if we are having any more kids or if we are going to "try" for a girl.  It annoys me.  I refuse to answer this question anymore.  Here is the answer, in twenty years, if we have more kids, then yes, we had more kids, if we don't, then the answer is no, we didn't have anymore kids.  I am pretty sure that is between hubby and I.

• I have my high school reunion this summer.  What the heck?  When did that happen?  Also, when preparing for an event such as this, do not, I repeat, DO NOT  go through your pictures and look at how skinny you were in high school.  It will make you want to throw up.

• Will my back door ever be free of miniature finger prints?

• Why does C always decide to poop right after his bath?  The boy can go two days without pooping.  I give him a bath, he poops.

•  Speaking of poop, I am glad C finds it amusing when I make a gagging face while changing his diapers.  He just cracks up.  What a stinker.  Literally.

• I am glad my husband is super cheap or frugal or whatever the nice word for that would be.  Financial security rocks.

• If my neighbor's dog barks one more time, I may go insane.  If the neighborhood cats make baby cats underneath my bedroom window in the middle of the night again, I may do insane.

• My kids have certain toys that sometimes get "lost" when they are sleeping.  I wonder where my parents put my "lost" toys.  Of course, I am sure I was never loud and obnoxious, so this probably was not an issue.

• My grandma turned 85 a few weeks ago.  I wonder if I will live to see 85?  She seems so much younger than that to me.

• I think I am going to come up with a word other than MOM.  That is all I hear all day long, MOM, MOM, MOM, MOM, MOM, MOM.  I really like being a mom, but sometimes I think S is like that clip of Family Guy with Stewie saying, "mom, mom, mom, mommy, mama, mama."

•  When sneaking S's favorite teddy bear into the washer because you are pretty sure it has something growing on it, make sure it is dry by bedtime.  Can we say meltdown?

Day 19 - A picture and a letter

When I was "suddenly single" back in the day, I had read a book by Eric and Leslie Ludy.  They had both prayed for their future spouse and had even written letters to each other.  I started doing this and then when I started dating Mike, I continued.  I then gave them to him just before we got married.  I also have all of the cards we have given each other in this box.

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

This is my sweet little boy eating spaghetti.  I didn't know what other picture to use.  I think my biggest insecurity is that I don't always feel like I am the best mom I can be.  There are many times that I look at those two sweet little faces and just pray that God shows me how to raise them to be good people and make good decisions.  I constantly fear that they are going to grow up and make horrible decisions or that I am oblivious to myself doing something completely wrong that will scar them for life. 

Being a mommy is SO HARD SOMETIMES!

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

This is a beautiful mommy named Angie.  She is the mother of four absolutely adorable children.  Her third born, Jace, went to be with Jesus at the age of five months.  He passed away at daycare, being a victim to SIDS.  I met Angie through Kindermusik.  She is such a wonderful person and has so much strength.  Check out her website!

Jace's Website

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

I probably won't be on here tomorrow.  Hubby is home for the day and little C has shots in the morning and he usually does not do well with shots, so tomorrow will be filled with lots of cuddles.

Of course, I can not imagine my life without my wonderful husband.  I love that man more then he will ever know.  He has truly blessed my life in ways he may never understand.  I spent years praying for a man like him.  Of course, my kids too, but without my hubby, there would be no kids!  :-)

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Hmm...  This one was hard.  I live in a house that revolves around music.  I guess Casting Crowns ranks pretty far up there, but I also LOVE LOVE LOVE Jack Johnson.


   

Loving every minute of it

This is hilarious! Enjoy! :-)

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Yesterday I was super negative and posted three things I hate, but these adorable and handsome smiles make up for it.  I LOVE THESE SMILES!

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Perhaps I am just crabby when I am writing this.  I had a long day.  (I wrote this the night before it will be posted), but I hate a lot of things today.

I hate it when you leave a store or a resteraunt and someone is smoking right by the door (smoking is not allowed in public places in our state).  I can't stand it!  If you want to smoke and fill your body with nasty poisons, go ahead, but don't drag me and my family down with you.  Thanks.


 I also hate when people do not buckle their kids up in the car.  Annoys the you know what out of me.




Hate is such a strong word, but yes, I HATE that people are allowed to protest at soldier's funerals.  I think it is sick and wrong.

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the craziest things with

I don't do anything crazy.

I lead a very boring and low key life.

Sorry, today's post was a disappointment.

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

I would absolutely without a doubt not be who I am today without the love and guidance of this beautiful person!  She got me through a time in my life that I felt she was the only person that actually truly felt how I felt and had the thoughts that I had.  She is the best!

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

He was such a fat baby.  Don't you just want to scoop him up and give him a squeeze!

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

These are shadow boxes I made for the boys.  Inside, there are pictures, ultrasound pictures, hospital wristbands, baptismal candles, first foot prints and the cards that were on the bassinets at the hospital.

Dear PHS Speech Class,

Since you occasionally read my blog for examples in class, here is what I want to say to you:

1. Listen to Mrs. B, she is very smart.  When she tells you to do something, don't whine, just do it.  That will make her happy.
2. Next time you see Mr. S, tell him that his wife would like the him to stop at the store and bring the following items home:
1. a King Size Snickers bar
2. some sort of instrument that will keep S busy so I can get something done
3. some flowers would be a nice touch
4. a lot of cash so I can go on a shopping spree
5. another Snicker bar (I really like chocolate)
6. a Kit Kat bar
7. probably some Slim Fast because the request #1, #5 and #6
8. a nice chick flick movie to watch, I promise if he does this, I will post a picture of him if he cries

I hope you are all enjoying blogging!  Here is a lovely picture for you to enjoy:

Opening a can of worms, anyone?

OK.  So far, my blog has been fairly simple.  I talk about my kids and my hubby, right?  Nothing to really feel too strongly about and nothing to really argue about.  Well, maybe this post will change that, I hope not, but maybe it will.  I have to get a huge pet peeve off my back.  Well, it's more than a pet peeve, more like something that makes my skin crawl and I swear it gives me heart palpitations.  If you don't feel the same way as me, feel free to voice your opinion, but I will not apologize for how I feel.  So here it goes.  I do not for the life of me understand how someone can call themselves a Christian when they can stand at a soldier's funeral and hold up a sign like this:

Do these ignorant people not realize that the very reason they are allowed to even stand on the street corner and make idiots out of themselves is because of the very person they are picketing against?  How can someone be so ignorant as to protest at a soldier's funeral and think they are actually doing what God wants them to do?  I swear, I can feel my blood boiling as I am typing this.  To wear the American Flag, everything that we stand for upside down or to allow your child to stomp on a flag in front of a grieving widow is one of the most awful things I can think of.  Maybe it is because I was raised in a family where you stood and put your hand over your heart when you saw a flag.  Maybe it is because my brother in law is putting himself in harm's way for these people's freedom.  Maybe it is because my husband puts on an American Soldier uniform and has pride in doing so.  Maybe it is because my grandpa served in a war where he saw things and had to do things that no human should ever have to.  Maybe it is because both of my grandfathers served this country.  I don't know, but for some reason, this bothers me like you wouldn't believe.  Ugh.

On a different note now.  I have SO MUCH RESPECT for these people:



The Patirot Guard Riders are amazing!  Thank God for the great service that they perform!

Anyway, I am not really sure what I am trying to accomplish with this post, but I feel a little better.  Please pray for both groups of these people.  They both need prayers and guidance from God!

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

This is probably nerdy, because most people would want to trade places with someone famous or super rich, but this is a very dear friend of mine who I have known forever.  He is a Police Investigator and he is on the Swat Team, I mean, really, can you think of a more awesome job?  I have wanted to be a police officer for as long as I can remember, but kind of put that on the back burner to be a mommy and wife.  I have had the privilege of riding along with him in his patrol car a ton of times and have learned so much from him.  He is a great officer and his department is very lucky to have him.  I have also had the privilege of watching him meet his great wife, and now watching them become great parents to one of the cutest babies ever to be born.  They are both wonderful people.  I would love to trade places with him for one day, but it would have to be a day that something super exciting happens at his job, because the paper work is boring!  :)

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

This is so clique, but of course marrying my best friend was my best memory!  We look so young in this picture.  Our kids are aging us really fast!  :-)

Day 04 - A picture of your night

 Ugh. I hate that my night is this picture.  I think the flu bug that is going around has moved into our house.  Yuck, yuck!

My job?

Hubby asked me the other day what I am going to do when the boys are in school.  I had a brief moment of panic!  I have no idea!  The past two and a half years have consisted of me devoting 110% of all I have to be being a wife and mommy!  After thinking about it, being a mommy fills so many jobs!  I was thinking about all of the jobs that a mommy does.  Please clue me in if I am missing any!

• Investigator/Detective 
• Someone randomly starts to scream and mommy has no idea why.  Mommies put on their detective hat and frantically try to figure out what the heck has happened.

• Police Officer
• Sometimes those little suspects run when they realize mommy is on their trail.  You must hunt them down.

• Prosecutor/Judge
• After mommy investigates, if there was a "crime" committed, mommy has to play prosecutor and judge and hand down the punishment.  Usually a three minute sentence on the wall or probation, where some right is taken away.

• Prison guard
• If the crime warrants serving time on the wall.  Mommy has to put on her mean face and guard the wall so no one escapes.

• Parole Board/Parole Officer
• After time is served, mommy must observe the suspect to ensure he is on his best behavior, otherwise, it is back in the slammer.  If he behaves, a hug and kiss is in order.  I am pretty sure the parole board doesn't hug and kiss, but I couldn't figure out what role that is!  :)

• Doctor
• Those little kids fall a lot and sometimes don't make the smartest decisions regarding safety.  Usually a band aid a kiss from mommy is in order.  Again, I would hope your doctor doesn't hug and kiss, but you get the point.

• Chef
• The only thing that needs to be said here, is I had no idea something so little could eat so much.  Where do they put all that food?  Oh wait, that brings me to my next job.

• Toxic waste/Bomb Squad
• Do I really need to describe this one?

• Lifeguard
• Mommy must guard them SO MUCH!  For example, "Spencer, it probably is not a good idea to put your ride your car off of the kitchen table." or "Spencer, please do not put that in your mouth." or "Spencer, please do not throw that football at Carter, he does not know how to catch yet."

• Housekeeper
• clean the following items, some of them daily: toilets, laundry, counters, carpets, windows, mirrors with little tiny hand prints on them, furniture, pick up toys, pick up toys again, pick up toys yet another time!  :)

• Accountant
• Those little buggers cost a lot money!

At the end of the day, I love those two little boys more than I can even put into words.  Being a mommy is harder than I would have ever imagined it to be.  I just want my kids to grow up and be happy and make good decisions.  All the work is worth it when I look at their cute little face!

So, in conclusion, I have no idea what I am going to do when they get into school!  I do not have the any idea!!  I should probably start thinking about that.  As sad as it is to me, someday those little buggers are going to grow up!

I love small town living!

I know I will be harassed by some of my friends and family for writing this post, but I LOVE SMALL TOWN LIVING!  I was thinking about this a lot over the past week as hubby and I have talked about some things in our lives.  The reason I love small town life?  Well, here are a few reasons:

1.  If I need milk or eggs or just a general item, I hop in the van, drive six blocks (yes, I could walk, but geez, it is like 30 below here all the time now!), park right in front of the store, leave the van running to keep warm, run in, get greeted by name by everyone in the store, grab my milk, pay for it and be home in less than ten minutes.  I love that!

2.  Last week, C had his six month check up.  It was super cold and hubby was gone for a few days with the Guards and guess what?  My darn van didn't want to start.  Truth be told, when I realized how blasted cold it was, I didn't really want to start for the day either, it would have been much better to spend the day in bed watching TV, but my kids just wouldn't allow that!  :-)  Anyway, I called the doctor's office, which it less than six blocks away and told them I needed to reschedule.  They said, "Oh, don't worry about it, do you want one of us to come pick you up or help you?"  Seriously, only in a small town would the doctor and nurses offer to come pick you up for your appointment.

3.  When said van refused to start, I called the town mechanic and he came over to our house, at no charge and worked on it.  So nice!

4.  I could go on and on, but I won't, because I do that way too much as it is.

I realize that the fast paced city life works for some people, but I am so thankful that I live in a community like the one I do!  I really do love it here!

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

You will learn throughout these thirty days the following things about me:

1.  I do not know how to count, notice I posted day three before day two.

2.  I am very indecisive, even though the whole point of this project is the number ONE, I will almost always have more than one picture on every post.

So, today I could not decide between these two people:

This is my best friend.  She is hilarious.  We have such a blast together.  She is one of the most feisty and hilarious people I know!  Note we have kids crawling all over us.  We always have kids crawling all over us.  Between the two of us, we have two and half more kids since this picture was taken.  I just like this picture.

Although I have known her longer than my hubby, I have to include him partly because he puts up with me every day and partly because who knows me better than the man that has to look at me day in and day out?  :-)  I love that man, he is the best!

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

This one is hard.  I like a lot of shows, but I think The Office is my favorite.  It is hilarious!!

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts

1.  I have a strange addiction to baby pajamas.  It drives my husband insane, but I have to look at pajamas at every single store we go into.  Strange, I know.

2.  I wear reading glasses.  I am getting old.  It is very embarrassing to buy reading glasses at my age.

3.  I am horribly addicted to Diet 7-up.

4.  I wish that Oreos were part of the vegetable food group.

5.  I despise cats, not just hate them, despise them.  I think they are creepy, smelly and gross.

6.  I get really excited to get the mail everyday, then very sad when I see that there is nothing in there that I want.

7.  I have started being that annoying person in the grocery store that has a coupon for everything, but can't seem to find it in my purse.

8.  I have a fascination with pictures.  I take way too many pictures.  Sometimes the pictures aren't really of anything.  I just like them.

9.  My best friend tells me that my stories always involve "crazy hands."  Translation: when I really get into telling a story, my hands flail all over the place.

10.  I am kind of scared of the dark. 

31 Days of Me!

I stole this from someone else's blog, who stole it from some else's blog!  It looks like lots of fun!!  I am looking forward to it!  Enjoy!!

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 - A picture of your night
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the craziest things with
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity
Day 19 - A picture and a letter
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change
Day 25 - A picture of your day
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss
Day 31 - A picture of yourself