What a boy must do!

Last night William wanted to protect this remote control car. Timmy had gotten it last year and William was determined that Timmy was NOT going to get it! He even took it to bed with him and wanted to sleep with it! Oh the things kids doo to protect toys that they don't want to share. It makes me laugh!

Beautiful weather

Yesterday we had some beautiful weather out! I have been waiting for this gorgeous day for awhile now. I spent most of the afternoon planting bulbs for the spring! I love to plant the bulbs and enjoy the beauty in the spring! I have blanted over 100 tulip bulbs in one flower bed, 50 daffadills in another bed and a box full of iris's that someone had give us. I love to make our yard beautiful. I would have contineud planted the rest of the tulip bulbs but the dear bulb planter had other plans for my hand and I got a big blister that poped. Not fun at all! Hopefully it will be better and I will be able to finish planting my bulbs this next week. What do you enjoy doing in the fall?

Procrastination is not always the best idea!

I am learning about this now at the age of 31! I spent the weekend busy around the house and neglacted my school work because I knew that I would have all of Monday afternoon to do my homework with only one child at home. Well....it did not happen that way at all! At 11:53a.m. I learn that I am going to be filling in at Timmy's preschool at 12:10p.m. Yes that is right I had less than 18mins to get ready but it gets better because I was in the middle of doing laundry and had no clean clothes! Well at least jeans! So, on November 2nd I wore capries to preschool. It wasn't that bad actually and we had fun. I did get all my homework done with an hour to spare before the class it was due in! All in days work of being a mom!

What a busy weekend!

So, this past weekend I had intended on making cookies on Saturday but instead ended up cleaning out and hanging all the kids toys in the garage. That was quiet the job because those lovely little orange hooks that you screw into the ceiling to hold all your toys...um yeah....they are not as easy as they look to put in. It took alot more time than I thought but hopefully I won't be having to do that anytime soon! So, Sunday afternoon the boys and I spent time baking cookies. Later I'll post the finished product but wanted to take time to blog a little as I am pooped! Oh, my where did this weekend go!? Will the fairy come to my hosue and do my laundry...oh where is she when you need her the most?

It's Timmy!

William!

Both my little cooks!

Leaves, Shots, and great friends!

Yesterday was a busy day at our house! We went and were finally able to get our flu and H1N1 shots! Yeah!!! The whole processes went smoothly expect for Timmy and Lily screaming. But they survived and William just looked and said ow! Then when we got home I thought it was nice out and so I had better start working on the leaves that were blanketing our front yard. I had borrowed the neighbors leaf blower and it saved alot of time. The kids had fun rolling in the pile of leaves and having leaves blowen on or at them! Needless to say now the yard is freshly blanketed with MORE leaves that fell over night.

Then usually once a week I go out to lunch with a friend since I have about an hour and 15 mins between my classes. My dear friend April and I went to the mexican resturant we have been going to. This was our 3rd visit there and when I asked about the lunch specials the guy was like you got this one last time! It's so great to go to a place where they remember you or maybe we go there alot! ;) The food is GREAT and the you get ALOT for your money! :) So, now today it is on to cleaning and preschool. Then I need to go memorize the metric system for a test on Tuesday. UGH....how I do not like it but it is something we must know! :)

No trick or treating for my kidos.....I told them I would just buy them a couple of bags of their favorite candy. Much cheaper than buying 3 costumes and going out in this lovely fall...ahem...rainy...weather!

My new favorite store!

I have found my new favorite store to go shopping at....Meijer! It is out of the way to get to but so worth it! They have great values and yesterday we had to get Hot Wheel cars for Girl Scouts and they had them 10 for $5. After I had gotten most of my grociers we went to the toy section where my littlest guy was having such fun just touching and looking at the toys. But my older one just had an absulet melt down because he could not get a $40 race track or hot wheel set. I was really proud of myself because I did not give in to his meltdown but instead told him to stop crying and he would be able to get a hot wheel car. He did not stop crying so he did not get he car. But through out the rest of the time in Meijer people just smiled and I smiled right back at them. I even had 2 ladies stop and chat with me about raising kids. It was such a pleasent experience. NO ONE said "he needs a nap". The best part was he was trying so hard not to cry he was crying and saying mom I'm not crying I'm laughing!

God's beauty!

This morning as I was driving Lily to school the beautiful horizon that I was able to enjoy was breath taking! It was a beautiful red with some orange in it. I thought of how God uses his hand to touch things around us to make a beautiful world. Over the past two weeks as I drive to school and home I have bathed in the beauty of the trees and colors that when God has dipped his paint brush into some beautiful and brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows you get a beautiful master piece around you. I also think of the time when I was at camp and we went outside at night to lay on the ground and look at the stars. At first you didn't see many because your eyes were still adjusting to the darkness but after you layed there for awhile you began to take in the beauty of a full summer night sky. It was AMAZING at how the longer you layed there the more stars you saw! God is pretty awesome! Have a blessed day!

It's killing me!

Oh man I have been 24 hours Facebook free and let me tell you it has been hard! I have friends who had a baby in the hospital and I am dying to know how the baby is. This is hard to not be on Facebook but at the same time I know this break for however long is great for me and for my kids. I have to admit at times I would put facebook over them fighting or them screaming and just tune them out. Facebook became my happy place but it is no longer that. I happy but yet I am sad at the same time about all of this.

Yesterday we were all on the mend and it looks like this week is going to be a normal week yet busy! 28 days until I get to see my dad in Iowa! I am sooo excited about this! :) I love him and can't wait to spend time with him again! It's been a year since we were out in Iowa! I can't wait to go back and then hopefully we will get to go out again in the summer! The summer time is my favorite time to go out to Iowa because we go to Adventureland every summer! Well, I had better get going the days a wasting and I need to get everyone ready for church. Have a blessed day!

It's been awhile!!

Hello blog world! I have decided that it is time to start working on blogging more frequently than I have been in the past. I really enjoy reading other's blogs and hope that some find mine interesting to read too! Perhaps through writing I can let go of some feelings that I may have instead of blasting people on Facebook. I am temporily not on Facebook due to some issues and I particular don't like the way you are not able to fully explain yourself to someone on Facebook as you can in emails. Yes, Facebook does have some great accpets to it like connecting with old campers and jr. high kids and people from school but it also has it's draw backs by everyone knowing too much info on you too. So, I shall blog here and perhaps not get myself into as much trouble.

I am currently in school full time working on getting prerequisties done for entery into the nursing program. I am really excited about this possiblity and taking school one step at a time. For the most part school is very rewarding and it is a great time to catch lunch with friends and catch up face to face. Something that is hard to do in the cyber world. So, as we go on to say that is all for now folks.

yummy ranch potato cubes

7 med. potatoes, cut int 1/2" cubes
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 c. sc
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

place potatoes in a greased 11"x7" baking dish; dot with butter. Cover and bake at 325 degrees for 50-65mins or until tender.

combine sour cream and salad dress mix; spoon over potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered for 5-10 mins or until cheese is melted.

DELICIOUS!

doctors, ers and urgent care

Well what a weekend we have had. On Thursday I started to not feel well and achy. I think I had fever but not really sure what was going on with me. But let me tell you one thing I truly do NOT like this Indiana weather! We lived in Iowa for 6 1/2 years and I NEVER had sinuses there! It was WONDERFUL! But back to reality. I have them here as do my children! I feel so bad for them. Saturday I was feeling better and the kids were in between but seemed fine. So, the three kidos and I went shopping in Lafayette and actually got most of their summer clothes along with Flip Flops! YEAH!!! I love my Flip Flops and so does Lily! She got white ones to just in case her wedding shoes are too small. I love shopping at Kohl's because they pay you to shop which is GREAT because I am able to go back and get myself something! So so nice! Then bribery works really well because they were amazing and they got to go to McDonald's with a playland! Gotta love em! Timmy wasn't running around like he usually does so I felt him and his heart was beating pretty fast. So, I called Josh and told him that we were going to go to the Urgent Care. We got there just before they closed so they did not do a very through exam on him. They deemed he had a fever and ear infection. I sometimes think that is their standard answer for most things. So, we went home and slept well. Timmy and I stayed home from church and did the nebulizer treatment but Josh and I felt that we had better take him into the ER because he was having so much nasal congestion. They gave him Orapred for 3 days and he is on an antibiotic for his ears. So, we got home from that then about 2 hours later Lily says her neck hurts. So, we call around and talked to a few nurses who said take her into the ER. Well, Josh and I were crying at this point because we didn't want to drive 45mins to the hospital to rural out Meningitis so Josh stayed up and watched her at night. So, come Monday morning I call the doctors office and they got her in. Thank goodness for such an AMAZING doctor who loves us! So, Lily couldn't walk in because her neck hurt and just layed on the table which is so not her. The doctor felt her neck and said she had a knot in it. Yes that is right a knot! So, we stayed there to see if it would go down and do blood work. 2 hours later we had started and finished a Juni B Jones book which are sooo funny and we were free to leave! No, I hope and pray William doesn't have something up his sleeve. So, praying for no more sickness this week!

He is Risen!

This past weekend we had a youth overnighter on Friday night. I stayed up until midnight and then on Saturday relized I am no longer 2o years old. My body was telling me that I am too old to be staying up that long. But I had a good time. Then on Saturday we had our BIG easter egg hunt with over 2,400 easter eggs and around 90 kids. I think this is one of my favorite activities to do for the community. Then on Sunday morning we were up at the crack of dawn. There was a community easter service with breakfast and we were there at 6:30a.m. This is always a good time of fellowship with other people. I am espically enjoying getting to know other's from the Methodist church. There is one lady in particular who is fun and has 3 grown boys. Her name is Jaylean. She is such fun to be around and has a very bubbly personality. She is in charge of the community VBS. I also got a chance to talk to Amy. She is the youth pastor at the Methodist church and is very fun and down to earth. I think we are going to do a joint youth scavenger hunt around Fowler. It should be fun! Lily wore a beautiful pink dress, white sweater and hat. The boys both wore little suits. Timmy's had a jacket and tie and he was too cute in it. William wore a vest and shirt and loved his candy! That boy is a candy machine! Well, hope all had a blessed Easter! HE IS RISEN!!! HE LIVES IN OUR HEARTS!!!

Thankful Thursday

5) For plentyful food. I am so glad that we are blessed to have so much food. I am blessed.
4) Friends.....I met a lady this past month who used to sew all her kids clothing and she helped me sew Lily's easter dress.
3) For beautiful sunshine days like today! I am glad my kids are well and can play outside
2) my husband who saved us money by unplugging the shower drain after William had smuggled crayons down the drain
1) Christ died and three days later he ROSE!

Easter week prepartion

So, we have had two nights of meetings. We don't have any tonight but tomorrow is Maundy Thursday and so my husband has a service to go to and I have a PTO meeting to go. My boys don't like going to the PTO meetings. William screams most of the time. I feel so bad for the teenager girls who watch them but am so thankful that they do! Then the youth have an overnighter on Friday night along with a community Good Friday Service. Then Saturday we have a BIG HUGE Easter egg hunt! Yeah we are "hidding" placing on the lawn 2,500 easter eggs and the easter bunny will be telling the story of Easter along with BIG give aways! Good Times! Then Sunday we celebrate the EMPTY TOMB!! My mil and husband's grandmother come down on Friday so that will be nice to have them to entertain the kids. On Sunday I cook a big easter dinner. Why do I do this to myself? The holidays are supposed to be times with less stress and the times you enjoy each other. It never seems to be that way around our house. Espically with being in the pastorate. I enjoy it but there are times like Christmas and Easter when I wish we could SLOW down and ENJOY the time! But this is our life and we are in this together! So, I hope that you get time to spend reflecting on the fact that JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!! HOW AMAZING COOL IS THAT!!! That is SOOOOOOO EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is something to get EXCITED ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am a sinner and God LOVES ME for that and he has FORGIVEN me for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5eBvz1tLfA
Each time I see this video I cry!!! So AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Closets

Do you have a closet or room that when guest come that is where all your stuff goes? I know I have a few of those. One being my boys closet and the other being the laundry room. Right now my laundry room is sadly full of mostly clean clothes with a pile of a few dirty ones too. There are also a few boxes of just stuff that really doesn't have a place anywhere but is stuff you think you need. I was thinking today looking around at my closets and thinking how it relates to our walk with Christ. I am sure that there is that place where we put all our stuff. Where we don't want anyone to know we don't do that because we are afraid they would look at us differently. I used to be like that in so many ways. I wanted to have the perfect image out in public but deep inside I was hurting and wanting somebody to love me for me but have been working on as it is continually to know the Christ LOVES me NO MATTER WHAT!!! I know I do things that make him upset but am so filled with joy to know that he loves me for all of me! God knows all of my closets despite the pain and hurt it may cause him. What is your closet?

Clean! Clean! Clean!

This is sad! It takes my husband motivating me and having ten people over from the church tomorrow to get me to make our house SPARKLE! Why don't I just keep it clean then it won't get that way. I am really wanting to homeschool our daughter Lily this fall but my husband has told me that in order for that to happen our house must stay clean. So, that should be a great motivation right. Well, I have other things that are more fun to do like play on facebook, catch up on other people's blogs, find recipes, shop online. You get the idea. Why clean when there is all that fun stuff to do plus the weather is getting nicer out so that means I get to go and play in the dirt and plant flowers. I did not grow up in a clean home it was nicely cluttered but perhaps the time has come at the age of 30 to make our home a clean place for our children to grow up in and enjoy. We shall see how it stays over the next week. After all it only took me one afternoon to get it SPARKLING clean! But my WONDERFUL husband did help and he took the kids to the park. MUCH easier to clean without them under foot!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful
5) That my kids are all health and at home. I have been following Baby Stellan's story and it breaks my heart to see him and his mom having such a hard time. Life is not fair!
4) For our AMAZING pediatrician. We really love her and my kids love her too!
3) That my husband got a C-PAP machine and USED it last night!
2) That we have food and shelter and a job. Thank you for this Lord!
1) The flowers coming up in our yard. It reminds me of new life and that spring is around the corner!

Have a BLESSED Thursday!

April Fools

Well, yesterday I pulled a April Fools joke. I put on my facebook account that I was expecting! Which we are NOT in any way shape or form! But Josh saw it before I told him while I was getting Lily from school. Needless to say when I got home he was fumming because he thought surley if she was pregnant she would tell me BEFORE she put it on facebook. So, lesson learned tell your husband about a joke before he reads it!

Facebook

I love Facebook! It gives you an opportunity to connect with old friends and it has crazy quizes on there. But most of all it gives me the chance to chat with other adults! :)

AFTER!

This is AFTER 2 hours of cleaning!

You can actually get to the art supplies!

Lily in her CLEAN room!

Look we can get to the dresser!

WOW! I can get to the bed without tripping on stuff!

WOW!!! There is a floor in there!

Before

Here is Lily's room BEFORE it was cleaned!Dolls and such!

What a MESS!

Additicons

Well I am going to be off the internet until Easter. God has been dealing with me on how much time I am spending on the internet instead of spending time praying and focusing on him. I have also been lacking on the duties of keeping the house clean and children happy. I have been doing just enough to get by but nothing beyond that. That is not how I want to be rememberd by. I want to go ABOVE and love my children and husband well! I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is going to be VERY hard for me to do but belive with God by my side I can do it!