Stories

I have been lacking in the blogging department lately.  The last two years have, unfortunately, been extremely overwhelming for me, struggling to keep my head above water.  There hasn't been time to think of my stories that used to come so easily for me, nor has there been time for the pictures that would accompany those stories.  So I am asking for your help......Is there anything you want to know?  Any story you want to hear?  Ask away......

Jackpot

What would you do if you won the lottery? 

No, really......what would you do?  Have you ever given it any thought?  I know the odds are small.....but all of those people who have hit the jackpot, never imagined in a million years that they would be the recipients of all that glorious money.....at least "glorious" in the beginning.

I diligently play once a week.  As most of you know....I haven't won yet....and will probably be out $52 this year......but it is fun to play, hope, and dream.

If I won, I am not sure I would be able to remember all the people I have made the..."OK, I'll remember you if you remember me".........pacts with.  Sorry guys!  I may have to go into hiding as one friend has stated he would do if he won.

How many of us have said, "If I win the lottery, I am going to be smart about it.  It's not going to ruin MY life!"  (I recently watched "How Winning the Lottery Ruined My Life" marathon and took notes on what NOT to do.)

The first thing I would do is quit my job and stay at home with my four children.....just think of the money we would save in child care alone!!!  I would immediately set up a retirement fund....college fund....pay off my house.....car....set up my parents and my in-laws for the rest of their years.... give a considerable donation to my church, and with the rest I would set up a foundation.

I am sure if I won.....I would have no trouble finding someone to "help" me invest my money.......whether or not they would be trustworthy is a whole other story.  I am sure I would be amazed by who would come crawling out of the woodwork.  But winning the lottery is still an interesting possibility to ponder.

Even if I my lucky numbers are never drawn, I still consider my self to have won the jackpot of life.  I have 4 beautiful, active and healthy children, a wonderful husband, the most incredible family one could ask for, a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in each night, and food on the table. 
 
So...it's Wednesday.  Go out and buy your ticket and I wish you all the luck in the world!
(And if you could......remember me!)

Thank you, Mom!

Thank you, Mom, for putting up with me all of these years!  I know I haven't always made it easy for you.....but even when I made it hard to like me.....you have always loved me.

Thank you for....

rescuing me from Buster, the dog, when I was 3ish and he had me cornered and was fiercely growling at me.  So scary!

gently breaking the news to me that cold, icy, winter day about what had really happened to Tabby.

staying up all night with me when I was 3 or 4 when my ear drum burst. OUCH! The pain was excruciating, but you made it all better simply by stroking my hair.  I know you must have desperately wanted to lay your head down and get some sleep...but you didn't.

rescuing me when I blew up my bicycle tire.  Boy, did my ears ever ring!  The lesson I learned that day was invaluable.  :)

waiting to tell me that the first ribbon I earned at the fair was not such a good thing.  It was a WHITE ribbon (last place).  You waited to tell me because I was so excited about that little ribbon and in my mind, it was so BEAUTIFUL.

all of your help with numerous 4-H projects and those wonderful record books.

making sure my shoes remained spotless and forever "unscuffed" no matter where we went.  I apologize for not carrying on that tradition with my own kids....I know that drives you crazy.

spending endless afternoons perched on that park bench outside Steinhart Lodge, quietly tolerating the summer heat, while Brent and I swam our little hearts out each day.

sewing my "first day of school" school clothes way back in Kindergarten....because I know you hate to sew, but you did it anyway.

volunteering to drive for my first end of the year field trip....we went to the Bicentennial Train.  Does anyone know what "bicentennial" means anymore?

making our birthdays absolutely wonderful and making us feel like the most important people on Earth.

making all of our holidays so very special.

piano and guitar lessons and carting me back and forth.

taking me to the "country school skating parties"....even when the weather was treacherous and you would have much rather stayed home where it was safe and warm.

putting up with those difficult teenage years.

checking up on me during those difficult teenage years.....making sure I wasn't driving around on my learner's permit, meeting me at my car in the IGA parking lot when I was obviously way past my curfew, making sure I was where I said I would be, and not being overly upset with me when I rolled the Bronco.  If you hadn't done that, who knows what kind of hoodlum you'd have on your hands today.  :)

staying up late, cooking and serving up breakfast for us after the Holiday dance.
 
letting me fight my own battles but sticking up for me when needed to.

giving me a safe, loving home to grow up in.

showing me that I can be a working mom and still be a great mom to my own children.

this last year!

last week!

everything else you have done for me that I have failed to mention.  And I know there are so many things I haven't mentioned.

all of your love and support in everything I have done and have failed to do.  One of those being...not telling you more often what you mean to me and how much I love you!  You are truly the best and I hope I can be half the mother to my own children that you were/are to Brent and me.

Happy Mother's Day....a day late!

You truly are the wind beneath my wings!

I love you!
S

Dear Chi-Chi,

April 2010


Dear Chi-Chi,

    Today is your 6th birthday.  I cannot believe that you are already 6 years old.  You were so excited this morning when you woke up and you couldn’t stop smiling. I love how your face completely lights up when you are truly happy! You get this huge grin that stretches from ear to ear….this cute little laugh which you can’t stop….and your eyes are so big and bright, taking everything in! 
     I told you this morning on the way to school, that this was going to be your last birthday we would let you have.  (You know I was just kidding!)  I love watching you grow up, yet I want you to be my little boy forever…..and in my mind and heart you always will be.  You will understand one day when you have your own children.  When you do….enjoy every second with them and love them for they grow up so very fast. 
    The day I found out about you, I couldn’t have been more thrilled….my prayers had been answered!  I couldn’t wait to hold you in my arms.  In my eyes, you were the most perfect baby on Earth, and I couldn’t believe God had entrusted me with such a perfect little being!  You have continued to amaze me with each and every thing you do, no matter big or small.  I love how your mind works.  But most of all, I love looking into your deep, brown eyes and getting lost in all the wonder that makes up YOU!
   Chi-Chi, you are an absolutely amazing kid!  You have such a good heart…..just like your Brupa and Uncle Benny.   I know they are your heroes and you would give anything to spend all of your days with them.   Just like Brupa and Uncle Benny you are always kind…..thinking of others before yourself.  It never fails….you always make a friend wherever you go.  You may go somewhere alone, but you will leave having made a zillion friends. 
     I love how the littlest of things fascinate you.  I love how you act all macho, but at the end of the day  you still need a hug and a kiss…..no matter how much you try to deny it.  I love how you are always up for anything and you don’t let “grass grow under your feet”.  You are a mover and a shaker.
    Chi-Chi, I want you to grow up and be the best person you can be.  I want you to be a person who stands strong in your morals and values.  Be one who can be trusted and one who stands by their word….it is important to mean what you say and say what you mean. 
    Chi-Chi, remember to put family first.  Family will always be there.  Family will always need you and you will always need them.  Family will be one of the most important things in your life.  You will always make new friends….but you can’t make a new family. 
    You will always be my “baby”.  ALWAYS! I would love to give you a world where you wouldn’t have to worry about any heart ache, hardships,  sickness, or sadness…..for watching you go through anything like that will break my heart.  But know that you can always come to me, and I will forever be there for you, waiting with open arms.



Love you with all of my heart! 

Mom

Dear Dew....

April 2010

Dear Dew,

You have just celebrated your 8th birthday!  I can’t believe how fast this time with you has gone.  One day, when you have your own children, you will understand why I always want to slow down time or turn the clock back to when you were small and I could hold you in my arms. 

Dew, God answered my prayers when he gave you to me. I love when your birthday rolls around each year.  I love remembering the night before you were born.  Daddy and I were so excited for your arrival we couldn’t sleep a wink.  For in a few short hours we would have you to complete us.

 I love remembering the first few moments after you were born and your first night on this Earth.  You were absolutely the most beautiful baby I had ever seen and my heart instantly swelled with more love than I had ever felt for anyone.  I stayed awake all night long just admiring this perfect little being that lay sleeping in my arms.   Thanking God that he had given me a child that was healthy, perfect, and wonderful.

You didn’t stay little long.  From the minute you were born, you have been in such a hurry to grow up!  Early to talk. Early to walk.  You went from a baby to a boy overnight.

Never underestimate how much a mother loves her child. I love you with all of my heart and all of my being!  I fell in love with you from the moment I found out about you.

Always be kind and understanding to others. (Yes, this includes your brother and sisters. Especially them…as you are family and will always have one another.)   Make an effort to see things from the other person’s point of view.  I want you to grow up to be a responsible and helpful person.  To be someone others can count on, go to for help, and rely on. 
Always be the best person you can be!

Dew, you are a good person and you are so very smart.  I know you can do these things that I ask of you and know that I am with you every step of the way.

You are always with me.  Always in my heart and I am always in yours! 

I love you to the moon and back......times infinity!

Love,

Mom

The "C" Word

Cancer is such a dirty little word.



For such a little word, it is so very powerful.





The mere mention of this word can instill instant fear.  It is life changing....for the better or for the worse.....yet can give one a sense of determination they thought never possessed.

There are all types of cancer.  Some are more aggressive than others.

People often live for years without knowing that this parasite lives within them.

There are different stages of cancer....stage one, stage two, stage three and the dreaded stage four.

Cancer knows no discrimination.  It can happen to anyone.......moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends.....and the saddest of all, children.   Reasons are unknown.  I am sure most of us could say that cancer has touched each of our lives whether directly or indirectly. 

We all have known people who have had cancer.  Lived through it.  Shared their stories with us.  Given us hope for the future.

Then there are those.....who have fought the battle with every, single ounce of their being and lost the fight.  Some fight for years.....others for months.  Leaving a gaping hole in the lives of those left behind....but leaving us better people for having known them. For having touched our lives.

Last month I found out I have papillary thyroid carcinoma (cancer of the thyroid). Not a death sentence by any means.  Very easy to "take care of".  I have been told that if you are going to get cancer.....this is the kind you want.  It is not aggressive....very slow growing.  People live for years without knowing they have it.  Thankfully, for me, it was discovered when was and not years down the road.

However......who wants cancer?  Really...who wants it?  Any takers out there? 

My first thoughts were disbelief.  A lot of worrying went on....and still does from time to time, but think I can safely say I have moved on to acceptance. There is no choice but to move on, deal with it head on, and make the best out of the situation. 

I would not have been as strong as I am without the the love, support, and reassurance of my husband, my parents, and my mother and father-in-law.  They have been there for me throughout this entire ordeal.  They are all phenomenal individuals and I love them all, more than words can say!

The same goes for my co-workers.  They are amazing and have been willing to help in any way they can, and have been so very understanding. Over the past ten years they have worked around several "maternity leaves" and many, many last minute (might even say last second) absences. Thanks guys.....

My situation could be much, much worse.   I am so thankful that it is not!   And I would much rather  it be me than one of my children....I would completely fall to pieces if that were the case.

The other day, while driving to pick up my kids, I saw a billboard.  It said, "I have cancer.  Cancer doesn't have me."

Words to live by.
S

Only In Nebraska

March, so far, has been dreary, gloomy, cloudy and gray.  Only glimpses of sunshine which have been teasing us.  Enticing us with the hope of spring!  Which is just plain cruel after 4 of the longest months of one of the harshest winters we have had in years!

Each and every day we wake from our slumber hoping to see the sun peeking through the clouds to brighten our day and our moods. 

Today, that very thing finally happened!

Today is a bright and beautiful day!  Not only is sun reminding us of her presence, but the temperature is in the mid 60s.  Something that hasn't happened since...............I don't know when.  Everyone is basking in the sunshine!

It's a very good day! 

However.......

Only in Nebraska can we go from this....

on one day.  To this.....

the very next day!  Yep!  Once again, snow is predicted for tomorrow. 

Old Man Winter is rearing his ugly head one last time.  


Doesn't Spring officially start Saturday?




Longing for days filled with fun in the sun,

S

Writer's Block

It's not that anything exciting has been going on in our life.  I am just experiencing a horrible case of "Writer's Block".......not that I am a writer in any sense of the word. 

Did you know out of all the subjects I teach......I absolutely HATE ( I know.....hate is such a strong word), HATE to teach writing?

I have planted myself in front of my computer numerous times....and have several drafts to prove it....the words just aren't flowing from my brain to my finger tips as the usually do.....therefore not producing anything I consider "post-worthy".

Could it be that I am just plain tired????

Let's see my husband was out of town for 4 days.  That same week I had Parent/Teacher Conferences which make for extremely long days......... My day starts at 5 am---daily, and I don't get home until 8 pm on conference days.  Thank goodness for moms!  I wouldn't have made it through that week without her help.  Mom, you're the BEST!  Have I told you that lately????

Most nights, I average 3-4 hours of sleep.  Three out of my four kids wake up during the night.  I swear they have it all planned out.  They wait until that exact moment I fall into that deep, heavenly sleep.  #1 wakes up.  Then just as I fall back into that deep, heavenly sleep.....#3 wakes up.  And finally #4 wakes.......usually within 30 minutes of when my alarm is to go off!!!!  She's lucky she's cute, and that she's my daughter and that I love her more than anything on Earth....otherwise I may not be as forgiving!  The only one that sleeps peacefully throughout the night is #2.  Thank you for that, Chi-Chi!  You don't know how much that little gift means to your mama!

Have I mentioned that I love to sleep?  I long to sleep.  Right now it is what I desire the most in life.  One day it will happen, then I will long for the time when I had little one to wake me in the middle of the night. Isn't that the way it goes???  You want what you don't have and then when you have it....you don't want it. 

Could it be that life at our house is rather hectic?

I know everyone everywhere is busy.  Maybe if I were an organized person......a planner.....a little more OCD.....more of a control freak things would be different.  But anyone who knows me, knows that's not how I roll.  ( I do every once in a while have those organized moments....albeit they are very brief and few and far between.  And when they happen I AMAZE those around me that I actually got something done.) However....I am prompt...even with four kids to get ready and load into the car....I am always on time.  And that's a feat in itself!

It's not like I don't get anything accomplished.....I hit the floor running when my alarm blares at
5 am and I don't stop, most days until 11 pm.......(which easily ties into that whole tired thing I mentioned earlier and explains my rumpled appearance most days).  I just pick what is the most important and focus on that.

So....for now I am going to stick with my original excuse.....good ol' fashioned writer's block.  'Cause I don't foresee the tired and unorganized aspect of my life changing anytime soon!

Thanks for sticking with me!  Maybe this weekend I'll get some much needed rest and be back with a story sometime next week.

Much love from one frazzled and weary traveler through life..........
S

Love

In honor of Valentine's Day.....

“Love is always bestowed as a gift
freely, willingly,
and without expectation.
We don’t love to be loved;
we love to love.”

― Leo F. Buscaglia

Turning Point

The Battle of Lake Eerie was a turning point for the Continentals in the Revolutionary War.  (I love history!)  It proved to countries like France, that we just may actually beat those nasty Red Coats.....which resulted in France, and other countries, becoming our allies and sending troops to help us win our independence.

We have had a major turning point at our house.  Maybe not as significant as the Battle of Lake Eerie....but it seems that way to us!

More like a milestone, really.

To be honest, I wasn't sure I would EVER see this day come.

From now on.....you will see one less of these stockpiled in our basement.

Whoo!  Hoo! 

and....

Yee! Haw!  (Sorry...country girl coming out in me!)

 If I would have known that I would spend 8 out of the last 9 years consistently changing diapers........I would have purchased stock in LUVS.

Yes....8 out of the last 9 years!!!!!!

That's a TON of diapers!  Most of which were not that pleasant.

Truth be told this is a bittersweet time....'cause as I stated in my last post.....it means my baby is growing up.

One thing I will say...once "The Law" makes up her mind to do something, she sticks to it.  Guess that is why we call her "The Law". 

I am so proud of you little girl!

Mommy

Three years ago today........

Once upon a time there was a mommy.  This mommy had two little boys that she loved with all of her heart.  This mommy and her boys did everything together. Their days were filled with fun and laughter.

She thought she had everything she could possibly want. 

Life was perfect.

One day this mommy found out another baby, a girl, would soon be joining the family.  Sadly, this mommy didn't know what to think.  Would she have enough love for this new little baby and her two little boys?

But as the days passed.....this mommy and her two little boys grew more and more excited for this little girl to join the family.

Finally, the day came for this little bundle to enter the big, big world. 

God graciously answered the mommy's prayers and her baby was born healthy, beautiful, and perfect in every way.  From the moment she was placed in her mommy's arms, her mommy's heart was captured once again.

All of her mommy's worries instantly disappeared. Instantly!

From that moment on, that mommy couldn't take her eyes off of her new baby girl.  She was completely in awe of that tiny little creature.

I continue to look at my girl every day and am so thankful that God chose me to be her mommy.
She is truly a gift.

To this day, I can't believe that she is mine.  And that I am fortunate enough to be the mother of someone so incredible.   So incredibly perfect.

I can't get enough of her smile, her eyes, her personality, and, of course, her kisses.  She has that twinkle in her eye, and I love when her little arms wrap around me and she squeezes me with all of her might and says, "I love you so much, Mommy!"

I love how she is sooooo into princesses right now! 

I love watching her line up her babies so she can read and sing to them. The stories this little one can tell.

I love when she crawls into my lap and her little hand slips into mine...it's just the two of us and my heart melts.

The Law turns three today.

THREE!  Where did the time go?  Where did my tiny baby go that I once held so tightly in my arms?

She is "The Law" I live for and live by.

You are my dream come true!












Love you forever.......
Mommy

Shocked

Life has a way of moving....and moving rather quickly at that.  I started this blog about a year ago.  I had just had baby number four.  My mother-in-law came up to the frigid North from the warm South to take care of Q-T when I went back to work.  One night I was dinkin' around on the computer and thought, "I think I 'll start a blog." 

My mother-in-law was watching me from across the room, asked me what I was doing, so I filled her in.  I had to explain what a blog was..but she got the idea.  She asked me, "Well, what are you going to blog about?"

I consider myself one of the lucky ones and think I have an amazing mother-in-law and we get along extremely well.

I looked at her and replied, rather dryly, "My crazy mother-in-law who has come to spend two months with us!"  Luckily, I can joke around with her like that and she knows I'm joking. 

I blogged and I blogged and I blogged.  I love blogging.  I love looking at everything as if it is a story to tell.

My last blog was dated in August 2009....then school started (I am a teacher...and I have four kids....so things get a little busy around here) and just couldn't seem to find the time to chronicle my stories anymore. 

Even though I don't make resolutions...I never keep them so why set myself up for failure...I told myself that I was going to get back my blog this year.

Here was the shocking part.....at least to me.  When my hiatus started in August, I had about 500 hits.  Sunday, I logged back on, and saw that I have had over 11,000+ hits in four months!!!!  Not only that, but I have/had three followers. (Not sure if they are still following me.  Kind of hard to follow someone who hadn't been blogging.  If you have kept the faith in me these past four months and are still a follower, please say "hi"....if you just stumbled upon this, "Welcome and hope you come back!")

My stories aren't that great.  Not sure why I do it other than for the mere fact that I simply enjoy it.  It's my ME time.  Didn't think anyone was reading this other than my very own mother.....and I beg her to read it.  (Thanks Mom!  You're the best!)  You can always count on your parents for their support.....or maybe she's just humoring me???????  Hmmm!

Well, it's a "school night" and I have stayed up way past my bed time.......so good night all.  Thanks for letting me step into your life,  and thanks for stepping into mine.

Ya'll come back soon now, ya hear!

S

What I don't like about living in the city.

Tuesday is trash day.  It is really important that we make sure we haul our trash bin to the end of the driveway every Tuesday.....a family of 6 creates a whole "lotta" trash!

Yesterday, like many, I had the day off so today seems like Monday.  I will be "off" a day all week...the only pleasantness, if that is a word, in that is that Friday will come early for me.  When we have a long weekend, either I, or my husband, forget that it is really Tuesday/Trash Day.

Not the case for today.  The bin made it to the end of the drive way...thanks to my husband, but before we left, I found some additional items that needed to be put out.  I took one step out of the garage, and no I didn't fall!!!!  I literally slid to the end of the drive way.

Here's the problem.  Our drive way has a slight incline, and I couldn't walk back up the stupid thing!  I made it about half way.....then promptly slid back down.

Two things I didn't like about this.  1)  I was already late for work.  2)  I just knew the neighbors were having a good laugh at my inability to walk back up my very own drive way......normally a task one doesn't think about.

After about 10 minutes, I did make back to the garage but not before falling in the snow.   I have never appreciated non skid surfaces more than I did at that moment.

What I don't like about living in the city is that you can't make a fool out of yourself, out in plain sight and in your drive way,  without everyone on your street seeing you!!!!  (You know every neighborhood has it's very own Mrs. Kravitz.)

Thanks for letting me share my embarrassing moment of the day!
S

Winter

As I sloshed my way from my parents house, in the country, to the highway....(so happy that I have 4-wheel drive)....I am so thankful that I live in the part of the country that I do.

Even with all the snow, the mud, and the muck....I love it.

Yes, four months out of the year are devoted to winter. And right now we are in the middle of one of the snowiest winters we have had in 10 years. Yes, it does get bitterly cold, and those who know me, know that I am not a cold weather person. But in the end I wouldn't trade one cold, snowy day for ANYTHING!

If I didn't live where I do.....I wouldn't wake up to this....

Or this......
For the last three days we have been living in a fog.....literally. And it has been cold enough for it to be a "freezing fog" so it clings to everything. Absolutely beautiful!


I think this winter will go down in history as Dew and Chi-Chi's favorite winter.
They have played in this wonderland almost everyday. Those faint lines are the screen. I took this picture from the warmth of my living room. Did I mention that I am NOT a cold weather person????

And if I didn't live where I do I couldn't do this:

Before.........
After.......



Before......

After....In just a few short months we have this to look forward to.....but for now I am enjoying the place where I am at.

Hope you are all enjoying the beauty of winter.

S

Clean and Sparkling Cousins...For Now

Look at this bunch of hooligans! That is just what they are too....hooligans! When they are all together, WATCH OUT!

Mischievous describes this crew perfectly. I shudder at the thought of what it will be like in 7 years. That little blondie on the end will be driving then, and those two next to him will be his partners in crime. (Good thing my two have a couple of uncles that are lawyers. We may need their help.)

Here they are after they had been scrubbed clean. In fact, they are so clean, they almost sparkle.
I wish I had a "before" picture to share with you....After an entire day of playing outside on the farm, they were filthy! It was a such a scary sight. Just too scary to share. Especially that guy in the middle. I don't know how he does it...it's like he's a dirt magnet. Dirt just seeks him out.

Sludge. That is the only word I can think of to clearly describe what is left behind in the tub after his bath. So nasty! He's lucky he's cute, or I just might not put up with his love for dirt.



They love being together. And when they are, they're inseparable.

I hope they will always be the best of friends.

Just do me a favor guys, and stay clean!

S

Summer....where has thou gone?

Waaaaaay back in June, when I saw nothing but long and lazy summer days before me, I thought I would get so much blogging done and was really looking forward to it. My goal was a blog a day. I was so excited about all the blogging I was going to do that I was almost giddy! Well, I officially have one day of vacation left and didn't accomplish a lot with my blog.

Everywhere we went I had my camera in hand to chronicle our events and outings, but we would get back home and I just couldn't seem to find the time to get on the computer to post the pictures and write the stories. The kids and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our summer, and it went by way too fast. I loved doing nothing but staying at home with the kids day in and day out, going on long walks, bike rides, trips to the zoo and the children's museum, our walks around the corner to the ice cream shoppe, and, of course, our trips to the farm.

In the upcoming days, I will post our summer memories. So please check back and see what we have been up to. Now that I will back to work, maybe our lives will have some order and structure, and I will make better use of my time. OK, who am I kidding....but one can always hope!

S

"This is going to be the best night EVER!"

I am currently in the middle of having my Big Ass Garage Sale. I really needed to purge some of the "junk" we have accumulated over the years and what better way than to have a garage sale.

In order to make my life a little easier during my Big Ass Garage Sale, my mom came up and took the girls home with her so I wouldn't have to worry about keeping an eye on them. I have such a wonderful mom! Thank you, Mom! Let me tell you that it is so different having just TWO kids. Way different! Much slower paced. However, every now and then, I did look over my shoulder for the girls, and Chi-Chi asked a couple times where "The Law" and
Q-T were.........and for a brief moment I would become panic stricken......then Chi-Chi would say, with his fat little tongue, "Oh yeah, Mom, they went home with Oma. Rememba?"

So for a few hours, we were just a family of four.

Here is the part that just melted my heart. Last night was the "last night" of Bible School for the boys. There was a big finale with a program and carnival. (It was wonderful but will post more about that later. ) After it was all over, the boys and I piled into the car. As the doors the slammed shut, Chi-Chi turned to Dew and said, with his fat little tongue, "You are the best brother I have ever had." I couldn't believe what I was hearing! Was the sky falling?
Dew turned to Chi-Chi and replied, "You're the best brother, too, Chi-Chi." They had this wonderful conversation all the way home, and I sat happily behind the wheel with the biggest grin plastered to my face thinking, "It doesn't get any better than this!"

To top it off, they wanted to have a slumber party with Mommy and Daddy in our room. So they made a pallet out of blankets, and Dew read a chapter to us out of his Magic Tree House book. Yes, they were thrilled about the fact that it was just them for one night. Yes, their prayers had been answered when we said they could sleep in our room. But the highlight of the evening was sleeping with their little lanterns they made in Bible School which consisted of a jar covered in tissue paper and then a glow stick was the candle. (As simple as those lanterns were, they were pretty cool and still glowing brightly this morning when I got up.) Dew and Chi-Chi carefully placed their lanterns on the floor just above their pillows. And as they were drifting off to sleep, Chi-Chi turned to Dew, and I heard him whisper (with his fat little tongue), "Dew, this has been the BEST night EVER!"

Dew answered, "Yes, Chi-Chi, it was!"

Once again, I ran to the window to see if the sky was falling, but it wasn't. For a few hours, they were brothers. Brothers that loved each other. And two little boys who were thrilled to get all of our attention.

And as I drifted off to sleep I took a moment to thank God for giving me that moment and for giving me those two wonderful little boys!

S

Lazy, Hazy Rainy Days

It is no secret that I am NOT a morning person. Never have been and probably never will be. Back in the day, I could sleep in with the best of them. Now I consider "sleeping in"until 7 am as a real treat, instead of the 11 or 12 o'clock hour that it once was. And if I only had to get up twice in the night or wake up in my own bed....you better break out the champagne....because that is a celebration in itself!

That is what I loved about today. It was damp, dreary, cloudy and rainy when I woke this morning, and as I rolled over and looked out my bedroom window I immediately exclaimed, "Yes!" because a rainy day gives me full reign to be as lazy as I want.

I stumbled down the stairs, got the coffee pot a brewin', and started to make the kids' breakfasts. Which, buy the way, consisted of cold pizza for the boys and assorted lunch meat for "The Law". Q-T had her usual....blander than bland rice cereal. Blech!

This morning also presented the perfect opportunity to take some photos of the kids. I snapped them all except Dew.....Lilo and Stitch was on the Disney Channel and Dew's day is just messed up if he can't see the "experiment of the day".

Q-T is starting to love having her picture taken. The camera comes out and she is all smiles!


Look at her chunky self......such a big chunk-a, chunk of love!

Bright light! Bright light! She wasn't too sure of the flash. Have you ever seen a more adorable double chin?

Back to normal.

Hamming it up once again. Can you see how much this girl loves her mama?

"What you lookin' at?"



Chi-Chi had to jump in and have his mug in the picture. Now he really loves to pose for the camera. Sometimes he's serious.....

Sometimes he's macho.....

Then there's this little slice of heaven! She is my little ray of sunshine.....even on a rainy day.

S

Goodbye 2741 Scott Avenue.....Thanks for the memories!

For the past several years, it has been my brother's dream to move back to our hometown. Well, as of this past weekend, he's back. He and his family are now living the country life and will love every second of it. I, on the other hand, will miss them terribly. I even asked....more like begged them every time I saw them.....begged them to stay in the big city with me, but they wouldn't even entertain the idea.

This is where they have called home for the last 8 years. So much has happened at this house. So many family celebrations....holidays, birthdays, cookouts, and was the central meeting place for our family get togethers for years.

My nephew had just started crawling when they moved in. It was here where he took his first steps and said his first words. Seems just like it was yesterday....where does the time go? Now he is constantly in motion, and it is hard to get him stop long enough to give me a hug and a kiss.

When my niece was born, she came home to 2741 Scott Avenue. This has been the only home she has ever known in her four little years. She, like Schmax, has experienced so many firsts here.....too many to mention. If only those walls could talk!

Guess I am a little sentimental!

It was here that Dew got whacked in the head with a golf club. Man, did he ever have a gash...one that required stitches. Chi-Chi was "golfing" in the back yard, and Dew was pretending that he was blind and therefore walking around the yard with his eyes closed. I am sure you can figure out the rest.......yep......Dew in his "blindness" walked smack dab into the golf club just as Chi-Chi was hammering it down. An event that has been permanently imprinted in their minds.

It makes me sad that Q-T will not have any memories of this house and all the good times that took place here.

Sometimes I am a little too sentimental.

Goodbye house! Thanks for the memories!

Goodbye Uncle Benny and Aunt Aubree! We will miss you!

I am making it sound like we will never see them again....but we will....this house is the new hangout only they don't know it yet.

This is their new home.


The site of many new family experiences and memories.

Hello house! We look forward to getting to know you!

S

Fourth of July Celebration

I must admit that I do not like to buy fireworks. I love to watch them.....just hate to buy them. All I can think about is that my money is going up in smoke....literally! My kids haven't figured out yet that you can actually buy them and do them yourself....however, my days are numbered and they will soon call my bluff.

We did go to my hometown this past weekend and went to watch the fireworks display the local Jaycee chapter sponsored.

Luckily, we found rock star parking, grabbed our chairs and started our search for the perfect spot to watch the show. The boys were so excited! It was just the four of us. We chose to leave the girls at home with Oma and Brupa as it would be a late night, and we thought that the loud pops would scare the bejeebers out of them.

It has been quite some time since I have roamed around my old stomping grounds, (Believe me, there was a lot of stomping goin' on back in the day. I knew every street and back alley.....escaped many of cop in those alleys....but we'll save that for another post.) and I kinda forgot about this bridge. Well, ok, the bridge wasn't even there "back in the day". I just don't like to think about how much time has passed since I stomped on those grounds!

I love how it is decorated.....so patriotic, yet so simple. Dew actually took this picture....not too shabby!

I also forgot about this. This came from the old bridge that took you across the Missouri River to Iowa. Lord, how I HATED that bridge. It was an old green monster of a bridge, only had two lanes and was extremely narrow. I would hold my breath as I drove across, and pray the entire time, "God, please don't let me meet a semi! PLEEEAAASE don't let me meet a semi! And if I should meet a semi, please don't let me plunge into the river below!" The bridge was so narrow that semi trucks would actually cross over into the other lane to keep from hitting the side of the bridge. I know the drivers tried desperately to stay in their lane, however, they risked losing their side mirrors by doing that as they would hit the sides of the bridge. I am sure if one was brave enough to dive to the murky bottom of the Mighty Mo....they would hit the jackpot of all jackpots of side mirrors that were once securely attached to the passenger side of a semi truck!

After the new bridge was built...the old one was, of course, torn down. But this was saved and the city chose to put it atop the gateway that leads into Steinhart Park which is where the fireworks display is every year.


With chairs and sweatshirts in hand searching for that perfect spot to sit, we walked past the pool. As a child, I spent many of a summer day here just living the life. Brought back a lot of memories. The boys were absolutely astounded that, once upon a time, I actually went near and in a pool! Something I would never do now! And you wouldn't want me to......having 4 babies has taken quite the toll......a sight I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy!

While we waited for the show to begin....we took pictures to commemorate the evening.

We finally found our perfect spot. At the base of these terraces. See that building at the top of the terraces? This is my most favorite spot in all of the world. I have so many wonderful memories of Steinhart Lodge. About 30 years ago, it used to be a wonderful restaurant. In high school our Holiday Dance was held here. My brother and cousin, Heidi, graduated the same year and had their graduation receptions there. And most recently, this is where Ro and I had our wedding reception and dance. It was and still is absolutely beautiful.

Now this was a miracle! Getting Ro in a picture. (Dew took this one, too.)

Finally, the show began. Only after Dew and Chi-Chi asked, about every 2 minutes, "What time is it now?" "When does it start?" "How much longer?" "Why haven't they started yet?" "I have to go to the bathroom! Noooowwww!"

Dew was completely captivated by the show and didn't take his eyes off the fireworks.

Not for one second. He didn't want to miss a thing!

Chi-Chi was another story......

After a day of playing non stop with his cousins.....he was tired, it was late and it just got the best of him.

I tried to capture the fireworks with my camera. A normal person would have given up after the first 20 or so missed shots and realize......this ain't workin'! Me, on the other hand, tried to capture every single one!!!!

I was either too early, or........

too late! ARGH!

Truth be told my competitive side took over. The guy sitting next to me was doing the same thing.....and all of his pictures, of course, were perfect! (I was peeking over his shoulder. He was probably doing the same and laughing at my feeble attempts! I think I heard him chuckling a couple of times.) So, with each picture I was trying to out do him, and cursing him in my mind each time I failed. Not really, but I felt like it!

There were a couple good ones.....but just a COUPLE!

The simple plain, white star bursts were my favorite! That's me...just plain and simple!


Hope you all had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July and that you were able to spend it with those you care about most!

S