Bowl Full OF Wishes

Still for sale-

2008-03-30T20:41:00.004-06:00

They house is still for sale! As of today we have had 86 showings, a lot of negative comments one low ball offer and 4 bottles of Windex and going strong! WE had so many comment about of front porch cracking and pulling away from the house we finally demolished the front porch and had new concrete laid. $2,000 later. So now they do not have that to bitch about that they are now starting in on other things! Does it ever stop? We are giving it until the 22nd of this month, then we are going to take it of the market. I think if this many people have seen the house and no offers? I am sick of not being able to live in my house. We had 9 showings this weekend and we were kicked out of the house all weekend. That always equals spending money some where. Then tonight after dinner Tyson decided to become an artist- NOT ON PAPER BUT ON THE WALL. SO tomorrow I am going to be painting the basement. I have attached some pictures for your viewing pleasure. Tyson tried to tell us that Carson did it, as you can clearly see it says TYSON. Not to smart on Tyson's part...... Just thought I would check in, I have been busy cleaning and just trying to keep up! Please all bear with me.....

Going once Going twice???????????

2008-02-19T18:10:00.003-07:00

Bet you all thought I have dropped off the face of the earth! Well I kind of have. We have put our home up for sale and it has been crazy! It has been 8 days now and we have had 34 showings and not an offer yet. It is so hard to keep the house clean with 3 kids a dog and a husband. We keep waiting for the phone call saying we have an offer. Every time the phone rings I think this is the call. But I am once again learning the story of PATIENCE! Between the the kids, the house and just plain life. I will keep you all posted once the house sells. I have so many pictures to post. I will try to find a moment and get you all updated. Hope this finds everyone well!!!

New Mexico!!

2008-01-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well I am her in cold and windy New Mexico. I had to enroll a group down here for health benefits. Right now I am in the middle of the day in the middle of the enrollment and we are not busy! I was here this morning at 7:15am for the meeting to begin. I flew in last night to Alb. My brother and his wife live down here. I was thinking of taking all the kids and the hubby down here with me, but then the hubby could not get off work. I did not want to drive all the way here by myself and the kids so I ended up flying by myself. It feels kind of strange not to have some one hanging off one of my extremities!! Although I do miss my family. I will have to come back tomorrow and finish the enrollment. I then fly back on Sunday early evening.

My brother wants to do some thing fun tonight. I am ready to go back to their house and go to sleep!! I did not sleep a wink last night. I hope I sleep good tonight. Just thought I would check in. Sorry for the boring post!

Already 2008

2008-01-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

I can not believe how fast 2007 went. It just seems like we celebrated New Years 2007 and now it is 2008! I used to roll my eyes when my parents said "time flies as you get older" I guess I am older. It seems like it was just the 80's ! Amazing how fast your life does fly by, things change, you grow up and older. Or I should say you get older and try not to grown up just become more responsible. It has been a good year for our family. We are blessed to be surrounded by most of our immediate family. The kids have been very healthy. As last year came to an end we have had several member of our immediate family and close friends who have been diagnosed with some health issues. We are praying this year continues to be a good year of health for everyone. My sister moves this year so I am sure that that will be a challenging time of the year. I will miss her dearly. I am really glad we both will have free long distance- I am sure our phone companies wil be HATING us.

Christmas was wonderful! It is very busy of course. On the 22nd we hosted a "white elephant"
or a "dirty Santa" party. We had 60 plus of our closest friends and some family. We did a gift exchange between 46 people. WOW that was interesting. We had a blast!!!! Then Christmas eve morning we went to my moms house for brunch, then at 2 pm we hosted another get together with Johns mom (it is her birthday and we get together every Christmas eve night) It was funny as cars started to pull up my neighbor called and asked if "we was crazy and going for round two".
Christmas morning we opened presents at our home with the kids, they got to play for a little bit while John and I shoveled. We finally got a white Christmas!!! I was so excited we wake up and see it snowing! We got about a foot of snow, It was a winter wonder land.Then we packed them up and went to Johns dads house. We were there for a little while and then loaded up the sleigh and went to my sister Wendy's house. We were there till about midnight. Santa always visits Wendy's house on Christmas, the kids are floored that he knows where they are, what they got and what they wanted. It is great. ( My dad is Santa every year) I hope the kids get a few more years out of it before they catch on that it is him. My grandfather used to do that for us when we were little and I think my dad wants to carry on the tradition and see the looks on the kids faces the same as his father once saw. His dad passed away 2 years ago.
The has not been to much new to report in 2008. The kids are back at school and preschool John and I are back to work. The schedule is back to normal and we are up and running. I am glad to have things back to normal, but a part of me is always sad to see the holidays come to an end.

I will leave you with this cute story. Madison had been into Webkinz. She had got a few for Christmas and with some of her Christams money she purchased more. She realized she had no more money and wnated to get more so she gathered some of her old stiffed animals and went to the back yard with a sign she made it read "10$" she was trying to sell her old stuffed animals to passer byers to try to get more money for a new webkinz. She would ask people as they walked by"do you have any money?" Most people jogging or walking the green belt did not carry money. Sorry to day say she had no luck. Here are some pics of her and her new store. It makes me giggle to think I have a 6 years old business girl. I am back sorry I have been gone for so long! As you can tell it was a crazy and fun holiday season!

Story Time

2007-12-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

You have got to love it when the independence kicks in ! Madison is really doing great with her reading and now loves to read to the boys. Her is a picture of her reading to Tyson- a Star Wars book non the less. They are all really excited for Christmas. I will post pictures of them decorating the Christmas tree soon. Hope you are all staying warm and enjoying the joys of the holiday season!

Nuts Anyone?

2007-11-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

SO tonight we had a cozy night of sitting in our pj's, popping some popcorn and watching Polar Express. Tyson was crawling on my lap and put his knee in my crotch. I said, "ouch". Madison told Tyson, " you need to be careful that hurts mom nuts." I told Madison girls do not have nuts. She replied a second later, "oh ya we have an ALIVA!"

Happy Birthday and Thanksgiving

2007-11-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We had a blast, we had Thanksgiving at our house and we had 36 people here. We had a packed house! We almost went through 70 pounds of meat. All the food was great. I have hosted Thanksgiving for almost 5 years now, I have marked it as my holiday to entertain. Also this year was Tyson's birthday, he turned 4! We had some Turkey and Star Wars Cake, Along with 4 other kinds of pie. No one left Hungry. Tyson was on cloud nine, he thought everyone was here for him, well that is partially true for him and the food.

I remember the day when he entered in to this world. I am so happy to my biggest little man in my life! He is such a joy to our lives. He keep us all on our toes! Happy Birthday Tyson! We love you very much!

The Wish
By Ann Friday

Each birthday wish
I've ever made
Really does come true.
Each year I wish
I'll grow some more
And every year
I DO!

On my honor, I will give Thanks.

2007-11-19T20:43:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday Madison had a Thanksgiving feast in her class. They all had to bring a bag of food and mix it together and made some gorp. Half the class was pilgrims and the other half was Indians. They had all made a Thanksgiving book which they read to us. It was a lot of fun to see all the hard work they put into the books, they were all so proud. I am most thankful for these moments I can spend with my kids watching them grow!

Last week Madison got sworn into Brownies. It was a cute ceremony and they each got some pins. They were all put on upside down and they need to do 3 good deeds and then it can be put right side up. They also got some patches they earned the last 3 weeks or so. Here are some pics of the ceremony.

Happy fall!

2007-11-08T19:37:00.001-07:00

Can you believe how long it has been since I have blogged?! I am so sorry, I have really no good excuse other than I have been busy with life and my computer was broke for a week. Since the last post John and I have turned another year older, we do not need to go into details about that though. We both had a great birthday. I actually got a bedroom set for my birthday. I am excited to finally have dressers and a bed that all match. All the kids rooms have matching sets and it was ours that was the last to tackle. I do liek my bedroom set very much and am glad to have a cozy retreat way from the world (well for at least 6-7 hours a day). We made it through Halloween and the kids had a blast! It was busy, I am a room mom for Madison's class so I was busy planning the party, then they had pumpkin math. That whole week I was at the school 4 out of the days. I also tried to work- It was a crazy week. Now I can not believe we are about to enter into the holiday of Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday! I love to eat and visit with family and friends. It sems this time of year goes by so fast. Soon it will be 2008.

Tuesday night we went to Niel Young. It was a great show. I could listen to his acoustic set all night long. John and I had a good time getting out and had a good time together. With kids it does not feel like you get enough of those times together.

I will leave you with a few recent photos! I will post sooner than later!

I am the MOM!

2007-10-12T13:33:00.000-06:00

Well if this does not sum up my week I don't know what does! This is great. Please take the 2 minutes to watch! Saw this and had to share it with all you moms!

I am the mom!!!

2007-10-08T19:08:00.000-06:00

Well I am getting a taste of my sister not being close to me and I am not liking it at all! I am bored and I miss our daily talks on the phone of about 10 times. ( for real). I have no idea what I am going to do in May when she does have to leave for good! My bro in law better pick up ALOT of shifts so he can fly her out here at least once a month! Really I am starting to freak out here, I will have nothing and no one to do anything with!!! Alright I am going to stop thinking about it. I hope she is having fun though...... brat!

Well this weekend it was me and the kids. John went golfing at this golf course 3 hours away. He was invited to golf for free at a new private course. An offer not to refuse. It would of been more fun had it not been for the 50 mph winds. Me and the kids hung out during the day, cleaning and doing laundry. Then we went to my moms house for dinner. My step grandma was visiting from out of town and my step brother just had a baby a month ago so we all got to meet him. I got a baby fix! Then Johns mom came over and we rented a nd watched the movie "The Ultimate Gift". The movie is great I highly recommend that you go and rent it!!! That was the second time I watched it and I loved it. GO GET IT! She spent the night and we woke up and went putzin around town. It was great to spend the day with her! We used to live close to each other and spend so much time together. Now with our schedules we do not do that as much so it was a real treat for the both of us!
This week is really busy with work. I have meeting everyday which always makes the week go by really fast. I am digging the cool off! I must say I am ready for fall. I love this time of year, the smell the color all except the illnesses that come with it! Hope you all stay healthy!! Talk soon.

T.K.

2007-10-03T18:13:00.000-06:00

Life is good, things are going as you want them to be. You are going through life and all of a sudden you are stopped dead in your tracks. Your breath is taken away. This has just happened to me. Sunday the 23rd of September a dear friend of mine past away. It is just such a crazy thought that one day some one is here and the next day their not and never will be. You just never know when you say good bye to some one that it may be the last time you every talk to them.
It is just hard, he was one of my few good friends. I work out of the home and I am busy with the kids, I do not meet very many people. I have several great acquaintance's and my best friends are my family. But there is something to be said for the best friends you have outside the family who you get you, support you and are there for you. This was him.... T.K. Life goes on and you have great memories, it's just hard. My Tribute to Tom-

October 2, 2007

Heaven must have needed a special angel cause they now have you.

I can not tell you how many times I have attempted to sign the guest book for my dear friend T.K. Signing this to me seems so final. I have learned so much from him. To never be afraid to follow your dreams, to push yourself to achieve goals you have, life is fun, to always laugh out loud!! He taught me it is o.k. to hurt and your heart will heal and most of all, life does goes on after you have lost some one you love.
I had so many more conversations to have with you, so many words unspoken, so many laughs not laughed. I will forever remember the hours we would ride around in your car with the music up as loud as it could go and we would be singing at the top of our lungs, we would grab anything we could find in the car and that could be used a microphone. We just had fun being together. He was a big support in my life. I will always remember T.K. He is living inside my heart now. I am so blessed you were in my life, I cherish every memory I had with you. This world will not be the same with out you here. I love you. I will not say good-bye..... I will talk to you in the hours ahead.

Here is his Obituary.

Thomas Edward Kamb
Thomas Edward Kamb Resident of Richmond Thomas Edward Kamb passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2007, at Kaiser Hospital in Walnut Creek, CA. He was born in Martinez, CA on November 5, 1964. He attended Mira Vista and Sheldon Elementary Schools, Juan Crespi Junior High School and graduated from De Anza High School in 1983. He participated on the Tennis team and was active on the school Journalism staff. Tom loved music and while in Jr. and Sr. High School he performed as a DJ for groups in and out of school. During his early years as a member of the El Sobrante United Methodist Youth Group he participated in skits and was the drummer for the Joyful Noise Jazz Band. He also loved to sit at the organ at home and play by ear. He was always happy and upbeat with family and friends, being uncle to Kalene and Cameron were of particular joy to him. His health was always important with no bad habits, working hard and by staying physically fit. He did this by working our at Lakeridge Athletic Club playing racket ball, tennis, swimming, lifting weights and running on the treadmill. He lived by a code right is right and wrong is wrong. Tom lived over 36 of his 42 years in Richmond (El Sobrante). His last 6 years here in El Sobrante. He was Tom (Jack) of all trades with the following ventures: Richmond Police Canine Officer with Falko, Pinole Police Officer, Hercules Reserve Police Officer, KSFO Talk Radio, Denver, Colorado Talk Radio, KLIF 570 Talk Radio in Dallas, TX, Partner in a Subway at Hilltop, Owner of the Pizza Connection in El Sobrante, Loan Officer for Greater Bay Funding, and most recently as a Police Officer for the Solano Community College in Fairfield, CA. He loved this position where he could use all of his experience and talents in a combined effort to promote a positive and safe environment for the students, staff, visitors and faculty on the Solano Community College campuses. He had great pride in providing this service and was greatly appreciated by students, maintenance staff, cafeteria staff, library, book store, administrative staff, the faculty and his fellow officers. He graduated from, the Los Medanos Police Academy and Napa Community College Police Academy. He was a past member of the Pinole Rotary Service Club. His long term goal was to be Sheriff of Contra Costa County. He was interested in the political arena comprising West County and had been a candidate for West Contra Costa School District Board. Tom will be deeply missed by all who knew him and especially by mother and father, Ronald and Margaret Kamb of Richmond, brother, Dr. Carl Kamb of Los Angeles, sister and brother in law David and Nancy Sanders, niece Kalene Sanders, nephew Cameron Sanders of Lafayette. Relatives on his mothers side, uncle and aunt, Dick and Catherine Wynn of Napa, cousins Ed Wynn and Karen Wittington, aunt Joan Wynn of Winters, cousins Kathy, Debbie, Carol and Virginia. Relatives on fathers side, aunt, Beverly Bagwell of El Sobrante, cousins Tim Bagwell and Richard Bagwell, fathers uncle, Vern and Millie Lindner and aunt Erna Kamb. Many cousins and extended families will have great memories of Tom. A Celebration of Life will be held at the El Sobrante United Methodist Church, 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante, CA 94803 on Friday, September 28, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Tom could be made to his favorite charities: Concern of Police Survivors - www.nationalcops.org Gateway for Cancer Research - www.gatewayforcancerreasearch.org San Francisco Aids Foundation - www.SFAF.org And - www.lyric.org Family will deliver some ashes to his favorite spots that were special and a joy to his life. The family appreciates all the prayers and special thoughts expressed by everyone. WE LOVE YOU TOM. Smith & Witter 510-758-5466 Published in the Contra Costa Times from 9/25/2007 - 9/27/2007

Cones and Brownies

2007-09-25T19:56:00.001-06:00

Today Madison started Girl Scouts, she is a brownie! She loved it! They meet 2 Tuesdays a month. Soon they are going on a trip to the pumpkin patch and during Christmas they go caroling. I think it is great what they teach the girls and how to help in their community, so I am really excited for her. There are 26 girls in her troop. She knows a hand full of them from her class, I also trying to talk her cousin (Julia) into joining, I think they would have so much fun together.

Marley got neutered and had his dew claws removed last Tuesday. We went back into the vet on Saturday to get his bandages re rapped, he had a stitch come out so they had to out a staple in his foot. I had to go back in again today, the staple had come out again, so once again he got another staple. They asked me if he was active. Ummm he is a 13 week old puppy... what do you think! So his is rather bummed theat he has to wear the cone for another 5 whole days. I am almost as bummed as him, he is constantly running into the back of your legs, he can't go for walks easily, and he can not hear a thing unless you speak into the cone. I could go on. So here is the pathetic pup with the cone. He is now referred to as "cone head". Poor boy.Please see the post below for pictures of our Atlanta trip!! I know 2 post in one day!

Our Trip to Atlanta

2007-09-25T19:08:00.001-06:00

Our first night their we all got together for a BBQ The Bride and groom-

John and me at the wedding... ahhh love.
Anyone that knows me knows I LOVE dragon flies.... if not I will write a post later on why.

The Gang right before the wedding!
The wedding was at the Botanic Gardens- Beautiful, had to take some flower pics!

Jeff and Amy -
Our view of down town Atlanta from the hotel- see the rainbow in the background.
The guys all went golfing for a n afternoon while the girls went to the mall. When we picked them up they were all drowned rats, it poured on them!!!
Geoff and his girlfriend Leah-
The "dude" Brent and Kristina
John and me...

Beautiful fall sunset

2007-09-20T20:07:00.000-06:00

A Welcoming

2007-09-17T17:45:00.000-06:00

So yesterday we got back from Atlanta. We left on Thursday morning. We had a College friend out there that was getting married. We had 3 other couples that came there for the wedding too! We all stayed at the Residence Inn Marriott downtown Atlanta. We had a blast, the kids stayed at my moms house from Wednesday night to Sunday! When we got home last night we were exhausted!!! We both came back with a cold. We ordered some pizza and put the kids in bed early and we were getting ready to follow shortly after. John was on the couch watching football and I was in the bath, all of a sudden I hear John screaming, "did you just pee Tyson?" Then before I know it the whole family is in the bathroom- Tyson Peed from the upstairs on to Johns head!!! Can you believe it! He kept denying it . Smart kid. He said his humidifier leaked through the ceiling. John was so upset that Tyson peed on him. The kid has incredible aim to shoot and hit him in the head! Still to day he will not admit he peed on his head.... so hard to keep a straight face about this one!

I will post some pictures of Atlanta soon!

Grandparents Tea

2007-09-08T19:53:00.000-06:00

Madison had Grandparents day on Wednesday last week- they were learning about their family. Where they come from, how everyone is related and also how times have changes from then to now. She had to do a family tree project. Each of the grandparents got a flower, they recited poems and had some drinks and snacks with the grandparents. The kids did great and the grandparents were all so proud. I am a room parent for Madison's class and helped plan the event, so much fun! Here are some pictures of the event! Happy Grandparents day Sept. 9th!

Where to begin

2007-09-04T19:25:00.001-06:00

I can not believe it has almost been 3 weeks since my last post!!! I think that this summer is finally winding down?! I hope, I am ready for a little bordem!! Well 2 weeks ago we went to the hills with my sister Wendy and her 3 kids and did some good old mutin bustin! That was so much fun! Love to see the kids try new things and not be scared of new adventures! See the slew of pictures below from the fun weekend. Yes Tyson did do some mutin, I am still shocked to this day that he did it! (He actually did better than Madison!) Wendy and me and the 6 kids went for a hike, we repelled doen a water fall with all 6 kids one by one. We both were so proud of the kids and how they all went with the flow and were so adventurous! We lost the pics. It was all Wendy's fault. JK. She transfered them to the file and hit yes to replace them. Does any one know how to get them back? We took them to a store and they wanted 100$. WHAT?? I hope we can get them recovered they are so precious!

Last weekend weekend this we went up camping for I believe the last hurray. It was a bit chilly in the evening and the morning! Well we picked up Madison from School on Thursday and went up to the hills. As soon as we got everything all set up and put where we wanted it Madison tells me she was hot and cold all day at school. Yep she had a fever which she still has today. So i called the doctors office this morning and made her an appointment. She has pneumonia! So she is on some antibiotic and is on Neb treatments every 4 hours. I really hope she feels better soon. She does not get sick like this often. Little things here and there but not like this. She is not much of a complainer so for her to let me know that she is not feeling good, she is not feeling good.

Off and on this weekend we worked on a school project- she needed to complete a family tree. ( More of a mom project than a 6 year old! She is having a grandparents tea tomorrow at school, it is from 3:15 to 4:00. She will not be going to school tomorrow, BUT if she is fever free and feels up to it I will let her go to the tea. Is that bad? Should I get e face mask to have her wear? They said it was bacterial?

Let me tell you- I have been trying to put the bots to bed for an hour!! They will not sleep! They share a room so it is like double trouble every night! ERRRRRRRRR. Gotta go and scream some more!

Girls Weekend

2007-08-21T20:59:00.000-06:00

We had a blast up in the hills! We left Friday afternoon blasting some girly music the whole way up there! We stopped in Winter Park and had some dinner then proceeded to the condo. We went to the grocery store and stocked up on Ice Cream and popcorn and some other misc stuff. We hung out with out bras and ate ice cream, watched some episodes of "Sex in the City". We went for a midnight stroll in the mountains.

The next morning we got up early and made some eggs, hash browns and some bacon (turkey to be healthy) then we went on a hike to some beautiful waterfalls right beside Grand Lake.

After the hike we walked around town and stopped in some shops and had a great lunch! We went back to the condo hung out and planned to go to the natural hot springs. We could get a discount if we went after 8pm- so we planned to leave around 7. We stopped at another restaurant to grab some pizza, that took forever!! They closed at 10 so we grabbed the pizza to go and tried to make it there, but on the way it was pouring rain. We got there and they were closed. So we woke up Sunday and went to the Hot Springs, it was not as enjoyable during the heat of the day but we had fun! I smelt like Sulfur for the next 24 hours but it is supposed to be good for the skin and give you a younger look, ummm not to sure about that! Now back to normal, busy. normal, busy.

I'm off!

2007-08-17T15:05:00.000-06:00

I am heading to the mountains (Granby) close to Winter Park for a weekend with the girls! All the boys are staying here for a boys weekend! Hope the hubby does okay! We plan on going to the hot springs and maybe getting a massage, shopping and going out to eat! Madison is sooooo excited! We were going to take Marley with us and Madison said he is not a girl. So he is not going. Not because of that though. I think it would be harder to bring him than to just have him stay home. He is doing great by the way!!!!! Love the pup!

I will update with pictures and details of the weekend when I get back! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Same Old Same Old!

2007-08-12T10:14:00.000-06:00

Well so much for me being right back! I just have not had a lot go on that is worth all your time reading.

We did go camping last weekend. I rained the whole way up there and the right as we pulled into the campsite it stopped and never started again! Yeah. WE had a great time and just hung around the campfire. There was a stream right beside us, so that kept the kids entertained. Madison found a marble laying by some rocks in the stream so we went marble fishing- we caught 27 marbles!!! I guess that kinda took the place of fishing.

Tyson and Carson have been home with me all week. They had no daycare. I feel back I wanted to do something really special with the 2 boys this week and it never happened! I was busy with work and had several appointments this week. On top of it all Carson new saying is "I don't want to hear it anymore!" Wonder where he got that from. Them being 3 and 2 they are always telling on each other and fighting. Do not get me wrong they can play well together and when they do it's awesome, but I think they fight more than they play. Hopefully that is just for awhile! They both do not understand the joys of sharing yet.

Madison has been busy in school. She is busy with the reading and writing. She tells me it is work- and her hand gets tired from writing all the time. I am sure it is a lot different than Kindergarten! It is amazing to me the drama that goes on in first grade. She has a friend Hannah. One day they are best friends and the next they are not. Madison says Hannah has new best friends. One week she will go to Hannah's house and have a play date, the next day they are no longer best friends. And so on and so on. I have to hold myself back from being one of those mothers that wants to have a talk with Hannah's mom saying "tell your daughter not to be so mean!" I wont though.

Wendy and me went to a movie last night. About Jane. The movie was good. Kinda long. But the romance.... oh the romance... We concluded after the movie romance like that is only in the movies, and we need to get our fix by watching them! I really think I should have lived in the 1800's. I love that era and how simply complex life was back then. Not to mention how people had to fight for the rights and the love of their lives. ..

Now I am getting ready to go to Johns mom house and go swimming for awhile and then grab a bite to eat. It is supposed to be a hot one out there today, 94 degrees and out air conditioner went out on Friday. Yesterday it was a cool 85 degrees INSIDE our house. I am not a heart fan! I was down right miserable and almost weepy over the whole thing. I would have posted yesterday, but way to hot!

The picture on top was taken at the park on Friday. We had a BBQ and just hung around outside with my mom and Terry. Wendy and her kids came. Great way to end the week! Hope you are all doing well. I am sorry I have not checked into your blogs as often. I have been really busy with work and life! I will try to be better! Thanks for hanging in there!

I'm Back!!!!

2007-08-02T21:29:00.000-06:00

Hello! To think I have been to busy to drop in and leave a note and now that I am hear... what to write! I will start on last Thursday, Madison had a Teddy bear parade where her 1st grade class brought their favorite teddy bear and packed a sack lunch then went to the park and everyone introduced their favorite teddy and said why they were special to them. It was cute!
Puppy has been doing great! He is now just getting up once a night and I have taught him how to come, sit and lay down. I am trying to teach him fetch, I think that may take awhile. He is also doing so awesome on the leash!!!
Tyson is now done with his swimming lessons for the summer. He did great. I can not wait to see how he will be swimming in a year from now.
We went camping again last weekend and are heading up again this weekend. We have been having so much fun in our camper bus! That is for sure the best but of the year! We went fishing and Tyson caught his first fish! We brought them back to the the camp site and cooked them up in the fire- I have to say they tasted pretty good, and I do not like fish! Madison was grubbing down!! She was bummed that she did not catch any fish but she was having a lot of fun running back and forth putting the caught fish in the basket. We caught 7 in all. Well that is all that has been going on- I promise I will keep in touch soon again!

Puppy = NO Sleep

2007-07-25T17:58:00.001-06:00

Not to much to write about... a puppy is like a new born! The first two nights I was up every hour and some of those time he wanted to play! Finally last night I put him in the basement in his crate and woke up and let him out. I feel a lot better today, cause I got to wake up when I wanted and he did not bark or moan to wake me up! I had to shut the bedroom door and put on all the fans to drown the noise out. He did not pee in the crate and he was quite every time I got up to let him out. I did wake up 4 times last night to let him out. I have really been trying to train him the right way! I have read lots of literature, it is a little hard cause I just want to cuddle with him in bed! I am hoping by following the rules I will have a wonderful dog.

Madison lost another tooth today- now she is up to 6. It is no big thing now although she is going to be the first kid in her class to lose a tooth, that's kinda cool! Tomorrow she has a teddy bear picnic in the park with her class, the park is right across the street from home so I will go and join her and her class for that! It should be fun!

Tyson is in swimming lessons for 2 weeks, he has been loving it! It has been so hot here he does not mind cooling off in the water.

Carson has been going to daycare for 3 weeks now and loves be able to play with other kids and learn new things from them. I think he was getting a little bored at home with just me- so I am happy for him. He is a real out going little guy!

I will leave you with 2 pictures I took up at the mountains earlier this month. One is a Columbine the Colorado state flower and the other is mountain paintbrush.

The Good, the Bad, The Ugly & Funny....

2007-07-22T16:29:00.000-06:00

The good- today we got Marley! He is soooooo cute, as you can see from the picture. He is just a little ball of fluff and love. Love the puppy moans, whimpers and the puppy breathe.

The bad- Tyson got into my make up and put my mascara all over my walls! Than he killed our fish "Grapey"! I cleaned the fish tank this morning and the fish was in the window while the water settled. I walk into the kitchen and he has filled the bowl with the fish in it with dish soap!!! The fish then started freaking out, I tried to throw it in the tank and it started swimming side ways- so it took it out and flushed the poor thing. Then Tyson proceeded on his mission, he got my finger nail polish and poured the WHOLE bottle of bright pink polish all over the stairs. I got most of it out but you can still see where it was. Not a good day for Tyson.

The Ugly and funny- The kids where down stairs eating cereal and I was upstairs getting ready- they were yelling that they needed more cereal. SO I threw on my shirt and ran downstairs in my shirt ans underwear. Beware the next part is graffic!!! Okay here it is.... I wear thongs! So as I was pouring the cereal and Madison says mom I can see your butt. I told her shhh and she did not have to point that out. Then she asked," what are those underwear called?" I did not have time to say anything and she blurts " are they baby underwear, cause you butt does not fit all the way in them!" What could I say- I am still laughing about it!! ( I will spare a picture for you)! So there you have the good, the bad. the ugly and funny!

Madison's Birthday Pics-

2007-07-22T16:14:00.000-06:00

Here are some pictures from Madison's 6th birthday. She got to celebrate her birthday in school this year! In first grade they get to wear a birthday hat sit in the rocking chair and all the kids in the class get to ask her what her favorite number, food, color etc. Then all the kids make her a birthday card decorated with all her favorite things!

Here is a toast to Madison turning 6!

The family enjoying the day in the mountains!

Here chicky chicky

2007-07-18T16:52:00.000-06:00

I am so sorry that I have not posted in so long- I have been running around like a chicken with her head cut off! This month and birthdays are killing me! For Madison's birthday we went up to the mountains and spent the night at John's parents cabin. We did birthday cake and presents for Madison. She turned 6 on Friday. Then Saturday we woke up and went to a little mountain town and looked at some fun shops, had lunch and went swimming at there local rec. center. We were a little bummed cause the slide was broke! We got home around 10p.m. And rushed the kids to bed and woke up early to go to a water park to celebrate Madison's birthday some more! (to be a kid)! Monday was back to work and school then we had another birthday dinner that evening. Back to work and school on Tuesday, in the evening I went to the Grocery store and bath night and the night was over! Now today we are getting ready for another birthday dinner in the mountains. Madison has a play date over right now. I will drop her off at 6 and then head to the hills. I have lots of pics to post I just need to find a minute to do it!

Guess what.... I pick up our puppy on Sunday, he will be 6 weeks and 1 day old. I think I am ready for a new born?!?!

Not the first, not the last, but the middle!

2007-07-12T08:38:00.000-06:00

Tyson, Tyson, Tyson. He has been my handful lately! Who ever said "terrible two's " did not have a 3 year old!!!! I am at my wits end with this little man. He has been throwing fits, taking things that are not his, hitting, biting, lying, need I say more! People told me that boys were easier than girls- um when? I feel like all I do is tell him "no" all day long, and "that is not okay","go to your room". Than I have that little guilt factor of him being the middle child and I am expecting to much. I had always shrugged the comments people made about the middle child, but now I do understand. He is not the first to do something and not the last and part of me feels bad. I love my middle man and he is very special to me! But wow has it been challenging! The picture above his him throwing a fit as I left daycare. :-(

First day of First grade!

2007-07-11T20:36:00.000-06:00

Today Madison started 1st grade! It was also her first day at her "new" school. She went to a different school for Kindergarten, so she had a lot of changes today. (She now goes to a year round school). She goes for 9 weeks and then is off 3 weeks. She goes to school from 9-4. Which is the same time the boys go to their daycare/preschool! How perfect is that. So I drop her off then drop the boys off! SO COOL!

She said she had a great day and made 2 friends and can not wait to go back tomorrow to make more friends! She was not afraid or nervous, I was a little for her. She told me on the way to school that I do not need to get out of the care and walk her to the school- she could do it all by herself! She even wanted to walk to school by herself, um no not until maybe second grade!!!! Good thing I did walk her to the door, there were at least 100 first graders and 100 second graders along with all the parents. Craziness. We got in her line and kissed me good bye and did not look back, she did the same thing in Kindergarten. I am glad she likes school and is not afraid of new experiences. SO after all these months of me being so excited for her to be in school all day I found myself swallowing a lump in my throat and holding back the tears. Why? I though you only did that in Kindergarten and maybe high school. It just seems like it is going to fast, and yet you have those days where you just want them to GROW UP! So that has been my day. I have no kids at home with me 5 days a week from 9-4. CRAZY.

07/07/07

2007-07-07T21:18:00.000-06:00

I am not much onto superstition, I have my weird little corks though. Today is supposed to be a day of luck. The luckiest day of the century! Sevens are a lucky number... 7 colors of the rainbow, 7 greatest wonders of the world, the earth was made in seven days, etc. So I was wondering if anything "lucky" happened to any of you? Not anything here... just another day. It was a good day though.

Fire and water

2007-07-06T17:46:00.000-06:00

Hope you all had a great fourth! We went to the parade with my sister Wendy and her family in the morning. The parade was okay... I was expecting a lot more out of it, not very many floats, mostly cars and promotional stuff. I was comparing it to the St. Patrick's day parade that we went to earlier this year and it was awesome. The kids had fun. Than we came home and waited for dad to get off work and we went to Johns dad country club and went swimming and had a BBQ and camped out there to watch the fireworks. They always have a great fireworks show! Wendy and her family came to watch them with us. I was kinda bummed thinking this was going to be her last fourth with us here!
Poor Elaina she was freaked out by the fireworks! When they started to go off she started screaming and tried to crawl over the fence, she wanted to home. The other 5 kids were also screaming they LOVED the fireworks! Last night they also came over and we had our own fireworks show and once again Elaina was far away fro the scene. She was trying to get into her car to go home! Hopefully she likes them next year.
At the pool Madison jumped off the high dive. She told us she wanted to do it and we figured she would get up there and look down and turn around and come down. Nope she got up there looked down and jumped! Then she did it again. They were definately beat after the day of fun and being up late for the "works".

Happy 4th of July!

2007-07-03T21:19:00.000-06:00

Wishing you all a safe and wonderful fourth of July! We are all truly blessed to live in freedom and this great country!

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

New addition!

2007-06-28T17:41:00.000-06:00

No I am not pregnant! We are going to get a puppy! I am so excited!!! I love animals and have missed Aloha very much. So I have spent many hour on the internet searching for our new family member and the perfect pet! He is only 18 days old so I am going to have to wait until the end of July to bring him home. Seems like forever away! As most of you know Carson will be starting daycare 5 days a week on July 9th so it will just be me here at home 5 days a week ! SO what better time to get a puppy and spend time with him. ( My kids go to daycare cause I do work from home as an insurance broker and have just bought and doubled my client el!!) So I am hoping I still will have time to train, at least I will be here with him. Does anyone have any good puppy training books they recommend?

Well to give you the scoop it is a white Labrador. His name is Marley. I will post more pics of him as we get them! (Madison has been carrying his picture in a frame and showing everyone her new dog).

A lot of just plain life

2007-06-26T17:43:00.000-06:00

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted! On June 19th my husband and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. We have been together 16 years, we are high school sweethearts. I have been with him more than half my life! He is my soul mate and I love him and our family and our life. We did not do much for our anniversary- that is the day we paid $515.00 to get our bus back! Later that week we went to the Rockies Yankees game- we had a good time with just the 2 of us getting out. That does not happen very often with 3 kids.

On Friday Carson got his stitches out. He sat there like a champ and let them take 'em out! The nurse was counting 1-2-3-4-5-6- hum, I only thought he got 3, I was wrong he got 6! It is healing very nicely and am keeping the hope he will not have a bad scare or need reconstruction of the nose later in life. After the doctor appointment John and I headed of to go see Widespread Panic at Red Rocks. We had a great time. Thank you Wendy for watching the kids so we could go and have fun! Saturday I spent the day recouping from being up late and dancing for hours. Than on Sunday we packed up the bus and took the kids to the concert with us! (They played 3 nights at Red Rocks) The kids loved it, they were glad to go to a concert with mom and dad!

Now it is Tuesday and we are in full swing of the week. Kids are still in swimming lessons. Madison is done for the summer on Thursday, and Tyson has another session later in July. Sorry no pics this time....

How do you spell RELIEF?

2007-06-19T17:10:00.000-06:00

Poor Carson! His butt is so raw from the antibiotics! So I figured why not play in the backyard with the sprinkler naked! I would imagine it had to feel good on his little raw butt and package. He is doing good with the band aid on his nose. I have a feeling it will need to be on for a while-. As you can see- while he was out playing he decided to make a sprinkler of his own, oh to be a boy.

Update

2007-06-18T17:11:00.000-06:00

Sorry it has taken me so long to post- Where to begin! What started out as a good weekend but it did not end on the same note! Last week was just plain busy, I had no daycare and the kids had swimming lessons, and I tried to squeeze work in the middle of it all! I was looking forward to a nice quiet night away camping! I was excited that my sister and her kids were going to come with us along with some other friends. It was the most beautiful place I have ever camped. I do plan on going back sometime soon! If you would like to see details on the camping trip and some pics please look at my sisters blog.
As most of you know our VW bus broke down after we left our camping spot. We got it towed to some random auto shop. They did call us today- it's the starter and it's only going to be $ 515.00. Ya not a big deal, I have that kinda cash laying around. JK. That just stinks! You would think it would be cheaper, but I guess that is a VW for you!
After returning from the broken down fiasco we came home and showered and were getting ready to eat dinner and our dog Aloha bit Carson the face. I was in the shower and Madison came running up stairs and said you need to come down right now, Daddy needs you and Carson's face is bleeding, Aloha bite him. I came running down (dripping everywhere) and John had Carson over the sink he said, "help I can not tell where he is bleeding!" I got a paper towel and wiped his face and while I was wiping his face his nostril separated. Okay, we are on our way to the emergency room!! I threw on some clothes and left he house dripping! Thanks to Bart (Wendy's husband) and his words of advise -we asked a plastic sergeon to be called in to stitch his nose. I was glad when the ER doctor said that would not be a problem to call the on- call Plastic surgeon . We had to wait for a few hours for him to show up but I believe it was worth the wait. Carson was not phased by the situation- he still loves dogs, and do not believe he was ever in real pain, mostly scared by our reaction. He ended up getting 3 stitches. I think the hardest part not is trying to keep his nose of the sun, I have bought several different kinds of bandades, so far he is letting me put them on when he goes out side. The doctor said we have to wait and see how it heals, there may be a possibility that he may need plastic surgery in the future but we have to wait and see. I am doing every thing they told me to do!! We are very thankful the it was not worse! The dog is no longer here. Which is a whole other crisis with Madison she misses her very much. She is already asking when we are going to get a puppy that she will teach not to bite. We will wait until life settles down a little bit before we think about another dog! Will that happen? Just when you think sometimes things could not get worse- aha some times they do! Life I believe is like an ocean, waves come in and and knock you down but it is so beautiful you need to keep enjoying it!

Thank you all for your thought and prayers and for all your kind comments. Here are some pics of Carson I will post some of the camping trip later.

Attitudes

2007-06-10T08:31:00.001-06:00

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important that the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church.... a home. The remarkable thing is, we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have , and that is

our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90%

how I react to it. And so it is with you...

We Are In Charge Of Our ATTITUDES!

C. Swindoll

Camping was a blast!

2007-06-10T07:16:00.000-06:00

We had a great time camping and plan to do it a lot more this summer. The kids loved it and did great! We found a great spot and parked the bus and set up camp. We had hot dogs for dinner and had smores for dessert! We had a raccoon visit our camp site while we were sleeping, he actually opened our cooler and helped himself to a late night snack of marshmallows! We woke up to marshmallows all over and raccoon foot prints on the cars! We had some breakfast, tried to catch some fish and hung out. After packing up the site we went and found a spot for the kids to play in the River. It was cold, but they wanted to go swimming. The bus slept all 5 of us great! We had also brought 2 tents, Madison and Tyson used them as play rooms. They actually wanted to sleep in them, no fear. John and I convinced them to sleep with us in the bus and told them maybe next time they could sleep in the tents. Getting away is great! My best memories of childhood are camping and I would love my children to have some also!

Were OFF!!!

2007-06-07T21:21:00.000-06:00

Here is a preview of us on our camping trip, although we not in a station wagon we are in a VW Eurovan!! We are off and looking to have a great time camping, fishing and just hanging out! This will be out first camping trip with the kids and the first to all sleep in the bus! We will try to remember the dog tied to the tree or car! I will let you all know how it turns out and will post some pics from the trip. I sure hope it is warm enough to sleep at night!!!!!

Boring!

2007-06-06T21:05:00.001-06:00

Not a lot to write about that is really interesting. I have been taking Madison to swimming lessons in the morning and working in the afternoon! I have been really busy with work which is good! It really makes the day go by fast, and I am trying to finish what I did not get done the day before! I am also in the middle of trying to buy another Insurance brokers block of business. I just got finished reading a draft of the agreement... WOW my eyes are reading my brain in not understanding! Even the draft is written like a legal mumbo jumbo, hate to see what the lawyer is going to turn it into!! I have faith that it will work out- I just wish it was written in plain English!! Why is everything so technical? Not much to write about just thought I would check in and let you all know what was going on.

Let the fun begin!!

2007-06-04T17:06:00.000-06:00

Summer has officially started for our family today! Today was the first day of swimming lesson for Madison. 1 down 15 to go! She was scheduled for a lesson at 10:10 this morning and we get there and they said we had to mover her to another class at 9:30. UMM it is now 10:10 and she missed her first lesson and I payed for nothing. I was a little miffed. Lesson are not cheap! They told me they could put her into another class at 10:10- ya they beginner class. I told them I am not going to waste her time and my money. SO we are in the 9:30 class, it actually does work better for me time wise, I just wish I would have known so she could have been in her first class. Tomorrow I am brining all 3 of the kids to the pool, their daycare provider has an appointment tomorrow morning and it is supposed to be hot, so we will go play in the sun for a few hours.

I got a phone call yesterday that my Step dad was in the ER he was having chest pains. He has had heart problems in the past. July of 2002 he had quadruple bypass surgery. The last two weeks he has had very high blood pressure and not feeling right. They were supposed to drive to Minnesota for a family reunion on Wednesday (still may?) so we are very glad that he was here when this happened. He has gone through a bunch of test today- no word back on what has happened or what they are going to do. We just pray he will be okay and his heart will be healed!

CARSON & BARNES

2007-06-04T16:52:00.000-06:00

If Carson and Barnes ever comes to your town, go to the circus! It was soooo cool! John and I had so much fun (and the kids). It was like an old fashion circus! We kept looking at each other saying "did you see that, that was cool, look over there". It was in a big tent and they had 3 stages in the tent. Where ever you sat was a good seat. It was just a good time! Plus it was right down the street from our house, like 5 minutes away! Madison got to ride her elephant and all of the kids rode the ponies. For a 2 minute ride it cost $5.00!! But it is a chance in a lifetime,right? Does anyone know how much carnies make? How exactly do you get into it? Do you wake up in the morning and decide you want to be an elephant trainer or a clown? It would be cool to do for a week or two.

Typical Saturday

2007-06-02T16:22:00.000-06:00

Thought I would write a quick post. Not to much going on today! Did some Laundry and did some more laundry. I try to do some loads every other day and still on saturday there is more!! I washed all blankets, throws and things you do not wash all the time some my machine is running over time! Mowed the front lawn, I mow the front and my husband does the back. I like to have my front yard look a certain way with the lines and all! I know I am a yard freak- ask my sister and neighbors!! It is my therapy. We are getting ready to go to the circus- the kids are really excited! They keep asking is it 7:00 yet? Madison has not forgotten about the elephant ride and is very, very excited. I will post some more circus pics tomorrow! Have a good evening!

Tyson- too cute!

2007-06-01T15:32:00.000-06:00

Had to put this picture of Tyson feeding the goats- To cute! Look at his little tongue!

Birds and Bee's at the Circus?

2007-06-01T14:36:00.000-06:00

So this morning at 9:00 am we went up the street to where the circus is going to be to watch the elephants help pull up the tents. The tent 300 feet big and 40 feet high! We got there early and we got right in front of all the action! Elephants seem to be the most gentle animal, when you look into their eyes they look so sweet and innocent!( I guess I love the elephant to! ) As we were waiting for all the stakes to be pounded into the ground the made an announcement "Elephant rides $5.00"! I did not bring any money- and the tears started streaming down Madison's face. I assured her we will be back tomorrow and then you can ride the elephant. They boys kept calling them horsies, and just enjoyed watching them. I am posting some pics of the elephants pulling up tent. After the tent was up they had a petting zoo. They had llamas, rhinoceros, billy goats, horses, ponies, camels, and a zebra. The zebra was a male zebra that was well endowed and Madison said"what's that" I tried to ignore the questions, and she says quit loud "OH IT'S HIS PENIS!" All I could say is yup! So here is a picture of the cute male zebra for you all! Tomorrow we are going to the circus at 7pm. Today was fun and tomorrow will be even better! We did not go camping today, the weather is not cooperating with us. Maybe next weekend?!

To be a kid!

2007-05-30T20:17:00.000-06:00

Oh, to be a kid again. To have not have a care in the world, to only worry about who your going to play with, what the next snack is going to be, and to resist a nap? As adults can you imagine having these concerns?? I wish! Summer time is here and the kids (for now) have no worries or concerns! Only what is on the agenda for fun! Life is so ironic- as a child you just want to grow up and as a grown up you yearn to be a child ! This week so far has been a typical week with work and keeping up with the kids. I want to head out of town this Friday and go camping for the night, we will see if that happens. The circus is coming to town this weekend! On Friday morning the elephants are gong to be pulling up the big circus tents so we are going to check that out at 9:00 am . I am really looking forward to that. It should be really cool to see them do that. The elephant is one of Madison's favorite animal. And to see the 2 boys and what they think of them will be great. I will shoot some pics and share!

Splish splash!

2007-05-28T20:44:00.000-06:00

Happy Memorial day! We went with some friends to Cherry Creek Reservoir today and had a blast! We went fishing, played in the lake, and went boating. We had a BBQ there and just hung out with some friends and played with the kids! There were 4 families there and 9 kids , give or take. The picture of Carson is him eating a bag of REALLY good cherries! The day was great!

Fun in the Mountains

2007-05-27T18:52:00.000-06:00

We went up to Johns parents cabin in the mountains on Friday. We only went for one night- John had to work on Sunday morning and Monday morning:-( We made the most of the time we had! It is always so great to go to the hills to get away from the phone, computer and the city things! We got up the mid day on Friday and went for a hike with grandma Debbi. The kids had a blast! On their property the have an old mining shaft and a stream the runs through it- with all the snow this year there is a lot of rushing water running. Grandpa Kyky (Kyle) has made little walk ways across the water in several different areas. The kids had a blast crossing them and throwing sticks in the water for our dog Aloha. There is also a make shift sauna we call it the "sweat lodge". We did not get the rocks hot or a fire started- maybe next time. After the hike we went back to the cabin and made chicken enchiladas, hung out and went to bed. We hung out on Saturday morning, went to a Rotary sale? (sale o' junk) The kids of course find treasures and there were some cool finds, but the most part...junk. Then in the mountains a nap is always calling. So we all listened and enjoyed it!!!! So quite! We grill dinner and just as we sat down to eat it started to sprinkle- we sat in the sprinkle and enjoyed dinner! The mountain neighbors were having a 40th birthday party, they had a big bouncing castle for the kids ,clowns snow cones and face painter. We missed some of the festivities but were able to meet them. Nice family with 5 kids! Here are some pics of the hike and dinner. Cant wait to go back up!

IT'S OFFICAL!!

2007-05-24T20:06:00.000-06:00

Madison in not in kindergarten any more! I GOT A FIRST GRADER! That school year went by so fast I can hardly believe it! It just seems like yesterday we went to her the school for the tour... I am so proud of her and all she has learned in that short time. She starts 1st grade in 5 shorty weeks and is very excited about it! Hope the excitement last for the next 20 years!! Tyson wishes he was in school also- he turned 3 in November but tells everyone he is 4 ' cause he wants to go to school too. For Tyson being done with pre-school and Madison with Kindergarten I took the kids to Shrek the Third and Mc Donalds. (Shrek was great!) After the popcorn and the Big Mac I feel rather ill! Any one know what I mean? We had a good day and are looking forward to a great long weekend.

Potty Talk

2007-05-24T09:59:00.001-06:00

I got this email from me sister this morning! I can totally relate. It had me ROLLING with tears streaming down my checks! Enjoy!!

Potty Talk
A 3-year-old tells all from his mother's restroom stall.
By Shannon Popkin

My little guy, Cade, is quite a talker. He loves
to communicate and does it quite well. He talks to
people constantly, whether we're in the library, the
grocery store or at a drive-thru window.

People often comment on how clearly he speaks for
a just-turned-3-year-old. And you never have to ask
him to turn up the volume. It's always fully
cranked. There've been several embarrassing times
that I've wished the meaning of his words would have
been masked by a not-so-audible voice, but never
have I wished this more than last week at Costco.

Halfway, through our shopping trip, nature called,
so I took Cade with me into the restroom. If you'd
been one of the ladies in the restroom that evening,
this is what you would have heard coming from the
second to the last stall:

"Mommy, are you gonna go potty? Oh! Why are you
putting toiwet paper on the potty, Mommy? Oh! You
gonna sit down on da toiwet paper now? Mommy, what
are you doing? Mommy, are you gonna go stinkies on
the potty?"

At this point I started mentally counting how many
women had been in the bathroom when I walked in.
Several stalls were full ... 4? 5? Maybe we could
wait until they all left before I had to make my
debut out of this stall and reveal my identity.

Cade continued, "Mommy, you ARE going stinkies
aren't you? Oh, dats a good girl, Mommy! Are you
gonna get some candy for going stinkies on the
potty? Let me see doze stinkies, Mommy! Oh ...
Mommy! I'm trying to see in dere. Oh! I see dem. Dat
is a very good girl, Mommy. You are gonna get some
candy!"

I heard a few faint chuckles coming from the
stalls on either side of me. Where is a screaming
newborn when you need her? Good grief. This was
really getting embarrassing. I was definitely
waiting a long time before exiting. Trying to divert
him, I said, "Why don't you look in Mommy's purse
and see if you can find some candy. We'll both have
some!"

"No, I'm trying to see doze more stinkies. Oh!
Mommy!" He started to gag at this point. "Uh oh,
Mommy. I fink I'm gonna frow up. Mommy, doze
stinkies are making me frow up!! Dat is so gross!!"
As the gags became louder, so did the chuckles
outside my stall. I quickly flushed the toilet in
hopes of changing the subject. I began to reason
with myself: OK. There are four other toilets. If I
count four flushes, I can be reasonably assured that
those who overheard this embarrassing monologue will
be long gone.

"Mommy! Would you get off the potty, now? I want
you to be done going stinkies! Get up! Get up!" He
grunted as he tried to pull me off. Now I could hear
full-blown laughter. I bent down to count the feet
outside my door.

"Oh, are you wooking under dere, Mommy? You
wooking under da door? What were you wooking at,
Mommy? You wooking at the wady's feet?" More
laughter. I stood inside the locked door and tried
to assess the situation.

"Mommy, it's time to wash our hands, now. We have
to go out now, Mommy." He started pounding on the
door. "Mommy, don't you want to wash your hands? I
want to go out!!"

I saw that my "wait 'em out" plan was unraveling.
As I sheepishly opened the door, and found an open
sink, I thought, Where's the fine print on the
'motherhood contract' where I signed away every bit
of my privacy?

But as my little boy gave me a big, cheeky grin
while he rubbed bubbly soap between his chubby
little hands, I thought, I'd sign it all away again,
just to be known as Mommy to this little fellow.

(Shannon Popkin is a freelance writer and mother
of three. She lives with her family in Grand Rapids ,
Michigan , where she no longer uses public restrooms .)

2x2 do you know me better?

2007-05-23T15:29:00.000-06:00

Kristen from Plano momma tagged me to do this! So here it goes...

Two Names You Go By:

1. Mom
2. Stacy

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:

1. My favorite flip flops- they are almost dead:(
2. My favorite lounge pants!

Two Things You Want in a Relationship:

1. Trust
2. Love

Two of Your Favorite Things to do:

1. home remodeling projects
2. Taking pics

Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment:

1. RELAX
2. To lay on the beach in Mexico

What 2 pets you had/have:

1. Chocolate lab- Aloha
2. Painted Turtle - Soda

Two people who will fill this out first: I'll tag...

1. Wendy
2.??
Two things you did last night:

1. Went to dinner with Wendy
2.Went to a movie "Distrubia"

Two people who live at your house:

1. John
2. 3 kids

Two things you ate today:

1. Turkey Burger
2. Bowl of Coco Vanilla Rice Krispies

Two people you talked to last:

1. John
2.Tammy- sister in law

Two things you're doing tomorrow:

1. Working
2. Cleaning

Two Favorite Holidays:

1. Thanksgiving - it's always at my house
2. Easter

Two favorite beverages:

1. Coke
2. Water
That was fun! Thanks Kristen!!!

A SPECIAL WISH

2007-05-21T21:02:00.000-06:00

Saturday night we went to White Fence Farm to celebrate me sisters 30th birthday. We had a great time at the restaurant, they serve the meals family style. Great fried chicken! There is lots of fun things for the kids there. You can feed a pig, sheep and chickens . With a big indoor slide. Drawn carriage ride. Cool country store to shop in with lots of old fashion candy. After dinner we were blessed to have grandparents watch the kids and we went downtown and did a little bowling! John and me and Wendy and Bart. ( I beat them all in the 2 games we bowled:) We had a blast!! I know Wendy is having a hard time turning 30 tomorrow. I want her to know that I see this birthday as a blessing! I have been able to spend the last 30 years laughing, crying and sharing great moments with her. She is my best friend, and I love her very much. Thank you for always being there for me! There is nothing in the world like a sister. Here is a poem for you....

My Bestfriend© By Lola A. Buonomo

Our friendship is an ocean, stretching
Far and wide
Never ending-
Filled with memories-
That last a lifetime

You've always known
Just what to say

You were always there,
When I needed you the most

When I needed-
A shoulder to cry on
Yours was always waiting

When I needed-
Someone to talk to
You were there
Just listening

When I needed-
Someone to hug
Your arms were
Doors wide open to me

Our friendship's
Just like the
Stars-
Both go beyond
Man's reach

All of the giggles we shared

Let the salty taste of tears
Run down our cheeks

All the Laughs,
The smiles,
The hugs,
The inside jokes,
The hours online,
And
The eighty minute phone calls

Just because

You were the sister that
God gave to me.

Happy birthday Wendy. I love you very much! Can't wait to see what the next 30 years bring!

4 More Days Till...

2007-05-18T18:49:00.001-06:00

I really can not believe that Madison only has 4 more days of Kindergarten! This year has flown by. She is going to be switching school district so she has 5 weeks off school and then she will be in first grade! Her first full day is July 11th. Just 2 days before she turns 6. She is very excited to go to her "new school" she is excited to make new friends and to meet her new teacher. With the 5 weeks she has off she will be in 2 swimming lesson sessions, and a soccer league for the month. Tyson is also enrolling in 2 swimming sessions. That should be interesting, considering he is scared of water, he does not mind the baby pool but the big pool is another story! He nearly drowned last summer, so I imagine that could create fear in any one!I am sure the time will fly by!I can't believe how time has flown by already. Just last week she lost her 3rd tooth and has 2 more that are really loose. For her birthday maybe she will want her two front teeth!

WHO AM I GOING TO MARRY?

2007-05-17T20:20:00.000-06:00

Tonight over dinner Madison and Tyson wanted to know who they were going to marry, and they were very insistent that we tell them who it was going to be right then. Our reply was they will meet a very nice person and they will be able to chose who they want to marry not to mention they have plenty of time to figure it out. They were quiet for a minute and all of a sudden Tyson says, " I am going to marry my Grammy!" Madison quickly replies she is already married and you can't marry her. He was a little hurt and but very sincere in his statement. Their little brains never stop! It seems like everyday that say some thing that brings a smile to your face and makes you laugh. Children truly are a blessing! As a parent I wish I could capture all the sweet things they say on tape and remember it forever! I know there will be things I forget, but I hope my heart will remember the feelings of those moments!

FIELD DAY

2007-05-16T22:27:00.000-06:00

Today Madison had field day, and let me tell you if you ever get the chance to go to a kindergarten field day- do it! They had so much fun and so did the parents and relatives watching them. Madison is 5 and going to be turning 6 in July, so she is on the tail end as far as age for her class. She does really well in school but as far as sports and coordination, lets just say it's not completely there yet! Carson was there to cheer on his big sister! She even shared her medal with him! She was so proud that she got a medal. She told her dad, " I got a medal for coming in last place!" All children got a medal some gold some silver and some bronze, she got the bronze! We are going to have her join a soccer league next month, that should help with coordination some what it will not hurt .

GOT IT

2007-05-15T20:30:00.000-06:00

I got my template up! I am excited to meet other mothers and to be able to share my life and pictures with my close friends and relatives that are out of town! I will post more tomorrow- just playing around with this and seeing how everything works! Talk to you all soon!

Welcome!!

2007-05-04T18:58:00.000-06:00

Hello! I am starting a new blog here. We are trying to change around the template, and then I will begin posting! Please check back next week! Thanks!