Day 30 Challenge

"Preperation"

*file photo but taken this month

My family in preperation of Thanksgiving the next day...EggNog and Chocolate milk (GAG)

Day 29 Challenge

"Comfort"

I have taken comfort in each of these things since the 8th grade...much to Frank's frustration at times :)

Day 28 Challenge

"Cardiac"

This word reminds me of red

Day 27 Challenge

"Signs"

Smalls signs are showing up in my house that Christmas is coming...

Day 26 Challenge

'Remote'

Apparently there is a need to have stickers for your remotes????

Day 25 Challenge

'Display'

My Poppop's knick knacks are on display-I won't forget him (4 years tomorrow)

Day 24 Challenge

'Family'

Almonds are in the nut family

Day 23 Challenge

"Furry"

Chopper has stolen Charlie's bed...she does NOT fit!!  I think when she does go home I think we'll just give her the bed.

Small Traditions

The day before Thanksgiving my family has a small tradition...mostly it's for Frank and I but the kids play a small part in it. Not to be outdone those kids! Anyway, Frank and I (OK well mostly Frank) likes to drink Eggnog and watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles the night before Thanksgiving.  Ian and Lee have figured out they like Eggnog so this is big for them too.  I don't let them watch the movie (too much swearing for their small, absorbent ears). 

So the chocolate milk is for the 2 little boys are not as keen on Eggnog as their dad and big brothers (and let's be honest here...that has to be the nastiest stuff EVER!) Makes me shiver when I think about it!

Here's the Eggnog!  Now my mom likes this stuff and what she likes to do is mix half Eggnog and then have Coke Cola (just so we are clear...it looks as worse as it tastes in my opinion) I have also heard somewhere or someone said they like it with Sprite. GAG!

Ian getting his first taste of Eggnog of the year...he can't get enough!  I'm sure we'll have a bunch for Christmas!

My Lee drinking his share and watching to make sure that Ian doesn't get more than he did...siblings!

 My boys and my fella.  All is right in their world with Eggnog and Chocolate milk...now if it were really that simple!!

Day 22 Challenge

"Abandon"

At the end of the day I abandon my shoes

Day 21 Challenge

"Rocks"

Getting my rocks off while everyone is asleep...talking people!

It's Gone...all GONE!! (and he's 3)

 You know Blogger is a pain in my you know what!  Ugh!  Well this post isn't turning out as lovely as I had in my mind so we are going to have to deal with it cause I'm not interested in starting over or fixing it.  Lazy I know.

Today Eli turned 3 and it was a BIG day for his mom...OK maybe him too.  I promised Frank awhile ago I would get Eli's hair cut by his 3rd birthday.  I knew I'd be pushing it doing that but so help me I wasn't going to let Frank take him to a barber shop and get it done.  Have we heard of tender loving care of the mother?? Honestly! 

So today was THE day...and every time I thought about it my heart started beating faster and my chest would get incredibly tight.  It made me so anxious and I didn't want it.  so a girlfriend of mine cut his hair while we were at our steering meeting for MOPS.  I had some support of mommies with me (less crying involved for me--really don't like crying).  So cut his hair she did and she did a great job and I'm thankful for her doing it.

Since things are backwards we'll tell the picture story wonky. The first picture of Eli in his coat is me just taking yet another picture of him with his new cut...it's really hard to not just stare!  The second picture is of Eli...but he TOTALLY looks like Dru in that picture.  Eli is eating his dessert of a M&M McFlurry.

Here is the gift we got Eli for his birthday, Cars 2.  We were going to take him to a movie in town, Happy Feet 2.  He always says he wants to see it but Frank wasn't feeling great and so we just bailed on that idea and bought this.  I'm really glad we didn't go to the movie because Eli didn't sit still to watch his movie Cars2!!  So glad we didn't waste money, I would have been SO frustrated.  Good call Frank :)

Happy Birthday dear Eli!  He was so excited!  The tradition in our family is you get to pick what you want to have for dinner on your birthday.  Have you ever asked a picky 3 year old what he wants for dinner?   So help me I was NOT eating another peanut butter and jelly sandwich...OK I would have but thankfully I had enough money to take everyone out to McDonald's...Thank you Lord!  Not that, that is any better but at least I could get a salad! Any guesses as to what he had for his birthday dinner?

(in this picture I think he looks like my nephew Samuel and his dad-my brother...so weird but after his cut I saw lots of people every time I looked at him)

If you guessed Fries for dinner you would be correct!  This was that child's dinner...wish I could get him to eat something else...so the battle continues!

The big boy gets to sit up on the stool and bar...very cool!

My boys

Lee, Eli, and Dru

OK, so here we are at the haircut pictures...bear with me!

This is the before picture...hair that has NEVER been cut in the back...virgin hair so to speak.

Before front view...he's had his bangs blended but that's it.

First ponytail cut off...it's almost gone

He is already changing!!!!

What will be the top pony...

It's gone...all gone...waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!  The second pony has been cut.  Sigh...Eli had 2 ponytails cut from his beautiful head...he is the only one who had hair as long as he did and had as much taken off.  So traumatic for this momma! 

He's a big boy now! He's the big 3, the change for him is complete.  After his haircut he went back into his classroom where Dru was and Dru didn't recognize him and he had 2 buddies that when asked about playing with Dru and Eli said that Dru was there (in class) but Eli wasn't there today.  Silly boys!  Not an isolated event.  When I got Lee from the bus he asked me (after about 5 minutes) who that kid was...I made him look again and he couldn't believe that it was Eli!  Then of course Lee couldn't keep his hands off Eli and constantly touching his face and head.  Poor Eli!  I have ran into a few of my friends who didn't recognize Eli either and one of my nephews didn't know the picture he was being show was that of Eli.  So he really did change...I know there are a few people out there who think I'm silly when it comes to cutting their hair but what can I say...it's a big dang deal! And for those of you who couldnt' wait for this day...well you have it now... To those of you who weren't ready...I have NO words..none

Day 20 Challenge

'Color'

I ate a whole lot of green today

Day 19 Challenge

'Fashion'

Eli has such a sense of fashion-gotta love it when 3 year olds dress themselves

Happy 3 Eli

Well it was bound to happen and it did even if I threw a major fit!  I do mean major...on the floor screaming, yelling, and crying with flailing arms and feet...it still came!  UGH!

My baby turned 3...OK well he's not 3 yet here in this post but in 2 days he will be! 

Here is his birthday cake he wanted that Grandma Paulson bought for him (she likes to buy the cakes for the grandkids...works for me!)

"Ickey and Innie Mouse"

Happy Birthday to me!

Opening some gifts...very exciting!

Thank you everyone! He says quite bashfully.

Some family to help celebrate...sorta looks like Grandpa was checking the score of the Huskie game that day...hhhmmmm Grandpa ;)

More family and my dad made it to the party!  Very exciting!  First time my children have EVER had both sets of Grandparents at a function at the same time.  BIG DEAL!  My oldest is almost 10 so it's a big deal, I'm glad he could come.

Grandpa and my boys

Me and my dad with the boys.  Of course Lee made it difficult...*eye rolling* I would like just 1 picture where he can take a decent picture...ONE! Apparently it's too much to ask of an almost 8 year old!

Eli loved having his birthday party and having people come and be all about him.  It couldnt' come fast enough we heard for months it was almost his birthday.  It was hard to tell him not yet...LOL

Happy Birthday Eli!

11 Years and Counting

It would figure that I can't find a wedding picture when I want...sigh...story of my life.  Today we have been married for 11 years.  Some years went fast and others went slow...but I still stop and ask if this is really my life...that I"m really married...never thought I'd see that day and here I am going on 11+...very cool and surreal!

Day 18 Challenge

'Church'

My church--it's in a growing stage at the moment

Ponderings

*How is it with 4 boys and a ton of hand me down clothes, that I can have one child who has maybe 3 full sets of pj's?  Meaning a top and a bottom?  Pj's pass down pretty easy and stay intact...it's not like they are walking on their knees on the cement outside...

*Yesterday Ian said he would have a cup of hot tea with me.  That was weird to see...a 9 year old drinking hot tea.

*Although yesterday was the first day of half-days (due to school conferences) it was the longest day...just know I tried to be the fun mom for once...it backfired

*Hell is working on freezing over at the moment...I'll keep you posted!

*I'm trying to keep husband cooties at bay...he has a gnarly cough and it gives me the heebie jeebies(think bronchitis/pneumonia)...I love you babe! (although I don't think you read this anymore)...I sound like such a hypochondriac...I might have issues...jury is still out

*I am so excited for my children's part in the upcoming Christmas program at church but it is absolutely killing me playing Christmas music this early.  Erin...have no fear I"m letting them and working on not grinding/gritting my teeth...they are having SO much fun

*For the first time in 4 years I'm actually not dreading and dragging my feet to go to a school conference for Ian.  His report card was good, except of course his constant reading when he shouldn't be which is turn affecting him doing school work (which was marked down also).  We have no figured out how to fix this one...it's been a problem for 3 years now...YEAH for reading but lets learn when the right time is...Ian doesn't care and we have to figure out how to make him to want to care, to figure out when the right time is.  Ugh...sometimes this kid drives me up a wall!

*Is there really only 36 shopping days left until Christmas? BA HUMBUG!!! (and yes I really don't like holidays...I'm the girl verstion of Scrooge)

*Will my baby really be turning 3 in 3 days?  This is not good!! I'm preparing myself for some changes...hard changes

*I have been married for 11 years today...WOW! I'd like to say that went fast...and I guess it sorta did but there were some years I thought the year would never end!

* I just want my dog and maybe a girl dog that's mine...kinda done with the one we are caring for...tired of kids meals getting eaten cause she's never (NOT) fed...it's getting old. I'm not sure why Ian and this dog don't get along better than they do already...so similar

*Ian has an attitude that has him WAY too big for his britches!  How many chances would you give your child after giving them 3 already? Would you give them 4?

*I'm making a new recipe for Thanksgiving at my parents house...OK well it's brunch but I've heard these things are yummy but the recipe is weird!

* I really hate drama and I hate feeling like I'm the only 'normal' one around and I hate divorce and dealing with it

*Because of divorce, a little bit of my children's innocence was taken this week and for that I could physically lash out...I am SO angry over this that I can't even think of anything constructive to say...I have a child who is devestated over this news...the look on his face was something I can't get out of my mind/heart

*I hate being taken advantage of (and from my point of view) because I stay at home all the time...they don't see what my calendar looks like, they don't know what I'm involved in...in all reality they know NOTHING about me...in 9 years I could say that honestly (same goes for me with them...) they don't know WHO I am.

*Thank goodness, I know through this all I have 5 people who love me...ok well maybe not all at the same time...

*I love my friend Nikki

* I hate cancer...Auntie thinking of you and Uncle Brownie, Shannon your mom, Shelly your mom..., anyone else I have forgotten/don't know about...we are praying you through the journey

*I still want braces

*I am going to see Breaking Dawn pt. 1 tomorrow -I have seen more movies since school started than in the last few years...it's been fun!

*Aren't you glad you tuned into this post?  LOL-sorry these thoughts and feelings had to go somewhere

Day 17 Challenge

'Read'

I never have enough time to read like I want! I want a day/week/month/year just dedicated to reading....sigh

The Nature of Fall

Just some picture I took.  The day was beautiful and Mother Nature was speaking to me.  Just was really struck by the beauty and color...enjoy!

Stopped to look at the little things with the little boys...

The movie 'A Bug's Life' is what pops into my head when I see Ladybugs.