So Much For That Idea...

So, I really thought I was gonna stay on top of this a little better but... I haven't. I'm gonna catch up again! We are trying to get ready to go out of town and not forgot anything while making sure we don't get charged for bags. It's kind of difficult to go on a trip these days! We have decided to all carry on our luggage so I have been measuring our bags to make sure they will fit and carefully planning what all to bring. I don't want to forget my camera and my walking shoes which both feel like they may almost fill my small suitcase. I'm getting a little nervous that I might be walking around Buffalo in the same clothes every day or bartering with the kids for space in their suitcases (which will cost me, I'm sure!) I am looking forward to experiencing Buffalo through the kid's eyes, being in cooler weather!!, seeing Brian's grandmother and being in cooler weather (oooohhhh can't wait... can you tell?).

Today is Father's Day and instead of being sad I am trying to appreciate that my kids have as great a father as I had...

June 1. We can talk openly and share ideas about what techniques work for homeschooling our kids.
June 2. We can decide to live on our own time schedule.
June 3. He strives to be healthy.
June 4. He has shown he can do anything.
June 5. He will spend the day in traffic in the car so I don't have to go alone.
June 6. He realizes sometimes you just have to get over it.
June 7. He has thick skin.
June 8. He is my hero.
June 9. He cracks me up often and fills our life with laughter.
June 10. Even when he could let me have it, he chose his words carefully.
June 11. He was calm when I wanted to go with my over-reacting gut.
June 12. His excitement fr the World Cup is contagious.
June 13. He is a great example of what a big brother should be like.
June 14. He is a vicious negotiator.
June 15. He extends himself beyond his comfort zone.
June 16. He takes care of me when I am sick.
June 17. He steps up when he has to.
June 18. The World Cup has made him marginally patriotic.
June 19. He came out to watch me play softball and didn't rip me apart afterwards.
June 20. He is an amazing dad to our boys.

Catching Up

Believe it or not…this will be the third time I have typed up this blog entry. I typed the whole thing and then my internet died as I tried to post and when I clicked the back button it was all gone. Things have been a little crazy around here for the last few weeks. We are trying to get the kid’s lessons done before the PS kids get out. I have been a little purse crazy (which is good) and business has been better than it usually is this time of year (which is also good). We have made our plans to go back to Buffalo this summer and the kids are really excited. As for the fact that I have not expressed my undying love for my husband for the last few weeks… I am going to make up for that and do better in the future…
May 15. He is constantly learning.
May 16. He gives me the time to sit around and read a good book all day.
May 17. He tries to pull me out of a bad mood.
May 18. He will get up and go for a walk with me.
May 19. If I ask, he does.
May 20. He respects “Grey’s” night.
May 21. He will go out and grill burgers for all the neighborhood kids.
May 22. He appreciates that I’m a cheap date.
May 23. He is like a big kid and will antagonize me until I wrestle with him.
May 24. He is my best friend and always has my back.
May 25. He tries not to wake me up when he comes to bed.
May 26. He is a good listener.
May 27. He still hasn’t realized that we walk so I can have his undivided attention.
May 28. He walks with me at night even when he’s sore.
May 29. He watched Hairy all day while we were at the pool so the kids could see him for a few hours.
May 30. He doesn’t limit the kids because of his insecurities.
May 31. He is supportive of the purses even if it means he has to listen to the noise while we watch a show together.

Super Duper Funny!!

GOD CREATED CHILDREN (& in the process, Grandchildren)

To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students... here is something to make you chuckle. Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children. After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.
And the first thing he said was ' DON'T !'
'Don't what ? ' Adam replied.
'Don't eat the forbidden fruit.' God said.
'Forbidden fruit ?
We have forbidden fruit?
Hey Eve...we have forbidden fruit! '
' No Way! '
'Yes way ! '
'Do NOT eat the fruit ! ' said God.
'Why ? '
'Because I am your Father and I said so ! God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants
A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was not pleased !
'Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit? ' God asked.
'Uh huh,' Adam replied.
'Then why did you ? ' said the Father.
'Eve started it! ' Adam said.
'Did not ! '
'Did too ! '
'DID NOT ! '
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you ?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT !
1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.
2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children.
3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.
4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said
5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own
6. We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.

( Funny thing is I got this in an email from my mother... think she is trying to tell me something??)

It's Friday Already!!

This week feels like it flew by... Today is a cool, rainy day and at least the cool part is appreciated. This week I worked out at mom's and we made lots of progress. She had a plumbing emergency (which is becoming my specialty) so I went out on Tuesday to take a look. When we got in there and tried to fix it, the pipes were weak and Mom's brute strength gave those pipes a run for their money. It was probably good to find out while we were in there that the pipes were fading fast because we would not have wanted to fix the problem only to encounter another in a year or so. As much as she feels like everything is falling apart, I told her it was a blessing that this happened now because plumbing is fresh on my mind and fixing it was a breeze. We cut out the old pipes and replaced them with new copper pipes and a new shower fixture with all new insides. It should last a long time now! Unfortunately to get to the pipes I had to cut a hole in the wall in her bedroom :( I think she was a little shocked when I suggested it but was on board... it might have been a test to see how bad I would really destroy her house. Needless to say, it is the same thing a plumber would have to do and was saving her the time and money of hiring someone.

Yesterday I went back out and we put the piece of drywall back in and taped and mud it up there. It needed to sit and dry so we started replacing chandeliers and light fixtures around the house. IT WAS FUN and made a huge impact. The last one we put up we used some pieces from a few others and it makes a bold statement in her entry. I was pleased and I think she really liked the changes. All in all a job well done and I am looking forward to the next project :)

And for my sweet husband who has lived without me a few days this week...

May 8. He may anger quickly but does not act rashly, but rather processes it.
May 9. He took my mom and me out to dinner for Mother's Day.
May 10. He listens intently when he knows I am excited about something.
May 11. He cracks me up.
May 12. He works hard.
May 13. He strives to make himself better.
May 14. Even when I've been gone all week he says yes to girls night.

Goin' Soccer Crazy!

We have a huge tournament in town this weekend so things have been a little crazy. Trying to fit in volunteer time, games, getting Grampa to the airport and all of life's other suprises has been a little daunting. We are still waiting on my nephew to decide it's time to come too. Brandon was a little relieved he didn't come on his birthday. He realized he doesn't share well :)

The boys had a nice visit with Grampa but were sad to see him go. Brian and his sister sold and closed on their mother's house and I think both of them felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders. I am praying that this weekend is not too difficult for them. I think Mother's day makes those wounds break wide open again. I feel it because I miss my mother-in-law but also because my Dad used to always say that he didn't need to do anything for my mom because she wasn't his mother. Since Hunter has been born this has also been Brian's philosophy of Mother's Day which just reminds me how, in many ways, he is a lot like my Dad.

I need to do a little catch up too...

Apr 24. He enables me to spend quality time with each of the kids individually.
Apr 25. He realizes he needs to make an effort to be encouraging.
Apr 26. His thinking-things-thru process is faster and more thorough than mine.
Apr 27. He is an amazing negotiator.
Apr 28. He has a smile that is all mine.
Apr 29. He can ease your mind and remain level-headed.
Apr 30. He is teaching the kids the value of money (Probably better him than me.)
May 1. Nine years ago today he gave me a mini version of him who keeps me on my toes.
May 2. He filters information quickly but draws conclusions slowly.
May 3. He doesn't shy away from hard work.
May 4. He was able to fix something and was proud of his accomplishment (ok, downright giddy as a schoolgirl.)
May 5. He made all the boys feel like superstars as he handed them their soccer trophies.
May 6. He still kisses me like he means it.
May 7. He makes it possible for me to do volunteer work.

Slowing Down...

The momentum has taken a back seat this week but I have been able to tie up the projects and officially mark them off my list. My bathroom and kitchen are done. It is a relief and with company coming this week we are on hiatus for a little bit. Brian's dad is coming for Little One's birthday and he is thrilled. I am tired and we had a crazy weekend... We fit a lot of soccer and basketball games into just a few days and the boys have informed me they will be playing indoor soccer, basketball and dodgeball in the coming months... Should be fun! I am headed to bed but wanted to just let you know a few reasons I love my husband...

Apr 17. He knows when I need a little muscle.
Apr 18. He is impressed by my plumbing skills (might have missed my calling).
Apr 19. He makes sure the kids do lessons when I am at work.
Apr 20. We can still talk for hours (one of the first things I loved about him).
Apr 21. He goes out of his way to make me feel good.
Apr 22. He has a side of him that few know but those who do realize how genuine it is.
Apr 23. He is a good friend.

Still goin' strong...

The Beatles Were Right!!

I get by with a little help from my friends... Got a brand new shower with a little help from my friends... I AM DONE! It feels great to finally be done and tomorrow we can start using the shower once the seal has time to cure. The patio is finished and I have replaced the broken lights and moved the kids games, air hockey table etc. I am very happy with the way it turned out. Today we have ripped out half of the countertops and are going to replace them and then do the other half.

For my wonderful husband...

Apr 10. He beams with pride when it all comes together.
Apr 11. He took the day to get our taxes mostly done so I didn't have to.
Apr 12. He packed all the mail so I could work in the bathroom.
Apr 13. Even when he gets consumed with a game he is learning to come back to reality once in awhile.
Apr 14. He can admit when he is wrong and says it out loud for my satisfaction.
Apr 15. He is impressed with my work.
Apr 16. He brags about the shower behind my back.