What a Beautiful View!

The view from our house is amazing with all of the snow on the ground. I ventured out this morning to snap a few photos because I know that around here snow never lasts long. From what we could tell, we got 7 inches here at the house!I was obsessed with getting a picture of the droplet falling--this was as close as I got. I didn't have time to do any touchups in Photoshop...I barely got a shower today!
I loved the look of the snow on the cedar shutters....something about it struck me!
I also loved the look of the ice encompassing several different plants and leaves...so pretty!
Another view from atop the hill....winter wonderland!

When Life Hands You Snow...Make Ice Cream!

I was mistreated as a child...the finer things in life weren't given to me. Ok, well, that's according to my husband and it's because he found out I had never had snow ice cream. So, he decided we needed to make some so I could see what I had been missing! And let me tell you it was every bit as good as homemade ice cream!

So, Richie found a Paula Deen recipe and we made snow ice cream! First, we started with 8 cups of snow, but soon found out later that we needed more!
Next we added 1 can (14 oz) of sweetened condensed milk....
Then we added 1 tsp of vanilla extract and mixed the ingredients...then we went back outside and got 16 more cups of snow because it was runny...
Finally we had enough snow and we mixed and mixed until....voila--snow ice cream! It was so YUMMY!

Preparing for the Storm

Richie has been busy preparing for the storm and making sure we don't freeze! He has the emergency kit all set out on the counter ready to go.

However, he covered the most important part to me--he filled up the propane tank in the RV. If the power goes out for an extended period of time, we plan to move out to the RV where we will have full use of appliances, etc. That's so important to me with a little baby here. During the last major ice storm here (2000), Weston was about 7 months old and it was SO cold and I was very worried about keeping a small baby warm. Luckily, we were only out of power for 24 hours that time, but you never know what might happen, so I want to be extra prepared! Everyone, stay and safe and warm and be VERY careful if you have to get out and about tonight/tomorrow.

Under the Weather!

I guess it was my turn to catch whatever "bug" is floating around. Honestly, I thought I would have caught it already since I am in and out of doctor offices all day and Richie has been sick for a few weeks now. I trudged out yesterday and made my calls and did some office work, but today I am just miserable. I think I am worn out! So, I'll take a day, rest and then back to the grind!
I just have to share Sunday's sermon--what a great message it was. And the pastor (we have rotating pastors) who shared did an amazing job! Richie was hanging on every word! I can't do the lesson nearly the justice that Kevin T. did, but here's what resonated with me. The lesson was out of Colossians 3:12-14 which says, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." The pastor used an orange as his example and how our lives are like the pieces of an orange--work, marriage, children, friends, family, etc and that we compartmentalize ourselves and our actions by saying, "well, I am holy in my marriage, or I am serving God by the way I raise my kids, or I am a good worker, or I am a great friend, etc" however God wants ALL of the pieces of our orange. We should strive to please him in all areas, not just the easy ones or the convenient ones. I am so guilty of this--I forget to be an example at work, or I forget to show forgiveness to those who hurt me, or I forget to show compassion to family, or I speak ill toward someone, etc. And at the end of the day, when we look at our pieces of our orange, we haven't achieved perfection in ANY of them. That's where Jesus comes in--he is there to help us and guide us, but he wants all of the pieces of our orange. What an awesome message!!
Also, today is exactly one year to the day I found out I was pregnant with Landen. So, the rest of this post is kind of a letter to him.
Landen,
One year ago today, God answered a prayer that had been on our hearts for months. He took your Dad and I down a journey teaching us patience, what it feels like to lose a baby, and the joy of being pregnant, all the while preparing us for you. He taught us that life's greatest blessings aren't just immediately given out--they are earned. We learned that life isn't going to always go according to our plan--he's in charge. We learned that he knows what's best for us, and sometimes that isn't what we want to hear. Yet, in the end, he showed us that he trusts us with you--he gave you to us to love, cherish, and teach His ways, knowing that you are truly His and we are simply the vessels He will use to guide you while you are here with us. I sincerely pray I can be the parent to you that He wants and expects me to be and I know your Dad feels the same. Thank you Landen for coming into our lives and blessing us--you are a truly a Godsend! We LOVE YOU!

Fab 5 goes Geo-Caching

We had a great weekend! We all hung out at home Friday evening and tried to rest up for the rest of the weekend. Saturday was Kylie's basketball game. Saturday night we had a "Rock Band" invite, but decided to stay in since it was rainy and cold. Plus, we were all anxiously awaiting Sunday...we had been planning Sunday for a few weeks now. Sunday was an absolute blast as we all loaded up to give geo-caching a try. We dropped Landen off at Granny's house since he's not quite big enough to enjoy and then we were off (so Fab 5 was really only 4 today, but he'll be big enough one day to join us)!

Kylie was the first one to find a hidden trinket--she was pumped!

This was the log from our first find of the day! We're leaving our mark!

Here's the geo-cachers themselves! We were so cold, but had so much fun!

In some of the boxes, there were some really neat items left behind like this one. It was a coin with a note inside that said, "I am traveling to Coldwater, Alberta, Canada. Thanks for moving me!"

Bell Park was difficult for us for some reason--of course this hide didn't match the clues. But, somehow Richie still managed to find it!

We never could find this one hidden in Bell Park--guess we will save that one for another day!

Here is the log book at one of the sites. We logged our visit and our leave-behind item (see below).....

At some of the geo-caches, the "find" was big enough to hold trinkets. You could leave something and take another trinket from the box. We chose to just contribute and not take anything. At this stop, we left a green/blue horse.
This one is Weston's find. He was so proud to finally find one before his sister! It was kind of a tricky one too since it had camouflage on it and it wasn't very visible. Great job, Weston!

A FIST BUMP FOR A GREAT DAY!!!

I'm on my tummy!

Landen rarely gets on his stomach. With his reflux as bad as it is, we don't put him down like that often because the last bottle he ate will just come back up. But today, we tried it and he is doing amazing at holding himself up! What a cutie!

A couple of posts today, so look back!

Kylie-Bug

What a sweet girl...well, most of the time! Today she had an awesome basketball game. She looks completely different from two weeks ago and I am just so, so proud of her! Way to go girl!

However, we came home and the drama between her and her brother began....not sure how it started but I know how it ended. They were fighting and she calls her brother an "egomanic" and he doesn't like that and proceeds to grab her arm and tells her to "come here". Well, he grabbed a bit too hard. So, they both spent the afternoon taking a nap. During her time of meditation, Kylie wrote everyone in the family a note and here's what mine said.I am so happy that she has the humility to say I'm sorry, ask for forgiveness and then move on. The girl is so good at not holding grudges and just letting it go. Sometimes that is so hard to do, even as an adult. I am proud of the little woman she is becoming!

Orange or Brown

I just love these shirts...but I have a dilemma. I can't decide which color is cuter! Any thoughts?
Of course, since Landen has some serious reflux, color may not matter anyway since he lives in bibs!! :)

If I Were a Peabody Duck.....

I am jealous. They have it all. Why can't I be like them?Every morning they are personally paraded to the marble fountain to hang out, bathe, and shake their tail feathers.
They dip their heads in the water, swim about, and enjoy life all while the world watches.
At 5 pm, they are promptly picked up by their personal escort. They are then provided their own elevator...all the way to the penthouse!
They arrive home to their suite to hang out and relax during the evening.
What a life! Oh, to be a Peabody Duck!

Martinis in Memphis

My work partner Eric and I got a BIG shout out today at our Regional Meeting in Memphis! We are 6th in the region and are silver qualifiers for the first half of the year! Our regional manager shared the qualifiers with the entire room on a huge screen...I have waited 3 years for this and I am thrilled to see my name in a font bigger than Times New Roman size 10!

So, to celebrate, our manager took our district members across the street to a martinin bar and bought us all a drink. Here's a picture of the girls in the district...the boys went to the bathroom. The picture isn't great, it was with my iPhone. I work with some awesome people--love them all!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Just a lazy Sunday afternoon around here...for the guys. Mom, however, is busy packing for 3 days in Memphis for work! My husband told me last night that he wished I didn't have to go. Not because he needs me here, but because he wants me here. It was so sweet!

We have switched Landen's childcare and he starts at his new digs tomorrow. I just pray all goes well for him while I am out of town. I think he will be fine at the new place, but it's still hard leaving when he is going to have a change of scenery.

Speaking of work, that was the topic of today's sermon and the topic of my Love Dare 365 devotion....hhmm. Could God be trying to send a message??? :) Seriously though, I loved the 365 devotion--such good thoughts, "when your spouse deserves your love the least, that is when they need it the most." The prayer at the bottom was, "Lord, I thank you for the spouse You have given me. Teach me to love them in a way that meets their needs and honors You." The big picture of the devotion is how we sometimes are selfish and focus on ourselves forgetting to meet the needs others, in this case our spouse. It talks about how love is your primary responsibility in the marriage. It's your job description--even when it's not fun. Even when it's not rewarding. Such good stuff!

Tonight we start our new Home Group Bible Study. I am really hopeful and excited! A great family is hosting and I look forward to the study, "Shepherding a Child's Heart".

Have a great week!

I Leave My Computer For ONE HOUR and here's what happens....

Kylie asked me the other night if she could go to spellingcity.com to practice her spelling words for the week. So, I set her at my Mac, found the website, and then went to Wal-Mart. (Note: she was not by herself....) I came back and here's what I found on my computer! I think there wasn't a lot of studying going on....mostly fun!

My Beautiful Daughter

The She-Man

The 3-Eyed Monster

The Comic Book

Did I have twins? PLEASE NO!

My husband looking hotter than ever....

That's attractive, Kylie!

Finally getting caught up around here!

Last night I finally hooked up the big "home" computer! It has been a yearlong process getting it up and running. First it was under the weather, so my Uncle rebuilt it for me. Then, we moved. I haven't been able to use my new Wacom pad Richie bought me LAST Christmas and I haven't even seen Photoshop in a year and a half...I was really missing it. So, since I got a new camera for Christmas this year, I decided it was a priority to get it up and running. About 2 hours later, I had it all hooked up, software loaded, and ready to go. But then it was time for bed, so I still haven't had a chance to play yet! :(
I also have a girl crush and Tonia, it's all your fault. I am just totally loving the Pioneer Woman. The cookbook thing is great, but I am loving her photography, photoshop actions, you name it, she is awesome! Now if I could just get a free moment to try out some of her ideas.....that may be another year! :)

Help for Baby Landen

Two nights ago, Landen gave me such a scare! We were asleep in bed and all of the sudden Landen starts gasping for air several times and can't get a breath. It was a horrible noise and very loud--I had no clue what was wrong. I scooped him up and began patting his back praying he would start breathing again! After several gasps, he finally caught his breath. He has made quirky noises before, but never to the point he couldn't breath. He has also had a funky cough. He's not sick, not congested, but sometimes when you pick him up or when he's swinging he'll "bark" a few times. So, I called Dr. A and she asked to check him out today and make sure he's alright. Her first thoughts were that his reflux were causing him to aspirate the stuff coming up. But she decided to do a chest x-ray to rule out any problems. He didn't have pneumonia or bronchitis, however the x-ray showed a flat diaphragm. Evidently, it's supposed to be round/curved. She said that a flat diaphragm is present in a person with asthma and felt that the noises and gasping were "asthma attacks" or wheezing. So, she gave us an inhaler and decided to start there and see if we can get him some relief. She also switched his reflux medicine in hopes we can get that under control. Hopefully the little guy will get some relief soon! And hopefully he'll soon be doing this....

The 2010 Handbook

First of all, I have 3 posts from today, so look back if you missed any. Secondly, I received this in the form of an email today and it really resonated with me and I thought I would share it on my blog.....I know I find myself spending way too much time worrying about things people say, what I don't have, what I have experienced in the past, etc that I forget to just enjoy today! So, I am really going to give it my best shot to heed this advice...except the sleep for 7 hours thing...it'll be awhile before I am able to do that!! :)

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Basketball Stars

These aren't the best pictures as I was just snapping away randomly....



Here's a few pictures from our first week of basketball. Weston did very good--he really enjoys basketball! Kylie's first game had a few hiccups, but in the end I think she really liked it. The little girl guarding her was hard core...she bear hugged her, stepped on her shoes/laces, held on to her jersey, etc. It was too the point that you could tell Kylie was getting very frustrated. So, at halftime, she came over and her Dad tried to explain to her that she has to keep moving and then the girl won't be able to do that. Well, she just started bawling--she was very overwhelmed! We all just encouraged her to move, move, move and when she went back out there, that's just what she did. In fact, it was hilarious because by the end of the game, the other girl was worn out from Kylie running around so much that she practically quit guarding her altogether! I was very proud of Kylie--it was a tough situation, but she was such a trooper to stick it out and give it her best shot.

I Feel His Pain!

I feel his pain....

I've Got the Sleepies!

I am soooo tired. I can't even function straight. I asked a doctor to sign the sample form at least two times today before I realized he had ALREADY signed it! Geez. I need some serious R&R...and it's only been 1 week back to work. I don't know if I am going to make it. You would think it's my first kid. How in the world did I do it two times before?

So, I made two changes to my blog...I've added a followers section. And, I opened the comments section up to anyone. People, don't make me regret this. Follow me. Tell me nice things. I need some interaction!

So, I am still reading in my Love Dare 365 book....and I found this really deep quote. "Real men embrace love as the driving force to boldly do what boys merely dream of." I think that was definitely the kind of love my husband was showing this morning when I crawled out of bed and began to chew his head off. I was tired, I was mad. I was read to go to bed--and it was only morning. Instead, you know what he said, "Can we discuss this tonight and come up with a plan?" Seriously? You want to be rational and work this out? I'm mad. I want to yell! Instead, he was such a man about it, not a boy. I love him so much!

Tomorrow is Kylie's basketball debut! I am so excited for her--she is looking forward to the game. But I felt bad for her because they haven't had a chance to practice and she said, "Momma, we aren't going to win tomorrow." I asked her why she thought that and she said, "we haven't even practiced!" I hate that she's already defeating herself before the game ever starts! We had a talk and hopefully she'll think postive!

Welcome Back!

Today was my first day back to work since the holidays...and honestly it was really like my first day back from maternity leave since I spent the first part of December when I came back to work in training and then went to Chicago. And boy was it a day! It started off rough when the babysitter texted me at 8 a.m. and said her aunt was passing away and she needed to go to the hospital. So, I am frantically trying to find a last minute sitter as I am heading out the door. Then, I get to work and awhile later, I get a phone call from a number I don't recognize. I let it go to VM and listen--it's one of my offices that I scheduled to bring them lunch. It was 11:20 a.m. at this point and I had totally forgotten! There was 25 people waiting on me so that they could eat. I called a contact at a local restaurant and had food there by noon...quite a feat! From then on, I felt like I was just playing catch up--my day was shorter than necessary and I just didn't have enough time to accomplish the things I was supposed to do. Then, I remembered that the kids didn't know not to ride the bus to the sitter's house. In fact, we didn't really go over where to go and since it's been a couple of weeks, I honestly didn't know where they would go. So, Richie waited at our house....Kylie came here. No Weston. So, then he drove to the sitter's house and Weston got off the bus there. What chaos and craziness!

Tomorrow is a new day though--thank goodness! I am ready to wake up and give it another shot. I just have to get the hang of this 3 kid, working Mom thing. It's exhausting and overwhelming. It's definitely a roller coaster ride!

Richie Gets Inked...and Keeps it All in the Family!

Yesterday was my first time to witness someone getting a tattoo...what an amazing process! Richie has been planning this tattoo for awhile now, but he wanted to make sure it was just right. He researched fonts and footprint tattoos...he wanted to make sure it was as close to Landen's footprints as possible, he didn't just want "footprints". So, we took Landen's actual footprints from his baby book on the day he was born. The final result you see at the bottom is what Landen's footprints look like in the book. I also wanted to make sure they were actual size--I think that's going to be the neatest thing about them as he gets older! Richie's nephew, Kurtis helped him layout his tattoo. He is such a talented artist, I was amazed at how he could draw and design! The first step was sketching out the tattoo for size and placement. Next they transferred Kurtis' drawing to his arm. The light part of the tattoo is the carbon and the dark part is areas that he had tattooed.
Here is Kurtis working his magic! Richie said the most painful part of the tattoo process is the "rubbing" that Kurtis would do after each little tattoo line (he was rubbing off excess ink). The whole process looked painful to me!
Here is when the guys took a break...they were about halfway done filling in the letters of the name with a blue ink. The rest of the tattoo is black.
And the finished project! It's awesome!
What a special tattoo...I think it was such a tribute to the time that Richie has waited to becoming a father. He loves his little guy and I can't think of a better way for him to show the love he has for him!