Its New Year's Eve..

.. and Nick and I are sitting here on each of our laptops watching Dick Clark's special. As you can see I never did the choose joy challenge. It has been hard to choose joy this holiday season. Though some special and some anon people did help Christmas be better for the kids and us.
Even so, I am in a funk. Thirteen days from now it will be one year since my father left this world and it is really effecting me. In one way I am so upset to be getting close to that "anniversary" but in another way I am happy to be 20 min away from being out of 2008 and all the misery it has brought to my life. We need a good 2009.
I do still need to post my Christmas letter and card... will do that sometime... I have been rather tired with working and all.
For those of you out there, Happy New Year.

C-Ya!

Choose Joy: December's Blog Challenge

Midnight Scrapper has another great challenge... this one for December called "Choose Joy". Here is the challenge for those of you stopping by:

Okay, so you've heard the saying: "Choose Joy". I love the saying, but I must admit, it is not as easy as this two word sentence makes it sound. For the month of November, I challenged you all to find something to be thankful for and blog about it. I know it was hard, but I also know that it was not impossible. I had good news, bad news, a friend pass away, reunions with old friends and even some birthdays and holidays. I took the bad with the good and found something each day that I could be grateful for. We are certainly blessed!
So, if you are up for another challenge - here we go!
1. This will officially start on December 3rd and will end on December 31.
2. The challenge of this blog will be similar to our Gratitude Blog idea. Look for JOY each day and blog about it. It might be something as big as attending a wedding or as small as how cozy your slippers feel...it's up to you. CHOOSE to find joy.each.day.
3. There are a few extra challenges for this one too...don't worry - don't
stress....have fun! Those that complete the journaling AND the photos will be
able to be have their name in the drawing for the prize TWICE. Each week, you
must post at least 3 photos based on the themes I have chosen.
Week 1 (Dec. 1 - 6) - LOVE
Week 2 (Dec. 7 - 13) - RED
Week 3 (Dec. 14 - 20) -GLITTER/SHINE
Week 4 (Dec. 21 - 27) - FAMILY
Week 5 (Dec. 28 - 31) - PEACE
Now, I know some of you are about to throw in the towel on this one because you either don't like or know how to post photos on your blog or you are worried about finding pictures suitable for the theme.Well, you don't need to worry! I will help you! You can take pictures yourself (preferably), but if you have to - you can use stock
photos that are available free on line! If you don't know how to post a photo,
contact me and I will walk you through it! As far as finding pictures for the
themes...go with your own interpretation! You can have your regular photos of
course, but please include at least 3 each week that follow that week's theme.
4. If you are going to participate in this challenge - please comment in this post
(on my blog - not here) so I will know. I will check on your blogs as often as I
can. At the end of the month, you will need to come back here and follow the
directions for being entered into the drawing for the GIFT AWAY.
5. If you have any questions - please let me know. I tried to type this up as clearly as I could, but I do have two toddlers running around me at the moment (my JOYS). =]

So wish me luck... again I could really use to find the joy in my life.

C-Ya!

The Wii... talk us into it...

Ok... talk me into a Wii...
I am leaning 75% towards getting it and have seen it a couple times but haven't bought it. The console and a couple extra items is more then we usually spend for the family on the holidays but I do have some garage sale money that I want to put towards it. As you can see the oldest kids are 6 and 5, which I have heard is a good age for it. And they do play and enjoy Uncle Aaron's DS. In a way I am being a little selfish because I want it. I have tried it too and had fun and was a little sore afterwards.
And once I am convinced I need to convince Nick... he is even less inclined to get it.. though I did say if we did he can get me the wii fit and I can have a smokin hot body!!!
Thanks!

C-Ya!

Last Month of 2008!

Well here we are in December... as you see the "thankful" challenge is over but rumor has it midnight scrapper has a new one coming out. Till then I have some general thoughts...
*Congratulations Vikings on an awesome game yesterday! You really made football fun to watch and I am proud that you were one of just two home teams to win yesterday. We spent the first half watching the game at our friends up the block and then at halftime the kids and I went home so we could all get to bed and it was a lot of fun.
*Beware of Carter's teeth!! He seems to have gotten over the horrible teething (at least for right now) but now we have to watch out because he wants to bite EVERYTHING and EVERYONE! I think Jeffrey and Samantha have each been bitten and he has nipped at me more then once. And it HURTS!
*This week is another busy one at night with something planned at least 3 out of 5 nights for one of us. With working now I am not always as excited to go out at night to various meetings.
*It was nice to have a LONG weekend. We spent much of the time doing some major house cleaning. Our recycling and trash guy are going to 'love' us as well as the Salvation Army!!! Nick was the most gung ho and has gotten rid of a bunch of stuff (though in my defense he really hadn't gone through a lot of it in years - whereas I had).
*I knew Thanksgiving was going to be hard this year with my Dad gone and I was right. Ever since the beginning of last week I have been in a funk. Unfortunately I doubt it is going to let up for awhile because Christmas is going to be hard and then we are going to come to the anniversary of his death. I still don't think it is fair that he is gone and I truly wonder if we did everything we could.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... friends

Today is the last day of the challenge and I am grateful for midnight scrapper for starting it for us.
Today I am thankful for friends. Whether you are my IRL (in real life friends) who I have spent a ton of time with or my internet friends who I just know by a nickname and a series of posts. You all have touched my life and made quite an impact (personally and on my wallet!!!)
I think we truly realize the importance of friends as we become older... and as my family shrinks I am grateful to have these friends to stand by me. I have friends that drove quite a ways (across town) to attend my Dad's funeral and are willing to watch my children whenever I need help. I have friends that have been a shoulder to cry on and are there to laugh with. I have friends that have known me for years and friends that I have just met. I am grateful for each and every one of you.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... music

Today I am thankful for music. I have always been a music lover... I have played a couple different instruments and have sang in various choirs... I love various types of music.. I think music can have a profound effect on mood... whether it is upbeat and makes you happy or it is sad and makes you cry.
I cannot imagine life without music. And I think whoever invented the car radio and ipod are genuises.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... books

Today I am thankful for books. I am a fast reader. And I am a big reader. This means I can devourer books. I have actually had a few times where I have read a book in a night, and other times in 24 hours. Nick jokes with me about how I can read a book in two hours (an exaggeration unless it is a kids book). I don't know how come I can read so fast probably just a lot of reading when I was younger. And yet I have a ton of books at home to read, and even more on my list at the library. Ever since Carter was born I haven't had as much time, and now that I am working even less. But I still enjoy books and am grateful that we have so many to choose from. And as an adult I can choose to read whatever I want (with some nudges from the book club I am in). I do have to say, my favorite books are chick lit... they are usually light enough to take me away without depressing me... though I have read some real tough stuff. And now if I start a book and don't like it I don't waste my time and read it. Life is too short.
So to anyone that has written a book, thanks! Maybe I will return the favor some day and write my own book.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... my father

(taken on Thanksgiving 2006)
Today I am thankful for the one person I missed the most today. Today I am thankful and missing my Dad.
With this challenge I find it really appropriate to write this post on Thanksgiving. See, Thanksgiving was probably one of or the favorite holiday of my father. I don't know if it was because he loved to grill the perfect turkey or if he loved always having it at their house or if it was because with Jewish and Christian relatives, this was the one holiday we all "agreed" on... probably a mix of all three. And that made this holiday really hard, especially for Mom and me... of course adding on the death of my Mom's Mom this year didn't make things any easier.
My father was the best person I have ever known. He would do anything for anyone and along with that he would talk to anyone. The conversations my Dad had were legendary. When he died I posted the eulogy on here so I wont re-tell everything but I do want to say a couple things.
Last year at this exact moment my Dad got to fulfill a dream, he got to take his whole family to Mexico. That says a lot about him, he was all about his family, especially his grandchildren. He always made me feel special.. whether it was him always calling me his favorite younger daughter or him always being there for me when I needed him.
But he isn't here now when I need him and for that I feel it is so unfair. I talked to someone yesterday who had also lost her first parent this year and we decided there is no way to sugar coat today when you are missing them so much.
Even so, I do want to thank God for the 28 years I had with my father. In many ways I am a lot like him, and I feel that is a good thing. Dad, I know you know how much we love you but I want to say it again, I love you so much.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... my son, Carter

Today I am thankful for my baby, my buddy, Carter.
Many of you know he was a surprise, the best surprise I have ever received. Looking back at the first year of his life I realize that he was put on this earth for a purpose. It was like God knew all the bad stuff that was going to happen to us so he first wanted to bring us something good, something that would not let us fall into a deep, dark dungeon of depression. You really do not have as much time to mope when you have a baby to take care of (not taking anything away from the other kids, they are just a lot more independent). A year ago this past Monday, Carter was my first child I ever had to bring to surgery, it was scary but also a blessing because it "fixed" him. Carter is the hardest of all my children to leave every day to go to work because every day he is doing something new. And he is learning everything faster then Jeffrey and Samantha. And speaking of Jeffrey and Samantha, he loves his older brother and sister so much. Of course tops on his list is his Mommy and Daddy, his face just lights up when he sees us, and he gets jealous when any of the other kids or Lucy wont let him get to us when we come home. One of the first sounds Carter could make was the mama sound.. and even though he is not saying it towards me yet... I love to hear it. Carter can be quite the handful at times, he loves to try to get into cupboards and pull things out to throw or chew on and his new favorite game is throwing things down the stairs.
I love my angel, Carter.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... my son, Jeffrey

Today I am thankful for my first born, Jeffrey.
I always say there is nothing like you first time having a baby. Everything is new and unknown. Jeffrey is my child that we get to try everything out on. This year Jeffrey is in first grade and wow has he already learned a lot. Before school started he could only read our names and No and now he is reading short books to us. His does well in math but really feels challenged in english, especially writing. Jeffrey use to be my laid back child but that has changed a little bit since he has gotten older and hangs out with his Dad. He is still the kind of kid that has just a couple close friends and can have a bad day when they upset him. He also still wants to be a landscaper some day, even if Dad tells him he should do anything but. Jeffrey loves being the older brother to Samantha and Carter, whether it be teaching Sami how to write words or giving Carter hugs and kisses. And Jeffrey usually tries to be the helper around the house, though he would rather vacumn over picking up his toys any day. I was thinking today about how I feel I never see him (even with working) because he is in school all day.
I love you Jeffrey.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... my daughter, Samantha

Today I am thankful for my girly girl Samantha.
I always knew I wanted at least one of each... so after I had Jeffrey and got pregnant again I knew I wanted a girl, though I was surprised to get my wish. In so many ways she is such a girl, she is highly sensitive and many times you have to be careful about setting her off, but in other ways she is just like the guys, especially when it comes to playing in dirt and sand. Lately she has really enjoyed dresses and she even wore a no sleeve shorter dress to church yesterday (when they high was in the forties). Nothing can take her away from her coloring, she hates to stop to even eat and watch out if you come to our house, you may leave with many pictures (she even gave one to the pizza delivery woman once!). In a way I want Samantha to be just like me, but in other ways I want her to be better then me. I do not know if it is because she is a girl or because she has a brother just 17 months older then her, but she is soooo smart. The stuff she is doing and trying to learn amazes me, I wonder if Kindergarten is going to be boring for her (of course there is all the projects that she will love). And she is awesome at helping Carter, she feeds him, gets him things and makes sure he is doing alright. She has a dimple on each cheek and is wrapped around her father's finger.
I am so thankful for Samantha, I love her so much.

C-Ya!

This Week I am thankful for....

If anyone has been a regular reader of my "today I am thankful for" blogs, you may be wondering why I haven't mentioned my children. I mean of course I am thankful for them. Well I thought it was appropriate to wait till the actual week of Thanksgiving to say why I am thankful for my kids. And just to change things up, since my sons always are bookends with being the first and last kid born, I decided to go in reverse alphabetical order starting with Samantha (can you tell I put a lot of thought in this?)
And then on Thanksgiving I am going to write a special post about someone special to me.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... medication

Carter has a horrible case of teething mixed in with a small cold. He is miserable!!! I am thankful for that we have medicines though, because it seems to help. I just feel so bad for him... he walks around and is not happy doing anything for too long. I just hope he feels better soon.

C-Ya!

$25.00!

That is how much I paid for a full tank of gas today. As sort of my addendum to my "thankful for low gas prices" post. I bought gas for $1.72 a gallon today and filled it up for $25!! Way better then the $50 I spent earlier this year!
I just hope our government can do whatever it takes for gas not to spike again. That would really help the economy!

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... the weekend

Just like my day off post... I am thankful for the weekends moreso because of working. But even when Nick works I cannot wait for the possiblity that he will be home with us. Again my weekends are for catching up, today I did some cleaning and laundry. I also got to kind of sleep in till 8-something. And I spent some of the day delivering fundraisers the kids did - wreaths and butter braids. Now I am enjoying some hang out time with the family. And tomorrow is church and sport watching.
I think no matter what I will always be thankful for the weekend.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... good food

I am thankful for good food. That may be a 'doh' moment. But I really figured out today how much I love good food. We were filling out a secret santa form at work (yay, a bonus of working again), and I realized I could not live without good food. If I had the money I would never bring a lunch to work, I would go out. Now I just try to bring some frozen dinner or leftovers and maybe go out one day a week. Thankfully Nick and I are both decent cooks so we can make good dinners. But I do really enjoy eating out. One year that Nick and I were dating he aproximated how much we spent on going out to eat and it was huge, of course when you both live with your parents you try to go out as much as possible and restaurants are great places for a date. Now we rarely go out to dinner... and especially with the kids.. they can really bring the bill up.
So I am thankful for good food. Yummmm!

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... my crazy community

We have lived in Mound for over 7 years now. It took a little while to meet people outside of close neighbors. Now with our involvement out here with church, Knights, school, MOMS club etc. I feel like we know a ton of people. I do truly feel like we are part of the community.
And at times our community can be crazy. I found this out today. For years we have had an outdoor tree lighting ceremony. And tonight was the first night any of us have gone. This year they invited OLL's K-2 graders to sing as the first act. So Jeffrey and I went and wouldn't you know it was like the coldest night we have had so far this weekend. Needless to say we came, he sang and we left. We actually didn't get to see the tree lighting or Santa, we didn't stop for hot cocoa or go on a horse drawn cart ride. But Jeffrey did sing and we had a blast.

I always think it is only us crazy Minnesotans that have many things outside in these cold winters. But I am thankful for this craziness (at least for others).

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... a day off

With this new job I have one day off a week. A part of me thinks if I ever went back to work "full time" I would still need a week day off. Today was spent being Mom again. I took and picked up Samantha from preschool, I picked up Jeffrey from the bus, I went to a MOMS club meeting, I spent time with Carter and got to put him down for a nap. I also spent time doing laundry and I did make dinner.
And I did not go to work!
So I am thankful for the day off and a chance to catch up with my kids and my chores.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... my cell phone

You would think when I put in my blog I am thankful for material things that I am materialistic... but you may not realize how some of these things can be life savers or at least sanity savers.
I have had my cell phone for 11 years. And it became the only way to get a hold of me around 3-4 years ago when we gave up our land line (Nick also has a cell). For some the thought of not having that land line seems hard, and it was at first, but now it is great because if you want to get a hold of me, call me... if you want to talk to Nick, call him. Now of course I do have the option of not answering!!
Having a cell phone has really become more important for me since having children. I know that the school can call me if anything happens with one of the kids, no matter where I am. And for those times I had to call 911 when Nick was not home, being able to call him on his cell at a job site made me feel at least a little better.
Now, I am working again and I do not have an extension yet. No worries, you can just call me on my cell or text me as is the case with Nick some of the time. And I can even check my email and websites on my phone now on my breaks.
So while it is fun to have a cell, it also brings piece of mind.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... the internet!

So we were temporarily disconnected from the internet (really it is my fault) and I found out how thankful I am for the internet. Yea I know I normally spend a lot of time on the internet (though haven't been able to since working), but when you cannot use it for certain needs it can drive you crazy. I could not look online to help a friend's child with her homework or check our bank account or even see the news.
Thankfully it was only temporary.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... a warm blanket

After a beautiful early November, it has gotten cold. And today I am thankful for a warm blanket. Because today I wrapped myself in one and was in it for a long time. I just couldn't warm up but with that blanket I felt better.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... BINGO!

Today I am thankful for Bingo, especially when I win!!
Nick is the Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus at our church. They do various bingos throughout the year. Sometimes I do well, most of the time I don't, but I have fun trying. Even though there are other bingos in the area, this is the only one I have gone to. Tonight was turkey bingo. I think the last time I won was last year's turkey bingo. And I won again tonight. Plus I won a door prize. So I am thankful for bingo!!

(may be another stretch but hey, it made my night)

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... entertainment

Ok... I admit.. I am grasping for straws on this one. It is late at night and I am really trying to get this done every day. And I really am thankful for entertainment, right now I am being entertained playing on the computer and watching TV.
And as an added bonus, everyone else is asleep, so the only noise I hear is the TV and the typing of the keys.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... employment!

Yep you read that right. Today I am thankful for employment. Yesterday I officially joined the workforce again. Honestly it is hard to leave my children, especially Carter because I never got to be a SAHM with the other kids at that age, but this was too perfect to not take. I am working 32 hours a week and am contracted for 2-3 months. This means I get one day off to be Mom and also participate in MOMS club stuff as well as get stuff done around the house (of course Nick is already putting me to shame on that end). And even though the commute is long (though shorter then when I worked downtown), I get to carpool with my friend who got me the job. And this is good time because Nick is slower now and can get his stuff done on my one day off as well as at night or on the weekends. Now if I could just get use to the earlier mornings!!!

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... my husband!

(taken yesterday for his official Grand Knight photo)

I think it is appropriate that I choose today to be thankful for my husband because today is his birthday. Nick came into this world 33 years ago, and even though he says he is a dirt bag and maybe shouldn't been born (he actually was a miracle baby), I am grateful that he is here. Like most people, our marriage is filled with highs and lows but in the end we know we will be there for each other, through thick and thin. We have been through a lot, the worst being saying Goodbye to both of our fathers and his and Jeffrey's burns as well as Carter's surgery, but I am so grateful we have had each other. And of course he is the father to our three wonderful children (who all look like him!). So Happy Birthday and Thank You Nick for being my Love.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... a perfect check up!

Today I am thankful for a perfect checkup for my kids!!! This afternoon we took the children to their well visits. All the kids had no problems. In fact the Doctor kept asking if we had anything else to talk about. Here were their stats:
Weight Height
Carter 22.6lbs (50%) 30in (60%)
Samantha 35lbs (20%) 41in (25%)
Jeffrey 45.5 lbs 45in

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... my mother

(Mom & Carter on Halloween)

Today I am thankful for my Mother. I have always had a good relationship with my Mother, though it did suffer since I became an adult and she had to focus a lot of energy on people in her family that were sick. Now with the death of her mother she has all this energy and is finding a different focus. Now she can really focus on her grandchildren (and kids too). The past couple months she has spent a ton of time over here, having sleepovers, trying to help clean or just hanging out. And I am enjoying having my Mom back. The other day she even did something that was very unexpected but reminds me how wonderful she is. I know I am lucky to have my Mother in my life... Nick's Mother is completely different then mine and is not in his life because of her actions... so he even calls my Mom "Mom". And of course you cannot count on that she gave me life.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... The Mall of America

Yes, today I am thankful for Mall of America . Funny I should choose the biggest mall in the United States and a shrine to capitalism but since I was there today I felt it appropriate. I cannot forget 16 years ago when it opened to much fan fare. We didn't go that weekend.. we actually waited about a month later when my Mom, Dad, Brother and I got our first glimpse at this huge mall. Up until I got married 8+ years ago I lived only 15 minutes away. At that time the mall was great for get to gethers with friends and dates and I even worked there for a summer. After I got married the trips there haven't happened as much. Doesn't mean I dislike the place.. it is just 45 minute to get there now. And when I go it may be for a dinner with friends or to take the kids on rides. I have also been to parties there and know of people that have gotten married there.
I am just amazed that someplace really can have something for everyone. And I actually have online friends that plan trips there or have it on their list of places they want to go someday. I guess I am lucky and grateful it is so close.
Jeffrey and I were there today for a friend's birthday party and my brother just got a job there.
It really is "The Place for Fun in Your Life!"

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... sleep

Funny, it is the absence of sleep that is making me thankful for sleep. I am almost always tired... not just because of the three kids (though having a baby doesn't help) but for other undetermined reasons. So I will say I am thankful when I can sleep in.
Of course that actually didn't happen today... and I went to bed way too late last night because Nick and I stumbled on a movie and watched it.
But I am thankful for sleep when I can get some.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... my house!

Sometimes these gratitude posts are easy to figure out and some take some thinking... this one actually came to me as I was (and still am) cleaning up our house for Samantha and Carter's birthday party.

(this was actually taken in July 2006 - if I would have taken this today you would see snow - yes, snow - on the ground)

Today I am thankful for my house. Even though today we have the "fun" task of cleaning it, I am grateful I have a house to clean. I am grateful we have a comfortable place to sleep and even space to keep our junk. I am grateful for the neighbors we have near our house. And I am grateful that it is OURS (well and the banks).

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... lower gas prices

Funny, I was thinking about doing this one and then I saw Shirley's post one what she was grateful for yesterday. Today I am thankful for lower gas prices. I filled up the other day for either $2.00 or $2.10 and I actually saw it for $1.97 yesterday. Who knows if this will last, but for now it is nice to get away from "high gas prices". And you know, I don't even drive a lot, but it is nice to feel a little more freedom.

C-Ya!

Mobile Blogging
This is a test of the mobile blogging system... This is only a test...
C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... change

Today I am thankful for change and that it is coming. I know that whoever we would have elected as our President we would have a change, but just knowing that we are closer to that change makes it an exciting new world. Right now we have a President with a very low approval rating and many of us are excited for him to be shown the door.
Congratulations President-elect Barack Obama and his Vice President-elect Joe Biden, I look forward to the next four years!

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... democracy

I think it is only fitting that today I am thankful for democracy and the privelages of living in the United States of America. I love that we have this ability to vote and have our voice heard (or kind of heard when it comes to the President and electoral college). And I am so glad that so many people will be exercising that right. Also, I am proud of my state of Minnesota which usually has the highest rate of voter turnout... early estimates put this year's number at 80%. Now I haven't voted yet... we are waiting till Jeffrey gets home from school and Nick gets done with work and we will all go vote. I remember going to vote with my parents and am proud to take my own kids - especially during this monumental election.
So I am probably that 1000th person to tell you this... but if you are allowed to vote.. please go vote today. And be thankful that you can.

C-Ya!!!

Today I am thankful for.... water.

Today I am thankful for water.

Water is central to everything we do in our lives - our food and drink, our bathing, our recreation.... I think our bodies are like 75% water.
And so I am thankful for it.
Particullarly the water we drink and the water we have fun in. I usually drink water at home and don't even mind the Mound water that comes out of the tap. I also love living a block away from the biggest body of water here in Minnesota - Lake Minnetonka - and sometimes people even take us out on their boats on the lake.

C-Ya!

Today I am thankful for.... beautiful weather

Today I am thankful for beautiful weather. It is the first week of November and today and tomorrow should hit around 70 degrees!!! I need to remember days like today when next weekend could bring snow.


C-Ya!!!

A thankful November..

My friend at this blog midnitescrapper has set up a challenge to blog every day this month what you are grateful for in honor of Thanksgiving... and you know I am always up for a challenge. So hold me to it.....

C-Ya!!!

Happy November!

... well I guess... it is November... all the kids are calming down from the sugar high (except for when Grandma says they can have another piece). Tonight we fall back... I just hope Carter sleeps in a little bit. And tomorrow is All Souls Day at church... another reason to think about Dad and how much I miss him.
And here I sit... at 10 o'clock at night working on homework with Jeffrey because he is having a hard time with it. He is good with math but not so good with spelling/writing/reading. *sigh*
Well off to clean up the final last things from dinner and watch SNL.
At least the weather is suppose to be nice this week!

C-Ya!

Happy 1st Birthday Carter!!!

Happy, happy first birthday Carter!! I cannot believe that last year at this time I was holding you for the first time. I have to admit I was slightly bummed to miss the trick or treating and Halloween festivities... but if I had to miss it for anything, you were the best reason.
I so would love to write a long post about all you have been doing lately but it is Halloween and I just took your siblings out. You are walking and practically running and are cutting teeth 3 & 4 right now. Also, you LOVE to chatter, we definetly cannot forget that you are in the room.
Just like Jeffrey and Samantha, your picture and info was on the KARE 11's first birthday segment in their midmorning show... if anyone wants to check it out.. here is the link.. Showcase Minnesota



I Love You Baby Boy!!!

C-Ya!!

Go vote!

5 more days till the big election! Thank goodness... an unnamed person is driving me nuts about their candidate and I am worn out.

Just don't forget to go vote!!!

C-Ya!

Happy 5th Birthday Samantha!

Happy 5th Birthday to my girly girl. I just cannot believe Samantha is half a decade old.


What a year it has been for Samantha. She is really enjoying her 2nd year of preschool and is looking forward to kindergarten. She can write Sami P. and is called Sami at school. Her favorite things to do are color/draw/write and play outside. And she can spend hours doing them. She loves both of her brothers and loves spending time with them. Her favorite colors may be pink, purple and blue but that could be changing. She is enjoying her first year of dance.
I love you baby girl.

C-Ya!

Big Week

Next week is quite the big week here... Tuesday is Samantha's 5th birthday, Friday is Carter's 1st birthday and Halloween. Add in a lot going on at school with birthday and Halloween parties plus we have to turn in Jeffrey's Christmas wreath order for cub scouts and Samantha's butter braids order for preschool (anyone want to buy any?) and it will be busy. Ohhh and for anyone that lives in the Twin Cities... Carter will be on KARE 11 during the 10am show for his first birthday on Friday!
And tomorrow is huge at church... it is the anniversary of the dedication of the church and also this is the 100th anniversary of the church this year (well actually next June) and Nick installed a huge 57,000 rock and so they are dedicating that and having 4th degree honor guard and special music and a breakfast brunch. So that will be exciting.
And I have been neglecting this blog something fierce... funny I am on the internet every day but never know what to write. Yea a ton has been going on with the family... especially the kids.. I just need to write about it. I have also been neglecting my scrapbooking and it is nice to look back on the blog and find out what I have done. I really need a long weekend to work on that.
Ohh.. and Go MINNESOTA GOPHERS... 7-1 Yeah!!!

C-Ya!

In Memory of Danny...

IN MEMORY OF DANNY TRITTEN
August 29, 2003 – October 16, 2008
Daniel "Danny" "Dude" John Tritten, age 5, of Roscoe, IL, passed away on Thursday, October 16th, 2008, at Rockford Memorial Hospital in Rockford, IL.Danny was born in Riverside, CA, on August 29, 2003. Danny was the most amazing young man. He had a generous heart that was obvious to all who knew him. He made friends everywhere we went and was loved by everyone who met him.
He is survived by his parents, Dan and Donnann Tritten; and sister (sissy), Madison Tritten of Roscoe, IL; many other family and friends.
Balloon released at the time of his funeral mass from a friend in Mound, MN in honor of his love for the movie Cars. http://www.scrapshare.com/

I attached the following to a balloon we just released in honor and memory of Danny. I met Danny's mom, Donnann, on scrapshare.com and then at a couple scrapbooking retreats in Wisconsin. All of a suddenly last week Danny got really sick and they found a brain tumor, they tried to take it out (I don't know if they were successful) but he didn't make it.
No words can express how sorry anyone is at the loss of Danny. No one should have to bury their five year old, and knowing that my daughter turns 5 next week makes it even harder. They are pretty much the same age.
So today we are wearing red and releasing red balloons...
Pictures taken inside of the house of Samantha, Carter and myself (Nick and Jeffrey are out of town) right before we released the balloons:

These were taken outside:


I had told Samantha to let go when she was ready and then all a sudden the wind took it out of her hand. Of course she got really upset, but I tried to tell her that Danny took it.

For more info, check out menjiness.blogspot.com which has all of Desiree's posts about it, or the funeral home website. As of right now, here are some other blogs with their red balloon posts:
yankeeinontario.blogspot.com/ , changgang1.blogspot.com/ , themartinchronicle.blogspot.com/ , blog.havadrpepper.com/ , openabigolcanofcrazy.blogspot.com/ , mom2jwo.blogspot.com/ , bandhasbecomemylife.blogspot.com/

Dear God, hold Danny close, Amen.

C-Ya!

Another loss

Well we suffered another loss, a week ago my Grandma (Mom's Mom) died. She ended up dying from dementia but also had lung cancer and emphysema. My poor mother has lost so many people, but seems to be doing ok. For the first time since I was born she now doesn't have a child or adult to take care of (or at least be a strong advocate for). I did tell I hope the only diaper she changes and baths she gives for a long time is to Carter.
My Grandma Joyce was 76 years old and now joins her parents, brother, special friend and son-in-law (my Dad) in heaven. I know she had some welcoming arms up there.

C-Ya!

Spouse

I got this from Cowtown Stacy and knew I had to copy... even if she didn't tag me!!!

(he may shoot me if he knew I put a "naked Nick" picture online - btw.. he is not naked, just has his shirt off!)
What is his name? Nick
How long have you been married? Just celebrated 8 years
How long did you date? It was 2 months before we got engaged... we got married three years and 2 days after our first date.
How old is he? 32
Who eats more? Him... though I do eat faster!
Who said I love you first? He did.
Who is taller? He is. That was one of my requirements.. of course when you are 5'2" most guys are. He is 6'1" or 6'.. he can never decide.
Who sings better? ME! And he knows it.
Who's temper is worse? Probably him... because he is more passionate about things.
Who does the laundry? Me, if I had to wait for him to have time (especially in the summer) it would never get done.
Who pays the bills? He makes it, I spend it.
Who cooks dinner? I do about 75% of the time.. of course more in the summer.
Who mows the lawn? Neither one of us... he used to own a lawn care company.. and is such a perfectionist that I could never do it, but again, he doesn't have time. So his former business partner mows it!
Who wears the pants in the family? If I had to name someone I would say more him, but we are pretty equal.
OK, so I need to tag someone ... Diane (even if you don't get married for a couple weeks) and Roxanne (because you need a blog... even if Fredo needs to write it)

C-Ya!

Happy 8th Anniversary!

On this day 8 years ago I told Nick that I would be his wife forever.. 8 years, through all the highs and lows we are celebrating our anniversary. Tonight we left the kids with our good friends and we went out, just the two of us, on a real date for the first time since Carter was born.
Rarely do we have pics just the two of us... but here is us in May at the Knights convention (which we had to take Carter to)..


Happy Anniversary Dear.

C-Ya!

I have come to realize...

With thanks (& apologies?) to Cowtown Stacy who writes way better on her Blog. I am copying her in this. Of course she did copy this from CloverGirl who also writes a great blog.

1. I've come to realize that my boobs are never going to recover from having kids unless I get some "help" - and I do want "help".
2. I've come to realize that my job is supposedly watching my kids every day as a SAHM. Though I don't believe it is a "job" it is a full lifestyle.
3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving I don't always need the radio on. Though if I am completely alone I need to either listen to music or talk on the phone.
4. I've come to realize that I need the friends I have in my life and the friends that are to come.
5. I've come to realize that I have lost my freedom and independence when I had kids.
6. I've come to realize that I hate it when people are self-centered (as I am writing a post all about myself!)
7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk I will get a headache the next morning.
8. I've come to realize that money wouldn't solve our problems but we would have a lot more fun with them.
9. I've come to realize that certain people enjoy their life, even if it isn't the life for me.
10. I've come to realize that I'll always be short.
12. I've come to realize that my mom needs to have some good things in life happen to her.
13. I've come to realize my cell phone should be fun - that is why I got a new one. And that it actually has helped my relationship with Nick because otherwise we would never talk.
14. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning I was still tired because Carter woke me up to eat.
15. I've come to realize that last night before I went to sleep I should have gone to bed earlier.
16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking about how tireing but good my walk was.
17. I've come to realize that my dad was a great man that will always be missed.
18. I've come to realize that when I get on the computer I can forget about the world around me.
19. I've come to realize that today is filled with more possibilites that I never let myself have.
20. I've come to realize that tonight can never come soon enough.
21. I've come to realize that tomorrow I will try to spend at least one minute less on the computer.
22. I've come to realize that I really want to live comfortably... whatever that is.
24. I've come to realize that life isn't easy or fair or always pretty.
25. I've come to realize that this weekend is the first weekend all summer where we have NOTHING booked (except for church - since we go every weekend).
26. I've come to realize that the best music to listen to when I am upset is music that lets me be upset.
27. I've come to realize that friends are very important for our well being.
28. I've come to realize that this year I will be starting the last year of my Twenties and really need to make some goals and plans to get to those goals.

C-Ya!

Facebook!

NEWS FLASH:
Yesterday, July 9, 2008... Melissa finally joined facebook. She doesn't know why it took her so long. She thought it was more for school kids. But now that she has joined she is enjoying it and all the fun applications and finding all of her friends (wait... does she have friends?). Anyways, if you to are on facebook and want to check her out, this link may work Facebook profile.
Thank you and now back to your regularly scheduled blogging!!!

C-Ya!

Jeffrey at 6

Jeffrey turned 6 in May. Every year I cannot believe I have a child that is as old as he is. It seems like just yesterday Nick and I were talking about trying for a child, and now it is over six years later.
(J in his "bday shirt")
Jeffrey is so smart in our eyes, nothing goes past him. He remembers so much, though honestly sometimes he embelishes the truth. He sure can tell you stories, though.
He still wants to be a landscaper when he grows up. He loves, loves, loves when he can go to work with Daddy. Nick just told me when they see Jeffrey on the job site they call him the boss. And when Jeffrey is home he has his own "employees" to deal with - and be careful, if they are bad or old they get thrown in the trash.

Jeffrey really enjoyed Kindergarten. He made his first friend all by himself, Jack.. and enjoyed some other friends. He really knew how to butter up his teachers... he had two teachers most of the time and one could never discipline him he was too cute with her. He says his favorite classes were art, music, library, computer, gym and math ... well really almost all the classes.. And he liked to ride the bus to and from school but also liked when Mommy and/or Daddy occasionally picked him up. I am just amazed at how well he can write and start to read things.
(J wrote the alphabet with bath crayons)
He is enjoying his summer so far. Besides going to work with Daddy, him and Samantha already were in one music/religion camp at my friend's church which culmenated with a performance. He also is enjoying a chance to go with to MOMS club stuff. And he is a great helper with Carter (he sometimes takes that role way too seriously)

And that is a little update of my "big, little" boy Jeffrey

C-Ya!

June post

Ok... so I actually didn't take the time to post in June but I want to make it look like I did so I am back dating this post to June. I actually plan to update on how all the kids are doing maybe this long weekend (of July 4th)!!! :)

C-Ya!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to me and all the other Mothers out there - whether you are a mother-to-be (as I was 6 years ago) or a "special Mom", whether your children were born in your tummy or in your heart. I love having this day where we honor Mothers!!!
In celebration of this being my first Mother's Day with 3 children, here are my three little (?) bundles of joy (with Lucy)! Jeffrey, Samantha & Carter do make this day extra special for me.


Nick is going to make dinner for us tonight. Of course I wish my Dad was still around and we could continue our tradition where us and my parents went out for dinner, but with him being gone I just don't feel like going out to eat.
Fathers must get jealous that Mother's Day falls during the school year because every year the kids seem to make me creative Mother's Day gifts but school is already out for his day (mental note to try to think of something creative for them to make this year). And this year was great... here are what the kids made at school. The card with the person giving a hug was made by Jeffrey and Samantha made the hand in the clay.. on the other said it talks about stuff we like to eat together like noodles, wraps and parmesan cheese!!

Don't know yet if Nick will get me a card from him and/or the kids. He doesn't seem to be great at remembering that.
I hope your day is happy!!

C-Ya!

I suck it up..

I have a minor medical issue... something I get often enough... yet it is one of those things if it doesn't go away in a day or so I need a prescription which usually means running to the Doctor. I have had this since Friday.
And I suck it up...
I suck it up... because I always think I can beat this myself.
I suck it up... because Nick thinks that my family runs to the Dr. too much.
I suck it up... because gas costs around $3.50 and it can be almost a 1/4 a tank to drive to the Dr.
I suck it up... because I have to take one to three kids with to the Dr.
I suck it up... because health insurance is for the healthy and it will still cost me to go to the Dr.
I suck it up... because I feel so icky I just want to stay home and hide.

So I sucked it up long enough today and called the Dr. and after having to wait all day I got one piece of good news about 10 minutes ago... they can just call my prescription in.
Guess no more sucking it up!!!

C-Ya!

6 Months Old!

Yes, my Carter is half a year old. I cannot believe it. For awhile the time was dragging but now all of a suddenly it is going pretty fast. A lot people think that this is the fun age for babies, before they are walking and tearing through the house, but after they start getting a personality. And Carter sure does have a personality! Thankfully it is usually happy unless he is hungry.

He is turning into the turning fool. He can go from his tummy to his back and his back to his tummy. And he can sure hold his head up well. If I put him in a sitting position he can sit for a very short period of time.

And Samantha and Jeffrey still just adore him. Samantha loves to make him "pile" (smile) and Jeffrey just cannot wait to pick him up and carry him. Of course I am thinking he really loves his mother. My voice is on my Mom's answering machine (yea, she still doesn't have voice mail) and once when she was watching him it came on and he turned to look for me!!

We had his 6 month checkup on Friday. The Dr. says he looks great. His measurements are 16 lbs 2 oz (30%), length is 26 1/4" (50%) and his head is 17 1/2" (75%).

A couple weeks ago we started spoon feeding him rice cereal. I don't always remember to give him some every night but I need to get better at that. I am also planning on giving him some fruits and veggies sometime this week. Last year I bought a Magic Bullet and plan to try to make some of his baby food.

Just over a week ago Nick put up Carter's crib. He has been taking his nap in there as well as starting the night in there. Last week he probably slept the whole night about half the time. So there is hope that he will let me get sleep consistantly soon.

Wow! I thought this was going to be a short post... but I guess Carter has sure done a lot lately. He already is getting to be such a big boy.

C-Ya!

Introducing Lucy!

Introducing our new puppy, Lucy:



When Maggie died we knew we couldn't be without a little dog for long. So we went back to the place that we got Maggie and saw that they had some shih poos available right away and soon. We found one that was born on February 4, had the same father and was going to be available the beginning of April. So on Thursday, April 10 Nick went and got her.
Now the kids knew we were talking about getting another one, but they did not know when. Partially because I didn't want Jeffrey to miss school since we were getting her while he was gone. Nick brought her home in the morning so Jeff was gone but this was Samantha and Carter's reaction when they saw her


Samantha was pretty excited but nothing could contain the excitement Jeffrey felt when he got home from school and Samantha brought her out

After discussing it all day (and initially thinking we were going to call her Abby) we settled on Lucy. Kind of a break from the "M" names we have named our dogs in the past.
Of course I get to hold her a lot

Potty training has gone ok... she is starting to get the hang of using the bell to go outside, though at times she can be lazy. Samantha and Jeffrey are great with her... they are always taking her out and playing with her. This has been a Godsend because it can get kind of crazy having a new puppy and a baby. Carter, well, he doesn't same much about her. We do have to watch her around him or she mistakes him for a play toy. And Nick is just grateful to have a new "drinking buddy".
Max hasn't had much play time with her, but Scooter has and is quite dissapointed... he thought he would be the only furry friend in the house for awhile.
C-Ya!

Us in April!

So April is amounting to a BUSY month. I think we have or had something every weekend. Multiple things. So this means that we are not getting anything done around the house - especially all those little projects that Nick has started but hasn't had time to finish and if he doesn't finish them soon they probably wont be touched all summer. Of course I have my fair share of stuff to get done, but the past couple days I have been so tired. Kind of goes in waves for me. One or two days I have energy and get stuff done followed by week(s) of being tired.
I do have some pictures to share. We were at my friends' wedding reception last weekend at the Minnesota Zoo. It was pretty cool to have it with the dolphins, sharks and other sea creatures swimming around. The kids had a ton of fun. Here are some (though don't worry Roxanne... I have more I need to get to you!)
Our family:

Daddy & Carter, Samantha, Jeffrey:


And me with the bride, my good friend Roxanne:


BTW... as I am writing this it is snowing, can spring just finally be here?

C-Ya!