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!

In Memory of Maggie

I am just going to repost what I emailed everyone when this happened.

It is with sadness that I have to say we have lost our Maggie dog. On the night of Tuesday, March 24 she got off her leash and was hit and killed by a car. I wasn't home but Nick said that whoever hit her didn't stop. Another person saw her lying in the street and went and got the neighbors who in turn got Nick. The lady that found her said she had a faint pulse but by the time Nick got there it was too late. She was almost 2 1/2 years old and was the perfect dog.
We told the kids the next morning.. Jeffrey is taking it especially hard and we let him stay home from school. Samantha decided she wanted to go. She is just asking a lot of questions and is saying that she is sad.
Nick and I are devastated. We have suffered so much loss. I truly don't know if I slept that night, I felt like I was up all night.
The house seems quiet right now, even with the noise the kids make... she definetly had a presence around here larger then life.I think we have all decided that we want to get another little dog soon. We don't know much about what kind yet, but we know we want a girl and to give her a name like Maggie.
Maggie was buried in our back yard next to Mollie, that is what the kids wanted.
:(


C-Ya!

Partial revamp

As you may be able to see... I did a partial revamp of the blog. I am actually on the hunt for a new template, but till then I changed something in the templates section.
I also deleted a couple more things on my sidebar.
So if you notice something is not working right, please let me know. But also tell me if your are finding it is loading faster. Thanks!!!

And, today it was back to school for the kids! It definetly was quieter around here!!!

C-Ya!

Happy Easter 2008

Merry Christmas... oh wait... Happy Easter!!!

Looks a little more like Christmas around here this Easter... of course it is really early this year so that is understandable. The snow was actually melting but starting Friday it has been snowing on and off till today. Though it is funny because it is warm enough that some of it melts off the ground as soon as it hits it.
Our Easter started off on Thursday if you count that we were at mass Thursday, Friday and Saturday night as well as Sunday morning. But we really got into the spirit on Saturday.
We started off at church for the annual Knights Easter Egg Hunt. Due to the snow it was held indoors and that was just fine with me. The kids' age group was in the gym and the eggs were just spread all over the floor. Both Jeffrey and Samantha had an easy time this year getting eggs and ended up with 8 and 6 eggs. Jeffrey had a prize egg and got to pick out something, he choose silly straws. Samantha had a grand prize egg and picked out a giant elephant!!

After that we went into the main part of the church to check out Nick's progress on the baptismal fountain he was building for the Easter season. This is the second year he has made one and he definetly had an easier time this year. I think it turned out great.

Later that night we were back up at church for the Easter Vigil Mass. Our friends so graciously watched the kids during mass so I could sing in the choir and Nick could usher. I will say we sounded awesome as a choir - especially the ending Hallelujiah Chorus.
Today started out back at church for mass.. then back home to get ready for having Mom, Aaron and Katie over. Again it is bittersweet to be celebrating without Dad. The past couple years we have combined Easter and Passover and this year I just didn't feel like doing anything for Passover (of course it isn't for awhile so there wasn't much out anyways).
Aaron and Katie brought over their dog Aspen, and he got to spend some time with Max. Maggie also got a chance to say Hi.

Because we are so busy in the morning the Easter Bunny usually doesn't stop by till mid day or so. This year EB left the kids' gifts outside the door and played ding dong ditch... unfortunately the kids missed EB. But they did like their gifts - including Carter.

And then we had our Easter dinner - yum. Afterwards Uncle Aaron got to hang out with his youngest buddy Carter.

From my family to yours HAPPY EASTER


(and yes... Jeff and Sami both just got haircuts!)

C-Ya!