Daddy builds a swing set!

We have been putting off buying a swing set for a while because we thought we would have sold our house by now. Well, obviously that isn’t happening so we decided to just go ahead and get one.
Bryan got started 1st thing Saturday morning with the help of Grumps. The instructions said it would take two men 8-10 hours to complete, so we figured it would take those two a few days. J They worked hard all day long with only a short break for lunch. Bubs, Jo and crew (and Mom) showed up around dinner and we all ate some yummy steaks that Bry grilled for us.
Bry and Bubs went back out and got a few more things done (in the dark). The rest of us stayed inside and played with all of the kiddos. Ella, Presley and Luke loved the playing with our bubble machine! Bay and Seth had some sweet cuddle moments. After a long day outside, the babies were all exhausted and we were too! We finally had to call it a night.
Bry woke up the next day and went straight back out there and in a couple of hours he was done. We let the kids loose and they had a blast! Bay loved the swings, Luke loved climbing and sliding and Presley liked going from one thing to another.
We are so grateful for all of the help we had in putting it together. And are so glad that we decided not to wait any longer. Our only regret is that we didn’t buy it sooner!

Oh and by the way, do I have the cutest niece and nephews in the world or what??

My favorite Idol

O.K., I'll admit it. I looooove American Idol. LOVE IT! I usually tape it and watch it when my kids are in bed. That way it doesn't take time away from them and also it gives me the choice of fast forwarding through the sucky performances and anything Paula says. I'm sorry but she gets on my nerves. I used to actually like her, being a child of the 80's and all. But come on! These kids are up there singing their butts off and all she can come up with is "you look great tonight." I actually love Simon. I just love honesty and hey, it's not like they weren't aware of what they were in for when they auditioned for the show. Anyway, don't get me started.

So, the reason for this little idol rant is because my favorite "Idol" got voted off last night. And like every season, when this happens I swear I won't watch it anymore. Hey, my kids have tantrums everyday! I can have one every once in a while! Yes, I know that I will not be able to keep myself from turning it back on next week, but for some reason it makes me feel better to rant and rave and swear off the whole show.

Anyway, I thought I would include the video to one of my favorite performances by my favorite contestant this year. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CReExerbv-I

I am not my hair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TBrQHVMoWM

Tomorrow I have an appointment with a general surgeon. There are these little cysts on my head that I need to have removed. To be honest, they aren’t really that little. My family lovingly refers to them as my horns.
The doc says that I shouldn’t worry. They aren’t any danger to me but they won’t go away without surgery and they will continue to get bigger. I have put this off for years. Then the other day I saw this woman at the store who had one that actually sat on top of her hair and it was the size of my fist. Ironically, the next day I had just finished drying my hair when I noticed that one of my “horns” had grown and I could see it! Until then I could only feel them, not see them!
The saddest part is that I am more worried about how much hair they are going to shave than anything else. You would think I would be worried about the pain, the recovery or if it could be something more serious. How vain am I?
It’s just that I have been through a lot of physical changes over the years. I gained and lost a lot of weight. My skin went crazy after taking lots of steroids for an illness. My eyesight is not great and I have glasses that I am supposed to wear, but they bug me. Now, my hearing is going! I’m only 32 people! Anyway, my hair has sort of become a crutch. It makes me feel better. It’s healthy and long and it hides my face. J It’s my security blanket. I know that sounds really strange but whatever- there it is.
I am so scared about how much they will have to cut and how bad it is going to show. I know it could be a lot worse. I know how fortunate I am that this isn’t something more serious. I know it will grow back. But for some reason, I can’t be logical when it comes to my hair.
Maybe I’m supposed to learn something from this. Just maybe I’m supposed to realize that beauty comes from within. That even if you have no hair, are overweight, have really bad acne, wear glasses, etc. you can still be beautiful. I feel like I know those things about other people but I guess I have a hard time believing it about myself.
Or maybe I’m supposed to learn that I need to draw strength from God and not silly things like my hair. That God should be my comfort, my security blanket. That He will love me no matter what I look like and as long as I have Him nothing else matters. Yeah, I feel like I know those things too.
I could also just be over thinking it. Either way, I really don’t want to lose my hair. :(

(I am going to attempt to add a video to this post. I'm not completely computer savvy though so we'll see how it goes. It's the video for "I am not my hair".)

Girls Night

Our family has always been so close and we have so much fun together. Up until we started having more kids, we got together at least once a week. It is impossible to do that now, but we do try to get together as much as possible. Even so, with all the kids, cooking, cleaning up.... we really weren't able to have a lot of girl talk.

So towards the middle of last year we decided to start a girls night out. No hubby's, kids or even friends allowed. Once a month we meet up for dinner and usually a movie. ("We" being me, Mom, Jo and Bre.) We talk and eat and laugh and act silly. It's so funny to see how different and relaxed we are when we aren't in the "wife-mommy" mode. It has become something that I not only look forward to but I need.

I feel so lucky to have these ladies in my life. They are each so important to me and I truly can't imagine my life without them.

Mom is the person who has always been there for me and has loved me unconditionally. She's so laid back and easy going. She is always smiling and making people feel good. She cares so much about other people that it's almost like she can feel whatever someone else is feeling. She would give the shirt off her back to help someone who needed it. She has this innocence to her. She wants to see the best in everyone. We love to shock her with our stories and pick on her about her "blonde" moments.

Bre is like having an extension of myself. Watching her twin boys now makes me realize that's how I feel about her. I feel totally connected and like I belong when I'm with her. We can laugh at almost anything together and act like goofy little kids. I know that no matter what I tell her, she will keep my secrets and not judge me. I also know that if I get upset, she will have my back and either get fired up or calm me down- whatever I need at the time.

Jo is just like sunshine. She makes you feel better just by being in the same room. She's such a great listener and will give you and honest opinion when you need it. She also has this great sassy side that I think surprises people. She's really strong in her beliefs but doesn't try to push them onto other people. She has this wonderful lust for life that is contagious. You can't help being happy around her.

I am so grateful for my girls and our nights out! Because of them, I am a better person, a better wife and a better Mommy.

A day with the twins

Twice a week, my mom comes over to watch my kids so I can run errands and have a chance to regroup. Since my sister has had her twin boys, I have used this time to go over and hang out with them. It's so quiet over there with our big kids in school and my babies with my mom. I actually get to bond with Cameron and Carson. I also get to spend time with my sis which is one of my favorite things to do. And as amazing as Bre is doing adjusting to life with twins, I'm sure having an extra set of hands to help with feedings or whatever is nice for her too.

Cameron and Carson are so sweet. They are such good babies and so adorable! They already have their own look and own personality. I could just sit and look at them all day.

It's also nice to be able to love and cuddle them and then to hand them back to Bre and drive away. :)

The Naughty Chair

One of my favorite shows is Super nanny. I think the woman is awesome and uses great techniques. I have actually learned a lot by watching her. What is so funny to me is how the parents on the show think that she is going to come in and teach their kids a thing or two. But they get a big surprise because most of the time the problem is them. And I know from experience, that is usually the case in any home, mine included.
So anyway, most who know us know of our sweet little challenge named Luke. He is such a sweet, charming and loving little boy but he has so much energy and curiosity that he can really wear us out. Well, we have been trying the “naughty chair” for a while now and it just doesn’t seem to be working. We realized that he didn’t mind sitting there because he could see the television. Well, yesterday I decided to move the chair into the hallway where there are no toys, TV, etc. Needless to say, Luke did not like this at all. He would not stay on that chair! He tried everything from running and hiding to stripping down to the nude. We started the first time out at 5:45. I was determined to get him to stay on that chair for a full 3 minutes. I was also going to do it without losing my temper. I did both, it took 45 minutes. He was out for a full 12 minutes before he smacked his sister and was right back in time out. We had to do it all over again. That time took 45 minutes too.
I like the idea of the naughty chair because it gives us both the time to cool off. Also because there is no yelling or spanking involved. Not that I’m against spanking but I like to avoid it if I can. I’m determined not to give up on the Naughty chair or my sweet Luke. I just hope I survive.

Things we take for granted before having kids...

O.K., first let me say that I love being a Mommy. I wouldn't change it for the world. I am grateful for every second that I have with my children. But let's just be honest, it's hard. It wears you out and there are times when you want to just scream! So anyway, as I was trying to get my son to stay in his bed for a nap today this list just starting rolling through my mind. For the people in my life who don't have kids yet, here are a few things you should enjoy while you can. And keep in mind, this is only the short list, there are plenty of things that I don't have time to mention.

Things we take for granted before having kids...

1. Only having one butt and one nose to wipe.

2. Going to the bathroom by yourself.

3. Taking a shower whenever you want- without having to worry about who will watch your kids and keep them from destroying the house or themselves while you are in there.

4. Eating a whole meal without getting up once to get someone a refill, cut up someones food, clean up a spill, etc.

5. Owning one shirt that doesn't have spit up, sticky finger or snot stains.

6. Going anywhere without packing a suitcase full of diapers, wipes, snacks, drinks, toys, blankies, the kitchen sink...

7. Sleep- totally uninterrupted, worry free sleep.

8. Total silence- even for 3 minutes.

9. Being able to sit next to your spouse without 3 little monkeys climbing in between you or on top of you.

10. Holding your spouses hand. (There is always a tiny hand to hold, a stroller to push, etc.)

11. Having a telephone conversation without having to ask the person your talking to if they can hold so that you can deal with the chaos that has erupted b/c you turned your back for 5 seconds.

12. Having any conversation without having to stop and chase, talk to, or discipline a child.

13. Only going to the grocery store once a week. (Who knew little people could eat so much!)

As I said, I love being a Mommy. I cherish every second and wouldn't change my life. But hey, I'm human and even me (Super Mommy) has days when I want to find a good hiding place and not come out for a couple of hours.