Ahhhhh...life!!!!!

10 things that I take for granted that I should be grateful for everyday...

2009-05-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

1: My amazing and unconditionally loving children...
2: My extremely patient husband...who tolerates me more than I could...
3: This wonderful and safe "small" town that I live in...
4: My fabulous home that I live to decorate...even when it is a mess...
5: My health...and the health of my children and husband...
6: My husband's job and his unbelievable ability to do it so well...
7: My kids teachers...how fortunate I am to have such phenomenal people working to make their lives better...and easier...
8: Quiet time for reading...it's the greatest escape...
9: Running water...and electricity...
10: "Safe" chemicals that kill annoying bugs...

Crazy week!!!!!

2009-05-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

So, I'm going to give this blogging thing a go again. Let's hope this time, I can keep up!!
I thought that I would share my hectic, but absolutely memorable week last week with those of you that couldn't be there. It was recital week and, I'm sure those who are moms of dancers know this well...it was complete madness!!! Wednesday was Lexi's in class dress rehearsal, Thursday was Dani's, Friday evening was the real dress rehearsal at the Excelsior Springs HS Performing Arts Center, and Saturday was the show!! My girls performed in 2 of the 3 shows at the recital...which, btw, I was so thankful for. This year the Studio made some changes that not only helped our little ones out, but also made it easier on us moms. Only the older dancers performed in the 7pm show. So we were done by 6pm. After 4 days of full hair, full make-up, full costume, constant touch-ups from either tears or smudges, re-do's of hair, either pulled out or fallen out, and costumes on, off, and on again, hearing "I'm hungry", "I'm thirsty", or just the whining at 10-15 minute intervals of an unhappy 3 year old who was not feeling herself after getting stitches on her nose Tuesday evening...you can imagine that we were more than ready to go home come 6:00 on Saturday night!! Dan took the kids to the Kearney Elementary School Carnival (yes, they rounded up more than enough energy for that) so I had a bit of me time to just re-charge. He then came home and took me out to Moonlight, our favorite sushi place and to a movie. But, now, looking back into all of the chaos, I feel so thankful that our girls had the opportunity to be in something so fun and with their closest friends...they look forward to it every year!! Mother's Day fell on the day after...and where was I?? In the Liberty ER, having Camille's stitches removed...which took 5 hours...guess since she wasn't sick or injured, we didn't make it to the top of the priority list. But it was fine...I had my baby all to myself for awhile and, as usual, most of the time with her was spent cracking up. She is such a hoot!! So, when I returned home, I was able to open my Mother's Day gifts...which I hadn't expected at all. I received a 90 minute full body massage gift card to Serendipity Spa, a new bottle of Fake Bake (incredible product, by the way!!), and a hot pink camera case for the new camera my husband bought for me a couple of weeks ago. I was stoked!! So stoked that I called Serendipity and set up my appt. for first thing in the morning!!! It was amazing. My husband and kids knew exactly what mama needed!!!!! I did end up being able to wind down after the truly hectic week and weekend that I'd had. I have posted some pictures of our craziness...and, of course, they don't show a hint of stress!!!!!

Surviving the holiday!!!!!

2008-07-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

So, here I am...a full on blogger!! Thanks, Ali. You managed to inspire me...hope you're happy!!! I contemplated on what to make my first blog about and after careful consideration...I have chosen to write about making it through this wonderful, and most action packed, weekend.
It started on Tuesday, when my husband decided to take the week off and spend it with us. He spent most of the day visiting his dad, but came home in the early evening. I had been at the pool the entire day with my girlfriend, Amber and her children. So, we both, needless to say, were exhausted. On Wednesday, the boys went to their dad's house and Dan and I, on a whim, decided to take the girls to see Kung Fu Panda...BRAVE...I know!! As we were driving...into...the storm...we thought about turning around, but had put in too much effort to go home now. So, we pressed forward...towards the theater. As we arrived, we made our ticket, popcorn, candy, and Dr. Pepper purchase...and $49 later...sat restfully into our seats. With the rain pounding the outside of the theater, I seemed to be distracted by the fact that I couldn't find my mouth to save my life, as I had a lap full of popcorn. I took a minute to clear it off, and looked up suddenly only to see darkness..... complete darkness. We had lost power!! After a few seconds of silence, Dan went out, along with 2 other dads, to evaluate the situation. He was followed back in with a teenage boy holding a flashlight, offering rain checks. We left the theater...in the torrential downpour that was sweeping across the city and headed back home. ~~ On Thursday, we attempted it again and it did end up to be a success. Needless to say, I had popcorn, skittles, reese's pieces, and Dr. Pepper not only for dinner the night before but for lunch this day, as well. GREAT!!!!! We went home again, this time to clean, clean, clean, and get the house, inside and out, ready for Dan's sister, Jen, her hubby, Robbie, and their 2 sons, Aiden and Justin's arrival. Dan picked them up at almost midnight and they came here and went straight to bed.~~ When we woke up Friday, it was time to get prepared for another busy day. In 2 carloads, we headed to pick up the boys so that they could go along to the Cameron Parade. It was pleasant, a little hot, but enjoyable nonetheless. Arriving back at home, it was time to get ready for the evening. The Ellefsen family, Dan's brother Neil and his wife, Mandy and their 2 and one half lil' ones, Dan's dad, John and wife, Laurie were headed over for a barbecue and fireworks extravaganza!! The night was a success, although I totally lost my cell phone, which, can I just say, am lost without??!!! Time for bed, once again exhausted but by a most excellent fun-filled day. ~~Saturday was pretty low key. Jen and I shopped for Dan's niece, Aubrey, and I threw in a little gift for myself...a fabulous new billfold!!! We went to her birthday party in the early evening and I'm going to have to say, 2 entire cupcakes later, that it was an absolute success, too!!! Back to the house and bedtime for all!! Sunday, we used the excuse of having family in town to play hookie from church and headed to the pool instead. It was a gorgeous day for it and gave me some much needed stress relief. After coming home, Jen mentioned that it would be nice to go and see a movie...and so we did. We watched "Get Smart", which, by the way, was HILARIOUS!!!!! Jen fell asleep towards the end so I just cracked up with myself, not even caring how silly I must have looked!! It was a late one so we were off to the house to get another good night's sleep...YEAH RIGHT!!!!!~~Monday morning, Dan drove Robbie to the airport so that he could get back home to work. On the way back to Kearney, my poor Suburban broke down on the side of I35. After a little bit of arguing and a lot of," how in the heck will I survive without a car" freaking out moments...we had it towed up to a place where we could find out how much damage we were in for. Turns out, we need to replace the fuel pump and we are hoping that we can buy the part used and get a gentleman in town to install it for much less than what we were quoted by...well, I won't say...but much less than what he told us he would charge.~~So, here it is, Monday night and I am just completely drained and ready for bed. My sister-in-law did find my cell...yippee...can you tell...I was lost without it!!! And, as for the rest of the week, I think we are going to take it pretty easy. Maybe frequent the pool, do some house cleaning and a bit of organizing, and maybe even squeeze in a few nice naps. We'll see...after the crazy, fun, and exhausting weekend that we have had...who knows what this week will bring. All I can say is that I am so thankful for family and friends. I love you all and couldn't imagine doing it all without you. Thanks for being such a huge blessing in our lives. See you next blog!!!