A few more from the weekend

Back to Normal

He is on the move again....full force today at the Wasserbahn.....

Slip, slidin' away.....

One extreme to the other....

This is what the kids did a lot of over spring break.....Colby was mostly bored and Creighton was sick.

And this is what we are doing today......making up for lost time.

A Turnaround

for the good this time! Creighton is walking about 99% normally as of this afternoon!!! Still some wobbliness and he sometimes forgets that he can walk normally and reverts to his compensative ways. But for the most part he has come full circle. Tomorrow he will head back to school. And he is READY! Us too.

Creighton Tyler

One week, one child, many illnesses =
Sunday - Not feeling well, fever starts
Monday - dr. appt. tonsilitis, strep, and sinus infection
Tuesday - sick
Wednesday - sicker
Thursday - sickest, trip to dr. in Ia. City - Influenza, Type A
Friday - fever ends, slightly 'better', some leg pain
Saturday - extreme leg pain, lost use of legs completely, another trip to dr. in Ia. City. diagnosis is post-viral myopathy. yeah, look that one up. not good. tonight more leg pain, and now a neck rash.

We just can't get him healthy. So much for spring break. this child has spent almost the entire break either on the couch or en route to the dr. office and feeling very, very poorly. We were hoping that this weekend he would be well enough to enjoy some time having fun. But, the leg thing really threw a hitch in the getalong. Praying for complete healing tonight.....

Scentsy--the perfect and safe alternative to candles!

I do not go to home parties of any sort. I have been to a couple on special occassions, typically only for the socialization part of it. I have never hosted a home party of any sort in my life. I am just not into inviting my friends over and making them feel obligated to buy something that they may or may not need and is typically too expensive.

All that being said. I have fallen in LOVE with Scentsy. I have always been a candle burner. I LOVE having my entire home filled with yummy fragrance. I have also had a couple of 'oops' moments with candles that could have turned tragic, but didn't. In addition to candles I have multiple of the plug in type oil things from Bath and Body Works. That way there is always fragrance whether I have time or am home long enough to light a candle or not. My realtor always calls me after a showing and usually ends the conversation by saying, oh, btw, I blew out all the candles before I left. Totally unsafe, I know, but I love the homey scents and the ambience of a cozy candle.

I admit, I wasn't too sure about Scentsy until I got mine home and got it going. I thought, this will NEVER replace my love of candles :) First thing, the warmer is BEAUTIFUL. I love the one I chose and there are so many others that I would love to have too. I plugged it in (only uses a small little light bulb for heat) and put in the wax cube. The cube was only about a one inch cube and when melted is only about a teaspoon of liquid. Within about 2 minutes I could smell 'Cranberry Spice' all the way upstairs!

I love it. It is easy to use. It is carefree and safe. The choices on warmers and scents are endless and it's much cheaper than burning Yankee or buying Bath and Body oil scents. There is no soot, no lead wicks, and no evaporating wax coating the things in your house or making black streaks on the walls.

These little cubes can be very highly scented because it never gets 'hot'. It only gets about body temperature so there is no fear of it burning or catching on fire. You can stick your finger in the melted wax and not really even feel it. The wax doesn't evaporate--once the scent is out of it you just soak up the wax with paper towel and put in a new cube.

I have been using mine for about a month. I have used very few cubes and my house always smells spectacular. Not to mention the light that it gives off is a perfect night light or evening 'low light'. I have a big warmer in my kitchen and can't wait to get the little plug in warmer for my bathroom! Those two are more than enough to fill my house with yumminess!

So, for the first time ever, I am hosting a 'book party' through my sister-in-law who began selling Scentsy after receiving it for a gift and falling madly in love:). I will have the Scentsy catalog, scent samples, and warmer display until next Friday. If you are interested in checking it out, let me know. I would be glad to stop by your house or meet up with you however works for you. (to my co-workers-I will have it at work next week--follow your nose :)

And as for my candles, they haven't been burned since Scentsy showed up at my house and took over :)............

Ladybug Season in the County

The ladybugs (I know, Japenese Beatles, but they are still ladybugs to me) are out in full force around here. I have decided that I am tired of chasing my tail trying to keep them swept up. So if you show up at my house you will find lots of ladybugs in every windowsill and multitudes of them in the bathroom upstairs. I admit defeat. They will get cleaned up when they are done coming in. June???

Poor guy....

This young man is SICK! I knew it was strep at the first sign of symptoms so I took him to the doctor right away so we could get on antibiotics and get it kicked before it got severe. Well, 2.5 days later he is getting worse by the hour. I called the doctor back because this isn't typical with his other bouts of strep. Usually within 24 hours you wouldn't know he had anything. We had to cancel our little getaway which thoroughly disappointed Colby. Creighton really didn't care because he doesn't even have to energy to sit up. So much for a couple of days off and getting away for a little family fun. We'll have to try again another time. For now, we are praying this boy gets better SOON!

A Little Playground Time!

We walked to the park from Gma and Gpa's house today. It was nice to get out and about today in the BEAUTIFUL weather. Now if it would only stay like this until summer :)

Finally....a few pics.

Mr. Blaze got a new 'do' this weekend and a lot of attention. He was SO happy! He has a little spring fever--lots of running around and playing with his green ball. The kids were happy to go out and do 'chores' with NO coats! Yeah!

Grout - check

I kept forgetting that the tumbled marble backsplash that Jay put in the bathroom needed grout. So tonight after Creighton's baseball practice we made a stop at Menards and I got some premixed grout and a sponge. I had never actually done this before, but I was pretty sure I could do it.

Typically, my little projects take so long. Much longer than I anticipate and with more complications than expected. But, tonight, thankfully, I got it all grouted and cleaned up in about 1 1/2 hours.

And, it even looks pretty good too. Humph....and Colby said I wasn't any good at construction projects. I beg to differ.....:)

Still pretty wordless

Still not a lot to report on our end. I guess that's a good thing(?).

The kids had their conferences last night. Both were what I expected. Didn't have to scold anyone afterwards so that's always good :) Creighton's report was phenomenal in both academics and social skills. And for Colby, we got the same report as usual. Great in academics and social skills, but is a little 'free-spirited' in the classroom. She does her own thing....if she wants to read a book during math time, then by golly she gets out her book and reads. If she wants to get up and visit a friend across the room during social studies, then she will do that. Thankfully, we have always had teachers that 'get' her and understand what it takes for Colby to be happy and encouraged. They keep her busy and on-task, but at times will just let her do her thing. She is easily bored so we are thankful for the teachers that work so hard to keep her love of learning thriving. I am continually amazed at how easy academics are for both of the kids and how far they soar above their grade levels in every subject. For that, we are very thankful.

On another note, I am STILL working in my bathroom. Everyday I have added 'just a little' something to the project. Remember this was supposed to be just rip down some wallpaper and paint? Well it has turned into almost a complete renovation :) Last weekend I went to look for flooring (haven't decided on that yet) Tonight the electrician comes to install some new recessed lighting that I decided two days ago would be a good idea. And then the contractor can be scheduled to put in the new ceiling. I have gotten new window treatments to be put in. Cabinets have been refaced and new handles and pulls put on. The ugly shelving has come down and new half-wall built. Lots more stuff than I anticipated, but I decided to just go for it. It may make it more attractive to buyers or if we stay I will love it :) Win.Win.

Greg has still been working lots of overtime-7 days a week so haven't seen much of him at all.

Next week is spring break and the kids and I are planning a quick getaway for a couple days. Didn't want them to have to spend the entire break at daycare so I took a couple days off mid-week to do something fun.

That's all there is....pretty boring stuff, I know. I REALLY need to pull the camera out and avoid these long, zero-substance posts ;)

It's Raining, It's Pouring

It's after 3am. Both of my kids are away at sleepovers. Both of my kids are scared of storms and well, it's storming. I can't help but wonder if they are both awake and scared and wanting to come home. Hopefully, they went to bed so exhausted that nothing wakes them. I am waiting for the rain to let up a bit so I can run out and put my car in the garage. My luck it will hail before I get it put away. Maybe I'll just brave the rain....

Alone Time--A Good Thing???

I dream about having a few hours to myself. Now I got the whole night to myself and it's not too great. Not sure this alone time thing is all it's cracked up to be. Now, if I was on a beach soaking up the sun and some beverages, that would be a different story. But, sitting here at home, alone, not so much. I have watched what I want on tv, cooked a pizza with mushrooms that would make everyone else GAG, talked on the phone with NO interruptions, cleaned the kitchen with no one walking on the damp floor, enjoyed my computer time in silence, and now I am ready for everyone to come back home :)

Creighton is staying all night with a friend, Colby is at a birthday party and then going home with a friend afterwards, Greg is working overtime. Tomorrow all will be back to normal and through the loudness and chaos and bickering I will remember how much I miss them when they're not here....

Recap

I haven't been doing a very good job keeping up to date on the blog. I have put many hours into the bathroom project, as did Dave and Jay. It's almost done so that will be a big weight lifted.

Last Friday was read with a loved one at the kids' school. I read with Creighton and Colby invited my dad to read with her.

The kids will be headed different directions tomorrow night with birthday parties and sleepovers.

Other than that, not much happening. See, boring, huh?! I really need to pull out the camera again. At least when I don't have words, I'll have pictures.

It Will Ultimately Ruin You.....

I really have nothing. Still working on the bathroom. Everyone has regained their health. Greg will be starting LOTS of overtime for the next month or so. Colby's basketball is done. Creighton is enjoying his baseball practices. I am working. Same ol, same ol.

But, I read this today on Jody's blog and I had to post it. I will leave you with this......

” I do not think I exaggerate when I say that some of us put our

offering in the plate with a kind of triumphant bounce as much as to

say: “There - now God will feel better!” I am obliged to tell you

that God does not need anything you have. He does not need a dime of

your money. It is your own spiritual welfare at stake in such

matters as these. You have the right to keep what you have all to

yourself - but it will rust and decay, and ultimately ruin you. “


(A. W. Tozer)

but it will rust and decay, and ultimately ruin you.... a good reminder for me today.

NOT pretty

It has been pretty ugly around here. Lots of sickness. Greg and Creighton went down hard, Colby and I only got the minor version. I don't think anyone is 100% yet, but we're surviving. I have an absolute disaster in our main bathroom. I have been sanding joint compound for two nights straight. What a mess. Then we had a water pipe breakin the downstairs bathroom...in a wall. Luckily Greg got the water off right away so no damage was done, but the wall will have to be taken down to repair the pipe. Ugh....a week with no 'stuff' would be good. But, in the grand scheme, the crap we deal with is so petty. I really can't complain.

Oh boy....what a weekend.

This weekend sure wasn't what I had hoped for. Started out with Colby's game Friday night. Then I was going out afterwards with friends for dinner, etc. I got a text from Colby before we even got our dinner that Creighton was puking. So I had to cut it short and head home to a sick boy and a HUGE mess. The cleaning up was a two day task from rugs, to clothes, to bedding to cleaning carpets. It was a disaster. And believe it or not as many times as he missed, he actually hit the bucket. He was sick for about 12 hours and then hollering that he was hungry and wanted to go to baseball practice.

So, after an all nighter of cleaning and taking care of Creighton, we had Colby's last basketball game on Saturday morning. She played sooo good. I was proud of her. Her coach even told her after the game that it was her best of the season. She hustled, got a ton of rebounds and shot several times, scored a couple points. I was happy for her. She was hot and cold this season. Some days she was into it and some days just not.

Then it was off to a baby shower sat. afternoon. Got home and continued cleaning the carpet that fell victim to creighton's stomach contents.

So Sunday, I should have just relaxed and hung out. Instead I decided that I was going to remodel our upstairs bathroom. By myself. Not the smartest thing to do. An amatuer, a great big mess, in our main bathroom, Greg not here to help, and the house on the market. Therefore I have to finish what I started. I spent 10 hours in there, very frustrated, attempting things and using power tools that I had no business doing. Then Greg gets home and accomplishes in 45 minutes what took me all day and lots of anger and a few swear words. I was seriously about in tears at one point thinking how on earth am I ever going to get this done???

At this point it is already 6:30pm. I still have laundry to do, kids to feed, showers to get taken and get ready for the upcoming week.

So what on earth am I doing at 10:31??? Waiting for my dinner to cool so I can eat. It's been a long weekend. It's going to be a long week. I sure could use a couple days to finish up some things, recoup and recover. Not going to happen, but a girl can dream right.

Why....

haven't I posted anything????? Because I....have....nothing. I haven't abandoned my blog, I just don't have much to say. We have been doing some of the same ol', same ol'.

Had some sickness- colds, strep, etc, lots of work, still no dog, no house sale, no pictures taken...blah, blah, blah.

Creighton did come home from baseball on Tuesday with his new uniform and oh...my...gosh...does he ever look like a superstar. Not sure how he'll do on the field, but dang he looks cuter than ever. No pictures, just trust me on that :)

Not much planned for the weekend. Colby has a basketball game tonight and then I am going out with friends afterwards, another game for Colby Sat. morning, a baby shower Sat. afternoon and more work in the bathroom on Sunday (another wall of wallpaper to come down, grrrrr!...)

Spa Day

Colby and I declared it spa day at our house. We got out the footbath and had pedicures. I was getting my pedi, 'working' on the computer, watching Daytona, texting and interacting with the kids. All at the same time. Lots of multi-tasking going on.
Somehow I still got stuck cooking supper. Oh wait, who else would do it???? I can honestly say I hate to cook. Period. No baking, cooking, nothing. It's just too messy and time consuming for me. Yep, I totally hate it.
And we had game night in my room before bed tonight. Somehow, Colby ditched us for MY computer. She was sending out emails asking for prayer that our dog comes home un harmed. Boy, you don't know how hard we are praying for that. Amazing how they become such a part of the family. Amazing how much more you realize that AFTER they are gone! Come back Lucy, girl!!!!

So much for that idea......

All I wanted was a computer for myself. That nobody else needs to use. I gave them a wonderful computer of their own to share. Why is it that they always want mine??????

Gentlemen........

start your engines! Let's go RACIN' boys!!! Yeah for the start of racing season! Daytona is not my favorite race, but it is the start of the season so it's exciting nonetheless!

Dave, we took these just for you this morning. May the best (48) man win :) Cheers! (that is a vitual cheers with your jug of mountain dew and my diet pepsi :)

Lucy Girl

In the last two years, we have lost three dogs. Two to highway accidents and with Lucy we just don't know. I hate the not knowing. Hoping to find some sort of answer tomorrow when day breaks. These two were such a pair. Lizzie is struggling without her buddy. Colby is missing her dog the most. She loves hard and hurts hard.

-1

dog, that is. Our dog, Lucy, is missing. She is the one of the two that is the sweet, obeying, stay at home dog. The two never go out alone. They are always together. Lizzie came home, Lucy didn't. We have been everywhere. She's not been hit. She's out there somewhere. Tomorrow we will comb the fields and ditches. Probably an accident of some sort, but don't for sure. Wish we knew, wish we knew.....

Saturday - (how creative is that????)

So far today we have gotten one child on antibiotics, delivered the kids to my brother Jay's, got the house ready to show, got one child to baseball practice, headed to an open house at my sister-in-law's for her first Scentsy event. It's awesome stuff. It smells so good and I am pretty sure it will save me from burning my house down with a candle at some point :0 Check out the website and if you are interested, I can hook you up :) Then, after that we talked about taking the kids to a movie or something. We just have so much free time we aren't sure what to do with ourselves-HA!

Oh, and the kids and Greg suprised me with a beautiful necklace from Steven's this morning. It is soooo pretty--kind of makes me feel just a bit guilty that I complain about not getting special, romantic suprises and flowers. A gorgeous piece of jewelry--how can that be topped?

That's about it for now! Praying that our buyers will be walking through this house in about one hour.

Truth hurts, but it can't be ignored.....

I listened to a portion of this today. It is painful, unthinkable, disturbing, unfathomable. Human trafficking. Third only to drug and arms trafficking. 27 million people suffer. Mostly children. Go here to get the FREE download and listen. You can listen to a clip. But, you will want the whole audiobook. Take a minute, set up an account and get it.

Award-winning journalist David Batstone reveals the story of a new generation of 21st century abolitionists and their heroic campaign to put an end to human bondage. In his accessible and inspiring book, Batstone carefully weaves the narratives of activists and those in bondage in a way that not only raises awareness of the modern-day slave trade, but also serves as a call to action. With 2007 bringing the 200th anniversary of the climax of the 19th century abolitionist movement, the world pays tribute to great visionary figures such as William Wilberforce of the United Kingdom and American Frederick Douglass for their remarkable strides toward framing slavery as a moral issue that people of good conscience could not tolerate. This anniversary serves not only as a commemorative date for battles won against slavery, but also as a reminder that slavery and bondage still persist in the 21st century. An estimated 27 million people around the globe suffer in situations of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation from which they cannot free themselves. Trafficking in people has become increasingly transnational in scope and highly lucrative. After illegal drug sales and arms trafficking, human trafficking is today the third most profitable criminal activity in the world, generating $31 billion annually. As many as half of all those trafficked worldwide for sex and domestic slavery are children under 18 years of age.

Showing

We have a showing on Saturday. We recently dropped the price on our house, again. Oh how I hope we can get this place sold this spring. Or this week would be nice too :) Our time on getting the place we want is closing in on us. Still hoping....

2 Down

Colby was up most of the night not feeling well so I stayed home with her today. Then Greg showed up sick. Creighton didn't feel well on Sunday, but seemed ok by Monday. I am the only one that hasn't had the bug. I did get the whole house cleaned while I was home today. So at least if I get sick I won't be stressing about a messy house :) Just trying to find the positives here.....

A Whirlwind of a Weekend

Friday night was basketball for Colby and then out for dinner. Saturday Colby had a game and played much better. A couple baskets, some decent shots, good defense and some hustle. After last weeks' game I think she knew she had to pick it up a bit :) Then a trip to Menards and home to scrape wallpaper, and paint the bathroom. I decided that our upstairs bathroom needed a little updating. I took down some wallpaper, painted the walls, and replaced the knobs and pulls on the cabinets. It looks much better already, but there is still work to be done. It's tricky when your house is on the market because you can't have a room 'under construction'. So, we can only bite off what we can accomplish in one day. So we'll do more on that room later.

Creighton had baseball on Saturday and was there from 2-5pm. Greg said he did really well and started hitting much better after being in somewhat of a slump for the last couple of weeks.

Sunday was another trip to Menards, a big argument between Greg and I on how to proceed with the bathroom, and then home for more painting and more wallpaper scraping (which I voted to be the world's worst job). Finally about 8pm last night I pulled the bathroom all back together and called it quits. The only thing I couldn't do is put the shower curtain back up because of the wet paint. So that meant taking a BATH before work this morning. I hate taking baths. But thankful that I have the choice of bath or shower, both of which I have the luxury of endless clean water. I almost feel guilty for endulging in a long, hot shower. Hmmm....I had no idea this post would lead to 'clean water'. But since it did :) go here and read about how you can help provide clean water to those who are dying without it and then go here and join me in the effort.

The weekend ended with me staying up until after midnight doing Wii Fit, getting the laundry done and sorting/packing backpacks for today. Those are the things I reserve for after everyone else goes to bed and I have my 'quiet time'.

I realize that I have been TERRIBLE about taking pictures lately. My camera is stuffed in the cupboard and I rarely drag it out. I need to get back to it. I think I definately have the winter time blues. Blah. Nothing even seems photo worthy lately.

Well thats it for the weekend. Now its Monday and the start of another busy week. Here we go!...

One Hour

Every day I have ONE hour to accomplish all my errands. I try to do most everything on my lunch hour. When the kids need something often times they will start a sentence with "Mom, on your lunch hour can you.....". So many times they hear me say, "I will do ....today on my lunch hour". One morning I was grabbing my lunch from the fridge and Creighton said "Is that your lunch hour?" I laughed. No buddy, this is my lunch that I will attempt to eat on my lunch hour.

I try to get many things done that I won't have to spend time doing after I pick up the kids. Here is a classic example of a typical 1pm-2pm for me--this was yesterday: Hop in the car, drive to the cleaners to drop off dry cleaning, go fill up the car with gas, drop off the movies at Family Video, go out to Miracle to wash my filthy vehicle, run to hy-vee to pick up a salad because I had forgot my lunch, eat it in the car while I drive back to work, get back to work, park and race back in the door just in the nick of time. It's a rat race I tell you.

I am not complaining. I love my job. I love my co-workers. I love serving our community in this way. I love what I do. I wouldn't change it. But, what on earth would I ever do without that ONE hour each day????

Another nothing....

Another post about nothing. Went to work, got taxes done, picked up the kids, made some chili, set up the wii fit, watched kids on wii fit and now waiting for everyone to get to sleep so I can try it out. Without all the commentary from the peanut gallery:) It will probably go into some sort of overload mode when I step on....ugh.

BB and Cheering

Colby had a long day yesterday. Cheering, basketball, back to cheering, out for pizza at 9pm, friend over. All after staying up too late on Friday night. No more late Fridays before games on Saturday--it showed :) And neither her mom or dad have much patience when she doesn't apply herself to whatever it is she might be doing. Needless to say, we're all hoping her game is a little more on next sat:)

Baby Allie

Love her!

My childhood best friend, Bobbie's baby girl. Love this little girl more every time I see her!

Relentless Love

"We will be a thriving community of Jesus followers unleashing relentless love to our broken world!"

Not just talk, but action. Extreme love. Reckless abandon. A greater vision. Reaching out to everyone, our own neighbors, community, state, nation all the way to our brothers and sisters across the world.

Go here. Read more. Be moved. Then act. Let your heart be transformed in ways you have never thought possible.

Super Sunday

I usually reserve superbowl sunday for going to the mall. It's a ghosttown during the game which is just perfect for me. However, I need NOTHING so instead of go to the mall and come home with a bunch of STUFF I don't NEED, I will stay home and watch the commercials :)