No way it can be 3 years.

My sweet baby boy turned 3 last Friday (yes, I'm a little behind!)
Yes....3!
I seriously think these are the fastest and blurriest 3 years of my entire life.

This little man entered our lives on 12/13/10 at 9:12am

He really changed our lives. 
All of our kids did....but he did it in a very different way.
Being a mom to a boy is different.  Especially this boy!
In the past 3 years, he's taught me more about being a mom, a wife, and a human being than the previous 30-odd years.

He's the smartest, spunkiest and most adorable little man I know.
Thank you God for giving us EIV.
Thank you EIV for being you.
Happy Birthday buddy.
We love you!!

Christmas gifts....Kid President style

It's time for Kid President to speak for me
(Cuz I adore him)

Doesn't he get it RIGHT:
1. Spread the L.O.V.E.
2. Most people don't need STUFF (give 'em a hug instead!)
3. Spend time with the peeps you LOVE
4. Put down the Phone
5. Do something AWESOME

I was just thinking about how amazing this holiday season would be if we all did just these 5 things. it would be cool, wouldn't it.

I'm going to try my hardest to do just that.
Merry Christmas Peeps!

Big Boy Bed

With a mere 17 weeks remaining until baby boy #2 arrives, Ed and I decided it was time to move EIV into a big boy bed

SUPER SAD, right?!?!?!?!?!?!
Why?  Seriously WHY....does this act have to be so dang difficult! 
It doesn't get any easier with each child.
I'm such a sap!!  But of course, I cried.

My baby boy is going to be a big brother soon.
I know that the second this baby comes, EIV will instantly look like a little man.
Not my little heart baby.  A boy.
Poo, I say.  I don't want it to happen.
(ok, come on....yes, I have 3 kids....I know it WILL ALL be OK....but still makes me sad, sad, sad until I hold this baby in my arms).

Ok back to the bed.
We left the crib up in the room because baby will soon be sleeping it in, so honestly I don't think EIV really understood what was going on.
Secondly, E and H were SO excited about the new bed, you would have thought they were getting a new bedroom.
Once Jeter realized there was a heated mattress pad on the bed, he thought the bed was Rock Star too!

Sorry...these iphone pics are really bad!!

 

 

 

 

As you can clearly see, the bed was a hit!

EIV has only requested his crib one night.  I consider that a success.

Success never felt so sad.



Birthdays!

My dad and I celebrate our birthdays one week apart.
This year was special.  My dad turned 60....me...28.
Oh wait, that's not right.  I turned 37.
Good Lord, where have the past 10 years gone?

Any hoo....
I was blessed to celebrate my birthday with my siblings, my parents and my grandparents.
Isn't that so VERY COOL!
It's a good lookin crew, that's for sure (especially that hottie in the front!!). 
Too bad the lighting was so fabulous (grrrr!!!)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was kind of 'strange' to say my dad turned 60.  Don't know why exactly, but think it's because he will always be young in my heart.

I've always had so much fun with him.  He has a great sense of humor and a HUGE heart.  He KNOWS how to have a good time!

He taught me how to work hard and how important family is.

There are very few experiences/memories that I have that don't include him.

He's always been my rock.

His children mean the world to him and he would do anything for anyone of us....no matter what.

It's pretty awesome.  And I'm very blessed.

 

I'm also very blessed to have celebrated another year.

Time goes just too quickly, but 36 to 37 was full of highs, low, surprises and JOY.

My blessings cannot be described in sentences, or paragraphs.....

My husband, my children, my health, the health of pretty much all of our family, my grandparents, our home, my friends, our opportunities, etc. etc. etc.

Seriously....My Cup (Heart) Runneth Over!!

Isn't he handsome

When you leave your 2 year old alone with his big sisters for 5 minutes
this is what happens

 

This is what happens after mom scrubs the crap out of your face with soap, baby wipes and eye makeup remover:

 

 

Pretty pathetic looking face isn't it.

 

Good thing this happened 2 days before Thanksgiving and it wouldn't all come off.....that way everyone can appreciate his sisters' artistic abilities :)

 

Give Thanks!

The only thing about today that I wish was different, was that we celebrated Thanksgiving at least one day EVERY month....not merely one day in an entire year.

Please, take a moment today and truly reflect on your blessings....for they are abundant.

A few quotes to get the juices flowing:

 

May God fill your heart with His bounty today and always.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Flying High

Sometimes, the best perks of my job, actually have nothing, zero, nada to do with my job!

BT has a HUGE field house that employees and their families can use. It has an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a gym (about the size of 3 normal sized gyms), a weight room, racquetball courts, among other things.  It's a bit outdated, but its still pretty sweet.  My kids LOVE IT!  We do nearly ALL of our winter (and sometimes summer) swimming there.  We also frequent the gym in the winter to run off some energy.

Last night happened to be a PERFECT night to go.
Something the Director (Bob...who we adore!) called the Flying Squirrel.

Check it out (and ignore the excited giggles from the camerawoman....me, one very thrilled momma!):

 

 

 

 

Isn't that AWESOME!!!!!

Even EIV....my SUPER BRAVE 2 year old did it! 

I was so PROUD of all my kids.  So Brave and confident.

They all went 4 times.

So cool!!!

 

 

What an AWESOME memory we made!!!!!

Can't wait to do it again!



It's a........

Want to witness some pure shock.
Check this out (sorry....gonna have to watch sideways!)

Isn't my face H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!!!!!!!
I wish Ed would have been in the shot.

Yes, folks....It's a BOY!!!!!
I was certain it was a girl.  BOY, was I wrong!

I'm not one for surprises.
I'm SO THANKFUL that Katie convinced me and Ed to do this.
And that Shellie kept me from peeking.
Love you ladies. :)

Weekend Goodness

This past weekend, I was lucky to have a girls' day (and early b-day celebration) with my dear friend!

Random side note: Ed, Thanks honey for making it happen :)

Since the day couldn't revolve around libations (which I REALLY wanted it to!), it centered around food.  Even better, right!??!?!
Shellie and I started the day right.
Oh Doozy's....I love you.
If you haven't been to Doozy's....you haven't lived.  BEST sandwiches EVER!!!!!

 

And we didn't mess around....who needs chips and a drink, go for the WHOLE or go home!
And we did:

 

And we rubbed it into Shellie's son (who's love of Doozy's is comparable to mine!).  I knew I loved that kid for a reason.  Here's the picture he got that day:

Then off to meet up with Katie at the tail gate.  I think Black Friday....last year....was the last time we were together without our children.  We need to make that happen more often!!  We need to get a tailgate spot next season.  That would be fun!! 

The reason for the day......HUSKER FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!
There is literally NOTHING like game day in Lincoln, and certainly the excitement and energy of Memorial Stadium.  Tunnel Vision gives me goose bumps....doesn't matter how many times I've heard it.
It was a gorgeous day!!  Even though the thermostat only said 54 degrees...the sunshine made it glorious!  I spent over half of the game in a tank top!!  CRAZY...tank top on Nov 2nd...in Nebraska!!  Was NOT expecting that one!
We stood the entire game.  Because that's what REAL fans do!  And we only got complained about once....maybe twice. (think after they saw my tummy, they figured they better not mess with me!)  Don't come to the game if you are going to sit and not say a damn word.  That doesn't fly with us!
Isn't it awesome:

And to make it even better.  We got to witness the Hail Mary pass/catch to our porn-stach buddy Jordan, as time expired (see picture below and you'll get it)!  It was AMAZING!!!!!!  Actually almost UNBELIEVABLE!  That never seems to happen to the Huskers.  It was Awesome!!!  And WE got to witness it. We got to hear the roar! We got to be there!  We got to be  a part of Husker history.  So cool

 

 

And that still wasn't enough.  Since we had to pass on the stadium hot dog and pizza (TOTAL BUMMER!) because we were so full for lunch, by the time the game was over...we were STARVING!!  Good thing so were Katie and Steve!!!  We ended the night with MORE FOOD...yummy bar food....nachos, french dips, pizza and buffalo chicken strips.  It was glorious!

 

I needed this day.  I needed to relax and have fun and talk and yell and cheer until my voice hurt.

It was pretty close to perfect.  Thanks Shellie....for never disappointing.  Love you.

For my early birthday celebration next year....I prescribe the same thing:  Friends, food, Husker football win....oh, and some libations sprinkled on top! :)

Halloween Cuties.

My crew decided on a very festive, classic Halloween theme this year:  a witch, black cat and a pumpkin.

 

 

 

 

 

And to top the night off, we got to trick or treat with our cousins!! Mike and Sully were adorable!!

 



 

The company was awesome!

The wind was poopy, but the loot was grand!

Hope everyone's Halloween was as great as ours!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I've been making our own laundry detergent for well over a year now.
I often am asked what's 'in' my recipe, so thought it was time to re-post.
I have tried 3 different variations of recipes over the past year and this is THE ONE I like the best...and it smells good too :)

1 - 4/12 lb box of Borax
1 - 3lb 7oz box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 - 4lb box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
     (I actually buy a 13lb bag at Sam's and just measure out 4lbs.)
2 - Fels Naptha bars  (you can also use Zote bars, but I prefer Fels Naptha)
1 - 13 oz container of Downy Unstoppables
     (In whatever scent you prefer. You can also use any other laundry scent enhancer that you like)

We use 1-2 T. per load (put in the washer BEFORE the clothes) and this batch will last us easily 5-7 months.  Which means I make laundry detergent 2x a year and it all costs me less than $16.
p.s.  I love the smell of this detergent (thanks to the Downy Unstoppables) and I also use a Bounce bar in our dryer.

The girls and I mixed up a batch Wednesday night.
Here's what we started with:

 

First, I shredded the Fels Naptha in my mini food processor:

 

 

We don't like 'chunks' of soap in the laundry, so after I shred it, then I put it BACK in the food processor and grind it up into a fine consistency:

 

 

Then the dumping and stirring begins.

We use a big 5 gallon bucket because it's a big load.

Dump everything together and mix.

 





 

You've got to tip the bucket on its side and get all the 'stuff' on the bottom.

Mix is up real good.

Then I transfer into 2 large containers for storage.  We have a measuring spoon in one.

 

 

Let the washing begin!!

It you give it a try, let me know.

I'd like to know what you think.

 

Happy Laundry :)



Dear Friends and Antiques

We had an amazing weekend!
We took off at 6am on Saturday morning for a 5 hour drive to visit our dear friends.
The car ride wasn't great, but it also wasn't awful.  It was a good warm-up for our 24 hour trip slated for December.

We are so blessed to call the P's our friends!!
They are the type of family, that it doesn't matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, it just feels right, good, relaxed.  Like we just spoke yesterday.
We soaked up every single minute of them.
Our kids played and laughed and reconnected.
Our sons interacted like they were old buddies (even though nearly 6 years separates them)
I loved watching it all happen.  It felt comforting and filled my heart.
Of course, we were so busy laughing and eating and catching up and eating some more that we didn't capture one single picture of the adults together.  This HAS to be a higher priority the next time we are all together! 

And then to TOP of the weekend, Ed (actually all of us!) got to visit a very special place.
Antique Archaeology.
The only way it could have been better was if Mike or Frank had showed up.
Ed is a BIG fan of the show American Pickers and it was so cute to see how happy he was to be there.  I loved it.  And when he scored a t-shirt, I swear it made his YEAR!!!
(Sorry for the crappy iphone pics)

Look at that grin!!

 

The kids got to test their 'picking' skills and choose an item and barter for it.  It was cute.

The weekend went WAY TO FAST.
It was really difficult to leave.
The entire drive home, I Thanked God for bringing the P's into our lives.
Can't wait until the "bushes are trimmed" and we laugh together again.  Love you guys!

Pretty Pumpkins!

We had a blast painting pumpkins Wednesday night.
The girls were so impressed with their brother's creation, that they ditched their ideas of patterns and designs.
I have a few Picasso's on my hands :)

 

Can you guess who each pumpkin belongs to?