I'm back

Did you miss me????

I've been away for many reasons, some more complicated than others, but basically I was trying to get things back on the up and up before I went back to the wonderful world of blogging. So, here's my kids all grown up and heading off to college...ok, so I haven't been gone THAT long, but they have grown a bit since I've been on here.

Trever had his 1st Birthday a week before Christmas. We had a little party for him and he had a blast. His Godmommy (and my dear friend) Michelle made the trip down with her sister and niece - it was wonderful to spend a few days with them. My sister Patti and family also traveled down for the party which I honestly didn't expect - so I was really excited that they came. Papa and Gahma (as Brenna would say) came over as well as Auntie Chris and Jaden and some friends of our with their kids. I think Brenna had the most fun playing with all the kids since they were her age and Trever just watched and giggled at them all. It really was a wonderful 1st Birthday for him. The Big "hit" to the party was the boys throwing a sticky skeleton to the ceiling and jumping to hit it down with a blanket. Really - who needs entertainment when you have inventive kids around. It was awesome to hear all the kids laugh and enjoy themselves.

Christmas was good, not as hectic as it was leading up to be. Christmas morning was fun watching Brenna and Trever opening their gifts then proceeding to play with what the other one got. We spent the morning in jammies and enjoyed the day. Later on we headed to my parents house and had our Christmas with my side of the family. We played our dice game that has quickly become a new tradition. We did 1 round with everyone and then did an adult round after all the kids went downstairs to play. We had decided to not exchange gifts amongst "us kids" meaning me and my siblings and do the dice game. What a GREAT idea - we had such a fun time. There is always 1 or 2 items that are the "hot" gifts and it's so much fun to see who and what gets fought over. This year it was a GTO calendar. My brother-in-law Mike knew what it was when it was wrapped so he made sure he got it. Once unwrapped my other brother-in-;aw David went after it (the GTO man that he is) it went back and forth between them for a time...soon Tera got into it....then Mikie....the Jason and myself....then low and behold MY DAD gets up and takes it away from David...CLASSIC. We all laughed and really enjoyed it. I think that is becoming a huge favorite for us now and we're all looking forward to in again next year.

We traveled up to Minnesota for a quick visit and had Christmas with Jason's family. It was a couple weeks later than we had originally planned but the weather just wasn't cooperating. It was a good time and we all got some wonderful gifts. We took a picture of all the grandkids together and I think maybe 1 out of about 50 turned out. It's tough getting 5 kids to all look at the camera at the same time.

The new year came about with some changes. New plans and things to focus on with our family and a new outlook on our life together. There will be many changes this year. Some things are already set in motion and others will come throughout the year, but we're looking forward to 2010.

I do hope to get back to blogging more. Hopefully I'll have more to say to keep it going :grin:

See you all soon

Siblings

Look at how cute these two are together. I'd say about 99% of the time they are like this.

Trever gets so excited he can hardly contain himself when he sees Brenna. He smiles and bounces until she gets close enough to tackle.

Brenna has been a wonderful Big Sister. She cares for him so much. From the start she has always wanted to help with him - feed him, talk to him, and she just loves to make him smile. It's great to hear her "baby high pitch talk" when she talks to him.

They both loves hugs.

If Trever reaches for her hair or even drools on her a little bit, she tips her head back with a big smile and says "awe...Trever". It is so adorable.

I only hope these two will become closer and closer every day and develope a wonderful relationship.

I love my sweet babies and this look is something I'll cherish forever.

{sigh} I just love being a Mom!!!

Parade

A couple weeks ago we went to the parade in town. Brenna had so much fun waving and running after all the candy that was thrown. Trever watched every single thing that went by with suck intent. They both had a lot of fun.

What the heck is this???

That would be my "I'm so tired I'll sleep anywhere" son sound asleep under Brenna's table. What is in his mouth you ask?? Why her sock of course.

Now before anyone calls DHS on us....I did not shove a sock in my son's mouth and stick him under the table. In fact, I can honestly say I wasn't even here when this happened. (again, no calls - he was under the direct supervision of a responsible adult....ok....well, at least my husband was keeping an eye on him)

So...the story of Trever. He has never been one to take a nuk. He's never been one to really suck his thumb. He IS, however, one that does like to chew/suck on his na-night (aka blanket). So what happens when you're playing so hard, crawling all around and need to take an impromptu nap?? You find your sisters sock and curl up in a comfy spot on the floor, of course.

Ahhh, the joys of parenthood. I'm just so thankful my hubby took some pictures so I could enjoy in it too.


**note, no children or socks were injured in these photos. My son is alive and well and Brenna doesn't have any holes in her socks**

Oh no....it's started.

While cleaning up the kitchen, my two darling children are playing ever so nicely by the toy box.

then I hear it....

...

...

...

"Trever (the 9mo old)...leave me alone...." - Brenna (the 3 yr old)

"Moooooom, Trever trying to hug me. I jus wanna see scooby doo an he won't moooooove"

...

...

and so it begins.

Reality

I had a dose of reality yesterday. A flat out stare you in the face, knock you on your butt, cry your eyes out, reality moment.

Let me take you back a little bit. I have been on a blogging hiatus - why? because I knew that I was not happy and I didn't want to give into all the negativity that has been surrounding me. I have been playing the pity party in my own mind and whining about silly things. I have been feeding off all the negative things and have long passed all the positive ones. I have taken peoples comments to heart and let them consume me. I've taken on other people's bad traits and made them my own. I've been holding grudges - which is something that I really despise in other people. I am not happy with my actions, my thought process, my health and particularly the ugly road that I've led myself to be on.

Boy - I sound like a mess huh? (At least I still have a little humor left)ha ha ha.

I was going to go into detail on here what exactly I have been hurt by, what I've been hanging onto and letting get to me - but then I deleted it.

In order for me to let things go, I just need to drop it. I need a clean slate.

so what was the big "Eye opener" you ask?

Yesterday I had a call to add on an exam. It was towards the end of the day and I was thinking that yet again I'd have to squeeze this patient in. I was being negative, selfish and flat out a big baby. This particular patient was new to our system, nice guy, younger than my Dad. He had some pain in his belly for a few weeks that just wouldn't go away. He finally decided he should go in and check it out. Now after doing Ultrasound for 11 years, I've become rather numb to things. Wheelchair bound patients, ones missing an arm or a leg - you just become that professional that does their job - has a nice conversation with the patient and move on. You don't take it to heart. As soon as I placed the transducer down on this mans belly my heart sank. It took everything in me not to cry as my hands began to shake. His liver was covered in Metastases = Cancer.

This isn't the first time I've seen cancer, I see it all the time, but it's the first time it hit home - HARD. I felt horrible that I even complained about getting this guy in. What kind of selfish snot would complain about doing her job when this gentleman's life is about to be ripped apart.

The entire ride home I kept thinking about him. How he is going to have to go home and tell his wife, or his kids, or his family. I thought about all the little stupid things I've been complaining about - being bored at work, finances, a dirty kitchen - you know. I thought about my family and friends. Then I stopped at a gas station before I picked up my daughter and thanked God for all that is in my life. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

You see - when you came to grasps with your own mortality, it kind of puts things in a completely different light. Why be upset over things that happened several years ago or even a week ago. Why let my life be consumed with all the negativity when it can change in an instant.

Last night Brenna wanted "few more minutes mama". I brought her back into her bed and I laid down next to her. She snuggled her head into my chest and rubbed her hand on my face. I cried the entire time.

I think we all need a "few more minutes"

Thank you Lord for sending me your message yesterday - I got it loud and clear.

Jammin

Bored

Note - Debbie Downer is filling in for Shannon in today's post - so sorry.

Hello all (if anyone is left that still reads my blog)

It's been a long time since I rock and rol.....oops, that's the song....since I've been blogging. I don't know what my deal has been lately, but I'm just...just...bored. Yea, bored...I think that's the best way to describe it. I've lost my umph....my mo-jo....my zest (be it orange or lemon)....my passion....even a majority of my humor. I'll apologise not for all the "...." - that's just my way of thinking.

Why am I bored? I dunno.

Let's start with work. I've been doing Ultrasound for over 10 years now. I do love it, really I do, but I'm bored. I just scanned 8 patients in 3 hours ( a pretty good clip - I'm known for my speed and beautiful studies - hey, a little pat on my own back never hurt {grin}) and here I sit waiting for the rest of my 5 hours to go by with only 3 more to scan. Long day indeed, but not as bad as tomorrow. I only have 3 scheduled for the entire day. I'm bored.

The ultrasounds themselves are not that terrible, but I'm bored. I do the same exams over and over. Liver, Renal, Aorta....repeat. Occasionally I'll get a pelvic or thyroid or something else thrown in there for a real treat, but all in all, I'm bored. I miss doing vascular exams, I did a lot of those while I was in Minnesota. They have a separate vascular lab here, so I don't do any.at.all. I miss the Carotid studies, the bypass grafts, even the DVT (looking for blood clots in legs) studies on the 400 lb, very smelly, challenge-to-get-in-their-groin type patients. Yep - I'm THAT bored.

I've lost my humor and light heartiness for the ever famous "so is it a boy or a girl?" type questions. Mind you that after the 100th time I heard that come from a 60 year old MALE patient - it was plenty old. Now after 10 years of it - I've lost my ability to give a convincing chuckle and say "twins - one of each". In fact they other day, I responded too quickly to the question, and I was busted by the patient. He said " you must hear that one a lot since you answered so fast. Here I thought I was the first one to think of it". It took everything in me to not throw out a few sarcastic remarks, but I gave him a smile and said "well, maybe just once or twice" and went on my way about scanning. I'm sure we all have these type of routine quips that every person thinks they are the first possible person to think this up. Barbers - please tell me you've had more than your share of bald guys come in and say "just a little off the top". As much as it pains me to hear the same old questions/comments, I am in no way ever mean to a patient, I do casually nod and acknowledge their quick wit, sometimes let out a little laugh, but my head is saying "really?....again?"

Along the lines of repeat comments, another thing that bothers me is when I ask a patient when the last time they had anything to EAT or DRINK (when they are to be fasting for the exam), they respond with such and such time last night - good. THEN when I change the question around a little "have you had any coffee or juice this morning?" they say "well yea, I had coffee" like I was an idiot for asking. I immediately want to slap my forehead and fall backwards onto the floor, but again I nod and say "ok". So let me ask a silly little question. If you haven't had anything to EAT or DRINK since whatever time last night? How the heck are you taking your coffee these days? Hmmm? It drives me nutty. Now - let me remind you that the main purpose of my job is to see inside patients. So...I can see INSIDE you. Usually the reason I'm asking these questions is because I have already seen that you are not fasting and you in fact have a stomach FULL of fluid and other items. Yes...I can see inside you...and yes I can tell that you have NOT been fasting. Tricky little thing I am asking such sneaky questions when I already know the answer. It's just like when you've been busted by your parents for sneaking out or something - like when they are standing in your room when you enter back through the window. They LIE. Seriously, just like when you make up some excuse how you were sleep walking and were about to fall out of the window to your death when you woke up and climbed back in. They lie about eating. I ask once, they say no. I reword it then it starts to leak out. My favorite is when they'll say "oh...yea. I had a SIP of coffee" "oh wait...I also had a BITE of a banana" really? who makes a pot of coffee in the morning and only takes a sip? and on top of it who opens a banana (which turns brown in like 5 min after opening) and only takes a single bite? Am I crazy for thinking these things? If this is the case they should weigh only about 80 pound's and must fell STUFFED. After the "sip and bite" comments I get one of two results. Either the patient will get really defensive and say they were not told or it didn't say anything about it on THEIR letter (because the printer left it off of their letter on purpose to get them in trouble) OR it will lead to them listing everything they have possibly eaten in the last 24 hours. "I had 2 pancakes, a piece of toast with butter, peanut butter and jelly on it, 2/3 cup of OJ, a half of piece of bacon because my dog took the rest off my plate when I wasn't looking. Before that I got up at 2:13 in the morning for my midnight snack (which is why they were 2 hours late to their appointment...another story) I pored a cup of milk but it was old so I threw the rest out, but not after I tasted it first to make sure it really was bad. I had 4 chocolate chip cookies, 2 oreos and a fig newton...mama loves the fig newtons so I can only have them when she's asleep so I don't tempt her with the treats...she's diabetic you know......blah, blah, blah....oh, and then a tic tac just before you called me in here." By this time I'm already done with the study and completely forgot that I asked any questions to begin with. As fun as all that sounds. I'm bored.

So - besides me whining and venting a little - ok a lot. What do you think? I think I'm bored with where I'm at. I do love the actual scanning portion of my job, but it hasn't felt like a challenge for me lately. I'm sure it's because I'm not as busy as I'm used to , but it may also be the fact that even the exams that I do scan, I'm doing the same patient every 6 months or so. We have A LOT of repeat patients. There are certain things that need to be followed frequently to help with treatment and prevention (ie Hepatitis C patients get Liver Ultrasound every 6 months or so to correspond with their medications, people with AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms - a weakening in the wall that makes them bulge) need to be followed in intervals to make sure it doesn't grow - eventually needing surgery before they rupture) so not only am I doing the same type of exams, I'm seeing the same exam over and over. So...I'm bored.

I like the branch of hospitals that I work for. I don't scan any babies (which I don't want to - for various reasons) so I'm limited on other places I could go. There's the thought of moving back to Minnesota and working at my previous hospital. I'd be busier which I would like and I'd have more of a variety, but there are still a couple people that work there that I don't get along with - and were one of the reasons I left. Plus, I'd have to take call again and I really enjoy not having to go back to work when I'm just sitting down to dinner with my family.

Dilemma

I'm bored. There are other areas that I feel "bored" in, but I'll have to save that for another post since this one is longer than I had intended it to be. Sorry for the down and out post. This is just something that's been on my mind. I'm not really upset or angry about it by any means, I'm just kind of....well.....bored.

Thanks for listening.

I know, I know.....

It's been a really long time...so sorry. Enjoy some pics from a day at the pool to tise you all over for a little while.

Wordless Wednesday

Playin at the Park

Brenna's got a new bed

Brenna has had her new bed up now for about a week and I think it's a keeper. She has been in the Queen sized been since I was pregnant with Trever. Until now it had been just the box spring and mattress on the floor - which worked out really good for her to get on and off of.

Her room is an Asian theme. Most of her items are from her Uncle Craig and Auntie Sabrina (also her Godparents) that were picked up in Japan when Craig was there. She has a full sized Kimono hanging on her wall that is absolutely beautiful. We just put up the umbrella with a light behind it. We waited until Brenna was old enough to not try and pull it down on top of her. (that and we couldn't figure out to put it up there at first) Her crib used to be on the wall that the headboard is on. Her night stand is one that we got for our wedding. It has a Japanese painting on the top of it and on the drawer in gold.

She has another shelf on the opposite wall by her closet that holds some Geisha figurines, paper dolls, framed pictures, chop sticks and other neat things from Japan. By the way, that Kimono we use for pictures of Brenna to see how she's grown. I lie it out on the floor and for every month for her first year I'd put her on it. Now we do it every year for her birthday. Eventually we'll have pictures of her wearing it. I love looking back at those pictures and seeing just how much she's grown. I think I still need something for this blank wall...but not sure what we're going to put there yet.

So there it is...Miss Brenna's room and her new bed.

6 months old

I can't believe my baby boy is 6 months old already and yet it feels like he's been with us for so much longer than that. He's growing like a weed.

• 

Here are a few things about Trever

• He's the happiest baby out there. Rarely fusses and it's only when he is hungry...NOW.
• Loves his Big Sister. He just can't get enough of Brenna. If he hears her voice he'll search and search for her until he sees her - then it's the biggest grin ever!
• DOES NOT like to have a wet diaper. He will wiggle and squirm like crazy until he's changed.
• Scratches his belly when you change his diaper.
• Likes to be rocked to sleep sometimes.
• Does not want anything to do with a nuk or pacifier. Occasionally will suck on his thumb, but mostly chews on his na-night.
• Rubs the back of his head when he's sleepy.
• Kicks his feet and rocks his body forward and backwards when he's overly tired.
• Has been sleeping all night long pretty much since the day he came home from the hospital.
• Goes to bed between 8 and 9PM, usually needs to be woken up at 6AM to go to Grandma's.
• Takes 2 naps a day usually about an hour each.
• Eats cereal, carrots, squash and sweet potatoes. More to come as Mama gets cookin.
• Been sitting up by himself for a little over a week now.
  

• Been rolling from front to back and back to front for some time now. He'll roll all over the place, especially to get to Papa.
• Will attempt to "walk" when you hold his hands and move him forward.
• Seems to be Right handed (Brenna is a Lefty)
• Eyes are changing to Brown like Mama's
• His official Dr appointment isn't for a week, but when he was in to see the Doctor a week ago he was 20 lbs.
• Wears 12 month clothes (for the length), size 1 shoe.
• Ticklish - mainly under his chin and near his left collar bone.
• Laughs when others laugh, cries when Brenna cries.
• Says "oh" a lot and "da da da" when he's chewing out Jason.
  
  

I'm sure there are more things I'm forgetting. This boy has come such a long way in 6 months. Happy half Birthday handsome man.

Mommy, Daddy and Brenna love you so much!!!

...hey...at least it's a post

I know I haven't been posting much. I wish it because of something really cool like I was on vacation or off having a baby or something fun...but no. I don't really have a reason other than I really haven't been all that pumped to post. Sad...but true.

So in a lame attempt to post something I give you the random ABC list of things about me. I found this lovely time waster in my inbox today and figured I'd pass it along on here. I'm sure it'll be more than you care to ever know about me...but here goes anyway.

oh...and if you're bored too - post it on your blog and then come and tell me about it so I can check it out. {grin}

A
• Are you available? No.
• What is your age? 31.
• What annoys you? Stupid People - but they also amuse me so.

B
• Do you know anyone named Billy? Yep.
• When is your birthday? November 30th.
• Who is your best friend? I have several - and for very different reasons.

C
• What's your favorite candy? Gummy Bears or Jelly Belly.
• Crush? Sure.
• When was the last time you cried? Yesterday - only because I was laughing so hard. The drive home from work can be pretty amusing.

D
• Do you daydream? ....wait....what?
• What's your favorite kind of dog? Weimaraner.
• What day of the week is it? Wednesday.

E
• How do you like your eggs? Dippin kind.
• Have you ever been in the emergency room? More than most - I work at a hospital. Personally, only a handful of times in my life.
• Ever pet an elephant? Yes - totally not what I expected.

F
• Do you use fly swatters? Nah.
• Have you ever used a foghorn? Yea - at camp once, scared the crap outta me.
• Is there a fan in your room? Overhead.

G
• Do you chew gum? Sometimes.
• Do you like gummy candies? OH YEA...see above.
• Do you like gory movies? Some I guess.

H
• How are you? Bored, otherwise FANTASTIC.
• What's your height? 5'6"
• What color is your hair? Dark brown with the occasional grey strands & red highlights.

I
• What's your favorite ice cream? Mint Chocolate chip - mmmm, yummy goodness right there.
• Have you ever ice skated? Yep.
• Ever been in an igloo? The kind formed by snow? yes. The cooler? Um...yes.

J
• What's your favorite Jelly Bean? Any Jelly Belly kind that should be considered a normal flavor. Popcorn, marshmallow and jalapeno should never, I repeat NEVER, be made into a form of jelly bean.
• Have you ever heard a really hilarious joke? Yep - even peed my pants once because of one.
• Do you wear jewelry? Some.

K
• Who do you want to kill? That would be a sin, so no. But if I had someone in mind I wouldn't list it here just in case something were to happen to them, I wouldn't want to be a suspect.
• Have you ever flown a kite? Yes.
• Do you think kangaroos are cute? Yea - in that awkward big footish kind of way.

L
• Are you laid back? For the most part. (I think)
• Lions or Tigers? Tigers.
• Do you like black licorice? Ewe no.....yet another flavor of jelly belly that never makes it in my bag.

M
• Favorite movie as a kid? The Muppet Move, The Pirate Movie and the original Star Wars flicks.
• Ever shopped at Moosejaw? I'm afraid to even ask what that is....so no.
• Favorite store at the mall? The one with the best sales...

N
• Do you have a nickname? Several - Shan, Shannie, Pete, Babe, Mommy (my favorite one)
• What's your favorite number? 02......don't forget the "0" in front of the 2, I'm weird like that.
• Do you prefer night or day? Like them both for different reasons.

O
• What's your one wish? Can't tell you, or it won't come true. {wink}
• Are you an only child? Technically...no.
• Do you like the color orange? Sure do.

P
• What are you most paranoid about? The safety of my children and finances.
• Piercings? 2.
• Do you know anyone named Penelope? Yep, even related to one.

Q
• Are you quick to judge people? Not usually.
• Do you like Quaker Oats? Not by itself, In my YUMMY bars...oh yea!!!
• Know anyone that makes quilts? Yes.

R
• Do you think you're always right? Not hardly, but don't tell my husband that.{grin}
• Do you watch reality TV? Oh yea!!!
• Reason to cry? Several.

S
• Do you prefer sun or rain? Rain baby rain!!! The stronger the storm, the happier I am. I think I get that from my Dad.
• Do you like snow? Heck yea - born and raised Minnesotan!!!
• What's your favorite season? Autumn and Spring.

T
• [What] time is it? after 2 pm.
• What time did you wake up? first at midnight, then at 1am (sick little girl) then finally at 5am for work.

U
• Can you ride a unicycle? Never tried.
• Do you know anyone with a uni brow? Yes....and my tweezers are itching to get a hold of her (muah ha ha ha)
• Uncles do you have? Living - 6 (7 with Jimmy, not actual uncle, I think he's a cousin but I've always considered him an Uncle)

V
• What’s the worst vegetable? Asparagus.
• Did you ever watch Veggie Tales? Yes, and I apologize to Archibald for my last answer {grin}
• Ever considered being vegan? Nope, this meat and potatoes girl could never go that way.

W
• What's your worst habit? ....
• Do you like water rides? For Sure!
• Ever been inside a windmill? Not a real one. The one at the put-put mini gulf place I went to as a teenager - but that was purely on a dare.

X
• Have you ever had an x-ray? A couple.
• Ever used a Xerox machine? Yup.

Y
• Do you like the color yellow? Sure.
• What year were you born in? 1977
• Do you yell when you're angry? Sometimes, but mostly I don't say anything at all.

Z
• Do you believe in the zodiac? ??
• What's your zodiac sign? Sagittarius.
• When was the last time you went to the zoo? On our Honeymoon in 2006, we're due to go again I think.


So there you have it. Hope you enjoyed reading. I'm just happy it killed a little time before I head home from work. Have a good day!!!

No more work for today....

well, at least at the moment. I still have over an hour left and anything can happen.

Back to the craziness....

Monster garage sale tomorrow - I'll be up bright and early to get things rolling. I'm making breakfast ahead of time so I can just throw it in the oven at my Mom's for us all to enjoy before the crazy shoppers come. I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to have my house decluttered (for the most part - kind of a mess now since we've been going through everything). You really don't realize how much junk, oops I mean really cool stuff that other people want to buy, accumulates in such a short time.

On to other things....

What else has been keeping my brain busy other than garage sales, being a wife and mother, working and everything else under the sun? A friend of mine and I are starting up our own business. It's a little scary, but the more we talk about it the more excited we get. I'm not going into depth yet as it is in the VERY EARLY stages. There's just lots of preparations that go into it. Finding wholesale suppliers, working out the fine details and setting up the dates and times to launch everything. It will be a crazy ride, but if everything goes according to plan we'll be swamped with more work than we ever thought possible and our dreams to work from home (or at least less hours and closer to home) will come to pass. Please keep us in the back of your minds that everything will run smoothly.

Family things....

Jason has been working more and more lately. Seems that the whole economy thing isn't affecting those needing retaining walls and such....we thank them {grin} Baseball will be back in action on Sunday (no games on Mother's Day) so our weekends will start to seem shorter as we're traveling all over the place to watch him play.

Brenna took a nose-dive on her way to the swings at daycare the other day. You know how you run as fast as you can to the swing, plop your belly on the seat part and hang on? Well, I guess Brenna missed the swing entirely. Poor thing. They said after she got all cleaned up she ran full boar to them again only this time she didn't biff it. That a girl, don't let the pesky ground shy you away from having fun. She has been such a character lately, I find myself laughing more and more everyday. Last night she was getting ready for the bath. This kid LOVES to be naked, I can't help it, she just really likes it. So...after I got her ready to go in the tub she wanted to run and see Daddy first. I followed her out to the living room and she says "Daddy...daddy look....I nak-ed" Then she proceeded to "bring it around town". That's a little sponge bob thing (which I don't think she's actually seen) where she bends her knees and rolls her hips/bum in a circle (like if you were doing the hula-hoop, only no hoop). It is the funniest thing ever. She then ran back into the bathroom ready for bath. Lord help us with this one.

Trever is rolling all over the place. Back to belly, belly to back - he's a cruisin. Another fan of being naked, he will do a full belly laugh when you strip him down. Someday these two will do the "awe, mo-om" when they find out I blogged about how they like being in the buff, but they will know just how cute it is when their kids do it too. Trever is our talker. He would talk to you all day long if he could. He gives out the smiles freely and is such a flirt. He's a BIG boy, very long and is currently in 9 month clothes. Anything smaller pulls on his crotch and shoulders so much.

Well, that's what's going on for us (in a nutshell). Summer is going to be pretty busy for us I'm sure. Between baseball, trips to Minnesota, Trever's Baptism, family reunions....it'll go by fast that's for sure. I'll be sure to get back here to post as often as I can and will share pictures.

Crazy Busy.

So sorry to those of you that have been anxiously awaiting another post from me...all 10 of you that read my blog...I think it's 10...let's see....mom, sister, other sister, mother-in-law, friend 1, sister of friend 1, blog buddy 1 and 2, labor buddy....is that 10 yet? Oh yea, don't forget anonymous....that should make 10...I rock.

I can't even explain in full depth all the craziness that is going on now and how my mind is all mottled up - but you know me, I'll sure try. I have started 4 or 5 different posts and have been so rudely interrupted every time. When I go back to read what was written, well let's just say you're probably lucky that I never posted them - it wasn't even making sense to me and I was living it. Ugh.

Where to start.....oh yea. We (and by we I mean my mother, two sisters and I) are having this HUGE garage sale this weekend. Seriously - the garage is packed, and we don't even have half of the stuff we're planning on putting out there. I have gone through just about every inch of my home and put a tag on everything in sight. I think by the time it's all said and done all that will be left is a plunger and an empty roll of toilet paper. Sweet!!! Anyone interested in a plunger?

Why? You must be asking yourself. Well, we are ready for a fresh start. There are certain things we have gotten along the way that may have "worked" for us at the time, fit better in a different home, or just filled in for something that we never really knew what we wanted. Now it's time for a change. I try to be surrounded with the things I love. When you really enjoy everything around you, life seems so much more comfortable, happy and full of life. Of course this is my opinion and it is by no means saying people need to sell everything they own and buy new.

A little example of what I'm talking about - our dining room table. I have had two other dining room sets in my previous apartment and home. They "worked" at the time, but I never really loved them. When we moved into our current home, we went without a dining room table for some time. Then one day Jason and I headed to slumberland to check out a different table - one that matched out kitchen cabinets (hickory). As soon as we walked in the door Jason spotted THE table. It was dark wood, straight lined, clean sleek. The chairs were high backed with a black leather in-lay. It was beautiful and PERFECT - for us anyway. To top it all off, it was on sale. That was it. That was "our" dining room set. Instead of rushing out and getting something just to fill the space, we waited. Now, my husband prides himself in the fact that he picked out the table - which he did and I give him credit for that. The point is we went for the one that we fell in love with and to this day we still love it. It is our table, for our home, that we will sit at for every meal possible as a family. It is the place where we will be able to talk with our children, find out all about their day, what's happening in school, who has what going on. Our dinner table is a big part of our family, it brings us together to make sure we have that time to share with no interruptions. When I was growing up, we never answered the phone, we asked to be excused from the table once everyone was finished eating, and we rarely missed a dinner together. I want that for my family. Life gets busy - school, sports, work, whatever it is, but I want that place that we all go to and share what is going on in our lives. So there - that's our table. A fancy hunk of wood for some people, but it is so much more for us. With such important things going on at it - we must be sure that we LOVE it.

OK - I don't know where I got off track here and on the big tangent about our dinner table, but I hope that gives you a little insight to the "surrounding ourselves with things we love" type deal. I'm not extravagant by any means. I do enjoy nice things, but mainly if I'm going to buy something, I want to make sure that I really love it so 2 years down the road I don't have to go through all this again because it's not exactly what we're looking for.

Once again - work has interrupted my post (silly people think I should actually work at work) so I'm off, but at least I'll post this one and come back again to tell you more of all things crazy in my life.

Have a good day - thanks for listening.