A better week with a great weekend ahead!

This week was pretty good, but compared to last, it was heaven.

Last week, I had a sick husband, which meant being a "single" mom for a bit and I was helping get substitute plans and things to the sub in his 2nd grade room. A bit hectic but I survived.
Last Friday was tough. Things in my classroom were just crazy and after a day like that....I needed time to myself. Only after about 1/2 hour of clearing my brain (which wasn't enough time), my husband left for the weekend. Yep...to LC to put on his facilitator hat. Thankfully, he was only gone for 1 night and the next night he was back. Picking up my feet and putting on my "git-r-done" hat, I got some things put on the walls, cleaned some rooms and brought myself back out of my slump.

So, a new start to this week. Still hectic and can't believe that I survived it at times, but glad to have experienced it.
* Mon-Wed both my husband and I had after school meetings.
* We got a new water softener put in. The other one overflowed over our floor before church 2 weeks ago. So, we decided that enough was enough. We are now renting a NEW one. If there are any problems, we don't pay the bill. We are like that much better.
* I have been going into some classrooms and helping out. It's been so much fun and so challenging at the same time. The kids are great and I get to see other teaching styles. Fun for me and I learn things too.
* My husband and his dad cut our mop boards a few weeks back. But because of the hubby being sick and things last week....we didn't do anything more with them till this week. Now they are totally stained and varnished. Husband put them up, just have a few minor things and the living room/dining room will be done.
* Behind on laundry and need to really clean the bathroom and vacuum. Shall be a busy day, but glad that I can get things done today.

Good news, I have discovered that our son N is a bit ticklish. He breaks out (most of the time) when I rub his tummy or sides. I looked this morning and his eye lashes are not only getting darker, but long like his big brother's. So they do have something in common. =)

Husband is emptying the dishwasher, so I better go and get something to eat to start my day.

Tonight, our friends B,S,M,M are coming. Baby M is being baptized and we are excited to be a part of it. Z is excited to see M and play with her.

I love weekends like this. Relaxing and not too crammed with things. Love the weekend!

boys

I love my boys and a picture like this explains it all. =)

Night out

The other night I was invited out for a night with the
'girls.'  I told my husband that I would be home by
midnight, 'I promise!'  Well, the hours passed and
the margaritas went down way too easily.  Around 3 am, a
bit loaded, I headed for home.

Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hallway
started up and cuckooed 3 times.

Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I
cuckooed another 9 times.

I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a
quick-witted solution, in order to escape a possible
conflict with him.

(Even when totally smashed... 3 cuckoos plus 9 cuckoos
totals = 12 cuckoos MIDNIGHT!)

The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in, I
told him 'MIDNIGHT'. He didn't seem pissed off in the least.

Whew, I got away with that one!  Then he said 'We need
a new cuckoo clock.'

When I asked him why, he said, 'Well, last night our
clock cuckooed three times, then said 'oh shit.'
Cuckooed 4 more times, cleared its throat,
cuckooed another three times, giggled, cuckooed twice more,
and then tripped over the coffee table and farted.

Why Parents Have Gray Hair

I totally seeing one of my son's pulling this on me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see the bed nicely made up and everything neat and tidy. Then he saw an envelope propped up prominently on the pillow. It was addressed, "Dad". With the worst premonition, he opened the envelope and read the letter with trembling hands: Dear Dad, It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with you and Mom. I've been finding real passion with Joan and she is so nice. I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercing, tattoos, her tight motorcycle clothes and because she is so much older than I am but it's not only the passion, Dad, she's pregnant. Joan says that we are going to be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood, enough for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children. Joan has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it and trading it with the other people in the commune for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want. In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Joan can get better; she sure deserves it! Don't worry Dad, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself. Someday, I'm sure we'll be back to visit so you can get to know your grandchildren. Your son, Chad P.S. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my desk drawer. I love you! Call when it is safe for me to come HOME.

The Best Menopause Question Ever

Q:  How many women with MENOPAUSE does it take to change a light bulb? 

Woman's  Answer:  One! ONLY ONE!!!! And do you know WHY?
Because no one else in this house knows HOW to change a light bulb!
They don't even know that  the bulb is BURNED OUT!! They would sit
in the dark for THREE DAYS before  they figured it out. And, once they
figured it out, they wouldn't be able to find the light bulbs despite
the fact that they've been in the SAME CABINET for the  past 17 YEARS!
But  if they did, by some miracle of God, actually find them, 2 DAYS LATER,
the  chair they dragged to stand on to change the STUPID light bulb
would  STILL  BE  IN THE SAME SPOT!!!!! AND UNDERNEATH IT WOULD BE THE WRAPPER
THE  STUPID LIGHT BULBS CAME IN!!! BECAUSE NO ONE EVER PICKS  UP OR CARRIES
OUT    THE   GARBAGE!!!! IT'S A WONDER WE HAVEN'T ALL SUFFOCATED  FROM  THE
PILES OF GARBAGE THAT ARE A FOOT DEEP THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE  HOUSE!! 
IT  WOULD TAKE AN ARMY TO CLEAN THIS PLACE! AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED
ON WHO CHANGES THE  TOILET PAPER ROLL !! 

I'm  sorry. What was the question?

From big city to small town

After moving to a small town, I have noticed a few differences in the way things are. Maybe it's just me, but some of them aren't what you expect. So, I feel like Jeff Foxworthy when I say this, but.....

You know you live in a small town if ......

1. You look out your living room window and see a tractor drive past your home in the middle of the day on your paved street.
2. You decide not to go to the grocery store to buy some meat, but go in with your family and purchase a 1/2 or whole cow.
3. Going to Wal-mart on a Wednesday night to stock up the house is an exciting thing. Could even be considered a date night with your loved one.
4. Heading to the local post office involves avoiding the tractor carrying the water softener in the bucket (which just pulled out of the parking spot in front of the grocery store).
5. Double checking to make sure streets are clear of combines before driving down them. They take up the entire street!
6. When talking about setting up a bank account you will need to go to THE bank, the only one in town.
7. While going to THE bank, you realize that there is THE lumberyard/hardware store, THE grocery store, THE park, THE school (yes, only one for all k-12), THE newspaper, etc.....etc.....etc.....
8. In the middle of an intersection on main street, there is a place to post public notices for the town. Some include, THE pool is closed, coming events and activities, and sometimes store closings for the day due to a funeral.
9. Going to the doctor includes finding out times where the doctor is in your town and when they are in the town a few miles away.
10. A trip to Omaha, yes...it's a big deal.
11. Fast Food is either the local Bar, which serves food....but takes 15-20 minutes to get or Godfather's Pizza....located in the gas station.
12. The high school football team is the excitement for the weekend and will be the talk of town for the rest of the week....win or lose.
13. Netflix is a must, even when you did't watch a lot of movies before you moved.
14. Brick streets still exist on the main street
15. Family is close by with a garden to raid when you forget something at the store

What a face!

So, my son wanted a picture taken of himself. Usually, when he smiles, his eyes close or he has the strangest look on his face (like toothpicks are holding up his eyelids). This one was so cute, I just had to share. What a great picture.

Ironically, this is one of the last pictures of our living room before the carpet came. =) More later (pictures and story of it all), but right now, I am relishing in it all.

Baptism weekend

This past weekend, we celebrated our youngest son's (N) baptism.

Friday, Grandma D babysat so Mom, Dad, big brother, and Grandpa D could go check out the local high school football team.

Saturday was filled with more family arriving and the big Nebraska Cornhusker game. It was a fun game and had I been able to watch it and not rock the overtired baby, I would have really enjoyed the evening.

Then came the baptism on Sunday. It was a beautiful morning. We dressed N in a special outfit that his brother wore 5 years previous. The baptismal was outfit made by his Grandma D from left over material that also made my wedding dress. Like his brother before him, he wore the sweet outfit and was proudly presented to have the blessing and words of hope given to him. No tears (from anyone) during the event. Afterwords, we walked to our home and ate good food and enjoyed wonderful company (even the minister and his family came over).

N was a trooper! With all the family here for the special weekend, he wasn't too happy at times, but he survived. Our oldest son Z had a blast playing with his cousin A, the pastor's kids, and spending time with his aunts/uncles and grandmas/grandpas. There was much food, laughter, and lots of fun for all.

We have to say, we feel blessed to have such a great family. The time in WF has been good and we can't believe that we have been here 1 1/2 months already. We are starting to fit in and get the hang of this small town living. (I say that and tomorrow will be completely off the "normal".)

All makes us feel better seeing the newest face our youngest gives us. He doesn't give it often, but the smile just melts my heart and make my worries and hard feelings go away.

With pictures like these, wouldn't you agree.

What a blessed weekend.

NEW HUSBAND STORE

A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City,
where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the
instructions at the entrance is a description of how the
store operates:

You may visit this store ONLY ONCE!
There are six floors and the value of the products increase
as the shopper ascends the flights.

The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor,
or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot
go back down except to exit the building.

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.
On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs.

She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor,
where the sign reads:
Floor 2 - T hese men Have Jobs and Love Kids.'That's nice,'
she thinks, 'but I want more.'

So she continues upward. The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely
Good Looking.

'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.
She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead
Good Looking and Help With Housework.

'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!'
Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead
Gorgeous, Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic
Streak.  She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the
sixth floor, where the sign reads:

Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor.
There are no men on this floor.
This floor exists solely as proof that women are
impossible to please.
Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.

PLEASE NOTE:
To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner opened a
New Wives store just 20 across the street.
The first floor has wives that love sex.
The second floor has wives that love sex and have money and
like beer.

The third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors have never
been visited.

Nicknames

So, it's been fun having a new member of the family. We doing well and now on to the new stage, developing fun nicknames for the the boys.

Our oldest boy we have had many fun nicknames. To date, he has been called:
"peanut"
"Jr"
"slugger"
"squirt"

Our youngest, names have been developing and probably will continue for a bit. So far, we have:
"buddy"
"opossum" He will open one eye to look around when he doesn't think you are looking, then close it quickly to hide
"peachy" His head feels like a soft peach

And yet the personality is still developing....it will be fun to see what future nicknames will arise.

A good day

So, this weekend was a good weekend. I took my sons and visited family in SD, rain some errands, and came home and made some meals for the freezer. Just in time to spend some quality time with my husband (he was gone teaching class for the weekend).

It was a good start to a new week. My new week began with renewed energy. There was no school for the elementary kiddos and in-service for teachers. And since I am a para, it was an optional in-service. I decided, why not. It may help me understand more of what teachers go through and maybe learn something myself that may aid me in the classroom. So, after dropping off the kiddos at daycare, my husband and I proceeded to school for the meeting. It was good. I did learn lots and find myself happy that I'm not a teacher but craving more. Funny how that works.

After lunch, I did a few things in my husband's classroom, then off to pick up the boys. We came home and I did a few things around the office. Then, off to the doctor for my youngest son's 2 month check-up. He is doing awesome! 9lbs 15 oz, 21" 2 shots later, we were out of there.

When we got home....supper as a family, a game of sorry (which I was royally whipped at), and 2 kiddos to bed....then some quit time. Husband working on school stuff and now watching Criminal Minds (he tapes it).

I just have to say how blessed I feel. I have an awesome husband who shares so many hopes and dreams with me. He blessed me with 2 wonderful and amazing boys with such personalities that heads turn and people just smile. I have a wonderful job that lets me challenge myself, yet not making me feel overwhelmed (although it's a bit early to know for sure). Our home just makes me feel good about what we have accomplished in such little time. We still have dreams of what to do with it, but we love all the character it has.

Life is good. After a weekend like I just had, I feel good to be living the life I have. Things get tough at times, but all-in-all......life is really, really good!

Exciting week

Things are going quite well. My husband started school last Friday, Monday for myself, and our 5 year old on Tuesday. All is great and we are really, really, really enjoying the new school. Z loves all the newness of being a "big kid" and entering the strange land of kindergarten....filled with 3 and a wacky but fun teacher recesses, all sorts of hands on fun, who brings it all into perspective. He also loves seeing both mom and dad around school. My husband is enjoying his class of 13 kiddos and loves the freedom to teach and interact with all. I am loving the environment of school and have some kids that challenge me and make me laugh. We all know that days will be different than others, but all and all...so far....things are great.

We have all had the questions posed to us....."Did you know there are 3 Mrs. Js and 1 Mr. J that work here?" "Why are there so many Js in this school?" "Are you married to Mr. J/Mrs. J?" "Is Z your son?" etc,etc,etc. They do catch on fast. =) And the cute things they do or say is just too numerous to count. It's all so much fun.

N, the only non school going member of our family, is doing ok. I had to take him to the dr. yesterday....yes, my 2nd day with kiddos. Good news, he is now up to 9lbs 13 oz and he'll be 2 months old a week from Friday (tomorrow). Bad news, he has thrush. Not much fun, but he is doing much better now. I guess, older...non nursing babies can get this. Good news....the medicine to treat it, starts showing signs of better things right away. So, much better.

Life hasn't slowed down much. We refinished our floors the 1st weekend of Aug. 2nd weekend, family came for a church anniversary weekend. Last weekend, we went to IA for our niece's baptism. This weekend, my husband is teaching and the boys and I head to SD for some Grandma/Grandpa time. And the last weekend (labor day) we baptize N. So...we are keeping busy, but all is coming together and all is looking good around here. We are just waiting to get the carpet installed in our home and we'll be done doing major work around the place for a bit. Attached are pictures of N's room to date. A few more things to do, but nothing major. We love it and it's quite cozy. =)

All and all....a great week! We are happy to move to such a wonderful new life, yet we really miss all our friends. Could you all just move up here too??

WOW

So, here I am.....up at the 5 am feeding. My son N, was awake....not very interested in eating, but more interested in getting his diaper changed. He probably would have went back to sleep if I would have ignored his whining, but I got up anyway. It just makes my heart tug knowing he is just uncomfortable. I was rewarded with a big smile. And we cuddled. He ate a little, not much, but a little. And we cuddled.

This got me thinking about the feeling I get. That flood of love that washes over a person, sure makes one forget about everything else. It's powerful stuff. It sometimes takes me by surprise and uplifts me so much. I have to say, this tiny being sure turned me around. I never thought I could be gotten like I have been, but both my boys have done it to me. They can brighten almost any rotten day with just a smile, word, or laugh. They can wipe away any tear and make me feel better. The other day I was feeling homesick for my friends back and P...my oldest figured it out. He just knew that even though mom was hiding tears, she needed that "hug" feeling. So, this 5 year old put his hand on my shoulder and said, "it's ok mom. It will be ok. I'll make it better." Yes, Z.....you sure did. Both you and your brother do. Thank God for little boys and for the small but powerful moments. God bless the little ones.

A new start.......

So, here I am....I have been nervous about my new job. I will be a paraprofessional at the elementary school. Working with kids has been a passion of mine. I have never quite figured out in what way I should do this, but know that it's in my blood. So, when my husband found a new position in his hometown, I jumped at the chance to try a new field and to venture on a new path. And I have been really nervous about it. This job will be so different than any other job I have had in the past. And so, I'm heading to my new position on Monday. And so, tonight, one of the teachers had a gathering at her house. She does it every year to "kick off" the new school year. It was just what I needed. I needed to meet other teachers. I needed to relax. I needed to get out of the house. And most importantly, I needed to understand the side of teachers again. It was just a fun and relaxing night.

So, I say thank you. Thank you to the teacher that had the gathering that brought me to meet other teachers at the school. Thank you for welcoming me into the community, not just WF but also the school community. Thank you for helping me understand how hard, but fun my job will be. Thank you for tonight. What a blessing this move is.

Cuteness

So, tonight....I was in the living room folding clothes and watching my soap and my 5 year old comes down the stairs. "Mom, we forgot to turn my car light on." So, up the stairs I go and when we get to the room, I turn on the car light and he turns off the lamp. Then he looks up at his stars (glow in the dark ones that are scattered all over the ceiling). "Mom, my stars are happy!!"

I love it when the stars are happy too. =)