Audrey in the Mornin'

My little girlie is the smiliest little girl I have ever known.

She smiles pretty much non-stop. Even when she's crying  you can get a smile from her.

She smiles the most in the morning though.

I love her in her jammies so much that many days she wears them all day:) 

These are my favorites right now. What a deal too, only a $1 at Walmart in the clearance.

I love a good deal! But she makes these jammies look good, don't ya think??

They have "cute little monkey" on 'em.

She doesn't sit still for long when I want to take a picture of her so I gotta move fast.

Wouldn't you love to wake up every morning to this little cutie?

I sure do ;)

Clint's 8th Birthday

Clint and Uncle Michael

 ( Blake had to be in it too :) )

I just realized I didn't talk about our Clint's 8th birthday. (Mommy guilt) So here it goes.....( this is mostly for me so later on I remember what we did and so it doesn't look like I forgot his birthday)...
 Clint's birthday was last Saturday the 20th. We really didn't do much in the morning except we went to see little Gianna at the hospital. We let helped Clint decide where we would eat lunch. (he wanted McD's but Ben detests that place) So we went to Subway, his 2nd favorite resturaunt. We even got him a footlong.  He told me once that that would be really cool if he could get one of those for himself. He didn't even eat half of it but was happy to have leftovers ;)  We went and picked up my little brother who is Clints bestest friend (and uncle) and he came over to spend the night. They spent most of the time playing XBOX and playing legos. Ben took them down to his Dad's to shoot their BB guns in their shooting range. The kids had a blast! I satyed home and got supper ready. The kids came home and got to make their own calzones. They thought that was pretty neat and they were really good if I can say so. That was about it.
 The next day we went to a hotel to Celebrate Ben's parents 30th wedding anniversary. We had supper there and the kids got to swim. We stayed over too which made the kids really happy :)

Boogers are like Birthdays

We stopped at Auntie Jaci's house today to pick up Blake's and Clint's birthday cards. After Blake opened his and saw a picture of a kid picking his nose he couldn't stop laughing. Big belly laughs. He thought this was just hilarious. Athough it wasn't funny a couple minutes later when he was picking his nose and trying to put them on his brothers!! Thanks Auntie for the idea!! J/K! He really didn't need the reminder since on the way into town he say's to me "Mom, did you know that Dad and me like to pick our nose? " I guess Jaclyn's card was just perect for our little booger picker!

P.s~ The title of today's post was what was on the card. The inside said "the more you have the harder it is to breathe! "

Gianna Joy is here!!!!

pictures added 2/20/2010

 I can hardly contain myself from so much happiness! My beautiful sister Christa had her fourth child today. Her 3rd daughter. Precious little Gianna Joy ( yes, she named her after me!!!!) I am so honored to share my name with her- she will no doubt be a little extra spoiled because of the fact- hehe!

My mom called me this morning to tell me that Christa had went into the hospital aroung 4 am and to tell me to start praying that everything was going well. This whole day has pretty much went out the door because I couldn't focus on anything! I was impatiently waiting by my phone all morning until she finally called me. I can't really explain how I reacted except the kids all thought I had to pee really, really bad because I was jumping and screaming and crying all at the same time.

I'm hoping Ben get's home early tonight so I can buzz up there to see her. We will all go tomorrow but I just can't wait a minute longer than I have too. I will try and post some pictures of her as soon and I can. I can't wait to hold her and smell that new baby smell.

Welcome little Gianna Joy

we already love you :)

Ten On Tuesday...

1. Owen's favorite word now is "poop". He loves to say it. He will say it after he's went in his diaper. And loves to yell it while banging on the bathroom door when I'm in there ( usually NOT doing that!!). He also loves to say it when he's throwing diapers away and at anytime when it amuses him. ou would think that this would mean he's ready to be potty trained but he goes cRaZy when I put him on the potty. So we will wait.

2.Our house is finally warm again. We have had 3 of the 4 motors go out in the last 2 weeks. It has not been fun being cold. Each motor has costed us about $100 each. Not fun when we weren't expecting it but we did get a very good price on the stove when we got it this fall ( about $2,800 less than what they are new) so puttting a couple hundred in it shouldn't be a big deal. It really sucks when I have to pack all the kids up to go stay somewhere where its warm until it gets fixed though.

3. I made a tutu!! It was so fun, Im thinking about making Audrey another one in a different color.

It was so easy that even someone creatively challenged as me could make it and it would turn out!  Here  is where I found the directions.

4.Clint is going to be 8 this Saturday!!! I can't believe he's going to be this old! ( or that I am old enough to have an 8 yr old!!!) We are going to go stay at a hotel to celebrate ( and because its an excuse to go swimming!) I always say that God spoiled me when he gave me Clint- seriously the easiest of my children. Was always so quiet and well behaved and still is. I would probably have more kids if they were all as easy as him! I (heart) that boy!

5.Ben and I went out for Valentines Day at our favorite place. D. B. Searle's in St. Cloud. We went there on our first (actual) alone date 11 years ago. I remember how he didn't realize that you need to make reservarions and we ended up in a little secluded booth behind that bar. I remember is being soooo romantic! We have tried to go there every year but since Ben started trucking he hasn't been home on Valentines Day so we usually celebrate at home on a different night. Plus trying to find a babysiter on VD is usually really hard. We had such a good time. We went to Barnes and Noble afterwards and had coffee and browsed books. I love spending alone time with my hubby- don't get to do it nearly enough!

6. On Saturday we went t o our friends Valentines Party. The kids had a blast. They gave all their friends valentines and candy, and they made a cute Hanging Heart craft. We had a "heart" themed lunch with Heart Peanut Butter/Jelly sandwiches. Layered Heart Jellos, Red Velvet Cupcakes with Chocolate Heart Cookies, and some other yummy dishes. I ate WAY TOO much! It was all delicious.The kids love getting together to play with their friends and I love getting to visit with all their mamas that are my friends : )

7. Audrey AND Owen and both taking naps right now! A huge deal! I rarely get them down at the same time. I wish I could get all the kids to still take naps but realize that will never happen. At least they can entertain themselves for a little while when I need some quiet.

8. This is really wierd but I am running out of things to write about so I'm going to tell this anyways! I dreamed last night that I was all of a sudden full term prego and I was all by myself and went into labor. i was really scared but delivered it on my own. It was very wierd but when I woke up my first thought was "maybe Christa had her baby and thats why I had that dream!!!" I called her and ends up she didn't and wasn't close to that happening today so i maybe shouldn't have had that Diet Coke last night before bed- end up haveing wierd dreams when I do.

9. Ben's grandma called me last night and pretty much insisted that I NEED to take the kids to the ice slide over on Green Lake. I am thinking about it but wondering how it would work with the little ones. Might have to drop them off at HER house! Anyone want to go with us this week sometime?? Might be fun!

10. Winter is really starting to get to us. We have started this thing to entertain us in the evening. When we are cleaning up after super we turn the music on really I mean REALLY loud ( its a good thing we live out in the middle of nowhere) and dance like CrAzY!!! The kids love it. I'm sure I look like rediculous and would NOT want to see what I look like but it passes the time and let us get some of that energy that bound up inside us out! Our favorite song to dance and do Air Guitar to is Monster by Skillet. Although Blake is convinced that its called Rock Star.

Our Favorite Sugar Cookies

sI decided to let everyone know our absolute fav cookies cutout recipe. These are some and delicious. The recipe came from my Grandma and we always made these growing up

Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies

1/2 cup shortenin or butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 2/3 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cupsour cream

Cream sugar, butter, egg and vanilla. Mix until well blended. In another bowl mix the flour, b. powder, soda,salt together. Alternate adding the flour mixture and sour cream into the butter mixture, blending well after each addition. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Roll dough out to 1/8-1/4 inch thinkness and cut with cookie cutters. Bake @ 350 for 8-10 minutes- or just before the cookies beging to brown.

I also made some chocolate cutouts and they were fun too. That recipe is:

Chocolate Cut-outs

1 1/2 cup flour

3/4 cup cocoa

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 egg plus 1 yolk

Blend sugar, butter, eggs and cocoa together. Add the rest of the ingredients to butter mixture. Refrigerate for a couple hours. Roll out on floured surface to 1/8 inch and cutout. ( I used cocoa instead of flour to roll out my dough) Bake for 7-9 minutes at 350F.

my FREE mixer! I love it- the color goes with my kitchen too!

Love that its vintage- not cure how old it is but its a Mongomery Ward so it must be!

It doesn't matter what I'm making the kids ALWAYS want to lick off the beaters!

The kids have so much fun "helping"

Aren't they cute?

I have a problem wanting to eat them all myself! Good thing I have lots of kids or else I probably would!

Ten On Tuesday...

A couple of my friends do "Ten On Tuesday" and it seemed like fun, thought I'd try it!

1) We made "heart" cut-outs today. Thought I'd better since Ben brought home from work last week 6 lbs  of red and white valentine sprinkes. We only got them baked today. We'll decorate tomorrow unless I get ambitious and do them myself tonight. I'd rather do them myself- less mess but the kids like to do it too so we'll see.
2) I am spending way too much time surfing other peoples blogs lately. One I found today that looks really inspiring is  http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/  . I really want to try some of her recipes. They look so yummy!
3) We are without our main heat as of last night around 6 pm. I tried my hardest to get that stupid corn burner to keep lit, staying up til 1 am to see if it would go, but alas it was not to be. Using the 1 baseboard heater in the living room and the oven to keep us warm. A friend came over today to help me out with it but turns out it was a bigger probalem that needs a part that takes a couple days to get. So for the next few days we'll be wearing lots of layers and our slippers.
4) After bath tonight we I was triming everyones toenails that had gotten extremely long. ( I think I don't realize they are getting so long because they are constantly in socks around the house -how I long for summer and bare feet!) Anyways it was Blake's turn and this is how it went :
Blake: "WOW! They are really long! "
Me : "I know- sorry"
Blake: " Can I keep them?" as he was looking at the cuttings
Me : "What? NO!"
Blake: "pleeeeaaaase??"
Me : "Why would you want them?"
Blake : "For a collection."
 No I didnt let him keep them.
5) The kids are really loving the song "Monster" by Skillet. They have been playing it on repeat all night. I'm getting really sick of it.
6) The toothfairy around our house has TONS of stipulations about when she can come. She doesn't work weekends. She doesn't come on the night of the day you lost your tooth. She won't come in your room if you are sick. And sometimes she just is too busy collecting other kids' teeth. How about at your house? Does your toothfairy have issues?
7) Owen has been wearing his winter  boots for almost 3 days straight! He screams when I take them off to put him down for his nap. He doesn't care if they are on the wrong feet or if he doesn't have socks on or pants either. He  just loves wearing his "boot." .
8) I'm running out of things  here but I've been meaning to write this on here but keep forgetting- Audrey has 2 teeth now. She got them about 2 weeks ago ( I think- man- I really wixh I would have written this down! ). Ane Ethan has lost his first 2 teeth in the last 2 weeks. Weird.
9)I was getting really sick of buying  baby food and decied to start making my own. THe problem was i didn't have a blender or food  processor. So I bought one last week and made some. She loved it for a few days but has now decided that she'd rather eat what we are eating and not mush. Isn't that how it always goes.  They need to make sure you understand that they really in charge and want to keep you on your toes.
10) I really wish I lived somewhere warmer! I hate being cold. I ask myself this every year- why do we live here?

jumbled thoughts.....

Tired. I'm tired. I feel the need to just spill my thoughts and feelings out on a page. Today has been one of those days. I dont know if its just because winter is getting long. Or if its Monday. I feel like I will go nuts if I have to change one more poopy diaper. Untie and tie one more bandana around a cowboys chin. Pick up one more lego that Audrey is putting in her mouth. Get one more glass of juice, or snack. Break up one more argument, listen to one more tattle or whine.I just want to enjoy my children but on days when I feel like this its all I can do to just get through the day.I'm tired.
 Tired. So tired. There are so many things I wish I was better at. I wish I had more time to learn new things. Create new things. Be good at just ONE thing. I wish I knew who I was. I think  I used to know? I'm tired of trying to keep up with other people. Wishing I was as good a mom as this person or that person. But I can barely keep my house picked up or laundry caught up. I know I shouldn't feel like this. I can't even believe I writing this down. Why DO i feel like this. I mean, will my children really care when they are older that they didn't have the cutest, most beautifully decorated bedrooms? Or if I didn't spend a million hours making them scrapbooks? If they don't have the nicest brand name clothes? NO THEY WON'T! And the problem is that I KNOW that they won't! But what is this insane feeling that if I'm not doing these things I must be a bad mom! My kids know that I love them. I tell them all the time! My favorite thing to do with them is just snuggle up on the couch and hug on them. I need to realize that I don't need to prove anything to anyone.I just don't have the time, money or energy to do these things at this point of my or our lives. Someday I will  have time, enough energy and maybe even a little money to do these things but even if I do its not going to change how much i love my kids or who I am.
 I think sometimes in all the chaos of this life I foget that earthly things do not matter. I need to store up teasures in heaven, in my children! I'm sure I'll feel better in the morning. I'm sure that I'll wake up with more energy for the day and be ready what what the day holds. But right now I  needed to vent. It felt good.
 So now I'm going to go change the 8th poopy diaper of the day, help my 2 yr old put his boots on for the 40th time today just because he like to wear his "boot" snuggle with my kids and wipe some little noses. Break up the fight and realize that someday I'm going to miss this noise. Smile back at my smiley little girl and Thank the Lord for the blessings that I don't always recognize that are all around me.

Blake is 5!!!!!!!!!!

 Happy Birthday to my little man Blake! He is 5 today and very excited about that! It seems like e as been waiting  forever for this day to come! We aren't doing much to celebrate today because the stomache flu bug is running its course through our house right now. Thankfully we were able to go bowling and out for pizza earlier this week when Ben was home to celebrate.
The kids had a blast (I did too) All the boys bowled including Ben and Owen. They used the bumpers and I was amazed how slow some of those balls rolled down the alley. One even ended up hiting the end and rolled back to us. Very strange- never had that happen to us before :)

 Last night Blake ended up throwing up a couple times and I was hoping he would feel better today. Thankfully he seems to be back to his normal crazy self. ( I admit it would have been nice if he had been feeling lazy ) But I decided that since Ethan hasn't gotten it yet and we are probably still carrying those germs around that we would try to stay away from people for a couple more days. We did run into Litch to get a movie and went through the drive- thru at McD's for Happy Meals. And I ran into Dollar Tree for a balloon and lollipops for the kids.  We are goign to have a football cake later ( I still have to make it - hopfully it turns out! ).
 I am missing Clint. He went with Ben to work yesterday. He had been throwing up in the morning and was so sad that he wasn't going to get to go with Daddy like he'd been planning for a week. Ben wasn't going to take him since he was sick but I guess Clint's tears got to him and he went along. He was sicka couple times on the way but is feeling better now. I just hope Ben doesn't get it now.