Raspberries.

I love them and they are at Kroger this week for a buck! YAHOO!!!

Tour the Nurseries Week...

Kelly Korner is touring Nurseries or children's rooms this week...Here is Elliott's room.





This is our changing station. It is actually an old shelf from a grocery store that I got out of the trash. (Yes, I am a PROUD trash picker...if you hang around me long enough, you will be one too).
After power washing it and painting it, the boys used it in their room for a toy shelf. I didn't want to purchase a changing table before Elliott was born, so I thought of rearranging the shelves to make a usable spot to change the poopy diapers.

This is the other side of Elliott's room. We found the dresser either in the trash or got it super cheep at a tag sale. My dad painted it for us and put Matchbox cars on for the handles.

Around the house

I love the nice weather. It is a bit muggy today, but I have the "Happy Air" on so all is good. I have officially come to conclusion that I battle seasonal depression. Our next house is GOING to HAVE a Florida Room. When the skies are grey, when the temp is cold I feel like a nothing. Just Blah. It is amazing to me that when the weather outside is not frightful, I am a happy momma. This week, the kids have been outside, my flowers are in bloom and even the white little fluffies that irritate my allergies cannot put a damper on my mood. Besides, who can be depressed when the peonies are in bloom?


I have been going through some stuff in the basement again. I found these really cool rocks and shells. Last year, I put a tether ball pole in our backyard. It was fine for the kids, but not so sturdy for 3 adult men (Aaron's brothers) battling it out with one another. The loosened the pole and I had to re-dig further and place more cement in it. I gave the boys the rocks and shells and they had a great time.

Cooler kids.

I went out to see what the comotion was about...this is what I found.

Happy Monday!

Get your popcorn (or Coffee), sit back, relax. This is a free show compliments of Owen! Allowing yourself 4 minutes to sit here and watch this will guarantee a happy heart. If it doesn't, you seriously need professional help. I know of a good therapist if you need the number.


Owen has been a dancing fool for about a week now. He has had the itch to dance ever since the talent show at school. Owen thinks he is THE next "Dancing with the Stars" canidate. I love his moves, especially the 101 cartwheels/flips he does. I am not sure what the wiping the shoulder move is supposed to be, but he is pretty consistent with it doing it at the same time in the song. Did you catch the part that tried sliding on the grass and giving the "hang loose" sign at the end of his slide? Classic move. He loves Aerosmith (possibly from Guitar Hero?). The best part is, he thinks Aerosmith is a new band. Ha. Love this kid.

Memorial Day

Here are some snippets/snappits (get it..."snap" its? Gosh, I am so funny) from the weekend.

My great nieces and nephew and their sittings. Much fun. Tyson is a little stubborn when it comes to getting his picture taken. Once he warmed up to me, he was a champ! Amelia is pretty photogenic due to the fact I have been photographing her since she was a baby. Iayla is a sensitive blue eyed baby girl that will soon realize that I will be her photographer for her entire life. Get use to it kid.

On Monday, we got together with the Crawford's at Aaron's Brother and his wife's home. The cousins really love hanging out with one another. It is nice now that they are a bit older and they can entertain themselves. The adults can once again, get a conversation going just like we use to prior to kids.






Aaron getting beat up by Jen...

In a nutshell.

Our trip to Michigan summed up in short sentences.

On the way up..
momma peed her pants
Van howling.
Stop at my brother's house and concluded...
It's the fuel pump.
ahhh. !!!
Wet pants, loud car.
Elliott a screaming
cause...
he's got a poopy diaper,
momma didn't know.
and
boys a fightin' cause..
they were sooo done.

While we were there...
Went to get the van fixed, but
no more sound. (?)
Just a relaxing.
Going a bargain hunting.
Eating some yummies.
Poopy pants at the park, but not Elliott this time.
Underwear thrown in a field for Mr. Farmer to find.

Taking Pictures.
and
Got lotsa lovin from the papa.

On the way home...
Baby sleeping.
Momma listening to her music and...
has emptied her bladder prior to the trip.
Boys watching Harry Potter
Quiet.
Quiet.
Quiet.
No wet pants, no loud car
then
Van started howling again (?)
Huge rainstorm
Andrew felt he needed to Pray for us to get home safely...music to my ears.

Once I got home...
Bedroom painted by hubby
I like it a lot.
Momma grumpy cause it is muggy cause the
windows were left closed all weekend.
Turn the "happy air" on
Momma is asleep in bed by 9:30.

Home Tour From Kelly's Korner

A few days ago I was interested in seeing your gardens. Hmmm. Not a good response other than my friend Heidi who has a rockin garden and was a super participator. Thanks for sharing Heidi! Another friend of mine told me that there was a blog that was doing something very similar but on a much larger scale. She thought I may enjoy being in on the fun. Soooo, I am abandoning my mission to see your stuff and hopping on board hers.


Kelly's Korner tours are on Friday's. This week, we are touring dining rooms. Here is mine.

We have a table (that use to be white and light oak until I got my grubby hands on it), 6 Target chairs, a bunch of fake forsythia (that needs to be replaced with daisies eventually, hey I have 3 kids, give me a break. At least my Christmas arrangements aren't still out). In the back two corners, I have 2 sitting chairs that were garage sale finds for $3.00 each. They were pretty nasty looking (my husband could not see the true beauty underneath these chairs) until I found some material and recovered them. My motto will always be, "What is someone Else's garbage, IS MY TREASURE!"
Here is something I put together after looking through a Pottery Barn Magazine years ago. I couldn't get myself to pay $45 per "floating vase".

I went to our local craft store and purchased 2 rectangular vases for about $3 each. I then went over to the hardware store and purchased "L" brackets (about $1.49 for 4) to hold the bottom of the vase like little shelves. At the top is a clear mirror holder that keeps everything nice and snug.

That's all folks. Next Friday she will be touring children's rooms or nurseries.

Hat Day!

"Does this hat make my cheeks look big?"

zoo day!

Owen's Kindergarten class had a field trip to the zoo today. I thought the trip was on Thursday and had my whole life figured out (babysitter for Elliott, re arranging doctors appointment for my hip problem) until I get a call from one of his classmates moms...last night. "Hey, are you going to the Zoo tomorrow". What? Are you kidding me, how did I miss that? Oh yeah, I forgot. I have 3 kids. Nuff said. Brain cells decrease after each child, so I guess after my 3rd, they are gone.
After scrambling and many calls later, Elliott found a home for the day. Our good friend Scott was sooo willing to take the booger. Scott is a stay at home daddy/student/LIFESAVER. Owen would have never let me forget it if I couldn't go to the zoo with him.
Zoe and Elliott on a date...


We had a great day at the zoo. I am tired, but we had a super day. Here are some pics of the trip.




Owen was very happy that I was able to make it, brother free. I am absolutely in love with his teacher. I will miss her when Owen "graduates" Kindergarten. Speaking of graduation, I went into the school and photographed the kids "Graduation Picture". Here is Owen's picture. So cute. He told me before I started that he wasn't going to smile. I think he cringes when I show up to school with my camera in hand. Andrew on the other hand....loves every minute of it. Owen will just have to suck it up, cause this mama isn't going to stop.

I really enjoy being around the parents in Owen's class. The more I hang out with people lately (not just them, but everyone I have contact with), the more I am reminded that we are all made very special. Yes, we are all very different and may not agree on everything. We have different parenting styles. We have different religious views, (if any religious views at all). We have different talents and different things to give to our world and we all have something special to give to one each other. I have learned the greatest things from the people who are the most different from me this year. Seriously. I love the community (referring to our public school) where my kids are exposed to many differences and are able to see that people are special and they are created and put on this earth for many unique reasons. (oh, by the way...I am not saying Public schools are the only way to go, but for OUR family, we have decided that this is OUR way to go). So please don't leave me unkind comments if your kids are in a different type of schooling (private or homeschooled). I am not judging your decision and I know that there are MANY ways that our kids can be exposed to the differences in people, however, since my children spend most of their day in school, this is where they have the most exposure to people different than they are. I have seen all 3 work out perfectly and I have seen all 3 fail miserably (including public schools). Public school education is just our preference for our family. :)

Anywyay, all in all, we enjoy walking out the journey with people different than we are. Plain and simple.

I better go before I get tangled in a web.

bikeseat and bambinos

I have been looking for a bike seat on Craigslist for about 2 weeks now. I have to say, either you have great luck with Craigslist, or you are me. I really have not had the best luck with this service. Anyway, we found a bikeseat at Meijer for a pretty good deal. I am so glad we made the purchase because Elliott just loves it. I have been "left behind" on bike rides lately to stay home with bambino #3. I choose to do this to get caught up on things while the boys are gone, but it would be nice to have the option for the entire family to venture out together. Here is a video of our first time out...the music is by John Morgan, one of my favorite guitarist in the whole wide world.

The birthday girl.

Last night we had a little get together with some of my dearest friends. Wow. What a great time of just hanging out around the fire and chatting. I know this isn't going to be the last of the bonfire's at our house with them! I learned a little bit more about my friends last night. I enjoyed their company and I enjoyed their children.
Aaron made a yummy cake for me. It was a lemon cake with Raspberry filling. Yum. He also put some Vanilla Liqueur mixed in. We couldn't find any candles, so I pretended (like a dork) to blow them out. Aaron also got me a Pedicure...not just the basic kind, a "Salt Glow" treatment. I am not sure what that is, but it sounds nice.
My brother in law got a little camera happy and took like a gazillion pictures of ME. I kind of hammed it up in some of them...well, most of them.
The 34 year old...

My cake...

And what was happening here?


So, in other news, I have the mysterious rash that comes back every year when my trees in our yard have blooms on them. (?). I have kept track for about 4 years now, and it never fails. I don't rub myself up against the tree or anything, lol. The doctor usually puts me on a steroid and then it goes away. It is back again this year, but worse than ever. I plan to drink some of the kids Benedryl in a bit. Looks like Aaron has Elliott tonight.

Oh, I almost forgot. I purchased a bread machine at a garage sale for $10. The lady said she used it a couple of times. It totally rocks. I made 2 loaves of beer bread today. I love the beer bread from the tastefully simple line, but it is just sooo expensive. Here is the recipe. I used the basic cycle on my bread machine. It made a 1 1/2 lb loaf.
Beer Bread
2 tbs veg. oil
1 c beer
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tbs sugar
3 cups bread flour (I used self rising)
2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast.
It is absolutely fabulous. Just so you know, whenever I purchase a new kitchen gadget, I must rid my collection of one. Tonight, I am donating a waffle maker, a sandwich pocket gadget, a seal a meal, and a Margarita maker (that never worked...blah). You must be so proud of me.


Good night and "Cheers" as I lift my shot glass of Benedryl.

Thank you...

So, tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 28 again, ok...34.
So, the boys have been talking about my birthday for a couple of days around here. I didn't try to figure anything out, or ask questions of what they are going to do because 1.) I always guess 2.)Aaron cracks under pressure or 3.)Owen (the carbon copy of Aaron) cannot stand it and ends up telling me. This year, I am silent. I don't want to know anything and am not trying to probe for hints. Aaron did tell me tonight that Owen wanted to dress up in nice clothes for me and serve breakfast to me.
Some of my birthday memories of the past include the awesome cakes my mom use to make. She made this barbie doll cake one time using a real Barbie. The candles were pretty close to the hair and before I could blow them out, the plastic hair was up in flames! Yikes. Not good.
Another birthday memory was when I had a sleepover and an unnamed guest (who swears she didn't do this till this day, but we all know the truth..it is fun to tease her about it) let my dog Skeeter the mutt out of our fenced in yard. The next day poor Skeeter was found "splattered" on the road. Yes, writing the word splattered does sound a bit disturbing and harsh, however, this is exactly how I explained the death of my dog to others when they came over to visit that week.
Where was I going with this post? I totally forgot.
Oh, I remember...see, I AM getting old.
I always thought that my parents should have received a thank you card on my birthday. I never sent them a card because I remembered the idea AFTER it was my birthday...every year. It kind of is their day too if you think about it. Their love created me. They sacrificed things to have me...the 8th child in line. They decided on Life, rather than the alternative. Thank you Dad (and Mom) for allowing me to have a birthday every year.
Judy Through the years...

pictures!

Elliott is too big for his bathtub and too small to put in the big tub with the seat. His body seems to float all around somehow. I tried the kitchen sink, and it worked perfectly. He also is sitting up on his own now. Finally.




Owen Loves to cook. This week, he made an oreo dessert for us. I am thinking of getting him into some kid's cooking class. He measured everything to a "T"....my little perfectionist.


No pictures of Andrew today. He has been darting from the camera. Here is his "flower garden" watercolor painting he made for me on Mother's day. Seriously, I love it so much!


Wow. I just ran spell check before Publishing this. I didn't have one spelling error. I think I need to treat myself to a Starbucks.

Happy Mothers Day...

This is my second Mother's day without my mom. I didn't get to call and say those words that every Mother hears on her special day. She is the first thing I thought of today when I woke up and will be the last thing I will think of when I go to bed. I longed to hear her voice today, but couldn't get myself to watch a home video of her. I was a little bummed this morning, but my day progressively got better. We ended up having a low key day and went for a walk at a local park and then out for ice cream. We then headed over to Kroger to pick up some flowers for the yard.

At school, Andrew made a painting of all different types of flowers. It is already framed and on the wall. It really is something I would purchase in the store. I absolutely love it.
Owen's teachers helped him with a Terra cot ta pinch pot equipped with a marigold. Those teachers and their marigolds :). I remember every Mother's day present I gave to my mom from school involved a marigold.
Elliott gave me lots of smiles today. He isn't quite old enough to make a watercolor picture or a pinch pot. I do expect some kind of material gift from him next year though.