I Have attention problems this week...

Ohhhhh...I have a few projects in the making. I cant wait until I am done with all 30 of them. One project in particular is going to be functional, yet oh so unique. I will post pics and more info when I feel like disclosing more of my secret. Anyway, off to start another project.

By the way, I woke up at 5:30 this morning to see how my "project" dried and set through the night. Oh so Exciting. Oh the suspense!

Spring Break....

Is over! My sister in law said it the best way. "It shouldn't be called SPRING BREAK, it should be called SPRING NOT SO BREAK". (Or something like that).

Anyway, it wasn't that bad. I only had to tear the boys apart from one another 22 times. Owen only needed 15 stitches, and Andrew only broke one of his legs...he still has a completly good other leg to hop with. I guess that is pretty good. Just kidding, no trips to the hospital were made this year.
BUT SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION FRIENDS!

I felt the Baby!

As I was sitting at the computer this morning, I felt some fluttering. I forgot what it was like to feel another human being inside of me. I remember loving the feeling so much when I was pregnant with Owen. I remember weeping a couple of days after I had him and how much I was going to miss that feeling. Even though he kicked my side and would take my breath away at times, I was sad to know those feelings would no longer be there....until now. I am excited that the boys are old enough that they will be able to feel my belly and know of the miracle inside of me. I know "those" birds and the bee questions are going to be put out on the table in the near future. Good thing I have boys and I can say...

For now, they are satisfied with "God gave you to us" kind of answers. As a child, I remember being quite persistent about knowing how babies were made. My parents always said, mommy has a special seed and daddy has something special that helps the seed grow. (HUH, dad has FERTILIZER???). So until I had kids of my own, I thought that babies grew in dirt in a flowerpot. All these years!


I am curious to know how your parents explained the birds and the bees to you. Please share without getting too detailed. Haha. We don't need to go there.

ahhh....sleep

I finally got a good night's sleep last night. Today is a new day. I didn't wake up with a lump in my throat like I was going to burst. ahhh. It feels good.

My Owen is a little sick today. He slept with me last night so I could keep an eye on him. He has a cough that sounds like it is coming from his toes. He doesn't get sick often, but when he does, he milks it for what it is worth...Kind of like his Daddy. hehe. We are going to get out and get a little fresh air today. We all need it. I might leave the upstairs windows open to vent out the yucky stale air that has been in the house since last fall. Keep in mind that with 3 males living in this house, it definitely needs to be aired out.

Andrew is getting a skateboard today and will start lessons in Apri. He has been saving up for a nicer board. He has painted, markered, even taped his current board more times than we painted our kitchen..and that is a lot! Grandpa Weinstein sent the boys some money for Easter. Andrew was thrilled because it set him at the amount to get a new board. Thanks Papa Weinstein.

I can't wait to go to bed..

I originally started this blog as a way to help me sort out my thoughts about life. I plan to do that today in this entry.

So it's Easter. Easter has always been one of those special holidays to me. Not because of the eggs, bunnies, or baskets...but because of the story of the Resurrection of Christ. I never really got into believing in the Easter bunny and always knew that there wasn't one (sorry to burst your bubble Dad). I am not really into stressing to my kids that there is a creepy bunny that comes into the house and leaves eggs and a basket. The Resurrection of Christ is so very important to Christians and to be masked by a bunny just doesn't see right for me.

We had a great service at church today. Nothing fancy, nothing frilly, nothing padded. The basic (but much needed) "Jesus came and died for everyone" teaching. We are all broken and very fragile. Jesus came to earth and died for everyone of us so we can be saved. He loves us unconditionally and that concept is so far beyond our thinking. I am so glad and thankful I was reminded of his love for us because today, I needed it more than ever. I think that is the only thing that got me through this day. I know for a friend of mine, she needed this reminder as well. It was a special service to me.

Now, a little what is going on with me...

So, I have been up for a solid 18 hours. I am not sleeping very well...especially this week. I have had an emotional week with lots of things that are coming up to 1 year since my mom's diagnose of Cancer. This week, my family has been hit with many firsts. Yes, we have had our firsts since my mom's death, but I think this week I personally was hit the hardest. My parents 56Th wedding anniversary was March 19Th. Even though my mom is no longer with us, it still was their anniversary. The love my dad still has for my mom is like no other. It is amazing. Today (23rd) marks the day my mom went into the hospital with pain in her left arm. It also is Easter, which is the last Holiday I spent with my mom. (Easter was a little later last year, so on Easter of last year, she was in her 6th day of radiation treatment). The 25th marks the day of her diagnosis in which changed all of our lives. A rough week.

From moment I woke up, I have been an emotional wreck. I tried to keep my mind off things by setting the table for our Easter dinner. (I know it is ok to feel what I am feeling, but when I get too worked up, I feel physically sick, and I didn't want to feel like that before church). Anyway, the tableware and decorations that I used was the same I used last year when I spent Easter with my parents. I noticed a stain from beets that my mom spilled on the table. It was still vibrant pinkish. She felt so bad about getting beets on my tablecloth. When getting the glassware out of the box, it was wrapped up into another tablecloth. My mom packed the glassware away for me last year. No matter what she packed, it was always packed REALLY, REALLY good! It made me chuckle...but of course, made me cry again.

So, off to church we go. Good service...great worship. Amazing Grace was sung. I thought I was going to lose it again. Yes, again, I know that it would have been ok, but whole "physical sickness when I get upset" plagues me. Amazing Grace was one of my mom's favorite songs and was the song that I sang to her immediately after her passing...Just me and her alone in the room. Even though that was the worse time of my life, It also was very special.

I have learned a lot about life this past year. I can't say I enjoyed the journey and the pain that has come with it. I know God is teaching me things for a reason. I hope it will be revealed to me in a BIG way someday. For now, I will be patient, take the pain when it comes, and hope that I become the person God wants me to be.

I am going to bed. I need prayer this week. If you think of it...please lift me up. These next few months are going to be tough with a lot more reminders of the days I don't want to go back on.


Easter 2007

Practice makes perfect

We had our little nephew over last night and the boys found out what it was like to have a little one around the house. To make things more interesting, we had the boys attempt to get him ready for bed. The video is a little lengthy, but worth it.

An EGGSellent time with our kids and friends...

We colored our Easter eggs last night. We invited our friends Wes and Heidi over to make it a more memorable time. Their little one like to destroy the cooked eggs...not much coloring eggs going on for her. This year, I experimented with a very strong brewed coffee and beet juice as egg dyes. Both turned out pretty cool and different from the store bought dyes. Of course, I also used the traditional food coloring and a store bought one for the kids.

Gramma Crawford's Birthday Party

March 19th has been a busy day for our family. Prior to being married, my parents anniversary and sister's birthday was on that day. In my family, it seems like if there is a birthday, there is also something else on that day. The Weinstein family has a lot of days that are shared with other people. After marrying Aaron, there was yet another birthday we had to celebrate. Aaron's mother's birthday is also on March 19th. Yesterday we celebrated her 65th birthday and it was an enjoyable time. We met our new nephew Evan (that recently was adopted from Vietnam). You can read their story here. We also have another new nephew named Chase. He is a cutie patootie. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling so hot and couldn't hold him. It was fun to get everyone together. We haven't been together since Christmas...believe it or not. We were able to get a grand kid picture with the birthday girl. The kids know if they pose real nice for Crazy Aunt Judy, they can do a silly picture at the end. It has become the only way to get a 1/2 decent picture. Some may call it Bribery. Some call it an Incentive. Either way you look at it, the end result is a 1/2 way decent picture and a fun memory.

Check this Ministry out

Back when I was in College, a group of students took a life changing trip to Haiti. The story is now a little foggy in my mind, but I remember the awesomeness of the story. A person that went on this trip was deeply affected by her experience there. Check out her ministry...it is incredible.

http://handsthatheal-mk1618b.blogspot.com/

Larry the leperchaun visits the Crawford's

So, Owen came out of his preschool classroom today and said "you should have seen it mom, a leprechaun came and tipped over a plant and turned our calender upside down!" He was out to find this little trouble maker and was SOOOO fired up! As I thought of my childhood, I remember stories that my mom and dad would tell about the silly little leprechauns that would use pancakes as trampolines and how they would see them running through the back yard. Unfortunately, I had forgotten about the mischievous leprechauns that only are seen once a year. Yeah, I try to celebrate St. Patties day with green clothes and green food at the dinner table. I even wore a green shamrock on my face to commemorate the day yesterday.
I remember the feeling of the possibility of a 3 inch man with red hair and a green suit wearing a funny little hat may just run through my back yard...and if my eyes were sharp enough, I may just see him. Regressing back to my childhood, I thought it would be funny to set up my camera and put the boys skateboards in the tree as if a mischievous leprechaun did it. Check out their faces...PRICELESS! Owen just cracks me up because he gets so hyped up when his imagination is stretched.

You may need to run this video through one time to allow it to buffer.

Oh, by the way...Aaron is an expert at Leperchaun behavior. Listen for his comment toward the end of the video.

Funny stuff...

Today (as every day goes) Owen came down with his over sized pants. He loves big pants. I am not sure why he likes big pants that hang to the ground, but he does. There have been several occasions where he has actually come downstairs with his pants at mid butt cheek. We immediately correct this fashion statement. I do have to say, he does have his own little style and it always is an issue....every morning it is an issue. He tends to like an outfit, and wear it for 3 days before he decides that it starts to smell. Anyway...back to the story of him coming downstairs today. I told him that his pants have to be up by his belly button. He refused. I told him again, VERY SERIOUS this time. He then looked at me and said "Mom, that is the way the cheese guy wears them". In referring to the cheese guy, he meant Urkel on the old show Family Matters. Of course, I bursted out in laughter. This comment was SOOOOO Owen!


I always walk around the house and pull my sweats way up above my belly button and say "ANYBODY GOT ANY CHEEEEESE?" I guess he doesn't want to be a nerd like Urkel or his mom.

Here is a shot of the boys this fall pretending to be Urkel....

A Huge Potty Problem

My friend Anne sent this story to me today and I am really having a difficult time believing it..even though it proves to be true. I am curious to see what you guys think of this. Please comment on this bazaar news. Check it out. This is a real news article that you can Google yourself.


WICHITA, Kan. - Authorities are considering charges in the bizarre case of a woman who sat on her boyfriend's toilet for two years — so long that her body was stuck to the seat by the time the boyfriend finally called police.

Ness County Sheriff Bryan Whipple said it appeared the 35-year-old Ness City woman's skin had grown around the seat. She initially refused emergency medical services but was finally convinced by responders and her boyfriend that she needed to be checked out at a hospital.

"We pried the toilet seat off with a pry bar and the seat went with her to the hospital," Whipple said. "The hospital removed it."

Whipple said investigators planned to present their report Wednesday to the county attorney, who will determine whether any charges should be filed against the woman's 36-year-old boyfriend.

"She was not glued. She was not tied. She was just physically stuck by her body," Whipple said. "It is hard to imagine. ... I still have a hard time imagining it myself."

He told investigators he brought his girlfriend food and water, and asked her every day to come out of the bathroom.

"And her reply would be, `Maybe tomorrow,'" Whipple said. "According to him, she did not want to leave the bathroom."

The boyfriend called police on Feb. 27 to report that "there was something wrong with his girlfriend," Whipple said, adding that he never explained why it took him two years to call.

Police found the clothed woman sitting on the toilet, her sweat pants down to her mid-thigh. She was "somewhat disoriented," and her legs looked like they had atrophied, Whipple said.

"She said that she didn't need any help, that she was OK and did not want to leave," he said.

She was reported in fair condition at a hospital in Wichita, about 150 miles southeast of Ness City. Whipple said she has refused to cooperate with medical providers or law enforcement investigators.

Authorities said they did not know if she was mentally or physically disabled.

Police have declined to release the couple's names, but the house where authorities say the incident happened is listed in public records as the residence of Kory McFarren. No one answered his home phone number.

The case has been the buzz of Ness City, said James Ellis, a neighbor.

"I don't think anybody can make any sense out of it," he said.

Ellis said he had known the woman since she was a child but that he had not seen her for at least six years.

He said she had a tough childhood after her mother died at a young age and apparently was usually kept inside the house as she grew up. At one time the woman worked for a long-term care facility, he said, but he did not know what kind of work she did there.

"It really doesn't surprise me," Ellis said. "What surprises me is somebody wasn't called in a bit earlier."

Trip to Utah

So, my hubby went on a ski trip to Utah this past week. He said it was beautiful. I think the funniest thing he told me is they actually have a brew called Polygamy Porter. Our friend Wes would appreciate that (not because he practices polygamy, but because he is a beer brewer himself). Wes, don't name your next beer this! He had a great time and was back into his "element". I am glad he had a great time and that I was able to give him up for 5 days.

Why don't you come with me...on a magic carpet ride!

You may need to let this run through once and then watch it again.

my boys rock!

Holy Crap.

Our BBQ grill....


Our shrub off the back porch...


The actual Measurement...YES IT SAYS 17 1/2 INCHES!


The neighbor's car...




I woke up this morning not able to see outside very clearly. We are getting so much snow right now and I can't believe it. My boys are over grandma and grandpa's and we are all snowed in!! I think they will be there for a couple of more days. Looks like a good cleaning day for me as well as a little scrapbooking session. Here are a couple of pictures to show you how much snow we have received so far. The Blizzard warning is up on the tv until 4:00 this afternoon. I will post another picture later today.

diggin' deep

Feeling a little sentimental today. I wasn't feeling so good this morning, but by the end of the day, felt a little better but I was still tired from a bunch of unnecessary drama. I will spare you of the details. I was browsing my computer and found some special pictures that I haven't seen in a long time. Thought I would share. Enjoy.


This is a picture that I took while asked to cover a group of soldiers coming back from Iraq. This little boy captured my heart. As I had a chance to talk to him, he had not seen his dad for 4 years.



My boys as babies...



My mom and I on Halloween 1982




My youngest thinking he was potty trained


My dad pretending to be Cher for Halloween. Mom dressed up as Sonny.




Me in a bikini. I haven't been in onc since! If I could ever wear one, this is the one that I would choose.

can you believe it?

So, I am not feeling well as it is anyway these days. I got up at 2:30 this morning not feeling quite right and never went back to bed. At that point, it was too late to take the miracle drug Unisom (ok'ed by my doctor for sleeplessness and to help with morning sickness..AMAZING until it starts to wear off later in the day). I forgot to take it before I fell asleep. duh. Anyway, I think I am coming down with something else....flu something else that is. I have a school carnival that I am responsible for this weekend and LOTS of loose ends to tie up. I don't have time to have hormonal sickness let alone this freakish flu. I am disgusted. I want some chicken noodle soup and a pickle. Wish me luck, I am ready to crumble.

My boys did make me smile tonight though. They wanted me to put my Yoga dvd in. They did the entire video. I wish I would have thought to video the event. Hilarous. Andrew looked in the mirror afterward to see if his muscles grew.

Good lookin kids

Just thought I would post these for my nieces. The last time I was in Michigan I created a make shift studio and shot some pictures for them. They have been waiting so patiently for their sessions to be finished up. I just haven't felt that great lately and not much into the photo stuff. The pics are of my great niece and my great nephew. I am soooo serious when I say I have never seen a little boy so perfect in my life...well, besides my own of course. Anyway, I hope they see these and enjoy them. I promise guys...they are almost done! Thanks for being patient with me.

One or Two???

So, I have been having a nervous breakdown for the past few weeks. When I went in for my first ultrasound, there were two of something showing in the image. I looked online for ultrasounds of twins and some of them looked just like mine. I started to sing that old disco song "ahhhhh....freak out!" in my day to day routine. When I went to see my nurse last week, I questioned her on what she thought that "other" item in the image was. She chuckled and said "Judy, Judy, Judy". What the heck is THAT supposed to mean? Well, I have the squirts all day long because of my nervous tummy. I know, too much information.

The Verdict..

As the old children's song goes...

I went to the doctor...and the doctor said....
ONLY 1 BABY JUMPIN' IN THE BED!!!!


I was starting to come to grips that the possibility was there and was realizing that it would have been kind of fun. I am thankful that the baby is growing healthy...has a good head (my doctor said that, I guess they know what a good head looks like).

As far as the ultrasound goes, the lower part of the baby is the head. The spine curls up. The "stick" closest to the head is an arm, the "stick" right below that is a leg. She said the arm is right on it's face.

what a big....

Ok, for those of you who have no clue of what the umbilical cord on a fetus looks like...look on the right (360 image of the baby) and you will see. Many of you had commented on how big the, well, "winky" is on the baby. That is the umbilical cord. Get your minds out of the gutter. :)