Oh, I wish...

One day, when my kids are not so small (and I can con someone into watching them), I am SO going on this cruise!
Karolyn, you still in? ANYONE else?

The First Snow

Aaawww, the first snow fall. So pure, so beautiful, so perfect.

UNTIL....

I unleash my little monsters!

She's the Glue

Mom,

Where to begin?!! You ARE the glue of our family. Thanks for all the love and support we could have ever asked for! We all love you very much! Have a GREAT Birthday!

Hungry?

I have found the best blog! It's called Simply Breakfast.
Go check it out!
Have a great Day!

Am I unemployed yet?

As a mother, the goal of your entire existance is to work yourself out of a job. I find myself really struggling with that squiggly line of enough verses too much responsibility for my kids.
Today Dave headed down to this darling little coffee shop at the end of our street. This broke the boys hearts as they had planned on going with him.
SO... I let them walk down without a grown up. They had no streets to cross, their dad was at the end and yet I was filled with worry over their 4 minute walk. After they turned the corner and were out of my site, I called the coffee shop to confirm that they had arrived. (Only for them to begin their usual distruction: spilling hot cocoa, tipping chairs over, accidentally of course, your basic running a-muck.)
Poor Rachael!
So, I ask you mothers out there! What do you think? A 5 year old and a 3 year old that thinks he's 5...How much should they, could they be doing by and for themselves?

This hangs in the coffee shop...Yep, we have a lot of kittens

There really were men at work today

I'd like to apologize to the men in my family. Today they helped their kids, helped their mothers and really did the clean up.
SORRY about the previous post! Love you all!

Now, I know it's sacreligious, but here comes a complaint on Thanksgiving.

This morning women all over my family are racing to make this day as special as possible. We've even gone so far as to plan a basketball game for the men in the family the hour leading up to dinner.

P.S. In case you didn't notice, I woke up on the wrong side of the Parade!

So Grateful for my kids!

Tis the Season for Gratitude and since Dave got my love last post...Here comes the GUSH over my kiddos.

I'm so thankful for Tag, he is my Thinker. He's well spoken and it sounds funny coming from a 5 year old! He's so sensitive and fortunately he's coming around to affection again!
Thatcher makes me laugh everyday. His smile is so innocently filled with mischief. He is my snuggle puppy and tells me he loves me regularly.

With life on Fast Forward, I am so grateful for my sweet little girl. I have to sit down to feed her, I have to sit down to rock her, to change her and to bathe her. In those moments, it's just her and I, and we both exhale.

I love you three with all my heart!

This one just sticks, Enjoy!

You were born a daughter.
You looked up to your mother.

You looked up to your father.

You looked up at everyone.

You wanted to be a princess.

You thought you were a princess.

You wanted to own a horse.

You wanted to be a horse.

You wanted your brother to be a horse.

You wanted to wear pink.

You never wanted to wear pink.

You wanted to be a Veterinarian.

You wanted to be President.

You wanted to be the President's Veterinarian.

You were picked last for the team.

You were the best one on the team.

You refused to be on the team.

You wanted to be good in algebra.

You hid during algebra.

You wanted the boys to notice you.

You were afraid the boys would notice you.

You started to get acne.

You started to get breasts.

You started to get acne that was bigger than your breasts.

You wouldn't wear a bra.

You couldn't wait to wear a bra.

You couldn't fit into a bra.

You didn't like the way you looked.

You didn't like the way your parents looked.

You didn't want to grow up.

You had your first best friend.

You had your first date.

You had your second best friend.

You had your second first date.

You spent hours on the telephone.

You got kissed.

You got to kiss back.

You went to the prom.

You didn't go to the prom.

You went to the prom with the wrong person.

You spent hours on the telephone.

You fell in love.

You fell in love.

You fell in love.

You lost your best friend.

You lost your other best friend.

You really fell in love.

You became a steady girlfriend.

You became a significant other.

YOU BECAME SIGNIFICANT TO YOURSELF.

Sooner or later, you start taking yourself seriously. You know when you need a break. You know when you need a rest. You know what to get worked up about and what to get rid of. And you know when it's time to take care of yourself, for yourself. To do something that makes you stronger, faster, more complete. Because you know it's never too late to have a life. And never too late to change one. JUST DO IT.

My Man!

Yep, 12 years and yep, Dave beat me to the post. BUT...it's my turn.

Dave, you are my rock. I am somehow grounded when you are with me. I crave you, your arms, your heart and your kisses. This year has been one of our hardest but I truly think we're stronger because of it!

I love how often you call me. I love how much our kids love you and you, them. I love how patient you are with me. I often wonder if your thinking "what word is she on"!?! Thanks for always listening!

Thanks for all the dates, they are my favorite! Thanks for your poetic mind! Thanks for making our house a musical one!

I look forward to that year in a Winnebago! (Sort of!)

Happy Anniversary, I love you and always will!

TWELVE YEARS AGO TOMORROW, AND STILL MAKING OUT!!!!!

Beck & I have been married 12 years, wow! It is actually tomorrow, but I wanted to beat Beck to the post. Many of you were there to be part of Beck and I falling in love with each other. And, was that not fun or what? It was like Lagoon Day in Junior High, listening to Van Halen’s “PANAMA”. The best part was all the “MAKING OUT”!!!! We would do that anywhere, anytime, and all the time!!!!!!

Twelve years later, here we are with three kids and the struggles life brings. Not enough time to fix the house, bathroom sink, base boards, Bagdad like drive way. I am mid career, sometimes feeling stuck there, with a card that has read "Account Manager" for years. Sometimes it feels like putting pennies together, even though it really is far better. Outstanding expense reports, and a bulging wallet from all the saved receipts. To many phone calls/emails from "needy" clients. My eyes are going bad! Dog with tumors in her nose, more than likely only a few months of life left. My car has massive scratches where someone shut the garage on it, and a dent in the door from a helmet during a scooter accident. Our sweet, sweet boy has seizures that make me cry whenever I think about them (like right now)! I worry about my brothers and sisters, and I would give both my arms to be able to solve all of life’s struggles. I could go on, on, and on, and on…………….

I often ponder the symbolism & inscriptions on the rings I wear. Both rings have worn callous in my hands, and I have scratched & bent them a few times. I have sent them out to be fixed, each time returning shiny and stronger then when they went in, and they still fit! They constantly remind me of where I have been, and the direction in which I point my nose! My wedding ring reads “GOING STEADY FOREVER, 1,4,3” and my kid’s ring reads “YOUR MONKIES LOVE YOU”. Wherever I am, on the road selling, or at home keeping kids from denting my other car door. I know where my heart is; it is in the home we built together! I am completely, head of over heels in love you with you Beck! And, I absolutely love the life we have together!!!!

And, I love you Tag, Thatcher and Talia, forever and always, Dave.

“Twelve years ago today, Beck and I were married. Some of you were there, some of you weren't born, and some of you are now DEED! But, we both said "I do," and we haven't agreed on a single thing since. But I’m glad I married you, Beck, because hey, could’ve been worse”!

Yogi in the making

Not to quote Kami, but "Okay, so" I have fallen in love with Yoga. After taking FlowYoga's 101 workshop and now having attended a few other classes, I am hooked! That spot in my (and every other mother's) back where I carry all my tension, is completely eased when I'm done. I almost have Dave trying it too!

So, come join me!

Namaste!

(Which means... I honor that place in you where the whole Universe resides. And when I am in that place in me and you are in that place in you, there is only one of us. Isn't that beautiful?!)

So Grateful

I'm so grateful for my hands.

They feed my family 3 squares a day.

They hold little soft hands in them.

They wipe faces and bottoms.

They are washed to the point of cracking.

They proudly wear my wedding ring.

And at the end of the day, they scoop up under the arms of my three little dears bringing them close to my heart.

Sproutie Update

So glad my little geriatric poochie is feeling better! Sure do Love you Sprout

Saved by the...Tag

Yesterday was...Long. Tag came to my rescue at dinner. I served Talapia (every kids' favorite). Thatcher kept calling it Talafia. Tag took his seat and with wide eyes said "I can't wait to try the Taffy-Laffia"! What a disappointing meal!

I always repeat, repeat myself. I always repeat, repeat.

Today is one of those days that my kids have painted on ears. I hate those days!

Not It!

1-I'm Finnish
2-I like to shine my motorcycle
3-I think my mother-in-law is kind of alright
4-I like to shoe shop
5-I keep my car MESSY!
6-I haven't used a comb in over 6 years

I'm not tagging anyone.

TAG

Thanks a lot Kami!?! As Lisa knows, I don't love this SH#*! But I'll play because I love my sister.
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 little-known facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1- I have, what I think, is a pretty spectacular Kaleidoscope collection and would love to show any of you anytime

2- Despite my age, I still can't handle onions. They're just so GROSS!

3- I LOVE the PBS kids shows and will watch them even without my kids. I know, Mom, surprise, surprise.

4- I go barefoot or wear flip-flops year round and totally don't understand those "Shoe People" (one of which I am married to!).

5- I Really want another tattoo. Don't know what or where...Just want one.

6- This might just be the only game of Blog Tag I ever play.


So, I Tag...
Lisa, Heidi, Haley, Kyle, Tiina, Dave, Mom and Shauna!!!

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, IT'S THE DUDE!

With the face of a Ninja Turtle and a super power Binkie, our super-hero finally gets some much deserved rest after a day of fighting imaginary bad guys!

Now...Only Thatcher Dude could pull that off!

I love you, Fachey

If there's food for thought, these are the Seeds of Imaginatiion

Thank you to Karolyn for introducing me the wonders of "Story People". I have fallen in love with this simple, poetic website. Here are a couple of examples of great ones...

"When I first met him, I knew in a moment I would have to spend the next few days re-arranging my mind so there'd be room for him to stay"

"I like butter & sugar & being alive a whole lot & today I'm kind of sad because with all the latest studies I figured out I'm going to have to choose. "

"I read once that the ancient Egyptians had fifty words for sand & the Eskimos had a hundred words for snow. I wish I had a thousand words for love, but all that comes to mind is the way you move against me while you sleep & there are no words for that. "

If you get a minute check out The Story People!

WOman can not live on bread alone!

Not to quote a jail-bird, BUT... "It's a GOOD THING!"

'Tis the Season of Giving Thanks

This year has posed the challenge of getting 4 people dressed, fed and out the door by 8:15. Being a morning person, the waking part is no big deal (thanks in part to my two little roosters!) But I hate the frazzled pace. I find my mind wandering to my favorite parts of the day. The first, of course, is dinner time. I don't mean making dinner, I mean the moment before the negotiating with picky eaters begins. That moment when we first sit down together. It's as if my little house sighs and time (and the boys) hold still for a minute. Anyway, Let's dedicate November to being grateful...I'm grateful for dinner time with my little family! What's yours?