Hockey on Friday night, Hockey practice from 8:30-1 this morning, another game this afternoon, and ANOTHER tomorrow - can you say HOCKEY?!?!?!!?
Here's my favorite funny one:
You know - as I've lamented before - we are working on potty training at our house - have been for MONTHS - yes, we are trained - Chloe is not!!! I ask her - she says "No" - I take her - she goes. That's always the routine - so I just have to remember to take her and all is well. A week or so ago the boys were with her for just a bit when Joe and I ran out and Chloe had to go - not just the usual pee either!! So we get a call from Micah saying that Chloe had to go - THE BIG STUFF - and what should he do?? We told him that he would need to wipe her - after he picked his jaw up off the floor, we gave him instructions as to how to do that (sad, but the boys have not had to do this yet - or maybe that's a good thing!!). He agreed he could handle it BUT he was still a little hesitant so Dad (rich man that he is) offered him a dollar. That clinched it - he could do it!!! Well tonight I get another phone call - Chloe has gone potty again and what should they do??? (What is up anyway- she never tells me she has to go potty?!?!!?) I explained to Aaron that he would need to wipe her (it was the normal stuff this time so no big deal!!). He paused and I heard, "SO - do I get a dollar???" The jury is still out on that one!
Here it comes - I'm going to admit a weakness here -
(double click on image to enlarge it)
Nine years ago today I went into the doctor at 39 weeks pregnant and found out I had a fever and other slight problems so they decided to induce me. It was at 39 weeks that they also found out that my 3rd child had decided to flip into a breech position. SO - naive that I was - I agreed to let two doctors push on my stomach until they turned Aaron into the correct position. They had barely gotten him into position and he flipped right over again. It was then that they came up with another brilliant idea - they admitted me into the hospital, started the Pitocin, and turned Aaron again - once they got him turned, they made Joe push down on my belly to hold Aaron in place until the Pitocin kicked in and Aaron started his way down into the birth canal. Hours later, Joe let go - up came Aaron - just the way he wanted to be in the first place and the doctor decided on a C-Section (exactly what I mentioned after they first found out he was breech!!). So, a C-Section it was!! And what a blessing that was - we found out that in the turning, his cord had wrapped around his neck and it could have been quite a serious delivery. So, our beautiful son, Aaron was born and that was only the beginning of his feisty little personality!! :) He was my favorite delivery - I loved my C-Section - we had an extra day in the hospital to bond and home we went - to Grandma and a 1 yr. old and a 2 yr. old. which were knee-deep in the stomach flu!!! Aaron and I promptly went up to the bedroom and didn't reappear for three days until the bug had fully passed. Bless Grandma's and Dad's hearts for dealing with the flu!! But I must say - it was such a special time with Aaron - I had to lay around a lot with just having the surgery and it was just him and I - what a special time together with the third child that would from here on out be "the little man" in our family. I love my kids - each one is so special - and today is Aaron's Day - my little man turns 9 - how does that happen??? I love you bud!!
Hmmm - who could be behind that book??? I was cooking dinner (DON'T fall over everyone!!) and hadn't heard a peep out of Chloe - that brings fear so off I went to find her. Here is where she was - in her room - in her chair - reading classic literature - whatever was I thinking?!?!? Notice the fashion here - slippers, ballerina skirt (which we are rarely without), very classy beads, and stylin' crown - wonder if that girl is into princesses?!?!?!? (Or VERY CLASSY librarians!!!!)
It's Princess Chloe - or is it Librarian Chloe - guess it's Just-Plain-Goofy Chloe!!
Today is my Dad's birthday - I have a wonderful Dad (I mean it - he's the best!!) - BUT he makes an even better Grandpa!! He knows how to have fun and my kids just love him to pieces. There is no dull moment with Grandpa around - hey, they've learned some of their best (WORST) habits from him!!!!
| You Are Bert |
 Extremely serious and a little eccentric, people find you loveable - even if you don't love them! You are usually feeling: Logical - you rarely let your emotions rule you You are famous for: Being smart, a total neat freak, and maybe just a little evil How you life your life: With passion, even if your odd passions (like bottle caps and pigeons) are baffling to others |
The 'good thing' that you desire will become the 'best thing' when you allow God
to give it to you in His time. "May He give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed." Psalm 20:4
40 Degrees – Italian cars in California won’t start. People in Indiana drive with the windows down.
20 Degrees – People in Florida wear coats, gloves and wooly hats. People in Michigan wear long sleeves.
0 Degrees – People in Miami cease to exist. Folks in Wisconsin have their last cook-out before it gets cold.
-20 Degrees – Californians fly to Mexico. Minnesotans get out their Winter coats.
-40 Degrees – Hollywood disintegrates. Girl Scouts in South Dakota begin selling cookies door to door.
-100 Degrees – Polar bears migrate to Antarctica. Old timers in Iowa start saying, “Cold nuff for ya?”
(Yes - and it's only a balmy 5 degrees today - we have a long way to go!!!!)
This is me today - lovin' that snow!!!! It's been snowing all day and is still coming - can you hear me cheering over here?!?!? I just love this stuff. I've heard we are HOPING FOR (ok, I'm hoping for) the 6 inches the weatherman said (which I actually think we already have) and the high winds - 25-30 mph - one can only hope, right?!? And it's not for a snow day either - my poor kids don't know what those are!!! "Mean Mom", I hear you all saying, but don't worry - we take other days off and they never complain!!
great yesterday- our oldest son's team took first in the tournament and our middle son's team took second - hey, not bad for being the "new guys". It was a fun day but that is literally all we got done - hockey, hockey and more hockey!!
I had a scary morning Monday morning and there is no explainable reason for it except to see God talking to me. I had just gotten out of the shower and I had extreme chest pain - I have never had pain like that - I went right to the floor - hoping laying down would help - I could hardly breathe - I am not exaggerating - it was VERY scary. I've had three babies - so I KNOW pain :) but this was very different - laying there, I remember thinking, "I'm not sure I'm going to make it." The boys came to see what was wrong and they were able to bring me the phone and then take Chloe away. I called Joe and he was concerned but said he'd be right home when I mentioned I was losing feeling in my left arm. So here comes Joe - he finds me on the floor - dripping with sweat - and an ugly shade of grey. He called the doctor and, to make a long story short, our doctor really felt it could not be heart - as I was too young - (bless his heart - he said I was TOO young!!!). To his credit - he checked on me off and on that day and yes, the pain did go away. You know though - as I'm laying on the floor - I was in so much pain that all of those strange thoughts went through my head - "No Lord - not yet, my kids still need a Mom." "I still have a baby in China that needs a mom - and China will never let us adopt if I have heart problems." "I want to be with You (Lord) but they still need me here." "How will Joe handle this all on his own?" I am not kidding - all of those thoughts ran through my head - God didn't give me any immediate answers to those but it has caused me to think - - - - I need to enjoy each day more - instead of always looking ahead to the "next big event". Wishing my time away will not help - it will only make me lose sight of the present. I want to enjoy my family more - they are not trying to create more work (a little smile here) they are blessings that I have been given for only a VERY short time. Wishing for a better financial state will not help either - we both work hard - we pay our bills - that is how God wants us to live. I could go on and on - it has REALLY made me think - maybe too deeply, but it has been good introspection - and sometimes we need that. I am thanking God for the "heart" pain that has caused my "heart" to look at things differently. Oh and by the way - Joe brought home LIGHT margarine for lunch that day and is deciding on an exercise plan for BOTH of us (at least it's for him too - because I HATE exercise - it makes me sweat!!) so we are making some changes - needed or not -it was a wake up call. These earthly bodies are not eternal - they are limited - but our spirits are the only things that matter. AND yes, the diagnosis at this point???? Severe indigestion - You've got to be kidding - I only had a waffle for breakfast - oh, maybe it was the jalapeno syrup!!!!
After I got home from hockey practice this is what Chloe said - meeting me at the door, "Soooo - you have a good night at hockey?" I was a little taken off guard but answered, "Yes, did you have a good night?" She responded, "Ummmmm, Yes! I played with boys and helped Daddy." That girl never ceases to amaze me - our boys were much slower to talk and here she is using complete sentences regularly and is all girl even at 2!!! She'll beg to start a conversation - it cracks me up!! I don't know who she gets that from!!!
Ok so you guys are all geniuses - well, MOST of you!!!! :) Yes - the Greater Bilby is something we happened upon awhile ago in a Children's book, of all things. Bilby Moon is that wonderful children's book - and yes, you all must RUSH right out and read it - Mr. Brian - we have it here at our library so you have NO excuse!!! (Wonder who that book buyer is?!?!!?) So, since we are famous, just had to share that tidbit with everyone. Hey, it's not everyday you have your name on a book!! Hope that provided some excitement to your 
day - thanks to all for playing along! Oh, and if you want EVEN more info. on that cute Greater Bilby click here. I think I feel a new pet coming on....
The First Ever Bilby to get in the Penalty Box was our youngest - Aaron. Poor kid - he even said he was shaking he was so scared we were going to be mad at him!! We had to laugh - it is part of the game ~ we just don't try to encourage them to make penalties if they don't have to as it does hurt the team. AND - according to the ref (whom we know) and the coaches - it really could have not been a penalty - he was called for tripping as he was going for the puck and it was between a players feet but the player was already going down - kind of a tricky one but we just had to document it - the First Ever Bilby Penalty!!! A friend took pics of him in the box but she hasn't sent those to me yet- I'll post them when I get them - Aaron in "hockey timeout!!!" And yes, Caleb and Micah are laughing at how many people voted for Caleb - he is Mr. Docile and Micah is EVEN MORE SO - so we all knew it would be Aaron!!!! (Our go-getter!!!)
I have been pondering this post for some time now and it's finally come to fruition. You know we are in the middle of a rather large remodeling project in our basement right now. It all began with that Egress Window some time ago and is now become the addition of TWO bedrooms in our basement. SO - that overhaul required a trip to Menard's - our handy-dandy do-it-yourself "drop a wod" here store. I must say right off the bat that I HATE Menard's - no offense to the man (don't ask me how I'm sure it was a man - I just know!!) who started this wonderful chain of building stores - I just do not find anything even remotely intriguing about tools, lumber, doors in displays or windows that someone has time to keep immaculately clean. And the worse part - you get men into that store and you CAN NOT and I mean CAN NOT get them out!!! (Just ask our kids- they know from first-hand experience! Our family refrain in the Menard's parking lot is, "Mom, Don't let Dad go in there - he'll never come back.") On my birthday yes, that bears repeating ON MY BIRTHDAY Joe and I have a very nice evening out that also entailed a stop at Menard's. I prayed that something would happen before we got there but alas, the van performed dutifully and got us to the parking lot of the world's largest building to hold an overabundance of testosterone. I am not kidding - you just walk into that place and you feel it - "I am not a man, I know nothing about power tools, and even Tim-the-Toolman-Taylor would feel out of his element in here." So there we were walking the aisles and I hear the dreaded, "Why don't you just look here and I'll get what I need." Those words send chills up my spine - the hair begins to stand on end - and I feel weak in the knees. I mean, how do I tell the man that I dearly love that I can not let him be alone in this store?!?! To leave him unattended is dangerous - as I'm sure most women can attest to. First of all - you may NEVER find them again but IF you do - you will be sure to find a cart overflowing with items that are all necessities to the next big project - BECAUSE "you'll never know which tool I'll need for this project." I bathed my answer in prayer and choked out a feeble, "Ok dear, I'll be right in these two aisles when you get done." There - I had done it - I let him go unattended. I must interject here the only TWO good things about Menards - the scrapbook aisle and the photo frame aisle. Yes - I spent 20 heavenly minutes looking over the two aisles I could feel comfortable in and thought - ok, it's been too long - he'll be needing me. So off I went to find the long-lost husband in a VERY dangerous store. I walked aisle after aisle where he told me he'd be and began to feel the sweat trickling down my back. He wasn't here - he said he'd be in these aisles - that could only mean ONE thing - he got sidetracked! That sends panic into any woman - a man sidetracked in Menards - I began to walk faster on the hunt for my lost man. Ok, I began to RUN to find my lost man!! This was serious - I could just feel the cart filling as I was running throughout the store. I had about given up and was going to resort to the old - could-you-page-my-husband-trick (just kidding, really I've never tried that - but it might be fun!!) when I heard it - my husband's voice in the next aisle talking to an unknown masculine voice. I rounded the corner and heard, "Oh yeah, my project is an 8x12 room - I'm trying to decide which 2 by 4's I'll need and then decide on the insulation." It had begun - the dreaded men-comparing-building-projects talk. (I should have stayed in the scrapbook aisles.) It continued for some time and culminated with, "Well man, looks like we both have plenty of lumber - let's go tackle it." Yes - I could almost hear Tim-the-Toolman's hardy "ARRR, ARRR" on the end of that comment. And he said it with such glee, such gusto, as if there is anything remotely fun about having a bulging cart full of lumber, nails, insulation, etc. that only means two things: WORK and MESS! Oh but I must say - we didn't just have ONE bulging cart - we had TWO carts and all you wives know what that means - yes, you get to push one!!! And there is no easy cart to push in Menard's - these are the larger-than-life, never-go-where-you-push-them carts. I felt like a total klutz trying to maneuver this gigantic cart with a million logs on it throughout this maze-of-a-store to find the front cashiers where, and I am not kidding, it is almost impossible to get a cart through those checkout aisles. The whole time, I am sure, they have cameras posted throughout the store just to take pictures of unsuspecting, helpful wives such as myself as we try to be obliging and haul these monster carts up to the front. It is not a pretty picture and the whole time I'm thinking "It's my birthday and I'm hauling an over sized load (NOT ME- the cart!!) to the front of Menards." Then - hundreds of dollars later and nothing to show for it except wood, nails, power tools, NOTHING SUBSTANTIAL - off we go - to pile it all into our minivan - it was a treat, let me tell you - I think the cameras are outside too just to catch the whole parking-lot fiasco. The cart is rolling as you unload the lumber - how are we going to get this back hatch to close - you get the picture!! 
Well, we made it home, poorer, more tired, but Joe is in his element working in the basement - inches of drywall dust cover my home - we won't even go there - but I am thankful for a husband that even attempts these sorts of things - and then pulls them off brilliantly - thanks Dad too for your help - it's the whole testosterone thing - they thrive on projects such as these!
This is where I found her - she looked up and said, "I busy Mommy - Shhhh, I reading to my baby."
Yes - the Bilby's LOVE whipped cream on our waffles - Chloe has caught on to that love and now insists it be not only on her waffle, but a squirt in her mouth as well. Usually it's just a small squirt - today Daddy REALLY overdid it!!
Need I say More???