Jenn's Place

2010-01-08T06:59:00.000-08:00

Giving Thanks

2009-11-10T17:08:00.000-08:00

Seeing lots of people posting things they're thankful for on facebook. Got me thinking that I need to do that. Lately with the family having one affliction or another I think it's been easy to forget what we have and even easier to focus on all the negative. My prayers lately have been all about my complaints and not enough about what I'm grateful for. We are a family that is so blessed in so many ways. I'm thankful for that.

2009-03-17T18:49:00.000-07:00

It's Snowing Ducks!

2009-01-28T10:11:00.001-08:00

Here in lovely NE Ohio it's snowing ducks! Last night a female Mallard droppped into our yard after her wings iced up from the freezing rain. Now she's made a home under our porch while it snows. I was surprised to see she was still there this morning. The kids think it's cool. Kind of a neat little nature lesson for them.

He Can't Possibly Be Five Already!

2008-10-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

My baby is 5! Here he is blowing out his number 5 candle on his spongebob luau cake. We had a great birthday party! Every year each birthday is better and better. The older they get the more they love the party and the excitement (and attention)!

No More Tummy Aches!!!

2008-09-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that after removing dairy completely from Abby's diet for the past three days she hasn't had a single tummy ache!! Hallelujah!! I can't wait to see the long term effects of this. I'm being optimistic and hoping her acid reflux disappears. Thinking maybe we will try no dairy with Hunter too and see what happens. He generally takes asthma medication from fall to spring. Asthma, along with many other diseases, can be caused by a milk protein allergy...who knew? Now to find a good supplement that contains calcium and tastes good that my kids will take...anyone want to invent that?

What to do?

2008-09-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

My Abby always feels lousy. Tummy aches every day and acid reflux. They come and go and she seems healthy otherwise. She's always active and imaginative. We've been to the doctor several times. Finally had some blood work done. Everything came back completely normal except on a scale of 1 to 6 she is a 1 with a milk allergy. This is where I get lost. Her doctor left me a message on my phone about it but I deleted it when I was trying to replay it. What I got out of the message was a feeling that it wasn't that big of a deal and that the allergy was to the whey and not a lactose thing. That's if I heard it right. I looked up info on milk allergies online and it seems fairly significant to me. So I tried to call the doctor again today to clarify things and had to leave her a message. She called me back at work but our connection was terrible and we couldn't hear each other well. She called me back from another line and the same thing happened. Then the call was lost and that was it.

Now I'm so frustrated and completely lost as to what to do with my poor girl. If she can't tolerate milk that pretty much eliminates a very large part of her diet. She loves milk and cheese and eats them in all forms. Then add to that the things we have to eliminate because of the acid reflux disease and my already picky eater becomes very, very hungry.

I'm kinda freaking out over this. I know how hard it is for me to just eat better in trying to lose a few pounds. I can't imagine having to give up eating all the things I love. Am I over reacting? Maybe there's a solution for this type of milk allergy. How will I ever know...speaking to a doctor without an appointment is like trying to understand the instruction book to Jeff's mp3 player. You get the gist but the important and necessary details are omitted.

I'm frustrated to say the least. I just need to pray about it. And I need to get to bed. Keep my girl in your prayers.

1st Day of 2nd Grade

2008-08-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

Have to post the official first day of school photo for 2nd grade! Abby has changed so much from a year ago. Both of the kids had growth spurts over the summer and...boy...they're growing so fast right before my eyes! I've never been the kind of mom who wants to keep her kids babies forever but lately it feels like I might wake up tomorrow and they'll be all grown up.

Abby was exhausted when she got home from school today. She was relieved though that her teacher was so nice.

Hunter, on the other hand, was completely lost and just laid on the floor in front of cartoons this morning. He would have stayed there all day if I had let him. I felt so bad for the poor guy (no sister to fight with) so we had a fun day out together at Deer Park and picking corn. I'm going to have to look up some activities for us to do for the rest of the week until he gets used to entertaining himself a little better again.

My kids are great!

Don't know what to say about this one

2008-08-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

Eeeewww!

Underwater McDonalds???

2008-07-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, she is a mermaid with monkey ears and a McDonald's hat. I hate to laugh at my kids in front of them when they are trying to be serious but I couldn't help it. She told Hunter they were going in the pool to play underwater McDonalds and they each could have one special power (animal, flame or car power). That's my little monkey mermaid!

I love how the kids can make me laugh. It usually comes when I least expect it and just when I need it. I was being too serious anyway! LOL I'm still laughing. Where do they get their ideas?

Duhhh....You're my ringtone!....a huh

2008-07-15T06:31:00.000-07:00

Look at me!! I met BarlowGirl!!!

The whole family went to Kings Island for Spirit Song 2008, a 3-day christian rock concert. It was super hot but sooo much fun! The best performance we saw was definately the newsboys with Toby Mac close behind in second.

Can't wait to do it again...maybe leave the theme park out next time and the hot humid weather. LOL

Check out my myspace for more pics...Jeff ambushed Hawk Nelson...lucky he didn't get hit on the head by security!

Miscellaneous Ramblings

2008-05-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't posted in a while so I thought since I was bored I would ramble on here a bit. And since every post needs a picture, I've added one of my brother's new family. He has a wonderful new wife and step-daughter and so far I don't think they find this family strange or unbearable or anything like that. LOL

What else? Oooh! I ordered a new camera today! Not a super expensive one. Just one that's small & compact so I can take it with me in my purse if I want. Plus it has lots of cool modes and features for the price. Something about HD something or other. Sounded cool. I really wanted it to take with me in July to Kings Island for the concert we're going to there. I'll probably end up taking my old one too since it has more zoom. Sort of defeats the purpose of traveling light, I know.

I should be exercising right now. I was so motivated for almost three months then poof. I lost my motivation and completely stopped working out and started eating junk again. Gained four pounds back in less than a month. That makes me sick thinking about it. I'm tired all the time again. That's what junk does to you. Why does it have to taste so good? I need to find new motivation...but what? Initially it was a new Bow Flex that was fun to use and the desire not to let myself go as I age. Now the Bow Flex is just a nuisance to walk around in the bedroom. I'll get back on track soon. I'm promising myself.

Wow! I need to clean this keyboard.

Until next time.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-22T16:10:00.000-07:00

HAPPY EASTER!
Hope Everyone has a blessed one.

The (Half) Naked Chef

2008-03-10T11:25:00.001-07:00

Not sure where he gets it from but Hunter loves to cook. He's always asking if we can bake cookies or make up a recipe. Too bad for him though because mommy hates cooking. I do humor him once in a while. Today we mixed up a batch of brownies. This is Hunter doing the stirring.

The next "Naked" Chef? Maybe.

Kitchen Remodel...Slow and Steady Wins the Race

2008-02-27T05:23:00.000-08:00

The kitchen remodel is in full swing. It's moving slow but we're first-time kitchen remodelers. I will be sooo happy when it's done. Right now I have no kitchen sink. Darn, how will I ever make dinner? (sarcasm, hate cooking)

Anyway, I love my new cabinets. In the picture the base cabinets are the new ones and the wall cabinets are the old ones. I'm even getting an island! The kind that goes in your kitchen, not the tropical kind (bummer). My favorite part...the hardwood floor. Love that! I want to dance on it.

Boy when you tear this stuff out you realize how dirty your house really is. Pretty gross. Looks like another week and a half till we can get back to the Kraft Maid sale to get the rest of what we need so the construction mess will continue. Hopefully when it's all said and done we can make my brother proud. LOL

Oscar Has Hit the Road

2008-02-19T07:31:00.001-08:00

Remember that post where I said "What was I thinking?" Oscar is no more...well, he still lives but just not here. He seemed like such a sweet puppy at first but then he went crazy and started biting Hunter. Unprovoked and for no reason. Don't be fooled by his pathetically cute appearance.

He now lives on a farm where he can run and be crazy outside all he wants.

Slå veien OSCAR!

That's Norwegian Elkhound for hit the road Oscar!

Two of my favorite huggers!

2008-02-15T04:30:00.000-08:00

We traveled to Indiana last weekend to celebrate my niece Kayla's 11th birthday. I woke one morning and came downstairs to find Hunter loving uncle Jarod up as he would call it. Let me tell you..I could sit all day and let Hunter "love me up". His hugs are the best. He thrives on physical affection and I love that about him. Actually my whole family is that way. We always hug when we see each other and hug again when we leave. What a great family I have!
What amazes me is how my children are so close to their uncle Jarod when they aren't around him every day and his kids with us as well. On average we see each other every 3 months or so. That bond we have never seems to diminish. How blessed are we.

I think I've been SCAMMED!

2008-02-06T07:15:00.000-08:00

So, I recently bought this book. It's called Natural Cures They Don't Want You To Know About. I saw the author on TV talking about it and I had to run out and buy it. I don't even like to sit and read but natural medicine has always been something that's interested me. I never knew much about it but have tried a few things. Some are great and I use them regularly and some seem to have no effect so nothing really lost. I've always felt like God has already provied us with everything we need to be healthy and happy, we just have to find it. Read Matthew 6:25-34 in the Bible.

I don't have any major ailments but I am on a prescription drug everyday for acid reflux. I really don't like to even take Tylenol or asprin for a headache so taking something everyday really bothers me. I feel like my doctor has no clue how to go about finding the underlying cause of my reflux but has only been trained to treat the symptoms. Something in my body obviously changed to cause a sudden onset of acid reflux. I've never had trouble with heartburn before. So what changed?

I went into reading the book without much expectation. I assumed the author called his book Natural Cures because it sells more copies than a name like "Natural Things You Can Try For Your Ailments That May or May Not Work". It did list a few things to "cure" my ailment and I may give one or two a try after consulting my friend, a naturopath. A lot of the concepts made sense. There are so many chemical ingredients on our foods and water. I have no doubt they are responsible for more illness than we know.

My issue is with the author. He sits so high upon his soapbox I think he probably believes he's some sort of saint. Most of his book is spent rambling on and on trying to convince me that the FDA is evil and that food and drug companies have a conspiracy against consumers. I totally believe they are all out to make record profits. I have no doubt about that but I think Trudeau (the author) is as big a scammer as the rest of them. Sure, he lists some natural remedies for a modest list of ailments but says if he gives you specific information in the book he could be prosecuted and go to jail. He then repeatedly directs you to his website where you can get the full information. The only part of his website that you can access without being a paid member is the store section where he sells an array of self-help items. There's absolutely no info for you unless you become a member. Sure, the first 30 days are "free" but I don't trust the guy already and I certainly will not give him my credit card number to use as he wishes. If he claims he can go to jail for giving you too much information in his book then what about his website? Can't he go to jail for giving too much info there too? Look up Natural Cures on Wikipedia.

I guess I'm just disappointed. That happens when you feel you've been scammed. :)

We all want a "cure" for whatever ails us. I truly believe there is a lot of good in natural medicine. I also believe natural medicines are looked upon by the FDA and drug companies as a huge threat to their profit margins and they will likely do whatever they can to discredit anyone claiming natural is better. That will probably never change. Natural sure beats all of the negative side effects man made drugs cause. I will probably continue to see my uninformed doctor and send my kids to see theirs as well. I will probably continue to use prescription drugs when I don't have any other alternative. I will definately continue to use natural remedies.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2008-01-27T18:29:00.000-08:00

Today is my hubby's 37th birthday! I took this cute picture of the kids with the cake they decorated for him. Hunter did the orange and Abby did the yellow icing. Check out that girl's border. She's 7 years old and this was her first try at doing a shell border. I'd say she's a natural! Better than a lot of adults I've seen. And with a little practice she'll be a cake decorator like mommy in no time! Hunter will likely be her taste tester...check out the orange icing around his mouth!

What was I thinking???

2008-01-25T05:48:00.001-08:00

I finally did it...I caved under pressure and gave in to a puppy. Was it Hunter's pleadings or Jeff's...or was is both and the fact that the puppy was advertised as FREE? I love that F word! How nice was the thought of the boys having a dog. Abby too. And who can resist a cute little puppy face? Not me and I really DON'T like dogs. Never have. Our last dog Ed was OK. Actually he was very cool as far as dogs go and so well behaved. We got him before we ever had children and had lots of time to devote to training. A puppy is like having another child and I already have three! Ok, two, I'm exaggerating. But he's going to poop and pee on my floor no matter how close I watch him. To his credit he has gone on his wee wee pad. But puppies also have that smell...I don't want my house to smell like a dog lives here. I guess it's too late to change my mind now. How do you take a puppy away from your children? Unless of course he bites or something but so far this dog is very pleasant and tolerates a 4 year old very well. I've always been a bit of an impulse decision maker. You'd think I would have learned by now. I suppose I'll just try to make the best of a lousy decision. The kids and Jeff are happy. Oscar (that's the dog) seems content too. What dog wouldn't be when you have a four year old to sing you lullabies?

2008-01-03T12:25:00.000-08:00

More Comments at pYzam.com

That Darn Elusive Cap!

2008-01-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

Have you ever lost something and you know it's got to be right under your nose but you've torn the entire house apart and you just can't find it? Once you've looked everywhere multiple times you finally decide to buy a new one and guess what...it was right in front of you where you thought it was. How did you not see it?

I've lost the cap to the water tank on my carpet scrubber. It's nowhere to be found. I'm having a hard time forking over the $22 it's going to cost me to order a new one. Especially when I know it will turn up as soon as I do. $22 for a dumb old screw on cap! My carpet scrubber is useless without it though so I guess I can't avoid it.

Frustrating!!! Oh well. My bedroom got a much needed cleaning so at least something good has come out of my frustration. The only thing my bedroom needs now is a good carpet scrubbing. Imagine that.

Merry Christmas!!

2007-12-11T07:34:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! Aren't they cute?! Hope everyone has a great Christmas this year. I'm looking forward to it.

Potpourri

2007-11-17T04:59:00.000-08:00

I have a pet peeve. I can't stand outdated websites! And yet, here is mine without a blog entry since August. I have been a little busy since school started back up again. You know...work, kids, husband, helping with Girl Scouts and church stuff and this and that, etc., etc....the list goes on and on. I know I'm not the only one but I refuse to have a severely outdated blog.

Right now the kids are still sleeping and it's soooo peaceful! My hubby is at the Kraft Maid sale buying cabinets for someone else and not me! Later today we will do our annual trek to Kraynak's Christmas Wonderland to let the kids pick out their Christmas ornaments for this year. Then it's off to Aunt Diane's for an early Thanksgiving dinner. We don't cook real food here at our house so the thought of real meat and potatoes sounds heavenly. Can't wait!

We leave next week for Indiana and another turkey dinner! The kids are really looking forward to going to Uncle Jarod's. Actually, we all are. I'll be spending some quality time alone with my beautiful niece this weekend. We live so far apart so I'm looking forward to strengthening our connection.

The kids have risen!!! Peace as I know it is now officially over for the day. Hunter is already strumming his air guitar and telling Abby all about his dream. There were monsters all over the inside of our house and on the roof. And, hey, curious George and the man in the yellow hat were there too. Why not? Guess its time to make some breakfast.

1st day of 1st grade

2007-08-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

It's the first day of first grade! Here we are standing at the bus stop yesterday morning waiting anxiously for the bus to arrive. It was late as usual on the first day. After Abby left for school, Hunter and I went back in the house and watched a movie. Then we watched some TV...and more TV...and more TV! I believe TV is best in moderation but it's like we didn't know what to do with ourselves without big sis around. No one for Hunter to fight with which made the house so quiet. It was quite an adjustment for both of us I think. Today was better. We went to lunch with Grandma and killed some time at Wal Mart. Tomorrow is cleaning day. I think we will survive.

Camping Weekend

2007-08-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

We did it! We finally squeezed some camping in before the end of summer. Went to Indian Lake State Park with Jarod and the kids. It was very large and very cool. Lots of fun! This is a picture of our screen tent when we woke on Sunday morning. I guess staking it down would have helped. It wasn't the only thing upside down...Jeff managed to wreck his bike on the BMX track...Got himself a bruise about the size of a saucer on the side of his thigh and some seriously sore ribs. Needless to say he was checking out bike helmets at Wal Mart tonight!

Our Next Destination

2007-07-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

Well I'm already thinking about our next vacation. My Dad and his wife are going to Hawaii again this year. This time it's the big island. Although I would love to go back, I dread the thought of flying for what feels like an eternity to get there and back. Especially with two kids and especially after everyone felt sick last time.

I would love to shoot for the Grand Canyon and go with my brother and his kids. I guess I'll have to do a little research on where to go and what to do.

If anyone has any suggestions on some great destinations...let me know!

2007-07-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

Just did another weekend of face painting this past weekend at the Mepo Ox Roast. I think it's been 6 years now that I've been doing that. I think I could paint butterflies and dragons in my sleep. The most popular this year were Spongebob, Bobby Jack the monkey, butterflies, unicorns, spiders, horses, flowers and dragons.
I finally took Spongebob off of my board becuase I got so sick of painting him on little wiggly two year olds. All in all I look forward to it every year and really enjoy the endless hours of painting face after face. I do occasionaly hog down a sandwich or run to the potty!

On another note...Jeff is having the most disgusting snack right now... Saltine crackers with horseradish bacon dip and peanut butter. My stomach turns. :(

Time for me to go to bed...until next time.

2007-07-11T17:56:00.000-07:00

Happy belated 4th! The kids did sparklers like 5 nights in a row. We had so many left over from last year. I think we finally got rid of the last box tonight trying to light a fire in our fire pit so we could make s'mores. We Looove s'mores!

Handy Manny

2007-07-03T19:20:00.001-07:00

Here is Hunter pretending to be Handy Manny. Nice toolbelt! He's also sporting a very manly mustache compliments of Abby who was practicing face painting.

Mespo Ox Roast TIme

2007-07-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

It's crunch time this week. Time to get ready for the annual Mespo Ox Roast. I'm not sure why I love it so much. Maybe becuase I just like face painting or maybe I like the little pile of cash I make every year. I think I have most of my face painting things together except I want to make a new sign. I made a bunch of signs this morning for the church since they're going to be there too. Then later I need to make cinnamon rolls to sell...yummm! If I don't eat them all before they get where they're going I'll be doing great. Then I have to go to work and decorate some cakes. Did I mention it's lunch time and I still don't have my shower? Oh yeah, and the laudry is piled up as usual...but here I sit in front of my computer. I am multi-tasking though by eating my lunch at the computer while I type so I'm not completely wasting time...right? I should definately go get my shower while the kids are getting along. Until next time.

Need ambition!

2007-06-26T18:44:00.000-07:00

HELP! I need ambition. I used to be such a perfectionist about my house and how clean it was...then I had children and I think I just gave up since I knew it was a losing battle. I want my clean house back but apparently not bad enough to get off my butt and do something about it. Maybe I just have too many other things to do that there's just no energy left. I'm off to try to convince myself to do something.
Wish me luck!

Maui sigh

2007-06-26T06:08:00.000-07:00

.
This is probably one of the most beautiful pictures I have from our trip to Maui over Easter. I was just sitting here looking at pics on my pc. I always end up going through this batch of photos and wishing I was there again. We go on vacation every year but this last one was the best one we've ever had. I can't wait to go back.

This photo was taken from our trek out the long and winding Hana Hwy.

Caveman See Fire!

2007-06-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

Just had to post this! Jeff and Jarod discovered fire at Justin's 8th birthday party.

2007-06-06T10:58:00.000-07:00

Wow! I didn't know it had been that long since I last posted. This is a picture of the kids form yesterday...they sure have changed since that last post. Hunter is trying to look cool and Abby is just too big already! She's just begun her first full week of summer vacation...and then soon it's on to 1st grade.

I'll have to post some vacation photos...just got back from Hawaii over Easter. The best vacation we've had so far...wish we were still there.

Not much else to say since I have alot of cleaning to do today. Should probably feed the kids lunch at some point too!

Adios!

2005-07-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

Abby and Hunter got a great yard sale find....a BIG John Deer Gator Power Wheels. This thing has POWER! We connected it to a Lawn and Garden battery and boy does it go. zzzoom! as Hunter would say! Abby was supposed to be in charge of the gas and steering at all times but Hunter decided to give it try. In high gear, he zzzzoomed into the house with his sister in the passenger seat. What a good laugh we had. *sigh*

2005-07-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

After the BIG crash...they assessed the damage.

2005-05-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

Why do I have so many pictures of Hunter dressed in girl's clothes? I guess he loves to dress up. I think it's time to buy him his own dress up wardrobe (boy stuff like fireman's suits and stuff!). In this picture he's wearing my mom's bathing suit as a dress and fluttering around like a butterfly from the looks of things! LOL I'm starting to feel sorry for him. When he gets older and sees all of these pictures of himself he'll hate me! He's just got such a goofball personality like his dad already.

2005-04-26T19:11:00.000-07:00

Our little snow white! :) Hunter loved running around in Abby's dress up clothes the other day. Just had to add this one!

2005-03-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

Saturday we took a tour of Philadelphia Candies and also went to Daffins with the kids. Abby is a chocolate lover to the max and was in Abby heaven. We had a lot of fun just doing a simple family outing for the day. This picture is at Daffins Choclate Kingdom.

2005-03-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

After the candy factories we went to Burger King and let the kids play....all three of them! Hunter gave everyone a show and picked up a lot of germs pressing his face against the bubble. I cringe thinking about it.

2005-03-15T09:46:00.001-08:00

My third child!

2005-03-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Abby and the friend she made.

2005-03-15T09:45:00.000-08:00

Abby's painting a birdhouse that was supposed to be a project with Daddy. Jeff got frustrated with the assembly of the birdhouse so mommy put it together. Abby did the painting all by herself. Turned out to be a very colorful rainbow birdhouse.

2005-03-15T09:43:00.000-08:00

The kids love to paint and color. Here are some photos of my budding artists in action. Looks like Hunter thought about eating the brush. When he was done he handed me his painting and said "Pretty!".

2005-03-15T09:41:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while....finally got some time while Hunter is napping! I was just moving all the photos on my pc to CD and found some cute recent pictures of the kids. Here is Abby sun bathing in the kitchen. She likes to pretend she's going to the beach when there's a foot of snow outside. Sometimes she puts her bathing suit on and goes swimming in the bath tub. Is she gorgeous or what!

2005-02-14T05:51:00.000-08:00

Abby started gymnastics yesterday...FINALLY! Poor girl has been waiting so patiently for the day to come. We were just going to go to watch what they do and sign her up. She's been sick and was to the doctor that morning for an ear infection. That girl perked right up and couldn't stop smiling the second we got in the car to drive there. She cried when she had to stand there and watch so the instructor said she could join in. She amazed me with how willing she was. She's usually so shy I was afraid she would stand there frozen in the new environment. Afterwards she called and told everyone about it. I think this will be really good for her. Here is a photo of her doing her version of ballet at home. We had to hang up a curtain to look like a stage so she could perform.

2005-01-27T19:07:00.000-08:00

** brrrrr ** ...its cold out there.

Just got our federal, state and local taxes all filed!! We're always on the ball with that...we want our money! We usually take a vacation with our income tax money but this year...no vacation...have to pay the stinkin' bills... :( It will make a nice dent in our debt though. Of course we also need a new vaccuum cleaner, a new kitchen table (maybe...if my will power to resist the purchase gets weak), Abby wants to take gymnastics lessons, the Camry needs some fix ups, we need to get some groceries int his house, etc, etc... I think most everyone knows that drill....You get a nice amount of money your way and you just want to buy yourself something you don't really need but instead there's a lot of other things you do need. I'm putting those groceries at the top of my needs list....tired of having no food in the cupboards....we're not going hungry as my waistline is evedence of but we are down to scraps each week the day before payday. Enough of griping about money. Must be a Miller thing to talk about money....my dad does that a lot.

We must not forget....today is JEFF'S BIRTHDAY! 34 years old. Abby picked him out a cake with oreos on top...her favorite! And of course chocolate ice cream. Jeff worked till 7 tonight and poor Abby tried and tried to get me to let her eat a piece of that cake before daddy got home. She had me set it out on the table at 3:00. We also had to put up streamers...not a party without decorations. For a gift she got him a gift bag filled with the BIG fireballs you buy in the bulk candy section. Jeff's favorite.

Well my contacts need removed so off to bed I go. Goodnight for now!

2005-01-26T18:45:00.000-08:00

This one speaks for itself!

2005-01-21T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hunter was so cute today...both of them were. Everything Abby does Hunter mimics. She had a baby doll binkie in her mouth and so he went to find one... and did...he came out of her room with a baby doll binkie in his mouth too. She played teacher with her magic wand and when she was done so did he. She colors, he colors....Now what happens when she does something undesirable!!! I may be biased but my son is pretty impressive for 15 months. LOL And my daughter's a pretty smart fart as well....

UPDATE: This evening....before bed...Abby wants to brush her teeth so she gets on her stool in front of the sink...of course Hunter has to do the same but the stool is only big enough for one grumpy kid. Abby butted him right off and he fell backwards hitting his head....she was in a lot of trouble! Hunter screamed of course....poor guy....He just wanted to be like his big sister and stand on the stool to brush his teeth too. Lucky he still has teeth after that fall!

2005-01-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

Abby being teacher....she likes to make up games and teach me stuff...although she wants to be a doctor when she grows up!

2005-01-21T16:24:00.000-08:00

Hunter being teacher.

2005-01-18T17:34:00.000-08:00

Well I was thinking about VBS until American Idol came on. Why is it that they can have a show made up of only auditions and some really horrific ones at that? They get high enough ratings from showcasing these bad talents they can actually make many shows out of it. It's pathetic...people tuning in to watch others make complete fools out of themselves...here I am....absolutely glued to the tv. How sad that we're so entertained by the misfortune of others.

2005-01-17T21:48:00.000-08:00

What a day. Thank goodness for anti-depressants!!! LOL All I had to do today was go to one dermatologist appointment in Sharon, PA. I felt like I fought a war when I was done. Just when you think you have your life licked try forgetting to take your Lexapro for a couple days. You know. The stuff you never really thought made much difference anyway. Abby told me I was a bad mommy this morning in the midst of a tantrum. I loomed over her with my finger in her face yelling "I can show you what a bad mommy is really like". I of course had no intention of actually doing anything but hearing those words come out of my mouth was a little scary. Hearing Abby call me a bad mommy was even more scary. Her opinion was justified. I woke up grumpy because I couldn't sleep in as long as I want. I nagged her and raised my voice to her all morning. I felt so justified yelling because she was defiant and ignored me several times when I told her to do stuff this morning. She wouldn't get out of a cardboard box I had in the living room. It was her princess tower and she even hit her brother to keep him out.

I fif eventually leave at 1:00 for my long drive to my 2:00 Dr.'s appt. The roads were unplowed on major highways and it was whiteout at times. I went the wrong way three times going to a place I've been going for years. At least the crying kids fell asleep the second we hit the road. I ended up being late ( I hate being late) and then never made it home until 5.

Now that my head is clear I think how crazy I was being and how I showed my daughter a very bad example of how to deal with a stressful situation. Good thing God forgives bad mommies. I usually call my mom and whine to her about my woes. I decided to let you bloggers have it this time. Betcha feel lucky!

(sigh)Tomorrow is a better day....as long as I remember the Lexapro!!! Let's all thank God for that!

2005-01-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

OK folks...I know you all were thinking about Jeff if you watched the Steelers/Jets game. Here he is all cocky and full of it after they squeaked out their win!

2005-01-14T20:35:00.000-08:00

I just had to share this one! That's my girl!

2005-01-14T20:30:00.000-08:00

Today the snow and the sun were awesome together. As I drove to adn from PA today I was in awe most of the way. The snow was spectacular. There wasn't a lot of it but the way it outlined all the trees and the grass was really pretty. I really like wicked looking trees that bend every which way. The next couple pictures that follow are of the sky. None are really that great photographically or artistically but I like them.

2005-01-14T20:22:00.000-08:00

I love when the sunset lights up the clouds. I took this today. The sun was so bright but the weather was sooooo cold.

2005-01-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

This is a sillhouette of Abby when we went to Hawaii. The sunsets were so beautiful there. Abby was sitting on a lava rock wall in front of the ocean. She was 2 at that time and remembers it like it was yesterday.

2005-01-12T06:01:00.000-08:00

Jeff asked if there was anything about him on my blog and then said sarcastically "probably not". Ooops! Ok Jeff, how do you like this one. This is the big belly boys! Like father like son. I should probably also include the one of Jeff sweeping the kitchen floor. He might like that one better since it shows that he actually does help me around the house...even after a long day at work. What a lucky gal I am. God has really blessed me with a great husband! :)

2005-01-11T07:04:00.000-08:00

I guess this is mostly photos of the kids but such is my life. Just trying to get a little work done for work this morning. Hard to achieve with Hunter awake! He's a handful alright, but a worthwile handful. He fell off a chair twice yesterday because he climbs and stands on everything. No serious injuries thank goodness. So much different than Abby at that age and even now. She's been a princess everyday for the last two weeks. Today she's Cinderella and she's on her way to work. Yesterday she was ... I forget...but she was wearing a dress I made her when she was 18m old. Lots of tulle and organza. Couldn't zip it all the way up but she didn't care. It was a fancy dress. She's wore nothing but for the last couple weeks. Jeff trys to tell her she looks silly and won't go out in public with her. I tell her she's beautiful and parade her around like the princess she is. I took her to Perkins and Wal Mart with an outfit she picked out (totally didn't match) layered under her Cinderella costume with tennis shoes and socks. Of course she was wearing a fabulous rhinestone tiara on that beautiful head of hers as only a princess could do. If only I could get away with self-expression like that! Without everyone thinking I belong in a mental hospital that is!

2005-01-10T18:46:00.000-08:00

The boy likes to eat...what can I say?

2005-01-10T18:45:00.000-08:00

I love this picture....Abby had a blast in the leaves this fall.

2005-01-10T18:43:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a little dirt on a freshly washed and still slightly damp kitchen floor!

2005-01-10T18:31:00.000-08:00

A little hot cocoa among friends to warm up after a good play in the snow.

2005-01-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

Kayla and Justin spent the week before Christmas with us. Grandma Val took them out to build this snowman.

2005-01-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! This photo was taken around 9pm...Look at the kids' eyes and tell me if you think they made it till midnight.

2005-01-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

If my son were older he would surely hate me!

2005-01-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

I think I've taken a million bathtub photos of the kids but they're always at their cutest in the tub. Here's Abby with bath foam all over her face and Hunter with a golf ball in his mouth.