Questions & Answers

Thank you to Gretchen for saving me from a major bloggers funk.  If you caught her post today you may have noticed she challenged us to a blog off with some questions and answers.  Please feel free to play along. 

 

 

1.  What is your idea of a perfect day?

 

Without a doubt it would have to involve Disney World.  We would start off with an early character breakfast before heading to Magic Kingdom for the day.  We would spend a quiet afternoon resting at our resort before heading to MGM for dinner and Disney's Fantasmic show.  And because this is a perfect day, my kids would go the whole day without fighting, crying, whining, or complaining. 

 

2.  What is your favorite song and why?

 

I don't think I have one, it changes.  Right now I can't get enough of 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman.

 

3.  Do you think crying is a sign of weakness or strength?

 

I would say strength.  I'm not a cryer, it's not that I don't have emotions I just don't like for people to see me cry.  I can count on one hand how many times I have cried in the past 10 years.  I don't like this about myself.  Crying is a good healthy emotion and sometimes I wish I could just let it out. 

 

4.  What will you never do?

 

Skydive. 

 

5.  What is the most desirable trait another person can possess?

 

A good sense of humor.  I think you have to be able to laugh at yourself.

 

6.  Are you holding on to something you need to let go of?

 

Well if this isn't a loaded question.  Yes!  I'm not going to go into that right now, but I do plan on a blogging post.  I'm in a Bible Study that is helping to see these things that I need to let go of, so I may do a therapy post for myself.

 

7.  What is your earliest childhood memory.

 

It was a month shy of my 3rd birthday.  I was at my grandma & grandpa's for the day.  My grandma called me to the hall closet so I could bring a pillow to grandpa.  I brought it to him on the couch but he wouldn't respond.  I don't remember the ambulance or EMT's, I just remember him not responding.  He had heartache and passed away that day. 

 

8.  Do you push the elevator button more than once?

 

I don't believe I ever have.

 

9.  Where else would you like to live?  Why?

 

Hmm... I can't see myself living anywhere else, but if I had to chose it would probably somewhere closer to Indy or in Indy.  Between the Colts and Pacers it would be an awesome sports town and still close to family.

 

10.  Is there ever a time when giving up makes sense? 

 

Depending on the situation... everything is in God's hands, not our own.  I think the best things in life can happen when we step back and stop trying to do things on our own and let God handle it.   I'm not saying we just give up, but maybe when we stop trying to do it on our own. 

Celebrating Steve

We've been busy this week.   Steve & I are taking a parenting class at church on Sundays, we got to have a belated Valentine's date night on Monday, and on Wednesday Steve had a basketball game at church and I had a bible study at church.  Wednesday was also Steve's birthday.  Since we both had commitments at church we celebrated on Tuesday.  Now that he is 35 there is no denying the mid-thirties.  

 

This was our first family dinner since Steve's parents moved into their new patio home last month.  It's so nice and beautiful.  Although they lost some space and square footage, the kitchen and dinning room is much bigger, giving us a lot more room. 

 

 There really are no words for this kid.

 Since this post is supposed to be about Steve I guess I should include a picture.

Steve's mom provided dinner while I provided dessert.  There was a groupon a few weeks ago for GiGi's cupcakes, check these out.   Delicious!!!

 I wish you could have seen my kids after eating all that sugar, and they only had half a cupcake.  Cameron was swaying in his chair.  Then they both starting wrestling with Scott.  It was a good way to get their energy out before coming home. 

 After dessert it was time for presents.   Cooper has been so excited to give the presents to him.  Steve went to the IU game last Saturday and just before he got home Cooper was begging me to let him give Steve something for Valentine's Day.  I had gotten him a few things for his birthday so I let Cooper give him his new devotional early.

The rest of his gifts included a speaker/alarm clock/docking station of our phones and ipod, Lowe's gift card, and iTunes gift card.  Cooper also wrapped a birthday pencil he got at school this year.  He's really getting into the idea of getting people gifts.  Although he also has a tendency to spill the beans. 

 

The birthday fun didn't stop there, the celebration continued as IU beat Michigan State on Tuesday.  IU has had a couple bummer games this year but they sure have come ready to plan for the big ones. 

 

Happy Birthday, Steve!!  We love you!

Horatio Spafford

We heard a story at church on Sunday that I feel compelled to share. 

We were told the story of Horatio Spafford.  Horatio was a prominent Chicago lawyer in the late 1800's.  He lived a charmed life with his wife Anna and 4 children.  In 1870 their only son died of scarlet fever.  In 1871 the great fire of Chicago broke out destroying investment properties taking away most of their wealth.  Two years later Horatio and his wife decided to visit Europe.  Horatio stayed behind in Chicago finishing up business while his wife and four young daughters went ahead of him.  The ship is wife and daughters boarded was struck by an iron sailing ship, resulting in the death of his four daughters.  His wife was one of a handful of survivors.  Horatio immediately left Chicago to bring his wife home.  While sailing across the Atlantic, the caption of the ship notified Horatio they were coming upon the suspected crash site.  That night, Horatio went to his cabin and wrote these words:

 

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Valentine Party

It may have been a date late but we did get a Valentine party in.  I'm guessing the teachers wanted to make it the last day of week, not sure.  I don't think the 4 and 5 year olds minded one bit, it just meant party to them.

 

After planning the Christmas party it felt good to just hang out with my guy.

 

 All the parties are pretty much the same, start off with a few crafts, break into groups for games, snack time, and story time.

 The Valentine party is always a bit difficult because they don't have Santa or the Easter bunny.  The only thing that is added to take up time is decorating a bag and passing out Valentines.

 This is Cooper's little buddy Luke.  They don't play a lot together in school, but once they get together in Bible Study, you better watch out.  They ended up in time out one day.

 My collage to summarize my day.  It was a good one.

Happy Valentine's Day

I think I've mentioned it before but we really aren't huge Valentine people, obviously, this was last year.  We are going out for dinner next week, cause lets face it who really wants to attempt going out on the actual date.  I think it's funny how single people can't wait for a Valentine date, but when you are married with kids all you would rather do is lay on the couch by yourself eating chocolate.  It all comes full circle.

 

I started receiving texts yesterday of all the cute ideas friends were coming up with.  I figured I better get on the ball.  We started off the morning with heart shaped cinnamon rolls. 

 

 We had Community Bible Study this morning so I took these adorable things in for their teachers.  Thanks to Brittany for the idea.  I'm sure teachers get lots of useless stuff as gifts, this is perfect, inexpensive for me and useful for the teacher.

 I somehow convinced Cooper to dress the same as Cameron.  I realize my days are coming to end on this. 

 I just love my little Valentine's! 

 After CBS I picked up McDonald's for lunch, cause nothing says I love you like pretend meat.  Then it was on to heart shaped brownies.

 Scott stopped by after baths to give the boys a few gifts, Cooper got another Star Wars puzzle and Cameron got a Toy Story coloring book.

 We also finally got around to giving our gifts to them.  They both got a Star Wars water bottle, Cooper got a Star Wars book, and Cameron got a Spider-Man spin brush tooth brush.  Cooper got one for Christmas and Cameron is trying to use it all the time.  For whatever reason they have 3 tubes of toothpaste and 5 toothbrushes on their bathroom counter. 

 

If you think that is all we have, you are mistaken.  Cooper still have a Valentine's party tomorrow. I just love never ending holidays.

Bike ridin' and Car ridin'

Usually I'm not a fan of warmer weather in winter, mainly because it almost always means severe weather is to follow.  However, I did enjoy soaking it all in a few times this week.  The kids liked it too.  We did some bike riding after naps on Tuesday.  Riding their bikes for almost an hour meant they scarfed down dinner, which almost never happens. 

 

 Steve and I got to have a date day this morning.  Granted after 8 1/2 years of marriage and 2 kids our date days aren't always for the best reasons.  We had to get some blood work done for a discount on our insurance, it was cheaper to go the lab and the closest one was Corydon, so we made a date out of it.  We are pitiful, pitiful people.  We both were complaining all morning long about being hungry, since we had to fast.  First world problems.   It made matters worse when we got to about the Georgetown exit and we realized we forgot the paperwork.  It took about 40 minutes to turn back around and get it.

 

Let me tell you about this place we went to.  I'm sure it's used a lot for routine checks for those who don't want to make a doctor's appointment, but it's also a drug screening facility.  I know this because when I used the restroom there was one sign telling drug testers they were not allowed to flush the toilet and another informing us that it was a drug testing facility therefore the water was turned off and we could wash our hands in the sink outside the restroom.  Nice!

 

Of course going to Corydon meant Culvers!  Wasn't going to pass that up, plus I planned to take full advantage of having to skip a meal.  I totally made up for it.

 That would be a hot fudge peanut butter sundae.  Worth it!

 

The best part of our day was rocking out to Gen X radio.  I can't believe some of the songs we used to listen to, the lyrics are so dirty.  We had quite a few good laughs.

Hope I passed my drug test... ha ha, just kidding :)



When dad's away the boys will play

Steve & his brother went up the IU game today, they left at 6:30 am for a 9:00 pm game.  It was ESPN game day this morning, doors opened to Assembly Hall at 8:30 for the 10:00 taping.  Then it was a day full of shopping, eating, and going to the movies before heading back to Assembly Hall for the game.  Right now the Hoosiers are looking pretty good.  Let's hope it stays that way.

 

While Steve was out having fun, the boys and I spent some time playing ourselves.   Cameron likes to hide from me.  If I don't see him for a while I can bank on finding him in our closet.

 

Then it was time to start trying on my shoes.

 Cooper has been wanting to take Madagascar to my mom's so they could watch it together.  I'm not a fool, I knew exactly when to schedule it... Cameron's nap time!  I had a quiet house to myself for about an hour and half today.  Pure bliss.  Once he woke up we all headed out to my nephew's basketball game.  He's in 6th grade at St. Paul, his team was in the championship game against Holy Family.  We only made it till half time but they were winning at the half.  The game was supposed to start at 4, which is when we got there, but it didn't start until after 5 and we made it until about 6:15 before heading out to dinner.  Someone was getting tired.

All was good again once we got some food.  Cooper LOVES Texas Roadhouse, I think it's the bread.  Cameron entertained himself by playing peek-a-boo.

 

We have a minute and 40 seconds till halftime and Indiana is up by 7.  The winner of this game will take the number 1 spot in the polls this week.  Go Hoosiers!!!  Steve just posted on Facebook that their tickets were going anywhere between $800-$1000 by scalpers.  I so would have sold them!!!



It's a Snow Day

Two hour delays don't really do anything for me.  Instead of going to school from 9-11:30, Cooper goes from 10-12.  The extra hour in the morning is good but that also means I don't have time to make Jazzercise and it gives me less time to get things done I would normally do while he was in school.  Snow Days on the other hand a free for all.  I was fully expecting a delay so I was pumped when I found out there was no school at all.  Cooper on the other hand almost cried, he loves school and today would have been a trip to the treasure box for him.  I  knew then  I had to bring things up a notch to make our day worth it.

 

They started out by having donut holes for breakfast.  This was win-win for all of us, easy clean up for me.

 

 While most people took advantage of relaxing at home, I took advantage of having time to do fun things.  We met the McAfee's at Chick-fil-A lunch and have fun we did.  We were there for almost two hours, most of which the kids played their little hearts out.  Jake felt it was necessary to wear swim goggles to lunch.  He may need them, you just never know when it's 4 degrees outside.

 This was the best attempt at a group shot.  Poor Cameron.

 Before Chick-fil-A we had went to Target for diapers and of course hit up the dollar spot.  We went right to work once I got Cameron down for a nap.  First up were capsule animals.  We patiently waited to see what we would get.

 

 

It's a giraffe!  We bought for the zoo pack.  They also had a farm animal pack, for only a $1 I wish I had gotten both.  Yes, they most likely will get thrown away but it takes about 3-5 minutes for each one and Cooper will sit and just watch, quietly.  Nice activity.

 Next up was a new Star Wars puzzle.  I can't believe this was only $1.  I say it a lot, but I'm pretty impressed with his puzzle skills.   I have to let go and try not to help so much and he does get it.  He does a great job at figuring out the border and looking at the box.  I think we may need to graduate to bigger ones soon. 

 

It's been a great day, I sure am going to miss this guy next school year.