"Try Our Chicken Chunks"

That is what was posted outside a local burger and soft serve restaurant here in town. I would have taken a picture, but I fear the small town syndrome, someone knows someone who put it up, and now they hate me... so they will remain unseen. But seriously, this is just gross. There is NEVER a time (except when describing chocolate) that you should use the word chunks to talk about a meal. The word actually has the reverse meaning to me, and makes me think of vomit. Sorry, but it's true.
Blowing chunks.
NOT eating them.

Ahh, life indeed.

For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin -- real life.
But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid.
Then life would begin.
At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
- Fr. Alfred D’Souza

For a friend...

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
Mother Teresa

Afternoon at the park

We tried to lunch outside, but it proved a bit to windy for the boys, so we resorted to a picnic in the burb!

Old friend tree is still big and strong.

The space shuttle is landing tonight, you know.

And Micah, well, what can you say about Micah?

Blackbird Singing In The Dead Of Night...

Take these broken wings and learn to fly...

SO, it runs in the family!

My Aunt Janet (Zach's Mom) sent me this picture of Zach! She says it must run in the family! Very cool Zach, very cool!

Zach graduates!

Here are some photos of my cousin Zach graduating from basic training! He looks so great! And I have to brag a little bit... He was one of only three people, out of two hundred and ten to recieve a promotion! Amazing, and so proud!

These are my cousins, Zach, the stud Army dude, Luke, who is Isaiah's age, and Rachel, Zach's older sister.

Check it out...

Ever so rarely I do put new items on Etsy... just in case you wanted to know. :)
The link to my site is in my blogroll.
Have a happy day!

Happy Easter to all!

This is as close to perfect as we could get, it started to snow, so we had to quit.

Baskets galore... and we added one more!

Even the birds were confused, didn't know what to do... Snow on Easter... boo hoo hoo.

Random Pictures...

Yet another nap in Mom's bed.

The kid's had a hard time leaving Steve alone after he got home!

The little boys trying on their Easter outfits.

Daddy's Girls

It's True!

The fabulous neighbor comes through again, with this amazing stunt. Apparently this can only be performed on the spring equinox, something to do with the gravitational pull today. Pretty amazing. Hannah and I were the only ones that could do it! Check out Jean's picture!

The key

Today, while I was sitting on the bed, Micah held a green plastic key. All of a sudden, he started poking me with the key. When I asked him what he was doing, he said that he was locking up all my mean words. What mean words, I asked. He said, the one's you use when I am doing things to get in trouble. Oh. At this point he started poking me again. Hey, I thought I was already locked up! No, Mom, now I am turning it the other way. So, what does that do? It makes only beautiful words come out of your mouth. Of course. I should have known.

My blue eyed boy....

Steve's home.

Made it back around 11:30pm last night. So glad. Thinking he is way better looking at 36 than he was at 35.
(p.s. my tattoo loving is wearing off on him, notice the "Miami Ink" shirt!)

A blog I love

Last week I came across a blog, set up by a man named Will. I came across it purely by chance, just hit the next blog button at the top of the page. Will's blog was the third one I came to, the other's not being in english. I began to read, and watch his videos. Will is the younger brother to Dan, of whom the blog is about. Dan has Down Syndrome. Dan is a gift.
Will is an artist, an actor, a singer, and a courageous little brother. He has some physical issues as well, he is missing his large intestine. This has proven to be a gift, as it allowed Will to come home, and begin this documentary on Dan. I want you to meet Dan. I fell in love with him by the end of the first video I watched.
I wrote Will a quick e-mail to tell him how his stories of Dan had touched me. He wrote back and said that he had not yet even shared the blog with the people who already know and love Dan. He said that it was an encouragement to him, to see how Dan's life impacts even those who don't know Dan.
I am not kidding you, you have to read and watch. You will be changed. You will fall in love. You will feel more deeply, cry a little harder, and understand a little more.
Meet Dan.

Reflecting

This morning I was thinking back to when I was in second grade. My parents were recently divorced, which in today's world seems perfectly normal. Back then, it was still not the norm, and I was the only kid I knew, who's parents were divorced. My sister and I used to spend every other weekend with my Dad. He lived in this small apartment behind a store called Fred Meyer. I don't remember a lot about the apartment, but I assume it was only a one bedroom, because I do remember sleeping on the floor or the couch, in the living room. My father was new to bachlorhood, and knew how to cook very few things. I believe we ate pot roast every weekend for a while. He had a glass top table for four. I remember thinking to myself that a glass top table didn't make sense with kids. The reality was, he wasn't with kids. Only for a couple of days every other week. My most vivid memory of those trips to the little apartment, were breakfast. Hostess donut sticks in a box, and a glass (not a cup) of milk. I loved those donut sticks. I remember looking so forward to them. We were allowed to eat them straight out of the box. We were allowed to eat them in front of the t.v. watching cartoons, while my Dad took a shower. It was like we were bachlors too. I always felt so strange, eating those donut sticks, on the floor, wrapped in blankets watching Tom and Jerry. But I liked it. It was my first taste of independence, as odd as that sounds. And to this day, every time I think about those donut sticks, I smile a little smile.

Pineapple

No great insight here, just wish I had one. Juicy, FRESH, sweet, and straight from the islands.

-

And in those moments just before night turns to day.. the only light that could be found, was the cool glow from her computer screen.

Naptime in Mommy's bed

As far as the kids go...

There are some days when no matter what I say it feels like I'm far away in another country & whoever is doing the translating has had far too much to drink
-- Story People

Check out the Cheeks!

These are absolutely, completely, totally REAL sunburned cheeks! So exciting! The kids were outside from 11AM until 5PM, only came in for food once!

More fun ones.

So, seriously, should I be worried?

Nah, he is just expressive, right?

Hannah and Brody were pretty darn cute too.

My boys love me.

Micah and Brody spent yesterday morning collecting these for me. It's true, they love me.

Yes, they ate the apples....

And fun was had by all.

We had a great couple of hours with the Landers' boys yesterday afternoon...

They were PERFECT, and all the kids got along wonderfully!

The surprise connection was Gabe and Micah, they were together the whole time.

Dawson and Isaiah hit it off, as soon as Dawson said he liked L.T. from the Chargers, they were instant friends!
Thanks Jody, for sharing them with me for a little while!

Too cute

This afternoon after school, Hannah and our neigbor Gage were playing with their little brothers. I took these two photos from our deck, as the foursome was walking across the yard to Gage and Drake's house. They were so adorable, and so good with the two year olds! I can't wait until summer!

Some shots of Brody this morning.

So you won't go into shock...

For those of you who haven't seen it, this is my recent tattoo. I figured with the weather getting nice, I would be showing it off more, and wouldn't want to give anyone heart failure. Had a short sleeve shirt on at church on Sunday, and had someone ask, "Does Steve know about that?" Uh, yeah, pretty sure he does. :)

I'm It.

Thanks to Cassie, I now feel obligated to comply...
HERE'S HOW YOU PLAY. ONCE YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED YOU HAVE TO WRITE A BLOG OF TEN WEIRD, RANDOM THINGS, FACTS OR HABITS ABOUT YOURSELF. AT THE END, YOU CHOOSE FIVE PEOPLE TO BE TAGGED, LISTING THEIR NAMES AND WHY YOU CHOSE THEM TO BE TAGGED. DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE THEM A COMMENT "YOU'RE IT" AND TO READ YOUR BLOG. YOU CAN'T TAG THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU. SINCE YOU CAN'T TAG THAT PERSON BACK, LET HIM OR HER KNOW WHEN YOU'VE POSTED YOUR BLOG SO HE OR SHE CAN READ YOUR ANSWERS.

1. When I was five years old, I caught the biggest fish on the lake we lived on, for opening night of fishing season. Everyone would stay up until midnight, and start fishing. My rainbow trout was 18 1/2 inches. Caught on a pole with no reel.
2. I worked at a christian camp for three summers during high school, where my camp name was Gecko, because I owned three lizards (none of which were geckos).
3. For the first 5 years of our marriage, I would FREAK OUT if Steve put his head on MY pillow. (I am over it now).
4. I went on my first date in 3rd grade. My boyfriend, Travis, took me to a Mariner's game, where we even sat alone. On the way home, he tied our hands together with a piece of string, it was so romantic.
5. I was voted best dancer my freshman year.
6. I have climbed the highest peak in the lower 48 states. Mt. Whitney, 14,495 feet. Did it in only one day, most who attempt this take 3 days.
7. I used to be a track star. I was never beaten at the 100m. hurdles.
8. I pee in the woods.
9. I have not had a full time job in almost 12 years.
10. I secretly (although not a secret anymore) would love to take my camera with me everywhere I go, and not have to talk to people, just photograph their stories. I love being on the outside, but somehow knowing more than everyone else.

So, I tag Jean, because duh, she's the best neighbor in the world.
Janece, because she loves to think about stuff like this.
Paul, because he never blogs anymore.
Lisa, see Paul's reason.
and, well, everyone else I know has already done it.

Happy Birthday Steve!

Well, today is Steve's birthday, and he spent it in India, so I thought I would take you down the path of his life the last thirty-six years... He began as a very curious child, always getting into trouble, and sneaking over to the next door neighbor's house through the doggy door. One time the police were called because no one could find little Steve. They finally found him sleeping across the chairs at the kitchen table, but the table cloth hung down far enough so you couldn't see him.

Then he entered his tough guy phase. Very serious about all things sports.

When he got a bit older, he decided he was an outdoors kind of guy, and enjoyed going to the park for picnics with his dog Buddy.

And this is where I met him. Playing ball for the Master's Mustangs. I saw this picture, and suddenly understood Brody's obsession with powers. Steve wore one. I think maybe it is inbred or something.

Since then, well, he married me, moved to Seattle, Mobile, Alabama, back to Seattle, and to Muscatine, Iowa. Had five kids in the mix. You know the story.
Happy Birthday Steve. I love you, and wish you were here!

I'm a gonner.

This morning I overheard Micah and Brody talking. It went EXACTLY like this:
Micah: Hey Brody, when we grow up we are going to get rid of Mom forever.
Brody: Yeah, for-ever!

Money Sense

The thing about money is you can't think about it too much, he told me, or you won't sleep at night & you get dark circles under your eyes & nothing seems fun any more. I told him it was that way with a lot of things & he nodded & said, yeah, but with money it makes sense.
- Story People

Happy Birthday Nana!

Today is Nana's birthday! So, last night we had her over for some cake and presents.

No, this is not what she wanted, BUT let me explain... Brody has a wristband that he calls his "power", thus, wristbands are called power in our house. Steve brought Micah back some power from Taiwan the last time he was there, and the boys rarely take them off. In fact, Brody has worn his 24/7 only taking it off for bath time, for the past two weeks. Needless to say, when we asked the kids what we should get Nana for her birthday, they all said power. Even Emily. Funny.

Had a yummy chocolate cake too....

Hannah's New Do!

So, now that cheerleading is over, Hannah was able to get the hair cut she has been asking for.


And, the best part about it, is they cut off 12 inches, two inches longer than she needed to donate to "Locks of Love". She was very happy about being able to donate! You should have seen her smile when they measured her pony tail!

I may be a tad swayed here, but seriously, is she gorgeous or what?!

The mantle is ready...

For EASTER!!!

Had to get this done, because Steve has an emergency trip to INDIA on Sunday. He will be gone until the following Sunday night. Yeah. Just what I wanted to hear.

M & M's

(I was looking at another blog where there were children in a cardboard box, with windows cut out, and a door, etc.)
Micah: Mom, when I grow up, I want to live in a box like that.
Me: Really? What would you do in the box?
Micah: Play.
Me: What would you play with?
Micah: Stuff I brought into the box.
Me: What kind of stuff?
Micah: You know, grass, and the sun.

Clearly we adults are not the only one's missing the warm weather!

On Saturday...

Hannah had her last cheerleading competition of the year (hopefully ever). Her team, the Pee-Wee's took second place in their division, the older girls, known as the Purple Team, took third, and the "big girls", the Black Team, took first. A bunch of them competed in solo's as well. The River City All-Stars, as a whole, won the All Around Title for this meet, and were very excited. I, on the other hand, was just excited it was over. Spending six hours in a gym to watch your daughter perform for two minutes with 11 other girls, is not my idea of a day well spent. She starts soccer after spring break, but untill then, we have every Monday, and Thursday evenings free... for the first time in two years!!!

FINALLY!

It was 67 degrees today! Isaiah was on his bike most of the day...

Micah and Brody were off to check out the melted snowman that had been in the yard for over a month!

Brody on his tractor, enjoying the SUN!

Emily was outside too, but she ran from me everytime I tried to take her picture. Hannah was asleep most of the day... last night she had a lock-in at the cheer gym, and didn't get much sleep!
It has already started raining, and flooding the yard, and it is supposed to change over to snow by morning. Can't wait. :(