Exciting News

Been gone awhile, I guess being a mom of 2, wife, house cleaner, cook, taxi, personal shopper, etc... will keep you a tad busy. Caden finished all his sports for the year, thank goodness because it was wearing me down. He will start another season of spring soccer in March. He is doing very well at the new charter school he started this year, we are thankful for that. Brenden is still doing gymnastics but that is only one day a week so I can handle that. He will start pre-K next fall. Joe's job relocated him to North Dakota, longer drive, longer time away, no fun. I'm still cleaning houses and with this economy I'm thankful people are still willing to pay for a house keeper. Still doing day care for our church a few shifts per month. I'm also watching my good friend Jessica's 3 month old baby boy Zade. He is a very mellow easy going baby and Joe and I joke he is a good memory refresher for having a baby in the house again and good practice for having 3 kids. Which by the way we will have next August! Hoping for a girl this time but trying each day to remember GOD is in control so we will get what we are meant to have!! I'll keep you all posted with baby news!!!

Fall is in the air! Only 2 more weeks until Halloween. The kids have picked their costumes, Caden a vampire and Brenden a ninja. The are both having their faces painted spooky. Brenden asks every day if it's Halloween yet.

Caden has been busy with sports. Dean took him to a Colorado Rapids game and Joe and Papa took him to a CU Buffs game. We are still busy with 2 sports, soccer and flag football. Needless to say I will be glad to take a break soon.

Joe leaves tomorrow for North Dakota. they moved his rig there and are starting them on a 2 week on 2 week off schedule, I'm super bummed. Being a single mom for 10 days at a time was bad enough not sure how 2 full weeks will be. Prayers will probably be needed!

I'm enjoying the cooler weather, though not looking forward to snow. Hopefully it will hold out awhile longer. Joe and I have been busy painting our house, we finally agreed on the last 3 colors so that project should be done soon.

Autumn is here

Well it is officially fall where did the summer go? As usual it went by to fast, however I always enjoy the last few months of the year and the holidays that they offer. We love Halloween here for the chance to dress up in silly or sometimes spooky costumes. This year Joe is supposed to be home but his work now has is schedule up in the air so we'll see what happens. Brenden wants to be a ninja, Caden is still undecided. I'm looking forward to picking out a doggy costume for Zoey! After Halloween I go into holiday mode, I love shopping for presents and decorating the house it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! Hopefully Joe will get to be here got Thanksgiving and Christmas so had to work both last year. I know he would enjoy being home and we would enjoy having him!

South Dakota

We just returned from our visit to South Dakota, what a fun trip! We went with our friends Dave and Nicole and their kids Nathan and Ashley. We stayed in a three room cabin for 3 nights. We went to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Bear Country, Reptile Gardens, and an airplane museum. Here are some pics of our adventure!

Caden's First day of school

I can't believe my little boy is now in the 2nd grade, I just brought him home from the hospital yesterday now he's almost 8. He is so much fun and he keeps me busy. We have also started another season of soccer, his 4th year! He started school at Imagine a charter school that was built just behind our subdivision. Now I can walk him to and from school every day. They teach classical core knowledge and are known for offering a great education! We are super excited to see how he does this year.

Almost Over

I can't believe that summer in nearing it's end. Winter and spring seem to take forever in anticipation for summer and all it's wonderful activities. I love endless days at the parks and pools, no alarm clock little to no time frames the feeling that I am so free.
Caden will begin 2nd grade on the 18th. My little man is growing up so fast. I love to look back at pictures of him when he was so small, so innocent. I miss those days, but I do think that he is growing into a fine young boy and I enjoy my time with him immensely. Another season of soccer will begin next week and the juggling of several different activities will begin.

I will also soon begin the journey of motherhood again. I'm praying and hoping for a little girl but what God has planned for us will be. So only time will tell.

Great Sadness

I'm writing today with great sadness. My good friend who was pregnant with twin boys Joseph Elias and James Law sent me an email letting me know that she had to have an emergency C-section that ended the life of her twins. They had TTTS which is twin to twin transfusion syndrome. The twins shared one placenta instead of each having their own. I'm am so saddened by their loss and can not even comprehend how she and her husband are feeling. My prayers go out to her and her husband and son. I pray for a full physical recovery as well as emotional healing. I do believe that GOD is in control and for reasons beyond our comprehension this was all part of Gods plan. I pray now that God will heal and comfort them during this very difficult time.

Tested

I'm done being tested. This week has been horrible and I'm simply done. Monday started with a move out house cleaning job from hell. Why people can't clean while they are living in their house is a mystery to me but some people are for lack of a nicer word just plain nasty. Then Caden had a stomach flu bug and well puking is not my thing, just seeing it or smelling it instantly sets off my gag reflex. Then I discovered that we have mice in our house so in the past 2 days the traps my grandma was nice enough to help set have caught 2 of them and right now I'm praying we don't have any more because I'm not sure I can handle disposing of any more. little dead mouse bodies. Just looking at them makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end, and I get that totally creepy chill go up my spine. Then to top everything off my AC has decided to stop working and right as I sit here typing I'm sweating my ASS OFF.

So as I go to bed tonight I'm saying a little prayer that the rest of the week will be better and after Sunday my husband will be back home and if anything else goes wrong, he can deal with it!

Summer Fun

I have not been here in awhile, life has been very busy lately. Summer has started with a bang which I suppose is a good thing. My uncle, aunt and 2 cousins Brett and Alyssa have been visiting for the past 10 days and just left to go back home this morning. I went to Water World with them and my brother Brandon for the first time in 6 years. I had a really fun time though looking around at all the cute little tiny bikinis, perfectly flat bellies with navel rings and deep dark tans made me realize I'm no longer a spring chicken. No I'm not fat nor do I look bad in a bathing suit, but I'm defiantly not what I was 15 years ago. I guess time and 2 kids takes it's toll.

So I'm more motivated then ever to get in shape and attempt to keep up with the tiny boppers ( in a mature way now that 30 looms just around the corner)

Joe and I have been doing lots of yard work this hitch home and I must say it's looking lovely. I just will be glad when our fences are up (supposed to start tomorrow) and Zoey has her dog run area and can no longer terrorize my lawn .

We are considering going away for the 4th of July. Joe and I have never been camping together therefore neither have my children. I think Caden would enjoy fishing and they both would love smores on the camp fire. I think it will be nice to get away!

California Trip May 2008

We had a great Cali trip! We did a family dinner over at Joe's uncles. Went to the beach, had a bbq with friends and family, good times! I did forget that May is not always super warm and I ended up having to go buy a hoodie to keep from freezing my little butt off. Caden and Brenden really enjoyed playing with Kyle and Heather (Joe's cousins) and Coreena brought over Rock Band and the kids(and Joe) rocked out! We got to go to dinner with our friends Ryan, Vicky and Skyler when we are with them we always have a good time(right wifey ha ha!) It's always so nice to realx and enjoy our time there.

Bring on the sun!

Now that the weather is finally getting nicer I'm so ready for summer. I started going through my summer clothes getting out carpi's and sandals! Now I just have to do something about my feet, they need major help to be summer ready. My mom had a spa party over the weekend and I picked up some great smelling salt scrub and some hand and foot lotion, pretty feet are just around the corner. I've also started using my subtle tanning lotion, hey it beats being pasty white, but I am defiantly looking forward to getting a real tan at the beach next month. Not sure if we will go to deep into the water though, that great white attack the just happened was at a beach only a few miles from the beaches we go to when we are out in CA, scary.

Stepping Back

I had to take a step back today and really evaluate my life. Let me first explain why.

I woke up this morning cup of coffee in hand, sat down at my computer ready to download the pictures off my camera. I try to do this on a regular basis so that it never becomes an overwhelming task and like other areas of my life stays organized.

Imagine my surprise when I sign on to my log in and find I no longer exist. My pictures are gone, my calender is blank, my i tunes library empty.

Freaking out is putting it mildly, I think several four letter words came out of my mouth for which I was thankful my children were not in the room.

My whole day became consumed with solving this problem, how could this happen? If I am able to fix this could it happen again? What if I am not able to fix this?

I pondered these questions and then had the thought what if I never had pictures saved on the computer, never had an ipod, kept my calender on the wall in my office. I would never have had a reason to be so upset. Maybe I should not allow technology to run my life, maybe some things are better off the old fashion way. Or at least maybe my dumb ass will get virus protection that actually works, and save things to discs for back up. I decided to go with the latter.

Frustrated

My life and time is not my own. Every time I try to sit and let the overflowing thoughts from my head be released on to the paper ( or in this case the computer screen) I'm always interrupted by something maybe it's the dog getting into something she's not supposed to, or maybe the phone rings, or most often the culprit is Brenden my 3 year old. In this day of electronics we constantly depend on cell phones, and ipods, nav systems and game boys, with out them we are naked, we are lost. Go back 20 years, I did not have any of these. When I left to go somewhere I used the phone attached to the wall to inform my parents I had arrived safely. If we needed directions we again used the phone attached to the wall to call where we were going and get directions which we hand wrote on paper (not printed from map quest) we listened to the radio and tapes. I remember being excited to get my first boom box which played the new latest greatest thing called CD's. It's amazing how only a few years later all of those things are obsolete. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the conveniences of having a cell phone I love listening to my ipod especially when cleaning however I don't think that this next generation has a clue how to get through the day with out all the fancy electronic gadgets and sadly my children are becoming part of this norm. When I tell Caden to go play in his room it's not long before he comes out asking to play video games or on the computer because he's bored, now Brenden wants to play on the computer all the time. Where would we be with out all this technology? Maybe life would not be as easy but I think society as a whole would be thinner and smarter from actually having to use it's brain. Ok enough venting for one day. Good night.

Waiting for spring to well... spring!

Isn't it funny how the weather can effect our mood. When it's sunny and bright our mood seems more cheerful, when it's gloomy and gray we just seem more down. Well today it was both sunny and bright and gloomy and gray so my mood seemed to go up and down as if it were on a roller coaster at an amusement park.

These teaser days of 70 degrees and sunshine have me longing for full on spring, bring on the carpi's and flip flops.

I think I'm ready for spring and summer more this year then ever before. If things go as planned ( which they may or may not) we will get pregnant with our third and final baby this fall which means that this summer will be my last for a few years to enjoy no diapers and kids that are mostly self sufficient. The thought of traveling or just finding a baby sitter when you have 2 kids is okay but throwing that new baby in to the mix is really going to shake things up.

I will admit that the older my boys get the harder I have to talk myself into having another baby, yet I'm not ready to say that my child bearing days are over because that seems so final and makes me feel so old. I know that turning 30 is nothing more then another birthday out of what I hope will be several more so really I don't need to make a big deal out of it yet something about turning 30 makes me feel like my youth will be gone forever.

I'm not ready to be middle aged and I'm defiantly not ready for my children to be on the down side to turning 18 and I know I still have a few years before that happens but these last few years have gone by so fast that it's inevitable that the next will as well.

So today I pray that GOD gives me the wisdom and ability to age gracefully and enjoy what I have left of my youth without being immature. To be the best mother and wife that I can be while still enjoying my independence and freedom. I am a mother , I am a wife but that's not all that I am and I want to embrace every part of my life as if it were a piece of pie that when they are all put together makes the pie whole and damn it's good!

Spring Fever

Spring is finally here! Now that the weather is getting better I find myself waking up and wanting to shout " Rejoice for this is the day that the LORD has made!"

Caden has started another session of soccer which is exciting because he actually understands how to play and watching him is fun not embarrassing (which I shouldn't admit, but it's true none the less)

Brenden has been doing gymnastics for 2 months now and he seems to really enjoy going.

Joe is headed to his last shift at work this hitch then tomorrow he's on his way home! I'm looking forward to having him home for a holiday, that doesn't seem to happen often. And since the weather has been nice we plan to go to the zoo while he's home as well.

Michelle and I are going to MAC for makeovers next Friday, I'm looking forward to that, of course I get excited just going to the MAC store but getting a makeover is a bonus!

Things have been going well and for that I am greatful!

My birthday

So I had a good birthday, they always come and go so fast. Michelle saved the day, I was totally bummed that Joe was not home and that since everyone pretty much works the day was going to be so ordinary. Now I was raised in a house where your birthday is a very special day, you get to do what ever you want, eat what ever you want, no chores etc... so now that I'm all grown up I still like that one day every year to be about ME. Joe did send me an email to wish me a great day which was really sweet, but sitting at home doing nothing just didn't make they day special. So Michelle came over and we went out to lunch, over to Ross then to Coldstone ( try the sweet cream ice cream, w/ black cherries and dark chocolate shavings so yummy in a Cherry Garcia kinda of way!) then Michelle had me over for dinner home made chicken noodle soup, very tasty. It was so nice not to have to cook and clean for one day.
Back to reality today though and the knowledge that I am 29 years old and it doesn't feel like it was that long ago when 29 years olds were old to me, scary.

My good friends Jess announced that she is pregnant, I'm so happy for her and excited to share the journey with her. Another count down begins!

Pure Frustration

So frustrated today! Hit the floor running, first Caden's basketball game, then back home to let Zoey out, then down to Erie to check out a cleaning job which I started and invested an hour and a half of my time to save more time tomorrow, then back home to let Zoey out, then to Longmont to Melissa's jewelry party, then back home to let Zoey out. Brenden had stayed with my grandma so when she invited me down to have dinner (and pick Brenden up) I should have said yes but since my butt was so tired from all the running I did I said I'm to tired, and now my parents think I'm horrible for taking advantage of my grandma, I'm the young one I shouldn't be that tired I should have driven down to get him. So now I feel like crap on top of being tired. Not to mention I have to call the vet again because Zoey has stared peeing all over the house again, not big pee spots but little trickles all over the place, super annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Being fruitful

Joe comes home tomorrow and I am so greatful to have him back, this hitch I really missed him.

I went to church at Vinelife today, Michelle had told me that the music would be good, and it was. The message was good too. God calls us to bear fruit as we navigate through our spiritual journey. Bearing fruit meaning pass on the good word of God to others. It can be something as simple as volunteering for church because you never know who's life you might touch that way or something more delibrate as getting involved with missions to preach to those who might otherwise never hear about the word of God or accept Jesus into their hearts.

It definalty made me what to bear fruit in the name of Jesus and do my part to help carry on his legacy!

Today I start fresh!

Yesterday was a very hard day for me. From the moment I woke up till the moment I went to bed I seemed to be consumed in negativity. Caden had an attitude for which he is in his room now working on an apologie note for me. And Brenden, well I guess you just have to ask for an extra scoop of patience and calm each morning to get through a day with him. As for the dog well let me just say love her to pieces, will never own a puppy again! Being a single mom for 10 straight days has it's ups and downs, yesterday I had more downs today I'm focusing on more ups. I do believe that each new challenge that we face just makes us more of who GOD wants us to be and if you turn your eyes to him in prayer and thankfullnesss you will see your situation in a new light.

I'm now back home after taking Caden to his basketball game. He played better then last week but still has far to come. Brenden did ok for me considering I was the only one responsible for both of them which when they are doing two different things can be rather challenging. I refused to let them ruffle my feathers and that has been a good thing. Travis and Jess stopped by to fix the chair Brenden broke yesterday which if Travis can fix it will save us about $175 to replace it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Busy Busy Busy

We went out to Oskar Blues for Michelles birthday dinner last night and had a great time. I thought that the food was yummy and the company and conversation were enjoyable!. This morning we had Cadens first basketball game. So he did better then his first soccor game where he was completely lost and was wandering aimlessly up and down the soccor field and Joe and I were asking other parents who's kid that was, it was not that bad. However he definitely needs practice, so today we got him a ball and Joe has vowed to work with him a little each day to help him learn to control the ball and figure out that when you are guarding someone you are supposed to stay in front of them and keep them from getting the ball instead of stepping aside and saying here you go take a free shot on me!
My in laws have been here 2 nights now and it's going really well, I enjoy their company. Yesterday we took the boys to the Museum of Nature & Science. It was really cool, lots of interesting exhibits and we did the planetarium show where I thought Brenden would talk and want to leave but for the 25 minute show he sat and watched in awe it was neat to watch. Then about 3 different times later in the evening Kathy (Joe's mom) told us that he told her " I like space!" we will definitely go back!

Refuse to stress

Ok so my in laws are comming for a visit tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing them and having a reason to go do fun stuff, however I always feel like my house has to be perfect so they think I'm a good wife and mother. So needless to say I end up feeling stressed out. My mission this trip is to not sweat the small stuff. I refuse to be stressed and thats that!

We are going out to Oscar Blues For Michelle's B-birthday this Friday, I'm really looking forward to it. My parents went there last week and said it was good food, good music. Joe got home last night, I'm glad he's back, though his 10 days will fly by this time.

I always enjoys seeing him for the first time after he's been gone, it's always a good reunion. This job has been such a blessing for our marriage. I miss him when he's gone, I look forward to his calls and his return, something that didn't exist in our relationship for a long time. I can honestly say that I am in love with my husband instead of just loving him. I enjoy our time together and look for ways to constantly improve what we have gotten back. I treasure my time with him and thank GOD everyday for that.

Why is blogging so hard for me?

So I am horrible at even figuring out this blog thing, Michelles page is so good. She is very crafty like that. I on the other hand am not. I'm just proud of myself for finally being able to handle my myspace page. This blog thing is another story! But I vow to keep trying!