A Peaceful Sunday Afternoon Shattered...

by the screams of a five year old girl running for her life...from a "wiggly snake with orange(?) and white stripes that was this long (the above picture). It moved very fast like this...(acted out)." "It's ok, Daddy is here!" (as Mommy was laughing hysterically from the back door INSIDE the house...because Daddy is a big chicken when it comes to snakes!) We remember the time when Ash was a baby and we got one in the house...under the fridge it hid...and when it came out "SuperDaddy" chopped it into a million pieces with the icechopper in the backroom...and hence the new addition (not really the reason for the building project, but we don't get snakes in the kitchen now!) Oh, just in the basement last year...a baby one, but none the less...a snake! With the redo of the front wall of the house and front porch, Daddy says we shouldn't have any more surprise visitors inside...I don't know, would you believe the guy who didn't give the full details of what they found in the front wall of the house during demolition...yep, snake skins..."pretty good size for garter snakes" (said in a casual tone around the table of adults one fine evening...after keeping it hush hush for four months!) HMMM!? Well, we didn't see the snake today...saw some sticks that may have given her a start...but the way her heart was thumping and the history of our yard, we are pretty sure Ash saw one, "a mommy one". "Daddy, I just don't understand snakes!" Well, baby, Daddy doesn't either!

Rainy Days = Messy Rooms

How many legos does it take to make a grown woman cry? One...if she doesn't watch where she steps!
How many clothes are actually in the dressers? I don't know...does the top count too?
All play and no work makes for a very messy room and beautiful girls! Hmmm, I wonder if this is how Cinderella must feel?!
Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day...this poor Mommy wants her children to go out and play.
I propose to have a contest...whose house is the messiest! We always see whose house is clean and neat and picked up! But how bad can it really get at your house...when you are at your worst?!

Where has the week gone?

All of a sudden it is Friday again and I stand here wondering where the week went and what did I accomplish. Then the comment this morning from the backseat, "Mommy, do we have to go to any stores today?" I realized we did an awful lot of running...how do I know?

1. When the riders have passed the bickering stage to the quiet stage.

2. When my passengers give a running commentary on everything they see outside.

3. When we can't wait to get to Daddy's shop for a bathroom break.

4. When the backseat drivers are telling me when to go or stop...and not cheat (?).

5. When my passengers begin singing the next song on the cd before it begins playing.

6. When lunch/snack orders are being given everytime we pass a fast food place...

yep, it is time to spend some time at home and get the land legs back!

Lakehouse Moments

Haircut by Grandma..."brain-sucking" by Daddy! Opening weekend at the lakehouse. It was gorgeous weather! We all relaxed and enjoyed one another's company...our favorite time is in the morning with a cup of coffee sitting around the table together...eating a donut that Papa went out to get just for his grandkids! We are so thankful for the family that we have!!! This past weekend we were surrounded by them...God is good in giving us the time with our parents and family! We love them!

The Big Girls Party

Our church had a Ladies Spring Banquet (once called Mother/Daughter) on Saturday and the girls were so excited about getting to go to the "big girls party"! They did very well for their first formal event. The food was absolutely wonderful!!! The portions were so large, we took a huge plate home with us. The men of our church did a great job serving us...even found ranch dressing for dipping! Alisa was on the verge of "never going to a ladies party again" without the ranch for her chicken. I ask you, who puts ranch on chicken corden bleu? A four year old!
Mrs. Price, from MBBC, was our speaker. It was nice to see her and have a short visit. She did a monologue on Ann Judson's life...the girls liked her "costume".

A Bouquet for Me!

My girls made sure I got the first bouquet of the season! They squealed when they saw all the "pretty yellow flowers" at the playground. We enjoyed the simple pleasures this weekend as we went up to the lakehouse as a family. What beautiful weather we enjoyed! God blessed us with rest...time to just be still and come together as a family. We look forward to going back up soon...the kids cried when we left...it is hard to remember it is only April and we still have a month of school...then K5 graduation!

Saturday Musings

Blogging...a way to escape reality for a little while, have a place to call my own and set it the way I would like with noone to mess it up, and blah, blah, blah, details, details, details, yada, yada, yada...without overwhelming anyone who does not wish enjoy the musings of the life and times of a domestic engineer and goddess...you may call me Esmeralda!
The other alternative is to go to your parent's house nightly and crawl into a fetal position till supper is ready...some days are like that!
Rather than blog last night, Ted and I took Auntie up on the offer of childcare and we went to Mom and Dad's! It was so nice...grownups, beautiful weather, hamburgers on the grill, eating in the screened in porch, coffee and fresh chocolate chip cookies, and good conversation! No interruptions save the phone solicitors.
We appreciate our parents and enjoy the time we can spend together...so thanks, Mom and Dad, for sharing your time with us! We laughed, we ate, we talked, we drank, we skipped the details, we sat up in our chairs like grownups, and we left with lighter, merrier hearts!

A Little Peace and Quiet

Why is it that kids tend to be their naughtiest, when we are at our weakest? I am not talking about all three children today...just the youngest, who is right now (I think) confined to his room for a nap. He should be tired after all the activity he has had...walking down the street to his friend's house about 8:30 am (sorry about that, ks!) I won't post all the activities of the day, because it is a little daunting for the faint of heart...all I know is I am ready for some peace and quiet for however long the nap will last! Thank you girls for being good!
I will sip my bottled iced coffee...not bad when in a pinch...and browse through my springy issues of my favorite magazines! Of course, this will come after my office work is done...just about the end of naptime! It never hurts to dream of peace and quiet and no responsibilities!

I don't know what is up with the times for posts...I am not functioning till 8 am...must be PT!? Because it is 2 pm now!

If You Give A Kid A Cookie...

...he is a happy camper! Teddy wanted "aireo" cookies on his ice cream for lunch. We figured out what he was saying and had a good laugh. We found more cookies for a snack on the way home from the lakehouse...it was hard work...playing with all the toys and then picking them up!

If You Give A Mouse Some Decon...

...there are alot of little trails to clean up! We took a load of stuff up to the lakehouse and since the water was already on...we stayed to clean because the potty worked!!! The mice made their presence known this year...I forgot to take a pic of the mound of blankets and comforters we brought home to wash! No screaming was heard...we were very brave! But you can be sure we cleaned everything! We will do the cabinets and drawers when we turn hot water on this weekend. The kids had fun playing with the "lakehouse" toys inside and outside. The weather is to be beautiful for the weekend....we are glad we got the yucky part done! Only one dead mouse found inside...yours truly was able to scoop it up without causing a scene! (gaggy gross)

IF HE LOOKS GUILTY...HE PROBABLY IS!!!

The Easter Stilles...Almost sounds like Easter lilies! hee, hee, hee

A new family picture was sent today and I just had to share! Everyone is growing up so quickly...but little Mari is sitting next to...oh, Mari! Wow!...flashback to our childhood! I miss my sis and the kids miss their cousins...we may have to drive through Chicago and back to spend some time with you!!!

Kid's Rooms...the picked up view

Teddy's race car room...his bed is a Little Tyke race car too that we got from our friends.


Meet "Vanna Ashlynn" as she showcases their closet...notice old closet doors...made the room darker. I am excited because it has been over three weeks now and the closet is still neat! Good job, girls! The curtains still need the ribbon accents...haven't gotten all the colors yet. We have caught Teddy (the girls have done it too...we just didn't see them) swinging on the curtains like Tarzan...

Temporary Insanity

I had to move my craft area for some remodeling work in the basement and it seems like all I do is add to the pile and shrink my workspace...I have so many projects piled on the table I don't know where to start! I am insane to have so many project expectations...that, or I have an extreme case of ADD/ADHD...which, as a Mother, is part of my DNA now.

I have two wedding gifts I am working on. Birthdays galore in the summer and only one of those complete. I need to make a teacher thank you. Oh, Mother's Day is coming. And Father's Day. Then I got a great idea to make curtains for our lakehouse bedroom yesterday...so I added the pile of fabric squares to the mess.

I never seem to have a block of uninterrupted time to see a job through to the end. Aunt Sara took the kids on Friday for me and that time was spent on Tuffy work...I ignored the "want to" pile and focused on the "need to" piles. So, I continue to go back and forth between the piles of insanity, and hopefully, I will get something done!

Food Network Junkie

The cake for Grandma Great's 85th surprise birthday party. I used her favorite flower...lily of the valley for decor. It was yummy! White cake, layer of vanilla cream, and chocolate cake. We had a nice party and she was surprised!

Not sure, but I think I have a little girl who has turned into a Food Network junkie! Alisa loves to watch with me and picks up on everything that we see. Saturday, at Grandma Great's birthday party, she wanted a slice of lemon from the punch bowl. I said, "No, it was for decoration for the punch, and besides they are very sour." Alisa's reply, "Mom, I want to put it on the side of my glass to make it look pretty." Aunt Sara and I had a good laugh.

My Martha Stewart Inspired Kitchen

I love the brightness of my kitchen. I have collected apple accents for years and decided to keep the same "theme" when we did the remodeling work. My inspiration was a set of MS tea towels I found and used to make valances. The cabinets were very dark wood that we painted...even painted the ceiling fan blades! I love the laminate flooring...easy clean!

Should Be Taking A Nap...But I Want To Enjoy The Quiet Time!

Ahh, the quiet of a Sunday afternoon! Everyone else is slumbering peacefully and I have looked at the paper...undisturbed...and had a leftover cup of coffee...and am feeling quite awake and calm! The last few days have been a flurry of activity with a few stress-filled moments squeezed in for good measure...now it is quiet as everyone re-energizes for the upcoming week (which is filling up quite quickly)!

All I know is...Ashlynn's springbreak is over and we will rejoin the regularly scheduled programming!

After we accomplish the goals of this week, we look forward to heading up to the lakehouse for the weekend! The water and electricity will be turned on and clean up will begin! The kids are ecstatic! Ted told them this morning during their morning jam session (early risers pile on Daddy's lap in the recliner waiting for the sluggish). The guys need to work on leveling the pushed-out sections (I can't think of what they are called) and finding leaks in the roof...evidence was found a couple weeks ago. The girls will clean the winter cobwebs, make beds, and restock provisions. We are hoping that we will not find any presence of mice (which is not likely as the DeCon boxes were empty last check...ooyikes)! Whatever will be will be...and we shall deal with it like adults...rubber gloves, dogs, tongs, plastic containers, and little girls screaming for us! It is not right that we have to be brave for the children and husbands.

A Three Hour Tour

Our livingroom once was where all the action took place! Now it is a sitting room and part playroom...the couch often being used as some means of transportation. My favorite piece is Gram's china cabinet! I am very protective of the glass doors and finery inside of it...and often have to send rambunctious children out of said area. I love the smell of the cabinet...it still smells like it did when it lived in Gram's kitchen/diningroom. I have the cup I bought at the tearoom where all the girls went the day of the funeral. The cup made it home safely from Idaho. It sits on the top shelf next to the rose from Gram's funeral. Wonderful, sweet memories are stored in that cabinet for me...and when I open the doors, the years scroll by and I remember getting the salt and pepper shakers out to help set the table. Gram always had a little spoon in the sugar bowl ready for coffee. Coffee always tasted the best out of the fine bone china cups with Gram's yummy cookie treats arranged on the tiered plates. I think it is time for a tea party!

The Tour Continues

This is also part of the addition that we put on our house. We spend most of our time in this area!
As you can see, Chevy likes any cozy spot to take a nap! Our dining area can handle several people around the table. Ted's dad made a bench for us and it works perfect on the side by the wall!

Peace...in the midst of the storm

This is a picture of a Lake Koshkonong sunset from last summer. I look at it and am reminded of what it would be like after the summer storms moved through the campground and all was calm. Life is not always calm. We find ourselves being tossed and rocked about on the waves of life...but I am so glad that I can go to my Savior and He can say, "Peace, be still!" I have an unspoken prayer request and I am asking my family and friends to pray for God's grace and wisdom for us right now. We need to know God's peace in the midst of the storm! Praise the Lord, He knows what is best for us and He is in control...I am clinging to that!

The Writing On The Wall

Here is your tour, Sara! This is our bedroom...and thus begins the tour of our home! This is part of the addition that was put on right after Teddy was born ('03). We added space to the kitchen dining area, a family room, and our bedroom. The ceilings are cathedral with two skylights...nice and bright!
This is my work in progress room...I just don't know what I want on the walls and how to lay it out. I have some more family pics I want to put up in black and white. (The lighting is deceiving...the walls are tan and the comforter red and tan.) A friend of Ted's made the bed for us...it was Ted's surprise for me before Ash was born. The dresser...my first antique purchase when I lived in MI!
As we move to other room...I may or may not leave them in their normal attire! We prefer the lived in look over the pristine clean look!

Some Jobs Are Never Done!

Ashlynn asked me when I was cleaning up the kitchen,
"Why are you washing dishes again?"
I had many smart comments run through my head, but responded as a godly mother ought and used "the teaching moment" (I am sorry, I cannot say/write that without rolling my eyes). I asked her how many times we eat in a day..."three, but we eat snacks too...and dessert! " I told her I had to wash the dishes, so they didn't pile up and take over the house! I have nowhere to hide them and noone to do them for me..."but I could! " Oh baby, you will, when you can tolerate a little warmer water than the normal cold you use. I will gladly let you and your sister wash and dry the dishes...for right now, we will let them air dry and you can help me put them away later! She skipped off happy at the prospect...I, on the other hand, had flashbacks of childhood wars at the sink...the chart, the arguing, the fussing, and the loneliness of finishing alone...so I come full circle...I don't mind standing and washing the dishes alone in my own thoughts and prayers...glad, that some jobs are never done because it means "alone time".

A Cozy Home

I love the feel of our home on a cold day! Everything seems so cozy...it is nice to get to stay inside today. We start the day with calm and quiet... everything is picked up. But with children...you know this is the calm before the storm! It is coming...you just never know when it will hit!

Spring snowstorm...time to craft

When we look out the windows today, it looks like we are living inside a giant snowglobe! Big, fluffy flakes are flying around and when they land, they make slush. It is day number three of Ashlynn's spring break...it is a good thing we were out and about the town yesterday!
Teddy went to the shop to hang out with Daddy and "the ladies went out shopping at the craft store" to quote Alisa. Michaels is not a place I go with three children and yesterday I wasn't quite sure the girls were ready for it either. They are redoing the store and the girls kept going down on the floor "finding treasures"...little screws and beads or parts of flowers that have been stuck under shelves for years...gross! We helped the salesclerks by dusting the floors with Ash and Sisa's pants...ugh! A couple of them walked by and smiled politely...probably thinking, "What mother in her right mind would bring children to a craft store?" I honestly thought it would be fun for them to look at all the neat stuff...all they wanted to know was "where do we get to do the crafts?"
"AT HOME...and don't ask me again! I am try to find something...get up off the floor! You just knocked all the stickers off their holder...watch where you are swinging your arms...can you pick that up...ok, now get up off the floor."

We ended the spree with a trip to Starbucks for a strong drink for Mommy and a treat for the girls...it is great fun to pick out your own drink from a cooler and split a cookie when you are 4 and 5! It is also fun to spend a gift card...so in reality, it was free!

The Evidence that Grandparents are in cahoots with the Easter Bunny!

Thank you for all the goodies and special treasures! Notice the new tablecloth and stamping/scrapping idea book (from my secret pal!). Grammy supplied me with a new cookie sheet (under all the sweets that are now hidden up high on a shelf in a basket!). The best part of the day was all the hugs and kisses from uncles, aunt, and grandparents!

Easter Sunday with the Tackeberry Family

Camo basket/helmet!
Great Grandma Norup



Part of the group...




The bunny and the carrot of Reeses pieces.

Egg picking with Alisa.

Treasure boxes

We love you, Grampy and Grammy!

All dressed up in our Easter finery and ready for church! Then to Papa and Grandma's for Easter dinner. Grampy and Grammy came too! We had 17 people for the gathering and wonderful food! The "Easter Bunny" left baskets on the front porch and Grandma hid eggs...even from herself! Grammy made treasure boxes to keep all the "finds" safe. Today...we are experiencing a sugar rush...as the little basket scavengers kept scarfing candy while grown-ups weren't looking. The evidence...the chocolate breath!