Tonight is Awana Night!

The kids are always so excited for Awana! It is fun to listen to them learn the verses and songs. This week, Ashlynn continues to learn the books of the New Testament. I don't remember learning them at five years old, but then again, I don't remember alot of those details! If you ask Ted, it is because I am old (almost forty...aagghh!...not for 3 years yet), but I am convinced it is because of loss of brain cells as I listen to Barney songs, toxic fumes from various forms, the birthing process, the lack of sleep, extremely hot dish water to kill germs, and other such varients...such is the life of a mother!

When Daddy Comes Home

When Daddy comes home, the world is right again! Ted walked through the door and all was calm and peaceful. I could feel myself heave a sigh of relief! Later, Teddy crawled up on Ted's lap and told him, "I promise, Daddy, I won't make Mommy cry tomorrow!" So far he has kept good on his promise...and has jumped to do as he has been asked and right away! I notice that behavior patterns cycle through our house...a reminder that we are still in the training part of life...some days will be better than others...and those others...well, a good cry helps to get through them!

The Big Blizzard that really wasn't

"Where's all the snow?" The weathermen in our area had us ready for inches of snow, but we ended up with more rain/sleet which makes more slush! I, however, appreciate the 30 degree temps...it makes it easier to put everyone in the car to take Ashlynn to school! (Some days that is quite a challenge!)...springtime is coming and we are ready, just as soon as I take down our snowman tree! Sorry there isn't a picture, but it is really cute! I now have accumulated quite a collection of snowmen/snowflake figures to give them their own space. Last year, I kept it up to the end of February...it adds a special glow to the livingroom during the gloom of the winter days.

My Best Friend-My Sister

There are many people along life's way that we call our friends, but not many really know how to be a good one! When I think of a friend, I think of the verses that talk about "iron sharpening iron" and "sticketh closer than a brother". I think of my sister and the bond that we share...not only by our blood, but because of Christ's blood...and that relationship has made all the difference in our relationship! This picture was taken this past summer at the lakehouse while both of us were in pain...Mari was in extreme pain and ended up having back surgery shortly after she got home. We have shared many things...clothes, shoes, hairstyles, favorite scents, videos, candles, music, hobbies, pregnancy clothes and hormones, baby clothes, stamps, tears, furniture, laughes, make-up, heartaches, hugs, books, ideas, and now even back pain/surgery. Mom would tell us when we were growing up, that "some day you will wish you could be together and do things together"...and she is right! I took for granted the time we had together while we all lived in Rockford...until Brad and Mari moved to Michigan. What sweet times we had...and sweet times to look forward to when we get together now! Dear friend, this sister of mine, I love you! Thank you for sticking by me like no other and being that iron that sharpens and encourages me...by your life and your words!

Girl's Night Out

We, Tacky girls, went with our good friend, Angie, to the Metro Centre for Disney on Ice! She won tickets and shared them with us! We ate nachos and watched the girls take in all the "magic" (Alisa sat with her mouth open and hands on her face) It was alot of fun...thanks Angie!

Why Do They Do Things Like That?

I love nap time...peace and quiet for a short while...time to get caught up on Tuffy projects or household chores or craft projects undisturbed! Today, a fresh baked brownie added a happy feeling. THEN...
I pass by Teddy's room (after he has been up from a nap for awhile) and notice the door almost closed...oh, I mean, it is opened as far as it will go (about 2 inches) BECAUSE HE HAS EMPTIED HIS WHOLE DRESSER OUT IN FRONT OF THE DOOR... "TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF MY ROOM"...So part of his nap was spent messing around and making a huge mess...I had to walk away from the whole scene after telling him (not in a composed way...tell me you have no idea what I mean!) to pick it up...so I ask the unanswerable question...why do they do things like that? He has never done that before...even when he was littler! I mean socks, underwear, pjs, the whole dresser is on the floor...

The Midnight Snacker (a true story)

This morning we awoke to Ashlynn and Alisa giving Teddy the "what for!" He was curled up on the livingroom couch asleep...with a bag of marshmellows tucked in beside him. When questioned about the bag, he said, "I was verwy hungry and needed a snack so I could sleep." What a way to wake up...your sisters letting you have it while you cope with a sugar rush! Thank goodness, Chevy was sleeping on our bed, or we would have had a more interesting story!

One Tuffy Family

This morning Teddy and Alisa and I went looking for a magazine rack for Daddy and the shop. Alisa offered that if we couldn't "find what we were looking for, we could just make them for Daddy. We can take some cereal boxes and cut them and they can hold the magazines...just like that!" This kid doesn't miss anything...that is what I do to hold all my craft, ME Home, Family Fun, and etc. magazines! Much to her Daddy's relief, we found what we were looking for! A craft-conscious-girl after my own heart!

The Main Men in My Life

They all have different qualities that make them unique! They make messes, like to eat chicken fingers and chocolate chip cookies, like tools, monster trucks, race cars and loud noises, make funny sounds and smells and laugh, dress up pretty sharp, love to cuddle and give kisses, help take care of the girls, can't find things when looking for them, help with the household chores (and in pretty short order!), like to do special things for Mom, warm and fuzzy, smell good (sometimes), have short hair, and keep me warm in bed at night (Teddy is a roamer). Yep, I feel pretty blessed to have such wonderful guys living with me and looking out for me (and my girls)!

The snow is melting...spring is coming?

Teddy looked outside this morning and yelled, "The snow is melting! Now we can ride our bikes outside on the grass." All I could think of was "oh, yea! muck and mud!" For weeks, we have been having the same conversation, "When can we go to the lakehouse?" I would tell the kids to look at all the snow, "When the snow melts and stays gone and the grass starts getting green...then it will be time to start thinking about it!" This week the temps are creeping toward the 40s...spring fever will set in soon! We look forward to making the 45 minute trek to Lake Koshkonong in Milton, Wisconsin...our happy place!

No Pictures for now

Due to a malfunctioning camera, we will be unable to bring photos to this blog for the time being! No pictures of our log house as it tumbled in on itself...it tasted good to the builders anyway! Our little cherry tarts are so cute and yummy...to me...but the kids quoted from their Daddy as they looked at them..."FRUIT IS NOT DESSERT!" So I will eat one with a cup of coffee and take some to Grampy...he will appreciate them!

Happy President's Day!

To Ashlynn this means no school...to Alisa and Teddy this means a playmate...to Ted just another day of work...to me a messed up schedule and routine (we are dealing fine! pj's till 11 am)...to Americans it should bring a heart of gratefulness! I listened to Ted tell about a customer who was asking his son why he had no school on Monday...he said, "I don't know, they said we didn't have school, something about President's Day." A highschooler in the average American school had no idea what the big deal was...scary future for America I'd say...obviously the basic principles our country was founded on are not being taught any more, if the men that made our nation great aren't being remembered! So we have introduced George Washington and Abraham Lincoln at our house! We are building a pretzel log house for lunch too...mmm...and making a cherry pie for supper. Will post comments later...they should be interesting!