Another time when the phrase "Uff Da!" fits!

An all liquid/soft diet is already getting old...pudding, applesauce, jello, yogurt, frappe...

A request granted that lasted all day...thanks to my guys!

It is all sweet. 

Tomorrow which is today, I need to do soup or something...something savory.  Ashlynn offered to blend up supper...I GAGGED, THEY LAUGHED.  I had a few small bites of supper thanks to Grandma...but I have hit the sore stage now and not much is enjoyable.  I am having trouble getting comfortable...and here it is almost 1:00am...and I am tired!

The swelling has increased...inspite of the use of my cold packs and the bruising has come out.  Teddy wanted to know why I was bruised on my face.  I told him that is where the oral surgeon put his foot when he was yanking out my teeth.  The look on his face said 1. he didn't believe me or 2.  I scarred him for life. 

Chipmunk cheeks it is for the duration.  The nurse said day 3-5 could be the worst...as of right now...I am tending to believe her.  I felt pretty good all day...tonight...which is now morning...has taken a nose dive!

To quote my daughter, "My Mom looks awful!"

Yes...this was NOT one of the things on our summer bucket list of fun...but it was on the dentist's list...once again proving my theory that every time I go to the dentist "something has to be done or come out...even with a good report of no cavities!"  I guess he calls this "preventative medicine"!?  I say "why borrow trouble"...but here I am less four wisdom teeth.  I have the best Mom that lives here in town to help me, and I appreciate her willingness to go with me and let me have a few "non-brave tears" in the car.  Just knowing she was in the waiting room gave me peace of mind...and knowing my Mom and Dad were praying a couple hundred miles away helped too!  My sister, sister-in-law, and friend checking in on me made me feel loved too...all who know the ins and outs of this process...better than google right now.

The oral surgeon and his staff were very kind and quick!  The iv sedation was quick, painless, and very effective...I barely remember getting in the car or the drive home wrapped in an ice pack.

Ted kept time for gauze changes, meds, ice, and drinks.  I found out I prefer eating my pudding (pre-Vicodin nourishment) with a plastic spoon.

Alisa hovered and brought me my pill...and when I told her she could take a picture...she hesistated.  "I told Grammy and Grampy I would let them know how I was doing...it's ok."  The swelling isn't too bad and the pain minimal...we will see in a few hours how it all goes!  First time ever...eating pudding at 2am and waiting for the Vicodin to make me sleepy again.  I fell asleep with the cold pack on...so I am waiting for that to re-freeze too.  I am thankful it is over and my family is taking wonderful care of me!

Time to climb back in bed...Chevy is pacing...wondering what in the world I am doing up at this hour.

Notice the three coupon sheets on the fridge...I think the kiddos have meal plan ideas ready for Daddy!

At first glimpse...they look like lifesavers...

but then again...

maybe it is more like fruit loops!

Either way...they were very entertaining!

"Summers are supposed to be like this."

Sometimes, I feel guilty for taking my time to get moving in the morning...drinking my coffee in my pjs, letting the kiddos have time to do whatever, and not having any real plan for the day.  Then other times...I don't feel guilty at all...like today!  We usually keep schedule and work hard at seeing things accomplished...ruled by the clock and calendar from late August through May.  

A couple days here and there of down time throughout June through August are good! 

We have checked a few things off our "to do" list just in time...

the heat moves in today...and the clear water is calling to us. 

I'll start a load of laundry before we head out.  The kiddos are straightening their rooms.  The dishes in the sink are dry and will be put away as we pack up a lunch.  Supper ideas are floating around in my head.  Maybe I wouldn't feel the need to have a plan if we were gone somewhere, but I always have a list of things that I should be doing when we're at home...always feel like I'm on the edge of forgetting to do something...or I didn't do enough.  I guess that is called adult responsibility...because I re-checked my calendar on the phone...and there isn't anything marked.

  I remember how summers were when I was younger...they seemed so carefree and un-rushed.  I'm sure my parents had their "to do" lists because life was just as busy for them.  The kiddos...well, we went from one thing to another and back again.  So...I am trying to temper those moments...the lazy days of summer with the responsibilities of life...attempting to make everyone happy and enjoy fun memories.

Because...summers are supposed to be like that...right?!?!

"Hey, how about we paint the shed today!?!"

I didn't intend to paint today...but then I let the dog out and realized what a beautiful day it was!  Perfect for tackling a job that needed to get done this summer!  We donned our painting clothes and were painting by 9:30am.

"Do you think Dad will notice when he comes home for lunch?" they asked.

Oh...I am pretty sure he will notice!  Our goal...have the one side completely finished by 11:30am...we beat that goal by a half hour.

Teddy liked doing the "up high stuff".  We found out that we are messy when we paint!

We had paint all over us...and a few spills on the grass.

We finally quit for the day at 4:30pm...with a foot and a half wide strip left on the back wall.

We may have had it completely done...but we had to re-group after Teddy stepped on a nail.  He tried to keep painting...but it was too sore...so his sister finished his "spoke for part".

"Do you think we did a good enough job for Dad?" asked Ashlynn as we cleaned up.

I was pretty sure...but Dad made a huge deal over a job well done at supper!

It really does look nice...and the grass will get cut and eventually you won't know how messy we got.

I felt bad for him...especially after warning the kiddos to watch out for boards with nails, weeds, snakes, and their other siblings with paint brushes.  "Many hands make light work!"   And I am so glad we were able to get this project underway...and introduce the kiddos to the joys of painting!

Even after showers and scrubbing, we are still splotched with white paint!

Happy 10th Birthday, Alisa!

Sunday dinner with Papa and Grandma as her guests.

Her cake request...a funfetti cake with store bought frosting in a can ("I don't care what flavor.") and sprinkles on top.

Making a wish...that maybe her brother would  back off?!

Our silly girl...was pleased with her cake...and it wasn't hard to tell!

Presents...

that will be very useful for camp.

Family fun on a Saturday

Our Daddy's work hosted a family picnic today.  Teddy got to invite a friend...that way everyone had a buddy!  It worked great!  The kiddos took off to ride rides...

and my buddy and I hung out together...sometimes in the shade!

Alisa giggled the entire ride as she kept sliding into and smashing her sister in the Scrambler.

The Tilt-O-Whirl for four...with no extra spinning effort.

The first treat...from the Schwan man's truck!  MMMM!

Next stop...water bottles...then...

The Spider.  See a theme?  All rides were spinning, twirling, fast rides...for the big kids..."Come on, Dad and Mom, don't you want to ride?"

Uh...the answer would be "No!"  We want to enjoy our day and we want you to enjoy your day!

These rides and games are for you to enjoy!  "I'll take pictures!"

Our favorite ride...sitting in the chairs under the big tent eating yummy food from The Machine Shed!

Oh...my...was it good!  And there was so much of it...and other treats too!

I decided that we are having fruit for supper!  Wow!

Right up the boy's alley! 

"Oh, man!  It is harder than you think!"

Can you say "Sugar Rush?!"

Sweets for our sweets...oh. my. word.

Another attempt...with Dad cheering him on...

and he made it to the top and pushed the horn!

A very nice event for families to enjoy! 

The company doesn't have to do special things like this...

but it sure is a nice treat when they do!  We really enjoyed it...plus...

it was within walking distance of our home!

A beautiful day for a drive...and a wedding!

On our way...to deliver the flowers and be a part of Aunt Sara's special day.

I treated my companions to a cool treat...it made it tolerable for Alisa...who had socks in her hair.

It kept Ashlynn's mouth busy...between the endless questions.

It gave me...another jolt of caffine.

As the kiddos call the power plant stacks...the "cloud makers".

Two cute "guestbook" attendants.

A spiffy little dude and the mother of the bride.

A beautiful setting in which to say "I do!"

We will wait for the pictures that the photographer took of the special day.

It was fun...and it is the last wedding for this family...for a while!

Snapshots of rehearsal...for family that can't make it...we will miss you!

A beautiful drive along the Rock River to White Pines Wedding Canyon.

Such a pretty setting!

Talking through details at the site.

The parents...and other family members patiently waiting.

Practicing.

Dinner at White Pines State Park...with lots of little black beetle type bugs..."Mmm, extra protein!"

Crossing the water over the road bridge...second time went better than the first!

Cornfields at sundown...pretty and refreshing.

Many hands made the job of setting up for the reception go quickly!  Guess what my job involved...

and guess what part of the table the kiddos were drooling over!?!  The idea is neat...they are serving all their favorites for the the reception!  Yum!