Dinner and a Movie

Tonight Josh, the kids, and I met Shay and her family in Chadron for dinner and a movie. We had the buffet at the China House and then went to see Monsters VS Aliens. It was a good movie and the kids loved it. Every few minutes Carter and Shay's son would laugh or talk really loud about something in the movie. It was cute. Then after awhile, Carter thought he needed to wear his Batman mask. (I am not sure why he brought it, but he did.) So here he sat in the dark with his black mask on. It is a 3D movie and I am not sure why we get Carter the 3D glasses because he only wears them for MAYBE 30 minutes, if that. He probably misses a lot of the movie watching it the rest of the time without his glasses on. Oh well. He seems to still enjoy it.


Of course if I go to a movie, then I have to blog about it and my opinion of it. I liked this movie and had quite a few chuckles. One thing that I really liked was how great the animation was. It was incredible! It made you feel like you were part of the movie. I recommend it.

We of course indulged in movie theatre popcorn with extra butter. Yum! Yum! I ate so much supper and popcorn but it was worth it.

With Josh working weekends, we now have to catch a movie with the kids together on a Tuesday or Wednesday night for the time being...Thanks Shay for the invite tonight. We had fun! Have a great night everyone.

Maxine Has A New Solution...

I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. What a beauty of a bird feeder it was, as I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.

But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile,the chairs, the table ..everywhere! Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.

After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be .... quiet, serene....and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

Now let's see. Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care and free education, and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen. Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor; your child's second grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English. Corn Flakes now come in abilingual box; I have to 'press one' to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than our flag are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties.

Just my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder.

*I have received many emails over the past few months on government issues, but this one was a favorite that I wanted to share with you all.

Been Busy

I have been busy these past few days. Friday night I had a few gals over for a Party Lite candle party with Phae. I think we all had a pretty good time and I got some AWESOME stuff! I can't wait for the order to come in! Thanks everyone for being a part of the party. :)

I woke up Saturday morning and headed up to Rapid with my kids to look for some new curtains for my living room. We looked everywhere and had no luck. I did however find many other little things to buy since I couldn't find my curtains.

Carter got a new dump truck and loader. The girls both got a new Webkinz to add to their collection. I got Josh a new Wii game. I found myself a few new pieces of clothing on sale. (I never buy anything not on sale.) I also found Josh a couple shirts and Carter got two new pair of jeans from Old Navy.

The kids and I had a great time. They behaved so well and it worked out perfect because we came home in the afternoon so Carter slept most of the way home.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Our weather is supposed to turn cold and snowy again late tonight through part of the week...I better get a good walk and jog in before tonight.

Now I am off to look for curtains online...if any of you have a favorite website to shop for home accessories, please leave me a comment.

A Day Off

Today is the first day in nearly 9 years of my childcare career that I have had an official snow day where none of my daycare kids could make it to my house. Usually when there is no school, my house is full of kids. Not today though. I had one mom who needed to get to work here in town but her car got stuck leaving the driveway so they stayed home. Two of my daycare parents work in Chadron so they stayed home too. The rest of my kids's parents are teachers so they all stayed home as well.

So...after we pouted again that the Wii is not working, we kind of went our own ways to enjoy the day. The girls have spent some time on the computer. Carter played the PS2 for awhile. He also ventured outside to help Josh shovel. They went downtown to get coffee earlier and Josh said none of the businesses except a couple were open.

I managed to squeeze in an hour and a half nap and I loved it! I woke up to the smell of pizza coming out of the oven that Josh and Carter fixed for lunch. That was nice of them! We had enjoyed a big breakfast this morning of French toast, eggs, and bacon so we decided to have a mild meal before we have left over Chicken Noodle Soup tonight for supper.

I better get some bookwork done that I keep stacking up. I don't know why I put it off. Once I start, I have no problem getting it done, and even don't mind it that much.

Have a great afternoon!

Pathetically Pouting

Josh didn't go to work today due to the bad weather that hit here. I am thankful he decided to stay home where he is safe. I thought it would be a great idea to have home made chicken noodle soup, some Wii time, and a warm evening with our family together.

THAT QUICKLY CHANGED!

After the last day care kids left, Josh went to turn on our BRAND NEW WII and it wouldn't turn on. He tried everything, read the manual, etc. but nothing. Then the power flicked off and on all night until it shut off right before the season finale of the show Jon and Kate Plus 8 that the kids and I like to watch. Augh!!! So frustrating. Then I went to read my book but it was too dark without lights and only candles for me to see...

We decided to jump in the Durango and get out of the house for my cell phone to charge. Right before we walked out the door the power came back on. I had to make a bank deposit so we left and on our way to the bank, a friend called and her pilot light was out on her furnace so Josh went and helped get it back to working.

Then we came home. The only traffic (not like there ever is much) were three maintainers/snow plows moving snow. It's the first time in a very long time that we have had 3 foot walls of snow down the middle of the streets. Even two of the three bars were closed and that NEVER happens.

Now the wind is blowing hard and the 6 inches of snow we have received is going every which-way. Even the icicles on the neighbor's house are crooked. They look funny hanging diagonally from the gutters. Lol!

Stay warm and safe...I really wish we were visiting you right now Rudy and Nicole! This Nebraska weather can be so ridiculous at times.

Anyways, when the weather is better, I am sending Josh back to Chadron to exchange our Wii for one that works. Have a great night!

A Great Day

We had a great day today! Our first agenda was to go to Walmart and get the kids a Wii. Yes, we are FINALLY owners of a Wii after contemplating FOREVER on buying one. So, being the nice mom I am, we get it home, Josh hooks it all up to be ready to play and then he has to leave for work. All three kids are excited to play and I said, "Nope, sorry, not right now. It is a beautiful day and we are going to take advantage of it before the snow hits tomorrow." They looked at me like I grew two heads, but I didn't care, we needed to be outside so we were and enjoyed it.

We went to the park with a couple friends and their kids for over an hour. Then we came back to my house and grilled. The food was great and the kids (all 8 of them) ran and played in the backyard while us ladies talked and laughed. It was a very nice time!

Then they left and I brought my kids in to...yes, FINALLY play the Wii. I have never played on a Wii so it was funny to have Kylah tell me what to do to bowl. I bowled two games with her and I am shameful to admit, I HURT REALLY BAD! My left butt cheek feels like somebody gave me a charlie horse and my right arm and shoulder feel like I was punched. (I am icing my back at the moment too.) Lol-I had fun but am shocked at how two games of bowling affected me.

I now have the kids to bed and am off to read my book. Have a great evening and have safe travels tomorrow in the rain/snow and wind we are supposed to be getting...Yuck!

Much Better

Ah, I feel much better this morning. I am up, showered, and ready for a nice day outside before this snow storm hits tomorrow and Tuesday.

So have a great day and I am off to enjoy the 3rd day of Spring!

The Flu...

I woke up this morning feeeling horrible! My head hurt, my stomach was churning, and I felt like I had been run over by a truck. Josh and I were suppose to power rake the yard but it was too wet-THANK GOODNESS! There is no way I could have helped him.

Kylah and Carter got home a little after noon from staying with their Gramps and Grandma Mary. Kait went to Evan's Plunge and the Mammoth Site with a friend so it was a some-what quiet day. Josh left for work at 2pm and I was still in bed. Actually, I didn't get out of bed until 5:41pm...

I don't know if I had a quit hit of the flu or what happened. I had a queasy stomach and unfortunately puked several times. Not fun! I hope none of my family gets this. I think I had a fever off and on too but was too lazy and tired to get a thermometer to check. It's not like I could have kept any medicine down if I did take it.

Josh seemed to think my "flu" was from my night on the town last night. Oh, how I wish that was the problem! If it were, a couple of ibProfin and a big glass of water would have cured that.

I took the kids to get icecream tonight at 7pm. It was lightning and thundering bad for awhile. Then an hour or so later, we got a nice, pouring rain. Now the house smells so fresh. I love it!

Now that I am feeling a lot better, I am wide awake. I slept most of the day away so maybe I will go read my book for awhile and see if that helps me get tired. Hope all of you were able to enjoy this beautiful day that I missed.

T.G.I.F.!!!!!

I am SO GLAD IT IS FRIDAY!! This gorgeous weather has been so nice for us to get out and about quite a bit this week. Last night after we had hamburgers at the Eagles, the kids, dogs, and I went for a walk/bike ride. Kylah and I walked the dogs and Kait and Carer rode their bikes. It wasn't a long walk, maybe a half mile or so but it was fun. Right before the walk ended, we were crossing the street at the end of our block and our dog Maggie jumped the curb and ran a little. Kylah was holding Maggie's leash and she tripped up the curb and hit the ground hard. She had the wind knocked out of her for a bit. After I helped her dust off, we raced to the house, and darn it- she won!

This morning I took the daycare kids outside to get some fresh air. We stayed out there for over two hours. They played and I cleaned up the alley right behind our backyard and my neighbor's yard. I threw tons of piles of leaves, tumble weeds, trash, and sticks away. It looks so much nicer. I don't like to have a "dirty" yard, so I spend a lot of time caring for it.

Carter got a call a little bit ago. Gramps is going to take him to the Bull Sale at the Sale Barn here in town. It starts at 1pm and he can't wait to go! He says he is going to have Gramps buy two bulls, one for Gramps and one for Carter! Lol-I am sure they will have fun. They always do together!

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Hope you all have a great day and not get pinched. The girls wore green and I dyed their hair green. I added a few green streaks actually, not all of it. I was going to get a picture but ran out of time before school this morning. Kylah thinks it is so cool to have green-streaked ponytails. She had to look in the mirror at least five times before she left. Kaitlin thinks its cool but not as big of a deal as her sister.

Birthday Fun

Kaitlin's giant M&M cookie she is taking to school tomorrow for her birthday.

We all had a great time yesterday...except my biggest concern was the fact I FORGOT MY DIGITAL CAMERA!!! I was so bummed...so I have no pictures of Kaitlin's 11th birthday.

One of the things I really wanted to show was the two cookies I bought for her to have instead of a traditional birthday cake. Craig and Tara were in Rapid Friday so I had them pick up my order from a bakery up there. (Thanks guys!) We got two kinds of cookies. The one we had yesterday for the party was a 16 inch round sugar cookie with a flower design on it. The other one is the same size but it is an M&M Cookie with swirls on it. I am sending that one to school tomorrow for Kaitlin's classroom. Kaitlin was so excited when we showed her the cookies. I didn't tell her I was doing it. She is not a big fan of cake so I knew this would make her happy. She is excited to take it to school to share with her friends tomorrow!

Birthday Girl

Happy 11th Birthday Kaitlin!

Happy birthday to my oldest daughter Kaitlin. She is 11 and it is hard to believe over a decade has gone by. I told her last night that since she is turning 11, I am getting old. I told her I was 29, and she said she thought I was 27 and that her dad was the old one because he is 31. I broke the news that both of her parents will be considered "old" in her world when July gets here.

She had her good friend Kalen spend the night. Kylah stayed at a friend's house and Josh had to work so it was just the two girls, Carter, and I home. I swear we have the most unfortunate luck when it comes to sicknesses and holidays or birthdays in our family. Carter started coughing two days ago. Yesterday he ended up with a 103 temp. The medicine broke the fever quite fast but of course it came back. I monitored him throughout the night and he didn't get warm again until 6:30am. His temp then was 99.9 so I gave him more medicine.

We are going to my mom's house to meet up with family for Kaitlin's birthday. I hope Carter feels well enough to go. I think he will be since his fever isn't high and he can rest at his grandma's house if he needs to. Poor little guy has had one very minor cold since September (we have all lucked out this winter) and then he gets sick the day before big sister's birthday. He was asleep by 8pm last night and back asleep with Josh this morning, so I am hoping the sleep helps him to feel better.

If the plans work out, we are going to Chadron to enjoy lunch and presents with my parents, Josh's mom, & two of my siblings and their families. Josh has to leave for work at 2pm so we want to get that done before he leaves. Then we plan on letting the cousins play so we can visit for awhile. Our first plan was to let the kids go see a movie tonight but with Carter not feeling so great I think we will make it an earlier night and make up a movie to Kaitlin next week.

The weather is supposed to be nice today and tomorrow. Hopefully you can get out and enjoy it this weekend. I will take some pics of Kaitlin's party and post them later tonight or tomorrow.

Thankful Thursday

1. Finding Josh's cell phone that has been missing for two days.

2. The great reports on our girls at parent teacher conferences.

3. Josh now has a car-pool buddy for the time being. Thx Jim!

4. My 6 days of stomach pains to finally be gone!

5. The health of the two babies on the way in our families.

Baby News

We were very excited to learn this morning that Josh's brother Chris and his wife Kortney are expecting a baby girl in July. We have had many discussions back and forth on if they were having a boy or girl. (I have been shopping for a couple months now for boy and girl clothes. It's so much fun! I figure maybeeeee this time there will be one of each.) Carter wanted a baby girl cousin he said so when I told him today what it is, he was super excited. The smile on Josh's face was awesome when he found out the baby was a girl. We are so happy for them! I think Carter wants a girl cousin because his "baby" cousins he sees the most are both girls.

Most of you know that my brother Craig and his wife Tara are expecting a baby as well, but in June. They decided to wait and to be surprised on if they are having a boy or girl, which is fine too. We are excited to have another two nieces/nephews born so close in age again. It's such an anticipated wait and it is so exciting for the "big days" to happen!

Alayna and Brooklynn were born just shy of 3 weeks apart so it's very exciting for Josh and I to once again have babies being born into our families so close together. These two babies are due a month apart. We can't wait and wanted to share the news.

Please keep our "mamas and babies" in your prayers for their health these next few months!

Burrrr!

So much for our nice weather we got to enjoy over the weekend. Now it is snowing, icy, and cold outside! March is notorious for this kind of weather so I should be expecting it.

Kailtin's birthday is Saturday. Every year for the past decade it is either 70 degrees out or a foot of snow. I guess we will see what this birthday brings.

Hope your Monday is good and you keep warm.

Jonas Brothers In 3D

Jonas Brothers In 3D!!!

Tonight I took the kids over to Chadron to watch the Jonas Brothers. Kaitlin went last night with some friends so she went to my mom's house and visited with her while we went to see Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas LIVE in 3D. Right before the movie started, I got Carter and Kylah the popcorn, candy, and drink kit and of course Carter's favorite- sour gummy worms. We got settled into our seats and Carter immediately put on his 3D glasses. He looked so cute half folded up in the huge theatre chair with these big glasses on his tiny face. Moments like that make me laugh.

There were only 8 other people in the theatre with us. I am sure every girl in Chadron went last week when it first came out. Anyways, we were in the middle of the show and Joe Jonas takes off his suit jacket and has on a lime green muscle shirt. I hear Kylah sigh and say, "Mom, look at his big, wet muscles." I nonchalantly replied, "Yep, Kylah, I see." Then she repeated herself a couple of times and said, "I am glad we came to see the Jonas Brothers, Mom. They are so cute!" I looked at her and said, "Yep, now let's watch the movie." Here I am thinking, this is something I should be hearing out of Kaitlin's mouth in a couple years, not out of Kylah's mouth at the ripe age of 6!!!

It was a good show for the kids and I am glad Kylah got to see the movie. Carter got a little tired towards the end and managed to eat the WHOLE pack of gummy worms. I thought he only ate a few but when the show ended I asked him for the package and he told me the worms were all in his tummy and handed me the empty package.

We got back into town a little after 9pm and Kaitlin went to stay at a friend's house again tonight. I said, "Don't you miss me a little to stay home?" She replied, "Ya, but I miss Kalen more...I haven't seen her since 5 o'clock tonight." So now she is with her twin having a sleep-over.

Hope all of you are having a great weekend! I am off to read James Patterson's newest book titled Run For Your Life.

Don't forget to set your clocks forward tonight for Daylight Savings Time!

Brisk Morning

Last night Kaitlin went to the movies and stayed the night at a friend's house. Kylah and Carter stayed out at Gramps and Grandma Mary's. Josh had to work so I was once again alone for the evening. I ran to Chadron to pick up some items at Walmart and then stopped to pick up Chinese take-out before heading home.

I got home and had my supper, did a few quick chores, then went downtown for a couple of hours with the 'girls' to catch up on life. I had a great time. Then Josh got home so we stayed up for an hour talking before going to sleep. He wanted to get up early today to go look for coyotes with a friend of his. They left at 5am.

I slept in, well, tried to sleep in but couldn't so I went and tanned then took my dogs out for a walk/jog/run. It is a very crisp, cool, morning here so all of the trees have ice crystals on them. I went on our trail here in town and the golf course was beautiful! I enjoyed the scenery and the extremely calm, quiet morning.

It feels good to finally be getting back into shape after so many years. I am secretly keeping my fingers crossed that this will strengthen the core of my back and I will have less problems. I summed it up to having the pains frequently after quitting all forms of exercise when the kids were born. It's time to get back to feeling good!

Thursday

Oh my gosh! It seems like yesterday I was typing my Thankful Thursday A-Z. I cannot believe a week has gone by. Josh is working the afternoon shift now and I am not going to lie, it takes a little getting used to and rescheduling on both our parts. I am lucky to work at home to see him in the mornings, even if it isn't always as much as I would like to. Carter keeps Josh busy going to do fun things all the time.

The weather would have been great today IF we didn't have this darn wind blowing 100 mph. We did get to enjoy the last two days though of being outside.

Kaitlin has a concert in Chadron at the college today with the 4th-6th graders for playing their recorders. She is also one of the students who were chosen to be in the concert tonight with the Omaha Orchestra. Her Grandma Mary is taking her over this evening. I know I should be there, but my back is still having a few issues so Mary is going in my place.

Alright- Here it is- my Thankful Thursday List.

1. Misty and T.J.'s baby boy being born healthy yesterday.

Congratulations to new baby Jett!

2. The beautiful weather we had this week.

3. Lizzy's health while having her puppies.

(13 Saint Bernard Puppies Now For Sale!!!)

4. My kids' safe travels to and from Gillette last weekend.

5. The fun I have had on our walks this week.

Wednesday

Our weather has been so nice these past couple of days. I started walking in the evenings to gain some strength in my back. Josh is off on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings so he went with us last night. We had a late start getting gone so we couldn't go too far with it getting dark and Carter being on his bike. We just laugh so hard at him because he rides his bike as fast as he can and then slams on the breaks just before he hits the curb or will run into it full speed and bounce back aways. It kinda made me nervous at first but now I am used to it.

I think my back is feeling a little stronger since I have been trying to walk and exercise more regularly. The chiropractor told me my SI joints are acting up. I couldn't understand why my back would hurt really bad when I sat still, stood, or layed down but felt great if I was moving at all. After he explained my situation, I felt a little better. He told me the SI joints like movement and when they are acting up, if I stop moving, it's like a "glue" wants to hold the joints in place. I was really relieved that it wasn't my discs giving me problems again. That is such a horrible mess to deal with!

Enjoy your day. I have big plans to take all the daycare kids outside in a few minutes. Josh took Carter out to his dad's place to do boy stuff. I am sure they will be gone at least through the noon hour or maybe even the afternoon. They get busy doing stuff out there and lose track of time.

Walking

It was such a nice day here. Kylah had dance class today after school so she is gone. When the last of my daycare kids went home for the day, Kaitlin, Carter, the dogs, and I set out on a walk. Actually, Carter rode his bike. We first went to the library and I dropped off a book. Then we went to the bank to make a deposit.

On the way home, we stopped at Pine Ridge for Carter to get a drink and to say hello to Grandma Mary. Then we were on our way again. We decided to take a different route home. We went over a block from our downtown area. Then we took a right turn and went down a hill. I had no idea that this hill was so steep! Carter lifted his feet off the pedals and was coasting down this hill picking up speed way to quickly. Then his tires headed toward the curb. Kaitlin couldn't catch him in time and I just knew we were going to have a bad wreck to deal with.

I don't know how Carter did it but he hit the curb with his front tire and skidded sideways and his bike just kept going sideways down the hill for about 5 or so feet before he stopped. It must have been that quick prayer I threw towards the sky when I thought we were doomed. I just had a horrible feeling we were going to be getting a cast or stitches before the night was over. But...things turned out okay and we headed back home. The funny part was, Carter had no idea how lucky he was. He just thought it was "super cool and awesome" that he got to skid down the road sideways on his bike.

I do have to say...my back felt good after walking. I also cannot believe how I wasn't winded AT ALL. It's kind of exciting to see results like that so quickly after quitting smoking. I am on day 11 being smoke-free. (Hopefully I won't keep reminding you all on what day I am on so frequently but expect it until at least day 50.) Have a great evening. I am off to make supper.

Quiet Weekend

It has been a very quiet weekend for me. Josh's mom took the kids to Gillette Friday to see family. The kids got home this afternoon. They all said they had a great time. Josh got switched to the afternoon shift with Tuesdays-Wednesdays off-BLAH! The good news is that Carter will get to spend a lot more time with Josh. The bad news is the girls will hardly get to see him. Josh worked Friday and Saturday afternoon. When I was alone Friday night, my neighbor took me out to eat for prime rib. It was nice. Then Saturday morning Josh and I went to Chadron and met my brother and his wife and daughter for lunch and had Chinese. It was so tasty! Chinese is one of my favorites! Then I spent time Saturday afternoon building a puzzle and being lazy. Saturday night my friend Shauna and I went to the movies to see Taken. It was very good and we both enjoyed it. Thanks Shauna! Then we came back to town and talked for awhile and then I came home and went to sleep.

This morning Josh and I were lazy. We stayed in bed catching up on our tivo shows we won't get to watch at night together anymore. I think I finally crawled into the shower at 11am. As most of you know, I am a morning person and could not believe I spent the first half of my day in bed. I completely skipped breakfast so Josh bought us shrimp baskets from Staabs for lunch. They were delicious! Then Josh took a quick nap and out the door he went at 2pm for work. I went back to bed and took a cat nap before the kids got home from Gillette.

Now we are back to normal life getting homework, laundry, dishes, etc. done. I hope you had a great weekend. I am sure I will not have a quiet one again for quite some time, but that is okay. I really missed my kids. I am hardly ever away from them for more than a day, especially Carter since he is home with me all day. He is like my mini-shadow-well, except when his dad is home. Then I hardly ever see him. ;-)