Super Target, Taco Bell, and Precious alone time

Super Target and Taco Bell

I really haven't had much to post about or I just can't seem to get it together. Did I mention the boys are home from school for 3 wks? We are on the second week. Mark took them to "Mr. Biggs" yesterday so I had the day to myself. I couldn't decide what to do first.. What I should have done was clean, clean, and then clean a little more. Mom (Susie) is coming today. She's on the road right now. She should arrive around 3:00. We haven't seen her since Christmas so we are excited to see her. Well, I did not clean at all. I spent about an hour on the computer catching up on blogs. Then, I decided I should run to Target.. we needed dog food and other items..
I went to Super Target. I think I'm done with Super Target. It's just too big and distracting for me. I always end up buying things that were not on my list and waste a lot of time wandering through the aisles. I finally returned home.. after stopping through the Taco Bell drive through. Have you tried their new Fresco Menu items? I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was very good.

Where's my cell phone??

I returned home a little irritated with myself for wasting so much of my "precious alone time" wandering around Target.. when I realized my cell phone wasn't in my purse. I looked everywhere and finally called Target. Yes, someone had turned it in, so relieved but irritated that now I was going to have to waste even more of my "precious alone time" going back to "Super" Target and retrieve my phone. When I arrived at "Guest Services" there was quite a line.. people with lots of returns. I debated "should I just walk up to the front of the line and say I was just here to get my phone? I decided that I should do the polite thing and wait in line like everyone else. Finally it's my turn. They have to call back to a manager to bring my phone up. So again I'm waiting and wasting "precious alone time". I stand there for what seems an eternity when someone else asks me if I've been helped..I say sort of. anyway I finally get my phone and return home. I am thankful someone was nice enough to turn it in, even though it doesn't sound like it. :) I just wish I hadn't wasted 3 hours on all this!

On a lighter note

Skylar the scavenger somehow managed to steal this out of Connor's room. She has done it before. She loves this spear because it has bunny fur on it. She is a Greyhound you know. I just think it looks so funny because it's so long and she's so little. She was so proud of herself, but of course I had to take it away. Connor would be very "disappointed" if she chewed the bunny fur off of it :0

What I learned this week...

You can check out more of What I learned posts over at JoLynn's Musings of a housewife.

I'm kind of winging it this week because I don't have anything jumping out at me but let's see what I can come up with.

It's probably better if I don't drink my favorite Starbucks drink during the kids Football games because the caffeine might make me get a little mouthy, and Mark may have to shush me :0. Have you noticed watching my kids play football seems to bring out the worst in me? In my defense, the league we are playing in did not do a very good job with the teams this year. I fondly call Connor's team "The Replacements". Have you ever seen that movie. It's where the real players go on strike and they find "replacements". It's kind of a hodge podge of players but they eventually learn to work together. Anyway Con's team only has 2 other teams to play against and one you saw in the video yesterday. are middle schoolers and they have played both flag and tackle together, so it's really lopsided. Alex is the youngest and smallest on his team.. he's used to being the smallest but surely there was a team of 8 yrs olds they could have put him on. Anyway he's doing fine but would probably have more fun if the other boys were closer to his age. I'm almost done, just hang in there with me.

What's the deal with these coaches that have sons on the team (99% of them do) which makes perfect sense but when you are playing in a rec league, why do they always (in my experience) show favoritism in playing their kids more and any position they want even though he may not be the best?

I know I sound like one of those whiny Moms and usually I really do just "pull up my big girl panties" (as Mom would say) and hang in there. I do know that team sports can be good for kids and they learn a lot about working with others but the mentality of some parents and coaches is just something I have a hard time swallowing.

Anyway, what I learned this week is that if sports are what the boys are passionate about right now, I will do my best to hang in there with them. I will give them the information I have as far as the ups and downs and realities as I see it, but let them make the choice for now.

In the meantime I will secretly hope they follow their other passions such as.. Alex and his music, and Connor with his geology and paleontology. It would be much easier on this mommy's heart :)

Your Gonna Miss This

I recently discovered this Bloggy carnival over at Bonnie's "Where did this all come from?" blog. You can link up at Pam's You're gonna miss this blog. On Saturday the boys had three flag football games between them. We had to be there early for pictures and practice so we spent the majority of the day outside on the field. Brrrrrrrrrrr. It was cold. The field they played the first 2 games on is always colder and windier then at our house which is close by. Anyway after about an hour we were numb from the cold. The boys trudged through but it got me to thinking about how I'm probably going to miss these days regardless of how miserable I may be physically.

Alex running for a Touchdown. It ended up not counting because they started from the wrong place. But, in my heart it will always be a touchdown :)




Connor had a rough game. The league we are in didn't do a very good job of matching teams. The team he played were older and bigger. They also play tackle fb together. Connor kept his chin up though and did his best. That's what it's all about in my book.

Flashback Friday 2007

I finally got around (with the help of Connor nagging me) to install the software for my Handy Cam Mark bought me for Mother's day 2 YEARS AGO! It's a really nice video camera, I just forget to use it. Also I sometimes prefer just taking pictures because when you are video taping sometimes you miss out on being in the moment.

Anyway I'm glad I finally got the movies off the camera and into the computer. Here are a couple of samples from May 2007 when I first got the camera. They are of a visit to Estes Park/Rocky Mountain Natl Park.

Showing the kids "our tree". We started carving the dates in 1987. Notice how concerned Alex was about it. Shhhhh don't tell anyone we carved on a tree in a national park.

Skylar and the Moose

Our new puppy Skylar loves to sneak into the boys rooms and steal things like, stuffed animals, slippers..etc. We try to keep their doors closed but sometimes they forget. This morning she came bounding up the stairs looking so proud. She had one of Connor's stuffed Moose that was bigger than her. It was pretty funny.

What's Cookin' Wednesday...

Make a Smilebox recipe

What I learned this week...

What I learned this week hosted by JoLynn at Musings of A Housewife.

1. I learned that I am still not fully recovered from surgery. I went for a walk yesterday and was pretty sore and tired even though it was a short one.

2. I learned that Terra gives awesome parties, where everyone has fun, kids and adults alike.

3. My friend Leslie started a new blog.

4. It's always a good idea to call ahead when you go to the Museum to visit a new exhibit even if it is a Monday, the exhibit times may all be filled and your son will be mad at you all day.

5. 11 yr old boys can be very moody and sometimes wake up in a bad mood and stay that way ALL day. (see #4) and you may wonder if boys really are easier to deal with going through puberty than girls.

6. Skylar may never be potty trained :)

7. When both you and your mate are not getting sleep it doesn't make for a very good combination :)

8. Alex can entertain himself for hours outside with just a little snow (ok a LOT of snow) and a few neighborhood friends. (Ok I already knew that but it always amazes me)

9. When I said "we will never do Spring sports" again, I should have stuck to it. (We have gotten in 1 or 2 games in the past few weeks due to weather.)

10. I can ramble on and on about our new puppy to my Dad and he will just patiently listen. I love my Daddy. (yes I still call him Daddy) He was probably watching a baseball game on the other end but that's ok.

11. I really miss my Mom's cooking, it's just not the same when I try to duplicate her recipes.

12. We have again accumlated way to much junk. Everywhere I look, I think "I need to clean out that drawer, or shelf, or room or closet" Where does it all come from?? "Shelley , HELP!".

Juicy Juice House Party...

Last night, even with over a foot of snow on the ground, our friend Terra hosted a Juicy Juice Shining moments house party. She had wonderful snacks and a WII bowling tournament. We had so much fun and can I just say that the team I was on took 1st place? :)

We had a lot of fun, the boys are still talking about it. Terra sent over a few pictures she took of us last night.

Saturday.. it's snowing again

It's snowing again. The boys had an early release from school yesterday. They were just so upset..haha We went to pick them up and ended up with 2 extra kids. Went to McDonald's for lunch.

I took a few pictures of the snow...

From Saturday snow

From Saturday snow

From Saturday snow

From Saturday snow

Thought I'd throw this one in..

From Saturday snow

Look at this mess.. you know how I love "folding" sleeping bags.

From Saturday snow

When did this happen??

I really don't have a lot to say right now. I haven't been inspired to write a post lately but I just had a thought that's been running through my head. When did Connor grow up on me?? It really hit me when he was digging into his Easter basket. Flashbacks of past Easters came to mind. I remember his first memorable one as a toddler, being so excited going through his basket and Mark and I just as excited for him. He got a green foam bat and ball.

Well this Easter I had a really hard time with his basket. Part of me trying to keep it small and reasonable but what do you get an 11 yr old that's small. You can't really buy all the cutesy little stuff you used to, yet he may still want some of it when he sees his brothers. Anyway, I did my best.. but still wasn't happy with it. Of course after the fact I thought of a lot of things I could have gotten him..football cards, fossils, etc.. I was just kind of stuck in some kind of time warp. I think subconsciously not wanting to admit he's grown up.

I talked to him a couple days after Easter and explained to him that I felt I didn't do a very good job with his basket and I was sorry if he was disappointed. He gave me a hug and said "Mom, stop worrying, I loved everything!". Little liar..haha

The other day he was home sick (not that sick) but they were taking class pictures so I emailed his teacher and asked if I could bring him in for the picture (I already paid for it and have to have it for his scrapbook, of course). His teacher being the awesome teacher he is actually called me when they were ready and I ran him over. Well I stayed in the car and watched him run to catch up with his classmates. From a distance I could really see how much he's changed and grown. When did those shoulders get so broad? When did he develop that kind of "cool guy" gait? When did his torso get so long?

I don't know why but I always notice peoples hands. They seem to say a lot about a person. I was noticing Connor's hand as he was eating breakfast the other morning and I did a double take. What happened to the little boy hand I used to hold to help across the street? He has big boy hands!

People always tell you "enjoy them when they are young because it goes so fast". Well it does but it's not so much even that. I think it has more to do with the way they change so gradually everyday that you don't notice until one day you look at your child and say "When did this happen?"

So much for having nothing to say :)


My Big boy

What's Cookin' Wednesday...

Make a Smilebox recipe

******** A side note. The next time I make this I will wait to put the bananas on top for when I'm about to serve. Otherwise they turn a little brown. I also put some Vanilla wafers around the edges just to look pretty, I think my Mom used to do that.

******** In case you need a reference you can look up my Father in law (Dad). I think he enjoyed it quite a bit. (Dad, Mark told me you polished off what I sent with you in one night, but I won't tell anyone ;)

Easter, Easter and more Easter....

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!
We had a good day, starting with baskets, french toast for breakfast, hunting eggs in the house (it was rainy outside). Connor came up with the idea to go to
Bass Pro Shop. He had heard they were having a scavenger hunt. Great way to get the parents all around the store.. if you know what I mean. So we went there and they had fun. They like going there looking at all the "stuff", like fishing gear, etc. Kind of a funny way to spend Easter but as long as they enjoyed it. I didn't get any pictures there but here are some from the rest of our day.

Some of my pictures didn't turn out very well. I'm using my new camera and pictures are coming out blurry. I've checked the settings but I can't figure it out. Anyway I will have to look at the manual again or google it.


Connor coloring eggs. He was pretty tired. He played 2 football games earlier in the day and it was really cold.

From Easter

Alex coloring eggs, hiding them in his lap?

From Easter

Notice how tired Alex looks? He too had a football game but the real reason he's tired is because he woke up at 3am wanting to know if he could go look at his Easter basket.. then again at 5. We told him 6am at the earliest.. I don't think he slept much at all.

From Easter

Grandpa does the best eggs.. notice the blur, grrrrr

From Easter

Here's one of me just for the sake of Mark not saying "you never post pics of yourself".

From Easter

Dad and Skylar (had to sneak her in somewhere) I think they kind of like each other.

From Easter

From Easter

Easter morning

From Easter

From Easter

I think Alex has pretty much outgrown the Little Critter series.. but I still love them.

From Easter

Our Easter dinner..

From Easter

From Easter

Skylar laying by the fire.. She's a warm weather dog, it was kind of cold and rainy so she spent most of the day laying by the fire.. oh to be a little puppy without a care in the world.

From Easter

Wouldn't it be great if life had a rewind button?

I stole this line from Debbie's post over at Suburb Sanity. I read this post and it really hit home with me so I thought I would share. It has to do with Mom's feeling like they are never good enough or not allowed to make mistakes. I think she wrote it beautifully and this is why it had such an impact on me.

Disclaimer: To any of my neighbors who read my blog, this had nothing to do with your kiddos, if they were here, they were innocent bystanders.

Have you ever lost it with your child in front of one of their friends? Well, I did and I've been stewing about it since. I felt bad about it because I really don't "lose" it with my kids very often and then to do it in front of their friends.. Where's that rewind button when you need it?

I'm pretty easy going but there are just some things that really push my buttons. Cruelty to other kids is one of them. I have absolutely no tolerance for it.
Well, we have a little boy in our neighborhood that really has a lot of issues.. He just doesn't fit in with the other kids and he can be kind of mean if provoked. He always wants to join in with the kids when they are playing and sadly none of them really want him around. I know it's a natural instinct but my mommy heart just breaks every time I see him being taunted or left out.

Well, yesterday there were several kids from the neighborhood over playing and this little boy came over. In the midst of chasing the puppy around I was trying to keep one eye on the situation. Almost immediately some of the kids started teasing him. I warned them to stop and then I noticed my younger son kind of grinning. I was so angry and dissapointed that not only did he not stand up for what was right, in a way he was joining in. I guess it's kind of natural to find someone who's different from you funny to an 8 yr old, even one who is usually kind and empathetic. It's all about learning and experience.

Anyway I took care of the situation and brought him into the house where I proceeded to "lose" it. I "talked" to him on maybe the wrong level and a little to "heated, for example asking him if he had any idea what kind of life and abuse this boy has endured and basically saying that he should be ashamed of himself for all he has, to make fun... etc... Looking back I partially took my anger out on him for what the other kids were doing. I noticed his eyes kept darting behind me, so when I finished my rant and turned around. There stood one of the boys friends with eyes as big as saucers.. which quickly looked away. He too, was guilty but probably shocked because he's never seen me angry.

So, if I could hit the rewind button I would have calmed down first, thought out my words, turned this event into a great learning experience for him and for me. Oh, and at least looked around before laying into him :)

Maybe sometimes we expect to much from our kids. We are, after all here to be their teachers in life. We shouldn't expect them to be perfect.

The bottom line is, we all make mistakes. There is no rewind button. Life goes on and we do the best we can. There is no such thing as a perfect Mom, Dad or person for that matter.

Hey, I could use the PPB excuse, right?

Is there a time in your life when you wish you could hit the rewind button??

Flashback Friday

EASTER 2004
I remember the boys saying "Why did the Easter Bunny put jelly beans all over the floor?"

This, that and the other

I haven't had a lot of time to blog so I wanted to just put a few thoughts down. I know, I know, it's kind of scary when I just randomly put my thoughts down but I think it will be ok.

First, I think I have a case of what I've been calling PPB.. Postpartum puppy blues. Here are my symptoms. See what you think.

1. I'm sleep deprived, therefore feel foggy and can't seem to concentrate.

2. I can't get her to stay in her crib, I mean crate at night without putting a pillow over my head to block out her crying.

3. I can't seem to complete a simple task, without getting distracted.

4. I feel like just getting out for an hour by myself is so freeing and wonderful!

5. I found myself getting really excited when she "pooped" outside today. I was praising her saying "Good girl! You Poopied! I then looked around hoping none of my neighbors were watching.

6. I wake up with the thought of "What have we done??" "What were we thinking??"

But then I see this sweet little face and realize it's all worth it. (I'm pretty sure). Our 6.5 lb bundle of joy. Hard to believe something this small can turn your life upside down.. haha I think that's what I said with my first baby. :)



Second: I think I wrote about how my wonderful hubby makes me a Latte with honey just the way I like it every morning and DELIVERS it to me where ever I happen to be, getting out of the shower, on the computer..etc. Well this morning, he brought it to me in this...



A brand new Rooster mug. I love roosters and apparently he found this and bought it for me. I don't know about you but to me that is true romance. For me it's these little things that mean the most. Even more than a grand gesture. He's always been great about surprising me with little things. Thank you honey. You made my day.

What's Cookin' Wednesday

Make a Smilebox recipe

Perfect Moment Monday

I Capture
Perfect Moments.

Click on the button above to view Weebles Wobbles for more Perfect Moments posts.

Maybe this one should be titled PERFECT MOMENT SUNDAY....

My perfect moment was yesterday. It was Sunday morning and we were having a very nice relaxing one. I thought to myself "I love Sunday mornings like this". I decided as I was taking it all in and enjoying it I would take a few pictures.

It got me to thinking about Sunday mornings in my childhood. My Sundays were without fail about getting up and around and going to church/Sunday school. I remember never really wanting to get up and get going but I always felt happy once I did. We all got dressed up (back then we dressed for church). My Mom looked so pretty and my Dad very handsome is his Sunday best. We almost always came home to a Roast my Mom had put in the oven before we left (I don't think she ever owned a crock pot). It was always kind of hustle bustle after church. Coming home, putting on our comfy clothes.. setting the table, scurrying around because everyone was really hungry. Sitting down enjoying our meal, maybe discussing (maybe gossiping a little) about the Church events. Then everyone was relaxed and full. Mom and Dad would usually take a nap, I'm not sure what my brother or sister did I was probably in my own little world. Back then (and through most of my childhood) we didn't own a television or radio so I would usually settle in with a good book. That's probably where my love for reading started. It was my main form of entertainment at home. Sometimes Mom and Dad would settle in with a book also. For us Sundays were always about being together as a family and resting up. As my Dad would say "Sunday is a day of rest" :)

So I would be curious to hear what your Sundays are like now and how they were when you were growing up?

Alex and Skylar relaxing by the fire

From Sundays

Doesn't she look comfy? and NO Grandma, that's not the blanket you gave us :0

From Sundays

Connor snoozing in the recliner...

From Sundays

Wish I could eat some of this, but I will be good and just enjoy the smell :)

From Sundays

I can't take credit for these beautiful eggs.. it's all Mark :)

From Sundays

Alex and Connor enjoying their breakfast and chatting with us

From Sundays

STTRREETTCCHHHHHHHHHH

From Sundays