Family Picture

Many of you know we had our family picture taken a few weeks back for the church directory. When we were looking at them right after we had them taken (to purchas) I thought they weren't very good at all and though we had the $100 gift certificate I didn't even care to spend it. However we did purchase a frame with three pictures - on the top one of Kurt and I, middle of the family and the bottom of the three children. It looks really cute (I will try to some how scan it!??) Below is the family picture we got that will be in the directory. I think it turned out pretty good.

Mother's Day!

This was probably one of the best mother's days I've had since I became a mom. Relaxing and peaceful. Woke up to my loves telling me happy mother's day, as crazy as days get around here I love them all so much! Got some cute home made cards and a sweet note from Kurt. Went to church, out to lunch, played outside with the kids, Kurt had a hockey game, and now just relaxing. I usually don't mind being on the run seeing Kurt's family and my family, but lately it has been non-stop on the weekends and that's our family time when Kurt isn't at work so I loved it. I hope everyone had a wonderful, peaceful holiday with the ones they love.

As I sat in my "little" chair - this is what I watched on Mother's Day!

Oh yes, she gets in on the action.

My small one - he's on the move.

Hmm.. future hockey star for sure. ;)

I love when the kids are playing with Kurt. He's such an amazing daddy.

My Sister-poo!

And this my friends is why I love my sister --> Goal Accomplished!

Nurse that baby in public!

Thanks to my friend Becky for this!

I'd say I'm pretty comfortable nursing in public, but being supportive of others is very important. I have a lot of amazing support from my family & many friends, but it has been even greater with my sister Sara nursing. She's so confident anywhere, it's helped me be even more so! Tell a mom she's being supported when you see her breast feeding in public!

When Boys Go Wild

What do some of the "boys" in the family do on Easter while everyone else is inside chit chatting? They find nearly 20 year old laser tag guns and battle it out!

Kurt winning!

Jake, obviously ready for battle!

Adam took to higher ground.Adam making sure his gun is on.
Jeff hiding behind a tree.Kurt shooting down the target

Starting Lent

Why on the days you're supposed to fast do I think I'm so hungry? I need to get myself a life or something. I felt pretty good that I made it to confession on Saturday to start lent out on the right foot. I kind of somewhat made a personal new years resolution that I was going to try very hard to go monthly to confession and since I didn't make it in January I'm glad to at least get February in and it felt good!

After much thought and going back in forth in my head I decided against giving up Facebook. I'm giving up candy, which I thought was a bit juvenile until I realized how much candy I actually eat. This will be good, especially to keep me on track with my slow weight loss and doing the Shred. We are also going to do a decade of the Rosary everyday as a family. If the kids don't participate that's okay, but I want them to see that it's not something you just do once in awhile, and that mom does and not dad, etc. It should be something family does together. I'm looking forward to it! I've also decided to do a few other extra things during lent, just to keep me focused on other people and making their day instead of it being all about me all the time.

I attempted to help Landen understand Lent and why Kurt and I were giving something up/doing some extra and why we weren't going to have meat and be a food piggy today. He seemed to grasp the concept and said he wanted to give something up too. When I told him that we were giving up candy he said no, he was going to give up string cheese (after thinking about it for quite a while). I told him that string cheese was healthy and I want him to eat it... he was fine with that, so he thought some more and came and told me he was going to give up candy & cookies, but not brownies because he really wants those brownies that are on the counter. I'm proud of him and I'm not going to get mad if he breaks it, but gently remind him and let him decide what he wants to do. :)

What are you giving up/doing for Lent? If anyone has any special intentions you would like us to pray for during our rosary let me know.

Dressed up - sweats & a tie!

Did everyone have a fun Valentine's Day? This was the first Valentine's Day I think my children actually understood. Kurt and I didn't get a chance to get the kids anything until the night before, of course with them all in tow. Landen saw his gift so Kurt had to make up a story that the "bowling set" was for Liam. Landen half believing him and half not would not let it go. I quickly hid it when we got home (even though he saw it when we got home too). I had to make up a story about a Valentine's Fairy.. which sounded pretty good until my family pointed out I should have just gave it to him. The things you do to make a holiday something special. Ahh. He was pretty excited at 7:00 the next morning when he came running into our room - it's Valentine's Day! :)

Yesterday I finally got to go and see Rebecca at Eagle Eye Institute. Long drive, but it was nice to see where she's living and some of the girls she lives with. I'm hoping that we get to have dinner with her and some of the brothers Saturday. We went to Flat Top the restaurant. It was really yummy and if you haven't been, it's definitely worth trying out. We went to a few different stores, I had some gifts I wanted to get for people and of course any opportunity to go shopping I'm all about. I decided I hate the outdoors mall - that was a stupid idea in my opinion. I got a few really great deals at Old Navy for Kurt and the kids! I got boxers and fashion tights for Kurt and Amelia for $2 and a shirt for Landen for $3. Then Target I found some regular solid colored t-shirts for wearing under things and things for $1 for myself. I was excited about that! Then I got my sisters some great socks and Amelia a few things for a $1. All Valentine's was 50% off the clearance - making for a great deal. A lot of the stuff was definitely not just valentine either. I was excited! I got the kids two good books for church - one was All about the Mass and the other about the Sacramentals. I think these will be great for church and to just learn about the different things in church.

I realized I'm a total whimp when it comes to winter. I have yet to actually drive on snowy roads this year (I prefer to just stay inside) and when I couldn't see the road on the way home, I was freaking out. I really hate winter. It made for a yucky hour long drive home, but it was worth it. ;)

Lent starts Wednesday. I can't decide what to do/give up. I was thinking facebook but I don't think I want to do that. I'm spending less and less time on their anyway, I'd like something that's going to help me afterward and I always give up sweets or something. Any idea's?

Have I mentioned Kurt and I finally started the Love Dare book! It's amazing, I'm loving it.

Here's Landen - he gets himself dressed every single day. Today he gets his sweats and a shirt with a tie. I thought it would be off after an hour or so but it's 3:21 and he's still wearing it. Too cute! :)

Baby Blue Eyes

I still have a review to write, I'm not in the review writing mood. It will have to get done tonight. Brennan is connected to the boob today - he seriously wants to nurse, nurse, nurse and that's it. Makes it very hard to get much done. He won't even sit in the swing and be quiet if you put the vacuum on. Oh, so have I shared our weird secret? Brennan will be quiet if you turn the vacuum on when he's in his swing.. this is Landen when he's screaming and nothing else will work. "Mom, want me to get the vacuum?" I have a feeling this may come back to haunt me someday. I guess it's cuddle day! A few pictures for fun.

Randomness!

This weekend has been so cold. I woke up and got dressed to leave Saturday morning and it was -17, I didn't dare take the kids out in that so I had to wait around to do anything. It got warmer and Amelia and I headed to the bookstore and got her some new Melissa & Doug things. I just love those products. I'm still looking for a big days of the week calender for the kids. Anyone know where I can pick one of those up? I need to look on the Internet but I thought it wouldn't be that hard to find - apparently it is. Saturday we did errands and things. It was so nice to get out of the house. I really need some new jeans and Maurices had a 50% off sale... only to make the cheapest pair $40 and I even found a pair for $71. Argh! I don't even really like Maurices but that's ridiculous for their stuff... in my opinion.

Saturday night the kids and I watched Enchanted again. Amelia looked up at me did a twirl and said "can we watch the princess movie?" I'm totally buying that movie, her & I both love it! Have you seen it? Kurt was working on the floor yet again - it's looking a lot better but I'm STILL ready to have it finished.

Today was Liam's Baptism. It was really nice, besides Brennan screaming half way through. He wanted to nurse so bad. He sucked on my chin to give me a small hicky (yuck) but it kept him quiet for awhile. Finally I just had to sit down and nurse him.. I'm so glad Sara and Jake are understanding. I learned that if you have to nurse, you can do it while walking around because that's what we had to do. Hopefully nobody got a big show! Landen screamed during their wedding, Brennan screamed during the Baptism. I owe them. :)

We ordered carpet today, Menards was having a big sale so we got that ordered and it will be delivered Thursday and then we're going to have someone install it. I'm excited to FINALLY get Amelia's room finished. Oh and the house we looked at - they wanted way to much money for something that had to have a lot of remodeling and updating. I really liked the outside, but the inside didn't have the best floor plan and not enough bedrooms. We're looking to the future - we have to have at least four bedrooms. You couldn't even move in and update.. it needed too much work to just move there. So.. it was nice to at least look at something though. I like looking at houses.

We have a busy week coming up - Tuesday we're going to see friends we have hardly seen since Brennan was born (well to just play and hang out), Wednesday the Pro-Life meeting (where I'm hoping they will say yes about doing the pro-life float, I really want to do it this year), Thursday the carpet and Friday we start FAMILIA! Yay.. no excuse to stay in and it's going to possibly get in the 30's. Sick to be excited about the 30's but it's seriously too cold.

Kurt should be back with the food - and I'm starving! Have a wonderful week.

Twinkies!

This is my brother Adam & Brennan... everyone has been telling me that Brennan looks just like him!

Yes, I'm Alive

Wow, time does get away from you - over a month since I last posted. No wonder I've been getting emails asking if I'm alive! =) Thanks to those of you who have been thinking about me. Honestly I've just been busy - doing what... well nothing in particular just living life and staying busy with three little kids. Some updates..

*Brennan is still doing better but still cranky and a handful. Nothing really makes him happy, just doing something different often.

*My sisters baby shower was fantastic. I loved it and I think many other people did as well. I will try to post some pictures one of these days. She was due yesterday so now we wait!

*We are updating and fixing up Amelia's room. The walls are painted brown and pink and adorable. We need to decorate and get the new carpet -- so much better than before. Before & after photo's will come.

*I decided to update Amelia's room because she started sleeping in her own big girl bed about three weeks ago. She is doing great and loves it. She's completely potty trained as well - I've been putting a diaper on her at night but it's not necessary because she hardly ever wets.

*We've been doing a little 'school work' nearly everyday. Landen likes it a lot and it gives him an activity to look forward to. Along with some sort of craft that we've been trying to do a few times a week. Landen & Amelia love it!

*We put up our Christmas tree and decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving! The house is so cozy when the tree is up and things. I have yet to get or send out Christmas cards. I might skip it this year - I just don't have the motivation to get them. We'll see. Most all of our Christmas shopping is done. I got some killer deals online and then Kurt & I went this weekend and finished up most everything else. We're getting a new computer for each other.. I can't wait for it to get here!

*Mikyla came up last weekend and stayed Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was nice having her here, just hanging out and helping with the kids.

*As I mentioned before I'm growing my hair out. It's getting there - I can already put it in a little pony tail!

I don't know what else - I need to update more regularly because it's hard doing a catch up post. I'll check out the pictures to post! If I don't get back on here before Christmas .. Have a Merry one!

Happy Belated Halloween

Halloween was a lot of fun this year! We went to Wood's on Kurt's last day and the kids went trick-or-treating. I couldn't believe how empty the place was. The kids loved it, Amelia was little miss chatter box... asking everyone in her little voice - "you have candy?" Too cute! Saturday we went to Sara & Jake's house instead of just handing out candy here. Landen and Amelia both went trick-or-treating door to door for the first time with my brothers Ethan & Eli. Kurt, Jake & Bob took them and it sounded like everyone had a good time. After wards Sara & I took them to the Halloween Party at the fire station. I remembered going when I was a kid and loved it, so I was anxious to take them. Unfortunately the kids had to eat for some reason before we could leave (ha ha) so we missed Amelia & Landen's costume judging. Landen was SO upset, but they did have an over all judging, and Amelia won second place. I think it just had to do with her "cuteness" because her home made witch costume wasn't the most amazing thing ever. Ethan won third place as Indiana Jones! After the fire station party we came back and did bobbing for apples and a couple of other games. It really was a lot of fun, I love getting together with family! And good thing we changed the clocks for that extra hour of sleep because we were all worn out and got home latttteee!
Landen the Indian & Amelia the Witch

Savannah the witch, Eli the lumber jack, Landen the indian, Amelia & Mikyla a witch and Ethan Indiana Jones.

Landen bobbing for applesMyself... lol! Yes I got the apple after holding my nose. Whimpy!

Brennan's Baptism

October 11, 2009 is another date I'm going to try to remember very hard. Deacon Sam was telling us how the date you are baptized is just as important as remembering your birth date, it's a Sacramental rite, when you were born into the church. Guess I didn't really think about that before, so we're going to try harder to remember the kids baptismal days and light their candles each year. I think it will something really special to start doing!

The Baptism was lovely. Deacon Sam is getting older but he's so gentle and sweet I'm glad to have him do the baptisms for us. My entire family was able to come, it was great to have everyone together at once even if it is a bit crazy. Kurt's parents and grandpa were able to come along with one set of my grandparents and my Aunt Judy's family. It was a FULL house, and I wish we could have invited friends but with cold weather and not the biggest house we had to limit it! =)

Brennan was not himself, not sure if it was just the commotion of everyone and reading my mood of running around, etc. He wore the same outfit my brothers and Landen wore. However it was shorts and a t-shirt and it was 30 degrees. Poor thing. I put baby legs on him and kept him in a blanket the majority of the time. Crazy weather! Here are a few picturesBrennan with daddy. He wouldn't let anyone set him down for a picture of him in his little outfit. He was close to busting the seams.. big boy!He finally was asleep and then he was awaken from water being poured on his head. He screamed!
Godparents: Aunt Sara & Uncle Jake. Deacon Sam, Amelia, Kurt, Landen, Andrea & Brennan!

WW: Uncles Make Best Friends!

Landen's best friends are my two younger brothers Eli and Ethan. He asks daily to see them - here's Eli and Landen walking the canal - arguing over a stick! Ha ha.

Our Growing Family!

Finally a family picture! I'm making a photo quilt for review and had to get one, thank goodness because Brennan is growing and growing and I hate to not have one while he's little. We tried to weigh him today while Kurt held him and we think he's already 10 pounds! WOW... he's already out grown some of the cloth diapers I made, I had to adjust the rise on several of them as well. Oh and he's already outgrown clothing - in three weeks. Got Milk? LOL! He's a growing boy! Amelia is holding pop-it's as we call them (those things that go in packages that pop) she screamed if we took them. Landen is being a goof, love him. Brennan has a red face because he was pooping. Ha ha ha! Oh the adventures of trying to get a family shot.

Lazy, Lazy!

We have been having such a lazy weekend - it's actually been really nice to just sit around and do a whole lot of nothing. Brennan has been sleeping so much I've actually been waking him to nurse - I don't remember the other kids doing this but obviously I have the worse memory ever because Kurt seems to remember the others going through a little period like this. Once again he was amazing in church - if I haven't sold you on a wrap yet then you better get one. Ha ha ha!

Becca came up Thursday night to help me with the kids - Kurt is back into the thick of things with school *gag* and it was great to just have her around. Thursday was busy, a lot of people in and out but it was nice to visit. Then Friday Sara and Beck went to garage sales (I wanted to go but I knew I better not stretch myself thin). Beck found some of the cutest little things for Brennan and some adorable shoes for Amelia - yep you can tell Beck and I are related. Amelia owns more shoes than I do and that may not be a good thing. =)

On a sad little note - I really think Brennan finally being here is taking a toll on Amelia. She has been throwing horrible tantrums and as hard as it is for me I'm learning to ignore her. Nothing makes her happy so that's what we're doing. They're just awful - I'm trying to give a little more love to her and hopefully we can get out of this. It makes me sad though.

I'm anxious to weigh Brennan - I'm pretty sure he's grown a lot already and I'm pretty sure I've shrunk down a tad bit. I can finally get most of my shoes back on, a couple of shirts are already to big and I'm going to attempt to get my wedding rings back on tonight. I feel naked without them - they've been off since May. Oh and speaking of wedding - I'm excited for Friday because the man and I will celebrate being married five years!!

Off to be lazy for a few more hours - then the start of another week.

A Zoo-berrry Good Time!

Kurt and I took the kids to Brookfield Zoo yesterday, it was a lot of fun and one of the things we had planned to do this summer before the next little love comes along. Amelia is still talking about the crocodile and monkeys, Landen mostly the dolphins and the motor tram. I'm so glad they had a good time.

Last weekend we went to Sara and Jakes and visited the little festival that was going on. We decided to let the kids ride on a few rides - something we haven't done in the past. They both loved it and I'm sure will always be asking now in the future. We also watched the parade and got tons of candy - the beginning of parade and festival season. I love summer and all there is to do!

Enjoy the video show of our fun!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Wordless Wednesday

Instead of a long lengthy post as to why I have not been able to keep up with this blog - I'll leave you with this little update!

My Time Has Been Occupied With These Loves!

WW: Possible Family Christmas Picture?

WW: Combine Time

Landen had the best time riding the combine at my parents house. The only talk we have here lately is combine/tractor/farming talk. Today we found all these tractor combine books at the library and Landen has to sit and show one of his friends how that's grandpa's tractor but grandma drives it and Uncle Kevin if Grandpa says. Oh my gosh, the kid remembers and thinks he knows it all. "When are we going to ride combine again." Times likes this I really wish we lived closer!