Goodbye, 2010!!

Unexpected surprises from this past year were many...
At this time last year we had submitted an application for a house. A big, unfinished house. For one, we didn't think we'd be chosen and for another, well, we just hadn't thought past that. In the course of 2010, we were chosen, the house was finished, we moved and have already made some wonderful memories in it. Something to truly be thankful for!!

I've always been one to be looking for the "perfect" part time job.  I've had alot of them.  Some good, others not so much.  Well, I think I've got it now.  Getting the job at Kettle Creek has been a pleasant and wonderful surprise.  I love it and it's just the right amount of work for me to do right now.  I couldn't ask for a better environment, a better boss or a better anything.

You don't think I'm going to pass up on mentioning football, do you? 

I didn't think so :)  The success of the team was not the surprise this year.  They were expected to have a good year.  It was how the season went for me.  I, without fail, always have a mild (or major) meltdown 2-3 weeks before the end of the season.  Too much single-parenting, too much running around, etc.  It's been like clockwork every year.  I didn't this year, though.  In fact, I could have gone a few more weeks, I think!  I don't know what the difference was, but it was wonderful!  I hope my football meltdowns are in the past...one can dream, right?!

It was a great year.  One I know I will remember. 
Happy NEW YEAR!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Unless, of course, you and/or your family gets sick!

There is some nasty bug flying around our town and we caught it the day after Christmas.  Oddly, enough, we were in Missouri at the time, but I think we just carried it from Kansas.  We're on the mend, but there are still many down, which nearly put a wrench in my New Year plans!

We're hosting a New Year's Eve party tomorrow night and I'm SOO excited!  Excited enough to not even care if my house gets totally clean.  It will be "clean", but I'm so not stressing on it to look perfect. 

Besides, it's an adult and kids party so it's gonna get trashed anyway!

My kids are as excited about it as me. 
We're planning on have some different "activity" areas for the kids so they will leave us adults alone!

This is what Elijah was up to this morning before I got out of bed...

The papers say "Sit here for chess. (You are white-or black).

Movies will be upstairs.  There are 3 other signs leading you to the boys' room...just in case you get lost.

HyperDash in here.  I'm not too sure if this will be happening.  Too loud and alot of running involved.

 Now, if I can only get him to mop and clean the bathrooms...

Christmas

What a crazy time of year.  It can be overwhelming and exhausting.
I generally consider myself to be a social person.  I love spending time with people, just hanging out or doing whatever. 
Christmas is a time when I begin to wonder if I really am that social.  It just gets to me after awhile.
The shopping, which I managed to avoid almost entirely this year by shopping online, the cooking, the traveling, the visiting. 
I love it and Christmas just wouldn't feel right without all that, but it wears on me.
I'm currently sitting in a hotel room with 2 sleeping boys, listening to classical music, while the other grownups are playing cards.
I'm here by choice.  I just need some quiet time.  A time out.  I'm tired and crabby.

Despite having the holiday crabbiness, I am thankful for so much.  For a Savior that loves me, a wonderful family that I love, and so, so much more!  My kids are making awesome memories with their cousins this weekend.
I love that! 
It's fun...and exhausting :)

Merry Christmas!

Hair

I gave Elijah a haircut tonight.  He cried.
Let me backtrack...
He has GORGEOUS hair. 
It's crazy thick and wavy and soft.
I love it.
I had let him grow it out quite long and he liked it.  It fell into his eyes and he had to constantly brush it away so that he could see.  Apparently that is really cool in 4th grade.
Anyway, he loved his hair.
The problem had become that he loved it too much.  It was a vanity thing.

Now, I didn't cut it with the intention of it becoming a lesson in vanity, but that's the point we ended up at.

Anywho, after we were all done and he looked in the mirror at what I thought was a very nice haircut.  I was rather proud of myself that it was all even and nice looking seeing as I'm not a trained hairstylist. 
Elijah, on the other hand, started crying.  He said he looked like a dork.
Ouch!
I told him he looked handsome, which is not something a 4th grader is going for apparently.
Then I went the route of telling him he will probably be able to run faster since his head is so much lighter now. 
Still no good.
I tried to us all kinds of adjectives and reassure him that he did not look weird, or dorky or crazy.
This went on for a good 10 minutes.  At which point, I gave him a lecture about vanity and how it's ok cause hair grows and he has to decide if he's going to really let it bother him or not. 
That didn't go over so well either.
I decided I only had one thing left in my bag of tricks.  A bad hair story from my childhood...
So I told him about the time when I was about 10 and I REALLY wanted a perm.  I begged my mom until she said she would do one of those home kits.  I was so excited!  Lots of curlers and chemicals later I had a perm...it wasn't at all what I had imagined!
 My hair had been fried and rather then having cute bouncy curls I had an AFRO!
Frizz ball.
Fuzz head.
Poofy. 
That was me.
Well, this lovely story of my pain and humiliation made Elijah laugh, which in turn made him not care about his hair. 
Mission accomplished.

Christmas cards

I LOVE Christmas cards.
Pictures are a big bonus and a letter is just the icing on the cake.

Now, that being said, I have NEVER sent a Christmas card, picture, or letter.  Ever.
I don't even know why.  I just didn't really think about it the first few years we were married. 
So much happened with us those first years that it seemed silly to start writing a letter or a card at that point.
The expense is always a consideration and I just can't bring myself to use technology to send out a Christmas "email".  Just doesn't seem right.
So this year, as in all the years past, I haven't sent anything out.  I always feel a little bad when we get them in the mail. 
I get so excited to open them up and see our friends and families.  I put the pictures or cards up in our kitchen window so I see them everyday.  I don't know if other people enjoy getting them as much as I do.  If I thought they did, maybe that would motivate me. 
Maybe I'll do one next year...
Yeah, I say that every year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Funny is subjective...

This picture makes me laugh!  It was taken last summer at my family reunion.   

I spent most of the weekend with these brothers and I must say, we're funny. 

I went back to my parents cause I wanted to see Isaac (he's the less blurry blur running towards me in the picture).  He' in the Navy and is out in S. Carolina these days.  I like him alright so I thought I better go see him now or who knows when I would get to see him again. 
And, I'm working on being asked to be in his upcoming wedding, so any extra time I can get with his fiancee is key.  Seriously.

I also wanted to catch a bball game of my youngest brother, Seth (he's the blurriest blur in the picture.)
He's fun to watch and they won so it was a success!
AND, I got to see Gabe and Dan, which is always a bonus.

So, anyway, back to being funny...I don't know if it's just cause we're from the same gene pool, but we crack ourselves up. 
Basically, I laughed the majority of the weekend.
We got on a tangent about creating a line of really inappropriate greeting cards.  We actually discussed starting a business. 
Here's one for a sympathy card..."Remember when you said if you weren't with someone else, we would have a chance?  Sorry for your loss.  Can I take you out to dinner."
Or..."Thank you for your loss."
Do you think they would fly??  Who knows, but we laughed til we cried and I almost peed my pants.

There was also an incident with my mom making a chipmunk sound and then praying, which made me laugh til I cried. 
So, I'm pretty sure not a single sentence I've written made you laugh, but I've laughed all over again just thinking about it!!
Here's to funny families and good memories!!

Warning: Totally biased opinions to follow...

I think my kids are awesome.  They are the smartest, cutest, funniest little people around. 
I told you this was a biased opinion!
Anyway, as I mentioned in an earlier post, E, A and C have been taking piano lessons. 
Elijah has had 2 lessons and Cory and Autumn have had just one each.  They do play quite a bit on their own and I help here and there.
Elijah played in his first piano recital this afternoon.  With just 2 lessons under his belt, he managed to get up in front of  40+ people and play his Jolly Ole St. Nicholas perfectly.  It's hard to get up in front of people, peroid, but to get up in front of strangers,on a grand piano he's never seen, in a place he's never been and play!?!
He's my hero.
And, yep, I was proud!

I might be

watching movies on Netflix all day in my pajamas, while eating toffee and drinking coffee.
It's possible.

These are a few of my favorite things...

After pouring over my new cookbook, I started thinking about all my favorite material things.  I'm not particularly picky about anything so it takes alot to get on this list. They are in no particular order.

1. My VHS of Notting Hill.  Don't laugh.  I love it.  Not necessarily the VHS part, but I love the movie.  It might be the soundtrack or that it's set in London.  I don't even know what it is about it.  I can watch it over and over.  Weird, I know.

2. Explode the Code series-My kids have all learned to read on this series and I love it.  It's simple, which is probably my favorite part.  It's an old school workbook.  No frills.  It gives just enough on each letter for them to "get it" and then it moves on, but still builds from previous knowledge.  I only use it through kindergarten and first grade.  Then we move on to other things.  It's not time intensive either, which is my second favorite thing about it.  I'm all about getting in and getting it done.

3.  Greek dressing, specifically Kraft Greek dressing.  We happened upon it years ago after Chad had returned from his deployment in Greece.  He RAVED about the greek salads over there.  (Chad doesn't really rave about anything, but he came as close to it as I've seen).  It's not exactly "authentic" according to Chad, but oh man, is it good.   Make a salad with spinach, roma tomatoes, red onions, olives, ALOT of feta cheese and this stuff.  YUMMMMM!!!!!!

4.  Everyday Minerals.  http://www.everydayminerals.com/  I love it.  It's cheaper then some other stuff and it's as good, if not better, in my humble opinion.

5. Tresemme hair products.  I have tried ALOT of kinds and I always go back to this stuff.  

Short list and not all that exciting now that I look it over.  Nothing techy or trendy.   Geez, I should get out more.  Broaden my horizons. Try new stuff.  Well, until all that happens, I'll stick with all of these!

You must...

get this cookbook.

I'm not kidding.  I don't LOVE to cook. 

I like it. 

I have to do it. 

 I'd let someone else cook if they wanted to.

This cookbook reads like a novel!  It is BEAUTIFUL!

It makes me want to love to cook. 

I will at some point make EVERY SINGLE THING in this cookbook.

Read about her at http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/

You won't be disappointed.  She makes me smile and want to cook!

Because I want to...

No this is not another post about my sweet, loud, mess-makin', funny two-year old, despite the title. Here's a sweet picture of litte man and his daddy, though, just cause I like it and because I want to :)

Chad and I are going to FARGO, ND!!! 

 Why, oh, why is this a good idea?  In November?  Right after they got about 8 inches of SNOW?

Football?

Kinda.

Friends?

DEFINITELY!!

And, quite simply, because we want to.  We're leaving the kids at my sister-in-laws house and heading north! 

 WAY NORTH!!

I love road trips.  It's no secret. 

BUT, a road trip with just the hubby to see some GREAT friends, watch some good football and have 2 nights of uninterrupted sleep sounds heavenly, snow and cold or not!!

Dumped...

Emptied...
Poured...
Depleted...
Drained...
Expelled...
Unloaded...
You may know what I'm talking about here.

My 2 year old likes to do these things.

Alot.

Here is a partial list of things that Caleb has dumped, emptied, poured, etc...you get the idea, in the past few days.

1. Whole wheat flour

2. Milk-lots of milk

3. water-approximately 100 times a day

4. a partial jug of bleach-this one was a little scary.

5. a bowl of chili-as I'm typing this...

6. a bookshelf

7. His basket of diapers

8. I typed 8, without having another one, with the assumption that he would dump something else by the time I finished this post...so far so good.

Again, just want to reinterate that this is a PARTIAL list and that, by in large, these incidences were, in fact, intentional.

He doesn't look all that destructive, does he?

Don't let those baby blues fool you!

Piano lessons

Finally!!!
My kids are taking piano lessons! I've wanted them to for so long, but we haven't had the room for a piano and I didn't have the patience to take them someplace else to practice.

The older 3 are trading a time spot so they are getting a lesson every 3 weeks. I'm not sure if this is enough or not, but that's what we're doing for now.

Piano might actually be my only regret (not a big fan of feeling regret, so I just avoid it if I can). I think I took lessons for 3 years. Maybe 4?? I really don't remember much except where middle C is, 2 bars of a song I played for a recital and begging my mom to quit when I was 11. I liked playing, but hated practicing. Pretty typical for an 11 year old, I'm sure. My mom tried. I know she did. I imagine I will have very similar conversations with my pianists at some point.

I wish I would have kept at it for just a few more years.
I might actually still be able to play.
I can barely read music.
I just think it would be a great stress reliever to just sit at the piano and play something beautifully!
I don't expect them to be concert pianists, but I consider it a life skill to be able to read music.
We'll see how it goes...

10-0

So proud of these guys!

Hold on, I need to write it again...



10-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I've wrote before about life as a football wife, but there isn't much that compares to getting to the end of the regular season undefeated!

So many invested so much into this team, these guys, and when it all plays out to perfection, all I can do is smile :)
I know how hard all those boys work and how much they had to prove. They are a very young staff and felt like they needed to prove that they could be champions, despite their age and experience.
It was a lot of pressure. And they beat it.
They won.
Every time.

The staff, players and families watched the playoff selection show yesterday all together.
We also did this last year.
This year was TOTALLY different. I couldn't help but notice the atmosphere in the room compared to last year.
No major cheering, joking, celebratory antics.
Business, pure business.
They knew they were in, they knew we'd play at home.
The staff was gone immediately after our team was announced.
Off to get film, start studying, planning.
We won't see Chad this week and that's ok.
No regrets.
I want to win Saturday as much as they do :)
GO BULLDOGS!!!

Hi, my name is Sarah...

and I blog.
Infrequently.
Almost never.
Or, at least, not in a REALLY long time!!
It was kinda nice to not have internet for a few weeks.
Sometimes it was annoying when I had to order something, which reminds me I have to order my kids piano books, still..., or when I wanted to research something stupid, like how far it is from McPherson, KS to Helena, MT.
I read more, cleaned more, didn't check Facebook 6 times a day, and read to my kids more, got to think about things outside of the internet world. I had no idea what happened to any celebrities for 2 weeks or really, what happened to anyone unless I spoke to them, which was not necessarily a bad thing.
So here's the low down on what was going on while I was unplugged...
1. My mom came to visit, which was super great.
2. My in laws came for 11 days, which was also great. We ate a lot of McDonalds, which is my FIL's favorite place to take us when they're here. I enjoyed visiting with my MIL and they were a huge help while I worked in the mornings or did a bunch of other running around that I normally have to haul everyone too.
3. FOOTBALL-There will be a whole 'nother post about all that awesomeness!
4. My kids started their piano lessons. I had to FORCE Elijah to go to his, but I think he may secretly like it.
So that's about it. I'll be back.
Hopefully, sooner then later!

Internet

is gone. Well, actually, whoever we were getting our internet from is gone.
So, we're getting our own, which is the ethical/legal thing to do anyway.
I will blog again...
Probably Wednesday or Thursday next week or whenever I remember.

My momma is coming!

Mi Madre y mi Padre

They are basically awesome.

And I'm super excited about my mom coming for a visit.

I get to see my mom quite a bit, but there's nothing like a REAL visit.
Most of our visits consist of an "event" or a project.

I go back to my hometown and see my parents often and they come out to our house a few times a year.

It's usually super busy, lots of running around and not a whole lot of time to just visit.

This time it's a visit for visiting sake and I'm so happy!

It's been a stressful few months with the house, moving, football season, etc. and I have just needed some MOM time!!!
We have a few things planned out to do...Halloween parade, time at the lake with friends, football on Saturday.
Most looking forward to just hanging out!
Here's to MOM TIME!! :)

My one and only...

girl is 8! I just have to brag for a minute.

She's amazing and not by any feat of ours.

She just is.

Really and truly, I cannot imagine what life would be like if we didn't have our Autumn.

She's helpful beyond what's normal, independent about everything, thoughtful and...

BONUS: She loves to cook, clean and be crafty!!

Seriously? How did we end up with this girl??

I ask myself that almost daily.

I've considered loaning her out cause everyone needs a little Autumn, but I'm selfish and I don't want to.

She's mine and you can't have her! :)

Here are a few pics from her birthday on Thursday...

Happy Birthday, Little A!

All ready go

My camera had seemingly saw it's last picture a few weeks back.

I sadly set it on the counter and mourned the loss of another camera as I started dreaming about my next one.

Then a few days ago, Autumn came upstairs with the camera and said she thought she fixed it.
I don't know how, but it works again.
It's old and doesn't take the greatest pictures, but I'm ok with that right now!

So, just to get back in the swing of putting pics on my blog, here's a few for you from this morning...

He was packing his bag for church.

Keys-Check

Wipes-Check

That's all the kid needs.

He had shoes on, which is apparently all you really need to go to church.
He said, "All ready go, Mom."

Bubby was left behind and not happy. He and I are hanging at home a little longer this morning. At least long enough for the kid to put some clothes on :)

Too much

Man, it just seems like there is too much going on for people right now.

Too much sickness, too much dying, too many questions, too many decisions.

My heart is just so heavy with all of it.

There seems to be an ebb and flow to friendships when times like this hit.

Sometimes there are circumstances that hit so close to you and you need help. There have been times that I've been emotionally and physically not able to get through the days.

Friends and family are quick to jump and help when you're maxed out. You rely on them to cover for you where you can't be or do those things you can't do.

When those times pass, you wait. You wait for that moment when you can help them. Not because you get something out of it, but because you know how it felt to have someone step in for you.

So when that pendulum swings and your life can hold more, you help.

Maybe not with anything excessive, but a few extra minutes to talk, a hand with some kids, a time for prayer, the energy to carry some of the burdens that are weighing people down.

I don't think these are coincidences. God knows these things and puts people where they should be, when they are needed. I've seen it countless times. Sometimes in hindsight, but it's always there. He covers because we are not able to cover ourselves.
That is one thing I know with certainty.

So thankful!

The Housing Coalition had their open house here today. It was so nice to be able to thank all the different people that spent so much time on our house long before it was our house.
I loved meeting some of the people who had worked on it that I hadn't met yet.
It was such a community project that we benefited from in a HUGE way.
We love our home!!

That being said, I'm pooped!!!
Getting and keeping the house clean with my 4 crazies nearly made me go nutso!
I don't usually get worked up about these types of things, but for some reason this one put me over the top, anxiety-wise.
I don't care what people think about how clean my house is, but I did care today. I just desperately wanted all those people who worked so hard to know that we're taking care of it.
It made me crazy and a little mean and I hated that part.
So, I'm glad that's over and I can go back to letting my kids live in their house again!

Smoke alarms

Ours work.
Do yours??
I know this because ours went off at 6:30 a.m. this morning. Twice.
Apparently, our insane early bird, Elijah, was up and trying to make hot chocolate in the microwave.
Something from this attempt is what set the alarm off. Still not sure what though, cause nothing was actually smoking.
All I know is that the alarm went off at 6:30, I sat up in bed and said "Sh**!"
Chad had hauled downstairs with lightening speed cause I didn't even register he was gone at first.
I didn't smell smoke or see smoke so I laid back down waiting for him to come back with a report as to the cause or for him to yell for us to all get out of the house.

As I laid back down, Cory, who had climbed into bed with us around 3 said "What's that sound?" Seriously?? The blaring, obnoxious noise and that's all he's got??
Oh and he had peed in our bed so I think it must have scared the pee right out of him and he didn't even notice! He's amazing...

So that's how my day started. I'm tired...

Procrastination

If I had to use 5 words to describe myself, procrastinator is most definitely one of them.

And, because I'm a positive person,

and I don't like how procrastination is always portrayed in such a negative light...

here is my case for all the benefits of being a procrastinator!!



1. This goes for everything, paperwork, cleaning, laundry, etc...Adrenaline kicks in at the last minutes and helps me focus. Really! I am often sleep deprived, scatterbrained and forgetful. That extra dose of "Oh crap! I have to finish this right now!" makes me think clearer.



2. I have to clean. It's one of those things that just need to be done, but can almost always be put off til the last minute. I have kids and they are messy. So why clean like a madwomen when I know it's going to be dirty in 5 minutes. I don't. I clean when they are napping or gone or when I know someone is going to come by or when I have time. What I've found to be true...the people that really love you don't care if your house is immaculate. In fact, they'll come help you clean it, if you ask.



3. Getting dressed. Seriously, if I'm heading out to someplace that I know I would rather not have a jelly stain on my pants, then I don't get dressed til the last minute. I'll do my hair (15% of the time) and put on some makeup, but almost never do I get dressed til 5 minutes before we leave. It's not worth the annoyance to freak out when Caleb runs at me with peanut butter fingers and someone dumps milk all over my pants. So I hold off getting dressed. Besides pjs are so much more comfy then most anything else!



4. Getting my kids dressed. See #3. Same reasons!

5. Cleaning out my car. It's just one of those things I only think about doing when I'm actually in my car, which is quite a bit, but then I get out of the car and forget how trashed it is. Besides, I can't tell the numbers of times I've been saved by my cluttered, messy car. For example, when we go somewhere and it's cooler then we expected, I can almost always find a blanket or jacket in my car. And, there have been times that I did clean my car out and then think something is in there that I need and then it isn't and I get mad cause I shouldn't have cleaned the car yet!!

See, procrastination can be good!

I'm alive...barely!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
It's been busy. Nothing crazy, nothing really all that exciting. Just busy.

I went to my hometown to watch my little brother play football. It was homecoming so there were some extra activities and fun. I may write about all that some other time...

So, it's work,
school,
cook,
clean,
sleep,
repeat...

The perfect nap

1. Everyone else must be sleeping too--I just can't seem to really sleep unless all the kids are sleeping too.
2. Cool weather and open windows.--Temperature has to be cool enough that I need to curl up in a blanket, but not so cold that my nose freezes!
3. Quiet--See #1.
4. Sweatpants--See #2. I love sweatpants!
5. 2 hours--Not too short, not too long.

And there you have it.
The recipe for a PERFECT nap.
This is not to discredit the thousands of less then perfect naps I've taken over the years. Those have been sufficient, yet not perfect.

I may exist only to survive until my next perfect nap!

I'm back.

What a roller coaster!

The last several days have wiped me out, but as with most things that are in the dark, there are inevitably flashes of beautiful light.

Due to the ENORMOUS generosity of a dear friend who is a flight attendant, I flew out of Kansas City early Sunday to Virginia for a dear friend's funeral.

I couldn't leave til after Chad's football game Saturday day, though.

This is where the roller coaster started!!

UP, UP, UP...

It was a FANTASTIC game! We beat the #7 team in the nation with near perfect precision.

I'm a little bias, but the game plan was spot on :) I loved seeing Chad grin ear to ear on the field after the game.

DOWN, DOWN, DOWN...

Right after the game, I raced home, unpacked all our tailgating stuff, packed up what I needed for the trip and loaded up Autumn, Cory and Caleb. We kissed Chad and Elijah and took off for KC at 11:15 p.m.

I made it to KCI at 3:30 a.m. and tried to park in the parking garage and sleep for awhile. Caleb woke up, which woke Autumn and Cory up, which means I didn't sleep. So I drove around the airport for awhile, got gas, and the kids fell back asleep.

I parked and slept for about 20 minutes before my parents called and they met me outside the airport to take the kids. I got on my 6:00 a.m. flight and slept all the way to DC.

Can you say TIRED???

UP... I was tired, but during my flight from DC to Norfolk, I sat next to a very kind Navy admiral and had a great conversation with him.

and UP, UP, UP again...

My sister-in-law and neice picked me up. It was so nice to see them! I was able to take a nap at their house and then head to the visitation.

UP, DOWN, UP, DOWN...

I haven't seen our friends for probably 6 years and I was so happy to see them. And so sad for why I was able to...

UP, UP...I went back to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's house and had a super fun evening chatting and drinking a good bit of wine.

DOWN...Went to the funeral Monday at noon.

UP...spent the afternoon with my relatives, saw my neice do gymnastics, visited with my other sister-in-law, neice and nephew in the area, and spent most of the night with the Stroyecks, cathing up and remembering their mother.

I left on Tuesday feeling thankful and sad. So thankful that I was able to go and reconnect with a family that is so dear to me, visit some familyAND have a few short, but restful nights of sleep without a certain 2 year old waking me up!

On my way home, I think God decided I need just a little pick-me-up. I was suppose to fly out on a 9:15 flight, but didn't make it in time so I was put on an 11:35 flight which ended up being delayed so I would have missed my connection in Philadelphia. I wasn't worried about it cause I really do enjoy hanging around an airport. Great people watching :)

So as I'm waiting for my now 1:30 flight to board, I notice a woman that I thought I saw at Linda's funeral. I wasn't sure so I didn't say anything, but she thought the same thing and DID say something to me.

Long story, short...She was Linda's very best friend who had moved away from Virginia a few years before we moved there. I had heard about her, but never met her. We were able to sit next to each other on our flight and spent our layover together as our gates were right next to each. It was such a joy to talk with her and I feel like God just orchestrated my delays and flight changes so we could meet.

So glad to be home!!

A life left too soon...

I'm going to be traveling tomorrow to Virginia.
Unfortunately, it's for a funeral of a dear friend, Linda.
I have such great memories from our time there. Those memories often included a beautiful family, the Stroyecks.
Linda and Kevin opened their hearts and home to us at a time that was crucial for me.

The story goes like this...

8 years ago I was a young mom at 22 with 2 babies under 2, living FAR away from my family for the first time. Not hard to say that I was wiggin' out pretty often.

The church we had found to attend was very small. Probably just 8-10 families.
One of those families was the Stroyecks.

They were beautiful, in the most unpretentious sort of way. 4 girls with long, flowy, hippie hair, a dark haired son, a mom with the darkest wavy hair, kind eyes and soft demeanor and a dad with a goofy sense of humor and a quick smile.

Chad was in the Navy and in and out quite a bit. With 2 little babies, church was difficult at best and flat out frustating at worst. This family just helped. When I needed to leave with Autumn, they entertained Elijah. When I had to take out Elijah, they held Autumn for me. This sort of thing turned into invitations for dinner to their house, requests for babysitting by me, and eventually, I just felt like I fit there with them.

Holidays were spent there if we couldn't get back to the Midwest.

Kevin, the dad, LOVED to bar-b-q and he was GOOD at it. Like, grilled scallops, salmon and steak, good. No burgers and hot dogs for this guy!

My brother Luke became very sick during this time and passed away. I don't even know if Linda and her family knows how critical they were for me. My family was so far away and I just desperately needed a family.
4 lovely daughters and a son that let us be a part of their family. At the time, the younger 2 girls, Caroline and Morgan were so fun and sweet. They LOVED Elijah and Autumn. Elijah called Caroline, Caro-lion, and to this day I always call her that too :)

In what was a very difficult time for me with very little kids, an often absent husband, no family around, and losing my brother, this family was there. They filled a void that really needed to be filled.

Linda, the mom, was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and received a bone marrow transplant. She then developed graft vs. host, which caused it's own health problems. She was by no means healthy anymore, but she was not dying either. Thursday she went in to the doctor because of pain in her left shoulder. She passed out, went into cardiac arrest and the medical team was not able to revive her. Her children are now in their 20s and early teens.

I want to be at the funeral so they know what their mom and wife did for me as a young mom and what their family means to me.

I cannot imagine loosing my mother at such a young age. Words don't come to express that emotion.

As I remember that time in our lives and the way Linda embraced us and so effortlessly had room in her heart and lives for us, I can only hope that I too, can be that for someone sometime.

Oh for the love!!!!

SOMEONE PLEASE STOP THE YELLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is so loud!!!

You have no idea...

He is in rare form this morning. It started last night with an all out screaming fit for water.

Not just any water, but downstairs water.

The water Chad had by our bed wasn't good enough. Water from the bathroom wasn't good enough.

I'm stubborn so I let him scream it out for awhile.

Me: "Caleb, I have water here."

Caleb: "WWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRR!! DOWNSTAIRS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me: "Caleb, just take this water."

Caleb: " NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

Me: "Caleb, be quiet!"

Caleb: "NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WWWAAAADDDEEERRR!!!"

This went on for several minutes....

Then Chad from his insane ability to not notice the screaming child in our room, says, "Caleb, do you want to go back to your bed."

Caleb, calmly: "Yes."

There were a few more yells/hollers/screams but for the most part it was over.

So this morning he wakes up in the mood of all moods...Mean, bullying, LOUD!!!!

So, for the record, I love him. I really do. He's so adorable and so smart and so funny.

And LOUD!! :)

Fun things in McPherson

We have lived in McPherson for just over 3 years now and the longer I live here the more I like it.

Here are a few places that make this town special...in my humble opinion :)
P.S. Due to my non-functioning camera, I don't have any cool pictures to entice you with, so you'll just have to go to each of these and see what I'm talkin' about! :)

Kettle Creek Coffeehouse- 1358 N. Main

WARNING: SHAMELESS PLUG.. I know, I know, I work there, but it's such a perfect little place :)
It's just the right size with just the right atmosphere. And here's the kicker...the coffee is awesome. Trust me, I love coffee and I've tried lots of different kinds. Joan has an impressive selection of drinks and her menu of food, both breakfast and lunch/dinner are YUMMY!

Maple Memories 300 S. Maple St.

My beautiful friend, Shannon (remember: my lunging friend :) ) operates this super awesome house with her parents. It's a scrapbooking/quilting/anything crafty, etc retreat and it's always hoppin'!
It's such a cool, unique addition to our town and she does a great job keeping it fun and functional. Check out her website...P.S-she has some SWEET giveaways today! http://www.maplememories.com/ You can get to her blog from there and see all her crafty, fun ideas.

Sassybags-802 N. Main

Oh my goodness! If you love, (even kinda like) fun, girly, blingy accessories, this is THE place to go. My hip, cool friend, Casey has filled her store with purses, wallets, jewelry, hair accessories and on and on. She has new SASSY stuff coming in all the time so there's always something new to check out. Go there!

If you don't live here in McPherson, come visit me and I'll take you there personally! She has a Facebook page, so check it out!

So, there you go...these are 3 places I love to go and would hate not to have in this town. Go see for yourself, if you haven't already.

What's your favorite place in your town??

Lazy or genius??

Here's the thing...I don't mind reading to my kids.
I don't LOVE it or HATE it. I enjoy it sometimes and other times I don't. Mostly I've done it because I know how beneficial it is and they enjoy it.
So, lately, I haven't really felt like reading to them much. Don't know why, just haven't.

Oh wait, let me back track...since we've moved we have not had TV. We have a TV that the kids can watch movies on, but no stations.
For that reason, before bed, everyone sits and reads instead of watching TV.

Now we're back to my point...which was????

Oh, right! Reading to my kids.
So, I've enlisted Elijah and Autumn to read to Cory and Caleb. For some reason when I read to Caleb we get about 2 words in and he wants to get up/turn the page/rip the page/scream...just pick one.

However, when Elijah or Autumn read to him, he just sits there. Not all the time and not perfectly, but WAY more then with me. So, I think we may keep this going. Elijah and Autumn both enjoy it so why not?

Lazy or genius???

I haven't decided yet.

Almost...

I'm almost 30. Just a few more days.
I've never had issues with any age.
I was what I was and I am what I am.
What I was doing at certain ages didn't always match up with what my peers seemed to be doing at the time.
I'm ok with that.
Not many of my peers were eloping, moving across the country and having a baby at 19 and 20.
Then having another baby at 22...and then at 24...and another at 27.
Well, by 27 I think a few friends were having a baby.

I've always just been a little off of the "norm."

Go ahead, I left that one wide open...


So WHAT am I saying? Good question...
Just that I'm good.
I'm good with 30.
Can't wait for the 30s!
Alot happened in my 20s.
Lots of good stuff and some really sad, life-changing stuff. It all adds up to who I am today.
And, I'm good with that, so bring on 30!!

9/11

I remember.

I was 20, almost 21 with a 7 month old baby, just trying to survive the day to day.

Chad was in the the Navy and we lived in Virginia Beach, VA.

He was at work already, I had just gotten out of bed and flipped on The Today Show, expecting to see the usual morning segments that don't really matter.

I saw the burning tower and turned up the sound.

I saw the plane fly into the second tower. I turned to each of the other news stations. It was just total shock from everyone. What was happening?

I think my heart stopped for a second and then started racing. They said there may be other planes. Maybe in the DC area.

We were so close to DC. Chad worked at the largest naval base in the world.

I grabbed the phone and tried to call Chad. The base was on lock down and I couldn't get through.

Panicking, I called my sister in Fl. Told her to turn on the TV.

The towers collapsed and I sat and watched and watched and prayed.

Chad finally called after lunch. He didn't know when he'd be able to leave.

I can't write about that day without crying.

I remember the days, weeks, months after that. Constant coverage, 24/7. I wondered when each news channel would take the first step and cover something else.

They did eventually.

We've all moved on.

You have to.

But it's good to remember.

Weekend...

GO BULLDOGS!!!

At any point, if you get tired of hearing about football, you can say so.
I won't stop writing about it, but I will acknowledge your frustration :)
It's a bit all consuming at this time of year. I'm sorry. Really, I am.
Every week is the same, yet so different.

New opponent, new emotions. For example, last week we played Haskell. Not a great team. Not that you can take any game lightly, as they say, but I wasn't nervous about losing this one. More worried about someone getting hurt. This week, we play Friends. BIG, big difference. Much better team, much more emotion involved, I think.

Here are the things I think about during the week:

Travel plans. Home game, not much to think about, but we go to Wichita this week so got to think about when to leave, what to bring...

Tailgating or not. I LOVE, LOVE tailgating, but it's a lot of work. Not really into alot of work these days.

Get a babysitter for the 2 younger boys or take them to the game. This is critical to my happiness. Away night games are tricky cause it's really late and I don't want someone to have to watch them that late, but it's hard to keep Caleb occupied and actually watch the game so not sure about this one yet.

Do I wear a Bulldog t-shirt and jeans or just something red and black? Again, major life decision here. Got to be comfortable, but need to look cute, but not too over the top cause it's just a football game, you know.

Big decisions people!!!

And finally, tonight, we are having the quarterbacks over for dinner. I love this part. I like to "entertain", although I don't know how entertaining our house is to a few college boys. Anyway, I get to feed them food til they are stuffed and sick feeling. Pretty sweet. I like the guys. They are easy to be around, polite, and don't care if I feed them tacos, spaghetti, or enchiladas.

Lots go into a week of football all for a couple hours on a Saturday.
It's crazy. I know that. Please don't institutionalize me.
Actually, I could use a break.

a list

1. I don't have a "topic" that's been on my mind so I thought maybe a list would be sufficient.

2. I don't really get Labor Day. I suppose it's nice to have a random day in September off, but I really needed to go to the bank today.

3. I super duper, really, love my job at the coffeehouse. I can't wait to go there tomorrow.

4. I think I like my oldest son more when he's not in school everyday. I can't decide what that means.

5. I think I like my middle son more when my oldest son is in school. Again, I don't know what that means.

6. I REALLY want to go to my hometown this week for their big Fall Festival. It's not really that big cause the town is 2500 people, but it's a good time to see people.

7. I miss my mom.

8. We won our first game on Saturday! 45-0. A serious whoopin'! This next week is going to be a whole different kind of game. Much better opponent. I'm nervous. No, excited. No, nervous. You get the picture.

9. I really love my house, but I CANNOT decide on what else to put in it. Let's just say it's sparse. Really, sparse. It doesn't feel cozy and I kinda want cozy. I'm too cheap, though. I don't want to buy anything unless I love it and I can't decide what I love. HELP!

10. I love my husband and my kids, but they can only do so much to make the house cozy.

11. I'm wondering how many numbers I could get to in this post. I think probably a lot.

12. Are you bored yet??

13. My camera bit the dust this week. I'm kinda sad, but then I think about getting a new one and I get excited and then I think about Chad taking over our finances and then I get sad again cause he doesn't see that as an essential item. The camera I want is going to cost me ALOT of hours at the coffeehouse :)

14. Now are you bored?

15. I am.

ROAD TRIP!

It's a small one, but I'll take it!
I'm going to see 2 of my favorite people...



Fortunately, for them, they live in the same town together now.

Unfortunately, for me, that town is Fargo, ND.

I don't get up there much.
But I get to hang out with them tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited to see their lovely faces!!

And here's the kicker...I get to go on my little excurision with another one of my favorite people.


This is my lunging friend, Shannon. You can't beat loyalty like that, folks.

Routines

I like 'em.
Wait...Hold on...Hell might freeze over...


Guess we're ok for now.
I honestly never in a bazillion years thought I'd say that!
I don't know what I'm saying!
I'm a free spirit.
I love spontaniety!
Schedules are for people who can't enjoy life moment to moment.

Yep, that's me. Somehow I can't, exclusively, hold to that.
A part of me will til my dying day.
The other part realizes that my life, such as it is, cannot be that lackadaisical. I have to plan...a little, anyway.

It used to be bad. Really bad. As in I had NO routine, schedule, ANYTHING!
This created a bit of a problem when I did have to actually get somewhere on time. Sometimes I was late, other times I just forgot.

And so I have come to like a routine. Nothing crazy. I am the anti-OCD.
I don't have 15 charts, with every minute planned and each task specifically laid out. I don't do chores on specific days or know what I'm cooking for each meal each day. I'm sure someone who is a planner would love to come in and give me an organizational make-over.

I don't see that happening.

I basically exist off of a calendar and that's it. I'm a lazy routine person, but that works for me. I get to maintain the free spirit in my soul, but not go completely nutso cause I can't remember what has to be done each day or where which kid needs to be at what time.

Someday I may just totally rebel and pack everything up and move to a remote location and raise my kids all hippie-like.

My house is quiet...

and that's not necessarily a good thing.

It's Sunday, which has usually been "Everybody Nap Day" around here, but we haven't done that for awhile because when Elijah naps he usually doesn't go to bed til 11 and then it's just a long week of grumpiness.

Today, though, I reinstated "Everybody Nap Day" cause I could not
for one.

More.

Minute...

handle the insanity that is my 4 kids today.
See not necessarily a good thing that it's all quiet around here.
I yelled, stomped around and sent everyone to bed.
Not good.

Half of the problem is my current state of mind, which is just generally stressed and half is their inability to like or be kind to each other for more then 15 seconds.

I needed a break.
So I swept the floors for the one thousandth time, knowing full well that I will do it again at least 2 more times today.
Then I made some coffee and put a scoop of ice cream in it cause I can and sat down to write.
Here's to a LONG "Everybody Nap Day!"

Millions of peaches...

peaches for me.
Millions of peaches, peaches for free!
Name that song!!
I'm a product of the 90s :)



We have a peach tree in our back yard and if my camera had not broken yesterday, I'd have some really cool "peach" pictures to put up with this post. Instead you get some stock picture from the web.



There were ALOT of peaches on our tree.
We lost 2 really big branches just from the weight of them.
I had no means to get to the top of the tree to get the lovely, juicy peaches so I was kinda bummed about just wasting them.

Enter our kind neighbor...
He generously offered to use his ladder and apple picker to get our peaches down.
I, of course, said yes and take all the peaches you want!
We were still left with a mother lode!

I'm going to freeze some, eat some, make some peach crisp( I don't like pies!)
and if Caleb has anything to do with it, he will consume 15-20 a day!!

It's coffee, people!!

I love it! I love it! I love it!
Coffee!
So what better place to work then a coffeehouse?!
Today was my first morning at my new job at Kettle Creek Coffeehouse and I loved it.

Check it out!
http://www.kettlecreekcoffee.net/

It's a great mix of social interaction and mental work. I'm looking forward to knowing how to make all the different drinks and getting to know all the regulars.

I've become very aware over the years to how much is too much for me and I really considered that before looking for another job. I just know that when I'm stretched too thin with outside things, my family suffers.

What I've also noticed about myself is that if I don't have enough to do, I spend WAY too much time messing around all day and not getting anything done, which also makes my family suffer.
So, my theory is that if I work "just enough" I'll actually be more productive at home and with the kids.
We'll see how that goes!

UPDATE:
For those who care, I have almost recovered from Monday's lunges.
And by almost recovered, I mean that I can walk up and down the stairs without yelling expletives and cursing Crossfit.
Now I just grimace and cry a little bit.

Craigslist, floors, and lunges...

It's a random sort of day so here's a random sort of post...welcome to my world :)

Our recent lack of money,...oh who am I kidding?...Our continuing lack of money has caused me to list a bunch of stuff on craigslist that I no longer need/want.

I have a serious addiction to craigslist.
As in I'm on it every day.
I don't really buy much. Here and there I've gotten things we've needed, like these bad boys :)


It's mostly a fascination with what people are getting rid of and what value they put to things.
And quite frankly, we couldn't have made it this month if people hadn't bought our stuff. So, I don't know who Craig is, but I love his list!

If you've read some of my other posts,(and since I actually have a few blog stalkers, I can say that now!!), our floors were something I was super excited about when we moved into our new house.
Remember these beautiful floors!

They don't look quite like that anymore.

I love them.
I do.
I really do.
No, really, I do. (I'm trying to brainwash myself. Just give me a minute...)

So anyway, I mop alot, but not nearly enough to make them look nice and lovely all the time.
I'm shopping around for rugs...on craigslist :)

And finally, on this random day...lunges.



Might I recommend that you DO NOT under ANY circumstance, for ANY reason,
even if your husband will call you a wuss if you don't
and a friend is stupid enough to join you,
and even if you're held at gunpoint(well, maybe then),
do 400 meters of walking lunges.
Stupid.

I love this time of year!

Football is in the air!!
Can you smell it?

I'm not talking about the smell of stinky boys in sweaty uniforms that haven't been washed in 3 or 4 days.

I'm talking about the anticipation, the thrill, the culmination of months of planning, hard work and focus!

I married a football coach, which means I married this sport. He hasn't always coached, but he's always been a coach at heart. From very early on he knew this is what he wanted to do. There have been a few side steps, but this is where we have landed.

It's not an easy task. It's not a 9-5, low-stress job that always pays the bills. It's not easy for those that are able to coach full-time, but exponentially harder when one coaches and has a full-time job, as well.

It's countless hours planning, practicing, and planning some more. It's some missed family events and good night kisses with your wife and kids and relaxing Saturdays with the family. It's setting a good example and being a role model for a hundred boys who are trying to figure out and plan their own futures.

And for the wives, it's being, essentially, a single parent for months on end, selflessly, and sometimes begrudgingly, handling all things house and kids, keeping your cool when message boards are knocking your team or husband, and being a sounding board and constant cheerleader when the games or seasons aren't going like we'd all hoped.

So what's the catch? Why do we keep doing it, year after year? Why do I love it so much?

It's butterflies at kickoff, the sigh of relief when the scoreboard shows a W as the final second ticks off, or the sense of disappointment when the other guys play better.


It's seeing a team that you are personally invested in succeed. Or seeing them fail and get up and go for it again. It's waking up on a Saturday, dressing in your team colors, anticipating the crowds, the cheering, the possibility of a sweet victory.

It's making friendships that will last a lifetime.



And, more then anything, it's seeing my husband's face after the game, when we both know all those sacrifices mattered.

School days, school days

It's started. School.
Such mixed feelings every year at this time for me. With one in public school and 2 homeschooling this year and a 2 year old, each day is a juggle.
This time of year makes me think about our schooling decisions. Which inevitably leads me to question our decisions, incessantly.

Should we just homeschool everyone?
Should we send them in sooner, later, never?
Can I really do this?

Same questions every year. I would think at some point, I would just know.

It seems in my circle of friends, the start of school is like a celebration of sorts. For those that are sending their Kindergarteners off, there are a few tears, but for the most part, it seems everyone breaths a collective sigh of relief.

I don't ever really have that relief when my oldest goes to school.
I get anxious, not about all the fun, great things he'll do and learn, but about the other stuff.

What's he going to learn from his peers that I'd rather he didn't yet, if at all?

He has a great time in school and he really does well academically. So what's my problem? I don't know. It's just a thing.
I have a feeling we'll end up homeschooling everyone again.
I just need to wrap my brain around it, I think.

2 year old

Disregard the nose-picker in the background.

The blond one.
He's 2.
And boisterous.
And chatty. Super chatty. By chatty, I mean he never shuts up.
Really, from the minute he wakes up til the 2 hours he naps and then again til he finally sleeps at night. It's non-stop words. 50% of those words are "Mom, Mommy, Mama"

He's busy too. He's got things to do, you know. Yesterday, for example, it was very important for him to pour half a bag of brown sugar on the floor. This was of course after he had unhung all the clothes by the dryer for the tenth time that day.
"Lots to do, lots to do." I imagine that's what goes through his head as he terrorizes the house.
If he weren't so cute, I may get annoyed.



Ok, I do get annoyed, but then I look at that face. That face will change, he'll start asking me if he can go to friend's houses, or bungee jump, or get a motorcycle, or if he can go on a date.

AAHH! I'll hold on to the 2 year old as long as I can.

I'm grumpy and a family affair...

Yowzers. I can't think of anything nice to say so I'll take my mother's advice and say nothing at all.

Except this...my mom and my two sisters have all started blogs. Add them to your list. They will be much more interesting to read then this dud of a blog :)

My mom's: Looking forward to reading this one. She's incredible.
http://onecallsmedear10callmemother.blogspot.com/

Ang-my older, wiser sister: She has 2 blogs. Always the overachiever :)
http://musingsthatmeander.blogspot.com/
http://trueconfessionsofahomeschoolmom.blogspot.com/

Grace-my younger, cuter sister: Not that my older sister isn't cute. She is. Grace is just cuter then both of us.
http://heartofatravler.blogspot.com

Happy reading :)

Hello again

It's been awhile. We've been busy and/or lazy. Both are sufficient excuses for not blogging right?
Here's a recap:
House:
Chad and I spent several nights trying to measure/cut baseboards and quarter round for our house. And by try, I mean get annoyed with each other and manage to get some of it done. It hasn't been nailed up yet so we're still not done. One night in particular, we just quit. Haven't worked on it since. Yeah, so that was fun.

Muehler Family reunion-
43 Muehlers in one smallish "resort" in Arkansas. I use the term resort very loosely so you don't conjure up ideas of a swanky pad with all the amenities one can imagine. The cabins were sufficient and it had a pool so we were set. We celebrated Chad's parents' 50th anniversary all together, which was really special.

All 26 grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa.
My only hang up with the whole trip was Caleb. I ended up shadowing him most of the time as there wasn't any place we could just let him roam/play. It was annoying at times, but such is life and the kids all had a great time with their cousin.

Mentally preparing to be organized:
Seriously, this takes alot of prep work. School is just around the corner and I have to gear myself up for homeschooling, Elijah's school schedule, Cory doing Kindergarten. I'm tired already. I'm looking forward to it in one respect because I do like the schedule of being in school. And, I'm not because I don't really like schedules, in general. Right? Right.

Yep, so that's what I've been doing the past few weeks. Hoping to blog more frequently now. If I have anything to say, that is...

Family reunion

I've been meaning to post these for a few weeks now, but with the move and all I haven't so you get them now.
The following are pictures of my parents and siblings that my sister-in-law took at our family reunion a month ago.
Personally, I love them. Super love them.
This is really and truly what we all look like.
She got the idea from The National's new album. They had mug shot type pics and they were super cool.















An old pic of Luke. :)











As Seth would say, "Yeah, we really are that good-looking." :)