Let the Season Begin…..

ever since last year, I have been trying to figure out the best way to celebrate Christmas. the gifts were out of control and ultimately the true meaning of the season was lost.

ODDLY ENOUGH I FOUND MY INSPIRATION FROM KATHY LEE GIFFORD! SHE WAS ON THE TODAY SHOW LAST YEAR, AND DISCUSSED HOW SHE BOUGHT HER KIDS 3 PRESENTS FOR CHRISTMAS. IF THAT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR BABY JESUS, THEN IT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR HER FAMILY.

THAT GOT THE COGGS MOVING IN MY BRAIN. I MADE A COMMITMENT TO MYSELF AND TO MY FAMILY THAT THIS YEAR IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT. WE WOULD CELEBRATE, JESUS’ BIRTHDAY; NOT JUST RECEIVE PRESENTS, BUT FOCUS ON GIVING.

I STARTED OUT BY HELPING ADAM UNDERSTAND THAT CHRISTMAS WAS BABY JESUS’ BIRTHDAY. NEXT I FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE HE UNDERSTOOD THAT WE NEED TO GIVE THINGS TO PEOPLE AND TO SHARE.

ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I WAS TALKING WITH DH ABOUT WHAT WE WERE GOING TO GIVE PEOPLE FOR CHRISTMAS. ADAM CHIMED IN.

OUR DISCUSSION WAS AS FOLLOWS:

A: mom I WANT TO GET PRESENTS FOR EVERYONE FOR CHRISTMAS.

M: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GET THEM? AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY?

a: I AM GOING TO GET THEM RACERS AND I AM GOING TO USE MY MONEY IN MY PIGGY BANK! also on Christmas morning I want a cake and balloons and have a party for baby Jesus!

let the season begin!

Summertime Fun

This summer has been going by way too fast. Izabella has made an abundance of friends, and we are making some wonderful, strong friendships. The kids are growing at remarkable speeds, and Olivia seems to be changing on a daily basis. New sounds, words, facial expressions. They all are adding up to one funny, independent little girl!

This was Miss Olivia playing today (Notice the fish lips)

Finding time....

I have been trying so hard to keep up with the blog, but alas, with 2 little ones, a house, friends, and school work, I haven't been a good blogger. I promise to try harder.

Life here has been crazy. Miss Olivia started crawling a week ago and so now the fun has begun! She is such an observant little bugger. She watches everything around her, and then she doesn't hesitate to copy, once she deems the scene ok. I believe I have an extremely bright one on my hands, but then again, what mother doesn't think so.

Spring is suppose to be here, but it has been raining so much that we haven't been outside much, but when the sun shines, the dogs, and all go down to the river and fetch, run and picnic. Or, we are outside finishing up projects before Jeremy goes off on his fire season.

I will sit down later, hopefully, and start to back blog about the silly, yet wonderful things going on in our world.

Messages from the kids.....

I am trying to think of inexpensive, meaningful ways to celebrate Mother's Day this year. What better the getting messages sent to you from your Grand kids (niece and nephew)?!? I hope all enjoy the messages and images of Goober and Tootsie...

Goober's Message

Olivia's Message

Tootsie 8 months!

Goober 3 years, 2 1/2 months

Goober and Olivia

Goober and Olivia

Reuben Hotdish

I have finally gotten back in the saddle again when it comes to cooking. I had a dear friend in town this weekend and she inspired me to make a Reuben Hotdish. I searched the web and found recipe and then I tweaked it. This is the results, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did....

Ingredients

• 1 loaf rye bread (cut into cubes)
• 1 (16 ounce) can sauerkraut
• 2cups swiss cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup thousand island dressing
• 2 cups corned beef, cut into small pieces

Directions

1. Put half of the rye bread cubes into a greased sheet cake pan.

2. Top with the sauerkraut.

3. Mix the sour cream and thousand island dressing together and spoon half on top the sauerkraut.

4. Top with 1 cup of the swiss cheese.

5. Top with the corned beef.

6. Top with the rest of the sour cream/dressing mix.

7. Lastly, top with the remainder of the bread cubes and the remainder of the swiss cheese.

8. Drizzle the melted butter over all.

9. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

10. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.

11. Serve hot.

God through Osmosis

As a family we have been attempting to get to church every Sunday. I came to the realization that if I was going to say I was a Christian, I better begin to walk the walk and talk the talk. Needless to say it is a daunting mission to walking into a church with a 7 month old, a 3 year old, and a husband who wants to go, but has no clue about what is going on.

There has been many weeks where I have thought, "Is this really worth it. Is Any one getting anything out of this?"

My answer came this past Sunday. While we were sitting in the pew waiting for the service begin, Adam yelled out, "There is a cross! That is where Jesus died, then he went into a hole!" It is working.

Later on during the service we were reflecting after communion, Adam was getting squirmy. I pulled him up on my lap and said, "This is a quiet time to listen to the music and remember that Jesus died for our sins." Adam snuggled into me and listened. It was working.

Today, we were talking with Auntie Kelly. I told Adam to tell Auntie about Baby Jesus. Adam's response, "He died on the cross, and the butterflies flew away." Butterflies were discussed during service a few weeks back, I never once brought it up.

It is working.

Keeping the Faith

Yesterday was one of those days that a person wishes would just end. It started at 5:50 am with Miss Olivia deciding to get up. Next Goober peed in my bed and by 7:30 Jeremy had whacked his leg on the end table and was screaming. By 9:00 Goober had ran into a wall, fell over, hit his head on a shoe rack, and cut his lip open. By 10:30 water was coming in my drain in my basement.

Luckily I caught the water before the, newly remodeled, basement was flooded. We called our hero "Mike the Plumber" and he was here in a matter of minutes. After 2 hours of digging and poking it was determined that we have a collapsed sewer pipe and we will have to dig out the sewer line to find out were the break is at.

By this point I am on the verge of tears, I all I can think about is the money we will have to pay and how we are going to find it. I keep saying in my head "God has a plan" "This to shall pass". My usual mantras in time of crisis.

By 4 pm we realize we are going to be without sewer for the weekend. I am at wits end. I am so angry and frustrated I want to cry and scream. Just then "Terry the Handy Man" comes to my house to pull up some roots. I had asked him to come long before the sewer backed up and I was worried about paying him and paying all the other expenses that were to come out of this whole adventure.

As I am talking with Terry, the topic of money came up. I was lamenting about everything, then I pause and say to him, "God has a plan, and this too shall pass". He smiles and says yes it will. When he is done with his work. Jeremy goes out to pay him, he smiles and tells Jeremy, "Don't worry about it. Just give extra to church tomorrow."

God has a plan. He is watching, and when you believe you are at wits end, stop, breathe and remember, "He is watching you and will help you, if you believe".

God Bless Terry, Mike, and all the others who were there for me yesterday and everyday. I am truly a blessed person. AMEN.

Adam 3 year well child....

Poor Adam has had a lot on his plate lately. He was told early this week that he was borderline overweight and that he needed to go on a diet. Of course, he is only skin and bones and I had to gently point out to the WIC person that his disability made his limbs bigger and heavier then the average limb... *sigh*

Yesterday he was told at his yearly check up that he has to start going back to pt and ot and now he gets to has speech therapy. This poor little boy has such a wonderful mind and his poor little body just doesn't want to keep up!

On a happy note, he is still projected to be about 6 feet tall and everything else about him is looking wonderful!

I can do it!

I have had a terrible struggle with my weight as an adult. College didn't do me well, and then my 20's wasn't the crown moment in my life. Now I am in my 30's and done having children. It is now time for me.

Oh, I have dabbled in working out, different "fad" diets, the usually things, but this is my time. I am going to do it. I have gone back to the one program that has really ever motivated me. I am back on Weight Watchers. I am also working out 5 days a week.

I am going to do this.....

Stay tuned to watch my progress....

The Frog Tent

A couple years ago Auntie Kelly purchased a frog tent for Adam. Yesterday he unearthed it in his room. He asked me to assemble it, so I thought why not! I had been holding onto it for a rainy day, and since we have been stuck in doors for the last few weeks I figured it was an opportune time to take it out.

Well, that was the best idea ever. This thing is about 5 feet x 4 feet. You can fit Adam, me and Jeremy into with room to spare! Goober sleeps in it plays in it and likes to have "mommallows" (marshmallows) in it. So THANK YOU AUNTIE KELLY!

Back in the Saddle

Well if I have anyone left reading my blog, then that is a miracle. I can't believe that it has been 6 months since the last blog. My life has been so out of control. The end of my pregnancy went from icky to full out sucky.

It started in August with me get violently ill and ending up in the hospital. I was in and out of the hospital for the next 2 months and lost over 30 pounds. Granted loosing 30 pounds is usually wonderful, but not when it comes out your butt! Anyway after all of the trauma, it was pretty much decided that I have developed an autoimmune disorder. Most likely Crone's Disease, but I can't be fully diagnosed for about 3 more months, due to the early diagnosis and being able to show up on tests. Of course this has changed my life drastically. I no longer can have dairy, caffeine, and fatty foods. If I am having a flare up then salad is out too. It makes for an adventure in life, but I figure it is a good way for me to get myself back on track for the health department.

Adam has taken off when it comes to his vocabulary and height, he is predicted to be about 6 feet tall when all is said and done, and his vocabulary and humor rival those of a 4 year old. His wit keeps us all on our toes.

Jeremy is still the same, he obsesses over cutting wood and keeping the lawn kept up. He loves to spend his evening with the rug rats and can't get enough of HGTV.

Izi is wonderful, she spent the summer with us and was a wonderful helper, and I don't know what I would have done without her. She has shot up and is now all legs and her humor and personality reminds me so much of myself it is scary. I look forward to seeing her on her breaks and whenever I get a chance to come back to Minnesota to visit.

Our newest addition was born on September 2, 2009. She was 7 pounds 10 oz and was 19 inches. She is the runt of the litter and we are enjoy watching her grow. She is extremely laid back, but very particular in what she wants and when she wants it. I sure don't know where she gets that from.

Anyway, I am planning on making this a priority in my life for 2010, and maybe, just maybe I will keep this New Years Resolution up.