Nemo

The kids have nick names for each other but usually they change from time to time. The one that has remained constant is"NEMO". And I am "Nemo's Mom"

You Just Don't Appreciate What You Have, Until You Don't Have It

This may tell you how much I use my Washer and Dyer... The washer is three years old and the belt burned off. I was doing laundry last Tuesday and on the fourth load of the day the washer started to squeak and smoke. When I heard the chain saw squeaking (I guess that's not a squeak but it did sound like some type of saw) I rushed downstairs wondering "what in the world is that?" I opened my laundry room door and found a room filled with smoke. I quickly opened the top of the washer and waited. Called the repair man in the morning who came on FRIDAY to show me the burned belt. The new belt is a special order (go figure) and he will be back on March 6th to fix it. MARCH 6th??? Wonderful.

If only we could afford a new one of these...

One of my dream appliances

I am grateful my mom lives close enough that I can have a laundry marathon at her house. The Laundromat is NOT an option!

A Cleaning Schedule that I'd like to implement

Well...it's early in the morning and I cannot sleep. Yes, Darrel is working a night shift. I seriously have insomnia when he works nights. Or maybe it's pure sympathy pains because he is up all night and so I feel like I have to be up all night too? Only... guess who is up with the kids the next day while hubby is resting from a long, hard night at work? Not so smart to stay up. Okay... before I make myself go to bed and get five hours of sleep, I found this cleaning schedule here and think it's something I should implement along with this. He he!

Cleaning Schedule
Daily Chores
Wash dishes
Wipe counters (kitchen and bathrooms)
Sweep kitchen
Clean the kitchen sink
Wipe inside of microwave
Quick tidy of the house
Monday
Sweep/Vacuum Downstairs
Sanitize Garbage Cans
Tuesday
Dust (All rooms)
Wipe down appliances
Three loads of laundry (from start to finish)
Wednesday
Tidy the bedrooms
Tidy/organize one other thing(like a closet or drawer)
Three loads of laundry (from start to finish)
Thursday
Take out the trash
Clean out refridgerator
Sweep all floors
Three loads of laundry (from start to finish)
Friday
Clean the bathrooms
Mop floors
Vacuum All Floors
Pay Bills
Grocery Shopping
Saturday
Change sheets
Three loads of laundry (from start to finish)
Clean out car and purse
Sunday Dinner Prep
Sunday
Church
Family Home Evening
Menu Plan

My 25

1. I have always wanted to be an architect (aside from being a mom)
2. I want to build at least one home we live in
3. When I was in Elementary School I wanted to be an art teacher. Thanks to Mr. Aaron - the best art teacher in the world!
4. I really want at least 10 children (don't tell Darrel I said that)
5. My future car after children is a SAAB
6. I love to fly but have not flown in the past 9 years
7. I love snow - good thing we're going to Maine
8. I have nightmares of losing my children in public places
9. I wanted to name my first daughter Hannah and Darrel wanted to name his first daughter Daryl. Just imagined if we compromised and called her Daryl Hannah!
10. I love taking pictures and would like an awesome camera and learn how to take great pictures
11. My degree is in Interior Design but feel that my home has never reflected such knowledge and talent
12. I only like being pregnant when I am not sick, tired and uncomfortable
13. I love ice cream and many other dairy products even though I have milk aversions
14. I have been tested and I am allergic to EVERYTHING environmental EXCEPT... mold
15. I would really like to play the piano
16. I would also like to play the harp
17. I want a truck to go along with my SAAB
18. I listen to country music
19. I have never had my hair braided or had extensions
20. I like surprises and to be surprised
21. I like entertaining guests
22. My idea of the perfect getaway is a trip to the mountains , surrounded by snow, fireplace burning, warm fuzzy blankets, hot chocolate with marshmallows and a soaking tub
23. I want to home school our children
24. I am about to have my fifth major surgery
25. I could successfully handle and breath my way through contractions, labor and birth with no medication but I start to hyperventilate before receiving a spinal

What 25 already! Tim McGraw sings a song about his "Next 30 Years" I may write my "Next 25"

Birthday Bash

My wonderful husband surprised me Monday evening with a dinner date. The last time we went on a dinner date was... before Spencer was born and he is 14 months old now. Needless to say it was a special occasion and memorable night. It may be another 3 years before something like that happens again.

Darrel really loves me and it's a good feeling to know that you are loved by the one you love the most. I appreciate his dedication to me and our family. He is patient with me and very loving. What a blessing that I chose him and he chose me. I know I have said this before but, I really believe that he is the only man on earth who would have leaped with me into this adventure that we are in known as family life. I am happier today than I was when we were first married and I never would have imagined then, being where I am today.

Life is great and today is a happy day!

Howdini

We (Daryl, Nic and I) just finished making teddy bear pop cookies after watching the demonstration on Howdini.com and viola! It was quick and easy. The kids really enjoyed maklng cookies and especially eating them. Thanks Howdini!!

Connect Four

This morning has been a dream morning. Nothing fantastic or especially amazing has happened. Just LIFE. Good LIFE. I have been sorting, organizing, and boxing our possessions and the kids love to unpack the items I place in boxes. This morning Daryl pulled out the travel Connect Four game. This game has been in our home for at least four years and played maybe two times by my husband and I. I love board games of all types and have been "collecting" a few here and there even if we don't pull them out much. Needless to say I was apprehensive about letting kids "play" with this game. There are a lot of little pieces and I was sure that a few would get lost. However, I listened to that inner child and I said "yes, you can play with it". What happened from there? Daryl had fun making patterns with the red and black checkers and when she was finished and move on to a book, she passed it to Nicolas who thoroughly enjoyed placing the checkers in the slots and filling all the spaces. Corey watched tentatively and before long the two of them were sitting on the bed filling the spaces with checkers and just loving it. I did a rare thing and maybe this is why I said it has been a dream morning. I sat on the bed and just watched them. Well, I put Spencer down for a nap at the same time but I was being STILL and enjoying the sight I beheld before my eyes When Spencer fell asleep, Daryl then came and sat next to me and started to read a book. Soon Corey and Nicolas joined us for the good read and there we all were on the bed cuddled up together reading a good book. And right now, my three boys are all taking a nap and I get to record this dream of a morning.

Isn't life GREAT!